| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08630012B2 |
Apparatus and system on a chip for printing based on processing of baseband signals
A system includes a circuit board mounted within a printer. A first chip is mounted on the circuit board. A transceiver includes a receiver that: is implemented in the first chip; wirelessly receives a radio frequency signal; and generates a first baseband signal based on the radio frequency signal. A transmitter of the transceiver is implemented in the first chip and wirelessly transmits, based on a second baseband signal, a second radio frequency signal. A second chip is separate from the first chip and is mounted on the circuit board. The second chip includes first and second processing modules and a processor. The first processing module processed the first and second baseband signals and generates a data signal based on the first baseband signal. The processor generates the second baseband signal based on the first baseband signal. The second processing module implements a printing process based the data signal. |
| US08630010B2 |
Printing system, printing method, print server, control method, and computer-readable medium for performing pull print control
A print server which transmits print data in accordance with an instruction received via an operation unit of a printing apparatus, comprises: a storage unit configured to store a print job of an intermediate format open to the public; a first generation unit configured, upon receiving a preview image request from the printing apparatus for the print job, to generate a preview image from the print job of the intermediate format stored in the storage unit; a second generation unit configured, upon receiving a print request from the printing apparatus for the print job, to generate print data interpretable by the printing apparatus from the print job of the intermediate format stored in the storage unit; and a transmission unit configured to transmit, to the printing apparatus, one of the preview image generated by the first generation unit and the print data generated by the second generation unit. |
| US08630007B2 |
Image forming apparatus, method for managing print job, and computer-readable storage medium for computer program
An image forming apparatus is configured to access a storage that stores, therein, first associating information indicating a first terminal identifier for identifying a terminal and a first user identifier for identifying a user. The apparatus receives data based on which a print job is to be executed and which contains a second terminal identifier. If the second terminal identifier contained in the data matches the first terminal identifier indicated in the first associating information, then the apparatus executes the print job. Otherwise, the apparatus suspends execution of the print job. The apparatus receives an input of a second user identifier. If the second user identifier matches the first user identifier indicated in the first associating information, and, if the print job whose execution is suspended is selected, then the apparatus stores, into the storage, second associating information indicating the second terminal identifier and the second user identifier. |
| US08630005B2 |
Method of transmitting log information on document using metadata and host device, image forming apparatus and system using the same method
There are provided a method of transmitting log information on a document using metadata which can manage log information based on the metadata, and a host device, an image forming apparatus and an image forming system using the same method. The method includes: setting up metadata for receiving log information on a document in a host device; storing the set up metadata and printing data of the document; outputting the document; generating the log information on the document; and transmitting the log information using the metadata. |
| US08630003B2 |
Apparatus, system and method of customizing image formation instructions
An image formation apparatus includes an accepting unit, an acquiring unit and a formation unit. The accepting unit accepts an image formation instruction and input of information for specifying image supply destinations. The acquiring unit acquires an image formation condition that is specified in advance for each image supply destination. The formation unit forms images based on the acquired image formation conditions. |
| US08629999B2 |
Apparatus for carrying out a job stored in storing part, and method of controlling the apparatus
An apparatus that carries out a job which is stored in a storing part, the storing part storing therein one or more jobs and the jobs stored in the storing part being associated with user identification information, the apparatus includes a specifying information obtaining part configured to carry out a process of obtaining specifying information that is stored in a recording medium and specifies the user information; a carrying out part configured to carry out the job which is associated with the user identification information specified by the specifying information that is obtained by the specifying information obtaining part; and a carrying out process control part configured to carry out control to stop carrying out the job carried out by the carrying out part, when the specifying information can no longer be obtained by the specifying information obtaining part. |
| US08629995B2 |
Peripheral apparatus control
An information processing apparatus, which is connected to a peripheral apparatus via a network, issues, to the peripheral apparatus, a request required to acquire a response including information that represents whether or not the peripheral apparatus can notify the information processing apparatus of an event upon completion of print processing. Then, when the information included in the response returned from the peripheral apparatus in response to the request represents that the peripheral apparatus cannot notify the information processing apparatus of any event, the information processing apparatus deletes a print job, data of which have been sent to the peripheral apparatus, from a printer queue required to stack print jobs. |
| US08629991B2 |
Information processing apparatus for printing a first image added with a second image related to the first image, method of controlling same, image forming apparatus and computer program
An information processing apparatus outputs image data of a second image in such a manner that the second image is printed on a print medium by an image forming apparatus upon appending the second image to supplement a first image that is a print target, the second image being information related to the first image. The apparatus includes a determination unit which determines the formation position of the second image based upon content of an output setting and a rule; and a control unit which controls the image forming apparatus in accordance with the determined formation position in such a manner that the first and second images are formed on the same or different sheets of a print medium. |
| US08629982B2 |
Light emitting diode illumination system
In various embodiments of the invention, a unique construction for Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) with at least one luminescent rod and extracting optical elements used to generate a variety of high brightness light sources with different emission spectra. In an embodiment of the invention, forced air cooling is used to cool the luminescent rod. In an embodiment of the invention, totally internal reflected light can be redirected outward and refocused. In another embodiment of the invention, light emitted by the luminescent rod is out-coupled for use in a variety of applications. |
| US08629978B1 |
Curved laser sheet for conformal optical diagnostics
Three-dimensional surface illumination using curved laser sheets is described for optical flow measurements over conformal curved surfaces. The illumination method is applicable to many different optical-based flow visualization and measurement techniques, particularly for particle image velocimetry. An alignment sheet increases the accuracy of determining the position and movement of particles used in optical-base fluid flow techniques. |
| US08629977B2 |
Traffic scanning LIDAR
A system for determining the speed and position of objects comprises a beam source, a transmit reflection device, a beam receiver, a receive reflection device, and a controller. The beam source may generate a beam. The transmit reflection device may reflect the beam at the objects and may include a plurality of transmit faces with each transmit face oriented at a different angle and operable to reflect the beam at a different height. The beam receiver may detect the beam. The receive reflection device may include a plurality of receive faces with each receive face oriented at a different angle and operable to focus the beam reflected from objects at different heights onto the beam receiver. The controller may determine the position of the objects over time and calculate the speed of the objects based on a change in the position of the objects. |
| US08629972B2 |
Projection objective for microlithography
A projection objective for microlithography is used for imaging an object field in an object plane into an image field in an image plane. The projection objective comprises at least six mirrors of which at least one mirror has a freeform reflecting surface. The ratio between an overall length (T) of the projection objective and an object image shift (dOIS) can be smaller than 12. The image plane is the first field plane of the projection objective downstream of the object plane. The projection objective can have a plurality of mirrors, wherein the ratio between an overall length (T) and an object image shift (dOIS) is smaller than 2. |
| US08629971B2 |
Lithographic apparatus and device manufacturing method
In a lithographic projection apparatus, a liquid supply system maintains liquid in a space between the projection system and the substrate. The liquid supply system may further include a de-mineralizing unit, a distillation unit, a de-hydrocarbonating unit, a UV radiation source, and/or a filter configured to purify the liquid. A gas content reduction device may be provided to reduce a gas content of the liquid. A chemical may be added to the liquid using an adding device to inhibit lifeform growth and components of the liquid supply system may be made of a material which is non-transparent to visible light such that growth of lifeforms may be reduced. |
| US08629970B2 |
Immersion lithographic apparatus with immersion fluid re-circulating system
A lithographic apparatus includes a projection system, a fluid handling structure, a metrology device, and a recycling control device. The projection system is configured to project a patterned radiation beam onto a target portion of a substrate, the substrate being supported on a substrate table. The fluid handling structure is configured to provide an immersion fluid to a space between the projection system and the substrate and/or substrate table. The metrology device is configured to monitor a parameter of the immersion fluid. The recycling control device regulates a routing of the immersion fluid either to be reused by the fluid handling structure or to be reconditioned based on the quality of immersion fluid indicated by the metrology device. |
| US08629969B2 |
Liquid crystal display panel and method of manufacturing the liquid crystal display panel
A liquid crystal display panel has a pair of opposed substrates, a seal material and a liquid crystal material. The seal material bonds the pair of substrates to each other, and is formed into a closed curve shape enclosing a region including a pixel region. The liquid crystal material is filled in a region enclosed by the pair of substrates and the seal material. A surface of interface which is a surface made up of at least one substrate of the pair of substrates, and which is in contact with the liquid crystal material in a frame region enclosed by an outer periphery of the pixel region and an inner periphery of the seal material, includes a low wettability structure in which wettability to the liquid crystal material is lower than that of the surface of the one substrate in the pixel region. |
| US08629967B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
A LCD and a fabrication process is presented. An upper substrate is coincidently formed with a red, a green and a blue color filters using phase separation. A compound containing a photopolymeric color filter resin and a liquid crystal are coated on an array substrate and then photopolymerized after formation of the array substrate. A seed layer may be provided on the substrate before the compound is applied. Polymerization of the color filter resin permits simultaneous formation of the upper, color filter substrate and liquid crystal layer. |
| US08629966B2 |
Display panel and sealing structure
An LCD panel includes a first substrate, a second substrate, a displaying medium and a sealing structure, wherein the second substrate is located at the side opposite to the first substrate and the displaying medium is located between the first substrate and the second substrate for displaying an image. The sealing structure is located between the first substrate and the second substrate to seal the displaying medium, wherein the sealing structure includes an inner wall, an outer wall and a sealant. The inner wall disposed surrounding the displaying medium and the outer wall disposed surrounding the inner wall together form a sealant-disposing space therebetween. The outer wall has a plurality of side wall holes and the sealant is disposed in the sealant-disposing space. In this way, the sealing structure is able to enhance the structure strength in a limited layout space and promote the process margin. |
| US08629965B2 |
Display device
First terminals and second terminals, which are terminals of adjacent terminal wires, are staggered in the direction in which wires run, and transparent conductive films provided to the first terminals and second terminals extend so as to overlap the terminal wires outside the regions in which contact holes are created and are formed so as to have a width narrower than the width of the terminal wires in the regions where contact holes are created. |
| US08629964B2 |
Flat panel display
A flat panel display (FPD) has a conductive heat proof plate inserted into the back surface of a display panel on which printed circuit boards (PCBs) and signal lines are formed. The signal lines are surrounded by a blocking unit, and the external surface of the blocking unit is made of a conductive material to be electrically coupled to the heat proof plate so that resistance against electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) of a large flat panel display is improved and a thermal characteristic is improved. |
| US08629960B2 |
Display device substrate, display device substrate manufacturing method, display device, liquid crystal display device, liquid crystal display device manufacturing method and organic electroluminescent display device
The present invention provides a display device substrate, a display device substrate manufacturing method, a display device, a liquid crystal display device, a liquid crystal display device manufacturing method and an organic electroluminescent display device that allow suppressing faults derived from occurrence of gas and/or bubbles in a pixel region. The present invention is a display device substrate that comprises: a photosensitive resin film; and a pixel electrode, in this order, from a side of an insulating substrate. The display device substrate has a gas-barrier insulating film, at a layer higher than the photosensitive resin film, for preventing advance of a gas generated from the photosensitive resin film, or has a gas-barrier insulating film, between the photosensitive resin film and the pixel electrode, for preventing advance of gas generated from the photosensitive resin film. |
| US08629956B2 |
Active matrix type liquid crystal display device and manufacturing process for the same
An active matrix liquid crystal display device of the invention includes a liquid crystal display panel operating in a normally black mode having a first substrate provided with a color filter and a second substrate provided with an active matrix array, wherein the first substrate is provided with a laminated colored layer with three colors, a laminated colored layer with two colors and a colored layer with one color in a frame part surrounding a display area without being provided with a black matrix, and the second substrate is provided with a conductive film formed in a region which is opposed to the laminated colored layer with two colors and the colored layer with one color, between the display area and the laminated colored layer with three colors. |
| US08629954B2 |
Grommet suspension component and system
A compliant grommet-based suspension system is disclosed for use in mounting an electronic touch screen or touch surface. The grommets may be designed to provide more or less movement in any direction, i.e., along the x-axis, the y-axis, and/or the z-axis, depending on the suspension application in which they are implemented. |
| US08629952B2 |
Mobile terminal device
A mobile terminal device includes a liquid-crystal portion that displays an image; a substrate that sandwiches another component between one surface of the substrate and the liquid crystal portion, and that has another surface that is provided with a control circuit; a connecting portion that connects the liquid-crystal portion and the control circuit; and a spacer member formed of an insulator and interposed between the another surface of the substrate and the connecting portion. |
| US08629951B2 |
Array substrate for liquid crystal display device and method of fabricating the same
A liquid crystal display device includes an array substrate and a color filter substrate, a plurality of gate lines and a plurality of data lines formed on the array substrate such that the gate lines and the data lines intersect each other to define a plurality of pixel regions, a plurality of thin film transistors formed at respective intersections of the gate lines and the data lines, a liquid crystal layer interposed between the array and color filter substrates, and a plurality of repair patterns formed on the first substrate. Each of the plurality of the repair patterns crosses a corresponding one of the data lines, and is along and adjacent to a corresponding one of the gate lines, such that the repair pattern includes protruding ends that protrude from the corresponding data line to repair a defect on the pixel regions. |
| US08629939B1 |
Television ticker overlay
Described embodiments provide for detection and selection by the user of a ticker region within a first video broadcast; and copying and overlaying the detected and selected ticker region over a second video broadcast. Motion estimation techniques are employed to identify the ticker region location and associated borders of the ticker region. The streaming video corresponding to the ticker region is buffered. Some embodiments allow for post-processing of the overlayed ticker region to, for example, eliminate artifacts of, match resolution to, and match aspect ratio of the overlayed ticker region to the second video broadcast. |
| US08629938B2 |
Multi-point television motion sensor system and method
A system is disclosed for controlling operation of an electronic device, such as a TV. The system includes a first sensor located at or near the electronic device and a second sensor spaced apart from the first sensor, wherein the first and second sensors are configured to detect motion of a user within an operating zone associated with the electronic device. A processor is coupled to the electronic device and the first and second sensors, the processor being configured to input a signal from the first and second sensors. Memory is coupled to the processor, the memory comprising a sensing algorithm configured to process the input signal from the first and second sensors and determine the location of the user with respect to the operating zone. The processor is configured to send a control command to the electronic device based on an output of the sensing algorithm. |
| US08629935B2 |
Solid-state imaging device and imaging apparatus
A solid-state imaging device includes plural photoelectric conversion means arranged along light receiving surfaces, readout means for reading out signal charge generated in the photoelectric conversion means, a voltage supply means for supplying various levels of voltages to respective units including the photoelectric conversion means and the readout means, a detection means for detecting level change of a prescribed supply voltage in supply voltages by the voltage supply means and a control means for controlling so that the level change is converged when level change of the prescribed supply voltage is detected by the detection means. |
| US08629933B2 |
Camera system
A camera system includes an interchangeable lens and a camera body. The camera body includes an image data generating unit for capturing a subject image to generate image data, a detecting unit for detecting a contrast value of an image represented by the image data generated by the image data generating unit, and a signal generating unit for generating a control signal controlling the driving unit. In an autofocus control, the signal generating unit generates the control signal controlling the driving unit to drive the focus lens at a first speed until a predetermined time elapses after the first detecting unit starts to detect the contrast value of the image and to drive the focus lens at a second speed higher than the first speed after the predetermined time elapses. |
| US08629929B2 |
Image processing apparatus and image processing method
An image processing apparatus includes an operation receiving unit; and a control unit configured to perform a normal mode display process of displaying icon images of kinds corresponding to an operation status of the apparatus in a display unit and an icon description display process of displaying an icon selection image for selecting an icon image that is being displayed in the display unit upon reception of an operation input to activate an icon description mode by the operation receiving unit during the normal mode display process in the display unit and displaying a description image for an icon image selected upon reception of an operation input by the operation receiving unit while the icon selection image is being displayed in the display unit. |
| US08629925B2 |
Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and computer program
An image processing apparatus includes: an image obtaining unit which obtains an image signal; an extraction position information obtaining unit which obtains information about an extraction position, where an image is extracted, from the image signal; a correction target value calculating unit which calculates a correction target value for correcting the image signal in accordance with the position information from an image center based on the extraction position information; an image correcting unit which corrects the image signal based on the correction target value; and an image extracting unit which extracts the image based on the extraction position information. |
| US08629923B2 |
Solid-state imaging element and camera system that determine in which horizontal read period a dummy pixel section is to be shuttered
A solid-state imaging element includes: a pixel section having a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix form, each of the pixels converting an optical signal into an electric signal and storing the electric signal according to exposure time; a dummy pixel section having dummy pixels arranged in a matrix form; and pixel drive sections adapted to control the pixel operations in such a manner as to operate an electronic shutter on and read the pixel section and dummy pixel section, wherein when an electronic rolling shutter is operated in which the pixels are shuttered row by row, the pixel drive sections judge whether the current and next frames are shuttered concurrently and in parallel so as to determine in which horizontal read period the dummy pixel section is to be shuttered. |
| US08629918B2 |
Image processing apparatus, image processing method and program
There is provided an image processing apparatus including a representative image extraction unit for extracting a predetermined number of representative images from a series of images belonging to each scene, a representative image classification unit for, when two or more representative images are extracted from each scene, classifying the representative images into a main image and a sub-image, a degraded display image generation unit for generating a degraded display image by operating the sub-image in order to degrade and display the sub-image, and a representative image display unit for displaying the representative images of a plurality of scenes side by side in a scene transition sequence, and displaying the main image and the degraded display image when two or more representative images are extracted from each scene and the representative image when one representative image is extracted from each scene. |
| US08629915B2 |
Digital photographing apparatus, method of controlling the same, and computer readable storage medium
A digital photographing apparatus, a method of controlling the same, and a computer readable storage medium, the method including obtaining a first image captured from an optical signal received via a first optical system; obtaining a second image captured from an optical signal received via a second optical system; calculating a first histogram from the first image, where the first histogram represents a frequency distribution according to values of pixels of the first image; calculating a second histogram from the second image, where the second histogram represents a frequency distribution according to values of pixels of the second image; comparing the first histogram and the second histogram with each other; and determining whether an obstacle is present on at least one of the first and second optical systems, based on the result of comparison. |
| US08629912B2 |
Camera including a plurality of image sensors
A camera includes: a first image sensor that captures an image of a subject and outputs a first imaging signal; a second image sensor that is separately arranged from the first image sensor, captures an image of the subject and outputs a second imaging signal; a driving unit that drives the first image sensor and the second image sensor; an image processing unit that processes the first imaging signal and the second imaging signal by time sharing; and a control unit that controls the driving unit and the image processing unit. |
| US08629911B2 |
Automatic photographing system and method thereof
An automatic photographing method is provided. The method includes the steps of: receiving a dialing message from a telecommunications network; recognizing a phone number from the dialing message, and controlling a camera module to take at least one photo according to the dialing message; and performing image processing to the photo to generate photo data corresponding to the phone number. |
| US08629909B2 |
Systems and methods for lens characterization
Methods and systems for analyzing camera lenses and presenting information regarding camera lenses performance are described. An interactive user interface is provided over a network for display on a user terminal by a computer system. A user request is received at the computer system from the user terminal for lens data from a first lens. Lens data, including test data obtained via a first digital image captured using the first lens at the first focal length setting and the first aperture setting is accessed from memory and transmitted to interactive user interface. The interactive user interface is configured to display an identification of the first camera body, an identification of the first lens, the first focal length setting used to capture the image, and the first aperture setting used to capture the image. Using the lens test data, the interactive user interface generates and displays sharpness graph data. |
| US08629895B2 |
Camera-based facial recognition or other single/multiparty presence detection as a method of effecting telecom device alerting
A camera can be associated with each conference participant endpoint. The camera, either frame or video-based, can monitor and detect one or more of gestures, facial recognition, emotions, and movements of the conference participant. Based on the detection of one or more of these triggering events, a correlation to an action corresponding the triggering event can be evoked. For example, if a participant raises their hand, e.g., a triggering event, the system can recognize that this is a request to speak. The participant can then be queued in the system based, for example, relative to other participants' requests. When the other participants have finished speaking, and it is the time for the user who raised their hand to speak, the system can optionally queue the user by modifying the endpoint with which they are associated. |
| US08629893B2 |
Video switching without instantaneous decoder refresh-frames
A system and method for reducing blurred video caused by intra-coded IDR-frames sent in response to when a destination endpoint in a multipoint videoconference switches to a new video source. An embodiment according to the invention comprises using inter-coded temporal predictive referencing a long term reference frame (LTRF) instead of IDR-frames in a multipoint videoconference system. |
| US08629891B2 |
Thermal printer and protection coat print method
A thermal printer comprises a print unit which prints an image and forms a protection coat layer on a printed image, a designation unit which designates a glossy print mode or a matte print mode, and a control unit which controls the print unit, when the designation unit designates the glossy print mode, the control unit controls the print unit to execute printing of the protection coat layer without performing any preheating process, and when the designation unit designates the matte print mode, the control unit controls the print unit to perform the preheating process, and to then execute printing of the protection coat layer. |
| US08629889B2 |
Display device and driving method thereof
A display device and a driving method to reduce power consumption, and to simplify the process of manufacturing the display device by configuring a driver made of PMOS transistors, is disclosed. The display device includes a display unit and a light emission driver. The display unit includes scan lines for transmitting scan signals, data lines for transmitting data signals, light emitting signal lines for transmitting light emitting signals, and pixels coupled to the scan lines, data lines, and light emitting signal lines. The light emission driver is for receiving a partial driving selection signal for selecting one of a normal driving mode or a partial driving mode, an area selection signal for dividing the display unit into a display area and a non-display area, a synchronization signal generated in synchronization with a vertical synchronization signal, and first and second light emitting clock signals, for outputting the light emitting signals. |
| US08629888B1 |
Method and apparatus for performing virtual pullback of an intravascular imaging device
The present disclosure provides a method of displaying an intravascular procedure in a virtual environment. The method includes displaying information from a first view and a second view simultaneously. The first view contains virtual representations of an anatomical region of a human body and an intravascular imaging device disposed in the anatomical region. The second view contains a cross-sectional image of a segment of the anatomical region corresponding to a location of the intravascular imaging device. The method includes moving, in response to a user input, the virtual representation of the intravascular imaging device with respect to the virtual representation of the anatomical region. The method includes updating the cross-sectional image as the virtual representation of the intravascular imaging device is being moved. The updated cross-sectional image corresponds to a new location of the intravascular imaging device. |
| US08629887B2 |
Display apparatus, display method, and moving body
According to an embodiment, a display apparatus includes an information acquisition unit, a control unit, and a display unit. The information acquisition unit is configured to acquire information relating to an energy efficiency of a moving body. The control unit is configured to generate image data to include a display object indicating the energy efficiency based on the information. The display unit is configured to present the image including the display object to a human viewer operating the moving body. The control unit is configured to generate the image data to include a first display object when the energy efficiency is in a first state and generate the image data to include a second display object when the energy efficiency is in a second state lower than the first state. |
| US08629883B2 |
Method and system for generating online cartoon outputs
A method and system for generating a cartoon are provided. The method includes receiving a digital image for processing at a server. The method includes executing a color structure coding procedure to produce a color-reduced interim image. The method includes generating a sketch from the digital image with a Difference of Gaussian procedure. The method includes combining the color-reduced interim image and the sketch into a processed cartoon. |
| US08629871B2 |
Systems and methods for rendering three-dimensional objects
In one embodiment, a three-dimensional object is rendered on a two-dimensional display screen by associating a three-dimensional mesh with an image of the object, generating a vector-based texture map that defines a surface area of the object, and rendering the vector-based texture map on the display screen. |
| US08629867B2 |
Performing vector multiplication
A method includes receiving packed data corresponding to pixel components to be processed at a graphics pipeline. The method includes unpacking the packed data to generate floating point numbers that correspond to the pixel components. The method also includes routing each of the floating point numbers to a separate lane of the graphics pipeline. Each of the floating point numbers are to be processed by multiplier units of the graphics pipeline. |
| US08629866B2 |
Computer method and apparatus providing interactive control and remote identity through in-world proxy
Computer method and apparatus render views of a computer generated virtual world to a remote viewer. The invention method and apparatus establish an avatar of a resident user as a proxy on behalf of the remote viewer. The computer node of the resident user exports proxy avatar views of the virtual world to the remote viewer. The remote viewer computer renders the exported virtual world views without executing virtual world application programs. |
| US08629859B2 |
Electrophoretic display apparatus and method for manufacturing the same and method for driving the same
An electrophoretic display device includes an electrophoretic displaying layer, a photoconductive layer and a top electrode layer. The electrophoretic displaying layer includes a number of pixels. The top electrode layer and the photoconductive layer are respectively disposed at two opposite sides of the electrophoretic displaying layer. The photoconductive layer includes a number of photoconductive units spaced apart from each other. Each of the pixels corresponds to at least one photoconductive units. The present invention also provides a method for manufacturing the electrophoretic display device and a method for driving the electrophoretic display device. |
| US08629855B2 |
Multimode apparatus and method for making same
An apparatus operable in touch-input mode and scanning mode uses a light guide and a camera to look through a slanted facet at one corner of the light guide. The light guide has an upper surface for placing a touch object or an item for scanning. An angular sensitive grating is located on lower surface having fringes such that when a light beam directed from a location P on upper surface toward lower surface at a predefined direction, it is diffracted by the grating and guided toward the slanted facet. The diffracted beam exits the slanted facet at an exiting angle indicative of the location P. When an object or item is placed on upper surface, it causes changes in exit beam intensity. From exiting angles and intensity changes, a camera is able to locate touch objects or to acquire an image of the scanned item. |
| US08629854B2 |
Controlling method applied to a sensing system
A controlling method applied to a sensing system includes the following step. Whether a specific function is started is determined according to the size of a total pattern acquired. In an embodiment of the present invention, the step of determining whether the specific function is started according to the size of the total pattern acquired is the step of determining whether the specific function is started according to the size of the total pattern acquired and the length of time to successively acquire the total pattern. Accordingly, it is more convenient for a user to use the sensing system having the said controlling method. |
| US08629851B1 |
Finger gesture recognition for touch sensing surface
Touch sensor methods, devices and systems are disclosed. One embodiment of the present invention pertains to a method comprising monitoring a finger movement along a touch sensing surface based on position data of a finger touching the touch sensing surface, where the position data is obtained by locating a position of a force applied by the finger in a coordinate of the touch sensing surface. In addition, the method comprises generating direction data associated with the finger movement if the finger movement travels for more than a threshold distance. Furthermore, the method comprises determining a finger gesture which corresponds to the finger movement using a lookup table having multiple preconfigured finger gestures based on the direction data. |
| US08629850B2 |
Device, system, and method of wireless transfer of files
Device, system, and method of wireless transfer of files. For example, a method includes: identifying a selection of a representation of a digital object stored in a mobile device by detecting contact on a touch-sensitive surface of the mobile device at a contact position that corresponds to said representation; identifying a directional movement of said contact position on the touch-sensitive surface; and in response to said directional movement, wirelessly transferring data corresponding to the digital object to a nearby computing device. |
| US08629849B2 |
Spurious input detection system
A spurious input detection system includes a touch input display, a touch input surface, and a non-transitory, computer-readable medium. The non-transitory, computer-readable medium includes instructions that, when executed by a processor, provide a spurious input detection engine. The spurious input detection engine is operable to receive a first input from the touch input display and a second input from the touch input surface. The spurious input detection engine is further operable to determine that the first input is a spurious input based on a combination of the first input and the second input. The spurious input detection engine will cause the first input to be disregarded in response to determining that it is a spurious input. |
| US08629845B2 |
Information processing apparatus and information processing method
An information processing apparatus includes: display means for displaying an image including an object; detection means, which is stacked on the display means, for detecting a contact with the display means; and control means for switching an operation mode of the display means based on a ratio of the area of the object displayed in the display means to the area of a region of the display means in which the contact is detected by the detection means. |
| US08629840B2 |
Touch sensing architecture
Apparatus and methods are disclosed for simultaneously tracking multiple finger and palm contacts as hands approach, touch, and slide across a proximity-sensing, multi-touch surface. Identification and classification of intuitive hand configurations and motions enables unprecedented integration of typing, resting, pointing, scrolling, 3D manipulation, and handwriting into a versatile, ergonomic computer input device. |
| US08629838B2 |
User notification system with an illuminated computer input device
A user notification system and a computer input device, such as a mouse. The computer input device includes an illumination member that enables a user to quickly and accurately position the input device during poor lighting conditions and determine whether the computer is ON. The input device includes a housing and an illumination device that is supported by the housing. Illumination from the illumination device is visible when the input device is placed on a support surface. The illumination member is also used to notify the user if one or more of various events have occurred in a computer application being run on the computer. The notification information is presented to the user by changing the state of the illumination member. An example of event for notification includes the receipt of a message in a communications program such as an e-mail message. |
| US08629837B2 |
Method and device for controlling information display output and input device
A method and device for controlling information display output and an input device. wherein the method and device control the display output of pages or files based on the pressure parameter information, the electromagnetic parameter information, the energy parameter information and/or the time parameter information input by the user. Therefore, the method and device can quickly locate the position needed to be displayed in a plurality of displayed pages, and can multi-dimensionally arbitrarily move or select the displayed position, pages or files, etc., at one time. Furthermore, the method and device can also quickly, flexibly, accurately change the currently displayed position. |
| US08629834B2 |
Haptic automated communication system
A haptic communication system having a range of sensors embedded with an operator's attire. Data collected by the sensors is processed by a computing device local to the operator and is communicated via a haptic modality in real-time to other team members and robotic assets in the system. |
| US08629832B2 |
Electrophoretic display device, electronic device, and drive method for an electrophoretic display panel
An electrophoretic display device has an electrophoretic display panel that has a plurality of drive electrodes, a common electrode, and a plurality of electrophoretic particles disposed between the drive electrodes and the common electrode. The device also has a drive control unit including components for setting the display color and applying pulses to update the display color to a first color, a second color, or an intermediate color between the first and second colors. The first or second color is displayed by applying a first or second pulse respectively. The first and second pulses are opposite in polarity to maintain DC balance. A method of driving such a device is also provided. |
| US08629830B2 |
Synchronizing dynamic backlight adaptation
Embodiments of a system that includes one or more integrated circuits are described. During operation, the system receives a sequence of video images and a brightness setting of a light source which is configured to illuminate a display that is configured to display the video images, where the sequence of video images includes video signals. Then, the system determines an intensity setting of the light source on an image-by-image basis for the sequence of video images, where the intensity of a given video image is based on the brightness setting and brightness information contained in the video signals associated with the given video image. Next, the system synchronizes the intensity setting of the light source with a current video image to be displayed. |
| US08629824B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
A liquid crystal display device is disclosed, which can reduce a unit cost and prevent deterioration of picture quality caused by unfilled pixel cells, the liquid crystal display device comprising a liquid crystal panel including a plurality of pixel cells formed at every regions defined by ‘n’ gate lines and ‘m’ data lines, three colors alternatively arranged along the data line direction, and the same colors arranged along the gate line direction; a gate built-in circuit, built-in the liquid crystal panel, for supplying gate-on voltages to the gate lines; and a driving integrated circuit, formed in the liquid crystal panel, for driving the gate built-in circuit, inverting a polarity of video signal in the unit of each data line and at least three gate lines, and supplying the video signal having the inverted polarity to the data lines. |
| US08629823B2 |
Driving circuit of a semiconductor display device and the semiconductor display device
There are provided a driving circuit of a semiconductor display device which can obtain an excellent picture without picture blur (display unevenness) and with high fineness/high resolution, and the semiconductor display device. A buffer circuit used in the driving circuit of the semiconductor display device is constituted by a plurality of TFTs each having a small channel width, and a plurality of such buffer circuits are connected in parallel with each other. |
| US08629821B2 |
Display device with faster changing side image
A display device is provided which includes a liquid crystal display panel including a plurality of pixels each having one or more sub-pixels; and control electronics configured to provide, in response to image data, signal voltages to the pixels in a first mode whereby an on-axis viewer and an off-axis viewer perceive substantially a same main image, and signal voltages to the pixels in a second mode whereby the on-axis viewer perceives the main image and the off-axis viewer perceives a side image different from the main image. |
| US08629820B2 |
Liquid crystal display and driving method thereof
A liquid crystal display (“LCD”) includes a plurality of gate lines, a plurality of data lines intersecting the gate lines, a plurality of switching elements connected to the gate lines and the data lines, a plurality of storage electrodes, a plurality of storage electrode lines connected to the storage electrodes, a plurality of pixel electrodes connected to the switching elements and overlapping the storage electrodes, a gate driver generating gate signals having a gate-on voltage and a gate-off voltage to apply to the gate lines, a data driver generating data voltages corresponding to externally applied image signals to apply to the data lines, and a storage electrode driver generating storage electrode signals having a reference voltage, a high voltage larger than the reference voltage, and a low voltage smaller than the reference voltage to apply to the storage electrode lines. Each storage electrode signal changes a level thereof when the gate-on voltage is applied to the gate lines and changes a level thereof when a predetermined time elapses after the gate-off voltage is applied to the gate lines. |
| US08629819B2 |
Semiconductor device and driving method thereof
There has been a problem that power consumption is increased if a potential of a signal line changes every time a video signal is applied to a driving transistor from the signal line, since the parasitic capacitance of the signal line stores and releases electric charges. In a configuration of a display portion provided with a gate signal line for selecting an input of a video signal to a pixel and a source signal line for inputting a video signal to the pixel, a switch is connected in series with the source signal line, the switch being controlled to be in on state when the pixel is not selected by the gate signal line, and in off state when the pixel is selected by the gate signal line. Accordingly, the parasitic capacitance of the source signal line which stores and releases electric charges affects only pixels between an output side of a source driver up to and including the pixel selected to be written with a video signal. Consequently, power consumed by the charging and discharging of the source signal line can be reduced, and thus low power consumption can be achieved. |
| US08629816B2 |
Emission control driver and organic light emitting display using the same
An emission control driver including a plurality of stages, each including a first unit adapted to generate a first output signal at a first node thereof based on an input signal, a clock signal, a inverted input signal, first and second power source voltages, a second unit adapted to output an emission control signal based on the first output signal and the input signal, a third unit adapted to transmit the first or second power source to the first unit based on the emission control signal, a inverted clock signal and an inverted emission control signal when a first path between the first power source and the first node and a second path between the second power source and the first node are blocked by the clock signal, and a fourth unit adapted to output a inverted emission control signal based on the emission control signal and the first output signal. |
| US08629815B2 |
Laser alignment of binocular head mounted display
A binocular head mounted display includes a frame, right and left displays, an alignment sensor, and a control system. The right and left displays display right and left images to a user and are mounted to the frame. The alignment sensor includes a first laser source mounted proximate to one of the right or left displays and a first photo-detector array mounted opposite the first laser source and proximate to an opposite one of the right or left displays. The first alignment sensor is mounted to measure misalignment between the right and left displays due to deformation of the frame about one or more rotational axes and to generate a signal that is indicative of the misalignment. The control system is coupled to the alignment sensor to receive the signal and to calculate the misalignment based at least in part upon the signal. |
| US08629813B2 |
Adjustable multi-band antenna and methods
An adjustable multi-band planar antenna especially applicable in mobile terminals. In one embodiment, the feed of the antenna is connected by a multiple-way switch to at least two alternative points of the radiator element. When the feed point is changed, the resonance frequencies and thus the operating bands of the antenna change. In addition to varying the basic dimensions of the antenna, the distance between one feed point to another and a possible short-circuit point in the radiator, the value of the series capacitance produced by a reactive circuit that is formed between the feed point and switch, and the distance between the ground plane and the radiator, are parameters that may affect the antenna design. |
| US08629812B2 |
Cavity backed cross-slot antenna apparatus and method
An antenna apparatus and method includes an orthogonal slot antenna which overcomes the limitations associated with RF choke between the adjacent slots through various feed techniques. A cavity backed cross-slot antenna includes a horizontal slot antenna, a vertical slot antenna sharing a center portion with the horizontal slot antenna, a first feed for the horizontal slot antenna, and a second feed for the vertical slot antenna, the first feed and the second feed provided to the shared center portion. Another cavity backed cross-slot antenna includes a horizontal slot antenna, a vertical slot antenna, the horizontal slot antenna and the vertical slot antenna share a center portion therebetween, a first feed feeding both halves of the horizontal slot antenna, and a second feed feeding both halves of the vertical slot antenna. |
| US08629811B2 |
Dual band electrically small tunable antenna
An electrically small dual-band planar tunable UHF/L-Band antenna. In one example, the dual-band antenna includes a combination of a semi-spiral antenna for the UHF frequencies and a microstrip patch antenna for the L-band frequencies. |
| US08629810B2 |
Multiband antenna and portable electronic device using the same
A multiband antenna includes a first radiating unit, a second radiating unit connected to the first radiating unit and including a first radiating arm, a second radiating arm, and a third radiating arm, and a connecting unit connected to the first radiating unit. The first radiating unit, the second radiating unit, and the connecting unit are all planar sheets positioned coplanar with each other. The first radiating unit is a sector having a first radii side, a second radii side and an arc side. The first radiating arm, the second radiating arm, and the connecting unit are connected to the first radii side, and the third radiating arm is connected to the second radii side. |
| US08629808B2 |
Method and system for synthesizing array antennas
A method for synthesizing an array factor for an array antenna based on a target shape of an array factor amplitude, includes: calculating an array factor phase based on the target shape of the array factor amplitude, and calculating array antenna weight coefficients using the least mean square method, where a target function used in the least mean square method is a complex function composed by the target shape of the array factor amplitude and the calculated array factor phase, wherein the calculated weight coefficients determine the array factor. |
| US08629807B2 |
True time delay phase array radar using rotary clocks and electronic delay lines
Local oscillator circuitry for an antenna array is disclosed. The circuitry includes an array of rotary traveling wave oscillators which are arranged in a pattern over an area and coupled so as to make them coherent. This provides for a set of phase synchronous local oscillators distributed over a large area. The array also includes a plurality of phase shifters each of which is connected to one of the rotary oscillators to provide a phase shifted local oscillator for the array. The phase shifter optionally includes a cycle counter that is configured to count cycles of the rotary oscillator to which it is connected and control circuitry that is then operative to provide a shifted rotary oscillator output based on the count from the cycle counter. |
| US08629801B2 |
Event location determination
A method of determining a location of an event of interest by processing signals from a satellite positioning system comprises periodically recording blocks of data samples of a satellite broadcast. In response to a request for a position determination at a particular time, a most recent block of data samples is processed in an attempt to obtain a position fix. If unsuccessful, the method further comprises processing blocks of data samples which were recorded further back in time in a sequence to make further attempts to obtain a position fix, until a position fix is obtained. The blocks of data samples used for the further attempts are irregularly spaced in time, for example more densely populated in relatively recent time than in relatively ancient time with respect to the particular time. This enables the processing resource in attempting to obtain a position fix to be allocated efficiently, thereby reducing power consumption. |
| US08629800B2 |
Ground vehicle collision prevention systems and methods
A method and apparatus for detecting a vehicle. An apparatus comprises a proximity detection system, a vehicle management system, and a notification system. The proximity detection system is associated with an aircraft and operably connected to a transducer. The proximity detection system is configured to determine a distance of a vehicle from a surface of the aircraft and a velocity of the vehicle relative to the aircraft. The vehicle management system operably connected to the proximity detection system. The vehicle management system is configured to determine a time the vehicle will be a threshold distance from the surface of the aircraft and an threshold amount of time to bring the vehicle to a predetermined velocity. The notification system is associated with the proximity detection system and configured to generate a notification signal in response to a determination that the time is less than the threshold amount of time. |
| US08629799B2 |
Surface penetrating radar system and target zone investigation methodology
A radar system (22) includes a transmitter (45), a receiver (59), and a software defined radio (SDR) peripheral (40). Methodology (80) for investigating a target zone (26) utilizing the system (22) entails generating (106) a direct sequence spread spectrum (DSSS) code (120) having a code length (122) corresponding to a time duration of radio wave travel between the transmitter (45), the target zone (26), and the receiver (59) at a carrier frequency (112). A beacon signal (34), modulated (108) by the DSSS code (120), is transmitted (152) from the transmitter (45) toward the target zone (26) and a return signal (38) is received (156) at the receiver (56). The return signal (38) is compared (170) to a replica signal (168) characterized by the DSSS code (120), and presence of an object (32) in the target zone (26) is ascertained (178) when the return signal (38) matches the replica signal (168). |
| US08629798B2 |
Programming a universal remote control via direct interaction with an original remote control
A method and system for programming a universal remote control (URC) to operate with a remote-controlled device is disclosed. A user may be instructed to operate a control element of an original remote control (ORC) of the remote-controlled device. The ORC may be operated directly with the URC, which may so receive a programming code from the ORC. The programming code may be used by the URC to determine an identity of the remote-controlled device and/or the ORC. Based on the identity, the URC may obtain corresponding programming codes for the remote-controlled device. The URC may be configured to use at least one of the programming codes to remotely control the remote-controlled device. |
| US08629788B1 |
Sensing, display, and dissemination of detected turbulence
A system may include a sensor for coupling with a vehicle configured for atmospheric flight. The sensor may be configured for detecting a turbulence event, where the turbulence event is at least one of experienced by the vehicle or occurs proximal to the vehicle during atmospheric flight. The system may also include a transmitter coupled with the sensor. The transmitter may be configured for automatically remotely transmitting data regarding the turbulence event to a ground based entity. |
| US08629787B1 |
System, module, and method for presenting clearance-dependent advisory information in an aircraft
A present novel and non-trivial system, module, and method for presenting clearance-dependent advisory information in an aircraft is disclosed. Clearances include those corresponding to interval management operations and/or trajectory management operations. Data representative of clearance information including data representative of an actual controller intervention threshold (“CIT”) information, ownship information, target information, and alert parameter(s) information is received. The actual CIT information is comprised of the CIT of a clearance assigned to an aircraft and/or an designator from which the CIT of the assigned clearance is determined. A dynamic alerting threshold is determined as a function of the received information. If the ownship position meets or exceeds the alerting threshold, an advisory data set comprised of visual advisory information, aural advisory information, and/or tactile advisory information is generated and provided a presentation system in which advisory and/or alert information is presented by an applicable unit of the presentation system. |
| US08629782B2 |
System and method for using dual telemetry
A system and a method use dual telemetry for tools located in a wellbore. A first telemetry system and a second telemetry system coordinate communication with the tools. Both the first telemetry system and the second telemetry system may transmit data regarding the tools and/or drilling conditions from the tools to a surface location simultaneously. The first telemetry system or the second telemetry system may communicate with the surface location if communication using the other telemetry system is interrupted. The first telemetry system and the second telemetry system may have a master/slave relationship so that data requests from a specific telemetry system do not interfere with data requests from the other telemetry system. |
| US08629773B2 |
Method for measuring location of radio frequency identification reader by using beacon
The present invention relates to a method for measuring a location of a radio frequency identification (RFID) reader by using beacons, and an RFID system for measuring a location of a moving RFID reader in an RFID system comprising: a plurality of beacon devices for emitting beacons; an RFID tag for transmitting pre-stored information by using radio frequency identification; and an RFID reader for calculating a current location using a plurality of at least three beacons wherein the RFID reader receives the plurality of beacons from the plurality of beacon devices while moving, and receiving the information from the RFID tag by using the radio frequency identification. According to the present invention, it is possible to increase the accuracy of the location measurement of a moving RFID reader in an RFID system because the location of the RFID reader is measured in consideration of propagation environments. |
| US08629772B2 |
Signal emitting retail device
A signal emitting retail device is provided. The signal emitting retail device includes a sensor and an emitter. The emitter is configured to emit a signal when the sensor senses removal of merchandise from a merchandise display structure. The sensor is also configured to sense potential theft conditions. The emitter is configured to emit a signal indicative of potential theft conditions when such conditions are sensed by the sensor. |
| US08629769B2 |
Method and system for communication between wireless devices
Systems and techniques for command communication between wireless devices are described. In one implementation, a data gathering device (such as a continuous glucose monitor) and a monitoring/control device, which communicate data samples through a frequency hopping protocol, utilize a dedicated command frequency for the transmission of non-data instructions and acknowledgements. A command mode is described where the command frequency is regularly listened to by a device to determine if pairing or other instructions are being sent. In another example, when communications are disrupted or corrupted, the devices revert to using the command frequency in order to reacquire a paired link between the devices. The command frequency is also used for a flight mode, where the data-acquisition device goes into a low-, or no-power transmission mode and remains in the mode, storing sampled data, until instructed to leave the flight mode over the command frequency. |
| US08629765B2 |
Immobilizer for shopping carts
To generally prevent people from being able to take out and move shopping carts from shopping cart parking areas at times when the store is not open, the blocking devices on the shopping carts are activated when the shopping carts are parked in shopping cart parking areas when the store is not open. |
| US08629764B2 |
Method and apparatus for power management for a radio frequency identification system
A method and device of power management for a networked radio frequency identification (“RFID”) system are disclosed. The described power management methods reduce the power consumption of battery-operated RFID readers and RFID tags. These power conservation methods increase the RFID system's hours of operation and decrease the cost by allowing the RFID readers and tags to function for a longer period of time before requiring charging or replacement of their batteries. |
| US08629762B2 |
Radio frequency identification tag location estimation and tracking system and method
Systems and methods for locating one or more radio frequency identification (RFID) tags are provided. A phase difference of received information signals of illuminated RFID tags is utilized to locate the RFID tags. One or more exciters transmit interrogation signals to illuminate the RFID tags in which the exciters may have a plurality of antenna selectively configured to transmit through two or more antennas and to receive on one antenna. Multiple reads of the same RFID tag can also be performed to generate a probability model of the location of the RFID tag. An enhanced particle filter is applied to probability model to determine the exact location of the RFID. |
| US08629760B2 |
Signal conversion device, radio frequency identification (RFID) tag, and method for operating the RFID tag
A signal conversion device, a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag, and a method for operating the RFID tag. The RFID tag has an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory module for storing RFID tag information and transmitting the RFID tag information; an information comparison module coupled to the electrically erasable programmable for receiving the RFID tag information and demodulation information, comparing the RFID tag information with the demodulation information, and generating a driving signal; and a pulse oscillation module coupled to the information comparison module for receiving the driving signal, and transmitting pulse oscillating signals to the electrically erasable programmable read-only memory module, so as to allow the electrically erasable programmable read-only memory module to transmit the RFID tag information. |
| US08629753B2 |
Mobile terminal, operating method thereof, and refrigerator
A mobile terminal, an operating method thereof, and a refrigerator are disclosed. The operating method of the mobile terminal includes receiving state information of the refrigerator from the refrigerator, displaying the state information of the refrigerator on a screen, and transmitting a control signal based on a control operation to the refrigerator. Therefore, it is possible to readily control the refrigerator using the mobile terminal. |
| US08629751B2 |
High amperage surge arresters
A high-voltage surge arrester includes an electrically conductive first terminal and an electrically conductive second terminal longitudinally spaced from the first terminal. A plurality of metal oxide varistor (MOV) bars are included, each of which extends from the first terminal to the second terminal and electrically contacts the first terminal and the second terminal. A heat conducting material contacts the MOV bars. |
| US08629746B2 |
High frequency transformers
High frequency, high power density coaxial, planar and three-phase transformers for converters and inverters are disclosed. One of the coaxial transformers comprises at least one primary winding and at least one secondary winding associated with at least one magnetic core, at least one coaxial Faraday shield between and substantially coaxial with the at least one primary winding and the at least one secondary winding and a substantially planar Faraday shield at one or more ends of the at least one magnetic core. |
| US08629738B2 |
Complex resonator, bandpass filter, and diplexer, and wireless communication module and wireless communication device using same
Provided is a composite resonator wherein two resonance frequencies can be set discretionarily to a certain extent. The composite resonator is provided with a grounding electrode (21) arranged on a lower surface of a laminated body wherein a plurality of dielectric layers (11) are laminated, and a composite resonant electrode (26) arranged on an upper surface or inside of the laminated body. The composite resonant electrode (26) is composed of a base section (27) and a plurality of strip-like protruding sections (28a, 28b). One end of the base section (27) is grounded. One end of each of the protruding sections (28a, 28b) is connected to the other end of the base section (27), and the protruding sections are arranged in parallel. A body wherein the base section (27) and the protruding sections (28a, 28b) are combined functions, as a whole, as a resonator which resonates at a first frequency, and the protruding sections (28a, 28b) function as a resonator which resonates at a second frequency higher than the first frequency. |
| US08629732B2 |
Voltage-controlled oscillators and related systems
Apparatus are provided for voltage-controlled oscillators and related systems. An exemplary voltage-controlled oscillator includes a first variable capacitance element, a second variable capacitance element coupled between the first control voltage node and the third node, and an inductive element coupled between the variable capacitance elements to provide an inductance between the variable capacitance elements at an oscillation frequency of an oscillating signal at an output node. The first variable capacitance element is coupled between a first control voltage node and the output node, the second variable capacitance element is coupled to the first control voltage node, and a second inductive element is coupled between the second variable capacitance element and a second control voltage node. |
| US08629731B2 |
MEMS resonator
A MEMS circuit comprises a MEMS device arrangement with temperature dependent output; a resistive heating circuit; and a feedback control system for controlling the resistive heating circuit to provide heating in order to maintain a MEMS device at a constant temperature. The heating is controlled in dependence on the ambient temperature, such that a MEMS device temperature is maintained at one of a plurality of temperatures in dependence on the ambient temperature. This provides power savings because the temperature to which the MEMS device is heated can be kept within a smaller margin of the ambient temperature. |
| US08629727B2 |
Techniques on input transformer to push the OP1dB higher in power amplifier design
A power amplifier includes a first transistor and a first inductor disposed between the first transistor and a voltage source. A first node between the first transistor and the first inductor is an output node. The power amplifier further includes a second inductor disposed between the first transistor and ground The power amplifier further includes a third inductor coupled to a gate of the first transistor and configured as a first AC input. The power amplifier further includes a first phase conditioner inductively coupled to the second inductor and the third inductor and configured to set phases of AC signals across the first inductor and the second inductor in phase. The second inductor is configured to release energy into the first inductor to raise a voltage of the AC signal and raise a power output at the output node. |
| US08629726B1 |
High-performance amplifier for transducer array input unit cell
Circuitry is disclosed that can be used, for example, in a readout circuit of an active imaging or other sensing application. The circuitry can be configured, for instance, for increasing the gain of a differential amplifier non-inverting leg used to drive the inverting output by means of a current-source load. In some example embodiments, the circuitry is suitable for use in a focal plane array input unit cell and can be implemented, for instance, as a relatively low power amplifier with high gain, bandwidth and output current-sinking capability (in some embodiments; current sourcing in others) sufficient to respond to very fast photo-diode (e.g., standard or e-APD) detector signals. The amplifier circuitry can be used with other transducer arrays and is not intended to be limited to imaging applications. |
| US08629725B2 |
Power amplifier having a nonlinear output capacitance equalization
Power amplifier (PA), regardless of the process used for the manufacturing of its devices, suffers from a nonlinear output capacitance that has significant impact on various aspects of the PA performance. This output capacitance is dependent on the large output voltage swing. Accordingly a compensation capacitance is added at the output of the PA that has a behavior that is inverse respective of the output voltage of that of the output capacitance of the PA. Connecting the compensation capacitor in parallel to the PA output capacitance, results in a total capacitance that is the sum of the output capacitance and its compensation capacitance. The total output capacitance is therefore essentially stable throughout the output voltage swing. |
| US08629724B2 |
Power amplifier
There is provided a power amplifier which may suppress fluctuations in a phase of an output signal in accordance with fluctuations in a level of an input signal by varying an impedance between a signal input terminal and an amplification unit in accordance with a power level of an input signal. The power amplifier includes a bias voltage generation unit generating a bias voltage set in accordance with a power level of an input signal, an amplification unit amplifying the power level of the input signal in accordance with the bias voltage, and an impedance variation unit varying an impedance of a signal transmission path through which the input signal is transmitted to the amplification unit in accordance with the bias voltage. |
| US08629723B2 |
Low noise amplifier including a single-ended input
A low-noise amplifier (LNA) includes an input terminal for receiving an input signal, an output terminal for providing an output signal related to the input signal. The LNA further includes a first transistor having a first source coupled to the input terminal through the first capacitor, a first gate configured to receive a first direct current (DC) bias signal, and a first drain coupled to the output terminal. The LNA also includes a second transistor having a second source coupled to the input terminal through the second capacitor, a second gate configured to receive a second DC bias signal, and a second drain coupled to the output terminal. |
| US08629720B2 |
Driving method for obtaining a gain linear variation of a transconductance amplifier and corresponding driving circuit
The disclosure relates to a driving method for obtaining a linear gain variation of a transconductance amplifier that includes a first differential transistor cell, with adjustment of a driving voltage value of a degenerative driving transistor of the transconductance amplifier The method includes generating an output current signal of a second differential cell corresponding to the first differential transistor cell of the transconductance amplifier, the output current signal having a linear relationship with a transconductance value of the second differential cell as the driving voltage varies; generating a reference current signal having a linear relationship with a differential input voltage; comparing the output current signal and the reference current signal for adjusting the driving voltage value; and modifying the transconductance value of the second differential cell up to a balance of the current signals. |
| US08629719B2 |
Amplifier circuit and method for signal sensing
An amplifier circuit (10) comprises a driver stage (11) with a driver output (13). Moreover, the amplifier circuit (10) comprises a sensor (12). The sensor (12) comprises a variable attenuator (15) with a control input (16) for receiving a mode signal (SMODE). A sensor output (14) of the sensor (12) is coupled to the driver output (13) via the variable attenuator (15). A sensor signal (SE_RFOUT) is provided at the sensor output (14). |
| US08629715B1 |
Clock distribution scheme
An apparatus for propagating local oscillator signals in a circuit, the apparatus comprising two pairs of lines carrying respectively differential in-phase and quadrature signals. The lines are arranged such that in at least one region along their length one of each pair of lines crosses the other of the pair to create a twist. The twist(s) in each respective pair of lines is offset from the twist(s) in the other pair of lines such that the portion of their length over which the in-phase lines magnetically couple to the quadrature lines with a positive coupling coefficient is substantially equal to the portion of their length over which the in-phase lines magnetically couple to the quadrature lines with a negative coupling coefficient. |
| US08629707B1 |
AC coupled level shifter
A level shifter includes first, second and third capacitively configured transistors, first and second switching transistors, and an inverting circuit. The first capacitively configured transistor has a first terminal that receives an input signal. Second and third capacitively configured transistor each have first terminal coupled to a second terminal of the first capacitively configured transistor. The second capacitively configured transistor is coupled in series with a first switching transistor that is also coupled to a first power supply terminal. The third capacitively configured transistor is coupled in series with a second switching transistor that is also coupled to a second power supply terminal. |
| US08629705B2 |
Low voltage signaling
A low voltage signaling system for integrated circuits includes a first voltage domain operating at a nominal integrated circuit (IC) power supply voltage (Vdd) swing level at a signal transmitting end of a first chip, a second voltage domain having one or more transmission interconnect lines operating at a reduced voltage swing level with respect to the first voltage domain, and a third voltage domain at a signal receiving end of a second chip, the third voltage domain operating at the Vdd swing level; wherein an input signal originating from the first voltage domain is down converted to operate at the reduced voltage swing level for transmission over the second voltage domain, and wherein the third voltage domain senses the input signal transmitted over the second voltage domain and generates an output signal operating back up at the Vdd swing level. |
| US08629703B2 |
Clock frequency divider circuit, clock distribution circuit, clock frequency division method, and clock distribution method
To provide a clock frequency divider circuit that generates a clock signal enabling an expected proper communication in communication with a circuit operating by a clock having a different frequency. A clock frequency division circuit according to the present invention generates an output clock signal obtained by dividing a frequency of an input clock signal into N/S by subtracting (S−N) clock pulses from S clock pulses of the input clock signal based on a frequency division ratio defined as N/S. The clock frequency division circuit generates a control signal used to preferentially subtract a clock pulse at a timing other than a communication timing of data communication performed by a target circuit using the output clock signal among S clock pulses of the input clock signal. Further, it generates the output clock signal by subtracting a clock pulse of the input clock signal according to the generated control signal. |
| US08629702B2 |
Digital clock regenerator
A sampling unit (110) receives an input clock signal (CLKin) having a varying period time, and samples the input clock signal (CLKin) based on a sampling clock signal (CLKsmpl) that has a frequency being substantially higher than an average frequency of the input clock signal (CLKin). The sampling unit (110) produces a respective period length value (PL) for each period of the input clock signal (CLKin). An averaging unit (120) receives a number of period length values (PL) from the sampling unit (110), and based thereon produces an average period length value (PLavg) representing an average period time for the input clock signal (CLKin) over an averaging interval including a number of periods equivalent to said number of period length values (PL). An output unit (151) produces a stabilized output clock signal (CLKout) based on the average period length value (PLavg) and the sampling clock signal (CLKsmpl). |
| US08629701B2 |
PLL bandwidth correction with offset compensation
A method and system for compensating for offsets when measuring parameters of a phase-locked loop (PLL). In one embodiment, a proportional path in the PLL is temporarily shut off, a measurement is made of a real time-to-zero crossing in the PLL to measure a defined parameter of the PLL, the proportional path is switched on, and the defined loop parameter is adjusted based on this measurement. In one embodiment, the real time-to-zero crossing is measured after introducing a phase step into the PLL between a reference signal and an output signal of the PLL. In an embodiment, two phase steps, having opposite polarities, are successively introduced into the PLL, and the time-to-crossing measurements resulting from these two phase steps may be averaged, and this average is used to determine a loop parameter. |
| US08629699B2 |
Clock data recovery circuit and transceiver semiconductor integrated circuit containing the same
A clock data recovery circuit which has a high degree of jitter tolerance and can alleviate increase in the phase number of a multi-phase clock, power consumption, and a semiconductor chip area is provided. Each circuit of plural edge detection circuits comprises a first edge detection circuit and a second edge detection circuit. The first detection circuit detects that a data edge leads in phase more than −1 phase from an edge detection phase, the second detection circuit detects that the data edge laggs in phase more than +1 phase from the edge detection phase. In response to the first output signal or the second output signal, the edge detection phase is changed by the amount of −1 phase or +1 phase. When the data edge is detected in the range of ±1 phase, a next edge detection phase is maintained in the current state. |
| US08629697B2 |
Semiconductor integrated circuit and method of operating the same
Provided is a semiconductor integrated circuit including an internal voltage generator for generating an internal voltage. A semiconductor integrated circuit includes a dividing unit, a comparing unit, a driving unit, and a voltage level controlling unit. The dividing unit divides an internal voltage in a predetermined division ratio to output a feedback voltage. The comparing unit compares a feedback voltage with a reference voltage. The driving unit drives an internal voltage terminal in response to an output signal of the comparing unit. The voltage level controlling unit controls a voltage level of the output signal of the comparing unit in response to a first control signal that is activated at a predetermined time before an operation time point of an internal circuit using an internal voltage. |
| US08629689B1 |
Integrated circuit with improved interconnect routing and associated methods
An integrated circuit (IC) includes a circuit, an encoder, and a decoder. The circuit is coupled to circuitry in the IC via a first set of interconnect fabricated using a metal layer. The encoder encodes a plurality of address lines to provide a plurality of encoded address lines. The decoder decodes the plurality of address lines. The plurality of encoded address lines are routed using a second set of interconnect fabricated using the metal layer. |
| US08629687B2 |
Disconnection detecting device
A control circuit turns on a switching element to discharge a capacitor, and after a voltage between both ends of the capacitor becomes zero, the control circuit turns off the switching element. The control circuit measures the voltage V1, V2 between both ends of the capacitor after the first predetermined time is passed and after the second predetermined time is passed, and calculate a change rate (V1/V2). If V1/V2 is equal to or less than 0.5, the disconnection is detected. |
| US08629682B2 |
Relating to diagnostics of a capacitive sensor
A detector circuit for detecting the presence of a remote capacitive sensor having at least two terminals connected via a protection circuit that includes one or more capacitors, the detector circuit comprising: a current supply for changing the charge on the sensor and the protection circuit, a detector for measuring the voltage on one or more of the terminals; wherein the presence of the sensor is determined by changing the charge on the capacitive sensor and the one or more capacitors of the protection circuit in a predetermined manner such that the voltage measurement on the one or more terminals when the sensor is present is significantly different than when the sensor is absent. |
| US08629681B1 |
Microwave sensor and algorithm for moisture and density determination
A microwave sensor and algorithm for instantaneous and nondestructive determination of bulk density and moisture content in granular or particulate materials at a single microwave frequency, especially agricultural commodities, which uses an inexpensive microwave circuit for determining the real and imaginary parts of relative complex permittivity using an algorithm for phase correction. |
| US08629678B2 |
Formation resistivity imaging in conductive boreholes
An apparatus for providing an image of a resistivity property of an earth formation surrounding a borehole is provided. The apparatus, in one aspect, may include a plurality of measure electrodes that are configured to convey an electrical current into the earth formation. In one aspect, each measure electrode may be substantially surrounded by an associated insulator that extends away from a tool body in a manner that blocks at least a portion of a vertical current flowing in a conductive fluid when the tool is operated to log the borehole. A processor provides an image of the resistivity property of the earth formation using the current in plurality of measure electrodes. |
| US08629673B1 |
Power detection for high power amplifier applications
A system for determining an amount of power supplied from a power amplifier may include a power amplification circuit having a characteristic thermal resistance, a first temperature sensor for sensing a first temperature associated with the power amplification circuit when the power amplification circuit is receiving power from the power source, a second temperature sensor for sensing a second temperature associated with an environment occupied by the power amplification circuit, and a processor coupled with the first temperature sensor and the second temperature sensor for determining an amount of power dissipation utilizing (A) a temperature difference determined utilizing the first temperature and the second temperature and (B) the characteristic thermal resistance of the power amplification circuit. |
| US08629671B1 |
Method and device for calibrating a passive intermodulation (PIM) measuring instrument
A device for use with a passive intermodulation (PIM) measuring instrument comprises a load, a connector associated with the load, and a PIM standard adapted to selectively introduce a PIM intervening between the load and the connector. The load is adapted to be electrically connected with the PIM measuring instrument by connecting the connector to a port of the measuring instrument and the PIM standard is capable of selectively introducing the PIM without disconnecting the connector from the port. |
| US08629670B2 |
Switching adapter control method for adaptive mobile power systems
A switching adapter control method for adaptive mobile power systems is composed of reference current generator, current mode error compensator, controllable constant turn-off timer, PWM generator and MOSFET driver. The output of the switching adapter can show constant current and voltage characteristics, that means, as the DC bus voltage is over a preset voltage, the adaptor's output characteristic is converted from a constant current source into a constant voltage source with the preset voltage. For low output capacitance case, the present invention has the ability to smoothly reduce the switching frequency of the switching adaptor and reduce the switching losses and meet Energy Star 2.0 requirements under different load conditions. And the output ripple current and voltage can be in the allowed range. |
| US08629666B2 |
Dynamic control parameter adjustment in a power supply
A power supply controller produces a compensation value based at least in part on: an estimated or known output capacitance of the power supply, a specified rate of changing a magnitude of the output voltage as specified by the voltage setting information, and/or a load-line resistance of the power supply. The power supply controller utilizes the compensation value to adjust a magnitude of the output voltage during a voltage transition in which the output voltage is changed from an initial output voltage setting to a target output voltage setting at a pre-specified rate. |
| US08629661B2 |
Bidirectional DC-DC converter and control method thereof
Disclosed is a small-size, high-efficiency, isolated, bidirectional DC-DC converter. The bidirectional DC-DC converter includes a transformer in which windings are magnetically coupled, switching circuits, a diode which is connected in parallel with a switch, smoothing capacitors, and a control section. First and second DC power supplies, which are connected in parallel with the smoothing capacitors, respectively, provide bidirectional electrical power transfer. When electrical power is to be transferred from the first DC power supply to the second DC power supply, the switch is maintained in the ON state. When, on the other hand, electrical power is to be transferred from the second DC power supply to the first DC power supply, the switch is maintained in the OFF state to prevent a reverse electrical power flow from the first DC power supply. |
| US08629659B2 |
Thyristor gate pulses in static VAR compensator
A method of controlling a static VAR compensator includes providing a static VAR compensator having a capacitive component and a thyristor for switching the capacitive component into and out of a power distribution network; monitoring an electrical characteristic associated with the capacitive component; and controlling operation of the thyristor at least in part on the basis of the electrical characteristic associated with the capacitive component. |
| US08629658B1 |
Method and system for solar panel peak-power transfer using input voltage regulation
An apparatus and method for charging a battery. The disclosed apparatus includes a battery to be charged, a power delivery path configured for delivering power to the battery, and an integrated switching battery charger configured for charging a battery by delivering output power to the battery via the power delivery path based on input power from an input power source. In the disclosed apparatus for charging a battery, the integrated switching battery charger includes an output voltage regulation loop and an input voltage regulation loop, both of which are configured to control the output current flowing out of the integrated switching battery charger to the battery. The input or output voltage regulation loops are further enhanced by adding a current source which is proportional to absolute temperature from the regulated voltage to the control voltage for the purpose of either regulating peak power from the source or to maximize energy storage in the battery as a function of temperature. |
| US08629657B2 |
State of charge range
A management system for a battery cell pack, the management system including a controller determining an adjustable charge profile for the battery cell pack wherein the adjustable charge profile includes an operational parameter identifying a next operation drive range mode from a set of drive range modes for the battery cell pack wherein each the drive range mode includes a state of charge (SOC) window between a charge SOC and a discharge SOC, with the set of drive range modes including a first drive range mode having a first SOC window and including a second drive range mode having a second SOC window less than the first SOC window; and one or more energy transfer stages to produce the charge SOC of the next operation drive range mode in the battery cell pack. |
| US08629654B2 |
System and method for inductive charging of portable devices
A system and method for variable power transfer in an inductive charging or power system. In accordance with an embodiment the system comprises a pad or similar base unit that contains a primary, which creates an alternating magnetic field. A receiver comprises a means for receiving energy from the alternating magnetic field and transferring it to a mobile device, battery, or other device. In accordance with various embodiments, additional features can be incorporated to provide greater power transfer efficiency, and to allow the system to be easily modified for applications that have different power requirements; such as variations in the material used to manufacture the primary and/or the receiver coils; modified circuit designs to be used on the primary and/or receiver side; and additional circuits and components that perform specialized tasks, such as mobile device or battery identification, and automatic voltage or power-setting for different devices or batteries. |
| US08629653B2 |
Electronic apparatus and electronic apparatus charging system
An electronic apparatus includes a housing having a predetermined face; a power receiver that receives electric power in a contactless manner by way of the predetermined face; a secondary battery that is charged by electric power received by the power receiver; a front-back detection unit that detects whether or not the predetermined face faces a charger; and an alarm unit that notifies that the predetermined face is situated at a position inappropriate for charging when the front-back detection unit detects that the predetermined face does not face the charger. |
| US08629650B2 |
Wireless power transfer using multiple transmit antennas
Exemplary embodiments are directed to wireless power transfer including a plurality of antenna circuits spatially arranged and each including an antenna configured to resonate and generate a near field coupling mode region thereabout in response to a driving signal from a power amplifier. The apparatus further includes a processor configured to control activation of resonance of each of the plurality of antenna circuits. The method for wirelessly charging includes driving a signal from a power amplifier and controlling activation of resonance of a plurality of antenna circuits spatially arranged and each including an antenna configured to resonate in response to the driving signal. |
| US08629649B2 |
Battery charging apparatus with a common control loop for a low drop-out voltage regulator and a boost regulator
A flexible dual mode battery charger that charges a battery in two different modes, depending on the difference between the adapter voltage and the battery voltage, with a smooth transition between these two modes and the charging current remains relatively constant during the transition is provided in this application. At a lower battery level, the dual mode battery charger charges the battery as a LDO charger and when battery voltage is very close to the adapter voltage, the charger migrates its operating mode from the LDO mode to the boost mode and charges the battery as a boost charger. This flexible battery charger uses one common control circuit for controlling the operations of the LDO charger and the boost charger. The switching operation from one operation mode to other operation mode is smooth. |
| US08629647B2 |
Battery charger apparatus and method for a photovoltaic system
A battery charger, or charge controller, for a photovoltaic system is disclosed, comprising a maximum power point tracker (MPPT) circuit, which may be bypassed by means of a bypass circuit. The bypass circuit may be a simple electrical wire or link. The battery charger is operable to track the maximum power of a photogenerator by means of the MPPT, or to bypass the MPPT and disable it, in dependence on whether the power loss which results from the MPPT would be greater than the power saving achieved by tracking the maximum power point of the photogenerator.Also disclosed is a control unit for use in such a battery charger, and a method for controlling such a battery charger. |
| US08629646B2 |
Generation of renewable energy certificates from distributed procedures
A system and method for recorded renewable energy certificates from power produced by small power generators is provided. An appliance can include a renewable energy source and electronics to monitor and control the charging of batteries in the appliance utilizing power from the renewable energy source. Power from the batteries can be utilized to power or charge external devices. The electronics also records the total power production from the renewable energy source and uploads transaction records to either an external device for transmission to a records server or uploads it directly to the records server itself. The records server compiles the transaction records and generates renewable energy certificates by aggregating the transaction records. Renewable energy certificates can be redeemed in exchange for real or virtual goods and services. |
| US08629644B2 |
Fault tolerant DC power systems
A fault tolerant DC power system includes a permanent magnet generator (PMG), a first contactor in electrical communication with the PMG, an active rectifier in electrical communication with the first contactor, a second contactor in electrical communication with the first contactor, and a motor drive in electrical communication with the second contactor. The first contactor is configured to sever electrical communication between the PMG and the active rectifier and the second contactor is configured to establish electrical communication between the PMG and the motor drive. |
| US08629643B2 |
Image forming apparatus having stepping motor arranged in conveying path for paper, and method for controlling stepping motor in image forming apparatus
An image forming apparatus includes: a stepping motor arranged in a conveying path for a paper; a driver for driving the stepping motor; a current detecting unit for detecting an actual current value; and a control unit for providing a set current value for every predetermined cycle. The control unit determines an estimated load torque value corresponding to the set current value in a previous cycle and the actual current value in a present cycle, by referring to a relationship between actual current and load torque of the stepping motor with respect to the set current value, determines a target load torque value based on the estimated load torque value, and determines, as the set current value, a current value corresponding to the target load torque value, by referring to a relationship between maximum output torque of the stepping motor and current supplied to the stepping motor. |
| US08629641B2 |
Machine tool to control driving of control objects
A machine tool includes a time calculation unit calculating the time for a spindle to arrive at a target rotational speed, and the time for a spindle head to arrive at a target position; a comparison unit comparing the time to arrive at the target rotational speed and the time to arrive at the target position; and a drive control unit controlling the drive of the spindle and the drive of the spindle head. The drive control unit controls the drive of the spindle head, when a determination is made that the time to arrive at the target rotational speed is longer than the time to arrive at the target position, such that the time for the spindle head to arrive at the target position is longer than the calculated time to arrive at the target position, and less than or equal to the calculated time to arrive at the target rotational speed. Accordingly, the machine tool can drive the spindle head that is a control object in a power-saving mode. |
| US08629632B2 |
LED backlight driver
The present invention relates to a LED driver that minimizes the driver electronic pin count and integrates the short circuit protection feature. An NPN bipolar transistor is employed in a boost converter configuration to drive a LED string in the backlight display applications. The bipolar transistor is integrated with the driver electronics by two pins. Drive current is injected from the NPN transistor to the LED string to minimizing high voltage connection of each LED string to one. |
| US08629627B2 |
Multi-transformer LLC resonant converter circuits and methods
In a first aspect, an LLC resonant converter is provided for driving a plurality of output circuits from a DC input signal. The LLC resonant converter includes: (a) an inverter circuit for converting the DC input signal to a square-wave signal; (b) an inductor network coupled to the inverter circuit; and (c) a plurality of transformers, each transformer including a primary winding and a secondary winding. The primary windings of the transformers are coupled in series, and the series-coupled primary windings are coupled in parallel with the inductor network. The secondary winding of each transformer is coupled to and provides a current to a corresponding one of the output circuits. The secondary winding currents are substantially equal, and power is processed by a single transformer between the DC input signal and each output circuit. Numerous other aspects are also provided. |
| US08629620B2 |
Automatic lighting control device and system
Provided is an automatic lighting control device for automatically switching on and off a lamp installed within a building in accordance with only the variation of brightness at the installation location. The automatic lighting control device is constituted as follows. A photoelectric transducer 1 has a daylight detection field that overlaps at least partially a lamp illumination field. A first comparator 2 generates a turn-on signal when the output level of the photoelectric transducer 1 becomes lower than the predetermined light-up level. A memory 5 stores the output level of the photoelectric transducer 1 after light-up. A second comparator 8 compares the output level of the photoelectric transducer 1 with the output level stored in the memory 5 after light-up and it generates a turn-off signal when the output level of the photoelectric transducer 1 becomes higher than the stored post-light-up brightness level. |
| US08629617B2 |
Electrical wiring device
The present invention is directed to an electrical wiring device that includes a lighting assembly module disposed in the housing assembly and coupled to a set of line terminals. A control circuit is configured to provide a modulated lighting control signal to the lighting assembly module when AC power is being provided. The modulated lighting control signal is configured to adjust an intensity of the light emitted by a light emitting device such that the intensity is a function of the ambient light level. The control circuit is further configured to provide a second lighting control signal configured to turn the lighting assembly ON at a predetermined intensity for a predetermined period of time when AC power is not being provided by the source of AC power, the second lighting control signal being provided by a rechargeable electrical storage device. |
| US08629615B2 |
Method of fabricating an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display
An organic light emitting diode display and a method of fabricating the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes providing a base substrate including a first device region and a first encapsulation region, wherein the first encapsulation region is located on both sides of the first device region and forming an organic light emitting diode (OLED) on the first device region. The method further includes providing an encapsulation substrate including a second device region and a second encapsulation region corresponding to the first device region and first encapsulation region, respectively, forming a light transmission layer on the second device region and forming an inner filler on the light transmission layer. |
| US08629613B2 |
Aromatic amine derivative and organic electroluminescent device using same
Provided are a novel aromatic amine derivative having an asymmetric structure and an organic electroluminescence device in which, an organic thin film layer comprising a single layer or plural layers including at least a light emitting layer is interposed between a cathode and an anode, at least one layer in the above organic thin film layer contains the aromatic amine derivative described above in the form of a single component or a mixed component, whereby molecules are less liable to be crystallized; a yield in producing the organic electroluminescence device is enhanced; and a lifetime is extended. |
| US08629612B2 |
Display device with a plurality of pixels and electronic device with display device
To improve color reproduction areas in a display device having light-emitting elements. A display region has a plurality of picture elements. Each picture element includes: first and second pixels each including a light-emitting element which has a chromaticity whose x-coordinate in a CIE-XY chromaticity diagram is 0.50 or more; third and fourth pixels each including a light-emitting element which has a chromaticity whose y-coordinate in the diagram is 0.55 or more; and fifth and sixth pixels each including a light-emitting element which has a chromaticity whose x-coordinate and y-coordinate in the diagram are 0.20 or less and 0.25 or less, respectively. The light-emitting elements in the first and second pixels have different emission spectrums from each other; the light-emitting elements in the third and fourth pixels have different emission spectrums from each other; and the light-emitting elements in the fifth and sixth pixels have different emission spectrums from each other. |
| US08629610B2 |
Display panel
The present invention discloses a display panel 10 having a substrate 12 with one or more surfaces and one or more features 30 within the substrate 12. When electromagnetic radiation is introduced at or directed toward one or more surfaces of the substrate 12, the features 30 redirect the electromagnetic radiation in one or more predetermined directions. |
| US08629606B2 |
Liquid anode radiation source
The present disclosure relates to a liquid anode radiation source (10) having the ability of turning upside down. The liquid anode radiation source (10) comprises a body (12) equipped with inlet and outlet having a wall (15) limiting the anode space (17), where the outlet connected to the inlet outside the body (12) will define a continuous flow path closing through the body, the inlet has a wall limiting an internal cross-section changing towards the anode space (17), wherein the cross-section of the inlet a deflector (11) is arranged in a position free of contacting the wall, filling out the cross-section partially and movable to the direction perpendicular to the cross-section; the liquid anode material (14) arranged in the flow path; the circulation unit inserted in the flow path in such a way that it can ensure the unidirectional movement of the anode material in the flow path. |
| US08629605B2 |
Spark plug having shaped insulator
A spark plug includes a center electrode extending in an axial direction; an insulator formed externally of the outer circumference of the center electrode; a metallic shell formed externally of the outer circumference of the insulator and having a ledge which supports the insulator; and a ground electrode joined to the metallic shell. The insulator has a support portion which faces the ledge. A “frontward direction” is defined as the direction parallel to the axial direction toward a spark portion formed between the center electrode and the ground electrode. The insulator has a diameter reduction portion whose outside diameter reduces along the frontward direction from the support portion, and a diameter increase portion whose outside diameter increases along the frontward direction from the front end of the diameter reduction portion. This restrains the generation of leak current while maintaining heat resistance of the spark plug. |
| US08629604B2 |
Camera behind a photoluminescent light source
An apparatus for providing a photoluminescent light source is disclosed. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a light source that emanates light of a particular spectrum, a camera, and a selective mirror placed between the light source and camera. The selective mirror transmits light of a spectrum detected by the camera and reflects light of a spectrum generated by the light source. The light source is transparent to light incident on its face. |
| US08629601B2 |
Piezoelectric oscillator
A piezoelectric oscillator includes: a package including a floor surface and a step portion thereinside; a conductive adhesive applied on the step portion; and a piezoelectric vibrator including one end placed on the step portion via the conductive adhesive. The floor surface is provided with a recess filled with a resin material having a thermal deformation property. The package includes a sidewall having transparency. |
| US08629599B2 |
Mechanical resonating structures including a temperature compensation structure
Mechanical resonating structures are described, as well as related devices and methods. The mechanical resonating structures may have a compensating structure for compensating temperature variations. |
| US08629596B2 |
End turn arrangement
The invention relates to an end turn arrangement in a stator of a dynamoelectric machine. In order to reduce, in a simple fashion, the volume required for the end turns of the form-wound coils, the stator is formed of segments (1) that have a substantially circular arc-shaped cross-section and can be combined into a stator by adding one or more other segments (1) having the same design. Each segment (1) has recesses (6, 7), within which at least one first form-wound coil (3), which is bent outward in the radial direction of the stator in the region of the end turns, and at least one second form-wound coil (4), which is bent inward in the radial direction of the stator in the region of the end turns, are arranged in the form of a tiered winding. |
| US08629595B2 |
Permanent magnet rotor arrangement and method for producing such an arrangement
A permanent magnet rotor arrangement is provided. The arrangement includes a rotor, a plurality of nonmagnetic profiled tubes defining a closed channel and affixed circumferentially along the outer rim of the rotor, and a plurality of permanent magnet pole pieces arranged in the channels. In a preferred embodiment, the tubes are monolithic and one pole piece is arranged in every channel. |
| US08629593B2 |
Spindle motor with sleeve holder including cylindrical part, seating part, and coupling part
There is provided a spindle motor including: a sleeve rotatably supporting a shaft; a sleeve holder supporting the sleeve and formed through a pressing process; a stator core fixedly mounted on an outer circumferential surface of the sleeve holder; and a pulling magnet fixedly mounted on an upper surface of the stator core, wherein the stator core includes a burr insertion stepped part formed in a lower portion of an inner diameter portion thereof. |
| US08629592B2 |
Hermetic sealing assembly and electrical device including the same
Disclosed herein is a system including a motor comprising a rotor, a stator and a sealing assembly having at least one joint and a monolithic ceramic separator. Each joint of the sealing assembly is a chemical bond joint, and the monolithic ceramic separator is disposed in a gap between the rotor and the stator of the motor such that the sealing assembly hermetically isolates the rotor and the stator. |
| US08629590B2 |
Rotor for electric motor with slots for airflow
A rotor of an electric motor has a carrier structure including a disc portion to which is centrally connected a shaft, and the periphery of which is joined to an essentially cylindrical annular skirt portion which in use extends coaxially around the stator. The disc portion has a plurality of slots between which there is defined a corresponding plurality of spokes. At least some of the spokes have, in a circumferential direction, a transverse cross-section shaped in a manner to induce, at least when the rotor rotates in one direction, an at least approximately axial air flow through corresponding slots. |
| US08629587B2 |
Water-cooling structure for electric motor
A water-cooling structure for electric motor includes a motor main body, a heat-dissipation base, and a vortex-forming section. The motor main body is externally fitted around the heat-dissipation base. The heat-dissipation base is provided around an outer circumferential surface with at least one main flow passage. The vortex-forming section is provided in the main flow passage to create vortex effect on a type of cooling liquid flowing in the main flow passage, so as to enable an increased heat transfer efficiency of the water-cooling structure. |
| US08629586B2 |
Electric rotating machine with cooling mechanism
An electric rotating machine includes a rotor, a stator in which a coil is so wound as to have an coil end, and a coolant supply pipe. The coolant supply pipe lies with a length thereof extending substantially parallel to an axis of rotation of the rotor and is disposed above the stator in a direction of gravitational force. The coolant supply pipe has a first and a second coolant outlet through which coolant is to be emitted to the coil end. The first and the second coolant outlets are so oriented as to direct streams of the coolant to a first area and a second area of the coil end which are different in location from each other. This enables the coolant to be emitted to almost the whole of the coil end even when the electric rotating machine is titled in a direction in which the rotor turns. |
| US08629584B2 |
Base assembly for motor and fan motor including the same
There are provided a base assembly for a motor and a fan motor including the same. The base assembly includes; a holder including a shaft system of the motor mounted therein and a stator for providing rotational driving force to a rotating member; an extension member mounted on the holder and extended to an upper portion of the stator; and an attractive magnet positioned above the extension member in an outer diameter direction to thereby prevent excessive floating of the rotating member. |
| US08629582B2 |
Lens driving motor and elastic member of the same
Provided are a lens driving motor and an elastic member of the lens driving motor. The elastic member of a lens driving motor, the elastic member includes a first spring and a second spring. The second spring is different from the first spring and disposed together with the first spring on one side of a carrier to support the carrier. A first lead line of a coil and a first external power source are connected to the first spring, and a second lead line of the coil and a second external power source are connected to the second spring to supply power to the coil. Since the carrier can be assembled to other part after a (+) lead line and a (−) lead line of the coil are connected to the first and second springs, respectively, using solder, a process is simple and convenient. |
| US08629581B2 |
System and method for communicating notice to limit degradation within a battery pack
Systems and methods for communicating notice to limit battery degradation within a battery pack are disclosed. In one example, a signal is generated and passed between modules of a battery pack to provide notice to limit battery pack degradation. The system and method may be particularly useful for a battery pack with distributed battery modules. |
| US08629578B2 |
Wireless energy transfer systems
A wireless power transfer system for computer peripherals, includes a source magnetic resonator, integrated into a source station and connected to a power source and power and control circuitry, and a device magnetic resonator, integrated into a computer peripheral wherein power is transferred non-radiatively from the source magnetic resonator to the device magnetic resonator, and wherein the source magnetic resonator is configured to transfer power during predefined intervals. |
| US08629576B2 |
Tuning and gain control in electro-magnetic power systems
Tuning and gain control as described for magnetic power systems, including different ways to change the characteristic of transmission and reception. |
| US08629574B2 |
Ballast for fluorescent emergency lighting
An emergency ballast for a fluorescent lamp includes a rechargeable battery. The emergency ballast also includes a circuit for receiving an electrical voltage and providing a recommended charging voltage to the battery. The electrical voltage is one of two amplitudes, and the circuit provides a charge to the battery without regard to the amplitude of the electrical voltage. The first amplitude of the electrical voltage can be 120 volts, and the second amplitude can be 277 volts. The emergency ballast includes a capacitor electrically coupled to the circuit that provides an additional voltage to the rechargeable battery when the electrical current is 120 volts. The emergency ballast also includes a switch for electrically decoupling the capacitor from the circuit when the electrical current is 277 volts. |
| US08629571B2 |
Power generation hydraulic system
A power generation system 1 comprising a first water container, a hydropower system, a second water container and a pump system. The hydropower system 2,3,4 harness water energy coming from the first container and directed it to the second container. The water at the second container circulates to the first container by the pump system located at the second water container. The pump system is energized or powered by an external source and energy generated from the water displacement due to gravity at said pump. |
| US08629567B2 |
Integrated circuit packaging system with contacts and method of manufacture thereof
A method of manufacture of an integrated circuit packaging system includes: forming an isolated contact having a contact protrusion; forming a die paddle, adjacent to the isolated contact, having a die paddle contour; depositing a contact pad on the contact protrusion; coupling an integrated circuit die to the contact protrusion; molding an encapsulation on the integrated circuit die; and depositing an organic filler on and between the isolated contact and the die paddle, the contact protrusion extended past the organic filler. |
| US08629563B2 |
Method for packaging semiconductor dies having through-silicon vias
Integrated circuit structures and methods are provided. According to an embodiment, a circuit structure includes a die and an anisotropic conducting film (ACF). The die comprises a through via, and the through via protrudes from a surface of the die. A cross-sectional area of the through via in the surface of the die is equal to a cross-sectional area of a protruding portion of the through via in a plane parallel to the surface of the die. The ACF adjoins the surface of the die, and the protruding portion of the through via penetrates the ACF. |
| US08629562B2 |
Techniques for modular chip fabrication
Techniques for modular chip fabrication are provided. In one aspect, a modular chip structure is provided. The modular chip structure comprises a substrate; a carrier platform attached to the substrate, the carrier platform comprising a plurality of conductive vias extending through the carrier platform; and a wiring layer on the carrier platform in contact with one or more of the conductive vias, wherein the wiring layer comprises one or more wiring levels and is configured to divide the carrier platform into a plurality of voltage islands; and chips, chip macros or at least one chip in combination with at least one chip macro assembled on the carrier platform. |
| US08629555B2 |
Fixture for semiconductor device and assembly of semiconductor device
A pressing portion of a fixture is put on a lid of a semiconductor package, and anchor portions on the opposite sides of the pressing portion are opposed to a baseplate. Two screw members are passed individually through opening parts formed spanning the pressing portion and anchor portions and threadedly engage with a heat sink through the baseplate. If the screw members are tightened in this state, the anchor portions are pressed by the baseplate, and the pressing portion presses the lid of the semiconductor package, whereby the baseplate is fixed to the heat sink in pressure contact with it. |
| US08629554B2 |
Assembly including plural through wafer vias, method of cooling the assembly and method of fabricating the assembly
An assembly includes a chip including an integrated circuit, a casing including an integrated circuit and having an upper portion formed on a side of the chip and lower portion formed on another side of the chip, plural through-wafer vias (TWVs) for electrically connecting the integrated circuit of the chip and the integrated circuit of the casing, and a card connected to the casing for electrically connecting the casing to a system board. |
| US08629553B2 |
3D integrated circuit device fabrication with precisely controllable substrate removal
A method is provided for fabricating a 3D integrated circuit structure. According to the method, a first active circuitry layer wafer is provided. The first active circuitry layer wafer comprises a P+ portion covered by a P− layer, and the P− layer includes active circuitry. The first active circuitry layer wafer is bonded face down to an interface wafer that includes a first wiring layer, and then the P+ portion of the first active circuitry layer wafer is selectively removed with respect to the P− layer of the first active circuitry layer wafer. Next, a wiring layer is fabricated on the backside of the P− layer. Also provided are a tangible computer readable medium encoded with a program for fabricating a 3D integrated circuit structure, and a 3D integrated circuit structure. |
| US08629552B1 |
Top port multi-part surface mount silicon condenser microphone package
The present invention relates to a surface mount package for a silicon condenser microphone and methods for manufacturing the surface mount package. The surface mount package uses a limited number of components which simplifies manufacturing and lowers costs, and features a substrate that performs functions for which multiple components were traditionally required, including providing an interior surface on which the silicon condenser die is mechanically attached, providing an interior surface for making electrical connections between the silicon condenser die and the package, and providing an exterior surface for surface mounting the package to a device's printed circuit board and for making electrical connections between package and the device's printed circuit board. |
| US08629549B2 |
Carrier body for a semiconductor component, semiconductor component and method for producing a carrier body
A carrier body for a semiconductor component, in particular for an optoelectronic semiconductor component, is specified. Said carrier body has a connecting layer and a conductor layer, which are connected to one another via main areas facing one another. The connecting layer, the conductor layer or both the connecting layer and the conductor layer has/have at least one thinned region in which the layer thickness of said layer(s) is less than the maximum layer thickness of said layer(s). The connecting layer is either completely electrically conductive and electrically insulated at least from parts of the conductor layer or it is electrically insulating at least in parts. Furthermore, a semiconductor component comprising the electrical connection conductor and also a method for producing the carrier body are specified. |
| US08629546B1 |
Stacked redistribution layer (RDL) die assembly package
A stacked redistribution layer (RDL) die assembly package includes a substrate, a first level RDL die assembly mounted to the substrate and a second level RDL die assembly mounted to the first level RDL die assembly. The first level RDL die assembly includes a first die comprising bond pads, a first fan out support extending outwardly from sides of the first die, and first traces electrically connected to the bond pads, the first traces being supported by the first fan out support. Similarly, the second level RDL die assembly includes a second die comprising bond pads, a second fan out support extending outwardly from sides of the second die, and second traces electrically connected to the bond pads of the second die, the second traces being supported by the second fan out support. |
| US08629544B2 |
Integrated circuit package with multiple dies and a multiplexed communications interface
A package includes a first die and a second die, at least one of said first and second dies being a memory. The dies are connected to each other through an interface. The interface is configured to transport both control signals and memory transactions. A multiplexer is provided to multiplex the control signals and memory transactions onto the interface such that a plurality of connections of said interface are shared by the control signals and the memory transactions. |
| US08629543B2 |
Electrically interconnected stacked die assemblies
In die stack assembly configurations successive die in the stack are offset at a die edge at which die pads are situated, and the die are interconnected by electrically conductive traces. In some embodiments the electrically conductive traces are formed of an electrically conductive polymer. An electrically insulative conformal coating is provided having openings at die pads that are electrically connected. |
| US08629539B2 |
Methods and apparatus for magnetic sensor having non-conductive die paddle
Methods and apparatus to provide an integrated circuit package having a conductive leadframe, a non-conductive die paddle mechanically coupled to the leadframe, and a die disposed on the die paddle and electrically connected to the leadframe. With this arrangement, eddy currents are reduced near the magnetic field transducer to reduce interference with magnetic fields. |
| US08629536B2 |
High performance on-chip vertical coaxial cable, method of manufacture and design structure
A high performance on-chip vertical coaxial cable structure, method of manufacturing and design structure thereof is provided. The coaxial cable structure includes an inner conductor and an insulating material that coaxially surrounds the inner conductor. The structure further includes an outer conductor which surrounds the insulating material. Both the inner and outer conductors comprise a plurality of metal layers formed on different wiring levels and interconnected between the different wiring levels by conductors. The coaxial cable structure is formed upon a surface of a semiconductor substrate and is oriented in substantially perpendicular alignment with the surface. |
| US08629534B2 |
Semiconductor structure having low thermal stress
A semiconductor structure includes a Si substrate, a supporting layer and a blocking layer formed on the substrate and an epitaxy layer formed on the supporting layer. The supporting layer defines a plurality of grooves therein to receive the blocking layer. The epitaxy layer is grown from the supporting layer. A plurality of slots is defined in the epitaxy layer and over the blocking layer. The epitaxy layer includes an N-type semiconductor layer, a light-emitting layer and a P-type semiconductor layer. |
| US08629533B2 |
Pillars for vertical transistors
In order to form a more stable silicon pillar which can be used for the formation of vertical transistors in DRAM cells, a multi-step masking process is used. In a preferred embodiment, an oxide layer and a nitride layer are used as masks to define trenches, pillars, and active areas in a substrate. Preferably, two substrate etch processes use the masks to form three levels of bulk silicon. |
| US08629532B2 |
Semiconductor wafer with assisting dicing structure and dicing method thereof
A semiconductor wafer with an assisting dicing structure. The wafer comprises a substrate having a front surface and a rear surface. The front surface of the substrate comprises at least two device regions separated by at least one dicing lane. The rear surface of the substrate comprises at least one pre-dicing trench formed therein and substantially aligned with the dicing lane. A method for dicing a semiconductor wafer is also disclosed. |
| US08629530B2 |
Process of forming an electronic device including a resistor-capacitor filter
A process of forming an electronic device can include forming a capacitor dielectric layer over a base region, wherein the base region includes a base semiconductor material, forming a gate dielectric layer over a substrate, forming a capacitor electrode over the capacitor dielectric layer, forming a gate electrode over the gate dielectric layer, and forming an input terminal and an output terminal to the capacitor electrode. The input terminal and the output terminal can be spaced apart from each other and are connected to different components within the electronic device. A filter can include the base region, the capacitor dielectric layer, and the capacitor electrode. A transistor structure can include the gate dielectric layer and the gate electrode. An electronic device can include a low-pass filter and a transistor structure, such as an n-channel transistor or a p-channel transistor. |
| US08629529B2 |
Semiconductor device and its manufacturing method
A semiconductor device is produced by fabricating a capacitor element including a lower electrode, a capacitor insulating film, and an upper electrode, and a thin-film resistor element, in the same step. As the lower electrode of the capacitor element is lined with a lower layer wiring layer (Cu wiring), the lower electrode has extremely low resistance substantially. As such, even if the film thickness of the lower electrode becomes thinner, parasitic resistance does not increased. The resistor element is formed to have the same film thickness as that of the lower electrode of the capacitor element. Since the film thickness of the lower electrode is thin, it works as a resistor having high resistance. In the top layer of the passive element, a passive element cap insulating film is provided, which works as an etching stop layer when etching a contact of the upper electrode of the capacitor element. |
| US08629526B2 |
Semiconductor device
According to one embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a first semiconductor layer of a first conductivity type, a plurality of second semiconductor regions of a second conductivity type, a third semiconductor region of the second conductivity type and a first electrode. The second regions are provided separately on a first major surface side of the first layer. The third region is provided on the first major surface side of the first layer so as to surround the second regions. The first electrode is provided on the first layer and the second regions. The first layer has a first portion and a second portion. The second portion has a lower resistivity than the first portion. The second portion is provided between the second regions and between the first portion and the first major surface and is provided outside the third region and between the first portion and the first major surface. |
| US08629524B2 |
Apparatus for vertically integrated backside illuminated image sensors
A backside illuminated image sensor comprises a photodiode and a first transistor located in a first chip, wherein the first transistor is electrically coupled to the photodiode. The backside illuminated image sensor further comprises a second transistor formed in a second chip and a plurality of logic circuits formed in a third chip, wherein the second chip is stacked on the first chip and the third chip is stacked on the second chip. The logic circuit, the second transistor and the first transistor are coupled to each other through a plurality of boding pads and through vias. |
| US08629522B2 |
Laser annealing method and device
A laser annealing method for executing laser annealing by irradiating a semiconductor film formed on a surface of a substrate with a laser beam, the method including the steps of, generating a linearly polarized rectangular laser beam whose cross section perpendicular to an advancing direction is a rectangle with an electric field directed toward a long-side direction of the rectangle or an elliptically polarized rectangular laser beam having a major axis directed toward a long-side direction, causing the rectangular laser beam to be introduced to the surface of the substrate, and setting a wavelength of the rectangular laser beam to a length which is about a desired size of a crystal grain in a standing wave direction. |
| US08629521B2 |
Semiconductor device used for adjustment of output of a hall element
A semiconductor device includes a Hall element, which is switched between a first and second mode. In the first mode, connection A between a first and second resistor and connection C between a third and fourth resistor are set to Vcc or GND. Connection D between the first and fourth resistor and connection B between the second and third resistor are set as output terminals. In the second mode, D and B are set to Vcc or GND and A and C are set as output terminals. When a first line placed along the second resistor and connected to A is set at Vcc in the first mode, a second line placed along the fourth resistor and connected to D is set at Vcc in the second mode. When the first line is set at GND in first mode, the second line is set at GND in the second mode. |
| US08629519B2 |
Tunneling magnetoresistance sensor
A tunneling magnetoresistance sensor including a substrate, an insulating layer, a tunneling magnetoresistance component and an electrode array is provided. The insulating layer is disposed on the substrate. The tunneling magnetoresistance component is embedded in the insulating layer. The electrode array is formed in a single metal layer and disposed in the insulating layer either below or above the TMR component. The electrode array includes a number of separate electrodes. The electrodes are electrically connected to the tunneling magnetoresistance component to form a current-in-plane tunneling conduction mode. The tunneling magnetoresistance sensor in this configuration can be manufactured with a reduced cost and maintain the high performance at the same time. |
| US08629518B2 |
Sacrifice layer structure and method for magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) etching process
A magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) etching process uses a sacrifice layer. An MTJ cell structure includes an MTJ stack with a first magnetic layer, a second magnetic layer, and a tunnel barrier layer in between the first magnetic layer and the second magnetic layer, and a sacrifice layer adjacent to the second magnetic layer, where the sacrifice layer protects the second magnetic layer in the MTJ stack from oxidation during an ashing process. The sacrifice layer does not increase a resistance of the MTJ stack. The sacrifice layer can be made of Mg, Cr, V, Mn, Ti, Zr, Zn, or any alloy combination thereof, or any other suitable material. The sacrifice layer can be multi-layered and/or have a thickness ranging from 5 Å to 400 Å. The MTJ cell structure can have a top conducting layer over the sacrifice layer. |
| US08629510B2 |
Two-step silicide formation
One embodiment of the present invention comprises a transistor having a source/drain region within a substrate, an extension region within the substrate adjoining the source/drain region and extending toward a gate on the substrate, and a dielectric spacer against the gate wherein the dielectric spacer covers at least part of the extension region. A silicide intermix layer is formed over both the source/drain region and a portion of the extension region. A silicide contact is formed through the silicide intermix layer over the source/drain region. |
| US08629509B2 |
High voltage insulated gate bipolar transistors with minority carrier diverter
High power insulated gate bipolar junction transistors are provided that include a wide band gap semiconductor bipolar junction transistor (“BJT”) and a wide band gap semiconductor MOSFET that is configured to provide a current to the base of the BJT. These devices further include a minority carrier diversion semiconductor layer on the base of the BJT and coupled to the emitter of the BJT, the minority carrier diversion semiconductor layer having a conductivity type opposite the conductivity type of the base of the BJT and forming a heterojunction with the base of the BJT. |
| US08629507B2 |
Thin film transistor
The present invention provides a thin film transistor (TFT) manufacturing method and a TFT, a source electrode or drain electrode of the TFT is electrically connected to a data line directly during a forming process by providing a through hole in a surface above the data line of the TFT, so as to save the process cost. Further, the source electrode and drain electrode of the TFT are also manufactured with poly-silicon rather than metal material used in prior art, processing steps are simplified, thereby further saving the process cost. |
| US08629503B2 |
Asymmetrical transistor device and method of fabrication
Embodiments of the invention provide an asymmetrical transistor device comprising a semiconductor substrate, a source region, a drain region and a channel region. The channel region is provided between the source and drain regions, the source, drain and channel regions being provided in the substrate. The device has a layer of a buried insulating medium provided below the source region and not below the drain region thereby forming an asymmetrical structure. The layer of buried insulating medium is provided in abutment with a lower surface of the source region. |
| US08629491B2 |
Semiconductor memory device and method of manufacturing the same
A semiconductor memory device according to embodiment of the present invention includes a tunnel insulating layer formed over a semiconductor substrate, a floating gate formed over the tunnel insulating layer, a dielectric layer formed over the floating gate, and a control gate including a third silicon layer formed over the dielectric layer, a fourth silicon layer formed over the third silicon layer, and a conductive layer formed over the fourth silicon layer, wherein the fourth silicon layer has a greater width than the third silicon layer. |
| US08629486B2 |
CMOS image sensor having anti-absorption layer
A complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor, including a wiring layer, a photodiode stacked with the wiring layer, a micro-lens stacked on the photodiode, an anti-reflection layer stacked on the photodiode. An anti-absorption layer may be provided between the photodiode and the anti-reflection layer. The photodiode may include a first portion and a second portion. Light may be focused on the first portion by the micro-lens and the second portion may at least partially surround the first portion. A material of the first portion may have a refractive index higher than a refractive index of a material of the second portion. The anti-absorption layer may include a compound semiconductor having an energy band gap greater than an energy band gap of a semiconductor included in the photodiode. |
| US08629485B2 |
Semiconductor photodetection element
A semiconductor photodetection element SP has a silicon substrate 21 comprised of a semiconductor of a first conductivity type, having a first principal surface 21a and a second principal surface 21b opposed to each other, and having a semiconductor layer 23 of a second conductivity type formed on the first principal surface 21a side; and charge transfer electrodes 25 provided on the first principal surface 21a and adapted to transfer generated charge. In the silicon substrate 21, an accumulation layer 31 of the first conductivity type having a higher impurity concentration than the silicon substrate 21 is formed on the second principal surface 21b side and an irregular asperity 10 is formed in a region opposed to at least the semiconductor region 23, in the second principal surface 21b. The region where the irregular asperity 10 is formed in the second principal surface 21b of the silicon substrate 21 is optically exposed. |
| US08629484B2 |
Solid-state imaging device, method of manufacturing solid-state imaging device, and electronic apparatus
Disclosed herein is a solid-state imaging device including: a semiconductor region of a second conductivity type which is formed on a face side of a semiconductor substrate; a photoelectric conversion element which has an impurity region of a first conductivity type and which is operable to generate electric charge according to the amount of incident light and to accumulate the electric charge in the inside thereof; an electric-charge holding region which has an impurity region of the first conductivity type and in which the electric charge generated through photoelectric conversion by the photoelectric conversion element is held until read out; an intermediate transfer path through which only the electric charge generated by the photoelectric conversion element during an exposure period and being in excess of a predetermined electric charge amount is transferred into the electric-charge holding region; and an impurity layer. |
| US08629482B2 |
Method for manufacturing semiconductor device
According to one embodiment, a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device includes implanting impurity ions to a semiconductor layer in which an electrode is embedded; forming a light absorption film which absorbs laser light at a side of the electrode to which the laser light is irradiated; and activating the impurity ions by irradiating laser light to the semiconductor layer at which the light absorption film is formed in the forming. |
| US08629480B2 |
Hetero-junction tunneling transistor
A hetero-junction tunneling transistor having a first layer of p++ silicon germanium which forms a source for the transistor at one end. A second layer of n+ silicon material is deposited so that a portion of the second layer overlies the first layer and forms the drain for the transistor. An insulating layer and metallic gate for the transistor is deposited on top of the second layer so that the gate is aligned with the overlying portions of the first and second layers. The gate voltage controls the conduction between the source and the drain and the conduction between the first and second layers occurs by vertical tunneling between the layers. |
| US08629478B2 |
Fin structure for high mobility multiple-gate transistor
A vertical fin structure for a semiconductor transistor includes a semiconductor substrate, a fin layer on top of the substrate, a capping layer overlaying the fin layer, wherein the substrate comprises group IV semiconductor material, the fin layer comprises group IV semiconductor material, the capping layer comprises semiconductor compound from group III-V. The fin layer can comprise Ge, SiGe, SiC, or any combinations thereof. The semiconductor substrate can comprise Si, Ge, SiGe, or SiC. The capping layer can comprise GaAs, InGaAs, InAs, InSb, GaSb, GaN, InP, or any combinations thereof. The capping layer can provide more than a 4 percent lattice mismatch with the semiconductor substrate. The fin layer can be located in between shallow trench insulation (STI) layers that provide isolation from adjacent devices. The vertical fin structure can further include a high-k dielectric layer overlaying the capping layer and a metal gate layer overlaying the high-k dielectric layer. |
| US08629476B2 |
Light-emitting apparatus package, light-emitting apparatus, backlight apparatus, and display apparatus
A light-emitting apparatus package of the present invention includes (i) an electrically insulated ceramic substrate, (ii) a first concave section formed in the direction of thickness of the ceramic substrate so as to form a light exit aperture in a surface of the ceramic substrate, (iii) a second concave section formed within the first concave section in the further direction of thickness of the ceramic substrate so that one or more light-emitting devices are provided therein, (iv) a wiring pattern for supplying electricity, which is provided in the first concave section, and (v) a metalized layer having light-reflectivity, which is (a) provided between the light-emitting device and the surface of the second concave section of the substrate, and (b) electrically insulated from the wiring pattern. On the account of this, the light-emitting apparatus package in which heat is excellently discharged and light is efficiently utilized and a light-emitting apparatus in which the light-emitting apparatus package is used can be obtained. |
| US08629475B2 |
Light-emitting dies incorporating wavelength-conversion materials and related methods
In accordance with certain embodiments, semiconductor dies are embedded within polymeric binder to form, e.g., freestanding white light-emitting dies and/or composite wafers containing multiple light-emitting dies embedded in a single volume of binder. |
| US08629471B2 |
Light emitting diode
Exemplary embodiments of the present invention relate to light emitting diodes including a plurality of light emitting cells on a substrate to be suitable for AC driving. The light emitting diode includes a substrate and a plurality of light emitting cell formed on the substrate. Each light emitting cell includes a first region at a boundary of the light emitting cell and a second region opposite to the first region. A first electrode pad is formed in the first region of the light emitting cell. A second electrode pad having a linear shape is disposed to face the first electrode pad while regionally defining a peripheral region together with the boundary of the second region. A wire connects the first electrode pad to the second electrode pad between two adjacent light emitting cells. |
| US08629468B2 |
Method for manufacturing light emitting device and light emitting device
A method for manufacturing a light emitting device, includes: preparing a first substrate by slicing a single crystal ingot pulled in a pulling direction tilted with respect to a first plane orientation, the slicing being in a direction substantially perpendicular to the pulling direction; preparing a second substrate including a major surface having a plane orientation substantially parallel to a plane orientation of a major surface of the first substrate; growing a stacked unit as a crystal on the major surface of the second substrate, the stacked unit including a light emitting layer; and removing the second substrate after bonding the stacked unit and the major surface of the first substrate by heating them in a joined state. A plane orientation of the major surface of the first substrate and a plane orientation of the major surface of the second substrate are one or another selected from a plane tilted from a (100) plane toward a [011] direction and a plane tilted from a (−100) plane toward a [0-1-1] direction, respectively. |
| US08629467B2 |
Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device in which the wiring resistance and parasitic inductance of a semiconductor package configuring a power semiconductor module is reduced. In the semiconductor device, a semiconductor chip with an IGBT formed therein and a diode chip are mounted over the upper surface of a die pad. An emitter pad of the semiconductor chip and an anode pad of the diode chip are coupled with a lead by an Al wire. One end of the lead is located in a higher position than the upper surface of the die pad in order to shorten the length of the Al wire for coupling the emitter pad and the lead. |
| US08629460B2 |
Light-emitting device having a gain region and a reflector
A light-emitting device has a first cladding layer, an active layer formed above the first cladding layer, a second cladding layer formed above the active layer, a gain region, and a reflecting part. The active layer has first and second side surfaces parallel to each other. The gain region has a first end surface disposed on the first side surface. The gain region also has a second end surface disposed inside from the second side surface and angled relative to the second side surface. The second end surface, the gain region and the first end surface are provided in a first normal direction relative to the second end surface. The reflecting part is disposed next to the second end surface. |
| US08629455B2 |
Power semiconductor device
A power semiconductor device is provided. The power semiconductor device includes a source electrode disposed on a device activation region and widened in a direction toward a first side, a drain electrode arranged alternately with the source electrode on the device activation region and widened in a direction toward a second side facing the first side, an insulating layer disposed on the source electrode and the drain electrode and configured to include a plurality of via contacts contacting the source electrode and the drain electrode, a source electrode pad disposed in a first region on the insulating layer to be brought into contact with the source electrode, and a drain electrode pad disposed in a second region separated from the first region on the insulating layer and brought into contact with the plurality of via contacts contacting the drain electrode. |
| US08629444B2 |
Circuit board, method of manufacturing circuit board, display, and electronic unit
A circuit board includes: a first wiring layer provided on a substrate; an insulating layer including an opening, the insulating layer being provided on the first wiring layer; a surface-energy control layer provided in a region opposed to the opening of the insulating layer on the first wiring layer, the surface-energy control layer controlling surface energy of the first wiring layer; a semiconductor layer provided in a selective region on the insulating layer; and a second wiring layer on the insulating layer, the second wiring layer being electrically connected to the semiconductor layer, and being electrically connected to the first wiring layer through the opening. |
| US08629437B2 |
Semiconductor device and manufacturing method thereof
According to embodiments, there is provided a semiconductor device, including: a logic circuit; an interlayer insulating film formed above the logic circuit; an amorphous silicon layer including: a non-silicide layer formed on the interlayer insulating film; and a silicide layer formed on the non-silicide layer; a TFT formed on the amorphous silicon layer; and a contact plug formed to plug a through hole penetrating the interlayer insulating film, the contact plug being electrically connected to the logic circuit, an upper part of the contact plug being connected to the silicide layer. |
| US08629433B2 |
Method for manufacturing semiconductor device
An object is to provide a method for manufacturing, with high yield, a semiconductor device having a crystalline semiconductor layer even if a substrate with low upper temperature limit. A groove is formed in a part of a semiconductor substrate to form a semiconductor substrate that has a projecting portion, and a bonding layer is formed to cover the projecting portion. In addition, before the bonding layer is formed, a portion of the semiconductor substrate to be the projecting portion is irradiated with accelerated ions to form a brittle layer. After the bonding layer and the supporting substrate are bonded together, heat treatment for separation of the semiconductor substrate is performed to provide a semiconductor layer over the supporting substrate. The semiconductor layer is selectively etched, and a semiconductor element is formed and a semiconductor device is manufactured. |
| US08629432B2 |
Semiconductor device and manufacturing method thereof
A semiconductor device including a thin film transistor which includes an oxide semiconductor layer and has high electric characteristics and reliability. Film deposition is performed using an oxide semiconductor target containing an insulator (an insulating oxide, an insulating nitride, silicon oxynitride, aluminum oxynitride, or the like), typically SiO2, so that the semiconductor device in which the Si-element concentration in the thickness direction of the oxide semiconductor layer has a gradient which increases in accordance with an increase in a distance from a gate electrode is realized. |
| US08629419B2 |
Method and apparatus for reading out X-ray information stored in storage phosphor plate
A method and to a corresponding apparatus reads out X-ray information stored in a storage phosphor plate (1), the storage phosphor plate (1) being irradiated with stimulation light (3) and so being stimulated into emitting emission light which is collected by a detector (9) during several measuring times and being converted into corresponding emission light signals (S, R). In order to guarantee high reliability when examining sensitivity fluctuations, in particular with different types of detectors, provision is made such that reference measurements are taken by the detector (9) during several reference measuring times and several reference signals are thus produced, the individual reference measuring times falling respectively between the measuring times, and the reference signals being used for examining the sensitivity of the detector (9) to emission light. |
| US08629417B2 |
Extreme ultraviolet light generation apparatus
An extreme ultraviolet light generation apparatus used in combination with a laser system, the apparatus may include: a chamber provided with at least one inlet port for introducing a laser beam outputted from the laser system into the chamber; a target supply unit provided to the chamber for supplying a target material to a predetermined region inside the chamber, where the target material is irradiated with the laser beam; at least one optical element disposed inside the chamber; a magnetic field generation unit for generating a magnetic field around the predetermined region; an ion collection unit disposed in a direction of a line of magnetic force of the magnetic field for collection an ion which is generated when the target material is irradiated with the laser beam and is flowing along the line of magnetic force; and a gas introduction unit for introducing an etching gas into the chamber. |
| US08629416B2 |
Charged particle beam masking for laser ablation micromachining
An improved method for substrate micromachining. Preferred embodiments of the present invention provide improved methods for the utilization of charged particle beam masking and laser ablation. A combination of the advantages of charged particle beam mask fabrication and ultra short pulse laser ablation are used to significantly reduce substrate processing time and improve lateral resolution and aspect ratio of features machined by laser ablation to preferably smaller than the diffraction limit of the machining laser. |
| US08629413B2 |
Microscopy with adaptive optics
A method of manipulating a focused light beam includes focusing a beam of excitation light with a lens to a focal spot within a sample, where a cross-section of the beam includes individual beamlets. Directions and/or relative phases of the individual beamlets of the excitation beam at a rear pupil of the lens are individually varied with a wavefront modulating element, and emission light emitted from the focal spot is detected while the directions or relative phases of individual beamlets are varied. The directions of individual beamlets are controlled to either maximize or minimize the emission light from the focal spot, and the relative phases of individual beamlets are controlled to increase the emission light from the focal spot. |
| US08629412B2 |
Fluorescence intensity correction method, fluorescence intensity calculation method, and fluorescence intensity calculation device and fluorescence intensity correction program
A fluorescence intensity correction method including: receiving fluorescence emitted from fluorescent pigments, collecting detected values from each light detector, and obtaining a fluorescence spectrum of each fluorescent pigment as one spectrum group; separating the obtained spectrum group into a plurality of small spectrum groups; comparing the separated small spectrum groups with a fluorescence wavelength distribution of each fluorescent pigment obtained in advance and specifying the small spectrum groups as the fluorescence spectrum of any fluorescent pigment; comparing a differential spectrum between small spectrum groups that are not specified and one or more specified small spectrum groups with the fluorescence wavelength distribution of unspecified fluorescent pigments obtained in advance, and specifying the differential spectrum as the fluorescence spectrum of any fluorescent pigment; and calculating the intensity of fluorescence emitted from each fluorescent pigment. |
| US08629410B2 |
Charged particle radiation device
Disclosed is a high resolution and high throughput charged particle radiation device that attenuates the natural vibration of an ion pump in a short time, excited by a reaction force at the time of driving the stage, and prevents occurrence of a loop of force and a loop of current. The charged particle radiation device includes a sample chamber (4) for disposing a sample (3) therein, a charged particle radiation optical lens tube (1) for irradiating the sample (3) with charged particle radiation (10), ion pumps (2a, 2b) for evacuating the charged particle radiation optical lens tube (1), a frame (16) fixedly attached to the sample chamber (4), the frame (16) facing one end of each of the ion pumps (2a, 2b), and vibration absorbers provided between the frame (16) and the one end of each of the ion pumps (2a, 2b), each of the vibration absorbers including a layered structure which includes a viscoelastic sheet (20a, 20b) sandwiched between metal plates (18a, 18b, 21a, 21b). |
| US08629407B2 |
Contamination inspection
A method of forming a standard mask for an inspection system is provided, the method comprising providing a substrate within a chamber, and providing a tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS) precursor within the chamber. The method further includes reacting the TEOS precursor with an electron beam to form silicon oxide particles of controlled size at one or more controlled locations on the substrate, the silicon oxide particles disposed as simulated contamination defects. |
| US08629400B2 |
3D scanner
The present invention relates to a 3D scanner (1) which is able to make 3D modeling of the transparent objects in real-time by utilizing the thermography technique in order to make quality control in the industry; comprising a slider (2), a heater (3), a thermal camera (5) and a control unit (6). |
| US08629394B2 |
Charged particle beam device and method for correcting position with respect to charged particle beam
An object of the present invention is to eliminate a distortion in an image even if there is an angular difference between the deflection direction of the charged particle beam and the tilt axis of a specimen, and to accurately observe and process the specimen. When the deflection direction of the charged particle beam is not parallel to the tilt axis of the specimen, the deflection rotation angle to the observation direction of the charged particle beam is determined, and the deflection pattern is changed. Thereby the distortion in the image is corrected. The deflection pattern is changed to a parallelogram. A distortion-free image is obtained even if the specimen is tilted, and the specimen can be observed and processed with high accuracy. This allows automatically recognizing the position correction mark to perform observation and processing after correcting the positional relation. |
| US08629392B2 |
Device and method for preventing detection or speed detection by external laser measuring apparatus with a transmission surface oriented substantially transversely to the driving direction of a connected vehicle
A vehicle with a device including a central processing unit, at least one detector with at least one detection surface and designed for detecting, in a detection direction, laser pulses or a light beam coming from an external measuring apparatus which emits laser pulses or light beams for the purpose of detecting a vehicle and/or measuring the speed of a vehicle, and at least one transmitter with a transmission surface and which is designed for transmitting light pulses in a transmission direction that is substantially the same as said detection direction. The central processing unit causes the transmitter to transmit a series of light pulses upon detection of laser pulses or a light beam. The detection surface and the transmission surface are oriented substantially transversely to the driving direction of the vehicle. |
| US08629391B2 |
Detection device comprising a rugged test with dual transistor
The detection device comprises a photodetector provided with first and second terminals. A readout circuit has an input coupled to the first terminal of the photodetector. A bias circuit imposes a bias on the terminals of the photodetector. A test circuit delivers a test current to the photodetector. The test circuit comprises a first transistor through which the test current flows. The first transistor presents a first main electrode connected to the input of the readout circuit and configured so as to have a junction diode opposing flow of the charge carriers when the photodetector is short-circuited. |
| US08629387B2 |
Multi-layer sensor chip assembly and method for imaging generating image data with a frame-sum mode and a time-delay integration mode
An integrated circuit for generating image data comprises a focal-plane array of unit cells, a controller, and a memory structure having a plurality of storage locations. Each unit cell may store charge based on detected photons. The controller may read a value based on the stored charge from at least some of the unit cells, and either add the read value to an existing value in the corresponding storage location when operating in frame-sum mode, or add the read value to an existing value in a shifted storage location when operating in time-delay integration (TDI) mode. This may allow faint objects as well as objects moving in the field-of-view of the focal-plane array to be observed. The integrated circuit may be fabricated from radiation-hardened CMOS technology and may be a layer of a sensor chip assembly. |
| US08629383B2 |
Photovoltaic system with managed output and method of managing variability of output from a photovoltaic system
Photovoltaic systems with managed output and methods for managing variability of output from photovoltaic systems are described. A system includes a plurality of photovoltaic modules configured to receive and convert solar energy. The system also includes a sensor configured to determine an orientation for each of the plurality of photovoltaic modules, the orientations based on a maximum output from the photovoltaic system. The system also includes an orientation system configured to alter the orientation of one or more of the plurality of photovoltaic modules to provide a reduced output from the photovoltaic system, the reduced output less than the maximum output. |
| US08629382B2 |
Auto focus apparatus for detecting a focal point with a setting section for shifting an irradiation position outside an observation field of an imaging section
An reference light emitted from an LED for auto focus enters a glass cover, on which a sample is adhered to, via a half mirror to an objective lens. The reference light that entered the glass cover is reflected by the boundary surface to be reflected light, and this reflected light enters a dichroic mirror via an objective lens. A part transmits the reflected light and allows the light to enter the camera via the dichroic mirror to the lens. A user rotates a motor-operated mirror while viewing the image of the reference light captured by a camera, so as to shift the reference light image position on the boundary surface. |
| US08629379B2 |
Apparatus and method for heating plastic preforms
An apparatus for heating containers, and in particular plastic performs. At least one microwave generating unit generates an electromagnetic alternating field in the form of microwaves A microwave transfer unit transfers the microwaves generated by the microwave generating unit to a resonator unit A transport means transports the plastic preforms relative to the resonator unit. The resonator unit includes a resonator housing forming a receiving chamber for heating the plastic preforms. The resonator unit is arranged such that the electric field lines (E) of an electric field that heats the container are arranged obliquely in relation to a longitudinal direction of the container. |
| US08629376B2 |
Multimount oven rack
An oven rack is received in an oven above a lower surface of the chamber and having a bake element mounted in the chamber either above or below the lower surface. The oven rack is configured to support cooking ware on one of the lower surface of the oven chamber or on rack shelf portions provided in sidewalls of the chamber. The rack includes a first portion having a substantially planar top surface, a second portion having a substantially planar lower surface spaced from the top surface and it is also configured to support the rack in one of the rack shelf portions or on the lower surface of the oven chamber. First and second walls extend between these first and second portions whereby the walls have a first dimension slightly greater than a height from the bottom surface of the oven chamber to a top of the bake element when the bake element is mounted above the lower surface. |
| US08629375B2 |
Self-actuated defogger system
A defogger system includes structure defining a window or a mirror, a heating element operatively connected to the structure to selectively apply heat to the structure, and a source of electrical energy. The defogger system also includes a switch and an electrically conductive path from the source of electrical energy to the heating element. The switch includes an active material member, and is configured such that the switch interrupts the electrically conductive path when the active material member is above a predetermined temperature. The switch is also configured such that the switch does not interrupt the electrically conductive path when the active material member is below the predetermined temperature. |
| US08629372B2 |
Method of pulse welding and contact tip therefor
A contact tip for a welding gun having a central passage for a welding wire moving in a given direction toward a workpiece and receiving a welding signal by contact of the wire with the tip. The passage has an innermost end, an outermost exit end and a length. An opening in the contact tip intersects the passage so a pressure block slidably mounted in the opening is biased toward the wire by a spring around the contact tip urging the block against the wire. This tip is dimensioned and constructed to perform pulse welding by a relatively ductile wire. |
| US08629370B2 |
Assembly for delivering RF power and DC voltage to a plasma processing chamber
A triaxial rod assembly for providing both RF power and DC voltage to a chuck assembly that supports a workpiece in a processing chamber during a manufacturing operation. In embodiments, a rod assembly includes a center conductor to be coupled to a chuck electrode for providing DC voltage to clamp a workpiece. Concentrically surrounding the center conductor is an annular RF transmission line to be coupled to an RF powered base to provide RF power to the chuck assembly. An insulator is disposed between the center conductor and RF transmission line. Concentrically surrounding the RF transmission line is a ground plane conductor coupled to a grounded base of the chuck to provide a reference voltage relative to the DC voltage. An insulator is disposed between the RF transmission line and the ground plane conductor. |
| US08629366B2 |
Medium voltage circuit breaker arrangement
Exemplary embodiments are directed to a medium voltage circuit breaker arrangement that includes at least one pole part housing for accommodating a pair of coaxially arranged electrical contacts, wherein one electrical contact of the pair of electrical contacts is axially movable via a jackshaft arrangement which is accommodated in a recasted sheet metal housing, and driven by an actuator unit. The sheet metal housing forms a suspension construction for the at least one pole part housing and the jackshaft arrangement and the corresponding actuator unit forming a module. An additional housing part is provided for covering at least the actuator unit of the module in order to define the outer geometrical dimensions of the circuit breaker arrangement. |
| US08629363B2 |
Electrical switch
An electrical switch having a contact system including at least one fixed contact and a switching contact. The switch has an actuating element for acting in switching fashion on the contact system and a switching slide which bears the switching contact and is moveable in a movement direction between two positions, wherein in one position the switching contact is remote from the fixed contact and in the other position the switching contact bears against the fixed contact. The switch has an actuating slide which is moveable by virtue of the actuating element and is coupled to the switching slide by an elastic element. The switch includes a latching mechanism which interacts with the switching slide, such that the switching slide can be switched over between the two positions on actuation of the actuating element with a type of snap-action movement. |
| US08629361B2 |
Switch device
A switch device has a case, an operation knob disposed above the case, and a connector disposed under the case. The connector has connection terminals and a housing supporting the connection terminals, the housing being formed with an opening portion from which the connection terminals are led out. The case is provided with an impervious wall extending downward from the case so as to be opposed to both side surfaces of the housing parallel to a leading-out direction of the connection terminals. The impervious wall is arranged across a gap from each of the both side surfaces of the housing. |
| US08629359B2 |
Circuit breaker lockout
A circuit breaker lockout device is disclosed. The circuit breaker lockout device includes a body having a top, a bottom, a front, a back and sides. The top of the body includes a padlock hole defined by a channel that is parallel to the body. The body also includes a toggle screw that extends through the body to secure the lockout device to a circuit breaker. |
| US08629357B2 |
Integrated and storable luggage scale with removable gripping member that allows two pieces of luggage to be weighed together simultaneously and to be secured together for transport
Removable luggage scale devices are disclosed herein that include: at least one measuring device, at least one gripping member coupled to the measuring device, at least one coupling unit, wherein the coupling unit couples the at least one measuring device to at least one piece of luggage. |
| US08629356B2 |
Magnetic field shielding raised floor panel
A magnetic field shielding raised floor panel having a plurality of grain-oriented electrical steel (GOES) sections. The orientation of each GOES section is parallel to a top surface of the section. The plurality of GOES sections can include sidewall and lip portions. The plurality of GOES sections can be perforated to permit air flow through the GOES section. Openings in adjacent perforated GOES sections do not substantially overlap. |
| US08629355B2 |
Shield can of mobile terminal
A shield can of a mobile terminal is provided. The shield can of the mobile terminal includes: at least one shield can installed in a main circuit board of the mobile terminal, and at least one separation wall formed between electronic elements in which electromagnetic interference occurs within the shield can. Hence, shield ability can be improved and simplified manufacturing process of the separation wall can reduce cost. |
| US08629354B2 |
PCB having embedded IC and method for manufacturing the same
A multi-layer PCB includes a plurality of insulating layers and a plurality of conductive pattern layers alternatively and repeatedly stacked; contact-hole formed in the insulating layers so as to allow electrical connection through the contact-holes; a first integrated circuit arranged in a first insulating layer as one of the insulating layers so as to be embedded in the multi-layer PCB, the first integrated circuit having a plurality of connection bumps for electric connection on an upper surface of the first integrated circuit; and a second integrated circuit stacked on a lower surface of the first integrated circuit, the second integrated circuit having a plurality of connection bumps for electric connection on an upper surface of the second integrated circuit. |
| US08629351B2 |
DC cable for high voltages
A DC cable for high voltages having at least an inner conductor surrounded by an insulating layer configured to take the voltage to be taken between the conductor and the surroundings of the cable. The insulating layer is formed by a plurality of superimposed film-like layers of insulating material each having isolated areas of metal on top thereof. The metal areas of consecutive such film-like layers are at least partially overlapping each other as seen in the radial direction of the cable so as to create a large number of small capacitors in said insulating layer of the cable. |
| US08629348B2 |
Fire resistant barrier
A fire resistant assembly which may be used to ensure the fire resistance of a fire barrier such as a wall, comprising a first layer having a lumen therein, a second layer adjacent the first layer, and a box having a cavity defined by a wall, an opening in the wall, and a flange proximate the opening, wherein the box is disposed between the first layer and the second layer and wherein the opening is disposed on the lumen of the first layer. |
| US08629343B2 |
Computer-readable storage medium having stored therein information processing program, information processing apparatus, information processing system, and information processing method
An example computer of an information processing apparatus that reproduces music composed of one or more tracks is caused to function as: a reproduction section configured to reproduce the music; a meter change section configured to change the meter for reproduction of the music, while the reproduction section is reproducing the music; and a determination section configured to, based on the meter that has been changed, repeatedly determine whether or not to cause the reproduction section to reproduce the next beat supposed to be reproduced in a bar of the music that is currently being reproduced. The reproduction section reproduces the music, based on the result of the determination by the determination section. |
| US08629340B1 |
Drum mounting and tuning system providing unhindered and isolated resonance
Some embodiments provide a drum structural framework comprising a top shell mount, bottom shell mount, rod holders, and tension rods. The top shell mount and bottom shell mount are mounted to either ending edge of a drum shell disposed between the two mounts. A first set of the rod holders are coupled to the top shell mount and an aligned second set of the rod holders are coupled to the bottom shell mount. The tension rods link the two sets of rod holders without hindering resonance of the drum shell. Tuning assemblies on the rod holders adjust the distance separating the top shell mount from the bottom shell mount, thereby controlling the force imposed on the drum shell. Each rod holder includes one or more dampeners that isolate energy passing from the drumhead to the shell from also reverberating throughout the structural framework of the tension rods and rod holders. |
| US08629339B1 |
Portable practice instrument
A portable practice instrument comprises a hitting pad, a fastening band, a holding board and two support pads. The hitting pad is located on the holding board. The two support pads are located below the holding board to form a housing groove therebetween. The holding board has a first threading slot and a second threading slot at two opposite ends outside the hitting pad. The fastening band threads through the first threading slot and the second threading slot via the housing groove. Thus a dual-purpose practice instrument is formed, which not only can be easily carried by users, but also can be selectively wrapped on a user's thigh through the fastening band or laid stably on a desktop through the two support pads with the fastening band threading through the housing groove for hitting practice according to onsite environment, thereby meets use requirements. |
| US08629335B1 |
Maize variety hybrid X6K291
A novel maize variety designated X6K291 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof, produced by crossing Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. proprietary inbred maize varieties. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprises crossing hybrid maize variety X6K291 with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X6K291 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety X6K291, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X6K291. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X6K291. |
| US08629334B2 |
Viral-based transient-expression vector system for trees
Disclosed herein are viral vectors suitable for transfection into woody trees for purposes of delivering and expressing beneficial genes with increased stability. Specifically exemplified herein are vectors for transfecting citrus trees. The vectors allow for the expression of useful proteins, such as those that can protect the tree from disease. |
| US08629333B1 |
Soybean variety XB48T10
A novel soybean variety, designated XB48T10 is provided. Also provided are the seeds of soybean variety XB48T10, cells from soybean variety XB48T10, plants of soybean XB48T10, and plant parts of soybean variety XB48T10. Methods provided include producing a soybean plant by crossing soybean variety XB48T10 with another soybean plant, methods for introgressing a transgenic, mutant trait, and/or native trait into soybean variety XB48T10, methods for producing other soybean varieties or plant parts derived from soybean variety XB48T10. Soybean seed, cells, plants, germplasm, breeding lines, varieties, and plant parts produced by these methods and/or derived from soybean variety XB48T10 are further provided. |
| US08629331B2 |
Soybean cultivar 7113111
A soybean cultivar designated 7113111 is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of soybean cultivar 7113111, to the plants of soybean 7113111, to plant parts of soybean cultivar 7113111 and to methods for producing a soybean plant produced by crossing soybean cultivar 7113111 with itself or with another soybean variety. The invention also relates to methods for producing a soybean plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic soybean plants and plant parts produced by those methods. This invention also relates to soybean cultivars or breeding cultivars and plant parts derived from soybean variety 7113111, to methods for producing other soybean cultivars, lines or plant parts derived from soybean cultivar 7113111 and to the soybean plants, varieties, and their parts derived from use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid soybean seeds, plants and plant parts produced by crossing the cultivar 7113111 with another soybean cultivar. |
| US08629324B2 |
Polypeptides having expansin activity and polynucleotides encoding same
The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having expansin activity and isolated polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides. The invention also relates to nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides as well as methods of producing and using the polypeptides. |
| US08629322B2 |
Genome shuffling method for autogamous plants utilizing dominant male sterility obtained by gene engineering technique, and recurrent selection breeding system based on the genome shuffling method
A genome shuffling method for autogamous plants, including producing individuals having the following three traits in a tight coupling linkage by a gene engineering technique selected from a transgenic technique and a gene targeting technique: 1) dominant male sterility, 2) chemical tolerance and 3) lethality inducible by activating an inducible promoter, selecting, from progeny of the individuals, male-sterile individuals by means of the chemical tolerance described in 2) and male-fertile individuals by means of the lethality described in 3), arranging the male-sterile individuals and the male-fertile individuals close together in flowering periods thereof, so that the male-sterile individuals are crossed with the male-fertile individuals, harvesting seeds from the male-sterile individuals, and repeating outcrossing using the seeds from generation to generation. |
| US08629320B1 |
Maize variety hybrid X80B468
A novel maize variety designated X80B468 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof, produced by crossing Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. proprietary inbred maize varieties. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprises crossing hybrid maize variety X80B468 with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X80B468 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety X80B468, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X80B468. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X80B468. |
| US08629317B2 |
Non-human transgenic mammal for the constant region of the class a human immunoglobulin heavy chain and applications thereof
The invention relates to a non-human transgenic mammal with an IgH locus modified by replacement of the switching sequence Sμ with all or part of a transgene comprising the gene Cα of a class A human immunoglobulin, including at least the exon, coding for the CH3 domain and the membrane exon and the applications of the above for the production of humanized class IgA antibodies. |
| US08629313B2 |
Hybrid flare apparatus and method
A method of operating a flare assembly is provided. If it is determined that the injection of primary steam into the combustion zone is necessary to achieve smokeless operation, primary steam is injected through a steam injector assembly into the combustion zone. If it is determined that steam is not necessary, an alternative gas is discharged though the steam injector assembly into the combustion zone. In one embodiment, the alternative gas is heated. In another embodiment, if it is determined that steam is necessary, a maximum allowable flow rate of steam is calculated, and the flow rate of steam is modulated to achieve smokeless operation and avoid a flow rate of steam in excess of the maximum allowable flow rate of steam. A flare assembly is also provided. |
| US08629311B2 |
Alkylated aromatics production
Disclosed is a process for the production of alkylated aromatics by contacting a feed stream comprising an alkylatable aromatic, an alkylating agent and trace amounts of water and impurities in the presence of first and second alkylation catalysts wherein the water and impurities are removed in order to improve the cycle length of such alkylation catalysts. Water and a portion of impurities are removed in a dehydration zone. A first alkylation zone having a first alkylation catalyst which, in some embodiments is a large pore molecular sieve, acts to remove a larger portion of impurities, such as nitrogenous and other species, and to alkylate a smaller portion of the alkylatable aromatic compound. A second alkylation zone, which in some embodiments is a medium pore molecular sieve, acts to remove a smaller portion of impurities, and to alkylate a larger portion of the alkylatable aromatic compound. |
| US08629307B2 |
Process for preparing a compound of formula CF3CHFCH2X, wherin X is Cl or F, from 1243zf
The invention provides a process for the preparation of 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (1234yf) comprising (a) contacting 1,1,1-trifluoro-2,3-difluoropropane (243db) with hydrogen fluoride (HF) in the presence of a zinc/chromia catalyst to produce a compound having the formula CF3CHFCH2X, wherein X is Cl or F, and (b) dehydrohalogenating the compound of formula CF3CHFCH2X to produce 1234yf. |
| US08629304B2 |
Electrochemical method for producing 3-tert-butylbenzaldehyde dimethyl acetal
The present invention relates to 3-tert-butylbenzaldehyde dimethyl acetal and to 3-tert-butylbenzyl methyl ether and to an electrochemical method for producing 3-tert-butyl-benzaldehyde dimethyl acetal and intermediates passed through in said method. |
| US08629301B2 |
Process for the purification of benzphetamine hydrochloride
The present invention relates to the economical and separation of benzphetamine hydrochloride and methamphetamine by liquid extraction. An extraction process employing a suitable organic solvent and water at a pH in the range of from about 6 to about 8 provides excellent removal of the methamphetamine by dissolution in the water phase while the benzphetamine dissolves in the organic phase. Simple separation of the two phases results in separation of the two amines. |
| US08629297B2 |
Low-foaming surfactants
Described are alkoxylated urethanes. Specifically, the alkoxylated urethanes are non-isocyanate urethanes (NIUs). The non-isocyanate urethanes that are described can be used as low-foam surfactants and, more particularly, as low-foam wetting agents. |
| US08629295B2 |
Method for preparing dialkyl carbonate
The present invention provides a method for preparing dialkyl carbonate from urea or alkyl carbamate and alkyl alcohol using an ionic liquid comprising a cation, which produces a hydrogen ion, and a hydrophobic anion containing fluorine with high temperature stability in the presence of catalyst containing a metal oxide or hydrotalcite. Since the present invention can prepare dialkyl carbonate at a pressure lower than those of existing methods, it does not require an expensive pressure control device and peripheral devices for maintaining high pressure including the installation cost. It is also the method for preparing a dialkyl carbonate with high yield, thus improving economical efficiency. Moreover, the method of the present invention hardly produces any waste during the process and is thus an eco-friendly method. |
| US08629293B2 |
Process for the preparation of FE(III) chelates of N,N′-DI(2-hydroxybenzyl)-ethylenediamine-N,N′-diacetic acid and its derivatives
The invention relates to the process for the preparation of iron(III) chelates of N,N′-di(2-hydroxybenzyl)ethylenediamine-N,N′-diacetic acid and its derivatives of the formula (I) wherein both R substituents have the same meaning and represent H, C1-C4 alkyl, CH2OH, SO3M or COOM, and M is a sodium, potassium or ammonium cation, wherein the aqueous solution of a corresponding chelating agent is contacted with metallic iron by the circulation of said aqueous solution through the bed of pieces of metallic iron in a flow reactor while simultaneously blowing air or oxygen through the aqueous solution of the chelating agent in the flow reactor, optionally in the presence of a hydrogen peroxide solution. Chelates of the formula (I) are useful as the components of plant fertilizers. |
| US08629289B2 |
Method for the preparation of 1-acetyl-6-amino-3,3-dimethyl-2,3-dihydroindole
The present invention relates to processes for preparing indoline derivatives, particularly 1-acetyl-6-amino-3,3-dimethyl-2,3-dihydroindole. |
| US08629285B2 |
Imidazole compounds that modulate HSP90 activity
Compounds of formula (I), pharmaceutical compositions comprising compounds of formula (I) and methods of inhibiting Hsp90 in a cell, treating or preventing a proliferation disorder in a mammal and treating cancer in a mammal comprising administering a compound of formula (I) to a patient or a cell Variable R5 is an optionally substituted heteroaryl; an optionally substituted 6 to 14-membered aryl; a bicyclic 9-member heterocycle optionally substituted at any substitutable nitrogen or carbon atoms; or a substituent R18, defined herein. Ring A is an aryl or a heteroaryl optionally further substituted with one or more substituents in addition to R3. Substituent R3 is defined herein. |
| US08629281B2 |
Cold menthol receptor-1 antagonists
The invention is directed to TRPM8 antagonists of Formula (I). More specifically, the present invention relates to certain novel compounds, methods for preparing compounds, compositions, intermediates and derivatives thereof and methods for treating TRPM8-mediated disorders. Pharmaceutical and veterinary compositions and methods of treating pain and various other disease states or conditions using compounds of the invention are also described. |
| US08629280B2 |
Methods for oligomerizing olefins with chromium pyridine ether catalysts
The present invention provides a method of producing oligomers of olefins, comprising reacting olefins with a catalyst under oligomerization conditions. The catalyst can be the product of the combination of a chromium compound and a pyridyl ether compound. In particular embodiments, the catalyst compound can be used to trimerize or tetramerize ethylene to 1-hexene, 1-octene, or mixtures of 1-hexene and 1-octene. |
| US08629279B2 |
Process for manufacturing 5-formyl-pyridine-2,3-dicarboxylic acid esters
A process for manufacturing a 5-formyl-pyridine-2,3-dicarboxylic acid ester (I) wherein Z is hydrogen or halogen; Z1 is hydrogen, halogen, cyano or nitro and R1, R2 are independently C1-C10-alkyl, comprising the steps of (i) reacting a compound of formula (II), wherein the symbols are as in formula (I), with a nitrosation agent (III) R3—O—N═O (III) wherein R3 is C1-C8-alkyl, in the presence of an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal alcoholates or carbonates in a polar aprotic solvent at a temperature of from −45 to 40° C., to obtain an oxime compound (IV) where Z, Z1, R1 and R2 are as in formula (I), and (ii) reacting oxime compound (IV) with an aliphatic C1-C10-aldehyde in the presence of a Lewis acid at a temperature in the range of from 0 to 100° C. The compounds of formula (I) are useful intermediates in the synthesis of herbicidal imidazolinones, like imazamox. |
| US08629274B2 |
Hepatitis B antiviral agents
The present invention includes a method of inhibiting, suppressing or preventing HBV infection in an individual in need thereof, comprising administering to the individual a therapeutically effective amount of at least one compound of the invention. |
| US08629271B2 |
Compounds
The present invention relates to spirocyclic amide derivatives of the formula I, pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, a process for their preparation, pharmaceutical compositions containing them, and their use in therapy. |
| US08629266B2 |
Dendritic starch-based dextrin adhesives
Starch-based dextrin adhesive additives and methods of preparation are described. Adhesives containing the additive exhibit antimicrobial properties and increased water solubility. The additive contains at least one sugar unit, at least one polyphenol side chain, and at least one Frechet-type poly(aryl ether)dendron. |
| US08629260B2 |
Anti-arthropod vector vaccines, methods of selecting and uses thereof
The present disclosure provides methods of selecting and uses of anti-arthropod vector vaccines to prevent Leishmaniasis. The present disclosure also provides compositions for vaccines to prevent Leishmaniasis. |
| US08629254B2 |
Boron transporter
The present invention relates to boron transporters and, in particular, to boron transporters derived from plants. The present invention also relates to methods that utilize boron transporters, such as methods for modulating boron transport in cells and methods for determining the level or rate of boron transport in a cell or organism on the basis of the expression level of one or more boron transporters. |
| US08629250B2 |
Hepcidin, hepcidin antagonists and methods of use
The invention relates to purified, correctly folded hepcidin, antibodies that bind hepcidin, and methods of making and using such materials. Also provide are methods of treated hepcidin-related disorders. |
| US08629248B2 |
Glycosylation engineering of antibodies for improving antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity
The present invention relates to the field glycosylation engineering of proteins. More particular, the present invention is directed to the glycosylation engineering of proteins to provide proteins with improved therapeutic properties, e.g., antibodies, antibody fragments, or a fusion protein that includes a region equivalent to the Fc region of an immunoglobulin, with enhanced Fc-mediated cellular cytotoxicity. |
| US08629247B2 |
Antibodies against prostate specific membrane antigen
Antibodies (Ab) and antigen binding fragments capable of binding to prostate specific membrane antigen and which may be used for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes are provided herein. Formulation anti-PSMA antibodies which are stable under extreme storage condition are also provided. |
| US08629245B2 |
Immunoglobulin Fc libraries
Methods and composition for the screening and isolation of aglycosylated antibody Fc domain polypeptides. For example, in certain aspects methods for identifying aglycosylated Fc domains that bind to Fc receptors or preferentially bind to particular Fc receptors are described. Furthermore, the invention provides aglycosylated Fc domains that bind to Fc receptors with high affinity. Enhanced methods and media for prokaryotic based interaction screening are also provided. |
| US08629239B2 |
Methylocystis strain SB2 materials and methods
The present disclosures provides isolated or purified compounds, each of which bind to a metal atom. Generally, the compounds are small in size (e.g, molecular weight of less than about 1 kDa) and peptidic in nature, inasmuch as the compounds comprise amino acids. In some embodiments, the compound comprises a structure of Formula I: M1-P1-M2-P2 wherein each of P1 and P2 is a peptide comprising at least two amino acids, M1 is a first metal binding moiety comprising a substituted imidazolone ring, M2 is a second metal binding moiety comprising a substituted oxazolone ring, and wherein M1 and M2 bind to a single metal atom. Also provided are related complexes, conjugates, cells which synthesize the compounds of the present disclosures, substantially homogenous cultures thereof, kits and compositions, and methods of making or using the materials of the present disclosures. |
| US08629234B2 |
Process for synthesizing a new catalyst complex for the production of polyethylene terephthlate
This invention relates to a process of preparing a catalyst for the production of polyethylene terephthalate and for the production of high molecular weight PET comprising: a) reacting boric acid and a zinc salt in a solvent comprising at least one glycol selected from ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, and butylene glycol thereby forming a precipitate; and b) isolating the precipitate. In addition, the use of the catalyst for the production of polyethylene terephthalate and for the production of high molecular weight PET is disclosed. |
| US08629231B2 |
Methods of making oligomers, coating compositions containing them, and coated articles
An oligomer is made by capping a uretdione compound of structure with a compound (II) having an active hydrogen and a carbamate or cyclic carbonate group under conditions in which the isocyanate groups but not the uretdione group react. The product (III) is either reacted with a reactant having at least two active hydrogens under reaction conditions that cleave the uretdione ring, after which any cyclic carbonate groups may be converted to carbamate groups, or a product (III) having cyclic carbonate groups is reacted with ammonia or primary amine to provide uretdione with a hydroxy carbamate group that is then self-condensed under uretdione ring-opening conditions. A curable coating composition comprises the oligomer; a coated article is prepared by applying a layer of the curable coating composition and curing the applied layer. |
| US08629226B2 |
Retardation film, and organic EL display device and liquid crystal display device using the same
A retardation film, formed by stretching a film having a norbornene-based ring-opening copolymer containing a structural unit (A) represented by the general formula (1) and a structural unit (B) represented by the general formula (2), wherein the content of structural unity (A) is not less than 5 mol % but not more than 95 mol % relative to the total amount of structural units (A) and (B). |
| US08629223B2 |
Method for improving ethylene polymerization reaction
The present invention relates to a method for initiating an ethylene polymerization reaction in an ethylene polymerization loop reactor. More particularly, the invention relates to the timing upon which hydrogen is introduced into the ethylene polymerization loop reactor. The catalysts used in the ethylene polymerization reaction according to present invention are preferably metallocene catalysts. |
| US08629212B2 |
PHA compositions comprising PBS and PBSA and methods for their production
Compositions of PHAs with PBS and/or PBSA are described and methods of making the same. |
| US08629205B2 |
Microgels combined with functional additives
The invention relates to a composition comprising at least one microgel and at least one functional additive, to processes for the preparation thereof, to uses of the compositions, and to microgel-containing polymers, rubbers, lubricants, coatings, etc. prepared therefrom. |
| US08629202B2 |
Protection of a dispersing agent during a grinding operation
A method includes using a composition in the production of cement, the composition including at least one dispersing agent and at least one sacrificial molecule to partially or totally retain the properties of the dispersing agent; being either in the form of a liquid solution, or an emulsion or a suspension; the quantity of the sacrificial molecule in the composition representing at least 5% by mass of the mass of dispersing agent; and being introduced before or during the grinding of the clinker. |
| US08629198B2 |
Non-aqueous inkjet ink and ink set
Disclosed is a non-aqueous inkjet ink that includes a polyvinyl chloride resin synthesized by a suspension polymerization method or an emulsion polymerization method; an organic solvent that is a mixed solvent comprising diethylene glycol ethyl methyl ether, diethylene glycol diethyl ether, and diethylene glycol monoethyl ether in which the polyvinyl chloride resin is dissolved; a pigment; and a radical polymerization inhibitor. In another embodiment, the mixed solvent includes N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, diethylene glycol diethyl ether, and diethylene glycol monoethyl ether. The radical polymerization inhibitor prevents the polyvinyl chloride resin from gelling in a short period and causing a discharge fault, clogging, etc. Also disclosed is an ink set of inkjet inks includes a combination of the non-aqueous inkjet inks above having respective colors and including at least a cyan ink; a magenta ink; a yellow ink; and a black ink. |
| US08629196B2 |
Cleaning implement based on melamine-formaldehyde foam comprising hollow microspheres
The present invention relates to a cleaning implement based on melamine-formaldehyde foam comprising hollow microspheres, wherein said hollow microspheres have a median particle diameter (D50, volume averaged, Malvern, Fraunhofer diffraction) in the range from 260 μm to 490 μm, and wherein the hollow microsphere are at least partly filled with a benefit agent. Additionally the present invention encompasses a method for cleaning a hard surface with a cleaning implement according to the present invention. |
| US08629195B2 |
Production of polyurethane foams
The invention relates to a process for producing polyurethane foams, by frothing and drying mixtures of specific polyurethane dispersions and crosslinkers. |
| US08629192B2 |
Method for the production of high internal phase emulsion foams using ultraviolet light
A method of producing a HIPE foam using Ultraviolet (UV) light to polymerize a High Internal Phase Emulsion (HIPE) having two or more layers. The method uses UV light to polymerize HIPEs having two or more layers wherein each of the layers comprises a continuous oil phase containing monomers, photoinitiator, and an aqueous phase. |
| US08629188B2 |
Carbon neutral natural gas to liquids plant with biomass co-feed
Configurations, systems, and methods for a gas-to-liquids plant are presented in which the energy demand for natural gas reformation is provided at least in part by biomass gasification to reduce or eliminate net carbon emissions. Preferred plants, systems, and methods may recycle various process streams to further reduce water demand, improve the hydrogen/carbon ratio of a feed stream to a Fischer-Tropsch process, and recover and/or recycle carbon dioxide. |
| US08629184B2 |
Topical formulations for treatment of neuropathy
Topical treatments for neuropathy are described. The treatments include topical formulations of NMDA antagonists and one additional active ingredient. In one example, the formulation includes ketamine and gabapentin for the treatment of a subject's neuropathy. These transdermal or topical compositions provide a surprising degree of effective relief from the symptoms of peripheral neuropathy and can be administered to subjects to treat various neuropathies. |
| US08629183B2 |
Methods for decreasing cartilage damage in dogs
A method for modulating enzymatic degradation of articular cartilage in a dog comprises administering to the dog an enzymatic degradation modulating effective amount of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), for example as a component of a food composition. By practice of the method in a dog having arthritis, mobility of the dog can be increased, weight bearing in an arthritic limb can be increased, and/or pain associated with arthritis can be reduced. |
| US08629181B2 |
Biologically active oils
A process for the production of fats or oils and their extracts containing biologically active chemical compounds from a lipid substrate, the process comprising: a) inoculation of a lipid substrate with fungally derived lipolytic enzymes; b) incubating the inoculated substrate for a period of between about 7-120 days at a temperature of between about 4-35° C., at a humidity of between about 75-100%, and c) processing said substrate mixture to obtain a biologically active fat or oil. |
| US08629179B2 |
Methods and devices for providing prolonged drug therapy
Methods and devices for maintaining a desired therapeutic drug effect over a prolonged therapy period are provided. In particular, oral dosage forms that release drug within the gastrointestinal tract at an ascending release rate over an extended time period are provided. The dosage forms may additionally comprise an immediate-release dose of drug. |
| US08629173B2 |
Solid forms comprising (+)-2-[1-(3-ethoxy-4-methoxyphenyl)-2-methylsulfonylethyl]-4-acetylaminoisoindoline-1,3-dione, compositions thereof, and uses thereof
Solid forms comprising (+)-2-[1-(3-Ethoxy-4-methoxyphenyl)-2-methylsulfonylethyl]-4-acetylaminoisoindoline-1,3-dione, compositions comprising the solid forms, methods of making the solid forms and methods of their use are disclosed. The methods include methods of treating and/or preventing disorders ameliorated by the reduction of levels of TNF-α or the inhibition of PDE4. |
| US08629172B2 |
Methods and compositions for treating post-operative pain comprising clonidine
The present invention is directed to an implantable drug depot useful for reducing, preventing or treating post-operative pain in a patient in need of such treatment, the implantable drug depot comprising a therapeutically effective amount of clonidine or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and a polymer; wherein the depot is implantable at a site beneath the skin to reduce, prevent or treat post-operative pain, and the depot is capable of releasing (i) about 5% to about 45% of the clonidine or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof relative to a total amount of the clonidine or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof loaded in the drug depot over a first period of up to 48 hours and (ii) about 55% to about 95% of the clonidine or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof relative to a total amount of the clonidine or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof loaded in the drug depot over a subsequent period of at least 3 days. |
| US08629171B2 |
Crystalline form of methyl ((1S)-1-((25)-2-(5-(4'-(2-((25)-1((2S)-2-((methoxycarbonyl)amino)-3-methylbutanoyl)-2-pyrrolidinyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)-1-pyrrolidinyl)carbonyl)-2-methylpropyl)carbamate dihydrochloride salt
The present disclosure generally relates to a crystalline form of methyl ((1S)-1-(((2S)-2-(5-(4′-(2-((2S)-1-((2S)-2-((methoxycarbonyl)amino)-3-methylbutanoyl)-2-pyrrolidinyl)-1H-imidazol-5-yl)-4-biphenylyl)-1H-imidazol-2-yl)-1-pyrrolidinyl)carbonyl)-2-methylpropyl)carbamate dihydrochloride salt. The present disclosure also generally relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising a crystalline form, as well of methods of using a crystalline form in the treatment of Hepatitis C and methods for obtaining such crystalline form. |
| US08629169B2 |
4-substituted-3-phenylsulfanylmethyl-bicyclo[3.1.0]hexane compounds as mGluR 2/3 antagonists
A mGlu2/3 receptor antagonist of the formula: its uses, and methods for its preparation are described. |
| US08629167B2 |
Selective androgen receptor modulators
This invention provides compounds of formulas I, Ia, Ib, Ic, Id, Ie, If or Ig or salts thereof, pharmaceutical compositions comprising a compound of formulas I, Ia, Ib, Ic, Id, If or Ig and a pharmaceutically acceptable excipient, methods of modulating the androgen receptor, methods of treating diseases beneficially treated by an androgen receptor modulator (e.g., sarcopenia, prostate cancer, contraception, type 2 diabetes related disorders or diseases, anemia, depression, and renal disease) and processes for making compounds of formulas I, Ia, Ib, Ic, Id, Ie, If or Ig and intermediates useful in the preparation of same. |
| US08629166B2 |
5-cycloalkyl- or 5-heterocyclyl-nicotinamides
The present invention relates to compounds of the formula wherein R1 to R4 are defined in the description, and to pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, their manufacture, pharmaceutical compositions containing them and their use as medicaments for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of diseases which can be treated with HDL-cholesterol raising agents, such as particularly dyslipidemia, atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases. |
| US08629164B2 |
Inhibitors of NF-κB
The invention relates to compounds of formulae (1) and (2): and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof for the treatment of cancer, inflammation, auto-immune diseases, diabetes and diabetic complications, infection, cardiovascular disease and ischemia-reperfusion injuries. |
| US08629163B2 |
Tetrakis-quaternary ammonium salts and methods for modulating neuronal nicotinic acteylcholine receptors
Provided are tetrakis-quaternary ammonium compounds which are modulators of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. Also provided are methods of using the compounds for modulating the function of a nicotinic acetylcholine receptor, and for the prevention and/or treatment of central nervous system disorders, substance use and/or abuse, and or gastrointestinal tract disorders. |
| US08629160B2 |
Alkaloid aminoester derivatives and medicinal composition thereof
The present invention relates to alkaloid aminoester compounds which act as muscarinic receptor antagonists, processes for their preparation, compositions comprising them, and therapeutic uses thereof. |
| US08629156B2 |
Tryptophan hydroxylase inhibitors
Compounds of formulae I and II are disclosed, as well as compositions comprising them and methods of their use to treat, prevent and manage serotonin-mediated diseases and disorders: |
| US08629153B2 |
Use of quinazoline derivatives for the treatment of viral diseases
The present invention relates to the use of quinazoline derivatives, which show EGFR inhibitory activity, for the prevention and/or treatment of virus-induced diseases, preferably virus induced respiratory diseases and exacerbation in chronic airway diseases such as COPD or asthma. |
| US08629152B2 |
Processes for the preparation of lyophilized pharmaceutically acceptable salts of pemetrexed diacid
Provided are processes for the preparation of lyophilized pharmaceutically acceptable salts of pemetrexed diacid, in particular, pemetrexed disodium salt, directly from pemetrexed diacid or salts thereof, i.e., without isolating the obtained pemetrexed salt prior to lyophilizing it. |
| US08629143B2 |
Potassium channel modulators
Disclosed herein are KCNQ potassium channels modulators of formula (I) wherein ring Z1, R1, p, R3, and R4 are as defined in the specification. Compositions comprising such compounds; and methods for treating conditions and disorders using such compounds and compositions are also described. |
| US08629139B2 |
Topical use of Levofloxacin for reducing lung inflammation
The present invention relates to methods and compositions for the treatment of pulmonary inflammation. In particular, methods and compositions using aerosol levofloxacin or ofloxacin to reduce pulmonary inflammation are provided. |
| US08629138B2 |
Cyclic inhibitors of 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 1
Disclosed is a compound represented by Formula (Im1): or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, monohydrate, enantiomer or diastereomer thereof. Also disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compound of Formula (Im1) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, monohydrate, enantiomer or diastereomer thereof and methods of inhibiting 11β-HSD1 activity comprising the step of administering to a mammal in need of such treatment an effective amount of a compound of Formula (Im1), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, monohydrate, enantiomer or diastereomer thereof. Values for the variables in Formula (Im1) are defined herein. |
| US08629134B2 |
Enantioselective synthesis of 6-amino-7-hydroxy-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-imidazo[4,5,1-jk][1]-benzazepin-2[1H]-one and zilpaterol
This invention relates to a process for the hydrogenation of a ketooxime to selectively form an aminoalcohol stereoisomer, and, in particular, to a process for the hydrogenation of 4,5-dihydro-imidazo[4,5,1-jk][1]benzazepin-2,6,7[1H]-trione-6-oxime or a salt thereof to selectively form a stereoisomer of 6-amino-7-hydroxy-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-imidazo[4,5,1-jk][1]-benzazepin-2[1H]-one or a salt thereof. This invention also relates to the use of the 6-amino-7-hydroxy-4,5,6,7-tetrahydro-imidazo[4,5,1-jk][1]-benzazepin-2[1H]-one hydrogenation product or a salt thereof to selectively make a stereoisomer of zilpaterol or a salt thereof, as well as the use of such a zilpaterol stereoisomer or salt in methods of treatment and medicaments for animals. |
| US08629131B2 |
Enhanced erythropoiesis and iron metabolism
The present invention relates to methods for increasing iron absorption in a subject by administering to the subject an effective amount of a compound that inhibits hypoxia-inducible factor prolyl hydroxylase activity. |
| US08629121B2 |
High molecular weight polysaccharide that binds and inhibits virus
This invention provides a high molecular weight polysaccharide capable of binding to and inhibiting virus and related pharmaceutical formulations and methods of inhibiting viral infectivity and/or pathogenicity, as well as immunogenic compositions. The invention further includes methods of inhibiting the growth of cancer cells and of ameliorating a symptom of aging. Additionally, the invention provides methods of detecting and/or quantifying and/or isolating viruses. |
| US08629119B2 |
Dual targeting of MIR-208 and MIR-499 in the treatment of cardiac disorders
The present invention provides a method of treating or preventing cardiac disorders in a subject in need thereof by inhibiting the expression or function of both miR-499 and miR-208 in the heart cells of the subject. In particular, specific protocols for administering inhibitors of the two miRNAs that achieve efficient, long-term suppression are disclosed. In addition, the invention provides a method for treating or preventing musculoskeletal disorders in a subject in need thereof by increasing the expression or activity of both miR-208 and miR-499 in skeletal muscle cells of the subject. |
| US08629116B2 |
Method for inducing a TRIF-bias
The use of a selected aminoalkyl glusoaminide 4-phosphate (AGP) CRX-547 to induce a TRIF biased response in a human system, which results in reduced levels of MyD88-dependent cytokines relative to the MyD88-dependent cytokines induced by its diastereomer AGP CRX-527. |
| US08629115B2 |
Compositions and methods for treating diseases
This invention relates to compositions and methods for treatment of vascular conditions. The invention provides arginine polymers and arginine homopolymers for the treatment and/or prevention of glaucoma, pulmonary hypertension, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, erectile dysfunction, Raynaud's syndrome, heparin overdose, vulvodynia, and wound healing. The invention also provides arginine polymers and arginine homopolymers for use in organ perfusate and preservation solutions. |
| US08629114B2 |
Compositions and methods for transport across the blood brain barrier
Compositions and methods are provided including a transporter peptide derived from the loop2 domain of the neuronally-derived lynx1 protein which can be conjugated to an effector agent to form a transporter-effector complex for transport of the therapeutic effector agent to a target that is found across the blood brain barrier. |
| US08629111B2 |
Methods of providing therapeutic effects using cyclosporin components
Methods of treating an eye of a human or animal include administering to an eye of a human or animal a composition in the form of an emulsion including water, a hydrophobic component and a cyclosporin component in a therapeutically effective amount of less than 0.1% by weight of the composition. The weight ratio of the cyclosporin component to the hydrophobic component is less than 0.8. |
| US08629108B2 |
Rheumatoid arthritis T cell vaccine
Described herein is an activated synovial autoreactive T cell and compositions thereof. Methods or preparing T cell compositions that may be used for treating rheumatoid arthritis are also described. |
| US08629105B2 |
Pharmaceutical compositions for the treatment of movement disorders
The invention provides a pharmaceutical composition, medical food, dietary supplement or micronutrient for the treatment of a movement disorder comprising an NMDAR agonist or partial agonist as active ingredient therein in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. |
| US08629099B2 |
Ophthalmic compositions comprising a dipeptide
An ophthalmic composition comprising one or more antimicrobial components and a dipeptide. The dipeptide comprises a glycine moiety and another amino acid moiety other than glycine. The ophthalmic compositions include contact lens care solutions for cleaning and disinfecting contact lenses. |
| US08629092B2 |
Hard surface cleaning composition having a malodor control component and methods of cleaning hard surfaces
A hard surface cleaning composition comprising a malodor control component, and methods of cleaning hard surfaces are provided. In some embodiments, the hard surface cleaning composition comprises at least one volatile aldehyde and an acid catalyst. |
| US08629084B2 |
Iodine-phenyl-substituted cyclic cetoenols
The invention relates to novel iodophenyl-substituted cyclic ketenols of the formula (I) in which CKE, J, X and Y are as defined above, to a plurality of processes and intermediates for their preparation and to their use as pesticides and/or herbicides, and also to selective herbicidal compositions comprising firstly iodophenyl-substituted cyclic ketonols of the formula (I) and secondly at least one crop plant compatibility-improving compound. |
| US08629082B2 |
Heat-sensitive recording material
The present invention provides a heat-sensitive recording material that suffers no defective coating and is superior in color-exhibiting sensitivity, image quality, and chemical resistance. The heat-sensitive recording material successively comprising, on a support, an undercoat layer, a heat-sensitive recording layer containing a leuco dye and a developer, and a protective layer, wherein the heat-sensitive recording layer contains, as a main pigment, kaolin having an average particle diameter of 0.1 to 0.4 μm measured by a sedimentation method in an amount of 4 to 60 mass % based on a total solids content of the heat-sensitive recording layer, and wherein the heat-sensitive recording layer and the protective layer are formed by applying a heat-sensitive recording layer coating composition and a protective layer coating composition by a simultaneous multilayer curtain coating method, and drying resulting coatings. |
| US08629075B2 |
Solid titanium catalyst component, olefin polymerization catalyst, and process for producing olefin polymer
The present invention provides a process for producing an α-olefin polymer comprising polymerizing or copolymerizing (a) C3 or higher α-olefin(s) in the presence of an olefin polymerization catalyst comprising solid titanium catalyst component (I) containing titanium, magnesium, halogen, and a compound with a specific structure having two or more ether linkages and organometallic catalyst component (II) with high catalytic activity. In this process, particularly even in (co)polymerizing (a) higher olefin(s), demineralization is unnecessary. A 4-methyl-1-pentene-based polymer obtained by polymerization using the catalyst of the present invention is excellent in tacticity, transparency, heat resistance, and releasability, and the polymer is particularly suitable for a release film. |
| US08629073B2 |
Catalyst comprising an izm-2 zeolite and at least one metal, and its use in the transformation of hydrocarbons
A catalyst is described which comprises at least one IZM-2 zeolite, at least one matrix and at least one metal selected from metals from groups VIII, VIB and VIIB, said zeolite having a chemical composition expressed as the anhydrous base in terms of moles of oxides by the following general formula: XO2:aY2O3:bM2/nO, in which X represents at least one tetravalent element, Y represents at least one trivalent element and M is at least one alkali metal and/or alkaline-earth metal with valency n, a and b respectively representing the number of moles of Y2O3 and M2/nO; and a is in the range 0.001 to 0.5 and b is in the range 0 to 1. |
| US08629066B2 |
Liner formation in 3DIC structures
An integrated circuit structure includes a semiconductor substrate; a through-semiconductor via (TSV) opening extending into the semiconductor substrate; and a TSV liner in the TSV opening. The TSV liner includes a sidewall portion on a sidewall of the TSV opening and a bottom portion at a bottom of the TSV opening. The bottom portion of the TSV liner has a bottom height greater than a middle thickness of the sidewall portion of the TSV liner. |
| US08629063B2 |
Forming features on a substrate having varying feature densities
A method includes forming a cavity in a substrate, depositing a layer of conductive material in the cavity and over exposed portions of the substrate, removing portions of the conductive material to expose portions of the substrate using a planarizing process, and removing residual portions of the conductive material disposed on the substrate using a reactive ion etch (RIE) process. |
| US08629061B2 |
Method for three-dimensional packaging of electronic devices
An interposer is fabricated from a lamina. A donor body is provided, ions are implanted into a first surface of the donor body to define a cleave plane, a temporary carrier is separably contacted to the donor body, and the lamina is cleaved from the donor body. The lamina has front surface and a back surface, with a thickness from the front surface to the back surface. A via hole is formed in the lamina, where the via hole extends through the thickness of the lamina. The temporary carrier is removed from the lamina, and the lamina may be fabricated into an interposer for three-dimensional integrated circuit packages. |
| US08629060B2 |
Methods of forming through substrate interconnects
A method of forming a through substrate interconnect includes forming a via into a semiconductor substrate. The via extends into semiconductive material of the substrate. A liquid dielectric is applied to line at least an elevationally outermost portion of sidewalls of the via relative a side of the substrate from which the via was initially formed. The liquid dielectric is solidified within the via. Conductive material is formed within the via over the solidified dielectric and a through substrate interconnect is formed with the conductive material. |
| US08629053B2 |
Plasma treatment for semiconductor devices
A semiconductor device having a polymer layer and a method of fabricating the same is provided. A two-step plasma treatment for a surface of the polymer layer includes a first plasma process to roughen the surface of the polymer layer and loosen contaminants, and a second plasma process to make the polymer layer smoother or make the polymer layer less rough. An etch process may be used between the first plasma process and the second plasma process to remove the contaminants loosened by the first plasma process. In an embodiment, the polymer layer exhibits a surface roughness between about 1% and about 8% as measured by Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) with the index of surface area difference percentage (SADP) and/or has surface contaminants of less than about 1% of Ti, less than about 1% of F, less than about 1.5% Sn, and less than about 0.4% of Pb. |
| US08629052B2 |
Methods of forming semiconductor devices having narrow conductive line patterns
Semiconductor devices and methods of forming semiconductor devices are provided in which a plurality of patterns are simultaneously formed to have different widths and the pattern densities of some regions are increased using double patterning. The semiconductor device includes a plurality of conductive lines each including a first line portion and a second line portion, where the first line portion extends on a substrate in a first direction, the second line portion extends from one end of the first line portion in a second direction, and the first direction is different from the second direction; a plurality of contact pads each of which is connected with a respective conductive line of the plurality of conductive lines via the second line portion of the corresponding conductive line; and a plurality of dummy conductive lines each including a first dummy portion extending from a respective contact pad of the plurality of contact pads, in parallel with the corresponding second line portion in the second direction. |
| US08629049B2 |
Electrically programmable fuse using anisometric contacts and fabrication method
A fabrication method for fabricating an electrically programmable fuse method includes depositing a polysilicon layer on a substrate, patterning an anode contact region, a cathode contact region and a fuse link conductively connecting the cathode contact region with the anode contact region, which is programmable by applying a programming current, depositing a silicide layer on the polysilicon layer, and forming a plurality of anisometric contacts on the silicide layer of the cathode contact region and the anode contact region in a predetermined configuration, respectively. |
| US08629041B2 |
Method for manufacturing semiconductor device
According to one embodiment, a method is disclosed for manufacturing a semiconductor device. The method can include die bonding to bond a semiconductor element to a first position of a base member via a bonding layer provided on one surface of the semiconductor element. The method can include wire bonding to connect a terminal formed on the semiconductor element to a terminal formed on the base member by a bonding wire. In addition, the method can include sealing to seal the semiconductor element and the bonding wire. Viscosity of the bonding layer in the bonding is controlled not to exceed the viscosity of the bonding layer in the sealing. |
| US08629040B2 |
Methods for epitaxially growing active regions between STI regions
A method includes forming a hard mask over a substrate, patterning the hard mask to form a first plurality of trenches, and filling a dielectric material into the first plurality of trenches to form a plurality of dielectric regions. The hard mask is removed from between the plurality of dielectric regions, wherein a second plurality of trenches is left by the removed hard mask. An epitaxy step is performed to grow a semiconductor material in the second plurality of trenches. |
| US08629036B2 |
Integrated semiconductor devices with amorphous silicon beam, methods of manufacture and design structure
Bulk acoustic wave filters and/or bulk acoustic resonators integrated with CMOS processes, methods of manufacture and design structures are disclosed. The method includes forming at least one beam comprising amorphous silicon material and providing an insulator material over and adjacent to the amorphous silicon beam. The method further includes forming a via through the insulator material and exposing a material underlying the amorphous silicon beam. The method further includes providing a sacrificial material in the via and over the amorphous silicon beam. The method further includes providing a lid on the sacrificial material and over the insulator material. The method further includes venting, through the lid, the sacrificial material and the underlying material to form an upper cavity above the amorphous silicon beam and a lower cavity below the amorphous silicon beam, respectively. |
| US08629034B2 |
Nonvolatile memory element and production method thereof and storage memory arrangement
A nonvolatile memory element and associated production methods and memory element arrangements are presented. The nonvolatile memory element has a changeover material and a first and second electrically conductive electrode present at the changeover material. To reduce a forming voltage, a first electrode has a field amplifier structure for amplifying a field strength of an electric field generated by a second electrode in a changeover material. The field amplifier structure is a projection of the electrodes which projects into the changeover material. The memory element arrangement has multiple nonvolatile memory elements which are arranged in matrix form and can be addressed via bit lines arranged in column form and word lines arranged in row form. |
| US08629033B2 |
Method for manufacturing semiconductor device
A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device prevents a lower electrode from leaning, in a dip-out process of an interlayer insulation film forming a lower electrode. A conductive material of a lower electrode is used as a support layer instead of a conventional nitride film support layer. This prevents a crack from being generated in a nitride film support layer. A method for manufacturing the semiconductor device is also disclosed. |
| US08629031B2 |
Method for manufacturing SOI substrate and semiconductor device
It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for manufacturing an SOI substrate having an SOI layer that can be used in practical applications with high yield even when a flexible substrate such as a glass substrate or a plastic substrate is used. Further, it is another object of the present invention to provide a method for manufacturing a thin semiconductor device using such an SOI substrate with high yield. When a single-crystal semiconductor substrate is bonded to a flexible substrate having an insulating surface and the single-crystal semiconductor substrate is separated to manufacture an SOI substrate, one or both of bonding surfaces are activated, and then the flexible substrate having an insulating surface and the single-crystal semiconductor substrate are attached to each other. |
| US08629026B2 |
Source tip optimization for high voltage transistor devices
The present disclosure provides a method for fabricating a high-voltage semiconductor device. The method includes designating first, second, and third regions in a substrate. The first and second regions are regions where a source and a drain of the semiconductor device will be formed, respectively. The third region separates the first and second regions. The method further includes forming a slotted implant mask layer at least partially over the third region. The method also includes implanting dopants into the first, second, and third regions. The slotted implant mask layer protects portions of the third region therebelow during the implanting. The method further includes annealing the substrate in a manner to cause diffusion of the dopants in the third region. |
| US08629023B2 |
CMOS image sensor having double gate insulator therein and method for manufacturing the same
A method for manufacturing a CMOS image sensor includes: preparing a semiconductor substrate incorporating therein a p-type epitaxial layer by epitaxially growing up an upper portion of the semiconductor substrate; forming a pixel array in one predetermined location of the semiconductor substrate, the pixel array having a plurality of transistors and a photodiode therein, wherein each transistor employs a gate insulator with a thickness ranging from 40 Å to 90 Å; and forming a logic circuit in the other predetermined location of the semiconductor substrate, the logic circuit having at least one transistor, wherein the transistor employs a gate insulator with a thickness ranging from 5 Å to 40 Å. |
| US08629018B2 |
Methods of forming NAND memory constructions
Some embodiments include NAND memory constructions. The constructions may contain semiconductor material pillars extending upwardly between dielectric regions, with individual pillars having a pair of opposing vertically-extending sides along a cross-section. First conductivity type regions may be along first sides of the pillars, and second conductivity type regions may be along second sides of the individual pillars; with the second conductivity type regions contacting interconnect lines. Vertical NAND strings may be over the pillars, and select devices may selectively couple the NAND strings with the interconnect lines. The select devices may have vertical channels directly against the semiconductor material pillars and directly against upper regions of the first and second conductivity type regions. Some embodiments include methods of forming NAND memory constructions. |
| US08629015B2 |
Manufacturing of electronic components
According to an aspect of the invention, a method is provided for manufacturing electronic components. A conducting element comprising a first portion, a second portion and a third portion between the first portion and the second portion is provided. Thermally responsive dielectric material is added at least onto the third portion of the conducting element. Electric current is supplied between the first portion and the second portion of the conducting element causing ohmic heating to affix dielectric material located on the third portion to the third portion. Non-thermally-affixed dielectric material is removed. |
| US08629014B2 |
Replacement metal gate structures for effective work function control
A stack of a barrier metal layer and a first-type work function metal layer is deposited in replacement metal gate schemes. The barrier metal layer can be deposited directly on the gate dielectric layer. The first-type work function metal layer is patterned to be present only in regions of a first type field effect transistor. A second-type work function metal layer is deposited directly on the barrier metal layer in the regions of a second type field effect transistor. Alternately, the first-type work function layer can be deposited directly on the gate dielectric layer. The barrier metal layer is patterned to be present only in regions of a first type field effect transistor. A second-type work function metal layer is deposited directly on the gate dielectric layer in the regions of the second type field effect transistor. A conductive material fill and planarization form dual work function replacement gate structures. |
| US08629009B2 |
Programmable high-k/metal gate memory device
A method of fabricating a memory device is provided that may begin with forming a layered gate stack atop a semiconductor substrate and patterning a metal electrode layer stopping on the high-k gate dielectric layer of the layered gate stack to provide a first metal gate electrode and a second metal gate electrode on the semiconductor substrate. In a next process sequence, at least one spacer is formed on the first metal gate electrode atop a portion of the high-k gate dielectric layer, wherein a remaining portion of the high-k gate dielectric is exposed. The remaining portion of the high-k gate dielectric layer is etched to provide a first high-k gate dielectric having a portion that extends beyond a sidewall of the first metal gate electrode and a second high-k gate dielectric having an edge that is aligned to a sidewall of the second metal gate electrode. |
| US08629006B2 |
Hybrid integrated circuits and their methods of fabrication
The present invention provides architectures for hybrid integrated circuits and methods for producing these hybrid integrated circuits that contain both field programmable gate arrays and mask programmable gate arrays, a form of application specific integrated circuits. Methods for producing an integrated circuit that is field programmable as well as mask programmable include the steps of: designing wafer bank layers and finishing layers, where the wafer bank layers provide a plurality of selectable functional blocks; fabricating said wafer bank layers; designing mask programmed interconnect layers for said integrated circuit, where the interconnect layers interconnect selected ones of the plurality of functional blocks from the wafer bank layers; fabricating the interconnect layers on the wafer bank layers; and fabricating the finishing layers on the interconnect layers to produce the integrated circuit. Architectures for these integrated circuits can contain a field programmable gate array that is integrated with a mask programmable gate array in a ring structure. |
| US08628998B2 |
Annealing methods for backside illumination image sensor chips
A method includes performing a grinding on a backside of a semiconductor substrate. An image sensor is disposed on a front side of the semiconductor substrate. An impurity is doped into a surface layer of the backside of the semiconductor substrate to form a doped layer. A multi-cycle laser anneal is performed on the doped layer. |
| US08628997B2 |
Method and device for cadmium-free solar cells
A method for fabricating a thin film photovoltaic device is provided. The method includes providing a substrate comprising a thin film photovoltaic absorber which has a surface including copper, indium, gallium, selenium, and sulfur. The method further includes subjecting the surface to a material containing at least a zinc species substantially free of any cadmium. The surface is heated to cause formation of a zinc doped material. The zinc doped material is free from cadmium. Furthermore the method includes forming a zinc oxide material overlying the zinc doped material and forming a transparent conductive material overlying the zinc oxide material. |
| US08628990B1 |
Image device and methods of forming the same
A photodetector is formed in a front surface of a substrate. The substrate is thinned from a back surface of the substrate. A plurality of dopants is introduced into the thinned substrate from the back surface. The plurality of dopants in the thinned substrate is annealed. An anti-reflective layer is deposited over the back surface of the thinned substrate. A micro lens is formed over the anti-reflective layer. At least one ultraviolet (UV) radiation treatment is performed after at least one of the preceding steps. |
| US08628985B2 |
Light emitting devices with improved light extraction efficiency
Light emitting devices with improved light extraction efficiency are provided. The light emitting devices have a stack of layers including semiconductor layers comprising an active region. The stack is bonded to a transparent lens having a refractive index for light emitted by the active region preferably greater than about 1.5, more preferably greater than about 1.8. A method of bonding a transparent lens to a light emitting device having a stack of layers including semiconductor layers comprising an active region includes elevating a temperature of the lens and the stack and applying a pressure to press the lens and the stack together. Bonding a high refractive index lens to a light emitting device improves the light extraction efficiency of the light emitting device by reducing loss due to total internal reflection. Advantageously, this improvement can be achieved without the use of an encapsulant. |
| US08628984B2 |
Light-emitting diode (LED) package systems
A package system includes a substrate having at least one first thermally conductive structure through the substrate. At least one second thermally conductive structure is disposed over the at least one first thermally conductive structure. At least one light-emitting diode (LED) is disposed over the at least one second thermally conductive structure. |
| US08628981B2 |
Method of manufacturing a ferroelectric-capacitor memory device including recovery annealing
In a manufacturing method of a semiconductor device, a first insulating film covering a ferroelectric capacitor is formed, and a first opening that has a relatively large diameter and reaches an electrode of the ferroelectric capacitor is formed in the first insulating film, and then recovery annealing of the ferroelectric capacitor is performed, and thereby, a path for oxygen can be secured in performing the recovery annealing, and the sufficient recovery annealing can be performed without causing problems during a manufacturing process. |
| US08628980B2 |
Optical microlabels: shapes and reflectors
Labels and methods of producing labels for use in clinical, analytical and pharmaceutical development assays are provided. Labels may comprise shape-encoded particles which may be coupled to ligands such as DNA, RNA and antibodies, where different shapes are used to identify which ligand(s) are present. Labels may also comprise reflectors, including retroreflectors and retroreflectors susceptible to analyte-dependent assembly for efficient homogeneous assays. |
| US08628978B2 |
Responsive luminescent lanthanide complexes
A compound of formula (I) is provided: wherein: R1 is an optionally substituted 2-(1-azathiaxanthone); each —R2 is independently of the formula —CH2—C(═O)—R4, wherein R4 is an amino acid or a salt thereof, attached to the remainder of R2 through the nitrogen atom of the amino group; and R3 is hydrogen or a C1-6 alkyl group; or wherein: R1 is an optionally substituted 2-(1-azaxanthone); each R2 is independently an optionally substituted glutaric or succinic acid, or a salt or ester thereof; and R3 is hydrogen or a C1-6 alkyl group. |
| US08628976B2 |
Method for the detection of biologic particle contamination
Methods for detecting particles in a fluid, including determining particle size and intrinsic fluorescence of a particle, and time correlating the particle detection data with image data in the vicinity of the detector or detector inlet to identify contamination sources in clean environments are described. |
| US08628975B2 |
Methods and kits using extended rhodamine dyes
Extended rhodamine compounds exhibiting favorable fluorescence characteristics having the structure are disclosed. In addition, novel intermediates for synthesis of these dyes are disclosed, such intermediates having the structure In addition, methods of making and using the dyes as fluorescent labels are disclosed. |
| US08628972B2 |
Microfluidic devices and methods for malaria detection
A device for identifying infection by the malaria parasite includes a microfluidic device having an inlet and an outlet and a diagnostic channel interposed between the inlet and the outlet. The diagnostic channel includes a contact surface and a sample pump configured to pump a RBC-containing sample into the inlet. The contact surface may be at least one of hydrophilic and roughened. Malaria infected RBCs (miRBCs) interact with the contact surface and become immobilized thereon whereas non-infected RBCs continue to flow downstream in the diagnostic channel. |
| US08628971B2 |
Systems and methods for managing inventories of reagents
A system for managing the inventory of reagents for a laboratory automation system. The system for managing the inventory of reagents comprises a controller, software for the controller, and a refrigerator capable of refrigerating reagents, detecting the presence or absence of reagents in the refrigerator, and detecting the location of reagents in the refrigerator. The system for managing the inventory of reagents is connected to a laboratory automation system. The laboratory automation system comprises at least one clinical analyzer. A typical system for managing inventories of reagents includes an operator interface for the loading of boxes of reagents and other supplies, radio frequency identification system for identification of inventory and tracking, robotic mechanisms for loading containers onto the track system and removing containers from the track system, de-capping equipment, refrigeration equipment, and information technology connections to laboratory analyzers and vendors. |
| US08628970B1 |
Method for estimating processability of a hydrocarbon-containing feedstock for hydroprocessing
Disclosed herein is a method involving the steps of (a) precipitating an amount of asphaltenes from a liquid sample of a first hydrocarbon-containing feedstock having solvated asphaltenes therein with one or more first solvents in a column; (b) determining one or more solubility characteristics of the precipitated asphaltenes; (c) analyzing the one or more solubility characteristics of the precipitated asphaltenes; and (d) correlating a measurement of feedstock reactivity for the first hydrocarbon-containing feedstock sample with a mathematical parameter derived from the results of analyzing the one or more solubility characteristics of the precipitated asphaltenes. Determined parameters and processabilities for a plurality of feedstocks can be used to generate a mathematical relationship between parameter and processability; this relationship can be used to estimate the processability for hydroprocessing for a feedstock of unknown processability. |
| US08628967B2 |
Process for chromosomal integration and DNA sequence replacement in clostridia
The present invention is related to a new method for replacing or deleting DNA sequences in Clostridia, with high efficiency, easy to perform and applicable at an industrial level. This method is useful to modify several genetic loci in Clostridia in a routine manner. This method is based on a replicative vector carrying at least two marker genes. |
| US08628966B2 |
CD34-derived recombinant adeno-associated vectors for stem cell transduction and systemic therapeutic gene transfer
Novel adeno-associated virus (AAV) isolates in nucleotide and amino acid forms and uses thereof are provided. The isolates show tropism for certain target tissues, such as blood stem cells, liver, heart and joint tissue, and may be used to transduce stem cells for introduction of genes of interest into the target tissues. Discrete modified portions of the cap gene, VP1, VP2, and VP3, may be used alone or in combination in the present methods. |
| US08628965B2 |
Composition of cultured grape cells
A pharmaceutical or nutraceutical composition comprising a cell line callus culture of grape berry cells grown in vitro, whereby the cell line callus culture of grape berry cells is derived from one or more of grape-berry cross section, grape-berry skin, grape-berry flesh, grape seed, grape embryo of seeded or seedless cultivars or grape seed coat. |
| US08628961B2 |
Small molecule antagonists of phosphatidylinositol-3,4,5-triphosphate (PIP3) and uses thereof
Disclosed are new members of a class of non-lipid small molecule inhibitors which interfere with the interaction between phosphoinositol-3,4,5-triphosphate (PIP3) and pleckstrin homology (PH) domains. These molecules target a broad range of PIP3-dependent signaling events in vitro and exert significant anti-tumor activity in vivo, with improved activity and selectivity toward particular PH domains. The small molecule inhibitors of the invention can be used alone or together with tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) or other cancer medicament to treat cancer. Small molecule inhibitors of the invention act synergistically in combination with TRAIL and with other Akt inhibitors in treating cancer. Pharmaceutical compositions and methods for treating cancer are provided. |
| US08628960B2 |
Desiccated biologics and methods of preparing the same
The present invention provides compositions comprising desiccated biologics comprising a cell, protein, virus, nucleic acid, carbohydrate, or lipid, or any combination thereof, along with at least one membrane penetrable sugar, and at least one membrane impenetrable sugar, wherein the moisture content is from 5% to 95%, and to methods of preparing the same, and to methods of treating animals using the same. |
| US08628955B2 |
Compositions, methods and uses for biosynthetic plasmid integrated capture elements
Embodiments herein report compositions, systems and methods for making and using plasmid vectors and nanotube complexes. In certain embodiments, compositions, systems and methods herein include making plasmid vectors having aptamer inserts. In some embodiments, methods disclosed herein may be used to rapidly generate large quantities of plasmid vectors having aptamer inserts directed to a particular target agent. Other aspects concern plasmid constructs associated with organic semiconductors. Yet other aspects concern complexes of nanotubes associated with dsDNA aptamers and tracking molecules. |
| US08628954B2 |
Expression cassette, use of the expression cassette, vector, host cell, a method for producing a polypeptide
The subject matters of invention relate to expression cassette, use of the expression cassette, vector, host cell, a method for producing a polypeptide ensuring its stable expression by the prokaryotic host as well as an use of the expression cassette. The invention enables stable expression of the target polypeptide, in systems where DNA-dependent RNA polymerase recognizes promoter regulating synthesis of target protein as well as selection marker, which is required for survival of the host. |
| US08628947B2 |
Potomac horse fever isolates
The present invention discloses novel isolates of Neorickettsia risticii, compositions comprising such isolates, vaccines and methods for using such vaccines against Potomac Horse Fever. |
| US08628946B2 |
Phl p 5a derivatives having reduced allergeneity and retained T-cell reactivity
The present invention relates to the preparation and use of variants of the group 5 allergen of the Pooideae which are characterized by reduced IgE reactivity compared with the known wild-type allergens and at the same time by substantially retained reactivity with T lymphocytes. These hypoallergenic allergen variants can be employed for the specific immunotherapy (hyposensitization) of patients having grass pollen allergy or for the preventative immunotherapy of grass pollen allergies. |
| US08628941B2 |
L-amino acid-producing bacterium and a method for producing L-amino acid
Coryneform bacteria are described that have an ability to produce L-amino acids and are modified so that acetyl-CoA hydrolase activity is decreased. The bacteria are used to produce L-amino acids generated by a biosynthetic pathway in which pyruvic acid is an intermediate, such as L-glutamic acid, L-arginine, L-glutamine, L-proline, L-alanine, L-valine, and L-lysine. |
| US08628940B2 |
Intermittent detection during analytical reactions
Methods, devices, and systems for performing intermittent detection during analytical reactions are provided. Such methods facilitate collection of reaction data from disparate reaction times. Further, such methods are useful for reducing photo-induced damage of one or more reactants in an illuminated analytical reaction at a given reaction time. In preferred embodiments, the reaction mixture is subjected to at least one illuminated and non-illuminated period and allowed to proceed such that the time in which the reaction mixture is illuminated is less than a photo-induced damage threshold period. |
| US08628939B2 |
Expression vector containing the major envelope protein P9 of cystovirus PHI6 as a fusion partner, and process for producing a membrane protein using the same
The present invention relates to a membrane protein expression vector containing the major envelope protein P9 of Cystovirus phi6 as a fusion partner, to cells transformed by the expression vector, and to a process for producing membrane proteins using the cells. Target proteins can be effectively expressed by the expression vector of the present invention. |
| US08628937B2 |
Vaccines with enhanced immune response and methods for their preparation
The present invention is concerned with vaccines and their preparation. An effective long-term immune response, especially in mammals, can be produced using a vaccine comprising an antigen encapsulated in liposomes, a suitable adjuvant and a carrier comprising a continuous phase of a hydrophobic substance. The vaccine is particularly effective in eliciting the production of antibodies that recognize epitopes of native proteins. |
| US08628934B2 |
System and method for quantifying fragile X mental retardation 1 protein in tissue and blood samples
A system and method for the detection and quantification of fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP) in human tissue and blood samples. The system includes several high avidity monoclonal antibodies that may be provided on Xmap microspheres to capture FMRP from a tissue or blood specimen. The resulting complex is reacted with a polyclonal anti-FMRP rabbit antibody and then mixed with an anti-rabbit IgG antibody conjugated to phycoerythrin. Fluorescence emitted from the resulting complex is a function of the amount of FMRP present in the specimen. |
| US08628932B2 |
Methods of detecting antibodies specific for denatured HLA antigens
The invention is directed to methods of screening for HLA antibodies comprising detecting antibodies specific for native HLA antigens and denatured HLA antigens. The invention also provides for methods of removing antibodies specific for denatured HLA antigens or antibodies specific for native HLA antigens from a serum sample. In addition, the invention also provides for method of predicting whether a transplant recipient has an increased risk for rejecting the transplanted organ. |
| US08628930B2 |
Use of megalin in urine as marker for detecting renal disorder
This invention provides a simple means for detecting a renal disorder, a diagnostic marker for a renal disorder that enables prognostic prediction of a renal disorder (e.g., diabetic nephropathy and IgA nephropathy) and evaluation of the degree of nephropathy at the phase of stage-II diabetic nephropathy by measuring the megalin level in urine associated with a renal disorder used for the detection means, and use of such marker. The invention also provides the use of human megalin obtained from the urine sample of a subject as a marker for detecting a renal disorder. |
| US08628929B2 |
Methods for detecting cardiac damage
The present invention relates to a method for detecting heart damage in a patient. The invention also relates to methods for treatment of patients identified as having heart damage. The invention further pertains to methods for evaluating the efficacy of an ongoing therapeutic regimen designated to treat a damaged heart in a patient. |
| US08628927B2 |
Monitoring health and disease status using clonotype profiles
There is a need for improved methods for determining the diagnosis and prognosis of patients with conditions, including autoimmune disease and cancer, especially lymphoid neoplasms, such as lymphomas and leukemias. Provided herein are methods for using DNA sequencing to identify personalized, or patient-specific biomarkers in patients with lymphoid neoplasms, autoimmune disease and other conditions. Identified biomarkers can be used to determine and/or monitor the disease state for a subject with an associated lymphoid disorder or autoimmune disease or other condition. In particular, the invention provides a sensitive method for monitoring lymphoid neoplasms that undergo clonal evolutions without the need to development alternative assays for the evolved or mutated clones serving as patient-specific biomarkers. |
| US08628923B2 |
Single cell nucleic acid analysis
The present invention provides methods for analysis of genomic DNA and/or RNA from small samples or even single cells. Methods for analyzing genomic DNA can entail whole genome amplification (WGA), followed by preamplification and amplification of selected target nucleic acids. Methods for analyzing RNA can entail reverse transcription of the desired RNA, followed by preamplification and amplification of selected target nucleic acids. |
| US08628922B2 |
Screening method for cell aging
The present invention relates to a method for increasing the chronological lifespan of a cell comprising disrupting the function of at least one of the SAGA1 SLIK and/or SALSA complexes in said cell. |
| US08628917B2 |
Genes of an otitis media isolate of nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae
The invention relates to the polynucleotide sequence of a nontypeable stain of Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) and polypeptides encoded by the polynucleotides and uses thereof. The invention also relates to NTHi genes which are upregulated during or in response to NTHi infection of the middle ear and/or the nasopharynx. |
| US08628914B2 |
Quantitative helicase assay
Disclosed herein are methods and kits relating to detection and quantitation of helicase activity. |
| US08628908B2 |
Chemically amplified resist composition and patterning process
A chemically amplified resist composition is provided comprising (A) a specific tertiary amine compound, (B) a specific acid generator, (C) a base resin having an acidic functional group protected with an acid labile group, which is substantially insoluble in alkaline developer and turns soluble in alkaline developer upon deprotection of the acid labile group, and (D) an organic solvent. The resist composition has a high resolution, improved defect control in the immersion lithography, and good shelf stability. |
| US08628903B2 |
Electrostatic charge image developing toner, electrostatic charge image developer, toner cartridge, process cartridge, image forming apparatus, and image forming method
An electrostatic charge image developing toner includes: a polyester resin containing a graft copolymer, the graft copolymer being formed with a polyester skeleton as a main chain and block copolymers containing a styrene-based polymer block and a crystalline acrylate-based polymer block. The styrene-based polymer block is grafted onto the polyester skeleton. |
| US08628902B2 |
Polyester resin for toner, toner, developer, toner cartridge, process cartridge, and image forming apparatus
A polyester resin for a toner containing: a repeating unit derived from a dicarboxylic acid component; and a repeating unit derived from a diol component represented by Formula (1): wherein each of R1 and R2 independently represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, each of L1, L2 and L3 independently represents a divalent linking group selected from the group consisting of carbonyl groups, ester groups, ether groups, sulfonyl groups, substituted or unsubstituted chained alkylene groups, substituted or unsubstituted cyclic alkylene groups, substituted or unsubstituted arylene groups, and combinations thereof, L1 and L2 or L1 and L3 optionally forms a ring, and each of A1 and A2 independently represents a rosin ester group. |
| US08628896B2 |
Member for masking film, process for producing masking film using the same, and process for producing photosensitive resin printing plate
A member for masking films including a base film transparent to ultraviolet rays, an ultraviolet-shielding resin layer capable of being removed by irradiation with a laser light beam and having an average thickness of 0.1 to 30 μm, and a protective layer having a thickness of 0.05 to 1.5 μm and comprising, as a resin component, a polyester-base resin having a glass-transition temperature of not less than 40° C. laminated to a surface of the outermost layer of the ultraviolet-shielding resin layer, wherein the ultraviolet-shielding resin layer is a multilayer structure composed of two or more layers including a resin layer (A) having a high carbon black content and a resin layer (B) having a low carbon black content, the layer (A) and the layer (B) being located on the base-film side and on the printing-plate side of the ultraviolet-shielding resin layer, respectively. |
| US08628878B2 |
Hooked retainer for electrode body in rechargeable battery
A battery includes a case defining an inner space, the case having an inner wall, an electrode assembly in the inner space, the electrode assembly including an uncoated region, a lead tab configured to carry electricity, the lead tab being connected to the uncoated region, and a retainer, the retainer being joined to the lead tab and disposed between the electrode assembly and the inner wall, the retainer having a predetermined thickness. |
| US08628877B2 |
Method and device for making electric energy storage assemblies
The invention relates to a method for making an electric energy storage assembly (1) including a cylindrical coil member (10) having a current collecting section at each end thereof, wherein the method comprises the step of radially coating at least one current collecting section at the end thereof from the center to the periphery of the end of the collecting section. The invention also relates to a device for implementing said method and to a storage assembly obtained by said method. |
| US08628875B2 |
Battery module with multi-level connector
An embodiment is directed to a battery module, including a first battery having a first terminal, the first terminal including a first metal, a second battery having a second terminal, the second terminal including a second metal different from the first metal, and a connecting member electrically connecting the first terminal to the second terminal, the connecting member having a first portion and a second portion, a face of the first portion being joined to a face of the second portion, a nugget zone being disposed where the face of the first portion meets the face of the second portion, the first portion including a third metal, the second portion including a fourth metal, and the fourth metal being different from the third metal. |
| US08628873B2 |
Separator for lithium ion secondary battery and method for manufacturing the same
A separator for a lithium ion secondary battery with an alloy based negative electrode, wherein a dynamic friction coefficient of at least one surface is 0.1 or more and 0.4 or less, and a method for manufacturing the same. |
| US08628868B2 |
Fluorinated polytetramethylene glycol (PTMG) with diepoxide endgroups as magnetic lubricants
A surface agent includes two end portions and a middle portion disposed between the end portions. The end portions include a terminal section and a midsection. The terminal section includes at least one surface active functional group. The midsection includes at least one perfluoroethyl ether unit. The middle portion includes at least one perfluorobutyl ether unit. |
| US08628857B2 |
Ballistic plate and method of fabrication thereof
A composite material plate comprising a plurality of hard ceramic stubs with silicon rich metal inclusions in a metal-ceramic, heterogeneous poly-phase matrix and a method of fabrication thereof comprising the steps of fabricating green ceramic stubs; densifying; optionally wrapping carbon fibers therearound and arranging the green ceramic stubs into a closely packed array with organic binder, pyrrolizing andImpregnating a silicon based metal matrix by reactive sintering. |
| US08628854B2 |
Electro-conductive member, process cartridge, and electrophotographic apparatus
To suppress an excessive reduction in resistance of an electro-conductive roller under an H/H environment and reduce a resistance value thereof under an L/L environment, provided is an electro-conductive member for electrophotography, comprising: an electro-conductive mandrel; and an electro-conductive layer provided on a periphery of the mandrel, wherein the electro-conductive layer contains a binder resin having an alkylene oxide structure, and a sulfo or a quaternary ammonium group as an ion exchange group, and an ion having polarity opposite to polarity of the ion exchange group, a water content of the electro-conductive layer under a temperature of 30° C. and a relative humidity of 80% is 10 mass % or less, and a spin-spin relaxation time of the electro-conductive layer, which is determined by pulse NMR measurement with a hydrogen core being a measurement core under a temperature of 15° C. and a relative humidity of 10%, is 200 μsec or more. |
| US08628849B2 |
Method for preparing purified pyrocatechol
The subject of the present invention is a method for preparing pyrocatechol from which the impurities resulting from the method for the preparation thereof have been removed. The method for preparing purified pyrocatechol from a crude pyrocatechol containing essentially pyrocatechol, small amounts of impurities including dihydroxybenzoquinone, and traces of hydroquinone and of phenolic compounds, is characterized in that it comprises at least the following steps: dissolution of the crude pyrocatechol in water, crystallization of the pyrocatechol, separation of the purified pyrocatechol and, optionally, a step of drying the purified pyrocatechol. The method of the invention may include other steps and, depending on the embodiment chosen, that may comprise a different series of steps, it is possible to obtain pyrocatechol with various degrees of purity. |
| US08628848B2 |
Plastic filmic label and a use of a plastic film for a filmic label
A filmic label including a face material having a front side, a reverse side and an adhesive layer including pressure sensitive adhesive on the reverse side of the face material. The face material includes at least one surface layer on at least one side of at least one central layer. The at least one central layer includes cavities that have been initiated at initiation sites by stretching the face material in a longitudinal direction and in a cross direction. The cavities have been expanded in a thickness direction of the face material by allowing a gaseous substance to have an effect on the at least one central layer. Also a method for forming a plastic film for a filmic label. |
| US08628844B2 |
Water-soluble substrate with resistance to dissolution prior to being immersed in water
A water-soluble substrate, and more particularly a water-soluble substrate that is resistant to contact with small amounts of water, and methods of making the same are disclosed. A coating which is less water-soluble than the water-soluble substrate and in the form of particles, is applied to and substantially covers at least one surface of the water-soluble substrate. The weight ratio of coating to water-soluble substrate is higher than 0.8. Articles, such as pouches, made from the water-soluble substrate, are also disclosed herein. |
| US08628842B2 |
Fiber-reinforced molded product and method for manufacturing the same
An object is to provide a fiber-reinforced molded product that is superior in terms of lightness, thinness and high rigidity. A fiber-reinforced molded product has a core material 11 and a fiber-reinforced material 21 provided on both surfaces of the core material 11. The core material 11 is formed by impregnating a thermosetting resin foam having open cells with a first thermosetting resin and curing the thermosetting resin while compressing the impregnated thermosetting resin foam with a compression rate of 200 to 5000. The fiber-reinforced material 21 is formed by impregnating a carbon fiber fabric with a second thermosetting resin and curing the second thermosetting resin. A resin ratio of the first and second thermosetting resins after the impregnation is 50 to 80. The core material 11 and the fiber-reinforced material 21 are formed as a unitary body by curing the first and second thermosetting resins. |
| US08628839B2 |
Recording medium
A recording medium comprising a magnetic material inside, and having a Taber abrasion amount of 10 mg or less. Also provided is a recording medium comprising a magnetic material inside, and having, in an environment of 23° C. and 50% RH, a surface electroresistivity of 1×109 Ω/sq to 2×1011 Ω/sq and a volume electroresistivity of 1×1010 Ωcm to 2×1012 Ωcm. |
| US08628833B2 |
Stackable ink-jet media
A print medium for ink-jet printing comprises a base substrate, a micro-porous ink-receiving layer, and a backing layer. The base substrate can include raw base paper and a moisture barrier layer between the raw base paper and ink receiving layer. The ink-receiving layer can be a micro-porous type, and can be applied onto the moisture barrier at the first side of the base substrate and the backing layer can be applied to a second side of the base substrate. The backing layer can include an extruded coated polymer layer and can be configured to transport solvent vapor to the base substrate at the rate of at least 15 g/m2/24 hr. |
| US08628827B2 |
Anticorrosion coating composition in aqueous dispersion comprising an organic titanate and/or zirconate
Anticorrosion coating compositions for metallic parts based on particulate metal in aqueous dispersion are described. The compositions include an organic titanate or zirconate compatible in aqueous phase or in organic phase, an optional silane-based binder, and water. Also described are methods of forming anticorrosion coatings for metallic parts obtained from the noted coating compositions as well as a metallic substrate provided with the anticorrosion coating. The anticorrosion coatings exhibit excellent corrosion resistance upon baking at temperatures greater than 180° C. and up to 350° C. |
| US08628824B2 |
Manufacture method for forming antique color on metal surface
A manufacture method for forming an antique color on a metal surface includes a metal surface treatment step, a first spraying step, a rubbing step, a second spraying step and a surface drying step. A paint used in the second spraying step is a color and light-permeable powder paint. Thus, a metal color, obtained after the rubbing step, and a color of the powder paint appear the antique color, such as an antique copper color or an antique silver color. Furthermore, the surface drying step homogenizes the powder paint and enhances protection and uniformity of the metal surface. |
| US08628822B2 |
Hybrid solid supports useful for oligonucleotide production
A method for preparing a crosslinked polymer coated controlled porosity glass (CPG) particle is provided. The method involves mixing CPG particles in a solution comprising polyvinylbenzylchloride and a first solvent at a temperature below 10° C. A second solvent is added and a crosslinking agent is added to the mixture. The first solvent is removed rapidly within 1½ hours of addition of the crosslinking agent. The crosslinking reaction is permitted to proceed and the mixture is then cooled and treated to remove any remaining solvent. The resulting coated CPG particles are washed and dried. Also provided a polymer coated CPG particles using for loading ligand thereon. |
| US08628820B2 |
Reflective article and method of making a reflective article
A reflective article, such as a solar mirror, includes a highly transparent substrate having a first major surface and a second major surface. At least one reflective coating is formed over at least a portion of one of the surfaces, e.g., the second major surface (or, alternatively, the first major surface). The reflective coating includes at least one metallic layer. An encapsulation structure can be formed over at least a portion of the second reflective coating. |
| US08628818B1 |
Conductive pattern formation
A system and method for forming conductive lines on a substrate comprising depositing a precursor onto at least a portion of the substrate, depositing a thin layer of conductive material over the precursor, forming a negative-patterned mask over a portion of the thin layer of conductive material to form an exposed pattern, forming conductive lines in the exposed pattern, removing the patterned mask thereby uncovering an exposed portion of the conductive layer that substantially corresponds to the negative pattern portion, and removing the exposed portion of the conductive layer so as to uncover substrate that substantially corresponds to the exposed portion. |
| US08628813B2 |
Method of making brewed coffee with a folded stand
A method for making fresh brewed coffee includes the steps of providing a folded free standing stand, manually unfolding the stand into a free standing configuration, mounted a coffee filter in the stand, placing coffee grounds in the stand, placing a cup on the stand beneath the coffee filter, and pouring water through the coffee grounds and filter into the cup. The stand includes four pivotally connected articulating members of similar shape and dimension. |
| US08628810B2 |
Simple mozzarella cheese-making methods
The invention provides mozzarella cheese of uniform composition that is readily and inexpensively made by acidifying milk prior to beginning the cheese making process. The cheese has excellent melting properties and can be used on a variety of food products (e.g. pizza). No cooking, stretching and aging of the cheese is needed during production to improve the taste or melting properties of the cheese. |
| US08628801B2 |
Pegylated nanoparticles
The present invention relates to nanoparticles comprising a biodegradable polymer, preferably the vinyl methyl ether and maleic anhydride (PVM/MA) copolymer, and a polyethylene glycol or derivatives thereof. These nanoparticles are easy to produce and provide excellent bioadhesion, size and zeta potential characteristics making them suitable for the administration of active molecules. The selection of the type of polyethylene glycol used in their production allows suitably modulating the characteristics of these nanoparticles, which can be advantageously used according to the type of drug to be carried and/or the method of administration of the pharmaceutical formulation. pegylation is carried out by simple incubation for a short time period of the two macromolecules in question, without needing to have to resort to the use of organic solvents with high toxicity or long and laborious organic synthesis processes. Furthermore, the pegylation process can be associated to the process of encapsulating the biologically active molecule. |
| US08628797B2 |
Oral extended-release composition
The invention is directed to controlled release formulations containing drugs which are preferably considered sparingly soluble to insoluble and which are suitable for administration to a patient in need of treatment related thereto, and methods of manufacturing the same. |
| US08628794B2 |
Palatable ductile chewable veterinary composition
The present invention is directed to palatable ductile chewable veterinary composition for oral administration. The composition is capable of killing endo-parasites and ecto-parasites and/or can be used for treating prophylactic or curative animal diseases, and it is useful for the treatment of any warm-blooded non-human animal, including herd animals, like horses, cattle, sheep or poultry and preferably pets like dogs and cats. It consists basically of (A) an effective amount of one or more ingredients that are active against animal pests, pathogens or animal diseases; (B) meat flavoring; (C) partially gelatinized starch; (D) a softener; and (E) up to 9% water. |
| US08628789B2 |
Strong reversible hydrogels
The present invention relates to improved hydrogel materials using water gellants that are comprised of polymer backbones P to which hydrogen bonding 4H-units are covalently attached via a hydrophobic linker L. Optionally, the hydrogel contains additional ingredients or additives. These new reversible hydrogels can easily be fine-tuned in their mechanical performance and function and are especially suitable for biomedical applications. |
| US08628788B2 |
Formulations containing a non-oxidative biocide and a source of active halogen and use thereof in water treatment
Novel formulations containing a non-oxidative biocide, such as DBNPA, and a source of an in situ produced active biocide, such as a concentrated aqueous solution of an inorganic halide salt, are disclosed. These novel formulations are particularly effective in the treatment of water, and are characterized by high stability, desirable rheological properties and an excellent biocidal activity. |
| US08628787B2 |
Method for producing a device applicable to biological tissues, particularly a patch for treating damaged tissues, and a device obtained by said method
The present invention relates to a device consisting of cross-linked nanofibrillary fibrin supported on and rooted to a microporous nonwoven fabric consisting of a biocompatible synthetic polymer material. An active ingredient is advantageously dispersed in the fibrin layer. The fibrin layer does not have a haemostatic function, but is suitable for retaining the active ingredient and releasing it with controlled kinetics. The device forming the object of the invention, preferably in the form of patches, is useful for in vitro cell cultures or for treating tissues damaged by wounds or necrosis, such as cardiac walls bearing the sequelae of infarction, or a tissue damaged by a diabetic ulcer. The patch according to the invention can be manufactured by inducing the polymerisation of the fibrin, under suitable conditions, directly on the support layer, which is suitably impregnated with thrombin (at least in a superficial portion of its thickness), and which has been conveniently prepared by means of a spray phase-inversion technique. |
| US08628785B2 |
Method for augmenting the immunogenicity of an antigen
The present invention relates to a method for augmenting the immunogenicity of an antigen in a mammal, comprising immunizing the mammal with a composition comprising the antigen, and an adjuvant in an amount of effective to augment the immunogenicity of said antigen, wherein the adjuvant comprises a Ling-Zhi-8 (LZ-8) protein. |
| US08628783B2 |
Method for growing fibroblasts
A method for reducing the occurrence of wrinkles in skin caused by aging by promoting the growth of fibroblasts, which have a declined cellular proliferative potential due to aging or adverse affects from ultraviolet light or active oxygen. The method includes the steps of providing an agent that contains a yeast extract and a safflower extract as effective constituents, and applying the agent to skin to promote the growth of fibroblasts. |
| US08628782B2 |
Deletion of the beta 20-21 loop in HIV gp120 exposes the CD4 binding site for improved antibody binding and antibody induction
Disclosed herein are isolated immunogens including variant gp120 polypeptides. In an example, a variant gp120 polypeptide includes a deletion of at least 8 consecutive residues of the fourth conserved loop (C4) between residues 419 and 434 of gp120 according to HXB2 numbering. Also provided are isolated nucleic acid molecules encoding the disclosed isolated immunogens. In an example, an isolated nucleic acid molecule further includes a nucleic acid molecule encoding a hepatitis B surface antigen or a variant thereof. Compositions including the isolated immunogens including variant gp120 polypeptides are also disclosed. In some examples, a composition further includes a carrier protein, such as a hepatitis B surface antigen or a variant thereof (natural or recombinant). Viral-like particles are also provided including any of the disclosed isolated immunogens or compositions. Also disclosed are uses of these variant gp120 polypeptides and nucleic acids encoding variant polypeptides, such as to induce an immune response to HIV-1. |
| US08628779B2 |
Recombinant protein carrying human papillomavirus epitopes inserted in an adenylate cyclase protein or fragment thereof. therapeutic uses thereof
The invention relates to a recombinant protein comprising one or several polypeptides bearing one or several epitopes of one or several HPV antigens, said polypeptides being inserted in the same or different permissive sites of an adenylate cyclase (CyaA) protein or of a fragment thereof, wherein said CyaA fragment retains the property of said adenylate cyclase protein to target Antigen Presenting Cells. It also concerns polynucleotides encoding the same. The recombinant protein or the polynucleotide can be used for the design of therapeutic means against HPV infection or against its malignant effects. |
| US08628777B2 |
Antibodies binding IL-1 related polypeptides
The present invention is directed to novel polypeptides having homology to the IL-1-like family of proteins and to nucleic acid molecules encoding those polypeptides. Also provided herein are vectors and host cells comprising those nucleic acid sequences, chimeric polypeptide molecules comprising the polypeptides of the present invention fused to heterologous polypeptide sequences, antibodies which bind to the polypeptides of the present invention, and methods for producing the polypeptides of the present invention. |
| US08628774B2 |
Compositions and methods for treating and diagnosing cancer
The present invention relates to compositions and methods for characterizing, diagnosing and treating cancer. In particular, the present invention identifies LGR5 as a protein over-expressed in solid tumor stem cell. The present invention further identifies an interaction between RSPO1 and LGR5 as an alternative pathway for the activation of beta-catenin signaling. In certain embodiments, the present invention provides biomolecules that disrupt functional signaling via a LGR protein, including, in certain embodiments, molecules that inhibit the interaction between one or more RSPO proteins and one or more LGR proteins, such as LGR5. In certain embodiments, the present invention provides methods of treating cancer comprising disrupting functional LGR signaling and inhibiting growth of a solid tumor comprising solid tumor stem cells. |
| US08628772B2 |
Surface protein (HBsAg) variant of the hepatitis B virus
The invention relates to sequences of a novel variant of the Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and to methods for detecting, in patient samples, nucleic acids, antigens, and antibodies directed against the same. |
| US08628771B2 |
CA IX-specific inhibitors
Therapeutic methods for inhibiting the growth of preneoplastic/neoplastic vertebrate cells that abnormally express MN protein are disclosed. Screening assays are provided for identifying compounds, preferably organic compounds, preferably aromatic and heterocylic sulfonamides, which inhibit the enzymatic activity of MN/CA IX and that are useful for treating patients with preneoplastic/neoplastic disease. Further, the CA IX-specific inhibitors when labeled or linked to an appropriate visualizing means can also be used diagnostically/prognostically for preneoplastic/neoplastic disease, and for imaging use, for example, to detect hypoxic precancerous cells, tumors and/or metastases, by selectively binding to activated CA IX, preferably CA IX activated under hypoxic conditions, and not to inactive CA IX. Such detection of hypoxic conditions can be helpful in determining effective treatment options, and in predicting treatment outcome and the prognosis of disease development. Still further, the CA IX-specific inhibitors can be used therapeutically to selectively target hypoxic cells expressing activated CA IX. The CA IX-specific inhibitors can be labelled or conjugated to radioisotopes for radiotherapy of hypoxic cells. Alternatively, the CA IX-specific inhibitors can be used for gene therapy coupled to vectors for targeted delivery to hypoxic preneoplastic/neoplastic cells expressing activated CA IX on their surfaces.In an alternative mode of the invention, CA IX-specific inhibitors may be used therapeutically to target acidic conditions of a tumor, e.g., to increase pHe in order to enhance the efficacy of weak base chemotherapeutic drugs. |
| US08628767B2 |
Purine nucleoside phosphorylase as enzymatic activator of nucleoside prodrugs
A process for inhibiting a mammalian cancerous cell or virally infected cell includes providing a Trichomonas vaginalis purine nucleoside phosphorylase enzyme or a tail mutant purine nucleoside phosphorylase enzyme in proximity to the mammalian cancerous cell or the virally infected cell and exposing the enzyme to a purine nucleoside phosphorylase enzyme cleavable substrate to yield a cytotoxic purine analog. The process includes introducing to the cell a vector containing the phosphorylase enzyme, or a DNA sequence coding for the same and delivering to the cell an effective amount of the substrate such as 9-(β-D-arabinofuranosyl)-2-fluoroadenine (F-araA). |
| US08628766B2 |
Vaccine for protection against Streptococcus suis bacteria of various serotypes
The present invention pertains to the use of Streptococcus suis antigens corresponding to Streptococcus suis bacteria of a predetermined serotype in the manufacture of a vaccine for administration to a sow or gilt, to protect a piglet through the intake of colostrum of the said sow or gilt, against a disorder arising from Streptococcus suis bacteria of a serotype other than the predetermined one. The invention also pertains to Streptococcus suis antigens for use in the manufacture of such a vaccine. |
| US08628765B2 |
Bacteria cultures and compositions comprising bacteria cultures
The present invention relates to bacteria cultures and composition comprising one or more cultures of the invention. The invention also relates to methods of washing or cleaning laundry or fabrics and surfaces as well as degrading waste material using a bacteria culture of the invention. |
| US08628762B2 |
T-helper cell type 17 lineage-specific adjuvants, compositions and methods
The present invention relates to compositions and methods for the modulation of TN 17 responses. The invention provides compositions for the induction of TN 17 responses containing a TLR agonist and an apoptotic cell-associated agent or containing a microbe-infected apoptotic cell. The compositions of the present invention may also contain dendritic cells capable inducing TN 17 responses. In other embodiments, the invention provides compositions for the inhibition of TN 17 responses containing one or more blocking agents. Methods and compositions for the modulation of TN 17 responses and for the treatment of TN 17-associated diseases and for cancer are also provided. |
| US08628754B2 |
Highly efficient delivery of a large therapeutic mass aerosol
A method for delivering an agent to the pulmonary system, in a single, breath-activated step or a single breath, comprises administering from a receptacle enclosing a mass of particles, to a subject's respiratory tract, particles which have a tap density of less than 0.4 g/cm3 and deliver at least about 50% of the mass of particles. The particles are capable of carrying agents. The agent is (1) part of the spray-drying pre-mixture and thereby incorporated into the particles, (2) added to separately-prepared particles so that the agent is in chemical association with the particles or (3) blended so that the agent is mixed with, and co-delivered with the particles.Respirable compositions comprising carrier particles having a tap density of less than 0.4 g/cm3 and a composition comprising an agent are also disclosed. Methods of delivering these respirable compositions are also included. |
| US08628752B2 |
Methods of identifying HSP90 inhibitors with less ocular toxicity
Provided is a method of identifying Hsp90 inhibitors with substantially less ocular toxicity or with substantially improved ocular toxicity profile. The method comprises measuring the respective concentrations of an Hsp90 inhibitor in the retina and plasma at certain time points following the administration of the Hsp90 inhibitor in a subject, and determining the concentration ratio of the Hsp90 inhibitor between retina and plasma, where a certain ratio is indicative that the Hsp90 inhibitor has substantially less ocular toxicity. The method also includes identifying an Hsp90 inhibitor with substantially less ocular toxicity, or with a substantially improved ocular toxicity profile, by determining the elimination rate of the Hsp90 inhibitor from the retina following administration of the Hsp90 inhibitor, where a certain elimination rate is indicative that the Hsp90 inhibitor will induce substantially less ocular toxicity. |
| US08628751B2 |
Pyrazine derivatives for optical imaging and therapy
The invention provides compounds, including compositions, preparations and formulations, and methods of using and making such compounds. Compounds of the present invention include pyrazine derivatives having a pyrazine core and a plurality of substituents. In some embodiments, pyrazine derivatives of the invention are pyrazine core compounds having one or more electron donating groups and one or more electron withdrawing groups optionally functionalized to provide useful optical, biological, pharmacokinetic and/or physical properties. |
| US08628749B2 |
Radioimmunoconjugates and uses thereof
The present invention relates to a radioimmunoconjugate that binds human CD37. Pharmaceutical compositions and uses thereof for the treatment of cancer—and in particular B-cell malignancies—are aspects of the present invention. |
| US08628745B2 |
Integrated process for producing ammonium nitrate
A process for producing ammonium nitrate is disclosed and in which: a) a gaseous oxidizer feed composed at least substantially of ammonia, steam and an oxidizing gas is exposed to conditions whereby the ammonia is oxidized to produce a reaction mixture including nitrogen monoxide and water vapor, b) the reaction mixture is cooled in a heat exchanger whereby the nitrogen monoxide is oxidized, the water vapor is condensed and the products of the nitrogen monoxide oxidation react with and are absorbed by the condensed water to form a nitric acid stream, with substantially all of the nitrogen monoxide in the reaction mixture being converted to nitric acid, and c) the nitric acid stream is reacted with a stream of ammonia in an ammonium nitrate producing stage to form the ammonium nitrate. Substantially all of the steam within the oxidizer feed is derived from the ammonium nitrate producing stage, and at least 10% of the ammonia within the oxidizer feed is derived and carried by the steam from the ammonium nitrate producing stage.Also disclosed is ammonium nitrate, in any of its various possible forms, when produced by the disclosed process. |
| US08628743B2 |
Redox gas sweetening solutions
Gas sweetening solutions are described that are capable of removing hydrogen sulfide from gas streams. These gas sweetening solutions increase the size of produced sulfur particles and thereby improve efficiency of their separation, while simultaneously reducing corrosive effects of the sweetening solutions.The gas sweetening solutions comprise at least one chelating agent, cationic iron and a mixture of nitrite salt and phosphate species. |
| US08628741B2 |
Off gas treatment using a metal reactant alloy composition
This invention relates to a method and apparatus for treating a flue gas stream containing oxygen containing greenhouse gases. In particular, the method comprises reacting a flue gas steam with a molten aluminum or aluminum alloy bath, creating alumina and elemental carbon, elemental sulfur, and molecular nitrogen. The apparatus includes a reaction vessel for carrying out the reaction, as well as other equipment necessary for capturing and removing the reaction products. Further, the process can be used to cogenerate electricity using the excess heat generated by the process. |
| US08628737B2 |
Transfer of slurry in a bayer process
The present disclosure is directed to a method of improving the transfer of slurry in a Bayer process through the addition of one or more chemical species to a Bayer process, wherein said chemical species is selected from the group consisting of: non-ionic surfactants, polyglycols, polyglycol ethers, anionic surfactants, anionic polymers, and a combination thereof. The present invention is also directed to a method of deaerating a slurry in a Bayer process through the addition of an effective amount of one or more chemical species to a Bayer process, wherein said chemical species is selected from the group consisting of: non-ionic surfactants, polyglycols, polyglycol ethers, anionic surfactants, anionic polymers, and a combination thereof. |
| US08628736B2 |
Process for the production of titanium salts
The present invention provides a method for the Industrial production of a titanium salt TP, said method comprising the steps of: i. Precipitation of titanic acid from a solution comprising titanium salt TP1; ii. Production of a titanium containing product TP2 from a medium comprising of said titanic acid and an acid; and iii. Thermal conversion of titanium containing product TP3 to a titanium salt TP at temperature higher than 170° C. |
| US08628733B2 |
Method for preparing uranium concentrates by fluidized bed precipitation, and preparation of UO3 and U3O8 by drying/calcining said concentrates
Method for producing a uranium concentrate in the form of solid particles, by precipitation from a uranium-containing solution using a precipitating agent, in a vertical reactor comprising a base, a top, a central part, an upper part, and a lower part, the solid particles of the uranium concentrate forming a fluidized bed under the action of a rising liquid current which circulates from the base towards the top of the reactor successively passing through the lower part, the central part and the upper part of the reactor, and which is created by introducing a liquid recycling current (flow) at the base of the reactor, said liquid recycling current being tapped at a first determined level (A) in the upper part of the reactor and sent back without settling to the base of the reactor, excess liquid being also evacuated via an overflow located at a second determined level (B) in the upper part of the reactor; a method in which the upper limit (C) of the fluidized bed of solid particles is controlled so that it is positioned at a level below the first and second determined levels. |
| US08628732B2 |
Immobilizing device and immobilization method using the immobilization device
Provided is an immobilization device for fitting a connecting member of a chip and a connecting member of a cover together, where a spatial clearance between the chip and cover is small. The immobilization device includes a substrate (102), a cover means (101) including a fitting means to fit with a chip (103) placed on the substrate (102), a rotating arm means (201) rotatably joined to a first joining means (301) of the substrate (102) and to a second joining means (302) of the cover means (101), and a parallel maintaining means (203) for fitting the fitting means and the chip (103) together with the fitting means and the chip (103) maintained in substantially parallel by the first joining means (301) or the second joining means (302) moving along a chip surface or a plane parallel to the chip surface. The fitting means rotates freely against the chip (103). |
| US08628726B2 |
Photocatalysts based on structured three-dimensional carbide, in particular β-SiC, foams
The invention relates to a photocatalyst comprising a β-SiC cellular foam and a photocatalytically active phase, deposited directly on said cellular foam or on an intermediate phase deposited on said cellular foam. The average size of the cells is between 2500 μm and 5000 μm. The foam can comprise nanotubes or nanofibers (particularly of carbon, SiC, and TiO2) that consist of, or carry as an intermediate phase, a photocatalytically active phase. |
| US08628723B2 |
Method and apparatus for syringe-based sample introduction within a flow cytometer
An apparatus for introducing a specimen into a flow cytometer comprises: a syringe having a hollow barrel containing the specimen, a plunger partially within the barrel and a needle that extends into a volume of a nozzle of the flow cytometer; a one-way port in the nozzle forming a seal against the needle; a mounting platform coupled to both the syringe and to the flow cytometer; and a syringe pump coupled to the plunger, the syringe pump comprising a motor, a drive mechanism coupled to the motor; and a clamping mechanism coupled to the drive mechanism, wherein the motor operates the drive mechanism so as to cause the clamping mechanism to depress the plunger into the barrel. |
| US08628712B2 |
Misalignment management
A method of determining overlay error between a template and a substrate using placement of template features and placement of substrate features in one or more images. Estimated distortion of the template and/or substrate may be determined using the overlay error. One or more forces acting on the template and/or substrate may be varied based on the estimated distortion for subsequent nano-lithography imprinting. Additionally, bias may be introduced in subsequent imprinting steps based on overlay performance. |
| US08628711B2 |
In-mold label and method for producing the same
Provided is an in-mold label and a method for producing the in-mold label which has a heat-sealable resin layer with a plurality of interlaced and continuous-arranged micro-protrusions. While the in-mold label is combined on a surface of a specific article, the micro-protrusions may provide multiple blister-exhausting paths. As a result, it is effective to drive out the blisters as combining the label and the article. The in-mold label particularly includes a substrate made of a thermoplastic resin material, a printed layer on the substrate's one surface, and the other surface made of heat-sealable resin. With an embossing process, the heat-sealable resin layer having the interlaced and continuous-arranged micro-protrusions is formed. The in-mold label can be sealed to the article surface excellently since the micro-protrusions form the multiple paths for exhausting the blisters effectively. |
| US08628710B2 |
Plasticizer for thermoplastic polymer materials
A thermoplastic polymeric composition having a xanthene or xanthenes-based compound as a plasticizer, a method to modify the thermoplastic polymeric materials to increase their relative plasticity while maintaining good strength or “toughness” characteristics, and various articles of manufacture that can be made using the polymer composition are described. |
| US08628708B2 |
Method for producing a packing structure with control over the drying step
The invention relates to a method for producing a packing structure, characterized in that it includes the following main steps: a) a step comprising the hydrothermal synthesis of the packing mass, performed using a mixture of quicklime and silica; and b) a step comprising the drying of the packing mass produced in step (a) at a temperature T2 of between 110° C. and 500° C., possibly with at least one intermediate stage performed at a temperature of between 111° C. and 350° C. over a period t2 selected such that the physisorbed water content of the packing mass is less than 0.5%. |
| US08628706B2 |
Non-lathering personal care composition in the form of an article
A non-lathering personal care article in the form of a porous dissolvable solid structure, comprising: from about 0% to about 10% ionic surfactant; from about 1% to about 60% of a non-surfactant cosmetic active; from about 15% to about 70% polymeric structurant, wherein the polymeric structurant has a weighted average molecular weight of from about 40,000 to about 500,000; and from about 1% to about 30% plasticizer. The article has a density of from about 0.03 g/cm3 to about 0.15 g/cm3. |
| US08628695B2 |
Surface-modified ruthenium oxide conductive material, lead-free glass(es), thick film resistor paste(s), and devices made therefrom
The invention relates to a surface-modified RuO2 conductive and a lead-free powdered glass material formulated to make a paste suitable for application to the manufacture of a thick film resistor material. The resistance range that is most suitable to this invention is a resistor having 10 kilo-ohms to 10 mega-ohms per square of sheet resistance. The resulting resistors have ±100 ppm/° C. TCRs. |
| US08628694B2 |
High voltage negative active material for a rechargeable lithium battery
The invention relates to active material for the negative electrode of secondary rechargeable lithium batteries, wherein the active material is based on doped or undoped carbon-bearing lithium titanium ramsdellite oxide with general formula Li2Ti3O7 or Li2.28Ti3.43O8. The active material comprises a carbon substituted ramsdellite phase having a general formula Li2−4cCc—Ti3O7, with 0.1 |
| US08628689B2 |
Anti-corrosive coating composition
The invention relates to a low temperature-curable coating composition comprising a film-forming resin, a curing agent for the film-forming resin, and a lithium salt. |
| US08628687B2 |
Sialon-based oxynitride phosphor and production method thereof
An oxynitride phosphor includes an α-sialon as the main component, which is represented by the formula: MxSi12−(m+n)Al(m+n)OnN16−n:Lny (wherein 0.3≦x+y<1.5, 0 |
| US08628686B2 |
Process for production of fluorescent substance
The embodiment provides a process for production of an oxynitride fluorescent substance. In the process, a compound represented by the formula: (Sr,Eu)2Si5N8, silicon nitride and aluminum nitride are mixed and then fired in a nitrogen atmosphere under high pressure. |
| US08628684B2 |
Process for the preparation of a powder comprising one or more derivatives of glycine-N,N diacetic acid and/or one or more derivatives of glutamine-N,N diacetic acid and methylglycine-N,N diacetic acid trisodium salt powder
A process is proposed for the preparation of a powder comprising one or more derivatives of glycine-N,N-diacetic acid and/or one or more derivatives of glutamine-N,N-diacetic acid with a degree of crystallinity of ≧30%,starting from an aqueous solution comprising the one or more derivatives of glycine-N,N-diacetic acid and/or the one or more derivatives of glutamine-N,N-diacetic acid in a concentration range from 20 to 60% by weight, based on the total weight of the aqueous solution, where the aqueous solution is concentrated in a first process step in an evaporator with rotating internals, which are arranged at a distance relative to the inside wall of the evaporator of ≦1% of the diameter of the evaporator, to give a crystal slurry with a solids concentration in the range from 60 to 85% by weight, based on the total weight of the crystal slurry, and where in a second process step the crystal slurry is left to ripen in a paste bunker and then in a thin-film contact dryer, and where the residence time in the paste bunker and in the thin-film contact dryer is in total ≧15 minutes. |
| US08628682B2 |
Compositions comprising a fluorosurfactant and a hydrotrope
Compositions comprising a fluorosurfactant and a hydrotrope are disclosed. The hydrotropes are either cationic or anionic benzene derivatives comprising fluoro-substituted functional groups and polar groups. The compositions are useful in various surfactant applications. |
| US08628676B2 |
Plasma etching method
A plasma etching method capable of forming a tapering etching structure having a smooth surface is provided. A fluorine-containing gas and a nitrogen gas are used and plasma is generated from these gases simultaneously, and a silicon substrate K is etched by the plasma while an etch-resistant layer is formed on the silicon substrate K by the plasma and then a fluorine-containing gas and an oxygen-containing gas are used and plasma is generated from these gases simultaneously, and the silicon substrate K is etched by the plasma while an etch-resistant layer is formed on the silicon substrate K by the plasma generated from the oxygen-containing gas, thereby forming a tapering etching structure H having a wide top opening width and a narrow bottom width. |
| US08628670B2 |
Water treatment apparatus and process to reduce pipe scale and biomass
A method of treating water in order to minimize scaling and biomass buildup in water conduits or containers in which the treated water is used includes processing ambient air in a chamber including at least one ultraviolet light source to generate an output flow mixture of air and reactive oxygen species (ROS) gasses, controlling the at least one ultraviolet light source, a flow rate of the output flow mixture and an ROS gas ratio in the output flow mixture, mixing a water flow with the output flow mixture to realize a flow of water/ROS gas mixture and outputting the flow of water/ROS gas mixture as the treated water. Preferably, the processing includes generating reactive oxygen species (ROS) gasses in the output flow mixture including at least one of Super Oxide (O2−) Peroxide (—O2—), Hydroperoxide (HO2−), Hydroxyl Radicals (OH.), Ozone (O3−) and Molecular Oxygen (O2). |
| US08628668B2 |
Pipeline magnetic separator system
A system, apparatus and method for magnetically separating a fluid flow passing through a pipeline are provided. A magnetic separator assembly having a plurality of elongate magnetic members is provided. Each magnetic member can have a first end and a second end. A cleaner plate can be provided that can move along the magnetic members. After the magnetic separator assembly is used to collect magnetic particles from a fluid flow in a pipeline, the magnetic separator assembly can be cleaned by sliding the cleaning plate along the magnetic members. |
| US08628665B2 |
Water treatment apparatus
A water treatment apparatus includes a tank, a driving unit, a filtered-water pipe, a filtering unit and at least one scraping unit. The tank includes a wall, an inlet pipe extending through an upper portion, and an outlet pipe extending from a lower portion. The driving unit is located on an external side of the tank. The filtered-water pipe extends throughout the tank and is connected to the driving unit. The filtering unit includes flat filtering bags located around the filtered-water pipe. The flat filtering bags can be spun together with the filtered-water pipe. The scraping unit includes scrapper assemblies each located between and in contact with two adjacent ones of the flat filtering bags. |
| US08628664B2 |
Purification system having vertical multicompartment reactor for organic waste water
Provided is an purification system having vertical multi-compartment reactor for organic waste water, which generates swirling flow in respective sections while circulating wastewater vertically in respective wastewater treatment blocks in the system, so as to considerably increase contact time between air and the wastewater, thus greatly improving wastewater treatment efficiency. According to the system, a size of an aeration tank built in the wastewater purification system may be greatly decreased. |
| US08628662B2 |
Filtering device comprising membrane filtering modules and assembly of modules for such a device
The invention relates to a device for filtering a liquid, in particular water, comprising membrane filtering modules, connected by pipes to valves for controlling the flows of liquid travelling towards the modules and coming from same, including a first block made up of an assembly (14a) of membrane filtering modules, a second block made up of a system of valves (14b), and a third block made up of a group of intermediate pipes (14c) comprising an interface between the system of valves (14b) and the assembly of modules (14), only the interface (14c) requiring to be changed when changing the type of filtering modules, while the system of valves (14b) and the assembly of modules (14a) remain unchanged, except when changing the type of modules. |
| US08628661B2 |
Disc filtration device
The disclosure relates to a filtration device that comprises a disc with a rim covering and stiffening a plurality of filtration sectors connected to taps provided on the outer wall of a rotary main shaft containing inner discharge channels and fit-inserted into said taps and into a crown comprising two parts concentric to the shaft, one which is secured to the shaft while the other is removable, characterised in that said rim is provided with openings each intended for receiving a removable connection flange bearing, on the one hand, a radial strut clamped between two adjacent sectors for the relative clamping thereof and interacting, on the other hand, with a spring quick fastener for locking the strut under tension between the sectors. The disclosure also relates to a method for assembling and maintaining said filtration device. |
| US08628660B2 |
Treatment of fluids with wave energy from a carbon arc
A method of and apparatus for treating liquids flowing in a thin film around a source of wave energy to directly expose the liquid to the wave energy, preferably generated in whole or part by an electrical arc between carbon electrodes. In addition to the wave energy generated by the electrical arc, energy generated by cavitation of the flowing liquid may be used in treating the liquid. |
| US08628657B1 |
Floor sink strainer assembly
A strainer assembly for use with an indirect waste receptor comprising an internally threaded, expandable gasket member sized to be insertable into the indirect waste receptor discharge tube operatively connected to a building drain system drain pipe; a rigid support structure forming an externally threaded wall to operatively mate with the gasket member in a manner to expand the gasket member body into sealing contact with the discharge tube or drain pipe and having a spoke member extending across a rigid support structure passageway with a vertical opening in its center section; a strainer having a screw opening alignable with the spoke member center section opening; and a screw seatable in the screw opening and having a length to operative attach to the center section opening for affixing the strainer to the rigid support structure. |
| US08628653B2 |
Electrodeionization apparatus
An electrodeionization apparatus has a cathode and an anode, and has alternately formed therebetween concentrating chambers and desalination chambers by alternately arranging a plurality of anion exchange membranes and cation exchange membranes, each of the concentrating chambers being provided with a bipolar membrane to partition the interior of the concentrating chamber into a cathode side and an anode side, and each of the desalination chambers being divided into at least two layers including a first layer and a second layer, from an upstream side in a direction of flow of water to be treated, and being filled with an ion exchanger comprising an anion exchanger and a cation exchanger. The ion exchanger filling the first layer contains no less than 50 vol % of the cation exchanger, while the ion exchanger filling the second layer contains over 50 vol % to 80 vol % of the anion exchanger. As a result, the electrodeionization apparatus can be stably operated for a prolonged period of time while preventing formation of scale in the concentrating chambers and desalination chambers. |
| US08628652B2 |
Electrochemically driven pump
A continuous electrochemical pump comprising a water generator compartment, an anode compartment on one side of said generator compartment, a cation exchange barrier, separating the generator compartment from the anode compartment, it first electrode in electrical communication with the anode compartment, a cathode compartment adjacent the generator chamber, an anion exchange barrier, separating the generation compartment from the cathode compartment, and a second electrode in electrical communication with the cathode compartment. Use of the pump as a sample concentrator. A feedback loop for the pump. A reservoir, with or without an intermediate piston, on the output side of the pump. |
| US08628645B2 |
Manufacturing method for thin film battery
A thin film battery manufacturing method is provided for deposition of lithium metal oxide films onto a battery substrate. The films are deposited in a sputtering chamber having a plurality of sputtering targets and magnetrons. The sputtering gas is energized by applying a voltage bias between a pair of the sputtering targets at a frequency of between about 10 and about 100 kHz. The method can provide a deposition rate of lithium cobalt oxide of between about 0.2 and about 4 microns/hr with improved film quality. |
| US08628643B2 |
Process to remove product alcohol from a fermentation by vaporization under vacuum
A fermentation liquid feed including water and a product alcohol and optionally CO2 is at least partially vaporized such that a vapor stream is produced. The vapor stream is contacted with an absorption liquid under suitable conditions wherein an amount of the product alcohol is absorbed. The portion of the vapor stream that is absorbed can include an amount of each of the water, the product alcohol and optionally the CO2. The temperature at the onset of the absorption of the vapor stream into the absorption liquid can be greater than the temperature at the onset of condensation of the vapor stream in the absence of the absorption liquid. The product alcohol can be separated from the absorption liquid whereby the absorption liquid is regenerated. The absorption liquid can include a water soluble organic molecule such as an amine. |
| US08628637B2 |
Display device with front window and manufacturing method thereof
A distance between a liquid crystal display panel set on a lower support mechanism and a front window set on an upper support mechanism is accurately determined by a stopper. An ultraviolet irradiation mask is provided on the front window. A part of the ultraviolet curable resin corresponding to a transmission pattern of the ultraviolet irradiation mask is temporarily cured through ultraviolet irradiation. The temporarily adhered structure of the liquid crystal display panel and the front window is taken from an attachment device to be left standing for a predetermined time period on a tray until an area and a thickness of the ultraviolet curable resin reach respective predetermined values. The ultraviolet light is then irradiated to an entire surface of the ultraviolet curable resin to finalize the adhesion. The time for which the attachment device is occupied is short, thus improving an operation rate of the device. |
| US08628635B2 |
Method for making a network of drainage pipes and acoustic processing panel including such a network of drainage pipes
A process for producing a panel for acoustic treatment including a resistive porous layer, an alveolar structure, a reflective layer with openings, and a drainage plate having a furrow for delimiting at least one evacuation pipe when the drainage plate is flattened against the free surface of the reflective layer, includes: shaping the reflective layer according to its final geometry, affixing a demolding film on at least one portion of the free surface of the reflective layer, positioning on the demolding film a core whose cross-section is adapted to that of the evacuation pipe so that the core covers the openings of the reflective layer, molding the drainage plate on the demolding film and the core, demolding the drainage plate and removing the core and the demolding film, and making the drainage plate integral with the free surface of the reflective layer. |
| US08628632B2 |
Vapor barrier tape dispenser
A vapor barrier tape dispenser includes a generally upright frame. A roller pivotally mounts to a lower portion of the frame. A handle mounts to an upper portion of the frame for engagement by an operator. A spindle pivotally mounts to the frame. A tape roll pivotally attaches to the spindle and is configured to feed a strip of tape around a portion of the roller for adherence to a vapor barrier. |
| US08628630B2 |
Hot-pressed steel sheet member, steel sheet for hot-press, and method for manufacturing hot-pressed steel sheet member
A hot-pressed steel sheet member has a composition containing, by mass, C: 0.09% to 0.38%, Si: 0.05% to 2.0%, Mn: 0.5% to 3.0%, P: 0.05% or less, S: 0.05% or less, Al: 0.005% to 0.1%, N: 0.01% or less, Sb: 0.002% to 0.03%, and the balance being Fe and inevitable impurities, and having a tensile strength TS of 980 to 2,130 MPa. |
| US08628627B2 |
Turboengine water wash system
A system for cleaning gas turbine engines is described. More specifically, methods and apparatuses for cleaning stationary gas turbines and on-wing turbofan engines found on aircraft are disclosed that includes a trailer-mounted, automated low-pressure water delivery system, additive and detergent injection system, nozzle and manifold technology, and active waste water effluent collector system. The system will deliver the liquid cleaning medium at a specific pressure, temperature, and flow rate to optimize the atomization that occurs at the nozzles. |
| US08628626B2 |
Dibasic esters utilized as terpene co-solvents, substitutes and/or carriers in tar sand/bitumen/asphaltene cleaning applications
A heavy oil cleaning composition comprising: a) a blend of dibasic esters comprising dialkyl methylglutarate and at least one of a dialkyl adipate or dialkyl ethylsuccinate; b) at least one terpene; and c) at least one surfactant. Also described are methods for delivering a solvent at reduced concentration comprising the steps of: a) obtaining a terpene-based solvent; and b) mixing the terpene-based solvent with a carrier fluid (the carrier fluid comprising a microemulsion of i) a blend of dibasic esters selected from the group consisting of dialkyl methylglutarate, dialkyl adipate, dialkyl ethylsuccinate, dialkyl succinate, dialkyl glutarate and any combination thereof, ii) at least one surfactant selected from the group consisting of a terpene alkoxylate, an alcohol alkoxylate and any combination thereof; and iii) water) in order to obtain a mixture to clean heavy oils. |
| US08628621B2 |
Gas injector and film deposition apparatus having the same
Provided are a gas injector and a film deposition apparatus having the same. The gas injector includes a body, a supply hole, an injection hole, and a distribution plate. The body is configured to provide an inner space therein. The supply hole is formed in an upper surface of the body to communicate with the inner space and receive a raw material. The injection hole is formed in a lower surface of the body to communicate with the inner space and inject the raw material. The distribution plate is disposed in the inner space of the body. A through hole is formed in the distribution plate. The distribution plate is disposed to be inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to a horizontal plane. The gas injector can uniformly inject the raw material and improve vaporization efficiency of the raw material having a powder form. |
| US08628620B2 |
Vapor deposition device and vapor deposition method
A vapor deposition device (50) includes a mask (60) having periodic patterns, and only a region of the mask (60) where a one-period pattern is formed is exposed. A length of the mask base material along a direction perpendicular to a long-side direction of the mask base material is shorter than a length of a film formation substrate (200) along a direction of scanning of the film formation substrate (200). The mask (60) is provided so that the long-side direction of the mask base material is perpendicular to the direction of scanning and that the exposed region is allowed to move in a direction perpendicular to the direction of scanning by rotation of a wind-off roll (91) and a wind-up roll (92). |
| US08628619B2 |
Plasma coating system for accommodating substrates of different shapes
A plasma coating system includes at least one coating station with a first side and a second side defining a pathway with at least one bend. The coating station also includes a first plasma arc that provides a plasma jet directed towards a substrate. The first plasma arc is positioned on either the first side or the second side of the bend. |
| US08628617B2 |
System and method for top-down material deposition
A method and apparatus for depositing a film on a substrate includes introducing a vaporizable material from a source positioned above a substrate. The vaporizable material is vaporized and directed as an vapor feed stream from the source, away from the substrate. The vapor feed stream is redirected as a plume from a redirector, towards the substrate and deposited as a film on the substrate. |
| US08628614B2 |
Methods and apparatus for manufacturing monocrystalline cast silicon and monocrystalline cast silicon bodies for photovoltaics
Methods and apparatuses are provided for casting silicon for photovoltaic cells and other applications. With such methods and apparatuses, a cast body of monocrystalline silicon may be formed that is free of, or substantially free of, radially-distributed impurities and defects and having at least two dimensions that are each at least about 35 cm is provided. |
| US08628612B2 |
Process for preparing a filler for asphalt or concrete starting from a slag material
The present invention relates to a process for preparing, starting from a slag material, a filler for construction materials which contain bitumen or a hydraulic binding agent. The slag used to prepare the filler contains γ-dicalcium silicate. The process comprises the step of removing from the slag material a finer fraction formed by particles of a size between 0 and at least 0.75 mm so as to reduce the γ-dicalcium silicate content of the slag material; and the step of finely milling at least a portion of the remaining coarser fraction of the slag to obtain the filler. The invention also relates to the obtained filler, to the use thereof for preparing construction materials and to concrete or mortar compositions and asphalt compositions containing the filler. By removing the finer fraction from the slag material, a filler is obtained which has a considerably lower water content so that it becomes suitable for use in asphalt or concrete or mortar compositions, in particular in self-compacting concrete compositions. |
| US08628610B2 |
Dispersant for use in a carbon filler
A carbon filler dispersant for dispersing a carbon filler in a liquid medium comprised of an aqueous solvent or nonaqueous solvent contains, as a principal component, a hydroxylalkyl chitosan, specifically at least one hydroxyalkyl chitosan selected from the group consisting of glycerylated chitosan, hydroxyethyl chitosan, hydroxypropyl chitosan, hydroxybutyl chitosan, and hydroxybutyl hydroxypropyl chitosan. |
| US08628607B2 |
Vacuum pump suction filter meant for collecting impurities from function
The invention relates to a system wherein the fluid stream from an object to be evacuated is filtered before it enters into the vacuum pump with the maximum purity to the level of 99% and up to the particle size of 0.3 microns with minimum pressure difference thereby improving the life cycle of pump and performance of system. |
| US08628606B2 |
Exhaust gas treatment device having two honeycomb bodies for generating an electric potential, method for treating exhaust gas and motor vehicle having the device
An exhaust gas treatment device includes at least a first at least partially electrically conductive honeycomb body having a first front side and a first rear side, a second at least partially electrically conductive honeycomb body having a second front side and a second rear side, an intermediate space between the first honeycomb body and the second honeycomb body, a power supply for the formation of an electric potential between the first honeycomb body and the second honeycomb body, and a multiplicity of electrodes fastened to the first honeycomb body, extending beyond the first rear side over a first length into the intermediate space and positioned at a first distance from the second front side of the second honeycomb body. A method for treating motor vehicle exhaust gas containing particles and a motor vehicle are also provided. |
| US08628604B2 |
Vapor compression steam stripping
The invention provides systems and methods for the pre-concentration of a target molecule from feed solution comprising a low concentration of the target molecule. |
| US08628603B2 |
Water-saving liquid-gas conditioning system
A method for treating a process gas with a liquid comprises contacting a process gas with a hygroscopic working fluid in order to remove a constituent from the process gas. A system for treating a process gas with a liquid comprises a hygroscopic working fluid comprising a component adapted to absorb or react with a constituent of a process gas, and a liquid-gas contactor for contacting the working fluid and the process gas, wherein the constituent is removed from the process gas within the liquid-gas contactor. |
| US08628599B2 |
Diamondoid stabilized fine-grained metals
Thermal stability of cryomilled Al+1% diamantane was investigated in the temperature range of 423 to 773K. Diamantane is a nanosized hydrocarbon molecule with a 14 carbon atom diamond cubic framework that is terminated by hydrogen atoms. Following the cryomilling of the Al powders and diamantane cages, the average grain size characterized using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The as-cryomilled grain sized was found to be of the order of 22 nm, essentially the same as that for Al cryomilled without diamantane. To determine thermal stability, the powders were sealed in glass tubes in an Ar atmosphere to avoid oxidation and contamination and annealed at different temperatures between 423 and 773K for different holding times. Following these treatments, the grain size of cryomilled Al+1% diamantane was consistently less than that for cryomilled Al by about a factor of two. Preliminary investigations indicate that the grain growth exponent n decreased with increasing temperature, reaching a value of approximately 35 at 423 K. Such a high value of n suggests the operation of strong pinning forces on boundaries during annealing treatment. The thermal stability data were found to be consistent with Burke's model based on drag forces exerted by dispersion particles. |
| US08628594B1 |
High octane unleaded aviation fuel
An unleaded aviation fuel blend. The fuel blend is provided by blending an unleaded aviation gasoline base fuel which may include iso-octane and iso-pentane, and an effective amount of a selected alkyl benzene to improve the functional engine performance to avoid harmful detonation sufficient to meet or exceed selected standards for detonation performance requirements in full scale aircraft piston spark ignition engines designed for use with Grade 100LL avgas. Advantageous alkylated benzenes include those having a meta-ring position between alkyl groups. Alkyl groups may be provided at least in part by methyl groups. In an embodiment, the alkyl benzene may include 1,3-dimethylbenzene. In an embodiment, two or more alkylated benzenes may be provided. In an embodiment, 1,3,5-trimethylbenzene may be provided. Suitable alkylated benzenes may include a mixture of xylene isomers. Selected aromatic amines, such as m-toluidine, may also be added to increase motor octane number. |
| US08628593B2 |
Process to separate lipids from lipid-containing biomass for producing platform chemicals and/or liquid biofuels
The process described in the instant invention has the steps of dissolving the lipid-containing biomass in an ionic liquid, whereby a lipid phase and a hydrophilic phase are formed. The lipid phase contains primarily triglycerides, which can be converted to biodiesel by transesterification to, e.g., methyl esters. The hydrophilic phase comprises dissolved biopolymers, such as cellulose, hemicellulose, and protein. The biopolymers are converted in situ to compounds that are insoluble in the molten inorganic salt hydrate. The molten inorganic salt hydrates regenerated by removing insolubles, such as lignin, ash from the biomass, and water. |
| US08628591B2 |
Detergent additive-containing mineral oils having improved cold flow properties
The invention relates to the use of at least one oil-soluble compound B) which acts as a nucleating agent for paraffin crystallization and which is selected from substantially linear hydrocarbons with at least 22 C atoms, for improving the response of cold flow improvers for mineral oils C) in middle distillates that contain at least one ashless, nitrogenous detergent additive A), which is an oil-soluble, amphiphilic compound that comprises at least one alkyl or alkenyl group bound to a polar group, said alkyl or alkenyl group having 10 to 500 C atoms and the polar group having 2 or more nitrogen atoms. |
| US08628590B2 |
Detergent additive-containing mineral oils having improved cold flow properties
The invention relates to the use of at least one oil-soluble olefin copolymer B) which acts as a nucleating agent for paraffin crystallization for improving the response of cold flow improvers for mineral oils C), which are different from B), in middle distillates that contain at least one ashless, nitrogenous detergent additive A), which is an oil-soluble, amphiphilic compound that comprises at least one alkyl or alkenyl group bound to a polar group, said alkyl or alkenyl group having 10 to 500 C atoms and the polar group having 2 or more nitrogen atoms. |
| US08628589B2 |
Renewable heating oil
More stable and valuable bio-oil produced from biomasses are provided. More specifically, more stable and valuable bio-oil useful as heating oil is provided. Particularly, various embodiments of the present invention provide for a bio-oil having sufficient heating value and stability to be useful as heating oil without the need to hydrotreat the bio-oil or use a similar deoxygenating process. |
| US08628587B2 |
Composition comprising an oxidation dye precursor, a polycondensate of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide, and a polyoxyalkylenated fatty acid
The present invention relates to a dye composition comprising at least one oxidation dye precursor, at least one polycondensate of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide having the following structure: H—(O—CH2—CH2)a—(O—CH(CH3)—CH2)b—(O—CH2—CH2)a—OH, in which a and a′ range from 2 to 150 and b ranges from 1 to 100; and at least one anionic surfactant of polyoxyalkylenated fatty acid type, the weight ratio between the polycondensate(s)/the polyoxyalkylenated fatty acid(s) ranging from 0.05 to 1. The invention also relates to a dyeing process using this composition after mixing with a composition comprising an oxidizing agent. Another subject of the invention is devices comprising at least two compartments, the first compartment comprising the above composition and the second compartment comprising a composition comprising at least one oxidizing agent. |
| US08628581B2 |
Conical, threaded subtalar implant
A medical implant includes a body having a conical portion and adapted for implantation into a person's body. A plurality of threads formed around an exterior surface of the conical portion of the body are adapted to help secure the implant in place within the person's body. |
| US08628580B2 |
Tibial prosthesis
A tibial prosthesis, and, particularly, a fixed bearing tibial prosthesis has a two-pronged securement mechanism. The securement mechanism may or may not be angled. Advantageously, the securement mechanism, working alone or in cooperation with other securement features, minimizes micromotion between the tibial tray and tibial bearing component. |
| US08628579B2 |
Systems and methods for prosthetic knee
A knee prosthesis including femoral and tibial implants, a tibial insert and a cam post assembly. The femoral implant is secured to a femur and has a cam feature and condyles. The tibial implant is secured to a tibia. The tibial insert has articulating surfaces that match the contours of the condyles of the femoral implant, and may have a medial boss that aligns with the tibial implant to provide rotation about a medially displaced rotation axis. A cam post is secured to the tibial implant and passes through a channel of the tibial insert. A motion limiting structure provides limits to motion between the tibial insert and the tibial baseplate. The cam post assembly interacts with the femoral implant cam feature and allows more anatomically correct rollback and femoral external rotation during knee flexion, and varus/valgus support to the femur. |
| US08628578B2 |
Expandable interbody implant and methods of use
An intervertebral implant comprises a first component and a second component. The second component includes an actuator and a third component comprises a first ramp and a second ramp axially spaced apart from the first ramp. The third component comprises rails including at least a portion of the ramps. At least one of the ramp portions disposed with the first rail has a first height and at least one of the ramp portions disposed with the second rail has a second height. The first height is greater than the second height. The actuator is engageable with the third component to effect axial translation such that the ramps engage at least one of the components between a first configuration and a second configuration. Methods of use are disclosed. |
| US08628575B2 |
Vertebral body replacement and method of use
Vertebral body replacements are provided, including at least one vertebral body replacement in the shape of an oblong object. The oblong vertebral body replacement includes a nose shape to provide as minimally invasive an installation as possible, serrations formed in the side wall of the body replacement's body to prevent expulsion once the body replacement is in place, a tapered asymmetric shape to provide spinal lordosis, and an integral protrusion for stability and to increase the bearing area to reduce contact pressure between the body replacement and the vertebral plate. Hollow passages are typically filled with bone tissue. The body is also provided with holes passing therethrough to promote tissue growth. |
| US08628573B2 |
Adjustable suture-button construct for knotless stabilization of cranial cruciate deficient ligament stifle
An adjustable, knotless button/loop/needle construct for fixation of cranial cruciate ligament deficient stifle. The adjustable, knotless construct includes two fixation devices (for example, two buttons), at least one flexible, adjustable loop attached to at least one of the fixation devices (e.g., the buttons), and two needles (each needle being attached to one fixation device, e.g., the buttons). The adjustable, knotless construct has an adjustable loop length and allows adjustment in one direction while preventing or locking the construct from loosening in the opposite direction, due to applied tensile forces. The construct and technique of the present invention provides an improved knotless system for cruciate ligament repair. |
| US08628572B2 |
Corneal endothelial scaffolds and methods of use
Provided herein is an endothelial scaffold comprising, consisting of, or consisting essentially of decellularized corneal stroma. In some embodiments, the scaffold has cultured endothelial cells seeded thereon. Methods of treating a patient in need of corneal endothelial transplant are also provided, including implanting the scaffold as described herein onto a cornea of the patient (e.g., by deep keratectomy). |
| US08628570B2 |
Assembly for placing a prosthetic valve in a duct in the body
A prosthetic valve assembly can include a radially expandable stent. The stent can include a first expandable annular portion that is configured, in an expanded state, to bear against a wall of a native body lumen, a second expandable annular portion that is configured, in an expanded state, to bear against a wall of a native body lumen. The stent can also include a plurality of rods extending between the first annular portion and the second annular portion. The prosthetic valve assembly can further include an implantable prosthetic valve mounted to the stent such that the valve is between the first annular portion and the second annular portion. The prosthetic valve assembly is configured to be delivered by catheterization. |
| US08628569B2 |
Implantable prosthetic valve assembly and method for making the same
An implantable prosthetic valve assembly having a support stent, or frame, having circumferential struts with multiple bends forming obtuse angles when the valve assembly is expanded to its functional size. The frame can be manufactured with one or more of the circumferential struts in a partially collapsed state and a flexible valve member can be mounted to the partially collapsed frame. The partially collapsed struts can be formed with multiple bends having angles selected to facilitate crimping of the frame to a profile suitable for percutaneous delivery. When the frame is expanded, the bends can expand to form obtuse angles, thereby enhancing the rigidity of the frame to better resist closing forces exerted on the valve assembly. |
| US08628568B2 |
Stent with drug coating with variable release rate
A stent is provided with a coating having a variable drug release rate. The release rate can be greater over a curved or bent segment of a strut network as compared to generally linear segments of the strut network. The coating can have a barrier region that is thicker over the generally linear segments. The coating can have a drug mixed with polymers. The curved or bent segment can have a greater amount of a polymer having relatively high drug permeability as compared to the generally linear segments. |
| US08628567B1 |
Modular, staged graft and attachment system for endovascular repair
A system for repairing body lumens including a modular graft and a method for deploying the graft within the body lumen. The modular graft includes a first component having first and second legs portions which mate with second and third graft components, respectively. The second leg portion has a bell bottom shape. The modular graft further includes expandable members which aid in implanting the modular graft as well as facilitates the mating of its components. In order to repair the body lumen, the first component is placed at the repair site and thereafter the first and second legs are advanced to the repair site and attached to the first component. A further aspect of the invention is a fixation device which is adapted to perform an attachment function. The graft and the fixation device are configured to be axially separated from one another so as to allow the graft to attach to the vascular wall proximal of the graft. |
| US08628566B2 |
Stents for prosthetic heart valves
A stented valve including a stent structure including a generally tubular body portion having a first end, a second end, an interior area, a longitudinal axis, and a plurality of vertical wires extending generally parallel to the longitudinal axis around a periphery of the body portion, wherein the plurality of vertical wires includes multiple commissure wires and at least one structural wire positioned between adjacent commissure wires, and a plurality of V-shaped wire structures having a first end, a second end, and a peak between the first and second ends, wherein a first end of each V-shaped structure extends from a first vertical wire and a second end of each V-shaped structure extends from a second vertical wire that is adjacent to the first vertical wire, wherein each V-shaped structure is oriented so that its peak is facing in the same direction relative to the first and second ends of the body portion, and a valve structure including a plurality of leaflets attached to the stent structure within the tubular body portion. |
| US08628565B2 |
Intravascular stent
An expandable stent for implantation in a body lumen, such as an artery, is disclosed. The stent consists of a plurality of radially expandable cylindrical rings generally aligned on a common longitudinal stent axis and interconnected by one or more interconnecting links placed so that the stent is flexible in the longitudinal direction. The link pattern is optimized to reduce strain on the links and enhance longitudinal flexibility and security of the stent. The stent includes a distal end ring and a proximal end ring that have a length that is shorter than the length of the body rings. |
| US08628563B2 |
Support prosthesis
A uniformly expandable support prosthesis has bending curves which taper in the region of curvature toward a narrowing. This allows uniform bending of the bending curves along the individual support rings. |
| US08628558B2 |
Uni-planer bone fixation assembly
A bone fixation assembly includes a plurality of bone fixation elements that each include a bone anchor configured to be implanted into underlying bone, such as a vertebra. Each bone anchor is received in an anchor seat, and the anchor seats are joined by a fixation rod so as to operatively couple and fix the position and orientation of the vertebrae relative to each other. The bone anchor is free to rotate relative to the anchor seat, and is also free to pivot in a desired direction relative to the anchor seat. |
| US08628557B2 |
Surgical forceps
A forceps includes a pair of shafts each having a jaw member disposed at a distal end thereof. One (or both) of the shafts is moveable relative to the other about a pivot pin between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position to move the jaw members between an open position and a closed position. A knife assembly includes a knife blade mechanically keyed to the pivot pin and moveable between an initial position, wherein the knife blade is disposed within one of the jaw members, and an extended position, wherein the knife blade extends between the jaw members. An actuator arm(s) is mechanically keyed to the pivot pin and extends therefrom. The actuator arm(s) is moveable between an un-actuated position and an actuated position to rotate the pivot pin relative to the jaw members to move the knife blade between the initial position and the extended position. |
| US08628553B2 |
Expanding adhesive foam structure to reduce stomach volume
Expanding or foaming adhesives are used to reduce the stomach volume to reduce the caloric intake and weight of a patient. A web structure is attached inside the stomach and an expanding or foaming adhesive is applied to the web structure. The expanding or foaming adhesive attaches to the web structure and to the stomach to partition the stomach. The partition barrier divides the stomach volume into a reduced volume available for food storage and an empty volume that the food cannot enter. The reduced volume enables the patient to feel full faster and reduce caloric intake. A passageway can be provided between the two volumes near the base of the stomach to allow food or fluids to exit from the empty volume. |
| US08628551B2 |
Rotational atherectomy device with pre-curved drive shaft
The invention provides a rotational atherectomy system, device and method comprising a flexible, elongated, rotatable drive shaft with an abrasive section within a pre-curved section of the drive shaft. The device may further comprise a concentric or eccentric enlarged diameter section that is at least partially covered with abrasive material to comprise the abrasive section. The abrasive section may further comprise an abrasive crown or burr mounted to the drive shaft. The pre-curved drive shaft allows smaller diameter and/or massive abrasive regions to be used while sweeping larger diameters during high-speed rotation. The pre-curved region is substantially straightened for insertion into vasculature and placement adjacent stenosis by insertion of the guide wire. Removal of guide wire proximally from the pre-curved region allows the drive shaft to return to its pre-curved form for ablation. Reinsertion of the guide wire beyond the pre-curved region straightens the drive shaft for ease of removal. |
| US08628550B2 |
Rotational atherectomy segmented abrading head and method to improve abrading efficiency
The invention provides a rotational atherectomy system, device and method having, in various embodiments, a flexible, elongated, rotatable drive shaft comprising an eccentric abrading head comprising at least one eccentric abrading cylindrical segments attached to the drive shaft and in spaced proximity with proximal and a distal conical segments. Each individual abrading segment, comprises a first tissue removing surface, typically an abrasive coating on the outer surface, that is designed to abrade calcified, hard tissue and abrasive coating on the leading and trailing surfaces designed to abrade non-calcified, soft tissue. Each abrading segment, as well as the abrading head comprising the collective segments, has a center of mass spaced radially from the rotational axis of the drive shaft, facilitating the ability of the device to open the stenotic lesion to a diameter larger than the outer diameter of the enlarged abrading head when operated at high speeds. |
| US08628543B2 |
Method and apparatus for endoscopic repair of the lower esophageal sphincter
The present invention includes a method and apparatus for adhering tissue to one another. In an embodiment of the present invention the two tissues to be joined, for example the lower esophagus and the fundus of the stomach, are first placed adjacent to one another. Next a first restraint is placed near the outside surface of one of the tissues and a second restraint is placed near the outside surface of the other tissue. An irritant is then placed between the two adjacent tissues. The restraints, and consequently the tissue surfaces, are then drawn together. As the touching irritated tissue surfaces heal they will become bonded to one another and their need for the mechanical fastening of the restraints, to secure them together, will be diminished. |
| US08628539B2 |
Flexible disposable surgical port
A surgical apparatus for introduction of laparoscopic instruments into an anatomical cavity through tissue at an entry site. The apparatus includes a body with a frustoconical-shaped wall. The body defines an interior cavity, an open bottom, and a substantially closed top wall with openings from which a plurality of ports extend upward therefrom. The ports are adapted to receive the laparoscopic instruments for introduction through the interior cavity and open bottom of the body into the anatomical cavity. In the preferred embodiment, the frustoconical-shaped wall of the body is placed through an incision in the umbilicus. In one aspect of the invention, the body is a unitary one-piece molded structure. A reinforcing belt or plate formed from a relatively hard material can be integral to the body. In another aspect, the apparatus is formed from a block copolymer of poly(styrene-block-isobutylene-block-styrene), hereinafter referred to as “SIBS”, which unexpectedly provides the benefit that lubrication of the ports (or of the instruments extending through the ports) is avoided. |
| US08628534B2 |
Ultrasonic cutting device
An ultrasonic surgical cutting method and apparatus is provided wherein the method and apparatus allows for the cutting of bone from within a hollow pathway such that a cutter associated with the ultrasonic method and apparatus remains sufficiently cool to prevent necrosis of the bone being cut. Furthermore the ultrasonic device and method can be employed in the cutting of soft tissue, wherein a cooled cutter is used to prevent the sticking of soft tissue to the cutting blade of the device during use. |
| US08628532B2 |
Assemblies and methods for the reduction of a fracture
A controlled removable fracture-reducing assembly for reducing a bone fracture. According to one embodiment, a controlled removable fracture reducing assembly includes an implant, a reducer, a buttress, and a locking device that engage a proximal bone fragment and a distal bone fragment. The implant is secured to the distal bone fragment by the locking device. The buttress engages the implant through an opening. The reducer contains a compressing screw that applies a force on the buttress, reducing the fracture. According to another embodiment, the reducer contains a cam mechanism which applies a force on the buttress, which does not engage the implant, that pushes the proximal bone fragment to reduce the fracture. According to another embodiment, the reducer is a jacking mechanism that pushes the proximal bone fragment while pulling the implant and distal fragment to reduce the fracture. |
| US08628531B2 |
Assemblies for the reduction of a fracture
A controlled removable fracture-reducing assembly (10) for reducing a bone fracture. According to one embodiment of the present invention, a controlled removable fracture reducing assembly (10) includes an implant (12), a reducer (14), a buttress (16), and a locking device (18) that engage a proximal bone fragment (2) and a distal bone fragment (4). The implant (12) is secured to the distal bone fragment (4) by the locking device (18). The buttress (16) engages the implant (12) through an opening (30). The reducer (14) contains a compressing screw (24) that applies a force (60) on the buttress (16), reducing the fracture. According to another embodiment of the invention, the reducer (114) contains a cam mechanism (124) which applies a force (186) on the buttress (116), which does not engage the implant (112), that pushes the proximal bone fragment (102) to reduce the fracture. According to another embodiment of the invention, the reducer (214) is a jacking mechanism that pushes the proximal bone fragment (202) while pulling the implant (212) and distal fragment (204) to reduce the fracture. |
| US08628530B2 |
External fixation apparatus with angularly adjustable drill guiding and pin clamping means
An external fixation device for holding bone fragments in place includes a housing having a number of rotationally adjustable pin holders, each of which is held by a clamping member that simultaneously clamps the pin holder within an internal mounting surface of the housing and a bone pin within the pin holder. For example, the device includes a number of internal mounting surfaces, each of which can include a single pin holder. A drill guide fitting into the internal mounting surfaces is used to protect soft tissue from bone pins and they are rotated during installation. |
| US08628529B2 |
Surgical instrument with magnetic clamping force
A surgical instrument comprising an end effector, the end effector comprising first and second opposing jaw members, wherein at least one of the first and second jaw members are moveable such that the first and second jaw members are transitionable between open and closed positions. The first jaw member may comprise a permanent magnet. The second jaw member may also comprise a magnet (e.g., permanent or soft). The magnetic motive force between the magnets of the first and second jaw members may attract each other to thereby reduce the external force required to transition the first and second jaw members to the closed position. In addition, the magnets may be configured to repeal each other to thereby aid in opening the jaw members. |
| US08628528B2 |
Vertebral denervation
System and methods for channeling a path into bone include a trocar having a proximal end, distal end and a central channel disposed along a central axis of the trocar. The trocar includes a radial opening at or near the distal end of the trocar. The system includes a curveable cannula sized to be received in the central channel, the curveable cannula comprising a curveable distal end configured to be extended laterally outward from the radial opening in a curved path extending away from the trocar. The curveable cannula has a central passageway having a diameter configured to allow a probe to be delivered through the central passageway to a location beyond the curved path. |
| US08628526B2 |
Devices and methods for tissue apposition
Devices and methods are described for sealing tissue such as melding the two flaps of the foramen ovale together without the need for a permanent implant or closing openings in vessels. |
| US08628525B2 |
Wireless interventional device and a system for wireless energy transmission
An interventional device (12) is configured to be positioned in a body and includes an electrically operable unit (E1, E2) configured to carry out an interaction with the body upon a receipt of electric power. The device further includes a sensor (2) configured for wirelessly receiving electromagnetic energy from a remote source. The sensor is configured as a resonant circuit (2a, 2b) which converts the received electromagnetic energy into the electric power. The electrically operable device may include a diagnostic and/or therapeutic module. |