US08687530B2
Described is a technology by which a roadside-to-vehicle communication system may be implemented, including via a stateful scheduling with network coding scheme that enhances network capacity. Moving vehicles request and receive data from a roadside access points. Each of the access points operate a stateful scheduling algorithm that serves multiple vehicles by integrating network coding within a timeslot. In one aspect, the state of each vehicle's previously received and retained data is obtained, and used to enhance network capacity by combining as many packets as possible for multiple recipients in network coding.
US08687529B2
A mobile wireless communication device includes a circulators coupled between a respective communications arrangement and their antennas. Each circulator includes a coupled tuning network, wherein the tuning networks are operable to tune their circulators for maximum isolation from cross coupling between the power amplifiers within an operating frequency band of the respective communications arrangement.
US08687524B2
A multi-protocol, multi-standard, software-defined radio (SDR) includes one or more RF front ends to support each radio frequency band, and a programmable processor that replaces special-purpose hardware for the tuning and demodulation of each radio service. The programmable processor has limited peak processing capabilities, and calculations are made to see if present user terminal assignments will result in processing conflicts that could exceed the peak processing capabilities. In traffic slot applications in particular, any possible simultaneous arrival or overlap of traffic slots from the respective radio services is projected. If conflicts will result from the current user terminal assignments, then those assignments are reshuffled to obtain a non-conflicting result.
US08687522B2
A distributed hash table is implemented to store routing information on a network. Node IDs exchanged in connection with implementation of a link state routing protocol are used as keys in the distributed hash table, and routes are stored at one or more nodes on the network. When a route is learned, the route is processed against the set of keys to determine which nodes should store the route. When a route is needed, the route is processed against the set of keys to determine which nodes should have the route information. The manner in which the route is processed against the set of keys is the same in both instances, so that the DHT may be used to store and retrieve route information on the network.
US08687521B1
A network interface of a first mesh point device, the network interface including a memory and a medium access controller. In response to the first mesh point device receiving a frame, the medium access controller determines whether a mesh path for routing the frame from the first mesh point device to a second mesh point device is stored in the memory. In response to a mesh path not being stored in the memory, and prior to performing a mesh path discovery protocol, the medium access controller (i) determines whether the second mesh point device is one hop from the first mesh point device, and if so selects a one hop path for routing the frame to the second mesh point device, otherwise (ii) uses the mesh path discovery protocol to determine a mesh path for routing the frame to the second mesh point device.
US08687514B2
Interference suppression by beam forming is achieved even in an FDD (Frequency Division Duplex) system. A base station device 1 performs communication based on FDD. The base station device 1 includes a downlink signal reception unit 12 that receives a downlink signal transmitted from another base station device. The base station device 1 performs a beam forming process for directing a null beam to an arrival direction of the downlink signal from the another base station device, by using transmission path information between the base station device and the another base station device, the information being available from the downlink signal received by the downlink signal reception unit 12.
US08687511B2
A Secure Location Session Manager (SLSM) is an intelligent router for open mobile alliance (OMA) Secure User Plane Location (SUPL) Version 1.0 (and later) messages best implemented when multiple, geo-diverse SUPL servers are deployed in a distributed environment, such as an active-active redundant configuration within a wireless carrier's network. In a standalone option, the SLSM acts as a “middleman” for all SUPL positioning messages between a mobile device and a responsible SUPL server. In an embedded option, the SLSM resides within an existing server. The SLSM manages and stores session information for all pending and ongoing SUPL positioning sessions in internal tables for routing and load balancing purposes. The external interfaces of the SLSM consist of OMA ULP messages.
US08687503B2
A method for identifying a failed network interface card in a system having two NICs configured as a team includes the steps of transmitting a first data packet from the first NIC to a third NIC, wherein the third NIC is not a member of the team, and transmitting a second data packet from the first NIC to the second NIC or from the second NIC to the third NIC, depending on whether the third NIC responds to the transmission of the first data packet. One advantage of the disclosed method is that it specifically identifies which NIC within the team has failed, which is something that cannot be determined by simply exchanging packets between the two NICs.
US08687497B2
A reduced-memory vectored DSL system includes methods and apparatus for reducing the bandwidth and memory storage demands on a vectored DSL system in which FEXT data is transmitted and stored. An upstream-end device such as a DSLAM communicates with a plurality of downstream-end devices such as CPE modems. When test signal data, such as training and/or tracking data, is sent to determine FEXT characteristics of the DSL system, error signals are available for all or substantially all of the upstream and/or downstream frequency band DSL tones used in the system. Dividing a frequency band into sub-bands, only a subset of tones in each sub-band is used for deriving FEXT data, such as a FEXT channel response, FEXT channel coefficients and/or FEXT cancellation coefficients. For tones in the sub-band subsets, full-precision FEXT data values can be derived. For other tones, approximations of the FEXT data can be derived.
US08687477B2
In a case of performing recording/playing with an information recording layer with a first light irradiation, and controlling the recording/playing positions on the information recording layer by a second light irradiating as to a position control information recording layer provided separately from the information recording layer, corrections to shifts in recording positions and playing positions that occurs as a result of shifts in the optical axes of the first and second lights.A disc-shaped recording medium has multiple pit row phases wherein, the pit rows having a spacing between one round of pit formable positions that is limited to a predetermined first spacing are formed in a spiral shape or concentrically, and with pit rows arrayed in the radius direction, the spacing in the pit row forming direction of the pit formable positions is set to positions shifted by a predetermined second spacing. Therefore multiple pit rows can be arrayed in within the width of one conventional track, and a tracking servo can be used for the selected pit rows in accordance with the correction amount of the playing position, in which case corrections can be made with high precision that is narrower than one track width.
US08687474B2
A recording apparatus characterized in that comprising a firmware configured to execute the following operation: performing a recording operation onto a rewritable optical recording medium with a recording speed selected from one of a plurality of recording speeds for an one-time optical recording medium; wherein the recording layer of the rewritable optical recording medium comprises at least four elements from Ge, In, Sb, Te, and Sn, wherein the component proportion of Sb/Te is ranged from 3 to 8, and the thickness of the recording layer is ranged from 3 nm to 25 nm.
US08687472B1
Apparatus having corresponding methods comprise: a light source configured to produce light; a lens configured to focus the light on an optical disc; a photo detector configured to obtain a measurement of the light reflected by the optical disc; and a controller configured to determine a cleanliness of the lens based on the measurement of the light reflected by the optical disc responsive to the lens focusing the light on a surface of the optical disc.
US08687471B2
Aspects of the disclosure provide a signal processing circuit that includes a signal processing circuit includes a processing path configured to process an electrical signal to produce input data samples, and a feed-forward correction module configured to delay the input data samples to produce delayed data samples, to apply the delayed data samples to a timing loop during periods when a profile variation of the data samples is not detected, and to apply the input data sample to the timing loop during periods when a profile variation of the data samples is detected.
US08687465B2
Methods and systems utilizing seismic sensors configured or designed for use in seismic signal detection. An electrical current is applied to a seismic sensor such that the moving coil is located at a neutral position relative to the magnetic field in the seismic sensor to compensate for gravitational acceleration.
US08687462B2
A method of obtaining information about the positions of sources in a marine seismic source array that has N seismic sources, including at least Nunique types of sources that are nominally non-identical to one another, where 1≦Nunique≦N−1. The method comprises measuring the pressure field at M independent locations of the N sources, where M>Nunique, and obtaining information about the positions of sources from the M pressure measurements and from the constraint that at least two of the sources are nominally identical to one another.
US08687459B2
Methods of operating a memory device and memory devices are provided. For example, a method of operating a memory array is provided that includes a synchronous path and an asynchronous path. A Write-with-Autoprecharge signal is provided to the synchronous path, and various bank address signals are provided to the asynchronous path. In another embodiment, the initiation of the bank address signals may be provided asynchronously to the assertion of the Write-with-Autoprecharge signal.
US08687454B2
In a semiconductor storage apparatus, an internal address generation unit generates, when receiving successive first and second external addresses, from the second external address an internal address for selecting any of the memory cells connected to bit lines and word lines except the bit line and word line connected to a memory cell to be selected according to the first external address. When receiving the successive external addresses, a memory cell connected to the same bit line and word line is not continuously selected, and erroneous readout due to rewriting of a value of the memory cell in a non-selected state is suppressed.
US08687444B2
A plurality of memory cells are tested in order. Each time a defective memory cell is detected by the test, error pattern information is updated based on a relative arrangement relationship between a plurality of defective memory cells, and error address information is updated based on the addresses of at least part of the plurality of defective memory cells. According to the present invention, it is possible to significantly reduce the storage capacity of the analysis memory. This allows the implementation of the analysis memory itself in the semiconductor device, in which case external testers need not include the analysis memory.
US08687443B2
Various embodiments of a semiconductor apparatus are disclosed. In one exemplary embodiment, a semiconductor apparatus may include a memory block chip and a signal input/output chip. The memory block chip is configured to control a data access size according to specifications. The signal input/output chip is configured to transmit input data from an external device to the memory block chip or transmit output data from the memory block chip to an external device and process the input data or the output data by selectively enabling a clock phase control unit and a signal processing unit according to the specifications.
US08687441B2
A method for searching an optimum value of a memory includes the following steps. A first and a second phase delay values of the memory are sequentially set to a plurality of first values and a plurality of second values respectively. amounts of combinations of the first values combining with the second values passing a reading and writing test is recorded. A portion of the first values that the amounts of the corresponding combinations passing the reading and writing test is greater than a threshold is selected. A first value near a median of the selected first values is selected as a first optimum value for setting the first phase delay value. A portion of second values passing the reading and writing test is recorded. A second value near a median of the recording second values is selected as a second optimum value for setting the second phase delay value.
US08687433B2
A memory circuit includes a plurality of divided memory cell blocks, a write circuit and a read circuit which connect via a pair of bit lines to each of the divided memory cell blocks. The output of write data to one of the bit line of the write circuit is made to be performed by one system. It is possible to achieve an increase of speed by bit lien division while reducing increase in the memory circuit area accompanying the bit line division.
US08687423B2
A nonvolatile memory device includes a control logic configured to generate an internal command in response to an internal clock, a finite state machine configured to generate a plurality of current state signals in a program pulse and verify pulse setup operation for a program operation and a program verify operation in response to the internal command, after a program operation using a program pulse and a program verify operation using a program verify pulse are completed, and a glue logic configured to generate check control signals for checking a plurality of page buffers of the page buffer unit in response to the plurality of current state signals in the setup operation.
US08687422B2
A method and device are provided for operating in a special mode using a special mode enable register. In one example, a memory device includes registers in volatile memory and a memory array. At least one of the registers may include a special mode bit that controls a special mode of operation of the memory device.
US08687416B2
It is an object to provide a signal processing circuit for which a complex manufacturing process is not necessary and whose power consumption can be suppressed. In particular, it is an object to provide a signal processing circuit whose power consumption can be suppressed by stopping the power supply for a short time. The signal processing circuit includes a control circuit, an arithmetic unit, and a buffer memory device. The buffer memory device stores data sent from the main memory device or the arithmetic unit in accordance with an instruction from the control unit; the buffer memory device comprises a plurality of memory cells; and the memory cells each include a transistor including an oxide semiconductor in a channel formation region and a memory element to which charge whose amount depends on a value of the data is supplied via the transistor.
US08687413B2
A magnetic memory unit includes a tunneling barrier separating a free magnetic element and a reference magnetic element. A first phonon glass electron crystal layer is disposed on a side opposing the tunneling barrier of either the free magnetic element or the reference magnetic element. A second phonon glass electron crystal layer also be disposed on a side opposing the tunneling barrier of either the free magnetic element or the reference magnetic element to provide a Peltier effect on the free magnetic element and the reference magnetic element.
US08687406B2
According to an embodiment, a semiconductor memory device comprises: a memory cell array configured having a plurality of memory cell mats, the memory cell mats including a plurality of first lines, second lines, and memory cells, and the memory cell mats being stacked such that the first and second lines are shared alternately by each of the memory cell mats; and a peripheral circuit. Each of the memory cells has a variable resistance characteristic and a current rectifying characteristic. An orientation from an anode toward a cathode of all the memory cells is identical. The peripheral circuit applies to one of the first line and the second line connected to an anode side of the selected memory cell a selected bit line voltage, and applies to the other a selected word line voltage.
US08687404B2
A memory element capable of increasing capacity with an improvement of distribution of resistance in the high-resistance state, a drive method therefor, and a memory device are provided. The memory element includes first and second electrodes, and a plurality of resistance change elements electrically connected in series between the first and second electrodes, whose resistance values are reversibly changeable in response to application of a voltage to the first and second electrodes, and changeable to the same resistance state relative to the voltage application.
US08687402B2
A non-volatile solid state resistive device that includes a first electrode, a p-type poly-silicon second electrode, and a non-crystalline silicon nanostructure electrically connected between the electrodes. The nanostructure has a resistance that is adjustable in response to a voltage being applied to the nanostructure via the electrodes. The nanostructure can be formed as a nanopillar embedded in an insulating layer located between the electrodes. The first electrode can be a silver or other electrically conductive metal electrode. A third (metal) electrode can be connected to the p-type poly-silicon second electrode at a location adjacent the nanostructure to permit connection of the two metal electrodes to other circuitry. The resistive device can be used as a unit memory cell of a digital non-volatile memory device to store one or more bits of digital data by varying its resistance between two or more values.
US08687400B2
One package contains a plurality of memory chips. Each memory chip has an I/O terminal which generates a busy signal. The busy signal enables a busy state when a power supply voltage value reaches a specified and guaranteed range after a power-on sequence. The busy signal maintains the busy state until completion of initialization operations for the plurality of memory chips. The busy signal releases the busy state after completion of all initialization operations for the plurality of memory chips.
US08687398B2
A sensing circuit and method for sensing match lines in content addressable memory. The sensing circuit includes an inverter electrically coupled in a feedback loop to a match line. The inverter includes an inverting threshold of the match line. The match line is charged to substantially a first voltage threshold during a pre-charge phase. An evaluation phase occurs when the match line voltage drops from substantially the first voltage threshold to substantially the second voltage threshold.
US08687397B2
A method and device for operating a direct converter circuit are provided. A control signal controls power semiconductor switches of switching cells of the associated phase module. The control signal is formed, for each phase module, from the difference between a reference signal relating to the voltage over the phase module and a voltage signal over the inductor. The voltage signal over the inductor is formed from a reference signal relating to the current through the corresponding phase module. The reference signal relating to the current through the phase module is formed from a respective mean value or instantaneous value of a phase power of a phase of the first and second current or voltage systems connected to the phase module and from respective sums of the instantaneous values or the mean values of the phase powers of the phases of the first and second current or voltage systems, respectively.
US08687391B2
A converter system is provided for the switching of at least three voltage levels and for the switching of two voltage levels. A method is also provided for the operation of a converter system for the switching of at least three voltage levels and for the operation of a converter system for the switching of two voltage levels.
US08687386B2
A method and apparatus for bi-directional current sensing for a synchronous rectifier bi-directional converter system is disclosed. A first current is measured through a first synchronous rectifier via a first transformer to provide a first signal. A second current is measured through a second force synchronous rectifier via a second transformer to provide a second signal. The first signal and the second signal are DC restored to provide a first DC restored signal and a second DC restored signal respectively. A first correction current is added to the first DC restored signal to produce a first corrected signal, and a second correction current is added to the second DC restored signal to produce a second corrected signal. The first corrected signal and the second corrected signal are added to produce a combined signal.
US08687384B2
A switching power supply device that includes a feedback terminal to which a feedback signal according to a load state is input, and a comparator which compares a terminal voltage of the feedback terminal with a reference voltage and determines whether the load state is a normal load state or a light load state. The switching power supply device also includes pull-up resistors which are connected to the feedback terminal, a switch element which switches resistance values of the pull-up resistors according to the change of the load state, and a switch element which switches the resistance values of the pull-up resistors according to whether the input voltage is high or low.
US08687377B2
According to one embodiment, a storage device includes a housing, a circuit board, and a module. The circuit board is located in the housing, and includes a first surface and a second surface located opposite the first surface. The module is provided on at least one of the first surface and the second surface of the circuit board. The circuit board is provided with a first notch and a connection portion to be connected to the housing at the periphery. The first notch is provided with a second notch extending toward an area between the connection portion and a module fixation area where the module is fixed on the circuit board.
US08687376B2
An apparatus includes a first body part comprising a first user interface and a second body part comprising a second user interface. The apparatus further comprises a mechanism configured to rotate the first body part with respect to the second body part over a pivot axis, and move the first body part with respect to the second body part substantially parallel to the pivot axis.
US08687370B2
A housing for a chip arrangement is provided, the housing including: a carrier including a first carrier side configured to receive a chip arrangement, a second carrier side and one or more through-holes extending from the first carrier side to the second carrier side; at least one electrical connector inserted through a through-hole, the at least one electrical connector arranged to extend from the second carrier side to the first carrier side; wherein the at least one electrical connector may include: a first portion on the first carrier side; a second portion on the first carrier side, wherein the first portion is configured to extend away from the first carrier side at an angle to the second portion; and a third portion on the second carrier side, wherein the third portion is configured to extend away from the second carrier side at an angle to the second portion.
US08687357B2
An electric power converter includes a cooler and an electronic circuit. The cooler includes a heat sink, a cooling fan, and a wind tunnel. A plurality of radiator fins are provided on a heat-sink base in the heat sink. The cooling fan is configured to feed cooling air through the plurality of radiator fins. The wind tunnel covers the plurality of radiator fins and the cooling fan. The electronic circuit includes a plurality of rectifiers and a plurality of input terminals. The plurality of rectifiers are provided on a side of the heat-sink base opposite to the plurality of radiator fins and are arranged side by side in a longitudinal direction of the heat-sink base. The plurality of input terminals are connected to the plurality of rectifiers with band-shaped conductors and are provided on a side of the plurality of rectifiers opposite to the heat sink.
US08687355B2
The present invention discloses a slide and rotation module for an executable multiple operation mode electronic device, providing a structure with inclination-adjustable, movable, rotational and bidirectional folding functions. The slide and rotation module includes a steering arm and a slide seat disposed between the first machine body and the second machine body. The steering arm includes a first end pivoted to a first machine body and a second end pivoted to a second machine body, in which the second end of the steering arm is rotated and translated within a limiting part in response to a motion of the first machine body.
US08687354B2
A hinge is provided that permits a user to use a computer system either as a laptop computer or a tablet computer. The hinge may comprise a hinge block and an inhibitor stopper. The hinge block may have a first hinge member and a second hinge member. The inhibitor stopper may be disposed between the first hinge member and the second hinge member. The inhibitor stopper may have a first wing and a second wing. The inhibitor stopper may be attached to the hinge block. The first and second wings may be rotatable around an axis.
US08687353B2
Electronic equipment is obtained, which is capable of regulating the arrangement position of a connection cable connected to an antenna module and preventing antenna properties from being degraded by a positional shift of the connection cable. The electronic equipment includes a housing, an antenna module placed in an end portion of the housing, and a connection cable connecting the antenna module to another electric circuit, wherein a guide groove accommodating the connection cable and regulating an arrangement position of the connection cable is formed on the housing.
US08687352B2
According to one embodiment, a video display device includes a housing, a display device, a rotating support portion, and a support portion. The housing includes a first wall with a first opening and a second wall located opposite the first wall. The display device is housed in the housing and includes a display screen exposed from the first opening. The rotating support portion rotatably supports the display device. The support portion includes a first end to be placed, a second end located opposite the first end and connected to the rotating support portion, a linking portion extending between a first position close to the first wall and a second position close to the second wall, and a second opening between the first end and the second end. The support portion supports the rotating support portion to be apart from a plane where the video display device is placed.
US08687339B2
A safety control structure for heater wire comprises a switch, a first heating wire, a second heating wire, and an over-current protection element, which are sequentially connected in series connection. An insulation and fusible layer is interposed between the first heating wire and the second heating wire. Accordingly, under normal condition, the switch is triggered by triggering the circuit, so as to have the first heating wire and the second heating wire then be heated up within a preset temperature range. When the first heating wire and the second heating wire produce exceptionally high temperatures to fuse the insulation and fusible layer, the current is increased instantaneously because the first heating wire and the second heating wire are short-circuited. Therefore, the circuit is interrupted by the over-current protection element to show a broken circuit status in order to stop heating up.
US08687325B2
An electrical switching device is presented. The electrical switching device includes multiple switch sets coupled in series. Each of the switch sets includes multiple switches coupled in parallel. A control circuit is coupled to the multiple switch sets and configured to control opening and closing of the switches. One or more intermediate diodes are coupled between the control circuit and each point between a respective pair of switch sets.
US08687324B2
A tape drive head includes a set of one or more servo readers designed for reading a servo pattern of a linear recording tape for positioning of the tape drive head, each of the servo readers of the set having: a sensor for sensing a magnetic field component of a servo pattern upon reading it; a first shield and a second shield, one on each side of the sensor, the shields configured to shield spurious components of magnetic fields occurring upon reading the linear recording tape, wherein: a gap between the first shield and the second shield is between 0.4 μm and 1 μm, and a minimal width of the sensor, the first shield and the second shield, in a direction perpendicular to the gap, is between 0.5 μm and 4 μm.
US08687323B2
A magnetic media disk has a substrate; a recording magnetic media on the substrate; and an overcoat on the recording magnetic media, the overcoat comprising a Si-based layer on the recording magnetic media, and a Ti-based layer on the Si-based layer. The magnetic media disk may be rotatably mounted to an enclosure in a hard disk drive.
US08687309B2
This invention provides a magnetic recording medium excellent in terms of corrosion resistance. The magnetic recording medium comprises a magnetic recording layer, a protective layer and a lubricant layer provided on a nonmagnetic substrate, and the lubricant layer comprises a compound having a heterocyclic ring.
US08687304B1
A write clock synchronization system includes a first module configured to generate a write clock signal. A second module is configured to, based on a sensor signal received, detect a pattern of bit islands on bit-patterned media. The second module is configured to determine a phase error of the write clock signal based on the pattern of the bit islands. A third module is configured to at least one of adjust or select a phase of the write clock signal based on the phase error.
US08687301B1
The disclosure is directed to detection of a sync mark location for at least one data sector of a disk by processing a first sector and at least a second sector in parallel. A first set of data samples from the first sector is reframed according to one or more sync mark locations based upon a first selected sync mark location, and a second set of data samples from the second sector is reframed according to one or more sync mark locations based upon a second selected sync mark location. The first set of data samples and the second set of data samples are iteratively reframed and decoded until the first sector or the second sector converges or until all possible sync mark locations have been attempted.
US08687297B2
A lens actuating module for realizing focus adjustment and optical zooming. The lens actuating module includes a rod which is disposed on one side of a lens barrel on which at least one lens is mounted, and has an axis direction corresponding to an optical axis direction of the lens barrel, a driving force transmission member which has a conjoining recess to be conjoined with an outside surface of the rod and has magnetism so as to be conjoined with the outside surface of the rod due to a magnetic force, and a piezoelectric actuator which is disposed on one side of the driving force transmission member in the optical axis direction to provide an axis direction driving force to the rod via the driving force transmission member.
US08687293B2
An optical imaging system includes, in order from an object side to an image side, a first lens element with a positive refractive power, a second lens element, a third lens element, a fourth lens element with a positive refractive power having an aspheric surface and a fifth lens element with a negative refractive power. An image-side surface of the fifth lens element is concave, and at least one of two surfaces of the fifth lens element is aspheric. The relationship between a sum of thicknesses of all lens elements with refractive powers on an optical axis and a distance on the optical axis between an object-side surface of the first lens element and the image-side surface of the fifth lens element in the optical imaging system can effectively reduce the total length as well as the sensitivity of the optical imaging system while gaining superior resolution.
US08687290B2
The present invention relates to a lens or objective for a camera, more particularly for a digital camera, comprising a housing, an actuating element arranged on the housing, and a lens element system that can be set into a plurality of settings, wherein the lens element system is embodied in such a way that in at least one setting an f-number is F≦3. The lens element system is furthermore embodied in such a way that an actuation of the actuating element brings about a movement of two optical elements relative to one another, such that an intersection length difference of the lens element system can be set.
US08687276B2
An optical system with optical image stabilization of the present invention compensates the movement of the optical system occurring during imaging process using a Micro-Electro Mechanical System (MEMS) unit having an MEMS mirror to stabilize an image of an object formed on an image plane. A micro-actuator with the in-plane translation makes the MEMS mirror have a required rotation to change optical paths of light from the object to the image plane for optical image stabilization. The optical system with optical image stabilization or the present invention provides fast speed, light weight, simple operation, and high image quality image stabilization for the optical system.
US08687274B2
While gold wire grids have been used to polarize infrared wavelengths for over a hundred years, they are not appropriate for shorter wavelengths due to their large period. With embodiments of the present invention, grids with periods a few tens of nanometers can be fabricated. Among other things, such grids can be used to polarize visible and even ultraviolet light. As a result, such wire grid polarizers have a wide variety of applications and uses, such as, e.g., in the fabrication of semiconductors, nanolithography, and more.
US08687268B2
Methods, systems and apparatus for manipulating electromagnetic radiation such as laser beams. A method and apparatus for correcting magnification chromatic aberration utilizes one or more dispersive lenses such that long wavelength components are magnified less than short wavelength components. A telecentric relay is preferred to achieve this aim. Further, the use of polarizers to block the undesired zeroth order components of diffraction emanating from acousto-optic deflectors (AODs) is disclosed. Furthermore, specific designs of AOD including narrow transducer AODs which produce a diverging acoustic wave and AODs having two transducers and a selection switch are disclosed. Further, the invention provides methods, systems and apparatus for allowing the wavelength of radiation to be changed, for providing a user selectable degree of compensation, for providing a scanning and/or a pointing system and for providing a compact system that does not require telecentric relays between adjacent acousto-optic deflectors.
US08687265B2
Provided are methods of operating display devices. The method includes applying a first electric field to a capsule including first particles having a first color and second particles having a second color to move the first and second particles into a first region of the capsule; and applying a second electric field to the capsule to move the second particles into a second region of the capsule different from the first region and to leave the first particles in the first region of the capsule.
US08687251B2
An optimal interval obtaining sheet is output, and the density thereon is measured using a color meter. A layout determining unit determines an optimal interval at which patches are to be arranged on a sheet including a plurality of patches having the same color and the same gradation based on the measurement.
US08687249B1
A portable scanner includes a housing including a hollow upper housing and a hollow lower housing of which two ends are connected together to define a transmitting passage therebetween, a switching device rotatably mounted inside the upper housing, a first scanning device mounted on the switching device, and a document feeder for transmitting the document automatically through the transmitting passage. A first and a second scanning window are opened in and penetrating through two different sides of the upper housing respectively, wherein the second scanning window is communicated with the transmitting passage. The switching device together with the first scanning device are switched between a first scanning state that is the first scanning device faces the first scanning window for scanning the document manually, and a second scanning state that is the first scanning device faces the second scanning window for scanning the document automatically.
US08687248B2
An image reading apparatus configured to read images of both surfaces of a document is provided. The image reading apparatus may include a first image reading device configured to read an image of a first surface of a document, a second image reading device configured to read an image of a second surface of the document, and a document conveying mechanism configured to convey the document from the second image reading device to the first image reading device. The first image reading device has a first reading range, and the second image reading device has a second reading range, which is smaller than the first reading range.
US08687247B2
An image reading device includes a conveyor unit that conveys a document along a conveying path for ADF-type image scanning including a curved path. The conveyor unit includes a conveyor roller that reverses a conveying direction of the document in the curved path. The device further includes a first contact surface that comes into contact with a first side of the document when the document is conveyed, a second contact surface that comes into contact with a second side of the document when the document is conveyed, a first reading unit that reads an image on the first side of the document, and a second reading unit disposed above the second contact surface and reading an image on the second side of the document. A part of the conveyor roller is disposed lower than the first and second contact surfaces in an up down direction of the image reading device.
US08687243B2
The photoelectric conversion device includes a photoelectric conversion element configured to convert light reflected from an original image to electrical signals and a clock generator configured to generate driving signals for driving the photoelectric conversion element from a reference clock. Each of the driving signals is generated using the same logic gate or substantially the same logic gate.
US08687238B2
A printing method includes obtaining an initial printer profile corresponding to a printing system having a plurality of ink colors, identifying a remaining ink parameter corresponding to each of the ink colors, and determining whether the remaining ink parameter of each of the ink colors are approximately equal to each other such that: performing a print job using the initial printer profile when the remaining ink parameter determination is that the remaining ink parameter of each of the ink colors are approximately equal to each other, and determining a modified printer profile by selectively changing color saturation for one or more of the ink colors to balance ink usage and performing the print job using the modified printer profile when the remaining ink parameter determination is that the remaining ink parameter of each of the ink colors are not approximately equal to each other.
US08687237B2
An image processing apparatus includes the following elements. A characteristic value calculator calculates characteristic values of a preset area set around a pixel of interest. A trapping determining unit determines, for each color plane of an N-valued image, on the basis of the calculated characteristic values, whether the pixel of interest is to be subjected to trapping processing. A pixel value calculator sets, for each color plane, a position of a reference pixel in a reference area, and calculates a pixel value for changing the pixel value of the pixel of interest on the basis of a pixel value of each color plane at the position of the reference pixel. A pixel-of-interest value changing unit changes the pixel value of the pixel of interest into the calculated pixel value when the trapping determining unit determines that the pixel of interest is to be subjected to trapping processing.
US08687234B2
An image forming apparatus includes a first image forming section to form a first image onto an image carrier and transfer the first image onto the paper, a paper humidifying section to humidify at least the first image transferred paper, a humidity switching section to switch to be humidified or not by the paper humidifying section, a second image forming section to form a second image onto the image carrier and transfer the second image onto the paper, a paper transport section to transport the paper from the first image forming section to the second image forming section, and a control section to control the first and second image forming sections, wherein the control section is operated to switch the image formation control at the second image forming section, depending on whether the paper is to be humidified or not.
US08687230B2
An image processor includes an acquiring unit that acquires a plurality of image files each corresponding to an image; a correction unit that corrects each image by conforming a characteristic quantity of each image to a reference characteristic quantity, the characteristic quantity representing image characteristic of each image; and an output control unit that outputs the corrected images on a same output plane.
US08687229B2
An image scanning apparatus and method. The image scanning apparatus which scans an image of document includes a light source including at least three light emitting elements of red, green, and blue, which are sequentially lit up at intervals of a first time, a light emitting time control unit to control a light emitting time of the at least three light emitting elements such that the first time is shorter than a second time by a predetermined value, a sensor array to transform an image formed by light reflected from the document into an electric signal according to results of the control of the light emitting time and the light intensity, and an output unit to output image data corresponding to the transformed electric signal.
US08687224B2
According to one embodiment, a server apparatus includes a storage unit, a transfer unit, and a management unit. The storage unit stores user identification information and an extension condition with information indicating a print job. If the transfer unit receives an inquiry of a print job including user information from an image forming apparatus, the transfer unit transfers the print job corresponding to the user information included in the inquiry to the image forming apparatus as the inquiry sending source from among the print jobs stored in the storage unit. The management unit deletes a print job, to which an extension condition was added, from among the print jobs stored in the storage unit after the elapse time from the print job receiving time point exceeds the preservation period and the extension condition is then further exceeded.
US08687205B2
An optical detection device includes: a first emitting unit that emits first emitting light in a radial pattern and having an intensity that differs in accordance with an emitting direction; a second emitting unit that emits second emitting light in a radial pattern and having an intensity that differs in accordance with an emitting direction; a light receiving unit that receives first reflection light acquired by reflecting the first emitting light emitted from the first emitting unit off an object and second reflection light acquired by reflecting the second emitting light emitted from the second emitting unit off the object; and a detection unit that detects a position of the object based on a result of the light reception in the light receiving unit.
US08687201B2
In part, the invention relates to methods, devices, and systems suitable for controlling a light source. The light source is configured for use in a data collection system such as an optical coherence tomography system. The light source can be controlled with a drive waveform. Linearizing and symmetrizing parameters of the light source such as forward and backward scan durations is achieved using a suitable drive waveform. Phase, amplitude, and other parameters for different harmonics of a fundamental wave can be identified that improve operating parameters such as the duty cycle and peak frequency matching between scans. The fundamental wave and one or more of such harmonics can be combined to generate the suitable drive wave form. The light source can include a tunable light source that includes or is in optical communication with a tunable filter.
US08687197B2
A method of monitoring progress of polishing of a substrate having at least two regions including a first region and a second region with different structures is provided. The method includes: applying light to plural measurement points on the substrate during polishing of the substrate; receiving reflected light from each measurement point; measuring intensity of the reflected light; producing a spectrum of the reflected light from the intensity; classifying the spectrum as spectrum of the reflected light from the first region or as spectrum of the reflected light from the second region based on a shape of the spectrum or the intensity of the reflected light; and monitoring progress of polishing of the substrate based on a temporal change in the spectrum of the reflected light from the first region.
US08687192B2
Through silicon imaging and probing. A light source provides unpolarized light to be projected on a device under test (DUT). Light reflected from the DUT may be captured by a camera or other image capture device. A pellicle is utilized to reflect light from the light source toward the DUT. The pellicle also passes light reflected by the DUT to the camera. One or more linear polarizers or half wave plates may be used to provide the desired light polarization. The ability to provide the desired polarization provides an improved image that can be captured by the camera.
US08687171B2
An electromagnetic actuator includes a first and second magnetic members that are displaceable relative to each other and are arranged to provide a magnetic circuit; and a coil configured to, in use, receive a current to generate a magnetic flux through the magnetic circuit, thereby generating a force between the first and second magnetic members in a first direction, the magnetic flux, in use, being transferred between the first and second magnetic members through a first surface of the first magnetic member and a second surface of the second magnetic member, the first and second surface being separated by an airgap, wherein the first surface and the second surface are arranged relative to each other such that an outer dimension of the first surface extends beyond an outer dimension of the second surface in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction.
US08687163B2
The present invention provides a display panel that can improve the adhesion strength of a sealing member and that can reduce moisture permeation caused by an alignment film without performing a treatment to remove the alignment film. A display panel according to the present invention is a display panel having a pair of substrates attached to each other via a sealing member. At least one of the pair of substrates has a configuration in which a transparent resin film and an alignment film are laminated. In the display panel, a side face of an edge of the transparent resin film has a reverse tapered shape; the alignment film is separated at the side face of the edge; and the transparent resin film and the sealing member are attached to each other without having the alignment film therebetween.
US08687158B2
An array substrate for an in-plane switching mode liquid crystal display device includes: a gate line on a substrate; a data line crossing the gate line to define a pixel region on the substrate; a common line parallel to and spaced apart from the gate line; a gate electrode connected to the gate line; a semiconductor layer disposed over the gate electrode, wherein an area of the semiconductor layer is less than an area of the gate electrode; a source electrode connected to the data line, and a drain electrode spaced apart from the source electrode, the source and drain electrodes disposed on the semiconductor layer; a plurality of pixel electrodes integrated with the drain electrode and extending from the drain electrode in the pixel region; and a plurality of common electrodes connected to the common line and alternately arranged with the plurality of pixel electrodes, wherein each of the source electrode, the drain electrode, the data line and the plurality of pixel electrodes are comprised from a first conductive material layer and a second conductive material layer, wherein the second conductive material layer is disposed on the first conductive material layer.
US08687155B2
According to one embodiment, a liquid crystal display device includes a first insulative substrate, a second insulative substrate, a first polarizer disposed on an outer surface side of the first insulative substrate, a second polarizer disposed on an outer surface side of the second insulative substrate, and a first retardation plate and a second retardation plate, which are stacked between the second insulative substrate and the second polarizer. When a retardation in the thickness direction, which is defined by ((nx+ny)/2−nz)*d, is Rth, the first retardation plate has a negative first retardation Rth1, the second retardation plate has a positive second retardation Rth2, and a contribution degree of the second retardation Rth2, which is defined by |Rth2|*100/(|Rth1|+|Rth2|), is 40%±3%.
US08687141B2
The present invention discloses a backlight module and a liquid crystal display (LCD) thereof. The backlight module comprises a backplane and a heatsink plate attached to the backplane, and the backlight module of the LCD also comprises at least one press plate, wherein the press plate is attached to the heatsink plate to tightly press the heatsink plate against the backplane. Because a press plate is added in the present invention to tightly press the heatsink plate, the press plate reduces the gaps formed between the places away from the attaching points because of small pressure. Therefore, thermal contact resistance is reduced, the heat in the cavity of the backlight is conducted to the metal backplane in time, and the temperature of the backlight module is reduced.
US08687140B2
A liquid crystal display device includes a backlight module, a liquid crystal display panel, an insulating cover and a touch panel assembly. The insulating cover includes a reflective bottom plate for supporting the backlight module, at least one first sidewall with a first end and an opposite second end, at least one second sidewall with a third end and an opposite fourth end and a supporting plate connected to the opposite second end of the first sidewall and the third end of the second sidewall. The supporting plate is arranged in parallel with the reflective bottom plate and has an upper surface for supporting the liquid crystal display panel. The securing frame has a first end portion fixed to a lower surface of the supporting and a second end portion.
US08687138B2
A display module includes: upper and lower supporting means facing and spaced apart from each other; a display device between the upper and lower supporting means; a middle supporting means surrounding the display device; and a plurality of coupling means combining the upper, middle and lower supporting means to fix and support the display device, wherein each of the plurality of coupling means includes a hook and each of the upper and lower supporting means has a through hole corresponding to the hook.
US08687136B2
A repairing method for a pixel structure including an active device, a pixel electrode connected with the active device, a bottom electrode disposed under the pixel electrode, upper electrodes disposed between the pixel electrode and the bottom electrode and connected with the pixel electrode, a first dielectric layer disposed between the bottom electrode and the upper electrodes and a second dielectric layer disposed between the upper electrodes and the pixel electrode is provided. The repairing method includes removing a portion of the pixel electrode to electrically isolate the contact region over the upper electrode from the remaining portion of the pixel electrode, wherein a storage capacitor is formed by the reserved region over the upper electrode, the second dielectric layer and the remaining portion of the pixel electrode.
US08687134B2
In one embodiment, a liquid crystal display device includes a first substrate having a pixel electrode and a second substrate having a counter electrode. The pixel electrode includes a first pixel electrode portion in a belt-like shape extending in a first direction and a second pixel electrode portion connected with one end of the first pixel electrode portion and extending in a second direction orthogonally crossing the first direction. The counter electrode includes a first counter electrode portion in a belt-like shape extending in the first direction to form a lateral electric field between the first counter electrode portion and the first pixel electrode portion. A liquid crystal layer is held between the first substrate and the second substrate. The lateral electric field is applied to the liquid crystal layer.
US08687131B2
A control device is provided. The control device includes a first communication interface unit which transmits a control command in a first communication mode which uses a bi-directional wireless communication, a second communication interface unit which transmits a control command in a second communication mode which uses a unidirectional wireless communication, a state determination unit which determines a communication mode of the control device, a user interface unit which displays a user interface window which corresponds to a determined communication mode and receives the control command with respect to a broadcast receiver and a control unit which transmits the received control command according to the determined communication mode.
US08687129B2
An automatic search system and method is disclosed which automatically displays a search menu on a TV in response to opening a remote control having an internal concealed keyboard. Since a text entry keyboard is known to be in use a streamlined search menu may be displayed without an on screen keyboard. A separate on screen keyboard search menu may be activated in a different mode by using the remote in a closed configuration.
US08687125B2
An image processing system for processing a target pixel to be processed, which target pixel corresponds to inputted image data, a plurality of pixels including the target pixel being arranged in a matrix manner, includes an NR circuit (106). The NR circuit (106) includes a signal processing process circuit (114) for carrying out subtraction or addition, with respect to a pixel value Aij of the target pixel, of a value equivalent to a noise quantity Er calculated in advance, in a case where the pixel value Aij of the target pixel is larger or smaller, respectively, than a first couple of estimated values Bij and Cij for the pixel value Aij of the target pixel, the first couple of estimated values Bij and Cij being estimated from pixel values of respective pixels adjacent to the target pixel, centered at the target pixel, in a temporal axis or in a spatial axis. It is therefore possible to provide an image processing system which further reduces noise and is less likely to blur a video as compared with a conventional noise reduction process.
US08687124B2
A signal processing device (201) includes noise reduction units (101), cascade-connected to each other, each of which includes: a signal selection section (31) for selecting a representative value from sampled signals obtained from an input signal by sampling a target signal and signals which are away from the target signal by given intervals; a voltage determination section (51) for determining which of a determined representative value and a voltage of the target signal is larger; and a signal output section (61) for increasing or decreasing the voltage of the target signal depending on a result of the determining and outputs the target signal as the output signal. A combination of intervals between the target signal and the signals excluding the target signal vary from noise reduction unit (101) to noise reduction unit (101). A noise reduction unit on a more upstream side has a larger maximum value of the intervals.
US08687122B2
According to the present invention, there is provided an image display device for displaying acquired image information including: an information acquisition section for acquiring image information and information associated with the image information by communication from an external device; an adjustment section for executing image quality adjustment processing in relation to display of the image information; and a setting section for setting details of the image quality adjustment processing, based on the information. Therefore, details of the image quality adjustment processing may easily be set automatically in an appropriate manner.
US08687121B2
The invention provides data for display on the display area for a child frame when the child frame is synthesized and displayed on the parent frame in picture-in-picture playback in order to give the displayed area of the child frame in conformity with the video content in the parent frame, as well as providing a video display apparatus etc. for displaying the child frame at an appropriate displayed position using the data for display. A video display apparatus 1 includes: decoders 101 and 103 for decoding two sets of video data; a synthesizer 105 for synthesizing the decoded videos to output; an input unit 108 for commanding display/non-display of the child frame; a processing controller 109 for controlling the operations of decoders 101 and 103 in accordance with the command; and a position designator 110 which receives the command and the data for display and time information and designates the displayed position of the child frame to the synthesizer 105. The position designator 110 determines the displayed position of the child-frame video in accordance with displayable time information of the child-frame video and information on the displayed area or displayable area depending on time, included in the data for display.
US08687119B2
When a video output apparatus (100) is connected, a video display apparatus (200) obtains information of content data stored in the video output apparatus (100). Then, based on the obtained information, the video display apparatus (200) determines whether the content data is decodable with respect to itself. If it is not decodable, it requests the video output apparatus (100) to decode the content data before transferring the content data using a data transfer method specified. By doing this, an appropriate transfer protocol is selected automatically when transferring content data between the video display apparatus (200) and the video output apparatus (100).
US08687105B2
An image capturing apparatus includes an image capturing unit having a function for adjusting a focal length, a stillness determination unit which determines whether or not a motion of the image capturing apparatus is within a predetermined range, a focal length adjustment processing unit which performs first focal length adjustment processing which adjusts the focal length in a direction for close-up photography when the motion of the image capturing apparatus is within the predetermined range, and a code recognition processing unit which recognizes a code from an image captured by the image capturing unit while the first focal length adjustment processing is being performed.
US08687095B2
A method may denoise a digital video signal produced by a photoelectric sensor as a matrix of pixel signals affected by both thermal noise and impulsive noise. The method may include estimating the noise level associated to the pixel signals, and filtering the pixel signals with an attenuation factor that is a function of the estimated noise level.
US08687086B1
An image sensor compresses image data prior to transmitting the image data to a DSP. The image sensor captures light representing an image, for instance via a camera's aperture. A focal plane array converts the captured light into pixel data. The pixel data is sorted into categories, and is compressed in parallel by a compression engine. The compressed pixel data is then sent to a DSP, which may be located off-chip. The DSP then decompresses the compressed pixel data, performs image signal processing operations on the compressed pixel data, and then compresses the processed pixel data into a digital image format. The image sensor may buffer the pixel data for one or more images to accommodate for slowdown by the compression engine. The pixel data may be sorted by row and column of a pixel array. Alternatively, the pixel data may be sorted by color from a Bayer color filter.
US08687084B2
The present invention is directed to a method for generating virtual image data at high resolution which is obtained when imaging is performed using a light ray incident on an imaging apparatus at a virtual position different from the actual position of an image sensor. A method for image processing includes acquiring light ray information, inputting virtual position information, generating first virtual image data which is obtained if the light ray is imaged at the virtual position with first resolution based on the light ray information and the virtual position information and inputting high resolution image data with second resolution higher than the first resolution, and generating second virtual image data which is obtained if the light ray is imaged at the virtual position with third resolution higher than the first resolution, based on the first virtual image data and the high resolution image data.
US08687063B2
A method for predicting lane line is provided in the present invention, in which the method is capable of predicting and reconstructing the unidentified lane line according to a predetermined geometry relationship based on the recognized lane line data previously while one side of lane line is unable to be identified. In one embodiment, a lane predicting relationship formula is formed by describing the geometry relationship between the two identified lines defined the lane. When the one side of line of the lane is unable to be identified, a new predicted line can be reconstructed for representing the unidentified line of lane according to the lane predicting relationship curve. In another embodiment, a lane departure warning system utilizing the foregoing method is provided for monitoring vehicle moving status and alerting the driver so as to enhance the vehicle safety.
US08687059B2
An image taking system includes a lens apparatus 1 and a camera 2 which performs a shooting using the lens apparatus. The system comprises a distance calculator 114 which calculates an object distance in each of a plurality of ranging areas 1 to 16 provided in an image-taking range, a distance information generator 114 which generates distance information indicating at least one of the object distance calculated by the distance calculator and a difference between the object distances, an extractor 115 which extracts, out of the plurality of ranging areas, a ranging area where the object distance calculated by the distance calculator is in a first range A, and an output image generator 203 which generates an output image including a shot image generated by the camera and the distance information corresponding to the ranging area extracted by the extractor.
US08687058B2
The present invention relates to a method for selecting sensor nodes, the method is adopted for calculating the value of a contribution function for a plurality of objects contributed by a plurality of sensor nodes, wherein the contribution function value is calculated by way of determining a coverage level of the objects made by the sensor nodes, or by means of arranging a sub sensor node group capable of sensing covering an object group and calculating the value of the contribution function for the objects contributed by the sensor nodes; Therefore, through the method, the sensor nodes having maximum contribution to the objects can be selected and arranged in a specific environment, and the sensing direction of those sensor nodes can be adjusted for making the sensor node group performs the best efficiency.
US08687056B2
Enhanced vision system for assisting aircraft piloting, the system including a line-of-sight detector for determining the line-of-sight of the pilot of the aircraft, a head mounted display (HMD) worn by the pilot, and a processor which receives the determined line-of-sight from the line-of-sight detector, receives a spatial image of the external scene to the aircraft, generates symbolic information respective of the aircraft piloting, and superimposes the symbolic information onto the spatial image to produce a combined spatial and symbolic image, the HMD displaying the combined spatial and symbolic image to the pilot in real-time, in alignment with the determined line-of-sight. The spatial image may be an image combined from a sensor image and a synthetic image. A communication interface may be coupled to the HMD allowing the pilot to receive and confirm flight instructions.
US08687051B2
A method for representing picture information on an autostereoscopic screen that is designed as a multiperson screen and that is suitable for the simultaneous display of a plurality of views which are visible in each case from at least one of different observation zones. The screen includes a matrix screen having a plurality of pixels as well as a beam splitter raster that is suitable for guiding light coming from the pixels, in each case into at least one of the observation zones. In the method, the pixels are activated with picture information of at least two different scenes, in a manner such that a first observer of the screen may exclusively see a first of the at least two scenes and a second observer of the screen may exclusively see a second of the at least two scenes.
US08687046B2
Three-dimensional (3D) video is provided to a legacy two-dimensional (2D) video messenger application. A request for video content from a single video camera is received at a camera interface module from the 2D video messenger application. The request for video content from the single video camera is forwarded to a video processing offload module. A first video camera and a second video camera are controlled. Merged 3D video content from the video processing offload module is received. The merged 3D video content is sent to the 2D video messenger application in response to receipt of the merged 3D video content from the video processing offload module. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.
US08687037B2
A programmable multimedia controller which may be programmed to provide advanced, diverse telephony services including video phone calls, audio and videoconferencing, voicemail, text messaging and answering machine functions among others. In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a touchscreen which is interfaced with the multimedia controller may be used as a virtual telephone, intercom or other communication or control device. By displaying a simulated telephone keypad, intercom controls or other appropriate controls on the touchscreen, a user may access both basic and advanced features and functions in a way that is intuitive and familiar. In an alternative embodiment, a simple remote control may be used with a television to enable user access to the same advanced telephony services as with the touchscreen. The programmable multimedia controller may be directly connected with conventional handsets to provided plain old telephone service (POTS) as well private branch exchange (PBX) service.
US08687025B2
A display device includes: a panel including a plurality of pixel circuits, each of the pixel circuits including a light emitting element having one end coupled to a first voltage source for supplying a first voltage and another end coupled to a second voltage source for supplying a second voltage; a controller for reducing image data for one frame and for outputting a control signal and a data signal to display an image corresponding to the reduced image data on the panel; a voltage difference setting unit for detecting a peak value of the reduced image data and for calculating a driving voltage for generating a peak driving current corresponding to the peak value; and a power supply for generating the first and second voltages and for providing the first and second voltages to the panel in accordance with the driving voltage.
US08687023B2
Cross slide gestures for touch displays are described. In at least some embodiments, cross slide gestures can be used on content that pans or scrolls in one direction, to enable additional actions, such as content selection, drag and drop operations, and the like. In one or more embodiments, a cross slide gesture can be performed by dragging an item or object in a direction that is different from a scrolling direction. The different-direction drag can be mapped to additional actions or functionality. In one or more embodiments, one or more thresholds can be utilized, such as a distance threshold, in combination with the different-direction drag, to map to additional actions or functionality.
US08687020B2
A restaurant comprising a virtual reality environment simulating travel by a mode of transportation, such as a train or a boat, to allow individuals seating in the restaurant to have the impression of travelling while enjoying their meals. The restaurant comprises a dining room having side walls, each side wall having a series of windows. Screens are placed on opposed facing sides of the dining room at a distance behind the side walls. A set of projectors is provided for projecting a seamless flow of continuous passing by images of a landscape on the screens. A display control unit synchronizes the projection of the passing by images on the screens in order to create an illusion of travel through the landscape when viewed through the windows in the side walls.
US08687015B2
Among other things, methods, systems and computer program products for applying an image adjustment to an image. A choice of image adjustments is presented to a user of a data processing device. A user selection is received from among the choice of image adjustments at least one image adjustment that a user desires to apply to an area of interest of the image. The user selected image adjustment is applied to an entirety of an image. A preview of the user selected image adjustment applied to the entirety of the image is displayed. Also, user input comprising user selection of a brushing application is received. The user selected image adjustment is applied to the area of interest of the image and a remainder of the image is restored to a pre-adjustment state using the user selection of the brushing application.
US08687014B2
A process and circuit for blending a foreground image (B) with a background image (A), said foreground and background images being arranged in pixels and having color representations (R, G, B). The foreground foreground image (A) has a transparency parameter (T(x,y)) in accordance with a so-called alpha plane representative of the transparency profile to apply to the foreground image. The process involves the steps of: -applying a dithering method on said alpha plane in order to convert said transparency parameter (T) into a one-bit transparency parameter (T′); -use said one-bit transparency parameter (T′) for controlling a multiplexing unit having two inputs respectively receiving the foreground image (A) and the background image (B). In one embodiment, the one-bit transparency parameter T′ into the two extreme values of a range of continuous values, for instance coded on 8 bits. The process then applies a four-pixel interpolation method to the foreground image (A) for the purpose of creating a five level transparency parameter in the blending process, and then uses the five level transparency parameter for controlling a multiplexing circuit for the purpose of achieving blending of the foreground image with the background image.
US08687010B1
Arbitrary size texture palettes. A texture palette storage embodied in a computer readable medium is provided. The texture palette storage is partitioned into texture palette tables of arbitrary size. Texel data is stored for each of the texture palette tables in the texture palette storage. Another aspect is a palette memory that receives a texture index value of y-bits. The palette memory comprises subtables of different length. Each sub-table has a range with a start address and a length. The start address is a multiple of m. Each range is of a length addressable by y-bits. The palette memory also includes a sub-table index value of x-bits.
US08687001B2
Provided is a light and texture extracting apparatus and method of rendering, and a rendering apparatus using a light and a texture. Light information applied to an input image and texture information of the input image may be extracted from the input image and the shape information of the input image. The extracted light information and the texture information may be used to render another image for more realistic rendering.
US08686993B2
An image processing apparatus includes: a disparity setting unit that sets disparity between left-eye and right-eye images for a 3D image based on a manipulation from a manipulation unit that allocates a value to a depth direction of a 2D image; and a 3D image creating unit that creates data on the left-eye and right-eye images in which a corresponding object is arranged in positions separated by the disparity set by the disparity setting unit.
US08686991B2
A navigation system for navigating a three-dimensional (3D) scene that includes a model or object with which a user can interact. The system accommodates and helps both novice and advanced users. To do this, the system provides safe navigation features including tool clustering, orientation indicators in the scene, slider indicating scene position, motion warning graphics and other features that help in navigating the scene.
US08686980B2
A gate driving circuit (60) separated into a plurality of stages (ST) is provided. In each of the stages (ST), TFT elements (T1) through (T4) are provided, branch lines (78) that connect clock lines (72, 74) to the TFT elements are provided. Junction lines (79A, 79B) are each extended from the branch line (78A) of interest to electrically connect the branch line (78A) of interest to the TFT elements (T2, T4) provided in the stage (ST(j)) different from the stage (ST (j−1)) where the TFT elements (T1, T3) connected to the branch line (78A) of interest are provided.
US08686976B2
Apparatus and method for motion tracking, including a hand-held device including at least one accelerometer providing an acceleration indicating output and computation circuitry adapted to employ the acceleration indicating output for generating tracking output indication.
US08686972B2
It is an object to perform imaging a high-resolution image in a display device including a photosensor regardless of the intensity of incident light on the photosensor. A display device including a display panel which is provided a photosensor and having a function of imaging by a change of the sensitivity of the photosensor in accordance with the incident light is provided. The sensitivity of the photosensor is improved when the intensity of the incident light is low, so that the imaging accuracy is improved; therefore, misperception of contact is prevented and an obtained image can be clear.
US08686970B2
An touch input electronic device includes: a touch input device; a clock generation circuit, generating a first clock and a second clock; a touch sensing circuit, coupled to the touch input device, the touch sensing circuit operated under the first clock; a logic circuit, receiving a sensing output signal from the touch sensing circuit, the logic circuit operated under the second clock; and a conversion circuit, outputting an output voltage under control of the logic circuit, the output voltage coupled to the touch sensing circuit, the conversion circuit operated under the second clock. In response to the sensing output signal from the touch sensing circuit, the logic circuit controls the conversion circuit to adjust the output voltage to detect a capacitance variance of the touch input device.
US08686965B2
A single-layer projected capacitive touch panel has a glass cover, a touch sensing circuit layer, an insulating ink layer, a conductive wire layer, an insulator layer, a conductive glue layer and a flexible printed circuit (FPC) board. The touch sensing circuit layer, the insulating ink layer, the conductive wire layer, the insulator layer and the conductive glue layer are mounted on a circuit surface of the glass cover in sequence. The insulating ink layer covers the touch sensing circuit layer and has multiple through slots. Each through slot is filled with an electric conductor. The FPC is fastened on the conductive wire layer by a conductive glue layer. Therefore, the touch panel of the present invention is thinner, provides better penetrability and costs less than conventional projected capacitive touch panels.
US08686953B2
An element is initially displayed on an interactive touch-screen display device with an initial orientation relative to the interactive touch-screen display device. One or more images of a user of the interactive touch-screen display device are captured. The user is determined to be interacting with the element displayed on the interactive touch-screen display device. In addition, an orientation of the user relative to the interactive touch-screen display device is determined based on at least one captured image of the user of the interactive touch-screen display device. Thereafter, in response to determining that the user is interacting with the displayed element, the initial orientation of the displayed element relative to the interactive touch-screen display device is automatically adjusted based on the determined orientation of the user relative to the interactive touch-screen display device.
US08686940B2
Haptic alert waveform generation method and system for use with haptic actuators that impart haptic sensations according to a waveform of an input signal used to control the haptic actuator. The shape and/or amplitude of the waveform may be controlled according to information collected from various vehicle systems, allowing virtually any type of waveform to generate and used to impart virtually any type of haptic sensations.
US08686939B2
Methods for tracking a controller of a video game and for providing inputs to a system are disclosed.
US08686937B2
A backlight unit includes: an array unit, wherein the array unit comprises an input terminal, a first output terminal and an array coupled to the input terminal and coupled to the first output terminal, the array including a plurality of light emitting diodes; a switching unit coupled to the input terminal and coupled to the array; and a comparison unit coupled to the first output terminal and coupled to a control unit and operable to compare a reference current with an output current of the first output terminal; wherein the control unit controls the switching unit.
US08686934B2
The present invention reduces power consumption of a display device. The display device includes a wire to which a video signal is input, a first capacitor element and a second capacitor element which are connected to the wire in parallel, and a pixel. Between the first capacitor element and the wire, a first switch is provided so as to control conduction and non conduction between the first capacitor element and the wire. Between the second capacitor element and the wire, a second switch is provided so as to control conduction and non conduction between the second capacitor element and the wire. The pixel and the wire are arranged such that the pixel and the wire can be connected to each other, and a video signal can be input to the pixel.
US08686919B1
An apparatus (10) for attaching an antenna mast (11) to a post (12) positioned in the ground includes a bracket (14) attached to the mast (11). A plate (13) is attached to the post (12). The plate has a slot (32) which receives a bolt (30) that extends through the mast (11) and the bracket (14). The plate also has an elongate opening (33) which receives a bolt (31) that extends through the mast (11) and the bracket (14). Nut assemblies (34) are provided for the bolts (30, 31) and when tightened, the mast (11) and the bracket (14) are attached to the plate (13) and the post (12). But when loosened, the bolt (30) may be moved in slot (32) and bolt (31) may be moved in opening (33) until the bolt (30) is out of the slot (32) at which time the mast (11) and the bracket (14) may be rotated relative to the post (12) and the plate (13).
US08686913B1
The present invention is directed to a system that includes a sensor having a plurality of antenna elements arranged in a three-dimensional array. None of the plurality of antenna elements is configured as a loop antenna element. Each of the plurality of antenna elements are configured to provide a sensor output signal in response to an incident electromagnetic field having predetermined characteristics. A processing circuit is coupled to the sensor, the processing circuit being configured to obtain a directional vector to a source of the incident electromagnetic field from the plurality of sensor output signals. The sensor output signals correspond to a plurality of field components of the incident electromagnetic field at a point. The plurality of field components include differential values such that the plurality of field components providing at least nine (9) degrees of freedom (DOFs).
US08686911B2
The present invention relates to an aperture antenna capable of controlling a shape of a radiated beam without changing a structure of an aperture antenna by connecting a beam controller with a single aperture antenna. the aperture antenna including a beam controller according to the present invention includes: a waveguide; an aperture horn of which one end is connected to the waveguide and the other end is provided with an opening; and a beam controller including a feeding unit connected to the opening and provided with a plurality of slits, a dielectric layer connected to the feeding unit, and a plurality of patches connected to the dielectric layer to control a beam shape of a signal introduced into the feeding unit and radiated through the patches.
US08686909B2
A fringe-effect vault antenna includes a communications vault having a non-conductive cover disposed substantially at ground level. An antenna element is positioned in the communications vault. A metallic reflector has an edge, positioned substantially parallel to the ground, where the metallic reflector and the edge are configured to cause an edge diffraction, or “fringe-effect” upon the RF fields of the antenna to cause those RF fields to diffract in a direction toward the ground.
US08686904B2
An antenna-embedded electronic device case includes an electrically-insulated case wall, a lower and an upper ground conductive layers, a lower and an upper electrically-insulated layer, and a continuous conductive layer. The lower ground conductive layer is in contact with the electrically-insulated case wall. The lower and upper electrically-insulated layers are sandwiched between the lower and upper ground conductive layers. The continuous conductive layer has a first portion sandwiched between the lower and upper electrically-insulated layers and a second portion protruding out to serve as an antenna radiator for transmitting or receiving electromagnetic signals.
US08686897B2
The disclosed device generates a plurality of pixel data in an XY coordinate system. The pixel data includes first pixel data generated on a first sweep line, according to a distance from a transmitting source, based on an echo of a detection signal from the source toward a first direction, and second pixel data generated on a second sweep line, according to a distance from the source, based on an echo of a detection signal from the source toward a second direction different from the first direction. The device includes a module for converting the first and second pixel data into data in the XY coordinate system, a module for generating pixel data of an interpolation target pixel located between a first pixel as an observing pixel on an interpolation axis parallel to X-axis or Y-axis and a second pixel as a corresponding pixel on the same interpolation axis, based on the pixel data on the first and second sweep lines.
US08686887B2
Exemplary embodiments are directed to near field communication A device may include a current digital-to-analog converter (DAC) configured to convey a current to an antenna in a first near-field communication (NFC) mode and enable for load modulation in a second NFC mode.
US08686886B2
A device monitoring unit obtains, through respective digital communication routes, a combination of a digital setting value for an analog output value to an analog communication route in a field device, a digital value of an AD converting device in an input/output unit, and one of the digital setting values stored in a memory of the input/output unit, to check the status of the communication through the analog communication route based on the values obtained.
US08686882B2
A high-frequency semiconductor switch includes a serial-parallel conversion circuit, a power supply circuit, and a drive circuit. In the serial-parallel conversion circuit, a parallel data signal is formed from a serial data signal input thereto. In the power supply circuit, a first positive voltage, a second positive voltage, and a negative voltage are formed from a high-potential power source supplied thereto. The drive circuit is supplied with the first positive voltage, the second positive voltage, and the negative voltage, and includes an inverter to which the parallel data signal is input and a differential type of level shifter to which the parallel data signal and the output signal of the inverter is provided. The drive circuit outputs the second positive voltage as a high level signal, and the negative voltage as a low level signal, to a switching circuit, and the switching circuit performs selective switching based thereon.
US08686876B2
A control system is provided that adopts a communication network using wireless visible light and IR light communications in a galley of an aircraft which is subjected to limitations of aviation regulations regarding wired communications. Insert equipments each having a visible light receiving element and an IR emitting element are disposed in a galley of an aircraft, and a galley controller is disposed within the galley or a circumference area thereof having a visible light emitting panel, an IR receiving element and a display/control panel for controlling the insert equipments. A mutual communication function between the galley controller and the insert equipments and a remote control function for controlling the insert equipments from the galley controller are realized via transmission and reception of visible light communication data and IR communication data.
US08686867B2
An abnormal discharge alarm device is applied in a steam trap. The steam trap is installed in a pipeline of a steam system. The abnormal discharge alarm device includes a power generation component and a control circuit. The power generation component receives a fluid discharged from the steam trap and generates a self-generated electric power. The control circuit receives and detects the self-generated electric power to obtain a detection result. The control circuit sends an alarm signal when the detection result is greater than a predetermined threshold value. In addition, the abnormal discharge alarm device may further include a monitoring unit. The control circuit transmits the detection result to the monitoring unit. The monitoring unit obtains an updated threshold value according to accumulated detection results, and determines whether to send an alarm after comparing the updated threshold value with a real-time detection result.
US08686862B2
Systems and methods of monitoring a running step and signaling the runner when a correction is desired. In one aspect, the portion of the foot that contacts the ground first is monitored to determine if a correction is desired. To monitor the running step, a step analyzing apparatus can be used that is positioned within a shoe. The step analyzing apparatus can include sensors that are positioned at the midfoot and the heal when the apparatus is within the shoe. To signal the runner, an indicator can be used that is positioned within the shoe or outside the shoe. The step analyzing apparatus can also be used in a ski boot to monitor proper ski form. Running cadence can also be monitored to determine if a correction is desired.
US08686860B2
An approach is provided for retrieving ordered content via a service endpoint. A radio frequency memory tag is preloaded with content managed by a service platform. A request is generated for content stored on the radio frequency memory tag of an endpoint associated with the service platform. Transmission of the request to the endpoint is initiated. The request for the content is received from a user equipment. Transmission of the content is initiated from the memory tag to the user equipment. The user equipment receives the content from the memory tag in response to the request.
US08686858B2
The patient identification system of the preferred embodiments includes a transponder that is affixed to a patient and functions to communicate information that identifies the patient to a device or series of devices. The series of devices includes at least a first device that collects data from the patient and communicates with the transponder. The patient identification system is preferably designed to identify a patient, and more specifically to identify a patient to be associated with the data collected by the device. The patient identification system, however, may be alternatively used in any suitable environment and for any suitable reason.
US08686856B2
An anti-theft device for containers of fluid products comprising: a support element (3) connected to a container (2) to be monitored and attached to the inside of a neck (6) of container (2), between the neck (6) itself and a closure member (11) which is irremovably attached to container (2); and a circuit (7) at least partially housed in said support element (3) to receive an enquiry signal (S1) and to generate a corresponding response signal (S2).
US08686855B2
The invention relates to a portable communications device. The invention further relates to its use of and to a method of operating it. The object of the present invention is to facilitate adaptation of a communications device to its present environment, e.g. to facilitate spectrum sharing in short range communication devices. The problem is solved in that the portable communications device comprises a wireless communications interface for communicating with another device, a memory and an RFID-recorder for receiving an RFID-signal transmitted from an RFID-interrogator, wherein the device is adapted for storing individual received RFID-signals in the memory. An advantage of the invention is that it provides a relatively simple scheme for extracting information from a current environment of a portable communications device. The invention may e.g. be used for adapting listening devices, e.g. hearing instruments, headphones, or head sets to local, e.g. country specific, conditions or to operate in an efficient way under given interference conditions.
US08686852B2
Architecture that generates a notification when a user arrives at a location, but without exposing identity of the location. Moreover, the notification can be generated and transmitted at all times. The architecture comprises a reminder service that manages all reminder requests and approvals, a notification engine that notifies a requesting user when target user arrived at a specific location or one of a general category of location, and a user interface that allows the user to set reminders that are displayed when the target user arrives at the point of interest and approves other user reminder requests. The architecture can be run on a mobile phone, and manages user requests and user approvals for location based notifications, alerts a requesting user the target user arrived at one of previously-specified points of interest. Similarly, a general category of destination can be specified, rather than a specific point of interest.
US08686849B2
A method of wirelessly transmitting alarm signals includes wirelessly transmitting an alarm signal from a transmitting station. It is determined whether an acknowledgement signal wirelessly transmitted from an access point in response to the access point receiving the alarm signal has been received by the transmitting station. A relaying station is woken up and kept awake during a plurality of periodic time intervals for overhearing transmissions from the transmitting station. If it is determined that an acknowledgement signal from the access point has not been received by the transmitting station, then the alarm signal is wirelessly re-transmitting from the transmitting station during at least one of the time intervals in which the relaying station is awake. The alarm signal is received at the relaying station. The alarm signal is transmitted from the relaying station to the access point.
US08686842B2
A door locking system is provided for a motor vehicle. The door locking system includes, but is not limited to a mechanical door opening safety catch and a warning unit configured to generate a first warning signal that is exclusively suppressed by a manual activation of the mechanical door opening safety catch. A motor vehicle is provided that includes, but is not limited to a vehicle body, a rear vehicle door that is linked on the vehicle body and facing away from a vehicle travel direction, the rear vehicle door configured to pivot, a door opening safety catch configured to be mechanically activate upon the pivot of the rear vehicle door, and a warning unit configured to generate a first warning signal that is exclusively suppressed by the mechanical activation of the door opening safety catch.
US08686840B2
An accessory system for a vehicle includes an accessory disposed at and behind a windshield of the vehicle and a control having digital circuitry and a microcontroller. The accessory includes a forward facing camera that views through the windshield. The microcontroller may control at least one of (i) the forward facing camera, (ii) an actuator of the vehicle, (iii) a garage door opener of the vehicle, (iv) an electro-optic rearview mirror assembly of the vehicle, (v) a digital sound processor of the vehicle, (vi) a display of the vehicle and (vii) lighting of the vehicle. The control is operable to at least one of send data to and receive data from at least one other accessory or system of the vehicle via a vehicle network of the vehicle.
US08686839B2
A system includes an actuator configured to generate vibrations for creating tactile feedback to a user. The system also includes a sensor configured to measure the vibrations generated by the actuator. The system further includes a tactile feedback system configured to drive the actuator in order to generate the vibrations. The tactile feedback system is configured to adjust the driving of the actuator in response to measurements from the sensor. The actuator could include a motor configured to drive an eccentric mass, and the sensor could include an accelerometer and/or a gyroscope. Among other things, the tactile feedback system could be configured to over-drive a motor of the actuator until the measurements from the sensor indicate that vibrations are detected by the sensor and to back-drive the motor of the actuator until the measurements from the sensor indicate that no vibrations are detected by the sensor.
US08686833B2
The control system has a structure in which sensor apparatuses each having a data communication function are connected to an electronic control apparatus through a common communication line, and the sensors of the sensor apparatuses are connected to the electronic control apparatus through separate individual signal lines to transmit sensor signals to the electronic control apparatus. The electronic control apparatus is configured to, prior to transmitting communication data to one of the sensor apparatuses through the communication line, set the signal line connected to the selected sensor apparatus in a state in which the voltage of the signal line is outside a variation range corresponding to a voltage range of the sensor signal, and set the signal lines connected to the other sensor apparatuses to each of which the communication data is not addressed in a state in which the voltage of the signal line is within the variation range.
US08686829B2
A lock code recovery system for selectively sending a lock code to a proximate personal electronic device is provided. A recognizable code is associated with the proximate personal electronic device. The lock code recovery system includes a user input device for receiving feedback and a control module. The control module is in communication with the user input device, and has a memory with an application and at least one recognizable code stored thereon. The application has the lock code associated with the application for at least activating or deactivating the application. The control module includes control logic for monitoring the user input device for feedback indicating the lock code associated with the application should be sent to the proximate personal device.
US08686815B2
An apparatus of modular trip mechanism and auxiliary mechanism for a circuit breaker comprises an auxiliary mechanism module including a first micro switch to output an electrical signal indicating an ON/OFF position of the circuit breaker, a first shaft contact lever mechanism to operate the first micro switch by contacting the switching shaft or receiving an artificial pressing force, a second micro switch to output an electrical signal indicating whether a trip operation of the circuit breaker has been performed, and a second lever to operate the second micro switch by contacting the switching shaft or receiving an artificial pressing force; and a trip mechanism module including an electromagnetic trip device to operate a trip bar to trigger the circuit breaker to a trip position in response to a trip control signal from an overcurrent relay or a test trip control signal from a test signal generating source.
US08686808B2
A band combining filter for filtering a microwave signal having at least one band edge at a band edge transition frequency. The filter comprises a plurality of filter sections. Each filter section comprising 3dB hybrid couplers having input ports and output ports and resonators connected between the input ports and the output ports of the couplers.The filter sections are connected in cascade such that the outputs of one filter section are connected to the inputs of the next filter section in the cascade.A subset of the filter sections are high Q filter sections with the Q values of the resonators of those filter sections having values each of which are at least a factor of three higher than the Q values of the resonators of the remaining filter sections.
US08686802B1
A method of configuring a device comprising a MEMS resonator includes initiating operation of the device, estimating a first parameter of the MEMS resonator based on the initiated operation, the first parameter not varying with the bias voltage, monitoring the operation of the device at a plurality of levels of the bias voltage, calculating a second parameter of the MEMS resonator based on the monitored operation, the second parameter varying with the bias voltage, determining an operational level of the bias voltage based on the estimated first parameter and the calculated second parameter, and configuring the device in accordance with the determined operational level of the bias voltage.
US08686800B2
A system for generating a frequency reference signal comprising an oscillator, a direct digital synthesizer coupled to the oscillator and configured to receive a signal output from the oscillator, a digital to analog converter coupled to the direct digital synthesizer and configured to receive a sampled signal from the direct digital synthesizer and to convert the sampled signal to an analog waveform, and a bandpass filter coupled to the digital to analog converter and configured to select an aliased output signal from the digital to analog converter at a Nyquist zone other than a first Nyquist zone and to output the frequency reference signal.
US08686798B2
An oscillator circuit generates a voltage signal. The magnitude of the voltage signal is measured and compared with predetermined upper and lower voltage signals by an internal test circuit. If the magnitude of the voltage signal is between the predetermined upper and lower voltage signals, then a pass test status signal is generated. If the magnitude of the voltage signal is not between the predetermined upper and lower voltage signals then a fail test status signal is generated.
US08686796B2
Amplifiers with improved efficiency and output power are described. In an exemplary design, an apparatus includes an amplifier having at least three transistors and at least two capacitors. The at least three transistors are coupled in a stack and receive and amplify an input signal and provide an output signal. The at least two capacitors include at least one capacitor coupled between the drain and source of an associated transistor for each of at least two transistors in the stack, e.g., at least one capacitor for each transistor in the stack except for the bottommost transistor in the stack. The at least two capacitors recycle energy from gate-to-source parasitic capacitors of the at least two transistors to the output signal, which improves efficiency and output power of the amplifier.
US08686793B2
A very low distortion amplifier using one or more error correction loops based on a balanced error negative feedback scheme intrinsically and easily reiterable. Such loops are applied to a generic amplifier block A1 in order to reduce its error in a wide frequency band, without substantially interfering, in the correction process, with the main path of the useful signal Vi, to amplify, whereby the corrected amplifier preserves the same response, in time and frequency, the same dynamic behavior and the same stability margins in amplitude and phase, of the not corrected amplifier A1. This result is obtained by means of a balance and reference block A2, capable to decouple the error correction loop from the main path of the useful signal Vi, in a very wide frequency band.
US08686784B2
A level shifter includes a latch supplied at a first voltage, and first and second series connections of first and second switch elements and first and second biased elements in series with first and second branches of the latch respectively. Third and fourth switch elements are connected in parallel with the first and second series connections respectively. The input signal, at a voltage different from the first voltage, activates the third or fourth switch element during a transition period after a change of state of the input signal one way or the other to change the state of the latch, and deactivates the third or fourth switch element and activates the first or second switch element to maintain the state of the latch during a stabilization period following the transition period. The transition periods are shortened, reducing current consumption and transfer delay times.
US08686782B2
The present invention provides an apparatus and method for a frequency adaptive level shifter circuit. The frequency adaptive level shifter circuit includes a first inverter, a second inverter coupled to the output of the first inverter, a capacitor coupled to the output of the second inverter, and a resistor coupled to the output of the capacitor. The frequency adaptive level shifter circuit further includes a transistor coupled to the output of the resistor, wherein the transistor has a gate connected to a reference voltage, a third inverter coupled to the output of the capacitor, and a fourth inverter coupled to the output of the third inverter and the transistor and outputting the signal.
US08686759B2
An AUX channel amplifier for amplifying data in the AUX channel of a Display Port device. In some embodiments, the amplifier includes a first amplifier coupled to amplify a signal from a source to a sink and a second amplifier coupled to amplify a signal from the sink to the source. A slicer can be utilized to digitize the signal from the source. In some embodiments, a clock and data recovery can be utilized to receive signals from the source and a second clock and data recovery can be utilized to receive signals from the sink. A controller determine the direction of data flow and enables the first amplifier or the second amplifier accordingly.
US08686748B2
An apparatus for providing modulation mapping is disclosed. The apparatus includes a laser source, a motion mechanism providing relative motion between the laser beam and the DUT, signal collection mechanism, which include a photodetector and appropriate electronics for collecting modulated laser light reflected from the DUT, and a display mechanism for displaying a spatial modulation map which consists of the collected modulated laser light over a selected time period and a selected area of the IC.
US08686746B2
Disclosed is a test apparatus for measuring the common-mode parasitic capacitance between a first element and a second element being isolated from the first element. The test apparatus includes a signal generating device connected to the first element and having an internal signal source connected in series with a first internal impedance for sending a signal to the first element, and a signal receiving device connected between the second element and the first element and having a second internal impedance for measuring a signal response between the first element and the second element, thereby calculating the common-mode capacitance between the first element and the second element based on the signal response.
US08686733B2
An ionization gauge includes an electron generator array that includes a microchannel plate that includes an electron generating portion of the microchannel plate comprising a source for generating seed electrons and an electron multiplier portion of the microchannel plate, responsive to the seed electrons generated by the electron generating portion, that multiplies the electrons. The ionization gauge includes an ionization volume in which the electrons impact a gaseous species, and a collector electrode for collecting ions formed by the impact between the electrons and gas species. The collector electrode can be surrounded by the anode, or the ionization gauge can be formed with multiple collector electrodes. The source of electrons can provide for a spontaneous emission of electrons, where the electrons are multiplied in a cascade.
US08686726B2
A magnetic resonance system includes a magnetic resonance scanner having a multi-channel RF transmit system; an RF shimming processor configured to compute complex amplitude values for operative channels of the multi-channel RF transmit system based on a figure-of-merit including a weighted combination of a B1 uniformity measure and a total power measure. An RF transmit sub-system is configured to drive the multi-channel RF transmit system to excite magnetic resonance using the complex amplitude values computed by the RF shimming processor for the operative channels of the multi-channel RF transmit system.
US08686725B2
An apparatus includes a first magnetic resonance (MR) coil element configured to output a first set of MR data at a first output frequency and a first mixer coupled to the first MR coil element. The first mixer is configured to receive the first set of MR data from the first MR coil element and frequency translate the first set of MR data to a first offset frequency different from the first output frequency by a first offset value. The apparatus also includes a digitizer coupled to the first mixer and configured to convert the frequency-translated first set of MR data into a set of digital data and a transmission line coupled to the first mixer and to the digitizer, the transmission line configured to transmit the frequency-translated first set of MR data from the MR coil element to the digitizer without a balun coupled to the transmission line.
US08686724B2
A laboratory NMR methodology (and corresponding laboratory apparatus) defines a sample volume. The method stores downhole tool data corresponding to a hydrocarbon-bearing sample collected from a given subsurface formation. The downhole tool data includes parameters pertaining to magnetic fields used by a downhole tool during a suite of NMR measurements of the given subsurface formation. The sample is positioned in the sample volume of the laboratory apparatus, which applies a static magnetic field in the sample volume. Furthermore, the laboratory apparatus applies a suite of NMR measurements to the sample volume to thereby determine a property of the sample. The NMR measurements of the suite each include a pulse sequence of oscillating magnetic field in conjunction with a pulsed-mode gradient field. The pulsed-mode gradient field is based on the stored downhole tool data corresponding to the sample. A laboratory NMR methodology for optimizing downhole NMR measurements is also described.
US08686718B2
The instant invention senses shutter blade position indirectly by sensing the position of rotor(s) driving the shutter blade in an electromagnetically driven actuator system. It generally comprehends systems where a plurality of rotors each drive respective blades of a shutter such that the position of each of the rotors is indicative of the position of their respective shutter blades, and combines such systems with non-optical sensors responsive to the rotors which signal the position of the shutter blades based on the position of the rotors. The non-optical sensors used are preferably responsive to the magnetic fields produced by the rotors, and can be advantageously positioned adjacent stator poles associated with the rotors, which stator poles are associated with the open or closed positions of the shutter blades. The sensors are preferably Hall Effect (Hall IC) sensors producing voltages proportionate to and greatest when the pole of a magnet is proximate the Hall Effect sensor. Thus, the system can be arranged with sensors adjacent stator poles associated with a closed blade/shutter configuration, or arranged with sensors adjacent stator poles associated with an open blade/shutter configuration, so that the voltage signal produced is highest/lowest for either a closed/open shutter condition or the opposite.
US08686714B2
The invention relates to an electromechanical transducer (100). The electromechanical transducer (100) comprises a cantilever beam (101) and an excitation unit (102) that is adapted for exciting a motion of the cantilever beam (101). A detection unit (103) is adapted for detecting an electrical signal (iout) in response to the excited motion of the cantilever beam (101).
US08686710B1
The electromagnetic wave driven rotation device provides instrumentation for cataloging environmental anomalies that may occur along the circumferential path of a rotating electromagnetic (EM) wave beam having sufficient RPM that the instantaneous change in radial direction of the beam approaches light speed. Under those conditions, it is hypothesized that environmental anomalies, such as energy spikes, which ultimately can be harnessed as an energy source, may occur along or proximate to the circumferential beam path. Sensors may be disposed along the circumferential path of the rotating beam. Sensor data providing energy readings may be recorded in real time. Any sensor data collected may be analyzed in real time, and also post-processed. Since the wavefront energy is known along the circumference, any energy spikes recorded may be attributed to mass-like sub-measurable elements of space that may have come in contact with the mass-like components of the high speed rotating electromagnetic wave.
US08686698B2
A power converter and method of controlling the same for selected modes of operation. In one embodiment, the power converter includes a first power switch coupled to a source of electrical power and a second power switch coupled to the first power switch and to an output terminal of the power converter. The power converter also includes a controller configured to control an operation of the first and second power switches during selected modes of operation.
US08686697B2
A DC voltage booster apparatus includes a booster coil, a first capacitor, a switching device, and a second capacitor. The booster coil includes a first end and a second end. The first end of the booster coil is connected to a DC power supply source. The second end of the booster coil is connected to a rectifier diode. The first capacitor is connected between the rectifier diode and a ground. The first capacitor includes a smoothing capacitor. The switching device is disposed between the second end of the booster coil and the ground. The second capacitor is connected in parallel with the rectifier diode.
US08686695B2
A method for controlling a variable speed wind turbine generator is disclosed. The generator is connected to a power converter comprising switches. The generator comprises a stator and a set of terminals connected to the stator and to the switches of the power converter. The method comprises: determining a stator flux reference value corresponding to a generator power of a desired magnitude, determining an estimated stator flux value corresponding to an actual generator power, determining a difference between the determined stator flux reference value and the estimated stator flux value, and operating said switches in correspondence to the determined stator flux reference value and the estimated stator flux value to adapt at least one stator electrical quantity to obtain said desired generator power magnitude.
US08686686B2
A method of delivering power from a power supply to an electric vehicle is described herein. The method includes receiving, by a charging station from the electric vehicle, a request to deliver power from the power supply to the electric vehicle. A signal that is indicative of a unique identifier associated with the electric vehicle is received, and the charging station determines whether the unique vehicle identifier is associated with a stolen electric vehicle, and delivers power, from the charging device to the electric vehicle, after determining the unique identifier is not associated with a stolen electric vehicle.
US08686679B2
A method of confining a robot in a work space includes providing a portable barrier signal transmitting device including a primary emitter emitting a confinement beam primarily along an axis defining a directed barrier. A mobile robot including a detector, a drive motor and a control unit controlling the drive motor is caused to avoid the directed barrier upon detection by the detector on the robot. The detector on the robot has an omnidirectional field of view parallel to the plane of movement of the robot. The detector receives confinement light beams substantially in a plane at the height of the field of view while blocking or rejecting confinement light beams substantially above or substantially below the plane at the height of the field of view.
US08686675B2
According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a power tool including: a motor; a switching device that switches over, in response to a conduction angle thereof, an AC voltage to be applied to the motor; a rotation speed setting unit that sets a target rotation speed of the motor; a rotation speed detection unit that detects an actual rotation speed of the motor; and a controller that determines the conduction angle by comparing the actual rotation speed with the target rotation speed and that controls the switching device by use of the conduction angle based on a maximum conduction angle, the maximum conduction angle being set in accordance with the target rotation speed.
US08686667B2
A lighting power source provides AC or DC power as needed to power an electric light source. A first switching element and a diode are coupled in series across output ends of a DC power source, with a second switching element coupled across the diode. An inductor forms an output loop with the diode. A driving capacitor has a first end coupled to a node between the first switching element and the diode. A charging power source is coupled to a second end of the driving capacitor and supplied with power from the DC power source. During a charging operation, a control circuit charges the driving capacitor by turning on the second switching element while maintaining the first switching element in an OFF state. During a normal operation which follows the charging operation the control circuit repeatedly turns on/off the first switching element while maintaining the second switching element in the OFF state.
US08686662B1
Exit and egress lighting, emergency lighting or emergency light fixture, having internal supercapacitor power sources are recharged after a power outage using a staggered power up process. For example, once an emergency light fixture detects a power-on transition from power being unavailable on a power source to power being available from the power source, the fixture waits a predetermined time to recharge a supercapacitor based on a charge time delay value. The predetermined time may be selected to be unique for one or several emergency light fixtures so as to distribute a combined peak power demand of the fixtures. After the predetermined time has expired, the supercapacitor is electrically coupled to a power source to in order to recharge the supercapacitor.
US08686661B2
The present invention discloses a LED dimming method and a LED dimming system, wherein the LED dimming method comprises the following steps: A: calculating the equivalent current flowing through the LED in accordance with the duty cycle message of the input PWM signal; and B: regulating the current flowing through the LED to the equivalent current. Because the equivalent current flowing through the LED is calculated by the duty cycle message D of the input PWM signal while the duty cycle is not actually regulated, the present invention realizes the aim that the dimming uniformity is improved by linearly regulating the current flowing through the LED. Meanwhile, transformer noise will not be generated because current flows through the transformer in the overall dimming cycle.
US08686659B2
A ballast that selectively operates multiple lamps is provided. The ballast includes a switching network, capable of operating in a number of switching configurations. The ballast also includes a control circuit, and two lamp control switches. The control circuit is connected to the switching network, and provides respective control signals via respective output terminals as a function of the switching configuration of the switching network. Each lamp control switch is in parallel with its lamp and is connected to a respective output terminal. The first lamp control switch is connected to a ballast power supply, and either provides power to the first lamp or does not, depending on the first control signal. The second lamp control switch is connected to the first lamp control switch and to ground, and either provides power to the second lamp or does not, depending on the second control signal.
US08686653B2
The present invention discloses a LED backlight driving method, a LCD device and a LED backlight driving circuit, wherein the LED backlight driving method comprises the following steps: regulating the current of each LED string so that the voltages of all LED strings are equal; and regulating the duty cycle of the current of the corresponding LED string so that the effective value of the current of each LED string meets the preset requirement of brightness. The present invention solves the problem of consumption caused by voltage difference by regulating the current through the current regulation module to ensure that the voltages of all the LED strings are equal, and ensures the brightness consistency by regulating the duty cycle through the duty-cycle regulation module so that the effective value of the currents of all the LED strings are equal.
US08686652B2
A reference voltage generating circuit used for a light-emitting diode (LED) driver circuit and a light-emitting diode (LED) driver circuit are provided. A reference voltage generating circuit used for a light-emitting diode (LED) driver circuit includes a voltage measurer configured to sequentially measure feedback voltages of a plurality of LED arrays, the LED arrays being connected to one another in parallel, a quantizer configured to search for one of the plurality of LED arrays having a lowest feedback voltage of the measured feedback voltages, a comparator configured to compare an output of the voltage measurer with a preset comparison voltage to generate a reference voltage, and a timing controller configured to control the comparator to output the generated reference voltage corresponding to the one of the plurality of LED arrays.
US08686648B2
The present application relates to a lighting applications. In particular, the present application describes examples of lighting fixtures and light bulbs containing a light transmissive optic. The orientation of the solid state emitters together with the contoured output surface of the light transmissive optic produce a tailored light output distribution over a designated planar surface. The light generated by the solid state light emitters is of a sufficient intensity to illuminate the designated planar surface.
US08686640B2
An ion beam processing system includes a plasma generator with a magnetic flood system. Magnets are provided for reducing the transverse magnetic field in the ion beam transport region of the plasma flood device so as to control charging damage or to neutralize beam space charge in ion beam processing and semiconductor ion implantation. The system is especially adapted for beam lines with ribbon beams.
US08686638B2
A lighting device having a plurality of light sources includes several superimposed layers. The superimposed layers include a first and a second electrically conductive layer, which are designed so as to create an alternating electrical field between the layers. The superimposed layers also have an electrically insulating layer between the electrically conductive layers and a luminescent layer between the electrically conductive layers. Electroluminescent material is arranged within the luminescent layer in several adjacent and spatially separated regions, each region forming a light source. As a result, a simulated starry sky may be provided when the lighting device is used with an aircraft interior trim panel.
US08686636B2
A lamp assembly is provided, that utilizes a light source including an LED element without cutting part of light therefrom and capable of forming a luminance distribution where the light with a maximum peak portion can be arranged substantially at (i.e., at or near) the cutoff line, thereby improving light utilization efficiency. The lamp assembly with an illumination direction can include a light source including an LED element with an emission surface, and a projection optical system for projecting an image of the light source in the illumination direction so that a desired light distribution pattern can be formed on a virtual vertical screen. The light source can have a rectangular shape having long sides and short sides, and can be configured to provide a luminance distribution on the emission surface such that a luminance peak portion is provided at or near one of the long sides.
US08686635B2
An organic light emitting diode (OLED) lighting apparatus includes an OLED lighting module, and a socket board for mounting the OLED lighting module, wherein the OLED lighting module includes a substrate body including an emission region and a sealing region surrounding the emission region, an OLED on the substrate body, a sealant on the sealing region of the substrate body, and including a conductive member electrically coupled to the OLED, a printed circuit board (PCB) bonded to the substrate body by the sealant for sealing and covering the OLED, and including external input terminals electrically coupled to the conductive member, and an affixing unit on the external input terminals, and wherein the socket board has a supporting unit coupled to the affixing unit for attaching the OLED lighting module thereto.
US08686623B2
An LED bulb has a base, a shell connected to the base, and a thermally conductive liquid held within the shell. The LED bulb has a plurality of LEDs mounted on LED mounting surfaces disposed within the shell. The LED mounting surfaces face different radial directions, and the LED mounting surfaces are configured to facilitate a passive convective flow of the thermally conductive liquid within the LED bulb to transfer heat from the LEDs to the shell when the LED bulb is oriented in at least three different orientations. In a first orientation, the shell is disposed vertically above the base. In a second orientation, the shell is disposed on the same horizontal plane as the base. In a third orientation, the shell is disposed vertically below the base.
US08686617B2
The invention relates to a device for compensating influence of temperature on a resonator circuit. The device comprises a resonator circuit and a supply unit for supplying an electric bias signal to the resonator circuit, wherein the supply unit is adapted for adjusting the electric bias signal for compensating influence of temperature on the resonator circuit.
US08686608B2
A synchronous reluctance machine includes a rotor having a plurality of rotor disks with longitudinal flux barriers. When the rotor disks are stacked together to form a rotor core, the flux barriers define channels extending in an axial direction of the rotor core. Air is forced to flow through these channels in order to improve a temperature distribution within the machine.
US08686607B2
The rotor of an electrical motor should be designed simply and able to be efficiently cooled. To this end, the invention relates to an electrical motor having a rotor that has at least one radial cooling slot (16) and axially running cooling channels. The first cooling channels (18) run having their central axis at a different radial height opposite the axis of the rotor (11) than the second cooling channels (19). A spacer (29) is arranged in the at least one radial cooling slot (16) by means of which a first cooling stream (28) can be conducted from one of the first cooling channels (18) into one of the second cooling channels (19). A second partial package (T2) in the flow direction can also be supplied with cool air in this way if it flows through the first partial package (T1) in a cool region, such as near the shaft.
US08686602B2
A method of propelling a magnetic manipulator above a circuit substrate includes arranging a magnetic manipulator on a diamagnetic layer on a surface of the circuit substrate, generating drive signals using a controller, and applying the drive signals to at least two conductive traces arranged in the circuit substrate below the diamagnetic layer. A circuit substrate to control movement of a magnetic manipulator has a diamagnetic layer on a surface of the substrate, and conductive traces arranged under the diamagnetic layer, the conductive traces arranged in a parallel line pattern in at least two separate layers.
US08686598B2
Described herein are improved capabilities for a source resonator having a Q-factor Q1>100 and a characteristic size x1 coupled to an energy source, and a second resonator having a Q-factor Q2>100 and a characteristic size x2 coupled to an energy drain located a distance D from the source resonator, where the source resonator and the second resonator are coupled to exchange energy wirelessly among the source resonator and the second resonator.
US08686596B2
A fuse box system and method providing for visual and/or remote sensing of interrupted fusing elements is disclosed. The system incorporates LEDs and/or remote sensing apparatus to permit indication of a “blown” fuse and/or circuit protection breaker. This system may be configured for both polarized and/or non-polarized applications and generally provides for indicator illumination when a fuse/breaker is blown. Some preferred embodiments may incorporate current sourcing technologies to permit operation of the system over wide range of system voltages, as well as provisions for wired and/or RF/wireless interrogation of the fuse/breaker status. Alternate embodiments including systems/methods to permit remote sensing of fuse status and/or circuit current monitoring, and may be retrofit within existing fuse/breaker panel systems in some configurations.
US08686584B2
Embodiments that generate electrical power via hydro-electric systems that employ man-made flumes configured to support saltwater aquaculture are disclosed. Various embodiments pump water, such as saltwater or freshwater, into supply a man-made flume. The embodiments may generally employ a blade assembly to harness wind power and drive a mechanical pump that transfers the water into the man-made flume. The flumes in different embodiments may contain different forms of aquaculture, such as shrimp, fish, and crabs. As water flows through the flume, the continual fresh supply may continually aerate the water in the flume to support the aquatic life. Water exiting the flume may impact a turbine that is coupled to a generator to generate electrical power.
US08686578B2
An energy storage apparatus for storing energy transmitted by a power transmission line includes an elastically deformable component and an actuator-generator. The actuator-generator is coupled to the elastically deformable component such that electrical actuation of the actuator-generator generates tension in the elastically deformable component. The actuator-generator is further coupled to the elastically deformable component such that mechanical actuation of the actuator-generator via a release of tension in the elastically deformable component causes a generation of electrical energy by the actuator-generator.
US08686568B2
The package substrate includes a core, a plurality of first circuit segments, and a plurality of conductive pillars. Each of the first circuit segments has a patterned metal layer disposed on the core, a barrier layer disposed on the patterned metal layer, and an upper metal pattern disposed on the barrier layer. The conductive pillars penetrate the core, the patterned metal layer, and the barrier layer, and contact the upper metal pattern. The conductive pillars are formed from a material that can be selectively removed without affecting the barrier layer.
US08686566B2
A coreless pin-grid array (PGA) substrate includes PGA pins that are integral to the PGA substrate without the use of solder. A process of making the coreless PGA substrate integrates the PGA pins by forming a build-up layer upon the PGA pins such that vias make direct contact to pin heads of the PGA pins.
US08686563B2
In a method of forming a semiconductor device, a feature layer is provided on a substrate and a mask layer is provided on the feature layer. A portion of the mask layer is removed in a first region of the semiconductor device where fine features of the feature layer are to be located, the mask layer remaining in a second region of the semiconductor device where broad features of the feature layer are to be located. A mold mask pattern is provided on the feature layer in the first region and on the mask layer in the second region. A spacer layer is provided on the mold mask pattern in the first region and in the second region. An etching process is performed to etch the spacer layer so that spacers remain at sidewalls of pattern features of the mold mask pattern, and to etch the mask layer in the second region to provide mask layer patterns in the second region. The feature layer is etched using the mask layer patterns as an etch mask in the second region and using the spacers as an etch mask in the first region to provide a feature layer pattern having fine features in the first region and broad features in the second region.
US08686561B2
A nitride-based semiconductor light-emitting device 100 includes a GaN substrate 10, of which the principal surface is an m-plane 12, a semiconductor multilayer structure 20 that has been formed on the m-plane 12 of the GaN-based substrate 10, and an electrode 30 arranged on the semiconductor multilayer structure 20. The electrode 30 includes an Mg layer 32, which contacts with the surface of a p-type semiconductor region in the semiconductor multilayer structure 20.
US08686545B2
A semiconductor device according to the present disclosure includes: a plate (13) having a through hole (15); a metal column (16) fixed to the through hole with an insulating member (17) interposed therebetween, and having a projection projecting from the upper surface of the plate; a semiconductor element (12) fixed to the projection; a lead frame (11) electrically connected to the semiconductor element; and a package (14) covering the semiconductor element, and also covering at least part of each of the plate, the metal column, and the lead frame. The lower surface (13b) of the plate is exposed from the package.
US08686544B2
It is possible to realize the following package structure. That is, a structure for applying a stress to a channel region is provided for a semiconductor chip itself. In a package manufacturing process, a low thermal expansion coefficient film is formed on a circuit face of an Si chip. Thus, distribution and magnitude of a desired stress can be secured for a channel region of a MOSFET in a mounted chip even after performance of the package manufacturing process. As a result, a mobility is increased and current driving power is enhanced.
US08686542B2
A compliant monopolar micro device transfer head array and method of forming a compliant monopolar micro device transfer array from an SOI substrate are described. In an embodiment, the micro device transfer head array including a base substrate and a patterned silicon layer over the base substrate. The patterned silicon layer may include a silicon interconnect and an array of silicon electrodes electrically connected with the silicon interconnect. Each silicon electrode includes a mesa structure protruding above the silicon interconnect, and each silicon electrode is deflectable into a cavity between the base substrate and the silicon electrode. A dielectric layer covers a top surface of each mesa structure.
US08686536B2
An embodiment is a fuse structure. In accordance with an embodiment, a fuse structure comprises an anode, a cathode, a fuse link interposed between the anode and the cathode, and cathode connectors coupled to the cathode. The cathode connectors are each equivalent to or larger than about two times a minimum feature size of a contact that couples to an active device.
US08686515B2
A mesa-type bidirectional vertical power component, including a substrate of a first conductivity type; a layer of the second conductivity type on each side of the substrate; first regions of the first conductivity type in each of the layers of the second conductivity type; and, at the periphery of each of its surfaces, two successive grooves, the internal groove crossing the layers of the second conductivity type, second doped regions of the first conductivity type being formed under the surface of the external grooves and having the same doping profile as the first regions.
US08686507B2
A system and method for electrostatic discharge protection. The system includes a plurality of transistors. The plurality of transistors includes a plurality of gate regions, a plurality of source regions, and a plurality of drain regions. The plurality of source regions and the plurality of drain regions are located within an active area in a substrate, and the active area is adjacent to at least an isolation region in the substrate. Additionally, the system includes a polysilicon region. The polysilicon region is separated from the substrate by a dielectric layer, and the polysilicon region intersects each of the plurality of gate regions. At least a part of the polysilicon region is on the active area.
US08686500B2
The present invention discloses a double diffused metal oxide semiconductor (DMOS) device and a manufacturing method thereof. The DMOS device is formed in a first conductive type substrate, and includes a second conductive type high voltage well, a field oxide region, a gate, a second conductive type source, a second conductive type drain, a first conductive type body region, and a first conductive type deep well. The deep well is formed beneath and adjacent to the high voltage well in a vertical direction. The deep well and the high voltage well are defined by a same lithography process step.
US08686498B2
A semiconductor device is provided. The semiconductor device includes a gate on a substrate, a source region at a first side of the gate, a first conductive type body region under the source region, a second conductive type drain region at a second side of the gate, a device isolation region in the substrate between the source region and the drain region and overlapping part of the gate, and a first buried layer extending in a direction from the source region to the drain region, the first buried layer under the body region, overlapping part of the device isolation region, and not overlapping the drain region.
US08686497B2
A double-gate vertical channel transistor (DGVC) structure is described which is particularly well suited for Dynamic RAM (DRAM) memory (e.g., capacitorless DRAM) wherein the memory cell occupies a small cell area of 4F2, and provides beneficial retention properties including immunity to disturbances. The vertical transistors are arranged in an alternating gate-facing orientation, with a common source formed on a first end and separate drains on their second ends. Word lines comprise alternating front gates and back gates shared by columns of gate-facing transistors on each side of it. The DGVC cell provides enhanced scalability allowing the continued scaling of DRAM technology and can be fabricated using low-cost semiconductor materials and existing fabrication techniques. Fabrication techniques and array biasing are also described for the DGVC cell arrays.
US08686496B2
A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate having a first gate groove having first and second side walls facing to each other. A first gate insulating film covers the first and second side walls. A first gate electrode is disposed on the first gate insulating film and in a lower portion of the first gate groove. A first burying insulating film buries the first gate groove and covers the first gate electrode. A first diffusion region is adjacent to a first upper portion of the first gate insulating film. The first upper portion is positioned on an upper portion of the first side wall of the first gate groove. A second diffusion region is in contact with an upper portion of the second side wall of the first gate groove.
US08686489B2
The flash memory cell comprises a sense transistor that has a pair of source/drain lines and a control gate. A coupling metal-insulator-metal capacitor is created between the floating gate and a read wordline. A tunneling metal-insulator-metal capacitor is created between the floating gate and a write/erase bit line. In one embodiment, the insulator is a metal oxide.
US08686485B2
A semiconductor device may include active patterns of pillar-shapes disposed on a substrate and spaced apart from each other in one direction; a gate electrode extending in the one direction and overlapped with sidewalls of the active patterns; a gate insulating layer disposed between the gate electrode and the active patterns; bit lines connected to bottom surfaces of respective active patterns; and/or capacitors connected to top surfaces of the respective active patterns. Each of the active patterns may have no p-type/n-type (PN) junctions. A semiconductor device may include a substrate; active patterns on the substrate that are spaced apart from each other; a gate electrode configured to overlap sidewalls of the active patterns; and/or gate insulating layers between the gate electrode and respective active patterns. The active patterns may be doped with dopants of a same conductivity type.
US08686481B2
Disclosed are embodiments of a semiconductor device comprising a semiconductor body with a semiconductor image sensor comprising a two-dimensional matrix of picture elements, each picture element comprising a radiation-sensitive element coupled to MOS field effect transistors for reading the radiation-sensitive elements, wherein a semiconductor region is sunken in the surface of the body having the same conductivity type as the body and having an increased doping concentration, the semiconductor region being disposed between the radiation-sensitive elements of neighboring picture elements.
US08686476B2
A memory cell is provided that includes a diode and a resistance-switching material layer coupled in series with the diode. The resistance-switching material layer: (a) includes a material from the family consisting of XvOw, wherein X represents an element from the family consisting of Hf and Zr, and wherein the subscripts v and w have non-zero values that form a stable compound, and (b) has a thickness between 20 and 65 angstroms. Other aspects are also provided.
US08686468B2
A trench semiconductor power device with a termination area structure is disclosed. The termination area structure comprises a wide trench and a trenched field plate formed not only along trench sidewall but also on trench bottom of the wide trench by doing poly-silicon CMP so that the body ion implantation is blocked by the trenched field plate on the trench bottom to prevent the termination area underneath the wide trench from being implanted. Moreover, a contact mask is used to define both trenched contacts and source regions of the device for saving a source mask.
US08686464B2
According to one embodiment, an LED module includes a substrate, an interconnect layer, a light emitting diode (LED) package, and a reflection member. The interconnect layer is provided on the substrate. The LED package is mounted on the interconnect layer. The reflection member is provided on a region in the substrate where the LED package is not mounted and has a property of reflecting light emitted from the LED package. The LED package includes a first lead frame, a second lead frame, an LED chip, and a resin body. The first lead frame and the second lead frame are arranged apart from each other on the same plane. The LED chip is provided above the first lead frame and the second lead frame, with one terminal connected to the first lead frame and one other terminal connected to the second lead frame. The resin body covers the LED chip, covers an upper surface, a part of a lower surface, and a part of an end surface of each of the first lead frame and the second lead frame, and exposes a remaining part of the lower surface and a remaining part of the end surface.
US08686462B2
The application provides an optoelectronic device structure, comprising a semiconductor stack, comprising a first conductivity type semiconductor layer, an active layer, and a second conductivity type semiconductor layer; a first electrode electrically connecting with the first conductivity type semiconductor layer, and further comprising a first extension electrode; a second electrode electrically connecting with the second conductivity type semiconductor layer; and a plurality of electrical restraint contact areas between the semiconductor stack and the first extension electrode, wherein the plurality of electrical restraint contact areas is distributed in a variable interval.
US08686453B2
Provided is a light emitting device. The light emitting device comprises: In one embodiment, a light emitting device includes: a light emitting structure comprising a first conductive type semiconductor layer, a second conductive type semiconductor layer, and an active layer between the first conductive type semiconductor layer and the second conductive type semiconductor layer; and a conductive support member under the light emitting structure. The conductive support member comprises a first conductive support member and a second conductive support member. The second conductive support member has a thermal conductivity higher than that of the first conductive support member.
US08686452B2
An optoelectronic apparatus includes an optical device with an optical structure including a plurality of optical elements, and a radiation-emitting or radiation-receiving semiconductor chip with a contact structure which includes a plurality of contact elements that make electrical contact with the semiconductor chip and are spaced apart vertically from the optical structure, wherein the contact elements are arranged in interspaces between the optical elements upon a projection of the contact structure into the plane of the optical structure.
US08686450B2
The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a vertically-structured GaN-based light emitting diode. The method of manufacturing a vertically-structured GaN-based light emitting diode includes forming a GaN layer on a substrate; patterning the compound layer in a predetermined shape; forming an n-type GaN layer on the patterned compound layer through the epitaxial lateral over-growth process and sequentially forming an active layer and a p-type GaN layer on the n-type GaN layer; forming a structure supporting layer on the p-type GaN layer; sequentially removing the substrate and the GaN layer formed on the substrate after forming the structure supporting layer; removing the patterned compound layer exposed after removing the GaN layer so as to form an n-type GaN layer patterned in a concave shape; and forming an n-type electrode on the n-type GaN layer patterned in a concave shape.
US08686447B2
A light emitting unit including plural kinds of light emitting elements with different light emitting wavelengths, wherein, among the light emitting elements, at least one kind of light emitting element includes a semiconductor layer configured by laminating a first conductive layer, an active layer and a second conductive layer and having a side surface exposed by the first conductive layer, the active layer and the second conductive layer; a first electrode electrically connected to the first conductive layer; a second electrode electrically connected to the second conductive layer; a first insulation layer contacting at least an exposed surface of the active layer in the surface of the semiconductor layer; and a metal layer contacting at least a surface, which is opposite to the exposed surface of the active layer, in the surface of the first insulation layer, and electrically separated from the first electrode and the second electrode.
US08686445B1
A light emission package includes at least one solid state emitter, a leadframe including at least one electrical lead and a body structure encasing a portion of the leadframe. A thermal transfer material can be isolated from the at least one electrical lead. The body structure can include a plastic body structure wherein a rim portion can be disposed along a portion of the upper surface of the body structure. The light emission package can also include the at least one solid state emitter mounted over thermal transfer material using a direct metal-to-metal bond such as by eutectic die attachment. The light emission package is operable to emit light with an output of approximately 70% or greater of an initial light output for an extrapolated time of at least approximately 150,000 hours or more.
US08686444B2
An organic light emitting device including a substrate on which an organic light emitting unit is formed, wherein the organic light emitting unit sequentially includes a first electrode, an organic layer, and a second electrode; and a passivation layer covering the substrate and the second electrode, and a method of manufacturing the organic light emitting device.
US08686442B2
The present invention provides a nitride semiconductor light emitting device having an n-electrode that has an Au face excellent in ohmic contacts to an n-type nitride semiconductor and excellent in mounting properties, and a method of manufacturing the same. The nitride semiconductor light emitting device uses an n-electrode having a three-layer laminate structure that is composed of a first layer containing aluminum nitride and having a thickness not less than 1 nm or less than 5 nm, a second layer containing one or more metals selected from Ti, Zr, Hf, Mo, and Pt, and a third layer made of Au, from the near side of the n-type nitride semiconductor in order of mention. The n-electrode thus formed is then annealed to obtain ohmic contacts to the n-type nitride semiconductor.
US08686435B2
A silicon carbide layer is epitaxially formed on a main surface of a substrate. The silicon carbide layer is provided with a trench having a side wall inclined relative to the main surface. The side wall has an off angle of not less than 50° and not more than 65° relative to a {0001} plane. A gate insulating film is provided on the side wall of the silicon carbide layer. The silicon carbide layer includes: a body region having a first conductivity type and facing a gate electrode with the gate insulating film being interposed therebetween; and a pair of regions separated from each other by the body region and having a second conductivity type. The body region has an impurity density of 5×1016 cm−3 or greater. This allows for an increased degree of freedom in setting a threshold voltage while suppressing decrease of channel mobility.
US08686427B2
A display apparatus includes a first substrate including pixels, a second substrate facing the first substrate, and a liquid crystal layer interposed between the first substrate and the second substrate. Each of the pixels includes a thin film transistor disposed on a first insulating substrate, a first protective layer that covers the thin film transistor and includes a SiOC layer, a first electrode disposed on the first protective layer, a second protective layer that covers the first electrode, and a second electrode disposed on the second protective layer.
US08686407B2
A display apparatus includes a driving substrate and an organic light emitting diode device. The driving substrate includes a display area, a non-display area, a substrate and a transparent driving element. The transparent driving element is disposed in the non-display area to form a transparent region. The organic light emitting diode device is disposed over the driving substrate and located in the display area to form a non-transparent region.
US08686399B2
Disclosed are a growth substrate and a light emitting device. The light emitting device includes a silicon substrate, a first buffer layer disposed on the silicon substrate and having an exposing portions of the silicon substrate, a second buffer layer covering the first buffer layer and the exposed portions of the silicon substrate, wherein the second buffer layer is formed of a material causing a eutectic reaction with the silicon substrate, a third buffer layer disposed on the second buffer layer, and a light emitting structure disposed on the third buffer layer, and the second buffer layer includes voids.
US08686392B2
The semiconductor device includes a memory cell including a plurality of magnetoresistive elements disposed therein, and a peripheral circuit region disposed around the memory cell region. The magnetoresistive element includes a magnetization fixed layer, a magnetization free layer, and a tunneling insulation layer. The semiconductor device includes, above the magnetoresistive elements, a plurality of first wires extending in the direction along the main surface. In the peripheral circuit region, there is disposed a multilayer structure of lamination of a layer equal in material to the magnetization free layer, a layer equal in material to the tunneling insulation layer, and a layer equal in material to the magnetization fixed layer so as to overlap a second wire formed of the same layer as the first wire in plan view. The multilayer structure does not overlap both of a pair of adjacent second wires in plan view in the peripheral circuit region.
US08686383B2
In order to enable high accuracy positioning and strong pressing of a substrate, the present invention provides a substrate holding apparatus including: a rotating bed having an inclined surface supporting a lower side of an outer circumferential side surface of the substrate, which bed rotates on a normal line of the substrate as the rotation axis together with the substrate; a position restriction unit rotating together with the rotating bed and restricting the substrate in a predetermined position on the rotating bed by pressing a plurality of points on the circumference on an upper side of the outer circumferential side surface of the substrate prior to the rotation; and a pressing unit rotating together with the rotating bed and pressing the substrate against the inclined surface by pressing a plurality of points on the upper side of the outer circumferential side surface of the substrate during the rotation.
US08686367B2
An apparatus includes a photodiode, a first and second storage transistor, a first and second transfer transistor, and a first and second output transistor. The first transfer transistor selectively transfers a first portion of the image charge from the photodiode to the first storage transistor for storing over multiple accumulation periods. The first output transistor selectively transfers a first sum of the first portion of the image charge to a readout node. The second transfer transistor selectively transfers a second portion of the image charge from the photodiode to the second storage transistor for storing over the multiple accumulation periods. The second output transistor selectively transfers a second sum of the second portion of the image charge to the readout node.
US08686361B2
A method for manufacturing a radiation detection apparatus is provided. The method comprising: forming a set of columnar crystals capable of converting radiation into visible light on a base; forming a supporting layer that supports the set of columnar crystals; separating the set of columnar crystals supported by the supporting layer from the base; preparing a sensor panel having a photoelectric conversion unit; and adhering a surface of the set of columnar crystals, that surface having been in contact with the base, to the sensor panel using an adhesive material, such that the set of columnar crystals covers the photoelectric conversion unit.
US08686352B2
A mass spectrometry system is mounted with (1) an action planning module for determining a measurement schedule provided by a combination of an MS analysis and an MSn analysis (where n≧2) according to a measuring time provided previously; and (2) a mass spectrometry unit having a tandem mass spectrometry function for outputting a mass spectrum obtained by performing each measurement action constructing the measurement schedule.
US08686348B2
A well logging instrument includes an instrument housing to traverse a wellbore penetrating subsurface formations. An electrically operated energy source that emits ionizing radiation is disposed inside the housing. An insulating sleeve is disposed between the energy source and an interior wall of the housing. The insulating sleeve comprises a thin dielectric film arranged in a plurality of tightly fitting layers of dielectric material disposed adjacent to each other and successively. A thickness of each layer and a number of layers is selected to provide a dielectric strength sufficient to electrically insulate the energy source from the housing and to provide a selected resistance to dielectric failure resulting from the ionizing radiation.
US08686345B2
The present invention discloses a standby circuit. The standby circuit is coupled to an electric device for providing a standby voltage to the electric device when the electric device is not turned on. The standby circuit includes a light emitting module and an energy converter. The light emitting module receives an AC current and is driven by the AC current to generate light. The energy converter receives the light generated by the light emitting module and converts the light into the standby voltage. Therefore, the present invention can simplify the design of traditional standby circuit in a television.
US08686343B2
An avalanche photodiode circuit, comprising an avalanche photodiode typically connected in parallel to a capacitor, in which there is provided a current shunt circuit which activates to shunt current from the avalanche photodiode in response to detecting a decrease in the impedance of the avalanche photodiode, typically measured by determining the slope of the voltage across the avalanche photodiode. By using this circuit, the avalanche photodiode can be protected from sudden increases in incident light level decreasing the impedance of the avalanche photodiode to an extent that the energy such as is stored in the capacitor can damage the structure of the avalanche photodiode.
US08686342B2
An example double-sided image sensor includes a semiconductor die, a photodetector, a charge-to-voltage converter, and support circuitry. The semiconductor die has a first side and a second side that is opposite the first side. The photodetector is disposed within the semiconductor die on the first side for accumulating an image charge in response to light incident on the first side. The charge-to-voltage converter is disposed within the semiconductor die on the first side. The transfer gate is also disposed on the first side of the semiconductor die between the photodetector and the charge-to-voltage converter to transfer the image charge from the photodetector to the charge-to-voltage converter. Support circuitry of the image sensor is disposed within the semiconductor die on the second side and is electrically coupled to the charge-to-voltage converter.
US08686317B2
A removable cooling collar is provided for cooling the nozzle of a welding nozzle. This collar includes first and second parts in fluid communication with a chamber that extends circumferentially within a hollow structure. Cooling fluid circulating through the chamber facilitates dissipation and/or extraction of heat in the nozzle, in turn reducing the likelihood of weld splatter adhesion on the nozzle.
US08686312B2
A weld cap changing tool for removing weld caps from weld shanks includes an elongated shaft portion, a first weld cap removing portion that includes two prongs extending away from the shaft portion to free distal ends, the two prongs of the first weld cap removing portion being separated by a first characteristic gap, and a second weld cap removing portion that includes two prongs extending away from the shaft portion to free distal ends, the two prongs of the second weld cap removing portion being separated by a second characteristic gap. When the weld cap changing tool is in a first engagement position, the first weld cap removing portion engages the first weld cap and, and when in a second engagement position different from the first engagement position, the second weld cap removing portion engages the second weld cap of a different size than the first weld cap.
US08686306B2
A rotary knob assembly and methods for forming and controlling friction effecting features of the knob assembly are disclosed. The knob assembly includes a mounting structure and a knob. The knob is rotatably coupled to a bezel of the mounting structure. The knob includes a stabilizer, a guide member, and a retainer having a patterned surface. At least a portion of the stabilizer is disposed between the bezel and the retainer to maintain an axial position and a radial position of the knob. A detent formed on the guide member cooperates with a patterned surface of the retainer to provide a haptic feedback to a user.
US08686294B2
An electrical insulating cap formation is disclosed. The electrical insulating cap formation includes a strip of material and a plurality of electrical insulating caps carried thereon in a row, in which intervals are provided between each, or groups of two or more, of the electrical insulating caps.
US08686290B2
An electric power transmission cable includes at least one first section provided with cable armor made of a first metallic material, and at least one second section provided with a cable armor made of a second metallic material, wherein the second metallic material has ferromagnetic properties substantially lower than those of the first metallic material.
US08686284B2
Methods and apparatus are provided for converting electromagnetic radiation, such as solar energy, into electric energy with increased efficiency when compared to conventional solar cells. A photovoltaic (PV) device may incorporate front side and/or back side light trapping techniques in an effort to absorb as many of the photons incident on the front side of the PV device as possible in the absorber layer. The light trapping techniques may include a front side antireflective coating, multiple window layers, roughening or texturing on the front and/or the back sides, a back side diffuser for scattering the light, and/or a back side reflector for redirecting the light into the interior of the PV device. With such light trapping techniques, more light may be absorbed by the absorber layer for a given amount of incident light, thereby increasing the efficiency of the PV device.
US08686270B2
At an apparatus (200), which may be a consumer electronic device, the user may select a predetermined number of different music attributes (Attr) descriptive of a mood delivered by music represented by music content of a music file. From parameters of a music file available in the apparatus (200), the apparatus (200) determines a first vector (m1(Dat)) descriptive of a relationship between the music content and all selected music attributes (Attr) and a second vector (m2(Dat)) and outputs a classification information related to the music file and containing the first and second vectors (m1(Dat), m2(Dat)). The classification information may be used to assign a colour to a displayed object assigned to the music file. Perceptually similar music files may be displayed in similar colours.
US08686266B2
The present invention includes a keyboard chassis 1; keys 2 which are arranged on the keyboard chassis 1 and rotate in an up and down direction by bending a bendable section 22 positioned in the rear; and a key rotation holding section 30 for holding the rotation fulcrum of a key 2 stable when it rotates in the up and down direction. Accordingly, the rotation fulcrum of the key 2 is kept stable by a first supporting section 31 and a second supporting section 32 of the key rotation holding section 30 when the key 2 is depressed and the bendable section 22 bends in the up and down direction, whereby the key 2 is stably rotated. Therefore, regardless of whether the front portion of the key 2 is being depressed or the rear portion thereof is being depressed, the rotation movement of the key 2 will always remain stable.
US08686264B2
A percussion instrument includes a mainframe having a bottom part defining a lower surface. A head is tensioned over an inner part of the mainframe. A hoop structure is arranged over the outer periphery of the head and applies tension to the head. The hoop structure has a lower surface provided with a plurality of recesses. Female threaded connector parts are contained within the recesses. A plurality of bolts extend through the bottom part of the mainframe and engage the female threaded connector parts, to affix the hoop structure to the mainframe. The bolts extend into the bottom part of the mainframe, such that exposure of the bolts on the upper surface side of the hoop structure can be avoided.
US08686260B1
A novel maize variety designated PH1MBC and seed, plants and plant parts thereof. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprise crossing maize variety PH1MBC with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into PH1MBC through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. Hybrid maize seed, plant or plant part produced by crossing the variety PH1MBC or a locus conversion of PH1MBC with another maize variety.
US08686255B1
A novel maize variety designated PH1M5G and seed, plants and plant parts thereof. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprise crossing maize variety PH1M5G with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into PH1M5G through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. Hybrid maize seed, plant or plant part produced by crossing the variety PH1M5G or a locus conversion of PH1M5G with another maize variety.
US08686250B1
A novel maize variety designated PH1KYV and seed, plants and plant parts thereof. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprise crossing maize variety PH1KYV with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into PH1KYV through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. Hybrid maize seed, plant or plant part produced by crossing the variety PH1KYV or a locus conversion of PH1KYV with another maize variety.
US08686236B1
A novel soybean variety, designated XBP18005 is provided. Also provided are the seeds of soybean variety XBP18005, cells from soybean variety XBP18005, plants of soybean XBP18005, and plant parts of soybean variety XBP18005. Methods provided include producing a soybean plant by crossing soybean variety XBP18005 with another soybean plant, methods for introgressing a transgenic trait, a mutant trait, and/or a native trait into soybean variety XBP18005, methods for producing other soybean varieties or plant parts derived from soybean variety XBP18005, and methods of characterizing soybean variety XBP18005. Soybean seed, cells, plants, germplasm, breeding lines, varieties, and plant parts produced by these methods and/or derived from soybean variety XBP18005 are further provided.
US08686231B2
The present invention relates to the field of improving the digestibility of maize and the tolerance of maize to fungal pathogens, and in particular to Fusarium disease, by introgression of the G2092 allele.
US08686227B2
Provided are methods of increasing tolerance of a plant to abiotic stress, and/or increasing biomass, growth rate, vigor and/or yield of a plant. The methods are effected by expressing within the plant an exogenous polynucleotide encoding a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence at least 90% homologous to the amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOs:201, 207, 212, 202-206, 208-211, 213-391, 1655, 961-1529, and 1660-1663. Also provided are polynucleotides, nucleic acid constructs, polypeptides and transgenic plants expressing same which can be used to increase tolerance of a plant to abiotic stress, and/or increase biomass, growth rate, vigor and/or yield of a plant.
US08686225B2
The invention is directed to blood proteins produced in monocot seeds and isolated therefrom for use in therapeutic compositions, as well as to methods of making these isolated blood proteins and to therapeutic compositions comprising them.
US08686221B2
The present invention relates generally to the field of molecular biology and concerns a method for improving plant growth characteristics relative to wild type plants. More specifically, the present invention concerns a method for increasing yield in plants grown under reduced nutrient availability, relative to corresponding wild type plants, comprising modulating expression in a plant of a nucleic acid sequence encoding a class I homeodomain leucine zipper (HDZip) hox5 polypeptide or a homologue thereof.
US08686218B2
Disclosed is a new technology that enables the transgenic modification of a mushroom-forming fungus to confer a transgenic genotype and/or phenotype. According to the invention herein, one can manipulate the fruiting body of a fungus conferring an altered phenotype, but a wild-type genotype. The fruiting body itself is devoid of any cognate transgene, and Applicants have discovered a new mechanism of protein synthesis and accumulation in fungi and a technique to independently control the genotype and phenotype of the fruiting body.
US08686211B2
The present invention provides a process for preparing ethylene and propylene and a butadiene-enriched product, comprising the steps of: a) providing a C4 hydrocarbon stream, comprising iso-olefins and butadiene. b) subjecting the C4 hydrocarbon stream to an etherification process, wherein the iso-olefins are converted with methanol and/or ethanol to an tert-alkyl ether in the presence of a catalyst, wherein the molar ratio of alcohol to iso-olefin is maintained above 1, and retrieving an etherification product stream; c) separating the etherification product stream into an ether-enriched stream and a butadiene-enriched product; d) converting the tert-alkyl ether in the ether-enriched stream to ethylene and/or propylene by contacting least part of the ether-enriched stream with a molecular sieve-comprising catalyst at a temperature in the range of from 350 to 1000° C. and retrieving an olefinic product comprising ethylene and/or propylene.
US08686199B2
A process for producing ethanol and, in particular, to a process for reducing the concentration of acetic acid in a crude ethanol product by esterifying unreacted acetic acid with an alcohol.
US08686195B2
The present invention relates to a process for synthesizing acrolein, coupling the dehydration of glycerol into acrolein with a reaction for aldol condensation of acetaldehyde, produced in the form of an impurity during the dehydration, by means of formaldehyde.More particularly, the process according to the invention consists in subjecting the gaseous effluent resulting from the glycerol dehydration reaction to cooling, then in first of all carrying out, in a first zone, washing with water and condensation of said gaseous effluent so as to then separate, in a second fractionation zone, firstly, a stream rich in light aldehydes, secondly, a stream rich in water and, thirdly, the acrolein stream, and then in reacting the acetaldehyde contained in the light aldehydes-rich stream resulting from the preceding step with formaldehyde so as to obtain a second acrolein-rich stream by means of an aldol condensation reaction according to the following reaction scheme: CH3—CHO+CH2O→CH2═CH—CHO+H2O and in recycling this second acrolein-rich stream to the preceding step.
US08686194B2
Mo-, Bi- and Fe-comprising multimetal oxide compositions of the general stoichiometry I, Mo12BiaCobFecKdSieOx (I), where a=0.5 to 1, b=7 to 8.5, c=1.5 to 3.0, d=0 to 0.15, e=0 to 2.5 and x=the stoichiometric coefficient of O2− which guarantees the electric neutrality of the multimetal oxide, and 12−b−1.5·c=A and 0.5≦A≦1.5, 0.2≦a/A≦1.3, and 2.5≦b/c≦9, and the use thereof.
US08686185B2
The present invention provides an efficient method for mass-producing 2-hydroxy-5-(substituted)phenylalkylamino benzoic acid derivatives represented by specific Chemical formulas or their salts, particularly 2-hydroxy-5-[2-(4-trifluoromethylphenyl)ethylamino]benzoic acid or its salt.
US08686175B2
The invention relates to a process for producing siloxanes comprising reacting at least two siloxanes in the presence of an ion exchange resin catalyst comprising from 6 to 19 weight %, based upon the dry weight of the ion exchange resin catalyst, water, at a temperature from ambient to 110° C. The invention also relates to a process for reusing the ion exchange resin catalyst after the reacting of the at least two siloxanes in the presence of the ion exchange resin catalysts comprising adding water to the ion exchange resin catalyst to readjust the water content to from 6 to 19 weight % water, based on the dry weight of the catalyst, and then reacting at least two siloxanes in the presence of the readjusted water content ion exchange resin catalyst.
US08686169B2
The present disclosure relates to methods of preparation of compounds resulting from the reaction of levulinic esters and epoxidized unsaturated fatty acid esters. The compounds are useful as renewable biomass-based plasticizers for a variety of polymers. Mono-, di- and tri-ketal adducts formed in a reaction between alkyl esters of levulinate and epoxidized unsaturated fatty acid esters derived from vegetable oils are also disclosed.
US08686160B2
Compound having detrusor muscle-contracting activity and urethral sphincter muscle-relaxing activity
Since a compound represented by formula (I) wherein all of the symbols are the same as defined in the specification, a salt thereof, a solvate thereof, a prodrug thereof, a mixture with a diastereomer thereof in an arbitrary ratio, or a cyclodextrin clathrate thereof have a contracting activity of bladder detrusor and a relaxing activity of urethral sphincter, they can ameliorate bladder contraction dysfunction and/or urethral relaxation dysfunction, and for example, are effective for underactive bladder. Additionally, the compound of the present invention has little risk of side effects on the urinary system, the circulatory system and the digestive system, and exhibits excellent pharmacokinetics, such as oral absorbability etc. Therefore, the compound of the present invention is useful as a superior agent for preventing, treating and/or ameliorating underactive bladder
US08686154B2
Carrier compounds and compositions therewith which are useful in the delivery of active agents are provided. Methods of administration and preparation are provided as well.
US08686147B2
Compound of formula (I) in which R1, R2 and R3 are defined in the following description, and the pharmaceutically acceptable acid-addition or base-addition salts thereof. The invention also relates to a process and an intermediate for preparing it, and to a pharmaceutical composition comprising it. The invention also relates to the use of a novel 2H-pyrrolo[3,4-c]quinoline compound for preparing a pharmaceutical composition that is active in the treatment of disturbances of the serotoninergic system.
US08686141B2
Processes for preparing certain N-arylalkyl-1-(alkyl or aralkyl)-2-acylaminoalkyl-5-hydroxy-6-oxo-1,6-dihydropyrimidine-4-carboxamides are disclosed. In one embodiment, the process comprises acylating the free amine in the corresponding N-arylalkyl-1-(alkyl or aralkyl)-2-aminoalkyl-5-ester protected hydroxy-6-oxo-1,6-dihydropyrimidine-4-carboxamide and then deprotecting the 5-hydroxy by base hydrolysis. The hydroxypyrimidinone carboxamide products of the process are HTV integrase inhibitors which are useful for treating HTV infection, treating AIDS, or delaying the onset or progression of AIDS. Certain esterified N-arylalkyl hydroxypyrimidinone carboxamides that can be employed as process intermediates are also disclosed.
US08686133B2
The invention provides an oxo-titanylphthalocyanine crystal which is stable, is superior in dispersibility in a photoreceptive layer and efficiently contributes to improvements in sensitivity and charge retention rate of an electrophotographic photoreceptor when it is used as a charge generating agent, a method for producing the oxo-titanylphthalocyanine crystal, and an electrophotographic photoreceptor. The oxo-titanylphthalocyanine crystal has predetermined optical characteristics and thermal properties and is produced by a production method including the following steps (a) to (d): (a) a step of dissolving a crude oxo-titanylphthalocyanine crystal in an acid to obtain an oxo-titanylphthalocyanine solution; (b) a step of adding the oxo-titanylphthalocyanine solution dropwise in a poor solvent to obtain a wet cake; (c) a step of washing the wet cake with an alcohol having 1 to 4 carbon atoms; and (d) a step of stirring the washed wet cake under heating in a nonaqueous solvent to obtain an oxo-titanylphthalocyanine crystal.
US08686126B2
New polymorphisms in the nucleic acid sequences of the DNA polymerase/reverse transcriptase open reading frame and viral surface antigen open reading frame of the hepatitis B virus are reported. In particular, the present invention relates to the mutation YMDD→YSDD in the HBV reverse transcriptase domain and to the W196V mutation in the small HBV viral surface antigen. Said polymorphisms are affecting the detection of drug resistance mutations by genotypic methods and diagnostic kits based thereon. The present invention relates to methods and diagnostic kits for detection of a HBV virus comprising said nucleic acid polymorphisms. In particular, those methods utilizing oligonucleotides capable of hybridizing to said HBV nucleic acid polymorphisms are envisaged.
US08686123B2
Improved manganese peroxidases, polynucleotides encoding improved manganese peroxidase and vectors and cells thereof are provided, as well as methods for converting a cellulose-containing biomass feedstock to ethanol using improved manganese peroxidases and cells expressing a heterologous manganese peroxidase as disclosed herein.
US08686121B2
A method of diagnosing B-CLL in a subject in need thereof is provided. The method comprising determining in a biological sample of the subject a level of CD84 isoform C (SEQ ID NO: 30), wherein an increase in the level of the CD84 isoform C (SEQ ID NO: 30) beyond a predetermined threshold with respect to a level of the CD84 in a biological sample from a healthy individual is indicative of the B-CLL.
US08686115B2
Provided herein are fluorescent lipid binding proteins (FLBPs). The FLBPs comprise a lipid binding domain linked to a fluorophore, whrereby the fluorophore's fluorescence emission undergoes a spectral change upon lipid binding. the fluorophore is selected from the group consisting of 2-dimethylamino-6-acyl-naphthalene (DAN) and RED fluorophore and the lipid binding protein is selected from the group consisting of ENTH domain of epsin 1, C2 domain of bovine lactadherin, C 1B domain of protein kinase C-gamma, C2 domain of cytosolic phospholipase A2-beta, and PH domain of Bruton's tyrosine kinase PH.
US08686111B2
The invention relates to polypeptides comprising an N-terminal portion and a C-terminal portion, wherein said N-terminal portion comprises the signature sequence QGP[P or L] and the amino acid sequence of said C-terminal portion is at least 70% identical to SEQ ID NO: 1, and uses thereof.
US08686107B2
A polycarbonate diol comprising repeating units represented by the following formula (A) and a terminal hydroxy group, 60-100 mol % of the repeating units represented by the formula (A) being repeating units represented by the following formula (B) or (C). The amount of the repeating units represented by the formula (B) is 60-100 mol % based on the total amount of the repeating units represented by the formula (A). The polycarbonate diol has a terminal primary OH ratio of 95% or higher. (A) (In the formula, R represents a C2-12 divalent aliphatic or alicyclic hydrocarbon.)
US08686103B2
The invention relates to a water borne coating composition comprising a) a polyol, b) a polyisocyanate crosslinker, and c) a thiol functional compound, wherein the molar ratio of isocyanate groups to thiol groups ranges between 1:0.0001 and 1:0.4. The invention further relates to the use of the coating composition, and to a kit of parts for preparation of the coating composition. The coating composition according to the invention displays a balance of high curing rate, long pot life, and good film appearance of the coating prepared from it.
US08686100B2
The present invention is directed to a series of silicone containing polymeric glyceryl esters that have two different molecular weight ester chains, one solid and one liquid, which when combined into a single molecule make a polymer that is solid, but has very unique flow properties. These materials find applications as additives to formulations in personal care products where there is a desire to have a structured film (provided by the solid fatty group) and flow properties, (provided by the liquid fatty group). These compounds by virtue of their unique structure provide outstanding skin feel.
US08686096B2
There is provided a method for making swellable particles, said method comprising mixing initial particles, at least one monomer, at least one initiator, and at least one chain-transfer agent, wherein said mixing is performed under conditions in which said monomer is capable of forming oligomer or polymer or a mixture thereof. Also provided are swellable particles made by that method. Further provided is a method of making polymeric resin particles comprising mixing at least one subsequent monomer to those swellable particles and polymerizing said subsequent monomer.
US08686094B2
A two-component silicone composition that includes a component A that includes i) at least one hydroxyl-group-terminated polydiorganosiloxane P; ii) at least one catalyst K for the cross-linking of polydiorganosiloxanes; and a component B that includes i′) at least one cross-linking agent for polydiorganosiloxanes. Compositions can be used as adhesives, sealants, coatings or as casting compounds and can be distinguished by a very long shelf life.
US08686091B2
Water-based coatings having writable-erasable surfaces are provided. The coatings have many desirable attributes. For example, the coatings cure under ambient conditions, have low or no VOC emissions during and upon curing, and have reduced tendency to form ghost images, even after prolonged normal use.
US08686079B2
A poly(phenylene ether)-poly(hydroxy ether) block copolymer is used to compatibilize blends of non-polar polymers with polar fillers. The resulting compatibilized blends exhibit physical property improvements relative to blends without a compatibilizer and blends with a poly(hydroxy ether).
US08686078B2
Provided is a rubber composition, which is excellent in fuel permeation resistance, and is capable of achieving improvements in low-temperature embrittlement property and solvent crack property. The rubber composition includes: a fluororubber having a fluorine concentration content of 70 to 71 wt % as a main component; a crosslink-type agent; and the following components (A) and (B), in which: the total content [(A)+(B)] of the above-mentioned components (A) and (B) falls within the range of 17 to 25 parts by weight with respect to 100 parts by weight of the above-mentioned fluororubber; and a weight ratio (A)/(B) of the content of the above-mentioned component (A) to the content of the above-mentioned component (B) falls within the range of 2.0/1 to 3.0/1: (A) barium sulfate; and (B) a neutral silica.
US08686074B2
Provided is a nucleating agent masterbatch for polyolefin resin excellent in dispersibility into a polyolefin resin, which nucleating agent masterbatch is capable of improving transparency and mechanical strength of the polyolefin resin, which is a crystalline polymer, which nucleating agent masterbatch is further excellent in resistance to heat coloring; and a polyolefin resin composition using the masterbatch. Specifically, provided is a nucleating agent masterbatch for polyolefin resin, wherein, based on 100 parts by mass of a fully hydrogenated petroleum resin (A) having a softening point of not lower than 100° C., 3 to 150 parts by mass of an aromatic phosphate metal salt (B) represented by the following general formula (1):
US08686067B2
The instant disclosure relates to a method of making a dispersion of polymer binder-encapsulated silica pigments for coating an ink-jet recording substrate. The method includes mixing first components of the dispersion to form a mixture, the first components including binder polymer, treating agents and a vehicle selected from the group consisting of water, a water-miscible organic solvent, and combinations thereof; shear mixing silica pigment into the mixture; and after the silica pigment is added to the mixture, shear mixing the mixture at a higher temperature and an increased grinding rate compared to a temperature and grinding rate of the shear mixing of the silica pigment into the mixture.
US08686062B1
A radiation curable ink including at least one curable monomer, at least one organic gellant, at least one photoinitiator, and a colorant, the colorant includes an orange colorant and an red colorant, where the orange colorant absorbs light having a wavelength of from about 400 to about 560 nm, and where the red colorant absorbs light having a wavelength of from about 460 to 580 nm. The ink substantially matches PANTONE® Red 032 or PANTONE® Warm Red.
US08686060B2
The present invention is directed to an adhesive composition comprising a crosslinkable acrylic copolymer, a multi-functionalized crosslinkable oligomer and a photoinitiator wherein the partially cured composition exhibits excellent wet out characteristics as reflected in a tan delta value of at least 0.4, preferably greater than 0.5, more preferable greater than 0.6 as measured at 20° C. resulting from a first curing stage, and the fully cured composition exhibits an improved stiffness and temperature resistance as reflected in a storage elastic modulus of at least 175,000 Pa at 20° C. and a shear adhesion failure temperature of at least 425° F. (218.3° C.) at 1 Kg/in2 (0.155 Kg/cm2), respectively, which result from a second sequential curing stage.
US08686052B2
Disclosed are a novel therapeutic agent and a novel treatment method for cancer. Specifically disclosed are: a targeting agent for a cell selected from the group consisting of a cancer cell and a cancer-associated fibroblast, which comprises a retinoid; a substance delivery carrier for the cell, which comprises the targeting agent; an anti-cancer composition utilizing the targeting agent or the carrier; an anti cancer-associated fibroblast composition; and a method for treatment of cancer.
US08686048B2
The present invention provides dihydroorotate dehydrogenase inhibitors, methods of preparing them, pharmaceutical compositions containing them and methods of treatment, prevention and/or amelioration of diseases or disorders wherein the inhibition of Dihydroorotate dehydrogenase is known to show beneficial effect.
US08686035B2
The present invention provides a method and composition for promoting hair growth in a mammal which comprises a prostaglandin compound having two hetero atoms at the 15 position as an active ingredient thereof.
US08686031B2
The present invention provides novel flavonoids extracted from an alcohol extract of dehulled adlay seeds. The present invention also provides a process for the preparation of the flavonoid and a method for treating inflammation in a subject, which method comprises administering to said subject an effective amount of the flavonoid and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or excipient.
US08686030B2
The preset invention relates to a new approach for treating a cancer or fibrosis, such as Hepatocellular carcinoma, or liver fibrosis using an extract from a plant of Graptopetalum sp., Rhodiola sp. or Echeveria sp., and prepared by extracting the plant with Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), its fraction or the compound isolated from the extract.
US08686021B2
Use of a benzoyl derivative of 3-aminocarbazole to produce a drug for the preventive or therapeutic treatment of a disorder selected form the group comprising inflammatory processes, pain, fever, tumors, Alzheimer's disease and atherosclerosis. Method for the preventive or therapeutic treatment of a disorder selected from the group comprising inflammatory processes, pain, fever, tumors, Alzheimer's disease and atherosclerosis in which a therapeutically effective quantity of a benzoyl derivative of 3-aminocarbazole according to the invention is administered to an individual.
US08686019B2
Amisulpride is used in the therapy of nausea, vomiting or retches. The therapy may utilize a novel injectable formulation, in unit dosage form, comprising less than 50 mg amisulpride.
US08686018B2
The present invention provides compounds of Formula I: along with pharmaceutical compositions containing the same, and methods of use thereof in subjects in need of treatment.
US08686010B2
The present invention provides a compound having a superior acid secretion inhibitory action, an antiulcer activity and the like.A proton pump inhibitor containing a compound represented by the formula (I) wherein ring A is a saturated or unsaturated 5- or 6-membered ring group optionally having, as a ring-constituting atom besides carbon atom, 1 to 4 hetero atoms selected from a nitrogen atom, an oxygen atom and a sulfur atom, ring-constituting atoms X1 and X2 are each a carbon atom or a nitrogen atom, a ring-constituting atom X3 is a carbon atom, a nitrogen atom, an oxygen atom or a sulfur atom, R1 is an optionally substituted aryl group or an optionally substituted heteroaryl group, R2 is an optionally substituted alkyl group, an optionally substituted aryl group or an optionally substituted heteroaryl group, R3 is an aminomethyl group optionally substituted by 1 or 2 lower alkyl groups, which is a substituent on a ring-constituting atom other than X1, X2 and X3, and ring A optionally further has substituent(s) selected from a lower alkyl group, a halogen atom, a cyano group and an oxo group, or a salt thereof or a prodrug thereof.
US08686008B2
Compounds having the general formula II, III, or IV wherein R1 can be a radical of an optionally substituted C-4 to C-7 N-containing heterocycle or a radical of an optionally substituted cyclic or acyclic tertiary amine or isoindoline-1,3-dione: R2,3,4,5,6 can each independently be any one or combinations of the following moieties, cyano, nitro, acyl, alkyl, amido, azido, isothiocyanate, isocyanate, optionally substituted anilino, halogens, ethers, sulfonamides, thioacyl, nitro, aromatic, heterocyclic, olefinic, acetylene, deuterium, or tritium; Y can be either CH, CH2, O, S, OCH2, N—R, N—Ar, C—R, C—Ar; Z can be either H, O, S, S—R or NR. R groups can be either H, aryls, alkyls, or cycloalkyls; “n” can be 1 to 5 carbons in length and stereoisomers, functional analogs, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof and wherein the moiety bridging R1 and N can be a substituted alkylene, optionally substituted alkenylene or optionally substituted alkynylene and where the alkylene group can include an inserted C3-C5 cycloalkyl group, aromatic, and hetercocyclic group; wherein X′ is halogen, or C1-C4 haloalyl; wherein the Rx is a C1-C5 straight chain or branched chain alkyl or a C1-C4 straight chain or branched chain haloalkyl.
US08685987B2
This invention relates to novel substituted [1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines and their use as modulators of potassium channels. In other aspects the invention relates to the use of these compounds, in a method for therapy and to pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds of the invention.
US08685985B2
The present invention relates to the use of selective insecticidal compositions, characterized by an effective amount of an active compound combination comprising (a) (1) at least one haloalkylnicotinic acid derivative of the formula (I) in which AA and R1A are as defined in the description, or (2) at least one phthalic acid diamide of the formula (II) in which XB, R1B, R2B, R3B, L1B, L2B and L3B are as defined in the description, or (3) at least one anthranilamide of the formula (III) in which A1C, A2C, XC,R1C, R2C, R3C, R4C, R5C, R7C, R8Cand R9C are as defined in the description, and (b) at least one crop plant compatibility-improving compound from the group of compounds given in the description, in particular cloquintocet-mexyl, isoxadifen-ethyl and mefenpyr-diethyl for controlling insects and/or arachnids, and a method for controlling insects and/or arachnids using the compositions.
US08685983B2
Selected compounds are effective for prophylaxis and treatment of diseases, such as HGF mediated diseases. The invention encompasses novel compounds, analogs, prodrugs and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, pharmaceutical compositions and methods for prophylaxis and treatment of diseases and other maladies or conditions involving, cancer and the like. The subject invention also relates to processes for making such compounds as well as to intermediates useful in such processes.
US08685981B2
Compounds exhibiting an osteogenesis-promoting action having the general formula (I) or a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof: wherein A is selected from among a 3- to 10-membered heterocyclyl group, B is selected from among an amino group, and X is selected from N and CH.
US08685980B2
The disclosed compounds relate to treatments and therapies for protein kinase-associated disorders. There is also a need for compounds useful in the treatment or prevention or amelioration of one or more symptoms of cancer, transplant rejections, and autoimmune diseases. Furthermore, there is a need for methods for modulating the activity of protein kinases, such as CDK1, CDK2, CDK4, CDK5, CDK6, CDK7, CDK8 and CDK9, using the compounds provided herein.
US08685972B2
The invention encompasses pyrimidine derivatives as gamma secretase modulators, useful for treating diseases associated with the deposition of beta-amyloid peptide in the brain, such as Alzheimer's disease, or of preventing or delaying the onset of dementia associated with such diseases. Pharmaceutical compositions and methods of use are included.
US08685971B2
The present invention relates to quinolinyloxyphenylsulfonamides and stereoisomeric forms, solvates, hydrates and/or pharmaceutically acceptable salts of these quinolinyloxyphenylsulfonamide compounds as well as pharmaceutical compositions containing at least one of these compounds together with at least one pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, excipient and/or diluent. Said quinolinyloxyphenylsulfonamides are useful for prophylaxsis, treatment and/or after-treatment of hyperproliferative disorders, such as cancer, tumors and particularly cancer metastases.
US08685970B2
Provided herein are novel sirtuin-modulating compounds and methods of use thereof. The sirtuin-modulating compounds may be used for increasing the lifespan of a cell, and treating and/or preventing a wide variety of diseases and disorders including, for example, diseases or disorders related to aging or stress, diabetes, obesity, neurodegenerative diseases, cardiovascular disease, blood clotting disorders, inflammation, cancer, and/or flushing as well as diseases or disorders that would benefit from increased mitochondrial activity. Also provided are compositions comprising a sirtuin-modulating compound in combination with another therapeutic agent.
US08685966B2
The present disclosure provides a series of compounds which exhibit isoform selective inhibition of GRP94, a homologue of Hsp90 that is localized to the endoplasmic recticulum. Through GRP94 inhibition, these compounds are likely to manifest anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, anti-metastasis, and immunosuppressive activities, as well as utility in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, and diabetes.
US08685960B2
The invention provides compounds of the general formula (I) which are inhibitors of the human aldosterone synthase, and also pharmaceutical compositions containing these compounds, and the use of these compounds and other heteroaryl substituted quinolinone derivatives for the treatment of hyperaldosteronism and/or disorders or diseases that are mediated by 11 β-hydroxylase (CYP11 B1).
US08685953B2
The present invention relates to linear and cyclic guanidine derivatives, method of preparation and uses thereof, pharmaceutical compositions to be used as antifungal agents, in particular against Candida species.
US08685950B2
Following a diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy, at least one aromatase inhibitor, is administered to a patient, either alone or in combination with other aromatase inhibitors or therapeutic agents or as an adjuvant to conservative surgical treatment, such as laparoscopy, to prevent the establishment and/or continuation of the ectopic pregnancy. In certain preferred embodiments, the aromatase inhibitor is administered in conjunction with methotrexate.
US08685947B2
Diuretic bioactivity profiles of phase inversion micronized furosemide and furosemide co-precipitated with Eudragit L100, and mixtures of those formulations with stock furosemide, reduced or eliminated the rapid spike in diuresis associated with immediate release formulations and maintained cumulative urine output. Of the formulations tested, each of a mixture of micronized furosemide with stock furosemide, and Eudragit L100 polymer with stock furosemide demonstrated optimal diuretic bioactivity profiles in subjects.
US08685943B2
Compositions (including pharmaceutical compositions, foods, supplements, toys and treats) comprising a microbial exopolysaccharide are provided as well as methods for preventing or reducing diarrhea in a mammal wherein the method comprises administering a therapeutically amount of a microbial exopolysaccharide to a mammal in need thereof.
US08685935B2
The present invention relates generally to the field of hesperetin bioavailability. One embodiment of the present invention is directed at a composition that allows to increase the bioavailability of hesperetin and consequently to maximize the beneficial health effects of hesperetin.
US08685918B1
A method of losing weight which is effective for, but not limited to, the treatment of obesity in an individual includes administering nutrients high in protein by a combination of enteral feeding and oral feeding over a predetermined time period. The predetermined time period is preferably defined by three consecutive time segments, wherein the conducting of the enteral feeding occurs during the first time segment, preferably by nasogastric intubation and the infusion of a high protein solution. Subsequently and consecutively the oral feeding proceeds over a second time segment and a third time segment, where the nutrients in the second time segment are a combination of a drinkable solution and solid food and the nutrients administered during the third time segment comprise a balanced, low-calorie diet.
US08685916B2
The embodiments provide prodrug compounds of Formulae I-XV. The present disclosure also provides compositions, and their methods of use, where the compositions comprise a prodrug compound of Formulae I-XV that provides controlled release of an opioid. Such compositions can optionally provide a trypsin inhibitor that interacts with the enzyme that mediates the controlled release of an opioid from the prodrug so as to attenuate enzymatic cleavage of the prodrug.
US08685913B2
The invention provides improvements in the primary detergency of detergents for washing textiles, particularly against oily stains and/or stains containing fat. These improvements are realized through the use of certain polycarbonate-, polyurethane-, and/or polyurea-polyorganosiloxane compounds or precursor compounds usable in the production thereof having certain reactive groups.
US08685895B2
The disclosure relates to a method for selecting, isolating and/or recovering a peptide or polypeptide from a library or a repertoire of peptides and polypeptides (e.g., a display system) that is resistant to degradation by a protease such as a protease found in the serum. Generally, the method comprises providing a library or repertoire of peptides or polypeptides, incubating the library or repertoire with a protease under conditions suitable for protease activity, and selecting, isolating and/or recovering a peptide or polypeptide that is resistant to degradation by the protease and has a desired biological activity. The selected peptides and polypeptides have utility as therapeutics, e.g., for treating disease in humans.
US08685885B2
A honeycomb structure includes a ceramic block including honeycomb fired bodies. The honeycomb fired bodies include an assembly including a plurality of substantially quadrangular-cross-section units which are combined with one another with an adhesive layer interposed between the plurality of substantially quadrangular-cross-section units. A peripheral face of the assembly of substantially quadrangular-cross-section units has a concave portion and a convex portion formed in a substantially step-shaped pattern. At least one substantially triangular-cross-section unit has an outer wall on a periphery portion of the at least one substantially triangular-cross-section unit. The at least one substantially triangular-cross-section unit is fit in the concave portion with the adhesive layer interposed between the at least one substantially triangular-cross-section unit and the concave portion. A sealing material layer is provided on a peripheral face of the ceramic block. The sealing material layer has partially different thickness.
US08685877B2
A catalyst particle for use in growth of elongated nanostructures, such as e.g. nanowires, is provided. The catalyst particle comprises a catalyst compound for catalyzing growth of an elongated nanostructure comprising a nanostructure material without substantially dissolving in the nanostructure material and at least one dopant element for doping the elongated nanostructure during growth by substantially completely dissolving in the nanostructure material. A method for forming an elongated nanostructure, e.g. nanowire, on a substrate using the catalyst particle is also provided. The method allows controlling dopant concentration in the elongated nanostructures, e.g. nanowires, and allows elongated nanostructures with a low dopant concentration of lower than 1017 atoms/cm3 to be obtained.
US08685875B2
Methods for enhancing the mesoporosity of a zeolite-containing material. Such methods may comprise contacting a composite shaped article containing at least one zeolite and at least one non-zeolitic material with at least one pH controlling agent and at least one surfactant. Such methods may be performed under conditions sufficient to increase the pore volume of at least one 10 angstrom subset of mesoporosity.
US08685862B2
A micropattern is joined to a substrate (W1) by: a first group of covering step and micropattern forming step by etching in a transfer step; and a second group of covering step and micropattern forming step by etching in the transfer step.
US08685860B2
A semiconductor structure and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. The method includes the following steps. Firstly, a semiconductor substrate having an active surface and a back surface is provided. The active surface is opposite to the back surface, and the semiconductor substrate includes at least one grounding pad disposed on the active surface. Secondly, at least one through silicon via is formed through the semiconductor substrate from the back surface to the active surface thus exposing the grounding pad. Then, a conductive layer is formed on the back surface of the semiconductor substrate and filled into the through silicon via to electrically connect to the grounding pad and the semiconductor substrate.
US08685859B2
Methods for forming a semiconductor device include forming self-aligned trenches, in which a first set of trenches is used to align a second set of trenches. Methods taught herein can be used as a pitch doubling technique, and may therefore enhance device integration. Further, employing a very thin CMP stop layer, and recessing surrounding materials by about an equal amount to the thickness of the CMP stop layer, provides improved planarity at the surface of the device.
US08685848B2
A silicon oxide film is formed on an epitaxial layer by dry thermal oxidation, an ohmic electrode is formed on a back surface of a SiC substrate, an ohmic junction is formed between the ohmic electrode and the back surface of the SiC substrate by annealing the SiC substrate, the silicon oxide film is removed, and a Schottky electrode is formed on the epitaxial layer. Then, a sintering treatment is performed to form a Schottky junction between the Schottky electrode and the epitaxial layer.
US08685845B2
A method for depositing epitaxial films of silicon carbon (Si:C). In one embodiment, the method includes depositing an n-type doped silicon carbon (Si:C) semiconductor material on a semiconductor deposition surface using a deposition gas precursor composed of a silane containing gas precursor, a carbon containing gas precursor, and an n-type gas dopant source. The deposition gas precursor is introduced to the semiconductor deposition surface with a hydrogen (H2) carrier gas. The method for depositing epitaxial films may include an etch reaction provided by hydrogen chloride (HCl) gas etchant and a hydrogen (H2) carrier gas.
US08685837B2
After depressed portions (4) have been formed in advance in that surface of a Si substrate (1) on which Si single films (8) are to be formed, that surface of the Si substrate (1) on which the Si single films are to be formed and an intermediate substrate (5) are bonded together, and elements are separated from each other by grinding the Si substrate (1) from the bottom wall side of the depressed portions (4).
US08685835B2
Applications and demand for an IC chip formed with a silicon wafer are expected to increase, and further reduction in cost is required. An object of the invention is to provide a structure of an IC chip and a process capable of being produced at a lower cost. In view of the above described object, one feature of the invention is to provide the steps of forming a separation layer over an insulating substrate and forming a thin film integrated circuit having a semiconductor film of as an active region over the separation layer, wherein the thin film integrated circuit is not separated. In the case of using an insulating substrate, there is less limitation on the shape of the mother substrate when compared to a case of taking a chip out of a circular silicon wafer. Accordingly, reduction in cost of an IC chip can be achieved.
US08685829B1
A method of processing a substrate is provided. The method includes forming a first oxide layer on the substrate and patterning the first oxide layer utilizing a lithography process, the patterning defining a plurality of active areas on the substrate. The method includes forming a second oxide layer in each active area and forming a plurality of metal electrodes over the second oxide layer through a shadow mask technique, wherein the shadow mask technique is performed without alignment to an active area.
US08685819B2
Method for the realization of a crossbar array of crossed conductive or semi-conductive access lines
A method for making a crossbar array of crossed conductive or semi-conductive access lines on a substrate, the crossbar array including on a crossbar array insulator, in a plane parallel to the substrate, a first level of lines including a plurality of first lines parallel with each other made of a conductive or semi-conductive material; on the first level of lines, a second level of lines including a plurality of second lines parallel with each other made of a conductive or semi-conductive material, the second lines being substantially perpendicular to the first lines. The method includes forming, on the substrate, a first cavity of substantially rectangular shape; forming a second cavity of substantially rectangular shape superimposed to the first cavity, the first and second cavities intersecting each other perpendicularly so as to form a resultant cavity.
US08685817B1
A method of forming a field effect transistor (FET) device includes forming a gate structure over a substrate, the gate structure including a wide bottom portion and a narrow portion formed on top of the bottom portion; the wide bottom portion comprising a metal material and having a first width that corresponds substantially to a transistor channel length, and the narrow portion also including a metal material having a second width smaller than the first width.
US08685807B2
The method described herein involves a method of forming metal gates and metal contacts in a common fill process. The method may involve forming a gate structure comprising a sacrificial gate electrode material, forming at least one conductive contact opening in a layer of insulating material positioned adjacent the gate structure, removing the sacrificial gate electrode material to thereby define a gate electrode opening, and performing a common deposition process to fill the conductive contact opening and the gate electrode opening with a conductive fill material.
US08685801B2
Mirror-polished CZ wafer and FZ wafer are prepared. A first impurity region which will be a first isolation region is formed in a surface layer of a first main surface of the CZ wafer. The first main surface of the CZ wafer and a first main surface of the FZ wafer are bonded to each other by an inter-molecular bond. A second impurity region which will be a second isolation region is formed in a surface layer of a second main surface of the FZ wafer. A heat treatment is performed to diffuse the first impurity region and the second impurity region such that the first impurity region and the second impurity region are continuous, thereby forming a through silicon isolation region.
US08685800B2
A technique for addressing single-event latch-up (SEL) in a semiconductor device includes determining a location of a parasitic silicon-controlled rectifier (SCR) in an integrated circuit design of the semiconductor device. In this case, the parasitic SCR includes a parasitic pnp bipolar junction transistor (BJT) and a parasitic npn BJT. The technique also includes incorporating a first transistor between a first power supply node and an emitter of the parasitic pnp BJT in the integrated circuit design. The first transistor includes a first terminal coupled to the first power supply node, a second terminal coupled to the emitter of the parasitic pnp BJT, and a control terminal. The first transistor is not positioned between a base of the pnp BJT and the first power supply node. The first transistor limits current conducted by the parasitic pnp bipolar junction transistor following an SEL.
US08685799B1
An RRAM at an STI region is disclosed with a vertical BJT selector. Embodiments include defining an STI region in a substrate, implanting dopants in the substrate to form a well of a first polarity around and below an STI region bottom portion, a band of a second polarity over the well on opposite sides of the STI region, and an active area of the first polarity over each band of second polarity at the surface of the substrate, forming a hardmask on the active areas, removing an STI region top portion to form a cavity, forming an RRAM liner on cavity side and bottom surfaces, forming a top electrode in the cavity, removing a portion of the hardmask to form spacers on opposite sides of the cavity, and implanting a dopant of the second polarity in a portion of each active area remote from the cavity.
US08685796B2
The electronic device includes a first interconnect layer and a second interconnect layer. The second interconnect layer is provided on the lower surface of the first interconnect layer. The first interconnect layer includes a via plug (first conductive plug). An end face of the via plug on the side of the second interconnect layer is smaller in area than the opposite end face. The via plug is exposed on the surface of the first interconnect layer facing the second interconnect layer. An insulating resin forming the first interconnect layer is higher in thermal decomposition temperature than an insulating resin forming the second interconnect layer.
US08685795B2
A flank wettable semiconductor device is assembled from a lead frame or substrate panel by at least partially undercutting the lead frame or substrate panel with a first cutting tool to expose a flank of the lead frame and applying a coating of tin or tin alloy to the exposed flank prior to singulating the lead frame or substrate panel into individual semiconductor devices. The method includes electrically interconnecting lead frame flanks associated with adjacent semiconductor devices before applying the coating of tin or tin alloy. The lead frame flanks may be electrically interconnected during wire bonding.
US08685791B2
A flexible conductive ribbon is ultrasonically bonded to the surface of a die and terminals from a lead frame of a package. Multiple ribbons and/or multiple bonded areas provide various benefits, such as high current capability, reduced spreading resistance, reliable bonds due to large contact areas, lower cost and higher throughput due to less areas to bond and test.
US08685790B2
A method and apparatus for forming a backside contact, electrical and/or thermal, for die encapsulated in a semiconductor device package are provided. Die of varying thicknesses can be accommodated within the semiconductor device package. Embodiments of the present invention provide a conductive pedestal coupled to a backside contact of a die, where the coupling is performed prior to encapsulating the die within the package. In addition, conductive pedestals coupled to varying die within a semiconductor device package are of such a thickness that each conductive pedestal can be exposed on the back side of the package without exposing or damaging the backside of any encapsulated die. Embodiments of the present invention provide for the conductive pedestals being made of electrically or thermally conductive material and coupled to the device die contact using an electrically and/or thermally conductive adhesive.
US08685786B2
Disclosed herein is a semiconductor memory device, including: a first electrode formed on a substrate; an ion source layer formed on an upper layer of the first electrode; and a second electrode formed on an upper layer of the ion source layer. Resistance change type memory cells in each of which either a surface of the first electrode or a surface of the ion source layer is oxidized to form a resistance change type memory layer in an interface between the first electrode and the ion source interface are arranged in a array.
US08685780B2
The present invention provides a method for an organic thin film solar cell and an organic thin film solar cell manufactured by the same, which can reduce manufacturing cost by simplifying manufacturing process, ensure long-lasting durability and stability, and improve energy conversion efficiency of the solar cell. In certain preferred aspects, the present invention provides a method for manufacturing an organic thin film solar cell by ion beam treatment, the method including: forming a nanopattern having a concavo-convex structure by irradiating an ion beam onto the surface of a flexible plastic film substrate; and sequentially stacking a bottom electrode layer, a photoactive layer for photoelectric conversion, and a top electrode layer, which have a nanoscale thickness, on the nanopattern of the substrate such that an electron donor and an electron acceptor in the photoactive layer, where electrons and holes are separated, form a nanopattern by the concavo-convex structure of the substrate, thus forming a bulk heterojunction structure.
US08685778B2
A method of forming at least one Micro-Electro-Mechanical System (MEMS) cavity includes forming a first sacrificial cavity layer over a lower wiring layer. The method further includes forming a layer. The method further includes forming a second sacrificial cavity layer over the first sacrificial layer and in contact with the layer. The method further includes forming a lid on the second sacrificial cavity layer. The method further includes forming at least one vent hole in the lid, exposing a portion of the second sacrificial cavity layer. The method further includes venting or stripping the second sacrificial cavity layer such that a top surface of the second sacrificial cavity layer is no longer touching a bottom surface of the lid, before venting or stripping the first sacrificial cavity layer thereby forming a first cavity and second cavity, respectively.
US08685774B2
A method is provided for fabricating three-dimensional gallium nitride (GaN) pillar structures with planar surfaces. After providing a substrate, the method grows a GaN film overlying a top surface of the substrate and forms cavities in a top surface of the GaN film. The cavities are formed using a laser ablation, ion implantation, sand blasting, or dry etching process. The cavities in the GaN film top surface are then wet etched, forming planar sidewalls extending into the GaN film. More explicitly, the cavities are formed into a c-plane GaN film top surface, and the planar sidewalls are formed perpendicular to a c-plane, in the m-plane or a-plane family.
US08685767B2
A double-metallic deposition process is used whereby adjacent layers of different metals are deposited on a substrate. The surface plasmon frequency of a base layer of a first metal is tuned by the surface plasmon frequency of a second layer of a second metal formed thereon. The amount of tuning is dependent upon the thickness of the metallic layers, and thus tuning can be achieved by varying the thicknesses of one or both of the metallic layers. In a preferred embodiment directed to enhanced LED technology in the green spectrum regime, a double-metallic Au/Ag layer comprising a base layer of gold (Au) followed by a second layer of silver (Ag) formed thereon is deposited on top of InGaN/GaN quantum wells (QWs) on a sapphire/GaN substrate.
US08685762B2
A light emitting device comprises: an LED chip having a quantum well structure and a light emitting layer made of a gallium nitride compound semiconductor; a first transparent material covering the LED chip; a second transparent material for protecting the LED chip and the first transparent material; and a phosphor for absorbing a part of the light from the LED chip and emitting a light having a wavelength different from the light from the LED chip; wherein the phosphor is included in second transparent material, and the light from the LED chip and the light from said phosphor are mixed to make a white light.
US08685757B2
A method for fabricating a magnetic tunnel junction element includes forming a magneto resistance layer including a first magnetic layer, an insulation layer and a second magnetic layer on a substrate, forming a magnetic loss area by doping a magnetic loss impurity into a region of the magneto resistance layer to cause a magnetic loss, and etching the magnetic loss area to form a magnetic tunnel junction element.
US08685752B2
The invention relates to a method for diagnosing a disease state mediated by pathogenic cells. The method comprises the steps of combining with an ex vivo patient sample a composition comprising a conjugate or complex of the general formula Ab-X, wherein the group Ab comprises a ligand that binds to the pathogenic cells and the group X comprises an imaging agent, and detecting the pathogenic cells that express a receptor for the ligand using flow cytometry.
US08685748B2
The present invention provides methods for collecting, storing or transporting liquid suspension of biological specimens containing analytes of interest in a dry state. The dried biological specimens containing analytes of interest are reconstituted and released for subsequent analysis by compressing or centrifuging the matrix. Also provided are method of using kits for collecting, storing, transporting and recovering biological specimens containing analytes of interest.
US08685735B2
Disclosed are isolated nucleic acids for modulating coffee maturation. Also disclosed are promoters derived from such genes. Methods for using the nucleic acids for improving quality attributes of coffee are provided. Also provided are methods for assessing the quality of plant-based agricultural products, such as coffee.
US08685732B2
The present invention relates to a biomaterial, specifically a hydrogel, formed from the extracellular matrix of the umbilical cord for its application in regenerative medicine. The invention particularly relates to a biomaterial made up of glycosaminoglycans isolated exclusively from the Wharton's jelly of the umbilical cord which can optionally contain cells, and also to the methods for the production and use thereof.
US08685727B2
The present disclosure relates to regulation of macrophage activation by delivering of miRNAs, for example miR-125b or anti-miR-125b, to macrophages. For example, in some embodiments, macrophage activation can be elevated or reduced by administering miR-125b or anti-miR-125b oligonucleotides. Also disclosed are methods for promoting T cell activation and method for treating various disorders such as tumor and autoimmune diseases.
US08685723B2
Provided herein are exemplary vectors for transforming algal cells. In exemplary embodiments, the vector comprises a Violaxanthin-chlorophyll a binding protein (Vcp) promoter driving expression of an antibiotic resistance gene in an algal cell. Embodiments of the invention may be used to introduce a gene (or genes) into the alga Nannochloropsis, such that the gene(s) are expressed and functional. This unprecedented ability to transform Nannochloropsis with high efficiency makes possible new developments in phycology, aquaculture and biofuels applications.
US08685721B2
A surface expression vector for preparing HPV immunogenic compositions, in which the surface expression vector contains a gene encoding a repE mutant protein having an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1, a promoter, a poly-gamma-glutamate synthetase complex gene, and a gene which is linked with the poly-gamma-glutamate synthetase complex gene and encodes a tumor induction-associated antigen protein of human papillomavirus.An expression vector constitutively expressing a high level of the human papillomavirus (HPV) antigen protein is provided. Also, a recombinant lactic acid bacteria, transformed with the expression vector and expressing the HPV antigen protein on the surface thereof, and a composition comprising the recombinant lactic acid bacteria are provided. The recombinant lactic acid bacteria and the composition are very effective as a immunogenic composition for the treatment of cervical cancer, because they can be applied orally or directly to the vagina.
US08685715B2
The present invention provides an agglutination based assay system for determining the presence and/or amount of analyte in a sample comprising a test device having one or more capillary pathways comprising detection regions adapted for non-visual detection of a sample which is releasably engageable with a reader which comprises detection means for detecting the sample at the detection regions in each of said capillary pathways and electronic means for indicating the presence and/or amount of analyte.
US08685712B2
A biochemical processing apparatus for performing biochemical processing in a container having a plurality of wells capable of holding liquid includes an opening/closing mechanism configured to open or close a lid capable of hermetically and selectively sealing the plurality of wells.
US08685708B2
The invention provides a device for preparing a fluid sample, including but not limited to a sample comprising genomic DNA.
US08685697B1
The present invention is directed to isolated bacteriophages having specificity and lytic activity against strains of Listeria species, methods of using the bacteriophages, progeny and derivatives derived therefrom, to control the growth of Listeria species in various settings (e.g., food safety, sanitation, probiotics).
US08685694B2
Compositions and methods comprising bacteriophages are provided. In particular, the present invention includes novel and customized T4 bacteriophages uniquely designed for effective antigen and foreign particle presentation. The present invention also provides in vitro methods for the making of customized T4 bacteriophages. The compositions and methods of the present invention may be used for effective vaccine delivery systems.
US08685690B2
The invention relates to recombinant expression of a variant form of a fungal C1 strain β-glucosidase. The invention also relates to the generation of fermentable sugars from biomass and the production of biofuels by fermentation of the sugars using genetically modified organisms expressing the β-glucosidase variant. The invention provides methods for producing a fermentable sugar, such as glucose, from cellobiose by contacting cellobiose with a recombinant β-glucosidase variant protein, such as a variant protein secreted by a recombinant host cell into culture medium. Methods of the invention may be used for conversion of a biomass substrate to a fermentable sugar, and ultimately to ethanol or other biofuel.
US08685682B2
An engineered strain of the oleaginous yeast Yarrowia lipolytica capable of producing greater than 5.6% docosahexaenoic acid acid (DHA, an w-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid) in the total oil fraction is described. This strain comprises various chimeric genes expressing heterologous desaturases, elongases and acyltransferases and optionally comprises various native desaturase and acyltransferase knockouts to enable synthesis and high accumulation of DHA. Production host cells are claimed, as are methods for producing DHA within said host cells.
US08685674B2
A vector of the present invention has DNA encoding a protein or a product having the same effect as the protein, the protein containing an amino acid sequence from amino acid numbers 47 to 802 in SEQ. ID. NO:2. Expression of the DNA gives human chondroitin synthase. By using human chondroitin synthase, it is possible to produce a saccharide chain having a repeating disaccharide unit of chondroitin. The DNA or part thereof may be used as a probe for hybridization for the human chondroitin synthase.
US08685660B2
We found mutations of the R132 residue of isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (IDH1) in the majority of grade II and III astrocytomas and oligodendrogliomas as well as in glioblastomas that develop from these lower grade lesions. Those tumors without mutations in IDH1 often had mutations at the analogous R172 residue of the closely related IDH2 gene. These findings have important implications for the pathogenesis and diagnosis of malignant gliomas.
US08685653B2
A bacterial host cell is disclosed including at least two copies of an amplification unit in its genome, the amplification unit including: i) at least one copy of a gene of interest, and ii) an expressible conditionally essential gene, wherein the conditionally essential gene is either promoterless or transcribed from a heterologous promoter having an activity substantially lower than the endogenous promoter of the conditionally essential gene, and wherein the conditionally essential gene if not functional would render the cell auxotrophic for at least one specific substance or unable to utilize one or more specific sole carbon source; methods for producing a protein using the cell of the invention, and methods for constructing the cell of the invention.
US08685648B2
The invention provides methods and compositions for enhancing the speed and sensitivity of helicase-dependent amplification through the use of an endonuclease.
US08685641B2
Objective methods for detecting and diagnosing bladder cancer (BLC) are described herein. In one embodiment, the diagnostic method involves determining the expression level of a BLC-associated gene that discriminates between BLC cells and normal cells. The present invention further provides means for predicting and preventing bladder cancer metastasis using BLC-associated genes having unique altered expression patterns in bladder cancer cells with lymph-node metastasis. The present invention provides methods of screening for therapeutic agents useful in the treatment of bladder cancer, methods of treating bladder cancer and method for vaccinating a subject against bladder cancer. Specifically, the present application provides novel human genes C2093, B5860Ns and C6055s whose expression is markedly elevated in bladder cancers. The genes and polypeptides encoded by the genes can be used, for example, in the diagnosis of bladder cancers, as target molecules for developing drugs against the disease, and for attenuating cell growth of bladder cancer.
US08685640B2
The present invention provides an immunomodulatory agent for use in the local treatment of tumors, wherein the treatment comprises patient-specific optimization of the dose of the immunomodulatory agent to identify the maximum therapeutic dose that does not induce an increase in the number of local regulatory T cells (Treg cells) in the patient The invention further provides methods for the local treatment of tumors as well as methods for optimising treatments for the same.
US08685633B2
A method of printing an image on a wafer. The method includes the steps of printing a main image, wherein the main image includes fields which are fully on the wafer, and printing an alternate image, wherein the alternate image includes fields which are only partially on the wafer. The alternate image could be placed on a separate mask which is loaded onto the exposure tool after the mask with the main image has completed printing. Alternatively, it could be an extra image specially inserted on the mask with the main image for that layer.
US08685631B2
A nozzle is moved while supplying a photoresist liquid from a slit. A photoresist layer is formed on a film. A resist pattern which covers a portion of the film is formed from the photoresist layer by photolithography. Inspection of the resist pattern is performed. The photolithography includes an exposure which is performed so as to transfer a latent image to the photoresist layer, and a development of the photoresist layer which is performed so as to leave the latent image. The latent image contains a dummy latent image which extends in an unbroken manner parallel to the longitudinal direction of the slit. The resist pattern contains a dummy resist formed correspondingly to the dummy latent image. The inspection of the resist pattern includes the detection of the presence or non-presence of a cut in the dummy resist in the longitudinal direction.
US08685629B2
A resist pattern is formed by coating a chemically amplified positive resist composition onto a substrate and prebaking to form a resist film, exposing to high-energy radiation, baking and developing with a developer to form a resist pattern, and heating the pattern for profile correction to such an extent that the line width may not undergo a change of at least 10%. An amount of a softening accelerator having a molecular weight of up to 800 is added to the resist composition comprising (A) a base resin, (B) an acid generator, (C) a nitrogen-containing compound, and (D) an organic solvent.
US08685623B2
Embodiments of the present invention involve three-layer printing members having a central layer that is non-conductive yet abalatable at commercially realistic fluence levels. In various embodiments, the central layer is polymeric with a dispersion of nonconductive carbon black particles therein at a loading level sufficient to provide at least partial layer ablatability and water compatibility of the resulting ablation debris.
US08685621B2
An optical data storage disk includes a central substrate and on each side of the substrate a pair of metal/alloy recording layers separated by a transparent layer.
US08685611B2
In an electrophotographic photosensitive member having a photoconductive layer and, provided on the photoconductive layer, a surface layer constituted of a hydrogenated amorphous silicon carbide, the ratio of the number of atoms of carbon atoms (C) to the sum of the number of atoms of silicon atoms (Si) and number of atoms of carbon atoms (C), C/(Si+C), in the surface layer is from 0.61 or more to 0.75 or less, and the sum of atom density of the silicon atoms and atom density of the carbon atoms in the surface layer is 6.60×1022atom/cm3 or more.
US08685601B2
An electrophotographic member including an electrically conductive substrate and an electrically conductive resin layer corresponding to a surface layer. The resin layer includes electrically conductive particles and a binder resin. The binder resin is a polymer in which a polymer chain having at least one unit selected from the group consisting of units represented by the following formulas (1) and (2) and at least one unit selected from the group consisting of units represented by the following formulas (3) and (4) is crosslinked by at least one organopolysiloxane chain selected from the group consisting of structures represented by the following formulas (5) and (6):
US08685599B1
A method of pulsed laser intrinsic marking can provide a unique identifier to detect tampering or counterfeiting.
US08685596B2
A grayscale mask made from semi-transparent film layers is provided, along with an associated fabrication method. The method provides a transparent substrate, such as quartz, with a surface. A first layer of a semi-transparent film having a surface with a first surface area, is formed overlying the substrate surface. At least a second layer of the semi-transparent film having a surface with a second surface area greater than the first surface area, is formed overlying the first layer. A first vertical region is formed having a light first attenuation parameter through the combination of substrate, first layer, and second layer. A second vertical region is formed having a light second attenuation parameter through the combination of the first layer and substrate, and a third vertical region is formed having a light third attenuation parameter through the substrate.
US08685592B2
An inorganic proton conductor for an electrochemical device and an electrochemical device using the inorganic proton conductor, the inorganic proton conductor including a tetravalent metallic element and an alkali metal.
US08685579B2
A method of operating a high temperature fuel cell system containing a plurality of fuel cell stacks includes operating one or more of the plurality of fuel cell stacks at a first output power while operating another one or more of the plurality of the fuel cell stacks at a second output power different from the first output power.
US08685576B1
The present invention relates to an electrically conductive membrane that can be configured to be used in fuel cell systems to act as a hydrophilic water separator internal to the fuel cell, or as a water separator used with water vapor fed electrolysis cells, or as a water separator used with water vapor fed electrolysis cells, or as a capillary structure in a thin head pipe evaporator, or as a hydrophobic gas diffusion layer covering the fuel cell electrode surface in a fuel cell.
US08685569B2
An electrode for a power storage device with good cycle characteristics and high charge/discharge capacity is provided. In addition, a power storage device including the electrode is provided. The electrode for the power storage device includes a conductive layer and an active material layer provided over the conductive layer, the active material layer includes graphene and an active material including a plurality of whiskers, and the graphene is provided to be attached to a surface portion of the active material including a plurality of whiskers and to have holes in part of the active material layer. Further, in the electrode for the power storage device, the graphene is provided to be attached to a surface portion of the active material including a plurality of whiskers and to cover the active material including a plurality of whiskers. Further, the power storage device including the electrode is manufactured.
US08685568B2
The current invention describes a lithium/carbon monofluoride (Li/CFx) cell capable of delivering sufficient power to supply an ICD or similar demanding device. The cell exhibits the typical excellent long-term stability and predictability of the CFx system, as well as its high energy density (greater than about 300 Ah/cc, greater than about 600 Wh/cc). Additionally, the cell is capable of delivering about 0.5 W/cc of cathode volume for greater than 5 seconds with a voltage above 1.70 V (FIG. 1). The following invention embodiments can be applied individually or in conjunction with each other.
US08685565B2
A lithium-ion battery has (a) an anode; (b) a cathode having a cathode composition of the formula Li[M4yM51-2yMny]O2, wherein 0.083
US08685563B1
A battery pack that economically and reliably interconnects a large number of small form-factor battery cells. A conducting plate with a plurality of sets of tabs protruding from a flat surface of the conducting plate is used to connect electrical terminals of a plurality of battery cells. Each set of tabs is disposed about and exerts a spring force to a respective battery cell, thus mechanically securing and electrically connecting the conducting plate to the cell.
US08685562B2
A nonaqueous electrolytic solution that can provide a battery that is low in gas generation, has a large capacity, and is excellent in storage characteristics and cycle characteristics. The solution contains an electrolyte, a nonaqueous solvent dissolving the electrolyte, 0.001 vol % to 5 vol % of a compound represented by Formula (1), and further contains at least one compound selected from the group consisting of cyclic carbonate compounds having carbon-carbon unsaturated bonds, cyclic carbonate compounds having fluorine atoms, monofluorophosphates, and difluorophosphates. In Formula (1), R1 to R3 each independently represent an alkyl group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, optionally substituted by a halogen atom; and n is an integer of 0 to 6.
US08685561B2
The present invention relates to a rechargeable battery and, more particularly, to a rechargeable battery for preventing detachment due to deformation of a resin member by strengthening the fixing force of the resin member connecting a bare cell with a protection circuit module.The rechargeable battery according to the present invention includes a bare cell provided with a cap plate; a protection circuit module; and a resin member, wherein the rechargeable battery further includes a reinforcing member composed of a support plate part connected to one side of the cap plate and provided with a rivet through-hole; a resin fixing part integrally formed with one end of the support plate part, and bent at a certain angle in the direction of the protection circuit module and protruded therefrom; and a rivet connecting part fixing the support plate part to the cap plate by perforating the rivet through-hole.According to the present invention, the present invention prevents the resin member from being deformed by the external force as the fixing force is increased by the fixing reinforcing member, and further prevents the resin member from being detached out of the bare cell.
US08685557B2
Provided is an electric storage battery including a jelly roll type electrode assembly having a mandrel. The mandrel includes a positive portion, a negative portion and a removable portion. In some embodiments, the mandrel is planar having two faces with a groove on each of the positive and negative portions. The grooves can be on the same or different faces of the mandrel. The grooves are dimensioned to accommodate a positive and negative feedthrough pin. The electrodes are wrapped around the mandrel using the removable portion to wind the mandrel. Once wrapped, the removable portion can be detached. The positive portion and the negative portion are left in the electrode assembly insulated from each other. The mandrel allows tighter wrapping of the jelly roll assembly, increasing battery miniaturization and also results in electrode assemblies in which after-placement of tabs does not result in burrs or shorting.
US08685550B2
The present invention relates to an organic-inorganic composite comprising bacteria and transition metal oxides and a method of manufacturing the same. More specifically, the present invention relates to an organic-inorganic composite comprising bacteria and transition metal oxides manufactured by attaching cationic transition metal precursor to bacterial surface, wherein the bacteria with high negative charge on its surface is used as a template, refluxing the bacteria and transition metal ions at room temperature in the presence of sodium borohydride (NaBH4), and inducing reduction/spontaneous oxidation, thereby having an excellent high capacity electrochemical properties, and a method of manufacturing the same.Therefore, the method of manufacturing the organic-inorganic composite according to the present invention has advantages that it enables to reduce manufacturing cost and the time required therein, mass production, low temperature synthesis, synthesis of uniform nano-structures, control of one dimensional type, be applied to other metal oxides, thus being expected to be used as parts in other electrochemical fields including lithium secondary batteries, super capacitor, nanoelectro-optical system, catalyst and the like.
US08685546B2
Provided is a recording medium suitable for use in magnetic transfer of a servo pattern onto a magnetic recording medium. The recording medium includes a substrate including a plurality of servo regions and a plurality of data regions, and a magnetic layer formed on each of the servo regions and patterned in the shape of a servo pattern to be patterned on a magnetic recording medium, wherein the servo regions protrude relative to the data regions.
US08685545B2
A system of layers in a protective coating (20) for a substrate (22), including at least an outer thermal barrier layer (32) and a tungsten bronze structure ceramic underlayer (30) that reduces spalling of the outer layer. The range of materials for the underlayer includes ceramics of the form Ba6−3mRe8+2mTi18O54, where 0
US08685543B2
A material for electroluminescent devices which comprises a compound in which a heterocyclic group having nitrogen is bonded to carbazolyl group and an organic electroluminescent device having at least one organic thin film layer which is sandwiched between the cathode and the anode and contains the above material in at least one layer, are provided. The material can provide organic electroluminescent devices emitting bluish light with a high purity of color. The organic electroluminescence device uses the material.
US08685539B2
A tie layer adhesive composition for multilayer structures made up of graft composition compounded with a base resin, such as linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE), and a polyethylene having long chain branching, such as low density polyethylene (LDPE), and optionally one or more additives. The graft composition can be made up of a blend of a grafted polyolefin and an olefin elastomer and/or the reaction product of a live, grafted polyolefin and an olefin elastomer.
US08685537B2
The invention provides a fiber reinforced resin composition comprising a melt-kneaded product (A) prepared by melt-kneading a first resin (A1) and a second resin (A2) that has a reactive functional group as well as a third resin (B) and a fibrous filler (C), wherein, with respect to the contents of the components, the first resin (A1), the second resin with a reactive functional group (A2), and the third resin (B) account for 0.1 to 75 wt %, 0.1 to 15 wt %, and 10 to 99.8 wt %, respectively, to form a resin composition while said fibrous filler (C) accounts for 0.1 to 300 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of said resin composition, said first resin (A1) and said third resin (B) forming a matrix resin, said second resin (A2) being dispersed as particles in said matrix resin, and said particles having a number average particle diameter of 10 to 1,000 nm. The invention relates to a fiber reinforced resin composition having rigidity and impact resistance in a good balance, a molding material, and a production method thereof.
US08685528B2
One exemplary embodiment includes a thermo-reversible polymer adhesive including a dry adhesive layer and shape memory polymer layer, the shape memory polymer material capable of transitioning from a first shape to a second shape upon heating and imposition of a load to conform to the surface topography of a substrate to which the adhesive is applied.
US08685525B2
A liquid controlling surface, comprising a formation comprising a plurality of individual open topped, closed bottomed cells for containing liquid with each of the cells having a cell wall integral with the closed bottom and defining a well. Each of the cell walls have a top edge. The surface also includes a plurality of distribution channels extending between adjacent cells and being positioned on the cell wall at a height to permit liquid to drain to the adjacent cell when a cell liquid level exceeds a predetermined limit and to permit liquid to be retained in the well up to the limit. At least some of the cell walls are sized and shaped to define contact areas at the top edges to support an object above the limit.
US08685522B2
A non-slip surface is provided comprising a surface having at least one arcuate lug, said arcuate lug comprising a raised center portion and raised and twisted side portions for preventing slippage. Additionally, a process is provided comprising the steps of cutting an arc into a surface, raising and twisting said arc in relation to said surface by bending said surface along a secant perpendicular to a line connecting the midpoint of said arc and the secant, creating at least one arcuate lug in said surface.
US08685517B2
[Object] To provide an optical recording medium that can be applied to a write-once optical recording medium having a high capacity of about 25 GB per one layer, and has good recording properties when a multilayered recording layer configuration is provided.[Solving Means] It includes a substrate 21 and two to four recording layers 221 and 222. At least one or more of these recording layers 221 and 222 are specific recording layers with a composition containing PdO and PdO2 as well as at least one of completely oxidized In, Zn, Al and Sn (in other words, In2O3, ZnO, Al2O3 and SnO2). Adjacent to the specific recording layers, dielectric layers 232a and 232b of In/Al oxide layers containing at least either of In or Al as a main component are disposed.
US08685510B2
A hydrogenated norbornene ring-open polymer obtained by hydrogenating 80% or more of main-chain carbon-carbon double bonds of a ring-open polymer obtained by ring-opening polymerization of 2-norbornene. The hydrogenated norbornene ring-open polymer has a weight average molecular weight determined by gel permeation chromatography (GPC) of 50,000 to 200,000, a molecular weight distribution of 1.5 to 10.0, and a melting point of 110 to 145° C. A hydrogenated norbornene ring-open polymer obtained by hydrogenating 80% or more of carbon-carbon double bonds of a ring-open polymer obtained by ring-opening copolymerization of 2-norbornene and a substituent-containing norbornene monomer, wherein the proportion of a repeating unit (A) derived from the 2-norbornene with respect to all repeating units is 90 to 99 wt % and the proportion of a repeating unit (B) derived from the substituent-containing norbornene monomer with respect to all repeating units is 1 to 10 wt %. A resin composition and a molding material.
US08685509B2
A casing for a writing instrument comprises an outer shaft, an inner shaft, and a nib. The outer shaft is formed using dual injection molding. An outer surface of the outer shaft includes a raised hard part and a raised soft part. The inner shaft is formed of a thin-wall tube having an upper end and a lower end, the inner shaft being configured for insertion inside the outer shaft. The inner shaft further includes a fastener protruding on its upper end that engages an upper end of the outer shaft. The nib is configured to engage the lower end of the inner shaft to help secure the inner shaft within the outer shaft. The raised hard or soft parts on the outer surface of the outer shaft may include an oblique loop-shaped part, a strip-shaped part, and/or an arc-shaped part.
US08685501B2
A direct manufacturing technique involving rapid solidification processing uses a reaction between a metallic molten pool and a reactant gas in an inert atmosphere to form alloys with improved desired properties. By utilizing rapid solidification techniques, solubility levels are increased resulting in alloys with unique mechanical and physical properties. Laser deposition of alloys in atmospheres of varying reactant content produce compositions with intermingled and significantly improved overall properties.
US08685495B2
A substrate formed of an organic-inorganic hybrid material and provided with a reinforcement member in an inner periphery portion is used, as a signal transfer substrate, in a method for procuring a multilayer information recording medium having “n” information recording layers (“n” is an integer of two or more), the method including: applying an ultraviolet curable resin on a “k”th information recording layer (“k” is an integer of from 1 to (n−1)); bonding the signal transfer substrate having a signal surface including a concavo-convex shaped signal portion, to the applied resin, with the signal surface facing the resin; curing the resin by applying an ultraviolet ray to the resin from the substrate side while the substrate is bonded to the resin; and peeling the substrate from the cured resin by warping the inner periphery portion of the substrate. This method enables the signal transfer substrate to be used repeatedly.
US08685493B2
The present invention relates to a vessel, in particular a pipe, especially an oil pipe, having a preformed film adhered onto the interior surface of the pipe, the interior surface of the preformed film reducing the deposition of at least one of asphaltenes, paraffin wax, and inorganic scale by at least 40% as compared to the interior surface of said oil pipe without said preformed film being present. In a preferred embodiment, the preformed film is adhered to the interior surface of the pipe with a primer layer with an optional barrier layer between the primer layer and the preformed film.
US08685489B1
A process for the manufacture of a hollow gas-filled Plasma-shells for a gas discharge device. The Plasma-shell is located in or on a substrate within the device with a dome side or flat side facing the viewing direction.
US08685481B2
The present invention relates to an umami enhancing composition comprising at least one umami enhancing compound, said composition (a) being capable of passing an ultra filtration membrane having a molecular weight cut off of 250 kDa, (b) being substantially free from lycopene, (c) containing a compound of less than 250 kDa, and (d) capable of enhancing the umami taste. Umami active tomato fractions comprising these compositions are also claimed. Such fractions and compositions are suitable for preparing food products.
US08685478B2
A flavor pouch includes a porous covering that encloses a carrier having a flavorant. The carrier may be solid or particulate. Flavorants may be one or more of tea, coffee, rose hips, honey, royal jelly, fruit extracts, mint, sweeteners, ginger, pepper extract, exotic flavors, ethnic flavors and the like. Where the carrier comprises a plurality of beads, the beads may have randomly dissolvable encapsulation to extend the time duration of flavor release. To use the flavor pouch, it is placed in the mouth and masticated or exposed to saliva to thereby release the flavorant.
US08685458B2
Pharmaceutical compositions are provided comprising an active agent and a dextran polymer derivative. The compositions include from 0.01 to 99 wt % of an active agent and from 1 to 99.99 wt % of a dextran polymer derivative. The dextran polymer derivative is selected from dextran acetate, dextran propionate, dextran succinate, dextran acetate propionate, dextran acetate succinate, dextran propionate succinate, dextran acetate propionate succinate, and mixtures thereof.
US08685457B2
Pharmaceutical formulation in the form of agglomerates comprisingA) an excipient content composed of a) 60-97% by weight of sugar or sugar alcohols, b) 1-25% by weight of a disintegrant, selected from the group consisting of croscarmellose, sodium carboxymethylstarch and L-hydroxypropoylcellulose, c) 1-15% by weight of water-insoluble, film-forming polymers d) 0-15% by weight of water-soluble polymers and e) 0-15% by weight of further pharmaceutically customary excipients the total of the components a) to e) being 100% by weight.
US08685447B2
Disclosed is a misuse preventative, controlled release composition in the form of a multilayered oral dosage form. A first layer contains a plurality of controlled release microparticles having a pharmaceutically active agent (for example, an opioid analgesic) disposed therein. A second layer comprises a pharmaceutically active agent that can be the same or different from the pharmaceutically active agent in the microparticles. The composition further comprises a superabsorbent material disposed within the first layer, the second layer, or both the first layer and the second layer. When crushed, either intentionally or accidentally, and exposed to an aqueous medium, the superabsorbent material swells to encapsulate the microparticles, which remain substantially intact thereby retarding the release of the pharmaceutically active agent from the composition.
US08685446B2
The invention relates to microcapsules, and a continuous micro-encapsulation water-in-oil-in-water microencapsulation process through in situ and interfacial polymerization of the emulsion. The formulation comprises a continuous water phase having a dispersion of microcapsules which contain oil drops and wherein the inside of each oil phase drop—containing optionally oil-soluble materials—there is a dispersion of water, or aqueous extract or water dispersible material or water soluble material. The oil drops are encapsulated with a polymerisable material of natural origin. Such microcapsules are appropriated for spray-dry processes, to be used as dry powder, lyophilised, self-emulsifiable powder, gel, cream and any liquid form. The active compounds included in the microcapsules are beneficial to the health and other biological purposes. Such formulations are appropriate to be incorporated in any class of food, especially for the production of nutraceuticals, as well as cosmetic products (such as rejuvenescence creams, anti-wrinkle creams, gels, bath and shower consumable products and sprays). The preparations are adequate to stabilise compounds added to the food, media for cultivating microbes and nutraceuticals, especially those which are easily degradable or oxidizable.
US08685445B2
A gel mass is provided that is useful in manufacturing enteric soft or hard capsules, or enteric tablets without coating.
US08685444B2
A sequestering subunit comprising an aversive agent and a blocking agent, wherein the blocking agent substantially prevents release of the aversive agent from the sequestering subunit in the gastrointestinal tract for a time period that is greater than 24 hours; a composition comprising a sequestering subunit in releasable form, wherein, optionally, the mechanical fragility of the sequestering subunit is the same as the mechanical fragility of the therapeutic agent in releasable form; a capsule or tablet comprising a sequestering subunit and a therapeutic agent; and a method of preventing abuse of a therapeutic agent.
US08685443B2
A sequestering subunit comprising an aversive agent and a blocking agent, wherein the blocking agent substantially prevents release of the aversive agent from the sequestering subunit in the gastrointestinal tract for a time period that is greater than 24 hours; a composition comprising a sequestering subunit in releasable form, wherein, optionally, the mechanical fragility of the sequestering subunit is the same as the mechanical fragility of the therapeutic agent in releasable form; a capsule or tablet comprising a sequestering subunit and a therapeutic agent; and a method of preventing abuse of a therapeutic agent.
US08685439B2
The invention features novel topical ophthalmic formulations comprising an osmotically active agent and a vasoconstrictor. Suitable osmotically active agents for use in the ophthalmic formulations of the invention include, without limitation, sodium chloride, dextrose, glycerine, sucrose, mannitol, and sorbitol; suitable vasoconstritors include, without limitation, naphazoline and oxymetazoline. Also provided are methods of using the ophthalmic formulations of the invention for the treatment and prevention of eyelid swelling by administering the ophthalmic formulations of the invention to the eye surface of a subject in need thereof.
US08685434B2
Devices and methods for the treatment of open and closed wound spinal cord injuries are disclosed. For example, described herein are devices and methods for mitigating secondary injury to, and promoting recovery of, spinal cord primary injuries. More particularly, certain embodiments of the present invention are directed to polymeric mini-tubes that may be used for the treatment of spinal cord injuries. In addition, other embodiments are directed to polymeric “fill-in” bandages that may be used for the treatment of spinal cord injuries. For example, an erodible, or biodegradable, form of biocompatible polymer of the present invention is fabricated for surgical implantation into the site of the spinal cord injury.
US08685433B2
The present invention provides an absorbable coating for an implantable device and the methods of making and using the same.
US08685432B2
In one aspect, the invention relates to tissue graft combination biomaterials capable of controlled release of bioactive agents or pharmaceutically active agents through a rate-controlling polymer coating encapsulating the graft material, methods for preparing same, methods of controlled release using same, and methods for treating tissue defects. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention.
US08685429B2
Shaped, composite bodies are provided. One portion of the shaped bodies comprises an RPR-derived porous inorganic material, preferably a calcium phosphate. Another portion of the composite bodies is a different solid material, preferably metal, glass, ceramic or polymeric. The shaped bodies are especially suitable for orthopaedic and other surgical use.
US08685426B2
Silk is purified to eliminate immunogenic components (particularly sericin) and is used to form fabric that is used to form tissue-supporting prosthetic devices for implantation. The fabrics can carry functional groups, drugs, and other biological reagents. Applications include hernia repair, tissue wall reconstruction, and organ support, such as bladder slings. The silk fibers are arranged in parallel and, optionally, intertwined (e.g., twisted) to form a construct; sericin may be extracted at any point during the formation of the fabric, leaving a construct of silk fibroin fibers having excellent tensile strength and other mechanical properties.
US08685425B2
Microcapsules possessing Lewis acid-Lewis base salt walls incorporate water-immiscible materials, such as N,N-di-ethyl-m-toluamide (DEET), as a core component. Such microcapsules, or similar microcapsules incorporating other core components, may be made by emulsifying a water-immiscible core component in an aqueous solution of one wall-forming reactant, such as the Lewis base, and then mixing that solution with the other wall-forming reactant, such as the Lewis acid. Various adjuvants may be included with the core component to contribute additional characteristics, such as enhancement of a controlled release characteristic or improved mechanical stability.
US08685412B2
The present invention relates to a novel, isolated and purified hemorrhagic feline calicivirus FCV-DD1. The invention further embraces monovalent and multivalent vaccines containing the new FCV-DD1 strain. In addition, the invention encompasses methods of protecting felines against infection or preventing disease caused by feline calicivirus alone or in addition to other pathogens that comprises administering to the felines an immunologically effective amount of the monovalent and multivalent vaccines described herein. Also, the invention concerns methods for diagnosing or detecting the hemorrhagic feline calicivirus in a susceptible host, asymptomatic carrier and the like by detecting the presence of feline calicivirus FCV-DD1 or antibodies raised or produced against feline calicivirus FCV-DD1 antigen.
US08685407B2
Genetic constructs that comprise a coding sequence for HIV-1 Rev, and a coding sequence for a desired protein are disclosed. Compositions that comprise at least two nucleic acid molecules in which at least one nucleic acid molecule comprises a coding sequence for HIV-1 Rev, and at least one nucleic acid molecule comprises a coding sequence for a desired protein are disclosed. In such genetic constructs and compositions comprising nucleic acid molecules, the coding sequence for the desired protein comprises at least a portion of coding sequence for an HIV structural protein that includes an RRE and at least one CTE. Methods of inducing an immune response against an immunogen in an individual, methods of delivering proteins to an individual and methods of producing proteins are also disclosed.
US08685406B2
The present invention provides an isolated and purified heat shock protein 60 (Hsp60) peptide having the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2. The instant invention is also directed to a vaccine against Ehrlichia comprising a peptide homologous to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2. The instant invention is also directed to an antibody directed against a peptide homologous to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:2. The instant invention is also directed to a method of determining whether a subject is infected with Ehrlichia, comprising the steps of: contacting a sample from a subject with the antibody described herein; and detecting a resulting antibody reaction, wherein a positive reaction indicates the subject is infected with Ehrlichia.
US08685405B2
Plants are produced that express an amino acid sequence that, when administered to a fish, produce an antigenic or immune response in the fish. The amino acid sequence in one embodiment is an antigen from an organism that causes pathology in fish. The plant tissue may be fed to the fish, or mixed with other materials and fed to fish, or extracted and administered to the fish.
US08685403B2
Interaction between insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGFI) and integrin is involved in integrin-mediated cellular signaling, such as enhanced proliferation of cells expressing integrins, especially integrin alpha v beta 3, alpha 6 beta. 1 and alpha 6. beta. 4. A method for inhibiting integrin signaling by using an inhibitor of IGFI-integrin binding is disclosed A method for identifying inhibitors of IGFI-integrin binding is also described. Further disclosed are polypeptides, nucleic acids, and corresponding compositions for inhibiting integrin signaling.
US08685402B2
The invention relates to antibodies and antigen binding fragments thereof, that bind to hemagglutinin and neutralize infection of at least two different group 1 subtypes or at least two different group 2 subtypes of influenza A virus. The invention also relates to nucleic acids that encode, immortalized B cells and cultured single plasma cells that produce, and to epitopes that bind to, such antibodies and antibody fragments. In addition, the invention relates to the use of the antibodies, antibody fragments, and epitopes in screening methods as well as in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of influenza A virus infection.
US08685392B2
The invention relates to glutamine endopeptidase enzymes from Rothia spp. bacteria that are naturally associated with the oral cavity, formulations comprising the glutamine endopeptidase enzymes and the use thereof for the treatment, prevention of allergic reaction and diagnosis of gluten allergy related diseases such as Celiac Sprue, gluten allergy and/or dermatitis herpetiformis.
US08685387B2
A recombinant vector comprises simian adenovirus SAdV-39, -25.2, -26, -30, -37, and -38 sequences and a heterologous gene under the control of regulatory sequences. A cell line which expresses simian adenovirus SAdV-39, -25.2, -26, -30, -37, and -383 gene(s) is also disclosed. Methods of using the vectors and cell lines are provided.
US08685385B2
The present invention provides muscle-derived progenitor cells that show long-term survival following transplantation into body tissues and which can augment soft tissue following introduction (e.g. via injection, transplantation, or implantation) into a site of soft tissue. Also provided are methods of isolating muscle-derived progenitor cells, and methods of genetically modifying the cells for gene transfer therapy. The invention further provides methods of using compositions comprising muscle-derived progenitor cells for the augmentation and bulking of mammalian, including human, soft tissues in the treatment of various cosmetic or functional conditions, including malformation, injury, weakness, disease, or dysfunction. In particular, the present invention provides treatments and amelioration for dermatological conditions, gastroesophageal reflux, vesico-ureteral reflux, urinary incontinence, fecal incontinence, heart failure, and myocardial infarction.
US08685374B2
EDTA and EDTA related compositions and methods of using them are described herein. The compositions can have improved bioavailability over EDTA alone. The compositions can be useful in the treatment or prevention of atherosclerosis or for the treatment of heavy metal accumulation.
US08685352B2
The present invention pertains to catalyst systems for nitrogen oxide, carbon monoxide, hydrocarbon, and sulfur reactions that are free or substantially free of platinum group metals. The catalyst system of the present invention comprise a substrate and a washcoat, wherein the washcoat comprises at least one oxide solid, wherein the oxide solid comprises one or more selected from the group consisting of a carrier material oxide, a catalyst, and mixtures thereof. The catalyst system may optionally have an overcoat, wherein the overcoat comprises at least one oxide solid, wherein the oxide solid comprises one or more selected from the group consisting of a carrier material oxide, a catalyst, and mixtures thereof. The catalyst comprises one or more selected from the group consisting of a ZPGM transition metal catalyst, a mixed metal oxide catalyst, a zeolite catalysts, or mixtures thereof.
US08685349B2
A process for the extraction of uranium compounds from wet-process phosphoric acid includes lowering the iron concentration of the wet-process phosphoric acid and reducing the valency of any remaining ferric iron in the wet-process phosphoric acid to ferrous iron, and then extracting uranium compounds from the wet-process phosphoric acid. The process can include separating a side stream from a feed stream of wet-process phosphoric acid, wherein the side stream has a greater concentration of the uranium compounds than the feed stream by filtration. Extracting uranium compounds from the wet-process phosphoric acid can be by ion exchange process or by solvent extraction.
US08685348B2
The invention concerns a nanowire structural element which is suited for implementation in, for example, a microreactor system or microcatalyzer system. For the production of the nanowire structural element, a template based process is used wherein the electrochemical deposition of the nanowires in nanopores is ideally carried out at least until caps are formed and said caps ideally are at least partially merged together. After reinforcing the two cover layers the structured hollow chamber between the two cover layers is cleared by dissolving the template foil and removing the dissolved template material, wherein the two cover layers remain intact. In this manner, a stable sandwich-like nanostructure is constructed with a two-dimensional hollow chamber-like structure in the plane parallel to the cover layers contained on both sides by the cover layers and permeated in a column-like manner with nanowires.
US08685346B2
The present invention relates to a vial (10) for receiving goods (30) in a leak-proof arrangement, with a body (14) and a cap (12) connected via a hinge (16), the vial including a mold (26) for receiving lamellar goods (30), with the mold having a height which is less than the length of lamellar goods wherein a cavity (40) is formed between said mold receiving the stack of lamellar goods and the container body which cavity (40) receives desiccant material (44).
US08685339B2
Methods and kits for assaying a chemical in a sample are disclosed. The method includes placing an extraction solution and an internal standard in a container. A sample is collected from a first location and placed in the container. The container is transported to a second location where the chemical in the extraction solution is assayed. A kit for transporting the sample from a first location to a second location includes at least one container for holding the sample. The at least one container includes an extraction solution for dissolving a chemical in the solution and an internal standard for calibrating an assay of the chemical. The methods and kits may be used in a system for quantitating an amount of a sprout inhibitor on a tuber, such as a potato.
US08685338B2
An odor compound release device includes a support that is deformed when an external stimulus is applied, and when the external stimulus is not applied, restored to its original state. A plurality of spaces are located in the support, have upper portions closed by the support, and are to be filled with odor compounds, wherein the upper portions are opened or closed by deformation or restoration of the support due to the application of the external stimulus. A member that is located in the support or on a surface of the support and applies the external stimulus to the support.
US08685336B2
A system for recovery and reutilization of sterilant gas mixture from a sterilizer chamber includes a storage tank in gaseous communication with a sterilizer chamber via a gas recovery assembly, wherein after sterilization the gas recovery assembly evacuates the sterilant gas mixture to the storage recovery tank. The system also includes an inert purge gas supply adapted to supply a purge gas to the sterilizer chamber after the sterilant gas mixture is withdrawn to the storage recovery tank, wherein the gas recovery assembly evacuates an additional portion of the purge gas from the sterilizer chamber to the storage tank to enrich the gas mixture for later reutilization in subsequent sterilization cycles.
US08685331B2
A honeycomb structural body includes at least one honeycomb unit including a β type zeolite, a phosphate group zeolite, and an inorganic binder and having a plurality of through holes divided by partition walls and arranged in a longitudinal direction of the honeycomb unit. The β type zeolite includes secondary particles having an average particle diameter of approximately 0.5 μm or more and approximately 5 μm or less. The phosphate group zeolite includes primary particles having an average particle diameter of approximately 0.5 μm or more and approximately 5 μm or less. A ratio of a mass of the phosphate group zeolite with respect to a total mass of the β type zeolite and the phosphate group zeolite is approximately 5% or more and approximately 35% or less.
US08685330B2
An air freshener has a vent rod and a scent material carried by the vent rod. A head is pivotally coupled to the vent rod. A hinge is between the head and the vent rod including an axel in an aperture. A plurality of petals is coupled to the head and pivotal with the head with respect to the vent rod.
US08685327B2
The scent removing device has a housing that forms an interior compartment. The compartment is separated into a first and second portion by a shelf that is disposed within the compartment and connected to the interior of the housing. The shelf has at least one channel and a plurality of openings to permit air to flow between the first and second portions. An air tube extends from the first portion, through the shelf to the second portion. A fan motor is in communication with the air tube to blow air through the air tube and into the second portion.
US08685322B2
The invention comprises an apparatus 10 and a method 100 for purifying biomolecules 28. Magnetizable particles 35 and a group of magnetizable pins 40 are used for binding biomolecules 28 to the magnetizable particles 35 using a binding buffer 30b, and for transferring the magnetizable particles 35 forming a particle-biomolecule complex 36. The apparatus 10 comprises an incubation unit 60 that allows for an upscaling of a maximum volume of a sample material. Furthermore the apparatus 10 comprises counter magnets 50 which are arranged on cavities 20. Solutions 30 comprising the biomolecules 28 and the magnetizable particles 35 are disposed in the cavities. The use of counter magnets 50 improves the quality of an eluate. Furthermore the invention comprises a system 800 and a method 900 for a diagnostically purifying of biomolecules 28. The method 900 further comprises a controlling of method steps and a selection of substances and reagents (for example the magnetizable particles 35) based on information automatically collected from, for example, the samples and/or derived from used substances and reagents. The system 800 fulfills requirements of medical diagnostics.
US08685319B2
A combination oxygenator and arterial filter device for treating blood in an extracorporeal blood circuit. The device includes a housing maintaining a core and a fiber bundle. The fiber bundle is formed by a plurality of hollow fibers continuously helically wound about the core to form layers of level wound fibers. The layers combine to define an oxygenator region and a radially outward depth filter region. A minimum gap spacing between fibers of the oxygenator region layers is greater than a minimum gap spacing of the depth filter region layers. The fiber bundle can function as a blood oxygenator and exhibits a filtration efficiency of not less than 92% in filtering particles having a particle size of about 45 microns. An oxygenator with integrated arterial filtering capability is provided that minimally impacts the extracorporeal blood circuit prime volume.
US08685317B2
Shock waves are applied to clean and sterilize fluids in containers and conveyances. Shock waves destroy pathogens and pollutants in blood, water, food liquids and other fluids.
US08685313B2
A mixed powder was prepared by weighing Yb2O3 and SrCO3 in such a way that the molar ratio became 1:1. The resulting mixed powder was subjected to uniaxial pressure forming, so as to produce a disc-shaped compact. The compact was heat-treated in an air atmosphere, so that a complex oxide was synthesized. The resulting complex oxide was pulverized. After the pulverization, a slurry was taken out and was dried in a nitrogen gas stream, so as to produce a synthesized powder material. The resulting synthesized powder material was subjected to uniaxial pressure forming, so as to produce a disc-shaped compact. The resulting compact was fired by a hot-press method, so as to obtain a corrosion-resistant member for semiconductor manufacturing apparatus. The resulting corrosion-resistant member was made from a SrYb2O4.
US08685306B2
A molding apparatus for patterning a workpiece includes a first support member for supporting the mold, a second support member arranged opposite to the first support member, and a pressing mechanism for pressing the mold and the work together using the support members to pattern the workpiece. In this structure, either the surface of the first support member for supporting the mold or the surface of the second support member for supporting the workpiece is smaller in area than both surfaces of the mold and the workpiece.
US08685305B2
The invention aims at providing a heat-shrinkable polyester film which is excellent in tearability along perforations and in break resistance after storage when used as labels of beverage bottles. The invention relates to a heat-shrinkable polyester film which is made of a polyester resin comprising ethylene terephthalate as the main constituent and containing at least 13 mol % of at least one monomer capable of forming an amorphous component in the whole polyester resin component and which has specific heat shrinkage characteristics and exhibits specific mechanical characteristics after heat shrinking treatment. The film can be produced by a sequential biaxial orientation process comprising longitudinal orientation step, intermediate heat treatment step, positive cooling step, transverse orientation step, and final heat treatment step.
US08685301B2
A filter element includes a filter media pack and an axial seal member configured to axially seal against a filter housing. The axial seal member may be supported by and attached to the filter media pack by a media pack seal member. Alternatively, the axial seal member may be carried by a frame, which is attached to the filter media pack by the media pack seal member.
US08685296B2
The present specification discloses porogen compositions comprising a core material and shell material, methods of making such porogen compositions, methods of forming such porous materials using such porogen compositions, biocompatible implantable devices comprising such porous materials, and methods of making such biocompatible implantable devices.
US08685294B2
Method of producing a dental ceramic structure by digitizing a model or partial model of the prosthesis to be produced and generating a CAD data set, cutting each section of the muffle based on the CAD data set to form the cavity, pressing the ceramic into the cavity by way of at least one sprue, removing the hardened ceramic from the cavity with the sprue or flash and removing the sprue or flash based on the CAD data set.
US08685292B2
For manufacturing ophthalmic lenses and other optical form bodies made of plastic material, plastic form parts are used which are made by non-cutting shaping and are then further worked by mechanical production steps. Said plastic form parts are circular blanks (1) made of two different plastic materials which are firmly joined to each other. Thereby, an interior lens element (2) that consists of a high-quality material is concentrically surrounded by a ring fixture (3) which consists of a low priced material. Either surface of the lens element (2) may feature any given geometry. During mechanical working, the ring fixture (3) is used for mounting as well as for depositing and, in addition, for stabilizing the workpiece (9). For this reason it is partially maintained throughout the mechanical working and is cut off at the end only.
US08685289B2
The present invention relates to pulverulent compounds of the formula LiaNibM1cM2d(O)2(SO4)x, a process for preparation thereof and the use thereof as active electrode material in.
US08685288B2
The present invention describes a solid-solution synthesis method for producing porous Fe-containing active material (74) wherein Fe is interwoven with supporting oxide(s) by the following steps: mixing (64) Fe-containing specie (α) (60) and a supporting specie (β) (62) containing element of X, to provide a mixture (66), high-temperature treatment (68) to provide a Fe—X—O solid solution (70), and reducing (72) the solid solution to provide the Fe-containing active material wherein Fe is interwoven with X oxide(s) (74).
US08685287B2
A method of making a mechanically robust, electrically conductive ultralow-density carbon nanotube-based aerogel, including the steps of dispersing nanotubes in an aqueous media or other media to form a suspension, adding reactants and catalyst to the suspension to create a reaction mixture, curing the reaction mixture to form a wet gel, drying the wet gel to produce a dry gel, and pyrolyzing the dry gel to produce the mechanically robust, electrically conductive ultralow-density carbon nanotube-based aerogel. The aerogel is mechanically robust, electrically conductive, and ultralow-density, and is made of a porous carbon material having 5 to 95% by weight carbon nanotubes and 5 to 95% carbon binder.
US08685273B2
This disclosure involves a formula, mixing procedure, etching technique and application of an etchant for revealing defects in T2SL's grown lattice matched to (100) GaSb. The etching agent comprises a (2.5:4.5:16.5:280) solution by volume or (1%:2%:9%:88%) by weight, of HF:H2O2:H2SO4:H2O. The etchant is made by mixing (49%) hydrofluoric aqueous solution with (30%) water-based peroxide, followed by sulfuric acid, and diluted with de-ionized H2O (DI-water).
US08685264B2
A slide member includes a substrate that is made of a metal material and has a sliding surface with a plurality of microdimples formed therein. Each of the microdimple has a circular opening, the microdimples are arranged in regular intervals in a hexagonal close-packed configuration, and the area ratio of the openings of all the microdimples to the entire sliding surface is in the range of 50 to 80%.
US08685262B2
A nozzle plate containing multiple micro-orifices for the cascade impactor and a method for manufacturing the same are disclosed. The nozzle plate is formed by a series of semiconductor processes, including lithography, etching and electroplating. The nozzle plate comprises a plate body and a plurality of micro-orifices formed on the plate body. The orifice has a diameter which gradually expands in the direction away from the bottom of the plate body to achieve a smooth inner surface, allowing particles to pass therethrough smoothly without being clogged in the nozzle plate.
US08685260B2
A known method of forming organic semiconductor devices employs the deposition of a conductive polymer onto a substrate to form electrodes or conductive tracks and then to apply an electrical material such as an organic semiconductor on top of these tracks. Although the conductive polymer serves as a highly efficient injector of electrons into the semiconductor, it is not a good conductor. This introduces undesirable inefficient in the supply of current to and from the semiconductor. Worse still the conductivity may deteriorate with time. A solution to this problem has been found by printing the polymer (7) onto a conductive layer (6) carried on a substrate (5). The printed polymer (7) is then used as a resist during a process in which parts of the conductive polymer not protected by the polymer are removed. The resulting device benefits from the good electron injection qualities of the conductive polymer (7) and efficient conduction by virtue of the underlying conductive layer (6).
US08685258B2
Systems and methods are provided for conveying an amount of red blood cells and an amount of plasma to a blood source. Blood is conveyed from a blood source into a separation device and the separation device is operated to separate the blood into a layer containing red blood cells and a layer containing plasma. Red blood cells and plasma are removed from the separation device and volumes of the red blood cells and plasma are conveyed to the blood source. The volumes of red blood cells and plasma are alternately conveyed to the blood source for said amounts of red blood cells and plasma.
US08685250B2
Disclosed is an improved method for remineralizing desalinated water. The desalination system includes, but is not limited to, a conventional reverse osmosis membrane system, forward osmosis membrane system, electro dialysis system, Multi Stage Flash (MSF) system, and Multi Effect Distillation (MED) system.
US08685238B2
Embodiments of the invention relate to systems and methods for a solar and/or AC current powered water disinfection system that is sized for portable use and is specifically tailored for use in under-developed areas of the world or in areas where natural disasters have occurred. Embodiments herein disclosed provide for a system that utilizes an ultraviolet light that is operatively coupled to a pump, inverter, battery, and a charge converter that is adapted for use with a solar panel or AC current. The system is placed into a storage container, or the like, and the water in the storage container is pumped through the ultraviolet light, which kills most waterborne, water-washed, and water-based diseases.
US08685237B2
An improved draft tube spout fluid bed (DTSFB) mixing, handling, conveying, and treating apparatus and systems, and methods for operating are provided. The apparatus and systems can accept particulate material and pneumatically or hydraulically conveying the material to mix and/or treat the material. In addition to conveying apparatus, a collection and separation apparatus adapted to receive the conveyed particulate material is also provided. The collection apparatus may include an impaction plate against which the conveyed material is directed to improve mixing and/or treatment. The improved apparatus are characterized by means of controlling the operation of the pneumatic or hydraulic transfer to enhance the mixing and/or reacting by controlling the flow of fluids, for example, air, into and out of the apparatus. The disclosed apparatus may be used to mix particulate material, for example, mortar; react fluids with particulate material; coat particulate material, or simply convey particulate material.
US08685235B2
An integrated sewage biochemical treatment plant containing mechanical treatment devices, a sewage-and-sludge mixing chamber with a circulation pump and a combined biological treatment device, includes a plane feed biofilter, a spray line, collecting trays and drain collectors connected to water-jet aeratic columns sunk in the aeration zones, and aftertreatment devices. The combined biological treatment device whose capacity is 5 to 15,000 m3/day has a biofilters spray line that includes trays with emptying fittings and reflecting disks, the distance from the trays emptying fittings upper ends to the disk reflectors is 0.8 to 2 m, and the distance between the trays centers and the distance between the trays fittings axes is 0.6 to 1.8 m.
US08685231B2
The invention provides a process for converting a paraffinic feedstock comprising at least 50 wt % of compounds boiling above 370° C., a paraffin content of at least 60 wt %, an aromatics content below 1 wt %, a naphthenic content below 2 wt %, a nitrogen content below 0.1 wt %, and a sulphur content below 0.1 wt %, comprising: (a) reacting the feedstock with hydrogen at a temperature between 175 and 400° C. and a pressure between 20 and 100 bar using a catalyst comprising 0.005 to 5.0 wt % of a Group VIII noble metal on a carrier comprising 0.1-15 wt % zeolite beta and at least 40 wt % amorphous silica-alumina (b) withdrawing the effluent (c) subjecting the effluent to a fractionation step to form a heavy fraction, an intermediate fraction, and a light fraction; and (d) providing at least part of the heavy fraction to the reaction zone.
US08685222B2
The selective electrochemical reduction of halogenated 4-aminopicolinic acids is improved by activating the cathode at a final potential from about +1.0 to about +1.8 volts.
US08685212B2
A start-up method of a fractionator which fractionally distills FT synthesized hydrocarbons produced by the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis reaction, the method includes: discharging light FT synthesized hydrocarbons which exist in a gaseous state in an FT reactor performing the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis reaction from the FT reactor to the outside; cooling down the light FT synthesized hydrocarbons discharged from the FT reactor for liquefaction; supplying the liquefied light FT synthesized hydrocarbons to the fractionator; and heating the light FT synthesized hydrocarbons and circulating the light FT synthesized hydrocarbons to the fractionator.
US08685201B2
Methods are described for addressing the bowing and/or warping of flexible substrates, attached to a rigid carrier, which occurs as a result of the thermal challenges of semiconductor processing. In particular, viscoelastic adhesives are provided which can bond a flexible substrate to a rigid carrier and mediate the thermal mismatch which often is present due to the distinctly different materials properties of most flexible substrates, such as plastic films, with respect to rigid carriers, such as silicon wafers. Assemblies are also provided which are produced according to the methods described herein.
US08685199B2
An apparatus for forming a continuous preparation ply of the type used to make vehicle tires from preparation ply sections having nonmetallic cords. An infeed conveyor successively feeds the preparation ply sections to a butt splicing machine that joins the ends of the two preparation ply sections to form a butt joint. A gum strip applier receives the continuous preparation ply from an outfeed conveyor and applies a gum strip over the butt joint. A method is provided for forming a continuous preparation ply by first automatically forming a butt joint, and thereafter automatically placing a gum strip on the butt joint.
US08685191B2
A thermal transfer film at least including a substrate, a semi-cured protection layer, and an ink layer is provided. The semi-cured protection layer is coated on the substrate, and a material of the semi-cured protection layer includes thermal curing resin and radiation curing resin. Moreover, the resin of the semi-cured protection layer is at least partially cured. The ink layer is coated on the semi-cured protection layer.
US08685182B2
This high-strength steel pipe includes, by mass %, C: 0.02% to 0.09%, Mn: 0.4% to 2.5%, Cr: 0.1% to 1.0%, Ti: 0.005% to 0.03%, Nb: 0.005% to 0.3%, and a balance consisting of Fe and inevitable impurities, in which Si, Al, P, S, and N are limited to 0.6% or less, 0.1% or less, 0.02% or less, 0.005% or less, 0.008% or less, respectively, the bainite transformation index BT is 650° C. or less, and the microstructure thereof is a single bainite microstructure including first bainite and second bainite, the first bainite being a gathered microstructure of bainitic ferrite including no carbide, and the second bainite being a mixed microstructure of bainitic ferrite including no carbide and cementite between the bainitic ferrites.
US08685179B2
An Fe-based amorphous alloy of the present invention has a composition formula represented by Fe100-a-b-c-x-y-z-tNiaSnbCrcPxCyBzSit, and in the formula, 0 at %≦a≦10 at %, 0 at %≦b≦3 at %, 0 at %≦c≦6 at %, 6.8 at %≦x≦10.8 at %, 2.2 at %≦y≦9.8 at %, 0 at %≦z≦4.2 at %, and 0 at %≦t≦3.9 at % hold. Accordingly, an Fe-based amorphous alloy used for a powder core and/or a coil encapsulated powder core having a low glass transition temperature (Tg), a high conversion vitrification temperature (Tg/Tm), and excellent magnetization and corrosion resistance can be manufactured.
US08685173B2
The present invention is generally directed toward methods of cleaning and descaling surfaces contaminated with food soils, especially clean-in-place systems. More particularly, the methods according to the present invention also provide for sanitizing of surfaces contaminated with food soils. Thus, there is provided a single cleaning cycle that may clean, sanitize, and descale food-soiled surfaces, and in certain embodiments, without the need for a pre-rinse step, using an acidic detergent composition comprising a fatty alkyl-1,3-diaminopropane or salt thereof in the presence of an acid selected from the group consisting of inorganic acids, organic acids, and mixtures thereof.
US08685167B2
A method for the hydrolysis of cellulosic materials using spent liquor. The spent liquor is derived from a pulping operation or is hydrolyzate from another cellulosic biomass process. The process can be implemented in a batch or semi continuous or continuous process. The hydrolyzate is fermented to a useful product and purified. Combustible biomass residues and chemicals are used to provide energy and chemical recovery.
US08685165B2
Atomic layer deposition (ALD) type processes for producing titanium containing oxide thin films comprise feeding into a reaction space vapor phase pulses of titanium alkoxide as a titanium source material and at least one oxygen source material, such as ozone, capable of forming an oxide with the titanium source material. In preferred embodiments the titanium alkoxide is titanium methoxide.
US08685164B2
Embodiments of the present invention relate to a process for obtaining silicon crystals from silicon. The method includes contacting silicon powder with a solvent metal to provide a mixture containing silicon, melting the silicon under submersion to provide a first molten liquid, contacting the first molten liquid with a first gas to provide dross and a second molten liquid, separating the dross and the second molten liquid, cooling the second molten liquid to form first silicon crystals and a first mother liquid and separating the first silicon crystals and the first mother liquid.
US08685159B2
An adhesion bond strength enhancer for cementitious adhesive mortar is disclosed. The adhesion enhancer improves bond strength between the mortar and relatively hydrophobic plastic material, such as extruded polystyrene boards and expanded polystyrene boards of the type generally employed in Exterior Insulation Finishing Systems (“EIFS”). Preparation of non-caking, free-flowing, solid dialkyl sulfosuccinate compositions for use as the adhesion enhancer is also disclosed. The adhesion enhancer is attractive for large-scale application in mineral mortar dry-mixes or other solid construction materials. The invention can be used to improve the strength of an adhesive bond between a) gypsum based plaster or stucco and concrete or bricks, b) tile adhesives and concrete, and c) mineral mortars on polystyrene boards, among others.
US08685151B2
The present disclosure relates generally to contaminant removal from gas streams. In certain embodiments, the present disclosure relates to a process for removing one or more contaminants from a gas stream via contact with a regenerable sorbent at high temperature and pressure, utilizing a unique arrangement of reactors operating in parallel.
US08685150B1
Embodiments of passive air pollution filters designed for providing efficient adsorption of fungal spores, airborne bacteria, small hydrocarbons, viruses, prions, insect parts, hyphal parts, pollens, other allergens, radon gas, and other small air pollutants, both gaseous and particulate, from cool air are disclosed. Each embodiment comprises a filter bag portion, attractant mineral, a filter container, and a means of supporting the filter assembly. Stationary filters must be replaced and reprocessed periodically. Permanent passive air filtration coatings for building materials, which prevent condensation and growth of mold from occurring in building walls and in other structures, are disclosed. Automated temperature pump passive filtration devices, which automatically remove excess humidity, odors, particulate air pollutants, both mineral and biological, gaseous air pollutants, and allergens from enclosed volumes of air at a temperature of less than 26-27° C., about 80° F., are also disclosed.
US08685143B2
A method of making a supported gas separation molecular sieve membrane. In this method a porous support, which is preferably pretreated, is contacted with a molecular sieve synthesis mixture under hydrothermal synthesis conditions. The contacting step is conducted for a shortened crystallization time period. The resulting coated porous support is calcined to yield the supported gas separation molecular sieve membrane having particularly good gas separation characteristics.
US08685141B2
A wet scrubber (1) and a method of using the wet scrubber to clean a process gas containing sulphur dioxide comprising at least one spray level system (20) with atomizing nozzles (38) to which an absorption liquid is supplied for atomization by the nozzles (38). The method comprises operating the spray level system (20) in at least a first operating mode with an active nozzle density of at least 0.7 nozzles/m2, an absorption liquid flow of at least 10 m3/hour per nozzle and a Total Flow of at least 30 m3/hour/m2.
US08685140B2
The present invention relates to a particle filter and a method for operating a particle filter. The particle filter includes at least one filter portion forming an open filter system and also a heatable particle collecting element which is arranged adjacently to this filter portion and comprises a material having temperature-dependent electrical resistance. The method for operating the particle filter includes heating the particle collecting element and measuring the electrical resistance of the particle collecting element to determine whether to regenerate the particle filter.
US08685138B2
A tilting rotary furnace with a door assembly that seals against a furnace vessel. The seal between the door and the furnace vessel allows for regulation of the internal environment of the furnace and control over thermitting of the aluminum. As a result, aluminum recovery may be carried out without the use of salt. A portion of the door may rotate with the furnace vessel and a portion of the door may remain rotationally stationary with respect to the furnace vessel and the rotating portion of the door.
US08685131B2
A method of producing an organic based fertilizer and usable water from animal waste includes the step of separating the animal waste into liquid waste and solid waste. The liquid waste is clarified to produce a supernatant and a sludge which is pressed into a filter cake. Ammonia is extracted from the supernatant to produce ammonium sulfate and an aqueous solution. The aqueous solution is filtered to produce a concentrate and water filtrate. The water filtrate may be used as drinking and washing water. The filter cake, ammonium sulfate, and concentrate may be used to supplement to the solid waste which is pelletized into the organic based fertilizer. In alternative embodiments a portion of the supernatant and aqueous solution may be used as a liquid fertilizer.
US08685125B2
Producing and using very low packing density ceramic abrasive grits comprising various fused aluminum oxide materials with or without other oxide additives, fused aluminum oxide-zirconium oxide co-fusions with or without other oxide additives, or sintered sol gel aluminum oxide materials with or without other oxide additives where the ceramic abrasive grains are preferably made by crushing bubbles of the material.
US08685123B2
An abrasive particulate material is disclosed that includes alumina particles. The alumina particles include a transition alumina and at least 5.0 wt % of an amorphous phase. The transition alumina particles also have a density not greater than about 3.20 g/cm3.
US08685122B2
Provided is a fuel gasification equipment capable of sufficiently contacting particulates of a solid fuel with a bed material without scattering and reliably completing pyrolysis of the solid fuel to achieve improvement in cold gas efficiency and in C and H conversion rates and reforming of tar in a gasification gas. A fuel supply pipe 14 is connected to a side surface of a gasification furnace 2 at a position lower than an upper surface of a fluidized bed 1 for supplying the solid fuel into the fluidized bed 1. Confluence promoting means 15 is provided to allow the solid fuel supplied from the fuel supply pipe 14 into the fluidized bed 1 to join a flow of the bed material supplied from the downcomer 7 to an inner bottom of the fluidized bed 1.
US08685120B2
A method of producing a synthetic gas (syngas) includes injecting a plurality of reactant streams into a gasification reactor via at least one injection device having a plurality of injection annuli, an inner portion that extends annularly about a centerline extending through the at least one injection device, and an outer portion extending substantially annularly about the inner portion. At least a portion of the outer portion is oriented obliquely with respect to the at least one injection device centerline. The method also includes mixing at least a portion of each of the streams together such that a plurality of recirculation zones is defined by the streams. The method further includes producing a syngas within the recirculation zones via mixing at least a portion of each of the streams. The injection device includes an inner portion that extends annularly about a centerline extending through the injection device. The device also includes an outer portion extending substantially annularly about the inner portion that includes at least one of at least one carbonaceous reactant injection port oriented obliquely with respect to the injection device centerline and at least one outer face oriented obliquely with respect to the injection device centerline.
US08685102B2
An osteogenic fusion device is provided that includes opposite end pieces with an integral central element. The end pieces are sized to maintain the height of an intervertebral disc space. The central element has a smaller diameter so that the fusion device forms an annular pocket around the central element. An osteogenic material is disposed within the annular pocket between the opposite end pieces. The osteogenic material is in direct contact with the adjacent vertebral bone. The inventive osteogenic fusion device reduces stress-shielding and minimizes the radiopacity of the implant so that growth of the fusion mass can be continuously assessed. The osteogenic fusion devices of the present invention may be combined with other fusion devices to form an implant system. Methods of promoting fusion bone growth in the space between adjacent vertebrae utilizing devices and systems of the invention are also described.
US08685096B2
A lumbar fusion implant device has a pair of first and second body structures. The first body structure has a pair of appendages with enlarged rounded ends, the appendages projecting from the opposite sides of the first body structure. Similarly, the second body structure has a pair of appendages with enlarged rounded ends with the appendages projecting from opposite sides of the second body structure. Each of the enlarged ends of the appendages fit into sockets on an opposite first or second body structure and when the first and second body structures are longitudinally connected by a threaded fastener, tightening of the fastener moves the first and second body structures closer together expanding radially outwardly each appendage.
US08685091B2
A system, method, and device for monitoring implant sensor data over a cellular network includes a portable computing device, a controller, and an orthopaedic prosthesis configured to communicate with the controller over the cellular network. The orthopaedic prosthesis includes one or more implant sensors configured to generate implant sensor data and a cellular transmitter or transceiver configured to transmit the implant sensor data to the controller over the cellular network. The controller or the orthopaedic prosthesis may initiate the cellular communication. The implant sensor data is transmitted to the portable computing device by the controller. The portable computing device is configured to display the implant sensor data, or indicia thereof, to a user. The portable computing device and controller may also be used to update one or more programs executed by the orthopaedic prosthesis.
US08685086B2
An apparatus for replacing a diseased cardiac valve is movable from a radially collapsed configuration to a radially expanded configuration. The apparatus comprises an expandable support member and a prosthetic valve secured therein. The main body portion extends between first and second end portions and includes an outer circumferential surface, a circumferential axis extending about the circumferential surface, and a plurality of wing members spaced apart from one another by an expandable region. Each of the wing members includes first and second end portions and a flexible middle portion extending between the end portions. The second end portion is integrally formed with the main body portion. The first end portion is adjacent the circumferential axis and substantially flush with the outer circumferential surface in the radially collapsed configuration. The first end portion extends substantially radial to the outer circumferential surface in the radially expanded configuration.
US08685081B2
The medical stent includes: a main body formed into an approximately tubular shape along a longitudinal axis with a first resin material; an elastic member formed of a second resin material which is larger in flexural modulus than the first resin material, and configured to have one end portion connected to an end portion of the main body and the other end portion formed to extend to the central portion side of the main body along the longitudinal axis and also to direct to the radial direction of the main body; and a treated layer formed between the end portion of the main body and the one end portion of the elastic member and configured to have a functional group for joining the end portion of the main body and the one end portion of the elastic member to each other.
US08685077B2
A delivery system with sequential release mechanism and method of delivering and deploying an implantable stented device into a body lumen including a tabular body, a plurality of activation members extending from the distal end of the tubular body, and a plurality of disks. Each disk includes a proximal and distal surface, at least one stent engagement element attached to the distal surface of the disk and at least one aperture. At least one activation member attaches to the proximal surface of a first disk and at least one activation member passes through an aperture of the first disk and attaches to the proximal surface of a second disk. At least one stent engagement element attached to the distal surface of the first disk passes through an aperture of the second disk. Axially movement of the activation members causes sequential release of the stent engagement elements from a stented device.
US08685075B2
A method is provided for mounting a stent onto a catheter system. The method includes selecting a catheter having a first end where the first end includes an inflatable portion thereat. An adhesive bond is formed between the stent and the inflatable portion causing the stent to adhere to the inflatable portion. The formed adhesive bond is such that upon release of the stent from the inflatable portion upon inflation, the adhesive bond remains with the inflatable portion.
US08685065B1
The present disclosure provides a single insertion and compression instrument to facilitate the implantation of a spinous process implant, such as a spinous process fixation device, between and about adjacent spinous processes. The instrument has a first leg and a second leg, each with a handle and implant engaging portions. The implant engaging portions releasably couple to the spinous process implant and have compression pads to facilitate compression of fasteners on the plates into bone.
US08685064B2
A polyaxial bone anchor including a housing and a bone screw. A bottom surface of the housing includes an aperture that defines an angulation limit of the bone screw for each azimuthal angle around a longitudinal axis of the housing. The aperture is V-shaped, with the V-shape having converging side walls that define a low-angulation direction near their intersection and a high-angulation direction opposite the low-angulation direction. In some cases, the angulation limit of the bone screw is generally constant over a range of azimuthal angles centered around the high-angulation direction. The housing may be modular, including tabs on one component that are plastically deformed to engage a lip on another component. During assembly, a mandrel advances longitudinally along a bore in the housing, and forces the tabs radially outward toward the lip to a radially outward plastically deformed state.
US08685063B2
A device for use as a portal in percutaneous minimally invasive surgery performed within a patient's body cavity includes a first elongated hollow tube having a length adjusted with a self-contained mechanism. The first elongated tube includes an inner hollow tube and an outer hollow tube and the inner tube is adapted to slide within the outer tube thereby providing the self-contained length adjusting mechanism. This length-adjustment feature is advantageous for percutaneous access surgery in any body cavity. Two or more elongated tubes with adjustable lengths can be placed into two or more adjacent body cavities, respectively. Paths are opened within the tissue areas between the two or more body cavities, and are used to transfer devices and tools between the adjacent body cavities. This system of two or more elongated tubes with adjustable lengths is particularly advantageous in percutaneous minimally invasive spinal surgeries, and provides the benefits of minimizing long incisions, recovery time and post-operative complications.
US08685060B2
A device for attaching connective tissue to bone has a longitudinal axis and comprises an annular toggle member and a body member disposed distally of the toggle member, such that there is an axial space between the toggle member and the body member. The toggle member is movable between an undeployed position wherein the toggle member has a smaller profile in a direction transverse to the axis and a deployed position wherein the toggle member has a larger profile in the direction transverse to the axis. When installed in a desired procedural site, in suitable bone, suturing material extends axially through a center aperture in the annular toggle member, without being secured to or contacting the toggle member. This approach permits a suture attachment which lies entirely beneath the cortical bone surface, and which further permit the attachment of suture to the bone anchor without the necessity for tying knots, which is particularly arduous and technically demanding in the case of arthroscopic procedures.
US08685058B2
In a surgical method, an incision is formed in a layer of organic tissue defining a wall having an inner side and an outer side. The incision has a pair of opposing lips or edges. The lips or edges are retracted towards the inner side of the tissue wall and approximated to one another. Thereafter, one or more closure elements are applied to the inwardly pulled lips or edges.
US08685050B2
A method of treating a lesion in a body lumen to enlarge a passageway in the lumen including inserting a cutting member and tracking member through a first lumen of a catheter, withdrawing the catheter from the cutting member and tracking member, inserting the catheter over the tracking member and leaving the cutting member outside the catheter, and expanding a portion of the catheter to move the cutting member into cutting contact with the lesion. A device for treating a lesion in a body lumen including a cutting member and tracking member is also provided.
US08685048B2
Medical device used to cause hemostasis of blood vessels using a clip arrangement delivered to a target region through an endoscope. Method for using the device to cause hemostasis of a blood vessel through an endoscope. Medical device including a reversibly closeable clip, a locking arrangement, a control wire, a sheath, and a handle with an actuating trigger. Through the endoscope, hemostatic clipping device that is fully reversible and lockable. Hemostatic clip that reversibly targets and clips bleeding ulcers.
US08685047B2
A scaffold is provided for managing access through tissue. The scaffold can support the tissue during medical procedures. The scaffold is placed around or proximate an opening in tissue. The scaffold can expand when medical devices are introduced through the scaffold and through the opening and retract when the medical devices are removed. When the medical devices are removed, the scaffold closes automatically to substantially close the opening.
US08685041B2
The present invention discloses a non-invasive electric hair-taking apparatus comprising a shell (2) and a cover (3) connected with each other by a latch (13) to form a handle (14); a step (15) being arranged at the front end of the handle (14). Said shell (2) is comprised of a front chamber, a middle chamber and a rear chamber; a motor (4) being mounted in the front chamber, a switch (6) being mounted on the wall of the middle chamber, a battery (5) being mounted in the rear chamber. Said motor (4), switch (6) and battery (5) forming a circuit by wiring (8). A hair-taking knife (1) is mounted at the front end of a connector (10) that is mounted on the shaft of the motor (4). Said connector (10) being fixedly positioned at the front end of the handle (14) via a locating ring (11) which is engaged with the step (15).
US08685040B2
Disclosed is a shaped electrode and dissecting tool configured to aid in controlling the path of an electrode as it is moved into its intended position within the epidural space of a patient. The shaped electrode and dissecting tool is configured with a contoured leading edge having at least one concavity that aids in moving the electrode and dissecting tool through the intended tissues within the patient's body. A variety of concavity contours may be provided and used for particular surgical applications.
US08685039B2
The invention relates to a medical retrieval device with a basket that has at least one leg that is frangible (i.e., easily breakable) and/or able to dissociate from at least one other leg upon the application of a predetermined force to the basket. The invention allows an operator to release captured material (e.g., a stone) from the basket when the device is still inserted in the body. In an embodiment, the basket legs associate by a magnetic interaction that can be overcome by applying a predetermined force to the basket. In another embodiment, at least a portion of at least one basket leg is made from, or coated with, a substance that is adhesive or that joins at least two legs together when the substance is solid but which melts, dissolves or weakens upon the application of an electrical, thermal or chemical change. In yet another embodiment, the invention provides a basket with at least two legs that are joined together by a joining member that can break, or from which one or more legs can dissociate, upon the application of a predetermined force. In yet another embodiment, the invention provides a basket with at least two legs that are joined together by a joining member by means of at least one shear pin that can break upon the application of a predetermined force.
US08685038B2
Embodiments provide apparatus and methods for producing markings in the skin. One embodiment provides an apparatus for marking the skin comprising a housing and reservoir for storing a skin colorant. An electrode is positioned within the housing so as to be electrically coupled to the colorant in the reservoir and is configured to be coupled to a current source and return electrode. A colorant applicator having at least one fluid pathway is coupled to a housing distal end. The applicator proximal end is positioned such that the fluid pathway is coupled with the reservoir. The applicator distal end applies colorant to the skin surface through the fluid pathway as the applicator is moved across the skin. The electrode delivers current from the current source to the skin to transport charged pigment elements of the colorant into the skin using an electromotive driving force to produce a marking in the skin.
US08685032B2
Disclosed in certain embodiments is a pressure sensing tube for transporting a material under pressure through a lumen and a pressure sensitive material associated with the tube and operable to change in appearance in response to a physical change in the tube caused by pressure within the lumen.A method of manufacturing a pressure sensing tube is also disclosed.
US08685031B2
The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for near-simultaneous and integrated delivery of bone graft material during the placement of surgical cages or other medical implants in a patient's spine. The integrated fusion cage and graft delivery device according to various embodiments delivers and disperses biologic material through a fusion cage to a disc space and, without withdrawal from the surgical site, may selectably detach the fusion cage for deposit to the same disc space. The integrated fusion cage and graft delivery device is formed such that a hollow tube and plunger selectively and controllably place bone graft material and a fusion cage in or adjacent to the bone graft receiving area.
US08685030B2
The invention relates to a device, system, and method for making an incision into a patient's bone using a cutting block, wherein locations of reference objects of the patient's body are defined with respect to a reference coordinate system. The device may include: a cutting guide having an incision plane; a localization reference for determining a spatial position of the incision plan (the localization reference secured to the cutting guide); a fixation device secured to the bone; an adjusting device for setting a position of the incision plane relative to the bone, wherein a location of the adjusting device is defined with respect to a base coordinate system; and a pre-adjusting device for aligning the base coordinate system with respect to the reference coordinate system.
US08685027B2
A fixation device for the fixation of bone fragments, applicable to the mutual fastening of bone fragments temporarily separated during a surgical operation or as a result of a trauma. The device is also suitable for the fixation of a bone flap in the replacement thereof in a corresponding aperture made in the cranium or cranial bone mass. The device is made of biocompatible material and comprises a flexible strip and fastening means, the strip having a length allowing the formation of a fastening loop tightly fastening the bone fragments to be joined together. The fastening means are provided with at least one opening provided with interlocking means allowing the passage of a free end of the strip and preventing its extraction in the direction opposite to the insertion.
US08685019B2
An electrosurgical instrument for treating tissue includes a housing having a flexible shaft extending therefrom having an axis A-A defined therethrough. The flexible shaft has first and second jaw members attached at a distal end thereof and each jaw member includes an electrically conductive tissue contacting surface adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy such that the electrically conductive tissue contacting surfaces are capable of conducting electrosurgical energy through tissue held therebetween. A drive assembly is disposed in the housing and has a first actuator operably coupled to a drive rod for reciprocation thereof and a second actuator operably coupled to the drive rod for rotation thereof. A knife is operably coupled to a distal end of the drive rod. Actuation of the first actuator moves the jaw members relative to one another for engaging tissue and actuation of the second actuator rotates the drive rod about the axis A-A to translate the knife to cut tissue disposed between the jaw members.
US08685016B2
An electrosurgical system is disclosed. The electrosurgical system includes an electrosurgical generator adapted to supply electrosurgical energy to tissue. The electrosurgical generator includes impedance sensing circuitry which measures impedance of tissue, a processor configured to determine whether a tissue reaction has occurred as a function of a minimum impedance value and a predetermined rise in impedance, wherein tissue reaction corresponds to a boiling point of tissue fluid, and an electrosurgical instrument including at least one active electrode adapted to apply electrosurgical energy to tissue. A tissue cooling period is provided to enhance operative outcomes.
US08685011B2
In a method of ablating a tunica of a patient, a laser fiber is inserted into the tunica of the patient. Portions of the tunica are exposed to laser light discharged from the laser fiber. The portions of the tunica that are exposed to the laser light are ablated. In one embodiment, a device is used to control the exposure of the tunica to the laser light. In one embodiment, a penile prosthesis is implanted in the ablated tunica.
US08685010B2
An apparatus and a method are provided for the treatment of soft tissue. The apparatus includes a light source and at least two optical assemblies. Each of the optical assemblies includes at least one optical element and a light-transmitting contact surface configured to transmit a substantially uniform distribution of light therethrough. The apparatus further includes at least two optical transmission devices each disposed between the light source and a corresponding one of the at least two optical assemblies. The apparatus also includes a handpiece to which the at least two optical assemblies are attached, and which is adapted to bring the light-transmitting contact surfaces of the at least two optical assemblies in contact with soft tissue disposed therebetween. The method includes compressing and substantially flattening portions of the tonsil tissue between light-transmitting contact surfaces of two opposed light emitting optical assemblies, introducing light into an optical element of each of the optical assemblies; and irradiating the tonsil tissue by directing the light from the optical element through the light-transmitting contact surfaces to the tonsil tissue in a substantially uniform light distribution.
US08685008B2
A device for treating an area of skin by scanning radiation to form a pattern of treatment spots on the skin includes an automated scanning system configured to receive an input beam generated by a radiation source and scan the received input beam to provide a sequential series of output beams that form a pattern of treatment spots on the skin, the automated scanning system including a generally cup-shaped scanning element configured to rotate about a rotational axis. The generally cup-shaped scanning element may include a plurality of lenslets arranged around the rotational axis, each lenslet configured to provide one of the output beams, such that as the rotating scanning element rotates about the rotational axis, the input beam is sequentially reflected by different lenslets surfaces to provide the sequential series of output beams.
US08685000B2
A shape memory material with integrated actuation using embedded particles. One embodiment provides a shape memory material apparatus comprising a shape memory material body and magnetic pieces in the shape memory material body. Another embodiment provides a method of actuating a device to perform an activity on a subject comprising the steps of positioning a shape memory material body in a desired position with regard to the subject, the shape memory material body capable of being formed in a specific primary shape, reformed into a secondary stable shape, and controllably actuated to recover the specific primary shape; including pieces in the shape memory material body; and actuating the shape memory material body using the pieces causing the shape memory material body to be controllably actuated to recover the specific primary shape and perform the activity on the subject.
US08684996B2
Methods for setting a basal rate profile for an insulin pump, wherein the basal rate profile defines a basal rate delivery for a selected time interval and has a pre-defined number of profile segments each of which define the basal rate delivery for a subset of the selected time interval, include providing a curve representing the basal rate as a continuous function of time as an input for an input unit and generating the basal rate profile from the curve by a calculation unit by assigning curve values at selected time instances to the pre-defined number of profile segments.
US08684994B2
A fluid transfer assembly including a vented female vial adapter and male vial adapter for use with a pair of vials including a vial with contents under negative pressure for liquid drug reconstitution and administration purposes. The vented female vial adapter includes a venting arrangement and the male vial adapter includes a sealing arrangement for selectively sealing the venting arrangement. The fluid transfer assembly is designed such that only filtered air is drawn into the vial under negative pressure subsequent to reconstitution of liquid drug contents to ensure sterile conditions.
US08684989B2
A wearing article having a front waist region that is provided along a pair of opposite side edges with first fastening members, and a rear waist region provided along a pair of opposite side edges with second fastening members for engaging the first fastening members. Each of the second fastening members is formed with an uneven structure having a plurality of crests extending in a transverse direction and spaced one from another in a longitudinal direction. When the uneven structure comes into contact with the first fastening member, the resulting engagement is extremely weak and the uneven structure can be easily disengaged from the first fastening member. The uneven structure may be unfolded in the longitudinal direction and put in close contact with the first fastening member to achieve firm engagement over an area as large as possible between the flattened uneven structure and the first fastening member.
US08684975B2
A surgical access port comprises a valve or instrument seal that separates the instrument contact function from the instrument conforming function. Embodiments of the instrument seal comprise in instrument contact element that extends through an opening in a compression element, thereby defining an instrument orifice that seals with an instrument extending therethrough. Embodiments of the instrument contact element comprise a non-distensible membrane or film, for example, as a tube or cylinder.
