US07657324B2
A seal adapted for use with medical devices is provided. The medical device may be a lead having a distal tip adapted for implantation on or about the heart and for connection to a system for monitoring or stimulating cardiac activity. The lead assembly in one embodiment includes an atraumatic tip. A seal is provided within the lead tip assembly, which prevents or limits further entry of fluids through the lead tip. The lead may be a left ventricular lead with a hemostasis mechanism provided therewithin.
US07657322B2
One embodiment of the present invention provides a lead electrode assembly for use with an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator subcutaneously implanted outside the ribcage between the third and twelfth ribs comprising the electrode.
US07657321B2
A radiant therapeutic wrist heating pad, which is not hot to the touch, provides substantial infrared radiation to a user's wrist to alleviate symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome. It can be used for extended periods without feeling uncomfortable to the skin, while imparting deep therapeutic heat to the user's wrist. The heating pad is comprised of a radiant heat generating layer having a plane surface comprising means for radiating heat evenly from its surface, a pair of flexible electrically insulating and radiation permeable layers located adjacent and covering opposite sides of the layer, a thermal insulation layer disposed against and covering one of the electrically insulating layers, and a sealed radiation permeable envelope enclosing the entire heater. Preferably the flexible heat generating layer is comprised of a fiberglass material impregnated with a resistive material, which material provides a surface temperature, when current is conducted therethrough, which is no greater than about 54 degrees Celsius. Current limiting thermostats are provided to prevent energy and temperature spikes in the event that any of the electrical components are creased or bent. A stiffening element helps protect the electrical components, and also orients the user's hand with respect to the forearm so as to place the wrist in a therapeutic position.
US07657320B2
Disclosed is an electronic device comprising an inductive element configured to function in a communication mode as an antenna for picking up communication signals, and in a power conversion mode as an inductive element configured to be the energy storage inductor in a switching regulator used for conditioning the power available from an internal power source to power for powering the device, and a controllable switch for switching between said communication mode and said power conversion mode. The communications system further comprises a controllable switch for connecting said inductive element to either said receiver or said power conversion circuit. The controllable switch switches the system between the communication mode and the power conversion mode by means of unipolar or bipolar transistor switches or by mechanical switches or relays. The communication system may be used in an in-vivo medical device.
US07657319B2
A method of programming implantable stimulators to deliver stimulation energy via one or more implantable leads having complex electrode array geometries. The method further includes guided programming to select electrode combinations and parameter values to support efficacy. The techniques may be applied to a programming interface associated with a clinician programmer, a patient programmer, or both. A user interface permits a user to view electrodes from different perspectives relative to the lead. For example, the user interface provides an unwrapped two-dimensional array view of a lead and a concentric axial view of the lead. The user interface may include an axial control medium to select and/or view electrodes at different axial positions along the length of a lead, and a rotational control medium to select and/or view electrodes at different angular positions around a circumference of the lead.
US07657318B2
The locus of electrically excitable tissue where action potentials are induced can be controlled using the physiological principle of electrotonus. In one embodiment, first and second pulses are applied to first and second electrodes, respectively, to generate first and second subthreshold potential areas, respectively, within the tissue. The locus within the tissue where action potentials are induced is determined by a superposition of the first and second subthreshold areas according to the physiological principle of electrotonus. In another embodiment, a two-dimensional array of electrodes are formed. The cathode may be positioned near the center of the two-dimensional array or may be left out. The first and second subthreshold areas may thereby be steered. An array of anodal rings may be used to contain the field of excitation.
US07657317B2
A tissue stimulation system is provided that evaluates and/or scores stimulation sets based on both patient feedback and frequency of use. Stimulation sets and any associated scores and/or usage may be stored in a retrievable database. Upon subsequent stimulation sessions, a patient may select stimulation sets that have a high score and/or usage in order to effectively meet therapeutic objectives. Methods of determining patient satisfaction, which involve evaluating patient pain before and after stimulation pulses are applied, are also provided herein.
US07657313B2
A system including a learning module and an algorithmic module for learning a physiological aspect of a patient body and regulating the delivery of a physiological agent to the body. An embodiment of the invention is an adaptive CRT device performing biventricular pacing in which the AV delay and VV interval parameters are changed dynamically according to the information supplied by the IEGM, hemodynamic sensor and online processed data, in order to achieve optimal hemodynamic performance.A learning module, preferably using artificial neural network, performs the adaptive part of the algorithm supervised by an algorithmic deterministic module, internally or externally from the implanted pacemaker or defibrillator.
US07657311B2
A subcutaneous implantable cardioverter-defibrillator is disclosed which has an electrically active canister which houses a source of electrical energy, a capacitor, and operational circuitry that senses the presence of potentially fatal heart rhythms. At least one subcutaneous electrode that serves as the opposite electrode from the canister is attached to the canister via a lead system. Cardioversion-defibrillation energy is delivered when the operational circuitry senses a potentially fatal heart rhythm. There are no transvenous, intracardic, or epicardial electrodes. A method of subcutaneously implanting the cardioverter-defibrillator is also disclosed as well as a kit for conducting the method.
US07657310B2
I disclose a method of treating a reproductive endocrine disorder in a patient, including coupling at least one electrode to at least one portion of a cranial nerve of the patient; and applying an electrical signal to said cranial nerve using said electrode to treat said reproductive endocrine disorder. Among the reproductive endocrine disorders which may be treated by the method are gonadal dysgenesis, hypogonadism, hypergonadism, delayed puberty, amenorrhea, infertility, premature menopause, and polycystic ovarian disease.
US07657306B2
A method of and a device for non-invasively measuring the hemodynamic state of a subject or a human patient involve steps and units of non-invasively measuring cardiac cycle period, electrical-mechanical interval, mean arterial pressure, and ejection interval and converting the measured electrical-mechanical interval, mean arterial pressure and ejection interval into the cardiac parameters such as Preload, Afterload and Contractility, which are the common cardiac parameters used by an anesthesiologist. The converted hemodynamic state of a patient is displayed on a screen as a three-dimensional vector with each of its three coordinates respectively representing Preload, Afterload and Contractility. Therefore, a medical practitioner looks at the screen and quickly obtains the important and necessary information.
US07657305B2
An implantable medical device provides for improved storage of recorded IEGMs. A sensing stage is connected to an electrode for picking up electric potentials from inside a heart, the time course of said electric potentials representing a heart signal, a control unit connected to said sensing stage is adapted to process a sequence of data points that each represent an amplitude or magnitude A of a time-varying signal at equidistant points of time t, wherein end points of data segments are determined by processing of the sequence of data points. The control unit is adapted to identify end points of data segments by processing of the sequence of data points.
US07657300B2
A method for use during a procedure on a body. The method generates a display representing relative positions of two structures during the procedure. The method comprises the steps of storing an image data set in memory, the image data set representing the position of the body based on scans taken of the body prior to the procedure; reading the image data set stored in the memory, the image data set having a plurality of data points in known relation to a plurality of reference points for at least one of the two structures; placing one or more magnetic field sensors in known relation to the reference points of the two structures; generating a magnetic field; detecting the magnetic field with the magnetic field sensors; ascertaining the locations of the sensors based upon the magnetic field detected by the sensors and processing the locations of the sensors to generate a displaced image data set representing the relative position of the two structures during the procedure; and generating a display based on the displaced image data set illustrating the relative position of the two structures during the procedure.
US07657296B2
A sensor assembly is provided that includes a frame having a first portion and a second portion connected by a hinge. An emitter and a detector are disposed on the frame. A coating is provided over the frame, the emitter and the detector to form a unitary sensor assembly. The sensor assembly also includes a resistance-providing component disposed generally about the hinge. In one embodiment, the sensor assembly may be placed on a patient's finger, toe, ear, and so forth to obtain pulse oximetry or other physiological measurements. A method of manufacturing the sensor assembly is also provided as is a method of cleaning a fluid-tight sensor assembly.
US07657294B2
A unitary sensor is provided that includes a frame upon which electrical and optical components may be disposed and a coating, such as an overmolded coating provided about the frame. The unitary sensor includes one or more diaphragm structures formed from thin regions of the coating material and disposed generally about at least one of the optical components. The diaphragm structure or structures allow the optical components to be separated, such as by application of an opposing force to the lateral sides of the sensor, such that the sensor may be placed on a patient. The sensor may thereby be placed on a patient's finger, toe, and so forth to obtain pulse oximetry or other physiological measurements.
US07657281B2
Methods of displaying information on a display of a cellular telephone are provided in which information from at least a first of a plurality of standby screen applications is displayed on the display of the cellular telephone while the cellular telephone is in a standby mode. A second of the plurality of applications is then automatically selected based on a set of pre-defined rules. Thereafter, the displayed information from the first of the plurality of applications is replaced with information from the second of the plurality of applications while the cellular telephone remains in the standby mode. Related cellular telephones and computer program products are also provided.
US07657279B2
An apparatus and method for transmitting information for a Multimedia Broadcast/Multicast Service (MBMS) is provided that facilitates a mobile communication device receiving a specific MBMS without any difficulty when the device moves from one area to another area. By providing MBMS status information to a controller in the area from which the device moved, the controller in the area from which the device moved can either establish an additional channel to provide the MBMS to the device or initiate a relocation of control of the device to a controller in the area into which the device has moved.
US07657277B2
Apparatus and methods efficiently estimate signal-to-noise ratios of a received signal irrespective of intentional adjustments to transmitting power due to fluctuating data rates. For example, in one embodiment, the variation in power due to the change in data rate is decoupled from environmental sources for variations in power. In one embodiment, the signal to noise ratio is adjusted for the data rate. In another embodiment, another signal is used as a reference for the signal to noise computation. This advantageously permits a system to efficiently and accurately control power in a power control loop for efficient use of spectral bandwidth and for relatively good grade of service (GoS).
US07657265B2
An object locating system (100), the system (100) comprising at least first and second mobile devices (120, 130) associated by a relationship defined at least in part by a threshold. The at least first and second mobile devices are operable to be monitored by a communication network as one mobile device (120) or as separate mobile devices (120, 130) as a function of the relationship relative to the threshold.
US07657253B2
A method for providing message notification in a wireless network includes receiving from a subscriber a message that is to be sent over the wireless network, receiving from the subscriber a requested notification type and a requested notification destination, processing the requested notification type and the requested notification destination, and sending the requested notification type to the requested notification destination.
US07657246B2
Particular embodiments of mixer designs permit greater integration on standard chips with an improvement in power and linearity to enable low-power, high-performance reception. Some embodiments feature a method of frequency conversion using at least two stages of switches to mix an input signal with reference signals. The method involves mixing a differential input signal with a first differential reference signal through a first stage of switches, generating from the first stage of switches a first frequency converted differential signal, and mixing the first frequency converted differential signal with a second differential reference signal through a second stage of switches. The method includes generating from the second stage of switches a second frequency converted differential signal. The first differential reference signal can be phase shifted from the second differential reference signal and can have a different frequency. The mixer designs can have multiple stages of switches in a low-supply voltage design.
US07657241B2
Techniques are disclosed for compensating for second-order distortion in a wireless communication device. In a zero-intermediate frequency (IF) or low-IF architecture, IM2 distortion generated by the mixer (20) results in undesirable distortion levels in the baseband output signal. A compensation circuit (104) provides a measure of the IM2 distortion current independent of the radio frequency (RF) pathway to generate an IM2 calibration current. The IM2 calibration current is combined with the baseband output signal to thereby eliminate the IM2 currents generated within the RF pathway. In one embodiment, the calibration is provided at the factory during final testing. In alternative embodiment, additional circuitry (156, 158) may be added to the wireless communication device to provide a pathway between the transmitter (150) and the receiver (146). The transmitter signal is provided to the receiver to permit automatic calibration of the unit. An internal signal source (162) may be used in place of the transmitter (150). The auto-calibration may be performed to eliminate IM2 distortion or permit optimization of the circuit to minimize other forms of distortion or interference.
US07657232B2
Embodiments of methods and means for calibrating a linearization characteristic within an RF transceiver system are provided. Such embodiments generally include extracting a portion of an output signal and frequency shifting or translating that signal by a predetermined value. The frequency shifted signal is then summed or otherwise introduced into a receiver signal pathway where it is analyzed by digital signal processing or other means to determine if linearization distortion is present. Linearization calibration of a power amplifier, a low-noise amplifier and/or other functionality within the system can then be performed in an automatic, reliable and ongoing manner.
US07657228B2
Some embodiments of the invention provide devices, systems and methods of noise identification and cancellation. For example, an apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the invention includes: a characterizer to estimate a non-linear mutual relation between: a characteristic of an incoming interference signal, and an estimated portion of noise level in an incoming signal-of-interest caused by the incoming interference signal; and a noise canceller to reduce an effect of the interference signal on the signal-of-interest by applying a noise reduction algorithm based on said non-linear mutual relation.
US07657222B2
A wireless cable networking gateway, a method of wireless cable networking and a Wi-Fi system incorporating the gateway or the method. In one embodiment, the gateway includes: (1) a wireless transceiver for transferring data between wireless and wireline domains, (2) wide-area and premises cable interfaces for coupling the wireless cable networking gateway to respective wide-area and premises cable networks and (3) channel insertion and extraction circuitry, coupling the wireless transceiver, the wide-area cable interface and the premises cable interface, that routes the data between the wireless transceiver and at least a portion of a television channel to be transmitted across at least the premises cable interface, remaining television channels being transmitted from the wide-area cable interface to the premises cable interface.
US07657221B2
The invented apparatus, system and method for examining a student's oral answer capability includes a presentation mechanism for presenting a program test including one or more questions and soliciting one or more answers as oral inputs; a voice recognition mechanism for receiving a voice stream from a student oral recitation and for converting the voice stream to text-based essay form and for recording the same as a first given answer; answer key data stored in memory, the answer key data representing an ideal answer; a correlation mechanism coupled with the first given answer and with the stored answer key data for comparing the given answer to the stored answer key; and a grading mechanism coupled with the correlation mechanism for assigning a point score representing the merit of the given answer relative to the stored answer key data, wherein the point score represents the level of correlation therebetween.
US07657216B2
A fixing unit which enables high-speed operation and miniaturization, and an image forming apparatus having the fixing unit, includes a heating member which is heated by a heat source, the heating member having a predetermined width; a rotating member to rotate in contact with the heating member; a driving member to rotate the rotating member; and a pressing member to press both sides of the heating member towards the driving member and to form a predetermined fixing nip between the rotating member and the driving member, wherein the heating member has a second moment of inertia which is set to maintain a fixing efficiency of 90% or more in a central portion of the heating member.
US07657215B2
An image forming apparatus includes a fixing device in which a cleaning mechanism for collecting toner left on a heat roller is arranged. When a preselected number of prints are output after the end of a printing job, a cleaning operation for cleaning the heat roller is executed. When a power-supply OFF request arrives while the cleaning operation is under way, a power-supply OFF operation is postponed until the cleaning operation ends.
US07657205B2
A multi-function peripheral including: a printing portion; a scanning portion reading an image from a document; a discharge portion disposed between the printing portion and the scanning portion, and loading sheets of print media on which images are formed; and a finisher installed on the discharge portion to post-process the print media, on which the image is formed. The finisher includes: a plurality of fixing units including a first fixing portion disposed on a lower portion of the finisher in order to prevent the finisher from moving upward and a second fixing portion that can rotate so as to prevent the finisher from moving in an attaching direction on the discharge portion.
US07657200B2
A fixing device for fixing an unfixed toner image by heating and pressurizing a recording material by which the unfixed toner image is carried includes a heating member having a heat source, a pressurizing member that faces the heating member and that forms a fixing nip region between the heating member and the pressuring member, a belt member that circulates while being tensioned around the heating member and is able to transport the recording material while in contact with a surface of the unfixed toner image of the recording material, and a belt driving device that temporarily stops or decelerates the belt member after a rear edge of the recording material passes through the fixing nip region, and that restores the belt member before a leading edge of a subsequent recording material reaches the fixing nip region.
US07657198B2
The present application is directed to methods of controlling the transfer voltage in a transfer nip formed between the photoconductive member and the transfer member. The methods offset the effects of large transfer current spikes caused when a media sheet enters and exits the transfer nip. The control may include either ramping up or ramping down the transfer voltage. The ramped transfer voltage may include a series of alternating positive and negative steps that generally trend to ramp up or down. The size of the steps may further be adjusted to provide a smooth transition.
US07657197B2
An image forming apparatus performs a control sequence in which an AC voltage having a peak-to-peak voltage is applied to a charging member so that a relationship between an absolute value of a surface potential of an image bearing member at a portion under a transfer residual toner remaining on the image bearing member which has been electrically charged by the charging member during non-image formation and an absolute value of a surface potential of a developer carrying member is reversed with respect to a relationship between these absolute values during image formation.
US07657192B2
A communications system includes an optical receiver for receiving optical signals and for converting the optical signals into electrical signals, a transimpedance amplifier (“TIA”) for filtering the electrical signals, a limiting amplifier coupled with the TIA, an automatic threshold control (“ATC”) coupled with the TIA for providing a reference voltage for the limiting amplifier. The ATC further includes a common emitter circuit and an emitter follower circuit, wherein logic high signals and logical low signals in the electrical signals are determined based on the reference voltage output from the ATC.
US07657175B2
An optical communication device for detecting a defect in a standby optical fiber. An active optical output unit converts an electrical signal to an optical signal, and a standby optical output unit is provided as a substitute for the active optical output unit. An optical router is connected to the active optical output unit by an active optical fiber, and is also connected to the standby optical output unit by a standby optical fiber. The optical router outputs the optical signal received from the active optical output unit to the subsequent stage, and also outputs part of the optical signal to the standby optical output unit. A defect detector detects a defect in the standby optical fiber on the basis of the light level of the optical signal output from the optical router to the standby optical output unit through the standby optical fiber.
US07657164B2
A subject shake detection device includes a shake detection unit that detects a shake amount of an imaging unit for photographing a subject, a subject shake detection unit that detects an image shake amount from a motion picture to be photographed by the imaging unit and acquires a subject shake amount on the basis of a difference between the image shake amount and the shake amount, and an informing unit that informs a subject shake on the basis of the subject shake amount.
US07657162B2
A hand inserting portion is opened at one surface of a casing or at both the one surface and other surface of the casing. The hand inserting portion includes a space in which hands can be accommodated. A high-pressure-airstream generating unit generates a high-speed airstream. A nozzle is provided on each of two opposing sides of the hand inserting portion, from which the high-speed airstream is jetted into the space of the hand inserting portion. The nozzle includes a hole array formed by arranging a plurality of nozzle holes in a row. Air volume of the high-speed airstream is larger at a central portion of the hole array than at other portions of the hole array.
US07657153B2
A data processing apparatus is capable of writing program data concerning video and/or audio on a first storage medium and a second storage medium. The data processing apparatus includes: a reception section for receiving a signal concerning the program data; a selection section for selecting, from among a plurality of formats, a format which is writable on the first storage medium; and a control section for writing the program data on the first storage medium in the selected format, and after writing on the first storage medium is ended, continuing to write the program data on the second storage medium in the format.
US07657149B2
A system for storing video data includes a receiver configured to receive a stream of video data that includes a sequence of original transport packets. Each original transport packet has a first predetermined number of bytes including video data bytes. A first circuit is configured to add a second predetermined number of bytes to each original transport packet to create a modified transport packet having a third predetermined number of bytes. A storage medium is addressable on sector boundaries, wherein each sector has a predetermined number of user data bytes different from the first predetermined number of bytes. The first byte in a modified transport packet aligns with a first user data byte in a sector after a first predetermined number of sectors following a previous alignment.
US07657141B2
A photonic bandgap fiber includes a hollow core formed along a center axis of the photonic bandgap fiber, through which a light propagates and a cladding region made of silica glass. The cladding region includes air holes forming a triangular lattice arranged around the hollow core. A lattice constant of the triangular lattice of the air holes Λ is equal to or smaller than 2.1 μm. Confinement loss in a predetermined wavelength range including a center wavelength of a photonic bandgap is lower than scattering loss.
US07657137B2
A photonic interconnect system avoids high capacitance electric interconnects by using optical signals to communicate data between devices. The system can provide massively parallel information output by mapping logical addresses to frequency bands, so that modulation of a selected frequency band can encode information for a specific location corresponding to the logical address. Wavelength-specific directional couplers, modulators, and detectors for the photonic interconnect system can be efficiently fabricated at defects in a photonic bandgap crystal. The interconnect system can be used for both classical and quantum information processing.
US07657136B2
A photoelectric integrated circuit device, in which photonic devices provided on the same substrate as the LSI are densely arranged along the four sides of the LSI, and characteristic degradation of the laser diode or photo detector due to heat generation can be prevented, furthermore optical wiring is easily performed on the board. A quadrilateral package substrate 11; an LSI package 13 mounted on the package substrate 11; photonic devices 12 mounted along two or more sides of the LSI package 13; first photonic devices electrically connected to I/O terminals disposed on one side of the LSI package 13; second photonic devices electrically connected to I/O terminals disposed on a different side of the LSI package 13; first optical waveguides for connecting between the optical signal I/O terminals of the first photonic devices and an external component or device; and second optical waveguides for connecting between the optical I/O terminals of the second photonic devices and an external component or device; wherein the first and second optical waveguides are terminated on the same side edge of the package substrate 11.
US07657131B2
Embodiments include systems and methods for integrated circuitry optical modulation. In one embodiment, an integrated circuit comprises an optical waveguide enabling multi-level modulation. The embodiment comprises an optical waveguide with integrated circuit modulators. An optical waveguide is split into at least two branches so that modulation can be imposed in each branch. In one embodiment, the branches are combined to produce an optical signal path in which additional modulation is imposed. In an embodiment of an integrated circuit optical demodulator, a received modulated optical signal is divided into branches and demodulated. Embodiments provide a single integrated circuit for multi-level modulation, thereby avoiding the disadvantages of modulation using separate discrete components. Also, a single integrated circuit for multi-level demodulation is provided.
US07657113B2
A method and apparatus for denoising digital images or videos, which is an extension of the spatial varying filter (SVF) by using a past filtered pixel, instead of the current pixel itself as the input for producing an output for the current pixel. Based on this concept, a number of denoising filters are provided, including Auto-regressive Spatial Varying Filter (ARSVF), Modified Auto-regressive Spatial Varying Filter (MARSVF), Auto-Regressive Spatiotemporal Varying Filter (ARSTVF) which is an extension of Spatiotemporal Varying Filter (STVF), Auto-regressive Motion Compensated Spatiotemporal Varying Filter (ARMCSTVF) which is extension of Motion Compensated Spatiotemporal Varying Filter (MCSTVF), and Selective Auto-regressive Motion Compensated Spatiotemporal Varying Filter (SARMCSTVF).
US07657108B2
A method of encoding a set of data representing physical quantities includes the steps of dividing the set of data into subsets, calculating a first encoding cost for each subset using a first encoding mode, calculating a second encoding cost for each subset using a second encoding mode, and selecting an encoding mode per subset as a function of the first and second encoding costs, in which the two encoding costs are calculated according to the same rate-distortion compromise (λ), for the image overall.
US07657107B2
In order to implement image encoding appropriately, an image encoding method includes: a detection step of detecting that data having a predetermined value exists within a data group (an encoded image) configured of a series of data strings; a transformation step of transforming the predetermined value that exists within the data group into another value; and a situating step of situating the data having the predetermined value at a desired position within the data group.
US07657104B2
Visual objects can be classified according to image type. In one embodiment, the present invention includes capturing a visual object, and decompressing the visual object to a colorspace representation exposing each pixel. The contribution of each pixel to a plurality of image types can then be determined. Then, the contributions can be combined, and the image type of the visual object can be determined based on the contributions.
US07657099B2
A method and apparatus for processing a line pattern using a convolution kernel. An apparatus for processing a line pattern, the apparatus including a light source module radiating predetermined light and a camera module capturing an image of an object, onto which the light is radiated, the apparatus processing a line pattern included in the captured image, includes: a kernel learning unit determining a kernel shape and an optimal threshold value with respect to each vertical interval of the image using a simple line pattern formed at a predetermined location; a convolution application unit applying convolution to a captured test image using the determined kernel shape and optimal threshold value; and a region selection unit scanning each pixel column in the image, to which the convolution is applied, in a vertical direction, and setting pixel values of pixel groups other than a selected pixel group to 0 when a plurality of pixel groups having pixel values other than 0 exists.
US07657098B2
A ringing area detector classifies the input image into two regions: a mosquito noise region (i.e. filtering region) and a non-mosquito noise region (i.e. non-filtering region), and uses this classification information to adaptively remove the mosquito noise in a mosquito noise reduction system. The mosquito noise reduction system includes a ringing area detector, a local noise power estimator, a smoothing filter, and a mixer. The ringing area detector includes an edge detector, a near edge detector, a texture detector, and a filtering region decision block. The ringing detection block detects the ringing area where the smoothing filter is to be applied. The local noise power estimator controls the filter strength of the smoothing filter. The smoothing filter smoothes the input image. The mixer mixes the smoothed image and the original image properly based on the region information from the ringing area detection block.
US07657097B2
A system and method of producing an image using a plurality of independent pixel devices, each of which includes one or more light emitting or polarizing elements. The pixel devices are fixed (e.g. on the side of a building) or are moving (e.g. on water or falling in air) within an image space in which an image is to be formed. A controller determines, based upon the locations of the pixel devices within the image space, what portion of the image each pixel device is to reproduce, and then commands the pixel devices to use the emitting devices to reproduce the corresponding portion of the image. As the pixel devices move, the new locations of the pixel devices are mapped onto the image, and the control of the pixel devices is modified accordingly so that the image produced by the pixel devices is not distorted by their movement.
US07657096B2
A method of extracting at least a portion of moving image data from supplied moving image data is provided. The method includes (a) a moving image evaluation step of generating moving image evaluation data by evaluating the supplied moving image data, the evaluation being chronologically performed based on a prescribed condition, (b) a moving image data extraction step of extracting the at least a portion of moving image data from the supplied moving image data based on the moving image evaluation data, and (c) a moving image data classification step of classifying the extracted moving image data into a plurality of classes based on the moving image evaluation data.
US07657093B2
Column misalignment between a character string recognized by a MICR and a character string recognized by optical character recognition is corrected to improve character recognition reliability. A magnetic data reading unit detects the magnetism of a character string printed in magnetic ink and outputs the detected magnetic data. An image reading unit optically reads the same character string printed in magnetic ink and outputs the image data. A magnetic data recognition unit applies a character recognition process to the magnetic data output by the magnetic data reading unit and outputs magnetic data recognition result. An image data recognition unit applies character recognition to the image data output by the image reading unit and outputs image data recognition result. A recognition result comparing unit applies a column offset detection process to detect misalignment between the character columns in the magnetic data recognition result and image data recognition result, then applies a column offset correction process to correct the column offset and align corresponding character columns, and then compares corresponding character columns in the magnetic data recognition result and image data recognition result based on the character strings after correcting the column offset and outputs a final recognition result.
US07657091B2
The present invention provides a method for processing a document involving the automatic removal of text from a predetermined area of a document, the method comprising inputting a bitmap containing the predetermined area of the document from which the text will be removed wherein the predetermined area contains handwritten strokes, detecting the text, removing the text and any handwritten strokes that intersect with the text and outputting the bitmap with the text removed therefrom.
US07657090B2
To provide a region detecting method capable of setting a proper threshold independently of a photographing condition and moreover, quickly and accurately detecting a specific region, which uses an image data storing section 10 for storing a sample image 12 and a purposed image 11, a first computing means 1 for obtaining the extraction-region-identifying threshold data for a plurality of sample images including a common extraction region but having average color values different from each other in accordance with a genetic algorithm and generating a threshold table 8 for the average color values, a second computing means 2 for adaptively computing the extraction-region-identifying threshold data for the purposed image 11 in accordance with the average color value of the purposed image and the threshold table 8, and a third computing means 3 for detecting an extraction region in accordance with the threshold data computed by the second computing means 12.
US07657087B2
This invention provides a method and computer-readable medium for detecting flesh-tone regions in pictures, images, and videos. First, a flesh-tone axis is defined in a color space coordinate system, the flesh-tone axis passing through both the center of a flesh-tone region and the origin of the color space coordinate system. A perpendicular point, is then calculated on the flesh-tone axis as being the point having the shortest distance to an input pixel. A first distance and a second distance are then calculated based on the coordinates of the input pixel, the perpendicular point and the center of the flesh-tone region. The determination as to whether the input pixel is in the flesh-tone region can be made based on the first distance and second distance.
US07657085B2
In an information processing apparatus, such as an image processing apparatus, positive samples and negative samples are learned by a number of weak classifiers. During learning by the weak classifiers, a value of weighted majority is calculated as a sum of products of the results of classification by the respective weak classifiers and associated weights, and a learning threshold is also calculated. When the number of negative samples is greater than or equal to one half of the number of positive samples, negative samples for which the value of weighted majority is less than the learning threshold are removed.
US07657073B2
A nodule registration system useful for tracking lung nodules in computed tomography (CT) scans is presented. The system registers a small sphere centered on a detected nodule in one scan with another scan under a rigid transformation assumption using a fast registration scheme. The registration scheme employs very fast simulated annealing (VFSA) with constraints to maximize a tunable cross-correlation (TCC) coefficient, enabling the system to register, with minimal registration error, all nodules within their maximum diameter. The system achieves an average registration time of 10 seconds or less on a 3.06 GHz computer programmed to implement the present invention.
US07657071B2
Systems, devices, and methods for bundle segmentation in diffusion tensor magnetic resonance imaging
Certain exemplary embodiments can comprise a method that can comprise automatically causing a representation of body tissue to be rendered. The representation of the body tissue can comprise a plurality of voxels located in an interior region of the body tissue. Each of the plurality of voxels can have a negative value of an energy change function.
US07657068B2
An invention is described wherein a medical image analysis process which utilizes information contained in at least one medical image and in which a quantitative evaluation is derived from the medical image analysis process and delivered as an output, also delivers as an output the result of an error analysis, performed in order to provide information relating to the accuracy of the quantitative evaluation. This error analysis may be based on an evaluation of the artifacts which have an effect on the image. This error analysis may also be based on an evaluation of the imaging processes which have an effect on the image.
US07657064B1
An image containing text (e.g., a surveillance camera photo that includes a vehicle license plate) is analyzed to determine the text (e.g., by an OCR technique). The recognized text is then stored in a database. The image is digitally watermarked with an identifier that associates the image with the database location where the text is stored. In addition to surveillance contexts, this technology can be employed in indexing the World Wide Web. Images used in web pages can be watermarked to link to associated text or other data. When the web page is crawled by an indexer, the watermark can be decoded and the associated data repository accessed to obtain information that can augment the web index for that page.
US07657060B2
The techniques and mechanisms described herein are directed to a system for stylizing video, such as interactively transforming video to a cartoon-like style. Briefly stated, the techniques include determining a set of volumetric objects within a video, each volumetric object being a segment. Mean shift video segmentation may be used for this step. With that segmentation information, the technique further includes indicating on a limited number of keyframes of the video how segments should be merged into a semantic region. Finally, a contiguous volume is created by interpolating between keyframes by a mean shift constrained interpolation technique to propagate the semantic regions between keyframes.
US07657057B2
The disclosure details methods and systems for watermark encoding and decoding. In one implementation a method is provided to detect steganographic indicia embedded in a streaming media signal. The method includes receiving a streaming media signal; caching selected portions of the streaming media signal; detecting steganographic indicia from cached portions of streaming content; and carrying out an action based at least in part on detection of the steganographic indicia. Additional solutions, methods and implementations are detailed in the disclosure.
US07657056B2
Disclosed is an apparatus for processing image data in a portable terminal equipped with a camera. In the apparatus the image data photographed by the camera are coded by a predetermined coding scheme in a photographing mode of the camera, header information of a stream of the coded image data is generated and inserted into the stream, identifying information is generated as a watermark and the watermark is inserted into the stream, and the stream comprising the watermark is stored.
US07657055B2
An image processing method for reconstructing an image of an arbitrary view point from plural photographed images, for the purpose of reducing a memory capacity for storing photographed images in an image generating apparatus capable of generating an image of an arbitrary view point, the method including a setting step of setting a view point position, an input step of inputting photographed images, and an extraction step of extracting light beam data necessary for reconstructing an image at the set view point position from the photographed images, wherein the input step and the extraction step are repeated until the reconstructed image is generated.
US07657041B1
A fiber optical audio preamplifier receives audio signals from an audio source, amplifies the audio signals, and transfers the signals to a power amplifier. The fiber optical audio preamplifier has at least one first signal converter. Each first signal converter acquires one audio signal from one audio source and converts the audio signal to a modulated light signal. At least one fiber optic volume control device that includes a variable optical attenuator that is connected to receive the modulated light signal. A control signal for sets an attenuation factor of the variable optical attenuator for attenuating the modulated light signal to control volume of the audio signal. One second signal converter is in communication with each fiber optic volume control device to receive the attenuated modulated light signal and demodulate the attenuated modulated light signal to recover the audio signal for transmission to the power amplifier.
US07657039B2
The present invention comprises a circuit having at least not less than three cascade connected phase shift circuits and wherein the phase characteristic of the circuit is determined in such a manner that the phase of the audio input signals is gradually delayed depending on logarithmic increase of frequencies in a range of audible frequencies and a phase delay in a range of 450 degree˜600 degree in total in the range of audible frequencies is caused.
US07657037B2
A computer readable medium storing executable code to generate an identity-based encryption key includes executable code to specify a master key, receive an identity-based string and execute a function that processes the master key and the identity-based string to produce a seed. The seed is then used to produce an identity-based encryption key interoperable with a deployed public key cryptosystem.
US07657031B2
In a method and system for printing of sensitive data, encrypted sensitive data to be printed is transferred to a printing device having a printing unit. This sensitive data to be printed is decrypted to create decrypted sensitive data. The decrypted sensitive data is converted into control signals for activation of the printing unit. The decrypted sensitive data is stored in a non-volatile memory such that the decrypted sensitive data are distributed in a plurality of memory segments of the non-volatile memory where a relationship of the memory segments is stored as relationship data independently of the stored decrypted sensitive data. The decrypted sensitive data is printed with the printing unit on a recording medium.
US07657021B2
The present invention is directed to a contact center, comprising: (a) a plurality of media servers 112a-n, each of the media servers being associated with a plurality of corresponding agent communication devices 120a-i positioned in a respective agent domain 100a-n; (b) a plurality of gateways 128a-n, each of which is currently controlled by a corresponding one of the plurality of media servers 112a-n and positioned in a contactor domain 104; and (c) a packet-switched Wide Area Network (WAN) 108 connecting the plurality of media servers 128a-n and the plurality of gateways 112a-n. A first gateway 128a is operable to physically park an incoming customer contact in the customer domain 104 until the occurrence of a call transfer event and, upon the occurrence of a call transfer event, to transfer the parked customer contact from the first gateway 128a to at least one of (i) a second media gateway 128b for processing by the second media gateway's corresponding second controlling media server 112b and (ii) a first media server 112a controlling the first gateway 128a.
US07657015B1
A method and apparatus for enabling multiple services to be invoked in a specific precedence per call are disclosed. For example, the present method allows a subscriber to interact with a plurality of services provided by a service provider on a single call.
US07657013B2
A method and apparatus are described for ensuring a real-time connection between users and selected service providers using voice mail. The system enables seekers of a wide array of services to select, contact, converse, and pay for a service provider using a communications device such as the telephone. A seeker locates a service provider by providing the name of a profession, which is recognized by the system's software. Once a service provider is selected, the system connects the seeker with the service provider for a live conversation. However, during service provider unavailability, the system enables the seeker to leave a voice mail message for the service provider and reconnects the user and service provider once the message is reviewed by the service provider. The system automatically bills the seeker for the time spent conversing with the service provider and compensates the service provider.
US07657010B1
A system and method for establishing a high speed, substantially constant circuit based data connection over a conventional telephone line is provided. The circuit based connection is non-switched, thereby eliminating the need to establish a connection through a dial-up process. The circuit based connection is established between a user's terminal device and a digitizer, such as a basic rate interface transmission exchange card. The user's terminal device may be a modified version of a conventional integrated services digital connection modem. A user's computer, telephone, or other device may be connected to the user's terminal device to access an external network. The connection established in accordance with the present invention can transmit data at a rate far exceeding that of traditional dial-up connections.
US07657009B2
A dial tone generator outputs a particular dial tone to a party to indicate that a call block feature is enabled for the party. The call block feature is disabled for the party in response to a number of incoming calls for the party being greater than or equal to a threshold.
US07656998B2
A unified quality assurance technique to verify alignment of a radiation treatment delivery system. In one embodiment, a radiation treatment source is instructed to move to a preset source position. An image of the radiation treatment source at its actual source position is generated and compared against a reference image to determine whether the radiation treatment source correctly achieved the preset source position. In one embodiment, a positioning system is instructed to move a target detector to a preset target position. An image of the target detector at its actual target position is generated and compared against a reference target image to determine whether the positioning system correctly achieved the preset target position.
US07656989B2
A plasma antenna generator includes an ionizable material, an explosive charge capable of projecting the ionizable material upon detonation, and a detonator coupled with the explosive charge. An electromagnetic pulse transmitting system includes an electromagnetic pulse generator and a plasma antenna generator capable of reradiating an electromagnetic pulse emitted from the electromagnetic pulse generator. A method includes providing an explosive device comprising an ionizable material, detonating the explosive device to propel the ionizable material, and ionizing the ionizable material to form at least one plasma trail. A sensing system includes an electromagnetic pulse generator, a plasma antenna generator capable of reradiating an electromagnetic pulse emitted from the electromagnetic pulse generator, and a sensing system capable of receiving and analyzing at least a portion of the electromagnetic pulse after being reflected from an interface.
US07656986B2
A phase rotator generates an output signal having plurality of possible output phases with reduced phase jitter. The low jitter phase rotator includes a plurality of differential amplifiers configured to receive a plurality of input differential signals having different phases, and configured to generate a plurality of weighted signals responsive to the plurality of input differential signals. A plurality of digital-to-analog converters (DAC) are arranged into a plurality of groups, each group of DACs configured to provide current for one of the corresponding differential amplifiers. The number of active DACs in each group of DACs determines a relative weighting of the weighted signals, where relative weighting determining an output phase of an output signal of the phase rotator. The DACs are configured to adjust the output phase of the phase rotator. At a kth phase, N/4 adjacent DACs are activated that are indexed as m0, m1, . . . m((N/4)−1), wherein N is the number of said plurality of DACs. At (k+1)th phase, a m(N/4) DAC is activated that is adjacent to the m((N/4−1) DAC. At (k+2)th phase, the m0 DAC is de-activated.
US07656983B2
In general, in one aspect, the disclosure describes an apparatus including a first deskew unit and a second deskew unit. The first deskew unit operates at a first clock domain and provides fine timing adjustment to a signal. The second deskew unit operates at a second clock domain that is slower than the first clock domain and provide coarse timing adjustment to the signal.
US07656974B2
This invention provides an iterative process to maximum a posteriori (MAP) decoding. The iterative process uses an auxiliary function which is defined in terms of a complete data probability distribution. The auxiliary function is derived based on an expectation maximization (EM) algorithm. For a special case of trellis coded modulators, the auxiliary function may be iteratively evaluated by a combination of forward-backward and Viterbi algorithms. The iterative process converges monotonically and thus improves the performance of any decoding algorithm. The MAP decoding minimizes a probability of error. A direct approach to achieve this minimization results in complexity which grows exponentially with T, where T is the size of the input. The iterative process avoids this complexity by converging on the MAP solution through repeated maximization of the auxiliary function.
US07656970B1
A wireless signal processor includes an analog front end for generating at least one baseband analog signal, at least one analog to digital converter for converting the baseband signal into a digital signal, the analog to digital converter having a resolution width and a sampling rate, and a baseband processor for measuring the signal energy in the analog to digital converter output, and when the incoming signal energy level increases or a baseband processor detects a packet, at least one of the sampling rate or resolution width also increases until the end of the packet, after which the sample rate and resolution are reduced to an interpacket rate and resolution. Additionally, the sampling rate and resolution increase after packet detection at rates and resolutions which are dependent on packet type and data rate.
US07656965B2
Some demonstrative embodiments of the invention include a method device and/or system of secure communication in a wireless network using a spatial division multiple access transmission scheme. The method, according to some demonstrative embodiments may include generating a set of N spatial channels to be transmitted, using a set of N respective antennas, to a set of K destination stations, by applying at least one precoding matrix to a set of inputs including K transmissions intended to the K destination stations, respectively, and one or more dither sequences, wherein the precoding matrix includes K beamforming vectors based on channel state information of the K stations, respectively, and one or more additional vectors orthogonal to the beamforming vectors. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US07656964B1
A system for detecting both forward and reverse power of a power amplifier in the presence of harmonics created by the power amplifier is provided. A forward power detection system receives detection signals from an in-phase amplifier leg and a quadrature-phase amplifier leg of the power amplifier. The forward power detection system applies a phase shift to the detection signals such that forward components of the detection signals are essentially in-phase, and reverse components of the detection signals are essentially 180 degrees out-of-phase. The phase shifted detection signals are then combined and filtered to provide a signal indicative of forward power. In a similar fashion, a reverse power detection system applies a phase shift to the detection signals to provide a signal indicative of reverse power.
US07656947B2
A decoding device and a decoding method in a digital broadcast receiver are provided, in which received packet data is demultiplexed into video data and audio data, and decoding control signals of the respective data are extracted. An Estimated Program Clock Reference (EPCR) is generated from the decoding control signal of the audio data, and the EPCR is compared with the decoding control signal of the video data to generate a video decoding control signal. The demultiplexed video data is decoded in synchronous with the video decoding control signal, and then the decoded video data is outputted. The demultiplexed audio data is decoded in synchronous with the audio decoding control signal, and then the decoded audio data is outputted. Finally, the decoded video data and the decoded audio data are displayed and reproduced.
US07656943B2
An apparatus and method for implementing an equalizer which combines the benefits of a decision feedback equalizer (DFE) with a maximum-a-posterori (MAP) equalizer (or a maximum likelihood sequence estimator, MLSE) to provide an equalization device with significantly lower complexity than a full-state MAP device, but which still provides improved performance over a conventional DFE. The equalizer architecture includes two DFE-like structures, followed by a MAP equalizer. The first DFE forms tentative symbol decisions. The second DFE is used thereafter to truncate the channel response to a desired memory of L1 symbols, which is less than the total delay spread of L symbols of the channel. The MAP equalizer operates over a channel with memory of L1 symbols (where L1<=L), and therefore the overall complexity of the equalizer is significantly reduced.
US07656941B2
A method for synchronizing symbols at the output of a blind equalizer, the method being characterized by the following steps: on sending, inserting into a succession of sent symbols, one or more known sequences of symbols repeated in said succession of symbols; detecting said one or more known sequences at the output of said blind equalizer; deducing any shifting of the symbols at the output of the blind equalizer from the result of said detection; and retiming the symbols at the output of the blind equalizer as a function of the deduced shift.
US07656937B2
In the presence of an indication of change of configuration containing the characteristics of a new configuration of fingers of a “Rake” receiver, continue performing the combination by using the old configuration (fng1, fng2, fng3) and, only when all the fingers of the new configuration have delivered information, the combination is performed by using the new configuration (fng1, fng3, fng4).
US07656936B2
A method and system for reducing interference in a wireless communication network is disclosed. The wireless communication network has at least one base station using an antenna array and one or more code channels to receive or transmit one or more communication signals from or to a plurality of terminals used by one or more users. A signal received by the antenna array carries one or more training sequences and a traffic signal in a frame. After estimating a spatial signature and joint channel response model per user based on the training sequences, one or more spatial weights are found based on the estimated spatial signature and joint channel response model to maximize a signal to noise ratio. A joint detection matrix is then formed based on the estimated spatial weights, the joint channel response model, and a user code channel assignment. After code correlating a traffic signal to obtain one or more user specific multi-antenna signals, a spatial combining is performed on one or more multi-antenna signals associated with each user to generate scalar symbol estimates. Thereafter, a joint detection is done based on the scalar symbol estimates using the joint detection matrix. Similar techniques can be used for downlink communications.
US07656935B2
In general, the invention facilitates searching for energy peaks in spread spectrum wireless communication systems with greater precision. More particularly, various embodiments of the invention may involve reporting not only an energy peak and its associated offset, but also the energy levels corresponding to one or more offsets occurring before and after the offset at which the energy peak occurs. Interpolation or extrapolation techniques may be used to predict the actual location of an energy peak based on the apparent location of the peak and the energy levels observed at surrounding offsets.
US07656925B2
The two-dimensional photonic crystal surface emitting laser according to the present invention includes a number of main modified refractive index areas periodically provided in a two-dimensional photonic crystal and secondary structures each relatively located in a similar manner to each of the main modified refractive index areas. The location of the secondary structure is determined so that a main reflected light which is reflected by a main modified refractive index area and a secondary reflected light which is reflected by a secondary structure are weakened or intensified by interference.
US07656924B2
A surface emitting laser includes a lower semiconductor multilayer mirror formed of a plurality of pairs of a high-refractive-index area and a low-refractive-index area; an active layer vertically sandwiched by cladding layers; a current confinement layer of AlzGa1-zAs having an oxide area in a peripheral portion of the current confinement layer, where 0.95≦z≦1; and an upper semiconductor multilayer mirror formed of a plurality of pairs of a high-refractive-index area and a low-refractive-index area. The low-refractive-index area of at least one of the lower semiconductor multilayer mirror and the upper semiconductor multilayer mirror includes an Alz1Ga1-z1As layer with a thickness thinner than that of the current confinement layer, where z≦z1.
US07656912B2
Exemplary embodiments provide tunable laser devices, methods for making the laser devices and methods for tuning the laser devices. The tunable laser devices can include an optically pumped semiconductor laser heterostructure, on which a distributed-feedback (DFB) laser grating having variable grating spacings (or chirps) can be formed. The optically pumped semiconductor laser heterostructure can be an optically pumped type-II quantum well laser structure. The emission wavelength of the tunable laser devices can be tuned by changing positions of the region illuminated by the pump laser and with respect to the chirped DFB grating. The disclosed laser devices and methods can provide tunable laser emission with a combination of narrow linewidth and high output power that can be used for remote sensing applications and/or spectroscopic applications across the entire mid infrared (IR) spectral region.
US07656906B2
In one embodiment, an electronic system comprises a first backplane for distributing timing signals, power, and control signals to electronic circuitry coupled to the first backplane, wherein the first backplane comprises a first clock module for generating the timing signals, a second backplane for distributing timing signals, power, and control signals to electronic circuitry coupled to the second backplane, wherein the second backplane comprises a second clock module for generating the timing signals, and an electrical connector coupling the first clock module to the second clock module for communication of a timing signal, wherein the first clock module comprises a circuit for detecting the presence of the electrical connector, the first clock module providing the timing signal to an output port coupled to the electrical connector in response to the circuit, and the second clock module synchronizes to the timing signal communicated via the electrical connector.
US07656903B2
A documentation system for a network having a source device which is connected to a network path which is connected to a destination device, the documentation system comprising, a data port which includes an electronic module with an identification code on the network path, the destination device including an electronic module with an identification code, the source device having the capability to send query signals along the network path addressed to a data port and destination device corresponding to the network path, the electronic module corresponding to the data port responding to the query addressed to the data port by transmitting its identification code to the source device, and the electronic module of the destination device responding to the query addressed to the destination device by transmitting its identification code to the source device, and a processor and a switch in communication with the source device, the processor and switch for directing the source device to send the query signals, to interpret the responses, and to re-send the query signals if a collision occurs between responses.
US07656898B2
Virtual channel enabled networking devices may map frames to specific virtual channels based upon frame characteristics (e.g. destination address, class of service). Devices and methods that provide a remapping of virtual channels are disclosed. In one embodiment, a network having virtual channel remapping may include: a first set of one or more switches that each support a first number of virtual channels, and a second set of one or more switches that each support a second number of virtual channels different from the first number of virtual channels. At least one switch from the second set is coupled to at least one switch from the first set and is configured to establish a correspondence (“map”) between the virtual channels supported by the first set and the virtual channels supported by the second set.
US07656892B2
Embodiments of the present invention provide a method and apparatus for a multi-entity wireless communication adapter having a traffic management configuration to selectively associate at least first and second signal traffics corresponding to a basic service set station entity and an independent basic service set entity, respectively, with a shared physical layer which is able to process said first and second signal traffics. Additional features are described and claimed.
US07656890B2
A dynamic channel change technique is disclosed which may be implemented between nodes and a Head End of an access network. Initially a network device may communicate with the Head End via a first downstream channel and a first upstream channel. When the network device receives a dynamic channel change request which includes instructions for the network device to switch to a second downstream channel, the network device may respond by switching from the first downstream channel to the second downstream channel. Thereafter, the network device may communicate with the Head End via the second downstream channel and first upstream channel. Further, according to a specific embodiment, the dynamic channel change request may also include an upstream channel change request for causing the network device to switch from a first upstream channel to a second upstream channel.
US07656883B2
A transmission convergence sublayer circuit is coupled between a buffer and a deframer. The deframer submits a data stream enable signal and data bytes to the circuit. The data stream enable signal enables the circuit so that multiple groups of byte data belonging to a data cell are received and temporarily stored inside a byte-wise data pipeline. A header cyclic redundancy checker also receives the byte data and then conducts a header search. An idle cell identifier is used to determine if the data cell is a non-idle cell. When the header is found and determined to be a non-idle cell, a descrambler retrieves payload data of data cell from the byte-wise data pipeline and conducts a descrambling operation after obtaining a quantity of data equal to a double word. Ultimately, the double word data is output to the buffer with minimum delay.
US07656879B2
A mechanism for a bidirectional reservation procedure within an in-band signaling mechanism gives symmetric real-time services running on mobile devices, which are used to support different access technologies in dynamic, mobile, wireless IP networks where the quality of the node connectivity can sometimes be unpredictably time-varying, the possibility to mutually reserve, monitor and adapt resources and service parameters for upstream and downstream direction along a communication path. The mechanism optimizes reservation mechanisms, especially for adaptive real-time services in wireless and wireless ad-hoc networks, by making use of a dynamic bidirectional reservation in-band signaling approach.
US07656878B2
A method for facilitating a data session in an initiation protocol (SIP) environment is provided that includes receiving a solicitation for participation in a SIP communication session that involves a first endpoint and a second endpoint. The method also includes identifying an identity trait associated with the first endpoint. In more particular embodiments, various alternative methods may include generating a network search associated with the first endpoint that is seeking to contact the second endpoint in order to conduct the SIP communication session. The results of the network search may be displayed for the second endpoint.
US07656873B2
A method of a user terminal obtaining its access location information in next generation network, and a user terminal, and a server having function of Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) function are disclosed. DHCP is extended by adding a new DHCP option to carry the user terminal access location information; when the user terminal accesses to network, DHCP server puts the DHCP option into DHCP response message; receiving the DHCP response message, the user terminal obtains the access location information from the DHCP option. The present invention overcomes the shortcoming of the prior art that when a terminal nomadizes or roams from one access network to another, the access network information configured on the terminal has to be updated manually and thus results in redundant workload and inflexibility, the user terminal is allowed to obtain its access location information automatically, hence nomadicity or roaming of the user terminal is supported.
US07656867B2
The invention is a serial bus identification circuit for a module that enables a microcontroller or microprocessor to identify one or many modules, each having an iButton digital device. The invention enables electronic activating and identifying the digital device amongst a plurality of similar devices. Each digital device has a unique digital registration number, and is an element of a module. In addition to the digital device, the module has a dual addressable switch component having a first switch and second switch, where the dual addressable switch component has a unique digital address; a light emitting source; and a source of electrical power. The dual addressable switch component and the unique digital device are in electrical communication with the serial data bus, and can be added as modules. When the first switch of the unique addressable component is closed, the digital device can be accessed, and the unique digital registration number can be down loaded and correlated to the dual addressable switch component. The second switch of the unique addressable component can be closed activating the light emitting source utilizing the source of electrical power. The light emitting source provides an identifying position signal for the device.
US07656860B2
According to the invention, a telephonic communication system for integrating wireless phone service with home phone service is disclosed. The telephone communication system includes a first communication and second communication channels and a telephone switch. The first communication channel is coupled to a wireless phone and the second communication channel is coupled to an interface that is coupled to one or more wired phones at a user location. The first and second communication channels are accessible with a single telephone number. The telephone switch is coupled to the first and second communication channels and determines if the first and second communication channels should be simultaneously sent an incoming phone call directed to the telephone number.
US07656858B2
Apparatuses, systems for, and methods of transporting digital signals and radio-frequency (“RF”) signals are disclosed. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, an intelligent network (e.g., a combination router) and corresponding method are provided for transporting RF signals to, for example, an RFID antenna and transporting digital signals to, for example, a controller. In a preferred embodiment, the intelligent network is implemented with a manager unit for controlling a plurality of network devices to facilitate the efficient management of RFID-enabled devices. The network devices may include a combination router/switch, which has the capability of switching both digital data and RF data, RFID readers, RFID reader/writer pads, and other devices. In accordance with preferred embodiments, the intelligent network allows enhanced flexibility in controlling systems for interrogation of RFID antennae.
US07656853B2
The present invention provides a system and method for conserving power consumption of a wireless device such as a BLUETOOTH slave device. A master device polls a slave device in a polling period. The slave responds by transmitting a data packet. If there is an error in transmission of the data, the master device may transmit an ARQ (Automatic Repeat Request) to the slave device in a TIMEOUT period to indicate that the data packet was not received. The slave device may reduce power consumption or power off during that TIMEOUT and receive a retransmit ARQ in a subsequent polling period.
US07656847B2
A device having wireless connectivity may be coupled to Internet Protocol (IP) service available in a network, including a wireless local area network (WLAN), local area network (LAN), Ethernet or other suitable Internet access point, by broadcasting a wireless protocol service discovery query requesting information about the IP service available in the network and waiting for a reply from another device having wireless connectivity in the network. The device includes a wireless protocol service discovery query module that broadcasts the wireless protocol service discovery query and waits for the reply from the second device. The scope of the invention also includes a network having such devices with the features described above, as well as a computer program product with a program code that is stored on a machine readable carrier, for carrying out the steps according to the aforementioned method when the computer program is run in a processor module of the first device.
US07656843B2
Methods and apparatus are presented for improving the feedback of channel information to a serving base station, which allows a reduction in the reverse link load while allowing the base station to improve the forward link data throughput. Over a channel quality indicator channel, a carrier-to-interference (C/I) symbol is transmitted over multiple slots at a reduced rate, which increases the likelihood that the base station can decode said symbol. The reduced rate mode can be selectively triggered by a high velocity condition or other unfavorable channel condition. The C/I symbol is used to determine transmission formats, power levels, and data rates of forward link transmissions.
US07656842B2
A method for communicating a plurality of data streams between a transmitting device with multiple transmit antennas and a receiving device, is disclosed. The method comprises determining a list consisting of a subset of the multiple transmit antennas on which the transmitting device will transmit data, determining a set of power weightings, providing the set of power weightings and the list of the subset of the multiple transmit antennas to the transmitting device, weighting a plurality of data streams by the power weightings, and transmitting the power weighted data streams on the subset of the multiple transmit antennas to the receiving device. Another aspect of the invention comprises maintaining a codebook consisting of a plurality of transmit weight vectors at both the transmitting device and the receiving device. The method also comprises determining a list consisting of a subset of the plurality of transmit weight vectors which to use for transmitting the multiple data streams, determining a set of power weightings to be use for each data stream, providing the set of power weightings and the list of the subset of the plurality of transmit weight vectors to the transmitting device, and weighting the data streams by the power weightings and beamforming the data streams with the subset of the plurality of transmit weight vectors.
US07656841B2
The present invention relates to a method for selecting another access network when transmitting data from a content server to a terminal in a multi access network environment comprising a discontinuous coverage radio access network.According to the present invention, the method comprises the step of: Upon detection of a request from a network selection controller to switch from a discontinuous coverage radio access network to another access network, sending a message to an access controller of said discontinuous coverage radio access network comprising cached data informing it to forward said cached data to said another access network.
US07656835B2
The present invention relates to a method for informing changed link properties in a system in which a mobile node is communicating by IP (Internet Protocol) with a correspondent node and utilizing a first link layer configuration. A need to change link layer communication to use a second link layer configuration is detected. Property information indicating a link layer property applied or to be applied in communication utilizing the second link layer configuration is defined. The property information is transmitted to the correspondent node. At least one setting for communication between the correspondent node and the mobile node is adapted in the correspondent node on the basis of the received property information.
US07656833B2
A wireless communication system, apparatus and a method for compensating offset using the same are disclosed, in which offset due to latency in a power save mode is compensated. The wireless communication apparatus includes a frequency matched unit for compensating offset due to latency that may occur during communication between the wireless communication apparatus and external equipment. The frequency matched unit adds a predetermined time to a clock value of a system clock if power save mode is transited to normal mode. Thus, the offset generated can efficiently be compensated if the power save mode is transited to the normal mode.
US07656832B2
A method is provided for efficiently allocating a transmission period in a WLAN system. An access point (AP) transmits a PSMP message providing a downlink period and an uplink period provided to each station (STA), and at least one sub PSMP frame indicating a period of at least one of a downlink and an uplink for an STA requiring additional resource allocation. After exchanging data with the AP in the downlink and uplink periods provided by the PSMP frame, if there is a need for additional resource allocation, the STA receives the at least one sub PSMP frame and exchanges data with the AP in the period provided by the each sub PSMP frame.
US07656788B2
A method for managing a cluster of network devices, the cluster includes a command network device and at least one member network device, and the command network device has a commander IP address and a commander MAC address, includes: defining a standby group by assigning a virtual IP address and a virtual MAC address; selecting a first network device, which is the command device, for the standby group; selecting at least one second network device, which has an IP address, for the standby group; defining a standby priority for each network device in the standby group; and binding the standby group to the cluster, by replacing the commander IP address with the virtual IP address and replacing the commander MAC address with the virtual MAC address. Upon the binding, the network device with a highest priority becomes an active commander, and the network device with a second highest priority becomes a standby commander.
US07656786B2
A computationally efficient pulse shaping method for OFDM that produces mutually orthogonal transmission pulses having fast spectral decay is provided. The pulse shaping method comprises an iterative method for designing OFDM transmission pulses that satisfy prescribed time-frequency localization conditions. The iterative method may be implemented in a computationally efficient way and can be used to adapt the transmission pulses to time-varying channel conditions in real-time, thereby maximizing the bit-error performance of an OFDM system while maintaining high data rates in wireless transmission.
US07656783B2
In an optical disk including at least a rewritable phase change material and comprising a recording layer having a reflectivity of more than 15%, an address output value as an address pit signal component occupying in a reproduced signal in a non recording state is prescribed to be 0.18 though 0.27 or a numerical aperture of an address pit signal occupying in a reproduced signal in a non recording state is prescribed to be more than 0.3.
US07656782B2
In an optical disk including at least a rewritable phase change material and comprising a recording layer having a reflectivity of more than 15%, an address output value as an address pit signal component occupying in a reproduced signal in a non recording state is prescribed to be 0.18 though 0.27 or a numerical aperture of an address pit signal occupying in a reproduced signal in a non recording state is prescribed to be more than 0.3.
US07656775B2
An optical head that is restrained from becoming larger, even if it is used for an optical-information recording medium that includes a plurality of information recording layers. In this optical head, a collimating lens is formed by a concave lens disposed on the side of a light source and a convex lens disposed on the side of an objective lens. A collimating-lens actuator moves the convex lens in a direction where a spherical aberration is cancelled which is generated according to the thickness of a light transmission layer up to an information recording layer of the optical-information recording medium. An aperture stop is provided on the side of the collimating lens with respect to the objective lens, and the aperture stop is located near the focal position of the convex lens on the side of the objective lens.
US07656757B2
An optical pickup of an optical recording and reproducing apparatus includes a plurality of object lenses used to record and or reproduce information from/to various types of optical recording media of different recording densities; an actuator driving the object lenses in a focusing direction and supporting the object lenses to have rolling during movement in the focusing direction; and a pickup base installed to movably go and return in a radial direction of an optical recording medium, and the actuator forming a predetermined angle with respect to the pickup base.
US07656743B2
This disclosure describes a clock circuit for a memory controller. The described circuit uses a processor clock signal to generate an input clock signal for use during write operations to the memory, or to generate a feedback clock signal for use during read operations from the memory. The circuit is particularly applicable to mobile wireless devices that include memories that do not generate a strobe. The clock circuit may comprise a driver in series with a resistor element that generates an input clock signal for input to a memory, and a resistor-capacitor (RC) filter in series with a receiver that generates a feedback clock signal for output from the memory, wherein an input to the RC filter is tapped between the driver and the resistor element.
US07656741B2
A row active time control circuit is described that includes a master signal generating circuit and a row active control signal generating circuit. The master signal generating circuit generates one or more row active master signals based on an active command signal, a pre-charge command signal, and one or more row active control signals. The row active control signal generating circuit generates a pulse signal that oscillates based on the one or more row active master signals. The row active control signal also generates the one or more row active control signals by dividing a frequency of the generated pulse signal.
US07656739B2
In a multi-port register file of a storage unit within a processor, an improved bitcell design for storing a data bit is disclosed. The bitcell comprises a first set of read bitlines having a first load and a second set of read bitlines having a second load, in which the second load is substantially equal to the first load. The bitcell also comprises a signal driving circuit having a first node and a second node. The first node is connected to the first set of read bitlines and the second node is connected to the second set of read bitlines.
US07656724B2
An apparatus includes a control unit for generating an input control signal to select a global input/output line to which data is transmitted. A repeater receives data from the global input/output line to output the data to a global input/output line corresponding to the input control signal. A plurality of input drivers receive the data from the repeater to transmit the data to a local input/output line connected to each memory bank.
US07656719B2
A phase change memory device may include a memory cell array, a write driver, and/or a control unit. The memory cell array may include a plurality of memory cells. The write driver may be configured to provide a program current to the memory cell array for setting a state of a phase change material to program a selected memory cell. The write driver may be configured to provide the program current such that the program current has a plurality of steps. The control unit may be configured to receive step information for adjusting a magnitude and a width of each step of the program current during a test operation and provide the step information to the write driver during a normal operation.
US07656715B2
A semiconductor memory device includes data transmission devices for transmit data in synchronization with each other. The semiconductor memory device includes a plurality of data transferring unit, a first control unit, a multiplexing unit, and a second control unit. The plurality of data transferring unit transfers data to a plurality of global lines. The first control unit controls the plurality of data transferring unit in response to a column select signal to select a column of a memory cell. The multiplexing unit multiplexes the data transferred to the plurality of global lines. The second control unit controls the multiplexing unit, wherein the second control unit synchronizes the column select signal with a column address signal having a column address information of the memory cell.
US07656713B2
Shifts in the apparent charge stored on a floating gate of a non-volatile memory cell can occur because of coupling of an electric field based on the charge stored in adjacent floating gates. The shift in apparent charge can lead to erroneous readings by raising the apparent threshold voltage, and consequently, lowering the sensed conduction current of a memory cell. The read process for a selected memory cell takes into account the state of one or more adjacent memory cells. If an adjacent memory cell is in one or more of a predetermined set of programmed states, a compensation current can be provided to increase the apparent conduction current of the selected memory cell. An initialization voltage is provided to the bit line of the programmed adjacent memory cell to induce a compensation current between the bit line of the programmed adjacent memory cell and the bit line of the selected memory cell.
US07656705B2
Methods of rapidly programming a wordline of multi-level flash memory cells comprising memory cell element-pairs having three or more data levels per bit or element corresponding to three or more threshold voltages are provided. An interactive program algorithm rapidly programs the elements of the wordline of memory cells in a learn phase and a single core programming phase. In one embodiment, each wordline comprises learn element-pairs first programmed to provide learn drain voltages for programming core element-pairs along the wordline having the same program pattern of data levels. A set comprising one or more program patterns is chosen to correspond with each program level used on the wordline. The learn element-pairs are programmed to determine a learned program drain voltage for each program level. This learned program drain voltage essentially provides a wordline and program level specific program characterization of the Vd required for the remaining elements of that wordline.
US07656681B2
A very light enclosure for electronic systems incorporates a rigid core enclosure structure formed with forward and rearward rigid, zig-zag configured, generally open mesh structure stabilization frames extending between oppositely disposed connection ends. The connection ends are rigidly attached to oppositely disposed sheet metal side assemblies to complete the core enclosure structure. The structure stabilization frames directly support card guides and power supply modules on oppositely disposed sides of a backplane tray.
US07656680B2
A receiving apparatus according to the present invention comprises: a first board including a mount surface whose outer edge is substantially quadrilateral; and a board installation member including a plate portion that has an installation surface whose outer edge is substantially quadrilateral, the first board is installed on the installation surface (called a front surface) side and the surface (called a rear surface) of the rear side of the installation surface is installed on a given second board, the apparatus applies a predetermined processing to a received broadcast signal using a circuit disposed on the first board, and the board installation member includes a connecting terminal to electrically connect the first board with the second board and a leg portion used for the installation on the second board, the connecting terminal protrudes from the plate portion in the direction substantially perpendicular to the plate portion on the front surface side and on the rear surface side, and comes into contact with the first board on the front surface side and comes into contact with the second board on the rear surface side, and the leg portion protrudes from the plate portion in the direction substantially perpendicular to the plate portion on the rear surface side.
US07656679B2
Disclosed are a multi-layer substrate and a manufacture method thereof. The multi-layer substrate of the present invention comprises a surface dielectric layer and at least one bond pad layer. The surface dielectric layer is located at a surface of the multi-layer substrate. The bond pad layer is embedded in the surface dielectric layer to construct the multi-layer substrate with the surface dielectric layer of the present invention. The manufacture method of the present invention forms at least one bond pad layer on a flat surface of a carrier and then forms the surface dielectric layer to cover the bond pad layer where the bond pad layer is embedded therein. After the multi-layer substrate is separated from the carrier, the bond pad layer and the surface dielectric layer construct a flat surface of the multi-layer substrate.
US07656674B2
A control module, in particular for a motor vehicle transmission, which includes a first housing part, on which an electronic circuit part is located, a second housing part, and a carrier, on which a flexible conductor film is located; the flexible conductor film is electrically connected—in a housing interior located between the first housing part and the second housing part—with the circuit part and the flexible conductor film is electrically connected outside of the housing interior—with electrical components mounted on the carrier, the control module having a stack-shaped design, with which the carrier rests, via a first side, on an interior side of the first housing part on which the circuit part is mounted, the circuit part is located in a recess in the carrier, the flexible conductor film is located on the second side of carrier, which faces away from the first housing part, and the second housing part is mounted on a side of the flexible conductor film facing away from the second side of the carrier.
US07656666B2
A heat dissipating structure of an integrated circuit chip of a plasma display module and a plasma display module including the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, the heat dissipating structure includes: a chassis including a chassis base and a chassis bending portion in which at least one protruding portion is formed and the integrated circuit chip which is mounted on the cassis bending portion and connected to a signal transmitting member. According to one embodiment of the present invention, since the protruding portion is formed in the chassis bending portion on which the integrated circuit chip is formed, the convective heat transfer efficiency is increased and the heat dissipating performance of the integrated circuit chip is improved.
US07656658B2
A mounting apparatus is provided to readily fix a data storage device defining at least one hole in place. The mounting apparatus includes a bracket fastened to a computer enclosure, and the bracket includes a side panel and at least one elastic tab formed at or attached to the side panel corresponding to the hole of the data storage device. The elastic tab includes a fixing portion, for engaging in the hole of the storage device, and an operation portion positioned outside the bracket for manipulating the elastic tab.
US07656657B2
Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a mounting system. The mounting system may include a chassis comprising a base and a plurality of guide ramps and a plurality of mounting spools arranged in pairs extending from a first side of the base, wherein the pairs are unaligned with respect to one another relative to a direction along at least one length of the base. Further, the mounting system may include a backing plate coupled to the chassis via engagement of the pairs with a plurality of receptacles in the backing plate.
US07656651B2
Apparatus and methods for automatically positioning an interface module in a rack system are disclosed. An exemplary method includes biasing the interface module in a predetermined position. The method also includes automatically moving the interface module from the predetermined position when accessing removable blade enclosures in the rack system. The method also includes automatically returning the interface module to the predetermined position after accessing the removable blade enclosures in the rack system.
US07656642B2
The invention relates to a means for preventing build-up of electrostatic potential in a fluid container during filling and/or discharging. The fluid container comprises electrical insulating materials and a valve means through which filling and/or discharging occurs. Means for reducing and/or eliminating electrical and/or electrostatic potential build-up during filling or discharging of the container is arranged in conjunction with the container walls. Such means may for example be arranged in conjunction with the valve means, reducing and/or changing the flow velocity of the fluid and/or the flow direction of the fluid during the filling operation. The invention relates also to a method of avoiding build-up of electrical and/or electrostatic potential, the method comprising changing the direction of fluid flow at least once at the top end of the container, so that the flow of fluid into the container preferably becomes laminar and/or is depressurized and wherein the fluid flow velocity into the container is reduced.
US07656628B2
Apparatus is provided to limit the current drawn from a power supply output connected to furnish power to a docking station or electronic device, when a fault connects the output to ground or other docking connection. The power supply is disconnected when such fault is present during power-up. In one embodiment, the apparatus controllably limits current delivered to a docking station and a mobile device connected thereto. The apparatus includes a switch device located along a current path extending between the power supply and docking station, to regulate current flow. A current limiting entity operates the switch device to prevent current flow, when the fault affects the circuit, and current through the path exceeds a pre-specified threshold level. The pre-specified current threshold level can be less than the current level provided to the docking station and mobile device without said fault. A disabling component de-activates the current limiting entity, when current is flowing to the charging station but the current is unaffected by the fault.
US07656626B2
The invention relates to an electric arc detection device comprising analyzing means supplying current and voltage integration signals. The analyzing means supply current and voltage differential signals. Decision-making means comprise a disable unit supplying adaptive disable signals and comprising detection means supplying at least one decision-making aid signal according to at least one adaptive disable signal and to the current differential signal or the current integration signal. A decision-making unit supplies a trip signal according to the decision-making aid signals.
US07656619B1
Magnetic head sliders for disk drives having a heating element and pedestal in thick undercoat layer
A head includes a substrate, an undercoat material, a read structure, and a write structure. The undercoat material at least partially provides electrical insulation between the read structure and the substrate. The read structure allows for reading magnetic fields from a recording medium. The write structure allows for providing particular magnetic fields to the recording medium to write data to the recording medium. The read structure is located at least partially between a portion of the undercoat material and a portion of the write structure. The head further includes at least one of (i) a heating element located at least partially in the undercoat material for providing heat and (ii) a pedestal for at least partially providing thermal conduction between the read structure and the substrate. Also, a thickness of the undercoat material may be set for improving flying height adjustment efficiency.
US07656616B2
A magnetic head device is disclosed. The magnetic head device having a levitation attitude formed by an air stream on a surface thereof when a recording medium moves. A levitation height of a magnetic function unit can be stabilized even when air density of an operating environment is changed. In a middle region of a slider of a magnetic head device, a deep concave bottom portion is provided and a levitation pressure is not substantially generated. The levitation is exerted to a front positive pressure surface located in front of the middle region and a rear positive pressure surface located in the rear of the middle region.
US07656602B2
A method for protecting a magnetic head according to one embodiment includes reducing a relative humidity in a vicinity of a magnetic head by passing an elevated bias current through a sensor of the head during at least some time periods when the sensor is not in use for reading data, the elevated bias current being chosen to be sufficient to heat the sensor to a level which will reduce the local relative humidity to below a threshold level for reducing or eliminating corrosion of the sensor. Additional methods are also presented.
US07656600B2
The disclosure is related to detecting a fault condition of a transducer for reading and writing data to a data storage medium. The fault condition can be detected based on a potential difference between a reference voltage and a common mode of the transducer.
US07656599B2
A rewrite determining unit of a hard disk apparatus acquires a servo signal that includes an offtrack amount corresponding to each servo frame from a position information memory, and determines whether a write fault has occurred based on the servo signal. If a write fault has occurred, the rewrite determining unit determines a rewrite sector count, and a write controller controls a hard disk controller so that rewriting is performed to correspond to the rewrite sector count determined by the rewrite determining unit.
US07656573B2
A method and apparatus for controlling a gap between conductors in an electro-mechanical device by controlled displacement of a displaceable conductor within the electro-mechanical device is provided. The apparatus includes a current controller configured to generate a controlled current output for the electro-mechanical device in response to a control signal, the current controller selectively routing a voltage to an array element including control circuitry and the electro-mechanical device.
US07656572B2
Method, array, and influencing unit for said array in order to modify a wavefront of an optical beam
Disclosed is an array for modifying a wavefront of an optical beam (3) having a beam axis (15). Said array comprises an influencing unit (1) which can be introduced into the beam path of the optical beam (3) and a heat source (12) that generates a thermal pattern and acts upon the influencing unit (1). The influencing unit (1) is provided with at least one planar cooling plate (7a, 7b) that extends transversal to the optical axis (15) of the incident beam (3) and a fluid layer or gel layer (9) which has a two-dimensional expansion, is disposed on the cooling plate with a basal surface, and absorbs the heat of the heat source. The two-dimensional expansion is large enough to receive approximately the entire cross section of the beam. The thickness of the fluid layer or gel layer (9) is embodied in such a small manner that only a minute amount of heat can flow perpendicular to the beam axis (15) while being thick enough for the wavefront of the incident beam (3) to be modified by the heat pattern resulting from thermal impingement of the fluid or gel (9). The wavefront of a beam can thus be influenced in an inexpensive and tailor-made manner. Beams that are influenced in such a way can preferably be used in high-power lasers for creating custom modes.
US07656570B2
An optical deflector includes a supporting member, a first movable element having a light deflecting element, at least one second movable element, at least one first torsion spring configured to support the first and second movable elements, for torsional oscillation about an oscillation axis, at least one second torsion spring configured to support the second movable element and the supporting member, for torsional oscillation about the oscillation axis, and a driving system configured to apply a driving force to at least one of the first and second movable elements, wherein a moment of inertia of the second movable element with respect to the oscillation axis is larger than a moment of inertia of the first movable element with respect to the oscillation axis, and wherein a length of the second movable element in a direction perpendicular to the oscillation axis is equal to or less than a length of the first movable element in a direction perpendicular to the oscillation axis.
US07656561B2
Lossless, near-lossless, and lossy compression and decompression of digital image data, whereby the image data can be compressed and decompressed on-the-fly with no need for external RAM resources for temporary data storage while compressing/decompressing image data. Implementing the algorithm only requires a very limited amount of silicon and yields very high performance in relation to very low power consumption. The described implementation is optimized for raw image data from a sensor with a Bayer filter pattern but can be used on data from image sensors with ay color filter. The compression algorithm contains a line indexing formation which enables very fast subsampling of an already compressed image and the possibility to decompress only parts of an image—this improves performance and reduces the need for temporary RAM storage greatly when zooming and in postprocessing.
US07656552B1
An image processing method includes generating a synthesized image transform from a set of synthesizing parameters, and subjecting the input image to the synthesized image transform to form an output image. The synthesized image transform is generated from a set of synthesizing parameters, which have a defined domain of allowed values. The complete set of synthesized transforms is obtained by varying the synthesizing parameters over all values within the domain. The visual effect of each synthesized transform is characterized by a set of visual effect parameters. The visual effect parameters and the synthesizing parameters are related in that the visual effect parameters are generated from the synthesizing parameters for the complete set of transforms, and/or the synthesizing parameters are generated from the visual effect parameters for the complete set of transforms.
US07656551B2
In an apparatus and method for acquisition and administration of medical image data, the apparatus having one or more medical image acquisition modalities for image data acquisition that are to be operated via associated computers, at least one server with an image data storage and at least one workstation computer with an image reproduction device for representation and processing of acquired and/or stored image data; the server and the workstation computer being connected with one another and with the image acquisition modality or image acquisition modalities via a data connection, the ability of a system administrator to get an overview of the system operation is facilitated by the server being configured (relative to the modality) for time-resolved determination of the image data acquisition and administration of associated performance data of the server and/or of the workstation computer, and/or of the data connection, the performance data relating to read and/or write activities at the server, and the server allows graphical representation of the performance data on an image reproduction device.
US07656537B2
The invention is directed to a device for determining the thickness, distance and/or profile of areas of a transparent and/or diffuse object that are spaced apart, in particular for measuring distances in the eye. In the device for determining position using an interferometer arrangement based on the Michelson principle, a scanning unit is arranged for the change in path length in the reference beam or measurement beam path. The scanning unit comprises a scan table which is movable translationally in corresponding guides, the movement direction enclosing an angle α to the reference beam. At least two reference mirrors having a distance d in direction of the reference beam and slightly overlapping laterally are arranged on the scan table so that during the oscillating movement of the scan table carried out by a motor the reference beam is reflected in itself first by the first reference mirror and then by the second reference mirror.
US07656535B2
The present invention relates to an disturbance sensing system, in particular an optical system in which a disturbance can be inferred. The system includes: a first waveguide portion and a second waveguide portion disposed in a side to side arrangement relative to one another; launch means for launching a first signal and a second signal onto the first waveguide portion and the second waveguide portion respectively, the first and second waveguide portions being optically coupled such that each of the transmitted first and second signals travels along each of the first and second waveguides; and, combining means for combining the transmitted first and second signals so as to produce a combination signal, the first and second signals being related to one another such that a disturbance in either one of the first and the second waveguide portions can be inferred from the combination signal. The noise or other signal resulting from a disturbance applied to both waveguide portions will be at least partially suppressed.
US07656533B2
A flowing device for an optics-based methanol sensor includes an inner housing that surrounds the optics-based methanol sensor, an outer housing that surrounds the inner housing, a flow channel in the inner housing formed on a totally reflecting surface of the optics-based methanol sensor, a fuel inlet that is formed through the inner and outer housings and supplies liquid fuel to the flow channel, and a fuel outlet that is formed through the inner and outer housings and discharges the liquid fuel that has passed through the flow channel to an outside of the outer housing.
US07656529B1
The present invention discloses an overlay alignment measurement apparatus and method. The overlay target is periodic and is illuminated by coherent radiation; a Fourier transform lens optically computes the Fourier transform of the target. Analysis of the spatial frequencies at the Fourier plane yields overlay alignment information.
US07656526B1
A lidar system capable of remotely identifying calibrated absolute aerosol backscatter coefficients of atmospheric aerosol particles by transmitting a beam of light and spectrally separating the intensity of Rayleigh and Mie backscattering is disclosed. The transmitter features high pulse energy to generate sufficient Rayleigh backscattering, enabling atmospheric scanning in a timely manner. The transmitter employs a seeded Nd:YAG laser and a seeded stimulated Raman scattering wavelength shifter to achieve narrow bandwidth, eye-safe laser pulses. The receiver employs a telescope, collimating lens, beam splitter, molecular absorption filter, focusing lenses, and avalanche photodiodes. Mie backscattering is blocked by the molecular absorption filter to provide a Rayleigh signal, which is used with knowledge of atmospheric density to calibrate the Mie signal. The system is intended for atmospheric research and aerosol monitoring applications where calibrated Mie scattering intensity is necessary to measure the optical depths of aerosol structures such as plumes, clouds, and layers.
US07656524B2
The present invention relates generally to the field of spectroscopy, and more particularly to tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy that provides an enhanced contrast-ratio of a near-field Raman signal to a background signal. The near-field Raman signal is captured from a small volume of material near a metal-coated tip thereby achieving submicron lateral resolution.
US07656523B2
A device (and methods of using and manufacturing the device) that utilize a plurality of photomultipliers (PMT)s or a photodiodes coupled with a set of filters to collect Raman signal from samples. Also a method of detecting Raman signals includes receiving Raman signals from a sample utilizing a plurality of photomultiplier tubes (PMT)s or photodiodes, wherein at least one PMT or photodiode provides a different Raman signal than at least one other PMT or photodiode.
US07656522B2
A Raman spectrum is measured inside animal tissue, such us human skin tissue, at a selected depth from a surface the tissue. A pH value is computed using a function that assigns a pH value as a function of the measured Raman spectrum. The computation may involve computing a number representing a ratio of concentrations of a protonated and a deprotonated version of a chemical substance from the Raman spectrum and generating pH information on the basis of said number. The chemical substance is for example a form of Urocanic acid (UCA). UV exposure is measured from the weight of the spectrum of cis-UCA.
US07656521B2
In a spectroscopic process a sample for producing a test spectral line or spectrum of at least one component contained in the sample is stimulated and the transmitted and/or emitted electromagnetic rays are used to create the test spectral line or spectrum. In order to improve such a spectroscopic process to such an extent that variations of certain parameters, which alter the shape and/or occurrence of a spectral line, are compensated, a comparison spectral line or spectrum of a known comparison material is produced under substantially the same parameters as the sample. The comparison spectral line or spectrum is compared with an ideal comparison spectral line or spectrum in order to calculate a transfer function, andthe transfer function is applied to the test spectral line or spectrum in order to calculate a corrected test spectral line or spectrum.
US07656512B2
A method for determining one or more process parameter settings of a photolithographic system is disclosed.
US07656511B2
The invention relates to a security element (1), comprising a first luminescent substance, for a security document (5), the latter (5) comprising a base body (51) consisting of a base material. The aim of the invention is to increase the protection against forgery. To achieve this: the security element is provided with a second luminescent substance; energy is transmitted between the first luminescent substance and the second luminescent substance, whereby the frequency range of the excitation of one of the luminescent substances corresponds to the emission frequency range of the other luminescent substance; and the first luminescent substance is thermally unstable at the ignition temperature of the base material and/or at a temperature of 185° C.
US07656501B2
A barrier member is provided for use in immersion lithography. The barrier member includes an extractor assembly on a bottom surface which faces the substrate. The extractor assembly includes a plate which splits the space between a liquid removal device and the substrate in two such that a meniscus is formed in an upper channel between the liquid removal device and the plate and a meniscus is formed in a lower channel between the plate and the substrate.
US07656496B2
A liquid crystal display (LCD) device is divided into an active region and a liquid crystal margin region. The LCD includes a thin film transistor substrate that includes gate and data lines crossing each other to define pixel regions, and thin film transistors in the active region. A color filter substrate has column spacers in the active region that contact a portion corresponding to a region of the thin film transistor and the gate or data lines. The column spacers contacting the thin film transistor region provide an elastic gap between the substrates. The column spacers in the gate/data line region are separated from the color filter substrate. Other column spacers are formed in the liquid crystal margin region in a honeycomb arrangement. A liquid crystal layer is disposed between the thin film transistor and color filter substrates.
US07656494B2
A display device in which a driving chip is attached to a display panel by using an anisotropic conductive film to from a strong adhesive bond between the body of the driving chip and the display panel and to electrically connect contact terminals on the driving chip with contact pads on the display panel.
US07656493B2
A multi-level mandrel is used to locate an electrode in a pixel well. A display includes an electrode recessed in a floor of a pixel well.
US07656490B1
An electro-optical display device comprising a liquid crystal layer achieves switching using an electric field component which is predominantly parallel to the surface of the liquid crystal layer. Low dependence of image contrast on viewing angle is achieved by selection of parameters including pretilt angle α0, orientation angle β0, etc. of the liquid crystal molecules in the layer.
US07656487B2
A liquid crystal display includes a substrate, a pixel electrode disposed on the substrate and including a first subpixel electrode and a second subpixel electrode, and a common electrode facing the pixel electrode. The first subpixel electrode comprises a first edge, a second edge disposed opposite the first edge, and two first oblique edges substantially parallel to each other, the first oblique edges making an oblique angle with the first edge and the second edge and meeting the first edge. The second subpixel electrode comprises a first edge, a second edge disposed opposite the first edge, and two first oblique edges substantially parallel to or substantially perpendicular to the first oblique edges of the first subpixel electrode, the first oblique edges of the second subpixel electrode meeting the first edge of the second subpixel electrode. The first edge of the first subpixel electrode is adjacent to the first edge of the second subpixel electrode, and a length of the first edge of the first subpixel electrode is different from a length of the first edge of the second subpixel electrode. The first oblique edges of the first subpixel electrode are offset from the first oblique edges of the second subpixel electrode.
US07656478B2
A display apparatus includes a first substrate, a second substrate separated from the first substrate by a predetermined gap, an electro-optical layer located within the gap, a diffusing reflection layer having a plurality of adjacent polygonal columns, and electrodes formed on at least one of the first substrate and second substrate for application of voltage to the electro-optical layer. The polygonal columns comprise upper end sloping surfaces having a maximum inclination angle of less than 12°.
US07656462B2
This invention concerns a system for the distribution of films by electronic means, and in particular, for ensuring a director's intended rendition of the images is attained in differing viewing conditions and technologies. Thus master data enabling the luminance and chromaticity of every part of every frame as previously displayed in a first display environment to be determined may be modified to achieve a similar subjective effect in a second display environment, the modification depending for example on data characterizing the said second display environment.
US07656458B2
A color photographing device is equipped with a light-receiving section having a red pixel selectively receiving red light and outputting a red pixel signal and a green pixel selectively receiving green light and outputting a green pixel signal. The color photographing device is further equipped with an optical filter disposed on the side with a light-receiving surface of the light-receiving section. The optical filter substantially equalizes the signal level of the red pixel signal and the signal level of the green pixel signal when achromatic color illuminated by a solar light source in the daytime is photographed. Therefore, a white balance gain Wr at about 5000K can be lowered as compared with a conventional color photographing device. Accordingly, reduction of color noises and enhancement of gradation can be expected.
US07656454B2
An image pickup apparatus includes a finder optical system capable of guiding an observation beam to a finder window, the observation beam being a beam traveling from a photographing optical system and reflected by a main reflecting surface; and a first image pickup device configured to detect the observation beam and generate an image signal. The finder optical system has a first reflecting surface that reflects the observation beam. The first reflecting surface can change a reflection angle of the observation beam. A path of the observation beam can be switched between a first optical path and a second optical path by changing the reflection angle of the first reflecting surface. The first optical path is reflected by the first reflecting surface and directed toward the finder window, while the second optical path is reflected by the first reflecting surface and directed toward the first image pickup device.
US07656453B2
The solid-state imaging device of the present invention includes: light-receiving units formed on a semiconductor substrate; color filters respectively formed on corresponding light-receiving units; and in-layer lenses formed above the light-receiving units and below the color filters, in which the in-layer lenses have different curvature shapes depending on colors of the corresponding color filters.
US07656446B2
A CCD color solid-state image pickup device has a plurality of light-receiving sections arranged in an array on the surface of a semiconductor substrate, and a vertical transfer path by way of which signal electric charges stored in electric charge storage sections of the respective light-receiving sections are read and transferred to a horizontal transfer path. In the image pickup device, the electric charge-storage section of each of the light-receiving sections has a plurality of electric charge storage layers which are provided in a depthwise direction of the semiconductor substrate with potential barriers interposed therebetween. Signal electric charges stored in the respective electric charge storage layers are read independently to the vertical transfer path.
US07656440B2
A detachable processing device that is mounted in an image sensing apparatus, integrated, and used by the device includes a logic circuit that can be changed to a plurality of configurations, which implement functions corresponding to a plurality of processes performed by the image sensing apparatus, a memory that stores possible configurations of the logic circuit, and a controller that controls the configuration of the logic circuit on the basis of the logical configurations stored in the memory.
US07656433B2
A web camera includes an image sensor, which takes an external image; a sensor interface, which is connected to the mage sensor to receive and convert the image taken by the image sensor into digital image data; at least one compression module, which is connected to the sensor interface to receive and compress the digital image data into compressed image data; and a USB interface, which is connected to the compression module to output the compressed image data to a host device having a USB interface port, such as a computer and a USB OTG device, for storage, playing back and other applications.
US07656426B2
An operation input portion 7, a buffer memory 8, a record medium 9, and a single USB controller 10 are connected to a bus connected to a controlling microcomputer 6. A USB connector 11 is connected to the USB controller 10. The USB controller 10 as hardware deals with a single interface. By a process of the controlling microcomputer 6, data is transferred from the buffer memory 8 to the USB controller 10 through one of USB interfaces corresponding to PTP and mass storage class interface. With a switch of the operation input portion 7 and a menu screen, the user sets a USB interface. Selection information representing the selected USB interface is stored in a memory of the controlling microcomputer 6.
US07656425B2
A method characterizes field of view (FOV) distortion and may correct machine vision measurements accordingly. A plurality of distorted images are acquired, with the same calibration target at a plurality of spaced-apart locations within the FOV. The method analyzes the images and determines distortion parameters that can correct the distortions in the images such that features included in the calibration target pattern achieve a sufficient or optimum degree of congruence between the various images. Distortion parameters may be determined for each optical configuration (e.g., lens combination, magnification, etc.) that is used by a machine vision inspection system. The distortion parameters may then be used to correct FOV distortion errors in subsequent inspection and measurement operations.
US07656423B2
An imaging device stores and photoelectric-converts incoming light from an object of which an image is to be captured with a CCD, and controls an output level of a picture signal obtained by signal processing an image signal output from the CCD. An output adjustment value of the picture signal in the output control is set to become 50 to 70 IRE according to a peak value of the picture signal when a test pattern is captured under standard conditions. Accordingly, it is possible to have a typical imaging device display a captured image darker, and thus enable imaging suitable for nighttime imaging and the like.
US07656419B2
A drive circuit that is an example of the present invention is a drive circuit of a display device for outputting in parallel the analog picture signals generated based on the digital picture signals inputted in serial. This circuit comprises a level shift circuit for converting the voltage level of the digital picture signals that were inputted in serial, a D/A conversion circuit for generating analog picture signals based on the digital picture signals that were subjected to level conversion with the level shift circuit, and an expansion circuit connected to the output side of the D/A conversion circuit or between the level shift circuit and the D/A conversion circuit and serving to expand and hold the inputted serial picture signals in parallel and output the picture signals in parallel. The level shift circuit is thus formed in the front stage of the picture signal register circuit.
US07656416B2
A graphics processing circuit includes an anti-aliasing and stippling circuit operative to provide a primitive texture coordinate set in response to vertex data, the anti-aliasing and stippling circuit performing anti-aliasing operations, in parallel, with at least one appearance attribute determination operation on the vertex data, a rasterizer, coupled to the anti-aliasing and stippling circuit, operative to generate a pixel texture coordinate set in response to the primitive texture coordinate set, and apply an appearance value to a pixel defined by the pixel texture coordinate set, and a texture circuit, coupled to the rasterizer, operative to retrieve the appearance value from a corresponding one of a plurality of textures in a multi-texture map in response to the pixel texture coordinate set, the multi-texture map including data representing point, line and polygon texture data.
US07656402B2
A method is provided for producing three-dimensional (3D) models. The invention will take any sculpture, character, or model from artwork, still life models, images of human beings, characters from a computer game, or any other 3D digital image or model that is scanned, and turn the digital image into 3D models. The method is comprised of the following steps: creating a user account in a computer storage area; storing 3D images under the user account; allowing the user to select the 3D image(s) he or she wants to create as 3D models; manufacturing the 3D models; and delivering the models to the user or to a specified third-party. An online storefront and/or auction system may allow each user the opportunity to sell their 3D models or purchase other users' 3D models. The system may also create 3D models for a mobile phone and portable media player while transferring the models to either of these devices.
US07656394B2
Apparatus and methods are disclosed for simultaneously tracking multiple finger and palm contacts as hands approach, touch, and slide across a proximity-sensing, multi-touch surface. Identification and classification of intuitive hand configurations and motions enables unprecedented integration of typing, resting, pointing, scrolling, 3D manipulation, and handwriting into a versatile, ergonomic computer input device.
US07656389B2
In a computer system having a display and a keyboard, a computer readable medium includes instructions for invoking a message hook procedure based on a mouse message indicative of a mouse event. Instructions also provide for identifying at least one focus application that has a current keyboard focus and of converting the mouse message into a command for the focus application. The command is then sent to the focus application and the mouse message is prevented from being routed to any other applications. In one embodiment, the commands include the command to page forward or backward through pages of Internet documents. In other embodiments, instead of converting the mouse message into a command, the message hook procedure displays a graphical user interface based on the focus application and the mouse message. The graphical user interface includes one or more commands that the user may select. Based on the selection made by the user, the message hook procedure sends a corresponding command to the focus application.
US07656385B2
Peripheral devices having one or more pedals are provided, wherein the peripheral devices are slip resistant with respect to a surface, such as a floor, upon which the peripheral devices are placed or positioned. A user of such peripheral devices can use a heel against the floor surface through the peripheral device to anchor the peripheral device and can use the heel to correct the position of the peripheral device if it slips by applying a counterforce. The peripheral device(s) include multiple springs per pedal and associated software for accommodating a non-linear force response for a more realistic user experience.
US07656384B2
A driving device of an electrophoretic display panel having a common electrode and a plurality of divided electrodes disposed opposite to the common electrode includes: a first driving circuit that outputs a plurality of voltages corresponding to a plurality of voltage data supplied as a series of data and supplies the plurality of voltages to the plurality of divided electrodes; and a second driving circuit that outputs a voltage corresponding to supplied data and supplies the voltage to the common electrode.
US07656381B2
Systems for providing dual resolution control of display panels are provided. A representative system incorporates two pairs of shift registers, each of the shift registers outputting a shifting signal; two pairs of logic gates; and a switching network coupled among the shifting registers and the logic gates. In a low resolution mode, the switching network causes the shift registers to output shifting signals, with corresponding pulses of the shifting signals of the shift registers of the first pair temporally overlapping with corresponding pulses of the shifting signals of the shift registers of the second pair; and wherein, responsive to the shifting signals, the logic gates output panel control signals, with corresponding pulses of the panel control signals of the logic gates of the first pair not temporally overlapping with corresponding pulses of the panel control signals of the logic gates of the second pair.
US07656380B2
This invention provides a driving circuit for a display device, for accomplishing low power consumption by use of a level shifter capable of reliably converting signals having low voltage amplitude. A source signal line driving circuit is divided into a plurality of units. Pulses outputted from a shift register, etc, are used to execute ON/OFF control of the operation of a current supply source to the level shifter of each divided unit. The supply of the current to the level shifter is suspended in the stage not containing the circuit that outputs the pulses, but is made to only the unit including the shift register of the operating stage. In consequence, low power consumption can be achieved.
US07656371B2
A light emitting apparatus comprises at least two light emitting elements with different chromaticities; and a light emitting element controller that controls light emitted from the light emitting apparatus so as to be a desired chromaticity. The light emitting element controller controls the light emitting elements based on a predetermined function of light emitting element temperature variation. Accordingly, it is possible to provide a light emitting apparatus that, even if the temperature varies, has a stable desired chromaticity without chromaticity variation. In addition, since control is performed based on a property function of wavelength fluctuation due to light emitting element temperature variation, it is possible to provide more reliable reproduction characteristics, and a desired chromaticity.
US07656358B2
An antenna is provided which is structured to operate at two frequency bands simultaneously. The antenna is structured as a waveguide cavity having two types of radiating elements provided on its top surface, symmetrically about the diagonal of the cavity. One group of radiating elements is optimized to operate at one frequency band, while the other group is optimized to operate at a first frequency band. In one implementation, two groups of holes of different diameter are provided on the top surface of the cavity and the radiating elements are two groups of cones of different diameter coupled to different diameter holes. The different diameter holes act as a filet between the two frequency bands.
US07656351B1
A method for electronically scanning a predetermined geostationary orbital arc segment around the earth with an antenna system. The antenna system includes a planar array. A number of fixed electronic squints is selected. Lengths of the total plurality of fixed delay line lengths are generated for the planar array based on the number of fixed electronic squints. All of the antenna elements in the planar array for the mobile earth station are fitted with the generated lengths. The orbital arc segment is electronically scanned with a single linear scan with the planar array. This method is extendable to the case of multiple beams by adding additional phase shifters at each column and keeping the number of fixed line lengths the same, regardless of the number of additional beams.
US07656348B2
The subject matter disclosed herein relates to a system and method for determining a sufficiency of measurements for locating positions. In one example, although claimed subject matter is not so limited, a process to improve accuracy of pseudorange measurements may be terminated in response to a weighting of quantitative assessments of at least some of such pseudorange measurements.
US07656346B2
A millimeter wave image processor, capable of performing imaging by matching and filtering while considering a spherical wave on an antenna face in a near field, is provided. The processor includes: a T-antenna which receives a radio wave emitted by a target; an A/D converter which A/D converts signals received by the T-antenna; a correlation processing unit which performs correlation processing to a combination of signals of a horizontal conversion output and a vertical conversion output among A/D converted data; and an imaging processor which correlates a reference function in which a received signal is generated theoretically on an assumption that the target is at a position of a focused distance and a received signal of a spherical wave received by the T-antenna for each pixel in the field of view to thereby create an image of the target.
US07656344B2
A receiving part receives, over a plurality of pulse reception sections, the echo of a transmitted pulse in a first range cell after a lapse of a first time period from a pulse transmission, and outputs a first signal based on the received echo. The receiving part also receives, over a plurality of pulse reception sections, the echo of the transmitted pulse in a second range cell after a lapse of a second time period from the pulse transmission, and outputs a second signal based on the received echo. A signal integrating part integrates a first number of first signals and outputs an integration result as a first range integration signal. The signal integrating part also integrates a second number of second signals and outputs an integration result as a second range integration signal. A target detecting part detects, based on the first and second range integration signals, a target.
US07656339B2
Various embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for analog to digital conversion. For example, an analog to digital converter is disclosed that includes an analog input that is provided to a comparator bank. The comparator bank receives a reference indicator, and is operable to provide a current output based at least in part on a comparison of the analog input with a reference threshold corresponding to the reference indicator. The analog to digital converter further includes a range selection filter that is operable to receive the current output and to generate the reference indicator based at least in part on a prior output of the comparator bank.
US07656312B2
A tracking method and system. The method comprises receiving by a tracking apparatus, data comprising informational data segments and associated tracking data segments. The tracking apparatus is moved within a specified proximity of a first location. The tracking apparatus senses the first location. The tracking apparatus retrieves a first informational data segment associated with the first location based on a first tracking data segment. The tracking apparatus requests an updated informational data segment associated with the first informational data segment, the first tracking data segment, and the first location. The tracking apparatus retrieves the updated informational data segment. The tracking apparatus broadcasts a specified portion of the updated informational data segment. The specified portion is dependent on a specified condition of the tracking apparatus.
US07656304B2
Techniques are disclosed to sense a current in a circuit. For instance, current sense circuit according to the teachings of the present invention includes a current sense resistor coupled to an input of the current sense circuit. The current sense resistor is coupled to receive a current to be sensed from the input of the current sense circuit. The current to be sensed is converted to a current sense voltage. A first PN junction diode is coupled to the current sense resistor. A light emitting diode (LED) is coupled to the first PN junction diode to provide a current sense threshold substantially proportional to a difference between a forward voltage drop of the LED and a forward voltage drop of the first PN junction diode. The first PN junction diode is coupled to be biased from the forward voltage drop of the LED. The LED is coupled to the current sense resistor to generate an output when the current sense voltage from the current sense resistor reaches the current sense threshold.
US07656301B2
An air-cooled electronic component cabinet has an air sampling conduit to enable smoke detection from air from different areas within the cabinet. An air sampling conduit has one or more orifices to sample air from the different areas within the cabinet, such as adjacent different electronic chassis assemblies or enclosures stacked in a rack within the cabinet. An axial fan or blower draws air samples into the conduit, or the air samples are drawn in by operation of convection or other airflow established within the cabinet. In the air sampling conduit, the air samples are mixed and conveyed for sampling by one or more smoke detection devices mounted, e.g., within the conduit, or within an attached expansion joint section to reduce the airflow velocity or accommodate multiple smoke detection devices. Orifices in the air sampling conduit varying in size or number at different conduit areas regulate associated sampled air proportions. A variety of configurations in which such air sampling conduits are deployed are presented.
US07656299B2
A bed exit and patient detection system especially adapted for use in the general medical or surgical floor area of a hospital or other healthcare facility as part of a vital signs monitoring and remote warning system includes a plurality of pressure sensors disposed in the patient's bed in a series of rectangular strips or zones that run laterally across the bed in the area of the patient's mid-back, hips and mid-legs, respectively. Each zone contains a plurality of sensors, arranged symmetrically about the centerline of the bed, with the corresponding sensors on opposite sides of the centerline in each zone being connected in parallel. The sensors are connected to a processor with multiple input channels that continuously monitors the sensor states to determine, from the pattern of sensor states observed, whether the patient is in bed, out of bed or is actively attempting to exit the bed at the sides or foot of the bed. At least three different sets of bed exit logic rules are available for user selection to configure the system for high, medium or low sensitivity, or bed exit privileges, for any particular patient. In some embodiments, the system also is capable of detecting when a patient is attempting to assume certain prohibited in-bed positions, such as sitting positions or slumping positions. An alarm in the form of a pre-recorded voice announcement or an alarm over a pre-existing nurse call system is provided when the sensor states are indicative of an out-of-bed or an exiting bed condition, or other prohibited in-bed positions, for a predetermined minimum period of time.
US07656296B2
The present invention provides an antenna system for reading RFID tags and/or transmitting and receiving wireless network signals, including for example wireless local area network (WLAN) signals, in a material handling environment. A ruggedized antenna can be mounted on the load backrest of a lift truck and configured to accomplish the reading of RFID tags that indicate particular pallet storage locations and the reading of RFID tags that indicate warehouse locations, such as specific loading docks. The antenna system can also be configured to accomplish transmitting and receiving WLAN signals for communication with a warehouse.
US07656295B2
A media product comprising an electronic tag, the tag comprising a memory, wherein the memory has data stored thereon representing preview material associated with the content of the product. A suitable tag and device for querying a memory of the tag are also described.
US07656284B2
Multipurpose optical signalling device, particularly for road emergency in low visibility conditions
A multi-purpose visual signaling device, particularly for road emergency warning and in low visibility conditions, includes light-emitting means for generating a light beam and means for supplying power to the light-emitting means. The light-emitting means include at least one laser projector adapted to project images over a substantially flat surface for such images to be visible from a relatively long distance. The light-emitting means and the power supply means are mounted onto a stationary support structure, which may include a front warning triangle-defining portion. The laser projector comprises at least one laser diode and optical and/or electronic means for generating images in space or over a substantially flat surface. The optical and/or electronic means comprise a diffractive lens. Images include monochromatic, polychromatic and/or holographic images, possibly of variable configuration, and preferably form a triangular design.
US07656276B2
The travel situation of a vehicle is detected by sensors and a sensor section 110 recognizes the moving state of the vehicle and outputs event signals. A processing section 180 has a sound emission control section that acquires a MIDI message to be used for notifying the travel situation by means of a MIDI sound source generating section. At the same time, it recognizes the priority level of the event signal to be used for notification in terms of urgency or significance and defines the parameter value of the MIDI message so as to bring the localized sound image of the sound to be emitted from a speaker located substantially at the center relative to a driver according to the priority level. Then, it has a sound emitting section 150 emit the sound. When a plurality of travel situations are to be notified, the localized sound images of the sounds to be notified are differentiated according to the priority levels of the travel situations in terms of urgency or significance so that the driver can easily judge the urgency or the significance of each moving state. Thus, the driver can behave appropriately in response to the travel situations.
US07656269B2
According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sintered electroconductive oxide containing a perovskite phase of perovskite-type crystal structure represented by the composition formula: M1aM2bM3cAldCreOf where M1 is at least one of elements of group 3A other than La; M2 is at least one of elements of group 2A; M3 is at least one of elements of groups 4A, 5A, 6A, 7A and 8 other than Cr; and a, b, c, d, e and f satisfy the following conditional expressions: 0.600≦a≦1.000; 0≦b≦0.400; 0.150≦c<0.600; 0.400≦d≦0.800; 0
US07656267B2
The present disclosure relates to electrical transformer assemblies including a first lamination assembly defining a passage therethrough; and a second lamination assembly configured and dimensioned for press-fit or slide-fit engagement in the passage formed in the first lamination assembly. The first lamination assembly includes a stack of laminations each defining a central opening and defining the passage of the first lamination assembly when in a stacked condition. Each lamination of the first lamination assembly defines at least one shaped recess formed in a side edge of the central opening. The second lamination assembly includes a stack of laminations each including at least one shaped tab extending from a side edge thereof, wherein each tab is configured and dimensioned for press-fit or slide-fit engagement in a respective shaped recess formed in the side edges of the passage formed in the first lamination assembly.
US07656261B2
An integrated magnetic device disposed on a system circuit board is disclosed. The integrated magnetic device comprises a bobbin, a magnetic core assembly, and a conductive structure. The bobbin has a main body for a primary winding to wind thereon and a channel piercing through the main body. The conductive structure comprises plural conductive units corresponded to each other and a first magnetic device. Each of the conductive units has a hollow portion, a receiving hole, and at least a conductive pin. The first magnetic device is electrically connected to the conductive units by the conducting part thereof piercing through the receiving holes of the conductive units. The conductive units are spaced by the main body of the bobbin, and the hollow portions of the conductive units are corresponded to the channel of the bobbin to receive parts of the magnetic core assembly, so as to assemble the bobbin, the magnetic core assembly and the conductive units as a second magnetic device. The first and second magnetic devices are integrated by the conductive structure and disposed on the system circuit board through the conductive pin of each of the conductive units of the conductive structure.
US07656258B1
A magnet structure for particle acceleration includes at least two coils that include a continuous path of superconducting material [e.g., niobium tin (Nb3Sn) having an A15-type crystal structure] for electric current flow there through. The coils can be mounted in a bobbin, which together with the coils form a cold-mass structure. The coils are cooled to their superconducting temperatures via cryocoolers. Radial-tension members are coupled with the cold-mass structure to keep it centered, such that it remains substantially symmetrical about a central axis and is not pulled out of alignment by magnetic forces acting thereon. A wire can be wrapped around the coils, and a voltage can be applied thereto to quench the coils to prevent their operation of the coils in a partially superconducting condition, which may otherwise cause damage thereto. A magnetic yoke surrounds the cold-mass structure and includes a pair of poles that, in part, define an acceleration chamber there between. The inner surfaces of the poles have tapered profiles that establish a correct weak focusing requirement for ion and that reduce pole diameter by increasing energy gain versus radius. An integral magnetic shield is positioned about the yoke to contain magnetic fields emanating there from and can have a tortuous configuration to contain magnetic fields having a variety of orientations. The magnet structure can be very compact and can produce particularly high magnetic fields.
US07656249B2
First, second and third matching parts 110, 120, and 130 are connected in series between a circuit element 199 whose impedance has a frequency characteristic and a circuitry 198 having a constant impedance. The second matching part 120 has the capability of converting impedances. The first matching part 110 operates as an element having reactance values according to any of frequency bands selected by exclusive switching between on and off of switches 118, 119 and the third matching part 130 operates as an element having reactance values according to any of the frequency bands selected by switching between on and off of a switch 133, thereby providing matching in each frequency band. A seventh reactance circuit 131 is configured on the basis of an interdependence relation with the configuration of a fifth reactance circuit 115 and an eighth reactance circuit 132.
US07656243B2
In various embodiments, the invention provides a clock generator and/or a timing and frequency reference, with multiple operating modes, such power conservation, clock, reference, and pulsed modes. The various apparatus embodiments include a resonator adapted to provide a first signal having a resonant frequency; an amplifier; a temperature compensator adapted to modify the resonant frequency in response to temperature; and a process variation compensator adapted to modify the resonant frequency in response to fabrication process variation. In addition, the various embodiments may also include a frequency divider adapted to divide the first signal having the resonant frequency into a plurality of second signals having a corresponding plurality of frequencies substantially equal to or lower than the resonant frequency; and a frequency selector adapted to provide an output signal from the plurality of second signals. The output signal may be provided in any of various forms, such as differential or single-ended, and substantially square-wave or sinusoidal.
US07656231B2
An apparatus and method for generating differential signals. The apparatus includes a first operational amplifier receiving a first signal, a second operational amplifier receiving a second signal, and a first transistor. The first transistor includes a first gate, a first terminal, and a second terminal. Additionally, the apparatus includes a second transistor. The second transistor includes a second gate, a third terminal, and a fourth terminal. Moreover, the apparatus includes a first resistor coupled to the first terminal and the third terminal, and a second resistor coupled to the second terminal and the fourth terminal. Also, the apparatus includes a first current supplier coupled to the first terminal, a second current supplier coupled to the second terminal, a third current supplier coupled to the third terminal, and a fourth current supplier coupled to the fourth terminal.
US07656219B2
A circuit and method for producing an output voltage that replicates an input voltage. A circuit comprises an amplifier stage configured to amplify a difference between an input voltage and a feedback voltage. An output stage is configured to produce an output voltage equal to the input voltage. The output stage configured to be driven by the difference between the input voltage and the feedback voltage. The output stage further comprises a main supply current path configured to provide a first current from a main supply source, the first current providing at least a portion of the output voltage, and a current management circuit configured to provide a second current from an auxiliary supply source, the second current providing any remaining portion of the output voltage not provided by the first current.
US07656215B2
A clock generator circuit provides an output clock without an abnormal waveform pulse which causes faulty operation in other function circuits. A phase synchronizing circuit outputs a second clock synchronized with a first clock. A selector signal generator circuit outputs a switching signal when detecting the abnormal waveform pulse in the second clock. A selector outputs the first clock instead of the second clock as the output clock based on the switching signal. A delay circuit delays the second clock input to the selector so that the selector switches the output clock from the second clock to the first clock before the abnormal waveform pulse is input to the selector.
US07656213B2
Generating an output pulse signal (Y), which has an output signal period (Ty), which is divided by a magnitude transition into a leading part (LP) and a trailing part (TP). During each output signal period (Ty) altering means (27 to 36) determine in a coarse and fine way a duration (TLP, TTP) of one or both of said output signal period parts (LP, TP) by using a clock signal (Cx) of different clock cycle durations (TCx0, TCx1, TCx2), dependent on a value of a first digital number (D1) and a value of second, less significant digital number (D3, D5), respectively.
US07656203B2
A receiving circuit is provided for receiving a data signal and a clock signal, which are RSDS signals, and outputting an output data signal to a data driver. The receiving circuit includes a data comparator, a data intermediate circuit, a clock comparator, a clock intermediate, and a flip-flop. The data comparator, driven with a data bias current, receives the data signal, and outputs a compared data signal. The clock comparator, driven with a clock bias current, receives the clock signal, and outputs a compared clock signal. The flip-flop receives the compared data signal via the data intermediate circuit and the compared clock signal via the clock intermediate circuit. The phase difference between the compared data signal and the compared clock signal is improved by adjusting the data and the clock bias currents.
US07656192B2
A programmable integrated circuit (IC), comprising: a programmable logic circuit configured by a first control signal coupled to a gate electrode of a transistor in the logic circuit; and a first plurality of read only memory (ROM) elements capable of coupling to the first control signal, wherein a said first ROM elements is selected to couple by one or more decode signals, and wherein the first ROM elements store a plurality of user specifications.
US07656188B2
Some embodiments provide a reconfigurable IC that includes several sections. Each section includes several configurable circuits, each of which configurably performs a set of operations. Each section stores multiple configuration data sets for each configurable circuit. Each configuration data set for a particular configurable circuit specifies the operation that the particular configurable circuit has to perform from the circuit's set of operations, where the configurable circuits of at least two different sections change configuration data sets at two different reconfiguration rates.
US07656187B2
Multi-channel communication circuitry for programmable logic device integrated circuits and the like
An integrated circuit like a programmable logic device (“PLD”) includes multiple channels of data communication circuitry. Circuitry is provided for selectively sharing signals (e.g., control-type signals) among these channels in groupings of various size so that the device can better support communication protocols that require various numbers of channels (e.g., one channel operating relatively independently, four channels working together, eight channels working together, etc.). The signals shared may include a clock signal, a FIFO write enable signal, a FIFO read enable signal, or the like. The circuit arrangements are preferably modular (i.e., the same or substantially the same from one channel to the next and/or from one group of channels to the next) to facilitate such things as circuit design and verification.
US07656181B2
A test apparatus capable of detecting input/output (I/O) circuit characteristics of a semiconductor device by analyzing an eye mask generated in the test apparatus and the waveform of a test signal output from the I/O circuit of the semiconductor device. The test apparatus includes an eye mask generator that generates an eye mask in synchronization with one or more clock signals of opposite phase to each other, an error detector that receives the eye mask from the eye mask generator and compares the test signal with the eye mask to determine whether an error occurs in the semiconductor device, and an error signal output unit that receives an error detection signal from the error detector and generates an error signal in response to the error detection signal. In particular, the eye mask generator includes a sine wave generator that generates one or more sine waves of opposite phase to each other in synchronization with one or more clock signals, and a limiter circuit that receives the sine waves and generates the eye mask by adjusting the amplitudes of the sine waves.
US07656180B2
A burn-in board connection device includes a first connection unit to hold a burn-in board and move in a first direction perpendicular to the burn-in board that is inserted in a chamber of a burn-in test device, a second connection unit to move in a second direction parallel to the burn-in board to attach/detach the burn-in board that is held by the first connection unit to/from a connector disposed in the chamber. A burn-in board connection method includes coupling a finger to the burn-in board by moving the finger in a first direction, attaching the burn-in board to a connector by moving the finger in a second direction, and driving the finger by converting a rotation of a servo motor into a linear movement of the finger.
US07656179B2
A relay connector connects a terminal of a connector to be inspected provided on a board for inspection to a measuring instrument. The relay connector includes: a pin block; a floating guide, arranged so as to approach and separate with respect to the pin block and resiliently urged in a separating direction, the floating guide formed with a guide hole; a plurality of probes, each of which is provided in the pin block so as to be opposed to the terminal of the connector to be inspected having been inserted into the guide hole; and a pressure operating member, adapted to be operated between an open state in which the connector to be inspected is allowed to be inserted into the guide hole in the floating guide, and a pressed state in which the connector to be inspected having been inserted into the floating guide is pressed toward the pin block.
US07656174B2
A manufacturing method of a semiconductor device employing a semiconductor inspection apparatus to accurately inspect semiconductor elements while still in the wafer state, the semiconductor inspection apparatus including: a probe sheet 31 having contact terminals 7 which contact electrodes 3 of a wafer 1 and contact bumps 20b electrically connected to respective contact terminals 7; and a probe sheet 34 which is backed by a metal film 30b and having contact electrodes 34a which contact the contact bumps 20b of the probe sheet 31 and peripheral electrodes 27b electrically connected to the respective contact electrodes 34a, the wafer 1 is interposed between the probe sheet 34 and the supporting member 33 via the probe sheet 31 by reducing pressure through vacuuming, and the contact terminals 7 which have a pyramidal or truncated shape are contacted to the electrodes 3 of the wafer 1 at a desired atmospheric pressure, thereby performing the inspection.
US07656171B2
A method and apparatus for detecting defects includes irradiating and scanning an electron beam focused on an area of a sample, detecting charged particles generated from the sample by the irradiating and scanning of the electron beam with a first detector which detects charged particles having relatively low energy to obtain a first image of the area and with a second detector which detects charged particles having relatively high energy to obtain a second image of the area, comparing the first inspection image of the area with a first reference image to generate a first difference image, and comparing obtained second image of the area with a second reference image to generate a second difference image, and detecting an open defect or a short defect from at least one of the generated first difference image and the second difference image.
US07656167B1
An improved E-field generator including a slow-wave transmission line structure is provided herein. In some cases, the improved E-field generator may include an inductively-loaded slow-wave transmission line structure driven by a power source at one end of the structure and terminated by a load at the other end of the structure. In other cases, the improved E-field generator may include a capacitively-loaded slow-wave transmission line structure. In either case, the improved E-field generator provides a frequency-independent, significantly increased electric field at a distance spaced from the generator without altering the dimensions of the generator and/or the input power supplied to the generator. The increase in generated field intensity is achieved by decreasing the phase velocity of the electromagnetic wave propagating along the parallel elements of the generator.
US07656162B2
An electronic battery tester for testing a storage battery includes test circuitry configured to provide an output based upon a selected test criteria. Additionally, circuitry is provided to assist in balancing batteries used in a string of multiple batteries.
US07656159B2
A technique for locating stationary magnetic objects comprises placing magnetic sensors on a movable platform; for each sensor, measuring a total magnetic field signal in an area of detection; using the sensors to identify a line upon which a target stationary magnetic object is located; and fixing a location of the object by moving the platform in substantially straight lines until the object is detected by at least two of the sensors; using the measured signals to determine a first path on which the object lies; positioning the sensors so that a line connecting two of the sensors intersects the first path on which the object lies; moving the platform along a second path substantially parallel to the first path; recording two positions at which at least two of the sensors detect a maximum total magnetic field signal from the object; and identifying a third path through the two positions.
US07656152B2
A pusher for a match plate of a test handler is disclosed which assists a tester to test the produced semiconductor devices. The pusher includes: a body part installed to an installation plate; and a pushing part that extends forward from a front side of the body part, for pushing a semiconductor device placed on an insert of a test tray. The pusher forms: an air through hole that extends through from a rear side of the body part to the front side of the pushing part, for guiding air of a certain temperature, supplied to the rear side of the body part from a duct, to be supplied to the semiconductor device; and at least one or more air outflow holes that extend through from at least one side of the pushing part and communicate with the air through hole, for allowing part of the air supplied from the duct through the air through hole to flow out to a test site. The pusher can reduce the temperature deviation of semiconductor devices at the test site.
US07656150B2
When a test handler loads semiconductor devices of user trays onto a test tray, the test handler adjusts a front/rear pitch or a right/left pitch between the semiconductor devices, adjusts the right/left pitch or the front/rear pitch, and loads the semiconductor devices. The test handler can sequentially adjust individually the front/rear pitch and the right/left pitch between the semiconductor devices, thereby reducing the apparatus weight and the loading time.
US07656145B2
A voltage generator is used for generating a voltage reference with high power supply rejection. One embodiment of the circuit includes a voltage regulator and a bandgap voltage circuit and an amplifier. The voltage regulator including an input node is coupled to an external power supply for generating a regulated voltage source. A bandgap voltage circuit includes a first and a second resistor and a first and a second transistor to generate a voltage difference between the base-to-emitter voltages of the first and the second transistors. The second resistor is coupled to the first resistor and the first transistor for generating the first predetermined voltage in response to the voltage difference. An amplifier circuit is coupled to the first transistor of the bandgap voltage circuit for receiving a first amplifying signal and generating an amplified signal so as to regulate the regulated voltage source.
US07656144B2
A bias generator comprises a first transistor and a second transistor having a control port connected to a control port of the first transistor and to an input port of the second transistor, where a second current through the second transistor is greater than a first current through the first transistor. The current through the bias generator is minimized by providing the different currents through the transistors having a similar size.
US07656140B2
A control circuit for a DC/DC converter has a linear-control loop, which receives a quantity to be controlled and a first reference quantity, and generates a modulation value. A nonlinear modulation unit is activated in presence of a variation of the quantity to be controlled higher than a preset intervention threshold and modifies in a nonlinear way the reference quantity supplied to the linear-control loop. In the case of large variation and of preset sign of the quantity to be controlled, the linear-control loop is deactivated, a signal for switching-off of the DC/DC converter is initially generated, and then a false steady-state-modulation value is supplied to the DC/DC converter.
US07656136B2
In a digital boost or buck-boost converter, a pulse width modulation signal has an on-time and an off-time. A constant off-time period is provided to set the off-time to be constant, and an on-time period to determine the on-time is derived by monitoring the output voltage of the converter. With the constant off-time, the output voltage and the on-time period will have a linear relation, thereby reducing the output ripple when the converter operates with a high duty-ratio.
US07656132B2
A battery charger apparatus for charging a battery, comprises a charge-current control circuit for receiving a charge-current control signal to control an amount of charge current being drawn from an input source, e.g., a USB port or a line adapter; an analog control circuit for generating an analog control signal representative of a maximum amount of charge current to be used to charge a battery; a digital charge reduction loop including a circuit for determining a charge-current adjustment signal based on a source voltage of the input source; a counter for generating a digital count value based on the charge-current adjustment signal; and a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) for generating a DAC control signal based on the digital count value of the counter, the DAC control signal being representative of a reduced amount of charge current to be used to charge the battery; and a switching mechanism for selecting one of the analog control signal or the DAC control signal based on the source voltage, the selected control signal being used as the charge-current control signal to the charge-current control circuit.
US07656126B2
There is provided an abnormality detection apparatus for a secondary battery device having n secondary batteries (where n is 2 or more) connected in series for obtaining a high battery voltage. The apparatus includes n voltage detecting circuits which outputs high-level signals at a normal voltage between both terminals of each of the n secondary batteries, n N-channel field effect transistors having gates to which outputs of the n voltage detecting circuits are respectively supplied, and n P-channel field effect transistors having gates to which drain voltages of the n N-channel field effect transistors are respectively supplied. In the n P-channel field effect transistors, a drain of a P-channel field effect transistor is connected to a source of the next P-channel field effect transistor successively, thus detecting an abnormality by a voltage obtained at a drain of the n-th P-channel field effect transistor.
US07656125B2
A storage voltage of a battery pack is controlled with control electronics. The storage voltage of a battery pack is sensed, and a discharge mechanism is triggered if the storage voltage is within a predetermined range of voltage, to thereby adjust the storage voltage of the battery pack to below the predetermined range of voltage, or if the storage voltage is at or above a predetermined voltage, to thereby adjust the storage voltage of the battery pack to below the predetermined voltage. Control electronics sense a storage voltage of a battery pack and trigger a discharge mechanism if the storage voltage is within a predetermined range of voltage, to thereby adjust the storage voltage of the battery pack to below the predetermined range of voltage, or if the storage voltage is at or above a predetermined voltage, to thereby adjust the storage voltage of the battery pack to below the predetermined voltage. The control electronics are coupled to an electronic device and a battery pack. The control electronics are either implemented into the electronic device or the battery pack, or in a separate control electronic device.
US07656120B2
A power supply system capable of providing electric power to an electronic device having a first battery includes a battery pack (100) and an attachment apparatus (300). The battery pack includes a body (110) having at least a first recess (221), a second battery inside the body, and at least one of a first circuit (500) capable of dynamically changing a charge current supplied to the second battery based on a power consumption level of the electronic device, and a second circuit (600) capable of dynamically switching the electronic device between a recharging state and a non-recharging state depending on a status of the battery pack. The attachment apparatus includes a frame (310), an extension (350) protruding from the frame, and attachment features (461) suitable for working with the recess to attach the battery pack and the attachment apparatus to each other and to the electronic device.
US07656118B2
A polarity protection circuit for a battery booster device is provided. According to an exemplary embodiment, the polarity protection circuit is comprised of solid-state devices. Preferably no mechanical or electro-mechanical devices, such as solenoids are included in the polarity protection circuit. The polarity protection circuit is electrically connected to the battery to be charged and to the boosting battery. The polarity protection circuit prevents current flow between the batteries unless proper polarity is achieved.
US07656116B2
There are provided upper and lower switching elements 1U to 1W and 2U to 2W for energizing motor drive windings 4U to 4W, a control circuit 20 that starts outputting a control signal for energization based on an energization instruction, pre-drive circuits 8U to 8W and 9U to 9W for controlling ON/OFF of the upper and lower switching elements based on the control signal, and short circuit detection circuits 10U to 10W for detecting short circuits in a node 14 between the upper and lower switching elements to higher-potential and lower-potential power sources based on the control signal and a voltage of the node. The short circuit detection circuits are controlled to detect a short circuit in the node to the lower-potential power source with all the upper switching elements turned ON and all the lower switching elements turned OFF and to detect a short circuit in the node to the higher-potential power source with all the upper switching elements turned OFF and all the lower switching elements turned ON, in a state where the motor drive windings are not energized. It is possible to prevent a situation in which a short circuit cannot be detected depending on a resistance component of a drive target.
US07656108B2
An improved linear motor which compensates for manufacturing or assembly errors in the positioning of the magnetic field detectors. The linear motor synthesizes a correction signal which can be simply combined (for example added) to the output of one of the magnetic field detectors so as to ensure that the magnetic field detector outputs have the correct phase relationship. This in turn ensures that accurate positioning of the rotor relative to the stator can be achieved. In a preferred embodiment, a deliberate error is introduced into the positioning of the magnetic field detectors and this error, plus any error due to manufacturing or assembly tolerances, is corrected using the correction signal. This allows a simplified correction circuit which only corrects for phase offset errors in one direction to be used.
US07656107B2
The invention relates to a control circuit for an arrangement having at least two DC motors (10, 12), which can be connected in parallel to a DC voltage system (16, 18), in particular a circuit for controlling at least two motors of a motor vehicle fan. In this case, the DC motors (10, 12) can be connected to the DC voltage system (16, 18), on the one hand, during starting, jointly via in each case one series resistor (22, 24) having a low resistance value and a common semiconductor switching element (26) and, on the other hand, during operation, via separate semiconductor switching elements (32, 34), the series circuit comprising the separate series resistors (22, 24) and the common semiconductor switching element (26) being arranged in parallel with the separate semiconductor switching elements (30, 32) for controlling the motors during operation.
US07656105B2
A wireless signal transmission device for a DC brushless ceiling fan motor that includes a wireless signal transmission device to receive and transmit a signal to a controlling unit, and the controlling unit transmits the control signal to the motor via an electric wire. A wireless signal-transmitting device is installed above the motor. The signal-transmitting device detects the position of the motor and transmits a wireless signal to a signal receiving device, which then transmits the signal to the controlling unit, which further transmits the controlling signal to the motor via of the electric wire, for the purpose of controlling the rotation of the motor. Due to the fact that the signal is transmitted wirelessly, it is not necessary to use any destructive process such as drilling a hole on the body of the ceiling fan, and thus the rigidity and the strength of the components are preserved.
US07656101B2
A cold-cathode tube drive device includes an inverter circuit (1) for generating a high-frequency voltage, a booster transformer (2) for boosting the high-frequency voltage generated by the inverter circuit (1), a cold-cathode tube (3) which is turned on by the high-frequency voltage after boosted by the booster transformer (2), a series circuit (6) having a reactance element (4) connected in parallel to the cold-cathode tube (3), a synthesis circuit (8) for combining the connected current value i2 of the series circuit (6) with the secondary side current value i1 of the booster transformer (2) so as to indirectly detect the lamp current value iL of the cold-cathode tube (3), and a control circuit (9) for controlling the inverter circuit (1) according to the lamp current value iL indirectly detected by the synthesis circuit (8) and controlling the lamp current of the cold-cathode tube (3).
US07656100B2
The present invention relates to a system (100) for controlling light output of a lighting system. The system (100) comprises a light mixing circuit (116) comprising a plurality of light sources configured to provide a mixed light output (102) and mounted on a heat-sink (202) together with a temperature sensing means and a controller (108) receiving a set-point (110) from a calibration matrix (104) and generating a driving signal (120, 122) for the light mixing circuit (116). The controller (108) comprises a rescale unit (118) configured to measure power of the driving signal (120, 122) and to rescale the driving signal (120, 122) when the power exceeds a predetermined power threshold, and the controller is configured to receive the heat-sink temperature signal (206) and to calculate a junction temperature from the heat-sink temperature signal, and the controller (108) generates the driving signal (120, 122) as a function of the junction temperature.
US07656099B2
The invention relates to a circuit arrangement for operating high pressure discharge lamps and corresponding operating method, whereby the input voltage for the pulsed trigger device is increased by means of a series resonance loop (L3, C4), of a cascade circuit, or a symmetrical voltage doubling circuit.
US07656097B2
A control system for an HID lamp, which in one implementation includes a magnetic ballast control system for an HID lamp using Zigbee. A plurality of condensers or choke coils of different capacities is mounted on a magnetic ballast for the lamp, and an electronic switch unit controls illumination according to change of such capacities. RF transmitting/receiving means using a Zigbee-based frequency are employed to turn the HID on and off, and to control illumination through wireless remote communications, thereby achieving considerable energy savings. Operational states of the HID lamp and ballast can be bi-directionally controlled through the communication module, with failures of the HID lamp and ballast automatically detected and notified to users.
US07656091B2
A plasma display panel (PDP) includes a front substrate having sustain discharge electrodes composed of X electrodes and Y electrodes. A rear substrate is arranged parallel with the front substrate, the rear substrate having address electrodes crossing the sustain discharge electrodes. An upper dielectric layer buries the sustain discharge electrodes. A lower dielectric layer buries the address electrodes. A barrier rib is located between the first substrate and the second substrate. The barrier rib has discharge spaces between the front substrate and the rear substrate and has a circumferential region formed at a lower height than a height of its central region. A frit is arranged spaced along a circumference of the barrier rib to attach the rear substrate to the front substrate.
US07656087B2
A flat panel display capable of reducing element defects by decreasing taper angles of contact holes and a via hole. The flat panel display includes a thin film transistor having at least source and drain electrodes formed over an insulating substrate, an insulating layer having a via hole for exposing one of the source and drain electrodes, and an anode connected to said one of the source and drain electrodes through the via hole. The via hole and the anode are tapered with taper angles of 60° or less. The source and drain electrodes are connected respectively to source and drain regions of the thin film transistor through the contact holes. The contact holes are also tapered with taper angles of 60° or less.
US07656086B2
An organic light emitting diode display having a driving circuit portion for driving an organic light emitting diode portion that includes a thin film transistor that has a semiconductor layer, a gate electrode, a source electrode, and a drain electrode, and is disposed between the organic light emitting diode portion and the driving circuit substrate, and a storage capacitor that has lower and upper electrodes and a dielectric layer interposed therebetween and is disposed on the organic light emitting diode portion is provided. The thin film transistor is formed between the organic light emitting diode portion and the driving circuit substrate, and the storage capacitor is formed on the organic light emitting diode portion.
US07656085B2
A dual emitting device includes a transparent substrate and an array of pixels. The array of pixels is disposed on the transparent substrate, and each pixel of the array includes at least one first sub-pixel and at least one second sub-pixel. The first sub-pixel includes a first OLED driven by a first TFT, and a first sheltering layer on the first OLED. The second sub-pixel includes a second OLED driven by a second TFT, and a second sheltering layer formed between the transparent substrate and the second OLED.
US07656083B2
A light emitting device capable of emitting an excellent mixed color light, and a light emitting device capable of enhancing the concentration of mixed light or the directivity of emission is provided. The light emitting device comprises a light emitting element and a package. The package includes at least two recesses each having a bottom surface for mounting a light emitting element thereon and a side surface extending from the bottom surface, wherein each recess has, in a vertical cross section of the recess, a vertical line passing through the center of the bottom surface of the recess which is different than a vertical line passing through the intersection of a first straight line extending along an inclined edge of the recess and a second straight line extending along an inclined edge on another side of the recess.
US07656077B2
A laminated piezoelectric device obtained by alternately laminating the piezoelectric layers containing Pb and the conducting layers containing palladium as a conducting component, wherein the piezoelectric layer formed between the two conducting layers has layer regions where Pb and Pd are mixed together in the interfacial portions thereof relative to the conducting layers, the layer regions having a thickness of not larger than 3% of the thickness of the piezoelectric layer. The laminated piezoelectric device is formed by co-firing the Pb-containing piezoelectric layers and the palladium (Pd)-containing layers, the piezoelectric layers therein having a large insulation resistance and good piezoelectric characteristics.
US07656076B1
A piezoelectric package comprises an upper and lower piezoelectric plates, each having opposing electrodes. The piezoelectric package further comprises an electrically insulative structure encapsulating the piezoelectric plates. The piezoelectric package further comprises first and second external connectors mounted to the insulative structure. The connectors respectively have connector terminals that are electrically coupled to the electrodes in different orders, and have geometric arrangements that are identical, such that a single interface device can be selectively mated to either of the connectors. The piezoelectric package may be incorporated into a system that comprises electronic circuitry configured for operating the piezoelectric package, and a single interface device electrically coupled between the electronic circuitry and either of the external connectors of the piezoelectric package to selectively configure the package between a unimorph and a bimorph.
US07656075B2
The invention relates to a nanomanipulator that is used for analyzing or machining objects. Said nanomanipulator is equipped with several moving elements which can be adjusted to perform movements and support the object that is to be moved or an object holder in order to move at least one object relative to an analyzing position or machining position. Each of said moving elements is provided with one support area for the object that is to be moved or the object holder. The moving elements support at least one load-bearing plane in an axial direction of the nanomanipulator. The inventive nanomanipulator is characterized by moving elements comprising shearing piezo elements so as to move the load-bearing plane.
US07656074B2
A voice coil motor device for positioning is disclosed. The voice coil motor device for positioning includes a fixed element, a moving element and a connector. The moving element is movably disposed on the fixed element. One end of the connector is connected with the fixed element and the other end of the connector is connected with the moving element. A piezoelectric element is disposed on the connector or deposed between the moving element and the fixed element. The piezoelectric element can be deformed with the movement of the moving element to generate a displacement signal of a moving element. The positioning of the voice coil motor can be achieved precisely basing on the judgment on the displacement signal of the moving element generated with the movement of the moving element by the piezoelectric element.
US07656072B2
In order to provide an actuator having great driving force and high impact resistance, an actuator of the present invention has a driving shaft 5 that can be vibrated in the shaft direction by a piezoelectric device 4 provided at its one end and a moving member 6 that is friction-engaged with the driving shaft 5 and moves on the driving shaft 5 due to the vibration of the driving shaft 5. The driving shaft 5 has two parallel shaft sliding faces 5a on its surface. The moving member 6 has two moving member sliding faces 7e, 8e that are in slide-contact with the shaft sliding faces 5a. The moving member 6 is friction-engaged with the driving shaft 5 such that the moving member sliding faces 7e, 8e clamp the shaft sliding faces 5a.
US07656069B2
First and second magnet holding apertures are disposed through first and second permanent magnet holding seats that are disposed so as to protrude from first and second yoke portions so as to have aperture centers that are oriented in an axial direction. Cylindrical resin first and second magnet loading portions are disposed so as to project integrally on first and second fans such that central axes thereof are oriented in the axial direction, and first and second permanent magnets are insert-molded into the first and second magnet loading portions. The first and second fans are fixed to first and second pole cores by fitting the first and second magnet loading portions together with the first and second magnet holding apertures.
US07656064B2
A suction ring is fixed to a motor base and is provided with an outer circumferential section having a first outer diameter that is smaller than an inner diameter of a wall section of the motor base. A plurality of protruded sections each have a second outer diameter larger than the inner diameter of the wall section of the motor base and protrudes outward in a radial direction from the outer circumferential section of the suction ring. The plurality of protruded sections of the suction ring are press fitted into a wall section of the motor base and secures the suction ring to the motor base. One surface of the suction ring coincides with a bottom surface of the ring magnet covering a whole range of a projected area of the ring magnet that is projected onto the surface of the suction ring.
US07656061B2
A circuit to supply power to a detachable load incorporates a power source, a power converter and an array of capacitors. Upon connection of the detachable load, the capacitors of the array of capacitors are automatically configured into a desired series, parallel or combination series and parallel configuration of interconnections to accommodate limitations in the voltage ranges of the capacitors in being coupled to the load and/or to achieve other desired characteristics of electrical power to be provided to the load. Further, upon connection of the detachable load, a limit on current flow imposed by the power converter may be set to a desired level to achieve desired characteristics of electrical power to be provided to the load and/or desired characteristics of charging and discharging behaviors of the array of capacitors.
US07656057B2
A power conditioner for supplying controlled power generated from a power source such as a fuel cell or a solar battery to a load. The power conditioner includes a main converter converting the output voltage of the power source; an auxiliary converter converting the output voltage of the main converter to a voltage that is supplied to BOP elements; and a direct connecting line connecting the output voltage of the power source to the auxiliary converter bypassing the main converter. Accordingly, because the voltage for the power to be supplied to the BOP elements is converted only once, the power loss can be significantly reduced compared to the power loss from a conventional power conditioner.
US07656053B2
A power generation system is disclosed. The power generation system comprises a kite connected to a line. The line is alternatively let out during a traction phase and recovered during a recovery phase. A power extractor connected to the line to extract power during the traction phase. And, a power extraction controller configured to target a preferred traction phase line velocity and a preferred recovery phase line velocity.
US07656049B2
The use of strained gate electrodes in integrated circuits results in a transistor having improved carrier mobility, improved drive characteristics, and reduced source drain junction leakage. The gate electrode strain is obtained through non symmetric placement of stress inducing structures as part of the gate electrode. Silicon nitride layers may be placed on one side of the gate electrode in a compressive mode, or on the other side of the gate electrode in a tensile mode to obtain similar results.
US07656048B2
In one embodiment, an encapsulated electronic package includes a semiconductor chip having patterned solderable pads formed on a major surface. During an assembly process, the patterned solderable pads are directly affixed to conductive leads. The assembly is encapsulated using, for example, a MAP over-molding process, and then placed through a separation process to provide individual chip scale packages having flip-chip on lead frame interconnects.
US07656046B2
A semiconductor device 1 is a semiconductor device of the BGA type, and includes a semiconductor chip 10, a resin layer 20, an insulating layer 30, and an external electrode pad 40. The resin layer 20 is constituted by a sealing resin 22 and an underfill resin 24, and covers the semiconductor chip 10. The insulating layer 30 is formed on the resin layer 20. The external electrode pad 40 is formed in the insulating layer 30. This external electrode pad 40 extends through the insulating layer 30. One surface S1 of the external electrode pad 40 is exposed in the surface of the insulating layer 30, and the other surface S2 is located in the resin layer 20. A concave portion 45 is formed in the surface S2 of the external electrode pad 40. The resin composing the resin layer 20 enters into the concave portion 45.
US07656040B2
A stack structure of circuit boards embedded with semiconductor components therein is proposed, which includes at least two semiconductor components embedded circuit boards, a plurality of conductive bumps, and at least one adhesive layer. The circuit boards are each formed with a circuit layer having a plurality of electrical connection pads. The conductive bumps are formed on the electrical connection pads of at least one of the circuit boards. The adhesive layer is formed between the circuit boards such that a portion of the adhesive layer between the conductive bumps and the electrical connection pads, or between the opposing conductive bumps, forms a conductive channel and thereby forms an electrical connection between the circuit boards.
US07656035B2
In one embodiment, the invention provides a method comprising fabricating a die bump on a die, the die bump being shaped and dimensioned to at least reduce the flow of solder material used, to attach the die bump to a package substrate, towards an under bump metallurgy (UBM) layer located below the die bump. Advantageously, the method may comprise performing a substrate reflow operation to attach the package substrate to the die bump, without performing a separate wafer reflow operation to reflow the die bump.
US07656027B2
An in-chip system and method for removing heat from integrated circuits is disclosed. One embodiment is a substrate with a front side and a back side. The front side of the substrate is capable of having formed thereon a plurality of transistors. A plurality of structures within the substrate contain a solid heat conductive media comprising carbon nanotubes and/or a metal, such as copper. At least some of the plurality of structures extend from the back side of the substrate into the substrate. In some embodiments, the carbon nanotubes are formed within the substrate using a catalyst.
US07656026B2
A semiconductor device, includes: a wiring substrate having a wiring pattern on a front surface thereof; a first semiconductor chip mounted on the front surface of the wiring substrate; a first heat radiator having a first recess housing the first semiconductor chip and making contact with the front surface of the wiring substrate and the first semiconductor chip directly or with a first insulation layer; a second heat radiator making contact with a rear surface of the wiring substrate directly or with a second insulation layer; and a first fixing member passing through the first heat radiator, the wiring substrate, and the second heat radiator, and pressing the first heat radiator and the second heat radiator to the wiring substrate.
US07656023B2
In an electronic parts packaging structure of the present invention, an electronic parts is mounted or formed on a silicon circuit substrate having a structure in which wiring layers on both sides thereof are connected to each other through a through electrode, and a protruded bonding portion which is ring-shaped and is made of glass, of a seal cap having a structure in which a cavity is constituted by the protruded bonding portion, is anodically bonded to a bonding portion of the silicon circuit substrate, thus, the electronic parts is hermetically sealed in the cavity of the sealing cap.
US07656013B2
There is provided a multilayer wiring substrate on which at least one semiconductor element is mounted. The multilayer wiring substrate includes: a baseboard; a first wiring layer formed on the baseboard and having a plurality of first wiring portions; an insulating layer formed on the baseboard; a second wiring layer formed on the insulating layer and having a plurality of second wiring portions, the second wiring portions being electrically connected to each other via a conductor wire, the conductor wire being arranged within the insulating layer three-dimensionally in a curved manner; and conductor portions configured to pass through the insulating layer and connecting the first wiring portions and the second wiring portions.
US07656009B2
An electric discharge device includes a bipolar transistor configuration comprising a base, an emitter, and a collector. At least one pinched resistor is formed in a region comprising both the base and emitter so as to produce a pinched resistive area that develops a voltage once the bipolar transistor experiences junction breakdown.
US07656005B2
Electrically programmable fuse structures for an integrated circuit and methods of fabrication thereof are presented, wherein the electrically programmable fuse has a first terminal portion and a second terminal portion interconnected by a fuse element. The first terminal portion and the second terminal portion reside over a first support and a second support, respectively, with the first support and the second support being spaced apart, and the fuse element bridging the distance between the first terminal portion over the first support and the second terminal portion over the second support. The fuse, first support and second support define a π-shaped structure in elevational cross-section through the fuse element. The first terminal portion, second terminal portion and fuse element are coplanar, with the fuse element residing above a void, which in one embodiment is filed by a thermally insulating dielectric material that surrounds the fuse element.
US07655999B2
The present invention is a front-side contact, back-side illuminated (FSC-BSL) photodiode arrays and front-side illuminated, back-side contact (FSL-BSC) photodiode arrays having improved characteristics, including high production throughput, low-cost manufacturing via implementation of batch processing techniques; uniform, as well as high, photocurrent density owing to presence of a large continuous homogeneous, heavily doped layer; and back to front intrachip connections via the homogenous, heavily doped layers on the front and back sides of the substrate.
US07655979B2
There is provided a high voltage gate driver integrated circuit. The high voltage gate driver integrated circuit includes: a high voltage region; a junction termination region surrounding the high voltage region; a low voltage region surrounding the junction termination region; a level shift transistor disposed between the high voltage region and the low voltage region, at least some portions of the level shift transistor being overlapped with the junction termination region; and/or a high voltage junction capacitor disposed between the high voltage region and the low voltage region, at least some portions of the high voltage junction capacitor being overlapped with the junction termination region.
US07655972B2
The present invention provides a method in which a low-resistance connection between the MOS channel and silicided source/drain regions is provided that has an independence from the extension ion implant process as well as device overlap capacitance. The method of the present invention broadly includes selectively removing outer spacers of an MOS structure and then selectively plating a metallic or intermetallic material on exposed portions of a semiconductor substrate that were previously protected by the outer spacers. The present invention also provides a semiconductor structure that is formed utilizing the method. The semiconductor structure includes a low-resistance connection between the silicided source/drain regions and the channel regions which includes a selectively plated metallic or intermetallic material.
US07655968B2
A method for forming double-sided capacitors for a semiconductor device includes forming a dielectric structure which supports capacitor bottom plates during wafer processing. The structure is particularly useful for supporting the bottom plates during removal of a base dielectric layer to expose the outside of the bottom plates to form a double-sided capacitor. The support structure further supports the bottom plates during formation of a cell dielectric layer, a capacitor top plate, and final supporting dielectric. An inventive structure is also described.
US07655954B2
An array type light-emitting module includes a blue, a red, a green, a yellow and an amber light-emitting chip sets. Wavelength-converting layer set covers the blue light-emitting chip set. Transparent layer sets cover the red, green, yellow, and amber light-emitting chip sets. A portion of the visible light emitted by the blue light-emitting chip set is converted into visible light with another emission peak wavelength range via the wavelength-converting layer set. The converted visible light mixes with light projected from the red, the green, the yellow and the amber light-emitting chip sets to generate white light with a color rendering index ranging between 90 and 96.
US07655951B2
A thin film transistor and a method for manufacturing the same capable of reducing a change in a threshold voltage of the thin film transistor formed on a flexible substrate. The thin film transistor includes: a substrate, the substrate being flexible; a buffer layer having a low dielectric constant from about 1.2 to about 4.0 and formed on the substrate; a semiconductor layer formed on the buffer layer; a gate electrode; first insulation layer formed between the gate electrode and the semiconductor layer; a second insulation layer formed on the semiconductor layer and the gate electrode; and a source/drain electrode electrically connected to the semiconductor layer through a contact hole formed in the second insulation layer. Therefore, the thin film transistor can reduce a change in its threshold voltage, thereby reducing changes in brightness, gray scale, contrast, etc., of light-emitting devices using the thin film transistor.
US07655950B2
The present invention provides a manufacturing method of a high performance active matrix substrate at a high throughput with a less expensive apparatus, and an image display device using the active matrix substrate. On a stage moving in the short axis direction X and long axis direction Y on a rail, a glass substrate is carried, which has an amorphous silicon semiconductor film formed. Polycrystallized and large grain silicon film may be obtained by intensity modulating the pulsed laser beam in a line beam shape by means of a phase shift mask with a periodicity in the long axis direction Y of the laser beam, moving the laser beam randomly in the modulation direction of the amorphous silicon semiconductor film formed on the glass substrate to expose to crystallize the film. The image display device may incorporate an active matrix substrate having active elements such as thin film transistors formed by this silicon film.
US07655947B2
The present invention provides a thin film transistor comprising a drain electrode and a source electrode separated by a channel region formed over a contact portion with an amorphous silicon layer and wherein an impurity from the channel region is removed and a remaining impurity is diffused into the contact portion to form a contact layer wherein the contact layer has a second resistance at least lower than the first resistance.
US07655946B2
Test circuits located on semiconductor die enable a tester to test a plurality of die/ICs in parallel by inputting both stimulus and response patterns to the plurality of die/ICs. The response patterns from the tester are input to the test circuits along with the output response of the die/IC to be compared. Also disclosed is the use of a response signal encoding scheme whereby the tester transmits response test commands to the test circuits, using a single signal per test circuit, to perform: (1) a compare die/IC output against an expected logic high, (2) a compare die/IC output against an expected logic low, and (3) a mask compare operation. The use of the signal encoding scheme allows functional testing of die and ICs since all response test commands (i.e. 1-3 above) required at each die/IC output can be transmitted to each die/IC output using only a single tester signal connection per die/IC output. In addition to functional testing, scan testing of die and ICs is also possible.
US07655942B2
A programmable dopant fiber includes a plurality of quantum structures formed on a fiber-shaped substrate, wherein the substrate includes one or more energy-carrying control paths, which pass energy to quantum structures. Quantum structures may include quantum dot particles on the surface of the fiber or electrodes on top of barrier layers and a transport layer, which form quantum dot devices. The energy passing through the control paths drives charge carriers into the quantum dots, leading to the formation of “artificial atoms” with real-time, tunable properties. These artificial atoms then serve as programmable dopants, which alter the behavior of surrounding materials. The fiber can be used as a programmable dopant inside bulk materials, as a building block for new materials with unique properties, or as a substitute for quantum dots or quantum wires in certain applications.
US07655940B2
A phase change memory device and a method of manufacturing the phase change memory device are provided. The phase change memory device may include a switching element and a storage node connected to the switching element, wherein the storage node includes a bottom electrode and a top electrode, a phase change layer interposed between the bottom electrode and the top electrode, and a titanium-tellurium (Ti—Te)-based diffusion barrier layer interposed between the top electrode and the phase change layer. The Ti—Te based diffusion barrier layer may be a TixTe1−x layer wherein x may be greater than 0 and less than 0.5.
US07655931B2
Techniques for improving the performance and extending the lifetime of an ion source with gas mixing
Techniques improving the performance and extending the lifetime of an ion source with gas mixing are disclosed. In one particular exemplary embodiment, the techniques may be realized as a method for improving performance and extending lifetime of an ion source in an ion implanter. The method may comprise introducing a predetermined amount of dopant gas into an ion source chamber. The dopant gas may comprise a dopant species. The method may also comprise introducing a predetermined amount of diluent gas into the ion source chamber. The diluent gas may dilute the dopant gas to improve the performance and extend the lifetime of the ion source. The diluent gas may further comprise a co-species that is the same as the dopant species.
US07655916B2
The power consumption of a battery for supplying electric power to a cassette having a radiation detector for detecting radiation image information is greatly reduced. When a cassette transceiver of the cassette starts transmitting the radiation image information to a console transceiver of a console, the cassette transceiver changes the gain of a variable-gain amplifier to change a transmission radio-wave intensity, and transmits a test signal at the changed transmission radio-wave intensity. When the console transceiver receives the test signal, the console transceiver transmits a reception acknowledgement signal generated by a reception acknowledgement signal generator. In response to the reception acknowledgement signal, the cassette transceiver sets its own transmission radio-wave intensity to a value at the time the cassette transceiver received the reception acknowledgement signal, and transmits the radiation image information at the set transmission radio-wave intensity.
US07655914B2
A constant fraction discriminating circuit outputs timing information corresponding to an event corresponding to a detected photon for providing nuclear medicine imaging. The constant fraction discriminating circuit includes a stripline or microstrip delay element.
US07655911B2
An image sensor is provided that includes a focal plane array; a cold shield having a top wall disposed over the focal plane array and defining an aperture operatively configured to be selectively switched between a first diameter and a second diameter that is larger than the first diameter; and a filter element disposed between the cold shield aperture and the focal plane array. The filter element includes a first band-pass filter and a second band-pass filter. The first band-pass filter is disposed directly beneath the cold shield aperture when the cold shield aperture is switched to the first diameter or the second diameter. The second band-pass filter is covered by the top wall of the cold shield when the cold shield aperture is switched to the first diameter and is disposed directly beneath the cold shield aperture when the cold shield aperture is switched to the second diameter.
US07655906B2
An inspection and measurement method and apparatus for semiconductor devices and patterns such as photomasks using an electron beam capable of measuring the potential of a sample with higher precision than conventional systems. When an S curve is observed in a semiconductor device to be inspected, fluctuations of the potential of the inspection sample surface are suppressed by optimizing the energy of a primary electron beam used for irradiation. When the surface potential of the semiconductor device is measured, a more precise measurement can be obtained without adverse effects from an insulation film surface. Further, the surface potential can be measured without installing a special apparatus for wafer surface potential measurement such as an energy filter, so the cost of the apparatus can be reduced.
US07655898B2
An optical filter assembly having selectable bandwidth is presented. The optical filter assembly includes a first optical filter, a first optical retarder with optical retardance R1, a second optical retarder with optical retardance R2, a polarization switch positioned between the first and second retarders which causes their retardances to substantially add in a first switch setting and to substantially subtract in a second switch setting, and an exit polarizer. A multispectral imaging system using tunable optical filters having selectable bandwidth is presented. A method of filtering light is also presented. The method includes providing a first optical filter, providing a dynamic bandwidth stage including a polarization switch, selecting a first setting of the polarization switch, and producing a first filter action for light passing through the first filter and the dynamic bandwidth stage.
US07655896B2
An optical sensor having a light source (3) and a structured front plate (11), which expands the focused light beam (9) of the light source (3) at least in one direction. In one advantageous construction, the structure includes an array with several cylindrical lenses (11). They are preferably constructed by hot stamping the surface the front plate (11). The expanded light beam (9) is suitable, in particular, for detecting narrow objects (1) or edges. The light source (3) and the front plate (11) are each aligned relative to the sensor housing (12).
US07655884B2
An oven has a housing, a heat source, and an aperture defined in the housing. A substantially horizontal deck rotates within the housing, and a number of substantially horizontal pallets are mounted on the deck to rotate relative to the deck. Each pallet has a lip. A source of motive power and a transmission system drive the main deck to revolve within the housing, and also drive the pallets to rotate relative to the main deck. The transmission system constrains rotational movement of the pallets relative to the main deck and causes each pallet to be oriented with its stopping member positioned opposite the aperture whenever that pallet is aligned with the aperture. The oven has a control system that monitors the length of time that an item remains in the oven, permitting items having different cooking times to be cooked simultaneously, even when introduced in a random order.
US07655883B2
A heated vent cap assembly is provided which can be coupled to a pipe originating from a plumbing system within a building. A heating element is wound around an inner cylinder which is wrapped in a conductive foil and enveloped by a larger diameter outer cylinder which is lined with a reflective foil defining a void there between. The cylinders are secured at an upper end by an end cap and at a lower end by a lower end cap and a tether is tautly secured within the inner cylinder by a bridge in an opening of the end cap and a lower disk engaged with the lower end of the inner cylinder to support ice blocks formed therein. The heating cable generates heat, which is reflected by the reflective foil and absorbed by the conductive foil to prevent ice from forming on the inner surface of the inner cylinder.
US07655880B2
A method for monitoring a resistance welding process carried out on a stack of metal workpieces (1) clamped between two electrodes (2a, 2b) of a clamp (3), and a device therefor. According to the method, the electrodes (2a, 2b) are subjected to a clamping force (F) and a voltage (V(t)) enabling a current (I(t)) to flow through the stack of metal workpieces (1). The monitoring method further includes at least one step of analysing the clamping force (F) by comparison with a model from a prior learning process. The result of the analysis of each step is taken into account by a decision-making matrix to generate a correction and/or control signal intended for the welding process.
US07655875B1
A lever operated switch employs an actuating surface and a plurality of tactile switches to generate electrical states corresponding to distinct angular orientations of the lever. The lever extends from a cam having an actuating surface configured to change the state of one switch when the lever is moved between adjacent positions. The cam is reversible, permitting the switch to be mounted on opposite sides of a support with the same lever movement and switch actuation.
US07655874B2
An input device includes an operation portion, a holding portion, a detection portion and at least a switch. The holding portion holds the operation portion so that the operation portion is rotatable around a given axis. The detection portion detects a rotational position of the operation portion with respect to the holding portion. A condition of the switch changes according to an external force exerted to the operation portion.
US07655864B2
A photosensitive conductive paste for electrode formation containing conductive metal particles, a glass binder, a monomer, a photoinitiator, an organic polymer binder, an organic medium and an ultraviolet absorber which does not substantially change reflectance of a paste in a visible light range.
US07655862B2
The present invention is directed to a one-piece corner duct that routes wires in a corner of an enclosure. The one-piece corner duct includes a back wall and sidewalls. The back wall has at least one co-extruded hinge that enables the back wall to pivot to allow the one-piece corner duct to conform to a corner of the enclosure. The sidewalls have a plurality of fingers that retain the wires in the corner duct. The fingers also maintain a cover on the one-piece corner duct to provide access to the wires therein.
US07655855B2
Systems and methods for creating, modifying, interacting with and playing music are provided, particularly systems and methods employing a top-down process, where the user is provided with a musical composition that may be modified and interacted with and played and/or stored (for later play). The system preferably is provided in a handheld form factor, and a graphical display is provided to display status information, graphical representations of musical lanes or components which preferably vary in shape as musical parameters and the like are changed for particular instruments or musical components such as a microphone input or audio samples. An interactive auto-composition process preferably is utilized that employs musical rules and preferably a pseudo random number generator, which may also incorporate randomness introduced by timing of user input or the like, the user may then quickly begin creating desirable music in accordance with one or a variety of musical styles, with the user modifying the auto-composed (or previously created) musical composition, either for a real time performance and/or for storing and subsequent playback. In addition, the present invention makes use of node-based music generation as part of a system and method to broadcast and receive music data files, which are then used to generate and play music. By incorporating the music generation process into a node/subscriber unit, the bandwidth-intensive systems of conventional techniques can be avoided. Consequently, the bandwidth can preferably be also used for additional features such as node-to-node and node-to-base music data transmission. The present invention is characterized by the broadcast of relatively small data files that contain various parameters sufficient to describe the music to the node/subscriber music generator.
US07655854B1
A pedal support for percussion instruments comprises a frame including a perpendicularly door-shaped supporting portion and a horizontal mounting portion, the supporting portion being fixed on the mounting member and including two ends, each having a positioning hole formed thereon, the two positioning holes axially coupling with two L-shaped connecting members individually so that the connecting members allow to swing between a first position and a second position, and each of the connecting members including a retaining slot; and a U-shaped piece being pivotally connected to one end of the mounting portion, wherein as the connecting members are located at the first position, the connecting members and the frame are in a retracted status, as the connecting members are located at the second position, the retaining slots of the connecting members engage on the U-shaped piece.
US07655852B2
A mouthpiece assembly for a woodwind musical instrument that holds an associated reed includes (1) an elongated mouthpiece body defining an air conduit means extending therethrough for providing a supply of air to facilitate playing of a woodwind musical instrument; (2) a reed placement surface defined on the mouthpiece body adjacent the air conduit dimensioned and configured to receive a reed detachably secured thereagainst; (3) a ligature including a ligature body dimensioned and configured to encircle the mouthpiece body and selectively retain the associated reed in position upon the reed placement surface and (4) a locating body engaging the ligature body and the mouthpiece body to locate the ligature body axially and radially with respect the mouthpiece body. The invention also includes the method for mounting a ligature on a mouthpiece for a woodwind musical instrument that includes the step of providing a locating body engaging the ligature body and the mouthpiece body to locate the ligature body axially and radially with respect the mouthpiece body.
US07655851B2
A tuning device has a sound collecting unit having an input section for receiving a sound or vibration signal produced by a musical instrument and outputting a sound signal, and a wireless communication section for converting the sound signal into a wireless signal and transmitting the wireless signal to the outside. A computation display unit has a receiving section for receiving the wireless signal transmitted from the sound collecting unit and converting the wireless signal into a sound signal, a computing section that computes pitch information based on the sound signal, computes an amount of difference between the pitch information and reference pitch information corresponding to a reference sound name, and converts the computation result into a control signal for display, and a display section for acquiring the control signal and displaying information concerning the amount of difference computed by the computing section.
US07655845B2
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated CH611149. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CH611149, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH611149 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to genetic complements of plants of variety CH611149.
US07655842B1
A novel maize variety designated PHPT2 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprise crossing maize variety PHPT2 with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into PHPT2 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. Hybrid maize seed, plant or plant part produced by crossing the variety PHPT2 or a trait conversion of PHPT2 with another maize variety. Inbred maize varieties derived from maize variety PHPT2, methods for producing other inbred maize varieties derived from maize variety PHPT2 and the inbred maize varieties and their parts derived by the use of those methods.
US07655834B2
By analyzing the causative gene of tt19 mutants and elucidating the nature of the mutants, the present inventors found a novel gene as the causative gene and gave it the name TRANSPARENT TESTA (TT19) gene. The inventors cloned this gene and analyzed its DNA nucleotide sequence as well as the protein encoded by its DNA. The inventors also provided a transformed plant utilizing the nature of the identified causative gene.
US07655831B2
A method and device for shunting fluid from high pressure volumes to low pressure volumes to treat various medical problems caused by an imbalance or malfunction of the regulation of flow between these volumes. Typical problems where the method and device are employed include the treatment of incontinence, treatment of hydrocephalus, treatment of elevated intra-cranial pressure, treatment of elevated intra-ocular pressure and the like. The controlled release of fluid from the high pressure volume is accomplished by inserting a sponge using an insertion device such as an endoscope. The sponge retains and releases fluid in response to a pressure differential between the high and lower pressure volumes. The sponge material may be natural or synthetic and sponges with different porosity and fluid retention are provided to achieve desired flow characteristics. The sponges can be provided with different shapes to allow it to conform to the anatomy and may have additional or integral modules that attach it to the anatomical structures.
US07655829B2
An absorbent pad configured for placement under a patient to absorb bodily fluids includes a liquid permeable cover layer, a liquid impermeable back sheet, and an absorbent structure disposed between the cover layer and the back sheet. At least one of the cover layer, back sheet, or absorbent structure incorporates a dried application of a liquid activated carbon ink having activated carbon, a binder, and a solvent, with the dried application of ink having a solids add-on level of at least about 2%. The activated carbon ink is applied in a pattern over between about 25% to about 95% of a total upper surface area of the pad and presents a visually contrasting color against a background color of the pad or a contrasting ink.
US07655828B2
The present invention is directed to a disposable absorbent article. The disposable absorbent article of the present invention includes: a topsheet, a backsheet combined with the topsheet, a fluid storage layer disposed between the topsheet and backsheet and having a body-facing surface and a garment-facing surface opposing the body-facing surface. The disposable absorbent article further includes an odor/antimicrobial reduction layer disposed either between the topsheet and the fluid storage layer or between the backsheet and the fluid storage layer. The odor/antimicrobial reduction layer contains an odor/antimicrobial material. The odor/antimicrobial reduction layer has a predetermined pattern of the odor/antimicrobial material.
US07655819B2
A polymer that contains an antimicrobial, bioresistant and fungal resistant moiety that is linked into the backbone of the polymer. The moiety is a bromine atom and a nitro group linked to one or more of the carbon atoms forming the backbone. The moiety can appear in the polymer chain in various levels of occurrence from 5 ppm to has high as 100% with a normal occurrence of between 1000 ppm to 20,000 ppm. Polymer types that can be created with this moiety to display these properties include, but are not limited to, polyurethane, polyurea, polyamide, polyester, polycarbonate, polyether, polysiloxane, epoxy, polyacrylic, polyacrylate, polyvinyl.
US07655818B2
The present invention relates to a process for manufacturing acrolein by gas-phase dehydration of glycerol in the presence of strongly acidic solid catalysts with a Hammett acidity H0 of between −9 and −18 and preferably between −10 and −16.
US07655814B2
Croconic acid or a salt thereof is easily produced at low cost by a reaction of a hydrocarbon compound consisting of a five-membered ring or a hydrocarbon compound consisting of a five-membered ring having an oxo group and/or a monovalent group linked via an oxygen atom with a halogenating agent.
US07655806B2
Anastrozole can be purified by crystallization from an aqueous-based solvent system. The aqueous-based solvent system can contain dilute acid, or an alcohol or both.
US07655804B2
The present invention relates to a diketohydrazine derivative of formula (I) and a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof (the symbols in the formula have the same meaning as described in the specification). The compound of formula (I) has an inhibitory activity against cysteine protease, and it is useful for the treatment of inflammatory diseases, immune diseases, ischemic diseases, respiratory diseases, circulatory diseases, blood diseases, neuronal diseases, hepatic or biliary diseases, osseous or articular diseases, metabolic diseases, etc. And the compound has inhibitory activity against elastase and it is also useful for the treatment of COPD (chronic obstacle pulmonary diseases).
US07655801B2
The present invention relates to new substituted carbamic acid quinoline-6-yl esters of formulae 1 and 2 where R1=alkyl, aryl; R2=H, alkyl, aralkyl useful as acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, and which show potent antiacetylcholinesterase activity and have potential therapeutic use for prevention or cure of acetylcholinesterase related disorders including peripheral as well as central nervous system.
US07655796B2
The present invention provides a process for the preparation of the rosuvastatin intermediate FPP-CHO and its conversion to rosuvastatin and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.
US07655789B2
Efficient sequence specific gene silencing is possible through the use of siRNA technology. By selecting particular siRNAs by rational design, one can maximize the generation of an effective gene silencing reagent, as well as methods for silencing genes. Methods, compositions, and kits generated through rational design of siRNAs are disclosed including those directed to nucleotide sequences for TRPV1.
US07655784B2
The invention relates to novel enzymes, which transfer sialic acid from a donor molecule onto an acceptor molecule (trans-sialidases). The enzymes are isolated from the protozoan Trypanosoma congolense. The invention also relates to functional equivalents of said enzymes, to the nucleic acid sequences and amino acid sequences that code for the enzymes and their functional equivalents, to expression constructs and vectors that contain said sequences, to recombinant microorganisms that carry the inventive coding nucleic-acid sequences, to a method for the recombinant production of the inventive enzymes, to a method for isolating said enzyme from Trypanosoma congolense, to a method for the enzymatic sialization of acceptor molecules using the inventive enzymes, to effectors of the inventive trans-sialidases, to the use of the nucleic acid sequences, amino acid sequences, enzymes, effectors or sialization products for producing vaccines, medicaments, foodstuffs or food additives, in addition to the latter products obtained by the inventive method.
US07655780B2
ILK genetic sequences and methods of use are provided. In some embodiments, a fragment or portion of an ILK polynucleotide is provided, where the polynucleotide has a sequence consisting of contiguous nucleotides within the provided ILK sequences, which may be within the provided ILK coding sequences. Such polynucleotides may be DNA, RNA, and the like, and may be double stranded or single stranded.
US07655778B2
The present invention relates to a novel p53 target gene SISP-1 (Stress induced Secreted Protein 1) and a SISP-1 protein encoded by the gene. The SISP-1 protein of the present invention induces apoptosis by interaction with p53. The present invention provides the use of the gene/protein associated with treating abnormal apoptosis such as tumor.
US07655777B2
The present invention is in the field of plant biochemistry. More specifically the invention relates to nucleic acid sequences from plant cells, in particular, nucleic acid sequences from maize and soybean associated with the tocopherol synthesis pathway enzymes. The invention encompasses nucleic acid molecules that encode proteins and fragments of proteins. In addition, the invention also encompasses proteins and fragments of proteins so encoded and antibodies capable of binding these proteins or fragments. The invention also relates to methods of using the nucleic acid molecules, proteins and fragments of proteins and antibodies, for example for genome mapping, gene identification and analysis, plant breeding, preparation of constructs for use in plant gene expression and transgenic plants.
US07655776B2
The present invention relates to the identification of a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) within the bovine CAST locus encoding the calpastatin protein, wherein the allelic variation of the SNP is a G/C transversion associated with post-mortem muscle tenderness. The invention further relates to oligonucleotides useful in identifying the genotype of bovines as it relates to the CAST locus polymorphic site. The invention also encompasses computer-assisted methods and systems for improving the production efficiency for livestock having marketably tender meat using multiple data, and in particular the genotype of the animals as it relates to the CAST SNP. These methods of the invention encompass obtaining a genetic sample from each animal in a herd of livestock, determining the genotype of each animal with respect to specific quality traits as defined by a panel of at least two single polynucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), one SNP corresponding to a site between exons 5 and 6 of the bovine CAST locus, grouping animals with like genotypes, and optionally, further sub-grouping animals based on like phenotypes.
US07655775B2
The present invention is compositions and methods for producing anti-bacterial polypeptides, and for using those compositions and methods for treating diseases and conditions caused by a bacterial infection. More specifically, the compositions and methods include treating a gram-negative bacterium with a gram-positive host that produces a polypeptide effective against the gram-negative bacterium.
US07655774B2
The present invention is directed to ancestral and COT nucleic acid and amino acid sequences, methods for producing such sequences and uses thereof, including prophylactic and diagnostic uses.
US07655772B2
The present invention pertains to a method for treatment of allergic diseases by administering a natriuretic hormone peptide (NHP), or a nucleic acid sequence encoding NHP, to a patient in need thereof. In another aspect, the present invention concerns an expression vector comprising a nucleic acid sequence encoding NHP. In another aspect, the present invention concerns a host cell genetically modified with a nucleic acid sequence encoding NHP. In another aspect, the present invention concerns a pharmaceutical composition comprising NHP or a nucleic acid sequence encoding NHP and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. In another aspect, the present invention pertains to novel fragments of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) exhibiting bronchodilatory and anti-inflammatory activity, and isolated nucleic acid sequences encoding the fragments.
US07655769B2
Orthogonally protected disaccharide building blocks for synthesis of heparin saccharide are disclosed. The disaccharide building block has a formula (I), in which L is a leaving group, P1, P2, P3 and P4 are different, and of them P1 is an ester-type protecting group, P2 is a hydroxyl protecting group that could be oxidized to a carboxylic acid, P3 is a hydroxyl protecting group, and P4 is a hydroxyl protecting group which allows chemoselective deprotection with 2,3-dichloro-5,6-dicyano-1,4-benzoquinone (DDQ). Acting as an elongation unit, the disaccharide building block of formula (I) may react with a starting unit of formula (II) to synthesize a heparin saccharide of desired size.
US07655763B2
The disclosure provides novel antibodies against growth and differentiation factor-8 (GDF-8), in particular human antibodies, and antibody fragments, including those that inhibit GDF-8 activity in vitro and/or in vivo. The disclosure also provides methods for diagnosing, preventing, or treating degenerative disorders of muscle or bone, or disorders of insulin metabolism.
US07655762B2
Monoclonal antibodies that specifically bind to ANGPTL4 are provided. Monoclonal antibodies that neutralize at least one activity of ANGPTL4 are provided. Methods of treating a disorder of lipid metabolism using neutralizing monoclonal antibodies are provided.
US07655759B2
The present invention relates to fragments, especially variable fragments of immunoglobulins which are by nature devoid of light chains, these fragments being nevertheless capable of exhibiting a recognition and binding activity toward specific antigens. The present invention further relates to the use of such immunoglobulin fragments formed of at least one heavy chain variable fragment or derived therefrom, for therapeutic or veterinary purposes and especially for passive immunotherapy or serotherapy.
US07655754B2
The invention relates to bacteria that have increased levels of protein secretion due to genetic modification, to nucleotide sequences and gene structures containing at least one gene coding for a SecA protein having increased levels of protein secretion, to a SecA having increased levels of protein secretion, and to a method for producing desired proteins using the inventive bacteria. The invention also relates to nucleic acids coding for a SecA protein having increased levels of protein secretion, containing a SecA gene sequence or allele, a SecA homologue or derivative, or nucleotide sequences hybridising therewith and comprising at least one mutation. Surprisingly, just one mutation in a nucleotide of a SecA gene leads to increased levels of protein secretion or to protein secretion for the first time.
US07655752B2
The invention provides peptides, variants of peptides, peptide fragments, and peptidomimetics that can inhibit the protease activity of tumor necrosis factor alpha converting enzyme. The invention also provides coupled proteins containing a partner protein coupled to a peptide, peptide fragment, or peptidomimetic. The invention also provides polyproteins containing at least two peptides, peptide fragments, or coupled proteins that are connected through a linker. Isolated nucleic acid segments, expression cassettes, and nucleic acid constructs are also provided by the invention. The invention also provides antibodies and aptamers. Pharmaceutical compositions are provided by the invention. Methods to lower or increase levels of active tumor necrosis factor alpha in a mammal are also provided.
US07655750B2
Process for the continuous preparation and isolation of soluble preceramic oligomers and/or polymers
The invention relates to a method for continuously producing pre-ceramic polymers. The inventive method consists in synthesizing polymers, in separating polymers from a reaction mixture and in thermally conditioning for defining a cross linkage degree and rheological properties, wherein all said steps are integrated into a single method. The thus obtainable polymers are used in the form of an initial material for producing non-oxidized ceramics in ternary X/Y/N or X/Y/N/C quaternary systems. Said materials are characterized by the high mechanical, thermal and chemical resistance thereof, wherein any X and Y combination can represent in particular Si, B, P, Al, Ti, V, Zr, Ta elements.
US07655749B2
Methods for synthesizing dimeric or higher polymeric reaction products of nitrogen aromatics comprise contacting a composition comprising the nitrogen aromatic with a catalyst composition. The catalyst is in particulate form and comprises a first metal substrate having a second reduced metal coated on the substrate.
US07655748B2
A poly(arylene sulfide) having properties that a melt viscosity is 1 to 3,000 Pa·s as measured under conditions of a temperature of 310° C. and a shear rate of 1,216 sec−1, a pH is 7.0 to 12.0 as measured in a mixed solvent of water/acetone (volume ratio=2/1), a crystallization temperature is at most 220° C. as measured in the course of lowing the temperature of the polymer at a rate of 10° C./min from a molten state, and a whiteness degree is at least 70 as measured in the form of a melt molded or formed product, and a production process thereof.
US07655741B2
A process for the preparation of vinyl chloride copolymers involves free radical suspension polymerization or emulsion polymerization of a mixture of vinyl chloride, epoxide-containing vinyl monomers and further comonomers copolymerizable therewith, wherein a) from 49.5 to 90% by weight of vinyl chloride, b) from 0.01 to 0.7% by weight of epoxide-containing vinyl monomers and c) from 9.5 to 50% by weight of further comonomers copolymerizable with a) and b) are polymerized, the data in % by weight totaling 100% by weight, and from 0.001 to 0.1% by weight of one or more aliphatic or alicyclic, saturated or unsaturated dicarboxylic acids having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, or aliphatic and alicyclic, saturated and unsaturated hydroxymono-, hydroxydi- and hydroxytricarboxylic acids having 3 to 10 carbon atoms and 1 to 4 hydroxyl groups are added during or after the polymerization, and the vinyl chloride copolymer is isolated as a solid resin.
US07655739B1
Adhesive composition comprises a polyfarnesene and a tackifier. The polyfarnesene can be a farnesene homopolymer derived from a farnesene (e.g., α-farnesene or β-farnesene) or a farnesene interpolymer derived from a farnesene and at least a vinyl monomer. In some embodiments, the at least one vinyl monomer is ethylene, an α-olefin such as styrene, or a substituted or unsubstituted vinyl halide, vinyl ether, acrylonitrile, acrylic ester, methacrylic ester, acrylamide or methacrylamide, or a combination thereof. The composition disclosed herein can be used as a hot melt adhesive, a pressure sensitive adhesive or the like.
US07655732B2
A low compression, resilient golf ball having a center including a material formed from the conversion reaction of sufficient amounts of polybutadiene, a free radical source, and a cis-to-trans catalyst to convert a portion of cis-isomer to trans-isomer in the polybutadiene, wherein said material has an amount of trans-isomer greater than the amount of trans-isomer present before the conversion reaction, and wherein the reaction product includes low levels or substantially no antioxidant.
US07655728B2
The invention relates to a method of preparing a thermoplastic vulcanizate comprising: a) melt processing a blend of thermoplastic polymer and vulcanizable elastomer in a multi-screw extruder having at least three intermeshing screws, wherein said screws have 3-170 mixing zones, and said extruder having a L/D ratio of 15-100, and a screw profile that has 3 to 17 meshes per L/D; b) adding at least one curing agent to the melt-processed blend of a) in at least one location in the first 46% of the length of said extruder, or adding at least one curing agent to the melt-processed blend of a) in a second extruder, so as to initiate curing of the blend: and, curing at least partially said elastomer by reactive melt processing. Improved processing, reaction kinetics and efficiencies are achieved, as well as thermoplastic vulcanizate products having decreased weight gain when placed in mineral oils.
US07655727B2
A process for the preparation of dynamically vulcanized thermoplastic elastomers comprising melt processing under shearing conditions in melt reaction extruder, A) at least one thermoplastic resin, B) at least one vulcanizable gas-phase elastomer having a Mooney viscosity (ML.sub.1+4(125° C.)) of from about 65 to about 450, C) a curing agent or agents, and D) process oil, wherein said process oil D) is added to the extruder in at least three oil injection positions located a) at least one location before or within the first 15% of the total length of the extruder; b) at least one other location prior to, at or within 10% total extruder length after the onset of the vulcanization of said gas-phase elastomer; and c) at least one location subsequent to the location of the point at which the vulcanization of said gas-phase elastomer is substantially completed.
US07655726B2
The present invention relates to novel molding compositions based on semicrystalline engineering thermoplastics which, in conventional processing techniques, give moldings with reduced surface gloss. A feature of the molding compositions is that they comprise, in a polymer matrix, if appropriate with the usual additives, polymer particles with a median size d50 of from 0.1 μm to 100 μm, and comprise at least one other incompatible or semicompatible polymer which has not been chemically crosslinked, and also, if appropriate, comprise salt-like additives. The invention further relates to moldings which are produced by means of conventional processing techniques, in particular via injection molding, from these matt-effect molding compositions.
US07655722B2
The present invention relates to adhesive compositions having: a phosphate group-containing monomer (a) having a fluorocarbon group represented by Chemical Formula 1; and a solvent (b), where R is a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, n, p and q are natural numbers 2≦n≦10, p+q≦n and p+q+n≦13.
US07655717B2
An ointment composition for treating decubitus ulcers and methods for its making and its use. The composition includes a skin protestant ointment, a rash cream, an antibiotic ointment, virgin olive oil, and boric acid powder. The skin protestant ointment includes active ingredients petroleum 53.4%, lanolin 15.5%, and inactive ingredients cod liver oil containing vitamin A & vitamin D, a fragrance, light mineral oil, microcrystalline wax, and paraffin. The rash cream includes active ingredients dimethicone 1% and zinc oxide 10%, and inactive ingredients aloe barbadensis extract, benzyl alcohol, coconut oil, cod liver oil containing vitamin A & vitamin D, a fragrance, glycerol oleate, light mineral oil, ozokerite, paraffin, propylene glycol, sorbitol, synthetic beeswax, and water. The antibiotic ointment includes active ingredients polymyxin B sulfate 5,000 units, bacitracin zinc 400 units, and neomycin base (as sulfate) 3.5 mg., and an inactive ingredient white petroleum.
US07655715B2
The invention relates to phosphorus-containing mixtures containing compounds of the formula RO—PO(A)-CH2—CH2—CO2H and (I) HO—PO(A)-CH2—CH2—CO2R (II) in which A is C1-C18-alkyl, C6-C18-alkylaryl, C6-C18-aralkyl or aryl, R is (D,E)C═C(B, R5), H B, D, E are identical or different and are each H or C1-C18-alkyl R5 is C1-C20-alkylene, a process for their preparation and their use.
US07655712B2
A binder for bituminous compositions including at least one dialkylamide derived from an unsaturated fatty acid; and at least one catalyst for polymerizing the at least one dialkylamide under the action of oxygen is provided. A bituminous composition including (i) 80% b.w. to 94.9% b.w. bitumen; and (ii) a binder, that includes (a) 1% b.w. to 19% b.w. unsaturated fatty acid dialkylamides; and (b) 0.1% b.w. to 1% b.w. of a polymerization catalyst, where the amounts are calculated based on the solids content of the composition, and where the amounts total 100% b.w. is also provided. A method for preparing a binder for a bituminous composition including combining at least one unsaturated dialkylamide derived from an unsaturated fatty acid with at least one catalyst for the polymerization of the at least one dialkylamide under the action of oxygen is also provided.
US07655706B2
A polymethylmethacrylate bone cement with a liquid monomer component and a solid component contains in the monomer liquid, for example, 0.001-1.00 mass percent of a dye or dye mixture that is insoluble or poorly soluble in methacrylic acid methylester and, for example, 0.001-2.00 mass percent of a synthetically produced, protein-free, hydrophobic, low molecular or oligomeric solubilizer for the dye or dye mixture. The solubilizer preferably is liquid or pasty at room temperature. The monomer liquid is translucent at room temperature. Preferably, 0.001-1.00 mass percent of a dye or dye mixture that is insoluble or poorly soluble in methacrylic acid methylester and, preferably, 0.001-2.00 mass percent of a synthetically produced, protein-free, hydrophobic, low molecular or oligomeric solubilizer that is liquid or pasty at room temperature are homogeneously dissolved in the polymethacrylate or polymethylacrylate of the powder component.
US07655704B2
This invention relates to a high temperature Fischer-Tropsch (HTFT) hydrocarbon synthesis process comprising the conversion of a feed of H2 and at least one carbon oxide to hydrocarbons containing at least 30% on a mass basis hydrocarbons with five or more carbon atoms (hereinafter referred to as C5+ compounds). The conversion is carried out in the presence of an alkali-promoted iron hydrocarbon synthesis catalyst, and the process is characterised therein that the reaction mixture formed during the conversion contains less than 0.02 mol alkali per 100 g iron, and that the H2:carbon oxide molar ratio in the feed of H2 and carbon oxide is at least 2.
US07655682B2
The present invention relates to a composition comprising two or more anti-irritants, each having at least about 7.2% oxygen content. In a separate embodiment, the composition may be defined to include a skin conditioning agent, a skin protectant agent, and an anti-irritant agent, each having an oxygen content of at least about 7.2%. The invention further comprises methods of treating and preventing skin conditions by applying the composition to the skin, and then optionally washing the skin.
US07655676B2
Use of the compound of formula (I) and the pharmaceutically acceptable addition salts thereof for the manufacture of a medicament for topical treatment or 5 prevention of acne formula (I) wherein: R represents methoxymethyl, R1 represents methyl, Rz represents methyl, Y represents the group formula (II) The compound of formula (I) and the pharmaceutically acid addition salts thereof show selective activity against propionibacterium acne and are suitable for use in a method of treatment or prevention of acne.
US07655663B2
The present invention relates to new, potent DPP-IV enzyme inhibitors of the general formula (I), which contain fluorine atoms.
US07655658B2
A thienopyrimidine compound of the formula: wherein R1, R2, R3, and R4 are as defined herein, and methods of use of such compounds for the treatment of melanocortin receptor-associated disorders.
US07655645B2
The invention relates to indole derivative having the general Formula I wherein A represents a 5-membered aromatic heterocyclic ring, wherein X1, X2 and X3 are independently selected from N, O, S and CH; Y represents CH2, O, S or SO2; R1 is H, (C1-4)-alkyl, (C1-4)alkyloxy, CN or halogen; R2, R2′, R3, R3′, R4, R4′, R5 and R5′ are independently hydrogen, (C1-4)alkyl (optionally substituted with OH) or CO—OR8; or one pair of geminal substituents R3 and R3′ or R5 and R5′ together represent a keto group, and the others are all hydrogen or (C1-4)alkyl; or R2 and R5 together represent a methylene or an ethylene bridge, and R2′, R3, R3′, R4, R4′ and R5′ are hydrogen; n is 1 or 2; R6 is H, (C1-4)alkyl (optionally substituted with OH, (C1-4)alkyloxy, CO—NR9R10, CO—OR11 or 1,2,4-oxadiazol-3-yl), SO2NR12R13 or COOR14; R7 is H or halogen; R8 is (C1-4)alkyl; R9 and R10 are independently hydrogen, (C1-4)alkyl or (C3-7)cycloalkyl, the alkyl groups being optionally substituted with OH or (C1-4)alkyloxy; R11 is H or (C1-4)alkyl; R12 and R13 are independently H or (C1-4)alkyl; R14 is (C1-6)alkyl; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, as agonists of the cannabinoid CB1 receptor, which can be used in the treatment of pain such as for example peri-operative pain, chronic pain, neuropathic pain, cancer pain and pain and spasticity associated with multiple sclerosis.
US07655644B2
The present invention provides compounds of formula (I), wherein both p's are one or two, R1 is generally heteroaryl or cycloalkyl, R2 is C3-6cycloalkyl or phenyl and R3 is heteroaryl, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, as GlyT1 inhibitors for treating schizophrenia, pharmaceutical compositions comprising the same and methods for their preparation.
US07655643B2
The invention relates to antibacterial macrocycles with substituted biphenyl and processes for their preparation, their use for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of diseases, and their use for the production of medicaments for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of diseases, especially of bacterial infections.
US07655642B2
The present invention concerns the compounds of formula the N-oxide forms, the pharmaceutically acceptable addition salts and the stereochemically isomeric forms thereof, wherein Z represents NH; Y represents —C3-9alkyl-, —C1-5alkyl-NR12—C1-5alkyl-, —C1-6alkyl-NH—CO— or —CO—NH—C1-6alkyl-; X1 represents —O—; X2 represents a direct bond, —NR11—C1-2alkyl-, —NR11—CH2—, —C1-2alkyl-, —O—C1-2alkyl, —O— or —O—CH2—; R1 represents hydrogen or halo; R2 represents hydrogen, cyano, halo, hydroxycarbonyl-, C1-4alkyloxycarbonyl-, Het16-carbonyl- or Ar5; R3 represents hydrogen, hydroxy, C1-4alkyloxy-, Ar4—C1-4alkyloxy or R3 represents C1-4alkyloxy substituted with one or where possible two or more substituents selected from C1-4alkyloxy- or Het2-; R10 represents hydrogen; R11 represents hydrogen, C1-4alkyl- or C1-4alkyl-oxy-carbonyl-; R12 represents Het14-C1-4alkyl, in particular morpholinyl-C1-4alkyl; Het2 represents a heterocycle selected from morpholinyl or piperidinyl optionally substituted with C1-4alkyl-, preferably methyl; Het14 represents morpholinyl; Het16 represents a heterocycle selected from morpholinyl or pyrrolidinyl; Ar4 represents phenyl; Ar5 represents phenyl optionally substituted with cyano.
US07655636B2
The present invention relates to methods for producing coronary vasodilation with little peripheral vasodilation by administering doses of a pharmaceutical composition including regadenoson, named (1-{9-[(4S,2R,3R,5R)-3,4-dihydroxy-5-(hydroxymethyl)oxolan-2-yl]-6-aminopurin-2-yl}pyrazol-4-yl)-N-methylcarboxamide, — an adenosine A2A receptor agonist — to a human in an amount sufficient to increase the average coronary peak flow velocity by at least about 16.5 cm/sec.
US07655633B2
The present invention provides nitrogen-containing heterocyclic derivatives represented by the general formula: wherein X1 represents N or CR1; X2 represents N or CR2; X3 represents N or CR3; X4 represents N or CR4; and with the proviso that one or two of X1 to X4 represent N; R represents optionally substituted C3-8 cycloalkyl, optionally substituted C6-10 aryl, etc.; R1 to R4 represent H, a halogen atom, etc.) or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, or prodrugs thereof, which exert an excellent inhibitory activity in human SGLT2 and are useful as agents for the prevention or treatment of a disease associated with hyperglycemia such as diabetes, diabetic complications, obesity or the like, pharmaceutical compositions comprising the same, and medicinal uses thereof.
US07655632B2
The present invention provides pyrazole derivatives represented by the general formula: wherein R1 represents H, an optionally substituted C1-6 alkyl group etc.; one of Q and T represents a group represented by the general formula: or a group represented by the general formula: while the other represents an optionally substituted C1-6 alkyl group etc.; R2 represents H, a halogen atom, OH, an optionally substituted C1-6 alkyl group etc.; X represents a single bond, O or S; Y represents a single bond, a C1-6 alkylene group etc.; Z represents CO or SO2; R4 and R5 represent H, an optionally substituted C1-6 alkyl group etc.; and R3, R6 and R7 represent H, a halogen atom etc., pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof or prodrugs thereof, which exhibit an excellent inhibitory activity in human SGLT1 and are useful as agents for the prevention or treatment of a disease associated with hyperglycemia such as diabetes, diabetic complications or obesity, and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the same, pharmaceutical uses thereof, and intermediates for production thereof.
US07655613B2
The present invention provides compositions and clear oil-in-water microemulsion containing up to 80% w/w of an oil, a surfactant system, a w/w oil/surfactant system ratio between 1 and 3, and a solubilizing-aid ingredient which is not a surfactant neither a VOC compound, the latter being present in an amount sufficient to ensure that the ratio oil/(surfactant+solubilizing-aid) is between 0.1 and 5. The present invention concerns also the articles and products associated with such compositions and microemulsions, and the methods to manufacture them.
US07655606B2
The invention relates to polychlorotrifluoroethylenes (PCTFE) for improving the gliding properties of sports equipment and, in particular, winter sports equipment, to compositions containing the same, and to their use for this purpose. The polychlorotrifluoroethylenes are, in particular, polychlorotrifluoroethylenes which have a molecular weight selected so that they have a pourpoint in the range from −70° C. to 200° C. (−94° F. to 392° F.), and preferably from 0° C. to 100° C. (32 to 212° F.).
US07655605B2
The present invention relates to an extra light hydrocarbon liquid derived from highly paraffinic wax. This extra light hydrocarbon liquid is suitable for use as a lubricant additive diluent oil in oil soluble additive concentrates. This extra light hydrocarbon liquid derived from highly paraffinic wax has a viscosity of between about 1.0 and 3.5 cSt at 100° C. and a Noack volatility of less than 50 weight % and comprises greater than 3 weight % molecules with cycloparaffinic functionality and less than 0.30 weight percent aromatics. The extra light hydrocarbon liquid makes an excellent lubricant additive diluent oil because it has low volatility, low viscosity, good additive solubility, and excellent solubility in lubricant base oil stocks. The present invention also relates to finished lubricants comprising the oil soluble additive concentrates made with the extra light hydrocarbon liquid and finished lubricants comprising the oil soluble additive concentrates. The present invention further relates to processes for making these lubricant additive diluent oils, oil soluble additive concentrates, and finished lubricants.
US07655591B2
A catalyst is preparable from a first component represented by R′C(CF2R)O− Q+ and a second component (NCCFR″)bZ. The catalyst may be combined with a fluoropolymer having nitrogen-containing cure-sites to form a curable composition that is useful for preparing fluoroelastomer compositions.
US07655587B2
The invention provides a novel fused and cast refractory product with a high zirconia content having improved electrical resistivity. Said refractory product comprises, as a percentage by weight relative to the oxides and for a total of more than 98.5%: ZrO2+Hf2O: >85% SiO2: 1% to 12% Al2O3: 0.1% to 2.4%, with Al2O3/SiO2<0.5 Y2O3: ≦1%, B2O3: <1.5%; and a dopant selected from the group formed by V2O5, CrO3, Nb2O5, MoO3, Ta2O5, WO3, and mixtures thereof, in a weighted quantity such that: 0.2%≦2.43V2O5+8.84CrO3+1.66Nb2O5+6.14MoO3+Ta2O5+3.81WO3.
US07655583B2
A laminate including at least one elastic film having a width and at least one layer of non-woven fabric fixed to the film on at least said width, through interposition of a fixing agent, in particular adhesive, whereby the at least one layer of non-woven fabric has an outer surface at a distance from the film. The outer surface (25) of the at least one layer of non-woven fabric is corrugated in the stretched state of the laminate, having ridge zones (22) and hollow zones (23), whereby fixing agent (20) is provided between the ridge zones and the elastic film.
US07655579B2
A focus ring heat transfer method improves heat transfer of a focus ring arranged in an outer peripheral portion of a mounting surface of a mounting table adapted to mount a target substrate in a chamber. The method includes steps of: disposing a heat transfer sheet between the focus ring and the mounting table; and vacuum-evacuating the chamber prior to processing the target substrate and then restoring the pressure the inside of the chamber to an atmospheric pressure or a light vacuum pressure. Therefore, air present in a fine gap between the heat transfer sheet and the mounting surface is removed to allow the heat transfer sheet to adhere to the mounting surface.
US07655566B2
A semiconductor device is manufactured by forming a gate electrode layer over a substrate having a light transmitting property; forming a gate insulating layer over the gate electrode layer; forming a photocatalyst material over the gate insulating layer; immersing the photocatalyst material in a solution containing a plating catalyst material and selectively exposing the photocatalyst material to light transmitted through the substrate in the solution containing the plating catalyst material with the use of the gate electrode layer as a mask to adsorb or deposit the plating catalyst material onto the light-exposed photocatalyst material; immersing the plating catalyst material in a plating solution containing a metal material to form a source electrode layer and a drain electrode layer on the surface of the photocatalyst material adsorbing or depositing the plating catalyst material; and forming a semiconductor layer over the source electrode layer and the drain electrode layer.
US07655560B2
The invention provides a wiring board having a small-scale and high-performance functional circuit while realizing a multi-layer wiring with a small number of steps. In addition, the invention provides a semiconductor device in which a display device is integrated with such high-performance functional circuit on the same substrate. According to the invention, first to third wirings, first and second interlayer insulating films and first and second contact holes are formed over a substrate having an insulating surface. The second wiring is wider than the first wiring, or the third wiring is wider than the first wiring or the second wiring. The second contact hole has a larger diameter than the first contact hole.
US07655556B2
A cap layer for a copper interconnect structure formed in a first dielectric layer is provided. In an embodiment, the cap layer may be formed by an in-situ deposition process in which a process gas comprising germanium, arsenic, tungsten, or gallium is introduced, thereby forming a copper-metal cap layer. In another embodiment, a copper-metal silicide cap is provided. In this embodiment, silane is introduced before, during, or after a process gas is introduced, the process gas comprising germanium, arsenic, tungsten, or gallium. Thereafter, an optional etch stop layer may be formed, and a second dielectric layer may be formed over the etch stop layer or the first dielectric layer.
US07655553B2
A method of packing electronic devices and an apparatus thereof are disclosed herein. The method allows for usage of solder materials with a melting temperature of 180° C. or higher, such as from 210° C. to 300° C., and from 230° C. to 260° C., so as to provide reliable and robust packaging. This method is particularly useful for packaging electronic devices that are sensitive to temperatures, such as microstructures, which can be microelectromechanical devices (MEMS), such as micromirror array devices.
US07655551B2
A method to control the poly-Si depletion effect in CMOS structures utilizing a gas phase doping process which is capable of providing a high concentration of dopant atoms at the gate dielectric/poly-Si interface is provided. The present invention also provides CMOS structure including, for example, nFETs and/or pFETs, that are fabricated utilizing the gas phase doping technique described herein.
US07655550B2
A semiconductor device has a gate with three conductive layers over a high K gate dielectric. The first layer is substantially oxygen free. The work function is modulated to the desired work function by a second conductive layer in response to subsequent thermal processing. The second layer is a conductive oxygen-bearing metal. With sufficient thickness of the first layer, there is minimal penetration of oxygen from the second layer through the first layer to adversely impact the gate dielectric but sufficient penetration of oxygen to change the work function to a more desirable level. A third layer, which is metallic, is deposited over the second layer. A polysilicon layer is deposited over the third layer. The third layer prevents the polysilicon layer and the oxygen-bearing layer from reacting together.
US07655537B2
A method of fabricating composite substrates by associating a transfer layer with an intermediate support to form an intermediate substrate of predetermined thickness with the transfer layer having a free surface; providing a sample carrier having a surface and a recess that has a depth that is approximate the same as the predetermined thickness of the intermediate substrate so that the transfer layer free surface is positioned flush with the sample carrier surface; providing a support layer both on the transfer layer free surface and on a portion of the sample carrier surface surrounding the recess; removing the portion of the support layer that extends beyond the intermediate substrate; and detaching the transfer layer and support layer from its intermediate support to form the composite substrate. The support layer is made of a deposited material that has a lower quality than that of the intermediate support. A bonding layer may be included on one of the intermediate support or the useful layer, or both, to facilitate bonding of the layers. The final substrates are useful in optic, electronic, or optoelectronic applications.
US07655532B1
A method of forming a shallow trench isolation region includes providing a semiconductor substrate comprising a top surface; forming an opening extending from the top surface into the semiconductor substrate; filling a precursor into the opening using spin-on; performing a steam cure to the precursor to generate a dielectric material; after the steam cure, performing a chemical mechanical polish (CMP) to the dielectric material; and after the CMP, performing a steam anneal to the dielectric material.
US07655531B2
The semiconductor device comprises a capacitor formed over a semiconductor substrate 10 and including a lower electrode 32, a dielectric film 34 formed over the lower electrode and an upper electrode 36 formed over the dielectric film, a first insulation film 42 formed over the semiconductor substrate and the capacitor, a first interconnection 48 formed over the first insulation film and electrically connected to the capacitor, a first hydrogen diffusion preventive film 50 for preventing the diffusion of hydrogen formed over the first insulation film, covering the first interconnection, a second insulation film 58 formed over the first hydrogen diffusion preventive film and having the surface planarized, a third insulation film 62 formed over the second insulation film, a second interconnection 70b formed over the third insulation film, and a second hydrogen diffusion preventive film 72 for preventing the diffusion of hydrogen formed on the third insulation film, covering the second interconnection. Since the second hydrogen diffusion preventive film positioned above the capacitor is planarized, the dielectric film is surely prevented from being reduced with hydrogen.
US07655529B1
A wafer comprising at least one emitter-up Heterojunction Bipolar Transistor (HBT) and at least one emitter-down HBT on a common InP based semiconductor wafer. Isolation and N-type implants into the device layers differentiate an emitter-down HBT from an emitter-up HBT. The method for preparing a device comprises forming identical layers for all HBTs and performing ion implantation to differentiate an emitter-down HBT from an emitter-up HBT.
US07655527B2
Shown are embodiments where a process of manufacturing a semiconductor element on a semiconductor wafer is shown. The semiconductor element is obtained by dividing the function-providing semiconductor wafer into functional elements. The function-providing semiconductor wafer is, at its first main surface, mechanically coupled to a handling wafer. The thinning is carried out in the coupled state of the function-providing semiconductor wafer, and the function-providing semiconductor wafer is divided in its state coupled to the handling wafer. During or after connecting the semiconductor element to a lead frame the mechanical coupling between the semiconductor element and the corresponding part of the handling wafer is destroyed. Other embodiments are also shown.
US07655519B2
A metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitor includes a lower electrode, a dielectric layer, and an upper electrode. The lower electrode includes a first conductive layer, a chemical barrier layer on the first conductive layer, and a second conductive layer on the chemical barrier layer. The chemical barrier layer is between the first and second conductive layers and is a different material than the first and second conductive layers. The dielectric layer is on the lower electrode. The upper electrode is on the dielectric layer opposite to the lower electrode. The first and second conductive layers can have the same thickness. The chemical barrier layer can be thinner than each of the first and second conductive layers. Related methods are discussed.
US07655517B2
An embodiment of the invention is a transistor formed in part by a ferromagnetic semiconductor with a sufficiently high ferromagnetic transition temperature to coherently amplify spin polarization of a current. For example, an injected non-polarized control current creates ferromagnetic conditions within the transistor base, enabling a small spin-polarized signal current to generate spontaneous magnetization of a larger output current.
US07655513B2
After crystallization of a semiconductor film is performed by irradiating first laser light (energy density of 400 to 500 mJ/cm2) in an atmosphere containing oxygen, an oxide film formed by irradiating the first laser light is removed. It is next performed to irradiate second laser light under an atmosphere that does not contain oxygen (at a higher energy density than that of the first laser light irradiation), thus to increase the flatness of the semiconductor film.
US07655512B2
Disclosed are methods for forming electrodes for organic electronic devices which allow for the use of an improved range of conductive materials for forming source/drain electrodes. The disclosed methods also allow for the use of different conductive materials for forming data lines and source/drain electrodes during the fabrication of organic electronic devices. Organic electronic devices manufactured according to the methods may provide advantages over conventional methods including, for example, improved patterning and increased accuracy in the formation of electrodes for organic electronic devices. Organic electronic devices fabricated according to the disclosed method are expected to be useful in display devices and electronic displays.
US07655507B2
Methods for manufacturing microelectronic imaging units and microelectronic imaging units that are formed using such methods are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method includes coupling a plurality of singulated imaging dies to a support member. The individual imaging dies include an image sensor, an integrated circuit operably coupled to the image sensor, and a plurality of external contacts operably coupled to the integrated circuit. The method further includes forming a plurality of stand-offs on corresponding imaging dies before and/or after the imaging dies are singulated and electrically connecting the external contacts of the imaging dies to corresponding terminals on the support member. The individual stand-offs include a portion between adjacent external contacts.
US07655500B2
Packaged microelectronic devices and methods for packaging microelectronic devices are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method of packaging a microelectronic device including a microelectronic die having a first side with a plurality of bond-pads and a second side opposite the first side includes forming a recess in a substrate, placing the microelectronic die in the recess formed in the substrate with the second side facing toward the substrate, and covering the first side of the microelectronic die with a dielectric layer after placing the microelectronic die in the recess. The substrate can include a thermal conductive substrate, such as a substrate comprised of copper and/or aluminum. The substrate can have a coefficient of thermal expansion at least approximately equal to the coefficient of thermal expansion of the microelectronic die or a printed circuit board.
US07655498B2
The invention concerns a film (1), in particular a stamping or laminating film, and a process for the production of such a film. At least one component produced using organic semiconductor technology, in particular one or more organic field effect transistors, is integrated into a film (1).
US07655497B1
A method for growth of an alloy for use in a nanostructure, to provide a resulting nanostructure compound including at least one of GexTey, InxSby, InxSey, SbxTey, GaxSby, GexSby,Tez, InxSbyTez, GaxSeyTez, SnxSbyTez, InxSbyGez, GewSnxSbyTez, GewSbxSeyTez, and TewGexSbySz, where w, x, y and z are numbers consistent with oxidization states (2, 3, 4, 5, 6) of the corresponding elements. The melt temperatures for some of the resulting compounds are in a range 330-420° C., or even lower with some compounds.
US07655476B2
Techniques are disclosed for reducing scan times in mass spectral tissue imaging studies. According to a first technique, a tissue imaging boundary is defined that closely approximates the edges of a tissue sample. According to a second technique, a low-resolution scan is performed to identify one or more areas of interest within the tissue sample, and the identified areas of interest are subsequently scanned at higher resolution.
US07655464B2
Compounds, which inhibit the binding of gp120 to CD4 as well as 17b and methods for their use in inhibiting the HIV fusion process, are provided.
US07655462B2
Compositions of pro-IFG-I E-peptides for the treatment and amelioration of tumor-producing diseases, and methods for their utilization.
US07655450B2
It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel amidase that is useful for production of an optically active amino acid, and in particular, a D-amino acid, and a production method thereof.The present invention relates to a novel D-amidase isolated and purified from the Arthrobacter sp. KNK1101J, a gene encoding the above amidase, a recombinant plasmid comprising the above gene, and a transformant into which the above amidase gene has been introduced. In addition, the present invention also relates to a method for producing the amidase, comprising culturing the Arthrobacter sp. KNK1101J or the above transformant, and collecting the above amidase.
US07655446B2
The present invention relates to human Rho-kinase I (ROCK I), ROCK I binding pockets, ROCK I-like binding pockets. More particularly, the present invention provides a computer comprising a data storage medium encoded with the structure coordinates of such binding pockets. This invention also relates to methods of using the structure coordinates to solve the structure of homologous proteins or protein complexes. In addition, this invention relates to methods of using the structure coordinates to screen for and design compounds, including inhibitory compounds, that bind to ROCK I protein or ROCK I protein homologues, or complexes thereof. The invention also relates to crystallizable compositions and crystals comprising ROCK I kinase domain and ROCK I kinase domain complexed with an inhibitor of that domain. The invention also relates to methods of identifying inhibitors of the ROCK I kinase domain.
US07655441B2
The invention is concerned with the systematic elucidation and identification of regulatory sequences. The invention provides among others screenings and detection methods with which regulatory sequences can be identified. The invention further provides regulatory sequences and use thereof in various fields such as, but not limited to, protein production, diagnostics, transgenic plants and animals, and the therapeutic field.
US07655439B2
The present invention relates to a method of preparing a trimeric protein comprising culturing a host cell transformed or transfected with an expression vector encoding a fusion protein comprising a ZymoZipper (ZZ) domain and a heterologous protein. In one embodiment, the heterologous protein is a membrane protein, the portion of the heterologous protein that included in the fusion protein is the extracellular domain of that protein, and the resulting fusion protein is soluble. In another embodiment of the present invention, the ZZ domain is derived from the transmembrane (TM) subunit of a virus envelope protein or another heptad repeat containing gene of a virus genome. The method can be used to produced homo- and hetero-trimeric proteins. The present invention also encompasses DNA molecules, expression vectors, and host cells used in the present method and fusion proteins produced by the present method.
US07655427B2
The invention provides novel immunogenic proteins LigA and LigB from Leptospira for use in the development of effective vaccines and antibodies, as well as improved diagnostic methods and kits.
US07655412B2
There is provided a method of forming a multimeric complex having affinity for a target. The method comprises: obtaining a plurality of self-assembly molecules, said self-assembly molecules including complementary self-assembly units such as verotoxin subunit B, each of which is operatively connected to an interaction domain such as a single domain antibody specific for the target; and combining said self-assembly molecules such that at least three said self-assembly units simultaneously bind to one another so as to permit the single domain antibodies to bind the target.
US07655407B2
It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for detecting a target substance in a specimen with the use of fine particles, whereby the target substance can be readily detected with the exclusive use of a single type of probe and the detection limit is improved. The present invention provides a method for detecting a target substance in a specimen which comprises the steps of: allowing a complex of a fine particle and a probe to come into contact with a specimen; and detecting changes in physical properties of the fine particle that are caused by desorption of the probe from the fine particle due to interaction between the target substance in the specimen and the probe.
US07655400B2
The purpose of the present invention is to provide a substance having a several ten to several hundred-fold exchange reaction accelerating activity as compared with that of conventional copolymers. In particular, the invention provides a preparation for accelerating an exchange reaction between a nucleotide sequence at specific site of a double stranded DNA or RNA for its homologous nucleotide sequence, the preparation comprising a cationic polymer having a guanidine group-containing main chain and a hydrophilic functional groups as an active ingredient. Thus, a substance having a several ten to several hundred-fold exchange reaction accelerating activity as compared with that of conventional copolymers can be provided. With this substance, the nucleotide chain exchange can be performed at a lower temperature and/or a higher rate than in the prior art.
US07655397B2
A method of diagnosing a disease that includes obtaining experimental data on gene selections. The gene selection functions to characterize a cancer when the expression of that gene selection is compared to the identical selection from a noncancerous cell or a different type of cancer cell. The invention also includes a method of targeting at least one product of a gene that includes administration of a therapeutic agent. The invention also includes the use of a gene selection for diagnosing a cancer.
US07655396B1
Disclosed herein are methods of screening compounds that modulate G-protein coupled receptors. The assays are performed at temperatures of between about 25° C. and 40° C.
US07655382B2
An on-press ink and/or fountain solution developable lithographic printing plate comprising a photosensitive layer over an electrochemically grained, anodized, hydrophilically treated aluminum substrate with a reflection optical density of at least 0.30 is disclosed. The photosensitive layer is soluble or dispersible in ink and/or fountain solution and capable of hardening upon exposure to a laser having a wavelength of from 200 to 1200 nm. The plate is exposed with the laser off press or on press, and then on-press developed with ink and/or fountain solution. Such darker aluminum substrate in combination with the hydrophilic treatment allows fast press roll up, clean background, and good printing durability of the plate.
US07655380B2
Polymeric material, containing a latent acid which can be converted to an acid by irradiation by a laser and optionally further ingredients.
US07655379B2
A photoacid generator compound P+A−, comprises an antenna group P+ comprising a cation that generates protons upon interaction with light, and A− comprising a weakly coordinating peracceptor-substituted aromatic anion that does not contain fluorine or semi-metallic elements such as boron. In one embodiment, such anions comprise the following compounds 4, 5, 6 and 7, wherein E comprises an electron-withdrawing group and the removal of one proton generates aromaticity. P+ comprises an onium cation that decomposes into a proton and other components upon interaction with photons. P+ may comprise an organic chalcogen onium cation or a halonium cation, wherein the chalcogen onium cation in another embodiment may comprises an oxonium, sulfonium, selenium, tellurium, or onium cation, and the halonium cation may comprise an iodonium, chlorine or bromine onium cation. A novel compound comprises TPS CN5. A photolithographic formulation comprises the photoacid generator in combination with a photolithographic composition such as a photolithographic polymer. The formulation, when on a substrate, is exposed to optical lithographic radiation or ArF (193 nm) or KrF (248 nm) radiation, and developed. A product comprises an article of manufacture made by the method of the invention.
US07655378B2
There is disclosed a negative resist composition comprising, at least, a polymer comprising a repeating unit of hydroxy vinylnaphthalene represented by the following general formula (1). There can be provided a negative resist composition, in particular, a chemically amplified negative resist composition that can exhibit higher resolution than conventional hydroxy styrene or novolac negative resist compositions, that provides excellent pattern profiles after being exposed and that exhibits excellent etching resistance; and a patterning process that uses the resist composition.
US07655374B2
A fixing liquid configured to fix a toner containing a resin on a recording medium is disclosed, wherein a particle containing a component capable of dissolving or swelling at least one portion of the resin contained in the toner is dispersed in a nonaqueous dispersing medium. A toner fixing method of fixing a toner containing a resin on a recording medium is disclosed, wherein the fixing liquid as described above is used. A toner fixing apparatus configured to fix a toner containing a resin on a recording medium is disclosed, wherein the toner fixing method as described above is used.
US07655369B2
A reticle set, includes a first photomask having a circuit pattern provided with first and second openings provided adjacent to each other sandwiching a first opaque portion, and a monitor mark provided adjacent to the circuit pattern; and a second photomask having a trim pattern provided with a second opaque portion covering the first opaque portion in an area occupied by the circuit pattern and an extending portion connected to one end of the first opaque portion and extending outside the area when the second photomask is aligned with a pattern delineated on a substrate by the first photomask.
US07655366B2
An image forming medium includes a substrate and an imaging layer coated on or impregnated into a substrate, where the imaging layer is formed of an imaging composition that includes a solvent or a polymeric binder, and a photochromic material selected from substituted fulgides and substituted dithienylethenes, dissolved or dispersed in the solvent or polymeric binder, and where the imaging composition exhibits a reversible homogeneous-heterogeneous transition between a colorless state, an intermediate colorless or colored erasable state, and a final colored stable state, the photochromic material converting from the colorless state to the colored stable state upon irradiation with light of a first wavelength and converting from the colored stable state to the colorless state upon exposure to heat and light.
US07655362B2
Masks for semiconductor devices and methods of forming masks of semiconductor devices are provided which are capable of improving line resolution. A disclosed mask includes: a first mask pattern disposed on a first side of the mask. The first mask pattern includes light-blocking patterns and light-blocking fine auxiliary patterns within a light-transmitting region. The mask also includes a second mask pattern disposed on a second side of the mask. The second mask pattern includes light-transmitting fine auxiliary patterns within a light-blocking region. The light-transmitting fine auxiliary patterns are disposed at positions corresponding to the light-blocking fine auxiliary patterns to facilitate an overlapping exposing process. The second mask has the opposite tone of the first mask, and the second mask is disposed at a position horizontally-translated from a position of the first mask. Accordingly, pattern bridge regions in repeated patterns of a poly-cell transistor device can be selectively removed.
US07655361B2
Aspects of the present invention relate to an electrolyte for a high voltage lithium rechargeable battery and a high voltage lithium rechargeable battery employing the electrolyte, and more particularly to an electrolyte for a high voltage lithium rechargeable battery comprising a non-aqueous organic solvent; a lithium salt; and a combination of a halogenated biphenyl and a dihalogenated toluene used as an additive where the combined additive has an oxidation reduction potential of 4.6 to 5.0 V with respect to lithium. The lithium rechargeable battery employing the electrolyte for a high voltage lithium rechargeable battery achieves overcharge stability.
US07655359B2
A secondary battery having a feature in which a positive electrode, a negative electrode and electrolyte are provided; the negative electrode includes a negative electrode active material layer which is alloying at least at a portion of a boundary face with a negative electrode current collector; an approximately tabular electrode body structure is formed by a constitution in which a laminated body of the lamellar positive electrode and the lamellar negative electrode is wound or folded; and in the approximately tabular electrode body structure, relation of B≦1.5A is satisfied when length in a perpendicular direction with respect to a bended portion of the laminated body is made to be A and length in a parallel direction with respect to the bended portion of the laminated body is made to be B.
US07655358B2
A positive active material composition for a rechargeable battery includes a positive active material selected from compounds represented by formulas 1 to 13, and at least one semi-metal, metal or oxides thereof: LixMnA2 (1) LixMnO2−zAz (2) LixMn1−yM′yA2 (3) LixMn2A4 (4) LixMn2O4−zAz (5) LixMn2−yM′yA4 (6) LixBA2 (7) LixBO2−zAz (8) LixB1−yM″yA2 (9) LixB1−yM″yO2-zAz (10) LixNiCoO2−zAz (11) LixNiCoO2−zAz (12) LixNi1−y-zCoyM″zA2 (13) where 1.0≦x≦1.1, 0.01≦y≦0.1, 0.01≦z≦0.5, M′ is at least one transition metal or lanthanide metal selected from Al, Cr, Co, Mg, La, Ce, Sr, or V, M″ is at least one transition metal or lanthanide metal selected from Al, Cr, Mn, Fe, Mg, La, Ce, Sr or V, A is selected from 0, F, S or P, and B is Ni or Co.
US07655355B2
A positive electrode for an alkaline storage battery is disclosed, comprising a conductive base material and an active material layer attached to the base material, the active material layer comprising an active material and a binder, the binder comprising an elastic copolymer comprising one or more tetrafluoroethylene units and one or more propylene units.
US07655350B2
In accordance with the present invention, an improved battery pack is employed. The battery pack includes a housing with opposing walls, a plurality of cells disposed within the housing, at least two terminals electrically connected to the cells, a latching mechanism disposed on each opposing wall for latching the battery pack to a cordless device, each latching mechanism including a latch and a button disposed on the wall for moving the latch between unlatching and latching positions, the latching buttons being disposed along a first plane, the first plane being substantially vertical, wherein the number of cells disposed along the first plane is smaller than the number of cells disposed along a second plane substantially parallel to the first plane. The battery pack may also include a stacked cell disposed on the plurality of cells. The stacked cell may be disposed along the first plane. However, the stacked cell is not included in the number of cells disposed along the first plane.
US07655349B2
A cylindrical lithium secondary battery includes an electrode assembly which has a first electrode plate, a second electrode plate, and a separator provided between the first electrode plate and the second electrode plate, is wound in a spiral shape, and has a central space at the center of winding; a core member which is inserted into the central space of the electrode assembly; a case having a space for containing the electrode assembly; and a cap assembly which is connected to an upper portion of the case so as to seal the case. The core member is formed in a tube shape having a gap along a longitudinal direction, which divides the core member into a body portion and left and right lateral end portions, wherein an imaginary arc line extending from an outer circumferential surface of the body portion of the core member defines an imaginary circumference, and wherein the left and right lateral end portions are located inside the imaginary circumference and comprise a pair of first bending portions, inwardly bending and symmetrically disposed with respect to the gap, and a pair of second bending portions bending in a rotation direction that is opposite to the inwardly bending rotational directions of the first bending portions.
US07655343B2
A fuel cell (100) which has an electrode-electrolyte joined article (101) composed of a fuel electrode (102), an oxidizing agent electrode (108) and, sandwiched thereby, a solid polymer electrolyte (114), characterized in that a separation film (330) comprising a material exhibiting an oxygen/nitrogen separation factor of more than 1 is provided on the surface of an oxidizing agent electrode side current collector (110) constituting the oxidizing agent electrode (108). The fuel cell is a liquid fuel supply type of fuel cell which has a simple structure and also is capable of supplying satisfactory oxygen to an oxidizing agent electrode.
US07655340B2
The present invention is directed to a planar flow field design having an intake manifold and an exhaust manifold which are configured in two offset planes. A relatively short passage extends from the intake manifold through the exhaust manifold and terminates at a reactive face of a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) such that a differential flow distribution is provided from the intake manifold through the passage and across a reactive face of the MEA to the exhaust manifold.
US07655334B2
A proton-conducting electrolyte membrane is disclosed, comprising at least one base material and at least one dopant, which is the reaction product of an at least dibasic inorganic acid with an organic compound, comprising one acidic hydroxyl group, or the condensation product of said compound with a polybasic acid. The membrane may be produced by a single step method, which avoids the use of dangerous materials and environmental pollutants. Subsequent doping of the membrane, e.g., in conjunction with assembly of the membrane electrode assembly (MEA) is not excluded. The electrolyte membrane has a high and constant mechanical stability and flexibility, excellent chemical and thermal stability and a high and constant conductivity. The membrane may be used in a fuel cell in a wide temperature range from 50° C. to more than 200° C., for example, whereby the fuel cell has a high and constant power level over the entire temperature range.
US07655328B2
An electrically conductive, plasma-resistant member adapted for exposure to a halogen-based gas plasma atmosphere includes a substrate having formed on at least part of a region thereof to be exposed to the plasma a thermal spray coating composed of yttrium metal or yttrium metal in admixture with yttrium oxide and/or yttrium fluoride so as to confer electrical conductivity. Because the member is conductive and has an improved erosion resistance to halogen-based corrosive gases or plasmas thereof, particle contamination due to plasma etching when used in semiconductor manufacturing equipment or flat panel display manufacturing equipment can be suppressed.
US07655320B2
The present invention relates to the use, in a pre-coating process, of a flash plating, without a subsequent chromate seal, as a surface pre-treatment for a ferrous-alloy substrate prior to applying a corrosion-inhibiting coating to improve the overall corrosion protection of the pre-treatment component. Preferably the ferrous alloy is a heat-treatable, precipitation-hardenable stainless steel and the pre-treatement is a cadmium flash plate or a zinc-nickel alloy flash plate.
US07655313B2
In certain example embodiments, low-E coated articles may be designed so as to realize a combination of good visible transmission (Tvis) and an excellent solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC), thereby realizing an improved (i.e., higher) Tvis/SHGC ratio. In certain example embodiments of this invention, if heat treated (HT), the low-E coated articles may have approximately the same color characteristics as viewed by the naked eye both before and after heat treatment (i.e., a low ΔE* value) in certain example instances. Such coated articles may be used in insulating glass (IG) units, windows, and/or other suitable applications.
US07655299B2
A surface-coated cutting tool comprising: a hard substrate; a lower layer which is formed on a surface of the hard substrate, contains a composite compound consisting of at least one element selected from Ti and Al, and at least one element selected from N and C, and has an average thickness of 0.1 to 3 μm; and an upper layer having an average thickness of 1 to 13 μm, which is formed on the lower layer and having a texture in which fine grains of crystalline Ti (C,N) based compounds or fine grains of crystalline (Ti, Al)(C, N) based compounds are dispersively distributed in a matrix of a carbon based amorphous material containing W.
US07655297B2
A molding compound formulation is provided that includes a unsaturated polyester, a low profile additive, and high surface area conductive carbon black particulate. The carbon black is dispersed in at least one of the unsaturated polyester and the low profile additive to produce a cured panel having a surface resistivity value of between 1×105-108Ω, and a Diffracto analysis D number of less than 100 when cured against a mold platen having a Diffracto analysis D number of 25. A process for producing such a molding compound panel is also provided that includes mixing through rotary mechanical stirring the high surface area conductive carbon black particulate into one side of the molding compound formulation under conditions that satisfy: ln(viscosity)≦−0.82{ln(RPM)}+12.734 (I) where viscosity is in Centipoise and RPM denotes revolutions per minute.
US07655288B2
The present invention is directed to implantable bioabsorbable non-woven self-cohered web materials having a high degree of porosity. The web materials are very supple and soft, while exhibiting proportionally increased mechanical strength in one or more directions. The web materials often possess a high degree of loft. The web materials can be formed into a variety of shapes and forms suitable for use as implantable medical devices or components thereof.
US07655287B2
An inkjet recording medium obtained by forming a coating layer containing a pigment and a binder on the surface of a base material and coating layer is subsequently pressed onto a heated mirror finished surface to dry to form an ink absorbing layer through a cast coating method, wherein pigment contains a colloidal silica that has a primary particle diameter of from 10 nm to 100 nm while the ratio of the secondary particle diameter to primary particle diameter is from 1.5 to 3.0.
US07655284B2
Disclosed is a multi-functional monomer including a heat-curable functional group as well as a typical photoreactive group. In the multi-functional monomer, the photoreactive group is not chained to a main chain of a polymer. Thus, since it is possible to perform desirable alignment treatment even though polarized UV is radiated for a short time, the production time and the production cost are reduced and alignment regulating force of liquid crystals is increased, thereby increasing a dichroic ratio.
US07655282B2
A method of forming a patterned thin film comprises the step of forming a frame having an undercut near the bottom thereof on an electrode film, and the plating step of forming the patterned thin film by plating through the use of the frame. The patterned thin film includes a plurality of linear portions disposed side by side. Each of the linear portions has a portion close to the electrode film. This portion has a width greater than the width of the remaining portion of each of the linear portions.
US07655271B2
In one embodiment a coating process is disclosed. The process comprises, assembling a coating shield to an article, and disposing a coating on the article via an electrostatic coating process, wherein the coating lacks electrostatic attraction to the coating shield.
US07655270B2
A droplet discharge method includes performing a plurality of scans in which a discharge head and a substrate are scanned relative to each other, and discharging droplets of a plurality of types of functional liquid from the discharge head onto a plurality of prescribed portions on the substrate configured and arranged to hold the discharged functional liquid while the discharge head and the substrate are scanned. The performing of the plurality of scans includes performing at least one full discharge scan for each of the prescribed portions so that the functional liquid is discharged over an entire region of each of the prescribed portions, and performing a partial discharge scan so that the functional liquid is discharged so as to avoid at least part of peripheral edges of the prescribed portions.
US07655267B2
The present invention describes processes that incorporate ionic gums into wheyless cream cheese to reinforce curd structure, thus increasing product firmness. The processes involve adding a relatively small (e.g., about 0.005 to about 0.1 percent) but effective amount of the ionic gum (e.g., xanthan, gellan, carrageenan, alginate gums, low methoxy pectin, or mixtures thereof) before a fermentation step, preferably prior to initial homogenization/heating steps, to provide ionic gum-dairy protein interaction without causing coacervation with protein. In certain preferred embodiments, xanthan gum is used due to its cold water solubility, consistent composition, availability, and low cost.
US07655266B1
A method for making biscuits wherein a dough mixture is dispensed into an agitator. The dough mixture is agitated as it is being dispensed into cavities of a die. The dough mixture is compressed into the cavities of the die by a compression device. The dough mixture is ejected from the cavities of the die by pushing the dough mixture from a top surface of the die out of a bottom surface of the die and onto an apron with an ejection mechanism.
US07655264B2
Chewy confectionery products, and processes for producing said products, are provided as delivery systems for minerals such as calcium. The carbohydrates of the fortified confectionery products comprise at least one reducing sugar and one non-reducing sugar in a preferred ratio of about 1:0.2 to about 1:1 reducing sugar: non-reducing sugar. The chewy confectionery products offer a matrix for about 0.2 wt. % to 45 wt. % of a fortifying component while maintaining a smooth and soft texture.
US07655261B2
A method of treatment of a diseased patient in which a dose of at least one heavy metal is delivered to the patient, with a surface area which is accessible for direct contact with the patient's tissue and effects release of heavy metal ions for uptake by immuno reactive cells. The criteria to be complied with in order for the heavy metal to be effective is that the surface area is greater than the surface area of a solid sphere of the same at least one heavy metal, and that the solid sphere and dose have the same weight. In a preferred embodiment, the dose of heavy metals is delivered to the patient as very small hollow particles.
US07655260B2
Supplement preparation including (a), a first active component in form of biologically accessible silver, (b), a second active component in form of a material obtained from cartilage, and any conventional accessory agents or additives and the use of the first and the second active components with any additional active components and/or conventional accessory agent or additives for the preparation of a health-promoting supplement preparation for livestock including mink, poultry and pigs. The preparation has proved suitable for the prevention against and treatment of plasmacytosis, puppy disease, enteritis virus, three-day sickness and/or “sticky” kits in mink.
US07655249B2
Compositions and methods for the therapy of malignant diseases, such as leukemia and cancer, are disclosed. The compositions comprise one or more of a WT1 polynucleotide, a WT1 polypeptide, an antigen-presenting cell presenting a WT1 polypeptide, an antibody that specifically binds to a WT1 polypeptide; or a T cell that specifically reacts with a WT1 polypeptide. Such compositions may be used, for example, for the prevention and treatment of metastatic diseases.
US07655237B2
Use of soluble CD14 (sCD14) for the manufacture of a medicament for therapeutic or preventive treatment of a disease involving a chronic inflammation condition and a clinical disorder associated with insulin resistance in an animal or a human. Examples of diseases include type 2 diabetes mellitus, obesity, metabolic syndrome, arteriosclerotic disease, arterial hypertension and functional ovaric hyperandrogenism.
US07655230B2
A method for improving clinical outcome in focal ischemic stroke in a mammal by increasing cerebral blood flow and/or reducing infarct size is described which involves administering an effective amount of an anti-CD18 antibody to the mammal, in the absence of removal of the arterial obstruction.
US07655194B2
A catalyst substrate support is provided for a corrugated foil honeycomb matrix defining a plurality of passages extending therethrough which are generally parallel to an axis. A peripheral mantle extends about an outer perimeter of the matrix and has inwardly extending flanges which extend across an outer periphery of the opposite end faces to cover outermost of the passages and restrict fluid flow between the peripheral mantle and the matrix. The outer perimeter of the matrix and the peripheral mantle may be spaced apart to define a gap for accommodating differential thermal expansions of the matrix and the peripheral mantle, the gap being smaller than a height of the inwardly extending flanges. Cross members secured to each of the opposite end faces of the matrix may transfer at least part of the gravitational load of the matrix to the mantle.
US07655192B2
A method and an apparatus of discharging polymer from a continuously operated gas phase reactor, wherein at least one monomer is polymerized in a bed containing active catalyst formed by catalyst and polymer particles suspended in a fluid, the bed defining a fluidized bed level in said reactor. The invention includes continuously withdrawing polymer powder from the reactor; and adjusting the discharge rate of the polymer powder so as to maintain a constant bed level during polymerization. By means of the invention the discharge of the polymer can be made truly continuous without any disturbance of the polymerization. The rate of withdrawn polymer can be flexibly adjusted depending on the progress of the polymerization and it can also easily be scaled up if the capacity of the reactor is increased.
US07655190B2
A biochemical reaction apparatus used to carry out a chemical reaction of fluid includes a cartridge including a container which is at least partially structured with an elastic body, the container including inside thereof a plurality of chambers to contain the fluid and flow passages to connect the plurality of chambers and rollers to apply an external force to the elastic body and deform the elastic body to move the fluid in the flow passages or the chambers by rotationally moving on a front surface of the elastic body while the roller contacts with the front surface of the elastic body, and in a cross-sectional shape of the roller, which is perpendicular to a roller shaft, at least not less than three corners are included, and the cross-sectional shape is a shape in which sides between the corners are equal in length.
US07655186B2
Embodiments of the present invention relate a gas sensor comprising a gas detector and a hydrocarbon gas generating device, wherein the hydrocarbon gas generating device is positioned to provide an amount of hydrocarbon gas to the gas detector for testing. The hydrocarbon gas generating device comprises a heater and a gas releasing material.
US07655185B2
Provided is a polymer sample analyzer from which chemical findings on the optical deterioration of a polymer material are available in a very short time. The analyzer is equipped with a gas phase component production unit for producing a plurality of gas phase components, a carrier gas introduction unit for introducing a carrier gas into the gas phase component production unit, a separation unit for separating the gas phase components into each component, and a detection unit 5 for detecting the each component thus separated. The analyzer is equipped further with a UV irradiation unit for exposing the polymer sample to UV ray, an atmospheric gas introduction unit for introducing an atmospheric gas into the gas phase component production unit and a gas switching unit for switching a gas to be introduced into the separation unit between the carrier gas and the atmospheric gas. Under the atmosphere of a gas introduced from the atmospheric gas introduction unit, the polymer sample is deteriorated and decomposed by exposure to UV ray from the UV irradiation unit. After deterioration and decomposition, a gas to be introduced into the separation unit 4 is switched to the carrier gas by the gas switching unit and the gas phase components are introduced into the separation unit by the aid of the carrier gas.
US07655182B2
A metallic article made of metallic constituent elements is fabricated from a mixture of nonmetallic precursor compounds of the metallic constituent elements. The mixture of nonmetallic precursor compounds is chemically reduced to produce an initial metallic material, without melting the initial metallic material. The initial metallic material is consolidated to produce a consolidated metallic article, without melting the initial metallic material and without melting the consolidated metallic article.
US07655176B2
A polymeric web exhibiting a soft and silky tactile impression on at least one side thereof is disclosed. The silky feeling side of the web exhibits a pattern of discrete hair-like fibrils, each of the hair-like fibrils being a protruded extension of the web surface and having a side wall defining an open proximal portion and a closed distal portion. The hair-like fibrils exhibit a maximum lateral cross-sectional diameter of between 2 and 5 mils, and an aspect ratio from 1 to 3. Methods and apparatus for making the polymeric web utilize a three-dimensional forming structure having a plurality of protrusions being generally columnar forms having an average aspect ratio of at least about 1.
US07655172B2
The present invention provides a method of manufacturing golf balls having a rubber core of at least one layer and a cover of at least one layer which encloses the rubber core, which method includes the step of molding at least one layer of the rubber core by directly injecting a rubber composition into a spherical cavity and vulcanizing the injected composition. This process enables the sphericity of the rubber core to be enhanced, the rubber materials to be used without waste, and balls of an excellent scuff resistance to be obtained.
US07655169B2
A developing blade 10 is insert molded by forming a rib portion 13 which projects from an end portion in the longitudinal direction of a blade body 12 in the transverse direction of the blade body 12, opposite to the contact surface 12a side of the blade body 12, on the blade body 12 in contact with the developing roll of the developing blade 10 and forming the gate 21G of a metal mold 20 in which a metal plate 11 as an insert member has been installed only in a cavity 21b corresponding to the above rib portion 13. Therefore, a developing blade 10 without burrs and recesses on its contact surface with the developing roll or without welds can be easily manufactured.
US07655161B2
A conductive ink composition for inkjet printing, more particularly to a conductive ink composition for inkjet printing, which includes 30 to 85 parts by weight of metal nanoparticles, 10 to 60 parts by weight of an organic solvent, 10 to 30 parts by weight of a humectant, the humectant made of a diol or glycol base compound, and 0.1 to 10 parts by weight of an ethylene glycol-based ether compound additive for adjusting viscosity. The ink composition may be optimized, such that the viscosity of the ink may be adjusted while maintaining a high concentration of metal, when forming wiring using an inkjet device, for improved flow and ejection properties of the ink.
US07655158B2
The corrosion inhibitor blend of at least one corrosion inhibitor base (which may be a Mannich reaction product), a solvent selected from the group consisting of C1 acids and ester and salt derivatives thereof, and optionally a surfactant, has been found to be effective as a corrosion inhibitor for metals in acid media, particularly fluids containing halogen acids. The corrosion inhibitor has improved performance over similar or identical corrosion inhibitor compositions where an alcohol such as methanol is used as a solvent. Suitable, non-limiting possibilities for the solvent include, but are not necessarily limited to formic acid, formate salts, methyl formate, ethyl formate, benzyl formate, formate salts of amines, inorganic formate, and mixtures thereof.
US07655154B2
A non-aqueous, reduced toxicity diol based heat transfer fluid is provided comprised of at least one diol that acts as an antidote for ethylene glycol poisoning, such as propylene glycol. The heat transfer fluid may also include corrosion inhibitors that are soluble in the diols used for the heat transfer fluid. The heat transfer fluid may be used as a coolant in internal combustion engines such as automobile engines.
US07655151B2
A fluid treatment and media management device having concentric inner and outer perforated cylinders defining a chamber therebetween for containing a media. A case surrounds the perforated cylinders and forms an annular space between the case and the outer perforated cylinder. Respective end caps engage the opposite ends of the case and perforated cylinders to support such members. One or both of the end caps provide ports to the central core of the inner perforated cylinder, to the media chamber and to the annular space. The media can be removed from the fluid treatment and media management device without disassembly of the device for the purpose of disposal and/or regeneration of the media.
US07655145B1
Method and system for processing of a liquid (“contaminant liquid”) containing water and containing urine and/or other contaminants in a two step process. Urine, or a contaminated liquid similar to and/or containing urine and thus having a relatively high salt and urea content is passed through an activated carbon filter to provide a resulting liquid, to remove most of the organic molecules. The resulting liquid is passed through a semipermeable membrane from a membrane first side to a membrane second side, where a fortified drink having a lower water concentration (higher osmotic potential) than the resulting liquid is positioned. Osmotic pressure differential causes the water, but not most of the remaining inorganic (salts) contaminant(s) to pass through the membrane to the fortified drink. Optionally, the resulting liquid is allowed to precipitate additional organic molecules before passage through the membrane.
US07655143B2
A method of stimulating nitrification at low SRT by elevating pCO2 during aeration is disclosed. The improvement on solids settling performance when elevated pCO2 was supplied after 2 hours within the React cycle is consistent with the previous results that identified inorganic carbon as a potential remedy to poor settling and bulking sludge problems in activated sludge systems. Elevated pCO2 increases the concentration of carbon dioxide and lowers the pH, which improve nitrification. The specific growth rate of nitrifying bacteria is sensitive to pCO2, pH, and dissolved oxygen (DO). The DO is a function of the aeration rate. Elevating the pCO2 and lowering the aeration rate provides conditions for nitrification rates that are comparable to conventional systems. However, the lower aeration rate yields significant energy cost savings.
US07655141B2
The invention relates to a membrane pipe module, said module comprising a cylindrical housing containing a plurality of tubular membrane sections which extend in the axial direction and are interconnected at the ends thereof, forming longer tubular membrane sections. Said cylindrical housing comprises a heatable chamber, on one or both sides, comprising U-shaped connection pipes which are arranged therein and are guided through a separating wall between the chamber and the housing, with the two open ends thereof, and respectively connect two adjacent open tubular membrane sections, forming a membrane loop.
US07655139B2
A filtration assembly includes a feed water line and a permeate line. A shut-off valve is coupled between the permeate line and the feed water line and operative to open the feed line when the faucet is opened based on a pressure differential between the feed line and the permeate line. An energy storage member is located within the permeate line and configured to compress and then expand after the faucet is closed causing the shut-off valve to fully close.
US07655126B2
A method for making a gasket (32) for an internal combustion engine (20) includes forming a generally annual stopper (38) on a metallic gasket body (40) through the process of electrochemical deposition. An electrolytic cell is completed with the gasket body (40) forming a cathode. The stopper (38) is formed with a contoured compression surface (42) by selectively varying the electrical energy delivered to selected electrodes (70) over time. Electrolyte (48) rich with metallic ions is pumped at high speed through the inter-electrode gap. A PC controller (82) switches selected electrodes (70) ON at certain times, for certain durations, which cause metallic ions in the electrolyte (48) to reduce or deposit onto the gasket body (40), which are built in columns or layers into a three-dimensional formation approximating the target surface profile (106) for the compression surface (42). The subject method for building a three-dimensional formation can be applied to work parts other than cylinder head gaskets (32).
US07655122B2
An oxygen concentration detecting element including a base member made of an electrically insulating material, a heater disposed on an outer surface of the base member, the heater being adapted to generate heat upon being energized, and an oxygen detecting unit disposed in an offset position on the outer surface of the base member in which the oxygen detecting unit is prevented from overlapping with the heater, the oxygen detecting unit including a solid electrolyte layer and a pair of electrodes between which the solid electrolyte layer is disposed.
US07655121B2
An interface device for a gas sensor includes a detection resistor having first and second ends to generate voltages by a current output of the gas sensor, a differential amplifier having first and second input terminals to receive the voltages of the first and second resistor ends and an output terminal to output a voltage according to a difference between the voltages of the first and second resistor ends, a first switching element to transmit the voltage of the first resistor end to the first input terminal of the differential amplifier in a transmission state and interrupt transmission of the voltage of the first resistor end to the first input terminal of the differential amplifier in an interruption state and a second switching element turned on to establish continuity between the first and second input terminals of the differential amplifier when the first switching element is in the interruption state.
US07655117B2
A continuous plating system with mask registration is disclosed herein that uses drums and rollers with protruding pins which engage with guide holes in a masking belt and a lead frame. Through engagement with the pins the masking belt is keyed to the lead frame as the lead frame passes through a plating solution tank.
US07655114B2
The present invention shows a process and device of calendering a web. The process includes drying the web and winding the web at the end of a production section. The process includes transporting the wound web to at least one off-line calender, unwinding the web and passing the web through the at least one off-line calender. Further, the process includes treating the web between drying and winding of the web in at least one on-line calendering unit. Further still, the process includes at least one on-line calendering unit includes at least one nip defined by at least one hard roller. The instant abstract is neither intended to define the invention disclosed in this specification nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.
US07655111B2
At a frame 26 in a microwave plasma processing apparatus 100, numerous horizontal spray gas nozzles 27 formed therein injection holes A and numerous vertical gas nozzles 28 formed therein injection holes B are fixed. A first gas supply means 50 injects argon gas through the injection holes A into an area near each dielectric parts 31a. A second gas supply means 55 injects silane gas and hydrogen gas through the injection holes B into a position at which the gases do not become over-dissociated. The gases injected as described above are raised to plasma with a microwave transmitted through each dielectric parts 31a. Since the vertical gas nozzles 28 are mounted at positions at which they do not block the flow of plasma traveling toward a substrate G, ions and electrons do not collide with the vertical gas nozzles 28 readily.
US07655103B2
In a method for manufacturing a ceramic multilayer substrate, when a green ceramic stack prepared by stacking a plurality of ceramic green sheets is fired simultaneously with a ceramic chip electronic component disposed inside the green ceramic stack and including an external terminal electrode to produce a ceramic multilayer substrate having the ceramic chip electronic component inside, a paste layer is disposed in advance between the ceramic chip electronic component and the green ceramic stack, and these three are fired.
US07655097B2
In the washing process of the invention, the solid particles in a high-concentration zone, which is formed in a washing tank by a gravitational sedimentation of solid particles, are continuously washed by a counter-current contact with upward flow of a washing liquid which is fed from the bottom portion of the washing tank. With this process, the impurities in the solid particles are sufficiently removed by a simple apparatus. Since the used washing liquid can be recycled as the disperse medium for feeding the solid particles and as the washing liquid, the amount of used washing liquid to be discharged as the waste from the system is reduced.
US07655093B2
A wafer support system comprising a susceptor having top and bottom sections and gas flow passages therethrough. One or more spacers projecting from a recess formed in the top section of the susceptor support a wafer in spaced relationship with respect to the recess. A sweep gas is introduced to the bottom section of the susceptor and travels through the gas flow passages to exit in at least one circular array of outlets in the recess and underneath the spaced wafer. The sweep gas travels radially outward between the susceptor and wafer to prevent back-side contamination of the wafer. The gas is delivered through a hollow drive shaft and into a multi-armed susceptor support underneath the susceptor. The support arms conduct the sweep gas from the drive shaft to the gas passages in the susceptor. The gas passages are arranged to heat the sweep gas prior to delivery underneath the wafer. Short purge channels may be provided to deliver some of the sweep gas to regions surrounding the spacers to cause a continuous flow of protective purge gas around the spacers.
US07655091B2
The invention concerns a device (10) for forming in single-crystal state a compound body with incongruent evaporation, capable of being in monocrystalline or polycrystalline form, comprising at least one first chamber (20) containing a substrate (42) whereat is formed a polycrystalline source of said body and a monocrystalline germ (46) of said body; a second chamber (14), said substrate being arranged between the two chambers; means for input (36) of gaseous precursors of said body into the second chamber capable of bringing about deposition of said body in polycrystalline form on the substrate; and heating means (26) for maintaining the substrate at a temperature higher than the temperature of the germ so as to bring about sublimation of the polycrystalline source and the deposition on the germ of said body in monocrystalline form.
US07655089B2
A process for producing a single crystal of semiconductor material, in which fractions of a melt, are kept in liquid form by a pulling coil, solidify on a seed crystal to form the growing single crystal, and granules are melted in order to maintain the growth of the single crystal. The melting granules are passed to the melt after a delay. There is also an apparatus which Is suitable for carrying out the process and has a device which delays mixing of the molten granules and of the melt.
US07655084B2
Disclosed is a phase change carbon black ink composition comprising 1) a low polarity ink carrier comprising (A) a low polarity wax, optionally (B) an ester-terminated polyamide, (2) a dispersant, and (3) a carbon black colorant. The ink can be resistant to substantial aggregation and settling of the carbon black colorant in the melt and up to about the jetting temperature of the ink even when exposed to freeze thaw cycles.
US07655082B2
The application discloses ink compositions containing an emulsion and, more particularly, to ink compositions containing an emulsified colorant and/or an emulsified lubricating agent, and writing instruments containing same.
US07655076B2
Air cleaning device has a particle charging zone comprising a conducting sheet having a plurality of apertures, through which air can be passed, and a plurality of corona emitters each associated with an aperture, and a filter.
US07655071B2
A process for cooling down a hot flue gas stream comprising water vapour and carbon dioxide, the process including: (a) heat exchange between the hot flue gas stream and a cooling water stream so that the hot flue gas stream is cooled to a cooled down gas stream at a temperature at which at least part of the water vapour therein has condensed and the cooling water stream increases in temperature; (b) combining the condensed water vapour and the cooling water stream to produce a combined water stream; (c) separation of the cooled down gas stream from the combined water stream; (d) cooling the combined water stream by contact with air from the atmosphere and by evaporation of a portion of the combined water stream; (e) using at least part of any non-evaporated and cooled water of the combined water stream as at least part of the cooling water stream for cooling the hot flue gas stream in step (a); and (f) storing any non-evaporated and cooled water of the combined water stream that is not used in step (e) and using the stored water later as at least part of the cooling water stream in step (a).
US07655065B2
A regeneration method for a particulate filter includes estimating a quantity of particulate matter trapped within the particulate filter, comparing the quantity of particulate matter to a predetermined quantity, heating at least a portion of the particulate filter to a combustion temperature of the particulate matter, and introducing hydrocarbon fuel to the particulate filter. The hydrocarbon fuel facilitates combustion of the particulate matter to regenerate the particulate filter.
US07655062B2
A filter assembly for a vacuum cleaner including a filter cartridge a first substantially rigid pleated filter element having a plurality of pleats with pleated edge and a flexible pre-filter element positioned over the pleated edge of the filter cartridge. The pleats may be radial, longitudinal or conical with the pre-filter a disc, cylinder or frusto-conical in shape. In each case the pre-filter is positioned on the pleats so that dirt laden air is drawn through the pre-filter element and then through the pleated filter element before being drawn into a vacuum motor
US07655055B2
A biofuel containing an estolide ester, an ether ester, or a combination thereof. The estolide ester and ether ester can be of formula A: R1—CH(O—X)R2CO2R3 wherein R1 is an alkyl group having from 1 to 36 carbons, X is an alkyl group having from 1 to 10 carbons and preferably 1, 2, or 3 carbons or is an acyl group of formula COR5 where R5 is an alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbons and preferably 1, 2, or 3 carbons, R2 is an alkylene group or alkenylene group having from 1 to 36 carbons, and R3 is alkyl having 1 to 10 carbons and preferably 1, 2, or 3 carbons.
US07655043B2
An expandable spinal implant including an implant body transitionable between an initial configuration and an expanded configuration. The implant body includes first and second axial walls spaced apart along a transverse axis, with at least one of the walls including first and second axial wall portions laterally offset from one another. An expansion member co-acts with the first wall portion to outwardly displace the first wall portion relative to the second wall portion to transition the implant body to the expanded configuration. In another embodiment, the first wall portion defines a recessed region relative to the second wall portion when the implant body is in the initial configuration, and wherein the recessed region is outwardly expanded as the implant body is transitioned to the expanded configuration. In a further embodiment, the first wall portion is movable while the second wall portion remains substantially stationary.
US07655042B2
Laterally expanding vertebral spacer devices are provided for repairing damaged vertebral discs. The vertebral spacer devices maintain the height of a distracted vertebral disc space while providing stability to the spine. In one form of the invention, a vertebral spacer device is provided with a first arm movably coupled to a second arm. The first and second arms are laterally expandable from a first width for insertion into the disc space to a second width after insertion into the disc space. The first and second arms also define a cavity therebetween for placement of bone growth material.
US07655041B2
A system and method for sharing and absorbing energy between body parts. In one aspect, the method involves identifying link pivot locations, fixing base components and minimally invasive insertion techniques. In one particular aspect, the system facilitates absorbing energy between members forming a joint such as between articulating bones.
US07655040B2
A catheter-based, annulus reduction device and system for cardiac valve repair and method of using the same. The system is usable for treating mitral valve regurgitation and comprises a catheter, a reduction ring carried within the catheter, the reduction ring including a plurality of exit ports formed in a side wall of the reduction ring and filament received in the reduction ring. The filament includes a plurality of radially extendible barbs corresponding to the sidewall openings. The reduction ring carrying the filament is deployed adjacent a mitral valve annulus and the filament is translated relative to the reduction ring to deploy the barbs through the exit ports and into the annulus and to further translate the reduction ring with deployed barbs to reshape the annulus.
US07655034B2
A proximal anchor stent ring of an endoprosthesis includes proximal apexes, distal apexes, struts extending between the proximal apexes and the distal apexes, and anchor pins. The struts, the proximal apexes, and the distal apexes define an imaginary cylindrical surface. A pair of the anchor pins is located on the struts adjacent each of the proximal apexes, the anchor pins extending inwards from inside surfaces of the struts and protruding from the struts radially outward from the cylindrical surface. By locating the anchor pins inwards, the delivery profile of the proximal anchor stent ring is minimized.
US07655032B2
A generally cylindrical, radially expandable stent may be composed of a plurality of interconnected multibonate cell structures. The cells have three or more enlarged end portions radiating from a common center within the cell. The cells may be of tribonate or higher order multibonate configuration. Stents composed up of a series of generally multibonate cell elements are also disclosed.
US07655031B2
An expandable stent and delivery system is provided for treating body vessel defects, such as partially occluded blood vessels and aneurysms. The delivery system includes a core member having a non-cylindrical retraction member with extending portions configured to extend between struts of the stent. The stent includes enlarged anchor members that cooperate with the retraction member to secure the stent to the core member for movement within a delivery catheter and deployment to a body vessel defect. The extending portions provide a greater contact area than would be possible with a cylindrical retraction member, which is especially beneficial when retracting a partially deployed stent into the catheter.
US07655030B2
An apparatus for treatment of a bifurcation of a body lumen, the bifurcation having a main vessel and a branch vessel, the apparatus includes a bifurcated balloon with a first branch portion and a second branch portion, the second branch portion including an inflatable portion adapted to extend toward the branch vessel, the bifurcated balloon also having a proximal shaft portion and a distal shaft portion connected to the inflatable portion of the second branch portion, and wherein the first branch portion and the second branch portion each have a longitudinal axis, the axis of the first branch portion being substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the second branch portion.
US07655026B2
A spinal rod includes an elongated tubular member that is inflatable from a first insertion profile to a second enlarged profile. An expandable tubular reinforcement sleeve is concentrically positioned adjacent to the balloon. The balloon may be bonded to the sleeve. The spinal rod may also have longitudinal reinforcement members. A joining member may join two or more of the longitudinal reinforcing members at a discrete point along each. The spinal rod may further include end portions on either side of an inflatable portion.
US07655024B2
A surgical needle includes an elongated needle body defining a longitudinal axis. The surgical needle has a first end for attachment to a suture and a second needled end for penetrating tissue. The needled end includes lower and upper opposed surfaces and a pair of side surfaces extending between the lower and upper surfaces and being contiguous therewith. The upper surface and the side surfaces extend to a pointed tip. The lower surface extends to a cutting edge, which is defined at the intersection of the sides surfaces and proximal of the pointed tip. The cutting edge extends in oblique relation relative to the longitudinal axis and terminating at the pointed tip.
US07655023B2
A blood vessel locating and stabilizing device including a transparent planar device that may be used to locate and stabilize a blood vessel so that the blood vessel is less likely to roll when it is punctured with a needle. The device is planar and includes a transparent region and a recess formed in a distal side surface that is configured to locate and stabilize a blood vessel. In a method of using the present device, the planar member is gripped along a first and second major surfaces of the device, the recess is positioned over the targeted blood vessel, and a force is applied to the device so that the blood vessel is located and stabilized.
US07655022B2
A guiding catheter system employs a compliant shaft with an inflatable balloon affixed to a distal portion of the shaft. The inflatable balloon includes channels that allow some amount of blood to flow past the balloon when inflated in a blood vessel. One or more inflation lumens is in fluid contact with the balloon and allows inflating the balloon from a proximal end of the catheter. A series of perfusion orifices may be included on the shaft proximal to the balloon.
US07655020B2
A surgical punching instrument is provided with a fixed handle (14) attached to a punching bar (2) and with an actuating lever (16), which is mounted thereon in a pivotingly movable manner and which is connected via a short lever arm (17) to a punching slide (1), which is in turn under the action of a restoring spring (23). The punching slide (1) lies with its flat sliding surface (3) on a flat guiding surface (4) of the punching bar (2) over its entire length and is guided at same in an axially movable manner by means of guide elements (5 through 8), which have a T-shaped profile, engage one another in a positive-locking manner and are detachable by longitudinal displacement. To make it possible to remove the restoring spring, which is not arranged between the handle and the actuating lever, from the punching bar in a simple manner, for example, for cleaning purposes, and to bring it into connection with same again, the restoring spring (23), designed as a compression coil spring, is arranged and guided at least partially in a guide groove (24) of the sliding surface of the punching slide (1) by means of a guide shaft (22, 22/1), which passes axially through it. A distal stop face (27), which is rigidly connected to the punching slide (1), is provided as a step bearing for the rear spring end of the restoring spring (23), and the restoring spring (23) is in contact by its front end with a proximal stop face (30) of the punching slide (1) when the punching slide (1) is removed, and with a proximal stop face (26) of the punching bar (2) when the punching slide (1) is mounted ready for operation.
US07655019B2
A sampling device (20) having a housing (24) with a lancet cartridge (22) mounted therein. The lancets (26) of the lancet cartridge (22) are interconnected by a flexible web (28). The lancet cartridge (22) is not positively engaged within the housing (24) and can be easily removed. The housing (24) has an opening (42) with an adjacent flexible or compressible fin (60) for dampening the motion of the lancet (26). The lancet cartridge (22) has at least one lancet (26) with an endcap, and the housing has a cap-removal mechanism (74) for separating the endcap from the housing (24). Anti-tampering features prevent opening of the device when the lancet cartridge (22) is oriented with a lancet (26) in a firing position.
US07655012B2
In one embodiment, an access device is inserted through an incision in skin of a patient. The access device is expanded from a first configuration to a second configuration, the second configuration having an enlarged cross-sectional area at a distal portion of said access device such that the distal portion extends across at least a portion of the interbody space. A prosthetic spinal disc implant is then delivered through the access device.
US07655010B2
An intervertebral fusion device includes a body having a proximal portion along a major axis of the body and a distal portion along the major axis, and supporting means at the distal portion. The supporting means supports vertebrae in a distracted position while the vertebrae fuse. At least one of the body and the supporting means has a height distinct from a width, whereby the body or supporting means can distract vertebrae, between which the body or the supporting means has been placed, by rotation of the body or the supporting means about the major axis. A method of fusing vertebrae includes the steps of inserting between two vertebrae an intervertebral fusion device and rotating the body or the supporting means, whereby the vertebrae are supported in a distracted position while the vertebrae fuse.
US07655004B2
A surgical instrument, such as an endoscopic or laparoscopic instrument, includes an ablation device. The ablation device includes an elongate flexible member having a proximal end and a distal end. A first working channel is formed within the flexible member. A first diagnostic probe having a proximal end and distal end is located within the first working channel and extends through the distal end of the flexible member. A first electrode is connected to the distal end of the first diagnostic probe electrode is adapted to be endoscopically located in a tissue treatment region. The first electrode is adapted to couple to an electrical waveform generator to receive an irreversible electroporation electrical waveform sufficient to ablate tissue located proximate to the first electrode. A system further includes an electrical waveform generator electrically coupled to the first electrode of the ablation device to generate an IRE waveform sufficient to ablate tissue located proximate to the first electrode.
US07655003B2
A method and apparatus include determining a value of a parameter associated with operation of an electrosurgical probe having a particular probe design, and determining whether the value of the parameter is within a range of values that has been predetermined for the particular probe design to indicate that the probe is treating tissue in a desired manner. Power is delivered to the probe according to an algorithm based upon a determination that the value of the parameter is outside the range of values The algorithm delivers power in a pulsed profile including portions of low power and portions of high power. In one embodiment, the tissue treatment is ablation, the parameter is impedance, and the method limits tissue necrosis to less than 200 microns. In another embodiment, the tissue treatment is shrinkage, the parameter is temperature, and the method limits power delivery when the probe is not shrinking tissue.
US07654996B2
A catheter-flushing extension tube for maintaining the patency and sterility of the lumen of an indwelling catheter. The system is comprised of an extension tube in fluid connection with an indwelling catheter; the extension tube defines an internal volume and at least one sealed proximal terminal for intermittent connection with an external fluid source. The extension tube is configured such that the internal volume of the tube can be progressively reduced at a plurality of different times so that the extension tube itself provides the source of catheter flush solution for intermittently flushing the catheter.
US07654993B2
An absorbent article that includes a component with an elastic laminate portion, which provides y-direction elongation. The elastic laminate portion is a support sheet and an elastic material, together forming a laminate portion of the component. The elastic laminate portion has zones, each with a different degree of maximum elongation. The zones also have different wrinkle heights and/or densities, such that one or more zones are created that cause less or no pressure marks, whilst overall an excellent force profile is maintained, resulting in well performing, comfortable to wear absorbent articles.
US07654992B2
An interlabial pad is provided which is capable of being precisely inserted into the recess between the wearer's labia minora, which does not have a linear shape. An interlabial pad 1 includes a highly-compressed rigid region 10, which is highly resistant to being compressed, at a central region along the center line X-X′ in the longitudinal direction. When the interlabial pad is worn, the highly-compressed rigid region 10 protrudes, thereby allowing the wearer to fit the protruding highly-compressed rigid region 10 in the recess between the labia.
US07654991B2
An array of disposable absorbent articles having a first article and a second article. The first article has an outer surface wherein the outer surface has an outer surface area and a first identifier having a first surface area. The first identifier is disposed on the first article and corresponds to a first performance characteristic. The second article has an outer surface wherein the outer surface has an outer surface area and a second identifier having a second surface area. The second identifier is disposed on the second article and corresponds to a second performance characteristic. The first article is a different article than said second article.
US07654987B2
A device for administering an injectable product including a casing, an injection mechanism including an injection needle pointing in an insertion direction, and a protective cap for the injection needle wherein, in one embodiment, the administering device includes a removing device for removing the protective cap from the injection needle and, in another embodiment, the administering device includes a needle protecting sleeve shiftable generally in alignment with the casing and generally between a front position, advanced relative to the casing, for protecting the injection needle and to a rear position, retracted relative to the casing, for inserting the injection needle into a tissue. In one embodiment, the needle protecting sleeve is prevented from moving completely into the rear position by a lock when the protective cap is protecting the injection needle.
US07654984B2
Sampling or transfusion device with protection means including a protective tube that slides longitudinally along the axis in an annular passage between the external body and the central body and has a proximal holding end for moving it selectively between a proximal retracted position in which the needle is not covered by the protective tube or not much covered thereby so that the latter can be used to draw a sample or to administer a transfusion and a distal protection position in which the protective tube covers the needle over the whole of its length.
US07654980B2
A method for percutaneously implanting a medical catheter, such as a gastrostomy feeding tube, and a medical catheter implanting assembly. In one embodiment, the implanting assembly includes a gastrostomy feeding tube, an inner sheath and an outer sheath. The feeding tube has an internal bolster integrally formed at its distal end. The inner sheath includes a bore extending distally from its proximal end to a point prior to its distal end and a transverse window communicating with the bore. The outer sheath includes a proximal end, a distal end and a longitudinal bore. The outer sheath is inserted over the inner sheath, and the feeding tube is inserted into the inner sheath, with the internal bolster being folded and tucked into the window and retained therein by the outer sheath. Movement of the outer sheath relative to the inner sheath to expose the window allows the bolster to decompress.
US07654975B2
A mixed-gas insufflation system for mixing insufflation gases includes a gas supply providing at least two sources of insufflation gas and a mixer system. The mixer system includes a chamber having at least two inlets and at least one outlet. The at least two inlets of the chamber are in fluid communication with the gas supply. The mixer system mixes the at least two sources of insufflation gas.
US07654973B2
There is provided a customizable orthotic bracing device, including an exoskeletal quasi-spinal column (12) extendable along the back of a patient and attachable to a body portion of the patient by means of a plurality of belt means (14, 14′) substantially surrounding the body portion at different points thereof, with the quasi-spinal column being comprised of a plurality of stackable and interlinkable segmental units (20), each unit consisting of a number of interlinkable sub-units (22, 24, 26, 28), characterized in that the position of the sub-units relative to one another can be adjusted in at least three degrees of freedom.
US07654970B2
The present invention provides a medical device for measuring cervical dilation, where the medical device is positionable about a hand having first and second fingers, with each finger having a tip and a side surface. The medical device may include a housing, a first extension element movably coupled to the housing, a second extension element movably coupled to the housing, and a dilation indication mechanism to measure a distance between the first and second extension elements. The medical device may also include a first lateral pressure sensor positionable about a side surface of the first finger, a second lateral pressure sensor positionable about a side surface of the second finger, a third pressure sensor positionable about a tip of the first finger, and a fourth pressure sensor positionable about a tip of the second finger.
US07654969B2
A bodily fluid sampling device is operable to breach the skin surface and allow bodily fluid to emerge from the breach location. The bodily fluid sampling device further evaluates the amount of bodily fluid emerged from breach location and determines whether the amount is sufficient or insufficient for a particular purpose, such as sampling and testing. The determination is accomplished automatically without moving the device. The user may also intervene to perform a variety of tasks following the determination of the amount of bodily fluid.
US07654965B2
In a method and system for processing an electrocardiogram (ECG), digital ECG data are received. The digital ECG data evinces a plurality of a patient's heartbeats detected during an ECG. Digital annotation data are generated representing marking to be shown on an ECG tracing of the plurality of heartbeats. An annotated ECG tracing image is produced using the digital ECG data and the digital annotation data.
US07654963B2
An indicator device for visually indicating a pressure of blood inside a blood vessel includes: a body, the body comprising a duct extending in the body and having a sealed proximal end; a distal end portion adapted to be positioned inside the blood vessel and including a liquid inlet opening in fluid communication with the duct; and a window including an at least semi-transparent section configured to enable visual observation of blood entering into the duct via the inlet opening when the inlet opening is located inside the blood vessel.
US07654960B2
A method and a device (1) for ultrasound measurement of the blood flow through a heart valve are proposed. To permit a simple, automated measurement, it is proposed that the measurement area (9) of a measurement beam (7) is moved three-dimensionally by means of a multi-array transducer (11) and continuously evaluated for characteristic Doppler signals. It is further proposed to evaluate several measurement beams (7) with offset spatial, partially overlapping measurement areas (9) and/or several reference beams (8) with offset spatial measurement areas (10) for determination of the opening surface area, the volumetric flow rate, the flow volume and/or a value proportional thereto.
US07654953B2
A vaginal speculum having a handle portion and a set of blade pairs some of which can be removably attached to the distal end of the handle and others can be slidingly inserted through the proximal end of the handle. Both pairs of the blades have snapping engagement with one and the same locking mechanism of the handle. The handle may constitute a permanent part, and the blades may be replaceable.
US07654947B1
An apparatus for adjusting a swing arc and centering of a swinging director chute during separating, folding, stacking and transporting a continuous web that allows stacks of web that are relatively large (four-feet-high or more) to be generated at high speed directly beneath the folding mechanism and to be transferred as complete, discrete stacks to downstream locations and stack utilization devices without interrupting the ongoing, upstream stack-folding and stack-formation process. The apparatus includes a lever arm, interconnected with the swinging director chute, and a connecting rod having a first pivot end and a second pivot end. The first pivot end is adjustable movable along the lever arm. A drive arm connected to the second pivot end includes a lead screw. The lead screw can be operatively connected to an index wheel having a plurality of directed posts and a movable pawl that advances the index wheel.
US07654946B2
A machine for covering packaging boxes (S) with a sheet (F) comprises at least one presser (10) and one folding blade (11) that move horizontally to apply the edges (L) of a glued sheet (F) to corresponding outside walls (P) of a box (S). The presser (10) and/or the blade (11) are adjustable in angular position with respect to one or more axes of rotation.
US07654941B2
An improved exercise apparatus for martial arts is provided and includes a longitudinally extending platform, a support on which the platform rests or is otherwise supported and a plate unit slidably carried along the platform and movable between a first retracted position and a second extended position in response to a force being applied to the plate unit by the leg or arm of an individual during exercise.
US07654940B2
An arm exercise machine for performing isolation arm exercises has a self-aligning pivoting seat or user support on a main frame and an exercise arm for performing biceps curl and/or triceps extension exercises which is linked to the pivoting user support to translate movement of the exercise arm into movement of the user support. The user support is pivotally mounted on the main frame so as to automatically align in order to maintain positioning of the user throughout the exercise motion.
US07654938B2
An exercise machine has a main frame, a user support frame which supports a user in an exercise position, and a multiple pivot assembly pivotally mounting the user support frame for movement between a start position and an end position. The pivot assembly has multiple pivots which define a theoretical pivot axis of the user support pivotal movement and a vertical gravitational center line which extends through the theoretical pivot axis. The user support frame has at least a primary support and a secondary support for supporting spaced positions on a user's body throughout an exercise movement. A user engagement device is movably mounted relative to the frames for engagement by the user in performing exercises, and a multiple part connecting linkage translates movement of the user engagement device to rotational movement of the user support frame. A load resists movement of at least one of the user support, user engagement device, and connecting linkage.
US07654918B2
An all rubber golf ball with one or more thermosetting rubber core layers and one or more thermosetting rubber cover layer. At least one of the ball's layers has moisture vapor barrier property, and in one aspect the moisture vapor barrier layer is an intermediate layer. In one embodiment, the thermosetting rubber layers follow a cis- or a trans-polybutadiene gradient from the center of the ball to its cover.
US07654910B2
Disclosed is a multi-modular maze device comprising a plurality of maze modules interconnected using a plurality of adaptors to configure a plurality of interconnected pathways. The maze modules and the adaptors are removably engaged to each other using hook and loop fastening arrangements. The maze device is capable of being removably installed on a supporting surface (for example, floor), either outdoor or indoor.
US07654903B2
Technology is provided for preventing cheating during online gaming, including a first online gaming server computer system configured to gather information regarding cheaters detected during online gaming; a second online gaming server computer system configured to receive the information; and a central database configured for aggregating the received information regarding cheaters detected during online gaming gathered by the first online gaming server computer system along with information stored on the central database regarding cheaters detected during online gaming gathered from a plurality of online gaming server computer systems. The aggregated information from the central database regarding cheaters detected is made available to the second online gaming server computer system, and cheaters identified in the aggregated information are prevented from online gaming on the second online gaming server computer system based on the aggregated information from the central database.
US07654902B2
A terminal receives service provided by a server while using any one of a group of user-names stored in the server for each user and while using a character associated with the user-name. When a character currently in use is switched to another character according to a user instruction, the terminal compares a user-name associated with the switched character with a user-name currently in use. When the compared user-name is different from the user-name currently in use, the terminal switches the user-name on the terminal side to a user-name associated with the switched character, and transmits information, indicating the user-name associated with the switched character, to the server.
US07654896B2
A gaming system including a central server linked to a plurality of gaming machines. Upon a suitable triggering event at a triggering gaming device in the gaming system a bonus event occurs. When the bonus event occurs, the players actively playing each auxiliary gaming device in the gaming system are each provided a chance to participate in the bonus event as well. Each remaining gaming device's chance of participating in the bonus event is based on the individual accumulated bonus event pool for that gaming device.
