US08830426B2
Techniques are provided to reduce color shifts in an LCD. A sub-pixel in the LCD may comprise a reflective part and a transmissive part. The reflective and transmissive parts may be covered by one or more retardation films. To reduce color shifts in general and especially in oblique viewing angles, at least one retardation film in the sub-pixel may comprise a slow axis with an elevation angle from a surface of a substrate layer of the LCD.
US08830424B2
A light-condensing means and a pixel electrode may be formed on the same surface side of a substrate, and a region transmitting visible light in the pixel electrode may be provided so as to overlap with an optical axis of the light-condensing means. An anisotropic light-condensing means having a condensing direction X and a non-condensing direction Y may be used, and the light-condensing means may be provided so that the non-condensing direction Y corresponds to a longitudinal direction of the region transmitting visible light in the pixel electrode.
US08830422B2
Provided is an edge-light illuminating device in which a deformation is prevented from occurring in a reflection sheet due to thermal expansion of the reflection sheet. An edge-light illuminating device (3) of the present invention is arranged to illuminate a liquid crystal display panel (2) from a back side of the panel, and includes a light guide plate (7), a light source (5) that faces an edge face (72) of the plate and is arranged to project light onto the edge face, a case (4) arranged to house the plate and the light source, and a reflection sheet (6) laid on a bottom face (41) of the case and sandwiched between the bottom face and a back face (71) of the plate housed in the case, wherein the reflection sheet includes a slot portion (61) disposed along a direction that the reflection sheet expands by heat generated by the light source.
US08830421B2
A display device including a sub-backlight unit which can prevent the obscure sights caused by light from the light source of the sub-backlight unit arriving on an article or reel of the main display screen and then reflecting in the frontal direction is provided. The sub-backlight unit includes a second light guide panel having an opening part formed therein corresponding to a transparent window, a second light source disposed around the second light guide panel, and a polymer dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) sheet disposed close to the front side of the opening of the second light guide panel.
US08830417B2
Provided is a liquid crystal display device including: a panel substrate, which has a frame, which is fixed to a rear surface of the panel substrate; a backlight unit, which is arranged inside the frame; and an electronic panel, which is overlapped onto the panel substrate on the front surface side of the panel substrate, in which the electronic panel includes a protruding end portion, which extends off from the panel substrate, in which the frame includes: a first portion, which is opposed to the rear surface of the panel substrate; and a second portion, which is provided upright from the first portion on a lateral side of the panel substrate in a direction of the protruding end portion of the electronic panel, and in which the protruding end portion of the electronic panel is opposed to the second portion in a non-adherent state.
US08830414B2
The present invention provides a liquid crystal display having excellent visibility.A thin film transistor array panel is provided, which includes: gate lines formed on an insulating substrate; data lines insulated from the gate lines and intersecting the gate lines; first pixel electrodes disposed on pixel areas defined by intersections of the gate lines and the data lines; first thin film transistors, each having three terminals connected to one of the gate lines, one of the data lines, and one of the first pixel electrodes; second pixel electrodes disposed on the pixel areas and capacitively coupled to the first pixel electrodes; and second thin film transistors, each having three terminals connected to a previous gate line, a storage electrode line or one of the data lines, and one of the second pixel electrodes.
US08830410B2
A liquid crystal display includes a first substrate and a second substrate facing each other, common voltage wiring disposed on the first substrate and transmitting a common voltage, a first insulating layer disposed on the common voltage wiring, a common electrode disposed on a whole surface of the second substrate, a first conductive member disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate and electrically connecting the common electrode and the common voltage wiring to each other, and a sealant combining the first substrate and the second substrate. The first insulating layer includes a first contact hole exposing a first portion of the common voltage wiring and a plurality of a second contact hole exposing a second portion of the common voltage wiring, the second contact hole having a smaller area than the first contact hole.
US08830406B2
[Object] To provide an operation apparatus capable of achieving an improvement in operability.[Solving Means] This operation apparatus includes: a casing including two surfaces opposed in front and back directions as a first surface and a second surface; a first operation input unit that is provided in the first surface and includes a detector that performs a detection of an operation of a user with respect to a predetermined coordinate detection space on the first surface; a second operation input unit provided in the second surface; a determination unit that determines an attitude of the casing when an operation of the user with respect to the coordinate detection space of the detector is performed from a side of the second surface; and a converter that converts, when the attitude is determined, information detected by the detector into information of a coordinate system of the coordinate detection space seen through from the side of the second surface.
US08830404B2
A broadcast receiving apparatus is equipped with a plurality of tuners that can respectively receive a control signal including region information identifying a region and channel designation information designating a program broadcast channel. A channel selection action of each tuner, display processing for a display unit, and recording processing for a storage unit are controlled based on a channel selection state of each tuner and the control signal. Furthermore, a tuner to select a channel designated by the channel designation information is determined based on a state of use of each tuner.
US08830402B2
An image processing circuit and a method thereof are provided herein. The image processing circuit has a first scaling circuit, one or more line buffers, a first sharpness circuit, a second scaling circuit, and a second sharpness circuit. The first scaling circuit enlarges an input image along a first direction to generate a first enlarged image. The one or more line buffers temporarily store the pixel values of a plurality of pixel rows of the first enlarged image. The first sharpness circuit vertically sharpens the first enlarged image to generate a first sharpened image. The second scaling circuit enlarges the first sharpened image along a second direction to generate a second enlarged image. The second sharpness circuit horizontally sharpens the second enlarged image to generate a second sharpened image. Accordingly, it is possible to use the one or more line buffers having shorter data lengths to perform the vertical sharpening.
US08830399B2
A method capable of combining data signals and video signals for transmission to a video display unit. The method comprises the steps of generating a data signal, transmitting the data signal to an apparatus, receiving the data signal at the apparatus, receiving a video/audio signal at the apparatus, combining the video/audio signal with the data signal to form a single combined signal, and displaying the combined signal on a video display unit.
US08830394B2
Presented herein are system(s), method(s), and apparatus for providing high resolution frames. In one embodiment, there is a method comprising receiving upscaled frames; motion estimating the upscaled frames; and motion compensating the upscaled frames.
US08830387B2
An electronic device includes a shell, an image capturing device, a sliding key, a driving element, and a sliding pin. The shell defines a receiving space, a number of positioning grooves, and a through hole communicating with the receiving space. The image capturing device is received in the receiving space. The image capturing device includes a supporting frame rotatably connected with the shell and defining a matching hole. The sliding key includes an operation portion and a connection portion. The connection portion is received and slidable in the through hole. The driving element includes a main portion connected with the connection portion, at least one driving arm, and a tail portion. The tail portion includes a positioning protrusion received in one positioning groove. The sliding pin engages with the at least one driving arm and is slidable in the matching hole for driving the supporting frame to rotate.
US08830381B2
An imaging device is provided that includes an image blur evaluator, an imaging processor, a distance map generator and a filter. The image blur evaluator evaluates the amount of blurring due to a camera shake. The imaging processor captures a plurality of secondary images of the same object at different lens positions by driving a photographing lens. The distance map generator prepares a distance map including distance information of the objects captured in each area of an image based on the contrast in each of the areas. The filter reduces noise in the distance map. A relatively large filter size is selected for the filter when blurring is evaluated to be relatively large and a relatively small filter size is selected for the filter when the evaluated blurring is relatively small.
US08830378B2
When a photographer presses a release button by a predetermined amount after focusing on a first object, a focus lens is moved in an optical axis direction so that a second object is brought into focus, whereupon image pickup is performed while focusing on the second object. Image processing is then performed on image data obtained in the image pickup.
US08830374B2
The present invention provides a highly flexible shooting environment by letting the user shoot any subject he or she likes.The image capture device of this invention includes: an image capturing section, which receives light coming from a subject and generates a signal representing an image of the subject; a first detecting section for detecting a feature in the image by a first predetermined method; a second detecting section for detecting a feature in the image by a second method, which is different from the first method; an interface section for accepting an operation specifying a position on the image; and a controller for determining, according to a relationship between a location of the feature detected by the first detecting section and the position specified for the interface section at a point in time when the interface section accepts the operation, which of the first and second detecting sections should be used to detect a feature in a forthcoming image to be generated from that point in time on.
US08830367B1
An image sensor of a camera system captures an image over an image capture interval of time, and waits a blanking interval of time before capturing an additional image. The captured image is provided to a frame controller, and is buffered until an image signal processor accesses the captured image. The image signal processor processes the accessed image over an image processing interval of time, producing a processed image. The image processing interval of time is selected to be greater than the image capture interval of time, but less than the sum of the image capture interval of time and the blanking interval of time. By reducing the image capture interval of time but maintaining an image processing interval of time, rolling shutter artifacts are beneficially reduced without increasing the processing resources or power required by the image signal processor to process the image.
US08830366B2
In an apparatus, operation is switchable between first and second modes. In the first mode, a photoelectric conversion part and a charge storage part are released from a reset state for all pixels included in an image acquisition area to start a period, and, when a predetermined time has elapsed, the photoelectric conversion part and an overflow drain region of each pixel are turned onto end the period, and finally the charge stored in the charge storage part is transferred to the amplifier part. In the second mode, after a mechanical shutter is opened to start a period, the mechanical shutter is closed to end the period, and stored charge is transferred to the amplifier part.
US08830365B2
A circuit for processing an analog signal having a time sequence of discrete signal levels, each of which lies in a time interval and represents an information-bearing segment of the interval while the rest of the time interval is a non-information-bearing segment, comprises a transistor in emitter-follower or source-follower configuration, a high emitter or source resistance or, instead, a high-ohm constant current source, and a device for applying a voltage supply, as well as a switch which is connected between the emitter and a reference potential to prevent a current from flowing via the high-ohm resistance or the high-ohm voltage source for charge reversal of an output capacitance of the circuit in one direction, whereas for charge reversal in the other direction the dynamic current boosting effect of the transistor is exploited. This results in a fast emitter-follower or source-follower circuit which is particularly suitable as the output stage for image sensors.
US08830364B2
The present invention relates to a driving method of a solid-state imaging device including: driving the pixel stacked with the red filter and the pixel stacked with the blue filter which are presented on one line for every four lines of one-side pixel lines of the pixel line extending toward right-upwardly inclined direction and the pixel line extending toward left-upwardly inclined direction, and the pixel stacked with the green filter which is most adjacent to pixel stacked with the red filter and the pixel stacked with the blue filter as a low-sensitivity pixel, and driving the rest of the pixels as a high-sensitivity pixel.
US08830362B2
The present invention has an object to provide an image processing apparatus and an image processing method capable of, when reducing a blur in an input image, (i) reducing noise included in the input image and (ii) restraining degradation of the image caused by noise processing from being emphasized by image restoration processing. An image processing apparatus (100) for reducing a blur in an input image includes: a noise processing unit (10) which performs noise processing that reduces noise to the input image, to generate a noise-processed image; and a restoration processing unit (20) which performs image restoration processing that reduces a blur to the noise-processed image, the noise processing unit (10) performing the noise processing based on a characteristic of the image restoration processing.
US08830354B2
An image capturing apparatus comprises: an image sensor including multiple pixels, each having pupil-divided multiple photoelectric converters, a storage unit that stores the respective pupil-divided image signals, and a control unit, and an operation of adding the image signals on a pixel-by-pixel basis and outputting the resulting signal; a determination unit configured to determine a focus control area, using an image expressed by the image signal output from the image sensor; and a focus control unit configured to carry out focus control according to the phase difference detection method based on the pupil-divided image signals output from the pixels within the focus control area, wherein the control unit switches between an operation of individually outputting the pupil-divided image signals within the focus control area, and an operation of adding and outputting the pupil-divided image signals output from pixels outside of the focus control area on a pixel-by-pixel basis.
US08830353B2
An interchangeable lens mountable to a camera body, includes a driving object to be driven, an operating unit that receives an operation performed by a user to provide an instruction for driving the driving object, a driver that drives the driving object, and a lens controller that controls the driver. The lens controller notifies the camera body of information about drive of the driving object corresponding to the operation received by the operating unit, and thereafter, controls the driver to drive the driving object when obtaining information indicating permission for driving the driving object from the camera body.
US08830352B2
There is provided an image pickup device which eliminates the need for image processing different from one frame to another, and is capable of eliminating centroid displacement without additionally performing a centroid correction process, thereby improving an S/N ratio and image quality. A controller 140 sequentially reads signals from all pixels when an operation mode control signal designates all-pixel readout mode, whereas, controls to read a signal from a different pixel while varying a readout position from one field to another when the operation mode control signal designates selective readout mode, and a signal processing section 150 performs signal processing on a set of field data of a single field to output resultant data as frame data when the operation mode control signal designates all-pixel readout mode, whereas, adds up plural sets of field data over a plurality of fields to output resultant data as frame data when the operation mode control signal designates selective readout mode.
US08830347B2
A method for aligning and unwarping distorted images in which lens profiles for a variety of lens and camera combinations are precomputed. Metadata stored with images is used to automatically determine if a set of component images include an excessive amount of distortion, and if so the metadata is used to determine an appropriate lens profile and initial unwarping function. The initial unwarping function is applied to the coordinates of feature points of the component images to generate substantially rectilinear feature points, which are used to estimate focal lengths, centers, and relative rotations for pairs of the images. A global nonlinear optimization is applied to the initial unwarping function(s) and the relative rotations to generate optimized unwarping functions and rotations for the component images. The optimized unwarping functions and rotations may be used to render a panoramic image.
US08830346B2
An imaging device includes a first detection part which detects one or more subjects in an image captured by the image capturing part capturing an image continuously; a second detection part which follows the one or more subjects detected; and a system control part which includes a setting part setting a part of the image as a limited region, and causes, after the first detection part detects the one or more subjects in the captured image, the second detection part to follow and detect a subject in an image captured subsequently to the captured image, and causes the first detection part to detect a subject in the limited region.
US08830344B2
There is provided with an image processing apparatus which performs transformation processing for an input image, and performs filter processing for a transformed image including the transformed input image in an image area, thereby generating an output image, comprising a determination unit configured to determine whether a pixel position to be mapped to a pixel of interest position in the transformed image by a transformation processing is present among pixel positions in the input image; and a calculation unit configured to set a pixel value, obtained by a convolution operation between filter coefficients and pixel values of pixels near a processing pixel position in the transformed image, as the pixel value of the pixel at the processing pixel position in the output image if the pixel position to be mapped is present.
US08830343B2
This invention includes an imaging device that photographs a subject, a display device that has a display screen displaying image data photographed by the imaging device, a zoom device that varies the display screen, an extraction device that extracts a predetermined feature portion from image data photographed by the imaging device, a directive device that directs the display device so as to display a predetermined feature portion extracted by the extraction device in a predetermined form, and a controller that controls the directive device so as not to direct a display on the display device in accordance with the varying magnification of the zoom device. Namely, an icon of the extraction result is not displayed while the zoom is in action, so that it can avoid an inappropriate display in which the icon display does not correspond to a photographed subject due to the subject's quick movement or a sudden change in its size within a picture frame.
US08830341B2
An aspect of the present invention selects one of the images captured in burst mode as an optimum image based on processing only the captured images, without requiring any external images. According to another aspect of the present invention, the camera settings are set to different combination of values and a frame is formed for each combination of values from the corresponding captured image. Image metrics representing inherent image qualities may be extracted from each of the frames and one of the frames is selected based on the extracted metrics. In an embodiment, each combination of the camera settings includes corresponding values for exposure duration and white balance.
US08830329B2
Methods, devices, and systems, are described for tracking a video game player's head under different ambient lighting conditions and switching between tracking techniques as lighting conditions change. Based on measurements of ambient lighting conditions, a camera hooked to a game console can (1) track a player's face using facial tracking techniques, (2) track reflective material on the player's 3-D glasses, or (3) turn on or up illumination LEDs mounted on the 3-D glasses.
US08830326B2
At least one exemplary embodiment is directed to an image transmission apparatus connected to an image pickup apparatus and configured to transmit an image picked up by the image pickup apparatus to a plurality of client terminals via a network. The image transmission apparatus includes a setting unit configured to set a transmission processing mode for transmitting a still image picked up by the image pickup apparatus and a real-time image picked up by the image pickup apparatus and having a resolution lower than that of the still image according to an instruction issued from one of the plurality of client terminals, and a control unit configured to control an instruction to the image pickup apparatus and a transmission processing for the still image and the real-time image according to the transmission processing mode set by the setting unit.
US08830320B2
Disclosed is an apparatus and a process for producing and viewing through the internet high-resolution images of the commonly viewed exterior surfaces of a vehicle, while maintaining the same background view for multiple images of the vehicle. The background and the imaging device are revolved around a vehicle which is maintained in fixed position between the background and the imaging device. The vehicle does not need to be rotated or moved during the imaging.
US08830305B2
A liquid crystal displayer and control method thereof are disclosed. The liquid crystal displayer capable of displaying image in a three dimensional mode comprises a display panel, a first timing controller, a second timing controller and a control module. The first timing controller and the second timing controller are electrically coupled to the display panel. While receiving multiple frames, the control module controls the first timing controller according to a refresh frequency of the frames, to feed the frames to the panel based on a frame clock, and controls the second timing controller to invert the signal polarity of the frames based on an inversion clock.
US08830296B1
A system for endpoint device-specific stream control for multimedia conferencing may include one or more processors and memory. The one or more processors may perform steps of providing a hosted multimedia conference to participant devices, determining whether each participant device is capable of providing a video stream transmission and providing, to each participant device, video stream controls that provide for controlling video streams of exclusively the other participant devices that are determined to be capable of providing video stream transmissions. The steps may further include receiving a selection of a first video stream control corresponding to a first participant device from second and third participant devices, receiving a video stream from the first participant device, and providing the video stream to the second and third participant devices based at least in part on the received selections of the first video stream control by the second and third participant devices.
US08830293B2
Techniques are described herein for combining video frames of two or more real-time video streams into combined video frames of a combined real-time video stream for continuous presence. Video frames of at least two real-time video streams are combined into combined video frames of a combined video stream. The combined video stream is supplied to a video display for displaying the combined video stream. Each video stream includes video frames with subject and background images. The subject images of corresponding video frames of the first and second video streams are combined into a combined video frame of a combined video stream such that the subject image of the first video stream is positioned in an anterior portion of the combined frame and the subject image of the second video stream is positioned in a posterior portion of the combined frame.
US08830288B2
An optical scanning apparatus includes a light source, a deflector that deflects a light beam in a main scanning direction, an incident optical system that makes the light beam enter the deflecting surface in a sub-scanning section, and an imaging optical system that includes at least one imaging optical element and condenses the light beam onto a surface to be scanned, in which at least one of an incident surface and an exit surface of the at least one imaging optical element is decentered in the sub-scanning section such that an origin position line exists in a region sandwiched between marginal rays at two sub-scanning direction ends of the light beam, the origin position line being extended in the main scanning direction and passing through an origin of an aspherical surface formula defining a surface shape of each of the incident surface and the exit surface in the sub-scanning section.
US08830285B2
A printing apparatus includes a thermal head has a heat generating element that thermally transfer ink of a ink ribbon onto a recording medium, a conveying unit conveys the recording medium towards the thermal head along a conveyance path, a platen member is positioned opposite to the thermal head in the conveyance path, a moving mechanism moves the thermal head between a first position where the ink is thermally transferred to the recording medium by pressurizing the platen member and a second position departing from the platen member and an adjusting unit, in a condition that the time of moving the thermal head from the second position to the first position is different from a specified time, adjusts a movement timing of the thermal head or a movement time of the thermal head by the moving mechanism according to the difference between the time and the specified time.
US08830270B2
This document describes techniques for progressively indicating new content in an application-selectable user interface. These techniques permit a user to view indications of new content for applications progressively, rather than all at one time. By so doing, the techniques may avoid mentally or visually overloading or over-stimulating a user viewing the indications.
US08830269B2
A method of deforming a shape of a human body model includes the steps of reorganizing human body model data into a joint-skeleton structure-based Non-Uniform Rational B-spline (NURBS) surface model, generating statistical deformation information about control parameters of the NURBS surface model based on parameters of joints and key section curves for specific motions, and deforming the shape of the human body model based on the NURBS surface model and the statistical deformation information. The human body model data includes three-dimensional (3D) human body scan data and a 3D polygon mesh.
US08830268B2
A display system and method for displaying an image on a non-planar display that allows the images to be mapped by image mappers while encompassing image data of an adjacent sub-image or sub-images. This allows a single unified image to be displayed in real time without any tearing or positional/angular artifacts at the image boundaries.
US08830267B2
A method (700) for providing an augmented reality operations tool to a mobile client (642) positioned in a building (604). The method (700) includes, with a server (660), receiving (720) from the client (642) an augmented reality request for building system equipment (612) managed by an energy management system (EMS) (620). The method (700) includes transmitting (740) a data request for the equipment (612) to the EMS (620) and receiving (750) building management data (634) for the equipment (612). The method (700) includes generating (760) an overlay (656) with an object created based on the building management data (634), which may be sensor data, diagnostic procedures, or the like. The overlay (656) is configured for concurrent display on a display screen (652) of the client (642) with a real-time image of the building equipment (612). The method (700) includes transmitting (770) the overlay (656) to the client (642).
US08830251B2
A method for combining at least two images and outputting a combined image includes creating a template including a first input image having a defined area, receiving a second input image, modifying the second input image by applying an intensity relating to a plurality of pixels included in the defined area to a plurality of pixels included in the second input image and replacing the defined area with the modified second image to create an output image and displaying the output image.
US08830248B1
A method for rendering an image on computer system including a display includes determining a first displacement map associated with a surface material and a first input parameter, determining a second displacement map associated with the surface material and a second input parameter. determining a three-dimensional displacement data structure in response to the first displacement map, the first input parameter, the second displacement map and the second input parameter in the computer system, receiving a third input parameter, determining a third displacement map associated with the surface material in response to the three-dimensional displacement data structure and the third input parameter in the computer system, rendering an image of an object in the computer system, wherein an appearance of a surface of the object is determined in response to the third displacement map, and displaying the image on the display to a user.
US08830247B2
An image displaying device with an image cache data storage unit, including: an image cache identifier generating unit that obtains a hash value of a fixed length from sampling data of original image data and generates an image cache identifier unique to said original image data based on the hash value of a fixed length; an image cache searching unit that checks whether image cache data to which the generated image cache identifier is added is stored in said image cache memory or not; and an image cache generating unit that, when the image cache data has been not stored in said image cache memory, generates image cache data by adding the image cache identifier generated by said image cache identifier generating unit to the original image data and stores the image cache data in said image cache memory.
US08830246B2
This disclosure presents techniques and structures for determining a rendering mode (e.g., a binning rendering mode and a direct rendering mode) as well as techniques and structures for switching between such rendering modes. Rendering mode may be determined by analyzing rendering characteristics. Rendering mode may also be determined by tracking overdraw in a bin. The rendering mode may be switched from a binning rendering mode to a direct rendering mode by patching commands that use graphics memory addresses to use system memory addresses. Patching may be handled by a CPU or by a second write command buffer executable by a GPU.
US08830236B2
A computer-implemented method for estimating a pose of an articulated object model that is a computer based 3D model of a real world object observed by one or more source cameras, including the steps of obtaining a source image from a video stream; processing the source image to extract a source image segment maintaining, in a database, a set of reference silhouettes, each being associated with an articulated object model and a corresponding reference pose; comparing the source image segment to the reference silhouettes and selecting reference silhouettes by taking into account, for each reference silhouette, a matching error that indicates how closely the reference silhouette matches the source image segment retrieving the corresponding reference poses of the articulated object models; and computing an estimate of the pose of the articulated object model from the reference poses of the selected reference silhouettes.
US08830232B2
A method of displaying information relating to a well drilling operation, comprising generating a sub-surface model of the underground formation through which the well is being drilled; generating a representation of the well being drilled, of the drilling equipment being used to drill the well, including parameters relating to the use of the drilling equipment; generating a 3D image of the formation, the well and the drilling equipment; and generating an image within the 3D image comprising volumes representing virtual objects, such as a cone of possible well placement if drilling proceeds under the current conditions, or the envelope of investigation of a given sensor.
US08830231B2
A game device 10 displays an image on an upper LCD 22 capable of producing stereoscopic display using two images. The game device 10 determines a shift amount from a reference position for a frame 62 of a predetermined size representing a display area of each captured image. Here, for at least one of the frames, if the frame 62 moved by the shift amount protrudes out of a captured image 55, the size of each frame is changed so that the frame 62 does not protrude out of the captured image 55. The game device 10 displays an image in the frame of each of two captured images in a predetermined area on a screen of a stereoscopic display device.
US08830219B2
An organic light emitting display device includes: a plurality of pixels at crossing regions of a plurality of scan lines and data lines; a first control line and a second control line commonly connected with the plurality of pixels; a control line driver configured to supply a first control signal to the first control line and a second control signal to the second control line, where the second control signal is not concurrent with the first control signal; and a first power supply that supplies a first power to each of the plurality of pixels, where a voltage level of the first power is configured to change at least once during a frame period for each of the pixels.
US08830218B2
A transistor connected to a power source for driving a light-emitting element driving transistor and a transistor setting to a predetermined voltage a source voltage of the light-emitting element driving transistor are commonly controlled by a control signal that takes one of three levels.
US08830215B2
A display device according to the present invention includes: an organic EL element; an electrostatic holding capacitor; a drive transistor having a gate connected to one electrode of an electrostatic holding capacitor and a source connected to an anode of the organic EL element; another electrostatic holding capacitor having an electrode connected to the other electrode of the one electrostatic holding capacitor; a negative power supply line which determines a potential of a cathode of the organic EL element; and a scanning line drive circuit which controls switching transistors. In a display period, the entire display area of a display unit is caused to start generating photons at once. In a non-display period, the entire display area of the display unit is caused to stop generating photons at once, and the drive transistor is reset.
US08830213B2
Systems and methods for realizing display drivers, especially OLED drivers having a high efficiency. With a single pass, using an algorithm based on simple equations based on gathered maximum display data, the driver can split an image to be displayed into multiple planes and tiles thus balancing peak current consumption. Furthermore the driver is able to optimize drive time periods in regard of many parameters.
US08830203B2
A tablet portable information handling system touch screen display includes a touch surface that extends past the periphery of a display surface to accept touch inputs used to establish an orientation of images presented at the display surface. For example, thumb and palm touches at the touch surface outside the periphery of the display are analyzed to determine the orientation of the tablet information handling system so that images presented at the display align with the determined orientation.
US08830202B2
A touch-sensing display apparatus including a touch panel, an environmentally sensitive electronic device and an adhesive layer is provided. The water/oxygen vapor transmission rate of the touch panel is lower than 10−1 g/m2*day, and the touch panel includes a first substrate, a sensing circuit and at least one water/oxygen barrier layer. The first substrate is a first flexible substrate. The sensing circuit and the water/oxygen barrier layer are disposed on the first substrate. The environmentally sensitive electronic device includes a second substrate and a pixel array. The pixel array is disposed on the second substrate and between the first substrate and the second substrate. The adhesive layer is disposed between the touch panel and the environmentally sensitive electronic device. Moreover, a fabricating method of the above-mentioned touch-sensing display apparatus is also provided.
US08830201B2
An equalized capacitive touchpad and a touch positioning method for a capacitive touchpad use an equalizer to correct a sensed value of a mutual capacitance between two sensing lines of the capacitive touchpad, to thereby offset the attenuation of the sensed value due to the impedance of the two sensing lines. Thus, the sensed values generated from different positions along a sensing line are equalized, and the touch positioning accuracy of the capacitive touchpad is improved.
US08830198B2
The disclosure discloses a method for dynamically generating a touch keyboard. The method includes that: a positioning point of a keyboard is dynamically generated according to number and position information of touch points of a finger of a user; an input area of each character of the keyboard is generated and adjusted according to the positioning points; and the input area is clicked to realize an input operation. The disclosure further discloses a device for dynamically generating a touch keyboard. By means of the method and the device, a keyboard is dynamically generated to input according to a touch of the user on a touch screen, and the keyboard can be adjusted according to ergonomics, so that an input efficiency of the user is greatly improved.
US08830191B2
In one embodiment, a user of a mobile device adjusts a controllable parameter of an application hosted by the mobile device by using touch inputs to the mobile device's side-mounted touchpad.
US08830187B2
An input apparatus has a touch sensor for receiving an input, a load detection unit for detecting a pressure load on a touch face of the touch sensor, a tactile sensation providing unit for vibrating the touch face, and a control unit, when the pressure load detected by the load detection unit satisfies a standard for providing a tactile sensation, for controlling drive of the tactile sensation providing unit to vibrate the touch face at a frequency such that a click sensation is provided to an object (means) pressing the touch face. Thereby, a realistic click sensation similar to that obtained when a push-button switch is operated is provided when an operator operates the touch sensor.
US08830182B1
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for resolving keystrokes input into an electronic device. One of the methods includes receiving multiple keystrokes in the electronic device. Multiple characters that correspond to the multiple keystrokes are stored in a storage location for a predetermined time interval. In response to the predetermined time interval elapsing, the characters that correspond to the multiple keystrokes are reordered with respect to each other based on a statistical model.
US08830179B2
A touch pad for a data processing system that includes a first film and an electrically conductive first thin film above the first film, a plurality of electrically non-conductive spacer dots above the first thin film, a second electrically conductive thin film above the plurality of spacer dots, and a second film above the second thin film. The density of spacer dots above the first thin film is non-uniform. In one implementation, the first film is a ceramic, the second film is a flexible polymer, and the first and second thin films are a metal-oxide compound. In one embodiment, the spacer dot density is in a first range over a first portion of the first film and in a second range over a second portion of the first film. The second portion of the first film may define a signature box suitable for receiving a user's signature.
US08830178B2
A keyboard that can be illuminated comprises a key array and a base element. Key buttons of the key array are held in modules arranged on a side, facing away from either the base element or a printed circuit board that is provided for delivering signals. The printed circuit board is arranged above the base element in a place close to but at a distance away from the base statement and made at least partially light-transmitting. At least one light source for emitting light is arranged on the underside of the printed circuit board that faces the base element. At least one light-scattering elements, which projects from the base element toward the printed circuit board, is arranged on the side of the base element facing the printed circuit board.
US08830160B2
With a card including a passive electronic paper display configured to display a visual image, a method of presenting information on a card includes selectively changing a visual image displayed on the passive electronic paper display to update information represented by the visual image, and wherein the card is sized to be carried by a user.
US08830159B2
A method according to one embodiment may include supplying power to an LED array having at least a first string of LEDs and a second string of LEDs coupled in parallel, each of the strings includes at least two LEDs. The method of this embodiment may also include comparing a first feedback signal from the first string of LEDs and a second feedback signal from the second string of LEDs. The first feedback signal is proportional to current in said first string of LEDs and said second feedback signal is proportional to current in said second string of LEDs. The method of this embodiment may also include controlling a voltage drop of at least the first string of LEDs to adjust the current of the first string of LEDs relative to the second string of LEDs, based on, at least in part, the comparing of the first and second feedback signals. Of course, many alternatives, variations, and modifications are possible without departing from this embodiment.
US08830156B2
A gate driving circuit includes a plurality of stages, each stage including an input unit to determine a level of voltage to input to a first node based on the first and second input signals and the first clock signal that is input according to the level of the voltage input to the first node and a first gate-off voltage that is input in response to the second clock signal, a second driving unit outputting the gate signals based on the third clock signal input according to the voltage input to the first node and a second gate-off voltage input in response to the second clock signal, and a leakage blocking unit blocking leakage current of a transistor by maintaining a level of voltage input to a third node connected to the first node via at least one transistor.
US08830149B2
Disclosed herein is a display device that allows a vertical scanning line to be shared between a plurality of rows without increasing the number of control lines or control signals, the display device including pixel circuits; vertical scanning lines; and horizontal scanning lines.
US08830148B2
An organic electroluminescence display device includes a display panel including pixels. The pixels each include a light-emitter, driver and capacitor. A storage is configured to store a correction parameter for each of the pixels for correcting, in accordance with characteristics of each of the pixels, an image signal input from an external source. A controller is configured to, for each pixel of the pixels, obtain a corrected signal voltage by reading the correction parameter corresponding to the pixel from the storage and multiplying the image signal corresponding to the pixel by the correction parameter corresponding to the pixel. The storage is configured to store a gain and not an offset as the correction parameter.
US08830143B1
An aircraft optical display system for implementing an enhanced vision system based on light available within the flight deck of an aircraft. The display system includes a visible light imager configured to receive light within a spectral range defined by the photon transmissivity of windshield of the aircraft and generate image data. The system further includes a combiner configured to enable viewing of the world outside of the combiner, and allowing viewing of an enhanced vision image. The system yet further includes an image processing system configured generate an enhanced vision image representative of an external scene to the aircraft based at least in part on the image data from the visible light imager, wherein the enhanced vision image is conformally mapped onto the combiner.
US08830124B1
A system and method for asset tracking configuration of a mobile terminal. A mobile terminal can be designed to enable a remote determination of an asset position. In one embodiment, the mobile terminal can include a configured function that enables the mobile terminal to reconfigure mobile terminal operation (e.g., activation of a GPS engine).
US08830123B2
A satellite navigation receiver and method for enhancing time to first fix are provided. The receiver comprises a radio frequency (RF) translator, correlator blocks, and a navigation data processor. The RF translator conditions navigation signals over carrier frequencies. The correlator blocks comprise a predetermined number of correlator channels configured for the carrier frequencies. The predetermined number of correlator channels is divided for parallel collection of sub-frames of navigation data across one or more operation service codes. The sub-frames of navigation data are collected across one or more operation service codes and on one of the carrier frequencies. The sub-frames of navigation data are collected across the carrier frequencies and on one of the operation service codes. The sub-frames of navigation data are collected across the carrier frequencies and across the operation service codes. The navigation data processor processes the parallelly collected sub-frames to estimate position of the satellite navigation receiver.
US08830121B2
Methods and apparatus are provided for estimating parameters, i.e. ambiguities, derived from GNSS signals. Observations of a GNSS signal from each of a plurality of GNSS satellites are obtained (4120). The observations are fed to a filter having a state vector at least comprising a float ambiguity for each received frequency of the GNSS signals, each float ambiguity constituting a real number estimate associated with an integer number of wavelengths of the GNSS signal between a receiver of the GNSS signal and the GNSS satellite from which it is received, and the filter being for estimating a float value for each float ambiguity of the state vector (4140). A subset of float ambiguities of the state vector is selected (4150). Integer values are assigned to the estimated float values of the float ambiguities of the subset to define a plurality of integer ambiguity candidate sets (4160). A quality measure is determined for each of the candidate sets. A weighted average of the candidate sets is formed (4200). Ambiguities of the weighted average can be used in subsequent operations to aid in determining a position of the receiver or can be used to prepare data, e.g., in a network processor that can be used to augment position information of a rover.
US08830116B2
A radar wave sensing apparatus including a rotation element, a nanosecond pulse near-field sensor and a control unit is provided. The nanosecond pulse near-field sensor emits an incident radar wave and receives a reflection radar wave of the incident radar wave hitting on a surface of the rotation element to obtain a repetition frequency variation of the reflection radar wave corresponding to the incident radar wave. The control unit calculates a vibration of the rotation element according to the repetition frequency variation.
US08830109B1
A pipeline analog-to-digital converter is disclosed. An example of a pipeline analog-to-digital converter comprises a plurality of stages. Each of the plurality of stages comprises an analog-to-digital conversion circuit comprising a comparator configured to produce an n-bit digital domain output; and a switchable conductance digital-to-analog conversion circuit operatively coupled to the comparator and configured to switch between at least two conductance values in response to a value of the n-bit digital domain output.
US08830108B2
A circuit arrangement for detecting and digitizing an analog input signal and to a field device for process instrumentation, wherein the field device comprises such a circuit arrangement which includes a first electronics unit, a second electronics unit, and an interface by which the two electronics units are galvanically separated from each other. A first signal is generated at a first frequency in the second electronics unit. A voltage frequency converter, to which the analog input signal is routed, uses a reference frequency to generate a second signal at a second frequency that corresponds to the level of the analog input signal. After the second signal has been transmitted to the second electronics unit using an optical coupler, a ratiometric measurement of the second frequency is performed in the second electronics unit dependent on the first frequency using a capture timer.
US08830105B2
Systems, methods, and devices for obtaining data from a data location. The method may include generating a first value by sensing a data location under a first condition and generating a second value by sensing the data location under a second condition. The method may further include combining the first value with the second value to identify data conveyed by the data location.
US08830103B2
A digital-to-analog (D/A) converter includes D/A conversion circuits and an amplifier circuit coupled between the D/A conversion circuits. Each D/A conversion circuit includes an R-2R ladder type resistor network, first transistors coupled between the resistor network and a first wiring at a first voltage level, and second transistors coupled between the resistor network and a second wiring at a second voltage level. The sizes of the first transistors are set at a ratio of powers of 2. The sizes of second transistors are set at a ratio of powers of 2. The second transistors are respectively turned on and off complementarily to the first transistors according to the digital input signal.
US08830102B2
An example digital-to-analog converter includes a reference scaling circuit receiving a first reference current and generating a second reference current. A first plurality of current sources is coupled to a summing node with a current of a first one of the first plurality of current sources proportional to the first reference current. A current of a second one of the first plurality of current sources is substantially equal to twice the current of the first one of the first plurality of current sources. A second plurality of current sources is coupled to the summing node. A current of a first one of the second plurality of current sources is proportional to the second reference current. A current of a second one of the second plurality of current sources is substantially equal to twice the current of the first one of the second plurality of current sources.
US08830098B2
The invention concerns a sigma-delta switched capacitor analog to digital converter (ADC) having: an input line for receiving a signal to be converted; first, second and third inputs for respectively receiving first, second and third test voltages; and switching circuitry adapted to apply, during a test mode of the sigma-delta ADC, a ternary test signal to the input line by periodically selecting, based on a digital test control signal, one of the first, second or third test voltages to be applied to the input line.
US08830083B2
The present application provides a utility meter. The utility meter may include a processor with a predetermined temperature range, a remote disconnect switch in communication with the processor, and a temperature sensor in communication with the processor. The processor opens the remote disconnect switch when the temperature sensor senses a temperature that exceeds the predetermined temperature range.
US08830081B2
A visual indicator, such as a light emitting diode (LED), may display the quality of the radio frequency (RF) link. In one implementation, a device may include, a RF antenna; a control module to connect to a Long-Term Evolution (LTE) network through the RF antenna; and a LED, disposed on an outer surface of the device, to emit light of a number of different colors, where the color to emit is selected based on a quality of the connection to the LTE network. The device may include an outdoor broadband unit connected to an external portion of a customer premise.
US08830077B2
An electronic device includes a case, an angular velocity sensor fixed to the case, a data memory storing plural reference profiles, an output unit operating in a plurality of operation modes corresponding to the reference profiles, and a processor controlling the output unit. The angular velocity sensor sends a signal according to an angular velocity applied to the case. The processor is operable to receive the signal sent from the angular velocity sensor, to select a reference profile out of the plural reference profiles according to the received signal, and to cause the output unit to operate in an operation mode out of the plural operation modes corresponding to the selected reference profile. A user can operate this electronic device with a quick response.
US08830073B2
Electronic devices may have batteries that power internal circuitry. A power converter may connect to an input-output port in an electronic device to deliver power to the electronic device. Battery charging circuitry in the electronic device may be used to charge the battery in an electronic device while power is delivered from the power converter. The power converter may have load detection circuitry. When an output load is present, the power converter operates in an active mode and delivers power to the electronic device. When the output load is not present, the power converter enters a low-power standby mode. The electronic device has switching circuitry that periodically either electrically couples or electrically isolates the input-output port from internal circuitry. When the input-output port is isolated, the power converter senses that no output load is present and enters the standby state to conserve power.
US08830064B1
Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags may receive one or more run commands, prior to being singulated, that specify one or more programs for the tag to execute. A run command may encapsulate the programs, in which case the tag may execute or store and execute the program(s). A run command may alternatively specify programs stored on the tag. The tag may execute the program(s) upon receipt, upon a trigger event, serially or in parallel, and/or may modify the instructions or program(s) by adjusting parameters. A reader may tell the tag to execute the instructions or program(s) via the run command or another command which, in some cases, may be sent prior to tag singulation. A tag may, based on a result of the executed program(s), determine whether to participate in a subsequent inventory round, modify a behavior during a subsequent inventory round, or store the result in tag memory.
US08830061B2
A portable alarm system for notifying a user of theft or movement of an object when the user is at a distance from the object. The portable alarm system may generally comprise a sensor unit and a remote unit. The sensor unit may be placed on or embedded within an object to be protected and have one or more sensors for detecting vibration and/or motion of the sensor unit and thereby the object. The sensor unit is activated when vibration or movement input exceeds a predetermined trigger level value. When the trigger level value is exceeded, an alarm signal is transmitted to the remote unit. The remote unit receives the alarm signal and may generate one or more alarms to indicate object vibration or movement. The one or more alarms may include but are not limited to an audible buzzer, light indicators, and remote unit vibration.
US08830059B2
A monitoring facility includes at least one acoustic sensor arranged in a monitoring area to convert an acoustic wave picked up following the occurrence of an activity in the monitoring area into an information signal, and a processing device to receive the information signal. Also included is a system for transmitting at least one alarm and a database including, for each one of at least one predetermined reference activity, an occurrence of which is likely to generate acoustic waves in the monitoring area, reference characteristics relating to said predetermined reference activity. The processing device includes an analysis system to analyze the information signal according to reference characteristics of at least one predetermined reference activity of the database, and to activate the system for transmitting at least one alarm according to said analysis. Furthermore, at least one acoustic sensor is included to detect seismic waves propagating in a solid medium.
US08830058B2
A duet power-driven window shade comprises a controlling device to receive an external controlling signal, which is then analyzed, determined and compared with a preset value in a memory unit of the controlling device. A driving signal is output via a processing unit according to a comparing result. A power source then brings convolutions of a first covering sheet and a second covering sheet in sequence or concurrently for increasing the rolling speed and the using convenience and allowing the connecting members connected to the covering sheets to be efficiently rolled up without entanglement so that the duet power-driven window shade is smoothly operated.
US08830054B2
A computer-implemented method is provided including receiving sensor data from a mobile device corresponding to a first user. A user state of the first user is predicted based on the sensor data. A request is transmitted to the first user to confirm the predicted user state, and a notification is transmitted regarding the predicted user state to a second user responsive to the first user's confirmation of the predicted user state or the first user's failure to respond to the request. A computing system for monitoring and reporting activity of a mobile device is also provided.
US08830051B2
A method has been invented for dynamically adapting a diagnostic system, which is at least partially implemented in a controller, and which has at least one diagnostic block. In such case, the controller is, in communication via a fieldbus with at least one field device, wherein the at least one diagnostic block is embodied in such a manner, that through this, various diagnostic parameters of the at least one field device are capable of being read. Additionally, the at least one diagnostic block is implemented (or provided) in the controller and/or in the at least one field device. The method includes steps as follows: Reading at least one diagnostic parameter of the field device by the diagnostic system; checking by the diagnostic system, referencing the at least one read diagnostic parameter, of whether a predetermined criterion for an alarm or error report is fulfilled; if such a predetermined criterion is fulfilled, automated checking by the diagnostic system, on the basis of predetermined rules, of whether an adapting of the criterion is possible in such a manner that the adapted criterion for an alarm or error report is no longer fulfilled; and outputting an alarm or error report only if such an adapting of the criterion is not possible.
US08830049B2
A vehicle meter apparatus has a judging section that judges whether an automatic air conditioner purpose ambient temperature sensor is provided by comparing an input signal value inputted from an automatic air conditioner to an input section with a set threshold value and judges whether a display purpose ambient temperature sensor is provided by comparing the input signal value inputted from the display purpose ambient temperature sensor with the set threshold value when an internal power supply is supplied to input section and a display output section which displays an ambient temperature external to the vehicle on a second display section on a basis of a temperature detection signal from either of these sensors in a case where the judging section judges that the automatic air conditioner ambient temperature sensor is provided and in a case where the judging section judges that the display purpose ambient temperature is provided.
US08830044B2
Disclosed is a driving support device that is capable of realizing driving support in consideration of a risk potential determination tendency of a driver. The driving support device is a device that estimates a risk potential that is a degree of a risk with respect to a risk target in driving of a vehicle and performs a driving support for a driver of the vehicle on the basis of the estimated risk potential, and includes: a risk potential bias setting unit that sets a risk potential bias that is a value for changing the risk potential on the basis of a risk potential determination tendency of the driver; and a risk potential estimating unit that changes the risk potential on the basis of the risk potential bias set by the risk potential bias setting unit.
US08830043B2
A vehicle instrument includes a mechanical meter which is attached to an instrument panel of a vehicle, and a projector which projects an image to be superimposed on an indication area of the mechanical meter. The projector projects a graphic image according to the type of display content. In the case where the display content is a warning, a warning image is superimposed on an indicator and the area surrounding the indicator of the mechanical meter. The projector can also superimpose an area image on the display area of the mechanical meter, the area image indicating a cost effective driving range according to a driving state of the vehicle.
US08830042B2
There is provided a haptic feedback device. The haptic feedback device includes a vibration member; a vibration element formed on the vibration member to vibrate the vibration member; and a mass member formed on the vibration member to adjust a oscillation frequency of the vibration member, wherein one surface of the mass member facing the vibration member is formed to have a curved shape.
US08830038B1
Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags may receive one or more encapsulated commands within the payload of an encapsulating command. An encapsulated command includes at least a command code and an instruction. A tag may store the encapsulated command(s) or the instruction portion of the encapsulated command(s) for later execution. A sequence of encapsulated commands may be contained within one encapsulating command or spread across multiple encapsulating commands. The sequence of encapsulated commands, or the sequence of instructions associated with the encapsulated commands, may form a program. The tag may execute the instructions or program upon receipt, upon a trigger event, serially or in parallel, and/or may modify the instructions or program by adjusting parameters. The tag may later be told by a reader to execute the instructions or program via another command which, in some cases, may be sent prior to tag singulation.
US08830030B2
A guest monitoring and identification system is shown. The system comprises an RFID carried by a guest and includes therein programmed predetermined data identifying a guest. An activating transmitter transmits a monitoring signal over a designated area to be traversed by a guest having the RFID. A receiver receives from the RFID a transmitted data signal containing the programmed predetermined data identifying the guest. A guest identification and service information processor receives the transmitted data signal. The processor interprets the programmed predetermined data identifying a guest and generates data/information signals providing the name and service profile for an identified guest. A communication device communicates to service staff the name and service profile for an identified guest.
US08830029B2
A transponder is disclosed to receive a wireless electromagnetic query signal and transmit a corresponding wireless electromagnetic response signal. The transponder comprises a first coil and at least one further coil that function as antennas to receive the wireless electromagnetic query signal and generate separate wired electrical incoming signals. An axis of the first coil and an axis of the at least one further coil are differently aligned in space, and each coil is associated with at least one means for limiting the voltage of the respective incoming signal. The separate wired electrical incoming signals are rectified and converted to current signals. The peak values of the current signals are detected and compared, such that a control signal is generated to identify one coil between the first coil and the at least one further coil that has a larger peak value of current.
US08830028B2
The present invention relates to an automatic teller machine (ATM) capable of control with a remote controller and an opening and closing operation method of the automatic teller machine using the same. In addition, the invention provides an automatic teller machine capable of performing a remote control function and an opening and closing operation method of the automatic teller machine using the same, which can enable the user to easily control power on/off, module reset, and rebooting operations of the automatic teller machine with a remote controller, thereby quickly and simply carrying out the opening and closing operations of the automatic teller machine, which were complicated and took a lot of time in the past, and easily performing some processes for maintaining the automatic teller machine. Further, the invention provides an automatic teller machine capable of performing a remote control function, comprising: a plurality of buttons and an automatic teller machine body equipped with a short-range wireless receiving device; and a remote controller which can execute the short-range wireless communication with the automatic teller machine body, wherein a system controlling program stored in the automatic teller machine body is activated through the remote controller in such a manner that the opening and closing operations of the automatic teller machine are conducted automatically through the button operation of the remote controller.
US08830027B2
A surface mountable thermistor comprises a resistive device, first and second electrodes, and at least one heat conductive dielectric layer. The resistive device contains first and second electrically conductive members and a polymeric material layer laminated therebetween. The polymeric material layer exhibits PTC or NTC behavior. The polymeric material layer and the first and second electrically conductive members commonly extend in a first direction. The first electrode is electrically coupled to the first electrically conductive member. The second electrode is electrically coupled to the second electrically conductive member and is insulated from the first electrode. The heat conductivity of the first electrode or the second electrode is at least 50 W/mK. The heat conductive dielectric layer comprises polymeric insulation matrix and heat conductive filler, and is disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode. The heat conductivity of heat conductive dielectric layer is between 1.2 W/mK-13 W/mK.
US08830025B2
A circuit breaker can minimize a change in a structure of a case when a material forming a stud is changed. A stud includes a base portion provided in the case and a protruding portion protruding from the case. A cross-sectional area of the protruding portion is more than that of the base portion; thereby a thermal conductivity of the protruding portion increases and the thermal conductivity from the protruding portion to an external conductor connected to the stud increases. In addition, since a surface area of the protruding portion increases, an amount of heat dissipated from the protruding portion increases. In the invention, since dimensions of the base portion inserted into a stud insertion hole of the case are not changed, it is not necessary to change the dimensions of the insertion hole of the case.
US08830024B2
A device for receiving a cylindrical fuse, having a housing which has member pairs which protrude from a housing base and which are spaced-apart from each other, wherein a substantially U-shaped contact is introduced in each case between the members of each member pair and the member pairs are provided for receiving the fuse, wherein each substantially U-shaped contact is formed by two contact members, of which at least one of the contact members is provided with a contact tongue which protrudes laterally over the contact members, the contact tongue(s) defining a contact blade.
US08830011B2
A band-pass filter includes an input node coupled to receive an oscillating input signal, an output node, and a first LC resonator coupled to a first node coupled between the input node and the output node and to a first power supply node coupled to provide a first voltage. The first LC resonator includes a first capacitor, and a first inductor coupled in series with the first capacitor. The output node is coupled to output a filtered response signal that includes at least one zero based on the oscillating input signal and the first LC resonator.
US08830009B2
A method including receiving power, from a power line, at a device configured to communicate via the power line. The power from the power line is received at the device via a power cord of the device being connected, via a connector, to a power outlet from which the power of the power line is supplied. The connector is coupled to a first end of the power cord. The device is coupled to a second end of the power cord. The method further includes supplying a signal generated by the device to a choke located on the power cord. The choke is located closer to the first end of the power cord than to the second end of the power cord. The method further includes transmitting the signal from the choke to the power line for communication via the power line.
US08829995B2
A method is provided for process, voltage, temperature (PVT) stable transfer function calibration in a differential amplifier. The gain resistors of a differential amplifier are initially selected to achieve a flat amplitude transfer function in the first frequency band. After calibration, the degeneration capacitor is connected and tuned until a peaked amplitude transfer function is measured, which is resistant to variations in PVT. As an alternative, the degeneration capacitor is not disconnected during initial calibration. Then, the gain resistors and the degeneration capacitor values are selectively adjusted until the first peaked amplitude transfer function is obtained. The peaked amplitude transfer function remains even more stable to variations in PVT than the flat amplitude calibration method.
US08829986B1
Disclosed is a synaptic element that uses electro-migration in an interconnect structure, wherein the interconnect structure is optimized to give control of resistivity change following current flow. The synaptic element exhibits resistivity that is a function of the amount (of charge) and direction of current flow, wherein a continuously variable resistance is obtained by controlling the volume of a designed void in the interconnect structure.
US08829985B2
According to one embodiment, a time difference amplifier circuit includes the first amplifier including first positive and negative inputs and first positive and negative outputs, the second amplifier including second positive and negative inputs and second positive and negative outputs, first to fourth wirings, a selection circuit including the first selection element connecting the first or fourth wirings to the second positive input, and the second selection element connecting the second or third wirings to the second negative input, and a control circuit connecting the amplifiers by the first and second wirings or by the third and fourth wirings.
US08829980B2
A charge pump system and method that may provide large supply voltages and currents with reduced ripple voltage at reduced ripple frequency. The charge pump system may include an array of charge pumps and a delay pipeline. The array of charge pumps may include a plurality of charge pumps. The delay pipeline may include a plurality of delay elements. The delay elements may respond to a global trigger signal to output a trigger signal to the array of charge pumps. Respective charge pumps may fire in response to the trigger signal.
US08829978B2
An internal voltage generating circuit capable of controlling a swing width of a detection signal in a semiconductor memory apparatus is provided. The internal voltage generating circuit of a semiconductor memory apparatus includes an internal voltage level detecting unit configured to compare an internal voltage with a target voltage and then generate a detection signal, and an internal voltage level control unit configured to control the internal voltage based on a voltage level of the detection signal, wherein the internal voltage level detecting unit is configured to control a swing width of the detection signal based on a voltage difference between the internal voltage and the target voltage.
US08829977B2
There is provided a high frequency switch including: a first signal transferring unit including a plurality of first switching devices and at least one first diode device individually connected to control terminals of the plurality of first switching devices to enable or block signal flow between a common port transmitting and receiving a first high frequency signal and a first port inputting and outputting the first high frequency signal; and a second signal transferring unit including a plurality of second switching devices and at least one second diode device individually connected to control terminals of the plurality of second switching devices to enable or block signal flow between the common port transmitting and receiving a second high frequency signal and a second port inputting and outputting the second high frequency signal.
US08829975B2
A method and corresponding circuits for operating a parallel DMOS switch that includes a pair of P-type DMOS devices connected in series with each other and in parallel with a pair of N-type DMOS devices connected in series with each other. The method and circuits involve turning the switch on by applying gate signals to the DMOS device pairs which are generated using at least one source voltage of a DMOS device pair. The switch is turned off by setting the gate signals equal to the respective source voltages of the DMOS device pairs.
US08829971B2
A first circuit receives input signals of the first electric potential system which uses a first high potential and a first low potential as the power supply electric potential, and outputs a first signal which is a signal of the first electric potential system, a second circuit which generates output signals according to the input signal of the second electric potential system which uses as the power supply electric potential a second high potential of the first electric potential system, wherein the second circuit includes an initial stage inverter that receives the second signals and outputs third signals, and an initial stage switch that switches between connecting and disconnecting the initial stage inverter and a power supply that supplies the second high potential or a power supply that supplies the second low potential based on the first signals, and generates the output signals based on the third signals.
US08829967B2
Embodiments include an apparatus, system, and method related to a body-contacted partially depleted silicon on insulator (PDSOI) transistor that may be used in a switch circuit. In some embodiments, the switch circuit may include a discharge transistor to provide a discharge path for a body of a switch transistor. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.
US08829964B1
A compensated hysteresis circuit comprises a hysteresis circuit including an output node and a first control transistor. The first control transistor provides feedback to the hysteresis circuit. A temperature and voltage compensation circuit includes a self-biasing threshold control circuit including an input coupled to the output node of the hysteresis circuit, and a first trim transistor coupled between the first control transistor of the hysteresis circuit and the self-biasing threshold control circuit.
US08829962B2
A delay locked loop (DLL) includes a delay line that delays a clock signal to generate a delayed clock signal, a phase frequency detector (PFD) for detecting a phase and/or frequency difference between the clock signal and the delayed clock signal, and a charge pump having an adjustable bias current for converting the phase and/or frequency difference taking into account a bias current adjustment into a control voltage, in which the control voltage controls an amount of delay in the delayed clock signal.
US08829959B2
Phase-locked loop circuitry to generate an output signal, the phase-locked loop circuitry comprising oscillator circuitry, switched resistor loop filter, coupled to the input of the oscillator circuitry (which, in one embodiment, includes a voltage-controlled oscillator), including a switched resistor network including at least one resistor and at least one capacitor, wherein an effective resistance of the switched resistor network is responsive to and increases as a function of one or more pulsing properties of a control signal (wherein pulse width and frequency (or period) are pulsing properties of the control signal), phase detector circuitry, having an output which is coupled to the switched resistor loop filter, to generate the control signal (which may be periodic or non-periodic). The phase-locked loop circuitry may also include frequency detection circuitry to provide a lock condition of the phase-locked loop circuitry.
US08829956B2
A signal generating circuit for generating a fan driving signal includes a phase adjusting circuit, a direct digital frequency synthesizer, a first operating circuit, a driving signal generator and a second operating circuit. The phase adjusting circuit receives a hall signal and adjusts a phase of the hall signal to generate a synchronization signal. The direct digital frequency synthesizer generates a modulating signal according to the synchronization signal. The first operating circuit receives a load current and generates a modulated signal according to the load current. The driving signal generator generates an original driving signal according to the synchronization signal. The second operating circuit generates a control signal according to the modulating signal and the modulated signal. The original driving signal is selectively outputted as the fan driving signal in response to the control signal.
US08829951B2
A drive circuit is provided for a target switching element and opens/closes a current path by controlling an absolute value of a potential difference between one end of the current path and an opening/closing control terminal. The drive circuit includes an integrated circuit connected to the control terminal. The integrated circuit includes an absolute value control circuit controlling the absolute value of the potential difference when the switching element is in an off-state, a stabilization circuit stabilizing the potential difference at a value for maintaining the switching element in an off-state when the switching element is in an off-state, a selection circuit selecting one of control of the absolute value of the potential difference by the control circuit and stabilization of the potential difference by the stabilization circuit, and an on-state terminal connected to the control circuit and the control terminal. The on-state terminal is connected to the stabilization circuit.
US08829949B2
A driving circuit for at least one voltage controlled power switch device comprises a driver signal generating circuit and a trigger signal generating circuit adapted to generate trigger signals for said voltage controlled power switch device (PT). The trigger signal generating circuit includes a first driving transistor, and at least one energy buffer component coupled between the trigger signal generating circuit and the control electrode of said power switch device (PT).
US08829948B2
Methods and apparatus for providing either high-speed, or lower-speed, flexible inputs and outputs. An input and output structure having a high-speed input, a high-speed output, a low or moderate speed input, and an low or moderate speed output is provided. One of the input and output circuits are selected and the others are deselected. The high-speed input and output circuits are comparatively simple, in one example having only a clear signal for a control line input, and are able to interface to lower speed circuitry inside the core of an integrated circuit. The low or moderate speed input and output circuits are more flexible, for example, having preset, enable, and clear as control line inputs, and are able to support JTAG boundary testing. These parallel high and lower speed circuits are user selectable such that the input output structure is optimized between speed and functionality depending on the requirements of the application.
US08829945B2
A circuit includes a delay circuit, a transition detector, a pre-driver circuit, and a controller. The delay circuit includes an input for receiving a signal and an output for providing a delayed version of the signal. The transition detector is coupled to the input of the delay circuit to detect a transition within the signal and to provide a look ahead signal to a detector output. The pre-driver circuit includes an input coupled to the output of the delay circuit, a control input, at least one signal output, and a plurality of a bias outputs. The controller is coupled to the detector output and to the control input of the pre-driver circuit and is configured to control bias signals on a plurality of bias outputs to selectively increase a driving strength of signals and biases applied to an output stage in response to the look ahead signal.
US08829944B1
In an integrated circuit having input circuitry whose positive and/or negative input signals are gated by one or more clocked input switches, the switch clock signal CLK_SW used to clock the input switch(es) is automatically generated based on the higher of the IC's power supply voltage VDD and the positive input signal voltage Vplus. In one embodiment, a clock level shifter shifts an input clock signal CLK_VDD from the VDD voltage domain to generate a level-shifted clock signal CLK_VPLUS in the Vplus voltage domain. Based on a control signal VSEL, a clock selector selects either the input clock signal or the level-shifted clock signal to be the switch clock signal. An over-voltage detector generates both the logic state and the voltage domain of the control signal based on the higher of VDD and Vplus, such that the input switches are appropriately clocked even during over-voltage conditions in which Vplus>VDD.
US08829943B2
An analog disconnection envelope detection circuit having a low power supply detects a high speed, high differential voltage disconnect state on a data line. Level-shifting circuitry shifts the voltage level of two input signals by the value of a detection threshold voltage, generates differential signals used to indicate conditions of the input signals, and mitigates effects of input differential signal common-mode voltage on the detection operation. Circuitry is provided to equalize VDS of detecting tail current sources, thereby eliminating errors resulting from VDS mismatch of tail current sources. Comparator circuitry compares the sets of differential signals and indicates when the absolute difference between the two input signals is greater than a reference voltage. Output circuitry generates a disconnect signal corresponding to the disconnect condition. When compared to conventional disconnect detection circuitry, the disclosed circuit utilizes a relatively low supply voltage to detect high differential voltage disconnect conditions with improved accuracy.
US08829942B2
A comparator is provided and the comparator includes a comparing input unit and a latching unit. Wherein, the comparing input unit has a first input receiving a first comparing signal and has a second input receiving a second comparing signal. The comparing input unit drives a first intermediate node signal at a first intermediate node depending on the first comparing signal according to a first strobe signal, and the comparing input unit drives a second intermediate node signal at a second intermediate node depending on the second comparing signal according to the first strobe signal. The latching unit determines a comparing result according to at least one of the first intermediate node signal and the second intermediate node signal. In addition, the latching unit latches the comparing result according to a second strobe signal.
US08829940B2
The present invention discloses a method of testing a partially assembled multi-die device (1) by providing a carrier (300) comprising a device-level test data input (12) and a device-level test data output (18); placing a first die on the carrier, the first die having a test access port (100c) comprising a primary test data input (142), a secondary test data input (144) and a test data output (152), the test access port being controlled by a test access port controller (110); communicatively coupling the secondary test data input (144) of the first die to the device-level test data input (12), and the test data output (152) of the first die to the device-level test data output (18); providing the first die with configuration information to bring the first die in a state in which the first die accepts test instructions from its secondary test data input (144); testing the first die, said testing including providing the secondary test data input (144) of the first die with test instructions through the device-level test data input (12); and collecting a test result for the first die on the device-level test data output (18). Consequently, a die of a partially assembled multi-die device such as a System-in-Package may be tested using its integrated boundary scan test architecture.
US08829939B2
An input/output shuttle plate includes a metal plate having a plurality of pockets. The plurality of pockets have a bottom, a sidewall portion and a pocket depth. A first seating surface at a first pocket depth (d3) is for supporting a first packaged semiconductor device having a first package size, and at least a second seating surface at a second pocket depth (d4) is for supporting a second packaged semiconductor device having a second package size. The first pocket depth is less than the second pocket depth (d3
US08829932B2
This application provides apparatus and methods for initiating tests in an interface circuit without using inputs of the interface circuit dedicated to initiating the tests. In an example, a test mode interface circuit can include a voltage comparator configured compare a first voltage to a second voltage, a ripple counter configured to count pulses from a processor when the voltage comparator indicates that the first voltage is greater than the second voltage, and wherein the test mode interface circuit is configured to provide a test mode enable signal and an indication of the a desired test mode an interface circuit that includes the test mode interface circuit.
US08829918B2
A system for monitoring a die connection includes a die bonded to a substrate and a connection indicator circuit coupled to a monitor pad of the die. The connection indicator circuit is configured to detect a connection failure of the monitor pad. A signal corresponding to the monitor pad of the die is monitored, and an indication of a pad connection failure associated with the monitor pad is provided in response to a change in the monitored signal.
US08829914B2
A detector for gas chromatography using two ionization sources within a single body to separately provide ionization energy to a column gas eluent to provide electrical discharge to two or more collecting electrodes provides improved selectivity and may be so used. Use is made of combined bias/collecting electrodes. The use of two ionization sources permits generation of two detector outputs from within a common body and of a common constituent flow. The ionization sources and any applicable discharge gas and dopant may be selected based on desired selectivity.
US08829913B2
A technique for reducing an electromagnetic noise entering an electrode or a drift of a signal due to a fluctuation in the ambient temperature is provided to improve the S/N ratio of a signal originating from a component of interest. A dummy electrode having the same structure as an ion-collecting electrode is provided within a lower gas passage at a position where dilution gas with no sample gas mixed therein flows. A differential amplifier is provided to perform differential detection between output A of a current amplifier connected to the ion-collecting electrode and output B of a current amplifier connected to the dummy electrode. The differential signal is free from a common mode noise or drift and hence accurately reflects the amount of the component of interest.
US08829911B2
In at least one embodiment, a power management module measures different observable quantities of a battery, such as terminal voltage or current, and measures a voltage response of the battery based upon the measurements. The measured voltage response of the battery is compared to a plurality of reference voltage responses, which may be determined for authentic batteries, for example. If the measured voltage response corresponds to each of the reference voltage responses, the battery is authenticated for use with an electronic device. If necessary, additional voltage responses may be measured and compared against corresponding reference voltage responses until the battery is authenticated by a sufficient number of corresponding responses. A relative condition of the battery, such as an age or state of health, may also be estimated based on the measured voltage response of the battery.
US08829905B2
A switched mode power supply (SMPS) employs only energy storage components that are devoid of ferromagnetic materials. The SMPS operates only at switching frequencies such that any potential electromagnetic interference of interest is generated at frequencies appearing only outside the imaging bandwidth of a corresponding magnetic resonance imaging system powered by the SMPS.
US08829901B2
A method to measure a magnetic field is provided. The method includes applying an alternating drive current to a drive strap overlaying a magnetoresistive sensor to shift an operating point of the magnetoresistive sensor to a low noise region. An alternating magnetic drive field is generated in the magnetoresistive sensor by the alternating drive current. When the magnetic field to be measured is superimposed on the alternating magnetic drive field in the magnetoresistive sensor, the method further comprises extracting a second harmonic component of an output of the magnetoresistive sensor. The magnetic field to be measured is proportional to a signed amplitude of the extracted second harmonic component.
US08829893B2
In general, the disclosure is directed to techniques for determining the position of a piston within a linear actuator, such as a hydraulic cylinder, in a more cost effective and less labor-intensive fashion compared to current techniques for determining the position of a piston within a linear actuator. One or more magnets may be operably coupled to the piston, and a linear array of sensors may be disposed along an exterior length of the linear actuator. The sensors may measure the magnetic field generated by the magnet and, based on the measured magnetic field, may determine the location of the piston within the linear actuator.
US08829890B2
A polarizing optical system (15, 16) is disposed perpendicular to an optical axis of incoming light from a light source (12), having the optical axis (12) as a center axis, and configured for polarization of incoming light to a prescribed reference state, an electro-optical device (17) is disposed perpendicular to the optical axis, having the optical axis as a center axis, and adapted, as a voltage to be measured is imposed thereon, to respond to the imposed voltage by polarizing light polarized by the polarizing optical system (15, 16), and an analyzer (18) is disposed perpendicular to the optical axis, having the optical axis as a center axis, and adapted for detection of light polarized by the electro-optical device (17), to irradiate a detector (21) configured for conversion of incoming light into an electric signal.
US08829880B2
The present invention concerns a communication system with monitored input state of an input device. The input device has an input connection, a ground connection and an input circuit connected between the input connection and the ground connection. The input circuit is designed to detect an input signal. A sensor device is also provided, which is connected to the input connection and optionally the ground connection. The communication system also has a current-increasing device connected to the input connection and the ground connection, which is designed to furnish an increased current for the input circuit for an adjustable time period as a function of the voltage lying on the input connection. A power supply is also provided to supply power to the sensor device.
US08829876B2
A non-isolated type switching regulator having an inductor includes: a switch element; a rectification element; an error amplifying circuit section amplifying a voltage difference between a feedback voltage and a first reference voltage and outputting as an error voltage; a first voltage comparison circuit section performing a voltage comparison of a ramp voltage which performs a voltage change set beforehand with the error voltage to be synchronized with the switching of the switch element and producing and outputting a first comparison signal; a second voltage comparison circuit performing a voltage comparison of the error voltage with a second reference voltage and producing and outputting a second comparison signal; an oscillation circuit section starting an oscillation based on the second comparison signal and producing and outputting a clock signal; and a control circuit section performing a switching control of the switch element based on the clock signal and the first comparison signal.
US08829875B2
A controller for use in a power supply includes a drive signal generator, a jitter signal generator, a compensator signal generator, and an arithmetic operator. The drive signal generator is coupled to output a drive signal in response to an input signal. The jitter signal generator is coupled to provide a jitter signal that is representative of a first percentage amount to modulate a switching period of the drive signal. The compensator signal generator is coupled to provide a compensator signal responsive to the jitter signal, where the compensator signal is representative of a second percentage amount to change a duty ratio of the drive signal. The arithmetic operator adjusts the input signal of the controller in response to the compensator signal to provide a compensated input signal, where the duty ratio of the drive signal is adjusted by the second percentage amount in response to the compensated input signal.
US08829863B2
A field winding type rotary electric machine includes: a controller; a field current integration portion provided in the controller to calculate an integral value by integrating an excessive field current exceeding a field current threshold; a field current limiting portion provided in the controller and carrying out limiting processing to limit a field current to or below a predetermined value when the integral value reaches an integral value threshold defined as a reference value at or above which the field current is limited; a controller power supply connection switch switched ON and OFF for power feeding to the controller; a controller power supply connection determination portion switching ON and OFF the controller power supply connection switch; and a power feeding ON state maintaining portion maintaining an ON state of the power feeding to the controller from start to end of the limiting processing by the field current limiting portion.
US08829860B2
A power storage apparatus provided with a capacitor module and a power storage control circuit is connected between a generator and an electrical load. The capacitor module includes a plurality of capacitors and a plurality of switching devices which are connected in series with the capacitors, respectively, the capacitors and the switching devices together constituting a plurality of series circuits which are connected parallel to each other. When starting up the generator, the power storage control circuit controls only the specified switching device to become ON in order to quickly charge the capacitor which is connected in series with the switching device so that a voltage of the capacitor module is increased and a power source for starting up the generator is produced as high speed.
US08829855B2
Some embodiments relate to a power generation system. The power generation system includes a first generator and a first battery charger. The first battery charger is adapted to charge a first battery and a second battery. The first battery and the second battery are each adapted to provide power to start the first generator. The power generation system further includes a controller that determines a state of charge for each of the first battery and the second battery. Based on the state of charge for each of the first battery and the second battery, the controller determines which of the first battery and the second battery receives charging current from the first battery charger.
US08829851B2
A single electric vehicle charger for electrically connecting to multiple electric vehicles simultaneously while automatically charging the multiple electric vehicles sequentially. The charger includes an AC to DC rectifier, at least one ground fault circuit interrupter, and at least two physical electrical disconnects. The AC to DC rectifier electrically connects to an AC power source and allows DC batteries of the multiple electric vehicles to be charged from the AC power source. The at least one ground fault circuit interrupter is in electrical communication with the AC to DC rectifier and disconnects whenever current becomes unbalanced between an energized conductor and a return neutral conductor. The at least two physical electrical disconnects are in electrical communication with the at least one ground fault circuit interrupter and isolate the multiple electric vehicles that are electrically connected but are not being charged, with only one physical electrical disconnect being closed at any given instant.
US08829848B2
A battery charging control device for controlling a power generation device installed in an electric vehicle sets a battery energy management area using a current position of a host vehicle as a reference, detects at least one travelable route within the battery energy management area, calculates a battery energy management upper limit value and a battery energy management lower limit value on the basis of a maximum value and a minimum value of energy values required to travel to respective points on the travelable route from the current position, and calculates a battery energy management width by subtracting the management lower limit value from the management upper limit value. When the battery energy management width is not within a predetermined range, the battery energy management area is modified so as to enter the predetermined range. As a result, battery charging is controlled such that a magnitude relationship between the battery energy management upper limit value and the battery energy management lower limit value does not reverse.
US08829846B2
A method for driving a motor is provided. Pulse width modulation (PWM) signals are generated from a voltage signal and a commanded angle signal, which drives a motor with multiple phases. A motor current from a motor is measured with a single shunt and converted into a digital signal. Based on the digital signal and the commanded angle signal, direct-axis and quadrant-axis currents for the motor can be determined, and the voltage signal and the commanded angle signal can be adjusted based at least in part on the direct-axis and quadrant-axis currents.
US08829834B2
There are provided a motor driving control apparatus and method, and a motor using the same. The motor driving control apparatus includes: an inverter unit applying a driving current to a motor apparatus according to a driving control signal; a back-electromotive force detecting unit detecting back-electromotive force generated by driving of the motor apparatus; a driving current change unit reflecting a level of the back-electromotive force to determine a resistance value and reflecting the resistance value in the driving current; and a controlling unit performing a control operation to change the driving control signal using the driving current in which the resistance value is reflected and the back-electromotive force.
US08829832B2
A controller 40 performs a control operation in a cycle based on a carrier frequency fc of a carrier, specifically, at timings corresponding to the peaks and troughs of the carrier signal. Moreover, in the case where the carrier frequency fc is switched, a disturbance estimation part forming the controller 40 updates control constants that are used for disturbance estimation and are dependent on the control operation cycle, in a control operation performed one cycle after a control operation immediately after the switching of the carrier frequency fc.
US08829824B2
A nesting stemware drinking vessel generally provides a body and a base releasably interconnectable in at least two configurations, a first configuration forming conventional stemware vessel for containing and drinking liquids and a second configuration wherein portions of the base are enclosed within an interior volume defined by the body to minimize space required for storage of the base and body to eases transport and minimizes the risk of breakage when not in use. Plural locking protrusions on an upper surface of the base releasable frictionally engage with a circumferentially extending inner lip of an aperture of the body.
US08829818B2
The invention relates to a method for defining an operational parameter of an operational device for lighting means. According to the method,: a voltage supply of the operational device is preferably switched on/off manually, an on/off switching is evaluated by the operational device as to whether at least one first predetermined criterion is fulfilled, for example, time constants or repetition rates, in this is the case, a continuous, preferably cyclic change of the predetermined operational parameters is switched on by the operational device, the changed operational parameter is returned to the user directly or indirectly, optically and/or acoustically, and the actual value of the changed operational parameters is maintained at a moment in time for a subsequent operation of the lighting means to which an additional on/off switching of the voltage supply fulfills at least one second criterion.
US08829817B2
In a power supply device according to one embodiment, a reference signal (Vref1), which changes from a value corresponding to a maximum current in a full lighting state to that corresponding to a minimum current in case of a deepest dimming depth, and a reference signal (Vref2), which changes from a value corresponding to a load voltage at the time of a maximum current in a full lighting state to that corresponding to a minimum current in case of the deepest dimming depth, are prepared in accordance with dimming depths of a dimming signal. In a shallow dimming depth region close to a full lighting state, the reference signal (Vref1) is selected to apply constant-current control to light-emitting diodes in a current control mode. In a deep dimming depth region, the reference signal (Vref2) is selected to apply constant-voltage control to the diodes in a voltage control mode.
US08829811B2
An embodiment of the present invention is directed to a method and circuit to control light emitting diode (LED) output. The method includes receiving a line voltage signal which powers a lighting circuit comprising an LED and determining an adjustment of a threshold based on a variation of the line voltage signal and/or a controller delay or other practical controller limitation or imperfection. The method further includes dynamically adjusting a threshold or other reference of a controller which controls a switch of said lighting circuit for compensating for line variations to maintain a substantially uniform LED current.
US08829793B2
In various embodiments, a high pressure discharge lamp is provided. The high pressure discharge lamp may include a lamp axis, and a two-ended discharge vessel that surrounds a discharge volume, electrodes extending into the discharge volume enveloped by the discharge vessel, and a fill that includes metal halides being accommodated in the discharge volume, the discharge vessel being surrounded by an outer bulb with a base at one end and being held therein by a frame, wherein the frame comprises a short supply lead and a long supply lead, the long supply lead comprising two straight conductors with a winding part therebetween, the winding part executing at most 1.25 turns about the discharge vessel.
US08829758B2
Provided is a rotary electric machine, including: a stator; and a rotor provided on the stator so as to be rotatable about a rotation shaft, in which the rotor includes, at an outer circumference thereof, magnetic poles arranged so as to have different polarities alternately, the magnetic poles being formed of a rotor core in which electromagnetic steel plates are stacked, the magnetic poles being excited by permanent magnets which are housed in gaps disposed at an outer circumferential part of the rotor core, and in which the rotor core includes, at an inner circumferential part thereof, in the same stack plane: a short circuit magnetic path connecting magnetic pole pieces which form the magnetic poles; and a protruding portion held in contact with the permanent magnets, which is positioned between magnetic pole pieces which are not connected to the short circuit magnetic path.
US08829750B2
The invention relates to an electric motor/gear mechanism unit including a housing, an iron-free rotor winding rotatably arranged in the interior of the housing, a collector connected to the rotor winding, a rotor shaft extending through the collector, and a gear mechanism which is connected to the rotor shaft and which has an output shaft. The present invention is so conceived that the gear mechanism is produced from a non-magnetic material and arranged in the interior of the rotor winding.
US08829746B2
Each of a first and a second inverter circuit supplies a driving current to an electric motor in a different power supply line. A custom IC has a first pre-driver circuit for outputting control signals to the first inverter circuit and a second pre-driver circuit for outputting control signals to the second inverter circuit. A micro-computer for outputting operation signals to the first and second pre-driver circuits is mounted to a control board on a center line. A distance between the center line and the first inverter circuit and a distance between the center line and the second inverter circuit is equal to each other. First and second output terminals of the micro-computer as well as first and second input and output terminals of the custom IC are symmetric with respect to the center line.
US08829744B2
An electric machine includes a stator having an outer circumference. Spaced apart first walls are arranged about the outer circumference and provide generally parallel first channels. A second wall adjoins the first wall and is arranged about the outer circumference providing a second channel in fluid communication with the first channels, thus, providing a tortuous fluid flow path about the circumference. The first and second channels have an inner surface. A structure is provided within at least one of the first and second channels. The structure has an outer surface spaced radially outward from the inner surface and at least partially defines the tortuous flow path between the outer and inner surfaces. The stator includes an end turn. An end cap extends axially and radially outward from the stator and provides an enclosure about the end turn in fluid communication with the exit associated with the flow path.
US08829743B2
A cooling structure of a generator motor includes: a rotor holder; a rotor core; a first blade; and a second blade, wherein the second blade includes a recessed coolant holding portion, provided on an outer circumference of the second blade on an opposite side to the rotor core and opening inward in the radial direction, for collecting a coolant, and a drain hole radially penetrating an outer circumference of the coolant holding portion for draining the coolant collected in the coolant holding portion.
US08829737B2
An electric network architecture for confined environments, includes: a main network including a plurality of electric wires capable of supplying in parallel electric power along the confined medium to a same load, wherein each wire is protected and can be insulated at each end; a primary distribution assembly including at least one primary distribution subassembly including a selection element connected to at least one of the wires and to a dedicated electric power source; at least one secondary distribution assembly connected to at least a portion of the main network and for powering at least one dedicated load, wherein each secondary distribution assembly includes at least one selection element connected to an output terminal to which an electric load is to be connected, the selection element being capable of closing or opening the electric link established between the output terminal and at least one of the wires of the main network.
US08829734B2
Methods and systems for maximum efficiency achievable in near-field coupled wireless power transfer systems are disclosed and may include configuring coil geometry, independently of load impedance and source impedance, for a transmit (Tx) coil and a receive (Rx) coil based on a media expected to be between the coils during operation. A desired susceptance and conductance may be determined and an impedance of an amplifier for the Tx coil may be configured based on the determined susceptance and conductance. A load impedance for the Rx coil may be configured based on the determined susceptance and conductance. A matching network may be coupled to the amplifier. The Rx coil may be integrated on a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) chip. One or more matching networks may be integrated on the CMOS chip for the configuring of the load impedance for the Rx coil.
US08829729B2
Power is fed from a feeding coil L2 to a receiving coil L3 by magnetic resonance. A VCO 202 alternately turns ON/OFF switching transistors Q1 and Q2 at a drive frequency fo, whereby AC power is fed to the feeding coil L2, and then the AC power is fed from the feeding coil L2 to the receiving coil L3. A phase detection circuit 114 detects a phase difference between the current phase and voltage phase, and the VCO 202 adjusts the drive frequency fo such that the phase difference becomes zero. When load voltage is changed, the detected current phase value is adjusted with the result that the drive frequency fo is adjusted.
US08829726B2
Power is transmitted from a feeding coil L2 to a receiving coil L3 by magnetic resonance. A VCO 202 alternately turns ON/OFF switching transistors Q1 and Q2 to feed AC current to the feeding coil L2, whereby the AC power is fed from the feeding coil L2 to the receiving coil L3. An AC magnetic field generated by AC current IS flowing in the feeding coil L2 causes inductive current ISS to flow in a detection coil LSS. A phase detection circuit 150 compares the phase of AC voltage generated by the VCO 202 and phase of the inductive current ISS to detect the phase difference between voltage and current phases and generates phase difference indicating voltage indicating the magnitude of the phase difference. The reset circuit 102 forcibly reduces the phase difference indicating voltage when the phase difference indicating voltage exceeds a predetermined threshold.
US08829723B2
In accordance with an embodiment, a method of operating a multi-level converter includes detecting a charge state of charge storage units of series connected converter units, assigning parameter sets to the converter units based on the detected charge states, and generating control signals coupled to switch arrangements of the converter units based on the parameter sets.
US08829719B2
A propulsion system includes an electric drive, a first energy storage system electrically coupled to the electric drive through a DC link, and a second energy storage system electrically coupled to the first energy storage system in a series connection. The first energy storage system comprises a high specific-energy storage device; the second energy storage system comprises a high specific-power storage device. The propulsion system also includes a bi-directional boost converter electrically coupled to the first and second energy storage systems such that a terminal of the first energy storage system is electrically coupled to a low voltage side of the bi-directional boost converter and a first terminal of the second energy storage system is coupled to a high voltage side of the bi-directional boost converter. The series connection bypasses the bi-directional boost converter.
US08829713B2
A power conversion circuit system comprises a primary conversion circuit, a secondary conversion circuit, and a control circuit for controlling the primary and secondary conversion circuits. The primary conversion circuit comprises a primary full bridge circuit, which includes a bridge section composed of both a primary coil in a transformer and a primary magnetic coupling reactor in which two reactors are magnetically coupled, a first input/output port disposed between a positive bus bar and a negative bus bar of the primary full bridge circuit, and a second input/output port disposed between the negative bus bar of the primary full bridge circuit and a center tap of the primary coil in the transformer. The secondary conversion circuit has a configuration similar to that of the primary conversion circuit.
US08829710B2
A starter driving semiconductor switch apparatus energizes and de-energizes a starter according to a command from an outside. A series circuit to which semiconductor switches are connected in series is provided between a battery serving as a power supply and the starter. The starter is energized by bringing all the semiconductor switches into conduction. A voltage or a current at a predetermined point in the series circuit is monitored to make a self-diagnosis on whether the starter is allowed to start and whether there is a failure in the semiconductor switches according to a monitor output. The starter driving semiconductor switch apparatus is thus expected to have a longer useful life by energizing the starter not by using mechanical contacts but by using semiconductor switches.
US08829706B1
A high efficiency, adaptive control, compound ducted wind turbine capable of providing higher efficiency in energy extraction from a fluid. Performance of efficiency expressed as coefficient of performance (Cp) in accordance with the Lanchester-Betz-Joukowski limits is sustainable and significantly higher than an un-ducted, mono-propeller wind turbine of comparable diameter. Also an active circulation control wing technology is disclosed for increasing efficiency and performance and which is applicable to both wind and water turbines.
US08829703B2
A wave power plant, including a floating body and a rotator capable of rotating in response to the body's floating motion, characterized in that two or more bodies are elastically moored at a distance varying from each other according to wave conditions, said distance in the traveling direction of waves being unequal to a half of the wave length or a multiple thereof, and that rotation of the rotators present in various bodies is synchronized so as to provide a desired phase shift between the rotational angles of rotators present in various bodies.
US08829700B2
A heat exchanger assembly for cooling a heat-generating component, such as a generator or power electronics module, within a wind turbine nacelle comprises a thermoelectric element, such as a Peltier element, having a first section arranged in a first region of relatively high temperature in contact with the heat-generating component or in the vicinity thereof, and a second section arranged in a second region of a relatively low temperature. The thermoelectric element is configured to transfer heat from the first region of relatively high temperature to the second region of relatively low temperature with consumption of electrical energy. A source of electrical energy is provided for the thermoelectric element, and a control unit may be provided for controlling the energy supply in order to control the temperature of the component or surface area cooled by the thermoelectric element. A further cooling element including a so-called heat pipe may be provided to enhance cooling efficiency.
US08829698B2
A power generation system is provided that includes an internal combustion engine configured to provide rotational mechanical energy. A generator is configured to receive the rotational mechanical energy and generate electrical power in response to the rotational mechanical energy. A fluid medium is provided to the internal combustion engine and to the generator for removing thermal energy from the internal combustion engine and from the generator.
US08829686B2
A package-on-package assembly includes first and second packages and an adhesion member positioned between the first and second packages and adhering the first and second packages to one another. The first package may include a first substrate having a first surface and a second surface facing each other and including a land pad formed on the first surface, a first semiconductor chip formed on the first surface, and a first encapsulant member encapsulating the first surface and the first semiconductor chip and including a through-via spaced apart from the first semiconductor chip and exposing the land pad and a trench formed between the first semiconductor chip and the through-via, and wherein at least a portion of the trench is filled with adhesion member material.
US08829683B2
A through via contains a conductor (244, 262) passing through a substrate (140). The substrate can be SOI or some other substrate containing two semiconductor layers (140.1, 140.2) on opposite sides of an insulating layer (140B). The through via includes two constituent vias (144.1, 144.2) formed from respective different sides of the substrate by processes stopping on the insulating layer (140B). Due to the insulating layer acting as a stop layer, high control over the constituent vias' depths is achieved. Each constituent via is shorter than the through via, so via formation is facilitated. The conductor is formed by separate depositions of conductive material into the constituent vias from each side of the substrate. From each side, the conductor is deposited to a shallower depth than the through-via depth, so the deposition is facilitated. Other embodiments are also provided.
US08829681B2
The semiconductor device has insulating films 40, 42 formed over a substrate 10; an interconnection 58 buried in at least a surface side of the insulating films 40, 42; insulating films 60, 62 formed on the insulating film 42 and including a hole-shaped via-hole 60 and a groove-shaped via-hole 66a having a pattern bent at a right angle; and buried conductors 70, 72a buried in the hole-shaped via-hole 60 and the groove-shaped via-hole 66a. A groove-shaped via-hole 66a is formed to have a width which is smaller than a width of the hole-shaped via-hole 66. Defective filling of the buried conductor and the cracking of the inter-layer insulating film can be prevented. Steps on the conductor plug can be reduced. Accordingly, defective contact with the upper interconnection layer and the problems taking place in forming films can be prevented.
US08829674B2
Stacked multichip packages and methods of making multichip packages. A method includes using a boat having different depth openings corresponding to the length of column interconnections of the completed multichip package and masks to place proper length columns in the corresponding depth openings; placing an integrated circuit chip on the boat and attaching exposed upper ends of the columns to respective chip pads of the integrated circuit using a first solder reflow process and attaching a preformed package substrate integrated circuit chip stack to the integrated circuit and attached columns using a second solder reflow process.
US08829671B2
An electrical interconnect between terminals on an IC device and contact pads on a printed circuit board (PCB). The electrical interconnect includes a substrate with a first surface having a plurality of openings arranged to correspond to the terminals on the IC device. A compliant material is located in the openings. A plurality of first conductive traces extend along the first surface of the substrate and onto the compliant material. The compliant material provides a biasing force that resists flexure of the first conductive traces into the openings. Vias extending through the substrate are electrically coupled the first conductive traces. A plurality of second conductive traces extend along the second surface of the substrate and are electrically coupled to a vias. The second conductive traces are configured to electrical couple with the contact pads on the PCB.
US08829655B2
The present application discloses various implementations of a semiconductor package including an organic substrate and one or more interposers having through-semiconductor vias (TSVs). Such a semiconductor package may include a contiguous organic substrate having a lower substrate segment including first and second pluralities of lower interconnect pads, the second plurality of lower interconnect pads being disposed in an opening of the lower substrate segment. The contiguous organic substrate may also include an upper substrate segment having an upper width and including first and second pluralities of upper interconnect pads. In addition, the semiconductor package may include at least one interposer having TSVs for electrically connecting the first and second pluralities of lower interconnect pads to the first and second pluralities of upper interconnect pads. The interposer has an interposer width less than the upper width of the upper substrate segment.
US08829654B2
The present application discloses various implementations of a semiconductor package including an organic substrate and one or more interposers having through-semiconductor vias (TSVs). Such a semiconductor package may include a contiguous organic substrate having a lower substrate segment including first and second pluralities of lower interconnect pads, the second plurality of lower interconnect pads being disposed in an opening of the lower substrate segment. The contiguous organic substrate may also include an upper substrate segment having an upper width and including first and second pluralities of upper interconnect pads. In addition, the semiconductor package may include at least one interposer having TSVs for electrically connecting the first and second pluralities of lower interconnect pads to the first and second pluralities of upper interconnect pads. The interposer has an interposer width less than the upper width of the upper substrate segment.
US08829652B2
A light emitting device with graded composition hole tunneling layer is provided. The device comprises a substrate and an n-type semiconductor layer is disposed on the substrate, in which the n-type semiconductor layer comprises a first portion and a second portion. A graded composition hole tunneling layer is disposed on the first portion of the n-type semiconductor layer. An electron blocking layer is disposed on the graded composition hole tunneling layer. A p-type semiconductor layer is disposed on the electron blocking layer. A first electrode is disposed on the p-type semiconductor layer, and a second electrode is disposed on the second portion of the n-type semiconductor layer and is electrical insulated from the first portion of the n-type semiconductor. The graded composition hole tunneling layer is used as the quantum-well to improve the transport efficiency of the holes to increase the light emitting efficiency of the light emitting device.
US08829644B2
In a non-volatile memory device and method of manufacturing the same, a device isolation pattern and an active region extend in a first direction on a substrate. A first dielectric pattern is formed on the active region of the substrate. Conductive stack structures are arranged on the first dielectric pattern and a recess is formed between a pair of the adjacent conductive stack structures. A protection layer is formed on a sidewall of the stack structure to protect the sidewall of the stack structure from over-etching along the first direction. The protection layer includes an etch-proof layer having oxide and arranged on a sidewall of the floating gate electrode and a sidewall of the control gate line and a spacer layer covering the sidewall of the conductive stack structures.
US08829642B2
The present invention discloses a semiconductor device, which comprises: a substrate, and a shallow trench isolation in the substrate, characterized in that, the semiconductor device further comprises a stress release layer between the substrate and the shallow trench isolation. In the semiconductor device and the method for manufacturing the same according to the present invention, the stresses accumulated during the formation of the STI can be released by interposing the stress release layer made of a softer material between the substrate and the STI, thereby reducing the leakage current of the substrate of the device and improving the device reliability.
US08829634B2
The invention is an optoelectronic device comprising an active portion which converts light to electricity or converts electricity to light, the active portion having a front side for the transmittal of the light and a back side opposite from the front side, at least two electrical leads to the active portion to convey electricity to or from the active portion, an enclosure surrounding the active portion and through which the at least two electrical leads pass wherein the hermetically sealed enclosure comprises at the front side of the active portion a barrier material which allows for transmittal of light, one or more getter materials disposed so as to not impede the transmission of light to or from the active portion, and a contiguous gap pathway to the getter material which pathway is disposed between the active portion and the barrier material.
US08829624B2
In one general aspect, a semiconductor structure can include a power transistor including a body region extending in a silicon region, a gate electrode insulated from the body region by a gate dielectric, a source region extending in the body region where the source region is of opposite conductivity type from the body region, a source interconnect contacting the source region, and a backside drain. The semiconductor structure can include an RC snubber monolithically integrated with the power transistor in a die. The RC snubber can include a snubber electrode insulated from the silicon region by a snubber dielectric such that the snubber electrode and the silicon region form a snubber capacitor.
US08829621B2
The present invention relates to a semiconductor substrate, an integrated circuit having the semiconductor substrate, and methods of manufacturing the same. The semiconductor substrate for use in an integrated circuit comprising transistors having back-gates according to the present invention comprises: a semiconductor base layer; a first insulating material layer on the semiconductor base layer; a first conductive material layer on the first insulating material layer; a second insulating material layer on the first conductive material layer; a second conductive material layer on the second insulating material layer; an insulating buried layer on the second conductive material layer; and a semiconductor layer on the insulating buried layer, wherein at least one first conductive via is provided between the first conductive material layer and the second conductive material layer to penetrate through the second insulating material layer so as to connect the first conductive material layer with the second conductive material layer, the position of each of the first conductive vias being defined by a region in which a corresponding one of a first group of transistors is to be formed.
US08829620B2
The first electrode of the transistor may include a first electrically conductive region provided within the semiconductor substrate. The second electrode may include a second electrically conductive region provided within the semiconductor substrate. The first and second regions may be separated by the substrate region, and the control electrode may include a third electrically conductive region provided within the substrate. The third electrically conductive region may be both separated from the substrate region by an insulating region and electrically coupled to the substrate region by a junction diode intended to be reverse-biased.
US08829592B2
A non-volatile storage element and a method of forming the storage element. The non-volatile storage element comprises: a first electrode including a first material having a first work function; a second electrode including a second material having a second work function higher than the first work function; a first dielectric disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode, the first dielectric having a first bandgap; a second dielectric disposed between the first dielectric and the second electrode, the second dielectric having a second bandgap wider than the first bandgap and being disposed such that a quantum well is created in the first dielectric; and a third dielectric disposed between the first electrode and the first dielectric, the third dielectric being thinner than the second dielectric and having a third bandgap wider than the first bandgap.
US08829590B2
A variable resistance memory device includes a plurality of column selection switches, a plurality of variable resistance memory cells configured to be stacked and selected by the plurality of column selection switches, and a bit line connected to the plurality of variable resistance memory cells. Each of the plurality of variable resistance memory cells includes an ovonic threshold switch (OTS) element selectively driven by a plurality of word lines arranged to be stacked and a variable resistor connected in parallel to the OTS element.
US08829579B2
A solid-state imaging device includes photoelectric conversion elements on an imaging surface of a substrate, receiving light incident on a light receiving surface and performing photoelectric conversion to produce a signal charge. Electrodes are interposed between the photoelectric conversion elements and light blocking portions are provided above the electrodes and interposed between the photoelectric conversion elements. The light blocking portions include an electrode light blocking portion formed to cover the corresponding electrode, and a pixel isolation and light blocking portion protruding convexly from the upper surface of the electrode light blocking portion. The photoelectric conversion elements are arranged at first pitches on the imaging surface. The electrode light blocking portions and the pixel isolation and light blocking portions are arranged at second and third pitches on the imaging surface. At least the third pitch increases with distance from the center toward the periphery of the imaging surface.
US08829577B2
Provided is an image sensor including a drive transistor as a voltage buffer, which can suppress generation of secondary electrons from a channel of the drive transistor to prevent generation of image defects caused by dark current. The transistor includes a gate electrode formed on a substrate, source and drain regions formed in the substrate exposed to both sides of the gate electrode, respectively, and an electric field attenuation region formed on the drain region and partially overlapping the gate electrode.
US08829576B2
The present invention provides a semiconductor structure comprising a substrate, a gate stack, a sidewall, a base region, source/drain regions, and a support structure, wherein: the base region is located above the substrate, and is separated from the substrate by the void; said support structure is located on both sides of the void, in which part of the support isolation structure is connected with the substrate; the gate stack is located above the base region, said sidewall surrounding the gate stack; said source/drain regions are located on both sides of the gate stack, the base region and the support isolation structure, in which the stress in the source/drain regions first gradually increases and then gradually decreases along the height direction from the bottom. The present invention also provides a manufacturing method for the semiconductor structure. The present invention is beneficial to suppress the short channel effect, as well as to provide an optimum stress to the channel.
US08829566B2
A semiconductor waveguide based optical receiver is disclosed. An apparatus according to aspects of the present invention includes an absorption region including a first type of semiconductor region proximate to a second type of semiconductor region. The first type of semiconductor is to absorb light in a first range of wavelengths and the second type of semiconductor to absorb light in a second range of wavelengths. A multiplication region is defined proximate to and separate from the absorption region. The multiplication region includes an intrinsic semiconductor region in which there is an electric field to multiply the electrons created in the absorption region.
US08829563B2
An insulated gate bipolar device is disclosed which can include layers of different conductivity types between an emitter electrode on an emitter side and a collector electrode on a collector side in the following order: a source region of a first conductivity type, a base layer of a second conductivity type, which contacts the emitter electrode in a contact area, an enhancement layer of the first conductivity type, a floating compensation layer of the second conductivity type having a compensation layer thickness tp, a drift layer of the first conductivity type having lower doping concentration than the enhancement layer and a collector layer of the second conductivity type.
US08829559B2
In a nitride semiconductor light-emitting device having an n-side and a p-side electrode pad formed on the same side of a substrate wherein current distribution in the light-emitting device is improved by forming branch electrodes extended from the p-side electrode pad (and the n-side electrode pad), when sheet resistance values of n-side and p-side layers in the device are low enough, contact resistance between a p-type nitride semiconductor layer and a current diffusion layer of a transparent conductive film formed thereon is reduced and in-plane distribution of the sheet resistance is made uniform whereby improving the optical output, by increasing in a prescribed condition the sheet resistance value of the current diffusion layer.
US08829558B2
The present disclosure relates to a semiconductor light-emitting device, which includes: a plurality of semiconductor layers composed of a first semiconductor layer, a second semiconductor layer, and an active layer; a first electrode disposed on the second semiconductor layer; a high-resistance body interposed between the second semiconductor layer and the first electrode; and a light-transmitting conductive film having an opening through which the high-resistance body is exposed, the first electrode being brought into contact with the light-transmitting conductive film, which is disposed on the high-resistance body, and the high-resistance body, which is exposed through the opening.
US08829557B2
Disclosed herein is a semiconductor light emitting device module comprising: a heat transfer member having a cavity; first conductive layer and second conductive layer contacting the heat transfer member via an insulating layer, the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer being electrically separated from each other in accordance with exposure of the insulating layer or exposure of the heat transfer member; and at least one semiconductor light emitting device electrically connected to the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer, the at least one semiconductor light emitting device is thermally contacted an exposed portion of the heat transfer member, wherein the insulating layer has an exposed portion disposed outside the cavity.
US08829549B2
A light emitting diode including a first doped layer, a light emitting layer, a second doped layer and a substrate is provided. A plurality of first grooves penetrate through the second doped layer and the light emitting layer. Thus, a partial surface of the first doped layer is exposed. At least one of the plurality of first grooves extends to edges of the second dope layer and the light emitting layer. An insulating layer is disposed over a part of second doped layer and extends to sidewalls of the first grooves. A first contact is set in the first grooves and electrically connected to the first doped layer. A second contact is set on the second doped layer and electrically connected to the second doped layer. By the first grooves, the first contact can be electrically connected to the first doped layer for improving current spreading.
US08829548B2
A light emitting device package includes: an undoped semiconductor substrate having first and second surfaces opposed to each other; first and second conductive vias penetrating the undoped semiconductor substrate; a light emitting device mounted on one region of the first surface; a bi-directional Zener diode formed by doping an impurity on the second surface of the undoped semiconductor substrate and having a Zener breakdown voltage in both directions; and first and second external electrodes formed on the second surface of the undoped semiconductor substrate such that they connect the first and second conductive vias to both ends of the bi-directional Zener diode region, respectively.
US08829510B2
The present invention provides an organic EL display panel and an organic EL display apparatus that can be driven at a low voltage and that exhibit excellent light-emitting efficiency. Sequentially fixated on a substrate are: a first electrode; auxiliary wiring; a hole injection layer; a functional layer; and a second electrode. The hole injection layer and the second electrode are both formed to be continuous above the first electrode and above the auxiliary wiring. The second electrode and the auxiliary wiring are electrically connected by the hole injection layer. The hole injection layer contains tungsten oxide and at least 2 nm thick so as to have, in an electronic state thereof, an occupied energy level in a range between 1.8 eV and 3.6 eV lower than a lowest energy level of a valence band in terms of a binding energy.
US08829508B2
A display apparatus including an organic light emitting display including a terminal portion, a battery disposed on a surface of the organic light emitting display, and a flexible printed circuit board (PCB) bent to cover the organic light emitting display and the battery, a side of the flexible PCB being connected to the terminal portion and another side of the flexible PCB extending outside and attached to the battery.
US08829498B2
Embodiments of the invention are directed to IR photodetectors with gain resulting from the positioning of a charge multiplication layer (CML) between the cathode and the IR sensitizing layer of the photodetector, where accumulating charge at the CML reduces the energy difference between the cathode and the CML to promote injection of electrons that result in gain for an electron only device. Other embodiments of the invention are directed to inclusion of the IR photodetectors with gain into an IR-to-visible up-conversion device that can be used in night vision and other applications.
US08829496B2
A device comprising: a first substrate (1); a second substrate; at least one optoelectronic component (4) containing at least one organic material is arranged on the first substrate; the first substrate (1) and the second substrate (2) being arranged relative to one another in such a way that the optoelectronic component (4) is arranged between the first substrate (1) and the second substrate; a bonding material (3) is arranged between the first substrate (1) and the second substrate (2), said bonding material enclosing the optoelectronic component (4) in a frame type fashion and mechanically connecting the first and second substrates (1, 2) to one another; and wherein the bonding material (3) was softened by an exothermic chemical process of a reactive material (7) for mechanically connecting the substrates (1, 2).
US08829480B2
A vision measuring device includes: an imaging device which images a workpiece; an illumination device which irradiates the workpiece with light; a position control system which controls an in-focus position of the imaging device and outputs the in-focus position as information representing a position in an in-focus axis direction; and a control device which, when the position control system controls the in-focus position, controls the frame rate of the imaging device, and controls at least one of the imaging device and the illumination device such that an amount of light to be received by the imaging device becomes substantially constant.
US08829476B2
Treatment planning methods are provided that determine the variability of relative biological effectiveness (RBE) along a beam line and calculate, among other things, what intensity of hadron beam such as a proton or a carbon ion beam should be applied to achieve a desired biological dose at treatment site of a patient afflicted with a medical condition. Typically, three or four RBE values at three or four corresponding spacially-dispersed intervals along the beam line are calculated. In one embodiment, two RBE values for the spread-out Bragg peak (SOBP) region of the treatment site; one for the proximal section and one for the declining distal section is calculated. A third and different RBE value may be determined for the distal edge region of the SOBP. A fourth value may also be calculated for a pre-SOBP region.
US08829473B1
Systems and methods for detecting and/or identifying target cells (e.g., bacteria) using engineered transduction particles are described herein. In some embodiments, a method includes mixing a quantity of transduction particles within a sample. The transduction particles are associated with a target cell. The transduction particles are non-replicative, and are engineered to include a nucleic acid molecule formulated to cause the target cell to produce a series of reporter molecules. The sample and the transduction particles are maintained to express the series of the reporter molecules when target cell is present in the sample. A signal associated with a quantity of the reporter molecules is received. In some embodiments, a magnitude of the signal is independent from a quantity of the transduction particle above a predetermined quantity.
US08829472B2
An image display device includes an excitation light source; a fluorescent screen including a plurality of phosphor regions that are repeatedly formed in an in-plane direction and a retro-reflection region that reflects a part of incident light in the opposite direction of the incident light; a scanning unit that scans a surface of fluorescent screen on which the phosphor regions and the retro-reflection region are formed with excitation light from the excitation light source; a photo detection unit that outputs signal value that varies on the basis of an incident light amount onto the photo detection unit; a reflection unit that reflects retro-reflection light of the excitation light directed from the retro-reflection region to the photo detection unit; and a control unit that causes the scanning unit to scan the fluorescent screen, detects boundaries between the phosphor regions and the retro-reflection region on the fluorescent screen.
US08829470B2
The invention relates to a charged-particle apparatus having a charged particle source with an optical axis; a magnetic immersion lens comprising a first lens pole and a configurable magnetic circuit; and a first sample stage movable with respect to the optical axis. The apparatus has a first configuration to position the sample, mounted on the first stage, with respect to the optical axis and a second configuration, having a second lens pole mounted on the first stage and intersecting the optical axis, equipped with a second sample stage to position the sample between the two lens poles and is movable with respect to the optical axis, causing the optical properties of the magnetic immersion lens to differ in the two configurations, and can, in the second configuration, be changed by positioning the second lens pole using the first stage, thus changing the magnetic circuit.
US08829469B2
A novel sample holder for specimen support devices for insertion in electron microscopes. The novel sample holder of the invention allows for the introduction of gases or liquids to specimens for in situ imaging, as well as electrical contacts for electrochemical or thermal experiments.
US08829464B2
An ion guide array is disclosed comprising a first ion guide section and a second ion guide section. Each ion guide section may comprise a plurality of electrodes having an aperture through which ions are transmitted in use. A transfer section is arranged at the exit of the first ion guide section and ions are transmitted radially from the first ion guide section into the second ion guide section. Electrodes in the transfer section may have a radial aperture enabling ions to be transmitted radially from the first ion guide section to the second ion guide section.
US08829455B2
A radiographic imaging device that may detect irradiation states of radiation is provided. Pixels for radiation detection that are provided in a radiation detector of an electronic cassette are configured with characteristics thereof being alterable. The characteristics are set in accordance with the imaging conditions of a radiation image by a cassette control section of the electronic cassette.
US08829449B2
This scintillator plate 1 is a scintillator plate which is a member of a flat plate shape to emit scintillation light according to incidence of radiation transmitted by an object A and which is used in an image acquisition device to condense and image the scintillation light, the scintillator plate comprising: a partition plate 2 of a planar shape which transmits radiation; a scintillator 3 of a flat plate shape which is arranged on one surface 2a of the partition plate 2 and which converts the radiation into scintillation light; and a scintillator 4 of a flat plate shape which is arranged on the other surface 2b of the partition plate 2 and which converts the radiation into scintillation light.
US08829440B2
An apparatus for analyzing, identifying or imaging an target including first and second laser beams coupled to a pair of photoconductive switches to produce CW signals in one or more bands in a range of frequencies greater than 100 GHz focused on and transmitted through or reflected from the target; and a detector for acquiring spectral information from signals received from the target and using a multi-spectral heterodyne process to generate an electrical signal representative of some characteristics of the target. The lasers are tuned to different frequencies and a frequency shifter in the path of one laser beam allows the terahertz beam to be finely adjusted in one or more selected frequency bands.
US08829433B2
An ion mobility separator or spectrometer is disclosed comprising an inner cylinder and an outer cylinder defining an annular volume through which ions are transmitted. Spiral electrodes a-f are arranged on a surface of the inner cylinder and/or on a surface of the outer cylinder. A first device is arranged and adapted to maintain a DC electric field or a pseudo-potential force which acts to urge ions from a first end of the ion mobility separator or spectrometer to a second end of the ion mobility separator or spectrometer. A second device is arranged and adapted to apply one or more transient DC voltages to the spiral electrodes in order to urge ions towards the first end of the ion mobility separator or spectrometer. The net effect is to extend the effective path length of the ion mobility separator.
US08829432B2
The present invention generally relates to mass spectrometry and related techniques, and in some cases, to determining single species using mass spectrometry. In certain instances, polymers such as DNA or RNA can also be sequenced. Certain embodiments of the invention relate to passing a polymer, such as DNA, RNA, a protein, a polypeptide, a polysaccharide, etc., through a pore and cleaving the polymer in sequence. For instance, the polymer may be cleaved using a laser or an electric field. In some embodiments, a property of at least one subunit of a polymer is determined using mass spectrometry. In some embodiments, a single ion (which may be a subunit of a polymer, or an ion based on another species) can be isolated in a mass spectrometer and a signal generated from the single ion.
US08829428B2
Described is an analytical method and apparatus for counting and measuring the flight time of secondary electrons, secondary ions and neutrals, scattered ions and/or neutrals and for correlating coincidences between these while maintaining a continuous un-pulsed, micro-focused, primary particle beam for impinging a surface for purposes of microprobe imaging and microanalysis.
US08829422B2
An optical scanning apparatus including: a MEMS mirror that deflects an optical beam output from a light source; a drive unit that drives the MEMS mirror at a constant cycle; and a photodetector device that detects the optical beam output from the light source, a deflection state of the MEMS mirror is obtained from a relationship between a phase of a drive phase signal input to the drive unit and a phase of a detection signal of the photodetector device. For example, time T is detected between output of the drive phase signal and output of the detection signal from the photodetector device, and maximum deflection angle θm of the MEMS mirror is obtained by the equation θm=θ0/sin(2πνT−π/2). T is time, θ0 is an installation deflection angle of the photodetector device, and ν is a deflection frequency of the MEMS mirror.
US08829417B2
A device for detecting a presence of an object includes an optical phased array, a detector, a processing portion and an indicator. The optical phased array can transmit a first optical beam to a first location at a first time and can transmit a second optical beam to a second location at a second time. The detector can detect a first reflected beam based on the first optical beam and can detect a second reflected beam based on the second optical beam. The processing portion can determine the presence of the object based on the first reflected beam and the second reflected beam. The indicator can generate an indicator signal based on the presence of the object.
US08829412B1
A glow tube output detection device that monitors for light emissions from a legacy glow tube so that the status of the glow tube may be fed to other systems such as supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems for electric power distribution networks. The monitored legacy glow tubes are connected to the various phases of electrical buses to indicate the presence of high voltage including back feeds.
US08829401B1
A projectile and associated method are provided for seeking a target that has been laser designated even though the projectile does not include a laser receiver. A projectile includes an aerodynamic body and a GPS receiver configured to receive GPS signals indicative of a location of the aerodynamic body. The projectile also includes a radio receiver configured to receive radio signals from an offboard laser receiver that provide information relating to a location of the target based upon laser designation of the target. Further, the projectile includes a processor configured to direct flight of the aerodynamic body toward the target based upon the location of the aerodynamic body as determined from the GPS signals and the location of the target based upon the information provided by the offboard laser receiver.
US08829386B2
Certain embodiments described herein are directed to devices that can be used to sustain a low flow plasma. In certain examples, the low flow plasma can be sustained in a torch comprising an outer tube and an auxiliary tube within the outer tube. In some examples, the auxiliary tube comprises an effective length to match the shape of a low flow plasma sustained in the torch using a flat plate electrode. Methods and systems using the torches are also described.
US08829368B2
A resistive film type input device includes: a resistive film which is formed on a surface of the first insulating substrate opposed to the second insulating substrate; feeding electrodes which apply a voltage to the resistive film on the first insulating substrate; a detecting electrode films which are formed on a surface of the second insulating substrate are in an electrically floating state; and a potential detecting unit which detects a potential of a contact location of the resistive film through the detecting electrode film contacted to the resistive film among the detecting electrode films by pressing against.
US08829352B2
A communications cable having a jacket and a plurality of twisted pairs, each twisted pair having two insulated conductors twisted around one another, where on at least one twisted pair, the insulation on the conductors of the pair is a two layer insulation with a first inner layer of polyolefin and a second outer layer of imide polymer.
US08829349B2
Insulation compounds for medium-voltage power cables and methods for making same are provided. The compound can include a polymer comprising ethylene, one or more C3-C8 alpha olefins and, optionally, one or more dienes, and one or more metal oxides not based on lead or zinc.
US08829346B2
A retention snap arrangement for attaching a bus bar to a base pan. The arrangement includes first and second walls for forming a channel for receiving the bus bar. The arrangement further includes a first moveable arm having a first snap element that includes a first bottom surface and a second moveable arm having a second snap element that includes a second bottom surface. The first and second arms extend from the first and second walls, respectively, each forming a cantilever. In a first position, the first and second bottom surfaces are located above an edge of the bus bar for inhibiting movement of the bus bar. In a second position, the first and second bottom surfaces are not located above the edge of the bus bar to enable insertion of the bus bar in the channel.
US08829340B2
A solar light-control module includes a light-propagation chamber, a plurality of micro structures, a refractive media, and at least one solar cell. The light-propagation chamber has a first face, a second face and at least one side surface. Ambient light is incident to the first face to enter the solar light-control module. The micro structures are disposed on the second face to deflect the ambient light and guide the ambient light to a predetermined area of the light-propagation chamber. The refractive media is disposed between the second face of the light-propagation chamber and the micro structures, and the solar cell is disposed on the predetermined area.
US08829338B2
A bridging solar cell includes a substrate, first, second, and third sets of bus bar electrodes, a first welding member, a first insulation film, and a second welding member. The first set of bus bar electrodes is disposed on the front surface of the substrate along a first direction. The second set of bus bar electrodes is disposed on the back surface of the substrate along a second direction and electrically connected to the first set of bus bar electrodes. The first welding member is electrically connected to the second set of bus bar electrodes. The first insulation film is disposed on the back surface. The third set of bus bar electrodes is disposed on the first insulation film along the second direction. The second welding member is disposed on the first insulation film and electrically connected to the third set of bus bar electrodes.
US08829327B2
A thermoelectric composite material includes a carbon nanotube structure and an electrically conductive polymer layer. The carbon nanotube structure includes a plurality of carbon nanotubes and spaces. The electrically conductive polymer layer is coated on surfaces of the carbon nanotubes.
US08829315B2
Wheat having a reduced level of SBEIIa activity, that may have a relative high amylose content. Wheat having a mutant SBEIIa gene in the A genome. The wheat might additionally have reduced levels of SBEIIb activity. The wheat grain of this invention can be of a non-shrunken phenotype despite a lesion in the amylopectin synthesis pathway, and may also have a high relative amylose content.
US08829313B1
A novel maize variety designated PH1W4R and seed, plants and plant parts thereof. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprise crossing maize variety PH1W4R with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into PH1W4R through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. Hybrid maize seed, plant or plant part produced by crossing the variety PH1W4R or a locus conversion of PH1W4R with another maize variety.
US08829309B2
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated CH162504. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CH162504, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH162504 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to genetic complements of plants of variety CH162504.
US08829305B1
A novel maize variety designated PH1KGA and seed, plants and plant parts thereof. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprise crossing maize variety PH1KGA with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into PH1KGA through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. Hybrid maize seed, plant or plant part produced by crossing the variety PH1KGA or a locus conversion of PH1KGA with another maize variety.
US08829303B1
A novel maize variety designated X18C117 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof, produced by crossing Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. proprietary inbred maize varieties. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprises crossing hybrid maize variety X18C117 with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X18C117 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety X18C117, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X18C117. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X18C117.
US08829302B1
An inbred corn line, designated MEA01, the plants and seeds of the inbred corn line MEA01, methods for producing a corn plant, either inbred or hybrid, produced by crossing the inbred corn line MEA01 with itself or with another corn plant, and hybrid corn seeds and plants produced by crossing the inbred line MEA01 with another corn line or plant and to methods for producing a corn plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic corn plants produced by that method. This invention also relates to inbred corn lines derived from inbred corn line MEA01, to methods for producing other inbred corn lines derived from inbred corn line MEA01 and to the inbred corn lines derived by the use of those methods.
US08829294B1
A soybean cultivar designated 23170671 is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of soybean cultivar 23170671, to the plants of soybean cultivar 23170671, to the plant parts of soybean cultivar 23170671, and to methods for producing progeny of soybean cultivar 23170671. The invention also relates to methods for producing a soybean plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic soybean plants and plant parts produced by those methods. The invention also relates to soybean cultivars or breeding cultivars, and plant parts derived from soybean cultivar 23170671. The invention also relates to methods for producing other soybean cultivars, lines, or plant parts derived from soybean cultivar 23170671, and to the soybean plants, varieties, and their parts derived from use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid soybean seeds, plants, and plant parts produced by crossing cultivar 23170671 with another soybean cultivar.
US08829293B1
A soybean cultivar designated 22170671 is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of soybean cultivar 22170671, to the plants of soybean cultivar 22170671, to the plant parts of soybean cultivar 22170671, and to methods for producing progeny of soybean cultivar 22170671. The invention also relates to methods for producing a soybean plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic soybean plants and plant parts produced by those methods. The invention also relates to soybean cultivars or breeding cultivars, and plant parts derived from soybean cultivar 22170671. The invention also relates to methods for producing other soybean cultivars, lines, or plant parts derived from soybean cultivar 22170671, and to the soybean plants, varieties, and their parts derived from use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid soybean seeds, plants, and plant parts produced by crossing cultivar 22170671 with another soybean cultivar.
US08829284B2
The invention provides seed and plants of broccoli hybrid RX 05900097 and the parent lines thereof. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of broccoli hybrid RX 05900097 and the parent lines thereof, and to methods for producing a broccoli plant produced by crossing such plants with themselves or with another broccoli 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.
US08829280B2
The present invention relates to lettuce plants and heads that are resistant to Nasonovia ribisnigri biotype 1 (also called herein Nr:1) as well as to progeny of the plants and propagation material for producing the plants. The invention further relates to a source of the resistance for use in breeding.
US08829268B1
A novel maize variety designated X13C713 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof, produced by crossing Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. proprietary inbred maize varieties. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprises crossing hybrid maize variety X13C713 with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X13C713 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety X13C713, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X13C713. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X13C713.
US08829251B2
Disclosed herein are processes for alcohol production by reducing an esterification product, such as ethyl acetate. The processes comprise esterifying, in the liquid phase, acetic acid and an alcohol such as ethanol to produce an esterification product. The esterification product is reduced with hydrogen in the presence of a catalyst to obtain a crude reaction mixture comprising the alcohol, in particular ethanol, which may be separated from the crude reaction mixture.
US08829229B2
New polyol ether compounds and a process for their preparation. The process comprises reacting a polyol, a carbonyl compound, and hydrogen in the presence of hydrogenation catalyst, to provide the polyol ether. The molar ratio of polyol to carbonyl compound in the process is greater than 5:1.
US08829227B2
Esters produced by the catalyzed reaction of alcohols and acids or anhydrides are neutralized by treatment with an aqueous alkaline alkali metal salt solution in an amount that provides less than a stoichiometric amount of alkali metal salt in relation to the acidity of the crude ester and the amount of water present during the treatment is from 0.8 to 1.4 wt % of water based on the weight of crude ester. When using titanium as the esterification catalyst, the ester resulting from this process contains less than 0.01 ppm by weight of titanium residue, so that it is storage stable when stored in the presence of an antioxidant.
US08829226B2
A new compound is provided, which is used for preparing lacosamide. A novel method for preparing lacosamide is also provided. During the reaction, iodomethane and silver oxide that are cost expensive are not used, nor a Pd-c catalyst is used, so the production cost is low, the raw materials and accessory materials are cheap and easily available, and the process is simple, so that industrial production is easy to realize; and moreover, the yield is high, and good economic efficiency can be achieved.
US08829219B2
The present invention provides methods for the synthesis of catalysts and precursors thereof. Methods of the invention may comprise combining a catalyst precursor and at least one ligand to generate a catalytically active species, often under mild conditions and in high yields. In some cases, a wide variety of catalysts may be synthesized from a single catalyst precursor. Methods of the invention may also include the preparation of catalysts which, under reaction conditions known in the art, may have been difficult or impossible to prepare and/or isolate due to, for example, steric crowding at the metal center. The present invention also provides catalyst compositions, and precursors thereof, which may be useful in various chemical reactions including olefin metathesis. In some cases, methods of the invention may reduce the number of synthetic and purification steps required to produce catalysts and/or other reaction products, as well as reducing time, cost, and waste production.
US08829212B2
Use a centrifuge, especially a peeler centrifuge, that has a coarse salt particle layer deposited on its screen to effect recovery of an epoxy resin, especially a liquid epoxy resin, from a product slurry, which epoxy resin has a lower residual salt content than an epoxy resin recovered without use of the coarse salt particle layer.
US08829206B2
A process for making a cyclic compounds such as cyclic acetal or cyclic ketones by feeding aldehyde or ketone compounds and polyhydroxyl compounds to a reaction zone at a molar ratio of polyhydroxyl compounds to aldehyde or ketone compounds of at least 3:1, reacting these compounds in the presence of a solid acid such as an acidic ion exchange resin, to generate a liquid reaction mixture without separating water from the reaction mixture as it is being formed in the reaction mixture, withdrawing the liquid reaction mixture from the reaction zone as a liquid product stream, and feeding the liquid reaction product stream to a distillation column to separate cyclic acetal compounds from unreacted polyhydroxyl compounds, and optionally recycling back the unreacted polyhydroxyl compounds to the reaction zone. The process produces cyclic acetal compounds in yields of at least 90% with long catalyst life. The process is also suitable to make cyclic ketals from ketone compounds.
US08829202B2
Provided is a condensed polycyclic aromatic compound that can be used as a precursor for synthesizing a condensed polycyclic aromatic compound having relatively high solubility. Also provided is a method for synthesizing and using such a novel condensed polycyclic aromatic compound. The condensed polycyclic aromatic compound is represented by formula (II): (II) (where X1 and X2 are each independently selected from the group consisting of a hydrogen atom, halogen atom, alkyl group, and the like, but at least one of X1 and X2 is a halogen atom; B is a condensed ring having at least one benzene ring moiety; each Y is independently selected from chalcogens; and A1 through A4 are each independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen atoms, halogen atoms, alkyl groups, and the like and two adjacent atoms or groups can bond together to form an aromatic group).
US08829201B2
The present invention relates to electrolyte formulations comprising at least one imidazolium difluorodicyanoborate or pyrrolidinium difluorodicyanoborate and their use in an electrochemical and/or optoelectronic device such as a photovoltaic cell, a light emitting device, an electrochromic or photo-electrochromic device, an electrochemical sensor and/or biosensor, preferably their use in a dye or quantum dot-sensitized solar cell.
US08829193B2
The present invention relates to new compounds of Formulas I and II, their tautomers, stereoisomers and polymorphs, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts, esters, metabolites or prodrugs thereof, compositions of the new compounds together with pharmaceutically acceptable carriers, and uses of the new compounds, either alone or in combination with at least one additional therapeutic agent, in the inhibition of Pim kinase activity and/or the prophylaxis or treatment of cancer.
US08829192B2
Described is the use of specific merocyanine derivatives for protecting body-care and household products from photolytic and oxidative degradation. These compounds perform outstanding UV absorber properties.
US08829182B2
A particulate SAE-CD composition is provided. The SAE-CD composition has an advantageous combination of physical properties not found in known solid forms of SAE-CD. In particular, the SAE-CD composition possesses an advantageous physicochemical and morphological property profile such that it can be tailored to particular uses. The SAE-CD composition of the invention has improved flow and dissolution performance as compared to known compositions of SAE-CD.
US08829176B2
The invention relates to isolation of novel β-actin and ribosomal protein S21 (rpS21) promoters and uses thereof. In particular, this invention features nucleotide sequences for rodent β-actin promoters including, hamster, rat, and mouse, and hamster rpS21 promoter.
US08829175B2
The invention provides for a polyvalent protein complex (PPC) comprising two polypeptide chains generally arranged laterally to one another. Each polypeptide chain typically comprises 3 or 4 “v-regions”, which comprise amino acid sequences capable of forming an antigen binding site when matched with a corresponding v-region on the opposite polypeptide chain. Up to about 6 “v-regions” can be used on each polypeptide chain. The v-regions of each polypeptide chain are connected linearly to one another and may be connected by interspersed linking regions. When arranged in the form of the PPC, the v-regions on each polypeptide chain form individual antigen binding sites.
US08829167B2
Foliamngiferosides having the general formula (I) are disclosed, wherein R is H or —OCH. The preparation method of the compounds, pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds as the active ingredients, the use of the compounds and the pharmaceutical compositions for inhibiting the activity of α-glucosidase are also disclosed. The foliamangiferosides can be used in preparing drugs for treating diabetes.
US08829164B2
Monoclonal antibodies that bind and inhibit activation of human RON (Recepteur d'Origine Nantais) are disclosed. The antibodies can be used to treat certain forms of cancer that are associated with activation of RON.
US08829161B2
Various embodiments are directed to transgenic plants, including transgenic tobacco plants and derivative seeds, genetically modified to impede the transport of Cadmium (Cd) from the root system to aerial portions of transgenic plants by reducing the expression levels of HMA-related transporters. Various embodiments are directed to transgenic tobacco plants genetically modified to stably express a RNAi construct encoding RNAi polynucleotides that enable the degradation of endogenous NtHMA RNA variants. Reduced expression of NtHMA transporters in transgenic plants results in substantially reduced content of Cadmium (Cd) in the leaf lamina. Various consumable products that are substantially free or substantially reduced in Cd content can be produced by incorporating leaves derived from transgenic tobacco plants modified to reduce the expression of NtHMA transporters.
US08829154B2
The present invention provides a simple, non-destructive and versatile method that enables layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly to be performed on virtually any substrate. A novel catechol-functionalized polymer which adsorbs to virtually all surfaces and can serve as a platform for LbL assembly in a surface-independent fashion is also provided.
US08829140B2
Disclosed herein is a process for the production of a polysiloxane-polyorgano block copolymer. The process includes reacting a reaction mixture containing (a) an ester-functional polydiorganosiloxane and (b) a bisphenolic compound or a bisphenolic compound oligomer. This process has the advantage of yielding block copolymers with controlled block structures and avoiding the impurities that may be carried over from the conventional hydroxyaryloxy-terminated-polydiorganosiloxanes.
US08829138B2
This invention relates to a process for polymerizing olefins in which the amount of trimethylaluminum in a methylalumoxane solution is adjusted to be from 1 to 25 mol %, prior to use as an activator, where the mol % trimethylaluminum is determined by 1H NMR of the solution prior to combination with any support. This invention also relates to a process for polymerizing olefins in which the amount of an unknown species present in a methylalumoxane solution is adjusted to be from 0.10 to 0.65 integration units prior to use as an activator, where the amount of the unknown species is determined by the 1H NMR spectra of the solution performed prior to combination with any support. Preferably, the methylalumoxane solution is present in a catalyst system also comprising a metallocene transition metal compound.
US08829125B2
Methods of controlling polymerization reactions using a synergistic amount of hydrogen and an organozinc compound are disclosed. The resulting polymers have lower molecular weights and higher melt flow indices.
US08829119B2
A crosslinked product of a polyarylene is disclosed, having high-temperature elastomeric properties and excellent chemical resistance. The crosslinked materials are useful in oil and gas downhole applications in the form of either solids or foams. Methods for the manufacture of the crosslinked product and articles comprising the product are also disclosed.
US08829109B2
Improved poly(amido ethylenimine) copolymers for gene delivery are disclosed. One illustrative embodiment includes polyethylene glycol (PEG) covalently bonded to a branched poly(triethyenetetramine/cystamine bisacrylamide) copolymer (poly(TETA/CBA)). The polyethylene glycol can be linear or branched. Another illustrative embodiment includes an RGD peptide covalently bonded to the poly(TETA/CBA)-PEG conjugate. Still another illustrative embodiment includes a method of using these compositions for transfecting a cell with a nucleic acid.
US08829106B2
Thermoplastic compositions including component C, an ethylene/α-olefin interpolymer wherein the interpolymer has a Mooney Viscosity (ML 1+4, 125° C.) greater than, or equal to 55 and a ΔHf greater than, or equal to 36 J/g; and component D, a high density polyethylene (HDPE) are provided. In particular, the thermoplastic compositions are characterized by the ethylene/α-olefin interpolymer which is an ethylene/a-olefin/diene interpolymer having a rheology ratio (V0.1/V 100) at 190° C. greater than, or equal to 25. Also are provided the articles comprising the thermoplastic compositions.
US08829103B2
A composite material includes: carbon fibers having an average fiber length of more than about 10 mm and about 100 mm or less; and a thermoplastic resin. The carbon fibers are substantially two-dimensionally-randomly oriented. The composite material includes a carbon fiber bundle (A) in a ratio of more than 0 volume % and less than about 30 volume % to a total volume of the carbon fibers, the carbon fiber bundle (A) including the carbon fibers of a critical single fiber number defined by formula (1) or more. An average number (N) of the carbon fibers in the carbon fiber bundle (A) satisfies formula (2). Critical single fiber number=600/D (1) 1.0×104/D2
US08829101B2
A windmill blade which comprises reinforcing fibers in a toughened resin matrix. The resin matrix is made from a composition which comprises (a) one or more epoxy resins and/or one or more epoxy vinyl ester resins, (b) one or more reactive diluents, and (c) at least one amphiphilic block copolymer. The amphiphilic block copolymer comprises at least two different polyether blocks and is present in the composition in an amount of from about 0.5% to about 10% by volume, based on the total volume of the matrix composition.
US08829098B2
The present invention provides a polylactic acid resin composition, containing a polylactic acid resin and a metal hydrate surface-treated with at least one silane coupling agent selected from an amino-silane coupling agent, a mercapto-silane coupling agent and an isocyanate-silane coupling agent, wherein the content of an alkali metal component in the metal hydrate is not more than 0.2% by mass and a polylactic acid resin molded article produced by molding the polylactic acid resin composition.
US08829097B2
PLA-containing materials, and building components containing such materials, include: polylactic acid (PLA); one or more inorganic pigments; and one or more stabilizers that includes one or more carbodiimide groups.
US08829089B1
A xerographic fuser member that contains a composition comprising a mixture of a polyimide and a neutralized amine alcohol phosphate.
US08829088B1
A xerographic fuser member that contains a composition of a polyimide and an alcohol phosphate.
US08829086B2
Disclosed is a glass fiber-reinforced polycarbonate flame-retardant resin composition which comprises (A) 50 to 75% by weight of polycarbonate having a melt index of 22 g/10 min or more (300° C., 1.2 kg), (B) 3 to 15% by weight of a rubber-modified styrene-based graft copolymer, (C) 3 to 10% by weight of a bulk copolymer of an aromatic vinyl compound and a vinyl cyan compound, (D) 1 to 10% by weight of an ethylene acrylate-based copolymer, (E) 10 to 25% by weight of glass fiber, and (F) 5 to 20% by weight of an aromatic phosphate ester-based compound, and thus advantageously exhibits superior flowability, flame retardancy, hardness, impact resistance and appearance qualities.
US08829082B2
A self-healing capsule may contain a self-healing agent, a polymer shell encapsulating the self-healing agent, and at least one functional group orthogonal to the surface of the polymer shell. This self-healing capsule may be covalently bonded into a polymeric material by the orthogonal functional group. The self-healing capsules may be formed through microencapsulation.
US08829080B2
Disclosed is a coating agent characterized by comprising: a core-shell-type resin particles (A) each having a shell layer and a core layer; a compound (B) having at least one selected from the group consisting of a hydrolysable silyl group and a silanol group and also having an epoxy group; and an aqueous medium, wherein the shell layer comprises (a1) a urethane resin with 2000 to 5500 mmol/kg of an aliphatic cyclic structure and at least one selected from the group consisting of a carboxyl group and a carboxylate group and the core layer comprises (a2) a vinyl polymer having a basic nitrogen-atom-containing group. Further disclosed are a coating agent for a plastic base material and a coating agent for a metallic base material.
US08829072B2
The invention provides a polymer based material comprising a water binding agent present in an amount sufficient to chemically and/or physically absorb and/or adsorb water to prevent degradation of the polymer. The invention also provides a polymer based material comprising a plasticizer or organic solvent as well as a multi-component material or composite including materials encompassing a second polymer and/or an active agent. The invention further provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising the aforesaid polymer based material, which can be used for treatment of bone, cartilage and/or periodontal defects.
US08829060B2
A membrane comprising a blend of a sulfonated poly(aryl ether) and a phenol compound along with methods for making and using the same. Many additional embodiments are described including applications for such membranes.
US08829059B2
Disclosed herein are methanol production processes that include a sweep-based membrane separation step using a membrane that is selective to carbon dioxide over hydrogen. Using the processes of the invention, the efficiency of methanol production from syngas is increased by reducing the compression requirements of the process and/or improving the methanol product yield. In certain embodiments, a hydrogen-rich stream is generated; this hydrogen-rich stream can be sent for other uses. An additional benefit is that the processes of the invention may debottleneck existing methanol plants if more syngas or carbon dioxide is available, allowing for feed of imported carbon dioxide into the synthesis loop. This is a way of sequestering carbon dioxide.
US08829053B2
An antimicrobial composition with synergistic biocidal activity is described which comprises at least one antimicrobial polymeric biguanide and at least one antimicrobial vicinal diol, said vicinal diol comprises at least one monoalkyl glycol, monoalkyl glycerol, or monoacyl glycerol, to diminish or eliminate biofilm communities. Such synergistic interaction is effective in wound treatment, particularly for chronic wounds, burns and battlefield-induced wounds, as well as for disinfecting non-biological surfaces. The antimicrobial composition can also be prepared as viscous solutions or as gels. The antimicrobial composition may be added to a substrate and dried, such as to a catheter, or to a foam, or to a fiber wound dressing, or coated as a viscous solution or gel upon such devices, to provide controlled release antimicrobial activity.
US08829052B2
This invention concerns N-(2-arylamino)aryl sulfonamides, which are inhibitors of MEK and are useful in treatment of cancer and other hyperproliferative diseases.
US08829049B2
The use of cubebin, dibenzylbutyrolactolic lignan, its semi-synthetic and synthetic derivatives for the treatment of erectile dysfunction is shown and disclosed.
US08829044B2
The present invention relates to a stabilized vitamin C derivative with a peptide molecule linked to vitamin C or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, a method of preparing the same, and a composition containing the same.
US08829043B2
The invention relates to (among other things) oligomer-cannabinoid conjugates and related compounds. A conjugate of the invention, when administered by any of a number of administration routes, exhibits advantages over previously administered un-conjugated cannabinoid compounds.
US08829036B2
Disclosed are compounds of the formula I or a stereoisomer, tautomer, or pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof, wherein each variable in Formula 1 are as defined in the specification; and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds of formula I. Also disclosed are methods of inhibiting aspartyl protease, and in particular, the methods of treating cardiovascular diseases, cognitive and neurodegenerative diseases, and the methods of inhibiting of Human Immunodeficiency Virus, plasmepins, cathepsin D and protozoal enzymes. Also disclosed are methods of treating cognitive or neurodegenerative diseases using the compounds of formula I in combination with a cholinesterase inhibitor or a muscarinic m1 agonist or m2 antagonist.
US08829029B2
The present invention relates to compounds of the formula (I) wherein R1, R2, X and n are as defined in the specification as dual modulators of the serotonin 5-HT2a and dopamine D3 receptors, their manufacture, pharmaceutical compositions containing them and their use for the treatment of psychotic disorders, as well as other diseases such as depression and anxiety, drug dependence, dementias and memory impairment.
US08829006B2
The present invention relates to new CGRP-antagonists of general formula I wherein U, V, X, Y, R1, R2, R3 and R4 are defined as mentioned in the description, the tautomers thereof, the isomers thereof, the diastereomers thereof, the enantiomers thereof, the hydrates thereof, the mixtures thereof and the salts thereof as well as the hydrates of the salts, particularly the physiologically acceptable salts thereof with inorganic or organic acids or bases, medicaments containing these compounds, the use thereof and processes for the preparation thereof.
US08829001B2
The present invention relates to a novel piperazine derivative represented by Formula I having an activity for regulating dopamine D3 receptor, stereoisomers thereof, pharmaceutically acceptable salts or solvates, and a pharmaceutical composition comprising the compound, a process for preparing the same, and use thereof in the prevention or treatment of a disease associated with central nervous system dysfunction, such as Parkinson's disease, schizophrenia, drug addiction and relapse, as well as kidney protection and immunoregulation, or as a tool for researching D3R function or diseases associated with D3R dysfunction.
US08829000B2
The invention discloses quinoxaline derivatives or salts thereof having PDE9-inhibiting activity and being useful as treating agent of dysuria and the like, which are represented by the formula (I) in the formula, R1 and R2 each independently stands for hydrogen, halogen, alkyl, alkoxy, acyl, amino and the like, R3 stands for alkyl, aryl, saturated carbocyclic group, saturated heterocyclic group, acyl and the like, R4 stands for hydrogen, hydroxy, alkyl or amino, R5 and R8 each independently stands for hydrogen, halogen, alkyl, alkenyl, alkoxy, cyano or nitro, R6 and R7 each independently stands for hydrogen, halogen, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, alkoxy, cyano, amino, carbocyclic group, heterocyclic group, COR9 or SO2R9, R9 stands for hydrogen, hydroxy, alkyl, amino, pyrrolidin-1-yl, piperidin-1-yl, pyperazin-1-yl or the like, X stands for S or O, and A1, A2 and A3 each independently stands for N or C.
US08828987B2
The invention relates pyridine amide derivative of Formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein R1 and R2 are independently hydrogen, linear o branched (C1-C3)alkyl or joined together they form a cyclopropyl ring; R is independently selected from the group consisting of halogens and trifluoromethyl and p is 1, 2 or 3; A is C or N; E is a group of formula (B) or (C), wherein B is C(O)OH, C(O)O(C1-C3)alkyl, and C is selected from the group consisting of formula (I) m is 1,2 or 3, n is 0 or 1, W is —O—, —O(C1-C3 alkyl)-; —(C1-C3 alkyl)O—; —C(O)—; —C(═N—O(C1-C3 alkyl))-; —NH— or —NH(C1-C3alkyl)-; Ar is phenyl, optionally substituted with one or more substituents selected from the group consisting of halogen, trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethoxy, methyl, —NH(C1-C3alkyl)-; —N(C1-C3alkyl)(C1-C3alkyl)-, a from 5 to 7 membered heterocyclic ring containing one nitrogen atom which is covalently bonded to Ar and optionally containing one or two heteroatoms selected from N, O and S; and a 5- or 6-membered heteroaromatic ring containing 1 to 3 heteroatoms selected from S, O e N, such heteroaromatic ring being substituted with one or two substituents selected from the group consisting of (C1-C3)alkyl, (C3-C5)cycloalkyloxy, (C1-C3)alkylcarbonyl. The compounds of the invention could be used for manufacturing a medicament for the treatment of pathologies which require the use of an antagonist of the EP4 receptor, such as the treatment of acute and chronic pain, inflammatory pain, osteoarthritis, inflammation-associated disorder as arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, cancer, endometriosis and migraine.
US08828985B2
This invention relates to novel compounds of the Formula (I) pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, and pharmaceutical compositions thereof, which are useful for the therapeutic treatment of diseases associated with the modulation or inhibition of 11β-HSD1 in mammals. The invention further relates to pharmaceutical compositions of the novel compounds of the Formula (I) and methods for their use in the reduction or control of the production of cortisol in a cell or the inhibition of the conversion of cortisone to cortisol in a cell.
US08828978B2
The presently described technology provides compositions comprising aryl carboxylic acids chemically conjugated to hydrocodone (morphinan-6-one, 4,5-alpha-epoxy-3-methoxy-17-methyl) to form novel prodrugs/compositions of hydrocodone, including benzoates and heteroaryl carboxylic acids, which have a decreased potential for abuse of hydrocodone. The present technology also provides methods of treating patients, pharmaceutical kits and methods of synthesizing conjugates of the present technology.
US08828975B2
A phosphate-containing nanoparticle delivery vehicle includes a nanoparticle, an active ingredient, and a phosphodiester moiety connecting the nanoparticle and the active ingredient and forms a prodrug. The nanoparticle delivery vehicle achieves the function of increasing hydrophilicity of the active ingredient and specificity against tumor cells. Advantages of the nanoparticle material include biocompatibility, magnetism and/or controllable drug release.
US08828974B2
The present invention relates to a series of substituted 3-aminopropane phosphinic acid derivatives of formula I: wherein R, R1, P1, P2 and P3 are as defined herein. The compounds of this invention are useful in treating a variety of diseases including but not limited to depression, anxiety, certain psychiatric symptoms, cognitive impairment and schizophrenia.
US08828970B2
A method comprising administering an oligosaccharide composition to an organism having a gastrointestinal system to affect the production of GHG produced by the organism allowing for a reduction of the GHG produced by the organism while optimizing the health, feed intake, and protein synthesis of the organism so that management of the organism may realize the synergistic effects of maximizing both typical organism commodity-type concerns (e.g., size and production metrics) and atypical organism commodity-type concerns (e.g., carbon credit trading/monetization). A gas-reducing composition comprising soluble extractable material from a lignocellulosic source. A method of producing a composition, comprising providing a lignocellulosic source; extracting soluble materials from the lignocellulosic source to produce soluble extractable material; and processing the soluble extractable material to yield a gas-reducing composition, wherein the gas-reducing composition comprises hemicellulose and exhibits gas-reducing activity.
US08828962B2
No antiviral regimen has been consistently successful in treating H5N1 virus infection. We demonstrate that a group of highly effective siRNAs targeting different H5N1 viral genes shares a unique motif, GGAGU/ACUCC. We further demonstrate that the effectiveness of siRNAs containing this motif is not sequence specific. The results suggested that the structure of the unique motif is critical in determining the potency of siRNA-mediated protective effects against viral infection and this potent in vivo protection is associated with early productions of β-defensin and IL-6 induced by the motif. Provided are methods and prophylactic and therapeutic agents useful against other viral infections in addition to the H5N1 influenza virus.
US08828957B2
Provided are methods of generating an immune response to an antigen. The method comprises priming an individual by administering an expression vector encoding the antigen. The vectors comprises a transcription unit encoding a secretable fusion protein, the fusion protein containing an antigen and CD40 ligand. Administration of a fusion protein containing the antigen and CD40 ligand is used to enhance the immune response above that obtained by vector administration alone. The invention methods may be used to generate an immune response against cancer expressing a tumor antigen such as a mucin or human papilloma viral tumor antigen and to generate an immune response against an infectious agent. Also provided is a method for simultaneously producing the expression vector and the fusion protein.
US08828939B2
The present invention relates to modified cDNA sequences coding for vitamin K-dependent polypeptides, in particular human Factor VII, human Factor VIIa, human Factor IX and human protein C and their derivatives with improved stability and extended plasma half life, recombinant expression vectors containing such cDNA sequences, host cells transformed with such recombinant expression vectors, recombinant polypeptides and derivatives which do have biological activities of the unmodified wild type protein but having improved stability and processes for the manufacture of such recombinant proteins and their derivatives. The invention also covers a transfer vector for use in human gene therapy, which comprises such modified DNA sequences.
US08828937B2
The present invention is directed to an isolated peptide comprising or consisting of an amino acid sequence with an amino acid identity of at least 90% compared to mature human BMP2 with SEQ ID No. 1, characterized in that said amino acid sequence comprises at least two amino acid substitutions characterized in that a first amino acid substitution occurs at a position corresponding to N59, S88, E94, V99, K101 and/or N102 of SEQ ID No. 1 and to uses thereof.
US08828936B2
The present disclosure is generally related to methods of using the secretory protein SCGB3A2 for promoting lung development and treating lung disease. Some embodiments are, for example, methods for treating and inhibiting the development of neonatal respiratory distress. Other embodiments are methods of promoting lung development in damaged or diseased lungs. Also disclosed are methods for inhibiting lung damage due to anti-cancer agents.
US08828928B2
The inventions provided herein relate to amphiphilic peptides and particles comprising the amphiphilic peptides. Such amphiphilic peptides and particles described herein can be used as a delivery system, e.g., for therapeutic or diagnostic purposes, or as cell penetration vehicles or cell transfection agents.
US08828927B2
The present invention provides compositions for the therapeutic and/or cosmetic treatment of Elastin comprising tissues. Therapeutic and cosmetic compositions comprising an elastin digest stimulate the endogenous production of Elastin and appear to enhance the elasticity of the skin and provide an external supply of peptide precursors of Elastin that penetrate into the tissue to which it is applied. The present invention describes compositions containing an elastin digest derived from proteolytic digestion of insoluble elastin derived from mammalian ligaments with a protein digesting composition, such as proteinase K. The elastin digest is a mixture of elastin peptides wherein the elastin peptide mixture comprises peptides of the sequence GXXPG, wherein X represents one of the natural amino acids. The elastin digest of the present invention may also comprise epitopes of cytokines, growth factors and di-peptides. Methods of using these elastin digest comprising compositions for treating tissues in need of increased elasticity and or Elastin are described.
US08828919B2
A cleaning compound for cleaning surfaces that includes at least one container, with each container including a peroxide and/or an alkaline reactant therein. The alkaline reactant is selected to raise the pH of the cleaning compound into the alkaline range when the peroxide and the alkaline reactant are mixed together. The cleaning compound may be a liquid or dry compound, which is applied to the surface to be cleaned.
US08828916B2
The present invention relates to a process for preparing nonylated diphenylamines which improves nonene usage by recycling and reusing stripped nonene from an earlier process. The process comprising consecutive recycle of recovered nonene is conducted at a sequential two step temperature reaction, namely a more severe temperature followed by a lower temperature. The product prepared by this process is a useful antioxidant for lubricating oil compositions.
US08828914B2
A method of controlling or arresting the rate of depolymerization of a polymer composition during a biocide treatment by controlling the pH of the composition, and use of such methods in oilfield applications.
US08828907B2
The present invention relates to novel active compound combinations comprising, firstly, at least one known compound of the formula (I) in which R1 and A have the meanings given in the description and, secondly, at least one further known active compound from the class of the chitin synthesis inhibitors, the molting hormone agonists or other classes, which combinations are highly suitable for controlling animal pests such as insects and unwanted acarids.
US08828898B2
A glass plate made of soda lime silica glass containing at least MgO, CaO, Na2O and Al2O3 produced by a float process or a downdraw method, wherein [MgO] is at least 4.5%, [MgO]/[CaO] is larger than 1, and Q=([MgO]/[CaO])×([CaO]+[Na2O]−[Al2O3]) is at least 20, wherein [MgO] is the content of MgO, [CaO] is the content of CaO, [Na2O] is the content of Na2O, and [Al2O3] is the content of Al2O3 (each being as represented by mass percentage based on oxide) and a process for the glass plate.
US08828897B2
The invention relates to an alumino-silicate glass which has a thermal expansion coefficient in the range of 8 to 10×10−6/K in a temperature range of 20 to 300° C., a transformation temperature Tg in a range of 580° C. to 640° C., and a processing temperature VA in a range of 1065° C. to 1140° C. and which can therefore be used as an alternative for soda lime glasses. An object of the invention is also the use of the inventive glasses in applications where a high temperature stability of the glasses is advantageous, in particular as substrate glass, superstrate glass and/or cover glass in the field of semiconductor technology, preferably for Cd—Te or for CIS or CIGS photovoltaic applications and for other applications in solar technology.
US08828890B2
Provided is a method of depositing a cyclic thin film that can provide excellent film properties and step coverage. The method comprises the steps of forming a silicon thin film by repeating a silicon deposition step for depositing silicon on a substrate by injecting a silicon precursor into a chamber into which the substrate is loaded and a first purge step for removing a non-reacted silicon precursor and a reacted byproduct from the chamber; and forming the insulating film including silicon from the silicon thin film by forming a plasma atmosphere into the chamber.
US08828883B2
Apparatuses and methods for processing substrates are disclosed. A processing apparatus includes a chamber for generating a plasma therein, an electrode associated with the chamber, and a signal generator coupled to the electrode. The signal generator applies a DC pulse to the electrode with sufficient amplitude and sufficient duty cycle of an on-time and an off-time to cause events within the chamber. A plasma is generated from a gas in the chamber responsive to the amplitude of the DC pulse. Energetic ions are generated by accelerating ions of the plasma toward a substrate in the chamber in response to the amplitude of the DC pulse during the on-time. Some of the energetic ions are neutralized to energetic neutrals in response to the DC pulse during the off-time. Some of the energetic neutrals impact the substrate with sufficient energy to cause a chemical reaction on the substrate.
US08828875B1
Provided is a method of planarizing a semiconductor device. A dielectric layer is formed over a substrate. A plurality of openings is formed in the dielectric layer. The openings have varying distribution densities. The openings are filled with a metal material. A first chemical-mechanical-polishing (CMP) process is performed to remove portions of the metal material over the dielectric layer. Thereafter, a sacrificial layer is formed over the dielectric layer and the metal material. The sacrificial layer has a planar surface. The sacrificial layer is formed through one of: a spin-on process or a flowable chemical vapor deposition (FCVD) process. A second CMP process is then performed to remove the sacrificial layer and portions of the dielectric layer and the metal material therebelow. The second CMP process uses a slurry configured to have a substantially similar polishing selectivity between the sacrificial layer, the dielectric layer, and the metal material.
US08828870B2
A metal interconnect structure and a method of manufacturing the metal interconnect structure. Manganese (Mn) is incorporated into a copper (Cu) interconnect structure in order to modify the microstructure to achieve bamboo-style grain boundaries in sub-90 nm technologies. Preferably, bamboo grains are separated at distances less than the “Blech” length so that copper (Cu) diffusion through grain boundaries is avoided. The added Mn also triggers the growth of Cu grains down to the bottom surface of the metal line so that a true bamboo microstructure reaching to the bottom surface is formed and the Cu diffusion mechanism along grain boundaries oriented along the length of the metal line is eliminated.
US08828859B2
A microcrystalline semiconductor film is formed over a substrate using a plasma CVD apparatus which includes a reaction chamber in such a manner that a deposition gas and hydrogen are supplied to the reaction chamber in which the substrate is set between a first electrode and a second electrode; and plasma is generated in the reaction chamber by supplying high-frequency power to the first electrode. Note that the plasma density in a region overlapping with an end portion of the substrate in a region where the plasma is generated is set to be higher than that in a region which is positioned more on the inside than the region overlapping with the end portion of the substrate, so that the microcrystalline semiconductor film is formed over a region which is positioned more on the inside than the end portion of the substrate.
US08828858B2
Interlayer dielectric gap fill processes are enhanced by forming gate spacers with a tapered profile. Embodiments include forming a gate electrode on a substrate, depositing a spacer material over the gate electrode and substrate, the spacer layer having a first surface nearest the gate electrode and substrate, a second surface furthest from the gate electrode and substrate, and a continuously increasing etch rate from the first surface to the second surface, and etching the spacer layer to form a spacer on each side of the gate electrode. Embodiments further include forming the spacer layer by depositing a spacer material and continuously decreasing the density of the spacer material during deposition or depositing a carbon-containing spacer material and causing a gradient of carbon content in the spacer layer.
US08828856B2
Provided is a TFT substrate (10) on which vapor-deposited sections are to be formed by use of a vapor deposition device (50) which includes a vapor deposition source (85) having injection holes (86); and a vapor deposition mask (81) having opening (82) through which vapor deposition particles are deposited to form the vapor-deposited sections. The TFT substrate (10) includes pixels two-dimensionally arranged in a pixel region (AG); and wires (14) electrically connected to the respective pixels. The vapor-deposited sections (Q) are formed with gaps (X) therebetween, and the wires (14) having respective terminals that are disposed in the gaps (X).
US08828852B2
Systems and methods for producing high quantum efficiency silicon devices. A silicon MBE has a preparation chamber that provides for cleaning silicon surfaces using an oxygen plasma to remove impurities and a gaseous (dry) NH3+NF3 room temperature oxide removal process that leaves the silicon surface hydrogen terminated. Silicon wafers up to 8 inches in diameter have devices that can be fabricated using the cleaning procedures and MBE processing, including delta doping.
US08828845B2
Provided is a method of fabricating an oxide thin film device using laser lift-off and an oxide thin film device fabricated by the same. The method includes: forming an oxide thin film on a growth substrate; bonding a temporary substrate on the oxide thin film; irradiating laser onto the growth substrate to separate the oxide thin film on which the temporary substrate has been bonded from the growth substrate; bonding a device substrate on the oxide thin film on which the temporary substrate has been bonded; and forming an upper electrode film on the oxide thin film. Therefore, it is possible to overcome problems caused by a defective layer by transferring an oxide thin film transferred on a polymer-based temporary substrate onto a device substrate, without using an interface on which a defective layer formed due to oxygen diffusion upon laser lift-off is formed.
US08828838B2
An integrated circuit device and methods of manufacturing the same are disclosed. In an example, integrated circuit device includes a capacitor having a doped region disposed in a semiconductor substrate, a dielectric layer disposed over the doped region, and an electrode disposed over the dielectric layer. At least one post feature embedded in the electrode.
US08828829B2
A method for fabricating a semiconductor device includes forming a plurality of bit line structures over a substrate, forming contact holes between the bit line structures, forming sacrificial spacers on sidewalls of the contact holes, forming first plugs recessed inside the contact holes, forming air gaps by removing the sacrificial spacers, forming conductive capping layers capping the first plugs and the air gaps, and forming second plugs over the conductive capping layers.
US08828823B2
A semiconductor device and method for fabricating a semiconductor device is disclosed. An exemplary semiconductor device includes a substrate including a fin structure including one or more fins disposed on the substrate. The semiconductor device further includes a dielectric layer disposed on a central portion of the fin structure and traversing each of the one or more fins. The semiconductor device further includes a work function metal disposed on the dielectric layer and traversing each of the one or more fins. The semiconductor device further includes a strained material disposed on the work function metal and interposed between each of the one or more fins. The semiconductor device further includes a signal metal disposed on the work function metal and on the strained material and traversing each of the one or more fins.
US08828818B1
Methods of fabricating integrated circuit device with fin transistors having different threshold voltages are provided. The methods may include forming first and second semiconductor fins including first and second semiconductor materials, respectively, and covering at least one among the first and second semiconductor fins with a mask. The methods may further include depositing a compound semiconductor layer including the first and second semiconductor materials directly onto sidewalls of the first and second semiconductor fins not covered by the mask and oxidizing the compound semiconductor layer. The oxidization process oxidizes the first semiconductor material within the compound semiconductor layer while driving the second semiconductor material within the compound semiconductor layer into the sidewalls of the first and second semiconductor fins not covered by the mask.
US08828813B2
The present disclosure relates to a device and method for strain inducing or high mobility channel replacement in a semiconductor device. The semiconductor device is configured to control current from a source to a drain through a channel region by use of a gate. A strain inducing or high mobility layer produced in the channel region between the source and drain can result in better device performance compared to Si, faster devices, faster data transmission, and is fully compatible with the current semiconductor manufacturing infrastructure.
US08828808B2
A photoelectric conversion apparatus includes: an active matrix-type TFT array substrate on which photoelectric conversion elements and thin film transistors are arranged in a matrix shape, wherein the photoelectric conversion element connects with a drain electrode via a contact hole opened through a first interlayer insulation film provided above the thin film transistor, wherein a data line and a bias line are connected with the source electrode and the photoelectric conversion element via respective contact holes opened through the second interlayer insulation, and wherein at least a part of the photoelectric conversion element is fixed to have a shape different from a normal pixel between pixels adjacent to each other in an extending direction of the gate line, and an electrical connection between the photoelectric conversion element and the data line is cut off in the transistor of the pixel having the different shape.
US08828792B2
Disclosed herein are methods for assembling nanostructures. The assembling methods include contacting the plurality of nanostructures to a substrate having one or more discontinuities. At least a portion of the plurality of nanostructures assemble adjacent to the discontinuity, the assembled nanostructures including at least one nanostructure having a bridging, molecule. Devices, such as field-effect transistors, are also disclosed.
US08828782B2
Processes for making a solar cell by depositing various layers of components on a substrate and converting the components into a thin film photovoltaic absorber material. Processes of this disclosure can be used to control the stoichiometry of metal atoms in making a solar cell for targeting a particular concentration and providing a gradient of metal atom concentration. A selenium layer can be used in annealing a thin film photovoltaic absorber material.
US08828777B2
The present invention discloses a wafer level image sensor packaging structure and a manufacturing method of the same. The manufacturing method includes the following steps: providing a silicon wafer, dicing the silicon wafer, providing a plurality of transparent lids, fabricating a plurality of semi-finished products, performing a packaging process, mounting solder balls, and cutting an encapsulant between the semi-finished products. The manufacturing method of the invention has the advantage of being straightforward, uncomplicated, and cost-saving. Thus, the wafer level image sensor package structure is lightweight, thin, and compact. To prevent the image sensor chip from cracking on impact during handling, the encapsulant will be arranged on the lateral sides of the semi-finished products during the packaging process.
US08828774B2
Herein disclosed is a method of forming a thermoelectric material having an optimized stoichiometry, the method comprising: reacting a precursor material including a population of nanocrystals with a first ionic solution and a second ionic solution to form a reacted mixture.
US08828766B2
A light-emitting device and a method of fabricating the same, in which the light emission characteristics of the light-emitting device in the UV range are maximized such that a high-efficiency light-emitting device can be produced at low cost. For this, the method includes the step of forming a zinc oxide light-emitting layer on a base substrate, the zinc oxide light-emitting layer including zinc oxide doped with a dopant; and activating the dopant by rapidly heat-treating the zinc oxide light-emitting layer, so that light emission in an ultraviolet range is increased.
US08828742B2
A method of manufacturing a magnetoresistive effect element includes forming a first electrode above a substrate, forming a metal layer of a metal material above the first electrode, forming a first magnetic layer above the metal layer, forming a tunnel insulating film above the first magnetic layer, forming a second magnetic layer above the tunnel insulating film, forming a second electrode layer above the second magnetic layer, patterning the second electrode layer, patterning the second magnetic layer, the tunnel insulating film, the first magnetic layer and the metal layer, while depositing sputtered particles of the metal film on side walls of the second magnetic layer, the tunnel insulating film, the first magnetic layer and the metal layer to form a sidewall metal layer, and oxidizing the sidewall metal layer to form an insulative sidewall metal oxide layer.
US08828739B2
Rapid lateral flow immunoassays have an extensive history of use in both the clinical and home settings. These devices are used to test for a variety of analytes, such as drugs of abuse, hormones, proteins, urine or plasma components and the like. The present invention provides an improved procedural control that indicates to the test user that at least a portion of the applied sample has passed through the test result zone of the test strip, and optionally that the test is complete and the test results may be read.
US08828736B2
We have developed an microelectroporation device that combines microarrays of oligonucleotides, microfluidic channels, and electroporation for cell transfection and high-throughput screening applications (e.g. RNA interference screens). Microarrays allow the deposition of thousands of different oligonucleotides in microscopic spots. Microfluidic channels and microwells enable efficient loading of cells into the device and prevent cross-contamination between different oligonucleotides spots. Electroporation allows optimal transfection of nucleic acids into cells (especially hard-to-transfect cells such as primary cells) by minimizing cell death while maximizing transfection efficiency. This invention has the advantage of a higher throughput and lower cost, while preventing cross-contamination compared to conventional screening technologies. Moreover, this device does not require bulky robotic liquid handling equipment and is inherently safer given that it is a closed system.
US08828732B2
The method of labeling a sugar chain from a biological sample employs a single reaction vessel for the sequential performance of the following steps of (a) isolating a sugar chain from a sample using a sugar-trapping substance; (b) washing the sugar-trapping substance having the sugar chains trapped thereon; (c) releasing the sugar chain from the sugar-trapping substance; and (d) labeling the released sugar chain with UV/visible or fluorescent compound having an amino group forming a stable labeled sugar in fewer steps than a conventional ion exchange based technique.
US08828730B2
Disclosed is a method for measuring thrombin generation in a whole blood sample. The whole blood sample may be applied forthwith, without prior processing. The blood cells and blood plasma in the whole blood sample are separated by (lateral) flow migration. Also disclosed is an assembly of a sample support and a device dedicated to measure thrombin generation in a whole blood sample. Advantageously, the sample support comprises a separator medium allowing separation of whole blood into blood cells and blood plasma by means of (lateral) flow migration.
US08828725B2
A culture medium is used for culturing neural cells. Each neural cell includes a neural cell body and at least one neurite branched from the neural cell body. The culture medium includes a substrate and a carbon nanotube structure located on the substrate. The carbon nanotube structure includes a number of carbon nanotube wires spaced apart from each other. A distance between adjacent carbon nanotube wires is greater than or equal to diameters of the neural cell bodies. The carbon nanotube wires are capable of guiding extending directions of the neurites.
US08828721B1
The present invention provides a method of inducing myelination of isolated motoneurons by preparing a non-biological substrate having thereon a covalently attached monolayer of DETA; depositing isolated motoneurons on the substrate in a defined serum-free medium; plating isolated Schwann cells cultured in the defined serum-free medium onto the motoneurons, thereby initiating a co-culture; and passaging the co-culture as necessary into fresh, defined serum-free medium supplemented with L-ascorbic acid at least until the motoneurons form Nodes of Ranvier indicative of myelination. The invention also includes a method of testing for new drugs effective in demyelinating diseases. Additionally, cellular products provided by the invention include an isolated motoneurons myelinated or remyelinated in vitro according to the methods disclosed.
US08828718B2
The present invention relates to a gene transfer vector (GTV) and in particular to an integrating gene transfer vector (IGTV), which comprises at least one genetic insulator element (GIE), wherein the each comprises at least two copies of an element selected from the group consisting of: a CTF binding site; a first CTCF binding site and a second CTCF binding site, wherein the first and the second CTCF binding sites are derived from the regulatory sequences of different genes.
US08828715B2
A method for characterizing particle adhesion in microfluidic bifurcations and junctions comprises at least one idealized bifurcation or junction. Multiple bifurcations and/or junctions can be combined on a single microfluidic chip to create microfluidic networks configured for assays specifically to characterize particle interactions at junctions or to screen particles for desired interactions with microfluidic bifurcations and/or junctions.
US08828699B2
Disclosed are: a eukaryotic amadoriase which is prepared by introducing a mutation into DNA encoding a eukaryotic amadoriase derived from a microorganism belonging to the genus Coniochaeta or Eupenicillium so as to introduce a substitution into a specific amino acid residue in the eukaryotic amadoriase, thereby overcoming the defect associated with thermal stability; a gene or recombinant DNA for the eukaryotic amadoriase; and a process for production of a eukaryotic amadoriase having excellent thermal stability.
US08828688B2
Compositions and methods for amplifying selected polynucleotides, including DNA and RNA, particularly in multiplex amplification reactions using common primers amplification. Generally, methods of the invention employ multiple steps such as template-specific hybridization, a linear amplification, partial degradation of nucleic acid, and ligation. At the end of the process the sequences of selected polynucleotides are flanked by the common sequences which can be used for exponential amplification using common primers. In some aspects the polynucleotides are associated with a barcode and the presence of the barcode is detected to measure the amount of the polynucleotide.
US08828686B2
The invention relates to mammalian PAI-I ligands and modulators. In particular, the invention relates to polypeptides, polypeptide compositions and polynucleotides that encode polypeptides that are ligands and/or modulators of PAI-I. The invention also relates to polyligands that are homopolyligands or heteropolyligands that modulate PAI-I activity. The invention also relates to ligands and polyligands localized to a region of a cell. The invention also relates to localization tethers and promoter sequences that can be used to provide spatial control of the PAI-I ligands and polyligands. The invention also relates to inducible gene switches that can be used to provide temporal control of the PAI-I ligands and polyligands. The invention also relates to methods of treating or preventing atherosclerosis. The invention also relates to methods of treating or preventing fibrosis.
US08828685B2
Isolated monomelic aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase polypeptides and polynucleotides having non-canonical biological activities are provided, as well as compositions and methods related thereto.
US08828679B2
Disclosed is a method for detecting a biological signal of a three-dimensional cell culture construct. The method for detecting a biological signal of a three-dimensional cell culture construct includes: providing a three-dimensional cell culture construct that contains at least two cell layers laminated to each other and a sensor particle capable of detecting a biological signal; and observing the sensor particle optically. Preferably, the three-dimensional cell culture construct contains an extracellular matrix including a combination of a protein or polymer having an RGD sequence and a protein or polymer that interacts with the protein or polymer having the RGD sequence, or a combination of a protein or polymer that is positively charged and a protein or polymer that is negatively charged.
US08828672B2
PARylated proteins are enriched by treating cell lysates comprising PARylated proteins and DNA/RNA with an endonuclease that cleaves the DNA/RNA but not the PAR; and separating the PARylated proteins from the cleaved DNA/RNA. PARylation sites are labeled by eluting PARylated proteins from a PAR-affinity substrate with a nucleophilic amine exchange reactant, wherein the reactant labels PARylation sites of the proteins. Specific binding agents are identified by screening compounds for specific binding to a PARylated protein disclosed herein; and identifying one of the compounds as a specific binder of the protein. Antibodies which specifically bind PARylation sites are also disclosed.
US08828664B2
Sample preparation processes for in situ RNA or DNA analysis, methods and compositions therefor are provided. Processes provided herein allow DNA or RNA analysis to be carried out in the same tube or on an aliquot of the prepared sample without centrifugation or extraction. The preparation process can be carried out at room temperature in as little as seven minutes and is amenable to high throughput processing using manual or robotic platforms.
US08828655B2
A method is provided for conducting a droplet-based enzymatic assay, e.g., for diagnostic purposes. On a droplet actuator, a droplet comprising an enzyme of interest is provided along with a droplet comprising a substrate which is potentially modified in the presence of the enzyme. Droplet operations are executed to combine the enzyme and substrate droplets on the droplet actuator, thereby yielding an assay droplet on the droplet actuator. Detecting modification of the substrate by the enzyme in the assay droplet occurs on the droplet actuator. Modified substrate preparations for conducting such enzymatic assays are also provided.
US08828654B2
A receptacle having a plurality of interconnected chambers arranged to permit multiple process steps or processes to be performed independently or simultaneously. The receptacles are manufactured to separate liquid from dried reagents and to maintain the stability of the dried reagents. An immiscible liquid, such as an oil, is included to control loading of process materials, facilitate mixing and reconstitution of dried reagents, limit evaporation, control heating of reaction materials, concentrate solid support materials to prevent clogging of fluid connections, provide minimum volumes for fluid transfers, and to prevent process materials from sticking to chamber surfaces. The receptacles can be adapted for use in systems having a processing instrument that includes an actuator system for selectively moving fluid substances between chambers and a detector. The actuator system can be arranged to concentrate an analyte present in a sample. The detector can be used to detect an optical signal emitted by the contents of the receptacle.
US08828650B2
A method for making a retarder includes: (a) forming a photocurable layer on a substrate, the photocurable layer including at least one photocurable prepolymer that has a plurality of reactive functional groups and a functional group equivalent weight ranging from 70 to 700 g/mol; (b) covering partially the photocurable layer using a patterned mask; (c) exposing the photocurable layer through the patterned mask; (d) removing the patterned mask; (e) exposing the photocurable layer to cure second regions of the photocurable layer so as to form a microstructure; (f) forming an alignment layer on the microstructure; (g) forming a liquid crystal layer on the alignment layer; and (h) curing the liquid crystal layer.
US08828645B2
There is disclosed a negative resist composition comprising at least: (A) a base polymer that is alkaline-soluble and is made alkaline-insoluble by action of an acid; (B) an acid generator; and (C) a basic component, wherein the base polymer at least contains a polymer including repeating units represented by the following general formula (1) and general formula (2) and having a weight average molecular weight of 1,000 to 10,000. There can be a negative resist composition hardly causing a bridge in forming a pattern and providing a high resolution and a patterning process using the same.
US08828641B2
A chemically amplified resist composition comprising a base polymer, an acid generator, and a basic compound of thiomorpholine dioxide structure has many advantages including a high contrast of alkaline dissolution rate before and after exposure, a good pattern profile after exposure, minimized roughness, and a wide focus margin. The resist composition which may be positive or negative is useful for the fabrication of VLSI and photomasks.
US08828640B2
This invention relates to a photo-curing polysiloxane composition including a polysiloxane, a quinonediazidesulfonic acid ester, a methylene alkoxyaryl-containing compound as a curing agent, and a solvent for dispersing the polysiloxane, the quinonediazidesulfonic acid ester, and the methylene alkoxyaryl-containing compound. This invention also provides a protecting film made from the photo-curing polysiloxane composition, and an element containing the protecting film.
US08828639B2
The invention provides a toner that is capable of low-temperature fixing even in high-speed electrophotographic processes while keeping the cleaning performance when used at high temperatures and the high-temperature storage stability. This toner having toner particles, each of which contains a binder resin and a colorant is characterized in that the temperature of Tp [° C.] when the loss elastic modulus obtained by dynamic viscoelastic measurements on the toner exhibits a maximum value in the temperature range from at least 30° C. to not more than 200° C., is from at least 40° C. to not more than 55° C., and in that, with G″(Tp) [Pa] being this maximum value, G″(Tp+15) [Pa] being the loss elastic modulus at the temperature of Tp+15 [° C.], and G″(Tp+30) [Pa] being the loss elastic modulus at the temperature of Tp+30 [° C.], G″(Tp), G″(Tp+15), and G″(Tp+30) satisfy prescribed relationships.
US08828638B2
A two-component developer including a yellow toner and a carrier, the yellow toner including at least one of C. I. Pigment Yellow 155 or C. I. Pigment Yellow 185, and an azo pigment, the carrier including a first resin, magnetic particles dispersed in the first resin, and elements of Cu, Zn, Ni and Mn each in an amount of from 0 to about 2,000 ppm.
US08828637B2
Toner particles are provided which may include a core and a shell, one or both of which may include a polyester gel. The gel in the shell and/or core may prevent a crystalline resin in the core from migrating to the toner surface.
US08828621B2
A fuel cell module may include a membrane electrode assembly, two gas diffusion layers, two current collectors, two sealing members, a fluid flow plate assembly. The fluid flow plate assembly may include a first manifold, a second manifold, and a fluid flow channel. The membrane electrode assembly may include at least one membrane for fuel cell reactions. The two gas diffusion layers may be respectively coupled with two opposite sides of the membrane electrode assembly. The two current collectors respectively coupled with the two gas diffusion layers, and the two sealing members respectively coupled with the two current collectors. The fluid flow plate assembly may be coupled with the membrane electrode assembly at a first side of the two opposite sides of the membrane electrode assembly, with at least a corresponding one of the two gas diffusion layers, at least a corresponding one of the two current collectors, and at least a corresponding one of the two sealing members coupled between the fluid flow plate assembly and the first side of the membrane electrode.
US08828614B2
The present invention provides a fuel cell hybrid system having a multi-stack structure, which maintains the voltage of a fuel cell at a level lower than that of an electricity storage means (supercapacitor) during regenerative braking so that the fuel cell does not unnecessarily charge the electricity storage means, thereby increasing the amount of recovered energy and improving fuel efficiency.
US08828606B2
A positive electrode active material includes: a complex oxide particle containing at least lithium and one or plural transition metals; and a coating layer provided in at least a part of the complex oxide particle, wherein the coating layer contains at least one element M which is different from the principal transition metal constituting the complex oxide particle and which is selected among elements belonging to the Groups 2 to 13, and at least one element X selected among phosphorus (P), silicon (Si) and germanium (Ge), and the element M and the element X show different distribution from each other in the coating layer.
US08828603B2
A secondary battery includes: an electrolytic solution; a positive electrode; and a negative electrode, at least one of the positive electrode, the negative electrode, and the electrolytic solution containing an alkyl carbonate represented by the following formula (1) R—O—C(═O)—O—X (1) wherein R is a linear alkyl group or halogenated alkyl group having a carbon number of from 8 to 20, or a branched alkyl group or halogenated alkyl group having a carbon number of from 8 to 20 in a main chain thereof; and X is an alkali metal element.
US08828597B2
A non-aqueous electrolyte battery comprising: a battery case containing aluminum; a positive electrode terminal attached to the battery case; and a negative electrode terminal attached to the battery case and insulated from the battery case, wherein the positive electrode terminal and the battery case are connected through a resistor having resistance of 1Ω to 1 MΩ. Otherwise, A non-aqueous electrolyte battery comprising: a battery case containing iron; a negative electrode terminal attached to the battery case; and a positive electrode terminal attached to the battery case and insulated from the battery case, wherein the negative electrode terminal and the battery case are connected through a resistor having resistance of 1Ω to 1 MΩ.
US08828596B2
A secondary battery, including an electrode assembly including a first electrode, a second electrode, and a first electrode tab and a second electrode tab connected to the first electrode and the second electrode, respectively; a case including a receiving part that receives the electrode assembly, the case having an open side; a cap plate sealing the open side of the case; and a first electrode terminal and a second electrode terminal passing through the cap plate, the first electrode terminal being connected to the first electrode tab, the second electrode terminal being connected to the second electrode tab, the first electrode terminal including a first terminal, a lower terminal plate provided at a top end of the first terminal, and an upper terminal plate provided at a top end of the lower terminal plate, the first electrode tab being connected to a bottom end of the first terminal.
US08828594B2
A battery pack that includes a bare cell, a bottom case and a resin part disposed on a lower surface of the bare cell. The bottom case has a number of holes. The resin part is disposed on a surface of the bare cell affixing the bottom case to the bare cell. Further, a number of protrusions is provided and composed of the same material as the resin part in which each protrusion corresponds to a hole. The protrusions and the holes have a circular, tetragonal or polygonal cross sectional shape in which upon thermal compression of the protrusions the bottom case is solidly coupled to the resin part.
US08828584B2
A lithium-ion rechargeable battery module having a plurality of lithium-ion battery cells, arranged that battery cells located at an high temperature portion of the module are electrically connected in parallel with battery cells located at a low temperature portion of the module. The battery cells at the high temperature portion have a higher electric resistance at 20° C. and a better high-temperature storage characteristic at 50° C. than those of the battery cells located at the low temperature portion.
US08828574B2
Provided are lithium sulfur battery cells that use water as an electrolyte solvent. In various embodiments the water solvent enhances one or more of the following cell attributes: energy density, power density and cycle life. Significant cost reduction can also be realized by using an aqueous electrolyte in combination with a sulfur cathode. For instance, in applications where cost per Watt-Hour (Wh) is paramount, such as grid storage and traction applications, the use of an aqueous electrolyte in combination with inexpensive sulfur as the cathode active material can be a key enabler for the utility and automotive industries, providing a cost effective and compact solution for load leveling, electric vehicles and renewable energy storage.
US08828569B2
Disclosed is a battery can for a storage battery, provided with a safety valve having a first and a second score groove portion is provided to inner and outer surface of can bottom, can body, or can lid. The first and the second score groove portion face each other, and have a first and a second score groove bottom portion, which have a radius of curvature R, respectively. The R is more than 0.20 mm and less than 1.20 mm, and a distance between the bottom portions is 0.045 to 0.150 mm. The portion, which has the safety valve, is constituted by a plated steel sheet having a steel sheet portion of C content is less than 0.040 mass %, S content is less than 0.020 mass %, and tensile strength TS is less than 400 MPa, and a plate layer formed on a surface of the steel sheet portion.
US08828567B2
A microbial power generation device includes an anode chamber which maintains a microbe and which is supplied with influent which includes an electron donor, a cathode chamber supplied with an electron acceptor, a nonconductive membrane having a first face and an opposing second face and arranged between the anode chamber and the cathode chamber, a first electro-conductive support material having a rough surface which has asperity spreading close to the first face of the nonconductive membrane, and formed by a porous material having approximately the same shape as the interior of the anode chamber, and arranged within the anode chamber, and a second electro-conductive support material having a rough surface which has asperity spreading close to the second face of the nonconductive membrane.
US08828563B2
A cutting tool for metal material processing has a hard metal body and a multi-layer coating applied to the hard metal body in at least one surface area. The multi-layer coating includes the following, sequentially in direction from the hard metal body to the surface of the cutting tool: at least one layer TiCx1Ny1, where x1+y1=1, x1≧0, y1>0; at least one layer TiCx2Ny2Oz2, where x2+y2+z2=1, 0≦z2≦0.03 and 0.5≦x2≦0.85; at least one layer TiN, or TiCx31Ny31, where 0.2≦x31≦0.8 and x31+y31=1, or TiNy32Bv32, where 0.0001≦v32≦0.05 and y32+v32=1; at least one layer: TiNy41Bv41Oz41, where y41+v41+z41=1 and 0.0001≦v41≦0.05 and 0.01≦z41≦0.6, or TiCx42Ny42Oz42, where x42+y42+z42=1 and 0≦y42≦0.5 and 0.01≦z42≦0.6; and at least one outer layer κ-Al2O3. The at least one layer TiCx2Ny2Oz2 has a texture in the direction having a texture coefficient TC(311)=1.3.
US08828562B2
The present invention provides hard coating film which excels conventional surface coating layer in wear resistance, has lower frictional coefficient and better slideability, a material coated with the hard coating film, a die for cold plastic working, and a method for forming the hard coating film. The hard coating film according to the present invention is a hard coating film comprising (NbxM1−x)y(BaCbN1−a−b)1−y, where 0.2≦x≦1.0 Equation (1) 0≦a≦0.3 Equation (2) 0≦1−a−b≦0.5 Equation (3) 0.5≦b=1 Equation (4) 0.4≦1−y≦0.9 Equation (5) [however, M denotes at least one species of elements belonging to Groups 4a, 5a, and 6a and Si and Al; x, 1−x, a, b, and 1−a−b represent respectively the atomic ratio of Nb, M, B, C and N; and y and 1−y represent respectively the ratio of (NbxM1−x) and (BaCbN1−a−b).]
US08828551B2
The general field of the invention is that of airbags. The invention relates to a process for improving the tear strength and the combing strength of coated fabrics intended for uses in the field of inflatable bags, using a silicone composition comprising an additive consisting of a polyorganosiloxane resin (V) and a calcium carbonate. After coating the composition onto the fabric supports and curing, the coated supports not only have optimum adhesion and crease resistance properties, but also have good properties in terms of combing strength and tear strength.
US08828547B2
A composition, preferably a halogen-free, flame retardant composition, comprising in weight percent based on the weight of the composition: A. 1 to 90% TPU polymer, B. 1 to 90% polyolefin polymer, preferably a polar polyolefin polymer, C. 1 to 60% phosphorus-based, intumescent flame retardant, D. 0.5 to 25% liquid phosphate modifier, e.g., bis-phenol-A-polyphosphate, and E. Optional additives and/or fillers. The compositions exhibit excellent strain and scratch whitening performance in combination with excellent burn performance, good flexibility and tensile properties, and good fabrication extrusion characteristics including improved surface smoothness.
US08828542B2
Nanoparticles can include a core linked to a polymerizable moiety that can be polymerized, cross-linked or cured. The polymerizable nanoparticles can be included in a composition for a polymerization, cross-linking or curing reaction in an amount and disposition sufficient for inhibiting or preventing volume shrinkage during polymerization, cross-linking or curing reaction. Also, the nanoparticles can be included with monomers, dendrimers, oligomers or polymers in the compositions that can be reacted to form a polymerized, cross-linked or cured product.
US08828535B2
Provided is a cover tape that has a small range of stripping strength and generates little static electricity when stripped at a high speed. The cover tape according to the present invention comprises at least a substrate layer, an intermediate layer, a charge transfer layer, and a heat seal layer, characterized in that (A) the charge transfer layer containing an acid-modified polyolefin resin and a conductive agent, and (B) the heat seal layer containing (a) a thermoplastic resin component composed of an acrylic resin, and (b) a styrene-conjugated diene copolymer or a hydrogenated resin thereof, the mass ratio of the two components ((a)/(b)) being 20/80 to 80/20.
US08828528B2
A barrier film includes a base which is formed of a plastic film having a first surface and a second surface opposed to the first surface, a first barrier layer which is formed on the first surface by an atomic layer deposition method and is made of an inorganic material having a water vapor barrier property; and a second barrier layer which is formed on the second surface by an atomic layer deposition method and is made of an inorganic material having a water vapor barrier property.
US08828523B2
A method for manufacturing graphene using light capable of transferring and patterning graphene, and graphene manufactured using the method are disclosed. The method includes forming a graphene layer on a catalyst metal layer, attaching a support layer losing adhesion by light on the graphene layer, removing the catalyst metal layer, disposing a substrate on the graphene layer, and separating the support layer from the graphene layer by irradiating light to the support layer.
US08828520B2
As discussed herein, there is presented an apparatus comprising micro-posts. The apparatus includes a substrate having a planar surface, a plurality of micro-posts located on the planar surface, wherein each micro-post has a base portion on the planar surface and a post portion located on a top surface of the corresponding base portion, and wherein side surfaces of the base portions intersect the planar surface at oblique angles.
US08828519B2
A composition includes polymer and dispersed infrared-reflective clusters of titanium dioxide primary particles. The titanium dioxide primary particles are cemented together with precipitated silica and/or alumina to form clusters. The titanium dioxide primary particles have an average particle diameter in the range of from about 0.15 to about 0.35 micron, while the clusters of titanium dioxide primary particles have an average cluster diameter in the range of from about 0.38 to about 5 microns and a geometric standard deviation (GSD) in the range of from about 1.55 to about 2.5.
US08828517B2
A three-dimensional thin film solar cell (3-D TFSC) substrate having enhanced mechanical strength, light trapping, and metal modulation coverage properties. The substrate includes a plurality of unit cells, which may or may not be different. Unit cells are defined as a small self-contained geometrical pattern which may be repeated. Each unit cell structure includes a wall enclosing a trench. Further, the unit cell includes an aperture having an aperture diameter. A pre-determined variation in wall thickness, wall height, and aperture diameter among unit cells across the substrate produces specific advantages.
US08828513B2
An energy absorbing system has an inner tube and an outer tube that are stitched together. The inner tube contains a set of fibers oriented in a first direction and the outer tube has a second set of fibers oriented in a direction different from the first direction. Preferably these orientations are equal and opposite to each other. The inner tube may be hollow, but preferably has a cellular core. The outer tube may be spaced apart from the inner tube to create an annular cavity that is filled with a cellular material.
US08828511B2
The invention relates to a hollow glass article having, for a thickness of 5 mm, an overall light transmission greater than or equal to 70%, said overall light transmission being calculated by taking into consideration the illuminant C as defined by the ISO/CIE 10526 standard and the CIE 1931 standard colorimetric observer as defined by the ISO/CIE 10527 standard, and a filtering power greater than or equal to 65%, especially 70%, said filtering power being defined as being equal to the value of 100% reduced by the arithmetic mean of the transmission between 330 and 450 nm, said article having a chemical composition of soda-lime-silica type, which comprises the following optical absorbent agents in a content that varies within the weight limits defined below: Fe2O3 (total iron) 0.01 to 0.15% TiO2 0.5 to 3% Sulfides (S2−) 0.0010 to 0.0050%.
US08828510B2
A package with self-forming insulating walls includes a tray for supporting a food item, a flap joined to the tray along a fold line, and an insulating microwave material overlying at least a portion of the tray and at least a portion of the flap. The insulating microwave material may be joined to the flap. The insulating microwave material may include a microwave energy interactive material supported on a first polymer film layer, a moisture-containing layer joined to the microwave energy interactive material, and a second polymer film layer joined to the moisture-containing layer in a predetermined pattern, thereby defining a plurality of expandable cells between the moisture-containing layer and the second polymer film layer.
US08828497B2
A method for providing a metallic coat covering a surface is disclosed, which comprises: (i) applying an electrically conductive two component binder on said surface; (ii) electrostatic spraying a metal powder on the binder applied in step (i); wherein the metal powder comprises metal particles with an average diameter less than 80 micron.
US08828494B2
Disclosed are methods of treating a metal to improve the metal's corrosion resistance. In one such method, the method is carried out by applying, to the surface of the metal, a coating which includes magnesium powder and a UV-curable or other radiation-curable binder. In another such method, the method is carried out by applying, to the surface of the metal, a coating which includes magnesium powder and an inorganic binder. In another such method, a coating that includes a magnesium alloy powder and a binder is applied to the surface of the metal. The magnesium alloy powder is selected such that it has a corrosion potential that is from about 0.01 volt to about 1.5 volt more negative than the metal's corrosion potential. Also disclosed are methods of treating a ferrous metals and magnesium alloys to improve the corrosion resistance of these materials.
US08828493B2
Methods are disclosed for forming a layered structure comprising a self-assembled material. An initial patterned photoresist layer is treated photochemically, thermally, and/or chemically to form a treated patterned photoresist layer comprising a non-crosslinked treated photoresist. The treated photoresist is insoluble in an organic solvent suitable for casting a material capable of self-assembly. A solution comprising the material capable of self-assembly dissolved in the organic solvent is casted on the treated layer, and the organic solvent is removed. The casted material is allowed to self-assemble with optional heating and/or annealing, thereby forming the layered structure comprising the self-assembled material. The treated photoresist can be removed using an aqueous base and/or a second organic solvent.
US08828492B2
A method for making a coated article wherein the method includes the following steps: providing a substrate; and depositing an aluminum oxynitride coating layer from a gaseous mixture. The gaseous mixture contains the following components: 30.0-65.0 volume percent nitrogen, 0.7-1.3 volume percent aluminum tri-chloride; 1.0-2.0 volume percent ammonia, 0.1-1.5 carbon dioxide, 1.5-4.5 volume percent hydrogen chloride, optional components of carbon monoxide and/or argon, and hydrogen as the balance.
US08828485B2
We disclose novel metallic nanoparticles coated with a thin protective carbon shell, and three-dimensional nano-metallic sponges; methods of preparation of the nanoparticles; and uses for these novel materials, including wood preservation, strengthening of polymer and fiber/polymer building materials, and catalysis.
US08828482B1
A disk for a hard disk drive is provided. The disk comprises a substrate comprising aluminum, and a coating layer disposed over the substrate. The coating layer comprises an alloy of Ni, X1 and X2, wherein X1 comprises one or more elements selected from the group consisting of Ag, Au, B, Cr, Cu, Ga, In, Mn, Mo, Nb, Pb, Sb, Se, Sn, Te, W, Zn and Zr, and wherein X2 comprises either B or P, and wherein X1 and X2 do not comprise the same elements.
US08828477B2
A deposition mask and a display unit and method of manufacturing same are provided. A red continuous organic layer, a green continuous organic layer, and a blue continuous organic layer are provided over two or more lines of a matrix configuration of organic light emitting devices in common. A film thickness distribution in the extensional direction of the red, green and blue continuous organic layer is dissolved, and an aperture ratio can be improved by just that much.
US08828473B2
Suggested are substance mixtures, containing (a) at least one starch derivative and (b) at least one bitter principle and optionally (c) stabilizers, characterized in that components (a) and (b) are present in a weight ratio of from 1000:1 to 1:1.
US08828470B2
A food or beverage composition suitable for human consumption includes an aqueous suspension such as cow's milk that has been supplemented and homogenized with an omega-3 fatty acid-containing supplementation oil, in which a supplementation oil includes one part by weight of an EPA/DHA fatty acid-containing enriching oil that has been combined and diluted with at least one part by weight of an oxidative stabilization oil, such as a low linoleic acid/high oleic acid-containing oxidative stabilization oil. As a result, the rate of oxidation of EPA/DHA fatty acids added to the aqueous suspension via the supplementation oil can be reduced at least two-fold or even much more compared to the rate of oxidation of an equal quantity of the same EPA/DHA fatty acid-containing enriching oil homogenized into the same aqueous suspension without having been first combined and diluted with the oxidative stabilization oil.
US08828469B2
An individual alkamide and/or a mixture having two or more different alkamides, is disclosed for changing, masking or reducing the unpleasant flavor impression of an unpleasant-tasting substance or mixture of substances. The alkamide can be trans-pellitorine; cis-pellitorine; 2Z,4Z- or 2Z,4E-decadienoic acid-N-isobutylamide; 2E,4E-decadienoic acid-N-([2S]-2-methylbutyl)amide; 2E,4E-decadienoic acid-N-([2R]-2-methylbutylamide); 2E,4Z-decadienoic acid-N-(2-methylbutyl)amide; achilleamide; sarmentine; 2E- or 3E-decenoic acid-N-isobutylamide; 3E-nonenoic acid-N-isobutylamide; spilanthol; homospilanthol; 2E,6Z,8E-decatrienoic acid-N-([2R]-2-methylbutyl)amide; 2E- or 2Z-decen-4-oic acid-N-isobutylamide; α-sanshool; α-hydroxysanshool; γ-hydroxysanshool; γ-hydroxysanshool; γ-hydroxyisosanshool; γ-dehydrosanshool; γ-sanshool; bungeanool; isobungeanool; dihydrobungeanool; or tetrahydrobungeanool, or combinations thereof.
US08828463B2
Packaging of bananas in containers, for example polyethylene bags, having designed permeabilities to oxygen, carbon dioxide, and ethylene. The bags preferably include a gas-permeable membrane comprising (1) a microporous film, and (2) a polymeric coating on the microporous film. The containers enable storage and/or ripening of bananas under controlled conditions. Using the new containers, bananas can be ripened while they are being transported, or in conventional ripening rooms without opening the containers in which they have been transported, or after they have left a ripening room. In addition, bananas can be preserved in a satisfactory ripened state for longer periods of time.
US08828455B2
Disclosed are cosmetic toner formulations and methods for their use comprising botanical plant extracts and a cosmetic vehicle.
US08828454B2
The present invention concerns a base characterized in that it is prepared by the following steps: (a) partial bio-hydrolysis of raw materials rich in precursors, and (b) thermal reaction steps of the resulting product from (a). Said base can be prepared with a further step, which is a subsequent or simultaneous fermentation of the resulting product from step (a).
US08828453B2
Aspects of the invention relate to compositions comprising passiflora extracts that may improve neurological and behavioral symptoms associated with Pervasive Developmental Disorders.
US08828451B2
Most human tumors find ways to resist anticancer drug monotherapy. Akt is considered a likely peptide providing such monotherapy drug resistance. Data indicates that Akt chemoresistance is induced in a p53-dependent manner and that inhibition of Akt may be an effective means of overcoming chemoresistance in cancer cells expressing wild-type p53. Breast, ovarian, lung cancer and leukemia cells lines were treated with combinations of Akt activation inhibitor Triciribine (TCN) or Triciribine phosphate (TCNP) and chemotherapeutic drugs to determine the efficiency of combination therapy. Additionally, cells were introduced into xenograft models to determine in vivo effects of combination treatment. Combining TCN or TCNP with other anticancer drugs overcame cytotoxic or treatment resistance. Thus, TCN and TCNP are shown to broaden the spectrum of human tumors that can be effectively treated.
US08828450B2
The present invention relates to a composition for use against one or more pathogens, comprising at least one antagonistic micro-organism and at least one salt and/or derivatives thereof as defined in claim 1. The present invention further relates to said composition for use as biopesticide.
US08828448B2
The invention provides an improved method of producing a natural, acellular matrix scaffold for subsequent use in tissue-engineered replacement of tissues such as the bladder. Decellularization is carried out on an expanded or distended bladder and the product retains the strength and compliance of natural material. The invention also provides use of the matrix scaffolds as wound healing material and to investigate tissue structure and function in vitro.
US08828447B2
The present invention relates to processes for the isolation of a phospholipid and for producing a polyunsaturated, long-chain fatty acids (PUFA)-enriched fraction from a fish oil comprising the steps of —providing a fish oil containing lipids and phospholipids; —mixing the fish oil with a polar solvent; —centrifuging the mixture of the fish oil and the polar solvent to separate a polar fraction from a lipid fraction; —isolating a phospholipid from the polar fraction or isolating a PUFA-enriched fraction from the polar fraction. The fish oil may be provided by —extracting a fish material with an extractant solvent; —removing the extractant solvent to provide the fish oil; —optionally subjecting the fish oil to a solid-liquid separation. The isolated phospholipids and PUFA's may be used as additives for functional foods, as a dietary supplement and for pharmaceutical application.
US08828432B2
Controlled release, discrete, solid particles which contain an encapsulated and/or embedded component such as a heat sensitive or readily oxidizable pharmaceutically, biologically, or nutritionally active component are continuously produced without substantial destruction of the matrix material or encapsulant. A release-rate controlling component is incorporated into the matrix to control the rate of release of the encapsulant from the particles. The additional component may be a hydrophobic component or a high water binding capacity component for extending the release time. The plasticizable matrix material, such as starch, is admixed with at least one plasticizer, such as water, and at least one release-rate controlling component under low shear mixing conditions to plasticize the plasticizable material without substantially destroying the at least one plasticizable material and to obtain a substantially homogeneous plasticized mass. The plasticizer content is substantially reduced and the temperature of the plasticized mass are substantially reduced prior to admixing the plasticized mass with the encapsulant to avoid substantial destruction of the encapsulant and to obtain a formable, extrudable mixture. The mixture is extruded through a die without substantial or essentially no expansion and cut into discrete, relatively dense particles. Release properties may also be controlled by precoating the encapsulant and/or coating the extrudate particles with a film-forming component.
US08828429B2
The present invention relates to a controlled release capsule preparation for oral administration, which contains (i) a granule containing a physiologically active substance which is a compound represented by the formula: wherein n is an integer of 1 to 3, and Ar is an aromatic ring optionally having substituent(s), or a salt thereof, and a hydrophilic polymer, and coated with an enteric coating agent and the like, and (ii) a fluidizer. According to the present invention, a controlled release composition for oral administration of an imidazole derivative, which has steroid C17,20-lyase inhibiting activity and which has remarkably improved sustainability of the blood concentration, is provided.
US08828417B2
For an implantable device intended for use in the human body an in-vivo colonization with autologous cells is often desired. The devices, especially prosthetic devices like implant tissues, grafts, shunts, vessels, organs or a part of organs are commonly derived from animal or human origin and comprise a collagen-based tissue matrix. The invention proposes a coating deposited on a surface of the device and comprising the matrix protein CCN1 as an extracellular matrix-associated protein mediating cell adhesion or cell migration.
US08828409B2
A method for immunizing a human or animal against pneumococcal infections, comprising by administering a vaccine comprising a purified recombinant caseinolytic protease P (ClpP) protein of S. pneumoniae in an immunologically effective amount to the human or animal.
US08828406B2
Described herein are chimeric influenza virus gene segments and nucleic acid sequences encoding such chimeric influenza virus gene segments. A chimeric influenza virus gene segment described herein comprises packaging signals found in the non-coding and coding regions of one type of influenza virus gene segment and an open reading frame of a different type of influenza virus gene segment or fragment thereof. Also described herein are recombinant influenza viruses comprising two or more chimeric influenza virus gene segments and the use of such viruses in the prevention and/or treatment of influenza virus disease.
US08828397B2
Immunoglobulin chains or antibodies having light or heavy chain complementarity determining regions of antibodies that bind to P-Selectin Glycoprotein Ligand-1. Also disclosed are methods of inducing death of an activated T-cell and of modulating a T cell-mediated immune response in a subject.
US08828394B2
This invention relates to methods of treating IgE mediated disorders such as allergy and asthma based on activating surface-bound IgD molecules on basophils. The invention also relates to methods of making IgD, as well as methods of screening for antimicrobial agents from IgD-activated basophils.
US08828390B2
The present invention is directed to Nogo-A antagonists useful for the control of blood glucose or blood insulin levels in a subject and related use and formulation thereof. In particular, the invention is directed to Nogo-A antagonists useful for the prevention, repression or treatment insulin secretion deficiency and related methods and pharmaceutical formulations. In particular, the invention relates to Nogo-A antagonists useful in the treatment of diabetes mellitus.
US08828370B2
Disclosed is a hair conditioning composition comprising: (a) a cationic surfactant; (b) a high melting point fatty compound; and (c) an aqueous carrier; wherein the cationic surfactant, the high melting point fatty compound, and the aqueous carrier form a gel matrix; wherein the composition has from about 90% to about 100% of a conversion rate of the high melting point fatty compound to the gel matrix; and wherein the composition has a yield point of about 33 Pa or more. Also disclosed is a method of manufacturing of hair conditioning composition. The compositions of the present invention, and the compositions made by the method of the present invention, provide improved conditioning benefits, especially, improved wet conditioning benefits after rinsing and improved dry conditioning, while maintaining wet conditioning benefit before rinsing.
US08828367B2
Antiperspirant compositions for personal body care are produced as a non-aerosol, stick, soft solid, cream, gel, non-sprayable suspension, non-sprayable solution, or impregnated on a substrate and include at least one antiperspirant, at least one oil as a carrier, said oil being liquid in normal conditions, 0-7 percent by weight of free water relative to the weight of the composition, and at least one selected alkyl-modified polyether.
US08828366B2
The present invention is directed to a cosmetic composition that is moisturizing, hydrating, refreshing and long wearing, and has an unique texture and feel comprising a cellulosic gelling agent, an oil-soluble polar modified polymer, and water.
US08828359B2
Embodiments of the invention relate to particles of active substances, methods for preparing the particles, formulations containing the particles, and metered dose inhalers containing such particles or formulations. In one embodiment, a composition of an aerosol formulation is provided and contains a particulate active substance of non-micronized, solid particles having a mass median aerodynamic diameter of less than 10 μm suspended in a hydrofluorocarbon fluid vehicle at a concentration within a range from about 0.2% w/v to about 5% w/v. The aerosol formulation exhibits a flocculation volume of about 85% or greater about 1 minute after mixing the particulate active substance and the hydrofluorocarbon fluid vehicle. The particulate active substance contains an alkaloid ergotamine, pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, analogs thereof, or derivatives thereof. In some examples, the alkaloid ergotamine contains dihydroergotamine, such as dihydroergotamine mesylate and the hydrofluorocarbon fluid vehicle contains HFA 134a, HFA 227ea, or mixtures thereof.
US08828356B2
Although it can be farnesylated, the mutant lamin A protein expressed in Hutchinson Gilford Progeria Syndrome (HGPS) cannot be defarnesylated because the characteristic mutation causes deletion of a cleavage site necessary for binding the protease ZMPSTE24 and effecting defarnesylation. The result is an aberrant farnesylated protein (called “progerin”) that alters normal lamin A function as a dominant negative, as well as assuming its own aberrant function through its association with the nuclear membrane. The retention of farnesylation, and potentially other abnormal properties of progerin and other abnormal lamin gene protein products, produces disease. Farnesyltransferase inhibitors (FTIs) (both direct effectors and indirect inhibitors) will inhibit the formation of progerin, cause a decrease in lamin A protein, and/or an increase prelamin A protein. Decreasing the amount of aberrant protein improves cellular effects caused by and progerin expression. Similarly, treatment with FTIs should improve disease status in progeria and other laminopathies. In addition, elements of atherosclerosis and aging in non-laminopathy individuals will improve after treatment with farnesyltransferase inhibitors.
US08828350B2
A system and method are provided for recovering a re-usable grade of sulphur hexafluoride (SF6) from a potentially contaminated gas source. The system includes extraction vessels connected to the potentially contaminated gas source. A first cryogenic means reduces the temperature of the extraction vessel to a temperature below the phase transition of SF6 causing a pressure differential which causes the potentially contaminated gas to enter the extraction vessels. The SF6 turns to liquid and/or solid form in the extraction vessel. Non-condensed contaminant gas is evacuated from the extraction vessels. Recovery vessels are connected to the extraction vessel. A second cryogenic means is used to reduce the temperature of the recovery vessels. Raising the temperature of the extraction vessels creates a pressure differential which causes a re-usable grade of SF6 to enter the recovery vessels.
US08828335B2
Fluid-based no-moving part logic devices are constructed from complex sequences of micro- and nanofluidic channels, on-demand bubble/droplet modulators and generators for programming the devices, and micro- and nanofluidic droplet/bubble memory elements for storage and retrieval of biological or chemical elements. The input sequence of bubbles/droplets encodes information, with the output being another sequence of bubbles/droplets or on-chip chemical synthesis. For performing a set of reactions/tasks or process control, the modulators can be used to program the device by producing a precisely timed sequence of bubbles/droplets, resulting in a cascade of logic operations within the micro- or nanofluidic channel sequence, utilizing the generated droplets/bubbles as a control. The devices are based on the principle of minimum energy interfaces formed between the two fluid phases enclosed inside precise channel geometries. Various devices, including logic gates, non-volatile bistable memory, ring oscillators, bubble synchronizers, analysis chips, and printers have been designed.
US08828333B2
A method is provided for producing a microfluidic system on a polymer surface, wherein at least one portion of the polymer surface is irradiated by laser light in a targeted fashion for the spatially-resolved modification of the wettability of the portion of the polymer surface by a liquid sample.
US08828332B2
A microfluidic capsule (1) comprises a top lid (100), a middle piece (200) and a bottom piece (300) to be assembled to enclose a microfluidic substrate (400) for analysis of cells and biochemical reactions. The middle piece (200) comprises support structures in the form of support pillars (250) and walls (240) around a central light window (220) to provide mechanical support and prevent tension-induced structural deformations. When fully assembled, light windows (120, 220, 230) in the top lid (100), middle piece (200) and bottom piece (300) allows inspection of biological and/or biochemical samples positioned in the enclosed microfluidic substrate (400).
US08828330B2
The present disclosure provides a sensor port configured to receive a plurality of analyte sensors having different sizes, shapes and/or electrode configurations. Also provided are analyte meters, analyte monitoring devices and/or systems and drug delivery devices and/or systems utilizing the disclosed sensor ports.
US08828329B2
An improved electronic diagnostic device for detecting the presence of an analyte in a fluid sample comprises a casing having a display, a test strip mounted in the casing, a processor mounted in the casing, and a first sensor mounted in the casing and operatively coupled to the processor. The processor is configured to receive a signal from the first sensor when the device is exposed to ambient light thereby causing the device to become activated. The device includes a light shield that exerts pressure across a width of the test strip to prevent fluid channeling along the length of the test strip. The processor is configured to present an early positive test result reading when a measured value exceeds a predetermined early reading threshold value at any time after a predetermined early testing time period.
US08828328B1
Apparatuses for and methods of nano-material powder preservation and dispersion in liquid, capture, and treatments are disclosed. The applications of the present disclosure ensure powder accountability of the nano-materials preventing the nano material from dispersing into the air. The method of treating a nano-material comprises receiving a nano-material and mixing/dispersing the nano-material with a fluid in a vessel until the nano-material is sealed by the fluid. The apparatus for treating a nano-material comprises a hermetically sealable vessel containing a nano-material and a fluid, wherein the fluid is configured to increase the isolation between particles of the nano-material.
US08828321B2
A reactor comprises a main body having a flow path substrate and a crystal substrate chemically bonded to the flow path substrate to form a flow path for running a sample to be measured and a reactor tank connected to the flow path. An adsorption film is disposed in the reactor tank for adsorbing a specific substance contained in the sample to be measured. A measuring device measures a physical quantity of the specific substance contained in the sample and adsorbed by the adsorption film.
US08828314B2
The invention relates to a special hot-dip plating alloy for a coating on the surface of a titanium alloy part, wherein the hot-dip plating alloy contains the following components by mass percentage: 8-24% of Si, 1.2-3.1% of Zn, 0.02-0.5% of RE, 0.5-3.2% of Mg, 0.05-1% of Fe, 0.05-0.5% of Cu, 1.0-2.0% of Mn, 0.5-2.0% of Cr, 0.02-0.5% of Zr, 1-2% of nano-oxide particle reinforcing agent and the balance of Al and inevitable impurities, and the nano-oxide particle reinforcing agent is selected from one or two of TiO2 and CeO2. The adoption of the hot-dip plating alloy produced by the invention can form the coating which has corrosion resistance and good wear resistance, and is well metallurgically bonded with a matrix on the surface of the titanium alloy.
US08828305B2
Methods for fabricating a polymeric stent with improved fracture toughness including radial expansion of a polymer tube and fabricating a stent from the expanded tube are disclosed. The polymer tube is disposed within a mold and may be heated with radiation. The heated tube radially expands within the mold.
US08828301B2
An in-mold labeling system includes a molding apparatus having a first mold half and a second mold half that opposes the first mold half, the mold halves defining at least one mold cavity contained within a cavity wall. The in-mold labeling system further comprises a polymeric label receptor fixed to at least a portion of the cavity wall of the at least one mold cavity. The polymeric label receptor has a tacky contact face facing the inside of the at least one mold cavity when the molding apparatus is in the closed position. During a molding process, the tacky contact face of the polymeric label receptor receives a mold-side face of a label. The label is held in position against the tacky contact face during the molding process by surface tension between the mold-side face of the label and the tacky contact face of the polymeric label receptor.
US08828299B2
Method of injection molding a plastics component includes providing a first mold member with a mold cavity, defined by an internal surface, and a second mold member with an external surface complementary to the mold cavity shape. Either the internal or external surface carry an elongate formation with an elongate apex. Then, the second mold member is advanced into the mold cavity such that the apex is spaced from the opposed one of the internal surface and the external surface by a predetermined distance and the internal surface of the first mold member and the external surface of the second mold member together define a mold space. Molten polyolefin material is then injected into the mold space to substantially fill it. The predetermined distance is so dimensioned that the polyolefin material does not completely fill the space between the apex and the opposed surface and the slit is thus formed.
US08828298B2
A method and system for patterning a substrate are provided. A template is formed by applying a precursor material to a patterned master substrate and curing or solidifying the precursor material. The template is detached from the master substrate using a carrier having a curved surface. The template is coated with a patterning material, and is then detached from the carrier and applied to the substrate to be patterned. The template is then dissolved without affecting the patterning material, and the patterning material may thereafter be finished to develop the pattern. In an alternate embodiment, the patterning material may be applied to the substrate and then imprinted using the template.
US08828289B2
Two-component or multi-component fixing mortar, based on a free-radical-hardening unsaturated reactive resin, for embedding anchoring means in mortar in holes or crevices, which fixing mortar includes silanes which may or may not have reactive groups capable of participating in the polymerization with a synthetic resin based on free-radical-hardening unsaturated reactive resins but do in any case have Si-bonded hydrolysable groups, and, physically separate therefrom, a hardener.
US08828288B2
Disclosed are porous, low density nanoclay composites that exhibit highly homogeneous microcellular morphology and methods for forming the nanocomposites. The nanocomposites include a three-dimensional matrix having a non-lamellar, generally isotropic cellular structure with little or no macroscopic pores. The nanocomposites also include a gel that may be a noncovalently cross-linked, thermoreversible gel. The nanocomposites may include a binder and/or fibrous reinforcement materials. The nanocomposites may be formed according to a freeze-drying process in which ice crystal growth is controlled to prevent formation of macroscopic pores in the composite materials.
US08828283B2
An optical component and a method of producing the same, which optical component is obtained by photopolymerizing a photopolymerizable composition so as to comprise a matrix and numerous columnar structure bodies oriented in one direction within the matrix, wherein the columnar structure bodies differ in refractive index from the matrix and are arrayed in a lattice in the plane perpendicular to said orientation direction to have a highly arrayed structure whose refractive index periodically changes on the order of 80 nm to 1,000 micrometer. The optical component according to the invention is imparted with a structure whose refractive index periodically changes with high regularity on the order of about 80 nm to 1,000 micrometer and, owing to this property, is usable in optical sheet, optical film and other ordinary optical applications.
US08828273B2
Disclosed is a concentrated cooling water additive that is substantially non-corrosive within a pH range of 2-12 and contains polymeric dispersant(s) and aromatic azole(s) that exhibits improved stability, possibly as a result of the interaction of the hydrophobic groups in the dispersant polymer and the aromatic azole(s). This improved stability allows for both reduced corrosivity of the formula and reduced manufacturing costs. Benefits of the disclosed formulations include improved safety for handling and shipment, more concentrated formulations available in liquid form, reduced shipping costs and storage space, reduced heat of neutralization during product manufacture, reduced costs of manufacture due to removal of need for caustic or acid addition and reduced environmental compliance costs associated with washing and waste handling step.
US08828268B2
The present invention pertains to the field of thermosetting or thermoset polymers mainly used as materials, coatings or adhesives. The invention more specifically relates to the use of specific molecules having associative groups including a nitrogen heterocycle as a hardener or co-hardener of thermosetting polymers.
US08828266B2
A CMP slurry composition includes metal oxide particles, a diisocyanate compound, and deionized water. The CMP slurry composition is capable of selectively controlling polishing speed of a wafer surface having a convex portion and a concave portion, such that primary polishing and secondary polishing can be performed rapidly while stopping polishing of the nitride layer upon the secondary polishing.
US08828264B2
A magnetic sheet containing a binder, a magnetic powder, and a fire retardant, wherein the fire retardant contains at least one of a silicon atom-containing melamine cyanurate and a carboxylic acid amide-containing melamine cyanurate.
US08828260B2
A substrate processing method for forming a space extending along a predetermined line in a silicon substrate includes a first step of converging a laser light which is an elliptically-polarized light having an ellipticity other than 1 at the substrate so as to form a plurality of modified spots within the substrate along the line and produce a modified region including the modified spots, and a second step of anisotropically etching the substrate so as to advance an etching selectively along the modified region and form the space in the substrate. In the first step, the light is converged at the substrate such that a moving direction of the light with respect to the substrate and a direction of polarization of the light form an angle of 45° or greater therebetween, and the modified spots are made align in one row along the line.
US08828247B2
Provided is a method of manufacturing a circuit which includes: (a) providing a substrate made of a conductive material; (b) etching a first surface of the substrate excluding a region in which at least one via is to be formed; (c) etching a region of the etched first surface of the substrate in which an insulated portion of a first circuit is to be formed; (d) stacking a first insulation layer in spaces formed by the etching performed in operations (b) and (c); and (e) grinding a second surface of the substrate to expose the first insulation layer outward along with the first circuit, thereby forming a circuit board.
US08828236B2
A light weight oriented net or netting assembly is provided for oil capture and containment. The netting assembly is made by biaxially stretching or orienting starting materials to form a pattern of oriented strands and integral junctions that, while being light in weight, is also strong enough to be used to capture and remove oil from contaminated water without an outer stabilizing jacket. The assembly is preferably made from oriented polypropylene netting that is folded, gathered, bunched and/or otherwise layered upon itself on the order of 16-64 times and then crimped in one or more locations to secure the netting layers in a bow tie or tubular configuration that forms net cavities and an open cell structure to capture and contain oil that has been dispersed in water. Oil in the netting assembly can then be removed, such as by pressing or other removal process, after which the netting assembly may be reused.
US08828234B2
A device is provided for chromatographic separations comprising a manifold comprising a plurality of connectors for connecting to one or more chromatographic separation columns and/or feed or extraction tubing. At least one central duct is formed between at least two connectors forming an inlet and an outlet respectively. The central duct comprises a closable duct valve; and a plurality of branch ducts branching from the central duct to a branch connector. The branch duct comprises a closable branch valve, wherein at least one branch duct is positioned between the inlet and the central duct valve and wherein at least one branch duct is positioned between the outlet and the central duct valve. The device is arranged for carrying out single-column and (continuous) multicolumn chromatographic separations. This allows the purification of biopharmaceutical products without having to develop, demonstrate and validate cleaning procedures for the valves.
US08828218B2
This invention provides methods for multi-stage hydroprocessing treatment of FCC naphthas for improving the overall production quantity of naphtha boiling-range materials during naphtha production for low sulfur gasolines. Of particular benefit of the present processes is the selective treating of cat naphthas to remove gums instead of undercutting the overall naphtha pool by lowering the end cutpoints of the cat naphtha fraction. This maximizes the amount of refinery cat naphtha that can be directed to the gasoline blending pool while eliminating existing processing problems in hydrodesulfurization units. The processes disclosed herein have the additional benefit of minimizing octane losses in the increased naphtha pool volume.
US08828217B2
Diesel fuel is produced from a feedstock that is at least partially biocomponent in origin. A feedstock is treated in a reactor including one or more hydrotreating zones having a continuous gas phase. The liquid effluent from the hydrotreating zones is then hydroprocessed in a hydroprocessing zone having a continuous liquid phase, such as a hydroprocessing zone in the same reactor. The hydroprocessing zone can be operated under effective catalytic dewaxing conditions.
US08828209B2
This invention discloses a highly efficient method, system and apparatus for nucleic acid analysis, including sequencing (both automated re-sequencing and de-novo sequencing). The system is capable of sequencing DNA sizes ranging from fragments to mammalian size genomes having mouse draft quality at a much reduced cost. The system comprises a massive parallel capillary electrophoretic separation using two-dimensional monolith multi-capillary arrays (2D-MMCA). Sequence identification can be performed using fluorescent or otherwise labeled dideoxynucleotide-terminated DNA extension product generated by gel matrix-, or beads-, or substrate tethered-, or otherwise immobilized colonies of single template molecules. Cost reduction is a significant advantage over currently known methods because of: (i) using massively parallel sub-nanoliter volume reactions; and (ii) employing 2D-MMCAs that increase the throughput of the CE separation and detection by at least two orders of magnitude compared to the commercial high-throughput DNA machines.
US08828208B2
An apparatus for sensing of an interaction of a molecular entity with a membrane protein in a lipid bilayer comprises an array of sensor elements (21) arranged to output an electrical signal that is dependant on occurrences of the interaction. A detection circuit (3) comprised detection channels (30) capable of amplifying an electrical signal from a sensor element. More sensor elements (21) are provided than detection channels (30), and detection channels (30) are selectively connected to sensor elements (21) that have acceptable quality of performance in that a lipid bilayer is formed and that an acceptable number of membrane proteins are inserted, on the basis of the amplified electrical signals that are output from the detection channels. This improves the efficiency of utilization of the detection channels, due to inefficiency in the utilization of the sensor elements, resulting in a reduction in the cost of the apparatus and the ability to perform sensing using relatively small samples.
US08828197B2
A jig for connecting a part to a body for an on-line painting process may include a plastic adaptor and a metal hanger. The plastic adaptor may be configured to be connected to a part to be painted, and the metal hanger may be removably connectable to the plastic adaptor. The metal hanger may be configured to be connected to a body to be painted.
US08828191B2
A method and apparatus for pyrolytic destruction of polymer products including whole vehicle vulcanised rubber tires is disclosed. The apparatus 111 has a reaction chamber 153 into which a tire can be placed, and immersed for pyrolytic decomposition in a molten alloy of zinc with a minor proportion of aluminium. The apparatus 111 has a heated reservoir 155 in which the alloy is maintained in a molten state, and from where it can be transferred to the reaction chamber 153 to immerse the tire. Fluid hydrocarbon byproducts are drawn off for condensation and recovery, and solid zinc sulphides are also recovered. Where steel belted tires are processed, carbon and steel residues are also recovered.
US08828186B2
A method of peeling an electronic component. The method includes a step of, when the electronic component is adhered onto a first main surface of a tape member, bringing a bellowphragm into contact with a second main surface, which is the other main surface of the tape member; and a step of, after the bellowphragm is brought into contact with the second main face, deforming the bellowphragm and the tape member by supplying a fluid to the bellowphragm to thereby peel the electronic component from the tape member.
US08828184B2
A plasma processing apparatus includes a plasma processing chamber, a process monitor which monitors a condition in the plasma processing chamber, an actuator which controls a parameter constituting a plasma processing condition, N+1 correction amount calculating units which calculate a correction amount of a manipulated variable on the basis of a difference between a process monitor value monitored by the process monitor and a desired value of the process monitor and a correlation between the process monitor value and a manipulated variable, which is the parameter, the correlation having been acquired in advance, and N manipulated variable adding units that add a manipulated variable having a priority level next to an N-th manipulated variable. The N-th manipulated variable adding unit defines a correction amount calculated by the N+1-th correction amount calculating unit as the correction amount of an N+1-th manipulated variable.
US08828178B2
A sealing device which comprises a slinger fixedly fitted to the rotary side member, a core member fixedly fitted to the stationary side member, and an elastic sealing member fixed to the core member and having a seal lip which elastically and slidably contacts the slinger. The slinger comprises a fitting cylindrical portion to be fitted into the rotary side member, a brim portion extending its radial direction at one end of its outside relative to a sealed portion of the fitting cylindrical portion, and a rotary side fixing member fixed to the brim portion. Further, the slinger is made in such a manner that an adhesive layer is formed on its whole surface including a contacting side surface where the seal lip contacts by applying adhesive agent thereon, then the fixing member is integrally fixed thereto, thereafter the adhesive layer is partially removed only in the contacting side surface.
US08828166B2
The invention relates to a method for ultrasound welding of two bag foils to a spout, wherein at a first method step, a lateral edge of a bag foil abutting the spout is welded to the spout with a first oscillating structure, at a second method step, the lateral edge of the second bag foil abutting the opposite side of the spout is welded to the spout with a second oscillating structure, and at a third method step, the lateral edges of the two bag foils located next to the spout are welded to each other with a third oscillating structure.
US08828164B2
A chamber includes a sealed connection assembly sliding inside a translation plane, having two rigid parts, one of which comprises a groove. A planar seal and at least one O-ring seal are positioned in the groove, with the O-ring seal under the planar seal. An active surface of the planar seal, which projects above the groove, is compressed against a planar bearing surface of the other rigid part. The chamber can be used in a device for applying a plastic film onto a spectacle lens, in order to move the lens inside a variable-pressure space.
US08828152B2
A substrate includes an iron-nickel alloy core or a cobalt-nickel ferrous alloy core, a chromium conversion coating on at least a portion of the core, and an insulating coating on the chromium conversion coating. A method of making a substrate includes: providing an iron-nickel alloy core or a cobalt-nickel ferrous alloy core, applying a chromium conversion coating on at least a portion of the core, and applying an insulating coating on the chromium conversion coating.
US08828140B2
A nitride crystal is characterized in that, in connection with plane spacing of arbitrary specific parallel crystal lattice planes of the nitride crystal obtained from X-ray diffraction measurement performed with variation of X-ray penetration depth from a surface of the crystal while X-ray diffraction conditions of the specific parallel crystal lattice planes are satisfied, a uniform distortion at a surface layer of the crystal represented by a value of |d1−d2|/d2 obtained from the plane spacing d1 at the X-ray penetration depth of 0.3 μm and the plane spacing d2 at the X-ray penetration depth of 5 μm is equal to or lower than 2.1×10−3. The above configuration provides the nitride crystal having a crystal surface layer that is evaluated directly and reliably without breaking the crystal so that it can be used in a preferred fashion as a substrate for a semiconductor device as well as the nitride crystal substrate, an epilayer-containing nitride crystal substrate, a semiconductor device and a method of manufacturing the same.
US08828139B2
Methods of manufacturing a sapphire seed for growing a crystal having reduced dislocation density. The present invention provides a method of manufacturing a sapphire seed formed by a sapphire single crystal and used for growing another sapphire single crystal on a (0001) face as a crystal growing surface, the method comprising: preparing a sapphire seed whose side face forms a crystal face within a {1-100} face±10 °, and whose shape is processed so as to include a hexagonal prism or a triangle prism; and applying a predetermined thermal treatment to said sapphire seed.
US08828134B2
A method for protecting an entity from the effects of an explosion or from the effects of contact with a projectile by covering at least a part of the entity in a barrier which includes a cross-linked water gel.
US08828128B1
A system and method for controlling the humidity of an indoor space is disclosed. The system features a desiccant wheel which rotates sequentially through a plurality of distinct process air streams in order to optimize desiccant moisture adsorption at the process side of the desiccant wheel. This moisture is then deposited on the regeneration side of the wheel upstream of a cooling coil, increasing the dew point of the air entering the coil. The latent capacity and operational temperature of the coiling coil will be increased as a result, thus enhancing the dehumidification performance of the cooling coil and the overall efficiency of the system.
US08828123B2
An air cleaner includes a housing and an air filter element. An endcap of the air filter element provides a removable cover for the housing. The endcap includes removal, insertion, orientation, and retention structure and methods for same. A clamping arrangement is provided with minimal space requirements.
US08828119B2
A membrane cartridge is manufactured by repeatedly folding and joining two strips of membrane to form a cross-pleated cartridge with a stack of openings or fluid passageways configured in an alternating cross-flow arrangement. The cartridge can be modified for other flow configurations including co-flow and counter-flow arrangements. Methods for manufacturing such cross-pleated membrane cartridges, as well as apparatus used in the manufacturing process are described. Cross-pleated membrane cartridges comprising water-permeable membranes can be used in a variety of applications, including in heat and water vapor exchangers. In particular they can be incorporated into energy recovery ventilators (ERVs) for exchanging heat and water vapor between air streams being directed into and out of buildings.
US08828118B2
A pressure swing adsorption (PSA) system using two or more valves for controlling the flow of gases entering or exiting a bed of adsorbents is disclosed, where the two or more valves are opened sequentially (i.e., in at least two actions separated by a delay in time). The sequential opening of the valves may increase the degree to which adsorbed species are purged from the bed, and also facilitates more rapid execution of certain time steps of the PSA cycle, thus increasing adsorbent productivity The sequential opening of the valves may also allow for verification of valve operation by measuring either the absolute value, the slope (derivative) or the rate of change of derivative of the pressure, either in the adsorbent bed, in the downstream manifold, or in a volume of gas held in a buffer vessel.
US08828115B2
An air filter element is provided with an anti-crown support grid on a clean side of the filter media. The support grid includes one or more elongated mounting members provided along periphery portions of the grid and at least one support rib spanning between and secured at opposing ends to the mounting members. The mounting members are embedded within a peripheral seal frame. The support grid may include at least one alignment feature sized, configured and positioned to be receivable into a complimentary feature of a housing so as to positionally lock the filter element and the housing.
US08828112B2
A gas-particulate filter canister includes a filter canister body and first and second canister end caps secured to opposing ends of the filter canister body. First and second filter cartridges are supported within the filter canister body for filtering a gas in series. The filter cartridges can be standalone units which are built independently and are installed into the filter canister body. The filter cartridges can be concentrically arranged and can include a particulate filter cartridge and a gas filter cartridge.
US08828103B2
Process for the preparation of electrodes from a porous material making it possible to obtain electrodes that are useful in electrochemical systems and that have at least one of the following properties: a high capacity in mAh/gram, a high capacity in mAh/liter, a good capacity for cycling, a low rate of self discharge, and a good environmental tolerance.
US08828101B2
An agent that is capable of improving dye fastness is provided. The agent includes a compound that includes at least one functional group capable of forming at least one interaction or at least one bond with a fiber or a dye molecule. Also, a method for using the agents to improve dye fastness and a dyed article including the agent are provided.
US08828097B2
A method for forming an industrial textile product by spiral winding an array of machine direction (MD) yarns to form a system having a defined width, and then connecting the MD yarns in the cross machine (CD) direction with resin. This method is a replacement for conventional weaving or knitting of substrates which can be used as forming, press or dryer fabrics in papermaking, and other industrial applications. Devices for forming the product are also described.
US08828086B2
An orthopaedic knee prosthesis includes a femoral component having a condyle surface. The condyle surface is defined by one or more radii of curvatures, which are controlled to reduce or delay the onset of anterior translation of the femoral component relative to a tibial bearing.
US08828080B2
A method and system for repairing a defect area in a surface of a joint include providing a mold having a first surface and a second surface, positioning the mold within the joint such that at least part of the mold first surface overlies the defect area, and depositing a repair material under the mold first surface within the defect area to create a repaired site within the joint.
US08828078B2
A method for endovascularly replacing a patient's heart valve including the following steps: endovascularly delivering an anchor and a replacement valve supported within the anchor to a vicinity of the heart valve in a collapsed delivery configuration, the anchor having grasping elements adapted to grasp tissue in a vicinity of the heart valve; expanding the anchor, thereby rotating the grasping elements; and grasping the tissue with the rotating grasping elements.
US08828077B2
The present invention provides a method of fabricating a drug delivery stent. In one embodiment, the method involves forming a stent pattern in a flat sheet, where the stent pattern includes reservoirs, generating a flat map of the reservoirs, filling the reservoirs with a composition based on the flat map, and then forming the filled stent pattern into a tubular shape and joining the sides. In another embodiment, the method involves forming a stent pattern in a flat sheet, generating a flat map of discrete portions of the stent pattern that are desirable locations for coating, coating the discrete portions with a composition based on the flat map, and then forming the coated stent pattern into a tubular shape and joining the sides. The invention provides advantages over current methods and drug-delivery stents in that it is faster, more accurate and more cost-efficient manufacturing process for fabricating drug delivery stents, that improves quality and consistency of drug delivery within and across batches of stents, and that permits automated a process of quality control. This method also allows for differential coating on the two surfaces of the stent struts, whereby the two sides are coated with different drugs and/or polymer combinations, or only one side of the strut is coated.
US08828065B2
A bone screw and a method for manufacturing the same includes a screw thread configuration having one or more grooves cut into a leading face of the thread, a trailing face of the thread, and/or the shaft between the threads. Other implementations include the incorporation of facets into the one or more grooves. The implementation of the one or more grooves increases the surface are of the orthopedic screw and functions to increase in anchoring the bone screw within the bone once inserted therein, and thereby reduce the possibility for the screw backing out after insertion.
US08828054B2
A method for securing a first object to a second object, the method comprising providing a suture and a plurality of cleats slidably mounted on the suture; passing one end of the suture and a first cleat through the first object and the second object; tensioning the suture so as to secure the suture to the first cleat; passing a subsequent portion of the suture and a second cleat through the first object and the second object; and tensioning the suture so as to secure the suture to the second cleat.
US08828052B2
An anchor for securing suture to tissue, the anchor comprising: an elongated body having a distal end and a proximal end, the distal end having a distal slot extending proximally into the elongated body, and the proximal end having a proximal slot extending distally into the body; the distal slot comprising a wide section and a narrow section, wherein the wide section has a width such that the suture is slidably accommodated therein and the narrow section has a width such that the suture is bound therein, and further wherein the wide section is disposed distally of the narrow section.
US08828043B2
An implantable liner device for preventing formation of blood clots in a left atrium of a patient's heart. The liner device includes a liner body configured, in some embodiments, to cover a portion of an interior surface of the left atrium, the liner body forming a first opening sized for placement about pulmonary vein ostiums of the left atrium and a second opening for fluid alignment with a mitral valve of the left atrium. The liner body can self-expandable from a collapsed state appropriate for percutaneous delivery to the atrium to an expanded state, with the expanded state having a shape appropriate for covering the portion of the interior surface of the left atrium. The liner body can have a cap-like shape, and can be formed of mesh, fabric, braided material, and biological material such as tissue.
US08828039B2
The invention relates to a pricking device (1) for taking a blood sample, comprising a movable holding device (5) for pricking means (4), means (12) for driving the movable holding device and a release device (19) for releasing the pricking movement (13) of the pricking means. When the release device has been manually actuated, the movable holding device can be axially moved by a spring force of a drive spring (9) of the drive means (12), and a tensing device (22) for tensing the drive spring. Said tensing device comprises a tensing mechanism (23) comprising means (24) for axially stopping the movable holding device during the tensing of the drive spring and means (25) for working during the tensing of the drive spring enabling said pricking device to be comfortable to use even when being used several times.
US08828025B2
Methods and devices for providing a minimally-invasive placement of a mechanical structure for reducing the volume of a hollow body organ. Anchors may be secured within the hollow body organ and then cinched together using a tensioning member to form a stricture within the hollow body organ. In another embodiment a tensioning member may be threaded along the hollow body organ and then cinched to reduce the volume. The strictures may be placed anywhere within the hollow body organ, and more than one stricture may be formed within the hollow body organ.
US08828021B2
A robotic catheter system is provided. The catheter system includes a housing, and the housing has a sidewall and a longitudinal axis. The catheter system includes a recess formed in the sidewall of the housing and a drive mechanism supported by the housing. The drive mechanism is configured to impart movement to a catheter device. The catheter system includes a first channel configured to receive a catheter device, and the first channel has a opening located within the recess.
US08828020B2
A femoral sizing instrument for use in a knee joint replacement procedure has a housing which includes formations (4) by which it can be located relative to the femoral posterior condyles. A cortex arm (14) has a tip (16) for engaging the anterior cortex of the femur and a sulcus arm (20) has a tip (24) for engaging the sulcus. Each of the cortex and sulcus arms can be adjusted relative to the housing to adjust the distance between its tip and the posterior condyles measured generally parallel to the anterior posterior axis. The instrument includes at least one scale (13,23,27,25) for indicating the positions of the tips of the cortex and sulcus arms relative to the posterior condyles.
US08828014B2
An axial height adjustable, revision cutting in the shape of a final distal femur implant component. The revision guide includes a rod adapted for intimate contact within an intramedullary canal of a femur, and includes a threaded passageway. The revision cutting guide is adapted for removable attachment to a distal portion of the femur. A vernier-bolt is rotatably positioned through the shaped body of the revision cutting guide so as to be adjustably received within the threaded passageway thereby providing for movement of the shaped body of the revision cutting guide relative to the distal portion of the femur.
US08828012B2
An apparatus and method are provided for aligning an extramedullary femoral cut guide by referencing the anterior cortex of a femur. An anterior cortex referencing extramedullary femoral cut guide is provided to guide an osteotomy device to prepare the femur to receive a prosthesis. An alignment gauge is included in the cut guide to determine proper and improper alignment of the cut guide with respect to the anterior cortex of the femur.
US08828003B2
A method of milling a calcar region of the femur. The method includes using a miller assembly including a cutter and a frame. The frame has a longitudinal axis and a cutter mount for mounting the cutter at a first angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the frame. The cutter mount extends at the first angle from the longitudinal axis of the frame and receives a portion of the cutter and maintain the received cutter oriented at the first angle during rotation. The frame includes a handle that forms a portion of a drive joint for coupling the frame to a drill. The handle is coupled to the drill and the miller assembly is inserted into the femur such that the cutter is located in the calcar region. The drill is then operated, causing the cutter to rotate and mill bone in the calcar region.
US08828001B2
A minimally invasive and particularly small apparatus for drilling into bone and for providing for delivery of medical treatment is provided. The directional drilling apparatus includes a miniature shaft, a bit, first shaft-mounted thrust ring, second shaft-mounted thrust ring, a tubing jacket surrounding the shaft and intermediate the first and second shaft-mounted thrust rings, and a guide tube encapsulating the tubing jacket. As a result, a hole, targeted towards a cancerous lesion within the bone, is possible. After removal of the shaft and the tubing jacket, treatment may be introduced through the particularly small passage created by the directional drilling apparatus or through the passage via a capillary inserted through at least a portion of the guide tube and the passage, which guide tube may include a hypodermic needle.
US08827999B2
A polymeric external fixator element, such as a rod or a pin or a clamp, has at least one contacting surface. At least one of the contacting surfaces of the element responsible to establish connection between the element and a different external fixator element is provided with a rough ablated structure. The clamping can be improved if one of the polymeric elements comprise fibers having fiber parts protruding above the surface.
US08827998B2
A fixation clamp for use in an external fixation system for holding bone fragments adjacent to each other with the help of fixation elements, has of at least one clamping assembly having at least one reception provided by means of grooves to accommodate a fixation element along the longitudinal axis of the reception. At least one locking element extends through the clamping assemblies for blocking the position of the clamping assemblies in a defined angular position. The clamping assembly comprises a first jaw and a second jaw which are in contact with each other via respective contact surfaces. The clamping assembly comprises at least two orientation devices that extend from and/or into said contact surfaces which at least two orientation devices serve to orient the first jaw with respect to the second jaw.
US08827997B2
A fixation clamp for use in an external fixation system for holding bone fragments adjacent to each other with the help of fixation elements has at least one clamping assembly having a pair of jaws with at least two different size grooves to accommodate a bone fixation element such as a pin or rod. An alternate clamping assembly has at least three grooves wherein at least two of the grooves have a different size adapted to accommodate a correspondingly sized bone fixation element such as a bone pin. The longitudinal axes of the grooves define a polygon. The jaw pairs can be rotated about a central longitudinal axis to present different size reception cavities towards the pins or rocks depending on their diameter.
US08827981B2
Methods and devices for augmenting bone, such as in performing vertebroplasty are disclosed. A bone cement injection needle is provided, having a laterally deflectable distal end. The distal end may be provided with a cavity creation element, such as an inflatable balloon. Systems are also disclosed, including the steerable injection needle, introducer and stylet. The system may additionally include a cement delivery gun, one-time use disposable cement cartridges and a cement mixing chamber. Methods are also disclosed.
US08827975B2
The present invention relates to an intravaginal tampon for feminine hygiene includes a generally cylindrical absorbent pledget and a withdrawal element operatively connected to the generally cylindrical pledget proximate to the withdrawal end thereof. The absorbent pledget includes a mass of fibers compressed into a self sustaining shape and a sheet-like fluid-permeable cover substantially enclosing the mass of fibers. The absorbent pledget has formed thereon or therein a plurality of detached groove forms. At least two of said detached groove forms each has a length, measured along the groove, that is at least 150% of the length of the pledget; each has a major axis having a generally longitudinal orientation; and each has a turn proximate to at least one of the insertion end and the withdrawal end.
US08827973B2
A reduced-pressure medical treatment system for treating a tissue site on a patient includes a medical drape that has an holographically-formed polymer dispersed liquid crystal (H-PDLC) device that changes visual appearance when experiencing strain. The change in visual appearance of the H-PDLC device allows identification of the existence of strain and may allow a quantitative assessment of the range of stress involved. In other aspects, a dressing conduit connector, canister, and reduced-pressure interface use a holographically-formed polymer dispersed liquid crystal (H-PDLC) device to help determine the existence and perhaps the amount of stress experienced. Other systems, methods, and devices are presented.
US08827970B2
The end of the elongated tubular element of the appliance that is designed to be inserted into a body cavity is formed entirely of soft, compliant material. That end carries an inflatable balloon made of non-expandable material, formed in the fully inflated shape, to prevent overexpansion. The balloon is inflated to a predetermined low pressure level to prevent pressure necrosis in the adjacent tissue. A method and apparatus for introducing the soft end of the appliance into the body cavity are also provided. The introducer apparatus includes rigid core surrounded by a soft, compliant sleeve. The sleeve extends beyond the rigid core to form an invertable section. The soft end of the appliance is situated adjacent the apparatus, the balloon is wrapped around the apparatus, and the sleeve section is inverted over the appliance, compressing the balloon and forming a soft, rounded insertion tip. The unit is then introduced into the body cavity. After the appliance is separated from the apparatus, the apparatus is withdrawn.
US08827961B2
A safety needle for automatically covering a tip of a needle following removal of the needle from a patient is provided. The safety needle includes an injection device and a packing sleeve. The injection device has an initial position and an intermediate position. The packing sleeve has a generally hollow body surrounding at least a portion of the injection device in the initial position and the intermediate position. The hollow body includes at least one track having an activation leg and a releasing leg. The at least one track is configured to slidingly engage with at least one member of the injection device to move the injection device to the intermediate position. The packing sleeve is removable from the injection device only when the injection device is in the intermediate position.
US08827960B2
A catheter anchoring system, apparatus and method for securing a catheter to a patient's skin, having two flexible side members and a cross-member therebetween to which a retaining assembly is mounted. The retaining assembly may hold a catheter hub at an angle for patient comfort. Gripping tabs secure to each retaining assembly side are gripped while advancing a cannula guide needle into the patient's vein and while attaching the catheter hub to a medical accessory, such as intravenous (I.V.) tubing, for increased patient comfort, reduction of the risk in contamination and patient infection, and to more easily and quickly start an I.V.
US08827944B2
A novel ventricular catheter designed to reduce CSF shunt obstruction is disclosed comprising a tip using a membrane without any opening and capable of filtering the CSF. When the CSF flows through the membrane, neither tissue (choroid plexus, blood cells, tumor cells, suctioned ependymal tissue) nor proteins can break through the membrane, making this ventricular catheter capable of preventing obstruction from tissue invasion but also preventing clogging from protein precipitation, coagulation or flocculation along the downstream shunt system.
US08827938B2
A massage machine includes a seat portion, a backrest portion and a rocking mechanism center where the backrest portion reclines at a back portion side of the seat portion about a reclining center. The rocking mechanism portion swings the backrest portion and the seat portion about a rocking center, and the rocking center is apart or different from the reclining center.
US08827931B2
The present invention provides a hospital bed including a force sensor or scale apparatus configured to detect the weight of a patient.
US08827929B2
An apparatus for measuring distensibility of a vessel, lumen or sphincter includes a balloon catheter having a balloon located adjacent a distal end of a catheter for inserting in, for example, the sphincter, the distensibility of which is to be determined. The balloon is inflated to respective first and second pressures to distend the sphincter to respective first and second transverse cross-sectional areas which are measured. The first and second pressures are selected so that the relationship between the pressure and the cross-sectional area of the sphincter is linear. The distensibility of the sphincter is determined as a distensibility index, which is the value of c from the equation of a line y=mx+c containing the values of the first and second pressures and areas, where x represents pressure and y represents area.
US08827926B2
A guide wire includes an elongated wire body and a radiopaque part capable of forming an X-ray image and located at the distal end portion of the wire body. The radiopaque part has a radiopaque member and a resin coating layer. The radiopaque member is composed of a metallic material capable of forming an X-ray image and arranged outside the wire body and in the lengthwise direction of the wire body. The resin coating layer covers the radiopaque member and at least part of coating layer contains a radiopaque material capable of forming an X-ray image. The radiopaque part is divided into a first radiopaque region, a second radiopaque region, and a third radiopaque region which are sequentially arranged from the distal end in the lengthwise direction of the wire body.
US08827924B2
A diagnostic method and apparatus for detecting at least one change in a urinary parameter indicative of a body malfunction, the method comprising at least semi-continuously monitoring in real time at least one of a sodium level, an oxygen level, a potassium level, and combinations thereof in the urine of a catheterized patient; whereby at least one parameter is monitored so as to detect one or more changes in the at least one parameter to reflect at least one of a fluid state, an electrolyte balance, a kidney state, a kidney perfusion and an organ perfusion in the patient, indicative of the body malfunction in the patient, in which the monitoring is preferably performed through electrodes that are arranged perpendicularly to the flow of urine through a patient's catheter system.
US08827923B2
A sampling device adapted for transcervical sampling of biological materials from a pregnant patient comprising: an elongate insertion tube (4) having a first end (5) adapted for insertion through the external orifice (external os) of said patient's cervix and a second end (6) including a handle means (7) for manipulating said tube; a measuring means for determining the position of said first end of said tube within said cervix, wherein said first end (5) includes a sampling head (9, 14) adapted to collect biological material including cells, mucus and biological fluids, and wherein said measuring means is adapted to determine the extent of insertion and transcervical position of said first end to optimise the transcervical sampling site.
US08827920B2
The present invention relates to a telemedical stethoscope, which automatically diagnoses a disease, and records visually and auditorily, and stores the stethoscope data on a screen. The present invention enhances primary diagnosis and treatment effect for a patient by transmitting/receiving the data to/from a doctor at a medical center and by receiving a telemedicine service. In addition, the present invention transmits the data to a health management program so as to be used for personal healthcare and disease prognosis decision of a patient.
US08827918B2
A ballistocardiogram-based personal authentication method includes detecting ballistocardiogram training signals of persons to be registered, extracting training features from the detected ballistocardiogram training signals, generating training data for personal authentication based on the extracted training features, detecting ballistocardiogram authentication signals of persons to be authenticated, and comparing the ballistocardiogram authentication signals and the training data to determine whether or not to perform the personal authentication of the persons to be authenticated. Thereby, the personal authentication method can perform personal authentication according to feature of a ballistocardiogram of each individual.
US08827915B1
A system and method (1000) for an interactive game is disclosed herein. The system (1000) preferably includes monitoring device (20) monitoring the vital signs of a user, an interface (1115), a game console (1010) and an accessory (1020). The monitoring device (20) is preferably an article (25) having an optical sensor (30) and a circuitry assembly (35), and a pair of straps (26a and 26b). The monitoring device (20) preferably provides for the display of the following information about the user: pulse rate; blood oxygenation levels; calories expended by the user of a pre-set time period; target zones of activity; time; distance traveled; and/or dynamic blood pressure. The article (25) is preferably a band worn on a user's wrist, arm or ankle.
US08827910B2
A catheter includes a flexible tubing having a proximal end and a distal end. The catheter also includes an electrode assembly attached to the distal end of the flexible tubing and including a first magnet therein. The electrode assembly including an electrically conductive tip electrode and an electrically nonconductive coupler which is connected between the tip electrode and the distal end of the flexible tubing. The electrically conductive tip electrode comprises a hollow elongated tip electrode including a sidewall provided with one or more elongated gaps extending through the sidewall. The one or more elongated gaps providing flexibility in the sidewall for bending movement of the tip electrode relative to a longitudinal axis of the catheter body. The first magnet is responsive to an external magnetic field to selectively position and guide the electrode assembly within a body of a patient.
US08827907B2
A system for producing an ultrasound image comprises a scan head having a transducer capable of generating ultrasound energy at a frequency of at least 20 megahertz (MHz), and a processor for receiving ultrasound energy and for generating an ultrasound image at a frame rate of at least 15 frames per second (fps).
US08827893B2
A slotted cannula for endoscopic surgical procedures is disclosed. The slotted cannula has a tubular body having a distal end, a proximate end, an open slot extending longitudinally from the beginning of the proximate end to the proximity of the distal end, and a pair of wings integrally formed on the proximate end. The tubular body is made from a transparent material and has an inner diameter large enough to accommodate an endoscope.
US08827887B2
A needle guard is used when suturing the cuff of an attachment ring to the heart. The needle guard is disposed in the attachment ring to prevent other parts of the attachment ring from being punctured by a suturing needle. The needle guard can include one or more grooves to inhibit relative movement between the needle guard and the attachment ring during suturing. The needle guard is removed upon completion of suturing and to allow insertion into attachment ring of an inflow conduit of a heart assist device. An articulated clamp is used to compress the attachment ring into engagement with the inflow conduit. The attachment include an annular rib that grabs the inflow conduit.
US08827886B2
A method, apparatus and a system for thermally-assisted pulsed electromagnetic field stimulation for treatment of osteoarthritis are disclosed. In one embodiment, the system comprises a multi-coil applicator adapted for positioning near or around of the treated joint, a pulse generator functionally coupled to the applicator, a power supply, and a feedback loop for stabilizing the temperature of the joint. The feedback loop includes a heating element, a temperature sensor and an electronic controller for maintaining the temperature of the joint in the range of 38 to 42 degree C. At elevated temperatures the healing effect of PEMF stimulation on the cartilage is maximized and overall efficiency of the treatment is improved. To produce a high electric field, the coils of the applicator are made with a low number of turns, for example less than 5 turns, and are spatially arranged to cover the whole joint without “dead” zones.
US08827884B2
An oncology therapy method comprises implanting a radioactive seed (10, 20, 30, 40, 50) in an oncology subject (S). In some embodiments the radioactive seed comprises a radioactive material (12, 32, 33, 42) including at least one radioisotope disposed in a biodegradable host (14, 24, 25, 44) configured to biodegrade over a therapy time period when implanted in the oncology subject. In some embodiments the radioactive seed is implanted in soft tissue of an oncology subject (S), and the radioactive seed comprises a radioactive material (12, 32, 33, 42) including at least one radioisotope disposed in a host material (14, 24, 25, 44) having softness comparable with or softer than the soft tissue into which the radioactive seed is implanted.
US08827875B2
An apparatus including first, second, third, and fourth vertical members, a first top horizontal member which joins a top of the first and a top of the second vertical members, a second top horizontal member which joins a top of the third and a top of the fourth vertical members, and a third top horizontal member which joins a top of the first top horizontal member and a top of the second top horizontal member. The first, second, third, and fourth vertical members, and the first, second, and third top horizontal members form a cage structure. The apparatus may also include first and second dumbbell holder members adjustably fixed to the cage structure. The apparatus may also include devices for suspending a first and a second dumbbell from the cage structure.
US08827872B2
The subject matter discloses a bicycle device capable of functioning as an upright bicycle and a recumbent bicycle using one seat. The bicycle device according may comprise a seat, a body, a wheel operated by the user of the exercising device and a directing rod connecting the body and the seat. Such that movement of the directing rod allows positioning the seat in front position used for upright bicycle and rear position used for recumbent bicycle.
US08827870B2
An exercise guidance system and method dynamically adjusts an exercise route for meeting a fitness objective based upon a comparison of the route and actual received exercise metrics on an exercise device.
US08827868B2
A method of cooling a multi-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT) that is paired with an internal combustion engine in a vehicle includes detecting operation of the vehicle. The method also includes sensing an increase in temperature of a subsystem of the DCT while the vehicle is operating. The method also includes selecting a remedial action in response to the sensed temperature. The method aditionally includes activating the selected remedial action such that the temperature of the subsystem is reduced.
US08827851B2
To provide a power transmission belt and a method of producing the same that allows lightweight elements to be produced at low cost and allows the durability to be sufficiently ensured, the power transmission belt includes a plurality of elements each having both side end surface portions, a rocking edge portion rockably engaged with either one of a pair of other elements neighboring the element, and a concave-convex engagement portion engageable with the pair of other elements, in which each of the elements has a plate-like portion, a first convex portion projecting from one surface of the plate-like portion, and a second convex portion projecting from the one surface of the plate-like portion in a spaced relationship with the first convex portion to constitute the rocking edge portion, and each of the elements is engaged with the pair of other elements so as to press against one another by the first convex portion and the second convex portion.
US08827847B2
A training aid (10) provides real-time biometric feedback for swung or linearly accelerated implements where the feedback is provided above a user adjustable threshold. The training aid (10) includes a two-part housing (12) and mounting means for releasably mounting the housing to an implement. A battery (16) is located in the housing (12) with a buzzer (22) connected to the battery (16) through an electrical circuit. A force activated switch (14) in the electrical circuit is activated to energize the buzzer (22) to sound in response to displacement of the training aid. The force activated switch (14) has a force threshold at which the force activated switch (14) is activated to energize the buzzer (22) to sound. The force activated switch (14) is configured so that the force threshold is user adjustable.
US08827845B1
The Frisbee disc golf practice tower includes a plurality of vertically stacked baskets that collect Frisbee discs that are thrown into a front opening of each basket, and which are used as a means of practicing Frisbee golf putting or in connection with a game. The baskets are formed from a plurality of tubular components that connect, and from which netting spans along each basket at a rear surface, side surfaces, and a bottom surface. A top basket includes a backboard that enables a bank shot to be made therein. The tubular construction of the practice tower can collapse between uses, and arise from base members that secure the practice tower upon different ground surfaces.
US08827844B2
A training apparatus for use in training football basic technique is disclosed, comprising one opening on each side of the apparatus being adapted to entrance angles for at least one rail guiding a ball in a loop from one opening to the other, and a wall adjustable in height as well as sideways is fixed between said openings, where both openings for the ball can be used as entrance/exit and vice versa.
US08827842B2
A golf equipment fitting system that uses advanced technology to not only objectively identify the optimum equipment for the golfer, but to also identify and help correct swing flaws so that the golfer can achieve optimum performance on the golf course. Thus, in one embodiment, golf fitting includes collecting data related to the golfer's swing and determining if the golfer's swing technique should be modified based at least in part on the collected swing data. When it is determined that the golfer's swing technique should be modified, then providing swing instruction to the golfer. When, however, it is determined that the golfer's swing technique is fine, then collecting data related to how the golfer's swing launches a golf ball. Finally, golf equipment, e.g., golf clubs, can be specified based on the collected swing data and launch data.
US08827840B2
A multi-piece solid golf ball composed of a solid core having an inner core layer and an outer core layer encased by a cover including at least an inner cover layer and an outer cover layer. The inner core layer has a JIS-C cross-sectional hardness of from 60 to 83 at any single point on a cross-section, and has a cross-sectional hardness difference between any two points on the cross-section of within ±5. The ball has specific relationships between the hardness of the inner core layer 1 mm inside a boundary between the inner core layer and the outer core layer, the hardness of the outer core layer 1 mm outside the boundary, and the surface hardness of the outer core layer. And, the outer cover layer has the specific Shore D hardness, which is lower than that of the inner cover layer.
US08827833B2
There is provided a golf club head capable of reliably preventing a backspin rate from varying in rainfall. A plurality of fine grooves are formed on a face surface 2. When observing a cross-sectional surface perpendicular to the face surface 2 involving a vertical line passing through the center G of gravity of the golf club head 1 with the golf club head 1 set at preset loft and lie angles, an average width of the fine grooves 4 in the cross-sectional surface is 100 μm or less and an average pitch thereof in the cross-sectional surface is 100 μm or less. Hence, the discharge of water can be accelerated by a capillary phenomenon, making it possible to reliably prevent a backspin rate of a golf ball from varying in rainfall.
US08827831B2
A hollow golf club incorporating a stress reducing feature including at least a toe located stress reducing feature or a heel located stress reducing feature at least partially located on the skirt of the golf club head. The location and size of the stress reducing feature and their relationship to one another play a significant role in selectively increasing deflection of the face.
US08827812B2
To provide a game device that is capable, in a match in which a player character group including operating characters of a plurality of game players and one or more teammate character competes with an opponent character or an opponent character group opposing the player character group, of improving diversity of combination of the characters belonging to the player character group while suppressing increase of data amount. An operating character obtaining unit (30) obtains the player data on an operating player of each game player. A teammate character obtaining unit (32) obtains the player data on a teammate player of each game player. A game execution unit (36) carries out a game in which an operating team takes part in a soccer match with an opponent team, based on the player data on the respective operating players and that on the respective teammate players.
US08827809B2
A game apparatus acquires operation data from an input device at least including a gyroscope, wherein the operation data at least contains angular rate data from the gyroscope. The game apparatus sets a predetermined reference position in a predetermined plane when a player inputs a predetermined instruction, and then calculates a coordinate point based on the angular rate data, wherein the coordinate point represents a position in the predetermined plane relative to the reference position. A game process is performed based on the coordinate point.
US08827807B2
Systems and methods include determining a hardware configuration in accordance with the detection of the presence or absence of hardware modules on a wagering game machine. Various services are selected base on the hardware configuration, where the service selected provides an interface to a wagering game. The services provide an abstraction of various functions provided by various hardware platforms upon which the wagering game may execute, and take into account differences in the platforms.
