US07649378B1
A method evaluates a motor assembly having a first permanent magnet motor in a transmission of an automotive drive system at an end of manufacturing line evaluation. The first motor includes a first rotor with a first plurality of magnets mounted thereon, and a first stator with a first plurality of windings in proximity to the first rotor and coupled to a first inverter. The method includes spinning the first motor with an input dynamometer machine to a predetermined speed such that the first rotor of the first motor induces a first voltage on the first inverter; measuring the first voltage on the first inverter; calculating a first voltage constant of the first motor from the first voltage; comparing the first voltage constant to accepted voltage constants; and identifying the motor as not acceptable if the first voltage constant is outside of a range of the accepted voltage constants.
US07649375B2
In one embodiment, a laminated printed circuit board translator is provided. In some embodiments, the translator includes a receiving board adapted to receive a pin, the receiving board includes a plated via extending through the receiving board and has a hole for receiving a pin. An interface board laminated with the receiving board has a controlled depth via extending through it to contact a conductive trace. The conductive trace extends between the receiving board and the interface board to connect the plated via of the receiving board with the controlled depth via of the interface board. The controlled depth via is configured so that it is capable of being plated through a single sided drilled opening in the interface board. Some embodiments have a pad on the interface board connected to the controlled depth via.
US07649350B2
A railcar presence detector including magnetic field sensors spaced along the length of a rail track for detecting magnetic field disturbances caused by ferromagnetic objects, such as railcars, passing along the rail track. Each of the magnetic field sensors generates an output signal that is received by a control unit. The control unit compares the output signal from each of the magnetic field sensors to a detection threshold and controls the position of a contact member dependent upon the comparison between the output signal and the detection threshold. Each of the magnetic field sensors includes a test device that is selectively operable to modify the magnetic field near the magnetic field sensor to test the operation of the magnetic field sensor. During operation of the system including the magnetic field sensor, the control unit can automatically activate the test device to assure that each of the magnetic field sensors are operating properly.
US07649349B2
The invention relates to a method for the manufacture of a switching device with a sensor unit located at a measurement end of a casing sleeve and connected to an electronic circuit located on a support received in the casing sleeve, and with a connection part located at a rear end of the casing sleeve. The method is characterized in that the sensor unit, support and connection part together with a shielding sleeve surrounding the support are assembled to form a dimensionally stable module and the latter is subsequently inserted in the casing sleeve, where it is received in fixing manner. According to a further aspect, the invention relates to a module for a switching device.
US07649345B2
An integrated circuit and method in an integrated circuit for providing electrical power utilizing digital power regulation. Various aspects of the present invention provide an integrated circuit comprising a power supply module that outputs electrical power at an output voltage level. An error determination module may receive a power supply reference signal and a signal indicative of the output voltage level and output a power supply error signal. A digital controller module may receive the power supply error signal, digitally process the power supply error signal, and output a power supply control signal. A power output-monitoring module may monitor the electrical power output from the power supply module and output the signal indicative of the output voltage level. The power supply module may receive the power supply control signal and output the electrical power based, at least in part, on the power supply control signal.
US07649341B2
A storage battery unit (1) including a storage battery (2) and a monitoring device (3) that monitors a state of the storage battery using an output of the storage battery as an input, wherein, in order to prevent the monitoring device from consuming electric power in a state before use of the storage battery and prevent nonfunctioning of the monitoring device in use of the storage battery, a starting circuit (4) is provided between the storage battery and the monitoring device (3), the starting circuit including: a main switch that holds an OFF state in a state before a load is connected to the storage battery and interrupts supply of electric power from the storage battery (2) to the monitoring device; and a switch drive circuit that detects a reduction in terminal voltage of the storage battery that occurs when the load exceeding the set value is connected to the storage battery, and sets the main switch to an ON state.
US07649335B2
A vehicular power system includes: a secondary battery; an up-converter receiving a voltage of the secondary battery at a first connection node thereof, and up-converting a voltage between terminals of the secondary battery and outputting the up-converted voltage at a second connection node thereof; system main relays switching between connection and disconnection of the voltage up-converted by the up-converter to and from a load of a vehicle; and a case housing the secondary battery, the up-converter and the system main relays. Preferably the vehicular power supply system further includes a capacitor having one end connected to the second connection node of the up-converter and the case further houses the capacitor. Preferably the capacitor includes a plurality of series connected, electric dual layer capacitors. A vehicular power supply system suitable for being mounted in a vehicle and miniaturized, and a vehicle having the system mounted therein, can thus be provided.
US07649331B2
A mobile robot has a mobile mechanism, a swing mechanism and a control unit. The mobile mechanism is of a coaxial two-wheeled type and controls a forward thrust using inverted pendulum control. The swing mechanism actively swings an upper body laterally with respect to the mobile mechanism. A centrifugal force and a gravitational force act on a center of gravity of the mobile robot. A swing attitude is controlled such that a location of intersection of an extension of a composite vector of the forces acting on the center of gravity of the mobile robot and a ground plane of wheels is kept between left and right wheels.
US07649316B2
Some embodiments include methods of forming plasma-generating microstructures. Aluminum may be anodized to form an aluminum oxide body having a plurality of openings extending therethrough. Conductive liners may be formed within the openings, and circuitry may be formed to control current flow through the conductive liners. The conductive liners form a plurality of hollow cathodes, and the current flow is configured to generate and maintain plasmas within the hollow cathodes. The plasmas within various hollow cathodes, or sets of hollow cathodes, may be independently controlled. Such independently controlled plasmas may be utilized to create a pattern in a display, or on a substrate. In some embodiments, the plasmas may be utilized for plasma-assisted etching and/or plasma-assisted deposition. Some embodiments include constructions and assemblies containing multiple plasma-generating structures.
US07649313B2
A plasma display device (PDP), and a structure stabilizing drive pulses in a PDP the structure including a panel, a chassis base which is mounted on an upper part of the panel to form a current path and dissipates heat, a case the dissipates the heat in connection with the chassis base, a chassis reinforcing member mounted on an upper part of the chassis base, a driving circuit substrate mounted on an upper part of the chassis reinforcing member, a signal transmitting element that transmits signals between the driving circuit substrate and the panel, and a carbon group thermal conductive sheet that is interposed between the panel and the chassis base to electrically connect the panel to the chassis base, and grounded to the chassis base. The carbon group thermal conductive sheet reduces inductance between the panel and the chassis base, and accordingly, the generation of an electromotive force, which affects the driving pulses, is reduced, thereby enabling a stable panel discharge.
US07649310B2
The present invention provides a white LED comprising: an ultraviolet emitting diode or a purple light emitting diode; and phosphors for emitting at least three visible lights including blue light, green light and red light; wherein an emission spectrum of the white LED has: a first luminescence peak in a blue light region having a wavelength of 440-460 nm; a second luminescence peak in a green light region having a wavelength of 510-530 nm; and a third luminescence peak in a red light region having a wavelength of 620-640 nm. Further, it is preferable that a half bandwidth of each of the luminescence peaks is 50 nm or less. As a result, there can be provided a white LED, backlight and liquid crystal display using the white LED exhibiting a high luminance and an excellent color reproducing property.
US07649308B2
An electron emission device includes first electrodes formed on a substrate and oriented in a first direction of the substrate, and isolated electrodes disposed on a same plane as the first electrodes while being spaced apart from the first electrodes. The isolated electrodes are separately formed and arranged in the first direction as well as in a second direction crossing the first direction. Line electrodes are placed on a different plane from the first electrodes and the isolated electrodes and are disposed on an insulating layer. Each of the line electrodes is electrically connected to a respective plurality of the isolated electrodes arranged along the second direction to form a second electrode together with the respective plurality of the isolated electrodes. Electron emission regions are formed on the isolated electrodes along the peripheral sides of the isolated electrodes proximate to the first electrodes.
US07649298B2
A claw teeth type electric rotary machine comprises a stator including an annular core with claws formed from a powder core and an annular coil installed inside the annular core, and a rotor rotatably positioned inside the stator. An inner edge of the annular core is provided with plural claw poles which are protruded at a predetermined interval in a circumferential direction and extended in an axial direction of the annular core so as to alternately meshes with each other. The stator comprises the annular core with claws, the annular coil, and a molded nonmagnetic potting material filled between the annular core with claws and annular coil, so that the annular core with claws and annular coil are integrated with the molded potting non-magnetic material.
US07649294B2
In a rotary electric machine, at least one of first and second ends of each conductor segment is at least partially joined to at least one of the first and second ends of a corresponding another one of the conductor segments to provide the stator winding including a plurality of joint portions of the plurality of conductor segments. An insulating film covers each of the conductor segments except for at least the joint portions of the stator winding. At least part of the insulating film of each of the conductor segments located close to a corresponding one of the joint portions contains an evaporatable component. An amount in ppm of the evaporatable component contained in the at least part of the insulating film is adjusted to be equal to or lower than 20000 ppm.
US07649287B2
A motor-fastening mechanism fastens an output shaft of a motor and an input shaft of a driven member to each other. The motor-fastening mechanism has a fastening section which fastens the output shaft of the motor and the input shaft of the driven member relatively immovably, a motor-attachment member which is attached to the motor, an engaged section which is provided on either one of the motor-attachment member and the driven member, and an engaging section which is provided on the other of the motor-attachment member and the driven member and which is engaged to the engaged section such that displacement of the output shaft in a rotating direction thereof is regulated.
US07649285B2
A cup-shaped sleeve is made mainly of a resin and has an end where a plurality of pieces of a permanent magnet are insert-molded. An auxiliary ring made mainly of a resin is provided along an inner peripheral surface of the cup-shaped sleeve other than an inner peripheral surface thereof where the permanent magnet is provided. The auxiliary ring has its inner peripheral surface identical to the inner peripheral surface of the permanent magnet or located outside relative to the inner peripheral surface of the permanent magnet. When the cup-shaped sleeve is resin-molded, the resin which is a component of the cup-shaped sleeve is prevented from shrinking inward. Therefore, contact between the resin supporting the permanent magnet and the cylinder is prevented. Accordingly, a linear drive device is obtained in which the reciprocation of the piston is prevented from being hindered.
US07649284B2
Disclosed is a high-voltage pulse generating circuit comprising an inductor, a first semiconductor switch and a second semiconductor switch connected in series between both ends of a DC power supply unit. A diode unit is connected between a gate terminal of the first semiconductor switch and one end of the inductor (namely, one end of a primary coil). A resistor is connected between the gate terminal of the first semiconductor switch and the one end of the inductor. The resistor serves as a gate current-supplying means which allows a gate current to flow to the first semiconductor switch when the second semiconductor switch is turned on.
US07649272B2
An electrical component is placed on a substrate. At least one film comprising a plastic material is connected to the component and to the substrate in such a way that a surface contour defined by the component and the substrate is represent is represented in a surface contour of the part of the film. Said film is laminated onto the component and the substrate in such a way that the film follows the topology of the arrangement consisting of the component and the substrate. Said film is in contact with the component and the substrate in a positive and non-positive manner, and comprises a composite material containing a filler that is different to the plastic material. The processability and electrical properties of the film are influenced by the filler or the composite material obtained thereby. In this way, other functions can be integrated into the film. Said component is, for example, a power semiconductor component. An electrically insulating and thermoconductive film is used, for example. A contact surface of the power semiconductor is electrically contracted through the film. The thermal conductivity of the film enables heat created during the operation of the power semiconductor component to be efficiently carried away.
US07649267B2
A highly reliable, high-productivity package equipped with a semiconductor chip, and a method for producing the same. In a package (100) comprising a semiconductor chip (10) and a mounting substrate (30), a plurality of electrode terminals (12) are formed on the surface (10a) of the semiconductor chip (10) opposing the mounting substrate side, connection terminals (32) respectively corresponding to the plurality of electrode terminals (12), are formed on the mounting substrate (30), the connection terminals (32) on the mounting substrate (30) and the electrode terminals (12) are electrically connected collectively by solder bumps (17) formed in self-assembly, an electrode pattern (20) not connected with the electrode terminals (12) and the connection terminals (32) is formed on the chip surface (10a) or the surface (35) of the mounting substrate (30) corresponding to the chip surface (10a), and solder (19) is accumulated on the electrode pattern (20).
US07649266B2
For semiconductor chips (1) using thin film technology, an active layer sequence (20) is applied to a growth substrate (3), on which a reflective electrically conductive contact material layer (40) is then formed. The active layer sequence is patterned to form active layer stacks (2), and reflective electrically conductive contact material layer (40) is patterned to be located on each active layer stack (2). Then, a flexible, electrically conductive foil (6) is applied to the contact material layers as an auxiliary carrier layer, and the growth substrate is removed.
US07649265B2
In some embodiments, a micro-via structure design for high performance integrated circuits is presented. In this regard, an integrated circuit chip package is introduced having a dielectric layer, a plated throughhole in the dielectric layer, and a micro-via coupled with the plated throughhole, wherein the micro-via forms a path around an axis. Other embodiments are also disclosed and claimed.
US07649260B2
A semiconductor device including: a semiconductor layer including an active region and an isolation region provided around the active region; an element formed in the active region; an interlayer dielectric formed above the semiconductor layer; and an electrode pad formed above the interlayer dielectric and having a rectangular planar shape having a short side and a long side, the electrode pad at least partially covering the element when viewed from a top side, and the semiconductor layer positioned in a specific range outward from a line extending vertically downward from the short side of the electrode pad being a forbidden region.
US07649259B2
A semiconductor device includes a first wiring line group made of a metal, wiring lines of the first wiring line group being arranged in parallel with each other, a second wiring line group which is made of a semiconductor and crosses the first wiring line group, wiring lines of the second wiring line group being arranged in parallel with each other and being movable in the vicinity of each intersection with the wiring lines of the first wiring line group, and a plurality of metal regions which are formed to be joined with the wiring lines constituting the second wiring line group, and have a work function different from that of the metal forming the first wiring line group.
US07649253B2
A semiconductor device 1 includes a substrate 10, a semiconductor chip 20 (first semiconductor chip), semiconductor chips 30 (second semiconductor chips) and a heat sink 40. Semiconductor chips 20 and 30 are mounted on the substrate 10. The level of the top surface of the semiconductor chip 20 on the substrate 10 is lower than the level of the top surface of the semiconductor chip 30. A heat sink 40 is fixed to the semiconductor chip 20. Among the semiconductor chip 20 and the semiconductor chips 30, only above the semiconductor chip 20 is provided with the heat sink 40.
US07649248B2
A stack package may have a plurality of unit packages. Each unit package may include a first substrate, a semiconductor chip, and a second substrate. Conductive supports may stack the second substrate on the first substrate. Conductive bumps may be provided on the bottom surface of the first substrate. An encapsulant may seal the semiconductor chip exposing the top surface of the second substrate. The conductive bumps of an upper unit package may be connected to the second substrate of the lower unit package.
US07649242B2
A programmable resistive memory cell comprising a lower electrode, a programmable resistance layer, and an upper electrode, wherein a lower mask is arranged between the lower electrode and the programmable resistance layer and an upper mask is arranged between the programmable resistance layer and the upper electrode, and wherein the lower mask and the upper mask comprise current-inhibiting regions.
US07649239B2
A plurality of metal interconnects incorporating dielectric spacers and a method to form such dielectric spacers are described. In one embodiment, the dielectric spacers adjacent to neighboring metal interconnects are discontiguous from one another. In another embodiment, the dielectric spacers may provide a region upon which un-landed vias may effectively land.
US07649237B2
A semiconductor diode that eliminates leakage current and reduces parasitic resistance is disclosed. The semiconductor diode comprises a semiconductor substrate; a semiconductor layer disposed on the semiconductor substrate, wherein the semiconductor layer includes a first dopant and a first well with a Schottky region; and a polysilicon device positioned above the semiconductor layer and adjacent to the first well with the Schottky region.
US07649227B2
An insulated gate semiconductor device comprising an insulator substrate having provided thereon a source and a drain region; a channel region being incorporated between said source and said drain regions, said channel region comprising a polycrystalline, a single crystal, or a semi-amorphous semiconductor material; and a region provided under said channel region, said region comprising an amorphous material containing the same material as that of the channel region as the principal component, or said region comprising a material having a band gap larger than said channel region.A process for fabricating the device is also disclosed.
US07649223B2
An n-type drift region includes an active element region and a peripheral region. A p-type base region is formed at least in the active element region. A trench-type gate electrode is formed in each of the active element region and the peripheral region. An n-type source region formed in the base region. A plurality of p-type column regions is selectively formed separately from one another in each of the active element region and the peripheral region. In a peripheral region, a p-type guard region is formed below the gate electrode. In the active element region, the p-type guard region is not formed below the gate electrode. As a result, it is possible to hold the breakdown voltage in the peripheral region at a higher level than in the active element region while maintaining the low ON resistance due to a superjunction structure and to raise the breakdown voltage performance of the semiconductor device.
US07649222B2
This semiconductor device includes a first conductivity type first semiconductor layer formed on the upper surface of a substrate, a first conductivity type second semiconductor layer formed on the first semiconductor layer, a first conductivity type third semiconductor layer formed on the second semiconductor layer, a second conductivity type fourth semiconductor layer formed on the third semiconductor layer, a first conductivity type fifth semiconductor layer formed on the fourth semiconductor layer and an electrode formed in a trench, so provided as to reach the second semiconductor layer through at least the fifth semiconductor layer, the fourth semiconductor layer and the third semiconductor layer, in contact with an insulating film, while the upper surface of the second semiconductor layer is arranged upward beyond the lower end of the electrode.
US07649218B2
A lateral MOS transistor that can include a first device isolating layer formed in a semiconductor substrate; a second device isolating layer formed in the semiconductor substrate, the second device isolation layer having a different width than the first device isolation layer and also having an etched groove provided therein; a gate insulating layer formed in the etched groove; a gate electrode formed over the gate insulating layer; and a source/drain region horizontally arranged in the semiconductor substrate adjacent to the gate electrode.
US07649217B2
An active electronic device has drain and source electrodes that make ohmic conduct with a layer of a semiconductor. The semiconductor layer may be a thin layer of an organic or amorphous semiconductor. The drain and source electrodes are on a first face of the layer of semiconductor at locations that are spaced apart on either side of a channel. The device has a gate electrode on a second face of the layer of semiconductor adjacent to the channel. The gate electrode makes a Schottky contact with the semiconductor to produce a depletion region in the channel. The gate electrode may encapsulate the channel so that the channel is protected from contact with oxygen, water molecules or other materials in the environment. In some embodiments, the device has an additional gate electrode separated from the semiconductor layer by an insulating layer. Such embodiments combine features of OFETs and MESFETs.
US07649212B2
A semiconductor component in which the active junctions extend perpendicularly to the surface of a semiconductor chip substantially across the entire thickness thereof. The contacts with the regions to be connected are provided by conductive fingers substantially crossing the entire region with which a contact is desired to be established.
US07649207B2
A thin film transistor is disclosed, comprising a substrate, a polysilicon layer overlying the substrate, a gate insulating layer overlying the polysilicon layer, a gate electrode, a dielectric interlayer overlying the gate electrode and gate insulating layer, and a source/drain electrode overlying the dielectric interlayer. Specifically, the gate electrode comprises a first electrode layer overlying the gate insulating layer and a second electrode layer essentially overlying an upper surface of the first electrode layer. The first and second electrode layers each has substantially the same profile with a taper angle of less than about 90 degrees.
US07649201B2
An image pixel cell with a doped, hydrogenated amorphous silicon photosensor, raised above the surface of a substrate is provided. Methods of forming the raised photosensor are also disclosed. Raising the photosensor increases the fill factor and the quantum efficiency of the pixel cell. Utilizing hydrogenated amorphous silicon decreases the leakage and barrier problems of conventional photosensors, thereby increasing the quantum efficiency of the pixel cell. Moreover, the doping of the photodiode with inert implants like fluorine or deuterium further decreases leakage of charge carriers and mitigates undesirable hysteresis effects.
US07649197B2
An object is to provide a light emitting element with low drive voltage which contains an organic compound and an inorganic compound. One feature of a light emitting element of the present invention is to include a layer containing a light emitting material between a pair of electrodes, in which the layer containing a light emitting material has a layer containing a carbazole derivative represented by General Formula (1) and an inorganic compound which exhibits an electron accepting property to the carbazole derivative represented by General Formula (1). With such a structure, the inorganic compound accepts electrons from the carbazole derivative, carriers are generated internally, and a drive voltage of the light emitting element can be reduced.
US07649195B2
Disclosed is a light emitting diode (LED) having an active region of a multiple quantum well structure in which well layers and barrier layers are alternately laminated between a GaN-based N-type compound semiconductor layer and a GaN-based P-type compound semiconductor layer. The LED includes a middle barrier layer having a bandgap relatively wider than the first barrier layer adjacent to the N-type compound semiconductor layer and the n-th barrier layer adjacent to the P-type compound semiconductor layer. The middle barrier layer is positioned between the first and n-th barrier layers. Accordingly, positions at which electrons and holes are combined in the multiple quantum well structure to emit light can be controlled, and luminous efficiency can be enhanced. Furthermore, an LED is provided with enhanced luminous efficiency using a bandgap engineering or impurity doping technique.
US07649193B2
A semiconductor body (2), comprising a semiconductor layer sequence with an active region (3) suitable for generating radiation. The semiconductor layer sequence comprises two contact layers (6, 7), between which the active region is arranged. The contact layers are assigned a respective connection layer (12, 13) arranged on the semiconductor body. The respective connection layer is electrically conductively connected to the assigned contact layer. The respective connection layer is arranged on that side of the assigned contact layer which is remote from the active region. The connection layers are transmissive to the radiation to be generated in the active region, and the contact layers are of the same conduction type.
US07649192B2
Provided are nano wires and a method of manufacturing the same. The method includes forming microgrooves having a plurality of microcavities, the microgrooves forming a regular pattern on a surface of a silicon substrate; forming a metal layer on the silicon substrate by depositing a material which acts as a catalyst to form nano wires on the silicon substrate; agglomerating the metal layer within the microgrooves on the surface of the silicon substrate by heating the metal layer to form catalysts; and growing the nano wires between the catalysts and the silicon substrate using a thermal process.
US07649188B2
A driver laser for EUV light source apparatus which driver laser simultaneously achieves short-pulsing and multi-line oscillation. The driver laser includes: a short-pulse multi-line oscillated CO2 laser oscillator having a device that shortens width of pulses included in a laser beam to be output and a device that suppresses amplitude of an oscillation spectrum exhibiting an energy peak value; and at least one amplifier that inputs the laser beam output from the short-pulse multi-line oscillated CO2 laser oscillator and amplifies the input laser beam to output the amplified laser beam.
US07649185B2
Described herein is a phantom device that simplifies usage, testing, and development of light imaging systems. The phantom device includes a body and a fluorescent light source internal to the body. The body comprises an optical material designed to at least partially resemble the optical behavior of mammalian tissue. The phantom device has many uses. One use of the phantom device permits testing of tomography software in the imaging system, such as software configured for 3D reconstruction of the fluorescent light source. Another use tests spectral unmixing software in the imaging system. The phantom device also allows a user to compare trans- and epi-fluorescent illumination imaging results.
US07649177B2
A radiation image detector includes a first electrode for transmitting an electromagnetic wave for recording, the electromagnetic wave carrying a radiation image, a photoconductive layer for recording, a plurality of charge-collecting electrodes, and a substrate. The photoconductive layer for recording generates charges by irradiation with the electromagnetic wave for recording that has been transmitted through the first electrode, and has amorphous selenium as its major component and further contains alkali metal. The first electrode, the photoconductive layer for recording, the plurality of charge-collecting electrodes and the substrate are superposed one on another in this order. Further, an amorphous selenium layer is provided as an anti-crystallization layer between the first electrode and the photoconductive layer for recording. The amorphous selenium layer contains at least one element selected from the group consisting of As, Sb and Bi at 5% to 40%.
US07649176B2
A method for improving clinical data quality in Positron Emission Tomography (PET). The method provides for the processing of PET data to accurately and efficiently determine a data signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) corresponding to each individual clinical patient scan, as a function of a singles rate in a PET scanner. The method relates an injected dose to the singles rate to determine SNR(Dinj), and provides an accurate estimate of a quantity proportional to SNR, similar in function to the SNR(Dinj). Knowledge of SNR(Dinj) permits determination of peak SNR, optimal dose, SNR deficit, dose deficit, and differential dose benefit. The patient dose is fractionated, with a small calibration dose given initially. After a short uptake, the patient is pre-scanned to determine T, S, and R. An optimal dose is then determined and the remainder injected.
US07649174B2
A portable thermography camera system (100) renders a video image of a survey scene over a narrow spectral bandwidth corresponding with an absorption band of a gas to be detected in the video image. The camera system forms a scene image onto a focal plane array (108) and generates a corrected image signal (162) corresponding with irradiance values at a plurality of locations of the scene image. The camera system further generates a temporally filtered image signal (168) corresponding with a temporal characteristics of the image signal (162) over a selected number of prior image frames. A difference block (166) reduces the temporally filtered image signal (168) by a scaling factor and produces a difference image by subtracting the scaled temporally filtered image signal from the corrected image signal (162). The displayed difference signal improves the visibility of the gas to be detected.
US07649173B2
A method for preparing TEM sample, comprising the following steps: providing a sample with two pits and a failure region between the two pits, the failure region comprising a semiconductor device; milling the first surface of the failure region, till the cross section of the semiconductor device is exposed; etching the first surface of the failure region; cleaning the sample; milling the second surface of the failure region, till the failure region can be passed by electron beam. A sample can be prepared for a high resolution TEM through above steps. When the sample is observed, it is easy to distinguish the lightly doped drain, source/drain regions from the silicon substrate and observe the pattern and defects in the lightly doped drain, source/drain regions clearly; in addition, it is easy to distinguish the BPSG from the non-doped silicon dioxide in the failure region.
US07649172B2
Charged particle beam equipment enables the simultaneous measurement and correction of magnification errors in both X and Y directions in one measurement without requiring the elimination of displacement, if any, in rotation direction between the direction of a periodic structure pattern of a sample having a known periodic structure and the X or Y direction on an electron image of the sample. The charged particle beam equipment of the invention enables the simultaneous measurement of magnification errors in the X and Y directions by FFT transformation and coordinate transformation of an electron image, even when there is a displacement in rotation direction between the direction of the periodic structural pattern and the X or Y direction on the electron image of the sample.
US07649169B2
Resolution of thin beds made by a natural gamma ray logging tool is improved using a relation between the width of the response and the bed thickness. The peak gamma ray of the bed is determined using another relation between the measured gamma ray response and the bed thickness.
US07649167B2
A rotary encoder for determining the rotation of an object to be measured includes a shaft that is coupled to the rotation of the object to be measured, as well as at least one bearing in which the shaft is rotationally mounted. The rotary encoder also has a rotary-transducer base member having a bearing fixation region at which the bearing is fixed in position, at least one depression area being formed continuously with a defined depth on the rotary-transducer base member along the periphery of the bearing fixation region such that it surrounds at least half the periphery of the bearing fixation region.
US07649165B2
An apparatus including: a photodiode including: a first conductivity substrate; a second conductivity PD-well on the substrate's first surface side; and a first conductivity collection well inside the PD-well; a modulation transistor including: a second conductivity TR-well connected with the PD-well, and a junction depth shallower than that of the PD-well; a first conductivity modulation well inside the TR-well, and connected with the collection well; a second conductivity source inside the modulation well, and including a region contacting the first surface; a gate electrode in a region partially covering the modulation well and enclosing the source; a gate insulation layer between the gate and the first surface; and a second conductivity drain partially sandwiching the gate and opposing the source, and including a region contacting the first surface; and a transfer transistor connected to modulation transistors in pixels between the source and a connected source line.
US07649164B2
Method and systems related to obstructing a first predefined portion of at least one defined wavelength of light incident upon a first photo-detector array; and detecting the at least one defined wavelength of light with a photo-detector in a second photo-detector array.
US07649163B2
An extension line of a tube axis of a photomultiplier tube is shifted from the center of gravity position of a front surface of a housing, which allows a space to be formed at an opposite side in the housing. A signal processing board is arranged in this space, and a high-voltage generating circuit board is fixed on the extension line of the tube axis, and thus the interior space of a housing can be effectively used. Since the signal processing board can be made adjacent to a tube wall of the photomultiplier tube, even when the length in a tube axis direction of the signal processing board is long, it becomes possible to house the same in the housing. Therefore, it becomes possible to achieve miniaturization.
US07649161B2
A light source having a first mixing chamber, a light pipe structure, and a controller is disclosed. The first mixing chamber includes a first plurality of LEDs, the first mixing chamber having a first transparent window through which light from the first plurality of LEDs exits the first mixing chamber. The light pipe structure has a first end optically coupled to the window such that light from the first plurality of LEDs enters the first end and a second end through which the light exits. The controller determines the power that is applied to the first plurality of LEDs and includes a photodetector optically coupled to the second end of the light pipe structure. The photodetector generates signals indicative of an intensity of light generated by the LEDs, the controller causing the LEDs to be powered such that the signal matches a target value.
US07649142B2
A cable for high speed data communications and methods for manufacturing such cable are disclosed, the cable including a first inner conductor enclosed by a first dielectric layer and a second inner conductor enclosed by a second dielectric layer. The cable also includes conductive shield material wrapped in a rotational direction at a rate along and about the longitudinal axis around the inner conductors and the dielectric layers, including overlapped wraps of the conductive shield material along and about the longitudinal axis, the conductive shield material having a variable width. Transmitting signals on the cable including transmitting a balanced signal characterized by a frequency in the range of 7-9 gigahertz on the cable.
US07649141B2
A thin emitter wrap-through solar cell and method for making a thin emitter wrap-through solar cell. The cell preferably includes a silicon wafer substrate having a thickness of less than 280 microns. The p-type area on the back side of the cell is minimized, which maximizes the collector area and reduces or eliminates stress due to passivation of the p-type area, which is required for conventional solar cells. The efficiency of the cell of the present invention peaks for a much smaller thickness than that for conventional cells. Thus thin wafers of inexpensive, lower quality silicon may be used without a significant efficiency penalty, providing a large cost advantage over other solar cell configurations. Vias through the substrate, which connect emitter layers on the front and back surfaces of the substrate, may consist of holes which are doped, or alternatively may be solid doped channels formed by migration of a solvent, which preferably contains a dopant, caused by a gradient-driven process.
US07649139B2
The present invention provides a thermoelectric element in which a thin film of p-type thermoelectric material and a thin film of n-type thermoelectric material, which are formed on an electrically insulating substrate, are electrically connected, in which the p-type thermoelectric material and the n-type thermoelectric material are selected from specific complex oxides with a positive Seebeck coefficient and specific complex oxides with a negative Seebeck coefficient, respectively. The present invention also provides a thermoelectric module using the thermoelectric element(s) and a thermoelectric conversion method. In the thermoelectric element of the present invention, since a p-type thermoelectric material and an n-type thermoelectric material are formed into a thin film on an electrically insulating substrate, the thermoelectric element of the invention can be formed on substrates having various shapes, thereby providing thermoelectric elements having various shapes.
US07649138B2
A quickly attachable electric generator device for producing electric power from surfaces of hot or cold pipes. The invention provides a thermoelectric unit which includes a pedestal comprised of a material with high thermal conductivity on which a thermoelectric module is located. The pedestal includes a heat transfer element made to conform to a hot or cold cylindrical surface. The module also includes a module-to-air heat transfer element and the thermoelectric module is compressed between the air-to-module element and the pedestal. This element is referred to as a heat sink when energy is extracted from a hot surface and is referred to as a heat source when energy is flowing from the air and a cold surface. In preferred embodiments the heat transfer element is a thin flexible heat conductor that conforms to the hot or cold surface of various shapes and serves as a heat transfer conduit to transfer heat to or from a rigid portion of the pedestal. Electric energy is generated from the heat flowing through the module.
US07649136B2
A music reproducing system includes a musical instrument for reproducing a music tune on the basis of the MIDI music data, a sound reproducer for reproducing a music tune and/or narration from audio data codes and a server computer for distributing programs, MIDI files and audio files to the musical instrument and sound reproducer, and a program contains plural music tunes and narration; while a program is being reproduced in collaboration between the musical instrument and the sound reproducer, the audio data codes are converted to an audio signal expressing the narration through the sound reproducer, and the music tunes are reproduced on the basis of the MIDI files through the musical instrument; and the duration data codes of audio file are supplied to the musical instrument so as to make the musical instrument and the sound reproducer synchronized with each other.
US07649135B2
A device for synthesizing sound having sinusoidal components includes a selector for selecting a limited number of the sinusoidal components from each of a number of frequency bands using a perceptual relevance value. The device further includes a synthesizer for synthesizing the selected sinusoidal components only. The frequency bands may be ERB based. The perceptual relevance value may involve the amplitude of the respective sinusoidal component, and/or the envelope of the respective channel.
US07649126B2
A soybean cultivar designated 6111333 is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of soybean cultivar 6111333, to the plants of soybean 6111333, to plant parts of soybean cultivar 6111333 and to methods for producing a soybean plant produced by crossing soybean cultivar 6111333 with itself or with another soybean variety. The invention also relates to methods for producing a soybean plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic soybean plants and plant parts produced by those methods. This invention also relates to soybean cultivars or breeding cultivars and plant parts derived from soybean variety 6111333, to methods for producing other soybean cultivars, lines or plant parts derived from soybean cultivar 6111333 and to the soybean plants, varieties, and their parts derived from use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid soybean seeds, plants and plant parts produced by crossing the cultivar 6111333 with another soybean cultivar.
US07649119B2
The present invention relates to a process for preparing a cyclic ketone having from 7 to 16 carbon atoms, which comprises at least the steps (a) oxidation of a composition (I) comprising at least one cyclic olefin which has from 7 to 16 carbon atoms and at least one C—C double bond by means of dinitrogen monoxide to give a composition (A), (b) treatment of the composition (A) with at least one base to give a composition (B).
US07649106B2
The present invention provides compounds having in their molecule a structure contributing to high hydrophilicity, and having high photopolymerizability, as well as polymers of such compounds, and a method for producing the compound. The compounds are diol (meth)acrylate having a urethane bond represented by the formula (1), and cyclic ketal (meth)acrylate having a urethane bond represented by the formula (2): (R1: H, —CH3; R2: —(CH2)n-; R3: —(CH2)m-; n: 1-4; m: 1-8; (AO): C2-C4 oxyalkylene group; x: 0-1000; R4, R5: H, —CH3, —C2H5).
US07649091B2
The invention relates to compounds which are orally bioavailable water soluble metalloporphyrins. These compounds, e.g. represented by Structural Formula (I): wherein R1 and R2 are each independently lower alkyl, cycloalkyl, halogen substituted alkyl or substituted or unsubstituted phenyl groups, are synthetic catalytic scavengers of reactive oxygen chemical species. The invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising these compounds and to methods of use of these compounds for preventing or arresting free radical associated diseases or conditions.
US07649090B2
A process for the oxidation of carbohydrate with UV light. The process comprises the steps of providing a carbohydrate, combining the carbohydrate with an oxidant and exposing the combined carbohydrate and oxidant to ultraviolet light. The process occurs at alkaline conditions.
US07649089B2
A new cellulose excipient, OCCAE, suitable for use as a binder, filler, and/or disintegrant in the development of solid dosage forms and as a bodying agent or a drug carrier in the preparation of topical formulations is described. The cellulose excipient is formed by reacting an oxidized cellulose ester with an alcohol in the presence of a catalyst. The invention also describes the formation of controlled release microspheres using OCCAE and/or oxidized cellulose esters that may be used to control the release of drug in a patient over a time period of several hours to several days.
US07649083B2
The present invention provides a family of binding proteins that bind and neutralize the activity of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), in particular human HGF. The binding proteins can be used as diagnostic and/or therapeutic agents. With regard to their therapeutic activity, the binding proteins can be used to treat certain HGF responsive disorders, for example, certain HGF responsive tumors.
US07649075B2
A process for preparing polyphenylene ether by oxidizing phenols using water as a solvent, enabling polyphenylene ether to be prepared with only a small amount of oxidizer, while making it possible to reuse a solvent after reaction repeatedly. Water is used as the solvent. Phenols are oxidized under the presence of a water-soluble metal complex catalyst. For the water-soluble metal complex catalyst, it is preferable to use the one whose central metal is copper or manganese, having an amine multidentate ligand.
US07649067B2
The present invention relates to a vinyl ester based polymer latex composition obtainable by free radical emulsion polymerization in substantial absence of a protective colloid and in the presence of no or small amounts of a surfactant, and to a process of making the same. The invention further pertains to a dispersion incorporating said vinyl ester based polymer latex composition, products comprising said dispersion, and various uses of the dispersion.
US07649063B2
Pulverulent solid which consists essentially of at least one metal alkyl compound bound chemically and/or physically to a finely divided, porous, mechanically stable and chemically inert support, has a proportion by weight of metal alkyl compound of at least 5% by weight, based on the support, and has an angle of repose, determined in accordance with ISO 4324, of up to 48°. The solid allows trouble-free metering as active component into a reactor.
US07649062B2
A solid titanium catalyst component (I) of the present invention is characterized in that it contains titanium, magnesium, halogen, and a cyclic ester compound (a) represented by the following formula (1): wherein n is an integer of 5 to 10; R2 and R3 are each independently COOR1 or R, and at least one of R2 and R3 is COOR1; a single bond (excluding Ca—Ca bonds, and a Ca—Cb bond in the case where R3 is R) in the cyclic backbone may be replaced with a double bond; a plurality of R1's are each independently a monovalent hydrocarbon group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms; and a plurality of R's are each independently a hydrogen atom or a substituent, but at least one of R's is not a hydrogen atom. When using this solid titanium catalyst component (I), an olefin polymer having a broad molecular weight distribution can be produced.
US07649048B2
The present invention provides a conjugated polymer with provided thereon at least one molecular imprinted polymer (MIP) and a method for preparing such a polymer. The conjugate polymer provided with at least one MIP according to the invention combines both transducer properties and selectivity properties in one single material. Therefore, it is particularly suitable for use in chemo- or bio-sensors. Furthermore, the conjugate polymer provided with at least one MIP may be used in electronic devices and in chromatography, molecular recognition, selective sample enrichment or in catalysis.
US07649047B2
Disclosed are multi-purpose alkali-swellable and alkali soluble associative polymers, which are the polymerization product of a monomer mixture comprising: (a) at least one acidic vinyl monomer; (b) at least one nonionic vinyl monomer; (c) a first associative monomer having a first hydrophobic end group; (d) a monomer selected from the group consisting of a second associative monomer having a second hydrophobic end, a semihydrophobic monomer and a combination thereof; and, optionally, (e) one or more crosslinking monomers or chain transfer agents. When monomer (d) is an associative monomer, the first and second hydrophobic end groups of monomers (c) and (d) have significantly different hydrophobic and/or steric character from one another. The multi-purpose associative polymers surprisingly provide desirable rheological and aesthetic properties in aqueous media.
US07649046B2
The invention relates to a polypropylene composition a heterophasic propylene copolymer, an elastomeric copolymer and inorganic filler and to a method for producing the propylene composition using peroxides. The composition is characterised by a combination of excellent impact strength, stiffness, elasticity and surface stability.
US07649039B2
Ionizing radiation stable thermoplastic composition, method of making, and articles formed therefrom
A thermoplastic composition comprising a polycarbonate, and an aromatic sulfonate compound of formula: Ar1—S(O)2—O—L—O—S(O)2—Ar1 wherein each Ar1 is each independently a substituted or unsubstituted C6-20 aryl group, and L is a branched, substituted or unsubstituted divalent aliphatic hydrocarbon, wherein a molded article having a thickness of 3.2±0.12 millimeters and consisting of the polycarbonate, the aromatic sulfonate compound, and an effective amount of each of an aliphatic diol, a mold release agent, and an antioxidant has, after exposure to a total gamma radiation dose of 83 kGy and when measured according to ASTM D1925-70, an increase in yellowness index (dYI) of less than or equal to 45, when compared to the unexposed molded article. Methods of making the thermoplastic composition, and articles prepared therefrom, are also disclosed.
US07649035B2
A thermoplastic composite material comprising: (i) a thermoplastic resin comprising an organic polymer; and (ii) particles having an average diameter of 1-30 nm dispersed in the thermoplastic resin, wherein the particles contain two or more kinds of inorganic particles having different refractive indexes.
US07649021B2
The present invention relates to the formulation and delivery of prostaglandin analogs to treat epithelial-related condition. In some embodiments, the compositions of the invention are used to stimulate hair growth. In some embodiments, the compositions of the invention are used to restore hair color to depigmented hair.
US07649018B2
Compounds of formula II wherein each R1 and R2 is independently selected from H and —P(O)(R3)(R4), provided that at least one of R1 and R2 is —P(O)(R3)(R4); each R3 and R4 is independently selected from the group consisting of H, —OH, C1-C6 alkyl, and C1-C6 alkoxy; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising a compound of formula II, and methods of administering such compounds and compositions.
US07649013B2
Administration of a modulator of cell cycle checkpoint activation, which is preferably β-lapachone, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, prodrug, metabolite, analog or derivative thereof, protects normal cells against radiation injury. The invention includes methods of preventing radiation damage. The invention also provides methods for treating conditions such as cancer with radiotherapy, by administering a modulator of cell cycle checkpoint activation to a subject, prior to administration of radiotherapy.
US07649012B2
A pharmaceutical composition comprising a pharmaceutical diluent and a compound of formula IV wherein R21=H, C1-C20 alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, aryl, arylalkyl, or alkylaryl, —CH2OR25, —C(O)R25, —CO(O)R25, —C(O)NR25R26, —CH2C(O)R25, or —CH2C(O)NHR25, where R25 and R26 are each independently H, C1-C10 alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, aryl, arylalkyl, or alkylaryl, optionally containing one or more halogen atoms. R22=—OH, —OR27, —OCH2C(O)R27, —OCH2C(O)NHR27, —OC(O)R27, —OC(O)OR27, —OC(O)NHNH—R5, or —OC(O)NR27R28, where R27 and R28 are each independently H, C1-C20 alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, aryl, arylalkyl, or alkylaryl, and where R27 and R28 can each optionally contain halogen atoms; R23 and R24, the same or different from each other, are C1-C20 alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, aryl, arylalkyl, or alkylaryl. Methods of using such formulations for the treatment of cancer, to effect weight loss, to treat microbially-based infections, to inhibit neuropeptide-Y and/or fatty acid synthase, and to stimulate CPT-1.
US07649009B2
Pyrazole amides are disclosed. The compounds are useful for treating type 2 diabetes and related conditions. Pharmaceutical compositions and methods of treatment are also included.
US07649005B2
This invention is related to compounds of general formula (I) wherein X is oxygen or sulphur or a NR7 group; R1 is C3-C8 alkyl, or C1-C8 alkyl substituted by phenoxy or phenyl, both phenoxy or phenyl being optionally substituted by one or more fluoro, chloro, trifluoromethyl, C1-C6 alkyl, hydroxyl, C1-C6 alkoxy; R2, R3 are independently hydrogen, C1-C6 alkyl, halogen, trifluoromethyl, hydroxy or C1-C6 alkoxy; R4 is hydrogen, C1-C8 alkyl; R5, R6 are independently hydrogen, C1-C3 alkyl, optionally substituted by hydroxy or phenyl; R7 is hydrogen or straight or branched C1-C3 alkyl; Het is a five to seven membered, saturated or unsaturated heteromonocyclic or an eight to ten membered, saturated or unsaturated heterobicyclic group, containing one or more heteroatoms chosen independently from nitrogen, oxygen and sulphur, said mono- or bicyclic groups being optionally substituted by C1-C6alkyl, halogen, hydroxyl or C1-C6 alkoxy; and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts or prodrug thereof, that are active as sodium and/or calcium channel modulators and/or as selective MAO-B inhibitors and therefore useful in preventing, alleviating and curing a wide range of pathologies, including, but not limited to, neurological, psychiatric, cardiovascular, inflammatory, ophthalmic, urologic, metabolic and gastrointestinal diseases, where the above mechanisms have been described as playing a pathological role.
US07648998B2
The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition for the treatment or prevention of viral infections comprising as an active principle at least one imidazo[4,5-c]pyridine prodrug having the general Formula (A) wherein the substituents are described in the specification. The invention also relates to processes for the preparation and screening ofcompounds according to the invention having above mentioned general Formula and their use in the treatment or prophylaxis of viral infections.
US07648995B2
The invention features derivatives of R(—)-11-hydroxyaporphines and methods of treating Parkinson's disease, sexual dysfunction, and depressive disorders therewith.
US07648991B2
Crystalline base of compound trans-1-((1R,3S)-6-chloro-3-phenylindan-1-yl)-3,3-dimethylpiperazine, processes for the preparation of purified free base or salts of this compound, pharmaceutical compositions comprising the base and medical use thereof, including for treatment of schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders.
US07648987B2
Compounds of the Formula and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein X1, X2, X3, X4, X5, X6, X7, R1, and Q1 are defined herein, inhibit protein kinase enzymes and are useful for the treatment and/or prevention of hyperproliferative diseases such as cancer, inflammation, psoriasis, allergy/asthma, disease and conditions of the immune system, disease and conditions of the central nervous system.
US07648984B2
Naphthalene, quinoline, quinoxaline and naphthyridine derivatives useful in the treatment of bacterial infections in mammals, particularly humans, are disclosed herein.
US07648968B2
The present invention is directed to methods of using glucan compositions, comprising water insoluble microparticulate glucans, in the treatment of dermal ulcers. The water insoluble microparticulate glucans used in the compositions comprise branched β-(1,3)(1,6) glucan. The glucan compositions used in the present invention are essentially free of unbranched β-(1,3)(1,6) glucan and non-glucan components.
US07648967B2
The present invention relates to methods of treating viral disease using mutagenic nucleoside analogs. In particular, the invention provides isoguanosine nucleosides and derivatives thereof as well a method of increasing the mutation rate of a virus such as bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV).
US07648963B2
Novel PYRIN-2, PYRIN-3, PYRIN-5, PYRIN-6, PYRIN-7, PYRIN-8, PYRIN-10, and PYRIN-11 polypeptides, proteins, and nucleic acid molecules are disclosed. In addition to isolated PYRIN-2, PYRIN-3, PYRIN-5, PYRIN-6, PYRIN-7, PYRIN-8, PYRIN-10, and PYRIN-11 proteins, the invention further provides PYRIN-2, PYRIN-3, PYRIN-5, PYRIN-6, PYRIN-7, PYRIN-8, PYRIN-10, and PYRIN-11 fusion proteins, antigenic peptides and anti-PYRIN-2, -PYRIN-3, -PYRIN-5, -PYRIN-6, -PYRIN-7, -PYRIN-8, -PYRIN-10, and -PYRIN-11 antibodies. The invention also provides PYRIN-2, PYRIN-3, PYRIN-5, PYRIN-6, PYRIN-7, PYRIN-8, PYRIN-10, and PYRIN-11 nucleic acid molecules, recombinant expression vectors containing a nucleic acid molecule of the invention, host cells into which the expression vectors have been introduced and non-human transgenic animals in which a PYRIN-2, PYRIN-3, PYRIN-5, PYRIN-6, PYRIN-7, PYRIN-8, PYRIN-10, or PYRIN-11 gene has been introduced or disrupted. Diagnostic, screening and therapeutic methods utilizing compositions of the invention are also provided.
US07648962B2
Modified natriuretic compounds and conjugates thereof are disclosed in the present invention. In particular, conjugated forms of hBNP are provided that include at least one modifying moiety attached thereto. The modified natriuretic compound conjugates retain activity for stimulating cGMP production, binding to NPR-A receptor, and in some embodiments an improved half-life in circulation as compared to unmodified counterpart natriuretic compounds. Oral, parenteral, enteral, subcutaneous, pulmonary, and intravenous forms of the compounds and conjugates may be prepared as treatments and/or therapies for heart conditions particularly congestive heart failure. Modifying moieties comprising oligomeric structures having a variety of lengths and configurations are also disclosed. Analogs of the natriuretic compound are also disclosed, having an amino acid sequence that is other than the native sequence.
US07648959B2
Methods and compositions for prophylaxis and/or treatment of diseases of the eye of a patient resulting angiogenesis in the eye using antagonists of the integrin receptors αv β3 and/or αv β5. The compositions can be nanoparticles and are administered to the eye by injection into the sclera of the eye.
US07648958B2
There is disclosed a method of recovering factor VIII/vWF-complex which is characterized in that factor VIII/vWF-complex from a protein solution is bound to a cation exchanger and is recovered by step-wise elution of factor VIII/vWF-complex, which particularly contains high-molecular vWF multimers, as well as a factor VIII/vWF-complex obtainable by means of cation exchange chromatography.
US07648956B2
A fragrance composition containing 0.0005 to 10% by mass of a decalin alcohol as component (a) represented by formula (1a) and 90 to 99.9995% by mass of one or more polycyclic woody-amber fragrances as component (b) selected from the group consisting of 7-acetyl-1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8-octahydro-1,1,6,7-tetramethylnaphthalene, 1,2,3,4,4a,5,6,7-octahydro-2,5,5-trimethyl-2-naphthalenol, 1,2,3,4,4a,7,8,8a-octahydro-2,4a,5,8a-tetramethyl-1-naphthyl formate, 3a-ethyldodecahydro-6,6,9a-trimethylnaphtho[2,1-b]furan, and racemic or optically active dodecahydro-3a,6,6,9a-tetramethylnaphtho[2,1-b]furan; and a cosmetic product, a household product and an environmental/sanitary product containing the fragrance composition. The fragrance composition of the present invention is a highly versatile fragrance composition that brings about an odor of natural ambergris and can attain effects to enhance warmth and an odor quality even in a small amount.
US07648955B2
A fragrance composition is provided comprising from about 10% wt to about 40% wt of a residual accord, the residual accord comprising perfume raw materials (PRMs) selected from at least three of the five defined classes. In addition, personal care compositions comprising the defined fragrance composition are also provided.
US07648942B2
Process of depositing nanoparticles of a metal or of an alloy of said metal, said metal being chosen from the metals from columns VIIIB and IB of the Periodic Table, dispersed on a substrate by chemical vapour deposition (CVD), from one or more precursors, in which the deposition is carried out in the presence of a gas comprising more than 50 vol % of a reactive oxidizing gas.Substrate comprising at least one surface, dispersed on which are nanoparticles made of a metal or of an alloy of metals, for example made of silver or a silver alloy.Use of the substrate to catalyse a chemical reaction, for example an NOx elimination reaction.
US07648941B2
The invention relates to a process for upgrading hydrocarbonaceous feedstreams by hydroprocessing using bulk bimetallic catalysts. More particularly, the invention relates to a catalytic hydrotreating process for the removal of sulfur and nitrogen from a hydrocarbon feed such as a fuel or a lubricating oil feed. The catalyst is a bulk catalyst comprising a Group VIII metal and a Group VIB metal.
US07648938B2
The present invention provides a metal nanocolloidal liquid characterized by containing a dispersion medium and nanocolloidal metal particles, and containing substantially no protective colloid-forming agent; and a method for producing a metal-on-carrier, characterized by including causing nanocolloidal metal particles to be carried on a carrier by use of the metal nanocolloidal liquid. According to the production method, nanocolloidal metal particles can be efficiently caused to be carried on a carrier, and a metal-on-carrier which is useful in a variety of fields can be industrially advantageously produced.
US07648932B2
The invention relates to a process for the production of a molded porous ceramic article containing β-SiC, which process comprises the following steps: the preparation of a molded article containing silicon and carbon and the subsequent pyrolysis and siliconization of the article containing silicon and carbon to form SiC. The invention further relates to a molded porous ceramic article containing SiC which has been produced from a molded article containing silicon and carbon.
US07648930B2
The glass for a fluorescent light with a high hydrolytic resistance, which has composition, in % by weight based on oxide content of: SiO2, 63-75; B2O3, 15-18; Al2O3, 3.2-4.5; Na2O, 1-2; K2O, 2-6; ΣNa2O+K2O, 3-8; MgO, 0-8; CaO, 0-10; SrO, 0-10; BaO, 0-10; ZnO, 0-5; ΣMgO+CaO+SrO+BaO+ZnO, 0-10; ZrO2, 0-3; CeO2, 0-10; Fe2O3, 0-1; WO3, 0-3; Bi2O3, 0-5; MoO3, 0-3; TiO2, 0-10; ΣHf+Ta+W+Re+Os+Ir+Pt+La+Pr+Nd+Sm+Eu+Gd+Tb+Dy+Ho+Er+Tm+Yb+Lu in oxidic form, 0 to 5% by weight, as well as one or more conventional refining agents. The glass is characterized in that it contains no lithium and has a weight ratio of Na2O to K2O of less than one.
US07648929B2
The present invention relates to fiberglass loose-fill insulation that is insensitive to the content of boron in the composition of the glass. It has been discovered that the level of boron in the glass used for the manufacture of loose-fill glass wool can be substantially reduced without degrading thermal performance. The lowered amount of boron provides for a lower cost batch composition and increased furnace life. The glass composition of the present invention includes a substantially reduced content of boron and preferably an increased amount of sodium dioxide. The primary phase of these glass compositions is typically devitrite (Na2Ca3Si6O16). The glass of the present invention provides a glass fiber blowing wool that does not require an increase in pack density to compensate for the reduced boron content while achieving the similar thermal conductivity. The glass of the present invention is also suitable for use in acoustic insulation.
US07648925B2
An improved barrier stack. The barrier stack is made by the process of depositing the polymeric decoupling layer on a substrate; depositing a first inorganic layer on the decoupling layer under a first set of conditions wherein an ion and neutral energy arriving at the substrate is less than about 20 eV so that the first inorganic layer is not a barrier layer, wherein a temperature of the substrate is less than about 150° C.; and depositing a second inorganic layer on the first inorganic layer under a second set of conditions wherein an ion and neutral energy arriving at the substrate is greater than about 50 eV so that the second inorganic layer is a barrier layer. Methods of reducing damage to a polymeric layer in a barrier stack are also described.
US07648923B2
A method of fabricating a flash memory device is disclosed. The method comprises forming a first insulating layer on a semiconductor substrate; accumulating nitrogen at an interface between the semiconductor substrate and the first insulating layer to form a second insulating layer at the interface; and implanting oxygen into the second insulating layer to convert the second insulating layer to a third insulating layer.
US07648920B2
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes the steps of: forming recesses (a via hole and wiring grooves) in a insulation film; forming a seal layer on inside surfaces of the recesses by using a gas based on a silane having an alkyl group as a precursor; applying EB-cure or UV-cure to the seal layer; and filling up the recesses with a conductor.
US07648910B2
A method of manufacturing an opening is described. First, a substrate including a conductive portion and a dielectric layer both formed thereon is provided. The conductive portion at least includes a conductive layer and a passivation layer from bottom-up, and the dielectric layer covers the conductive portion. A first dry etching step is then performed to form an opening on the passivation layer by using a reactive gas containing a high polymer gas. The bottom of the opening has an initial dimension, and an obtuse angle is included by the bottom of the opening and an inner sidewall of the opening. Next, an opening enlarging step is performed to reach a target dimension of the bottom of the opening. The target dimension is larger than the initial dimension and to the least extent the conductive layer is not exposed by the opening.
US07648906B2
A method and apparatus for processing a thin film able to easily form grooves in a conductive thin film on an insulating substrate, comprising bringing a first electrode into contact with the conductive thin film, maintaining a conductive state between a tip of a second electrode with a voltage applied with respect to the first electrode and the surface of the conductive thin film, and using the tip of the second electrode to scan the conductive thin film so as to thereby form grooves passing through the thickness of the conductive thin film and exposing the surface of the insulating substrate at their bottoms in the conductive thin film.
US07648897B2
To provide a method for manufacturing a wiring, a conductive layer, a display device, and a semiconductor device, each of which can meet a large sized substrate and which is manufactured with a higher throughput by using a material efficiently, the conductive layer is formed over the substrate having an insulating surface by discharging the conductive material, and heat treatment is performed by a lamp or a laser beam over the conductive layer. Furthermore, the conductive film is formed under reduced pressure according to the present invention.
US07648896B2
In deposited silicon, n-type dopants such as phosphorus and arsenic tend to seek the surface of the silicon, rising as the layer is deposited. When a second undoped or p-doped silicon layer is deposited on n-doped silicon with no n-type dopant provided, a first thickness of this second silicon layer nonetheless tends to include unwanted n-type dopant which has diffused up from lower levels. This surface-seeking behavior diminishes when germanium is alloyed with the silicon. In some devices, it may not be advantageous for the second layer to have significant germanium content. In the present invention, a first heavily n-doped semiconductor layer (preferably at least 10 at % germanium) is deposited, followed by a silicon-germanium capping layer with little or no n-type dopant, followed by a layer with little or no n-type dopant and less than 10 at % germanium. The germanium in the first layer and the capping layer minimizes diffusion of n-type dopant into the germanium-poor layer above.
US07648894B2
The present invention relates to a coating composition for insulating film production, a preparation method of a low dielectric insulating film using the same, a low dielectric insulating film for a semiconductor device prepared therefrom, and a semiconductor device comprising the same, and more particularly to a coating composition for insulating film production having a low dielectric constant and that is capable of producing an insulating film with superior mechanical strength (elasticity), a preparation method of a low dielectric insulating film using the same, a low dielectric insulating film for a semiconductor device prepared therefrom, and a semiconductor device comprising the same. The coating composition of the present invention comprises an organic siloxane resin having a small molecular weight, and water, and significantly improves low dielectricity and mechanical strength of an insulating film.
US07648889B2
A production method for devices includes: a bonding process for placing circuit surfaces of other divided plural semiconductor chips onto circuit surfaces of semiconductor chips of a wafer and bonding the other semiconductor chips to the semiconductor chips of the wafer; and a semiconductor chip grinding process for grinding rear surfaces of the other semiconductor chips by a grinding apparatus while the wafer is held such that the rear surface of the wafer faces a chuck table of the grinding apparatus. The production method further includes a resin filling process for filling a resin on the surface of the wafer so that a surface of the resin corresponds with the rear surfaces of the other semiconductor chips; and a wafer grinding process for grinding the rear surface of the wafer by a grinding apparatus while the wafer is held such that the surface of the wafer on which the resin is filled faces a chuck table of the grinding apparatus. The production method further includes a wafer supporting process for supporting one of the surface and the rear surface of the wafer by a supporting member; and a dividing process for dividing the wafer along predetermined division lines while the wafer is supported by the support member, thereby obtaining devices having the semiconductor chips and the other semiconductor chips bonded on the semiconductor chips.
US07648888B2
The invention relates to a method of splitting apart a substrate of two adjoining wafers defining between them a cleavage plane, by bringing each substrate into a substrate-receiving space; and clamping first and second jaw portions onto each substrate in such a manner as to hold each substrate and urge apart the two wafers of each substrate by co-operation between the shapes of housings in first and second portions of the two jaws, respectively. The invention also relates to a splitting method that includes bringing each substrate into a substrate-reception space; clamping together separator portions onto each substrate so as to split apart the two wafers of each substrate; and clamping the split-apart substrate wafers so as to hold the wafers together. An automated system for processing multiple substrates is also provided.
US07648884B2
A resistive device (44) and a transistor (42) are formed. Each uses a portion of a metal layer (18) that is formed at the same time and thus additional process steps are avoided to remove the metal from the resistive device. The metal used in the resistive device is selectively treated to increase the resistance in the resistive device. A polycrystalline semiconductor material layer (34) overlies the metal layer in the resistive device. The combination of these layers provides the resistive device. In one form the metal is treated after formation of the polycrystalline semiconductor material layer. In one form the metal treatment involves an implant of a species, such as oxygen, to increase the resistivity of the metal. Various transistor structures are formed using the untreated portion of the metal layer as a control electrode.
US07648876B2
Embodiments relate to a flash memory device and a method of manufacturing a flash memory device that may improve a reliability of process by obtaining a Depth of Focus (DOF) in an exposure process. In embodiments, a method may include sequentially stacking an oxide film, a floating gate poly film, an ONO film, a control gate poly film, and a BARC (Bottom AntiReflect Coating) on a semiconductor substrate, forming a photoresist pattern for a stack gate on the BARC, and etching the BARC, the control gate poly film, the ONO film and the floating gate poly film at once by using the photoresist pattern until the oxide film is exposed.
US07648869B2
Semiconductor structures and methods for suppressing latch-up in bulk CMOS devices. The structure comprises a first doped well formed in a substrate of semiconductor material, a second doped well formed in the substrate proximate to the first doped well, and a deep trench defined in the substrate. The deep trench includes sidewalls positioned between the first and second doped wells. A buried conductive region is defined in the semiconductor material bordering the base and the sidewalls of the deep trench. The buried conductive region intersects the first and second doped wells. The buried conductive region has a higher dopant concentration than the first and second doped wells. The buried conductive region may be formed by solid phase diffusion from a mobile dopant-containing material placed in the deep trench. After the buried conductive region is formed, the mobile dopant-containing material may optionally remain in the deep trench.
US07648867B2
A method for fabricating a semiconductor device includes: forming a dummy gate that defines a region in which a gate electrode should be formed on a semiconductor substrate; forming a surface film on the semiconductor substrate by directional sputtering vertical to a surface of the semiconductor substrate, the directional sputtering being one of collimate sputtering, long throw sputtering and ion beam sputtering; removing the surface film formed along a sidewall of the dummy gate; removing the dummy gate; and forming the gate electrode in the region from which the dummy gate on the semiconductor substrate has been removed.
US07648861B2
The invention provides a method of fabricating a semiconductor device having an inversely staggered TFT capable of high-speed operation, which has few variations of the threshold. In addition, the invention provides a method of fabricating a semiconductor device with high throughput where the cost reduction is achieved with few materials.According to the invention, a semiconductor device is fabricated by forming an inversely staggered TFT which is obtained by forming a gate electrode using a highly heat-resistant material, depositing an amorphous semiconductor film, adding a catalytic element into the amorphous semiconductor film and heating the amorphous semiconductor film to form a crystalline semiconductor film, forming a layer containing a donor element or a rare gas element over the crystalline semiconductor film and heating the layer to remove the catalytic element from the crystalline semiconductor film, forming a semiconductor region by utilizing a part of the crystalline semiconductor film, forming a source electrode and a drain electrode to be electrically connected to the semiconductor region, and forming a gate wiring to be connected to the gate electrode.
US07648854B2
Provided herein are methods of forming a metal oxide layer that include providing an organometallic compound and an oxidizing agent to the substrate to form the metal oxide layer on the substrate. The organometallic compound may have the general formula of M(NR1R2)3R3, wherein M is a metal; R1 and R2 are each independently hydrogen or alkyl; and R3 is selected from the group consisting of alkyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, aryl and heteroaryl.
US07648853B2
Dual channel heterostructures comprising strained Si and strained Ge-containing layers are disclosed, along with methods for producing such structures. In preferred embodiments, a strain-relaxed buffer layer is deposited on a carrier substrate, a strained Si layer is deposited over the strain-relaxed buffer layer and a strained Ge-containing layer is deposited over the strained Si layer. The structure can be transferred to a host substrate to produce the strained Si layer over the strained Ge-containing layer. By depositing the Si layer first, the process avoids Ge agglomeration problems.
US07648835B2
An integrated heat exchange system on a microfluidic card. According to one aspect of the invention, the portable microfluidic card has a heating, cooling and heat cycling system on-board such that the card can be used portably. The microfluidic card includes one or more reservoirs containing exothermic or endothermic material. Once the chemical process of the reservoir material is activated, the reservoir provides heat or cooling to specific locations of the microfluidic card. Multiple reservoirs may be included on a single card to provide varying temperatures. The assay chemicals can be moved to the various reservoirs to create a thermal cycle useful in many biological reactions, for example, Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) or rtPCR. According to another aspect of the invention, the integrated heat exchanger is an adjacent microfluidic circuit containing fluid that is either independently heated or cooled, or is an exothermic or endothermic material, such that the fluid in the adjacent circuit imparts a change in temperature to the assay fluid in an independent circuit. According to yet another aspect of the invention, a thermal electric cooler (TEC) is used for thermocycling the amplification chamber of a disposable microfluidic card.
US07648830B2
A method is provided for determining the presence of a target bacteria based on its resistance to a cell lysing antibiotic. Said antibiotic is used to lyse cells of non-target bacteria in a sample and hence facilitate isolation of the target prior to detection by known means.
US07648826B1
This invention pertains to the discovery that an amplification of the CYP24 gene or an increase in CYP24 activity is a marker for the presence of, progression of, or predisposition to, a cancer (e.g., breast cancer). Using this information, this invention provides methods of detecting a predisposition to cancer in an animal. The methods involve (i) providing a biological sample from an animal (e.g. a human patient); (ii) detecting the level of CYP24 within the biological sample; and (iii) comparing the level of CYP24 with a level of CYP24 in a control sample taken from a normal, cancer-free tissue where an increased level of CYP24 in the biological sample compared to the level of CYP24 in the control sample indicates the presence of said cancer in said animal.
US07648825B2
Biomarkers that are diagnostic of type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes and/or diabetic disorder are identified. Detection of different biomarkers of the invention are also diagnostic of the degree of severity of type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes and/or diabetic disorder. An analysis includes the parameters of matching for BMI and Tanner stage. Receiver-operator characteristic (ROC) curves were established to assess association of the biomarkers with a disease.
US07648822B2
The present invention relates to a vaccine against porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV-)2 and a method for the manufacture of such a vaccine, for protecting piglets against PCV-2 infection.It has been found that a vaccine comprising at least 20 microgram/dose of ORF-2 protein of porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV-2 is capable of eliciting a protective immune response against PCV-2 (and thus against PMWS) even when they have a relatively high titer of MDA against PCV-2.A vaccine according to the invention may contain a recombinant ORF-2 protein, wherein said recombinant protein is preferably produced by way of expression from a baculovirus expression vector in insect cells, said baculovirus expression vector containing the PCV-2 ORF-2 gene sequence under control of a suitable promoter.
US07648819B2
A method and apparatus for reduction and prevention of residue formation and removal of residues formed in an immersion lithography tool. The apparatus including incorporation of a cleaning mechanism within the immersion head of an immersion lithographic system or including a cleaning mechanism in a cleaning station of an immersion lithographic system.
US07648818B2
Methods for carrying out lithography with a carbon dioxide development system are described. This invention involves methods for preferential removal of the darkfield region of conventional chemically amplified positive tone resists. The carbon dioxide development systems include one or more derivatizing agents, which may be an onium salt or a neutral compound.
US07648816B2
A positive resist composition that includes a base material component (A) that contains an acid-dissociable, dissolution-inhibiting group and exhibits increased alkali solubility under the action of acid, and an acid generator component (B) that generates acid upon exposure, wherein the base material component (A) contains a compound (A1), in which either a portion of, or all of, the hydrogen atoms of phenolic hydroxyl groups within a polyhydric phenol compound with a molecular weight of 300 to 2,500 represented by a general formula (I) shown below have been substituted with at least one group selected from the group consisting of acid-dissociable, dissolution-inhibiting groups represented by a general formula (II) shown below and acid-dissociable, dissolution-inhibiting groups represented by a general formula (III) shown below.
US07648808B2
A combination patterned reflective dichroic filter and optical coating, and method of making the same, is disclosed by starting with a filter substrate, laying down a pattern of dichroic filter material, but stopping short of completing the layers required for the spectral characteristics of the filter. The spectral characteristics are completed by adding a blanket coating of a material such as an anti-reflective material. In an alternative embodiment the blanket coating can be applied prior to addition of the dichroic filter material.
US07648803B2
Diagonal corner-to-corner sub-resolution assist features for use in photolithography are described. The diagonal features may be applied to one or a group of main features. Such features may be developed starting by synthesizing a photolithography mask having a first feature aligned along a linear axis and having a corner and a second feature aligned along a linear axis and having a corner, the corners of first and second features being separated from each other by a gap. The features may be developed by determining at least one diagonal line between the corners of the features to bridge the gap between the corners, applying a sub-resolution assist feature along the determined line, and modifying the synthesized photolithography mask to include the sub-resolution assist feature.
US07648792B2
A portable cartridge that stores a fuel for use with a fuel cell system includes one or more disposable components for use by the fuel cell system. The disposable component may be included on a fuel cartridge, but used by a fuel cell system when the cartridge and a package that includes the system are coupled together. The disposable component may include: an inlet filter that regulates passage of gases and liquids into the fuel system, an outlet filter that cleans fuel cell system exhaust gases, a sensor on the inlet air stream to the fuel cell system; a sensor on the exhaust; a desiccant that sinks moisture from within the fuel cell system package; or a fuel absorbent that soaks fuel between connectors on the fuel cartridge and the fuel cell system.
US07648791B2
A fuel cell has a unit cell in which a membrane electrode assembly, in which a pair of electrodes are provided on either side of an electrolyte membrane, is provided between a first separator and a second separator. Pin insertion holes are respectively provided in a plurality of portions in an outer periphery of each of the first and the second separators, and the pin insertion holes of the first separators are respectively coaxial with those of the second separator. A leg portion of a cell fastening pin made of resin is inserted through each pair of the coaxial pin insertion holes of the first and the second separators. The unit cell is fastened by fitting a flange portion formed at an end of the leg portion to the first separator, and fitting a hook portion formed at the other end of the leg portion to the second separator.
US07648789B2
A fuel cell gas separator (212) for use between two solid oxide fuel cells (210) and having a separator body with an anode-facing side and a cathode-facing side and with paths (234) of electrically conductive material therethrough in an electrode-contacting zone (236). In a first aspect, the electrically conductive material comprises a silver-glass composite, preferably containing 15 to 30 wt % glass. In this aspect the material of the separator body is preferably zirconia and the silver is commercially pure, a silver mixture or a silver alloy. In another aspect, the material of the separator body is zirconia, the electrically conductive material comprises silver or a silver-based material, a coating of nickel is formed on the electrode-contacting zone (236) on the anode-facing side preferably with an undercoating of Ag, and a coating of Ag—Sn alloy is formed on the electrode-contacting zone (236) on the cathode side.
US07648787B2
In a fuel cell system (100), the amount of fuel gas supplied through an fuel gas supply passage (24) and the amount of fuel gas consumed by a fuel cell (10) are detected. A difference between the amount of supplied fuel gas and the amount of consumed fuel gas is calculated by subtracting the amount of consumed fuel gas from the amount of supplied fuel gas. The pressure of the fuel gas in a leak detection passage (Cx), the change in the pressure of the detected fuel gas can be detected, and the change in the amount of fuel gas in the gas leak detection passage (Cx) due to the change in the pressure of the fuel gas can thus be detected. The difference is corrected by subtracting the change in the amount of fuel gas in the gas leak detection passage from the difference. When the corrected difference is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, a fuel gas leak is detected in the leak detection passage (Cx).
US07648785B2
One aspect of the invention relates to a clean power generation system in which an internal combustion engine is operated to produce shaft power and an exhaust stream. The exhaust stream is processed by a fuel cell. Fluctuations in power demand are met, at least in part, by increasing or decreasing power output from the fuel cell and/or power uptake or output from a power storage device. The engine can operate at a relatively constant rate, providing a steady exhaust stream, which facilitates pollution control and fuel cell operation. According to another aspect of the invention, the exhaust of an engine is treated with a fuel cell having an electrolyte that conducts protons. In addition to removing pollutants from the exhaust while generating useful power, the fuel cell can provide a supply of low acidity water. The water can be used in the fuel reformer.
US07648784B2
A fuel cell APU system comprising a plurality of fuel cell modules connected in parallel. Each module includes a local controller connected to a master controller that coordinates the modules to achieve a desired power output at any given time. Each module is operated within an output range to maximize efficiency of the system. When load demand on a first module exceeds the desired output range of the module, an additional module is brought online in parallel with the first. As the load increases further, additional modules are brought online in cascade fashion to permit all modules to be operated efficiently. If a module is disabled, it is automatically switched out of service and replaced by a standby module. The master controller keeps track of the total operating time of each module and varies the sequence in which different modules are brought into service to balance deterioration among the modules.
US07648780B2
Disclosed are organic electroluminescent devices employing materials of a low reduction potential in a layer functioning hole-injection. The organic electroluminescent devices may employ an anode material having a relatively low work function. Aluminum may be used in anode. During the operation, the organic electroluminescent devices may form a virtual electrode in their internal area, which enhances injection of carriers from a nearby electrode. Use of aluminum in the anode helps construction of cathode-emission organic electroluminescent devices.
US07648775B2
A ceramic substrate comprising a metallic layer on its surface, wherein said metallic layer includes: a silver layer containing silver; a gold layer containing gold; and a nickel layer containing nickel, in this order from an outermost layer of said metallic layer.
US07648774B2
An electromagnetic noise suppressor including a ferrite film is formed by regularly arranging constituents such as magnetized grains or one analogous to that. In the ferrite film, the constituents have at least one of the uniaxial anisotropy and the multiaxial anisotropy. The ferrite film has the magnetic anisotropy or the magnetic isotropy. The ferrite film is formed by a plating method in the presence of a magnetic field.
US07648757B2
A penetration resistant composite comprises a substrate material comprising woven, layered or intertwined polarized strands of glass, polyamide, polyphenylene sulfide, carbon or graphite fibers, a salt, oxide, hydroxide or hydride of a metal selected from the group consisting of alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, transition metal, zinc, cadmium, tin, aluminum, double metal salts and/or mixtures of two or more thereof or a metal hydride polar bonded on the surface of said fibers and/or strands of fibers at a concentration of at least about 0.3 grams/cc of open substrate material volume, and a substantially water impermeable coating thereon.
US07648750B2
A cushion apparatus that may be advantageously utilized as an end cap for packaging shock sensitive products is disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the cushion apparatus includes a base member having one or more side walls having inner product bearing surfaces defining a product receiving cavity. The product receiving cavity has an open bottom end through which the product is received and an opposing top end. An axial deflection member is disposed over the top end of the receiving cavity. The axial deflection member is an arc-shaped elastic material member arching over the top end of the product receiving cavity. In one embodiment, the cushion apparatus further includes multiple radial deflection members extending radially from the base member to define a multi-sided bearing support perimeter having multiple corners.
US07648712B2
Physiologically acceptable films, including edible films, are disclosed. The films include a water soluble film-forming polymer, such as pullulan, and a taste masked pharmaceutically active agent, such as dextromethorphan. The taste masking agent is preferably a sulfonated polymer ion exchange resin comprising polystyrene cross-linked with divinylbenzene, such as AMBERLITE. Methods for producing the films are also disclosed.
US07648710B2
There is provided an emulsion composition for therapeutic administration comprising: (a) at least one mono-electron transfer agent phosphate derivative; (b) at leas tone di-electron transfer agent phosphate derivative; wherein the amount of mono-electron transfer agent phosphate derivatives is no less than equimolar to the amount of di-electron transfer agent phosphate; and (c) a suitable carrier.
US07648707B2
The present invention relates to methods and compositions for treatment of microbial infections and for the enhancement of resistance to infection. The invention comprises administration of an effective amount of bacterial lysate compositions for the treatment of pathological conditions of microbial infections. The present invention can also be used to enhance the immune system to prevent infections by the administration of an effective amount of the compositions.
US07648702B2
The present invention relates to an aqueous pharmaceutical composition suitable for long-term storage of polypeptides containing an Fc domain of an immunoglobulin, methods of manufacture, methods of administration and kits containing same.
US07648701B2
The invention provides peptides comprising a sequence homologous to a portion of the third constant domain of the epsilon heavy chain of IgE, covalently linked to either (1) a carrier protein, or (2) a helper T cell epitope, and optionally to other immunostimulatory sequences as well.The invention provides for the use of such peptides as immunogens to elicit the production in mammals of high titer polyclonal antibodies, which are specific to a target effector site on the epsilon heavy chain of IgE. The peptides are expected to be useful in pharmaceutical compositions, to provide an immunotherapy for IgE-mediated allergic diseases.
US07648699B2
This invention is directed toward a process for reducing transfusion related complications in a recipient of an allogeneic blood transfusion by adding to the blood to be transfused a photosensitizer comprising riboflavin, irradiating the blood and riboflavin with light, transfusing the irradiated blood into a recipient, and reducing a transfusion related complication by the recipient to cells in the donor blood. The invention is also directed towards a process for preventing rejection of a donor organ by a recipient comprising the steps of transfusing the recipient of the donor organ with treated platelets; and transplanting the donor organ into the recipient.
US07648694B2
The present invention is directed to a process for preparing zeolites belonging to the SSZ-26/33 family of zeolites using novel nitrogen-based structure directing agents. The process for preparing the SSZ-26/33 family of zeolites involves using a structure directing agent selected from the group consisting of 1,5-bis(N,N-dimethylcyclohexylammonium)pentane dications, 1,4-bis(N-cyclohexylpiperidinium)butane dications and 1,4-bis(N-cyclopentylpiperidinium)butane dications.
US07648693B2
The present invention provides a powderous lithium transition metal oxide with the composition as represented by the below Formula and prepared by solid state reaction in air from a mixed transition metal precursor and Li2CO3, with being practically free of Li2CO3 impurity: LixMyO2 wherein M=M′1−kAk, where M′=Ni1−a−b(Ni1/2Mn1/2)aCob on condition of 0.65≦a+b≦0.85 and 0.1≦b≦0.4; A is a dopant; and 0≦k≦0.05; and x+y=2 on condition of 0.95≦x≦1.05. The Ni-based lithium transition metal oxide according to the present invention has a well-layered structure, and also improved safety, cycling stability and stability against aging and low gas evolution during storage, when used as an active material for cathode of lithium secondary batteries, because it has a high sintering stability and is substantially free of soluble bases.Moreover, the lithium transition metal oxide of the present invention can be prepared by a low-cost process using a mixed transition metal precursor and Li2CO3 as raw stocks and under relatively unrestricted conditions.
US07648692B2
Carbonyl sulfide (COS) from a COS-containing stream (106) is convened in a Claus plant (100) to elemental sulfur (152, 162) by oxidation of a first portion of the COS-containing stream to SO2 and by hydrolysis of a second portion of the COS-containing stream to H2S. In preferred aspects of the inventive subject matter, hydrolysis and/or oxidation of the COS is performed in the reactor furnace (10), while hydrolysis of the COS is performed in the reactor furnace (10), a hydrolysis reactor, and/or a catalytic converter (120, 130, 150).
US07648684B2
The invention relates to a device for disinfecting liquids by means of ultraviolet radiation in a continuous flow method, with a reactor chamber through which flow can take place and in which a number of UV radiator units is arranged, the reactor chamber being provided with a wall, which is open at two end sides, and locally surrounded by at least one pre-chamber. Advantageous flow conditions are achieved if the at least one pre-chamber is welded to the wall at a distance from the end side so that an annular intermediate space with an internal width (r) is formed between a side of the per-chamber and the wall, and an essentially axisymmetric annular gap (d) is formed between the end side and the pre-chamber.
US07648682B2
The invention relates to an improvement in apparatus and process for effecting storage and delivery of a gas. The storage and delivery apparatus is comprised of a storage and dispensing vessel containing a medium capable of storing a gas and permitting delivery of the gas stored in the medium from the vessel, the improvement comprising: (a) a reactive liquid having Lewis acidity or basicity; (b) a gas liquid complex in a reversible reacted state formed under conditions of pressure and temperature by contacting the gas having Lewis acidity with the reactive liquid having Lewis basicity or the gas having Lewis basicity with the reactive liquid having Lewis acidity; (c) a non-reactive wick medium holding and dispersing the reactive liquid and the gas liquid complex therein.
US07648681B2
A system for collecting, transporting and preparing a fecal specimen for examination includes a container, a closure selectively secured over an open end of the container, and a sample collection member coupled to the closure and extending into the container when the closure is secured thereto. In one embodiment, the closure includes a base and a cap that are hingedly coupled together. The cap is selectively moveable between a closed position that seals an aperture in the base, and an open position wherein the aperture is exposed to permit expelling contents of the container through the aperture. In another embodiment, the closure comprises a base having a spout and an aperture, and a cap coupled to the base for axial movement along the spout between open and closed positions. The system may further include a deodorant to mask or absorb odors.
US07648670B2
An apparatus for inverting the stop flange on a tamper-indicating closure, from an axially outwardly oriented position as molded to an axially inwardly oriented position for use, includes a support base for supporting the closure such that the stop flange as molded is spaced from and oriented away from the support base. A pedestal is movably carried by the support base at a position spaced from the support base. A locator ring is carried by the pedestal and movable with the pedestal to engage the stop flange on a closure carried by the support base and to bend the stop flange radially inwardly. An inversion ring moves through the locator ring to engage and invert the stop flange that is bent radially inwardly by the locator ring.
US07648669B2
A method of injection molding at least one part in a single mold having therein at least one cavity, the method comprising providing first and second injection molding devices, using the first injection molding device to inject material into the single mold, and thereafter using the second injection molding device to inject material into the single mold.
US07648667B2
A method of molding a golf ball core utilizing a single cavity mold that moves on a continuous conveyor system wherein heated preps are automatically and individually taken directly from the extruder and robotically placed into a bottom mold half that is integral with and moves along a conveyor at a speed consistent with the output from the extruder. This eliminates the prep's inefficient loss of heat during storage that is associated with the batch process. The method provides preheating each top and bottom mold half in separate conveyor ovens to about 350° F. prior to the prep being loaded into the bottom mold half. After the prep is loaded, the top and bottom mold halves are assembled to create the single cavity mold. The single cavity mold compresses the prep into a spherical core shape by utilizing spring force and retainer plates to exert about 384 lbs of force. The core is then moved by conveyor into a convection oven wherein the core is cured to a temperature of about 350° F. The cores are then robotically removed from the mold and transferred to a site wherein an intermediate or cover layer is placed over it.
US07648663B2
A method for the production of plates of material with overmoulded parts made of plastic material of different dimensions, of shapes and colors, by means of a first injection for the formation of the plate and a subsequent injection compression for overmoulding said parts on the plate. Each injection can conveniently be performed with sequentially controlled injection spots.
US07648653B2
A conductive polyoxymethylene composition comprising a first polyoxymethylene component, a conductive filler, at least one boron oxyacid or salt thereof, and at least one first polyamide oligomer is disclosed. The first polyoxymethylene component comprises a copolymer of oxymethylene, a homopolymer of oxymethylene, and mixtures thereof, and is present in an amount of from about 50 to about 99.5 weight percent based on the total weight of the composition. The conductive filler is present in an amount of from about 0.1 to about 40 percent by weight based on the total weight of the composition. The boron oxyacid or salt thereof and the first polyamide oligomer stabilize the composition such that articles formed therefrom exhibit reduced or eliminated deterioration. Further, when exposed to higher temperature, pressure, and high-fuel content environments, the articles maintain the desired physical properties.
US07648648B2
The invention relates to anti-Stokes fluorescent material compositions which, upon excitation by IR radiation, emits IR radiation without significant quantities of visible blue light being emitted at the same time, and which are therefore suitable as invisible security marks.
US07648646B2
The invention relates to a liquid crystal (LC) material that aligns homeotropically on substrates with high or low surface energy.
US07648642B2
Refrigerant composition are disclosed which comprises: (a) pentafluoroethane, trifluoromethoxydifluoromethane or hexafluorocyclopropane, or a mixture of two or more thereof, in an amount of at least 75% based on the weight of the composition, (b) 1,1,1,2- or 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoroethane, trifluoromethoxypentafluoroethane, 1,1,1,2,3,3-heptafluoropropane or a mixture of two or more thereof, in an amount of from 10 to 20% by weight based on the weight of the composition and (c) an ethylenically unsaturated or saturated hydrocarbon, optionally containing one or more oxygen atoms, with a boiling point from −50° C. to +35° C., or a mixture thereof in an amount from 1% to 4% by weight based on the weight of the composition the weight ratio of component (a): component (b) being at least 4:1.
US07648641B2
A method of the present invention is presented for deep etching of features on a surface. In one embodiment, the method includes providing a substrate having a surface selected to undergo a feature etching process and coating the substrate surface with a protective layer and an imprintable layer. The coated substrate is then subjected to a feature imprinting and etching process. Subsequent to the feature etching process, exposed portions of the protective layer are removed, exposing a well-defined, topographically patterned substrate. In addition, an apparatus for undergoing a feature etching process is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a substrate, an imprintable layer selected to undergo an imprinting process, and a protective layer positioned between the substrate and the imprintable layer. The protective layer may be selected to provide additional protection to selected portions of the substrate and to prevent non-planar byproducts of the feature etching process from transferring to the selected portions.
US07648640B2
A method for treating contaminates includes delivering a stream of a fluid to a directional microporous diffuser that has a sidewall with microscopic openings and has a partitioned interior region to effect discharge of microbubbles from less than the entire sidewall portion of the directional microporous diffuser at any particular interval of time. The directional microporous diffuser described include an elongated member providing the sidewall, the sidewall defining an interior portion of said member and coupled to the first inlet port and a partition member that divides the interior of the elongated member into plural, mutually isolated regions. End caps are disposed to seal ends of the directional microporous diffuser.
US07648637B1
The invention relates to a method for removing impurities from an aqueous stream. The method includes directing the aqueous stream into an adsorbent contact zone and contacting the aqueous stream with an adsorbent material in the adsorbent contact zone so that impurities in the aqueous stream are adsorbed onto the adsorbent material. The aqueous stream and the adsorbent material is then directed to a ballasted flocculation zone where the adsorbent material is mixed with ballast to form sludge. The aqueous stream is then separated from the sludge to produce treated water and the sludge is settled in a settling zone. The ballast is then separated from the sludge and directed to the ballasted flocculation zone while the sludge and the adsorbent material are directed to a transition zone. In addition, the method requires measuring the concentration of the adsorbent material in the adsorbent contact zone and adding adsorbent material to the aqueous stream if the value of the measured concentration of the adsorbent material in the absorbent contact zone is below a predetermined threshold value.
US07648635B2
In a method for extracting ingredients, particularly foreign substances, from liquids or solids dispersions by using compressed extraction agents such as, for instance, supercritical or liquid carbon dioxide, the liquid or dispersion is applied as a thin film in a pressure-tight reactor and the surface of the thin film is treated with the extraction agent, particularly carbon dioxide, wherein the surface of the thin film is constantly renewed over at least a portion of the layer thickness of the thin film by mechanically acting on said liquid or dispersion.
US07648632B2
A device is disclosed for receiving and separating chips and coolant collecting on machine tools in which unfiltered coolant is prevented from penetrating tanks for filtered coolant in the event a receiving tank overflows. This is achieved in that holders, whose projecting ends, which are directed downward, extend into an overflow channel, are tightly attached externally to the wall of the receiving tank. The overflow channel is guided around the device at a level below the top edge of the receiving tank and is removably held on the holders. The overflow channel tightly covers tanks located beneath it having filtered coolant. The inner edge of the overflow channel neighboring the receiving tank lies at a higher level than the outer edge of the overflow channel, which is further away from the receiving tank, and at least one outlet device is provided in the bottom region of the overflow channel.
US07648630B2
An underwater filtration system or operator which can be floated on and suspended in a river, lake, pond or other water body to filter water from the water body. The underwater filtration operator may be electrically charged with simultaneous introduction of continuous forced air to remove impurities from the water body and increase filtering efficiency and the system includes a split housing having a selected configuration and divided into one or more filtration units, each of which includes a filter medium or mediums for filtering water from the water body. A pump is provided in the interior of the system housing for receiving the filtered water from the filtration units and pumping the filtered water to a collection tank or dispenser, directly to an end user or to a reverse-osmosis water filtration unit for further filtration. This unique operator allows selected individual filtration compartments to be backwashed while other filtration compartments are producing filtered water without the necessity of an external clean water storage tank.
US07648625B2
Methods and systems for contacting a crude feed with one or more catalysts produces a total product that include a crude product are described. The crude product is a liquid mixture at 25° C. and 0.101 MPa. One or more properties of the crude product may be changed by at least 10% relative to the respective properties of the crude feed. The produced crude product may include sulfur, residue, Micro-Carbon Residue, C5 asphaltenes, or mixtures thereof.
US07648623B2
This assembly provides a flexible method of attaching discrete sacrificial anodes to exposed steel in concrete construction to achieve an advantageous distribution of protection current. It comprises a base metal [1] that is less noble than steel, a conductor [6] connected to the base metal, a tying point [2] formed at least in part by the conductor, and a tie [4] that passes through the tying point [2] and around the steel [5]. The tie is used to physically tie the anode between steel bars prior to placing the concrete and in the process to electrically connect the anode to the steel. The tying point is open to facilitate adjusting the tie. The separation of the tie from an anode assembly with a tying point allows the tie to be selected during installation when the properties required by the application are known.
US07648621B2
The present invention pertains to an electrolytic copper plating method characterized in employing pure copper as the anode upon performing electrolytic copper plating, and performing electrolytic copper plating with the pure copper anode having a crystal grain diameter of 10 μm or less or 60 μm or more or a non-recrystallized anode. Provided are an electrolytic copper plating method and a pure copper anode for electrolytic copper plating used in such electrolytic copper plating method capable of suppressing the generation of particles such as sludge produced on the anode side within the plating bath upon performing electrolytic copper plating, and capable of preventing the adhesion to a semiconductor wafer, as well as a semiconductor wafer plated with the foregoing method and anode having low particle adhesion.
US07648616B1
A number of apertures are defined within a wall of a chamber defined to maintain an electrolyte solution. A cation exchange membrane is disposed within the chamber over the number of apertures. The electrolyte solution pressure within the chamber causes the cation exchange membrane to extend through the apertures beyond an outer surface of the chamber. A cathode is disposed within the chamber. The cathode is maintained at a negative bias voltage relative to a top surface of a wafer to be planarized. When the top surface of the wafer is brought into proximity of the cation exchange membrane extending through the apertures, and a deionized water layer is disposed between the top surface of the wafer and the cation exchange membrane, a cathode half-cell is established such that metal cations are liberated from the top surface of the wafer and plated on the cathode in the chamber.
US07648614B2
A web making machine is monitored to identify at least one cross-machine direction (CD) actuator that is developing local mapping problems. The identified CD actuator and a segment of surrounding actuators are probed to determine a performance curve for the actuator. The center of an insensitivity region of the performance curve is selected as an optimal mapping alignment setting for the identified actuator with the setting for the actuator being updated. Global smoothing may also be accomplished by probing a global smoothness factor to generate a corresponding performance curve that is then similarly used to select an optimal value for the smoothness factor.
US07648611B2
A plasma etching system for etching, in particular anisotropic etching, of a substrate by using a plasma. The plasma etching system has a first plasma-generating device which is inductively coupled in particular and has a first arrangement for generating a first high-frequency electromagnetic alternating field, a first plasma-generating area for generating a first plasma and a first gas feed, as well as a first plasma-generating device downstream from a second plasma-generating device which is inductively coupled in particular and has a second arrangement for generating a second high-frequency electromagnetic alternating field, a second plasma-generating area for generating a second plasma and a second gas feed. The substrate to be etched is arranged in the first plasma-generating device. The second plasma is suppliable to the first plasma-generating device via the first gas feed at least partially as a first reactive gas.
US07648609B2
The invention relates to the use of a two-phase polymer combination which is dissoluble in aqueous alkali and comprises a. an alkali-soluble copolymer or terpolymer of an α,β-unsaturated monocarboxylic acid which possesses carboxyl groups distributed essentially uniformly over the chain of the molecule, as a continuous phase, and b. a copolymer or terpolymer which is insoluble in aqueous alkali and contains epoxy groups along its polymer chain, as a discontinuous finely disperse phase, c. free epoxy groups on the surface of the polymer particles of the discontinuous phase being linked to one another by esterification with some of the carboxyl groups of the polymer of the continuous phase, and the remaining carboxyl groups being present in unchanged form, as an adhesive. The polymer combination, which is not tacky in the dry state, can be made tacky by supplying aqueous moisture to it.
US07648605B2
A method of bonding an insulation layer (26) to a CMC layer (22) by applying a compliant joining layer (24) between them in a series of steps (52-70) effective to bond the layers (22, 24, 26) with reduced differential shrinkage stresses during firing and reduced residual stresses. The CMC layer (22) and the compliant layer (24) may each be fired to an intermediate stage prior to applying the next layer (24 and 26 respectively), such that the compliant layer (24) has a remaining amount of curing shrinkage between that of the CMC layer (22) and the insulating layer (26) during a final firing stage. The insulation layer (26) may be a friable graded insulation (26F) cast as a composite of hollow ceramic spheres (26S) in a ceramic matrix (26M). The compliant layer (24) may form a checkerboard of cracks (72) oriented generally perpendicular to the layer surface that function to relax stress. The cracks define columns (74) of material that form a bond at opposed ends to the CMC layer and to the insulation respectively.
US07648603B2
A primer formulated with a colorless dye detectable only under black light is provided. The present invention is non-detectable on a porous surface and color does not appear over time upon exposure to natural or synthetic lights. Under black light, sometimes referred to as ultra violet energy or long wave black light, the colorless dye appears as purple. However, once the black light is removed, the primer ceases to glow and returns to its natural, colorless state.
US07648600B2
A heat treatment apparatus 10 comprises a supporting unit 20 for supporting a columnar workpiece 12 turnably, and an induction-heating coil 30 for induction-heating the workpiece 12 supported turnably by the supporting unit 20. Below the workpiece 12 supported by the supporting unit 20, a cooling tank 50 is provided which contains a liquid coolant. The workpiece 12 is made of steel such as carbon steel for mechanical structure, and spring steel. The workpiece 12 is made of a material which has a magnetic transformation point at 770° C. The material is ferromagnetic below this temperature, and becomes paramagnetic above this temperature.
US07648598B2
A manufacturing method for an isothermal evaporation casting process is disclosed and to design the manufacturing method for the simple atmospheric casting. The present invention can melt the Mg—Ni alloy with the aspect of totally different melting points thereof, and the other elements can be added during melting simultaneously. Through the Mg—Ni alloy with a suitable weight ratio, the eutectic alloy of Mg/Mg2Ni and high purified γ-phase Mg2Ni can be made. Then adding other elements are to produce the composition of Mg/Ni/M. By way of the manufacturing method of the present invention, the melting equipment is simplified; and, through different manufacturing steps, the purposes of time-saving and low cost are reached; further that, a large amount of the eutectic alloy of Mg/Mg2Ni with different kinds of ratios of Mg, high purified γ-phase Mg2Ni, or the composition of Mg/Ni/M can be obtained.
US07648597B2
The present invention provides a method for manufacturing high tensile strength steel plate having 570 MPa (N/mm2) or larger tensile strength and having also extremely superior balance of strength and toughness both before PWHT and after PWHT to that of the conventional steel plates, by specifically specifying the temperature-rising rate at the plate thickness center portion of a quenched and tempered material during tempering, and to be concrete, the method has the steps of: casting a steel consisting essentially of 0.02 to 0.18% C, 0.05 to 0.5% Si, 0.5 to 2.0% Mn, 0.005 to 0.1% Al, 0.0005 to 0.008% N, 0.03% or less P, 0.03% or less S, by mass, and balance of Fe and inevitable impurities; hot-rolling the cast steel without cooling the steel to the Ar3 transformation point or lower temperature, or after reheating the steel to the Ac3 transformation point or higher temperature, to a specified plate thickness; cooling the steel by direct quenching from the Ar3 transformation point or higher temperature, or by accelerated cooling, to 400° C. or lower temperature; and then tempering the steel, using a heating apparatus being installed directly connecting the manufacturing line containing a rolling mill and a direct-quenching apparatus or an accelerated cooling apparatus, to 520° C. or above of the maximum ultimate temperature at the plate thickness center portion at an average temperature-rising rate of 1° C./s or larger at the plate thickness center portion up to a specified tempering temperature between 460° C. and the Ac1 transformation point.
US07648592B2
A stent that is at least partially formed of a novel metal alloy, which novel metal alloy improves the physical properties of the stent.
US07648585B2
The invention relates to a method for cleaning an incubator and to an incubator designed for carrying out the method. The method involves disinfecting the incubator, or at any rate the climatic chamber and/or removable parts present in it during the incubation process, by means of a disinfecting heat treatment. Said heat treatment can comprise a step in which the incubator, or at any rate the climatic chamber, is heated to a temperature of at least 50° C., in particular a temperature of approximately 58° to 65° C. for at least 25 minutes. The invention further relates to an incubator, in which the temperature relating means used for the incubation process are further designed for carrying out a disinfecting heat treatment in the climatic chamber.
US07648584B2
A cleaning material is disposed over a substrate. The cleaning material includes solid components dispersed within a liquid medium. A force is applied to the solid components within the liquid medium to bring the solid components within proximity to contaminants present on the substrate. The force applied to the solid components can be exerted by an immiscible component within the liquid medium. When the solid components are brought within sufficient proximity to the contaminants, an interaction is established between the solid components and the contaminants. Then, the solid components are moved away from the substrate such that the contaminants having interacted with the solid components are removed from the substrate.
US07648576B2
After cleaning the front and back sides of a silicon wafer with a liquid SC-1 and liquid SC-2, the front and back sides of the silicon wafer are cleaned with an HF solution to be water-repellent surfaces. Following that, an epitaxial layer of silicon is formed on the front side. Consequently, there can be reduced stacking faults after formation of the epitaxial layer and occurrence of cloud on the back side. Alternatively, the front and back sides of a silicon wafer are cleaned with the liquid SC-1 and liquid SC-2, and then the back side of the silicon wafer is cleaned with an HF solution to be a water-repellent surface while the front side is cleaned with purified water to be a hydrophilic surf ace. Following that, an epitaxial layer of silicon is formed on the front side. Consequently, there can be reduced mounds on the front side and occurrence of cloud on the back side.
US07648573B2
Pigment wetting agent contains a mixture of monoesters and diesters of butylene glycol and fatty acids.
US07648572B2
A non-aqueous pigment dispersion including a diketopyrrolo-pyrrole pigment, a polymeric dispersant, and a dispersion synergist in a dispersion medium wherein the dispersion synergist is a quinacridone derivative containing at least one acidic group or a salt thereof.
US07648567B2
A hydrogen accumulation and storage material and a method of forming thereof are provided. The material comprises a plurality of various-sized and at least partially permeable to hydrogen microspheres bound together to form a rigid structure in which a diameter of the microspheres is reduced from a center of the structure towards edges of the structure. An outer surface of the rigid structure can be enveloped by a sealing layer, thereby closing interspherical spaces.
US07648563B2
A method of assembling a baghouse bag filter tensioning assembly is provided. The assembly includes a compressible spring having a progressively increasing spring rate. The spring rate facilitates induction of a substantially constant spring tension over a range of pre-determined operating conditions. The method includes coupling the spring to a bag filter support frame and a bag filter. The method also includes compressing the spring into a pretensioned condition. The method further includes coupling a bag filter to a baghouse floor. The method also includes decompressing the spring such that a tension induced in the bag filter is substantially similar to the spring tension induced over a range of pre-determined operating conditions.
US07648562B2
In a PSA separation method with compression (C1, C2) of at least one offgas (3), in case of temporary shutdown of one of the compressors (C1, C2), the operating parameters of the PSA unit (S) are changed to increase the outlet pressure of the offgas (3), in order to maintain a production level above 50% with a single compressor (C1).
US07648561B2
A process for recycling composite materials includes the steps of feeding a quantity of composite material composed of at least one polymer and aluminum into at least one first reactor; heating the composite material in a non-oxidizing environment at a temperature sufficient to volatilize the at least one polymer and form a hydrocarbon by-product and aluminum in the at least one first reactor; feeding the aluminum free of the at least one polymer into a second reactor; and heating the aluminum in a non-oxidizing environment at a temperature sufficient to melt the aluminum in the second reactor.
US07648557B2
Disclosed is an improved process for making highly dispersible, spherical silver particles. In particular, the invention is directed to a process for making silver particles, which are very high solids and highly ordered. The silver particles formed are particularly useful in electronic applications.
US07648556B2
A method of manufacturing nickel nanoparticles and nickel nanoparticles thus produced, having superior dispersion stability and smooth surface, by reducing after forming nickel-hydrazine complex in a reverse microemulsion, where the method includes forming an aqueous solution including nickel precursor, surfactant, and hydrophobic solvent, forming nickel-hydrazine complex by adding a reducing agent that includes hydrazine to the mixture, and producing nickel nanoparticles by adding a reducing agent to the mixture that includes the nickel-hydrazine complex.
US07648555B2
Disclosed is a method for carrying out a reaction in a microreaction chamber. Nanoparticles which have been advantageously subjected to specific reactions in the microreaction chamber are used for carrying out the reaction. The obtained reaction product, which is preferably also provided in the form of nanoparticles. can then be removed from the microreaction chamber. Advantageously, the ongoing reaction can be specifically influenced by using the microreaction chamber. Both endothermic and exothermic reactions can be carried out with an accurately predictable result by feeding energy in a dosed manner into/out of the reaction chamber.
US07648551B2
Method and plant for pre-heating, transforming and melting a metal charge comprising metal scrap, in an electric arc furnace associated with a tunnel to transport, pre-heat and discharge the scrap. The furnace comprises a hearth and a roof through which the electrodes pass. The method provides that the furnace is weighed at least periodically in order to detect the quantity of discharged scrap present inside the furnace itself, that the temperature of the liquid bath inside the furnace is detected at least periodically and that at least the discharge delivery of the scrap inside the furnace is detected by weighing and is regulated in order to maintain the temperature of the liquid bath around a pre-determined value.
US07648550B2
Disclosed are ceramic honeycomb articles, which are composed predominately of a crystalline phase cordierite composition. The ceramic honeycomb articles possess a microstructure characterized by a unique combination of relatively high total porosity of less than 54%, and relatively narrow pore size distribution having a d10 pore diameter of not less than 8 μm, a d90 pore diameter of not greater than 35 μm, and a value of df=(d50−d10)/d50 of less than 0.50. The articles exhibit high thermal durability and high filtration efficiency coupled with low pressure drop across the filter. Such ceramic articles are particularly well suited for filtration applications, such as diesel exhaust filters or DPFs. Also disclosed are methods for manufacturing the ceramic articles of the present invention.
US07648542B1
A bag house filtration system in which the filter media includes a woven textile formed from glass yarns other high temperature resistant yarns. A first bath is applied to the textile which contains a conductive component, a first fluoropolymer and a lubricant (in some cases where the yarns are glass). A second bath containing primarily a second fluoropolymer is then applied to the textile and the first composition to seal the first composition on the textile. The textile, so treated dissipates the static electricity normally generated in the filter media thus reducing excessive buildup of contaminating particles and enhancing cleaning of the bag during use.
US07648539B2
The present invention is a hybrid diesel fuel and method of manufacture. The fuel composes a petroleum diesel fuel mixed into a biosynthetic waste or virgin oil and further containing a stabilizer. The hybrid fuel consists essentially of about 10% to 50% of Diesel Number 1, Diesel Number 2, or Farm Diesel petroleum fuels, and up to 90% filtered and polished biosynthetic oil, measured by volume. The biosynthetic oil can contain all levels of common commercial vegetable and animal fats in any ratio. The hybrid fuel also contains up to about 0.17% stabilizer, which further contains cetane boosters, cleaning agents to remove deposits from the fuel system, a lubricant, demulsifiers, and anti-gelling agents. The invention functions as biocide to inhibit bacterial growth. The invention is substantially equivalent to Diesel Number 2 in terms of power and engine speed, but is cleaner burning and considerably less costly.
US07648536B2
Disclosed herein are methods for coloring keratinous fibers comprising applying to the fibers a dyeing composition comprising at least one aminopyrazolopyridine base, said coloring method being performed without the addition of chemical oxidizing agents.
US07648534B2
The present disclosure relates to compositions useful for maintaining the clean impression of a carpet (that is, its scent and appearance) over an extended time despite occurrences that might damage the carpet surface. The composition, which includes an antimicrobial agent, an enzyme inhibitor, and an odor-reacting compound, can be used by a consumer to remove contaminants from the carpet and to prevent the odor associated with the decomposition of future contamination. Specifically, the composition has been shown effective in neutralizing odors associated with the decomposition of organic materials (such as urine or food spills) by absorbing and/or removing the odor-generating source. A manufacturing treatment composition and methods for using are also disclosed.
US07648533B2
A simple, inexpensive prosthetic foot is provided incorporating a cushioned ankle including an ankle block formed of a resilient material or bladder having desired compliance and energy return characteristics. The ankle block is sandwiched between a foot element and an ankle element. One or more openings extends through the ankle block with a substantially transverse orientation relative to a forward walking motion. The size and shape of these openings, as well as the insertion of different types of stiffeners therein, provide desired performance characteristics to the ankle block. When the ankle block takes the form of one or more inflatable bladders, the pressure within these bladders is individually controlled by valves to provide desired performance characteristics to different portions of the prosthetic foot. A pump system can also be used to control and generate fluid pressure into these bladders. A preferred pump system generates fluid pressure based upon the movement of the amputee onto two telescoping pylons that are connected to the prosthetic foot.
US07648521B2
A system for installing a cross member between first and second anchor members within a patient's body generally includes first and second docking members configured to be removably coupled to the respective first and second anchor members. Each docking member has a first end with an opening, a second end, and a body extending between the first and second ends. The body includes an outer surface with an opening, and a bore extends from the opening on the first end of the body to the opening on the outer surface. The openings on the outer surface of each docking member are configured to be aligned so that the bore in the first docking member is able to direct a wire member into the bore in the second docking member. A method for minimally invasive surgery using the system is also disclosed.
US07648509B2
Improved tools and procedures relate to the immobilization of the sacroiliac joint for the treatment of pain associated with the joint. Kits comprise, for example, a guide element and an immobilization element of a biocompatible material with a size and shape suitable for placement within the sacroiliac joint. Suitable immobilization elements include, for example, pins, nails, screws, darts, wedges, shims and hardening material. A bioactive agent can be delivered into the joint to compliment the immobilization and promote healing. Suitable procedures can be done in a less invasive procedure through a cannula or the like.
US07648503B2
A gas-enhanced electrosurgical method and apparatus for coagulating tissue. The apparatus includes a first tube with a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end of the first tube is configured to receive pressurized ionizable gas. The distal end of the first tube is configured to deliver ionized gas towards a treatment area. The apparatus also includes at least one electrode positioned to selectively ionize the pressurized ionizable gas before the pressurized ionizable gas exits the distal end of the first tube. The electrode is adapted to operatively couple to an electrical energy source. The apparatus also includes a second tube with proximal and distal ends. The second tube is configured to selectively evacuate the ionized gas and dislodged tissue material from the treatment area.
US07648501B2
An integrated catheter assembly for enabling diverse endoscopic in situ therapies. The assembly includes a catheter with an irrigation fluid lumen, a distal electrode tip portion that acts as a hemostat, and a cutting wire for making incisions in or ablating tissue. A cutting wire hub provides a sealing entrance for a cutting wire. An operator enables the physician to displace the cutting wire between extended and retracted positions. The cutting wire and electrode are electrically isolated. In addition, the catheter assembly may include a planar tip which, when extended outside the distal end of the assembly, assumes a substantially flat unbiased configuration for use. The apparatus of the present invention allows the physician to make incisions in or ablate tissue using electrosurgery, irrigate tissue, and cauterize or coagulate tissue without having to remove the apparatus from the working channel of the endoscope.
US07648488B2
Disclosed is an apparatus for the treatment of a wound on a patient. The apparatus is capable of administering localized negative pressure therapy to the wound using a negative pressure source and a drain line for removing exudate from the wound. The apparatus is also capable of administering localized hyperbaric fluid therapy to the wound using a fluid source and a supply line for supplying fluid to the wound.
US07648483B2
Apparatuses for automatic medicament injection and methods for manufacturing automatic medicament injectors are described herein. In some embodiments, an apparatus includes a housing, a needle, an energy storage member, an actuator, a locking member, and a needle guard. The needle is configured to move between a first position and a second position. In its first position, the needle is contained within the housing. In its second position, at least a portion of the needle extends from the housing. The energy storage member has a first configuration and a second configuration and is configured to produce a force when moving between its first configuration and its second configuration to move the needle from its first position to its second position. The actuator is configured to move the energy storage member from its first configuration to its second configuration. The locking member is movably coupled to the distal end portion of the housing such that the locking member can be moved between a first position and a second position. In its first position, the locking member is configured to engage the actuator to prevent the actuator from moving the energy storage member to the second configuration. The needle guard is removably coupled to at least one of the distal end portion of the housing or a base movably coupled to the distal end portion of the housing.
US07648477B2
Equipment for controlling blood flow in an extra-corporeal blood circuit, comprising at least a first sensor (11), de-signed to measure an arterial pressure (Part) upstream of a peristaltic pump (9); at least a second sensor (12), designed to measure an angular velocity (Ω) of the peristaltic pump; a memory (14) de-signed to store at least one set value (Qset) of the desired blood flow through the access branch, and a calibration function (F) in at least the variables (vI), related to the angular velocity (Ω) of the pump, (v2), related to the arterial pressure (Part) in the portion of the said access branch upstream of the peristaltic pump, (v3), related to an actual flow of blood (Qactual) through the said access branch; and at least one control unit (13), capable of calculating an actual flow value (Qactual) by applying the function F to the values of angular velocity and arterial pressure (Part, Ω) measured by the sensors; comparing the actual flow (Qactual) with the desired flow (Qset); and varying the angular velocity of the said peristaltic pump if the Qactual—Qset lies outside a predetermined range.
US07648468B2
A body fluid sampling system for use on a tissue site includes an electrically powered drive force generator. A penetrating member is operatively coupled to the force generator. The force generator moves the member along a path out of a housing having a penetrating member exit, into the tissue site, stops in the tissue site, and withdraws out of the tissue site. A cartridge houses the penetrating member. The cartridge has first and second seals coupled to the penetrating member to maintain a sterile environment around a portion of the penetration member prior to penetrating member actuation.
US07648465B2
A method for direct indication of the IOP level without requiring an additional pressure transducer being introduced into the irrigation path. The method of the present invention estimates resistance ratio for a particular setup, and thus does not assume a typical value; the estimation is performed in a pre-operational configuration that is the closest possible to the surgical configuration.
US07648464B1
Methods and systems are presented for using an ICD to detect myocardial ischemia. In one embodiment, a method includes sensing a signal indicative of cardiac pressure, measuring a height of the sensed signal at a peak amplitude of the sensed signal, and measuring a duration of the sensed signal. The method further includes indicating an ischemia based on a comparison of a ratio of the height to the duration with a predetermined value. In another embodiment, a method includes sensing a signal indicative of cardiac pressure, determining a derivative signal that is a first derivative of the sensed signal, measuring a maximum positive value of the derivative signal, and measuring a maximum negative value of the derivative signal. The method further includes indicating an ischemia based on a comparison of a ratio of the maximum positive value to the maximum negative value with a predetermined value.
US07648454B2
A magnetic therapy device has been disclosed. In one embodiment of the magnetic therapy device, the device is disk-shaped, four inches in diameter, and ¾inches thick. A disk with ten neodymium magnets mounted on the disk is mounted on a motor. The motor spins the disk, creating a dynamic magnetic field that may be useful for healing human tissue. The motor is powered by a rechargeable battery, which in turn is recharged via an inductive coil. The inductive recharging system allows the device to be completely sealed with no electrical contacts, making it safe to use near water. This embodiment also has a sequential controller which causes the device to become active for thirty minutes and then become inactive, and uses a tri-state LED to indicate the status of the device.
US07648450B2
An apparatus for physical fitness physical strength, agility and endurance training. A controllable pressurized flow of fluid is first received via a hose to a source of the pressurized fluid. In response to this flow of fluid, a force is generated along at least one of a plurality of selected directions using one or more apertures or nozzles. The force is then transferred to a user of the apparatus so as to supply physical resistance training to the user. The apparatus further includes a user engaging mechanism that is connected to the propulsion system, and is configured to transmit exercise forces to an associated user. The apparatus further includes controls for controlling the magnitude and direction of the reaction force vector applied to the user engaging mechanism. Various embodiments of user engaging members, including blocking dummies, handles, gloves, helmets, shoes, straps or balls, may be attached to the propulsion system.
US07648449B1
The present invention relates to a floating exercise mat. The mat has a substantially planar surface with distal and proximal ends. The mat has a headrest secured to the proximal end. The headrest is thicker than the body of the mat to support the head of a user. The body of the mat has two apertures therein, where each aperture has a handle disposed therein. The handles provide the user a gripping surface so that the user can perform exercises when gripping the floating mat. The distal end of the body of the mat has resistance wings secured thereon. The resistance wings can be made of a rigid material such as polycarbonate. The wings can be in the shape of a oval, triangle, semicircle, triangle, or a rectangle.
US07648444B2
The leg exercise device of the present invention is provided a base assembly for supporting an adjustable handle assembly and a footplate support assembly. The handle assembly has a pair of tubular support members secured at a lower end adjacent the center of the base assembly at an angle between 45 degrees and 90 degrees. The handle assembly also includes a U-shaped handle bar having a pair of arms that are telescopically received within the tubular support members, and locking for adjustably securing the handle bar to the tubular support members. A footplate support assembly is secured to the tubular support members for rotatably supporting two footplates for independent pivotal movement on an axis above the center of the base assembly.
US07648438B2
A differential assembly includes a retainer for a cross pin having a bore aligned with a bore formed in a differential housing. The cross pin retainer is positionable at partially-inserted and fully-inserted positions within the cross pin and differential bores. At a first rotational orientation, the cross pin retainer is positionable in its partially-inserted position to temporarily retain the cross pin within the differential housing. At a second rotational orientation, the cross pin retainer is positionable in its fully-inserted position to retain the cross pin within the differential housing. Features of the cross pin retainer cooperate with surfaces formed in the differential housing to allow the cross pin retainer to be fixedly positioned and secured within the differential housing.
US07648435B2
A belt-type continuously variable transmission (15) includes a primary sheave (29) having a pair of first clamp surfaces (37a, 37b), a secondary sheave (30) having a pair of second clamp surfaces (51a, 51b), and a belt (31) endlessly wound between both the sheaves (29, 30). The belt (31) has contact surfaces (58a, 58b) clamped between the first clamp surfaces (37a, 37b) and between the second clamp surfaces (51a, 51b). Powder (64) having infusibility as a friction enhancing material is held on at least one of the first clamp surfaces (37a, 37b) of the primary sheave (29), the second clamp surfaces (51a, 51b) of the secondary sheave (30), and the contact surfaces (58a, 58b) of the belt (31).
US07648433B1
A device for playing a ball game by hurling a ball against a wall and catching it on the rebound is described. The device comprises a hollow, cylindrical body member resembling an elongated capsule with the top half of the capsular diameter removed for approximately ⅔ of its length, forming thus an open topped channel section, the remainder forming a closed end base section the rounded end of which serves as the hand hold for using the device, the inner surface of the channel and base sections integrally defining a passageway for the ball when it is either thrown or caught by the device; a safety strap including means for its connection to the device and attachment to the player's wrist is also described.
US07648402B2
A plug-in battery pack for an electrical tool includes a mechanical coding of a coding system for cooperation with a mechanical counterpart coding of the coding system associated with the electrical tool, in which the coding extends in the insertion direction of the battery pack. The coding has at least one recess that cooperates on opposite sides with at least one projection that is situated on the tool and constitutes the counterpart coding. The coding rib extends out from the wall of the recess.
US07648399B1
An all-in-one card connector includes a base frame, a cover member; a first terminal having a plurality of first terminals each having a molding part embedded in the base frame and a rear end thereof partially exposed outside a rear end of the base frame; a bridge piece set having a plurality of bridge pieces having a molding part embedded in the base frame, a front end partially exposed outside the base frame, and a rear end partially exposed outside the rear end of the base frame; and a second terminal set having a plurality of second terminals mounted to a terminal rack mounted to the base frame each having a rear end partially exposed outside the terminal rack and in contact with the front end of the bridge piece.
US07648398B1
A memory card connector includes an insulating housing, a plurality of terminals and an ejection mechanism mounted to a side of the insulating housing. The insulating housing defines a receiving space for receiving a memory card and a plurality of terminal grooves for correspondingly receiving the terminals therein. The ejection mechanism includes a slider. The slider has a base body, a sliding body extending inward from a rear of the base body to be located in the receiving space, and an elongated locking body extending frontward from a root portion of the sliding body and spaced from a bottom wall of the insulating housing. A free end of the locking body is projected downward to form a projection for being buckled into a recess formed at a side of the memory card.
US07648397B2
An electronic part equipped unit includes a case body that includes a first recess portion for containing an electronic part and a second recess portion for containing a relay terminal which is connected to the electronic part, a wire side terminal to which a middle portion of a wire is attached, and a cover member to which the wire side terminal is attached. A wire positioning rib is formed on the cover member and is brought into contact with the wire to position the wire. A wire position correcting rib for correcting a position of the wire is formed in the second recess portion. The wire position correcting rib which is inserted into an inner portion of the cover member corrects the position of the wire when the cover member to which the wire side terminal is attached is fitted to the second recess portion of the case body.
US07648394B2
An electrical coaxial connector comprising a body made of insulator to be put on a circuit board, a signal-joining contacting conductor held by the body, and a grounding contacting conductor formed into a cylindrical shape and held also by the body for surrounding the signal-joining contacting conductor on the circuit board, wherein the grounding contacting conductor has an arm portion extending toward the circuit board from one of ring-shaped ends of the grounding contacting conductor, which is more distant from the circuit board than the other, a grounding terminal portion is formed at an end of the arm portion to be soldered to a ground-potential terminal provided on the circuit board, and each of the grounding contacting conductor and the arm portion is resilient.
US07648390B2
An electrical connector (100) includes an insulative housing (10), a number of first contacts (20), a contact module (30) and a metallic shell (40). The insulative housing has a mating face (14), a first receiving cavity (15) and a second receiving cavity (16) recessed from the mating face. The first contacts are disposed in the insulative housing. The contact module is received in the second receiving cavity and has an insulative base (31), a number of second contacts (32) and a shielding plate (33). The metallic shell is attached to the mating face of the insulative housing and having a plate section (41) defining a central opening (410) in alignment with the first receiving cavity, and a pair of opposite ends (42) extending from the plate section and inserted in the insulative housing. The metallic shell has electrical connection with the shielding plate of the contact module.
US07648382B1
A socket adapted for electrically connecting a module, comprises a board-like housing, and a plurality of latching units provided on the housing for retaining the module. Each latching unit has at least one latching arm and a silicon plug abutting against the latching arm. The silicon plug can support the latching arm and provide an additional strength for the latching arm.
US07648380B2
A pin connector assembly comprising a socket (11) adapted to receive a cylindrical electrical plug (12), the plug having a central longitudinal bore (17), the socket being in the form of an insulated housing having a cylindrical receptacle (13) with a pin (14) located in the centre thereof, said pin (14) being adapted to be located in the bore (17) of the plug when the plug and the socket are in mating connection, the assembly further comprising an annular resilient collar (20) adapted to fit either over the pin (14) of the socket or within the bore (17) of the plug and which compresses radially inwards when the circumference of the bore and the pin are of essentially equal size and which remains in an expanded configuration when the circumference of the bore (17) is greater than the circumference of the pin (14), thus maintaining electrical contact between the electrical plug (12) and the socket (11).
US07648378B2
A pipestring (12) wherein the leading coupling portion (221) of a first pipe segment (141) and the trailing coupling portion (242) of a second pipe segment (142) are coupled together. A leading seal part (341) is installed in the leading coupling portion (221) of the first pipe segment (141) and a trailing seal part (362) is installed in the trailing coupling portion (242) of the second pipe segment (142). The seal parts (341, 362) interface to form a fluid seal between the composite pipe segments (141, 142), and also to provide an electrically conductive path between their electrical lines (461, 462).
US07648376B1
A loadbreak connector formed by a power cable elbow and a bushing insert with increased flashover distance is disclosed. The power cable elbow includes a conductive member having an energized portion and a non-energized portion, a cable receiving end, a loadbreak bushing insert receiving end with an elbow cuff that extends beyond the energized portion. The bushing insert includes an insulative outer housing and an insulative interface sleeve. The insulative outer housing has an axial bore with a conductive socket, a first, second end mid-section, and a transition shoulder portion between the second end section and the mid-section. The insulative interface sleeve extends over the outer housing from the mid-section to the second end section. When the power cable elbow is installed on the second end section, the flashover distance from the top of the second end section to the bottom of the elbow cuff is increased.
US07648355B2
A blow-molding or stretch-blow molding plant for making containers from thermoplastic polymer blanks, in particular PET, including a blowing bell-nozzle for blowing a pressurized fluid into a blank arranged in a cavity of a mold, the nozzle having one end adapted to be sealingly supported in front against a support plate provided in one surface of the mold capping the neck of the blank; the support plate is ring-shaped having an outline of similar shape as that of the outline of the end of the nozzle, the ring being engaged in a gutter which is hollowed out in the surface of the mold and which surrounds spaced apart the opening through which the neck of the blank passes.
US07648351B2
A device is described for applying a release agent to a molding ring (1) for a front centering shoulder of a tubular or annular workpiece made of concrete having an application unit connected to a pump for the release agent. To provide advantageous application conditions, it is suggested that the application unit for the release agent have an application roll (4) preferably adapted to the profile of the molding ring (1), whose rotational axis (5) at least approximately runs in a diameter plane of the molding ring (1).
US07648335B2
In the method for interspersing a gas flow with liquid droplets, the liquid droplets are injected in a liquid injection plane into the gas flow, characterized in that an auxiliary gas is simultaneously injected with the liquid droplets into the gas flow. The injection speed of the auxiliary gas is larger than the injection speed of the liquid droplets so that the injected auxiliary gas stabilizes the injected liquid droplets with respect to trajectory and size, partly shields them from the gas flow and/or entrains them into the gas flow. By way of this one achieves an improved control of the spatial distribution of the liquid droplets and their size distribution. The liquid droplets penetrate the gas flow more efficiently than without an auxiliary gas. A preferred use is the online wet-cleaning of a gas turbine compressor.
US07648310B2
Disclosed herein is a soil inflow prevention apparatus in which an angular-rotation opening/closing plate is adapted to be inclined within a predetermined angle by virtue of opening stoppers to prevent a rear portion of the opening/closing plate from being excessively lowered in the beginning that an inflow amount of sewage increases due to rainfall, thereby preventing soil from entering an intercepting sewer in the beginning of an inflow of sewage.
US07648302B2
A ring mechanism for retaining loose-leaf pages comprises a housing, hinge plates, and ring members mounted on the hinge plates for retaining pages on the mechanism. An actuating lever is pivotally mounted on the housing for engaging the hinge plates and pivoting them to selectively move the ring members between an open position and a closed position. A travel bar is operatively connected to the lever for selective movement between a position in which locking elements of the travel bar block the pivoting movement of the hinge plates and a position in which the travel bar allows the hinge plates to pivot. The lever is configured to deform when pivoting the hinge plates to close the ring members to delay movement of the travel bar and locking elements to the blocking position from the onset of pivoting motion of the hinge plates.
US07648298B2
A device for packaging and applying a product may include: a receptacle containing the product; a support that defines a housing configured to pass the product emanating from the receptacle and includes dispersed magnetic particles; and an applicator member retained in the housing.
US07648293B2
Methods and apparatus are provided for specifying media in cluster printing systems that include printers that use device-specific media selection techniques, such as paper catalogs, media tray pulldown menus and media attribute pulldown menus.
US07648284B2
A vehicle wheel bearing apparatus for supporting a driven wheel of a vehicle has an outer member formed with double row outer raceway surfaces on its inner peripheral surface. An inner member includes a wheel hub with an integrally formed wheel mounting flange at one end of the inner member. A cylindrical portion axially extends from the wheel mounting flange. At least one inner ring, formed with at least one of double row inner raceway surfaces, opposes the double row outer raceway surfaces. The inner ring is adapted to be press-fit onto the cylindrical portion of the wheel hub. Double row rolling elements are freely rollably contained between the outer and inner raceway surfaces, respectively, of the outer and inner members. The inner ring is axially immovably secured relative to the wheel hub by a caulked portion. The caulked portion is formed by plastically deforming the end of the axially extending cylindrical portion radially outward. A partition wall is formed in the axially extending cylindrical portion of the wheel hub at a portion subjected to a load applied to at least the inner raceway surface of an inboard side of the double row inner raceway surfaces. A hollow portion is formed within the cylindrical portion at a portion outboard from the partition wall.
US07648278B2
A rotor mount assembly for an electrical machine, such as a high speed aerospace generator, comprises a spring having a simple annular structure together with an oil squeeze film damper (SFD). The spring is engineered to move the rotor critical speeds outside of the extremes of the operating speed range and the SFD damps out the rotor responses as the speed passes through these points.
US07648268B2
A method of making an electronic thermometry assembly includes assembling a magnetic source capable of generating a magnetic field into a housing of the mount. A microcontroller including a resettable anti-theft counter for recording a use-parameter of the thermometer is mounted on a circuit board so that the thermometer is disabled in an anti-theft mode when the counter reaches a pre-selected number. A solid-state sensor in communication with the microcontroller is mounted on the circuit board. The sensor is capable of being activated by the magnetic field of the magnetic source to signal to the microcontroller to reset the anti-theft counter. The circuit board is assembled with the microcontroller and solid-state sensor thereon into a housing of the thermometer.
US07648266B2
The device includes a cover for concealing or revealing a crown, via a relative rotation of the crown and an external casing element. In a preferred embodiment, the cover is secured to a ring slide friction mounted in an annular groove at the base of the middle part and held in place by a washer provided with lugs in order to be screwed into the horns of the middle part.
US07648257B2
Lighting packages are described for light emitting diode (LED) lighting solutions having a wide variety of applications which seek to balance criteria such as heat dissipation, brightness, and color uniformity. The present approach includes a backing of thermally conductive material and two or more arrays of LEDs attached to a printed circuit board (PCB). The PCB is attached to the top surface of the backing and the two or more arrays of LEDs are separated by a selected distance to balance heat dissipation and color uniformity of the LEDs.
US07648255B2
A liquid-activated lighted ice cube includes a battery-powered electrical circuit and LED housed in a hollow body that resembles an ice cube. The circuit includes electrodes exposed to the exterior of the hollow body that, when in contact with water or other liquid beverage, cause the circuit to turn on the LED and illuminate the beverage.
US07648248B2
An ultracompact, lightweight, reflective telescope is described which has no loss due to central obscuration for a beam being projected from its focus. The optical surfaces are composed of matched conics of rotation.
US07648246B2
A projector includes: an imaging structure that photographs an image projected on a projection object to take a photographed image; an imaging control module that performs exposure adjustment in the imaging structure to attain a preset target exposure; a control module that sets the target exposure in the imaging ctrl module; an angle information acquisition module that obtains angle information representing an inclination of the projector to the projection object; and a storage unit that stores a map representing a variation in target exposure against the angle information. The control module controls the angle information acquisition module to obtain the angle information, refers to the map stored in the storage unit to specify a target exposure corresponding to the obtained angle information, and sets the specified target exposure in the imaging control module. Even in the state of elevation projection, this arrangement of the invention enables distinct identification of a maximum brightness position in the photographed image.
US07648240B2
An ophthalmic apparatus comprises a projection system in which a pattern member is provided with a predetermined pattern for measuring the shape of the cornea of an eye of a subject, the predetermined pattern is thereby projected on the cornea of the eye of the subject, and an optical observation system in which light flux having a shape of the predetermined pattern emitted from the projection system is reflected at the cornea of the eye of the subject, the eye of the subject is observed by the light reflected by the cornea. A surface at the eye of the subject side of the pattern member is coated with a paint having a filtering property that transmits infrared light and blocks visible light.
US07648224B2
An inkjet recording apparatus that records an image on a recording medium including: at least one recording head for unused-ink having a nozzle array made of a plurality of nozzles that selectively ejects unused-ink; at least one recording head for recycled-ink having a nozzle array made of a plurality of nozzles that selectively ejects recycled-ink of an equivalent color to the unused-ink ejected from the recording head for unused-ink; a collector that collects ink discharged from the recording head for unused-ink and the recording head for recycled-ink so as to restore an ejectable state of the recording heads; and a recycled-ink supplier that supplies ink, collected by the collector, to the recording head for recycled-ink as recycled-ink.
US07648223B2
A method of capping a pagewidth printhead assembly is provided. The printhead assembly has two confronting pagewidth printheads and a plurality of nozzles located along each printhead and arranged in use to deliver ink onto opposite surfaces of print media as it is transported past the printheads. In the method linear movement of each printhead is effected in a first direction and linear movement of associated capping members is effected in a second direction to a position at which each capping member is located in nozzle capping engagement with the associated printhead. The first and second directions are non-parallel.
US07648222B2
A printhead maintenance station for maintaining a printhead in an operable condition is provided. The maintenance station comprises a maintenance roller having an elastically deformable contact surface for sealing engagement with an ink ejection face of the printhead. The roller is rotatable and moveable between a first position in which the contact surface is sealingly engaged with the face and a second position in which the contact surface is disengaged from face. An ink removal system removes ink from the contact surface when the maintenance roller is rotated.
US07648220B2
Various apparatus and methods relating to determining a quantity measurement of fluid ejected by drop-on-demand nozzles and modifying the ejection parameters based upon the quantity measurement.
US07648218B2
A printing apparatus for effecting printing using a recording head mounted thereto includes a communicating section for communication with an information processing apparatus; a control section for determining a kind of device among a plurality of kinds in response to a predetermined operation for setting the kind of the printing apparatus, and operable for the kind thus determined; a discrimination section for discriminating whether the kind of device is determined or not; and a communication control section for controlling communication with the information processing apparatus by the communicating section in accordance with a result of discrimination of the discrimination section.
US07648204B2
A recliner adjuster includes a guide bracket to be fixed to one of a seat cushion and a seat back that can pivot with respect to the seat cushion, an internal gear to be fixed to the other of the seat cushion and the seat back, a cam interposed between the guide bracket and the internal gear, a pair of lock gears radially slidable in association with an operation of the cam, and a mounting ring for assembling the guide bracket and the internal gear together with the cam and the pair of lock gears interposed therebetween. The mounting ring has a flat annular portion and a cylindrical side portion joined to one of the guide bracket and the internal gear. An outer peripheral surface of the other of the guide bracket and the internal gear is held in sliding contact with an inner surface of the cylindrical side portion of the mounting ring to thereby radially position the other of the guide bracket and the internal gear.
US07648203B2
The invention relates to a fitting (10) for the seat of a vehicle, particularly a motor vehicle, comprising a first fitting part (11), a second fitting part (12) which is mechanically linked to the first fitting part (11), a locking eccentric, and a running eccentric (131), wherein the running eccentric (131) is mounted in relation to the first fitting part (11) and second fitting part (12) by way of a rolling bearing or sliding bearing bushing (28,33), wherein friction between the running eccentric (131) and the sliding bearing bushings (28,33) or between at least one sliding bearing bushing (28, 33) and the associated fitting part (11, 12) is lower than the friction between the locking eccentric and at least one of the fitting parts (11, 12).
US07648194B2
In an indoor structure of a vehicle including a door (12) provided in a door opening (20) at the side of a vehicle and a step (5) for passenger ingress and egress provided on the indoor side of the door opening, the step being located at a lower position than a floor (4) of the vehicle compartment, an expanded floor portion (6) substantially level with the floor (4) is provided on the vehicle rear side of the step (5). Also, a rear leg (24) of a foldable seat (2) is extended outward in the vehicle width direction in the vehicle compartment, and is placed on the expanded floor portion (6).
US07648173B2
An adjustable book cover (10) consisting of a unitary hexagonal sheet of stretchable fabric (16) that is preferably coated with an elastomeric polyurethane resin (15). Interstices (19) of the fabric (16) are filled with at least a single layer of polyurethane resin (15), creating an impermeable waterproof barrier while maintaining the elastic functionality of the book cover (10). The hexagonal sheet has flap portions defined by fold lines (44,46,48) that delineate a laterally formed rectangle within the fabric polygon. Extended edges of the upper and lower shaped flap portions are each bisected by a slot (41) of predetermined depth, thus forming an access aperture (21) for the covers of a book when selected flap portions of the hexagon are secured together.
US07648170B2
A vehicle with an interchangeable suspension system is disclosed. The vehicle includes a forward section with a forward suspension system and a rear section with a rear suspension system. Different forward and rear sections having different suspension systems can be selected and interchangeably attached to a central section. This arrangement allows rapid alteration of a vehicle.
US07648168B2
Disclosed is a collision energy absorbable steering column of a vehicle, which includes a steering shaft having an upper end connected to a steering wheel and a lower end connected to a rack-pinion mechanism; an interior tube for surrounding the steering shaft; an exterior tube for surrounding the interior tube; a wire block assembly fixed to a mounting bracket so as to absorb collision energy by wire deformation when a vehicle crashes against an object; the mounting bracket for supporting the exterior tube, the mounting bracket being fixed to a chassis of the vehicle, the mounting bracket having at least one side rail and at least one wire-assembling hole through which a wire is inserted so as to assemble the mounting bracket with the wire block assembly; and a plate bracket coupled to the mounting bracket by forcibly fitting the plate bracket together with the wire block assembly in the mounting bracket.
US07648166B2
First and second panels of air bag material are secured to one another with at least one seam defining a portion of a perimeter of a cavity bounded by the first and second panels, which is open along at least one unseamed portion extending along the first and second panels between endpoints of at least one seam. An opening in the second panel receives an end portion of an air bag inflator. Inflation gas generated by the air bag inflator is discharged into the air bag through the at least one unseamed portion, at least one of which is oriented downwards when installed in a vehicle. An air bag module cover incorporates first and second laterally opening door portions and a lower downward opening door portion that provide for a downward and outward initial deployment of the air bag.
US07648165B2
A gas bag module for a vehicle occupant restraint system includes a housing and a gas bag (12) accommodated in the housing. The gas bag has a gas bag wall (16). The gas bag module further includes a discharge arrangement (18) having an energetic element (22) for the selective provision of a discharge opening. The energetic element (22) is able to be activated by a control unit (20). The discharge opening is provided by material conversion of the energetic element (22).
US07648156B2
A dual mode wheelchair (300) providing both a maneuverable indoor mode and a travel mode. The wheelchair (300) comprises fore wheels (104) mounted on a fore axis (105) and rear wheels (102) mounted on a rear axis (103). A distance between the fore axis (105) and the rear axis (103) defines a wheelbase of the wheelchair (300). The wheelbase is alterable between a short wheelbase providing a maneuverable mode of the wheelchair (300) and a long wheelbase providing a travel mode of the wheelchair (300). The wheelchair (300) further provides a lowered center of gravity and a reclining position in the travel mode to provide improved stability and occupant security.
US07648150B2
A shock-absorbing device for a stroller includes: a wheel mounting seat including a sleeve part having first and second sides, and an extending part extending outwardly from the first side of the sleeve part; a shock-absorber seat having a first end portion that is formed with a wheel axle-disposing hole, and a second end portion that is pivoted to the second side of the sleeve part, the wheel axle-disposing hole being defined by an axle hole-defining wall; and a resilient shock absorber abutting resiliently against the extending part and the axle hole-defining wall.
US07648145B2
The invention is a panhard bar that can alter the tracking offset while the car is in motion, and allow the driver of the car the ability to change the tracking as the driver desires, thus improving the turning ability of the car as the track condition changes. The present invention mechanically lengthens or shortens the panhard bar thus moving the axle to the left or right. This then changes the tracking of the front to rear wheels. Adjusting means are placed in reach of the driver to accomplish the change. In another embodiment the adjustment means is not controlled by the driver, but rather by a characteristic reaction of the car. The adjustments means may respond to the front wheels turning to the left or right, to deceleration forces indicating a turn on the track is approaching, and to acceleration forces indicating the straightaway of the track is approaching.
US07648141B2
A baseball simulation game includes a standard or universal base unit or structure (20) on which is placed a removable playing field surface (22), as well as a removable outfield fence configuration (24). The playing surface (22) and fence configuration (24) can be changed so that the game unit (20) models or resembles different baseball parks or stadiums that currently exist, that previously existed, or that are fictitious. A pitching pipe (26) is positioned in center field, in alignment with second base (27B), pitching mound (27A), and home plate (27). The ball is pitched by being propelled down the pipe (26) toward home plate (27). The batter operates a bat (80) by pushing or pulling on batting rod (50), having a knob or handle (81) positioned adjacent home plate (27) and a second knob adjacent the entrance end of the pitching pipe (26). Openings are placed in the lower portion of the outfield fence (24) through which the ball is batted, thereby to achieve hits and score runs.
US07648135B2
A body section of an image-forming apparatus accommodates a sheet cassette such that the sheet cassette can be drawn out along a first direction. The sheet cassette has a sheet-position-limiting member. When the sheet cassette is empty of image-recording media, the sheet-position-limiting member is moved in the first direction to a predetermined initial position. When the sheet cassette is drawn out in the first direction, the sheet-position-limiting member moves in a second direction in relation to the sheet cassette. The body section and the sheet cassette are configured such that the sheet-position-limiting member is positioned according to the amount of drawing of the sheet cassette.
US07648120B1
An iris arrangement has first and second annular carrier elements annular elements coaxially arranged and circumferentially interlocked with one another so as to be independently rotatable. A plurality of iris elements each have a first compliant beam element coupled at a first end thereof to the iris element and at a second end thereof to the first annular carrier element, and a second compliant beam element coupled at a first end thereof to the associated iris element and at a second end thereof to the second annular carrier element. Rotatory motion of the carrier elements relative to each other results in substantially radial displacement of each of the iris elements. The plurality of iris elements communicate with one another when disposed in a radially innermost position. A web covers a region between the plurality of iris elements and the circumference of the first and second annular elements.
US07648117B2
A cavity is formed between stationary and movable mold members, and a runner is connected to a gate to the mold cavity to supply a molten resin material thereto. The stationary and movable mold members have bodies of an aluminum alloy of high heat conductivity and light weight. Iron base plating is applied at least to transfer wall surfaces of the cavity, leaving and exposing other wall surfaces in a non-plated state.
US07648115B2
The present invention relates to a seat slide locator for a seat mount assembly on a tractor, riding mower, or off-road utility vehicle. The seat slide locator has a first end, a second end, and a raised portion dimensioned to slidingly fit in a guide slot in the seat support. Each end has an aperture through which the seat securing member may be inserted. The seat slide locator provides a simple, economical component that helps maintain the seat securing members properly aligned and positioned so that the assembly can slide within the guide slot as the seat position is manually adjusted.
US07648114B2
A gripping device arranged in a bracket is disclosed. In at least one embodiment, the gripping device includes a gripping element with an adjustable gripping range. The gripping element extends as a substantially closed loop, and is adapted to receive objects of varying shapes and sizes. The gripping device further includes a support structure and a displacing device, the displacing device being adapted to displace the support structure relative to the bracket and adjust the gripping range by changing a distance between a first attachment on the gripping element arranged adjacent the support structure, and a second attachment on the gripping element which is arranged adjacent the displacing device. A corresponding method of providing a gripping device is also disclosed.
US07648103B2
Aircraft fuel tanks, systems and methods increase an aircraft's fuel capacity. The fuel tanks have a tank body defining an interior space for holding aircraft fuel, and a relief manifold assembly operatively associated to the tank body to prevent an overpressure condition within the interior space of the fuel tank body. The relief manifold assembly preferably includes a buffer vessel defining a buffer chamber in fluid communication with the interior space defined by the fuel tank body. The buffer vessel may advantageously be fixed to the tank body within the interior space thereof. At least one of a fuel vent manifold assembly for venting the interior space of the fuel tank and a fuel refill/transfer manifold assembly for supplying fuel to and withdrawing fuel from the interior space of the fuel tank. At least one control box (e.g., containing valves, pumps and/or sensors) external of the fuel tank may be provided so as to fluid-connect the at least one fluid manifold assembly to the main fuel system of the aircraft. A plurality of aircraft fuel tanks may therefore be positioned adjacent to one another, preferably within the fuselage (e.g., a cargo compartment) of the aircraft so as to be disposed generally along a longitudinal axis of the aircraft.
US07648101B2
In a method and apparatus for controlling the deployment of a towline connecting a mooring craft to an ejected object comprising the steps of monitoring velocity to determine when a point for optimum braking has been achieved and then engaging a brake system to retard deployment of the towline, a DC motor augments and controls the brake system. The DC motor further controls the retrieval of the object. A cutter mechanism uses a first blade to grip the towing cable to maintain tension thereon as a second blade cuts the cable. A spring biased boom in combination with spring biased fins on the ejected object rapidly deploys the object from its storage housing. A locking mechanism secures the deployment mechanism in a stable locked position upon the object reaching its fully extended position.
US07648096B2
A spool brake mechanism 25 is a device for braking a spool. The spool brake mechanism 25 includes a spool brake member 40 and a control component 55. The control component 55 is configured to control a spool brake member with first braking force. The control component 55 is also configured to control the spool brake member with second braking force when tension detected by a tension detection member becomes equal to or less than a reference tension.
US07648095B2
An agitating or dispersing apparatus (1) with a hermetically sealed mixing chamber (5), an agitating or dispersing tool (2) that can be driven in this mixing chamber (5) about a central axis and with a rod-shaped element (3) for transferring the power of a drive (4) onto this tool (2), and with the drive (4) located outside of the mixing chamber (5). The rod-shaped element (3) is connected at the entrance into the mixing chamber (5) to a membrane (6) that is part of a wall (7) of the mixing chamber (5), and the rod-shaped element (3) can be put in a wobbling motion by the drive (4) so that its end inside the mixing chamber (5) executes a circular motion. The end of the rod-shaped element (3) located in the mixing chamber (5) attacks the tool (2) eccentrically to its axis of rotation.
US07648092B2
A food grater (10) is disclosed as including a first arm (12) and a second arm (14), the first arm (12) including a grating plate (18), the second arm (14) including a wall (23) and a press plate (36) for confining movement of food, and the first arm (12) and second arm (14) are engaged with each other and pivotable relative to each other to grate the food by the grating plate (18).
US07648090B2
A disc housing intended for refiners with refining discs rotating in opposed directions relative to each other is disclosed for mechanically disintegrating and working fibrous material. The disc housing surrounds the refining discs in an air-tight manner, and is provided with an outlet for the worked fibrous material. The inside of the disc housing along its periphery is formed with a channel, which, as seen in the circumferential direction, has a continuously increasing radius, which increases all the way to the outlet, which is located tangentially as a direct continuation of the channel.
US07648088B2
The invention provides a food grater assembly comprising a base; an external cylindrical portion removably attached to the base; a grater disc disposed within and removably attached to the lower end of the outer cylindrical portion; an inner divider having a cross wall dividing the inner space of the inner cylindrical portion in two equal portions; said divider being able to rotate freely within the external cylindrical portion; a plunger disposed within the divider, said plunger having a plurality of annular ridges disposed along a portion of its length; said plunger portion having a closed bottom wall and a slot defined axially and longitudinally along a portion of is length; a pair of engaging strips flexibly attached to and disposed in the wall of the external cylinder, each of said engaging strips having horizontal ridges along a portion of the inner surface thereof for engaging and disengaging the horizontal ridges of the plunger; and a cap disposed on the upper end of the inner plunger portion.
US07648086B2
Nozzle device for use in a paper machine, board machine, pulp dewatering machine or similar machines
The invention relates to a nozzle device for use in a paper machine, board machine, pulp dewatering machine etc., comprising a cylindrical body having an outer thread and an inner hexagon socket; a sealing element, and a nozzle insert having a cylindrical passage. The cylindrical body, the sealing element and the nozzle insert are preferably formed as a single part.
US07648084B2
A dosing mechanism for fuels, particularly for the input into a chemical reformer to obtain hydrogen, has a metering-in device for metering fuel into a supply line, which opens out at at least one dosing aperture into a transporting line transporting a tempered material flow. A holding device for accommodating the metering-in device has an insulating body which thermally insulates the metering-in device from the transporting line that transports the tempered material flow.
US07648080B2
A rail fixing device including a tensioning clamp extending from a holding element and removably arranged on a ribbed plate on which the rail base is mounted. The ribbed plate is placed on an elastic intermediate layer which is maintained in a required prestressed state by the holding element.
US07648075B2
A data transmission-reception system includes a reader-writer, a first contactless IC chip being a data source, and a second contactless IC chip being a data destination, capable of communication with the first contactless IC chip via the reader-writer. The first and second contactless IC chips each have data areas of the same applications in memories built therein. The first contactless IC chip includes first generating means for performing authentication by the use of data encrypted with a key generated by combination of keys to generate a transfer key and transmitting means for encrypting data to be transferred with the transfer key and transmitting the encrypted data. The second contactless IC chip includes second generating means for performing authentication by the use of data encrypted with a key generated by combination of keys to generate a transfer key and acquiring means for acquiring the data to be transferred.
US07648071B2
According to an embodiment, there are achieved an apparatus for image reading and a setting method for the apparatus with which adjusting workability is enhanced, an adjusting time is shortened and focusing of a 4-line CCD sensor as an optical sensor is set to the averagely best state. This embodiment is equipped with an optical sensor having plural line sensors having different numbers of pixels, a condenser lens for projecting an optical image to the optical sensor, and an adjusting mechanism for setting the distance between the condenser lens and the optical sensor so that the resolution of the line sensor having the largest number of pixels is highest among the plural line sensors.
US07648068B2
A shopping cart system includes a shopping cart. The shopping cart includes a receptacle to hold shopping items bearing coded data tags. A scanning device is mounted to the shopping receptacle and is configured to scan the data tags of the shopping items to thereby determine the identity of the shopping items. A computer system is configured to calculate the total cost of the scanned shopping items using the determined identity of the shopping items.
US07648067B2
A POS system and method having a POS terminal, at least one input device for providing input data such as product sale information to said POS terminal, a POS server to enable the POS terminal to complete a POS transaction based upon such product sale information, a display device and a printing device further including an input/output control apparatus 12 and at least one function adding server 50 to enable the POS system to perform at least one new functional application without requiring any change in the POS system terminal or server. At least one of connection ports 21b to 23b of an input/output control apparatus 12 is connected to at least one the connection ports 21a to 23a of an existing POS terminal 30 having at least a POS printer 34, a input device 32, or a display 33 connected thereto. The input devices 32 to 34 conventionally connected to the ports 21a to 23a of the POS terminal 30 are connected to the corresponding ports of the I/O control apparatus 12. A function-adding server 50 is also connected to the I/O control apparatus 12. The I/O control apparatus 12 performs an identification operation to determine if input information from the input devices meet specific conditions (identification criteria) and if so additional data is provided by the function-adding server 50 for performing additional functionality.
US07648060B2
A carton includes a V-shaped opening in an exiting end of the carton that allows articles in the carton to be accessed through the exiting end.
US07648058B2
A method and apparatus for producing a metal core sandwich structure that is lightweight and many times stiffer than regular sheet metal, and which is easily formable into curved structures as well as structures having compound curves. In one embodiment, a formed metal core includes a plurality of cells comprising alternating front and rear projections extending outwardly in front of and behind a median plane, with each projection having a bonding surface area or land configured to be bonded with corresponding external metal sheets on both sides of the formed metal core. A plurality of micro-abrasions or indentations are formed on the bonding lands, allowing stronger bonding joints to be formed between the metal core and the external metal sheets by facilitating improved capillary action by the metal core during the bonding process.
US07648052B2
A viscous medium feeder, which has an inlet, an outlet, a tubular portion, a rotatable cylindrical shaft arranged in and extending coaxially with the tubular portion, and a drive motor connected to the shaft. The tubular portion has an internal thread, which is connected, at one end thereof, to the inlet, and, at the other end thereof, to the outlet. Further, the tubular portion is elastic, and the shaft abuts the inner wall portions of the tubular portion.
US07648044B2
A sheet product dispenser includes a housing adapted to house sheet products therein, the housing having an arching wall, a first planar wall disposed in contact with the arching wall, and a second planar wall disposed in contact with the arching wall and the first planar wall; an opening disposed in the first planar wall or the second planar wall, the opening having a size sufficient to allow dispensing of the sheet products there-through; and an access panel forming a portion of the arching wall.
US07648039B2
A pressure-resistant tank for liquids includes a plurality of differently shaped diecast parts (1, 2) made of a first aluminum alloy (cast alloy). The diecast parts (1, 2) are connected by means of a closed weld seam welded with an electron beam with the use of a second aluminum alloy (wrought alloy). The second aluminum alloy has especially a hydrogen content of less than 0.2 mL per 100 g of wrought alloy. The tank for liquids is especially an anesthetic tank and the anesthetic is desflurane.
US07648036B2
Systems, methods and computer program code for the measurement and control of sway in load transportation systems are provided which include using Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) devices to measure and control the sway of suspended loads such as loads suspended from cranes.
US07648026B2
Disclosed is a packaging assembly for securing an item in a carton. A top cap, a bottom pad and if desired, one or more middle pads, each include a board and a plurality of clips secured to the board. The clips are arranged to engage the item at spaced apart locations around the top and bottom portion of the item, respectively. In an alternative embodiment, one of the legs of one or more of the clips has a ledge projecting outwardly to engage a surface of the item. In yet another embodiment, only one of the top cap and bottom pad includes clips to position and retain the item in the carton. In addition, the multiple clips may be formed as an integral unit.
US07648022B1
A tray includes a paint roller including a handle, a shaft conjoined thereto and a padded applicator positioned about the shaft. A pan includes front and rear sections, an opening for receiving paint and the roller therein, a flange portion protruding about a perimeter thereof, and a notch formed medially of a top surface of the front section. The notch has an arcuate lower edge. A lid is included to cover the opening of the pan and forms an air tight seal around a perimeter of the pan opening. The lid includes a lip portion extending downward from the lid and about a perimeter thereof, and has planar top and bottom surfaces. A proximal portion of the shaft is telescopically positional through the notch so that the user can house the roller within the pan while the lid is attached thereto.
US07648014B2
In a one-way clutch as used preferably in an electric parking brake device, a sector-shape input cam provided bodily with an input rotational member is inserted into a sector-shape cutout of an output cam provided bodily with an output rotational member, with clearances secured in the circumferential direction between circumferentially end surfaces of the input and output cams. A coil spring is placed in an annular space between an internal surface of a stationary cylinder member and external surfaces of the input and output cams and is provided at both ends thereof with curved portions which are placed respectively in the clearances. A cam surface is formed on a part of each circumferentially inner end surface of the cutout. The cam surface is contactable with a part of the curved portion facing therewith for generating, in addition to a force expanding the outer diameter of the coil spring, another force which pressures the neighborhood of the curved portion of the coil spring on the internal surface of the cylinder member thereby to additionally prevent the rotation transmission from the output rotational member toward the input rotational member.
US07648009B2
A torsional vibration damper for a bridging clutch of a hydrodynamic clutch arrangement has a drive-side damping device, which can be brought into working connection with the housing of the clutch arrangement and is provided with a drive-side transmission element, which acts via a drive-side energy-storage group on an intermediate transmission element, and a takeoff-side damping device, which uses a takeoff-side group of energy-storage devices to establish a working connection between the intermediate transmission element and a takeoff-side transmission element, which is connected to a takeoff-side component of the hydrodynamic clutch arrangement. A predetermined stiffness ratio is obtained between the energy-storage devices of a first group and the energy-storage devices of a second group, and the energy-storage devices of the drive-side group have a stiffness different from that of the assigned energy-storage devices of the takeoff-side group.
US07648001B2
A work vehicle comprises a plurality of wheels; a propelling speed change device supported by the plurality of wheels and having at least one forward travel position and a reverse travel position with substantially the same speed reduction ratio as the forward travel position; a steering wheel for steering at least one of the plurality of wheels; a steering wheel support shaft for supporting the steering wheel; a speed change lever located in a position laterally of the steering wheel support shaft and operatively connected to the propelling speed change device to operate the propelling speed change device; a speed change lever guide for guiding the speed change lever, the guide including: a plurality of fore and aft channels extending substantially in the fore and aft direction of the work vehicle; a communication channel extending between the plurality of fore and aft channels; wherein one of the plurality of the fore and aft channels has a first lever position corresponding to the forward travel position and a second lever position corresponding to the reverse travel position.
US07648000B2
A control system includes a vehicle speed sensor, a roll rate sensor, a steering angle calculation unit, a steering angle control unit, an actuator, and a rear wheel steering angle sensor. The steering angle calculation unit acquires a roll rate and vehicle speed of a motorcycle and determines a target steering angle and a delayed steering angle of a rear wheel depending on the acquired roll rate and vehicle speed. The steering angle control unit causes the actuator to steer the rear wheel by the actuator based on the delayed steering angle determined by the steering angle calculation unit. Alternatively, a motorcycle includes a first holding member arranged to rotatably and steerably hold a front wheel of the motorcycle, a second holding member that is attached to the first holding member arranged to hold a rear wheel, and a controller arranged to swing one of the first and second holding members with respect to the other based on the roll rate detected by the roll rate detector.
US07647999B2
A curve-tilting vehicle, e.g., a three-wheeled vehicle (30), including a laterally tilting device (4) at least one section (5) of the vehicle by a tilting axis (6) that runs substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis (3) of the vehicle such that the center of gravity of the vehicle can be displaced perpendicular to the direction of travel when driving, especially in curves or on a sloped or uneven ground. The vehicle includes at least one vehicle seat (8a) that is disposed in the tilting section (5) of the vehicle and is allocated to the driver who steers the vehicle. The vehicle further includes a detector (9a) for detecting a lateral force of the seat, which the body of the driver applies at least to one zone of the vehicle seat (8a) in a lateral direction (10a) extending perpendicular to the direction of travel. The lateral force of the seat may be detected using a pivotal spring-centered vehicle seat (8a). The detector (9a) is effectively connected to the lateral tilting includes (4) in such a way that lateral tilting occurs in accordance with the detected lateral force of the seat while the tilting speed is a function at least of the lateral force of the seat and the vehicle speed, the tilting speed increasing as the lateral force of the seat rises at a factor that decreases as the speed of the vehicle goes up. The invention further relates to a method for tilting such a vehicle.
US07647998B1
Advances in robotics have had a great influence in the design and performance of motorized assistive devices in the past two decades. Specifically, introduction of “intelligent” system technologies has enabled users of motorized assistive devices to better control their machines and avoid problematic situations. However, one area of assistive devices that has not reaped the benefits of advances in the state-of-the-art, is major weight reduction in the overall design of these devices. Bulky motorized assistive devices hinder the range and portability of these devices and impact the ability of the user to manually handle these devices without assistance of mechanical lifting devices or individuals. This ultralight, collapsible powered operated vehicle (POV) is lighter than those available today by approximately 80%. This device addresses this issue by the development of an ultralight, collapsible POV, which will replace the bulky and heavy motorized assistive devices currently being used. Present day motorized assistive devices are mostly very heavy, have limited turning capability, are short ranged due to excessive power drain, and are prone to failure due to mechanical failure of internal/external component(s) because of environmental conditions. Users of the ultralight, collapsible POVs will have increased travel range prior to receiving a recharge not available in present-day motorized assistive devices. They will be easy to transport because of their ultralight weight.
US07647996B2
An all-terrain vehicle comprising a rear platform between the rear wheels providing standing room and access to the straddle seat of the all-terrain vehicle. The all-terrain vehicle may also featuring a rear passageway and a side passageway for the rider of the all-terrain vehicle to access to the straddle seat. The all-terrain vehicle also features rear wheel track which is smaller than the front wheel track.
US07647994B1
A drive-train for a fuel-efficient wheeled vehicle includes a first internal combustion engine and a second internal combustion engine of lesser power adapted to drive a generator. An electric motor is adapted to drive the vehicle primarily during cruising mode operation. The first engine is employed primarily to provide maximal power to the vehicle for acceleration, hill-climbing and towing. The power from both the motor and first engine can be selectively combined for varied conditions of operation of the vehicle.
US07647985B2
It is an object of the invention to provide an improvement in ease of operation of a driving mode switching mechanism in a hammer drill. According to the invention, a representative hammer drill includes a driving mode switching mechanism which has an operating part, a first switching member and a second switching member. The operating part can be turned to at least three rotating positions in its circumferential direction, while the operating part can be turned 360° on the rotation axis in the both directions. Thus, the user can select the desired driving mode in the shortest turning distance without passing though an unnecessary driving mode position. Therefore, ease of operation in mode change can be enhanced.
US07647978B2
Controlled Buoyancy Perforating technology for highly deviated and substantially horizontal wellbores may include long perforating guns assembled on a rig floor from a multiplicity of light weight and highly engineered shaped charge carrier joints. Tubular housings for such light weight joints may be fabricated from composite materials having steel transition collars. The collars are designed for an angularly coordinated, bayonet assembly and, in most cases, rapid disassembly. The internal volume of each joint is environmentally sealed by a plurality of O-rings. Sleeves that overlap abutting ends of adjacent carrier joint housings are secured by snap rings. Set screws into the sleeve ring channels release the sleeve from a housing. Individual shaped charge units and cooperative fusing are assembled in a light weight inner loading tube having an alignment collar to secure the angular and axial position of the loading tube relative to the transition collars.
US07647973B2
A tool is employed with a subsea wellhead assembly for preventing the collapse of a wear bushing located in a drill-through tubular member due to external test forces being applied to it. The tool has a connector that connects to the drill-through tubular member. A stem extends downward from the connector and has a reacting member at its lower end. The reacting member engages an inner diameter of the wear bushing to resist inwardly directed forces due to fluid pressure on the exterior of the wear bushing. The tool can be incorporated with a running tool or with a blowout preventer isolation test tool.
US07647966B2
Systems and methods for drainage of a heavy oil reservoir via a horizontal wellbore. A method of improving production of fluid from a subterranean formation includes the step of propagating a generally vertical inclusion into the formation from a generally horizontal wellbore intersecting the formation. The inclusion is propagated into a portion of the formation having a bulk modulus of less than approximately 750,000 psi. A well system includes a generally vertical inclusion propagated into a subterranean formation from a generally horizontal wellbore which intersects the formation. The formation comprises weakly cemented sediment.
US07647965B2
A method and apparatus are provided for insulating electrical connections to a resonator from fluid downhole under extreme pressure and temperature conditions downhole. The method and apparatus provide a pliable insulator that maintains electrical isolation between resonator electrical connections during exposure to high pressures downhole. The insulator is evacuated or placed in a vacuum prior to curing to remove bubbles from the insulator material. The insulator is then heat cured. The insulator is substantially chemically non reactive so that the insulator maintains electrical isolation between the resonator electrical connections during exposure to fluids downhole. The insulator has a thermal coefficient of expansion in a range so that the insulator maintains electrical isolation between the resonator electrical connections during exposure to high temperatures downhole.
US07647955B2
In a filler pipe assembly, a holder member secured to an inner wall of a filler pipe is provided with an outer profile of a circular cross section substantially conforming to an inner peripheral wall of the filler pipe and an inner profile defining a bore of a circular cross section eccentric to the outer profile thereof. A relief valve is provided in a part of the holder member defined between the outer profile thereof and the bore owing to an eccentricity of the bore relative to the outer profile. Owing to the eccentric relationship between the outer profile and inner bore of the holder member, a space for a relief valve can be provided in the area where the distance between the inner wall of the bore and the outer profile is the greatest, and this allows the relief valve to be mounted without complicating the structure.
US07647949B2
A co-extruded tubing for the administration of intravenous fluids has an outer layer of a polyester. An inner fluid-contact layer may be of a polyethylene or of a thermoplastic polyurethane. Where the inner fluid-contact layer is of polyethylene, an intermediate tie layer of ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer may be included to prevent delamination.
US07647947B1
A casing spacer includes a pair of generally semi-cylindrical metal shells disposed on opposed outer surface portions of a carrier pipe for securely maintaining the pipe in fixed, spaced relation from the inner surface of an outer casing. Opposed ends of the shells are connected together by nut and bolt combinations for securely attaching the casing spacer to the carrier pipe. Plural runners are directly attached in a spaced manner to the outer surfaces of the metal shells by respective nut and bolt combinations inserted through apertures in the casing spacer's metal shells for engaging the outing casing's inner surface in maintaining fixed spacing between the pipe and outer casing.
US07647940B2
An apparatus for controlling a valve including an enclosure that defines first and second chambers, an indicator proximate the first and second chambers, an operating media distribution system that is disposed in the first chamber, and an electronic control unit disposed in the second chamber. The operating media distribution system includes a manifold block that has an exterior surface, and a plurality of operating media distribution cartridges exchangeably disposed with respect to the manifold block. The manifold block defines a plurality of holes, an operating media supply passage and an operating media exhaust passage. Each of the plurality of operating media distribution cartridges is disposed in a respective one of the plurality of holes and includes a cylinder and a spool assembly that is disposed in and displaced relative to the cylinder. The electronic control unit operates at least one electromagnetic valve to control operating media flow via the operating media distribution system.
US07647934B2
The present invention relates to a dental cleaning device, particularly to a flosser device for cleaning teeth gaps. The flosser device according to the present invention removes food particles from different tooth gaps by mounting the flosser element to the flosser element longitudinal connecting slot and the flosser element transverse connecting slot to adjust the position of the flosser. The flosser element base is disposed in the gradually narrowing flosser element connecting slots, so that the flosser element arms diverse outwardly to tension a length of flosser between the flosser element arms. Besides, the center of the flosser element connecting slot is hollow to form a base receiving hole so that the base press-release point projects through the base receiving hole out of the handle after the flosser element base is mounted on the flosser element connecting mechanism, and a user can draw out the flosser element by pressing the base press-release point for replacement.
US07647926B2
A connection of a sensor to a respirator/ventilator is provided without individual cable connections having to be led from the respirator to the sensor. A signal line (18) extends along the breathing gas tube (2) and is designed to transmit signals of the sensor (16) to the respirator. A contactless interface (17) is provided between the signal line (18) and the sensor (16).
US07647923B2
This invention is a safety mechanism that improves upon existing inventions in the field of barbeques and grills by minimizing grill fires and/or burning or overcooking of one's food. A barbeque includes a control panel that receives input from one or several thermocouples installed inside the grill. In the event of a grill fire, the thermocouples detect the high heat, send a signal to the control panel, that in turn activates a mechanical lift to move the barbecue's cooking-grid away from the flame.
US07647919B2
A direct fuel injection control for an internal combustion engine includes first and second controllers. The first controller has a microprocessor and generates injection timing and duration signals on injector select lines. The second controller is a state machine including injector controls that receive the injection timing and duration signals and control injector current according to sets of injector current profile defining parameters received from the first controller on a serial bus and stored in register sets in the second controller. The second controller includes switching apparatus that can quickly change the connection of each injector control between different register sets to select different injector current profiles in successive injection pulses. Several alternative ways of providing register select signals are disclosed, and these may be incorporated in the same second controller for selection by the first controller.
US07647918B2
A high-pressure radial piston pump for common rail injection systems has a pump housing (1), a drive shaft (2), at least one pump piston (3) which can move in a radial direction in relation to the drive shaft (2) and a high pressure accumulator (4) integrated into the high-pressure radial piston pump. The high pressure accumulator (4) is embodied in the form of a ring.
US07647910B2
A compensating shaft (1, 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d) for compensating mass forces and/or mass moments of a reciprocating piston internal combustion engine (13) is provided, with at least one bearing journal (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d), on whose outer casing surface (3a, 3b, 3c, 3d) the compensating shaft is supported in the radial direction in a housing support (10) of the reciprocating piston internal combustion engine, and with at least one unbalanced section (4) bordering the bearing journal in the axial direction. The outer casing surface of the bearing journal is formed on the side of the unbalanced section facing away from the unbalanced direction by a cylindrical section (5) of the bearing journal and by one or more axial projections (7a, 7b, 7c, 7d), wherein these axial projections extend like a collar from the cylindrical section while forming a radial undercut (6).
US07647906B2
A vertical internal combustion engine E is incorporated into an outboard motor or the like. The vertical internal combustion engine E includes a crankshaft 18 enclosed in a crank chamber 20, and a belt-drive transmission mechanism 50 including a rubber belt 53 for transmitting power of the crankshaft 18 to a camshaft 24, and held in a belt chamber 63. The belt chamber 63 is isolated from the crank chamber 20 by a lower case 61 of a transmission case 60 holding the belt-drive transmission mechanism 50 therein such that the flow of an oil-containing gas from the crank chamber 20 deviates from a direction toward the belt 53. The belt 53 is lubricated with oil injected concentratedly into the belt chamber 63 through jet nozzles 80 disposed in the belt chamber 63. Thus the excessive exposure of the belt 53 to the oil-containing gas from the crank chamber can be avoided, the life of the belt can be extended and the belt is lubricated properly.
US07647905B2
A device for the variable setting of the control times of gas exchange valves of an internal combustion engine, having an inner rotor (3) and an outer rotor (4), with one of the components being rotationally fixedly connected to the camshaft (2) and the other component being drive-connected to a crankshaft, the outer rotor (4) being rotatably mounted on the inner rotor (3) and, at least one hydraulic chamber (7), which is delimited by side walls (5, 6) and the inner rotor (3), is formed on the outer rotor (4), the inner rotor (3) comprises a hub part (3b) and at least one vane (3a), with a vane (3a) of the inner rotor (3) extending into each hydraulic chamber (7) and dividing the latter into two pressure chambers (10, 11) which act counter to one another. A groove (8) is formed on a face, which faces toward the other component, of the inner rotor (3) or of the outer rotor (4), in which groove (8) is arranged a sealing strip (9), and with a spring element (13) being arranged between a groove base (12) of the groove (8) and the sealing strip (9), which spring element (13) forces the sealing strip (9) in the direction of an opposing face of the other component with the spring element (13) simultaneously being designed as a sealing element.
US07647896B2
The centrifugal rotary device for heating and/or vaporizing liquids comprises a casing (1) within which is positioned a truncated conical chamber (12) having an inlet orifice (18) through which a liquid, such as water, to be heated is introduced, and an outlet orifice (19) through which a heated liquid and/or vapor emerges. It comprises a pair of hollow truncated conical rotors (2, 3) positioned coaxially one inside the other, both being inside the truncated conical chamber (12), the inner rotor (3) of this pair being fixed to the end of a first drive shaft (30) passing through an aperture (17) formed in the major base (15) of the truncated conical chamber (12), while an outer rotor (2) of the pair if fixed to the end of a drive shaft (20) passing through an aperture (16) formed in the minor base (14) of the truncated conical chamber (12).
US07647893B2
A corrugated cardboard assembly having a plurality of adjacent sheets of corrugated cardboard arranged in a layered fashion to form a corrugated block. The adjacent sheets are not attached to one another using any adhesive. Instead, the block formed by the layered, adjacent sheets of corrugated cardboard is enveloped by a wrap-around carton that maintains the adjacent positioning of the sheets. The sheets, individually and collectively, include at least one opposing straight, narrow cut, opening, aperture, or “slit,” that is defined within them. The wrap-around carton includes interlocking portions of the carton in combination with a longitudinally extending slot that is formed by the slits that are defined within each of the adjacent sheets of corrugated cardboard. In this fashion, the block formed by the adjacent sheets is maintained without the use of extra glue or adhesive to maintain the structural integrity of the block of adjacent sheets.
US07647890B1
A pad comprising at least one high loft non-woven layer for entrapping pet particles such as pet hair and pet dander from a pet or other items such as furniture or clothing, and a method for entrapping pet particles. The pad preferably includes a cling-enhancing substance. The pad can also include deodorizing agents, an impermeable layer, or a middle absorbent layer for absorbing moisture from or applying treatments to a pet.
US07647888B2
A poultry feeder is provided which can be selectively switched between a mode in which it operates as a flood-type feeder and a mode in which it operates as a shallow-fill type feeder with adjustable height pan walls. The feeder includes a feed tube assembly comprising a drop tube and a feed flooding tube. The drop tube is movable axially relative to the feed flooding tube, which rests on the feed pan. The drop tube and feed flooding tube have windows which are brought into and out of alignment by raising and lowering the drop tube. When the feed flooding tube window is opened, the feeder operates in a flood mode and when the feed flooding tube is closed, the feeder operates in a shallow-fill mode. In this second mode, the effective height of the pan wall can be adjusted to allow chicks and chickens access to the feed.
US07647881B2
A lens for use with a display panel configured to emit light and display images is provided. The lens has a light-emitting surface and a plurality of enhancement portions. A first enhancement portion is configured to physically correspond to a first image displayed on the display screen. The first enhancement portion is further configured to collect at least a portion of the light emitted by the display screen and emit the light through the light-emitting surface of the lens. A second enhancement portion is configured to physically correspond to a second image displayed on the display screen.
US07647880B2
The present invention relates to an adjustable mounting system for a leaning post for a boat having a pair of side-by-side seat posts. The leaning post is provided with a pair of brackets to which hollow cylindrical support posts can be adjustably mounted. The spacing between the support posts can be adjusted to align with the spacing of a pair of conventional hollow cylindrical side-by-side vertical seat posts. A pair of spaced apart parallel slots in the mounting brackets receive bolts that secure the support posts to the mounting bracket and allow the distance between the support posts to be adjusted to align with the distance between the seat posts.
US07647877B2
A thread take-up lever for a sewing machine is mounted on the sewing machine and can prevent a thread from disengaging from a thread-receiving portion. The thread take-up lever is disposed with a C-shaped thread-receiving portion having an open recess. Adjacent to the open recess is provided at least one positioning portion for fixing a thread-stopping member. One end of the thread-stopping member is fixed to the positioning portion, and an elastic stopping portion extends from the other end of the thread-stopping member. The stopping portion is formed with a free end abutted against an inner periphery of the open recess. The free end can be pushed away by the thread, and then the free end will automatically return to its original position immediately to abut against the open recess again, thus forming a structure to prevent the thread from disengaging from the thread-receiving portion.
US07647876B2
A tape edge applicator workstation including a conveyor for moving a mattress or foundation along a sewing path through a tape edge applicator. The tape edge applicator applies a tape edge material about the peripheral side edges of the mattress, with the mattress generally being rotated as the tape edge material is applied about the corners thereof.
US07647873B1
A wheelchair has a frame with rails and wheels. An accessory is adapted to be removably coupled to a rail. The accessory has a short downwardly extending cylindrical projection. A coupling assembly extends between the accessory and the frame. The coupling assembly includes a bottom subassembly. The bottom subassembly is adapted to encompass a rail. The rail has a vertically extending lower component. The lower component has a cylindrical vertical recess. The coupling assembly also includes an extension subassembly. The extension subassembly is provided between the bottom subassembly and the accessory. A supplemental cylindrical recess is provided in the accessory above its projection. The recess is adapted to receive a supplemental component.
US07647863B2
The invention relates to a piston pin bearing of an internal combustion engine, in which a cylindrical piston pin is mounted. The aim of the invention is to create a hub bore shape that is improved compared to prior art in order to significantly reduce mechanical stress in the piston and thus extend the service life of the piston. Furthermore, the shape is to prevent noise from being generated in the piston pin bearing. The aims are achieved by the fact that the surface line of the highly oval outer surface, which runs in the zenith of the hub, extends at an angle to the hub axis from a radially outward point to a radially inward point on the piston side such that the greatest degree of ovalness defined by the oval diameter thereof is created at the respective inner ends of the hub bores and does not exceed a predefined value of the oval diameter.
US07647856B2
A missile launch and guidance apparatus of a rail-shoe launching type is disclosed. In a missile adapted to be launched while moving along a rail of a launch tube, a missile launch and guidance apparatus comprises: a bushing inserted into a missile body; a shoe, one end of which is inserted into the bushing, and the other end of which is in contact with the rail; and a spring inserted between the bushing and the shoe so as to provide a separation force to the shoe against the bushing. By separating the shoe from the missile in a lateral direction of the missile launching direction by an elastic force of the spring after launching the missile, the missile launch and guidance apparatus can keep constant the gap between the missile and the launch tube rail irrespective of the behavior of the missile taking place in a launching process, and the drag and weight of the missile launched from the launch tube is reduced to thereby exhibit the maximum flight performance.
US07647850B2
A starter assembly has a starter motor with a center casing. A front housing is attached to the center casing and the front housing is adapted to attach the starter assembly to the vehicle. The center casing includes a pilot ring which mates with a groove in the front housing to define a serpentine path between the inside and outside of the starter assembly. The pilot ring is formed at the inside diameter of the center housing to define a dam which prohibits contaminants from entering the center housing.
US07647836B2
A pressure cavity is durable, stable, and biocompatible and configured in such a way that it constitutes pico to nanoliter-scale volume. The pressure cavity is hermetically sealed from the exterior environment while maintaining the ability to communicate with other devices. Micromachined, hermetically-sealed sensors are configured to receive power and return information through direct electrical contact with external electronics. The pressure cavity and sensor components disposed therein are hermetically sealed from the ambient in order to reduce drift and instability within the sensor. The sensor is designed for harsh and biological environments, e.g. intracorporeal implantation and in vivo use. Additionally, novel manufacturing methods are employed to construct the sensors.
US07647818B2
A process for testing the tightness of containers includes making available a first fluid in the container interior space that is different from a second fluid surrounding the container, creating a negative pressure in the container interior space, testing the interior surfaces of the container side wall for traces of second fluid penetration, and possibly localizing any entry points.
US07647815B2
A method of identifying and determining the concentrations of multiple species in a gas sample, includes providing a spectrophone assembly having a detector chamber, supplying the gas sample to the detector chamber and simultaneously passing a plurality of radiations of different wavelengths into the detector chamber to produce multiple acoustic resonances of different frequencies. Acoustic resonances in the detector chamber are simultaneously sensed to produce corresponding electrical signals, and the electrical signals are analysed to identify the species present in the gas sample and determine the concentration of each specie.
US07647806B2
A drive for operating a movable part with respect to a fixed part includes: a driving member having a linear shape and being made of a shape-memory alloy; and a crimp terminal for holding one end of the driving member at the fixed part or the movable part. At least a part to which the driving member is crimped in the crimp terminal is made of stainless steel.
US07647805B2
A precision metal sheet bend angle adjustment device is provided, which includes a lifter plate, a wedge plate, a support plate and a positioning frame. The lifter plate has a tapered bottom face. The wedge plate has a tapered top face and side recesses. The support plate has a top guiding grove and the positioning frame includes a rotary dial and adjustment screw. The support plate is fixed on the positioning frame. The wedge plate is located on top of the assembly such that it is able to slide within the guiding grove of the support plate. The adjustment screw of the rotary dial is inserted into the side recess of the wedge plate. The lifter plate rests on top of the wedge plate within the positioning frame such that, as the wedge plate slides back and forth, the lifter plate moves up and down within the positioning frame by rotating the rotary dial clockwise or counter clockwise. The die of the metal sheet bending equipment can be moved vertically while sitting atop the lifter plate.
US07647802B2
A method of manufacturing a one-piece flexible tube connector includes obtaining a tube blank having an initial length, an initial outer diameter, and an initial wall thickness. The tube blank is secured in a fixture and fed longitudinally into a forming tool. During the forming process, one of the tube blank and the forming tool is spun increasing an initial wall thickness of a portion of the tube blank to a second wall thickness, while the initial outer diameter of the tube blank is controlled. The thickened portion of the tube blank extends along a second length of the tube blank that is less than the initial length. After the spinning process, an attachment feature, such as a barbed feature, is formed or machined into the thickened portion of the tube blank to produce the one-piece flexible tube connector.
US07647791B2
A composite mold includes a mold base, a protective film provided on the mold base, and a water-cooling heat dissipation system disposed within the mold base. Wherein, the protective film is comprised of with a plurality of RexIry layers and a plurality of SiC layers, the RexIry layers and the SiC layers are alternatively stacked one on another, x is in the range from 0.25 to 0.55, and y is in the range from 0.45 to 0.75. Alternatively, the protective film is comprised of an RexIry layer, a catalyst layer and a carbon nanotube layer in that order, x is in the range from 0.25 to 0.55, and y is in the range from 0.45 to 0.75.
US07647789B2
An evaporator unit includes an ejector, an upwind side heat exchanger for evaporating a discharge side refrigerant flowing from the ejector, and a downwind side heat exchanger for evaporating a suction side refrigerant to be drawn into the ejector. The ejector has a nozzle for decompressing refrigerant, and a refrigerant suction port, from which refrigerant is drawn by a high-speed flow of refrigerant jetted from the nozzle. The upwind side heat exchanger has a refrigerant superheat area, which is offset from a refrigerant superheat area of the downwind side heat exchanger in a direction perpendicular to an air flow to be cooled.
US07647785B2
The present invention provides an air conditioning system that can appropriately adjust humidity. The air conditioning system is an air conditioning system that comprises a plurality of indoor units that jointly air conditions a same space, comprising a first indoor unit and a second indoor unit. The first indoor unit comprises a first indoor heat exchanger that adjusts the temperature in the space. The second indoor unit comprises a second indoor heat exchanger and a humidifying element. The second indoor heat exchanger adjusts the temperature in the space. The humidifying element adjusts the humidity in the space. Further, the air conditioning system, during humidity adjustment, adjusts the humidity in the space by the humidifying element with greater priority than adjusting the temperature in the space by the second indoor heat exchanger.
US07647775B2
A gas turbine engine fueling system includes a number of spray bars having conduits extending through associated vanes. A number of fuel injector nozzles are along each conduit. Each of the nozzles are positioned to discharge an associated fuel stream from one of the sides of the associated vane. A number of wear members are each mounted relative to the associated one of the nozzles for a range of motion relative thereto. The wear members movably cooperate with the associated vane to accommodate operating deflection and/or tolerances of the spray bars and vanes.
US07647769B2
A hydrostatic transmission assembly includes a first gerotor motor, a pump housing, a first variable displacement pump, a second gerotor motor, and a second variable displacement pump. The first gerotor motor includes a first output shaft aligned along a first axis. The pump housing connects to and contacts the first gerotor motor. The first variable displacement pump includes a first driven shaft mounted to the pump housing and aligned along a second axis, the second axis being generally perpendicular to the first axis (the first output shaft axis). The first variable displacement pump is in fluid communication with the first gerotor motor via passages in the pump housing. The second gerotor motor includes a second output shaft generally aligned along or generally parallel to the first axis. The second gerotor motor is connected to the pump housing on an opposite side of the pump housing as the first gerotor motor. The second variable displacement pump includes a second driven shaft mounted to the pump housing and aligned generally parallel to the second axis. The variable displacement pump is in fluid communication with the second gerotor motor via passages in the pump housing.
US07647757B2
An auxiliary drive mounted to a reel mower cutting unit includes a cutting reel shaft rotated by a motor and having a horizontal axis, an auxiliary drive housing positioned adjacent the reel mower cutting unit and pivotable on the axis of the cutting reel shaft, an auxiliary drive input shaft engaged to the cutting reel shaft, and an auxiliary drive output shaft coaxially engaged to an end of an attachment outside the auxiliary drive housing by inserting one of the auxiliary drive output shaft and the attachment end through a collet and tightening a nut over the collet. A transverse pin in one of the output shaft and the attachment end may be engaged by a split end in the other of the output shaft and the attachment end.
US07647751B2
A new and improved apparatus or system for automatically assembling or erecting tote containers, and a corresponding method or process for practicing or implementing the assembly or erection of the tote containers, is disclosed wherein tote container workpieces are disposed in a serial array within a magazine or hopper. The tote container workpieces are serially and individually removed from the magazine or hopper, expanded from their FLATTENED states to their OPENED or EXPANDED states, and have their flap members folded upwardly and inwardly with respect to the lower or bottom edge portions of each tote container workpiece, in accordance with a predetermined procedural sequence, whereby each tote container is automatically assembled, as a result of the flap members being engaged with each other in an intermeshed, interengaged, and interlocked manner so as to effectively form the bottom support surface of the tote container without the need for fixing, bonding, or otherwise permanently securing the flap members together. As a result of such structure, each tote container is then capable of being used, and as may be subsequently desired or required, disassembled and reused.
US07647748B2
Netting chutes suitable for use with manual, automatic and semi-automatic packaging operations to enclose product in netting packaging include chutes with embossed floors.
US07647747B2
A heat sealer including: a base bar equipped with a heater on a receiving section; and a pressure bonding lever facing the receiving section and capable of pressing and holding a sealing portion of a resin made sealing preform to accommodate contents therein from both sides, and the sealing portion of the resin made sealing preform placed on the receiving section and pressed by the pressure bonding lever to the receiving section side to hold the sealing portion between the receiving section and the pressure bonding lever, and current-heated and weld-sealed, wherein the base bar includes: a recording medium supplier supplying a recording medium from which specific information can be read to a predetermined position; and a recording medium transport machine transporting the recording media having been supplied to the predetermined position one at a time to the sealing portion, whereby the recording medium is sealable integrally with the sealing preform in a single piece.
US07647734B2
A link-fuse joint resists bending moments and shears generated by seismic loading. A joint connection includes a first plate assembly having a first connection plate including a first diagonal slot formed therethrough. A second plate assembly has a second connection plate including a second diagonal slot formed therethrough. The second diagonal slot is diagonally opposed to the first diagonal slot. The second connection plate is position such that at least a portion of the second diagonal slot aligns with a portion of the first diagonal slot. A pin is positioned through the first diagonal slot and the second diagonal slot. The joint connection accommodates a slippage of at least one of the first and second plate assemblies relative to each other when the joint connection is subject to a seismic load and without significant loss of clamping force.
US07647732B2
A device for releasably fastening up to four adjacent slab corners to a support wall or ceiling. The device is positioned at a common point of adjacency of a number of slabs. A locking disk having a quadrant notch is rotatively mounted orthogonally to the surface of the slabs, and engages or disengages slots cap in the thickness of the slabs according to the angular orientation of the disk. The device is capped by a decorative rosette having an appendage projecting loop bracket shaped and dimensioned to accommodate a bud vase. The device is particularly indicated for fastening slabs used to cover adjacent funerary crypts.
US07647729B2
A sliding door system includes a sliding door having an upper roller assembly disposed atop a portion of the door's frame, a lower wheel assembly disposed at a bottom portion of the frame, a channeled upper track, a lower track having at least one convex longitudinal rail configured to receive the lower wheel assembly, and one or more optional panel divider strips. The lower wheel assembly includes a vertical spine having a transverse shaft coupled to a bottom portion thereof, a lower wheel that has a concave contact surface and is rotatably coupled to the transverse shaft, and a transverse latch member disposed vertically below the lower wheel to slidably latch the lower wheel assembly to the lower track as the lower wheel rotates matingly on the convex longitudinal rail.
US07647727B2
A method of preventing defective germination or rosette formation of a plant seed that tends to suffer from defective germination or rosette formation during growth thereof is provided, which can be easily carried out without using large-scale equipment and makes the sowing after the treatment of the method easy. The method of preventing defective germination or rosette formation of a plant seed includes the steps of: leaving the plant seed to stand in highly watery condition at low temperature in a dark place; and drying the plant seed.
US07647724B2
An irrigation mat is comprised of a water impermeable base sheet, a water permeable top sheet and a capillary mat disposed between the base sheet and the top sheet. One or more flat pliable optional drip tapes are loosely disposed between the top sheet and the capillary mat and displaceable therebetween to any desirable position. The drip tape is a hollow flat tube constructed of perforated plastics material and extends at least a full length of the irrigation mat. The irrigation mat with the drip tapes is capable of being rolled up upon itself to form a roll. The top sheet is also heat fused to the folded edges of the back sheet.
US07647715B2
An image-holder article usable as postcard, that can be sent by mail but that can also be used to display the image incorporated therein, and mailable in standard ways is effectively usable as postcard, allows display of the image on a surface that remains flat, comprising: a first flat sheet-like support (2), with an image being reproduced thereon, comprising side flaps (3) delimited by the edge thereof and by fold lines (5), so that said flaps are foldable and may adopt a folded configuration with respect to the first sheet-like support and an extended configuration, forming an uniform plane with the first sheet-like support; a second flat sheet-like support (6) made of a substantially flexible material, so as to be reversibly flexed assuming a cambered position, and having an extension such that, if inserted between said flaps (3) in a folded configuration with its edges resting on said fold lines, it adopts said cambered position and determines, in cooperation with said first sheet-like support (2), a resting base allowing the display of said image.
US07647713B2
A bucket or scoop with adjustable capacity has a fixed structure which forms an external rigid element and also has one or several mobile elements, complementary to the fixed structure, which slide inside the same by means of special devices. The special devices are actuators or pistons fixed either to the fixed structure or to the mobile elements, to occasion a reciprocal movement thereof. Sliding guides are arranged parallel to the direction of action of the pistons.
US07647710B2
Footwear, particularly athletic shoes, that has a sole structure copying support, stability and cushioning structures of the human foot. Still more particularly, this invention relates to the use of the shoe upper portion to envelop one or more portions of the shoe midsole in combination with portions of the shoe sole having at least one concavely rounded portion of the sole outer surface, relative to a portion of the shoe sole located adjacent to the concavely rounded outer surface portion, and at least one convexly rounded portion of the inner surface of the midsole component, relative to a portion of the midsole component located adjacent to the convexly rounded portion of the inner surface of the midsole component, all as viewed in a frontal plane cross-section when the shoe sole is upright and in an unloaded condition.
US07647705B2
A finger guard for use with a T-square having a head and a blade includes an elongated body, two finger-shielding surfaces extending along a longitudinal axis of said body for accommodating an installer's thumb, a lower edge on the body that is attachable to the blade of the T-square, and a peak edge opposite the lower edge and separating upper ends of the surfaces.
US07647702B2
A utility knife for use with a replaceable flat blade, has an elongated housing having a longitudinally extending guide open at the front end, a longitudinally extending and transversely open slot, and a longitudinally extending holding face directed transversely opposite to the stop. A blade holder having a seat for the blade is slidable in the housing between a front use position forwardly bearing on a longitudinally displaceable stop and with the blade projecting longitudinally forwardly from the guide past the front end and a rear storage position with the blade wholly contained in the housing rearward of the front end and the holder out of engagement with the stop. The stop can be secured in any of a plurality of longitudinally offset positions in the housing to adjust the front position of the blade.
US07647699B1
Disclosed is a rug shaver for removing pilling and other loose fibers. The rug shaver may include a handle connected to a shaver head through a swivel. The shaver head may have a motor that rotates blades above a grill plate. The shaver head also may include baskets removeably retained within basket cutouts in a top of the shaver head. As pilling and other loose fibers poke through the grill plate, the rotating blades may cut the loose fibers. The loose fibers may be drawn into the baskets.
US07647672B2
A vacuum cleaner comprises: a body; a suction head arranged at a lower side of the body and sucking dust or filth; a suction fan mounted at the body and generating a suction force; a dust collecting container mounted in the body and collecting dust or filth sucked into the suction head; and a compression unit mounted at the body and compressing dust or filth collected in the dust collecting container.
US07647651B2
Shoulder pads for protecting a sports player having a thorax with left and right front regions and left and right rear regions. The shoulder pads comprising first and second left front separate protective panels and first and second right front separate protective panels for covering at least partially the respective left and right front regions of the thorax, the first left front panel at least partially overlapping the second left front panel and the first right front panel at least partially overlapping the second right front panel, the first and second left and right front panels being connected together by a front elastic band allowing movement of the first left and right front panels relative to the respective second left and right front panels between an extended position, wherein there is a first front overlapping between the respective first and second left and right front panels, and a retracted position, wherein there is a second front overlapping between the respective first and second left and right front panels, the second front overlapping being larger than the first front overlapping.
US07650641B2
Methods, systems and computer products are provided for preventing display of sensitive information. Displayed information may be designated as sensitive information and may be covered from display on a computer screen display by an opaque covering. The sensitive information covering may be removed to expose the underlying information in response to minimal user action. Uncovered sensitive information may be automatically re-covered according to a number of triggering mechanisms.
US07650636B2
Methods and devices are provided for securely transmitting sensitive information over the Internet to and from a first device in a home network that lacks the ability to communicate according to a secure protocol. Communications between the first device and a second device within the home network may proceed according to a non-secure protocol, such as HTTP. However, the second device has the ability to communicate with the outside world via a secure protocol, such as HTTPS. Various implementations of the invention allow the first device to avail itself of the secure communications provided by the second device.
US07650633B2
Generally speaking, systems, methods and media for automatically generating a role based access control model (RBAC) for an organizational environment with a role based access control system such as a hierarchical RBAC (HRBAC) system are disclosed. Embodiments may include a method for generating an RBAC model. Embodiments of the method may include accessing existing permissions granted to users of an organizational environment and analyzing the permissions to create permission characteristics. Embodiments of the method may also include performing cladistics analysis on the permission characteristics to determine role perspective relationships between individual users of the organizational environment. Embodiments of the method may also include generating an RBAC model based on the determined role perspective relationships between individual users of the organizational environment. Further embodiments of the method may include where generating the RBAC model includes generating a cladogram based on the determined role perspective relationships.
US07650631B2
A method for verifying authorization with extensibility in an authentication, authorization, and accounting (AAA) server, and more particularly, a method for verifying authorization in an AAA server capable of uniformly performing an authorization verification function regardless of a variety of authorization verification methods required for a user service provided through a network is provided. The method for verifying authorization with extensibility in an AAA server includes: the AAA server performing user authentication, transmitting the authentication result data to the user, and requesting authorization information for a subscriber service desired to be used, to the user; the user transferring an extensible authorization verification protocol framework having a predetermined format according to an AAA protocol to the AAA server, and requesting verification of the requested authorization; the AAA server verifying whether or not the authorization requested to be verified is set for the user, by referring to the framework; and if the authorization is verified, the AAA server transmitting the authorization verification result to the user, and by allocating a resource related to the authorization, beginning to provide the subscriber service.
US07650628B2
A computer program product for use with dictated medical patient information resides on a computer-readable medium and comprises computer-readable instructions for causing a computer to analyze the dictated information, identify likely confidential information in the dictated medical patient information, and treat the likely confidential information disparately from likely non-confidential information in the dictated medical patient information.
US07650622B2
Systems and methods for implementing a communication mode for a communication terminal are provided. An embodiment of a method for implementing a communication mode includes receiving a plurality of messages from a remotely located network control system and implementing one of a plurality of communication modes responsive to the plurality of messages.
US07650619B2
A control unit (15) of a virtual program table producing apparatus (2) produces users program viewing inclination information on the basis of a program viewing history of a user stored by a storage unit (12) accumulated in a data base (11) for storing a program viewing history of a program viewed by a user, classifies users into a group on the basis of individual information of a user, produces group program viewing inclination information showing that each group views what program from the program viewing history of a user belonging to each group, organizes each program broadcast in a plurality of real channels having a predetermined frequency band in a virtual channel virtually having a frequency band owned by the plurality of real channels on the basis of the user's taste, the user program viewing inclination information and the group program viewing inclination information, fetches program information of a virtual channel organized from the data base (11) for accumulating program information which is attribute information of a program broadcast in the real channels, and arranges the fetched program information on the basis of the virtual channel to produce a virtual program table.
US07650614B2
An electrical device cabinet includes a cabinet body, a front panel, and a positioning mechanism. The cabinet body has an open front end. The front panel is formed by a resin molding, and is mounted to the front end of the cabinet body. The positioning mechanism includes a concave portion disposed at the cabinet body and a convex portion disposed at an inner face of the front panel. The positioning mechanism positions the front panel in a lateral direction with respect to the cabinet body by mating the concave portion and the convex portion. The convex portion is formed in a hollow shape and is covered by an outer face of the front panel from a front side of the front panel.
US07650613B2
A disc drive comprises an enclosure, a disc carrying unit, a pair of rotating members, and a pair of light sources. The enclosure has an opening for insertion and ejection of the disc. The disc carrying unit carries a disc having been inserted into the opening to the inside of the enclosure and ejects the disc having been carried into the inside of the enclosure from the opening. Each of the rotating members has a disc contact portion in contact with the end face of the disc and moves the disc contact portion in the state where the disc contact portion is in contact with the end face of the disc when the disc carrying unit carries the disc. Each of the light sources is provided at the disc contact portion and has light enter the inside of the disc from the end face of the disc.
US07650607B2
A supervisory process control and manufacturing information system application is disclosed. The components of the application are distributable to a plurality of networked computer devices in a multi-layered hierarchical manner wherein lower layers host higher installed layers of application components. Application objects reside at a relatively high level of the distributed application architecture and model entities within a process control system. Engine objects host execution of the application objects in a run-time environment. Thus, application objects are not deployed until a host engine object with which they are associated have been deployed. Engine objects are hosted by platform objects. The platform objects correspond to a physical computer system component for executing the engine objects and associated application objects. A configuration facility presents a variety of views including deployment and model views of the application. The views incorporate the relationships of the objects that make up the distributed application.
US07650601B2
A method for managing multiple processors in the execution of one or more processes in a task-based library platform. The one or more processes are partitioned into highly granulized sub-tasks from a library calling process, whereby each sub-task has a protection attribute associated with it. The protection attribute designates processing resources that a processor may use in the execution of the sub-task. The sub-tasks are placed in a central task queue, whereby idling processors in the multiple processor system obtain consecutive sub-tasks in the queue until all the processes have been executed. Each processor executes a sub-task using only those processing resources that have been designated as being available by the protection attribute of the sub-task. The atomic execution results of the one more sub-tasks may then be combined into an execution result for the process. Also provided is a task-based library for processor management.
US07650600B2
The present invention extends the reflection feature found in some virtual machines or code execution managers by providing interface mechanisms that expose unique identifiers, e.g., metadata tokens and runtime handles. These interfaces are further configured to resolve these unique identifiers to their respective member info or data structures, and vise versa. These unique identifiers remove the element of string binding/resolution, giving them more performance oriented approach to such things as the late-bound reflection/invocation found in the heavyweight features of reflection processes. In addition, these lightweight identifiers allow for enhanced performance and work set when used in analyzing the functionality associated with the corresponding member.
US07650599B2
A method of offloading compilation includes transmitting compilation information from a first subsystem to a second subsystem. The method also includes compiling computer program code into machine-executable code on the second subsystem based on the compilation information received from the first subsystem. The method further includes receiving the machine-executable code from the second subsystem into the first subsystem.
US07650585B1
Various approaches for generating an implementation of an electronic circuit design are disclosed. In one approach, a software portion of the design is compiled into software that is executable by a hard processor disposed on a single semiconductor chip with resources of an programmable logic device (PLD). A first synthesized version of a hardware portion of the design is generated for the PLD. A synthesized memory scrubber having an empty block for an address counter is generated, as well as a triple modular redundant (TMR) address counter. The memory in the first synthesized version of the hardware portion of the design is replaced with the memory scrubber, and a complete set of netlists is generated, including a TMR hardware portion of the design and a single instance of the synthesized memory scrubber. A configuration bitstream is generated from the complete set of netlists and stored for later use.
US07650582B2
The present invention provides a circuit analysis device including: storage unit having stored therein: connection information about multiple components; delay information including information about the delay time of a discrete component and a chain delay time which is a delay time in the case in which a chain delay effect is generated by a connection with another component about each kind of the multiple components; and chain effect propagating component information including information about kinds of chain effect propagating components which are components for transmitting the chain delay effect, and data processing unit for: referring to the information stored in the storage unit; performing a total delay time calculation process of sequentially adding the delay times of the components along a signal path in the circuit; and if the chain effect propagating component is halfway through the signal path in the total delay time calculation process, examining a connection relation between components that precede and follow the chain effect propagating component and determining a delay time of the component that follows the chain effect propagating component that corresponds to the connection relations.
US07650581B2
A method and system for timing exception verification in integrated circuit (IC) designs included verification of functional false paths as well as multi-cycle paths (MCPs). A false path or a MCP is modeled to a satisfiability formula and the formula is validated using a Boolean satisfiability solver. Time required for timing exception verification can be significantly reduced.
US07650579B2
A method and device for determining memory element and intermediate point correspondences between design models is disclosed. The method includes developing graph representations of two circuit design models of an electronic device. The circuit design models each include input and output nodes corresponding to input and output nodes of the electronic device. The circuit design models also include memory and intermediate nodes corresponding to memory elements and intermediate points, respectively of the electronic device. An intermediate point represents a point between memory elements of the electronic device, and so can represent logic gates or other modules of the device. Memory elements and intermediate points can be referred to collectively as circuit elements. Nodes in the graph representation represent inputs, outputs, memory elements or intermediate points in the design models. A correspondence between the circuit elements in circuit design models is determined based on the graph representations.
US07650571B2
Methods and systems are disclosed for browser operation that enable a user to automatically create and maintain links to browsed resources meeting selection criteria. Two species of such links are disclosed, known as “smart links” and “dynamic favorites”. Creation of these links enable automatic creation and maintenance of dynamic libraries of links to network resources. These libraries are sharable with collaborators.
US07650569B1
A method for navigation of television program listings within a user interface includes successively displaying a first set of visual cards in a first area of the user interface. Each visual card of the first set of visual cards represents a corresponding broadcast time slot associated with a graphically represented first card characteristic. Selection by a user of a particular visual card of the first set of visual cards is enabled in order to view a television program corresponding to the time slot represented by the selected visual card. In an embodiment, a transition from display of a first visual card of the first set of visual cards to display of a second visual card of the first set of visual cards occurs automatically at the conclusion of a first time period.
US07650561B1
A MAP detector system operates in a parallel mode for on-the-fly operations and in a serial mode for error recovery operations. In the parallel mode, a plurality of Viterbi operators process a block of input sampled data in parallel. In the serial mode a selected forward Viterbi operator and two associated reverse Viterbi operators process the entire block of data, in order, to produce soft decision data.
US07650560B2
A method of communication between or among a plurality of devices in a communication system using one or more frames to transmit a plurality of bits includes encoding the plurality of bits in accordance with a first puncture code in a first device of the plurality of devices, transmitting the plurality of encoded bits to a second device of the plurality of devices, and determining in the first device an error condition indicated in a received acknowledgement from the second device. When the error condition indicates a first error code, retransmitting the encoded bits in accordance with the first puncture code, and when the error condition indicates another error condition, different from the first error code, encoding the plurality of bits in accordance with a second puncture code, different from the first puncture code and transmitting the plurality of encoded bits to the second device.
US07650558B2
Embodiments of the invention are generally directed to systems, methods, and apparatuses for using the same memory type for both error check and non-error check systems. In an embodiment, a memory device is capable of operating in an error check mode and in a non-error check mode. The memory device includes an output having N error check bit paths for every M data bit paths. In one embodiment, the memory device is to transfer N error check bits with a corresponding M data bits, if the memory device is operating in an error check mode. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US07650557B2
Embodiments of the invention include a memory device, such as a removable expanded memory card, having a host bus interface that allows a host to access a memory of the device. The memory device also includes memory scrubbing circuitry to read data stored at addresses in the memory and to identify single-bit errors and multiple-bit errors in the data read from the memory.
US07650556B2
A system for checking and correcting BIOS errors is provided. The system includes a program loading module (1001) for loading main programs from a BIOS ROM into a RAM; a checksum calculating module (1002) for reading the original checksum, and for calculating a new checksum for the main programs loaded in the RAM; an error checking module (1003) determining if the new checksum equals the original checksum; an error checking module for comparing the new checksum with the original checksum to identify errors in the main programs; and an error correcting module (1004) for correcting the errors in the main programs loaded in the RAM. A related method is also disclosed.
US07650554B2
A method for performing a test of a high-speed integrated circuit with at least one functional unit and built-in self-test features by a low-speed test system. The method comprises the steps of transforming an external clock signal from the test system into a faster internal clock signal within the integrated circuit, generating a test pattern according to a predetermined scheme, and applying the test pattern to the functional unit, comparing a response from the functional unit with an expected test pattern. If the response differs from the expected test pattern, then an internal failure signal is generated and the internal failure signal is extended to a length, which may be recognized by the test system. Further the present invention relates to a high-speed integrated circuit with at least one functional unit and built-in self-test features.
US07650549B2
A master and a slave stage of a flip-flop are each separately clocked with non-overlapping clock signals during scan mode to eliminate a data input scan mode multiplexer. Separate, non-overlapping clocking permits the elimination of hold violations in scan mode for scan mode flip flop chains, permitting the elimination of delay buffers in the scan mode data paths. Resulting application circuits have reduced circuit area, power consumption and noise generation. A clock generator for scan mode clocking is provided to obtain the separate, non-overlapping scan mode clocks. Scan mode clocks may be generated with a toggle flip flop, a pulse generator or a clock gating circuit.
US07650545B1
Signals sent from one system-on-chip core become switched to a reconfigurable logic core (RLC) for observation and, perhaps, replacement with another signal. A first signal line couples together a plurality of cores. A switch, disposed between the first signal line and an input signal line of the RLC, selectively controls whether the signal gets sent to the RLC. A multiplexer, having the first signal line and an output signal line of the RLC as inputs, selectively controls whether the signal or a replacement signal becomes conveyed to another core of the system-on-chip. Observation and control configuration memory bits act as inputs in the selective control of the switch and the multiplexer. Other embodiments teach shared RLC input signal lines amongst multiple cores. The RLC may contain an inverter, a test circuit, a logic analyzer or other. Methods of observing and replacing signals are also taught.
US07650534B2
The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for monitoring and correcting data errors in a computer system, in particular transient data errors in computer systems having very limited tolerance for deteriorations in performance. The method comprises the steps of: writing a set of data to a plurality of separate databases (50, 80), the databases including at least a first database (50) and a second database (80), reading the set of data from the first database and applying an error correction code (ECC) to detect possible multiple bit errors in the set of data which was read from the first database, and in case an error is detected, the error is reported to an error management unit (30). Furthermore, the error management unit manages a switch of means from which data are read from the first database to the second database, and applying the error correction code for correcting single bit errors in the previously read set of data. The writing means corrects data in the first database by writing the set of data from the second database to both of the first and second databases, and reports to the error management unit that the error is corrected.
US07650518B2
A method, system, and apparatus to enable at least one active core in a multi-core processor to operate at a higher operating point while at least one other core in the multi-core processor is in an idle state. When the idle core exits the idle state, the operating point may be reduced after a hysteresis timer has expired.
US07650514B2
Scalable leases reduce latency and reduce the burden on a server in managing data leases. Instead of processing individual lease requests for clients seeking access to the same data, scalable leases provide for blanket leases that all of the clients can use to access the selected data. Leases may be encrypted or selectively distributed to restrict access to the data. Moreover, distributed data structures may be used to cache leases at identifiable nodes in a network to offload work from the server without all clients in the network having to cache all blanket leases issued. Thresholds for issuing blanket leases may be determined or adjusted by considerations such as demand for the selected data and server workload. Similarly, leases may be renewed on the basis of demand for selected data, conflicting lease requests, and other factors. Scalable leases may be issued for read leases and controlled write leases.
US07650512B2
A method of and system for searching unstructured data stored in a database. In one embodiment the method comprises storing a plurality of electronic records in a common repository of electronic records in the database that provides an audit trail that cannot be altered or disabled by users of the system where each electronic record comprises unstructured data stored in a character large-object (CLOB) format in a column of a table of the database; creating a security protocol that protects the electronic records against unauthorized access; and creating a query designed to identify electronic records in the database that meet criteria designated in the query. The method further comprises modifying the query in accordance with the security protocol to create a modified query prior to executing the query and running the modified query against the unstructured data. In one particular implementation, the unstructured data comprises a well-formed XML document stored within a column of a table stored in the database.
US07650502B2
A method, system and computer readable medium for protecting a communications device connected to a communications system against an unauthorized intrusion, including providing a variable identifier to the communications device and entities authorized access thereto. The variable identifier is provided to a user address book and assigned with a permanent identifier and the permanent identifier, but not the variable identifier, is available to a user. The presence or absence of the correct variable identifier is sensed during an attempt to access the communications device for granting or denying access to the communications device. A new variable identifier is periodically provided to the communications device and to the authorized entities and to the user address book and assigned with the permanent identifier, wherein the permanent identifier, but not the new variable identifier, is available to the user.
US07650497B2
The disclosure relates to the management of PKI digital certificates, including certificate discovery, installation, verification and replacement for endpoints over an insecure network. A database of certificates may be maintained through discovery, replacement and other activities. Certificate discovery identifies certificates and associated information including network locations, methods of access, applications of use and non-use, and may produce logs and reports. Automated requests to certificate authorities for new certificates, renewals or certificate signing requests may precede the installation of issued certificates to servers using installation scripts directed to a particular application or product, which may provide notification or require approval or intervention. An administrator may be notified of expiring certificates, using a database or scanning or server agents. Interaction with certificate authorities may be by an abstractor providing a common interface for issuing signing requests to disparate certificate authorities. Digital certificate management may also be applied to network-connecting client devices.
US07650495B2
An exemplary implementation of a security gateway for online console-based gaming operates as a gateway between a public network (e.g., the Internet), and a private network (e.g., an internal data center network). The security gateway allows secure communication channels to be established with game consoles via the public network, and allows secure communication between game consoles on the public network and service devices on the private network.
US07650490B2
An embedded device, for implementing a boot process on a host, is provided. This embedded device includes servers supporting various industry-standard Internet protocols and services related to the boot process. This embedded device also includes a storage medium that stores boot options for multiple Operating Systems (OSs). In addition, this embedded device includes a user-friendly interface for configuring the servers for the boot process.
US07650489B2
In one embodiment, the present invention includes a method for reading an identifier stored in a non-volatile memory, where the identifier is associated with an operating system that caused storage of the identifier, determining if the identifier matches a comparison value provided by a current operating system of a system to which the non-volatile memory is coupled, and resetting the non-volatile memory if the identifier and the comparison value do not match. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US07650487B2
A technique for coordinating execution of instructions in a processor that allows instructions to execute out-of-order includes decoding a particular instruction that is defined in accordance with an instruction set of the processor. A helper sequence of instructions that corresponds to the particular instruction is then introduced into a stream of executable operations. The corresponding helper sequence includes a first artificial dependency instruction that codes a dependency on a register that is not actually employed as a register source or target for an operation performed by the particular instruction.
US07650486B2
A method and apparatus for steering instructions dynamically, at issue time, so as to maximize the efficiency of use of execution units being shared by multiple threads being processed by an SMT processor. Resource vectors are used at issue time to redirect instructions, from threads being processed simultaneously, to shared resources for which the multiple threads are competing. The existing resource vectors for instructions that are queued for issuance are analyzed and, where appropriate, dynamically recalculated and modified for maximum efficiency.
US07650485B1
A multithreading processor achieves a very large lookahead instruction window by allowing non-sequential fetch and processing of the dynamic instruction stream. A speculative thread is spawned at a specified point in the dynamic instruction stream and the instructions subsequent to the specified point are speculatively executed so that these instructions are fetched and issued out of sequential order. Very minimal modifications to existing processor design of a multithreading processor are required to achieve the very large lookahead instruction window. The modifications include changes to the control logic of the issue unit, only three additional bits in the register scoreboard.
US07650458B2
Various flash management techniques may be described. An apparatus may comprise a processor, a flash memory coupled to the processor, and a flash management module. The flash management module may be executed by the processor to receive a write transaction request to write data to a flash memory, and write the data to a set of multiple discontiguous logical sectors corresponding to a set of physical sectors of the flash memory in a single atomic operation. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US07650452B2
A method and apparatus for arbitrating on a high performance serial bus is disclosed. The invention provides for a plurality of arbitration phases and an arbitration advancing means.
US07650451B2
An arbiter circuit includes a priority coefficient calculating unit, a priority coefficient comparator an acceptance determining unit, and a priority determining unit. The priority coefficient calculating unit calculates for each request an arbitration priority coefficient based on a priority level set for each request by requesters. The priority coefficient comparator compares arbitration priority coefficients calculated for the requesters by the priority coefficient calculating unit. The acceptance determining unit determines whether to accept the requests based on the comparison result by the priority coefficient comparator. When the arbitration priority coefficient calculated by the priority coefficient calculating unit is equal between two or more requests, the priority determining unit determines a priority order for accepting the requests.
US07650448B2
A general bus system is provided which combines a number of internal lines and leads them as a bundle to the terminals. The bus system control is predefined and does not require any influence by the programmer. Any number of memories, peripherals or other units can be connected to the bus system (for cascading).
US07650439B2
A falling protective device for protecting a hard disk of a falling portable computer against damages includes a falling sensor arranged in the portable computer for generating and sending an interrupt signal to a keyboard controller in response to a detected falling state of the computer. An SMI signal line is extended between and connected to the keyboard controller and a system BIOS of the computer. On receipt of the interrupt signal generated by the falling sensor, the keyboard controller sends an SMI signal via the SMI signal line to the system BIOS, which in turn sends a park control signal to park the hard disk or a power-off control signal to terminate the supply of working power to the hard disk. The system BIOS sends a polling signal via a polling signal line to the keyboard controller, so as to poll about a state signal of a default status bit in a default signal port of the keyboard controller.
US07650434B2
A system and method for enabling high-speed, low-latency global tree network communications among processing nodes interconnected according to a tree network structure. The global tree network enables collective reduction operations to be performed during parallel algorithm operations executing in a computer structure having a plurality of the interconnected processing nodes. Router devices are included that interconnect the nodes of the tree via links to facilitate performance of low-latency global processing operations at nodes of the virtual tree and sub-tree structures. The global operations performed include one or more of: broadcast operations downstream from a root node to leaf nodes of a virtual tree, reduction operations upstream from leaf nodes to the root node in the virtual tree, and point-to-point message passing from any node to the root node. The global tree network is configurable to provide global barrier and interrupt functionality in asynchronous or synchronized manner, and, is physically and logically partitionable.
US07650432B2
Providing a framework for developing, deploying and managing sophisticated mobile solutions, with a simple Web-like programming model that integrates with existing enterprise components. Mobile applications may consist of a data model definition, user interface templates, a client side controller, which includes scripts that define actions, and, on the server side, a collection of conduits, which describe how to mediate between the data model and the enterprise. In one embodiment, the occasionally-connected application server assumes that data used by mobile applications is persistently stored and managed by external systems. The occasionally-connected data model can be a metadata description of the mobile application's anticipated usage of this data, and be optimized to enable the efficient traversal and synchronization of this data between occasionally connected devices and external systems.
US07650431B2
A method and system for providing location-based advertisements to requesting devices is provided. An advertisement system aggregates advertisements by collecting advertisements from multiple advertisement sources, extracting data from the collected advertisements, and storing the extracted data in a common format. After aggregating the advertisements, the advertisement system transforms each advertisement into multiple advertisement formats that are specific to protocols supported by the various device types. When the advertisement system receives queries for advertisements, it identifies matching advertisements and ranks them based on a location. The advertisement system then selects an advertisement format that is appropriate for the requesting device.
US07650428B1
Methods are provided to enable a roaming Wireless Local Access Network (WLAN) customer to select from multiple PLMNs using a single standard SSID. The methods include addition of a Mobile Country Code (MCC) to the SSID; addition of an MCC and a series of Mobile Network Codes (MNC) to the SSID; and reverse Domain Name Server (DNS) lookup for the gateway IP address through the designated DNS server.
US07650420B2
The system for content filtering includes at least one content server that stores content. The system also includes at least one client computer configured to transmit a request for the content to the at least one content server. The request contains an address of the content server and a port number associated with such a request for the content. A gateway is coupled to the at least one client computer. The gateway is configured to receive and renumber the request with a new rarely used port number associated with a filter privilege of a user of the at least one client computer. The system also includes a content filtering server, configured to block restricted content based on the filter privilege. Finally, a switch is coupled to the gateway, the content filtering server, and the content server. The switch is configured to listen for the request on the rarely used port number and to redirect the request to the content filtering server.
US07650415B1
A method for providing messaging between a first communication device and a second communication device using a gateway is provided. The method comprises: receiving a first message from the first communication device addressed to the gateway; initiating a first session with the first communication device; initiating a second session with the second communication device; and sending a second message corresponding to the first message to the second communication device in the second session.
US07650407B2
The invention can enable monitoring of the display of content by a computer system. Moreover, the invention can enable monitoring of the displayed content to produce monitoring information from which conclusions may be deduced regarding the observation of the displayed content by an observer. The invention can also enable monitoring of the display at a content display site of content that is provided by a content provider site over a network to the content display site. Additionally, the invention can enable the expeditious provision of updated and/or tailored content over a network from a content provider site to a content display site so that the content provider's current and appropriately tailored content is always displayed at the content display site. Aspects of the invention related to transfer of content over a network are generally applicable to any type of network. However, it is contemplated that the invention can be particularly useful with a computer network, including private computer networks (e.g., America Online™) and public computer networks (e.g., the Internet). In particular, the invention can be advantageously used with computer networks or portions of computer networks over which video and/or audio content are transferred from one network site to another network site for observation, such as the World Wide Web portion of the Internet.
US07650406B2
A secure association may be established between a first device and a second device for providing secure communication. When the secure association is to be terminated, a first device may save an indication that termination of the secure association is pending, if it is unable to communicate with the second device at that time. At a later time, the first device may communicate with the second device to notify it that the secure association is to be terminated. After the second device has been notified, the secure association may be terminated by the first device.
US07650404B2
A method and system for providing system event notifications to clients such as applications. Clients register for notification of one or more types of events with a registration mechanism, and a System Event Notification Service, (SENS), receives system event information and fires event notifications in response thereto. A distribution mechanism selectively communicates the fired event to each client registered for notification thereof based on the type of event. Events include network events, for which the service monitors the connectivity state of the machine, including whether a connection is established or lost, the type of connection (LAN/WAN) and bandwidth information. To monitor a LAN state, the service caches outgoing and incoming network information including errors and packet counts and statistically evaluates this cached information against current information to determine whether the connection is established or lost. The service also determines if a destination (IP address or name) is reachable, by periodically polling destinations. Other system event notifications may be fired, including logon or logoff operations and power management events.
US07650401B2
Managing object relationships in an enterprise is presented. A request manager receives a view request from a user. The request manager retrieves a management definition object (MDO) and a perspective that corresponds to the view request, which the request manager uses to generate a view that includes nodes corresponding to an enterprise's objects. The user analyzes the generated view, and sends a command request to the request manager that corresponds to a plurality of the nodes. The request manager uses the retrieved perspective, the MDO, and also may access a backend in order to identify objects that correspond to the command request. Once the objects are identified, the command manager sends a command to the identified objects to the backend through plug-ins.
US07650400B2
A database management system in which a plurality of nodes form a database instance, each node including a communication manager for dynamically configuring inter-nodal communication resources. The communication manager receives communication resource allocation requests from clients or a self-tuning algorithm. A resource self-tuning mechanism allocates or de-allocates memory blocks used for communication resource elements dynamically in real time without cycling the instance. Memory blocks are de-allocated asynchronously by placing associated communication resource elements in quarantine until all communication resource elements associated with the memory block are quarantined.
US07650398B2
An integrated data network management and data service provisioning environment is provided. The integrated environment includes legacy software application code and current software application code each augmented with code portions enabling exchange of information therebetween via an interworking layer as well as support for limited application code load-up and execution. A facility for participation in and interacting with the integrated environment is also provided. A man-machine interface is integrated across different applications which themselves may be executed on different computers to provide a seamless exchange of information. Feature componetized application code is loaded and executed on a need-to-use basis, and unloaded when not used. Advantages are derived from enhanced resource utilization efficiencies in providing network management and service provisioning solutions. The interworking layer also provides for security enforcement across applications participating in the integrated environment.
US07650392B1
A method and apparatus for managing dynamic content processing in a reverse proxy server. The reverse proxy server may include modules for handling dynamic links, invalid or incorrect HTML code, and the like, in HTTP data. The reverse proxy server may further accept user- or administrator-defined specific modules for handling HTTP data. Upon receiving the HTTP data from the host server in response to a request from a client, the reverse proxy server determines whether pre-patching module(s) or post-patching module(s) are to be executed. Depending on the determination specific modules are executed before, after, or before and after generic patching. In one embodiment, the modules may include tags for automatic starting of an application tunnel, when an application requiring an application tunnel is to be launched at a host server.
US07650387B2
A method, a system, a machine-readable medium, and an apparatus for managing storage on a shared storage space, for example, on an email server, are provided. A plurality of emails is compared. If the content of each of the plurality of emails is the same, then a single copy is stored on the email server. Further, each recipient of the plurality of emails is enabled access to the stored email via a link to the single copy. Additionally, one or more attachments of the plurality of emails are compared. If an attachment is the same in each of the plurality of emails, then it is stored as a single copy. Further, a link is inserted in each of the plurality of emails, enabling access to the attachment from the single copy.
US07650384B2
A method and system for maintaining real-time conversations over unreliable connections is provided. The reliable messaging system initiates a conversation from a sending participant to a receiving participant by sending an invitation to join the conversation to the receiving participant. Once a connection is established, the reliable messaging system associates the conversation with the connection. If the connection is lost, then the reliable messaging system attempts to restore the connection by sending an invitation to the participant that was disconnected. If the reliable messaging system is able to restore the connection, then the new connection is associated with the previous conversation, and the conversation can continue.
US07650381B2
A network based computer implemented system for designing products is disclosed. The system comprises a network server, such as an Internet web server (30) operable to manage interaction of the system with external computers, and a product design module (204) communicating with the network server. The product design module (204) is operable to generate product designs. The system further comprises a live agent support system (44) communicating with the network server. The live agent support system (44) is operable to provide live assistance to a customer of the system. An agent (312) of the live agent support system (44) and a customer of the system simultaneously view a same page of the design tool. The customer and agent (312) also mutually communicate while collaboratively manipulating the page.
US07650377B2
An improved system and method for managing data on a handheld electronic device includes a server that periodically pushes data to a particular handheld electronic device, with the data being stored on the handheld electronic device by way of a routine running in the background whereby such reception and storage is generally transparent to a user. The data can be any type of data and may be data that is desired by the user or that fits a profile or preference of the user. The profile can, for instance, be predetermined and/or can be customized by the user and/or can reflect a preference of the user. The data pushed to the handheld electronic device can also be related in some fashion to a geographic disposition of the handheld electronic device. Such pushing of data and storage is managed by a routine running in the background of the handheld electronic device. The routine enables current data to be maintained on the handheld electronic device for ready access by a user.
US07650367B2
Methods, systems, and computer program products for detecting and restoring missing or corrupted data in a distributed, scalable, redundant measurement platform database are disclosed. According to one method, a local database including local database entries is audited to identify suspect local database entries having at least one of missing and corrupted data. The local database is cross-compared with a redundant remote database that is a peer of the local database and that includes redundant remote database entries that are associated with the local database entries to identify local database entries that are inconsistent with the redundant remote database entries. For each local database entry identified as suspect and inconsistent with the corresponding redundant remote database entry, the local database entry is replaced with the redundant remote database entry.
US07650360B2
Systems and methodologies are provided in a lock hierarchy arrangement wherein upon release of all child locks associated with a parent lock, then such parent lock is also released. The present invention supplies each lock with sufficient information to determine its own life time. Such framework enables a higher degree of transaction concurrency in a database, and mitigates an over locking thereof, thus conserving system resources.
US07650357B2
Join expressions, expressed in terms of objects, are translated into a relational database join statement by generating a parse tree based on the join expression. The parse tree is traversed to build the relational database join statement.
US07650354B2
The present invention provides a system, a method, and a program for checking index consistency online in a database that includes a main database storing a plurality of data segments and an index database storing a plurality of index segments. A system according to an aspect of the present invention includes a record creating unit for sequentially reading out the index segments from the index database and creating a pointer record that contains a pointer value and a key value and for sequentially reading out the data segments from the main database and create a segment record that contains a storage address and an indexed field value of an index target segment to be indexed among the read out segments, a scan point setting unit for setting scan points that indicate progress of creation of the pointer record and the segment record.
US07650353B2
Extensible Markup Language (XML) specification for transforming electronic data interchange (EDI) transactions. A collection of EDI data is received in a batch. The batch of EDI data includes a plurality of EDI documents and each of the plurality of EDI documents has at least one EDI transaction corresponding to a transaction type. The EDI transactions included in the EDI documents are identified by decoding the received EDI data according to EDI standards. A consolidated EDI document is generated from the EDI documents in the batch of EDI data. The consolidated EDI document includes the identified EDI transactions organized according to the transaction type.
US07650352B2
A partial index availability system places, in a restricted state, all pages in the index associated with a structure modification, when an error occurs in processing a log of the said structure modification. This maintains traversability of the rest of the index that is not in restricted state. The system locates and marks a left sentinel and a right sentinel associated with a non-leaf page that is in a restricted state preventing an undo of a transaction. The sentinels prevent a transaction from accessing an uncommitted change associated with the non-leaf page. After a recovery procedure is run the entire index is made available. During the period between the placement of the index pages in LPL or rebuild pending to the time of final removal of these pages from their restrictive states as a result of a recovery procedure being run, the users are given access to the non-restricted portion of the index.
US07650350B1
In a space incremental garbage collector, delays caused by scanning remembered sets are reduced by scanning the remembered sets mostly concurrently with the operation of the non-collection threads. Before scanning, remembered sets associated with regions in some collection set are “sequestered” (no further insertions are allowed by the non-collection threads or the collector) in order to prevent further changes. Any further changes to these sequestered remembered sets that occur before phase two of the scanning process are then handled by one or more “refinement threads.” Each refinement thread is a thread that can record reference locations in remembered sets, scan entries in collection set remembered sets and update reference location lists for use in the aforementioned second phase of remembered set processing. The refinement threads operate concurrently with the operation of the non-collection threads.
US07650341B1
An apparatus in a first device of an association of devices includes a processor configured to: communicate with a storage device storing segments of a distributed, segmented single first file system including file system entities residing in segments and including at least portions of one of files and directories, the association of devices including file servers that control metadata of separate segments of the single first file system, including metadata of file system entities residing in the segments; communicate with a backup module configured to backup file system data of a second file system different from a distributed, segmented file system; analyze data in the single first file system to determine data associated with different segments of the single first file system; and present data from the single first file system to the backup module in accordance with what data belong to which segment of the single first file system.
US07650337B2
A method and system for increasing the computational and network efficiency of presence servers having collections of publications is provided. The presence system uses several techniques that enable a presence server to provide rich presence information without requiring expensive processing. First, the presence system accepts batches of publication updates in a single presence update request. Similarly, the presence system accepts batches of subscription requests. Next, the presence system supports new expiration types for publication update requests that eliminate the need for a publishing user to continually refresh presence information that has not changed. Finally, the presence system accepts access lists that contain membership groups rather than an individual list of users that are to have access to a particular presence collection.
US07650335B2
A method and system for allowing end users to create a database and a user interface to interact with database data are provided. The database management system provides a database abstraction layer that hides the complexities of a database and vendor-specific implementation details from the end user, while still allowing the end user to perform powerful database tasks. The database management system allows an end user with little or no knowledge about databases to create, edit, and maintain a database without understanding the details behind the database. The database management system also provides a facility for the easy creation of web pages to access the database to provide features such as searching, data entry, and browsing data stored in the database.
US07650332B2
A system that facilitates one or more of querying and updating a multi-dimensional structure comprises a component that receives a statement in a declarative language relating to a typed object associated with a multi-dimensional structure. A conversion component analyzes context associated with the statement and automatically converts the object to a disparate type as a function of the analysis. For example, an execution engine can comprise the conversion component, and the execution engine can be an Online Analytical Processing (OLAP) engine.
US07650326B2
Methods and apparatus, including computer systems and program products, relating to an information management system and aggregating data by performing table scans. In general, in one aspect, the technique includes receiving a query for a response to a search on a database, loading data from the database into memory, filtering the data based on the query to generate a list of results, buffering at least one key figure corresponding to a result, buffering at least one dimension value corresponding to each key figure, aggregating the dimension values to generate an aggregate key, aggregating key figures corresponding to the sane aggregate key to generate one or more aggregate key figures, and displaying the response to the search on a display device. Loading the data may include compressing the data. Filtering the data may be performed blockwise.
US07650322B2
A method and apparatus for direct mapping in a compute unit having an internal random access memory the primary operational sequences of an algorithm to related function including storing in an internal random access memory at least one predetermined direct mapped function value for each primary operational sequence of an algorithm; holding in an input data register the address in the random access memory of at least one mapped function value for a selected primary operational sequence of the algorithm and holding in an output register the at least one mapped function value for the selected primary operational sequence of the algorithm read out of the random access memory.
US07650317B2
An active learning framework is provided to extract information from particular fields from a variety of protocols. Extraction is performed in an unknown protocol, in which the user presents the system with a small number of labeled instances. The system then automatically generates an abundance of features and negative examples. A boosting approach is then used for feature selection and classifier combination. The system then displays its results for the user to correct and/or add new examples. The process can be iterated until the user is satisfied with the performance of the extraction capabilities provided by the classifiers generated by the system.
US07650310B2
Embodiments of a system that performs authentication during a financial transaction are described. During operation, this system asks a prospective customer a subset of questions from a set of questions, where the subset of questions has a probability of being different from those asked while previously or subsequently asking questions of the prospective customer or another prospective customer. Next, the system receives answers to the subset of questions from the prospective customer, thereby confirming that the prospective customer is a customer associated with a financial transaction. Then, the system provides transitory information associated with the financial transaction that, for the customer, uniquely identifies a provider of the financial transaction, thereby completing the authentication.
US07650302B2
A numerical calculation device calculates a value of any one of an option premium or an option risk indicator or both related to a barrier option. The numerical calculation device includes a magnitude relation judging unit that judges a magnitude relation between a value of a volatility used for a calculation of the option risk indicator and a threshold value of the volatility at which it is predicted in advance that an overflow occurs, and a calculation executing unit that executes, when it is judged that the value of the volatility is equal to or larger than the threshold value, the calculation of the option risk indicator using a specific approximation formula and calculation procedure.
US07650297B1
The present invention is a system and method for managing returnable containers according to a manufacturer's production schedule. It provides capabilities to move and adjust container inventory throughout the entire parts supply chain. Movements of the containers are tracked to ensure each supplier has at all times a physical inventory of containers that is adequate to ship parts in a timely manner to the manufacturer's facilities. Container movement is controlled through the use of process flows and their relationship with physical locations called “inventory holding areas.” An inventory holding area reflects the quantity of containers that are held within that portion of the supply chain. Each of these portions is represented by an “inventory holding area type.” The system and method operate based on the function of the inventory holding area types and the relationships between each other.
US07650288B2
A facility has been developed whereby an applicant (or his representative) may initiate performance of an intellectual property service such as the making of a maintenance fee, annuity, renewal, tax or other payments and transact the associated fees coincident therewith. Such a facility has several advantages including the ability to reduce float time. Outside the context of annuity-type payments, similar facilities may be employed in conjunction with preparation, filing and prosecution support tools to similarly transact fees associated with the performance of intellectual property services at or about the time such intellectual property services are performed. An intellectual property portal or hub is employed, which in some realizations is hosted on a public, packet switched data network and communicates with both applicants (or representatives) and associates. In some realizations, the intellectual property portal facilitates selection, by applicants (or representatives) of particular jurisdictions and associates based at least in part on fee quotations made in accordance with particulars of an intellectual property filing and in accordance with fee structures of the particular jurisdictions and foreign associates. In addition, some realizations of the intellectual property filing portal facilitate registration of associate- and jurisdiction-specific services and fee schedules.
US07650277B2
A technique to encode an audio signal based on a perceptual model. In one example embodiment, this is accomplished by shaping quantization noise in the spectral lines on a band-by-band basis using their local gains. The noise shaped spectral lines are then fitted within a predetermined bit rate to form an encoded bit stream.
US07650274B2
A system for developing the preceding logic to be implemented in a built-in microcomputer that is used while being incorporated in an electronic control unit. The system includes: a motherboard having a first CPU, a first memory, and a first interface via which the motherboard communicates with the outside, interconnected over a first internal bus; a core board having a second CPU, a second memory, quasi microcomputer peripheral devices, which simulate by software the peripheral devices of a microcomputer, and a second interface via which the core board communicates with the outside, interconnected over a second internal bus; and a PCI bus that links the motherboard and the core board. The development system is substituted for the built-in microcomputer in order to implement the preceding logic.
US07650270B2
The invention is a computer implemented method for fast simulation of the flow of a single and incompressible fluid in a heterogeneous porous medium such as an aquifer or a petroleum reservoir having application such as, for example, to the development of petroleum reservoirs. After discretizing the medium with a grid, a permeability field is determined from which a diffusivity equation is directly solved in the spectral domain by an iterative procedure involving fast Fourier transforms. A first algorithm directly manages the pressures and velocities, but it may be slow for great permeability contrasts. A second algorithm, which introduces an intermediate variable updated at each iteration, allows faster processing of greater permeability contrasts than the first algorithm. The third algorithm, based on increased Lagrangian, allows consideration of infinite permeability contrasts. The algorithms allow simulation of flows in weakly to highly heterogeneous media, with a reduced computing time.
US07650263B2
A method for rapidly determining feasibility of a force optimization problem and for rapidly solving a feasible force optimization problem is disclosed. The method comprises formulating the force optimization problem or force feasibility problem as a convex optimization problem, formulating a primal barrier subproblem associated with the convex optimization problem, and solving the primal barrier subproblem. The method and related methods may also be used to solve each problem in a set of force optimization problems, determine the minimum or maximum force required to satisfy any of a set of force optimization problems, solve a force closure problem, compute a conservative contact force vector, or solve a feasible force optimization problem with bidirectional forces.
US07650262B2
A computer-implemented method of analyzing a dataset of pharmacovigilance data, includes determining a sample size-independent measure of association between two conditions of interest in the dataset of pharmacovigilance data; using a hypergeometric distribution to determine a measure of statistical unexpectedness between the conditions of interest in said dataset, wherein the distribution is based on an urn model under a hypothesis that the conditions are statistically independent; and displaying the measure of association with the measure of the statistical unexpectedness to identify a significant association between conditions of interest.
US07650256B2
An object locating system detects the presence of an object as it passes through a planar fields of view. A pair of optical sensor arrays with multiple, directed, pixel detectors observe the object from two angles as the object passes through the field of view. The location of penetration of the field of view is calculated by triangulation. Using this data, the known location of the take-off point and/or the delay between the departure of an object from the known take-off point and the penetration of the field of view, the trajectory of the object in time and space is calculated. In an alternate embodiment, the take-off point is not known and a plurality of pairs of optical sensor arrays may measure the trajectory of an object as it travels between a launch location and a target location. Applications include projecting the range of a driven golf ball, measuring the respective arriving and departing velocities of a hit baseball, determining the trajectory of a baseball, and determining the trajectory and origin of an arriving projectile, as in the case of the threat to a military vehicle.
US07650251B2
A fabrication history a group of wafers is provided, having a record for each wafer of the manufacturing events that did or did not occur in its fabrication, and having the measured value of a given target. A binary decision rule is formed based on the fabrication history, the rule being that if a wafer has a particular pattern of manufacturing events in its fabrication history then the statistic of the given fabrication target for that wafer is a first value; otherwise, the statistic is a second value having at least a given distance from the first value. The pattern of manufacturing events in the binary decision rule is identified in the generation of the binary decision rule. The identified pattern is significant with respect to the given target.
US07650240B2
Aspects of the present invention are directed at estimating the value of an attribute at a specified geographic location. In one embodiment, a method is provided that estimates the elevation at a principal point using LiDAR data that was collected from spatially related secondary points. More specifically, the method includes identifying secondary points where sample attribute data was obtained that are within a predetermined distance to the principal point where the attribute is being estimated. A secondary point may be selected and allocated a masking zone and a determination made regarding whether one or more distant secondary points are within the area of the masking zone. In this regard, more distant secondary points that are inside a masking zone may be assigned less relevance when estimating the value of the attribute.
US07650236B2
A system used to reduce the possibly of a vehicle entering a freeway ramp in the wrong direction of travel, towards oncoming traffic, is disclosed. The preferred system is comprised of equipment used in conjunction with orbiting satellite transceivers with receivers, such as Global Positioning Systems (GPS) or OnStar™ by General Motors, housed in a vehicle and having the ability in real time to compute the receiver's, and consequently the vehicle's, longitude, latitude, and direction of travel. These devices in collaboration with a controller and freeway mounted mirrors constitute a timely, cost-effective, realizable, and simple means to reduce the possibility of entering a freeway ramp in the wrong direction of travel.
US07650230B1
A navigation assembly (177k) for mounting a conventional, portable navigational device (10k) in a vehicle not originally equipped with navigational capabilities is provided. The navigation assembly (177k) comprises the navigational device (10k) and a mounting assembly (194k). Trim (196k) covering a support pillar (98k) of the vehicle and installed during manufacture of the vehicle is replaced with substantially similar trim (196k) having the mounting assembly (194k) mounted thereto or integrally formed therewith. The mounting assembly (194k) comprises a base (198k), a docking station (200k), and a retractable face plate (202k). The base (198k) of the mounting assembly (194k) is secured to the trim (196k) and includes a cut-out (204k) in which the docking station (200k) may be mounted. The docking station (200k) also includes a cut-out (208k) sized and configured to receive the navigational device (10k). The retractable face plate (202k) covers the cut-out (208k) in the docking station (200k) and is retracted in the rearward position when the navigational device (10k) is mounted in the docking station (200k) and is retracted in the forward position when the navigational device (10k) is not mounted in the docking station (200k).
US07650229B2
A method of automatically communicating subscription-specific messages to a telematics-equipped vehicle includes the following steps: a) establishing a trigger and a message associated with the trigger; b) setting the trigger; c) monitoring for the occurrence of one or more conditions that satisfy the trigger; and d) determining that the one or more conditions have occurred and, if so, then; e) accessing the message associated with the trigger; and f) playing the message.
US07650222B2
An integrative control method and device for controlling gas engines is proposed which is improved load responsivity of the engine in transient operation. The control method comprises a speed control process for controlling engine rotation speed by controlling the fuel gas flow control valve based on deviation of actual engine rotation speed from a target command value of rotation speed, and an air fuel ratio control process for controlling air fuel ratio of fuel-air mixture by controlling throttle valve opening based on deviation of the actual mixture flow rate from the command value of mixture flow rate, whereby at least either fuel gas flow correction or fuel-air mixture flow correction is performed when time-series variation of input signals relating to performance change of the gas engine exceeds a reference range determined beforehand, the fuel gas flow correction being performed by correcting control variables of the fuel gas flow control valve in the speed control process, and the mixture flow correction being performed by correcting opening of the throttle valve in the air fuel ratio control process.
US07650221B2
An ejector system controls the idle speed of an internal combustion engine by controlling an electric throttle valve system that adjusts the flow-rate of the intake air to be supplied to the internal combustion engine, and includes an ejector which generates a negative pressure of which the absolute value is larger than the absolute value of a negative pressure to be introduced from an intake manifold, a vacuum control valve which causes the ejector to operate or causes the ejector to stop operating, and an ECU that controls the vacuum switching valve. With the ejector system, even if the ejector is caused to operate or caused to stop operating, it is possible to appropriately suppress fluctuations in the idle speed, and appropriately obtain a negative pressure.
US07650220B2
A method to operate an electronic controlled internal combustion engine with an electronic controller having memory and tables resident therein to obtain and use sensor data beyond the Nyquist threshold.
US07650219B2
An engine control module comprises a base reserve module, a power steering reserve module, a reserve torque module, first and second engine actuator modules, and an engine speed control module. The base reserve module determines a base reserve torque. The power steering reserve module determines a power steering reserve torque. The reserve torque module determines a first reserve torque based on the base reserve torque, the power steering reserve torque, and at least one of an oil temperature of an engine and a barometric pressure. The first and second engine actuator modules control first and second actuators of the engine, respectively. The engine speed control module instructs the first engine actuator module to produce a first torque output from the engine and instructs the second engine actuator module to produce a second torque output from the engine.
US07650207B2
In a rail track system having transition points, a locomotive having a navigation system (such as a combined inertial/GPS location system) moves along an initially known track and enters the “halo” surrounding a track transition to begin data collection/logging to accumulate successive position information data points as the locomotive moves into, progresses through, and exits the “halo.” The collected data for movement within the “halo” is then subject to a best fit assessment relative to the data pre-stored in the track database.
US07650195B2
An automated tuning method of a large-scale multivariable model predictive controller for multiple array papermaking machine cross-directional (CD) processes can significantly improve the performance of the controller over traditional controllers. Paper machine CD processes are large-scale spatially-distributed dynamical systems. Due to these systems' (almost) spatially invariant nature, the closed-loop transfer functions are approximated by transfer matrices with rectangular circulant matrix blocks, whose input and output singular vectors are the Fourier components of dimension equivalent to either number of actuators or number of measurements. This approximation enables the model predictive controller for these systems to be tuned by a numerical search over optimization weights in order to shape the closed-loop transfer functions in the two-dimensional frequency domain for performance and robustness. A novel scaling method is used for scaling the inputs and outputs of the multivariable system in the spatial frequency domain.
US07650192B2
External power source for an implantable medical device implanted in a patient, the implantable medical device having a secondary coil operatively coupled to therapeutic componentry and method therefore. A modulation circuit is operatively coupled to a power source. A plurality of primary coils are operatively coupled to the modulation circuitry and physically associated with an article into which the patient may come into proximity. The modulation circuit drives at least one of the plurality of primary coils. A sensor is coupled to modulation circuit and is adapted to sense proximity of a component related to the implantable medical device. The modulation circuit commences operation to drive at least one of the plurality of primary coils when the sensor senses proximity with the component related to the implantable medical device.
US07650189B1
An exemplary method includes calling for delivery of energy to one or more electrodes positionable proximate to an autonomic pathway to alter tone of the geniglossus muscle. Such a method may maintain or alter upper airway patency and, in turn, prevent or alleviate obstructive apnea. Other exemplary methods, devices, systems, etc., are also disclosed.
US07650188B2
A medical electrical system includes a device including a connector port and an external electrically active surface and an auxiliary lead including a supplemental electrode and a connector end. The external electrically active surface of the device is adapted to receive the auxiliary lead connector end, thereby electrically coupling the supplemental electrode to the device via contact between the connector end and the external surface.
US07650187B2
An assembly for wireless energy communication to an implanted device comprises an external belt (7) accommodating a wearer control (1) followed by controller (2), a battery pack (4), an inverter (3), a transmission coil (8) connected in parallel by a plurality of capacitors, and an infrared transceiver 9. Provided furthermore is an implanted device comprising a receiver coil (11) having the same dimensions as the transmission coil (8), a rectifier following said receiver coil (11), an infrared transceiver (10) followed by a controller and an sensor assembly (17) assigned thereto as well as a battery pack (16) for powering said implanted device via an energy manager (14).
US07650178B2
A magnetic sensor navigation system is disclosed, which includes: (a) a magnetic sensor array, including one or more magnetic non-Faradaic sensors; (b) a sensor interface operatively connected to receive a signal from each sensor of the array, wherein the sensor interface operates to generate a processed signal from one or more signals received from each sensor of the array; and (c) a processing and control unit connected to receive the processed signal, wherein the processing and control unit operates to calculate a spatial position of the sensor array using the processed signal when the sensor array is placed within a magnetic resonance environment of an MR scanner.
US07650176B2
A non-invasive device and a system for monitoring and measuring blood saturation and heart pulse rate of a baby or infant is provided. The device includes a housing unit configured to be integrated within apparatus, which is attachable proximate to a limb being measured. The housing unit includes at least one light source, providing light directed toward the surface of the limb, a light detector spaced apart from the light source and sensitive to intensity levels of the light reflected from the limb and a processing unit for processing the intensity signals received from the light detector for producing output signals. The device may determine the level of the blood constituent and may also use this level for monitoring and/or to activate an alarm when the level falls outside a predetermined range.
US07650174B2
A resonator pattern made of superconductive material is disposed over a first surface of a base substrate made of dielectric. An adjustment substrate made of dielectric is disposed facing the first surface at a distance from the first surface. The adjustment substrate is supported by a support mechanism for supporting the adjustment substrate in such a manner capable of changing an angle between the first surface and a surface of the adjustment substrate facing the base substrate. A superconductive filter is provided which can shift a center frequency of a filter band and suppress disturbance of a waveform of a filter characteristic, with a simple method.
US07650156B2
A method and apparatus for processing satellite positioning system (SPS) signals which are weak in level. In one embodiment, a SPS receiver receives at least two signal samples representing, at least in part, common information, wherein the two signal samples are associated with one or more satellite messages. By combining the two signal samples, navigation information (e.g., time, position, velocity, etc.) may be determined based on the combination of the two signal samples. According to another embodiment, the two signal samples are differentially demodulated and summed together to form the combination.
US07650144B2
A main controller used in a security system having a sensor or a camera performs wireless communication with the sensor or the camera so as to control the sensor or the camera. The main controller has a plurality of communication sections that perform wireless communication by using communication systems having different communication speeds. The camera transmits and receives information by performing wireless communication with the main controller. The camera is provided with a first camera communication section and a second camera communication section that perform wireless communication by using communication systems having different communication speeds, and a camera communication control section for selecting the first camera communication section and the second camera communication section according to the information to be transmitted and received, as a communication section to perform communication.
US07650133B2
Switching characteristics in an SPDT switch are improved to reduce the rise delay in a low power slot following after a high power slot. Control terminals of an SPDT switch are respectively provided with backflow prevention circuits. The backflow prevention circuit is configured to have two transistors and a diode. In a transmission mode, for example, when a time slot where a high power passes through transistors is followed by a time slot where a low power passes through, the electric charges accumulated in the gates of the transistors are blocked. In the case where the transistors are in the OFF state, the electric charges accumulated in the gates of the transistors are immediately discharged to allow the transistors to be completely turned OFF.
US07650132B2
A circuit is formed to steer current in and out of an inductive load in a manner that enables an amplifier to provide a plurality of gain steps without modifying an LC time constant for the circuit and, therefore, without modifying the tuning or frequency of oscillation for the circuit. A first group of MOSFETs are coupled in parallel and define the circuit current flow. A second group of MOSFETs are coupled in parallel to each other and in series to an impedance device. A third group of MOSFETs coupled to steer current in and out of the impedance device to affect the output signal coupled to one end of the impedance device. The transistors in the second and third groups of MOSFETs are selectively activated to control the amount of current that goes through the impedance device.
US07650130B2
An apparatus comprising a functional circuitry on a first die. Said function circuitry configured to drive an RF voltage isolation link with an RF signal responsive to receipt of a logic signal at a first logic state. Control circuitry modifies the frequency of the RF signal to spread harmonics to other than a fundamental frequency.
US07650122B2
The present invention generally relates to the field of automatic power control (APC) circuitries used in the analog front end of a mobile transmitter. It particularly refers to a power control circuitry (101M, 101N) and a corresponding method for controlling the power level (Pout) of an RF signal (x(t)) to be transmitted at the output port of a variable-gain power amplifier (105) by performing an additional regulation of the APC loop's reference signal (Vref). Thereby, it is proposed to increase the radiated RF power (Pout) in case a transmitting antenna (110) is mismatched to said power amplifier (105) in order to not release an ongoing call. In case there is a subject very close to the terminal antenna, the antenna load is changed and the increased reflected signal is measured. In a closed loop this increased reflected signal is mixed with a reference ramp signal (Vramp) which is used to calculate (S1A) a reference signal (Vref) representing the nominal power level (Pref) for the power (Pout) of the RF signal (x(t)) to be transmitted, which leads to an increasing of the radiated power and prevents said call from being released.The step of calculating (S1A) the reference signal (Vref) as a function of the reference ramp signal (Vramp) and a DC feedback signal (VPD) is realized by the substeps of multiplying (S1a′) a processed version (K·GOP·VPD) of the DC feedback signal (VPD) by the reference ramp signal (Vramp) and adding (S1a″) the output signal (Vramp·K·GOP·VPD) of the multiplication step (S1a′) to the reference ramp signal (Vramp), thereby yielding said reference signal (Vref).
US07650119B2
A wireless communication device is disclosed wherein the voltage swing of a local oscillator (LO) signal is controlled to prevent overstressing semiconductor devices in a mixer to which the LO signal is supplied. A quadrature divider supplies the LO signal to the mixer. Digital calibration methodology controls the current that the quadrature divider draws from a power supply to set the voltage swing of the LO signal that the quadrature divider generates.
US07650118B2
A wireless transmission system is provided. The system includes a wireless transmission apparatus for sending radio signals in a selected frequency and a wireless reception apparatus for receiving the radio signals in the selected frequency and playing audio signals corresponding to the radio signals. The wireless transmission apparatus includes a scan unit for periodically scanning interference frequencies of candidate frequencies, and recording characteristics of each interference frequency; an evaluation value calculating module for calculating an evaluation value of each candidate frequency according to the characteristics of the corresponding interference frequencies; a frequency selection module for choosing one of the candidate frequencies as a current transmission frequency according to the evaluation values; and a transmission unit for sending radio signals in the current transmission frequency. A wireless transmission method is also provided.
US07650111B2
A communication network is operated by providing a wireless communication network that has bandwidth associated therewith to facilitate communication between one or more mobile terminals and another communication device. Streaming media is transmitted to the one or more mobile terminals using the bandwidth associated with the wireless network.
US07650103B2
A developer supply container detachably mountable to an image forming apparatus, and includes a container body having a developer containing portion; a discharging opening, provided in the container body; a gas container storing a compressed gas; a plate-like member, disposed at a position between the container body and the gas container, and configured to move toward the discharge opening to discharge the developer in the developer containing portion through the discharge opening; a switch portion, operable from the image forming apparatus, configured and positioned to release the compressed gas from the gas container so that the plate-like member moves toward the discharge opening; and an urging portion configured and positioned to urge the switch portion to stop the release of the compressed gas from the gas container.
US07650096B2
A needle electrode and a cleaning member are provided. A plurality of needles are arrayed upon the needle electrode in a straight line, and protrude towards a surface of a photoreceptor. The cleaning member is disposed movably along the array direction of the plurality of needles between the surface of the photoreceptor and the needle electrode. When the cleaning member moves, the tip portion of each of the plurality of needles in the arranged order, after having been embedded from the surface of the cleaning member into its interior, then exits to the exterior of the cleaning member.
US07650094B2
An image forming apparatus includes an image bearing member; toner image formation means for forming a toner image on the image bearing member; removing means for removing deposited matter deposited on the image bearing member; detecting means for detecting a toner image to be detected, formed on the toner image formation means; control means for controlling a toner image forming condition of the toner image forming means in accordance with a result of detection of the toner image to be detected by the detecting means; the apparatus being operable in a mode in which the removing means operates to remove the deposition, and the detecting means operates to detect the toner image to be detected, executing means for executing an operation in the mode; and an operating portion for manually starting execution of the operation in the mode by the executing means.
US07650091B2
An image forming apparatus has a heat member configured so that a longitudinal center becomes a conveyance center of the recording material, the apparatus also having a central portion temperature detection part for detecting a temperature of the heat member corresponding to the conveyance center or adjacent thereto, a one side end portion temperature detection part for detecting one end portion temperature at one side in a longitudinal direction of the heat member, and an other side end portion temperature detection part for detecting an other end portion temperature on the other side in the longitudinal direction of the heat member, and a control part for controlling the image forming apparatus based on heat member temperature information detected by the central portion temperature detection part, the one side end portion temperature detection part, and the other side end portion temperature detection part.
US07650084B2
An optical heterodyne receiver and a method of extracting data from a phase-modulated input optical signal. In one embodiment, the optical heterodyne receiver includes: (1) a photonic quadrature demodulator having first and second optical inputs and first and second electrical outputs and configured to generate at the first and second electrical outputs an in-phase signal and a quadrature-phase signal, respectively, in response to receiving a modulated optical signal at the first optical input and a reference optical oscillator signal at the second optical input, (2) a passive radio frequency single sideband demodulator coupled to the photonic quadrature demodulator and configured to extract at least one sideband of the in-phase signal or the quadrature-phase signal and (3) at least one analog-to-digital converter coupled to the passive radio frequency single sideband demodulator and configured to receive and sample the at least one sideband.
US07650081B2
The present invention provides a method and an FSK/IM receiver to solve the problem of burst-mode detection of frequency modulated labels on an ASK (or IM) payload. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, two FSK tones of an input FSK/IM optical signal are separated and communicated to a balanced detector. At the balanced detector, the two FSK tones are subtracted from each other and result in an AC-coupled data stream. The AC-coupled data stream is communicated to a Schmitt-trigger where the hysteresis of the Schmitt-trigger finally eliminates any residual ASK (or IM) payload in the recovered output data. The present invention provides both single channel and WDM solutions.
US07650079B2
An integrated transceiver contains a optical equalizer for a distorted O/E-converted signal, an adaptive regenerator coupled to the equalizer, and a clock recovery circuit coupled to the adaptive regenerator. The transceiver has further an embedded processing unit and an integrated programmable memory which stores software program. The processing unit is coupled to adjust threshold values of the adaptive regenerator according to a software algorithm loaded into the memory.
US07650078B2
Provided are a frequency extracting apparatus and a signal extracting system employing the same. The signal extracting system can reduce the effect of an input signal pattern by extracting two frequency components and beating them to extract a desired clock signal, and improve a signal-to-noise ratio of an extracted clock signal. The frequency extracting apparatus includes: a circulator for changing an output direction of an input signal; a reflective filter for extracting a desired frequency component among frequency components of the input signal; a wavelength and amplitude controlling unit; and the frequency amplitude controller.
US07650072B2
An optical node apparatus according to the present invention amplifies a WDM signal light input to an input port, and thereafter, branches the amplified WDM signal light by an optical branching coupler to send the branched lights to first and second optical paths, and selects the light propagated through the first optical path by an optical switch to amplify the selected light by a post-amplifier, thereby outputting the amplified light from an output port, when the optical node apparatus is operated as an optical amplification repeating node. When the operational state is upgraded to an optical add/drop multiplexing node, an OADM section is connected between a set of connecting ports on the second optical path, and the adjustment of the OADM section is performed utilizing the WDM signal light branched by the optical branching coupler, and thereafter, the switching of the optical switch is performed to select the light on the second optical path side. As a result, since the switching the operational state from the optical amplification repeating node to the OADM node can be performed in a short time, it becomes possible to provide the continued communication service at the low initial installation cost.
US07650065B2
An image stabilizer can steady blurry images. The image stabilizer includes first and second Hall elements and a yoke with a magnet fixed thereto, the yoke including a projected portion to escape magnetic flux from the edge portion of the magnet. In the state in which one of magnets and a coil supporting holder are fixed to a moving frame and in which the optical axis of the correcting lens is matched with the optical axis of the lens system, the first and second Hall elements are moved to the first and second directions so that the first and second Hall elements are properly positioned at the positions in which magnetic force received by the two Hall elements from the magnet becomes a reference value, whereafter the other of the magnets and the coil supporting member are fixed to a supporting frame.
US07650050B2
An optical sensor device for local analysis of a combustion process in a combustor of a thermal power plant, in particular a gas turbine plant, includes at least one wavelength selective optical element exposed directly or indirectly to hot combustion gases being produced by said combustion process, the optical element including an array of nano- and/or microcrystalline fibres which are created by shear flow crystallization.
US07650037B2
This method of displaying a digital image for creating a multimedia content, the image being coded in multiple resolutions, comprises steps consisting of: determining the number of resolutions present in the coded image, obtaining (E230) the data of the sub-images associated with each of the previously determined resolutions, and displaying (E300) all the sub-images.
US07650033B2
A method of compressing a digital ink input including a sequence of strokes is provided in which each stroke is represented as a series of digital words representing x and y co-ordinates, at least one reference co-ordinate of each stroke is expressed in absolute terms, and a co-ordinate other than the at least one reference co-ordinate is expressed as an offset from a preceding co-ordinate. The co-ordinate other than the at least one reference co-ordinate is represented as a combination of an estimate determined from the previous m co-ordinates and a residual error value.
US07650027B2
A currency genuineness detection system using plurality of opto-electronic sensors with both transmission and reflective (including fluorescence) properties of security documents is developed. Both detection sensing strategies utilise integrated response of the wide optical band sensed under UV visible along with optional near infra red light illumination. A security document is examined under static condition. A window signal signature is thus possible from photodetectors responses for various kinds of documents of different denominations, kinds and country of origin. A programmable technique for checking the genuineness of a security document is possible by feeding a unique code of the currency under examination.
US07650015B2
A method and apparatus for localizing an area in relative movement and for determining the speed and direction thereof in real time is disclosed. Each pixel of an image is smoothed using its own time constant. A binary value corresponding to the existence of a significant variation in the amplitude of the smoothed pixel from the prior frame, and the amplitude of the variation, are determined, and the time constant for the pixel is updated. For each particular pixel, two matrices are formed that include a subset of the pixels spatially related to the particular pixel. The first matrix contains the binary values of the subset of pixels. The second matrix contains the amplitude of the variation of the subset of pixels. In the first matrix, it is determined whether the pixels along an oriented direction relative to the particular pixel have binary values representative of significant variation, and, for such pixels, it is determined in the second matrix whether the amplitude of these pixels varies in a known manner indicating movement in the oriented direction. In each of several domains, histogram of the values in the first and second matrices falling in such domain is formed. Using the histograms, it is determined whether there is an area having the characteristics of the particular domain. The domains include luminance, hue, saturation, speed (V), oriented direction (D1), time constant (CO), first axis (x(m)), and second axis (y(m)).
US07650014B2
An image analysis apparatus includes a unit that accepts plural dynamic image data obtained by imaging a subject to be recognized from positions different from each other, a unit that detects a part to be detected of the subject to be recognized from series of frame image data respectively included in the plural dynamic image data, and a correction unit that compares information of a detection position of the part to be detected from the respective dynamic image data and corrects at least a part of the information of the detection position of the part to be detected from the respective dynamic image data on a basis of a result of comparison.
US07650012B2
The present invention relates to a moving-object height-determining apparatus which tracks and monitors a moving-object, such as a human, from a two-dimensional image captured from above by single image-capturing means to calculate a relative height of two moving objects existing relatively close to each other.
US07650011B2
Visual tracking over a sequence of images is formulated by defining an object class and one or more background classes. The most discriminant features available in the images are then used to select a portion of each image as belonging to the object class. Fisher's linear discriminant method is used to project high-dimensional image data onto a lower-dimensional space, e.g., a line, and perform classification in the lower-dimensional space. The projection function is incrementally updated.
US07650006B2
A method and a loudspeaker construction (10), in which loudspeaker construction spherical acoustic wave fronts emitted by the diaphragms (12) of speaker elements (11) are transformed into a uniform, planar acoustic wave front. The loudspeaker construction (10) comprises a plane wave channel (20), in the surface (26) of which plane wave channel directed towards the diaphragm (12) there are adjacent sound inlet apertures (24) for transmitting acoustic waves into ducts (23) and, on the opposite side (22) of the plane wave channel, there are outlet apertures (25) for transmitting acoustic waves from the ducts into a horn portion (30). The ducts (23) taper so that the width (B) of the outlet apertures located in a row on the side of the horn portion is less than half the diameter (D) of the diaphragm.
US07650002B2
A level adjustment method is applicable to an audio processing apparatus having a plurality of amplifiers corresponding to three or more of input channels of an audio signal for amplifying signal levels of the respective input channels. The level adjustment method is carried out by a group arrangement process of arranging the plurality of the input channels into one or more group, and a group control process of controlling each group such as to decrease an amplification rate of all the amplifiers corresponding to the input channels belonging to the same group as a maximal one of the signal levels of the input channels belonging to the same group increases. Typically, the group arrangement process is applied to an audio signal of a surround system having at least six input channels including a left channel, a right channel, a left surround channel, a right surround channel, a center channel and an LFE channel.
US07649996B2
A qubit generating unit generates a qubit having a predetermined quantum state. A qubit encoding unit performs quantum encoding of the generated qubit. A first pseudo-random number generating unit generates a first pseudo-random number from secretly shared information, which has been secretly shared with the quantum receiving device in advance. A quantum modulator performs quantum modulation of the qubit on which quantum encoding has been performed based on the first pseudo-random number and sends the modulated qubit to the quantum receiving device. A second pseudo-random number generating unit generates a second pseudo-random number from secretly shared information which has been secretly shared with the above quantum sending device in advance synchronously with generation of the above first pseudo-random number. A qubit demodulator performs quantum demodulation of the qubit, which has been received from the quantum demodulator based on the second pseudo-random number,
US07649992B2
A processor is provided that includes inputs to receive headers and payloads of messages in block form, a cipher key, a counter block, and an indication that a data block is ready to be received at the processor's first input, and that outputs a data block processes according to a CCM protocol and a signal requesting the provision of a data block at the processor input. The processor also includes first and second cipher circuits generating ciphered results that are a function of a input data block and an input cipher key. Furthermore, the processor includes a controller that processes a first sequence of data blocks through the first cipher circuit to generate a message integrity code and a second sequence of data blocks through the second cipher circuit to generate a set of ciphered data blocks.
US07649987B1
A forwarding telephone number in a programmable telephone number list associated with a called number is dialed in response to a busy or no answer signal at the called number. The programmable telephone number table may include preferred caller telephone numbers. The system and method may be may be implemented on an AIN based wire line system.
US07649986B2
Systems and method for processing orders for telecommunications services are disclosed. Generally a telecommunications transaction set of an electronic data interchange standard is received, the telecommunications transaction set corresponding to a telecommunications product or service for a customer. An order for the telecommunications product or service is then generated based on processing of the telecommunications transaction set.
US07649984B2
There is provided a communication device, which is provided with a target time setting system that sets a determination target time to a time at which a predetermined setting operation is performed, and a determining system that determines whether the determination target time is within a certain transmittable time period. The communication device is further provided with a transmission time setting system that sets a transmission start time to the determination target time when the determination target time is within the certain transmittable time period, and shifts the determination target time so that the determination target time is within the certain transmittable time period when the determination target time is not within the certain transmittable time period, and a transmitting system that starts to communicate with a external device through a network at the transmission start time.
US07649978B2
The computer-implemented method for inspection of a sample includes defining a plurality of locations on a surface of the sample, irradiating the surface at each of the locations with a beam of X-rays, and measuring an angular distribution of the X-rays that are emitted from the surface responsively to the beam, so as to produce a respective plurality of X-ray spectra. The X-ray spectra are analyzed to produce respective figures-of-merit indicative of a measurement quality of the X-ray spectra at the respective location. One or more locations are selected out of the plurality of locations responsively to the figures-of-merit, and a property of the sample is estimated using the X-ray spectra measured at the selected location.
US07649974B2
Methods and systems for controlling an X-ray imaging system. The method for controlling an X-ray imaging system includes acquiring a plurality of subviews of patient attenuation data wherein a first set of subviews of patient attenuation data is acquired at a first radiation flux level and a second set of subviews of patient attenuation data is acquired at a second radiation flux level. The first radiation flux level is different than the second radiation flux level. The method further includes combining the first set of subviews of patient attenuation data and the second set of subviews of patient attenuation data to form corrected views for subsequent image generation.
US07649973B1
An imaging system includes at least two x-ray sources, an x-ray detector assembly and an attenuation filter. The at least two x-ray sources are displaced along a z-axis and configured to alternately emit x-ray beams. The x-ray detector assembly is configured to detect the x-ray beams. The attenuation filter is mounted proximate the at least two x-ray sources and is configured to provide different amounts of x-ray attenuation to the x-ray beams along the z-axis.
US07649972B2
The present invention provides a method for positively acquiring projection data for reconstructing a CT image at a slice position outside the linear movement range. When performing “projection data acquisition” with “rotating” and “linearly moving” the X-ray tube and the multidetector, a holding time is provided in which only the “rotation” is performed without “linear movement” at the starting point and the end point of the linear movement. By adjusting the holding time, the projection data in the view angle range required for image reconstruction of a CT at the slice position outside the linear movement range can be positively acquired, when the rotating velocity is slower or when the linear movement velocity is faster.
US07649965B2
A system and method are provided for maximum likelihood estimation in a channel receiving data with inter-symbol interference (ISI). The method receives a serial stream of digital information bits. Decisions are made concerning the received information bit values, which the method accepts as processed information, with soft decisions (SDs) and corresponding initial hard decisions (HDs). The method then identifies a sequence of processed information in a correction matrix, and uses the correction matrix to cross-reference the sequence to a HD look-up value. In response to accessing the HD look-up value, a modified HD is created. The modified HD is decoded, for example, by using forward error correction (FEC), creating a decoded HD. The method compares the decoded HD to the initial HD, and updates the correction matrix HD look-up value in response to the comparison.
US07649962B2
A phase error correction circuit includes a complex phase rotator for multiplying an input VSB (vestigial-sideband) signal by a phase correction signal and outputting a resultant signal, a specific frequency component elimination filter for eliminating a specific frequency component from the signal output from the complex phase rotator and outputting a resultant signal, a waveform equalizer for performing waveform distortion correction to the signal output from the specific frequency component elimination filter and outputting a resultant signal and a phase correction signal generator for detecting a phase error based on the signal output from the waveform equalizer and outputting a complex signal corresponding to the detected phase error as the phase correction signal.
US07649960B2
The present invention provides a transmitter. In one embodiment, the transmitter includes a coefficient circuit configured to generate coefficients of a set of basis waveforms that represent channel quality metrics and a transmit circuit that transmits the coefficients. The present invention also provides a receiver. In one embodiment, the receiver includes a receive circuit configured to receive coefficients of a set of basis waveforms that represent channel quality metrics and a reconstruction circuit configured to reconstruct the channel quality metrics from the coefficients.
US07649959B2
A method is provided for specifying a transmission mode for each signal portion of a multi-carrier signal transmitted between a first and second device. The method includes defining an adaptive modulation and coding set divided into a plurality of subsets, each of the plurality of subsets including a plurality of transmission modes for transmitting a signal portion. The method further includes selecting a transmission mode subset from the plurality of subsets for transmission of the multi-carrier signal from a first to a second device, selecting a signal portion transmission mode for each signal portion from the plurality of transmission modes of the selected transmission mode subset, defining semantic bits that indicate the selected transmission mode subset, defining an indicator bit for each signal portion indicating the selected sub-carrier transmission mode, and transmitting the semantic bits and the indicator bit for each signal portion from a first to a second device.
US07649956B2
A modulation and demodulation system capable of minimizing a bit error rate in a six-phase phase modulation method. A senary signal phase-modulated and outputted by a modulator is received and phase-modulated by a destination demodulator to a binary signal before conversion by the modulator. The modulator assigns (0, 0), (0, 1), (0, 2), (1, 2), (1, 1) and (1, 0) which are senary signals (bi, ti) to first to sixth phases respectively. The demodulator performs a conversion process from the senary signals to the binary signals, for instance, by storing transmitted senary signals and sequentially converting every senary signal of length m to binary signal of length b so as to output them. The process of the demodulator assigns the first to sixth phases as the senary signals (bi, ti) to (0, 0), (0, 1), (0, 2), (1, 2), (1, 1) and (1, 0) respectively.
US07649954B2
Techniques to process data for transmission over multiple transmission channels. The available transmission channels are segregated into one or more groups, and the channels in each group are selected for use for data transmission. Data for each group is coded and modulated based on a particular coding and modulation scheme to provide modulation symbols, and the modulation symbols for each selected channel are weighted based on an assigned weight. The weighting “inverts” the selected channels such that they achieve similar received SNRs. With selective channel inversion, only “good” channels in each group having SNRs at or above a particular threshold are selected, “bad” channels are not used, and the total available transmit power for the group is distributed across the good channels in the group. Improved performance is achieved by using only good channels in each group and matching each selected channel's received SNR to the required SNR.
US07649953B2
The present invention achieves differential transmit diversity and related diversity reception schemes transmit symbol constellations which are extended to multiple levels. Heretofore, a group of transmission bits is divided into a first sub-group of transmission bits and a second sub-group of transmission bits. Then, the first sub-group of transmission bits is mapped (14) onto constellation points of a differential transmit diversity coding scheme from an orthogonal design for coding of the first sub-group of transmission bits. Then, after differential encoding of the constellation points (32, 34, 36, 40) a length of the transmission symbol vector is scaled (38) for coding the second sub-group of transmission bits. Therefore, the present invention overcomes restrictions implied through unit length requirements for previously known differential transmit diversity schemes from orthogonal designs.
US07649952B1
A method of analyzing soft symbol information in a communication system that transmits multiple independent data streams is disclosed. The method includes setting a trellis structure using a fixed spatial delay constraint, calculating a joint probability between a targeted symbol and a set of observation samples either recursively or nonrecursively, and approximating a likelihood function for a given branch by a single probability density function with mean and variance computed based on available soft information on past symbols relative to the branch that is being currently considered.
US07649948B2
An electric circuit for amplifying an xDSL signal comprises an operational amplifier and a signal monitoring circuit. The operational amplifier is configured to amplify the xDSL signal, is powered by a variable voltage supply and has a gain which is adjustable by an operating mode control signal. The signal monitoring circuit is activated by the operating mode control signal and is configured, when activated by the operating mode control signal, to generate a control signal to adjust the voltage of the variable voltage supply in order to adjust the maximal signal swing of the output signal of said operational amplifier. The control signal is generated by comparing the amplitude of the xDSL signal applied to the electric circuit with an amplitude threshold value.
US07649935B2
A digital timing read back and an adaptive feedforward compensation algorithm to reduce harmonic distortion is disclosed. More specifically, the approach generates harmonic components digitally with the same magnitude but at an opposite phase to the output harmonic distortion. An anti-distortion signal is generated and added to the input signal. The magnitude and phase of the harmonic distortion change with the modulation level or index and the frequency of the input signal. In addition, the harmonic distortion level varies significantly with different timing error statistics in different power devices. The inventive method takes the modulation level or index, the frequency of the input signal and the timing error statistics acquired through a digital read back circuit as input variables to determine the magnitude and phase of the anti-distortion signal.
