| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US07656361B2 |
Multiple phase shifter for protecting individuals against electromagnetic waves
The invention relates to a multiple phase shifter for protecting individuals against electromagnetic waves. The invention comprises several phase shift modules which each comprise two identical or homothetic flat loops which are electrically connected by means of two inter-loop connection elements at a first opening in each of the loops and which are electrically insulated from one another with the exception of the inter-loop connection elements. Each module is electrically connected to another module by means of two inter-module connection elements and is essentially identical or homothetic to the other modules. The inter-module connection elements connect one of the loops of one module at a second opening in the loop to one of the loops of another module at a second opening in said loop. The modules are electrically insulated from one another with the exception of the inter-module connection elements. |
| US07656360B2 |
Antenna device, wireless communication apparatus using the same, and control method of controlling wireless communication apparatus
An antenna device has semi-conductive antenna bodies each having a predetermined length, which are positioned on a dielectric substrate, and control electrodes that are respectively connected with the semi-conductive antenna bodies. Direct-current biased voltage applied across each of the control electrodes is controlled to switch each of the antenna bodies between their insulation state and their conductive state. |
| US07656358B2 |
Antenna operable at two frequency bands simultaneously
An antenna is provided which is structured to operate at two frequency bands simultaneously. The antenna is structured as a waveguide cavity having two types of radiating elements provided on its top surface, symmetrically about the diagonal of the cavity. One group of radiating elements is optimized to operate at one frequency band, while the other group is optimized to operate at a first frequency band. In one implementation, two groups of holes of different diameter are provided on the top surface of the cavity and the radiating elements are two groups of cones of different diameter coupled to different diameter holes. The different diameter holes act as a filet between the two frequency bands. |
| US07656356B2 |
Non-contact communication antenna unit and mobile communication device using the same
A non-contact communication antenna unit capable of implementing a thickness reduction of a mobile communication device and also suppressing a reduction in a communication range characteristic of a non-contact communication antenna even when metal components such as circuit wirings, a circuit GND, a shielding case, etc. being arranged on the inside of the mobile communication device are arranged in close vicinity to the non-contact communication antenna is provided.A non-contact communication antenna 9 and a magnetic sheet 11 arranged on one surface of a non-contact communication circuit board 8 respectively, and an non-contact communication electronic components 10 and a magnetic sheet 12 arranged on the other surface of the non-contact communication circuit board 8 respectively are provided, whereby the magnetic sheet 11 and the magnetic sheet 12 are arranged on the non-contact communication circuit board 8 such that the non-contact communication antenna 9 and the non-contact communication electronic component 10 are separated mutually. |
| US07656355B2 |
Stylus arranged with antenna and portable wireless communication device having the same
A portable wireless communication device has a stylus and a main body. The stylus includes a pen tube and an antenna. The antenna is containable in the pen tube and separable from the pen tube. A portable wireless communication device includes a circuit board arranged in the main body, a containing groove and an antenna groove formed in the main body. The circuit board has a wireless communication unit. The containing groove is configured for containing the stylus. The antenna groove is configured for containing the antenna, and the antenna connects electrically to the wireless communication unit of the circuit board when the antenna is contained in the antenna groove. |
| US07656349B2 |
Enhancement of GNSS position determination in poor signal propagation environments
A system, for enhancing location estimates by movable rovers that use receivers for processing ranging signals from orbiting satellites, including a fixed base station that serves as a ranging signal source for the rovers' receivers. The base station may also determine and transmit the azimuthal angles of the respective rovers. The rovers use this information, along with a calculated or transmitted ranges to the base station to calculate the ranging system times at the locations of the rovers. Further, the rovers may use the information along with signals from satellites in view to determine position. |
| US07656346B2 |
Millimeter wave image processor and millimeter wave image processing method
A millimeter wave image processor, capable of performing imaging by matching and filtering while considering a spherical wave on an antenna face in a near field, is provided. The processor includes: a T-antenna which receives a radio wave emitted by a target; an A/D converter which A/D converts signals received by the T-antenna; a correlation processing unit which performs correlation processing to a combination of signals of a horizontal conversion output and a vertical conversion output among A/D converted data; and an imaging processor which correlates a reference function in which a received signal is generated theoretically on an assumption that the target is at a position of a focused distance and a received signal of a spherical wave received by the T-antenna for each pixel in the field of view to thereby create an image of the target. |
| US07656339B2 |
Systems and methods for analog to digital conversion
Various embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for analog to digital conversion. For example, an analog to digital converter is disclosed that includes an analog input that is provided to a comparator bank. The comparator bank receives a reference indicator, and is operable to provide a current output based at least in part on a comparison of the analog input with a reference threshold corresponding to the reference indicator. The analog to digital converter further includes a range selection filter that is operable to receive the current output and to generate the reference indicator based at least in part on a prior output of the comparator bank. |
| US07656337B2 |
Method and system for bit polarization coding
A method and system for converting a digital code. A digital signal is encoded to have a digital code having multiple binary bits. Substantially one half of the binary bits of the digital code is inverted to produce a modified digital code to reduce digital noise associated with the digital code. |
| US07656334B2 |
Signal processor
A signal-processing unit according to the present invention comprises: an input line provided with a plurality of analog input signal lines; a multiplexer circuit transmitting the plurality of analog signals from this input line to one signal line in the subsequent stage in a desired sequence; an analog-digital conversion circuit that converts an analog signal into a digital signal and outputs it; and a cross talk compensation circuit that with respect to each of signals having been sequentially outputted from the analog-digital conversion circuit, a coefficient of an effect level between this signal and the other plural signals interfering with each other is calculated, and data obtained by multiplying the signals by these coefficients are added up. |
| US07656331B2 |
System on a chip with multiple independent outputs
An audio output circuit includes a DAC module, a line out circuit, and a headphone amplifier circuit. The digital to analog conversion (DAC) module is coupled to convert an audio component of digitized multimedia data into an analog audio signal. The line out circuit is coupled to amplify the analog audio signal based on a line out volume setting. The headphone amplifier is coupled to amplify the analog audio signal based on a volume setting to produce an amplified analog audio signal. |
| US07656328B2 |
Signal level conversion circuit for increasing dynamic range of analog-to-digital converter
Disclosed herein is a signal level conversion circuit for increasing the dynamic range of an Analog-to-Digital Converter (ADC). A comparison and calculation unit compares the value of an input signal Vin and the value of a first reference signal Vref1 and compares the value of the input signal Vin and the value of a second reference signal Vref2, and calculates and outputs respective differences therebetween. A signal leveling circuit unit converts signal levels of the respective output signals of the comparison and calculation unit so that the output signals fall within the dynamic range of an ADC. The ADC digitizes the output signal Vo of the signal leveling circuit unit and the output signals Vack1 and Vack2 of the comparison and calculation unit. |
| US07656326B2 |
Decoding of context adaptive binary arithmetic codes in computational core of programmable graphics processing unit
Embodiments of decoding systems and methods are disclosed. One system embodiment, among others, comprises a software programmable core processing unit having a context-adaptive binary arithmetic (CABAC) unit configured to execute a shader, the shader configured to implement CABAC decoding of a video stream and provide a decoded data output. |
| US07656325B1 |
Serializer-deserializer (SerDes) having a predominantly digital architecture and method of deserializing data
A serializer-deserializer and a method of deserializing data. In one embodiment, the serializer-deserializer includes: (1) an analog-to-digital converter configured to receive a serial data stream and provide a digital output based thereon, (2) a digital comparator coupled to the analog-to-digital converter and configured to compare the digital output to an output table to yield candidate output bits, (3) a digital feedback equalizer coupled to the digital comparator and configured to generate the output table based on the candidate output bits and (4) a multiplexer coupled to the digital comparator and configured to select output bits from among the candidate output bits to form a discrete bit sequence. |
| US07656323B2 |
Apparatus for all-digital serializer-de-serializer and associated methods
An all-digital serializer-de-serializer includes an all-digital clock multiplier unit (CMU) circuit, an all-digital clock and data recovery (CDR) circuit, a multiplexer (MUX), and a demultiplexer (DeMUX). The all-digital clock and data recovery (CDR) circuit couples to the all-digital clock multiplier unit (CMU) circuit. The multiplexer (MUX), couples to all-digital clock multiplier unit (CMU) circuit, and serializes data. The demultiplexer (DeMUX), couples to the all-digital clock and data recovery (CDR) circuit, and de-serializes data. |
| US07656322B2 |
Semiconductor memory device having error correction function
A semiconductor memory device configured such that the time required for its access test can be reduced comprising a memory cell array, a row decoder, a column decoder, an error correction circuit, and an output circuit. The error correction circuit performs error correction on a code word read through the bit lines selected by the column decoder from ones of memory cells located at places at which the word line selected by the row decoder and the selected bit lines cross over, thereby detecting an error position in the code word to generate error detection data indicating the error position and corrects the information bit in the detected error position to generate error corrected data. The output circuit relays to the outside the error corrected data when a normal operation mode has been designated and the error detection data when a test operation mode has been designated. |
| US07656315B2 |
Computer chinese character input method and its keyboard based on simplified strokes
This computer Chinese character input method mainly includes: Select 10 elements corresponding to the 10 simplified Chinese character strokes, which are and Select 46 elements corresponding to the 46 stroke combination sets, whose representative visual representations are: Assign the above 10 elements and 46 elements to keys on a computer keyboard; Determine desired characters based on the elements input by a user using the keyboard mentioned above or other apparatus. |
| US07656314B2 |
Input device
An input device is provided. The input device includes an operation unit. A coordinate input unit capable of detecting that an operating body is in contact with the operation unit and detecting a position coordinate on the operation unit of a position where the operating body contacted the operation unit. A data processing unit outputs an operation processing signal on the basis of a detection signal received from the coordinate input unit. The data processing unit outputs an operation confirmation processing signal for the input operation after an input operation is performed while the operating body is contacting the operation unit, when tapping is performed on the operation unit, with the operating body kept in contact with the operation unit. |
| US07656310B2 |
Technique for operating a vehicle safely in a lane
In a control and management system for automobiles, a central processor in the system connects traditionally unrelated vehicle subsystems together to realize synergistic functions such as smart driving, automatic parking, etc. A master interface having a display is employed in the system to help a user control and manage the vehicle functions. |
| US07656309B2 |
System and method for sharing information between downhole drill strings
A system for sharing information between downhole drill strings is disclosed in one embodiment of the invention as including a first drill string and a communications network integrated into the first drill string. The communications network includes multiple nodes spaced at selected intervals along the first drill string to gather subterranean data along the first drill string. The system further includes a second drill string and a real-time communication link between the first drill string and second drill string. The communication link is used to transit the subterranean data from the first drill string to the second drill string to control the second drill string. |
| US07656307B2 |
Vehicle lighting device and LED light source therefor
The disclosed subject matter aims to provide a vehicle lighting device and an LED light source therefore. Accurate temperature detection of an LED chip and associated phosphor can be monitored in real time. The LED light source can include at least one LED chip mounted on a base and a phosphor layer disposed adjacent the LED chip. A mixed particulate phosphor for generating fluorescence through light emitted from the above LED chip can also be provided. The LED light source can be configured to output mixed color light containing the light from the LED chip and the fluorescence from the phosphor. The LED light source can also include a temperature detecting element located on the base and LED chip to detect the temperature on the periphery of the LED chip. |
| US07656306B2 |
Circuit for driving network indicator
A circuit assembly for indicating statuses of a network includes an indicator circuit having a first indicator and a second indicator, a networking chipset including a first port for outputting a network type signal, a second port for outputting a linking status signal, and a third port for outputting a data transfer signal, and a driving circuit. The driving circuit includes a first transistor, a second transistor, and a power supply is capable of powering the first and second indicators. The second indicator is connected between the power supply and the third port to indicate data transfer status of the networking chipset. The first port and the second port are connected to the first indicator via the first transistor and the second transistor. The first transistor accepts the linking status signal to generate an assistant signal transferred to the second transistor. The second transistor accepts the network type signal, and compares the network type signal with the assistant signal to determine switching on or off the second transistor to control the indicator. |
| US07656304B2 |
Method and apparatus for sensing a current in a circuit
Techniques are disclosed to sense a current in a circuit. For instance, current sense circuit according to the teachings of the present invention includes a current sense resistor coupled to an input of the current sense circuit. The current sense resistor is coupled to receive a current to be sensed from the input of the current sense circuit. The current to be sensed is converted to a current sense voltage. A first PN junction diode is coupled to the current sense resistor. A light emitting diode (LED) is coupled to the first PN junction diode to provide a current sense threshold substantially proportional to a difference between a forward voltage drop of the LED and a forward voltage drop of the first PN junction diode. The first PN junction diode is coupled to be biased from the forward voltage drop of the LED. The LED is coupled to the current sense resistor to generate an output when the current sense voltage from the current sense resistor reaches the current sense threshold. |
| US07656301B2 |
Smoke detection for hardware cabinets
An air-cooled electronic component cabinet has an air sampling conduit to enable smoke detection from air from different areas within the cabinet. An air sampling conduit has one or more orifices to sample air from the different areas within the cabinet, such as adjacent different electronic chassis assemblies or enclosures stacked in a rack within the cabinet. An axial fan or blower draws air samples into the conduit, or the air samples are drawn in by operation of convection or other airflow established within the cabinet. In the air sampling conduit, the air samples are mixed and conveyed for sampling by one or more smoke detection devices mounted, e.g., within the conduit, or within an attached expansion joint section to reduce the airflow velocity or accommodate multiple smoke detection devices. Orifices in the air sampling conduit varying in size or number at different conduit areas regulate associated sampled air proportions. A variety of configurations in which such air sampling conduits are deployed are presented. |
| US07656300B2 |
Pest control system
The present invention relates to an integrated method and system for preventing and solving problems relating to pests of any kind on a site, in a building, in a process, installation or in an area. The system involves complete digitalizing and automation of all functions necessary in order to control the pests such as surveillance, registration, alarms, regulation and remedial actions as well as generating reports etc. The aim is to make the overall effort against the pests more effective by means of fully automating all processes to the furthest possible extent. |
| US07656297B2 |
RFID tag reading rate
An RFID system of the present invention has a plurality of antennas for reading data from an RFID tag; an antenna configuration storage unit for prestoring a position of each of the plurality of antennas; a position detection unit for detecting a position of the RFID tag; and an antenna control unit for selecting one or more of the antennas that read the RFID tag, based on the position of the RFID tag detected by the position detection unit and on the position of each of the plurality of antennas stored in the antenna configuration storage unit, and for preferentially activating the selected one or more of the antennas. |
| US07656295B2 |
Media content preview
A media product comprising an electronic tag, the tag comprising a memory, wherein the memory has data stored thereon representing preview material associated with the content of the product. A suitable tag and device for querying a memory of the tag are also described. |
| US07656294B2 |
Disablement of camera functionality for a portable device
Systems, methods, media, and apparatuses for disabling camera functionality in a portable device are disclosed. Embodiments of the method may include establishing a connection with a camera-enabled portable device and transmitting to the portable device a request for permission to disable camera functionality. Embodiments of the method may also include receiving a response from the portable device relating to permission to disable camera functionality. Further embodiments of the method may include, in response to receiving permission to disable camera functionality, transmitting to the portable device a command to disable camera functionality or, in response to receiving an indication that the user refused permission, displaying a notification message. The command to disable camera functionality may include a command to disable camera functionality for a prescribed period, while the portable device is located within a secure geographical location, partially or fully disable camera functionality, and/or other methodology. |
| US07656292B2 |
Flexible anti-theft pack for tracking and location
A flexible security device for tracking and location. The device comprises a flexible housing having a hollow medial region. A location tracking assembly is contained, at least in part, within the hollow region. The location tracking assembly comprises a plurality of modules, including a wireless communications antenna module, a wireless communications electronics module, a global positioning system antenna module, a global positioning system electronics module, and a power module. A plurality of interconnects are configured among the plurality of modules, with one or more of the interconnects having sufficient flexibility to permit relative movement of at least one module relative to an adjacent interconnected module. |
| US07656291B2 |
System and method for determining proximity to a wireless boundary of programmable shape used in animal containment
Described is a boundary proximity determining system for wirelessly defining a boundary having a programmable shape and for indicating the occurrence of a rover unit traversing the boundary. The boundary proximity determining system includes a base station unit that generates a plurality of magnetic fields. The boundary proximity determining system also includes a rover unit that is responsive to the generated magnetic fields such that the rover unit defines the boundary in terms of the intensities and polarities of the magnetic fields. The rover unit determines whether the rover unit is within or outside the boundary by determining the current location of the rover unit in terms of the intensities and polarities of the magnetic fields and comparing the current location to the boundary. |
| US07656286B2 |
Trusted monitoring system and method
Methods and apparatus for monitoring remotely located objects with a system comprised of at least one master data collection unit, any number of remote sensor units, and a central data collection server are described. The master unit is configured to monitor any object, mobile or stationary, including monitoring multiple remote sensor units associated with the objects being monitored. The master unit may be in a fixed location, or attached to a mobile object. The master unit is configured for monitoring objects that enter and leave the area where it is located. The master unit may act as a parent controller for one or more child devices, wherein the child devices can be remote sensors or monitors of various measurable conditions including environmental conditions, substance identification, product identification and biometric identification. The master unit is able to discover new remote sensor units as they enter or leave the area where the master unit is located. The master unit can be remotely reprogrammed. The reprogramming can be accomplished with authenticated instructions. |
| US07656278B2 |
Theft prevention apparatus of leisure vehicle
A theft prevention apparatus of a leisure vehicle equipped with a rider's seat which opens outside is disclosed. The theft prevention apparatus typically includes a portable transmitter configured to transmit a user identification code by radio at predetermined intervals during travel of the vehicle, a vehicle receiver mounted in the vehicle and configured to receive the user identification code which is transmitted by radio from the portable transmitter, a controller coupled to the vehicle receiver through a signal line or by radio, and an alarm device mounted in the vehicle and configured to indicate an alarm to inform the rider that the portable transmitter has been lost, wherein the controller is configured to determine whether or not the vehicle receiver has received the user identification code transmitted from the transmitter within a predetermined time during travel of the vehicle, and to execute control to cause the alarm device to indicate the alarm when the controller determines that the receiver does not receive the user identification code within the predetermined time. |
| US07656268B2 |
Safety switch
A switch includes a body and a switch member pivotably engaged with the top opening of the body. A link has one end pivotably connected to a first end of the switch member and the other end of the link is movably received in a guide path is defined in the body. The second end of the link is located at an inner periphery of the guide path when the switch member is in “ON” position to let two contact points be in contact with each other, and a space is defined between the second end of the link and the outer periphery of the guide path so that the second end of the link is allowed to move toward the outer periphery when a contact portion is deformed upward when overloaded. |
| US07656265B2 |
Apparatus and method for establishing a magnetic circuit
An apparatus for establishing at least one turn for a magnetic circuit includes: (a) at least one first magnetic element oriented substantially about an axis generally between a first axial position and a second axial position; and (b) at least one second magnetic element coupled with at least one selected first magnetic element of the at least one first magnetic element generally at the second axial position. The at least one second magnetic element establishes at least one return magnetic path from the second axial position generally toward the first axial position. The at least one return magnetic path is generally about the axis. |
| US07656262B2 |
Balun transformer, mounting structure of balun transformer, and electronic apparatus having built-in mounting structure
There is provided a balun transformer, in which first to fourth layer coils are stacked and coupled magnetically; one end of each coil of the first to fourth layer coils is grounded; the second and third layer coils are connected in parallel, an unbalanced signal is input/output to/from a common terminal of the second and third layer coils; a first balanced signal is input/output to/from the other end of the first layer coil; and a second balanced signal is input/output to/from the other end of the fourth layer coil. |
| US07656257B2 |
Low energy magnetic actuator
A low energy magnet actuator allows magnetic fields to be turned on and off using a small amount of energy. The magnetic actuator according to the invention generally includes a base suitable for the support of a plurality of magnets. An actuatable shield is positioned in relation to the plurality of magnets so that it effectively blocks the magnetic field when it is positioned over at least one of the magnets. The magnetic fields of the plurality of magnets interact in a manner that allows low energy actuation of the shield. |
| US07656256B2 |
Three-dimensional microstructures having an embedded support member with an aperture therein and method of formation thereof
Provided are three-dimensional microstructures and their methods of formation. The microstructures are formed by a sequential build process and include microstructural elements which are affixed to one another. The microstructures find use, for example, in coaxial transmission lines for electromagnetic energy. |
| US07656252B2 |
Micro-electro-mechanical-system (MEMS) resonator and manufacturing method thereof
A micro-electro-mechanical-system resonator, includes: a substrate; a fixed electrode formed on the substrate; and a movable electrode, arranged facing the fixed electrode and driven by an electrostatic attracting force or an electrostatic repulsion force that acts on a gap between the fixed electrode and the movable electrode. An internal surface of a support beam of the movable electrode facing the fixed electrode has an inclined surface. |
| US07656250B1 |
Differential signal termination block
A termination block for connecting a first signal device and a second signal device. The termination block includes a housing, first and second pair of connectors, and an electrical circuit having passive elements that connect the first and second pair of connectors and provide impedance matching. |
| US07656248B2 |
Equalizer and related signal equalizing method
An equalizer is disclosed. The equalizer includes a filter, configured to receive the first transmission signal, to perform a filtering operation on the first transmission signal according to a feedback signal to generate an output signal; a first slicer, configured to generate a first sliced signal according to a signal level of the output signal and to adjust an amplitude of the first sliced signal according to an amplitude control signal; a boost control module, configured to generate the feedback signal according to the output signal and the first sliced signal; and a control circuit, configured to receive a second transmission signal on the transmission line and to output the amplitude control signal according to an amplitude of the second transmission signal. |
| US07656247B2 |
Broadband balancing transformer
A balance-to-unbalance transformer (balun) comprising a first signal input/output with two symmetrical poles, a second signal input with one pole, several first conductor loop regions, which are located between the two poles of the first signal input and the ground and a second series connection of several conductor loop regions, the first terminal of the latter being connected to the pole of the second signal input. Two second conductor loop regions are electromagnetically coupled to a respective conductor loop region. The second outer terminal of the second series connection of several second conductor loop regions is electrically connected to the intermediate terminal of a first series connection of several first conductor loop regions, which connect a symmetrical pole of the first signal input to the ground. |
| US07656246B2 |
Circular polarizer using conductive and dielectric fins in a coaxial waveguide
There is disclosed a linear polarization to circular polarization converter. An outside surface of an inner conductor may be coaxial with the inside surface of an outer conductor. First and second diametrically opposed conductive fins may extend outward from the outer surface of the inner conductor. First and second dielectric fins may be interlocked with the first and second conductive fins, respectively. |
| US07656240B2 |
Low voltage synchronous oscillator for DC-DC converter
Systems and methods which provide an oscillator circuit outputting non-overlapping trigger signals throughout a range of operating voltages using a reset-set (RS) flip-flop type circuit configuration are shown. Embodiments utilize output driver buffers internal to the RS flip-flop circuit configuration to provide oscillator feedback delay. Feedback control circuitry may be implemented to ensure that the delay associated with any one driver buffer does not solely provide the feedback delay. Embodiments further implement input delay circuitry adapted to maintain a relatively constant reset and set input feedback delay ratio throughout a large range of operating conditions. |
| US07656237B2 |
Method to gate off PLLS in a deep power saving state without separate clock distribution for power management logic
An apparatus, a method, and a computer program are provided to gate a Phased Locked Loop (PLL). In microprocessors, the clock distribution system can account for a substantial amount of power consumption. Gating the PLLs, however, has been difficult because of the usual requirement for a separate clock for control logic and because the PLL requires timed to reacquire phase/frequency lock. Therefore, lock detection logic can be employed to allow the PLL to reacquire phase/frequency lock. Additionally, signals from external devices and the processor can be employed to gate the PLL and allow the processor to be awakened without a need for a separate clock. |
| US07656232B2 |
Wideband variable gain amplifier with clipping function
The present invention relates to a variable gain amplifier. The variable gain amplifier includes an input unit including first and second input nodes and an output node, the input unit being configured to receive first and second input signals. The variable gain amplifier further includes a first clipping unit operable to clip a voltage level at the output node to be equal to or lower than a level of a first reference voltage and a second clipping unit operable to clip a voltage level at the output node to be equal to or greater than a level of a second reference voltage, wherein the second reference voltage is lower than the first reference voltage. A predetermined level of a voltage is outputted through an output unit included in the variable gain amplifier based on the clipped voltage level. |
| US07656231B2 |
High bandwidth apparatus and method for generating differential signals
An apparatus and method for generating differential signals. The apparatus includes a first operational amplifier receiving a first signal, a second operational amplifier receiving a second signal, and a first transistor. The first transistor includes a first gate, a first terminal, and a second terminal. Additionally, the apparatus includes a second transistor. The second transistor includes a second gate, a third terminal, and a fourth terminal. Moreover, the apparatus includes a first resistor coupled to the first terminal and the third terminal, and a second resistor coupled to the second terminal and the fourth terminal. Also, the apparatus includes a first current supplier coupled to the first terminal, a second current supplier coupled to the second terminal, a third current supplier coupled to the third terminal, and a fourth current supplier coupled to the fourth terminal. |
| US07656229B2 |
Method and apparatus for reducing intermodulation distortion in an electronic device having an amplifier circuit
An electronic device includes an amplifier circuit coupled to a linearizer. The amplifier circuit may receive a first input signal including first and second frequencies and generate a first output signal including a delta frequency signal at a delta frequency, which is the difference between the first frequency and the second frequency. The linearizer includes a signal detector circuit, a current-mirror circuit, a low pass filter, a phase shifter, and a bias circuit. The signal detector circuit may generate a second output signal. The current-mirror circuit may adjust an amplitude of a signal. The low pass filter may eliminate a portion of the second output signal having frequencies greater than the delta frequency. The phase shifter may generate a feedback signal corresponding to the delta frequency signal. An amplitude and/or a phase of the feedback signal is different from an amplitude and/or a phase of the delta frequency signal. |
| US07656227B1 |
Techniques to control amplifier gain over process, voltage, and/or temperature (PVT) variations
Methods and apparatus control the gain of an RF amplifier. In an example, the RF amplifier is biased for low distortion. The bias is not changed to adjust gain. Rather, the amplifier's gain is controlled by selectively activating or deactivating RF amplifier cells of the RF amplifier. This individual RF amplifier cells to be biased for good linearity and relatively good spectral performance, while permitting gain control. |
| US07656223B2 |
Delay locked loop circuit
The disclosure relates to phase detectors. Charge up and charge down signals that are generated by a phase detector cause i) following detection of a first edge of a reference clock signal, switching on of a switching transistor of sink current; ii) following detection of an edge of a feedback clock signal falling within less than 180 degrees from the first edge, switching on of a switching transistor of source current and switching off of the switching transistor of sink current; and iii) following detection of an edge of another reference signal at a point in time about midway between the first edge and a next similar edge of the reference clock signal has past, switching off of the switching transistor of source current while maintaining the switching transistor of sink current switched off. |
| US07656221B2 |
Booster circuit and voltage supply circuit
A booster circuit includes a pump circuit that boosts a voltage supplied from a power supply and outputs the boosted voltage, and a pump controlling circuit that outputs a first clock signal for operating the pump circuit to control the operation of the pump circuit. The pump controlling circuit controls the pump circuit to reduce a number of active charge pump circuits according to an output signal of one of a first comparator and a second comparator, controls the pump circuit to reduce a frequency of a second clock signal for operating the active charge pump circuits by reducing a frequency of the first clock signal according to the other output signal of one of the first comparator and the second comparator, and brings the pump circuit into an inactive state according to an output signal of a third comparator. |
| US07656218B2 |
Signal output circuit and semiconductor integrated circuit
A signal output circuit is disclosed that supplies a signal from a first circuit that is driven based on a first reference voltage to a second circuit that is driven based on a second reference voltage. The signal output circuit includes a first control circuit that draws a current to the first reference voltage according to an output signal from the first circuit and supplies a signal to the second circuit according to the drawn current, and a second control circuit that draws a current from the second circuit to the second reference voltage. |
| US07656217B2 |
Voltage level clamping circuit and comparator module
A voltage level clamping circuit which can be implemented in an integrated circuit (IC) and a high-speed comparator module, wherein the IC includes a parasitic diode coupled between a first voltage source and a second voltage source. The voltage level clamping circuit includes a switch module coupled between the first voltage source and the second voltage source and a comparator module having an output terminal coupled to the switch module, a first input terminal coupled to the first voltage source, and a second input terminal coupled to the second voltage source, for comparing a voltage level of the first voltage source with a voltage level of the second voltage source to generate an output signal, and transmitting the output signal to the switch module to control a conducting state of the switch module to selectively clamp the voltage level of the second voltage source. |
| US07656215B2 |
Clock generator circuit, clock selector circuit, and semiconductor integrated circuit
A clock generator circuit provides an output clock without an abnormal waveform pulse which causes faulty operation in other function circuits. A phase synchronizing circuit outputs a second clock synchronized with a first clock. A selector signal generator circuit outputs a switching signal when detecting the abnormal waveform pulse in the second clock. A selector outputs the first clock instead of the second clock as the output clock based on the switching signal. A delay circuit delays the second clock input to the selector so that the selector switches the output clock from the second clock to the first clock before the abnormal waveform pulse is input to the selector. |
| US07656214B1 |
Spread-spectrum clock generator
A spread-spectrum clock generator is provided, which includes a modulation module and a voltage-controlled delay line (VCDL). The modulation module provides a control voltage. The VCDL is coupled to the modulation module and is configured for modulating the frequency of an input clock signal according to the control voltage, so as to output an output clock signal. The modulation profile of the output clock signal is a periodic function of time. |
| US07656211B2 |
Dynamic floating input D flip-flop
A dynamic floating input D flip-flop (DFIDFF) is provided. The DFIDFF includes a floating input stage, a first string of transistors, and a second string of transistors. At a pre-charge period, the floating input stage transmits the input data to the first string of transistors; the first string of transistors stores the logic status of the input data, and pre-charges its output node to a first level. At an evaluation period, the first string of transistors decides its output node level in accordance with data logic status stored in the first string of transistors; and the second string of transistors decides output level of the D flip-flop in accordance with logic status of the output node of the first string of transistors. |
| US07656208B2 |
PLL oscillation circuit
A digitally controlled PLL oscillation circuit has a VCO, a frequency divider, a reference oscillation circuit, an A/D converter, a phase comparator, a digital filter, a D/A converter, and an analog filter. A reference signal supplied from the reference oscillation circuit is output through a narrow-band crystal filter (MCF) to the A/D converter to cancel noise, jitter and a spurious wave included in the reference signal, making it possible to prevent the phase noise characteristic and spurious characteristic of a VCO output from being degraded. |
| US07656207B2 |
Delay locked loop circuit having coarse lock time adaptive to frequency band and semiconductor memory device having the delay locked loop circuit
Provided are a DLL circuit having a coarse lock time adaptive to a frequency band of an external clock signal and a semiconductor memory device having the DLL circuit. The DLL circuit includes a delay circuit, a replica circuit, and a phase detector. The phase detector generates a first comparison signal used by the delay circuit to delay an external clock signal in units of a first cell delay time or a second comparison signal used by the delay circuit to delay the external clock signal in units of a second cell delay time. The DLL circuit delays the external clock signal by the cell delay time adaptive to the frequency band of the external clock signal, and thus can perform an accurate and rapid coarse lock operation for the entire frequency band. |
| US07656204B2 |
Divider circuit
A divider circuit comprises at least two clock edge controlled differential buffer store elements, each being clocked by complementary input clock signals, each comprising internal storage nodes which are pre-chargeable to a pre-charge potential, and each comprising a differential data input. The internal storage nodes of the buffer store elements are either pre-charged at the pre-charge potential or store a logic level, depending on the relevant input clock signals. The differential data inputs of one of the buffer store elements is connected to the internal storage nodes of the other buffer store element and pulsed signals can be tapped off at the internal differential storage node. |
| US07656202B2 |
Driving device and driving method
A driving device and driving method for controlling electric power to a load is provided. The driving device controls switching operations of switching elements by setting a first duration in which electric power is supplied to the load and by setting a second duration in which the load is floated without electric power. The driving device feeds back an output signal outputted from output terminals of the load, receives an input signal, and compares the fed back output signal with the input signal to detect an error. The driving device also generates an error suppression signal to correct the detected error and controls the switching operation of the switching elements based on the error suppression signal. |
| US07656201B2 |
Output buffer circuit
When a first signal is switched from an L level to an H level and a second signal is switched from an H level to an L level, and a first constant current source cannot follow the switching immediately thereafter and has not yet been switched, a first node remains at an H level, so an output node remains at an L level. In such state, a second node having been connected to a third node of an H level before the switching becomes connected to the first node of an H level by the switching. At the same time, the output part of an inverter is switched from an H level to an L level, causing the second node to be switched from an H level to an L level as well via a capacitor. At this time, the potential of the first node is reduced to become equal to the second node, to make a transition to an L level. |
| US07656199B2 |
Fast, low offset ground sensing comparator
A fast, accurate, low offset comparator may be configured with multiple gain stages. A low gain, low input impedance, and fully differential common-gate amplifier may be configured as a first stage in the multi-stage comparator, providing a wide bandwidth for small power consumption. The inputs of the comparator may comprise a pair of differential inputs at respective source terminals of gate-coupled metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) devices configured in the input stage of the common-gate amplifier. A pair of differential outputs of the first stage may be coupled to a pair of differential inputs of a second stage, which may be a differential input current-mirror amplifier that may perform differential to single-ended conversion. The single-ended output of the second stage may serve as the input into a latch, which may be a bistable set-reset (SR) latch configured to increase the gain and response time while protecting against multiple switching, with the single-ended output of the latch configured as the output of the comparator. |
| US07656196B2 |
Multi-state latches from n-state reversible inverters
N-valued re-circulating latches using n-valued reversible inverters with n>3 are disclosed. Latches using n-valued self-reversing inverters are provided; latches using n-valued universal inverters are provided; and latches using inverters which are not self-reversing or universal are also provided. A latch may use two individually controlled gates. It may also use one individually controlled gate. N-valued latches are provided wherein a state is represented by a signal being an independent instance of a physical phenomenon. A latch not using absence-of-signal as a state is also provided. |
| US07656194B2 |
Shift register circuit
A shift register circuit comprising a plurality of stages dependently connected to an initial input signal or an output signal of a previous stage and connected to first and second clock signals which are mutually inverted. Each stage includes eight switching devices interconnected together with three capacitors and interfaced through eleven interface points. Some of the interface points are connected to the first and second clock signals according to whether the stage is an even numbered stage or an odd numbered stage. Other ones of the interface points are connectable to the first and second clock signals in alternative ways to reduce power consumption without changing an internal configuration of the stage. |
| US07656191B2 |
Distributed memory in field-programmable gate array integrated circuit devices
Circuitry for facilitating the use of the memory elements in the look-up tables (“LUTs”) of a field programmable gate array (“FPGA”) as user-accessible, distributed RAM. For example, a register associated with a LUT and that is not needed in the read data path in user RAM mode can be used to register data for writing in user RAM mode. As another example, an otherwise unneeded register associated with a LUT can be used to provide a synchronous read address signal for user RAM mode. Several other features are shown for similarly facilitating user RAM mode with minimal (if any) additional circuitry being required in the FPGA. |
| US07656190B2 |
Incrementer based on carry chain compression
A computational unit is disclosed to increment or decrement n-bits of data. The unit has n/3 logic blocks to process the n-bits of data, each logic block including: first and second multiplexers to propagate a carry chain; and first, second and third exclusive-OR (XOR) circuits coupled to the carry chain of the multiplexers to generate a 3-bit incremented output. |
| US07656188B2 |
Reconfigurable IC that has sections running at different reconfiguration rates
Some embodiments provide a reconfigurable IC that includes several sections. Each section includes several configurable circuits, each of which configurably performs a set of operations. Each section stores multiple configuration data sets for each configurable circuit. Each configuration data set for a particular configurable circuit specifies the operation that the particular configurable circuit has to perform from the circuit's set of operations, where the configurable circuits of at least two different sections change configuration data sets at two different reconfiguration rates. |
| US07656187B2 |
Multi-channel communication circuitry for programmable logic device integrated circuits and the like
An integrated circuit like a programmable logic device (“PLD”) includes multiple channels of data communication circuitry. Circuitry is provided for selectively sharing signals (e.g., control-type signals) among these channels in groupings of various size so that the device can better support communication protocols that require various numbers of channels (e.g., one channel operating relatively independently, four channels working together, eight channels working together, etc.). The signals shared may include a clock signal, a FIFO write enable signal, a FIFO read enable signal, or the like. The circuit arrangements are preferably modular (i.e., the same or substantially the same from one channel to the next and/or from one group of channels to the next) to facilitate such things as circuit design and verification. |
| US07656185B2 |
Semiconductor integrated circuit device with a fail-safe IO circuit and electronic device including the same
A semiconductor IC device includes at least one IO port, a core logic, and at least one fail-safe IO circuit, the fail-safe IO circuit being coupled between the core logic and the IO port, wherein the fail-safe IO circuit is configured to receive a predetermined control signal and to maintain the IO port at a predetermined impedance with respect to the predetermined control signal. |
| US07656181B2 |
Apparatus and method for testing circuit characteristics by using eye mask
A test apparatus capable of detecting input/output (I/O) circuit characteristics of a semiconductor device by analyzing an eye mask generated in the test apparatus and the waveform of a test signal output from the I/O circuit of the semiconductor device. The test apparatus includes an eye mask generator that generates an eye mask in synchronization with one or more clock signals of opposite phase to each other, an error detector that receives the eye mask from the eye mask generator and compares the test signal with the eye mask to determine whether an error occurs in the semiconductor device, and an error signal output unit that receives an error detection signal from the error detector and generates an error signal in response to the error detection signal. In particular, the eye mask generator includes a sine wave generator that generates one or more sine waves of opposite phase to each other in synchronization with one or more clock signals, and a limiter circuit that receives the sine waves and generates the eye mask by adjusting the amplitudes of the sine waves. |
| US07656177B2 |
Test apparatus
There is provided a test apparatus that tests an electronic device. The test apparatus includes a socket board in which a socket for mounting thereon the electronic device is provided, and a test head that detachably holds the socket board and transmits source power to the electronic device via the socket board, the test head includes a first source power transmission line that transmits the source power to the socket board, a first bypass capacitor that is provided between the first source power transmission line and ground potential, and a switch that switches whether the first bypass capacitor is connected between the first source power transmission line and the ground potential, and the socket board includes a second source power transmission line that transmits the source power to the electronic device, and a second bypass capacitor that is fixedly connected between the second source power transmission line and the ground potential. |
| US07656176B2 |
Probe member for wafer inspection, probe card for wafer inspection and wafer inspection equipment
A probe member for wafer inspection having a sheet-like probe, the probe including a frame plate in which openings are formed, and contact films arranged on a front surface of the frame plate so as to close the openings, each of the contact films obtained by arranging, in an insulating film formed of a flexible resin, a plurality of electrode structures, and an anisotropically conductive connector, which is composed of a frame plate, in which a plurality of openings have been formed corresponding to the electrode regions, and a plurality of elastic anisotropically conductive films arranged on and supported by the frame plate so as to close the respective openings, wherein each of the openings of the frame plate in the sheet-like probe have a size for receiving the external shape in a plane direction in the elastic anisotropically conductive film of the anisotropically conductive connector. |
| US07656166B2 |
Multilayer wiring board and method for testing the same
A multilayer wiring board has a ceramic substrate, on which a multilayer wiring section is formed. The ceramic substrate has an internal conductor layer, which is connected to a test pad. The first conductor layer is formed, and then an electric capacitance is measured between the test pad and a wiring pattern of the first conductor layer. On the other hand, an electrical capacitance is calculated under the normal wiring pattern condition. The measured value is compared to the calculated value to determine whether the wiring pattern is good or bad. Similar measurements and comparisons are carried out for each of the second through fifth conductor layers to determine whether a three-dimensional wiring path is good or bad. As the ceramic substrate has an internal conductor layer, the electric capacitance of the wiring can be measured without an overall grounded layer in the multilayer wiring section, which is a characteristic part different from others among a variety of the multilayer wiring boards. |
| US07656165B2 |
Method and apparatus for maintaining emission capabilities of hot cathodes in harsh environments
A method and apparatus for operating a multi-hot-cathode ionization gauge is provided to increase the operational lifetime of the ionization gauge in gaseous process environments. In example embodiments, the life of a spare cathode is extended by heating the spare cathode to a temperature that is insufficient to emit electrons but that is sufficient to decrease the amount of material that deposits on its surface or is optimized to decrease the chemical interaction between a process gas and a material of the at least one spare cathode. The spare cathode may be constantly or periodically heated. In other embodiments, after a process pressure passes a given pressure threshold, plural cathodes may be heated to a non-emitting temperature, plural cathodes may be heated to a lower emitting temperature, or an emitting cathode may be heated to a temperature that decreases the electron emission current. |
| US07656163B2 |
Remaining-capacity dispersion detecting apparatus and remaining-capacity control apparatus for battery pack
A remaining-capacity dispersion detecting apparatus for a battery pack having a plurality of cells includes a total voltage sensing section adapted to sense a total voltage which is a terminal voltage of the whole of battery pack; a storing section adapted to store a value of the total voltage when the battery pack becomes under unloaded condition from loaded condition; and a dispersion detecting section. The dispersion detecting section is adapted to detect a value of the total voltage at a time of activation before the battery pack becomes under the loaded condition from the unloaded condition, to compare the currently-detected total voltage value with the total voltage value previously stored by the storing section, and to detect a dispersion in respective remaining capacities of the plurality of cells in the case where a difference between the currently-detected total voltage value and the previously-stored total voltage value is greater than or equal to a predetermined value. |
| US07656162B2 |
Electronic battery tester with vehicle type input
An electronic battery tester for testing a storage battery includes test circuitry configured to provide an output based upon a selected test criteria. Additionally, circuitry is provided to assist in balancing batteries used in a string of multiple batteries. |
| US07656161B2 |
Magnetization of target well casing strings tubulars for enhanced passive ranging
A method for magnetizing a wellbore tubular is disclosed. The method includes magnetizing a wellbore tubular at three or more discrete locations on the tubular. In exemplary embodiments the magnetized wellbore tubular includes at least one pair of opposing magnetic poles located between longitudinally opposed ends of the tubular. Wellbore tubulars magnetized in accordance with this invention may be coupled to one another to provide a magnetic profile about a section of a casing string. Passive ranging measurements of the magnetic field about the casing string may be utilized to survey and guide drilling of a twin well. Such an approach advantageously obviates the need for simultaneous access to both wells. |
| US07656148B1 |
Over-power detector
An over-power detector for detecting an over-power condition of an electronic apparatus powered by power from an AC power source. The over-power detector includes an over-current detector for detecting whether current used by the apparatus exceeds a settable current threshold. The current threshold is set based on a detection of peak voltage on the AC power source, such that the output of the over-current detector is representative of an over-power condition. |
| US07656145B2 |
Low power bandgap voltage reference circuit having multiple reference voltages with high power supply rejection ratio
A voltage generator is used for generating a voltage reference with high power supply rejection. One embodiment of the circuit includes a voltage regulator and a bandgap voltage circuit and an amplifier. The voltage regulator including an input node is coupled to an external power supply for generating a regulated voltage source. A bandgap voltage circuit includes a first and a second resistor and a first and a second transistor to generate a voltage difference between the base-to-emitter voltages of the first and the second transistors. The second resistor is coupled to the first resistor and the first transistor for generating the first predetermined voltage in response to the voltage difference. An amplifier circuit is coupled to the first transistor of the bandgap voltage circuit for receiving a first amplifying signal and generating an amplified signal so as to regulate the regulated voltage source. |
| US07656144B2 |
Bias generator with reduced current consumption
A bias generator comprises a first transistor and a second transistor having a control port connected to a control port of the first transistor and to an input port of the second transistor, where a second current through the second transistor is greater than a first current through the first transistor. The current through the bias generator is minimized by providing the different currents through the transistors having a similar size. |
| US07656141B1 |
Switched mode current source for pulsed loads
The present invention pertains to an arrangement wherein an inductor current is monitored and its level operates a converter switch so that the inductor current ramps up and down between two limits. The midpoint of these two limits is the average output current supplied to a pulsed load. When a pulse is first detected, the converter activates and remains in one state until the output current has ramped up to the pulsed load requirement at which time the switch changes state. The current then ramps down as the average current discharges into the load. When the output current drops to a specified minimum, the voltage supply is turned on providing for a self oscillating regulated switch. The controller responds to changes in the output current within one switching cycle so as to keep up with the transient edges of the pulsed load. |
| US07656137B2 |
Unipolar or bipolar chopping converter with three magnetically coupled windings
In order to reduce the cost of a chopping converter supplying a continuous voltage at the terminals of a load (Z), a circuit with three windings (Lp, Ls1, Ls2) and a single magnetic core is proposed, according to the present invention, which enables the cost and the size of the circuit to be reduced. It is then necessary to add two diodes (D3, D4) to the circuit, but these elements are of low cost and of low size. |
| US07656130B2 |
Battery charger
Object of the invention is to provide an improved technique of suitably charging a battery assembly irrespective of the kind of the battery assembly. The representative battery charger 100 includes a power supply section 110, a detecting section 130 that detects voltage that represents a temperature index of the battery assembly 200, 300 a reference voltage that is compared with the detected temperature-representing voltage of the battery assembly. The battery charger 100 stops supplying the charging current when the temperature-representing voltage of the battery assembly reaches or exceeds the reference voltage. The reference voltage varies according to the charging voltage of the battery assembly and thus, the threshold temperature to complete the charge can be varied according to the charging voltage of the battery assembly 200, 300. As a result, an overload state for the battery assembly with high charging voltage and high temperature can effectively be prevented. |
| US07656129B2 |
Method and apparatus for battery-backed power supply and battery charging
Apparatuses, systems, and methods for providing battery-backed power to movable partitions are disclosed. A power converter generates a DC output from an AC input. The DC output may be selectively decoupled from an enabled DC output such that the DC output can be monitored for acceptable operation in-situ. The enabled DC output may be selectively coupled to a battery output terminal. A charge current may be sensed between the enabled DC output and the battery output to control charging of the battery with a pulse-width modulation operation by controlling the selective coupling of the enabled DC output to the battery output. The enabled DC output and the battery output are coupled in a logical-OR configuration to generate a supply output providing current from the enabled DC output and the battery. The supply output may drive a movable partition controller and a motor configured for opening and closing a movable partition. |
| US07656125B2 |
Method and device for controlling a storage voltage of a battery pack
A storage voltage of a battery pack is controlled with control electronics. The storage voltage of a battery pack is sensed, and a discharge mechanism is triggered if the storage voltage is within a predetermined range of voltage, to thereby adjust the storage voltage of the battery pack to below the predetermined range of voltage, or if the storage voltage is at or above a predetermined voltage, to thereby adjust the storage voltage of the battery pack to below the predetermined voltage. Control electronics sense a storage voltage of a battery pack and trigger a discharge mechanism if the storage voltage is within a predetermined range of voltage, to thereby adjust the storage voltage of the battery pack to below the predetermined range of voltage, or if the storage voltage is at or above a predetermined voltage, to thereby adjust the storage voltage of the battery pack to below the predetermined voltage. The control electronics are coupled to an electronic device and a battery pack. The control electronics are either implemented into the electronic device or the battery pack, or in a separate control electronic device. |
| US07656124B2 |
Battery management system and driving method thereof
A battery management system includes a sensing unit, a controller, an Open Circuit Voltage (OCV) calculator, and a State of Charge (SOC) determination unit. The sensing unit measures a total voltage of the secondary battery. The controller maintains the secondary battery in an open circuit state for a first period of time after a power supply switch is turned on, and couples the secondary battery to an external device when the first period of time ends. The OCV calculator receives the measured voltage from the sensing unit and calculates an OCV of the secondary battery during the first period of time. The SOC determination unit receives the calculated OCV from the OCV calculator and determines an SOC corresponding to the OCV. |
| US07656122B2 |
Method for calculating power capability of battery packs using advanced cell model predictive techniques
The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for estimating discharge and charge power of battery applications, including battery packs used in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEV) and Electric Vehicles (EV). One charge/discharge power estimating method incorporates voltage, state-of-charge (SOC), power, and current design constraints and works for a user-specified prediction time horizon Δt. At least two cell models are used in calculating maximum charge/discharge power based on voltage limits. The first is a simple cell model that uses a Taylor-series expansion to linearize the equation involved. The second is a more complex and accurate model that models cell dynamics in discrete-time state-space form. The cell model can incorporate a inputs such as temperature, resistance, capacity, etc. One advantage of using model-based approach is that the same model may be used in both Kalman-filtering to produce the SOC and the estimation of maximum charge/discharge current based on voltage limits. |
| US07656108B2 |
Linear motor and transducer arrangement therefor
An improved linear motor which compensates for manufacturing or assembly errors in the positioning of the magnetic field detectors. The linear motor synthesizes a correction signal which can be simply combined (for example added) to the output of one of the magnetic field detectors so as to ensure that the magnetic field detector outputs have the correct phase relationship. This in turn ensures that accurate positioning of the rotor relative to the stator can be achieved. In a preferred embodiment, a deliberate error is introduced into the positioning of the magnetic field detectors and this error, plus any error due to manufacturing or assembly tolerances, is corrected using the correction signal. This allows a simplified correction circuit which only corrects for phase offset errors in one direction to be used. |
| US07656102B2 |
Discharge lamp lighting circuit
A discharge lamp lighting circuit includes a power supplying portion having a series resonant circuit containing transistors and a bridge driver, and a control portion for generating a control signal Sc1 to control a driving frequency of the bridge driver. The control portion has a sample hold portion for generating a constant control signal S1, a frequency follow-up control portion for generating a control signal S2 in such a manner that a phase difference between a voltage and a current in the series resonant circuit is approximately zero, and a power control portion for generating a control signal S3 in such a manner that a magnitude of an AC power approximates a steady value. The control signal S1 is selected from a time t3 to a time t4, the control signal S2 is selected from the time t4 to a time t5, and the control signal S3 sent from the power control portion 13 is selected as the control signal Sc1 after the time t5. |
| US07656098B2 |
Brightness control apparatus of light bulb module
An improved brightness control apparatus of a light bulb module replaces a portion of a conventional light bulb module brightness control apparatus by a signal receiving circuit, an amplification circuit and a failure protection circuit to maintain an even brightness of light emitted by each light bulb of the light bulb module of a lamp, so that the brightness of the light bulbs in the light bulb module will not be too dark or even not lit. The signal receiving circuit is provided for connecting an external remote control device for controlling the light bulb module. If the control circuit fails, the failure protection device can maintain a temporary illumination and an overall aesthetic look of the lamp. When the control circuit is operated normally, the total power consumption of the light bulbs of the light bulb module can comply with the normal rated standard of illumination equipments. |
| US07656097B2 |
Ballast control system for HID lamp using Zigbee
A control system for an HID lamp, which in one implementation includes a magnetic ballast control system for an HID lamp using Zigbee. A plurality of condensers or choke coils of different capacities is mounted on a magnetic ballast for the lamp, and an electronic switch unit controls illumination according to change of such capacities. RF transmitting/receiving means using a Zigbee-based frequency are employed to turn the HID on and off, and to control illumination through wireless remote communications, thereby achieving considerable energy savings. Operational states of the HID lamp and ballast can be bi-directionally controlled through the communication module, with failures of the HID lamp and ballast automatically detected and notified to users. |
| US07656095B2 |
Light system with dielectric barrier discharge lamp, operating device and connection cable
A lighting system with a dielectric barrier discharge lamp (2) and an operating device (1) is connected to a high-voltage flat ribbon cable (6). As a result, the capacitive line losses can be minimized and both the ignition behavior and the power consumption of the lamp (2) can be improved. |
| US07656094B2 |
Electron accelerator for ultra-small resonant structures
An electronic transmitter or receiver employing electromagnetic radiation as a coded signal carrier is described. In the transmitter, the electromagnetic radiation is emitted from ultra-small resonant structures when an electron beam passes proximate the structures. In the receiver, the electron beam passes near ultra-small resonant structures and is altered in path or velocity by the effect of the electromagnetic radiation on structures. The electron beam is accelerated to an appropriate current density without the use of a high power supply. Instead, a sequence of low power levels is supplied to a sequence of anodes in the electron beam path. The electron beam is thereby accelerated to a desired current density appropriate for the transmitter or receiver application without the need for a high-level power source. |
| US07656092B2 |
Micro discharge (MD) plasma display panel (PDP) having perforated holes on both dielectric and electrode layers
A Plasma Display Panel (PDP) includes a dielectric layer having a plurality of dielectric-layer perforated holes arranged in a matrix; upper and lower electrode layers each having electrode-layer perforated holes connected to the dielectric-layer perforated holes and arranged on both surfaces of the dielectric layer, the upper and lower electrode layers being adapted to receive electrical signals. The upper electrode layer includes a plurality of upper electrodes extending in a first direction, each of the plurality of upper electrodes surrounding a group of the electrode-layer perforated holes arranged in the first direction and including transparent individual electrodes surrounding the electrode-layer perforated holes and linear connection portions adapted to electrically connect the individual electrodes. The lower electrode layer includes a plurality of lower electrodes extending in a second direction at an angle with respect to the first direction, each of the plurality of second electrodes surrounding a group of electrode-layer perforated holes arranged in the second direction. |
| US07656085B2 |
System and method for differentiating pictures and texts
A dual emitting device includes a transparent substrate and an array of pixels. The array of pixels is disposed on the transparent substrate, and each pixel of the array includes at least one first sub-pixel and at least one second sub-pixel. The first sub-pixel includes a first OLED driven by a first TFT, and a first sheltering layer on the first OLED. The second sub-pixel includes a second OLED driven by a second TFT, and a second sheltering layer formed between the transparent substrate and the second OLED. |
| US07656080B2 |
Vibration resistant, energy efficient lamp
A vibration resistant, energy efficient lamp (10) that is suitable for, for example, ceiling fan operation where vibration is always a concern. The lamp (10) comprises an envelope (12) of a suitable transparent glass, for example, a borosilicate glass, having a substantially spherical upper body (14) with a given diameter D, a substantially cylindrical waist (16) having a diameter W of about 38% of the given diameter; a neck portion (18) having a diameter N of about 31 to about 32% of the given diameter and a threaded base (20) having a diameter B of about 25 to 27% of the given diameter. The base (20) has a skirt portion (22) adjacent the neck portion having diameter S substantially equal to the neck portion (18) diameter N and larger than the diameter B of the base (20). The skirt (22) provides a broader attachment area for the neck (18), thus strengthening the coupling and providing a stronger joint that is more suited to operations in those functions where vibration can be encountered, especially in those areas where the lamp is mounted base-up. |
| US07656072B2 |
Actuator using piezoelectric device
In order to provide an actuator having great driving force and high impact resistance, an actuator of the present invention has a driving shaft 5 that can be vibrated in the shaft direction by a piezoelectric device 4 provided at its one end and a moving member 6 that is friction-engaged with the driving shaft 5 and moves on the driving shaft 5 due to the vibration of the driving shaft 5. The driving shaft 5 has two parallel shaft sliding faces 5a on its surface. The moving member 6 has two moving member sliding faces 7e, 8e that are in slide-contact with the shaft sliding faces 5a. The moving member 6 is friction-engaged with the driving shaft 5 such that the moving member sliding faces 7e, 8e clamp the shaft sliding faces 5a. |
| US07656071B2 |
Piezoelectric actuator for tunable electronic components
An actuating assembly for tuning a circuit and a process for forming a carrier substrate containing a membrane, a conductive layer, and piezoelectric actuators are disclosed. The actuating assembly comprises a membrane overlying a circuit to be tuned, a conductive element connected with the membrane, and a piezoelectric arrangement. Changes in shape of the piezoelectric arrangement allow a deflection of the membrane and a corresponding controllable upward or downward movement of the conductive element. In the process, a membrane and a piezoelectric structure are formed on a substrate. |
| US07656070B2 |
Surface wave sensor apparatus
A surface wave sensor apparatus has a structure such that, on a first principal surface of a base substrate having first through-hole conductors, surface acoustic wave devices are bonded via thermo-compression anisotropic conductive sheets, on first principal surfaces of piezoelectric substrates of the surface acoustic wave devices, electrodes, such as IDTs, are provided, respectively. These electrodes extend toward second principal surfaces via second through-hole conductors and are provided in the piezoelectric substrates. The first through-hole conductors overlap with the second through-hole conductors with the thermo-compression anisotropic conductive sheets being disposed therebetween, respectively. |
| US07656066B2 |
Electronically commutated motor with bearing chamber defined by opposing abutment surfaces
An easy-to-assemble electric motor (21) features an internal stator (50), an external rotor (22) having a shaft (34), which external rotor is configured as a rotor cup or bell (24) having an outer side and an inner side (25), a bearing tube (70) for receiving a bearing arrangement (60) journaling the shaft (34), which bearing tube (70) has a first end portion (71) facing toward the inner side (25) of the external rotor (22) and being formed with an inwardly protruding stop (73), the bearing tube having a second end portion (75) facing away from the first end portion (71) and being joined to a plastic part (80) that likewise forms an inwardly protruding stop (77) adjacent a second end portion (75), the bearing arrangement (60) being located in the bearing tube (70) in a chamber defined between said two inwardly protruding stops (73, 77). |
| US07656065B2 |
Drive unit with a housing
A drive unit, in particular for adjusting movable parts in a motor vehicle, has a housing including an opening to the surrounding, in which a gas-permeable, liquid-impermeable diaphragm is installed, the housing includes a first housing part with a circumferential collar, and a second housing part which closes off the first housing part, on the second housing part the opening is integrally formed with a circumferential mating surface, which presses the diaphragm against the collar of the first housing part after the housing is closed, and a sealing element located between the diaphragm and the mating surface is integrally non-detachably formed on the first and/or second housing part. |
| US07656064B2 |
Motor having suction ring
A suction ring is fixed to a motor base and is provided with an outer circumferential section having a first outer diameter that is smaller than an inner diameter of a wall section of the motor base. A plurality of protruded sections each have a second outer diameter larger than the inner diameter of the wall section of the motor base and protrudes outward in a radial direction from the outer circumferential section of the suction ring. The plurality of protruded sections of the suction ring are press fitted into a wall section of the motor base and secures the suction ring to the motor base. One surface of the suction ring coincides with a bottom surface of the ring magnet covering a whole range of a projected area of the ring magnet that is projected onto the surface of the suction ring. |
| US07656055B2 |
Hydro-wind power generating turbine system and retrofitting method
An electrical power producing wind turbine eliminates the possibility of being struck by lightning, reduces the complexity of gear trains and simplifies maintenance at heights. The wind turbine is electrically isolated from ground to reduce the possibility of being struck by lightning and the generator is located at ground level to simplify maintenance. The turbine blade shaft is directly attached to a hydraulic pump. The hydraulic fluid is transmitted to ground level through dielectric tubing and acts both as an electrical isolating medium and a transmitter of mechanical energy to the generator located at ground level. The wind turbine blade, shaft and hydraulic pump are electrically isolated from the support structure at the upper end. |
| US07656052B2 |
Power converters
The present invention provides a power converter that can be used to interface a generator (4) that provides variable voltage at variable frequency to a supply network operating at nominally fixed voltage and nominally fixed frequency and including features that allow the power converter to remain connected to the supply network and retain control during supply network fault and transient conditions. The power converter includes a generator bridge (10) electrically connected to the stator of the generator (4) and a network bridge (14). A dc link (12) is connected between the generator bridge (10) and the network bridge (14). A filter (16) having network terminals is connected between the network bridge (14) and the supply network. A first controller (18) is provided for controlling the operation of the semiconductor power switching devices of the generator bridge (14). Similarly, a second controller (46) is provided for controlling the operation of the semiconductor power switching devices of the network bridge (14). The first controller (18) uses a dc link voltage demand signal (VDC_GEN*) indicative of a desired dc link voltage to control the semiconductor power switching devices of the network bridge (10) to achieve the desired level of dc link voltage that corresponds to the dc link voltage demand signal (VDC_GEN*). The second controller (46) uses a power demand signal (P*) indicative of the level of power to be transferred from the dc link to the supply network through the network bridge (14), and a voltage demand signal (VTURB*) indicative of the voltage to be achieved at the network terminals of the filter (16) to control the semiconductor power switching devices of the network bridge (14) to achieve the desired levels of power and voltage that correspond to the power and voltage demand signals (P* and VTURB*). |
| US07656051B2 |
Buoyancy vehicle apparatus to create electrical power
A buoyancy vehicle apparatus includes a water or liquid source, such as a water tank, and a buoyant mass in communication with an electrical generator. The buoyant mass is lifted from a lower level to a higher level to store energy. The mass is stored at the predetermined height and released to travel downward when the electricity is needed. After the mass is released and pulled down by gravity, it will drive the generator to produce electricity. The system can store this energy with no loss in power over a long period of time. |
| US07656050B2 |
Hydroelectric pumped-storage
Hydroelectric pumped-storage includes monitoring electrical demand on a system over time. If the monitored demand exceeds a predetermined first value, fluid is allowed to flow substantially under the influence of gravity from a first aquifer to a second aquifer. Kinetic energy from the flowing fluid is converted into electrical energy. If the monitored demand drops below a predetermined second value, fluid from the second aquifer is moved to the first aquifer. |
| US07656048B2 |
Encapsulated chip scale package having flip-chip on lead frame structure
In one embodiment, an encapsulated electronic package includes a semiconductor chip having patterned solderable pads formed on a major surface. During an assembly process, the patterned solderable pads are directly affixed to conductive leads. The assembly is encapsulated using, for example, a MAP over-molding process, and then placed through a separation process to provide individual chip scale packages having flip-chip on lead frame interconnects. |
| US07656046B2 |
Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device 1 is a semiconductor device of the BGA type, and includes a semiconductor chip 10, a resin layer 20, an insulating layer 30, and an external electrode pad 40. The resin layer 20 is constituted by a sealing resin 22 and an underfill resin 24, and covers the semiconductor chip 10. The insulating layer 30 is formed on the resin layer 20. The external electrode pad 40 is formed in the insulating layer 30. This external electrode pad 40 extends through the insulating layer 30. One surface S1 of the external electrode pad 40 is exposed in the surface of the insulating layer 30, and the other surface S2 is located in the resin layer 20. A concave portion 45 is formed in the surface S2 of the external electrode pad 40. The resin composing the resin layer 20 enters into the concave portion 45. |
| US07656041B2 |
Semiconductor device and its manufacturing method
A technique for mounting a plurality of electronic parts on one surface of a wiring substrate is provided. A semiconductor device comprises a wiring substrate having connection pads disposed outside a parts mount; a plurality of electronic parts with the first surface having a plurality of electrodes and the second surface fixing; a first underlying insulation layer provided between the connecting pads and the electrodes; a first metal layer formed overlaid on the first underlying insulation layer and providing connections between the connecting pads and the electrodes; a second underlying insulation layer having electrically insulating properties, provided between the respective electrodes of adjacent electronic parts; a second metal layer formed overlaid on the second underlying insulation layer and providing connections between the respective electrodes of adjacent electronic parts; and a first surface insulation layer covering the first metal layer and a second surface insulation layer covering the second metal layer. |
| US07656030B2 |
Semiconductor device
Heating elements different in heat generating timing are laminated in a stacked state, and the heating element close to a wiring substrate is allowed to function as a heat diffusion plate for another heating element. |
| US07656024B2 |
Chip module for complete power train
A chip module is disclosed. It includes a circuit substrate, a semiconductor die comprising a power transistor mounted on the circuit substrate, and a passive electronic component. The passive electronic component is in electrical communication with the semiconductor die, and is in thermal communication with the semiconductor die. |
| US07656021B2 |
Integrated circuit package system with pedestal structure
An integrated circuit package system includes providing a substrate having a bond finger thereon and forming a pedestal on a portion of the bond finger. A first die is mounted on the substrate and adjacent to the bond finger. A portion of the first die, a portion of the bond finger, and a portion of the pedestal are embedded in an resin layer with an exposed portion of the pedestal protruding from the resin layer. A second die is mounted on the first die and electrically coupled to the exposed portion of the pedestal. |
| US07656019B2 |
Semiconductor device and a manufacturing method of the same
A semiconductor device is disclosed wherein first wiring lines in a first row extend respectively from first connecting portions toward one side of a semiconductor chip, while second wiring lines extend respectively from second connecting portions toward the side opposite to the one side of the semiconductor chip. The reduction in size of the semiconductor device can be attained. |
| US07656017B2 |
Integrated circuit package system with thermo-mechanical interlocking substrates
An integrated circuit package system includes providing a plurality of substrates; inserting a receptor in one of the substrates, the receptor held in and not extending through the one of the substrates; inserting a conductive post in another of the substrates; mounting the one of the substrates and the another of the substrates over one another with the conductive post engaging the receptor to thermally interlock without a separate bonding material; and mounting an integrated circuit mounted on the one of the substrates or the another of the substrates. |
| US07656007B2 |
Package substrate with inserted discrete capacitors
A package substrate (16) for electrically connecting an integrated circuit (12) to a printed circuit board (14) includes a core (222c), a patterned conductive layer (220c), a plurality of spaced apart, discrete capacitors (230), and an insulating layer (222b). The patterned conductive layer (220c) is positioned on the core (222c). The discrete capacitors (230) are electrically connected to the patterned conductive layer (220c). The insulating layer (222b) covers the patterned conductive layer (220c) and separates the capacitors (230). The capacitors (230) are positioned to provide a relatively low impedance path for quick access to power to stabilize the voltage delivered to the integrated circuit (12), and the capacitors (230) do not occupy valuable space on the integrated circuit (12), and the printed circuit board (14). Further, this placement of the capacitor assembly (18) allows for use of a relatively large number of discrete capacitors (230) without taking up valuable space from the surface of the package substrate (16). |
| US07656006B2 |
Antifuse circuit with well bias transistor
An antifuse circuit includes a terminal, an antifuse transistor, and a bias transistor. The antifuse transistor is formed on a substrate. The antifuse transistor is coupled to the terminal and includes a first gate terminal coupled to receive a first select signal. The bias transistor is coupled between the substrate and a bias voltage terminal. The bias transistor has a second gate terminal and is operable to couple the bias voltage terminal to the substrate responsive to an assertion of a bias enable signal at the second gate terminal. |
| US07656004B2 |
Display device
A display device includes a display panel, first and second gate drivers and a data driver. The display panel includes pixel regions respectively having first, second and third pixels. The first pixel is coupled to first, second gate lines and a data line. The second gate line is adjacent to the first gate line. The second pixel is coupled to the first gate line and a first data line. The third pixel is coupled to the first gate line and a second data line. The first gate driver provides the first gate line with a first gate driving signal, and the second gate driver provides the second gate line with a second gate driving signal. The data driver provides first and second data lines with image signal. The display quality of the display device may be enhanced and the number of the data lines may be reduced. |
| US07656003B2 |
Electrical stress protection apparatus and method of manufacture
In various embodiments, circuits and semiconductor devices and structures and methods to manufacture these structures and devices are disclosed. In one embodiment, a bidirectional polarity, voltage transient protection device is disclosed. The voltage transient protection device may include a bipolar PNP transistor having a turn-on voltage of VBE1, a bipolar NPN transistor having a turn-on voltage of VBE2, and a field effect transistor (FET) having a threshold voltage of VTH, wherein a turn-on voltage VTO of the voltage transient protection device is approximately equal to the sum of VBE1, VBE2, and VTH, that is, VTO≅VBE1+VBE2+VTH. Other embodiments are described and claimed. |
| US07655999B2 |
High density photodiodes
The present invention is a front-side contact, back-side illuminated (FSC-BSL) photodiode arrays and front-side illuminated, back-side contact (FSL-BSC) photodiode arrays having improved characteristics, including high production throughput, low-cost manufacturing via implementation of batch processing techniques; uniform, as well as high, photocurrent density owing to presence of a large continuous homogeneous, heavily doped layer; and back to front intrachip connections via the homogenous, heavily doped layers on the front and back sides of the substrate. |
| US07655997B2 |
Wafer level electro-optical semiconductor manufacture fabrication mechanism and a method for the same
A wafer-level electro-optical semiconductor fabrication mechanism and method for the same which improves upon traditional electro-optical semiconductor grain packaging methods. The present invention electrically connects semiconductor grains to the grains on a top surface of a wafer, this is done by either screen-printing or steel board-printing solder or silver paste onto the wafer. After that, the wafer is processed using the following steps: processing the devices, bonding with wire, packaging the wafer and finally cutting the wafer. Using this method raises the production yield while production times and costs are reduced. The wafer-level electro-optical semiconductor fabrication mechanism comprises: a wafer, an electro-optical semiconductor grain and conductive materials. |
| US07655996B1 |
MEMS structure support and release mechanism
A MEMS device and method comprising a MEMS structure adjacent to a SOI base; a sacrificial support operatively connecting the base to the MEMS structure; a suspension member operatively connecting the base to the MEMS structure, wherein the suspension member is longer than the sacrificial support; and an electrode operatively connected to the base. The device may further comprise a current pulse generator adapted to send a current pulse through the sacrificial support, wherein the current pulse causes the sacrificial support to detach from the MEMS structure. Moreover, the sacrificial support structures may be electrically resistive. |
| US07655994B2 |
Low threshold voltage semiconductor device with dual threshold voltage control means
A semiconductor structure, particularly a pFET, which includes a dielectric material that has a dielectric constant of greater than that of SiO2 and a Ge or Si content of greater than 50% and at least one other means for threshold/flatband voltage tuning by material stack engineering is provided. The other means contemplated in the present invention include, for example, utilizing an insulating interlayer atop the dielectric for charge fixing and/or by forming an engineered channel region. The present invention also relates to a method of fabricating such a CMOS structure. |
| US07655993B2 |
Method for manufacturing semiconductor integrated circuit device
In a process of forming MISFETs that have gate insulating films that are mutually different in thickness on the same substrate, the formation of an undesirable natural oxide film at the interface between the semiconductor substrate and the gate insulating film is suppressed. A gate insulating film of MISFETs constituting an internal circuit is comprised of a silicon oxynitride film. Another gate insulating film of MISFETs constituting an I/O circuit is comprised of a laminated silicon oxynitride film and a high dielectric film. A process of forming the two types of gate insulating films on the substrate is continuously carried out in a treatment apparatus of a multi-chamber system. Accordingly, the substrate will not be exposed to air. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the inclusion of undesirable foreign matter and the formation of a natural oxide film at the interface between the substrate and the gate insulating films. |
| US07655990B2 |
Voltage-clipping device with high breakdown voltage
The present invention proposes a voltage-clipping device utilizing a pinch-off mechanism formed by two depletion boundaries. A clipping voltage of the voltage-clipping device can be adjusted in response to a gate voltage; a gap of a quasi-linked well; and a doping concentration and a depth of the quasi-linked well and a well with complementary doping polarity to the quasi-linked well. The voltage-clipping device can be integrated within a semiconductor device as a voltage stepping down device in a tiny size, compared to traditional transformers. |
| US07655987B2 |
Method for fabricating ultra-high tensile-stressed film and strained-silicon transistors thereof
A metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) transistor device is disclosed. The MOS transistor device comprises a semiconductor substrate; a gate structure on the semiconductor substrate; source/drain regions on the semiconductor substrate adjacent to the gate structure; an ultra-high tensile-stressed nitride film having a hydrogen concentration of less than 1E22 atoms/cm3 covering the gate structure and the source/drain regions; and an inter-layer dielectric (ILD) film over the ultra-high tensile-stressed nitride film. |
| US07655985B2 |
Methods and semiconductor structures for latch-up suppression using a conductive region
Semiconductor structures and methods for suppressing latch-up in bulk CMOS devices. The semiconductor structure comprises first and second adjacent doped wells formed in the semiconductor material of a substrate. A trench, which includes a base and first sidewalls between the base and the top surface, is defined in the substrate between the first and second doped wells. The trench is partially filled with a conductor material that is electrically coupled with the first and second doped wells. Highly-doped conductive regions may be provided in the semiconductor material bordering the trench at a location adjacent to the conductive material in the trench. |
| US07655984B2 |
Semiconductor device with discontinuous CESL structure
A semiconductor device using a CESL (contact etch stop layer) to induce strain in, for example, a CMOS transistor channel, and a method for fabricating such a device. A stress-producing CESL, tensile in an n-channel device and compressive in a p-channel device, is formed over the device gate structure as a discontinuous layer. This may be done, for example, by depositing an appropriate CESL, then forming an ILD layer, and simultaneously reducing the ILD layer and the CESL to a desired level. The discontinuity preferably exposes the gate electrode, or the metal contact region formed on it, if present. The upper boundary of the CESL may be further reduced, however, to position it below the upper boundary of the gate electrode. |
| US07655975B2 |
Power trench transistor
A power trench transistor comprises a semiconductor body in which a cell array and an edge region surrounding the cell array are formed. First edge trenches are formed within the edge region. The first edge trenches contain field electrodes and the longitudinal orientations of the first edge trenches run from the cell array towards the edge of the trench transistor. |
| US07655973B2 |
Recessed channel negative differential resistance-based memory cell
Disclosed herein is an improved recessed thyristor-based memory cell. The disclosed cell comprises in one embodiment a conductive plug recessed into the bulk of the substrate, which is coupled to or comprises the enable gate of the cell. Vertically disposed around this recessed gate is a thyristor, whose anode (source; p-type region) is connected to the bit line and cathode (drain; n-type region) is connected to the word line. Aside from the recessed enable gate, the disclosed cell comprises no other gate, such as an access transistor, and hence is essentially a one-transistor device. As a result, and as facilitated by the vertical disposition of the thyristor, the disclosed cell takes up a small amount of area on an integrated circuit when compared to a traditional DRAM cell. Moreover, the disclosed cell is simple to manufacture in its various embodiments, and is easy to configure into an array of cells. Isolation underneath the cell, while not required in all useful embodiments, assists in improving the data retention of the cell and extends the time needed between cell refresh. |
| US07655969B2 |
Semiconductor device having a cylindrical capacitor
A DRAM device has a stacked capacitor including a first capacitor section received in a thick insulation film and a second capacitor section overlying the first capacitor section. A portion of the bottom electrode in the second capacitor section has a thickness larger than the thickness of another portion of the bottom electrode in the first capacitor section. |
| US07655966B2 |
High efficiency CMOS image sensor pixel employing dynamic voltage supply
A global shutter compatible pixel circuit comprising a reset gate (RG) transistor is provided in which a dynamic voltage is applied to the drain of the reset gate transistor in order to reduce a floating diffusion (FD) leakage therethrough during signal hold time. The drain voltage of the reset gate transistor is held at a lower voltage than a circuit supply voltage to minimize the off-state leakage through the RG transistor, thus reducing the change in the voltage at the floating diffusion during the signal hold time. In addition, a design structure for such a circuit providing a dynamic voltage to the drain of a reset gate of a pixel circuit is also provided. |
| US07655965B2 |
Semiconductor light receiving device and method of manufacturing the same
A semiconductor light receiving device includes a plurality of photodiode units, each of which is configured to convert a received light into an electric signal; and a separating unit configured to electrically separates the plurality of photodiode units from each other. The impurity concentration of a surface portion of the separating unit is equal to or lower than a first concentration. The first concentration is a concentration at which the light receiving sensitivity of the separating unit to light is substantially equal to the light receiving sensitivity of each of the plurality of photodiode units of the light. A wavelength of the light is equal to or longer than that of blue-violet light. |
| US07655964B1 |
Programmable junction field effect transistor and method for programming same
A programmable junction field effect transistor (JFET) with multiple independent gate inputs. A drain, source and a plurality of gate regions for controlling a conductive channel between the source and drain are fabricated in a semiconductor substrate. A first portion the gate regions are coupled to a first gate input and a second portion of the gate regions are coupled to a second gate input. The first and second gate inputs are electrically isolated from each other. The JFET may be programmed by applying a programming voltage to the first gate input and operated by applying a signal to the second gate input. |
| US07655961B2 |
Organic diodes and materials
Diodes having p-type and n-type regions in contact, having at least one of either the p-type region or n-type region including a conjugated organic material doped with an immobile dopant, conjugated organic materials for incorporation into such diodes, and methods of manufacturing such diodes and materials are provided. |
| US07655960B2 |
A1xInyGa1-x-yN mixture crystal substrate, method of growing same and method of producing same
Seeds are implanted in a regular pattern upon an undersubstrate. An AlxInyGa1−x−yN (0≦x≦1, 0≦y≦1, 0 |
| US07655944B1 |
Systems and methods for estimating thermal resistance of field effect transistor structures
Embodiments of systems and methods for estimating channel temperatures of a field effect transistor structure are disclosed. One method embodiment, among others, comprises receiving geometrical values corresponding to a field effect transistor (FET) structure, and associating the geometrical values of the FET structure to elliptical cylinder and prolate spheroidal coordinates to provide a closed form expression. |
| US07655942B2 |
Fiber incorporating quantum dots as programmable dopants
A programmable dopant fiber includes a plurality of quantum structures formed on a fiber-shaped substrate, wherein the substrate includes one or more energy-carrying control paths, which pass energy to quantum structures. Quantum structures may include quantum dot particles on the surface of the fiber or electrodes on top of barrier layers and a transport layer, which form quantum dot devices. The energy passing through the control paths drives charge carriers into the quantum dots, leading to the formation of “artificial atoms” with real-time, tunable properties. These artificial atoms then serve as programmable dopants, which alter the behavior of surrounding materials. The fiber can be used as a programmable dopant inside bulk materials, as a building block for new materials with unique properties, or as a substitute for quantum dots or quantum wires in certain applications. |
| US07655936B2 |
Optical sensor and image forming apparatus that processes specular reflection light
An optical sensor includes at least one light emitting unit that emits a light, a first light receiving unit that receives specular reflection light from an illumination object when the light is incident on the illumination object with an incidence angle and specularly reflected with a reflection angle, and a second light receiving unit that receives diffuse reflection light from the illumination object when the incident light is diffusely reflected at the illumination object. The sum of the incident angle and the reflection angle is 25 degrees or less. |
| US07655933B2 |
Techniques for temperature-controlled ion implantation
Techniques for temperature-controlled ion implantation are disclosed. In one particular exemplary embodiment, the techniques may be realized as an apparatus for high-temperature ion implantation. The apparatus may comprise a platen to hold a wafer in a single-wafer process chamber during ion implantation, the platen having a wafer interface to provide a predetermined thermal contact between the wafer and the platen. The apparatus may also comprise an array of heating elements to heat the wafer while the wafer is held on the platen to achieve a predetermined temperature profile on the wafer during ion implantation, the heating elements being external to the platen. The apparatus may further comprise a post-implant cooling station to cool down the wafer after ion implantation of the wafer. |
| US07655930B2 |
Ion source arc chamber seal
An exemplary ion source for creating a stream of ions has a chamber body that at least partially bounds an ionization region of the arc chamber. The arc chamber body is used with a hot filament arc chamber housing that either directly or indirectly heats a cathode to sufficient temperature to cause electrons to stream through the ionization region of the arc chamber. A seals has a ceramic body having an outer wall that abuts the arc chamber body along a circumferential outer lip. The seal also has one or more radially inner channels bounded by one or more inner walls spaced inwardly from the outer wall. |
| US07655928B2 |
Ion acceleration column connection mechanism with integrated shielding electrode and related methods
Ion accelerating devices including connection mechanisms with integrated shielding electrode and related methods are disclosed. According to an embodiment, an ion accelerating device of an ion implantation system comprises: a first element; a first connection system within the first element, the first connection system including a first connector and a first encapsulated shielding electrode around the first connector; and a second connection system within a second element other than the first element, the second connection system being coupled to the first connector; wherein the first encapsulated shielding electrode includes a first shielding portion adjacent to a first interface surface of the first element where the second connection system interfaces with the first element, in a cross-sectional view, the first shielding portion being substantially U-shaped. |
| US07655925B2 |
Gas management system for a laser-produced-plasma EUV light source
Devices and corresponding methods of use are described herein which may comprise an enclosing structure defining a closed loop flow path and a system generating a plasma at a plasma site, e.g. laser produced plasma system, where the plasma site may be in fluid communication with the flow path. For the device, a gas may be disposed in the enclosing structure which may include an ion-stopping buffer gas and/or an etchant. A pump may be provided to force the gas through the closed loop flow path. One or more heat exchangers removing heat from gas flowing in the flow path may be provided. In some arrangements, a filter may be used to remove at least a portion of a target species from gas flowing in the flow path. |
| US07655921B2 |
Dosimeter for the detection of neutron radiation
Disclosed is a dosimeter (1) for the detection of neutron radiation within an energy range of 0.025 eV to several hundred GeV, comprising a substantially spherical base body (3) which is used as a moderation body and which comprises hydrogenous material, a detection element (5) which is arranged in the center of the base body (3), and a neutron converter (7) surrounding the detection element (5). The neutron converter (7) comprises metal atoms which convert the energy of the high-energy neutron radiation essentially into neutrons within a suitable energy range. The dosimeter (1) is characterized in that the base body (3) is provided with an access (19) through which the detection element (5) can be introduced into the neutron converter (7) and removed thereform, and in that the neutron converter (7) is embodied in the form of a cylinder. |
| US07655920B2 |
Conversion apparatus, radiation detection apparatus, and radiation detection system
A conversion apparatus includes pixels including switching elements provided on an insulating substrate and conversion elements disposed over the switching elements and connected to the switching elements. Conductive lines are coupled to the pixels and have terminal elements for providing a connection to an external circuit. The terminal elements are disposed in a metal layer that is formed over the conversion elements. The conversion apparatus further includes a transparent conductive layer covering surfaces of the terminal elements, and a protective layer covering edges of the terminal elements and having openings. |
| US07655918B2 |
CMOS image sensors adapted for dental applications
An image sensor having a two-dimensional array of CMOS pixel sensors, a row decoder and a column decoder is disclosed. The two-dimensional array of CMOS pixel sensors is organized as a plurality of rows and columns that are addressed with the aid of row and column decoders. At least one of the column decoder or the row decoder is located between two of the rows or two of the columns, respectively. X-rays are converted to light that is detected by the image sensor by a layer of scintillation material that overlies the two-dimensional array. The internally located decoder or decoders facilitate sensors in which the two-dimensional array includes a rectangular array having a chamfered corner such that rows or columns that extend into the chamfered corner have lengths that are less than rows or columns, respectively, that do not extend into the corners. |
| US07655914B2 |
Method and apparatus for determining timing information in positron emission tomography (PET) detection
A constant fraction discriminating circuit outputs timing information corresponding to an event corresponding to a detected photon for providing nuclear medicine imaging. The constant fraction discriminating circuit includes a stripline or microstrip delay element. |
| US07655909B2 |
Infrared detector elements and methods of forming same
Infrared detector elements and methods for forming infrared detector elements in which the top metal layer of CMOS circuitry of the detector element is employed as a lead metal reflector for the infrared detector. |
| US07655893B2 |
Optimization of alignment between elements in an image sensor
An image sensor is formed with shifts among the optical parts of the sensor and the photosensitive parts of the sensor. The optical parts of the sensor may include a color filter array and/or microlenses. The photosensitive part may include any photoreceptors such as a CMOS image sensor. The shifts allow images to be formed even when the light received at a given pixel location varies in angle of incidence as a function of pixel location within the array. The relative shifts among the pixel components may be, for example, plus or minus some fraction of the pixel pitch. The shift may be variable across the array or may be constant across the array and may be deterministically determined. |
| US07655891B2 |
Charged-particle detecting apparatus
The present invention relates to a charged-particle detecting apparatus having a structure which enables adjustment of a potential distribution so as to stably maintain flight loci of charged particles without depending on a change in a voltage-applied state. The charged-particle detecting apparatus comprises a first electrode, an MCP, a second electrode, a third electrode that functions as an anode, and a rear cover arranged in order along a predetermined reference axis. The third electrode is arranged on the opposite side of the MCP with respect to the second electrode, and is electrically connected to an output signal part via a capacitor. In particular, the first electrode is arranged so as to become a part of the outer surface of the charged-particle detecting apparatus, and components positioned between the first electrode and the rear cover have contours with section sizes equal to or smaller than that of the contour of the first electrode when viewed from the first electrode side toward the rear cover. |
| US07655890B2 |
Light sensor, display apparatus including the same, and control method thereof
There are provided a light sensor, a display apparatus including the same, and a control method thereof. The display apparatus includes: a display panel which includes a display area through which an image is displayed and a non-display area. A light receiving transistor which is formed in the non-display area and receives outside light. A charging part which includes a first terminal is connected to a drain electrode of the light receiving part and a second terminal is connected to a direct current voltage terminal. A signal amplifying part which includes a first terminal and a second terminal which is connected to a source of reference voltage and receives a reference voltage. A charging switching part is connected between the first input terminal and the first terminal of the charging part. A controller is provided which controls the charging switching part according to a predetermined first cycle to charge or discharge the charging part. |
| US07655888B2 |
Laser scanning microscope and assembly for non-descanned detection
A scanning microscope with a light source which emits illumination light for illuminating a specimen, with at least a first detector for detecting the detection light proceeding from the specimen, and with an objective through which the specimen can be illuminated and detected, wherein the objective is arranged in an illumination beam path and in a detection beam path, and with a second detector for non-descanned detection of the detection light proceeding from the specimen, wherein a compact assembly is provided which comprises a housing which is attached to a microscope stand and which has at least one receptacle for a microscope objective for the illumination beam path and/or detection beam path of the scanning microscope, wherein at least the second detector is arranged in the housing and can be acted upon by specimen light. |
| US07655887B2 |
Feedback control system and method for maintaining constant resistance operation of electrically heated elements
A system and method for controlling electrical heating of an element to maintain a constant electrical resistance, by adjusting electrical power supplied to such element according to an adaptive feedback control algorithm, in which all the parameters are (1) arbitrarily selected; (2) pre-determined by the physical properties of the controlled element; or (3) measured in real time. Unlike the conventional proportion-integral-derivative (PID) control mechanism, the system and method of the present invention do not require re-tuning of proportionality constants when used in connection with a different controlled element or under different operating conditions, and are therefore adaptive to changes in the controlled element and the operating conditions. |
| US07655881B2 |
Laser irradiation stage, laser irradiation optical system, laser irradiation apparatus, laser irradiation method, and method of manufacturing a semiconductor device
As the output of laser oscillators become higher, it becomes necessary to develop a longer linear shape beam for a process of laser annealing of a semiconductor film. However, if the length of the linear shape beam is from 300 to 1000 mm, or greater, then the optical path length of an optical system for forming the linear shape beam becomes very long, thereby increasing its footprint size. The present invention shortens the optical path length. In order to make the optical path length of the optical system as short as possible, and to increase only the length of the linear shape beam, curvature may be given to the semiconductor film in the longitudinal direction of the linear shape beam. For example, if the size of the linear shape beam is taken as 1 m×0.4 mm, then it is necessary for the optical path length of the optical system to be on the order of 10 m. If, however, the semiconductor film is given curvature with a radius of curvature of 40,000 mm, then the optical path length of the optical system can be halved to approximately 5 m, and a linear shape beam having an extremely uniform energy distribution can be obtained. |
| US07655878B2 |
Key sheet and key sheet manufacturing method
Disclosed is a key sheet having a base sheet equipped with a hard resin plate and a key sheet manufacturing method, wherein a reduction is achieved in the thickness of the base sheet and in the effort and cost for the molding. Further, accurate depressing operation is realized without impairing the outward appearance of the key sheet. The key sheet has a hard base plate having a communicating groove connecting through-holes with each other. The communicating groove has a connecting portion formed so as to be continuous and integral with operating portions formed respectively at the through-holes. Thus, there is no need to form inlets for a rubber-like elastic material respectively corresponding to the through-holes in the mold. As a result, the mold structure can be simplified to thereby achieve a reduction in cost. Further, since the entire front or back surface of the hard base plate is not covered with the rubber-like elastic material, it is possible to achieve an overall reduction in the thickness of the base sheet. |
| US07655877B2 |
Air circuit breaker with mechanical trip indicating mechanism
An air circuit breaker having a mechanical trip indicating mechanism, in an air circuit breaker including a switching mechanism, an actuator having an output link for providing a mechanical driving force, a first link unit connected between the output link of the actuator and the switching mechanism for applying the mechanical driving force from the output link to the switching mechanism to perform a trip operation, a front surface plate provided with a manipulating unit accessible by a user, the air circuit breaker comprising: a first rotation lever connected to the first link unit, a second link unit limitedly moved by the first rotation lever, a bias spring for applying an elastic biasing force to the second link unit to be moved in one direction, a second rotation lever installed to be rotatable with coming in contact with one end portion of the second link unit, and a mechanical trip indicating mechanism supported by the front surface plate and having an indicating portion exposed to the front surface plate to indicate the tripped state of the air circuit breaker and a driving force receiving portion contacted with the second rotation lever to receive a driving force from the second rotation lever to expose the indicating portion. |
| US07655874B2 |
Input device and electronics device
An input device includes an operation portion, a holding portion, a detection portion and at least a switch. The holding portion holds the operation portion so that the operation portion is rotatable around a given axis. The detection portion detects a rotational position of the operation portion with respect to the holding portion. A condition of the switch changes according to an external force exerted to the operation portion. |
| US07655873B2 |
Electromagnetic shielding film, plasma display panel filter using the electromagnetic shielding film, plasma display panel device including the electromagnetic shielding film, and method of manufacturing the electromagnetic shielding film
Provided are an electromagnetic shielding film capable of improving brightness, a plasma display panel (PDP) filter using the electromagnetic shielding film, a PDP device including the electromagnetic shielding film, and a method of manufacturing the electromagnetic shielding film. The electromagnetic shielding film includes a transparent substrate, an electromagnetic shielding film pattern which is formed on the transparent substrate and whose face opposite to the transparent substrate is blackened, and a black conductive layer pattern which is formed on the electromagnetic shielding film pattern. The method includes (a) forming a non-conductive layer on a conductive substrate, (b) forming a non-conductive layer pattern by patterning the non-conductive layer, (c) forming a black conductive layer pattern on the conductive substrate exposed by the non-conductive layer pattern, (d) forming an electromagnetic shielding film pattern on the black conductive layer pattern, (e) oxidizing the electromagnetic shielding film pattern to blacken the same, and (f) separating the black conductive layer pattern and the electromagnetic shielding film pattern from the conductive substrate using a transparent substrate on a face of which an adhesive is formed. |
| US07655871B2 |
Resin composition, resin-attached metal foil, base material-attached insulating sheet and multiple-layered printed wiring board
A multiple-layered printed wiring board is manufactured, which exhibits higher thermal resistance and lower thermal expansion so that no flaking and/or no crack would be occurred in a thermal shock test such as a cooling-heating cycle test and the like, in addition to exhibiting a fire retardancy. The resin composition is capable of being employed for forming a resin layer of a resin-attached metal foil or an insulating sheet of a base material-attached insulating sheet, and includes: a cyanate resin and/or a prepolymer thereof; an epoxy resin substantially containing no halogen atom; a phenoxy resin substantially containing no halogen atom; an imidazole compound; and an inorganic filler, and also directed to a resin-attached metal foil formed by cladding a metal foil with such resin composition, a base material-attached insulating sheet formed by cladding an insulating base material therewith, and a multiple-layered printed wiring board, formed by laying such resin-attached metal foil(s) or such base material-attached insulating sheet(s) on a single side or both sides of an internal layer circuit board, and hot pressure forming thereof. |
| US07655870B2 |
Printed circuit board able to suppress simultaneous switching noise
An exemplary printed circuit board includes a power plane, and a ground plane. The power plane includes two power modules, and an insulating medium for insulating the two power modules from each other. The ground plane is insulated from the power plane, a plurality of slots is defined in the ground plane and located close to facing edges of the two power modules, and the slots are arranged in rows along the facing edges of the two power modules. |
| US07655866B2 |
Communication cable with variable lay length
Communication cables are provided in which a core lay length of the cable varies along the cable length. The cable may be provided with different segments that have different core lay lengths. It is desirable for neighboring core lay lengths in a cable to differ by a factor of two, to enable a reduction in power-sum alien near-end crosstalk (PSANEXT) when two cables are installed alongside one another. Segments of the cable having different core lay lengths may be spaced periodically along the length of the cable, and the periodicity of the spacing may be altered by a jitter distance. The introduction of jitter into the periodicity of the spacing of the segments increases the likelihood that a beneficial placement of core lay lengths will occur when two or more cables are installed alongside one another. |
| US07655860B2 |
Nano-structured photovoltaic solar cell and related methods
A solar cell includes a substrate having a horizontal surface, and an electrode layer on the substrate. The electrode has a plurality of vertical surfaces substantially perpendicular to the horizontal surface, and light-harvesting rods are coupled to the vertical surface of the electrode. |
| US07655859B2 |
Connector for a solar module
In order to deliver the current generated by means of photovoltaic solar elements, the invention proposes a connector for a solar module that is accommodated in a connector housing and can be connected to the solar elements. The solar elements are interconnected by means of flat connecting lines and embedding in a translucent sandwich panel. The current is delivered through an opening in one of the sheets of the sandwich panel by means of springable contact elements that are in electric contact with the connecting lines of the solar elements. |
| US07655856B2 |
Musical sounding producing apparatus, musical sound producing method, musical sound producing program, and recording medium
The present invention aims at the production of musical sounds by calculating motion data based on inputted image data using a simple technique without preliminarily preparing playing information or the like and by producing musical sounds based on the calculated data. A musical sound producing apparatus includes an operation part specifying means which extracts motion data indicative of motions from differentials of respective pixels corresponding to image data of a plurality of frames using image data for respective frames as an input; a musical sound producing means which produces musical sound data containing a sound source, a sound scale and a sound level in accordance with the motion data specified by the motion part specifying means; and an output means which outputs the musical sound data produced by the musical sound producing means, wherein an image database in which patterns are registered and an image matching means are provided, and a musical sound synthesizing means is provided to the musical sound producing means, in the musical sound producing means, so as to synthesize the musical sound data with other sound data, thereby producing the musical sound data. |
| US07655855B2 |
Systems and methods for creating, modifying, interacting with and playing musical compositions
Systems and methods for creating, modifying, interacting with and playing music are provided, particularly systems and methods employing a top-down process, where the user is provided with a musical composition that may be modified and interacted with and played and/or stored (for later play). The system preferably is provided in a handheld form factor, and a graphical display is provided to display status information, graphical representations of musical lanes or components which preferably vary in shape as musical parameters and the like are changed for particular instruments or musical components such as a microphone input or audio samples. An interactive auto-composition process preferably is utilized that employs musical rules and preferably a pseudo random number generator, which may also incorporate randomness introduced by timing of user input or the like, the user may then quickly begin creating desirable music in accordance with one or a variety of musical styles, with the user modifying the auto-composed (or previously created) musical composition, either for a real time performance and/or for storing and subsequent playback. In addition, the present invention makes use of node-based music generation as part of a system and method to broadcast and receive music data files, which are then used to generate and play music. By incorporating the music generation process into a node/subscriber unit, the bandwidth-intensive systems of conventional techniques can be avoided. Consequently, the bandwidth can preferably be also used for additional features such as node-to-node and node-to-base music data transmission. The present invention is characterized by the broadcast of relatively small data files that contain various parameters sufficient to describe the music to the node/subscriber music generator. |
| US07655852B2 |
Single reed woodwind musical instrument mouthpiece apparatus and method
A mouthpiece assembly for a woodwind musical instrument that holds an associated reed includes (1) an elongated mouthpiece body defining an air conduit means extending therethrough for providing a supply of air to facilitate playing of a woodwind musical instrument; (2) a reed placement surface defined on the mouthpiece body adjacent the air conduit dimensioned and configured to receive a reed detachably secured thereagainst; (3) a ligature including a ligature body dimensioned and configured to encircle the mouthpiece body and selectively retain the associated reed in position upon the reed placement surface and (4) a locating body engaging the ligature body and the mouthpiece body to locate the ligature body axially and radially with respect the mouthpiece body. The invention also includes the method for mounting a ligature on a mouthpiece for a woodwind musical instrument that includes the step of providing a locating body engaging the ligature body and the mouthpiece body to locate the ligature body axially and radially with respect the mouthpiece body. |
| US07655851B2 |
Tuning device of wireless communication type
A tuning device has a sound collecting unit having an input section for receiving a sound or vibration signal produced by a musical instrument and outputting a sound signal, and a wireless communication section for converting the sound signal into a wireless signal and transmitting the wireless signal to the outside. A computation display unit has a receiving section for receiving the wireless signal transmitted from the sound collecting unit and converting the wireless signal into a sound signal, a computing section that computes pitch information based on the sound signal, computes an amount of difference between the pitch information and reference pitch information corresponding to a reference sound name, and converts the computation result into a control signal for display, and a display section for acquiring the control signal and displaying information concerning the amount of difference computed by the computing section. |
| US07655845B2 |
Plants and seeds of hybrid corn variety CH611149
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated CH611149. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CH611149, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH611149 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 CH611149. |
| US07655841B2 |
Plants and seeds of corn variety LH354
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the corn variety designated LH354. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety LH354, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety LH354 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to corn seeds and plants produced by crossing plants of variety LH354 with plants of another variety, such as another inbred line. The invention further relates to the inbred and hybrid genetic complements of plants of variety LH354. |
| US07655838B2 |
Insect inhibitory Bacillus thuringiensis proteins, fusions, and methods of use therefor
Novel insect inhibitory proteins are disclosed comprising two different components, both of which are required for biological activity. Various methods of linking both components together, so that a single protein provides insect inhibitory activity, are disclosed. Also disclosed are novel Bacillus thuringiensis nucleic acid sequences encoding Coleopteran-inhibitory crystal proteins, designated tIC100 (29-kDa) and tlC101 (14-kDa). Also disclosed are methods of making and using nucleic acid sequences in the development of the transgenic plant cells containing the novel nucleic acid sequences disclosed herein. |
| US07655836B2 |
Method for increasing product yield
The present invention relates to methods for increasing the yield of a compound produced by an organism. More particularly, the present invention relates to methods for increasing the total or soluble carbohydrate content or sweetness or increasing the content of an endogenous carbohydrate of a plant tissue by producing a sugar-metabolizing enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of an endogenous sugar (one that is normally produced in the plant) to an alien sugar (one that is not normally produced in the plant at the same developmental stage). The invention also relates to plants and plant parts that produce a sugar-metabolizing enzyme to yield an alien sugar, with the consequence of higher total fermentable carbohydrate content, and to fermentable carbohydrates and other products derived therefrom. |
| US07655828B2 |
Disposable absorbent article having a patterned odor/antimicrobial reduction layer
The present invention is directed to a disposable absorbent article. The disposable absorbent article of the present invention includes: a topsheet, a backsheet combined with the topsheet, a fluid storage layer disposed between the topsheet and backsheet and having a body-facing surface and a garment-facing surface opposing the body-facing surface. The disposable absorbent article further includes an odor/antimicrobial reduction layer disposed either between the topsheet and the fluid storage layer or between the backsheet and the fluid storage layer. The odor/antimicrobial reduction layer contains an odor/antimicrobial material. The odor/antimicrobial reduction layer has a predetermined pattern of the odor/antimicrobial material. |
| US07655825B2 |
Method for the production of synthetic fuels from oxygenates
A method is disclosed for producing a synthetic fuel, especially diesel fuel and in addition gasoline, liquefied petroleum gas and heating gas from a gas mixture comprising an oxygenate wherein the oxygenate is methanol and/or dimethyl ether and/or another oxygenate, through a series of steps, including olefin-formation, oligomerization of the olefins, and several separation steps and recycling steps, in particular the recycling of a stream of saturated hydrocarbons following the oligomerization of olefins back to the olefin-forming stage, to obtain the diesel fuel and the other synthetic fuels in high yield. |
| US07655821B1 |
Direct hydrocarbonylation process
A direct hydrocarbonylation process for the production of 1,4-butanediol is described. The process comprises reacting allyl alcohol with carbon monoxide and hydrogen in an alcohol solvent in the presence of a catalyst system comprising a rhodium complex, a trialkyl phosphine, and a diphosphine. The process gives a high yield of 1,4-butanediol in a one-step reaction. |
| US07655815B2 |
Biuret compounds for rheology control
The invention relates to biuret compounds of the idealized general formula in which R1 is a (C1-C22)-alkylene, (C3-C22)-alkenylene, (C5-C15)-cycloalkylene, arylene, (C7-C12)-aralkylene, a polyoxyalkylene radical or is a polyester radical, R2 is a (C1-C22)-alkyl, hydroxy-(C1-C22)-alkyl, (C3-C18)-alkenyl, aryl, (C7-C12)-aralkyl, or (C5-C12)-cycloalkyl radical, a hydroxy-, (C1-C22)-alkoxy-, (C5-C12)-cycloalkoxy-, or (C7-C12)-aralkoxy-polyoxyalkylene radical, or a polyester radical prepared starting from a (C1-C22)-alkanol, (C5-C12)-cycloalkanol, or (C7-C12)-aralkanol or from a (C1-C22)-alkoxy-, (C6-C12)-cycloalkoxy-, or (C7-C12)-aralkoxy-polyoxyalkylene, Y stands for identical or different radicals O, NH, CO—NH—NH or NH—NH—CO, R3, R4 and R5 independently of one another are a (C2-C40)-alkylene, (C3-C40)-alkenylene, (C5-C40)-cyclo-alkylene, arylene, (C7-C40)-aralkylene or polyoxy-alkylene radical or are a polyester radical, R6 is a (C1-C30)-alkyl, (C3-C22)-alkenyl, hydroxyalkyl and hydroxyalkenyl, (C4-C13)-cycloalkyl, aryl or (C7-C12)-aralkyl radical, Z stands for one or more of the following groups COO, OCO, NHCO, CONH, NHCOO, OOCNH and NHCONH, and a is a number from 1 to 19, and also to processes for preparing them and to their use for rheology control and for thixotroping coating systems, as anti-sag agents and/or as anti-settling agents. |
| US07655812B2 |
Preparation of dimethylchlorosilane
Dimethylchlorosilane is prepared by reacting 1,2-tetramethyldichlorodisilane with hydrogen chloride in the presence of a catalyst mixture of a) palladium, b) a tertiary amine, and c) a tertiary phosphine having at least one phenyl group having at least one functional group other than hydrogen. The catalyst does not lose its activity upon contact with hydrogen chloride at low temperatures and ensures production of dimethylchlorosilane in high yields. |
| US07655809B2 |
Compounds comprising a linear series of five fused carbon rings, and preparation thereof
The present application discloses methods for the production of organic compounds comprising a linear series of five fused carbon rings. Such compounds are useful in the production of electronic components, devices and materials. For example the methods disclosed permit the production of 2,9- and 2,10-disubstituted pentacene compounds that present particularly advantageous properties for the manufacture of semiconductor materials, and may be used in devices such as for example thin film transistors and solar cells. Also disclosed are compounds that are excellent candidates for use in the manufacture of semiconductor materials, and other components of electronic systems, by virtue of their solubility, crystal packing geometries, and electronic properties. |
| US07655805B2 |
Method for synthesizing benzotriazole
A method for synthesizing benzotriazole comprises acts of: preparing a first solvent comprising 2-(2-hydroxy-5-methylphenyl) benzotriazole, a basic agent and molecular sieves and a second solvent comprising 3-chloro-2-alkyl propylene; mixing the solvents; and heating the solvents. This method requires only one reaction vessel and produces few by-products, therefore is simpler and cheaper to produce. Furthermore, the molecular sieves are cheaper than catalysts in conventional reactions and may be recycled, giving even greater economic benefits. |
| US07655797B2 |
Intermediates for making 2,4-pyrimidinediamine compounds
The present invention provides 2,4-pyrimidinediamine compounds that inhibit the IgE and/or IgG receptor signaling cascades that lead to the release of chemical mediators, intermediates and methods of synthesizing the compounds and methods of using the compounds in a variety of contexts, including in the treatment and prevention of diseases characterized by, caused by or associated with the release of chemical mediators via degranulation and other processes effected by activation of the IgE and/or IgG receptor signaling cascades. Certain disclosed embodiments concern contacting compounds having a formula or a salt or N-oxide thereof, with 2,4-dichloro-5-fluoropyrimidine under conditions to provide compounds having a formula |
| US07655790B2 |
Deprotection and purification of oligonucleotides and their derivatives
Method for synthesis, deprotection, and/or purification of nucleic acid molecules, such as oligonucleotides comprising one or more ribonucleotides. Such nucleic acid molecules include siRNA, dsRNA, ribozymes, antisense, and aptamers. |
| US07655787B2 |
pRNA chimera
A circularly permuted chimeric pRNA molecule carrying a stabilized biologically active RNA, such as a ribozyme. |
| US07655786B2 |
Gene expression modulating element
The present invention provides a method of screening for the purpose of obtaining gene expression modulating elements and gene insulator elements. The invention includes a method of identifying gene expression modulating elements and gene insulator elements through use of the following steps: a) locating intergenic regions of a plant genome that are flanked by a gene on each side that have differing gene expressions b) taking that intergenic region or a portion of that intergenic region and adding it to a cassette comprising an isolated gene c) introducing the cassette into a plant cell d) analyzing expression of the isolated gene. The present invention also includes identified sequences that act as gene expression modulating elements. |
| US07655784B2 |
Trans-sialidases obtained from Trypanosoma congolense
The invention relates to novel enzymes, which transfer sialic acid from a donor molecule onto an acceptor molecule (trans-sialidases). The enzymes are isolated from the protozoan Trypanosoma congolense. The invention also relates to functional equivalents of said enzymes, to the nucleic acid sequences and amino acid sequences that code for the enzymes and their functional equivalents, to expression constructs and vectors that contain said sequences, to recombinant microorganisms that carry the inventive coding nucleic-acid sequences, to a method for the recombinant production of the inventive enzymes, to a method for isolating said enzyme from Trypanosoma congolense, to a method for the enzymatic sialization of acceptor molecules using the inventive enzymes, to effectors of the inventive trans-sialidases, to the use of the nucleic acid sequences, amino acid sequences, enzymes, effectors or sialization products for producing vaccines, medicaments, foodstuffs or food additives, in addition to the latter products obtained by the inventive method. |
| US07655779B2 |
Collapsin response mediator protein-1 (CRMP-1) transcriptional regulatory nucleic acid sequences
This invention provides a transcription unit which is isolated from the upstream nucleic acid sequence of the collapsing response mediator protein-1 (CRMP-1) gene, an invasion-suppressor gene. The transcription unit contains a nucleic acid regulatory sequence which demonstrates promoter and/or regulatory activities (such as providing a transcription factor binding site) to enhance the expression of the CRMP-1 and/or a reporter protein. The invention also provides a DNA construct containing this transcription unit which can be transfected into a host cell. Additionally, the invention provides methods to enhance the expression of CRMP-1 and/or the reporter protein. The over-expression of CRMP-1 in a cancer cell can inhibit the metastasis of the cancer cell. |
| US07655778B2 |
SISP-1, a novel p53 target gene and use thereof
The present invention relates to a novel p53 target gene SISP-1 (Stress induced Secreted Protein 1) and a SISP-1 protein encoded by the gene. The SISP-1 protein of the present invention induces apoptosis by interaction with p53. The present invention provides the use of the gene/protein associated with treating abnormal apoptosis such as tumor. |
| US07655775B2 |
Expression vectors for treating bacterial infections
The present invention is compositions and methods for producing anti-bacterial polypeptides, and for using those compositions and methods for treating diseases and conditions caused by a bacterial infection. More specifically, the compositions and methods include treating a gram-negative bacterium with a gram-positive host that produces a polypeptide effective against the gram-negative bacterium. |
| US07655774B2 |
Ancestral and COT viral sequences, proteins and immunogenic compositions
The present invention is directed to ancestral and COT nucleic acid and amino acid sequences, methods for producing such sequences and uses thereof, including prophylactic and diagnostic uses. |
| US07655772B2 |
Materials and methods for treatment of allergic diseases
The present invention pertains to a method for treatment of allergic diseases by administering a natriuretic hormone peptide (NHP), or a nucleic acid sequence encoding NHP, to a patient in need thereof. In another aspect, the present invention concerns an expression vector comprising a nucleic acid sequence encoding NHP. In another aspect, the present invention concerns a host cell genetically modified with a nucleic acid sequence encoding NHP. In another aspect, the present invention concerns a pharmaceutical composition comprising NHP or a nucleic acid sequence encoding NHP and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. In another aspect, the present invention pertains to novel fragments of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) exhibiting bronchodilatory and anti-inflammatory activity, and isolated nucleic acid sequences encoding the fragments. |
| US07655767B2 |
Use of thiazolyl-pyridinium based dyes in optical layers for optical data recording
The present invention relates to the use of thiazolyl-pyridinium based dyes in optical layers for optical data recording, preferably for optical data recording using a laser with a wavelength up to 450 nm.The invention further relates to a write only read many (WORM) type optical data recording medium capable of recording and reproducing information with radiation of blue laser, which employs a thiazolyl-pyridinium based type dye in the optical layer.The present invention further relates to new thiazolyl-pyridinium based dyes, of formula (V), (VI) or (VIII). |
| US07655763B2 |
Neutralizing antibodies against GDF-8 and uses therefor
The disclosure provides novel antibodies against growth and differentiation factor-8 (GDF-8), in particular human antibodies, and antibody fragments, including those that inhibit GDF-8 activity in vitro and/or in vivo. The disclosure also provides methods for diagnosing, preventing, or treating degenerative disorders of muscle or bone, or disorders of insulin metabolism. |
| US07655762B2 |
Monoclonal antibodies against ANGPTL4
Monoclonal antibodies that specifically bind to ANGPTL4 are provided. Monoclonal antibodies that neutralize at least one activity of ANGPTL4 are provided. Methods of treating a disorder of lipid metabolism using neutralizing monoclonal antibodies are provided. |
| US07655757B2 |
Cytotoxic ribonuclease variants
This invention relates to cytotoxic variants of human ribonuclease 1 (RNase 1) identified through analysis of the interaction between RNase 1 and the human ribonuclease inhibitor (hRI) as defined by the three dimensional (3-D) atomic structure of the RNase 1 hRI complex. Also disclosed is the 3-D structure of the hRI.RNase 1 complex and methods for designing the RNase 1 variants. |
| US07655756B2 |
Crystallized structure of estrogen related receptor gamma in complex with bisphenol A
A method for the identification of novel compounds that interact and stabilize the ligand binding domain of estrogen-related receptor gamma (ERRγ), a methodology for producing diffraction quality crystal structures in the presence of antagonist and agonist ligands, including Bisphenol A, and the identification of novel biologically-active compounds that have an effect on the transcriptional-activating activity of ERRγ are disclosed. |
| US07655754B2 |
Bacteria with increased levels of protein secretion, nucleotide sequences coding for a SecA protein with increased levels of protein secretion, and methods for producing proteins
The invention relates to bacteria that have increased levels of protein secretion due to genetic modification, to nucleotide sequences and gene structures containing at least one gene coding for a SecA protein having increased levels of protein secretion, to a SecA having increased levels of protein secretion, and to a method for producing desired proteins using the inventive bacteria. The invention also relates to nucleic acids coding for a SecA protein having increased levels of protein secretion, containing a SecA gene sequence or allele, a SecA homologue or derivative, or nucleotide sequences hybridising therewith and comprising at least one mutation. Surprisingly, just one mutation in a nucleotide of a SecA gene leads to increased levels of protein secretion or to protein secretion for the first time. |
| US07655753B2 |
Conjugate
The present invention relates to a polypeptide comprising at least one alpha-helix having synthetically attached thereto a plurality of therapeutic or diagnostic moieties, wherein said therapeutic or diagnostic moieties may be the same or different and are spatially oriented on the polypeptide so as to minimise interactions between said moieties. Further aspects of the invention relate to a pharmaceutical composition comprising the polypeptide; a polynucleotide sequence encoding the polypeptide; an expression vector comprising said polynucleotide sequence; and a host cell transformed with said expression vector. The invention also provides a method of treatment comprising administering to a subject in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of said polypeptide. |
| US07655750B2 |
Process for the continuous preparation and isolation of soluble preceramic oligomers and/or polymers
The invention relates to a method for continuously producing pre-ceramic polymers. The inventive method consists in synthesizing polymers, in separating polymers from a reaction mixture and in thermally conditioning for defining a cross linkage degree and rheological properties, wherein all said steps are integrated into a single method. The thus obtainable polymers are used in the form of an initial material for producing non-oxidized ceramics in ternary X/Y/N or X/Y/N/C quaternary systems. Said materials are characterized by the high mechanical, thermal and chemical resistance thereof, wherein any X and Y combination can represent in particular Si, B, P, Al, Ti, V, Zr, Ta elements. |
| US07655749B2 |
Method for making nitrogen aromatic oligomers and polymers
Methods for synthesizing dimeric or higher polymeric reaction products of nitrogen aromatics comprise contacting a composition comprising the nitrogen aromatic with a catalyst composition. The catalyst is in particulate form and comprises a first metal substrate having a second reduced metal coated on the substrate. |
| US07655747B2 |
Soluble, degradable poly(ethylene glycol) derivatives for controllable release of bound molecules into solution
PEG and related polymer derivatives having weak, hydrolytically unstable linkages near the reactive end of the polymer are provided for conjugation to drugs, including proteins, enzymes, small molecules, and others. These derivatives provide a sufficient circulation period for a drug-PEG conjugate, followed by hydrolytic breakdown of the conjugate and release of the bound molecule. In some cases, drugs that demonstrate reduced activity when permanently coupled to PEG maintain a therapeutically suitable activity when coupled to a degradable PEG in accordance with the invention. The PEG derivatives of the invention can be used to impart improved water solubility, increased size, a slower rate of kidney clearance, and reduced immunogenicity to a conjugate formed by attachment thereto. Controlled hydrolytic release of the bound molecule into an aqueous environment can then enhance the drug's delivery profile by providing a delivery system which employs such polymers and utilizes the teachings provided herein. |
| US07655742B2 |
Method of forming thin film
There is provided a method of forming a thin film of vinylidene fluoride homopolymer having crystal form I which is applicable to various substrates in relatively easy way (coating conditions, application method, etc.), a process for preparing a vinylidene fluoride homopolymer having crystal form I efficiently at high purity, and novel vinylidene fluoride homopolymers which can give a thin film being excellent in ferroelectricity. The method of forming a thin film of vinylidene fluoride homopolymer comprises (i) a step for preparing a green powder product of vinylidene fluoride homopolymer comprising crystal form I alone or as main component by subjecting vinylidene fluoride to radical polymerization in the presence of a bromine compound or iodine compound having 1 to 20 carbon atoms which contains at least one moiety represented by —CRf1Rf2X1, wherein X1 is iodine atom or bromine atom; Rf1 and Rf2 are the same or different and each is selected from fluorine atom or perfluoroalkyl groups having 1 to 5 carbon atoms and (ii) a step for forming a thin film on a substrate surface by using vinylidene fluoride homopolymer which comprises crystal form I alone or as main component and is obtained from the green powder product of vinylidene fluoride homopolymer comprising crystal form I alone or as main component. |
| US07655741B2 |
Thermostable vinylchloride mixed polymers
A process for the preparation of vinyl chloride copolymers involves free radical suspension polymerization or emulsion polymerization of a mixture of vinyl chloride, epoxide-containing vinyl monomers and further comonomers copolymerizable therewith, wherein a) from 49.5 to 90% by weight of vinyl chloride, b) from 0.01 to 0.7% by weight of epoxide-containing vinyl monomers and c) from 9.5 to 50% by weight of further comonomers copolymerizable with a) and b) are polymerized, the data in % by weight totaling 100% by weight, and from 0.001 to 0.1% by weight of one or more aliphatic or alicyclic, saturated or unsaturated dicarboxylic acids having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, or aliphatic and alicyclic, saturated and unsaturated hydroxymono-, hydroxydi- and hydroxytricarboxylic acids having 3 to 10 carbon atoms and 1 to 4 hydroxyl groups are added during or after the polymerization, and the vinyl chloride copolymer is isolated as a solid resin. |
| US07655740B2 |
Olefin polymerization process
A slurry process for polymerizing ethylene is disclosed. The process comprises polymerizing ethylene in the presence of an α-olefin and a catalyst comprising an activator and a supported bridged indeno[1,2-b]indolyl zirconium complex. The process produces polyethylene characterized by good incorporation of the α-olefin and moderate long-chain branching. The process is capable of forming high molecular weight polyethylene and has good catalyst activity. |
| US07655739B1 |
Adhesive compositions comprising a polyfarnesene
Adhesive composition comprises a polyfarnesene and a tackifier. The polyfarnesene can be a farnesene homopolymer derived from a farnesene (e.g., α-farnesene or β-farnesene) or a farnesene interpolymer derived from a farnesene and at least a vinyl monomer. In some embodiments, the at least one vinyl monomer is ethylene, an α-olefin such as styrene, or a substituted or unsubstituted vinyl halide, vinyl ether, acrylonitrile, acrylic ester, methacrylic ester, acrylamide or methacrylamide, or a combination thereof. The composition disclosed herein can be used as a hot melt adhesive, a pressure sensitive adhesive or the like. |
| US07655733B2 |
Postcrosslinking of water absorbing polymers with cyclic carbamates and/or cyclic ureas
Disclosed is a process for postcrosslinking a water absorbing polymer by the polymer being treated with at least one postcrosslinker and postcrosslinked and dried during or after the treatment by raising the temperature, the at least one postcrosslinker being a cyclic carbamate or a cyclic urea, wherein the cyclic carbamate or the cyclic urea was obtained by reacting respectively an aminoalcohol or a diamine with a cyclic carbonate. |
| US07655731B2 |
Soft polymer compositions having improved high temperature properties
Disclosed are soft polymer compositions comprising an ethylene/alkyl (meth)acrylate copolymer and a crystalline polyolefin, such as polypropylene homopolymers or polypropylene copolymers, wherein the ethylene/alkyl (meth)acrylate copolymer has a higher melt viscosity than the polyolefin. Also disclosed are such compositions modified by materials that improve the scratch-and-mar properties of the blends, the preparation and use of these compositions in such processes as extrusion and injection molding, and articles made from these compositions. |
| US07655729B2 |
Power transmission products having enhanced properties
The present invention is directed to the incorporation of functionalized polyethylenes, in amount of about 1% to 95% by weight based upon the weight of the total crosslinkable material, into ethylene alpha olefin elastomers, such as EPDM elastomer compositions, which are crosslinked by peroxides, which results in improved properties, such as hardness and modulus of elongation, and can result in improved higher abrasion resistance, wear resistance, coefficient of friction, tensile strength, and other properties through a broad temperature range, which are beneficial to power transmission products, such as power transmission belts. |
| US07655728B2 |
Preparation of thermoplastic elastomers by dynamic vulcanization in multi-screw extruders
The invention relates to a method of preparing a thermoplastic vulcanizate comprising: a) melt processing a blend of thermoplastic polymer and vulcanizable elastomer in a multi-screw extruder having at least three intermeshing screws, wherein said screws have 3-170 mixing zones, and said extruder having a L/D ratio of 15-100, and a screw profile that has 3 to 17 meshes per L/D; b) adding at least one curing agent to the melt-processed blend of a) in at least one location in the first 46% of the length of said extruder, or adding at least one curing agent to the melt-processed blend of a) in a second extruder, so as to initiate curing of the blend: and, curing at least partially said elastomer by reactive melt processing. Improved processing, reaction kinetics and efficiencies are achieved, as well as thermoplastic vulcanizate products having decreased weight gain when placed in mineral oils. |
| US07655727B2 |
Method for preparing thermoplastic vulcanizates with improved extrusion surfaces
A process for the preparation of dynamically vulcanized thermoplastic elastomers comprising melt processing under shearing conditions in melt reaction extruder, A) at least one thermoplastic resin, B) at least one vulcanizable gas-phase elastomer having a Mooney viscosity (ML.sub.1+4(125° C.)) of from about 65 to about 450, C) a curing agent or agents, and D) process oil, wherein said process oil D) is added to the extruder in at least three oil injection positions located a) at least one location before or within the first 15% of the total length of the extruder; b) at least one other location prior to, at or within 10% total extruder length after the onset of the vulcanization of said gas-phase elastomer; and c) at least one location subsequent to the location of the point at which the vulcanization of said gas-phase elastomer is substantially completed. |
| US07655726B2 |
Thermoplastic partially crystalline molding compound having a reduced surface luster and products made therefrom
The present invention relates to novel molding compositions based on semicrystalline engineering thermoplastics which, in conventional processing techniques, give moldings with reduced surface gloss. A feature of the molding compositions is that they comprise, in a polymer matrix, if appropriate with the usual additives, polymer particles with a median size d50 of from 0.1 μm to 100 μm, and comprise at least one other incompatible or semicompatible polymer which has not been chemically crosslinked, and also, if appropriate, comprise salt-like additives. The invention further relates to moldings which are produced by means of conventional processing techniques, in particular via injection molding, from these matt-effect molding compositions. |
| US07655725B2 |
Process for the preparation of a hydrogenated polymer
This invention relates to a process for the preparation of a hydrogenated polymer comprising the steps of hydrogenation of at least one carbon-carbon double bond of an unsaturated polymer in latex in the presence of hydrazine, an oxidizing compound and a catalyst, followed by separation of the hydrogenated polymer from the latex. After the separation of the hydrogenerated polymer from the latex a mixing step is carried out in which the hydrogenated polymer is first mixed with an amine group containing compound and next the hydrogenated polymer is mixed with a compound that is capable of reacting with an amine. The invention also relates to the hydrogenated polymer. The invention further relates to the use of this polymer in a compounds to make an article by shaping and vulcanisation. |
| US07655724B2 |
Low-HAP and zero-HAP polyester resin systems and articles prepared using same
A polyester gelcoat composition comprising unsaturated polyester resin; a reactive diluent mixture including para-tertiary-butylstyrene and a minor amount of styrene; and one or more additives. The gelcoat composition does not include appreciable deleterious amounts of hazardous air pollution solvents. A method of making the gelcoat composition is also disclosed. |
| US07655723B2 |
Radiation resistant polypropylene materials
A polypropylene material is provided having increased radiation resistance compared to solely isotactic polypropylene. The material is formed by utilizing a syndiotactic polypropylene. The isotactic polypropylene may be an isotactic metallocene or Ziegler-Natta catalyzed polypropylene and may include an amount of syndiotactic polypropylene. The material may be used in forming a variety of materials that may undergo exposure to radiation, such as sterilization procedures using radiation. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. |
| US07655722B2 |
Adhesive composition
The present invention relates to adhesive compositions having: a phosphate group-containing monomer (a) having a fluorocarbon group represented by Chemical Formula 1; and a solvent (b), where R is a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, n, p and q are natural numbers 2≦n≦10, p+q≦n and p+q+n≦13. |
| US07655720B2 |
Adhesive containing radial block copolymer
Hot melt adhesive compositions containing radial polystyrene-polyisoprene/polybutadiene block copolymer and use as elastic attachment adhesive in the manufacture of disposable absorbent elastic articles. |
| US07655719B2 |
Thermally conductive polymer compositions having moderate tensile and flexural properties
A thermally conductive polymer composition having enhanced mechanical properties is provided. The polymer composition consists of a base polymer matrix loaded with fillers that results in a thermal conductivity that is greater than 1.5 W/m° K and a tensile modulus within an acceptable range making the composition suitable for structural plastic applications, such as between 1,700 to 12,000 Mpa and more preferably between approximately 2,700 to 10,000 Mpa and even more preferably in the range of between approximately 4,000 to 9,000 Mpa. In addition to a tensile modulus within the identified range the composition also includes an elongation to break value that is at least above 1.0% and more preferably in the range of about 1.2% to 10%. |
| US07655715B2 |
Phosphorus-containing mixtures, a process for their preparation and their use
The invention relates to phosphorus-containing mixtures containing compounds of the formula RO—PO(A)-CH2—CH2—CO2H and (I) HO—PO(A)-CH2—CH2—CO2R (II) in which A is C1-C18-alkyl, C6-C18-alkylaryl, C6-C18-aralkyl or aryl, R is (D,E)C═C(B, R5), H B, D, E are identical or different and are each H or C1-C18-alkyl R5 is C1-C20-alkylene, a process for their preparation and their use. |
| US07655713B2 |
Non-aqueous ink-jet ink and ink-jet recording method
A non-aqueous ink-jet ink containing a pigment, a resin for fixing an image and Compound A represented by Formula (1) or Formula (2), wherein a content of Compound A in the ink-jet ink is from 1.5 to 30 weight % based on the total weight of the ink-jet ink: |
| US07655708B2 |
Polymeric black pigment dispersions and ink jet ink compositions
An ink jet ink composition comprising an aqueous media and a pigment dispersion comprising a specific carbon black pigment and a polymeric dispersant wherein said polymeric dispersant is a copolymer comprising at least a hydrophobic methacrylate or acrylate monomer containing an aliphatic chain having greater than or equal to 12 carbons; and a hydrophilic methacrylic or acrylic acid monomer; wherein said copolymer comprises at least 10% by weight of the methacrylate or acrylate monomer and at least 5% by weight of the methacrylic or acrylic acid monomer; and wherein the copolymer comprises, in total, 20 to 95 weight % of hydrophobic monomer. |
| US07655695B2 |
Illudin analogs useful as anticancer agents
Acylfulvene analogs, which inhibit tumor growth, especially solid tumor growth, and which have an adequate therapeutic index to be effective for in vivo treatment are provided herein. The compounds described herein are useful as anti-neoplastic agents, i.e., to inhibit tumor cell growth in vitro or in vivo, in mammalian hosts, such as humans or animals, e.g., domestic animals, and are effective against solid tumors, hematologic malignancies and multi-drug resistant cancers/tumors. The present compounds can be used alone or they can be used in combination with one or more anti-cancer or anti-tumor agents. |
| US07655694B2 |
Phytoestrogenic isoflavone compositions, their preparation and use thereof for protection against and treatment of radiation injury
The present invention provides compositions and methods for the prophylactic and therapeutic treatment of animals, including humans from radiation injury. In particular, the present invention provides methods and compositions comprising the isoflavone genistein (4′,5,7-trihydroxyflavone) or phytoestrogenic isoflavonoids. |
| US07655693B2 |
Compounds
The invention provides a compound of formula (I), pharmaceutical compositions thereof, and methods of treatment using the same. |
| US07655692B2 |
Process for forming amorphous atorvastatin
Forming amorphous atorvastatin comprises the steps of dissolving atorvastatin in a hydroxylic solvent, followed by rapidly evaporating the solvent. In another aspect, a composition comprises particles of amorphous atorvastatin and a core. |
| US07655689B2 |
Fused heterocyclic succinimide compounds and analogs thereof, modulators of nuclear hormone receptor function
Fused cyclic compounds, methods of using such compounds in the treatment of nuclear hormone receptor-associated conditions such as cancer and immune disorders, and pharmaceutical compositions containing such compounds. |
| US07655686B2 |
Certain substituted spirocyclic lactams and use thereof as pharmaceuticals
The present invention relates to novel 2-(6-oxo-1,7-diaza-spiro[4.4]non-7-yl)-propionamides of the formula wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, m and p are as defined in the specification, to their preparation, to their use as pharmaceuticals and to pharmaceutical compositions containing them. |
| US07655684B2 |
Inhibitors of glutaminyl cyclase
Compounds that act as inhibitors of QC including those represented by the general formulae 1 to 9: and combinations thereof for the treatment of neuronal disorders, especially Alzheimer's disease, Down Syndrome, Parkinson disease, Corea Huntington, pathogenic psychotic conditions, schizophrenia, impaired food intake, sleep-wakefulness, impaired homeostatic regulation of energy metabolism, impaired autonomic function, impaired hormonal balance, impaired regulation, body fluids, hypertension, fever, sleep dysregulation, anorexia, anxiety related disorders including depression, seizures including epilepsy, drug withdrawal and alcoholism, neurodegenerative disorders including cognitive dysfunction and dementia. |
| US07655682B2 |
Triple anti-irritant composition
The present invention relates to a composition comprising two or more anti-irritants, each having at least about 7.2% oxygen content. In a separate embodiment, the composition may be defined to include a skin conditioning agent, a skin protectant agent, and an anti-irritant agent, each having an oxygen content of at least about 7.2%. The invention further comprises methods of treating and preventing skin conditions by applying the composition to the skin, and then optionally washing the skin. |
| US07655678B2 |
Pharmaceutical composition for the management of tumors
The present invention relates to the effect of naturally occurring compounds on tumor development. As an example of proof, we used low; non-toxic doses of three compound e.g. Calcium D-glucarate, a naturally occurring Ca++ salt of D-glucaric acid; Nicotinamide (NA), a naturally occurring vitamin and butyric acid (BA), a naturally occurring saturated short chain fatty acid. 7,12 dimethylbenzanthracene (DMBA), which is a very potent skin carcinogen and is an environmental pollutant, was used for skin tumor development. Experiment was performed up to 30 weeks. All the above-mentioned compounds were used either alone or concomitantly any two or all the three. In the positive control group 100% tumorigenesis was attained in 28 weeks, use of single compound led to the inhibition of DMBA induced tumorigenesis between 33 to 47%, use of two compounds resulted in the 73 to 80% reduction in tumorigenesis but the concomitant use of three compounds resulted into 100% inhibition of tumor development at the end of 30 weeks. This led us to conclude that the concomitant use of Cag, NA and BA in combination of two is useful for preventing skin tumor development for a sort or long period of time. But the concomitant use of all the three compounds, as described, exhibited the perfect synergistic effect in preventing the tumor development completely. This strategy should be equally effective in the management of benign and possibly malignant tumor in any organ caused by any mean. |
| US07655677B2 |
Composition and method for controlling house insect pest
The present invention provides a composition for controlling a house insect pest, such as termites, ants or cockroaches, which comprises, as active ingredients, at least two compounds selected from the group consisting of (a) a certain pyridine compound, (b) a benzoylurea compound, (c) a pyrethroid compound and (d) a certain hydrazone compound; and a composition for controlling a house insect pest, which comprises, as an active ingredient, a certain hydrazone compound. |
| US07655675B2 |
Gamma-secretase inhibitors
Compounds of formula I: inhibit the processing of APP by gamma-secretase and hence find use in treatment of Alzheimer's disease. |
| US07655671B2 |
Morphinan derivatives, the quaternary ammonium salts thereof substituted in position 14, method for production and use thereof
The present invention relates to a class of morphinan compounds and quaternary ammonium salts thereof, substituted in Position 14, which may be used as highly active analgesics or also as opioid antagonists. The present invention also relates to the pharmaceutically acceptable salts and easily produced derivatives thereof, a process for the production thereof and use thereof in the production of pharmaceutical specialities. |
| US07655670B2 |
3-spirocyclic indolyl derivatives useful as ORL-1 receptor modulators
The present invention is directed to novel 3-spirocyclic indolyl derivatives, pharmaceutical compositions containing them and their use in the treatment of disorders and conditions modulated by the ORL-1 receptor. |
| US07655669B2 |
Pyrimidineamide derivatives and the use thereof
The invention relates to novel substituted N-(3-benzoylaminophenyl)-4-pyridyl-2-pyrimidinamine derivatives, processes for the preparation thereof, pharmaceutical compositions containing same, the use thereof optionally in combination with one or more other pharmaceutically active compounds for the therapy of a disease which responds to an inhibition of protein kinase activity, especially a neoplastic disease, and a method for the treatment of such a disease. |
| US07655668B1 |
Composition and method for treatment of warts
Provided is a composition that includes 5-FU and salicylic acid. This composition is useful as a treatment for warts. As opposed to conventional compositions and methods, this composition need only be applied once a day. Also provided are methods for the preparation and use of the composition for treatment of warts. |
| US07655665B2 |
Nitromethylene derivatives and their use
The present invention discloses nitromethylene derivatives and the uses thereof. These derivatives are obtained by adding ring structure onto the known nitromethylene compounds, by which both their stability for light and their liposolubility are increased. Furthermore, by using the substituents linked to ether bond, the steric orientation of the nitro group and the liposolubility of the compounds are controlled. The insecticidal activity tests show that the compounds and their derivatives of the invention display high efficiency on killing various destructive insects with piercing-sucking type or scratching type mouthparts, such as aphid, leafhopper, plant hopper, thrips and white fly. |
| US07655663B2 |
Fluoropyrrolidines having dipeptidyl peptidase enzyme inhibitory activity
The present invention relates to new, potent DPP-IV enzyme inhibitors of the general formula (I), which contain fluorine atoms. |
| US07655660B2 |
Prodrugs of CC-1065 analogs
Prodrugs of analogs of the anti-tumor antibiotic CC-1065 having a cleavable protective group such as a piperazino carbamate, a 4-piperidino-piperidino carbamate or a phosphate, in which the protecting group confers enhanced water solubility and stability upon the prodrug, and in which the prodrug also has a moiety, such as a disulfide, that can conjugate to a cell binding reagent such as an antibody. The therapeutic use of such prodrug conjugates is also described; such prodrugs of cytotoxic agents have therapeutic use because they can deliver cytotoxic prodrugs to a specific cell population for enzymatic conversion to cytoxic drugs in a targeted fashion. |
| US07655652B2 |
Imidazolo-5-yl-2-anilinopyrimidines as agents for the inhibition of cell proliferation
Compounds of the formula (I), wherein variable groups are as defined within and a pharmaceutically acceptable salts and in vivo hydrolysable esters are described. Also described are processes for their preparation and their use as medicaments, particularly medicaments for producing a cell cycle inhibitory (anti cell proliferation) effect in a warm blooded animal, such as man. |
| US07655644B2 |
Piperidine and azetidine derivatives as GlyT1 inhibitors
The present invention provides compounds of formula (I), wherein both p's are one or two, R1 is generally heteroaryl or cycloalkyl, R2 is C3-6cycloalkyl or phenyl and R3 is heteroaryl, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, as GlyT1 inhibitors for treating schizophrenia, pharmaceutical compositions comprising the same and methods for their preparation. |
| US07655639B2 |
Minimally invasive clinical treatment method for closure of umbilical hernias
The present invention is a minimally invasive clinical method for closing hernias and other abnormal openings existing within the body; and is a unique alternative to conventional surgery and routine surgical techniques for correcting such medical defects. The clinical applications for the present methodology can be used for the in-vivo closure of small sized lumens and voids which naturally occur and exist internally within the soft connective tissue and organs of the living human body; can be employed to advantage for the closure of hernias generally; and is focused upon the closure of umbilical hernias specifically. |
| US07655633B2 |
Nitrogen-containing heterocyclic derivatives, medicinal compositions containing the same and medicinal use thereof
The present invention provides nitrogen-containing heterocyclic derivatives represented by the general formula: wherein X1 represents N or CR1; X2 represents N or CR2; X3 represents N or CR3; X4 represents N or CR4; and with the proviso that one or two of X1 to X4 represent N; R represents optionally substituted C3-8 cycloalkyl, optionally substituted C6-10 aryl, etc.; R1 to R4 represent H, a halogen atom, etc.) or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, or prodrugs thereof, which exert an excellent inhibitory activity in human SGLT2 and are useful as agents for the prevention or treatment of a disease associated with hyperglycemia such as diabetes, diabetic complications, obesity or the like, pharmaceutical compositions comprising the same, and medicinal uses thereof. |
| US07655632B2 |
Pyrazole derivative, medicinal composition containing the same, medicinal use thereof, and intermediate for production thereof
The present invention provides pyrazole derivatives represented by the general formula: wherein R1 represents H, an optionally substituted C1-6 alkyl group etc.; one of Q and T represents a group represented by the general formula: or a group represented by the general formula: while the other represents an optionally substituted C1-6 alkyl group etc.; R2 represents H, a halogen atom, OH, an optionally substituted C1-6 alkyl group etc.; X represents a single bond, O or S; Y represents a single bond, a C1-6 alkylene group etc.; Z represents CO or SO2; R4 and R5 represent H, an optionally substituted C1-6 alkyl group etc.; and R3, R6 and R7 represent H, a halogen atom etc., pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof or prodrugs thereof, which exhibit an excellent inhibitory activity in human SGLT1 and are useful as agents for the prevention or treatment of a disease associated with hyperglycemia such as diabetes, diabetic complications or obesity, and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the same, pharmaceutical uses thereof, and intermediates for production thereof. |
| US07655631B2 |
Pharmaceutical preparations and methods for inhibiting tumors
The invention provides pharmaceutical compositions and method for inhibiting growth of prostatic adenocarcinoma, stomach cancer, breast cancer, endometrial, ovarian or other cancers of epithelial secretion, or benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) In one embodiment the pharmaceutical composition includes human rHuPSP94, antigenic portions thereof, and functionally equivalent polypeptides thereof. In another embodiment, the pharmaceutical composition includes a mixture of human rHuPSP94, antigenic portions thereof, and functionally equivalent polypeptides thereof and an anticancer drug which may be administered in an appropriate dosage form, dosage quantity and dosage regimen to a patient suffering from, for example of prostatic adenocarcinoma, stomach cancer, breast cancer, endometrial, ovarian or other cancers of epithelial secretion, benign prostate hyperplasia, or (BPH) gastrointestinal cancer. The anticancer drug of the latter mixture may be one selected from the group of drugs including mitomycin, idarubicin, cisplatin, 5-fluoro-uracil, methotrexate, adriamycin, daunomycin, taxol, taxol derivative, and mixtures thereof. |
| US07655623B2 |
Dab9 derivatives of lipopeptide antibiotics and methods of making and using the same
The present invention provides Dab9 derivatives of amphomycin-type lipopepetide antibiotics that display antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive bacteria, methods and intermediates for synthesizing the compounds and methods of using the compounds in a variety of contexts, including in the treatment and prevention of infections. |
| US07655621B2 |
Cross-linked glycopeptide-cephalosporin antibiotics
This invention provides cross-linked glycopeptide-cephalosporin compounds and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof which are useful as antibiotics. This invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions containing such compounds; methods for treating bacterial infections in a mammal using such compounds; and processes and intermediates useful for preparing such compounds. |
| US07655620B2 |
Use of one or more metal carriers to selectively kill mammalian cells
Compositions and methods for decreasing the viability of cells, particularly aberrant non-healthy cells, and most particularly cancer cells, are disclosed. The primary agent that causes cell death is a toxic metal atom or ion. Embodiments of the invention provide compositions and methods to ensure that the toxic metal is directed to the desired cell or tissue. In one embodiment, the metal is bound to a sulfur-rich peptide or protein carrier containing a targeting moiety. Such metal-protein complex is targeted to the selected cells or tissues to enrich the cell or tissue site with the metal-containing peptide or protein molecules followed by administering a dithiocarbonyl which carries the metal from the protein inside the cells to induce cell death. |
| US07655618B2 |
Compositions and methods for the prevention and control of insulin-induced hypoglycemia
Pharmaceutical compositions comprising glucagon can be administered to control and treat diabetes while reducing or eliminating the risk of insulin-induced hypoglycemia. Also provide are methods of administering glucagon so as to reduce the risk of inducing hypoglycemia. |
| US07655616B2 |
Use of IL-18 inhibitors for treating head injuries
The invention relates to the use of inhibitors of IL-18 in the preparation of a medicament for treatment and/or prevention of central nervous system injury, in particular of traumatic head injury. |
| US07655614B2 |
3-isopropyl-1-methylcyclopentyl derivatives and their use in fragrance applications
This invention relates to 3-isopropyl-1-methylcyclopentyl derivatives and their use in fragrance applications. |
| US07655613B2 |
Solubilizing systems for flavors and fragrances
The present invention provides compositions and clear oil-in-water microemulsion containing up to 80% w/w of an oil, a surfactant system, a w/w oil/surfactant system ratio between 1 and 3, and a solubilizing-aid ingredient which is not a surfactant neither a VOC compound, the latter being present in an amount sufficient to ensure that the ratio oil/(surfactant+solubilizing-aid) is between 0.1 and 5. The present invention concerns also the articles and products associated with such compositions and microemulsions, and the methods to manufacture them. |
| US07655604B2 |
Process of hydraulic fracturing using a viscoelastic wellbore fluid
Hydraulic fracturing of a subterranean hydrocarbon reservoir is carried out using an aqueous wellbore fluid which is an aqueous solution of a surfactant which has the formula (R1—X)nZ, where R1 is an aliphatic group comprising a C10-C25 principal straight chain bonded at a terminal carbon atom thereof to X, and comprising at least one C1-C6 side chain. X is a charged head group, Z is a counterion, and n is an integer which ensures that the surfactant is charge neutral. The surfactant reversibly thickens the aqueous solution such that the wellbore fluid is a viscoelastic gel. The viscoelastic gel breaks and undergoes a reduction in viscosity within the reservoir and surfactant from the broken gel mixes with hydrocarbon in the reservoir. |
| US07655603B2 |
Clean-up additive for viscoelastic surfactant based fluids
Clean-up additive compositions may be used to enhance the clean-up of VES-gelled aqueous fluids in a wide range of applications and VES fluid compositions, including use of an internal breaker system. The compositions are microemulsions that may include, but not necessarily be limited to, at least one viscosity reducing agent, at least one solubilizing agent, at least one desorption agent and at least one water wetting agent. One non-limiting embodiment of a specific microemulsion includes an unsaturated fatty acid oil, a glycol, a sorbitan ester/ethoxylated sorbitan ester mixture, and an alkyl sulfonate. Microemulsions may perform one or more of the following functions: keeping the reservoir water wet; keeping surface tension reduction low; demulsifying reservoir crude oils and aqueous VES fluids; dispersing and solubilizing the by-products generated when breaking the VES gel; and/or limiting the amount of VES residue on reservoir minerals. |
| US07655602B2 |
Peptides comprising aromatic D-amino acids and methods of use
Disclosed are D-peptides and libraries of D-peptides comprising aromatic D-amino acids. Also disclosed are methods for identifying small D-peptides comprising aromatic D-amino acids that bind to proteins of interest. |
| US07655598B2 |
Herbicide composition
The present invention relates to an herbicide composition comprising, as active ingredients, a uracil compound represented by the following formula (I): wherein Z represents halogen or cyano; A represents oxygen, sulfur or NH; R1 represents hydroxyl, C1-C7 alkoxy or others, and R2 represents hydrogen or methyl, and 2-chloro-1-(3-ethoxy-4-nitrophenoxy-4-(trifluoromethyl)benzen; and a method for controlling weeds which comprises applying an effective amounts of said herbicide composition to weeds. According to the invention, particularly weeds in orchards, soybean fields and non-crop lands can be effectively controlled. |
| US07655594B2 |
Materials for degrading contaminants
Briefly described, compositions, materials including the compositions, methods of using the compositions, and methods of degrading contaminants, are described herein. The composition can include a polyoxometalate/ cationic silica material. In addition, the compositions can be made of a polyoxometalate/cationic silica material, a copper (II) salt having a weakly bound anion, and a nitrate salts. Further, the compositions can be made of a polyoxometalate/cationic silica material, a copper (II) salt having a weakly bound anion, a compound selected from tetraethylammonium (TEA) nitrate, tetra-n-butylammonium (TBA) nitrate, and combinations thereof. |
| US07655589B2 |
Process and apparatus for the regeneration of spent FCC catalyst
Disclosed is an improved regeneration process and system for the regeneration of a spent FCC catalyst in a regenerator without vertical partitions by introducing different fluidization gas streams to different regions of a dense phase catalyst zone at the lower end of the regenerator such as a high velocity central region and a low velocity annular zone are formed, positioned below a common dilute catalyst phase. |
| US07655587B2 |
High resistivity refractory with a high zirconia content
The invention provides a novel fused and cast refractory product with a high zirconia content having improved electrical resistivity. Said refractory product comprises, as a percentage by weight relative to the oxides and for a total of more than 98.5%: ZrO2+Hf2O: >85% SiO2: 1% to 12% Al2O3: 0.1% to 2.4%, with Al2O3/SiO2<0.5 Y2O3: ≦1%, B2O3: <1.5%; and a dopant selected from the group formed by V2O5, CrO3, Nb2O5, MoO3, Ta2O5, WO3, and mixtures thereof, in a weighted quantity such that: 0.2%≦2.43V2O5+8.84CrO3+1.66Nb2O5+6.14MoO3+Ta2O5+3.81WO3. |
| US07655585B2 |
Optical glass, precision press-molding preform, process for the production thereof, optical element and process for the production of the element
Provided is a precision press-molding optical glass that is not easily degraded in quality by the occurrence of an altered layer such as fogging or yellowing on a surface and that comprises B2O3, ZnO, La2O3 and ZrO2 and contains, by mol %, 0 to less than 0.5% of Li2O, 20 to 50% of B2O3, 0 to 20% of SiO2, 22 to 42% of ZnO, 5 to 24% of La2O3, 0 to 20% of Gd2O3, provided that the total content of La2O3 and Gd2O3 is 10 to 24%, 0.5 to 10% of ZrO2, 0 to 15% of Ta2O5, 0 to 20% of WO3, 0 to 15% of Nb2O5, 0 to 20% of TiO2, 0 to 10% of Bi2O3, 0 to 10% of GeO2, 0 to 10% of Ga2O3, 0 to 10% of Al2O3, 0 to 10% of BaO, 0 to 10% of Y2O3 and 0 to 10% of Yb2O3, the optical glass having an Abbe's number (νd) of at least 35 but less than 40. |
| US07655582B2 |
Polypropylene blends for non-woven fabrics
The present invention provides polypropylene blends for use in the production of fibers and fabrics. The polypropylene blends according to the current invention comprise from about 85 to about 95 percent by weight of a propylene homopolymer and from about 5 to about 15 percent by weight of an ethylene/propylene random copolymer having an ethylene content of about 7 percent by weight or less. The overall ethylene content of the blends according to the present invention is about 1 percent by weight or less. Polypropylene blends according to the current invention provide lower bonding temperatures and wider bonding windows without the increased smoke generation associated with high solubles homopolymers. |
| US07655580B2 |
Fire resistant panel and method of making
The present invention teaches that a tightly woven, and strong sheet of fiberglass may be saturated or impregnated with sodium silicate in order to produce a strong and fire resistant sheet. A sheet of silica fabric may be adhered to the sheet of fiberglass in order to provide additional protection from combustion. The present invention further teaches that a fire door core may be mass produced from fire resistant sheets, silica sheets, and that the core may be rated for fire safety by a rating agency, thus allowing door manufacturers to produce doors using that core without individually certifying each model of door. The impregnation may occur by spraying, by rolling or by other means, and the drying process of the sodium silicate occurs after it has been saturated into the fiberglass sheet. |
| US07655579B2 |
Method for improving heat transfer of a focus ring to a target substrate mounting device
A focus ring heat transfer method improves heat transfer of a focus ring arranged in an outer peripheral portion of a mounting surface of a mounting table adapted to mount a target substrate in a chamber. The method includes steps of: disposing a heat transfer sheet between the focus ring and the mounting table; and vacuum-evacuating the chamber prior to processing the target substrate and then restoring the pressure the inside of the chamber to an atmospheric pressure or a light vacuum pressure. Therefore, air present in a fine gap between the heat transfer sheet and the mounting surface is removed to allow the heat transfer sheet to adhere to the mounting surface. |
| US07655575B2 |
InN/InP/TiO2 photosensitized electrode
The present invention is a photosensitized electrode which absorbs sunlight to obtain electron-hole pair. The photosensitized electrode is fabricated with simple procedure and has low cost. The electrode has excellent chemical resist to be applied in a solar cell device with enhanced sun-light absorbing ability. The present invention can be applied in an optoelectronic device or a hydrogen generator device too. |
| US07655565B2 |
Electroprocessing profile control
A method and apparatus for electroprocessing a substrate is provided. In one embodiment, a method for electroprocessing a substrate includes the steps of biasing a first electrode to establish a first electroprocessing zone between the electrode and the substrate, and biasing a second electrode disposed radially outward of substrate with a polarity opposite the bias applied tot he first electrode. |
| US07655564B2 |
Method for forming Ta-Ru liner layer for Cu wiring
A method of forming a Ta—Ru metal liner layer for Cu wiring includes: (i) conducting atomic deposition of Ta X times, each atomic deposition of Ta being accomplished by a pulse of hydrogen plasma, wherein X is an integer such that a surface of an underlying layer is not covered with Ta particles; (ii) after step (i), conducting atomic deposition of Ru Y times, each atomic deposition of Ru being accomplished by a pulse of hydrogen plasma, wherein Y is an integer such that the Ta particles are not covered with Ru particles; and (iii) repeating steps (i) and (ii) Z times, thereby forming a Ta—Ru metal liner layer on a Cu wiring substrate. |
| US07655563B2 |
Method for preventing the formation of dentrites in a semiconductor
The invention relates to a semiconductor circuit arrangement having a semiconductor substrate, a first doping region, a second doping region, a connection doping region, an insulation layer and an electrically conductive structure which is to be planarized, it being possible for the charge carriers formed during a planarization step to be reliably dissipated, and for dendrite formation to be prevented, by a discharge doping region formed in the first and second doping regions. |
| US07655554B2 |
Method for eliminating loading effect using a via plug
Method for eliminating loading effect using a via plug. According to an embodiment, the present invention provides a method of processing an integrated circuit wherein a loading effect is reduced. The method includes a step for providing a substrate, which is characterized by a first thickness. The method also includes a stop for forming an inter metal dielectric layer overlaying the substrate. The inter metal dielectric layer is characterized by a second thickness. The method additionally includes a step for forming a first photoresist layer overlaying the inter metal dielectric layer. The first photoresist layer is associated with a first pattern. Additionally, the method includes a step for forming a first opening positioned at least partially inside the inter metal dielectric layer. The first via opening is characterized by a first depth. The method additionally includes a step for removing the first photoresist layer. The method further includes a step for forming a via plug. |
| US07655550B2 |
Method of making metal gate transistors
A semiconductor device has a gate with three conductive layers over a high K gate dielectric. The first layer is substantially oxygen free. The work function is modulated to the desired work function by a second conductive layer in response to subsequent thermal processing. The second layer is a conductive oxygen-bearing metal. With sufficient thickness of the first layer, there is minimal penetration of oxygen from the second layer through the first layer to adversely impact the gate dielectric but sufficient penetration of oxygen to change the work function to a more desirable level. A third layer, which is metallic, is deposited over the second layer. A polysilicon layer is deposited over the third layer. The third layer prevents the polysilicon layer and the oxygen-bearing layer from reacting together. |
| US07655549B2 |
Method for depositing a metal gate on a high-k dielectric film
A method to improve a high-k dielectric film and metal gate interface in the fabrication of a MOSFET by depositing a metal gate on a high-k dielectric, the method includes annealing a substrate with a high-k dielectric film deposited thereon in a thermal annealing module and depositing a metal gate material on the annealed substrate in a metal gate deposition module, wherein the annealing step and the depositing step are carried out consecutively without a vacuum break. |
| US07655546B2 |
Monolithic integrated enhancement mode and depletion mode field effect transistors and method of making the same
A depletion mode (D-mode) field effect transistor (FET) is monolithically integrated with an enhancement mode (E-mode) FET in a multi-layer structure. The multi-layer structure includes a channel layer overlaid by a barrier layer overlaid by an ohmic contact layer. Source and drain contacts of the D-mode and E-mode FETs are coupled to the ohmic contact layer. A gate contact of the D-mode and E-mode FETs is coupled to the barrier layer. An amorphized region is provided beneath the E-mode gate contact within the barrier layer. The amorphized region forms a buried E-mode Schottky contact with the barrier layer. An alternative embodiment couples the gate contact of the D-mode transistor to a first layer that overlies the barrier layer, and provides a similar D-mode amorphized region within the first layer. |
| US07655542B2 |
Methods and apparatus for depositing a microcrystalline silicon film for photovoltaic device
Methods for depositing a microcrystalline silicon film layer with improved deposition rate and film quality are provided in the present invention. Also, photovoltaic (PV) cell having a microcrystalline silicon film is provided. In one embodiment, the method produces a microcrystalline silicon film on a substrate at a deposition rate greater than about 20 nm per minute, wherein the microcrystalline silicon film has a crystallized volume between about 20 percent to about 80 percent. |
| US07655539B2 |
Dice by grind for back surface metallized dies
Semiconductor device processing and methods for dicing a semiconductor wafer into a plurality of individual dies that can have back surface metallization are described. The methods comprise providing a wafer with pre-diced streets in the wafer's front surface, applying a sidewall masking mechanism to the front surface of the wafer so as to substantially fill the pre-diced streets, thinning the back surface of the wafer so as to dice the wafer (e.g., by grinding, etching, or both) and expose a portion of the sidewall masking mechanism from the back surface of the wafer, and applying a material, such as metal, to the back surface of the diced wafer. These methods can prevent the metal from being deposited on die sidewalls and may allow the separation of individual dies without causing the metal to peel from the back surface of one or more adjacent dies. Other embodiments are also described. |
| US07655537B2 |
Semiconductor substrates having useful and transfer layers
A method of fabricating composite substrates by associating a transfer layer with an intermediate support to form an intermediate substrate of predetermined thickness with the transfer layer having a free surface; providing a sample carrier having a surface and a recess that has a depth that is approximate the same as the predetermined thickness of the intermediate substrate so that the transfer layer free surface is positioned flush with the sample carrier surface; providing a support layer both on the transfer layer free surface and on a portion of the sample carrier surface surrounding the recess; removing the portion of the support layer that extends beyond the intermediate substrate; and detaching the transfer layer and support layer from its intermediate support to form the composite substrate. The support layer is made of a deposited material that has a lower quality than that of the intermediate support. A bonding layer may be included on one of the intermediate support or the useful layer, or both, to facilitate bonding of the layers. The final substrates are useful in optic, electronic, or optoelectronic applications. |
| US07655535B2 |
Method for fabricating semiconductor device having trench isolation layer
A method for fabricating a device isolation structure of a semiconductor device includes the steps of forming a pad oxide layer and a pad nitride layer over a semiconductor substrate including a cell region and a dummy region, etching a portion of the pad nitride layer, the pad oxide layer and the semiconductor substrate to form a trench, forming a sidewall oxide layer over the sidewalls of the trench; removing the sidewall oxide layer in the dummy region, forming a silicon nitride layer over the sidewalls of the sidewall oxide layer both in the cell region and in the dummy region, filling the trench with an insulating layer, polishing the insulating layer to expose the pad nitride layer, and removing the pad nitride layer. |
| US07655534B2 |
Method of forming fin transistor
A fin transistor is formed by forming a hard mask layer on a substrate having an active region and a field region. The hard mask layer is etched to expose the field region. A trench is formed by etching the exposed field region. The trench is filled with an SOG layer. The hard mask layer is removed to expose the active region. An epi-silicon layer is formed on the exposed active region. The SOG layer is then partially etched from the upper end of the trench, thus filling a lower portion of the trench. A HDP oxide layer is deposited on the etched SOG layer filling the trench, thereby forming a field oxide layer composed of the SOG layer and the HDP oxide. The HDP oxide layer in the field oxide layer is etched to expose both side surfaces of the epi-silicon layer. A gate is then formed on the epi-silicon layer of which both side surfaces are exposed and the field oxide layer. |
| US07655533B2 |
Semiconductor device having reduced standby leakage current and increased driving current and method for manufacturing the same
A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate having an active region which includes a gate forming zone and an isolation region; an isolation layer formed in the isolation region of the semiconductor substrate to expose side surfaces of a portion of the active region including the gate forming zone, such that the portion of the active region including the gate forming zone constitutes a fin pattern; a silicon epitaxial layer formed on the active region including the fin pattern; and a gate formed to cover the fin pattern on which the silicon epitaxial layer is formed. |
| US07655532B1 |
STI film property using SOD post-treatment
A method of forming a shallow trench isolation region includes providing a semiconductor substrate comprising a top surface; forming an opening extending from the top surface into the semiconductor substrate; filling a precursor into the opening using spin-on; performing a steam cure to the precursor to generate a dielectric material; after the steam cure, performing a chemical mechanical polish (CMP) to the dielectric material; and after the CMP, performing a steam anneal to the dielectric material. |
| US07655529B1 |
InP based heterojunction bipolar transistors with emitter-up and emitter-down profiles on a common wafer
A wafer comprising at least one emitter-up Heterojunction Bipolar Transistor (HBT) and at least one emitter-down HBT on a common InP based semiconductor wafer. Isolation and N-type implants into the device layers differentiate an emitter-down HBT from an emitter-up HBT. The method for preparing a device comprises forming identical layers for all HBTs and performing ion implantation to differentiate an emitter-down HBT from an emitter-up HBT. |
| US07655524B2 |
Method for manufacturing isolation layer having barrier layer formed thereon
Embodiments relate to a semiconductor device and a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device. In embodiments, a transistor including the gate electrode and a source/drain may be formed between isolation layers and a contact may be connected to the source/drain. A barrier layer may be formed at a boundary between the isolation layer and the source/drain and may physically isolate the isolation layer from the source/drain. |
| US07655523B2 |
Advanced CMOS using super steep retrograde wells
The present invention is a method for forming super steep doping profiles in MOS transistor structures. The method comprises forming a carbon containing layer (110) beneath the gate dielectric (50) and source and drain regions (80) of a MOS transistor. The carbon containing layer (110) will prevent the diffusion of dopants into the region (40) directly beneath the gate dielectric layer (50). |
| US07655517B2 |
Spin polarization amplifying transistor
An embodiment of the invention is a transistor formed in part by a ferromagnetic semiconductor with a sufficiently high ferromagnetic transition temperature to coherently amplify spin polarization of a current. For example, an injected non-polarized control current creates ferromagnetic conditions within the transistor base, enabling a small spin-polarized signal current to generate spontaneous magnetization of a larger output current. |
| US07655506B2 |
Leadless type semiconductor package, and production process for manufacturing such leadless type semiconductor package
A leadless type resin-sealed semiconductor package includes a resin enveloper having a mounting face to be applied to a wiring board, and at least one side face associated with the mounting face to produce an angled side edge. A semiconductor chip is encapsulated and sealed in the resin enveloper. An electrode terminal is partially buried in the angled side edge of the resin enveloper so as to be exposed to an outside, with the electrode terminal being electrically connected to the semiconductor chip. The electrode terminal is formed with a depression which is shaped so as to be opened to an outside when the resin enveloper is placed on the wiring board such that the mounting face of the resin enveloper is applied thereto. |
| US07655504B2 |
Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same
Two semiconductor substrates are first bonded together by means of a metal bump, while respective one-side surfaces on which device patterns are formed are faced each other, and a resin is then filled into a gap between the respective one-side surfaces and thereafter each of the semiconductor substrates is polished and thinned to a prescribed thickness. Furthermore, a via hole and an insulating film are formed; part of a portion in contact with the metal bump, of the insulating film, is opened; the inside of the via hole is filled with a conductor; and an electrode pad is formed on the conductor, to thereby form structures. Finally, a required number of structures are electrically connected with each other through the electrode pad and stacked to thereby obtain a semiconductor device. |
| US07655500B2 |
Packaged microelectronic devices and methods for packaging microelectronic devices
Packaged microelectronic devices and methods for packaging microelectronic devices are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method of packaging a microelectronic device including a microelectronic die having a first side with a plurality of bond-pads and a second side opposite the first side includes forming a recess in a substrate, placing the microelectronic die in the recess formed in the substrate with the second side facing toward the substrate, and covering the first side of the microelectronic die with a dielectric layer after placing the microelectronic die in the recess. The substrate can include a thermal conductive substrate, such as a substrate comprised of copper and/or aluminum. The substrate can have a coefficient of thermal expansion at least approximately equal to the coefficient of thermal expansion of the microelectronic die or a printed circuit board. |
| US07655497B1 |
Growth method for chalcongenide phase-change nanostructures
A method for growth of an alloy for use in a nanostructure, to provide a resulting nanostructure compound including at least one of GexTey, InxSby, InxSey, SbxTey, GaxSby, GexSby,Tez, InxSbyTez, GaxSeyTez, SnxSbyTez, InxSbyGez, GewSnxSbyTez, GewSbxSeyTez, and TewGexSbySz, where w, x, y and z are numbers consistent with oxidization states (2, 3, 4, 5, 6) of the corresponding elements. The melt temperatures for some of the resulting compounds are in a range 330-420° C., or even lower with some compounds. |
| US07655490B2 |
Manufacturing method for semiconductor device, semiconductor device and semiconductor wafer
A manufacturing method for a semiconductor device formed in a device region composed of a plurality of semiconductor layers on a substrate, the method including a trench forming step of forming a trench on the substrate around the device region and a semiconductor growth step of growing the semiconductor layer in the device region. |
| US07655486B2 |
Method of making light emitting device with multilayer silicon-containing encapsulant
A method of making an LED light emitting device is disclosed. The method includes forming a multilayer encapsulant in contact with an LED by contacting the LED with a first encapsulant that is a silicone gel, silicone gum, silicone fluid, organosiloxane, polysiloxane, polyimide, polyphosphazene, sol-gel composition, or a first photopolymerizable composition, and then contacting the first encapsulant with a second photopolymerizable composition. Each photopolymerizable composition includes a silicon-containing resin and a metal-containing catalyst, the silicon-containing resin comprising silicon-bonded hydrogen and aliphatic unsaturation. Actinic radiation having a wavelength of 700 nm or less is applied to initiate hydrosilylation within the silicon-containing resins. |
| US07655483B2 |
Electronic device and manufacturing method thereof
An electronic device includes an element group which generates a specific identification number and is composed of a plurality of elements. The specific identification number is set based on irregular deviation in electric characteristic of the elements which is caused due to a random failure in a manufacturing process. |
| US07655482B2 |
Chemical mechanical polishing test structures and methods for inspecting the same
Disclosed is a semiconductor die having a plurality of dummy fillings positioned and sized to minimize defects during chemical mechanical polishing is disclosed. At least one of the dummy fillings is coupled to an underlying test structure. In a preferred embodiment, the semiconductor die also includes a plurality of conductive layers and a substrate. The underlying test structure includes a first layer portion formed from a first one of the plurality of conductive layer and a via coupling the first layer portion to the at least one dummy filling. In another aspect, the underlying test structure also has a via coupling the first layer portion to the substrate, and the underlying test structure comprises a plurality of layer portions and vias to form a multilevel test structure. |
| US07655480B2 |
Method for predicting sepsis or an acute infectious inflammatory response
The present invention in one embodiment is an early detection marker for chronic or acute inflammatory-associated diseases. Chronic diseases may include atherosclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and inflammatory diseases of the bowel such as Crohn's disease, Ulcerative colitis, Irritable bowel syndrome and Inflammatory bowel disease. Acute diseases may include sepsis, acute systemic infections, acute lung injury, and acute respiratory distress syndrome. |
| US07655476B2 |
Reduction of scan time in imaging mass spectrometry
Techniques are disclosed for reducing scan times in mass spectral tissue imaging studies. According to a first technique, a tissue imaging boundary is defined that closely approximates the edges of a tissue sample. According to a second technique, a low-resolution scan is performed to identify one or more areas of interest within the tissue sample, and the identified areas of interest are subsequently scanned at higher resolution. |
| US07655471B2 |
Biochemical markers of the human endometrium
Endometrium secreted polypeptides are assayed in body fluids to determine the presence of polypeptides of specified pI and MW values that have been found to be regulated in body fluids according to the status of the endometrium, or the presence of hyperplasia or adenocarcinoma. |
| US07655469B2 |
Nucleic acid molecules and other molecules associated with the cytokinin pathway
The present invention is in the field of plant biochemistry. More specifically the invention relates to nucleic acid sequences from plant cells, in particular, nucleic acid sequences from maize and soybean plants associated with the cytokinin pathway. The invention encompasses nucleic acid molecules that encode proteins and fragments of proteins. In addition, the invention also encompasses proteins and fragments of proteins so encoded and antibodies capable of binding these proteins or fragments. The invention also relates to methods of using the nucleic acid molecules, proteins and fragments of proteins and antibodies, for example for genome mapping, gene identification and analysis, plant breeding, preparation of constructs for use in plant gene expression and transgenic plants. |
| US07655467B2 |
Compositions and methods for systemic nucleic acid sequence delivery
The present invention provides systemic nucleic acid sequence delivery without conventional systemic administration aids (SAAs). In certain embodiments, vascular permeability agents (VPAs), such as VEGF, are used in conjunction with nucleic acid viral vectors, such as adeno-associated virus (AAV). The present invention also provides methods of treating disease by co-administration of nucleic cid sequences encoding Igf-1 and dystrophin or dystrophin-like proteins. |
| US07655465B2 |
Methods for ex vivo propagation of somatic hair follicle stem cells
The present invention is directed to methods for readily propagating somatic hair follicle stem cells or melanocyte stem cells. The methods comprise enhancing guanine nucleotide (GNP) biosynthesis, thereby expanding guanine nucleotide pools. This in turn conditionally suppresses asymmetric cell kinetics in the explanted cells. The methods of the invention include pharmacological methods and genetic methods. For example, the resulting cultured somatic hair follicle stem cells can be used for a variety of applications including cell replacement therapies such as hair transplants, gene therapies, and tissue engineering applications, such as the generation of artificial skin and skin regeneration strategies including skin grafts. |
| US07655460B2 |
Nucleic acids encoding sodium channel SCN1A alpha subunit proteins with mutations associated with epilepsy
The present invention relates to epilepsy. More particularly, the present invention relates to idiopathic generalized epilepsy (IGE) and to the identification of three genes mapping to chromosome 2, which show mutations in patients with epilepsy. The invention further relates to nucleic acid sequences, and protein sequences of these loci (SCNA) and to the use thereof to assess, diagnose, prognose or treat epilepsy, to predict an epileptic individual's response to medication and to identify agents which modulate the function of the SCNA. The invention also provides screening assays using SCN1A, SCN2A and/or SCN3A which can identify compounds which have therapeutic benefit for epilepsy and related neurological disorders. |
| US07655447B2 |
ZSIG33-like polynucleotides
The present invention relates to polynucleotide related to the zsig33 peptide, including agonists, antagonists, and antibodies. Methods of modulating gastric contractility, nutrient uptake, growth hormones, the secretion of digestive enzymes and hormones, and/or secretion of enzymes and/or hormones in the pancreas are also included. |
| US07655446B2 |
Crystal structure of Rho-kinase I kinase domain complexes and binding pockets thereof
The present invention relates to human Rho-kinase I (ROCK I), ROCK I binding pockets, ROCK I-like binding pockets. More particularly, the present invention provides a computer comprising a data storage medium encoded with the structure coordinates of such binding pockets. This invention also relates to methods of using the structure coordinates to solve the structure of homologous proteins or protein complexes. In addition, this invention relates to methods of using the structure coordinates to screen for and design compounds, including inhibitory compounds, that bind to ROCK I protein or ROCK I protein homologues, or complexes thereof. The invention also relates to crystallizable compositions and crystals comprising ROCK I kinase domain and ROCK I kinase domain complexed with an inhibitor of that domain. The invention also relates to methods of identifying inhibitors of the ROCK I kinase domain. |
| US07655443B1 |
Nucleic acid sequencing with simultaneous quantitation
Simultaneous sequencing and quantitation of a nucleic acid analyte in a sample using the same reagents for both assays is achieved by processing a sample containing, or suspected of containing the nucleic acid analyte of interest using a single set of reagents through a plurality of thermocycles to obtain a mixture of labeled polynucleotides which are used for the determination of both sequence information about the target nucleic acid and the amount of target nucleic acid present in the sample. The fragments are separated on the basis of size, for example by electrophoresis, and the label associated with the separated fragments is detected. The positions of the separated nucleic acid fragments are evaluated to obtain information about the sequence of the target nucleic acid analyte, and the intensity of a signal derived from the label associated with one or more of the separated fragments is evaluated to determine the quantity of the target nucleic acid analyte in the sample. Only one label is needed for both sequencing and quantitation, although two or more labels may be used if bidirectional sequencing is concurrently performed. |
| US07655442B2 |
Method for stabilizing macrolide compounds
The present invention provides a method for stabilizing a macrolide compound, and an efficient method for producing the compound. Specifically, it provides a method for stabilizing a macrolide compound, in which a 12-membered ring macrolide compound, such as a compound expressed by the formula (1) and a cyclodextrin are both present, and a method for producing a macrolide compound, in which a cyclodextrin is made to be present in a culture broth of actinomycetes having an ability of producing the macrolide compound. |
| US07655440B2 |
DNA molecules encoding ligand gated ion channels from Dermacentor variabilis
The present invention relates in part to isolated nucleic acid molecules (polynucleotides) which encode Dermacentor variabilis ligand gated ion channel proteins. The present invention also relates to recombinant vectors and recombinant hosts which contain a DNA fragment encoding D. variabilis LGIC/GluCl channels, substantially purified forms of associated D. variabilis channel proteins and recombinant membrane fractions comprising these proteins, associated mutant proteins, and methods associated with identifying compounds which modulate associated Dermacentor variabilis LGIC/GluCl, which will be useful as insecticides and acaracides. |
| US07655437B2 |
Synthetic gene coding for human granulocyte-colony stimulating factor for the expression in E. coli
The invention relates to the synthetic gene coding for hG-CSF which enables expression in E. coli with an improved expression level of the recombinant hG-CSF regarding the total cellular proteins after expression. |
| US07655435B2 |
Emulsion compositions
An emulsion is useful in allowing a wide variety of gene products to be expressed via eukaryotic in vitro expression. The emulsion comprises a silicone based surfactant, a hydrophobic phase and a hydrophilic phase; wherein the hydrophilic phase comprises a plurality of compartments containing a functional in vitro eukaryotic expression system. |
| US07655433B2 |
Methods for high-throughput and quantitative proteome analysis
The invention provides methods for identifying and quantifying polypeptides in a sample. The methods include the steps of labeling peptides in a polypeptide sample with an isotope tag; adding a plurality of peptide standards to the polypeptide sample, wherein the peptide standards are labeled with an isotopically distinct version of the isotope tag; resolving the labeled sample and standard peptides into a plurality of fractions; analyzing the resolved fractions using mass spectrometry; identifying an isotope-tagged sample peptide in an analyzed fraction; and determining the amount of the identified isotope-tagged sample peptide in the analyzed fraction by comparison to the amount of isotope tagged standard peptide in the same fraction. |
| US07655432B2 |
Kinases and uses thereof
Novel kinase polypeptides, proteins, and nucleic acid molecules are disclosed. In addition to isolated, full-length kinase proteins, the invention further provides isolated kinase fusion proteins, antigenic peptides, and anti-kinase antibodies. The invention also provides kinase nucleic acid molecules, recombinant expression vectors containing a nucleic acid molecule of the invention, host cells into which the expression vectors have been introduced, and nonhuman transgenic animals in which a kinase gene has been introduced or disrupted. Diagnostic, screening, and therapeutic methods utilizing compositions of the invention are also provided. |
| US07655429B2 |
Immunoassays for topiramate
Topiramate analogs have substituents at the sulfamate group, 9-position, or 10-position. Topiramate analogs may include immunogenic moieties to prepare anti-topiramate antibodies, or antigenic moieties for immunodiagnostic assays. Also, the topiramate analog can include tracer moieties for detecting the presence or amount of the analog during an immunodiagnostic assay. Additionally, the topiramate analogs can be used in immunodiagnostic assays to compete with topiramate for binding with anti-topiramate antibodies. Such an immunodiagnostic assay can be used for detecting the presence of topiramate in a sample obtained from a subject previously administered topiramate by the following: combining an anti-topiramate antibody and a topiramate analog with a sample to form a first composition; allowing any free topiramate from the sample and the topiramate analog to compete for binding with the antibody; detecting binding between the topiramate analog and the antibody. |
| US07655427B2 |
Immunogenic proteins of Leptospira
The invention provides novel immunogenic proteins LigA and LigB from Leptospira for use in the development of effective vaccines and antibodies, as well as improved diagnostic methods and kits. |
| US07655426B2 |
Ephrin-B receptor protein involved in carcinoma
The present invention provides a polypeptide (CCMP-1) of use in the diagnosis, screening, treatment and prophylaxis of carcinoma. Also provided are compositions comprising the protein, vaccines and antibodies that are immunospecific for the protein. |
| US07655424B2 |
Method for diagnosing and distinguishing stroke and diagnostic devices for use therein
A method for determining whether a subject has had a stroke and, if so, the type of stroke which includes analyzing the subject's body fluid for at least four selected markers of stroke, namely, myelin basic protein, S100 protein, neuronal specific enolase and a brain endothelial membrane protein such as thrombomodulin or a similar molecule. The data obtained from the analyses provide information as to the type of stroke, the onset of occurrence and the extent of brain damage and allow a physician to determine quickly the type of treatment required by the subject. |
| US07655404B2 |
Method and device for detection of nucleic acids and/or polypeptides
A method for the detection and/or quantification of at least one target nucleic acid or target polypeptide in a sample of nucleic acids or polypeptides comprising the steps of: a) providing a sample comprising nucleic acids or polypeptides; b) labeling the nucleic acids or polypeptides with a ligand conjugate, the ligand conjugate comprising a first element binding to the nucleic acids or polypeptides and a second element which is a capture ligand; c) contacting the nucleic acid-ligand conjugates or polypeptide-ligand conjugates with at least one capture probe, the capture probe hybridizing with or binding to at least one target nucleic acid or target polypeptide; d) adding i) an oxidoreductase enzyme, wherein the oxidoreductase enzyme is recognized by the capture ligand, or ii) a complex comprising an oxidoreductase enzyme bound to a capture receptor, the capture receptor capable of binding to the capture ligand; e) adding a redox polymer, the redox polymer binding to the oxidoreductase enzyme, thereby resulting in the transfer of electrons from the enzyme via the redox polymer to an electrode surface; and f) detecting and/or quantifying the presence of the target nucleic acid(s) or target polypeptide(s). |
| US07655402B2 |
Diagnoses and therapeutics for cancer
Methods and compositions for treating and diagnosing cancer and screening for agents for such treatment and diagnosis are provided. The methods involve screening for agents that modulate the activity or expression of FOXM1, which has been discovered herein to play a role in cell growth and cell cycle regulation. Methods for treating cancer, methods for modulating the activity or expression of FOXM1, methods for diagnosing a subject that has or is at risk of developing cancer, and pharmaceutical compositions are also provided. |
| US07655401B2 |
Methods for identifying subjects susceptible to ataxic neurological disease
In one aspect, the invention provides methods of identifying genetic mutations that are associated with ataxic neurological disease. The methods comprise identifying a difference between a nucleic acid sequence of a protein kinase C gamma gene from a mammalian subject exhibiting ataxia and a nucleic acid sequence of a protein kinase C gamma gene from a subject which is not exhibiting ataxia, wherein the difference is a genetic mutation associated with ataxic neurological disease. In another aspect, isolated nucleic acid molecules encoding protein kinase C gamma missense mutations are provided. In another aspect, a method of screening a subject to determine if the subject has a genetic predisposition to develop an ataxic neurological disease is provided. In another aspect, the invention provides kits for determining susceptibility or presence of ataxic neurological disease in a mammalian subject. |
| US07655398B2 |
Compositions and methods for detection and treatment of proliferative abnormalities associated with overexpression of human transketolase like-1 gene
The present invention relates to methods for treatment and diagnosis of disorders associated with abnormally proliferating cells. In one aspect the invention relates to methods, which are especially useful for the detection of tumors and their precursory stages based on the detection of overexpression of human transketolase like-1 gene in biological samples. In another aspect the invention relates to methods for treatment of disorders associated with the overexpression of human transketolase like-1 gene. Methods for treatment may include gene therapeutic approaches as well as methods for inhibiting or reducing the activity of transketolase like-1 polypeptides. |
| US07655396B1 |
Methods for detecting receptor modulator activity
Disclosed herein are methods of screening compounds that modulate G-protein coupled receptors. The assays are performed at temperatures of between about 25° C. and 40° C. |
| US07655389B2 |
Composition for forming a photosensitive organic anti-reflective layer and method of forming a pattern using the same
A composition for forming a photosensitive organic anti-reflective layer includes about 0.5 to about 5 percent by weight of an acid-labile thermal cross-linking agent that is decomposed by an epoxy group and a photo-acid generator, about 10 to about 22 percent by weight of a copolymer resin that includes an acrylate monomer containing anthracene or a methacrylate monomer containing anthracene, about 0.1 to about 1 percent by weight of a photo-acid generator, and a solvent. |
| US07655388B2 |
Mask and method to pattern chromeless phase lithography contact hole
A chromeless phase shift mask and Method for making and using. The A chromeless phase shift mask is used to pattern contact holes. The chromeless phase shift mask preferably comprises: a first phase shift region and a second phase shift region; the first region is comprised of a unit cell which is comprised of a rectangular center section and at least three rectangular sections (legs) outwards extending from the rectangular center section. The second region is adjacent to said first region. The interference between the first and second phase shift regions creates a contact hole pattern. |
| US07655384B2 |
Methods for reducing spherical aberration effects in photolithography
Methods to at least partially compensate for photoresist-induced spherical aberration that occurs during mask imaging used for photolithographic processing of semiconductor devices, LCD elements, thin-film magnetic heads, reticles and other substrates including photo-defined structures thereon are disclosed. A photoresist or other photosensitive material may be irradiated with a mask pattern image including a selected nonzero spherical aberration value to compensate for photoresist-induced spherical aberration. |
| US07655383B2 |
Photochemical method for manufacturing nanometrically surface-decorated substrates
The present invention relates to a photochemical method for manufacturing nanometrically surface-decorated substrates, i.e. the creation of periodic and aperiodic patterns of highly ordered inorganic nanostructures on a substrate. This method is based on the selective photochemical modification of a self-assembled monolayer of metal compound loaded polymer core-shell systems on widely variable substrates. Light exposure through an appropriate mask causes selective chemical modification of the polymer core shell system. By subsequently placing the substrate in an appropriate chemical solution that eradicates the non-modified polymer, the pattern given by the used mask is reproduced on the surface. Finally, the remaining organic matrix is removed and metal salt is transformed to the single metal or metal oxide nanodots by means of gas plasma treatment. |
| US07655374B2 |
Fixing liquid, toner fixing method and apparatus, and image forming method and apparatus
A fixing liquid configured to fix a toner containing a resin on a recording medium is disclosed, wherein a particle containing a component capable of dissolving or swelling at least one portion of the resin contained in the toner is dispersed in a nonaqueous dispersing medium. A toner fixing method of fixing a toner containing a resin on a recording medium is disclosed, wherein the fixing liquid as described above is used. A toner fixing apparatus configured to fix a toner containing a resin on a recording medium is disclosed, wherein the toner fixing method as described above is used. |
| US07655372B2 |
Toners comprising modified pigments and processes for preparing the same
The present invention relates to toner compositions comprising a resin and a colorant. Various embodiments of the colorant used in the toner compositions are disclosed, including a modified pigment comprising a pigment having attached at least one organic group having the formula —X—I, wherein X, which is directly attached to the pigment, represents an arylene or heteroarylene group, or an alkylene group, and I represents a non-polymeric group comprising at least one ionic group or at least one ionizable group. Processes for preparing toner compositions are also described. |
| US07655369B2 |
Reticle set, method for designing a reticle set, exposure monitoring method, inspection method for reticle set and manufacturing method for a semiconductor device
A reticle set, includes a first photomask having a circuit pattern provided with first and second openings provided adjacent to each other sandwiching a first opaque portion, and a monitor mark provided adjacent to the circuit pattern; and a second photomask having a trim pattern provided with a second opaque portion covering the first opaque portion in an area occupied by the circuit pattern and an extending portion connected to one end of the first opaque portion and extending outside the area when the second photomask is aligned with a pattern delineated on a substrate by the first photomask. |
| US07655368B2 |
Method for exposing a substrate and lithographic projection apparatus
A method for exposing a resist layer on a substrate to an image of a pattern on a mask is disclosed whereby, after starting exposure and before completing exposure, a controlled amount of contrast loss is introduced by a controller in the image at the resist layer by changing during exposure the position of the substrate holder. The contrast loss affects the pitch dependency of the resolution of a lithographic projection apparatus, and its control is used to match pitch dependency of resolution between different lithographic projection apparatus. |
| US07655367B2 |
Lithographic apparatus and device manufacturing method
A method and apparatus make use of data representing changes in wavelength of a radiation source to provide control of focal plane position or to provide correction of sensor data. In the first aspect, the wavelength variation data is provided to control systems that control focus by moving apparatus components including, for example, the mask table, the substrate table or optical elements of the projection optical system. In the second aspect, variation data is used in correcting, e.g., focal plane position data measured by an inboard sensor, such as a transmitted image sensor. The two aspects may be combined in a single apparatus or may be used separately. |
| US07655364B2 |
Methods of manufacturing mask blank and transfer mask
In a method of manufacturing a mask blank adapted to be formed with a resist pattern by electron beam writing and having a light-shielding film and an etching mask film of an inorganic-based material resistant to etching of the light-shielding film which are formed in this order on a transparent substrate, when forming the etching mask film, shielding is performed using a shielding plate so as to prevent the etching mask film from being formed at least at a side surface of the substrate. |
| US07655358B2 |
Positive active material composition for rechargeable lithium battery and method of preparing positive electrode using same
A positive active material composition for a rechargeable battery includes a positive active material selected from compounds represented by formulas 1 to 13, and at least one semi-metal, metal or oxides thereof: LixMnA2 (1) LixMnO2−zAz (2) LixMn1−yM′yA2 (3) LixMn2A4 (4) LixMn2O4−zAz (5) LixMn2−yM′yA4 (6) LixBA2 (7) LixBO2−zAz (8) LixB1−yM″yA2 (9) LixB1−yM″yO2-zAz (10) LixNiCoO2−zAz (11) LixNiCoO2−zAz (12) LixNi1−y-zCoyM″zA2 (13) where 1.0≦x≦1.1, 0.01≦y≦0.1, 0.01≦z≦0.5, M′ is at least one transition metal or lanthanide metal selected from Al, Cr, Co, Mg, La, Ce, Sr, or V, M″ is at least one transition metal or lanthanide metal selected from Al, Cr, Mn, Fe, Mg, La, Ce, Sr or V, A is selected from 0, F, S or P, and B is Ni or Co. |
| US07655355B2 |
Positive electrode binder for alkaline storage battery
A positive electrode for an alkaline storage battery is disclosed, comprising a conductive base material and an active material layer attached to the base material, the active material layer comprising an active material and a binder, the binder comprising an elastic copolymer comprising one or more tetrafluoroethylene units and one or more propylene units. |
| US07655353B2 |
Battery
A battery including a case defining a cavity for housing an electrode assembly, the case having an opening for receiving the electrode assembly, and a cap plate attached to the case to cover the opening, the cap plate including a welded portion that is thicker than a major area of the cap plate. |
| US07655352B2 |
Battery pack case
A battery pack case adapted to enclose a protective circuit module and a bare cell includes at least one small opening arranged on a side to expose an external terminal of the protective circuit module and a large opening arranged in the opposite direction to the small opening to expose a surface of the bare cell. Since a bare cell and a protective circuit module are contained within an integral case, the bare cell is prevented from escaping out of the protective circuit module and no separate resin is necessary to fill the gap between the bare cell and the protective circuit module. In addition, the battery pack case has gates, through which a resin is injected, which are properly arrayed in such a manner during resin injection that the case has no unshaped part. |
| US07655350B2 |
Battery pack
In accordance with the present invention, an improved battery pack is employed. The battery pack includes a housing with opposing walls, a plurality of cells disposed within the housing, at least two terminals electrically connected to the cells, a latching mechanism disposed on each opposing wall for latching the battery pack to a cordless device, each latching mechanism including a latch and a button disposed on the wall for moving the latch between unlatching and latching positions, the latching buttons being disposed along a first plane, the first plane being substantially vertical, wherein the number of cells disposed along the first plane is smaller than the number of cells disposed along a second plane substantially parallel to the first plane. The battery pack may also include a stacked cell disposed on the plurality of cells. The stacked cell may be disposed along the first plane. However, the stacked cell is not included in the number of cells disposed along the first plane. |
| US07655344B2 |
Fuel Cell
A fuel cell comprising a cathode catalyst layer, an anode catalyst layer including a conductive perfluoro-binder having a micellar structure formed by outwardly orienting hydrophilic groups and inwardly orienting hydrophobic (lipophilic) groups, and a proton conductive membrane provided between the cathode catalyst layer and the anode catalyst layer. |
| US07655343B2 |
Liquid fuel supply type fuel cell
A fuel cell (100) which has an electrode-electrolyte joined article (101) composed of a fuel electrode (102), an oxidizing agent electrode (108) and, sandwiched thereby, a solid polymer electrolyte (114), characterized in that a separation film (330) comprising a material exhibiting an oxygen/nitrogen separation factor of more than 1 is provided on the surface of an oxidizing agent electrode side current collector (110) constituting the oxidizing agent electrode (108). The fuel cell is a liquid fuel supply type of fuel cell which has a simple structure and also is capable of supplying satisfactory oxygen to an oxidizing agent electrode. |
| US07655342B2 |
Proton-conducting polymer membrane and method for the production thereof to simultaneously remove the catalyst layers
The invention relates to a proton-conducting polymer membrane and to a method for the production thereof. Starting from a catalyst layer, which is homogeneously deposited on the polymer membrane (3), the catalyst layer is subdivided into a number of catalyst segments (1a, 1b) by microstructuring so that adjacent fuel cell units of a planar fuel cell arrangement can be realized in the smallest possible space. |
| US07655341B2 |
Bipolar plate for fuel cells, which is formed from a shaped foil, and method for manufacturing same
The present invention relates to a bipolar plate for fuel cells, comprising at least a shaped, at least partially electrically conductive foil (1), the bipolar plate having a channel structure (5) formed by the shaping of the foil (1), to convey reactants to electrodes of adjacent fuel cells and to carry away reaction products, and a microstructure (4) is integrated into the foil (1) to increase the rigidity of the foil (1). The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing corresponding bipolar plates. |
| US07655336B2 |
Fuel-cell system
A fuel-cell system with a fuel battery comprising more than one fuel cell having a purge gas passage connecting the fuel battery to a purge gas cylinder, a discharge passage connecting the fuel battery to the exterior, solenoid valves each installed in the passages, and an electronic control unit that opens the solenoid valves to open the passages to supply the purge gas to the fuel battery such that residue in the fuel battery is purged to the exterior by the purge gas. The control unit opens the valves at a time interval determined from an output of a current sensor to conduct purge at optimum timing for the battery operating state so as to prevent accumulation of residue in the fuel battery, while preventing repetition of unnecessary purges. Alternatively, manual valves are provided to be manually opened by an operator to open a fuel gas supply passage to supply the fuel gas such that residue is purged by the fuel gas through the discharge passage, thereby enabling fuel supply and purge of residue at starting of power generation, without using an external power source. |
| US07655334B2 |
Proton-conducting electrolyte membrane method for production and use thereof in a fuel cell
A proton-conducting electrolyte membrane is disclosed, comprising at least one base material and at least one dopant, which is the reaction product of an at least dibasic inorganic acid with an organic compound, comprising one acidic hydroxyl group, or the condensation product of said compound with a polybasic acid. The membrane may be produced by a single step method, which avoids the use of dangerous materials and environmental pollutants. Subsequent doping of the membrane, e.g., in conjunction with assembly of the membrane electrode assembly (MEA) is not excluded. The electrolyte membrane has a high and constant mechanical stability and flexibility, excellent chemical and thermal stability and a high and constant conductivity. The membrane may be used in a fuel cell in a wide temperature range from 50° C. to more than 200° C., for example, whereby the fuel cell has a high and constant power level over the entire temperature range. |
| US07655331B2 |
Fuel cell supply including information storage device and control system
The present invention is directed to a fuel cell system with various features for optimal operations of an electronic device, a battery charger or a fuel refilling device. The fuel cell system includes an information storage device associated with the fuel supply, pump and/or refilling device. The information storage device can be any electronic storage device including, but not limited to, an EEPROM or a PLA. The information storage device can include encrypted information. The information storage device can include software code for confirming the identification of the cartridge before operation of the electronic device and/or refilling device. The information storage device can include instructions for a hot swap operation to shut down properly when the fuel supply is ejected while the electronic device is in operation. The present invention is also directed to system architecture for a fuel cell system that utilizes information storage devices. The system architecture may have flow regulators, which include a regulating valve. |
| US07655323B2 |
OLEDs utilizing macrocyclic ligand systems
The present invention provides organic light emitting devices (OLEDs) and materials with improved stability and efficiency when incorporated into an OLED. The materials include organometallic compounds having carbene atom/donor coordinated to a metal center. The compounds may be macrocyclic electrophosphors. The compounds may also include a macrocyclic ligand coordinated to a metal center. |
| US07655322B2 |
OLEDs utilizing macrocyclic ligand systems
The present invention relates to efficient organic light emitting devices (OLEDs), and more specifically to organic materials used in such devices. More specifically, the present invention relates to materials with improved stability and efficiency when incorporated into an OLED. |
| US07655317B2 |
Stretch-cling films
The invention concerns films having a cling layer of an elastomeric propylene-based polymer with a low heat of fusion derived from isotactic propylene type crystallinity, as determined by DSC of less than 40 J/g, optionally blended with a crystalline isotactic propylene derived polymer having a heat of fusion over 70 J/g and/or a melting point of at least 120° C. as determined by DSC, and a non-cling layer of a polyolefin. The cling layer may contain other components such as crystalline polypropylene. |
| US07655312B2 |
Two-part polyurethane adhesives for structural finger joints and method therefor
One aspect of the present invention is an adhesive composition formed from two packs. One pack includes an isocyanate-functional prepolymer formed by reacting a polyisocyanate with an alcohol (e.g., polyol). The isocyanate equivalents from the polyisocyanate exceed the hydroxyl equivalents from the alcohol. The second pack is an aqueous polymer emulsion. These two packs are combined to form the novel adhesive composition. Another aspect of the invention is a method for joining together two surfaces of wood products by application of an adhesive thereto. The first step in this method is to mist with water the wood product surfaces to be joined. An adhesive composition then is applied to the misted wood product surfaces. Alternatively, the water misting can be replaced with an aqueous emulsion being part of the adhesive composition. Finally, the adhesive composition is cured. |
| US07655311B2 |
Homogeneous low hardness polyurethane
This invention employs a polyol derivative of a fatty acid that is reacted into a polyurethane formed also with a urethane prepolymer, a polydiene, and optionally, a curative for cross-linking. The fatty acid moiety becomes a relatively short side chain of the polyurethane formed. In embodiments, the polyol is an ester of the fatty acid. This achieves reduction in hardness of the polyurethane with a homogeneity that provides consistent surface characteristics over an extended period desirable for use for electrophotographic development and the like when the material is used as a developer roller. |
| US07655309B2 |
Isocyanate-reactive component for preparing a polyurethane-polyurea polymer
An isocyanate-reactive component is disclosed that reacts with a liquid polyisocyanate or polyisocyanate prepolymer in the preparation of a polyurethane-polyurea polymer. In one embodiment, a polyisocyanate component is reacted with an isocyanate-reactive component. The polyisocyanate component has an NCO group content of about 3% to about 50% and an average functionality of about 2 to about 3. The isocyanate-reactive component includes from about 20% to about 90% by weight, based on 100% by weight of the isocyanate-reactive component, of at least one organic compound having a mercaptan functional moiety. |
| US07655308B2 |
Film for optical applications
A hard coat film for optical applications which suppresses formation of defects on the surface derived from roughness of the surface of the substrate film, exhibits excellent scratch resistance and crack resistance and suppresses curling of the substrate film is provided. The film for optical applications comprises (A) a layer of a cured resin 2 which comprises 70% by weight or more of a cured resin derived from a difunctional urethane acrylate-based oligomer having a weight-average molecular weight of 3,000 or greater and has a thickness of 5 to 25 μm and (B) a hard coat layer 3 which comprises a resin cured by irradiation with an ionizing radiation and has a thickness of 1 to 15 μm, layers (A) and (B) being successively laminated on one face of a substrate film 1. |
| US07655300B2 |
Transparent zeolite-polymer hybrid material with tunable properties
The invention is about the preparation of novel highly transparent zeolite-doped polymer and zeolites monolayers.External coating of the zeolite crystals by covalently linked functionalized alkoxysilane derivatives allows for an efficient dispersion of the nano zeolite particles into an organic liquid monomer; the following co-polymerisation process leads to a hard, insoluble and transparent material containing said zeolites. Optical properties such as colour, refractive index, Abbe number or photochromism can be fine tuned by simply changing zeolite loading, while transparency is maintained. |
| US07655298B2 |
Preparation of a mechanically durable single layer coating with anti-reflective properties
Single layer anti-reflective hard-coat and methods of making same are disclosed and in particular comprise a structured surface, preferably a nano-structured surface. The hard-coat preferably a hardness above 0.5 GPa, more preferably above 0.7 GPa and most preferably above 1.0 GPa as measured by nano-indentation and/or a reduced tensile modulus above 3 GPa, more preferably above 8.5 GPa or 20 GPa, most preferably above 40 GPa as measured by nano-indentation and/or a scratch resistance above 5 mJ μm-3, preferably above 15 or 30 mJ μm-3, preferably above 60 mJ μm-3 as measured by nano-indentation, and/or contains an amount of inorganic nano-particles from 5 to 75 weight %, preferably from 15 to 50 weight % relative to the weight of the second material present in the hard-coat. Preferably, the spatial length scale of the refractive index gradient in the single layer hard-coat is between 10 and 1000 nm; in particular between 100 and 200 nm. |
| US07655296B2 |
Ink-receptive foam article
The present invention is directed an oriented, foamed article having an ink-receptive surface, and a method of making the article. The invention provides a printable substrate comprising at least one high melt-strength, oriented polypropylene foam layer having an ink-receptive surface. The high melt-strength polypropylene having a melt strength of 25 to 60 cN at 190° C. The ink-receptive surface may comprise and oxidizing treatment, such as corona or flame-treatment of the foam surface, or may comprise an ink-receptive coating, such as a primer coating, on the foam surface.The oriented foam article is particularly useful in the preparation of printed security documents such as currency, stock and bond certificates, birth and death certificates, land titles and abstracts and the like. |
| US07655285B2 |
Acrylic pressure sensitive adhesive compositions
The present invention relates to acrylic adhesive compositions, and more precisely, acrylic adhesive compositions having improved anti-static capacity without damaging durability, transparency and peel strength which are composed of an acrylic copolymer, a hydrophilic complex compound and a hydrophobic complex compound to sufficiently inhibit the development of static electricity, regardless of the surface condition (hydrophobicity or hydrophilicity) of a polarizing plate. |
| US07655279B2 |
Carboxylate-containing polymers for metal surface treatment
The present invention relates to a composition for treating surfaces, comprising a copolymer as component A, synthesized from (meth)acrylic acid or salts thereof, a carboxylate-containing monomer and/or monomers containing groups containing phosphoric and/or phosphonic acid or salts thereof, and further comonomers if desired, to a passivating layer on a metal surface, which comprises component A, to a process for forming said passivating layer, and to the use of the composition of the invention to passivate a metal surface. |
| US07655276B2 |
Colored reinforced articles of manufacture and method of making the same
The present invention provides a colored reinforced article of manufacture having a substantially uniform distribution of color. The colored reinforced article of manufacture comprises a fiber-reinforced thermosetting resin matrix and a non-appertured colored veil in the thermosetting resin matrix. |
| US07655270B2 |
Droplet discharge method, electro-optical device, and electronic device
A droplet discharge method includes performing a plurality of scans in which a discharge head and a substrate are scanned relative to each other, and discharging droplets of a plurality of types of functional liquid from the discharge head onto a plurality of prescribed portions on the substrate configured and arranged to hold the discharged functional liquid while the discharge head and the substrate are scanned. The performing of the plurality of scans includes performing at least one full discharge scan for each of the prescribed portions so that the functional liquid is discharged over an entire region of each of the prescribed portions, and performing a partial discharge scan so that the functional liquid is discharged so as to avoid at least part of peripheral edges of the prescribed portions. |
| US07655265B2 |
Process control scheme for cooling and heating compressible compounds
A process control scheme for use with an extruding apparatus for cooling and heating aerated or compressible compounds that are edible. Broadly, the process includes providing a mixture to an inlet of the extruding apparatus, monitoring the pressure profile across the extruding apparatus, moving the mixture through the extruding apparatus with at least one auger while subjecting the mixture to a thermo-dynamic process, automatically altering speed of the at least one auger if the pressure profile across the extruding apparatus is outside a predetermined range, and moving the mixture through an outlet of the extruding apparatus. The process may also include monitoring temperature of a thermodynamic liquid, monitoring the load of an auger motor, and automatically altering the temperature of the thermodynamic liquid and the load of the auger motor if one of either the temperature of the thermodynamic liquid and the load of the auger motor is outside a predetermined range. |
| US07655261B2 |
Medicament and method of treatment of patients with heavy metals
A method of treatment of a diseased patient in which a dose of at least one heavy metal is delivered to the patient, with a surface area which is accessible for direct contact with the patient's tissue and effects release of heavy metal ions for uptake by immuno reactive cells. The criteria to be complied with in order for the heavy metal to be effective is that the surface area is greater than the surface area of a solid sphere of the same at least one heavy metal, and that the solid sphere and dose have the same weight. In a preferred embodiment, the dose of heavy metals is delivered to the patient as very small hollow particles. |
| US07655260B2 |
Supplement preparation
Supplement preparation including (a), a first active component in form of biologically accessible silver, (b), a second active component in form of a material obtained from cartilage, and any conventional accessory agents or additives and the use of the first and the second active components with any additional active components and/or conventional accessory agent or additives for the preparation of a health-promoting supplement preparation for livestock including mink, poultry and pigs. The preparation has proved suitable for the prevention against and treatment of plasmacytosis, puppy disease, enteritis virus, three-day sickness and/or “sticky” kits in mink. |
| US07655259B2 |
Delayed release carnitine
A sustained release, orally administered pharmaceutical composition comprising carnitine and an acceptable pharmaceutical excipient is described for the treatment of carnitine deficiency and other carnitine responsive conditions. The sustained release formulation avoids the characteristic problems of gastrointestinal invitation, dumping in the urine and bacterial degradation attendant previously known oral formulations of carnitine. |
| US07655258B2 |
Biodegradable copolymer, and polymeric micelle composition containing the same
A biodegradable copolymer with a core block comprising bioresorbable hydrophobic polyester segment and from 3 to 10 shell blocks comprising hydrophilic polyethylene glycol segment. The hydrophobic polyester segment and each of the hydrophilic polyethylene glycol segments are linked by a urethane linkage. A polymeric micelle composition containing the copolymer is also provided. The copolymer forms micelles when the concentration of the copolymer in a dispersing medium reaches or exceeds the critical micelle concentration. The micelles possess good drug and bioactive agent delivery characteristics and are suitable for use in drug delivery or cosmetic applications. |
| US07655257B2 |
Sustained delivery of an active agent using an implantable system
The invention is directed to a device for delivering an active agent formulation for a predetermined administration period. An impermeable reservoir is divided into a water-swellable agent chamber and an active agent formulation chamber. Fluid from the environment is imbibed through a semipermeable plug into the water-swellable agent chamber and the active agent formulation is released through a back-diffusion regulating outlet. Delivery periods of up to 2 years are achieved. |
| US07655255B2 |
Topical composition for transdermal administration
The present invention relates to a topical composition for transdermal administration, wherein main components of the composition comprises vitamin C, vitamin B complex, carotene, and vitamin E, and may further comprise a fragrance, a thickening agent and a surfactant. The pharmaceutical composition is for topical application and is useful in skin-care and for the treatment of acne, comedo and zit. The composition also has an antioxidant property. |
| US07655245B2 |
Neisserial antigens
The invention provides proteins from Neisseria meningitidis (strains A & B) and from Neisseria gonorrhoeae, including amino acid sequences, the corresponding nucleotide sequences, expression data, and serological data. The proteins are useful antigens for vaccines, immunogenic compositions, and/or diagnostics. |
| US07655236B2 |
Lanthionine antibiotic compositions and methods
According to the present invention, an isolated and purified DNA sequence which encodes a lantibiotic, mutacin I, is disclosed. The nucleic acid sequence is set forth in SEQ ID No: 1 and the amino acid sequence is set forth in SEQ ID No: 2. |
| US07655233B2 |
Optimal placement of a robust solvent/detergent process post viral ultrafiltration of an immune gamma globulin
The solvent-detergent (S/D) process is used to inactivate enveloped viruses in plasma products. While concentrations of 1.0% detergent and 0.3% tri-n-butyl phosphate solvent have been considered necessary for robust removal of viral activity, we show the effectiveness of solvent-detergent treatment after fractionation and nanofiltration of an immune gamma globulin preparation, which required significantly reduced concentrations of solvent and detergent. Reduced levels of solvent and detergent lead to greater efficiencies in their removal post-inactivation with the potential for greater yields and decreased processing costs. |
| US07655225B2 |
Methods of expanding stem and progenitor cells and expanded cell populations obtained thereby
Ex vivo and in vivo methods of expanding a population of stem and/or progenitor cells, while at the same time reversibly inhibiting differentiation of the stem and/or progenitor cells by providing the stem and/or progenitor cells with an effective amount of at least one copper chelate, so as to maintain a free copper concentration available to said cells substantially unchanged, to thereby expand the population of said stem and/or progenitor cells, while at the same time reversibly inhibit differentiation of said stem and/or progenitor cells. |
| US07655221B2 |
Methods of treating disease with random copolymers
The invention relates to novel methods and kits for treating or preventing disease through the administration of random copolymers comprising amino acids tyrosine (Y), phenylalanine (F), alanine (A), and lysine (K). The invention also relates to the treatment of autoimmune diseases, such as multiple sclerosis, and to the administration of random copolymers in treatment regimen comprising formulations that are administered at intervals greater than 24 hours, or to sustained release formulations which administer the copolymer over a period greater than 24 hours. The invention further relates to methods for conducting a pharmaceutical business comprising manufacturing, licensing, or distributing kits containing or relating to the formulations or dosing regimens of random copolymer described herein. |
| US07655217B2 |
Near infrared imaging agent
This invention relates to an in-vivo diagnostic method based on near infrared radiation (NIR radiation) that uses water-soluble dyes and their biomolecule adducts, each having specific photophysical and pharmaco-chemical properties, as a contrast medium for fluorescence and transillumination diagnostics in the NIR range, to new dyes and pharmaceuticals containing such dyes. |
| US07655214B2 |
Phase formation of oxygen reduced valve metal oxides and granulation methods
Valve metal suboxides having a primary suboxide phase and optionally a secondary suboxide phase, a valve metal phase, and/or at least one tertiary suboxide phase can be present in varying amounts. Also disclosed is anodes and capacitors containing the valve metal suboxides of the present invention. Also, a method to prepare a valve metal suboxide is further described which includes granulating one or more of the starting materials individually or together and/or granulating the final product. |
| US07655211B2 |
Process for producing ammonium thiosulfate
Process for the production of ammonium thiosulfate from gas streams comprising ammonia and hydrogen sulfide. One embodiment of the invention provides absorbing SO2 into a solution of ammonium sulfite and then contacting gaseous feed streams with portions of the resulting solution in a plurality of contact zones where portions of ammonium sulfite in the liquid streams are converted to ammonium thiosulfate upon contact with the gaseous feed streams. |
| US07655208B2 |
Single crystalline diamond and producing method thereof
The object of the present invention is to obtain a high quality single crystalline diamond that has less distortion and large area suitable for semiconductor device substrates or an optical component material. The present invention is a single crystalline diamond produced by chemical vapor deposition, wherein, when a linear polarized light which is composed of two linear polarized lights perpendicular to each other is introduced into one main face of the single crystalline diamond, a maximum value of a retardation between the two linear polarized lights perpendicular to each other which come out from an opposite main face is not more than 50 μm at maximum per a thickness of 100 μm across an entire of the single crystalline diamond, and also a method for producing the diamond. |
| US07655207B2 |
Aluminum complex hydroxide salt and method of producing the same
An aluminum complex hydroxide salt having Al oxide octahedral layers and a divalent anion among the octahedral layers, wherein an aluminosilicate anion expressed by the following general formula (1), [NapAlqSirOz]2− (1) wherein p, q, r and z are positive numbers satisfying, 5≦z≦20, z=(p/2)+(3q/2)+2r+1, 0
|
| US07655203B2 |
Multi-component catalyst system and method for the reduction of NOx
A catalyst system for the reduction of NOx is disclosed. One embodiment of the catalyst system is based on a catalyst in a first zone, including a catalyst support, gallium, and at least one promoting metal; and a catalyst in the second zone following the first zone. The second-zone catalyst includes a second catalyst support and a zeolite material. The catalyst system further includes a gas stream comprising an organic reductant, such as a hydrocarbon material or a compound containing oxygen or nitrogen. A method for reducing NOx, utilizing the catalyst system, is also described. |
| US07655200B2 |
Method for purifying exhaust of waste gas using atomized fluid droplets combined with turbulent flow
A method for purifying exhaust of waste gas using atomized fluid droplets combined with turbulent flow, including the following steps: a). atomizing the absorption or reacting fluids to microsized droplets; b). enabling waste gas to pass through the aforementioned absorption or reacting fluids and creating a turbulent flow to thoroughly react the waste gas with the droplets; c). reacting of harmful substances in the waste gas with droplets of the absorption or reacting fluids; d). implementing demisting treatment of the waste gas flow; e). discharging the treated waste gas. The aforementioned steps of the present invention enable the purification of waste gas without the need for packing, and achieve high removal efficiency and low energy consumption. |
| US07655198B2 |
Method and apparatus for manipulating pre-sterilized components in an active sterile field
The connection, assembly, or fill of two or more pre-sterilized components having at least one terminal end each for attachment to another component, and an apparatus for performing such a connection, while maintaining the sterility of the components is disclosed. The resulting connection is made permanent by bonding the contacting components together using either a solvent bonding technique, a radio frequency sealer, a heat sealer, or any other suitable process. The connection is preferably made within an active sterile field. Using a low-voltage electron beam instrument, such as the MIN-EB™, a suitable sterile field sphere can be created. The terminal ends of the multiple components remain within the sterile field sphere until the possibility of contamination within the sealed components is significantly reduced to industry acceptable standards. |
| US07655191B2 |
Methods for chemical reactions in a parallel batch reactor
In one embodiment, a parallel batch reactor generally includes a plurality of reactor vessels and a plurality of valves configured to allow flow into the reactor vessels when a gas is supplied to the reactor at a pressure higher than a pressure within the reactor vessels and restrict flow from the reactor vessels. A method includes inserting chemical components into the reactor vessels, supplying a first gas to the reactor vessels to pressurize the reactor vessels, stopping supply of the first gas, and supplying a second gas to the reactor at a lower pressure than a pressure within the reactor vessels. The second gas passes through the valves and into the reactor vessels when the pressure within the reactor vessels drops below the pressure of the second gas. |
| US07655188B2 |
Assembly for collecting samples for purposes of identification or analysis and method of use
An assembly and an associated method for collecting a sample of material desired to be characterized with diagnostic equipment includes or utilizes an elongated member having a proximal end with which the assembly is manipulated by a user and a distal end. In addition, a collection tip which is capable of being placed into contact with the material to be characterized is supported upon the distal end. The collection tip includes a body of chemically-inert porous material for binding a sample of material when the tip is placed into contact with the material and thereby holds the sample of material for subsequent introduction to the diagnostic equipment. |
| US07655186B2 |
Gas generation for sensor calibration
Embodiments of the present invention relate a gas sensor comprising a gas detector and a hydrocarbon gas generating device, wherein the hydrocarbon gas generating device is positioned to provide an amount of hydrocarbon gas to the gas detector for testing. The hydrocarbon gas generating device comprises a heater and a gas releasing material. |
| US07655185B2 |
Polymer sample analyzer
Provided is a polymer sample analyzer from which chemical findings on the optical deterioration of a polymer material are available in a very short time. The analyzer is equipped with a gas phase component production unit for producing a plurality of gas phase components, a carrier gas introduction unit for introducing a carrier gas into the gas phase component production unit, a separation unit for separating the gas phase components into each component, and a detection unit 5 for detecting the each component thus separated. The analyzer is equipped further with a UV irradiation unit for exposing the polymer sample to UV ray, an atmospheric gas introduction unit for introducing an atmospheric gas into the gas phase component production unit and a gas switching unit for switching a gas to be introduced into the separation unit between the carrier gas and the atmospheric gas. Under the atmosphere of a gas introduced from the atmospheric gas introduction unit, the polymer sample is deteriorated and decomposed by exposure to UV ray from the UV irradiation unit. After deterioration and decomposition, a gas to be introduced into the separation unit 4 is switched to the carrier gas by the gas switching unit and the gas phase components are introduced into the separation unit by the aid of the carrier gas. |
| US07655183B2 |
Durable pd-based alloy and hydrogen generation membrane thereof
A durable Pd-based alloy is used for a H2-selective membrane in a hydrogen generator, as in the fuel processor of a fuel cell plant. The Pd-based alloy includes Cu as a binary element, and further includes “X”, where “X” comprises at least one metal from group “M” that is BCC and acts to stabilize the β BCC phase for stability during operating temperatures. The metal from group “M” is selected from the group consisting of Fe, Cr, Nb, Ta, V, Mo, and W, with Nb and Ta being most preferred. “X” may further comprise at least one metal from a group “N” that is non-BCC, preferably FCC, that enhances other properties of the membrane, such as ductility. The metal from group “N” is selected from the group consisting of Ag, Au, Re, Ru, Rh, Y, Ce, Ni, Ir, Pt, Co, La and In. The at. % of Pd in the binary Pd—Cu alloy ranges from about 35 at. % to about 55 at. %, and the at. % of “X” in the higher order alloy, based on said binary alloy, is in the range of about 1 at. % to about 15 at. %. The metals are selected according to a novel process. |
| US07655182B2 |
Method for fabricating a metallic article without any melting
A metallic article made of metallic constituent elements is fabricated from a mixture of nonmetallic precursor compounds of the metallic constituent elements. The mixture of nonmetallic precursor compounds is chemically reduced to produce an initial metallic material, without melting the initial metallic material. The initial metallic material is consolidated to produce a consolidated metallic article, without melting the initial metallic material and without melting the consolidated metallic article. |
| US07655180B2 |
Method for controlling shrinkage of formed ceramic body
A method for controlling the shrinkage of ceramic formed bodies is provided, including performing a preliminary test to determine an average shrinkage of ceramic formed bodies made from test lots of a ceramic powder, and determining a linear correlation between the average shrinkage and measured amounts of the ground test lots removed from a ball mill during a specific milling time interval. A batch of the ceramic powder is then ground, an amount of the ground ceramic powder removed from the ball mill during the specific time interval is measured, and the linear correlation is used to estimate the shrinkage of a ceramic body made therefrom. The difference between a target shrinkage and the estimated shrinkage is determined, and one or more of the processing conditions used to form the ceramic body are changed to offset the difference. |
| US07655178B2 |
Method for elongating foil
A method for elongating a foil, comprising steps of: providing an injection molding device, the injection molding device comprising a male mold having a projecting part protruding and a female mold defining a cavity; transmitting the foil into the injection molding device and between the male and female molds; clamping the male and female molds to form a molding space, the molding space being separated into a first airproof space adjacent to the female mold and a second airproof space adjacent to the male mold by the foil; vacuuming the first airproof space to suck the foil toward the first airproof space; and inputting thermal medium into the second airproof space to press the foil to cling to the inner surface of the cavity of the female mold. |
| US07655175B2 |
Rotary spinning processes for forming hydroxyl polymer-containing fibers
Rotary spinning processes, more particularly processes for making hydroxyl polymer-containing fibers using a rotary spinning die, hydroxyl polymer-containing fibers made by the processes and webs made with the hydroxyl polymer-containing fibers are provided. |
| US07655174B2 |
Jettable compositions
A fully curable jettable composition having a viscosity less than 30 cps at a temperature within the range of 15-180° C., more preferably at a temperature of 15-100° C., e.g. 60-80° C. the composition comprising: (A) at least one low viscosity reactive resin selected from the group consisting of compounds containing an oxetane ring, cycloaliphatic epoxy resins, tetrahydrofurans, hexahydropyrans and mono-functional (meth)acrylates, said resin having a molecular weight of not greater than 300 Daltons, e.g. 250 Daltons or less, and a viscosity at a temperature in the said range of less than 30 cps, e.g. 5 to 15 cps; (B) at least one higher viscosity resin selected from the group consisting of epoxy resins, compounds containing an oxetane ring and acrylates, which resin acts to thicken the low viscosity resin and strengthen a jetted deposit of the composition, the higher viscosity resin having: a viscosity greater than twice that of the low viscosity resin at the said temperature in the range stated above, and a functionality of greater than or equal to 2; (C) at least one curable toughener, preferably having a functionality of at least 2, such as hydroxy, epoxy, acrylic or other reactive functionalised polymer/oligomer (e.g. derived by functionalising poly(tetrahydrofuran), polycaprolactone, polycarbonate diol, or a dendrimeric polyol; (D) at least one initiator for the polymerisation of the resins, and (E) at least one stabilizer for delaying the curing of the resins of the composition; wherein the low viscosity resin is slower to react than the higher viscosity resin and acts to solvate the higher viscosity resin prior to curing and at least partly during curing and wherein at least 30% of the components A and B are cationically curable resins. The composition can be jetted from piezo electric printing heads under the control of a computer program to form a multi-layered article, e.g. a three dimensional article, in which the adjacent droplets merge and are cured homogeneously together. |
| US07655171B2 |
Golf ball mixing and dispensing process
The present invention provides an improved process for mixing castable polyurethanes and polyureas and for prolonging the dispensing time for dispensing them into a golf ball mold for application to a golf ball sub-assembly. A nozzle framework includes support housing heaters and heater adaptors for each dispensing port to delay the onset of drool and improve cut off in the dispensing tubes. The combination of fluorinated dispensing ports, the heating of the polyureas or polyurethanes, and inclusion of a capillary orifice in each dispensing port significantly prolongs the time before the advent of drool is detected. |
| US07655169B2 |
Metal mold for manufacturing a developing blade
A developing blade 10 is insert molded by forming a rib portion 13 which projects from an end portion in the longitudinal direction of a blade body 12 in the transverse direction of the blade body 12, opposite to the contact surface 12a side of the blade body 12, on the blade body 12 in contact with the developing roll of the developing blade 10 and forming the gate 21G of a metal mold 20 in which a metal plate 11 as an insert member has been installed only in a cavity 21b corresponding to the above rib portion 13. Therefore, a developing blade 10 without burrs and recesses on its contact surface with the developing roll or without welds can be easily manufactured. |
| US07655168B2 |
Tools for manufacturing composite parts and methods for using such tools
Tools for manufacturing composite parts and methods for using such tools are disclosed herein. A method in accordance with one aspect of the invention includes manufacturing a fiber-reinforced resin part from a plurality of fibers positioned on a tool having a female mold surface. The mold surface can include a first side region, a second side region, an interior region between the first and second side regions, and transition regions between the first and second side regions and the interior region. The method includes positioning a compaction tool over the mold surface. The compaction tool includes a first pressing device and a second pressing device carrying the first pressing device. The method further includes pressing a first portion of the fibers against the transition regions with the first pressing device without generally compacting the portions of the fibers outboard of the transition regions. After pressing the first portion of the fibers, the method includes pressing a second portion of the fibers against the first and second side regions and shoulder regions of the mold surface outboard of the first and second side regions. |
| US07655167B2 |
Spa apparatus
Methods are disclosed for making a base of a spa apparatus to resemble artificial rocks and wood. In one embodiment, the method is comprised of the following steps: making a mold in which its inner surface has the shape and surface texture of a rock or wood; placing a first structure on the inner surface of the mold, the first structure being operative to prevent warping of the base; spraying polymer on the mold; allowing the polymer to harden; and removing the hardened polymer from the mold, the hardened polymer having substantially the shape and surface texture of rock or wood. |
| US07655165B2 |
Method of producing edible cellulosic films
Disclosed is a process for continuous casting of edible cellulose-containing film sheets having unique physical characteristics. The cellulose film sheets have diverse applications in the processed food industry. |
| US07655161B2 |
Conductive ink composition for inkjet printing
A conductive ink composition for inkjet printing, more particularly to a conductive ink composition for inkjet printing, which includes 30 to 85 parts by weight of metal nanoparticles, 10 to 60 parts by weight of an organic solvent, 10 to 30 parts by weight of a humectant, the humectant made of a diol or glycol base compound, and 0.1 to 10 parts by weight of an ethylene glycol-based ether compound additive for adjusting viscosity. The ink composition may be optimized, such that the viscosity of the ink may be adjusted while maintaining a high concentration of metal, when forming wiring using an inkjet device, for improved flow and ejection properties of the ink. |
| US07655160B2 |
Compositions of matter: system II
The present invention relates to new compositions of matter, particularly metals and alloys, and methods of making such compositions. The new compositions of matter exhibit long-range ordering and unique electronic character. |
| US07655156B2 |
Silicate-based orange phosphors
Novel orange phosphors are disclosed having the comprise silicate-based compounds having the formula (Sr,A1)x,(Si,A2)(O,A3)2+x:Eu2+, where A1 is at least one divalent cation (a 2+ ion) including Mg, Ca, Ba, or Zn, or a combination of 1+ and 3+ cations; A2 is a 3+, 4+, or 5+ cation, including at least one of B, Al, Ga, C, Ge, P; A3 is a 1−, 2−, or 3− anion, including F, Cl, and Br; and x is any value between 2.5 and 3.5, inclusive. The formula is written to indicate that the A1 cation replaces Sr; the A2 cation replaces Si, and the A3 anion replaces O. These orange phosphors are configured to emit visible light having a peak emission wavelength greater than about 565 nm. They have applications in white LED illumination systems, plasma display panels, and in orange and other colored LED systems. |
| US07655154B2 |
Non-aqueous heat transfer fluid and use thereof
A non-aqueous, reduced toxicity diol based heat transfer fluid is provided comprised of at least one diol that acts as an antidote for ethylene glycol poisoning, such as propylene glycol. The heat transfer fluid may also include corrosion inhibitors that are soluble in the diols used for the heat transfer fluid. The heat transfer fluid may be used as a coolant in internal combustion engines such as automobile engines. |
| US07655149B1 |
Oil absorbent kenaf balls and kits, and methods of making and using the same
This invention is based upon the discovery that kenaf balls that are comprised of an entangled mass of kenaf fibers are highly useful for absorbing oil and other organic liquids from oil spill areas on land or water. In fact, the kenaf balls of this invention are capable of absorbing oil in an amount of over 1000% of their own weight and in some cases even over 1800% of their own weight. The subject invention more specifically discloses a kenaf ball which is comprised of an entangled mass of kenaf fibers, wherein the kenaf ball has a density which is within the range of about 0.02 g/cc to about 0.15 g/cc, and wherein the kenaf ball has a mass which is within the range of 0.2 grams to about 10 grams. |
| US07655145B1 |
Contaminated water treatment
Method and system for processing of a liquid (“contaminant liquid”) containing water and containing urine and/or other contaminants in a two step process. Urine, or a contaminated liquid similar to and/or containing urine and thus having a relatively high salt and urea content is passed through an activated carbon filter to provide a resulting liquid, to remove most of the organic molecules. The resulting liquid is passed through a semipermeable membrane from a membrane first side to a membrane second side, where a fortified drink having a lower water concentration (higher osmotic potential) than the resulting liquid is positioned. Osmotic pressure differential causes the water, but not most of the remaining inorganic (salts) contaminant(s) to pass through the membrane to the fortified drink. Optionally, the resulting liquid is allowed to precipitate additional organic molecules before passage through the membrane. |
| US07655144B2 |
Method for the treatment of wastewater
A wastewater treatment system for treating wastewater by processes which include aeration. The system includes an influent conduit for delivery of wastewater to be processed and a treatment tank for processing of the wastewater. Also included is an air conduit for providing compressed air for aeration of the wastewater and a particle size regulation device disposed between the conduit and the tank, wherein the particle size regulation device regulates a size of particles present in the wastewater to provide particle size regulated wastewater. The system also includes at least one aeration jet having a nozzle diameter sized to allow the particle size regulated wastewater to pass through the nozzle. |
| US07655143B2 |
Carbon dioxide stimulation of nitrification in activated sludge reactors
A method of stimulating nitrification at low SRT by elevating pCO2 during aeration is disclosed. The improvement on solids settling performance when elevated pCO2 was supplied after 2 hours within the React cycle is consistent with the previous results that identified inorganic carbon as a potential remedy to poor settling and bulking sludge problems in activated sludge systems. Elevated pCO2 increases the concentration of carbon dioxide and lowers the pH, which improve nitrification. The specific growth rate of nitrifying bacteria is sensitive to pCO2, pH, and dissolved oxygen (DO). The DO is a function of the aeration rate. Elevating the pCO2 and lowering the aeration rate provides conditions for nitrification rates that are comparable to conventional systems. However, the lower aeration rate yields significant energy cost savings. |
| US07655139B2 |
Method and system for operating a shut-off valve of a filtration system
A filtration assembly includes a feed water line and a permeate line. A shut-off valve is coupled between the permeate line and the feed water line and operative to open the feed line when the faucet is opened based on a pressure differential between the feed line and the permeate line. An energy storage member is located within the permeate line and configured to compress and then expand after the faucet is closed causing the shut-off valve to fully close. |
| US07655138B2 |
Desulfurization process
A system which circulates fluidizable solid particles through a fluidized bed reactor, a fluidized bed regenerator, and a fluidized bed reducer to thereby provide for substantially continuous desulfurization of a hydrocarbon-containing fluid stream and substantially continuous regeneration of the solid particles is disclosed. |
| US07655136B2 |
Process for producing middle distillates by hydroisomerizing and hydrocracking feeds from the Fischer-Tropsch process using a doped catalyst based on mesoporous alumina-silica with a controlled macropore content
The invention concerns a process for producing middle distillates from a paraffinic feed produced by Fischer-Tropsch synthesis, using a hydrocracking/hydroisomerization catalyst which comprises: at least one hydrodehydrogenating element selected from the group formed by elements from group VIB and group VIII of the periodic table; 0.01% to 6% of phosphorus as a doping element; and a non-zeolitic support based on mesoporous alumina-silica. |
| US07655134B2 |
Process to prepare a base oil
Process to optimize the yield of base oils from a Fischer-Tropsch derived feed by performing the following steps (a) performing a hydroconversion/hydroisomerization step on part of the Fischer-Tropsch derived feed; (b) performing a hydroconversion/hydroisomerization step on another part of the Fischer-Tropsch feed at a conversion greater than the conversion in step (a); and (c) isolating by means of distillation a fraction boiling in the base oil range from the two reaction products obtained in steps (a) and (b) and performing a pour point reducing step on said fraction. |
| US07655130B2 |
Glucose dehydrogenase from Aspergillus oryzae
The present invention effectively produces glucose dehydrogenase derived from Aspergillus oryzae, and provides more practical glucose dehydrogenase. The invention makes it possible to efficiently produce glucose dehydrogenase and to obtain glucose dehydrogenase in more practical manner by using a glucose dehydrogenase gene isolated from Aspergillus oryzae. |
| US07655126B2 |
Fabrication of topical stopper on MLS gasket by active matrix electrochemical deposition
A method for making a gasket (32) for an internal combustion engine (20) includes forming a generally annual stopper (38) on a metallic gasket body (40) through the process of electrochemical deposition. An electrolytic cell is completed with the gasket body (40) forming a cathode. The stopper (38) is formed with a contoured compression surface (42) by selectively varying the electrical energy delivered to selected electrodes (70) over time. Electrolyte (48) rich with metallic ions is pumped at high speed through the inter-electrode gap. A PC controller (82) switches selected electrodes (70) ON at certain times, for certain durations, which cause metallic ions in the electrolyte (48) to reduce or deposit onto the gasket body (40), which are built in columns or layers into a three-dimensional formation approximating the target surface profile (106) for the compression surface (42). The subject method for building a three-dimensional formation can be applied to work parts other than cylinder head gaskets (32). |
| US07655122B2 |
Oxygen concentration detecting element
An oxygen concentration detecting element including a base member made of an electrically insulating material, a heater disposed on an outer surface of the base member, the heater being adapted to generate heat upon being energized, and an oxygen detecting unit disposed in an offset position on the outer surface of the base member in which the oxygen detecting unit is prevented from overlapping with the heater, the oxygen detecting unit including a solid electrolyte layer and a pair of electrodes between which the solid electrolyte layer is disposed. |
| US07655121B2 |
Gas sensor interface device and gas sensor system
An interface device for a gas sensor includes a detection resistor having first and second ends to generate voltages by a current output of the gas sensor, a differential amplifier having first and second input terminals to receive the voltages of the first and second resistor ends and an output terminal to output a voltage according to a difference between the voltages of the first and second resistor ends, a first switching element to transmit the voltage of the first resistor end to the first input terminal of the differential amplifier in a transmission state and interrupt transmission of the voltage of the first resistor end to the first input terminal of the differential amplifier in an interruption state and a second switching element turned on to establish continuity between the first and second input terminals of the differential amplifier when the first switching element is in the interruption state. |
| US07655118B2 |
Electrolytic processing apparatus and method
This invention relates to an electrolytic processing apparatus and method useful for processing a conductive material formed in the surface of a substrate, or for removing impurities adhering to the surface of a substrate. An electrolytic processing apparatus, including, a processing electrode that can come close to a workpiece, a feeding electrode for feeding electricity to the workpiece, an ion exchanger disposed in the space between the workpiece and the processing and the feeding electrodes, a fluid supply section for supplying a fluid between the workpiece and the ion exchanger, and a power source. The processing electrode and/or the feeding electrode is electrically divided into a plurality of parts, and the power source applies a voltage to each of the divided electrode parts and can control voltage and/or electric current independently for each of the divided electrode parts. |
| US07655117B2 |
Continuous plating system and method with mask registration
A continuous plating system with mask registration is disclosed herein that uses drums and rollers with protruding pins which engage with guide holes in a masking belt and a lead frame. Through engagement with the pins the masking belt is keyed to the lead frame as the lead frame passes through a plating solution tank. |
| US07655113B2 |
Mixing of a protein hydrolysate derived from keratin-containing material in the wet-end of a papermaking process
A process for producing a protein hydrolysate derived from keratin containing material with an oxidative bleaching agent at an acidic pH and mixing the keratin hydrolysate as an additive to the wet-end of a papermaking process. The process achieves a paper with a lower porosity and greater breaking length. |
| US07655112B2 |
Integrated paper comprising fibrillated fibers and active particles immobilized therein
An integrated paper having capabilities and functionalities provided by both the fiber and the active agent ingredients, and a method of immobilizing the active agents within the integrated paper. A tight pore structure with a mean pore diameter of less than about 2 microns provides short diffusion distances from a fluid to the surface of the paper ingredients by adsorption or diffusive interception, making it an excellent medium for fluid filtration. A microbiological interception enhancing agent may be added. The integrated paper may be formed using wet laid paper-making processes. Devices utilizing the integrated paper are used in fluid filtration. |
| US07655111B2 |
Plasma processing apparatus and plasma processing method
At a frame 26 in a microwave plasma processing apparatus 100, numerous horizontal spray gas nozzles 27 formed therein injection holes A and numerous vertical gas nozzles 28 formed therein injection holes B are fixed. A first gas supply means 50 injects argon gas through the injection holes A into an area near each dielectric parts 31a. A second gas supply means 55 injects silane gas and hydrogen gas through the injection holes B into a position at which the gases do not become over-dissociated. The gases injected as described above are raised to plasma with a microwave transmitted through each dielectric parts 31a. Since the vertical gas nozzles 28 are mounted at positions at which they do not block the flow of plasma traveling toward a substrate G, ions and electrons do not collide with the vertical gas nozzles 28 readily. |
| US07655109B2 |
Floor covering lifting and removal hand tool
A floor covering lifting and removal hand tool for lifting an edge and removing a floor covering that is secured to a floor surface. An arcuate lifting base is formed with a grip end spaced from an opposite end and optionally including load distribution flanges across the arcuate lifting base. An upwardly extending lever arm joins to the arcuate base to rotate the base. The base further incorporates a releasable clamp that captures the edge of the floor covering. Anti-slip features are incorporated about a face of the base to contact the floor covering. In operation, the lever arm is rotated to overcome the force of the bond to lift and remove the floor covering from the floor surface. The lever arm is adjustable, removable, and is optionally ratchetable for use in confined spaces near walls and corners. |
| US07655108B2 |
Display panel assembly apparatus and assembly method
Display panel assembly apparatus for assembling a display panel by bonding a driver substrate onto a glass panel via a connector and bonding material. A panel positioning table retains the glass panel in which the connector is bonded to its edge, and positions the glass panel with respect to a bonder from one side. The substrate to which a bonding tape is applied by a bonding tape applicator is transferred to the bonder from the other side by circulating a substrate holder on which the substrate is placed using a circulatory transport mechanism. The connector prebonded on the glass panel and the substrate are then bonded via the bonding tape. Adoption of this configuration for the display panel assembly apparatus and assembly method reduces the apparatus installation area while achieving high productivity. |
| US07655106B2 |
Double-sided pressure-sensitive adhesive tape or sheet and process of producing the same
The double-sided pressure-sensitive adhesive tape or sheet is a double-sided pressure-sensitive adhesive tape or sheet containing a support having a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer on the both surfaces thereof, characterized in that the double-sided pressure-sensitive adhesive tape or sheet has a total thickness including the thickness of the support and the two pressure-sensitive adhesive layers formed on the both surfaces of the support of 0.003 mm or more and less than 0.03 mm and a breaking strength of from 2 to 26 MPa/10 mm-width. The support preferably has a thickness of from 0.002 to 0.012 mm. As the support, plastic films (especially, a polyethylene terephthalate film) are suitable. The double-sided pressure-sensitive adhesive tape or sheet may have a length of 5 m or more and have a roll-wound form. |
| US07655105B2 |
Method for embossing air-laid webs using laser engraved heated embossing rolls
A method of making an embossed air-laid absorbent sheet product includes depositing a dry web of fibers on a foraminous support; compacting the fiber web; embossing the compacted web with a laser-engraved roll with a hard rubber embossing surface, the hard rubber embossing surface having a plurality of sinuate bosses radially projecting circumferentially around the laser-engraved roll to provide the fiber web with a functional emboss pattern including a plurality of continuous sinuate compressed regions extending in a machine direction of the fiber web, the laser-engraved roll being heated to or maintained at a temperature of from about 100° F. to about 300° F.; and bonding the fiber web. |
| US07655103B2 |
Ceramic multilayer substrate and method for manufacturing the same
In a method for manufacturing a ceramic multilayer substrate, when a green ceramic stack prepared by stacking a plurality of ceramic green sheets is fired simultaneously with a ceramic chip electronic component disposed inside the green ceramic stack and including an external terminal electrode to produce a ceramic multilayer substrate having the ceramic chip electronic component inside, a paste layer is disposed in advance between the ceramic chip electronic component and the green ceramic stack, and these three are fired. |
| US07655096B2 |
Coiled tubing wellbore cleanout
A method and apparatus for substantially cleaning fill from a borehole is described variously including running a coiled tubing assembly into the wellbore, creating a fluid vortex by circulating cleaning fluid through the coiled tubing, and pulling the coiled tubing and coiled tubing assembly out of the hole at a speed sufficient to substantially clean the particulate solids from the wellbore. An apparatus for substantially cleaning fill from a hole, including vertical, horizontal, or deviated wells also is provided. |
| US07655095B2 |
Method of cleaning semiconductor surfaces
Devices and methods of cleaning are described. The methods, and devices formed by the methods have a number of advantages. Embodiments are shown that include cleaning using a supercritical fluid. Advantages include a combination of both chemical and mechanical removal abilities from the supercritical fluid. Mechanical energy for cleaning is transmitted in a homogenous manner throughout a carrier fluid. The mechanical energy provided in methods shown can also be used with delicate surface features. |
| US07655094B2 |
Systems and methods for charging a cleaning solution used for cleaning integrated circuit substrates
Inventive methods, systems and compositions of cleaning integrated circuit (“IC”) substrates are described. The cleaning methods of the present invention include: charging a solution, which contains at least a solute selected to promote cleaning of the IC substrate, to produce a charged solution, such that at least a portion of the solute is present as clusters in the charged solution; and conveying the charged solution for cleaning the IC substrate. |
| US07655088B2 |
Synthetic aggregates comprising sewage sludge and other waste materials and methods for producing such aggregates
In one example of an embodiment of the invention, a method for producing an aggregate is disclosed comprising mixing sewage sludge from a waste water treatment facility with a non-coal combustion ash silicoaluminous waste material, agglomerating the mixture to form an agglomerate, and pyroprocessing the agglomerate to form an aggregate. The waste material may comprise municipal solid waste incinerator bottom ash, incinerator fly ash, incinerator filter dusts, cement kiln dusts, waste glass, blast furnace slag, kiln dusts, and/or granite sawing residues, for example. The method may further comprise milling the waste material prior to mixing. Preferably, the milling is wet milling. Pyroprocessing of the agglomerate may take place in a rotary kiln. The resulting aggregate may be a lightweight or a normal weight, sintered or vitrified aggregate. Aggregates and methods for making aggregates of high and low calcium silicoaluminous materials are also disclosed. |
| US07655086B2 |
Colloidal metal-containing Urushi lacquer and Urushi lacquered article
An object of the present invention is to impart excellent gloss to an Urushi coating, improve drying properties, improve light fastness, and provide an environmentally responsible high-class lacquered article such as a ‘Byakudan’ (white sandalwood) coating or a ‘Tamamushi’ (iridescent) coating. This object has been accomplished by an Urushi lacquer comprising a naturally occurring raw Urushi or a refined Urushi, and metal colloid particles. As the metal colloid particles, precious metal colloid particles may preferably be used. |
| US07655082B2 |
Ink compositions containing an emulsion
The application discloses ink compositions containing an emulsion and, more particularly, to ink compositions containing an emulsified colorant and/or an emulsified lubricating agent, and writing instruments containing same. |
| US07655078B2 |
Bubble separator
A bubble separator includes a body with a generally cylindrical shape, an oil induction portion, a gas discharge portion with a generally cylindrical shape, an oil discharge portion, and an upper partition. The oil induction portion is provided on the body, and introduces bubble-containing oil to inside the body. The gas discharge portion is provided extending from a ceiling portion of the body, and discharges separated bubbles to outside the body. The oil discharge portion is provided on the body, and discharges separated oil to outside the body. The upper partition is provided extending from the ceiling portion, and is formed on a periphery of the gas discharge portion. According to the bubble separator of the present invention, the upper partition can prevent bubble-containing oil from directly blowing into the discharge hole of the gas discharge portion and discharging to outside the body together with separated gas. |
| US07655073B2 |
Inertial gas-liquid separator with variable flow actuator
An inertial gas-liquid separator has a variable flow actuator movable to open and close a variable number of accelerating flow nozzles. |
| US07655068B2 |
Method and systems to facilitate improving electrostatic precipitator performance
A method to facilitate improving electrostatic precipitator performance is provided. The method includes providing an electrostatic precipitator including an inlet, a collector chamber and an outlet, where the collector chamber includes a plurality of discharge electrodes and a plurality of collector electrodes. The method also includes defining a respective discharge electrode V-I performance for each of the plurality of discharge electrodes, identifying a particle removal characteristic for each respective discharge electrode based on the respective discharge electrode V-I performance for each of the plurality of discharge electrodes and positioning each of the plurality of discharge electrodes in the electrostatic precipitator according to the particle removal characteristic for each respective discharge electrode. |
| US07655059B2 |
Quickly assemblable structure of molecular sieves and can filters in oxygen concentrator
The invention is an assembly structure that allows molecular sieves and can-filters be fast assembled in an oxygen concentrator. The structure includes: a molecular sieve and can-filter set, which is composed of at least two molecular sieves and at least one can-filter; a support frame, which includes a base plate and a frame fixed on the base plate in an upright position, and the frame has a first support plate having a plurality of through holes and a second support plate having a hole, wherein the hole of the second support plate is for one of the at least one can-filter to pass through; and a plurality of bend joints, each of which including: a thin plate portion formed at a first end, wherein an opening is provided in the center of the thin plate portion; and a plurality of annular barbed portions provided near a second end, such that a flexible conduit/hose connected thereto does not detach easily and the air tightness is increased, wherein the second end of each bend joint passes through one of the through holes of the first support plate while the thin plate portion of each bend joint is fixed to the first support plate via a second fastener. |
| US07655056B2 |
Hydrogen generating apparatus
A hydrogen generating apparatus includes a chemical reaction chamber, a chemical solution reservoir, an unpowered pressure-producing member for moving a chemical solution from the chemical solution reservoir to the chemical reaction chamber, and a catalyst bed in the chemical reaction chamber. |
| US07655054B2 |
Method of forming a glow through candle
A wax core is dipped multiple times in liquid clear wax and water sequentially. Thereafter, the candle is dipped multiple times in a first liquid pigmented wax to form a first pigmented layer. When the desired shade is achieved, one or more layers of clear wax are added followed by dipping in water after each clear layer is added to produce a primed surface layer at ±1 degree ambient. This sequence is continued by applying a second pigmented wax layer to three-quarters of the candle ball, a third pigmented wax layer to one-half of the candle ball, and a fourth pigmented wax layer to one-quarter of the candle ball. An outside white wax is formed by dipping the ball into white wax in preparation for adding an outside color. |
| US07655052B2 |
Composition for the coloring of keratinous fibers comprising a halochromic compound, the dye corresponding to this compound, and methods of use thereof
Disclosed herein is the use, in the coloring of keratinous fibers, for example human keratinous fibers, such as the hair, of a composition comprising at least one compound chosen from the compounds of formula (I) comprising a cyclic group G including a ring H capable of opening, the dyes corresponding to the compounds of formula (I) wherein the ring H is open and the addition salts thereof: and a method for treating keratinous fibers employing this composition. |
| US07655051B2 |
Artificial hand
An artificial hands having more than one articulated digit wherein the digits are biased in a closed position by springs, and digits are opened by a cord attached to the dorsal side of the digit and a lever, wherein the lever is rotatably mounted to an anchoring plate and pulled by a cable; wherein the cable is pulled manually by means of a shoulder strap, or electronically by a motor. |
| US07655046B2 |
Expandable spinal fusion cage and associated instrumentation
An expandable spinal implant comprising a cage body including at least two movable branches having first end portions that are interconnected to one another and second end portions that are movable relative to one another. The movable branches include a first shell portion having a first pair of longitudinal edges and defining a first hollow region therebetween, and a second shell portion having a second pair of longitudinal edges and defining a second hollow region therebetween, with the first and second hollow regions cooperating to define at least a portion of a hollow interior of the cage body. An expansion member co-acts with the first and second shell portions to transition the cage body to an expanded configuration as the expansion member is axially displaced along said first and second pairs of longitudinal edges. In one embodiment, at least one of the shell portions defines a plurality of retention elements positioned at select axial locations along a corresponding one of the longitudinal edges, with the expansion member engaged with one or more of the retention elements to retain the expansion member at a select axial position to maintain the implant in the expanded configuration. |
| US07655045B2 |
Artificial intervertebral disc
An artificial intervertebral disc includes housing members including spaced inner surfaces facing each other and oppositely facing outer surfaces for engaging spaced apart vertebral surfaces. Bearing surfaces extend from each of the inner surfaces for engaging each other while allowing for low friction and compression resistant movement of the housing members relative to each other while under compression. Load sharing pads are disposed between the inner surfaces and about at least a portion of the bearing surfaces for sharing absorption compressive loads with the bearing surfaces while limiting the relative movement of the housing members. |
| US07655042B2 |
Expandable intervertebral spacers
Laterally expanding vertebral spacer devices are provided for repairing damaged vertebral discs. The vertebral spacer devices maintain the height of a distracted vertebral disc space while providing stability to the spine. In one form of the invention, a vertebral spacer device is provided with a first arm movably coupled to a second arm. The first and second arms are laterally expandable from a first width for insertion into the disc space to a second width after insertion into the disc space. The first and second arms also define a cavity therebetween for placement of bone growth material. |
| US07655040B2 |
Cardiac valve annulus reduction system
A catheter-based, annulus reduction device and system for cardiac valve repair and method of using the same. The system is usable for treating mitral valve regurgitation and comprises a catheter, a reduction ring carried within the catheter, the reduction ring including a plurality of exit ports formed in a side wall of the reduction ring and filament received in the reduction ring. The filament includes a plurality of radially extendible barbs corresponding to the sidewall openings. The reduction ring carrying the filament is deployed adjacent a mitral valve annulus and the filament is translated relative to the reduction ring to deploy the barbs through the exit ports and into the annulus and to further translate the reduction ring with deployed barbs to reshape the annulus. |
| US07655039B2 |
Stents with attached looped ends
An open frame prosthesis is formed with looped end terminations at its proximal and distal ends. At one end of the prosthesis, the filaments or strands are welded together in pairs to form strand couplings. A plurality of loop segments are connected to the strand couplings, one loop segment for each pair of adjacent strand couplings. In one version of the prosthesis, strands at the opposite end are bent to form looped ends. In another version, loop segments are connected to pairs of strand couplings at both ends of the prosthesis. The loop segments can be connected to the couplings by welding, fusion bonds, or tubes, which are either crimped or heat shrunk. |
| US07655038B2 |
Polymeric network system for medical devices and methods of use
Methods of making a coating on a medical device are disclosed, including associating a composition with at least a portion of the device to form a layer. In some embodiments, a composition may include a copolymer prepared from a room temperature melt of a plurality of monomer units that comprises a first monomer unit and a second monomer unit, wherein the second monomer unit has a glass transition temperature that is at least about 30 degrees Centigrade higher than the glass transition temperature of the first monomer unit, with a glass transition temperature of a monomer unit being defined as a glass transition temperature of a homopolymer of that monomer unit. |
| US07655035B2 |
Variable lamination of vascular graft
The vascular graft includes a conduit structure having outer and inner wall surfaces. The conduit structure includes a longitudinal central portion having a flexibility. The conduit structure further includes a pair of longitudinal intermediate portions each of which are integral with the central portion and located longitudinally such that the central portion is between the intermediate portions. The intermediate portions each have a flexibility which is less than the flexibility of the central portion. |
| US07655025B2 |
Adjustable rod and connector device and method of use
A low-profile surgical rod implant device is provided that allows the length of a rod spanning two bone screws to be adjusted at the time of implantation. In a separate aspect of the invention, the rod implant device can be secured by tightening and securing an end of the rod implant device at one of the bone screws. Embodiments are provided for use with polyaxial pedicle screws and substantially straight shank pedicle screws in spinal applications. In a separate aspect of the invention, a bone screw connector having an interference type fit is also provided. A method for implanting the device is also provided. |
| US07655019B2 |
Blood sampling device
A sampling device (20) having a housing (24) with a lancet cartridge (22) mounted therein. The lancets (26) of the lancet cartridge (22) are interconnected by a flexible web (28). The lancet cartridge (22) is not positively engaged within the housing (24) and can be easily removed. The housing (24) has an opening (42) with an adjacent flexible or compressible fin (60) for dampening the motion of the lancet (26). The lancet cartridge (22) has at least one lancet (26) with an endcap, and the housing has a cap-removal mechanism (74) for separating the endcap from the housing (24). Anti-tampering features prevent opening of the device when the lancet cartridge (22) is oriented with a lancet (26) in a firing position. |
| US07655015B2 |
Fixation devices, systems and methods for engaging tissue
The invention provides devices, systems and methods for tissue approximation and repair at treatment sites. The devices, systems and methods of the invention will find use in a variety of therapeutic procedures, including endovascular, minimally-invasive, and open surgical procedures, and can be used in various anatomical regions, including the abdomen, thorax, cardiovascular system, heart, intestinal tract, stomach, urinary tract, bladder, lung, and other organs, vessels, and tissues. The invention is particularly useful in those procedures requiring minimally-invasive or endovascular access to remote tissue locations, where the instruments utilized must negotiate long, narrow, and tortuous pathways to the treatment site. In addition, many of the devices and systems of the invention are adapted to be reversible and removable from the patient at any point without interference with or trauma to internal tissues. |
| US07655010B2 |
Vertebral fusion device and method for using same
An intervertebral fusion device includes a body having a proximal portion along a major axis of the body and a distal portion along the major axis, and supporting means at the distal portion. The supporting means supports vertebrae in a distracted position while the vertebrae fuse. At least one of the body and the supporting means has a height distinct from a width, whereby the body or supporting means can distract vertebrae, between which the body or the supporting means has been placed, by rotation of the body or the supporting means about the major axis. A method of fusing vertebrae includes the steps of inserting between two vertebrae an intervertebral fusion device and rotating the body or the supporting means, whereby the vertebrae are supported in a distracted position while the vertebrae fuse. |
| US07655007B2 |
Method of fusing biomaterials with radiofrequency energy
A method of fusing biomaterial and tissue using radiofrequency energy includes the steps of: providing a vessel sealing instrument having opposing jaw members which are movable relative to one another to compress tissue therebetween. The vessel sealing instrument includes at least one stop member affixed thereto for regulating the distance between the opposing jaw members. The method also includes the steps of: providing a biomaterial; positioning the biomaterial in abutting relation to tissue; approximating the biomaterial and tissue between the jaw members; compressing the biomaterial and tissue between the jaw members under a working pressure within the range of about 3 kg/cm2 to about 16 kg/cm2; and energizing the jaw members with radiofrequency energy to effectively fuse the biomaterial and the tissue such that the biomaterial and the tissue reform into a single, fused mass. |
| US07655005B2 |
Circumferential ablation device assembly with dual expandable members
The present invention involves a surgical device and method of use, particularly an assembly and method incorporating dual expandable members along the distal region of an ablation device to facilitate ablation of a circumferential region of tissue engaged by the expandable member. The ablation device assembly includes an elongate body with a proximal end portion, a distal end portion, and a longitudinal axis. A first expansion element is located along the distal end portion of the elongate body, and is fluidly coupled to a first source of inflation fluid. A second expansion element having a circumferential wall is located along the distal end portion proximal the first expansion element, and is fluidly coupled to a second source of inflation fluid. An ablation element having an ablative energy source is located along the distal end portion within the second expansion element, wherein the ablation element cooperates with the second expansion element such that the ablative energy source emits a substantially circumferential pattern of energy through the circumferential wall. |
| US07655001B2 |
Temperature responsive systems
A shape memory material activated device of the present invention uses a shape memory material activator to create a path through a shell wall of the device. The path through the shell wall may release a substance contained in the shell or allow a substance to enter the shell. The path may be created by fracturing, puncturing, exploding, imploding, peeling, tearing, stretching, separating, debonding, abrading or otherwise opening the shell and, may be permanent or reversible. The substance may be released in one location while the device is stationary or along a path while it is traveling, self-powered by the shape memory material activator. In addition, the substance may be delivered to an object upon contact with its surface. The self powering abilities allow these devices to be used as substance delivery devices as well as actuators, transporters, and energy conversion systems with modular characteristics and growth potential. The devices may be armed, prior to the beginning of their service life, to be placed in a state of readiness to release their substances once the path is created. Prior to arming they may be maintained at any temperature, incapable of releasing their substances. The devices according to the present invention may be used as temperature sensors or warning devices, drug delivery devices, and the like. |
| US07654998B1 |
Tissue volume reduction
Devices, compositions, and methods for achieving non-surgical lung volume reduction (e.g., bronchoscopic lung volume reduction (BLVR)) are described. BLVR can be carried out by collapsing a region of the lung, adhering one portion of the collapsed region to another, and promoting fibrosis in or around the adherent tissue. |
| US07654997B2 |
Devices, systems and methods for diagnosing and treating sinusitus and other disorders of the ears, nose and/or throat
Sinusitis, enlarged nasal turbinates, tumors, infections, hearing disorders, allergic conditions, facial fractures and other disorders of the ear, nose and throat are diagnosed and/or treated using minimally invasive approaches and, in many cases, flexible catheters as opposed to instruments having rigid shafts. Various diagnostic procedures and devices are used to perform imaging studies, mucus flow studies, air/gas flow studies, anatomic dimension studies, endoscopic studies and transillumination studies. Access and occluder devices may be used to establish fluid tight seals in the anterior or posterior nasal cavities/nasopharynx and to facilitate insertion of working devices (e.g., scopes, guidewires, catheters, tissue cutting or remodeling devices, electrosurgical devices, energy emitting devices, devices for injecting diagnostic or therapeutic agents, devices for implanting devices such as stents, substance eluting devices, substance delivery implants, etc. |
| US07654994B2 |
Indicia for a garment with a dual fastening system
A disposable garment including a dual fastening system. The dual fastening system includes at least two first fasteners and at least two second fasteners, at least a portion of each second fastener being located in the front waist region and situated inboard from each longitudinal side edge of the front waist region, each second fastener being configured to engage at least a portion of the bodyfacing surface. Additionally, the bodyfacing surface comprises indicia in the rear waist region guiding a user fitting the disposable garment regarding the positioning of the second fasteners. |
| US07654988B2 |
Needle capture mechanisms
Needle capture mechanisms and arrangements are provided. One such arrangement includes a needle defining a longitudinal needle axis having a sharp distal tip, a shank portion, and a needle feature defining at least one localized area along the shank of increased outer diameter; a needle shield; and a biasing member adapted to exert a generally downward biasing force upon the needle. Another such arrangement includes a needle defining a longitudinal needle axis having a sharp distal tip, a shank portion, and a needle feature defining at least one localized area along the shank of increased outer diameter; a needle shield, the needle shield comprising a pocket formed therein having an inclined surface; a split collet disposed within the pocket, the split collet having a variable inner bore; and a biasing element disposed within the pocket for biasing the split collet toward the inclined surface of the pocket. |
| US07654981B2 |
Removing device for injection needles
A device for removing a needle unit from an injection device, the device for removing including an opening for receiving the needle unit and a locking structure generally associated with the opening, the locking structure formed in at least one rim area along the circumference of the opening, such that the needle unit can be moved in an insertion direction through the opening after it has been inserted into the opening, and when the needle unit is moved counter to the insertion direction, it establishes a locking connection with the locking structure. In one embodiment, the invention includes a container for receiving and containing at least one used needle unit. |
| US07654978B2 |
Emboli protection devices and related methods of use
An evacuation sheath assembly and method of treating occluded vessels which reduces the risk of distal embolization during vascular interventions is provided. The evacuation sheath assembly includes an elongated tube defining an evacuation lumen having proximal and distal ends. A proximal sealing surface is provided on a proximal portion of the tube and is configured to form a seal with a lumen of a guided catheter. A distal sealing surface is provided on a distal portion of the tube and is configured to form a seal with a blood vessel. A method of treatment of a blood vessel using the evacuation sheath assembly includes advancing the evacuation sheath assembly into the blood vessel through a guide catheter. Prior to advancing a device across a stenosis to be treated, normal antegrade blood flow in the blood vessel proximate to the stenosis is stopped. While blood flow is stopped, the stenosis is treated. Retrograde blood flow is induced within the blood vessel to carry embolic material dislodged during treating into the evacuation sheath assembly. |
| US07654977B2 |
Mouth adapter
Mouth adapter (1) for oral administration of a fluid mixture, comprising a generally elongate body (10) having a proximally disposed handle end (12) and a distally disposed outlet end (11); a lumen (15) provided in said body (10) adapted for receiving a syringe (2), said syringe (2) comprising a tip (24) extending from a distal end wall (23); and an outlet (16) in communication with said lumen (15) provided in said outlet end (11), wherein said outlet end (11) has a rounded, smooth and substantially rigid outer surface (50), the mouth adapter (1) being provided with stop means (40, 41, 42, 43) for preventing said tip (24) from extending from the exterior surface of the outlet end (11). |
| US07654975B2 |
Mixed-gas insufflation system
A mixed-gas insufflation system for mixing insufflation gases includes a gas supply providing at least two sources of insufflation gas and a mixer system. The mixer system includes a chamber having at least two inlets and at least one outlet. The at least two inlets of the chamber are in fluid communication with the gas supply. The mixer system mixes the at least two sources of insufflation gas. |
| US07654974B2 |
Recliner spinal traction device
A traction table (200) include a frame having a base-frame portion (202) rotabably coupled to a top-frame portion (250) at a pivot point 214, a seat back portion (208) coupled to the top frame portion, and a seat-bottom (204) slidably coupled to the frame top portion. The seat-bottom can rotate about a pivot point (262) and tilt about at least one axis (260 and/or 264). The seat-bottom can further slide forwards or backwards relative to the top frame portion. The traction table can include an optional neck piece (210) coupled to the top frame portion that can move parallel relative to the seat back portion and constructed to rotate, tilt side to side or forward and backward. The traction table can include at least one actuator motor (245 or 244) for moving the seat-bottom or neck piece relative to the top-frame portion and a controller (212) for controlling such actuator(s). |
| US07654973B2 |
Orthotic bracing device
There is provided a customizable orthotic bracing device, including an exoskeletal quasi-spinal column (12) extendable along the back of a patient and attachable to a body portion of the patient by means of a plurality of belt means (14, 14′) substantially surrounding the body portion at different points thereof, with the quasi-spinal column being comprised of a plurality of stackable and interlinkable segmental units (20), each unit consisting of a number of interlinkable sub-units (22, 24, 26, 28), characterized in that the position of the sub-units relative to one another can be adjusted in at least three degrees of freedom. |
| US07654972B2 |
Spinal orthosis to inhibit kyphosis and to minimize disk disease
In one embodiment, a spinal orthosis includes a shoulder unit comprising a left shoulder portion and a right shoulder portion, a retracting device, a first connector connected to the left shoulder portion at a first end of the first connector and connected to the retracting device at a second end of the first connector, a second connector connected to the right shoulder portion at a first end of the second connector and connected to the retracting device at a second end of the second connector, and a lumbosacral belt attached to the retracting device, the lumbosacral belt being able to be secured to a body. |
| US07654970B2 |
Cervical dilation measurement apparatus
The present invention provides a medical device for measuring cervical dilation, where the medical device is positionable about a hand having first and second fingers, with each finger having a tip and a side surface. The medical device may include a housing, a first extension element movably coupled to the housing, a second extension element movably coupled to the housing, and a dilation indication mechanism to measure a distance between the first and second extension elements. The medical device may also include a first lateral pressure sensor positionable about a side surface of the first finger, a second lateral pressure sensor positionable about a side surface of the second finger, a third pressure sensor positionable about a tip of the first finger, and a fourth pressure sensor positionable about a tip of the second finger. |
| US07654966B2 |
Method and apparatus for monitoring dynamic cardiovascular function using n-dimensional representatives of critical functions
A method, system, apparatus and device for the monitoring, diagnosis and evaluation of the state of a dynamic pulmonary system is disclosed. This method and system provides the processing means for receiving sensed and/or simulated data, converting such data into a displayable object format and displaying such objects in a manner such that the interrelationships between the respective variables can be correlated and identified by a user. This invention provides for the rapid cognitive grasp of the overall state of a pulmonary critical function with respect to a dynamic system. |
| US07654965B2 |
Method and system for processing electrocardiograms
In a method and system for processing an electrocardiogram (ECG), digital ECG data are received. The digital ECG data evinces a plurality of a patient's heartbeats detected during an ECG. Digital annotation data are generated representing marking to be shown on an ECG tracing of the plurality of heartbeats. An annotated ECG tracing image is produced using the digital ECG data and the digital annotation data. |
| US07654963B2 |
Device for visually indicating a blood pressure
An indicator device for visually indicating a pressure of blood inside a blood vessel includes: a body, the body comprising a duct extending in the body and having a sealed proximal end; a distal end portion adapted to be positioned inside the blood vessel and including a liquid inlet opening in fluid communication with the duct; and a window including an at least semi-transparent section configured to enable visual observation of blood entering into the duct via the inlet opening when the inlet opening is located inside the blood vessel. |
| US07654959B2 |
Motion artifact reduction in coherent image formation
The same analytic data is combined in response to different relative phases. The resulting combinations are detected. The combination associated with the maximum magnitude is then selected for further processing. As a result, the complex data is processed across a variety of possible temporal discontinuities using candidate or possible phase shifts. The phase shift with the least cancellation and the associated combination is selected to minimize motion artifact cancellation. |
| US07654956B2 |
Transcutaneous analyte sensor
The present invention relates generally to systems and methods for measuring an analyte in a host. More particularly, the present invention relates to systems and methods for transcutaneous measurement of glucose in a host. |
| US07654955B2 |
Apparatus and methods for assessing metabolic substrate utilization
Apparatus and methods for assessing metabolic substrate utilization are described. In one embodiment, a processor-readable medium includes code to receive data indicative of a plasma glucose concentration, a plasma free fatty acid concentration, and a respiratory quotient of a subject. The processor-readable medium also includes code to calculate, based on the data, respective values of a set of metabolic parameters. The set of metabolic parameters includes a first metabolic parameter and a second metabolic parameter. The value of the first metabolic parameter is indicative of whether the subject has a predisposition towards oxidation of a first type of metabolic substrate or a second type of metabolic substrate, and the value of the second metabolic parameter is indicative of the subject's responsiveness to a change in availability of the first type of metabolic substrate or the second type of metabolic substrate. |
| US07654953B2 |
Universal vaginal speculum with disconnectable blades
A vaginal speculum having a handle portion and a set of blade pairs some of which can be removably attached to the distal end of the handle and others can be slidingly inserted through the proximal end of the handle. Both pairs of the blades have snapping engagement with one and the same locking mechanism of the handle. The handle may constitute a permanent part, and the blades may be replaceable. |
| US07654952B2 |
Videolaryngostroboscope
An innovative one-piece videolaryngostroboscope that provides slow motion visualization and detailed analysis of the vocal cords movements, which are imperceptible to the naked eye due, by means of a video camera with stroboscopic; said apparatus is used to perform examinations in patients, aiming to assess the incidence of larynx cancer. The invention including a processor base; an optics tube with a built-in light sources, a built-in video camera; a microphone, an auxiliary pedal and software. |
| US07654949B2 |
Apparatus, system, and method for creating an individually balanceable environment of sound and light
A system, apparatus, and method are disclosed for therapeutic light and sound, comprising the steps of exposing a user to spectral light and laterally directed sound and adjusting the manner of exposure sufficient to elicit a desired autonomic nervous response. |
| US07654948B2 |
Automated insomnia treatment system
Automated behavioral methods and systems for treating insomnia that use passive means for determining wake/sleep states. |
| US07654946B2 |
Machine for covering packaging boxes
A machine for covering packaging boxes (S) with a sheet (F) comprises at least one presser (10) and one folding blade (11) that move horizontally to apply the edges (L) of a glued sheet (F) to corresponding outside walls (P) of a box (S). The presser (10) and/or the blade (11) are adjustable in angular position with respect to one or more axes of rotation. |
| US07654944B1 |
Foldable exercise bench system
A base has a primary leg with a rear cross bar positionable on the ground. The primary leg has a raised forward end. The base has a secondary leg with a front cross bar positionable on the ground. The secondary leg is pivotably coupled to the primary leg. A seat rest is secured to the upper surface of the primary leg. A back rest is secured to the upper surface of the primary leg. A rearward adjustment assembly includes a pair of parallel adjustment bars with an upper pivot tube. The upper pivot tube pivotally couples the upper ends of the adjustment bars to the back rest. A slider is slidable along the primary leg. The adjustment bars are coupled to the slider beneath the primary tube. The adjustment bars couple the adjustment bars to the slider. In this manner pivoting of the back rest is allowed. |
| US07654942B1 |
Linearly adjustable multi resistance ratio exercise apparatus
A linearly adjustable multi resistance ratio exercise apparatus provides at least two linearly adjustable flexible connector ends which can be pressed or pulled for functional and strength training exercises. The flexible connector ends may be interconnected with resistance wherein the pressing or pulling of one flexible connector end will provide the user a different ratio of resistance than the pressing or pulling of an alternate flexible connector end. The user can select a flexible connector end which will provide less resistance and will provide more flexible connector travel for functional training exercises. The user can select a flexible connector end which will provide more resistance and will provide less flexible connector travel for strength training exercises. Some flexible connector ends may share the same swivel pulley assembly. One handle assembly may be attached to multiple flexible connector ends to obtain additional ratios of resistance. |
| US07654940B2 |
Arm exercise machine with self-aligning pivoting user support
An arm exercise machine for performing isolation arm exercises has a self-aligning pivoting seat or user support on a main frame and an exercise arm for performing biceps curl and/or triceps extension exercises which is linked to the pivoting user support to translate movement of the exercise arm into movement of the user support. The user support is pivotally mounted on the main frame so as to automatically align in order to maintain positioning of the user throughout the exercise motion. |
| US07654938B2 |
Exercise machine with pivoting user support having multiple pivot linkage
An exercise machine has a main frame, a user support frame which supports a user in an exercise position, and a multiple pivot assembly pivotally mounting the user support frame for movement between a start position and an end position. The pivot assembly has multiple pivots which define a theoretical pivot axis of the user support pivotal movement and a vertical gravitational center line which extends through the theoretical pivot axis. The user support frame has at least a primary support and a secondary support for supporting spaced positions on a user's body throughout an exercise movement. A user engagement device is movably mounted relative to the frames for engagement by the user in performing exercises, and a multiple part connecting linkage translates movement of the user engagement device to rotational movement of the user support frame. A load resists movement of at least one of the user support, user engagement device, and connecting linkage. |
| US07654937B2 |
Methods and systems for learning and practicing slalom
Disclosed method and systems for learning and practicing slalom. An example method includes moving the slalomist's feet, skis or board mounted on a movable platform of a slalom simulator, together with the platform relative to a base of the slalom simulator periodically left-right, rotating the slalomist's feet, skis or board together with the platform periodically clockwise-counterclockwise in a plane of a simulated slalom route, wherein said movement and rotation are carried out with unchangeable direction of a longitudinal axis of the slalomist's feet, skis or board relative to the platform, synchronously and with an inclination of the slalomist's feet relative to the plane of the simulated slalom route, reversing said movement and rotation alternatively with the shifting of the initial phases of said motions, and moving the base of the slalom simulator forward along the axis of the simulated slalom route. |
| US07654934B2 |
Locking differential
A differential gear is equipped with a selectively controllable locking device which is self energizing, i.e. it utilizes the differentiation energy to self-lock on its own accord. The control signal is therefore not needed to lock the locking device but rather to selectively, separately for each of the two possible differentiation directions, control it to not lock itself. This gives the differential gear four different working modes. These are: open regardless of differentiation direction; open in one differentiation direction but self-locking in the other direction; open in the other direction but self-locking in the first one; self locking regardless of differentiation direction. A control unit is supplied with sensor data of the present “driving situation”. The control unit has a steering strategy. With the right steering strategy it can regulate the control signal so as to permit the differential gear to equalize the torque at each output shaft for as long as possible but still to practically eliminate the risk of one wheel spin. |
| US07654931B2 |
Method for operating a drive train
A method of operating a drive train of a motor vehicle with a hybrid drive having an internal combustion engine, an electric motor, an automatic transmission. The drive train also having a clutch between the internal combustion engine and the electric motor, and a clutch or a torque converter between the electric motor and the automatic transmission. This arrangement enabling the internal combustion engine to be started by engaging the clutch arranged between the internal combustion engine and the electric motor, when the drive train is powered exclusively by the electric motor. The braking power, generated during an upshift in response to a drop in the rotational speed of the drive train components, is used to start the internal combustion engine, such that the energy required from the electric motor for starting the combustion engine is minimized. |
| US07654929B2 |
Assembly including a planetary pinion carrier and one-way clutch
A planetary gear unit for an automatic transmission includes a pinion carrier including a first disc formed with first holes located radially from an axis joined to a second disc spaced axially from the first disc and formed with second holes, each second hole being aligned with a first hole, a clutch ring contacting the second disc and pinion shafts, each pinion shaft extending axially through one of the first holes and one of the second holes and supporting a pinion thereon. |
| US07654928B2 |
Continuously variable planetary gear set
A continuously variable planetary gear set is described having a generally tubular idler, a plurality of balls distributed radially about the idler, each ball having a tiltable axis about which it rotates, a rotatable input disc positioned adjacent to the balls and in contact with each of the balls, a rotatable output disc positioned adjacent to the balls opposite the input disc and in contact with each of the balls such that each of the balls makes three-point contact with the input disc, the output disc and the idler, and a rotatable cage adapted to maintain the axial and radial position of each of the balls, wherein the axes of the balls are oriented by the axial position of the idler. |
| US07654925B2 |
Tension-reducing random sprocket
A sprocket is provided having a plurality of teeth around its circumference. Adjacent teeth are separated by roots each having a root radius defined as the distance between the center of the sprocket and a point along the root closest to the sprocket center in a radial direction. In one aspect of the invention, the sprocket comprises at least two different root radii arranged in a pattern effective to redistribute tensions imparted to a chain by the sprocket at one or more predetermined sprocket orders. |
| US07654923B2 |
Readily extendible telescopic lifting system
By providing a plurality of cylindrically shaped tube members nested together in coaxially aligned relationship, with each tube member being connected to a separate and independent control segment, with the control segments being constructed for raising and lowering the associated tube segment, an easily produced, reliable, dependable, and highly portable telescopically extendable and retractable multi-element system is realized. In the preferred embodiment, each control segment incorporates a separate endless loop drive belt which is cooperatively associated with a pair of pulleys mounted at opposed ends of the segment. Furthermore, each control segment is interconnected to the endless loop drive belt of an adjacent segment for causing all of the segments to move simultaneously in response to the initial movement of a first control segment. |
| US07654922B2 |
Sports ball comprising automatic inflation means and method to manage the internal pressure of such a ball
Sports ball, and more generally a pneumatic object with at least one internal pressure sensor (10) of said ball, automatic inflator (6), capable of compensating for a decrease in the internal pressure, this inflator having at least one gas micro-generator, said at least one micro-generator being capable of being actuated when the pressure sensor (10) measures an internal pressure below a predetermined threshold. |
| US07654921B2 |
Baseball batting training aid
A batting training aid and method of use to improve baseball players' batting stance and swinging motion. The stance is characterized by a high center of gravity, erect posture with one leg forward, and the other backward. The proper swinging motion is around a vertical axis. The batting training aid comprises: a waist belt; an anklet; a stirrup attached to the anklet; a strap connected at one end to the belt and at the other to the anklet. The length of the strap is adjusted to a predetermined length set to the maximum separation between the back ankle and the waist and configured to force players into the proper batting stance and proper swinging motion. The method of use comprises adjusting the length of strap; adopting batting stance; batting at ball; sensing a tug between the waist and the ankle; and correcting the batting stance to eliminate the tug. |
| US07654918B2 |
Multi-layer core golf ball having thermoset rubber cover
An all rubber golf ball with one or more thermosetting rubber core layers and one or more thermosetting rubber cover layer. At least one of the ball's layers has moisture vapor barrier property, and in one aspect the moisture vapor barrier layer is an intermediate layer. In one embodiment, the thermosetting rubber layers follow a cis- or a trans-polybutadiene gradient from the center of the ball to its cover. |
| US07654917B2 |
Golf balls having a low modulus HNP layer and a high modulus HNP layer
The present invention is directed to golf balls consisting of a multi-layer core and a cover. The multi-layer core consists of a small, hard center enclosed by a soft intermediate core layer and an outer core layer. The multi-layer core includes at least one layer formed from a low modulus HNP composition and at least one layer formed from a high modulus HNP composition. |
| US07654910B2 |
Maze device
Disclosed is a multi-modular maze device comprising a plurality of maze modules interconnected using a plurality of adaptors to configure a plurality of interconnected pathways. The maze modules and the adaptors are removably engaged to each other using hook and loop fastening arrangements. The maze device is capable of being removably installed on a supporting surface (for example, floor), either outdoor or indoor. |
| US07654909B2 |
Hybrid fastening system
A hybrid fastening system comprising a female fastener component, i.e., swage collar, fabricated from a titanium or titanium-alloy material, preferably Ti-3Al-2.5V, and a mating titanium or titanium-alloy material male fastener component, i.e., threaded pin, each preferably pre-coated with an organic coating material comprising an organic, phenolic resin. The threaded pin component is installed through two or more structural components to be joined. The swage collar component is then deformed or swaged onto the threads of the pre-coated threaded pin component to achieve the same, if not improved, fastener/joint performance characteristics of existing lockbolt systems using aluminum-alloy material swage collar components. |
| US07654907B2 |
Apparatus for damping the torsional excitation of a drive shaft
In one aspect, an apparatus for damping the torsional excitation of a drive shaft is provided. The apparatus includes: a member secured to one end of the drive shaft and extending along the drive shaft; and damping means secured to the other end of the drive shaft for damping vibration of the end of the member remote from the securing of the member to the one end of the drive shaft. A hydraulic circuit for damping the vibration of a component in a first dimension, the circuit including: a pair of hydraulic cylinders disposed so that the actions of the pistons of the cylinders oppose one another in the first dimension, the pistons communicating with the component; and a fluid flow path between the cylinders, vibration of the component in the first dimension causing fluid flow between the cylinders to damp the vibration. |
| US07654905B2 |
Video gaming device with pivotally mounted printer module
A video gaming device includes a games console. The games console includes a disc reader module configured to load a game stored on a disc. A printer module is pivotally mounted relative to the disc reader module and is configured to print game information on print media. A controller module is configured to be engaged, in a releasable manner, with the printer module. The controller module is also configured to communicate wirelessly with the games console to enable control of the games console. |
| US07654899B2 |
Wagering game with simulated mechanical reels
A gaming machine for playing a wagering game includes a housing having a display region, a controller for conducting the wagering game, and a video projector coupled to the controller. The display region includes a plurality of projection surfaces secured to floating screen assemblies. The video projector simulates mechanical reels of a slot machine in the display region. The video projector displays images of a plurality of symbols that indicate a randomly selected outcome of said wagering game. The images are projected onto the projection surfaces within the display region. |
| US07654895B2 |
Gaming machine with expandable array
A slot-type gaming machine using an expandable symbol array to create a series of sequentially larger symbol arrays with the potential for additional or enhanced awards. The generation of the larger arrays can be performed through a variety a different mechanisms, such as the addition of a reel to the base array. The secondary arrays may be generated only under specific sets of circumstances that occur in the base array including, a winning pay line, the occurrence of a bonus triggering symbol, etc. To increase player interest in the game, some embodiments include allowing the player to determine where the additional symbols to create the larger array are placed in the base array. |
| US07654892B2 |
Tailings re-thresher deflector
A re-threshing system for a combine includes a delivery mechanism for transporting tailings from the cleaning section of the combine to a re-threshing apparatus and a bypass that can be used to bypass the tailings around the re-threshing apparatus. The re-threshing apparatus includes a re-threshing housing that at least partially surrounds a re-threshing rotor. The rotor and housing have cooperating threshing elements that act to re-thresh the tailings delivered into the housing and deliver the re-threshed tailings out of a housing outlet into a discharge passage to be directed to the cleaning section of the combine harvester. The delivery mechanism is configured to throw or fling the tailings into an inlet opening of the housing in a direction substantially tangential to the rotor rotating direction. To bypass the re-threshing apparatus, a deflector can be deployed to block the inlet opening and deflect the tailings into a bypass passage that is open to the discharge passage. |
| US07654891B2 |
Coin feeding device for adjusting to different size coins
The present invention provides a coin feeding device that can separate coins of multiple denominations that are different in diameter. A rotary disk has a circular base plate and a pushing out disk with a plurality of space radial projecting portions extending above the circular base plate. The spaces between the radial projecting portions form coin separating concave portions for receiving coins. The circular base plate can have cam grooves. A pivoting moving body can be driven by the cam grooves and can be positioned at either a radially inward surface of the separating concave portion or extended forward to discharge a coin. One side of the separating concave portions are curved as a coin pushing portion while the other side has a protruding portion that is cantilevered to extend into the concave portion and to project upward to remove any extraneous coin that may be carried by movement of the rotary disk. |
| US07654888B2 |
Carrier head with retaining ring and carrier ring
A carrier head that has a housing, a base assembly, a retaining ring, a carrier ring, and a flexible membrane is described. The base assembly is vertically movable relative to the housing. The retaining ring is connected to and vertically movable relative to the base assembly and has a lower surface configured to contact a polishing pad and an inner surface configured to circumferentially surround the edge of a substrate to retain the substrate. The carrier ring is connected to and vertically fixed relative to the base assembly, circumferentially surrounds the retaining ring to prevent lateral motion of the retaining ring, and has a bottom surface configured to contact a polishing pad. |
| US07654887B2 |
Vacuum chuck and suction board
The vacuum chuck according to the present invention is provided with a sucking plate for sucking and holding an object to be sucked, in which a sucking layer made of a porous ceramic and a dense material layer are integrated, the sucking layer being located on the side for sucking the object to be sucked, wherein the dense material layer is formed by impregnating the porous ceramic with a metal. |
| US07654871B2 |
Electrical connector with additional mating port
An electrical connector includes an electrical receptacle and an electrical plug for mating with the electrical receptacle. The electrical receptacle includes a first port, a second port communicating with the first port. The second port can accommodate a standard B-type USB 2.0 plug. The first and the second ports can be combined to receive the electrical plug for high-speed signal transmission. |
| US07654863B2 |
Electrical connector assembly
An electrical connector assembly (100) in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, comprises an electrical connector (200) for connecting an electronic package with a circuit substrate (60) and a connecting device (300) for fixing the electrical connector (200) to the circuit substrate (60). The electrical connector (200) includes a housing assembly (1) with a plurality of contacts (10) received therein. The connecting device (1) includes a first screw (70), a second screw (90) and a nut (80) connecting the first screw (70) and the second screw (90). The nut (80) connecting with the first screw (70) makes the first screw (70) securely located on the housing assembly (1) and prevents the first screw (70) losing in the transportation. |
| US07654858B2 |
Indicator light for connector
An illuminated connector for a device output may be used as a status indicator, showing various states of the output, including output on, proper functioning, and improper functioning. The illumination may be provided through a face of the physical connector, around a periphery of the connector, or proximate to the connector. Various colors and sequence of illuminations may communicate various states. The illuminator may be used to indicate the status of a wireless version of the same type of output of the connector. |
| US07654850B2 |
Shielded locking electrical connector
An electrical connector connects to a mating connector in a first direction. The electrical connector includes a housing, a plurality of terminals, a terminal arrangement board made of an electrical insulator for aligning and holding the terminals, and a metal plate attached to the housing at a position facing both surfaces of the terminal arrangement board for connecting to the mating connector. The metal plate has a lock portion at a position facing one surface of the terminal arrangement board. The lock portion engages a latch portion of the mating connector in the first direction when the electrical connector is connected to the mating connector. The metal plate has an elastic pressing portion at a position facing the other surface of the terminal arrangement board. The elastic pressing portion presses the mating connector in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction when the electrical connector is connected to the mating connector. |
| US07654845B2 |
Contacting plug-and-socket connection with contact force independent of contact carrier thickness
Disclosed is a contacting connector (53) comprising a contacting plug (25) and a contacting socket (97) which is assigned, preferably joined in a defined position, to a contact carrier (17), particularly a printed board (16). The contacting plug (25) is fitted with at least one contact element (58) while the contact carrier (17) is provided with at least one contact surface (127), preferably a land (126) or a strip conductor. A receiving direction (a) that corresponds to a plug-in direction is defined between the contacting plug (25) and the contact carrier (17) while the contact element (58) lies on the contact carrier (17) with a certain contact force (FK). The inventive contacting connector (53) is characterized in that the contact force (FK) is independent of a force (F) acting between the contacting socket (97) and the contact carrier (17). |
| US07654844B1 |
Telescopic power connector
A power supply module configured for removable insertion into a power supply bay of an electronic system. A telescopic power connector disposed within the power supply housing includes a plurality of internal fixed contacts in electrical communication with an electrical socket and a movable member carrying a plurality of elongate sliding contacts in sliding contact with the internal fixed contacts. The movable member is movable generally perpendicular to an insertion direction of the power supply housing. A mechanical actuator is configured for moving the movable member of the telescopic power connector into connection with an external power connector, such as on a motherboard, so that ends of the sliding contacts are moved into electrical connection with terminals on the external power connector while remaining in sliding contact with the internal fixed contacts. |
| US07654842B2 |
Electrical or optical or hydraulic connector that self-aligns the plug with respect to the base, particularly for offshore connections
The invention pertains to an electrical, optical or hydraulic connector (1) equipped with an electrical, optical or hydraulic plug, respectively, intended to be connected to an electrical, optical or hydraulic base, that self-aligns the plug (3) relative to the base (5), particularly for “offshore” connections, in which the plug (3) and the base (5) are attached to respective support parts (11, 7) intended to be positioned with respect to one another in order to approximately align the plug (3) and the base (5) in order to connect said plug and base to one another, characterized in that it has a mechanical driving mechanism (19) enabling the plug (3) or the base (5) to move forward or backward, in order to be connected into the base (5) or the plug (3), respectively, and a self-aligning mechanism (17) for the plug (3) or the base (5) relative to the base (5) or the plug (3), respectively. |
| US07654837B2 |
Chip card holder and portable electronic device using same
An exemplary chip card holder (100) used in a portable electronic device for holding a chip card (50) is provided. The chip card holder includes a housing member (10), a holding member (20), and a driving member (30). The holding member is fixed to the housing member for receiving and holding the chip card. The driving member is movable relative to the housing member and the holding member for moving the chip card from either of a released position and a holding position to the other of the holding position and released position. |
| US07654835B1 |
Electrical connector
An electrical connector includes a housing having a plurality of terminals received within and a shell encircling the housing therein. The shell has a mating opening at one end thereof. A dustproof cover is assembled in the shell and positioned between the mating opening and the housing to perform anti-dust function. The dustproof cover has an insulator and a metal sheet combined with the insulator to strengthen the structure of the dustproof cover. The dustproof cover is of enough intensity and is not prone to deformation in use and therefore offers fully anti-dust function for the electrical connector. |
| US07654832B2 |
Double-row angle pin connector
A double-row angle pin connector is provided for a patch plug that has an insertion direction that is parallel to the printed circuit board. The angle pin connector comprises angle pins (8) arranged in two rows in an inner, patch plug-side row (12) as well as in an outer row (13). The angle pins (8) have printed circuit board-side soldered ends (6) and patch plug-side plugged ends (5). The angle pin connector furthermore includes a housing bottom (14) and a housing cover (15) for fixing the angle pins (8). The soldered ends (6) arranged in the patch plug-side row (12) are fixed between the housing bottom (14) and the housing cover (15) by housing support straps (17) bent during the mounting of the housing. The arrangement provides reliably operating multi-pole patch plugs, without angle plugs with a separate extrusion coating, whereby installation space and costs can thus be saved. |
| US07654826B2 |
Three-dimensional cartographic user interface system
A three-dimensional cartographic computer user interface system for enhancing geo-spatial comprehension and geographic information system user interactivity is disclosed. The system has at least one computer and operating system, user input means, and at least one positionable projection display means, including storage, retrieval and playback control means for the projected content. The system has user input device software responsive to input from at least one user input device which is operable on a three-dimensional user interface surface of the system, and software for the display and control of cartographic-related projected imagery, and software for the display and control of three-dimensional user interface-related content superimposed within the cartographic-related projected imagery. The system includes at least one cartographic map having at least one surface portion which is three-dimensionally shaped to represent topographic terrain of at least one geographical location and optionally includes a substantially planar surface onto which cartographic-related content is projected. |
| US07654824B2 |
Extension piece for a dental implant, transfer aid for transferring the position of an implant and of an extension piece, and method for producing a basis for a retention element
An extension piece (2) for a dental implant (1) has a head part (20) which serves as a basis for a retention element (7). The extension piece (2) can be screwed in the dental implant (1) with a threaded stem (29). The extension piece (2) is provided with a reference surface (24) via which the position of the extension piece (2) in the circumferential direction can be transferred to a transfer aid (4) having a transfer surface (42) shaped to complement the reference surface (24). The position of the extension piece (2) is transferred via the transfer aid (4) into an impression (93). The extension piece (2) is then provided with a manipulation implant (5) and is repositioned in the impression (93). From this, a working model (M) is formed in which the desired shape of the extension piece (2) can be defined. The extension piece (2) which has been machined to the desired shape is then screwed into the implant (1) with the same torque as is used for taking the impression. |
| US07654823B2 |
Method and device for determining position of dental implants
An accessory for use in aiding an oral surgeon to determine the optimum position and angle for a dental implant to be installed in a bone includes a probe assembly having one or more pairs of probe members pivotally mounted to each other about a pivot axis at their centers. Each pair of probe members is configured and dimensioned such that one end of the pair on one side of the pivot axis serves as a probe end to straddle the bone with their tips contacting the bone at opposed contact points thereon, and the opposite end of the pair on the opposite side of the pivot axis serves as a guide end in which the tips of the probe members are automatically located to indicate the thickness of the bone at the pair of opposed contact points. Also described are a kit including a plurality of such accessories, a tool for manually applying such accessories, and a method of using such accessories for use in determining the optimum position and angle for a dental implant. |
| US07654822B2 |
Candle assembly including a fuel element with a locating recess and a melting plate with a locating protrusion
A melting plate candle assembly includes a melting plate with a locating protrusion, which engages a fuel element in a predefined orientation when in a preferred operative position. In one operative position, the bottom surface of the fuel element is disposed on the melting plate, and a capillary space is formed between a capillary pedestal on the melting plate and a capillary recess in the bottom surface of the fuel element. The locating protrusion provides positive indication that the fuel element is properly disposed in the operative position. |
| US07654821B2 |
Flint ignited premixed lighter
A lighter includes a butane fuel reservoir, a valve, a mixer with a choke, a movable combustion space and movable top door over the combustion space which interact to allow a wheel and flint igniter to initiate a post mix flame above the top of the combustion space followed by the opening of the top and migration of the flame into the combustion space to create a strong torch-like premixed flame thereafter. |
| US07654811B2 |
Mold for manufacturing a tube by extraction
A mold equipped with a core having a plurality of branching columnar distal portions in the extrusion direction and a die having an aperture surrounding the distal portions. A softened flexible resin is injected from one end of a resin flow path formed between the core and the die and extruded in order to form a pipe material having a plurality of circular liquid flow paths which are mutually independent and have the same inner diameter. The distal portions of the core shaped as a row of circular distal portions aligned on the same axis, where the two edge distal portions have a smaller diameter than the distal portions disposed between the edge distal portions, while the portions of the aperture surrounding each of the distal portions have the same diameter. |
| US07654810B2 |
Injection molding machine which carries out controlling of closing operation of a check ring
While a check ring of a screw of an injection molding machine is in open state, an absolute value (|Δ resin pressure/Δ rotation amount|) of a variation of a resin pressure per unit variation of the screw reverse rotation becomes greater than a predetermined reference value. However, after the check ring is closed, |Δ resin pressure/Δ rotation amount| becomes equal to or less than the reference value. From this, detecting if the |Δ resin pressure/Δ rotation amount| during reverse rotation of the screw, it is possible to determine that the check ring is closed or not. As a result, it is possible to obtain a screw reverse rotation amount which is optimal for reliably closing the check ring. |
| US07654807B2 |
Method and system for generating foam for the manufacture of gypsum products
A method for generating foam for gypsum product manufacturing includes injecting water through a conduit and injecting a foaming agent through the conduit to form a first solution comprising the water and the foaming agent. The method includes straining the first solution in the conduit and injecting air through the conduit to form a second solution comprising the water, the foaming agent and the air. The method also includes straining the second solution in the conduit to form foam and communicating the foam to a gypsum product manufacturing device. |