US07679946B2
Disclosed is a memory element array comprising a plurality of memory elements arranged in an array, wherein the memory elements are switching elements each including a gap of nanometer order in which a switching phenomenon of resistance is caused by applying a predetermined voltage between electrodes, and the memory element array is provided with tunnel elements respectively connected to the switching elements in series, each of the tunnel elements preventing generation of a sneak path current flowing to another switching element at a time of applying the predetermined voltage.
US07679944B2
To provide a motor drive adapted to operate stably and suffer essentially no damage, even when a high voltage is applied between grounding terminals of upper and lower arms.The motor drive of this invention includes: an arm with a first electric power semiconductor-switching element and a second electric power semiconductor-switching element, both connected in series between major terminals; and a level-shifting circuit that transmits a control signal of the first semiconductor-switching element connected to the high-voltage side of the arm, from a low-voltage circuit to a high-voltage circuit; the motor drive employing an insulated-gate bipolar transistor as the signal-transmitting high-withstand-voltage element formed in the level-shifting circuit.
US07679942B2
A step-down DC-to-DC converter includes an input terminal, an output terminal, a switching transistor, and a rectifying transistor. The switching circuit is connected between the input terminal and the output terminal and is configured to reduce an input voltage down to a predetermined voltage and to output the predetermined voltage from the output terminal to an external load. The series circuit includes a switching transistor and an inductor. The switching transistor is connected between the input terminal and the inductor, and is configured to perform a switching operation. The inductor is connected between the switching transistor and the output terminal. The rectifying transistor includes a P-type transistor and connected between a connected point between the switching transistor and a common ground. The rectifying transistor has a gate connected to the connected point.
US07679937B2
The present invention provides methods and systems for a flyback converter arranged with synchronous rectifier MOSFETS in such a manner that they operate with a common source potential while still providing for the use of a stacked output winding. With a common source potential, a single rectifier control voltage can be used to operate the rectifiers for multiple outputs greatly simplifying the control circuit. Advantageously, the present invention maintains the inherent simplicity of the flyback design while enabling designs with well-regulated multiple voltage outputs and the efficiency benefits of synchronous rectification.
US07679936B2
A comparing circuit and a control loop are used to maintain the peak level of current flowing through an inductor of a flyback converter. An inductor switch control signal controls a switch through which the inductor current flows. The inductor current increases at a ramp-up rate during a ramp time and stops increasing at the end of the ramp time. The comparing circuit generates a timing signal that indicates a target time at which the inductor current would reach a predetermined current limit if the inductor current continued to increase at the ramp-up rate. The control loop then receives the timing signal and compares the target time to the end of the ramp time. The pulse width of the inductor switch control signal is increased when the target time occurs after the end of the ramp time. Adjusting the frequency and pulse width controls the peak of the inductor current.
US07679930B2
A multilayered printed circuit board includes a first surface layer that includes a semiconductor integrated circuit, a second surface layer that includes a bypass capacitor and that is opposite to the first surface layer, a main power supply wiring layer, and a ground layer between the first and second surface layers. In the multilayered printed circuit board, one terminal of the bypass capacitor is connected to a midpoint of a wiring path from the main power supply wiring layer to a power supply terminal of the semiconductor integrated circuit, and an impedance of a first wiring path from the main power supply wiring layer to the terminal of the bypass capacitor is higher than an impedance of a second wiring path from the terminal of the bypass capacitor to the power supply terminal of the semiconductor integrated circuit.
US07679929B2
A wiring board module includes a multilayer wiring board. A crystal oscillator and an IC component, for example, are mounted on the mounting surface of the multilayer wiring board. Mounting lands for the IC component, mounting lands for the crystal oscillator, and mounting lands for other surface mount components are provided on the mounting surface. Each mounting land for the crystal oscillator is not a conventional single large-area land but is defined by four adjacent land pieces. The four land pieces are electrically connected via an external terminal of the crystal oscillator, thereby functioning as a mounting land for the external terminal. In other words, each of the plurality of mounting lands provided at locations corresponding to external terminals of the crystal oscillator is divided into four land pieces.
US07679927B2
An electronic device assembly includes an electronic device, a transfer card configured for connecting the electronic device to another electronic device, and a fixing board for mounting the transfer card to the electronic device. The electronic device includes a front wall defining a port. The transfer card is coupled to the electronic device. The transfer card comprises a printed circuit board perpendicular to the front wall, a first connector arranged on the elongated printed circuit board and protruding beyond a first longitudinal edge of the printed circuit board for engagement in the port in the front wall of the electronic device, and a second connector arranged on the printed circuit board and protruding beyond an opposite second longitudinal edge of the printed circuit board.
US07679926B2
A circuit structure is provided. The circuit structure includes a capacitor including a top capacitor electrode; a bottom capacitor electrode parallel to the top capacitor electrode; and an insulating layer between the top and the bottom capacitor electrodes. The insulating layer includes a dielectric rod enclosed by a dielectric material. The dielectric rod has a higher dielectric constant than that of the dielectric material. The circuit structure may be a printed circuit board or packaging substrate, wherein the capacitor is formed between the two layers of the capacitor. Additional dielectric rods may be formed in the insulating layer of the capacitor and spaced apart from the dielectric rods.
US07679919B2
A heat sink and an electronic apparatus using the same are disclosed. The heat sink comprises a fin structure and a fastening assembly; the fastening assembly comprises an adjustable positioning member, an elastic member, and a hooking member, the elastic member being disposed between the hooking member and the fin structure such that the adjustable positioning member combines the hooking member, the elastic member, and the fin structure; wherein the hooking member may secure the heat sink onto an electronic component, and the adjustable positioning member may be used to adjust the tightness between the heat sink and the electronic component.
US07679917B2
An electronic assembly including a first heat producing device mounted on a first outer surface of a first portion of a circuit board. The first portion can deflect upwardly and downwardly relative to other portions of the circuit board. A first force element urges the first heat producing device against a heat sink. The force exerted by the first force element is variable with respect to time.
US07679913B2
A memory module assembly includes a plurality of memory modules and a heat sink assembly. Each of the memory modules includes at least one heat source. The heat sink assembly includes a heat dissipating plate and a plurality of heat transfer mediums. Each of the heat transfer mediums includes a base attached to the heat dissipating plate, and at least one resilient sheet extending from an end of the base. The base and the resilient sheet define an included angle which is non-right angle so that the resilient sheet can snugly clip to the respective heat source.
US07679909B2
The present disclosure describes swivel hinge assemblies for use in rotatably mounting two structures together, such that the structures are in fluid communication by way of fluid flow, as well as systems including such hinge assemblies. The swivel hinge assemblies generally comprise a fluid inlet port, a fluid outlet port, shafts surrounding the inlet and outlet ports and allowing for rotation about one or more axes, and attachment means which may be integrally formed with the shafts of the hinge assembly. In use, these assemblies eliminate the use for secondary hinges or secondary mounting hardware in attaching a door and a structure together in order to maintain fluid communication between an electronics rack and a heat exchanger mounted on the door of an electronics rack.
US07679903B2
A display device includes: a frame that holds a display panel having a thin member and a light source that irradiates the display panel with light; and a cover that covers the frame. The display device further includes: a heat sink situated in the central portion in the width direction of the display panel in the frame and extending in and out of the frame; and a heat dissipation component provided in the cover and being in contact with the heat sink at a position outside the frame.
US07679901B2
An electronic device is disclosed including a base having a first side on which a first opening is formed, a shaft disposed in the base, and an I/O port device having a plurality of I/O ports and a circuit board on which the I/O ports are disposed. The I/O port device is disposed in the base and rotates about the shaft, and the I/O ports are sequentially revealed by rotation of the I/O port device.
US07679896B2
A fixing apparatus for holding a data storage device is provided. The fixing apparatus includes a drive bracket, and an insertion rack. The drive bracket includes two opposite side panels. Each of the side panels forms at least one guiding portion and defines a slot therein. The insertion rack is configured for inserting the data storage device into the drive bracket. The insertion rack forms two hooks. The insertion rack is capable of sliding into the drive bracket along the guiding portions. The hooks ride along an exterior of the drive bracket until they are inserted into the corresponding slots of the drive bracket.
US07679894B2
A mounting apparatus includes a bezel, a first fixing bracket mounted to the bezel for fixing a side of an LCD panel, a second fixing bracket mounted to the bezel, a pair of sliding members slidable with respect to the second fixing bracket for fixing an opposite side of the LCD panel, and a cover mounted to the bezel for enclosing the LCD panel.
US07679893B2
An improved housing for a computing device is disclosed. The improved housing can have one or more of the following aspects. A first aspect of the invention pertains to a computer housing having a logo or other symbol that can be illuminated using light from the backside of a display panel. A second aspect of the invention pertains to a suspended frame that is able to support a display panel within a display housing. A third aspect of the invention pertains to a computing device provided with an internal antenna. A fourth aspect of the invention pertains to a stiffener for a computer housing so as to increase the rigidity and strength of the computer housing. A fifth aspect of the invention pertains to a housing having a logo, symbol or other device that can be illuminated using light from the backside of a display panel. A sixth aspect of the invention pertains to a lid for a computing device, such as a portable computer, that is provided with a translucent housing.
US07679890B2
The present invention discloses a portable computer, comprising a main unit, a display unit, a connecting device that connects the display unit o the main unit mechanically, and a cable that connects the display unit to the main unit electrically; wherein, said connecting device is an extensible device, and at least a part of said cable is concealed in said extensible device. With said extensible device, the display. Unit can be controlled at different heights relative to the main unit as required, so as to facilitate: operation of the user. In addition, by concealing the cable in the extensible device partial y or entirely, the structure of the portable computer is simplified, and the portable computer is easier to be carried and operated; in addition, the safety is improved.
US07679886B2
An engine control device, especially an engine control device having an internal by-pass, is disclosed. The universally applicable engine control device includes an integrated by-pass function. For this purpose, a housing includes chambers that are electrically insulated from one another and that are configured both to receive a respective power subunit, and, alternatively, to receive a continuous current-bearing element.
US07679881B2
There is described an electrical system including a device which features a load current circuit and connection terminals for connection of the load current circuit. In the supply line to the connection terminals, separation contacts are present for separating the load current circuit during operation of the device. Means for explosion protection are provided in connection with the separation contacts.
US07679878B2
A capacitor sharing surge protection circuit for protecting multiple ports from harmful energy surges, such as electrostatic discharge (ESD) and cable discharge events (CDE), is provided. The protection circuit includes a plurality of diodes with respective cathodes and anodes. Each anode of the plurality of diodes is coupled to one of the plurality of ports. A bypass capacitor is coupled between the cathodes of the plurality of diodes and ground. In an embodiment, a bulk capacitor is further coupled between the cathodes of the plurality of diodes and ground.
US07679877B2
A method and a device for operating a transmission line are provided. The device includes a line driver circuit and a protective circuit. The line driver circuit converts an input signal of the device into a current or a voltage for the transmission line while the protective circuit prevents an overvoltage and/or an overcurrent on the transmission line. The line driver circuit and the protective circuit are integrated in a common package.
US07679866B2
A magnetoresistive sensor having a pinned layer that includes a first magnetic layer (AP1) a second magnetic layer (AP2) and an antiparallel coupling layer sandwiched between the AP1 and AP2 layers. The AP1 layer is adjacent to a layer of antiferromagnetic material (AFM layer) and is constructed so as to have a long spin diffusion length. The long spin diffusion length of the AP1 layer minimizes the negative GMR contribution of the AP1 layer, thereby increasing the overall GMR effect of the sensor.
US07679865B2
A spring member for an acceleration sensor for detecting acceleration in a direction of a Z-axis that is perpendicular to an X-Y plane includes a movable section having a plane plate shape, for fixing a magnetic field generation member with weight of the acceleration sensor, and a single support arm section having a strip shape parallel to a plane of the movable section when no acceleration is applied. One end of the single support arm section is integrally connected to one end of the movable section and the other end of the single support arm section is fixed. Only the single support arm section in a cantilever configuration supports the movable section.
US07679863B2
Embodiments of the invention provide a slider structure able to lower a flying height compensation ratio caused by a projecting deformation of an air bearing surface of a slider by a flying height control mechanism and afford a change in flying height with a low control power. In one embodiment, a slider is provided with a leading edge, an air bearing surface, and a trailing edge. The air bearing surface includes a front pad, the front pad being made up of a front step bearing surface, leading rail surfaces, and side step bearing surfaces. The air bearing surface also includes a negative pressure groove surface surrounded by the front pad. The air bearing surface further includes a rear pad, the rear pad being made up of a rear step bearing surface formed at the same depth as the depth of the front step bearing surface and positioned on the trailing edge side, a trailing rail surface, an intermediate groove deeper than the trailing rail surface, and a trailing pad surface lying at the same height as the trailing rail surface. The front and both sides of the trailing pad surface are surrounded by the trailing rail surface.
US07679862B2
Embodiments of the invention secure a sufficiently large magnetic field, and deter a protrusion phenomenon of a perpendicular magnetic recording head, causing a problem in implementing a low flying height, while solving problems such as erasure of information in peripheral tracks. In one embodiment, a main pole or a stacked body made up of the main pole, and an auxiliary pole is deposited over an underlayer formed on a substrate so as to be in contact with the underlayer. On top of the main pole or the stacked body, there is deposited a coil, a return pole, and a read element in that order, thereby fabricating a perpendicular magnetic recording head. Further, an additional structure may be added such that an underlayer containing a metal is disposed between the substrate, and the main pole or the stacked body made up of the main pole, and the auxiliary pole, and a heat diffusion layer is disposed between portions of the coil and the substrate, or portions of the coil is disposed closer to the substrate than other portions of the coil.
US07679853B2
In one embodiment, irregular electronic disturbance signals in a partial-response read channel are detected by a disturbance detector using state metrics generated by maximum-likelihood sequence detector. For example, a thermal asperity (TA) detector detects the occurrence of TAs in the read channel of perpendicularly recorded magnetic media by using the state metrics generated by a Viterbi detector. Changes in state metrics (e.g., magnitudes of the branch metrics of the trellis diagram) used by the Viterbi detector are tracked. If the magnitude of the rise of the path metric increases above a set threshold, then a TA is detected. Alternatively, or additionally, the rate of change of the magnitude of the path metrics is tracked. If the rate of change within a set time window is above a specified threshold, then a TA is detected.
US07679851B1
Methods and structure for switching heads on a multiple recording surface disk drive that uses bi-directional radial writing toward a zipper zone at a middle diameter. When switching from a first head to a second head, features and aspects hereof assure that the second head will not be positioned in the zipper zone of the corresponding second surface and hence will not lose track following servo synchronization and control. In one aspect, added buffer or guard tracks having valid servo information but no data are added on either side of the zipper zone to assure that under the worst-case misalignment of surfaces the second head will not be positioned in its corresponding zipper zone when switching from the first head.
US07679848B2
An actuator is provided and has an electro-mechanical conversion element; a driving frictional member attached at one end of the electro-mechanical conversion element with respect to a direction of expansion and contraction thereof; a plurality of driven members frictionally engaged with the driving frictional member; a plurality of biasing units, each biasing one of the plurality of driven members to be frictionally engaged with the driving frictional member; and a biasing-force adjusting unit that adjusts respective biasing-forces of the plurality of biasing units.
US07679843B2
The invention relates to an adjustment method, especially for adjusting optical or fiber optical components. According to an embodiment of the invention, a first adjustment process is carried out in which, after a cooling process, the regions of the actuator in which the tensile stresses or compressive strains are frozen following the cooling process are brought to a critical temperature in relation to the operational temperature range of the actuator, at least until the flow processes of the material at said critical temperature are largely completed. A second adjustment process is then carried out.
US07679839B2
The present invention provides optical systems, devices and methods which utilize one or more electroactive polymer actuators to adjust an optical parameter of the optical device or system.
US07679837B2
A zoom optical system at least includes in the order from an object side: a first lens group having a positive optical power; a second lens group having a negative optical power; and a third lens group having a positive optical power. In zooming from a wide angle end to a telephoto end, a distance between the first lens group and the second lens group is increased, and a distance between the second lens group and the third lens group is decreased. The first lens group includes at least one negative lens element, and the second lens group includes a negative lens element closest to the object side, with a lens surface of the negative lens element being concave toward an image side. The zoom optical system satisfies the following conditional expressions (1) and (2): vd2<30 (1) 50>vd1n>30 (2) where vd2 represents the Abbe number of the negative lens element closest to the object side in the second lens group, and vd1n represents an Abbe number of a negative lens element, or an average Abbe number of negative lens elements in the first lens group.
US07679833B2
The electrowetting optical element comprises a first electrically conducting fluid and a second electrically insulating fluid. According to the invention the second fluid comprises a compound including an aliphatic ring-structure. The optical element may be a lens or a zoomlens or be part of a zoomlens system.
US07679832B1
An exemplary projection lens system includes, in the order from the magnification side to the reduction side thereof, a first lens with a negative refractive power, a second lens with a positive refractive power, a lens group with a negative refractive power, and a third lens with a positive refractive power. The projection lens system satisfies the formula 0.3<|f1/f(2-4)|<1.0, where f1 is a focal length of the first lens, f(2-4) is an effective focal length of the second lens, the lens group and the third lens.
US07679830B2
An optical imaging system includes optics for imaging a wavefront of electromagnetic radiation to form an image at a detector. The system also includes a plurality of optical phase filters. Each of the phase filters alters phase of the wavefront. The phase filters cooperate to make the system less sensitive to misfocus, as compared to the optical imaging system without the phase filters. Another optical imaging system includes a detector and optics having two or more optical elements for imaging a wavefront onto the detector. The optical elements include aspherical surfaces that cooperate to alter phase of the wavefront such that the optics are less sensitive to defocus as compared to the optics without the aspherical surfaces. The system also includes a post processor for reversing phase alteration induced by the aspherical surfaces to produce an in-focus electronic image.
US07679816B2
A picture display device includes display elements reflecting specific wavelengths of visible light; and shape deformation portions for inducing elastic deformation of the display elements. The individual display elements have colloidal particles arrayed at regular spacing, and an elastically deformable filler material intervening between the colloidal particles. The shape deformation portion includes a shape retention component formed of a material capable of reversible plastic deformation by external force.
US07679814B2
The image stability of electrophoretic media, comprising a plurality of particles disposed in a fluid and capable of moving through the fluid upon application of an electric field to the medium, can be improved by including in the fluid either a polystyrene or an aggregating diblock copolymer which forms micelle-like structures in the fluid, the diblock copolymer having a first block soluble in the fluid and a second block not swellable by the fluid. In variable transmission electrophoretic media, haze can be reduced by using as the fluid a mixture of a partially hydrogenated aromatic hydrocarbon and a terpene.
US07679808B2
Portable electronic devices with displays having switchable mirrors are described. The switchable mirror covers the display and is capable of switching from a transparent state to a reflecting state responsive to a switch in the portable electronic device. In one embodiment of the present invention, the display is switched off when the switchable mirror switches to its reflecting state. In another embodiment of the present invention, the switchable mirror is switched to its reflecting state when the portable electronic device is switched off.
US07679803B2
A two-element f-θ lens used for a micro-electro mechanical system (MEMS) laser scanning unit includes a first lens and a second lens, the first lens is a positive power meniscus lens of which concave surface is disposed on a side of a MEMS mirror, the second lens is a negative power meniscus lens of which convex surface is disposed on the side of the MEMS mirror, at least one optical surface is an Aspherical surface in both main scanning direction and sub scanning direction, and satisfies special optical conditions. The two-element f-θ lens corrects the nonlinear relationship between scanned angle and time into the linear relationship between the image spot distances and time. Meanwhile, the two-element f-θ lens focuses the scan light to the target in the main scanning and sun scanning directions, such that the purpose of the scanning linearity effect and the high resolution scanning can be achieved.
US07679790B2
An image processing apparatus includes a decompression unit (302) that is configurable by dynamic reconfigurable logic into either a first decompression circuit (302a) or a second decompression circuit (302b) that has a slower decompression speed and a lower power consumption than the first decompression circuit (302a), a buffer unit (304) that temporarily stores image data decompressed by the decompression unit (302) to be supplied to an engine unit, and a detection unit (305) that detects a data amount accumulated in the buffer unit (304). In accordance with the data amount detected by the detection unit (305), the decompression unit (302) carries out reconfiguration into the first or second decompression circuit (302a/302b).
US07679788B2
A tape printer for providing an image on a tape medium, the tape printer permitting inputting an image; providing the image on said tape medium; obtaining input image information; and using the input image information to provide an audible output in dependence on the input image.
US07679785B2
Image measurement values of a measurement object, in particular a printed sheet, measured by means of a photoelectric image measuring unit operating on the basis of pixels are corrected with respect to at least one influencing variable which influences the measurement result with a view to at least partially eliminating the effect of this influencing variable on the measuring process. The image measurement values measured by the image measuring unit are converted by correction parameters of a parameter-based correction model into corrected image measurement values which no longer contain the influencing variable affecting the measuring process. The correction parameters used for the parameter-based correction model are automatically calculated using reference measurement values measured at reference measurements points on preferably the same measurement object by means of a reference measuring unit and the image measuring unit. In particular, image measurement values measured without polarization filters are converted into polarization filter image measurement values by means of this method. Influences induced by print medium, fluorescence effects and the influences of non-standard measuring geometries are also corrected.
US07679776B2
When a preview of a composed job is performed by composing data outputted from an application for printing, in order to provide a method for enabling the preview to be performed in consideration of a layout of each print job, one composed job is formed by composing the print jobs obtained by converting the data to be printed into the data in an intermediate code format and this method is realized by controlling so as to display the preview of the composed job on the basis of layout information of each print job in the composed job.
US07679771B2
A printer (100) for printing based on a print job signal sent from a data processing device (200) registers print job signal sending sources and a message corresponding to each sending source in memory (111, 112). A controller (113) detects whether the sending source of a received print job signal is registered in memory. If the sending source is registered, a messaging unit (110, 111) outputs a corresponding message. Sending sources that are permitted to print can also be registered in memory (111, 112). In this case, the controller (113) detects whether the sending source of a received print job signal is registered in memory, and instructs the printer (110) to print only when the sending source is registered as permitted to print.
US07679770B2
Embodiments of the present invention comprise methods and systems which enable a user to detect the status of printing devices without the use of additional hardware or application program modification for this purpose. These systems and methods are typically used in conjunction with a computer network comprising at least one computing device and a plurality of printing devices. When a print task is sent for printing it will activate a print processor for interpreting the print task. In addition to a print processor's interpretation function, the print processors of the present invention may detect the status of printing devices. Some embodiments may use this information to redirect or otherwise modify a print task for improved printing performance.
US07679766B2
When a printing apparatus serving as a print data destination does not have the iPrint function (S302), print data is transmitted to a printing apparatus having the iPrint function (S311).
US07679752B2
Methods are provided for detecting compression wood, blue stain, or pitch in lumber. A light beam is projected towards the wood sample. Line or area cameras acquire images of light that is reflected from the wood sample. Based on the intensity of the reflected light at one or more locations on the wood sample, compression wood, blue stain, or pitch may be detected.
US07679751B1
A method and apparatus are provided for imaging three-dimensional scenes and objects by detecting reflections from emitted sequences of electromagnetic radiation. At least one transmitter is provided for emitting a sequence of electromagnetic radiation, and at least three sensors are provided for detecting radiation reflected from the scene and objects being imaged. Signals based on the detected radiation are used, together with spatial information of the transmitters and sensors, to calculate reflectivity coefficients for points of interest in the scene. Velocity vectors associated with moving objects within the scene can also be determined based on the rate of change of the phase differences between the emitted and reflected radiations.
US07679750B2
A cavity ring-down apparatus and method is provided for measuring the reflectivity of highly reflective mirrors. The apparatus comprises an optical ring-down cavity including three highly-reflective mirrors whose frequency-selective optical transmission is retro-reflected into the oscillator cavity of a continuous-wave semiconductor laser, creating a change of output spectrum of said laser and enhancing the coupling coefficient of the laser power into the optical ring-down cavity. The drive current/voltage of the semiconductor laser is modulated by a square-wave function output by a function generation card. Thus the laser beam is suddenly switched off at the negative step of the square-wave signal periodically. Immediately after switching off the laser beam, an exponential decay signal of the ring-down cavity is measured by a photo detector and used to determine the decay time of the cavity and the reflectivity of highly reflective mirrors.
US07679747B2
A gloss measurement apparatus which emits light from a light source and finds an evaluation value, which represents a glossiness of an object to be measured, on the basis of specular reflected light which is reflected by the object to be measured. The gloss measurement apparatus is provided with an acquisition component, a pixel gloss value calculation component and an evaluation value calculation component. The acquisition component acquires image information in accordance with received light amounts, at predetermined respective pixels, of specular reflected light from a surface of the object to be measured. The pixel gloss value calculation component calculates gloss values of the respective pixels on the basis of the received light amounts at the respective pixels of the image information acquired by the acquisition component. The evaluation value calculation component calculates the evaluation value representing the glossiness of the object to be measured on the basis of the gloss values calculated by the pixel gloss value calculation component.
US07679741B2
A method and a microscope, in particular a laser scanning fluorescence microscope, for high spatial resolution examination of samples, the sample (1) to be examined comprising a substance that can be repeatedly converted from a first state (Z1, A) into a second state (Z2, A), the first and the second states (Z1, A; Z2, B) differing from one another in at least one optical property, comprising the steps that the substance in a sample region (P) to be recorded is firstly brought into the first state (Z1, A), and that the second state (Z2, B) is induced by means of an optical signal (4), spatially delimited subregions being specifically excluded within the sample region (P) to be recorded, are defined in that the optical signal (4) is provided in the form of a focal line (10) with a cross-sectional profile having at least one intensity zero point (5) with laterally neighboring intensity maxima (9).
US07679738B2
A molding die has through holes composed of feed holes and slit grooves for producing honeycomb structure bodies. The slit groove is formed in at least a part of each through hole. In a method of inspecting the molding die, a light is irradiated into the feed holes side to pass through the through holes. A camera is disposed at the slit groove formation side of the molding die to photograph the amount of light output from the slit groove side. A difference in intensity of the amount of light output from the slit grooves is calculated in order to detect at least the presence of a defective slit groove having an abnormal part. In another method of repairing the defective slit groove, a modifier made of abrasive grains and clay mother material is forcedly provided into the defective slit groove in order to repair or remove the abnormal part.
US07679737B2
A method of inspecting defects on an object includes irradiating predetermined particles with a laser beam to measure first scattered light intensities, irradiating plural types of defects with the laser beam to measure second scattered light intensities, determining types of some defects selected out of the plural types of defects using the first scattered light intensities, setting a discrimination line indicating a boundary value of the second scattered light intensities based on the determination, and discriminating, using the discrimination line, defects on the object.
US07679734B2
In a fiber optic block 10 formed by bundling and integrating a plurality of optical fibers 11 each composed of a core region 12 and a clad region 13, an at least partially curved input end face 14 composed of one end of each optical fiber and a measurement surface having a curved surface shape of a to-be-measured object are pressed against each other. Then, an optical image formed by bringing the input end face into contact with the measurement surface and output from an output end face 15 of the fiber optic block is used to inspect the curved surface shape of the to-be-measured object. This allows a curved surface shape inspection method capable of inspecting the shape of a curved surface easily, a fiber optic block, and a curved surface shape inspection apparatus to be achieved.
US07679733B2
An optical tracking device, includes an azimuth sub-assembly providing a 360-degree range of motion and a transducer sensing the azimuth position within this range of motion; and an elevation sub-assembly coupled to the azimuth sub-assembly and providing at least a −30-degree to +100-degree range of motion and a transducer sensing the elevation position. A cross-elevation sub-assembly is coupled to the elevation sub-assembly and provides at least a ±14-degree optical range of motion and a transducer sensing the cross-elevation position. An elevation gyroscope is affixed to the elevation sub-assembly and generates an elevation rate signal; and a cross-elevation gyroscope is affixed to the elevation sub-assembly and generates a cross-elevation rate signal. A controller receives the azimuth, elevation, and cross-elevation position signals, and the elevation and cross-elevation rate signals and sends command signals to the sub-assemblies to initiate movement to allow inertially stabilized tracking of an object.
US07679716B2
An exposure apparatus having an element to be cooled and which exposes a substrate to patterned radiation by using the element. A reservoir houses a liquid coolant therein. A first pump disposed between the reservoir and the element supplies the coolant from the reservoir to the element. A heater disposed between the first pump and the element heats the coolant supplied from the first pump. A jacket receives the coolant from the heater and cools the element. A second pump disposed between the jacket and the reservoir supplies the coolant from the jacket to the reservoir. A cooler disposed between the second pump and the reservoir cools the coolant supplied from the second pump, and a valve is disposed between the second pump and the cooler for controlling the supply of the coolant.
US07679709B2
A liquid crystal display panel includes a color filter, a thin film transistor substrate in opposition to the color filter, a liquid crystal layer provided between the color filter and the thin film transistor substrate and a sealant provided corresponding to the mark regions and surrounding the liquid crystal layer. The mark regions are provided on periphery of the thin film transistor substrate and each includes a plurality of alignment marks as references for applying the frame sealant and therefore controlling the applying amount and rate of the frame sealant so that the applied frame sealant has line width of desired specification and that the distance between the substrates is desirably determined. A related method for manufacturing a liquid crystal display panel is also provided.
US07679704B2
An IPS (in-plane switching mode) liquid crystal display device and fabricating method thereof, in which post treatment lowering the pre-tilt angle is performed on a rubbed alignment layer on a substrate using a non-rubbing method such as UV or ion-beam irradiation, and by which a viewing angle characteristic is enhanced. The present invention includes a first substrate, a second substrate, a gate line and a data line crossing with each other on the first substrate to define a pixel area, a thin film transistor at a crossing of the gate and data lines, a pixel electrode and a common electrode alternately arranged in the pixel area a predetermined interval from each other, an alignment layer over the pixel and common electrodes having a pre-tilt angle equal to or smaller than about 1°, and a liquid crystal layer between the first and second substrates.
US07679697B2
An exemplary backlight module (11) includes a light guide plate (12), a reflector (18), and a light emitting diode unit (142). The light guide plate has a light incident surface (122). The reflector is positioned adjacent to the light incident surface, and has a reflection pattern (184) thereat. The light emitting diode unit is interposed between the light incident surface and the reflector.
US07679695B2
An exemplary backlight module (3) includes a light guide plate (32) and a frame (34) accommodating the light guide plate. The light guide plate includes a main body including two side surfaces (321), and two sliding strips (325). The sliding strips extend outward from the side surfaces of the main body. Each sliding strip includes a flexible detent (326). The frame includes two opposite first walls (341). The first walls defines two sliding guides (3411) slidably receiving the light guide plate whereby the light guide plate is slidable into the frame and detachably fixed in the frame by snapping engagement of the flexible detents with the frame.
US07679689B2
A video camera picks up an image of an operator. The picked-up image is subjected to a mirror image conversion. An image for operation, including operation buttons and the operator's image that is subjected to the mirror image conversion are mixed and displayed on a screen of a television receiver. The operator selects a desired operation button by using a universal remote controller with light emitting portions, and executes the operation on the screen. A detecting portion in the television receiver detects which operation button is operated, and executes a control operation corresponding to the operated operation button.
US07679687B2
In a digital terrestrial TV broadcast signal receiving system comprised of a multi-directional antenna and a TV broadcast signal receiver which are connected by a cable, even when a level of a TV broadcast signal is lower and S/N is lower, signal receiving condition is made stable with no relation to locations of the multi-directional antenna and the TV broadcast signal receiver, a length of the cable, and so on. The multi-directional antenna has a variable amplifier which can be controlled a gain from the TV broadcast signal receiver and amplifies a received TV broadcast signal. The TV broadcast signal receiver detects a level of a TV broadcast signal outputted from the multi-directional antenna, and controls the gain of the variable amplifier corresponding to the detected level of the TV broadcast signal.
US07679676B2
A spatial filter unit (200) for converting a first input signal (U) comprising input samples, into an output signal comprising output samples, is disclosed. The spatial filter unit (200) comprises: a coefficient-determining means (106) for determining a first filter coefficient; and an adaptive filtering means (104) for computing a first one of the output samples on basis of a first one of the input samples and the first filter coefficient. The coefficient-determining means (106) are arranged to determine the first filter coefficient on basis of a second input signal (Y) being correlated to the first input signal (U).
US07679673B2
A socket in which a light-emitting diode can be attached and detached as needed close to the structure for holding a camera module. Socket comprises a spring contact part for contacting the leads or electrodes of the light-emitting diode, and an anchor for anchoring such that the direction of a dome section has a predetermined relationship with the camera module.
US07679668B2
A first silicon oxide film is formed on the surface of the semiconductor substrate in an area of a vertical transfer channel and a read gate contiguous with each other, and a silicon nitride film is formed on the first silicon oxide film. The silicon nitride film is isotropically etched by using a resist pattern formed on the silicon nitride film as a mask. A second silicon oxide film is formed on the surface of the etched silicon nitride film to form an insulating film containing silicon oxide films and a silicon nitride film. A photoelectric conversion element contiguous with the read gate on the opposite side of the vertical transfer channel is formed. The isotropical etching makes the silicon nitride film cover the vertical transfer channel, extend over the read gate, and have a tapered sidewall. A high quality solid state image pickup device can be manufactured.
US07679666B2
In a solid-state image-sensing device, after completion of image sensing by individual pixels, in each pixel, a signal φVRB fed to a capacitor C1 connected to the gate of a first MOS transistor T1 is turned to a high level to make it easy for a negative electric charge to flow into the MOS transistor T1. This permits quick recombination of the positive electric charges accumulated at the drain and gate of the MOS transistor T1, at the gate of a MOS transistor T2, at the anode of a photodiode, and in a capacitor C2, and thereby makes quick resetting possible.
US07679665B2
Pixels are two-dimensionally arranged into rows and columns in an image sensing region of a solid-state image sensing device, and divided into a plurality of vertical blocks. A vertical signal line is connected to each pixel column. A voltage read out from a pixel is A/D-converted and held in a holding circuit. A vertical block selection circuit outputs a vertical block selection signal in response to a horizontal sync pulse. An intra-block line selection circuit selects one pixel row in one block or simultaneously selects a plurality of pixel rows in one block, in accordance with the selection signal and a signal for setting the number of lines to be selected. A pulse selector circuit supplies a pixel driving pulse signal to a pixel row selected by the intra-block line selection circuit.
US07679655B2
An image-data processing apparatus corrects flicker in each image-data frame. The apparatus includes a threshold generator that generates a threshold; an integrator that integrates values of extracted pixel data of a selected range in each frame on the basis of the threshold; a storage unit that stores integrated values of frames; an average calculator that calculates an average value of the image data on the basis of the integrated values; a gain calculator that divides the average value by an integrated value associated with a target frame, thereby calculating a reference correction gain; a comparator that checks whether pixel data in the target frame are in the selected range; a correction-gain output unit that outputs a correction gain on the basis of the comparison; and a corrector that corrects each piece of the pixel data in the selected range on the basis of the correction gain.
US07679652B2
An image processing system includes: an image capturing apparatus for obtaining an image of a subject, having a setting unit, which sets an obtaining condition for the image according to user's operation, and an outputting unit, which outputs the obtaining condition in association with the image; and an image processing apparatus for performing an image processing for the image, having a receiving unit, which receives the image and the obtaining condition, an image processing unit, which performs an image processing for the image, and a controlling unit, which controls the image processing unit based on the obtaining conditions.
US07679646B2
Image pickup systems capable of preventing blurred images are provided, in which a first sensor detects a variation in inclination of an image pickup device to generate a first sensing data, a second sensor detects a position movement from an image sensor in the image pickup device to generate a second sensing data and a driving unit is coupled to the image sensor. A processing module receives the first and second sensing data, integrates the first sensing data, calculates the integrated first sensing data and the second sensing data to obtain control information, and enables the driving unit to adjust the position of the image sensor according to the control information.
US07679644B2
The present invention provides a digital camera comprising a planar image display device, a camera body coupled to an end of the image display device, and a printer device coupled to another end of the image display device. In the digital camera, the camera body and/or the printer device can store the image display device, and the camera body and the printer device can be coupled to each other through a coupling device when the image display device is stored.
US07679642B2
A system and method for camera navigation that provides a player with an unobstructed, non-disorienting view of a target is provided. The system includes a memory for storing a camera navigation/control model, a central processing unit for executing the camera navigation/control model to provide unobstructed and non-disorienting target character views, and a graphics processing unit configured to render the unobstructed views of the target in an image for display. In addition, the camera navigation/control model includes an object detection model, line-of-sight restoration models to restore a line-of-sight view of an obstructed target, and a camera navigation path model. In the method, a collision probe is sent on a straight line path between a camera and a target whereby line-of-sight obstructions are detected if the probe intersects with polygonal sides of an object. A line-of-sight restoration method is used to move the camera to provide an unobstructed view of the target.
US07679638B2
An association of videoconferencing services is disclosed that enables two or more videoconferences to be generated with each videoconference running independently from the others and having its own conferees. The association is achieved by having at least one conferee (a traveler) that can “move” or “travel” from one videoconference to another in the association. The one or more travelers belong to the association and not to any particular videoconference. In exemplary embodiments, the traveler can choose between the various associated videoconferences by making a selection to a multipoint control unit (MCU) that controls the associated videoconferences.
US07679631B2
A toner supply arrangement for use in an integrated printing system which includes at least one toner container wherein the at least one toner container adapted for supplying toner to at least two image marking engines. The arrangement further includes a distribution mechanism adapted to transport the toner from the at least one toner container to the at least two image marking engines.
US07679617B2
The present starburst target expansion technique connects targets to peripheral screen space to produce reasonably sized tiles for all targets including those that are located inside of a cluster. The resulting layout is characterized by lines escaping from the cluster center. By providing targets located inside a cluster with access to empty screen space, the present starburst target expansion technique is able to assign screen space to targets that remain small if expanded using the traditional Voronoi approach. If used on a device with limited input accuracy, such as a pen-based tablet or a touch screen-based kiosk system, target expansion via the starburst target expansion technique can lead to substantial performance improvements.
US07679601B2
An input means adapted for an interactive device is disclosed, which comprises: an inertial sensing module, for detecting a gesture movement of a user and thus generating a gesture signal accordingly; a multifunctional keypad, having at least a key to be selected and pressed for generating a selecting signal accordingly; a control unit, for fetching the selecting signal and the gesture signal and thus generating a control signal corresponding thereto; a signal processing unit, for receiving and processing the control signal so as to generate an interactive signal and then sending the interactive signal to the control unit; and a wireless transmission module, being used to transmit the interactive signal of the control unit to the interactive device.
US07679599B2
The electrophoretic device of the present invention obtains a plurality of different optical characteristics by changing a proportion of number of pixel electrodes supplied with a first voltage and a number of pixel electrodes supplied with a second voltage. The transition of the optical characteristics accompanied by the changes of the proportion is previously obtained as an actual measurement value. The preferable proportion displaying the desired optical characteristic is calculated based on the actual measurement value.
US07679597B2
A scan driving circuit includes a plurality of stages. Each stage receives three of four clocks that may be sequentially generated, receives and delays an input signal through an input terminal, and outputs an output signal through an output terminal. The input terminal of each stage is connected to the output terminal of a previous one of the stages. Each stage includes a transistor, a switch section, and a storage section. The transistor turns off/on a connection of the input terminal according to a second clock. The switch section transfers a first voltage to the output terminal according to a first clock and prevents the first voltage from being transferred to the output terminal according to the input signal. The storage section maintains a voltage of the output terminal for a predetermined time and transfers a voltage of a third clock to the output terminal according to the input signal.
US07679596B2
A display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes: a plurality of pixels including switching elements; a plurality of pairs of first and second gate lines connected to the switching elements and separated from each other, transmitting a gate-on voltage for turning on the switching elements; and a plurality of data lines connected to the switching elements, transmitting data signals, wherein each pair of first and second gate lines is disposed between two adjacent pixel rows and is connected to one of the pixel rows.
US07679593B2
A display device which has a liquid crystal display which has a plurality liquid crystal pixels arranged in a matrix and which writes an image thereon after resetting the liquid crystal. The method of writing on the liquid crystal display can be selected from driving methods according to interlace scanning in which a frame is divided into a plurality of fields and writing by interlace scanning is performed and driving methods according to sequential scanning in which scanning lines are subjected to writing serially. When high-speed writing is required, for example, when display of a motion picture, display of inputted letters or scroll display is desired, one of the driving methods according to interlace scanning is selected. In interlace scanning, based on the end of a blackout state of a scanning line in a field, selection of a scanning line in the next field for writing is started. Writing on a scanning line comprises a reset step of resetting the liquid crystal, a selection step of selecting the final state of the liquid crystal, an evolution step of stabling the liquid crystal into the selected state, and one of the length of the reset step and the total length of the selection step and the evolution step is n times (n: natural number) the other. For example, when the length of the reset step is n times the total length of the selection step and the evolution step and when a frame is divided into m fields (m: natural number larger than n) for interlace scanning, there is a moment when, in serial m scanning lines, n scanning lines of them are in the reset step, one of them is in the selection step or in the evolution step, and the other m-n-1 scanning lines are in a display step.
US07679589B2
The present invention relates to a liquid crystal display device with a source driver in which a significant signal delay is not generated, and which has a fast response speed. The present invention also provides a liquid crystal display device comprising a scan driver including a D/A converter for outputting analog signals corresponding to gradation data input, a triangular wave generator for outputting triangular wave signals, and a comparator for applying data voltage to each pixel which include OCB liquid crystal cells by comparing the analog signals with the triangular wave signals. The data voltage is a PWM pulse with a varied voltage width.
US07679583B2
In a plasma display, image data are mapped on N subfields, and the subfield with the greatest weight is determined from among the mapped subfields. When the subfield with the greatest weight is the Kth subfield (K>M), grayscales of the image data are expressed with the mapped data of the (K−M+1)th subfield to the Kth subfield, and the mapped data from the first subfield to the (K−M)th subfield may be ignored.
US07679579B2
A projection unit comprises a laser diode (LD) for emitting a laser beam, and a LD control section for controlling the LD. The laser beam emitted from the LD is scanned in horizontal and vertical directions respectively by first and second micro mirrors, and is projected on a projection surface through a projection window. Thus, images are displayed on the projection surface. An infrared sensor is disposed near the second micro mirror. The infrared sensor is disposed such that its light receiving surface faces the projection window, and detects human presence around a projection area of the laser beam. The LD control section does not start outputting the laser beam when the infrared sensor detects human presence. Also, the LD control section stops outputting the laser beam when the infrared sensor detects human presence while the image is being displayed.
US07679575B1
A Tapered Slot Antenna Cylindrical Array (NC#98219). The method includes coupling at least two tapered slot antenna pairs to a base element in a cylindrical configuration. The method may further include coupling a transmitter/receiver to each tapered slot antenna of the at least two tapered slot antenna pairs via radio frequency links. In addition, the method may further include coupling a microprocessor to the transmitter/receiver via communication links.
US07679571B2
A transmission/reception antenna (21) comprises a core (31) and a coil (32) wound around the core (31). One of a plurality of core sheets (31a) constituting the core (31) is utilized as a sensor electrode (23). Conductors (33, 34) extending from the two ends of the coil (32) are connected to a transmission/reception drive circuit (22). The conductor (35) extending from a capacitance detector (24) is connected to one of the conductors (33, 34) extending between the coil (32) and the transmission/reception drive circuit (22). Consequently, the capacitance detector (24) is alternately connected to the sensor electrode (23) through a parasitic capacitance C1 generated between the coil (32) and the sensor electrode (23) (core sheet (31a)).
US07679561B2
A signal processing technique for RF active, passive, or aided localization approaches that utilizes multipath signals as additional measurements with a filter or estimator, e.g., a nonlinear filter. The filter uses indirect and direct path measurements or any other available signals to build parametric models of observable indirect paths. If one or more direct path measurements are subsequently lost (e.g., due to obstruction), the filter maintains an estimate of the position of the person or object of interest using indirect path measurements.
US07679551B2
Methods and systems for doppler frequency shift removal and correlation for software-based receivers
Embodiments of the invention provide a method for effecting Doppler removal and correlation for software-based receivers. For one embodiment of the invention Doppler removal is performed concurrently for all received communications signals. For one embodiment of the invention, a single frequency selected to effect Doppler removal, multiple communications signals having Doppler frequency shift are received from corresponding communications signal sources, and a Doppler removal process is performed concurrently for each received communication signal. A correlation process is then performed, the correlation process having an integration interval divided into multiple sub-intervals.
US07679543B2
Provided is a current sampling mixer that can be applied to a broadband broadcasting system. The current sampling mixer can change a structure of a current sampler including a plurality of capacitors to select and sum capacitors having a weight value given in the output, thereby performing a finite impulse response filter function and a harmonic rejection function.
US07679540B2
This disclosure relates to systems and methods for analog to digital conversion using delta sigma modulation. To this end, the delta sigma modulator includes a double sampling DAC and integrator and a 1-bit comparator, with reference loading insensitivity.
US07679535B2
An unencoded m-bit data input sequence is divided into a block of n bits and a block of m−n bits. The block of n bits is divided into a first set of n+1 encoded bits, wherein at least one of P1 subblocks of the first set satisfies a G, M and I constraints. The first set of n+1 encoded bits is mapped into a second set of n+1 encoded bits wherein at least one of P2 subblocks of the second set gives rise to at least Q1 transitions after 1/(1+D2) precoding. A second set of n+1 encoded bits is divided into P3 encoded subblocks and the P3 encoded subblocks are interleaved among (m−n)/s unencoded symbols so as to form a (m+1)-bit output sequence codeword which is then stored on a data storage medium.
US07679528B1
An aircraft landing and/or taxiing system has a plurality of landing zone, runway, and/or taxiway lights capable of receiving information signals and transmitting optically signals representative of the information signals. A processing system for providing the information signals to the plurality of lights is also used. The system also comprises a sensor tuned to receive light of a specific range of wavelengths, the light being emitted from the lights. Also, a processing system coupled to the sensor and configured with software to interpret signals received by the sensor is used. Program code runs on the processing system. The program code is configured to determine the location of an aircraft on the taxiway based on the light signal received from one or more of the taxiway lights. Also, the aircraft landing and/or taxiing system utilizes modulated lights to provide information pertinent to aircraft landing and/or taxiing operations.
US07679526B2
Certain example embodiments of this invention relate to systems and methods for use with traffic ticket printing parking meters. According to certain example embodiments, a parking meter is provided. A payment acceptor may be operable to accept payment. A display may be operable to display a validated period during which the meter is valid, with the validated period being based on an amount of payment inserted into the payment acceptor. Vehicle identifying programmed logic circuitry may be operable to identify a vehicle parking in, parked in, and/or leaving a parking spot associated with the parking meter. A printer may be operable to print a parking ticket when a parking violation occurs, with the parking ticket including vehicle identification information from the vehicle identifying programmed logic circuitry and/or parking violation information.
US07679515B2
A program executed by a computer for measuring an optimum feed amount to an RFID antenna from a print standby position of a printer which reads and writes data from/on an RFID tag by feeding a label or tag containing an RFID tag, and then prints on the label surface by feeding the label or tag in the reverse direction, having step of performing a read/write test to the RFID tag whenever the label or tag is fed by a fixed amount from a print standby position, and a step of outputting the result of the read/write test visibly performed in the steps.
US07679511B2
A method for obtaining information on a product (1), said method comprising the following steps: the product (1) is marked with several codes (100, 101) that are stored in one or several RFID tags (11, 11′); at least one of said codes is read contactlessly by means of an RFID reader device (2); said reader device (2) sends a set of one or several read codes to a name service server (6) over a telecommunication network (4); said name service server (6) answers with the address of one or several hypertext pages; and the sought information (7) is accessed by means of said hypertext pages. The invention is characterized in that not all codes (100, 101) read by the RFID reader device are contained in the set sent, and in that the code or codes (100, 101) contained in said set are selected in said reader device (2).
US07679509B2
Embodiments of the present invention is directed to a method and system for use of ranging MW to reduce dual (MW/PIR) intrusion detector false alarms. A Doppler microwave system may be provided that is capable of detecting an object range and adjusting the sensitivity of the PIR detector to account for object size and range. Multiple range limited MW stages may be configured for different ranges to determine the general range of the moving object. Based on signal levels present on these MW stages, an approximate object range is determined. The sensitivity of the PIR is then adjusted based on a PIR sensitivity vs. object range function that is optimized to alarm on humans and ignore small animals and insects.
US07679504B2
A system and method for electrophysiological monitoring system including a plurality of sensors configured to detect one or more health parameters of a patient and a monitoring device configured to receive a plurality of sensing signals from the sensors and output a monitoring signal representative of an alarm sequence, wherein the alarm sequence comprises a set of alarm events identified in the sensing signals. The system also includes an on-line monitoring module configured to generate a suffix tree data structure in response to the monitoring signal to identify alarm patterns from the set of alarm events and classify the alarm sequence in response to the occurrences of alarm patterns in the alarm sequence. The on-line monitoring module is further configured to alert monitoring personnel of an alarm condition after processing the alarm sequence in real-time.
US07679503B2
An auto-connect virtual keypad in one aspect allows for automatic notification of events occurring at a security system control panel to a remote consumer device and/or provides remote access to the control panel from a consumer device by providing a virtual keypad interface on the consumer device. The consumer device in one aspect may include a mobile device or desktop.
US07679496B2
An adjustment device and method for an automobile seat or steering column. The adjustment device has an adjustment mechanism including an electric actuator, such as an electric motor, with plug-in connections. A control unit with a signal generator applies an adjustment voltage to the connections during an adjustment process, and may also, either simultaneously with or without the adjustment voltage, apply an alternating signal voltage to produce at least one of a tangible motion or an audible motion.
US07679488B2
A vehicular rearview mirror system includes an interior rearview mirror assembly having an interior electrochromic reflective element, a housing for the interior electrochromic reflective element, and digital circuitry supplying a drive signal to the interior electrochromic reflective element. The interior electrochromic reflective element assumes an interior mirror partial reflectance level in response to the interior mirror electrochromic reflective element drive signal. The digital circuitry includes a microcontroller for controlling over a vehicle network at least one other vehicle function. One of the at least one other vehicle function includes an exterior mirror assembly that may include an exterior electrochromic reflective element that assumes an exterior mirror partial reflectance level in response to an exterior mirror electrochromic reflective element drive signal. The microcontroller may control the exterior mirror partial reflectance level of the exterior electrochromic reflective element over the vehicle network.
US07679477B2
A contactor with modular connection of the coil according to the invention comprises an insulating body, an operating coil housed in the insulating body, and means of modular connection of the coil to an external circuit so that the coil can be powered. The coil connection means comprise a connection arrangement, internal to the body, comprising at least two pairs of contact pieces positioned near at least two faces of the insulating body, these two faces being chosen from the front face and two opposed side faces running transversely between the front face and the rear face, each contact piece facing an opening in the body, and at least one removable connection module comprising a pair of connection terminals, which is connected to a second pair of contacts which are intended to collaborate with a first pair of contact pieces of the internal connection arrangement.
US07679468B1
An apparatus for providing a two point phase/frequency modulation system is disclosed herein. The apparatus includes a first network configured to introduce an offset to center a signal applied to a VCO. The apparatus further includes a second network configured to set a gain of the VCO. A phase tracking network is configured to dynamically adjust the offset and the gain.
US07679464B2
A method and apparatus for frequency modulating a PWM involves 1) generating a high frequency carrier signal much greater in frequency than the PWM signal; 2) modulating the high frequency signal to generate a spread spectrum carrier signal; and, 3) retiming a PWM signal with this high frequency SS carrier signal so that the binary transitions of the PWM signal are aligned with the frequency varying carrier signal. In another embodiment, a PWM oscillator is driven by a second, FM oscillator having spread spectrum characteristics. In another embodiment a PWM oscillator is driven and modulated by a counter/frequency divider comprised of modules.
US07679459B2
A signal generator for generating multiple phases includes a ring oscillator with at least one first adjustable delay stage and at least one second delay stage being serially arranged, wherein an output of the first delay stage is provided for delivering at least one first output phase and an output of the second delay stage is provided for delivering at least one second output phase, and an adjustment circuit for adjusting the delay of the first adjustable delay stage, wherein the adjustment circuit is provided for adjusting the phase relationship between the first output phase and the second output phase by means of setting a first propagation delay for the first delay stage.
US07679458B2
The frequency of an oscillating signal generated by a ring oscillator is used to determine the select-to-output delay of standard cell multiplexers. The ring oscillator has no active logic elements other than an odd or even number of standard cell multiplexers. The signal path of the oscillating signal passes through the select input leads of the multiplexers of the ring oscillator. The ring oscillator can be used to characterize how signal propagation delay varies depending on the voltage supplied to the multiplexers. The lowest supply voltage at which a signal can continue to travel through the most critical circuit path of a test circuit can be modeled. In addition, the ring oscillator can be built into operational circuits to monitor timing and signal propagation delay in real time. Real time monitoring of delay enhances the benefits of adaptive voltage scaling, which is used in signal processing circuits in cell phones.
US07679449B2
Method and system for a highly efficient power amplifier utilizing dynamic biasing and predistortion
Aspects of a method and system for a highly efficient power amplifier (PA) utilizing dynamic biasing and predistortion are presented. Aspects of the system may include a processor that enables computation of a value of a variable bias component of a bias current based on a bias slope value and an amplitude of an envelope input signal. The processor may enable computation of a value of the bias current based on the selected constant bias current component value and the variable bias current component value. A PA may enable generation of an output signal in response to a generated baseband signal by utilizing the bias current to amplify an amplifier input signal. The bias current may be generated based on the envelope input signal. A feedback signal may be generated based on the output signal, which may be used to predistort a subsequent baseband signal.
US07679448B1
A biasing circuit and method for minimizing distortion in a MOS transistor. A first CW source provides a first CW signal at the input of a replica transistor to obtain an output signal at the output of the replica transistor. The output signal is mixed with another CW signal having a frequency equal to N times that of the first CW signal, N being an integer greater than one, to obtain a mixed signal having a DC component with an intensity proportional to the Nth-order distortion present in the output signal. A bias voltage to minimize this distortion is then applied to the input of the original transistor on which the replica transistor is based, the bias voltage determined in accordance with the intensity of the DC component.
US07679442B2
An output distortion circuit includes a first transistor arrangement receiving a nonlinear current associated with a nonlinear differential error signal. The first transistor arrangement produces a reflected base current that is applied to one side of a differential input pair. A second transistor arrangement eliminates the nonlinear differential error signal by producing a replicated base current that replicates the reflected base current. The replicated base current is applied to an opposite side of the differential input pair thus the output distortion cancellation circuit creating a deflection of approximately equal magnitude to the reflected base current so as to eliminate the nonlinear differential error signal.
US07679434B2
One embodiment relates to a power amplifier that includes a switched mode power amplification stage. The power amplification stage has an output configured to provide an amplified output voltage as a function of a drive signal, where the drive signal fluctuates during a first time and is inactive during a second time. The power amplifier also includes impedance compensation circuitry coupled to the output of the power amplification stage. The impedance compensation circuitry can selectively alter an output impedance of the power amplification stage as a function of a control signal that is continuously de-asserted during the first time and continuously asserted during the second time. Other embodiments are also disclosed.
US07679428B2
A comparator includes a first inverter which is inserted between a power source terminal and one end of a first variable resistor, includes a first FinFET provided with a first gate terminal for receiving a positive phase output signal, and a second gate terminal for receiving a clock signal changing between a first level and a second level, inverts the positive phase output signal, and outputs a negative phase output signal, and a second inverter which is inserted between the power source terminal and one end of a second variable resistor, includes a second FinFET provided with a third gate terminal for receiving the negative phase output signal, a fourth gate terminal for receiving the clock signal, and the same polarity as the first FinFET, inverts the negative phase output signal, and outputs the positive phase output signal.
US07679425B2
A gate-controlled switch configuration comprising a gate-controlled switch (V4) and a gate driver system (Ctrl, D1, D2, V1, V2), which in its first functional state is configured to change the amount of charge (Qgate) in the gate (G) of the gate-controlled switch (V4) to provide a normal turn-off functionality for the gate-controlled switch (V4), and in its second functional state it is configured to maintain the amount of charge (Qgate) in the gate (G) of the gate-controlled switch (V4) substantially constant. The gate driver system (Ctrl, D1, D2, V1, V2) is configured to produce a soft turn-off functionality during which the gate driver system (Ctrl, D1, D2, V1, V2) is in the first functional state a plural number of times, and between the subsequent first functional states it is in its second functional state.
US07679424B2
A semiconductor device includes a pad, an internal power supply line, a pad switch including a MOS transistor to provide an electrically connectable coupling between the internal power supply line and the pad by use of a source-drain channel thereof, and a control circuit configured to control an electrical connection with respect to at least one of a gate node and a back-gate node of the MOS transistor, wherein the control circuit is configured such that at least one of the gate node and the back-gate node is electrically connectable to the pad.
US07679422B1
A configurable switched capacitor block includes a switched-capacitor (SC) sampling circuit, a fully differential amplifier, an SC feedback circuit, and a comparator. The SC sampling circuit is coupled to receive an input signal and to selectively generate a sampled signal to a differential input of the amplifier. The SC feedback circuit is coupled between the differential inputs and the differential outputs of the amplifier to selectively control a feedback of the amplifier. The comparator is coupled to the differential outputs of the amplifier to generate an output signal. The configurable switched capacitor block has multiple modes of operation which are selectable by programming the SC sampling circuit and the SC feedback circuit.
US07679413B2
Eight or more transition points are generated during a given period, and are used in tracking movement of an interferometer reflector. Duty cycles of generated square waves are used to establish precise intervals between the transition points, and precise wave-phase relationships.
US07679410B1
A driver circuit is provided for enabling a transistor collector-emitter path to be used as a broadband periodic switch. The broadband driver circuit controls the magnitude of the transistor base-emitter current in order to enable a CLOSED switch state and to simultaneously control the magnitude of the transistor base-emitter reverse-bias voltage in order to enable the OPEN-switch state. The precise control of these parameters minimizes base-charge storage and prevents reverse-breakdown failure.
US07679408B2
A circuit for switching clock signals with logic devices using a glitchless clock multiplexer optimized for synchronous and asynchronous clocks. The circuit comprises an asynchronous clock group and one or more synchronous clock group(s). The asynchronous group comprises a plurality of high frequency glitchless control (HFGC) blocks for asynchronous clock sources. Each synchronous group comprises a plurality of HFGC blocks for synchronous clock sources. The circuit comprises a multiplexer for receiving delayed input clock signals from HFGC blocks for asynchronous clock sources and from HFGC blocks for synchronous clock sources. A switching latency from a first input clock signal belonging to a synchronous group to a second input clock signal belonging to the same synchronous group is one clock cycle or less of the second input clock signal. Switching latency is the period in which no clock pulse appears at the final output of the circuit.
US07679393B2
A testing apparatus for fixing and testing a LCD panel includes a location frame and an adjustable base for fixing a camera set. The location frame and the adjustable base are connected together via a holder set. The adjustable base is able to be adjusted a distance between the location frame on the holder set. The location frame includes a framework set with adjustable plates on the edges of the backside of the framework. The adjustable plates are adjusted according to different sizes of the LCD panels for placing LCD panels with different sizes. The LCD panel is supported by top-supporting devices on the backside of the framework and located at the backside of the framework. Each edge of the framework is set with a movable shade which is adjusted according to different sizes of the LCD panels for shading metal rims of the LCD panel. When the camera set takes pictures of the LCD panel, the boundaries of the screen area and the rims are clearly defined to make the testing module accurately test the defects of the LCD panel and to improve testing quality.
US07679392B2
Methods and systems of semiconductor testing where reference dice and non-reference dice in a wafer and/or lot are tested differently. In one embodiment of the invention, geography, lithography exposure, other characteristics, performance and/or behavior are taken into account when selecting reference dice, thereby improving the likelihood that the response of reference dice to testing is well representative of the wafer and/or lot. In one embodiment, based on data from the testing of reference dice, the test flow for non-reference dice and/or other testing may or may not be adjusted.
US07679386B2
A probe card includes a base wiring layer, a rewiring layer, and a contactor. The base wiring layer has a non-contactor area and a contactor area that projects to a higher level than the non-contactor area. The rewiring layer is formed on a surface of the base wiring layer so that the contactor area is higher than the non-contactor area. The contactor is provided on a surface of the rewiring layer in a contactor area thereof.
US07679385B2
In the present invention, an inspection contact structure is attached to a lower surface side of a circuit board of a probe card. The inspection contact structure has a silicon substrate, and sheets attached to upper and lower surfaces of the silicon substrate. Each of the sheets is elastic and has conductive portions in a projecting shape. The silicon substrate is formed with current-carrying paths passing through the substrate in a vertical direction so that the conductive portions of the sheets and the current-carrying paths of the silicon substrate are in contact with each other. The upper and lower sheets are fixed to the silicon substrate, and the sheet on the upper surface is fixed to a circuit board.
US07679382B2
A stepped printed circuit board for a probe card and for clamping by a testing machine is disclosed. The stepped printed circuit board includes a main body and a protruding body. The main body has a conductive circuit pattern arranged therein and a border area for the clamping of the testing machine. The protruding body is joined to a bottom side of the main body beyond the border area and defines with the bottom side of the main body an elevational difference. The protruding body has a conductive circuit pattern arranged therein and electrically connected to the conductive circuit pattern of the main body.
US07679380B2
The present invention discloses an overcurrent detection device, which uses a first NOT gate and a second NOT gate to reverse the logic states of a first digital signal and a second digital signal which are digitalized audio signals in a class D power amplifier. Next, a CMOS transistor receives the reversed digital signals and drives a load. A comparing circuit detects the current of the load and compares the current with the reversed first and second digital signals. When the current of the load is too high, the comparing circuit respectively outputs a first electrical signal and a second electrical signal to a first logic gate and a second logic gate. Then, the logic gate outputs a signal to activate a protection circuit to prevent the entire circuit be damaged or burned out.
US07679377B2
The application concerns a measuring apparatus for determining a dielectric property, in particular the moisture and/or density, of a product, in particular tobacco, Cotton or some other fibrous product, having a measuring capacitor, a device for generating a high-frequency field in the measuring capacitor, which is influenced by a product which is arranged in a measuring volume of the measuring apparatus, and having a circuit device which includes the measuring capacitor and which is designed to determine suitable measurable variables of the high-frequency field influenced by the product, and is distinquished in that the circuit device is substantially non-resonant at the measuring frequency of the high-frequency field that is used, and measurement is based on the propagation of a travelling high-frequency wave in the measuring capacitor, and the circuit device is designed to determine two mutually independent measurable variables which are dependent on the amplitude and phase of the high-frequency wave influenced by the product. The application further concerns a corresponding measuring method.
US07679365B2
A current lead for the superconducting magnet of a magnetic resonance system, the superconducting magnet being refrigerated by a cold head, has a positive current lead and a negative current lead electrically connected to the superconducting magnet for magnetization thereof. The cold head is electrically connected to the superconducting magnet and is used as one of the positive and negative current leads. The cold head is used as the positive current lead or the negative current lead so as to reduce the number of current leads as well as the heat conducted by the current lead, therefore it maintains a stable superconducting environment more efficiently. Furthermore, the cold head and the current lead can be provided in the same conduit without the need to design a separated turret tube and side tube, and the structure of the current leads of the superconducting magnet of the magnetic resonance system is simplified.
US07679356B2
A digital multimeter having improved recording functionality is disclosed. The digital multimeter disclosed incorporates a rotary switch, a series of keys and buttons, and a digital display so as to provide highly integrated, programmable and configurable features. Several of these features, either taken alone or in combination, provide significant improvements in ease of use, speed of user operation, and safety associated with use of the instrument.
US07679354B2
A phase detecting device includes a power input unit that receives an AC voltage; a phase detector that detects zero-crossing points of the AC voltage, and outputs a phase detecting signal when the zero-crossing points of the AC voltage are detected; and a power switch that selectively cuts off a flow of AC into the power input unit in response to a mode control signal.
US07679348B2
A switching regulator is disclosed that is able to operate with low power consumption and able to prevent variation of an output voltage. The switching regulator operates in a PWM control mode and a PFM control mode, and includes a switching unit; an error amplification circuit for amplifying an error voltage between an output voltage and a first reference voltage; a slope circuit for generating a slope signal; a reference voltage generation circuit for generating a second reference voltage for determining a time interval of an ON state in the PFM control mode; a multiplexer for outputting one of the second reference voltage and an output voltage from the error amplification circuit; a comparison circuit for comparing an output voltage from the slope circuit to an output voltage from the multiplexer; and an oscillation circuit for determining a timing of the ON state in the PWM control mode.
US07679342B2
A power converter and method of controlling a power switch therein to improve power conversion efficiency at low output current. In one embodiment, the power converter includes a first power switch coupled to a source of electrical power and a second power switch coupled to the first power switch and to an output terminal of the power converter. The power converter also includes a controller configured to alternately enable conduction of the first and the second power switches with a duty cycle in response to an output characteristic of the power converter. The controller is configured to control a level of current in the first power switch when the second power switch is substantially disabled to conduct.
US07679337B2
A limit value of an output current of power converter is defined as a first current value when a voltage at both ends of capacitor is higher than a voltage at both ends of battery, and a limit value of the output current thereof is defined as a second current value when the voltages are substantially equal to each other, the first current value is set to be smaller than the second current value. Thus, when a voltage at both ends of capacitor and a voltage at both ends of battery are substantially equal, heat is hardly generated. The limit value of the output current is set to a maximum current consumed by load. When a voltage at both ends of capacitor is higher than a voltage at both ends of battery, the limit value of the output current is set to be smaller than the second current value, and thereby heat generation is suppressed. Thus, the size of the heat dissipating components can be reduced, and a power supply system whose entire size can be minimized can be provided.
US07679336B2
A method for recharging an electric storage battery in the charging system of an electric vehicle from an electric utility power grid includes determining the length of time required to recharge the battery, determining the desired time when the recharge is to be completed, transmitting to the electric power utility the length of time required to recharge the battery and the desired time, and recharging the battery from the utility grid during a period when projected load demand is lower than peak demand and ending no later than the desired time.
US07679317B2
Systems and methods are provided for charging a USB device. A USB connector may be used to couple the system to a USB port on the USB device, the USB connector including a bus voltage (Vbus) connector, a positive data (D+) connector, and a negative data (D−) connector. Charger circuitry may be used to receive a source voltage and convert the source voltage into the bus voltage (Vbus), wherein the bus voltage (Vbus) is used to charge the USB device. Presence detect circuitry may be used to compare a first voltage present on the D+ connector with a second voltage present on the D− connector in order to detect when the USB connector is coupled to the USB port of the USB device.
US07679304B2
An intermittent windshield wiper control device for use with antique or historical cars. The control device includes a user actuator mechanism, microprocessor circuitry, a potentiometer system, and a relay system. User movement of the actuator mechanism is translated to the potentiometer system to vary an output therefrom. The microprocessor circuitry acts in response to the potentiometer system output in controlling operation of a vehicle's wiper motor via the relay system.
US07679299B2
Self-sensing feedback functionality for electromechanical actuators/motors is provided for use in operation and/or as a redundant safety mechanism to attain safety certification without adding extra bulk or wiring to the motor. An actuator can be manufactured having one or more saliencies that cause a spatial variance of inductance. A high frequency signal can be injected into the actuator and sampled to determine a current, voltage, or other electrical parameter. The parameter can be evaluated against the known saliencies of the actuator to determine a position of the actuator and/or an associated rotor. Additionally, the position can be evaluated as a function of time to determine a velocity. This can provide an alternative method for operating the electromechanical actuator according to the position/velocity provided. Additionally, this can provide a redundant feedback channel for safety certification without requiring additional actuator parts.
US07679298B2
A method for controlling a wheel speed of a locomotive includes determining an estimated wheel speed (52) for a desired wheel set of a locomotive responsive to a locomotive operating parameter indicative of an actual wheel speed of the desired wheel set. The method also includes generating a first adjustment parameter (e.g., 46) based on an operating condition of the locomotive, and then applying the first adjustment parameter to the estimated wheel speed for generating a first adjusted estimated wheel speed signal (54) used as a first input for controlling a wheel speed of at least one of the desired wheel set and the other wheel sets of the locomotive.
US07679292B2
An LED light string employs a plurality of LEDs wired in block series-parallel, where the one or more series blocks, each driven at the same input voltage or rectified AC input voltage as the source voltage (110 VAC or 220 VAC), are coupled in parallel. This voltage matching requirement for direct AC drive places fundamental restrictions on the number of diodes on each diode series block, depending on the types of diodes used. The same method that apply to matching the sum of the LED lamps (VAC values) to the AC input, or applied voltage in an AC circuit apply to matching the sum of the LED lamps (VP values) to the full-wave or half-wave rectified AC (VP) voltage applied. Filtering capacitors may also be employed.
US07679281B2
A light emitting device capable of emitting light having various color temperatures is disclosed. The light emitting device includes a first light emitting part emitting a daylight color having a color temperature of 6000 K or more, a second light emitting part emitting white light having a color temperature less than 6000 K, and a third light emitting part emitting light in a visible range of 580 nm or more. The second and third light emitting parts are operable independently of the first light emitting part, and realize a warm white color having a color temperature of 3000 K or less with the white light emitted from the second light emitting part and the light emitted from the third light emitting part. The light emitting device realizes white light of various spectra and color temperatures corresponding to desired mood and utility. The light emitting device is controlled to emit light having a suitable wavelength or a suitable color temperature depending on the circadian rhythm of human, thereby enabling improvement of the user's health.
US07679278B2
An electron-emitting device having little dispersion of its electron emission characteristic and a suppressed “fluctuation” of its electron emission quantity is provided. The electron-emitting device includes a substrate equipped with a first portion containing silicon oxide and a second portion arranged abreast of the first portion and having a higher heat conductance, and an electroconductive film including a gap therein, the electroconductive film arranged on the substrate, wherein the first and the second portions having a resistance higher than that of the electroconductive film, and the gap is arranged on the first portion.
US07679271B2
One or more piezoelectric elements are employed to generate electrical energy from one or both of the mechanical energy of a moving part of a conventional engine or vehicle or the combustion energy of an internal combustion engine. The generated electrical energy can be stored and used to power an electric motor in order to supplement the power generated by the conventional engine.
US07679270B2
A wideband and high sensitive ultrasonic probe adaptable to harmonic imaging by improving the sensitivity of vibrators in a wider frequency band without hindering the operation of piezoelectric materials. The ultrasonic probe includes: a vibrator array including plural vibrators for transmitting and/or receiving ultrasonic waves, each of the plural vibrators including plural piezoelectric materials arranged in parallel between a first electrode and a second electrode and having different frequency constants from one another; at least one acoustic matching layer provided on a first surface of the vibrator array; and a backing material provided on a second surface opposite to the first surface of the vibrator array.
US07679268B2
A plane thin-type polymer actuator is provided with a conductive active member serving as a first electrode layer, and a second electrode layer, with at least a first electrolytic layer made in contact with the active member layer. The first electrolytic layer being sealed between the two electrode layers so that, by applying an electric field between the two electrode layers, the active member layer is expanded and contracted. In this structure, the first electrolytic layer is a solid-state electrolyte having a specific elastic modulus, or a liquid-state electrolyte. A holding member is provided to maintain the thickness between the active member layer and the second electrode layer.
US07679266B2
A transducer comprises a longitudinal tubular member symmetrically disposed about a central longitudinal axis, the tubular member having a slot extending from the front end of said member to the rear end of the member, the slot extending parallel to the central longitudinal axis; a stack comprising a single element or plurality of vibratory elements arranged from a first to a second end and; a mounting arrangement for mounting the said stack across the inner wall of said tubular member on a line relatively transverse to said longitudinal central axis. The mounting arrangement includes a layer of solid lubricant engaging opposite ends of the stack, enabling the stack to move in a direction of the central axis when the stack exhibits vibratory motion.
US07679263B2
A single chip transducer apparatus that includes on-chip electronic circuitry which, when connected properly to a two-dimensional matrix of ultrasonic transducer elements, provides enough information to an external imaging system to form three-dimensional images of the subject of interest. In a preferred embodiment, the circuitry provides an amplifier for each transducer element, and then conditions the output of the amplifier in several ways. In one embodiment of the invention, the elements' analog voltages are stored in a sample and hold circuit, and time multiplexed into a high speed line driver that sends many elements data down the interconnect to the system's high speed Analog to Digital converters. In another embodiment, the gain of the amplifiers can be controlled in time to provide aperture translation and time based expansion for translating and focusing image slices in the elevation direction.
US07679248B2
Disclosed is a magnetic bearing system capable of simplifying a demodulation operation and reducing a processing load associated with a magnetic levitation control. A carrier signal having a frequency fc is apply to a sensor through a filter. The sensor operates to modulate the carrier signal, and a difference amplifier operates to calculate a difference between the amplitude-modulated signal FAM (t) and a sensor reference signal Fstd (t). An A/D converter operates to A/D convert a difference signal Fsub (t) output from the difference amplifier to a discretized sensor signal. In the A/D conversion, a sampling frequency fs is set to satisfy the following relation: fc: fc=n·fs or fc=fs/2 (n is a natural number). Thus, the discretized sensor signal includes no carrier wave, and therefore a demodulation operation which has been previously essential can be simplified.
US07679246B2
A case (100), a rotor (200) that is freely rotatably supported in the case (100), and stators (110) for rotating the rotor by magnetic force are provided. The stator (110) contains a core (111) mounted at the outside of the case (100), and a magnetic coil (112) wound around the core (111). An end face of the core (111) constituting a magnetic pole is formed of at least non-laminate ferromagnetic substance, and exposed to the inner surface of the case (100) so as to form a part of the inner wall of the case (100).
US07679244B2
A motor including a rotor having a rotor shaft and a permanent magnet fixed to an end part of the rotor shaft, a stator disposed around the rotor, a bearing for supporting the end part of the rotor shaft, a bearing holder which holds the bearing movably in an axial direction, and a pressurization member which is disposed on an outer side in the axial direction of the bearing holder for urging the bearing to the rotor shaft side. The permanent magnet is provided with a recessed part which is capable of accommodating the bearing and the bearing holder.
US07679242B2
An electrical motor for an electrical submersible pump wherein the electrical motor has increased heat transfer capabilities. The electrical motor includes a housing and a plurality of stator laminations within the housing. Each stator lamination defines a central orifice and a plurality of lamination slots. A plurality of magnet wires pass through each of the plurality of lamination slots formed by the stacked plurality of stator laminations. Shrink wrap surrounds each of the plurality of magnet wires to secure the magnet wires in bundles. The result is that the wires are effectively bound together in a manner that allows oil to move freely inside the lamination slots surrounding the wire bundles. Since fluid can pass between and around the windings, the overall winding temperature will be normalized, essentially reducing hot spots that occur in prior art designs.
US07679239B2
Provided is a flat type vibrating motor capable of reducing a consumed current of the motor while maintaining torque of the motor, lengthening even more an operating time of an apparatus such as a mobile communication apparatus in which the flat type vibrating motor is mounted, and shortening a charging period. At least one auxiliary coil separated at a predetermined mechanical degree with respect to a center of the primary coil mounted on the substrate, and series-connected to the primary coil is provided, so that a current flowing through the coil is reduced and torque equivalent to or greater than that of a related art motor can be obtained. Accordingly, an amount of a consumed current of the motor is reduced.
US07679237B2
A drive apparatus for an electric vehicle includes a rotating electric device; a power source; and a terminal block. The rotating electric device drives the wheels of the vehicle. Electric power is supplied to the rotating electric device from the power source through a power-supply passage connected to the rotating electric device through the terminal block, which is fitted to the rotating electric device. The rotating electric device also includes a housing; a stator provided within the housing; and a coil-end positioned at the end of the stator in the axial direction. The terminal block is disposed near the coil-end at a position equal to or lower than the top surface of the housing. The terminal block is fitted to the rotating electric device so that the terminal block is electrically connected to the coil-end, by inserting the terminal block from the side surface of the housing.
US07679236B2
An electric actuator, which includes an exposed actuator terminal, for eliminating the need for insert molding and facilitating the manufacturing of a housing while preventing liquid from entering the housing. The actuator includes a motor. The housing is attached to the motor and includes an opening. A control circuit board accommodated in the housing controls the motor. An actuator terminal is arranged on the control circuit board and connected to an external terminal of an external connector through the opening. A terminal support arranged on the control circuit board supports the actuator terminal. A hollow fitting is attached to the terminal support and fitted into the opening so as to extend into the housing. A seal, arranged between the terminal support and the fitting, seals the housing.
US07679233B2
The invention relates to a device for mounting an electric motor (10) in a manner that isolates vibrations, in particular a fan motor, wherein the electric motor (10) features at least one pole housing (12, 14) serving as a magnetic yoke circuit, as well as means (26, 27) for fastening isolating elements (32, 33), in particular elastic isolating elements. In accordance with the invention it is proposed that the means (26, 27) for fastening the isolating elements (32, 33) are embodied to be a single piece with the pole housing (12, 14).
US07679225B2
A voice coil motor. At least one guide bar is connected to a fixed base. A coil is connected to the fixed base. A support base is movably fit on the guide bar. An annular magnetic member is connected to the support base and surrounded by the coil. A magnetization direction of the annular magnetic member parallels a moving direction of the support base and annular magnetic member. The annular magnetic member includes a first magnetic pole and a second magnetic pole. The first magnetic pole is disposed in the coil and separated from the bottom thereof. The second magnetic pole is disposed outside the coil. The coil interacts with the annular magnetic member to generate a first force, driving the support base and annular magnetic member to move along the magnetization direction of the annular magnetic member.
US07679224B2
A circuit is used for preventing a computer from being powered up before a CPU voltage of the computer is prepared properly. The circuit includes a power supply for providing power to the computer, a power button for powering on the computer system, a power controller, and a switch. The power controller includes an input terminal connected to the power button and an output terminal for electrical connection to the power supply. The input terminal receives a PWRBT# signal when the power button is momentarily triggered, and the output terminal outputs a PSON# signal to the power supply to control the power supply to provide the electrical power to the computer in response to the received PWRBT# signal. The switch is serially connected between the output terminal and the power supply. The switch includes a control terminal monitoring if the CPU voltage is prepared properly so as to control conduction of the switch and further to control connection between the output terminal and the power supply.
US07679221B2
A power saving switch which can turn on an electric device manually by manipulation of an automatic switch button or a manual switch button by a user, and simultaneously, stop operation of a sensor for a predetermined time period in order for the sensor to fail detection of an entering of the user into an object area, and which can turn off the electric device automatically or output predetermined sound so as to make the user turn off the electric device manually when the user goes out of the object area.
US07679215B2
A system and method for controlling power ramp rate of a wind farm is provided. The wind farm includes a plurality of wind turbine generators and a wind farm control system. The wind farm control system is operable to monitor rate of change of collective power output of the wind turbine generators, and to limit the rate of change of collective power output by generating a power output rate limiting signal based on the monitored rate of change of collective power output of the wind turbine generators and a desired collective power ramp of the wind turbine generators and applying the power output rate limiting signal to the plurality of wind turbine generators.
US07679201B2
A package includes a device and a package substrate. The device includes a plurality of electrical pads, and has a periphery that defines a footprint. The package substrate, further includes a first substrate surface to which the device is attached, a second substrate surface, and a set of electrical contacts attached to the second substrate surface.
US07679200B2
Various semiconductor chip crack stops and methods of making the same are disclosed. In one aspect, a method of manufacturing is provided that includes providing a semiconductor substrate that has a first corner defined by a first edge and a second edge. A crack stop is formed in the semiconductor substrate. The crack stop includes a first projection extending to the first edge and a second projection extending to the second edge to fence off a portion of the semiconductor substrate that includes the first corner.
US07679196B2
A stacked mounting structure includes at least two substrates namely a first substrate on which a first protruding electrode is formed and a second substrate on which a second protruding electrode is formed, and an intermediate substrate which is disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate, and which connects the first substrate and the second substrate by leaving a predetermined gap between the first substrate and the second substrate. Mounted components are disposed in the gap between the first substrate and the second substrate. The first protruding electrode and the second protruding electrode are connected in an opening which is provided in the intermediate substrate.
US07679191B2
The semiconductor device, in which a flaking of a layer or an element is prevented, is provided. A bonding pad section 13 of a semiconductor device 1 includes a polysilicon film 131, a barrier metal film 133 provided on the polysilicon film 131 and a metallic electrode 134 provided on the barrier metal film 133. The surface roughness of the surface of the polysilicon film 131 in the side of the barrier metal film 133 is equal to or larger than 3 nm. Further, the polysilicon film 131 contains substantially no phosphorus.
US07679186B2
A piezoelectric micro electro-mechanical system switch (MEMS), an array of piezoelectric MEMS switches, and a method of fabricating the switch, which are capable of improving low voltage and switching characteristics while securing high signal isolation, are provided. The piezoelectric MEMS switch includes a semiconductor substrate including a groove, a support formed over the semiconductor substrate and the groove. An actuator including a piezoelectric layer is formed on the support. A switching member is formed on the support on one side of the actuator, wherein upward movement of the switching member changes by a deformation of the piezoelectric layer of the actuator. Radio frequency (RF) transfer lines are arranged at a predetermined distance on the switching member and are separated by a predetermined interval from each other. The actuator is formed to have at least two cantilevers each having one end such that the ends are connected to each other.
US07679184B2
A semiconductor device includes a substrate, a semiconductor chip flip-chip mounted on the substrate, a sealing resin layer sealing the surroundings of the semiconductor chip, and a heat sink bonded to the sealing resin layer through a TIM layer. In addition, a cooling medium is encapsulated in an enclosed space formed on the rear surface of the semiconductor chip.
US07679183B2
Provided are an electronic cooling device and a fabrication method thereof. The method may include forming an insulating layer on a semiconductor substrate, forming first and second silicide layers on the insulating layer, forming separate paired p-type and n-type semiconductors on each of the first and second silicide layers, forming a first interlayer dielectric (ILD) layer on the p-type and n-type semiconductors, exposing top surfaces of the n-type and p-type semiconductors, forming a third silicide layer on one semiconductor on each of the first and second silicide layers, forming a second ILD layer on the third silicide layer, and etching the second and first ILD layers to form contact holes exposing top surfaces of the first and second silicide layers.
US07679172B2
A semiconductor package without a chip carrier includes an insulating structure having an opening; an electroplated die pad provided in the opening; a chip attached to the electroplated die pad by a thermally conductive adhesive; a plurality of electrical contacts formed around the electroplated die pad, wherein at least one of the electrical contacts is provided on a top surface of the insulating structure, and the chip is electrically connected to the electrical contacts; and an encapsulant for encapsulating the chip, the insulating structure and the electrical contacts, wherein bottom surfaces of the insulating structure, the electroplated die pad and the electrical contacts, except the at least one electrical contact provided on the top surface of the insulating structure, are exposed from the encapsulant and are flush with a bottom surface of the encapsulant. A fabrication method of the semiconductor package is also provided.
US07679169B2
A stacked integrated circuit leadframe package system including forming a leadframe, packaging a top integrated circuit on a one side of the leadframe, packaging a bottom integrated circuit on an opposite side of the leadframe, and forming external electrical interconnects on the leadframe.
US07679163B2
A phase-change memory element for reducing heat loss is disclosed. The phase-change memory element comprises a composite layer, wherein the composite layer comprises a dielectric material and a low thermal conductivity material. A via hole is formed within the composite layer. A phase-change material occupies at least one portion of the via hole. The composite layer comprises alternating layers or a mixture of the dielectric material and the low thermal conductivity material.
US07679157B2
An image sensor has a substrate, a dielectric layer positioned on the substrate, a pixel array including a plurality of pixels defined on the substrate, a shield electrode positioned between any two adjacent pixel electrodes of the pixels, a photo conductive layer positioned on the shield electrode and the pixel electrodes, and a transparent conductive layer covering the photo conductive layer.
US07679156B2
An optical module has a circuit carrier, a housed semiconductor element placed on the circuit carrier, and a lens unit for projecting electromagnetic radiation onto the semiconductor element. The lens unit, which is constructed separate from the cased semiconductor element, preferably comprises a lens assembly formed of, for example, three lenses and of a diaphragm. The three lenses, optionally together with the diaphragm, are aligned in a well-defined manner due to their geometric design so that no additional optical adjustment is necessary. According to the invention, a support is formed, at least in sections, on the case of the semiconductor element, and the lens unit is placed thereon thus being supported. The concept is that by forming a support directly on the case of a cased semiconductor element even with classically cased semiconductor chips, it is possible to construct a camera module with which every mechanical focus setting can be eliminated. The novel system is particularly suited for use in the interior or exterior of a motor vehicle.
US07679127B2
A semiconductor device including a semiconductor substrate; a first gate insulating film formed on the semiconductor substrate; a first gate electrode layer formed on the first gate insulating film; an element isolation insulating film formed so as to isolate a plurality of the first gate electrode layers; a second gate insulating film layer formed so as to cover upper surfaces of the plurality of first gate electrode layers and the element isolation insulating films; and a second gate electrode layer formed on the second gate insulating film layer; and the second gate insulating film layer includes a NONON stacked film structure and a nitride film layer contacting the first gate electrode layer and constituting a lowermost layer of the NONON stack film structure is separated at a portion interposing the plurality of neighboring first gate electrode layers.
US07679123B2
Integrated circuit devices include an integrated circuit substrate and a conductive lower electrode layer of a capacitor on the integrated circuit substrate. A dielectric layer is on the lower electrode layer and a conductive upper electrode layer of the capacitor is on the dielectric layer. A first intermetal dielectric layer is on the upper electrode layer. The first intermetal dielectric layer includes at least one via hole extending to the upper electrode layer. A first conductive interconnection layer is on the at least one via hole of the first intermetal dielectric layer. A second intermetal dielectric layer is on the first intermetal dielectric layer. The second intermetal dielectric layer includes at least one via hole extending to the first conductive interconnection layer and at least partially exposing the at least one via hole of the first intermetal dielectric layer. A second conductive interconnection layer is provided in the at least one via hole of the second intermetal dielectric layer that electrically contacts the first conductive interconnection layer.
US07679116B2
A photoelectric conversion device comprising a semiconductor substrate of a first conduction type, and a photoelectric conversion element having an impurity region of the first conduction type and a plurality of impurity regions of a second conduction type opposite to the first conduction type. The plurality of second-conduction-type impurity regions include at least a first impurity region, a second impurity region provided between the first impurity region and a surface of the substrate, and a third impurity region provided between the second impurity region and the surface of the substrate. A concentration C1 corresponding to a peak of the impurity concentration in the first impurity region, a concentration C2 corresponding to a peak of the impurity concentration in the second impurity region and a concentration C3 corresponding to a peak of the impurity concentration in the third impurity region satisfy the following relationship: C2
US07679111B2
A power semiconductor device having a termination structure that includes a polysilicon field plate, a metallic field plate, and a polysilicon equipotential ring.
US07679099B2
A light source having a circuit carrier and a die is disclosed. The circuit carrier includes top and bottom conducting layers sandwiching an insulating substrate. The bottom layer has a first surface adjacent to the insulating substrate and a second surface includes a portion of a bottom surface of the light source, the substrate having a die bonding region in which the top conducting layer and a portion of the substrate are absent. A portion of the bottom conducting layer is present under the die bonding region and the die is bonded to the top surface of the bottom conducting layer in the die bonding region. The bottom conducting layer is patterned to provide first and second bottom electrodes that are electrically isolated from one another and connected to first and second contacts for powering the LED.
US07679097B2
A semiconductor light emitting device having a semiconductor stacking structure bonded onto the support member and having excellent characteristics is provided by a preferable electrode structure.The semiconductor light emitting device comprising; a semiconductor stacking structure having a first semiconductor layer and a second semiconductor layer of conductivity types different from each other, a first electrode connected to the first semiconductor layer, and a second electrode connected to the second semiconductor layer, wherein one principal surface of the first electrode has a portion that makes contact with the first semiconductor layer so as to establish electrical continuity and an external connection section.
US07679091B2
A semiconductor device, particularly, a photoelectric conversion element having a semiconductor layer is demonstrated. The photoelectric conversion element of the present invention comprises, over a substrate, a photoelectric conversion layer and first and second electrodes which are electrically connected to the photoelectric conversion layer. The photoelectric conversion element further comprises a wiring board over which a third and fourth electrodes are provided. The characteristic point of the present invention is that a bonding layer, which readily forms an alloy with a conductive material, is formed over the first and second electrodes. This bonding layer improves the bonding strength between the first and third electrodes and the second and fourth electrode, which contributes to the prevention of the connection defect between the substrate and the wiring board and consequentially to high reliability of the photoelectric conversion element.
US07679088B2
A fabrication method of a TFT includes successively forming four thin films containing a first conductive layer, an insulation layer, a semiconductor layer, and a second conductive layer on a substrate, performing a first PEP process to pattern the four thin films for forming a semiconductor island and a gate electrode with the semiconductor layer and the first conductive layer respectively. Then, a laser ablation process is performed to define a channel pattern in the four thin films and remove a portion of the second conductive layer so that unconnected source electrode and drain electrode are formed with the second conductive layer.
US07679081B2
Substrate structures and fabrication methods thereof. A substrate structure includes a bendable substrate and an inorganic electrode structure on the bendable structure, wherein the inorganic electrode structure includes a conductive layer or a semiconductor layer. The inorganic electrode structure includes carbon nanotubes, carbon nanofibers, a nanolinear material, or a micro-linear material. The bendable substrate includes polyethylene (PE), polyimide (PI), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), or polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA).
US07679072B2
The present invention provides a surface treatment apparatus for molded polymer products. In the operation, a molded polymer product is held by a jig (11) on a product loading and discharging unit (20) and is fed by a product feeding unit (10). A first impurity removing unit (30) cleans the surface of the product. The product passes through an inlet vacuum unit (40) and reaches a product surface ion treatment unit. The ion treatment unit controls an ion beam electric current and produces plasma cations using gas supplied from an atmospheric gas supply unit (60), and the plasma ions are evenly scanned onto the product surfaces. The surface-treated molded product passes through a second impurity removing unit and is fed to the product loading and discharging unit, at which the jig exchanges the existing product for a new product.
US07679059B2
Low concentrations of water vapor within a background of one or more olefin gases may be detected and quantified using a differential absorption spectrometer. A dehydrated sample of the gas is used as a background sample whose absorption spectrum allows elimination of absorption features not due to water vapor in the gas. Absorption spectra may recorded using tunable diode lasers as the light source. These lasers may have a wavelength bandwidth that is narrower than the water vapor absorption feature used for the differential absorption spectral analysis.
US07679053B2
A method for introducing samples through a boundary member partially defining a chamber at an entrance point coaxial to a sampling inlet of a mass spectrometer is described. Field-free conditions can be established in at least one region of the chamber. The sample can be introduced adjacent to the sampling inlet, and introducing at least a second sample can be introduced through at least one other entrance point in the chamber not adjacent to the sampling inlet. An apparatus having a sampling inlet and a boundary member partially defining a chamber is also described. Field-free conditions can be established in at least one region of the chamber, and there can be a first aperture in the boundary member through which a source emits sample. Related devices, uses and mass spectrometers are also described.
US07679050B2
A method and apparatus for processing neutron log data having the steps of a) deriving from the near-spaced neutron count of a neutron logging tool an approximate, unfiltered, lithology-related characteristic of a formation; b) deriving a correction that is essentially independent of the lithology; c) long filtering the correction; and d) adding the resulting, long-filtered correction to the approximate, unfiltered characteristic resulting from step a. in order to derive a compensated characteristic. The method provides statistically good, compensated logs while permitting the use of low activity neutron sources.
US07679049B2
A method for calibrating a positron emission tomography scanner of a radiation therapy device is provided. The method includes applying at least one defined radiation dose in a sample body; measuring the activity generated by the radiation dose using the positron emission tomography scanner; and calibrating the positron emission tomography scanner based on the measured activity.
US07679048B1
Systems and methods for microbolometer focal plane arrays provide for the selection of microbolometers within the microbolometer focal plane arrays. In accordance with an embodiment, a microbolometer focal plane array includes a plurality of microbolometers forming a microbolometer array, wherein contacts within the microbolometer array are shared by the microbolometers; a first plurality of switches adapted to provide a voltage to respective ones of the plurality of microbolometers; a second plurality of switches adapted to receive an output signal from respective ones of the plurality of microbolometers; and a third plurality of switches adapted to selectively short respective ones of the plurality of microbolometers in the microbolometer array.
US07679043B2
Disclosed are a peripheral light sensor and a liquid crystal display device using the same. The device includes: a peripheral light sensor including: one or more transistors each coupled between an output line and a ground power sources, and having a gate electrode coupled to the ground power source and a first electrode, a voltage value of the respective ground power source being less than a maximal voltage value supplied to the respective output line, wherein each of the transistors is configured to output to the respective outline line a peripheral light sensing signal corresponding to an intensity of a peripheral light.
US07679031B2
The invention provides a device which optically checks a nozzle tip of a laser machining tool. A camera unit 450 which is raised and lowered in opposing relation to a nozzle 65 of a laser beam machine has a camera chamber 454 and is sealed by protective glass 456, where the camera chamber 454 contains a CCD camera body 460 and lens 462. While a ring light 470 illuminates a surface of the nozzle 65, the CCD camera body 460 checks the nozzle 65 optically.
US07679026B1
Efficient static neutralization of an electrostatically charged object that has a varying distance from an ion generating source, a varying velocity, a large dimension or any these is achieved by using an ionizing cell or bar having a first electrode and a second electrode. The first electrode for receiving a multi-frequency voltage that has a waveform, and the second electrode separated from the first electrode by a first distance and for use as a reference electrode. The waveform is adjusted during neutralization of a moving object based on at least one attribute of the object.
US07679025B1
An apparatus for the formation of a dense plasma focus (DPF) has a center electrode formed about an axis, where the center electrode includes a cylindrical part and a tapered part. An outer electrode is formed about the center electrode, and may be either cylindrical, tapered, or formed from a plurality of individual conductors including a helical conductor arrangement surrounding the tapered region of the center conductor. The taper of the center electrode results in an enhanced azimuthal B field in the final region of the device, resulting in increased plasma velocity prior to the dense plasma focus. Using the outer electrode helical structure an auxiliary axial B field is generated during the final acceleration region of the plasma, which reduces axial modal tearing of the plasma in the final acceleration region.
US07679016B2
A panel switch includes an insulating substrate, a resist layer provided on an upper surface of the insulating substrate, a cover sheet, an adhesive layer bonded onto an upper surface of the resist layer, and plural push switches activated upon being pressed via the cover sheet. The resist layer has plural contact openings and a communication opening provided therein. The contact openings and the communication opening exposes the upper surface of the insulating substrate from the contact openings and the communication opening. The communication opening allows the contact openings to communicate with each other. The adhesive layer is provided entirely on a lower surface of the cover sheet and covers the contact openings and the communication opening. The push switches are accommodated in the contact openings, respectively. In this panel switch, the adhesive layer can easily be printed on the cover sheet and bond the cover sheet securely to the insulating substrate.
US07679015B2
A keypad assembly includes a pressing surface layer, a pattern layer, an elastic layer, a light guiding layer, and a pressing bottom layer. The pattern layer is under the pressing surface layer. The elastic layer is located between and interlocks the pattern layer and the light guiding layer by adhesive. The pressing bottom layer adheres to the light guiding layer. The keypad assembly has an ideal appearance by lights collection of the light guiding layer. User can feel comfortable when pressing the keypad assembly because of the elastic layer's buffering effect.
US07679011B2
An input device (100) includes a housing (80), a base (40), a shaft (20), a first elastic member (60), and at least one second elastic member (70). The housing has a cavity (800), a first end and an opposite second open end. The first end has a hole (802) communicated with the cavity. The base is pivotably received in the cavity of the housing with part of the base protruding out of the cavity from the hole. The base defines a through hole (406) and includes at least one protrusion (408). The shaft is slidably received in the through hole of the base. The first elastic member provides a force to reset the shaft. The second elastic member connected to the base and the housing for providing a force to reset the base. The present invention also provides an electronic device employing the input device.
US07679005B2
A circuitized substrate in which selected ones of the signal conductors are substantially surrounded by shielding members which shield the conductors during passage of high frequency signals, e.g., to reduce noise. The shielding members may form solid members which lie parallel and/or perpendicular to the signal conductors, and may also be substantially cylindrical in shape to surround a conductive thru-hole which also forms part of the substrate. An electrical assembly and an information handling system are also defined.
US07679003B2
A carrier tape according to the present invention includes a plurality of tape carrier packages provided at a regular interval on a lengthy insulating tape, a first and a second integrated circuit device respectively and mounted to each of the plurality of tape carrier packages. Further, a connecting line electrically short-circuits only between one of terminals for the first integrated circuit device and one of terminals for the second integrated circuit device. This configuration prevents the integrated circuit devices from being damaged by discharged static electricity as well as allows to conduct a performance test on the integrated circuit devices such as checking for input/output of a signal by applying a probe pin to an input or output pin.
US07679001B2
Provided is a method of forming a circuit board including (a) providing a first conductive sheet; (b) selectively removing one or more portions of the first conductive sheet to form a first panel having a first circuit board that is coupled to a disposable part of the first panel by at least one tab that extends from an edge of the first circuit board to an edge of the disposable part of the first panel; (c) applying an insulating coating to the first circuit board so that at least each edge of the first circuit board is covered thereby; and (d) separating the first circuit board from the disposable part in a manner whereupon at least part of the tab remains attached to the first circuit board and includes an exposed edge of the conductive sheet of the first circuit board. Circuit boards formed by the method are also provided.
US07678995B2
A contact device for providing an electrical contact between a first busbar (3) and a second busbar (4) which are arranged substantially parallel to each other, comprises a holder (2) with two sidewalls (21, 22) which extend substantially parallel. Said sidewalls (21, 22) enclose a slot (23) for receiving the second busbar. The sidewalls (21, 22) comprise an inner surface (211, 221) facing the slot (23) and an outer surface (212, 222). One sidewall (21, 22) is adapted to face the first busbar (3) with its outer surface (212, 222) and to face the second busbar (4) with its inner surface (211,221). Said sidewall (21) comprises a contact element (1) for providing an electrical contact through said sidewall (21) from the inner surface (211) to the outer surface (212).
US07678993B2
One aspect of the invention is an outlet box frame for installation in a hole in a floor structure. The hole having a perimeter and defining an internal wall surface in said floor structure. The frame including a walled member, at least one flange portion and a unitary retaining screw guide. The walled member being sized for insertion within the hole. The at least one flange portion extending outward from the walled member, wherein once installed at least a portion of the flange extends from the walled member past the internal wall surface. The unitary retaining screw guide supports a retaining screw. The screw guide being supported from the walled member and configured to receive the retaining screw therein. Upon installation, the retaining screw inserted in the retaining screw guide engages the hole wall without significant penetration thereof, providing at least pullout resistance of the frame from the hole. Alternatively, the outlet box frame may include the retaining screw.
US07678987B2
This invention provides apparatus and methods for seasoning stringed musical instruments. For stringed instruments having a bridge, the apparatus comprises an electric vibration generator attached to a bridge cradle, the bridge cradle being sized and configured for detachable attachment to a bridge of the instrument, the bridge cradle comprising a main body portion sized and configured to be placed upon the bridge in sufficient contact therewith to permit the transfer of vibration generated by the vibration generator into the bridge of the instrument. For stringed instruments having a sound hole, the apparatus comprises an electric vibration generator attached to a vibration cradle, the vibration cradle being sized and configured for detachable attachment between the body and strings of the instrument, the vibration cradle comprising a base sized and configured to be placed in sufficient contact with the sound hole to permit the transfer of vibration generated by the vibration generator into the body of the instrument.
US07678969B2
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated CH313215. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CH313215, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH313215 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 CH313215.
US07678966B2
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the corn variety designated CV591539. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CV591539, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CV591539 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to corn seeds and plants produced by crossing plants of variety CV591539 with plants of another variety, such as another inbred line. The invention further relates to the inbred and hybrid genetic complements of plants of variety CV591539.
US07678965B2
The invention relates to the soybean variety designated D5624834. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety D5624834. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety D5624834 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety D5624834 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods.
US07678950B2
Processes for the conversion of carbohydrates to gasoline boiling range hydrocarbons, and processes for increasing the solubility of carbohydrates used in such processes are disclosed. The solubility of carbohydrates may be increased by contacting the carbohydrate with an ion-exchange resin. The dissolved product may be hydrogenated and reacted in the present of a catalyst to form a reaction product containing non-aromatic and aromatic gasoline boiling range hydrocarbons.
US07678947B2
A method for producing a halogen-substituted benzenedimethanol represented by the formula (2): wherein X1 to X4 are the same or different and independently represent a halogen atom or the like, provided that at least one of X1 to X4 is a halogen atom, by reacting a halogen-substituted terephthalic acid diester represented by the formula (1): wherein R1 and R2 are the same or different and independently represent a C1-C20 alkyl group which may have a substitutent or substituents, and X1 to X4 is the same as defined above, with a borohydride compound in the presence of an alcohol which comprises adding the alcohol into a mixture of the halogen-substituted terephthalic acid diester represented by the formula (1), the borohydride compound and a solvent.
US07678942B2
A production method of a compound represented by the formula wherein R1a, R1b, R1c, R1d, R1e, R1f, R2a, R2b, R2c, R2d, R2e and R2f are the same or different and each is a hydrogen atom and the like, and R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, R8, R9 and R10 are the same or different and each is a hydrogen atom and the like, or a salt thereof, which comprises reacting a compound represented by the formula wherein X is a leaving group and other symbols are as defined above, or a salt thereof, with a phosphine-borane complex represented by the formula wherein the symbols are as defined above, or a salt thereof, in a solvent in the presence of an amine and a nickel catalyst, is provided.
US07678937B2
The present invention discloses a process for producing light colored polyalkylated arylalkyl sulfonic acids. The polyalkylated arylalkyl sulfonic acids may be further neutralized with alkalis or amines to form the corresponding light colored sulfonated salts. The present invention also makes manufacture of polyalkylated arylalkyl sulfonic acids possible as first intent products using an inexpensive and simple reaction. The structure of the polyalkylated arylalkyl sulfonic acids produced using the process described in the present invention is shown below: Where R1, R2 and R3 are each separately and independently H, alkyl (branched or linear C1 to C30), R4═CH3(CH2)oCH(CH2)pCH3 m+n=4 to 28 o+p=3 to 27.
US07678930B2
The invention relates to a process for decreasing the amount of cholesterol in a mixture comprising a marine oil, the marine oil containing the cholesterol, which process comprises the steps of adding a volatile working fluid to the mixture, where the volatile working fluid comprises at least one of a fatty acid ester, a fatty acid amide and a hydrocarbon, and subjecting the mixture with the added volatile working fluid to at least one stripping processing step, in which an amount of cholesterol present in the marine oil in free form is separated from the mixture together with the volatile working fluid. The present invention also relates to a volatile cholesterol decreasing working fluid and a health supplement and a pharmaceutical, based on a marine oil, prepared according to the process mentioned above.
US07678929B2
Disclosed are furochroman compounds of formula I liquid-crystal media which contains the compounds of formula I, and the use of the media in electro-optical displays, in particular in VAN LCDs.
US07678928B2
An improved method for manufacture of simvastatin of formula (I) in high purity. The process for preparation of compound (I) comprises the steps of agitating a compound of formula (II), wherein R is hydrogen, NH4+ or an alkali metal in an organic solvent and in an inert atmosphere at a temperature of between 27° C. to 40° C. in the presence of a weak acid followed by neutralization with an organic base and obtaining compound of formula (I) in high purity and substantially free of impurities through a step of isolation and crystallization.
US07678923B2
Method for synthesising 1-aryl-4-(imidazol-2-yl)-3-alkyl-1H-pyrazole derivatives from 1-aryl-3-alkyl-1H-pyrazo-line-5-one derivatives.
US07678920B2
N-Substituted sulfoximines are effective at controlling insects.
US07678919B2
Taxan derivatives are produced efficiently and inexpensively, which are useful as oral-administrable antitumor compounds.A compound of formula (1) (wherein R1 is an alkyl group, an alkenyl group, an alkynyl group, a cycloalkyl group, an aryl group or a heterocyclic group; R2 is a hydroxyl group optionally having a protective group) is processed with an alkali metal permanganate to produce a compound of formula (2), which may be a starting material for oral-administrable antitumor compounds.
US07678918B2
Imidazonaphthyridine and tetrahydroimidazonaphthyridine compounds induce the biosynthesis of cytokines such as interferon and tumor necrosis factor. The compounds exhibit antiviral and antitumor properties. Methods of preparing the compounds and intermediates useful in the preparation of the compounds are disclosed.
US07678916B2
The present invention relates to processes for the preparation of rosiglitazone, rosiglitazone prepared thereby and pharmaceutical compositions and therapeutic uses thereof, and methods of treatment employing the same.
US07678915B2
The present invention relates to a process for preparing piperidine derivative compounds of the formulae: wherein n is 0 or 1; R1 is hydrogen or hydroxy; R2 is hydrogen; or, when n is 0, R1 and R2 taken together form a second bond between the carbon atoms bearing R1 and R2, provided that when n is 1, R1 and R2 are each hydrogen; R3 is —COOH or —COOR4; R4 is an alkyl or aryl moiety; A, B, and D are the substituents of their rings, each of which may be different or the same, and are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halogens, alkyl, hydroxy, alkoxy, and other substituents, The process comprises providing a regiosomer of the following formula: m is an integer from 1 to 6; Q and Y are the same or different and are selected from the group consisting of O, S, and NR5; G1, G2, and G3 are the same or different and are selected from the group consisting of OR8, SR8, and NR8R9; R6 and R7 are the same or different and are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, an alkyl moiety, an aryl moiety, OR8, SR8, and NR8R9; and R5, R8, and R9 are the same or different and are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, an alkyl moiety, and an aryl moiety and converting the regioisomer to the piperidine derivative compound with a piperidine compound.
US07678914B2
The present invention relates to an isotopologue of Compound 1 substituted with deuterium at the methylene carbon of the benzodioxol ring. The isotopologues of this invention selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and possess unique biopharmaceutical and metabolic properties compared to Compound 1. They may also be used to accurately determine the concentration of Compound 1 in biological fluids and to determine metabolic patterns of Compound 1 and its isotopologues. The invention further provides compositions comprising these deuterated isotopologues and methods of treating diseases and conditions that are responsive to increased neuronal serotonin transmission, alone and in combination with additional agents.
US07678904B2
The present invention provides compounds of the formula (I) wherein: X1, X2 and X3 are heteroatoms; R4, R5, R6, R7, R8, R9 and R10 are independently selected from H, halo, —OH, —NO2, —CN and optionally substituted aliphatic, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, aryl or heteroaryl; and Z is optionally substituted C1-8 straight-chained or branched aliphatic, optionally containing 1 or more double or triple bonds, wherein one or more carbons are optionally replaced by R* wherein R* is optionally substituted cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, aryl or heteroaryl; an amino acid residue, H, —CN, —C(O)—, —C(O)C(O)—, —C(O)NR1—, —C(O)NR1NR2—, —C(O)O—, —OC(O)—, —NR1CO2—, —O—, —NR1C(O)NR2—, —OC(O)NR1—, —NR1NR2—, —NR1C(O)—, —S—, —SO—, —SO2—, —NR1—, —SO2NR1—, —NR1R2, or —NR1SO2—, wherein R1 and R2 are independently selected from H and optionally substituted aliphatic, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, aryl or heteroaryl; or where R* is NR1R2, R1 and R2 optionally together with the nitrogen atom form an optionally substituted 5-12 membered ring, said ring optionally comprising 1 or more heteroatoms or a group selected from —CO—, —SO—, —SO2— and —PO—; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, ester or prodrug thereof.
US07678896B2
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 STK12.
US07678894B2
The disclosure provides nucleotide analogs and methods of their use. Analogs of the invention comprise a reporter molecule (label) attached via the N4, N6, O4, or O6 position of the nitrogenous base portion of the analog. In a preferred embodiment, nucleotide analogs of the invention comprise a label attached to the nitrogenous base portion of the analog via a cleavable linker at the N4, O4, N6 or O6 position.
US07678893B2
The present invention provides nucleic acid molecules encoding a fluorescent and proteins and mutants, homologues and derivatives thereof, as well as proteins and peptides encoded by these nucleic acids. The nucleic acid molecules and proteins of interest are isolated from Copepoda species. Also of interest are proteins that are substantially similar to, or derivatives, or homologues, or mutants of, the above-referenced specific proteins. Also provided are fragments of the nucleic acids and the peptides encoded thereby, as well as antibodies specific to the proteins and peptides of the invention. In addition, host-cells, stable cell lines and transgenic organisms comprising above-referenced nucleic acid molecules are provided. The subject protein and nucleic acid compositions find use in a variety of different applications and methods, particularly for labeling of biomolecules, cell or cell organelles. Finally, kits for use in such methods and applications are provided.
US07678879B2
The invention is based on the discovery that the compounds and compositions described herein are useful as film-forming adhesives for use in a variety of applications, including, for example, adhesive tapes for the electronic packaging industry. The invention compositions described herein can be cured in a variety of ways with or without a catalyst.
US07678875B2
A method for producing a PC copolymer with improved productivity is provided. The PC copolymer has a specific structure and the method uses a diester diol-containing monomer as a raw material. The polycarbonate copolymer is produced by reacting a diester diol-containing monomer, a divalent phenol, and a carbonate precursor by interfacial polymerization, wherein the diester diol-containing monomer is a product of reaction between a hydroxybenzoic acid or an esterified product thereof and a polyalkylene glycol, wherein the esterification degree of hydroxyl groups of the polyalkylene glycol is 50 to 90 mol %.
US07678874B2
This invention relates to a novel polyimide silicone having an alcoholic hydroxyl group and a process for the preparation thereof. The polyimide of the invention having a primary alcoholic hydroxyl group is represented by the following general formula (1), wherein X represents a tetravalent organic group, Y represents a divalent group having at least one monovalent group selected from the group consisting of a phenolic hydroxyl group and a carboxyl group, with at least one being a divalent organic group having an alcoholic hydroxyl group, Z represents a divalent organic group, W represents a divalent organic group having an organosiloxane structure, k is a positive number, and each of m and n is equal to 0 (zero) or a positive number, with 0.1≦k/(k+m+n)≦1, 0≦m/(k+m+n)≦0.8, 0≦n/(k+m+n)≦0.8.
US07678873B1
Novel ether-ketone-imide hyperbranched polymers with thermally reactive ethynyl endgroups were prepared from the corresponding AB2 monomer and the respective benzophenone-based endcapping agents in one-pot fashion. The resulting polymer has repeating units of the formula: where the chain-end groups, Ar is a benzophenone with an ortho, a meta- or a para-ethynyl substituent.
US07678863B2
A novel class of proton exchange membrane materials, sulfonated poly(phthalazinones), were prepared by modification of poly(phthalazinone). Sulfonation reactions were conducted at room temperature using mixtures of 95-98% concentrated sulfuric acid and 27-33% fuming sulfuric acid with different acid ratios in order to get SPPEK with degree of sulfonation (DS) in the range of 0.6 to 1.0. The presence of sulfonic acid groups was confirmed by FT-IR analysis, and the DS and structures were characterized by NMR. The introduction of sulfonic groups into the polymer chains led to an increase in the glass transition temperature and a decrease in the decomposition temperature. Membrane films were cast from solution in N,N-dimethylformamide or N,N-dimethylacetamide. Water uptakes and swelling ratios of the membrane films increased with DS and sulfonated polymers with DS>1.2 were water soluble at 80° C. Proton conductivity increased with DS and temperature up to 95° C., reaching 10−2 S/Cm.
US07678862B2
Electrophoretic particles are constituted by pigment particles provided with a polymer chain connected with a polymerization initiation group at a surface of pigment particle. The resultant electrophoretic particles are excellent particle size uniformity and dispersibility.
US07678858B2
The present invention provides a fluorine containing elastomer composition which does not affect heat resistance and processability, is little in weight change for both of fluorine plasma and oxygen plasma exposed at the production step of a semiconductor and can inhibit generation of foreign objects (particles) significantly in those steps, and a molded article comprising the composition. The present invention relates to a fluorine containing elastomer composition for the seal material of a semiconductor production device comprising a fluorine containing elastomer and a compound having plasma antiaging effects.
US07678855B2
A rubber composition having a high hysteresis loss is provided without impairment of other physical properties, such as fracture characteristics. The rubber composition includes 100 parts by weight of a rubber component, 0.1 to 100 parts by weight of graphitized carbon material, and a lipid the amount of which is 0.02 to 0.2 times the amount of the graphitized carbon material. Preferably, the graphitized carbon material is carbon fiber grown from a vapor phase or graphitized carbon black, and the lipid is a fatty acid. Preferably, the rubber composition according to the present invention has a loss tangent tan δ in the range of 0.05 to 0.5 at a temperature of 60 degree C. after vulcanization.
US07678852B2
Polymer compositions are afforded flame retardancy with the incorporation of a combination of melamine polyphosphate and poly(m-phenylene methylphosphonate). The polymer compositions are for instance epoxy resins for prepegs, laminates and printed circuit boards. The epoxy resins are for example for coating electronic parts. The polymer compositions are also thermoplastics such as polyolefins or polystyrenics, useful as fibers, films or molded parts. The melamine polyphosphate may be of a fine particle size.
US07678842B2
Provided is a radiation-curable silicone rubber composition comprising: (A) a specific organopolysiloxane, which at each molecular chain terminal contains two or three silicon-containing groups that each contain a plurality of (from 2 to 9) (meth)acryloyl groups (in other words, a specific organopolysiloxane containing from 8 to 54 (meth)acryloyl groups within each molecule); and (B) a radiation sensitizer. The composition cures easily and favorably upon irradiation with low intensity, low energy radiation, and in particular upon irradiation with ultraviolet light emitted from a UV-LED light source. A cured coating generated from the composition rapidly develops favorable adhesion to a wide variety of substrates, and provides excellent corrosion prevention for the substrate, even under severe conditions.
US07678838B2
A method of preparing nanothin polymer films having uniform and selectively sized pores utilizing pore forming templates. Lipids and pore forming templates are dissolved into a first solution. The solvent is removed thereby creating a lipid bilayer with pore forming templates dispersed throughout. The bilayer is hydrated and monomers and crosslinkers are added to create a second solution. A nanothin film with pore forming templates is created through polymerization of said second solution. The pore forming templates are dissolved into a third solution by addition of a chemical in which the pore forming template is soluble, but the lipid bilayer is insoluble. This third solution is separated from the mixture leaving a nanothin polymer film with pores of a uniform thickness and surface area. In summary, the guided assembly method presented here suggests a new general strategy for the fabrication of nanothin materials with controlled permeability, which provides improvements over the currently existing technology.
US07678835B2
The invention relates to low-foaming gas processing compositions comprising (a) a silicone antifoam component comprising a base silicone fluid and a particulate metal oxide; (b) an emulsifying component in an amount suitable for the at least substantial emulsification of the silicone antifoam component in water; (c) a polypropylene glycol component at least partially soluble, emulsifiable, and/or dispersible in water; (d) a water-soluble or water-dispersible gas processing agent; and (e) water. The invention also relates to methods for processing a gas by treating the gas with these foam suppressing compositions.
US07678825B2
Isoindolin-1-one and Isoindoline-1,3-dione substituted in the 2-position with an α-(3,4-disubstituted phenyl)alkyl group and in the 4- and/or 5-position with a nitrogen-containing group are inhibitors of, and thus useful in the treatment of disease states mediated by, TNFα and phosphodiesterase. A typical embodiment is 2-[1-(3-ethoxy-4-methoxyphenyl)2-methylsulfonylethyl]4,5-diaminoisoindoline-1,3-dione.
US07678815B2
The present invention is concerned with novel thiazole 4-carboxyamide derivatives of the general formula (I) and with methods for the preparation thereof, which compounds are useful as metabotropic glutamate receptor antagonists: wherein R1 to R4 are as defined in the specification.
US07678794B2
The present invention provides a compound of formula (I): pharmaceutical compositions thereof, and methods of using the same, processes for preparing the same, and intermediates thereof.
US07678785B2
The present invention relates to novel aniline derivatives and their use in therapy, in particular their use in the treatment of fungal infections.
US07678781B2
The present invention is directed to novel 11-phosphorous steroid derivatives, pharmaceutical compositions containing them and their use in the treatment of disorders and conditions modulated by a progesterone or glucocorticoid receptor.
US07678778B2
The present disclosure relates to salts and compositions of isophosphoramide mustard and isophosphoramide mustard analogs. In one embodiment the salts can be represented by the formula wherein A+ represents an ammonium species selected from the protonated (conjugate acid) or quaternary forms of aliphatic amines and aromatic amines, including basic amino acids, heterocyclic amines, substituted and unsubstituted pyridines, guanidines and amidines; and X and Y independently represent leaving groups. Also disclosed herein are methods for making such compounds and formulating pharmaceutical compositions thereof. Methods for administering the disclosed compounds to subjects, particularly to treat hyperproliferative disorders, also are disclosed.
US07678777B2
A composition for promoting bacterial proliferation and selectively proliferating Lactobacillus casei subsp. casei is disclosed, which includes a dextran. A variety of biological activities originating from L. casei subsp. casei can be sustained in a living body by selectively growing-proliferating and colonizing L. casei subsp. casei in the intestine of a human being, animal, or the like or by selectively growing-proliferating L. casei subsp. casei in the intestine, without supplying L. casei subsp. casei at all times.
US07678776B2
The present invention relates to the inclusion complexes of butylphthalide, which is D, L-mixed or levorotatory, with cyclodextrin or cyclodextrin derivatives, to a process for their preparation and the use thereof. In the invention, the butylphthalide is complexed with cyclodextrin or cyclodextrin derivatives, preferably with hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin in order to increase the water-solubility of butylphthalide, develop clinical solid or liquid formulations and improve the therapeutic effect of butylphthalide. The inclusion complex, in which the molar ratio of butylphthalide to cyclodextrin or cyclodextrin derivatives is in the range of 1:1-10, can be used to prepare infusion, injection, injectable powder, liquids for oral administration, syrup, tablets, granules, dispersible tablets and others.
US07678773B2
A compound of formula wherein X− is an anion; n is 1, 2, 3 or 4; R1 is C1-C12alkyl, C3-C8cycloalkyl; or C2-C12alkenyl; R2 is hydrogen, unsubstituted or substituted C1-C12alkyl or C2-C12alkenyl; R3 is hydrogen, unsubstituted or substituted C1-C12alkyl, C3-C12cycloalkyl, C2-C12alkenyl; or C2-C12alkynyl; or R2 and R3 together are an alkylene or alkenylene bridge; and, where applicable, E/Z isomers, E/Z isomeric mixtures and/or tautomers; with the proviso that R1 is not sec-butyl or isopropyl when R2 is H and R3 is methyl; and, where applicable, their possible tautomers; a process for the preparation of those compounds and their tautomers and the use thereof; pesticidal compositions in which the active ingredient has been selected from those compounds and their tautomers; and a process for the preparation of those compositions and the use thereof; intermediates, in free form or in salt form, for the preparation of those compounds and, where applicable, their tautomers, in free form or in salt form, are described.
US07678761B2
A method of providing general anesthesia to an organism that improves surgical outcome by controlling a psychic and a somatic surgical stress before, during, and after a surgical procedure by preventing a pathological elevation of Factor VIII in the blood of the organism, comprising the steps of controlling the psychic stress in the organism by administering to the organism an anesthetic or hypnotic agent; controlling the somatic stress by administering to the organism an opioid and/or lidocaine; maintaining a normal body temperature of the organism; minimizing a non-surgical stress stimuli; and allowing a mild hypercarbia to support a respiratory drive in the presence of an opioid dosage. The method may further comprise the step of giving additional doses of an opioid as necessary to prevent sympathetic nervous system activation.
US07678760B2
Methods for the production of purified, catalytically active, recombinant memapsin 2 have been developed. The substrate and subsite specificity of the catalytically active enzyme have been determined. The substrate and subsite specificity information was used to design substrate analogs of the natural memapsin 2 substrate that can inhibit the function of memapsin 2. The substrate analogs are based on peptide sequences, shown to be related to the natural peptide substrates for memapsin 2. The substrate analogs contain at least one analog of an amide bond which is not capable of being cleaved by memapsin 2. Processes for the synthesis of two substrate analogues including isosteres at the sites of the critical amino acid residues were developed and the substrate analogues, OMR99-1 and OM99-2, were synthesized. OM99-2 is based on an octapeptide Glu-Val-Asn-Leu-Ala-Ala-Glu-Phe (SEQ ID NO:28) with the Leu-Ala peptide bond substituted by a transition-state isostere hydroxyethylene group (FIG. 1). The inhibition constant of OM99-2 is 1.6×10−9 M against recombinant pro-memapsin 2. Crystallography of memapsin 2 bound to this inhibitor was used to determine the three dimensional structure of the protein, as well as the importance of the various residues in binding. This information can be used by those skilled in the art to design new inhibitors, using commercially available software programs and techniques familiar to those in organic chemistry and enzymology, to design new inhibitors to memapsin 2, useful in diagnostics and for the treatment and/or prevention of Alzheimer's disease.
US07678758B2
Provided is a method of vaccinating a patient against a tumor by administering an agent to reduce or prevent interaction between Notch and a Notch ligand, or expression or processing of Notch or a Notch ligand. In one embodiment, this is accomplished by administering to the patient a tumor antigen expressed by the tumor and exposing an antigen presenting cell in the patient to an agent that reduces or prevents interaction, expression or processing of Notch or a Notch ligand in a T cell.
US07678757B2
The present invention is directed to novel cyclopropanecarboxaldehyde compounds of the general formula wherein R is a straight, branched, or cyclic hydrocarbon moiety consisting of 1 to 30 carbon atoms and containing single and/or double bonds.
US07678754B2
A system and method that are capable of cleaning and/or treating a surface of an object, such as the exterior surface of a vehicle. The system and method utilize wash solution formulations and rinse solution formulations including a wash solution composition that contains at least one ethoxylated interpolymer and a rinse solution with at least one layered silicate incorporating an inorganic pholyphosphate peptiser.
US07678753B2
A liquid detergent composition containing (a) hydrogen peroxide or a compound for forming hydrogen peroxide in water, (b) a compound selected from boric acid, borax, a boric acid salt in an amount of from 0.05 to 1% by mass as a boron atom, (c) a compound having one or more sites, the site having one hydroxyl group at each of both sides of adjacent carbon atoms, in an amount of from 3 to 35% by mass, (d) a surfactant in an amount of from 4 to 45% by mass, and (e) water, wherein the molar ratio of the component (c)/the component (b) is from 1.5 to 2.7, and wherein the detergent composition has a pH at 20° C. of from 4.6 to 7.0.
US07678749B2
The present invention is directed to the fragrance compounds and their intermediates and a method of improving, enhancing or modifying a fragrance formulation through the addition of an olfactory acceptable amount wherein the dotted line represents a possible single or double bond; wherein R is equal to a C3-C7 hydrocarbon moieties R1 and R2 together can be selected from the group consisting of oxygen and may form a closed ring structure represented by
US07678745B2
A well treatment fluid and method uses an organic peroxide. An activator embodiment can lower an effective concentration of the peroxide to break the fluid. A weight ratio of activator:organic peroxide can be at least about 1:20 in one well treatment fluid embodiment. A peroxyester breaker embodiment can be used in a well treatment fluid and method. A breaker delay agent embodiment can control the polymer break window in a well treatment fluid and method using an organic peroxide. A breaker package embodiment used in a well treatment fluid and method can include an organic peroxide and an amine breaker delay agent having the formula RR1NR2 wherein R, R1 and R2 are independently selected from hydrogen, alkyl, hydroxyalkyl, and combinations thereof.
US07678744B2
A hydrocarbon industry servicing fluid comprises an irradiated fluid that is biologically inert. The fluid may be irradiated with ultraviolet light. A method comprises performing a hydrocarbon industry service operation with an irradiated fluid that is biologically inert. The method may comprise disposing of the irradiated fluid to the environment or capturing the irradiated fluid when the service operation is complete. The method may further comprise re-irradiating the captured irradiated fluid to produce a remediated fluid, and performing a service operation with the remediated fluid.
US07678743B2
Of the many compositions provided herein, in one embodiment, the present invention provides a drill-in fluid comprising an aqueous base fluid, a viscosifier, a relative permeability modifier fluid loss control additive, and a degradable bridging agent comprising a degradable material capable of undergoing an irreversible degradation downhole.
US07678740B2
What is described are a compound of the formula (I) Wherein U is —N(R2)OR3 or —N+(O−)═C(RE)RZ); n is 0 or 1; X—Y is —CH═CH— or —CH2—CH2—; R1 is C1-C12alkyl, C3-C8cycloalkyl or C2-C12alkenyl; R2 and R3 are, for example; independently from each other, —Q, —C(═O)—Z—Q or —CN; RZ and RE are, independently from each other, —Q, —C(═O)—Z—Q or —CN; or RZ and RE together are a three- to seven membered alkylene or alkenylene bridge, which is unsubstituted or mono- to tri-substituted; Z is a bond, O or —NR4—; Q is H, C1-C12alkyl, C2-C12alkenyl, C2-C12alkynyl, C3-C12-Cycloalkyl, C5-C12-cycloalkenyl, aryl, or heterocyclyl, which are unsubstituted or mono- to pentasubstituted; R4 is for example H, C1-C8alkyl, hydroxy-C1-C8alkyl, C3-C8cycloalkyl or C2-C8alkenyl; or, if appropriate, an E/Z isomer, E/Z isomer mixture and/or tautomer thereof; a process for preparing these compounds, their isomers and tautomers and the use of these compounds, their isomers and tautomers; pesticidal compositions whose active compound is selected from these compounds and their tautomers; intermediates for the preparation of the said compounds of the formula (I), methods for the preparation of the compounds of the formula (I), and a method for controlling pests using these compositions.
US07678735B2
Ammoxidation catalysts have been found effective for the reduction of emissions of NOx and NOx precursors during FCC catalyst regeneration.
US07678734B2
The present invention relates to an oxidation catalyst comprising a substrate and an oxidation coating of platinum (Pt), palladium (Pd), cobalt (Co), iron (Fe) and cerium (Ce) applied to the substrate. Furthermore the invention relates to a method for producing such an oxidation catalyst and an internal combustion engine using such an oxidation catalyst.
US07678730B2
A hydroprocessing bulk catalyst is provided. A process to prepare hydroprocessing bulk catalysts is also provided. The hydroprocessing catalyst has the formula (Mt)a(Lu)b(Sv)d(Cw)e(Hx)f(Oy)g(Nz)h, wherein M is at least one group VIB metal; L is optional and if present, L is at least one Group VIII non-noble metal; t, u, v, w, x, y, z representing the total charge for each of the components (M, L, S, C, H, O and N, respectively); ta+ub+vd+we+xf+yg+zh=0; 0=
US07678729B2
The present invention provides a process for conditioning double metal cyanide (DMC) catalysts, which are employed in the preparation of polyether polyols based on starter compounds having active hydrogen atoms, the preparation of polyether polyols using the conditioned catalysts and the use of the polyether polyols prepared in this way for the preparation of polyurethane materials.
US07678727B2
A process for regenerating a used acidic ionic liquid catalyst comprising the steps of contacting the used ionic liquid catalyst and hydrogen with a homogeneous hydrogenation catalyst in a reaction zone under hydrogenation conditions for a time sufficient to increase the activity of the used catalyst is disclosed.
US07678724B2
A production method of a dielectric ceramic composition comprising a main component including at least one selected from BaTiO3, BaCaTiO3, BaTiZrO3 and BaCaTiZrO3, and a fourth subcomponent including rare earth oxide; comprising steps of dividing a material of the main component to a first main component material and a second main component material, obtaining a post-reaction material by making the material of the first main component react in advance with a part of the fourth subcomponent material, and adding the material of the second main component and rest of the fourth subcomponent material into the post-reaction material; wherein, when number of moles of the first main component is n1 and number of moles of the second main component is n2, a ratio is 0.5≦n1/(n1+n2)≦1: by which preferable characteristic can be obtained even when dielectric layers are made thin.
US07678720B2
Glass-ceramics includes Li2O, Al2O3 and SiO2, have an average crystal grain diameter of a predominant crystal phase of 90 nm or below and have crystal grain diameter distribution of 20 nm or below. The glass-ceramics can be manufactured by heat treating glass comprising Li2O, Al2O3 and SiO2 under a temperature within a range from 650° C. to 750° C. and then further heat treating the glass under a temperature within a range from 700° C. to 800° C. for 100-200 hours.
US07678715B2
The present invention pertains to methods of depositing low wet etch rate silicon nitride films on substrates using high-density plasma chemical vapor deposition techniques at substrate temperatures below 600° C. The method additionally involves the maintenance of a relatively high ratio of nitrogen to silicon in the plasma and a low process pressure.
US07678711B2
A SiO2 film is formed on a semiconductor substrate. Then, a SiN film is formed on the SiO2 film. In this event bis(tertiary butyl amino) silane and NH3 are used as a material gas, and the film forming temperature is set to 600° C. or lower.
US07678701B2
A method of manufacturing an electronic device (10) provides a substrate (20) that has a plastic material. A particulate material (16) is embedded in at least one surface of the substrate. A layer of thin-film semiconductor material is deposited onto the substrate (20).
US07678699B2
A new technique is disclosed in which a barrier/capping layer for a copper-based metal line is formed by using a thermal-chemical treatment with a surface modification on the basis of a silicon-containing precursor followed by an in situ plasma-based deposition of silicon nitride and/or silicon carbon nitride. The thermal-chemical treatment is performed on the basis of an ammonium/nitrogen mixture in the absence of any plasma ambient.
US07678694B2
A method for fabricating a semiconductor device having a silicided gate that is directed to forming the silicided structures while maintaining gate-dielectric integrity. Initially, a gate structure has, preferably, a poly gate electrode separated from a substrate by a gate dielectric and a metal layer is then deposited over at least the poly gate electrode. The fabrication environment is placed at an elevated temperature. The gate structure may be one of two gate structures included in a dual gate device such as a CMOS device, in which case the respective gates may be formed at different heights (thicknesses) to insure that the silicide forms to the proper phase. The source and drain regions are preferably silicided as well, but in a separate process performed while the gate electrodes are protected by, for example a cap of photoresist or a hardmask structure.
US07678693B2
An exposure method executed after processing a hole in a substrate of a semiconductor device, has an exposure step of transferring a pattern on a mask onto an upper layer of the hole and forming a wiring groove by exposure, wherein a quantity of exposure with which a wiring groove 11 just above the hole or the wiring groove in the vicinity of the hole is exposed to light, is greater than a quantity of exposure with which a wiring groove 11A in a position spaced away from just above the hole is exposed to the light.
US07678692B2
A fabrication method for a damascene bit line contact plug. A semiconductor substrate has a first gate conductive structure, a second gate conductive structure and a source/drain region formed therebetween. A first conductive layer is formed in a space between the first gate conductive structure and the second gate conductive structure to be electrically connected to the source/drain region. An inter-layer dielectric with a planarized surface is formed to cover the first conductive layer, the first gate conductive structure, and the second gate conductive structure. A bit line contact hole is formed in the inter-layer dielectric to expose the top of the first conductive layer. A second conductive layer is formed in the bit line contact hole, in which the combination of the second conductive layer and the first conductive layer serves as a damascene bit line contact plug.
US07678674B1
A method of forming implants for a memory cell includes forming an oxide-nitride-oxide (ONO) stack over a substrate and implanting first impurities in the substrate adjacent each side of the ONO stack using a first implantation energy and a first tilt angle to produce first pocket implants. The method further includes implanting second impurities in the substrate adjacent each side of the ONO stack using a second implantation energy and a second tilt angle to produce second pocket implants, where the second implantation energy is substantially larger than the first implantation energy and where the second tilt angle is substantially larger than the first tilt angle.
US07678671B2
A semiconductor material having a stepwise surface structure of (0001)-plane terraces and (11-2n)-plane steps [n≧0] on the SiC substrate, a semiconductor device using the same and a method of producing the semiconductor material in which a carbon-rich surface is formed on the SiC substrate prior to epitaxial growth of an SiC crystal, the carbon-rich surface satisfies the ratio R=(I284.5/I282.8)>0.2, wherein I282.8 (ISiC) is an integrated intensity of a C1s signal having a peak at the binding energy relating to stoichiometric SiC (in the region of 282.8 eV), and I284.5 (IC) is an integrated intensity of a C1s signal having a peak at the binding energy relating to graphite, SiCx (x>1), or SiyCH1-y (y<1) (in the region of 284.5 eV), as measured by an X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic analyzer (XPS).
US07678670B2
A semiconductor chip manufacturing process includes sticking a protective sheet onto a first surface of a semiconductor wafer so that the sheet comes in contact with the TEG, placing a mask on a second surface that is a surface opposite from the first surface, performing plasma etching on the second surface to remove portions corresponding to dividing regions and separate device-formation-regions into individual semiconductor chips, and removing the TEG in a state where it remains unremoved in the dividing regions and stuck to the protective sheet together with the protective sheet by peeling off the protective sheet.
US07678666B2
A layer structure comprising substrate, a metal layer, a first amorphous silicon layer, an insulating layer, and a second amorphous silicon layer, and a method of crystallizing the second amorphous silicon layer by irradiating single pulse laser to the layer structure are provided. The method provides an effect of forming large grain of amorphous silicon as good as using dual pulse laser or higher just by using single pulse laser without additional optical system. A semiconductor device employing the layer structure maximizes an electron mobility.
US07678663B2
A method of manufacturing a non-volatile semiconductor memory device including previously forming a recess in a first peripheral region on a semiconductor substrate, forming a first gate insulator having a first thickness in the recess, forming a second gate insulator having a second thickness less than the first thickness in an array region and a second peripheral region on the semiconductor substrate, successively depositing first and second gate electrode films and first and second mask insulators on each of the first and second gate insulators, forming an isolation trench on a surface of the semiconductor substrate to correspond to each position between the array region and the first and second regions of the peripheral region, depositing a buried insulator on the entire surface, and polishing an upper surface of the buried insulator so that the upper surface can be planarized.
US07678652B2
A MOSFET-type semiconductor device includes a monocrystalline semiconductor layer formed in a shape of a thin wall on a insulating film, a gate electrode straddling over the semiconductor layer around the middle portion of the wall-shaped semiconductor layer via a gate insulating film, source and drain regions formed at the both ends of the semiconductor layer, a first metal-semiconductor compound layer formed on one of the side walls of each of source and drain regions of the semiconductor layer, and a second metal-semiconductor compound layer having a different composition and Schottky barrier height from that of the first metal-semiconductor compound layer on the other side wall of each of source and drain regions of the semiconductor layer.
US07678649B2
To provide a nonvolatile memory having an excellent data holding property and a technique for manufacturing the memory, a polycrystalline silicon film 7 and an insulating film 8 are sequentially stacked on a gate insulating film 6, then the polycrystalline silicon film 7 and the insulating film 8 are patterned to form gate electrodes 7A, 7B, and then sidewall spacers 12 including a silicon oxide film are formed on sidewalls of the gate electrodes 7A, 7B. After that, a silicon nitride film 19 is deposited on a substrate 1 by a plasma enhanced CVD process so that the gate electrodes 7A, 7B are not directly contacted to the silicon nitride film 19.
US07678648B2
Novel etch techniques are provided for shaping silicon features below the photolithographic resolution limits. FinFET devices are defined by recessing oxide and exposing a silicon protrusion to an isotropic etch, at least in the channel region. In one implementation, the protrusion is contoured by a dry isotropic etch having excellent selectivity, using a downstream microwave plasma etch.
US07678646B2
To provide a semiconductor device capable of improving accuracy in finishing a hole in which a conductive plug right under a capacitor, and a manufacturing method of such a semiconductor device comprising the following steps: a step of forming first and second conductive plugs 32a, 32b in first and second holes 11a, 11b in a first insulating film 11; a step of forming a first opening 14a in an oxidation preventing insulating film 14; a step of forming an auxiliary conductive plug 36a in the first opening 14a; a step of forming a capacitor Q on the auxiliary conductive plug 36a; a step of forming third and fourth holes 41a, 41b in a second insulating film 41 covering the capacitor Q; a step of forming the second opening 14b in the oxidation preventing insulating film 14 under the fourth hole 41b; a step of forming a third conductive plug 47a in the third hole 41a; and a step of forming a fourth conductive plug 47b in the third hole 41a.
US07678638B2
MOSFET devices suitable for operation at gate lengths less than about 40 nm, and methods of their fabrication is being presented. The MOSFET devices include a ground plane formed of a monocrystalline Si based material. A Si based body layer is epitaxially disposed over the ground plane. The body layer is doped with impurities of opposite type than the ground plane. The gate has a metal with a mid-gap workfunction directly contacting a gate insulator layer. The gate is patterned to a length of less than about 40 nm, and possibly less than 20 nm. The source and the drain of the MOSFET are doped with the same type of dopant as the body layer. In CMOS embodiments of the invention the metal in the gate of the NMOS and the PMOS devices may be the same metal.
US07678635B2
Method of producing a transistor, comprising in particular the steps of: producing a first etching mask on a gate layer, one edge of the first mask forming a pattern of the first edge of a gate of the transistor, etching the gate layer according to the first etching mask, first ion implantation in a part of the substrate not covered by the gate layer, trimming the first etching mask over a length equal to a gate length of the transistor, producing a second etching mask on the gate layer, removing the first etching mask etching the gate layer according to the second etching mask, second ion implantation in another part of the substrate.
US07678633B2
The present invention provides a method for forming substrates for MOS (metal oxide semiconductor) transistor, comprising the following steps: (A) In a reduced-pressure environment having a pressure lower than 1×10−6 Torr, a base for accomplishing the surface reconstruction and a solid-state metal oxide source is provided, wherein the solid-state metal oxide source is chosen from the group consisting of the following: hafnium oxide, aluminum oxide, scandium oxide, yttrium oxide, titanium oxide, gallium gadolinium oxide and metal oxides of rare earth elements; and (B) vaporize the solid-state metal oxide source in order to make the solid-state metal oxide source become a metal oxide molecular beam and, in a working substrate temperature that is required to achieve an amorphous state of a first metal oxide film, deposit on the base having an amorphous state so as to further fabricate a substrate for MOS transistors.
US07678624B2
Disclosed is a semiconductor device having a driver circuit operable at high speed and a method for manufacturing same. An active matrix liquid crystal display device uses a polysilicon film for its TFT active layer constituting a pixel matrix circuit because of low off current characteristics. On the other hand, a TFT active layer constituting driver circuits and a signal processing circuit uses a poly silicon germanium film because of high speed operation characteristics.
US07678614B2
A thermal interface material (100) includes a macromolecular matrix (10) and a plurality of thermally conductive fibers (20) incorporated therein. The macromolecular matrix (10) has a first surface (11) and an opposite second surface (12). Each of the thermally conductive fibers (20) is substantially parallel to each other and extends between the first and second surfaces (11), (12). A method for manufacturing the thermal interface material includes the steps of: (a) providing a number of thermally conductive fibers; (b) aligning the thermally conductive fibers uniformly and directionally to form an array of the thermally conductive fibers; (c) immersing the array of thermally conductive fibers into a liquid macromolecular material; (d) solidifying the liquid macromolecular material to obtain a macromolecular matrix having the two opposite surfaces with the thermally conductive fibers embedded therein, that is, a desired interface material is obtained.
US07678603B2
A CMOS image sensor (CIS) device includes an array of pixels, each pixel including a sensing element (e.g., a photodiode) and access circuitry. To facilitate the passage of light to the photodiode, each pixel includes a via wave guide (VWG) defined in the metallization layer formed over the pixel's photodiode. The VWG includes an upper light concentrator having a curved (e.g., parabolic) surface extending from a relatively wide upper opening to a relatively small lower opening. The VWG also includes a lower section extending between the lower opening of the light concentrator and the associated photodiode. A mirror coating is optionally formed on the surface of the VWG. An optional light-guiding material and/or color filter materials are disposed inside the VWG. An optional microlens is formed over the VWG.
US07678601B2
A method of forming a MEMS structure over active circuitry in a semiconductor body includes forming active circuitry in a semiconductor body, and forming the MEMS structure over the active circuitry, wherein at least a portion of the MEMS structure spatially overlaps the active circuitry.
US07678600B2
A process for manufacturing an integrated membrane made of semiconductor material includes the step of forming, in a monolithic body of semiconductor material having a front face, a buried cavity, extending at a distance from the front face and delimiting with the front face a surface region of the monolithic body, the surface region forming a membrane that is suspended above the buried cavity. The process further envisages the step of forming an insulation structure in a surface portion of the monolithic body to electrically insulate the membrane from the monolithic body; and the further and distinct step of setting the insulation structure at a distance from the membrane so that it will be positioned outside the membrane at a non-zero distance of separation.
US07678596B2
First and second semiconductor lasers interelement-separated from each other are formed. Total thickness of a fourth upper cladding layer and a second contact layer of the second semiconductor laser is smaller than total thickness of a second upper cladding layer and the first contact layer of the first semiconductor laser. First and second ridges are formed in the first and second semiconductor lasers by dry etching, using a resist as a mask, and the dry etching is stopped when a second etching stopper layer is exposed at the second ridge. The second upper cladding layer remaining on a first etching stopper layer at the first ridge is selectively removed by wet etching, using the resist as a mask.
US07678593B1
The present invention is a method of fabricating an optical device using multiple sacrificial spacer layers. The first step in this process is to fabricate the underlying base structure and deposit an optical structure thereon. A facet is then created at the ends of the optical structure and alternating sacrificial and intermediate layers are fabricated on the device. A mask layer is deposited on the structure, with openings created in the layers to allow use of an etchant. User-defined portions of the spacer layers are subsequently removed with the etchant to create air gaps between the intermediate layers.
US07678588B2
An optical critical dimension measuring method, applicable in measuring a pattern, that includes a plurality of polysilicon layers, of a device, is provided. The method includes obtaining a real curve corresponding to the to-be-measured device. Then, determining whether an ion implantation process has been performed on the polysilicon layers, a different module is selected. A correlation process is performed according to the selected module to generate a theoretical curve that correlates with the real curve to obtain a plurality of parameters corresponding to the theoretical curve.
US07678584B2
The present invention relates to a method of characterizing a surface and to a device for implementing this method. In particular, this method makes it possible to measure, qualitatively and/or quantitatively, interactions that may be physical, chemical, biochemical or biological.
US07678582B2
The present invention relates to assay methods used for detecting the presence of PIF, and to PIF peptides identified using this assay. In particular, the present invention relates to flow cytometry assays for detecting PIF. It is based, at least in part, on the observation that flow cytometry using fluorescently labeled anti-lymphocyte and anti-platelet antibodies demonstrated an increase in rosette formation in the presence of PIF. It is further based on the observation that flow cytometry demonstrated that monoclonal antibody binding to CD2 decreased in the presence of PIF. The present invention further relates to PIF peptides which, when added to Jurkat cell cultures, have been observed to either (i) decrease binding of anti-CD2 antibody to Jurkat cells; (ii) increase expression of CD2 in Jurkat cells; or (iii) decrease Jurkat cell viability. In additional embodiments, the present invention provides for ELISA assays which detect PIF by determining the effect of a test sample on the binding of anti-CD2 antibody to a CD2 substrate.
US07678578B2
A cell permeabilization and stabilization reagent and method of use are disclosed. The reagent contains a N-acyl sarcosine or a salt thereof, a pH adjusting agent to adjust pH of the reagent in a range from about 4 to about 6; and an aqueous medium; the reagent having a low ionic strength defined by a conductivity of less than 9.0 mS/cm. The reagent further contains bovine serum albumin and glycerol. The reagent may further include an alkyl sulfate surfactant. Upon incubating the cells with the reagent, the reagent permeates the cellular membrane to allow penetration of an intracellular marker, causes intracellular protein aggregation within the cellular membrane, while preserves a cellular constituent for binding with a cellular marker for subsequent analysis by flow cytometry.
US07678575B2
A method is described for the total phosphine detection in cereal caryopses, comprising the steps of inserting a sample of cereal caryopses inside a container (1) equipped with hermetic closure (2); adding to the sample an aqueous solution of H2SO4 with a v/v concentration in the range of 5-20%, with obtainment of an aqueous dispersion, and hermetically closing the first container (1); subjecting the aqueous dispersion contained in the first container (1) to the action of microwaves for a time not greater than 3 minutes; drawing a predetermined volume of gas overlying the aqueous dispersion and detecting the phosphine possibly present by means of colorimetric and/or spectrophotometric methods, preferably by bringing it into contact with a predetermined volume of an aqueous solution of AgNO3 of known molarity, inside a second container (3) with hermetic closure and visually analysing the obtained color and/or spectrophotometrically measuring the absorbance at 400 nm of the aqueous solution. Equipment for the execution of the aforesaid method is described.
US07678565B2
A one- or two-dimensional arrangement of flow cells is provided, as part of an array of sample compartments, with at least one inlet and outlet for each sample compartment, formed by a base plate and a body, with an arrangement of spatial recesses corresponding to the (geometrical) arrangement of the sample compartments, combined with the base plate. The arrangement allows for supplying to or removing from the sample compartments, which can be arranged at a high quantity on a small base area, even very small amounts of samples or reagents. An arrangement of one or more sample compartments includes a base plate and a body combined with the base plate in such a way that one or more recesses for generation of one or more flow cells fluidically sealed against one another, each with at least one inlet and one outlet, are formed between the base plate and the body, wherein at least one outlet of each flow cell is joined with a reservoir fluidically connected with the flow cell, the reservoir being operable to receive liquid exiting the flow cell, besides methods for its manufacturing and their use.
US07678561B2
Methods and compositions are disclosed to engineer chloroplast comprising heterologous mammalian genes via a direct replacement of chloroplast Photosystem II (PSII) reaction center protein coding regions to achieve expression of recombinant protein above 5% of total protein. When algae is used, algal expressed protein is produced predominantly as a soluble protein where the functional activity of the peptide is intact. As the host algae is edible, production of biologics in this organism for oral delivery or proteins/peptides, especially gut active proteins, without purification is disclosed.
US07678556B2
The present invention relates to an isolated β-mannanase protein having an amino acid sequence which is 90% similar to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:1, as well as isolated polynucleotides encoding the β-mannanase protein, and isolated expression systems and host cells containing the polynucleotides. The present invention also relates to a method of recombinantly producing β-mannanase protein. Also disclosed is a method of degrading mannans and polysaccharides in plant material, which involves providing plant material and contacting the plant material with the β-mannanase protein of the present invention under conditions effective to degrade mannans and polysaccharides in the plant material.
US07678554B2
Disclosed is a method of altering a nucleic acid. The method includes fragmenting a parent nucleic acid strand to generate nucleic acid fragments. At least a subset of the fragments are ligated to generate shuffled nucleic acid strands. A selected strand is identified from the shuffled nucleic acid strands for a criterion.
US07678547B2
The present invention provides apparatuses for determining velocity independent analyte characteristic parameters and methods for using the same. In one particular aspect, the present invention provides a velocity independent flow cytometry.
US07678542B2
The present invention relates to novel phosphoramidites, including positive and neutrally charged compounds. The present invention also provides charge tags for attachment to materials including solid supports and nucleic acids, wherein the charge tags increase or decrease the net charge of the material. The present invention further provides methods for separating and characterizing molecules based on the charge differentials between modified and unmodified materials.
US07678538B2
Asymmetric cyanine dyes of Formula I bind nucleic acid but not red blood cell membrane, and function as photosensitizers when rigidly bound but not when free in solution. Unbound dye thus causes minimal oxidative damage. The dyes do not substantially accumulate in red blood cells, thereby minimizing hemolysis due to oxidative damage. Biological fluids can be disinfected by mixing the fluid with these asymmetric cyanine dye that binds to nucleic acid, irradiating the mixture, and recovering clinically significant components from the biological fluid and/or assaying the fluid for pathogens.
US07678535B2
A method for fabricating a semiconductor device includes forming a mask pattern over a substrate; etching a certain portion of the substrate using the mask pattern as an etch mask to form a first recess having sidewalls; forming a polymer-based layer over the sidewalls of the first recess and a top surface of the mask pattern; etching the substrate beneath the first recess using the mask pattern and the polymer-based layer as an etch mask to form a second recess wider and more rounded than the first recess, the second recess and the first recess constituting a bulb-shaped recess; and forming a gate pattern over the bulb-shaped recess.
US07678534B2
Disclosed herein are a mask for forming a landing plug contact hole to vertically expose an active region of a semiconductor substrate to a bit line or storage node contact, and a plug forming method using the same. Through the use of the crescent-shaped masks, it is possible to increase the critical dimension at a lower end of the resultant contact hole in contact with an active region of a semiconductor substrate, thereby enabling exposure of a wider area of the active region to be connected with the bit line or storage node contact.
US07678532B2
The present invention provides a method of processing a substrate, comprising a reflow process for forming a desired pattern by dissolving a resist pattern, whereby occurrence of defectives, such as disconnection, can be prevented, and a pattern having an appropriate uniformity can be formed efficiently on each predetermined area desired to be masked. From a photoresist pattern 206 including thicker film portions and thinner film portions, the thinner film portions are removed by a re-developing process. Next, the photoresist so formed by the re-developing process on a backing layer 205 is dissolved such that it passes through a stepped portion 205a formed at each edge portion 205b of the backing layer 205, thereby masking a predetermined area Tg. Upon masking the predetermined area Tg, the photoresist 206 is dissolved in a first dissolving-speed mode on the backing layer 205, and then after the photoresist to be dissolved reaches the stepped portion 205a, the photoresist 206 is dissolved in a second dissolving-speed mode which is slower than the first dissolving-speed mode.
US07678516B2
Various test structures and methods for monitoring or controlling a semiconductor fabrication process are provided. One test structure formed on a wafer as a monitor for a lithography process includes a bright field target that includes first grating structures. The test structure also includes a dark field target that includes second grating structures. The first and second grating structures have one or more characteristics that are substantially the same as one or more characteristics of device structures formed on the wafer. In addition, the test structure includes a phase shift target having characteristics that are substantially the same as the characteristics of the bright field or dark field target except that grating structures of the phase shift target are shifted in optical phase from the first or second grating structures. One or more characteristics of the targets can be measured and used to determine parameter(s) of the lithography process.
US07678515B2
The presently disclosed embodiments are directed to image forming mediums useful for reimageable and transient documents. More particularly, the embodiments pertain to an image forming medium comprising thermally gated photochromic materials comprising diarylethene (DAE) photochromes which avoid problems with unwanted reduction in color contrast due to background coloration.
US07678506B2
A holographic recording medium in which a thick holographic recording layer is formed without the use of multilayering and without accompanying thickness unevenness, scattering, and nonuniformity of dynamic range, and a method for manufacturing the same. The holographic recording medium 10 is configured by sandwiching a hybrid material layer 14 and a photopolymer layer 16 between first and second substrates 12 and 18. The hybrid material layer 14 contains an inorganic glass and a photopolymer as main ingredients. The photopolymer layer 16 subjected to heat or ultraviolet curing is provided on the dried hybrid material layer 14 such that the combined thickness of this hybrid material layer 14 and the photopolymer layer 16 is uniform. The second substrate 18 is bonded and fixed to this photopolymer layer 16 serving as a bonding layer.
US07678505B2
An organic electrolytic solution and a lithium battery employing the same are provided. The organic electrolytic solution includes: a lithium salt; an organic solvent containing a high dielectric constant solvent and a low boiling point solvent; and an additive comprising a crotonate derivative including a substituted silyl group. The organic electrolytic solution and the lithium battery employing such an electrolytic solution suppress a reduction decomposition of a polar solvent and decrease irreversible capacity in the first cycle. Thus, the charge/discharge efficiency, lifespan, and reliability of the battery can be improved.
US07678499B2
A battery receptacle includes an insulative casing, positive and negative electrodes, and an interface assembly. The positive and negative electrodes have end portions disposed on the casing. The negative electrode has an end portion disposed on the casing. The interface assembly is disposed on the casing, and includes an insulative body, anode and cathode terminals, a contact element, and an insulating protrusion. The anode terminal projects from the insulative body, and is in electrical contact with the end portion of the positive electrode. The cathode terminal is provided on a periphery of the insulative body. The contact element is in electrical contact with the cathode terminal, projects from the insulative body, and is in electrical contact with the end portion of the negative electrode. The insulating protrusion is provided on the insulative body, and abuts against the end portion of the positive electrode.
US07678495B2
A method and apparatus are disclosed wherein a battery comprises at least one electrode formed from a graphitic carbon nanostructured surface wherein the nanostructured surface consists of a plurality of nanoposts formed from graphitic carbon such that the graphitic nanoposts serve both as an operational feature (i.e., dielectric/electrode) and control feature of the battery itself. In one embodiment, the nanostructured surface consists of a plurality of nanoposts wherein a select portion of each nanopost is formed to serve as the dielectric of the nanostructured battery, and the balance of each nanopost is utilized to impart the control features to the nanostructured battery.
US07678482B2
A portable electricity generation device comprises a plurality of fuel cells, each fuel cell having an anode end with a catalyst facilitating the separation of hydrogen atoms into electrons and protons, a cathode end facilitating the combination of the electrons and protons into water molecules in the presence of oxygen, and a current bearing portion providing a current path for the electrons to traverse. The electricity generation device also includes a fuel storage container for storing a supply of hydrogen and delivering the supply of hydrogen to an anode end of the plurality of fuel cells so as to initiate a flow of the electrons through the current bearing portion. In addition, the portable electricity generation device includes an air moving device configured to direct atmospheric air toward a cathode end of the plurality of fuel cells, wherein the air moving device is positioned to convectively cool the plurality of fuel cells as it supplies atmospheric air to the cathode end.
US07678477B2
A method of operating a fuel cell stack including disconnecting the primary electrical device and purging gas in the cathode reactant gas flow field by flowing air into the cathode reactant gas flow field. Thereafter, the gas in the cathode reactant flow field is purged again by flowing hydrogen into the cathode reactant gas flow field. Gas in the anode reactant gas flow field is purged by flowing air into the anode reactant gas flow field. Thereafter, the anode reactant gas flow field is filled with hydrogen and both the anode and the cathode are stored with hydrogen.
US07678469B2
A decorative sheet that may be attached to a surface of an object includes a base member, which has first and second opposed principal surfaces; a protective layer, which is arranged over the first principal surface of the base member; and a coloring layer, which is arranged either over the second principal surface of the base member or between the base member and the protective layer and which includes a pigment. The protective layer has a thickness of about 30 μm to about 60 μm and includes about 1.4 wt % to about 4.0 wt % of UV absorbent material. The coloring layer has a thickness of about 15 μm to about 80 μm and includes about 1.0 wt % to about 4.0 wt % of UV absorbent material.
US07678468B2
A multilayer polymer film comprising at least one core layer disposed between two skin layers, wherein at least one of the core layers, one of the skin layers, or both one of the core layers and one of the skin layers comprises a saturated organic fatty amide (SOFA) slip agent. A multilayer polymer film comprising an effective amount of a SOFA slip agent in at least one core layer such that the film exhibits blocking of equal to or less than about 75 grams. A method of packaging a product comprising providing a package fabricated from such films and placing the product in the package, wherein loose dust is not applied to the exterior of the package to reduce blocking. A method for the reduction of the presence of wax on the surface of a multilayer polymer film comprising adding a SOFA slip agent to a core layer of the film.
US07678463B2
Compositions, methods of using inorganic moieties for dielectric modulation, and related device structures.
US07678461B2
The invention relates to a multi-layer biaxially oriented polypropylene film consisting of a base layer at least one first cover layer. The base layer contains a hydrocarbon resin, and the cover layer contains a polydialkylsiloxane with a viscosity of at least 200.000 mm2/sec. The first cover layer is provided with a cold-seal adhesive coating on its outer surface.
US07678442B2
A three-dimensionally embossed non-woven fabric, which is comprised of fibers and/or filaments (3) oriented primarily in the moving direction (2) of the machine, and has zones (5, 7) with regularly alternating elevations (4a, 8a) and indentations (4b, 8b), which are separated from one another by non-embossed areas (6) that are continuous in the moving direction (2) of the machine. These non-embossed areas constitute a proportion ranging from 5% to 50% with regard to the entire surface of the non-woven fabric (1) and the elevations (4a, 8a), and indentations (4b, 8b), when viewed from the opposite side, form indentations or elevations respectively, whereby the surfaces (10a, 10b) delimited by the elevations give the non-woven fabric an apparent thickness ranging from 0.5 mm to 5.5 mm.
US07678441B2
This invention relates to thermoplastic interlayer sheets or films for laminated safety glass with superior vacuum de-airing at elevated temperatures and superior tacking and edge sealing properties. The sheeting has an embossed surface pattern on at least one of the surfaces, which provides relatively uninterrupted channels for de-airing in at least two non-parallel directions, wherein the channels are spaced about 0.1 to about 1 mm apart and have a depth of less than about 25 μm and a width of about 30 to about 300 μm.
US07678440B1
Described is a deformable, variable-stiffness cellular structure. The cellular structure a group of unit cells with each unit cell having a cellular geometry. The group of unit cells are formed of a variable-stiffness composite material (VSM). The VSM has a first stiffness state and a second stiffness state. Additionally, the cellular structure has a first shape and a second shape, with a gradation of shapes between the first shape and second shape. The transition from the first shape to the second shape occurs through using an actuation signal to actuate the VSM to change the stiffness of the cellular structure, thereby allowing the cellular structure to be deformed from the first shape to the second shape, and any shape therebetween. The cellular structure can be locked in the second shape through actuating the VSM from the second stiffness state to the first stiffness state.
US07678430B2
The deposition of a coating on a thermoplastic container surface using low pressure plasma by excitation of a precursor gas with UHF electromagnetic waves in a circular shaped vacuum cavity receiving the container is provided. It includes dimensioning the cavity with respect to the frequency of the UHF electromagnetic waves so as to obtain a coupling mode generating several electromagnetic fields inside the cavity. In particular a TM 120 coupling mode is provided which generates two central fields (4A, 4B) inside the cavity, whereby two containers can be simultaneously treated in said cavity.
US07678426B2
Perfluoropolyether amide-linked phosphonates and derivatives thereof are provided. Compositions containing perfluoropolyether amide-linked phosphonates or derivatives thereof, perfluoropolyether amide-linked phosphates or derivatives thereof, or combinations thereof are also provided. Additionally, articles, methods of making articles, and methods of reducing contaminant adhesion to a substrate are described.
US07678412B2
A sealant drawing method is provided in which patterns for sealing an electro-optic material over a plurality of panel formation regions on a substrate are drawn by discharging sealant on the substrate from a nozzle of a coating unit, and which includes forming continuously first patterns on the plurality of panel formation regions in a batch manner, so as to form parts of the individual patterns in the plurality of panel formation regions; and forming continuously second patterns on the plurality of panel formation regions in a batch manner, so as to form the remainders of the individual patterns in the plurality of panel formation regions.
US07678406B2
Low energy-dense food products and methods of making low energy-dense food products are provided. Illustrative examples have a bulk density of less than 240 kg/m3 (about 15 lb/ft3) and comprise a high amylose starch and a starch comprising long chain amylose.
US07678401B2
A method for blanching vegetable material comprising heat treating the vegetable material in a current of hot air at a temperature in the range from above 100° C. to 150° C. in an environment which substantially reduces evaporative loss of water from the vegetable material.
US07678397B2
Orally disintegrating or dissolving edible strips for use as a matrix for retaining and delivering nutrients, flavors and medicinal compounds are made from new liquid film casting compositions comprising a major proportion of gelatin. The particularly low melting range for hydrated gelatin produces films that leave virtually no residue upon dissolving in the mouth and can be used in the form of thicker films and strips than known edible films.
US07678393B1
A mixture composition useful in wound healing comprising solvent extraction of anthrocyanin/proanthrocyanidin sources, ascorbic acid source, tannin or gallic acid source or polymeric gallic acid source, microbe source, protein source, fat source, acidification agent or buffer and sulfur absorbing compound.
US07678388B2
An aqueous chlorine dioxide solution which comprises dissolved chlorine dioxide in a concentration of about 10 to 3000 mg/l, pH in the range of about 1 to 6, and a chlorine scavenging means such as sodium chlorite in a ratio in the range of about 1:4 to 1:15 (w/w) sodium chlorite to chlorine dioxide. The chlorine dioxide solution may be stored for use over a period of several days to several months.
US07678378B2
A compound for delivering a non-cytotoxic therapeutic moiety into nerve cells, the compound having the general formula: B-L-TM where: B is a binding agent capable of selectively binding to a nerve cell surface receptor and mediating absorption of the compound by the nerve cell; TM is a therapeutic moiety which has a non-cytotoxic therapeutic effect when absorbed by a nerve cell; and L is a linker coupling B to TM.
US07678366B2
A topical sustained release delivery system for delivery of antifungal agents to the finger or toenails achieving high penetration through the nails by combining the antifungal agent with a keratolytic agent and a humectant. The pharmaceutical sustained release topical preparation is provided in a varnish or spray form for treating the nail and surrounding tissues, where the active ingredient is an antifungal agent, a keratolytic agent, or preferably a combination of an antifungal and a keratolytic agent. The composition may further comprise an antibacterial, an antiviral, an antipsoriatic agents, or combinations thereof.
US07678364B2
The invention generally relates to a method for pulmonary delivery of therapeutic, prophylactic and diagnostic agents to a patient wherein the agent is released in a sustained fashion, and to particles suitable for use in the method. In particular, the invention relates to a method for the pulmonary delivery of a therapeutic, prophylactic or diagnostic agent comprising administering to the respiratory tract of a patient in need of treatment, prophylaxis or diagnosis an effective amount of particles comprising a multivalent metal cation which is complexed with a therapeutic, prophylactic or diagnostic agent or any combination thereof having a charge capable of complexing with the cation upon association with the agent, a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and optionally, a multivalent metal cation-containing component wherein the total amount of multivalent metal cation present in the particles is more than 1% weight/weight of the total weight of the agent (% w/w). Release of the agent from the administered particles occurs in a sustained fashion.
US07678356B2
A process is described for the preparation of magnesium borohydride having a high purity and crystallinity, which comprises the reaction of an orgenometallic compound of magnesium of the type MgX2, wherein X is an organic binder selected from alkyl, amide, alkoxide, cyclopentadienyl, aryl, with a derivative of a boron hydride, in a hydrocarbon solvent.
US07678354B2
A process and system for recovering waste heat from a kiln used for lime or cement production. The system unifies the kiln, a waste heat recovery and power generation circuit and a dry scrubber for scrubbing the pollutants from the kiln offgas. Essentially, the system employs the boiler component of the waste heat recovery and power generation circuit as a heat exchanger to recover the waste heat from the kiln, which is used to drive the steam turbines. The heat absorption from the latter stage lowers the temperature of the kiln offgas sufficiently for optimum performance from the scrubber. The presence of lime particles in the offgas effectively protects the boiler tube surfaces from corrosion which would occur at optimum scrubber temperatures, and subsequently provides the lime required as a scrubbing medium for the dry scrubber. Further, the efficient scrubbing allows for the use of any fuel for firing the kiln inclusive of high sulphur content compounds. A process for effecting the technology is also provided.
US07678353B2
Alkyl halides can be effectively scrubbed from gas streams containing them by passing the gas streams through dispersers having a very small pore size into an aqueous scrubbing liquid containing a nucleophile such as thiosulfate. Optionally, the addition of a water-soluble organic compound to the scrubbing liquid may increase the rate of destruction of the alkyl halide. Alkyl halides such as methyl bromide can be effectively scrubbed from enclosed spaces containing the halide, for example in enclosures used for fumigation.
US07678349B2
An improved system and method for providing reduced acid gas/dewatered light hydrocarbon gas to a light hydrocarbon gas liquefaction process wherein a plurality of light hydrocarbon gas liquefaction trains are used.
US07678348B2
A Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) catalytic converter that does not require the injection of a reducing agent, and, particularly, to an open-flow type or wall-flow type SCR catalytic converter that does not require the injection of a reducing agent, which includes a front portion, in which first supports supporting modified catalyst components are applied on the inner surfaces of porous partition walls, a middle portion, in which second supports supporting ammonia synthesis catalyst components are applied on the inner surfaces of porous partition walls, and a rear portion, in which third supports supporting SCR reducing catalyst components are applied on the inner surfaces of porous partition walls. The catalytic converter can improve a reduction rate of NOx without requiring the injection of an ammonia reducing agent from the outside.
US07678340B2
Esterification and transesterification methods, systems and apparatus are disclosed which increase the efficiency of esterification reactions. The methods comprising utilizing an annular gap reactor comprises a rotor rotating within a stator to provide an annular flow passage comprising a flow path containing a high-shear treatment zone in which the passage spacing is smaller than in the remainder of the zone to provide a subsidiary higher-shear treatment zone. In exemplary embodiments, the reactor is modified to include an evaporator portion including an opening in the stator near the end of the reactor and a series of fins placed in the opening. Increase in the rates due to the annular gap reactor allow for the use of less catalyst, poorer catalysts, lower temperature and reduction in unwanted side reactions at more economically favorable conditions.
US07678333B2
The present invention provides a transfer assembly for transferring a fluid between a vessel and a vial and a method for using same. The vial may be a maximum recovery vial. The vessel has a body with an open end and a slidable piston positioned within the body through the open end. The maximum recovery vial has an inner chamber with an open end and a closed end and a penetrable seal covering the open end of the inner chamber. The transfer assembly includes a housing having first and second open ends and a bore extending between the first and second open ends. The housing is connectable to the piston. The transfer assembly also includes a conduit having first and second ends and first and second apertures adjacent to the first and second ends, respectively. The conduit is longitudinally slidable within the bore between a retracted position in which the first aperture is positioned within at least one of the housing and the piston when the housing is connected to the piston, and an activated position in which the first aperture protrudes through the piston into the body of the vessel when the housing is connected to the piston. The transfer assembly also includes a vial socket assembly having a vial socket and a hollow piercing member. The vial socket is sized and shaped for receiving and engaging at least a portion of the maximum recovery vial including the penetrable seal. The hollow piercing member has a first open end in fluid communication with the conduit and a second open end for piercing the penetrable seal of the maximum recovery vial. The hollow piercing member is sized to extend substantially the full length of the inner chamber of the maximum recovery vial when the maximum recovery vial is fully engaged in the vial socket. The vial socket assembly is moveable longitudinally relative to the housing in concert with the conduit.
US07678331B2
A module for staging sample tubes and mixing the samples contained in the sample tubes for an automated clinical analyzer. In one embodiment, this module comprises a mixing drum, which is capable of mixing the contents of a sample tube in an end-over-end manner. The mixing drum is capable of mixing samples in the sample tubes without separating the solid components of the sample, e.g., red blood cells from the liquid components of the sample, e.g., plasma. A device for elevating the sample tube in the sample tube carrier can be used to enable the cap of the sample tube to be punctured by a piercing element in a piercing assembly. After the cap of the sample tube is punctured, a probe for aspirating the sample from said sample tube can obtain the sample in the receptacle of the sample tube through a bore in the piercing element. The piercing assembly can include a resiliently biased element for ejecting the sample tube from the piercing assembly.
US07678330B2
The present invention seeks to provide an express-control system for analyzing the compatibility of blood with other substances. The present invention relates to a system, method and apparatus for use in blood testing and more specifically, food intolerance testing through analysis of blood using luminescence. The present invention utilizes a blood testing system and apparatus, which includes a displacement assembly, a blood divider assembly, a reagent divider assembly, an electro-optical multiplier assembly and a central controller. A sample of blood is added to a corresponding one of a plurality of canisters containing a test substance. Thereafter a luminescent reagent is added and the plurality of canisters are moved in the blood testing apparatus until the canisters begin to luminese. The amount of luminescence is measured and analyzed an indicator of compatibility of the blood with the test substance and more specifically as an indicator of the presence and activity of neutrophil in the blood and more specifically the granulacy of the blood.
US07678323B2
The present method of forming a groove in an inner surface of a member for covering an airbag includes the steps of heating a blade by use of an induction-heating device and pushing the blade against the inner surface of the member. The induction-heating device is preferably a coil for induction heating. In addition, the present method of forming the groove preferably includes the steps of placing the member on a work bench having the coil, supplying alternating current to the coil, bringing the blade close to the coil, pushing the blade against the inner surface of the member, stopping current supply to the coil, and pulling the blade away from the inner surface of the member.
US07678318B2
Touch fasteners for use as mold inserts in molding seat foam buns include selvedges that deflect under pressure to engage a mold surface in face-to-face contact. Another touch fastener includes a base with an exposed thermally activatable resin surface that has a softening point low enough to be activated by the exothermic foaming reaction to adhere the fastener in the foam bun.
US07678316B2
A method that includes coextruding two or more thermoplastic resin streams through a profiled die plate, which die plate is shaped to form a nonplanar film (three dimensional) preferably with a regularly oscillating peak and valley structure that oscillates from a top surface to a bottom surface forming longitudinally extending ridges on both faces of the film. The film is formed by coextruding the film through the oscillating die plate opening causing partitioning of the resins in different zones in the width direction of the film. Flattening of the film results in a film with side-by-side zones formed of different polymers or relative proportions of polymers.
US07678312B2
A method of making a golf ball comprising the steps of providing a preform comprising an uncured polybutadiene composition; coating the preform with a first cure-altering material; curing the coated preform at a predetermined temperature to form a crosslinked golf ball core having an outer surface having a first hardness and a geometric center having a second hardness greater than the first to define a negative hardness gradient; and forming a cover layer about the core to form the golf ball.
US07678299B2
The present invention provides stock solutions for production of nonlinear-optical materials using a wet coating method. In particular, the invention provides a stock solution containing a nonlinear-optically active organic compound, which is a push-pull π-conjugated compound having a particular chemical structure, having one or more cross-linkable functional groups. In addition, the invention provides a stock solution comprising a nonlinear-optically active organic compound having at least a certain chemical structure and a matrix-forming compound having one or more cross-linkable functional groups. Further, the invention provides a nonlinear-optical material and a nonlinear-optical device, both prepared by using the stock solutions.
US07678277B2
The invention provides porous matrices that comprise one or more anionic surfactants that can be used in non-aqueous environments.
US07678275B2
The invention relates to a method for reversing the dispersion formed in the mixing section of liquid-liquid extraction and kept condensed in the separation section and the separated solutions form the rear end of the separation section to flow back towards the feed end of the separation section. The invention also refers to the extraction equipment for implementing the reversed flow.
US07678272B2
A biological fluid processing or fluid filtration system is provided having novel open and closed loop processing systems wherein the gases transferred into and out of the system during processing pass through a porous medium in upstream and/or downstream gas inlet or outlet housings or vents in a manner which precludes the fluid being processed or filtered from ever contacting the housings or vents. Each housing or vent is separated from the fluid by a column of gas in its respective transfer line. The upstream gas inlet housing or vent is in communication with the unfiltered biological fluid, and the downstream gas inlet housing or vent is in communication with the filtered biological fluid.
US07678270B2
Three magnet casings are adjustably and removably attached to one another such that the device may snuggly fit about fluid conduits of differing diameters. An outer casing wall of ferrous content stainless steel confines the magnetic field. An inner magnet holder frame attached to the outer casing wall holds a magnet to the conduit and is fabricated of non-ferrous stainless steel to allow maximum trans mission of the magnetic field to the fluid in the non-ferrous section of the conduit around which the casings are attached together.
US07678266B2
A water treatment apparatus includes a float configured to float on the surface of a water body, a first fluid channel coupled to the float and configured to circulate contaminated water in the water body, and a second fluid channel coupled to the float and configured to filter contaminated water in the water body. A fluid transport apparatus can draw the contaminated water through the first fluid channel at a first flow rate and through the second fluid channel at a second flow rate.
US07678260B1
Methods of deriving the cumulative maximum localized corrosion rate and cumulative localized corrosion rate factor for corrosion monitoring using coupled multielectrode array sensor probes are disclosed. Compared with maximum localized corrosion rate, which is derived from the corrosion rate on any of the electrodes of a probe that has the highest corrosion rate at a given moment of time, cumulative maximum localized corrosion rate is derived from the corrosion rate of the electrode that has been corroded the most in a given time period. The cumulative maximum localized corrosion rate is directly related to the corrosion damage (maximum localized corrosion depth); the maximum localized corrosion depth equals the integration of the cumulative maximum localized corrosion rate. Cumulative maximum localized corrosion rate should be used to evaluate the localized corrosion effect on metal damage.
US07678254B2
The processing apparatus for microchips, each at least having a main flow path performing migration of a sample for analysis inside a sheet-like member, comprises a holding part holding microchips so that the multiple main flow paths are provided; a pretreatment part common to the multiple main flow paths for performing a pretreatment step prior to an analysis step in each of the multiple main flow paths; a processing part for performing analysis in each of the main flow paths independently of the others; and a control part controlling an operation in the pretreatment part so that when a pretreatment step for one main flow path ends, a pretreatment for a next main flow path starts and further controlling an operation in the processing part so that an analysis is subsequently performed for the main flow path where the pretreatment step has ended.
US07678251B2
A system to detect a presence of a specific gas in a mixture of gaseous byproducts comprising moisture vapor is disclosed. The system includes an electrochemical cell, a transport to deliver the mixture of gaseous byproducts from the electrochemical cell, a gas sensor in fluid communication with the transport, the sensor responsive to a presence of the specific gas to generate a signal corresponding to a concentration of the specific gas, and a membrane to prevent transmission of liquid moisture, the membrane disposed between the transport and the gas sensor.
US07678250B2
Biological reagent compositions with improved sensitivity to the concentration of blood glucose in patient samples for use in measuring systems and methods. The reagent compositions comprise a glucose oxidoreductase enzyme, a flavin nucleoside coenzyme and a mediator formulation. The mediator formulation comprises at least one electroactive organic molecule and at least one coordination complex.
US07678245B2
Embodiments of the invention generally provide a method and apparatus for processing a substrate in an electrochemical mechanical planarizing system. In one embodiment, a cell for polishing a substrate includes a processing pad disposed on a top surface of a platen assembly. A plurality of conductive elements are arranged in a spaced-apart relation across the upper planarizing surface and adapted to bias the substrate relative to an electrode disposed between the pad and the platen assembly. A plurality of passages are formed through the platen assembly between the top surface and a plenum defined within the platen assembly. In another embodiment, a system is provided having a bulk processing cell and a residual processing cell. The residual processing cell includes a biased conductive planarizing surface. In further embodiments, the conductive element is protected from attack by process chemistries.
US07678244B2
The purpose of this invention is a leak limiter (20) of an electrolytic cell (1) for the production of aluminum, fitted with confinement means comprising passage openings for the insertion of anode stems (3), characterized in that it comprises at least one support (21), capable of surrounding all or part of an anode stem, and at least one flexible sealing body (30, 30a, 30b, 30c) arranged around all or part of the periphery (23) of the support (21) and designed to close off all or some of the free space between the inside edge of an opening and an anode stem (3). This invention improves the leak tightness of covering means used in electrolytic cells.
US07678237B2
A heat integrated distillation column including a cylindrical shell having an upper and a lower end and at least one first inner volume and at least one second inner volume in the shell, and being in heat exchanging contact with each other through a wall separating the volumes. The heat integrated distillation column having the capacity to exchange heat through the wall from the first volume into the second volume, whereby the inside of the heat exchanging means is in open connection with the first volume.
US07678233B2
Disclosed is a machine direction measurement system having an increased cross direction sampling area (significantly larger than the natural sensor measurement window) to generate a more representative and stable machine direction reading of the process. In effect, the sensor should have as wide a coverage area as possible without having to resort to the expense of measuring the entire width of the sheet.
US07678231B2
Sheet-like products are disclosed containing an additive composition. In accordance with the present disclosure, the additive composition is applied to a creping surface. The additive composition includes at least an aqueous dispersion containing a thermoplastic polymer. A base sheet is then pressed against the creping surface for contact with the additive composition. The base sheet is then creped from the creping surface causing the additive composition to transfer to the base sheet. In particular, the additive composition is transferred to the base sheet in amounts greater than about 1% by weight, such as from about 2% to about 50% by weight. The additive composition may further include a lotion, a debonder, a softener, or mixtures thereof.
US07678213B1
Important features and improvements of a commercial coil batch laminating production line are disclosed for a successful, commercial, and economical operation. This invention addresses important processing sequences, operating parameters, control systems, designs, operating methods, and other novel features. This invention provides for a competitive cost structure meeting the needs of commercialization.
US07678209B2
An energy-producing material which comprises a chemically uniform polymer material whose monomer units contain an electron donor and an electron acceptor, wherein the stoichiometric ratio of electron donor to electron acceptor is ≦1, is proposed.
US07678202B2
A drip shield is mounted to a drawer of a drawer-type dishwasher so as to extend along an outer rear surface of the drawer and catch droplets of washing fluid falling from a lid of the dishwasher. The drip shield includes a shelf that extends between up-turned wall portions. The shelf is angled away from the tub so that any droplets of washing fluid that may fall onto the drip shield will migrate away from the drawer. The shelf is also formed such that first and second end portions are positioned higher than a central or intermediate portion. This construction forces the droplets of washing fluid to collect in a centralized drain point from where the droplets of water can be guided to a controlled location.
US07678197B2
A susceptor device comprises a base body, an electrostatic absorbing inner electrode which is disposed on a bottom surface of the base body, a power supplying terminal, an insulating sprayed layer which coats the electrostatic absorbing inner electrode and a connecting section for the power supplying terminal and the electrostatic absorbing inner electrode, and a temperature controlling section. The insulating sprayed layer and the temperature controlling section are attached together unitarily via the bonding agent layer. The flange of the base body fits to a notched section of the temperature controlling section such that the electrostatic absorbing inner electrode, insulating sprayed layer, and the bonding agent layer should be sealed from thereoutside. It is possible to form a thin supporting plate and improve controllability for temperature on the plate sample and transparency for the plasma.
US07678193B2
The invention relates to the use of lithium glycerophosphate for treating structures made of a cement-based product and having steel rebars, making it possible to inhibit rebar corrosion, to prevent the alkali reaction and to avoid the presence of alkalis and sulfates in the structure.
US07678186B2
A neutral gray or black ink and combinations thereof for ink-jet printing, comprising: an ink vehicle; carbon black; another colored pigment or pigments such as a combination of cyan and violet pigments; wherein the carbon black and colored pigments are associated with a polymer or polymers which render the carbon black and pigments dispersible in aqueous solution.
US07678185B2
The present invention relates to an anthrapyridone compound represented by the following formula (1): wherein, R represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, a hydroxy lower alkyl group, a cyclohexyl group or a (mono- or di-alkylamino) alkyl group, X represents a cross-linking group represented by the formula: —NH—(CH2)n-NH— (201) wherein, n is 2 to 8 and another cross-linking group, respectively or a salt thereof, a magenta ink composition containing the anthrapyridone compound, and a colored product therewith; said compound has a hue having a high vividness suitable for inkjet recording, a recorded matter therewith has strong fastnesses particularly such as light fastness and ozone fastness, and the ink composition has an excellent storage stability, whereby said compound is useful as a magenta coloring matter suitable for inkjet recording.
US07678183B2
Disclosed is an electroless palladium plating bath containing a palladium compound, at least one complexing agent selected from ammonia and amine compounds, at least one reducing agent selected from phosphinic acid and phosphinates, and at least one unsaturated carboxylic acid compound selected from unsaturated carboxylic acids, unsaturated carboxylic acid anhydrides, unsaturated carboxylates and unsaturated carboxylic acid derivatives. Such an electroless palladium plating bath has high bath stability, and decomposition of the bath hardly occurs. Consequently, the electroless palladium plating bath of the present invention has a longer bath life than conventional electroless palladium plating baths. In addition, this electroless palladium plating bath enables to obtain excellent solder bonding characteristics and wire bonding characteristics since it does not affect plating film characteristics even when it is used for a long time.
US07678181B2
A hydrogen permeable membrane (10) for selectively allowing hydrogen to permeate therethrough includes a metal base layer (12) containing vanadium (V), a metal coating layer (16) containing palladium (Pd), and an intermediate layer (14) that is formed between the metal base layer (12) and the metal coating layer (16) and made of a metal having a higher melting point than the metal base layer (12) and the metal coating layer (16) and possessing hydrogen permeability.
US07678179B2
A processing system according to the present invention is provided including: an adsorption apparatus in which a volatile organic compound contained in gas to be treated is adsorbed in a predetermined absorption agent, and said volatile organic compound thus adsorbed is desorbed using steam under a pressurized environment and mixed with the steam; a gas turbine having a combustor in which the steam mixed with the volatile organic compound is burnt; and a steam generating apparatus which generates steam through the use of the heat of the combustion gas discharged from the gas turbine; and wherein, by supplying compressed air discharged from the gas turbine to the adsorption apparatus, condensation of the steam in the adsorption apparatus at the time of the desorption of the volatile organic compound is suppressed.
US07678178B2
A system and associated method for removing metal, including metal in vapor form, from high temperature fluid emissions such as may occur at the exhaust of furnaces or thermal treatment equipment. One embodiment is the Integrated Metal Emissions Control System (IMECS™) incorporating both a Steel Screen Particulate (SSP) Filter System and a Perlite Based Sorbent (PBS) System. IMECS™ uses the SSP Filter System, with pore sizes down to one micron, to capture toxic metal particulate materials and the PBS System to capture vapor phase metals using surface-modified perlite. Using the IMECS™, EPA-listed heavy metals have been removed from representative high-temperature emissions in field tests to easily meet the NESHAP standards.
US07678172B2
A method of treating ore particles to facilitate subsequent processing of the ore particles to recover valuable components from the ore is disclosed. The method includes exposing the ore particles to microwave energy and causing structural alteration of the ore particles. In one embodiment structural alteration is achieve without significantly altering the mineralogy, i.e., composition, of the ore. In another embodiment structural alteration is achieved with minimal change to the sizes of the ore particles. In another embodiment the method includes exposing the ore particles to short duration, high energy pulses of microwave energy.
US07678166B2
The present disclosure relates to a cyclone dust collecting apparatus for a vacuum cleaner having a high fine dust collecting efficiency. The cyclone dust collecting apparatus includes a first cyclone having an air suction hole through which dust-laden air is drawn-in, the first cyclone forcing the dust-laden air to downwardly whirl in a space under the air suction hole so as to centrifugally separate dust from the dust-laden air; a second cyclone disposed inside the first cyclone, the second cyclone forcing semi-clean air entering from the first cyclone to downwardly whirl so as to centrifugally separate fine dust from the semi-clean air; and an air guiding member forcing the semi-clean air discharged from the first cyclone to directly enter the second cyclone and, the air guiding member having a plurality of guiding blades radially disposed in at least one circular shape based on a vertical axis of the second cyclone.
US07678165B2
A particle separator which broadly includes: an inner wall, an outer wall and a splitter, wherein the inner and outer walls define an air intake passageway, and wherein the splitter is positioned between the inner and outer walls so as to define a scavenge air flow passageway connected to the intake passageway and a main air flow passageway connected to the intake passageway; the inner wall having a humped-shaped portion between the intake passageway and the main air flow passageway; the humped-shaped portion having a peak and a radius of curvature at any point on the hump-shaped portion of the inner wall after the peak corresponding to a degree of curvature of from about 30 to about 60 degrees; and a boundary layer control mechanism for providing active boundary layer control along the inner wall after the peak and within the main air flow passageway. Also provided is a method for providing active boundary layer flow control along the inner wall after the peak and within the main air flow passageway.
US07678164B2
A solid fuel gasifier includes first wall structure (12) defining a gasification chamber (14) and means (50, 52) to collect particulate solid residue from gasification in the gasification chamber. Second wall structure (16) defines a gas combustion chamber (17) and means (19) is arranged for admitting a flow of hot gases from the gasification chamber to the gas combustion chamber as combustion takes place. Also provided is means (178, 170) to conduct hot gases from the gasification chamber and/or gas combustion chamber into thermal contact with said collected particulate solid residue, for facilitating post-combustion and/or post-reduction of the solid residue. Also disclosed are an agitator bed (52, 182) for fine particulate material, and a method of gasification of solid fuel.
US07678159B1
A method of manufacturing carpet provides for an old art dyeing effect. Specifically, acid and cationic dyes are provided in a solution to a carpet tufted with cationic and acid dye fibers. The carpet is preferably tufted in such a way that there is a relative scarcity of one of the cationic and acid dye fibers at a first width. An abundance of the other dye accumulates in higher concentration than in surrounding areas at the first width. This higher concentration tends to diffuse and/or be moved by other mechanisms to the surrounding areas or widths where the dye attaches to appropriate contacts. This creates at least one of the dark band, a fade and/or a old art dye effect at that location. By precisely controlling the carpet fiber location at the upper surface, the dye solution and the dyeing process, fades and other process can be precisely controlled for repeatable performance as has not been experienced in the prior art.
US07678158B2
Compositions for dyeing keratin fibers comprise (a) at least one keratin dyeing compound selected from aromatic systems which comprise at least one boronic acid or boronic ester moiety and which are capable of forming upon oxidation a nucleophile or an electrophile, (b) at least one additional keratin dyeing compound selected from the group consisting of auxiliary developers and auxiliary couplers, and (c) a cosmetically suitable medium. Methods for oxidatively dyeing keratin fibers comprise the steps of applying such compositions in the presence of an oxidizing agent and rinsing the hair. A hair coloring product in kit form comprises a first separately packaged container comprising a composition as described above and a second separately packaged container comprising an oxidizing agent.
US07678141B2
A stent graft and method for positioning and deploying the stent graft within a vessel system that includes a main vessel and a branch vessel emanating from the main vessel. The stent graft includes a tubular shaped main body formed from graft material, a branch opening (aperture)(ring) in the graft material of the main body whose position can be varied. A tubular shaped branch graft can extend from the main graft. A side wall of the main body may be configured as a series of connected annular corrugations or pleats, and coupled to the main body to define and provide variable positioning of its branch opening (aperture).
US07678130B2
Medical devices for filtering fluids flowing through a lumen and a method of forming medical devices. The devices can be used in vascular channels, urinary tracts, biliary ducts and the like, and filter emboli and other debris generated at a treatment site.
US07678124B2
The present invention relates to medicine, in particular, to clamps used in vascular surgery for occlusion of blood vessels during a surgical operation, such as vascular clamps used in aortic aneurysm repair. The claimed supplementary vascular clamp comprises a pair of pivoting arms, each of them having a proximal end and a distal handle end. Each pivoting arm contains clamping jaws rigidly attached to a respective proximal end of this arm and shaped as a concave semi-cylindrical or semi-oval cavity. The clamping jaws are movable between the open position and closed position and define a through cylindrical or oval cavity in their closed position. The clamping jaws of the vascular clamp are also provided with a tightening means to provide intra-aortal bending of the ends of staples of an open approach stapler. The tightening means is shaped as plates or a strip of resilient material. The strip may be provided with a tensioning device. The vascular clamp may be also provided with a compensating means for correcting non-uniformity in the thickness of aorta walls. The vascular clamp may be further provided with a compensating means for correction of irregularity in wall thickness of the aorta, a first and a second sealing means for providing secure enclosure of aorta walls, as well as a means for providing regular ejection of staples.
US07678117B2
The invention provides articulating mechanisms, and flexible members and flexible segments that can form such articulating mechanisms. The mechanisms are useful, for example, for remote steering, guidance and/or manipulation of various instruments and tools at a targeted location. The mechanisms, members or segments include links connected by flexible hinges. The proximal and distal ends of the mechanisms are connected by at least one set of cables in such a fashion that a proximal active flexible segment forms a discrete pair with a distal active flexible segment. Movement of active flexible segments at the proximal end of the mechanism results in a corresponding, relative movement of segments at the distal end of the mechanism. This configuration allows each flexible segment pair to move independently of one another and also permits the articulating mechanism to undergo complex movements and adopt complex configurations.
US07678109B2
A device for ablating tissue includes an elongate body, which may be flexible to wrap about a cardiac structure, and at least one movable ablation element coupled to the body. The movable ablation element is adjustable relative to the body to form an angle with a longitudinal axis thereof between about zero degrees and about 180 degrees. The movable ablation element may be a two element array, and a pivot pin may depend from an underside thereof to pivotably connect the array to the body via a mating pivot hole in the body. The body may be formable into both a substantially flat configuration and a generally curved configuration. In other embodiments, the body is wand-shaped. The device may further include at least one non-movable ablation element coupled to the body and forming an angle of about zero degrees with the longitudinal axis of the body.
US07678099B2
A method for treating a natural drainage passageway in a subject includes forming a cannulated artificial passageway into a subject's sinus cavity through the canine fossa region with a piercing member, the piercing member containing a hollow cannula thereon, the cannula comprising an elongate flexible member having a lumen passing therethrough. The piercing member is removed so as to leave the cannula in place. A balloon dilation catheter is then advanced within the lumen of the cannula so as to place the dilation balloon at least partially across the natural drainage passage in the sinus cavity. The dilation balloon is dilated so as to at least partially expand the natural drainage passageway.
US07678098B2
This invention relates to a venous cannula for use in conjunction with cardiovascular examinations, treatments and surgery. The venous cannula is configured for two-stage drainage of oxygen-depleted venous blood from a central venous location via a peripheral venous insertion site, such as a femoral vein. The venous cannula is optimized for use in a cardiopulmonary bypass system that includes a multichannel arterial perfusion catheter. The cardiopulmonary bypass system is advantageous for use in performing standard open chest or least invasive cardiac surgical procedures.
US07678094B1
A reusable swim diaper, which includes a main torso part having an extent defined by an elastic banded torso receiving aperture at its upper end for receiving a torso, a pair of elastic banded leg receiving apertures at its lower end, and a crotch portion generally between said leg receiving apertures. The main torso part includes a bodyside inner layer of breathable wick away fabric having an extent corresponding to the extent of the main torso part, an absorbent terry cloth intermediate layer, and a waterproof outer layer having an extent corresponding to the extent of said main torso part. The layers are made of materials which are capable of withstanding laundering and are restored to substantially their original conditions by laundering.
US07678091B2
A colostomy bag provided with a stoma ring, a gas outlet and an external deodorizing filter in which a vertical baffle is provided intermediate the stoma ring and the gas outlet and extending from the upper marginal wall of the bag and a level slightly below the lowest point of the stoma ring. The baffle is designed to prevent feces from being squeezed sideways and upwardly into the gas outlet and clogging it.
US07678089B2
An ophthalmic delivery device includes a body defining a fluid reservoir and a pump in fluid communication with the reservoir. The delivery device also includes a nozzle that includes a dosage chamber for holding a dosage of fluid, a valve seat, and a valve cover. The valve cover extends about the valve seat and forms an interface therebetween and the valve seat includes an outlet aperture. The interface is in fluid communication with the outlet aperture and the dosage chamber, and at least part of the valve cover is movable between (i) a closed position with the valve cover engaging the valve seat to close the interface and form a fluid-tight seal therebetween, and (ii) an open position with at least part of the valve cover spaced away from the valve seat in response to fluid flowing through the outlet aperture at a pressure greater than a valve opening pressure to allow the passage of pressurized fluid therebetween. The valve seat and the valve cover are dimensioned to dispense the dosage of fluid through the interface at a velocity of equal to or less than 6 meters per second.
US07678070B2
System of dampening pressure pulsations caused by a positive displacement pump in endoscopic surgery
A system for distending body tissue cavities of subjects by continuous flow irrigation during endoscopic procedures, the system including: a fluid source reservoir containing a non viscous physiologic fluid meant for cavity distension; a fluid supply conduit tube connecting the fluid source reservoir to an inlet port of a variable speed positive displacement inflow pump and an outlet port of the said inflow pump being connectable to an inflow port of an endoscope instrument through an inflow tube for pumping the fluid at a controlled flow rate into the cavity, the flow rate of the said inflow pump being termed as the inflow rate; an inflow pressure transducer being located anywhere in the inflow tube between the outlet port of the inflow pump and the inflow port of the endoscope; an outflow port of the endoscope being connectable to a waste fluid collecting container via a waste fluid carrying tube, and characterized in that an active inflow pressure pulsation dampening means is connected to the inflow tube for dampening the pressure pulsations inside the cavity created by the positive displacement inflow pump.
US07678064B2
An apparatus for helping to determine tactile sensitivity of a patient includes a housing and a probe supported by the housing and having a probe tip. The probe is adapted for selective longitudinal movement relative to the housing between a first probe position, wherein the probe tip is substantially extended from the housing, and a second probe position, wherein the probe tip is substantially retracted into the housing. A first biasing means is adapted to urge the probe toward the first probe position. A predetermined motive force is selectively exerted between the probe tip and the patient to move the probe from the first probe position to the second probe position. The motive force is indicative of tactile sensitivity of the patient. A method for helping to determine tactile sensitivity of a patient is also described.
US07678062B2
Parametric characterization of nitric oxide (NO) gas exchange using a two-compartment model of the lungs is a non-invasive technique to characterize inflammatory lung diseases. The technique applies the two-compartment model to parametric characterization of NO gas exchange from a tidal breathing pattern. The model is used to estimate up to six flow-independent parameters, and to study alternate breathing patterns.
US07678058B2
An apnea classification system provides for apnea monitoring and differentiation based on several sleep apnea related parameters for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. Monitoring of such sleep apnea related parameters allows the apnea classification system to differentiate among the different types of apnea. This information may then be used to determine the best method of therapy, or adjust current therapy parameters to more effectively treat a subject.
US07678056B2
A transducer array is connected with a catheter housing. As the transducer array is rotated, the catheter housing also rotates. As a result, at least a portion of the catheter housing twists about a longitudinal axis. By applying rotation in a controlled way, such as with a motor, a plurality of two-dimensional images for three-dimensional reconstruction may be obtained. The rotation of the catheter housing may limit the total amount of rotation of the array, such as rotating the array through a 90 degree or less amount of rotation about the longitudinal axis. The housing of the catheter is formed with a soft section. The softer material allows for a greater amount or increased ease for twisting the catheter.
US07678049B2
A method and an apparatus for estimating bone age by at least one acoustic signal in an ossification-actuated skeletal structure. The apparatus includes an acoustic transmitter and an acoustic receiver positioned facing each other so that the structure is positioned between them. The structure has at least two bones. The transmitter is adapted for transmitting a signal to cross the structure transversely. An electronic moveable gantry is provided for adjusting the position of the acoustic transmitter and the acoustic receiver in relation to the structure. A computer system is enabled to perform one or more functions to position the moveable gantry; transmit the signal by the transmitter; control the signal transmitted by the transmitter; receive the transmitted signal by the receiver; and estimate bone age responsive to the received signal by at least one bone age calculation formula.
US07678039B2
Method for supervising a centrifugal separator with a separating chamber, a radially inner outlet connected to the separating chamber and to an outlet conduit, with a flow detector disposed in the outlet conduit and adapted to detecting a flow in the outlet conduit, and an intermittently openable radially outer outlet connected to the separating chamber. In order reliably and easily to supervise the intermittent discharge of the centrifugal separator, the pressure is measured by a sensor disposed in a portion of the centrifugal separator which is pressure-transmittingly connected to a central portion of the interior of the rotor. If the supervision unit does not detect a pressure drop pulse from the sensor within a predetermined period of time from when an intermittent discharge is initiated, an alarm signal is emitted.
US07678038B1
A compression or fold completion device used to uniformly compress a folded edge of a workpiece, such as a box blank, in order to allow the blank to more easily be utilized in subsequent packaging operations. The device includes a pressure roller mounted to a rotatable adjustment member. The rotational axis of the pressure roller is offset from the rotational axis of the adjustment member. The adjustment member is in turn connected to an actuating assembly, which may include an arm secured at one end to the adjustment member and at the other end to an extendible and retractable actuator, in order to enable the actuator to rotate the adjustment member and selectively position the pressure roller in engagement with a folded edge of a workpiece passing beneath the pressure roller.
US07678036B1
A ripple bottom pizza box and the method of creating a pizza box with such a ripple bottom. A pizza box blank is provided that is made of corrugated cardboard. The corrugated cardboard has parallel corrugation waves that traverse a flat bottom section pf the pizza box blank in a first direction. A roller is provided that has multiple parallel roller heads. The flat bottom section of the pizza box blank is advanced under the rollers. The parallel roller heads press parallel depressions into the flat bottom section in a direction perpendicular to the first direction of the corrugation waves. The result is that when the pizza box blank is folded into a pizza box, the bottom of the pizza box is contoured with parallel depression lines.
US07678031B2
A dumbbell has a planar base allowing it to be supported in a stable manner upon the ground, for instance while the user holding a pair of dumbbells performs exercises such as push ups. A compliant sheet on the base provides a high friction slip-resistant face. A pair of flanges disposed on the base and protruding from the base for mounting a handle therebetween and the base has a waisted form. Weights are provided for adjusting the total mass of the dumbbell. Complementary tongue and groove couplers are provided on each weight and on the flanges whereby each weight is releasably fastened to the device.
US07678028B1
A marital arts training device comprising a barrier for creating a target zone. In a preferred embodiment, the martial arts training device includes: a barrier support; at least one barrier mounted to the barrier support for creating a target zone; and a target located within the target zone.
US07678026B2
A mobile physical training system and method, wherein a wheeled platform is secured to a user via a bodyworn harness and/or belt, wherein the user can easily and selectively manipulate the amount of resistant weight carried by the platform, and wherein consistent, hands-free delivery the resistant weight force is realized for both pushing and pulling actions, thereby enabling the physical training system of the present invention to target speed, strength, and endurance training for individuals of virtually any skill level during a variety of training activities, such as walking, jogging, forward, backward and lateral running, push training, mobility training, and wheelchair training.
US07678023B1
A mental activity for an exerciser exercising on an exercise apparatus connected to a communication link is provided by contacting a computer connected to the communication link and providing a display of mental activity data such as sports scores, stock prices or a weather report received from the contacted computer on a display device of the exercise apparatus while the exerciser exercises.
US07678021B2
A method and device are provided for limiting, in a first operating condition, a motor vehicle internal-combustion engine torque. The operating condition, resulting from an operation of a motor vehicle brake, when the engine torque is simultaneously demanded by a driver's intention indicator, differs from a second operating condition, in which the brake is not operated. The limiting takes place at least partially by way of a controlled reduction of an advance angle efficiency in the first operating condition in comparison to the second operating condition.
US07678020B2
A vehicle clutch has a pushing member that is energized against a friction plane and transfers power from a driving power source when it touches the friction plane. The location of the pushing member can be retained even when power is shut off. After a signal from the key switch ends, the control apparatus stops the driving power source and the vehicle, engages the friction transfer mechanism, and then stops the system.
US07678019B2
An ECT_ECU executes a program including the step of prohibiting a lockup clutch from engaging if the lockup clutch is disengaged and a number of revolutions or speed NE of an input shaft of a torque converter minus a number of revolutions or speed NT of an output shaft of the torque converter is smaller than a threshold value ΔN (1).
US07678018B2
A method for implementing shifts from a source gear to a target gear of an automatic shift transmission includes storing a respective upshift threshold and a respective downshift threshold for each possible sequential gear shift. The respective upshift threshold and the respective downshift threshold are defined in dependence of an accelerator pedal position, such that a limit value that is valid for a respective upshift or downshift is stored as a vehicle speed value in a control device. The vehicle speed that changes while the motor vehicle is driving and a changing accelerator pedal position are measured. Downshifts are simplified for a driver by configuring at least two downshift thresholds to be substantially horizontally extending in a first region of a possible accelerator pedal position and at least partly step-shaped in a second region of the possible accelerator pedal position.
US07678014B2
A control apparatus for a vehicular power transmitting system including an electrically controlled differential portion having an electric motor, and an automatic transmission portion, the control apparatus including shift control portion operable upon determination that a jump shift-down action of the automatic transmission portion directly to a target gear position while skipping at least one intermediate gear position should take place and upon inhibition of the jump shift-down action, to generate a shifting command to perform the jump shift-down action when total jump-shift-down-action time required for the jump shift-down action is shorter than total sequential-shift-down-operation time required for a sequential shift-down operation consisting of a shift-down action to each intermediate gear position and a shift-down action from the last intermediate gear position to the target gear position, and a shifting command to perform the sequential shift-down operation when the total jump-shift-down-action time is not shorter than the total sequential-shift-down-operation time.
US07678011B2
The transmission has a plurality of members that can be utilized in powertrains to provide at least eight forward speed ratios and at least one reverse speed ratio. The transmission includes four planetary gear sets having five torque-transmitting devices and five fixed interconnections. The powertrain includes an engine and torque converter that is continuously connected to at least one of the planetary gear members and an output member that is continuously connected with another one of the planetary gear members. The five torque-transmitting devices provide interconnections between various gear members, and with a stationary member, and are operated in combinations of two to establish at least eight forward speed ratios and at least one reverse speed ratio.
US07678010B2
The transmission has a plurality of members that can be utilized in powertrains to provide at least eight forward speed ratios and at least one reverse speed ratio. The transmission includes four planetary gear sets having five torque-transmitting devices, four fixed interconnections and a grounded member. The powertrain includes an engine and torque converter that is continuously connected to at least one of the planetary gear members and an output member that is continuously connected with another one of the planetary gear members. The five torque-transmitting devices provide interconnections between various gear members, and with a stationary member, and are operated in combinations of two to establish at least eight forward speed ratios and at least one reverse speed ratio.
US07678005B2
A method of operating a hybrid transmission includes controlling the transmission according to a drive mode, which includes a continuously variable speed ratio, and according to automatic and manual fixed speed relationships modes, which include a plurality of fixed speed relationships including mechanics gear ratios and virtual gear relationships. The method also includes receiving a driver request for transmission operation in one of an Economy or a Sport mode, and operating the transmission in the requested Economy or Sport modes.
US07678004B2
A rotation transmitting apparatus comprises a first sun gear joined to a first shaft so as to rotate interlockingly, a second shaft arranged to the first shaft coaxially, a second sun gear joined to the second shaft so as to rotate interlockingly, a first planetary gear meshed with the first sun gear, a second planetary gear rotating with the first planetary gear and meshed with the second sun gear, and a carrier supporting the first and second planetary gears and arranged to be driven by a differential electric motor. In particular, the number of teeth of each of the first and second sun gears and the first and second planetary gears is determined so that the ratio of a torque applied to the second shaft to a torque applied to the first shaft ranges from 1:0.7 to 1:0.9.
US07678002B2
A new tensioner is disclosed that achieves asymmetric damping in part by using a moveable ramp plate. The moveable ramp plate is in frictional contact with the arm provides asymmetric frictional damping for the tensioner arm when the arm experiences wind-up and begins to move away from the belt. The ramp plate is rotatably associated with the movement of the tensioner arm through a spring. The tensioner arm may pivot in two directions. As the tensioner arm pivots in a direction toward the belt the ramp plate is urged such that friction between the ramp plate and tensioner are minimized. When the tensioner arm pivots in the opposite direction, as potentially typified by wind-up, the ramp plate is urged such that friction between the ramp plate and tensioner is increased thereby minimizing wind-up of the tensioner arm.
US07677999B2
A chain tensioner includes a housing defining a cylinder chamber, and a plunger having a small-diameter end and a spring both mounted in the cylinder chamber. A register ring is fitted in a ring-receiving groove formed in the inner periphery of the cylinder chamber near its open end. A plurality of annular grooves are formed in the outer periphery of the plunger so as to be axially spaced from each other at equal intervals. The register ring is adapted to be press-fitted in one of the annular grooves. With the register ring trapped between an engaging surface of a first annular groove which is one of the annular grooves located nearest to the front end of the plunger and a locking surface of the ring-receiving groove, an outer cylindrical surface of the plunger extending forwardly from the first annular groove has its front portion supported by an inner cylindrical surface of the cylinder chamber extending forwardly from the ring-receiving groove.
US07677997B2
A double piston and belt type continuously variable transmission comprises a primary pulley provided with a primary piston chamber and a primary clamp chamber; a secondary pulley provided with a secondary piston chamber and a secondary clamp chamber; and an endless belt operatively put around the primary and secondary pulleys. A switching circuit is arranged to connect both the primary and secondary clamp chambers to either one of the primary and secondary piston chambers, which shows a higher hydraulic pressure than the other.
US07677993B2
The invention provides a new tennis backboard design. The backboard includes a firm backing layer underlying a soft deadening layer. The rebound of a tennis ball from the backboard is reduced as compared to rebound from a rigid hard-surface backboard. This allows a player to stand fairly close to the backboard, which reduces misses. The player can stand fairly close and hit balls hard against the backboard. Because the rebound is reduced, the ball simply bounces back softly and easily to the player, allowing the player to hit hard again from a fairly short distance. Thus, long rallies without missing are easily achieved. Since the bounce is reduced, the player can stand closer to the backboard, and therefore the backboard can be smaller than conventional backboards without the player missing the backboard. This allows the backboard to be light, portable, and easily stored. Because of the addition of a soft deadening layer, the firm backing layer of the backboard can also be thin and made of lighter and weaker material than a conventional backboard, reducing the weight of the backboard.
US07677991B2
A golf system that includes a tee or other area for striking a golf ball; and a golf green having a concave surface with a ball receptacle located at the lowest point in the surface so that a ball landing and remaining on the green will roll into the ball receptacle. The green includes a resiliently compressible layer coinciding with the concave surface. The resiliently compressible surface may include at least one layer of corrugated plastic material and may be covered with an artificial turf surface. The golf system may be used to play a unique game, wherein a plurality of balls are rolled on the green and travel in a spiral manner into the ball receptacle. The golf green may be mounted on a portable frame.
US07677990B2
A golf club head of this invention includes a face and a plurality of striations formed on the face by milling. A pitch P in the arrangement direction of the plurality of striations satisfies 300 μm≦P≦600 μm. The surface roughness of a region in the face with the striations satisfies in the maximum height of the profile Ry, 15 μm≦Ry≦0.005×P+15.7 μm.
US07677982B2
A constant velocity joint and a boot for a constant velocity joint are disclosed. The boot generally includes a first channel and a second channel. The first channel is in fluid communication with a joint chamber of the constant velocity joint. The first channel is also in communication with the second channel and generally allows airflow therethrough while resisting clogs from lubricant. Additionally, the second channel generally allows airflow therethrough to the atmosphere while resisting passage of foreign contaminants therethrough.
US07677981B2
A sealed joint assembly includes an outer joint part (3) with outer ball tracks (9), an inner joint part (4) with inner ball tracks (10), torque transmitting balls (6) which are guided in pairs of tracks and held in a cage (7) with cage windows (8). A sleeve (16) is connected to the inner joint part (4) and is coaxially arranged thereto. A sealing mechanism (12) with an annular cap (13) is fixed to the outer joint part (3) and includes a sealing diaphragm (15) with an outer collar (18) connected to the annular cap (13) and an inner collar (19) sealingly connected to the sleeve (16). A securing ring (20) fixes the inner collar (19) on the sleeve (16). The sleeve (16) has an annular groove (33) which is engaged by the sealing diaphragm (15) by an inner annular bead (32) formed on the inner collar (19).
US07677979B2
The present disclosure provides various novel concepts to a video game environment. The disclosure describes video game environments that include a method and system for controlling the quantity and distribution of virtual natural resources, raw materials, skills and NPCs in and between games, where player characters may acquire, use and modify such virtual resources within the physical limits of the games.
US07677976B2
Video game processing apparatus, a method and a computer program product for processing a video game
When a player character applies a damage to an attack target character on the basis of an attack action of the player character, it is determined whether the attack is a direct attack or a specific kind of attack different from the direct attack and defined in advance. A panic reaction term of a panic reaction is determined in the case where it is determined that the attack is the specific kind of attack. In the panic reaction, the attack target character becomes a state where the attack target character cannot attack the player character and defend oneself from an attack from the player character. The panic reaction is executed until the panic reaction term elapses. A privilege is applied to the player character in the case where it is determined that the attack target character suffers the direct attack during execution of the panic reaction.
US07677968B2
A gaming machine for conducting a wagering game includes a display for displaying three or more reels, one having at least one triggering symbol representing a guaranteed award when it lands along an active payline selected by the player. When the triggering symbol lands along the selected payline, resulting in a triggering outcome, a corresponding outcome is retrieved from a table containing mappings of each triggering outcome with a corresponding outcome. The table is predetermined such that at the time the triggering outcome is presented to the player, the outcome is preordained. The outcome can further include another triggering symbol, in which case that winning outcome is further mapped to a retriggered winning outcome. In addition to mapping to each triggering outcome with a outcome, each outcome can be mapped to a game enhancement parameter.
US07677959B2
A polishing pad has a polishing layer with a polishing surface and a first registration mark, and a backing layer connected to the polishing layer and having a second registration mark aligned with the first registration mark. The polishing pad may have a window that includes an aperture in the backing layer aligned with a solid transparent portion in the polishing layer.
US07677952B2
A strapless brassiere having winged support structures to maximize surface area of the bra to which an extended-wear adhesive is applied over substantially all of the undersurface of the bra.
US07677945B2
This invention relates to method(s) of fabricating electrodes of an external electrode fluorescence lamp (EEFL) for use in thin film transistor-liquid crystal display (TFT-LCD) applications. Also disclosed is a structure with electrodes for external electrode fluorescence lamps used in TFT-LCD backlight units.
US07677944B2
A transparent substrate on which a transparent electrode layer is formed is prepared. An insulating layer having a first pattern for exposing a light-emitting region and a first terminal portion and covering a second terminal portion is formed on the transparent electrode layer. Then, an organic layer is formed on the entire surface of the transparent electrode layer and the insulating layer. A reflection electrode layer having a second pattern for covering the light-emitting region and the second terminal portion and exposing the first terminal portion is formed on the organic layer. After that, an exposed portion of the organic layer is removed by dry etching to expose a region of the first electrode layer in the first terminal portion. Finally, a sealing film having a third pattern for covering the light-emitting region and exposing the first terminal portion and the second terminal portion is formed on the resultant transparent substrate, thereby exposing the first terminal portion and the second terminal portion.
US07677941B2
An electronic device substrate includes an insulating plate base, an electronic circuit formed on one surface of the base, and a conductive film formed on the other surface of the base and having electrical conductivity. The electronic device substrate is completed through a manufacturing process including charge-removal movement in which removal of a charge of the base is combined with movement of the electronic device substrate. In the charge-removal movement, the electronic device substrate is moved with being supported by a substrate support part that has electrical conductivity and is grounded. The substrate support part abuts the conductive film during the charge-removal movement.
US07677926B1
A connector jack includes a housing, a receptacle shield, and a brace. The housing is configured for receiving a plug. The receptacle shield defines a receiving space for receiving the housing and exposing a plug receiving chamber of the housing to the outside, and includes two inward projecting prongs. Each prong has a base portion and a free end bent to form a ramped surface projecting inward into the interior of the receptacle. The brace is positioned between the receptacle shield and the housing, and has a main frame and two tabs respectively connected on the two ends of the main frame for abutting the prongs of the receptacle shield.
US07677915B2
An electrical contact member, suitable for electrically interconnecting two conductive members in series, which members can move relative to each other and are part of an electrical apparatus. The electrical contact includes a strength-imparting base layer made of an electrically conductive material, and a coating layer formed from metallic silver and configured to come into contact with the two electrically conductive members. The coating layer has a micro-structure formed by pure silver crystals, with a presence of nodules made of silver and of an additional metallic material formed by at least one additional metal that is different from silver.
US07677911B2
A connector connection structure includes: a case having a side surface and a top surface, respectively extending in directions crossing each other at a first angle, and an opening; a connector terminal portion inserted into the case from the opening; a shield plate closing the opening; a bolt fastening the case and the shield plate; and a terminal block arranged in the case and connected to the connector terminal portion. The shield plate has a first portion extending along the side surface and closing the opening, a second portion extending along the top surface, and a bent portion positioned between the first portion and the second portion and bent at a second angle being smaller than the first angle. The bolt fastens the case and the second portion of the shield plate.
US07677904B1
An electrical connector includes an insulating housing and a plurality of electric terminals. The insulating housing defines a plurality of terminal grooves for correspondingly receiving the electric terminals therein. Each of the electric terminals has a welded portion extending outside from a rear of the insulating housing for being soldered to a printed circuit board. A substantially inversed funnel shaped injecting portion is formed at a middle portion of the welded portion for leading liquid-state material to inject therefrom and then flow to the welded portion until the liquid-state material is solidified and integrated with the insulating housing. Therefore, the welded portions are not easily warped while soldered to the printed circuit board. Thus, the welded portions are soldered to the printed circuit board firmly, and the electrical connection between the electrical connector and the printed circuit board is more stable.
US07677901B1
The contact includes the plunger and a coil spring unit for holding the plunger thereon. The plunger includes an upper contact strip having a plurality of contact points on an upper end portion thereof, a wide portion, and a lower contact strip having two contact strips each having a contact point at a lower end portion thereof. The coil spring unit includes a spring portion and a funnel shaped tight wound portion including a guiding portion and a slimly wound portion having a contact point at a lower end portion thereof. The plurality of contact points provided on the upper contact strip is arranged in a plane so as to be broadened at a distance. The contact points provided on the two contact strips of the lower contact strip are formed to be resiliently deformable with respect to each other.
US07677896B1
Automated system enabling educators to create and organize educational materials appealing to students' varied learning styles and cognitive capabilities. Templates conforming to five basic learning styles are provided for material creation and organization, though other templates conforming to other learning styles are definable as well. Once created, educational materials are exported to complementary systems for presentation to students via a standard electronic interface.
US07677894B2
The articles with spinning globe include articles worn by a user and containers in which a spinning or rotating globe is disposed. The articles of apparel may be a shirt, a pair of pants a hat or other wearing apparel. The container may be a backpack, a purse, a suitcase, a lunchbox or other carrying container. The rotating globe is mounted in the articles of apparel and the containers so that a user may manually rotate the globe within the articles of apparel or the containers. The rotating globe may be placed in any of the articles and used by children as an educational tool to learn about geography, or by adults to note specific time zones when traveling or determine where a specific country is in relation to other countries.
US07677892B2
The method and extractor relate to dentistry and are intended for extraction of metal instruments fragments from a root canal of the tooth, as these instruments may be broken and may get stuck here, for example, during endodontic treatment. According to the invention, two insulated metal electrodes assembled as a cylinder are inserted into the root canal until electric contact with the fragment to be extracted. Then electric current impulse is ran through the circuit formed by the first electrode, metal fragment and second electrode; the intensity and duration of the electric impulse shall be sufficient for welding of the fragment to the electrodes by means of heating at the contact points; this time a heating of the surrounding tissues remains at the physiologically acceptable level; afterwards the electrodes are extracted from the root canal together with the fragment. Depending on a clinical situation, electrodes of various size and configuration are used. Electric impulse is generated by the unit comprising a capacitor chargeable by a battery and dischargeable in pulsed mode via controlled electronic switch. The unit also has an indicator of contact resistance between the fragment and the electrodes for a better alignment of their relative positions.
US07677889B2
In one embodiment, a method includes: accessing a bite register with a post, upper and lower dental models, and a fixture having upper and lower plates and a clamp; coupling the register post to the fixture, such that the register post has a first orientation; coupling the upper and lower models to the register; coupling the upper and lower models to the upper and lower plates; uncoupling the register; coupling an appliance post to the fixture, such that the appliance post has a second orientation the same as the first orientation; and forming a custom oral appliance coupled to the appliance post and maintaining the second orientation of the appliance post. In one embodiment, a device is configured to couple to an articulator and to position and retain a bite register post. The device includes a lower member, first and second couplers, an upper member, and an adjustor.
US07677888B1
A combination placement tool and light device (10, 50) is disclosed which allows the dentist or surgeon to hold a dental appliance with a vacuum supplied to a flexible skirt (18, 90), position the dental appliance, and then tack the dental appliance in place with a light source (28, 60, 62) using light activated adhesive. The device (10, 50) can also be used to provide a full cure. The device (10, 50) can also have a source of drying air to aid the procedure. The device (50) can be used with a disposable molded acrylic collimator (76).
US07677883B2
The smokeless liquid two-phase burner system of the present invention relates to a method and apparatus for burning a wide variety of flammable liquids using an integrated burner system. The system has both a primary injection path and an alternate injection path for the fuel to be burned, as well as a main air pump or blower. The present invention also provides a method and apparatus for selectably injecting a secondary stream of a gas or vapor or volatile liquid into a flare system for the purpose of enhancing combustion. The apparatus is self-contained and self erecting on a transportable trailer.
US07677882B2
The smokeless liquid two-phase burner system of the present invention relates to a method and apparatus for burning a wide variety of flammable liquids using an integrated burner system. The system has both a primary injection path and an alternate injection path for the liquid fuel to be burned, as well as a main air pump or blower. The present invention also provides a method and apparatus for selectably injecting a secondary stream of a gas or vapor or volatile liquid into a flare system for the purpose of enhancing combustion.
US07677879B1
An apparatus for docking dough includes a base member, a plurality of protrusions extending from a lower surface of the base member, and a handle secured to an upper surface of the base member. The base member is not flat, but rather has a curvature that enables the apparatus to be rocked from side to side when placed on a surface. Thus, in use, the apparatus is first placed on and manually pressed into a dough, such as an uncooked pizza dough. Then, the apparatus is rocked from side to side by the user to dock the dough, ensuring that dimples or divots are made throughout the dough.
US07677869B2
A predictive maintenance system for wind parks, the wind park comprising a group of wind turbines (Ai), a communications network (RS), and a supervision and control system (ST). The predictive maintenance system comprises a monitoring and processing equipment (SMP) connected to the control system (PLC) of the wind turbine (Ai), such that the monitoring and processing equipment sends alarms through the control system of the wind turbine to the supervision and control system. A monitoring and processing equipment (SMP) for wind turbines is also disclosed.
US07677867B2
A guide vane arrangement of a turbomachine includes a casing, at least one guide vane carrier connected to the casing and having a first carrying portion and a second carrying portion spaced apart axially from the first carrying portion, a plurality of guide vanes connected to the guide vane carrier and arranged next to each other in a circumferential direction, and at least one securing element connected to the guide vane carrier and configured to provide an axial fixing of at least one of the guide vanes. Each guide vane has a platform including a first locking portion and a second locking portion spaced apart axially from the first locking portion, wherein each of the first and second locking portions and the respective first and second carrying portion are adapted to provide an axially pluggable and a radially positive fastening between the guide vane carrier and the respective guide vane.
US07677861B1
A slat replacement machine having an elongated rectangular frame supported at each end by a tracked drive unit which provides zero turn capability to the machine. A pair of outrigger assemblies is provided at the forward end of the frame and a pair of outrigger assemblies is provided at the rearward side of the frame. The outrigger assemblies may be pivotally moved from a stowed position adjacent the frame to an outwardly extending position. A telescopic boom is pivotally mounted on the upper end of a rotatable pedestal which extends upwardly from the center of the frame. Various components of the machine such as hydraulic cylinders and hydraulic motors are radio controlled.
US07677850B2
A clip comprises a pin, and a hollow bush adapted to receive the pin therein. The bush includes a flange and a bush body having an opening which is formed by partially cutting off a peripheral wall thereof and adapted to receive therein a pin shank in a direction orthogonal to an axial direction of the bush body. The bush body and the bush flange are adapted to be expanded in a radially outward direction of the bush body about a position opposed to the opening, in a hinged manner. The pin has a shank that includes a protruding portion which has a narrow region formed near a distal end of the pin shank, causing no expansion in an outer diameter of the bush body in the radially outward direction when the pin is in a non-fastened position, and a wide region adjacent to the bush flange, causing an expansion in the outer diameter of the bush body when the pin is in a fastened position.
US07677848B2
A post treatment process of a seamed belt for providing a smooth surface and substantially eliminating protrusions by using a planing blade, and a seamed belt that has undergone the post treatment.
US07677847B2
A spindle apparatus includes a housing for rotatable support of a spindle. The spindle is sealed by a brush seal in order to prevent fluid, contained in the housing, from escaping and/or to prevent ingress of a medium from outside into the housing.
US07677841B2
A supporting member and a retaining wall structure having the same, and an associated building method are provided. The supporting member may include a pair of downward protrusions spaced apart and extending downward in the same direction, and a coupling portion that connects corresponding ends of the downward protrusions. The downward protrusions are configured to couple two or more layers of a retaining wall structure.
US07677840B2
The present invention provides a system and a method for a retaining wall which minimizes cost, assembly time and environmental impact while providing substantial load-bearing capacity. The system includes: a plurality of vertical helical piers driven into the ground, tie-back helical piers driven at a non-vertical angle into the ground, substantially horizontal waler rods, and substantially vertical extensions, which are interconnected through interlocking connectors. Multiple levels of the load-bearing structure can be built on top of each other depending on the height of the soil to be retained. Loads from the retained soil may be transferred to the extension bars and waler rods through wood lagging, wood planks, different types of plates, or some other intermediary. A mesh support for the soil can be provided in addition to the load-bearing structure. Trees, bushes or other plants can be planted through the mesh in the retained soil to improve the environmental impact of the invention.
US07677837B2
A device for transferring fluid between two floating supports anchored to the sea bottom, having a rigid central undersea pipe installed below the surface with its ends each being connected to respective ones of two supports via a flexible hose. The main portion of the rigid central pipe includes or co-operates with buoyancy elements such that the central pipe adopts, in a quasi-static rest state, a configuration of an arch, preferably following a curve such that the angles between the half-lines of the axes of the rigid pipe and the horizontal half-lines at each of its ends extending towards the other end present absolute values of less than 20° and the flexible hoses present lengths and curvatures such that variations in the curvatures of the flexible hoses are suitable for compensating the movements of the floating supports.
US07677831B2
A flexible marker device comprises a marker body having a bottom end and a top end, and a base for supporting the marker body. The base has an aperture in a center portion thereof and a groove extending about the aperture in an upper surface of the base. The bottom end of the marker body is at least partially disposed within the groove. A cured material, preferably polyurethane, is disposed in the groove to thereby secure the marker body to the base.
US07677830B1
A furniture joinery comprises a slide rail having a plurality of grooves, at least one slide block slidably disposed in the slide rail, the slide block having a plurality of slides for engaging the slide rail, at least one of the plurality of slides having a neck and a head, the grooves receiving the neck therein.
US07677829B2
Method and apparatus for providing inserts, such as lift inserts and step inserts, in cast members. The inserts have breakaway tabs mounted in receiving slots in either a reusable holder or disk-shaped member. The assembled insert and holder are inserted through a collar on the outer jacket of a mold assembly and a locking pin passes through cooperating openings in the holder and collar to retain the lift insert/holder in place during the casting operation. The disk-shaped member is fixed to a jacket of the mold assembly. The breakaway tabs break away from the insert when the cast member is separated from the mold assembly, the breakaway tabs being discarded and the holder (disk-shaped member) being reusable many times for subsequent casting operations. The slots, in one embodiment, have a locking shoulder to lock the tabs in their slots. In another embodiment, a cam surface on the tabs lock the tabs in the slots. In another embodiment, one slot and one tab differ in radial or circumferential length from the other tabs and slots to permit alignment between the slots and tabs in only one position to assure that the tabs are properly mounted in the holder.
US07677828B2
To enhance customer satisfaction in use of an extruding container of an applying filler, a leading tube having a discharge port (101c) is formed as a filling member (101), and the filling member (101) having a filling region (101x) filled with an applying filler (L) is inserted and attached to a leading end side of a main body side assembly (140) formed by installing a movable body (106), an engagement portion (104c, 106b) for moving the movable body (106) and a rotation preventing portion (102d, 106e), whereby the applying filler (L) can be sufficiently filled in the region (101x) between the inner side of the discharge port (101c) of the filling member (101) and the movable body (106) of the main body side assembly (140), and the applying filler (L) can be rapidly discharged at a first applying time by a user.
US07677821B2
The present invention provides an image processing apparatus which can perform image processing suitable for each image in a job as well as provides an image processing program storage medium. The image processing apparatus has an information storage section which stores processing information used for predetermined image processing in memory by associating it with front and back sides of paper each, a color conversion section which performs a color conversion process on an image based on the processing information associated by the information storage section with the front or back side on whichever the image is to be recorded, and a RIP section which converts the image data after color conversion into raster data while performing a correction process on the image data to correct image distortion.
US07677816B2
A camera terminal including an imaging zone adjusting apparatus that adjusts an imaging zone using multiple camera terminals, a camera that images a hypothetical imaging zone obtained by changing the position of an imaging zone within a specific zone in a specific period of time, an adjusting unit that adjusts the position of a hypothetical imaging zone, and a communications unit that sends/receives hypothetical imaging zone information indicating the hypothetical imaging zone. The adjusting unit adjusts the position of the hypothetical imaging zone of one's own camera terminal based on the hypothetical imaging zone of one's own camera terminal and the hypothetical imaging zones of the other camera terminals indicated by the hypothetical imaging zone information received by the communications unit so that a combined zone of the hypothetical imaging zones of the multiple camera terminals completely covers a specific imaging target zone.
US07677807B2
A hub unit for wheel is described, with an outer ring having two bearing tracks on its inner circumferential surface, and a hub having a wheel mount flange on the outer end side and an end portion on the axially vehicle center side. The hub has a first bearing track corresponding to the axially vehicle outer end side bearing track of the outer ring, and an inner ring element fitted on the end portion side of the hub. The inner ring element has on its outer circumference a second bearing track opposed to the axially vehicle center side bearing track of the outer ring, and is fixed on the end portion by plastically deforming the end portion of the hub radially outwardly. Rolling members are provided between the two bearing tracks of the outer ring and the first and second bearing tracks.
US07677791B2
A rotary slurrifier of this invention comprises a pair of spinning discs, which throw a first fluid into a larger mass of second fluid in paired and flow connected impact cavities, within a counter-rotating cavity shell. The first fluid is to be largely insoluble in the second fluid. Impact of the first fluid with the larger mass of second fluid, in the impact cavities, causes atomization of the first fluid into a slurry of many small first fluid particles suspended in a continuous phase of second fluid. The final slurry flows out of the rotating cavity shell via a slowdown reaction turbine.High viscosity residual petroleum fuels and tars as first fluids can be thusly preatomized in a fuel in water slurry, and can then be cleanly and efficiently burned in small bore, high speed, diesel engines, which now require use of expensive low viscosity distillate fuels, which are in short supply.
US07677787B2
A mixing degree adjusting device comprises a pair of spacer members arranged at a position sandwiching both round sectional portions of a pair of screws from both sides in the aligning direction of the pair of screws, and a pair of drawing members arranged as a position sandwiching both the round sectional portions from both sides in the orthogonal direction that is orthogonal to the aligning direction. The spacer members are movable between an adjusting position opposing to the round sectional portions, and a retracting position, when the screws are extracted from the barrel, for retracting to the outside until the passage of the screws is accepted. Opposing portions opposing to the round sectional portions at the time of moving to the adjusting position are formed in a substantially linear shape extending in parallel with the orthogonal direction seen from the axial direction of the screws. The drawing members are movable in the direction approaching to and retracting from the round sectional portions along the opposing portions in an area intervening between the opposing portions of both the spacer members at the time of moving to the adjusting position, and when the screws are extracted from the barrel, retractable to the outside until the passage of the screws is accepted.
US07677785B2
The present invention provides a backlight module and a support device for a sheet-form optical element contained within the backlight module. The backlight module mainly includes a frame, a support device and the sheet-form optical element disposed within the frame. The support device includes a support portion and a positioning portion. The support portion has a support end and a connection end. The support end extends into the space within the frame, and supports the bottom end of the sheet-form optical element. The positioning portion has a first end, a second end and a bend portion connecting the first end with the second end. The first end connects to the connection end of the support portion, and an included angle exists between the first end and the support portion. The positioning portion of the support device is inset in the frame to provide a support force for the support portion.
US07677784B2
An optical unit includes a base, a light-condensing member disposed on the base to condense a first portion of light that is incident onto the base and protrusion members disposed on a surface of the light-condensing member to scatter a second portion of the light that is incident onto the base. A backlight assembly includes light sources, an optical unit receiving light from the light sources to condense and scatter the light, and may also include an optical member disposed over the optical unit to enhance the front luminance of the light. A display device includes light sources, an optical module and a display panel. Thus, display quality of the display device may be enhanced.
US07677782B2
An LED flat lamp including a housing with a light-emitting area at the bottom thereof. The internal side thereof undergoes a reflexion treatment. At least one LED is disposed within the housing. A power connector is extended from the LED to the outside. The LED is installed on a circuit board. A light guide plate is installed at one side of the LED within the housing. The light exit side of the light guide plate is provided with a microstructure for a uniform light exit. Moreover, an optical film unit is attached to the bottom of the light guide plate such that the light-emitting area of the housing is covered with the optical film unit. The optical film unit consists of one or several brightness enhancement films and one or several diffusers. In this way, the problem of glaring light directly emitted by the prior art is resolved. The LED flat lamp in accordance with the invention can emit a non-glaring light and can be modularized into a standardized product.
US07677776B2
A lighting device for vehicle include a housing body, an outer lens provided on the housing body, a decorating wall provided between the housing body and the outer lens and a plurality of light emitting devices which are provided between the housing body and the decorating wall and disposed with intervals to each other. The decorating wall includes a plurality of light transmitting portions, each of which is disposed to face each of the plurality of light emitting devices. The light transmitting portion is disposed to set light emitted from the corresponding light emitting device within a range of a predetermined light distribution angle.
US07677773B2
A vehicle room lamp includes a box-like body, a light source received within the box-like body, a switch provided within the box-like body so as to control the turning-on and -off of the light source, a light-transmitting portion which is provided at the box-like body at an opening thereof so as to move toward and away from the switch, and allows light from the light source to pass therethrough to the exterior of the box-like body, and an abutment member which is movable together with the light-transmitting portion, and can operate the switch in accordance with the movement of the light-transmitting portion toward the switch. The abutment member is disposed outside a light distribution range of light directed from the light source toward the light-transmitting portion.
US07677769B2
A displaying assembly (100) for use in a portable electronic device, includes a flexible circuit board (40), a light emitting diode (20) mounted on the flexible circuit board, and a light equalizer (10) having an optical attenuator (13) formed thereon. The light emitting diode is electrically connected to the flexible circuit board. The optical attenuator faces the light emitting diode.
US07677768B2
An LED lamp for providing a relatively large luminous flux, includes a housing and a pair of LED units mounted in the housing. The two LED units are separated from each other by a clapboard set in the housing. Each LED unit includes a plate, a plurality of LED modules disposed on the plate and a cover laying on the plate and cover the LED modules. The cover forms a plurality of vents to expose LEDs of the LED modules therein. A plurality of first screws extends through the LED modules and the plate to secure them together, while a plurality of second screws extends through the plate, the cover and the housing to fix the whole LED unit to the housing. Each LED module has a printed circuit board and a plurality of LEDs on the printed circuit board.
US07677765B2
A light emitting device having an hermetically sealed package that includes a light source positioned in a metal can container on which is placed an optically-transparent cover. An enclosed space formed by the metal can container and the optically-transparent cover may be filled with an inert, heat-conducting gas or liquid and the inner surface of the metal can container may be coated with a high-reflector material that prevents absorption of the light emitted by the light source. A method of producing a light-emitting device having an hermetically-sealed package and a method of dissipating heat from a light-emitting device having an hermetically-sealed package is also provided.
US07677764B2
An exemplary illuminating apparatus comprises a light source holder, a linear light source and two elongated reflecting plates. The linear light source is mounted on the light source holder. The elongated reflecting plates are mounted on opposite sides of the light source holder. Each of the elongated reflecting plates is rotatable about a rotation axis relative to the light source holder.
US07677762B1
A lighting array comprising a grid to be formed into multiple positions with at least two cells, at least one interconnected wall between each pair of cells, and an opening in each cell. The lighting array further comprises at least a first holding arm secured to each cell, a second holding arm secured to each cell opposite the first holding arm, a rigid housing removably insertable into each cell, at least one light supported within each rigid housing and a power supply connected to each light.
US07677761B2
A light-emitting diode stacked lighting core includes a core top board, a core bottom board, and vertical boards, all being circuit boards. The core top board and the vertical boards are provided with light-emitting diodes and the core bottom board is provided with a circuit that is formed of a rectifier and a voltage reduction element and having two terminals extending outward. The vertical boards form extended fitting tabs and the core top board and the core bottom board respectively form openings corresponding to the fitting tabs to receive the fitting tabs to fit therein and to be fixed thereto by means of soldering, whereby the light-emitting diodes of the core top board and the vertical boards are put in electrical connection with each other to form the lighting core that is receivable and fixed in a light-transmitting enclosure.
US07677760B2
Light projecting devices for integrating the light output from multiple light emitting quasi point sources into unified predetermined light patterns. The multiple light emitting quasi point sources (such as LEDs [Light Emitting Diodes]) are generally stacked with a common optical axis, each of the light emitting quasi point light sources further surrounded by a ring collimator designed to collect and project a radial beam of light away from the optical axis. In some embodiments, a series of individual collimators surround each of the light emitting quasi point sources and substitutions for the ring collimator forming an array of beams projected away from the optical axis. Further, either of the systems, whether incorporating a ring collimator or a series of individual collimators, may use reflecting surfaces to intercept and redirect the radiating collimated light into distribution patterns ranging from focused beams to ambient broad light distribution.
US07677757B2
A lamp holder includes a mounting portion, a lamp holding part which is connected to the mounting portion, and includes an end capable of surrounding a peripheral surface of a lamp, and is capable of being elastically opened and deformed with attaching and detaching of the lamp. The present invention also includes a recessed portion positioned at an opposed surface to the lamp in the lamp holding part and in a position between an end portion and a connecting region to a mounting portion, such that the recessed portion allows the lamp holding part to bend so that the end portion displaces in a direction to be away from the peripheral surface of the lamp.
US07677753B1
A control system for turning conventional AC electric window lights on and off particularly during the holiday season by means of a central, wireless remote control is herein disclosed. Specifically, the apparatus provides for the remote control of traditional, electric, window candlelight fixtures. Each lighting fixture has its own integral receiver which responds to on/off commands issued by a programmable remote control transmitter. Each lighting fixture comprises a manual switching means. The remote transmitter is also equipped with frequency learning firmware, a countdown timer, and a conventional timer to allow for the unattended operation of the window lighting fixtures.
US07677750B2
A backlight assembly includes a circuit board and a plurality of point light source groups. The plurality of point light source groups includes N point light sources that generate different respective colors and being arranged on the circuit board. Here, N is a number of point light sources. One light source group of the light source groups is rotated by an angle of predetermined degrees in a clockwise direction or a counter-clockwise direction with respect to another light source group that is adjacent to the one point light source group.
US07677747B2
A panel assembly includes a panel (10), a mounting apparatus (50), a light-reflecting member (30) and a rotary member (70). The panel includes a light-pervious area (131) and an opaque area. The mounting apparatus is mounted in an inside of the panel. The light-reflecting member is pivotably coupled to the mounting apparatus. The light-reflecting member has an engaging member (371) and a light-pervious portion (35) for emitting light. The rotary member is rotatably attached to the mounting apparatus and accessible from an outside of the panel, and the rotary member being meshed with the engaging member of the light-reflecting member for driving the light-reflecting member to rotate between a first position where the light-pervious portion is aligned with the light-pervious area and a second position where the light-pervious portion faces toward the opaque area of the panel.
US07677736B2
An illumination light source uses a beam to scan while a relatively small mirror, such as an MEMS mirror, is oscillated at or in the vicinity of the resonance frequency. In this instance, the scan angle is corrected with the use of a correction optical system for uniform illumination to be achieved.
US07677733B2
A method of designing a backlight light guide for an autostereoscopic 3D display includes specifying a backlight having a light guide thickness and extractor angle and a light transmission surface having a predetermined width value and a predetermined length value. Then, the method includes selecting a plurality of design parameter value pairs, where each parameter value pairs includes a light guide thickness value and a prism angle value, and each design parameter value pair is different from each other. Then the method includes executing an ray tracing optical model on the light guide for each parameter value pair to calculate output data for each parameter value pair, the output data including a single pass light extraction efficiency value, an average minimum light angle value emitted from the second surface, and a maximum flux/minimum flux value emitted from the second surface; and selecting a parameter value pair based on the output data to manufacture the light guide for an autostereoscopic 3D display.
US07677731B2
Scattering can be measured by using an optical system having a Hartman-Shack wave-surface sensor. An eye optical characteristic measuring instrument comprises a light source unit 10 for emitting a light beam of a wavelength in the near-infrared region, an illumination optical system 40 for illuminating a small area of the retinal of an eye to be measured with the light beam from the light source unit 10, a light-receiving optical system 20 for receiving a part of the reflected beam of the light beam from the light source unit 10 reflected from the retina through a converting member for converting the part of the reflected light beam into at least substantially 17 light beams, a light-receiving section 23 for receiving the received light beam directed by the light-receiving optical system 20 and generating a signal, and a calculating unit for determining the wavefront aberration of the light beam entering the light-receiving optical system 20 and the degree of scattering of the received light beam on the basis of the signal from the light-receiving section 23.
US07677728B2
A subject is placed in a more natural state or is encouraged to blink at specified intervals to obtain a measurement result under a fixed condition, and the judgment of the degree of dry eye is facilitated. A measurement part obtains, based on a reflected light flux from a subject eye, optical characteristic data of a two-dimensional vector form representing the time course of each optical characteristic of the subject eye in an blink interval from a certain blink to a next blink with respect to the first to the nth blink intervals. An analysis part one-dimensionally arranges each of the optical characteristic data with respect to the first to the nth blink intervals measured by the measurement part, and arranges the one-dimensional arrangement of the optical characteristic in a p-th blink interval at a p column to create a two-dimensional array, and performs a principal component analysis processing on the two-dimensional array.
US07677725B2
A method of designing an aspheric ophthalmic lens with both refractive and diffractive powers that is capable of reducing chromatic aberration and at least one monochromatic aberration of an eye comprises combining aspherical refractive and diffractive surfaces, selecting an appropriate eye model, establishing a design lens having at least one aspheric surface with a capacity to reduce monochromatic aberration in said eye model, establishing a diffractive lens element that corrects for chromatic aberration of the model eye; and adjusting the lens surface design in order to obtain a suitably high polychromatic image quality in a form that is weighted to comply with a spectral merit function.
US07677721B2
A spectacle frame includes two lenses, a frame body holding said two lenses in position, and an interchangeable decorative arrangement which includes one or more personalizing elements detachably and interchangeably affixing at a personalizing portion of the frame body, wherein the personalizing element, having a shape corresponding to the personalizing portion of said frame body, forms an add-on personal decorative item to personify the frame body so as to enhance an aesthetic appearance of the spectacle frame.
US07677713B2
A solid phase change ink composition that includes an ink vehicle, a colorant, and at least one naturally derived material. At least one naturally derived material is a low melt material having an onset of melting from about 45° C. to about 120° C., and a melt transition width of from about 3° C. to about 30° C. Also provided is a method for producing a solid phase change ink composition that includes selecting at least one naturally derived material, forming an ink vehicle, and adding a colorant, wherein at least one naturally derived material is a low melt material having an onset of melting of from about 45° C. to about 120° C., and a melt transition width of from about 3° C. to about 30° C. An ink jet device that includes the solid phase change ink composition described in the present disclosure is also provided.
US07677710B2
An attachment is mounted on a cartridge holder of a printer as a replacement of an ink cartridge. An ink outlet member having a link passage is separably secured to an attachment body. Ink is supplied from the exterior to the ink outlet member through an ink supply tube. When the attachment is mounted on the cartridge holder, a downstream end of the ink outlet member is positioned with respect to and connected to an ink supply needle of the printer. Accordingly, the attachment is easily and quickly installed in a liquid ejection apparatus. This reduces costs and makes it easy to use the attachment.
US07677706B2
In one embodiment a method of making an electrostatic actuator includes: forming a first conductor over a first substrate to form a first structure; forming a flexible second conductor over a second substrate to form a second structure; forming an etch stop over the first conductor as part of the first structure or over the second conductor as part of the second structure; forming a spacer on the etch stop, the spacer selectively etchable with respect to the etch stop; etching the spacer through to the etch stop at a location of a gap between the first conductor and the second conductor; and bonding the first structure and the second structure together such that the first conductor is located opposite the second conductor across the gap.
US07677701B2
Micro-fluid ejection heads and methods for fabricating the same. One such micro-fluid ejection head includes a substrate having a plurality of fluid ejection actuator devices adjacent to a device surface thereof A valley is adjacent to the device surface of the substrate. A semiconductor chip is associated with the plurality of fluid ejection actuator devices. The chip is in the valley adjacent the device surface of the substrate. A conductive material is deposited adjacent to the device surface of the substrate. The deposited conductive material generally conforms to the valley. The conductive material is in electrical flow communication with the chip.
US07677692B2
Provided is a cradle unit for receiving a print cartridge to form a print engine. The cradle unit includes a main body defining an opening for receiving said cartridge, the main body having a frame structure including end plates with drive and exit rollers mounted therebetween. The cradle unit also includes a printed circuit board (PCB) pivotally mounted between the end plates for housing control electronics for controlling the operation of the print engine, and a cover assembly for securing said cartridge in the opening. The cover assembly is pivotally mounted between the end plates, with the cover assembly configured to pivot the PCB into electrical contact with a printhead controller on the cartridge when in a closed position, and to pivot the PCB out of electrical connection with said printhead controller when in an open position. Also included is a maintenance drive assembly having a motor operatively connected to a maintenance gear and maintenance actuator arrangement and to a wiper gear and wiper actuator arrangement, the maintenance drive assembly operated by the control electronics.
US07677685B2
A nozzle assembly for an inkjet printhead is disclosed. The nozzle assembly includes an inkjet nozzle having an actuator for ejecting an ink droplet from the inkjet nozzle when a resistive element of the actuator is heated by an electrical current. A drive transistor provides an energy pulse to the resistive element of the actuator, and control logic controls the drive transistor. The volume of said droplet is less than 3 pl.
US07677680B1
This present invention relates to a drawer latch mechanism, implementing to a drawer for removable hard drives in a server computer. The drawer latch mechanism comprises a latch member, which extends from the front edge of the drawer to the lateral edge of the drawer. The latch member is installed on the front edge of the drawer to be moved back and forth thereon. The latch member is applied to insert to a corresponding a lock hole to secure the drawer to a drawer shelf. The drawer latch mechanism further comprises a swivel member to withdraw the latch member from the lock hole.
US07677678B2
A wheelchair accommodating system and method for providing an ergonomically suitable environment for users having a motor skill limitation and users without a motor skill limitation is provided. The system includes a height adjustment system, a depth adjustment system, and a tilt adjustment system that can be selectively actuated by a user to adjust the position of a platform of the system.
US07677673B2
The present invention is directed to the use of electromagnetic radiation, acoustic energy, and surfactant injection to recover hydrocarbon-containing materials from a hydrocarbon-bearing formation.
US07677668B2
Vehicle seats having a back support lock assembly are disclosed. An example vehicle seat includes a seat bottom and a back support pivotally coupled to the seat bottom. The example vehicle seat also includes a lock assembly having a locking lever rotatably coupled to the back support, wherein the locking lever has an end to engage a surface of the seat bottom to lock the back support in a folded position relative to the seat bottom.
US07677656B2
A center seat console that moves between a forward position between front seats, an intermediate position, and a rear position between rear seats is disclosed. The seat/console may function as a seat in the rear seat position, or in the intermediate position. In the intermediate position, the seat/console in the seat configuration may advantageously be used to support a child safety seat. The seat/console may also be configured as a console in either the rear seat, intermediate, or front seat positions. The seat/console is provided with an adjustable height support that permits the seat/console to be lowered to fit beneath arm rests assembled to the front seats when it is desired to place the console between the front seats.
US07677655B2
A seat having a back portion and a bottom portion can be inverted to form a storage enclosure, wherein the back portion forms the top of the enclosure and the bottom portion forms a side of the enclosure. Movable end panels may also be provided to secure the ends of the enclosure.
US07677653B2
A retainer assembly for connecting a headliner panel to a support structure. A retainer clip is configured to connect the support structure to the headliner panel. A slot is defined in the support structure and configured to receive s stem portion of the retainer clip. The slot and the stem portion cooperate to define a float length and a float width, which define a range of motion over which the headliner panel is longitudinally and transversely moveable with respect to the support structure.
US07677652B2
A roof structure for a vehicle can include a tailor-welded-blank, inner roof frame. The inner roof frame can include, at least in part, an elongated, transversely extending, intermediate roof rail having a first material thickness, and a plurality of reinforced roof rails. Each of the reinforced roof rails can extend away from the intermediate roof rail in a common direction toward a remote end of the inner roof frame. Each of the reinforced roof rails can have a different material thickness than the first material thickness of the intermediate roof rail.
US07677650B2
An outer part of a motor vehicle having an element and a carrier part. The emblem and carrier part are formed in one piece with the carrier part. The carrier part can take many forms such as a vehicle grille or decorative trim. The outer part can be formed using a method of injection molding and can have a variety of surface finishes.
US07677645B2
An impact protection reinforcing element has at least one outer surface which is conformed to the contour of a surface of at least one vehicle body part in such a way that it may be positioned with extensive contact against the body part in the area of complementary construction and connected firmly to the body part. Provision is made for the impact protection reinforcing element to be formed of a fiber/plastics composite. A method of producing the impact protection reinforcing element uses an injection molding process.
US07677641B1
A Camper Truck Tent for detachably mounting on a pickup truck, consisting of front and rear mounting supports attached to the truck cargo box sidewalls, various tent poles attaching the folded out tent to the mounting supports, erecting means for folding out the tent and two beds placed inside the erected tent. When dismantled, all these components occupy minimum space. The tent itself is stored in a self-contained pouch on the cargo box floor, the mounting supports in an envelope integral with one bed and the tent poles in an envelope integral with the second bed. The stored components are close to the cargo box floor and out of sight of the truck driver. Several tent pole configurations are available: two main configurations and three alternative configurations. Front and aft erecting means keep the tent folded out. The front means is a front strap secured to the front of the truck or a cramping tent pole. The aft means are aft straps secured to the downed tailgate.
US07677640B2
A panel assembly for a vehicle door has trim panel coupled to the door and having at least a portion thereof that is spaced from the door's outboard frame. The trim panel has first and second impact areas. A plurality of energy absorbing structures is arranged in an array between the trim panel and the door frame. Each energy absorbing structure has a base end, an outboard end, and at least one sidewall. The base end is adjacent to the trim panel. The outboard end engages the vehicle door. The sidewall may include either or both of a reinforcement structure and a weakening structure that are sized and configured so that the energy absorbing structure has a predetermined range of energy absorption against the occupant during a side-impact collision. Energy absorbing structures having different energy absorption characteristics are located adjacent to the first and second impact areas.
US07677630B2
In an automobile having a seat cushion and a seat back that can be stored in a non-use position located in the upper part of a vehicle interior, the seat back can be stored in the non-use position easily even when the seat back stops at any position immediately before the non-use position thereof when the seat back is lifted up to the non-use position. A guide face is formed on a locking member. The guide face brings an engaging concave portion of the locking member into engagement with a striker while being in sliding contact with the striker when a handle arm provided on the seat back is rotated from the use position to the storage position thereof to rotate the locking member from the lock releasing position toward the locking position thereof, in a situation where the seat back stops upon reaching any position immediately before the non-use position thereof.
US07677617B2
A vehicle having an energy-absorbing device mountable to a bumper of the vehicle is provided. The energy-absorbing device is attached to a vehicle rail having an inner rail surface and an edge surface. The energy-absorbing device defines a first crush surface interfacing with the inner rail surface. In a first embodiment, the energy-absorbing device defines a second crush surface positioned to directly interface with the edge surface of the vehicle rail in the event of an impact. The energy-absorbing device is configured to transmit load received from the impact directly to the edge surface of the vehicle rail through the second crush surface. This results in an efficient joint for the energy-absorbing device.
US07677616B2
A bumper absorber includes an upper leg and a lower leg, each of which extends in a longitudinal direction of an automobile, and a spanning portion. The spanning portion connects the upper leg and the lower leg, and faces an outer surface side of the bumper absorber in a longitudinal direction of the automobile. Each of the upper leg and the lower leg includes a buckling inductive portion that serves as a starting point of the buckling that is caused when the spanning portion receives an impact load. The buckling inductive portion is formed as an angular transition portion in which the angle of inclination between inner side surfaces changes. The inner side surfaces mutually face between the upper leg and the lower leg that include the buckling inductive portion.
US07677614B2
In a device for operating locks (16) on doors or hatches of vehicles, a fixed support (10) is a arranged on the door. A moving unit (20) is mounted (11, 12), such as to pivot on the support (10), belonging to which is at least one handle (21). Spring loading (25, 26) ensures the unoperated moving unit (20) is held in a flat rest position on the support (10). On operating the handle, the moving unit (20) must be pivoted against said spring loading, whereby the lock (16) is operated. A damping unit (30) ensures that the returning moving unit (20) pivoting action is decelerated. A reliable, economical damping unit (30) is obtained, whereby an elastic body (31) is arranged in at least one position on the moving unit (20) which extends outwards with a projection (32). On the return movement (39) into the rest position the extending projection (32) is deformed against a fixed counter-surface (40), whereupon the movement energy is largely dissipated. On reaching the rest position, the deformed projection (32) is supported against the counter-surface (40).
US07677613B2
A knot making device for quickly and efficiently tying a knot in a line. The device may be portable and capable of being secured to a stable surface such as a table or railing allowing for a user, such as an angler, to utilize the device while in the field. The device may comprise an extension arm having a loop holding assembly and a standing line holding assembly disposed at opposing ends of the extension arm. Both the loop holding assembly and the standing line holding assembly may further comprise a first and second tensioning member, respectively, for securely retaining the line. The device may further comprise a twist compactor element disposed along the extension arm and between the loop holding assembly and the standing line holding assembly. The twist compactor element may function to compress at least one twist present in the line while forming the knot.
US07677610B2
The connection and joint piece (1) comprises a housing (3) and a sleeve (12), made from a multi-piece injection moulded plastic part. The sleeve (12) comprises an outer piece (14), forming an outer seal and an inner piece (15), forming an inner seal and a region with spring tongues (24, 25) and locking tabs (26, 27). The sleeve (12) is a multi-component injection moulded piece. In the assembled state the sleeve (12) is located in the central cavity (4) of the connector piece (1) and encloses one end (6) of a well tube (2).
US07677608B2
When a retainer is mounted on or in a retainer mounting portion and is positioned at an inserting position, a pipe is inserted into the retainer mounting portion. An annular engaging projection of the pipe advances in the connector housing while spreading leg portions of the retainer outwardly. When the annular engaging projection reaches a connecting position, the retainer is automatically moved to an engaging position and snap-engages with the annular engaging projection.
US07677607B2
A coupling assembly including a union member having a first receiving portion with internal threads and a second receiving portion with oppositely oriented internal threads, a first coupling member (e.g., a hose adapter) having external threads that are threadingly engaged to the internal threads of the union member, and a second coupling member (e.g., an elbow fitting) having external threads that are threadingly engaged to the oppositely oriented internal threads of the union member. Upon rotation of the union member, the length and/or phase angle between the first and second coupling members changes.
US07677601B2
A patient starter kit for distributing a product sample together with educational materials or additional product samples is disclosed. Integral to the kit is a one or a two-compartment packaging technique that provides pharmaceutical product samples in the same container as other patient drug information, disease state material and consumer product samples, coupons, other forms of media and/or related consumer products.
US07677594B2
A seat assembly for supporting an occupant in a passenger compartment of an automotive vehicle. The seat assembly includes a seat back for supporting the back of the occupant. The seat back includes an airbag module, a frame, a trim cover and a plurality of straps connecting the trim cover to the frame. The airbag module has an inflatable airbag. The trim cover covers the airbag module, foam pad and frame. The trim cover has a first seam through which the airbag can deploy during operation of the airbag module. The trim cover has a second seam spaced apart from the first seam. The plurality of straps prevent stretching of the trim cover during deployment of the airbag and direct the energy associated with the deployment of the airbag toward the first seam. First and second straps of the plurality of straps each have a first end fixedly secured to the trim cover along the first seam and a second end fixedly secured to the frame. The airbag module is disposed the first and second straps. A third strap of the plurality of straps has a first end fixedly secured to the trim cover along the second seam and a second end fixedly secured to the frame.
US07677593B2
An inflatable passenger protection system for a vehicle having a structural front pillar frame member to be covered by a separate interior trim component, and a side curtain airbag to be positioned in a stowed condition between the front pillar frame member and the interior trim component, the interior trim component having at least a portion movable between a covered position enclosing the side curtain airbag in the stowed condition and an opened position in response to inflation of the side curtain airbag to the deployed condition, includes an extruded support bracket extending between the front pillar frame member and the interior trim component. The bracket has a primary attachment point and a secondary attachment point for supporting the interior trim component.
US07677587B2
A trailer and hitch system for a mobile robot. The trailer includes a front Ackerman steering linkage, a releasable locking mechanism for releasably positioning the Ackerman steering linkage in a turned position to arrest the trailer, a tow bar extending upwardly from the Ackerman steering linkage and terminating in a lunette ring, and spaced skid members extending downwardly and rearwardly. The mobile robot includes a hitch assembly for the lunette ring. The hitch assembly has a frame including a slot for the lunette ring and a guide portion for guiding the lunette ring into the slot, a latch pivotable with respect to the frame and biased to close the slot, and a decoupling mechanism configured to move the latch to release the lunette ring from the slot. A robot arm is maneuverable to engage the decoupling mechanism.
US07677578B2
A seal structure includes a first member including a first joint surface and a flat third joint surface; a second member including a second joint surface joined with the first joint surface, a flat fourth joint surface; and a third member including a fifth joint surface joined, through a liquid seal, with the flat third and fourth joint surfaces. At least the second member includes a recessed portion. The fifth joint surface includes a flat region and a chamfered region which is recessed from the flat region and which confronts the recessed portion.
