| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08098319B2 |
Portable electronic device having high-resolution camera with tunable sensor auto focus
To improve the consumer experience with portable electronic devices, a high-resolution digital camera function is incorporated into a multifunction portable electronic device. In exemplary embodiments, a clamshell portable electronic device, such as a mobile telephone, is provided with a digital camera/video function. The lens of the camera/video function is separated from an image sensor in a manner such that the two are not linearly aligned. Light coming through the lens is reflected by a reflective element, such as prism, onto the image sensor. The sensor is movable relative to a fixed position of the prism to provide an auto focus feature. In an exemplary embodiment, the sensor is movable along a portion of the width of the portable electronic device, the width being substantially greater in distance than the thickness of one of the clamshell portions. In this manner, the width of the portable electronic provides a greater distance available for the focal length than in the typical configuration, in which the lens and image sensor are linearly aligned within a clamshell portion. By increasing the focal length, higher resolution can be obtained. |
| US08098318B2 |
Video reproduction apparatus, digital camera, semiconductor integrated circuit, and method for video reproduction
The decode control unit (103) has control over a video decode unit (101) so as to cause the video decode unit (101), which decoded images obtained from respective normal coded data items and high-speed coded data items, to start decoding of some of the normal coded data items with timings which are ahead of predetermined timings so that the video decode unit (101) starts decoding of the beginning one of the high-speed coded data items with a timing which is ahead of a predetermined timing by a period of time necessary for the display unit (105) to display the images sequentially. |
| US08098316B2 |
Multiple output charge-coupled devices
An image sensor includes a plurality of pixels overlaid with a color filter pattern of at least two colors having the same color on every other pixel in one direction; three or more charge-coupled devices oriented parallel to the every other pixel color filter repeat pattern; a charge sensing amplifier at the output of at least two of the charge couple devices; each charge-coupled device having a first and a second gate; a CCD-to-CCD transfer gate connecting adjacent charge-coupled devices with the first gate being on one side of the CCD-to-CCD transfer gate and the second gate being on the opposite side of the CCD-to-CCD transfer gate; all CCD-to-CCD transfer gates are electrically connected together; all first gates are electrically connected; and all second gates are electrically connected. |
| US08098310B2 |
Imaging apparatus and image signal processing method
An imaging apparatus includes an imaging device, an imaging device deriving unit and a signal processing unit. Pixels of the imaging device include a first pixel group and a second pixel group. The imaging device driving unit exposes the first pixel group during a first exposure period, exposes the second pixel group during a second exposure period, and reads first image data captured by the first pixel group and second image data captured by the second pixel group separately. The signal processing unit performs image processing for the first and second image data. A first shooting mode and a second shooting mode are provided. In the first shooting mode, the signal processing unit performs the image processing for the first and second image data separately to generate two pieces of subject image data. In the second shooting mode, the signal processing unit combines the first and second image data. |
| US08098308B2 |
Image processing device and computer-readable storage medium
An image processing device that processes an image signal in which at least one of a predetermined plural number of color signals intended to constitute the image signal in each pixel is missing in accordance with a pixel position comprises: a component separation unit that separates the color signal into a plurality of components including a first component U, which is a skeleton component, and a second component V obtained from the residual difference between the color signal and the first component; a first interpolation unit that interpolates the first component U such that the first component U in a pixel position in which the color signal is missing is interpolated; and a second interpolation unit that interpolates the second component V such that the second component V in a pixel position in which the color signal is missing is interpolated. |
| US08098307B2 |
Imaging device and imaging method
According to an aspect of an embodiment, an imaging device has a black level reference generator for generating a reference value of a black level by calculating an average value of the accumulated pixel values for which the maximum values and/or minimum values has been replaced by the compensational pixel values, and an output compensator for compensating an output from the light sensitive pixels with the reference value of the black level. |
| US08098306B2 |
Phase adjustment device, phase adjustment method and digital camera
A brightness level detector detects a brightness level of the digital imaging signal for each of the plurality of pixels. A shading detector sets a group of pixel regions distant from each other in a horizontal direction in the imaging element and then detects whether or not shadings are generated in the analog imaging signal based on a difference between the brightness levels of the group of pixel regions. A timing adjuster adjusts a phase of a peak sample pulse for detecting a peak level of the analog imaging signal, a phase of a reference sample pulse for detecting a signal level used as a reference in the correlated double sampling executed when the digital imaging signal is generated and a phase of a horizontal transfer pulse in the imaging element based on outputs of the brightness level detector and the shading detector. |
| US08098302B2 |
Stain detection system
An image pickup unit that does not have a movable system and is fixed at one point picks up an image. A subject region extraction unit detects a subject in the image, extracts a region of the subject, and generates a region extraction image. A region extraction image storage unit holds a plurality of recent region extraction images. Then, a stain level calculation unit compares the held region extraction images for each pixel, and increases a value of the stain level of a pixel when it is highly probable that a stain is present on the pixel, and vise versa. The subject region extraction and the stain level calculation are performed each time an image is picked up, and the value is updated. A stain determination unit outputs whether or not a stain is present and the degree that the stain is present on the basis of the value. |
| US08098300B2 |
Multi-band image photographing method and apparatus, and program for executing the method
The multi-band image photographing method and apparatus photograph a subject by dividing a photographing wavelength region into plural bands and obtain spectral images of the subject corresponding to the respective divided plural bands. The method and apparatus detect a sensitivity balance among the respective plural bands from photographing data of each of the spectral images obtained by preliminary photographing performed prior to main photographing, determine photographing conditions for the respective plural bands based upon the detected sensitivity balance, and perform the main photographing in accordance with the determined photographing conditions to photograph a multi-band image. The program is used to cause a computer to execute this method or part thereof. |
| US08098296B2 |
Image display system
An image display system, including a display unit, a memory device configured to memorize a plurality of image data, and a mode switching device configured to set a one coma-reproduction mode and a division-reproduction mode selectively, and a display part provided in the display unit, the display part being configured to display at a time one image datum memorized in the memory device when the mode switching device is in the one coma-reproduction mode, and a plurality of image data memorized in the memory device when the mode switching device is in the division-reproduction mode, at a time, and the display part being configured to display at a time a plurality of image data in accordance with a predetermined condition in the division-reproduction mode. |
| US08098293B2 |
Image extraction device, image extraction method, image processing device, image processing method, and imaging device
An image extracting apparatus is provided which can automatically finish a captured image of a person to provide an easy-to-view picture. It includes an image input unit supplied with a captured color image of the person to output it as digital data, a flesh-color region extraction unit supplied with the digital image data to detect a flesh-color region in the image, an object-image detection unit to detect an object image from the detected flesh-color region, and a trimming unit to trim the detected object image. On the assumption that a region extending from the top end of a certificate picture to the head top of a person is an overhead region A, a region extending from the head top to the jaw is a face region B and a region extending from the jaw to the bottom end of the certificate picture is a chest region C, the trimming unit trims the image so that the dimensional ratio between these regions A, B and C is 1:0.4 to 0.8:0.1 to 0.26. |
| US08098292B2 |
Method of capturing still image during capture of moving image and image capture apparatus
According to an electronic camera capable of capturing a still image during capturing of a moving image, by storing the zoom lens position information at that time when capturing of the moving image is temporarily stopped for capturing of the still image and using the field angle information or the like recorded after capturing of the still image is terminated, the zoom lens can be automatically returned to the original zoom position so as to prevent the generation of an uncomfortable feeling between the moving image before capturing of the still image and the moving image of which capturing is restarted just after termination of the still image capturing. |
| US08098290B2 |
Multiple camera system for obtaining high resolution images of objects
A system and corresponding method for image acquisition are provided, the system including a processor, an imaging adapter in signal communication with the processor for receiving image data from each of a static imaging device and a dynamic imaging device, and a homography unit in signal communication with the processor for computing a planar homography between the static and dynamic image data; and the method including receiving an image from a static imaging device, receiving an image from a dynamic imaging device, and registering the dynamic image to the static image using planar homography. |
| US08098289B2 |
Micro-optical image stabilizer
The optical image stabilizer includes a substrate, a carrier movably disposed above the substrate for carrying an image sensor, an anchor fixed above the substrate, a conducting pad fixed above the anchor for coupling an image processing circuit, a flexible suspension disposed between the conducting pad and the carrier, a conducting line disposed above the flexible suspension coupled to the conducting pad and protruding over the carrier for coupling the image sensor, and a micro-actuator disposed between the substrate and the carrier for adjusting the position of the carrier according to control signals from an actuator control circuit. |
| US08098288B2 |
Imaging apparatus and method of controlling imaging
In an imaging apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention, three images are picked up by a CCD having a color filter, and thirteen images are picked up by a CMOS having no color filter. Three of thirteen images are picked up at the same timing as by the CCD. A motion vector data between the images is calculated from the thirteen image data of the CCD. Further, the motion vector data is integrated to calculate motion vector data between a previous pickup image and a present pickup image, and motion vector data between the present pickup image and a following pickup image. A predicted image of the present pickup image is generated from the motion vector data, the previous pickup image, and the following pickup image. A weighted average is calculated between the predicted image and the present pickup image, which are synthesized into an image having decreased hand jiggling. |
| US08098284B2 |
Method of manufacturing camera module
A measuring device includes an actuator which holds a lens unit and moves the lens unit in the direction of the optical axis thereof. A test chart is photographed, with the lens unit being opposed to a reference image pickup device, and the lens unit is positioned at a just-focus position. The gap between the reference image pickup device and the lens unit at this time is reproduced, and an image pickup device, which is to be integrated, and the lens unit are opposed with this gap, and are fixed. |
| US08098282B2 |
Privacy zone algorithm for ptz dome cameras
The present invention advantageously provides a means by which the privacy zone on a PTZ camera can be maintained so that an object in the camera's sight is always masked or covered. An algorithm which remembers the defined privacy zones as an area in space marked by four rays touching the four corners of the marked zone and having absolute Pan, Tilt angular coordinates is presented. The privacy zone is initially defined by a rectangle on the screen with known pixel co-ordinates which are translated into angular coordinates. Then, when the camera moves and prepares to display a new screen, the privacy zone is superimposed on the object to be masked. Locating the object and displaying its privacy zone is done by translating the absolute angular coordinates of the original privacy zone into pixel coordinates. Additionally, multiple privacy zones can be displayed on one camera screen. |
| US08098279B2 |
Imaging apparatus and microscope
Providing an imaging apparatus and a microscope capable of taking two-dimensional images of a sample at a plurality of observation positions different in the optical axis direction at the same time. The apparatus includes an image-forming lens 15 that forms images of a sample 4 on a plurality of image-forming places; an optical-path-dividing member 17, 18, 19 that divides an optical path from the same area in a plane perpendicular to an optical axis of the sample 4 so as to form the plurality of image-forming places; and an optical-path-length-changing member 27, 28, 29 that is provided on at least one optical path between the plurality of image-forming places and the imaging lens 15. |
| US08098278B2 |
Optical image measurement device
A fundus oculi observation device 1 splits a low-coherence light L0 into a signal light LS and a reference light LR, generates an interference light LC from the signal light LS propagated through an eye E and the reference light LR propagated through a reference mirror 174 to detect the interference light LC and, based on the result of the detection, forms a tomographic image of a fundus oculi Ef. The device 1 includes a scan unit 141 configured to scan with the signal light LS, and an LCD and optical system that present a fixation target. The device 1 acquires an image of the fundus oculi Ef in a state that scan a fixation target is presented while scanning with the signal light LS, and based on the image, determines whether fixation is proper or not. |
| US08098277B1 |
Systems and methods for communication between a reactive video system and a mobile communication device
Systems and methods are provided for communication between a reactive video engine and a mobile communication device. In a system according to one embodiment, a reactive video engine is coupled to a communication interface. The communication interface is configured to facilitate communication with the reactive video engine and a mobile communication device. |
| US08098272B2 |
Commercial product routing system with video vending capability
A traffic control system selectively interfaces members of plural groups, as buyer groups and vendor groups, for video communication through a dial-up telephone system, for analyzing and compiling data, scheduling appointments, implementing conferences, consummating sales and the like. The traffic-control system comprises a telephonic interface apparatus for interfacing remote telephonic terminals of the dial-up telephone system identified with the members of plural groups, a video recording unit for recording and playing video transcriptions, a storage memory for storing data on the members, including telephonic terminal numbers and area-of-interest codes and a control computer to selectively interconnect the video recording unit with the remote telephone terminals through the telephonic interface apparatus to record and receive video communication. |
| US08098270B2 |
Method of creating a digital mask for flexographic printing elements in situ
A method of creating a digital mask in situ for use in a process of making digital flexographic printing elements. The digital mask is created by laminating the negative image that is the by-product of a thermal proofer to a photosensitive printing plate. Thereafter, the photosensitive printing element can be imaged, exposed, and developed in the usual manner. |
| US08098269B2 |
Print head pulsing techniques for multicolor printers
In one aspect of the invention there is disclosed a multicolor thermal imaging system wherein different heating elements on a thermal print head can print on different color-forming layers of a multicolor thermal imaging member in a single pass. The line-printing time is divided into segments, each of which is divided into a plurality of subintervals. All of the pulses within the segments have the same energy. In one embodiment, every pulse has the same amplitude and duration. Different colors are selected for printing during the different segments by varying the fraction of subintervals that contain pulses. This technique allows multiple colors to be printed using a thermal print head with a single strobe signal line. Pulsing patterns may be chosen to reduce the coincidence of pulses provided to multiple print head elements, thereby reducing the peak power requirements of the print head. |
| US08098266B2 |
Image processing method and image processing apparatus
An image processing method which contains: delivering laser light to a thermoreversible recording medium to heat the medium and record an image thereon, the medium reversibly changing a transparency or tone thereof depending on a temperature thereof; and heating the medium to erase the image recorded thereon, wherein the delivering is carried out using an image processing device containing: a laser light emitting unit; a light scanning unit disposed on a plane onto which laser light emitted from the laser light emitting unit is delivered; a light intensity distribution adjusting unit to change a light intensity distribution of the laser light; and a fθ lens to condense the laser light, and wherein energy of the laser light passing through a peripheric portion of the fθ lens and traveling onto the medium is lower than energy of the laser light passing through a center portion of the fθ lens and traveling onto the medium. |
| US08098260B1 |
Method and apparatus for mapping a multi-dimensional signal from one space to another space
In a method of mapping data from a source space to a target space, a space transformation look-up table (LUT) that contains a plurality of locations storing information is maintained, wherein each of the plurality of locations includes information specifying a function to be evaluated. First data defined according to a multi-dimensional source space is input, and second data defined according to a multi-dimensional target space is generated, by applying information contained in the LUT to the first data. |
| US08098258B2 |
Methods and apparatus for multiple texture map storage and filtering
A method for a computer system including receiving a file comprising textures including a first and a second texture, and metadata, wherein the first texture need not have a predetermined geometric relationship to the second texture, wherein the metadata includes identifiers associated with textures and includes adjacency data, associating the first texture with a first location on an object in response to an identifier associated with the first texture, associating the second texture with a second location on the object in response to an identifier associated with the second texture, determining an edge of the first texture is adjacent to an edge of the second texture in response to the adjacency data, and performing a rendering operation with respect to the first and the second surface on the object to determine rendering data in response to the first texture and to the second texture. |
| US08098256B2 |
Video acquisition with integrated GPU processing
Systems and techniques for processing sequences of video images involve receiving, on a computer, data corresponding to a sequence of video images detected by an image sensor. The received data is processed using a graphics processor to adjust one or more visual characteristics of the video images corresponding to the received data. The received data can include video data defining pixel values and ancillary data relating to settings on the image sensor. The video data can be processed in accordance with ancillary data to adjust the visual characteristics, which can include filtering the images, blending images, and/or other processing operations. |
| US08098255B2 |
Graphics processing system with enhanced memory controller
A graphics system including a custom graphics and audio processor produces exciting 2D and 3D graphics and surround sound. The system includes a graphics and audio processor including a 3D graphics pipeline and an audio digital signal processor. A memory controller performs a wide range of memory control related functions including arbitrating between various competing resources seeking access to main memory, handling memory latency and bandwidth requirements of the resources requesting memory access, buffering writes to reduce bus turn around, refreshing main memory, and protecting main memory using programmable registers. The memory controller minimizes memory read/write switching using a “global” write queue which queues write requests from various diverse competing resources. In this fashion, multiple competing resources for memory writes are combined into one resource from which write requests are obtained. Memory coherency issues are addressed both within a single resource that has both read and write capabilities and among different resources by efficiently flushing write buffers associated with a resource. |
| US08098252B2 |
Parallel video processing architecture
The video data is parallel processed allowing for extremely fast video processing or a greatly reduced clock requirement for the video processing circuit. In operation, each video channel reads from main memory. This allows each video channel to track the laser directly. The Parallel video processor receives non-columnar pixel data, such as rows. The videoprocessor may support printers of any width without significantly increasing the size of the system. |
| US08098251B2 |
System and method for instruction latency reduction in graphics processing
A system, method and apparatus are disclosed, in which an instruction scheduler of a compiler, e.g., a shader compiler, reduces instruction latency based on a determined instruction distance between a dependent predecessor and successor instructions. |
| US08098247B2 |
Systems and methods for geometric data compression and encryption
Systems, methods, and physical computer-readable storage media for performing geometric data compression and geometric data decompression and/or geometric data encryption and geometric data decryption. A virtual geometric compression object is generated within a computer system by defining a plurality of discrete elements arranged in a geometric shape and assigning one or more data bit values to each of the plurality of discrete elements. The virtual geometric compression object is used by the computer system to compress sequences of uncompressed data bits into compression definitions. A compression definition defines a path through the virtual geometric compression object corresponding to a sequence of uncompressed data bits. In a reverse manner, for data decompression, at least a portion of a virtual geometric compression object is generated and a compression definition is used to extract a corresponding sequence of uncompressed data bits from the portion of the virtual geometric compression object. |
| US08098246B2 |
Method and system for providing transparent access to hardware graphic layers
The present invention relates generally to computer graphics, and more specifically to methods of, and systems for, configuring, controlling and accessing multiple hardware graphics layers that are used to compose a single video display. One aspect of the invention is broadly defined as follows: in a computer environment including a software application and an operating system running on a computer, the computer including a graphics card and a video display, the graphics card being operable to render images to the video display, the improvement comprising: the operating system including a universal application programming interface (API) which supports hardware layers on graphics cards; the operating system being operable to: receive draw events via the universal API; determine what hardware layers are available on the graphics card, and what their parameters are; and respond to draw requests from the software application by rendering the draw requests selectively to any of the available hardware layers on the graphics card; whereby the computer environment allows software applications to exploit available hardware layers on the graphics card. |
| US08098243B2 |
Method and apparatus for efficiently handling query for 3D display
A method and apparatus for processing a query required for 3-dimensional (3D) display, for example, a visibility query and a localization query, are provided. The method includes: dividing a 3D space into a plurality of regions; and processing a query in units of divided regions, detecting desired divided regions for processing the query of all the divided regions, and outputting objects included in the detected divided regions, as the result of processing the query. According to the method and apparatus, an entire 3D space is divided into a plurality of regions, and when a query required for 3D display or for running a game using 3D display is processed, a query is made to be processed in units of divided regions, and thus the amount of calculation and time required for processing the query can be reduced. Accordingly, performance of 3D display or the performance of a game using 3D display can be improved. |
| US08098241B2 |
Display device, electronic device, and method of driving display device
A display device is provided having improved reliability compared with the related art. The display device includes, for each pixel: a photo-emission element and a first MOS transistor connected in series between a first power source line and a second power source line; a capacitor connected to be inserted between a gate and a source of the first MOS transistor; and a second MOS transistor connected to be inserted between a signal line to be applied with a image signal voltage and the gate of the first MOS transistor, the second MOS transistor being controlled by a scan signal to change between ON-state and OFF-state, wherein ON-period of the first transistor is established within a period in which the photo-emission element is maintained to an extinction state and the signal line is applied with a voltage having a fixed level independent from the image signal voltage. |
| US08098237B2 |
Stylus for data collection devices
A data collection device having a touch pad, supported by a housing, for receiving input from a stylus having a first end adapted to interact with the touch pad so as to input data through movement of the first end relative to the touch pad and a second end having a light source to illuminate dark areas. The housing is adapted to receive and support the stylus. In an additional embodiment, the stylus is supported by the housing in such a manner as to allow the stylus to project light in a predetermined direction to assist with the illumination of a data source. In another additional embodiment, the housing has contacts that facilitate the provision of power to the stylus for charging a battery in the stylus and/or powering the light source. In yet another embodiment, the light source on the stylus is adapted to be controlled via user interaction with interface elements on the housing, such as keys, buttons, or the touch pad. |
| US08098236B2 |
Touch-sensitive screen with haptic acknowledgement
A touch sensitive screen comprising a display device and a light-permeable, wherein a touch-sensitive arrangement arranged upstream of an image side of the display device at a distance therefrom. The arrangement can be displaced in relation to the display device such that a haptic acknowledgment is generated. The touch-sensitive arrangement forms part of the housing containing the display device, and the housing can be displaced in relation to the display device, by way of the touch-sensitive arrangement. |
| US08098234B2 |
Haptic feedback system with stored effects
A haptic feedback system that includes a controller, a memory coupled to the controller, an actuator drive circuit coupled to the controller, and an actuator coupled to the actuator drive circuit. The memory stores at least one haptic effect that is executed by the controller in order to create a haptic effect. |
| US08098231B2 |
Portable device with versatile keyboard
An apparatus comprising: a display for presenting information to a user; a housing connected to the display for supporting the display; and a keyboard assembly deployable through a sliding connection to the housing, the keyboard assembly deployable in multiple directions, the information presented to the user through the display is oriented based on deployment of the keyboard assembly, direction of deployment of the keyboard assembly, and input from an application resident on the device. The application prescribes the orientation of the information presented on the display to the user in relation to the direction of keyboard assembly deployment. |
| US08098230B2 |
Ground-based haptic interface comprising at least two decoupled rotary finger actuators
A ground-based haptic interface equipped with at least two decoupled rotary finger actuators adapted to be manipulated with the fingertips of a single hand of a user. For each finger actuator, a means are included for measuring the angular position of the actuator or for measuring the torque applied on the axis of rotation of the actuator. Each rotary finger actuator is associated with a control motor adapted to apply, on the axis of rotation of the actuator, a torque that is a function of the angular position of the actuator, or that controls the rotational position of the axis of rotation of the actuator as a function of the torque applied on this axis. The haptic interface can be used as a peripheral of a computer, for example, for interacting with a virtual environment. It can also be applied to the control or manipulation of real objects by being coupled, for example, with a robot or a manipulating arm. The interface also can be telemanipulated. |
| US08098228B2 |
Driving method of electrophoretic display device
A driving method of an electrophoretic display device composed of a pair of substrates with electrophoretic elements, each containing electrophoretic particles, interposed therebetween, first electrodes provided on one substrate of the pair of substrates so as to correspond to pixels, and a second electrode which is provided on the other substrate and is shared by all of the pixels, in which each pixel includes a pixel switching element connected to a scan line and a data line, a memory circuit connected to the pixel switching element, and a switch circuit disposed between the memory circuit and the first electrode, and the switch circuit is connected to a first control line and a second control line, the driving method includes: inputting an image signal to the memory circuit via the pixel switching element; causing the first control line and the second control line to be connected to the first electrode by driving the switch circuit in response to an output from the memory circuit; causing a potential of the second electrode to alternate between a first potential and a second potential in a state in which a potential of the first control line is set to the first potential and a potential of the second control line is set to the second potential; and setting the potential of the first control line to a third potential which is higher than the first potential in an image display step which is performed after the inputting an image signal. |
| US08098222B2 |
Liquid crystal display and display panel thereof
A liquid-crystal-display (LCD) and a display panel thereof are provided. The display panel includes a plurality of pixel row units and a plurality of switch units. Each pixel row unit is connected between a scan line and a potential switch line. The first end of each switch unit receives the common voltage provided by the display panel, and the second end of each switch unit is connected to its corresponding potential switch line. Thus, not only the flicker-noise of the display panel is reduced, but also the display-quality of the LCD is promoted. |
| US08098217B2 |
Driving device and driving method of plasma display panel and plasma display device
Any of first and second sub-field configurations is selected. In the first sub-field configuration, a width of a write pulse of a sub-field with a lowest display luminance is not more than widths of write pulses of the other sub-fields. In the second sub-field configuration, the width of the write pulse of the sub-field with the lowest display luminance is larger than the widths of the write pulses of the other sub-fields. When the first sub-field configuration is selected, a voltage applied to a sustain electrode in a write period of the sub-field with the lowest display luminance is set higher than a voltage applied to the sustain electrode in write periods of the other sub-fields. When the second sub-field configuration is selected, the voltage applied to the sustain electrode in the write period of the sub-field with the lowest display luminance is set to be the same as the voltage applied to the sustain electrode in the write period of any of the other sub-fields. |
| US08098207B1 |
Electronically scanned antenna
An aperture of an antenna for a radar system comprises a first waveguide comprising a first protrusion and a second protrusion, each protrusion extending longitudinally along one side of the first waveguide. The aperture further comprises a second waveguide comprising a third protrusion and a fourth protrusion, each protrusion extending longitudinally along one side of the second waveguide. The first and third protrusions and second and fourth protrusions adjoin to form a radio frequency choke at least partially suppressing cross polarization of radio frequencies between the first and second waveguides. |
| US08098205B2 |
GPS, GSM, and wireless LAN antenna for vehicle applications
A Global Positioning System (GPS), Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), wireless local area network (WLAN) antenna, including a dielectric board including a ground plane; a first antenna trace line disposed on a first portion of the dielectric board and in electrical contact with the dielectric board, the first antenna trace line including at least one first meandered trace for transmitting and receive a WLAN radio frequency signal; a second antenna trace line disposed on a second portion of the dielectric board and in electrical contact with the dielectric board, the second antenna trace line including at least one second meandered trace for transmitting and receiving a GSM radio frequency signal; a GPS antenna for receiving radio frequency signals from at least one global positioning satellite; and a vehicle mountable housing for enclosing the dielectric board, the first antenna trace line, the second antenna trace line, and the GPS antenna. |
| US08098204B2 |
Mobile communication terminal
An antenna element made of an electrically conductive material pattern is printed and formed on a face of a casing made of an electrically nonconductive material having a circuit board housed therein, and the antenna element and the circuit board are electrically connected to each other by a connecting element. |
| US08098201B2 |
Radio frequency identification tag and radio frequency identification tag antenna
An RFID tag includes an antenna and a chip, and the antenna includes a first polygonal dielectric material, first and second microstrip lines partially formed in the first dielectric material, a second polygonal dielectric material stacked on the first dielectric material, and a third microstrip line partially formed in the second dielectric material. According to the present invention, the RFID tag can efficiently receive electromagnetic waves to thereby maximize a readable range. |
| US08098200B1 |
Method and system for locating signal emitters using residual values
A method and system determine a location of an emitter using at least three sensors, each receiving a signal from the emitter. Cross-correlation data is determined for the received signals at sensor pairs, and one or more peaks are identified in the cross-correlation data. A likelihood function is determined for each sensor pair. A total likelihood function is determined for the sensors using the likelihood functions for each sensor pair, and the location of the emitter is determined as the point where the total likelihood function is maximized. The individual likelihood function for each sensor pair can be determined by selecting, at each point in a grid, a peak in the cross-correlation data that generates a minimum residual according to a minimum residual criterion, and using the selected peak in the cross-correlation data for each point in the grid to calculate the likelihood function. |
| US08098197B1 |
System and method for providing hybrid global positioning system/height of burst antenna operation with optimizied radiation patterns
The present invention is a device which includes an antenna and circuitry. The antenna may receive a circularly-polarized signal as first and second linearly-polarized signals. The circuitry is connected to the antenna and is configured for combining the first and second linearly-polarized signals to produce at least two reception patterns. The reception patterns are created by summing the first and second linearly-polarized signals via phase shifting. The reception patterns are optimized for at least two substantially different directional orientations. Further, the antenna may simultaneously allow/provide spec-compliant Global Positioning System operation and spec compliant Height of Burst operation. |
| US08098196B2 |
Time-compressed clutter covariance signal processor
The time compression processor coding methodology gives rise to an exceedingly fast clutter covariance processor compressor (CCPC). The CCPC includes a look up memory containing a very small number of predicted clutter covariances (PCCs) that are suitably designed off-line (e.g., in advance) using a discrete number of clutter to noise ratios (CNRs) and shifted antenna patterns (SAPs), where the SAPs are mathematical computational artifices not physically implemented. The on-line selection of the best PCC is achieved by investigating for each case, e.g., each range bin, the actual CNR, as well as the clutter cell centroid (CCC), which conveys information about the best SAP to select. The advanced CCPC is a ‘lossy’ processor coder that inherently arises from a novel practical and theoretical foundation for signal processing, namely, processor coding, that is the time compression signal processing dual of space compression source coding. |
| US08098195B2 |
Pulse transmitters having multiple outputs in phase relationship and methods of operation
A transmitter provides a plurality of output signals. The transmitter includes a processor, a modulator, a first circuit, and a second circuit. The modulator provides a modulated signal responsive to the processor. The modulated signal includes an amplitude modulated radio frequency for transmitting a pulse. The first circuit provides a first output signal, responsive to and with higher power than the modulated signal. The first output signal has a first phase during transmitting of the pulse. The second circuit provides a second output signal, responsive to and with higher power than the modulated signal. The second output signal has a second phase during transmitting of the pulse. The second phase is controlled by the second circuit in accordance with the first phase, the second phase, and indicia of a third phase provided by the processor. |
| US08098193B2 |
Digitally controlled UWB millimeter wave radar
An ultra wide band (UWB) millimeter (mm) wave radar system includes a signal source having a control input, a GHz signal output and a frequency controlled output. A control loop is coupled between the GHz signal output and the control input including a frequency divider and a digitally controlled PLL that provides a locked output coupled to the control input of the signal source to provide frequency locked output signals that are discrete frequency swept or hopped. A frequency multiplier is coupled to the frequency controlled output of the signal source for outputting a plurality of mm-wave frequencies. An antenna transmits the mm-wave frequencies to a surface to be interrogated and receives reflected mm-wave signals therefrom. A mixer mixes the reflected mm-wave signals and mm-wave frequencies and processing circuitry determines at least one parameter relating to the surface from the mixing output. |
| US08098189B1 |
Weather radar system and method using dual polarization antenna
An antenna system for a weather radar system includes a first transceiver and a second transceiver. The polarization of the first transceiver is orthogonal to the polarization of the second transceiver. The first transceiver and the second transceiver are interlaced to occupy the same volume. |
| US08098182B2 |
Cable gateway using a charge-domain pipeline analog to digital converter
A cable gateway, such as compatible with version 3.0 of the Data Over Cable Service Interface Specifications and other audiovisual standards, that uses an analog front end having a charge-domain analog-to-digital converter that uses a charge-domain pipeline of at least two stages. |
| US08098181B2 |
Attenuator circuit
An attenuator circuit includes a high-frequency circuit path to produce an attenuated first signal; a low-frequency circuit path to produce an attenuated second signal, where the attenuated first signal has a higher frequency than the attenuated second signal; and a transistor that includes a control input. The control input is configured to receive the attenuated second signal to bias the transistor for passage of the attenuated first signal and the attenuated second signal. |
| US08098177B2 |
Mapping alphabetic characters to a numeric keypad
A keypad comprising a plurality of numerically labeled keys; wherein each key on a numeric keypad as mapped to letters of alphabet in a language, wherein a plurality of alphabetic letters are assigned to at least one key on the numeric keypad; wherein a first alphabetic letter is selected from among the plurality of alphabetic letters assigned to the key, in response to a first interaction with said key, such that the first alphabetic letter is the first most frequently used letter from among said plurality of letters assigned to the key in said language. |
| US08098176B2 |
Systems and methods for adjusting landing gear alert envelope for offshore platforms and building-top landings
Systems and methods for improving landing gear alerting on a rotary wing aircraft. An example system includes a user interface device that allows a user to set a bug altitude value and a radio altimeter that produces an altitude value, both of which are in communication with a processor. The processor receives a bug altitude setting, generates a landing gear alert altitude value based on the received bug altitude setting and a predefined additive, receives a radio altitude value for the rotary-wing aircraft, and generates a landing gear alert if the radio altitude value is less than the landing gear alert altitude value and the landing gear is not in a landing position. An output device in signal communication with the processor, outputs the generated landing gear alert. |
| US08098173B2 |
Parking apparatus
In a parking apparatus for a vehicle, a parking space is measured and a parking trajectory into the parking space is determined by using this apparatus. A driving space for the vehicle is captured by a camera, both the parking trajectory and a turning point situated on the parking trajectory being superimposed on the camera image. |
| US08098170B1 |
Full-windshield head-up display interface for social networking
A method to dynamically register a graphic identifying social networking subscribers of a social networking service having socialization attributes common to the vehicle onto a driving scene of a vehicle utilizing a substantially transparent windscreen head-up display includes monitoring the social networking service, including: monitoring informational inputs of the vehicle; monitoring broadcasted socialization attributes of the social networking subscribers; and identifying the social networking subscribers having the socialization attributes common to the vehicle based on the monitored informational inputs of the vehicle and the monitored broadcasted socialization attributes of the social networking subscribers. The graphic identifying the social networking subscribers having the socialization attributes common to the vehicle is determined, and a location of the graphic is dynamically registered upon the substantially transparent windscreen head-up display corresponding to the driving scene of the vehicle. The graphic is displayed onto the driving scene of the vehicle utilizing a substantially transparent windscreen head-up display including one of light emitting particles or microstructures over a predefined region of the windscreen permitting luminescent display while permitting transmission therethrough. |
| US08098169B2 |
Methods and apparatus for monitoring a plurality of worksites
Embodiments provide methods for monitoring a plurality of worksites at a facility, the methods including transporting a central monitoring station package to the facility, seating a transport container, stationing worksite monitoring equipment packages at the worksites, connecting communication links from the worksite monitoring equipment packages to central monitoring station equipment, transmitting remote transmissions from worksite monitoring equipment packages to central monitoring station equipment, displaying worksite monitoring information for a monitoring technician, and responding when remote monitoring information received from a worksite meets a response threshold criteria. |
| US08098166B2 |
Variable air speed aspirating smoke detector
An aspirated smoke detector includes a smoke sensor, an aspirator and variable speed control circuits. As the concentration of smoke increases, the speed control circuits can increase aspirator speed from a first, nominal value to a second, higher value. |
| US08098158B2 |
RFID server internals design
The subject invention provides a system and/or a method that facilitates implementing an RFID process by providing creation and/or execution of the RFID process as it relates to a provider(s) and the associated devices related to such provider(s). A receiver component can receive information relating to at least one or more providers. An RFID server component can employ the information in connection with providing an RFID process that can be applied generically to a plurality of devices associated with a subset of providers. An RFID engine can process an RFID event including an event processing tree that abstracts a logical entity, wherein the logical entity consists of a logical source can define the RFID process. |
| US08098153B2 |
System and method of providing emergency response to a user carrying a user device
The subject invention provides a system and method of providing emergency response to a user carrying a user device (32). The method establishes a monitoring database (34) including identifications for a plurality of user devices (32) and user information associated with each of the user devices (32). An internet protocol (IP) address is established for the monitoring database (34) and for each user device (32). The monitoring database (34) includes contacts to be contacted in an emergency for each user of each user device (32) and receives priority information for notifying the contacts. Communication is established between one of the user devices (32) and the monitoring database (34) and the monitoring database (34) automatically processes the priority information to notify the contact using either internet protocols or public-switched telephone networks. |
| US08098151B2 |
Method of sharing position information in personal navigation devices
A method of sharing position information of a personal navigation device (PND) with a peer PND includes the PND receiving a request from the peer PND to share the position information with the peer PND, determining a class of the peer PND, the PND filtering out a piece of the position information from the PND thereof according to the class of the peer PND to generate a filtered position information, and the PND sending the filtered position information to the peer PND. |
| US08098147B2 |
System for monitoring the tire
This invention provides a tire monitoring system, comprising a remote tire monitoring unit installed in the tire, a central controller, a speech indicating unit and a brake deceleration mechanism; wherein the remote tire monitoring unit is used to monitor and sample the pressure and temperature within the tire, and generate the sampling data signals of tire conditions which are subsequently wirelessly transmitted to the central controller; the central controller wirelessly receives sampling data signals of tire conditions, and calculates received data signals so as to generate speech indicating command and/or brake deceleration command, and afterward conveys the speech indicating command to the speech indicating unit, while the brake deceleration command to the brake deceleration mechanism; a speech indication unit, provided to receive said speech indication command and output the speech indication information; and a brake deceleration mechanism, provided to receive said brake deceleration command and performs action of brake deceleration so as to provide effective security protection when quick deflation and tire burst suddenly occur in a short time. |
| US08098146B2 |
Tire pressure monitoring system using wireless network
A tire pressure monitoring using wireless network includes a remote command device and a valve-stem mountable tire pressure gauge. The tire pressure gauge includes a pressure sensor for detecting a pressure of a fluid in a tire and providing an output signal indicative of the detected fluid pressure, and a first radio-frequency module for transmitting data indicative of the detected fluid pressure based on the output signal of the pressure sensor. The remote command device includes a second radio-frequency module for wirelessly receiving the data transmitted by the data transmitted by the first radio frequency module, a wireless communication module for communicating via a wireless network, information based at least one data received by the second radio frequency module, and a display for displaying at least the fluid pressure detected by the pressure sensor. |
| US08098145B2 |
Trailer detection apparatus and method
Apparatus and method for detecting the connection of a trailer to a vehicle. The apparatus is connected to a pneumatic pressure line of the trailer's service braking system, and measures the pressure of the system to determine if the trailer is properly connected to the vehicle when the vehicle's engine is running. Further, the apparatus also contains an algorithm that monitors the signals from other vehicle systems, and uses that information to determine the trailer characteristics. The vehicle engine control system receives information from the apparatus and adjusts the various vehicle systems accordingly. |
| US08098144B2 |
Alarm system
The invention relates to an anti-theft alarm system for vehicle wheels. The system comprises at least one wireless measuring module for determining kinetic state information characterizing the kinetic state of a vehicle wheel on the basis of acceleration measurement. The wireless measuring module is further configured to be attached to the vehicle wheel, to generate a wireless data transfer signal on the basis of the kinetic state information and transmit the wireless data transfer signal. The system further comprises at least one wireless central processing unit, which is configured to receive the wireless data transfer signal and execute a predetermined alarm function when the wireless data transfer signal fulfils predetermined conditions. |
| US08098141B2 |
Touch sensitive wearable band apparatus and method
In accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus comprises a touch sensitive wearable band having a touch sensing circuit; and an electronic device configured to receive signals generated from the touch sensing circuit to provide an indication to a user of the touch sensitive wearable band. In accordance with an another example embodiment of the present invention, a method comprises providing a touch sensitive wearable band having a touch sensing circuit; and configuring an electronic device to receive signals generated from the touch sensing circuit to provide an indication to a user of said touch sensitive wearable band. |
| US08098140B1 |
Customizable and upgradable devices and methods related thereto
A remote control is configured by a user specifying a type and brand of a consumer electronic device. A plurality of function code sets that have been identified as being candidates for commanding operations of the specified type and brand of consumer electronic device are selected and at least a subset of each of the plurality of selected function code sets is made available such that a user may determine by experimentation which one of the plurality of function code sets is appropriate for commanding operations of the specified type and brand of consumer electronic device. |
| US08098136B2 |
Integrated switch systems and methods for locating identification tags
Integrated switch systems and methods for locating ID tags are disclosed. One system includes an application, a plurality of different tag readers in communication with the ID tags, and an integrated switch configured to enable the application to receive tag information from the different tag readers. An integrated switch includes multiple reader adapters, an application adapter, and a virtualization core. The virtualization core is configured to provide a common interface between each tag reader and the application. One method includes receiving a first signal from a first tag reader and receiving a second signal from a second tag reader, the first and second signals having information related to first and second ID tags, respectively. The method also includes normalizing the first and second signals such that the signals are compatible with the application and transmitting an ID tag report based on the normalized first and/or second signal to the application. |
| US08098133B2 |
Radio frequency identification tag
An RFID tag having mounted thereon an IC chip capable of receiving and delivering information from and to an external source without contact. In the RFID tag, a central axis of its own antenna having mounted thereon the IC chip coincides with a center of the RFID tag, and an antenna width is controlled. That is, a position of the central axis of the antenna is controlled to correct the mass eccentricity of the RFID tag. Further, the RFID tag is an RFID tag having mounted thereon the IC chip capable of receiving and delivering information from and to an external source without contact, and an RFID tag having attached thereon the IC chip at a position in which a first and a second antenna lengths are different from each other. |
| US08098132B2 |
Call receiving system and apparatus for selective reception of caller communication
A system and method for a call receiving pager apparatus, system and method providing priority access, billing functions, and other enhanced features. The system utilizes a subscriber apparatus having a pager or radiotelephone functions whereby a caller may call the apparatus and gain direct two-way communication with the subscriber. The caller is billed for the communication. A call receiving pager allows a subscriber to initiate an outgoing connection to at least one predetermined telephone number in order to send a pre-recorded voice or data message requesting a call back from the recipient. |
| US08098131B2 |
Mobile terminal with a short-range communication unit
An information processing apparatus includes a first control unit configured to judge whether or not the information processing apparatus is in a state where a remote lock operation is impossible; an input unit configured to accept input of authentication information in case that the first control unit judges that the information processing apparatus is in a state where the remote lock operation is impossible; an authenticate unit configured to authenticate whether or not the input-accepted authentication information is coincident with previously stored authentication information; and a second control unit configured to prohibit a transmission/reception of data between the information processing apparatus and an information read device disposed adjacent to the information processing apparatus. |
| US08098128B2 |
Lock control system and method for working machine, working machine, lock control device and lock control management device for working machine
The lock control system of the present invention makes it possible to perform lock control of a working machine both by remote actuation and by local actuation, so that the convenience of use and so on is enhanced. A lock setting device 140 is provided to the working machine. The lock setting device 140 is provided with a user password storage unit 144, a manager password storage unit 145, and a one-time password storage unit 146. The user is able to perform lock setting and release by local actuation using the user password. A maintenance person is able to perform lock setting and release by local actuation using the one-time password. And lock setting and release can also be performed by remote actuation via a satellite communication network. It is possible to perform lock setting and release by selecting the appropriate method for each individual scenario. |
| US08098126B2 |
High voltage service disconnect assembly
A high voltage service disconnect assembly is provided. The high voltage service disconnect assembly is configured to fixedly hold a plurality of different sized fuses therein having different current rating capabilities, one fuse at a time. |
| US08098123B2 |
Power inductor with reduced DC current saturation
A power inductor includes a first magnetic core having a first end and a second end, an inner surface and an outer surface, and an inner cavity defined by the inner surface. A slotted air gap in the first magnetic core extends from i) the first end to the second end and ii) from the inner surface to the outer surface. A second magnetic core is located inside the slotted air gap between opposing inner walls of the slotted air gap. The second magnetic core i) extends from the inner surface to the outer surface of the first magnetic core inside the slotted air gap and ii) has a shape configured to lock the second magnetic core between the opposing inner walls of the slotted air gap. |
| US08098121B2 |
Method of switching a magnetic MEMS switch
A MEMS magnetic flux switch is fabricated as a ferromagnetic core. The core includes a center cantilever that is fabricated as a free beam that can oscillate at a resonant frequency that is determined by its mechanical and material properties. The center cantilever is moved by impulses applied by an associated motion oscillator, which can be magnetic or electric actuators. |
| US08098115B2 |
Noise eliminating wire harness
There is provided a noise eliminating wire harness capable of enhancing a noise elimination performance. In the wire harness 31, an intermediate portion of a sheath 34 of a wire 33 is removed to expose a conductor 35, thereby forming a conductor connection portion 36, and a capacitor 39 is directly connected to this conductor connection portion 36. The capacitor 39 is directly connected to the conductor connection portion 36 without using any wire serving as a branch wire. The capacitor 39 is connected to the conductor connection portion 36 in perpendicularly intersecting relation thereto. The capacitor 39 is connected to the wire 33 in such a condition that there is not provided any portion extending side by side with the wire 33. |
| US08098114B2 |
Matching circuit
A matching circuit including a main matching block 51 inserted in a signal path and a series matching block 522, one end of which is connected to the main matching block 51, in which one end of a series connection of a switch 542 and a parallel matching block 532 is connected to the signal path at the other end of the series matching block 522 and impedance matching between input/output is performed at any one of two frequencies by setting the switch to ON/OFF. |
| US08098110B2 |
Phase locked loop apparatus with selectable capacitance device
A phase locked loop apparatus includes an oscillator, a variable capacitance device, a selectable capacitance device, and a capacitance controller that is configured to provide a control signal to the selectable capacitance device. The selectable capacitance device is connected to the oscillator and is responsive to the control signal such that the selectable capacitance device has a first capacitance at a first control signal value and a second capacitance at a second control signal value. The capacitance controller only selects either the first capacitance or the second capacitance by providing a control signal that has the first control signal value to select the first capacitance and having the second control signal value to select the second capacitance. |
| US08098108B2 |
Microwave oscillator using integrated circuit technology
The invention relates to a millimeter frequency oscillator using integrated circuit technology. The oscillator includes a microwave output (Sf) providing an oscillation frequency Fout as a function of a control signal Vt. The oscillation frequency Fout may be modulated around a central frequency Fc via two control inputs of the oscillator, a first control input Ec1 driven by a first control signal Vt1 fixing the central frequency Fc of the oscillator and a second control input Ec2 driven by a second control signal Vt2 allowing linear modulation of this central frequency Fc. The control signal Vt of the oscillator is a function of the two control signals Vt1 and Vt2. |
| US08098106B1 |
Low noise voltage controlled oscillator (VCO)
In one embodiment, a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) includes a tank circuit having a first node and a second node. A first pair of transistors includes a first transistor and a second transistor each having a gate, a drain, and a source. The gates of the first transistor and the second transistor are coupled together and coupled to the first node. A second pair of transistors includes a third transistor and a fourth transistor each having a gate, a drain, and a source. The gates of third transistor and the fourth transistor are coupled together and coupled to the second node. The first transistor and the second transistor are configured to alternately couple the second node to a first output node. The third transistor and the fourth transistor are configured to alternately couple the first node to a second output node. |
| US08098104B2 |
Estimation and compensation of oscillator nonlinearities
A device may include an oscillator circuit, a control circuit, a frequency detector circuit, and a processor circuit. The oscillator circuit may include a frequency control input to output an oscillator signal. The frequency of the oscillator signal depends on an input signal applied to the frequency control input. The control circuit is configured to apply a first input signal value, a second input signal value, and a third input signal value to the frequency control input. The frequency detector circuit is configured to detect the first frequency value of the oscillator signal when the first input signal value is applied to the frequency control input, a second frequency value of the oscillator signal when the second input signal value is applied to the frequency control input, and a third frequency value of the oscillator signal when the third input signal value is applied to the frequency control input. |
| US08098103B2 |
PLL disturbance cancellation
Techniques for cancelling a disturbance signal from a PLL output signal. In an aspect, a cancellation signal is combined with the signal input to a VCO or DCO in the PLL. In a further aspect, the appropriate cancellation signal is derived by analyzing one or more signals within the PLL. The signals within the PLL may be correlated against one or more disturbance signal templates, such as a sinusoid having a known frequency, to derive one or more correlation coefficients. The coefficients may be applied to weight one or more disturbance synthesis functions to generate the cancellation signal. Further aspects provide for joint analysis, synthesis, and cancellation of signals having unknown frequency from the PLL output. |
| US08098101B2 |
Method of achieving high selectivity in receiver RF front-ends
According to some embodiments, an apparatus may comprise an amplifier, wherein the amplifier comprises: an output stage formed of a positive output terminal providing a positive output voltage and a negative output terminal providing a negative output voltage; a load tank coupled in parallel with the output stage and configured to filter signals received at the amplifier; and a negative resistance block coupled in parallel with the output stage and the load tank. |
| US08098100B2 |
Variable gain amplifiers
Variable gain amplifiers with controllable gain gradient over temperature. A variable gain amplification circuit comprises an input terminal receiving an input signal, an output terminal outputting an output signal, and a control terminal receiving a first gain control signal. The relationship between gain of the variable gain amplification circuit and temperature is programmable rather than temperature independent, and is controlled by the first gain control signal obtained by a second gain control signal and a third gain control signal. The second gain control controls gain of a variable gain amplification circuit linearly, the third gain control signal controls gain gradient of the variable gain amplification circuit over temperature and the third gain control signal is determined based on a formula of S CT = ∑ n = 1 N S n [ ( T T 0 ) n - 1 ] , in which T0 represents a predetermined temperature, T represents a present temperature, and Sn represents the nth programmable signal. |
| US08098099B2 |
Broadband high output current output stage
A broadband high output current output stage includes at least one first differential pair for enhancing the bandwidth. A second differential pair is further disposed in the circuit. The second differential pair is coupled to one of the first differential pair, such that a large output voltage swing is distributed to all transistors to avoid breakdowns thereof. A feedback unit is connected between each bias unit and the first differential pair. The first compensation unit compensates the electric characteristic of the high-frequency zero of the feedback unit and the bias unit, thereby broadening the linear bandwidth of the frequency response. The second compensation units are disposed between the first differential pairs. Each second compensation unit compensates the high-frequency zero of the node where each two first differential pairs are cascaded, thereby further broadening the linear bandwidth of the frequency response. |
| US08098090B2 |
Open-drain output buffer for single-voltage-supply CMOS
An open-drain output buffer is operative to sustain relatively high voltages applied to an output pad. The open-drain buffer includes a number of floating wells, output switching devices and corresponding well-bias selectors to ensure that no gate oxide sustains voltages greater than a predefined value. PMOS and NMOS well-bias selectors operate to select and provide an available highest or lowest voltage, respectively, to bias corresponding well-regions and ensure no device switching terminals are electrically over stressed. As output related terminals experience switching related voltage excursions, the well-bias selectors select alternate terminals to continue selection of the respective highest or lowest voltages available and provide correct well-biasing conditions. Voltage dividers are incorporated to generate well-biasing control voltages. By electrical coupling across maximal voltages, the voltage dividers generate reference voltages that induce proper selection of well-bias voltages to the floating wells. |
| US08098084B2 |
Transmission apparatus for differential communication
A transmission apparatus for differential communication includes a driver bridge circuit and a pair of noise protection circuits. The driver bridge circuit includes four output devices that are independently connected between each of a pair of transmission lines and a power line or a ground line. Each noise protection circuit is provided to a corresponding transmission lines. Each noise protection circuit includes a ground potential detector and an impedance controller. The ground potential detector detects a potential of the corresponding transmission line with respect to the ground line. The impedance controller causes an impedance of the corresponding transmission line with respect to the ground line to become equal to an impedance of the other transmission line with respect to the ground line, when the detected potential becomes outside a predetermined potential range. |
| US08098082B1 |
Multiple data rate interface architecture
Method and circuitry for implementing high speed multiple-data-rate interface architectures for programmable logic devices. The invention partitions I/O pins and their corresponding registers into independent multiple-data rate I/O modules each having at least one pin dedicated to the strobe signal DQS and others to DQ data signals. The modular architecture facilitates pin migration from one generation of PLDs to the next larger generation. |
| US08098079B2 |
Receive circuit for connectors with variable complex impedance
Embodiments of a circuit for use with an inter-chip connection that has a variable complex impedance (which can be conductive, capacitive or both), a system that includes the circuit, and a communication technique are described. This inter-chip connection may be formed between a microspring or an anisotropic film and a metal connector on or proximate to a surface of a chip. Moreover, the circuit may mitigate signal distortion associated with the variable complex impedance. For example, the circuit may include an internal impedance that is electrically coupled in series with the metal connector, and that has an impedance which dominates the variable complex impedance over a range of operating frequencies. Separately or additionally, the circuit may be adapted to correct for the signal distortion. |
| US08098077B2 |
Contact-making apparatus
A contact-making apparatus for electrical connection of a unit under test to an electrical test device. The apparatus has a plurality of electrical test contacts, which are associated with at least one holding element, for making contact with the unit under test. An adapter device increases the distance between adjacent contact paths. The adapter device has contact elements for touch contact with the test contacts. The contact elements are comprised of noble metal or of a noble metal alloy, or of an alloy having at least one noble metal component, or of electrically conductive plastic. The invention also relates to a corresponding method of forming the contact elements by heating and then cooling and then forming the apparatus. |
| US08098070B2 |
Electromagnetic subterranean imaging instrument
The instrument utilizes at least one electromagnetic signal transmitter and at least one electromagnetic signal receiver with the receiver detecting a receiver signal responsive to the transmitter signal and indicative of subterranean details adjacent to the instrument. The instrument is attachable to a tow vehicle for transport and includes a GPS antenna and tags data gathered by the instrument with GPS position information. The instrument is formed in modular sections which can be removably attached for collapsing into a smaller space and to allow for flexible configuration of the instrument in various different ways. A wheeled carriage is provided to carry the instrument over the ground. Antennas for the transmitter and receiver, as well as circuitry and cooling systems are all provided to supply the instrument with high resolution and a clear signal indicative of the position and characteristics of subterranean details of interest. |
| US08098067B2 |
Magnetic sensor element and magnetic sensor using the same
The present invention provides a fluxgate magnetic sensor element which includes: a substrate; an exciting pattern which is disposed on the substrate to generate a magnetic field; a magnetic thin film pattern for detection which is disposed adjacent to the exciting pattern; and a detection coil pattern which is disposed adjacent to the magnetic thin film pattern for detection. In the magnetic sensor element, the exciting pattern, the magnetic thin film pattern for detection, and the detection coil pattern are formed on the substrate. Therefore, the magnetic sensor element can be formed into a flat shape. Moreover, since the length of the generated magnetic field is short in a long-axis direction, the size and thickness of the element itself can be reduced. |
| US08098063B2 |
Untethered, unpowered, rollable device to sense condition of pipeline wall
A sensor unit for use in sensing conditions in a pipeline comprises an untethered a ball-shaped surround adapted to roll along the interior surface of a pipeline, and instrument package within the ball-shaped surround. The package contains at least one magnetometer or accelerometer. Preferably, three magnetometers, arranged orthogonally, are present. Other sensors can also be present as required, such as an acoustic sensor to detect leaks and a temperature or chemical sensor. Recording means record the data acquired by the magnetometer(s) or accelerometer and the sensors, and optionally also record a timing trace. |
| US08098060B1 |
Systems, methods and apparatus for position sensor digital conditioning electronics
Systems, methods and apparatus are provided through which in some implementations determine the amplitude of an amplitude modulated signal, modulated by the position of an object being sensed. In some aspects, the apparatus accepts an excitation signal and the amplitude modulated signal and divides the amplitude modulated by the excitation signal to produce an output signal that is proportional to the position of the object being sensed. In other aspects, the division is performed only when the excitation signal is non-zero, such as close to the peaks in the excitation signal. In other aspects, the excitation signal and amplitude modulated signal are degraded due to an air gap and the degraded signals are used to correct for amplitude fluctuations due to the air gap, and produce an output signal, tolerant of the air gaps, that is proportional to the position of the object being sensed. |
| US08098059B2 |
Current negative-feedback circuit and DC-DC converter using the circuit
A current negative-feedback circuit comprises a current detection unit and a sawtooth-shaped waveform generation unit. The current detection unit comprises a first P-ch MOSFET Q2 and a second P-ch MOSFET Q3 which constitute a current mirror circuit, a current adjustment resistor R4, a current detection resistor R1, and a constant current source I1. The current mirror circuit outputs current almost proportional to the charge current of an inductance via a switching device or outputs a current which is the quadratic function of the charge current of an inductance. The sawtooth-shaped waveform generation means adds the constant charge current of the constant current source I2 and the current output from the current mirror circuit, charges the capacitor C1, and generates a sawtooth-shaped waveform. |
| US08098058B2 |
Circuit arrangement comprising a load transistor and a measuring transistor
One aspect is a circuit arrangement having a load current path with a load transistor having a first and a second load path terminal and a control terminal. A first measurement current path includes a measuring transistor having a first and a second load path terminal and a control terminal. The control terminals and first load path terminals of the load transistor and the measuring transistor are coupled. A first regulating circuit has a controllable resistor and is designed to drive the resistor depending on electrical potentials at the second load path terminals of the load transistor and of the measuring transistor. A current mirror circuit is coupled between the first measurement current path and a second measurement current path. A deactivation circuit is designed to deactivate the first regulating circuit depending on a current flowing through the measuring transistor. |
| US08098052B2 |
Battery charger
A batter charger for charging a secondary batter using a power supply circuit which converts an AC input into a DC output, includes a first resistor for detecting constant-current control and a second resistor for detecting end of charging. The first resister and the second register are inserted in series in a current path of the charging current. The power supply circuit has output characteristics of a constant-current control characteristic and a constant-voltage control characteristic. The constant-current control is performed using a first detection voltage generated at the first resistor, and the constant-voltage control is performed by comparing a second detection voltage generated at a series resistor composed of the first resistor and the second resistor with a reference voltage using a comparator, and detecting an end of charging indicated by the second detection voltage fallen below the reference voltage. |
| US08098051B2 |
Temperature-based charge and discharge control for a battery
A protection circuit for a battery pack, comprising: a thermistor for indicating a temperature of a cell in the battery pack; a first comparator coupled to the thermistor for determining whether the temperature has exceeded a charge cut-off temperature threshold for the cell, and if so, for turning off a first switch in series with the cell to prevent charging of the cell; and, a second comparator coupled to the thermistor for determining whether the temperature has exceeded a discharge cut-off temperature threshold for the cell, and if so, for turning off a second switch in series with the cell to prevent discharging of the cell. |
| US08098050B2 |
Charge/discharge control device for secondary battery and vehicle equipped with the same
A charge/discharge control device for a secondary battery mounted on a vehicle includes a temperature sensor detecting a temperature of a battery and a control device setting a battery power charged to and discharged from the battery base on the temperature detected by the temperature sensor and the state of charge of the battery. The control device sets at least one of a first value, a second value and a third value to be increased as the battery temperature rises, the first value indicating the state of charge at the time of switching between charging and discharging of the battery, the second value indicating the state of charge at the time when the battery power charged to the battery reaches a limit value in the case where the state of charge falls below the first value, and the third value indicating the state of charge at the time when the battery power discharged from the battery reaches the limit value in the case where the state of charge exceeds the first value. |
| US08098047B2 |
Battery apparatus for controlling plural batteries and control method of plural batteries
Lower order control devices control plural battery cells configuring plural battery modules. An input terminal of the low order control device in the highest potential, an output terminal of the low order control device in the lowest potential, and a high order control device are connected by isolating units, photocouplers. Diodes which prevent a discharge current of the battery cells in the battery modules are disposed between the output terminal of the low order control device and the battery cells in the battery module on the low potential side. Terminals related to input/output of a signal are electrically connected without isolating among the plural low order control devices. |
| US08098046B2 |
Battery charging apparatus having a chute and method of recharging a battery
The embodiments of the invention relate to a novel apparatus and method for a battery charging system in a shared environment, as well as for monitoring battery usage and tracking battery location. In one embodiment, the battery charging chute comprises a housing configured to receive a battery via an insertion slot and configured to dispense a battery through a dispensing slot. Within the housing, charging terminals are disposed is a spaced or continuous manner, to come in contact with the charging terminals on batteries inserted into the housing. Optionally, solenoid-controlled gates may be employed at the insertion slot and dispensing slot, to inhibit the removal or insertion of batteries from the incorrect location, to ensure that the battery with the longest residence time in the chute is dispensed to a user. The housing may also include a radio-frequency identification tag reader to permit inventorying and tracking of batteries inserted into the housing. |
| US08098042B2 |
Charging system for walking robot and charging method therefor
A charging system for a walking robot which charges a battery mounted on the walking robot by connecting a power supplying connector provided in a charging station to a power receiving connector in the walking robot, wherein the walking robot is capable of moving without significant restrictions during charging. The charging system includes a lock mechanism for locking the power supplying connector to the power receiving connector. A connector holder holds the power supplying connector detachably, an advancing/retracting mechanism advances and retracts the connector holder in the anteroposterior direction, and a lock operation mechanism performs a lock operation and an unlock operation of the lock mechanism via the connector holder. After an advance of the connector holder, the lock mechanism performs the lock operation to lock the power supplying connector to the power receiving connector. Thereafter, the connector holder is retracted out of the power supplying connector. |
| US08098040B1 |
Ram air driven turbine generator battery charging system using control of turbine generator torque to extend the range of an electric vehicle
A system and method to convert the ram air energy resulting from the movement of an electric vehicle through the air mass into electric energy to recharge the energy storage devices of the vehicle while minimizing the apparatus caused drag effect on the vehicle, thereby extending the driving range of the vehicle between external charging. At least one ram air driven turbine is positioned within the vehicle, the turbine driving a mechanically coupled generator to charge the battery. Ram air is ducted in the front of the vehicle to cause the turbine generator to rotate and output electrical energy to charge the battery. The effect of variation in vehicle speed on both turbine generator output and turbine caused drag is optimized by adjusting the pitch angle of the turbine blades. At least one included ultra capacitor will implement a pre-programmed charge/discharge profile to reduce charge resistance electrical loading on the turbine generator and enable continued battery charging with minimal increase of turbine caused drag. |
| US08098037B2 |
Vehicle door opening-closing apparatus
A vehicle door opening-closing apparatus is provided, which includes a vibration detector and a controller. The controller acquires an envelope formed by connecting crests or troughs of a waveform of vibration detected by the vibration detection sensor. The controller determines whether or not a shape of the envelope meets a condition. A vehicle door is controlled based on a result of determination by the controller. |
| US08098033B2 |
Motor drive circuit
A motor drive circuit comprising: a triangle wave generation circuit configured to charge/discharge a capacitor with a charging/discharging current having a current amount corresponding to an amplitude control voltage for controlling an amplitude of an oscillation voltage that varies in a triangle wave shape, and to output a charging voltage of the capacitor as the oscillation voltage; a pulse signal generation circuit configured to generate a pulse signal having a duty ratio corresponding to a level of a speed control voltage for controlling a rotational speed of a motor, based on a comparison result between the speed control voltage and the oscillation voltage output from the triangle wave generation circuit; and a drive circuit configured to intermittently drive a motor coil based on the pulse signal. |
| US08098030B2 |
Drive unit for a door or gate, particularly for a garage door, and method for operating such drive unit
A drive unit for a door or a gate includes an electric motor, a detection unit for detecting the position of the door or gate, the detection unit being coupled to the motor and providing an identical pulse sequence with every rotation of the motor, wherein the duration of one pulse in the sequence is different from the duration of the other pulses in the sequence, which are equal. All detected pulses are stored in a non-volatile memory. The drive unit includes an electronic control and regulating circuit including an output stage for the electric motor and at least one memory, in which an operational program is stored providing a programmable learning procedure for an opening and closing movement of the door or gate based on the pulses provided by the detection unit. |
| US08098027B2 |
Light-emitting device driving circuit for dynamically adjusting turn-off time length of switch
A light-emitting device driving circuit and a method thereof are provided. A terminal of a light-emitting device is coupled to a supply voltage and a cathode of a diode via an inductor, and the other terminal is coupled to an anode of the diode. The light-emitting device driving circuit includes a switch, a current-sensing circuit, and a switch control circuit. The current-sensing circuit is coupled to the anode of the diode via the switch to determine whether or not to generate a turning-off control signal according to a conducting-current value of the switch. The switch control circuit controls an on/off state of the switch, and turns off the switch according to the turning-off control signal. Besides, the switch control circuit compares the conducting-current value with a reference-current value to generate a comparing result to dynamically adjust a time length of turning off the switch accordingly. |
| US08098026B2 |
Lighting control circuit
The present invention is directed to an LED light system that comprises a control circuit that operates on a pair of 1.5 volt batteries but which generates an operational voltage in excess of 3.0 volts. The lighting system includes a boost circuit that raises the operational voltage of the system to 5.0 volts, and an output circuit connected to a plurality of LEDs that controls their function. |
| US08098025B2 |
LED flash bulb decorating light
A LED flash bulb decorating light with features of able to achieve complicated light variation by employing simple circuit design, which comprises a power cord with a power plug, a series of single color, dual color or multiple color LED flash bulb forming in series or parallel circuit with the power cord. And a circuit control box comprises a low pass filter circuit and a power reset circuit and installed between the power plug of the power cord and the LED flash bulb, wherein the LED flash bulb at least comprises a LED chip and an IC driving element for driving the LED chip with DC power according to the setting time sequence to generate desired light variation. And the power reset circuit reset power supply at the repeated setting time interval to enable each LED flash bulb on the power cord to restart flash sequence to maintain the desired synchronous light variation. |
| US08098021B2 |
Driving circuit of light emitting diode and lighting apparatus
A driving circuit of a light emitting diode (LED) includes a rectifier unit, a voltage-dividing circuit, a control unit, a voltage converter, a resistance and a capacitor. The rectifier unit rectifies an AC power to generate a first operation voltage. The voltage-dividing circuit generates a voltage-dividing signal. The control unit includes a regulating unit and a pulse width modulation (PWM) unit. An output terminal of the regulating unit is coupled to the PWM unit. The PWM unit outputs a PWM signal. The voltage converter adjusts a driving voltage and a driving current of the LED. The resistance is coupled between an output terminal of the regulating unit and a diode. The capacitor is coupled between a power input terminal of the regulating unit and a ground terminal. The PWM unit adjusts the PWM signal according to the voltage-dividing signal and a feedback signal output by the voltage converter. |
| US08098019B2 |
Driving circuit of multi-lamps
A driving circuit of multi-lamps including a power supply module, a transformer module, a first detection module, and a control module is provided. Whether the power supply module is turned off is controlled by a control signal. The transformer module respectively provides a driving signal and an inverted driving signal to a first terminal and a second terminal of each lamp according to the AC signal. The first detection module detects a first indication signal combined by signals of the first terminal of one lamp and the second terminal of another lamp. The control module generates the control signal according to the first indication signal. Therefore, whether the lamps have a problem of a short circuit or an open circuit, or are in abnormal states can be known from the variations of the first indication signal, and a protection function for the driving circuit can be activated. |
| US08098018B2 |
Pulse dimming circuit and the method thereof
The present invention provides a pulse dimming circuit and a method thereof. The pulse dimming circuit is compatible for both DC input signal and PWM input signal using only one circuit board, and includes a first input port, a second input port, a comparison signal generator, a comparator, a logic module, and a switch network electrically coupled to the second input port, an output terminal of the comparator, and an output terminal of the logic module. |
| US08098016B2 |
Plasma generating apparatus and plasma generating method
An impedance matching device is provided with a basic element having variable characteristic parameters for impedance matching, and an auxiliary element having variable characteristic parameters. At the time of generating plasma by using the impedance matching device, the characteristic parameters of the basic element of each antenna element are fixed, respectively, and the characteristic parameters of the auxiliary element are adjusted for each antenna element. Thus, in an adjusted status where impedance matching for each antenna element is adjusted, each antenna element of an antenna array is fed with a high frequency signal, an electromagnetic wave is radiated from the antenna element, the characteristic parameters of the basic element of each antenna element are synchronized and adjusted, and the impedances of the whole antenna array are matched. |
| US08098013B2 |
Plasma display panel and display device using the same
A plasma display device includes: a front substrate and a back substrate facing each other and interposing a discharge gap; and a plurality of discharge cells formed by the front substrate and the back substrate, wherein a mixture gas containing Xe is filled in the discharge gap, and a red, green, or blue phosphor materials is arranged in each of the discharge cells. The plasma display device performs a reset operation by, at least, a weak discharge. A crystal material is arranged in the red, green, and blue phosphor materials so as to make weak discharge firing voltages for reset discharges in respective discharge cells uniform. |
| US08098011B2 |
Phosphor layer arrangement for use with light emitting diodes
Phosphor layer arrangement for use with light emitting diodes. In an aspect, a light emitting diode apparatus is provided that includes a least one light emitting diode, an encapsulation covering the at least one light emitting diode, a lens having a phosphor layer formed upon a bottom surface, the lens positioned to cover at least part of the encapsulation, and an air gap between the phosphor layer and the encapsulation. In an aspect, a light emitting diode lamp is provided that includes a package, a least one light emitting diode, an encapsulation covering the at least one light emitting diode, a lens having a phosphor layer formed upon a bottom surface, wherein the lens is positioned to cover at least part of the encapsulation, and an air gap between the phosphor layer and the encapsulation. |
| US08098010B2 |
Organic electroluminescence display device and manufacturing method thereof
A solid sealing method of an organic EL display device is provided which effectively prevents influences of moisture and reduces manufacturing cost. A mother sealing sheet (400) and a mother element substrate (100) are adhered with a use of a positioning mark (+). A rectangular portion shown in a dotted line on the mother sealing sheet (400) is a separation line (41). An adhesive member is formed in the separation line (41), and the adhesive member is adhered to a display region (101) formed over the mother element substrate (100). A cut-out is formed at a corner portion and a short side portion of the rectangular separation line (41) and a cut-out and a bridge are formed on the long side portion. Thus, unnecessary portion of the mother sealing sheet can be removed without losing the reliability of adhesion. |
| US08098009B2 |
Electro-optical device and electronic apparatus for a liquid crystal panel
An electro-optical device includes a light emitting unit; a color filter that has a plurality of colored portions selectively transmitting light components belonging to a portion of a wavelength range of light emitted from the light emitting unit; and a color converting member that converts some of the light components emitted from the light emitting unit into light components having wavelengths around transmission wavelength ranges of the colored portions having one or more colors of the color filter, which is provided between the light emitting unit and the color filter. |
| US08098005B2 |
White light emitting device
A white light emitting device including: a blue light emitting diode (LED); a green silicate phosphor formed on the blue LED; and a red sulfide phosphor with a surface coated with a silicone oxide layer, the red sulfide phosphor formed on the blue LED. |
| US08098004B2 |
Method for producing spark plug and spark plug
A spark plug (100) including a center electrode (130) and a ground electrode (140), which is formed by joining a ground electrode chip (143) to a ground electrode base material (141) via an intermediate member (142). A method for producing the spark plug (100) includes providing a projecting portion (142p) on the intermediate member (142), and projection-welding the intermediate member (142) to the ground electrode base material (141) by means of the projecting portion (142p), to thereby join the intermediate member 142 to the ground electrode base material (141). Further, the intermediate member (142) of the spark plug (100) includes a cylindrical columnar portion (142e) which is joined to the ground electrode chip (143), and a flange portion (142d) which is joined to the ground electrode base material (141) and which flange portion (142d) has a diameter greater than that of the cylindrical columnar portion (142e). |
| US08098003B2 |
Light emitting module and illumination device
According to one embodiment, a light-emitting module includes a module substrate, a reflective layer, conductive layers, a light-emitting element, and a sealing member. A reflective layer is provided on a surface of an insulating layer of the module substrate, and the conductive layers are provided in the vicinity of the reflective layer. Further, the light-emitting element is provided on the reflective layer. Moreover, the translucent sealing member has translucency and bury the reflective layer, the conductive layers, and the light-emitting element. The ratio of the area occupied by the reflective layer and the conductive layers to the sealed region sealed by the sealing member is equal to or greater than 80%. |
| US08097999B2 |
Piezoelectric actuator
Piezoelectric actuators having a piezoelectric layer in which a cantilever portion is formed are disclosed. In one embodiment, an actuator includes a support layer and a piezoelectric layer. The piezoelectric layer may include a supported portion formed on the support layer and a cantilever portion which extends beyond the support layer. |
| US08097998B2 |
Linear drive having shock compensation
A directly coupled linear drive having a drive unit and a sliding element that are disposed in a frame, the sliding element, actuated by the drive unit, being capable of effecting a movement in a direction of translation with respect to the frame and having a blocking device for blocking the sliding element in the frame in the event of a shock load to the sliding element, the blocking device having a body coupled to the sliding element that absorbs the shock load and is disposed such that the shock load of the body counteracts the shock load of the sliding element. |
| US08097996B1 |
Thermally conductive ground wall insulation for a stator bar
A method of manufacturing a stator bar in large dynamoelectric machines, with the bar insulation made of solid materials with high thermal conductivity and high dielectric strength. In the present invention, the bar insulation is provided by thermally conductive shells whose inner cavity conforms to the bar stock. The manufacturing process comprises slipping one or more thermally conductive shells at the substantially central straight portion of the bar stock, bending the ends of the bar stock to form end-arms, insulating the end-arms with tape or extrusion insulation and bonding all members to form a solid stator bar. In short, the bent end-arms are insulated by the tape or extrusion insulation while the straight portion of the bar is insulated by the thermally conductive shells. This greatly increases the effective thermal conductivity of the stator bar. The high dielectric strength of the materials significantly reduces the wall thickness of the bar insulation. The space freed by the thinner bar insulation can be filled beneficially by copper or iron thereby reducing the size of the machine. The high thermal conductivity of the bar insulation will increase the life of the stator bar, while the thinner bar insulation will reduce the size of the machine. |
| US08097994B2 |
Cooling structure for a vehicle AC generator
There is provided a vehicle AC generator in which the contact face of at least one of a pair of cases that make contact with the respective axis-direction end faces of a stator core is provided with a cooling air path that connects the outer circumferential surface of a coil end portion with the outer circumferential surface of the stator core and has an opening in the axis direction at the outer circumferential surface of the stator core so that the coolability of the coil end portions of the stator coil is raised, and the amount of cooling air is increased so that the overall coolability of the AC generator is improved. |
| US08097988B2 |
Horizontal linear vibrator
The present invention provides a horizontal linear vibrator which can reduce the thickness but increase the strength of vibrations while at the same time guaranteeing a sufficiently long lifetime and satisfactory responsivity. The horizontal linear vibrator includes a casing, a bracket, a vibration unit, a cylindrical coil and springs. The bracket is coupled to the casing to form an internal space. The vibration unit includes a weight, a pair of yokes and magnets. The weight has an opening therein. The yokes are disposed on the inner surfaces of the weight. The magnets are provided in the yokes such that different poles of the magnets face each other. The cylindrical coil is perpendicularly mounted to the bracket and disposed in space between the pair of yoke. The springs are coupled to both ends of the casing or the bracket. The springs elastically support the vibration unit to allow the vibration unit to vibrate in the horizontal direction. |
| US08097987B2 |
Movable magnet type linear motor with improved end cover assembly
A movable magnet type linear motor with an improved end cover assembly includes a mover having a housing and an accommodating space extending along an axis of the housing for receiving therein a coil, wherein the housing having each of two opposite ends formed with a retaining groove in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the housing for receiving an end cover that is centrally formed with a hole so as to receive a stationary inner stator, and wherein an engaging mechanism is provided between the end cover and the retaining groove so that the end cover is allowed to be assembled to the housing in the direction perpendicular to the axis of the housing and coupled with the housing. |
| US08097986B2 |
Micro actuator
Disclosed is a micro actuator capable of being formed in compact as a whole, such as 10 mm in diameter by diminishing a difference between a stroke distance of a moving member and an overall length, and by reducing a sectional area taken in a direction orthogonal to a stroke direction. The micro actuator includes: a spline shaft formed as a cylinder with a hollow part and having an axially extending slit opening; a spline nut fit-engaged with the spline shaft and axially guiding the spline shaft; a pair of end caps fixed to openings at both ends of the spline shaft; a magnet rod supported at both ends within the hollow part of the spline shaft by the end caps; and a forcer loosely fit-engaged with a periphery of the magnet rod within the hollow part of the spline shaft to constitute a linear motor together with the magnet rod and connected with the spline nut through the slit opening. |
| US08097984B2 |
Inductive power supply with device identification
An inductive power supply system to identify remote devices using unique identification frequencies. The system includes an AIPS and a tank circuit capable of inductively providing power to a remote device at different frequencies, and a sensor for sensing the reflected impedance of the remote device at tank circuit. The system further includes a plurality of different remote devices, each having a unique resonance frequency. In operation, the AIPS is capable of identifying the type of remote device present in the inductive field by applying power to a remote device at a plurality of unique identification frequencies until the remote device establishes resonance in response to one of the identification frequencies. The AIPS includes a controller that recognizes when resonance has been established by evaluating sensor data, which is representative of the reflected impedance of the remote device. Once the identity of a remote device is determined, the AIPS may pull operating parameters for the remove device from memory to ensure efficient operation and to assist in recognizing fault conditions. |
| US08097983B2 |
Wireless energy transfer
Disclosed is an apparatus for use in wireless energy transfer, which includes a first resonator structure configured to transfer energy non-radiatively with a second resonator structure over a distance greater than a characteristic size of the second resonator structure. The non-radiative energy transfer is mediated by a coupling of a resonant field evanescent tail of the first resonator structure and a resonant field evanescent tail of the second resonator structure. |
| US08097982B2 |
System and method for pre-detection in a power over ethernet system
A system and method for pre-detection in a power over Ethernet (PoE) system. A power sourcing equipment (PSE) is designed to measure a port voltage upon application of a small current source. A microcontroller controls the current source based on a comparison of the measured port voltage to a threshold voltage. |
| US08097980B2 |
Distributed solar power plant and a method of its connection to the existing power grid
A method and apparatus is provided for using a renewable source of energy such as solar, wind or geothermal energy. The method includes generating electric energy from a renewable form of energy at a plurality of locations at which reside an electric power line associated with an electric power grid. The electric energy generated at each location is transferred to the electric power line to thereby supply electric energy to the electric power grid. |
| US08097978B2 |
Extending backup times of uninterruptible power supplies
A system for extending backup times using networks of direct current (DC) uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) is provided. A first DC UPS has a first input and a first output. A second DC UPS has a second input coupled to the first output of the first DC UPS, a second output coupled to at least one electrical load, and a third output coupled to the first input of the first DC UPS. Battery current from the first and second DC UPS is shared with the at least one electrical load in the event of a power loss. |
| US08097977B2 |
Multi-output power supply device
A multi-output power supply device includes a first power switch, a first switch controller that controls the first power switch, a transformer that transforms a power supplied from the first power switch, first through Nth output circuits connected to a secondary side of the transformer, where N is a positive integer greater than 1, a second power switch that switches the power output from one of the first through Nth output circuits, a second switch controller that controls the second power switch, a feedback circuit that feeds back output voltages of the first through Nth output circuits, and a feedback compensation circuit that performs a switching operation complementarily with the second power switch to compensate for a resistance of the feedback circuit. Accordingly, when power output to one of the output circuits is blocked, the multi-output power supply device can stably control the power output to the other output circuits. |
| US08097976B2 |
Lighting controller for a vehicle lamp
A lighting controller has current driving means which include a shunt resistor connected in series to each of multiple LEDs to detect an LED driving current, a PMOS transistor connected to the positive electrode side of each of the LEDs, and an amplifier for sending an output according to the result of comparison between the respectively detected driving current values and a reference value, and which subject each of the PMOS transistors to ON/OFF operation. Control means includes a Zener diode ZD1 and a Zener diode ZD2 for detecting an abnormality occurring in the current driving means and for sending the abnormality detection result. The control means controls the PMOS transistor to be turned OFF after elapse of a predetermined time upon receipt of the abnormality detection result. |
| US08097973B2 |
Power mains transformer data bridge
A circuit and system having an inductive data link from one or more user-side phases to a plurality of line-side phases by individual data transformers having a winding coupled to the particular phase by a high-permeability ferrite material. The resulting connection across the primary (or primaries) and secondary (or secondaries) selectively provides and efficient coupling of data in a multi-phase environment including step-down distribution transformers and “Δ”-to-“Y” configured circuits while maintaining isolation at the power line frequency. Further embodiments include transfer to selected phases or single-phase applications, and selective signal-pass or -reject filtering. |
| US08097971B2 |
Wind turbine generator system
In a wind turbine generator system including an AC exciting converter a grid side converter, and a controller configured to control the AC-exciting converter and the grid side converter, the controller operates a short-circuiting circuit when decrease in the grid voltage and increase in the DC voltage are detected. |
| US08097964B2 |
IC having TSV arrays with reduced TSV induced stress
An integrated circuit (IC) includes a substrate having a top side having active circuitry thereon including a plurality of metal interconnect levels including a first metal interconnect level and a top metal interconnect level, and a bottom side. At least one TSV array includes a plurality of TSVs. The TSVs are positioned in rows including a plurality of interior rows and a pair of exterior rows and a plurality of columns including a plurality of interior columns and a pair of exterior columns. At least a portion of the TSVs in the array are electrically connected TSVs that are coupled to a TSV terminating metal interconnect level selected from the plurality of metal interconnect levels. At least one of the exterior rows or exterior columns include a lower number of electrically connected TSVs compared to a maximum number of electrically connected TSVs in the interior rows and interior columns, respectively. |
| US08097962B2 |
Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device includes a substrate having external connection terminals, and a semiconductor chip mounted over a semiconductor-chip mounting portion of the substrate. The external connection terminals are formed by sequentially forming an electroless nickel plating layer, an electroless gold plating layer, and an electrolytic gold plating layer on a terminal portion formed on a surface of the substrate. |
| US08097956B2 |
Flexible packaging for chip-on-chip and package-on-package technologies
In one embodiment, a packaging solution for an application integrated circuit (IC) and one or more other ICs is provided. The packaging solution may support both chip-on-chip packaging of the application IC (in flip-chip connection to a package substrate) and other ICs (in non-flip chip orientation), and package-on-package packaging of the application IC and the other ICs. The package substrate may include a first set of pads proximate to the application IC to support chip-on-chip connection to the other ICs. The pads may be connected to conductors that extend underneath the application IC, to connect to the application IC. A second set of pads may be connected to package pins for package-on-package solutions. If the chip-on-chip solution proves reliable, support for the package-on-package solution may be eliminated and the package substrate may be reduced in size. |
| US08097948B2 |
Semiconductor device and manufacturing method of semiconductor device
To provide a semiconductor device having a structure in which a barrier metal film containing nitrogen is formed in a connection surface between a copper alloy wiring and a via, in which the electric resistance between the copper alloy wiring and the via can be prevented from rising, and the electric resistance can be prevented from varying. A semiconductor device according to the present invention comprises a first copper alloy wiring, a via and a first barrier metal film. The first copper alloy wiring is formed in an interlayer insulation film and contains a predetermined additive element in a main component Cu. The via is formed in an interlayer insulation film and electrically connected to the upper surface of the first copper alloy wiring. The first barrier metal film is formed so as to be in contact with the first copper alloy wiring in the connection part between the first copper alloy wiring and the via and contains nitrogen. The predetermined additive element reacts with nitrogen to form a high-resistance part. In addition, the concentration of the predetermined additive element is not more than 0.04 wt %. |
| US08097946B2 |
Device mounting board, semiconductor module, and mobile device
A device mounting board includes an insulating layer formed of an insulating resin, a glass cloth covering the surface of the insulating layer, and an electrode provided in a through hole extending through the glass cloth. The angle of contact with solder of the glass cloth is larger than that of the resin. Thus, solder bumps are formed on the electrode 14 of the device mounting board 10 with high precision. |
| US08097944B2 |
Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device includes a substrate having a chip island, a chip attached to the chip island, and encapsulation material deposited on the chip and part of the chip island. The chip island includes a first main face to which the chip is attached opposite a second main face, with the second main face of the chip island defining at least one cavity. |
| US08097937B2 |
Leadframe and housing for radiation-emitting component, radiation-emitting component, and a method for producing the component
A leadframe, a housing, a radiation-emitting component formed therefrom, and a method for producing the component includes the leadframe having a mount part with at least one bonding wire connecting area and at least one electrical solder connecting strip into which a separately manufactured thermal connecting part, which has a chip mounting area, is linked. To form a housing, the leadframe is sheathed, preferably, with a molding compound, with the thermal connecting part being embedded such that it can be thermally connected from the outside. |
| US08097934B1 |
Delamination resistant device package having low moisture sensitivity
A lead frame and package construction configured to attain a thin profile and low moisture sensitivity. Lead frames of this invention may include a die attach pad having a die attachment site and an elongate ground lead that extends from the die attach pad. The lead frame includes a plurality of elongate I/O leads arranged about the die attach pad and extending away from the die attach pad in at least two directions. An inventive lead frame features “up-set” bonding pads electrically connected with the die attach pad and arranged with a bonding surface for supporting a plurality of wire bonds. The bonding surfaces also constructed to define at least one mold flow aperture for each up-set bonding pad. A package incorporating the lead frame is further disclosed such that the package includes an encapsulant that surrounds the bonding support and flows through the mold flow aperture to establish well supported wire bonds such that the package has low moisture sensitivity. Such packages can be constructed in single inline configuration, dual inline configuration, quad package configurations. |
| US08097932B2 |
Ultra low κ plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition processes using a single bifunctional precursor containing both a SiCOH matrix functionality and organic porogen functionality
A method for fabricating a SiCOH dielectric material comprising Si, C, O and H atoms from a single organosilicon precursor with a built-in organic porogen is provided. The single organosilicon precursor with a built-in organic porogen is selected from silane (SiH4) derivatives having the molecular formula SiRR1R2R3, disiloxane derivatives having the molecular formula R4R5R6—Si—O—Si—R7R8R9, and trisiloxane derivatives having the molecular formula R10R11R12—Si—O—Si—R13R14—O—Si—R15R16R17 where R and R1-17 may or may not be identical and are selected from H, alkyl, alkoxy, epoxy, phenyl, vinyl, allyl, alkenyl or alkynyl groups that may be linear, branched, cyclic, polycyclic and may be functionalized with oxygen, nitrogen or fluorine containing substituents. In addition to the method, the present application also provides SiCOH dielectrics made from the inventive method as well as electronic structures that contain the same. |
| US08097929B2 |
Electronics device package and fabrication method thereof
Embodiments provide an electronic device package and a method for fabricating thereof. A semiconductor chip has a substrate. A supporting brick is separated from the substrate by a certain distance. A bonding pad having a surface is disposed across the substrate and the supporting brick. |
| US08097928B2 |
Solid-state imaging device, and imaging apparatus
A solid-state imaging device having a light-receiving section that photoelectrically converts incident light includes an insulating film formed on a light-receiving surface of the light-receiving section and a film and having negative fixed charges formed on the insulating film. A hole accumulation layer is formed on a light-receiving surface side of the light-receiving section. A peripheral circuit section in which peripheral circuits are formed is provided on a side of the light-receiving section. The insulating film is formed between a surface of the peripheral circuit section and the film having negative fixed charges such that a distance from the surface of the peripheral circuit section to the film having negative fixed charges is larger than a distance from a surface of the light-receiving section to the film having negative fixed charges. |
| US08097926B2 |
Systems, methods, and devices having stretchable integrated circuitry for sensing and delivering therapy
System, devices and methods are presented that integrate stretchable or flexible circuitry, including arrays of active devices for enhanced sensing, diagnostic, and therapeutic capabilities. The invention enables conformal sensing contact with tissues of interest, such as the inner wall of a lumen, a the brain, or the surface of the heart. Such direct, conformal contact increases accuracy of measurement and delivery of therapy. Further, the invention enables the incorporation of both sensing and therapeutic devices on the same substrate allowing for faster treatment of diseased tissue and fewer devices to perform the same procedure. |
| US08097924B2 |
Ultra-shallow junction MOSFET having a high-k gate dielectric and in-situ doped selective epitaxy source/drain extensions and a method of making same
A MOSFET includes a gate having a high-k gate dielectric on a substrate and a gate electrode on the gate dielectric. The gate dielectric protrudes beyond the gate electrode. A deep source and drain having shallow extensions are formed on either side of the gate. The deep source and drain are formed by selective in-situ doped epitaxy or by ion implantation and the extensions are formed by selective, in-situ doped epitaxy. The extensions lie beneath the gate in contact with the gate dielectric. The material of the gate dielectric and the amount of its protrusion beyond the gate electrode are selected so that epitaxial procedures and related procedures do not cause bridging between the gate electrode and the source/drain extensions. Methods of fabricating the MOSFET are described. |
| US08097923B2 |
Method for fabricating higher quality thicker gate oxide in a non-volatile memory cell and associated circuits
A non-volatile memory cell includes a program transistor and a control capacitor. A portion of a substrate associated with the program transistor is exposed to multiple implantations (such as DNW, HiNWell, HiPWell, and P-well implantations). Similarly, a portion of the substrate associated with the control capacitor is exposed to multiple implantations (such as DNW, HiNWell, HiPWell, P-well, and N-well implantations). These portions of the substrate may have faster oxidation rates than other portions of the substrate, allowing a thicker front-end gate oxide to be formed over these portions of the substrate. In addition, a rapid thermal process anneal can be performed, which may reduce defects in the front-end gate oxide and increase its quality without having much impact on the oxide over the other portions of the substrate. |
| US08097922B1 |
Nanometer-scale transistor architecture providing enhanced carrier mobility
The present invention provides a nanometer-scale transistor architecture providing enhanced carrier mobility. In particular, a portion of a channel of a transistor is substantially surrounded with an acoustically hard material to form a barrier shell about the channel. The barrier shell functions to confine phonons in the channel. Confining the phonons in the channel reduces the extent to which atoms in the crystal lattice structure of the channel move as they vibrate. Restricting the extent that the atoms vibrate in the crystal lattice of the channel significantly reduces the scattering of electrons or holes traveling through the channel. In one embodiment of the invention, the thickness of the channel is in the order of the thermal phonon wavelength of the material forming the channel, and the barrier shell is acoustically harder than the channel. The benefits of the present invention may be provided without requiring strain engineering. |
| US08097919B2 |
Mesa termination structures for power semiconductor devices including mesa step buffers
An electronic device includes a drift layer having a first conductivity type, a buffer layer having a second conductivity type, opposite the first conductivity type, on the drift layer and forming a P−N junction with the drift layer, and a junction termination extension region having the second conductivity type in the drift layer adjacent the P−N junction. The buffer layer includes a step portion that extends over a buried portion of the junction termination extension. Related methods are also disclosed. |
| US08097918B2 |
Semiconductor arrangement including a load transistor and sense transistor
A semiconductor arrangement including a load transistor and a sense transistor that are integrated in a semiconductor body. One embodiment provides a number of transistor cells integrated in the semiconductor body, each transistor cell including a first active transistor region. A number of first contact electrodes, each of the contact electrodes contacting the first active transistor regions through contact plugs. A second contact electrode contacts a first group of the first contact electrodes, but not contacting a second group of the first contact electrodes. The transistor cells being contacted by first contact electrodes of the first group form a load transistor, with the second electrode forming a load terminal of the load transistor. The transistor cells being contacted by first contact electrodes of the second group form a sense transistor. |
| US08097914B2 |
Semiconductor device and manufacturing method of the same
Disclosed herein is a semiconductor device including: a main body transistor region; and an electrostatic discharge protection element region, wherein the main body transistor region includes, a drain region; a drift region; body regions; a gate insulating film; gate electrodes; source regions; channel regions; and potential extraction regions, and the electrostatic discharge protection element region includes, the body regions; the gate insulating film; the gate electrodes; source regions and drain regions; and potential extraction regions, and a gate length in the electrostatic discharge protection element region is equal to or less than twice a channel length in the main body transistor region. |
| US08097912B2 |
Systems and methods for self convergence during erase of a non-volatile memory device
A non-volatile memory device implements self-convergence during the normal erase cycle through control of physical aspects, such as thickness, width, area, etc., of the dielectric layers in the gate structure as well as of the overall gate structure. Self-convergence can also be aided during the normal erase cycle by ramping the erase voltage applied to the control gate during the erase cycle. |
| US08097910B2 |
Vertical transistors
The invention includes a semiconductor structure having U-shaped transistors formed by etching a semiconductor substrate. In an embodiment, the source/drain regions of the transistors are provided at the tops of pairs of pillars defined by crossing trenches in the substrate. One pillar is connected to the other pillar in the pair by a ridge that extends above the surrounding trenches. The ridge and lower portions of the pillars define U-shaped channels on opposite sides of the U-shaped structure, facing a gate structure in the trenches on those opposite sides, forming a two sided surround transistor. Optionally, the space between the pillars of a pair is also filled with gate electrode material to define a three-sided surround gate transistor. One of the source/drain regions of each pair extending to a digit line and the other extending to a memory storage device, such as a capacitor. The invention also includes methods of forming semiconductor structures. |
| US08097909B2 |
Field-effect transistor with spin-dependent transmission characteristics and non-volatile memory using the same
When a gate voltage is applied, the Schottky barrier width due to the metallic spin band in the ferromagnetic source decreasing, up-spin electrons from the metallic spin band are tunnel-injected into the channel region. However, down-spin electrons from the nonmagnetic contact are not injected because of the energy barrier due to semiconductive spin band of the ferromagnetic source. Only up-spin electrons are injected into the channel layer from the ferromagnetic source. If the ferromagnetic source and the ferromagnetic drain are parallel magnetized, up-spin electrons are conducted through the metallic spin band of the ferromagnetic drain to become the drain current. Contrarily, if the ferromagnetic source and the ferromagnetic drain are antiparallel magnetized, up-spin electrons cannon be conducted through the ferromagnetic drain. A nonvolatile memory composed of MISFETs operating on the above principle is fabricated. |
| US08097904B2 |
Method and apparatus for backside illuminated image sensors using capacitively coupled readout integrated circuits
The images sensor includes a readout circuit capacitatively coupled to a memory circuit. The readout circuit includes: (i) a photon detector to receive a plurality of photons and to provide a charge signal corresponding to the received photons, (ii) a resettable integrator that is reset multiple times over a single exposure time and provides an analog representation of the incident photons during the last integration cycle, and (iii) a comparator that monitors the integrator output and generates a reset pulse when the integrator reaches a built-in threshold value. The memory circuit includes: (i) a receiver circuit that detects the output of the digital driver in the front-end readout circuit via capacitive coupling and generates a digital voltage pulse for each received signal, and (ii) a digital counting memory to count the received pulses to provide a coarse digital representation of how many times the integrator is reset. |
| US08097899B2 |
Light emitting diode
A light emitting diode of the present invention comprises a support frame, a shell, a light emitting diode chip and an encapsulating body. The shell is used to accommodate the support frame. The shell has a bowl-shaped structure and the bowl-shaped structure has two opposite first walls and two opposite second walls. The upper edge of the second wall is a concave-convex structure. The encapsulating body is used to package the bowl-shaped structure and the encapsulating body has a concave-convex structure similar to the concave-convex structure of the bowl-shaped structure. The concave-convex structure comprises a concave portion and a convex portion. The structure of the light emitting diode is simplified. The luminous intensity and the light extraction efficiency of the light emitting diode are enhanced and the thickness of the light emitting diode is not increased. |
| US08097887B2 |
Light emitting device having a monotone decreasing function
The present invention provides a light emitting device. The light emitting device has a light distribution in which a light distribution I (θ, φ) obtained when light emitted from a chip of the light emitting device is directly measured is not dependent on a direction φ and is substantially represented by I (θ, φ)=I (θ). I (θ, φ) represents a light intensity distribution in a direction (θ, φ), θ represents an angle from a direction of a normal to a light extraction surface of the light emitting device (0≦θ≦90°), φ represents a rotation angle around the normal (0≦φ≦360°), and I (θ) represents a monotone decreasing function with which 0 is approached when θ=90° is satisfied. In the light emitting device, of a structural body constructing the chip of the light emitting device, with regard to a size of a portion of the structural body which is transparent to light emitted from a light emitting layer, a ratio (an aspect ratio) between the size in a lateral direction and the size in a thickness direction is not less than 5 and a structure having a light scattering function is provided on a surface of the light emitting device chip or in an interior of the transparent portion of the structural body. |
| US08097886B2 |
Organic electroluminescence device
An organic electroluminescence device which can prevent the deterioration thereof attributed to moisture by preventing a desiccant from influencing organic electroluminescence elements is provided. The organic electroluminescence device includes: first and second substrates which are arranged to face each other in an opposed manner with a gap therebetween; organic electroluminescence elements which are formed on a first surface of the first substrate which faces the second substrate in an opposed manner; a desiccant which is formed on a second surface of the second substrate which faces the first substrate in an opposed manner; and a resin which is adhered to the first and second surfaces and covers the desiccant and the organic electroluminescence elements. The desiccant includes a portion which is arranged outside a region of the second surface which faces the organic electroluminescence elements in an opposed manner and surrounds the whole of the region, and the organic electroluminescence elements are isolated from the desiccant by way of the resin. |
| US08097884B2 |
Semiconductor device and manufacturing method thereof
A semiconductor device having high operating performance and reliability, and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. An LDD region 207 provided in an n-channel TFT 302 forming a driving circuit enhances the tolerance for hot carrier injection. LDD regions 217-220 provided in an n-channel TFT (pixel TFT) 304 forming a pixel portion greatly contribute to the decrease in the OFF current value. Here, the LDD region of the n-channel TFT of the driving circuit is formed such that the concentration of the n-type impurity element becomes higher as the distance from an adjoining drain region decreases. |
| US08097881B2 |
Thin film transistor substrate and a fabricating method thereof
An oxide semiconductor thin film transistor substrate includes a gate line and a gate electrode disposed on an insulating substrate, an oxide semiconductor pattern disposed adjacent to the gate electrode, a data line electrically insulated from the gate line, the data line and the gate line defining a display region, a first opening exposing a surface of the data line, a second opening exposing a surface of the oxide semiconductor pattern, and a drain electrode disposed on the first opening and a drain electrode pad, the drain electrode extending from the first opening to the second opening and electrically connecting the drain electrode pad and the oxide semiconductor pattern. |
| US08097880B2 |
Semiconductor component including a lateral transistor component
A semiconductor component including a lateral transistor component is disclosed. One embodiment provides an electrically insulating carrier layer. A first and a second semiconductor layer are arranged on above another and are separated from another by a dielectric layer. The first semiconductor layer includes a polycrystalline semiconductor material, an amorphous semiconductor material or an organic semiconductor material. In the first semiconductor layer: a source zone, a body zone, a drift zone and a drain zone are provided. In the second semiconductor layer; a drift control zone is arranged adjacent to the drift zone, including a control terminal at a first lateral end for applying a control potential, and is coupled to the drain zone via a rectifying element at a second lateral end. A gate electrode is arranged adjacent to the body zone and is dielectrically insulated from the body zone by a gate dielectric layer. |
| US08097878B2 |
Nonvolatile memory elements with metal-deficient resistive-switching metal oxides
Nonvolatile memory elements are provided that have resistive switching metal oxides. The nonvolatile memory elements may be formed by depositing a metal-containing material on a silicon-containing material. The metal-containing material may be oxidized to form a resistive-switching metal oxide. The silicon in the silicon-containing material reacts with the metal in the metal-containing material when heat is applied. This forms a metal silicide lower electrode for the nonvolatile memory element. An upper electrode may be deposited on top of the metal oxide. Because the silicon in the silicon-containing layer reacts with some of the metal in the metal-containing layer, the resistive-switching metal oxide that is formed is metal deficient when compared to a stoichiometric metal oxide formed from the same metal. |
| US08097877B2 |
Inorganic-organic hybrid thin-film transistors using inorganic semiconducting films
Inorganic semiconducting compounds, composites and compositions thereof, and related device structures. |
| US08097873B2 |
Phase change memory structures
A phase change memory cell has a first electrode, a plurality of pillars, and a second electrode. The plurality of pillars are electrically coupled with the first electrode. Each of the pillars comprises a phase change material portion and a heater material portion. The second electrode is electrically coupled to each of the pillars. In some examples, the pillars have a width less than 20 nanometers. |
| US08097871B2 |
Low operational current phase change memory structures
Memory cells described herein have an increased current density at lateral edges of the active region compared to that of conventional mushroom-type memory cells, resulting in improved operational current efficiency. As a result, the amount of heat generated within the lateral edges per unit value of current is increased relative to that of conventional mushroom-type memory cells. Therefore, the amount of current needed to induce phase change is reduced. |
| US08097866B2 |
Apparatus for measuring beam characteristics and a method thereof
An apparatus and a method for detecting particle beam characteristics are disclosed. In one embodiment, the apparatus may have a body including a first end and second end and at least one detector between the first and second ends. The apparatus may have a transparent state where a portion of the particles entering the apparatus may pass through the apparatus. The apparatus may also have a minimum transparency state where substantially all of the particles entering the apparatus may be prevented from passing through the apparatus and detected. Different transparency state may be achieved by rotating the apparatus or the detector contained therein. With the apparatus, it is possible to detect the beam properties such as the beam intensity, angle, parallelism, and a distribution of the particles in a particle beam. |
| US08097865B2 |
Multispectral illuminaton device
An illumination device includes at least four semiconductor radiation sources (18) for emitting optical radiation in respectively different emission wavelength ranges. At least one color splitter (22.1, 22.2, 22.3), which is reflective for optical radiation of the respective semiconductor radiation source (18), is assigned to each of at least three of the semiconductor radiation sources (18). The semiconductor radiation sources (18) and the color splitters (22.1, 22.2, 22.3) are arranged such that the optical radiation, which is emitted in each case from each of the semiconductor radiation sources (18), is coupled into a common illumination beam path section (24). In each case, one collimating unit (20.1, 20.2, 20.3, 20.4), which collimates the optical radiation emitted by the respective semiconductor radiation source (18), is arranged in the beam path sections from the semiconductor radiation sources (18) to the color splitters (22.1, 22.2, 22.3). |
| US08097862B2 |
Fluorescence detecting method and fluorescence detecting apparatus
Fluorescence detection utilizes surface plasmon. The intensity of scattered light, which is substantially proportionate to the intensity of an electric field enhancing field generated on a metal film, is employed, to normalize and correct the intensity of fluorescence emitted by fluorescent labels with respect to the intensity of the electric field enhancing field. |
| US08097860B2 |
Multiple nozzle gas cluster ion beam processing system and method of operating
A gas cluster ion beam (GCIB) processing system using multiple nozzles for forming and emitting at least one GCIB and methods of operating thereof are described. The GCIB processing system may be configured to treat a substrate, including, but not limited to, doping, growing, depositing, etching, smoothing, amorphizing, or modifying a layer thereupon. Furthermore, the GCIB processing system may be operated to produce a first GCIB and a second GCIB, and to irradiate a substrate simultaneously and/or sequentially with the first GCIB and second GCIB. |
| US08097855B2 |
Methods and systems for detecting concealed objects
Methods and systems for detecting the presence of concealed objects that can be utilized at locations where conventional methods cannot be utilized are disclosed. One embodiment of the method of these teachings for detecting the presence of concealed objects uses thermal radiation of a body as a source of radiation. Other embodiments include portable and handheld systems, devices, methods, and apparatus to determine the presence of a concealed object. |
| US08097850B2 |
Infrared sensor
To improve thermal insulation, a thermal infrared sensing element is carried on a sensor mount of a porous material and is spaced upwardly from a substrate by means of anchor studs projecting on the substrate. The sensor mount is formed with a pair of coplanar beams carry thereon leads extending from the sensing element. The leads and the beams are secured to the upper ends of the anchor studs to hold the sensing element at a predetermined height above the substrate. The beams and the leads are combined with each other by intermolecular adhesion such that the sensing element as well as the sensor mount can be altogether supported to the anchor studs. |
| US08097848B2 |
Scanning electron microscope
In a VP-SEM that uses gas multiplication induced within a low-vacuum sample chamber and uses a method of detecting a positive displacement current, a secondary electron detector for the VP-SEM that responds at high speed, which can acquire a TV-Scan rate image at a low cost while saving a space is provided. A secondary electron detector is formed by forming the electron supplying electrode and the detection electrode on the flexible thin film type substrate such as a polyimide film, etc., by an etching method. Thereby, the space can be saved while realizing low cost due to mass production. Further, the ion horizontally moving with respect to the surface of the secondary electron detector is detected and the ion moving in a vertical direction returned to the sample holder is not detected, making it possible to realize a high-speed response. |
| US08097845B2 |
Focused analyte spray emission apparatus and process for mass spectrometric analysis
An apparatus and process are disclosed that deliver an analyte deposited on a substrate to a mass spectrometer that provides for trace analysis of complex organic analytes. Analytes are probed using a small droplet of solvent that is formed at the junction between two capillaries. A supply capillary maintains the droplet of solvent on the substrate; a collection capillary collects analyte desorbed from the surface and emits analyte ions as a focused spray to the inlet of a mass spectrometer for analysis. The invention enables efficient separation of desorption and ionization events, providing enhanced control over transport and ionization of the analyte. |
| US08097844B2 |
Mass-analysis method and mass-analysis apparatus
Among various ions introduced into an ion trap 1, those ions which are within a predetermined mass range including the mass-to-charge ratio of an objective ion are selected. Then, the frequency of a capturing voltage is set so that the objective ion will be captured with a high q-value, and a CID gas is introduced into the ion trap 1. An excitation voltage corresponding to the mass-to-charge ratio of the objective ion is applied to end-cap electrodes 3 and 4 to cause an oscillation of the objective ion and help dissociation of the ion by CID. The high q-value leads to a high dissociation efficiency. The application of the excitation voltage is discontinued before the low-mass ions produced by CID totally dissipate. Simultaneously with this operation, or slightly delayed therefrom, the frequency of the capturing voltage is switched so that the q-value will be lowered. Although the high q-value allows the low-mass product ions to easily dissipate during the CID process, they can be captured within an ion-trapping space 5 since the q-value is lowered when those ions still remain there. Thus, measurement of low-mass product ions can be simultaneously achieved with improvement of dissociation efficiency. |
| US08097842B2 |
High resolution single track optical encoder
Disclosed are various embodiments of a single track reflective optical encoder featuring increased spatial resolution, reduced cross-talk between adjoining photodiodes, and increased amplitude output signals from individual photodiodes. With respect to prior art single track optical encoders, some photodiodes are removed from a photodiode array, while nevertheless maintaining appropriate phase relationships between pairs of A and A\, and B and B\, photodiodes. Such a configuration of photodiodes results in increased inter-photodiode spacing, and thereby permits spatial resolution to be increased while boosting current outputs from individual photodiodes. The single track optical encoder configurations disclosed herein permit very high resolution reflective optical encoders in small packages to be provided. In addition, the single track configuration reduces problems with misalignment between code scales and light detectors, permits relatively simple electronic circuitry to be used to process outputs, and reduces manufacturing, assembly, integrated circuit and encoder costs. Methods of making and using such optical encoders are also disclosed. |
| US08097837B2 |
Method of making interchangeable glass ceramic tops for a cooking stove
In the method of manufacturing a cooking stove its stove top can be equipped with different glass ceramic tops, which each have at least one cooking area, which is heated by a radiant heating body cooperating with a temperature-limiting adjusting device, which limits a surface temperature of the glass ceramic top. To economically and individually adjust the IR transmission of a glass ceramic top with a higher IR transmittance to that of a lower IR transmittance corresponding to that of another glass ceramic top so that they are interchangeable, the glass ceramic top with the higher IR transmittance is provided with an absorbing and/or reflecting coating. When the glass ceramic tops are interchangeable, either can be used in a given cooking stove without changing the expensive temperature-limiting device. |
| US08097835B2 |
Temperature control circuit
A temperature control circuit includes a microprocessor, a protection module, a temperature detecting module, and a heating module. The temperature detecting module includes a thermistor and a first switch. The thermistor is operable to sense a temperature to turn on or off the first switch for outputting a detection signal to the microprocessor and the protection module. The protection module is operable to control the microprocessor to work or reset according to the detection signal. The heating module includes a heater and a second switch. The microprocessor controls the second switch to turn on or off for making the heater work or stop working according to the detection signal. |
| US08097832B2 |
Heating device for article specially worn in water activities
A heating device for an article specially worn in the water activities includes a magnetic unit, a power source unit, an inductive unit, a control unit, a heating unit, and a display unit. In this device, the magnetic unit is to generate a magnetic output. The power source unit is to provide a power source needed by the device. The inductive unit, induced by the magnetic force of the magnetic unit, generates an inductive signal output. The control unit, electrically connected to the power source unit and the inductive unit, generates a control signal output by receiving an inductive signal output from the inductive unit. The heating unit is electrically connected to the control unit and is driven by the control signal output from the control unit to process a heating procedure. The display unit is electrically connected to the control unit and is driven by the control signal output from the control unit to display various statuses of the heating device, for example, actuation, shutdown or values of temperature. |
| US08097831B2 |
Use of an activating flux for the TIG welding of metal parts
A method for welding two metal parts, in which: the metal parts are positioned against each other in a welding position, the parts being respectively in surface contact along their welding surfaces, at least one of the parts having at least one extra-thick zone along its welding surface; TIG welding is carried out on the welding surfaces (v) of the metal parts by means of a TIG welding torch, a method in which a penetrating welding flux is applied locally on said extra-thick zone of the metal part prior to the TIG welding step. |
| US08097830B2 |
Method for material processing and/or material analysis using lasers
The invention relates to a method for material processing and/or material analysis of an object (18) made from condensed matter by means of a laser (12). A laser pulse (14) is generated by a laser, emitted in the direction of the object. The laser pulse is spatially and temporally focussed such as to give a peak power for the laser pulse at a point between the laser and the object which exceeds the critical power for a self-focussing effect of the laser pulse. The laser pulse thus forms a filament (88) of high power density. The filament (88) is directed at the object and generates an aggregation state change there (evaporation or plasma formation) for a part of the material of the object. The method can be applied to both material processing (cutting, drilling, welding, hardening) and material analysis (analysis of the plasma light). |
| US08097829B2 |
Laser processing method and laser processing apparatus
A laser processing method involving moving first and second laser beams relative to a workpiece, wherein the first and second laser beams have at least a differing wavelength or intensity. The method including irradiating the first and second laser beams through first and second portions, respectively, of an optical element that directs the first and second laser beams onto the workpiece, wherein irradiating the second laser beam is subsequent to the irradiating the first laser beam. The method including moving the first laser beam and the second laser beam relative to the workpiece along another direction. The method including irradiating the first and second laser beams through third and fourth portions, respectively, of the optical element, wherein the third and fourth portions are dependent on the another direction, wherein irradiating the second laser beam is subsequent to the irradiating the first laser beam. |
| US08097827B2 |
Method for soldering two elements together using a solder material
A method for soldering or hybridizing two components including preparing, on opposing surfaces of the components to be welded or hybridized, a wettability surface, depositing on one of the wettability surfaces an appropriate quantity of solder material, constituting a soldering or hybridizing dot, contacting the wettability surfaces of the components with the solder material deposited, then raising the temperature of the chamber in which the components are positioned, to at least the melting point of the solder material in order to ensure the effective soldering or hybridizing of the two components together by a remelt effect. At least one of the components is in contact with a conducting track having another quantity of solder material that constitutes a sacrificial dot, having a contact area with the at least one component that is higher than that of the solder quantity that constitutes the soldering or hybridizing dot. |
| US08097825B2 |
Laser cladding apparatus and method
A laser-clad processing apparatus of the present invention is one which is for carrying out laser-clad processing onto a valve-seat portion of a cylinder head, and is characterized in that it comprises cylinder-head holding means (1) for holding a cylinder head (H) in an inclining manner so that the central axial line of a valve seat becomes the vertical direction, a laser-processing head (2) for irradiating a laser beam onto a process part of the valve seat and at the same time discharging a powdery material to this process part, rotary means (3) which rotates around the central axial line of the valve seat in such a state that the laser-processing head is inclined with respect to the vertical direction, and powdery-material supply means (4) for supplying the powdery material to the laser-processing head.Moreover, a laser-clad processing method of the present invention is characterized in that it fixes the cylinder head (H), and forms a clad layer while rotating the laser-processing head (2), which emits the laser beam with respect to the valve-seat portion of the cylinder head and discharges the powdery material, around the axial center line of the valve seat. |
| US08097824B2 |
Arc extinguishing device of circuit breaker for manual motor starter
Disclosed is an arc extinguishing device of circuit breaker for manual motor starter capable of swiftly extinguishing and discharging an arc generated by a fault current flowing into a motor circuit during an interruption operation of a circuit breaker, thereby enhancing the performance of interruption. |
| US08097820B2 |
Controlling a scale in connection with a container of pourable bulk materials
A method of controlling a scale in connection with to a carrier of pourable bulk materials. The scale involved has a control with a display and control buttons. Upon a first press of a first control button, the system is transitioned into a “tare” mode and displays a base, or tare, value. Upon a second press of the first control button, generally after unloading some or all of the load, the difference in weight from the first press is saved to a storage medium, and a value displayed representing the weight of bulk material in the container at that time. The method may also include the pressing of a Zero button to zero the scale before the carrier is first loaded. |
| US08097817B2 |
Electronic component
An electronic component includes: a first substrate having a through-hole; a second substrate opposite the first substrate; a sealing member surrounding a sealing space formed between the first substrate and the second substrate; a functional element having at least a part thereof disposed in the sealing space, and a through-electrode filling the through-hole, the through-hole penetrating the first substrate. The sealing member includes an elastic core part on the first substrate. A metal film is on a surface of the core part and is bonded to the second substrate. |
| US08097815B2 |
Printed circuit board and its designing method, and designing method of IC package terminal and its connecting method
The invention provides a printed circuit board capable of mounting BGA or other IC package of narrow terminal interval by using through-holes of conventional size. On one principal surface of printed circuit board (1), soldering lands (2a), (2b), (2c), and (2d) for connecting solder balls are disposed in lattice. Central point (B) of through-hole (3) is set eccentric to the side of soldering land (2a) at the same potential as through-hole (3), remote from intersection (A) formed by diagonal line (200ab) linking soldering lands (2a) and (2b) and diagonal line (200cd) linking soldering lands (2c) and (2d). |
| US08097808B2 |
Separation and/or reinforcement device for a wire cable duct
A device for a wire cable duct (18) has a profiled part having a first wing (2), termed horizontal wing, and at least one second wing (4), termed vertical wing, extending substantially perpendicularly to the first wing on one side thereof. The device includes: at least one longitudinal housing (6) intended to receive a warp wire (20) formed on the lower face (10) of the horizontal wing, that is to say the face opposed to the second wing; transverse cutouts (8), formed with a predetermined pitch corresponding to the pitch of the transverse weft wires (22), all along the horizontal wing (2), the transverse cutouts (8) extending over the whole width of the horizontal wing and continuing into the region of the vertical wings (4); and at least one tongue (12) extending longitudinally from a transverse edge (14) of each cutout (8) over part of the width of the cutout. |
| US08097807B2 |
Apparatus for a junction point between two electrical high-voltage cables
Apparatus for a connecting point between high-voltage cables, each cable having a conductor, inner conductive layer, insulation, outer conductive layer, and a sheath over the outer conductive layer and in which the conductors, from which the surrounding layers have been removed, are conductively connected to one another. The arrangement has electrical screening elements and an integral elongated sleeve body, composed of elastic insulating material and a through-hole. The sleeve body has at its axial ends, which are intended for the cable to pass through, electrical control funnels which abut the outer conductive layers, from which the sheaths have been removed. The internal diameters of the through-hole in the sleeve body, at its axial ends, are for its use in a connecting point of cables, having an external diameter of their insulation which differs by at least 10 mm, different in a defined manner and adapted to the different external diameters. |
| US08097801B2 |
Systems and methods for composing music
Generating a musical composition from one or more portions of one or more performances of one or more musical compositions included in a database is disclosed. The method and system include selecting a portion of a pre-recorded composition based on a degree of similarity with the component of the composition that is input; portions that are musically similar but not musically the same as the component may be selected for addition to the composition. The degree of similarity may be based on a ChordScore and/or a ScaleScore of the retrieved portion of the pre-recorded compositions. A ChordScore is generated by comparing chord tones of one or more chords in the pre-recorded portion with chord tones of the input component. A ScaleScore is generated by comparing tones of one or more notes in the pre-recorded portion with tones in a harmonic scale associated with the input component's chords. |
| US08097800B2 |
Method for controlling a digital audio source
An apparatus for signal processing, wherein a disc is placed on a turntable and is provided with a groove which can be followed by the pick-up element, and employing a time-code signal wherein during use of the disc the said time-code signal controls the digital audio source. |
| US08097794B2 |
Tomato line FIR16-1090
The invention provides seed and plants of tomato hybrid PS01059664 and the parent lines thereof. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of tomato hybrid PS01059664 and the parent lines thereof, and to methods for producing a tomato plant produced by crossing such plants with themselves or with another tomato plant, such as a plant of another genotype. The invention further relates to seeds and plants produced by such crossing. The invention further relates to parts of such plants, including the fruit and gametes of such plants. |
| US08097792B2 |
Sweet grape tomato line CHD 15-2114
The invention provides seed and plants of tomato line CHI 15-2113, tomato line CHD 15-2114 and hybrid tomato variety BX 0154 3756. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of tomato line CHI 15-2113, tomato line CHD 15-2114 and hybrid tomato variety BX 0154 3756, and to methods for producing a tomato plant produced by crossing a plant of tomato line CHI 15-2113, tomato line CHD 15-2114 or hybrid tomato variety BX 0154 3756 with itself or with another tomato plant, such as a plant of another line or variety. The invention further relates to seeds and plants produced by such crossing. The invention further relates to parts of a plant of tomato line CHI 15-2113, tomato line CHD 15-2114 or hybrid tomato variety BX 0154 3756, including the fruit and gametes of such plants. |
| US08097791B2 |
Tomato line FDR 15-2081
The invention provides seed and plants of tomato hybrid PS 01565172 and the parent lines thereof. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of tomato hybrid PS 01565172 and the parent lines thereof, and to methods for producing a tomato plant produced by crossing such plants with themselves or with another tomato plant, such as a plant of another genotype. The invention further relates to seeds and plants produced by such crossing. The invention further relates to parts of such plants, including the fruit and gametes of such plants. |
| US08097788B2 |
Tomato line FIR 18-2024
The invention provides seed and plants of tomato hybrid PS01819578 and the parent lines thereof. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of tomato hybrid PS01819578 and the parent lines thereof, and to methods for producing a tomato plant produced by crossing such plants with themselves or with another tomato plant, such as a plant of another genotype. The invention further relates to seeds and plants produced by such crossing. The invention further relates to parts of such plants, including the fruit and gametes of such plants. |
| US08097778B2 |
Nucleic acid sequences and methods of use for the production of plants with modified polyunsaturated fatty acids
The present invention is directed to nucleic acid molecules and nucleic acid constructs, and other agents associated with fatty acid synthesis, particularly the ratios of saturated and unsaturated fats. Moreover, the present invention is directed to plants incorporating such agents where the plants exhibit altered ratios of saturated and unsaturated fats. In particular, the present invention is directed to plants incorporating such agents where the plants exhibit altered ratios of monounsaturated to polyunsaturated fatty acids. |
| US08097776B2 |
Method of producing double low restorer lines of Brassica napus having a good agronomic value
The invention relates to a method of producing a double low restorer line of Brassica napus for Ogura cytoplasmic male sterility (cms) presenting a radish introgression carrying the Rfo restorer gene deleted of the radish Pgi-2 allele and recombined with the Pgi-2 gene from Brassica oleracea, and having a good agronomic value characterized by female fertility, a good transmission rate of Rfo and a high vegetative vigour. The invention relates also to a method of forming Brassica napus hybrid seeds and progeny thereof and to the use of markers for selection. |
| US08097775B2 |
GRO-1 herbicide resistance gene and methods for its use
Compositions and methods for conferring herbicide resistance to bacteria, plants, plant cells, tissues and seeds are provided. Compositions comprising a coding sequence for a polypeptide that confers resistance or tolerance to glyphosate herbicides are provided. The coding sequences can be used in DNA constructs or expression cassettes for transformation and expression in plants. Compositions also comprise transformed bacteria, plants, plant cells, tissues, and seeds. In particular, isolated nucleic acid molecules corresponding to glyphosate resistant nucleic acid sequences are provided. Additionally, amino acid sequences corresponding to the polynucleotides are encompassed. In particular, the present invention provides for isolated nucleic acid molecules comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:3 or the nucleotide sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:1, 2, or 4. |
| US08097768B2 |
Method of enhancing quality factors in cotton
Preferred embodiments of this invention relate to a method for increasing fiber yield in a cotton plant by regenerating a whole cotton plant from a plant cell that has been transformed with a dominant negative allele for an endoplasmic reticulum located gene. The expression of this gene results in suppression of oil and protein biosynthesis in the developing seed and increased production of fiber in the plant. |
| US08097765B2 |
Method of decontaminating radioisotope-contaminated surface vicinity region by use of nonthermal laser peeling without re-melting, without re-diffusion and without re-contamination, and apparatus therefor
Parts, structural components, etc. that have their surfaces contaminated by radioisotopes in the accelerators, nuclear reactors, RI product manufacturing factories, nuclear fuel factories, nuclear fuel reprocessing factories, etc. are decontaminated by non-thermal laser peeling without suffering re-melting, re-diffusing and re-contaminating such that upon non-thermal laser irradiation, areas near the irradiated surface are evaporated and removed faster than the heat generated in the irradiated surface is transmitted to nearby areas. |
| US08097763B2 |
Process for production of aromatic compound
An aromatic compound, particularly benzene, is stably produced in the presence of a catalyst from a lower hydrocarbon having 2 or more carbon atoms, particularly from an ethane-containing gas composition such as ethane gas and natural gas. Disclosed is a process for producing an aromatic compound by reacting ethane or an ethane-containing raw gas in the presence of a catalyst. The catalyst may comprise molybdenum carried on metallosilicate such as H-type ZSM-5H or H-type MCM-22. In the reaction, the temperature is from 550 to 750° C., preferably not lower than 600° C. and not higher than 680° C. Additionally, the raw gas further contains methane and hydrogen is added thereto, thereby improving the production efficiency and stability. |
| US08097760B2 |
Preparation of chiral amides and amines
This invention provides a convenient method for converting oximes into enamides. The process does not require the use of metallic reagents. Accordingly, it produces the desired compounds without the concomitant production of a large volume of metallic waste. The enamides are useful precursors to amides and amines. The invention provides a process to convert a prochiral enamide into the corresponding chiral amide. In an exemplary process, a chiral amino center is introduced during hydrogenation through the use of a chiral hydrogenation catalyst. In selected embodiments, the invention provides methods of preparing amides and amines that include the 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-N-alkyl-1-naphthalenamine or 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-1-naphthalenamine substructure. |
| US08097756B2 |
Process for producing carboxylic acid anhydrides
A process for producing carboxylic acid anhydrides by the carbonylation reaction of a carboxylic acid ester, derived from an alcohol and a carboxylic acid, with carbon monoxide containing a small amount of hydrogen in a liquid reaction medium in the presence of a Group VIII B catalyst to produce a carboxylic acid anhydride. The reaction medium comprises the Group VIII B catalyst, an organic halide, the carboxylic acid ester, an alkali metal salt, the carboxylic acid anhydride, the carboxylic acid, and at least one ionic liquid consisting of a cation and an anion where the cation of the ionic liquid has a nitrogen-containing heterocyclic structure. The ionic liquid has at least one of the following structural forms: The reaction rate of the carbonylation reaction is increased by the use of the specified ionic liquid promoters. |
| US08097753B2 |
Mixtures composed or monocarboxy-functionalized dialkylphosphinic acids, their use and a process for their preparation
The invention relates to mixtures composed of monocarboxy-functionalized dialkylphosphinic acids and of further components, which comprise A) from 98 to 100% by weight of monocarboxy-functionalized dialkylphosphinic acids of the formula (I) in which R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, and R7 are identical or different and, independently of one another, are H, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl, and/or phenyl, X and Y are identical or different and, independently of one another, are H, Li, Na, K, or NH4, and B) from 0 to 2% by weight of halogens, where the entirety of the components always amounts to 100% by weight. |
| US08097740B2 |
Isolation and subsequent utilization of saturated fatty acids and α-olefins in the production of ester-based biolubricants
The present invention is generally directed to the synthesis and/or manufacture of ester-based lubricant compositions. The present invention is also directed to methods of making these and other similar lubricant compositions, and to systems for implementing such methods (processes). In some embodiments, the methods for making such ester-based lubricants utilize a biomass precursor (e.g., triglyceride-bearing vegetable oils) such that the lubricant compositions generated by the methods and systems of the present invention can be properly deemed biolubricants. In these or other embodiments, lubricant precursor species can also be sourced or derived from Fischer-Tropsch (FT) and/or long-chain paraffin pyrolysis reaction products. The ester component of the lubricant compositions, produced in accordance with the methods and systems of the present invention, comprises largely diester species. |
| US08097731B2 |
Reaction products of mercaptobenzothiazoles, mercaptothiazolines, and mercaptobenzimidalzoles with epoxides as lubricant additives
A composition comprising: (A) a lubricant, and (B) at least one alcohol that is the reaction product of mercaptobenzothiazoles, mercaptothiazolines, or mercaptobenzimidazoles with various epoxies. |
| US08097730B2 |
Bicyclic heterocycles useful as selective androgen receptor modulators
The present invention is directed to novel bicyclic heterocycles, pharmaceutical compositions containing them and their use in the treatment of disorders and conditions modulated by the androgen receptor. |
| US08097727B2 |
N,N′-diphenylurea derivatives which are suitable as kinase inhibitors
Compounds of the formula (I), in which R1a-R1e, R2a, R2b, R3 and R5 have the meanings indicated in claim 1, are inhibitors of tyrosine kinases, in particular TIE-2, and Raf kinases and can be employed, inter alia, for the treatment of tumors. |
| US08097725B2 |
Luminescent indicator dye and optical sensor
The present invention relates to a chemical compound that has applications as a luminescent indicator dye, and to an optical sensor, typically employed for determination of near-neutral pH values of aqueous samples. The optical sensor has particular application in the pH determination of body liquids such as, for example, blood, plasma and serum. |
| US08097722B2 |
Inhibitors of polyisoprenylated methylated protein methyl esterase
Inhibitors of the enzyme prenylated methylated protein methyl esterase (PMPMEase), the last step in the prenylation process for many eukaryotic proteins, having the general structure R1-X-A-B(R2)-Y or R1-X-A(R2)-B-Y, where R1 is preferably a polyisoprenyl group, X is a linking group, Y is a group that promotes affinity interactions to the active site of PMPMEase and imparts hydrolysis resistance to the inhibitor, A and B are bridge atoms, and R2 is a characteristic-providing substituent. |
| US08097716B2 |
Interfering RNA duplex having blunt-ends and 3′-modifications
The present invention relates to double-stranded RNA compounds with at least one blunt end comprising at least one 3′-end of formula wherein X is O or S R1 and R2 are independently OH, NH2, SH, alkyl, aryl, alkyl-aryl, aryl-alkyl, where alkyl, aryl, alkyl-aryl, aryl-alkyl can be substituted by additional heteroatoms and functional groups, preferably a heteroatom selected from the group of N, O, or S or a functional group selected from the group OH, NH2, SH, carboxylic acid or ester; or R1 and R2 may be of formula Y-Z where Y is O, N, S and Z is H, alkyl, aryl, alkyl-aryl, aryl-alkyl, where alkyl, aryl, alkyl-aryl, aryl-alkyl can be substituted by additional heteroatoms, preferably a heteroatom selected from the group of N, O, or S; and wherein said double-stranded RNA mediates RNA interference. |
| US08097715B2 |
Multitargeting interfering RNAs having two active strands and methods for their design and use
Interfering RNA molecules are now designed and produced with specificity for multiple binding sequences present in distinct genetic contexts in one or more pre-selected target RNA molecules and are used to modulate expression of the target sequences. The multitargeting interfering RNA molecules have two strands that target multiple target sites on one or more pre-selected RNA molecules. Such a multitargeting interfering RNA approach provides a powerful tool for gene regulation. |
| US08097709B2 |
Macrolactam compounds
The invention relates generally to novel macrolactams and their analogs, to processes for the preparation of these novel macrolactams, to pharmaceutical compositions comprising the novel macrolactams; and to methods of using the novel macrolactams to treat or inhibit various disorders. |
| US08097708B2 |
10a-Azalide compound
[Object]: To provide a compound having a novel structure effective against Hemophilus influenzae and erythromycin resistant bacteria (for example, resistant pneumococci and streptococci) as well as against conventional erythromycin sensitive bacteria.[Solution]: A novel 10a-azalide compound represented by the formula (I), a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof or a solvate thereof, or an intermediate for the preparation of the same. The compound of the present invention has superior antibacterial activity against Hemophilus influenzae, erythromycin resistant pneumococci and the like, and therefore, the compound can be used as a therapeutic agent of infectious diseases. |
| US08097706B2 |
Methods for preparing capecitabine and beta-anomer-rich trialkyl carbonate compound used therein
The present invention relates to a method for preparing capecitabine and a method for preparing a β-anomer-rich trialkyl carbonate compound used therein, and a highly pure capecitabine can be efficiently prepared with a high yield by the method of the present invention using the β-anomer-rich trialkyl carbonate compound as an intermediate. |
| US08097701B2 |
Aldehyde tags, uses thereof in site-specific protein modification
The invention features compositions and methods for site-specific modification of proteins by incorporation of an aldehyde tag. Enzymatic modification at a sulfatase motif of the aldehyde tag through action of a formylglycine generating enzyme (FGE) generates a formylglycine (FGly) residue. The aldehyde moiety of FGly residue can be exploited as a chemical handle for site-specific attachment of a moiety of interest to a polypeptide. |
| US08097698B2 |
Derivatives of GLP-1 analogs
The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising a GLP-1 derivative having a lipophilic substituent; and a surfactant. |
| US08097697B2 |
Tumor antigen protein SART-3 and tumor antigen peptides thereof
A novel tumor antigen protein and gene therefor, tumor antigen peptides derived from said tumor antigen protein or derivatives thereof as well as medicaments, prophylactics, or diagnostics for tumors using such tumor substances in vitro or in vitro are provided. |
| US08097696B2 |
Method for preparing multi-arm poly(ethylene glycol) chlorides
A method for preparing multi-arm poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) chlorides from multi-arm PEG polyols is described. The method comprises a process, wherein the multi-arm PEG polyol is reacted with thionyl chloride to form the multi-arm PEG chloride. |
| US08097695B2 |
Methods for the formation of hydrogels using thiosulfonate compositions and uses thereof
The present invention provides both crosslinked polymer compositions capable of forming hydrogels upon exposure to an aqueous environment and thiosulfonate hydrogel-forming components. The thiosulfonate hydrogel-forming components of the invention are preferably multi-arm thiosulfonate polymer derivatives that form a crosslinked polymer composition when exposed to a base without requiring the presence of a second cross-linking reagent, redox catalyst, or radiation. Methods for forming hydrogel compositions, as well as methods for using the hydrogels, are also provided. |
| US08097685B2 |
Dendritic polymer, method for producing the same, and thermoplastic resin composition
The present invention is directed to a hyperbranched-polyester comprising at least one kind of a structural unit selected from an aromatic oxycarbonyl unit (P), aromatic and/or aliphatic dioxy units (Q), and an aromatic dicarboxy unit (R), and a trifunctional or higher polyfunctional organic residue (B), wherein the content of B is within a range from 7.5 to 50 mol % based on entire monomers constituting the hyperbranched-polyester. The present invention provides a hyperbranched-polyester which can remarkably improve thin-wall flowability, stiffness and gas barrier property by blending with a thermoplastic resin, and a thermoplastic resin composition blended with the same. |
| US08097683B2 |
Polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane and carborane containing network polymers
A thermoset and method of making such by crosslinking a mixture of a polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane having pendent siloxane groups or unsaturated carbon bonds and a siloxylcarborane compound having unsaturated carbon bonds. |
| US08097682B2 |
1-butene propylene copolymer compositions
A 1-butene/propylene copolymer composition having a content of propylene derived units from 4 to 10% by weight, wherein at least 50% of the polymer is present in the thermodynamically stable, trigonal form I after 100 hours at room temperature, said composition comprising: a) from 5% by weight to 95% by weight of an atactic 1-butene propylene copolymer having the following features: i) distribution of molecular weight Mw/Mn equal to or lower than 4; ii) no enthalpy of fusion detectable at a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC); and iii) infrared crystallinity lower than 0.5%; b) from 5% by weight to 95% by weight of an isotactic 1-butene propylene copolymer having the following features: i) isotactic pentads (mmmm) measured by 13C-NMR, higher than 80%; ii) melting point (Tm(II)) higher than 70° C.; and iii) distribution of molecular weight Mw/Mn equal to or lower than 4. |
| US08097680B2 |
Low gloss thermoplastic resin having excellent heat resistance and impact strength and method of preparing the same
A thermoplastic resin of the present invention is prepared by copolymerizing conjugated diene rubber (A), rubbery aromatic copolymer (B), heat resistant aromatic vinyl compound (C), aromatic vinyl compound (D), unsaturated nitrile compound (E) and cross linking agent (F) and can have excellent heat resistance, impact strength, and low gloss. |
| US08097679B2 |
Compositions of 1-butene based polymers
A 1-butene polymer composition comprising: a) from 10% to 90% by weight of an isotactic 1-butene polymer having the following features: i) isotactic pentad (mmmm) measured by 13C-NMR, higher than 90%; ii) melting point (TmII) higher than 90° C.; and iii) intrinsic viscosity (IV) measured in tetrahydronaphthalene (THN) at 135° C. comprised between 0.5 dl/g and 5.0 dl/g. b) from 90% to 10% by weight of a copolymer of 1-butene and at least a C8-C12 alpha-olefin derived units, containing from 0% to 10% by mole of propylene or pentene derived units, and/or containing from 0% to 5% by mole of ethylene derived units having a content of C8-C12 alpha-olefin derived units higher than 4.0% by mol and lower than 20.0% by mol; endowed with the following features: i) isotactic pentad mmmm higher than or equal to 90%; pentads (mmrr+mrrm) lower than 4 and pentad rmmr not detectable by C NMR. ii) intrinsic viscosity (IV) measured in tetrahydronaphthalene at 135° C. comprised between 0.8 and 5.0 dL/g; iii) the melting point measured by DSC (TmI) and the C8-C12 alpha-olefin content fulfil the following relationship: TmI<130×C−0.3 wherein C is the molar content of C8-C12 alpha-olefin derived units and TmI is the highest melting peak in the first melting transition; otherwise the melting point TmI is not detectable. |
| US08097671B2 |
Carbon black with large primary particle size as reheat additive for polyester and polypropylene resins
Reheat characteristics of polyethylene and polypropylene resins, including reheating time and resin color, are improved by adding to the resin carbon black with a primary particle size in the range of 200 to 500 nm as an infrared absorber. Thermal carbon blacks having this primary particle size are preferred over Furnace carbon blacks. Injection stretch-blow molded bottles and other thermoformed products are made from resins with carbon black infrared absorber. |
| US08097670B2 |
Polyacetal resin composition, process for producing the same, and sliding member molded from the resin composition
A polyacetal resin composition which has improved friction-wear characteristics as compared with conventional polyacetal resin compositions and which is less restricted in counter sliding members and can conform to a wide range of friction-wear conditions. A polyacetal resin composition comprising 100 parts by weight of (A) a polyacetal resin, 0.1 to 10 parts by weight of (B) a polyethylene wax having a number average molecular weight of 500 to 15,000, 0.1 to 10 parts by weight of (C) a polyethylene resin having a number average molecular weight of 2×104 to 50×104, and 0.1 to 5 parts by weight of (D) a silicone oil having a kinetic viscosity at 25° C. of 50×104 cSt or more. |
| US08097668B2 |
Colorimetric indicator of radiation exposure
A colorimetric composition is disclosed comprising a polycarbonate resin, a dye, and a thiopropionate. The composition undergoes an irreversible color shift to a darker color upon exposure to sunlight or UV radiation. Processes for producing and/or using such a colorimetric composition are also disclosed. |
| US08097663B2 |
Non-aqueous pigmented inkjet inks
A non-aqueous inkjet ink containing a pigment includes C.I. Pigment Violet 19 and a polymeric dispersant according to Formula (I): wherein, T represents hydrogen or a polymerization terminating group; Z represents the residue of polyethyleneimine having a number-average molecular weight of at least 100; A represents an oxyalkylene carbonyl group; T-C(O)An- represents a TPOAC-chain which is bound to Z through an amide bond; and n and m are integers wherein m is at least 2 and n is from 2 to 100; wherein the polymeric dispersant fulfills the conditions of: WTPOAC>57 and NAmide≧65 mol % with WTPOAC representing the ratio of the weight percentage of TPOAC-chains over the weight percentage of amide bonds in the polymeric dispersant; NAmide representing the mol % of amide bonds based on the total nitrogen content of the polymeric dispersant; and wherein the values of WTPOAC and NAmide are calculated from the total nitrogen content determined by dry combustion of the polymeric dispersant and from the amine content determined through potentiometric titration in a mixture of CH3COOH:THF (14.5:0.5) with 0.1N aqueous perchloric acid. |
| US08097662B2 |
Enhanced oxygen-scavenging polymers, and packaging made therefrom
Oxygen-scavenging polymers and packaging for holding oxygen-sensitive products. A heat treatment process has been found to significantly increase the oxygen-scavenging performance of the polymer. The enhanced scavenging polymer can be effectively incorporated into various packaging, including transparent multilayer containers for beer and juice. In one embodiment, a multilayer package made from the scavenger provides an actual reduction in oxygen content of a contents of the package, over a long period of time (e.g., 24 weeks). The package can be stored unfilled for an extended period (without significant loss of scavenging capability) and will scavenge substantially immediately upon filling with a liquid product. The package may incorporate a relatively low weight percentage of the scavenger, thus providing enhanced scavenging in a cost-effective manner. |
| US08097655B2 |
Methods for concomitant administration of colchicine and macrolide antibiotics
Methods for concomitant administration of colchicine together with one or more macrolide antibiotics, e.g., clarithromycin, are disclosed. Such methods reduce the dangers commonly associated with such concomitant administration and provide additional benefits. |
| US08097654B2 |
Radiolabeled 3-[3-(benzoyl-amido)benzyloxy]aspartic acid derivative and method of producing the same
The present invention provides a radiolabeled ligand which is highly selective and potent for glutamate transporters and is usable in specifically detecting the glutamate transporter.Specifically, the present invention provides a 3-[3-(benzoylamido)benzyloxy]aspartic acid having a radioactive substituent on the benzoyl group which is represented by the following formula (1), or an ester or salt thereof: wherein X represents a substituent containing a radioactive atom(s) which is selected from a straight or branched lower aliphatic alkyl group, a hydroxyl group, a straight or branched lower aliphatic alkoxy group, an amino group, a straight or branched lower aliphatic acylamido group, a halogen atom and a straight or branched lower aliphatic haloalkyl group; and R1 and R2 each represents a hydrogen atom, a straight or branched lower aliphatic alkyl group or an acetoxymethyl group. |
| US08097653B2 |
Dosage unit comprising a prostaglandin analog for treating constipation
A dosage unit for treating constipation in a human patient is described. The dosage unit of the invention comprises a halogenated prostaglandin analog and a pharmaceutically suitable excipient. The dosage unit relieves constipation without substantial side effects. |
| US08097648B2 |
Methods and compositions for use in treating cancer
The invention provides methods and compositions for use in treating diseases associated with excessive cellular proliferation, such as cancer. |
| US08097647B2 |
Augmented cognitive training
The present invention provides methods of treating cognitive deficits associated with mental retardation. The methods comprise combining cognitive training protocols and a general administration of phosphodiesterase 4 inhibitors. |
| US08097642B2 |
Therapeutic inhibitor of vascular smooth muscle cells
Methods are provided for inhibiting stenosis following vascular trauma or disease in a mammalian host, comprising administering to the host a therapeutically effective dosage of a therapeutic conjugate containing a vascular smooth muscle binding protein that associates in a specific manner with a cell surface of the vascular smooth muscle cell, coupled to a therapeutic agent dosage form that inhibits a cellular activity of the muscle cell. Methods are also provided for the direct and/or targeted delivery of therapeutic agents to vascular smooth muscle cells that cause a dilation and fixation of the vascular lumen by inhibiting smooth muscle cell contraction, thereby constituting a biological stent. |
| US08097641B2 |
Heterocyclyl substituted tetrahydronaphthalene derivatives as 5-HT7 receptor ligands
The present invention relates to heterocyclyl-substituted-tetrahydro-naphthalen compounds of general formula (I), methods for their preparation, and compositions comprising these compounds as well as their use for the treatment or prophylaxis of various disorders in humans or animals. |
| US08097636B2 |
Heterocyclic derivatives as modulators of ion channels
The present invention relates to heterocyclic derivatives useful as inhibitors of ion channels. The invention also provides pharmaceutically acceptable compositions comprising the compounds of the invention and methods of using the compositions in the treatment of various disorders. |
| US08097633B2 |
Uses for quaternary ammonium anticholinergic muscarinic receptor antagonists in patients being treated for cognitive impairment or acute delirium
A method for treating the adverse effects of acetyl-cholinesterase inhibitors used in the treatment of cognitive disorders such as acute delirium and cognitive impairment in elderly human patients. The administration of a clinically effective amount of a quaternary ammonium anti-cholinergic muscarinic receptor antagonist having very low lipid solubility substantially eliminates the adverse effects of urinary and/or fecal incontinence, nausea, bradycardia, bronchorrhea or brochospasm caused by the acetyl-cholinesterase inhibitors, without affecting the beneficial activity of the acetyl-cholinesterase inhibitors. This permits the administration of the optimum effective dosing of acetyl-cholinesterase inhibitors to provide maximum benefit to the patient with the added benefit of reducing or eliminating the unwanted side effects of fecal and urinary incontinence. Further, the combination of rivastigmine and glycopyrrolate has been effective in significantly improving cognitive function in patients suffering from acute dementia or cognitive impairment. |
| US08097632B2 |
Inhibitors of hedgehog signaling pathways, compositions and uses related thereto
The present invention makes available assays and reagents inhibiting paracrine and/or autocrine signals produced by a hedgehog protein or aberrant activation of a hedgehog signal transduction pathway, e.g., which involve the use of a steroidal alkaloid or other small molecule. |
| US08097631B2 |
Fungicidal composition comprising cyprodinil
A fungicidal composition in the form of a liquid concentrate, which, in addition to at least one formulation adjuvant, comprises cyprodinil and an unsaturated C18-fatty acid selected from oleic acid, linoleic acid and linolenic acid. |
| US08097630B2 |
Pinane-substituted pyrimidinediamine derivatives useful as Axl inhibitors
Pinane-substituted pyrimidinediamine derivatives and pharmaceutical compositions containing the derivatives are disclosed as being useful in inhibiting the activity of the receptor protein tyrosine kinase Axl. Methods of using the derivatives in treating diseases or conditions associated with Axl catalytic activity are also disclosed. |
| US08097628B2 |
Compounds
Compounds of Formula (I) or pharmaceutically acceptable salts or N-oxides thereof: (relative chemistry shown) pharmaceutical compositions comprising them, their use in therapy especially against tuberculosis, and methods of preparing them are described. |
| US08097621B2 |
Pyrazolo[4,3-d]pyrimidines as phosphodiesterase inhibitors
This invention relates to compounds of formula (I) |
| US08097617B2 |
Organic compounds
New compounds of the Formula (I): for the treatment of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. |
| US08097615B2 |
Neurofibrillary labels
Disclosed are in vitro methods for identifying ligands capable of labeling aggregated PHF tau protein, the methods comprising the steps of: (i) providing a first agent suspected of being capable of labeling aggregated PHF tau protein, (ii) contacting (a) a tau protein or a derivative thereof containing the tau core fragment bound to a solid phase so as to expose a high affinity tau capture site, with (b) a liquid phase tau protein or derivative thereof capable of binding to the solid phase tau protein or derivative, and (c) said selected first agent and (d) a second agent known to be tau-tau binding inhibitor, (iii) selecting first agent which fully or partially relieves the inhibition of binding of the liquid phase tau protein or derivative of (b) to the solid phase tau protein or derivative of (a) by the inhibitor (d). Ligands may also be tested to confirm that they are not themselves inhibitors. |
| US08097612B2 |
Compositions and methods relating to novel compounds and targets thereof
The present invention relates to novel chemical compounds, methods for their discovery, and their therapeutic use. In particular, the present invention provides benzodiazepine derivatives and related compounds and methods of using benzodiazepine derivatives and related compounds as therapeutic agents to treat a number of conditions associated with the faulty regulation of the processes of programmed cell death, autoimmunity, inflammation, hyperproliferation, and the like. |
| US08097608B2 |
Methods for treatment of cardiovascular disorders and diseases
Propargylamine, propargylamine derivatives including N-propargyl-1-aminoindan, enantiomers and analogs thereof, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, are useful for prevention or treatment of cardiovascular disorders, diseases and conditions. |
| US08097606B2 |
Antiglucocorticoids for the treatment of catatonia
The invention provides a method of ameliorating the symptoms of catatonia in a patient who is in need of treatment for catatonia. The method comprises administration of a therapeutically effective amount of a glucocorticoid receptor antagonist to the patient. |
| US08097604B2 |
Combination of gestagen and insulin sensitizer for treating PCOS
The present invention relates to a medicament which contains as the active ingredient combination at least one gestagen with a contraceptive action as the sole hormone component and at least one insulin sensitizer, which medicament is in particular suitable for preventing or treating pathological disorders which are caused by polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). |
| US08097603B2 |
Compositions for controlling parasites on animals
The present invention relates to novel skin-friendly dermally applicable liquid formulations comprising a pyrethrin or pyrethroid and MGK 264 in a ratio of at least 1:20 and a further insecticide, preferably from the group of the neonicotinoids, for controlling parasitic arthropods on animals. |
| US08097602B1 |
Method of treating body insect infestation
Described is a safe and effective method for treating lice and nits (fleas, ticks and other insects) with a low surface tension chemical formulation. |
| US08097598B2 |
Porcine CTLA-4 for xenograft-specific immunosuppression
The invention provides means and methods for inhibiting T-cell mediated rejection of a xenotransplanted organ by blocking the delivery of co-stimulatory signal 2 (the B7/CD28 interaction) in order to prevent the activation of xenoreactive T-cells in the recipient. In a first aspect, co-stimulation is prevented by administration to the organ recipient of a soluble form of CTLA-4 from the xenogeneic donor organism. This preferentially binds B7 on the xenograft and blocks the interaction between B7 on the xenogeneic donor cells and CD28 on recipient T-cells. In a second aspect, co-stimulation is antagonized by expressing a ligand for CTLA-4 on the xenogeneic donor cells. This ligand binds to CTLA-4 on activated T-cells of the recipient and antagonizes signal 2. In a third aspect, co-stimulation is prevented by expressing recipient organism MHC class II on the surface of the cells of the xenogeneic donor organ. The donor cells are thus able to present xenoantigens to a recipient T-cell in the context of self-MHC class II. If the donor cells do not express B7, or if B7 is blocked, the xenoreactive recipient T-cell becomes anergic. |
| US08097597B2 |
Use of low doses of oligonucleotides antisense to TGF-β genes in the treatment of brain tumors
This invention is related to the use of at least one oligonucleotide with a length of from about 8 to about 30 nucleotide building blocks for manufacturing a pharmaceutical preparation for the prophylaxis and/or the treatment of diseases, that are modulated by TGF-beta2, TGF-beta1, TGF-beta3, VEGF, interleukin-10, c-jun, c-fos, and/or prostaglandin E2 in a mammal, wherein said oligonucleotide hybridizes with a messenger RNA of a TGF-beta2, TGF-beta1, TGF-beta3, VEGF, interleukin-10, c-jun, c-fos and/or prostaglandin E2 gene and wherein said preparation comprises said oligonucleotide in a concentration of about 1 microM to about 25 microM. |
| US08097592B2 |
Cocrystal of C-glycoside derivative and L-proline
A cocrystal of (1S)-1,5-anhydro-1-[3-(1-benzothien-2-ylmethyl)-4-fluorophenyl]-D-glucitol and L-proline. It is a cocrystal of known compound A, which has a constant quality, is superior in storage stability, has no moisture absorptivity, and is suitable as a crystal of a drug substance used for preparing pharmaceuticals. |
| US08097591B2 |
Polysialic acid derivatives, methods of production, and uses in enhancing cancer antigen production and targeting
The present invention relates to compositions and methods of their production and use, including use in increasing de-N-acetyl sialic acid antigen of a mammalian cell and methods that exploit the increase in deNAc sialic acid antigen on such cells. |
| US08097590B2 |
α-MSH-antagonist dipeptide conjugates
The invention relates to a dipeptide conjugate having general formula I, AA2-AA1-NH2, wherein A represent the radical corresponding to a monocarboxylic acid with general formula II, HOOC—R, in which: R represents a linear or branched aliphatic radical at C1-C24, which is optionally substituted by a hydroxyl group and which can comprise one or more unsaturations, preferably between 1 and 6 unsaturations, and/or which can comprise a phenyl group or lipoic acid or the reduced form thereof, dihydrolipoic acid or N-lipoyllysine; and AA1 and AA2 represent identical or different amino acids which are selected from the group containing Ala, Asn, Cys, Gln, Gly, Ile, Leu, Met, Phe, Pro, Ser, Thr, Trp, Tyr, Val, Asp, Glu, Arg, His, Lys, Orn, Dap, Dab, the corresponding homo-amino acids and the corresponding beta-amino acids in the form of enantiomers or diastereoisomers and mixtures thereof, including racemic mixtures. |
| US08097583B2 |
Proteins of natural origin and materials made therefrom
The present invention is directed to proteins of natural origin and materials made therefrom, in particular to threads, fibers, foams and gels derived therefrom. The invention further provides the use of these proteins/threads and materials in the field of technology, biotechnology and/or medicine, in particular in the manufacture of wound closure or coverage systems, suture materials and in the manufacture of replacement materials, preferably artificial cartilage or tendon materials, as well as in other commercial applications. |
| US08097581B2 |
Anti-wrinkle cosmetic composition
The present invention relates to a composition for treating skin comprising an acylated short chain bioactive peptide and fulvic acid, and optionally colloidal gold. The invention further relates to a method for topically administering the composition in an amount therapeutically effective to reduce wrinkles by building the dermal fibroblast matrix. The invention further relates to a method of treating wrinkled skin by topically administering the composition to an individual in need of such treatment. |
| US08097580B2 |
Liquid laundry treatment composition comprising an asymmetric di-hydrocarbyl quaternary ammonium compound
A laundry treatment composition comprising from about 1 wt. % to about 90 wt. % of an asymmetric di-hydrocarbyl quaternary ammonium compound comprising the structure: wherein R1 comprises a C12 to C22 hydrocarbyl chain, wherein R2 comprises a C6 to C12 hydrocarbyl chain, which can be branched, wherein R1 has at least two more carbon atoms in the hydrocarbyl chain than R2, wherein R3 and R4 are individually selected from the group consisting of C1-C4 hydrocarbyl, C1-C4 hydroxy hydrocarbyl, benzyl, —(C2H4O)xH where x has a value from about 1 to about 10, and mixtures thereof, and wherein X− is a anion; and from about 1 wt. % to about 90 wt. % of an anionic surfactant, wherein the laundry treatment composition provides sufficient softness and anti-static benefits without minimized formation of non-soluble flocs. |
| US08097571B2 |
Composition containing at least one hydroxy acid, at least one mono- or disaccharide and at least one ceramide, and methods
Composition which, in a preferred embodiment, contains, in a cosmetically acceptable medium, at least one monosaccharide and/or disaccharide, at least one α-hydroxy acid, and at least one ceramide compound. Uses include topical application for the treatment of keratinous substances, in particular keratinous fibres, especially the hair. |
| US08097570B2 |
Lubricating composition for hydrocarbonated mixtures and products obtained
A subject of the present invention is an anti-corrosive and antistatic lubricating composition for a hydrocarbonated mixture comprising: a) at least a compound A of Formula (I) below: in which R1 and R2 are hydrogen or a linear or branched alkyl group of 1-40 carbon atoms, comprising possibly one to five double bond(s), R1 and R2 together being able to form an aromatic or aliphatic ring of 5-6 carbon atoms, said ring being capable of substitution by one to three linear or branched alkyl group(s) of 1-40 carbon atoms, in which R1 and R2 cannot be hydrogen at the same time, and in which R3 and R4, identical or different, are chosen from the OH groups, in which R3 and R4 cannot be the OH group at the same time, or deriving from a linear or branched monol or polyol group containing 1-20 carbon atoms having a functionality of 2 to 5 inclusive; b) and at least one B compound corresponding to a fatty acid of 16-24 carbon atoms, unsaturated or not, optionally in a mixture with a carboxylic acid comprising at least one aromatic and/or olefinic polycycle or ring and/or their ester, amide or corresponding amine salts derivatives, taken alone or in a mixture. |
| US08097568B2 |
Aqueous compositions useful in filling and conveying of beverage bottles wherein the compositions comprise hardness ions and have improved compatibility with PET
The passage of a container along a conveyor is facilitated by applying to the container or conveyor aqueous compositions containing hardness ions. The compatibility of the aqueous compositions with PET bottles is improved when the ratio of hardness as CaCO3 to alkalinity as CaCO3 is greater than about 1 to 1. |
| US08097567B2 |
Well drilling fluids having clay control properties
Clay is stabilized in the drilling of wells and other formation treatment for hydrocarbon production by the addition to the drilling or other fluid including a choline compound together with an formation control additive. |
| US08097552B2 |
Dielectric ceramics and capacitor
A dielectric ceramic and a capacitor comprising the dielectric ceramic are disclosed. The dielectric ceramic has a high dielectric constant that is stable over temperature, and has a small spontaneous polarization. The capacitor can reduce audible noise caused by an electrically induced strain in a power supply circuit. |
| US08097546B2 |
Composition for ceramic extrusion-molded body and method for manufacturing a ceramic extrusion-molded body
A composition for ceramic extrusion-molded bodies includes a ceramic material, a water-soluble cellulose ether, a styrenesulfonate and water. A method for manufacturing a ceramic extrusion-molded body using the composition is also provided. |
| US08097544B2 |
Rated fire frame and door frame / jamb
The present invention teaches that a tightly woven, and strong layer of fiberglass may be coated or impregnated with sodium silicate in order to produce a strong and fire resistant jamb/frame. The present invention further teaches that a fire doorjamb core may be mass produced from fire resistant layers and the frame core rated for fire safety by a rating agency, thus allowing builders and door manufacturers to produce building structures and doors using that core without individually certifying each model of door or structure. The present invention further teaches a structure/method of mounting for door frames which closely parallels mounting of normal door frames, without special brackets or plates. |
| US08097539B2 |
Imprint mask manufacturing method for nanoimprinting
A pattern is formed on a mask substrate. Positional deviation information between an actual position of the pattern formed on the mask substrate and a design position decided at the time of designing the pattern is calculated. A heterogeneous layer of which a volume expands more greatly than that of surrounding mask substrate region is formed in a predetermined position within the mask substrate so that volume expansion of the heterogeneous layer according to the positional deviation information is achieved. |
| US08097535B2 |
Fabrication of self-assembled nanowire-type interconnects on a semiconductor device
The present invention relates to a semiconductor device with nanowire-type interconnect elements and a method for fabricating the same. The device comprises a metal structure with at least one self-assembled metal dendrite and forming an interconnect element (424) between a first and a second metal structure. The fabrication comprises providing an ambient environment adjacent to an interconnect surface region of a substrate that is suitable for allowing growth of at least one metal dendrite between the first and second metal structures, and initiating and sustaining self-assembly of a metal structure comprising at least one metal dendrite in the interconnect surface region between the first and second metal structures by irradiating the pn junction with photons of an energy suitable for creating free charge carriers in the first and second doped substrate regions and thus creating an electric potential difference between the first and second metal structures, which is suitable for electrolysis of metal from at least one of the first and second metal structures. |
| US08097534B2 |
Method for manufacturing semiconductor device and storage medium
On an etching target film formed on a substrate, a three-layer resist is laminated. This three-layer resist includes an organic film and a resist film developed into a resist pattern. Through the resist pattern, the organic film is etched into a mask pattern through which the etching target film will be etched.The organic film is etched with plasma which is obtained by exciting a process gas containing carbon dioxide and hydrogen to the plasma state. This scheme makes it possible to form a high perpendicularity mask pattern in the organic film. |
| US08097530B2 |
Method for manufacturing SIC semiconductor device
A method for manufacturing a SiC semiconductor device includes: forming an impurity layer in a SiC layer; and forming an oxide film on the SiC layer. The forming the impurity layer includes: implanting an impurity in the SiC layer; applying a cap layer on the SiC layer; annealing the cap layer to be transformed a carbon layer; annealing the SiC layer to activate the impurity; and removing the carbon layer. The annealing the SiC layer includes: increasing a temperature of the SiC layer from a second temperature to a first temperature within a first time duration; and decreasing the temperature of the SiC layer from the first temperature to the second temperature within a second time duration. The first temperature is equal to or higher than 1800° C., and the second temperature is lower than 1800° C. The first and second time durations are small. |
| US08097525B2 |
Vertical through-silicon via for a semiconductor structure
A semiconductor structure includes at least one silicon substrate having first and second planar surfaces, and at least one through silicon via filled with a conductive material and extending vertically through the first planar surface of the at least one silicon substrate to the second planar surface thereof. The through silicon via forms a vertical interconnection between a plurality of electronic circuits and an amount of dielectric insulation surrounding the through silicon via is varied based on a defined function of the through silicon via. |
| US08097524B2 |
Lightly doped silicon carbide wafer and use thereof in high power devices
A method for manufacturing a silicon carbide single crystal. A silicon carbide single crystal is grown. The crystal has a boron concentration less than 5×1014 cm−3, and a concentration of transition metals impurities less than 5×1014 cm−3. Intrinsic defects in the crystal are minimised. The intrinsic defects include silicon vacancies or carbon vacancies. The crystal is annealed for a desired time at a temperature above 700° C. in an atmosphere containing any of the gases hydrogen or a mixture of hydrogen and an inert gas, such that the density of intrinsic defects and any associated defects is decreased to a concentration low enough to confer to the crystal a desired carrier life time of at least 50 ns at room temperature. |
| US08097522B2 |
Modular methods of forming isolation structures for integrated circuits
A variety of isolation structures for semiconductor substrates include a trench formed in the substrate that is filled with a dielectric material or filled with a conductive material and lined with a dielectric layer along the walls of the trench. The trench may be used in combination with doped sidewall isolation regions. Both the trench and the sidewall isolation regions may be annular and enclose an isolated pocket of the substrate. The isolation structures are formed by modular implant and etch processes that do not include significant thermal processing or diffusion of dopants so that the resulting structures are compact and may be tightly packed in the surface of the substrate. |
| US08097517B2 |
Method for manufacturing semiconductor device with improved short channel effect of a PMOS and stabilized current of a NMOS
The present invention relates to a semiconductor device which is capable of simultaneously improving a short channel effect of a PMOS and the current of an NMOS and a method for manufacturing the same. The semiconductor device includes first and second gates formed over first and second areas of a semiconductor substrate, respectively; and first and second junction areas formed in a portion of the semiconductor substrate corresponding to both sides of the first gate and a portion of the semiconductor substrate corresponding to both sides of the second gate, and including a projection, respectively, wherein the projection of the first junction area has a height higher than the height of the projection of the second junction area, and the second junction area is formed such that it has a depth from the surface of the semiconductor substrate deeper than the depth of the first junction area. |
| US08097515B2 |
Self-aligned contacts for nanowire field effect transistors
A method for forming a nanowire field effect transistor (FET) device includes forming a nanowire over a semiconductor substrate, forming a gate structure around a portion of the nanowire, forming a capping layer on the gate structure; forming a first spacer adjacent to sidewalls of the gate and around portions of nanowire extending from the gate, forming a hardmask layer on the capping layer and the first spacer, removing exposed portions of the nanowire, epitaxially growing a doped semiconductor material on exposed cross sections of the nanowire to form a source region and a drain region, forming a silicide material in the epitaxially grown doped semiconductor material, and forming a conductive material on the source and drain regions. |
| US08097510B2 |
Method of forming lateral trench gate FET with direct source-drain current path
A method of forming a field effect transistor (FET) includes: forming a drift region comprising a stack of alternating conductivity type silicon layers; forming a drain region of a first conductivity type extending into the stack of alternating conductivity type silicon layers; forming a trench gate extending into the stack of alternating conductivity type silicon layers, the trench gate having a non-active sidewall and an active sidewall being perpendicular to one another; and forming a body region of a second conductivity type adjacent to the active sidewall of the trench gate, wherein the trench gate and the drain region are formed such that the non-active sidewall of the trench gate faces the drain region. |
| US08097507B2 |
Method of fabricating a semiconductor device
A semiconductor device and a method of fabricating the same. In accordance with a method of fabricating a semiconductor device according to an aspect of the invention, a tunnel dielectric layer, a first conductive layer, a dielectric layer, a second conductive layer, and a gate electrode layer are sequentially stacked over a semiconductor substrate. The gate electrode layer and the second conductive layer are patterned. A first passivation layer is formed on sidewalls of the gate electrode layer. Gate patterns are formed by etching the dielectric layer, the first conductive layer, and the tunnel dielectric layer, which have been exposed. A second passivation layer is formed on the entire surface along a surface of the gate patterns including the first passivation layer. |
| US08097502B2 |
Semiconductor light emitting device and method of manufacturing the same
Provided is a semiconductor light emitting device and a method of manufacturing the semiconductor light emitting device. The semiconductor light emitting device includes a substrate, at least two light emitting cells located on the substrate and formed by stacking semiconductor material layers, a reflection layer and a transparent insulating layer sequentially stacked between the light emitting cells, and a transparent electrode covering the upper surface of the light emitting cells. |
| US08097501B2 |
Method for manufacturing semiconductor device
A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device, includes: forming a first-conductivity-type semiconductor region on a semiconductor layer; forming a mask member on the first-conductivity-type semiconductor region; selectively forming an opening in the mask member; etching the first-conductivity-type semiconductor region exposed to the opening to form a trench having a larger diameter than the opening and an eaves-like mask projected above the trench and made of the mask member; and forming a second-conductivity-type semiconductor region in the trench below the eaves-like mask by epitaxial growth to form a structure section in which the first-conductivity-type semiconductor region and the second-conductivity-type semiconductor region are alternately repeated in a direction generally parallel to a major surface of the semiconductor layer. |
| US08097499B2 |
Semiconductor device and methods thereof
A semiconductor device and method thereof. The example method may include forming a semiconductor device, including forming a first layer on a substrate, the first layer including aluminum nitride (AlN), forming a second layer by oxidizing a surface of the first layer and forming a third layer on the second layer, the first, second and third layers each being highly oriented with respect to one of a plurality crystallographic planes. The example semiconductor device may include a substrate including a first layer, the first layer including aluminum nitride (AlN), a second layer formed by oxidizing a surface of the first layer and a third layer formed on the second layer, the first, second and third layers each being highly oriented with respect to one of a plurality crystallographic planes. |
| US08097497B2 |
Inkjet printed wirebonds, encapsulant and shielding
A method of connecting a chip to a package in a semiconductor device includes printing an encapsulant to a predetermined thickness on at least a portion of the chip and package and printing a layer of conductive material on the encapsulant in a predetermined pattern between the chip and package. The printed conductive material conforms to an upper surface of the encapsulant such that the encapsulant defines a distance from the printed conductive material to the chip and package. The method further includes printing a second layer of encapsulant over the printed conductive material curing at least the second layer of encapsulant. |
| US08097495B2 |
Die package with asymmetric leadframe connection
A leadframe for a semiconductor package is disclosed including electrical leads which extend from one side of the leadframe to an opposite side of the leadframe, where electrical connection may be made with the semiconductor die at the second side of the leadframe. The semiconductor die may be supported on the leads extending across the leadframe. The package may further include a spacer layer affixed to the electrical leads to fortify the semiconductor package and to prevent exposure of the electrical leads during the molding of the package. |
| US08097494B2 |
Method of making an integrated circuit package with shielding via ring structure
Electromagnetic shielding for an integrated circuit packaged device. The method includes forming shielding structures by forming openings in an encapsulated structure. The openings are filled with conductive material that surrounds at least one die. The encapsulated structure may include a plurality of integrated circuit die. A layered redistribution structure is formed on one side of the encapsulated structure. |
| US08097493B2 |
Method of manufacturing semiconductor light emitting elements
A method of manufacturing semiconductor light emitting elements with improved yield and emission power uses laser lift-off and comprises the steps of forming a semiconductor grown layer formed of a first semiconductor layer, an active layer, and a second semiconductor layer on a first principal surface of a growth substrate; forming a plurality of junction electrodes apart on the second semiconductor layer and forming guide grooves arranged in a lattice to surround each of the junction electrodes in the second semiconductor layer; joining together a support and the semiconductor grown layer via the junction electrodes; projecting a laser to separate the growth substrate; dividing the semiconductor grown layer into respective element regions for the semiconductor light emitting elements; and cutting the support, thereby separating into the semiconductor light emitting elements. Removed regions include regions where the guide grooves are formed, and side walls of the second semiconductor layer formed by the guide grooves have a beveled shape at intersections of the guide grooves. |
| US08097492B2 |
Method and manufacture of silicon based package and devices manufactured thereby
A Silicon Based Package (SBP) is formed starting with a thick wafer, which serves as the base for the SBP, composed of silicon which has a first surface and a reverse surface which are planar. Then form an interconnection structure including metal capture structures in contact with the first surface and multilayer conductor patterns over the first surface. Form a temporary bond between the SBP and a wafer holder, with the wafer holder being a rigid structure. Thin the reverse side of the wafer to a desired thickness to form an Ultra Thin Silicon Wafer (UTSW) for the SBP. Form via holes with tapered or vertical sidewalls, which extend through the UTSW to reach the metal capture structures. Then form metal pads in the via holes which extend through the UTSW, making electrical contact to the metal capture structures. Then bond the metal pads in the via holes to pads of a carrier. |
| US08097489B2 |
Semiconductor device and method of mounting pre-fabricated shielding frame over semiconductor die
A semiconductor device includes a pre-fabricated shielding frame mounted over a sacrificial substrate and semiconductor die. An encapsulant is deposited through an opening in the shielding frame around the semiconductor die. A first portion of the shielding frame to expose the encapsulant. Removing the first portion also leaves a second portion of the shielding frame over the semiconductor die as shielding from interference. A third portion of the shielding frame around the semiconductor die provides a conductive pillar. A first interconnect structure is formed over a first side of the encapsulant, shielding frame, and semiconductor die. The sacrificial substrate is removed. A second interconnect structure over the semiconductor die and a second side of the encapsulant. The shielding frame can be connected to low-impedance ground point through the interconnect structures or TSV in the semiconductor die to isolate the die from EMI and RFI, and other inter-device interference. |
| US08097486B2 |
Method for producing a solid-state imaging element
There is provided a solid-state imaging element having a light receiving part generating charges by light irradiation, and a source/drain region of a transistor, both formed in a semiconductor layer. The solid-state imaging element includes a non-silicided region including the light receiving part, in which surfaces of the source/drain region and a gate electrode of the transistor are not silicided; and a silicided region in which the surfaces of the source/drain region and the gate electrode of the transistor are silicided. The non-silicided region has a sidewall formed on a side surface of the gate electrode of the transistor, a hydrogen supply film formed to cover the semiconductor layer, the gate electrode, and the sidewall, and a salicide block film formed on the hydrogen supply film to prevent silicidation. The silicided region has a sidewall formed on the side surface of the gate electrode of the transistor. |
| US08097484B1 |
Solar cell receiver component placement control with positioning receptacles
A method of manufacturing a solar cell receiver includes providing an insulative substrate having a metallized surface with a first conductive region separated from a second conductive region. The first conductive region forms a first terminal of the solar cell receiver and the second conductive region forms a second terminal of the solar cell receiver. The metallized surface has receptacles positioned around attachment regions with each attachment region corresponding to a different portion of the metallized surface. The method further includes positioning a material within the receptacles, placing a solar cell on the first conductive region and on a first one of the attachment regions, placing a second component on a second one of the attachment regions, placing a third component on a third one of the attachment regions and attaching the solar cell, the second component, and the third component to the metallized surface. |
| US08097483B2 |
Manufacturing a MEMS element having cantilever and cavity on a substrate
Method for manufacturing a capacitor on a substrate, the capacitor including a first electrode (5) and a second electrode (12; 25), the first and second electrodes being separated by a cavity (16; 32), the substrate including an insulating surface layer (3), the first electrode (5) being arranged on the insulating surface layer a first metal body (7a; 20) being adjacent to the first electrode and arranged as anchor of the second electrode (12; 25) the second electrode being arranged as a beam-shaped body (12; 25) located on the first metal body and above the first electrode; the cavity (16; 32) being laterally demarcated by a sidewall of the first metal body. |
| US08097478B2 |
Method for producing light-emitting diode
The present invention provides a method for producing a light-emitting diode, the method comprising a lamination step of forming a laminated semiconductor layer by sequentially laminating an n-type semiconductor layer, a light-emitting layer and a p-type semiconductor layer onto a substrate, as well as forming a plurality of reflective p-type electrodes on top of the p-type semiconductor layer, a plating step of forming a seed layer that covers the reflective p-type electrodes and the p-type semiconductor layer, and fowling a plating layer on top of the seed layer, a removal step of removing the substrate from the n-type semiconductor layer, thereby exposing a light extraction surface of the n-type semiconductor layer, and an electrode formation step of performing dry etching of the light extraction surface of the n-type semiconductor layer using an etching gas containing the same element as a dopant element within the n-type semiconductor layer, and subsequently forming an n-type electrode on the light extraction surface. |
| US08097476B2 |
Light emitting diode and wafer level package method, wafer level bonding method thereof, and circuit structure for wafer level package
This invention discloses a light emitting diode, a wafer level package method, a wafer level bonding method, and a circuit structure for a wafer level package. The light emitting diode includes a package carrier, a conducting material, at least one light emitting diode structure and a package material. The package carrier has at least one package unit and two through holes on the package carrier and corresponding to the package unit. The conducting material is disposed in the through holes and formed at the bottom of the package unit. The light emitting diode structure is formed on a substrate. The substrate having a light emitting diode structure is flipped over in the package unit, and the electrodes of the light emitting diode structure are bonded with the conducting material. After the substrate is removed, a package material is stuffed in the package unit or on the light emitting diode structure. |
| US08097473B2 |
Alignment method, exposure method, pattern forming method, and exposure apparatus
An alignment method is provided in which a substrate including first and second layers is aligned in forming a second pattern in the second layer. The method includes storing first alignment measurement data to be used in alignment performed in forming a first pattern and a second alignment mark in the second layer, the first alignment measurement data obtained by measuring a first alignment mark provided in the first layer; obtaining second alignment measurement data by measuring the second alignment mark through a resist applied over the second layer; obtaining third alignment measurement data by measuring the first alignment mark through the resist; and performing alignment of the substrate in accordance with a first difference between the first and second alignment measurement data, or in accordance with the first difference and a second difference between the first and third alignment measurement data. |
| US08097468B2 |
Using plasma proteomic pattern for diagnosis, classification, prediction of response to therapy and clinical behavior, stratification of therapy, and monitoring disease in hematologic malignancies
The present invention demonstrates that the diagnosis and prediction of clinical behavior in patients with hematologic malignancies, such as leukemia, can be accomplished by analysis of proteins present in a plasma sample. Thus, in particular embodiments the present invention uses plasma to create a diagnostic or prognostic protein profile of a hematologic malignancy comprising collecting plasma samples from a population of patients with hematologic malignancies; generating protein spectra from the plasma samples with or without fractionation; comparing the protein spectra with clinical data; and identifying protein markers in the plasma samples that correlate with the clinical data. Protein markers identified by this approach can then be used to create a protein profile that can be used to diagnose the hematologic malignancy or determine the prognosis of the hematologic malignancy. Potentially these specific proteins can be identified and targeted in the therapy of these malignancies. |
| US08097464B2 |
Chemical and biological detection arrays
Device comprising: a first substrate; a plurality of first raised elements on the first substrate, the first raised elements mutually spaced apart by first channel regions on the first substrate, each of the first raised elements having a first distal end, the first distal ends forming a first array; hydrophobic molecules on the first raised elements; and primary reactive molecules on the first raised elements for generating hydrophilic reaction products. Techniques for utilizing the device. |
| US08097462B2 |
Aerosol preparation of intact lipoproteins
A medical diagnostic method and instrumentation system for analyzing noncovalently bonded agglomerated biological particles is described. The method and system comprises: a method of preparation for the biological particles; an electrospray generator; an alpha particle radiation source; a differential mobility analyzer; a particle counter; and data acquisition and analysis means. The medical device is useful for the assessment of human diseases, such as cardiac disease risk and hyperlipidemia, by rapid quantitative analysis of lipoprotein fraction densities. Initially, purification procedures are described to reduce an initial blood sample to an analytical input to the instrument. The measured sizes from the analytical sample are correlated with densities, resulting in a spectrum of lipoprotein densities. The lipoprotein density distribution can then be used to characterize cardiac and other lipid-related health risks. |
| US08097460B2 |
Ethanol production in bacillus
The present invention relates to the production of ethanol as a product of bacterial fermentation. In particular this invention relates to a novel method of gene inactivation and gene expression based upon homologous recombination. The method is particularly useful in connection with species of Bacillus such as B. stereothermophilus, B. calvodelox, B. caldotenax, B. thermoglucosidasius, B. coagulans, B. licheniformis, B. thermodenitrificans, and B. caldolyticus. |
| US08097456B2 |
Nanotopographic compositions and methods for cellular organization in tissue engineered structures
The present invention relates to tissue engineered compositions and methods comprising nanotopographic surface topography (“nanotopography”) for use in modulating the organization and/or function of multiple cell types. |
| US08097454B2 |
Model system for identifying anti-cancer agents
A model system for screening and identification of compounds that interfere with Gli2 dependent tumorigenesis and provide potential use as anticancer agents is provided. In particular, the invention includes a Gli2 protein having an S662A point mutation that interferes with binding by the ubiquitin-ligase β-TrCP. The mutation inhibits Gli2 degradation by the ubiquitin pathway. Gli2 stability and half-life are increased in the host cell resulting in an increase in Gli2-dependent transcription and concomitant neoplasia and tumorigenesis. Expression of the Gli2 mutant allows for the high throughput screening of compounds that interfere with the tumorigenesis thereby identifying anticancer agents. |
| US08097453B2 |
Recombinant viral-based malaria vaccines
Described are vaccines against malarial infections, which are based on recombinant viral vectors, such as alpha viruses, adenoviruses, or vaccinia viruses. The recombinant viral-based vaccines can be used to immunize against different Plasmodium infections, such as infections by P. falciparum or P. yoelii. Codon-optimized circumsporozoite genes are disclosed. Replication-defective adenoviruses may be used, derived from serotypes that encounter low titers of neutralizing antibodies. Also described is the use of different adenoviral serotypes that are administered to elicit a strong immune response, either in single vaccination set-ups or in prime-boost set-ups in which compositions based on different serotypes can be applied. |
| US08097446B2 |
Staphylococus aureus strain CYL1892
This disclosure presents embodiments of novel strains of Staphylococcus aureus that through genetic engineering produce type 5 capsular polysaccharide at greater levels than Staphylococcus aureus strain Reynolds. |
| US08097444B2 |
Compositions and uses for an alpha-amylase polypeptide of bacillus species 195
Disclosed herein are compositions comprising an alpha-amylase enzyme obtained from Bacillus sp. no. 195, and methods of using the enzyme to clean surfaces and textiles. Also disclosed are variants of the enzyme with different signal sequences. |
| US08097439B2 |
Methods and compositions for producing fatty aldehydes
Methods and compositions, including nucleotide sequences, amino acid sequences, and host cells, for producing fatty aldehydes are described. |
| US08097437B2 |
Highly pure polysialic acid and process for preparation thereof
The instant invention provides highly pure Polysialic acid and process for preparation thereof. |
| US08097436B2 |
Antigen binding molecules that bind EGFR, vectors encoding same, and uses thereof
The present invention relates to antigen binding molecules (ABMs). In particular embodiments, the present invention relates to recombinant monoclonal antibodies, including chimeric, primatized or humanized antibodies specific for human EGFR. In addition, the present invention relates to nucleic acid molecules encoding such ABMs, and vectors and host cells comprising such nucleic acid molecules. The invention further relates to methods for producing the ABMs of the invention, and to methods of using these ABMs in treatment of disease. In addition, the present invention relates to ABMs with modified glycosylation having improved therapeutic properties, including antibodies with increased Fc receptor binding and increased effector function. |
| US08097435B2 |
Polynucleotides encoding long-acting growth hormone polypeptides and methods of producing same
A polypeptide and polynucleotides encoding same comprising at least two carboxy-terminal peptides (CTP) of chorionic gonadotrophin attached to a peptide-of-interest are disclosed. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising the polypeptide and polynucleotides of the invention and methods of using same are also disclosed. |
| US08097433B2 |
Diagnostic composition and article for monitoring intravaginal infections
The present invention provides a non-toxic diagnostic composition for intravaginal monitoring of vaginal infections. The present invention further provides a diagnostic article for intravaginal monitoring of vaginal infections with the article including an absorbent material for absorbing vaginal secretions and a composition suitable for identification of the pH or the buffer capacities associated with vaginal secretions. The diagnostic composition provides a visible indication of vaginal infections, such as bacterial vaginosis. |
| US08097432B2 |
Method for diagnosing hemangiosarcoma in canine using detection of thymidine kinase activity
The disclosure relates to a method for detecting hemangiosarcoma in canines. The method includes the steps of: (1) obtaining a quantity of blood from the subject canine; (2) separating the quantity of blood into a serum portion and a non-serum portion; (3) contacting the serum portion of the blood with a detector to detect presence of an amount of Thymidine Kinase (TK); and (4) detecting the level of TK in serum and determining whether TK is present in amounts of about 8 units/mL or greater. |
| US08097430B2 |
Antigen targeting
The present invention provides a method of raising an immune response in an animal. The method comprises administering to the animal a composition comprising a carrier and an antigen bound to a targeting moiety wherein the targeting moiety binds to at least one receptor present in circulatory vessels in Gut Associated Lymphoid Tissue. It is preferred that the targeting moiety binds to Mucosal Addressin Cellular Adhesion Molecule-1. |
| US08097424B2 |
Method for predicting the outcome of a critically ill patient
The present invention relates to a method for predicting the outcome of a critically ill patient, said method comprising measuring the concentration of Chromogranin A or a fragment thereof in a biological sample obtained from said patient. |
| US08097420B1 |
Method of diagnosis
The present invention relates generally to a method of diagnosing or predicting the development of lung damage and more particularly, to a method of diagnosing or predicting the development of alveolo-capillary membrane damage. The method of the present invention is useful inter alia for detecting lung damage or predicting the development of lung damage such as that caused by noxious agents or as an undesirable side effect resulting from exposure to a therapeutic agent and for monitoring the progress of lung damage. |
| US08097415B2 |
Methods for identifying an individual at increased risk of developing coronary artery disease
The present invention provides methods of identifying a subject having an increased or decreased risk of developing cardiovascular disease, comprising: a) correlating the presence of one or more genetic markers in chromosome 3q13.31 with an increased or decreased risk of developing cardiovascular disease; and b) detecting the one or more genetic markers of step (a) in the subject, thereby identifying the subject as having an increased or decreased risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Also provided are methods of identifying subjects with cardiovascular disease as having a good or poor prognosis, as well as methods of identifying effective treatment regimens for cardiovascular disease, based on correlation with genetic markers in chromosome 3q13.31. |
| US08097412B2 |
DNA-based test for detection of annual and intermediate ryegrass
We have developed a novel TaqMan quantitative PCR (Q-PCR) based DNA test for detecting annual and/or intermediate ryegrass types in perennial ryegrass. This DNA test was designed using an insertion/deletion (InDel) site in the LpVRN2_2 gene. The new DNA test is more reliable, accurate, and cost effective in detecting annual and intermediate type contamination in perennial ryegrass, having a sensitivity of 0.04% in a sample size of 5000 seeds. Use of a higher sample size (12.5-fold higher compared to the SRF test) provides additional accuracy in detecting the level of contamination A forward and reverse set of primers also identified an approximately 450 bp fragment in or near the LpVRN1 promoter, the fragment being present for all perennial, but not annual, varieties tested. |
| US08097407B2 |
Metastatic human tumor associated molecule, methods to detect both activated gene and protein and to interfere with gene expression
This disclosure characterizes the function and the expression of the human protein encoded by tm9sf4. The protein is highly expressed in malignant tumor cells and therefore is a novel marker for malignancy. Moreover, the protein is involved in the phagocytotic character of tumor cells. This disclosure provides methods and tools to diagnose and follow up malignancy of tumors. Furthermore, means to inhibit phagocytotic character of tumor cells as well as means to treat cancer are provided. |
| US08097401B2 |
Self-forming top anti-reflective coating compositions and, photoresist mixtures and method of imaging using same
A composition of matter. The composition of matter includes a polymer having an ethylenic backbone and comprising a first monomer having an aromatic moiety, a second monomer having a base soluble moiety or an acid labile protected base soluble moiety, and a third monomer having a fluoroalkyl moiety. Also a photoresist formulation including the composition of matter and a method of imaging using the photoresist formulation including the composition of matter. |
| US08097398B2 |
Method for manufacturing semiconductor device
In the method for manufacturing a semiconductor device, a resist film is formed on a substrate and is processed to be provided with openings to form a first resist pattern. Additive-containing layers containing an additive that changes a state of the resist film to a soluble state for a developer are formed so as to cover the first resist pattern. A first resin film having a nature of changing to a soluble state for the developer by containing the additive is formed in the openings of the first resist pattern. The additive is diffused into the first resist pattern and the first resin film to form first and second additive-diffusing portions which can be solved in the developer. The first and second additive-diffusing portions are removed by the developer to form second resist pattern made of remaining portions in the first resist pattern and the first resin film. |
| US08097393B2 |
Image forming apparatus and image forming method
An image forming apparatus at least containing an electrophotographic photoconductor, a latent electrostatic image forming unit, a developing unit, a transferring unit, and a fixing unit, wherein a glass transition temperature of an outermost layer of the electrophotographic photoconductor is 100° C. or more, wherein the toner is obtained by dissolving and/or dispersing the toner material containing at least an active hydrogen group-containing compound and a polymer reactive with the active hydrogen group-containing compound in an organic solvent to form a solution and/or a dispersion, emulsifying and/or dispersing the solution and/or the dispersion in an aqueous medium containing resin fine particles, allowing the active hydrogen group-containing compound and the polymer reactive with the active hydrogen group-containing compound to react in the aqueous medium, and removing the organic solvent, wherein a glass transition temperature of the resin fine particles is 65° C. to 85° C. |
| US08097391B2 |
Toner for developing electrostatic image
Provided is a toner for developing electrostatic image which is excellent in shelf stability, and is further excellent in low-temperature fixability so as to be capable of maintaining a high fixing rate even at a low fixing temperature.A toner for developing electrostatic image is used which comprises colored resin particles containing a binder resin, a colorant, and a parting agent, wherein the parting agent is an aliphatic hydrocarbon polymer obtained by polymerizing an aliphatic hydrocarbon monomer. |
| US08097390B2 |
Electrophotographic toner, invisible electrophotographic toner, electrophotographic developer, toner cartridge, process cartridge, and image formation apparatus
The invention provides an electrophotographic toner containing at least a binder resin and an infrared absorber, the infrared absorber comprising a perimidine-squarylium dye represented by the following Formula (1). The invention further provides an invisible electrophotographic toner containing at least a binder resin and an infrared absorber, the infrared absorber containing at least a perimidine-squarylium dye represented by Formula (1). The invention further provides an electrophotographic developer containing at least the invisible electrophotographic toner. The invention further provides a toner cartridge containing at least the invisible electrophotographic toner. The invention further provides a process cartridge equipped with at least a developer holder and having at least the electrophotographic developer. The invention further provides an image forming apparatus having at least a developing unit which develops an electrostatic latent image with the electrophotographic developer to form a toner image. |
| US08097389B2 |
Color toner for flash fusing, method for producing the same, and electrostatic image developer, process cartridge, and image forming apparatus using the same
The invention provides a color toner for flash fusing containing at least: a binder resin, a colorant, a leuco dye, a developer and a decolorizer. An absorbance of the color toner after photoirradiation at a wavelength of about 900 nm is smaller than an absorbance of the color toner before the photoirradiation at the wavelength of about 900 nm. The invention further provides a method for producing the color toner, a electrostatic image developer comprising the color toner, a process cartridge comprising a developer bearing body which accommodates the electrostatic image developer, and an image forming apparatus to form a toner image by the electrostatic image developer. |
| US08097386B2 |
Positive-type photosensitive resin composition, method for producing patterns, and electronic parts
A positive-type photosensitive resin composition for electronic materials having good film adhesiveness and sensitivity without causing a corrosion reaction to copper and copper alloys in metal wirings, a method for producing patterns and electronic parts are provided. The positive-type photosensitive resin composition includes (A) a polybenzoxazole precursor having a structure represented by the following general formula (I): wherein X represents a bivalent organic group, Y represents a tetravalent organic group, R1 represents a hydrogen atom or a monovalent organic group, and m represents an integer of 2 to 500 which represents a repeating unit number of the polymer, (B) a solvent, (C) a tetrazole derivative and (D) a compound which generates an acid by light. |
| US08097384B2 |
Solid oxide fuel cell with transitioned cross-section for improved anode gas management at the open end
A solid oxide fuel cell (400) is made having a tubular, elongated, hollow, active section (445) which has a cross-section containing an air electrode (452) a fuel electrode (454) and solid oxide electrolyte (456) between them, where the fuel cell transitions into at least one inactive section (460) with a flattened parallel sided cross-section (462, 468) each cross-section having channels (472, 474, 476) in them which smoothly communicate with each other at an interface section (458). |
| US08097382B2 |
Fuel cell system and control method thereof
A fuel cell system (10) includes: a fuel cell (1); a hydrogen supply device (2) for supplying a hydrogen gas to the fuel cell (1); an anode off-gas passage (22) through which an anode off-gas discharged from the anode side of the fuel cell (1) passes; a hydrogen concentration sensor (3) that measures the concentration of hydrogen in the anode off-gas; and a sensor correction device (4) that, after a predetermined time has elapsed since the hydrogen gas supply to the fuel cell by the hydrogen supply device (2) was stopped, measures the hydrogen concentration using the hydrogen concentration sensor (3), and corrects a measurement value from the hydrogen concentration sensor (3) based on the measured hydrogen concentration. |
| US08097381B2 |
Solid oxide fuel cell generator including a glass sealant
A solid oxide fuel cell generator is provided for electrochemically reacting a fuel gas with a flowing oxidant gas at an elevated temperature to produce power. The generator includes a generator section receiving a fuel gas and a plurality of elongated fuel cells extending through the generator section and having opposing open fuel cell ends for directing an oxidant gas between opposing plena in the generator. A sealant defines a seal on the fuel cells adjacent at least one of the fuel cell ends. The sealant is a modified lanthanum borate aluminosilicate glass composition having a minimal amount of boron oxide and silica, and in which the sealant maintains substantially constant physical characteristics throughout multiple thermal cycles. |
| US08097379B2 |
Fuel cell stack with insulating members
In a solid polymer electrolyte membrane type fuel cell of the invention, where a pair of electrodes are provided on opposite sides of a solid polymer electrolyte membrane, and the outside thereof is clamped by a pair of separators, and nonconductive picture frame-shaped members 61 are arranged at the outer edge portions of the separators, for allowing increase and decrease of a space between separators, while sealing a gap between the separators. |
| US08097363B2 |
Positive electrode material, its manufacturing method and lithium secondary battery
The object of the invention is to provide positive electrode material in which a discharge rate characteristic and battery capacity are hardly deteriorated in the environment of low temperature of −30° C., its manufacturing method and a lithium secondary battery using the positive electrode material. The invention is characterized by the positive electrode material in which plural primary particles are flocculated and a secondary particle is formed, and the touch length of the primary particles is equivalent to 10 to 70% of the length of the whole periphery on the section of the touched primary particles. |
| US08097362B2 |
Electrode active material and manufacturing method of same
Electrode active material of the invention is such that a Li3PO4 phase is mixed in with an amorphous iron-phosphate complex having a LixFePyOz composition. Applying the electrode active material of the invention to a secondary battery inhibits an irreversible reaction which reduces the irreversible capacity, thus enabling a high capacity to be maintained even when it is used at a high potential. |
| US08097361B2 |
Nanotube wiring
This invention concerns a novel method for surface derivatization of electrode materials for Li-ion batteries. The derivatization is based on adsorption of a composite assembly consisting of amphiphilic redox active molecule attached to single walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT). Its role consists in the enhancement of electronic conductivity of electrode materials, such as phosphate olivines, without requesting any significant increase of the electrode volume and mass. The SWCNT is linked to the redox molecule via non-covalent or covalent interaction with the hydrophobic part of the molecule or electrostatic interaction. The hydrophilic part of the molecule serves as the anchoring site for surface modification of the electrode active material. The redox potential of the molecule is close to the redox potential of the electrode active material. The adsorbed assembly of redox-molecule & SWCNT thus improves the charge transfer from a current collector to the electrode active material. |
| US08097360B2 |
Method for producing electrolyte solution for lithium ion battery and battery using same
A method for producing an electrolyte solution for a lithium ion battery involving reacting a lithium halide selected from the group consisting of lithium fluoride, lithium chloride, lithium bromide, lithium iodide and a mixture of at least two of these, with phosphorus pentachloride and hydrogen fluoride in a nonaqueous organic solvent, thereby producing lithium hexafluorophosphate as an electrolyte of the electrolyte solution. |
| US08097353B2 |
Power generation system
Disclosed is a power generation system including an attachment part to attach a fuel container which stores a fuel, a lock mechanism to detect a lock or a lock release of the fuel container which is attached to the attachment part and a data recording unit to record a data in a storage medium provided at the fuel container based on a detection of the lock release by the lock mechanism before the fuel container is detached from the attachment part. |
| US08097352B2 |
Battery system and battery safety alarm system
A battery system that can prevent a battery from bursting and a battery safety alarm system therefore are provided. A battery system includes an optical fiber wound around an outer circumferential portion of a battery. The battery system detects an abnormality of the battery on the basis of a loss of the laser beam caused by lateral pressure acting on the optical fiber. An alarm warns a user of the abnormality when the abnormality is detected. |
| US08097351B2 |
Magnetic recording apparatus
A magnetic recording apparatus has a magnetic recording media including a substrate and a magnetic layer containing magnetic patterns on the substrate, the magnetic layer including data zones to constitute recoding tracks and servo zones, the magnetic patterns of the servo zones being used as address bits, and a magnetic head configured to read signals from the magnetic recording media while flying over the magnetic recording media, in which, in a case where two magnetic patterns used as address bits on the servo zones corresponding to two adjacent recording tracks are arranged in such a manner that one corner of one magnetic pattern is closest to one corner of the other magnetic pattern, the corners of the two magnetic patterns are substantially separated from each other. |
| US08097349B2 |
Nitrogen containing heterocycle derivative and organic electroluminescent element using the same
A novel derivative of heterocyclic compound having nitrogen atom with a structure made by bonding special groups to benzimidazole, a material for an organic electroluminescence (EL) device comprising the derivative of heterocyclic compound having nitrogen atom and an organic electroluminescence device comprising at least one organic compound layer containing a light emitting layer sandwiched between a pair of electrodes, wherein the device contains the derivative of heterocyclic compound having nitrogen atom. An organic EL device achieving elevation of luminance and of efficiency in light emission even under low driving voltage is obtainable by an employment of the derivative of heterocyclic compound having nitrogen atom for at least one layer composing organic compound layers of the EL device. |
| US08097348B2 |
Pi-conjugated organoboron polymers in thin-film organic electronic devices
Pi-conjugated organoboron polymers for use in thin-film organic polymer electronic devices. The polymers contain aromatic and or unsaturated repeat units and boron atoms. Pi-conjugated organoboron polymers which are end capped, derivatized with solubilizing groups or both exhibit improved solubility and handling properties beneficial for the formation of thin films useful for device fabrication. The vacant p-orbital of the boron atoms conjugate with the pi-conjugated orbital system of the aromatic or unsaturated monomer units extending the pi-conjugation length of the polymer across the boron atoms. The pi-conjugated organoboron polymers are electron-deficient and, therefore, exhibit n-type semiconducting properties, photoluminescence, and electroluminescence. The invention provides thin-film organic polymer electronic devices, such as organic photovoltaic cells (OPVs), organic diodes, organic photodiodes, organic thin-film transistors (TFTs), organic field-effect transistors (OFETs), printable or flexible electronics, such as radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags, electronic papers, and printed circuit elements, organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), polymer light-emitting diodes (PLEDs), and energy storage devices employing the pi-conjugated organoboron polymers. In OLED and PLED applications these materials are used as the electron transport layer (ETL) to improve device efficiency. The polymers which exhibit photo- and electroluminescence are also useful as light-emitting material in PLEDs. |
| US08097347B2 |
Light-emitting electrochemical cell
A light-emitting electrochemical cell includes at least two electrodes, and an electroluminescent material arranged between the two electrodes. The electroluminescent material includes a charged metal complex. The charged metal complex has at least one metal atom selected from the group consisting of Ir, Os, Pt, Re and Zn, with the proviso that the metal complex is different from [Ir(ppy)2(dtb-bpy)]+(PF6−) and [Os(bpy)2(dppe)]2+(PF6−)2. |
| US08097344B2 |
Electronic device housing
An electronic device housing is provided. The electronic device housing includes a substrate, a metallic coating formed on the substrate, and a top paint coating formed on the metallic coating. The top paint coating contains nano-titanium dioxide powder. The top paint coating has a self-cleaning property. It can oxygenize and clean off dust and sweat accumulated on the surface of the electronic device housing. |
| US08097343B2 |
Functionalized dendritic polymers for the capture and neutralization of biological and chemical agents
The present invention describes compositions and methods for trapping/capturing and/or destroying dangerous substances such as chemical and biological warfare agents. The present invention relates to dendritic polymers, specifically, to quaternary ammonium functionalized dendritic polymers and N-Halamine functionalized dendritic polymers. Such dendrimers are useful for the capture and neutralization of biological and chemical warfare agents. |
| US08097338B2 |
In-mold label, and labeled resin-labeled article
An in-mold label comprising an olefinic resin substrate layer (A) having a wetting index (α) of from 34 to 74 mN/m and a heat-sealable resin layer (B) with an antistatic layer having a wetting index (β) of from 30 to 54 mN/m, wherein the absolute value of the initial frictional charge voltage of the substrate layer (A) relative to a sheet offset printing blanket is from 0 kV to 15 kV. This label has good workability in printing, cutting and blanking even in a low-humidity environment. |
| US08097331B2 |
Mold release sheet
There is provided a mold release sheet (4) disposed between silica powder M and an inner face of an outer member 1b of a mold and made of expanded graphite. The mold release sheet has a gas permeability represented by the following equation (1) from 5.0×10−7 cm2/s to 1.0×10−4 cm2/s. Gas permeability=Q·L/(ΔP·A) (1). In this equation (1), Q is the gas flow rate (Pa·cm3/s), ΔP is the pressure difference (Pa) between two chambers, A is the gas transmission area (cm2) of the mold release sheet, which is the area of a passage that allows the two chambers to communicate with each other, and L is the thickness (cm) of the mold release sheet. |
| US08097330B2 |
Transparent conductive multilayer body and touch panel
A transparent conductive multilayer body of the invention comprises a transparent film substrate with a thickness of 2 to 120 μm; a first transparent dielectric thin film, a second transparent dielectric thin film and a transparent conductive thin film laminated in this order on one side of the transparent film substrate; and a transparent substrate bonded to the other side of the film substrate through a transparent pressure-sensitive adhesive layer, wherein the second dielectric thin film is made of an inorganic material or a mixture of an organic material and an inorganic material, and the conductive thin film contains a crystalline material in which the content of crystal particles whose maximum particle sizes are at most 300 nm is higher than 50% by area. Such a transparent conductive multilayer body fully satisfies the pen input bending durability for a touch panel. |
| US08097326B2 |
Stack comprising multi-folded four panel sheets and folding boards therefor
A stack of folded sheets comprises first and second groups of folded sheets. Each of the sheets if each group includes a center panel, it second panel, and a V-shaped portion including third and fourth panels. The sheets of the two groups are alternately arranged so that the second panel of each sheet of each group is adjacent a fourth panel of a sheet of the other group. The adjacent second and fourth panels may or may not be interleaved.Adjustable folding boards are provided for folding elongated webs into the first and second folded sheets. Each of the folding boards includes a slidably mounted first plate which folds the fourth panel of the folded sheet. A second plate extends downwardly from the first plate and is also slidably mounted for movement transversely to the web. Third and fourth plates are mounted in front of the second plate.Adjusting the first and second plates relative to the web changes the width of the fourth panel. Adjusting the third panel relative to the web changes the widths of the central panel and the third panel. Adjusting the fourth plate relative to the web changes the widths of the central panel and the second panel. |
| US08097325B2 |
Polyurethane carpet backings made using fatty acid amide polyols
Polyurethane carpet backings are made using a polyurethane-forming composition that includes fatty acid amide polyols. The formulation allows a significant replacement of conventional polyols with polyols derived from annually renewable resources, while maintaining important properties like edge curl, tuftbind, viscosity and curing rates. |
| US08097324B2 |
Enhanced security of optical article
An optical article comprising a mark disposed on the optical article; wherein the mark comprises an optical state change material; wherein the optical state change material undergoes a change in its optical state when exposed to an activation signal selected from one or more of a laser, thermal energy, infrared rays, X-rays, gamma rays, microwaves, visible light, ultraviolet light, ultrasound waves, radio frequency waves, electrical energy, chemical energy, magnetic energy, and mechanical energy; wherein the optical article is transformed from a pre-activated state to an activated state when an authorized activation method is used; and wherein the optical article is transformed from a pre-activated state to an incorrectly activated state when an unauthorized activation method is used. A method and a system for changing the functionality of the optical article are also provided. |
| US08097321B2 |
Release films
This invention relates to the use of vermiculite and layer minerals in general release films. |
| US08097319B2 |
Diamond-containing nanocomposite interfacial layer in fusers
Exemplary embodiments provide a fuser member containing an interfacial layer and methods for forming the interfacial layer and the fuser member. In one embodiment, the fuser member can include a substrate, a resilient layer, a surface layer and an interfacial layer disposed between the resilient layer and the surface layer. The resilient layer can include, for example, a silicone rubber layer and the surface layer can include, for example, a fluoropolymer such as a fluoroplastic of PFA or PTFE. The interfacial layer can include a diamond-containing polymer composite to provide improved thermal/electrical/mechanical properties. The surface layer and the fuser member can thus be treated at a temperature of about 250° C. or higher with high quality and an improved adhesion between layers of the fuser member. |
| US08097310B2 |
Firestop article with attachment surface
A firestop article for fire stopping an opening in a floor or wall includes a firestop material, an enclosure surrounding the firestop material, and an attachment surface provided on the outer surface of the enclosure that allows the article to be repeatably connected to and removed from a mating surface. |
| US08097306B2 |
Aqueous treating solution for Sn-based plated steel sheet excellent in corrosion resistance and paint adhesion, and production method of surface-treated steel sheet
An aqueous treating solution for an Sn-based plated steel sheet, comprising (A) an organic material, (B) a water-soluble chromium compound, (C) a water-dispersible silica, and water, wherein the organic material (A) is at least one member selected from an oxy-acid with the ratio of hydroxyl group/carboxyl group in one molecule being from 3/1 to 10/1, its lactone form and an oxide derivative thereof, the water-soluble chromium compound (B) does not contain hexavalent chromium, and pH is from 0.7 to 6.0. |
| US08097305B2 |
Method for producing a thin-film chalcopyrite compound
The invention concerns a method which consists in depositing on a substrate a solution containing metal mineral salts constituting chalcopyrite and an organic binder; then drying to obtain a solid film on the substrate; and finally contacting the film with an atmosphere containing one or more elements of group 16 of the periodic table and forming chalcopyrite by thermal reaction. |
| US08097303B2 |
Methods for producing multilayered, oxidation-resistant structures on substrates
Methods for producing multilayered, oxidation-resistant structures on substrates are provided. The methods comprise depositing silicon dioxide on a substrate comprising molybdenum and boron and annealing the silicon dioxide at a temperature and for a time sufficient to form a coating comprising a borosilicate scale on the substrate. |
| US08097298B2 |
Method for producing diaper component parts from strip material
A method for producing diaper component parts (3) from strip material (5, 8), wherein the strip material (5, 8) is fed continuously, by means of conveying means (6), along a straight path (P) extending through a number of work stations (9, 16, 21) synchronized with one another; and wherein, along the path (P), the strip material (5, 8) is secured to the conveying means (6) so that all points of the strip material (5, 8) travel at the same speed. |
| US08097294B2 |
Film forming method and electrooptic apparatus
A method for forming a film by applying a material liquid to an application area of a base material and drying the applied material liquid includes: (a) forming a frame-shaped partition in the application area, the partition having a side surface facing a center of the application area; (b) applying the material liquid to the application area; and (c) drying the material liquid. In step (a), the partition is formed so that the side surface of the partition is closer to the center than an outer edge of the application area and so that a height of the partition is smaller than a film thickness of the material liquid at a time when the material liquid is applied and is larger than a thickness of the dried film. |
| US08097292B2 |
Methods for electrostatic coating of an abluminal stent surface
A stent mandrel fixture for supporting a stent during the electrostatic application of a coating substance is provided. |
| US08097273B2 |
Biodegradable film having honeycomb structure
The invention relates to a honeycomb film made of a biodegradable polymer which has biodegradation properties as an anti-adhesion membrane for preventing adhesion after an operation, is excellent in handling properties, and exhibits a satisfactory adhesion preventive effect stably over a desired period of time, and to a production process of the same. Above all, the invention provides an anti-adhesion membrane of a honeycomb film made of polylactic acid as a biodegradable polymer and a phospholipid and a production process of the same. |
| US08097270B2 |
Use of nanoparticles as carriers for biocides in ophthalmic compositions
The use of nanoparticles of inorganic materials (e.g., synthetic smectite clays) in ophthalmic compositions is described. The nanoparticles are utilized as biologically inert carriers or depots for biocides. The nanoparticles are particularly useful in preventing or reducing the uptake of biocides from ophthalmic compositions by contact lenses, when the compositions are applied to the lenses. |
| US08097267B2 |
Moisture resistant container systems for rapidly bioavailable dosage forms
Provided are rapidly bioavailable solid oral dosage forms of acute pain medications, and moisture resistant packaging that enables the formulation of such rapidly bioavailable dosage forms. |
| US08097265B2 |
Foam disinfectant
The invention relates to an aqueous foam disinfectant comprised of a special surfactant system, which consists of non-ionic and amphoteric surfactants, and of a synergistic disinfectant constituent, which consists of an antimicrobial agent having amino groups and of at least one additional antimicrobial agent. |
| US08097264B2 |
Natural emulsifying agent
A natural emulsifying or coemulsifying agent is formed from fatty acids of olive oil emulsified with 5 to 8 mol ethoxylated cetyl stearyl alcohol. This natural emulsifier is particularly suited for applications in the field of cosmetics, particularly in cosmetic creams, to produce products exhibiting a pleasant silk touch, with hydrating properties and good smoothness. |
| US08097263B2 |
Silver-containing inorganic antibacterial
The present invention provides a silver based inorganic antibacterial agent excellent in heat resistance and chemical resistance, lowered in resin coloring and excellent in processability. The present invention has been completed by finding out that problems can be solved by a silver ion-containing zirconium phosphate represented by the following general formula (1) which is produced by a wet synthesis under specific production conditions. AgaNabHc(H3O)dZreHff(PO4)3.nH2O (1) wherein, in the formula (1), a, b, c, d, e and f are positive numbers satisfying 1.75<(e+f)<2.25 and a+b+c+d+4(e+f)=9; and n is not more than 2. |
| US08097260B2 |
Lipid a deficient mutants of Neisseria meningitidis
The invention provides lipid A deficient mutant Neisseria meningitidis cells, pharmaceutical compositions incorporating such cells, and methods of using such cells. |
| US08097258B2 |
Anti-inflammatory hydrolysate of C. versicolor
Methods and compositions for reducing and/or inhibiting inflammation by topical application of dermatocosmetic compositions comprising effective amounts of extracts of Coriolus versicolor that have been hydrolyzed by an acid protease, preferably Rhizomucor miehei, and thereafter rendered substantially devoid of acid-protease activity. |
| US08097257B2 |
MAGE3 polypeptides
The present invention relates to novel MAGE3 polypeptides, including a fragment of MAGE3 fused to an immunological fusion partner, and compositions thereof. |
| US08097256B2 |
Cancer vaccines and vaccination methods
Methods and compositions for treating cancers (e.g., neural cancers) by dendritic cell vaccination are provided herein. |
| US08097254B2 |
Specific binding molecules for scintigraphy, conjugates containing them and therapeutic method for treatment of angiogenesis
The present invention relates to antibodies with sub-nanomolar affinity specific for a characteristic epitope of the ED-B domain of fibronectin, a marker of angiogenesis. Furthermore, it relates to the use of radiolabelled high affinity anti ED-B antibodies for detecting new-forming blood vessels in vivo and a diagnostic kit comprising said antibody. Furthermore, it relates to conjugates comprising said antibodies and a suitable photoactive molecules (e.g. an appropriately chosen photosensitizer or radionuclide), and their use for the selective light-mediated occlusion of new blood vessels. |
| US08097253B2 |
Methods for inhibiting angiogenesis
The present invention provides methods and compositions for modulating proliferation, differentiation, migration, and adhesion of cardiovascular cell types. |
| US08097250B2 |
Anti-chemokine and associated receptors antibodies for inhibition of growth of neoplasms
The present invention provides a means of inhibiting the growth and metastasis of cancer cells by administering anti-chemokine antibodies. It is possible to identify the particular chemokines which are over-expressed in the tumor using methods of the invention and administer antibodies against that over-expressed chemokine. |
| US08097249B2 |
Use of PD-L3 proteins and PD-L3 specific antibodies or antibody fragments to regulate D4+ and CD8+ T cell immunity
The present invention relates to novel regulatory T cell proteins. One protein, designated PD-L3, resembles members of the PD-L1 family, and co-stimulates αCD3 proliferation of T cells in vitro. A second, TNF-like, protein has also been identified as being upregulated upon αCD3/αGITR stimulation. This protein has been designated Treg-sTNF. Proteins, antibodies, activated T cells and methods for using the same are disclosed. |
| US08097247B2 |
Probiotic, lactic acid-producing bacteria and uses thereof
The present invention discloses compositions and methodologies for the utilization of probiotic organisms in therapeutic compositions. More specifically, the present invention relates to the utilization of one or more species or strains of lactic acid-producing bacteria, preferably strains of Bacillus coagulans, for the control of gastrointestinal tract pathogens, including antibiotic-resistant gastrointestinal tract pathogens, and their associated diseases by both a reduction in the rate of colonization and the severity of the deleterious physiological effects of the colonization of the antibiotic-resistant pathogen. In addition, the present invention relates to the utilization of therapeutic compounds comprised of lactic acid-producing bacteria and anti-microbial agents such as antibiotics, anti-fungal compounds, anti-yeast compounds, or anti-viral compounds. The present invention also discloses methodologies for: (i) the selective breeding and isolation of probiotic, lactic acid-producing bacterial strains which possess resistance or markedly decreased sensitivity to anti-microbial agents (e.g., antibiotics, anti-fungal agents, anti-yeast agents, and anti-viral agents); and (ii) treating or preventing bacteria-mediated infections of the gastrointestinal tract by use of the aforementioned probiotic bacterial strains with or without the concomitant administration of antibiotics. While the primary focus is on the treatment of gastrointestinal tract infections, the therapeutic compositions of the present invention may also be administered to buccal, vaginal, optic, and like physiological locations. |
| US08097246B2 |
Promoter of differentiation and keratinization of epidermic cell and functional beverage/food for promotion of keratinization of epidermis
The invention provides functional food and beverage that produce, through oral intake, a promotive effect on normal epidermal keratinization, and an epidermal differentiation and keratinization promoter for use in such functional food and beverage. The epidermal differentiation and keratinization promoter of the present invention contains, as an active component, fermented milk whey obtained by fermentation of milk with bacteria including lactic acid bacteria, such as Latobacillus helveticus. The functional food and beverage for promoting epidermal keratinization of the present invention contains the epidermal differentiation and keratinization promoter. |
| US08097244B2 |
Human prostate cell lines in cancer treatment
Combinations of cell lines are provided for allogeneic immunotherapy agents in the treatment of cancer. Cancer vaccines generally have been limited to the use of cells that contain at least some tumor specific antigens (“TSAs”) and/or tumor associated antigens (“TAAs”) having shared identity with antigens in a targeted tumor. In such cases, tumor cells often are utilized as a starting point on the premise that only tumor cells will contain TSAs or TAAs or relevance, and the tissue origins of the cells are matched to the tumor site in patients. A primary aspect of the invention is the use of immortalised normal, non-malignant cells, in combination with primary and/or metastatic tumor cells, as the basis of an allogeneic cell cancer vaccine. Normal cells do not posses TSAs or relevant concentrations of TAAs and hence it is surprising that normal cells are effective as anti-cancer vaccines when administered in combination with primary and/or metastatic tumor cells. More surprisingly, a three way combination of cells obtained from metastasized cells, non metastasized tumor and cells from a normal cell line provided good therapy. For prostate cancer, for example, a vaccine may be based on one or a combination of different immortalized normal cell lines derived from the prostate according to parameters described herein. The cell lines may be lethally irradiated with, for example, gamma irradiation at 50-300 Gy to ensure that they are replication incompetent prior to use. |
| US08097243B2 |
Microparticle-based transfection and activation of dendritic cells
The present invention provides an effective method for the transfection of dendritic cells by non-viral methods. The present invention provides this benefit by incubating dendritic cells and a specified transfection agent. The transfection agent comprises a polynucleotide and microparticles, with the microparticles being comprised of biodegradable polymer and cationic detergent. The dendritic cells and transfection agent are incubated for a time sufficient to transfect the dendritic cells with the polynucleotide. |
| US08097240B2 |
Use of transmission dyes for protecting human skin from browning and ageing
Disclosed is the use of an aqueous dispersion comprising (a) a micronized sparingly soluble organic compound which has a UV-Vis spectrum with a maximum from 380 to 420 nm; and (b) an anionic dispersing agent for protecting the human skin from browning and skin aging. |
| US08097237B2 |
Non-invasive diagnostic agents of cancer and methods of diagnosing cancer, especially leukemia and lymphoma
The present invention is directed to novel non-invasive diagnostic tools to image cancers, especially, leukemia and non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (NHL) with minimal toxicity in vivo. The present invention represents a clear advance in the art which presently relies on tissue biopsy for diagnoses of these cancers. The novel imaging probe is capable of detecting precancerous cells, as well as their metastatic spread in tissues. This represents a quantum step forward in the diagnosis and staging of NHL using non-invasively molecular imaging techniques. This novel probe will also be useful to monitor patients response to chemotherapy treatments and other interventions or therapies used in the treatment of NHL. Compounds according to the present invention may be used as diagnostic tools for a number of conditions and diseases states as well as therapeutic agents for treating such conditions and disease states. |
| US08097235B2 |
Bronsted acid destabilization of complex metal hydrides
In one aspect, there is disclosed a process of forming a hydrogen material including the steps of providing a metal hydride material, providing a Bronsted acid material, combining the metal hydride material and Bronsted acid material, and pyrolyzing the combined material forming a hydrogen storage material having a hydrogen release temperature less than the metal hydride material. |
| US08097230B2 |
Process for the manufacture of carbon disulphide and use of a liquid stream comprising carbon disulphide for enhanced oil recovery
The invention provides a process for the manufacture of carbon disulphide by reacting carbon monoxide with elemental sulphur to form carbonyl sulphide and disproportionating the carbonyl sulphide formed into carbon disulphide and carbon dioxide, the process comprising contacting a gaseous stream comprising carbon monoxide with a liquid elemental sulphur phase containing a solid catalyst at a temperature in the range of from 250 to 700° C. to obtain a gaseous phase comprising carbonyl sulphide, carbon disulphide and carbon dioxide. The invention further provides the use of a liquid stream comprising carbon disulphide, carbonyl sulphide and carbon dioxide obtainable by such process for enhanced oil recovery. |
| US08097227B2 |
Method for thiosulfate leaching of precious metal-containing materials
Processes are provided for recovering precious metals from refractory materials using thiosulfate lixiviants. The processes can employ heap leaching or lixiviants that include one or more blinding agents. |
| US08097225B2 |
Microfluidic cartridge with reservoirs for increased shelf life of installed reagents
A microfluidic cartridge that includes at least one reservoir for storing a reagent or the like for an extended period of time. In one illustrative embodiment, at least part of a wall of a reservoir includes a hydrophobic material, such as a polymonochlorotrifluoroethylene (PCTFE) homopolymer and/or copolymer. The hydrophobic material may help reduce leaching, evaporation, diffusion and/or other transfer of the reagent or one of its components from the reservoir. When the reagent or the like is lyophilized, the hydrophobic material may help keep water, water vapor and/or other gases or liquids from entering the reservoir prior to use of the microfluidic cartridge. |
| US08097222B2 |
Microfluidic device with integrated micropump, in particular biochemical microreactor, and manufacturing method thereof
A microfluidic device for nucleic acid analysis includes a monolithic semiconductor body (13), a microfluidic circuit (10), at least partially accommodated in the monolithic semiconductor body (13), and a micropump (11). The microfluidic circuit (10) includes a sample preparation channel (18) formed on the monolithic semiconductor body (13) and at least one microfluidic channel (20, 22) buried in the monolithic semiconductor body (13). The micropump (11), includes a plurality of sealed chambers (40) provided with respective openable sealing elements (41) and having a first pressure therein that is different from a second pressure in the microfluidic circuit (10). In addition, the micropump (11) and the microfluidic circuit (10) are configured so that opening the openable sealing elements (41) provides fluidic coupling between the respective chambers (40) and the microfluidic circuit (10). The openable sealing elements (41) are integrated in the monolithic semiconductor body (13). |
| US08097219B2 |
Integrated reactor and centrifugal separator and uses thereof
An apparatus for providing reaction of fluids and separation of products with increased residence time. The apparatus includes a stationary shell, a rotating hollow cylindrical component disposed in the stationary shell, a residence-time increasing device external to the stationary shell, a standpipe for introducing fluid into an interior cavity of the hollow cylindrical component from the residence-time increasing device, a first outlet in fluid flow communication with the interior cavity of the hollow cylindrical component for a less dense phase fluid, and a second outlet in fluid flow communication with the interior cavity of the hollow cylindrical component for a more dense phase fluid. |
| US08097217B2 |
Atmospheric pressure plasma generating apparatus by induction electrode
The present invention relates to an atmospheric pressure plasma generating apparatus using an induction electrode. In particular, one or more upper metal electrodes are disposed on the upper side and an induction electrode and an induction electrode antenna are disposed opposite to the upper electrodes, so that a high-density plasma is generated at low applied voltage. Further, base electrodes are used to preclude interference between the upper electrodes. Thus, lots of the upper electrodes can be constructed at a narrow space, the uniformity of intensity of a generated plasma can be secured, the source of a plasma can be provided by the upper electrodes, and the intensity of a plasma can be increased. In addition, a lower electrode is disposed on the lower side in order to extend the length of a generated plasma. |
| US08097216B2 |
Fluidizing a population of catalyst particles having a low catalyst fines content
A process and apparatus for fluidizing a population of catalyst particles having a low catalyst fines content includes a fluidized bed reactor which includes a plurality of catalyst particles in the reactor wherein the catalyst particles having a d2 value of greater than about 40 microns. The catalyst particles are contacted with a fluidizing medium under conditions to fluidize the particles, the reactor includes a continuous reaction zone and separation zone and the fluidized of the catalyst particles are situated within the reaction and both the reaction zone and the separation zone include obstructing members which obstruct the flow of particles such that the catalyst particles can be maintained at an axial gas Peclet number from about 10 to about 20. |
| US08097214B2 |
Ceiling fan mounted air freshener device
The present invention is directed toward an air freshener that is constructed and arranged to be secured to the supporting shaft of a ceiling fan. One embodiment of the device includes a scented ring of wickable material having an inner aperture and split through one side. The aperture is sized to cooperate with the supporting shaft of the fan and the split allows the scented ring to be sprung apart for easy installation of the device about the supporting rod. The wickable material includes properties that allow the device to remain in position about the supporting rod once installed while wicking a fragrance composition substantially to its surface for distributing a fragrance evenly throughout an open area, such as a large room. The inner and bottom surfaces of the scented ring may include a polymeric coating to prevent the fragrance composition from wicking to a supporting surface. |
| US08097213B2 |
Calibration system, material delivery system, and methods for such delivery and calibration
Material delivery systems, methods of delivering material and methods of calibrating such systems and methods are disclosed. The material delivery system includes a delivery vessel, a load cell, and automated weight calibration device. The delivery vessel has at least an outlet adapted for coupling to an unit. The load cell is configured to provide a metric indicative of an amount of material in the delivery vessel. The automated weight calibration device is configured to impart a known force onto the at least one load cell. A method includes delivering material to a unit and determining how much material is delivered by a change in weight of a delivery vessel, wherein the delivery vessel comprises a load cell; applying a known calibration force to the load cell; and comparing a metric from the load cell of the known calibration with an expected metric. |
| US08097210B2 |
Disposable test sensor cartridge
This invention relates to a test sensor cartridge assembly that dispenses test sensors individually while shortening the distance of the lateral movement required to eject the sensor. A stationary gear rack is affixed to a surface with a moveable gear rack positioned parallel to the stationary gear rack. The moveable gear rack is adapted to engage the test sensor. A gear is positioned between and contacts the stationary gear rack and the moveable gear rack. The lateral movement of the gear in a first direction generates rotational movement by the gear. Both the lateral and rotational movement move the moveable gear rack laterally in the first direction. The lateral movement of the gear rack in the first direction ejects a test sensor from a test sensor cartridge. |
| US08097207B2 |
Steel having high mechanical strength and wear resistance
Method for reducing the segregated seams of a steel which has high mechanical strength and high wear resistance and whose composition comprises by weight: 0.30%≦C≦1.42%; 0.05%≦Si≦1.5%; Mn≦1.95%; Ni≦2.9%; 1.1%≦Cr≦7.9%; 0.61%≦Mo≦4.4%; optionally V≦1.45%, Nb≦1.45%, Ta≦1.45% and V+Nb/2+Ta/4≦1.45%; less than 0.1% of boron, less than 0.19% of (S+Se/2+Te/4), less than 0.01% of calcium, less than 0.5% of rare earths, less than 1% of aluminum, less than 1% of copper; the balance being iron and impurities resulting from the production operation. The composition further complies with: 800≦D≦1150 with D=540(C)0.25+245(Mo+3V+1.5Nb+0.75Ta)0.30+125Cr0.20+15.8Mn+7.4Ni+18Si. According to the method, the molybdenum is completely or partially replaced with double the proportion of tungsten so that W>0.21%, and Ti, Zr, C are adjusted so that, after adjustment, Ti+Zr/2≧0.2W, (Ti+Zr/2)×C≧0.07, Ti+Zr/2≦1.49% and D is unchanged at approximately 5%. Steel obtained and method for producing a steel workpiece. |
| US08097206B2 |
Lance duct for vacuum treatment systems
For the metallurgical treatment of steel melts, a lance is guided through a guide tube with gland into a reaction chamber, on which a water-cooled connection with a connector flange and a vacuum-sealed housing with a housing flange are located, as well as a compensator installed between the housing and the gland guide tube for compensating lateral, axial or angular relative motions of the guide tube and housing during the course of movement. |
| US08097204B2 |
Bevel head attachment for plasma and oxy fuel cutting machines
A lightweight bevel head attachment for a torch cutting machine includes a horizontal support tray, a rotation assembly mounted under the support tray, a tilt assembly coupled to the rotation assembly for rotation therewith about a vertical axis, a torch holder carried and pivoted by the title assembly, and a rack-and-pinion lift assembly having a mounting plate for attachment to the cutting machine carriage. The tilt assembly includes a pair of link arms housing a pulley system for transmitting pivotal motion at an input shaft to an output shaft on which the torch holder is mounted. The bevel head attachment can provide bevel angles in a range of about +/−75 degrees. |
| US08097200B2 |
Process for producing stretched film, stretched film, polarizer, and liquid-crystal display
A method for producing a stretched film comprising supplying a film composed of a thermoplastic resin along a direction D1 that is different from a taking-up direction D2 of a post-stretch film, and obliquely stretching the film while transferring the film with the edges thereof being gripped by gripping devices, to produce the stretched film having an orientation angle θ being within 45±5° with respect to the taking-up direction. |
| US08097199B2 |
Molded plastic container and preform having insert-molded insert
A method of making a plastic container having an RFID tag in a wall of the container includes providing a mold having a mold core and mounting an insert on the core. The insert includes an RFID tag surrounded by a plastic housing, which preferably is retained on the core for example by heat of the core partially melting the housing. A plastic preform is formed in the mold around the core and the insert, preferably by injection molding, such that the insert is embedded in a wall of the preform. The preform is then blow molded into a plastic container having the insert embedded in a wall of the container. The insert preferably is mounted on an end of the core such that the insert is in the base wall of the container following blow molding. The RFID tag preferably is externally covered by plastic material in the preform as molded, and in the container as blow molded, so that the RFID tag is not externally exposed in the preform or the container. The disclosure also contemplates a container preform and a blow molded plastic container manufactured in accordance with a method of the disclosure. |
| US08097197B2 |
Method for manufacturing a sealable container closure
A storage means provides sealed storage for contents. A closure means is fused to a container by application of an electro-magnetic field providing a permanent and hermetic seal between the closure and the container. The closure further includes a removable panel to provide access to the contents of the container. |
| US08097196B2 |
Method and device for manufacturing a mould, and method and device for manufacturing a product using the mould
In one embodiment of the present invention, a method and device are disclosed for manufacturing a mould for the manufacture of at least one product. The product can be a concrete body. The method includes: adjusting a rough shape which roughly approximates, with clearance, the shape of a side of the product; arranging a layer of processible material over the rough shape, and processing the layer of material in accordance with almost exactly the shape of the product. |
| US08097194B2 |
Method of making a damper component
A method for making a damper component for absorbing and dissipating vibration and/or noise resonation is provided. The method features heating a laminate including a viscoelastomer-containing damper layer and an adjacent melt-flowable, curable sheet molding compound. Heating is conducted under pressure in a mold to cure the sheet molding compound to form a continuous constraining layer that intimately contacts and encases the damper layer. |
| US08097193B2 |
Method of adjusting mold thickness of toggle-type mold clamping device
There are provided a first process T1 in which a mold clamping motor 4 is driven-controlled so as to move a cross head 5h of a toggle link mechanism 5 to a preliminary position Xr set in advance so as to become a position on the mold open side rather than a mold closure position Xs; a second process T2 in which after the first process T1 is finished, a mold thickness adjusting motor 2 is driven-controlled so as to move a pressure receiving platen 3 forward to a mold closed position Xc where a mold C is closed; a third process T3 in which after the second process T2 is finished, the mold clamping motor 4 is driven-controlled so as to move the cross head 5h forward, while the mold C is pressurized by torque limitation of the mold clamping motor 4, and the mold thickness adjusting motor 2 is driven-controlled so as to move the pressure receiving platen 3, while the cross head 5h is moved to the mold closure position Xs; and a fourth process T4 in which, after the third process T3 is finished, a clamping margin Lp of the mold C corresponding to a predetermined mold clamping force is set. |
| US08097192B2 |
Foamed resin molding machine and method of operating the same
A die opening and closing device for a movable die plate and a fixed die plate includes a toggle link disposed between the movable die plate and a die tightening housing, a cross head for flexing the toggle link, and a motor-driven ball screw penetrating through the die tightening housing and inserted into the cross head, and this die opening and closing device is provided with die thickness adjusting means for adjusting the die thickness S when the die is tightened by extension of the toggle link, and ball screw rotation control means for controlling constant the cracking gap, and a foamed resin molding machine is presented, together with its operating method. |
| US08097186B2 |
Microvaristor-based overvoltage protection
A method is disclosed for producing a non-linear powder having microvaristor particles which have a non-linear current-voltage characteristic. The production steps includes mixing non-metallic particles with the microvaristor particles, thermally treating the non-metallic particles for decomposing them into electrically conductive particles and fusing the electrically conductive particles onto the microvaristor particles. Embodiments, among other things, relate to: breaking up agglomerates of the non-metallic particles during mixing; keeping the decomposition temperature below a sintering or calcination temperature of the microvaristor particles; and choosing micron-sized or nano-sized non-conductive particles for microvaristor decoration. The production method produces varistor powder with improved reproducibility of the non-linear electric current-voltage characterstic and with reduced switching fields (Es). |
| US08097181B2 |
Ascorbic acid, terephthalate and nitromethane stabilizers for fluoroolefins
The present disclosure relates to compositions comprising at least one fluoroolefin and an effective amount of a stabilizer comprising at least one ascorbic acid, terephthalate, or nitromethane, or mixtures thereof. The stabilized compositions may be useful in cooling apparatus, such as refrigeration, air-conditioning, chillers and heat pumps, as well as in applications as foam blowing agents, solvents, aerosol propellants, fire extinguishants, and sterilants. |
| US08097180B2 |
Magnetic material
Disclosed is a magnetic material comprising a crystal of ε-GaxFe2-xO3 (wherein 0 |
| US08097177B2 |
Piezoelectric vibrating reed, piezoelectric vibrator, oscillator, electronic device, radio—controlled clock, and method for manufacturing piezoelectric vibrating reed
Providing a piezoelectric vibrating reed which is capable of decreasing variation in the amount of etching residue as much as possible and suppressing influence of vibration loss on the vibration characteristics as much as possible. A piezoelectric vibrating reed 1 including: a piezoelectric plate 2 which includes a vibrating part 3 formed so as to extend along a central axis and a base portion 4 that supports a base end of the vibrating part; excitation electrodes 10 and 11 which are formed on an outer surface of the vibrating part and allow the vibrating part to vibrate when a voltage is applied thereto, wherein the base portion includes: a mounting portion 4a in which mount electrodes 12 and 13 are formed on an outer surface thereof; an intermediate portion 4b which is disposed continuously between the mounting portion and the vibrating part and in which an extraction electrode 14 connecting the excitation electrodes and the mount electrodes together is formed on an outer surface thereof, wherein the mounting portion has a greater horizontal width than the intermediate portion, and wherein a side surface of the mounting portion and a side surface of the intermediate portion are continuous to each other at a step portion between the mounting portion and the intermediate portion via a sloped surface 4c that is sloped relative to the central axis in a top view thereof. |
| US08097175B2 |
Method for selectively permeating a self-assembled block copolymer, method for forming metal oxide structures, method for forming a metal oxide pattern, and method for patterning a semiconductor structure
Methods of forming metal oxide structures and methods of forming metal oxide patterns on a substrate using a block copolymer system formulated for self-assembly. The metal oxide structures and patterns may be used, for example, as a mask for sublithographic patterning during various stages of semiconductor device fabrication. A block copolymer at least within a trench in the substrate and including at least one soluble block and at least one insoluble block may be annealed to form a self-assembled pattern including a plurality of repeating units of the at least one soluble block laterally aligned with the trench and positioned within a matrix of the at least one insoluble block. The self-assembled pattern may be exposed to a metal oxide precursor that impregnates the at least one soluble block. The metal oxide precursor may be oxidized to form a metal oxide. The self-assembled pattern may be removed to form a pattern of metal oxide lines on the substrate surface. |
| US08097172B2 |
Recovery of organic compounds using a saturator
The present invention provides an apparatus for recovering organic compounds from plant waste water. A saturator (10) is coupled to a feed gas stream (70) and a heated makeup water stream (54) which includes recoverable organic compounds. The saturator provides a saturated feed gas stream (70) which includes feed gas, steam and recovered organic compounds. A pump (30) recycles saturator water (56) and the makeup water stream (50) is added to that recycle stream (54). |
| US08097171B2 |
Method of separating a fluid fraction from whole blood
A novel composite of glass fiber paper and reinforcing material that is useful for high speed manufacturing of devices comprising it is disclosed. The composite is formed by pressing into a glass fiber paper, having multimodal (at least bi-modal) composition, a hydrophilic reinforcing material. The composite has anisotropic separation properties that are particularly useful for preparing a fluid fraction from whole blood. The preferred glass fiber paper comprises glass fibers such that there are a plurality of short fibers (6) having large diameters and long fibers (2) with smaller diameters. The preferred glass fiber paper also exhibits partial ordering. There are many more of the long fibers (2) with smaller diameters than of the short fibers (6) having large diameters. Also disclosed are several blood separator device designs for efficiently separating the fluid fraction of blood from whole blood using the composite. |
| US08097168B2 |
Wastewater photo biomass/algae treatment method
A treatment method for wastewater employing sulfur dioxide and lime chemical dewatering technology in conjunction with an environmental photo biomass/algae biological treatment system growing photo biomass/algae to reduce dissolved solids, heavy metals, and ammonia in the wastewater to produce recovered treated wastewater for vegetation consumption, biofuel feedstock, and biofuel and carbon credits. |
| US08097166B2 |
Method to produce the activated liquid which contains micro gas bubbles and methods realized by the use of the liquid
This invention offers effective and efficient method to produce and to use LIQUID defined as activated liquid which contains sufficient amount of micro bubbles of diameter less than 10 micrometers. LIQUID exhibits very useful properties for the purification of liquid, sterilization, extinguishment of undesirable bubbles, preservation of freshness of food, storage of gas in liquid, the decomposition of pollutants etc. The method to produce LIQUID comprises a means to rotate a rotor installed in a fixed tube wherein the rotor and the fixed tube are provided with a set of permanent magnets and a set of linear protuberances, and liquid and gas are introduced in the gap formed between the fixed tube and the rotor by pumping means driven by the motor. The micro bubbles are effectively produced with the repulsive magnetic field generated by the S (or N) pole of at least 30% of the whole magnets faced with the said gap. An annular activator made from far infrared emitting materials is assembled in the path of liquid in order to increase the efficiency for producing LIQUID. |
| US08097164B2 |
Process for preparing magnetic particles for selectively removing contaminants from solution
A process for selectively removing contaminant ions from a solution includes: a) contacting the solution with magnetic particles coupled to selectively chelating ion exchange functionality containing moieties prepared by: i) activating carboxyl groups on the selectively chelating ion exchange functionality containing moieties by the formation of an acyl fluoride, and ii) reacting the acyl fluoride with the magnetic particles, the magnetic particles having a particle size of less than 10 microns; b) allowing the chelating functionality coupled magnetic particles to selectively bind one or more of the contaminant ions; and, c) extracting the chelating functionality coupled magnetic particles and contaminant ions from the solution by magnetic filtration. |
| US08097159B1 |
Pressure filter type water kettle
A pressure filter type water kettle includes a kettle body for holding water, a pressure device holder mounted in the kettle body to close the top open side of the kettle body, a filter fastened to the bottom side of the pressure device holder and dipped in water in the kettle body, and a pressure device mounted in the pressure device holder and operable to apply compressed air to force filled water through a series of filter layers in the filter so that water is filtered into a drinkable condition. |
| US08097153B2 |
Systems and methods of microfluidic membraneless exchange using filtration of extraction outlet streams
A device, system and method for exchanging components between first and second fluids by direct contact in a microfluidic channel. The fluids flow as thin layers in the channel. One of the fluids is passed through a filter upon exiting the channel and is recycled through a secondary processor which changes the fluid's properties. The recycled fluid is reused for further exchange. The filter excludes blood cells from the recycled fluid and prevents or limits clogging of the filter. The secondary processor removes metabolic waste and water by diafiltration. |
| US08097152B2 |
Apparatus for removal of oil from ice
An apparatus for removing oil from sea ice comprises modular crusher units which may be pivotally mounted on a barge or other vessel. A rotating, toothed drum crushes the ice against a grating and mixes it with warmed, recycled water to form an ice/water slurry which is conveyed by means of an auger to one or more melting units. The liquid phase output of the melting units is first conveyed to a surge tank and then to a separator unit which separates the oil from the water. The oil is conveyed to a storage tank for subsequent offloading and disposal and the water is returned in a recycle line to sprayers mounted in the crusher unit(s) for deicing the intake section of the crusher and mixing with the crushed sea ice to form an ice/water slurry for subsequent, on-board treatment. The modular design of the apparatus permits a plurality of units to be mounted on a vessel in a side-by-side array such that substantially the entire beam of the vessel at the stern (or bow) may be covered and used for ice intake. |
| US08097148B2 |
Method for ultrasonic cleaning of a working electrode in electrochemical cell useful for automated trace metals measurement
Methods for cleaning and regenerating a working electrode in an electrochemical cell; method for measuring the concentration of a metal in a liquid sample in an electrochemical cell having a working electrode, the method including a step for cleaning and/or regenerating the electrode; and an assembly having an ultrasonic device in sonic communication with an electrochemical cell. |
| US08097147B2 |
Method of measuring quantity of substrate
A method of measuring a quantity of a substrate contained in sample liquid is provided. This method can reduce measurement errors caused by a biosensor. The biosensor includes at least a pair of electrodes on an insulating board and is inserted into a measuring device which includes a supporting section for supporting detachably the biosensor, plural connecting terminals to be coupled to the respective electrodes, and a driving power supply which applies a voltage to the respective electrodes via the connecting terminals. One of the electrodes of the biosensor is connected to the first and second connecting terminals of the measuring device only when the biosensor is inserted into the measuring device in a given direction, and has a structure such that the electrode becomes conductive between the first and second connecting terminals due to a voltage application by the driving power supply. |
| US08097146B2 |
Device and method for monitoring an electrochemical gas sensor
An electrochemical gas sensor testing device that includes a test signal generator that generates a multiplexed signal that includes a first test signal that includes alternating current (AC) and is free from a direct current (DC) component and a second signal that includes a DC bias voltage, an electrochemical cell that includes a counter electrode, a sensing electrode, and an electrolyte, the counter electrode and the sensing electrode being in electrical communication with the electrolyte and each other, the counter electrode being in electrical communication with the signal generator to receive the multiplexed signal generated by the signal generator, and a processor that receives an AC signal from the sensing electrode and that analyzes the AC signal. |
| US08097145B2 |
Method and apparatus for decontamination of fluid
The invention relates to methods and devices for the decontamination of fluid, particularly the removal of heavy metals and/or arsenic and/or their compounds from water, by means of electrolysis, wherein the water to be purified subjected to electrodes of different polarities. The invention can include means for control of the pH of the fluid. The invention can also include control systems that allow self-cleaning of electrodes, self-cleaning of filters, and automatic monitoring of maintenance conditions. |
| US08097144B2 |
Aluminium electrowinning cell with enhanced crust
A cell for the electrowinning of aluminium has a cavity for containing electrolyte (20) and one or more non emerging active anode bodies (5) that are suspended in the electrolyte. The electrolyte's surface (21,21′) has an expanse extending over the cavity and is substantially covered by a self-formed crust (25) of frozen electrolyte. The crust is mechanically reinforced by at least one preformed refractory body (30, 30′,30″). The electrolyte crust is formed against the preformed refractory body and bonded thereto so as to inhibit mechanical failure of the crust and collapse of the crust into the cavity. |
| US08097142B2 |
High-throughput electrorefiner for recovery of U and U/TRU product from spent fuel
The present invention provides a method of simultaneously removing uranium and transuranics from metallic nuclear fuel in an electrorefiner. In the method, a potential difference is established between an anode basket containing the fuel and a solid cathode of the electrorefiner, thereby creating a diffusion layer of uranium and transuranic ions at the solid cathode, a first current density at the anode basket, and a second current density at the solid cathode. The ratio of anode basket area to solid cathode area is selected based on the total concentration of uranium and transuranic metals in a molten halide electrolyte in the electrorefiner and the effective thickness of the diffusion layer at the solid cathode, such that the established first and second current densities result in both codeposition of uranium and transuranic metals on the solid cathode and oxidation of the metallic nuclear fuel in the anode basket. |
| US08097137B2 |
Gas sensor element and gas sensor
To provide a gas sensor element having a base body whose durability is unlikely to deteriorate during the use and exhibiting excellent endurance and responsiveness.[Means for Solution] A gas sensor element 2 comprising: a closed-bottomed cylindrical base body 28 made of solid electrolyte which contains zirconia as a principal component; an outer electrode 26 formed on an outer surface of the base body 28; an inner electrode 27 formed on an inner surface of the base body 28; and an adhesive layer 29 formed between the base body 28 and the outer electrode 26 and containing zirconia as a principal component, wherein a proportion of tetragonal in zirconia particles of the base body 28 falls within the range from 45% or more to 60% or less and, wherein a proportion of tetragonal in zirconia particles of the adhesive layer 29 is greater than that of tetragonal in zirconia particles of the base body 28. |
| US08097134B2 |
Addressable chem/bio chip array
Addressable bio/chem chips include a plurality of isolated test cells, each addressable by at least two electrodes for measuring electrical characteristics of probe/test molecule interactions. In one embodiment, electrodes are located within a channel to allow for four terminal measurement. In another embodiment, electrodes are arranged in rows and columns and interconnected with electrolyte pads used as test sites. In yet another embodiment, electrodes are arranged in cells, with each cell including a counter electrode surrounded encircled by working electrodes. |
| US08097133B2 |
Evacuable magnetron chamber
A vacuum pumping system and method in conjunction with a sputter reactor having a vacuum-pumped magnetron chamber sealed to the target backing plate. A main sputter chamber is vacuum sealed to the target front and cryo pumped. A bypass conduit and valve connect the magnetron and main chambers. A mechanical roughing pump connected to the magnetron chamber pumps the main chamber through the bypass conduit to less than 1 Torr before the bypass valve is closed and the cryo pump is opened and thereafter continues to pump the magnetron chamber to reduce the pressure differential across the target. A pressure differential switch connected across the bypass valve immediately open it whenever the pressure differential exceeds a limit, such as 20 Torr, for example when there is a leak or an electrical failure. The bypass conduit is also used in a venting procedure. |
| US08097132B2 |
Process and device to obtain metal in powder, sheet or cathode from any metal containing material
A metal-containing material is introduced in the container with an anode inserted therein, the container is introduced in a tank filled with an electrolyte, with a cathode opposed to it, and direct current is passed through ((+) anode and (−) cathode) to recover the desired metal. |
| US08097130B2 |
Integrated water treatment system
An integrated water treatment system for sanitizing the water in a water system and reducing scaling includes an electrolytic cell through which water is passed. An electronic control system is coupled to the electrolytic cell, to provide a drive current to the cell to generate a sanitizer by electrolysis. The control system applies a variable frequency alternating voltage drive to said cell to reduce scaling build-up in the system. |
| US08097129B2 |
Multilayer nitride-containing coatings
This invention relates to erosion resistant coatings comprising at least 2 sublayer systems in which each sublayer system is separated from another by an interlayer, wherein (i) each sublayer system is the same or different and comprises at least 4 layers, (ii) said layers comprise alternating layers of a nitride-containing compound of stoichiometric composition and a nitride-containing compound of nonstoichiometric composition, (iii) each sublayer system has a thickness of greater than about 0.4 microns, and (iv) each interlayer is the same or different and comprises a metal-containing compound. This invention also relates to a method for producing the coatings and to articles, e.g., gas turbine compressor rotor blade and stator vanes, coated with the coatings. |
| US08097127B2 |
Siliceous composition and its use in papermaking
An aqueous polysilicate composition comprising a polysilicate microgel based component in association with particles derived from colloidal polysilicate. The invention also concerns a process for preparing an aqueous polysilicate composition comprising mixing an aqueous colloidal polysilicate with an aqueous phase of a polysilicate microgel. The aqueous polysilicate composition is more effective than colloidal silica and is more stable than a conventional polysilicate microgel. |
| US08097123B2 |
Fibrous support intended to be impregnated with liquid
Fibrous support intended to be impregnated, the fibers of which are formed 100% of cellulose fibers, characterized in that it presents, before creping or embossing, a wet traction strength of over 2.4 N/15 mm in the cross-machine direction, a water absorption capacity of at least 300% and contains less than 2% dry wet strength 10 agent in comparison with the dry weight of the fibers. |
| US08097118B2 |
Method for manufacturing liquid ejection head
A method for manufacturing a liquid ejection head having an ejection port-forming member in which an ejection port configured to eject liquid is formed, includes the steps of preparing a substrate including a base substrate; a first layer composed of a resin composition not containing a polymerization initiator but containing a compound that can be polymerized by irradiation with active energy rays under the presence of the polymerization initiator; and a second layer composed of an active energy ray-curable resin composition containing the polymerization initiator; pressing a mold, on which a pattern of the ejection port has been formed, against the first layer and the second layer; irradiating the second layer with the active energy rays while the mold is being pressed against the first layer and the second layer; bonding the second layer to another supporting substrate; and detaching the base substrate. |
| US08097117B2 |
Method of producing solar modules by the roller laminate process
The invention relates to a method of producing a solar module by laminating a layer body consisting of a first carrier, to which at least one solar cell unit is applied, and a second carrier by at least one intermediate film based on a plasticizer-containing polyvinyl acetal by guiding the layer body between at least one pair of rollers at a temperature of 50 to 150° C. |
| US08097109B2 |
Method for the concurrent converting of multiple web materials
An apparatus for the concurrent converting of multiple web products includes at least a first unwind station and a second unwind station. The apparatus further includes a first web transformation station associated with a first web material unwound from the first unwind station, and a second web transformation station associated with the second web material unwound from the second unwind station. The first and second web transformation stations are disposed such that less than twice the width of the widest web material separates a portion of the first web material in the first web transformation station from a portion of the second web material in the second web transformation station. The method of the invention includes steps of unwinding web materials from rolls at each of the first and second unwind stations and transforming the respective web materials using the first and second web transformation stations. |
| US08097102B2 |
Cu-Ti-based copper alloy sheet material and method of manufacturing same
Provided is a Cu—Ti-based copper alloy sheet material that satisfies all the requirements of high strength, excellent bending workability and stress relaxation resistance and has excellent sprig-back resistance. The copper alloy sheet material has a composition containing, by mass, from 1.0 to 5.0% of Ti, and optionally containing at least one of at most 0.5% of Fe, at most 1.0% of Co and at most 1.5% of Ni, and further optionally containing at least one of Sn, Zn, Mg, Zr, Al, Si, P, B, Cr, Mn and V in an amount within a suitable range, with the balance of Cu and inevitable impurities, and having a crystal orientation satisfying the following expression (1) and preferably also satisfying the following expression (2). The mean crystal grain size of the material is controlled to be from 10 to 60 μm. I{420}/I0{420}>1.0 (1) I{220}/I0{220}≦3.0 (2) |
| US08097099B2 |
High toughness abrasion resistant steel with little change in hardness during use and method of production of same
The present invention provides an abrasion resistant steel having a hardness of HB400 to HB520, having little change of hardness during long term use, and superior in toughness, characterized by containing, by mass %, C: 0.21% to 0.30%, Si: 0.30 to 1.00%, Mn: 0.32 to 0.70%, P: 0.02% or less, S: 0.01% or less, Cr: 0.1 to 2.0%, Mo: 0.1 to 1.0%, B: 0.0003 to 0.0030%, Al: 0.01 to 0.1%, and N: 0.01% or less, further containing one or more of V: 0.01 to 0.1%, Nb: 0.005 to 0.05%, Ti: 0.005 to 0.03%, Ca: 0.0005 to 0.05%, Mg: 0.0005 to 0.05%, and REM: 0.001 to 0.1%, having a balance of Fe, and furthermore having an ingredient with an M value defined by the following formula (1) of −10 to 16: M=26×[Si]−40×[Mn]−3×[Cr]+36×[Mo]+63×[V] (1) |
| US08097096B2 |
Fire resistant steel excellent in high temperature strength, toughness, and reheating embrittlement resistance and process for production of the same
The present invention provides a fire resistant steel material excellent in high temperature strength, toughness, and reheating embrittlement resistance containing, by mass %, C: 0.001% to 0.030%, Si: 0.05% to 0.50%, Mn: 0.4% to 2.0%, Nb: 0.03% to 0.50%, Ti: 0.005% to less than 0.040%, N: 0.0001% to less than 0.0050%, and Al: 0.005% to 0.030%, limiting P: 0.03% or, less and S: 0.02% or less, satisfying C—Nb/7.74≦0.005 and 2≦Ti/N≦12, and having a balance of Fe and unavoidable impurities and, further, a process for production of a fire resistant material comprising heating a steel slab comprised of this chemical composition to 1100 to 1350° C. and hot rolling it by a cumulative reduction rate at 1000° C. or less of 30% or more. |
| US08097094B2 |
High-strength electrical steel sheet and processed part of same
The present invention has as its object to stably produce a high strength electrical steel sheet and a processed part of the same which is high in strength and has wear resistant and is superior in magnetic flux density and core loss without greatly changing the cold rollability and production processes from those of conventional electrical steel sheet and provides a high strength electrical steel sheet characterized by containing, by mass %, C: 0.06% or less, Si: 0.2 to 6.5%, Mn: 0.05 to 3.0%, P: 0.30% or less, S or Se: 0.040% or less, Al: 2.50% or less, Cu: 0.6 to 8.0%, N: 0.0400% or less, and a balance of Fe and unavoidable impurities and containing in the steel a metal phase composed of Cu of a size of 0.1 μm or less. The method of production of the same comprises holding in a temperature range of 300° C. to 720° C. for 5 seconds or more for heat treatment. |
| US08097086B2 |
Method and equipment for producing fruit sugar syrups having high fructose content
A method for preparing a sugar syrup having high fructose content, is implemented using at least one fruit containing sorbitol, particularly apples, pears, plums, prunes, peaches, nectarines, apricots and grapes, from which a first juice is extracted. The first juice is processed in order to obtain a clarified and demineralised sweet juice having a colour lower than 45 ICUMSA and having a conductometric ash content lower than 0.4%. The clarified and demineralised sweet juice is then processed in order to hydrolyse the saccharose into fructose and glucose. The method further includes an isomerisation of the glucose in fructose, and removing the sorbitol naturally occurring in the starting material. |
| US08097084B2 |
Vacuum chamber system for semiconductor processing
A vacuum chamber system for semiconductor processing includes at least two evacuable vacuum chambers for receiving semiconductor elements to be processed, each including a vacuum chamber opening and a vacuum chamber sealing surface, and transfer aspects by which one of the vacuum chambers can be moved relative to another of the vacuum chambers and can be docked with it in a vacuum-tight manner by producing substantially parallel opposite positions of the vacuum chamber sealing surfaces which are subject to possible misalignments. At least one of the vacuum chambers has support aspects which support one vacuum chamber on the other vacuum chamber in the evacuated, docked state. The support aspects are in the form of two support elements which are arranged on opposite sides of the vacuum chamber opening, are substantially parallel to the opening central axis and have an operative connection to one another and have a force and displacement balance relative to one another with a balance center located substantially on the opening central axis, so that, in the docked state non-parallel positioning of the vacuum chamber sealing surfaces opposite one another, caused by possible misalignments, is compensated on support. |
| US08097083B2 |
Operating method for a large dimension plasma enhanced atomic layer deposition cavity and an apparatus thereof
An operating method for a large dimension plasma enhanced atomic layer deposition cavity and an apparatus thereof are provided. The present invention reduces the time needed for filling the manufacturing gas into the large volume manufacturing cavity. Therefore, the plasma enhanced atomic layer deposition apparatus can switch the precursors rapidly to increase the thin film deposition rate, reduce the manufacturing gas consumption and lower the manufacturing cost. |
| US08097074B2 |
Air filtration and absorption method and system for the remediation of hydrazine
An air filtration system and method for the remediation of hydrazine from contaminated air. The system is provided in the form of a container with an inlet port and an outlet port containing absorbent pads or filters or wipes saturated with a solution of a dicarbonyl compound. As contaminated air passes through the container, hydrazine present within the air reacts with the dicarbonyl compound and becomes neutralized, thereby resulting in the exit of pure air from the container. The absorbent pads can also be used independently to remove hydrazine liquid spill. |
| US08097073B2 |
Dehumidifier
A dehumidifier is provided. The dehumidifier includes a base, a barrier installed on the base to divide front and rear portions of the base, a drain pan formed on an upper portion of the barrier to collect condensed water and provided with a water collecting hole through which the condensed water is discharged, a drain hose connected to the water collecting hole to discharge the condensed water, and a hose fixing unit formed on the barrier to fix the drain hose. |
| US08097071B2 |
Sintered fiber filter
Sintered fiber filters are provided that can afford high particle capture efficiency and/or low pressure drop during operation, and are useful in applications such as semiconductor processing. The shape of at least a portion of the individual fibers (e.g., metal fibers) used to make the filter have a three-dimensional aspect, which allows for a low packing density and high porosity filtration media. Certain filters have a cylindrical or tube-like shape with tapered ends of higher density. Methods of making such filters, for example, using axial pressing, are also described. |
| US08097070B2 |
Air cleaners for electrical machines
A forced air open-ventilation systems for cooling electrical machines is provided. The forced air open-ventilation system includes an air cleaner having an air chamber with a first end, where air is drawn in from the surroundings, and a second end, opposite the first end, where air is drawn out of the air chamber, via a first outlet. A rotating means is contained within the air chamber and may be driven to rotate about an axis that extends between the first end and the second end of the chamber. The rotating means applies a centrifugal force to any airborne particles entering the air chamber and throws them radially outwards from the central axis. These particles are then drawn out of the air chamber, via at least one second outlet formed adjacent to a radially outer edge of the rotating means, by a high-velocity outlet stream of the open-ventilation system. |
| US08097068B2 |
Method for treating a diamine absorbent stream
A diamine absorbent that contains heat stable salts is regenerated using an ion exchange process wherein the concentration of heat stable salts in the feed stream provided to the cation exchange unit is limited. |
| US08097064B2 |
Methods for chemical recovery of non-carrier-added radioactive tin from irradiated intermetallic Ti-Sb targets
The invention provides a method of chemical recovery of no-carrier-added radioactive tin (NCA radiotin) from intermetallide TiSb irradiated with accelerated charged particles. An irradiated sample of TiSb can be dissolved in acidic solutions. Antimony can be removed from the solution by extraction with dibutyl ether. Titanium in the form of peroxide can be separated from tin using chromatography on strong anion-exchange resin. In another embodiment NCA radiotin can be separated from iodide solution containing titanium by extraction with benzene, toluene or chloroform. NCA radiotin can be finally purified from the remaining antimony and other impurities using chromatography on silica gel. NCA tin-117m can be obtained from this process. NCA tin-117m can be used for labeling organic compounds and biological objects to be applied in medicine for imaging and therapy of various diseases. |
| US08097059B2 |
Exhauster bypass system
An exhauster bypass system 20 receives an input flow of gases and entrained fine solid particles 15 from a pulverizer 12 and separates the input flow into a particle-deficient gas flow and a particle-laden gas flow. The particle-deficient gas flow is provided to a fan of an exhauster assembly through a central outlet, while the particle-laden gas flow is provided to the exhauster assembly away from the fan through a bypass outlet. The bypass system includes a housing that provides a chamber for separating the particles from the hot gases to produce the particle-laden gas flow and a particle-deficient gas flow. The bypass system further includes a plurality of vertically stacked louvers disposed before the central outlet for separating the particles from the input gas flow. The outlet may include a seal or bypass fan in fluid communication with the bypass outlet to provide the particle-laden gas flow to the exhauster assembly. |
| US08097055B2 |
System for treating exhaust gas
A system for treating exhaust gas from an engine is disclosed. The system may include a housing with a first longitudinal axis, an inlet port, and an outlet port. The housing may define a first flow path. A fluid treatment element may be arranged in the flow path. The system may also include a conduit defining a second longitudinal axis and forming a second flow path. The conduit may have first and second tubular portions generally aligned with the second longitudinal axis. The first tubular portion may have a first cross-section, and the second tubular portion may have a second cross-section. An inner diameter of the second cross-section may be less than an inner diameter of the first cross-section. The centerpoint of the first inner diameter may be offset from the centerpoint of the second inner diameter in a direction generally parallel to the first longitudinal axis. |
| US08097053B2 |
Separator of solid particles from steam-gas mixture
The present invention is related to the separator (dust chamber) for separating solid particles from vapor-gas mixture, particularly to the structure of the dust chamber belonging amongst installation of the plant processing the fossil fuels or materials containing organic matter. The dust chamber (1) for separating solid particles from vapor-gas mixture comprises main body (2) with inner refractory lining (7) arranged to the inner surface of said main body, first and second stage cyclones (3, 4), lamella compensators (18, 19), dust removal conduits (5, 15) and inlet conduit (13) of the vapor-gas mixture into the first cyclone (3). The main body (2) of the dust chamber (1) is manufactured in all height from the cylinder of equal diameter and first and second stage cyclones (3, 4) are placed outside of the main body (2) of the dust chamber (1). For the refractory lining of the main body (2) of the dust chamber (1) and first and second stage cyclones (3, 4) the non-porous and wear proof material, for example concrete, is used. |
| US08097051B2 |
Separator for liquids, in particular condensate, from liquid-loaded compressed gases
A separator for liquids, in particular condensate, from liquid-loaded compressed gases-generally serves, by coarse separation of condensate from the compressed gases, to protect downstream prefilters of cold dryers or adsorption dryers against overload due to condensate. In the separator of the invention, in a pot-shaped housing, a separator element in the form of a hollow cylinder is arranged, which consists of a multiplicity of flow chicanes formed from guiding bodies and impact bodies. The moisture-loaded gases are passed from the interior of the hollow cylinder to the exterior via these flow chicanes, condensate separating off on the chicanes and collecting in the collecting space. |
| US08097046B2 |
Dye composition comprising at least one insoluble compound and processes using this composition
Disclosed herein is an aqueous dye composition for dyeing keratin fibers, for example, human keratin fibers such as the hair, comprising, in a suitable dyeing medium: (a) at least one oxidizing agent, (b) at least one water-insoluble oxygenated organic non-dyeing compound, present in an amount of at least 30% by weight relative to the total weight of the dye composition, and (c) at least one oxidation dye precursor and/or at least one direct dye. Also disclosed herein is a process for dyeing human keratin fibers, for example, the hair, comprising applying such a composition to the keratin fibers. |
| US08097042B2 |
Double-wall prosthetic limb assembly
In one embodiment, a double-wall prosthetic limb socket assembly includes: (a) a first substantially rigid inner-wall socket adapted to receive a patient's residual limb; and (b) a second substantially rigid outer-wall socket seating the first inner-wall socket therein, the second outer-wall socket including, (i) a distal, circular base-plate; and (ii) a molded circumferential wall bonded to and extending proximally from the distal, circular base-plate; where the circular base-plate includes a vacuum port extending radially from a circumferential outer side of the base-plate in fluid communication with a vacuum channel extending through the circular base-plate and out through an outlet hole in a proximal side of the circular base-plate; such that when the vacuum port is coupled to a vacuum pump, the vacuum will help to draw the first inner-wall socket into the second outer-wall socket. A resilient, roll-on liner with a substantially closed distal end and an open proximal end interposes the substantially rigid inner and outer wall sockets. |
| US08097039B2 |
Total knee joint mold and methods
In one embodiment, a method for treating an infected implant area of a knee joint comprises surgically accessing the implant area, and inserting a tibial component into the tibia using an antibiotic-impregnated material. A femoral component is formed that is configured to interact with the tibial component by stable knee joint articulation and motion. The femoral component is formed of an antibiotic-impregnated material using a mold. The femoral component is attached to the femur using an antibiotic-impregnated material, and the tibial component is interfaced with the femoral component to form a stable temporary knee joint capable of reducing the spread of infection while permitting movement of the knee joint. |
| US08097036B2 |
Motion restoring intervertebral device
A motion restoring intervertebral device includes first and second articulating components positioned between adjacent vertebrae with the articulating surface of the first component being formed by a circular domed convex projection having a first radius. The articulating surface of the second component is formed by a generally concave recess having the first radius in the medial-lateral direction and a second larger sweeping radius in the interior-posterior direction so that the components are capable of rotating against each other in all directions and translate against each other in the anterior-posterior direction, whereby translation away from the center of the first radius will produce device and joint distraction to limit excessive translation. |
| US08097031B2 |
Warming device with provisions for deploying elements of an upper body convective apparatus and for deploying the lower portion of the warming device
A warming device includes a clinical garment having an inside surface supporting one or more convective apparatuses disposed to warm a patient perioperatively. The warming device may include an upper body convective apparatus supported on the inside of the clinical garment between its sleeves. The construction of the upper body convective apparatus includes pulling elements that draw folded components of the apparatus from sleeves of the clinical garment when pulled. The warming device may include a multi-section convective apparatus disposed longitudinally in a lower portion of the clinical garment and having separately inflatable sections, each for enabling a particular mode of warming. The construction of the multi-section convective apparatus includes a therapeutic warming section with an inlet port positioned for convenient and safe access when the lower portion of the warming device is disposed to drape over the lower limbs of a person while the therapeutic warming section is being operated. |
| US08097029B2 |
Stand-alone scanning laser device
A stand-alone laser device that provides low level laser therapy using one or more laser sources. The laser sources are attached to one or more arms which can be positioned to cause the laser light to impinge on a desired area of a patient's body. A scanning apparatus is attached to the arms which comprise structures that cooperate to cause an optical element to be able to simultaneously rotate about a central axis and move in a linear motion along that axis to achieve any desired scan pattern. Laser light of different pulse widths, different beam shapes and different scan patterns can be applied externally to a patient's body. In the preferred embodiment, red light having a wavelength of about 635 nm is used to stimulate hair growth on a patient's scalp. |
| US08097028B2 |
Photoreactive system and methods for prophylactic treatment of atherosclerosis
The present invention provides a prophylactic light activated treatment method for subjects at risk of a plaque-mediated thrombotic event, such as acute coronary syndromes. In one embodiment, the subject receives a dose of photosensitizer sufficient to result in a concentration of photosensitizer in the neovascularization associated with atherosclerotic disease to permit effective photodynamic therapy. Light of a wavelength that excites the photosensitizer, but that does not to any significant extent penetrate to an adventitial layer of the blood vessel, is applied to the region of the blood vessel. The therapeutic light dose, which may be applied in sequential stages, is sufficient to cause closure of neovasculature leakage and lead to plaque stabilization and reduced adverse clinical outcomes. The present invention further provides light transmission devices and systems useful in carrying out the methods of the present invention. |
| US08097025B2 |
Pedicle screw system configured to receive a straight or curved rod
A fastener and a bone fixation assembly for the internal fixation of vertebral bodies such as a pedicle screw is provided which allows a detachable tulip to be provisionally locked to a pedicle screw in a first position, while securely locking the tulip assembly to the pedicle screw when in a second position. According to one exemplary embodiment, the tulip assembly includes a tulip body, a coupling saddle, and an expansion ring serving as a fastener. The fastener secures the tulip body to the pedicle screw, while the coupling saddle provides a means to provisionally lock the tulip body at an angle relative to the pedicle screw via an interference fit. Incline planes on the walls of the tulip body provide means to rotationally lock a rod within the tulip assembly, and fully lock the tulip assembly to at an angle relative to the pedicle screw. |
| US08097024B2 |
Load-sharing bone anchor having a deflectable post and method for stabilization of the spine
A dynamic bone anchor for anchoring a spine stabilization assembly which supports the spine while providing for the preservation of spinal motion. The dynamic bone anchor provides load sharing while preserving range of motion and reducing stress exerted upon the bone anchors and spinal anatomy. The dynamic bone anchor includes a deflectable post connected by a ball-joint to a threaded anchor. Deflection of the deflectable post is controlled by a compliant member. The dynamic bone anchor may be used as a component of a dynamic stabilization system which supports the spine while providing for the preservation of spinal motion. The dynamic bone anchor has splines on the outside of the housing to facilitate installation and the secure attachment of spine stabilization components. |
| US08097018B2 |
Percutaneous spinal implants and methods
An apparatus includes a support member having an outer surface configured to be disposed between adjacent spinous processes and a retention member rotatably coupled to the support member. A first end portion of the retention member is spaced apart from the outer surface by a first distance along an axis substantially normal to a longitudinal axis of the support member when the outer surface is disposed between the adjacent spinous processes. A second end portion of the retention member is spaced apart from the outer surface by a second distance along the axis substantially normal to the longitudinal axis when the outer surface is disposed between the adjacent spinous processes. The first end portion of the retention member and the second end portion of the retention member are configured to cooperatively limit movement of the support member relative to the adjacent spinous processes. |
| US08097017B2 |
Surgical fasteners coated with wound treatment materials
The present disclosure relates to surgical fasteners and more particularly to surgical fasteners coated with wound treatment materials. According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a surgical fastener for use in combination with a surgical fastener applying apparatus is provided. The surgical fastener includes a pair of legs; a crown interconnecting the pair of legs; and a wound treatment material coating at least a portion of the legs and crown. |
| US08097016B2 |
Directly insertable laparoscopic closure device, hemostasis and drain
A laparoscopic surgery close device used to close an entrance hole into a patient's abdomen with other embodiments that can function as a hemostasis device or as a drain device. An elongated stem with christmas-tree serrations (one way) has an inflatable balloon on a distal end and an anchor disk that can slide over the stem from the proximal end. After inserting the stem into a surgical entrance hole in a patient's abdomen, the balloon can be inflated providing support from the bottom, and the anchor disk can be slid on from the top effectively pinching the tissue along the hole. The device can be left in for around 5-6 days to allow healing to take place. After that, the balloon can be deflated, and the device can be pulled out. A second embodiment has a lager diameter hollow stem and can be used as a hemostasis device where the surgeon can pinch off a bleeding blood vessel and continue surgery through the same entrance port. A third embodiment is longer with slightly larger diameter hollow stem and can be used as a drain. An alternate embodiment uses a soft tube as a stem with a split disk anchor that pinches it when engaged. |
| US08097014B2 |
Variable rigidity vaginal dilator and use thereof
Relatively pain free vaginal dilation is obtained by inserting into the vaginal canal a variable rigidity vaginal dilator having an inflatable balloon, in a manner that avoids insertion into the urethra. Air is introduced into the balloon. When the patient has gained confidence in the pain free use of the dilator, the balloon is deflated to remove the air and water is introduced into the balloon to expand it so that it contacts the vaginal canal and exerts a pressure thereon. This contact is maintained for a period of up to about 15 minutes. The pressure and/or contact time is stepwise sequentially increased to a maximum of about 12 atmospheres and a contact time of up to about 45 minutes, in accordance with a regimen and instructions established by the patient's healthcare provider and tailored to the patient's specific needs. A preferred embodiment of the dilator and a kit employing same, useful in the method of the invention, are disclosed. |
| US08097013B2 |
Skin incision instrument and method for incising skin with the same
Provided are skin incision instrument to efficiently incise minimal portions and a method for incising skin with the skin incision instrument. The skin incision instrument according to the present invention comprises a holder, a needle, a needle drive unit, two or more skin expander sets, and a reader, wherein the skin expander sets comprise a first skin expander and a second skin expander; the first skin expander and the second skin expander are capable of expanding skin at both sides of the linear incision portion away from the linear incision portion and expanding the linear incision portion in a direction to expand the linear incision portion; and, minimal portions are efficiently incised by selecting a single skin expander set from two or more of the skin expander set based on the direction of the linear incision portion, such that an angle is adjusted to 45 degrees or more and 90 degrees or less wherein the angle is formed by the direction of the linear incision portion read by the reader and the direction to expand the skin by the single skin expander set. |
| US08097012B2 |
Endocardial lead removing apparatus
The invention provides an apparatus having a tubular member for receiving an endocardial lead implanted within a patient's body. Disposed generally at a distal end of the tubular member is at least one blade or cutting surface. An adjustment mechanism moves the blade between retracted and extended positions to engage the cutting surface with the endocardial lead to cut the lead. Once severed, the cut portion of the lead remains within an inner channel of the tubular member and the apparatus and cut portion of the lead are removed from within the patient. Various embodiments include the blade pivotally connected to the distal end of the tubular member and activated by a wire adjustment mechanism. Others include a metallic wire for slicing through the lead. Still others include a pneumatically actuated adjustment mechanism that inflates to move the blade and engage the cutting surface with the lead. |
| US08097005B2 |
Suture system
A suture system includes a plurality of double-stranded needles connected in sequence with a single-stranded needle at each end. The double-stranded suture needles incorporates two suture strands into a single needle. The suture system of the present invention facilitates the implantation of valve prostheses. |
| US08096997B2 |
Guiding device for bone cutting
A device for guiding a cutting tool capable of cutting bone portions at the level of the head of a bone includes a seat intended to be fastened at the level of said head defining a first rotation axis (Γ). The device includes means for adjusting the position of the first rotation axis with respect to said seat and an arm, with one end of said arm being pivotally assembled on said seat according to the first rotation axis. A guide intended to support the tool is pivotally assembled on the arm according to a second rotation axis (Δ). |
| US08096989B2 |
Motor-operated gastric banding device or gastric ring comprising at least one misaligned receiving antenna for power supply, remote control and data transmission by means of induction
A motorized gastric ring or “AGM” including a motor acting on a diameter of the ring and actuated by induction toward an integrated receiving antenna from at least one outer transmitting antenna, wherein the ring includes at least one receiving antenna, the at least one antenna being disoriented relative to a plane extending through the gastric ring, and integrated electronics adapted to substantially optimally use energy received. |
| US08096985B2 |
Deflectable guide
Described herein are devices and methods for guide catheters having one or more regions of increased flexibility. A flexibility region comprises one tubular segment of the guide catheter with a non-linear longitudinal seam between two non-concentric layers of material having different durometers. A non-linear seam, such as a zig-zag or sinusoidal configuration, permits controlled compression of lower durometer material between portions of higher durometer material. |
| US08096979B2 |
Reduced pressure treatment system having a dual porosity pad
A wound closure system and method having a porous pad for providing a reduced pressure to a tissue site is disclosed. The porous pad comprises a porous material formed by spraying a chemical substance that cures to form the porous material which has a body and an outer surface. Both the body and the outer surface have pores wherein the average size of the pores in the outer surface is smaller than the average size of the pores in the body. The porous pad further comprises a pathway formed within the porous material that is adapted to fluidly communicate with a source of reduced pressure. |
| US08096978B2 |
Automatic injection device with a top release mechanism
The present invention relates to a handheld mechanical injection device by which set doses of a liquid medicament can be injected from a medical reservoir. The medicament is expelled through an injection needle by release of a power reservoir in the device, the power reservoir being fully or partially released by actuation of a user operable release member being positioned at or near an upper end of the injection device, the upper end being that end of the injection device which is opposite the injection needle. |
| US08096974B2 |
Self-destroying disposable syringe and self-destroying method thereof
A self-destroying disposable syringe includes a barrel which includes a hub disposed on the front end of the barrel, a flange is disposed on the inner wall of the hub; a needle base which connects to the hub of the barrel, and includes a connecting portion, a containing portion disposed on the outer side of the connecting portion, and a self-destroying ring disposed on the back end of the needle base and connected to the connecting portion through one or more ribs; when the needle base has connected to the barrel, the connecting portion and the self-destroying ring are located in the inside of the hub of the barrel, and the self-destroying ring matches the flange each other; a plunger which is movably inserted into the barrel and includes a bar body, a pushing stem connected to the back end of the bar body, a pushing dish connected to the front end of the bar body, a cone with one end fixed to the pushing disc, and a puncturing portion fixed to the other end of the cone; and a piston which is connected to the cone of the plunger, a cavity is provided within the piston; a sealed front wall is provided on the front end of the piston, an opening communicated with the cavity is provided on the back end of the piston. |
| US08096969B2 |
Peritoneal dialysis methods and apparatus
A peritoneal-based (“bloodless”) artificial kidney processes peritoneal fluid without need for additional fluids (“waterless”). Fluid is separated into a protein-rich stream and a protein-free stream. The protein-rich stream is regenerated using a sorbent assembly, and its protein composition can be modified by removal of selected protein(s) (“dialysate-pheresis”). It is then reconstituted with additives and returned into the peritoneal cavity, thereby reducing protein-loss and providing oncotic-pressure for ultrafiltration. The protein-free stream is used to produce free water, and an alkaline or acid fluid for optimization of the composition of the regenerated stream. The unused protein-free stream can be used to “reverse flush” the separator to maintain its patency and the excess discarded for fluid-balance regulation. Compared to prior art, immobilization of urease allows more protein rich fluid to be regenerated and re-circulated into the peritoneal cavity for toxin removal and allows practicable development of portable and wearable artificial kidneys. |
| US08096968B2 |
Methods and apparatus for the enhanced delivery of physiologic agents to tissue surfaces
Apparatus and methods deliver vasoconstrictive agents simultaneously with capnic gases. The capnic gases can enhance the effectiveness of the vasoconstrictive agent, lower the dosage of drug or concentration of agent necessary to achieve a therapeutic result, or both. Exemplary capnic gases include carbon dioxide, nitric oxide, nitrous oxide, and dilute acid gases. |
| US08096966B2 |
Eversion resistant sleeves
The invention relates to improved means for preventing eversion and subsequent obstruction of thin-walled, floppy gastrointestinal liners implanted in the digestive tract of an animal. The implantable devices include an anchor adapted for attachment within a natural body lumen and a thin-walled, floppy sleeve open at both ends and defining a lumen therebetween. A substantial length of the sleeve has material characteristics that result in the sleeve being prone to eversion in the presence of retrograde pressures. Exemplary eversion-resistant features provide an increased stiffness and/or an increased friction coefficient between the anchor and the proximal end of the sleeve to resist eversion. In some embodiments, the eversion-resistant feature includes an anti-buckling element, such as a wire coupled along the substantial length of the sleeve. |
| US08096963B2 |
Electromagnetic device, method and apparatus for selective application to vertebrates
A multifunction device for selective application to the body of a vertebrate is disclosed. The device includes an electromagnetic generator supported by an bobbin like member which has a bore therethrough for reciprocally receiving an elongated magnetizable member. A permanent magnet is disposed near one end of the bore. The magnetic poles of the permanent magnet are arranged to magnetically attract the elongated magnetizable member. When energized, the electromagnetic generator produces a magnetic field magnetically polarizing the elongated magnetizable member establishing a repelling magnetic force with the permanent magnet which is additive to the electromagnetic force caused by the electromagnetic generator moving the elongated magnetizable member away from the permanent magnet. |
| US08096961B2 |
Switched resonant ultrasonic power amplifier system
A switched resonant power amplifier system for ultrasonic transducers is disclosed. The system includes an amplifier that receives and processes a driver output signal for generating a drive signal that is provided to an ultrasonic device for controlling output of the ultrasonic device. An output control circuit receives and processes a signal related to a feedback signal generated by the ultrasonic device and a divider reference signal, and generates a compensated clock signal that is adjusted for at least one of phase and frequency differences between the received feedback signal and the divider reference signal. A compensated drive circuit receives and processes the compensated clock signal for generating the divider reference signal, and for generating the driver output signal. |
| US08096960B2 |
Easy wake device
A device that monitors a user's sleep cycles and operates to sound an alarm to awaken the user at an optimal point within a sleep cycle. Once an alarm time is set and the alarm is activated, the device begins to monitor a wearer's sleep cycles by identifying the points in time at which the wearer moves his or her body limbs. As the alarm time is approached, the device can trigger the alarm earlier if the wearer is at an optimal point in the sleep cycle or, even retard the triggering of the alarm if the optimal point in the sleep cycle is expected to occur shortly. The device can be used to assist children in waking up to prevent bed wetting, or in a patient for obtaining light therapy. |
| US08096958B2 |
Blood-collection device for newborn babies and infants
The invention relates to a blood-collection device for newborn babies and infants, comprising a cannula, which is provided with a blood inlet and outlet and is located in a holder (2) that has a grip region (7). Said collection device is equipped with a bow-shaped bridging element (6) that connects the grip region to the holder. |
| US08096952B2 |
Electric-powered air release valve and blood pressure gauge
The electric-powered air release valve comprises a nozzle, a fixed iron core; an excitation coil; a movable iron plate; a leaf spring: a rubber valve; and a yoke; wherein a circular hole capable of accommodating a circular column part at one end of the fixed iron core when the movable iron plate is moved toward the nozzle is formed in the movable iron plate; and a magnetic gap is maintained between an internal periphery of the circular hole and an external periphery of the circular column part at one end of the fixed iron core. |
| US08096948B2 |
Method and apparatus for detecting movements of an object using volume change
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for visualizing movements of an object, preferably the movements of blood vessels during the cardiac cycle. The method includes scanning the object by at least a two dimensional ultrasonic image scanning apparatus at discrete acquisition times to acquire a data set by using surface reconstruction and/or volume rendering techniques. Next, the three-dimensional data set is partitioned into a plurality of volume units, wherein each volume unit has a unit surface. The method further includes calculating the change of volume of each volume unit over the acquisition times to obtain level information of each corresponding unit surface over time, and displaying the three-dimensional data set with its level information over time. |
| US08096947B2 |
Quantification and display of cardiac chamber wall thickening
An ultrasonic imaging system and method are described for quantification and display of myocardial wall thickening. The endocardial and epicardial borders in an image sequence are defined over a heart cycle and changes in the distance between the borders are tracked at specified locations around the myocardium over the heart cycle, The changes in distance are presented to the user in a graphical format, preferably together with another measure of the cardiac cycle such as chamber volume variation, ejection fraction, or the ECG waveform. The changes in the distance of chord lengths across the myocardium provide a direct indication of wall thickness variation at the specified locations. Preferably the tracking of the specified locations over the heart cycle is done by speckle tracking. The inventive technique can also represent strain at the specified locations of the myocardium. |
| US08096944B2 |
Air shield for videoscope imagers
An air shield for a videoscope imager to prevent obscuring of the optical input by body liquids and tissue particles. The imager is extended through a tube carrying a pressurized gas so that when the gas escapes from the end of the tube, it generates an air stream envelope around the optical input of the imager and prevents liquids and particles directed toward the optical input from contacting the optical input. The pressurized gas flows continuously during the medical or dental procedure to maintain a constant resistance to liquids and matter directed to the optical input of the imager. |
| US08096939B2 |
Urinary incontinence treatment with wireless energy supply
A urinary incontinence treatment apparatus comprises an operable restriction device (4) to be implanted in a patient for engaging the urethra (66) or urine bladder, to form a restricted urine passageway in the urethra or urine bladder. The restriction device is operable to change the restriction of the urine passageway. An energy transmission device (10) is provided for wireless transmission of energy from outside the patient's body to inside the patient's body for use in connection with the operation of the restriction device including enlarging or restricting the urine passageway. |
| US08096937B2 |
Adaptive cancellation system for implantable hearing instruments
The invention is directed to an implanted microphone having reduced sensitivity to vibration. In this regard, the microphone differentiates between the desirable and undesirable vibration by utilizing at least one motion sensor to produce a motion signal when an implanted microphone is in motion. This motion signal is used to yield a microphone output signal that is less vibration sensitive. In a first arrangement, the motion signal may be processed with an output of the implantable microphone transducer to provide an audio signal that is less vibration-sensitive than the microphone output alone. Specifically, the motion signal may be scaled to match the motion component of the microphone output such that upon removal of the motion signal from the microphone output, the remaining signal is an acoustic signal. |
| US08096935B2 |
Pulsatile control system for a rotary blood pump
A system for controlling the speed of a rotary blood pump. The system oscillates the speed of the pump to produce pulsed pressure at the outlet of the pump. The speed is oscillated synchronously with the natural cardiac cycle. The natural cardiac cycle is determined using a pulsatility index calculated from the back EMF produced by the pump or an impedance sensor. |
| US08096933B2 |
Centrifuge used for liquid separation
A centrifuge with an electric motor (46), composed of a centrifuge outer frame (47), a heavy liquid collecting tank (18), a lower hollow shaft (22), centrifugal units, an upper hollow shaft (38), and a light liquid collecting tank (41). The heavy liquid collecting tank, the lower hollow shaft, the upper hollow shaft, and the light liquid collecting tank are all fixed to the centrifuge outer frame, the centrifugal units are fixed between the upper hollow shaft and the lower hollow shaft, the motor is connected to the upper hollow shaft and drives the upper hollow shaft to rotate, the upper hollow shaft is fixed to two or more centrifugal units connected in series and drives the centrifugal units to rotate, a hollow portion of the upper hollow shaft communicates with the light liquid collecting tank, centrifugal units are fixed to the lower hollow shaft and drive the lower hollow shaft to rotate, the heavy liquid collecting tank is a casing formed between the centrifuge outer frame and the centrifugal units. The centrifugal of the present invention is simple in structure, small in volume, low in power consumption, thorough in separation, convenient in operation, and high in practicability. |
| US08096931B2 |
Cutting device and manufacturing method for absorptive article
A cutting device feeds a web between a die roll and an anvil roll, and cuts a continuous portion of the web. The cutting device includes a continuous portion transport unit configured to hold and transport the continuous portion of the web being continuous in a moving direction of the web, and a discontinuous portion transport unit configured to hold and transport a discontinuous portion of the web being discontinuous in the moving direction of the web. The die roll includes a first large diameter portion whose outer peripheral surface is provided with a cutting blade configured to cut the continuous portion of the web. The anvil roll includes a second large diameter portion disposed to face the first large diameter portion. By the discontinuous portion transport unit, the discontinuous portion passes through between the die roll and the anvil roll without contacting the first large diameter portion and the second large diameter portion. |
| US08096922B2 |
Training apparatus
A device for use with an exercise apparatus consisting of at least one hanging, length-adjustable and lockable rope (10, 11) which at its lower end has a gripping means (13, 14), e.g., a gripping loop. A vibration means (12; 16) is designed, when attached via a rope engaging member (8, 9) to a portion of such rope, to impart to the rope and thus its gripping means (13, 14) a vibratory motion. |
| US08096921B2 |
Integrated parking brake and clutch control system
An integrated parking brake and clutch control system for a vehicle is provided that includes a clutch perch configured for mounting on a handlebar assembly of a vehicle. A clutch lever is pivotably coupled to the clutch perch and is pivotable between rest and clutch-applied positions, and between the rest position and a parking-brake-applied position. A brake lever is pivotably coupled to the clutch perch and is pivotable between rest and depressed positions. A lock pin is supported by and moveable with the brake lever. The clutch lever defines a pin-receiving aperture and is configured to receive respective ends of a clutch cable and a parking brake cable. The lock pin is selectively insertable into the pin-receiving aperture when the clutch lever is in the parking-brake-applied position, which prevents the clutch lever from pivoting to either the rest position or the clutch-applied position. |
| US08096916B2 |
Saddle type vehicle with forward/reverse changeover mechanism
The forward/reverse travel changeover mechanism includes a projection formed by causing an output power shaft for outputting the power from a main transmission to project to the outside of a case, a carrier rotatably supported around the projection relative to a sun gear provided rotatably integrally with the projection, a planetary gear, an internal gear held in meshing engagement with the planetary gear, an output sprocket rotatably supported integrally with the internal gear and rotatable around the projection adjacent the main transmission with respect to the sun gear, and a shifter for selectively changing over the position of the carrier and the internal gear between a forward travel position at which the carrier and the internal gear are connected against relative rotation and a reverse travel position for preventing rotation of the carrier around the projection, and is disposed outside the main transmission case. |
| US08096906B2 |
Continuously variable transmission and control method for continuously variable transmission
When a vehicle decelerates rapidly, a lower limit secondary pulley pressure (Plmt) is calculated on the basis of a primary pulley rotation speed (Npri) detected by a primary pulley rotation sensor. When a deceleration speed (Gdata) is greater than a predetermined deceleration speed (G1) and a secondary pulley pressure (Psec) detected by a secondary pulley pressure sensor is lower than the lower limit secondary pulley pressure (Plmt), it is determined that slippage is about to occur in a V-belt 4 on a primary pulley side in particular, and therefore speed ratio fixing control is performed. |
| US08096905B1 |
Archery broadhead with replaceable blades
A broadhead with removable and replaceable blades has a forward body end which receives the forward ends of the blades, and the rear ends of the blades are then engaged to the rear body end by a spring or other retaining member which can be moved to engage or disengage the rear blade ends. The broadhead can then receive an arrow shaft, with the arrow shaft fitting over and encasing the retaining member and preventing its accidental (or otherwise undesirable) release of the blades. |
| US08096900B2 |
Mat for sport and games
Mat for sport and games for detecting impact position of a movable object. The mat includes an outer layer and an inner layer, each with inlays of electrically conductive elements forming a pressure-sensitive switch distributed over the target area. The pressure sensitive switches communicate with electronic circuits for indicting, processing and presentation of electrical signals when the switches are activated by a ball impact. |
| US08096898B2 |
Golf balls incorporating rigid, rosin-modified polymers
Golf ball compositions including a rosin-modified polymeric composition including a conventional ionomer, acid copolymer, highly neutralized polymer, or other suitable polymer that has been modified with a rosin material to impart stiffness through increasing the flexural modulus of the material. |
| US08096896B2 |
Golf club head having a composite crown
The present invention resides in a golf club head having a high COR that is durable and has desirable acoustic qualities. The club head includes a body portion, a striking face and a crown forming a hollow cavity of at least 150 cc in volume. The body portion defines a front opening and an upper opening, and it includes a sole and a side section that extends rearward of the front opening. The striking plate is secured to the body portion, enclosing the front opening. While partially assembled, final weighting and/or other attachment of other members to the inner surface of the club head can be preformed, as desired. The crown is secured to the body portion, enclosing the upper opening. A surface veil may also be provided about a junction of the crown and body. The crown has a maximum thickness no greater than about 2 mm. The density of the crown is less than the density of the body portion. At least one of the striking plate and the crown is attached to the second portion by adhesive bonding, and the golf club head has a maximum coefficient of restitution of at least 0.80. |
| US08096882B2 |
Risk mitigation in a virtual world
Embodiments include an apparatus, device, system, computer-program product, and method. In an embodiment, a system includes a computer-simulated environment wherein a participant is able to take part. The system also includes a risk management element of the computer-simulated environment, and a computer storage medium operable to save a record of the arrangement. |
| US08096880B2 |
Systems and methods for reducing jitter associated with a control device
An example system and method is provided for filtering input values associated with movement of a hand-held control device. A current input value is compared with an average input value and, based on the comparing, an output value is generated in a range between the current input value and a prior output value. |
| US08096879B2 |
Block game program and block game apparatus for removing blocks in accordance with a timing operation
A block game program and a block game apparatus that can improve interest therein by using a new block removal method and a new block movement method are achieved. The game program sequentially produces blocks in a playing field displayed on a display screen to form a block group. The game program causes the game apparatus to function as a mouse that receives an operation, and a block removal control unit that removes blocks satisfying a removal condition from among the block group in accordance with timing at which the mouse receives an operation. |
| US08096875B2 |
Gaming system having a manufacturer player tracking system and methods therefor
A gaming system includes a wager input device and a display for displaying a wagering game. The gaming system further includes a manufacturer player identification reader for receiving a manufacturer player identifier and a casino player identification reader for receiving a casino player identifier. The system further includes a controller operative to associate the casino player identifier with the manufacturer player identifier. |
| US08096874B2 |
Gaming system and method having progressive awards with meter increase events
A gaming system including a central server linked to a plurality of gaming machines. The gaming system includes at least one and preferably a plurality of progressive awards which are each associated with a supplemental fund or pool. If the gaming system determines that the progressive award is not growing at a designated incremental rate (due to a lack of wagers placed on gaming devices associated with the progressive award), the gaming system utilizes part or all of the amount in the supplemental fund to make up for this lack of wager based growth. Such a configuration provides that even if players are not actively playing gaming devices associated with the progressive award, the progressive award will still increment at a designated rate to at least a desirable value. |
| US08096869B2 |
Gaming machine with runs of consecutive identical symbols
A gaming machine arranged to display a matrix of symbol containing elements; each column of said matrix comprising a portion of a simulated rotatable reel of said symbol containing elements; and wherein each of said symbol containing elements of at least one consecutive run of said symbol containing elements of at least one said reel is caused to display an identical symbol. |
| US08096867B2 |
Gaming machine and display device with fail-tolerant image displaying
A slot machine 10 is provided with a display device 30 for displaying an image and display control means for causing the display device 30 to display an image relating to a game. The slot machine 10 is further provided with a subsidiary control board 74 having the display control means packaged therein, and a scale board 76 having control means packaged therein for accepting image signals fed from the display control means, to convert the image signals into enlarged image signals having a larger display size than that displayed by the image signals, thereby to feed the enlarged image signals to the display device 30. |
| US08096865B2 |
Casino games directed to betting on progressions
A casino table or slot game allowing a player to place bets on game progressions. The player has the ability to tailor the game to his or her preferences. The player also has the ability to wager on the game before or during the game. Payouts on bets are adjusted according to computed payoffs depending on game situations. |
| US08096862B1 |
Isolation damper with proofing
An isolation damper for preventing the migration of air from a ventilated space includes a high differential pressure sealing chamber in the damper assembly that prevents the flow of air from the “clean” side of the damper assembly to the “dirty” side thereof. Pressurized air leaking out of the sealing chamber creates reverse flow leakage toward the dirty side which assures the clean side air is not contaminated by the dirty side air. Differential pressure between the sealing chamber and the dirty side is monitored with the differential pressure reported and alarmed externally if reductions in pressure indicate the sealing effect of the sealing chamber could be affected. |