| Document | Document Title |
|---|---|
| US08958032B2 |
LCD panel, and manufacturing method and driving method thereof
A liquid crystal display (LCD) panel, and a manufacturing method and a driving method thereof are disclosed. The LCD panel comprises: a first pixel matrix comprising a plurality of first pixel units; a second pixel matrix comprising a plurality of second pixel units; and a driving unit, being connected to the first pixel matrix and the second pixel matrix to drive the first pixel matrix and the second pixel matrix respectively, wherein the first pixel matrix and the second pixel matrix are arranged in parallel, and at least a pair of the first pixel units and the second pixel units are partially overlapped with each other to form an overlapped pixel region. In this way, the present invention can provide a high resolution and improve the product yield with the process conditions remaining unchanged. |
| US08958030B2 |
Backlight unit having buffer structures and liquid crystal display device using the same
A backlight unit having buffer structures comprises a back cover, a light guide plate including an opening, and a buffer structure disposed in the back cover and the opening of the light guide plate is engaged with the buffer structure so as to connect the back cover with the light guide plate. In addition, a liquid crystal display device comprises the backlight unit and a liquid crystal panel adjacent to the backlight unit. |
| US08958029B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
According to one embodiment, a liquid crystal display device includes a liquid crystal cell, light source devices and a light guide plate. The light guide plate applies, to a rear surface of the liquid crystal cell, light beams from the light source devices. The light guide plate includes a first light input portion at a first-shorter-side side surface and a second light input portion at a second-shorter-side side surface. The light guide plate includes a flat first surface opposed to the rear surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface. The second surface includes a first slant surface inclined so that a thickness of the light guide plate decreases as a position goes from the first-shorter-side side surface to an approximately central portion and a second slant surface inclined so that the thickness decreases as a position goes from the second-shorter-side side surface to the approximately central portion. |
| US08958028B2 |
Protective film patterning
The patterning of objects (e.g., protective poly-films, heat-spreaders, and other components placed proximate to the backlight of an LCD) with multiple beads or raised protrusions is disclosed. The beads or protrusions can have a uniform or non-uniform size and can be arranged such that they have a uniform or non-uniform pattern density. The beads or protrusions can be patterned on a surface of the object to provide separation between a non-raised surface of the object and a surface of an adjacent item, such as a reflector film. |
| US08958025B2 |
Display back frame and liquid crystal display device
The present invention provides a display back frame and liquid crystal display device. Display back frame includes a plurality of splicing elements spliced together, with at least a part of splicing elements connected through rotation mechanism. Splicing element includes main part and stop wall. The stop wall includes bottom part, side wall and top part. Bottom part and outer edge of the main part is connected levelly. Top part is disposed in parallel with the bottom part with a spacing gap. Side wall is disposed between top part and bottom part. Surface of the main part facing the top part has a first bump. As such, through the above disposition, the present invention can reduce required space during storage and transport to improve transport and storage efficiency, and save the use of mold frame to simplify assembly and improve assembly efficiency to reduce cost. |
| US08958022B2 |
Liquid crystal display device including backlight unit
A liquid crystal display device includes: a main frame having a rectangular ring shape; a reflecting plate on the main frame; a light guide plate on the reflecting plate; a light emitting diode (LED) assembly along at least one side of the main frame, the LED assembly having a plurality of LEDs and an LED printed circuit board (PCB), the LED PCB including a first portion having the plurality of LEDs thereon and a second portion perpendicular to the first portion; an LED housing contacting the LED PCB; a plurality of optical sheets on the light guide plate; a liquid crystal panel on the plurality of optical sheets; a bottom frame under the reflecting plate, the bottom frame including a horizontal plate contacting the reflecting plate and a sidewall perpendicular to the horizontal plate, the sidewall contacting the LED housing; and a top frame covering a front edge portion of the liquid crystal panel, the top frame, the main frame and the bottom frame coupled to each other. |
| US08958019B2 |
Systems and methods for controlling media devices
Systems and methods process an input received from a remote control. A media stream is presented on a display, and the input from the remote control is received at a local device associated with the display. The local device may determine if the input is intended for the local device or a remote device. If the input is intended for the local device, the input may be processed at the local device. Various interface features, for example, may be managed at the local device. If the input is intended for the remote device, a signal may be transmitted from the local device to the remote device to thereby allow the remote device to respond to the input. |
| US08958018B2 |
Remote control device and method for controlling operation of a media display system
A remote control device for a separate electronic device to be controlled has a secondary display screen, at least one user-input mechanism, and at least one microprocessor running a user interface application for use in providing control over operation of the electronic device to be controlled. The user interface application causes a user interface to be displayed on the display screen of the remote control device, and the user interface displayed on the display screen graphically mirrors a corresponding user interface independently run by the electronic device to be controlled. The remote control device also has a transmitter and receiver mounted within the body enabling a two-way wireless communication link to be established with the electronic device to be controlled. Apparatus and a method for controlling operation of a media display system are also described. |
| US08958017B2 |
Reception apparatus and electronic equipment
A reception apparatus includes a plurality of reception circuits disposed in a predetermined arrangement state, a plurality of local oscillation circuits each of which supplies a local oscillation signal to each of the plurality of reception circuits, and a control unit that controls each reception circuit and each local oscillation circuit. When there is a specific reception circuit to which a local oscillation signal is supplied, of which frequency matches or is close to a passing frequency during a search of a reception signal with a tuning request, the control unit performs the search of the reception signal with the tuning request in a reception circuit disposed at a position far from the specific reception circuit. |
| US08958010B2 |
Holding mechanism for holding movable body, and imaging device comprising this holding mechanism
A fixing mechanism 110 fixes a holder 166, which holds an imaging unit 116 movable by a VCM, to a neutral position. A press plate 188 fixed at one end to a frame 167 has first and second protrusions 183 and 184 protruding toward the holder. The holder has first and second depressions 185 and 186 which can engage with the protrusions. The first protrusion and the first depression serve to position the holder with reference to the frame and allow the holder to rotate, with the engagement position as a center. The second protrusion and the second depression prevent the holder from rotating and keep the holder at the neutral position. |
| US08958004B2 |
Camera-based orientation fix from portrait to landscape
A portable electronic device includes a camera and a display switchable between a portrait mode and a landscape mode in response to an inertial sensor. When it is determined that the display mode should be switched in response to movement of the device, a feature of a user of the device, such as the user's face, is imaged with the camera. If the imaged feature changes orientation with respect to the display by less than a threshold amount, then the switch in display mode is disabled and the display remains in its current mode. Other embodiments are also described and claimed. |
| US08957997B2 |
Image sensor and image data processing method using the same
An image sensor includes a storage unit configured to store at least a portion of image data, a homogeneous pixel determination unit configured to determine whether dead pixels exist in homogeneous pixels having the same color characteristic as a center pixel in a window of the image data, and an offset correction processing unit configured to calculate a difference value between the center pixel and homogeneous pixels determined as normal pixels by the homogeneous pixel determination unit, and correct a center pixel value by using the calculated difference value. |
| US08957995B2 |
Image processing apparatus and control method thereof
A black image captured in a light-shielded state is obtained, and the streak intensity is determined for each pixel of the black image from the absolute value of an AC component in a region containing the pixel. An extraction image which extracts streak-like fixed pattern noise in a captured image is generated using a black image obtained by applying, to the obtained black image, the first filter for reducing random noise in the first direction. |
| US08957994B2 |
CDS circuit and analog-digital converter using dithering, and image sensor having same
A correlated double sampling circuit includes a first input terminal receiving a ramp signal having first and second ramp sections, a second input terminal receiving a pixel signal, and a comparing circuit comparing the ramp signal with the pixel signal to generate an output signal, wherein the comparing circuit changes a point in time at which the output signal logically transitions during the first ramp section and the second ramp section in response to an applied dithering enable signal. |
| US08957980B2 |
Image pickup apparatus
An image pickup apparatus includes an image sensor that includes a plurality of first photoelectric conversion elements, and a plurality of second photoelectric conversion elements, a plurality of micro lenses each of which is provided for each pixel on the image sensor, and a controller configured to execute still image pickup using the plurality of second photoelectric conversion elements simultaneous with motion image pickup using the plurality of first photoelectric conversion elements. Each micro lens introduces a light flux from part of an exit pupil of the image pickup optical system to at least one first photoelectric conversion element, and a light flux from another part of the exit pupil to at least one second photoelectric conversion element. |
| US08957977B2 |
Systems and methods for synthesizing higher resolution images using a set of images containing a baseline image
Systems and methods for implementing array cameras configured to perform super-resolution processing to generate higher resolution super-resolved images using a plurality of captured images and lens stack arrays that can be utilized in array cameras are disclosed. An imaging device in accordance with one embodiment of the invention includes at least one imager array, and each imager in the array comprises a plurality of light sensing elements and a lens stack including at least one lens surface, where the lens stack is configured to form an image on the light sensing elements, control circuitry configured to capture images formed on the light sensing elements of each of the imagers, and a super-resolution processing module configured to generate at least one higher resolution super-resolved image using a plurality of the captured images. |
| US08957975B2 |
Systems and methods for performing post capture refocus using images captured by camera arrays
A camera array, an imaging device and/or a method for capturing image that employ a plurality of imagers fabricated on a substrate is provided. Each imager includes a plurality of pixels. The plurality of imagers include a first imager having a first imaging characteristics and a second imager having a second imaging characteristics. The images generated by the plurality of imagers are processed to obtain an enhanced image compared to images captured by the imagers. Each imager may be associated with an optical element fabricated using a wafer level optics (WLO) technology. |
| US08957973B2 |
Shutter release using secondary camera
A method of capturing an image includes activating a first image sensor and capturing a sequence of images with a second image sensor. A determination is made as to whether the sequence of images captured by the second image sensor includes a shutter gesture. If a shutter gesture is included in the sequence of images captured by the second image sensor, the first image sensor captures a target image in response. |
| US08957967B2 |
System and method to control surveillance cameras via three dimensional metaphor and cursor
A system includes a video sensing device, a computer processor coupled to the video sensing device, and a display unit coupled to the computer processor. The system displays on the display unit a field of view of the video sensing device, and displays a three dimensional widget within the field of view. The widget includes one or more features for altering one or more of a location or size of the widget, thereby altering an area in the field of view covered by the widget. The system then alters one or more of a pan, a tilt, and a zoom of the video sensing device as a function of the alteration of the location or size of the widget, thereby altering the field of view of the video sensing device. |
| US08957963B2 |
Method for calibrating a camera-based system
Disclosed herein is a method for calibrating a camera-based system of a vehicle (F), having a pane (S), in particular of a camera-based driver assistance system. A type of the pane (S), in particular the tinting thereof, is detected by way of the camera-based system. |
| US08957959B2 |
Charged particle microscope and measurement image correction method thereof
A charged particle microscope corrects distortion in an image caused by effects of drift in the sampling stage by measuring the correction reference image in a shorter time than the observation image, making corrections by comparing the shape of the observation image with the shape of the correction reference image, and reducing distortion in the observation images. The reference image for distortion correction is measured at the same position and magnification as when acquiring images for observation. In order to reduce effects from drift, the reference image is at this time measured within a shorter time than the essential observation image. The shape of the observation image is corrected by comparing the shapes of the reference image and observation image, and correcting the shape of the observation image to match the reference image. |
| US08957958B2 |
Microscope system, microscopy method and storage medium
A microscope system comprises a microscope for data acquisition and a computing device configured to control the microscope during data acquisition and/or to perform data processing of raw data captured by the microscope. The computing device is coupled to an optical output device. The microscope and the computing device are configured to perform the data acquisition and/or data processing based on values that are respectively set for each one of a plurality of adjustable parameters. The computing device selectively outputs graphics data via the optical output device as a function of an adjustable parameter selected from the plurality of adjustable parameters. The output graphics data are assigned to the selected adjustable parameter and represent an affect of the selected adjustable parameter on at least one step of a procedure upon which the data acquisition and/or the data processing is based. |
| US08957957B2 |
Cell observation apparatus and observation method
Provided is a cell observation apparatus and an observation method with which only an observation target cell in an region of interest is illuminated with illuminating light to prevent photobleaching of cells that are not the observation target. The invention employs a cell observation apparatus including an objective lens that illuminates a specimen with illuminating light, a scanner that adjusts an area illuminated with illuminating light by the objective lens, an image generating portion 31 that generates an image of the specimen illuminated by the objective lens, a cell-data extracting portion 32 that extracts data showing the characteristics of each cell from the generated image of the specimen, a cell-area extracting portion 33 that extracts an area of each cell associated with the extracted data of each cell, a cell-of-interest selecting portion 35 that selects the cell of interest from the specimen in accordance with the extracted data of each cell, and a controller that operates the scanner to illuminate the cell area corresponding to the cell of interest selected by the cell-of-interest selecting portion 35 with the illuminating light. |
| US08957955B2 |
Method and apparatus for automated quality assurance in medical imaging
The present invention relates to a computer-implemented quality assurance system, which includes the steps of retrieving quality assurance and supporting information from a database; receiving information on technical variables from monitoring of the patient, and on radiographic equipment in the performance of an imaging study; generating a quality assurance score after said imaging study based on said technical variables and said quality assurance and supporting information; and performing a quality assurance analysis of the imaging study based on the quality assurance score. |
| US08957954B2 |
Recording method for obtaining an image of an object and recording device
A method for recording an image of an object includes projecting a strip pattern onto the object, recording the projected strip pattern as raw image data using a camera, and calculating an image of the object from the raw image data. A strip pattern having a duty cycle of less than 1 can be used to increase measuring precision during measurement of a translucent object, and can eliminate a need for additional contrast agents for a recording of the object. |
| US08957952B2 |
Color signal transmission device, wireless image transmission system, and transmitter
In a processor of a wireless image transmission system that transmits, by radio communication, an image signal obtained by converting an image obtained by an endoscope apparatus, a communication state detection unit monitors a communication state of radio communication. An editing unit edits the image signal according to a mode in which the endoscope apparatus obtains an image when the deterioration of a communication state is detected by the communication state detection unit. A transmission unit transmits the image signal output from the editing unit to a receiver. |
| US08957949B2 |
Estimation of coefficients of friction using a 3-D camera
A method and a device for estimating the coefficient of friction by a 3D camera. The 3D camera records at least one image of the vehicle's surroundings. The image data of the 3D camera is used to produce a height profile of the road surface in the entire space ahead of the vehicle. Based on the height profile, the local coefficient of friction of the road surface that is to be expected in the space ahead of the vehicle is estimated. |
| US08957944B2 |
Positional sensor-assisted motion filtering for panoramic photography
This disclosure pertains to devices, methods, and computer readable media for perforating positional sensor-assisted panoramic photography techniques in handheld personal electronic devices. Generalized steps that may be used to carry out the panoramic photography techniques described herein include, but are not necessarily limited to: 1.) acquiring image data from the electronic device's image sensor; 2.) performing “motion filtering” on the acquired image data, e.g., using information returned from positional sensors of the electronic device to inform the processing of the image data; 3.) performing image registration between adjacent captured images; 4.) performing geometric corrections on captured image data, e.g., due to perspective changes and/or camera rotation about a non-center of perspective (COP) camera point; and 5.) “stitching” the captured images together to create the panoramic scene, e.g., blending the image data in the overlap area between adjacent captured images. The resultant stitched panoramic image may be cropped before final storage. |
| US08957941B2 |
Enhanced power supply
One embodiment is an enhanced power supply including electronic power supply circuitry within a housing. The enhanced power supply further includes one or more sockets operatively associated with the housing providing for the connection of an external apparatus to the enhanced power supply such that the external apparatus may communicate data or another signal through the connection to an output cable. The output cable may to be connected to a device such that both power and at least one signal will be provided to the device through the output cable. Systems featuring an enhanced power supply and methods of providing power and one or more other signals to a device with a reduced number of cables are also disclosed. |
| US08957940B2 |
Utilizing a smart camera system for immersive telepresence
Video content is received at a computing device that camera views provided by video cameras that are aligned to capture images of participants within a defined space. Each camera view is at a first resolution and the video cameras are aligned such that a field of view (FOV) for each camera overlaps a portion of the FOV of at least one other adjacent camera. Positions of participants depicted within the video content are detected, where at least one participant is captured by overlapping FOVs of two adjacent camera views. A target view is generated from the first number of camera views, the target view having a second resolution that is lower than the first resolution, and the target view includes a view of the at least one participant captured within the overlapping FOVs of two adjacent camera views. The target view is displayed at a display device. |
| US08957939B1 |
Method and apparatus for a videophone
Methods, systems, and apparatus can provide videophone communications though the introduction of a video device and upgrade of a CPE device providing packetized voice communication. The video portion of the videophone call can be displayed on standard devices. Other implementations provide improvements through integration with a set-top box. |
| US08957938B2 |
Method and apparatus for handing over a video conversation from packet switch domain to circuit switch domain
The invention proposes a method and corresponding apparatuses for handing over a video conversation from a PS domain to a CS domain in a radio network. When signals of a network covered by the packet switch domain where the video conversation currently locates in are not good or become unavailable, as long as source MME and eNodeB detect the presence of video conversation, a procedure of handover to circuit switch domain for video bearer will be initiated, and a handover request will be transmitted to MSC server. After receiving the handover request, a control equipment in the circuit switch domain will request for resources to a target radio network requesting for the allocation of necessary communication link to the video bearer. In addition, after local UE has handed over to the target network (at this time, the communication link required for the video bearer between UE and MSC Server/MGW has already been established), local UE and MSC Server/MGW start a negotiation to establish a logical communication channel for the video conversation. Upon a successful negotiation, a logical communication channel for transferring video telephone service between MSC Server/MGW and UE is established. In this way, local UE can continue the video conversation with remote UE via MGW. |
| US08957937B2 |
Method and meeting terminal for adjusting meeting place cameras in a remote presentation meeting system
A method and a meeting terminal for adjusting meeting place cameras in a remote presentation meeting system are disclosed. The method includes: determining a site to be tested in a meeting place (S202), wherein the site to be tested includes an intersection of the ideal boundary of depth of field of the meeting place and the ideal shooting boundary of the corresponding camera; determining the ideal imaging data of a reference object on the site to be tested (S204); acquiring, by the camera, actual imaging data of the reference object arranged on the site to be tested (S206); comparing the actual imaging data with the ideal imaging data and determining the range of needed adjustment of the camera according to the result of the comparison (S208) so as to make the actual imaging data of the reference object accord with the ideal imaging data. |
| US08957935B2 |
Light scanning unit and electro-photographic image forming apparatus employing the same
A light scanning unit and an electro-photographic image forming apparatus employing the same are provided. A light scanning unit for scanning a beam onto a scanned surface includes a light source for emitting a beam according to an image signal; an optical deflector for deflecting and scanning the beam emitted from the light source, in a main scanning direction; and a imaging optical system for imaging the beam deflected and scanned by the optical deflector, on the scanned surface, wherein, if a main scanning direction width of the beam emitted from the light source is defined as a, a sub-scanning direction width of the beam is defined as b, a main scanning incident angle of the beam incident on the scanned surface with respect to a main scanning section is defined as Φ, and a sub-scanning incident angle of the beam incident on the scanned surface with respect to a sub-scanning section is defined as β, a maximum main scanning incident angle Φmax and a sub-scanning incident angle β of the beam satisfy Φmax·β<0.1×b/2a. |
| US08957927B2 |
Display device having an interface board for outputting a plurality groups of panel driving data and driving method thereof
A display device is provided. The display device includes an interface board, a display panel and a connecting interface. The interface board includes a system control module and a system storage module for storing a plurality groups of panel driving data. The display panel includes a pixel array, a signal receiver and a panel data storage module for storing panel data. The connecting interface connects the interface board and the display panel and generates an intimating signal and transmits the same when these elements are electrically connected. The system control module retrieves panel data from the panel data storage module through the connecting interface to further retrieve one of the groups of panel driving data to output the same. The signal receiver drives the pixel array according to the one of the groups of panel driving data. A display device drive method is also disclosed. |
| US08957924B2 |
Liquid crystal display device
A light-collecting type liquid crystal display device capable of displaying an image properly is provided. The liquid crystal display device 100 includes a liquid crystal panel 10; an irradiation section 31, a control device 61, and a plate-like member 20 attached to a part (10a) of the liquid crystal panel 10. A light guiding section 40 for collecting natural light 51 and propagating the light is located on a first surface 21 of the plate-like member 20; and the light guiding section 40 is connected to the irradiation section 31. A plurality of optical sensors 46 are provided on the first surface 21 of the plate-like member 20. The irradiation section 31 includes a plurality of LED elements 30. The control device 61 is connected to an LED driving section 63. The control device 61 is connected to the optical sensors 46. The control device 61 is structured to control an amount of light to be emitted from each of the plurality of LED elements 30 by use of the LED driving section 63 based on the amounts of light detected by the optical sensors 46. |
| US08957923B2 |
Light emitting device, light emitting element array, and image display device
A light emitting device includes: a wiring including an AuGeNi layer; and a semiconductor light emitting element bonded to the surface of the AuGeNi layer with the aid of intermolecular force, and electrically connected to the wiring. |
| US08957918B2 |
Methods for implementing multi-touch gestures on a single-touch touch surface
Methods for activating multi-touch functionality by recognizing and processing multi-touch interactions on a touch surface of non-multi-touch computing devices. The computing device may detect a jump from the location of the first touch event to determine that a multiple touch gesture is being traced. Virtual touch events are detected and stored. Using mathematical formulae, parameters are calculated based on initial and subsequent virtual touch event locations. Based on these parameters the multi-touch functionality is determined, such as a zooming or rotating function. A transform factor may be determined and applied to the image display. |
| US08957916B1 |
Display method
Methods and systems are disclosed herein that may help to present graphics in a see-through display of a head-mountable display. An exemplary method may involve: (a) receiving image data that is indicative of a real-world field of view associated with a head-mountable display (HMD); (b) analyzing the image data to determine at least one undesirable portion of the real-world field of view, wherein the at least one undesirable portion is undesirable as a background for display of at least one graphic object in a graphic display of the HMD; (c) determining at least one undesirable area of the graphic display that corresponds to the at least one undesirable portion of the real-world field of view; and (d) causing the at least one graphic object to be displayed in an area of the graphic display such that the graphic object substantially avoids the at least one undesirable area. |
| US08957913B2 |
Display apparatus, display control method, and storage medium storing program
A display apparatus includes an input unit to input an image signal, a display unit to display an image based on the input image signal, an observer information acquiring unit to acquire the number and positions of observers facing the display object, a display mode determining unit to determine a display mode including a direction of the image to be displayer on the basis of the acquired number and the acquired positions of the observers, and a display control unit to cause the display unit to display an image on the display object in the determined display mode. |
| US08957912B2 |
Displaying items in an application window
A method of displaying a series of items in an application window on a display device, the method comprising the steps of rendering a subset of the series of items in the application window, calculating the vertical size of each rendered item, calculating the vertical size of the minimal rendered item, calculating the difference of the application window height minus the vertical size of the element containing all rendered items, determining candidate items for addition to the subset if the difference is positive, or determining candidate items for removal from the subset if the difference is negative, iterating through the candidate items, rendering a new subset of the series of items in the application window by adding or removing the iterated candidate items, and repeating steps of the process until the maximum number of items that can be displayed is displayed. |
| US08957911B2 |
Method and apparatus for editing touch display
A method and an apparatus are provided for editing a display of a touch display apparatus. A first screen including at least one object is displayed. An object on the first screen is designated. The touch display apparatus is converted to an edit mode for editing the display, when the object is designated. When a movement of the touch display apparatus is detected, the first screen is converted into a second screen according to at least one of a degree and a direction of the movement. The designated object is displayed on the second screen. |
| US08957908B2 |
Rapid representational thumbnail images for business intelligence dashboards
In one example, a method includes identifying a plurality of data representation features comprised in each of one or more dashboards. The method further includes identifying formatting data for a format of the data representation features in each of the one or more dashboards. The method further includes generating one or more thumbnail images corresponding to each of the one or more dashboards, wherein each of the one or more thumbnail images comprises a plurality of stock images representative of a corresponding one of the data representation features in the corresponding dashboard, in a format that represents the format of the corresponding dashboard. |
| US08957906B2 |
Subbuffer objects
A method and an apparatus for a parallel computing program using subbuffers to perform a data processing task in parallel among heterogeneous compute units are described. The compute units can include a heterogeneous mix of central processing units (CPUs) and graphic processing units (GPUs). A system creates a subbuffer from a parent buffer for each of a plurality of heterogeneous compute units. If a subbuffer is not associated with the same compute unit as the parent buffer, the system copies data from the subbuffer to memory of that compute unit. The system further tracks updates to the data and transfers those updates back to the subbuffer. |
| US08957905B2 |
Cross-environment user interface mirroring
A mobile computing device with a mobile operating system and desktop operating system running concurrently and independently on a shared kernel without virtualization. The mobile operating system provides a user experience for the mobile computing device that suits the mobile environment. The desktop operating system provides a full desktop user experience when the mobile computing device is docked to a second user environment. Cross-environment rendering and user interaction support provide a seamless computing experience in a multi-operating system computing environment. The seamless computing experience includes mirroring the active user interaction space of the mobile operating system to a display of a user environment associated with the desktop operating system. The mobile computing device may be a smartphone running the Android mobile operating system and a full desktop Linux distribution on a modified Android kernel. |
| US08957903B2 |
Run-time allocation of functions to a hardware accelerator
An accelerator work allocation mechanism determines at run-time which functions to allocate to a hardware accelerator based on a defined accelerator policy, and based on an analysis performed at run-time. The analysis includes reading the accelerator policy, and determining whether a particular function satisfies the accelerator policy. If so, the function is allocated to the hardware accelerator. If not, the function is allocated to the processor. |
| US08957901B2 |
Computer readable recording medium, information processing apparatus, and information processing method
An information processing apparatus includes: a data sharing unit configured to cause an application selected as a data output destination to process data which is output by an application which is a data output source; a process-object-data generation control unit configured to generate process object data in one of a first format and a second format based on image data acquired by an image information interface from an image information source; and an application-information display unit configured to display identification images for identifying applications which the data sharing unit can select as the data output destination if the data sharing unit is to process either data of the first format or data of the second format. |
| US08957900B2 |
Coordination of animations across multiple applications or processes
Animation coordination system and methods are provided that manage animation context transitions between and/or among multiple applications. A global coordinator can obtain initial information, such as initial graphical representations and object types, initial positions, etc., from initiator applications and final information, such as final graphical representations and object types, final positions, etc. from destination applications. The global coordination creates an animation context transition between initiator applications and destination applications based upon the initial information and the final information. |
| US08957898B2 |
Method of displaying physiological data and system thereof
A method of processing and displaying physiological data on medical devices is disclosed. The method comprises receiving physiological data measured in a predetermined time slot into a medical device and displaying the received medical data in a circular chart format on a display interface of the medical device, wherein the circular chart comprises a plurality of concentric circles spaced apart from each other with a predetermined distance and one or more time slots on the circumference of the chart. The method further comprises mapping the time slots with an angle and a magnitude of a parameter value of the physiological data with radial distance, wherein the radial distance is proportional to the magnitude of the parameter value of the physiological data, and marking one or more highlights on any part of the chart to depict the variation of the parameter in a given period of time. |
| US08957895B2 |
Systems and methods for rendering 2D grid data
Systems and methods for rendering 2D grids using texture mapping and fragment shaders. |
| US08957893B2 |
3D display apparatus and 3D display system
The present invention provides a three-dimensional (3D) display apparatus and a 3D system. The system comprises the 3D display apparatus and polarizer glasses. The 3D display apparatus comprises a display panel and a pattern retarder film. Retarder rows of the pattern retarder film are positioned to pixel row pairs of the display panel, respectively. The present invention can mitigate the image crosstalk problem exiting in the conventional 3D display. |
| US08957892B2 |
Stereo composition based on multiple camera rigs
A method for performing stereo composition using multiple camera pairs. The method includes positioning first and second pairs of virtual cameras for imaging an animated scene. The method includes, with the first and second pairs of the cameras, obtaining 3D data for each camera for the animated scene. Then, a blending region is selected by defining a first boundary surface for the first pair of the cameras and a second boundary surface, spaced a distance apart from the first boundary surface, for the second pair of the cameras, with the blending region being the space between the first and second boundary surfaces. The method includes, with a blending module or function, combining the 3D data from a number of consequent cameras. The blending module monotonically increases the stereoscopic disparity function in a viewing direction and combines the 3D data in a continuous manner, e.g., to insure C1 continuity. |
| US08957891B2 |
Anatomy-defined automated image generation
A system for visualizing an object in image data using a first cross-section surface coupled to a model of the object, the system comprising a model unit for adapting a model to the object in the image data, a surface unit for adapting the first cross-section surface to the adapted model on the basis of the coupling between the first cross-section surface and the model, and a visualization unit for computing an image from the image data on the basis of the adapted first cross-section surface. The first cross-section surface may be used to define a slice of the image data for visualizing useful features of the object. Advantageously, adapting the model to the object in the image data and the coupling between the first cross-section surface and the model enable the first cross-section surface to be adapted to the image data. Thus, the shape, orientation and/or position of the adapted first cross-section surface is/are based on the shape, orientation and/or position of the adapted model. |
| US08957890B2 |
Information processing apparatus and information processing method
There is provided an information processing apparatus including a position detection section which detects a position of an object, and a coordinate calculation section which calculates absolute coordinates based on the position of the object detected by the position detection section, and which calculates relative coordinates, which indicate a display position of the object on a screen, depending on the absolute coordinates and a motion of the object. The coordinate calculation section moves the relative coordinates in order for the relative coordinates to be asymptotic to or correspondent to the absolute coordinates based on a predetermined condition. |
| US08957887B2 |
Electrophoretic display apparatus and method of driving the same
An electrophoretic display apparatus and a method of driving the same. Gradation display using pulse amplitude modulation (PAM) may be achieved using a gate pulse having a pulse width and a voltage level that are set not to fully charge a parasitic capacitance component of a switching transistor included in each pixel. |
| US08957884B2 |
Integrated circuit device and electronic apparatus
An integrated circuit device includes: a driving voltage output unit that outputs a driving voltage supplied to a segment electrode of an electro-optical panel; a display data storage unit that stores display data; and a driving waveform information output unit that outputs driving waveform information when a display state of the segment electrode is changed from a first display state corresponding to first display data to a second display state corresponding to second display data, wherein the driving voltage output unit outputs the driving voltage specified by the first display data and the second display data from the display data storage unit, and the driving waveform information from the driving waveform information output unit. |
| US08957883B2 |
Display device
A display device includes a frame frequency conversion circuit configured to convert a frame frequency of an input display data and a timing control circuit configured to control a first drive circuit and a second drive circuit based on a frame frequency after the conversion. The display device generates at least two display areas on the display panel. The at least two display areas display images at different frame frequencies. The display device further includes a switch unit configured to display an image at the frame frequency before the conversion at one of the at least two display areas and configured to display an image at the frame frequency after the conversion at another one of the at least two display areas. At least one of a boundary position and a size of the at least two display areas varies with time. |
| US08957881B2 |
Display device
To reduce power consumption of a display device with the use of a simple structure and a simple operation. The display device includes an input device. Input of an image signal to a driver circuit is controlled in accordance with an image operation signal output from the input device. Specifically, input of image signals at the time when the input device is not operated is less frequent than that at the time when the input device is operated. Accordingly, display degradation (deterioration of display quality) caused when the display device is used can be prevented and power consumed when the display device is not used can be reduced. |
| US08957875B2 |
Method for adjusting sensitivity of touch panels
The present application relates to a method for adjusting the sensitivity of a touch panel. A look up table is built. The look up table includes a charging station look up table and a discharging station look up table. The charging station look up table includes a threshold value (V0m) of a touch signal, an electrical quantity (A0i) corresponding to the threshold value (V0m), and a computational method g1. The discharging station look up table includes the threshold value (V0m), the electrical quantity (A0i), and a computational method g2. The current electrical quantity and whether the capacitive touch panel is charging are detected. According to the current electrical quantity, the state of charging or discharging, and the computational method g1 or g2, the threshold value (V0m) is adjusted. |
| US08957874B2 |
Touch sensor panel design
A touch sensor panel including a plurality of drive lines crossing a plurality of sense lines, forming an array, is disclosed. The plurality of drive lines and the plurality of sense lines are formed by interconnecting a plurality of substantially transparent conductive sections having a first resistivity. A substantially transparent conductive material, with a second resistivity that is lower than the first resistivity, is deposited over at least part of at least one of the plurality of substantially transparent conductive sections of at least one of the plurality of drive lines and the plurality of sense lines. A second layer of the substantially transparent conductive material, with the second resistivity, can be deposited thereafter. At least one dummy section is disposed in an area of the touch sensor panel around the conductive sections of at least one of the plurality of drive lines and the plurality of sense lines. |
| US08957867B2 |
Haptic operating device
A haptic operating device particularly for motor vehicles, having a touch panel having at least one touch-sensitive area. When the area is touched, a switching signal can be triggered and the touch panel can be activated by a motion drive to be able to move at a certain rhythm in the plane of the touch panel. The touch panel is connected to a fixed support by one or more flexible connecting elements. The support and the touch panel form two housing parts of a closed housing, in which at least the display device or the display plane thereof is arranged, and are connected to each other by a sealing device so as to be able to move relative to each other in the plane of the touch panel or in a plane parallel to the touch panel. |
| US08957866B2 |
Multi-axis navigation
Multi-axis navigation techniques are described. In implementations, a user interface is output by a computing device, the user interface includes a first axis and a second axis that include parameters that are navigable via one or more gestures. One or more items are chosen by the computing device for concurrent display with the first and second axes that correspond to a first one of the parameters of the first axis and a second one of the parameters of the second axis. |
| US08957863B2 |
Colored morphing apparatus for an electronic device
A user interface (200) for a portable electronic device (100) is configured to transition from a first state to a second state to present a plurality of mode-based user actuation targets to a user. The user interface (200) includes a segmented electro-optical device (407) configured to open and close shutters, thereby revealing and hiding the user actuation targets. The user interface includes a first polarizer (401) disposed above the segmented electro-optical device (407) and a colored reflective polarizer (405) disposed beneath the segmented electro-optical device. The colored reflective polarizer (405), which may include a colored dichroic polarizer (601) and a reflective polarizer (602), causes the user interface (200) to exhibit a predetermined color. |
| US08957861B2 |
Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and terminal apparatus for superimposing a display of virtual keys upon an input unit
A method is provided for recognizing input operations. The method comprises transmitting virtual key information defining a layout of virtual input keys. The method further comprises determining input position information based on a detected input member. The method also comprises determining a key input by comparing the virtual key information with the input position information. |
| US08957860B2 |
RFID-based input device
An input device for use with a computer system includes: a pad and a portable unit operating as a computer mouse. The pad includes: a first antenna providing power to the portable unit, a radio frequency transmitter, a radio frequency receiver, a data link between the pad and the computer system, and an array of radio frequency antennas used for tracking a location of the portable unit. The portable unit includes at least one mouse antenna reflecting the radio frequency signals from the pad. The reflected radio frequency signals are used to estimate a location of the portable unit with respect to the array of radio frequency antennas in the pad. |
| US08957855B2 |
Method for displaying a stereoscopic cursor among stereoscopic objects
A stereoscopic cursor method comprising: generating a virtual plane based on a variable cursor scene depth of a stereoscopic cursor for a stereoscopic user interface, the stereoscopic user interface comprising plural stereoscopic buttons, wherein the virtual plane is positioned between a viewer and the plural stereoscopic buttons; and causing the stereoscopic cursor to move along the virtual plane responsive to viewer input, the movement occurring smoothly and gradually adjacent to the plural stereoscopic buttons and varying in depth as the stereoscopic cursor progresses along the virtual plane from one of the plural stereoscopic buttons to another, the generating and causing performed by a processor in a computing device. |
| US08957854B2 |
Zero-click activation of an application
A method is described for activating an application without specific positioning of a mouse or clicking a mouse button (“zero-click activation”). This is done by evaluating motion of an input device with regard to predetermined criteria; detecting a rapid, multi-directional motion (a shaking motion) of the input device, and initiating a preconfigured application in response thereto. In an embodiment, the input device is a mouse, and the method is performed without actuating a button on the mouse. The preconfigured application may be a search function, and in particular may be a Web search invoked when a shaking action is detected while the user is viewing a Web site. |
| US08957852B2 |
Sensor mapping
Techniques, systems and computer program products are disclosed for providing sensor mapping. In one aspect, a method includes receiving input from a user. The received input includes at least one of motion, force and contact. In addition, a sensor signal is generated based on the received input. From a choice of data structures a data structure associated with a selected application having one or more functions is identified. The data structure indicates a relationship between the generated sensor signal and the one or more functions of the selected application. The generated sensor signal is selectively mapped into a control signal for controlling the one or more functions of the selected application by using the identified data structure. |
| US08957851B2 |
Projection apparatus, projection control method and storage medium storing program
A projector apparatus includes a light source, a projection unit to form an optical image by using the light source and to project the formed image, an input unit to input a video signal representing the image, a person detection unit to detect a person existing in a projection area, a first projection control unit to set the projector apparatus to a projection state using a preset illumination pattern, when a person has been detected in the projection area, a motion analyzing unit to analyze a person's motion in the projection area, and a second projection control unit to activate the motion analyzing unit, after setting the projector apparatus to the projection state using the preset illumination pattern. |
| US08957849B2 |
Optical scrolling module and optical control module
An optical scrolling module includes a prism, a light source, an image sensor and a first condenser. The prism is disposed at an opening of an upper shell of a mouse and has a light incident surface, a reflective surface, a contact surface and a light emitting surface. The contact and light incident surfaces are respectively connected between the reflective and light emitting surfaces. The contact surface is exposed by the opening. A light beam from the light source is transmitted to the contact surface via the light incident and reflective surfaces. When an object with a pattern structure puts on the contact surface, the light beam is scattered and a portion of the light beam is transmitted to the image sensor via the first condenser. When the object is removed from the contact surface, the light beam is reflected to the light emitting surface by the contact surface. |
| US08957848B2 |
Data input device for electronic instrument and method of entering data
A data input device includes: an operation section including an electrostatic capacitance type touch sensor; and a control circuit section which determines if a data input operation is true or false and sends an output data corresponding to a sensed data only when the data input operation is determined as true. When one or more of the sensed data are entered into the control circuit section, a coordinate is identified which determines the data input operation as true based on invalidation determination region information previously prepared for each of coordinates corresponding to the sensed data, wherein while the sensed data for the coordinate indentified is entered, the data input operation, which is implemented to a coordinate other than the identified coordinate to determine the data input operation as true among a group aggregate of the coordinates corresponding to the sensed data within an invalidation determination region, is determined as false. |
| US08957847B1 |
Low distraction interfaces
A low distraction interface can be provided for an electronic device by monitoring information such as a gaze direction of a user. A device can be configured to only display information to a user when the user is looking substantially toward the device, and can be configured to present that information in a way that is of minimal distraction to others nearby. The user can control aspects of the display by looking away from the device, continuing to look at the device for a period of time, or otherwise providing input without physically interacting with the device. Such an approach can be beneficial for settings such as business meetings where a user might want to obtain information from the device but does not want to appear inconsiderate by picking up and checking information on the device. |
| US08957834B2 |
Timing controller with frequency modulation, converter with frequency modulation for scanning-based backlight unit module, and control system for 3D display
Timing controller with frequency modulation, converter with frequency modulation for scanning-based backlight unit module, and control system for 3D display. A timing controller with frequency modulation performs display frequency modulation of a first frame rate of a first display signal and outputs a second display signal at a second frame rate greater than or substantially equal to the first frame rate for presentation by a 3D display in a 3D mode or a 2D mode, selectively. A converter with frequency modulation performs scanning frequency modulation of a first scanning frequency of a first control signal generated from the converter and outputs a second control signal at a second scanning frequency greater than or substantially equal to the first scanning frequency, selectively, for controlling the scanning-based backlight unit module of the 3D display. |
| US08957829B2 |
Antenna module and method for making the same
An antenna module includes a main body and a three-dimensional radiator embedded in the main body. The main body is made of foamed ceramic material. A method for making the antenna is also described. |
| US08957827B1 |
Antenna structure with multiple matching circuits
Off-feed matching circuits for antenna structures of user devices and methods of operating the user devices with the off-feed matching circuits are described. Off-feed matching circuits are matching circuits that are positioned on the radiating elements and not on the feed line. One apparatus includes a RF feed coupled to an excitation antenna element of an antenna structure. The antenna structure also includes two radiating antenna elements and two matching circuits, one for each of the radiating antenna elements. The two radiating antenna elements may be conductively coupled to the excitation antenna element or parasitically coupled to the excitation element. |
| US08957826B2 |
Antenna device
An antenna device to be inserted in a memory card slot of an electronic device, includes an insulating layer, an antenna element formed on one surface of the insulating layer, and a ground element formed on the other surface of the insulating layer, the antenna element and the ground element being formed such that at least a part of the antenna element and at least a part of the ground element protrude from the memory card slot of the electronic device when the antenna device is inserted in the memory card slot, respectively; and a ground pattern extending in parallel relationship with the antenna element to be electrically connected to at least the ground element. |
| US08957824B2 |
Broadband dipole antenna
A broadband dipole antenna is provided, in which a radiator includes a plurality of radiation pattern units for transmitting and receiving a radio signal, the radiation pattern units have radiation patterns of resonators formed thereon, and a power supply and balun structure supports and supplies power to the radiator. Each of the plurality of radiation pattern units of the radiator has at least a dual radiation pattern structure having an inner radiation pattern and an outer radiation pattern. |
| US08957823B2 |
Radiator using a dielectric member and antenna including the same
A radiator for improving beam pointing error and beam tracking error using a dielectric member and an antenna including the same are disclosed. The radiator includes a first dipole member, a second dipole member adjacent to the first dipole member, a third dipole member facing to the first dipole member, and a fourth dipole member facing to the second dipole member. Here, the first to fourth dipole members have square shape, and a dielectric member is connected to at least one of the first to fourth dipole members. |
| US08957822B2 |
Operation of an antenna on a second, higher frequency
Systems and methods are provided for operating an existing antenna at a second, higher frequency. To this end, an antenna system includes an antenna feed and a first antenna assembly electrically connected to the antenna feed at a first end. The first antenna assembly has a first electrical length for a first frequency band and includes a substantially linear segment. A second antenna element is connected to the first antenna assembly and extends away from the first end of the first antenna assembly in a direction substantially parallel to the substantially linear segment. The second antenna element has an electrical length of one-quarter of a wavelength associated with a second frequency. |
| US08957818B2 |
Circularly polarized waveguide slot array
A circularly polarized waveguide slot array includes first and second waveguide sections, the first waveguide section extending along a longitudinal axis, and including an antenna element for transmitting or receiving a circularly polarized signal. The second waveguide slot section is coupled side-to-side with the first waveguide slot section and extends along the longitudinal axis, the second waveguide slot section including an antenna element for transmitting or receiving the circularly polarized signal at a phase which is substantially complementary to the circularly polarized signal transmitted by or received by the first waveguide slot section. Further exemplary, the antenna element disposed on the first waveguide slot section is offset from said antenna element disposed on the second waveguide slot section substantially one half of a predefined guide wavelength λg along said longitudinal axis. |
| US08957812B1 |
Position tracking system and method using radio signals and inertial sensing
An RF position tracking system for wirelessly tracking the three dimensional position of a device that transmits a radio signal. The device has an antenna and at least one inertial sensor. The system uses a plurality of receiver antennas to receive the device's radio signal at each antenna. The device also incorporates an inertial sensor to improve position stability by allowing the system to compare position data from radio signals to data provided by the inertial sensor. |
| US08957810B2 |
Near-field millimeter wave imaging
Systems and method for near-field millimeter wave imaging are provided, in particular, near-field millimeter wave imaging systems and methods that enable sub-wavelength resolution imaging by scanning objects with sub-wavelength probe elements and capturing and measuring phase and intensity of reflected energy to generate images. |
| US08957808B2 |
Phased array antenna and its phase calibration method
A phase array antenna includes an oscillator, a plurality of antenna elements, a phase shifter, a distributor, a receiving unit, and a control processor. The control processor performs a calibration process to select, from the antenna elements, a reference and target antenna elements to allow the radio waves generated by the oscillator to be provided for the reference and target antenna elements via the distributor, obtain a pattern of a change in a received power of radio waves received at the receiving unit, when a phase of the phase shifter for the reference antenna element is fixed and a phase of the phase shifter for the target antenna element is changed, extract, from the pattern obtained, the phase of the phase shifter for the target antenna element at which the received power becomes a local minimal value, and add the phase extracted to 180° to set its resultant value to a calibration value for the phase of the phase shifter for the target antenna element. |
| US08957807B2 |
Internal multi-axis G sensing used to align an automotive forward radar to the vehicle's thrust axis
A motor vehicle includes a vehicle floor, a tilt sensor attached to the vehicle floor and having an output, and a forward looking radar module attached to the vehicle. The radar module includes a radar, an accelerometer; and an output from the accelerometer, and a controller that averages the tilt sensor output and the accelerometer output and determines a difference between the output averages, the controller reporting when the differences changes more than a predetermined amount. A method of calibrating the forward looking radar module, when attached to a vehicle, comprises placing the vehicle on a flat surface to determine the accelerometer pitch. |
| US08957806B2 |
Radar system with synthetic aperture
Synthetic aperture radar (SAR) system and method of processing signals in a SAR system. The SAR system includes includes a radar antenna having at least one partial antenna, of which each at least one partial antenna includes a plurality of phase centers with assigned transmit/receive modules and a signal processor for coherent processing of signals of the phase centers. The signal processors include a hybrid beam forming module structured and arranged to digitize and process analog receive signals received by the transmit/receive modules of the phase centers, and to convert the digitally processed receive signals into analog signals. Further, an analog receive network is structured and arranged to combine the analog signals of respective transmit/receive modules with one another to form an output signal. |
| US08957801B2 |
Method and system for flash type analog to digital converter
The subject matter discloses a flash analog to digital converter arranged in a tree of signal amendment units, each comprises an amplifier and an offset adder. The output signals of the tree are even partitioned and compared to comparators, to reduce the level of accuracy required from the comparators. The subject matter also discloses a cascade of amplifiers connected in series and operate in delay one relative to the other, each amplifier comprises a reset unit to reset the amplifier responsive to receipt of a signal. |
| US08957796B2 |
System clock jitter correction
A system and method are provided for frequency multiplication jitter correction. The method accepts an analog reference signal having a first frequency, and using the analog reference signal, derives a system clock signal having a second frequency, greater than the first frequency. A PLL using a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) is one example of a frequency multiplier. The method samples the amplitude of the analog reference signal using the system clock signal and converts the sampled analog reference signal into a digitized reference signal. In response to comparing the digitized reference signal to an ideal digitized reference signal, the phase error correction for the system clock signal is derived. The phase error correction at a first instance of time can be applied to the digitized data signal, previously converted from an analog data signal sampled at a first instance of time with the system clock signal. |
| US08957795B2 |
Analog-to-digital conversion device
An analog-to-digital conversion device includes: an analog-to-digital converter that receives an analog voltage and converts the analog voltage into a digital value to output the converted digital value; and an offset correction unit that arithmetically operates an offset correction value based on a first digital value and a second digital value, the first digital value being to be output from the analog-to-digital converter by the analog-to-digital converter receiving a first analog voltage, the second digital value being to be output from the analog-to-digital converter by the analog-to-digital converter receiving a second analog voltage, the second analog voltage having a voltage value different from that of the first analog voltage, in which after the arithmetic operation of the offset correction value, the analog-to-digital converter outputs a digital value obtained by subtracting the offset correction value from the converted digital value. |
| US08957792B2 |
Two-dimensional run-length limited codec with protection words and method for using same
The invention provides a two-dimensional run-length limited (RLL) (1,3) code method and apparatus. The codec comprises an encoder and a decoder comprising a data buffer and grouping module, a two-dimensional code word generating module, a two-dimensional word unit page constructing module, a two-dimensional code word write array module, and a protection word stuffing module. The five modules are sequentially connected, and send output through the protection word stuffing module to a two-dimensional data recording device. The decoder comprises a two-dimensional data buffer module, a two-dimensional word unit page constructing module, a one-dimensional data word decoding module, and a one-dimensional data stream assembly module. The five modules are sequentially connected, and send output through the one-dimensional data stream assembly module. The encoding/decoding method and apparatus can solve problems that any binary two-dimensional data array composed of 0's and 1's satisfies two-dimensional (1, 3) RLL constraints in both horizontal and vertical directions. |
| US08957790B2 |
System and method for cruise monitoring and alerting
A monitoring system is disclosed for use with a mobile platform being operated by an operator. The system may make use of a database for containing operational information and procedures relating to the operation of the mobile platform by the operator. A processor may also be used that communicates with the database and with at least one subsystem of the mobile platform for monitoring operational information concerning operation of the mobile platform against stored information contained in the database. The processor may determine if the operation of the mobile platform is proceeding in accordance with predetermined standards. |
| US08957786B2 |
Enhanced alignment method for park assist
A method of parking a running vehicle includes measuring a length of a parked vehicle that is proximate to a desired parking location, and estimating the width of the parked vehicle based on a regression equation. The running vehicle is parked based on the estimated width. |
| US08957784B2 |
Advanced metering infrastructure system for guaranteeing reliable transmission of meter data and advanced metering method using the same
Disclosed herein is an advanced metering infrastructure system that includes electronic meters, each of which being configured to measure and store an amount of energy consumed by each customer and provided with a slave communication modem, a data concentrator for collecting meter data from the electronic meters via a master communication modem that performs wired/wireless communication with the slave communication modems of the electronic meters, and a meter reading server for receiving and managing the meter data collected by the data concentrator. The master communication modem and each of the slave communication modems implement mutual communication interfaces using a protocol stack. The protocol stack includes a network layer, an application layer, and a modem performance analysis layer disposed between the network layer and the application layer and configured to analyze quality of a communication link between the master communication modem and each slave communication modem. |
| US08957779B2 |
Drowsy driver detection system
A method of detecting impairment of a driver of a vehicle. The method includes sensing, using a sensor, a position of the driver's head at a plurality of time points; determining, using a microprocessor, changes in the position of the driver's head between the plurality of time points; evaluating, using a microprocessor, whether the changes in the position of the driver's head between the plurality of time points exhibit at least one of a periodic and a quasi-periodic pattern; determining whether the driver is impaired based on the pattern of the changes in the position of the driver's head; and if the driver is impaired, alerting the driver using an alarm. |
| US08957774B2 |
Concealed personal alarm and method
A transmitter, GPS, clock and, optionally, a microphone, video camera and identification signal means, and health monitoring sensors are housed in personal articles such as a pendant, a watch, a ring, mobile telephone, or other personal article. The article is disguised to look like it does not have all or some of said features, and is provided with a switching device, preferably operable with one hand, to turn the transmitter on. Preferably, the switching device has two switching elements which require simultaneous operation to energize the transmitter, so as to minimize false alarms. The method of use includes selecting the best-suited type of transmitter, causing emergency personnel to be prepared to act when receiving transmission from the alarm device, and advising users on carrying the modified personal article when protection is desired. |
| US08957770B2 |
Automatic networking apparatus and system for vehicles
A vehicle automatic networking apparatus with a first component and a second replaceable component includes a first identity recognition module on the first component and a second identity recognition module on the second component. The second module in a networking mode transmits a low frequency wake up signal through a low frequency signal transmission circuit to wake up the first module. A first identity recognition module low frequency sensor circuit senses the low frequency wake up signal, and responds by transmitting an identity code of the first component through a low frequency signal transmission circuit. A second module low frequency signal receiving circuit receives and stores the first component identity code. In a following data transmission, the second module sends data with the identity code, and a first component receiving apparatus identifies it. The first and second modules are both located rearward of a second component connection hitch. |
| US08957755B2 |
Multi-layer blade fuse and the manufacturing method thereof
A multi-layer fuse and its manufacturing method are provided. The multi-layer fuse comprises a ceramic substrate, back electrodes, front electrodes, fuse wire, protective layers and metal ends, wherein the fuse wire is prepared in multiple layers and the adjacent layers of fuse wire are connected in a head-to-tail style; the two lead-outs of the fuse wire as a whole are respectively connected to the two front electrodes located at the two ends of the substrate, and each layer of the fuse wire is deposited with a protective layer. During manufacturing, all protective layers but the upmost one leaves the tail of each layer of fuse wire uncovered so that the head-to-tail series connection is possible. |
| US08957752B2 |
Inverter housing system
A housing system can comprise a plastic cover (12); a plastic base (14) comprising a floor (20) having side walls (22, 24); a first elevation (26); a second elevation (34); a first mounting column (40) located in a transformer end (32) of the plastic base (14) adjacent a major axis first sidewall (22); a second mounting column (42) located in the transformer end (32) of the plastic base (14) adjacent a major axis second sidewall (22); wherein the first and second mounting columns (40,42) have a top surface (44) that protrudes a distance from the floor (20), in the Z direction, in an amount greater than or equal to elevation walls (28,36), wherein the top surface (44) is configured to receive an attachment element (46). The housing system can also comprise a transformer (72), physically attached to the mounting columns; a capacitor (74); a fan (78), and a printed circuit board (80). |
| US08957750B2 |
Modular magnetic device for clamping ferromagnetic workpieces
The present invention refers to a magnetic device for clamping ferromagnetic workpieces comprising a frame having a first magnetic circuit configured to generate a first magnetic field adapted to clamp a ferromagnetic workpiece to be processed; a second magnetic circuit configured to generate a second magnetic field adapted to clamp said ferromagnetic workpiece to a machine tool bed; said first magnetic circuit and said second magnetic circuit being adapted to be controlled to turn on and/or off independently one from the other. The modular magnetic device is characterized in that it comprises first and second mechanical and electrical connection means for mechanically and electrically connecting said magnetic device, when in operation, to corresponding second and first complementary mechanical and electrical connection means of other modular magnetic devices located adjacent thereto, to create a series of modular magnetic devices mechanically and electrically connected together. |
| US08957748B2 |
Solenoid-actuated contactor
Traditional contactors utilize a magnetic circuit that requires its coil to be continuously powered up to hold contacts together. They are heavy and bulky with the type, quality and size of materials used to develop sufficient magnetic force to hold contacts together. They are inefficient, costly and are a safety concern due to potential overheating which could result into fire or damage to connected loads. The current invention utilizes a solenoid actuator assembly with locking and unlocking mechanism in place of the yoke and armature assembly used in traditional magnetic contactors. It does not require the coil to be continuously powered up during operation and the contactor could be manually, electronically or electrically controlled thereby avoiding unnecessary power loss. They are very efficient, safe to users and connected loads, and have long service life expectancy. They are also more cost-effective and smaller in size than traditional magnetic contactors. |
| US08957740B2 |
Low power oscillator with negative resistance boosting
Representative implementations of devices and techniques provide increased negative resistance to an oscillator circuit. A capacitance divider and/or a feedback loop may be employed to increase the negative resistance of the oscillator circuit at the same current consumption and with the same load capacitance. Further, a constant bias circuit may be employed to conserve and/or reduce the current consumption of the oscillator circuit. |
| US08957738B1 |
Voltage controlled oscillator
A voltage controlled oscillator including an RF output terminal and a DC control terminal, an active circuit, and a resonant circuit interconnected with the active circuit and including a plurality of series resonators each having an electrically variable capacitance and fixed inductor; the active circuit includes at least one transistor having an operating current density which is approximately 35% or less of the peak fT operating current density and/or the active circuit includes a multi-transistor bank disposed in at least two separate sections, each pair of sections spaced apart to provide improved thermal uniformity among the transistors without substantially increasing parasitic impedance among them for providing an improved lower phase noise output at said RF output terminal. |
| US08957737B2 |
Methods and systems for generating millimeter-wave oscillations
The various embodiments of the present invention provide improved methods and circuits for generating millimeter-wave oscillations. Generating millimeter-wave oscillations may involve providing a semiconductor device comprising at least two terminals and a polar heterojunction formed from two semiconductor materials. A voltage bias may be applied to at least two terminals of the device in which the voltage enhances a two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG) layer at the polar heterojunction and produces a sharply-peaked but spatially-localized electric field within the 2DEG with a large longitudinal component, wherein the longitudinal component of the electric field serves as a nucleation site for a plurality of propagating dipole domains observable as a plurality of self-sustaining millimeter-wave oscillations. |
| US08957735B2 |
Phase-locked loop (PLL) circuit and communication apparatus
According to one embodiment, a phase locked loop (PLL) circuit includes an application unit, a correlator, an integrator and a power supply noise canceller. The application unit applies the test signal to a power supply voltage. The correlator extracts a frequency error signal as a monitor signal and calculates a correlation value for the test signal and the monitor signal to generate a correlation signal. The integrator integrates the correlation signal to generate an integral signal. The power supply noise canceller provides a cancellation gain corresponding to the integral signal to the power supply voltage to which the test signal is applied, to generate a control signal. |
| US08957722B2 |
Wideband double balanced image reject mixer
A double balanced image reject mixer (IRM) can be configured to comprise: a common radio frequency (RF) port; four mixer devices, each comprising an intermediate frequency (IF) port, an RF port and an local oscillator (LO) port; and a four-way, in-phase splitter/combiner. The four-way, in-phase splitter/combiner can be connected between the RF common port and the RF port of each of the four mixer devices. A method of performing spurious suppression and image reject mixing in a double balanced IRM, can comprise: directly in-phase combining radio frequency (RF) output signals of four mixer devices located in the double balanced IRM; and phase pairing local oscillator (LO) signals and intermediate frequency (IF) signals such that the combination of the phases of the respective IF and LO signals can result in substantially equal phase RF signals at the RF ports of all four mixer devices. |
| US08957720B2 |
Sampling clock generator circuit, and image reader and electronic device incorporating the same
A sampling clock generator circuit includes a reference clock generator, a sampling hold circuit, a sampling clock generator to delay an output clock signal from the reference clock generator by a predetermined delay amount to generate and supply a sampling clock signal to the sampling hold circuit, a phase determining element to compare phases of a drive clock signal for an image reading unit and the sampling clock signal to output a result of the phase comparison, the drive clock signal generated according to the output clock signal of the reference clock generator, and a controller to adjust the delay amount of the sampling clock generator on the basis of the result of the phase comparison so that a phase difference between the drive clock signal and the sampling clock signal becomes zero. |
| US08957719B2 |
Clock synchronization circuit and semiconductor device
A clock synchronization circuit is configured to capture an input data bit according to an input clock signal, and to synchronize and output the input data bit. The clock synchronization circuit includes a clock buffer for generating an internal clock signal according to the input clock signal and transmitting the internal clock signal to a clock line. The clock synchronization circuit further includes a D flip-flop for capturing and outputting the input data bit at an edge timing of the internal clock signal. The clock buffer includes an inverter core portion and an electric current suppressing portion. The inverter core portion is configured to generate the internal clock signal through alternately supplying an electric current to the clock line and drawing the electric current from the clock line according to the input clock signal. The electric current suppressing portion is configured to suppress an amount of the electric current. |
| US08957717B2 |
Scan flip-flop, method of operating the same, and device including the scan flip-flop
A scan flip-flop may include a selector outputting a data signal or a scan input signal in response to a scan enable signal, and a flip-flop that latches an output signal of the selector or the data signal, based on a clock signal and a low voltage signal. |
| US08957715B2 |
Output driver having improved electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) and associated methods
An integrated circuit includes an output driver circuit having a plurality of output driver devices connected in a parallel arrangement and an output driver controller that is capable of individually controlling the conducting states of the output driver devices. In at least one embodiment, the controller is capable of achieving any of a plurality of different fall times (and/or rise times) in an output signal by appropriately controlling the conducting states of the output devices if a change in the state of the output signal is desired, in some implementations, the controller is capable of achieving different waveshapes during rising and/or failing edges of an output signal. |
| US08957709B2 |
Driver circuit powered by two power supplies sequentially activated
A driver circuit including front and rear amplifiers each powered by the primary and secondary power supplies, where the latter power supply is generated from the former power supply. The rear amplifier includes a cascade transistor whose base bias is provided from the bias source. The bias source provides the base bias to reduce the base current when the primary power supply is active but the secondary power supply is inactive, and to be equal to the primary power supply when two power supplies become active but the rear amplifier is inactive. |
| US08957708B2 |
Output buffer and semiconductor device
An output buffer has a first transistor and a voltage mitigation second transistor. The first transistor is configured to generate a voltage value corresponding to the power-supply voltage in response to an input signal. The second transistor is provided between an output line and the first transistor. A gate terminal of the second transistor is applied with a power-supply bias voltage which turns the second transistor on and makes a voltage between gate and source terminals of the second transistor constant in accordance with a power-supply voltage. |
| US08957705B2 |
Phase frequency detector
Described is an apparatus comprising: a first phase frequency detector (PFD) to determine a coarse phase difference between a first clock signal and a second clock signal, the first PFD to generate a first output indicating the coarse phase difference; and a second PFD, coupled to the first PFD, to determine a fine phase difference between the first clock signal and the second clock signal, the second PFD to generate a second output indicating the fine phase difference. |
| US08957701B2 |
Integrated circuit
An integrated circuit capable of improving all factors, which are area, cost, logic change function, operating frequency, flexibility, through-put and power consumption, and a reconfigurable processor capable of changing an instruction function are provided. Unit cells, each having four-input and two-output, are arranged in a brick manner to constitute a reconfigurable array. Based on selection information, A/L selection and B/R selection are performed. Based on configuration information, an output of logical operation on inputs being A/L, B, B/R and A, and a non-reversed/revered inputs are outputted to an adjacent unit cell unit cell. |
| US08957699B2 |
Efficient Toffoli state generation from low-fidelity single qubit magic states
Systems and methods are provided for generating a high-fidelity Toffoli state from a plurality of low-fidelity single qubit magic states. First and second qubits are prepared in a high-fidelity initial state. N target qubits are prepared in the single qubit magic state. A series of gates are performed on the qubits, such that the system is in a state ½|0001 . . . 0N+½|0101 . . . 0N+½|1001 . . . 0N+½|1111 . . . 1N. A parity check is performed on the N target qubits. The parity check provides at least a first measurement value. The first qubit, the second qubit, and the first target qubit are accepted as the Toffoli state if the measurement values assume the desired values. |
| US08957698B2 |
Method and apparatus for off-line testing of multi-phase aternating current machines
A method and apparatus are provided for off-line testing of a multi-phase alternating current machine. The method comprises determining, at a first rotor position, a physical stator quantity of each stator winding by applying a test signal to each stator winding, and determining a first joint physical stator quantity by summing the determined physical stator quantities of the stator windings. There is also provided a method and apparatus for off-line testing of a multi-phase alternating current machine. The method comprises determining, at a second rotor position, a physical stator quantity of each stator winding by applying a test signal to each stator winding, determining a second joint physical stator quantity by summing the determined physical stator quantities of the stator windings, comparing the second joint physical stator quantity with a previously determined first joint physical stator quantity, and determining a fault condition of said multi-phase alternating current machine if the first joint physical stator quantity differs from the second joint physical stator quantity. |
| US08957687B2 |
Sensor
The invention relates to an electrochemical sensor integrated on a substrate, the electrochemical sensor including: a field effect transistor integrated on the substrate and having a source, gate and drain connections, said gate of the field effect transistor including: a sensing gate conductively coupled to a sensing electrode; and a bias gate, wherein the sensing gate is capacitively coupled to the bias gate and the bias gate is capacitively coupled to the substrate. |
| US08957685B2 |
Electrical power source battery tester
An electrical charge detection device for measuring the electrical charge of a dry cell battery comprises electrically conductive arms joined with a rivet pin at their proximal ends with curved tips at their distal ends. The junction formed by the proximal ends has a light source mounted on the planar top surface and is in electrical contact with the pin. The curved tips at the distal ends of the arms are angled to form inward curved prongs that connect with the polar ends of a power source such as a battery. When the arms are squeezed together, one tip contacts the cathode of the battery and the other touches the anode so that any charge in the battery will travel up the arms thereby lighting the bulb. The degree of brightness illuminated by the bulb is indicative of the electrical strength or power remaining therein. |
| US08957676B2 |
Magnetic field sensor having a control node to receive a control signal to adjust a threshold
An integrated magnetic field sensor includes a magnetic field sensing element configured to generate a magnetic field sensing element output signal in response to a magnetic field. The integrated magnetic field sensor also includes a threshold control node configured to receive a control signal from outside of the integrated magnetic field sensor, wherein the integrated magnetic field sensor is configured to provide an adjustable threshold signal in response to the control signal. The integrated magnetic field sensor also includes a comparator having a first input node coupled to receive a first signal representative of the magnetic field sensing element output signal, a second input node coupled to receive a second signal representative of the adjustable threshold signal, and an output node at which is generated an output signal responsive to the first and second signals. |
| US08957675B2 |
Rotation angle detection device
Upon detecting a peak value from output signals of one of either a first or a second magnetic sensor, an rotation angle computation device identifies, on basis of an amplitude compensation table corresponding to the one magnetic sensor for which the peak value was detected, a pole number of a magnetic pole sensed by the magnetic sensor. Then, based on the identified pole number and a magnetic pole identification table, a pole number of a magnetic pole sensed by the other magnetic sensor is identified. The pole numbers of the magnetic poles sensed by the respective magnetic sensors are thus identified, and the rotation angle computation device compensates the output signals of the respective magnetic sensors using amplitude compensation gains corresponding to the sensed magnetic poles (magnetic pole pair). |
| US08957673B2 |
Rotational angle sensor and method manufacturing same, and throttle control device with rotational angle sensor
A rotational angle sensor and a method for manufacturing the same, and a throttle control device with a rotational angle sensor, which may lower the cost, are provided. The rotational angle sensor includes each sensor IC for detecting a rotational angle of a rotor based on a magnetic field generated between a pair of magnets respectively disposed across the rotational axis of the rotor; each main terminal connected with each connection terminal of each sensor IC; and a holder member for holding each sensor IC and connection portions of each main terminal on each sensor side. A sensor assembly is constructed to form the sensor ICs the main terminals and the holder member into an assembly. A potting material is potted into the holder member. |
| US08957666B2 |
Anti-islanding protection in three-phase converters using grid synchronization small-signal stability
A small signal feedback loop or feed-forward loop having gain provides substantially unconditional instability in a phase locked loop when a reference phase signal is lost. The small signal feedback or feed-forward also modifies phase locked loop bandwidth when the reference phase signal is lost to increase rapidity of response to loss of reference phase signal while maintaining insensitivity to reference voltage amplitude change while the reference phase signal is present. The performance thus achieved is particularly suitable for rapid condition detection response and control of a grid connected power converter under islanding conditions. |
| US08957664B2 |
Device and method for detecting crowbar circuit in wind turbine
A device and a method for detecting a crowbar circuit in a wind turbine are provided, wherein the wind turbine comprises a converter electrically connected to the crowbar circuit, and the method comprises: electrically coupling a detection module to the crowbar circuit; inputting a first control signal into the crowbar circuit, to turn on the crowbar circuit; providing a three-phase voltage signal to the crowbar circuit via the converter, wherein voltage signals in any two adjacent phases has a predetermined phase angle difference; reading the first detection signal outputted by the detection module, to determine whether the crowbar circuit is normally thrown into the wind turbine; inputting a second control signal to the crowbar circuit, to turn off the crowbar circuit; and reading again the second detection signal outputted by the detection module, to determine whether the crowbar circuit is normally cut out from the wind turbine. |
| US08957658B2 |
Switching power-supply device
A switching power-supply device includes a main switching element connected between a power-supply and an output terminal; a driving circuit that drives the main switching element; a capacitor that feeds power to the driving circuit; a charging circuit that charges the capacitor when the main switching element is switched from an on-state to an off-state; a switching control circuit that performs switching control of alternately switching the main switching element to the on-state and the off-state via the driving circuit; a voltage detection circuit that detects a voltage between both ends of the capacitor, and a driving control circuit that switches a state of prohibiting driving of the main switching element and a state of permitting driving of the main switching element, based on a difference between an output voltage output from the output terminal and a preset reference voltage and the voltage between both ends of the capacitor. |
| US08957657B2 |
Startup of DC-DC converters utilizing multiple power segments
Generally, this disclosure provides methods and systems for improved startup for DC-DC converters that reduce input voltage droop, in-rush current and output voltage jumps. The system may include a power stage circuitry including a plurality of power segments coupled in parallel, the power stage circuitry is coupled between an input voltage and output stage circuitry and configured to deliver power to a load coupled to the output stage circuitry. The system may further include PWM and power stage controller circuitry configured to sequentially and progressively activate the plurality of power segments to limit an input in-rush current from the input voltage during a ramp up period and output voltage at the output stage circuitry. |
| US08957653B2 |
Power control circuit and loop analyzing apparatus comprising same
A power supply control circuit includes a main controller, a current detection unit electronically connected to the main controller, and a mode switch unit electronically connected to the main controller. The current detection unit cooperates with the main controller in detecting a value of an output current of a power supply circuit. The main controller determines whether the power supply circuit is operating in a discontinuous conduction mode or in a continuous conduction mode according to the value of the output current of the power supply circuit, and controls the mode switch unit to switch the power supply circuit to the continuous conduction mode when the power supply circuit operates in the discontinuous conduction mode. |
| US08957652B2 |
Output circuit
There is provided an output circuit for supplying an output current to a load coupled to an output terminal in response to an input signal. The output circuit includes an output transistor for supplying the output current to the output terminal, an output-drive circuit for driving the output transistor, a constant-current limiting circuit for generating a current control signal for limiting the output current to a predetermined current value, and a control circuit for implementing a control such that the output current is controlled on the basis of the current control signal if a voltage at the output terminal is at a predetermined voltage, or less after the input signal is supplied while the output transistor is driven by the output-drive circuit if the voltage at the output terminal is in excess of the predetermined voltage. |
| US08957649B2 |
Manual multi-phase voltage control
Aspects of manual multi-phase voltage control are described. In one embodiment, a voltage regulator controller includes switches for coupling power from an energized phase to a de-energized phase. For example, the voltage regulator controller may include a first power switch electrically coupled to drive circuitry of a first voltage regulator, a first phase output voltage of a multi-phase power delivery system, and a second phase output voltage of the multi-phase power delivery system. In certain aspects, the first power switch selectively toggles an electrical coupling between the drive circuitry of the first voltage regulator and one of the first phase output voltage and the second phase output voltage. Powering a voltage regulator of a de-energized phase with power from an energized phase may peg the operation of the voltage regulator, as necessary, to maintain the balance of the power distribution system, for example. |
| US08957644B2 |
High efficiency high power density power architecture based on buck-boost regulators with a pass-through band
A power system comprising a non-isolated voltage regulator configured to couple to an input voltage and produce an output voltage, wherein the non-isolated voltage regulator is in a power distribution system and configured to boost the input voltage when the input voltage is less than a minimum output voltage, to reduce the input voltage when the input voltage is greater than a maximum output voltage, and to pass-through the input voltage when the input voltage is greater than or equal to the minimum output voltage and less than or equal to the maximum output voltage. |
| US08957641B1 |
Magnetic controlled power generator
A magnetic controlled power generator provides a magnetic controlled loading device, power generator and flywheel device to form two independent modules which are easily assembled and disassembled for easy manufacture and maintenance. Besides, the magnetic controlled power generator has simple installation and lightweight components to generate a radial displacement for magnetic flux control, achieving continuous adjustment of the load resistance, thereby having the effect of reducing the cost and weight. |
| US08957639B2 |
Event system and timekeeping for battery management and protection system
Operating a battery management and protection system includes generating a set of events each of which has a respective frequency F/n1, F/n2 . . . F/nm, where ni are integers. One or more of the events are provided to one or more modules in the system. The events, which are generated and provided to the modules independently of a central processing unit, trigger performance of respective actions by the modules. |
| US08957635B2 |
Emergency power generating source for mobile devices
Various portable electronic devices are respectively equipped so that manually provided mechanical energy is converted into electrical energy and stored therein. The stored electrical energy can be used to power the respective portable electronic device for at least a brief period. Suitably equipped portable electronic devices can thus be operated in emergency situations without external sources of electrical power, replacement batteries, or the like. |
| US08957632B2 |
System and method for compatible wired charging and wireless charging
A system and method for enabling compatibility of wired charging with wireless charging are disclosed. The system includes an interface circuit, a wired charging unit and a wireless charging unit. The interface circuit is configured to connect the wired charging unit and the wireless charging unit to a power management unit; the wired charging unit is connected to the power management unit via an interface circuit and is configured to charge the power management unit by using a charging circuit in the power management unit; and the wireless charging unit is connected to the power management unit via the interface circuit and is configured to charge the power management unit by using the same charging circuit as that used by the wired charging unit. The method includes that an interface circuit connects a wired charging unit and a wireless charging unit to a power management unit, and the wireless charging unit and the wired charging unit use the same charging circuit in the power management unit to charge the power management unit. The system and method may avoid hidden dangers and guarantee display of the charging state of the terminal which is being charged in a wireless manner. |
| US08957631B2 |
Self-powered wireless induction sensor
An induction sensor generates speed data based on a frequency of the change in magnetic flux within the sensor and powers sensor circuitry by recharging a power source using at least a portion of the electrical voltage induced by the change in magnetic flux. In this manner, the induction sensor may generate its own power to sense and transmit data. To optimize the recharging power available from the induced electrical voltage, the sensor may also include a variable load. This variable load may be automatically controlled by the sensor based on the induced voltage and/or current. The induction sensor may also wirelessly transmit generated data. In addition, the sensor may, after shutting down, automatically power up in response to the change in magnetic flux exceeding a start-up threshold. |
| US08957629B2 |
Battery pack with wireless power transmission resonator
A battery pack employing a resonator for wireless power transmission is provided. The battery pack may include a thin film type resonator for a wireless power transmission. The battery pack may also include a battery to charge a power source using power generated by the thin film type resonator. |
| US08957624B2 |
Rechargeable battery systems and rechargeable battery system operational methods
Rechargeable battery systems and rechargeable battery system operational methods are described. According to one aspect, a rechargeable battery system includes a plurality of rechargeable battery cells coupled between a plurality of terminals and charge shuttling circuitry configured to couple with and shuttle electrical energy between individual ones of the rechargeable battery cells, and wherein the charge shuttling circuitry is configured to receive the electrical energy from one of the rechargeable battery cells at a first voltage and to provide the electrical energy to another of the rechargeable battery cells at a second voltage greater than the first voltage. |
| US08957623B2 |
Systems and methods for controlling multiple storage devices
Systems and methods for controlling multiple storage devices are provided. A system may include a first storage device and a second storage device, each adapted to store and release electrical energy. The system may also include a controller coupled to the first storage device, the second storage device, and a load. The controller is adapted to optimize operation of the system relative to a first system parameter by controlling the channeling of electric charge in a variable manner between the first storage device, the second storage device, and the load. |
| US08957622B2 |
Fuel cell system and electronic device
The present invention provides a small fuel cell system including a secondary battery, in which deterioration in the secondary battery is suppressed regardless of a temperature condition. A control unit adjusts the supply amount of a liquid fluid of a fuel pump so that charging current I2 to a secondary battery becomes smaller than a predetermined maximum charging current value Imax. Consequently, for example, even in the case of using a small secondary battery, the charging current I2 is limited to be smaller than a predetermined upper limit value (maximum charging current value Imax). In addition, a temperature detecting unit detects temperature T1 of the secondary battery and the control unit controls the maximum charging current value Imax in accordance with the detected temperature T1 of the secondary battery. In such a manner, the operation of limiting the charging current I2 in accordance with the temperature T1 of the secondary battery at that time is performed. |
| US08957621B2 |
Actuator having a multiphase motor, and a method of controlling such an actuator
An actuator comprising at least one multiphase motor having phases facing a rotor secured to an outlet shaft associated with a braking member and provided with a connection to a movable element that is to be moved, the motors and the braking member being connected to at least one motor control unit for controlling the motors by powering their phases. The motor has at least four phases wound in such a manner as to avoid a neutral point, and in that the control unit has one single-phase inverter per phase and is arranged to implement a nominal, three-phase mode of control, and a degraded mode of control that enables the rotor to be driven in rotation by powering two non-collinear phases thereof. |
| US08957620B2 |
Motor control apparatus, motor control method, motor system, and computer-readable medium
A motor control apparatus that controls the rotational angle of a motor (111) which drives a rotating body (112) includes a synchronizing means (200) for generating and outputting an interrupt signal (700) based on an external reference signal (600) input from outside and a rotating body reference signal (500) generated by the rotating body, and a controlling means (300) for computing a command value for making the rotational angle of the motor follow a target rotational angle and outputting the command value to the motor each time the interrupt signal is inputted. The synchronizing means (200) changes the output period of the interrupt signal (700) in accordance with a time difference between the external reference signal (600) and the rotating body reference signal (500). |
| US08957618B2 |
Control device for electric vehicle
In an electric vehicle, a throttle spring restores a throttle opening on the side of a minimum opening when the accelerator is not operated. A driving section drives a motor according to the throttle opening. The throttle spring pushes an accelerator grip to a creep speed reference opening so as to reduce the throttle opening. A creep speed control section supplies a motor driving instruction to the driving section so that the electric vehicle is advanced at minute vehicle speed. The electric vehicle can also be backed at predetermined minute vehicle speed when the throttle opening is smaller than the creep speed reference opening. |
| US08957614B2 |
Modularized control circuit with signal-capturing function for fan motor and controlling method
A modularized control circuit with a signal-capturing function for a fan motor is disclosed. The modularized control circuit includes a driven circuit and a microcontroller integrated circuit. The driven circuit is electrically connected to the fan motor to produce at least one analog driven voltage signal, thus driving the fan motor. The microcontroller integrated circuit is electrically connected to the driven circuit and includes a signal-capturing module, a control unit, and a driven signal generator. The signal-capturing module receives an external pulse signal to produce a cycle-capturing signal. The control unit is connected to the signal-capturing module and receives the cycle-capturing signal to produce a control signal. The driven signal generator is connected to the control unit to receive the control signal, thus producing a plurality of switch driven signals for controlling the driven circuit. |
| US08957604B2 |
System and method for implementing mains-signal-based dimming of solid state lighting module
A system for implementing mains-voltage-based dimming of a solid state lighting module includes a transformer, a mains sensing circuit and a processing circuit. The transformer includes a primary side connected to a primary side circuit and a secondary side connected to a secondary side circuit, the primary and second side circuits being separated by an isolation barrier. The mains sensing circuit receives a rectified mains voltage from the primary side circuit and generates a mains sense signal indicating amplitude of the rectified mains voltage. The processing circuit receives the mains sense signal from the mains sensing circuit across the isolation barrier, and outputs a dimming reference signal to the secondary side circuit in response to the mains sense signal. Light output by the solid state lighting module, connected to the secondary side circuit, is adjusted in response to the dimming reference signal output by the processing circuit. |
| US08957601B2 |
Configurable LED driver/dimmer for solid state lighting applications
The disclosure is directed at a configurable light emitting diode (LED) dimmer for controlling a set of light fixture loads comprising: a power circuit; a primary digital controller for controlling the power circuit; a set of output current drivers, each of the set of output current drivers connected to one of the set of light fixture loads for controlling the associated light fixture load; a secondary digital controller for controlling the set of output current drivers; wherein the secondary controller transmits LED control information to control outputs of the set of output current drivers; and wherein the secondary digital controller provides digital feedback control information to the primary digital controller. |
| US08957600B1 |
Two-stage led driver with buck PFC and improved THD
A two-stage light emitting diode (LED) driver for powering an LED load at a substantially constant current, and related methods and systems. The first or front end stage of the LED driver includes a buck topology power factor correction (PFC) circuit, the buck PFC circuit and a PFC controller. The second stage of the LED driver includes a conventional isolation and regulator circuit configured to receive the DC voltage and DC current output by the buck PFC and then to provide the substantially constant current to the LED load. By squaring the rectified input voltage sensed by the PFC controller, the input AC current drawn by the buck PFC circuit has a much improved total harmonic distortion (THD), which is achievable without the need for using an expensive PFC controller. The rectified input voltage is squared using a Zener diode ladder circuit. |
| US08957598B2 |
LED driving device, illuminator, and liquid crystal display device
The present invention provides a light emitting diode (LED) driving device, which comprises: a direct current/direct current (DC/DC) controller, for controlling an output segment that is used to generate an output voltage from an input voltage and supply the output voltage to an LED; an output current driver, for generating an output current of the LED; and an output discharging circuit, for performing, based on a predetermined control signal, discharging of the output voltage when a generation action of the output voltage and the output current stops. |
| US08957597B2 |
Luminaire
A luminaire is provided, which includes a first light source for providing an illumination light and a second light source passing through at least one image pattern for providing a patterned light. The first light source and the second light source are coupled to a driving circuit and covered by a lamp cover. The driving circuit is used to selectively drive at least one of the first light source and the second light source for providing the illumination light and/or the patterned light. A user may turn on or switch different patterns by touching a casing of the luminaire. |
| US08957592B2 |
Electrical power conversion device and lighting device
According to one embodiment, a power conversion device includes a DC conversion circuit, an output conversion circuit, and a control circuit. The DC conversion circuit converts an external power supply voltage to a DC voltage. The output conversion circuit includes a switching element which converts a DC voltage which is converted in the DC conversion circuit to an output voltage corresponding to a load, and supplies the output voltage to the load. The control circuit controls an ON time of the switching element to be constant, regardless of a value of the output voltage corresponding to the load, which is output from the output conversion circuit. |
| US08957589B2 |
LED light-adjustment driver module, backlight module and liquid crystal display device
An LED light-adjustment driver module includes a duty cycle detection unit, a current output unit, a comparator and a capacitor unit. The first input end of comparator is connected to capacitor unit, and the second input end of comparator inputs a default threshold voltage. The duty cycle detection unit is for receiving externally inputted PWM signal and detecting the duty cycle of the PWM signal; when the duty cycle detection unit detects the duty cycle is less than a default threshold, the current output unit increases the output current or the capacitor unit reduces the capacitance provided to reduce the time for the voltage of the capacitor unit to reach the threshold voltage. Hence, the charging speed of the capacitor unit can be increased. |
| US08957585B2 |
Solid-state light emitting devices with photoluminescence wavelength conversion
A solid-state light emitting device comprises a light transmissive thermally conductive circuit board; an array of solid-state light emitters (LEDs) mounted on, and electrically connected to, at least one face of the circuit board; and a photoluminescence wavelength conversion component. The wavelength conversion component comprises a mixture of particles of at least one photoluminescence material (phosphor) and particles of a light reflective material. The emission product of the device comprises the combined light generated by the LEDs and the photoluminescence material. The wavelength conversion component can comprise a layer of the phosphor material and particles of a light reflective material applied directly to the array of LEDs in the form of an encapsulant. Alternatively the photoluminescence component is a separate component and remote to the array of LEDs such as tubular component that surrounds the LEDs. |
| US08957584B2 |
Self light-emitting device
To provide a method of improving an efficiency for extracting light in a self light-emitting device using an organic EL material. In the self light-emitting device having a structure in which an EL layer (102) is sandwiched between a transparent electrode (103) and a cathode (101), a film thickness of the EL layer (102) and a film thickness of the transparent electrode (102) are equivalent to the film thicknesses in which there is no occurrence of a guided light, and an inert gas is filled in a space between the transparent electrode (103) and a cover material (105). |
| US08957581B2 |
Organic light emitting diode display
An organic light emitting diode (OLED) display, which includes a first electrode layer, a second electrode layer, an electroluminescent body, a phase shift layer and a metal layer, is disclosed. The electroluminescent body is disposed on the first electrode layer. The second electrode layer is disposed on the electroluminescent body. The phase shift layer has a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface. The second electrode layer is disposed on the second surface. The metal layer is disposed on the first surface of the phase shift layer. An environmental incident light enters a surface of the metal layer to form a first reflective light on the first surface and form a second reflective light on the second surface. The first reflective light has a phase difference from the second reflective light. |
| US08957578B2 |
Organic light emitting display devices and methods of manufacturing organic light emitting display devices
An organic light emitting display device may include a substrate, a first electrode, a light emitting structure, a second electrode and a nanostructure. The first electrode may be disposed over the substrate. The light emitting structure may be disposed over the first electrode. The second electrode may be disposed over the light emitting structure. A plurality of nanoparticles may be disposed over the second electrode. The plurality of nanoparticles is capable of causing surface plasmon resonance by light. At least some of the plurality of nanoparticles have materials, sizes and shapes determined to cause surface plasmon resonance by light having a predetermined wavelength and emitted from the light emitting structure. |
| US08957574B2 |
Organic electro-luminescence display device and method for fabricating the same
The present invention relates to an organic electro-luminescence display device and a method for fabricating the same, in which damage to a pad portion is prevented for improving yield.The organic electro-luminescence display device includes a thin film transistor array unit formed on a front surface of a lower substrate and a pad portion extended from the thin film transistor array unit, an organic EL array unit on the thin film transistor array unit having a matrix of organic EL cells, and a protective member for protecting the organic EL array unit and the thin film transistor array unit and exposing the pad portion to an outside, wherein the lower substrate has a thickness of a first region overlapped with the pad portion thicker than a thickness of a second region overlapped with the thin film transistor array unit. |
| US08957573B2 |
Miniature wire mount cathode with modulating electrode
Wire-suspended thermionic cathodes provide lower power, further reduction in size, better stability and accuracy, and higher loading then conventional art. The cathodes are too small for use with conventional heaters and so are heated from behind by an electron beam or an intense light beam, such as laser light transmitted via optical fiber to the back of the cathode. The cathodes are electrically isolated from the focus electrode, thus allowing beam cutoff and modulation. |
| US08957571B2 |
Ionizing electrode with integral cleaning mechanism
Ionizing electrode with a cleaning mechanism including a solenoid with a bushing, a magnetic conductor, a coil housing a core having first and second ends, a return spring and a terminal for high voltage supply mounted on its body. The ionizing electrode is mounted inside the bushing and is configured so that an ionizing end and a non-ionizing end of the electrode protrude from the bushing, the non-ionizing end being fastened to the first end of the solenoid core. |
| US08957570B2 |
Piezoelectric vibrator, oscillator, electronic instrument, and radio timepiece
There is provided a piezoelectric vibrator including a piezoelectric vibration reed having a pair of vibrating arm portions and a base portion configured to integrally fix proximal end sides of the pair of vibrating arm portions, a base substrate on which the piezoelectric vibration reed is mounted, and a lid substrate joined to the base substrate and configured to accommodate the piezoelectric vibration reed in a cavity defined between the lid substrate and the base substrate, wherein the base substrate is formed with a first engaging portion, and a second engaging portion configured to engage the first engaging portion and guide the piezoelectric vibration reed to a predetermined mount position of the base substrate and position the same is formed on the base portion of the piezoelectric vibration reed. |
| US08957569B2 |
GT-cut quartz crystal resonator
A GT-cut crystal resonator that can be provided with a support portion having a small and simple configuration without adverse effect on vibration characteristics includes: a crystal plate formed in an elliptical shape with a major axis and a minor axis respectively corresponding to vibration directions of two longitudinal vibration modes orthogonal to each other in a GT-cut; and a support portion that supports the crystal plate, the support portion being connected to a position on an outer periphery of the crystal plate where a minimum vibration displacement is obtained when the two longitudinal vibration modes are coupled. |
| US08957568B2 |
Electronic component, polymer actuator, and method for manufacturing electronic component
An electronic component includes an electronic component body having a plurality of electrodes and a sealing film sandwiching the electronic component body from both surfaces. The sealing film is sealed along its entire periphery. Extraction electrode portions are formed on an inner surface of the sealing film which is in contact with the electronic component body, and at positions corresponding to the electrodes, and are in contact with the electrodes. |
| US08957567B2 |
Mechanical design of deformation compensated flexural pivots structured for linear nanopositioning stages
A method and deformation compensated flexural pivots structured for precision linear nanopositioning stages are provided. A deformation-compensated flexural linear guiding mechanism includes a basic parallel mechanism including a U-shaped member and a pair of parallel bars linked to respective pairs of I-link bars and each of the I-bars coupled by a respective pair of flexural pivots. The basic parallel mechanism includes substantially evenly distributed flexural pivots minimizing center shift dynamic errors. |
| US08957566B2 |
Power generation unit, electronic apparatus, transportation device, battery, and method of controlling power generation unit
A power generation unit includes a first piezoelectric device having a pair of electrodes, a second piezoelectric device stacked on the first piezoelectric device, a switch electrically connected between the pair of electrodes, a current detection section adapted to detect a current generated in the second piezoelectric device, and a control section adapted to control the switch, and the control section electrically connects the switch for a predetermined period in at least either one of a case in which the current detected by the current detection section reaches a level one of equal to and higher than a first reference value or a case in which the current reaches a level one of equal to and lower than a second reference value. |
| US08957565B2 |
Acoustic wave device and method for manufacturing the same
An acoustic wave device includes a first electrode film arranged on a top surface of a piezoelectric substrate and defining electrodes including IDT electrodes and a second electrode film arranged to extend from the top surface of the piezoelectric substrate to a portion of a top surface of the first electrode film. The second electrode film defines electrodes including a wiring electrode 9 and pad electrodes and is made of a layered metal film including a plurality of metal films deposited in layers. The lowermost layer of the second electrode film is made of a metal selected from the group consisting of aluminum-copper alloy, nickel-chromium alloy, aluminum-silicon alloy, aluminum-titanium alloy, titanium, and copper, and the lowermost layer of the second electrode film is arranged to extend to a side surface of the second electrode film. |
| US08957562B2 |
Stator having conductors that are overlapped with each other at joint portions in a circumferential direction, motor having the stator, method for manufacturing the conductors and method for manufacturing the stator
A stator includes a core having a plurality of slots and a plurality of U-shaped conductors, which are inserted in the corresponding slots. Each of the conductors has a pair of legs and a joint portion that connects the legs together. Each slot receives four legs and each of the legs in the slot is one leg of the corresponding one of the conductors. Two of the four conductors corresponding to the four legs inserted in each slot are overlapped with each other at the joint portions as viewed at least circumferentially. |
| US08957561B2 |
Rotor for rotary electric machine
A plurality of magnetic poles are disposed at intervals, in a circumferential direction, at an outer periphery of a rotor core. Each magnetic pole has a pair of permanent magnets disposed spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction, and a magnetic flux suppression hole that suppresses flow of magnetic flux and that is formed extending on the inward side in the radial direction, between inner-periphery-side end portions of each permanent magnet. The magnetic flux suppression hole is formed of two first holes respectively communicating with magnet insertion holes into which the permanent magnets are inserted, and a second hole that is formed between the first holes with bridge portions interposed therebetween. An outer-periphery-side end portion of the second hole is positioned further outward than an imaginary straight line that passes through the inner-periphery-side end portions of the pair of permanent magnets. |
| US08957560B2 |
Electric rotating machine
A rotor includes a rotor core and permanent magnets each of which is received in a corresponding slot of the rotor core with its magnetization direction being oblique to a radial direction of the rotor core. Each of the permanent magnets has a first corner portion positioned radially outermost and a second corner portion positioned radially innermost. For each of the permanent magnets, there are formed first and second gaps respectively between the first corner portion and the inner surface of the corresponding slot and between the second corner portion and the inner surface of the corresponding slot in a reference direction of the permanent magnet. The rotor core also has, for each of the permanent magnets, supporting portions each of which abuts and thereby supports, in the reference direction, a predetermined portion of the permanent magnet which is positioned away from both the first and second corner portions. |
| US08957558B2 |
Linear vibration generator
A linear vibration generator is disclosed. The linear vibration generator in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes a stationary part, which has a polygonal-prism-shaped coil and in which the polygonal-prism-shaped coil induces a magnetic field by having an electric current supplied, a vibrating part, which has a polygonal-prism-shaped magnet and in which a portion of the polygonal-prism-shaped magnet is inserted into the coil, an elastic member, which is coupled to the stationary part and elastically supports the vibrating part such that the vibrating part can move linearly, and a lubricating band, which is formed on an outer circumferential surface of the magnet. |
| US08957548B2 |
Controlling antenna characteristics of a near field communications (NFC) device
An apparatus and method is disclosed to control antenna characteristic of a near field communications (NFC) device. The apparatus and method may tune a resonant frequency of an antenna module of the NFC device to compensate for manufacturing tolerances of the antenna module. The NFC device may cause the antenna module to operate in a first configuration for a first period of time that is characterized by a compensation resonant frequency and a second configuration for a second period of time that is characterized by an actual resonant frequency. The NFC device causes the antenna module to continuously switch between the first configuration and the second configuration such that on average, a resonant frequency of the antenna module is approximately equal to an expected resonant frequency of the antenna module. |
| US08957547B2 |
Uninterruptible power supply
An uninterruptible power supply (UPS) includes a rectifier, a buck converter, a solar energy module, a boost converter, a controller, and a power distribution unit (PDU). The solar energy module receives solar energy and converts the solar energy to a first DC voltage. The controller compares the first DC voltage with a preset voltage, and outputs a control signal to turn the boost converter on or off. When the boost converter is turned off, the rectifier receives an AC voltage from the AC power source and converts this to a rectified DC voltage which is output to the buck converter. When the boost converter is turned on, the boost converter converts the first DC voltage to a second DC voltage. The buck converter converts the rectified DC voltage or the first DC voltage to a working DC voltage and outputs to a power supply unit through the PDU. |
| US08957541B1 |
Spillway generator system
A spillway generator system for generating electrical power from the waste water discharged into the spillway of a waste water treatment plant. The system comprises a plurality of units each including a generator mounted on a deck mounted on pontoons tethered in the spillway and connected to a gear set that is connected by a toothed belt drive to a paddle wheel. |
| US08957540B2 |
Device for generating electric power from a source of air or other gas or fluid under pressure
A device (10) includes a turbine (22, 34) having an impeller (22), and an electric generator (12, 24) having a stator (12) provided with stator windings distributed around a cylindrical surface (X) coaxial to the impeller (22), and a permanent magnet (24) which is rotatable relative to the stator (12) and is drivingly connected for rotation with the impeller (22). The impeller (22) is housed inside the permanent magnet (24) and the assembly formed by the impeller (22) and by the permanent magnet (24) is housed inside the stator (12). The permanent magnet (24) is made as a single hollow cylindrical body of high magnetic density material with diametrical magnetization. |
| US08957539B1 |
Hybrid turbogenerator and associated method
A hybrid turbogenerator and a method of operation are provided to configure a gas turbine engine. In the context of a method, a hybrid turbogenerator including a gas turbine engine coupled to an electric motor-generator alternates between a standby mode and a charging mode. In the standby mode, the method at least partially closes one or more inlet guide vane(s) to limit air flow through a compressor and into a turbine. In the standby mode, the method provides power to both a power bus and the electric motor-generator from an energy storage device. In the charging mode, the method at least partially opens the inlet guide vane(s) to increase air flow through the compressor and into the turbine relative to the standby mode. In the charging mode, the method provides electric power from the electric motor-generator to both the power bus and the energy storage device. |
| US08957538B2 |
Apparatus for downhole power generation
Apparatus is provided for use in power generation, including a fluid-flow-driven power generator for use in a fluid-containing pipe such as a drill pipe as used in oil and gas exploration and extraction. Parts of the generator are removable from the pipe—for example while a drill pipe is downhole within a drilling well—to leave a clear through bore for survey and fishing operations and to enable replacement of the removed parts. The flow-driven generator comprises an impeller connected to a magnet assembly to rotate the magnet assembly when fluid flows past the impeller. This causes relative movement between the magnet assembly and an adjacent electrical coil assembly, the relative movement and magnetic coupling generating an electrical current in the coil assembly. This generated electrical current is used to power electrical devices within the pipe. |
| US08957534B2 |
Power generation mounting system
Some embodiments relate to a power generation system that includes a first side member and a second side member that is parallel to the first side member. At least one cross member extends between the first side member and the second side member. In some embodiments, the power generation system includes a first cross member and a second cross member. The first cross member includes a pair of flat mating surfaces that are parallel to the first cross member. The first cross member further includes a pair of angled mating surfaces that are at an angle relative to the first cross member. The power generation system further includes a power source that includes an alternator and an engine that drives the alternator to generate power. At least one of the engine and the alternator is mounted to the pair of flat mating surfaces or pair of angled mating surfaces. |
| US08957529B2 |
Power voltage supply apparatus for three dimensional semiconductor
Provided is a power voltage supply apparatus of a 3-dimensional (3D) semiconductor. The power voltage supply apparatus includes a plurality of integrated circuits (ICs) which each include a first through silicon via (TSV) and a second TSV, are stacked such that the first TSVs are connected and second TSVs are connected, and are mounted on a printed circuit board (PCB), wherein a first PCB line formed on the PCB and supplying a first voltage is connected to a bottom of a first TSV of a bottom IC from among the plurality of ICs, and a second PCB line formed on the PCB and supplying a second voltage is connected to a top of a second TSV of a top IC. |
| US08957528B2 |
Method and apparatus for reduced parasitics and improved multi-finger transistor thermal impedance
A transistor, a method and an apparatus for forming multiple connections to a transistor for reduced gate (FET/HEMT) or base (BJT/HBT) parasitics, and improved multi-finger transistor thermal impedance. Providing for a method and an apparatus that reduces a transistor's parasitics and reduces a transistor's thermal impedance, resulting in higher device bandwidths and higher output power. More particularly, providing for a method and an apparatus for applying compact, multiple connections to the gate of a FET (or HEMT) or the base of a BJT (or HBT) from many sides resulting in reduced parasitics and improved transistor thermal impedance. |
| US08957526B2 |
Semiconductor chips having through silicon vias and related fabrication methods and semiconductor packages
A semiconductor chip including through silicon vias (TSVs), wherein the TSVs may be prevented from bending and the method of fabricating the semiconductor chip may be simplified, and a method of fabricating the semiconductor chip. The semiconductor chip includes a silicon substrate having a first surface and a second surface; a plurality of TSVs which penetrate the silicon substrate and protrude above the second surface of the silicon substrate; a polymer pattern layer which is formed on the second surface of the silicon substrate, surrounds side surfaces of the protruding portion of each of the TSVs, and comprises a flat first portion and a second portion protruding above the first portion; and a plated pad which is formed on the polymer pattern layer and covers a portion of each of the TSVs exposed from the polymer pattern layer. |
| US08957524B2 |
Pillar structure for use in packaging integrated circuit products and methods of making such a pillar structure
One illustrative pillar disclosed herein includes a bond pad conductively coupled to an integrated circuit and a pillar comprising a base that is conductively coupled to the bond pad, wherein the base has a first lateral dimension, and an upper portion that is conductively coupled to the base, wherein the upper portion has a second lateral dimension that is less than the first lateral dimension. A method disclosed herein of forming a pillar includes forming a base such that it is conductively coupled to a bond pad on an integrated circuit product and, after forming the base, forming an upper portion such that it is conductively coupled to the base. |
| US08957523B2 |
Dielectric posts in metal layers
A semiconductor device is disclosed. The semiconductor device includes a substrate comprises a plurality of metal layers. The semiconductor device also includes dielectric posts disposed in the metal layers. The density of the dielectric posts in the metal layers is equal to about 15-25%. |
| US08957521B2 |
Mounted structure
A mounted structure includes an electrode of a substrate, an electrode of a semiconductor element, and a mounted layers for bonding the electrode of the substrate and the electrode of the semiconductor element, and the mounted layers includes: a first intermetallic compound layer containing a CuSn-based intermetallic compound; a Bi layer; a second intermetallic compound layer containing a CuSn-based intermetallic compound; a Cu layer; and a third intermetallic compound layer containing a CuSn-based intermetallic compound, and the above layers are sequentially arranged from the electrode of the substrate toward the electrode of the semiconductor element to configure the mounted layers. |
| US08957517B2 |
Semiconductor device including cooler
A semiconductor device includes a package and a cooler. The semiconductor package includes a semiconductor element, a metal member, and a molding member for encapsulating the semiconductor element and the metal member. The metal member has a metal portion thermally connected to the semiconductor element, an insulating layer on the metal portion, and a conducting layer on the insulating layer. The conducting layer is at least partially exposed outside the molding member and serves as a radiation surface for radiating heat of the semiconductor element. The cooler has a coolant passage through which a coolant circulates to cool the conducting layer. The conducting layer and the cooler are electrically connected together. |
| US08957516B2 |
Low cost and high performance flip chip package
A low cost and high performance flip chip package is disclosed. By assembling the package using a substrate panel level process, a separate fabrication of a substrate is avoided, thus enabling the use of a coreless substrate. The coreless substrate may include multiple stacked layers of laminate dielectric films having conductive traces and vias. As a result, electrical connection routes may be provided directly from die contact pads to package contact pads without the use of conventional solder bumps, thus accommodating very high density semiconductor dies with small feature sizes. The disclosed flip chip package provides lower cost, higher electrical performance, and improved thermal dissipation compared to conventional fabricated substrates with solder bumped semiconductor dies. |
| US08957513B2 |
Semiconductor device with embedded interconnect pad
A semiconductor device comprising: a lower semiconductor package that comprises a first set of one or more semiconductor dies, an upper semiconductor package that is stacked on the lower semiconductor package, the upper semiconductor package comprises a second set of one or more semiconductor dies, and a first interconnect pad that is embedded in a top side of the lower semiconductor package to couple the upper semiconductor package to the lower semiconductor package. |
| US08957510B2 |
Using an integrated circuit die configuration for package height reduction
A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor die having a first major surface and a second major surface opposite the first major surface, a first minor surface and a second minor surface opposite the first minor surface, a plurality of contact pads on the first major surface, and a notch which extends from the first minor surface and the second major surface into the semiconductor die. The notch has a notch depth measured from the second major surface into the semiconductor die, wherein the notch depth is less than a thickness of the semiconductor die, and a notch length measured from the first minor surface into the semiconductor die, wherein the notch length is less than a length of the semiconductor die measured between the first and second minor surfaces. The device includes a lead having a first end in the notch, and an encapsulant over the first major surface. |
| US08957508B2 |
Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same
A semiconductor device has a connection structure in which a power semiconductor chip is mounted on an insulating substrate having conductor patterns bonded to front and rear surfaces thereof, and the insulating substrate is connected to a heat-dissipating base member to dissipate heat generated from the power semiconductor chip to outside. The conductor pattern on the rear surface bonded to the heat-dissipating base member has a bonding portion having a rectangular shape and a predetermined curvature radius in vicinity of corners. |
| US08957505B2 |
Device substrate and fabrication method thereof
A fabricating method of a device substrate including the following procedures is provided. First, a substrate is provided and a patterned structure is formed on the substrate, wherein the patterned structure includes a plurality of openings. Then, a protective layer is formed on the patterned structure, wherein the protective layer does not fully fill the openings of the patterned structure such that a gap is existed between the protective layer and the patterned structure. Later, a device layer is formed on the protective layer. |
| US08957504B2 |
Integrated structure with a silicon-through via
An integrated structure with a silicon-through via includes a substrate, a through-silicon via penetrating the substrate, a conductive protective structure surrounding the through-silicon via and a first and a second conductive dummy patterns with different shapes disposed between the through-silicon via and the conductive protective structure. |
| US08957500B2 |
High-voltage integrated metal capacitor and fabrication method
A high-voltage metal capacitor with easy integration into existing semiconductor manufacturing processes can provide isolation capacitors up to several kilovolts. The capacitor includes a support layer with internal structure, including a lower place, a bond pad on the support layer, an upper plate disposed on the support layer, the upper plate being arranged above the lower plate, a dielectric layer, at least part of which is between the lower and upper plates, and a passivation layer, at least part of which covers at least part of the upper plate and part of the dielectric layer. A first opening extends from the surface through the passivation and dielectric layers to the lower plate, and a second opening extends from the surface through the passivation layer to the upper plate. A method of manufacturing the capacitor. |
| US08957498B2 |
On-chip electronic device and method for manufacturing the same
The present invention relates to an on-chip electronic device and a method for manufacturing the same. The on-chip electronic device according to the present invention comprises a substrate, a porous layer, a plurality of magnetic bodies, and an electronic member layer. The porous layer is disposed on the substrate and has a plurality of voids; each of the plurality of magnetic bodies is disposed in the plurality of voids, respectively; and the electronic member layer is disposed on one side of the porous layer, such as upper side of or lower sider of the porous layer. Because the plurality of magnetic bodies is used as the core of the inductance, the inductance is increased effectively and the area of the on-chip electronic device is reduced. Besides the manufacturing method according to the present invention is simple and compatible with the current CMOS process, the manufacturing cost can be lowered. |
| US08957495B2 |
Memory cell profiles
Examples of the present disclosure provide devices and methods for processing a memory cell. A method embodiment includes removing a key-hole shaped column from a material, to define a profile for the memory cell. The method also includes partially filling the key-hole shaped column with a first number of materials. The method further includes filling the remaining portion of the key-hole shaped column with a second number of materials. |
| US08957494B2 |
High-voltage Schottky diode and manufacturing method thereof
A high-voltage Schottky diode and a manufacturing method thereof are disclosed in the present disclosure. The diode includes: a P-type substrate and two N-type buried layers, a first N-type buried layer is located below a cathode lead-out area, and a second N-type buried layer is located below a cathode region; an epitaxial layer; two N-type well regions located on the epitaxial layer, a first N-type well region is a lateral drift region and it is provided with a cathode lead-out region, and a second N-type well region is located on the second N-type buried layer and it is a cathode region; a first P-type well region located on the second N-type buried layer and surrounding the cathode region; a field oxide isolation region located on the lateral drift region; an anode located on the cathode region and a cathode located on the surface of the cathode lead-out region. |
| US08957492B2 |
Semiconductor device having grooves on a side surface and method of manufacturing the same
In one embodiment of a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, a plurality of substantially columnar trenches are formed along a region for forming a dicing line in a semiconductor substrate having first surface and second surfaces opposed to each other, from the first surface. The substrate is subjected to a heat treatment. At least one hollow portion is formed in the substrate by migration of a material which composes the substrate. Semiconductor devices are formed in semiconductor regions of the substrate which are surrounded by the region for forming the dicing line. The semiconductor regions are provided on a side of the first surface. A portion of the substrate is removed from a side of the second surface until the thickness is reduced to a predetermined value. The substrate is divided into chips along a dicing line from at least the one hollow portion as a starting point. |
| US08957484B2 |
Piezoelectric substrate, fabrication and related methods
Improved methods, and related systems and devices, for fabricating selectively patterned piezoelectric substrates suitable for use in a wide variety of systems and devices. A method can include providing a piezoelectric substrate having a protrusion of substrate material, depositing an electrically conductive coating so as to cover a portion of a side of the substrate and protrusion, and removing a portion of the coated protrusion. |
| US08957482B2 |
Electrical fuse and related applications
In various embodiments, the fuse is formed from silicide and on top of a fin of a fin structure. Because the fuse is formed on top of a fin, its width takes the width of the fin, which is very thin. Depending on implementations, the fuse is also formed using planar technology and includes a thin width. Because the width of the fuse is relatively thin, a predetermined current can reliably cause the fuse to be opened. Further, the fuse can be used with a transistor to form a memory cell used in memory arrays, and the transistor utilizes FinFET technology. |
| US08957480B2 |
Semiconductor device including dummy transistors with reduced off-leakage current
In a semiconductor device, an active region includes: a first impurity region to which a predetermined voltage is applied; second and third impurity regions forming a pair of conductive electrodes of an insulated gate field effect transistor; and at least one impurity region disposed between the first and second impurity regions. A voltage that causes electrical conduction between the second and third impurity regions is applied to a gate electrode disposed between the second and third impurity regions. All gate electrodes disposed between the first and second impurity regions are configured to be electrically connected to the first impurity region constantly. All impurity regions disposed between the first and second impurity regions are electrically isolated from the first and second impurity regions and maintained in a floating state. |
| US08957479B2 |
Formation of multi-height MUGFET
A method and structure comprise a field effect transistor structure that includes a first rectangular fin structure and a second rectangular fin structure, both positioned on a substrate. The sides of the second rectangular fin structure are parallel to the sides of the first rectangular fin structure. Further, a trench insulator is positioned on the substrate and positioned between a side of the first rectangular fin structure and a side of the second rectangular fin structure. A gate conductor is positioned on the trench insulator, positioned over the sides and the top of the first rectangular fin structure, and positioned over the sides and the top of the second rectangular fin structure. The gate conductor runs perpendicular to the sides of the first rectangular fin structure and the sides of the second rectangular fin structure. Also, a gate insulator is positioned between the gate conductor and the first rectangular fin structure and between the gate conductor and the second rectangular fin structure. The gate conductor is positioned adjacent to a relatively larger portion of the sides of the second rectangular fin structure and is positioned adjacent to a relatively smaller portion of the sides of the first rectangular fin structure. |
| US08957475B2 |
Bootstrap field effect transistor (FET)
A laterally diffused metal oxide semiconductor (LDMOS) device, and a method of manufacturing the same are provided. The LDMOS device can include a drain region of a bootstrap field effect transistor (FET), a source region of the bootstrap FET, a drift region formed between the drain region and the source region, and a gate formed at one side of the source region and on the drift region. |
| US08957473B2 |
MOS-gated power devices, methods, and integrated circuits
MOS-gated devices, related methods, and systems for vertical power and RF devices including an insulated trench and a gate electrode. A body region is positioned so that a voltage bias on the gate electrode will cause an inversion layer in the body region. Permanent electrostatic charges are included in said insulation material. A conductive shield layer is positioned above the insulated trench, to reduce parasitic capacitances. |
| US08957471B2 |
Semiconductor memory device and method for manufacturing same
According to one embodiment, a semiconductor memory device includes a substrate, a stacked body, a conductive member, a semiconductor pillar, and a charge storage layer. The stacked body is provided above the substrate. The stacked body includes a plurality of insulating films stacked alternately with a plurality of electrode films. A plurality of terraces are formed in a stairstep configuration along only a first direction in an end portion of the stacked body on the first-direction side. The first direction is parallel to an upper face of the substrate. The plurality of terraces are configured with upper faces of the electrode films respectively. The conductive member is electrically connected to the terrace to connect electrically the electrode film to the substrate by leading out the electrode film in a second direction parallel to the upper face of the substrate and orthogonal to the first direction. The semiconductor pillar is provided in a central portion of the stacked body and extends in a stacking direction of the insulating films and the electrode films. The charge storage layer is provided between the electrode film and the semiconductor pillar. |
| US08957468B2 |
Variable capacitor and liquid crystal display device
A variable capacitor with high controllability and stable operation is provided. A liquid crystal display device with low power consumption and excellent display quality is provided. A variable capacitor is formed using two overlapping electrodes of different areas and a substantially intrinsic semiconductor layer formed in contact with one of the electrodes. According to the voltage applied to the electrodes, the semiconductor layer can be considered as a dielectric or a conductor, thereby allowing varying the capacitance of the variable capacitor. The variable capacitor is applied to pixels of a liquid crystal display device configured to switch between a low capacitance and a high capacitance of the variable capacitor in accordance with a moving image display mode and a still image display mode, respectively, whereby a liquid crystal display device with low power consumption and excellent display quality can be realized. |
| US08957467B2 |
Method of fabricating a semiconductor device
A semiconductor device includes: a transistor including source and drain diffusion-layers, a gate insulating film and a gate electrode; first and second plugs formed in a first interlayer-insulating film and connected to the source and drain diffusion-layers, respectively; a third plug extending through a second interlayer-insulating film and connected to the first plug; a first interconnection-wire formed on the second interlayer-insulating film and connected to the third plug; a second interconnection-wire formed on a third interlayer-insulating film and intersecting the first interconnection-wire; a fourth interlayer-insulating film; a hole extending through the fourth, third and second interlayer-insulating films, the hole being formed such that a side surface of the second interconnection-wire is exposed; and a fourth plug filling the hole via an intervening dielectric film and connected to the second plug, wherein a capacitor is formed using the fourth plug, the second interconnection-wire and the dielectric film sandwiched therebetween. |
| US08957462B2 |
Semiconductor device comprising an N-type transistor with an N-type semiconductor containing nitrogen as a gate
A semiconductor device such as a transistor with an excellent OFF characteristic even when a channel is short is provided. A periphery of a source is surrounded by an extension region and a halo region, a periphery of a drain is surrounded by an extension region and a halo region, and a substrate with low impurity concentration is not in contact with the source or the drain. Moreover, a high-work-function electrode is provided via a gate insulator, and electrons entering the vicinity of a surface of the substrate from the extension regions are eliminated. With such a structure, the impurity concentration of the channel region can be decreased even when the channel is short, and a favorable transistor characteristic can be obtained. |
| US08957460B2 |
Protein detector based on molecular controlled semiconductor resistor
The invention provides a semiconductor device for the detection of an active site-containing protein or a ligand thereof in a solution, said device comprising at least one insulating or semi-insulating layer; at least one conducting semiconductor layer, two conducting pads on top of the upper layer making electrical contact with said at least one conducting semiconductor layer, such that electrical current can flow between them at a finite distance from the surface of the device; a protective molecular layer fabricated on top of said upper layer and protecting said layer from corrosion; and said ligand or active site-containing protein linked to said protective molecular layer. Exposure of said ligand or active site-containing protein to a solution containing said active site-containing protein or ligand, respectively, causes a current change through the device when a constant electric potential is applied between the two conducting pads. The semiconductor device can be seen as a molecularly controlled semiconductor resistor (MOCSER) protein sensor based on doped and undoped GaAs stack structure. The GaAs is protected against etching in aqueous environments by the protective molecular layer. |
| US08957457B2 |
Method for manufacturing a semiconductor chip stack device
A method for manufacturing a semiconductor chip stack device is provided. The method includes forming a first connecting element array on a surface of a first semiconductor chip; forming a second connecting element array on a surface of a second semiconductor chip, the second array comprising more connecting elements than the first array and the pitch of the first array being a multiple of the pitch of the second array; applying the first chip against the second chip; and setting up test signals between the first and second chips to determine the matching between the connecting elements of the first array and the connecting elements of the second array. |
| US08957454B2 |
III-Nitride semiconductor structures with strain absorbing interlayer transition modules
There are disclosed herein various implementations of semiconductor structures including III-Nitride interlayer modules. One exemplary implementation comprises a substrate and a first transition body over the substrate. The first transition body has a first lattice parameter at a first surface and a second lattice parameter at a second surface opposite the first surface. The exemplary implementation further comprises a second transition body, such as a transition module, having a smaller lattice parameter at a lower surface overlying the second surface of the first transition body and a larger lattice parameter at an upper surface of the second transition body, as well as a III-Nitride semiconductor layer over the second transition body. The second transition body may consist of two or more transition modules, and each transition module may include two or more interlayers. The first and second transition bodies reduce strain for the semiconductor structure. |
| US08957448B2 |
LED package and fabrication method of the same
An LED package and method thereof include an insulation plate, and a metal board disposed on the insulation plate and etched to form a cavity, wherein the metal board is etched to partially expose the insulation plate to form the cavity. The LED package and method also include an LED chip configured to be mounted inside the cavity, and an encapsulation member filling the cavity, wherein the encapsulation member comprises an epoxy resin. The LED package and method include a through-hole configured to be formed on the insulation plate where the LED chip is mounted. The through-hole enables portions of the LED chip to be exposed, and a metal configured to fill the through-hole to form an electrode to be electrically connected to the LED chip. |
| US08957439B2 |
LED assembly
A light emission diode (LED) assembly, comprising a LED die (10), a phosphor layer (12), and a filter layer (14), wherein said filter layer (14) is developed in such a manner that light rays with a wavelength of about 400 nm to 500 nm, preferably of about 420 nm to 490 nm, emitted from the LED die (10) are at least partially reflected depending on their emission angle to the normal on the filter layer (14). With the inventive LED assembly it is possible to provide a LED assembly which solves the yellow ring problem without a reduction of the efficiency of the LED assembly. |
| US08957438B2 |
Methods of fabricating light emitting devices including multiple sequenced luminophoric layers
An LED includes a first pedestal and may be fabricated by coating a first phosphor layer on the LED, thinning the first phosphor layer to expose the first pedestal, forming a second pedestal on the first pedestal, coating a second phosphor layer and thinning the second phosphor layer to expose the second pedestal. Alternatively, an LED having a pedestal is coated with a first phosphor layer, coated with a second phosphor layer and then planarized to expose the pedestal. Related structures are also provided. |
| US08957434B2 |
Light emitting device, light emitting module, and method for manufacturing light emitting device
According to one embodiment, a light emitting device includes a semiconductor layer, a p-side electrode, an n-side electrode, a first insulating layer, a p-side interconnect layer, an n-side interconnect layer and a second insulating layer. The semiconductor layer includes a first surface, a second surface opposite to the first surface, and a light emitting layer. The p-side electrode is provided on the second surface in a region including the light emitting layer. The n-side electrode is provided on the second surface in a region not including the light emitting layer. The p-side interconnect layer includes a p-side external terminal exposed from the second insulating layer at a third surface having a plane orientation different from a plane orientation of the first surface and a plane orientation of the second surface. The n-side interconnect layer includes an n-side external terminal exposed from the second insulating layer at the third surface. |
| US08957432B2 |
Semiconductor device
A semiconductor device may reduce a dislocation density and tensile stress by forming a plurality of interlayers between neighboring clad layers. The semiconductor device may include a plurality of clad layers on a substrate and a plurality of interlayers between neighboring clad layers. |
| US08957430B2 |
Gel underfill layers for light emitting diodes
A light emitting device is fabricated by providing a mounting substrate and an array of light emitting diode dies adjacent the mounting substrate to define gaps. A gel that is diluted in a solvent is applied on the substrate and on the array of light emitting dies. At least some of the solvent is evaporated so that the gel remains in the gaps, but does not completely cover the light emitting diode dies. For example, the gel substantially recedes from the substrate beyond the array of light emitting diode dies and also substantially recedes from an outer face of the light emitting diode dies. Related light emitting device structures are also described. |
| US08957428B2 |
Coated light emitting device and method for coating thereof
The present invention relates to the field of a light emitting device (1), comprising a light emitting diode (2) arranged on a submount (3), said device having a lateral circumference surface (6) and a top surface (8), and an optically active coating layer (7), said coating layer (7): covering along at least a part of said circumference surface (6), extending from the submount (3) to said top surface (8), and essentially not covering the top surface (8). A method for producing the device is also disclosed. |
| US08957421B2 |
Flat panel display and method of manufacturing the same
In a flat panel display (FPD) and a method of manufacturing the same, the FPD includes a substrate, a semiconductor layer formed on the substrate, a wiring line formed on the substrate so as to be separated from the semiconductor layer, an insulating layer formed on the semiconductor layer and the wiring line, a gate electrode formed on the insulating layer formed on the semiconductor layer and extended to a top of the wiring line, and a source electrode and a drain electrode coupled to a source region and a drain region, respectively, of the semiconductor layer. Capacitance is formed by the gate electrode and the wiring line. |
| US08957415B2 |
Thin film transistor and thin film transistor array panel including the same
A thin film transistor includes: a gate electrode on a substrate; a source electrode; a drain electrode positioned in a same layer as the source electrode and facing the source electrode; an oxide semiconductor layer positioned between the gate electrode and the source electrode or drain electrode; and a gate insulating layer positioned between the gate electrode and the source electrode or drain electrode. The oxide semiconductor layer includes titanium oxide (TiOx) doped with niobium (Nb). |
| US08957411B2 |
Light-emitting device and method for manufacturing the same
An object is to improve reliability of a light-emitting device. A light-emitting device has a driver circuit portion including a transistor for a driver circuit and a pixel portion including a transistor for a pixel over one substrate. The transistor for the driver circuit and the transistor for the pixel are inverted staggered transistors each including an oxide semiconductor layer in contact with part of an oxide insulating layer. In the pixel portion, a color filter layer and a light-emitting element are provided over the oxide insulating layer. In the transistor for the driver circuit, a conductive layer overlapping with a gate electrode layer and the oxide semiconductor layer is provided over the oxide insulating layer. The gate electrode layer, a source electrode layer, and a drain electrode layer are formed using metal conductive films. |
| US08957410B2 |
Organic light-emitting diode package structure and method for forming the same
An OLED package structure includes: a substrate, on which an organic light-emitting element is provided, and a cover plate having an annular groove surrounding the organic light-emitting element thereon. A packaging adhesive, partly inside the groove and partly outside the groove, adheres the cover plate to the substrate to seal the organic light-emitting element. In the OLED package structure according to the present invention, the thickness of the spacer can be smaller, so as to eliminate color mixture during an evaporation process and to prevent a Newton ring phenomenon in the OLED package structure. |
| US08957409B2 |
Double-sided luminescent organic light emitting device and manufacturing method thereof
Disclosed are a double-sided luminescent organic light emitting device and the manufacturing method thereof. The double-sided luminescent organic light emitting device comprises a transparent substrate (21), an anode (22), a transparent cathode (25), and at least two organic light emitting structures (23a, 23b) and at least a charge-generation layer (24) set between the anode (22) and the transparent cathode (25), and the charge-generation layer (24) is set between the two neighboring organic light emitting structures (23a, 23b), the charge-generation layer (24) and the organic light emitting structures (23a, 23b) are alternately arranged. The charge-generation layer (24) includes an n-type semiconductor layer (241) and a p-type semiconductor (242) layer combined with the n-type semiconductor layer. Said double-sided light emitting organic light emitting device requires low driving current, and has high luminescence efficiency, high brightness, and high light extraction efficiency. In addition, said device enables nearly 360 degrees omnidirectional illumination, enlarges the illumination area and the application range, and has long lifetime, simple preparation procedures and low production cost. |
| US08957408B2 |
Organic light emitting device and method for manufacturing the same
An organic light emitting device, efficacy and lifetime of which are improved by forming a blue light emitting layer disposed over respective pixels in common as a double layer structure, includes a substrate divided into and defined by first to third pixels, a first electrode disposed on the TFT substrate and a second electrode facing the first electrode, the second electrode being spaced from the first electrode, a first light emitting layer and a second light emitting layer disposed in the first pixel and in the second pixel, respectively, between the first electrode and the second electrode, a sub-light emitting layer and a third light emitting layer disposed over the first to third pixels in this order on the first light emitting layer and the second light emitting layer. |
| US08957407B2 |
Anthracene derivatives, preparation method thereof and organic light emitting diode using the same
The present invention provides a novel anthracene derivative, a method for preparing the same, and an organic electronic device using the same. The anthracene derivative according to the invention can function alone as a light emitting host, in particular, as a blue host in an organic electronic device. Further, the anthracene derivative according to the invention can also function as a hole injecting or hole transporting material, an electron injecting or electron transporting material, or a light emitting material in an organic electronic device including a light emitting device. Therefore, the organic electronic device according to the present invention shows excellent characteristics in efficiency, drive voltage and stability. |
| US08957406B2 |
Organic material-based graphitic material
Various methods and apparatuses involve the provision of graphitic material. As consistent with one or more aspects herein, an organic material template is used to restrict growth, in a width dimension, of graphitic material grown from the organic material template. Graphitic material is therein provided, having a set of characteristics including electrical behavior and shape, with a representative width defined by the width dimension, based on the organic material template. |
| US08957402B2 |
Semiconductor light emitting device and manufacturing method of the same
According to one embodiment, a semiconductor light emitting device includes a first nitride semiconductor layer, a nitride semiconductor light emitting layer, a second nitride semiconductor layer, a p-side electrode, and an n-side electrode. The nitride semiconductor light emitting layer is provided on the p-side region of the second face of the first nitride semiconductor layer. The second nitride semiconductor layer is provided on the nitride semiconductor light emitting layer. The p-side electrode is provided on the second nitride semiconductor layer. The n-side electrode is provided on the n-side region of the second face of the first nitride semiconductor layer. The nitride semiconductor light emitting layer has a first concave-convex face in a side of the first nitride semiconductor layer, and a second concave-convex face in a side of the second nitride semiconductor layer. |
| US08957401B2 |
Semiconductor nanoparticle-based materials
In various embodiments, the present invention relates to a plurality of coated primary particles, each primary particle including a primary matrix material and containing a population of semiconductor nanoparticles, wherein each primary particle is provided with a separate layer of a surface coating material. Various methods of preparing such particles are described. Composite materials and light-emitting devices incorporating such primary particles are also described. |
| US08957399B2 |
Nonvolatile memory element and nonvolatile memory device
A variable resistance nonvolatile memory element includes a first electrode, a second electrode, and a variable resistance layer including: a first oxide layer including a metal oxide having non-stoichiometric composition and including p-type carriers; a second oxide layer located between and in contact with the first oxide layer and a second electrode and including a metal oxide having non-stoichiometric composition and including n-type carriers; an oxygen reservoir region located in the first oxide layer, having no contact with the first electrode, and having an oxygen content atomic percentage higher than that of the first oxide layer; and a local region located in the second oxide layer, having contact with the oxygen reservoir region, and having an oxygen content atomic percentage lower than that of the second oxide layer. |
| US08957393B2 |
Particle beam irradiation apparatus and particle beam therapy system
A scanning power source that outputs the excitation current for a scanning electromagnet and an irradiation control apparatus that controls the scanning power source; the irradiation control apparatus is provided with a scanning electromagnet command value learning generator that evaluates the result of a run-through, which is a series of irradiation operations through a command value for the excitation current outputted from the scanning power source, that updates the command value for the excitation current, when the result of the evaluation does not satisfy a predetermined condition, so as to perform the run-through, and that outputs to the scanning power source the command value for the excitation current such that its evaluation result has satisfied the predetermined condition. |
| US08957391B2 |
RF transformer
An RF transformer for supplying power as part of a tank circuit, comprising: a primary side, having at least one main winding and at least one shorting winding, the at least one main winding being configured to receive an RF input; a secondary side, having a first winding inductively coupled to the at least one main winding of the primary side and a second winding inductively coupled to the at least one shorting winding of the primary side; and a switching arrangement, adjustable between a first state in which the at least one shorting winding of the primary side is shorted and a second state in which the at least one shorting winding of the primary side is not shorted, such that the resonant frequency of the tank circuit is changed by adjusting between the first and second states. |
| US08957390B2 |
Electron gun arrangement
A gun arrangement configured for generating a primary electron beam for a wafer imaging system is described. The arrangement includes a controller configured for switching between a normal operation and a cleaning operation, a field emitter having an emitter tip adapted for providing electrons and emitting an electron beam along an optical axis, an extractor electrode adapted for extracting the electron beam from the emitter tip electrode, a suppressor electrode, and at least one auxiliary emitter electrode arranged radially outside the suppressor electrode, and provided as a thermal electron emitter for thermally emitting electrons towards the optical axis. |
| US08957388B2 |
Compensatable muon collider calorimeter with manageable backgrounds
A method and system for reducing background noise in a particle collider, comprises identifying an interaction point among a plurality of particles within a particle collider associated with a detector element, defining a trigger start time for each of the pixels as the time taken for light to travel from the interaction point to the pixel and a trigger stop time as a selected time after the trigger start time, and collecting only detections that occur between the start trigger time and the stop trigger time in order to thereafter compensate the result from the particle collider to reduce unwanted background detection. |
| US08957387B2 |
Absorption probe for measuring dissolved organic carbon in an aqueous sample
Some embodiments relate to an absorption probe for measuring an amount of dissolved organic carbon in an aqueous sample, the absorption probe comprising: a housing defining an analysis zone for the containment or passage of an aqueous sample; a light reflector disposed within said housing; an ultraviolet light emitting device disposed within said housing and operable to radiate ultraviolet light along an optical path that passes through the aqueous sample to impinge on said reflector; and a light detector disposed within said housing and operable to detect radiated light reflected from said reflector and to output a received signal from said detected reflected light, said received signal indicative of a measure of an amount of dissolved organic carbon in the aqueous sample. |
| US08957384B2 |
Gamma ray detector linearity calibration
A gamma ray detector having a scintillator with segments allows for a linearity calibration of the gamma ray detector without the use of a linearity phantom. The segments in the scintillator are configured to channel output radiation received by the gamma ray detector to loci identifiable in image data generated by photomultiplier tubes. The non-linearity in the detector system may be characterized, and a correction map may be generated, based upon the identifiable loci. |
| US08957366B2 |
Light source unit including a light emitting plate on which a diffusive transmission area and a luminescent light emitting area are formed, and projector
There is provided a light source unit comprising a first and second light sources, a luminescent light emitting device having a light emitting plate, a light source control device controlling the illumination of the light sources and driving of the light emitting plate, and a light guiding optical system guiding light from the light sources and luminescent light from the light emitting plate so that optical axes coincide to be directed in the same direction, wherein the light emitting plate includes a first area with a luminescent material layer on a reflection layer, a second area transmitting light from the light sources while diffusing it and a third area with a luminescent material layer on a dichroic layer, and wherein the light emitting plate includes a drive motor positioning repeatedly sequentially the first, second and third areas in an optical axis position of light from the light sources. |
| US08957365B2 |
Light reception circuit and light reception device
A light reception circuit includes a direct current (DC) level shift circuit that shifts a DC voltage level of a first signal or a second signal and outputs a third signal or a fourth signal, or outputs both of the third signal and the fourth signal so that a DC voltage level of the first signal output from a cathode of a photodiode that generates a signal by photo conversion and a DC voltage level of the second signal output from an anode of the photodiode agree, and a differential amplifier that amplifies a difference between the third signal and the second signal, between the first signal and the fourth signal, or the third signal and the fourth signal, based on the third signal, the forth signal output from the DC level shift circuit, impedance of the DC level shift circuit being lower than input impedance of the differential amplifier. |
| US08957362B2 |
Determining relative timing offset in different electronic pathways using internal signals
A process and system including a detector having a photosensor therein that outputs a signal and a plurality of after-pulse detector devices independently connected to the photosensor via respective pathways. The after-pulse detector devices each detecting an after-pulse in the signal, where the after-pulse represents an after-event in the photosensor triggered from a previous photon generating event. The system further includes a processing device that receives an indication of the detection of the after-pulse from each of the plurality of after-pulse detector devices and determines a relative delay between the respective pathways based on timing the received indications, and includes a memory that stores the relative delay in association with an identification of the corresponding after-pulse detector devices. |
| US08957361B2 |
Switching circuit, charge sense amplifier including switching circuit, and photon counting device including switching circuit
A switching circuit, a charge sense amplifier, and a photon counting device are provided. The switching circuit configured to close and open a connection between a first terminal and a second terminal of a predetermined circuit element, includes: a first transistor comprising a source connected to the first terminal, a drain connected to the second terminal, and a gate; a second transistor comprising a drain, a source, and a gate connected to the drain of the second transistor; a current source configured to supply a current flowing through the drain and the source of the second transistor, to generate a gate voltage of the gate of the second transistor; and a multiplexer configured to receive the gate voltage, a reference voltage, and a control signal, and selectively apply the gate voltage or the reference voltage to the gate of the first transistor based on the control signal. |
| US08957357B2 |
Solid-state imaging device, manufacturing method of the same, and electronic apparatus
A solid-state imaging device includes plural photodiodes which are formed in a photodiode area of a unit pixel with no element separating area interposed therebetween and in which impurity concentrations of pn junction areas are different from each other. |
| US08957356B2 |
System and method for generating extreme ultraviolet light
A system for generating extreme ultraviolet light may include a chamber, a target supply device configured to supply a target material into the chamber, a laser apparatus configured to output a laser beam to irradiate the target material, a wavefront adjuster configured to adjust a wavefront of the laser beam, an imaging optical system configured to focus the laser beam reflected by the target material, an image detector configured to capture an image of the laser beam focused by the imaging optical system, and a controller configured to control the wavefront adjuster based on the captured image. |
| US08957355B1 |
Inertial measurement unit apparatus for use with guidance systems
Inertial measurement unit apparatus for use with guidance systems are disclosed herein. An example guidance system includes an inertial measurement unit removably coupled in a cavity of a guidance wafer via an access port of the guidance wafer defining a port axis that is non-parallel relative to a longitudinal axis of the guidance wafer. |
| US08957353B2 |
Heat generation system for generator field insulation bake acceleration
A heat generation system and a method of curing an adhesive for an electrical generator rotor during a rotor rewind operation are provided. The heat generation system includes a heating source in contact with a pole of the electrical generator rotor to heat the pole, thereby reducing heat loss from the adhesive to the pole. The heat generation system also includes at least one holding arrangement holding the heating source in contact with the at least one pole. The method includes applying an adhesive onto an electrical generator rotor and utilizing a heat generation system to provide heat to the electrical generator rotor. The method further includes placing a heating source in contact with the pole, holding the heating source in contact with the pole using a holding arrangement, heating the pole by activating the heating source, and heat curing the adhesive. |
| US08957344B2 |
Welding system with power line communication
Various welding systems that provide communication over auxiliary or weld power lines are provided. The disclosed embodiments may include a multi-process welding power supply that is communicatively coupled to a pendant via an auxiliary conduit that facilitates the exchange of data and power between components of the welding system. In some embodiments, the pendant may also include auxiliary outlets that allow an operator to power auxiliary devices at the weld location. The disclosed embodiments further include a pendant with a wire spool and wire feeder drive circuitry that is configured to activate spooling during MIG welding. Embodiments are provided that also allow for bidirectional data communication over a power line in networked welding systems. |
| US08957337B2 |
Rigid keyboard mechanism
A keyboard for an electronic device, including a switch plate configured to be in communication with the electronic device, a key cap movably supported above the switch plate, and a translation mechanism operably connected to the switch plate and the keycap. The translation mechanism is configured to translate the key cap vertically relative to the switch plate. The translation mechanism includes a first support and a second support substantially identical to the first support, where the first support and the second support are a rigid material and as the key cap is depressed, the first support and the second support pivot relative to each other to translate the keycap vertically with respect to the switch plate. |
| US08957329B2 |
Low-profile load-measuring attachment for lift-trucks
For minimizing the height of the load-measuring attachment for a lift-truck, the cover is made of thin sheet metal. The side-walls of the channel-section of the cover are folded into double thickness, to stabilize the side-walls of the cover. |
| US08957328B2 |
Weight monitoring systems and methods using biometric identification input devices
A weight monitoring system includes a biometric identification input device, a body weight scale, and a controller. The controller is operative to identify a subject using identification data acquired by the biometric identification input device, to store weight data for the subject acquired by the body weight scale, and to correlate the weight data with the subject. |
| US08957325B2 |
Optimized via cutouts with ground references
The present disclosure relates to a method of optimizing via cutouts, including selecting a geometry of a via cutout on a first ground reference layer adjacent to a first differential trace, the geometry selected to provide an extension region extending in the direction of the first differential trace. Additionally, the method includes the steps of selecting a geometry of the first differential trace, wherein a spacing of the first differential trace in the extension region is different from a spacing of the first differential trace outside the extension region, and selecting a radial dimension of a first and second via cutout on a second ground reference layer adjacent to and between the first and second differential traces, the radial dimension of the first via cutout and the second via cutout selected such that the second ground reference layer remains intact in the area adjacent the second differential trace. |
| US08957324B2 |
Interconnect for high-frequency printed circuit
The invention relates to a printed circuit for high-frequency signals, and more particularly to interconnect means between transmission lines situated on different faces of the printed circuit. According to the invention, in the vicinity of the interconnect means, the transmission lines each extend in a main direction. The interconnect means comprise two vias each extending along an axis. In a plane containing the main direction of a first of the transmission lines and perpendicular to the face bearing the first transmission line, an orthogonal fix is formed whose abscissa is borne by the main direction of the first transmission line. The abscissae of the axes of the vias or of their projection on the plane, perpendicularly to the plane, are separate. |
| US08957320B2 |
Printed wiring board
A printed wiring board includes a substrate having an accommodation section having multiple opening portions, multiple electronic components accommodated in the opening portions, respectively, a filler resin provided in the opening portions in the substrate such that the electronic components are secured in the opening portions in the substrate, a resin insulation layer formed over the substrate and the electronic components, a conductive layer formed on the resin insulation layer, and via conductors formed in the resin insulation layer and connecting the conductive layer and the electronic components. The opening portions are connected to each other. |
| US08957310B2 |
Cable protection and guide member
There is provided a cable protection and guide member that requires no assembly, allows cables to be readily installed and steadily protected, and suppresses dust, flexion noise and flexion vibrations. The member can also maintain a straight position of the cable, can achieve a flexional movement of the cable smoothly with a small radius of flexion, and can block the cable from jumping out of a cable accommodating space. The member comprises the rectangular-tube like cable accommodating space composed of a belt-like inner circumferential wall portion and of a large number of arm-like holding portions that are formed integrally with both right and left edges of the belt-like inner circumferential wall portion. Side wall base end portions of the arm-like holding portions are integrally molded by two color molding by using synthetic resin softer than any of the portions. |
| US08957309B2 |
Deformable seal integrated with package lid
A measurement apparatus is disclosed. The measurement apparatus includes a lid configured to be removably affixed to a case. The lid is formed from a substrate composed of a first material. An interior surface of the lid includes a surface coating of a second material. A raised seal is affixed to the substrate and extends beyond the interior surface in a direction orthogonal to the interior surface. The raised seal includes an elastic deformable layer adjacent to the substrate. The raised seal also includes a surface conforming layer configured such that, when the lid is affixed to the case, the surface conforming layer is adjacent to the case along a side opposite the elastic deformable layer. The surface conforming layer is composed of a material of a yield strength less than a normal force generated by fixation of the lid to the case. |
| US08957307B2 |
Photoelectric conversion element module and method for manufacturing photoelectric conversion element module
A photoelectric conversion element module 1 comprises a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements 10 each having a first electrode 15 and a second electrode 25 that oppose each other, and a conductive member 30 electrically connecting the plurality of photoelectric conversion elements 10 to each other; the plurality of photoelectric conversion elements 10 are arranged in planar form such that directions from the first electrodes 15 toward the second electrodes 25 are the same; the first electrode 15 and second electrode 25 have extended portions 15a, 25a respectively which extend to outside a region encompassed by an outer periphery of a sealing member 17; and in adjacent photoelectric conversion elements 10A and 10B, the conductive member 30 connects the extended portion 15a of one of the photoelectric conversion elements 10A and the extended portion 25a of the other photoelectric conversion element 10B; and the extended portion 25a has flexibility. |
| US08957306B2 |
Multijunction solar cell with two step diffusion region in substrate
A solar cell having a first subcell including a germanium (Ge) substrate having a diffusion region doped with n-type dopants including phosphorus and arsenic, wherein the upper portion of such diffusion region has a higher concentration of phosphorus (P) atoms than arsenic (As) atoms, and a second subcell including a layer of either gallium arsenide (GaAs) or indium gallium arsenide (InGaAs) disposed over the substrate. |
| US08957305B2 |
Electrolyte for photoelectric conversion element, and photoelectric conversion element and dye-sensitized solar cell using same
An object of the present invention is to provide an electrolyte for a photoelectric conversion element that can achieve superior moisture resistance, and a photoelectric conversion element and a dye-sensitized solar cell using the electrolyte. The electrolyte for a photoelectric conversion element of the present invention includes an organic solvent (A) and a lamellar clay mineral (B). The organic solvent (A) has a boiling point of 150° C. or higher, and a relative dielectric constant of 20 or higher. |
| US08957304B2 |
Sheet for solar cell encapsulant and solar cell module
A sheet for solar cell encapsulant including (A) an ethylene copolymer selected from 1a to 5a; and (B) an ethylene copolymer selected from 1b to 3b, the copolymer (A) having a melting point of 90° C. or higher and containing constituent unit derived from ethylene [1a: ethylene-vinyl acetate (VA) copolymer, 2a: ethylene-acrylate copolymer, 3a: high-pressure method low-density polyethylene, 4a: ethylene-α-olefin copolymer, 5a: ethylene-G(M)A copolymer other than the below-described 1b, 1b: ethylene-G(M)A copolymer, 2b: ethylene-VA-G(M)A copolymer, 3b: ethylene-acrylate-G(M)A copolymer]. In the ethylene copolymer (B), the total ratio of the constituent unit derived from glycidyl(meth)acrylate (G(M)A) is preferably from 2% to 30% by mass. As a result of this, crosslinking treatment is substantially unnecessary, and practical adhesion and adhesion stability are achieved without heat treatment for crosslinking. |
| US08957299B2 |
Thermoelectric material including nano-inclusions, thermoelectric module and thermoelectric apparatus including the same
A thermoelectric material including a thermoelectric matrix; and nano-inclusions in the thermoelectric matrix, the nano-inclusions having an average particle diameter of about 10 nanometers to about 30 nanometers. |
| US08957297B2 |
Programmable musical instrument pedalboard
In one embodiment, a programmable pedalboard for a musical instrument is provided. The pedalboard includes a docking station for receiving a removable portable computer that provides a plurality of instrument effects. The docking station is configured to receive an audio signal from a musical instrument and to modify the audio signal from the musical instrument based on at least one instrument effect from the plurality of instrument effects. |
| US08957288B2 |
Tomato Line FDS 17-APER
The invention provides seed and plants of tomato line FDS 177-APER. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of tomato line 177-APER, and to methods for producing a tomato plant produced by crossing such plants with themselves or with another tomato plant, such as a plant of another genotype. The invention further relates to seeds and plants produced by such crossing. The invention further relates to parts of such plants, including the fruit and gametes of such plants. |
| US08957287B2 |
Tomato line PSQ-9Z09042
The invention provides seed and plants of tomato line PSQ-9Z09042. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of tomato line PSQ-9Z09042, and to methods for producing a tomato plant produced by crossing such plants with themselves or with another tomato plant, such as a plant of another genotype. The invention further relates to seeds and plants produced by such crossing. The invention further relates to parts of such plants, including the fruit and gametes of such plants. |
| US08957280B2 |
Delta-5 desaturases and their use in making polyunsaturated fatty acids
Isolated nucleic acid fragments and recombinant constructs comprising such fragments encoding delta-5 desaturases along with a method of making long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) using these delta-5 desaturases in plants are disclosed. |
| US08957279B2 |
Mite composition comprising Glycyphagidae and phytoseiid mites, use thereof, method for rearing a phytoseiid predatory mite, rearing system for rearing said phytoseiid predatory mite and methods for biological pest control on a crop
The present invention relates to a novel mite composition comprising a population of a phytoseiid predatory mite species and a factitious host population comprising a species selected from the Glycyphagidae, which may be employed for rearing said phytoseiid predatory mite species or for releasing the phytoseiid predatory mite species in a crop. According to further aspects the invention relates to a method for rearing a phytoseiid predatory mite species, to the use of the mite composition and to a method for biological pest control in a crop, which employ the mite composition. |
| US08957278B2 |
Absorbent composites exhibiting stepped capacity behavior
An absorbent article has an absorbent composite that includes a water-insoluble fibrous matrix, a superabsorbent polymer composition that has an initial absorbent capacity of at least about 5 grams of saline per gram of superabsorbent polymer composition; and a first triggering mechanism having a first release time of between about 5 and 60 minutes, and a second triggering mechanism. The superabsorbent polymer composition may have a second absorbent capacity that is at least about 25% greater than the first absorbent capacity as measured by the mCRC Test. |
| US08957277B2 |
Disruptable adhesive layer for fluid activated debonding
Various systems, methods and materials are disclosed that enable efficient delivery of an agent into an adhesively adhered article, in which the agent elicits a desired outcome, on demand. This strategy, though general in scope, is also more specifically described with regard to enabling painless or atraumatic removal of products adhering to mammalian tissues such as skin and hair by suitably exploiting the ingress of an appropriate agent or like fluid. Other techniques and articles that aid in the handling or removal of such adhesive products are also disclosed. |
| US08957274B2 |
Process to make olefins and aromatics from organics
The present invention relates to a process to make light olefins and aromatics, in a combined XTO-OC process, from an oxygen-containing, halogenide-containing or sulphur-containing organic feedstock comprising: a0) providing a first portion and a second portion of said oxygen-containing, halogenide-containing or sulphur-containing organic feedstock, a) providing a catalyst comprising zeolitic molecular sieves containing at least 10 membered ring pore openings or larger in their microporous structure, b) providing an XTO reaction zone, an OC reaction zone and a catalyst regeneration zone, said catalyst circulating in the three zones, such that at least a portion of the regenerated catalyst is passed to the OC reaction zone, at least a portion of the catalyst in the OC reaction zone is passed to the XTO reaction zone and at least a portion of the catalyst in the XTO reaction zone is passed to the regeneration zone; c) contacting the first portion of said oxygen-containing, halogenide-containing or sulphur-containing organic feedstock in the XTO reactor with the catalyst at conditions effective to convert at least a portion of the feedstock to form a XTO reactor effluent comprising light olefins and a heavy hydrocarbon fraction; d) separating said light olefins from said heavy hydrocarbon fraction; e) contacting said heavy hydrocarbon fraction and the second portion of said oxygen-containing, halogenide-containing or sulphur-containing organic feedstock in the OC reactor with the catalyst at conditions effective to convert at least a portion of said heavy hydrocarbon fraction and oxygen-containing, halogenide-containing or sulphur-containing organic feedstock to light olefins and aromatics. |
| US08957273B2 |
Process to make olefins from organics
The present invention relates to a process to make light olefins, in a combined XTO-OC process, from an oxygen-containing, halogenide-containing or sulphur-containing organic feedstock comprising: a0) providing a first portion and a second portion of said oxygen-containing, halogenide-containing or sulphur-containing organic feedstock, a) providing a catalyst comprising zeolitic molecular sieves containing at least 10 membered ring pore openings or larger in their microporous structure, b) providing an XTO reaction zone, an OC reaction zone and a catalyst regeneration zone, said catalyst circulating in the three zones, such that at least a portion of the regenerated catalyst is passed to the OC reaction zone, optionally at least a portion of the catalyst in the OC reaction zone is passed to the XTO reaction zone and at least a portion of the catalyst in the XTO reaction zone is passed to the regeneration zone; c) contacting the first portion of said oxygen-containing, halogenide-containing or sulphur-containing organic feedstock in the XTO reactor with the catalyst at conditions effective to convert at least a portion of the feedstock to form a XTO reactor effluent comprising light olefins and a heavy hydrocarbon fraction; d) separating said light olefins from said heavy hydrocarbon fraction; e) contacting said heavy hydrocarbon fraction and the second portion of said oxygen-containing, halogenide-containing or sulphur-containing organic feedstock in the OC reactor with the catalyst at conditions effective to convert at least a portion of said heavy hydrocarbon fraction and oxygen-containing, halogenide-containing or sulphur-containing organic feedstock to light olefins. |
| US08957268B2 |
Methods of refining natural oil feedstocks
Methods are provided for refining natural oil feedstocks. The methods comprise reacting the feedstock in the presence of a metathesis catalyst under conditions sufficient to form a metathesized product comprising olefins and esters. In certain embodiments, the methods further comprise separating the olefins from the esters in the metathesized product. In certain embodiments, the methods further comprise hydrogenating the olefins under conditions sufficient to form a fuel composition. In certain embodiments, the methods further comprise transesterifying the esters in the presence of an alcohol to form a transesterified product. |
| US08957261B2 |
Method for producing partially halogenated, hydroxylated fullerene
Provided are a novel fullerene derivative which can adsorb quickly and efficiently an allergen which may cause a pollen allergy without releasing the allergen again, does not contain a metal or the like which may cause a harmful effect to a human body, and is easily applicable, impregnable, or chemically bondable onto surface of various materials; and a process for producing the same. The fullerene derivative is characterized in that a halogen group and many hydroxyl groups are bonded directly to a fullerene nucleus. In the case that the halogen group is chlorine, the fullerene derivative can be synthesized by a partial hydroxylation of a chlorinated fullerene or a partial chlorination of a hydroxylated fullerene. |
| US08957260B2 |
Process for the oxidation of mesitol
The invention relates to a process for the oxidation of mesitol with singlet oxygen, which is released from hydrogen peroxide, this release taking place in the presence of a bismuth compound as catalyst. In the process, 2,4,6-trimethylquinol is formed in high yield and selectivity as product, which can be used in further reactions for the synthesis of vitamins and in particular of vitamin A and vitamin E. |
| US08957247B2 |
Pretreatment method for chelate resin having pyridine ring used for collecting catalyst in aromatic carboxylic acid production process
In pretreating a pyridine ring-containing chelate resin which is used in the step for adsorption and collection of a heavy metal ion and a bromide ion derived from a catalyst from the oxidation reaction mother liquid in the process of producing an aromatic carboxylic acid, there may occur phenomena such as swelling of the resin, heat generation of the resin, and air bubbles generation, thereby causing fracture and deterioration of the resin. As a first treatment, Br− conversion, under a certain condition, of a pyridine ring-containing chelate resin with an aqueous solution of hydrobromic acid is performed, and then as a second treatment, replacement with acetic acid solvent is performed, thereby making it possible to prevent fracture and deterioration of the resin. |
| US08957246B2 |
Method for making a peroxycarboxylic acid
The present invention relates to apparatus and methods for making a peroxycarboxylic acid. The apparatus includes a reaction catalyst and a guard column for pretreating one or more reagents, which can increase the life, activity, and/or safety of the reaction catalyst. The peroxycarboxylic acid compositions made by the method and apparatus can include one or more peroxycarboxylic acids. |
| US08957245B2 |
Method for producing isocyanate
The invention relates to a process for preparing an isocyanate, which involves contacting fluid streams of amine, phosgene and inert medium in at least one mixing device, such that an inert medium stream is metered at least between one amine stream and one phosgene stream within the mixing device, and then reacting an amine with phosgene in a reaction chamber to form an isocyanate. In this process the inert medium stream is metered such that a point of first contact of the amine and the phosgene occurs at a distance from a surface of the mixing device, and a turbulent flow is present in the reaction chamber. |
| US08957244B2 |
Process for preparing methyl formate by reaction of methanol with carbon monoxide in the presence of a catalyst system comprising alkali metal formate and alkali metal alkoxide
Process for preparing methyl formate by carbonylation of methanol by means of carbon monoxide in a carbonylation reactor in the presence of a catalyst system comprising alkali metal formate and alkali metal alkoxide to give a reaction mixture (RM) which comprises methyl formate, alkali metal formate, alkali metal alkoxide and possibly unreacted methanol and unreacted carbon monoxide and is taken from the carbonylation reactor, wherein the reaction mixture (RM) comprises at least 0.5% by weight of alkali metal alkoxide based on the total weight of the reaction mixture (RM) and the molar ratio of alkali metal formate to alkali metal alkoxide in the reaction mixture (RM) is greater than 1. |
| US08957241B2 |
Method for producing carbonyl compound
A method for producing a carbonyl compound of the present invention comprises a step (X) of reacting a specific compound having a urea bond with a carbonic acid derivative having a carbonyl group (—C(═O)—) under heating at a temperature equal to or higher than the thermal dissociation temperature of the urea bond to obtain the carbonyl compound. |
| US08957234B2 |
Acetylene and diacetylene compounds of transition metals
A compound having the moiety M-[(C≡C)n-M′]m. Each M and each M′ is a transition metal. Each n is 1 or 2, and m is 2 or more. A method of reacting a transition metal halide with 1,2-dilithioacetylene or 1,4-dilithiodiacetylene to form a transition metal compound. |
| US08957230B2 |
Synthesis of cleistanthin A and derivatives thereof
The present invention provides a method for preparing Cleistanthin A, a diphyllin glycoside, derivatives thereof and intermediates thereto. In particular the present invention provides in one of the aspect a method for synthesis of compound of formula D a key intermediate of diphyllin, which can be carried out in a shorter duration and at an ordinary temperature. |
| US08957225B2 |
Photochemical methods and photoactive compounds for modifying surfaces
Compounds and methods for controlling the surface properties are described. Compounds of the invention can form radicals upon exposure to irradiation, which can then react with nearby molecules to alter the surface properties of various substrates. The invention can provide surfaces that are resistant to dewetting, surfaces that have immobilized molecules such as carbohydrates and polymers immobilized, and surfaces that have metals deposited on the surface. The invention can be utilized in a wide range of application, such as sensors, microreactors, microarrays, electroless deposition of metals, and the like. |
| US08957224B2 |
Photoinitiators for UV-LED curable compositions and inks
A specific type of carbazole photoinitiator is capable of providing radiation curable compositions that are curable by UV LEDs and do not exhibit an unstable yellowing behavior in an image upon storage like ITX. |
| US08957221B2 |
Method for preparing amino-triazolinone
The present invention relates to a method for preparing an amino-triazolinone which can be used as a raw material for amicarbazone and has chemical formula (I). The method for preparing the amino-triazolinone includes the steps of: reacting an acyl hydrazide of chemical formula (II) with a carbamating agent of chemical formula (III) or (IV) so as to obtain a hydrazine carboxylic acid of chemical formula (V); and reacting the thus-obtained hydrazine carboxylic acid of chemical formula (V) with a hydrazine hydrate under the presence of a base catalyst. According to the present invention, the amino-triazolinone may be stably prepared without using safety equipment or safety facilities for a possible leakage of phosgene, which has been used as a conventional reactant. Thus, manufacturing costs for amicarbazone, which is used as a herbicide for farm products such as sugar cane, corn, or the like, can be reduced so as to achieve improved price competitiveness, and further to achieve improved cost competitiveness compared to other herbicides. |
| US08957220B2 |
Preparation method of carfentrazone-ethyl
A preparation method of carfentrazone-ethyl comprises steps of: reacting 1-(5-amino-4-chloro-2-fluorophenyl)-4-difluoromethyl-3-methyl-1H-1,2,4-triazol-5-one with acrylic acid through a diazo arylation reaction to give 2-chloro-3-{2-chloro-5-[4-(difluoromethyl)-4,5-dihydro-3-methyl-5-oxo-1H-1,2,3-triazol-1-yl]-4-fluorophenyl}propionic acid; and reacting the 2-chloro-3-{2-chloro-5-[4-(difluoromethyl)-4,5-dihydro-3-methyl-5-oxo-1H-1,2,3-triazol-1-yl]-4-fluorophenyl}propionic acid with ethanol through an esterification reaction in a presence of an acidic catalyst to give carfentrazone-ethyl. |
| US08957217B2 |
Phosphorescent material, their preparations and applications
The subject invention is directed to tetradentate bis-(NHC carbenes) alkylene ligand Pt(II) complexes, tetradentate bis-(NHC carbenes) alkylene ligands, and its ligand precursors, for preparation of the Pt(II) complexes. The Pt(II) complexes show a deep blue emission with an improved quantum efficiency and can be used for fabrication of OLEDs with an electroluminescence layer that comprise the bis-(NHC carbenes) alkylene ligand Pt(II) complexes. |
| US08957216B2 |
Heterocyclic compounds useful for kinase inhibition
Provided herein are compounds useful for kinase inhibition. |
| US08957208B1 |
Heteroleptic iridium complex bearing diazolate chelate
A heteroleptic iridium complex of a formula (I): where R1 and R2 are each independently hydrogen, alkyl, fluoroalkyl, or aryl, X is C-X1 or nitrogen, X1 being hydrogen or phenyl, L1 is a monoanionic bidentate ligand, and L2 is a neutral bidentate ligand. |
| US08957206B2 |
Methods of producing molindone and its salts
The present invention is directed towards novel methods of synthesis of molindone, synthesis of the intermediates of molindone, and high-purity compositions of molindone. In particular, the invention relates to the methods of synthesis of molindone through the Mannich reaction. |
| US08957199B2 |
Oligoribonucleotide or peptide nucleic acid capable of inhibiting activity of hepatitis C virus
The present inventors focused on siE sequences that have been thought to show RNAi activity against HCV viral RNAs, and mainly selected the D5-50 and D5-197 regions present within the IRES region, and carried on the analysis. As a result, the present inventors successfully identified siRNA sequences that exhibit a more effective RNAi activity against hepatitis C virus RNAs. Furthermore, the siRNAs were demonstrated to have a significant inhibitory effect on HCV propagation in an in vivo system. |
| US08957197B2 |
RNA sequence-specific mediators of RNA interference
The present invention relates to a Drosophila in vitro system which was used to demonstrate that dsRNA is processed to RNA segments 21-23 nucleotides (nt) in length. Furthermore, when these 21-23 nt fragments are purified and added back to Drosophila extracts, they mediate RNA interference in the absence of long dsRNA. Thus, these 21-23 nt fragments are the sequence-specific mediators of RNA degradation. A molecular signal, which may be their specific length, must be present in these 21-23 nt fragments to recruit cellular factors involved in RNAi. This present invention encompasses these 21-23 nt fragments and their use for specifically inactivating gene function. The use of these fragments (or chemically synthesized oligonucleotides of the same or similar nature) enables the targeting of specific mRNAs for degradation in mammalian cells, where the use of long dsRNAs to elicit RNAi is usually not practical, presumably because of the deleterious effects of the interferon response. This specific targeting of a particular gene function is useful in functional genomic and therapeutic applications. |
| US08957196B2 |
Vector and expression cell line for mass production of recombinant protein and a process of producing recombinant protein using same
Disclosed herein is an inducible high-expression cassette comprising a dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) promoter from which GC-rich repeat sequences are partially or entirely removed, the cassette capable of more effectively improving a gene amplification system. Also disclosed are an expression vector comprising the inducible expression cassette and optionally a gene encoding a recombinant protein of interest, an animal cell line transformed with the expression vector, and a method of mass producing and purifying a recombinant protein by culturing the transformant. The present invention enables the shortening of the time required to establish a cell line producing a recombinant protein of interest at high levels using a low concentration of a DHFR inhibitor, thereby allowing more effective production of the recombinant protein. |
| US08957193B2 |
Polynucleotides encoding anti-CD40 antibodies
The present invention provides high affinity anti-CD40 monoclonal antibodies and related compositions, which may be used in any of a variety of therapeutic methods for the treatment of cancer and other diseases. |
| US08957189B2 |
Multi-site modified SP1 polypeptides and uses thereof
The present invention, in some embodiments thereof, relates to material science in general, and, more particularly, to sequence variants of Stable Protein 1 (SP1), to uses thereof, for binding of carbon nanotubes, production of composite polymers and polymer materials, such as fabrics, based on SP1-polypeptide-carbon nanotube-complexes, and the use thereof for enhancing conductivity in tire. |
| US08957186B2 |
Recombinant protein for intracellular delivery of siRNA and composition comprising the same
The present invention relates to a recombinant protein for siRNA delivery, which allows the efficient intracellular and in vivo delivery of siRNA. More particularly, the present invention relates to a recombinant protein that allows a siRNA binding protein to be located in the interior cavity of a capsid protein of HBV (Hepatitis B virus), in which siRNAs of interest bind to the siRNA binding protein to be encapsulated within the capsid shell, thereby providing stability against the external attack such as nucleases and achieving the efficient intracellular and in vivo delivery of siRNA by its release into the cytosolic space after cell uptake. |
| US08957183B2 |
Copolymer fibers and processes for making same
The present invention concerns yarns comprising copolymer derived from the copolymerization of para-phenylenediamine, 5(6)-amino-2-(p-aminophenyl)benzimidazole; and terephthaloyl dichloride wherein the ratio of moles of 5(6)-amino-2-(p-aminophenyl)benzimidazole to the moles of para-phenylenediamine is 30/70 to 85/15; the yarn having a sulfur content greater than 0.1%; and the hydrolytic strength retention of the yarn is greater than 60%. The invention also concerns processes for making such yarns. |
| US08957178B2 |
Method for preparing condensation resins and use thereof
The present invention relates to new condensation resins of urea, formaldehyde, and CH-acidic aldehydes, to methods for preparing them, and to their use. |
| US08957175B1 |
Low temperature segmented copolymer compositions and methods
There is provided segmented copolymer compositions and methods of making the same. The composition has one or more α,ω (alpha, omega) amine or α,ω (alpha, omega) hydroxyl terminated polysiloxane first soft segments having an average molecular weight of between about 2500 grams per mole to about 10,000 grams per mole. The composition further has one or more diisocyanate species. The composition further has one or more low molecular weight diol or diamine chain extenders each having an average molecular weight of less than 400 grams per mole. The composition has a high flexibility at an environmental temperature of down to about −100 degrees Celsius, and further has a percent elongation of greater than about 250%, a high tensile strength of greater than about 25 MPa (megapascals), and a single low glass transition temperature (Tg) in a range of from about −60 degrees Celsius to about −110 degrees Celsius. |
| US08957174B2 |
Process for preparing an aqueous polymer dispersion
A process for preparing an aqueous polymer dispersion of a polymer P by radically initiated aqueous emulsion polymerization of ethylenically unsaturated compounds, which comprises radically initiated aqueous emulsion polymerizing a monomer composition. The use of the aqueous polymer in tile adhesives is also provided. |
| US08957169B2 |
Supported nonmetallocene catalyst, preparation and use thereof
This invention relates to a supported nonmetallocene catalyst and preparation thereof. The supported nonmetallocene catalyst can be produced with a simple and feasible process and is characterized by an easily controllable polymerization activity. This invention further relates to use of the supported nonmetallocene catalyst in olefin homopolymerization/copolymerization, which is characterized by a lowered assumption of the co-catalyst as compared with the prior art. |
| US08957164B2 |
Coating compositions
An unsaturated polyester resin composition comprising an unsaturated polyester, an acetoacetate functional monomer; a multifunctional di- or tri-acrylate monomer; and an allyl ether-functional monomer/oligomer, wherein the resin composition is substantially free of styrene. |
| US08957162B2 |
Elastomer material, and method for obtaining same
The invention relates to an elastomer material including flexible polymer chains containing crosslinking bridges having covalent bonds and crosslinking bridges having noncovalent bonds. The invention also relates to a method for preparing such elastomer material. |
| US08957150B2 |
Aqueous dispersion of polyamide-based rubber-like elastomer and process for manufacturing same
The present invention provides an aqueous dispersion comprising a polyamide-based rubber-like elastomer emulsified and dispersed therein, wherein 0.8 to 10 parts by weight of a copolymer of ethylene with an ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid, relative to 100 parts by weight of the polyamide-based rubber-like elastomer is contained. The aqueous dispersion of the present invention is a novel aqueous dispersion of polyamide-based rubber-like elastomer that is excellent in storage stability at low temperatures, and that can provide processed products excellent in flexibility and heat resistance when used as a coating material. |
| US08957149B2 |
Preparation and use of silica reinforced rubber composition for truck tire tread
The invention relates to preparation and use of a silica reinforced rubber composition. Such rubber composition may be used, for example, for a truck tire tread expected to be exposed to heavy load duty. |
| US08957145B2 |
Hydrogel-forming composition and hydrogel produced from the same
A hydrogel having excellent mechanical properties and capable of being produced simply by using and mixing an industrially easily obtainable polymer having high versatility and clay particles, and to provide a method of producing the hydrogel. A hydrogel-forming composition is characterized by containing a polyelectrolyte, clay particles, and a dispersant for the clay particles. |
| US08957144B2 |
Polycarbonate resin composition
A polycarbonate resin composition having improved chemical resistance and solvent resistance while maintaining the impact resistance, heat resistance, thermal stability, and the like inherent to the polycarbonate resin which comprises 100 parts by weight of polycarbonate resin and 0.01 to 20 parts by weight of a specific alkyl ketene dimer, and inhibits problems such as cracking, and the like, even when solvents or various chemicals such as hand creams and detergents adhere to the molded article obtained from the resin composition. |
| US08957143B2 |
Impact-resistant poly(arylene ether) resins with improved clarity
The present invention is directed to a composition that includes a poly(arylene ether), a radial block copolymer of an alkenyl aromatic monomer and a conjugated diene, a linear block copolymer of an alkenyl aromatic monomer and a conjugated diene, one or more optical enhancing agents, and a hydrocarbon resin. The composition is characterized by at least one of the following properties: a multiaxial impact of at least 20 joules as measured by ASTM D 3763-08, a percent haze of 15 percent or less as measured by ASTM D 1003-00, and a percent transmittance of 75 percent or more as measured by ASTM D 1003-00. |
| US08957141B2 |
Non halogen flame retardant thermoplastic polyurethane
A non-halogen flame retardant thermoplastic polyurethane composition containing: a) an organic non-halogenated flame retardant package which contains non-reacted components, i) an organic phosphate compound which is melamine free, ii) a mixture of an organic phosphate in combination with an organic phosphoric acid; and iii) a zinc oxide, b) a stabilizer, c) optionally inorganic flame retardant components, and d) optionally non-flame retardant additives, resulting in a TPU composition with excellent tensile strength and improved high flame performance and low smoke properties. |
| US08957139B2 |
Microparticle/polyrotaxane—containing coating, microparticle/polyrotaxane—containing coating film and coated article
There is provided a microparticle/polyrotaxane-containing coating with high abrasion resistance and chemical resistance. There are also provided a microparticle/polyrotaxane-containing coating film and a coated article. The microparticle/polyrotaxane-containing coating includes a solvent-based coating material, a modified polyrotaxane having a caprolactone modification group (—CO(CH2)5OH) and microparticles having an average particle size of smaller than 380 nm. The microparticle/polyrotaxane-containing coating film is in the form of a layer of the microparticle/polyrotaxane-containing coating on an article to be coated. The coated article includes the microparticle/polyrotaxane-containing coating film and an article to be coated. |
| US08957138B2 |
Composition of matter
The present teachings disclose a composite. The composite includes a cellulose material dispersed in a fluoropolymer. The cellulose material is present in an amount of from about 1 weight percent to about to about 30 weight percent of the composition. A method of manufacturing a composite article and coating is described. |
| US08957137B2 |
Acid-resistant, hydraulically setting masses
The invention relates to acid-resistant, hydraulically setting masses based on a) slag sand, b) one or more pozzolanas, c) one or more fillers, d) one or more polymers based on ethylenically unsaturated monomers, and water. |
| US08957132B2 |
Method for manufacturing an elastomeric composition having a self-sealing property
Process for the manufacture of an elastomer composition having a self-sealing property which is based on at least (phr meaning parts by weight per 100 parts of solid elastomer): a blend of at least two solid elastomers, a polybutadiene or butadiene copolymer elastomer, referred to as “elastomer A”, and a natural rubber or synthetic polyisoprene elastomer, referred to as “elastomer B”, the elastomer A:elastomer B ratio by weight being within a range from 10:90 to 90:10; between 30 and 90 phr of a hydrocarbon resin; from 0 to less than 30 phr of filler, in which, during a first stage or stage (a), a masterbatch comprising at least the elastomers A and B and between 30 and 90 phr of a hydrocarbon resin is prepared by mixing these various components in a mixer at a “hot compounding” temperature or up to a “hot compounding” temperature which is greater than the softening temperature of the hydrocarbon resin. |
| US08957131B2 |
Ink-jet ink comprising cross-linked pigment dispersion and a polymeric binder
The present disclosure provides an ink-jet ink containing an aqueous ink vehicle, an aqueous dispersion and a polymeric binder. The aqueous dispersion contains a colorant and a polyurethane dispersant, wherein the polyurethane dispersant is made with a polymer having cross-linkable moieties that are cross-linked with a cross-linking agent. |
| US08957127B2 |
Liquid glue formulated with acrylic emulsions
A liquid adhesive formulation, that includes a blend of at least one all-acrylic emulsion polymer and at least one styrene acrylic copolymer emulsion; as well as at least one organic amine; at least one freeze-thaw stabilizer; at least one, bactericide; at least one mildewcide; at least one surfactant; at least one coalescent; at least one adhesion promoter; at least one solvent; at least one rheology modifier; at least one defoamer; or combinations thereof. |
| US08957120B2 |
Composite panel with solid polyurethane binder, and process for manufacture
The embodiments of the invention are directed to a composite material comprising a fiber reinforcing material, a binder resin and polyurethane foam particles. Other embodiments are related to a process for manufacturing a composite material comprising a fiber reinforcing material, a binder resin and polyurethane foam particles, the method comprising depositing the binder resin and polyurethane foam particles the fiber reinforcing material to form a composite precursor and treating the composite precursor to form the composite material. |
| US08957119B2 |
Non-chemical, mechanical procedure for the devulcanization of scrap rubber and/or elastomers and apparatus therefor
Method of devulcanizing rubber and/or elastomers without the need for a chemical agent, in which method the vulcanized rubber and/or elastomers are fed into a planetary roller extruder, which planetary roller extruder has a housing, a central spindle, two groups of planetary roller spindles, and a dispersion ring disposed about the central spindle and between the two groups of planetary spindles. Mechanical and thermal stress is generated on the vulcanized rubber and/or elastomers by kneading and/or crushing the vulcanized rubber and/or elastomers using the central spindle and the planetary spindles, and by forcing the vulcanized rubber and/or elastomers through the dispersion ring, which is designated to substantially restrict passage of the vulcanized rubber and/or elastomers therethrough. The mechanical and thermal stress alone is sufficient to break or destroy the molecular chains or bonds of the vulcanized rubber and/or elastomers. |
| US08957116B2 |
Solution for forming double eyelid and method for forming double eyelid using same
To provide a solution for forming a double eyelid which enables extremely easy formation of a natural and ideal double eyelid without giving a displeased feeling or an uncomfortable feeling to a user, and a method for forming a double eyelid using the solution for forming a double eyelid. A solution for forming a double eyelid 1 according to the present invention is formed by dissolving, into a solvent having volatility, a fibrous material which forms a film 1a onto a skin 5a of an eyelid 5 and shrinks with vaporization of the solvent. By applying the solution 1, in a successive-curve form, over an imaginary line I forming a fold 5d of a double eyelid in the eyelid 5 onto which a user want to make a fold and vaporizing the solvent so as to shrink the film 1a, successive concaved groove-like constricted part 5c is formed on the imaginary line I and the fold 5d of a double eyelid along the constricted part 5c is formed. |
| US08957114B2 |
Formulations, salts and polymorphs of transnorsertraline and uses thereof
Provided herein are pharmaceutical compositions comprising transnorsertraline, salts and polymorphic forms of transnorsertraline, methods of making the compositions, and methods for their use for the treatment of CNS diseases, including depression. |
| US08957111B2 |
Strontium (M) ascorbate, compositions containing same, method for making same and method of using same
A compound of formula (ascorbate)2Sr:(M+a)x(ascorbate)y, or ascorbate)2Sr:Ca(ascorbate)2, a composition containing the same, a method of making the same and a method of administering the same as a supplement. |
| US08957108B2 |
Use of 5,6-dimethylxanthenone-4-acetic acid as an antiviral agent
The invention relates to the areas of therapeutics, pharmaceuticals, drug discovery, and immunotherapy. More specifically, the present invention relates to methods of stimulating the immune system through the administration of flavone acetic acid [FAA] analogs, and in particular, the flavone acetic acid analog, 5,6-dimethylxanthenone-4-acetic acid (DMXAA) so as to comprise an antimicrobial therapeutic agent for the treatment of viral infections of DNA and RNA viruses in humans and non-human animals. The invention is especially suitable for use in a process of treating and preventing infection by, for example, rhinoviruses, enteroviruses, and influenza viruses. |
| US08957107B2 |
Method of treating scars and β-catenin-mediated disorders using Nefopam compounds
Methods of treating disorders mediated by β-catenin comprising administration of Nefopam compounds are provided In particular, the treatment of disorders arising from excessive or undesired expression of β-catenin is contemplated Said compounds include Nefopam, analogues thereof, prodaigs thereof, and salts and solvates of Nefopam The β-catenin mediated disorders are preferably selected from the group consisting of fibroproliferative disorders (such as scars, aggressive fibramtoses, and fibroses) and cancer (such as colon cancer, melanoma, liver cancer, ovarian cancer, endometrial cancer, medullobalstoma pilomatricomas, and prostate cancer) |
| US08957101B1 |
Amino acid compositions
A composition and a supplement formulation includes: at least one constituent selected from the group consisting of a nitrate, a nitrite, and both; and at least one constituent amino acid selected from the group consisting of Agmatine, Beta Alanine, Citrulline, Creatine, Glutamine, L-Histidine, Isoleucine, Leucine, Norvaline, Ornithine, Valine, Aspartic Acid, Cysteine, Glycine, Lysine, Methionine, Proline, Tyrosine, and Phenylalanine. |
| US08957100B1 |
Amino acid compositions
A composition and a supplement formulation includes at least one constituent selected from the group consisting of a nitrate, a nitrite, and both, and Arginine. A method for increasing vasodilative characteristics in a human or animal includes administering to the human or animal a composition or supplement formulation including at least one constituent selected from the group consisting of a nitrate, a nitrite, and both, and Arginine. |
| US08957095B2 |
Treatment of sunburn using analgesics and antihistamines
Combination compositions and kits comprising an analgesic and an antihistamine are provided as well as methods of use in treating sunburn. |
| US08957080B2 |
Tyrosine kinase inhibitors
The present disclosure provides compounds and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof that are tyrosine kinase inhibitors, in particular BLK, BMX, EGFR, HER2, HER4, ITK, TEC, BTK, and TXK and are therefore useful for the treatment of diseases treatable by inhibition of tyrosine kinases such as cancer and inflammatory diseases such as arthritis, and the like. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions containing such compounds and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof and processes for preparing such compounds and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. |
| US08957077B2 |
Pyrazolopyrimidine PDE 10 inhibitors
The present invention is directed to pyrazolopyrimidine compounds which are useful as therapeutic agents for the treatment of central nervous system disorders associated with phosphodiesterase 10 (PDE10). The present invention also relates to the use of such compounds for treating neurological and psychiatric disorders, such as schizophrenia, psychosis or Huntington's disease, and those associated with striatal hypofunction or basal ganglia dysfunction. |
| US08957076B2 |
Wound healing
The present invention relates to the use of p38 MAP kinase inhibitors and p38 MAP kinase inhibition to promote wound healing. |
| US08957064B2 |
Fused pyrimidines
Compounds of formula (I) or an N-oxide, a salt, a tautomer or a stereoisomer of said compound, or a salt of said N-oxide, tautomer or stereoisomer, wherein ring B and the pyrimidine to which it is fused, R4, R5, R6, R7, m and n have the meanings as given in the description and the claims, which are effective inhibitors of the Pi3K/Akt pathway, processes for their production and their use as pharmaceuticals. |
| US08957063B2 |
Amine and ether compounds which modulate the CB2 receptor
Compounds which modulate the CB2 receptor are disclosed. The compounds are useful for treating CB2 receptor-mediated diseases such as pain. |
| US08957057B2 |
Use of azaphilone compounds for the modulation of the activity of a nuclear hormone receptor
The present invention concerns the uses of an azaphilone compound of formula (I):formula (I): or a pharmaceutically acceptable derivative thereof as described in the specification for modulation of the activity of a nuclear hormone receptor and for prevention and/or treatment of a disease or disorder related to nuclear hormone receptor activity. |
| US08957054B2 |
Pharmaceutical compositions
Novel methods for treating or reducing the likelihood of acquiring symptoms or diseases due to the menopause, in postmenopausal women, particularly osteoporosis, vaginal atrophy and dryness, hypogonadism, diminished libido, skin atrophy, connective tissue disease, urinary incontinence, breast, endometrial, ovarian and uterine cancers, hot flashes, loss of muscle mass, insulin resistance, fatigue, loss of energy, aging, physical symptoms of menopause, in susceptible warm-blooded animals including humans involving administration of a sex steroid precursor are disclosed. Said method comprising novel ways of administering and dosing dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) in order to take advantage of positive androgenic effects in the vaginal layers lamina propia and/or the layer muscularis, without undesirably causing systemic estrogenic effects in order to avoid the risk of breast and uterine cancer. Pharmaceutical compositions for delivery of active ingredient(s) useful to the invention are also disclosed. |
| US08957050B2 |
Bone implant materials comprising cross-linked bioactive hydrogel matrices
The present invention is directed to a stabilized cross-linked hydrogel matrix comprising a first high molecular weight component and a second high molecular weight component that are covalently linked, and at least one stabilizing or enhancing agent, wherein the first high molecular weight component and the second high molecular weight component are each selected from the group consisting of polyglycans and polypeptides. This stabilized hydrogel matrix may be prepared as bioactive gels, pastes, slurries, cell attachment scaffolds for implantable medical devices, and casting or binding materials suitable for the construction of medical devices. The intrinsic bioactivity of the hydrogel matrix makes it useful as a gel or paste in multiple applications, including as a cell attachment scaffold that promotes wound healing around an implanted device, as gels and pastes for induction of localized vasculogenesis, wound healing, tissue repair, and regeneration, as a wound adhesive, and for tissue bulking. |
| US08957047B2 |
GLA monotherapy for use in cancer treatment
The present disclosure relates generally to compositions and methods for treating cancer with a glucopyranosyl lipid A (GLA) in the absence of antigen. |
| US08957045B2 |
Nucleoside phosphoramidates
A nucleoside compound having activity against hepatitis C virus is disclosed. |
| US08957043B2 |
Methods of treating retinitis pigmentosa using nucleic acids encoding RDCVF1 or RDCVF2
Disclosed are methods and compositions for early diagnosis, monitoring and treatment of retinal dystrophy, age-related macular degeneration, Bardet-Biedel syndrome, Bassen-kornzweig syndrome, best disease, choroidema, gyrate atrophy, congenital amourosis, refsun syndrome, stargardt disease and Usher syndrome. In particular, the invention relates to a protein, termed “Rdcvf1,” that is differentially transcribed and expressed in subjects suffering from retinal dystrophies and the like, such as retinal dystrophy and age-related macular degeneration compared with nonsufferers, antibodies which recognize this protein, and methods for diagnosing such conditions. |
| US08957040B2 |
Selective reduction of allelic variants
Disclosed herein are antisense compounds and methods for selectively of reducing expression of an allelic variant of a gene containing a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP). Such methods, compounds, and composition are useful to treat, prevent, or ameliorate diseases, including neurodegenerative, such as Huntington's Disease (HD). |
| US08957027B2 |
Deacetylase inhibitor therapy
The present invention relates to deacetylase inhibitor (e.g., histone deacetylase inhibitor) therapies and demonstrates that individuals with low electrolyte levels may have increased susceptibility to certain unwanted side effects such as cardiac side effects. In some embodiments, the invention provides methods of administering DAC or DAC inhibitor therapy that includes electrolyte supplementation. |
| US08957026B2 |
Beta-catenin targeting peptides and uses thereof
The invention relates to β-catenin targeting peptides comprising an α-helical segment that are optionally stapled or stitched, and pharmaceutical compositions thereof. Uses of the inventive β-catenin targeting polypeptides including methods for treatment of disease, such as diseases associated with aberrant Wnt signaling, including cancer, are also provided. |
| US08957024B2 |
Composition and methods for reducing opioid-induced pruritus
The present invention encompasses methods and combinations for substantially inhibiting the opioid-induced internalization of gastrin-releasing peptide receptor (GRPR) in a pruritus specific neuron. Such methods and combinations provide a direct means of treating opioid-induce pruritus without compromising opioid analgesia. |
| US08957018B2 |
Recombinant human CC10 protein for treatment of influenza
Methods of using recombinant human CC10 (rhCC10), also known as recombinant human uteroglobin, to reduce virus titers in the tissues of patients, particularly influenza titers in lung tissues are provided. RhCC10 may be used as a therapeutic in the treatment, cure, or prevention of viral infection, particularly influenza infection. More particularly, methods, including broadly the critical dosage ranges of rhCC10, intravenous and intranasal route of administration, which may be administered to treat, cure or prevent influenza infection are provided. Further provided are compositions useful in the foregoing methods and in administering rhCC10 to humans. |
| US08957017B2 |
Dipeptoid prodrugs and their use
The present application relates to prodrug derivatives of 2-amino-6-({[2-(4-chlorophenyl)-1,3-thiazol-4-yl]methyl}thio)-4-[4-(2-hydroxyethoxy)phenyl]pyridine-3,5-dicarbonitrile, processes for their preparation, their use for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of diseases, and their use for the manufacture of medicaments for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of diseases, especially of cardiovascular disorders. |
| US08957015B2 |
Tumor suppressor gene p47ING3
The invention provides isolated nucleic acid and amino acid sequences of novel human tumor suppressors, antibodies to such tumor suppressors, methods of detecting such nucleic acids and proteins, methods of screening for modulators of tumor suppressors, and methods of diagnosing and treating tumors with such nucleic acids and proteins. |
| US08957013B2 |
Receptors useful for gas phase chemical sensing
The invention provides for a receptor, capable of binding to a target molecule, linked to a hygroscopic polymer or hydrogel; and the use of this receptor in a device for detecting the target molecule in a gaseous and/or liquid phase. The invention also provides for a method for detecting the presence of a target molecule in the gas phase using the device. In particular, the receptor can be a peptide capable of binding a 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) or 2,4,-dinitrotoluene (DNT). |
| US08957010B2 |
Laundry detergents and cleaning compositions comprising carboxyl group-containing polymers
The present invention relates to a cleaning composition, preferably a granular detergent product, comprising a carboxyl-group containing polymer, which is useful in improving whiteness and/or anti-soil redeposition. Processes for making and methods of using the cleaning composition are also encompassed by the present invention. |
| US08957009B2 |
Linear polydimethylsiloxane-polyether copolymers having amino and/or quaternary ammonium groups and use thereof
Linear polydimethylsiloxane-polyether copolymers with amino and/or quaternary ammonium groups, obtainable by the reaction of organopolysiloxanes functionalized with secondary aminoalkyl groups with the reaction products formed from compounds containing epoxy groups and amines, the use thereof and process for preparation thereof. |
| US08957006B2 |
Cleaning solution comprising an ether acetate for preventing pattern collapse
A chemical solution for use in cleaning a patterned substrate includes water, from approximate 0.01 to 99.98 percent by weight; hydrogen peroxide, from 0 to 30 percent by weight; a pH buffering agent, from approximate 0.01 to 50 percent by weight; a metal chelating agent, from approximate 0 to 10 percent by weight; and a compound for lowering a surface tension of the combination of water, hydrogen peroxide, pH buffering agent, and metal chelating agent. Examples of the compound include an organic solvent, from approximate 0 to 95 percent by weight, or a non-ionic surfactant agent, from approximate 0 to 2 percent by weight. |
| US08957003B2 |
Modified lubricant
A modified lubricant includes lubricant grease and nano-graphite plates dispersed thoroughly in the lubricant grease. The content of the nano-graphite plates is 0.0001 wt % to 10 wt %. Each nano-graphite plate has a length or a width between 1 and 100 μm, a thickness within 10 nm and 100 nm, and N graphene layers stacked together and a surface modifying layer disposed on the top or bottom of the nano-graphite plates, wherein N is 30 to 300. The surface modifying layer has a surface modifying agent which includes at least two functional groups located at two ends of the surface modifying agent, one of the two functional groups is chemically bonded with certain organic functional group remaining on the surface of the nano-graphite plate, and the other of the two functional groups forms the functional surface of the nano-graphite plate. |
| US08957002B2 |
DNA microarray having hairpin probes tethered to nanostructured metal surface
A sensor chip and detection device are disclosed. The sensor chip includes a substrate, at least a portion of which is covered by a metal nanoparticle film; a first nucleic acid molecule that is characterized by being able to (i) self-anneal into a hairpin conformation and (ii) hybridize specifically to a target nucleic acid molecule, the first nucleic acid molecule having first and second ends, which first end is tethered to the metal nanoparticle film; and a first fluorophore bound to the second end of the first nucleic molecule. When the first nucleic acid molecule is in the hairpin conformation, the metal nanoparticle film substantially quenches fluorescent emissions by the first fluorophore, and when the first nucleic acid molecule is in a non-hairpin conformation fluorescent emissions by the first fluorophore are surface plasmon-enhanced. |
| US08956995B2 |
Catalyst and method for thermal decomposition of organic substance and method for producing such catalyst
The invention provides a catalyst for thermal decomposition of an organic substance having the form of spherical granule having a particle diameter of 0.1 to 1.2 mm, a pore volume of 0.1 to 0.3 mL/g, a tap density of 1.05 to 1.4 g/mL, and a wear rate of 2% by weight or less, the catalyst being obtained by mixing and granulating a pulverized product of an inorganic oxide exemplified by titanium oxide with at least one sol selected from a titania sol, a silica sol, an alumina sol, and a zirconia sol to make spherical granules, calcining the spherical granules at a temperature from 400 to 850° C., and sieving the calcined granules. |
| US08956994B2 |
Composition containing oxides of zirconium, cerium and at least one other rare earth and having a specific porosity, method for preparing same and use thereof in catalysis
A composition is described that includes zirconium oxide, cerium oxide and yttrium oxide, or zirconium oxide, cerium oxide and at least two oxides of two rare earths different from cerium in a mass proportion of at least 20% of zirconium oxide and of at most 70% of cerium oxide, wherein the composition further includes, after calcination at 900° C. for 4 hours, two populations of pores having respective diameters centered, for the first population, about a value of 20 nm to 40 nm and, for the second, about a value of 80 nm to 200 nm. The composition can be used for processing exhaust gases of internal combustion engines. |
| US08956993B2 |
Catalyst compositions and process for oxychlorination
Oxychlorination catalyst compositions which include a catalytically effective amount of an oxychlorination catalyst and a diluent having certain chemical composition and/or physical properties are disclosed. Processes using such oxychlorination catalyst compositions are also described. Some oxychlorination catalyst compositions and processes disclosed herein can increase the optimal operating temperature, and thereby increase the production capacity of an existing reactor, such as a fluid-bed reactor, compared to other oxychlorination catalyst compositions. |
| US08956992B2 |
SCR catalysts preparation methods
A method of replacing or exchanging non-metal charge balancing cations located at ion-exchanges sites within SAPO frameworks with cations of a transition metal using a solid state ion-exchange process. Transition metal-containing particles are formed on surfaces of SAPO particles, and thereafter the particles are heated in air to initiate the solid-state ion-exchange process. The transition metal-containing particles and the SAPO particles are heated to a temperature and for an amount of time to produce transition metal cations, and for the transition metal cations to replace at least a portion of the non-metal cations located within the SAPO frameworks. |
| US08956981B2 |
Methods of eliminating pattern collapse on photoresist patterns
A stabilizing solution for treating photoresist patterns and methods of preventing profile abnormalities, toppling and resist footing are disclosed. The stabilizing solution comprises a non-volatile component, such as non-volatile particles or polymers, which is applied after the photoresist material has been developed. By treating the photoresist with the solution containing a non-volatile component after developing but before drying, the non-volatile component fills the space between adjacent resist patterns and remains on the substrate during drying. The non-volatile component provides structural and mechanical support for the resist to prevent deformation or collapse by liquid surface tension forces. |
| US08956980B1 |
Selective etch of silicon nitride
A method of etching silicon nitride on patterned heterogeneous structures is described and includes a remote plasma etch formed from a fluorine-containing precursor and a nitrogen-and-oxygen-containing precursor. Plasma effluents from two remote plasmas are flowed into a substrate processing region where the plasma effluents react with the silicon nitride. The plasmas effluents react with the patterned heterogeneous structures to selectively remove silicon nitride while very slowly removing silicon, such as polysilicon. The silicon nitride selectivity results partly from the introduction of fluorine-containing precursor and nitrogen-and-oxygen-containing precursor using distinct (but possibly overlapping) plasma pathways which may be in series or in parallel. |
| US08956979B2 |
Systems and methods for improving front-side process uniformity by back-side metallization
Disclosed are systems and methods for improving front-side process uniformity by back-side metallization. In some implementations, a metal layer can be formed on the back side of a semiconductor wafer prior to certain process steps such as plasma-based processes. Presence of such a back-side metal layer reduces variations in, for example, thickness of a deposited and/or etched layer resulting from the plasma-based processes. Such reduction in thickness variations can result from reduced variation in radio-frequency (RF) coupling during the plasma-based processes. Various examples of wafer types, back-side metal layer configurations, and plasma-based processes are disclosed. |
| US08956978B1 |
Semiconductor device, method for manufacturing semiconductor single-walled nanotubes, and approaches therefor
Nanotube devices and approaches therefore involve the formation and/or implementation of substantially semiconducting single-walled nanotubes. According to an example embodiment of the present invention, substantially semiconducting single-walled nanotubes couple circuit nodes in an electrical device. In some applications, semiconducting and metallic nanotubes having a diameter in a threshold range are exposed to an etch gas that selectively etches the metallic nanotubes, leaving substantially semiconducting nanotubes coupling the circuit nodes. |
| US08956977B2 |
Semiconductor device production method and rinse
The present invention provides a semiconductor device production method and a rinse used in the production method. The method includes: a sealing composition application process in which a semiconductor sealing layer is formed by applying, to at least a portion of a surface of a semiconductor substrate, a semiconductor sealing composition that includes a resin having a cationic functional group and a weight average molecular weight of from 2,000 to 600,000, wherein a content of sodium and a content of potassium are 10 mass ppb or less on an elemental basis, respectively; and, subsequently, a rinsing process in which the surface of the semiconductor substrate on which the semiconductor sealing layer has been formed is rinsed with a rinse having a pH at 25° C. of 6 or lower. |
| US08956976B2 |
Methods of processing semiconductor substrates in forming scribe line alignment marks
A method of processing a semiconductor substrate in forming scribe line alignment marks includes forming pitch multiplied non-circuitry features within scribe line area of a semiconductor substrate. Individual of the features, in cross-section, have a maximum width which is less than a minimum photolithographic feature dimension used in lithographically patterning the substrate. Photoresist is deposited over the features. Such is patterned to form photoresist blocks that are individually received between a respective pair of the features in the cross-section. Individual of the features of the respective pairs have a laterally innermost sidewall in the cross-section. Individual of the photoresist blocks have an opposing pair of first pattern edges in the cross-section that are spaced laterally inward of the laterally innermost sidewalls of the respective pair of the features. Individual of the photoresist blocks have an opposing pair of second pattern edges in the cross-section that self-align laterally outward of the first pattern edges to the laterally innermost sidewalls of the features during the patterning. |
| US08956974B2 |
Devices, systems, and methods related to planarizing semiconductor devices after forming openings
Methods for making semiconductor devices are disclosed herein. A method configured in accordance with a particular embodiment includes forming a stop layer and a dielectric liner including dielectric material along sidewalls of openings, e.g., through-substrate openings, of the semiconductor device and excess dielectric material outside the openings. The method further includes forming a metal layer including metal plugs within the openings and excess metal. The excess metal and the excess dielectric material are simultaneously chemically-mechanically removed using a slurry including ceria and ammonium persulfate. The slurry is selected to cause selectivity for removing the excess dielectric material relative to the stop layer greater than about 5:1 as well as selectivity for removing the excess dielectric material relative to the excess metal from about 0.5:1 to about 1.5:1. |
| US08956973B2 |
Bottom-up plating of through-substrate vias
According to one embodiment of the present invention, a method of plating a TSV hole in a substrate is provided. The TSV hole may include an open end terminating at a conductive pad, a stack of wiring levels, and a plurality of chip interconnects. The method of plating a TSV may include attaching a handler to the plurality of chip interconnects, the handler having a conductive layer in electrical contact with the plurality of chip interconnects; exposing a closed end of the TSV hole, including the conductive pad, to an electrolyte solution; and applying an electrical potential along an electrical path from the conductive layer to the conductive pad causing conductive material from the electrolyte solution to deposit on the conductive pad and within the TSV hole, the electrical path including the conductive layer, the plurality of chip interconnects, the stack of wiring levels and the conductive pad. |
| US08956972B2 |
Method for manufacturing semiconductor thick metal structure
A method for manufacturing a semiconductor thick metal structure includes a thick metal deposition step, a metal patterning step, and a passivation step. In the thick metal deposition step, a Ti—TiN laminated structure is used as an anti-reflection layer to implement 4 μm metal etching without residue. In the metal patterning step, N2 is used for the protection of a sidewall to implement on a 4 μm metal concave-convex structure a tilt angle of nearly 90 degrees, and a main over-etching step is added to implement the smoothness of the sidewall of the 4 μm metal concave-convex structure. A half-filled passivation filling structure is used to implement effective passivation protection of 1.5 um metal gaps having less than 4 um of metal thickness. Manufacturing of the 4 μm thick metal structure having a linewidth/gap of 1.5 μm/1.5 μm is finally implemented. |
| US08956971B2 |
Selective formation of metallic films on metallic surfaces
Metallic layers can be selectively deposited on surfaces of a substrate relative to a second surface of the substrate. In preferred embodiments, the metallic layers are selectively deposited on copper instead of insulating or dielectric materials. In preferred embodiments, a first precursor forms a layer or adsorbed species on the first surface and is subsequently reacted or converted to form a metallic layer. Preferably the deposition temperature is selected such that a selectivity of above about 90% is achieved. |
| US08956970B1 |
Method of forming semiconductor device having multilayered plug and related device
A semiconductor pattern is formed on a substrate. An interlayer insulating layer is formed on the semiconductor pattern. A contact hole in the interlayer insulating layer is formed the semiconductor pattern is exposed. A lower plug is formed in the contact hole by a selective epitaxial growth (SEG) process. An upper plug is farmed in the contact hole on the lower plug by alternately and repeatedly performing a deposition process and an etching process. |
| US08956965B2 |
Display panel manufacturing method, display panel, and display apparatus
A method of manufacturing a display panel having a display part and a terminal part each formed on a different area on a TFT substrate, comprising: a step of forming the display part on the TFT substrate; a step of forming a conductive layer of a conductive metal oxide or a metal on an area where the terminal part is to be formed; a step of forming a chemical vapor deposition layer of an inorganic compound by a chemical vapor deposition method so that the chemical vapor deposition layer covers the display part and comes into contact at least with an upper surface of the conductive layer and so that the upper surface of the conductive layer alters; and a step of removing a portion of the chemical vapor deposition layer on the conductive layer. |
| US08956959B2 |
Method of manufacturing a semiconductor device with two monocrystalline layers
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor wafer, the method including: providing a first monocrystalline layer including semiconductor regions defined by a first lithography step; then overlaying the first monocrystalline layer with an isolation layer; preparing a second monocrystalline layer, after the first monocrystalline layer has been formed; transferring the second monocrystalline layer overlying the isolation layer; and then performing a second lithography step patterning portions of the first monocrystalline layer as part of forming at least one transistor in the first monocrystalline layer. |
| US08956956B2 |
Wafer processing method
A wafer processing method includes: a protective member providing step of providing a protective member on the front side of a wafer; a wafer quarter generating step of cutting the wafer along the division line extending in a first direction through the center of the wafer and along the division line extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction through the center of the wafer, thereby generating four sectorial wafer quarters; a back grinding step of grinding the back side of each wafer quarter to reduce the thickness of the wafer quarter; a frame providing step of supporting the wafer quarter through an adhesive tape to an annular frame; and a wafer quarter dividing step of fully cutting the wafer quarter along all of the division lines extending in the first and second directions, thereby dividing the wafer quarter into the individual devices. |
| US08956954B2 |
Method of processing wafers for saving material and protecting environment
A method of processing wafers for saving material and protecting environment is implemented to collect defective or incomplete wafers and perform cutting operation to create a plurality of separate dies. According to the requirement of a specification, the backs of the dies are grinded to allow each die to have a predetermined thickness. Thereafter, the grinded dies with completeness are sequentially placed onto a carrying means. With the method, the defective or incomplete wafers, which would be discarded in general wafer manufacturing, may be reclaimed to go through cutting, grinding, and selecting operations, so that the dies with completeness on the defective wafers can be picked out and processed again, so as to increase the yield, lower the manufacturing cost, reduce the amount of the wafer waste, increase the wafer utilization, and meet the demands of energy saving, carbon reduction, and environmental protection. |
| US08956952B2 |
Multilayer substrate structure and method of manufacturing the same
A multilayer substrate structure comprises a substrate, a thermal matching layer formed on the substrate and a lattice matching layer above the thermal matching layer. The thermal matching layer includes at least one of molybdenum, molybdenum-copper, mullite, sapphire, graphite, aluminum-oxynitrides, silicon, silicon carbide, zinc oxides, and rare earth oxides. The lattice matching layer includes a first chemical element and a second chemical element to form an alloy. The first and second chemical element has similar crystal structures and chemical properties. The coefficient of thermal expansion of the thermal matching layer and the lattice parameter of the lattice matching layer are both approximately equal to that of a member of group III-V compound semiconductors. The lattice constant of the lattice matching layer is approximately equal to that of a member of group III-V compound semiconductor. |
| US08956949B2 |
Electrical signal isolation in semiconductor structures
Disclosed are a structure for electrical signal isolation between adjacent devices situated in a top semiconductor layer of the structure and an associated method for the structure's fabrication. The structure includes a trench extending through the top semiconductor layer and into a base oxide layer below the top semiconductor layer. A handle wafer is situated below the base oxide layer and a void is disposed in the handle wafer below the trench. A bottom opening of the trench connects the main body of the trench with the void forming a continuous cavity including the main body, the bottom opening of the trench, and the void such that the void improves electrical signal isolation between the adjacent devices situated in the top semiconductor layer. Unetched portions of the handle wafer are then available to provide mechanical support to the top semiconductor layer. |
| US08956948B2 |
Shallow trench isolation extension
A semiconductor device is formed with extended STI regions. Embodiments include implanting oxygen under STI trenches prior to filling the trenches with oxide and subsequently annealing. An embodiment includes forming a recess in a silicon substrate, implanting oxygen into the silicon substrate below the recess, filling the recess with an oxide, and annealing the oxygen implanted silicon. The annealed oxygen implanted silicon extends the STI region, thereby reducing leakage current between N+ diffusions and N-well and between P+ diffusions and P-well, without causing STI fill holes and other defects. |
| US08956947B2 |
Method for manufacturing semiconductor substrate
A semiconductor substrate is provided in which an alignment mark is formed that can be used for an alignment even after the formation of an impurity diffused layer by the planarization of an epitaxial film. A trench is formed in an alignment region of an N−-type layer formed on an N+-type substrate. This trench is used to leave voids after the formation of a P−-type epitaxial film on the N−-type layer. Then, the voids formed in the N−-type layer can be used as an alignment mark. Thus, such a semiconductor substrate can be used to provide an alignment in the subsequent step of manufacturing the semiconductor apparatus. Thus, the respective components constituting the semiconductor apparatus can be formed at desired positions accurately. |
| US08956946B2 |
Active pad patterns for gate alignment marks
Methods for forming RX pads having gate alignment marks configured to enable noise reduction between layers while resulting in little or no non-uniformity of CMP processes for the IC, and the resulting devices, are disclosed. Embodiments include: providing, on a substrate, a RX pad having a SPM with a SPM horizontal and vertical positions at horizontal and vertical midpoints, respectively, of the first RX pad; providing a second RX pad abutting the first RX pad and a first STI pad abutting the second RX pad, each having a vertical midpoint at the SPM vertical position; forming a first gate alignment mark on the second RX pad and having vertical endpoints horizontally aligned with vertical endpoints of the second RX pad; and forming a second gate alignment mark on the first STI pad and having vertical endpoints horizontally aligned with vertical endpoints of the first STI pad. |
| US08956937B2 |
Method of depositing the metal barrier layer comprising silicon dioxide
The present invention discloses to a method of depositing the metal barrier layer comprising silicon dioxide. It is applied in the transistor device comprising a silicon substrate, a gate and a gate side wall. The method comprises the following steps: ions are implanted into the silicon substrate to form an active region in the said silicon substrate; a first dense silicon dioxide film is deposited; a second normal silicon dioxide film is deposited; the said transistor device is high temperature annealed. The present invention ensures that the implanted ion is not separated out of the substrate during the annealing. And it prevents the warping and fragment of the silicon surface. |
| US08956936B2 |
Method of forming group III-V material layer, semiconductor device including the group III-V material layer, and method of manufacturing the semiconductor layer
A method of forming a group III-V material layer, a semiconductor device including the group III-V material layer, and a method of manufacturing the semiconductor device. The semiconductor device includes a substrate; a group III-V channel layer formed on the substrate; a gate insulating layer formed on the group III-V channel layer; and a gate electrode and source and drain electrodes formed on the gate insulating layer, the source and drain electrodes having intervals from the gate electrode, wherein voids exist between a lower portion of the group III-V channel layer and an insulating layer. The group III-V channel layer may include a binary, ternary, or quaternary material. |
| US08956935B2 |
Method for manufacturing compound semiconductor device
A compound semiconductor device includes: a compound semiconductor multilayer structure; a gate insulating film on the compound semiconductor multilayer structure; and a gate electrode, wherein the gate electrode includes a gate base portion on the gate insulating film and a gate umbrella portion, and a surface of the gate umbrella portion includes a Schottky contact with the compound semiconductor multilayer structure. |
| US08956934B2 |
Thin film transistor and method for manufacturing the same
An object is to provide a thin film transistor with small off current, large on current, and high field-effect mobility. A silicon nitride layer and a silicon oxide layer which is formed by oxidizing the silicon nitride layer are stacked as a gate insulating layer, and crystals grow from an interface of the silicon oxide layer of the gate insulating layer to form a microcrystalline semiconductor layer; thus, an inverted staggered thin film transistor is manufactured. Since crystals grow from the gate insulating layer, the thin film transistor can have a high crystallinity, large on current, and high field-effect mobility. In addition, a buffer layer is provided to reduce off current. |
| US08956933B2 |
Method of forming an active pattern, display substrate formed by the same, and method of manufacturing the display substrate
In a method of forming an active pattern, a gate metal layer is formed on a base substrate. The gate metal layer is patterned to form a gate line, and a gate pattern spaced apart from the gate line. A gate insulation layer is formed on the base substrate including the gate line and the gate pattern thereon, to form a first protruded boundary surface corresponding to an area including the gate pattern. An amorphous semiconductor layer is formed on the base substrate including the gate insulation layer thereon, to form a second protruded boundary surface corresponding to the first protruded boundary surface. The amorphous semiconductor layer is crystallized by illuminating a laser to the amorphous semiconductor layer on the second protruded boundary surface. |
| US08956932B2 |
U-shaped semiconductor structure
A method for forming a U-shaped semiconductor device includes forming trenches in a crystalline layer and epitaxially growing a U-shaped semiconductor material along sidewalls and bottoms of the trenches. The U-shaped semiconductor material is anchored, and the crystalline layer is removed. The U-shaped semiconductor material is supported by backfilling underneath the U-shaped semiconductor material with a dielectric material. A semiconductor device is formed with the U-shaped semiconductor material. |
| US08956925B2 |
Silicon controlled rectifier structure with improved junction breakdown and leakage control
Device structures and design structures for a silicon controlled rectifier, as well as methods for fabricating a silicon controlled rectifier. The device structure includes first and second layers of different materials disposed on a top surface of a device region containing first and second p-n junctions of the silicon controlled rectifier. The first layer is laterally positioned on the top surface in vertical alignment with the first p-n junction. The second layer is laterally positioned on the top surface of the device region in vertical alignment with the second p-n junction. The material comprising the second layer has a higher electrical resistivity than the material comprising the first layer. |
| US08956923B2 |
Methods of fabricating semiconductor devices and underfill equipment for the same
A method of fabricating a semiconductor device comprises loading a circuit board including a semiconductor chip into underfill equipment, positioning the circuit board on a depositing chuck of the underfill equipment, filling an underfill material in a space between the semiconductor chip and the circuit board placed on the depositing chuck; transferring the circuit board including the underfill material so that it is positioned on a post-treatment chuck of the underfill equipment; heating the underfill material of the circuit board placed on the post-treatment chuck in a vacuum state, and unloading the circuit board, of which the underfill material has been heated in the vacuum state, from the underfill equipment. |
| US08956921B2 |
Method of molding semiconductor package
A method of molding a semiconductor package includes coating liquid molding resin or disposing solid molding resin on a top surface of a semiconductor chip arranged on a substrate. The solid molding resin may include powdered molding resin or sheet-type molding resin. In a case where liquid molding resin is coated on the top surface of the semiconductor chip, the substrate is mounted between a lower molding and an upper molding, and then melted molding resin is filled in a space between the lower molding and the upper molding. In a case where the solid molding resin is disposed on the top surface of the semiconductor chip, the substrate is mounted on a lower mold and then the solid molding resin is heated and melts into liquid molding resin having flowability. An upper mold is mounted on the lower mold, and melted molding resin is filled in a space between the lower molding and the upper molding. |
| US08956918B2 |
Method of manufacturing a chip arrangement comprising disposing a metal structure over a carrier
A method for manufacturing a chip arrangement in accordance with various embodiments may include: placing a chip on a carrier within an opening of a metal structure disposed over the carrier; fixing the chip to the metal structure; removing the carrier to thereby expose at least one contact of the chip; and forming an electrically conductive connection between the at least one contact of the chip and the metal structure. |
| US08956911B2 |
LED phosphor and fabricating method thereof
The present invention relates to a LED (light-emitting diode) phosphor and fabricating method thereof, and particularly relates to a LED phosphor having a light-emitting thin film (or photoluminescence thin film) made of an organic material and a zinc oxide microstructure (or nanostructure) and a method for fabricating the LED phosphor by hydrothermal method and combination of the organic material and the zinc oxide microstructure (or nanostructure). In this invention, the light-emitting thin film (or photoluminescence thin film) made of the organic material and the zinc oxide microstructure (or nanostructure) is applied instead of rare earth elements to fabricate the LED phosphor. Therefore, the cost of the LED phosphor and the white LED can be reduced and the processes for fabricating the LED phosphor and the white LED can be simplified. |
| US08956909B2 |
Method of fabricating an electronic device comprising photodiode
An electronic device and a method of fabricating the same are provided. The electronic device includes: a photodiode layer; a wiring layer formed on the first surface of the photodiode layer; a plurality of electrical contact pads formed on the wiring layer; a passivation layer formed on the wiring layer and the electrical contact pads; an antireflective layer formed on the second surface of the photodiode layer; a color filter layer formed on the antireflective layer; a dielectric layer formed on the antireflective layer and the color filter layer; and a microlens layer formed on the dielectric layer, allowing the color filter layer, the dielectric layer and the microlens layer to define an active region within which the electrical contact pads are positioned. As the electrical contact pads are positioned within the active region, an area of the substrate used for an inactive region can be eliminated. |
| US08956908B2 |
Image sensors and methods of manufacturing the same
In image sensors and methods of manufacturing the same, a substrate has a photoelectric conversion area, a floating diffusion area and a recess between the photoelectric conversion area and the floating diffusion area. A plurality of photodiodes is vertically arranged inside the substrate in the photoelectric conversion area. A transfer transistor is arranged along a surface profile of the substrate having the recess and configured to transfer electric charges generated from the plurality of photodiodes to the floating diffusion area. The transfer transistor includes a gate insulation pattern on a sidewall and a bottom of the recess and on a surface of the substrate around the recess, and a gate conductive pattern including polysilicon doped with impurities and positioned on the gate insulation pattern along the surface profile of the substrate having the recess, wherein a cavity is in an upper surface of the gate conductive pattern. |
| US08956903B2 |
Planar cavity MEMS and related structures, methods of manufacture and design structures
A method of forming at least one Micro-Electro-Mechanical System (MEMS) cavity includes forming a first sacrificial cavity layer over a wiring layer and substrate. The method further includes forming an insulator layer over the first sacrificial cavity layer. The method further includes performing a reverse damascene etchback process on the insulator layer. The method further includes planarizing the insulator layer and the first sacrificial cavity layer. The method further includes venting or stripping of the first sacrificial cavity layer to a planar surface for a first cavity of the MEMS. |
| US08956899B2 |
Method of fabricating a display device with step configuration in the insulating layer
A display device includes: a substrate; a plurality of light-emission elements arranged, on the substrate, in a first direction and a second direction intersecting each other, each of the light-emission elements having a first electrode layer, an organic layer including a luminous layer, and a second electrode layer which are laminated in that order; and a separation section disposed, on the substrate, between the light-emission elements adjacent to each other in the first direction, the separation section having two or more pairs of steps. The first electrode layers in the light-emission elements are separated from each other, and the organic layers as well as the second electrode layers in the light-emission elements adjacent to each other in the first direction are separated from each other by the steps included in the separation section. |
| US08956896B2 |
Metalorganic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) growth of high performance non-polar III-nitride optical devices
A method of device growth and p-contact processing that produces improved performance for non-polar III-nitride light emitting diodes and laser diodes. Key components using a low defect density substrate or template, thick quantum wells, a low temperature p-type III-nitride growth technique, and a transparent conducting oxide for the electrodes. |
| US08956895B2 |
Light emitting device
An inexpensive light emitting device and inexpensive electric equipment are provided. A substrate on which a semiconductor element or a light emitting element is formed and a color filter are manufactured by separate manufacturing processes, and they are bonded to each other to complete the light emitting device. Thus, the yield of the light emitting device is improved and the manufacture period is shortened. |
| US08956894B2 |
White light devices using non-polar or semipolar gallium containing materials and phosphors
A packaged optical device includes a substrate having a surface region with light emitting diode devices fabricated on a semipolar or nonpolar GaN substrate. The light emitting diodes emit polarized light and are characterized by an overlapped electron wave function and a hole wave function. Phosphors within the package are excited by the polarized light and, in response, emit electromagnetic radiation of a second wavelength. |
| US08956887B2 |
Method for manufacturing semiconductor light-emitting element
The invention is directed to the provision of a method for manufacturing a semiconductor light-emitting element that eliminates the need for preparing a plurality of different fluorescent sheets. The method for manufacturing the semiconductor light-emitting element containing an LED die includes the steps of arranging the LED die on a fluorescent sheet containing a fluorescent substance and adjusting the amount by which the LED die is depressed into the fluorescent sheet so that the semiconductor light-emitting element has a desired color emission. |
| US08956886B2 |
Embedded test structure for trimming process control
In some embodiments, a method of controlling a photoresist trimming process in a semiconductor manufacturing process may include forming a photoresist layer atop a first surface of a substrate, wherein the photoresist layer comprises a lower layer having a first pattern to be etched into the first surface of the substrate, and an upper layer having a second pattern that is not etched into the first surface of the substrate; trimming the photoresist layer in a direction parallel to the first surface of the substrate; measuring a trim rate of the second pattern using an optical measuring tool during the trimming process; and correlating the trim rate of the second pattern to a trim rate of the first pattern to control the trim rate of the first pattern during the trimming process. |
| US08956884B2 |
Process for reconditioning semiconductor surface to facilitate bonding
A non-abrading method to facilitate bonding of semiconductor components, such as silicon wafers, that have micro structural defects in a bonding interface surface. In a preferred method, micro structural defects are removed by forming an oxide layer on the bonding interface surface to a depth below the level of the defect, and then removing the oxide layer to expose a satisfactory surface for bonding, thereby increasing line yield and reducing scrap triggers in fabrication facilities. |
| US08956882B1 |
Method of manufacturing magnetoresistive element
According to one embodiment, a method of manufacturing a magnetoresistive element, the method includes forming a first non-magnetic layer on a first magnetic layer, forming a second magnetic layer on the first non-magnetic layer, forming a second non-magnetic layer on the second magnetic layer, forming a third magnetic layer on the second non-magnetic layer, patterning the third magnetic layer by a RIE using an etching gas including a noble gas and a nitrogen gas until a surface of the second non-magnetic layer is exposed, and patterning the second non-magnetic layer and the second magnetic layer after patterning of the third magnetic layer. |
| US08956881B2 |
Method of manufacturing a FeRAM device
A lower electrode film, a ferroelectric film, and an upper electrode film are formed on an insulation film covering a transistor formed on a semiconductor substrate. Furthermore, a Pt film is formed as a cap layer on the upper electrode film. Then, a hard mask (a TiN film and an SiO2 film) of a predetermined pattern is formed on the Pt film, and the Pt film and the upper electrode film are etched. Then, an insulating protective film is formed on an entire surface, and a side surface of the upper electrode film is covered with the insulating protective film. Next, the ferroelectric film and the lower electrode film are etched, thus forming a ferroelectric capacitor. |
| US08956876B2 |
Method for quantitatively detecting 8-OXO 2′-deoxyguanosine in aqueous sample solution with high sensitivity
There is provided a method for quantitatively detecting 8-oxo 2′-deoxyguanosine in an aqueous sample solution with high sensitivity. A method for quantitatively detecting 8-oxo 2′-deoxyguanosine in an aqueous sample solution, including the steps of 1) immobilizing a fluorescent probe molecule showing a fluorescence response specific to 8-oxo 2′-deoxyguanosine on surfaces of fine particles via a spacer unit and bringing the sample solution into contact with the fine particles, and 2) measuring a physical property of the fine particles before and after the contact with the sample solution to determine a change in the physical property. |
| US08956874B2 |
Methods for evaluating corrosivity of crude oil feedstocks
A method for determining corrosiveness of naphthenic acid in a crude oil feedstock is provided. The method includes the steps of providing a crude oil feedstock containing naphthenic acid; contacting the crude oil feedstock with iron for a period of time at a sufficient temperature for the iron to react with the naphthenic acid, forming iron salts. Under sufficiently high temperatures, at least a portion of the iron salts decompose to form ketone, which can be quantified. Measurements of the ketone can be used to correlate with the amount of iron lost from corrosion given a certain level of naphthenic acid present, giving a measure of the corrosivity of crude oil feedstock. |
| US08956872B2 |
QTL controlling sclerotinia stem rot resistance in soybean
Markers associated with Sclerotinia stem rot resistance are provided. Methods of identifying resistant and susceptible plants, using the markers are provided. Methods for identifying and isolating QTL are a feature of the invention, as are QTL associated with Sclerotinia stem rot resistance. |
| US08956870B2 |
Method for using directing cells for specific stem/progenitor cell activation and differentiation
A method is provided, including obtaining a population of isolated immature antigen-presenting cells; enriching a population of isolated stem/progenitor cells within a larger population of cells; activating the population of immature antigen-presenting cells; and following the activating, inducing at least one process selected from the group consisting of: differentiation, expansion, activation, secretion of a molecule, and expression of a marker, by exposing the enriched stem/progenitor cell population to the population of activated antigen-presenting cells. Inducing the at least one process includes generating a lineage specific precursor/progenitor population (LSP) from the enriched stem/progenitor cell population. In addition, (1) obtaining the population of immature antigen-presenting cells includes obtaining the population of immature antigen-presenting cells from umbilical cord blood, and/or (2) enriching the population of stem/progenitor cells includes obtaining the population of stem/progenitor cells from umbilical cord blood. Other applications are also described. |
| US08956861B2 |
Container tray, tray base, and observation unit
Provided are a container tray in which a position and orientation of a container is hardly displaced from a predetermined position and orientation; a tray base used together with the container tray; and an observation unit. The container tray 8 includes a mounting plate 81 having a mounting surface 811 on which the container is to be mounted, an elastic body 82, and a biasing mechanism 83, 842. The elastic body 82 is arranged on the mounting surface 811 of the mounting plate 81 around a mounting region R where the container is to be mounted. The biasing mechanism 83, 842 is capable of switching states between a biased state in which the elastic body 82 is biased inward by applying a pressing force to the elastic body 82 from outside and a bias released state in which the bias on the elastic body 82 is released. |
| US08956858B2 |
Tactical and portable PCR/HRM genome identification system
The present invention relates to a Polymerase Chain Reaction and High Resolution Melt genetic identification system, and, more specifically, to a tactical and portable Polymerase Chain Reaction and High Resolution Melt genetic analysis and identification system that is configured to determine and communicate analysis and identification results and a tiered confidence/alert level related to the analysis and identification results. |
| US08956857B2 |
Three-component biosensors for detecting macromolecules and other analytes
The invention generally provides three-component molecular biosensors. The molecular biosensors are useful in several methods including in the identification and quantification of target molecules. |
| US08956855B2 |
Portable cryogenic container
The invention relates to a portable personal cryogenic container for carrying materials at low temperatures, and more particularly for carrying cryogenically preserved materials. The cryogenic container can be formed from an external shell assembly having multiple parts, where the parts are interlocked to support an inner container. An elongate receptacle holding preserved materials may be supported in the inner container alongside cryogenic fluids for maintaining cryopreserved materials. |
| US08956854B2 |
Landfill methane enhancement process
A zero-discharge landfill process is disclosed herein. The process described in the present invention recycles the exhaust gases from a combustion engine which reheats the landfill and provides moisture. Additionally, the CO2 from the exhaust gases releases additional methane. Methane production in landfills can thus be enhanced by the method of the present invention. Furthermore, a portion of the exhaust gas can be used to cultivate algae in a cultivation tank. The cultivation of the algal species is enhanced in the presence of water, CO2, CO, and the elevated temperatures. Optionally, a first portion of the cultivated algae can be passed through the landfill to increase methane production in the landfill and a second portion of the cultivated algae can be transferred to a biodiesel production tank, for the conversion of the one or more algal oils and lipids to a biodiesel or a biofuel by a transesterification reaction. |
| US08956849B2 |
Compositions and methods of enhancing immune responses to Eimeria
Vaccines comprising TRAP polypeptides and Salmonella enteritidis vectors comprising TRAP polypeptides are provided. The vaccines may also include a CD154 polypeptide capable of binding to CD40. Also provided are methods of enhancing an immune response against Apicomplexan parasites and methods of reducing morbidity associated with infection with Apicomplexan parasites. |
| US08956848B2 |
UBP1 protease mutant, and its coding sequence, their application and methods of production
A UBP1 protease mutant and the sequence coding it, their application and products and the methods used to produce them may be used in the production of recombinant proteins, particularly on an industrial scale. |
| US08956847B2 |
Fusion proteins
The invention provides a single chain, polypeptide fusion protein, comprising: a non-cytotoxic protease, or a fragment thereof, which protease or protease fragment is capable of cleaving a protein of the exocytic fusion apparatus of a target cell; a Targeting Moiety that is capable of binding to a Binding Site on the target cell, which Binding Site is capable of undergoing endocytosis to be incorporated into an endocome within the target cell; a protease cleaving site at which site the fusion protein is cleavable by the protease, wherein the protease cleavage site is located between the non-cytotoxic protease or fragment thereof and the Targeting Moiety; and the translocation domain that is capable of translocating the protease or protease fragment from within an endosome, across the endosomal membrane and into the cytosol of the target cell. |
| US08956840B2 |
Engineered ketoreductase polypeptides
The present disclosure provides engineered ketoreductase enzymes having improved properties as compared to a naturally occurring wild-type ketoreductase enzyme including the capability of reducing 5-((4S)-2-oxo-4-phenyl(1,3-oxazolidin-3-yl))-1-(4-fluorophenyl)pentane-1,5-dione to (4S)-3-[(5S)-5-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-hydroxypentanoyl]-4-phenyl-1,3-oxazolidin-2-one. Also provided are polynucleotides encoding the engineered ketoreductase enzymes, host cells capable of expressing the engineered ketoreductase enzymes, and methods of using the engineered ketoreductase enzymes to synthesize the intermediate (4S)-3-[(5S)-5-(4-fluorophenyl)-5-hydroxypentanoyl]-4-phenyl-1,3-oxazolidin-2-one in a process for making Ezetimibe. |
| US08956838B2 |
Carboxyl esterase polypeptides
The present invention relates to a polynucleotide encoding an enzyme having carboxyl esterase [E.C. 2.1.1.1] activity. |
| US08956836B2 |
Integrated process for the production of Jatropha methyl ester and by products
The present invention provides a simpler and more energy efficient process for the preparation of fatty acid methyl ester (biodiesel) from sun dried whole seed capsules of Jatropha curcas integrated with value addition of seed shells, deoiled cake and crude glycerol co-product stream. More specifically, the invention relates to a method of dispensing with the need for excess methanol recovery through distillation, cost-effective resin treatment for the refining of methyl ester and utilization of co-streams for preparation of high density energy briquettes and Polyhydroxyalkanoate biodegradable polymer in efficient and cost-effective manner. |
| US08956835B2 |
Methods for producing polyhydroxyalkanoates from biodiesel-glycerol
Methods are provided for producing biodegradable polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) with desired geometry, molecular mass, mechanical and/or physical-chemical properties from glycerol, an inexpensive carbon source and byproduct of the biodiesel industry. Microorganisms capable of converting carbon to PHA can be used to convert biodiesel-glycerol to poly-3-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) or other monomer or copolymer PHAs via fermentation. The microorganisms are cultured in a medium comprising glycerol as a primary carbon source and one or more low molecular mass organic acids as a secondary carbon source. Biomass can be harvested from the culture medium and crude PHA extracted and purified, thereby recovering purified PHA with the desired property. After PHA isolation, a nucleating agent can be added to improve certain physical-chemical properties of the PHA, e.g., crystallization temperature, to enhance performance of the PHA during injection molding. |
| US08956834B2 |
Acyl-ACP thioesterase genes and uses therefor
The present invention provides novel genes encoding Class II acyl-ACP thioesterases and variants thereof that are active on C8, C10, C12, C14, C16, and C18 acyl-ACP substrates. The thioesterases can be introduced into transgenic organisms, including microorganisms and photosynthetic organisms, for producing fatty acids and fatty acid products. |
| US08956832B2 |
Cells expressing anti-GD2 antibodies and methods related thereto
Described herein are antibodies that specifically bind ganglioside GD2. Also described are nucleotides encoding such antibodies, cells expressing such antibodies, methods of use for such antibodies, and methods for using the antibodies to treat diseases associated with ganglioside GD2. In addition, tissue culture media supplements are described as are methods of use for the supplements. Described herein are albumin-ganglioside conjugates and corresponding methods for producing such conjugates. Methods of purifying or isolating antibodies are also described. |
| US08956814B2 |
Methods and compositions for detecting serotypes of Chlamydia trachomatis capable of causing lymphogranuloma venereum
Disclosed are methods and compositions for conducting assays utilizing real-time polymerase chain reactions (“PCRs”) in detection of serotypes L I, L II, and L III, but not stereotype B, of Chlamydia trachomatis, capable of causing lymphogranuloma venereum (“LGV”). These assays take advantage of a deletion occurring in the cytotoxin gene locus specific to the L I, L II, and L III serotypes. Each assay employs a first primer having a nucleotide sequence flanking one side of the deletion point and a second primer having a nucleotide sequence flanking the other side of the deletion point, wherein the first primer and the second primer are capable of hybridizing respectively to the plus strand and the minus strand of the genome of Chlamydia trachomatis during PCR. Synthesis during PCR of a sequence-specific amplicon containing this deletion point indicates that the sample contains nucleic acid specific to an LGV-causing serotype of Chlamydia trachomatis. |
| US08956812B2 |
Process for the preparation and purification of recombinant proteins
A novel process for the purification of recombinant protein expressed as particle is herewith described. In this purification process, the protein is purified by hydrophobic interaction. The interaction of this protein step resulted in an increase in recovery and purity from 15%-80%. The protein further purified has its application in vaccines and pharmaceuticals. |
| US08956811B2 |
Diagnosis of malignant neoplasms using anti-Notch3 antibodies
The present invention relates to novel antibodies that bind specifically to human Notch 3 and their use in the detection and/or diagnosis of Notch 3 related diseases, such as cancer. The present invention also includes nucleic acids encoding these novel antibodies, vectors and cell lines harboring the nucleic acids, and kits comprising the antibodies for use in the detection and diagnosis. |
| US08956810B2 |
Primer and pattern forming method for layer including block copolymer
An undercoat agent usable in phase separation of a layer formed on a substrate, the layer containing a block copolymer having a plurality of polymers bonded, the undercoat agent including a resin component, and 20 mol % to 80 mol % of all the structural units of the resin component being a structural unit derived from an aromatic ring-containing monomer; and a method of forming a pattern of a layer containing a block copolymer, the method including: step (1) coating the undercoat agent on a substrate (1), thereby forming a layer (2) composed of the undercoat agent, step (2) forming a layer (3) containing a block copolymer having a plurality of polymers bonded on the surface of the layer (2) composed of the undercoat agent, and subjecting the layer (3) containing the block copolymer to phase separation, and step (3) selectively removing a phase (3a) of at least one polymer of the plurality of copolymers constituting the block copolymer from the layer (3) containing the block copolymer. |
| US08956807B2 |
Method for forming resist pattern, and composition for forming resist underlayer film
A resist pattern-forming method capable of forming a resist pattern excellent in pattern collapse resistance in the case of development with the organic solvent in multilayer resist processes. The method has the steps of: (1) providing a resist underlayer film on a substrate using a composition for forming a resist underlayer film; (2) providing a resist film on the resist underlayer film using a photoresist composition; (3) exposing the resist film; and (4) developing the exposed resist film using a developer solution containing no less than 80% by mass of an organic solvent, in which the composition for forming a resist underlayer film contains (A) a component that includes a polysiloxane chain and that has a carboxyl group, a group that can generate a carboxyl group by an action of an acid, an acid anhydride group or a combination thereof. |
| US08956806B2 |
Photoresist and patterning process
A method and material layer for forming a pattern are disclosed. The method includes providing a substrate; forming a first material layer over the substrate; forming a second material layer over the first material layer, wherein the second material layer comprises a photoacid generator and a photobase generator; and exposing one or more portions of the second material layer. |
| US08956805B2 |
Polymers, methods of use thereof, and methods of decomposition thereof
Polymers, methods of use thereof, and methods of decomposition thereof, are provided. One exemplary polymer, among others, includes, a photodefinable polymer having a sacrificial polymer and a photoinitiator. |
| US08956804B2 |
Self-assemblable polymer and methods for use in lithography
A block copolymer, adapted to self-assemble to form an ordered pattern on a substrate, has first and second blocks with a terminal moiety covalently bonded to the end of the first block. The molecular weight of the terminal moiety is 20% or less than that of the block copolymer and the terminal moiety has a low chemical affinity for the first block. The terminal moiety can assist the accurate positional placement of the domains of the ordered array and lead to improved critical dimension uniformity and/or reduced line edge roughness. The polymer may be useful in combination with a graphoepitaxy template, where the terminal moiety is chosen to associate with a sidewall of the template. This may reduce undesired aggregation of polymer domains at a sidewall and/or assist in domain placement accuracy. |
| US08956796B2 |
Electrostatic charge image developing toner, electrostatic charge image developer, toner cartridge, developing device, image forming apparatus, and image forming method
Provided is an electrostatic charge image developing toner including toner base particles which contain a polyester resin and a vinyl resin and does not have a coating layer and wherein the concentration of the polyester resin on the particle surface is higher than the concentration of the polyester resin in the inside of the particles, and a sol-gel silica which has an average circularity of from 0.75 to 0.9, on the surface of the toner base particles. |
| US08956793B2 |
Electrophotographic photoreceptor, process cartridge, and image forming apparatus
An electrophotographic photoreceptor includes a conductive support, an undercoat layer that is provided on the conductive support and that has a thickness of from 15 μm to 40 μm and has light transmittance of 20% or less with respect to light having a wavelength of 450 nm when the thickness is at least 15 μm, a charge generation layer that is provided on the undercoat layer, and a charge transport layer that is provided on the charge generation layer and that has a thickness of from 15 μm to 40 μm and has light transmittance of 30% or less with respect to light having a wavelength of 450 nm when the thickness is at least 15 μm. |
| US08956789B2 |
Methods for fabricating integrated circuits including multi-patterning of masks for extreme ultraviolet lithography
Methods for fabricating integrated circuits are provided. In one example, a method for fabricating an integrated circuit includes patterning a first photoresist layer overlying a mask blank that is mounted on a first chuck to form a first patterned photoresist layer. The mask blank is selectively etched using the first patterned photoresist layer to form a first patterned mask. The first patterned mask is mounted on a second chuck and a non-flatness compensation is determined. The first patterned mask is mounted on the first chuck and a second photoresist layer is patterned overlying the first patterned mask to form a second patterned photoresist layer. The second patterned photoresist layer includes a device pattern that has been adjusted using the non-flatness compensation. The first patterned mask is selectively etched using the second patterned photoresist layer to form a second patterned mask. |
| US08956788B2 |
Pellicle for lithography and a method of making thereof
A pellicle is proposed wherein the mask-bonding agglutinant layer coated on one annular face of the pellicle frame is designed to have a cross-section which is trapezoidal (including the case of rectangle) so that the angle alpha (α) included between the side wall of the agglutinant layer and said annular face is 90 degrees or smaller. |
| US08956786B2 |
Volume hologram medium
The invention is concerned with a volume hologram medium obtained by multiple recording of holograms, which is improved in terms of just only security for forgery prevention but also aesthetics. A volume hologram medium 29′ comprises a reflection hologram in which a stereoscopic image of a three-dimensional object and an image of a plane pattern of a mask plate are recorded by interference of the same reference light beams having the same angle of incidence and the same wavelength with object light beams having mutually different angles of incidence. The stereoscopic image of the three-dimensional object is reconstructed in the form of diffracted light 31 in a singlecolor and in angle relations close to recording conditions, and the image of a plane pattern of the mask plate is reconstructed as diffracted light 32b, 32′b at various angles of incidence of white illumination light 30 and in different colors depending on those angles of incidence. Thus, more improved aesthetics are achievable, and more enhanced security is ensured by determination of whether or not the volume hologram medium has such aesthetic properties. |
| US08956776B2 |
Fuel cell system and method of detecting abnormality of fuel cell system
A fuel cell system and an abnormality detecting method therefor is provided. The fuel cell system includes: a fuel cell that includes at least one fuel-cell cell having an anode, a cathode and an electrolyte membrane, an anode-side passage supplying and exhausting fuel gas to and from the anode, a cathode-side passage supplying and exhausting oxidation gas to and from the cathode, a voltage detecting unit detecting a fuel cell voltage, a suppressing unit setting a suppression state where, after terminating normal power generation, introduction of the fuel and oxidation gas to the anode-side and cathode-side passages and emission of the fuel and oxidation gas from the anode-side and cathode-side passages to outsides are suppressed as compared with those during the normal power generation; and an abnormality detecting unit, after setting the suppression state, detecting abnormality of the fuel cell system based on the detected voltage or a variation thereof. |
| US08956774B2 |
Method for shutting down fuel cell system
A method for shutting down a fuel cell system includes: determining whether an outside air temperature is below a first predetermined reference temperature when a shutdown of a fuel cell system is detected; warming up the fuel cell stack by operating balance of plant components of the fuel cell system and a stack load using the power of the fuel cell stack, while the supply of hydrogen to the fuel cell stack is normally maintained, when the outside air temperature is below the first reference temperature; removing water in the fuel cell stack by passing air supplied by an air supply system through the stack load to supply heated air to a cathode of the fuel cell stack; and shutting down the fuel cell system by cutting off the supply of air after the removal of water. The method can eliminate or reduce cold start failure. |
| US08956771B2 |
Electrode catalyst for fuel cell, method of preparation, MEA including the catalyst, and fuel cell including the MEA
An electrode catalyst for fuel cell, a method of preparing the electrode catalyst, a membrane electrode assembly including the electrode catalyst, and a fuel cell including the membrane electrode assembly. The electrode catalyst includes a crystalline catalyst particle incorporating a precious metal having oxygen reduction activity and a Group 13 element, where the Group 13 element is present in a unit lattice of the crystalline catalyst particle. |
| US08956768B2 |
Nonaqueous electrolyte comprising one or more hydrofluoroethers and one or more non-fluoroethers, and a secondary cell containing the nonaqueous electrolyte
A nonaqueous electrolyte for a secondary cell comprising a lithium salt, at least one hydrofluoroether having the following formula (2) and/or at least one hydrofluoroether having the following formula (3), and a non-fluorinated ether having the following formula (4): wherein R1, R2, X, R10 and R11 are as defined; and a secondary cell containing the nonaqueous electrolyte; and which nonaqueous electrolyte and secondary cell are free from erosion of electrodes or generation of carbon dioxide gas and which have a long-term nonflammability, an excellent low-temperature characteristic and a practically sufficient conductivity. |
| US08956764B2 |
Electrode plate, secondary battery having the same, and manufacturing method for the electrode plate
An electrode plate includes a current collector, the current collector being made of metal and having a 3-dimensional mesh structure, and an active material portion including an active material, the active material portion being inserted into a vacant space in the current collector and coated on top and bottom surfaces of the current collector. |
| US08956763B2 |
Electrode for electricity-storing device, electricity-storing device employing such electrode, and method of manufacturing electrode for electricity-storing device
An electricity-storing device electrode includes a current collector foil, an active material layer formed on a surface of the current collector foil, and a high-resistance layer formed on the surface of the current collector foil so as to be adjacent to and in direct contact with the active material layer. At at least a portion of the interface between the active material layer and the high-resistance layer, mixed phase is formed where constituents from the two layers intermingle. |
| US08956762B2 |
Lithium ion secondary battery and method for manufacturing the same
In a lithium ion secondary battery including a positive electrode, a separator, a negative electrode, and a package body, the negative electrode includes simple substance silicon as a negative electrode active material, and a negative electrode binder, and is doped with lithium, and the following formulas (1) and (2) are satisfied: 1.2≦Ma/Mc≦1.9 (1) 1.0 |
| US08956760B2 |
Electron transport in hexacyanometallate electrode for electrochemical applications
A structure of intimately contacting carbon-hexacyanometallate is provided for forming a metal-ion battery electrode. Several methods are provided for forming the carbon-hexacyanometallate intimate contact. These methods include (1) adding conducting carbon during the synthesis of hexacyanometallate and forming the carbon-hexacyanometallate powder prior to forming the paste for electrode printing; (2) coating with conducting carbon after hexacyanometallate powder formation and prior to forming the paste for electrode printing; and (3) coating a layer of conducting carbon over the hexacyanometallate electrode. |
| US08956754B2 |
Electrode plate, method for manufacturing the electrode plate, and secondary battery having the electrode plate
An electrode plate of a secondary battery includes an electrode current collector, an active material coated portion on at least one surface of the electrode current collector, and an uncoated portion on the electrode current collector, the uncoated portion including pressed portions extending from a boundary of the active material coated portion and the uncoated portion to a distance on the uncoated portion in a widthwise direction of the electrode current collector. |
| US08956753B2 |
Secondary battery and secondary battery module
A secondary battery and a secondary battery module, the secondary battery including an electrode assembly, the electrode assembly including a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator therebetween; a case for accommodating the electrode assembly; a cap plate for sealing the case; and at least one terminal unit, the at least one terminal unit including an electrode rivet electrically connected to one of the electrodes of the electrode assembly and formed of a first metallic material, a rivet terminal formed of a second metallic material, the second metallic material being different from the first metallic material, and a clad unit between the electrode rivet and the rivet terminal. |
| US08956752B2 |
Battery module
A battery module including a plurality of battery cells aligned in one direction; and barriers interposed between respective battery cells, wherein the barrier has a shape that crosses at a central portion of the battery cell. |
| US08956751B2 |
Battery pack and battery module having the same
A battery pack includes first and second end plates spaced apart from each other along a first direction, a plurality of battery cells aligned along the first direction between the first and second end plate, each battery cell having an electrode terminal thereon, and a side plate extending along side surfaces of the battery cells and coupled to the first and second end plates, the side plate having first coupling portions along upper edges of the side plate, the first coupling portions being bent to extend away from the battery cells, and second coupling portions along lower edges of the side plate, the second coupling portions being bent to extend away from the battery cells and to face the first coupling portions, the second coupling portions being positioned to at least partially correspond to respective first coupling portions. |
| US08956749B2 |
Battery pack
A battery pack, including a cell, a circuit module electrically coupled to the cell, the circuit module including, an insulation substrate, an electrical element on the insulation substrate, and at least one resin layer surrounding the electrical element, and a cover surrounding the circuit module and coupling the circuit module to the cell. |
| US08956747B2 |
Battery module
The case 20 housing a plurality of cells 100 is divided, by a circuit board 30 provided at the same sides of the cells 100, into a housing space 50 housing the cells 100 and an exhaust duct 60 for releasing a gas from the vents 8a of the cells 100 to outside the case 20. The vents 8a of the cells 100 communicate with the exhaust duct 60 through openings 30a formed in the flat plate 30. The exhaust duct 60 is divided into a first space 61 and a second space 62 by a partition 40 provided between the flat plate 30 and an external plate 21 of the case 20. The first space 61 communicates with the second space 62 through through holes 40a formed in the partition 40. |
| US08956740B2 |
Film-forming ink, film-forming method, liquid droplet discharging device, method for preparing light-emitting element, light-emitting element, light-emitting device and electronic apparatus
A film-forming ink includes: film-forming materials containing a π-conjugated compounds; and a liquid medium which is capable of dissolving or dispersing the film-forming material and containing a compound represented by the following formula (I), wherein the compound is one in which the substituent of at least one of R1 to R6 is a linear or branched alkyl group, and the molecular structure of the one substituent is larger than the molecular structure of another substituent, and thus, the molecular weight of the whole molecule is biased towards the side where the one substituent is present. |
| US08956737B2 |
Red phosphorescent compound and organic electroluminescent device using the same
The invention relates to a red phosphorescent compound represented by the following Formula (1) and an organic electroluminescent (EL) device using the same: wherein |
| US08956735B2 |
Copper alloy and electrically conductive material for connecting parts, and mating-type connecting part and method for producing the same
A mating-type connecting part can be obtained by stamping and surface-roughening a copper sheet into a predetermined shape with depressions as a plurality of parallel lines. The copper sheet then has a roughness of from 0.5 μm to 4.0 μm parallel to a sliding direction upon connection, a mean projection-depression interval of from 0.01 mm to 0.3 mm in that direction, a skewness less than 0, and a protrusion peak portion height of 1 μm or less. The copper sheet is then plated with Cu and Sn, followed by reflowing. The result is a connecting part having a Sn surface coating layer group as a plurality of parallel lines, and a Cu-Sn alloy coating layer adjacent to each side of each Sn surface coating layer. |
| US08956734B2 |
Black resin steel plate having improved drawing ability and good manufacturing the same
Provided is a black resin steel plate having superior drawing ability and glossiness and particularly to a black resin steel plate in which the coefficient of friction of a black resin film is adjusted so as to block the transfer of a resin layer due to a reduction in thickness of the resin layer, thereby improving blackness and drawing ability, and to a method of manufacturing the same. |
| US08956733B2 |
Power transmission bus bar filling material
A filling material of power transmission bus bar, composed mainly of a silicone and an inorganic material, wherein weight ratio of said silicone and said inorganic material is between 1:0.1 and 1:9. As such, the resilience of the silicone can increase the buffering capability of said power transmission bus bar in facing pressure of strong winds; also stiffness of said inorganic material can increase the stability of said power transmission bus bar in a same situation. Said filling material of power transmission bus bar is able to protect metallic conduction element of said power transmission bus bar from getting in touch with moisture and dust, that may reduce its efficiency in transmitting power. |
| US08956730B2 |
Conductive multilayer stack, coated substrates including the same, and methods of making the same
An electrically conductive multilayer stack including a first metal oxide layer including titanium oxide, a metal layer on the first metal oxide layer, and a second metal oxide layer including titanium oxide on the metal layer, at least one of the first metal oxide layer and the second metal oxide layer including a first region, a second region on the first region, and a third region on the second region, the first region and the third region each having a higher oxygen concentration than that of the second region is disclosed. Methods of manufacturing an electrically conductive multilayer stack are also disclosed. |
| US08956728B2 |
Thermoplastic polyurethane interlayer
A composition including an isocyanate, a polyether polyol and a low molecular weight polyester polyol having a weight average molecular weight in a range of about 200 g/mol to about 1000 g/mol is disclosed. Films including the composition and interlayers including the film are also disclosed. Transparencies including the interlayer and methods of making the same are further disclosed. |
| US08956725B2 |
Hybrid solid supports comprising conformal crosslinked polymeric coating and 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. |
| US08956723B2 |
Coating liquid for coating glass fiber and rubber-reinforcing glass fiber using the same
A coating liquid for coating glass fiber cords, containing: a chlorophenol-formaldehyde condensate (A) obtained by condensing a chlorophenol (D) and formaldehyde (E) in water; an emulsion of a vinylpyridine-styrene-butadiene copolymer (B); and an emulsion of a chlorosulfonated polyethylene (C). |
| US08956719B2 |
Flame-retardant poly lactic acid-containing film or sheet, and method for manufacturing thereof
A film or sheet composed of a resin composition including a poly lactic acid (A), an acidic functional group-modified olefinic polymer (B) including an acidic functional group and having an acid value of 10 to 70 mg KOH/g and a weight average molecular weight of 10,000 to 80,000, a tetrafluoroethylene polymer (C), and an aromatic cyclic phosphazene-containing flame retardant (D) including a compound of Formula (I) and in which (D) is included in an amount of 10 to 70 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of (A), and a method for manufacturing the film or sheet by melt film formation. |
| US08956715B2 |
Resilient pad composite having floating reinforcing structure
The present application discloses a composite pad structure that includes a substrate bonded to a plurality of discrete, spaced-apart, resilient elements engaged to at least one reinforcing structure. |
| US08956711B2 |
High impact strength, elastic, composite, fibre, metal laminate
A damage resistant High Strength, Impact Resistant, Elastic Composite Laminate primary (singular) structure with optionally having first (4) and second (4) outer face layers, having first (2) and second (2) inner reinforced plies being located between the first and second outer layers, and (1) a dissipating element located between the first and second reinforced plies, wherein the dissipating element is adapted to dissipate and redirect, randomly directed active loading applied to at least one of the two outer surface, to tensile loading being directed along the respective longitudinal axis of the inner reinforced ply; and a matrix (3) between (2) and (4). |
| US08956710B2 |
Vacuum insulation panel
Disclosed are a vacuum insulation panel, a method for manufacturing the same and an insulation box having the same. By cutting the core material correspondingly to shape and thickness of the absorbent without cut of the core material and pressing the absorbent securing part to form the groove for placing the absorbent therein, the vacuum insulation panel prevents partial deterioration of heat transmission caused by the cutoff of the core material or deterioration of the smoothness caused by placing the absorbent above the core material or between the core materials. Particularly, it is possible to prevent the phenomenon that the periphery is pressed together, which is shown in a conventional press process, to thereby improve the smoothness by cutting the core material in shape and depth corresponding to the shape and thickness of the absorbent prior to the press of the absorbent securing part. Therefore, it is possible to provide an energy saving insulation box by reducing generation of wrinkle or poor sealing of the surface material of the vacuum insulation panel to thereby increase insulation efficiency of the vacuum insulation panel for a long time. |
| US08956708B2 |
Rotolined articles
The present invention relates to the field of steel pipes and vessels rotolined with metallocene-produced polyethylene. |
| US08956707B2 |
Preform extended finish for processing light weight ecologically beneficial bottles
Disclosed are preforms for the production of lightweight containers, such as bottles suitable for containing water or other beverages The preforms can have a thin neck finish area that is extended into the upper segment of the body portion below the support ring. Preforms with reduced thickness in these areas use less resin in forming the preform and bottle. |
| US08956706B2 |
Flexible tubing material and method of forming the material
A flexible tubing material includes a radiation crosslinked blend of a first elastomeric polymer including a styrenic thermoplastic elastomer, an ethylene vinyl acetate elastomer, a polyolefin elastomer with a second elastomeric polymer including a polyolefin elastomer, a diene elastomer, or combination thereof, with the proviso that the first elastomeric polymer and the second elastomeric polymer are different. In an embodiment, a method of making a material includes providing the first elastomeric polymer, providing the second elastomeric polymer, blending the first elastomeric polymer and the second elastomeric polymer, extruding or injection molding the blend, and crosslinking the blend with radiation. |
| US08956705B2 |
Ferroelectric liquid crystal (FLC) polymers
A system having a ferroelectric liquid host material and a small amount of polymer additive is provided. In an embodiment, the polymer additive improves the physical characteristics of the system. In an embodiment, the system can be used in FLC applications. |
| US08956696B2 |
Ultra-thin membrane for chemical analyzer and related method for forming membrane
A method for forming an ultra-thin membrane for use in a chemical analyzer such as a mass spectrometer includes the step of applying a sacrificial blocking layer onto a porous substrate, applying a semi-permeable membrane layer onto the sacrificial blocking layer, and removing the sacrificial blocking layer following cure of the membrane layer. In a preferred version, at least one of the blocking layer and the membrane layer are applied to the porous support by means of spin coating, though other deposition techniques can be employed. |
| US08956694B2 |
Developing apparatus, developing method and storage medium
A pretreatment process, carried out prior to a developing process, spouts pure water, namely, a diffusion-assisting liquid for assisting the spread of a developer over the surface of a wafer, through a cleaning liquid spouting nozzle onto a central part of the wafer to form a puddle of pure water. The developer is spouted onto the central part of the wafer for prewetting while the wafer is rotated at a high rotating speed to spread the developer over the surface of the wafer. The developer dissolves the resist film partly and produces a solution. The rotation of the wafer is reversed, for example, within 7 s in which the solution is being produced to reduce the water-repellency of the wafer by spreading the solution over the entire surface of the wafer. Then, the developer is spouted onto the rotating wafer to spread the developer on the surface of the wafer. |
| US08956692B2 |
Device and method for manufacturing a three-dimensional body
The production of three-dimensional bodies is performed by selective solidification, wherein surface impurities on the layers to be produced, which may occur during the production process using “powder shuttle” technology, are significantly reduced or eliminated. In this manner the production process is more efficient, produces a higher grade product and is more economical to implement. |
| US08956688B2 |
Aqueous processing of composite lithium ion electrode material
A method of making a battery electrode includes the steps of dispersing an active electrode material and a conductive additive in water with at least one dispersant to create a mixed dispersion; treating a surface of a current collector to raise the surface energy of the surface to at least the surface tension of the mixed dispersion; depositing the dispersed active electrode material and conductive additive on a current collector; and heating the coated surface to remove water from the coating. |
| US08956684B2 |
IOL insertion apparatus and methods for making and using same
Apparatus, and methods of making and using apparatus, for inserting intraocular lenses (IOLs) are disclosed. The apparatus includes a hollow tube having an interior wall defining a hollow space through which an intraocular lens may be passed from the open space into an eye. A lubricity enhancing component is covalently bonded to the hollow tube at the interior wall in an amount effective to facilitate the passage of the intraocular lens through the hollow space. The lubricity enhancing component includes a substituent component effective to reduce hydrolysis of said lubricity enhancing component relative to an identical lubricity enhancing component without the substituent component. |
| US08956682B2 |
Hydrophilic polymeric coatings for medical articles with visualization moiety
The invention is directed to medical device coatings, such as coated guidewires and catheters, containing a visualization moiety providing color to the coating in ambient or applied light. The coating allows for visual or machine inspection of coating properties such as uniformity of coverage. In some embodiments the coatings include the visualization moiety and an activated UV photogroup, which is used to provide covalent bonding in the coating. The visualization moiety can be in particulate form and entrained in the coating, or can be covalently bonded to the hydrophilic polymer backbone. In other embodiments the visualization moiety includes a stilbene chemical group. Exemplary coatings include a hydrophilic vinyl pyrrolidone polymer, which can provide lubricity to the device surface, along with the colored properties. |
| US08956679B2 |
Process tolerant starch composition with high total dietary fiber content
The present invention relates to a starch composition with high total dietary fiber (TDF) that retains its TDF upon processing. In particular, over 50% of such fiber is retained upon extrusion processing. Such starch is useful in the manufacture of high fiber food products, including extruded products such as breakfast cereals and snacks. |
| US08956676B2 |
Composition comprising protein and disperse fat
The present invention relates to a method for the manufacture of a composition comprising proteins and fats, said method providing a simple and non-expensive way of obtaining fat-containing proteinaceous products of high nutritional value that are easy to handle and at the same time possess high stability towards coalescence and oxidation. More particularly, a method is provided for the manufacture of a composition comprising protein and fat in disperse form, the method comprising the following steps: (i) providing a suspension having a pH value higher than 7.0, said suspension comprising water, proteinaceous material, fat, and optionally alkali; (ii) incubating the suspension from (i) at a temperature in the interval 50-150° C.; (iii) homogenizing the suspension from (ii) to form a dispersion; and (iv), if desired, subjecting the dispersion from (iii) to a subsequent treatment; wherein the proteinaceous material in step (i) comprises vegetable-based proteinaceous material, and/or yeast-based proteinaceous material; wherein the suspension in step (i) comprises at least 5% fat by weight of dry matter. The current invention also relates to the compositions obtained by the method and to compositions obtainable by the method of the invention and, further, to the use of these compositions. |
| US08956670B2 |
Method for the control of the formation of acrylamide in a foodstuff
There is provided a process for the prevention and/or reduction of acrylamide formation and/or acrylamide precursor formation in a foodstuff containing (i) a protein, a peptide or an amino acid and (ii) a reducing sugar, the process comprising contacting the foodstuff with an enzyme capable of oxidizing a reducing group of the sugar. |
| US08956669B2 |
Anticancer and antimicrobial compounds from antarctic extremophilic microorgansims
The present disclosure describes the isolation of extremophilic microorganisms from the Lakes of Schirmacher Oasis located in the East Antarctic Dronning Maud Land. The isolated organisms were characterized and certain pigments produced by these microorganisms were isolated. The present disclosure teaches that the isolated pigments exhibit anticancer and antimicrobial properties and can be used as new therapies for the treatment and prevention of cancer and microbially-mediated diseases. |
| US08956665B2 |
Stable aqueous solutions of silane quat ammonium compounds
Stable aqueous compositions of silane quaternary ammonium compounds are provided by diluting an alkanol solution of the silane quaternary ammonium compound in water with at least one nonionic surfactant. The weight ratio of the silane quaternary ammonium compound and nonionic surfactant is provided to yield a composition which can remain stable in dilute aqueous compositions, can be applied to any surface and dry quickly to provide an anti-microbial film. The addition of an alkali metal bicarbonate salt to the composition improves the anti-microbial properties as well as the drying time of the composition. |
| US08956663B2 |
Compositions and methods for treating vaginal infections and pathogenic vaginal biofilms
The present invention generally relates to methods and compositions for treating pathogenic vaginal biofilms. More specifically, the invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising a combination of boric acid and diethylaminetetracetic acid (EDTA) and to methods of using such compositions to treat or prevent biofilm formation associated with vaginal infections, such as bacterial vaginosis (BV), vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC), trichomoniasis or mixed infections. |
| US08956662B2 |
Phenylephrine pharmaceutical formulations and compositions for colonic absorption
The invention discloses a pharmaceutical composition comprising phenylephrine or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and an erodible layer which is for oral administration wherein the composition delivers phenylephrine or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof via absorption in the colon. The pharmaceutical composition comprises a core comprising phenylephrine or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and an erodible layer which is in a time-dependent, pH-dependent, or colon-specific enzyme-dependent erodible layer that degrades to expose the core to release phenylephrine in the colon. In one preferred embodiment, the erodible layer encases the core. The composition optionally further comprises phenylephrine in the erodible layer or other additional layer(s). The pharmaceutical composition can further comprise one or more additional therapeutically active agents selected from one or more of the group consisting of antihistamines, analgesics, anti-pyretics, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents. The invention also discloses methods of administering phenylephrine via the colon, thereby increasing the bioavailable amount of therapeutically active unconjugated phenylephrine relative to the total phenylephrine in the plasma. |
| US08956657B2 |
Stable formulations for lyophilizing therapeutic particles
The present disclosure generally relates to lyophilized pharmaceutical compositions comprising polymeric nanoparticles which, upon reconstitution, have low levels of greater than 10 micron size particles. Other aspects of the invention include methods of making such nanoparticles. |
| US08956656B2 |
Production of small particles
The present invention relates to a method for producing particles of a compound of interest. In a method according to the invention a solution is provided of the compound of interest in a solvent. This solution is thickened or gelled and particles are formed. The invention further relates to a particle that is obtainable by the invention. |
| US08956655B2 |
Biodegradable drug delivery system
A drug delivery system (DDS) comprised of segmented biodegradable implants sized and suitable for implantation in an ocular region or site and methods for treating ocular conditions. The segmented implants provide an extended release of an active agent at a therapeutically effective amount for a period of time between 50 days and one year, or longer, and permit the DDS to have segments that possess individual and different drug release characteristics. |
| US08956654B2 |
Sustained release dosage form
An osmotic dosage form which comprising: (a) a core comprising a biologically active ingredient; (b) a semi-permeable membrane covering said core; and (c) at least one passageway through the semi-permeable membrane, wherein the semi-permeable membrane comprises ethyl cellulose, an acrylic or methacrylic polymer and a water-soluble plasticizer with the proviso that the semi-permeable membrane comprises no or not more than 15 weight percent of a water-soluble material excluding any water-soluble plasticizer, based on the total dry weight of the semi-permeable membrane. |
| US08956647B2 |
Pellet formulation for the treatment of the intestinal tract
An orally administrable pharmaceutical pellet formulation for the treatment of the intestinal tract is disclosed, which comprises a core and an enteric coating, the core including, as a pharmaceutical active compound, aminosalicylic acid or a pharmaceutically tolerable salt or a derivative thereof. |
| US08956642B2 |
Bupivacaine formulation in a polyorthoester carrier
Effective treatments of pain, such as chronic pelvic pain, for extended periods of time are provided. The treatments include the administration of one or more drug depots intraspinally wherein the drug depots include an effective amount of bupivacaine formulated within a polyorthoester. By administration of one or more drug depots, one can relieve pain caused by diverse sources, including but not limited to chronic pelvic pain syndromes, spinal disc herniation (i.e. sciatica), spondilothesis, stenosis, discongenic back pain and joint pain, as well as pain that is incidental to surgery. In some embodiments, the relief can be for at least thirty days, at least sixty days, at least one hundred days or at least one hundred and thirty-five days. |
| US08956641B2 |
Alpha adrenergic receptor agonists for treatment of inflammatory diseases
Effective treatments of pain and/or inflammation from tendonitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, tarsal tunnel syndrome, osteoarthritis, bursitis and/or an oral-facial disease are provided. Through the administration of an effective amount of at least one alpha adrenergic agonist at or near a target site, one can reduce, prevent or treat pain and/or inflammation from tendonitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, tarsal tunnel syndrome, osteoarthritis, bursitis and/or an oral-facial disease. |
| US08956631B2 |
Cosmetic compositions comprising at least one non-ionic surfactant and at least one vinylamide/vinylamine copolymer and methods of use thereof
Disclosed herein are cosmetic compositions comprising: at least one non-ionic surfactant chosen from alkylpolyglycosides and mono- and polyglycerolated surfactants, and at least one vinylformamide/vinylamine copolymer comprising: from 10 to 90 mol % of units of following formula A: and from 90 to 10 mol % of units of following formula B: and a method for treating keratinous substances using said composition. |
| US08956628B2 |
Bacteriophage preparations and method of use thereof
Disclosed herein are purified bacteriophage preparations that effectively lyse a plurality of C. perfringens strains. In one embodiment, a purified bacteriophage preparation includes four or more C. perfringens-specific bacteriophage, wherein each bacteriophage has lytic activity against at least five C. perfringens strains. In another embodiment, the purified bacteriophage preparation includes five or more C. perfringens-specific bacteriophage. |
| US08956627B2 |
Method of inducing antibodies to human immunodeficiency virus involving the administration of MPER peptide-liposome conjugates
The present invention relates to a method of inducing the production in a patient of anti-HIV antibodies. The method comprises administering to a patient in need thereof an amount of at least one liposome-peptide conjugate in an amount sufficient to effect that induction. The peptide comprises a membrane external proximal region (MPER) epitope and the liposome comprises lysophosphorylcholine or phosphatidylserine. |
| US08956622B2 |
Peptidic antagonists of class III semaphorins/neuropilins complexes
The present invention concern a peptidic antagonist of class III semaphorins/neuropilins complexes comprising an amino acid sequence, which is derived from the transmembrane domain of a protein selected in the group consisting of neuropilin-1, neuropilin-2, plexin-A1, plexin-A2, plexin-A3, plexin-A4, Nr-CAM, L1-CAM, integrin Beta 1 and integrin beta 2, and including at least a GxxxG motif, eventually fused to an heterologous sequence; a nucleic acid encoding for said peptidic antagonist, a pharmaceutical composition comprising such a peptidic antagonist or a nucleic acid encoding thereof and uses thereof. |
| US08956617B2 |
Vaccination by transcutaneous targeting
The present invention relates to a method of vaccination via hair follicles that makes it possible to target vaccine components to the antigen-presenting cells in order to induce a protective and effective immune response against pathogens. |
| US08956616B2 |
Constructs binding to phosphatidylserine and their use in disease treatment
Disclosed are new phosphatidylserine binding constructs with surprising combinations of properties, and a range of diagnostic and therapeutic conjugates thereof. The new constructs effectively bind phosphatidylserine targets in disease and enhance their destruction, and can also specifically deliver attached imaging or therapeutic agents to the disease site. Also disclosed are methods of using the new construct compositions, therapeutic conjugates and combinations thereof in tumor vasculature targeting, cancer diagnosis and treatment, and for treating viral infections and other diseases. |
| US08956615B1 |
Methods of treating OX40 mediated recall immune responses using OX40L antibodies and agents useful for identifying same
T cell memory can persist in the absence of antigen. However, some memory cells by default are subject to signals accompanying periodic antigen exposure. OX40 is essential to the extent and persistence of Th2 memory when antigen is re-encountered. In an animal model of allergic asthma, inhibiting OX40/OX40L signaling during the secondary response to inhaled antigen suppressed lung inflammation. Inhibiting OX40 at the time of memory cell reactivation reduced the longevity of memory with further inflammation prevented upon tertiary encounter with antigen. |
| US08956614B2 |
BACE1 inhibitory antibodies
The present invention relates to antibodies with a specificity for BACE1. More specifically, the invention provides monoclonal antibodies that bind to BACE1 and are capable of inhibiting the activity of BACE1 and methods producing these antibodies. The antibodies can be used for research and medical applications. Specific applications include the use of BACE1-specific antibodies for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. |
| US08956613B2 |
Gemcitabine prodrugs and uses thereof
The present invention provides compounds according to formula I: and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. For compounds of formula I, R1 and R2 are independently selected from the group consisting of H, —C(═O)—(CH2)2-aryl, and —C(═O)—(CH2)n—C(═O)—NH-aryl. The subscript n is from 2 to 6. R3 is selected from the group consisting of H and —C(═O)—O—R4; and R4 is selected from the group consisting of alkyl, substituted alkyl, alkenyl, substituted alkenyl, alkynyl, substituted alkynyl, arylalkyl, substituted arylalkyl, cycloheteroalkyl, substituted cycloheteroalkyl, heteroalkyl and substituted heteroalkyl. Compounds are provided wherein at least one of R1 and R2 is other than H. Pharmaceutical compositions, methods for inhibiting the growth of cancer cells, and methods for the treatment of cancer are also provided. |
| US08956607B2 |
Humanized anti-IL 10 antibodies for the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
Provided is a humanized or chimeric antibody or fragment thereof capable of binding to interleukin-10 (IL-10), wherein said antibody or fragment thereof: (i) binds to the same region of IL-10 as the IL-10 receptor α(IL-I10Ra) and is not capable of binding IL-10 when the IL-10 is bound to the IL- 10 receptor; and (ii) binds to IL-10 in homodimeric form by binding a discontinuous epitope comprising residues of both monomers. Further provided are related products and methods involving the use of the antibody or fragment thereof. |
| US08956603B2 |
Amphiphilic compounds and self-assembling compositions made therefrom
The present disclosure relates to amphiphilic compounds, self assembling compositions formed from the amphiphilic compounds and methods of making such compositions. |
| US08956601B2 |
Therapeutic uses of mastic gum fractions
The invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions and formulations comprising polymeric myrcene. More particularly, the invention relates to compositions comprising an isolated fraction of polymeric myrcene in a hydrophobic carrier and formulations which maintain the biological activity of the active polymer. |
| US08956594B2 |
Fluoride-calcium compositions, dental products, and methods for providing dental fluoride
Disclosed are dental compositions and methods. In accordance with one embodiment, a dental composition includes calcium, fluorine, which is generally present in the form of fluoride, and phosphate or another stabilizing anion. The composition is stable as against precipitation of calcium fluoride during transport and storage, but is unstable against the precipitation of calcium fluoride in the oral cavity of a human. In many embodiments, the amount of fluoride may be less than the amount of fluoride used in a comparable composition intended for a similar purpose. A dental method comprises applying the composition to the oral cavity of a patient, whereupon calcium fluoride precipitates from the composition. |
| US08956592B2 |
Oral care compositions
Disclosed herein are methods of enhancing the solubility and delivery of one or more active ingredients found in magnolia extract, or a synthetic analog thereof, in an oral composition. |
| US08956590B2 |
Compositions and methods for reducing the incidence of equine digestive disorders
The present invention encompasses compositions and methods of reducing the incidence of equine digestive disorders. A combination of either composition A (ASSURE PLUS®) and composition B (ASSURE®) or a combination of composition A (ASSURE PLUS®) and composition C (ASSURE GUARD®) may be administered to the equine. |
| US08956587B1 |
Hydrogen production process with high export steam
A catalytic steam-hydrocarbon reforming process for producing a hydrogen-containing product and export steam where a first stream of make-up water is heated by flue gases from the reformer and a second stream of make-up water is heated by reformate from the reformer prior to being introduced into a deaerator. |
| US08956584B2 |
Production of polycrystalline silicon in substantially closed-loop processes that involve disproportionation operations
Production of polycrystalline silicon in substantially closed-loop processes and systems is disclosed. The processes and systems generally involve disproportionation of trichlorosilane to produce silane or dichlorosilane and thermal decomposition of silane or dichlorosilane to produce polycrystalline silicon. |
| US08956583B2 |
Method for separating rhenium and arsenic, and method for purification of rhenium
The present invention aims at separating and removing arsenic in a stable form from raw material containing rhenium and arsenic, and reducing a circulation amount of arsenic in a rhenium purification process to obtain rhenium with low-content arsenic. A method for separating rhenium from arsenic in a rhenium purification process, wherein the raw material containing rhenium and arsenic is oxidized and leached, and separated into a leachate containing perrhenic, arsenic, and arsenous acids and a leaching residue containing arsenate, followed by purification of rhenium from the leachate, wherein an alkali is added to the leachate to obtain an arsenic-containing precipitate and a rhenium-containing solution, rhenium is separated from the obtained rhenium-containing solution, an alkali is added to either or both obtained arsenic-containing precipitate and the leaching residue containing arsenate to obtain an arsenic-containing solution and a hydroxide precipitate, and arsenic in the obtained arsenic-containing solution is fixed as a precipitate. |
| US08956582B2 |
Rhenium recovery
There is provided a hydrometallurgical process of recovering rhenium values from mixtures thereof with other metal values in which the rhenium values constitute a minority amount, for example super-alloys, which comprises subjecting the mixture to strongly oxidizing acid conditions, preferably an aqueous mixture of hydrochloric acid and nitric acid, so as to form perrhenate species of at least the major proportion of the rhenium values in the mixture, dissolving the perrhenate species and other soluble metal species in aqueous solution, removing insoluble metal species from the aqueous solution, and isolating the rhenium species from the solution. |
| US08956580B2 |
Analysis cartridge
An analysis cartridge comprising a cartridge body, a first cover, a liquid storage box and a sealing film is disclosed. The cartridge body has an accommodation portion and a first side and a second side opposite to the first side. The first cover covers the first side or the second side of the cartridge body and has a first through hole. The liquid storage box is disposed in the accommodation portion and has a liquid through hole. The sealing film seals the liquid through hole of the said liquid storage box and passes through the first through hole of the first cover, wherein the liquid through hole is exposed by removing the sealing film. |
| US08956579B2 |
Control for dispensing system
A chemical dispensing system is provided having a micro-controller and at least one expansion module. The expansion module includes an expansion module interface. The expansion module is in communication with the micro-controller via the expansion module interface. The at least one expansion module expands capabilities of the chemical dispensing system beyond a base operation of the device. |
| US08956575B2 |
System for radiation sterilization of medical devices
Methods and systems for selection radiation exposure in sterilization of medical devices are disclosed. |
| US08956571B2 |
Carbon monoxide sensor system and related methods
A miniature lower cost optical sensing apparatus and method are provided for determining the concentration and/or hazard from a target gas by means of IR or visible photon monitoring one or more sensors that responds to carbon monoxide. The apparatus comprises a photon source optically coupled to the sensor and at least a portion of the photon intensity passing through the sensor is quantified by one or more photodiode(s) in a system, so that the photon flux is a function of at least one sensor's response to the target gas, e.g., transmits light through the sensor to the photodiode. The photo current from the photodiode is converted to a sensor reading value proportional to the optical characteristics of the sensors and is loaded into a microprocessor or other logic circuit. In the microprocessor, the sensor readings may be differentiated to determine the rate of change of the sensor readings and the total photons absorbed value may be used to calculate the CO concentration and/or dose. |
| US08956567B2 |
Control and optimization system and method for chemical looping processes
A control system for optimizing a chemical loop system includes one or more sensors for measuring one or more parameters in a chemical loop. The sensors are disposed on or in a conduit positioned in the chemical loop. The sensors generate one or more data signals representative of an amount of solids in the conduit. The control system includes a data acquisition system in communication with the sensors and a controller in communication with the data acquisition system. The data acquisition system receives the data signals and the controller generates the control signals. The controller is in communication with one or more valves positioned in the chemical loop. The valves are configured to regulate a flow of the solids through the chemical loop. |
| US08956565B2 |
Flake graphite cast iron and production method thereof
The invention provides a flake graphite cast iron being highly strong and excellent in workability such as cutting performance, which is suitable for use, for example, in internal combustion engine parts and the like, and a production method thereof without using a misch metal. Specifically, the flake graphite cast iron according to the invention includes an A-type graphite with a uniformly and disorderly distributed existence form without directionality; and has a chemical composition containing 2.8 to 4.0 mass % of C, 1.2 to 3.0 mass % of Si, 1.1 to 3.0 mass % of Mn, 0.01 to 0.6 mass % of P, 0.01 to 0.30 mass % of S and the remainder being Fe and inevitable impurities, wherein the ratio (Mn/S) of the Mn content to the S content is within a range of 3 to 300. |
| US08956563B2 |
Molding method and molding apparatus
A molding method includes drawing cross-section elements of a three-dimensional object as a molding target on a drawing surface of a drawing stand with a liquid whose curing is precipitated by receiving activation energy as cross-section patterns; applying the activation energy to the liquid configuring the cross-section patterns in a state in which the cross-section patterns is pinched between the drawing stand and a molding stand; and detaching the cross-section patterns after being applied with the activation energy from the drawing stand and transferring the cross-section patterns to the molding stand side, wherein the drawing surface has a liquid repellent area that is an area representing liquid repellency for the liquid and a lyophilic area that is independently formed in an island shape within the liquid repellent area and is an area representing lyophillicity stronger than that of the liquid repellent area for the liquid. |
| US08956561B2 |
Method for making gloves with enhanced gripping power
A method for making gloves with enhanced gripping power, comprises: step 1, making a glove liner; step 2, covering a hand former with the glove liner and putting it into an oven for pre-heating; step 3, dipping the hand former into a coagulant completely; step 4, dipping the hand former into a latex; step 5, drying the surface; step 6, dipping the hand former into the latex again; step 7, spraying soluble solid particles on the surface evenly; step 8, baking; step 9, dipping the hand former into water to dissolve the soluble solid particles; step 10, baking; getting a glove with enhanced gripping power. The glove made by the method has good flexibility, can prevent oil permeability and has good slip-proof effect. |
| US08956559B2 |
Tubular member extrusion method and tubular member extrusion apparatus
According to a fabrication method, an extruded tubular member HA is formed, using an extrusion die 23 which has an extrusion orifice 25 having an opening-side inner circumferential surface 25a having a circular section and a core-side die 26 disposed concentrically with the extrusion orifice 25, by extruding a tube material through an extrusion passage 27 defined between the opening-side inner circumferential surface 25 and a core-side outer circumferential surface 26d of the core-side die 26. As this occurs, a bent configuration is given to the extruded tubular member HA by changing contact areas where the tube material contacts the opening-side inner circumferential surface 25a and the core-side outer circumferential surface 26d in a circumferential direction so as to set velocities at which the tube material is extruded to different values in the circumferential direction by controlling the position of the core die 26 in rotating and axial directions relative to the extrusion orifice 25. |
| US08956553B2 |
Fluorescent powder of halogen silicate containing nano-metal particles and preparation method thereof
Provided is a fluorescent powder of halogen-silicate containing nano-metal particles with the formula of CaX2.y(Ca1-a-bEuaMnbO).SiO2:zM, wherein X is fluorin or/and chlorine, y is 1 or 2, z is molar ratio of nano-metal particles and fluorescent powder CaX2.y(Ca1-a-bEuaMnbO).SiO2, 0 |
| US08956552B2 |
Cyclohexene-3,6-diyl compound, liquid crystal composition and liquid crystal display device
To provide a compound, when the compound has both a high clearing point and a low crystallization temperature, having a wide temperature range of a liquid crystal phase and also an excellent solubility in other liquid crystal compounds, and further having general physical properties necessary for the compound, namely, stability to heat, light and so forth, a suitable optical anisotropy and a suitable dielectric anisotropy. A compound is represented by formula (1): wherein, for example, Ra and Rb are alkyl having 1 to 10 carbons; A1, A2, A3 and A4 are 1,4-phenylene; Z1, Z2, Z3 and Z4 are a single bond or alkylene having 1 to 4 carbons; and m, n, q and r are independently 0, 1, or 2, and a sum of m, n, q and r is 1, 2, 3 or 4. |
| US08956545B2 |
Hollow microneedle having variable appearance and method for manufacturing the same
The present invention relates to a method for fabricating a hollow microneedle having a variable appearance. The method makes it possible to vary the length of the microneedle, the outer and inner diameters of the upper and lower parts thereof, the aspect ratio, the sharpness, and the structural bending rate thereof, in accordance with the purposes of the same. Accordingly, the appearance of the hollow microneedles according to the present invention can be varied with flexibility according to various purposes, such as the transferring of medication and the taking of a blood sample, and to various factors, such as the target part for the medication transfer, the depth of the medication transfer, and the amount and viscosity of the medication. Thus, the microneedle can be used as a multi-purpose device for transferring medication. |
| US08956539B2 |
System and method for drying biosolids and enhancing the value of dried biosolids
A system and process for drying biosolids and wherein nutrients and/or minerals are blended into partially dried biosolids. Further, the system and method compresses the mixture of biosolids and nutrients into a selected form and this is followed by completion of the drying process. In the end, a more uniform and higher value dried biosolids product is produced. |
| US08956536B2 |
Devices and methods for manipulating components in a fluid sample
Devices for sorting components (e.g., cells) contained in a liquid sample are provided. In certain aspects, the devices include a magnetic separation device and an acoustic concentrator device fluidically coupled to magnetic separation device. Aspects of the invention further include methods for sorting cells in a liquid sample, and systems, and kits for practicing the subject methods. |
| US08956526B2 |
Hybrid sulfur cycle operation for high-temperature gas-cooled reactors
A hybrid sulfur (HyS) cycle process for the production of hydrogen is provided. The process uses a proton exchange membrane (PEM) SO2-depolarized electrolyzer (SDE) for the low-temperature, electrochemical reaction step and a bayonet reactor for the high-temperature decomposition step The process can be operated at lower temperature and pressure ranges while still providing an overall energy efficient cycle process. |
| US08956525B2 |
Buffered cobalt oxide catalysts
Disclosed are electrolysis catalysts formed from cobalt, oxygen and buffering electrolytes (e.g. fluoride). They can be formed as a coating on an anode by conducting an electrolysis reaction using an electrolyte containing cobalt and an anionic buffering electrolyte. The catalysts will facilitate the conversion of water to oxygen and hydrogen gas at a range of mildly acidic conditions. Alternatively, these anodes can be used with cathodes that facilitate other desirable reactions such as converting carbon dioxide to methanol. |
| US08956523B2 |
Metal plating compositions and methods
Disclosed are metal plating compositions and methods. The metal plating compositions provide good leveling performance and throwing power. |
| US08956520B2 |
Electrochemical process to prepare chemicals using a cyanide salt
The present invention relates to a process comprising the reaction of a cyanide with a hydrogen cyanide-reactive compound, characterized in that the cyanide is a cyanide salt and the process is an electrochemical process involving the transporting of a reaction mixture to which cyanide salt has been added through an electrochemical cell, in which process the cyanide salt reacts with the hydrogen cyanide-reactive compound while at least partly under the influence of an electric current the cyanide salt is acidified and the salt cation content is reduced. |