US08773774B2
A photographing lens assembly includes, in order from an object side to an image side, a first lens element, a second lens element and a third lens element. The first lens element with positive refractive power has an object-side surface being concave at a paraxial region thereof and an image-side surface being convex at a paraxial region thereof. The second lens element has positive refractive power. The third lens element with negative refractive power made of plastic material, and has an image-side surface being concave at a paraxial region thereof and being convex at a peripheral region thereof, wherein an object-side surface and the image-side surface of the third lens element are aspheric.
US08773758B2
There is provided a microscope apparatus including: a plurality of objective lenses having different magnifications; an imaging system that receives light, which is generated from a sample and emitted from the objective lens when excitation light is emitted to a sample including a fluorescent material that is activated when irradiated with activation light having a predetermined wavelength and fluoresces to be inactivated when irradiated with excitation light having a different wavelength from the activation light in the activation state and that images the light in a state where an astigmatic difference is given to the image of the sample; and an imaging device that captures the image of the sample from the imaging system. The imaging system includes an astigmatic difference changing device that changes the astigmatic difference according to the depth of focus of the objective lens.
US08773754B2
An optimized Yb: doped fiber mode-locked oscillator and fiber amplifier system for seeding Nd: or Yb: doped regenerative amplifiers. The pulses are generated in the Yb: or Nd: doped fiber mode-locked oscillator, and may undergo spectral narrowing or broadening, wavelength converting, temporal pulse compression or stretching, pulse attenuation and/or lowering the repetition rate of the pulse train. The conditioned pulses are subsequently coupled into an Yb: or Nd: fiber amplifier. The amplified pulses are stretched before amplification in the regenerative amplifier that is based on an Nd: or Yb: doped solid-state laser material, and then recompressed for output.
US08773750B2
The present invention relates to a KBBF family nonlinear optical crystal-prism coupler and its method of fabrication. The coupler comprises: a KBBF family crystal with two smooth surfaces; transition layers each of which is deposited on respective one of the two smooth surfaces of the KBBF family crystal; and a pair of prisms each of which optically contacts with respective one of the activated transition layers. The present invention further provides a KBBF family nonlinear optical crystal-prism coupler that comprises: a KBBF family crystal with two smooth surfaces; a pair of prisms each of which has a smooth surfaces; first transition layers each of which is deposited on respective one of the two smooth surfaces of the KBBF family crystal; and second transition layers each of which is deposited on a smooth surface of respective one of the pair of prisms, wherein the first and second transition layers are integral by optical contact. The coupling between the KBBF family crystal and the prisms is achieved by optical contact through transition layers to improve bonding strength.
US08773747B2
The present invention relates to electrochromic devices and methods for functionalizing cellulose-based materials, in production and post-production stages, in order to obtain solid-state electrochromic devices. The invention is in the field of electrochemistry. These functionalized cellulose-based materials have typical electrochromic characteristics, specifically the capacity to change the oxidation state, leading to a modification of the physical properties, shown by a color change when exposed to an electric potential difference, being this color change reversible. The color remains in the absence of any electric stimulus, demonstrating a memory effect. An example of an electrochromic device according to the present invention comprises a cellulose-based material soaked with a dispersion of electrochromic inorganic material nanoparticles or with a solution of electrochromic organic molecules, wherein the solution/dispersion contains at least one salt, and is finished by deposition of an electrode in each side of the cellulose-based material, wherein at least one of the electrodes is transparent.
US08773746B2
An all-solid-state reflective dimming electrochromic element having a multilayer film formed on a transparent substrate, which is characterized in that the multilayer film has a multilayer structure comprising at least a transparent conductive film layer, an ion storage layer, a solid electrolyte layer, a buffer layer, a catalyst layer, a reflective dimming layer, and a protective layer formed on the transparent substrate, and which is sealed with the protective layer, and a dimming member comprising the same are provided.
US08773742B2
A control device may comprise a selection allowing unit configured to allow a user to select a specific file among a plurality of files, each of the plurality of files having a file format that is capable of including a plurality of pages worth of data, the specific file including M pages worth of data, and a creating unit configured to create a first file that includes M+N pages worth of data by using N pages worth of scan data created by making a scan executing unit execute scanning of N pages worth of original and the M pages worth of data included in the specific file, the first file including M+N pages worth of data having a same file format as the specific file.
US08773739B2
An image reading device includes a conveying unit, reading unit, detecting unit, and control unit. The conveying unit conveys two sheets of the original one by one. The reading unit reads a sheet passing past a reading position. The detecting unit detects a sheet passing past a detection position upstream of the reading position in a conveying direction. The control unit controls the reading unit to start a reading process when a leading edge of sheet reaching a position upstream of the reading position by a first distance, controls the reading unit to stop the reading process when a trailing edge of sheet reaching a position downstream of the reading position by a second distance, determines an interspace between the trailing edge of sheet and a leading edge of a subsequently-conveyed sheet, and updates the first distance and the second distance based on the interspace.
US08773738B2
A paper processing apparatus equipped with a paper transferor for sequentially transferring paper sheets while maintaining a predetermined interval between a certain paper sheet and the next paper sheet; a paper position detector for detecting the position of a paper sheet; a plurality of processors for performing processing for the paper sheet; an information reader for reading information relating to processing to be performed for the paper sheet; and a controller for controlling operations relating to the paper transferor, the paper position detector, the plurality of processors, and the information reader, wherein upon judging that the certain paper sheet has passed through a certain processor, the controller carries out control to adjust the widthwise position of the certain processor so as to be adapted for the processing for the next paper sheet.
US08773735B2
To provide an image reading apparatus for enabling an optical carriage movably supported in a rail member to be locked reliably in a predetermined position of an apparatus frame without causing failure by shock in transport, one of the apparatus frame and optical carriage is provided with a lock member traveling between a release position and a lock position, and a biasing member for biasing the lock member in a predetermined direction, and the other one is provided with an engagement receiving portion being fitted with an engagement portion formed in the lock member. Then, the engagement portion and the engagement receiving portion are configured to inhibit movements in the scanning direction of the optical carriage in the lock position, and the biasing force of the biasing member is concurrently configured to act on the carriage in the direction orthogonal to the scanning direction so as to increase friction between the carriage and a traveling rail.
US08773730B2
A scan assisting fixing device and a scanner using the same are provided. The fixing device is for fixing an object to be scanned, which includes a scanning portion and a holding portion. The fixing device includes an accommodation region, a scan window and a protrusion portion. When the holding portion is loaded in the accommodation region, the scanning portion correspondingly disposed in the scan window is retained and fixed by the protrusion portion, and the position of the holding portion in the fixing device is constant, so that the scanning portion is always within the range of the field depth of the scanner regardless of the specification of the positive film holder, and the clarity of the scanned image is assured.
US08773729B2
An image processing apparatus that generates a pattern of a colorless recording material to form an image using the colorless recording material includes: a region dividing unit that divides an input image into a plurality of regions as divided regions using a designated algorithm and pixel values of pixels that form the image; a spatial-frequency calculating unit that calculates spatial frequencies in each of the divided regions into which the image has been divided using pixel values in the divided region; and a pattern generating unit that generates a pattern of the colorless recording material, which is set to each of the divided regions, using the calculated spatial frequencies and a line pattern having a preset line width.
US08773728B2
An image forming apparatus configured to store document data therein and to perform network communication is provided. The image forming apparatus includes a detection portion configured to detect, from a document to be saved, an unfinished part where a detection index and attribute data are described, the attribute data indicating an attribute of yet-to-be-written information to be written into the unfinished part; an obtaining portion configured to obtain information to be written into the unfinished part from a server connected to the image forming apparatus via a network based on the attribute data and information described in a vicinity of the unfinished part; and an editing portion configured to perform automatic editing by which the information obtained from the server is written into the unfinished part.
US08773727B2
A image generating apparatus and method for scanning documents using multiple image sensors are disclosed. The image generation apparatus comprises a glass plate configured to hold a document placed upside down on the glass plate; a calibration pattern placed on the glass plate; a plurality of image sensors arranged under the glass plate, wherein each of the plurality of image sensors is configured to capture and generate a raw image, the raw image covers a portion of the document and a portion of the calibration pattern through the glass plate; and a processing unit capable of combining all raw images generated by the plurality of image sensors based on the portion of the calibration pattern in the raw image captured by each of the plurality of image sensors, and the processing unit is further configured to generate a complete image of the document.
US08773722B2
A method is disclosed. The method includes generating a Continuous Tone Image (CTI) with all pixel values same as a first gray level, generating an initial Half Tone Image (HTI) with all pixel values equal to minimum absorptance level and computing a change in pixel error for a first pixel. The change in pixel error is computed by identifying a first pixel indicated in a valid pixel map, toggling the first pixel with all the possible output states and swapping the first pixel with all neighbor pixels only if the stacking constraint is satisfied, updating the HTI with the maximum error decrease operation and continue to next pixel location till the end criteria is met.
US08773712B2
A word processing document is repurposed to save paper and ink. An indication is received that a printout of a word processing document from a printer has been requested. Further, the content is segmented into one or more regions according to a set of grouping rules, the set of grouping rules defining a region has having at least one homogeneous characteristic. In addition, one or more potential transformations are filtered for each region to generate one or more filtered potential transformations based on a set of rules that restricts a transformation according to a region type. The region type is determined by the at least one homogeneous characteristic for each region. Further, a cost function is evaluated for each of the one or more filtered potential transformations according to one or more appearance attributes for the word processing document.
US08773710B2
A controlling device may be configured to generate a first type of intermediate data using the original data after accepting a print instruction for printing the original image and before accepting a setting instruction for setting a print condition from a user. The controlling device may be configured to store the first type of intermediate data within a memory. The controlling device may be configured to generate print data using the first type of intermediate data within the memory in accordance with the print condition after accepting the setting instruction. The controlling device may be configured to supply the print data to a print performing unit.
US08773698B2
A printing control server includes a storage section which stores a printer identifier and a network identifier so as to be linked, a search response section which acquires the network identifier from a transmission origin of a search request when the search request has been received and transmits information, which is able to determine the printer identifier stored so as to be linked to the acquired network identifier, to the transmission origin of the search request, a printing request reception section which receives a printing request which includes a printing target and is linked to a printer identifier, a printing data preparation section which prepares printing data based on the printing target, and a printing data transmission section which transmits the printing data to the printer which corresponds to the printer identifier which is linked to the printing request.
US08773695B2
In a data communication apparatus which communicates with another data communication apparatus via a network, and a method of controlling the same, an address book in which a plurality of addresses used to send data are registered is published to other data communication apparatus via the network, and in a case that a loopback address is included in the plurality of addresses registered in that address book, the other data communication apparatus is restricted from accessing the address book including the loopback address.
US08773685B2
Techniques are disclosed for decreasing the time required for a photo-printing device (such as a commercial photo-printing kiosk) to print a plurality of digital images. For example, the digital images may be transferred from a print client to a print server and stored in a RAMdisk at the print server prior to printing. Image processing may be performed on at least some of the digital images prior to the initiation of printing. The digital images may be processed in decreasing order of estimated image processing time. Two or more of these techniques may be combined to decrease the total time required to print the digital images by, for example, increasing the speed with which images may be accessed, decreasing the amount of time that passes before printing begins, and enabling all of the digital images to be printed without stopping and restarting the print engine.
US08773681B2
If an MFP has not received setting information from a server at startup, it refers to setting information stored in a nonvolatile storage unit which stores setting information received in the last operation. This enables the MFP to start with some functions available in accordance with the last setting information referred to, while the MFP waits for reception of setting information at startup.
US08773662B2
A highly efficient vacuum ultraviolet circular dichroism spectrometer is provided; the spectrometer suitable for laboratory use or for integration into a beam line at a synchrotron radiation facility. In one embodiment, a spectroscopic circular dichroism instrument is provided; the instrument configured so as to enable circular dichroism data to be simultaneously obtained for multiple wavelengths of light. The instrument may be further configured to operate in at least a portion of the vacuum ultraviolet wavelength region.
US08773660B2
The invention refers to an arrangement and a method for determining a longitudinal position of a stopper for sealing a compartment of a translucent medicament container for a liquid medicament (M). The arrangement comprises a circular light source and a photo sensitive sensor, wherein either the light source or the sensor is laterally arrangeable next to the medicament container extending over at least part of the length of the medicament container, and wherein the respective other of the light source and the sensor is arrangeable in a circular manner around a head of the medicament container. The light source is arranged to emit light into the medicament container. The light is scattered by the medicament or medicament container and detected by the sensor. The sensor is connected to a processor unit for detecting the position of the stopper).
US08773657B2
A method according to an embodiment includes obtaining calibration measurement data, with an optical detection apparatus, from a plurality of marker structure sets provided on a calibration substrate. Each marker structure set includes at least one calibration marker structure created using different known values of the process parameter. The method includes obtaining measurement data, with the optical detection apparatus, from at least one marker structure provided on a substrate and exposed using an unknown value of the process parameter; and determining the unknown value of the process parameter from the obtained measurement data by employing regression coefficients in a model based on the known values of the process parameter and the calibration measurement data.
US08773656B2
Disclosed is an apparatus for characterizing attributes of a moving glass sheet comprising complementary mechanical material handling technologies that progressively stabilize, position, capture, flatten, and release the lower portion of glass sheets traveling past the apparatus while posing minimal constraint on the top section of the sheet. The apparatus includes a pressure-vacuum (PV)-type device comprising distinct regions such that the glass sheets experience a non-contact but gradual increase in constraining force until the point where measurements can be performed, then a gradual decrease in constraining force until the glass sheets are released from the inspection station. This graduated force technique is applied along the direction of travel of the sheets and may also be applied vertically upwards along the height of the sheet to restrict the motion of the sheet without constraining it at pinch points near the conveyor.
US08773649B2
A device for clamping a hose line for determining the concentration of a constituent of blood in a hose line, in particular in the hose line of an extracorporeal blood circuit of an extracorporeal blood treatment apparatus, includes a clamping unit with two receiving elements and an electric motor-driven actuation mechanism. Actuation mechanism is constituted such that, when a clamping force is applied, the first and second receiving element can be moved from a position releasing the hose line into a position clamping the hose line. Moreover, the device comprises an unlocking mechanism which is constituted such that, by actuating an unlocking element, the actuation mechanism in the position clamping the hose line can be decoupled from electromotive drive. Unlocking mechanism makes it possible for the receiving elements to be transferred easily and rapidly by hand from the position clamping the hose line into the position releasing the hose line.
US08773643B2
The apparatus for sensing a distance from an object includes an emitter, a first receiver, and a second receiver. The emitter emits a light along an emitting direction toward the object. The first receiver is disposed on a side of the emitter and has a first light incident surface, wherein the first receiver receives the light reflected from the object to generate a first signal. The second receiver is disposed between the emitter and the first receiver and has a second light incident surface, wherein the second receiver receives the light reflected from the object to generate a second signal. The first receiver has a first signal-to-distance curve with a first peak, the second receiver has a second signal-to-distance curve with a second peak, and a distance corresponding to the first peak is larger than a distance corresponding to the second peak.
US08773642B2
A measuring device for optically measuring a distance to a target object including an emitter device for emitting an optical measuring beam to the target object, a capturing device comprising a detection surface for detecting an optical beam returned by the target object, and an evaluation device. The detection surface has a plurality of pixels, each pixel having at least one light-sensitive element and each of the plurality of pixels is connected to the evaluation device. The emitting device and the capturing device are configured in such a manner that the optical measurement beam returned by the target object simultaneously illuminates a plurality of pixels. The evaluation device is configured in such a manner that detection signals of a plurality of pixels are guided to at least one of the plurality of distance determining devices.
US08773639B2
An illumination system of a microlithographic projection exposure apparatus comprises a pupil surface and an arrangement of individually drivable beam deviating elements. Each beam deviating element is configured to direct light impinging thereon onto different positions on the pupil surface in response to a control signal applied to the beam deviating element. According to the disclosure an attenuation unit is provided which is configured to reduce the intensity of light, which is directed by any arbitrary beam deviating element (onto the pupil surface, by more than 50%. This makes it possible to reduce the intensity of light in the pupil surface that has been reflected by defective beam deviating elements.
US08773635B2
When a wafer on a fine movement stage supported by a coarse movement stage is exposed via a projection optical system with an illumination light at an exposure station, a position of the fine movement stage within an XY plane is measured with good precision by a measurement system. Further, when an alignment to a wafer on a fine movement stage supported by a coarse movement stage is performed at a measurement station, a position of the fine movement stage within an XY plane is measured with good precision by a measurement system.
US08773626B2
A display substrate includes a gate line, a data line and a pixel electrode. The gate line is extended in a first direction on a base substrate. The data line is extended in a second direction crossing to the first direction. The pixel electrode is disposed on a pixel area of the base substrate. The pixel electrode includes a first sub-electrode and a second sub-electrode spaced apart by an opening portion, and receives a voltage having a same polarity. The opening portion includes a straight line portion extended in the first direction, a diagonal line portion extended in a third direction crossing the first and second directions, and a protrusion portion disposed in a length direction of the straight line portion at a portion of the pixel electrode where the straight line portion and the diagonal line portion meet.
US08773624B2
A thin image display apparatus capable of high luminance and high contrast display of a display part, which does not produce display defects resulting from deformation of the image display part. The thin image display apparatus has an image display part and a light-transmitting protective part arranged on the image display part. A cured resin layer is arranged between the image display part and the protective part. The cured resin layer has a transmittance in the visible region of 90% or higher and a storage modulus at 25° C. of 1.0×107 Pa or less. The cured resin layer is formed from a resin composition which has a curing shrinkage ratio of 5.0% or less.
US08773623B2
An IPS-mode transflective LCD device includes an array of pixels each including a reflective region and a transmissive region. A first pixel electrode and a first common electrode are formed in the reflective region, and a second pixel electrode and a second common electrode are formed in the transmissive region. The first and second pixel electrodes receive a common pixel signal. The first common electrode receives a first common signal which is common among the reflective regions of a plurality of pixels, and the second common electrode receives a second common signal which is common among the transmissive regions of the plurality of pixels.
US08773620B2
An optical film in accordance with one embodiment comprises a stack having a plurality of basic pairs each constructed by stacking first and second layers. The number of stacks, the refractive index difference |Δni| in a predetermined direction between the first and second layers, the thicknesses of the first and second layers, and the number of basic pairs are set such that a reflection spectrum formed by the optical film conforms to a target reflection spectrum. The target reflection spectrum is a spectrum having a reflection peak region including a spectrum region having a reflectance of at least 50% within a predetermined wavelength width, in a reflection spectrum of a first polarized light in a wavelength range of 400 to 700 nm, while exhibiting a reflectance of 20% or less in a reflection spectrum of a second polarized light within the wavelength range.
US08773616B2
An illuminating lens (1) includes a light entrance surface (11), a light exit surface (12), and a bottom surface (13). The light entrance surface (11) has a first light entrance surface (111) and a second light entrance surface (112). The first light entrance surface (111) is a curved surface convex toward the light exit surface (12) and perpendicularly intersecting an optical axis A, and the second light entrance surface (112) extends outwardly from an edge of the first light entrance surface (111) and is connected obliquely to an inner edge of the bottom surface (13). In a cross section in a light spreading direction, θ1 has a negative value at the first light entrance surface (111) and a positive value at the second light entrance surface (112), where θ1 is a refraction angle at which virtual light reaching the light entrance surface (11) directly from a starting point Q on the optical axis A corresponding to a position of a light source (20) passes through the light entrance surface (11), and θ1 is defined as negative when θ1 is on the side of the optical axis A with respect to a normal N to the light entrance surface (11) and as positive when θ1 is on the opposite side.
US08773614B2
A two-way liquid crystal display device includes first and second liquid crystal panels; a backlight unit disposed between the first and second liquid crystal panels and including an LED assembly and a light guide plate, wherein the LED assembly is disposed at a side surface of the light guide plate and the light guide plate includes predetermined patterns at first and second surfaces thereof facing the first and second liquid crystal panels, respectively; and a support main including a first part guiding the first liquid crystal panel and a second part guiding the second liquid crystal panel and the back light unit, wherein light emitted from the LED assembly is guided by the light guide plate and is provided to the first and second liquid crystal panels.
US08773600B2
A liquid crystal lens is provided and includes a first electrode, a second electrode disposed opposite to the first electrode, and a liquid crystal layer, including liquid crystal molecules having refractive anisotropy, disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode, the liquid crystal molecules being changed in alignment depending on voltage applied by the first electrode and the second electrode, thereby to form such a phase difference distribution that phase difference with respect to an incident beam of a fundamental wavelength varies from 0 to 2πβ along the predetermined direction, β being an integer of 2 or more, and to yield such a lens effect that focal lengths for a plurality of incident beams of different wavelengths including the fundamental wavelength are equal to one another.
US08773589B2
Audio and or video data is structurally and persistently associated with auxiliary sensor data (e.g., relating to acceleration, orientation or tilt) through use of a unitary data object, such as a modified MPEG file or data stream. In this form, different rendering devices can employ co-conveyed sensor data to alter the audio or video content. Such use of the sensor data may be personalized to different users, e.g., through preference data. For example, accelerometer data can be associated with video data, allowing some users to view a shake-stabilized version of a video, and other users to view the video with such motion artifacts undisturbed. In like fashion, camera parameters, such as focal plane distance, can be co-conveyed with audio/video content—allowing the volume to be diminished (or not, again depending on user preference) when a camera captures audio/video from a distant subject. Some arrangements employ multiple image sensors and/or multiple audio sensors—each also collecting auxiliary data. A great number of other features and arrangements are also detailed.
US08773583B2
Disclosed herein is a semiconductor device including: a first semiconductor chip having an electronic circuit section and a first connecting section formed on one surface thereof; a second semiconductor chip having a second connecting section formed on one surface thereof, the second semiconductor chip being mounted on the first semiconductor chip with the first and the second connecting sections connected to each other by a bump; a dam formed to fill a gap between the first and the second semiconductor chips on a part of an outer edge of the second semiconductor chip, the part of the outer edge being on a side of a region of formation of the electronic circuit section; and an underfill resin layer filled into the gap, protrusion of the resin layer from the outer edge of the second semiconductor chip to a side of the electronic circuit section being prevented by the dam.
US08773575B2
A digital camera includes an image sensor, a display device which displays a live-view display of an object image, an autofocus adjuster which detects a focal state and brings a specified object image into an in-focus state by moving a focal-adjusting lens group of a photographing lens, a focus lock-on device which prohibits the focal-adjusting lens group from moving and enters a focus locked-on state when the autofocus adjuster brings the specified object image into an in-focus state, a focus lock-on detector, and a distinguishing-display controller. When the focus lock-on detector detects a focus locked-on state, the distinguishing-display controller performs image processing on part or the entirety of the specified object image, and a peaking display of the specified object image is displayed on the display device.
US08773561B2
A solid-state image pickup apparatus includes a photoelectric converter, a wiring portion, a micro lens, and an adjustment film. The photoelectric converter is formed on a light incident side in a substrate. The wiring portion is formed on a side of the substrate that is opposite to the light incident side. The micro lens is formed on a light incident side of the photoelectric converter. The adjustment film adjusts variation of a light reception sensitivity in the photoelectric converter with respect to a wavelength of light that enters the photoelectric converter through the micro lens, and the adjustment film is formed between the photoelectric converter and the micro lens.
US08773560B2
A signal for focus detection is generated by a first operation, in which a signal of at least one photoelectric conversion element included in a photoelectric conversion unit is read to an input node of an amplification unit and the signal is supplied to a common output line by the amplification unit and signals for forming an image are generated by a second operation, in which a signal of another photoelectric conversion element included in the same photoelectric conversion unit as that including the at least one photoelectric conversion element from which the signal has been read in the first operation is read to the input node of the amplification unit while holding the signal read in the first operation using the amplification unit and the signals are supplied to the common output line by the amplification unit.
US08773555B2
A method and apparatus are provided for video bit stream extension by video information annotation. In one embodiment, the invention may include gathering video data from a video source, gathering non-visual video information associated with the video data, maintaining a current state of the video information in storage, and annotating the video data with the current state of the video information.
US08773552B2
According to one embodiment, a pixel outputs a photoelectrically converted signal. A reference ramp generating circuit generates a first ramp wave and a second ramp wave having a step width smaller than that of the first ramp wave. A column ADC circuit performs switching between the first ramp wave and the second ramp wave on the basis of the signal level of the signal from the pixel, compares the ramp wave with the signal level, and detects a signal component of the pixel by CDS.
US08773547B2
The present invention provides an imaging apparatus capable of facilitating a user's check of a focus adjustment state at the time of multiple exposure shooting, and also allowing a user to easily check in what kind of composition an image to be shot now will be combined with an already captured image immediately before shooting. The imaging apparatus includes a display control unit configured to perform control to display a through-the-lens image captured by an imaging unit on a display unit while sequentially updating the through-the-lens image during a focus adjustment, and display a multiple image combination result image generated by combining the through-the-lens image captured by the imaging unit and at least one already captured image on the display unit while sequentially updating the multiple image combination result image after completion of the focus adjustment.
US08773546B2
Photographing control method and apparatus for capturing image data at a moment in time when booting
Provided are a photographing control method and apparatus for capturing image data at a moment in time when booting. According to the photographing control method, booting and photographing are simultaneously performed by combining use of a power supply button and a certain key button or by pressing a certain key button for a predetermined time without pressing a power supply button.
US08773536B1
The present invention features a qualitative method to detect independent motion revealed in successive frames of a compressed surveillance MPEG video stream using linear system consistency analysis without decompression of the stream, identifying the segments containing independent motion in a real-time or faster manner, for the retrieval of these segments. The linear system is constructed using the macroblocks of MPEG compressed video frames. The normal flow value of the macroblock is obtained by taking the dot product between the macroblock gradient vector, computed by averaging the four block gradient vectors, and the motion vector of this macroblock. The normal flow value is filtered for inclusion in the linear system, and the statistic of the matrices of the resulting linear system is determined, filtered to screen out false negatives and outliers, and used to determine the presence or absence of independent motion.
US08773530B2
A method of pick-and-place alignment comprises (a) determining a pick location of a device from a tray of devices; (b) determining place location of the device using an up-looking camera; and (c) determining offset error for the device by comparing the pick location and the place location. The method may further comprise repeating steps (a)-(c) for additional devices on the tray of devices; and generating an offset map for alignment of devices on the tray. The method further uses the offset map to make pick and place corrections during runtime.
US08773529B2
A projector (1) for imaging an original image on a projection area (5) includes projection optics (2) having an adjustable image width (L) for imaging the original image on the projection area (5). A camera device (6) is used for imaging the projection area (5) and generating a projection area image. A comparison device (12) compares the original image with the projection area image and adjusts the image width (L) of the projection optics (2) as a function of the comparison such that the comparison device (12) is configured to determine the position of the original image in the projection area image. The position of the original image in the projection area image is then used as a measure for determining the image width of the projection optics (2).
US08773528B2
The invention relates to an inspection device (1) for checking bottles (2) or similar containers, comprising at least one first camera (9, 11, 12, 13), which checks a defined region of the bottle (2) or similar container. The at least one camera (9, 11, 12, 13) is arranged on an optic channel (6), on which at least one second camera (9, 11, 12, 13) is arranged, which checks the same defined region as at least the first camera (9,11,12,13). A third and fourth camera (9, 11, 12, 13) is arranged on the optical channel (6), which together check a further, defined region.
US08773527B2
A system and method for capturing debug information are disclosed. In one aspect, a method comprises connecting a portable test device having a memory and no processor to a television, the test device having stored therein a debug program configured to be executed by a control unit of the television to capture debug information from the television and store the captured debug information on the test device.
US08773516B2
A CT processing unit as an example of a video signal processing apparatus includes: a CT canceling unit which calculates, for each of a first color component and a second color component of each of pixels, a crosstalk component that is produced by a first image and subtracts the crosstalk component from the corresponding one of the signal levels of the pixels of a second image, to generate a modified second image represented as a combination of a signal level of a modified first color component and a signal level of a modified second color component; and a saturation modifying unit which updates the negative signal level of the modified first color component to a value of 0 or larger from among a modified first color component and a modified second color component, and modifies the signal level of the modified second color component according to this update.
US08773514B2
A camera has a lens and aperture device for determining 3D information. A projector projects an optical pattern toward a surface. The camera has at least two off-axis apertures thereon, arranged to obtain an image of the projected pattern including defocused information. The camera is movable between different positions to image the surface from said different positions, and the projector is at a specified angle of at least 5° relative to said camera. A processor carries out a first operation using information received through the apertures to determine a pose of said camera, and to determine three dimensional information about the object based on a degree of deformation of said optical pattern on said surface indicative of a three dimensional surface. An embodiment projects a grid of laser dots and uses laser-dot defocusing for approximate Z and thus grid correspondence, which can greatly increase the working depth of the system.
US08773507B2
A lens and aperture device for determining 3D information. An SLR camera has a lens and aperture that allows the SLR camera to determine defocused information.
US08773505B2
A broadcast receiver and a 3D video data processing method thereof are disclosed herein, a 3D video data processing method of a broadcast receiver according to an embodiment of the present invention includes receiving, by a receiving unit, a broadcast signal including 3D video data and 3D complementary video information, wherein the 3D video data include half-resolution base video data and complementary video data for configuring a full-resolution image; parsing, by 3D video information processing unit, a 3D complementary video information; decoding, by a base video decoder, the half-resolution base video data; decoding, by a complementary video decoder, the complementary video data for configuring a full-resolution image; and combining and formatting, by an output formatter, the base video data and the complementary video data using the 3D complementary video information, thereby outputting a full-resolution 3D image.
US08773503B2
An indexing mechanism may include a drive table, an indexing table, a control ring between the tables, and a cam follower. The cam includes lobes on an inner surface. A drive arm of the cam follower is coupled to the drive table and an end of an indexing arm of the cam follower rides over the lobes during use. A spring may be coupled between the drive table and the indexing table. As the drive table rotates continuously, the components serve to move the indexing table in a non-continuous movement, by which it stops for a period and then moves to the next stop, etc. A camera may take a still image at each stop position, and the images may be stitched together (e.g., through use of an onboard computer) to produce a panoramic image. A power supply may also be provided, so that the entire system may be self-contained.
US08773486B2
An image forming apparatus includes a main-body housing, a cover rotatably attached to the main-body housing, a latent image bearing member provided in the housing, an optical writing head to write a latent image on the latent image bearing member, a head retainer rotatably attached to the cover to hold the optical writing head, a biasing member to bias the head retainer in a rotation direction thereof, and a guide member. The guide member provided to the main-body housing is pressed by the optical writing head biased by the biasing member while guiding the optical writing head in a first direction and a second direction in association with movement of the cover. The first direction is a direction in which the optical writing head approaches the latent image bearing member, and the second direction is a direction in which the optical writing head separates from the latent image bearing member.
US08773483B2
A method for printing on both sides of a roll sheet including superimposing and pressing a thermal transfer sheet and the roll sheet between a platen roller and a thermal head so that the bottom surface of the thermal transfer sheet touches the top surface of the roll sheet and the bottom surface of the roll sheet touches the platen roller, and printing an image on the top surface of the roll sheet while conveying the sheets; and superimposing and pressing a thermal transfer sheet and the roll sheet between a platen roller and a thermal head so that the top surface of the thermal transfer sheet touches the bottom surface of the roll sheet and the top surface of the roll sheet touches the platen roller, and printing an image on the bottom surface of the roll sheet while conveying the sheets.
US08773474B2
A program causes a computer or similar apparatus to execute processing to match image data with log data on the basis of date and time information, wherein the image data contains appended date and time information indicating the time of image acquisition, and the log data contains date and time information associated with position information. As a result, position information is associated with image data. Display processing is subsequently executed to display, on a map image, acquisition location presentation images that indicate the acquisition locations of the image data according to the respective position information associated thereto. In accordance with correction input in the form of a time value, correction processing is then executed to correct associated position information for all image data specified for processing and additionally update the map image to reflect such corrections. The association results are then applied and saved in accordance with save command input.
US08773473B2
User input interpretation mechanisms can pass along user input without delay by initially treating it as freeform movement and passing it along unmodified, rather than waiting to receive a sufficient quantity of user input from which to derive a user's intentions. User input within a defined range from an initial point is freeform movement, passed along unmodified, while user input beyond that range can be confined to a groove if it evidences an intention to move in a precisely linear manner. Grooves can be established to aid in precise vertical movement, with no horizontal deviations, precise horizontal movement, with no vertical deviations, or any other orientation. Before being passed along, user input in groove regions can be modified to center the input within the groove region and eliminate human inaccuracies, such as slight deviations to either side. User input can escape groove regions by moving orthogonally to them.
US08773470B2
Systems, methods, and devices for displaying visual information on an electronic display are provided. For example, rather than requiring a user to manually pan and zoom across visual information displayed on an electronic display, an electronic device may automatically display certain details of the visual information that are of interest to the user. One such method may include defining objects in visual information and detecting certain specific touch input gestures entered on the electronic display while the electronic display is displaying the visual information. When the touch input gestures are detected, the electronic device may automatically display a sequence of the objects of the visual information on the electronic display.
US08773460B2
An information processing apparatus includes a first selection unit configured to select a first object from a plurality of objects displayed on an operation screen, a second selection unit configured to select a second object which is an object different from the first object and is used as a reference when the drawing order of the first object is changed, a drawing order determination unit configured to determine whether the first object is drawn in front of the second object when the first and second objects are drawn according to the drawing order of the plurality of objects, and a drawing order changing unit configured to change the drawing order of the plurality of objects so that the first object is drawn behind the second object if the drawing order determination unit determines that the first object is drawn in front of the second object.
US08773457B2
A display pipe may include a video pipe outputting pixels of a video stream in a first color space, e.g. YCbCr color space. The display pipe may also include a first color space converter to convert the output pixels to a second color space, e.g. to RGB color space, producing a conversion output in which some of the converted output pixels have values that are invalid pixel values in the second color space. The display pipe may also include a blend unit that performs blending operations in the second color space on the converted output pixels to produce a blended conversion output that includes blended pixels in the second color space. A second color space converter in the display pipe may convert the blended pixels from the second color space to the first color space, and correctly display the converted blended pixels on a display screen.
US08773454B1
A processor-implemented method and mobile device for tagging media with personalized information is disclosed. An input component of the mobile device receives selection for one or more first media and passes the selection to the processor. The input component receives a request to tag the selected first media with personalized information, where the personalized information includes second media, which may include images or textual information. The second media corresponding to the personalized information is displayed and an input selection is received. The processor in the mobile device processes copies of the selected first media and of the selected second media using a blending computer code, thereby creating a blended media. The copy of the selected first media is a background feature and the copy of the selected second media is a foreground feature. The blended media is stored and displayed on the mobile device.
US08773452B2
A later generation display device may be connected to the video output port of an older electronic device which utilized an earlier generation display such as a dot matrix display. The early generation display is replaced with the later generation display. The display device includes software which receives graphic data through the video output port and identifies which frame is currently being streamed. The display device matches the frame being streamed to a stored graphic frame having a higher resolution and/or color. The matched frame is delivered to the later generation device so that the user can experience a higher quality visual effect by retrofitting the older electronic device with the later generation display.
US08773451B2
Method and apparatus for adjusting the display characteristics of an electronic display, such as a computer or television display. The display is color corrected, e.g., at the factory, to measure its white point correction, gamma and gray tracking correction, and the gain correction over time as the display warms up. Moreover the white point correction and the gamma correction are performed on a per unit basis for each individual display to be manufactured. The resulting correction parameters are stored in memory or firmware associated with the display. Thereby when the display is in use, it performs compensation for white point, gray tracking and gain correction as the display warms up, each time it is powered up or when its thermal operation conditions change.
US08773435B2
3D scenes may be rendered a resolution lower than a resolution associated with the resultant image. A graphics application or 3D editor may render the 3D artwork at a lower resolution while the user modifies or manipulates the 3D model from which the artwork is derived. In some embodiments, an image may include multiple image layers, each representing a portion of the overall finished image. Graphics programs generally associate a target resolution with an image. Rendering 3D artwork at high resolutions may take extra time and result in poor performance. Thus, in some embodiments, a graphics program may be configured to render 3D artwork at a lower resolution than the resultant image's target or associated resolution while a user is modifying the 3D model. Subsequently, after the user has completed manipulating the 3D model, the graphics program may render the 3D model again at the image's associated resolution.
US08773433B1
Component-based rendering and lightning models process scene data to generate rendered images. Components include input and output parameters, data, and/or instructions for evaluation. The component parameters are dynamically typed, so that each component can output data of any arbitrary type and/or quantity to receiving components. The components can also receive data of any type and/or quantity without any advance knowledge of the existence or functionality of the sending component or its output's data type. The components are dynamically bound, so that the dataflow between components is expressed without recompiling components or scene data. Components can be classified into categories, typically representing a discrete functions, operations, or related properties. Components can represent any function or operation associated with rendering, including materials, light sources; colorer components; region definition components; occlusion components; property alteration components; illumination components; reflection and refraction components; broadcasting components; compositing components; post-illumination components; and general utility or modification components.
US08773420B2
A method may include controlling a display device in at least first mode by varying a correlation between display driver signals applied across display segments within the display device; wherein the display driver signals vary between substantially only two levels, and a display segment is activated when an average voltage magnitude across the segment over a time period exceeds a threshold value.
US08773407B2
A driver for pixels of a display, having pixels arranged into a plurality of pixel blocks including at least two pixels in a row and at least two pixels in a column is presented. The driver includes a first converter, a second converter, and a frame memory. The first converter receives input image signals for a pixel block of the plurality of pixel blocks and generates compressed image signals by compressing the input image signals based on compression reference image signals. The frame memory stores the compressed image signals. The second converter reads the compressed image signals from the frame memory, and restores the compressed image signals based on compression reference image signals to generate restoration image signals. A compression reference image signal for a first pixel of the pixel block is the restoration image signal for a second pixel of a neighboring pixel block. Compression reference image signals for the remaining pixels in the pixel block are restoration image signals for different pixels in the pixel block.
US08773396B1
A system comprises a processing device and a capacitive sense array that includes a plurality of electrodes is disclosed. When a touchdown of a touch object is detected, the change in a touch area (e.g., an area where the touch object is in contact with the touch panel) caused by the touchdown may not be reported as a movement of the touch object. When a liftoff of the touch object is detected, the change in the touch area caused by the liftoff may not be reported as a movement of the touch object.
US08773392B2
A touch-responsive capacitive apparatus includes a transparent substrate having electrically connected first pad micro-wires and electrically connected first interstitial micro-wires formed in a first micro-wire layer. The first pad micro-wires are electrically connected to the first interstitial wires. Electrically connected second pad micro-wires and electrically connected second interstitial micro-wires are formed in a second micro-wire layer. The second pad micro-wires are electrically connected to the second interstitial wires. The first or second micro-wire layers are supported by the transparent substrate and pairs of first and second pad areas define corresponding touch-responsive capacitors. A first interstitial micro-pattern is dissimilar from a first pad micro-pattern or a second interstitial micro-pattern is dissimilar from a second pad micro-pattern.
US08773375B2
There is provided a portable optical touch system including a first image sensing module, a second image sensing module, a connecting device, a communication interface and a processing circuit. The two image sensing modules have partially overlapped field of views and the partially overlapped field of views is for defining a touch region. The connecting device is configured to adjust or fix a distance between the first and second image sensing modules. When an object is in the touch region, the processing circuit calculates a position of the object according to images of the object acquired by the two image sensing modules and outputs information of the position of the object through the communication interface.
US08773371B2
A flat panel display integrated with a touch screen panel. The connecting patterns, which connect adjacent first sensing cells and adjacent second sensing cells are formed on the same level of the lower surface of the upper substrate of the flat panel display of the same material as metal patterns formed around the edge of the touch screen panel, and by arranging the connecting patterns not to cross each other. The flat panel display panel can also be integrated with a touch screen having improved visibility by forming the touch screen panel on the upper substrate of the flat panel display such that connecting patterns are formed in the regions between the pixels.
US08773367B2
A multi-point touch screen suitable for a mobile apparatus is disclosed, which can output accurate touch images of a touch region by scanning, line by line, the touch region via an induction region positioned below the touch region. A method for detecting the occurrence of touch is characterized in that variations of rays are detected to determine the occurrence of touch, such variations are caused by the fact that media propagated by the rays response to variation of an electric field, and the variation of the electric field results from approaching of a conductor or an electrified body.
US08773366B2
A touch sensitive apparatus having a plurality of drive electrodes and a plurality of receive electrodes, the drive electrodes and receive electrodes capacitively coupled to each other. A touch measurement circuit configured to identify touch events on the touch sensitive device by comparing a first time period to a second time period. The first time period can be, for example, representative of a length of time a periodic receive signal carried by a receive electrode is above or below a threshold voltage level.
US08773365B2
Disclosed is a display apparatus including: a display unit; a power supply unit which supplies power to at least one external device; and a controller which displays on the display unit an at least one indicating image indicating an at least one power supply area of the display unit supplying power to the at least one external device, and controls the power supply unit to supply power to the at least one external device placed on the at least one power supply area in a wireless manner.
US08773364B2
The invention relates to a method for operating a lighting control console for controlling a lighting system. The console provides a digital processor and memory for generating, managing and storing the adjusting commands. The console also includes a display device and a color palette, including all selectable colors consecutively displayed as color gradients, for selecting a color to be graphically represented at the display device for the user. The display device has a touch-sensitive sensor surface, such that when touching the same within the region of a contact surface, the user can select the digital color parameters of a color from the displayed color palette. The console facilitates the selection of a digital color image and allows the user to select pixels of the color image by touching the touch-sensitive sensor surface. The console further processes color parameter combinations of the pixels selected by the user.
US08773361B2
Provided are a touch-screen based device identification and information provision method and apparatus, and computer-readable recording mediums having recorded thereon programs for executing the touch-screen based device identification method and the information provision method. The device identification method for a touch screen device includes propagating a signal induced by touching a touch screen surface to an external device via the person, receiving information about the signal detected by the external device and an identification (ID) of the external device through a communication channel, and identifying the external device by using the received information about the detected signal and the received ID of the external device. Thus, the touch screen device and the external device can be connected to each other in real time by a simple and physical touch.
US08773358B2
An improved handheld electronic device and associated method provide an advanced editing feature and an improved learning feature that are provided in a disambiguation environment. The advanced editing feature advantageously enables a new word that has been incorrectly disambiguated by a disambiguation routine to be readily corrected by the user without requiring the incorrectly disambiguated word to be deleted and retyped. Rather, the advanced editing feature enables the incorrectly disambiguated characters to be replaced with opposite characters on the same keys, and such changes can be accomplished merely through the use of inputs to a track ball. The newly edited word can then be learned by a learning database. The improved learning function advantageously favors words that are learned using the advanced editing feature over words that have been learned in other fashions.
US08773346B2
A driving device of a liquid crystal display (LCD) utilized for preventing noises of a clock signal from causing error operation of a shift register is disclosed. The driving device includes a shift register, a reception terminal, a noise elimination circuit and a control signal generation circuit. The reception terminal is utilized for receiving a first clock signal. The noise elimination circuit is coupled to the reception terminal, and is utilized for eliminating noises of the first clock signal and delaying the first clock signal for a preset time to generate a second clock signal. The control signal generation circuit is coupled to the reception terminal, the noise elimination circuit and the shift register, and is utilized for generating a first control signal and a second control signal to control the shift register.
US08773332B2
A method for driving pixels of an active matrix organic light-emitting diode display is disclosed. The method includes charging a first terminal and a second terminal of a first capacitor with a reference voltage and a reset voltage respectively, and turning on a third switch simultaneously, floating the second terminal of the first capacitor, charging the first terminal of the first capacitor according to a data voltage, floating the first terminal of the first capacitor and turning on the third switch. Thus, determine a driving current independent of process variances of the N-type thin film transistor and a voltage drop of an OLED according to a difference voltage across the first capacitor.
US08773330B2
A method and apparatus for performing a mission. Information for a mission is received at a control station. The control station comprises a display system, a motion capture system, a number of user input devices, a seat associated with the number of user input devices, and a processor unit. The display system is configured to be worn on the head of an operator and to present a display to the operator. The motion capture system is configured to track movement of the head. The processor unit is configured to execute program code to generate the display and adjust the display presented to the operator in response to detecting movement of the head of the operator. The mission is performed using the information and the control station.
US08773329B2
A head-up display device placed on an upper surface of a dashboard, includes: an object of view arranged in an inside space of the dashboard; an imaging optical system of real specular image for defining a space where a viewer exists and the inside space of the dashboard, the imaging optical system of real specular image including a semitransparent substrate with a plane of symmetry, the imaging optical system of real specular image forming a real image of the object of view in the space of the viewer with light passing through the substrate; and a reflective screen arranged in the space of the viewer, the reflective screen reflecting light beams of the real image of the object of view supplied from the imaging optical system of real specular image to guide the reflected light beams to the viewer, while allowing formation of an image to be seen by the viewer.
US08773327B2
A display apparatus and a control method thereof are provided. The display apparatus displays first image data, received from a computer through a first interface, and second image data, received from the computer through a second interface, together. Accordingly, a single monitor can display image data from two or more interfaces together when the monitor receives image data from a single computer through the two or more interfaces.
US08773314B2
There is provided an antenna pattern frame, including: a radiator that includes an antenna pattern part transmitting and receiving signals and a connection terminal part transmitting and receiving the signals to and from a circuit substrate of an electronic device; and a radiator frame that embeds the antenna pattern part in a case of the electronic device and supports the radiator, the radiator being manufactured by injection molding, wherein the radiator frame forms a guide boss inserted into a manufacturing mould for injection-molding the case of the electronic device in which the radiator is embedded.
US08773301B1
A method of determining an angle within the beam to a target using an airborne radar includes receiving first data associated with first returns associated with a first portion of an antenna. The method further includes receiving second data associated with second returns associated with a second portion of an antenna, wherein the first portion is not identical to the second portion. The method further includes determining the angle within the beam to the target using the first and second data.
US08773283B2
A road traffic control system is applied to an intersection to control traffic and includes a light support, three traffic lights, a bracket, a number of indicators and a light controller. The light support is installed at one side of one lane at the intersection; the traffic lights are fixed on the light support and above the lane. The bracket is installed at one side of another lane at the intersection, and a number of stop lines are formed on the lane. The indicators are fixed on the bracket and above the stop lines to control traffic. The light controller controls to synchronously turn on or off the plurality of indicators and the traffic lights, and the indicators emit the same color light as the traffic lights.
US08773275B1
A method for displaying point-of-interest (“POI”)-related content on an electronic map, comprising: providing a first and a second electronic devices, wherein each of the electronic devices includes an application that is coupled to a digital service on the internet; logically pairing the first and second devices by the digital service; receiving a set of unique identification and GPS coordinates from the two electronic devices; computing physical distance between the electronic devices; and, in response to determining the physical distance exceeds an allowed threshold, transmitting an alarm to the electronic devices.
US08773268B2
A system and method is provided for monitoring hygiene compliance.
US08773266B2
A system and method is provided for image surveillance of areas of interest for items having radio frequency identification (RFID) tags. These areas of interest are often times unmonitored due to privacy concerns. The present invention discloses an image surveillance system and method, that upon indication of an RFID tag coming within proximity of a portal system having an RFID reader, records one or more images of the area of interest, so as to capture a subject associated with the RFID tagged item moving into or through the area of interest. Such applications for embodiments of the present invention are directed to monitor items of interest in retail stores, restaurants, shipping and receiving locations, and other public areas.
US08773251B2
Methods and systems are described for managing operation of an automotive vehicle. Vehicle information, about an automotive vehicle, is received. The automotive vehicle has a current operational configuration for constraining an operation of the automotive vehicle. Device information, about a portable electronic device, is received. A detection is made, based on the vehicle information and the device information, that an operator of the automotive vehicle is a device user of the portable electronic device. In response to the detection, change information is sent to change the current operational configuration to alter a constraint on the operation of the automotive vehicle.
US08773250B2
A graphic display apparatus within an automotive vehicle wherein the display apparatus includes at least two display units operable to display graphics and/or video, a wire connector connecting the at least two display units together, and a control system connected to the wire connector wherein the control system is operable to play video or graphics on the at least two display units. The display units are in communication with one another providing for a coordinated or synchronized display of graphics. If, by way of example, a firework explodes on the main display screen, the remnants of that single firework will be exploded onto the secondary display screens. Further, by way of example, scrolling text may scroll from one display screen to the other giving the synchronized impression to the user that the multiple display screens are similar to one large screen.
US08773248B2
A vehicle control device mounted on a vehicle has a search signal transmission unit that transmits a search signal for searching a position of a portable device, which remotely operates the control device, a determination unit that determines a bright and dark state of outside of the vehicle, and a storage unit that stores a determination result of the determination unit. When searching for the portable device, a first search signal for causing the portable device to perform an informing operation of visually informing the position of the portable device is transmitted from the search signal transmission unit if the determination result in which the outside of the vehicle is determined as the dark state by the determination unit is stored in the storage unit, and a second search signal for not causing the portable device to perform the informing operation of visually informing the position of the portable device is transmitted from the search signal transmission unit if the determination result in which the outside of the vehicle is determined as the bright state by the determination unit is stored in the storage unit.
US08773240B2
The invention relates to a method for detecting an identification object in an area (ZO) around an antenna device. The invention is characterized in that it comprises the following steps in which: a calibration signal (S_CAL) is emitted in the direction of the antenna device in order to determine a control power (PR); a functional signal (S_FONC) corresponding to the control power (PR) is emitted in the direction of the antenna device, such that the antenna device emits a predetermined magnetic field; the magnetic field (Br) received by the identification object, corresponding to the emitted magnetic field, is measured and compared with a nominal magnetic field (B0); and, depending on the result of said comparison, it is determined if the identification object is located inside the area (ZO) around the antenna device. The invention is suitable for motor vehicles.
US08773236B2
Systems and methods for local management units in a photovoltaic energy system. In one embodiment, a method implemented in a computer system includes: attempting to communicate on a first active channel with a master management unit from a local management unit that controls a solar module; if communication with the master management unit on the first active channel has not been established, attempting to communicate on a second active channel with the master management unit.
US08773235B2
An electrical switch and a circuit breaker are presented herein. The electrical switch includes a graded resistance block comprising a first end having a first electrical resistivity and a second end having an electrical resistivity greater than the first electrical resistivity. The electrical switch further includes a fixed contact electrically coupled to the first end of the graded resistance block, and a sliding contact configured to slide over the graded resistance block. In addition to the components of the electrical switch, the circuit breaker also includes a forcing mechanism to slide the sliding contact over the graded resistance block from the first end to the second end.
US08773233B2
Multiple-inductor embodiments for use in substrates are provided herein.
US08773232B2
In a high frequency transformer, when a current flows between input-output ports, a magnetic flux produced by first and third coil conductor patterns of a primary coil is interlinked with a second coil conductor pattern of a secondary coil. A magnetic flux produced by the second coil conductor pattern of the primary coil is interlinked with the first and third coil conductor patterns of the secondary coil. The coil conductor patterns are wound so that when a current flows through a transformer, the directions of magnetic fields occurring within the first and third coil conductor patterns of the primary coil and the second coil conductor pattern of the secondary coil are the same and the directions of magnetic fields occurring within the first and third coil conductor patterns of the secondary coil and the second coil conductor pattern of the primary coil are the same.
US08773230B2
The magnetized structure that induces in a central area of interest a homogeneous magnetic field oriented along a longitudinal axis (z) of the structure comprises first and second magnetized rings (111, 121) disposed symmetrically relative to a plane (P) that is perpendicular to said longitudinal axis (z) and that contains said central area of interest, and one median annular magnetized structure (330) disposed between the first and second magnetized rings (111, 121) and also disposed symmetrically relative to the plane (P) of symmetry. The first magnetized ring (111) is magnetized radially relative to the longitudinal axis (z) with divergent magnetization, the second magnetized ring (121) is magnetized radially relative to the longitudinal axis (z) with convergent magnetization, and the median annular magnetized structure (330) is magnetized along the longitudinal axis (z). The median annular magnetized structure (330) is divided into at least two slices (331A, 331B, 332A, 332B) along the longitudinal axis (z) and the first and second magnetized rings (111, 121) and the various slices (331A, 331B, 332A, 332B) of the median magnetized structure (130) are each divided into identical components in the form of regularly distributed sectors.
US08773223B2
A switch is replaced with a parallel resonant circuit 4. More specifically, a variable resonator includes a line part 1 that includes one or more lines and has an annular shape, at least two parallel resonant circuits 4 capable of changing a characteristic, and at least three variable reactance blocks 2 capable of changing a reactance value, in which the parallel resonant circuits 4 are electrically connected to the line part 1 at one end thereof at different positions on the line part 1, and the variable reactance blocks 2 are electrically connected to the line part 1 at predetermined intervals based on an electrical length at a resonance frequency.
US08773188B2
A clock-switching circuit having at least two inputs for receiving at least two different clock sources, an output for providing a selected one of the clock sources, and a switch for selecting the one of the inputs to provide on the output, the switch including elements that, prevent the providing of a truncated version of any of the clock sources on the output, always provide a clock signal on the output, and always maintain phase alignment and pulse ratio of the clock sources on the output.
US08773181B2
The present invention provides a locked loop circuit in which the input clock signal is delayed according to a saw-tooth signal in order to output a range of frequencies not necessarily equal to an integer multiple of the input clock signal. The absolute value of the delay (i.e. the difference between the maximum and minimum values of the saw-tooth delay) can be calibrated by detecting the value of the circuit phase detector at the wrap point of the saw-tooth.
US08773177B2
A drive circuit is provided with a charge pump including a capacitor. The capacitor of the charge pump is configured to be charged in the first stage and to be connected with the gate terminal of the switching device in the second stage. The charge pump is configured to be able to adjust a charging voltage charged in the capacitor according to an order signal.
US08773175B2
A signal transmission circuit includes a pre-driver and a driver. The pre-driver is configured to generate a first drive signal in response to a first delay signal and a first selection signal and to generate a second drive signal in response to a second delay signal, a second selection signal, and a pulse signal. The driver is configured to drive a transmission signal in response to the first and second drive signals. The first delay signal is enabled at a second time which is later than a first time when an input signal is received, the second delay signal is enabled at a third time which is later than the second time, and the pulse signal is enabled at a fourth time which is delayed by a predetermined delay period from the first time.
US08773172B2
A driver circuit includes a driver output stage and an operational amplifier. The driver output stage has a high-level voltage input and a low-level voltage input, and is operable to generate an output voltage responsive to a gate voltage applied to the driver output stage. The operational amplifier is operable to regulate the gate voltage applied to the driver output stage so that the output voltage corresponds to a control signal input to the operational amplifier. A first supply voltage connected to the high-level voltage input of the driver output stage is higher than a maximum value of the control signal, and a second supply voltage connected to the low-level voltage input of the driver output stage is lower than a minimum value of the control signal.
US08773168B2
A maximum voltage selection circuit and method and a sub-selection circuit are provided. The maximum voltage selection circuit includes a peripheral signal circuit and a selection circuit with N channels of input voltages. The peripheral signal circuit provides an operating mode signal and a reference voltage to the selection circuit including N sub-selection circuits coupled to the N channels of input voltages respectively. A sub-selection circuit determines its operating mode according to the operating mode signal. In the operating mode, when an input voltage of a sub-selection circuit is larger than the reference voltage, the sub-selection circuit sets itself to the output enable state and sets other sub-selection circuits to the output disable state, and outputs its input voltage as a maximum voltage through a PMOS.
US08773161B2
An impedance calibration circuit for impedance matching between a semiconductor memory device and an external device includes a driving circuit and a comparing circuit. The driving circuit has a plurality of internal resistances, with one or more of the internal resistances being a variable resistance. The driving circuit compares the impedance of the internal resistances to the input/output impedance of the external device in order to provide a calibration voltage. The comparing circuit compares the calibration voltage to a reference voltage and provides a code signal for calibrating the impedance corresponding to output data with the input/output impedance of the external device. The impedance calibration circuit calibrates an impedance mismatch between the impedance calibration circuit and a data input/output driver by adjusting the impedance of the impedance calibration circuit through the variable resistance.
US08773158B2
An inspection system is provided, which applies a forward or reverse voltage on a light-emitting device and measures a current thereof respectively before and after temperature rise, and determines whether the device fails according to the fact whether a current difference before and after the temperature rise is larger than a failure current determination value. Alternatively, the inspection system adopts a current applying device to apply a forward and reverse current on a light-emitting device and measures a voltage difference thereof respectively before and after temperature rise, and determines whether the device fails according to the fact whether a difference of the voltage differences before and after the temperature rise is larger than a failure voltage determination value. Alternatively, the inspection system adopts a predetermined inspecting step and a rapid inspecting step respectively to determine whether a light-emitting device fails. An inspection method for the inspection system is also provided.
US08773154B2
A mounting structure for a continuity testing unit is provided in which the plurality of continuity testing units can easily be mounted to or removed from a test board without using the bolt or the intricately-shaped pin, and which improves the efficiency of restoring the mounting arrangement of the continuity testing units. The mounting structure for a continuity testing unit includes a plurality of parallely-arranged rails arranged at a frame, a joint block arranged on the respective rails and a plurality of continuity testing units each including a plate portion and a pin portion arranged at the plate portion. The joint block includes a plurality of holes into which the pin portion is fitted in a disengageable manner. The plurality of holes is arranged in two lines. The plate portion is placed on the joint blocks on the two adjacent rails.
US08773151B2
A method for multichannel multifrequency analysis of an object, applying a set of excitation signals to the object and sampling the response signal from the object, using uniform and non-uniform undersampling. Non-uniform sampling of the response signal is performed, i.e., the sampling is performed for two or more different frequencies in one observation time slot. Also, uniform sampling of the response signal is performed, i.e., the sampling of a signal, corresponding to one frequency, is performed for two or more channels within one observation time slot and then sampling the same signal for another frequency for two or more channels within the next observation time slot.
US08773148B2
Load measuring parts 50 and 52 are provided with reaction sensors 50a, 50b, 52a and 52b to measure loads at two positions, the tiptoe and the heel, on each sole of right and left feet of a wearing person 12. The reaction sensor 50a detects a reaction force to a load on a front side of the right foot (right tiptoe), the reaction sensor 50b detects a reaction force to a load on a rear side of the right foot (right heel), the reaction sensor 52a detects a reaction force to a load on a front side of the left foot (left tiptoe), and the reaction sensor 52b detects a reaction force to a load on a rear side of the left foot (left heel). The reaction sensors 50a, 50b, 52a and 52b are arranged to detect, based on a change of a capacitance, the loads on the right and left feet during a walk action. A change of the load accompanied with a shift of the weight and a contact between the wearing person's foot and the ground can be detected.
US08773146B1
A water-resistant capacitance sensing apparatus comprising a plurality of capacitive sense elements and a capacitance sensing circuit configured to measure both the mutual capacitance and self-capacitance on the plurality of capacitive sense elements.A method for water-resistant capacitance sensing, the method comprising performing a self-capacitance scan and a mutual capacitance scan, and detecting, by a processing device, a presence of an object with the plurality of sense elements. The method further determines whether the detected presence of the object is legitimate.
US08773140B2
A system for inspection of electrical circuits including a calibration subsystem operative to apply a time varying voltage to an electrical circuit being inspected during calibration and to sense differences in an electrical state at various different locations in the electrical circuit being inspected, thereby providing an indication of location of defects therein.
US08773120B2
The present invention relates to a vector magnetometer for measuring the components of an ambient magnetic field. This vector magnetometer comprises an optically pumped scalar magnetometer (2′), a pair of conductive windings (Ex,Ey) having distinct axes (Ox, Oy) and powered by two generators (Gx, Gy) having distinct frequencies. The RF coil (56) of the scalar magnetometer and the conductive windings (Ex,Ex) are mechanically integral with a swivel support (85) mounted on swivel means. The axis of the RF coil is in the same plane as the axes Ox, Oy. The support is swivelled so that this plane is substantially orthogonal to the ambient magnetic field.
US08773117B2
A conductivity sensor is disclosed. The conductivity sensor includes an oscillator for providing an input signal and a reactive circuit having an induction coil, a capacitive element, and a resistive element connected in parallel. The induction coil is adapted to be placed adjacent to a specimen. The conductivity sensor further includes a control circuit for driving the reactive circuit to resonance when the induction coil is placed adjacent to the specimen. The reactive coil is configured to provide an output signal having a parameter representative of the conductivity of the specimen when the reactive circuit is at resonance. The induction coil may include a first conductive element that spirals outward to an external perimeter and a second conductive element operably connected to the first conductive element. The second conductive element spirals inward from the external perimeter staggered relative to the first conductive element.
US08773116B2
A rotation angle detecting device includes a rotating body rotating according to rotation of a vehicle pedal; a magnet attached to the rotating body; a magnetism detection element disposed facing the magnet at a predetermined interval from the magnet; and a first control circuit connected to the magnetism detection element. The center of the magnet is placed at the rotation center of the rotating body. The magnetism detection element detects magnetism of the magnet to output a detection signal. The first control circuit outputs an angle signal corresponding to a rotation angle of the rotating body according to the detection signal, and outputs a switching signal according to the rotation angle of the rotating body. The rotation angle detecting device reliably detects a rotation angle and turns a stop lamp on and off for example with a simple structure.
US08773112B2
To produce an insulated current sensor for slaving power devices in the field of avionics, use is made of a magnetic core through which there passes an element traversed by a current to be measured. The magnetic core comprises a secondary winding across the terminals of which are connected an oscillator and a measurement device. The cooperation of the oscillator and of the measurement device makes it possible to circumvent all the traditional drifting of current sensors.
US08773109B2
A system for monitoring a plurality of capacitor cells connected in series in a capacitor module which are used as electrical energy stores in an energy storage device and which can be charged in same by a charge current flowing through all the capacitor cells or discharged by a discharge current. The system includes a measuring unit which can determine the voltages applied to the individual capacitor cells by measuring voltages, an evaluation unit which sets a nominal voltage for the capacitor cells, and at least one discharge branch connectable to each capacitor cell and controllable by a discharge control unit which discharges a respective capacitor cell onto said discharge branch depending upon the set nominal voltage and the applied voltage.
US08773107B2
A method and apparatus configured to detect electromagnetic field events are disclosed. One apparatus includes an antenna and a circuit electrically connected to the antenna. The circuit includes electronics communicatively connected to the antenna via a direct current isolation circuit and an equalizer compensating for the differentiating frequency response of the antenna. The circuit also includes a logarithmic amplifier electrically connected to the equalizer and configured to generate a range of signals based on signals received at the antenna. The circuit further includes a peak detector receiving signals from the equalizer and configured to capture a peak value of the signals. The electromagnetic field event is detected at least in part based on the peak signal value.
US08773104B2
The present invention discloses an on-time control module for compensating a switching frequency in a switching regulator. The on-time control module includes an average voltage generating circuit, for generating an average voltage related to a duty according to an input voltage and the duty, and an on-time controller, for generating a control signal of an on-time related to the duty according to the input voltage and the duty voltage.
US08773103B2
A power supply device includes a step-down unit to step down an input voltage, a switching unit to perform switching on a stepped-down voltage obtained through the stepping down by the step-down unit so as to externally output the voltage, an output variation detection unit to detect a corresponding variation of output from the switching unit, a delay unit to delay the input voltage by a prescribed time period, a delay variation detection unit to detect a corresponding variation of a delayed voltage output from the delay unit, an addition unit to add corresponding variations of the power supply voltage and the delayed voltage respectively detected by the output variation detection unit and the delay variation detection unit, and a control unit to perform feedback control on the basis of the corresponding variations of the power supply voltage and the delayed voltage added by the addition unit.
US08773074B2
There is provided a battery system including a battery having a luminescent layer on surfaces of an exterior member, the luminescent layer containing a stress luminescent material that emits light in response to application of mechanical stress, a photodetector device that detects light emission by the stress luminescent material, and abnormality detection means for monitoring the light emission detected by the photodetector device and thus detecting an abnormality in the battery.
US08773068B2
Rechargeable battery systems and rechargeable battery system operational methods are described. According to one aspect, a rechargeable battery system includes a plurality of rechargeable battery modules coupled between a plurality of terminals, wherein the rechargeable battery modules individually comprise a plurality of rechargeable battery cells and charge balancing circuitry configured to implement, for individual ones of the rechargeable battery modules, first charge balancing operations to increase the balancing of states of charge of the rechargeable battery cells of individual ones of the rechargeable battery modules, and to implement second charge balancing operations to increase the balancing of states of charge of the rechargeable battery modules with respect to one another.
US08773061B2
A stepping motor drive circuit includes a control-purpose controller including a control-purpose position detecting unit; a rotation command information inputting unit arranged to receive command information on the rotating position of the stepping motor; a control-purpose deviation calculating unit arranged to calculate a positional deviation between the rotating position of the stepping motor detected by the control-purpose position detecting unit and the rotating position included in the command information; and an amplitude value setting unit. The amplitude value setting unit switches operations of stator coils of the stepping motor pursuant to the command information, rotate the stepping motor to the rotating position included in the command information, and increase or decrease an amplitude value of a drive current fed to the stator coils during stoppage of the stepping motor depending on the positional deviation calculated by the control-purpose deviation calculating unit.
US08773060B2
The invention relates to a brushless motor drive device that performs switching determination of energization modes of a three-phase brushless motor according to a sensorless method, and a drive method thereof. A pulse induced voltage induced in a non-energized phase of three phases by a pulse voltage is compared with a threshold to determine the switching timing of the energization modes. Here, by limiting a duty ratio of a voltage application to equal to or greater than a lower limit, a situation in which the pulse induced voltage is sampled while the pulse induced voltage is oscillating is avoided, and a situation in which the pulse induced voltage falls below a voltage detection resolution is avoided. As a result, determination of energization mode switching timing based on a pulse induced voltage can be performed more stably.
US08773059B2
A controller chip for controlling a motor device includes a first input port, a first output port, a controller, and a signal processing circuit. The first input port is arranged to receive a motor control input. The first output port is arranged to generate a motor control output. The controller is arranged to generate an output signal according to an input signal, and has a second input port for receiving the input signal and a second output port for outputting the output signal. The input signal is derived from the motor control input, and the motor control output is derived from the output signal. The signal processing circuit has a target interconnection configuration selected from a plurality of candidate interconnection configurations each including an interconnection between the first input port and the second input port and an interconnection between the first output port and the second output port.
US08773057B2
An ECU that controls a motor includes: a target current value setting unit setting a target current; a voltage detecting unit detecting a detected voltage on the basis of a detection signal from a voltage sensor; a voltage calculation unit calculating an estimated voltage on the basis of a power supply voltage of a battery; and an induced voltage observer calculating an induced voltage generated at the motor using an inter-terminal voltage based on the estimated voltage when the target current is set to a value other than zero; whereas the induced voltage observer calculates the induced voltage using an inter-terminal voltage based on the detected voltage when the target current is set to zero.
US08773047B2
The present invention relates to a controlling circuit and controlling method for an LED driver implemented as a flyback topology. The controlling circuit may be at a primary side of a transformer of the LED driver, and include a sampling circuit, an on time sensing circuit of an output diode, a regulating signal generator, and a PWM controller. The sampling circuit may generate a sampling signal indicating output current by sampling at the primary transformer side. The on time sensing circuit can detect an on time of the output diode. The regulating signal generator can generate a regulating signal by regulating the sampling signal, a voltage reference, and the on time of the output diode. The PWM controller may generate a controlling signal to control operation of a switching device of the LED driver to maintain a substantially constant output current in accordance with the regulating signal.
US08773043B2
According to the present invention, anode-side ends of LED arrays (1011) and (1012) are connected to an identical point. A constant current circuit (1003) drives the LED array (1011) by a constant current, whereas, a constant current control circuit (3) drives the LED array (1012) by a constant current and by pulses.
US08773042B2
The present invention relates to a multiple LED driver circuit in which each LED (15, 17) is controlled by a bypass switch (19, 21). The LEDs are supplied by a switched mode power supply (8) and are connected to a constant current source to draw a predetermined current through the LEDs. The switched mode power supply is arranged to output different voltages depending on the number of switched-on LEDs. This is carried out by supplying the control signals (sw1, sw2) of the bypass switches to the switched mode power supply. In this way, the power dissipation of the constant current source can be kept at a low level.
US08773035B2
An electronic ballast includes a converter, an inverter circuit, a controlling unit, and a current crest factor improvement circuit. The controlling unit issues a first control signal to control the converter and issues a second control signal and a third control signal with opposite enabling/disabling states to control on/off states of corresponding switch elements of the inverter circuit. During a dead time between the enabling state of second control signal and the enabling state of the third control signal, these switch elements are simultaneously in the off state. During the dead time, the current crest factor improvement circuit is triggered to generate a restraining signal. According to the restraining signal, an output power of the converter is decreased to a predetermined value in real time or the converter is suspended.
US08773033B2
A method for driving the backlight unit of the liquid crystal display includes: comparing the strength of a soft start signal with a predetermined signal through a comparator circuit, and generating a first comparison signal or a second comparison signal according to the comparison result; outputting a first frequency from a frequency modulation circuit according to the first comparison signal; and increasing the rising rate of the output voltage of a boost converter according to the first frequency. Therefore, the rising rate of the output voltage is increased, thereby solving the screen-flickering problem.
US08773025B2
The present invention overcomes image defects such as the brightness inclination or smears by reducing the line resistance of a power source bus line which supplies electricity to organic EL elements. A plurality of pixels which are arranged in a matrix array is connected to power source lines, and the plurality of power source lines are connected to a power source bus line. Both ends of the power source bus line are connected to a power source part via a FPC. By supplying electricity to both ends of the power source bus line from the power source part, the line resistance of the power source bus line can be reduced.
US08773019B2
A RF power supply system for delivering periodic RF power to a load. A power amplifier outputs a RF signal to the load. A sensor measures the RF signal provided to the load and outputs signals that vary in accordance with the RF signal. A first feedback loop enables control the RF signal based upon power determined in accordance with output from the sensor. A second feedback loop enables control the RF signal based upon energy measured in accordance with signals output from the sensor. Energy amplitude and duration provide control values for varying the RF signal. The control system and techniques are applicable to both pulsed RF power supplies and in various instances to continuous wave power supplies.
US08773012B2
Disclosed are a phosphor, a method for preparing and using the same, a light emitting device package, a surface light source apparatus, a lighting apparatus using the phosphor, and a display apparatus. The phosphor includes an inorganic compound represented by an empirical formula (Sr, M)2SiO4-xNy:Eu, where M is a metallic element, 0
US08773010B2
A display device includes at least one light-emitting device and a patterned color filter layer. The light-emitting device is used to provide a white light having a white point chromaticity coordinate (Wx, Wy) where 0.23
US08772993B2
An electric motor (20) has a stator (30) and a rotor (26). The latter is equipped with a cup-like rotor part (56) and with a ring magnet (60) adhesively bonded therein, which magnet has an outer circumference (61) on which are provided elevations (84) and depressions (86) that extend at least partly in the longitudinal direction of the ring magnet (60). The outer circumference (61) of the ring magnet (60), that faces toward the cup-like rotor part (56) after assembly, is formed with at least one opening or channel (68; 69, 88), extending in a circumferential direction, that is connected to at least a plurality of the flat depressions (86). Positive mechanical engagement between adhesive and ring magnet enhances durability, and discourages any tendency toward relative rotation between the magnet (60) and the cup-like rotor part (56).
US08772985B2
A system transmits electric signals, electric energy or media over short distances between units movable relative to each other. The system has at least one first unit disposed along the trajectory of the movement and at least one second unit disposed for movement relative to the first unit. A diagnosis unit is associated with at least one of the units to detect the condition of at least one of said movable units and signals that detected condition to a central control unit.
US08772984B2
A fitness equipment energy regenerating and saving system is provided. The system includes a bidirectional power converter, a bidirectional power drive, a generator, and an energy managing circuit. The energy managing circuit activates the bidirectional power converter so as to enable the bidirectional power drive to feedback the power generated by the generator to an electrical grid when the generator is operated in a generator mode. The energy managing circuit sets the bidirectional power converter to a current-regulating mode so as to enable the bidirectional power drive to obtain the power required for driving from the electrical grid when the generator is operated in a motor mode.
US08772983B2
A circuit breaker module includes an electrically controlled actuator, such as a DC motor, operable to move a breaker contact between open and closed positions. An actuator power supply circuit coupled to an AC power source is configured to selectively energize the actuator, responsive to an actuation input. A processing circuit is configured to control the actuator power supply circuit to activate the actuator in response to breaker command signals, using the actuation input. The processing circuit is further configured to delay activations of the actuator as needed to enforce a predetermined cooling interval between successive actuations.
US08772981B2
A multiplexer includes: a first switch unit coupled between a first input terminal and an output terminal and including a series connection of first and second switches; a second switch unit coupled between a second input terminal and the output terminal; and a third switch unit coupled to a third input terminal and a common node between the first and second switches. Different first and second voltages, and a third voltage greater than one of the first and second voltages and less than the other one of the first and second voltage are applied respectively to the first, second and third input terminals. The multiplexer is operable between a first mode, where the first voltage is transmitted to the output terminal, and a second mode, where the second voltage is transmitted to the output terminal and the third voltage is transmitted to the common node between the first and second switches.
US08772979B2
The present inventions relates to a method for power self-regulation in a high-power induction type power source, wherein the PS module includes a PS microprocessor that is electrically connected to a PS driving unit, signal analysis circuit, coil voltage detection circuit, display unit, PS unit and earthing terminal respectively, and further connected with a resonance circuit and PS coil electrically through the PS driving unit, while the PR module contains a PR microprocessor electrically connected with a voltage detection circuit, breaker protection circuit, voltage stabilizing circuit, AM carrier modulation circuit, DC step-down transformer, rectifying filter circuit and resonance circuit respectively. While transmitting electric power, the PS module receives and analyzes data signals and then regulates the transmitted power through self-regulation programs in the microprocessor, thus achieving the purpose of power self-regulation for the PR module.
US08772977B2
Power is fed from a feeding coil to a receiving coil by magnetic resonance. A drive circuit outputs an IN signal generated by an oscillator as a DR signal to alternately turn ON/OFF switching transistors at a resonance frequency, whereby AC current is fed to the feeding coil, and then the AC current is fed from the feeding coil to the receiving coil. An enable signal generation circuit generates an EN signal at a frequency lower than the resonance frequency. The drive circuit outputs the DR signal only while the EN signal assumes a high level. Transmission power from a wireless feeder to a wireless receiver is controlled by adjusting the duty ratio of the EN signal.
US08772976B2
Techniques are disclosed involving reconfigurable coils. Such coils may be used in applications, including (but not limited to) wireless charging and near field communications (NFC). For instance, a reconfigurable coil may include a first conductive portion and a second conductive portion. Two or more configurations may be established. These configurations may correspond to particular current paths. For example, in a circular configuration, a path is provided having the same rotational sense in both first and second conductive portions. However, in a figure eight configuration, a path is provided having a first rotational sense in the first conductive portion and a second rotational sense in the second conductive portion. A switch coupled between these portions may set the coil's configuration. Configurations may be selected based on one or more operating conditions involving the coil.
US08772973B2
Described herein are configurations for an integrated resonator-shield structure for wireless power transfer. In embodiments a conductor shield is used to shield the resonator from perturbing objects. In embodiments the conductor shield is used for a current return path for the conductors of the resonator. The resonator shield can be divided into separate conductor segments to tailor the current distributions in the conductor shield.
US08772971B2
Described herein are embodiments of at least one source resonator coupled to an energy source generating an oscillating near field region, and at least one device resonator optionally coupled to an electronic device located at a variable distance within the at least one source resonator's near-field region, where at least two of the resonators comprise high-Q capacitively-loaded conducting-wire loops.
US08772964B2
According to one aspect, embodiments of the invention provide a method of operating a UPS system having a first UPS, the method comprising powering on the first UPS, detecting a first signal at a first I/O of the first UPS using a first detection circuit of the first UPS, detecting a second signal at a second I/O of the first UPS using a second detection circuit of the first UPS, based on a status of the first signal and a status of the second signal, configuring the first UPS to operate in one of a master mode of operation and a controlled mode of operation.
US08772947B2
Methods for packaging microelectronic devices and microelectronic devices formed using such methods are disclosed herein. One aspect of the invention is directed toward a method for packaging a microelectronic device that includes coupling an active side of a microelectronic die to a surface of a support member. The microelectronic die can have a backside opposite the active side, a peripheral side extending at least part way between the active side and the backside, and at least one through-wafer interconnect. The method can further include applying an encapsulant to cover a portion of the surface of the support member so that a portion of the encapsulant is laterally adjacent to the peripheral side, removing material from a backside of the microelectronic die to expose a portion of at least one through-wafer interconnect, and applying a redistribution structure to the backside of the microelectronic die.
US08772944B2
A semiconductor substrate includes a via-hole that extends from a first surface to a second surface. An electrode pad layer that serves as the bottom of the via-hole is disposed on the second surface. An insulating layer is formed on the first surface of the semiconductor substrate and the sidewall of the via-hole. A metal layer is formed on the first surface of the semiconductor substrate and the sidewall of the via-hole with the insulating layer interposed therebetween and is directly formed on the bottom of the via-hole. An inclined surface is formed on the sidewall of the via-hole such that the bottom of the via-hole has a smaller opening size than the open end of the via-hole. The inclined surface has asperities.
US08772940B2
In a semiconductor device, a first contact-diffusion-layer is in a first well to be connected to the first well and extends in a channel width direction of a first transistor in a first well. A second contact-diffusion-layer is in the first well so as to be electrically connected to the first well and extends in a channel-length direction of the first transistor. A first contact on the first contact-diffusion-layer has a shape with a diameter in the channel-width direction larger than that in the channel-length direction when viewed from above the substrate. A second contact on the second contact-diffusion-layer has a shape with a diameter in the channel-width direction smaller than that of the first contact and a diameter in the channel-length direction almost equal to that of the first contact when viewed from above the substrate. A wiring is electrically connected to the first transistor through the second contact.
US08772939B2
Polishing systems and methods for removing conductive material (e.g., noble metals) from microelectronic substrates are disclosed herein. Several embodiments of the methods include forming an aperture in a substrate material, disposing a conductive material on the substrate material and in the aperture, and disposing a fill material on the conductive material. The fill material at least partially fills the aperture. The substrate material is then polished to remove at least a portion of the conductive material and the fill material external to the aperture during which the fill material substantially prevents the conductive material from smearing into the aperture during polishing the substrate material.
US08772938B2
Techniques are disclosed that enable improved shorting margin between unlanded conductive interconnect features and neighboring conductive features. In some embodiments, an etch may be applied to an insulator layer having one or more conductive features therein, such that the insulator layer is recessed below the top of the conductive features and the edges of the conductive features are rounded or otherwise softened. A conformal etch stop layer may then be deposited over the conductive features and the insulator material. A second insulator layer may be deposited above the conformal etch stop layer, and an interconnect feature may pass through the second insulator layer and the conformal etch stop layer to connect with the rounded portion of one of the conductive features. In some embodiments, the interconnect feature is an unlanded via and the unlanded portion of the via may or may not penetrate through the conformal barrier layer.
US08772937B2
A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor chip and an inner interconnection structure. The semiconductor chip includes a front surface that exposes first connection terminals and a rear surface that is opposite to the front surface and exposes second connection terminals separated from the first connection terminals. The inner interconnection structure includes horizontal buried conductive lines and vertical connection lines disposed to pierce the semiconductor chip to connect the first connection terminals and the second connection terminals.
US08772931B2
An electronic circuit in a package, including two functions, the package orientation activating a single one of the two functions.
US08772915B2
According to one exemplary embodiment, a semiconductor die with on-die preferred interface selection includes at least two groups of pads situated on an active surface of the semiconductor die, where each of the at least two groups of pads is coupled to its associated interface in the die. A set of bumps is mask-programmably routed to one of the at least two groups of pads, thereby selecting the preferred interface for the semiconductor die. A non-preferred interface is not routed to any bumps on the active surface of the semiconductor die, thereby reducing bump count on the die. Each of the at least two groups of pads can be situated in a corresponding pad ring on the active surface of said semiconductor die. The at least two groups of pads can be laid out substantially inline.
US08772912B2
An electronic device includes a heat sink, a substrate mounted on the heat sink, a coating layer formed on the substrate, a lead frame fixed to the heat sink, and a mold resin sealing the substrate and the lead frame. The coating layer is made of one of a polyimide-based resin and a polyamideimide-based resin. The lead frame has a fixing terminal fixed to the heat sink through an adhesive layer. The adhesive layer is made of the same material as the coating layer.
US08772909B1
A signal isolator comprises a multilayer substrate with conductive layers separated by insulation. A region within the substrate is defined by upper and lower conductive shields. A transformer, including primary and secondary windings, is formed in the region. Circuitry supported on an upper conductive layer includes a high frequency oscillator for receiving an input signal, the high frequency oscillator being connected to excite the primary winding in response to the signal. A detector circuit coupled to the secondary winding is adapted to provide an output signal in response to the high frequency oscillator excitation of the primary winding. The circuitry may be powered exclusively by power received from the input signal. The oscillator may modulate the primary excitation and the detector may vary the magnitude of the output in response to the modulation. A plurality of isolator channels may be provided on a single multilayer substrate.
US08772905B2
A semiconductor device structure and method to form the same. The semiconductor device structure includes a non-volatile charge trap memory device and a resistor or capacitor. A dielectric layer of a charge trap dielectric stack of the memory device is patterned to expose a portion of a first conductive layer peripheral to the memory device. A second conductive layer formed over the dielectric layer and on the exposed portion of the first conductive layer is patterned to form resistor or capacitor contacts and capacitor plates.
US08772895B2
Provided is a semiconductor image sensor device that includes a non-scribe-line region and a scribe-line region. The image sensor device includes a first substrate portion disposed in the non-scribe-line region. The first substrate portion contains a doped radiation-sensing region. The image sensor device includes a second substrate portion disposed in the scribe-line region. The second substrate portion has the same material composition as the first substrate portion. Also provided is a method of fabricating an image sensor device. The method includes forming a plurality of radiation-sensing regions in a substrate. The radiation-sensing regions are formed in a non-scribe-line region of the image sensor device. The method includes forming an opening in a scribe-line region of the image sensor device by etching the substrate in the scribe-line region. A portion of the substrate remains in the scribe-line region after the etching. The method includes filling the opening with an organic material.
US08772894B2
A solar cell includes polysilicon P-type and N-type doped regions on a backside of a substrate, such as a silicon wafer. A trench structure separates the P-type doped region from the N-type doped region. Each of the P-type and N-type doped regions may be formed over a thin dielectric layer. The trench structure may include a textured surface for increased solar radiation collection. Among other advantages, the resulting structure increases efficiency by providing isolation between adjacent P-type and N-type doped regions, thereby preventing recombination in a space charge region where the doped regions would have touched.
US08772893B2
A pixel structure including an active device, a capacitor electrode line, a light shielding layer, a color filter pattern and a pixel electrode is provided. The active device and the capacitor electrode line are disposed on a substrate. The light shielding layer is disposed on the substrate, and the dielectric constant of the light shielding layer is less than 6. The light shielding layer defines a unit area on the substrate, and a contact hole is formed in the light shielding layer above the active device. A color filter pattern is disposed in the unit area, wherein the dielectric constant of the color filter pattern is less than 6, and the color filter pattern does not fill into the contact hole. The pixel electrode is disposed on the color filter pattern, in which the pixel electrode fills into the contact hole so as to electrically connect with the active device.
US08772890B2
A high speed and miniature detection system, especially for electromagnetic radiation in the GHz and THz range comprises a semiconductor structure having a 2D charge carrier layer or a quasi 2D charge carrier layer with incorporated single or multiple defects, at least first and second contacts to the charge carrier layer, and a device for measuring photovoltage between the first and second contacts. System operation in various embodiments relies on resonant excitation of plasma waves in the semiconductor structure.
US08772889B2
A memory device includes a first nanowire, a second nanowire and a magnetic tunnel junction device coupling the first and second nanowires.
US08772886B2
A spin transfer torque memory random access memory (STTMRAM) element is capable of switching states when electrical current is applied thereto for storing data and includes the following layers. An anti-ferromagnetic layer, a fixed layer formed on top of the anti-ferromagnetic layer, a barrier layer formed on top of the second magnetic layer of the fixed layer, and a free layer including a first magnetic layer formed on top of the barrier layer, a second magnetic layer formed on top of the first magnetic layer, a non-magnetic insulating layer formed on top of the second magnetic layer and a third magnetic layer formed on top of the non-magnetic insulating layer. A capping layer is formed on top of the non-magnetic insulating layer.
US08772884B2
A biometric sensor device, such as a fingerprint sensor, comprises a substrate to which is mounted a die on which is formed a sensor array and at least one conductive bezel. The die and the bezel are encased in a unitary encapsulation structure to protect those elements from mechanical, electrical, and environmental damage, yet with a portion of the sensor array and the bezel exposed or at most thinly covered by the encapsulation or other coating material structure.
US08772883B2
A method for producing a sealed cavity, including: a) producing a sacrificial layer on a substrate; b) producing a cover layer covering at least the sacrificial layer and a portion of the face of the substrate not covered by the sacrificial layer, the cover layer including lateral flanks forming, with the substrate, an angle of less than 90°; c) producing a hole through one of the lateral flanks of the cover layer such that a maximum distance between the substrate and an edge of the hole is less than approximately 3 μm, the hole crossing a portion of the cover layer deposited on a portion of the substrate not covered by the sacrificial layer; d) eliminating the sacrificial layer through the hole, forming the cavity; and e) depositing at least one material plugging the hole in a sealed fashion.
US08772879B2
An electronic component including a number of insulated-gate field effect transistors, said transistors belonging to at least two distinct subsets by virtue of their threshold voltage, wherein each transistor includes a gate that has two electrodes, namely a first electrode embedded inside the substrate where the channel of the transistor is defined and a second upper electrode located above the substrate facing buried electrode relative to channel and separated from said channel by a layer of dielectric material and wherein the embedded electrodes of all the transistors are formed by an identical material, the upper electrodes having a layer that is in contact with the dielectric material which is formed by materials that differ from one subset of transistors to another.
US08772877B2
A tunnel field-effect transistor including at least: a source region including a corresponding source semiconductor material; a drain region including a corresponding drain semiconductor material, and a channel region including a corresponding channel semiconductor material, which is arranged between the source region and the drain region. The tunnel field-effect transistor further includes at least: a source-channel gate electrode provided on an interface between the source region and the channel region; an insulator corresponding to the source-channel gate electrode that is provided between the source-channel gate electrode and the interface between the source region and the channel region; a drain-channel gate electrode provided on an interface between the drain region and the channel region; and an insulator corresponding to the drain-channel gate electrode that is provided between the drain-channel gate electrode and the interface between the drain region and the channel region.
US08772872B2
Transistors, semiconductor memory cells having a transistor and methods of forming the same are provided, the transistors may include a semiconductor substrate having a first semiconductor region. A gate pattern may be disposed on the first semiconductor region. Spacer patterns may each be disposed on a sidewall of the gate pattern. Second semiconductor regions and a third semiconductor regions may be disposed in the semiconductor substrate. The second semiconductor regions may be disposed under the spacer patterns. The third semiconductor regions may be disposed adjacent to the second semiconductor regions. The first semiconductor region may have a higher impurity ion concentration than the second semiconductor regions.
US08772867B2
A high voltage high side DMOS removing the N-buried layer from the DMOS bottom provides lower Ron*A at given breakdown voltage. The high voltage high side DMOS has a P-type substrate, an epitaxial layer, a field oxide, an N-type well region a gate oxide, a gate poly, a P-type base region, a deep P-type region, an N-type lightly doped well region, a first N-type highly doped region, a second N-type highly doped region and a P-type highly doped region.
US08772865B2
In one embodiment, an MOS transistor is formed to have an active region and a termination region. Within the termination region a plurality of conductors are formed to make electrical contact to conductors that are within a plurality of trenches. The plurality of conductors in the termination region are formed to be substantially coplanar.
US08772863B2
A nonvolatile semiconductor memory transistor included in a nonvolatile semiconductor memory includes an island-shaped semiconductor having a source region, a channel region, and a drain region formed in this order from the substrate side, a hollow pillar-shaped charge storage layer arranged so as to surround the outer periphery of the channel region in such a manner that a tunnel insulating film is interposed between the charge storage layer and the channel region, and a hollow pillar-shaped control gate arranged so as to surround the outer periphery of the charge storage layer in such a manner that an insulating film is interposed between the control gate and the charge storage layer. The insulating film is arranged so as to be interposed between the charge storage layer and the upper, lower, and inner side surfaces of the control gate.
US08772862B2
A vertical channel transistor includes a pillar formed over a substrate, and a gate electrode formed on sidewalls of the pillar, wherein the pillar includes a source area, a vertical channel area over the source area, a drain area over the vertical channel area, and a leakage prevention area interposed between the vertical channel area and the drain area.
US08772860B2
A FINFET transistor structure includes a substrate, a fin structure, an insulating layer and a gate structure. The fin structure is disposed on the substrate and directly connected to the substrate. Besides, the fin structure includes a fin conductive layer and a bottle neck. The insulating layer covers the substrate and has a protruding side which is formed by partially surrounding the bottle neck of the fin structure, and a bottom side in direct contact with the substrate so that the protruding side extend to and under the fin structure. The gate structure partially surrounds the fin structure.
US08772853B2
A Graphene Flash Memory (GFM) device is disclosed. In general, the GFM device includes a number of memory cells, where each memory cell includes a graphene channel, a graphene storage layer, and a graphene electrode. In one embodiment, by using a graphene channel, graphene storage layer, and graphene electrode, the memory cells of the GFM device are enabled to be scaled down much more than memory cells of a conventional flash memory device. More specifically, in one embodiment, the GFM device has a feature size less than 25 nanometers, less than or equal to 20 nanometers, less than or equal to 15 nanometers, less than or equal to 10 nanometers, or less than or equal to 5 nanometers.
US08772851B2
Electronic apparatus and methods of forming the electronic apparatus may include one or more insulator layers having a refractory metal and a non-refractory metal for use in a variety of electronic systems and devices. Embodiments can include electronic apparatus and methods of forming the electronic apparatus having a tantalum aluminum oxynitride film. The tantalum aluminum oxynitride film may be structured as one or more monolayers. The tantalum aluminum oxynitride film may be formed using atomic layer deposition. Metal electrodes may be disposed on a dielectric containing a tantalum aluminum oxynitride film.
US08772844B2
Capacitance between a detection capacitor and a reset transistor is the largest among the capacitances between the detection capacitor and transistors placed around the detection capacitor. In order to reduce this capacitance, it is effective to reduce the channel width of the reset transistor. It is possible to reduce the effective channel width by distributing, in the vicinity of the channel of the reset transistor and the boundary line between an active region and an element isolation region, ions which enhance the generation of carriers of an opposite polarity to the channel.
US08772842B2
A diode is described with a III-N material structure, an electrically conductive channel in the III-N material structure, two terminals, wherein a first terminal is an anode adjacent to the III-N material structure and a second terminal is a cathode in ohmic contact with the electrically conductive channel, and a dielectric layer over at least a portion of the anode. The anode comprises a first metal layer adjacent to the III-N material structure, a second metal layer, and an intermediary electrically conductive structure between the first metal layer and the second metal layer. The intermediary electrically conductive structure reduces a shift in an on-voltage or reduces a shift in reverse bias current of the diode resulting from the inclusion of the dielectric layer. The diode can be a high voltage device and can have low reverse bias currents.
US08772832B2
The present invention reduces the dynamic on resistance in the channel layer of a GaN device by etching a void in the nucleation and buffer layers between the gate and the drain. This void and the underside of the device substrate may be plated to form a back gate metal layer. The present invention increases the device breakdown voltage by reducing the electric field strength from the gate to the drain of a HEMT. This electric field strength is reduced by placing a back gate metal layer below the active region of the channel. The back gate metal layer may be in electrical contact with the source or drain.
US08772831B2
A circuit structure includes a substrate and a patterned dielectric layer over the substrate. The patterned dielectric layer includes a plurality of vias; and a number of group-III group-V (III-V) compound semiconductor layer. The III-V compound semiconductor layers include a first layer in the vias, a second layer over the first layer and the dielectric layer, and a bulk layer over the second layer.
US08772828B2
A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor material disposed in a trench with polysilicon lining at least the bottom of the trench. The semiconductor material includes differently doped regions configured as a PNP or NPN structure formed in the trench with differently doped regions located side by side across a width of the trench. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.
US08772814B2
LED dies are suspended in an ink and printed on a first support substrate to form a light emitting layer having a light emitting surface emitting primary light, such as blue light. A mixture of a transparent binder, phosphor powder, and transparent glass beads is formed as an ink and printed over the light emitting surface. The mixture forms a wavelength conversion layer when cured. The beads are preferably sized so that the tops of the beads protrude completely through the conversion layer. Some of the primary light passes through the beads with virtually no attenuation or backscattering, and some of the primary light is converted by the phosphor to secondary light. The combination of the secondary light and the primary light passing though the beads may form white light. The overall color is highly controllable by controlling the percentage weight of the beads.
US08772810B2
According to one embodiment, a semiconductor light emitting device includes: a semiconductor layer including a first face, a second face, a side face, and a light emitting layer; a p-side electrode provided on the second face; an n-side electrode provided on the side face; a first p-side metal layer provided on the p-side electrode; a first n-side metal layer provided on the periphery of the n-side electrode; a first insulating layer provided on a face on the second face side in the first n-side metal layer; a second p-side metal layer connected with the first p-side metal layer on the first p-side metal layer, and provided, extending from on the first p-side metal layer to on the first insulating layer; and a second n-side metal layer provided on a face on the second face side in the first n-side metal layer in a peripheral region of the semiconductor layer.
US08772808B2
A manufacturing method of a semiconductor light emitting element, includes forming sacrifice portions within the width of street portions in a semiconductor laminated body, and performing wet etching to remove the sacrifice portions together with their neighboring portions, thereby removing etching residuals in the streets.
US08772807B2
In one aspect, an LED package structure comprises a fluorescent substrate, a first electrically conductive pattern, a second electrically conductive pattern, at least one electrically conductive element, and an LED chip. The fluorescent substrate has a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. The fluorescent substrate comprises a mixture of a fluorescent material and a glass material. The first electrically conductive pattern is disposed on the first surface. The second electrically conductive pattern is disposed on the second surface. The electrically conductive element passes through the fluorescent substrate and connects the first and second electrically conductive patterns. The LED chip is disposed on the second surface and has a light extraction surface that connects the second electrically conductive pattern. The LED chip is electrically coupled to the first electrically conductive pattern via the electrically conductive element.
US08772806B2
A light emitting device of the embodiment includes a light emitting structure including a first semiconductor layer, an active layer and a second semiconductor layer; a first cavity passing through the first semiconductor layer and the active layer to expose the second semiconductor layer; a first electrode extending to the outside of the first cavity from the second semiconductor layer in the first cavity; a second electrode disposed on an outer peripheral region of a bottom surface of the first semiconductor layer and spaced apart from the first electrode while surrounding a lateral side of the first electrode; and a first insulating layer between the first electrode and the light emitting structure.
US08772805B2
A high-efficiency light emitting diode including: a semiconductor stack positioned on a support substrate, including a p-type compound semiconductor layer, an active layer, and an n-type compound semiconductor layer; an insulating layer disposed in an opening that divides the p-type compound semiconductor layer and active layer; a transparent electrode layer disposed on the insulating layer and the p-type compound semiconductor layer; a reflective insulating layer covering the transparent electrode layer, to reflect light from the active layer away from the support substrate; a p-electrode covering the reflective insulating layer; and an n-electrode is formed on top of the n-type compound semiconductor layer. The p-electrode is electrically connected to the transparent electrode layer through the insulating layer.
US08772800B2
According to one embodiment, a semiconductor light-emitting device includes: a first conductivity type first semiconductor layer containing a nitride semiconductor crystal and having a tensile stress in a (0001) surface; a second conductivity type second semiconductor layer containing a nitride semiconductor crystal and having a tensile stress in the (0001) surface; a light emitting layer provided between the first semiconductor layer and the second semiconductor layer, containing a nitride semiconductor crystal, and having an average lattice constant larger than the lattice constant of the first semiconductor layer; and a first stress application layer provided on a side opposite to the light emitting layer of the first semiconductor layer and applying a compressive stress to the first semiconductor layer.
US08772790B2
A nitride semiconductor light-emitting device includes a nitride semiconductor light-emitting element, a package substrate and an optically transparent resin sealing portion. The nitride semiconductor light-emitting element includes a substrate, a nitride semiconductor multilayer portion having a light-emitting layer and a protective layer. The nitride semiconductor multilayer portion is provided on the substrate. The protective layer is provided on an upper portion of the nitride semiconductor multilayer portion. The resin sealing portion seals the nitride semiconductor light-emitting element that is mounted on the package substrate. An air gap layer is formed in at least one of an area between the substrate and the light-emitting layer in the nitride semiconductor light-emitting element, an area between the light-emitting layer and the protective layer in the nitride semiconductor light-emitting element and an area in the package substrate.
US08772781B2
On each of wiring conversion parts connected to a first conductive film and a second conductive film each functioning as a wiring, a first transparent conductive film does not cover an end surface of the second conductive film in proximity to a corner of the first transparent conductive film, and has a portion covering the end surface of the second conductive film on a portion other than the proximity of the corners. A second transparent conductive film as an upper layer of the first transparent conductive film is connected to the first conductive film and the second conductive film, so that the first conductive film and the second conductive film are electrically connected.
US08772780B2
An array substrate structure of a display panel includes a substrate, a plurality of first wirings, a first patterned insulating layer, a plurality of second wirings, a plurality of first protective patterns, and a plurality of second protective patterns. The substrate has a wiring region. The first wirings are disposed in the wiring region. The first patterned insulating layer is disposed on the first wirings. The second wirings are disposed on the first patterned insulating layer. The first protective patterns are disposed in the wiring region and disposed on the corresponding second wiring, respectively, where the first protective pattern includes a semiconductor material. The second protective patterns are disposed on the corresponding first protective pattern, respectively, where the second protective pattern includes an inorganic insulating material.
US08772776B2
An electro-optic device may include a substrate that supports a first and a second electrode, a functional structure including at least one functional layer that is electrically coupled to the electrodes, and an etched metal structure electrically coupled to at least one of the electrodes.
US08772774B2
There is provided a backplane for an organic electronic device including a TFT substrate having a base substrate, a polysilicon layer, a gate dielectric layer, a gate electrode, an interlayer dielectric, and a data electrode; an insulating layer over the TFT substrate; a multiplicity of first openings in the insulating layer having a depth d1; a multiplicity of pixelated diode electrode structures, wherein a first set of diode electrode structures are in the first openings; and a bank structure defining pixel areas over the diode electrode structures; wherein the first openings and first set of diode electrode structures are in at least a first set of the pixel areas.
US08772770B2
An oxide semiconductor material having p-type conductivity and a semiconductor device using the oxide semiconductor material are provided. The oxide semiconductor material having p-type conductivity can be provided using a molybdenum oxide material containing molybdenum oxide (MoOy (2
US08772753B2
A nonvolatile semiconductor storage device includes a word line, a first electrode, a high resistance ion diffusion layer, a second electrode, and a bit line. The word line is made of a conductive material extending in a first direction. The first electrode is provided on the word line. The high resistance ion diffusion layer is provided on the first electrode. The second electrode is provided on the ion diffusion layer and configured to supply a metal into the ion diffusion layer upon application of a positive voltage relative to the first electrode. The bit line is provided on the second electrode and made of a conductive material extending in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. The ion diffusion layer contains oxygen at a higher concentration on the word line side than on the bit line side.
US08772750B2
A non-volatile memory element includes: a memory layer disposed between a first electrode and a second electrode; and a buffer layer disposed between the memory layer and the first electrode. The memory layer includes a first material layer and a second material layer. The first material layer and the second material layer are configured to exchange ionic species to change a resistance state of the memory layer.
US08772747B2
A layer of phase change material with silicon or another semiconductor, or a silicon-based or other semiconductor-based additive, is formed using a composite sputter target including the silicon or other semiconductor, and the phase change material. The concentration of silicon or other semiconductor is more than five times greater than the specified concentration of silicon or other semiconductor in the layer being formed. For silicon-based additive in GST-type phase change materials, sputter target may comprise more than 40 at % silicon. Silicon-based or other semiconductor-based additives can be formed using the composite sputter target with a flow of reactive gases, such as oxygen or nitrogen, in the sputter chamber during the deposition.
US08772745B1
An X-ray obscuration (XRO) film comprising one or more metallic wire mesh layers and an adjacent layer of indium foil having portions which extend into openings of the wire mesh and in contact with metallic portions thereof. The XRO film can be capable of absorbing at least a portion of X-ray energy thereby creating an interference pattern when the XRO film is coupled with an electronic circuit and placed between an X-ray source and an X-ray detector and subjected to radiographic inspection. The interference pattern can create sufficient visual static to effectively obscure circuit lines in the electronic circuit when subjected to radiographic inspection techniques. The XRO film can be substantially thinner than existing solutions for preventing X-ray inspection with an exemplary embodiment being no more than 5 mils thick. The metallic XRO film can also provide electromagnetic shielding and/or heat dissipation for electronic circuits.
US08772741B2
An ion implantation method includes reciprocally scanning an ion beam, mechanically scanning a wafer in a direction perpendicular to a beam scanning direction, and implanting ions into the wafer. The wafer is divided into a plurality of implantation regions, a beam scanning speed in the beam scanning direction is set to be varied for each of the implantation regions, an ion implantation amount distribution for each of the implantation regions is controlled by changing and controlling the beam scanning speed, and the ion implantation amount for each of the implantation regions is controlled and a beam scanning frequency and a beam scanning amplitude in the control of the beam scanning speed for each of the implantation regions is made to be constant by setting a wafer mechanical scanning speed and controlling the wafer mechanical scanning speed for each of the implantation regions.
US08772730B2
A photon counting detector and a photon counting and detecting method using the same is provided. The photon counting detector includes readout circuits configured to count photons in multi-energy radiation incident to a sensor, the photons being counted with respect to each of a plurality of energy bands of the multi-energy radiation, the readout circuits respectively corresponding to pixels of a region onto which the multi-energy radiation is irradiated, each of the readout circuits being configured to count photons in a predetermined one of the energy bands, at least one of the readout circuits being configured to count photons in at least one of energy bands other than the predetermined one of the energy bands.
US08772727B2
The application describes an X-ray detector for use in a medical equipment, wherein the detector comprises an unit for transforming X-ray radiation into electrical charge, a first capacitor for being charged by an electrical charge, wherein the first capacitor is electrically connected to the unit for transforming, a second capacitor for being charged by an electrical charge, and a first gain switching gate, wherein the second capacitor is electrically connected with the unit for transforming if the first gain switching gate is in on-state, wherein the detector is adapted to switch on the first gain switching gate for short periods. Further the application describes an X-ray system comprising a detector according to the invention, wherein the system is adapted for gain selection, wherein the detector is adapted to switch on the first gain switching gate for short periods. Further, the application describes a method for using a detector according to the inventive concept, wherein the first gain switching gate is switched on only for short periods of time for redistribution of electrical charge between the first capacitor and the second capacitor.
US08772725B2
An optical device may include first and second lasers generating first and second laser beams; and a photo detector detecting the first and second laser beams. The optical detector comprises a substrate, a first impurity layer on the substrate, an absorption layer on the first impurity layer and a second impurity layer on the absorption layer. The absorption layer generates a terahertz by a beating of the first and second laser beams and has a thickness of less than 0.2 μm.
US08772720B2
Disclosed are a system and a method for monitoring unsaturated zone gas and near-surface atmosphere in real time by using an isotope analyzer. The system includes a near-surface atmosphere analyzer including a fixing member, a plurality of near-surface gas inlets, a plurality of gas transfer members communicating with the near-surface gas inlets, an analyzing member including an isotope analyzer, which analyzes an isotope of gas transferred through the gas transfer members, a channel connected to the gas transfer members and the analyzing member to select one gas transfer member and to supply gas transferred through the selected gas transfer member to the analyzing member, and a connection member connecting the channel to the analyzing member, a communication device transmitting components of the isotope output from the isotope analyzer, and a monitoring server outputting the components of the isotope transmitted from the communication device.
US08772712B2
A compound contained in a sample is analyzed more accurately. Provided is an analysis method using TOF-SIMS in which first spectral data is obtained by irradiating the sample with a first primary ion, second spectral data is obtained by irradiating the sample with a second primary ion, and a surface of the sample is etched by an ion and then the surface of the sample is irradiated with the first primary ion or the second primary ion. The first primary ion is more likely to break a molecular structure of a molecule contained in the sample than the second primary ion.
US08772709B2
An assembly for use in an electrospray ion source includes a capillary for guiding a flow of liquid generally containing analyte(s) of interest, which is to be electrosprayed into an ionization chamber, a first tube at least partially encasing the capillary such that a first conduit for guiding a first heatable gas is created proximate the capillary and a hollow member that has an internal evacuated space and is located at the outer circumference of the capillary such that heat transfer from the first heatable gas flowing proximate the capillary to the liquid in the capillary is impeded. The assembly provides a simple and lean/compact way of preventing excessive heat transfer to the liquid in the capillary of an electrospray ion source.
US08772708B2
An embodiment with a dual-stage reflectron is as follows: (1) On the assumption that a reflector has a base potential XA(U) created by uniform electric fields, its design parameters are adjusted so as to cancel the first and second order derivatives at energy E=E0 of a total time of flight T(E), and a second-order focusing position on a central axis at which the potential value becomes zero is determined (Mamyrin solution). (2) A correcting potential XC(U) to be superposed on XA(U), beginning from the second-order focusing position, is calculated so that T(E) of ions reflected in a region deeper than the second-order focusing position will be constant. (3) Voltage values of the reflector electrodes are determined so that a real potential XR(U)=XA(U)+XC(U) is created on the central axis.
US08772701B2
Influence of external light is suppressed. With a photodetector including a photodetector circuit which generates a data signal in accordance with illuminance of incident light and a light unit which overlaps with the photodetector circuit, a first data signal is generated by the photodetector circuit when the light unit is in an ON state, a second data signal is formed by the photodetector circuit when the light unit is in an OFF state, and the first data signal and the second data signal are compared, so that a difference data signal that is data of a difference between the two compared data signals is generated.
US08772700B2
According to one embodiment, a photon detection system determines the number of detected photons. The detection system includes an avalanche photodiode and a measuring unit. The measuring unit measures an avalanche signal induced by illumination before the avalanche current through the device has saturated.
US08772698B2
A floating electrode is used to detect ions in close proximity to the electrode. The electrode is charge coupled to other electrodes and to other transistors to form a pixel that can be placed into an array for addressable readout. It is possible to obtain gain by accumulating charge into another electrode or onto a floating diffusion (FD) node or directly onto the column line. It is desirable to achieve both a reduction in pixel size as well as increase in signal level. To reduce pixel size, ancillary transistors may be eliminated and a charge storage node with certain activation and deactivation sequences may be used.
US08772697B2
Provided is a photodetector device for detecting light intensity based on a detection signal of a difference circuit, the photodetector device including: a first light receiving element which generates an electric charge based on incident light; a second light receiving element, which includes a light blocking part for blocking incident light and generates an electric charge being a reference; and a storage detection circuit for detecting that an output voltage of the first light receiving element or the second light receiving element has reached a predetermined potential and outputting the detection signal when the difference does not reach a predetermined value even though sufficient incident light is provided.
US08772694B2
An image sensor with a small circuit area is provided. In the image sensor, a TX decoder which generates transfer signals TX<3:0> includes a latch circuit. The latch circuit is set when a corresponding row group is selected and when a set signal is set to an “H” level, and is reset when a reset signal is set to an “L” level. The latch circuit serves also as a voltage level shift circuit which converts the “H” level of a signal from a first power supply voltage into a second power supply voltage. Therefore, plural row groups can be selected by setting plural latch circuits. It is not necessary to provide a voltage level shift circuit separately.
US08772677B2
A configuration in which fixing is performed by inserting a rear end of a lead shaft member into an attachment hole of an external terminal at the rear of a glow plug and crimping an outer peripheral face of the external terminal. The outer peripheral face of a crimp formation region (78) of the external terminal (70) having a polygonal cross section is formed into a crimped portion (79) provided by round crimping toward a circle, and the external terminal (70) is fixed to the rear end (55) of the lead shaft member (50). Due to the configuration obtained from the round crimping of the polygon, plating breaks and the like are not easily produced in the plating layer on the surface of the external terminal.
US08772668B2
A plasma torch having a torch handle is provided. The plasma torch handle may be formed from a soft material and a hard material. Additionally, the plasma torch handle includes a thumb contour formed from the soft material and a finger contour formed from the soft material. In one embodiment, the plasma torch handle forms an angle of about 80° with the torch head. Plasma cutting systems having the plasma torch and handle are also provided.
US08772666B2
An interlock system for a circuit-interrupting device. The circuit-interrupting device includes a gearbox, a load-breaker in series with a visible disconnect, and an assembly driving the visible disconnect between an open state and a closed state. The interlock system includes a cam and a bias-driven follower. The cam is coupled to a shaft and is driven by the shaft between a first cam state when the load-breaker is in an open state and a second cam state when the load-breaker is in a closed state. The bias-driven follower has a first follower state when the cam is in the first cam state and has a second follower state when the cam is in the second cam state. In the second follower state, the bias-driven follower blocks movement of at least one component of the assembly. The cam and the bias-driver follower are positioned inside the gearbox.
US08772661B2
A thin press button is provided. The press button includes a base plate, a link member, a cap, and at least one stopper. The link member, having a sliding recess, is disposed on the base plate. The cap pivots on the link member. The stopper has a first end and a second end, wherein the first end pivots on the cap and the second end is slidably disposed in the sliding recess.
US08772655B2
The receptacle includes an insulated body, a pair of pins and a micro switch. The insulated body has a recess. The pair of pins is fixed in the insulated body and located in the recess. The pair of pins includes a first pin and a second pin. The second pin electrically connects a wire. Each of the first and second pins has a free end. The recess is divided into an inner region and an outer region by the two free ends. The micro switch is movably connected in the insulated body and disposed correspondingly to the wire. The micro switch has a contact sheet which can selectively be in contact with the wire. The micro switch is located in the inner region of the recess.
US08772653B2
An encryption keyboard is provided, especially an encryption keyboard including a front spying and detecting protection system. The encryption keyboard comprises a panel and a main control panel. A sealed flexible printed circuit board (PCB) is set between the panel and the main control panel. A circuit for preventing from spying and detecting is set in the sealed flexible circuit. The circuit for preventing from spying and detecting is connected to the surface of the sealed flexible circuit through a circuit pin, and is connected electrically to the control circuit of the main control panel for realizing a self-destroyed function through the circuit pin. The keyboard also includes a split style key grain, which comprises a keycap and a press post. The keycap comprises a cap top and an admission space which is positioned on the undersurface of the cap top and includes a downward opening. The keycap sockets the press post through the admission space, and a gap matching is formed between the press post and the wall of the admission space.
US08772645B2
The present invention relates to a touch panel, comprising a screen part, a router part, a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) part, a first pad part comprising two or more router connection regions connecting the screen part and the router part, and a second pad part comprising two or more FPCB connection regions connecting the router part and the flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) part, in which at least some regions of the two or more FPCB connection regions comprise a conductive pattern having opening regions.
US08772642B2
A control cabinet includes at least two plate shaped elongated wall segments. At least one wall segment features at least one open-edged cutout. Edges of adjacent wall segments facing each other, adjoin each other, forming a seal. Each cutout is covered by a frame. The frame includes a plurality of grommets to accommodate cables. In an assembled state each frame is enclosed and each frame protrudes beyond the butt joint between adjacent wall segments, covering same.
US08772631B2
A solar cell with an electrode lead-out structure that a unitary cell to be easily mounted on and removed from a connection side substrate is provided. A solar cell has a power generation electrode including a transparent electrode, a collector electrode, and a power generation layer formed on a translucent substrate and is arranged opposite an opposite electrode so that the power generation layer is sandwiched between the power generation electrode and the opposite electrode. A through-hole is formed in a substantially central portion of the translucent substrate. Another through-hole is formed in another substrate and its periphery forms an annular exposed portion that does not overlap the opposite electrode. A lead-out portion for the collector electrode is formed on the exposed portion. Metal thin films are connected together to form lead-out portions. Thus, a positive electrode and a negative electrode are led out in the same direction.
US08772629B2
The present invention relates to organic optoelectronic devices and, in particular, to organic photovoltaic devices having a fiber structure. In one embodiment, a photovoltaic device comprises a first electrode comprising an indium tin oxide fiber, at least one photosensitive organic layer surrounding the first electrode and electrically connected to the first electrode, and a second electrode surrounding the organic layer and electrically connected to the organic layer.
US08772612B2
A Zantedeschia variety designated 110167-55633 is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of Zantedeschia variety 110167-55633, to the plants of Zantedeschia 110167-55633, to plant parts of Zantedeschia variety 110167-55633, and to methods for producing a Zantedeschia plant produced by crossing Zantedeschia variety 110167-55633 with itself or with another Zantedeschia variety. The invention also relates to methods for producing a Zantedeschia plant containing in its genetic material one or more genes or transgenes and to the transgenic Zantedeschia plants and plant parts produced by those methods. This invention also relates to Zantedeschia varieties, or breeding varieties, and plant parts derived from Zantedeschia variety 110167-55633, to methods for producing other Zantedeschia varieties, hybrids, or plant parts derived from Zantedeschia variety 110167-55633, and to the Zantedeschia plants, varieties, and their parts derived from use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid Zantedeschia seeds, plants, and plant parts produced by crossing the Zantedeschia 110167-55633 with another Zantedeschia variety.
US08772590B2
The invention relates to the soybean variety designated A1026330. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety A1026330. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety A1026330 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety A1026330 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods.
US08772588B2
The invention relates to the soybean variety designated A1026305. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety A1026305. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety A1026305 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety A1026305 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods.
US08772583B2
A new hybrid cucumber designated ‘Jurassic’ is described. ‘Jurassic’ is an oriental-type slicer cucumber that also has intermediate resistance to cucumber mosaic virus and cucumber vein yellowing virus.
US08772574B2
The invention provides seed and plants of spinach hybrid RX 06691714 and the parent lines thereof. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of spinach hybrid RX 06691714 and the parent lines thereof, and to methods for producing a spinach plant produced by crossing such plants with themselves or with another spinach plant, such as a plant of another genotype. The invention further relates to seeds and plants produced by such crossing. The invention further relates to parts of such plants, including the leaf and gametes of such plants.
US08772571B2
The present disclosure provides compositions and methods for increasing bone growth and/or enhancing wound healing, for example, fracture repair. The disclosure provides recombinant nucleic acids useful for promoting bone growth. For example, the disclosure provides recombinant nucleic acids that encode a fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) analog. The disclosure also provides vectors and cells incorporating these nucleic acids, as well as FGF-2 analogs encode by them. The disclosure also provides a mouse system of bone marrow transplantation and methods for producing as well as methods for using the system. Methods for inducing division and/or inducing differentiation of a hematopoietic stem cell are also provided, as are methods for enhancing bone growth and/or wound repair (for example, fracture repair).
US08772559B2
A biochar generator may include a pyrolysis chamber, a heater connected to the pyrolysis chamber and a biochar collection chamber in communication with the pyrolysis chamber. A biochar collection chamber sensor may sense a composition of the biochar collected in the biochar collection chamber to define a sensed composition of the biochar. A controller in electrical communication with the biochar collection chamber sensor may utilize the sensed composition of the biochar to dynamically alter conditions in the pyrolysis chamber to alter the composition of the biochar.
US08772549B2
Disclosed is a method for making a diphosphite of Structure I,
US08772544B2
The present invention relates to a process for the purification of crude bimatoprost to obtain pure bimatoprost comprising a chromatography, preferably a chromatography using an achiral stationary phase and an eluent comprising an alcohol and an apolar solvent; and crystallization of the product obtained the chromatography to obtain pure bimatoprost.
US08772536B2
The present invention provides novel compounds useful as proteasome inhibitors. The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds of the invention and methods of using the compositions in the treatment of various diseases.
US08772525B2
A method of preparing a diorganodihalosilane comprising the separate and consecutive steps of (i) contacting a copper catalyst with a mixture comprising hydrogen gas and a silicon tetrahalide at a temperature of from 500 to 1400° C. to form a silicon-containing copper catalyst comprising at least 0.1% (w/w) of silicon, wherein the copper catalyst is selected from copper and a mixture comprising copper and at least one element selected from gold, magnesium, calcium, cesium, tin, and sulfur; and (ii) contacting the silicon-containing copper catalyst with an organohalide at a temperature of from 100 to 600° C. to form at least one diorganodihalosilane.
US08772522B2
This invention relates to methods for the production of various metal salts of 5-sulfoisophthalic acid including those where the metal cation is selected from the group consisting of silver (I), sodium, potassium, rubidium, cesium, magnesium, calcium, strontium, barium, manganese (II), iron (II), cobalt (II), nickel (II), copper (I), copper (II), zinc, yttrium, and cadmium. The methods utilize a solvent system that comprises acetic acid or water or a mixture of both. The invention also encompasses the various metal salts of 5-sulfoisophthalic acid.
US08772519B2
The invention relates to a process for preparing mono-allyl-functionalized dialkylphosphinic acids, esters and salts with allylic compounds, characterized in that a) a phosphinic acid source (I) is reacted with olefins (IV) in the presence of a catalyst A to give an alkylphosphonous acid, or salt or ester thereof (II), b) the alkylphosphonous acid, or salt or ester thereof (II) thus formed is reacted with allylic compounds of the formula (V) in the presence of a catalyst B and of a base to give a mono-allyl-functionalized dialkylphosphinic acid derivative (III), where R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, R8, R9 are the same or different and are each independently, inter alia, H, C1-C18-alkyl, C6-C18-aryl, C6-C18-aralkyl, C6-C18-alkylaryl, and X is H, C1-C18-alkyl, C6-C18-aryl, C6-C18-aralkyl, C6-C18-alkylaryl, Mg, Ca, Al, Sb, Sn, Ge, Ti, Fe, Zr, Zn, Ce, Bi, Sr, Mn, Cu, Ni, Li, Na, K and/or a protonated nitrogen base, and the catalysts A and B are transition metals and/or transition metal compounds and/or catalyst systems which are composed of a transition metal and/or a transition metal compound and at least one ligand.
US08772514B2
A method of preparing furfural compounds and a mixture for preparing the same are disclosed. First, a solution is prepared by mixing an organic ammonium salt and a hydroxyl organic solvent. Then, a carbohydrate is mixed with the solution to form a mixture. The mixture is heated to a reaction temperature for conversion of the carbohydrate to produce the furfural compounds.
US08772512B2
The present invention relates to a crystallization procedure to obtain 1-(β-D-glucopyranosyl)-4-methyl-3-[5-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-thienylmethyl] benzene hemihydrate crystals having a narrow particle size distribution and improved flowability, bulk and tap density properties.
US08772509B2
In one aspect, the invention relates to indole compounds, derivatives thereof, and related compounds, which are useful as positive allosteric modulators of the muscarinic acetylcholine receptor M1 (mAChR M1); synthetic methods for making the compounds; pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds; and methods of treating neurological and psychiatric disorders associated with muscarinic acetylcholine receptor dysfunction using the compounds and compositions. 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.
US08772504B2
The present invention is concerned with novel substituted benzoxazole, benzimidazole, oxazolopyridine and imidazopyridine derivatives of Formula (I) wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, X, A1, A2, A3, A4, Y1, Y2, Y3 and Z have the meaning defined in the claims. The compounds according to the present invention are useful as gamma secretase modulators. The invention further relates to processes for preparing such novel compounds, pharmaceutical compositions comprising said compounds as an active ingredient as well as the use of said compounds as a medicament.
US08772502B2
A new class of alkylsulfinyl thiazolides is described. These compounds show strong activity against hepatitis viruses.
US08772492B2
The invention relates to 6-substituted isoquinoline and isoquinoline derivatives of the formula (I) useful for the treatment and/or prevention of diseases associated with Rho-kinase and/or Rho-kinase mediated phosphorylation of myosin light chain phosphatase, and compositions containing such compounds.
US08772491B2
The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of Solifenacin succinate by condensing a compound of formula (IVb) with (RS)-3-quinuclidinol, wherein, R represents methyl, ethyl, isopropyl; to produce a diastereomeric mixture of (1S)-3,4-dihydro-1-phenyl-2(1H)-isoquinolinecarboxylic acid (3RS)-1-azabicyclo[2.2.2]oct-3-yl ester, which is treated with succinic acid in a solvent or mixture of solvents to produce optically pure Solifenacin succinate, Formula (X).
US08772489B2
Optically active 2-hydroxytetrahydrothienopyridine derivatives represented by Formula I and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, preparation method and use in the manufacture of a medicament thereof are disclosed. The pharmacodynamic experiment results show that the present compounds of Formula I are useful for inhibiting platelet aggregation. The pharmacokinetic experiment results show that the present compound of Formula I can be converted in vivo into pharmacologically active metabolites and are therefore useful for inhibiting platelet aggregation. Therefore, the present compounds are useful for the manufacture of a medicament for preventing or treating thrombosis and embolism related diseases.
US08772486B2
Novel iridium-based Ir (III) luminescent complexes, conjugates comprising these complexes as a label and their application, for example in electrochemiluminescence based detection of an analyte.
US08772482B2
Compounds of formula I are disclosed, as well as compositions comprising them and methods of their use to treat, prevent and/or manage diseases and disorders:
US08772477B2
A method for preparing lactams by cyclizing hydrolysis of a corresponding aminonitrile is described. A method for manufacturing a lactam by reacting an aminonitrile with water in the presence of a catalyst involving placing the water and the aminonitrile in contact in vapor phase, passing the mixture of vapors through a bed of catalyst arranged in at least one tube forming a reaction chamber and recovering the lactam at the outlet of the tube is also described.
US08772476B2
Methods for producing lactams from oximes by performing a Beckmann rearrangement using a silicoaluminophosphate catalyst are provided. These catalysts may be used in gas phase or liquid phase reactions to convert oximes into lactams. High conversion of oxime and high selectivity for the desired lactams are produced using the disclosed methods, including high conversion and selectivity for ε-caprolactam produced from cyclohexanone oxime and high conversion and selectivity for ω-laurolactam produced from cyclododecanone oxime.
US08772475B2
A core of a cyclic structure represented by (—N—(CH2)n—)k is bonded to a dendrimer-type side chain with a specific branched structure at all nitrogen atoms in the core to produce a compound with a specific structure for producing a metal complex that exhibits a T1-reducing effect, and the resulting compound is coordinated to a metal ion that has a T1-reducing effect to obtain a metal complex that exhibits an excellent T1-reducing effect which is useful as an effective component of an MRI contrast agent and an MRI contrast agent using the same.
US08772473B2
The invention provides a new method for DNA sequencing called “natural sequencing by synthesis” (nSBS). According to the method, DNA that includes a desired sequence is synthesized using a dNTP mix with a small percentage of fluorescently-labeled nucleotides. The fluorescent label is cleavable. In contrast to previous methods that utilize 100% labeled nucleic acids, use of a small percentage of labeled nucleic acids minimizes the distortion of the natural structure of the extending DNA strand and the DNA polymerase. Using the disclosed methods with less than 10,000 copies of template DNA and 10% of the nucleotides labeled, long homopolymer stretches up to 20 bases can be sequenced with high accuracy and Q20 (with 99% accuracy) read lengths of up to 1,000 bases can be achieved. A Q20 read length of greater than 100 bases can potentially be achieved, even if the sequencing is performed with 1,000 copies of a template and 10% of the nucleotides labeled.
US08772470B1
Therapeutic agents which target heat shock protein (hsp) 27 in vivo are used to provide treatment to individuals, particularly human individuals, suffering from prostate cancer and other cancers that overexpress hsp27. A therapeutic agent, for example an antisense oligonucleotide or RNAi nucleotide inhibitor with sequence specificity for hsp27 mRNA, for example human hsp27 mRNA, is administered to an individual suffering from prostate cancer or some other cancer expressing elevated levels of hsp 27 in a therapeutically effective amount. The therapeutic agent is suitably formulated into a pharmaceutical composition which includes a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, and packaged in dosage unit form. A preferred dosage unit form is an injectable dosage unit form.
US08772469B2
The present invention relates to oligonucleotide derivatives which are at least partly double-stranded and which have a 2′5′-linked oligonucleotide residue on at least one 3′ end and to the use thereof for specific inhibition of gene expression.
US08772450B2
Disclosed are β-amino acid monomers containing cylcoalkyl, cycloalkenyl, and heterocylic substituents which encompass the α and β carbons of the peptide backbone and β-polypeptides made from such monomers. Method of generating combinatorial libraries of polypeptides containing the β-peptide residues and libraries formed thereby are disclosed.
US08772443B2
The present invention is directed to polymeric materials including a copolymer of at least a first and second monomer that have desirable electrical and optical properties, such as a low band gap and near infrared (NIR) absorption, respectively. More specifically, the present invention is directed to polymeric materials with charge neutrality that display increased solubility in aqueous media while retaining their electrical and optical properties. The polymeric materials in accordance with the present invention can be modified with any desired functional group to tailor the polymer materials for a specific application. Also described are methods of making the polymeric materials in accordance with the present invention.
US08772442B2
Disclosed are certain polymeric compounds and their use as organic semiconductors in organic and hybrid optical, optoelectronic, and/or electronic devices such as photovoltaic cells, light emitting diodes, light emitting transistors, and field effect transistors. The disclosed compounds can provide improved device performance, for example, as measured by power conversion efficiency, fill factor, open circuit voltage, field-effect mobility, on/off current ratios, and/or air stability when used in photovoltaic cells or transistors. The disclosed compounds can have good solubility in common solvents enabling device fabrication via solution processes.
US08772439B2
Solutions of a salt of a diamine and of a diacid, more particularly concentrated solutions of hexamethylene diammonium adipate salt (“nylon salt”), useful starting materials for the production of polyamides, more specifically of PA66, are prepared by mixing a diacid and a diamine, at a salt concentration by weight of from 50% to 80%, in a first stage, to provide aqueous solutions of diacid and diamine having a diacid/diamine molar ratio of greater than 1.1 and, in a second stage, adjusting the diacid/diamine molar ratio, by adding diamine, to a value of from 0.9 to 1.1, preferably from 0.99 to 1.01, and in fixing the salt concentration by weight by, optionally, adding water thereto.
US08772437B2
Disclosed herein is a biodegradable nitric oxide-generating polymer comprising a nitric oxide-releasing N2O231 (NONOate) functional group. The polymer can be applied to various medical devices for the treatment of various diseases such as thrombosis and restenosis.
US08772433B2
Provided is a polylactic acid-based polyol composition in which a catalyst that remains in the polylactic acid-based polyol and that acts also as a catalyst for urethane formation has been deactivated by easy means. Thus, the polylactic acid-based polyol composition suffers from little influence of the catalyst on urethane formation. When the polylactic acid-based polyol composition is used as a raw material for a urethane resin, therefore, uniform molded products can be obtained. Also provided are a process for the production of the polylactic acid-based polyol composition, a urethane resin composition obtained using the polylactic acid-based polyol composition, a process for the production of the same, and molded products thereof. The polylactic acid-based polyol composition is a composition which comprises both a polylactic acid-based polyol prepared by transesterification and a silica compound and in which the silica compound has a surface area of 40 m2 or more based on 100 g of the polylactic acid-based polyol and a content of the silica compound is 70 wt % or less.
US08772429B2
The present invention provides a triblock copolymer and a viscoelastic biostable foam comprising the same.
US08772425B2
The present invention provides pressure-sensitive adhesives having a refractive index of at least 1.50. The pressure-sensitive adhesives comprise at least one monomer containing a substituted or an unsubstituted biphenyl group.
US08772415B2
The disclosure provides a hydrogenated straight-chain block copolymer, obtained by selective hydrogenation of a straight-chain block copolymer.
US08772410B1
A composition that can be used as foam composition is disclosed, which comprises or is produced from an ethylene acrylate dipolymer, an acid copolymer, and optionally a soft ethylene polymer. The ethylene acrylate dipolymer comprises repeat units derived from ethylene and at least one alkylacrylate. The acid copolymer comprises repeat units derived from ethylene and acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, or combinations thereof. The soft ethylene polymer comprises ethylene and an α-olefin, vinyl acetate, or combinations thereof.
US08772396B2
A composition includes specific amounts of a poly(arylene ether), an unfunctionalized hydrogenated triblock copolymer, an unfunctionalized polyolefin, and magnesium dihydroxide. The composition is useful for forming insulation and sheath layers of wire and cable.
US08772391B2
Embodiments of the present disclosure present electrically conductive, thermosetting compositions for use in surfacing films and adhesives. The surfacing films possess enhanced electrical conductivity, comparable to metals, without the use of embedded metal screens or foils. Such surfacing films may be incorporated into composite structures (e.g., prepregs, tapes, and fabrics), for example, by co-curing, as an outermost surface layer. In particular, compositions formed using silver flakes as conductive fillers are found to exhibit very high electrical conductivity. For example, compositions including greater than 45 wt. % silver flake exhibit resistivities less than about 55 mΩ/sq. In this manner, the surfacing films as an outermost conductive layer may provide lighting strike protection (LSP) and electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding when used in applications such as aircraft components.
US08772389B1
A caulk composition having a first color upon application and a second color upon formation of a skin, wherein said skin is suitable for application of a surface treatment.
US08772371B2
The invention relates to pearlescent pigments comprising a platelet-shaped substrate, a metal oxide coating comprising a metal oxide layer having a refractive index of greater than 1.8 and a protective layer, wherein the protective layer comprises a metal oxide/hydroxide layer and optionally boroxide, applied to which is an organic aftercoat of an acrylic copolymer, to a method for producing said pigments and the use thereof. The outer layer provides a very good photo-stabilisation of the TiO2 coated platelet-shaped substrates, such as mica, combined with a good water resistance and an anti-yellowing performance.
US08772370B1
An environmentally safe, biodegradable aqueous antifreeze solution and a puncture sealing composition containing the same are provided. The antifreeze solution includes an antifreeze agent selected from trimethylglycine, dimethyl sulfoxide, and derivatives and combinations thereof. The composition is effective in forming and maintaining seals in tube and tire punctures.
US08772366B2
A phenolic foam is made by foaming and curing a foamable phenolic resin composition that comprises a phenolic resin, a blowing agent, an acid catalyst and an inorganic filler. The blowing agent comprises a blend of chlorinated aliphatic hydrocarbon containing 2 to 5 carbon atoms and an aliphatic hydrocarbon containing from 3 to 6 carbon atoms mixed in a ratio of 60/40 to 5/5 parts by weight. The inorganic filler is at least one selected from a metal hydroxide, a metal oxide, a metal carbonate and a metal powder. The phenolic foam has a pH of 5 or more and a water uptake less than 1 kg/m2. A phenolic foam with a higher pH value compared with conventional phenolic foam reduces corrosion risk when in contact with metallic materials. The phenolic foam maintains excellent long-term stable thermal insulation performance, low water uptake and fire resistance performance and by using the said blowing agent, does not harm the environment as an ozone or global warming depleting material.
US08772363B2
A foam containing 30 to 95% by weight of a polyolefin-based resin and 5 to 70% by weight of a hydrophilizing agent composed of a cellulose-based powder, the surface of the foam being in a melt fractured state.
US08772359B2
Surfactant systems are provided using microfibrous cellulose to suspend particulates. In one embodiment the surfactant system includes a microfibrous cellulose at a concentration from about 0.05% to about 1.0% (w/w), a surfactant at a concentration of about 51% to about 99% (w/w active surfactant), and a suspended particulate. Also provided herein are methods for preparing surfactant systems including microfibrous cellulose.
US08772356B2
A method for treating an inorganic slurry to preserve the slurry against bacterial contamination, including (I) providing a slurry in a substantially homogeneous phase, and then (II) adding to the slurry an effective amount of a composition containing: (a) a tetrakis(hydroxyorgano)phosphonium salt selected from the group consisting of tetrakis(hydroxymethyl)phosphonium sulphate, tetrakis(hydroxymethyl)phosphonium chloride, tetrakis(hydroxymethyl)phosphonium phosphate, tetrakis(hydroxymethyl)phosphonium nitrate and tetrakis(hydroxymethyl)phosphonium oxalate; and (b) a dispersant selected from the group consisting of (i) a phosphonated compound containing at least one tertiary nitrogen atom and (ii) a homopolymer of an unsaturated acid; and (III) preserving the slurry against bacterial contamination, while avoiding instantaneous heterogeneous thickening of the slurry due to the tetrakis(hydroxyorgano)phosphonium salt.
US08772348B2
The present invention provides a novel insecticide formulation that not only demonstrates strong insecticidal and residual activity against a variety of insects, but also exhibits low mammalian toxicity. In certain embodiments, the present invention relates to the use of pesticidal compounds selected from beta damascone, CYCLEMONE A™, melafleur, and derivatives thereof for killing arthropod pests including, but not limited to, mosquitoes and flies. Specifically exemplified herein is the use of the compounds of the present invention to control three mosquitoes (Aedes aegypti, Ae. albopictus, and Anopheles quadrimaculatus), the house fly (Musca domestica), the stable fly (Stomoxys calcitrans) and the sand fly (Lutzomyia shannoni).
US08772343B2
The invention relates to sulfonamide derivatives, to their use in medicine, to compositions containing them, to processes for their preparation and to intermediates used in such processes. More particularly the invention relates to a new sulfonamide Nav1.7 inhibitors of formula 10 (I):(I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein Z, R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 are as defined in the description. Nav1.7 inhibitors are potentially useful in the treatment of a wide range of disorders, particularly pain.
US08772330B2
The present disclosure concerns a compound, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, having a formula: where at least one of R1-R4 is a heterocycle, at least one of R1-R4 is an aryl group coupled to the ring by a linker atom, functional group, or other moiety, or where none of R1-R4 is an amide, and any and all combinations thereof. Remaining R1-R4 substituents independently are aliphatic, substituted aliphatic, amine, substituted amine, aryl, substituted aryl, cyclic, substituted cyclic, halide, heteroaryl, substituted heteroaryl, heterocyclic, substituted heterocyclic, hydrogen or hydroxyl. A method for treating a subject also is provided comprising administering a disclosed compound or compounds, or a prodrug that is converted into the disclosed compound or compounds, or a composition comprising the compound, compounds, or prodrugs thereof, to a subject. A method for making disclosed compounds also is provided.
US08772322B2
A preservative composition comprising: (a) 1,2-Benzisothiazolin-3-one (BIT); (b) 3-Iodo-2-propynyl carbamate (IPBC); and (c) a mixture of 5-Chloro-2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one (CMIT) and 2-Methyl-4-isothiazolm-3-one (MIT).
US08772320B2
An object of the present invention is to provide to a compound and a pharmaceutical composition, which have excellent Syk-inhibitory activity. The present invention provides a nicotinamide derivative represented by the following formula (I) (wherein R1 represents a halogen atom; R2 represents a C1-12 alkyl group, a C2-12 alkenyl group, a C2-12 alkynyl group, a C3-8 cycloalkyl group, an aryl group, an ar-C1-6 alkyl group or a heterocyclic group, each optionally having at least one substituent; R3 represents an aryl group or a heterocyclic group each optionally having at least one substituent; and R4 and R5 each independently represent a hydrogen atom; and R2 and R4 may form a cyclic amino group optionally having at least one substituent together with the nitrogen atom to which they bind) or a salt thereof, and a pharmaceutical composition for use in the treatment of a Syk-related disease which comprises the nicotinamide derivative or a salt thereof.
US08772318B2
This invention provides compounds that selectively inhibit monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL). The invention also provides methods of using the MAGL selective inhibitors to stimulate 2-Arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) mediated endocannabinoid signaling in vivo, and to treat conditions that are associated with or linked to endocannabinoid signaling. The invention additionally provides methods of treating cancer or inhibiting tumor growth by targeting MAGL with MAGL specific inhibitors. The invention further provides methods of screening for MAGL inhibitors with improved biochemical and pharmaceutical properties.
US08772310B2
The present invention provides a compound of formula I: wherein X−, R1, and R2 are as defined herein, and compositions thereof; useful as a peripheral mu opioid receptor antagonist.
US08772309B2
The present invention provides a kit comprising, in separate compartments of a container, the following components (a) and (b): (a) a combination of apomorphine or a pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salt thereof and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient or carrier; and (b) a solution which comprises a diluent and a pH modifying agent; the components being presented such that they can be combined at the point of use into a formulation which is adjusted to a pH ranging from mildly acidic to alkaline and which is suitable for buccal administration. The formulation is useful in treating Parkinson's disease and in promoting sexual function.
US08772305B2
The invention relates to new substituted pyridinyl-pyrimidines of formula 1 wherein ring A is a five-membered saturated or unsaturated carbocyclic ring which optionally comprises one, two or three heteroatoms each independently from each other selected from the group N, S and O, wherein R1, R2, R4, R3, R5 and R6 are defined as in claim 1 and wherein ring A is further optionally substituted by one or two further substituents and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts, diastereomers, enantiomers, racemates, hydrates and solvates of the aforementioned compounds.
US08772295B2
The present disclosure provides compounds that function as modulators of aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) enzymatic activity, as well as compositions and formulations comprising the compounds. The present disclosure provides therapeutic methods involving administering a subject compound, or a subject pharmaceutical composition.
US08772293B2
The invention relates to sulfonamide derivatives, to their use in medicine, to compositions containing them, to processes for their preparation and to intermediates used in such processes.More particularly the invention relates to new sulfonamide Nav1.7 inhibitors of formula (I): or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein Z1, Ra, Rb, R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 are as defined in the description. Nav 1.7 inhibitors are potentially useful in the treatment of a wide range of disorders, particularly pain.
US08772278B2
The present invention relates to a method of prophylaxis or treatment of systemic diseases in cats, wherein the method comprising administration of a therapeutically effective amount of angiotensin II receptor 1 (AT-1) antagonist (sartan) to a cat in need of such a treatment.
US08772273B2
The invention provides retinoic acid receptor (RAR) selective agonists and formulations thereof for the treatment of disease or for inducing a medically beneficial effect.
US08772268B2
Bisphosphonamidate prodrugs of therapeutic bisphosphonate compounds and uses thereof to treat diseases are described.
US08772267B2
The invention is directed to a method of treating chronic spinal mechanical pain by intravenous administration to a subject in need of chronic spinal mechanical pain relief of an effective amount of bisphosphonate.
US08772250B2
The present invention relates, in some embodiments, to compositions comprising a substantially pure compound represented by Structural Formula (I) and methods of using such compounds to activate cytoprotective kinases. In additional embodiments, the invention relates to methods for treating an ischemia or an ischemia-reperfusion injury in a subject, comprising administering to the subject an effective amount of a compound of the invention (e.g., in multiple doses). The values and preferred values of the variables in Structural Formula (I) are defined herein.
US08772243B2
The present invention relates to methods for predicting the response to treatment with an agonist of TLR7, or an agonist of TLR8 or an anti-cancer agent for treating cancer, in particular non-small cell lung cancer comprising the step of detecting the expression of TLR7 or TLR8 in cancer cells of said patient.
US08772239B2
A medicament for therapeutic treatment and/or improvement of sepsis in a patient with severe sepsis accompanied with one or more organ dysfunctions, wherein a value of International Normalized Ratio (INR) of a plasma specimen obtained from said patient is more than 1.4, which comprises thrombomodulin as an active ingredient.
US08772234B2
In certain aspects, the present invention provides BMP10 propeptides for use in treating a variety of disorders including heart disorders and other disorders associated with unwanted activity of the mature BMP10 polypeptide. The present invention also provides methods of screening compounds that modulate activity of BMP10.
US08772232B2
Novel protracted exendin-4 compounds and therapeutic uses thereof.
US08772230B2
This invention relates to the use of niacin and/or trigonelline compounds to increase muscle weight during periods of activity or to inhibit muscle loss during periods of inactivity.
US08772229B2
The invention provides inhibitors of ghrelin O-acyltransferase, and methods of making and using them. In some embodiments, the invention provides bisubstrate analog inhibitors of ghrelin O-acyltransferase, which can be effective in treating, for example, obesity and diabetes mellitus.
US08772220B2
A chemical delivery product for delivering an oxidizing chemical into an aqueous system is disclosed. For instance, in one embodiment, a substrate containing an oxidizing chemical, such as trichloroisocyanuric acid, is coated with a water soluble polymer in order to prevent the oxidizing chemical from degrading prior to use and in order to facilitate handling. In accordance with the present disclosure, a neutralizing agent is contacted with the substrate in order to prevent the substrate from degrading the water soluble coating. In an alternative embodiment, a package is formed from a water soluble film forming composition combined with a base.
US08772216B2
The present invention relates to a low VOC hard surface cleaning composition comprising a surfactant, a glycol ether organic solvent, an aminoalcohol and fragrance, having a pH from 10.0 to 12.0. The present invention further encompasses a process to prepare a low VOC hard surface cleaning composition. Furthermore, the present invention encompasses a process of cleaning a hard surface with a low VOC hard surface cleaning composition.
US08772213B2
The present invention relates to solvent compositions including an effective amount of 1-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene and uses thereof. In certain aspects, such solvent compositions may be applied to the surface of an article or portion of an article having an ink or ink-based marking so as to remove the ink or ink-based marking without deleteriously impacting the article or surface of the article.
US08772207B2
A ceramic propping agent, in the form of a spherical pellet, and containing common mineral particulate. The desired propping agent is defined as a particulate ceramic made from raw materials which may be comprised of about: 10%-90% parts by weight of a naturally occurring mineral particulate, 30%-70% parts by weight aluminosilicate network modifier, 0.25-20% parts by weight strength enhancer, and at least one part, typically less than 10% by weight, binder. For use in oil and/or natural gas wells as a hydraulic fracturing proppant.
US08772206B2
The invention discloses a method comprising providing a fluid comprising a viscosifying agent in an aqueous medium; contacting the fluid with a halogenisocyanuric acid or halogenisocyanurate component; whereby the viscosity of the fluid with the halogenisocyanuric acid or halogenisocyanurate component is reduced compared to the viscosity of the fluid alone; and introducing the fluid into a well. The halogenisocyanuric acid component can be mono chloroisocyanuric acid, dichloroisocyanuric acid or trichloroisocyanuric acid. The halogenisocyanurate component can be an alkali metal monochloroisocyanurate, alkali metal dichloroisocyanurate or alkali metal trichloroisocyanurate.
US08772205B2
Of the many embodiments presented herein, one is a subterranean treatment fluid comprising: an aqueous fluid; and a water-soluble degradable synthetic vinyl polymer having a labile link in its backbone. Also provided in one instance is a water-soluble degradable synthetic vinyl polymer with labile group in its backbone made by a redox polymerization, the redox polymerization reaction comprising these reactants: a macroinitiator that comprises a labile link, an oxidizing metal ion, and a vinyl monomer.
US08772197B2
One aspect of the present invention relates to reactive compositions and methods of use thereof, wherein a metal oxide cluster is used to connect a reactive group (or groups) to the surface of a substrate. In certain embodiments, the reactive group in the compositions decomposes organophosphate agents through nucleophilic hydrolysis. In certain embodiments, the reactive group in the compositions is bactericidal. Remarkably, the use of metal oxide clusters in the disclosed compositions and methods permits incorporation of higher quantities of nucleophilic and bactericidal groups without the difficulties associated with having to pretreat the substrate prior to its association with the reactive groups.
US08772179B2
Pattern forming method, pattern forming apparatus, and method for manufacturing semiconductor device
According to one embodiment, a pattern forming method using a template containing a pattern that has at least one recess section or protrusion section to transfer the shape of the pattern to a resin layer on a substrate, is provided. The method includes a process for coating the resin on the substrate, a process for making the hardness of the first portion as a portion of the resin higher than the hardness of the second portion as the portion other than the first portion, and a process in which the portion other than the pattern of the template makes contact with the first portion, in a state where a gap is maintained between the template and the resin, the shape of the pattern is transferred to the second portion, and the resin is cured. Embodiments of an apparatus for pattern forming are also provided.
US08772175B2
A CMOS SGT manufacturing method includes a step of forming first and second fin-shaped silicon layers on a substrate, forming a first insulating film around the first and second fin-shaped silicon layers, and forming first and second pillar-shaped silicon layers; a step of forming n-type diffusion layers; a step of forming p-type diffusion layers; a step of forming a gate insulating film and first and second polysilicon gate electrodes; a step of forming a silicide in upper portions of the diffusion layers in upper portions of the first and second fin-shaped silicon layers; and a step of depositing an interlayer insulating film, exposing the first and second polysilicon gate electrodes, etching the first and second polysilicon gate electrodes, and then depositing a metal to form first and second metal gate electrodes.
US08772173B2
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes providing a substrate having a gate structure, a source region, and a drain region formed thereon, and the gate structure includes a gate insulating layer and a gate electrode. The method also includes forming a first stress layer on the substrate, removing the first stress layer, and forming a second stress layer on the substrate.
US08772171B2
A gas switching system for a gas distribution system for supplying different gas compositions to a chamber, such as a plasma processing chamber of a plasma processing apparatus, is provided. The chamber can include multiple zones, and the gas switching section can supply different gases to the multiple zones. The switching section can switch the flows of one or more gases, such that one gas can be supplied to the chamber while another gas can be supplied to a by-pass line, and then switch the gas flows.
US08772169B2
A method for forming a semiconductor structure includes the following steps. Trenches are formed in a semiconductor region using a masking layer such that the trenches have a first depth, a first width along their bottom, and sidewalls having a first slope. The masking layer is removed, and a bevel etch is performed to taper the sidewalls of the trenches so that the sidewalls have a second slope less than the first slope.
US08772167B2
A method of forming a semiconductor memory device includes forming an etch target layer on a substrate, forming a sacrificial layer having preliminary openings on the etch target layer, forming assistance spacers in the preliminary openings, respectively, removing the sacrificial layer, such that the assistance spacers remain on the etch target layer, forming first mask spacers covering inner sidewalls of the assistance spacers, respectively, the first mask spacers respectively defining first openings, forming a second mask spacer covering outer sidewalls of the assistance spacers, the second mask spacer defining second openings between the first openings, the first and second openings being adjacent to each other along a first direction, and etching the etch target layer exposed by the first openings and the second openings to form holes in the etch target layer.
US08772148B1
A method is provided for fabricating a metal gate transistor. The method includes providing a semiconductor substrate; and forming a dielectric layer on the semiconductor substrate. The method also includes forming at least one dummy gate on the dielectric layer; and forming a first sidewall spacer around the dummy gate. Further, the method includes forming a gate dielectric layer with sidewalls protruding from sidewalls of the dummy gate and vertical to the semiconductor substrate by etching the dielectric layer using the first sidewall spacer and the dummy gate as an etching mask; and removing the dummy gate to form a trench. Further, the method also includes forming a metal gate in the trench; and forming a source region and a drain region in the semiconductor substrate.
US08772146B2
A method of fabricating a semiconductor device includes forming a first gate pattern and a dummy gate pattern on a first active area and a second active area of a substrate, respectively, the first gate pattern including a first gate insulating layer and a silicon gate electrode, removing the dummy gate pattern to expose a surface of the substrate in the second active area, forming a second gate pattern including a second gate insulating layer and a metal gate electrode on the exposed surface of the substrate, the first gate insulating layer having a thickness larger than a thickness of the second gate insulating layer, and forming a gate silicide on the silicon gate electrode after forming the second gate pattern.
US08772138B2
A high voltage light emitting diode chip and its manufacturing method are provided. The high voltage light emitting diode chip can be manufactured by forming a plurality of light emitting diode units on a substrate and electrically connecting the light emitting diode units, wherein a trench with a width of about 0.5 μm to about 7 μm is present between every two adjacent light emitting diode units to isolate the light emitting diode units. The procedure for manufacturing the high voltage light emitting diode chip is simple and the high voltage light emitting diode chip that is produced can exhibit satisfying luminous efficiency.
US08772126B2
A cavity is etched from a front surface into a semiconductor substrate. After providing an etch stop structure at the bottom of the cavity, the cavity is closed. From a back surface opposite to the front surface the semiconductor substrate is grinded at least up to an edge of the etch stop structure oriented to the back surface. Providing the etch stop structure at the bottom of an etched cavity allows for precisely adjusting a thickness of a semiconductor body of a semiconductor device.
US08772105B2
A semiconductor device and a method for forming the same are disclosed. The semiconductor device includes a first junction region formed at the bottom of a vertical pillar, a bit line formed below the first junction region, and an insulation film formed below the bit line. As a result, the 4F2-sized semiconductor device is provided and the bit line is configured in the form of a laminated structure of a conductive layer and a polysilicon layer, so that bit line resistance is reduced. In addition, the semiconductor device reduces ohmic contact resistance by forming silicide between the conductive layer and the polysilicon layer, and includes an insulation film at a position between the semiconductor substrate and the bit line, resulting in reduction of bit line capacitance. Therefore, the sensing margin of the semiconductor device is increased and the data retention time is also increased.
US08772100B2
A low gate resistance high-k metal gate transistor device is formed by providing a set of gate stacks (e.g., replacement metal gate (RMG) stacks) in a trench on a silicon substrate. The gate stacks in the trench may have various layers such as: a high-k layer formed over the substrate; a barrier layer (formed over the high-k layer; a p-type work function (pWF) layer formed over the barrier layer; and an n-type work function (nWF) layer formed over the pWF layer. The nWF layer will be subjected to a nitrogen containing plasma treatment to form a nitridized nWF layer on the top surface, and an Al containing layer will then be applied over the gas plasma treated layer. By utilizing a gas plasma treatment, the gap within the trench may remain wider, and thus allow for improved Al fill and reflow at high temperature (400° C.-480° C.) subsequently applied thereto.
US08772099B2
A method of detecting a detection target using a sensor requires a sensor having a transistor selected from the group of field-effect transistors or single electron transistors. The transistor includes a substrate, a source electrode disposed on the substrate and a drain electrode disposed on the substrate, and a channel forming a current path between the source electrode and the drawing electrode; an interaction-sensing gate comprising a specific substance; and a voltage gate. The method includes (a) providing the detection target on the interaction-sensing gate; (b) setting the gate voltage in the voltage gate at a predetermined level; (c) selectively interacting the specific substance with the detection target; (d) when the detection target interacts with the specific substance, changing a gate voltage in the voltage gate to adjust a characteristic of the transistor; and (e) measuring a change in the characteristic of the transistor to determine a presence of the detection target.
US08772096B2
Provided are a method of forming a contact and a method of manufacturing a phase change memory device using the same. The method of forming a contact includes forming on a substrate an insulating layer pattern having first sidewalls extending in a first direction and second sidewalls extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and which together delimit contact holes, forming semiconductor patterns in lower parts of the contact holes, forming isolation spacers on the semiconductor pattern and side surfaces of the first sidewalls to expose portions of the semiconductor patterns, and etching the exposed portions of the semiconductor patterns using the isolation spacers as a mask to divide the semiconductor patterns into a plurality of finer semiconductor patterns.
US08772087B2
Method and apparatus for semiconductor device fabrication using a reconstituted wafer is described. In one embodiment, diced semiconductor chips are placed within openings on a frame. A reconstituted wafer is formed by filling a mold compound into the openings. The mold compound is formed around the chips. Finished dies are formed within the reconstituted wafer. The finished dies are separated from the frame.
US08772085B2
A packaging architecture for an integrated circuit is provided. The architecture includes a printed circuit board and a package substrate disposed on the printed circuit board. A first integrated circuit is disposed on a first surface of the package substrate. The package substrate is capable of supporting a second integrated circuit. The second integrated circuit is in electrical communication with a plurality of pads disposed on the first surface of the package substrate. Each of the plurality of pads is in electrical communication with the printed circuit board without communicating with the first integrated circuit.
US08772083B2
Various substrates or circuit boards for receiving a semiconductor chip and methods of processing the same are disclosed. In one aspect, a method of manufacturing is provided that includes forming a first opening in a solder mask positioned on a side of a substrate. The first opening does not extend to the side. A second opening is formed in the solder mask that extends to the side. The first opening may serve as an underfill anchor site.
US08772079B2
A method of backside contacting of thin layer photovoltaic cells having Si elements as well as thin film cells, like CIGS, is provided, including the following steps: providing a p-n-junction including a thin n-doped Si layer and a thin p-doped Si layer bonded on top of said n-doped Si layer; bonding said p-n-junction to a glass substrate; preparing contact points on said structured thin p-doped Si layer and said thin n-doped Si layer; and creating contact pins on said structured thin p-doped Si layer and said thin n-doped Si layer.
US08772074B2
Provided are an organic light emitting display device and a method for manufacturing the same. The organic light emitting display device comprises a transistor on a substrate, a cathode on the transistor and connected to a source or a drain of the transistor, a bank layer on the cathode and having an opening, a metal buffer layer on the cathode, an organic light emitting layer on the metal buffer layer, and an anode on the organic light emitting layer.
US08772065B2
A package body (1) with an upper side (2), with an underside (22), opposite from the upper side (2), and with a side surface, which connects the upper side (2) and the underside (22) and is provided as a mounting surface (19), the package body (1) having a plurality of layers (8) which contain a ceramic material, and a main direction of extent of the layers (23, 24, 25) running obliquely in relation to the mounting surface (19). Furthermore, a method for producing a package body (1) is provided.
US08772061B2
A solid state energy conversion device and method of making is disclosed for converting energy between electromagnetic and electrical energy. The solid state energy conversion device comprises a wide bandgap semiconductor material having a first doped region. A thermal energy beam is directed onto the first doped region of the wide bandgap semiconductor material in the presence of a doping gas for converting a portion of the first doped region into a second doped region in the wide bandgap semiconductor material. A first and a second Ohmic contact are applied to the first and the second doped regions of the wide bandgap semiconductor material. In one embodiment, the solid state energy conversion device operates as a light emitting device to produce electromagnetic radiation upon the application of electrical power to the first and second Ohmic contacts.
US08772059B2
Embodiments of structures and methods for determining operating characteristics of a non-volatile memory transistor comprising a charge-storage-layer and a tunneling-layer are described. In one embodiment, the method comprises: forming on a substrate a structure including a nitrided tunneling-layer and a charge-storage-layer overlying the tunneling-layer comprising a first charge-storage layer adjacent to the tunneling-layer, and a second charge-storage layer overlying the first charge-storage layer, wherein the first charge-storage layer is separated from the second charge-storage layer by a anti-tunneling layer comprising an oxide; depositing a positive charge on the charge-storage-layer and determining a first voltage to establish a first leakage current through the charge-storage-layer and the tunneling-layer; depositing a negative charge on the charge-storage-layer and determining a second voltage to establish a second leakage current through the charge-storage-layer and the tunneling-layer; and determining a differential voltage by calculating a difference between the first and second voltages.
US08772057B1
Structures and methods are provided for determining operating characteristics of a non-volatile memory transistor comprising a charge-storage-layer and a tunneling-layer. In one embodiment, the method comprises: forming a structure including a charge-storage-layer overlying a tunneling-layer on a substrate; depositing a positive charge on the charge-storage-layer and determining a first voltage to establish a first leakage current through the charge-storage-layer and the tunneling-layer; depositing a negative charge on the charge-storage-layer and determining a second voltage to establish a second leakage current through the charge-storage-layer and the tunneling-layer; and determining a differential voltage by calculating a difference between the first and second voltages. Other embodiments are also disclosed.
US08772055B1
A method and apparatus for processing a semiconductor substrate is described. The apparatus is a process chamber having an optically transparent upper dome and lower dome. Vacuum is maintained in the process chamber during processing. The upper dome is thermally controlled by flowing a thermal control fluid along the upper dome outside the processing region. Thermal lamps are positioned proximate the lower dome, and thermal sensors are disposed among the lamps. The lamps are powered in zones, and a controller adjusts power to the lamp zones based on data received from the thermal sensors.
US08772046B2
Microfluidic structures and methods for manipulating fluids and reactions are provided. Such structures and methods may involve positioning fluid samples, e.g., in the form of droplets, in a carrier fluid (e.g., an oil, which may be immiscible with the fluid sample) in predetermined regions in a microfluidic network. In some embodiments, positioning of the droplets can take place in the order in which they are introduced into the microfluidic network (e.g., sequentially) without significant physical contact between the droplets. Because of the little or no contact between the droplets, there may be little or no coalescence between the droplets. Accordingly, in some such embodiments, surfactants are not required in either the fluid sample or the carrier fluid to prevent coalescence of the droplets. Structures and methods described herein also enable droplets to be removed sequentially from the predetermined regions.
US08772045B1
The present method and system may be used for detecting the presence of explosive elements. A sample element may be used to swipe an object for a test sample. The sample element may be positioned in a sample holder of a testing device having a heater. The heater may be programmed to heat the sample element and sample in a controlled manner through two temperature increases from approximately 35 degrees to 165 degrees centigrade in approximately 20 seconds. Prior to each temperature increase a first and second reagent fluid is applied to the sample holder, and during the temperature rise the sample holder is observed for the presence of various explosive elements by detecting colors as compared to a color chart. The color observations may be based on time and temperature variations using a testing device.
US08772020B2
A fermentation system for production of biogas from solid organic material, the system including at least one fermentation reactor. The fermentation reactor includes a vessel (37) for housing a feed mixture having liquid and solid particles and an outlet port (44), a strainer assembly (33) at the outlet port for filtering processed feed mixture from the vessel, and a biogasification reactor (37) in fluid communication with another fermentation reactor, the other fermentation reactor configured to produce a biomethane. The strainer assembly further includes a mixture driving member (53) positioned in the strainer body (47) adjacent the drain opening (51), the mixture driving member having a driving surface configured to receive the liquid passing through the filter member (60). The driving surface engages the filter member such that solid particles are driven from a surface of the filter member when the driving member is activated. A method of continuously producing a biogas and servicing a strainer assembly for a hydrolysis reactor are disclosed.
US08772010B2
The invention relates to recombinantly produced β-Glucosidase Variants with enhanced thermoactivity compared to naturally occurring proteins. The invention also provides methods for producing a variant β-glucosidase polypeptide with improved thermoactivity by identifying performance sensitive positions in a target β-glucosidase polypeptide and substituting the residue at that position with a thermoactivity enhancing residue.
US08772000B2
The present invention relates to a transformant for inhibiting glycerol production through deletion of glycerol producing genes of Saccharomyces cerevisiae modified so as to use glycerol as a fermentation source, or enhancing bioethanol production through overexpression of TATA-binding proteins, SPT3 and SPT15, and a method for producing ethanol by using the transformant.
US08771999B2
Bioconversion processes are disclosed that enable high conversion efficiencies of gas substrate containing both carbon monoxide and hydrogen to oxygenated organic compounds via the carbon monoxide and hydrogen pathways using anaerobic, deep, bubble column fermentation in a cost effective manner. The high conversion efficiency processes of this invention comprise the combination of using at least two deep, bubble column reactors in flow series and using certain feed gas compositions and microbubbles while avoiding carbon monoxide inhibition.
US08771993B1
The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having endoglucanase activity and polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides. The invention also relates to nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides as well as methods of producing and using the polypeptides.
US08771990B2
A method of producing a recombinant lipidated polypeptide in E. coli. The method includes providing an E. coli host cell adapted to express a recombinant lipidated polypeptide; and culturing the E. coli host cell in a minimal medium under conditions that allow expression of the polypeptide in lipidated form.
US08771986B2
Disclosed herein are engineered cleavage half-domains; fusion polypeptides comprising these engineered cleavage half-domains; polynucleotides encoding the engineered cleavage half-domains and fusion proteins; and cells comprising said polynucleotides and/or fusion proteins. Also described are methods of using these polypeptides and polynucleotides, for example for targeted cleavage of a genomic sequence.
US08771982B2
The present invention relates, in general, to telomeres, and, in particular, to a method or effecting telomere elongation in mammalian cells. The invention further relates to a protein suitable for use in such a method and to nucleic acid sequences encoding same.
US08771978B2
In accordance with preferred embodiments of the present invention, a method for imaging tissue, for example, includes the steps of mounting the tissue on a computer controlled stage of a microscope, determining volumetric imaging parameters, directing at least two photons into a region of interest, scanning the region of interest across a portion of the tissue, imaging layers of the tissue, sectioning a portion of the tissue, capturing the sectioned tissue, and imaging additional layers of the tissue in a second volume of the tissue, and capturing each portion of sectioned tissue, and processing three-dimensional data that is collected to create a three-dimensional image of the region of interest. Further, captured tissue sections can be processed, re-imaged, and indexed to their original location in the three dimensional image.
US08771974B2
Provided herein are methods of diagnosing or monitoring the treatment of abnormal glycan accumulation or a disorder associated with abnormal glycan accumulation.
US08771971B2
The present invention provides simple and rapid methods for measuring the function of a desired subset of lymphocytes, for example, T cells, B cells or NK cells. In addition, the present invention provides an all-in-one kit that contains reagents which permit a rapid and reliable analysis of the functions of T cells, B cells and NK cells obtained directly from whole blood or cord blood.
US08771965B2
The present invention concerns the methods and compositions involving nucleic acids with long repeat sequences. In some embodiments of the invention, there are methods for generating such a nucleic acid, and in other methods, there are methods for using such a nucleic acid to screen for candidate therapeutic compounds. Furthermore the present invention relates to methods of screening for Notch inhibitors and other substances that may be used to treat muscle loss and wasting.
US08771959B2
Methods for making transgenic plants that are resistant to HPPD herbicides are presented. Polynucleotides other than those from Pseudomonas fluorescens that encode resistant HPPD enzymes are enclosed for use in the process of making transgenic plants that are tolerant to HPPD-inhibiting herbicides.
US08771955B2
Device and methods for extracting and analyzing nucleic acids from biological samples.
US08771953B2
The present invention relates to in vitro methods for the determination of the potential toxicity of test compounds. The invention also comprises in vitro methods for the selection of therapeutical compounds useful for the treatment of pathology related to an alteration of the mechanism of the mRNA editing of ADAR dependent A to I mRNA editing of the serotonin 2C receptor (5HTR2C). Finally, the present invention is directed to the kits and tools for the implementation of these methods. The invention is of special utility in the pharmaceutical industry for analysis of the toxicity profile or the screening of compounds involved in drug development and/or in pharmaceutical compositions.
US08771948B2
Provided herein are methods and compositions to extract and enrich by, physical separation or amplification, relatively short nucleic acids from a nucleic acid composition containing a high background of longer nucleic acids (e.g., host or maternal nucleic acids; genomic nucleic acid and the like).
US08771942B2
Human SCD genes are identified as modulators of the p53 pathway, and thus are therapeutic targets for disorders associated with defective p53 function. Methods for identifying modulators of p53, comprising screening for agents that modulate the activity of SCD are provided.
US08771941B2
The invention features a method of identifying oocytes with a risk of reproductive failure and/or aneuploidy based on a telomere length assay.
US08771938B2
Disclosed are example methods and devices for detecting one or more targets. An example method includes placing a sample including a first target with in a microfluidic device and hybridizing a plurality of copies of the first target with a plurality of nanostructures. The example method includes applying an electric current to the plurality of nanostructures and using an electric field created by the electric current to move the plurality of nanostructures. In addition, the plurality of nanostructures are sorted and evaluated to determine at least one of a presence, an absence, or a quantity of the first target.
US08771937B2
The present invention relates to a method for diagnosing and/or prognosing a pathology (such as inflammatory disease, especially Crohn disease) associated with a synonymous mutation occurring within a gene of interest (such as IRGM, NOD2 or BSN) in a subject and to a method for treating such pathology in a subject.
US08771933B2
This invention provides methods utilizing a microfluidic device that can quickly and accurately discern differences in deformability between individual cells and sets of cells and continuously fractionate populations of cells based on their deformability. This information may be important in disease diagnosis and treatment efficacy monitoring. For example such a device may be able to determine the stage of malarial infection by using red blood cell deformability. Additionally, methods of the invention may be used as a tool to screen drugs that can make cells more flexible in diseases such as sickle cell anemia that causes sickle cell crises. The relatively low manufacturing and operation costs of methods of the invention enable this device to be used in resource-limited settings to diagnose and monitor disease.
US08771932B2
Antibodies or fragments thereof having CDR regions replaced or fused with biologically active peptides are described. Flanking sequences may optionally be attached at one or both the carboxy-terminal and amino-terminal ends of the peptide in covalent association with adjacent framework regions. Compositions containing such antibodies or fragments thereof are useful in therapeutic and diagnostic modalities.
US08771931B2
Disclosed are a perfusion culture method and a perfusion culture device whereby a perfusate can be delivered to all parts of an organ or tissue so that the organ or tissue can be preserved while sufficiently maintaining the function thereof. Specifically disclosed is a method for perfusion culture of an organ or tissue removed from a mammal, said organ or tissue having been removed together with a second organ or tissue connected to the aforesaid organ or tissue in vivo, which comprises a step for fixing said second organ or tissue so as to hang the aforesaid organ or tissue and a step for perfusing blood vessels in the aforesaid organ or tissue with a perfusate.
US08771929B2
A stack of an organic planarization layer (OPL) and a template layer is provided over a substrate. The template layer is patterned to induce self-assembly of a copolymer layer to be subsequently deposited. A copolymer layer is deposited and annealed to form phase-separated copolymer blocks. An original self-assembly pattern is formed by removal of a second phase separated polymer relative to a first phase separated polymer. The original pattern is transferred into the OPL by an anisotropic etch, and the first phase separated polymer and the template layer are removed. A spin-on dielectric (SOD) material layer is deposited over the patterned OPL that includes the original pattern to form SOD portions that fill trenches within the patterned OPL. The patterned OPL is removed selective to the SOD portions, which include a complementary pattern. The complementary pattern of the SOD portions is transferred into underlying layers by an anisotropic etch.
US08771928B2
The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a stamper for injection molding, and more particularly, to a method for manufacturing a stamper for injection molding which can prevent a scratch from forming thereon and has an excellent durability owing to high hardness even after manufacturing of the metal stamper with micro patterns formed thereon is finished. The method for manufacturing a stamper for injection molding includes a pattern forming step for forming a predetermined micro pattern on a substrate, a metal plating step for making metal plating on the substrate to form a stamper having the micro pattern transcribed thereto, a stamper separating step for separating the stamper of the metal plating from the substrate, and a protective layer coating step for coating a protective layer on the stamper for maintaining a mirror surface.
US08771927B2
New compositions and methods of using those compositions as protective layers during the production of semiconductor and MEMS devices are provided. The compositions comprise a cycloolefin copolymer dispersed or dissolved in a solvent system, and can be used to form layers that protect a substrate during acid etching and other processing and handling. The protective layer can be photosensitive or non-photosensitive, and can be used with or without a primer layer beneath the protective layer. Preferred primer layers comprise a basic polymer in a solvent system.
US08771910B2
Disclosed is an electrophotographic photoreceptor including a conductive supporting body, a photosensitive layer and a protective layer. In the electrophotographic photoreceptor, at least the photosensitive layer and the protective layer are sequentially layered on the conductive supporting body, and the protective layer includes P-type semiconductor particles.
US08771907B2
According to one embodiment, a positive photosensitive resin composition includes a resin containing a specified acrylic acid besed-structural unit which generates a carboxyl group when its dissociative group is dissociated, which resin is insoluble in alkali or sparingly soluble in alkali but when its acid-dissociative group is dissociated, becomes soluble in alkali, a resin containing a structural unit derived from a radical-polymerizable monomer containing an epoxy group, a compound containing two or more epoxy groups in its molecule, provided that the resin containing the structural unit derived from a radical-polymerizable monomer containing an epoxy group is not included in this compound, and a compound that when exposed to actinic rays of 300 nm or longer wavelength, generates an acid.
US08771906B2
In the field of semiconductor production using charged particle beam lithography, a method and system for fracturing or mask data preparation or proximity effect correction is disclosed, in which the union of shots from one of a plurality of exposure passes is different than the union of shots from a different exposure pass. Methods for manufacturing a reticle and manufacturing an integrated circuit are also disclosed, in which the union of shots from one of a plurality of charged particle beam exposure passes is different than the union of shots from a different exposure pass.
US08771899B2
According to one embodiment, a system includes a structure having an ionically-conductive, electrically-resistive electrolyte/separator layer covering an inner or outer surface of a carbon-containing electrically-conductive hollow fiber and a catalyst coupled to the hollow fiber, an anode extending along at least part of a length of the structure, and a cathode extending along at least part of the length of the structure, the cathode being on an opposite side of the hollow fiber as the anode. In another embodiment, a method includes acquiring a structure having an ionically-conductive, electrically-resistive electrolyte/separator layer covering an inner or outer surface of a carbon-containing electrically-conductive hollow fiber and a catalyst along one side thereof, adding an anode that extends along at least part of a length of the structure, and adding a cathode that extends along at least part of the length of the structure on an opposite side as the anode.
US08771898B2
Described herein are solid oxide fuel cells and manufacturing methods thereof. In certain aspects, the solid oxide fuel cells described herein include a plurality of anodes and a plurality of cathodes in which the anodes and cathodes are alternately stacked on each other and have non-overlapping sections in which the anodes and cathodes do not overlap partially. In certain aspects, the plurality of anodes are electrically connected to a first electrode, and the plurality of cathodes are electrically connected to a second electrode. In certain aspects, a solid electrolyte can be included, for example, between the anode and the cathode. In certain aspects, partitioning sections are disposed between each of the cathodes and the first electrode and between each of the anodes and the second electrode.
US08771895B2
A method that employs a model based approach to determine a maximum anode pressure set-point based on existing airflow in the exhaust gas line. This approach maximizes anode flow channel velocity during bleed events while meeting the hydrogen emission constraint, which in turn increases the amount of water purged from the anode flow channels to increase stack stability.
US08771893B2
A fuel cell system operating method in which a temperature of a fuel cell power generator is measured when the fuel cell power generator stops generating power, and it is determined whether the temperature is within a predetermined temperature range, and a reverse current is supplied to the fuel cell power generator upon restart if the temperature was determined to be outside of the predetermined range so as to increase the efficiency of the system after restarting the fuel cell power generator after being exposed to extreme conditions. Subsequently, the reverse current supply to the fuel cell power generator stops and electric energy is generated through an electrochemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen in the fuel cell power generator.
US08771888B2
Provided is a fuel-cell system and a method of operating the fuel-cell system, wherein functions F=f(P) and P=f−1(F) of electrical output P and fuel flow-rate F required to output P are beforehand obtained, and a reformable fuel flow-rate FR is calculated from the temperature of reforming catalyst layer. When FR≧Fmin, if the output demand PD≦maximum output PM, and when f(PD)≦FR, F is set to f(PD); and when f(PD)>FR, the P is set to the maximum value within a range of less than PD amongst P calculated from P=f1(FR), and F is set to FR. When PD>PM, and when f(PM)≦FR, the cell output is set to PM, and F is set to f(PM). When f(PM)>FR, the cell output is set to the maximum value amongst P calculated from P=f1(FR), and F is set to FR.
US08771876B2
A positive electrode active material includes a lithium complex oxide particle, and a coating layer formed on at least a part of the surface of the lithium complex oxide particle. The lithium complex oxide particle is a lithium complex oxide particle composed mainly of nickel. The coating layer contains an oxo acid and/or an oxo acid compound, an acidity of the surface of the lithium complex oxide particle composed mainly of nickel is increased by the coating layer. The acidity is determined based on a pH of a supernatant of water in a state where after 1.0 part by weight of the lithium complex oxide particle composed mainly of nickel and having a coating layer formed thereon is dispersed in 50 parts by weight of water. The lithium complex oxide particle sediments, and the pH is less than 8.0.
US08771872B2
An embodiment of the present application aims at providing a material which repeatedly undergoes a conversion reaction and an alloying reaction to have an improved columbic efficiency in a first cycle of the repeating, and thereby allowing the material to serve as a high-electrical capacity negative electrode of a lithium secondary battery. In order to attain the object, a negative-electrode material is made by mixed dispersion of (i) nanoparticles of an electrical conducting material having electronic conduction and (ii) nanoparticles of an electrode active material which is reducible to a simple substance which undergoes an alloying reaction with lithium. The electrical conducting material is a sulfide having electronic conduction, and the electrode active material is a sulfide of an element which undergoes the alloying reaction with lithium. Further, the element which undergoes the alloying reaction with lithium is silicon.
US08771871B2
There is disclosed a lead storage battery comprising a group of plates housed in a battery jar, and an electrolyte injected therein to impregnate the group of plates with the electrolyte, thus performing formation treatment, the lead storage battery being adapted to be used in a partial state of charge where the state of charge is confined within the range of more than 70% to less than 100%, wherein the group of plates are formed of a stack constituted by a large number of negative substrates comprising grid substrates filled with a negative active material, by a large number of positive substrates comprising grid substrates filled with a positive active material, and by a porous separator interposed between the negative electrodes and positive electrodes, and the electrolyte contains at least one kind of ion selected from the group consisting of aluminum ions, selenium ions and titanium ions.
US08771863B2
Provided is a battery module in which a stacked body (142) of a plurality of flat batteries (144A to 144D) stacked on one another is housed. The battery module includes the flat batteries, an output terminal, a metal container, insulating plates and an insulating cover (170). Each of the flat batteries (144A to 144D) includes a power-generating element, an exterior package member for sealing the power-generating element, and electrode terminals led out from the exterior package member. The output terminal is used to provide a parallel or series connection between the electrode terminals of the plurality of flat batteries (144A to 144D) and to output power therefrom. The metal container is used to house the stacked body. The insulating plates are disposed to hold the electrode terminals of the flat batteries (144A to 144D) therebetween in such a way to insulate the electrode terminals from one another, and also include window portions through which the electrode terminals are exposed for the connection. The insulating cover (170) is disposed in such a way to cover the window portions of the insulating plates (160A, 160E) located in the outermost layers.
US08771862B2
A bus bar holder for connecting electrode terminals of a plurality of batteries arranged in a lengthwise direction, the bus bar holder including a bus bar holder plate having an opening in a lengthwise direction thereof and configured such that at least some electrode terminals of the plurality of batteries are extendable through the opening and slidable along the opening; and a bus bar for electrically connecting at least two electrode terminals of adjacent batteries, wherein the bus bar holder plate includes a settling groove in which the bus bar is settled, and the bus bar attached to the electrode terminals is slidable when the electrode terminal slides along the opening.
US08771861B2
A secondary battery and a method for manufacturing the same, the secondary battery includes an electrode assembly and a pouch, the electrode assembly having a first electrode, a second electrode, and a separator disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode and insulating the first electrode and the second electrode from each other, the pouch configured to have a bottom face and lateral faces extending from edges of the bottom face and including a cavity to accommodate the electrode assembly. The pouch includes an alignment protrusion provided on its lateral face. The electrode assembly including an alignment indentation provided at its edge. The alignment indentation corresponds to the alignment protrusion of the pouch.
US08771856B2
A redox flow battery having a supporting solution that includes Cl− anions is characterized by an anolyte having V2+ and V3+ in the supporting solution, a catholyte having Fe2+ and Fe3+ in the supporting solution, and a membrane separating the anolyte and the catholyte. The anolyte and catholyte can have V cations and Fe cations, respectively, or the anolyte and catholyte can each contain both V and Fe cations in a mixture. Furthermore, the supporting solution can contain a mixture of SO42− and Cl− anions.
US08771847B2
Tolerances for manufacturing reader structures for transducer heads continue to grow smaller and storage density in corresponding storage media increases. Reader stop layers may be utilized during manufacturing of reader structures to protect various layers of the reader structure from recession and/or scratches while processing other non-protected layers of the reader structure. For example, the stop layer may have a very low polish rate during mechanical or chemical-mechanical polishing. Surrounding areas may be significantly polished while a structure protected by a stop layer with a very low polish rate is substantially unaffected. The stop layer may then be removed via etching, for example, after the mechanical or chemical-mechanical polishing is completed.
US08771841B2
A problem of the invention is to provide an organic EL device having a high efficiency, a low driving voltage and a long life, by combining various materials for organic EL device, which are excellent in an injection or transportation performance of holes or electrons, and in stability and durability in a thin film, so as to enable the respective materials to effectively reveal their characteristics. The invention relates to an organic electroluminescent device including at least an anode electrode, a hole-injecting layer, a hole-transporting layer, an emitting layer, an electron-transporting layer and a cathode electrode in this order, in which the hole-injecting layer contains an arylamine compound having, in its molecule, a structure in which three or more triphenylamine structures are connected through a single bond or a hetero atom-free divalent group; and the hole-transporting layer contains an arylamine compound having two triphenylamine structures in its molecule.
US08771840B2
Provided are a heterocyclic compound which emits blue light and is represented by General Formula (G1) below, and a light-emitting element, a light-emitting device, an electronic device and a lighting device which are formed using the heterocyclic compound represented by General Formula (G1) below. The use of the heterocyclic compound represented by General Formula (G1) makes it possible to provide a light-emitting element which has high emission efficiency, and also a light-emitting device, an electronic device and a lighting device which have reduced power consumption.
US08771838B2
The invention relates to a sliding bearing element comprising a supporting layer, an aluminum alloy-based intermediate layer, and an aluminum alloy-based bearing metal layer. The aluminum alloy composition of the intermediate layer includes at least the following components in percent by weight: 3.5 to 4.5 of copper; 0.1 to 1.5% of manganese; 0.1 to 1.5% of magnesium; and 0.1 to 1.0% of silicon.
US08771831B2
Multi-functional yarns and fabrics having anti-microbial, anti-static and anti-odor characterisitics
The present invention is directed to yarns and fabrics that exhibit anti-static, anti-odor, and anti-microbial properties. The yarn is comprised of several groups of predetermined fibers. One of these groups of predetermined fibers comprises fibers that exhibit anti-microbial, anti-odor and anti-static characteristics. In one embodiment, the yarn comprises a first plurality of fibers, a second plurality of fibers that are different from the fibers of the first plurality, and a third plurality of fibers that are different from the fibers of the first and second pluralities. In one embodiment, the fibers which exhibit anti-microbial, anti-odor and anti-static properties are metallic coated fibers. Other fibers used to form different embodiments of the yarns include cotton, nylon, polyester, wool, meta-aramid fibers, para-aramid fibers, and stretch fibers.
US08771830B2
Substrate having a silver-ion containing titanium oxide coating having a silver content of greater than or equal to 0.2 of Ag/l of Ti to less than or equal to 0.4 of Ag/l of Ti, wherein the coating is X-ray amorphous and the hydrophobicity of the coating can be reduced persistently by illumination.
US08771823B2
A composite part comprises a sheet of fiber-reinforced thermoplastic material and a sheet of non-reinforced thermoplastic material superposedly attached together. Both sheets are iointly deformed substantially differently along different axes. A tool for manufacturing the part made of the sheet of thermoplastic material comprises a female die and a male die. The female die has a cavity, whose wall has a bottom portion and a top portion. The male die has a backing structure, a support attached to the backing structure and a heat-resistant bladder. A method of manufacturing the part made of the sheet of thermoplastic material comprises the step of applying pressure on the thermoplastic sheet against the wall of the female die from the bottom of the female die to a splitting line of the female die by inflating a deformable portion of the male die.
US08771821B2
A honeycomb body is formed of at least one at least partially structured sheet-metal foil and has a plurality of channels. The sheet-metal foil has a course or profile direction and includes top-side connecting points and bottom-side connecting points to itself or to at least one additional smooth sheet-metal foil or structured sheet-metal foil. At least the top-side connecting points or bottom-side connecting points form a curved connection line and expansion joints between the respective connection points of the curved connection line. An exhaust-gas treatment unit and a motor vehicle are also provided.
US08771819B2
A universal tank overlay is described that can be attached to different sizes and configurations of storage tanks. The overlay comprises a flexible layer of material that includes at least one section. The layer is adapted to connect to a storage tank that includes two opposing end walls that are connected by an at least partially arcuate elongate tubular sidewall. The tank also includes a plurality of pipes that provide for flow into, from and vent the tank. The layer includes at least one aperture that adjusts to receive the plurality of pipes on the tank. The layer has a first position that is separate from the tank and a second position that includes the layer attached to the tank. In the second position the storage tank at least partially covers the tank. The layer is adapted for positioning on the sidewall of the tank. The layer is attached to the tank using fasteners.
US08771810B2
A polymerizable composition containing a compound represented by the formula (I) or the formula (I′) is useful for formation of films having a high Δn with no coloration. P1 and P2 each are a polymerizable group; m1 and m2 each are an integer of from 1 to 10; A1 to A4 each are a predetermined cyclic group; R is a hydrogen atom or an alkyl; in the formula (I), Z1 is —COO—, —COO—, —OCO—CH═CH—, —NHCO— or —NR1CO—; L1 and L2 each are —O—, —S—, —COO—, —COO—, —OCO—CH═CH—, —OCOO—, —NHCO— or —NR1CO; n1 is 1 or 2; in the formula (I′), Z1 and Z2 each are —COO—, —OCO—, —NHCO— or NR1CO; L1 and L2 each are —O—, —S—, —COO—, —OCO—, —OCOO—, —NHCO— or NR1CO; n1 and n2 each are 1 or 2.
US08771807B2
Described herein are organoaminosilane precursors which can be used to deposit silicon containing films which contain silicon and methods for making these precursors. Also disclosed herein are deposition methods for making silicon-containing films or silicon containing films using the organoaminosilane precursors described herein. Also disclosed herein are the vessels that comprise the organoaminosilane precursors or a composition thereof that can be used, for example, to deliver the precursor to a reactor in order to deposit a silicon-containing film.
US08771806B2
Surface coating method for hydrophobic and superhydrophobic treatment in atmospheric pressure plasma
The present invention relates to a method of coating fluorocarbon or hydrocarbon on the surface of a workpiece using atmospheric pressure plasma. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method of coating hydrocarbon or fluorocarbon on the surface of a workpiece using plasma generated under atmospheric pressure such that the workpiece can have a hydrophobic or super-hydrophobic surface.The method of coating a surface of a workpiece with fluorocarbon to be hydrophobic or super-hydrophobic according to the present invention comprises the steps of generating first atmospheric pressure glow plasma by supplying a reaction gas into a discharge space formed between a first electrode and a second electrode, the reaction gas containing hydrogen gas, fluorocarbon gas and inert gas, the first and second electrodes being connected to an RF power supply of an atmospheric pressure plasma generator; and approaching the workpiece to the first electrode downstream of a reaction gas flow passing through the discharge space, such that the plasma created in the discharge space is transferred into a space between the first electrode and the workpiece to generate a second atmospheric pressure glow plasma therein, whereby a fluorocarbon coating layer can be formed on the surface of the workpiece.
US08771790B2
A method of reducing magnetite formation in the bore of a pipe including the steps of selecting a pipe with a pre-existing oxide layer on its inner bore surface and coating the pre-existing oxide layer with an oxidation resistant metal to thereby reduce magnetite formation in the bore of the pipe.
US08771786B2
Method for repair of a component of a turbomachine and a component repaired according to this method
A method is disclosed for the repair of a component of a turbomachine, in particular a rotor of an aircraft gas turbine, with blades taken up in at least one groove and with at least one support region for limiting a blade tilt angle, whereby at least one segment, which has been subjected to wear, of the support region of the component is removed, and a coating that can be introduced in the unit on at least one supporting surface of at least one blade is formed on the component for limiting the blade tilt angle. In addition, a component of a turbomachine, in particular a rotor of an aircraft gas turbine, with at least one such repair site is disclosed.
US08771785B2
The present invention is directed to a method for obtaining characteristics of a target coating layer. Specifically, a clearcoat layer is provided over a target coating layer for measuring color and appearance characteristics of the target coating. The clearcoat layer can comprise materials from renewable resources. The present invention is also directed to a system for obtaining characteristics of the target coating layer.
US08771782B2
The present invention is directed to methods for producing a coated substrate, including dissolving at least one biomolecule to form a solution; nebulizing the solution to form a liquid aerosol; combining the liquid aerosol and a plasma to form a coating; and depositing, in the absence of reactive monomers, the coating onto a substrate surface. In an aspect, the substrate can be an implantable medical device.
US08771772B2
Shown is a method of selectively separating milk fat globule membrane fragments and milk fat globules from whey. The method includes the steps of adding to whey an amount of a whey-soluble zinc salt and adjusting the pH of the whey to be less than 6.0. The amount of zinc salt added to the whey is sufficient to cause milk fat globule membrane fragments and milk fat globules contained in the whey to precipitate selectively from the whey.
US08771770B1
This invention relates to a packaging material for unbaked dough products which includes a container that is impermeable to water vapor transmission, a relative humidity control device in the container, dough, and a water permeable sheet forming a cover for the container wherein the relative humidity control device includes a water vapor permeable container containing a solidified humectant composition which further includes a humectant salt, water and carrier.
US08771767B2
An industrial method of reprocessing degumming residue from the initial purification of natural fats as well as a feed additive, which may be produced using the said method.
US08771760B2
The present invention relates to treatment of cancer related pain and constipation. Preferably the subject in need is administered a combination of the cannabinoids cannabidiol (CBD) and delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). More preferably the cannabinoids are in a predefined ratio by weight of approximately 1:1 of CBD to THC.
US08771757B2
The invention relates to a method for the preparation of a silicic acid comprising extrudate, comprising the steps of: i) forming of stabilized silicic acid, by hydrolysing a silicon compound into orthosilicic acid and/or oligomers thereof in the presence of a stabilizing agent, which is a quaternary ammonium compound, or an amino-acid, or an amino acid source or combinations thereof; ii) mixing of the stabilized silicic acid with a carrier in an amount upto the loading capacity of the carrier for silicic acid; and iii) extruding the resulting mixture thereby forming the extrudate, to extrudates obtainable with the method, to an extrudate for use in the production of animal feed, feed supplement, human food and/or food supplement and of a pharmaceutical or cosmetic preparation, and for the treatment of infections, nails, hair, skin, teeth, collagen, connective tissue, bones, osteopenia, cell generation and degenerative (ageing) processes, and to a pharmaceutical composition comprising an extrudate.
US08771756B2
The present disclosure is directed to a method of producing nitric oxide comprising (i) providing a composition comprising a metal-organic framework, and (ii) exposing the composition to a nitric oxide-releasing compound. The disclosure also is directed to compositions, coatings, and medical devices comprising a metal-organic framework.
US08771753B2
The present invention relates to systems and methods for generating germicidal compositions for use in a wide variety of settings, including agricultural settings, food production settings, hospitality settings, health care settings, health club settings, exercise facility settings, research based settings, veterinarian settings, medical settings, hydraulic fracturing settings, and/or any setting requiring disinfection.
US08771743B2
Provided are: a multi-layered lamellar granule comprising a nucleating agent, a ceramide-containing artificial stratum corneum lipid lamellar layer which encases the nucleating agent and a polymer layer disposed on the artificial stratum corneum lipid lamellar layer; and an external skin application composition comprising the same. The external skin application composition shows improved moisturizing and barrier repair capabilities when applied to the skin, which can be advantageously used in cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.
US08771740B2
Nanoparticles of a compound are produced by spraying a solution of the compound into a heated chamber. The resulting product comprises a free flowing mixture of nanoparticles of the compound.
US08771729B2
The present invention is directed to orally administered corticosteroid compositions. The present invention also provides a method for treating a condition associated with inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract in an individual. The method comprises administering to an individual in need thereof a pharmaceutical composition of the present invention.
US08771727B2
This invention provides submicron oil-in-water emulsions useful as a vaccine adjuvant for enhancing the immunogenicity of antigens. The present invention also provides vaccine compositions containing an antigen combined with such emulsions intrinsically or extrinsically. Methods of preparing the emulsions and vaccines are also provided by the present invention.
US08771725B2
The present invention provides a method of treating a skin ailment including administering to a subject in need thereof, a therapeutically effective amount of a composition including (i) a primary diamine; (ii) a secondary aromatic diamine; (iii) a polyisocyanate; and (iv) optionally, a polyol. The present invention also provides a method of forming a skin bandage.
US08771715B2
The present invention provides compounds and methods for the treatment of LFA-1 mediated diseases. In particular, LFA-1 antagonists are described herein and these antagonists are used in the treatment of LFA-1 mediated diseases. One aspect of the invention provides for diagnosis of an LFA-1 mediated disease and administration of a LFA-1 antagonist, after the patient is diagnosed with a LFA-1 mediated disease. In some embodiments, the LFA-1 mediated diseases treated are dry eye disorders. Also provided herein are methods for identifying compounds which are LFA-1 antagonists.
US08771682B2
The present invention relates generally to methods and compositions for reducing Interleukin-4 or Interleukin-13 signaling, in particular to treat asthma and atopic dermatitis. The inventors have found that Rac/PAK mediated endocytosis of the ligand bound type I (IL-4R with the chains IL-4Ra and IL-2-Rg) and/or type II receptor (IL-13R with the chains IL-4Ra and IL-13Ra1) is needed for the IL-4 and/or IL-13 mediated activation of downstream signalling events including phosphorylation of Stat family transcrition factors. These discoveries enable new methods of screening compounds that modulate Interleukin-4 and Interleukin-13 signalling, as well as new methods for treating conditions characterized by increased Interleukin-4 and Interleukin-13 levels. These conditions include inflammatory conditions, asthma bronchiale, atopic dermatitis, allergies, atopic syndromes, allergic rhinitis, and th2-induced conditions.
US08771681B2
Methods and compositions for protecting and treating a muscarinic receptor in an animal or plant from bacterial, fungal, algo or algae infections through administration of at least one pyrophosphate analog.
US08771675B2
The present invention provides novel strains of probiotics for use in the gastrointestinal tract of a pet. The probiotics of the present invention are capable of fermenting starch to produce lactic acid and/or hydrogen peroxide anti-pathogenic metabolites. The present invention also provides a novel method for identifying the effectiveness of a pet probiotic in vitro. The method simulates the introduction of a probiotic candidate in the gastrointestinal tract of a pet and measures the anti-pathogenic effectiveness of the probiotic.
US08771665B2
The present invention provides, among other things, compounds represented by the general Formula I: and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein X, Y, R1A, R1B, R2, and R3 are as defined in classes and subclasses herein and compositions (e.g., pharmaceutical compositions) comprising such compounds, which compounds are useful as inhibitors of hepatitis C virus polymerase, and thus are useful, for example, as medicaments for the treatment of HCV infection.
US08771664B2
The present invention relates to compositions capable of promoting both the innate immune response as well as the adaptive immune response in a subject based on the jointly use of ApoA, interleukin 15 and the Sushi domain of the IL15 receptor alpha chain, as well as to the use of these compositions for the stimulation of the immune response in a patient and to therapeutic methods for the treatment of infectious and neoplastic diseases.
US08771656B2
Cosmetic compositions are provided, which are capable of forming a cosmetic film on a human integument when applied thereto. Cosmetic compositions according to the invention typically include a cosmetically acceptable vehicle, optionally, one or more colorants, and a pH-dependent film-forming polymer of poly(methacrylic acid-co-methyl methacrylate) having a ratio of methacrylic acid to methyl methacrylate of about 1:1 to about 1:2, an acid value of from about 150 to about 350 mg KOH/g, and a weight average molar mass between about 100,000 and about 150,000 g/mol. The compositions are capable of forming an adherent film on the integument that is substantially resistant to removal by water at a first pH, but readily dispersible or soluble in water at a second pH higher than said first pH.
US08771655B2
A natural nail polish composition made with all natural fruits and vegetable and only nontoxic ingredients. The natural nail polish composition comprises a lemon juice solution, a powdered form of fruits and/or vegetables, a powdered form of cane sugar, a nontoxic water soluble acrylic polymer, and a plurality of nontoxic colors. The plurality of colors comprises water soluble nontoxic pigments, nontoxic pigments, nontoxic mica, and nontoxic nail glitter. The natural nail polish composition is safe to use among young children because the composition is completely nontoxic. Since the composition is nontoxic, any kind of complications that may happen due to the chemicals in the traditional nail polish are completely prevented. The natural nail polish composition has a unique method of applying and removing the product. The natural nail polish composition can be mixed with the lacquer or shellac type products and creates an alternative nail polish composition.
US08771650B2
This invention relates to inducible release vehicle comprised of crosslinked carbohydrates or proteins and an active ingredient. The release is induced by an external stimulus, e.g. an enzyme such as amylase. Such a vehicle can particularly be used in an applications for preventing microbial decay or combating microbial infections. Other uses are for oral applications such as providing anti-caries or flavoring compounds and for pharmaceutical and/or nutraceutical applications.
US08771643B2
Described herein are methods for effectively and accurately measuring a patient response upon administration of one or more drugs to the patient. The methods are more sensitive than current methodologies. Also described herein are compositions comprising an analgesic and a sufficient amount of an antihistamine to enhance the analgesic properties of the analgesic. With respect to these compositions, the methods described herein are useful for evaluating qualities of pain, definite improvement, and one or more bodily functions of a subject afflicted with pain. The compositions described herein are useful in improving the quality of pain in a subject or a bodily function of a subject afflicted with pain or definite improvement of a subject afflicted with pain.
US08771639B2
The present invention relates to a method for preparing composites of substrate-molecular sieve, in particular, to a method for preparing a composite of substrate-molecular sieve, which comprises applying a physical pressure to molecular sieve crystals against a substrate to form a chemical bond between the molecular sieve crystal and the substrate. The present invention requiring no solvents, reactors and other equipments enables molecular sieve crystals to be stably attached to the surface of substrates through various chemical bonds, particularly ionic present invention ensures the synthesis of substrate-molecular sieve composites with enhanced attachment rate, degree of lateral close packing (DCP) and attachment strength in more time-saving and energy-saving manners. The present method works well for molecular sieve crystals with lager sizes (e.g., more than 3 μm) with no generation of parasitic crystals. Furthermore, the present invention shows excellent applicability to large substrates, enabling the mass production of substrate-molecular sieve composites.
US08771628B2
Certain applicator liquids and method of making the applicator liquids are described. The applicator liquids can be used to form nanotube films or fabrics of controlled properties. An applicator liquid for preparation of a nanotube film or fabric includes a controlled concentration of nanotubes dispersed in a liquid medium containing water. The controlled concentration is sufficient to form a nanotube fabric or film of preselected density and uniformity.
US08771627B2
A subject of the present invention is a process for producing carbon nanotubes, the process comprising: a) the synthesis of alcohol(s) by fermentation of at least one vegetable matter and optionally the purification of the product obtained; b) the dehydration of the alcohol or alcohols obtained in a) in order to produce, in a first reactor, a mixture of alkene(s) and water and optionally the purification of the product obtained; c) the introduction, in particular the introduction into a fluidized bed, in a second reactor, of a powdery catalyst at a temperature ranging from 450 to 850° C., this catalyst comprising at least one catalytic metal supported by an inert solid substrate, the grains of catalyst having a d50 of less than 300 μm; d) bringing the alkene produced in b) into contact with the powdery catalyst of stage c), optionally in a fluidized bed, in order to form carbon nanotubes and hydrogen on the surface of said catalyst by catalytic decomposition of said alkene; e) the recovery of the carbon nanotubes produced in d). The invention also relates to nanotubes capable of being obtained according to the abovementioned process, which can be advantageously used in all the known fields of application of carbon nanotubes.
US08771620B2
Disclosed is a method for recycling lead from waste glass containing lead, which comprises the following steps: mechanical crushing waste glass containing lead, ball milling and screening to obtain glass powder containing lead; alkaline roasting the glass powder containing lead to obtain a roasted material; mixing polycarboxylic acid complexant and nitric acid to produce leaching agent, and then placing the roasted material into the leaching agent to obtain leachate; regulating pH value of the leachate to solidify metal ion to obtain precipitate, separating and removing impurities, rinsing and drying to obtain chemical product containing lead. The method avoids environment pollution caused by waste glass containing lead.
US08771619B2
A method for selectively removing arsenic from a sulphide material containing arsenic by conducting a leaching step that includes contacting the material with a leaching solution that leaches arsenic from the material to form a pregnant liquor containing dissolved arsenic and a solid of a sulphide material of reduced arsenic content, and subsequently separating the solid from the pregnant liquor. The fresh leaching solution that is provided to the leaching step is an alkaline solution having a sulphide-containing compound present in an amount of from 0 to 1.0 times the amount of sulphur containing compound required to react with the arsenic present in the material.
US08771612B2
The present invention provides a photoresponsive gas-generating material that is to be used in a micropump of a microfluid device having fine channels formed therein, and is capable of effectively generating gases for transporting a microfluid in response to light irradiation and transporting the microfluid at an improved transport efficiency. The present invention also provides a micropump incorporating the photoresponsive gas-generating material.A photoresponsive gas-generating material 13 is to be used in a micropump having fine channels formed in a substrate, and comprises a photo-sensitive acid-generating agent and an acid-sensitive gas-generating agent, and a micropump 10 has the photoresponsive gas-generating material 13 housed therein.
US08771609B2
A module for processing a biological sample for an analysis test is disclosed. The processing module includes, in at least one embodiment, an interface at which the processing module can be connected to a cartridge with a lab-on-a-chip, in which cartridge the analysis steps are carried out. A biochip kit is also disclosed. In at least one embodiment, the biochip kit includes one or more processing modules which are intended for different sample materials and which can be connected to the same cartridge type.
US08771604B2
A liner for use within a gasifier vessel includes a plurality of elongated channels and a plurality of ceramic sheaths. The elongated channels pass coolant through the gasifier. The ceramic sheaths surround the elongated channels.
US08771600B2
The invention is an air pollution control apparatus for cleaning exhaust gases from motor vehicles using both electrostatic precipitation and a non-thermal plasma. The precipitator is especially useful in cleaning exhaust gases from diesel engines. The precipitator provides for easier cleaning in between uses, as well as a more efficient cleaning of exhaust gases. The air pollution control apparatus of the present invention is configured as two pass system whereas each pass is designed as multistage horizontal plate type electrostatic precipitator. The first pass applies a direct current, consistent voltage for particle collection through electrostatic precipitation. The second pass uses spiked voltage, non-thermal plasma generation for the production of free radicals to oxidize toxic gases, and with the addition of a diesel oxidation catalyst to transform harmful molecular compounds in the exhaust gas into safe gases.
US08771599B2
An air blower including a motor 2 having output shafts 21, 21 on both sides in the axial direction and two impellers 3, 3 mounted on the respective output shafts 21, 21, and two ducts 5, 5 that individually allow passage of the air blown out by rotation of each of the impellers 3, 3 in the same direction and discharge the air to the outside are included. At a part or the whole of each of the ducts 5, 5, a laminar flow section that makes the flowing air laminar flow. An ion generating section is arranged at each laminar flow section so that ions generated by the ion generating section can effectively be included in the air, increasing the ion concentration of ions discharged in a room together with the air.
US08771583B2
Polyester compositions described herein have properties which are particularly suitable for extrusion blow molding (EBM). These properties relate primarily to the rate of crystallization and melt strength or melt viscosity. Articles prepared from the polyester compositions exhibit good clarity, aesthetics, and other physical properties. The polyester compositions also exhibit broad molecular weight distribution (MWD), resulting in improved processability and melt strength. The crystallization rate allows for good drying characteristics while also enabling the use of regrind. In addition, the compositions exhibit improved recyclability, such as in existing PET recycling streams. In one aspect, articles are prepared in an extrusion blow molding method by combining a dry first polyester copolymer component, a dry second polyester component, and a chain extender to form a feed material suitable for extrusion blow molding. In another aspect, a single component co-polyester and a chain extender are combined to form a feed material.
US08771570B1
One embodiment of a method for producing a plurality of nanostructures embedded in a host comprising the steps of: assembling a first preform, drawing said first preform into a first fiber, cutting said first fiber into a plurality of pieces, assembling said pieces of said first fiber into a second preform, and drawing said second preform into a second fiber. The host is made of a low thermal conductivity material such as a polymer or combination of polymers. The host can assume the form of a plurality of nanotubes which further reduces the host's thermal conductivity due to enhanced phonon scattering. The host can exhibit anisotropic thermal conductivity which reduces its thermal conductivity perpendicular to the direction in which it was drawn. The nanostructure-host composite can be cut into pieces and assembled into efficient thermoelectric devices for use in cooling or electric power generation applications. Other embodiments are described and shown.
US08771568B2
Thermoplastic parts are made of predominantly single unit thickness but with marginal areas of increased thickness by molding two parts in a common mold having overlapping mold portions. Two thicknesses of thermoplastic material are molded together in the areas of increased thickness at opposite ends of the common mold and the parts are separated from one another by trimming such that each part has an area of increased solid wall thickness and an area of reduced thickness.
US08771565B2
To provide a manufacturing method for a disc brake pad using a forming die to form a final inclined surface on a friction material, where the resulted friction material is entirely uniform even if the flowability of the powdered raw friction material is insufficient. The method for manufacturing a disc brake pad includes the steps of preliminarily forming a preliminarily formed product by pressurizing without heating the powdered raw materials in a metal preliminarily forming die, and forming the final inclined surface on the friction material using a metal forming die with an inclined surface, the step of preliminarily forming including forming a temporary inclined surface, having a larger angle than the final inclined surface of the friction material, on the preliminarily formed product at an opposite side thereof to be fixed to a back plate, and forming a recess portion on the preliminarily formed product at a side thereof to be fixed to the back plate.
US08771553B2
An object of the present invention is to provide a conductive fine particle for producing a metal paste that can produce an electrode film having a low resistance, and a metal paste utilizing the conductive fine particle. The present invention is a conductive particle for electrode formation having a core/shell structure, and the conductive particle comprises a core particle made of Pt or a Pt alloy and having a particle diameter of 10 to 200 nm, and a shell made of a ceramic containing Al2O3 or ZrO2 and covers at least a part of the core particle, wherein the ceramic constituting the shell is added in an amount of 0.5 to 15% by weight based on the core particle to cover the core. The core particle is preferably Pt or a Pt alloy alloyed with Pd, Au, Ag, or Rh.
US08771544B2
A modular, prefabricated stair tower comprising a plurality of stairs, landings, handrails and hangers pre-assembled into a module configured such that it might be shipped and installed into a wind power tower tube section, with installation preferably occurring prior to shipment to the wind farm jobsite so that, when the tube section is erected vertically, authorized personnel gain immediate, efficient and economical access for ascending and descending large land based and offshore wind power turbine towers.
US08771539B2
A method of etching exposed silicon oxide on patterned heterogeneous structures is described and includes a remote plasma etch formed from a fluorine-containing precursor. Plasma effluents from the remote plasma are flowed into a substrate processing region where the plasma effluents combine with water vapor. The chemical reaction resulting from the combination produces reactants which etch the patterned heterogeneous structures to produce, in embodiments, a thin residual structure exhibiting little deformation. The methods may be used to conformally trim silicon oxide while removing little or no silicon, polysilicon, silicon nitride, titanium or titanium nitride. In an exemplary embodiment, the etch processes described herein have been found to remove mold oxide around a thin cylindrical conducting structure without causing the cylindrical structure to significantly deform.
US08771537B2
Uniformity of a plasma process on a surface of a substrate is to be improved. In a plasma processing apparatus that processes a substrate by generating plasma from a processing gas introduced in a processing container, a ratio between an introducing amount of the processing gas introduced to a center portion of the substrate received in the processing container and an introducing amount of the processing gas introduced to a peripheral portion of the substrate received in the processing container is changed during a plasma process. Accordingly, a variation in an etching rate or the like between the center portion and the peripheral portion of the substrate may be reduced. Therefore, uniformity of the plasma process on the surface of the substrate is improved.
US08771534B2
Some embodiments relate to a method for processing a workpiece. In the method, an anti-reflective coating layer is provided over the workpiece. A first patterned photoresist layer, which has a first photoresist tone, is provided over the anti-reflective coating layer. A second patterned photoresist layer, which has a second photoresist tone opposite the first photoresist tone, is provided over the first patterned photoresist layer. An opening extends through the first and second patterned photoresist layers to allow a treatment to be applied to the workpiece through the opening. Other embodiments are also disclosed.
US08771530B2
A method for producing a polarizing element includes: forming particulate materials of a metal halide on a glass substrate; forming a protective film that covers the particulate materials in a non-plasma environment; stretching the particulate materials by heating and stretching the glass substrate; and forming acicular metal particles by reducing the metal halide constituting the stretched particulate materials.
US08771528B2
A through-hole forming method includes steps of forming a first impurity region (102a) around a region where a through-hole is to be formed in the first surface of a silicon substrate (101), the first impurity region (102) being higher in impurity concentration than the silicon substrate (101), forming a second impurity region (102b) at a position adjacent to the first impurity region (102a) in the depth direction of the silicon substrate (101), the second impurity region (102b) being higher in impurity concentration than the first impurity region (102a), forming an etch stop layer (103) on the first surface, forming an etch mask layer (104) having an opening on the second surface of the silicon substrate (101) opposite to the first surface, and etching the silicon substrate (101) until at least the etch stop layer (103) is exposed via the opening.
US08771527B2
A method of manufacturing an extreme ultraviolet (EUV) mask includes forming a first multi-layered thin film over a quartz substrate, forming a structure pattern over the first multi-layered thin film, and forming a second multi-layered thin film over the structure pattern and the first multi-layered thin film. The second multi-layered thin film is formed so that a periodicity of the second multi-layered thin film formed over the structure pattern is different from a periodicity of the second multi-layered thin film formed over the first multi-layered thin film.
US08771526B2
A method of manufacturing a composite concrete article comprising affixing at least one layer of textile to a base layer and incorporating the base layer into a body of wet uncured concrete such that the base layer becomes embedded in the concrete, whereby at least a portion of the at least one textile layer defines at least a portion of a surface of the cured concrete article with the base layer embedded within the concrete to anchor the textile layer to the concrete.
US08771520B2
A fluid treatment apparatus comprises a fluid vessel defining first and second fluid chambers. A fluid inlet is provided for delivering a fluid to be treated into the first fluid chamber. One or more nozzle assemblies are provided for fluid communication between the first and second fluid chambers, wherein said nozzle assemblies are adapted to facilitate mixing of a gas with said fluid. The second fluid chamber is adapted to accommodate a fluid treatment process therein, including a floatation treatment. One specific use of the fluid treatment apparatus includes separating oil from water, particularly water produced from a subterranean formation.
US08771519B2
Sorption media for removal of contaminants from fluid streams are provided. The sorption media comprise an active compound bound or linked to a support substrate or matrix. Support substrates can include iron- and alumina-based materials. A method for making sorption media for the removal of contaminants from fluid streams is also described. The method includes selecting a support substrate, and, optionally, providing a doping mixture comprising an active compound. The selected support substrate can be contacted with the doping mixture to form a doped mixture. The doped mixture can be reacted at a predetermined temperature and atmospheric environment for a predetermined duration to form an active media, wherein the active compound is bound or linked to the support substrate.
US08771499B2
Axially fed fluid is sheared during long residence time in a radial workspace between counter-rotating coaxial disk-shaped centrifugal impellers. Gases evolve in the fractal turbulence of a shear layer, which is forced between laminar boundary layers, and an axial suction pump axially extracts evolved noncondensables and volatiles through cores of radial vortices in the shear layer. Cavitation due to shear between the impellers kills pathogens by shock waves, microjets, OH radicals, and nearby UV light pulses. Oppositely charged electrodes bounding the workspace cause electroporesis and electrohydraulic cavitation. The electrodes are counter-rotating ridged armatures of disk dynamos, forming a dynamic capacitor having audio frequency pulsed electric fields. Electrode erosion by arcing is prevented by shear between the electrodes.
US08771496B2
A metal composite film having an excellent heat resistance and adhesion, suited for flexible printed circuit boards capable of forming fine wirings, as well as a production process thereof, is disclosed. The metal composite film comprises an insulating film; a thermoplastic polyimide layer(s) formed on at least one surface of the insulating film; and metal layers formed on the surface of each of the thermoplastic polyimide layer(s), which metal layers are formed by electroless plating and then by electrolytic plating, respectively. Since this metal composite film has an excellent heat resistance and adhesion, and maintains the excellent adhesion after forming fine wirings, it is suitably used as a high density flexible printed circuit board having fine circuits.
US08771485B2
A test strip is revealed. The test strip includes a detection area, at least one outer sampling area, and a circuit system. The detection area includes a sampling hole, at least one sampling channel corresponding to the sampling hole, and at least one reaction area in the sampling channel. An inner sampling area is disposed around the sampling hole and an inner sampling opening is on an edge of the inner sampling area for communicating with the sampling channel and the sampling hole. The outer sampling area is located on an outer side of the test strip. The outer sampling area includes an outer sampling opening in communication with the sampling channel. The circuit system is electrically connected to the reaction area. The test strip further includes at least one pressing part located around the sampling hole for pressing against a test area and preventing cross-infection.
US08771475B1
A tube coil for a double fired coker heater wherein the tube coil has at least two independent flow passes in an intertwined serpentine pattern. The tubes are located in a common plane and plumbed in parallel with one another. These tube coils can be used in a number of configurations within the radiant section of a coker heater.
US08771465B2
A raw paper prepared by a mixed pulp including straw pulp, which can be used to prepare textbooks, writing papers and office paper with good performance, and the producing method of said raw paper are provided. The weight proportion of the straw pulp in the mixed stock is from 10% to 100%, and the straw pulp has a hardness of KMnO4 value 10-17, an average fiber length of 0.1-2.5 mm, a tensile index of 23-57 Nm/g, a tearing index of 3.0-6.0 mN·m2/g, a folding endurance index of 2-6 kPa·m2/g and a whiteness of 28-50%. Either, the L value of the hue of said raw paper is 65-95, a value is 0-5, and b value is 0-40. The KMnO4 value of hardness of the pulp after oxygen delignification is 10-14. The method includes: adding grass-series raw material into a digester, then adding cooking liquor, heating the cooking liquor to 100-200°, pressurizing to 0.3-0.9 MPa, cooking for 150-250 min, extruding the pulp, washing and obtaining the straw pulp. The amount of the ammonium sulfite of the cooking reagent is 5-20% of the absolute dry material, and the amount of the sodium hydroxide is 0-15% of the absolute dry material, the liquor ratio is 1:2-15.
US08771464B2
A method was developed for: a) improving the filterability of acid-precipitated lignin from kraft black liquors, b) increasing the dry solids content of the final lignin product, c) reducing the acid requirements and d) minimizing or eliminating TRS emissions during the acidification of black liquor to produce lignin and/or the subsequent suspension of the lignin in acid and/or the washing of the lignin with acid. No major difference in the chemical composition, MWD and main functional groups was found in the lignin of the present invention compared with lignins produced by conventional methods.
US08771448B2
A method for fabricating lenticulars includes applying a rubbing layer on a lenticular structure. The rubbing layer is baked on the lenticular structure before installation of the lenticular structure on a plate. After baking, the lenticular structure is applied to the plate.
US08771443B2
Electromagnetic radiation scanning is used to monitor the integrity of a composite laminate structure. The laminate is designed to be optically resonant at the frequency of the radiation, allowing the inconsistencies in the laminate to be detected and mapped.
US08771442B2
New compositions and methods of using those compositions as bonding compositions are provided. The compositions comprise a cycloolefin copolymer dispersed or dissolved in a solvent system, and can be used to bond an active wafer to a carrier wafer or substrate to assist in protecting the active wafer and its active sites during subsequent processing and handling. The compositions form bonding layers that are chemically and thermally resistant, but that can also be softened or dissolved to allow the wafers to slide or be pulled apart at the appropriate stage in the fabrication process.
US08771437B2
The invention concerns a method for detecting the wear of a cutting nozzle on a cutting torch for cutting steel workpieces, in particular slabs, blooms and slugs. A branch line exits to the cutting torch in the feed line of the heating gas connection, into which branch line a neutral medium with a set pressure is blown through the cutting nozzle after closing the medium valves for heating gas, cutting oxygen and heating oxygen. To do so, said process is carried out once when installing a new cutting nozzle for the calibration thereof. Said process is performed again at set intervals, depending on the usage of the cutting nozzle, in order to determine and to store in memory the wear condition of the cutting nozzle and to generate an optical and/or acoustic signal in case a predetermined maximum admissible deviation amount of the medium blown in has been exceeded.
US08771433B2
A dishwasher (1) (30) having a box-shaped casing (2) having an inner wash chamber (3) communicating externally through an opening (4) formed in one of the lateral walls of the casing (2); and at least one dish rack basket (6) housed inside the wash chamber (3) to house dishes/cutlery within a hold volume (7) bounded by two predetermined boundary planes (A, B); the dishwasher (1) having an alarm device (9) which generates, inside the wash chamber (3), at least one light beam in a direction coplanar with a reference plane (R) lying in one of the predetermined boundary planes (A, B); and the alarm device (9) alerting the user to incorrect positioning of the dishes/cutlery inside the basket (6) when the light beam is interrupted by the dishes/cutlery.
US08771431B2
A vehicle wash system having a wash bay including a plurality of pivotable robotic wash monitors disposed therein. The system includes measuring devices that calculate the distance between the robotic wash monitors and a vehicle in the wash bay. A master control unit is provided for programming the plurality of robotic wash monitors to clean the vehicle in accordance with an optimal set of cleaning instructions. The master control unit generates the optimal set of cleaning instructions based on three-dimensional (3D) data associated with the wash bay, 3D data associated with the vehicle, and the location of the vehicle.
US08771429B2
According to one embodiment, a supercritical drying method for a semiconductor substrate, comprises introducing the semiconductor substrate into a chamber in a state, a surface of the semiconductor substrate being wet with alcohol, substituting the alcohol on the semiconductor substrate with a supercritical fluid of carbon dioxide by impregnating the semiconductor substrate to the supercritical fluid in the chamber, and discharging the supercritical fluid and the alcohol from the chamber and reducing a pressure inside the chamber. The method further comprises performing a baking treatment by supplying an oxygen gas or an ozone gas to the chamber after the reduction of the pressure inside the chamber.
US08771422B2
The object of the present invention is to improve the productivity of a permanent magnet and to manufacture it at a low cost by effectively coating Dy and Tb on a surface of the magnet of Fe—B-rare earth elements having a predetermined configuration. The permanent magnet of the present invention is manufactured by a coating step for coating Dy on the surface of the magnet of Fe—B-rare earth elements having a predetermined configuration and a diffusing step for diffusing Dy coated on the surface of the magnet into crystal grain boundary phases of the magnet with being heat treated at a predetermined temperature. In this case, the coating step comprises a first step for heating a process chamber used for carrying out the coating step and generating metallic vapor atmosphere within the process chamber by vaporizing vaporizable metallic material previously arranged within the process chamber, and a second step for introducing into the process chamber the magnet held at a temperature lower than that within the process chamber and then selectively depositing the vaporizable metallic material on a surface of the magnet by an effect of temperature difference between the temperature within the process chamber and that of the magnet by the magnet reaches a predetermined temperature.
US08771414B2
A foaming agent solution, cement material and concrete replacement product are described which include blood hydrolysates. The blood hydrolysates may be present in the foaming agent solution in the range 5-30% by volume of the solution.
US08771413B2
The present invention is related to asphalt and asphalt-mineral compositions including at least one cationic organosilicon compound selected from a group consisting of: Y3-aSi(R1a)R2N+R3R4R5X−, Y3-aSi(R1a)R2P+R3R4R5X−, Y3-aSi(R1a)R2ZX−; or mixtures thereof, wherein in each formula Y is independently selected from a group consisting of OR, O(CH2CH2O)nH, (CH3OCH2CH2O), and (CH3CH2OCH2CH2O); a has a value selected from 0, 1 or 2; n is a value from 1 to 10; R is C1-C4 alkyl; R1 is either methyl or ethyl; R2 is C1-C4 alkylene group; R3, R4 and R5 are each independently selected from a group consisting of C1-C22 alkyl wherein at least one such group has more than 8 C-atoms, —CH2C6H5, —CH2CH2OH, —CH2OH and —(CH2)yNHC(O)R6 wherein y has a value of from 2 to 10 and R6 is a C1-C12 perfluoroalkyl radical; X is chloride, bromide, fluoride, iodide, acetate or tosylate; and Z is pyridinium ring of formula C5H5N+.
US08771394B2
A device for separating and collecting liquid in gas from a reservoir, which is attached to processing equipment (14, 15) for gas, said gas being delivered to the processing equipment from the device via an inlet pipe (24) to the processing equipment and the collected liquid is removed periodically from the device via liquid outlet pipe (7). The device is formed of a liquid separator (1) and a liquid collector (2) which are two separate chambers, and which are connected to each other via a valve (3), and that for draining of the collected liquid, the liquid collector (2) is connected to an outlet pipe (19) from the processing equipment via an intermediate valve (6), draining taking place with the aid of compressed gas which via the intermediate valve (6) is supplied from the processing equipment, or alternatively from onshore or a platform, from a gas pipe or a well stream gas pipe on the seabed or the like.
US08771393B1
A polar cap for a vacuum waste tank includes an annulus with a lower outer mounting flange and an upper inner mounting flange surrounding a separator opening configured to be coupled to a separator; an inlet opening disposed in the annulus configured to be coupled to a waste line; and another opening disposed in the annulus configured to be coupled to a sensor or a rinse nozzle. The cap can carry sensors, rinse nozzles, inlets, and diverts.
US08771392B2
A device for separating particles from an exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine includes at least a pot with a base having a multiplicity of openings, at least one nonwoven layer positioned on the base of the pot, and a cover. The at least one nonwoven layer is positioned between the base and the cover. A motor vehicle having the device is also provided.
US08771386B2
A system is set forth for the exothermic generation of soot depleted syngas comprising (i) reacting a hydrocarbon-containing fuel with an oxygen containing gas in a first reactor to produce the syngas and byproducts comprising CO2, H2O and soot; and (ii) introducing the syngas and byproducts into a second reactor containing a non-carbonaceous material that traps the soot for a sufficient time such that the majority of the byproduct soot is gasified via reaction with the byproduct CO2 and/or H2O to produce a syngas stream that is depleted in the soot. The system is particularly suitable for the practice of heat exchange reforming wherein a portion of the heat is recovered from the soot depleted syngas stream and used as at least a portion of the heat to facilitate the additional production of syngas via the (endothermic) catalytic reforming of natural gas and steam.
US08771383B2
A negative-electrode active material layer having a line-and-space structure is formed by applying an application liquid containing a negative-electrode active material in stripes on a surface of a negative-electrode current collector using a nozzle-scan coating method and drying the application liquid (Steps S101, S102). Subsequently, by a spin coating method, an application liquid containing a solid electrolyte material is applied (Step S103) and heated at a temperature lower than a glass-transition temperature of the electrolyte material to be dried. Further, an application liquid containing a positive-electrode active material is applied (Step S105) and a positive-electrode current collector is laminated (Step S106) and, then, a laminated body is heated to or above the glass-transition temperature of the electrolyte material to cause the solid electrolyte to flow and adhere to the active material layers.
US08771380B2
The present invention pertains to a process for producing sodium chloride comprising the steps of (i) preparing a brine comprising at least 150 g/l of sodium chloride by dissolving a sodium chloride source in water, (ii) subjecting the resulting brine to a eutectic freeze crystallization step by indirect cooling of said brine, resulting in the formation of ice, sodium chloride dihydrate, and a mother liquor, (iii) separating the sodium chloride dihydrate formed in step (ii) from the ice and optionally mother liquor at the eutectic temperature, such that a sodium chloride dihydrate-rich stream is formed, and (iv) feeding said sodium chloride dihydrate-rich stream to a recrystallizer to form sodium chloride and a mother liquor.
US08771377B2
Hair care composition comprising a metal pyrithione, characterized by from 0.00001 to 0.005% wt. a purple or pink or red coloring component.
US08771370B2
An orthopedic device includes two components that are configured to be movable relative to on another (e.g., longitudinally translatable, pivotable, etc.). The relative movement of the two components is transmitted as unidirectional mechanical energy by means of a transmitting mechanism which includes an energy accumulator connected to a generator. The mechanical energy is thereby converted to electric power.
US08771360B2
Improved methods and apparatuses for vertebral body distraction and fusion in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention employ one or more coaxial screw gear sleeve mechanisms. In various embodiments, coaxial screw gear sleeve mechanisms include a post with a threaded exterior surface and a corresponding sleeve configured to surround the post, the corresponding sleeve having a threaded interior surface configured to interface with the threaded exterior surface of the post and a geared exterior surface. A drive mechanism can be configured to interface with the geared exterior surface of the sleeve, causing the device to distract.
US08771357B2
The present invention refers to a flexible space holder for temporary or permanent introdution into a human or animal body of at least one biocompatible, rigid material having a tube-like body (1), with one or more flexible areas being formed by material recesses mare provided for.
US08771356B2
A prosthetic disc for insertion between adjacent vertebrae includes upper and lower plates, a core disposed between the plates, and at least one projection extending from at least one of the upper and lower curved surfaces of the core into at least one recess of one of the inner surfaces of the plates. The recess is oversize with respect to the projection to allow sliding movement of the plate over the core while retaining the core between the plates during such sliding movement. The projection(s) may include a rod extending through an axial hole in the core, multiple surface features of the core, or the like.
US08771351B2
A system and method for soft tissue to bone repair employing at least one suture anchor combined with at least one knotless fixation device. The method for soft tissue to bone fixation includes: (i) providing a first medial row constructed with a first plurality of fixation devices, at least one of the first plurality of fixation devices is an anchor; and (ii) providing a second lateral row constructed with a second plurality of fixation devices, at least one of the second plurality of fixation devices is a knotless fixation device, and suture or tape or allograft/biological component extending over the soft tissue and secured in place by the anchors in the first and second medial rows.
US08771349B2
A device and method is disclosed for preventing glaucomatous optic neuropathy, an affliction of the eye. An incision is made in the scleral region of the eye and an optic nerve head shield is inserted and positioned proximate to the optic nerve head of the eye to form a pressure seal over the optic nerve head of the eye. The optic nerve head shield decreases the pressure differential across the cribiform plate preventing bowing of the cribiform plate and glaucomatous optic neuropathy.
US08771348B2
The invention provides an IOL, a method of making the IOL, and a method of using the IOL, wherein the IOL includes a central region and an outer region. An ophthalmic lens comprises a central region and an outer region. The central region is disposed about an optical axis and comprises a diffractive pattern having an add power. The central region also has a first power and a second power for visible light. The first power is a power for far focus and the second power equals to the sum of the power for far focus and the add power. The outer region encloses the central region and generally has no multifocal diffractive power. At least a portion of the outer region has a curvature that varies with distance from the optical axis. The outer region may include a peripheral region and at least one intermediate region that encloses the central region, wherein the peripheral region encloses the at least one intermediate region and the at least one intermediate region provides at least one intermediate power that is different from the first power and the second power.
US08771340B2
Provided are methods, devices, and systems that can be used to deploy prosthetic devices within a bodily lumen of a patient. These methods and devices can include the securement of a prosthetic valve within a vascular lumen by driving one or more fasteners from a position on an expandable device through the valve and into or through a vascular wall.
US08771333B2
A stent attachment and deployment mechanism is utilized to prevent the distal end of an endoprosthesis comprising fixation barbs or other fixation mechanism from deploying prior to the remaining sections of the fixation device. With this stent attachment and deployment mechanism accurate deployment may be achieved.
US08771332B2
An expandable medical device having a static state and at least one expanded state, the expandable medical device in the static state including at least one first inner layer and at least one second outer layer, the outer layer having an inner surface and an outer surface, the outer layer having a closed lattice in the inner surface or the outer surface of the outer layer, wherein the lattice is open when the expandable medical device is in the at least one expanded state, and methods of making the same.
US08771331B2
A wrap for applying thermal therapy to a body part includes a substantially liquid-tight, flexible polymer bag for containing a thermal agent which is attached to a wrap body formed from a non-expandable material. The bag is fastened to the wrap body such that the fastening area is 25% or less than the area of the bag. A pair of wings formed from an expandable, retractable material extends from each of opposite sides of the wrap body. Releasable fasteners are attached at the ends of at least two wings to attach to the ends of the opposite wings to secure the bag over the body part.
US08771317B2
Medical devices for the treatment of spinal conditions are described herein. The medical device of this invention includes a spacer that is disposed between adjacent spinous processes and has a proximal retention member and a distal retention member, which may be rotated with respect to the proximal retention member between an initial implantation configuration and a final locked configuration.
US08771315B2
The present disclosure relates to a composite anchor. The anchor includes a cannulated proximal portion having a threaded outer surface and a distal portion coupled to the proximal portion, the distal portion including a top portion, a bottom portion, and a through hole, wherein the top portion is configured to be disposed within the cannulation of the proximal portion.
US08771312B1
A fastener suitable for anastomosis procedures may include a base, at least two sharp tines extending from the base, and at least one blunt wing extending from the base. The base may have a perimeter, and the tines and the wings may be arranged in alternating sequence along that perimeter. A method for performing anastomosis between a graft vessel and a target vessel, may include stapling the end of the graft vessel to the side of the target vessel, and deploying at least one fastener into tissue at least at one end of the anastomosis, wherein the fastener includes a plurality of tines and at least one wing, wherein each wing compresses the wall of the graft vessel against the outer surface of the target vessel without penetrating either of the graft vessel and the target vessel.
US08771311B2
A surgical instrument for use in a sinus lift includes a substantially cylindrical sleeve which is sealingly insertable into a bore of a jawbone. The sleeve has a lumen and is formed with an inlet channel and an outlet port which is in fluid communication with the lumen. A vibration unit is operatively connected to the instrument for transmitting vibrations into the lumen.
US08771310B2
The present invention relates to compositions and methods for improving outcomes in vascular interventional procedures. In particular, the present invention relates to compositions and methods for improving outcomes in vascular interventional procedures using an anti-no-reflow guide wire that attenuates the “no-reflow” phenomenon that is associated with negative outcomes.
US08771309B2
An occluding device including expandable scaffold and a flow-limiting member is described. In some embodiments the scaffold is an expandable or self-expanding stent deliverable over a guide wire. The flow-limiting member can include a valve that can be closed following deployment. On deployment the stent and flow-limiting member can engage an inner surface of a body cavity lumen, blocking flow of material. In some embodiments the body cavity is a blood vessel, and the device can be used to block blood flow. In some embodiments the device includes bioactive agents.
US08771303B1
A method for minimally invasive tendon sheath release is presented herein. The method enables a surgeon to cut (“open”) a pulley that is obstructing a nodule and keeping a tendon from sliding smoothly. A guide probe of the device is inserted through a small incision and is used to find the edge of the pulley. Once found, the probe is guided to an end of the pulley. Proper placement of the device may be confirmed through the use of ultrasound. After proper position is assured, a hemi-cannula is moved over the guide probe to isolate the pulley from the surrounding tissue. A cutting blade is then used to sever the pulley. A dilation device may be inserted prior to the insertion of the spherical tipped guide probe to dilate the area.
US08771290B2
The present invention, in another aspect, relates to a microstereotactic table. In one embodiment, the microstereotactic table includes a plate member having a first surface, an opposite, second surface, a body portion defined therebetween, a plurality of leg members, each of them removably engaged with the plate member, respectively, and a passage is formed between the first surface and the opposite, second surface of the body portion of the plate member and along a longitudinal axis, wherein a step is formed within the passage, and wherein the step is formed such that the distance from the step to one of the first surface and the opposite, second surface along the longitudinal axis is a predetermined length.
US08771279B2
A method and apparatus for forming an osteotomy in bone. The osteotomy opening is formed in a bone with a keyhole. A similarly configured implant is inserted into the opening with a key configured to engage the keyhole to provide stability and support to the osteotomy opening.
US08771277B2
The disclosure provides a device to facilitate the insertion and attachment of an implant that includes a barrel assembly and a plate assembly in an interspinous space. The device comprises a main body, a first arm that is configured to hold the barrel assembly, and a second arm that is configured to hold a locking plate of the plate assembly, wherein the first and second arms are movably attached to the main body.
US08771276B2
Methods of injecting curable material within a bone structure, such as vertebroplasty, include locating a distal end of an access cannula within the bone structure. A channel creating device is inserted into a cannula lumen. A distal segment of the channel creating device is distally advanced from cannula distal end and into the bone structure. A curved channel is created in the bone structure with the distally advancing distal segment. A distal portion of a cavity creating device is then inserted into the cannula lumen, with the distal portion including an expandable body carried by an elongated body. The distal portion is distally advanced, following a path of the curved channel. The expandable body is transitioned to the expanded state to form a cavity in the bone structure. Finally, curable material is delivered to the cavity.
US08771269B2
A radio frequency tissue ablation system with a radio frequency generator, the generator comprising a radio frequency source, at least four independently controllable radio frequency outputs, a user interface and a controller configured to delivery radio frequency energy from the radio frequency source to the radio frequency outputs in one of at least two different output configurations in response to a configuration selection made through the user.
US08771263B2
An improved procedure for performing liposuction is obtained by utilizing a needle that includes a laser source conductor with one end of the needle being configured for insertion into a target adipose skin volume and the other end being coupled to a laser source. The needle may include one or more channels for extracting the treated adipose area. A vacuum source can be used in the extraction of the treated adipose. Further, the first end of the needle may include a cap or end-piece that reduces the build up of carbon deposits. A temperature sensor may be used as input to adjust the laser power and prevent over exposure.
US08771262B2
An opthalmological device for resolving eye tissue includes a base station with a light source for producing light pulses. Attached to the base station is a supporting arm with an application head that can be placed on an eye. The light pulses are transmitted from the base station through an optical transmission system to the application head. The application head has a light projector for the focused projection of the light pulses for point-by-point resolution of the eye tissue. The supporting arm is rigidly configured and has at one end a rotary joint with a horizontally aligned axis of rotation, wherein the rotary joint is attached in such a way that the application head can be placed on the eye with a rotation about the axis of rotation. The rotary joint makes it possible for the application head or the light projector to be manually docked in a controlled manner onto the eye in the vertical direction by means of a rotational movement that is easy to perform and has low mechanical friction.
US08771253B2
A reduced pressure delivery system for applying a reduced pressure to a tissue site includes a manifold delivery tube having a passageway and a distal end, the distal end configured to be percutaneously inserted and placed adjacent the tissue site. A flowable material is provided and is percutaneously deliverable through the manifold delivery tube to the tissue site. The flowable material is capable of filling a void adjacent the tissue site to create a manifold having a plurality of flow channels in fluid communication with the tissue site. A reduced pressure delivery tube is provided that is capable of fluid communication with the flow channels of the manifold.
US08771251B2
In example methods and systems described, a medical device can store information locally and in a separate database on a server, for example. If the device fails, or a patient is moved to a second device, information may be transferred to the second device such that the second device can resume a complex therapy at a point where the initial medical device left off. The data necessary to restart the complex therapy system may include certain underlying patient-specific parameters according to a model capturing the patient's physiological response to the medication in question. As a result, it is not necessary for the second device to restart the complex therapy or regress to an initial set of baseline assumptions.
US08771248B2
It is intended to provide a tampon wherein a string-shaped member is bonded to a cylindrical absorbent in the state of not being exposed on the absorbent surface. A tampon comprising an absorbent (2), which is obtained by molding a sheet member into a cylindrical shape, and a string-shaped member (4) which is bonded to the absorbent (2) and extends from one end of the absorbent (2). The string-shaped member (4) has a first string part which is bonded along the first direction of one face of the sheet member constituting the absorbent (2) and a second string part which extends from the sheet member. A first folding part is formed in one side of the second direction that is perpendicular to the first direction of the first string member, while a second folding part is formed in the other side of the second direction. Owing to this constitution, the absorbent (2) is deformed by bending respectively from the first folding part and the second folding part and thus molded into a cylindrical shape from which the first string part is not exposed.
US08771245B2
The present invention relates to a device, method, system and kit for receiving effluent from an individual. In an alternative embodiment, the present invention is directed to a device, method, system and kit for collecting effluent from an individual during a medical or diagnostic procedure including but not limited to, imaging or viewing one or more sections of an individual's gastrointestinal tract. In another alternative embodiment, the effluent is collected in a hollow area in order to prevent the effluent form contaminating a component, device or apparatus used in connection with the medical or diagnostic procedure.
US08771242B2
Dispensing units and methods for using dispensing units to apply eye drops to an eye of a user are disclosed. A dispensing unit may include a dispensing barrel having a dispensing orifice and one or more concentric rings. A particular dispensing unit has one concentric ring that is disposed around the circumference of the dispensing barrel and is configured to permit a user to properly visually align the dispensing barrel above an eye of the user. An alternate dispensing unit has first and second rings disposed around a circumference of the dispensing barrel that are configured to permit a user to properly visually align the dispensing barrel above an eye of the user by one or more of color mixing or polarization techniques.
US08771241B2
Dispensing units and methods for using dispensing units to apply eye drops to an eye of a user are disclosed. A dispensing unit may include a dispensing barrel having a dispensing orifice and one or more concentric rings. A particular dispensing unit has one concentric ring that is disposed around the circumference of the dispensing barrel and is configured to permit a user to properly visually align the dispensing barrel above an eye of the user. An alternate dispensing unit has first and second rings disposed around a circumference of the dispensing barrel that are configured to permit a user to properly visually align the dispensing barrel above an eye of the user by one or more of color mixing or polarization techniques.
US08771239B2
The present invention relates to drive mechanisms suitable for use in drug delivery devices, in particular pen-type injectors, wherein a number of pre-set doses of medicinal product can be administered. In particular, the present invention relates to such drug delivery devices where a user may activate the drug delivery device.
US08771234B2
A device (10,110,210) for the expression of liquids, such as for the maintenance treatment of vascular catheters. A syringe (16;116a,116b;216) has a support structure (15,215) and includes at least two separate compartments (11,12;111,112;211,212) in which liquids for treating the lumen (L,283) of a catheter (C,280) with which the device is associated. The syringe further includes a closure plug (13,213) to be associated with the lumen being treated, which is coupled, by virtue of a releasable securement arrangement, to support structure (15,215). At least one plunger (16;116a,116b;216) is also included for infusing, in preset order, the different treatment liquids into the lumen to be treated, and the syringe further includes a duct (17,217) which is in fluid communication with the two compartments and is arranged through a through hole through the closure plug (13,213) in order to allow access of the treatment liquid to the interior of the lumen (L,283) upon activation of the plunger.
US08771225B2
A balloon catheter is configured so that a balloon can be easily inserted into the interior of a human body without using a separate wire.
US08771212B1
Certain exemplary embodiments can comprise a splint for a body part, such as a human digit. The splint can include a unitary, semi-rigid, arcuate, and/or toroidal member; a first lock portion integral to the member; and a second lock portion integral to the member. The first lock portion can be adapted to releasably lockably engage the second lock portion so as to allow for continuously and/or incrementally adjustable contact of at least a portion of the member with a predetermined portion of the body part of a wearer of the splint.
US08771210B2
A multi-fit orthotic structure including an attachment system for coupling the orthotic structure to a wide variety of subjects without requiring a custom fit. In one embodiment, active mobility assistance is provided via an orthotic system capable of integrating a linear actuator and linkage system to deliver torque to the lower leg of a subject to facilitate flexion and/or extension motion of the subject's leg. The orthotic structure is attached to the subject using a textile suspension system which does not require the orthotic structure to interface directly in the knee region or at the lateral areas of the thigh and calf of the subject, thus providing an ideal fit for the widest possible range of subjects with the minimum number of required sizes.
US08771203B2
An apparatus for deploying a needle within a lumen is provided. The apparatus includes a housing having a threaded bushing radially disposed therein. The bushing rigidly couples with a nose cone having a guide tip disposed at an end opposite the bushing for penetrating an arterial wall of a lumen. During operation, a user incrementally advances the bushing within the housing, thereby incrementally advancing the guide tip into the lumen. The nose cone also includes a flex guide having a slot configuration which couples with the guide tip which deploys into the lumen along with the guide tip.
US08771200B2
The present invention provides for exemplary embodiments of a single-insertion, multiple sampling biopsy device. Exemplary embodiments of a single-insertion, multiple sampling device with integrated marker release.
US08771198B2
A signal processing apparatus includes a phonocardiogram interface configured to receive a phonocardiogram signal captured according to a first set of capturing properties, a processor configured to analyze the phonocardiogram signal to determine an analysis result for the phonocardiogram signal and a confidence value of the determined analysis result, and a flow control configured to determine, whether a subsequent capture of the phonocardiogram signal according to a second set of capturing properties is likely to improve an accuracy of the determined analysis result. If applicable, the flow control coordinates the subsequent capture of the phonocardiogram signal according to the second set of capturing properties.
US08771189B2
Heart valve operation is assessed with patient-specific medical diagnostic imaging data. To deal with the complex motion of the passive valve tissue, a hierarchal model is used. Rigid global motion of the overall valve, non-rigid local motion of landmarks of the valve, and surface motion of the valve are modeled sequentially. For the non-rigid local motion, a spectral trajectory approach is used in the model to determine location and motion of the landmarks more efficiently than detection and tracking. Given efficiencies in processing, more than one valve may be modeled at a same time. A graphic overlay representing the valve in four dimensions and/or quantities may be provided during an imaging session. One or more of these features may be used in combination or independently.
US08771186B2
A method for performing a patient oxygenation test using one or more computing devices is provided. The patient oxygenation test comprises a plurality of instructions for implementing a workflow for determining an oxygenation status for a patient. An entry or selection is received of one or more physiological parameters for the patient to be monitored during the patient oxygenation test. An entry or selection is received of one or more thresholds for at least one of the physiological parameters to be monitored during the patient oxygenation test. A determination is made as to whether any of the physiological parameters exceed limits set by the one or more thresholds. One or more actions are taken when one or more of the physiological parameters exceed the limits set by the one or more thresholds. A summary and analysis are provided of the test results.
US08771177B2
A flexible endoscope having a wide-angle lens that has an optical axis that is angularly offset from a longitudinal axis of the endoscope, such that the optical axis resides at an angle greater than zero degrees to the longitudinal axis. The wide-angle lens system simultaneously gathers an endoscopic image field at least spanning the longitudinal axis and an angle greater than ninety degrees to the longitudinal axis. The endoscope includes an imager comprising an imaging surface area that receives at least a portion of endoscopic image transmitted by the wide-angle lens system and produces output signals corresponding to the endoscopic image field and image forming circuitry that receives the output signal and produces an image signal. The wide-angle lens endoscope has a flexible distal end or tip.
US08771163B2
A system and methods for transcranial magnetic stimulation, the system including a helmet, a positioning portion, a stimulator and a cooling system, are disclosed. The helmet includes a coil for deep brain magnetic stimulation. The coil has a base portion, and return portions, which may include a protruding return portion and a contacting return portion. The coil is designed to minimize unintended stimulation of portions of the brain, while reducing accumulation of surface charges. The coil is stimulated at several locations and/or at different times so as to focus the electrical field on a specific deep neuronal structure.
US08771160B2
The present invention describes a centrifuge system and method for improving the separation of entrained solids from a solution. The system and method introduces compressed gas to a fluid containing entrained solids to reduce the density and viscosity of the fluid to promote the settling of particles within the solution.
US08771157B2
A foot pivot sports training aid is disclosed. The training aid may include a platform coupled to a base. The platform may rotate around the base. The platform may include an upwardly projecting baffle with an inwardly facing contour and/or a sloped surface.
US08771156B2
An improved structure to fix an inflatable and elastic motion body includes an elastic air bag, a frame, a base and a plurality of restricting pieces. The base has a receiving slot recessedly formed close to a top surface of the base, and a recessed engaging trough recessedly formed close to a bottom surface thereof. The recessed engaging trough engages with a hook end of the restricting piece, so the restricting piece can tightly clamp a fixed edge of the elastic air bag. Since the restricting pieces with better strength are disposed in restricting slots of the frame to tightly confine the elastic air bag and the base to locate between the hook end and the pressing end of the restricting piece, so when the elastic air bag is heavily pressed, it would not escape from the restricting slot of the frame to increase the structural strength and durability.
US08771143B2
In a hybrid power system, when a change-speed stage selected in one of gear-shift mechanisms for first and second drive trains is switched over to another change-speed stage in the other gear-shift mechanism, deceleration in rotation speed of an engine detected by a rotation speed sensor is compared with a preset upper limit. When the deceleration in rotation speed of the engine exceeds the upper limit, the motor-generator in drive connection with an input shaft of the second drive train is activated as an electric motor to cause load torque canceling or offsetting input torque applied to the input shaft of the other gear-shift mechanism from the engine, and engagement of the change-speed stage in the other gear-shift mechanism is released after the occurrence of the load torque.
US08771139B2
A power transmission unit, including: an engine; a plurality of speed change gear pairs, each having a different gear ratio, and to which a power outputted from the engine is transmitted; an output member outputting the power transmitted from any of the selected speed change gear pair; a differential mechanism, which has three rotary elements performing a differential action, and in which a first rotary element of the three rotary elements is connected with the engine; and an electric motor, connected with a second rotary element of the three rotary elements. The plurality of speed change gear pairs include a first gear pair connected with the first rotary element and the output member, and a second gear pair connected with a third rotary element of the three rotary elements and the output member.
