US07710830B2
Provided, among other things, is an outing record device comprising, in a compact, wall-mountable device: controller with associated memory; display(s) for displaying a outing time and an outing duration time; a receiver suitable for hanging an Object; and a trigger responsive to the removal from and placement on the receiver of an object, wherein the controller records the times of removal and placement, calculates a last outing time and duration, and makes available for display on the display(s) the outing time and duration. Methods of use, for example, are also provided.
US07710825B2
A system for use with a boat to provide underwater sonar images includes a left side scan sonar transducer for transmitting left side scan sonar pulses and for receiving left side scan sonar return signals and a right side scan sonar transducer for transmitting right side scan sonar pulses and for receiving right side scan sonar return signals. The system further includes signal processing circuitry for processing the left and right side scan sonar return signals to produce side scan image data and a digital processor for providing signals to a display based upon the side scan image data to produce a display image on the display showing boat location, a water column between the boat and bottom, and an underwater image comprising at least one of a left side underwater image and a right side underwater image.
US07710823B2
Measurements of acoustic velocities are made through a case borehole in the absence and presence of an applied magnetic field. A formation resistivity parameter may be estimated from differences in the acoustic velocities.
US07710822B2
A while-drilling Vertical Seismic Profiling (VSP) data acquisition system utilizing the same seismic shots for three purposes is disclosed. First, the seismic shots provide a means for synchronizing a downhole clock in the VSP receiver to a master clock at the surface, thereby enabling correct determination of seismic travel times. Second, the same seismic shots are also used to communicate commands and other information to the downhole VSP receiver, such commands controlling the actions of the VSP receiver or associated devices. Third, the same seismic shots are utilized for purposes of the VSP survey itself, i.e. determination of seismic travel times, forming of seismic images, and determination of geologic and formation fluid properties using the VSP methods.
US07710803B1
A circuit and method for testing address uniqueness of a memory array are disclosed. The circuit includes a plurality of current sinks associated with rows and columns of the memory array. A plurality of word lines of the memory array are coupled to the plurality of current sinks. A current mirror circuit is coupled to the plurality of current sinks and a circuit output node is coupled to the current mirror circuit. The circuit output node is configured to compare a total current from tested word lines of the memory array with a predetermined reference current, and to output a test pass or test fail indication in response to the comparison.
US07710800B2
An approach that manages redundant memory in a voltage island is described. In one embodiment there is a design structure embodied in a machine readable medium used in a design process of a semiconductor device. In this embodiment, the design structure includes one or more voltage islands representing a power cycled region. One or more non-power cycled regions are located about the one or more voltage islands. Each of the one or more non-power cycled regions comprises at least one memory using redundancy and a repair register associated with each memory using redundancy. A redundancy initialization component is coupled to the one or more voltage islands and the one or more non-power cycled regions.
US07710798B2
A state storage device for use in an RFID tag includes, in at least one embodiment, a capacitor coupled to a high impedance node. The storage device can be configured to indicate a high or low bit condition. The high impedance node can be designed to dissipate the stored electrical charge at a user-controlled, predefined, or known rate. The state storage device can be configured to store the bit condition for no more than four seconds. In some embodiments, the high impedance node can be formed from an electrically trimmed transistor.
US07710796B2
A circuit and method includes first circuits powered by a first supply voltage and second circuits powered by a second supply voltage. A level shifter is coupled between the first circuits and the second circuits. The level shifter is configured to select a supply voltage output for a circuit including one of the first supply voltage and the second supply voltage in accordance an input signal, where the input signal depends on at least one of an operation to be performed and component performing the operation.
US07710789B2
A synchronous memory system configurable in a multiplexed or non-multiplexed mode. In the multiplexed mode, address and data are provided on a shared bus, and accesses to the memory system are qualified by memory access control signals, including an address strobe signal, a counter enable signal and a counter repeat signal. A read/write control signal is maintained for one cycle after the last valid access command to avoid bus turn-around problems. In the multiplexed mode, chip enable and output enable signals may be constantly activated, thereby simplifying associated printed circuit board design. Different ports of the synchronous memory system can be independently configured to operate in either the multiplexed or non-multiplexed mode.
US07710775B2
A cell array of a flash memory device includes a memory cell transistor connected to a word line, a first selection transistor for controlling a first connection between the memory cell transistor and a bit line in response to a selection signal, and a second selection transistor for controlling a second connection between the memory cell transistor and a common source line in response to the selection signal.
US07710769B2
A serial magnetic mass storage device and associated data storage method is provided based on magnetic nanowires that support single magnetic domains separated by domain walls. Each data-storing nanowire has a plurality of crossing nanowires along its length, forming cross junctions that constitute domain wall pinning sites. Data is fed through each data-storing nanowire by moving the magnetic domains under the action of a field that alternates between alignment and anti-alignment with the crossing nanowires. The data is encoded in the chirality of the domain walls, with up and down chirality transverse domain walls being used to encode 0's and 1's. Data is clocked into each nanowire with suitable nucleation generators capable of nucleating domains with domain walls of pre-defined chirality. Data is clocked out of each nanowire with suitable magnetic field sensors that sense the chirality.
US07710767B2
A method of biasing a memory cell array during a data writing operation and a semiconductor memory device, in which the semiconductor memory device includes: a memory cell array including a plurality of memory cells in which a first terminal of a memory cell is connected to a corresponding first line among a plurality of first lines and a second terminal of a memory cell is connected to a corresponding second line among a plurality of second lines; and a bias circuit for biasing a selected second line to a first voltage and non-selected second lines to a second voltage.
US07710762B2
A device for protecting data stored in a static random access memory (SRAM) is provided. More particularly, a device for protecting SRAM data including an SRAM data erasing circuit, which erases memory stored in an SRAM at once when illegal separation from a system is detected. The device for protecting SRAM data includes: a power switching circuit for outputting electrical power supplied from an external power supply or a back-up battery power supply depending on whether the external power supply is supplying the electrical power or not; and an SRAM data erasing circuit for supplying the electrical power output from the power switching circuit to a power input terminal of a SRAM or grounding the power input terminal of the SRAM, in response to a connecter connection signal. The device can prevent illegal leakage of SRAM data by erasing the data stored in the SRAM when the SRAM is illegally separated from a system according to the switch setting of the SRAM data erasing circuit.
US07710747B2
An inverter apparatus that can lengthen a lift span provides only a noise absorption film capacitor in a DC intermediate circuit between rectifying and inverter circuits, instead of a conventional electrolytic capacitor. In a voltage command generating unit, when a frequency set by a frequency setting unit is within a predetermined range including the frequency of an AC input power supply, PLL control is performed to make the frequency set by an output voltage command signal equal to the frequency of the AC input power supply voltage, and to substantially synchronize the peak value of the inverter circuit output voltage with the peak value of a voltage formed between both ends of the film capacitor. Accordingly, output voltage amplitude is generated when the frequency set by the output voltage command signal equals the frequency of the voltage of the AC input power supply.
US07710745B2
The present invention is directed to a remotely controlled power supply system that can change output polarity at a high slew rate without using switching devices. The system comprises a control circuit and two individual high voltage DC-DC converter power supply sections, one positive and one negative, connected in series. By nature of the control circuitry, either a positive or negative controllable current is produced depending upon a programmed voltage input. The two individual power supply sections are each self-oscillating single transistor circuits. The self-oscillating circuits contain an RC network tuned to provide attenuation at the second harmonic of the natural oscillating frequency of the circuit. This reduces and/or eliminates the tendency of this circuit to begin oscillation at the wrong harmonic of the natural frequency. A power-on delay circuit is used to suppress the outputs of the two power supply sections no matter the command of the input control programming signal. An enable signal input allows for suppression of the power supply system output at any other time.
US07710736B2
An enclosed re-programmable non-volatile memory card includes a cover that is hinged to the card to normally cover a set of external contacts to which the memory is connected but which can be rotated out of the way by hand to expose that set of contacts for connection with a mating receptacle of a host device. A second set of electrical contacts having a different pattern than the covered set may also be provided on the card. The covered set of contacts may be in accordance with the universal serial bus (USB) plug standards. A latching mechanism built into the hinged cover holds it firmly in a closed position but allows its manual release to expose the covered set of contacts. One exemplary release mechanism utilizes a resiliently held element that is moveable by hand against the resilience, and another employs a hand slideable latch.
US07710733B2
A connecting module includes a housing, electric contacts for connecting wires and/or cables, and at least one fastening element that allows the connecting module to be fixed to an assembly frame. The fastening element is embodied at least in two parts, encompassing a first fastening piece and a second fastening piece. The connecting module can be put on the assembly frame by means of the first fastening piece and can be locked on the assembly frame with the aid of the second fastening piece.
US07710723B2
An inverter assembly for a vehicle includes a housing, a first inverter, and a second inverter. The housing comprises a plurality of walls. The plurality of walls form an inlet for cooling fluid to enter the housing, an outlet for the cooling fluid to exit the housing, and a channel, and a channel for the cooling fluid to flow therebetween. The first inverter is disposed within the housing proximate the channel, and is configured to be cooled by the cooling fluid flowing through the channel. The second inverter is also disposed within the housing proximate the channel, and is also configured to be cooled by the cooling fluid flowing through the channel.
US07710721B2
Water paths for feeding a coolant water through a power converter mounted on an automobile are arranged in parallel, openings are formed on the water paths respectively, heat radiating fins project from the openings, and the openings are closed by a base plate of the power module. Further, the base plate of the power module includes a metal in addition to copper to increase a hardness of the base plate, so that a deterioration of the flatness during fixing the fins with brazing is restrained.
US07710720B2
An electronic device having an exhaust opening configured to exhaust air outside, the electronic device includes a door part configured to close the exhaust opening when the electronic device has a predetermined temperature, wherein the door part is rotated based on the own weight of the door part and a wind pressure of the air taken in the electronic device and exhausted outside the electronic device, so that the exhaust opening is closed.
US07710719B2
A hard disk box includes a tray, a cover, and a enclosure. The tray includes a bezel and a bottom plate. The bottom plate includes a locking portion forming a catch. The cover includes a rear wall, and an insert wall extending from a side of the rear wall. A hook extends from the rear wall for engaging the catch of the tray. The enclosure accommodates the bottom plate of the tray and the insert wall of the cover, and is retained between the bezel of the tray and the rear wall of the cover. The enclosure defines an opening in a bottom wall thereof, corresponding to the locking portion of the tray.
US07710715B2
Securing and supporting electronic components in a computer node disposed on a computer rack. The method comprises the steps of first disposing a tray having one or more wedge block assemblies in the rear of said rack such that each wedge block assembly can be moved under and engaged with each node. The wedge block mechanism is retained from side to side using guide brackets. The mechanism and the tray are then torqued into place by using incorporated hard stop feature on said tray. The nodes can then be engaged and disengaged through the engaging and disengaging of the wedge block assembly. This is done by using a rod that is connected to a fastener one end and to a pivot at another end and is integrated into the wedge block mechanism. Once the fastener is moved the pivot is also moved causing the mating and unmating of the node.
US07710714B2
A housing for a scale or load cell controller suitable for use in harsh environments. The housing includes a moisture-resistant front display unit coupled to a rear interface and mounting unit. The front display unit includes a front housing, a back housing, and a frame overlying a boundary or seal region between the front and back housings to provide a double moisture-resistant seal between the front and back housings. The front display unit defines an interior region including a display and a plurality of user input keys and controller circuitry. The front display unit is removably attachable to the rear interface unit. A moisture-resistant seal is also provided between the front display unit and the rear interface and mounting unit. The rear interface and mounting unit defines a recessed area supporting a battery pack, a power supply and an interface circuit board. Circuitry in the front display unit is electrically coupled to circuitry in the rear interface and mounting unit via an edge connector circuit card that extends through an opening in the front display unit and mates with an edge connector socket supported in the rear interface and mounting unit.
US07710694B2
An earth leakage breaker includes a main body housing having, in a single structure, a casing and a case cover, and an auxiliary cover for covering the case cover. The case cover has a recess for mounting an internal accessory device. Components including a main circuit contact, a contact switching mechanism, an operation handle, an overcurrent tripping device, an earth leakage detection circuit combined with a zero-phase current transformer, and an earth leakage tripping device, are retained in the main body housing. An earth leakage operation output switch is detachably mounted in the recess formed in the case cover of the main body housing. The earth leakage operation output switch is an internal accessory device that indicates earth leakage trip operation electrically and linking mechanically with the earth leakage trip device to operate the earth leakage operation output switch in the earth leakage trip operation.
US07710692B2
The present invention is directed to a superconductor component 1 suitable as fault current limiter comprising a superconductor body 2 provided with a shunt coil 3 and an electrical contact 4 on at least one end of the superconductor body 2 wherein the superconductor component 2 is provided with means for reducing currents 6 induced within the electrical contacts 4.
US07710690B2
A magneto-resistance effect element can obtain a high output and makes it possible to stabilize magnetization in a magnetization free layer therein even if a sense current is caused to flow. The magneto-resistance effect element is provided with a magnetization free layer whose magnetization direction is variable, a magnetization pinned layer whose magnetization direction is pinned, and an intermediate layer provided between the magnetization free layer and the magnetization pinned layer, where when no external magnetic field is present and no current flows, the magnetization direction in the magnetization free layer is anti-parallel to the magnetization direction pinned in the magnetization pinned layer, an easy axis of magnetization in the magnetization free layer is parallel to the magnetization direction pinned in the magnetization pinned layer, and a sense current flows from the magnetization free layer to the magnetization pinned layer.
US07710686B2
A heat-assisted magnetic recording head (HAMR) head includes a magnetic recording head including a recording pole for applying a magnetic recording field on a magnetic recording medium and a return pole magnetically connected to the recording pole to form a magnetic path, a light source for emitting light, and an optical transmission module including an photonic crystal waveguide disposed at a side of the magnetic recording head to guide light incident from the light source and a nano aperture for enhancing an optical field by varying an intensity distribution of the light guided through the photonic crystal waveguide.
US07710666B2
An imaging lens module includes a fixed aperture stop and an optical module, and the optical module includes a first, a second, a third and a fourth lenses. The first lens has a meniscus lens with positive refractive power and a concave surface disposed towards the image. The second lens has a meniscus lens with negative refractive power and a concave surface disposed towards the image. The third lens has a meniscus lens with positive refractive power and a convex surface disposed towards the image. The fourth lens has a concave surface disposed towards the object.
US07710662B2
In an image pickup lens 1 composed three glass lenses, the glass lenses are composed of a first lens L1 having a convex surface facing a subject side and positive refracting power, an aperture S, a second lens L2 having a convex surface facing an image side and negative refracting power, and a third lens L3 having a concave surface facing the image side and positive refracting power which are disposed sequentially from the subject side as well as all the lens surfaces are composed of aspheric surfaces and the following conditional formulas (A0) and (A1) are satisfied. f/f2<−0.9 (A0) 2<|R21+R22|/|R21−R22|<5 (A1) With this arrangement, there is provided a compact and less expensive image pickup lens having a good optical performance and used to a solid image pickup device and an image pickup device using the image pickup lens.
US07710659B2
A projection zoom lens includes a first lens group having a negative reflecting power and a second to fifth lens groups each having a positive reflecting power are provided in the order from the magnification side. Nine lenses are distributed in a manner that the first lens group has one lens, the second lens group has one lens, the third lens group has two lenses, the fourth lens group has four lenses and the fifth lens group has one lens. Since the second lens group, the third lens group and the fourth lens group are moved at the time of the power-varying operation, various kinds of aberrations may be made despite of simple configuration. The first lens group is an aspherical lens which concave surface is directed to the reduction side.
US07710658B2
Zoom lens systems and methods for imaging incoming rays over a range of ray angles are disclosed. The incoming rays are characterized by at least phase. The zoom lens system includes an optical axis and is characterized by a plurality of modulation transfer functions (MTFs) corresponding at least to the range of ray angles. The zoom lens system includes an optical group disposed along the optical axis, including at least one variable optical element that has a variable focal length selectable between at least two distinct focal length values. The optical group also includes a wavefront coding element. The wavefront coding element alters at least the phase of the incoming rays, such that the plurality of MTFs corresponding to the range of ray angles, for each one of the two distinct focal length values, are less sensitive to misfocus-like aberrations than a corresponding system without the wavefront coding element.
US07710657B2
A distributed refractive index lens and method of producing the lens are disclosed. The lens has a plurality of areas having refractive index distributions, and includes a plate-like member containing polysilane. The refractive index distribution of these areas is a distribution that includes a change in a refractive index in a direction parallel to a plane of the plate-like member, and includes a substantial uniform refractive index in a direction perpendicular to the plane.
US07710651B2
The diffractive optical element includes two diffraction gratings made of different materials and being in contact with each other at their grating surfaces. The materials satisfy the following conditions, and the second material is obtained by mixing a resin material with a particulate material satisfying the following conditions: nd1≧1.48, νd1≧40, (−1.665E−07×νd13+5.213E−05×νd12−5.656E−03×νd1+0.675)≦θg,F1≦(−1.665E−07×νd13+5.213E−05×νd12−5.656E−03×νd1+0.825), (−1.687E−07×νd13+5.702E−05×νd12−6.603E−03×νd1+1.400)≦θg,d1≦(−1.687E−07×νd13+5.702E−05×νd12−6.603E−03×νd1+1.580), nd2≦1.6, νd2≦30, θg,F2≦(−1.665E−07×νd23+5.213E−05×νd22−5.656E−03×νd2+0.675), θg,d2≦(−1.687E−07×νd23+5.702E−05×νd22−6.603E−03×νd2+1.400), nd1−nd2>0, ndb2≧1.70, νdb2≦20.The element achieves a high diffraction efficiency in a specific diffraction order over a wide wavelength range.
US07710642B2
An illumination system for a fluorescence microscope is provided. The illumination system includes a carriage removably receivable within the microscope and a plurality of filter cubes movably arranged on the carriage, wherein each filter cube is moveable between an active position and an inactive position. Each filter cube includes a housing having first and second openings and a solid state light source secured to the housing. The solid state light source emits light when the filter cube is moved into the active position. Each filter cube further comprises at least one optical filter disposed within the housing, wherein the optical filter corresponds to the solid state light source.
US07710637B2
A method and an apparatus for generating a terahertz wave, wherein one end face 12a of a non-linear optical crystal 12 is positioned approximately orthogonally to a direction of generation of a terahertz wave 4, pump light 2 and idler light 3 are totally reflected at an approximately same point 13 on the end face, and the generated terahertz wave 4 is emitted roughly vertically to the end face.
US07710634B2
The present invention relates to an apparatus for creating a pattern on a workpiece sensitive to radiation, such as a photomask a display panel or a microoptical device. The apparatus may include a source for emitting light flashes, a spatial modulator having modulating elements (pixels), adapted to being illuminated by the radiation, and a projection system creating an image of the modulator on the workpiece. It may further include an electronic data processing and delivery system receiving a digital description of the pattern to be written, converting the pattern to modulator signals, and feeding the signals to the modulator. An electronic control system may be provided to control a trigger signal to compensate for flash-to-flash time jitter in the light source.
US07710627B2
A microactuator including a base frame; and a moving plate having both ends supported by a plurality of elastic support portions inside the base frame, the moving plate having a first side on which a reflective mirror for changing a light path is disposed. At least one first rib is disposed along an edge of a second side of the moving plate, which is the reverse side of the first side of the moving plate, and a second rib is disposed in the center of the second side of the moving plate and correspondingly encloses a permanent magnet. Also, a portion of the second side of the moving plate, except for the first and second ribs, is removed to a predetermined depth to reduce the weight of the entire moving plate and to define the first and second ribs.
US07710625B2
A light scanning apparatus makes a light beam scan along a main scanning direction on an effective scanning region which has a predetermined width. The apparatus comprises: a light source which emits the light beam; a deflector which includes an oscillation mirror which oscillates about an oscillatory axis which is orthogonal or approximately orthogonal to the main scanning direction, deflects the light beam emitted from the light source using the oscillation mirror, and makes the light beam scan a second scanning range which contains but extends beyond a first scanning range which corresponds to the effective scanning region; a detector which detects the scanning light beam which moves through a position which is outside the first scanning range but is within the second scanning range, and outputs a signal; and a controller which controls a mirror drive signal fed to the oscillation mirror based on the output signal from the detector and accordingly adjusts the amplitude of the oscillation mirror. In the apparatus above, the controller stops driving the oscillation mirror when confirming based on the output signal that the oscillation mirror is under abnormal control.
US07710624B2
Holographic systems which shape coherent light beams are disclosed. These holographic systems may beam-shaping devices positioned in the path of coherent light beams to shape a coherent light beam into an essentially diffraction noise free coherent light beam of predetermined dimensions that has a continuous light beam profile of distinct intensity zones.
US07710623B2
A security hologram is disclosed that is invisible to a human eye or to various optical detectors until the hologram is optically coupled to a suitable modifier (e.g., a prism). Also disclosed is a method of recording the security hologram and a method of using the hologram in security applications to establish authenticity of article(s).
US07710622B2
The invention relates to a color hologram display an image of a three-dimensional object and a hologram image of a pattern of plane characters, images or the like are recorded in the same volume type hologram photosensitive material in a superposed or multiplexed fashion. A color hologram display 27′ comprising a combined reflection and volume type of single layer, wherein a color pattern 29g of plane characters, images or the like and a color three-dimensional subject image O″ are reconstructably recorded while spatially superposed one upon another.
US07710621B2
Disclosed is an image forming apparatus including: a communication section connected to an information management apparatus to manage a data with a correspondence of the data to the management information and an input apparatus to accept a manuscript information, to communicate with each other; an image forming section to form an image on a recording paper; and a controlling section to transmit the management information to the information management apparatus through the communication section, to receive the data corresponding to the transmitted management information from the information management apparatus, to convert the received data into a barcode information, to form a composite information by combining the barcode information and the manuscript information received from the input apparatus, and to allow the image forming section to form an image of the composite information.
US07710611B2
A stencil printer apparatus for depositing a solder paste onto the surface of the electronic substrate, comprising a frame, a stencil coupled to the frame, the stencil having a plurality of apertures, a dispenser coupled to the frame, the stencil and the dispenser being configured to deposit the solder paste onto the electronic substrate, an imaging system constructed and arranged to capture an image of the electronic substrate, and a controller coupled to the imaging system and configured to control movement of the imaging system to capture the image. The imaging system comprises a camera element configured to capture the image of at least the portion of the surface of the electronic substrate, and a first illumination element comprising a long-wavelength light source configured to illuminate at least the portion of the surface of the electronic substrate by generating long-wavelength light. Other embodiments and methods are disclosed.
US07710609B2
Method and system embodiments herein add at least one trap area between abutting objects on an image to be printed by a printing engine. This trap area includes a central region between two outer regions. The method/system establishes a target toner concentration for pixels within the trap area based on toner concentrations of the abutting objects and corrects the target toner concentration to account for irregularities of the outer regions of the trap area to produce a corrected toner concentration for pixels in the trap area. The method/system performs this correction by first empirically testing the printing engine to establish a lookup table of correction values of the outer regions prior to a printing operation. Then, during the printing operation, the method determines a size relationship (weighting) between the central region and the outer regions for the trap area and calculates the corrected toner concentration.
US07710608B2
A printing apparatus for printing an image on a medium by a print head having a nozzle capable of creating dots includes: a module acquiring image data having an M-ary pixel data value (M≧3); a module creating N-ary image data (M>N≧2) from an M-ary pixel value (M≧3) expressed by each pixel data item; a module splitting the N-ary image data into a plurality of image data areas of a predetermined number of pixel data items; a module rearranging a position of a pixel corresponding to each pixel data item included in the image data areas in the N-ary image data at a predetermined position in each image data area; a module creating printing data defining dot forming information of each nozzle corresponding to the N-ary image data after rearrangement; and a module printing the image on the medium.
US07710605B2
A print system includes a computer and a printer. Image data having pseudo gradation with a dither pattern are printed by the printer. The computer divides the image data into predetermined areas, determines whether or not a dot arrangement pattern of image data in each of the areas matches a dither pattern that was used for generating the pseudo gradation, determines a representative value concerning a density of image data within the area if they match one another, and sends data related to the determined representative value to the printer. The printer obtains a representative value of each area from compressed data received from the computer and compares the obtained representative value with the dither pattern so as to reproduce a dot pattern.
US07710603B2
Image forming apparatus 1 capable of forming dots of types in quantity of α (integer satisfying α≧2) wherein there are provided, target pixel selection means 2 that selects a target pixel, recording rate acquisition means 3 that acquires a recording rate total value of dots in two types among dots of types in quantity of α and acquires a recording rate of a dot on one side among dots in two types, first quantization means 4 that conducts quantization based on the recording rate total value and determines recording of dots in quantity of i (integer satisfying 0≦i≦2) on the target pixel and second quantization means 5 that determines types of dots to be recorded on the target pixel based on i representing the number of dots to be recorded on the target pixel determined by the first quantization means and on the recording rate of the dot on one side.
US07710597B2
A technique for profiling a color printing device employs a modified Neugebauer color mixing model. The modeling technique makes use of a variable dot gain value and “n factor.” The variable dot gain adjustment value may vary according to the particular tristimulus channel under evaluation. In addition, the variable dot gain value may vary according to the particular Neugebauer primary over which a halftone dot is printed. Accordingly, the technique may rely on an array of different dot gain values and n factors that correspond to different combinations of color channels and overprint conditions. As a further feature, the techniques may rely on a dot gain formula that relates halftone dot variation, i.e., fringe thickness, to the size of the halftone dot. This relationship tends to produce a dot gain model that more closely resembles the actual dot gain behavior on a printing press.
US07710575B2
The field of the invention is that of solid-state laser gyros used in inertial control units. However, there are certain technical difficulties in producing laser gyros of this type that are due partly to the fact that the counterpropagating waves interfere with each other in the amplifying medium. A laser gyro according to the invention comprises at least one solid-state amplifying medium and an optical ring cavity comprising first optical means for imposing a first linear polarization state common to the two counterpropagating optical waves at the entrance and exit of the zone containing the amplifying medium and second optical means for imposing, within the amplifying medium, a second linear polarization state on the first optical wave and a third linear polarization state on the second optical wave, these polarization states being perpendicular. Thus, all the drawbacks associated with interference are eliminated.
US07710568B1
The present invention is a portable gas leak detector preferably comprising a portable optical spectroscopy apparatus for measurement of gas concentration.
US07710565B2
A method for correcting systematic errors in an optical measurement tool in which a first diffraction spectrum is measured from a standard substrate including a layer having a known refractive index and a known extinction coefficient by exposing the standard substrate to a spectrum of electromagnetic energy. A tool-perfect diffraction spectrum is calculated for the standard substrate. A hardware systematic error is calculated by comparing the measured diffraction spectrum to the calculated tool-perfect diffraction spectrum. A second diffraction spectrum from a workpiece is measured by exposing the workpiece to the spectrum of electromagnetic energy, and the measured second diffraction spectrum is corrected based on the calculated hardware systematic error to obtain a corrected diffraction spectrum.
US07710550B2
An oximeter for spectro-photometric in-vitro determination of hemoglobin derivatives in a sample, typically a hemolyzed blood sample, is provided comprising a single measurement light source emitting measurement radiation, a sample chamber, for instance a measurement cuvette containing the sample, a detector device, which records a spectrum of the measurement radiation after its interaction with the sample, and an evaluation unit following the detector device, which determines the hemoglobin derivatives and at least one further analyte from the spectrum recorded by the detector device. The measurement light source is a polychromatic LED, which for determination of hemoglobin derivatives emits measurement radiation in at least one spectral region B, in which the hemoglobin derivatives exhibit significant absorbance, and which for determination of the at least one further analyte emits measurement radiation in at least one other spectral region A, in which the at least one further analyte exhibits significant absorbance.
US07710548B2
An optoelectronic monitoring device (1) with at least one light source (2) and at least one receiving element (4) which receives light from light source (2) that was reflected by an object. The receiving element determines the distance of the object. A testing unit (5-7) of the monitoring device checks the functionality of the receiving element (4) and modifies light received by the receiving element so that the receiving element (4) receives light which has been falsified by a predetermined or a known amount. A corresponding testing method is also described.
US07710547B2
A coherent range measurement system includes a detector optical arrangement defining a current optical field of view and an illumination subsystem configured for transmitting pulses of coherent illumination at different times along each of a plurality of directions within the current optical field of view without moving parts. A detection arrangement is configured to direct part of the transmitted pulses and a reflected signal from each of the directions onto a common detector. The output of the detector is processed by a processing system to derive range data associated with each of the directions by coherent detection of the reflected signals employing the part of the transmitted pulses as a local oscillator.
US07710545B2
A method and apparatus for obtaining information about an environment having objects located around a vehicle. The laser detection and ranging system comprises a fan beam generation unit, a streak unit, a telescope, a switch, and a detector unit. The fan beam generation unit transmits a fan beam. The streak unit streaks a received beam generated in response to the fan beam to form a streaked beam. The telescope propagates the fan beam to a portion of the environment around the vehicle. The switch directs the fan beam generated by the fan beam generation unit through the telescope along an azimuth onto the environment around the vehicle and directing a response signal to the fan beam to the streak unit. The detector unit detects the streaked beam and generating range and angle data to generate an image of the environment.
US07710544B2
Disclosed concepts include a method of optimizing polarization of an illumination of a pattern to be formed in a surface of a substrate. Polarized illumination is optimized by determining an illumination intensity for at least one point on an illuminator for at least two polarization states, determining image log slope for the at least one point on the illuminator for the at least two polarization states, determining a maximum image log slope (ILS) where the ILS is near zero for the at least one point on the illuminator, and selecting an optimal polarization state corresponding to the at least two polarization states that minimizes an ILS for the at least one point on the illuminator. This may be repeated for a plurality of points on the illuminator.
US07710543B2
A measurement apparatus includes a measurement unit configured to execute first measurement at each of a plurality of measurement points on a substrate, which are juxtaposed in one of a direction perpendicular to a scanning direction and an oblique direction with respect to the scanning direction, and to execute a second measurement at each of the plurality of measurement points, while the substrate is shifted in a direction different from the scanning direction and a processing unit configured to select some measurement points from the plurality of measurement points on the basis of a change in a measurement value at each measurement point, which is obtained by the first measurement and the second measurement.
US07710542B2
An imaging device in a projection exposure machine for microlithography has at least one optical element and at least one manipulator, having a linear drive, for manipulating the position of the optical element. The linear drive has a driven subregion and a nondriven subregion, which are movable relative to one another in the direction of a movement axis. The subregions are interconnected at least temporarily via functional elements with an active axis and via functional elements with an active direction at least approximately parallel to the movement axis.
US07710540B2
A position control system for a substrate support of a lithographic apparatus includes a position measurement system configured to determine a position of a sensor or sensor target on the substrate support, a controller configured to provide a control signal based on a desired position of a target portion of the substrate and the determined position, and one or more actuators configured to act on the substrate support. The position control system includes a stiffness compensation model of the substrate support, the stiffness compensation model including a relation between a difference in a change in position of the target portion and a change in position of the sensor or sensor target as a result of a force exerted on the substrate support. The position control system is configured to substantially correct at least during projection of a patterned radiation beam on the target portion, the position of the target portion using the stiffness compensation model.
US07710539B2
The invention provides a method for correcting thermally-induced field deformations of a lithographically exposed substrate. First, a model is provided to predict thermally-induced field deformation information of a plurality of fields of the substrate. The pre-specified exposure information used to configure an exposure of the fields is then modified based on the thermally-induced deformation information as predicted by the model. Finally a pattern is exposed onto the fields in accordance with the pre-specified exposure information as modified. The predicting of thermally-induced field deformation information by the model includes predicting of deformation effects of selected points on the substrate. It is based on a time-decaying characteristic as energy is transported across substrate; and a distance between the selected points and an edge of the substrate.
US07710526B2
An array substrate for an IPS mode LCD device comprises a substrate; a gate line along a first direction; a data line along a second direction; a TFT connected to the gate and data lines; a common electrode having a plate shape on the substrate and formed of a first transparent conductive material; and a pixel electrode formed of a second transparent conductive material on the common electrode and including first and second portions and a plurality of third portions combining the first portion with the second portion. The first and second portions are parallel to the second direction and separated from each other and the plurality of third portions are oblique to the first and second portions and separated from one another.
US07710522B1
A liquid crystal device comprises a cholesteric liquid crystal material interposed between a transparent front plate and a back plate. The cholesteric liquid crystal material is switchable between a transparent state and a reflective state in response to an electric field applied in a first direction. In the reflective state the material reflects light characterized by a first wavelength when no electric field is applied. Electrodes are provided for applying an electric field lied to the cholesteric liquid crystal material in the reflective state in a second direction distinct from the first direction. In this manner the cholesteric liquid crystal material is altered to cause the material to reflect light characterized by a second wavelength different from the first wavelength. A display device may thus be produced having pixels capable of a wide range of colors, thereby achieving a multicolored image for the display.
US07710521B2
An LCD device includes a reflective area in each pixel. A reflection film having a convex-concave surface is provided in the reflective area, film in cross section configuration is formed. Each pixel includes a pixel electrode and a common electrode for applying a lateral electric field on a LC layer. The inclination angle of the reflection film has an inclination angle distribution, wherein the angle component in an area corresponding to the electrodes has a lower angle distribution than the angle components in an area corresponding to a gap between adjacent two of the electrodes.
US07710514B2
An liquid crystal display (LCD) including an LCD panel and a light guiding plate disposed on the rear of the LCD panel. The light guiding plate includes a main body, a fixing part extended from a side of the main body, and a protrusion formed on a rear of the light guiding plate and on a boundary area of the fixing part and the main body.
US07710512B2
The present invention relates to a liquid crystal display having excellent brightness without moiré patterns. The present invention also relates to a prism sheet and backlight unit which may improve the brightness of the liquid crystal display while removing the moiré patterns. A prism sheet comprises a protective layer including a base material consisting of a light-transmissive resin; and a plurality of diffusion particles distributed in the protective layer to scatter the light input into the base material; a base film disposed on a surface of the protective layer, wherein the light emitted from the protective layer is input into the base film; and a plurality of linear prisms having a pitch of between about 32 μm and about 38 μm and disposed in parallel on a surface of the base film.
US07710502B2
A method and apparatus for blending a video signal responsive to a chroma motion result is disclosed. The method and apparatus are configured to determine whether any chroma motion exists within the video signal and providing the chroma motion result, to provide a first blending signal based on the chroma motion result; to provide a second blending signal based on the chroma motion result; to modulate temporal filtered luma and chroma components of the video signal with the first blending signal, to modulate spatial filtered luma and chroma components of the video signal with the second blending signal, and to add the modulated temporal luma and chroma signals to the modulated spatial luma and chroma signals to provide a blended video signal.
US07710500B2
Sync positions are detected from a video signal. The detected sync positions are processed (e.g., averaged) to generate modified sync positions. The detected sync positions and the modified sync positions are selectively used to sample and synchronize a color signal derived from the video signal. For example, the detected sync positions and the modified sync positions may be selectively used to sample and synchronize the color signal responsive to differences between the modified sync positions. The invention may be embodied as apparatus and/or methods.
US07710497B2
A visual presenter includes a camera support arm pivotally mounted on a base and having one end on which a camera is mounted, a pivot support including a bracket, a pivot having one end formed with a male thread, a disc spring fitted with the male thread and a nut brought into threading engagement with the male thread so that the spring is fastened to the bracket by the nut with a result that a brake force is effected and a free stop function is given to the pivot support, and a one-way clutch fitted with the pivot to allow the pivot support to be free against rotation causing the pivot support to stand up and to exert a clutching function against rotation causing the pivot support to lie. The camera support arm is pivotally mounted on the pivot support with the one-way clutch being interposed between them.
US07710494B2
A control method of a digital camera includes: displaying a moving image on a screen based on charges stored in an image sensor by an electronic shutter with a shutter curtain opened; detecting illuminance of the shutter curtain with the shutter curtain closed; setting a still image exposure period based on the detected illuminance of the shutter curtain; exposing the image sensor in the still image exposure period with the shutter curtain opened; and storing a still image in a recording medium based on the charges stored in the image sensor in the still image exposure period.
US07710485B2
A solid-state image pickup apparatus may improve, depending on the shooting condition, image degradation such as white balance offset or color mixture. An output scheme determiner defines, depending on shooting conditions such as shooting and sensitivity modes, output schemes such as the number of operative output circuits in an image sensor and a drive frequency of a horizontal transfer path. Depending on an output scheme, the vertical and transfer paths and output circuits in the image sensor are controlled, and one image sensing area is divided and the transfer rate of the horizontal path is reduced accordingly to produce an image signal. The determiner defines, in high sensitivity mode, the output scheme having a higher number of operative circuits and lower drive frequency. The apparatus may improve, without losing the high-speed reading, the horizontal transfer efficiency to avoid the transfer degradation and produce images free from degradation.
US07710477B2
Solid state CMOS active pixel sensor devices having unit pixels that are structured to provide improved uniformity of pixel-to-pixel sensitivity across a pixel array without the need for an additional light shielding layer. For example, unit pixels with symmetrical layout patterns are formed whereby one or more lower-level BEOL metallization layers are designed operate as light shielding layers which are symmetrically patterned and arranged to balance the amount of incident light reaching the photosensitive regions.
US07710474B2
A filter section performs color carrier component removal and high-frequency level correction according to color image signal data, and a correction section performs edge enhancement correction. By these operations, luminance signal data is obtained. The characteristics of the filter section are established adaptively in accordance with the luminance signal level of low spatial frequency components in the color image signal data, the luminance signal edge level in the color image signal data, whether or not a predetermined color is exhibited in the color image signal data, a color difference edge level in the color image signal data, or whether or not the RGB data reaches the saturation level in the color image signal data.
US07710471B2
An anti-eclipse circuit of an image pixel includes a pixel coupled to a pixel output line and a circuit for receiving and storing a pixel reset voltage from the pixel on the pixel output line and for using the stored pixel reset voltage as a parameter to control a reset voltage level on the output line in a manner which maintains the pixel reset voltage on the pixel output line above a predetermined minimum voltage.
US07710469B2
An image acquisition apparatus includes an optical system having such distortion aberration characteristics as a central region is expanded and a peripheral region is compressed. An imaging element converts a subject image formed image data. A first memory stores filter factors which are used for interrupting a spatial frequency exceeding a Nyquist frequency of the image data. A second memory stores parameters which define an outer edge of a Nyquist image region. A filter factor setting circuit judges whether each pixel position of the image data is included in the Nyquist image region based on the parameter, and reads the filter factors from the first memory when each pixel position is included. A filter circuit executes filter processing with respect to the image data in accordance with the read filter factors. A distortion correcting circuit corrects the distortion aberration characteristics with respect to the image data.
US07710466B2
A method and an apparatus enabling use of a light source emitting a spectrum of light not following characteristics of a blackbody source of light with a camera module programmed for use with light sources following characteristics of blackbody sources of light, wherein a white-balance patch is transmitted to the camera module to cause the camera module to accept color coordinates representing a point on a chromaticity chart that partly defines a region of color coordinates on the chromaticity chart into which color coordinates of the light source fall and to which color coordinates of a reference white color derived by a white-balance routine of the camera module are constrained.
US07710460B2
A sensor mounting system for enabling image stabilization in a digital camera is described. An electronic array light sensor is moved in relation to other parts of the camera in response to camera motion. In one embodiment, the sensor is moved by at least one linear motor having a ferrofluid in a gap of the linear motor. Other aspects of the system are described, including methods of heat sinking the sensor, a suspension system, methods of compensating for an effect of temperature on the ferrofluid, and a compact magnet configuration for forming the linear motor and providing feedback as to the position of the sensor.
US07710451B2
The invention presents catadioptric (single-camera) sensors using one or more mirrors to produce rectified stereoscopic images. By combining multiple views (using the mirrors) to form a composite stereo image that is already rectified (i.e., has scan-line correspondence), the invention aids provision of real-time stereo images by avoiding computational cost and image degradation due to computer-rectification-related resampling when rectifying. The invention specifies the number of mirrors that must be used and the geometric/locational constraints on those mirrors that must be substantially satisfied to obtain rectified stereo images with a single camera. The invention also discloses specific configurational techniques for how the mirrors should be placed to minimize sensor size. The configurational/geometric parameters disclosed enable cost-efficient, compact, and error-tolerant single-camera stereoscopic image sensing system and methods, removing the need for computer-controlled image rectifying steps and allowing for convenient computerized capture, processing, manipulation, storage, and transmission of stereo images.
US07710448B2
A method for preventing movement in a telepresence system, includes a plurality of cameras. Each camera has a respective field of vision for viewing one or more users. The fields of vision each have lateral boundaries. The system also includes a plurality of restrictive elements. Each restrictive element is positioned along a respective lateral boundary of a field of vision of the fields of vision of the plurality of cameras such that viewed users each positioned within a field of vision of the plurality of cameras are restricted by the plurality of restrictive elements from moving outside of the field of vision in which each viewed user is positioned.
US07710447B2
An optical disk image forming apparatus that forms an image on an optical disk, comprises: an optical disk drive that includes a rotating unit for rotating an optical disk and a laser light irradiating unit being movable in a radial direction of the optical disk; and a control unit that sets a plurality of pixel areas on the optical disk, allocates predetermined writing densities to the plurality of pixel areas, respectively, and controls the optical disk drive to irradiate the laser light onto each pixel area according to the allocated writing densities. When the allocated writing density is a halftone writing density, the control unit corrects the halftone writing density so as to be lighter darker than the allocated writing density.
US07710445B2
A light source unit is provided which includes a light source with a plurality of light emission portions two-dimensionally arranged; a substrate on which the light source is mounted; a first support portion supporting the substrate; a bias member biasing the substrate towards the first support portion; a coupling element coupling a light beam emitted from the light source; a second support portion supporting the coupling element; and a holding member holding a position of the substrate relative to the first support portion.
US07710443B2
A method comprising storing a first line of data that is received from processing circuitry across a first set of conductors prior to receiving a first signal from a laser engine having a plurality of laser units and providing the first line of data and a second line of data that is received from the processing circuitry across the first set of conductors to the laser engine in response to receiving the first signal is provided.
US07710442B2
Apparatus and methods for two-sided direct thermal printing are disclosed. In one embodiment, a dual-sided direct thermal printer comprising a first thermal print head and a second thermal print head is provided wherein a surface of the first thermal print head acts as a platen for the second thermal print head.
US07710432B2
According to an embodiment of the present invention, selective tristimulus corrections to device-independent coordinates are applied using a piecewise linear correction function. The piecewise linear correction function is defined such that a maximum of the piecewise linear correction function occurs at a boundary condition of a corresponding device-dependent color space, and the piecewise linear correction function is linearly reduced to zero or approximately zero as values in the corresponding device-dependent color space approach either a different boundary condition or a neutral axis. By having the piecewise linear correction function reduce linearly to zero or approximately zero, corrections to one region of color smoothly diminish and blend into the other regions of color, thereby substantially preventing the introduction of artifacts or image corruption due to the corrections.
US07710428B2
In one embodiment, a computer-implemented method retrieves a vector image from a device. The vector image illustrates the device and comprises a number of embedded handles, each handle of which is associated with a set of vectors in the vector image. The method proceeds with parsing the vector image in accord with a filter key to identify a set of handles that correspond to the filter key. The method then causes one or more sets of vectors, associated with the set of handles corresponding to the filter key, to be displayed differently than one or more sets of vectors that are not associated with the set of handles corresponding to the filter key. Other embodiments are also disclosed.
US07710425B1
A computer system in which a graphics accelerator unit manages page faulting of texture data invisibly to the host processor.
US07710423B2
The coordinates for laying out visual items in two-, three-, or n-dimensional space along an embedded one-manifold or path are calculated and coordinates are generated for placement of the items in a container. A one-manifold may be continuous, discontinuous, be contained entirely within a container or extent beyond a container. The one-manifold may be defined by a set of parameters defining a function, formula or set of points. The container may be a two-dimensional, three-dimensional, or n-dimensional container. Such a mechanism may be employed by a graphics application and may determine the location or positioning of an object or item. The object or item may be one of a set of objects or items. In response to receiving a set of parameters defining a one-manifold, the one-manifold may be embedded within a container. In response to receiving a set of parameters describing aspects of the object or item to be placed within the container, a set of x and y or x, y and z co-ordinates may be generated, which may be sent to a standard graphics interface for display.
US07710418B2
Systems and methods are provided for visually realistic simulation and real-time rendering of natural atmospheric lighting and related phenomena in an outdoor scene represented by an image provided by a simulation environment. The systems and methods of the present invention provide techniques to approximate the visual effects of natural atmospheric lighting and related phenomena that are visually realistic and that can be computed in real-time to render frames of a scene at real-time frame rates per second. The techniques consider the light scattering effects due to sunlight and ambient light in relation to objects, atmospheric particles and other scene elements represented by the image.
US07710416B2
A method is disclosed for rendering a volumetric obscurant in a computer generated graphical image. The method can include the operation of defining a polygon template as a first surface of the volumetric obscurant comprising pixels and sub-pixels. A further operation can be spreading a depth of the sub-pixels for pixels in the polygon template to create a thickness in the volumetric obscurant. Finally, another operation can be modulating a depth density of the sub-pixels to vary the distances between the sub-pixels in the volumetric obscurant.
US07710404B2
In a gesture detection method for a touchpad, various gestures such as tap, drag and double tap are determined by operating an object to touch on the touchpad, leave from the touchpad, and move on the touchpad.
US07710403B2
A slide pad membrane is provided. The slide pad membrane comprises an annular ring having an inner edge, a center portion having an outer edge, and a plurality of concentric annular ripples including an outer annular ripple connected to the inner edge of the annular ring and an inner annular ripple connected to the outer edge of the center portion.
US07710396B2
A user interface for multimedia centers advantageously utilizes hand-held inertial-sensing user input devices to select channels and quickly navigate the dense menus of options. Extensive use of the high resolution and bandwidth of such user input devices is combined with strategies to avoid unintentional inputs and with dense and intuitive interactive graphical displays.
US07710391B2
An interactive video window display system. A projector projects a visual image. A screen displays the visual image, wherein the projector projects the visual image onto a back side of the screen for presentation to a user on a front side of the screen, and wherein the screen is adjacent to a window. An illuminator illuminates an object on a front side of the window. A camera detects interaction of an illuminated object with the visual image, wherein the screen is at least partially transparent to light detectable by the camera, allowing the camera to detect the illuminated object through the screen. A computer system directs the projector to change the visual image in response to the interaction. The projector, the camera, the illuminator, and the computer system are located on the same side of the window.
US07710387B2
The image display device includes a liquid crystal panel which has at least one optical sensor for outputting an electric signal resulting from light irradiation, pixel electrodes for driving a liquid crystal, switching elements for switching the pixel electrodes and a single transparent substrate on which the at least one optical sensor, the pixel electrodes and the switching elements are formed by laminating thin films.
US07710379B2
A display device and a driving method thereof are provided, which reduces an instantaneous current generated with a charge and discharge of source signal lines and further reduces a load to a power supply line. According to the invention, source signal lines are divided into the first to the n-th groups so as to be charged or discharged according to the first to the n-th latch pulses which are inputted at different timing. Since the number of the source signal lines which start to be charged or discharged at the same time is reduced, an instantaneous current generated with the charge and discharge can be reduced, and a load to the power supply line can be reduced as well.
US07710376B2
A display with low power consumption using a memory-incorporated pixel system capable of refreshing the image signal memory and updating an image without causing a flicker. Each pixel arranged in matrix has, at an intersection between the signal line and the scan line, a first transistor and a second transistor to drive the electrooptical medium. The second transistor has its gate connected with the image signal memory which in turn is connected to the reference voltage line. There is a parasitic capacitor between the gate of the second transistor and the scan line. The gate of the second transistor is also connected with an added capacitor. Further, the second transistor is connected with a holding capacitor and also has a parasitic capacitor.
US07710372B2
A PDP data driver is provided in which input and output terminals are divided into a plurality of groups and a given group can be selected so as to output a high level. The PDP data driver is formed by a plurality of data driver ICs that are arranged. In an output control circuit of each data driver IC, input and output terminals are arranged in an order of a plurality of primary colors forming a screen and are divided into a plurality of groups. The output control circuit includes a first gate array and a second gate array in such a manner that gates of each array corresponds to the input and output terminals, respectively. For each of the groups, the first gate array is controlled to output input data without change or output a high level in accordance with a first control input and the second gate array is controlled to transfer all outputs of the first gate array without change or output a low level in accordance with a second control output.
US07710371B2
Cells can include variable volumes defined between a flexible structure, such as a polymer layer, and a support surface, with the flexible structure and support surface being attached in a first region that surrounds a second region in which they are unattached. Various adhesion structures can attach the flexible structure and the support surface. When unstretched, the flexible structure can lie in a flat position on the support surface. In response to a stretching force away from the support surface, the flexible structure can move out of the flat position, providing the variable volume. Electrodes, such as on the flexible structure, on the support surface, and over the flexible structure, can have charge levels that couple with each other and with the variable volume. A support structure can include a device layer with signal circuitry that provides a signal path between an electrode and external circuitry. One or more ducts can provide fluid communication with each cell's variable volume. Arrays of such cells can be implemented for various applications, such as optical modulators, displays, printheads, and microphones.
US07710370B2
The invention relates to a display device assembly (1) comprising a flexible display device (2) being rollable around an axis (5), the flexible display (2) having a front side (3) and a back side (4), one of the sides (3,4) being provided with distance elements (7, 7′,80) for preventing a direct contact between the front side (3) and the back side (4). By preventing the front and back side to contact each other the amount of display damage is significantly reduced as compared to conventional roll-up displays. An advantageous embodiment comprises a display device assembly in which the spacer elements are shaped in the form of bars (7, 7′). In a further advantageous embodiment of the display assembly the distance elements comprise a protection foil (80).
US07710369B2
Color management and color-managed workflow concepts are applied to lighting apparatus configured to generate multi-colored light, including lighting apparatus based on LED sources. In particular, color management principles are employed to facilitate the generation of variable color light from a given lighting apparatus based on any of a number of possible input specifications for a desired color. In one example, a transformation between an arbitrary input specification for a desired color and a lighting command processed by the lighting apparatus is accomplished via the use of a source color management profile for the input specification of the desired color, a target color management profile for the lighting apparatus, and a common working color space. Colors defined in the common working color space may be reproduced or approximated (e.g., according to one or more rendering intents) by one or more lighting apparatus.
US07710363B2
A method of controlling display of a grey level at an associated image point on a matrix display screen. The screen includes lines and columns for which the intersections form an image point. Samples with non-linear proportional light intensity are used to display grey levels, instead of using samples with linear proportional light intensity, by selecting a coding that matches the response curve of the human eye because the eye is more sensitive to brightness differences at a low illumination level than at a high level. Its perception of brightness follows a non-linear law called the gamma correction law which in particular has been modelled by the International Lighting Commission (ILC).
US07710353B2
A method of driving a display panel is provided which can reduce power consumption. During a unit display period, the number of times of second and subsequent selective erase operations performed on one display cell of each pixel is different from the number of times of second and subsequent selective erase operations performed on another display cell emitting light of different color from that of the one display cell.
US07710351B2
A load drive circuit, successfully suppressed in unnecessary electromagnetic wave generation through suppressing transition time in the drive voltage waveform even under a reduced effective load, and a display device using this circuit are provided, wherein the circuit comprises a drive circuit inversively amplifying a signal, used for driving a load, input through an input terminal, and output from an output terminal; a first current source connected to the input terminal of the drive circuit and being capable of controlling current output; and a first switch circuit connected between the input terminal of the drive circuit and a first reference potential point.
US07710348B2
A shape-memory reflector is disclosed along with methods for manufacturing, packaging and deploying the same. The shape-memory reflector may include an elastic reflector material, a shape-memory stiffener, and a plurality of radial stiffeners. The shape-memory stiffener may be coupled with the elastic reflector material in a band that encloses at least a portion of the elastic reflector surface, for example, the exterior of a paraboloid reflector. The plurality of radial stiffeners is coupled with the bottom surface of the elastic reflector material and extends radially from a central portion of the elastic reflector surface toward the outer edge of the elastic reflector surface. The shape-memory reflector may be packaged in a packaged configuration that includes a plurality of pleats within the elastic reflector material and/or the shape-memory stiffener, and the shape-memory reflector is configured to deploy into a deployed configuration (i.e. a paraboloid) by heating the shape-memory stiffener.
US07710336B2
A metamaterial having a negative refractive index is presented, which has a dielectric carrier material (12; 48), first electrically conductive sections (14.1, 14.2, 14.3, 14.4) and second electrically conductive sections (16.1, 16.2). The metamaterial is distinguished by the fact that the dielectric carrier material (12; 48) is realized as a volume which consists of one piece and which has at least one inner area which is prestructured by positive or negative rib or mesa structures (52.1, 52.2) in the dielectric carrier material (48) and is covered with first sections (14.1, 14.2, 14.3, 14.4) and second sections (16.1, 16.2) in such a way that the first sections form capacitive series impedances upon illumination with an electromagnetic wave having a specific propagation direction and polarization, while the second sections are arranged in such a way that they form inductive shunt impedances upon the illumination. An optical element, a preferred use of a metamaterial and also a method for producing a metamaterial are furthermore presented. The structuring of partial regions of the metamaterial can be effected with the aid of negative/positive mesa structures.
US07710328B2
Described is a planar antenna with a process separation device for a fill level radar. The planar antenna including a plate-shaped temperature-resistant process separation device that is arranged between the planar radiator element and the exterior of the antenna.
US07710324B2
A patch antenna having a plurality of structures, referred to herein as comb structures, is disclosed that results in an antenna having a reduced overall patch size and weight as well as a broader the angular response pattern of the antenna. In a first embodiment, comb structures are attached to one of the surface of the patch or the surface of the ground plane. In a second embodiment, the comb structures are attached to both the patch and the ground plane in a manner such that the structures interleave with each other. The structures may be pins or ribs that are electrically connected to the ground plane and/or the patch, or may be any other suitable configuration depending upon the polarization of the signal to be transmitted or received.
US07710317B2
The present invention is a method for GPS positioning in a weak signal environment. The method includes obtaining assistance data for a GPS signal from a satellite at a predetermined time, wherein the assistance data including predicted navigation data, Doppler shift and Doppler shift rate and the GPS signal being modulated by a carrier signal, a pseudorandom code and navigation data, estimating a predicted receiving time for the GPS signal reaching the GPS receiver, capturing the GPS signal, converting the GPS signal to an intermediate frequency signal, acquiring a code phase of the pseudorandom code from the intermediate frequency signal by using the assistance data and the predicted receiving time, and obtaining a position for the GPS receiver based on the predicted navigation data and the code phase of the pseudorandom code. To acquire the code phase of the pseudorandom code, the GPS receiver corrects a real time clock to one millisecond accuracy and process the intermediate frequency signal through coherent correlation of one second.
US07710310B2
A detection system (1) having an optical sensor (3), a radar device (2) and a signal processor (4) communicatively connected with the optical sensor and the radar device. The signal processor comprises: a first detector (41, 410-413) for detecting a first object on the basis of a first signal coming from the optical sensor and determining at least one first property of the first object; a second detector (42, 420-421) for detecting a second object on the basis of a second signal coming from the radar device and determining at least one second property of that second object, and a signaling unit (43) for producing a signal if the at least one first property and the at least one second property satisfy a predetermined condition. Further, a method for detecting objects, comprising: generating (100) a sensor signal with an optical sensor; detecting (101) a first object on the basis of the sensor signal; generating (200) a radar signal; detecting (201) a second object on the basis of the radar signal; producing (300) a detection signal if both on the basis of the sensor signal and on the basis of the radar signal the same object is detected. Also, a computer program with program code for performing one or more steps of such a method.
US07710306B2
A ramp generation circuit including, a charge supply unit which generates predetermined charges every predetermined time, an integration circuit which accumulates the charges generated from the charge supply unit and converts the charges into a voltage, and, an attenuation unit which outputs, to an output terminal, a voltage obtained by attenuating a noise value of an output voltage from the integration circuit.
US07710303B2
A mixed signal device having an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) with offset and gain calibration using internal voltage references whereby the digital processor calibrates out offset and gain errors in the analog-to-digital converter by adjusting the analog input amplifier gain and offset or with software compensating the digital representations of the voltages measured. Two different known voltage values are used in determining the offset and gain adjustments needed to calibrate the ADC against the two know voltage values. The mixed signal device may further comprise a Bandgap voltage reference having an accurate known voltage value. Wherein the Bandgap voltage reference may be used for further offset and gain calibration of the ADC to produce substantially absolute voltage values.
US07710286B1
Tampering with an assembly that includes an integrated circuit is detected by measuring a change in at least one property of a conductive molding formed over at least a portion of the integrated circuit. For example, the conductive molding can be a mixture of resin with conductive powder and/or fibers. The molding can be formed as a continuous region or as strips of conductive material. Conductive contacts are positioned to provide and receive current through portions of the conductive material. For example, the property of the molding can be an impedance of a portion of the conductive molding. A significant change in the impedance measured through one or more conductive contacts indicates tampering with the assembly.
US07710280B2
A device and method for detecting flame using real-time continuous imaging and pattern recognition of infrared (IR) images of a flame region. Infrared emissions radiated from the region pass through a wide field-of-view lens and are detected by a Charged-Coupled Device (CCD) array sensitive to the near IR range. The system then digitizes the image, extracts characteristic parameters from the measurement and stores both the image and characteristic information for pattern recognition. To accomplish the pattern recognition function, the derived real-time characteristics of the current measurement are statistically compared to pre-stored patterns representative of images of radiation emitted from the region while known flame conditions prevail within the region. Based on this comparison, an assessment is made to determine the presence or absence of flame. The characteristic measurements are also used for evaluating the quality of flame.
US07710271B2
A method and a system control at least one lighting arrangement, in which the lighting arrangement modulates the light it emits by lighting arrangement data that contains an identification code identifying the lighting arrangement. A user control device is suitable to receive the light from the lighting arrangement and to derive therefrom the lighting arrangement data. The user controlled device measures a property of the received light, apart from it representing data, to provide additional data which is associated with the lighting arrangement which is associated with the identification code contained in the received data. Data about a location of the user control device is determined, the user controlled device transmits the data it gained, and a main control device is suitable to receive the data transmitted by the user control device and to control the at least one lighting arrangement dependent on all the data.
US07710267B2
A movement information determining unit determines a moving direction and a moving speed of a user using position information detected by a position information detecting unit. A moving-speed determining unit determines whether the moving speed exceeds a predetermined threshold speed. An information display unit displays high-speed movement information corresponding to the position information and the moving direction when the moving speed is determined to exceed the threshold speed, and low-speed movement information corresponding to the position information and the moving direction when the moving speed is determined not to exceed the threshold speed.
US07710259B2
A method for recreating known emergent information comprises initially storing data in a database. Multiple data patterns, which are based on known emergent information, are developed. These multiple data patterns are ranked according to each data pattern's historic accuracy in creating the known emergent information. The data is applied to a highest-ranked data pattern to recreate the known emergent information.
US07710254B1
An integrated progressive brake light system for vehicles in which different sequences of brake lights are illuminated dependent on operator activation input. The brake light system uses a progressive multiple selective illumination in which additional central oriented brake lights are actuated as metered increase of operator input to indicate the relative degree of applied braking force as will be evident to the visual interpretation thereof.
US07710251B2
A wireless sensing system and method for wireless sensor interrogation are disclosed. The wireless sensing system includes a plurality of radio frequency sensors distributed within a predefined area, a forward communication link with an energizer coupled to a transmission cable. The energizer is adapted to provide radio frequency signals intended for the plurality of radio frequency sensors to the transmission cable. The transmission cable is adapted as a leaky waveguide antenna selectively slotted and routed within the predefined area for effective air linking of leaked radio frequency signals to the plurality of wireless sensors. The method for wireless sensor interrogation includes providing a plurality of radio frequency sensors distributed within a predefined area, providing a forward communication link including an energizer coupled to a transmission cable, routing the transmission cable through the predefined area in proximity to the plurality of radio frequency sensors, selectively slotting the transmission cable in regions proximate the plurality of radio frequency sensors, transmitting radio frequency signals through the transmission cable, and air linking radio frequency signals to the plurality of radio frequency sensors through the slotted regions proximate the plurality of sensors.
US07710246B2
A vehicle driving assist system including a front-side environment recognizing unit for generating distance information of a front-side environment, a visual line position detecting unit for detecting a driver's visual line position, and a gazing distance estimating unit for estimating a driver's gazing distance on the basis of the distance information and the visual line position.
US07710243B2
Disclosed is a driver-assistance vehicle including one or more lighting members which are placed within peripheral vision of a driver and which are arranged on respective sides of the vehicle. Furthermore, the driver-assistance vehicle includes a vehicle behavior sensing unit for predicting or sensing a state of the vehicle, and a light controller for controlling the lighting members, based on the sensed state. With this driver-assistance vehicle, the driver can be assisted in distributing his attention.
US07710241B2
A mobile communication terminal and method for providing an RFID technique is provided. The terminal includes an RFID reader unit for receiving identification information from an RFID tag and a controller for detecting a pre-set theme corresponding to the identification information and outputting a control signal based on the detected theme.
US07710239B2
Remote communication devices (i.e., radio frequency identification (RFID) tag) and systems for communicating between one or more RFID tags and a reader using a frequency modulation method to encode binary data are disclosed herein. For example, a remote communication device includes an antenna operable to receive and backscatter a carrier signal, wherein the backscattered carrier signal further comprises a secondary signal within an identification bandwidth. The remote communication device also includes a signal processing circuit coupled to the antenna, the signal processing circuit comprising at least one encoding circuit operable to encode binary data into the backscattered carrier signal by periodically modulating the frequency of the secondary signal from one encoding frequency to another one of 2n+1 encoding frequencies within the identification bandwidth, wherein n is an integer greater than or equal to 1.
US07710234B2
An embodiment is a magnetic via. More specifically, an embodiment is a magnetic via that increases the inductance of, for example, an integrated inductor or transformer while mitigating eddy currents therein that may limit the operation of the inductor or transformer at high frequency.
US07710222B2
A signal input/output line 101 is used for input and output of a signal. A first resonating part 102 is connected to the signal input/output line 101 at one end and is opened at the other end. A second resonating part 103 is connected to a ground conductor 105 at one end and is opened at the other end. A connecting line 104 has a predetermined length and is connected to a point of connection between the signal input/output line 101 and the first resonating part 102 at one end and is connected to a predetermined point on the second resonating part 103 at the other end.
US07710221B2
In an elastic wave device including an input side electrode and an output side electrode being a resonant single-phase unidirectional transducers (RSPUDT) provided with respective pairs of bus bars opposing to each other on a piezoelectric substrate and a number of excitation electrode fingers extending in a comb-teeth shape so as to respectively cross each other from the respective bus bars, the elastic waves are repeatedly reflected and amplified between the central part of the input side electrode and the central part of the output side electrode along the direction of extension of the respective bus bars by the excitation electrode fingers of the input side electrode and the output side excitation electrode, the elastic wave device includes a damper at least on either one of the input side bus bar or the output side bus bar in an area between the central part of the input side electrode in the direction of movement of the elastic waves and the central part of the output side electrode in the direction of movement of the elastic waves so that the energy leaked out into the bus bar is absorbed.
US07710220B2
A surface acoustic wave device includes a base portion that surrounds a surface acoustic wave element and is made of a resin, and a cap portion that is adhered onto the base portion so that a cavity sealing the surface acoustic wave element is formed, and is made of a resin. At least one of an adhering face of the base portion and an adhering face of the cap portion adhering the base portion and the cap portion is subjected to a grain finish or a dull finish. A convex portion is provided inside of the adhering face that is of one of the base portion and the cap portion adhered to the other.
US07710219B2
A multiplexer circuit may include a first-frequency-quarter-wavelength transmission line extending between a junction between a common terminal and a second-frequency terminal, and a first-frequency low-impedance circuit electrically directly connecting the first transmission line to a circuit ground. In some examples, a second-frequency-quarter-wavelength transmission line may extend between the first transmission line and a third-frequency terminal. A second-frequency low-impedance circuit may electrically directly connect the second transmission line to the circuit ground. The first and second transmission lines and the first and second low-impedance circuits may provide a third-frequency transmission line. A further second-frequency low-impedance circuit may electrically couple the second terminal to the first transmission line. A third-frequency low-impedance circuit may electrically couple the second terminal to the circuit ground. The first-frequency, further second-frequency, and third-frequency low-impedance circuits and the first transmission line may provide in combination a second-frequency transmission line.
US07710217B2
There is provided a matching circuit, in which a main-matching block and a sub-matching block are connected in series. The sub-matching block includes: a series matching block of which one end is connected to the main-matching block; and a parallel matching network connected to the other end of the series matching block. At a first frequency f1, the connection point of the series matching block and a first parallel matching block is caused to be in an open state for a radio-frequency signal, and the connection point of the first parallel matching block and the second parallel matching block is caused to be in a short state for the radio-frequency signal. Impedance matching is performed by the main-matching block and the series matching block at the first frequency f1, and is performed by the main-matching block and the sub-matching block at the second frequency f2.
US07710209B2
A digital controller for dc-dc switching converters can operate under light load conditions. The controller can be suitable for the use in switch-mode power supplies providing regulated output voltage for handheld devices and other low-power electronics. To create long time intervals, compared to the propagation time of digital logic a DPFM/DPAM can use a ring oscillator with two sets of delay cells and two signals racing around the ring.
US07710207B2
A voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) with improved frequency characteristics is provided. The VCO includes a converting circuit supplied between a bias voltage and a ground voltage for converting the control voltage into a control current, a replica bias circuit coupled to the converting circuit for providing a swing voltage, and a ring oscillating circuit coupled to the replica bias circuit having at least two delay units coupled in series for successively delaying an input signal as the oscillating signal after a period of delay time.
US07710204B2
A radio frequency device comprises a radio frequency (RF) power amplifier (PA) operably coupled to a protection circuit for minimising voltage standing wave ratio effects, wherein the protection circuit comprises a current limiter indexed to a power supplied to the RF PA.In this manner, the protection circuit combines detection of both current and voltage increase in order to provide a direct feedback on the final RF PA stage via a bias control.
US07710202B2
An amplifier includes a carrier amplifier which performs signal amplification at all times, a peak amplifier which operates only at a time when the high electric power is outputted, a combiner which combines the output from the carrier amplifier and the peak amplifier, and a distributor which distributes an input signal to the carrier amplifier and the peak amplifier. The carrier amplifier and the peak amplifier are included in a single package transistor.
US07710201B2
A power amplifier circuit includes a first variable gain amplifier for amplifying an input signal, a second variable gain amplifier for amplifying an output signal of the first amplifier, and a control circuit for controlling the gain of the first variable gain amplifier based on the output signal of the first variable gain amplifier and the gain of the second variable gain amplifier.
US07710199B2
A method and apparatus is provided for use in power amplifiers for reducing the peak voltage that transistors are subjected to. A power amplifier is provided with first and second switching devices and an inductor connected between the switching devices. The switching devices are driven such that the switching devices are turned on and off during the same time intervals. Differential RF power amplifiers are also provided with inductive networks coupled at various nodes of the power amplifiers. In some examples, techniques are used to stabilize differential power amplifiers by stabilizing common-mode feedback loops.
US07710198B2
In one aspect, a resistor process invariant transconductor is provided. The transconductor comprises a voltage input configured to receive at least one voltage signal, a current output configured to provide at least one current signal, wherein a ratio between the at least one voltage signal and the least one current signal forms a total transconductance for the transconductor, and a circuit including at least one integrated resistor connected between the voltage input and the current output, the circuit adapted to maintain the total transconductance substantially constant across variation of the at least one integrated resistor.
US07710196B2
An AC differential connection assembly between a trans-impedance amplifier and a post amplifier for burst mode receiving comprising means for coupling a differential output of the trans-impedance amplifier to a differential input of the post amplifier, the means for coupling comprises a coupling capacitor assembly; and a switching circuit coupled across the differential input of the post amplifier, the switching circuit having an ‘on’ state with low impedance and an ‘off’ state with high impedance; wherein during burst mode receiving, the switching circuit is in the ‘off’ state and the coupling capacitor assembly having a time constant to maintain a stable DC level such that a payload is received accurately by the differential input of the post amplifier; and during an idle period, the switching circuit is in the ‘on’ state and the coupling capacitor assembly having a time constant to recover a DC level of the differential output of the trans-impedance amplifier.
US07710188B1
AFE circuitry handles both voltage and current input signals. In one embodiment, both a voltage path and a current path are provided from the input. Switching circuitry selects one of the paths. A switch also turns on or off a current-to-voltage conversion circuit used to convert a current input into a voltage. In one embodiment, noise is significantly reduced by using a dedicated ground pin or terminal for the negative reference of a differential circuit. This applies the same external board noise, which is on the input signal, to the negative reference, so the noise is canceled in the differential signal. In one embodiment, temperature compensation is provided via an IPTAT circuit which is used to shift the voltage up in order to balance the decrease in DC voltage with increasing temperature.
US07710169B2
A semiconductor integrated circuit according to the invention has a plurality of output transistors connected to an output terminal through which output data is outputted, and an impedance control circuit and a slew rate control circuit. The impedance control circuit generates control signals specifying output transistors to be turned on when the output data is output, from among the plurality of output transistors. The slew rate control circuit generates, according to the control signals, drive signals driving the output transistors to be turned on, and variably sets respective delay times of the drive signals according to the control signals.
US07710168B2
A circuit for reducing EMI is provided. The circuit includes driver circuitry that drives a power switch, such as a power MOSFET. The power switch provides an output voltage. The circuit decreases the drive strength by which the power switch is driven during each output edge (i.e. when the output goes from low to high (rising edge) or high to low (falling edge)), and returns the drive strength to its normal level when the output edge is complete or approximately complete. Reducing the drive strength of the driver circuitry causes the output edge to occur over a longer period of time. This results in reduction of the EMI of the device.
US07710163B2
An interface such a PCI-E interface may comprise a transmitter and a compensation circuit. In one embodiment, the transmitter may comprise a transmit driver, which may use a push-pull configuration. The transmit driver may require stable voltages such as (Vdd/2+0.25) and (Vdd/2−0.25) Volts. The compensation circuit may comprise a voltage generator circuit and a dummy driver circuit. The dummy driver may be a replica of the transmit driver. A correction module may generate correction factors based on the deviation of the voltages generated by the dummy driver from the voltages generated by the voltage generator. The voltages provided to the transmit driver are corrected based on the correction factors to compensate for the deviation.
US07710161B1
A digital circuit is disclosed for detecting clock activity in an integrated circuit (IC) device. In one implementation, a clock detection circuit can include two flip flops. A first flip flop detects activity on the clock being tested (e.g., the flip flop is set when a positive clock edge is detected). A second flip flop is coupled to the output of first flip flop and is operable by an enable signal to sample the output of the first flip flop. The output of the second flip flop is asserted as active, when a positive clock edge occurs between the release of the reset signal on the first flip flop and the assertion of the enable signal on the second flip flop. In some implementations, one or more additional flips can be interposed between the first and second flips to control metastability.
US07710147B1
Techniques and circuitry provide fast, accurate, proper, and reliable transfer of configuration data from an on-chip nonvolatile memory to the programmable logic core of a programmable logic integrated circuit. A first technique includes not allowing the programmable logic to be configured until the data held in the on-chip nonvolatile memory can be read correctly and reliably. A second technique includes verifying the configuration data is transferred from the nonvolatile memory to the programmable logic core correctly and without error during the transfer process. These two techniques may be combined or used individually during the configuration of an integrated circuit.
US07710144B2
A memory interface device, system, method, and design structure for controlling for variable impedance and voltage in a memory system are provided. The memory interface device includes a calibration cell configurable to adjust an output impedance relative to an external reference resistor, and driver circuitry including multiple positive drive circuits and multiple negative drive circuits coupled to a driver output in a memory system. The memory interface device further includes impedance control logic to adjust the output impedance of the calibration cell and selectively enable the positive and negative drive circuits as a function of a drive voltage and a target impedance.
US07710136B2
An integrated circuit (1) comprises a monitor (M1, M3, M3) operable to produce monitor data in dependence upon a measured parameter of the integrated circuit (1); and a self test controller (28) connected to receive monitor data from the monitor (M1, M2, M3). The self-test controller is also operable to output self test data from the integrated circuit. The monitor includes an output shift register (SR1, SR2, SR3) and is operable to output monitor data through the shift register (SR1, SR2, SR3). Such a system enables simplified communication of system self test results on an integrated circuit.
US07710135B2
A probe card registration method is for registering a probe card for use in inspecting electrical characteristics of a target object in a probe apparatus for performing the inspecting. The probe card registration method includes detecting a height of a load sensor provided at a mounting table for mounting thereon the target object by using a first imaging unit disposed above the mounting table; contacting the load sensor with a probe by moving the load sensor by the mounting table; and stopping the movement of the load sensor when the load sensor starts to make contact with the probe. The method further includes calculating a height of a needle of the probe based on a height of the load sensor and a stop height thereof.
US07710133B2
Disclosed is a method of testing electrical characteristics of a semiconductor device having a ball-shaped external electrode. The method comprises preparing a plurality of cantilever-type contactors each supported by a support plate at a given position, and formed in such a manner that a tip thereof has a flat surface with an arc-shaped edge in an outer peripheral region thereof, and a cross-sectional diameter in a vicinity of the tip is greater than a radius of the ball-shaped external electrode, and pairing the cantilever-type contactors to provide paired two contactors. The method includes the steps of: pressing either one of the support plate and the semiconductor device toward the other in such a manner that the arc-shaped edges of the paired two contactors are brought into contact with respective ones of two surface regions of the ball-shaped external electrode divided by an axis of the ball-shaped external electrode passing through a middle point between the two positions where the paired two contactors are supported, so as to form Kelvin contacts; and further overly driving either one of the support plate and the semiconductor device relative to the other in such a manner that the arc-shaped edges of the paired two contactors are slidingly moved along respective ones of the two surface regions of the ball-shaped external electrode to perform a wiping operation.
US07710132B2
A method for manufacturing a conductive film as well as the structure thereof and a probe card using the same are provided in the invention. The conductive film is substantially a stacked structure of a specific thickness formed by the adhering and stacking of at least a substrate in a vacuum environment by the use of surface processing and mechanical healing whereas each substrate has an array of metal micro-threads formed thereon, in which the plural metal micro-threads, each being wrapped in an insulating film, are arranged on the substrate to form the array in a unidirectional and single-layered manner by the use of a LIGA process and polymer thin film technology. In an exemplary embodiment, the insulating film can be a polymer thin film of high dielectric constant, being made of a material such as polydimethylsiloxane (PDMA) or polyimide (PI); and the metal micro-thread is made of a high conductivity and high strength Ni—Co alloy. Moreover, the so-formed conductive film can be cut into any desired dimensions by the use of an energy beam, such as laser beam, ion beam and plasma beam, etc. while combining the conductive film with a panel so as to be used for forming a probe card with large area detection ability that is low-cost, ease-to-maintain and capable of being adapted for wafers of various bonding pad arrangements.
US07710126B2
A capacitance type sensor good in operability and less in erroneous operation is provided. Switches SW1-SW4 are formed between a displacement electrode 40 and switch electrodes E11-E14 kept at a predetermined potential and grounded switch electrodes E15-E18. Switches SW11-SW14 and SW51-SW55 are connected to respective capacitance electrodes E1-E4 that cooperate with the displacement electrode 40 to form capacitance elements. A decision circuit judges states of the switches SW1-SW4. When at least one of the switches SW1-SW4 is off, an X-axial output is calculated based on the capacitance values of the capacitance elements C1 and C2, and a Y-axial output is calculated based on the capacitance values of the capacitance elements C3 and C4. When any of the switches SW1-SW4 is on, a Z-axial output is calculated based on the sum of the capacitance values of the capacitance elements C1 to C4.
US07710124B2
A method and apparatus for detecting a predetermined condition of a panel by transmitting a cyclically-repeating energy wave through the material (41) of the panel from first location (43a) to a second location (43b); measuring the transit time of the cyclically-repeating energy wave from the first location to the second location; and utilizing the measured transit time to detect the predetermined condition including the force on, the temperature of, a deformation in, the fatigue condition of, or a fracture in, structural panel, the presence of a force applied to, water on, or breakage in of the panel.
US07710121B2
This invention provides an electric fuel pump tester that allows a technician to simulate the real-life operation of the electrical system of the vehicle, i.e., when the fuel pump is installed. The present invention provides a tester that includes a load that is similar to that of an installed fuel pump. In this manner, a technician may monitor simulated real-life operation of the vehicle's electrical system.
US07710111B2
The present invention nondestructively analyzes the position or corrosion state of a magnetic material present in the interior of a non-magnetic material structure. The magnetic material is magnetized from the outside of the structure, and magnetic flux density of the thus-magnetized magnetic material is measured at the outside of the structure, to thereby specify the position of the magnetic material or to analyze the corrosion state of the magnetic material. The magnetic material is magnetized in two stages. After the position of the magnetic material magnetized through first-stage magnetization is specified through measurement of magnetic flux density of the magnetic material, the magnetic material is demagnetized through application of an alternating magnetic field. After second-stage magnetization is performed at a position facing the thus-specified magnetic material position, magnetic flux density of the thus-magnetized magnetic material is measured, to thereby analyze the corrosion state of the magnetic material.
US07710107B2
A device and method for disclosing position of a positionable input by positioning the input over a range of positions to cause the magnitude of the directional component of a vector representing a field or force produced by a source to change from a reference magnitude or reference direction as the input is being positioned while an electric circuit that contains a sensor for sensing the directional component is changing the value of an electric signal for restoring the magnitude of the directional component being sensed by the sensor to the reference magnitude or reference direction, and using the value of the electric signal to disclose the position of the input.
US07710105B2
A method of testing power-on reset circuitry in an integrated circuit comprises establishing the a first state of the integrated circuit that is different from a normal reset state of the circuit, lowering the VCC power supply voltage from a normal high operating level VH to a specified lower level VP then raising it back to the normal high level, then determining whether or not the integrated circuit has assumed the reset state. The testing can repeated with a plurality of lower VCC levels VP and under a variety of operating conditions to characterize resetting parameters and to designate pass/fail results for individual chips. If an AC voltage detector is part of the power-on reset circuitry, then it can tested separately, and DC testing occurs with very slow ramp rates for lowering and raising the power supply voltage.
US07710104B2
A load measuring circuit including a cable including first and second conductors and a shielding. The conductors are connected by a first end thereof to a load, the shielding is not connected to a ground at the end, and the conductors are connected to a generator by the second end thereof. A transformer includes a first winding connected to a conductor on the second end of the cable, a second winding is connected between a ground and the shielding on the second end of the cable, and a third winding is connected to a current measuring member.
US07710094B1
A power converter has a power transistor driving a power current through an inductor to provide a controlled power-supply voltage. The power transistor is on during a first state but off during a second state when a sink transistor reduces the power current through the inductor. Both voltage sensing of the power-supply voltage and current sensing at the power transistor provide feedback to control the amount of time that the first state is active, and thus control the power current. Current sensing is provided by a smaller minor transistor in parallel with the power transistor. The minor transistor turns on after the power transistor to reduce disturbance spikes. Switches connect sources of the power and mirror transistors to an amplifier that drives a sensing transistor. The sensing transistor generates a sensing voltage from the mirror transistor source. During the second state the amplifier's inputs are equalized to provide fast response.
US07710093B2
A driver for a power converter, method of driving a switch thereof, and a power converter employing the same. In one embodiment, the driver includes switching circuitry referenced to a voltage level and configured to provide a drive signal for a switch referenced to another voltage level and subject to a control voltage limit. In a related, but alternative embodiment, the driver is employable with a power converter couplable to a source of electrical power adapted to provide an input voltage thereto. The power converter includes a power train having a switch referenced to the input voltage and subject to a control voltage limit. The driver includes switching circuitry referenced to a voltage level different from the input voltage and configured to provide a drive signal for the switch within the control voltage limit of the switch.
US07710079B2
A power manager is configured to manage power for a battery-powered application. A power source, a load and a battery are interconnected through a circuit path. Power from the power source is provided to the load and battery by a switching regulator. Various implementations are presented.
US07710078B2
A battery charger and method for charging a battery are provided. The method includes comparing a battery temperature with an environmental temperature, charging the battery in a normal charge state if the battery temperature is greater than the environmental temperature and charging the battery in a warm charge state if the battery temperature is not greater than the environmental temperature. The method further includes monitoring a difference between the battery temperature and the environmental temperature when charging in the warm charge state, and switching from the warm charge state to the normal charge state when the difference between the battery temperature and the environmental temperature is within a predetermined range.
US07710076B2
A back-gate voltage generator circuit generating a back-gate voltage of a four-terminal back gate switching MOSFET for charge and discharge control is disclosed. The back-gate voltage generator circuit includes first and second n-type MOSFETs connected in series through a common source electrode. A voltage at the common source electrode of the first and second n-type MOSFETS connected in series serves as the back-gate voltage of the four-terminal back gate switching MOSFET, and the back-gate voltage is used as a reference voltage for generating signals for controlling the first and second n-type MOSFETS.
US07710071B2
A portable electrical device requiring periodic recharging mates with a corresponding charging device by dropping or placing the portable device on or in the charger without pre-alignment by the user. The charger-to-device interface self aligns the portable electrical device in the charger for charging. Preferably, the charger is a bowl-shaped cradle. The portable device sinks to the bottom of the bowl using the force of gravity and thus aligns the contacts for recharging. Optional magnets may provide additional force to guide alignment.
US07710069B2
The present invention is directed to a method of (1) providing continuous monitoring of various operating and environmental characteristics using RFID technology or similar wireless technology and (2) capturing data on historical events that have occurred on the circuits used for the transmission and distribution of electric power. The invention has the additional capability to communicate the information to operators at the site, in remote locations, or to other equipment (peer to peer). The invention provides a low cost method and apparatus to monitor and store operating characteristics and events on the electric power distribution circuit. The information can be used to reduce the duration of outages, for improving system reliability, to study the impact on the power grid of various environmental factors, to enhance the ability to react to operating conditions such as overloads, etc.
US07710059B2
A method of optimizing a servo controller power required in the operation of two-dimensional flexure (Microelectronic Memory Storage) MEMS devices. Furthermore, provided is an arrangement for optimizing servo controller power in a two-dimensional flexure MEMS storage device through a utilization of the inventive method.
US07710053B2
A motor driving apparatus including inverter apparatuses, inverter control circuits, and a plurality of inverter control apparatuses for performing variable-speed driving of a single motor, breakers each of which being provided between each inverter apparatus and the motor, the inverter control circuits being connected in parallel to each other. Here, a motor rotation frequency/phase detection circuit of each inverter control circuit is set up on a closer side to the motor than the breakers, then frequency and phase of a terminal voltage at the motor are detected and inputted into failure-time input frequency/phase setting circuits regardless of close/open of each breaker. This feature allows computation by the failure-time input frequency/phase setting circuits to be carried out at all times, thereby making it possible to shorten a computation time needed for computing inverter-apparatus start frequency/phase.
US07710051B2
A compact accelerator system having an integrated particle generator-linear accelerator with a compact, small-scale construction capable of producing an energetic (˜70-250 MeV) proton beam or other nuclei and transporting the beam direction to a medical therapy patient without the need for bending magnets or other hardware often required for remote beam transport. The integrated particle generator-accelerator is actuable as a unitary body on a support structure to enable scanning of a particle beam by direction actuation of the particle generator-accelerator.
US07710050B2
A novel and advantageous power supply is disclosed for lighting systems employing semiconductor light sources where the semiconductor light sources are connected in series. The power supply includes a constant current source to supply current to the semiconductor light sources and a bypass switch is provided around each semiconductor light source, or each sub-string of series connected semiconductor light sources. By opening or closing respective bypass switches, individual semiconductor light sources or sub-strings of semiconductor light sources can be illuminated or extinguished as desired. If the bypass switches are electrically controllable, such as semiconductor switches or relays, failures of one or more semiconductor light sources can be determined by the power supply and failed light sources can be bypassed and/or redundant semiconductor elements illuminated to replace failed light sources. Further, if the bypass switches are semiconductor switches, the power supply can employ pulse width modulation techniques to dim one or more semiconductor light sources as desired.
US07710040B2
An array of ultra-small structures of between ones of nanometers to hundreds of micrometers in size that can be energized to produce at least two different frequencies of out put energy or data, with the ultra small structures being formed on a single conductive layer on a substrate. The array can include one row of different ultra small structures, multiple rows of ultra small structures, with each row containing identical structures, or multiple rows of a variety of structures that can produce all spectrums of energy or combinations thereof, including visible light.
US07710034B2
A chassis for a plasma display module and a plasma display module having the same are disclosed. In one embodiment, the chassis for a plasma display module includes: a chassis base supporting a plasma display panel for displaying an image using a gas discharge and formed of plastics, and a metallic material distributed in each portion of the chassis base in different densities so that thermal conductivity can be different in each portion of the chassis base.
US07710031B2
A lens array sheet having a plurality of pyramid-shaped projections or recesses on a surface of its transparent base material film, particularly suitable to be used as a light condensing plate of an organic electroluminescence element is provided.
US07710025B2
In an organic EL device having a first electrode of a light reflective material, organic layer including an organic light emitting layer, semitransparent reflection layer, and second electrode of a transparent material that are stacked sequentially, and so configured that the organic layer functions as a cavity portion of a cavity structure, light that resonates in a certain spectral width (wavelength λ) is extracted by so configuring that optical path length L becomes minimum in a range satisfying (2L)/λ+Φ((2π)=m (m is an integer) where the phase shift produced in light generated in the organic light emitting layer when reflected by opposite ends of the cavity portion is Φ radians, L is optical path length of the cavity portion, and λ is the peak wavelength of the spectrum of part of light to be extracted.
US07710024B2
An organic light emitting display device and a method of fabricating the same are provided. The device includes: a substrate having a first pixel region, a second pixel region and a third pixel region; a first electrode disposed on the substrate; an organic emission layer disposed on the first electrode; a second electrode disposed on the organic emission layer; and a first organic layer and a second organic layer disposed between the first electrode and the organic emission layer. The first organic layer and the second organic layer have a combined thickness of approximately 500 to 700 Å or approximately 2000 to 2400 Å in the first pixel region, approximately 1600 to 2000 Å in the second pixel region, and approximately 200 to 400 Å in the third pixel region.
US07710020B2
An organic electroluminescence device and a method for reducing lateral current leakage thereof are provided. The organic electroluminescence device comprises a cathode, an anode, and an organic electroluminescence unit disposed therebetween. The organic electroluminescence unit comprises a light-emitting layer and a hole-injecting layer (HIL). The HIL possesses a sufficient resistance achieved by adjusting the thickness of the HIL and/or the concentration(s) and/or species of the conductive dopant(s) in the HIL.
US07710018B2
A substrate for a light-emitting element based on an organic light-emitting material and a method of manufacturing the same are provided. The substrate can be manufactured at low cost and has long lifespan, and an organic material used on the substrate and has high electrical conductivity. The substrate for a light-emitting element includes a base substrate with metal layer formed on the base substrate and a conductive polymer layer disposed on the metal layer.
US07710015B2
An aperture LAR of a light-emitting portion is changed in diameter (size) from the center portion of a screen to the peripheral portion thereof. In this manner, any displacement observed between the aperture LAR and a vapor deposition region VAR of an organic EL material is controlled. The aperture LAR is preferably larger in size at the center portion of the screen, and smaller in the peripheral portion thereof. As such, a light-emitting layer is vapor-deposited on a substrate correctly for every pixel so that a high-quality self-emitting display including organic EL display can de derived.
US07710009B2
A dispenser cathode which comprises an emission surface, a reservoir for material releasing, when heated, work-function-lowering particles, and at least one passage for allowing diffusion of work-function-lowering particles from said reservoir to said emission surface, said emission surface comprising at least one emission area and at least one non-emission area covered with emission-suppressing material and surrounding each emission area, said non-emission area comprising at least one passage connecting said reservoir with said non-emission area and debouching within a diffusion length distance from an emission area for allowing diffusion of work-function-lowering particles from said reservoir to said emission area.
US07710005B2
An optical filter of a plasma display panel (PDP) and its fabrication method are disclosed. The optical filter includes an electromagnetic wave shield layer having a bias angle formed by cutting a mesh film along a predetermined direction.
US07710000B2
The present invention, in one set of embodiments, provides methods and systems for integrating conducting diamond electrodes into a high power acoustic resonator. More specifically, but not by way of limitation, in certain embodiments of the present invention, diamond electrodes may be integrated into a high power acoustic resonator to provide a robust sensing device that may provide for acoustic cleaning of the electrodes and increasing the rate of mass transport to the diamond electrodes. The diamond electrodes may be used as working, reference or counter electrodes or a combination of two or more of such electrodes. In certain aspects, the high power acoustic resonator may include an acoustic horn for focusing acoustic energy and the diamond electrodes may be coupled with the acoustic horn.
US07709998B2
A plurality of exchangeable, different piezoelectric pressure sensors (4) comprise integrated SAW elements (60) as identification units whose identification data can be read by an interrogation unit (3) via a common connection cable (61). The analysis unit (2) for the measurement signals and the interrogation unit (3) for the identification data can be connected by a common coupling unit (5) to the connection cable (61). The coupling unit (5) has a coupling capacity (6) which connects with high frequency the interrogation unit (3) to the signal line of the connection cable (61), as well as a coupling inductance (7) which connects with low frequency the load amplifier (1) of the analysis unit (2) to the connection cable (61), thus neatly separating the useful signal from the identification signal and keeping a high-impedance measurement chain from the sensor (4) to the input of the load amplifier (1). An SFSCW radar can further be used to improve interrogation of the identification data.
US07709997B2
A piezoelectric transducer formed of a body of piezoelectric material having first and second opposed sides and first and second electrically conductive layers on the first and second sides respectively of the piezoelectric body, wherein the piezoelectric body and the electrically conductive layers are so constructed that they form a plurality of separate adjacent series-connected transducer elements. A method of manufacturing such a transducer is also disclosed. The piezoelectric body may have a substantially uniform direction of polarization, or alternating zones of opposite polarization. The conductive layers may be continuous or discontinuous, together forming isolated electrode pairs to define the individual transducer elements. The elements can be hard wired or connected through a switching circuit to display either circumferential or axial or other ultrasonic focal patterns, and may be connected in a parallel, rather than a series configuration. When connected in series, advantageously higher impedance can be obtained, compared to the parallel configuration.
US07709988B2
An electrical machine to facilitate transporting fluids through a pipeline is provided. The electrical machine includes a rotor assembly that further includes an array of magnets configured to generate a distributed magnetic field. The rotor assembly has corrosion-resistant features that facilitates mitigating deleterious effects to the rotor assembly while being exposed to aggressive and harsh fluids.
US07709960B2
A high tensile stress capping layer on Cu interconnects in order to reduce Cu transport and atomic voiding at the Cu/dielectric interface. The high tensile dielectric film is formed by depositing multiple layers of a thin dielectric material, each layer being under approximately 50 angstroms in thickness. Each dielectric layer is plasma treated prior to depositing each succeeding dielectric layer such that the dielectric cap has an internal tensile stress.
US07709959B2
An article includes a substrate and a metal layer adhered to a surface of the substrate so as to form an interface. The interface comprises an atomic concentration of carbon that is about 10% or less and of oxygen that is about 10% or less as determined by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy.
US07709958B2
One or more embodiments of the present invention relate to structures obtained by methods (a) for growing a film by an intermixing growth process, or (b) by depositing a film, which film includes chalcogenides of copper and/or silver (but excluding oxides), such as, for example, copper sulfide (CuSX and/or Cu2SX, where 0.7≦X≦1.3; and X=1.0 for stoichiometric compounds).
US07709954B2
In an example embodiment, there is a method for packaging an integrated circuit device (IC) having a circuit pattern (305) in a wafer-level chip-scale (WLCS) package (300). The method includes depositing a metal layer (5, 10, 15) on a first dielectric layer (315) and filling (20) in bond pad openings (310) and bump pad openings (330); the metal layer (360) has atop (340) and bottom (360) layer. In the metal layer (360), bond pad connections (310) and bump pad connections (330) are defined (25, 30) by removing the top layer of metal in areas other than at bond pad openings (310) and bump pad openings (330), and leaving the bottom layer (360) of metal in areas without bond pad or bump pad connections. In the bottom metal layer, connection traces between the bond pad and bump pad are defined (35, 40). A second organic dielectric layer (325) is deposited (45) on the silicon substrate (305), enveloping the circuit pattern. The second organic dielectric layer is removed (50) from the bump pad connections exposing the bump pads (330).
US07709951B2
Methods, apparatus and assemblies for enhancing heat transfer in electronic components using a flexible thermal pillow. The flexible thermal pillow has a thermally conductive material sealed between top and bottom conductive layers, with the bottom layer having a flexible reservoir residing on opposing sides of a central portion of the pillow that has a gap. The pillow may have roughened internal surfaces to increase an internal surface area within the pillow for enhanced heat dissipation. In an electronic assembly, the central portion of the pillow resides between a heat sink and heat-generating component for the thermal coupling there-between. During thermal cycling, the flexible reservoir of the pillow expands to retain thermally conductive material extruded from the gap, and then contracts to force such extruded material back into the gap. An external pressure source may contact the pillow for further forcing the extruded thermally conductive material back into the gap.
US07709949B2
A method of patterning a metal layer in a semiconductor die comprises forming a mask on the metal layer to define an open region and a dense region. The method further comprises etching the metal layer at a first etch rate to form a number of metal segments in the open region and etching the metal layer at a second etch rate to form a number of metal segments in the dense region, where the first etch rate is approximately equal to the second etch rate. The method further comprises performing a number of strip/passivate cycles to remove a polymer formed on sidewalls of the metal segments in the dense region. The sidewalls of the metal segments in the dense region undergo substantially no undercutting and residue is removed from the sidewalls of the metal segments in the dense region.
US07709948B2
Disclosed is an organic light-emitting display device preventing an infiltration of oxygen, moisture, etc. The organic light-emitting display device of the present invention comprises: a first substrate comprising a pixel region wherein a pixel is formed and a non-pixel region excepting the pixel region; a second substrate opposed and bonded to the first substrate in one region comprising the pixel region; a frit positioned between the non-pixel region and the second substrate to bond the first substrate and the second substrate; and at least one metal line formed on the first substrate to be overlapped with a portion of the frit, wherein the side of the metal line is bent and formed at a predetermined angle in the intersecting region overlapped with the frit.
US07709945B2
A multichip sensor includes an element chip having a detection element of a sensor; a signal-processing IC chip having a signal-processing IC for processing an output signal of the detection element; and a package adapted to accommodate at least the element chip and the signal-processing IC chip and having a surface to be mounted on an ECU board. The plane of the element chip and the surface to be mounted on the ECU board are perpendicular to each other. The plane of the signal-processing IC chip, which is greater than the element chip, and the surface to be mounted on the ECU board are in parallel with each other.
US07709940B2
A packaged die includes a substrate having an upper surface and a micro device on the upper surface and an encapsulation cover comprising one or more grooves on its lower surface. The lower surface of the encapsulation cover and the upper surface of the substrate are bonded together to form a plurality of air-tight closed-loop interfaces and encapsulate the micro device.
US07709939B2
A metal base circuit board to be used for a hybrid integrated circuit, including circuits provided on a metal plate via an insulating layer, a power semiconductor mounted on the circuit, and a control semiconductor to control the power semiconductor, provided on the circuit. A low capacitance portion is embedded under a circuit portion on which the control semiconductor is mounted, preferably. The low capacitance portion is made of a resin containing an inorganic filler and has a dielectric constant of from 2 to 9.
US07709927B2
A semiconductor device includes a sidewall oxide layer covering an inner wall of a trench, a nitride liner on the sidewall oxide layer and a gap-fill insulating layer filling the trench on the nitride liner. A first impurity doped oxide layer is provided at edge regions of both end portions of the sidewall oxide layer so as to extend from an entry of the trench adjacent to an upper surface of the substrate to the nitride liner. A dent filling insulating layer is provided on the nitride liner in the trench to protect a surface of the first impurity doped oxide layer. Related methods are also disclosed.
US07709920B2
A photodiode that can separately detect the intensities of the three wavelength ranges of ultraviolet light of 400 nm or below includes an insulating layer; and a plurality of silicon semiconductor layers having different thicknesses formed on the insulating layer, wherein each of the plurality of silicon semiconductor layers has a low-concentration diffusion layer formed by diffusing one of a P-type impurity or an N-type impurity therein with a low concentration; a P-type high-concentration diffusion layer formed by diffusing a P-type impurity therein with a high concentration; and an N-type high-concentration diffusion layer formed by diffusing an N-type impurity therein with a high concentration, and wherein the P-type high-concentration diffusion layer and the N-type high-concentration diffusion layer formed in a respective one of the plurality of silicon semiconductor layers are arranged to face each other with the low-concentration diffusion layer interposed there between.
US07709919B2
A solid-state image sensing device including an anti-reflection structure that uses polysilicon and a method of manufacturing the same, in which the solid-state image sensing device includes a photodiode region and a transistor region. The photodiode region includes a semiconductor substrate, a first anti-refection layer, a second anti-reflection layer, and a top layer. The first anti-reflection layer is formed on the semiconductor substrate, and the second anti-reflection layer is formed on the first anti-reflection layer. The top layer is formed on the second anti-reflection layer. Each of the semiconductor substrate and the second anti-reflection layer is formed of a first material, and each of the first anti-reflection layer and the top layer is formed of a second material different from the first material.
US07709918B2
A photoelectric conversion device is provided which is capable of improving the light condensation efficiency without substantially decreasing the sensitivity. The photoelectric conversion device has a first pattern provided above an element isolation region formed between adjacent two photoelectric conversion elements, a second pattern provided above the element isolation region and above the first pattern, and microlenses provided above the photoelectric conversion elements with the first and the second patterns provided therebetween. The photoelectric conversion device further has convex-shaped interlayer lenses in optical paths between the photoelectric conversion elements and the microlenses, the peak of each convex shape projecting in the direction from the electro-optical element to the microlens.
US07709899B2
A semiconductor apparatus is disclosed. The semiconductor apparatus comprises a substrate with a pad, an internal circuitry region, and a protection resistance formed on the substrate. The pad is connected to a first electrode of the protection resistance by wiring, the internal circuitry region is connected to a second electrode of the protection resistance by wiring, and the protection resistance protects the internal circuitry region from electrostatic discharging. The semiconductor apparatus is characterized in that the pad is placed between the protection resistance and the internal circuitry region.
US07709896B2
An ESD protection device includes a source region, a channel region adjacent the source region, and an elongated drain region spaced from the source region by the channel region. The elongated drain region includes an unsilicided portion adjacent the channel and a silicided portion spaced from channel region by the unsilicided portion. A first ESD region is located beneath the silicided portion of the elongated drain region and a second ESD region is located beneath the unsilicided portion of the elongated drain region, the second ESD region being spaced from the first ESD region.
US07709885B2
An access transistor for a resistance variable memory element and methods of forming the same are provided. The access transistor has first and second source/drain regions and a channel region vertically stacked over the substrate. The access transistor is associated with at least one resistance variable memory element.
US07709880B2
Field effect devices having a gate controlled via a nanotube switching element. Under one embodiment, a non-volatile transistor device includes a source region and a drain region of a first semiconductor type of material and each in electrical communication with a respective terminal. A channel region of a second semiconductor type of material is disposed between the source and drain region. A gate structure is disposed over an insulator over the channel region and has a corresponding terminal. A nanotube switching element is responsive to a first control terminal and a second control terminal and is electrically positioned in series between the gate structure and the terminal corresponding to the gate structure. The nanotube switching element is electromechanically operable to one of an open and closed state to thereby open or close an electrical communication path between the gate structure and its corresponding terminal. When the nanotube switching element is in the closed state, the channel conductivity and operation of the device is responsive to electrical stimulus at the terminals corresponding to the source and drain regions and the gate structure.
US07709878B2
A capacitor structure including a substrate, a butting conductive layer, a second dielectric layer, a plurality of openings, a bottom electrode layer, a capacitor dielectric layer, a top electrode layer, and a second metal interconnect layer is provided. The substrate has a first dielectric layer and a first metal interconnect layer located in the first dielectric layer in a non-capacitor region. The butting conductive layer is disposed over the first dielectric layer in a capacitor region. The second dielectric layer is disposed over the first dielectric layer and covers the butting conductive layer. The openings include a first opening exposing a portion of the butting conductive layer and a second opening exposing the first metal interconnect layer. The bottom electrode layer, the capacitor dielectric layer, and the top electrode layer are conformally stacked in the first opening sequentially. The second metal interconnect layer is disposed in the openings.
US07709873B2
An embodiment mitigates one or more of the limiting factors of fabricating polymer ferroelectric memory devices. For example, an embodiment reduces the degradation of the ferroelectric polymer due to the polymer's reaction with, and migration or diffusion of, adjacent metal electrode material. Further, the ferroelectric polymer is exposed to fewer potentially high temperature or high energy processes that may damage the polymer. An embodiment further incorporates an immobilized catalyst to improve the adhesion between adjacent layers, and particularly between the electrolessly plated electrodes and the ferroelectric polymer.
US07709872B2
Image sensor devices and methods for fabricating the same are provided. An exemplary embodiment of an image sensor device comprises a support substrate. A passivation structure is formed over the support substrate. An interconnect structure is formed over the passivation structure. A first semiconductor layer is formed over the interconnect structure, having a first and second surfaces, wherein the first and second surfaces are opposing surfaces. At least one light-sensing device is formed over/in the first semiconductor layer from a first surface thereof. A color filter layer is formed over the first semiconductor layer from a second surface thereof. At least one micro lens is formed over the color filter layer.
US07709869B2
A photoelectric conversion device comprises a photoelectric conversion unit, a floating diffusion region, a transfer transistor, and an output unit. A control electrode of the transfer transistor includes a first portion which extends along a channel width direction and overlaps a first boundary side when seen through from a direction perpendicular to a light receiving surface of the photoelectric conversion unit, and a second portion which extends along a channel length direction from one end of the first portion and overlaps a second boundary side when seen through from the direction perpendicular to the light receiving surface, and the control electrode of the transfer transistor has an L shape when viewed from the direction perpendicular to the light receiving surface.
US07709867B2
A spin MOS field effect transistor includes a source electrode and a drain electrode each having a structure obtained by stacking an impurity diffusion layer, a (001)-oriented MgO layer and a Heusler alloy. The impurity diffusion layer is formed in a surface region of a semiconductor layer. The (001)-oriented MgO layer is formed on the impurity diffusion layer. The Heusler alloy is formed on the MgO layer.
US07709858B2
A first region and a second region that has a defect density of which the value is higher than that of the first region are respectively formed so as to be aligned in stripe form in the direction parallel to the direction in which a dug out region extends, where atoms that terminate the surface of the first region are different from atoms that terminate the surface of the aforementioned second region, and the dug out region includes the first region and the second region.
US07709855B2
A light-emitting device includes a semiconductor light-emitting element arranged on a substrate having internal wiring, a reflector arranged around the semiconductor light-emitting element, and a light-emitting portion, filled in the reflector, having a phosphor which emits visible light when excited by light from the semiconductor light-emitting element. Electrical conduction to the light-emitting element is obtained via the internal wiring of the substrate and the reflector.
US07709851B2
A thin-film light-emitting diode chip, in which the distance between a mirror layer (4) and a light-generating active zone (3) is set in such a way that a radiation emitted by the active zone (3) interferes with a light reflected from the mirror layer (4), the internal quantum efficiency of the active zone (3) being influenced by this interference and the emission characteristic of the active zone (3) of at least one preferred direction thereby being obtained.
US07709848B2
A group III nitride semiconductor light emitting device according to the present invention includes an intermediate layer formed of AlxGa1-x-yInyN(0
US07709842B2
An organic electroluminescent display (“OELD”) includes an organic light-emitting diode (“OLED”), a circuit region, and an interlayer dielectric (“ILD”) layer. The OLED is disposed in each of a plurality of pixels arranged on a substrate. The circuit region includes two or more thin film transistors (“TFTs”) and a storage capacitor. The ILD layer has two or more insulating layers and includes a first region disposed between both electrodes of the storage capacitor and a second region covering the TFTs. At least one of the insulating layers has a window exposing the insulating layer directly beneath the at least one insulating layer so that that the ILD layer is thinner in the first region than in the second region. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce an occupation area of the storage capacitor while maintaining the necessary capacitance of the storage capacitor and expanding the area of the luminescent region.
US07709841B2
An island-like semiconductor layer is formed on a main surface of an insulating substrate. A side wall of the island-like semiconductor layer is made substantially perpendicular to the insulating substrate. An insulating film is formed along the side wall of the semiconductor layer. The insulating film is formed to include a slanted face and have a sectional shape in which a width measured from the side wall of the semiconductor layer decreases as a distance to a bottom increases. A gate insulating film can be formed on the semiconductor layer with good step coverage because of inclusion of the insulating film, to preclude a possibility of causing disconnection of a gate electrode. Also, a thickness of a portion of the semiconductor layer in which a channel region is formed is uniform, to obtain stable transistor characteristics.
US07709839B2
The invention provides an electronic device configured to prevent or reduce electrostatic discharge from causing a pixel to malfunction. An electronic device manufactured according to the principles of the invention may include multiple conductive layers that cross but do not contact each other, wherein at least one of the conductive layers includes a width change part having a width that changes in a length direction of the at least one of the conductive layers, and a tab connected to at least one of the conductive layers at a region thereof that does not cross a neighboring conductive layer. Alternatively, the width change part may have a width that continuously varies along a length of the at least one conductive layer and may also have obtuse corner edges. The invention also provides a flat organic electroluminescent display (OELD) or LCD display device that includes such an electronic device.
US07709835B2
Embodiments of the present invention provide a method that includes providing wafer including multiple cells, each cell including at least one emitter. The method further includes performing a lithographic operation in a word line direction of the wafer across the cells to form pre-heater element arrangements, performing a lithographic operation in a bit line direction of the wafer across the pre-heater element arrangements to form a pre-heater element adjacent each emitter, and performing a lithographic operation in the word line direction across a portion of the pre-heater elements to form a heater element adjacent each emitter. Other embodiments are also described.
US07709834B2
The present invention provides an organic thin film transistor substrate and a method of manufacturing the same capable of uniformly forming the thickness of a gate insulating layer and a protective layer and preventing overflow of an organic semiconductive layer.The organic thin film transistor according to the present invention comprises a gate line formed on a substrate; a data line which intersects the gate line with an organic gate insulating layer interposed therebetween to define a pixel area; a thin film transistor connected with the gate line and the data line and which includes an organic semiconductive layer; a pixel electrode connected with the thin film transistor and formed in the pixel area; an organic protective layer formed parallel with the gate line to cover the organic semiconductive layer and its peripheral area; a first border insulating layer stepwise formed so that the organic gate insulating layer and the protective layer are filled, and a second border insulating layer formed on the source electrode and the drain electrode of the thin film transistor so that the organic semiconductive layer is filled.
US07709832B2
A fluoranthene compound has 6 fused rings. An organic light-emitting element uses the fluoranthene compound.
US07709820B2
A window for a radiation detection system includes a frame with an aperture therein configured to receive radiation therethrough. A plurality of silicon ribs span the aperture and are carried by the frame. A coating substantially envelopes each of the plurality of silicon ribs. A thin film covers the aperture and is carried by the plurality of silicon ribs and is configured to pass radiation therethrough.
US07709807B2
A system and method are disclosed for producing a source of ions, and particularly, a focused ion beam. The system and method use a magneto-optical trap (MOT) to produce a population of neutral atoms. A laser is then utilized to ionize atoms and produce a population of ions. An extraction element is then used to transfer the ions so that they can be used in a wide array of applications.
US07709804B2
A radiation detector includes a substrate, a lower electrode disposed on the substrate, a radiation detecting layer formed on the upper surface of the lower electrode, an upper electrode formed on the upper surface of the radiation detecting layer, a protection layer which is formed on the upper electrode, whose end portion extends to an end surface of the substrate and which covers the upper electrode, and a reinforcement member which is formed from the lower surface of the substrate to the surface of the protection layer and which covers the end portion of the protection layer.
US07709802B2
A radiation detector includes two radiation conversion panels for detecting radiation image information representing a radiation image of a subject. A signal combination judging circuit judges a combination of two serial signals representing the detected radiation image information. Based on the judged combination, an amplitude/phase modulator modulates the serial signal into an amplitude-modulated signal and modulates the phase of the amplitude-modulated signal according to the other serial signal, generating an amplitude/phase-modulated signal. The amplitude/phase-modulated signal is transmitted through an optical fiber to a console.
US07709801B2
The present invention relates to a nuclear medicine diagnosis equipment comprising a scintillator block having a plurality of scintillators, the scintillator block having a plurality of scintillator arrays in a depth direction of an incident γ ray with different decay times for an emitted light pulse; an incidence timing calculating device for calculating an incident timing in the scintillator array; a scintillator array identifying device for identifying a scintillator array, in a plurality of arrays, that has received the electrical signal; and an incidence timing compensation device in a position arithmetic processing part for discriminating whether compensation for an incidence timing calculated by the incidence timing calculating device is to be done or not corresponding to a scintillator array identified by the scintillator array identification part.
US07709797B2
There is a need for a detection device which has high photoreceptive sensitivity in a generally wide frequency region including the infrared region. Therefore, in the present invention, by utilizing a phenomenon in which electric field strength is enhanced by surface plasmon resonance in a negative dielectric constant medium, a detection device is provided which has an electromagnetic wave detection portion disposed at a position where the electric field strength is large.
US07709792B2
Methods and apparatus for imaging a structure and a related processor-readable medium are disclosed. A surface of a substrate (or a portion thereof) is exposed to a gas composition. The gas composition includes one or more components that etch the substrate upon activation by interaction with a beam of electrons. A beam of electrons is directed to one or more portions of the surface of the substrate that are exposed to the gas composition to etch the one or more portions. A plurality of images is obtained of the one or more portions at different instances of time as the one or more portions are etched. A three-dimensional model of one or more structures embedded within the one or more portions of the substrate is generated from the plurality of images.
US07709790B2
A method and apparatus of combining an ion volume, a lens stack, and an ion optic that similarly cooperates with a detached multipole ion guide is herein incorporated into a single sub-assembly that can be removed from a mass spectrometer instrument without venting. Such an arrangement allows an operator to clean all parts of the ion path that get contaminated in normal operation, reassemble and reinsert in a timely manner and then pump down to an acceptable vacuum without having to vent the system.
US07709787B2
An apparatus and method for measuring low or trace concentrations of compounds and mixture of gases. A method and apparatus of the invention permits separating ions of different mobilities by passing them through an abrupt change or step in electric field magnitude. By using the separation method, the compounds of interest may be measured with less interference from other compounds of the gas mixture, which reduces or eliminates the need for prior separation of the components of the gas mixture. Several embodiments of the invention are described including the use of current amplifiers on one, or more, parts of the apparatus. While a single screen can provide a chamber which is divided into two regions of different electric fields, it is within the scope of the invention to include multiple screens to provide several steps in the electric field permitting it to be possible to trap and measure ions with successively higher mobilities. The gases used include halogenated compounds, including fluorocarbons, and most preferable SF6.
US07709779B2
A system and methods for detecting semiconductor-based photodiodes. The present embodiments provide a simple and practical approach for identifying optical reflection that is indicative of photon reflection from semiconductor-based photodiodes. Thus in certain applications the present embodiments may be used to detect the presence of OIEDs, which may use photodiodes as part of a detonation system.
US07709773B2
A clear fluorescence image is easily obtained irrespective of variation of scattering due to variation of the depth of a focus position in a specimen. A scanning optical device includes a laser light source for emitting laser light, a scanning unit for scanning the laser light emitted from the laser light source on the specimen, a focus depth adjusting unit for adjusting the depth of the focus position in the specimen of the laser light to be scanned, a fluorescence detector for detecting fluorescence generated from the focus position of the laser light in the specimen, a reference depth information storage unit for storing the absolute height of a predetermined reference depth of the focus position of the laser light in the specimen by the focus depth adjusting unit, and a hardware setting storage unit for storing the relative height to the absolute height of the reference depth at each focus position of the laser light and at least one set value of the laser light source, the scanning unit, and the fluorescence detector in association with each other.
US07709772B1
The present invention relates to an aircraft, missile, projectile, or underwater vehicle with an improved control system and an improved control system for maneuvering an aircraft, missile, projectile, or underwater vehicle. More particularly, the present invention relates to an aircraft, missile, underwater vehicle or projectile with removable control surfaces. The technical advantage of the removable control surface system (or “removable control surface”) over other systems is that the removable control surface system enables the aircraft, missile, underwater vehicle or projectile to have two or more design configurations, each configuration being tailored to the aircraft, missile, projectile, or underwater vehicle's specific stability or maneuverability requirements during a specific portion of the flight.
US07709764B2
A power supply apparatus for an electric discharge machine configured to perform melt-removal on a workpiece by supplying pulse-like power to a machining gap between an electrode (1) and a workpiece (2). This power supply apparatus includes a second machining circuit configured to control a voltage to be applied to the machining gap and to cause a discharge in the machining gap, a first machining circuit adapted to operate to supply, when a discharge occurring in the machining gap in response to application of a voltage by the second machining circuit is detected in a first drive mode, a constant current to the machining gap, and also configured to operate to adapt a voltage source (14) in the second machining circuit to output a constant voltage in a second drive mode, and connection means (13) configured to close connection to a power supply (4) to supply electric power through the second machining circuit in the first mode and also configured to open the connection to the power supply (4) in the second mode so that the second machining circuit operates at a constant voltage supplied from the voltage source (14).
US07709762B2
A keyboard includes a keycap, a pivot structure, a base and an X-structure. The keycap includes a bottom surface, a first edge and a second edge. The pivot structure includes two first engaging portions and two second engaging portions. The first engaging portions are disposed on the bottom surface and have a first distance away from the first edge. The second engaging portions are respectively disposed corresponding to the first engaging portions and have a second distance away from the second edge. The base is disposed under the keycap. One end of the X-structure is connected to the pivot structure of the keycap and the other end of the X-structure is movably connected to the base, thus, the keycap moves upward and downward corresponding to the base.
US07709760B2
The present invention is related to a light-emitting keyboard, comprising: a light guide having a light entrance surface, a bottom surface and a light exit surface; a light source provided adjacent to the light entrance surface of the light guide; a first reflector disposed underneath the bottom surface of the light guide to reflect the light originated from the light source to enter into said light guide; a second reflector disposed on top of said light exit surface of the light guide; a membrane circuit board disposed on top of said second reflector, said membrane circuit board being provided with an elastic member; a supporting plate disposed on top of the membrane circuit board; a scissor assembly engaged with said supporting plate and provided thereon; and a keycap supported by said scissor assembly.
US07709756B2
A safety switch assembly includes a body constructed to be mounted in a support structure and generally enclose the operative structure of the safety switch. The safety switch assembly includes an actuator constructed to pass through one of the support structure or the base to operatively engage the operative structure of the safety switch to control the safety switches electrical orientation to communicate or terminate communication of electrical power to a device equipped with the safety switch.
US07709748B2
A shielding apparatus for electromagnetic testing includes a platform, a lid forming a cavity, a driving unit, and an elastic gasket attached to a bottom of the lid around a rim adjacent the cavity. The platform is for placing an electronic device to be tested. The lid is for covering the platform to define a closed space. The driving unit is for lifting and lowering the lid. The gasket is for being compressed and filling gaps between the lid and the platform when the platform covers the lid.
US07709746B2
Provided are a bonded structure by a lead-free solder and an electronic article comprising the bonded structure. The bonded structure has a stable bonding interface with respect to a change in process of time, an enough strength and resistance to occurrence of whiskers while keeping good wettability of the solder. In the bonded structure, a lead-free Sn—Ag—Bi alloy solder is applied to an electrode through an Sn—Bi alloy layer. The Sn—Bi alloy, preferably, comprises 1 to 20 wt % Bi in order to obtain good wettability of the solder. In order to obtain desirable bonding characteristics having higher reliability in the invention, a copper layer is provided under the Sn—Bi alloy layer thereby obtaining an enough bonding strength.
US07709737B2
A system and method for manufacturing a power bus assembly is provided. The power bus assembly includes a first conductive sheet configured to receive a positive charge and distribute the positive charge to a plurality of connection points formed thereon. The power bus assembly also includes a second conductive sheet configured to receive a negative charge and distribute the negative charge to a plurality of connection points formed thereon. Additionally, the power bus assembly includes an insulating sheet arranged between the first conductive sheet and the second conductive sheet to electrically isolate the first conductive sheet from the second conductive sheet. A plurality of vice fasteners are included to secure the first conductive sheet, the second conductive sheet, and the insulating sheet together to form the power bus assembly.
US07709736B2
A resin-molded, annular protector for a wire harness for a vehicle includes a split pair of a main body and a lid body both having a semiannular shape, and split ends of the protector are joined and locked together. Lock holes are provided in a peripheral wall of the lid body by cutting portions of the inner peripheral side of the peripheral wall from the split ends, leaving engagement sections on the outer peripheral side of the lid body and opening the top ends of the cut portions in the outer peripheral surface of the lid body. Lock sections projecting from the inner peripheral side of the split ends are provided in the peripheral wall of the main body, at positions facing the lock holes.
US07709734B2
An electronic device, comprises a cage (10) and a peripheral component (20). The cage comprises an inner sidewall (14), and an external sidewall (12) parallel to the inner sidewall, a receiving slot (15) formed between the inner sidewall and the external sidewall, and a shaft (152) formed at an end of the receiving slot with two ends of the shaft respectively connected with the inner sidewall and the external sidewall. The external sidewall comprises a plurality of hooks (126) thereon, and the hooks are above and across the receiving slot. The peripheral component defines a groove (22) in a side thereof. The groove corresponds to the shaft. The peripheral component further comprises a plurality of holding slots corresponding to the hooks.
US07709728B2
The highly mismatched alloy Zn1-yMnyOxTe1-x, 0≦y<1 and 0
US07709723B2
Audio samples corresponding to audio extracts or whole audio titles are automatically mapped to triggers 12 in a playable sound-producing device 1, the mapping being dependent on the meta-data associated with the audio samples. Thus, a user can play the sound-producing device and generate sounds derived from his favorite audio titles. It is possible to define different mappings between the audio samples and the playable domain of the sound-producing device: an audio sample selector 50 can select between different possible samples for playback by comparing the audio properties of the samples and the play-mode and/or characteristics of the user's performance. An audio sampler/sample-processor 70 can automatically extract segments of an audio source file and map them to triggers in the sound-producing device 1.
US07709720B1
Described are techniques for preventing movement of tuning pegs on a stringed instrument. Described is a device comprising an elongated body forming a sleeve opened at a first end thereof and having a slit formed therein. The body has a shape and dimensions in accordance with a shape and dimensions of a row of a plurality of tuning pegs of the stringed instrument so that the body is configured to enclose therein head portions of the plurality of tuning pegs. The slit is configured to have a length and width to extend around neck portions of the plurality of tuning pegs on the stringed instrument.
US07709716B1
A foldable music pedal has a stand, a base assembly and a pedal. The stand has a cross bar, a seat and a moving element. The cross bar is defined opposite to the seat. The seat has an inserting recess. The moving element is retractably mounted through the cross bar. The base assembly has a casing base and an inserting base. The casing base is connected pivotally to the seat. The inserting base is movably inserted through the casing base and inserted into the inserting recess of the seat of the stand, and has a connecting end and a bolt. The connecting end of the inserting base extends out of the casing base opposite to the stand. The bolt detachably connects to the casing base and the inserting base. The pedal has two ends respectively connected pivotally to the connecting end of the inserting base and the moving element.
US07709713B1
A vibrato mounting bracket for a guitar, said vibrato unit having a frame having: a) a generally fiat central portion extending from a bottom peripheral edge portion of the guitar, said flat central portion having four vibrato, unit attachment openings therethrough; b) a bottom portion extending from the central portion over the bottom peripheral edge portion of the guitar and having a lower strap screw attachment opening therethrough; and, c) an upper portion extending above the central portion having two opposite lateral openings therethrough spaced to align with i) the two outer string stop bar screws on the guitar, or ii) the two outer bridge attachment screws on the guitar where said guitar has a bridge attachment screw, or iii) the bridge height adjustment screws. The front face and the sound box are then better able to vibrate thereby producing maximum resonance and depth of sound.
US07709708B2
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated CH323945. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CH323945, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH323945 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 CH323945.
US07709703B2
The invention relates to the soybean variety designated D5233241. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety D5233241. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety D5233241 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety D5233241 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods.
US07709695B1
A transgenic non-human animal expressing at least one transgene including a DNA sequence encoding a heterologous Amyloid Precursor Protein (APP) including at least the Arctic mutation (E693G) and a further AD (Alzheimer's disease) pathogenic mutation or a further transgene affecting AD pathogenesis, which results in increased amounts of intracellular soluble A aggregates, including A peptides. The method of producing the transgenic animal, and methods of screening for therapeutic or diagnostic agents useful in treatment or diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease are also disclosed.
US07709684B2
A process for preparing substituted biphenyls of the formula I in which the substituents are defined as follows: X is fluorine or chlorine; R1 is nitro, amino or NHR3; R2 is cyano, nitro, halogen, C1-C6-alkyl, C1-C6-alkenyl, C1-C6-alkynyl, C1-C6-alkoxy, C1-C6-haloalkyl, C1-C6-alkylcarbonyl or phenyl; R3 is C1-C4-alkyl, C1-C4-alkenyl or C1-C4-alkynyl; n is 1, 2 or 3, where in case that n is 2 or 3, the R2 radicals may also be different, which comprises reacting the compound of the formula II in which Hal is halogen and X and R1 are as defined above, in the presence of a base and of a palladium catalyst selected from the group of: a) palladium-triarylphosphine or -trialkylphosphine complex with palladium in the zero oxidation state, b) salt of palladium in the presence of triarylphospine or trialkylphosphine as a complex ligand or c) metallic palladium, optionally applied to support, in the presence of triarylphosphine or trialkylphosphine, in a solvent, with a diphenylborinic acid (III) in which R2 and n are as defined above, where the triarylphosphines or trialkylphosphines used may be substituted.
US07709680B2
The invention provides a process for isocyanate dimerization (uretdione formation) and a process for preparing polyisocyanates having a high content of uretdione groups, using specific phosphines as catalysts. The phosphines have one or two tertiary alkyl radicals bound directly to phosphorus.
US07709679B2
The invention provides a process for the simultaneous preparation of 4,4′-diphenylmethanediamine and also diphenylmethane diisocyanate and polyphenylenepolymethylene polyisocyanates, which comprises the steps a) preparation of a mixture of diphenylmethanediamine and polyphenylenepolymethylenepolyamines by acid condensation of aniline and formaldehyde and subsequent work-up of the mixture, b) splitting-off of part of the mixture prepared in step a), c) distillation of the mixture separated off in step b) in a column, d) recirculation of the bottom product from step c) to the end product from step a) and condensation of the overhead product from step c), e) distillation of the overhead product from step c) in a column, f) recirculation of the overhead product from step e) to the end product from step a), g) isolation of the 4,4′-diphenylmethanediamine obtained as bottom product in step e), h) reaction of the mixture from step a) with phosgene and subsequent work-up of the reaction product.
US07709657B2
The present invention provides an efficient, safe and cost effective way to prepare 5-(4-methyl-1H-imidazol-1-yl)-3-(trifluoromethyl)-benzenamine which is an intermediate for the preparation of substituted pyrimidinylaminobenzamides of formula (II):
US07709653B2
Asymmetric cyanine compounds represented by general formula I are provided, wherein X, n, R1, R2, R3, R4 and Y− are as defined in the specification. They have a maximum absorption peak at about 640 nm which may not change with ambient temperature. When the compounds bind a nucleic acid to form a dye/nucleic acid complex, the fluorescence intensity of the complexes will increased rapidly, so that they can be used as a staining agent for nucleic acids in flow cytometers. Their spectra are in the near-infrared region, which can effectively reduce the interference from background fluorescence and improve the accuracy of detection. Moreover, the compounds provided can also be used as a staining agent for blood reticulocytes.
US07709651B2
A process for producing an optically active cyclopropane compound represented by the formula (4): wherein R3, R4, R5 and R6 are the same or different, and represent a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, and so on; and R7 represents a C1-6 alkyl group; and * represents an asymmetric carbon atom, which comprises reacting a prochiral olefin represented by the formula (2): wherein R3, R4, R5, and R6 are as described above, with a diazoacetic acid ester represented by the formula (3): N2CHCO2R7 (3) wherein R7 is as defined above, in the presence of an asymmetric copper complex prepared from an optically active cycloalkylidenebisoxazoline compound represented by the formula (1): wherein R1 represents a hydrogen atom, a C1-6 alkyl group, and so on; R2 represents a C1-6 alkyl group and so on; and n represents an integer of 0 to 3; provided that, two R1s may be bonded each other together with the carbon atom to which they are bonded to form a ring; and * represents an asymmetric carbon atom, and a copper compound, is provided.
US07709648B2
2-Substituted-5-(1-alkylthio)alkylpyridines are produced efficiently and in high yield.
US07709647B2
The present application describes compounds according to Formula I, pharmaceutical compositions comprising at least one compound according to Formula I and optionally one or more additional therapeutic agents and methods of treatment using the compounds according to Formula I both alone and in combination with one or more additional therapeutic agents. The compounds have the general Formula I: including all prodrugs, pharmaceutically acceptable salts and stereoisomers, R1, R2, R3, n, and Z are described herein.
US07709630B2
Antisense compounds, compositions and methods are provided for modulating the expression of connective tissue growth factor. The compositions comprise antisense compounds, particularly antisense oligonucleotides, targeted to nucleic acids encoding connective tissue growth factor. Methods of using these compounds for modulation of connective tissue growth factor expression and for treatment of diseases associated with expression of connective tissue growth factor are provided.
US07709625B2
The present invention provides an isolated nucleic acid comprising a promoter operably linked to a nucleic acid encoding a peptide or protein and/or an RNA (e.g., antisense or ribozyme), wherein the promoter comprises elements that can include, but are not limited to, a) a myeloid specific promoter element comprising a core sequence GAGGAA; b) a myeloid specific promoter element comprising a core sequence AAGGAGAAG; c) a myeloid specific promoter element comprising a core sequence TTTCCAAA; d) a myeloid specific promoter element comprising a core sequence TGTGGTTGC; e) a myeloid specific promoter element comprising a core sequence TGAGTCA; f) a myeloid associated promoter element comprising a core sequence CCGCCC; and g) any combination of (a), (b), (c), (d), (e) and/or (f), any combination of multiples of (a), (b), (c), (d), (e) and/or (f), in any order and/or in any orientation (forward or reverse).
US07709621B2
The present invention provides cell fusogenic vectors having replicative ability, whose protease-dependent tropism has been modified. M gene-deficient viral vectors encoding modified F proteins, in which the cleavage site of the F protein of paramyxovirus is modified to be cleaved by different proteases, were produced. In cells transfected with these vectors, the genomic RNA present in the vectors is replicated, and cell fusogenic infection spreads to neighboring cells depending on the presence of other proteases; however, no viral particles are released. The vectors of this invention, encoding the F proteins which are cleaved by proteases whose activity is enhanced in cancer, show cancer growth suppressive effect in vivo.
US07709616B2
Described herein are polynucleotides associated with prostate and lung cancer. The polynucleotides are miRNAs and miRNA precursors. Related methods and compositions that can be used for diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of those medical conditions are disclosed. Also described herein are methods that can be used to identify modulators of prostate and lung cancer.
US07709610B2
The present invention is directed to antagonists of CS1 that bind to and neutralize at least one biological activity of CS1. The invention also includes a pharmaceutical composition comprising such antibodies or antigen-binding fragments thereof. The present invention also provides for a method of preventing or treating disease states, including autoimmune disorders and cancer, in a subject in need thereof, comprising administering into said subject an effective amount of such antagonists.
US07709583B2
A sulfur-containing cyclic olefin resin comprising a unit represented by the following general formula (1) and having a weight average molecular weight of from 1,000 to 1,000,000. (Here, R1 to R6 each independently represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having from 1 to 20 carbon atoms, an aralkyl group having from 1 to 20 carbon atoms, an aromatic group having from 1 to 20 carbon atoms, a cyano group, an alkoxy group having from 1 to 10 carbon atoms or a heterocyclic compound, further R3 to R6 may be a halogen atom, R3 and R4, and R5 and R6 may form a ring containing carbon, oxygen, sulfur or nitrogen, R7 and R8′ each independently represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, . . . represents a single bond or a double bond, and l and m each is 0 or 1.)
US07709576B2
A process for preparing a sulfonate terminated polyarylate comprises blending a polyarylate resin with an organic compound to form a reaction mixture, wherein the organic compound contains at least one aliphatic primary amine functional group and at least one other functional group selected from the group consisting of sulfonic acids, sulfonic acid salts, and mixtures thereof, and heating the reaction mixture to a temperature of 225 to 400° C. The temperature of heating is above the glass transition temperature of the polyarylate resin. Sulfonate terminated polyarylates and compositions prepared using the above process, and articles comprising the sulfonate terminated polyarylate compositions, are also disclosed.
US07709558B2
A device and a method for making a tire puncture sealant having a higher concentration of propylene glycol are disclosed, wherein the device comprises: a container having a cylindrical space for a mixed solution of rubber latex and a tackifier; a squirter comprising at least one spout for pouring propylene glycol on the surface of the mixed solution in the container at a rate of 0.01 to 1.0 liter/minute per spout; and an agitator for the mixed solution in the container, comprising a stirring blade rotatable in the mixed solution to cause said surface a current speed of the mixed solution in a range between about 1.0 and about 10.0 meter/second during pouring the propylene glycol.
US07709556B2
Absorbable radiation or radiochemically sterilized medical devices, including sutures, whose breaking strength and absorption profile can be modulated by controlling the total dose received during sterilization are disclosed.
US07709555B2
Coating composition comprising one or more polythiols and one or more polyisocyanates and a latent base catalyst which is activatable by moisture, wherein the equivalence ratio NCO:SH is between 1:2 and 2:1. The latent catalyst is selected from the group of oxazolidine, aldimine, ketimine, and enamine. The latent catalyst is present in an amount of up to 20% relative to the weight of the curable material. The composition further comprises one or more photoinitiators in an amount of up to 4% relative to the weight of the curable material.
US07709545B2
Benzophenone/thioxanthone derivatives useful as photoinitiators are provided as well as photopolymerizable compositions comprising the benzophenone/thioxanthone derivatives.
US07709540B2
The present invention belongs to a method for preparing organic ligand-capped titanium dioxide nanocrystals, wherein the method comprises steps of using methyl titanate, ethyl titanate, n-propyl titanate, iso-propyl titanate, butyl titanate or titanium tetrachloride as a titanium source, and with capping by oleic acid or an organic capping agent, reacting the titanium source in an organic non-polar solvent with an aqueous alkaline substance solution in the interface at a temperature of 25 to 280° C. for 0.5 to 240 hrs, thus a transparent sol containing titanium dioxide nanocrystals is obtained, said the titanium dioxide nanocrystals have particle diameters of 1-20 nm. The preparing process has the features of mild reaction conditions and is a simpler and easier method with a shorter preparation period, thereby facilitating the industrialization.
US07709536B2
The invention relates to pharmaceutical formulations, and more particularly to formulations containing cannabinoids for administration via a pump action spray. In particular, the invention relates to pharmaceutical formulations, for use in administration of lipophilic medicaments via mucosal surfaces, comprising: at least one lipophilic medicament, a solvent and a co-solvent, wherein the total amount of solvent and co-solvent present in the formulation is greater than 55% wt/wt of the formulation and the formulation is absent of a self emulsifying agent and/or a fluorinated propellant.
US07709535B2
The present invention relates to compounds capable of acting as androgen receptor antagonists, pharmaceutical formulations containing the same, and methods of use thereof. Such uses include, but are not limited to, use as antitumor agents, particularly for the treatment of cancers such as colon, skin and prostate cancer and to induce androgen receptor antagonist activity in a subject afflicted with an androgen-related affliction. Examples of androgen-related afflictions include, but are not limited to, baldness, hirsutism, behavioral disorders, acne, and uninhibited spermatogenesis wherein inhibition of spermatogenesis is so desired.
US07709533B2
The present invention provides a class of chemical compounds useful in the treatment of sickle cell disease, diseases characterized by unwanted or abnormal cell proliferation and for the treatment of ocular disorders such as glaucoma. The active compounds are tri-(aryl or heteroaryl) methane compounds or analogues thereof which further comprise an imine moiety and where the tertiary carbon atom can be replaced with a different atom such as Si, Ge, N or P. The compounds enhance resistance to degradation in a biological medium, inhibit potassium flux in a cell, reduce mammalian cell proliferation, reduce the Gardos channel of erythrocytes, reduce sickle erythrocyte dehydration and/or delay the occurrence of erythrocyte sickling or deformation.
US07709528B2
Novel compounds of the general formula (I), the use of these compounds as pharmaceutical compositions, pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds and methods of treatment employing these compounds and compositions. The present compounds may be useful in the treatment and/or prevention of conditions mediated by Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptors (PPAR), in particular the PPARδ suptype.
US07709524B2
Use of tellurium-containing compounds for treating conditions in which inhibition of caspase-1/interleukin-1β enzyme (ICE) is beneficial is disclosed.
US07709519B2
Compounds useful as GnRH receptor antagonists are provided. The present inventors have further examined propane-1,3-dione derivatives and confirmed as a result that a propane-1,3-dione having 2-(1,3-dihydro-2H-benzimidazol-2-ylidene), or a compound which has benzene or thiophene ring substituted with a group derived from 1-hydroxymethyl, shows excellent availability, in addition to its excellent GnRH receptor antagonism, thereby accomplishing the invention. Since the compound of the invention shows excellent availability, in addition to its strong GnRH receptor antagonism, it can be expected that it exerts superior drug effect in the living body, and it is useful for the treatment of sex hormone dependent diseases such as prostate cancer, breast cancer, endometriosis, uterine leiomyoma, benign prostatic hypertrophy and the like. In addition, since the compound of the invention is excellent in metabolic stability in human and also is less in drug interaction, it has more desirable properties as a medicament to be used for the aforementioned diseases.
US07709513B2
The invention relates to benzooxazol-2-one derivatives of general formula (I) with the meanings indicated in the description, the pharmaceutically usable salts thereof, and the use thereof as medicinal substances.
US07709511B2
The present invention provides compounds of formula (I) wherein e, R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R4, R5, R6, R7, R7a, R7b, A, D, m and n are as defined in the specification, processes for their preparation, pharmaceutical compositions containing them and their use in therapy.
US07709506B2
Compounds of formula (I): are inhibitors of p38 kinase and are useful in the treatment of conditions or disease states mediated by p38 kinase activity or mediated by cytokines produced by the activity of p38.
US07709500B2
The invention provides compounds of formula (I): wherein: X is CH2, O, S(O)2 or NR10; Y is a bond, CH2, NR35, CH2NH, CH2NHC(O), CH(OH), CH(NHCOR33), CH(NHSO2R34), CH2O or CH2S; Z is C(O), or when Y is a bond Z can also be S(O)2; R1 is optionally substituted aryl, optionally substituted heterocyclyl or C4-6 cycloalkyl fused to a benzene ring; and R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7 and R8, R9, R10, R32, R33, R34 and R35 are as defined herein; are modulators of chemokine (especially CCR3) activity (for use in, for example, treating asthma). The invention also provides a process for making 4-(3,4-dichlorophenoxy)piperidine, which is useful as an intermediate for making certain compounds of the invention.
US07709497B2
The invention provides 4-{[1-(aminocarbonyl)-4-piperidinyl]amino}-N-[(3,4-dimethylphenyl)methyl]-1-ethyl-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridine-5-carboxamide, which is the compound of formula (I): or a salt thereof.
US07709492B2
Compounds having the structural formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein R is optionally substituted phenyl, furanyl, thienyl, pyridyl, pyridyl N-oxide, oxazolyl or pyrrolyl, or cycloalkenyl R1, R2, R3, R4 and R5 are H, alkyl or alkoxyalkyl; and Z is optionally substituted aryl or heteroaryl are disclosed. Also disclosed is the use of compounds of formula I in the treatment of central nervous system diseases, in particular Parkinson's disease, alone or in combination with other agents for treating Parkinson's disease, and pharmaceutical compositions comprising them.
US07709485B2
This invention relates to novel compounds of Formula (I) to (VII), and compositions thereof, useful in the treatment of disease states mediated by the chemokine, Interleukin-8 (IL-8).
US07709481B2
The inventive compounds of the present invention are comprised of phenyl and pyridinyl-1,2,4-oxadiazolone derivatives and their physiologically acceptable salts and functional derivatives that are shown to provide peroxisome proliferator activator receptor (PPARdelta) agonist activity. The compounds of the present invention are comprised of the formula: wherein the substituents R1-R5 and R7-R10 are defined herein. The compounds are therapeutically effective in the regulation and modulation of lipid and carbohydrate metabolism in mammals and are thus suitable for the treatment of diseases such as type-2 diabetes, atherosclerosis, cardiovascular disorders and the like.
US07709478B2
The present invention relates to compounds according to the general formula (I), wherein R1-R4 have the meanings given in the description, A is CH2, CHOH or CH—(C1-C3-alkyl), B, C and D are independently CH2 or CH—(C1-C3-alkyl), and R5 is an aryl or heteroaryl group, possibly substituted by the substituents listed in the description. These compounds are useful for the manufacture of medicaments for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases, stable or unstable angina pectoris, coronary heart disease, Prinzmetal angina, acute coronary syndrome, heart failure, myocardial infarction, stroke, thrombosis, peripheral artery occlusive disease, endothelial dysfunction, atherosclerosis, restenosis, endothelial damage after PTCA, hypertension, essential hypertension, pulmonary hypertension, secondary hypertension, renovascular hypertension, chronic glomerulonephritis, erectile dysfunction, ventricular arrhythmia, diabetes, diabetes complications, nephropathy, retinopathy, angiogenesis, asthma bronchiale, chronic renal failure, cirrhosis of the liver, osteoporosis, or restricted memory performance or for a restricted ability to learn, or the lowering of cardiovascular risk of postmenopausal women or after intake of contraceptives.
US07709475B2
The present invention relates to a compound represented by Formula [I]: wherein X is O, S, NH or CH2; Y1, Y2, Y3, Y4 and Y5, which may be identical or different, are each CH or N; however, at least one of Y1, Y2, Y3, Y4 and Y5 is N; Z1 and Z2, which may be identical or different, are each CH or N; n is an integer from 1 to 3; R1 is a C3-C8 cycloalkyl group, a C6-C10 aryl group, an aliphatic heterocyclic ring or an aromatic heterocyclic ring, or a bicyclic aliphatic saturated hydrocarbon group; R2 and R3, which may be identical or different, are each a hydrogen atom, a lower alkyl group, a lower alkenyl group, a C3-C8 cycloalkyl group, a C6-C10 aryl group, an aromatic heterocyclic ring, or the like; and R4 is a hydrogen atom, a lower alkyl group, a C3-C6 cycloalkyl group or the like, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester thereof, and a selective inhibitor against Cdk4 and/or Cdk6 or an anticancer agent containing the compound or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester thereof.
US07709471B2
There is provided a compound of formula (I): processes for the manufacture thereof, pharmaceutical compositions thereof and uses in therapy.
US07709466B2
The present invention relates to pyridazinone compounds and their derivatives according to the general formula (I), with the substituents X, R1 and R2 defined herein, as well as their physiologically acceptable salts, methods for producing these compounds and their use as pharmaceuticals. These compounds are kinase inhibitors, in particular inhibitors of the kinase GSK-3β (glycogen synthase kinase-3β) which are useful in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, strokes, cranial and spinal traumas and peripheral neuropathies, obesity, metabolic diseases, type II diabetes, essential hypertension, atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases, polycystic ovary syndrome and syndrome X or immunodeficiency.
US07709461B2
The invention relates to methods for delivering polysaccharides by a pulmonary route to achieve local and systemic therapeutic effects. The polysaccharides may be formulated or unformulated and in some instances have an extremely fast absorption rate.
US07709456B2
Synthesis of a target transcript of a gene is selectively increased in a mammalian cell by contacting the cell with a polynucleotide oligomer of 12-28 bases complementary to a region within a target promoter of the gene under conditions whereby the oligomer selectively increases synthesis of the target transcript.
US07709451B2
The present invention provides methods and compositions for treating immune complex associated diseases (ICAD), such as SLE, rheumatoid arthritis, and hepatitis-C related immune complex disease (e.g., cryoglobulinemia) in a subject having an ICAD or at risk for developing ICAD. The invention is based upon the surprising finding that chromatin-containing immune complexes activate autoreactive B cells and dendritic cells by a dual receptor engagement process which, in both cell types, involves a Toll-like receptor (TLR). The methods of treating ICAD comprise administering a compound to an individual in need thereof that either 1) inhibits formation of the immune complex either by preventing formation and/or binding to the TLR, or 2) interferes with binding of an autoantigen-containing immune complex (or the antigenic component thereof) to the TLR, or 3) inhibits signaling pathways initiated by dual engagement of BCR and TLR (in B cells) or FcR and TLR (in dendritic cells) via immune complexed or uncomplexed autoantigens.
US07709440B2
The present invention provides a method of treating a cancer using a neurotoxin, preferably Botulinum toxin (“BTX”). The application of a neurotoxin around a cancer acts to decrease the contractile forces of the muscles surrounding a neoplasm which normally squeeze cancer cells through efferent channels leaving the cancer vicinity to distant sites. Also, the application of the toxin at sites distant from the cancer enhances cellular and humoral immunologic functions which further contributes to cancer cell death and spread. Following administration of botulinum toxin around and distant to a cancer, it is noticed that local, regional, and distant spread is reduced or eliminated. Immunomodulation with botulinum toxin is also valuable in treating other disease that may or may not be associated with cancers, such as viral-induced growths, viral conditions, fungal disease, chronic wounds, graft versus host disease, autoimmune disease, and HIV.
US07709437B2
A process for preparation of co-granules including one or more bleach activators and one or more bleach agent compounds is described. The bleach component is mixed and coated with a binder selected from the group of fatty acids, fatty acid polyol esters, polyglycols and fatty alcohol oxalkylates. One or more bleach activators is added to this mixture followed by granulation or agglomeration in a mixer, resulting in a bleach co-granule composition including the bleach activator and peroxide components.
US07709435B2
There is provided an alkaline cleaning of aluminum alloy, in which the attained corrosion resistance is equal or superior to the acidic cleaning agent, and which mitigates the disadvantages of the acidic cleaning agent, such as corrosion of plant, processing of the waste liquid, and energy cost, and which attains improved productivity.The cleaning liquid from 0.5 to 40 g/L in total of one or more alkali builders selected from alkali metal hydroxide, alkali metal carbonate, inorganic alkali metal phosphate and alkali metal silicate, from 0.2 to 10 g/L of one or more of organic phosphonic acid and its salt (A), from 0.001 to 2 g/L of one or more metallic ions (B) selected from metallic ions having from 5.0 to 14.0 of stability constant with the organic phosphonic acid and its salt, and from 0.1 to 10 g/L of surfactant. Particularly, the weight ratio of (A):(B) is in a range of from 100:0.05˜20.
US07709430B2
A cleansing composition containing the following components (A) to (C): (A) an anionic surfactant (B) a copolymer of a dialkyl diallyl ammonium salt/acrylamide (C) fatty acid alkanolamide and/or polyoxyethylene alkyl ether, wherein pH at 25° C., in 20 weight times water dilution, is 2 to 4.5. The present cleansing composition has a good foamability in hair washing, a fine-textured and soft foam quality, and in particular, a good smoothness in rinsing and lasting the smoothness longer in rinsing.
US07709426B2
The present invention provides a solid stick composition comprising a thermosetting resin and a grease. Optionally, the solid stick composition may comprise a lubricant, a friction modifier, a thermoplastic plasticizer or a combination thereof. The solid stick compositions may be used for application between two metal surfaces in sliding and rolling-sliding contact such as steel wheel-rail systems including mass transit and freight systems. A method of reducing energy consumption, or controlling friction between a metal surface and a second metal surface by applying the solid stick composition to one or more than one of the metal surfaces, is also provided.
US07709425B2
An oxidized olefin wax useful as a pour point depressant for hydrocarbon compositions and/or additive to reduce the wax particle size of wax precipitates in hydrocarbon compositions is described. Method for reducing the pour point and/or wax particle size of hydrocarbon composition with an oxidized olefin wax are described.
US07709417B2
The present invention is directed to providing a security sticker which is hard to be counterfeited, cannot be reused if being released and includes a printed image that is stable over a long period of time, and is directed to providing a method for manufacturing the same. The security sticker of the present invention includes: a surface resin layer (A)1 that has a weak affinity with a sublimable dye and allows the dye to penetrate; a print layer (B)2 that contains a low-molecular-weight compound with a molecular weight of 1300 or less in an amount of 0% to 20 wt % inclusive, has an affinity with the dye, and includes an image formed in a thickness direction of the layer by the dye; a self-destructive film layer (C1)3; and a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer (D1)4 in this order, wherein the self-destructive film layer (C1) includes a dye migration preventive resin layer (E) for preventing migration of the dye and a self-destructive layer (F), and the dye migration preventive resin layer (E) is a resin layer containing a certain kind of a vinyl resin as a main component, or a certain kind of a biaxially stretched film.
US07709415B2
Activated carbon useful as polarizable electrode material for an electric double-layer capacitor can be obtained by mixing a carbonaceous material and an alkali metal hydroxide while maintaining a solid state, granulating the obtained mixture while maintaining its solid state, dehydrating the obtained granulated substance while maintaining its solid state, and subjecting the granulated dehydration product obtained in the dehydration step to an activation treatment. The preferred pressure of the granulation treatment in the granulation step is 0.01 to 300 Torr, and the preferred temperature of the granulation treatment is 90 to 140° C. The preferred pressure of the dehydration treatment in the dehydration step is 0.01 to 10 Torr, and the preferred temperature of the dehydration treatment is 200 to 400° C.
US07709410B2
The invention relates to Group 1 metal/silica gel compositions comprising silica gel and an alkali metal or an alkali metal alloy. The compositions of the inventions are described as Stage 0, I, II, and III materials. These materials differ in their preparation and chemical reactivity. Each successive stage may be prepared directly using the methods described below or from an earlier stage material. Stage 0 materials may, for example, be prepared using liquid alloys of Na and K which are rapidly absorbed by silica gel (porous SiO2) under isothermal conditions, preferably at or just above room temperature, to form loose black powders that retain much of the reducing ability of the parent metals. When the low melting Group 1 metals are absorbed into the silica gel, a mild exothermic reaction produces Stage I material, loose black powders that are indefinitely stable in dry air. Subsequent heating to 400° C. produces Stage II materials, which are also loose black powders. Further heating above 400° C. forms Stage III material with release of some Group 1 metal. It is believed that Stage I, H and III materials represent reductions of the silica gel after absorption of the Group 1 metal. Preferred Group 1 metal/silica gel compositions of the invention are those containing sodium, potassium, or sodium-potassium alloys with sodium and sodium-potassium alloys being most preferred. Each stage of the Group 1 metal/silica gel composition of the invention may be used as a reducing agent reacting with a number of reducible organic materials in the same manner known for alkali metals and their alloys.
US07709408B2
The invention relates to a catalyst consisting of at least: one matrix comprising at least one oxide which is selected from an amorphous oxide, an oxide with low crystallinity and a mixture of both; at least one solid microporous crystalline material which, in the calcined and anhydrous state, has the molar compositions X2O3:nYO2:mZO2, in which X is a trivalent element such as, for example, Al, B, Fe, In, Ga, Cr, Y is at least one trivalent element that is different from Ge and Z is Ge, the value (n+m) is at least equal to 5 and can be between 5 and ∞, and the value of n/m is at least equal to 1; and at least one hydrogenating compound, preferably Pt, Pd, It, Ru, Rh, and Re or a combination of same. The invention also relates to the use of said catalyst in a process in order to improve the quality of diesel fractions.
US07709406B2
Described herein are alkali-free, boroalumino silicate glasses exhibiting desirable physical and chemical properties for use as substrates in flat panel display devices, such as, active matrix liquid crystal displays (AMLCDs). The glass compositions possess numerous properties that are compatible with the downdraw process, particularly fusion drawing.
US07709405B2
A non-woven material including first effect fibers, first binder fibers, second binder fibers, and optionally second effect fibers. The non-woven material has a first planar zone and a second planar zone. The first planar zone includes a greater concentration of first effect fibers and first binder fibers. The second planar zone includes a greater concentration of second effect fibers and second binder fibers. The first planar zone can include a first surface skin associated with the first planar zone on the exterior of the non-woven material, and a second surface skin associated with the second planar zone on the exterior of the non-woven material. The non-woven material has a woven, knitted, or non-woven layer added on either one or both sides of the non-woven material.
US07709402B2
Electronic apparatus and methods of forming the electronic apparatus include a HfSiON film on a substrate for use in a variety of electronic systems. The HfSiON film may be structured as one or more monolayers. The HfSiON film may be formed by atomic layer deposition. Electrodes to a dielectric containing a HfSiON may be structured as one or more monolayers of titanium nitride, tantalum, or combinations of titanium nitride and tantalum. The titanium nitride and the tantalum may be formed by atomic layer deposition.
US07709400B2
Methods for cleaning semiconductor wafers following chemical mechanical polishing are provided. An exemplary method exposes a wafer to a thermal treatment in an oxidizing environment followed by a thermal treatment in a reducing environment. The thermal treatment in the oxidizing environment both removes residues and oxidizes exposed copper surfaces to form a cupric oxide layer. The thermal treatment in the reducing environment then reduces the cupric oxide to elemental copper. This leaves the exposed copper clean and in condition for further processing, such as electroless plating.
US07709398B2
The invention relates to a method and device for depositing at least one layer, particularly a semiconductor layer, onto at least one substrate, which is situated inside a process chamber of a reactor while being supported by a substrate holder. The layer is comprised of at least two material components provided in a fixed stoichiometric ratio, which are each introduced into the reactor in the form of a first and a second reaction gas, and a portion of the decomposition products form the layer, whereby the supply of the first reaction gas, which has a low thermal activation energy, determines the growth rate of the layer, and the second reaction gas, which has a high thermal activation energy, is supplied in excess and is preconditioned, in particular, by an independent supply of energy. The first reaction gas flows in a direction toward the substrate holder through a multitude of openings, which are distributed over a surface of a gas inlet element, said surface being located opposite the substrate holder. According to the invention, the second process gas is preconditioned with a plasma before entering the process chamber, and it enters the process chamber at the edge of the substrate holder directly thereabove and flows parallel to the substrate holder surface.
US07709394B2
A method for processing a substrate having an insulation film and a metal layer thereon comprises the steps of supplying a carboxylic acid anhydride to the substrate, and heating the substrate during the step of supplying the carboxylic acid anhydride to the substrate.
US07709392B2
A method of removing a silicon nitride or a nitride-based bottom etch stop layer in a copper damascene structure by etching the bottom etch stop layer is disclosed, with the method using a high density, high radical concentration plasma containing fluorine and oxygen and further optionally N2 and any one of inert gases, to minimize back sputtering of copper underlying the bottom etch stop layer and surface roughening of the low-k interlayer dielectric caused by the plasma.
US07709383B2
A film forming method comprising forming a liquid coating film on a substrate by supplying a liquid containing a coating type thin film forming substance and a solvent onto the substrate, substantially converging a variation in film thickness of the coating film, making the coating film stand by in an atmosphere including moisture under a predetermined condition after the substantial-convergence, the predetermined condition being such that a product of a time for which the coating film is exposed to the atmosphere and a water content per unit volume in an atmosphere in the vicinity of a surface of the coating film is made to be greater than or equal to a predetermined value, and forming a solid thin film on the substrate after the stand-by, the thin film being formed by carrying out an elimination of the solvent in the coating film and heat treatment for generating an irreversible reaction to the coating type thin film forming substance in the coating film.
US07709379B2
An electrical device having carbonized conductors and a method and a device for the production thereof is disclosed. The electrical device has electrical components having connections. Furthermore, there are situated between the electrical components regions made of plastic with conductors having carbonized plastic and/or agglomerated nanoparticles. The conductors are connected to the connections of the components and/or to external connections of the electronic device.
US07709377B2
A thin film including multi components and a method of forming the thin film are provided, wherein a method according to an embodiment of the present invention, a substrate is loaded into a reaction chamber. A unit material layer is formed on the substrate. The unit material layer may be formed of a mosaic atomic layer composed of two kinds of precursors containing components constituting the thin film. The inside of the reaction chamber is purged, and the MAL is chemically changed. The method of forming the thin film of the present invention requires fewer steps than a conventional method while retaining the advantages of the conventional method, thereby allowing a superior thin film yield in the present invention than previously obtainable.
US07709362B2
A method for introducing impurities includes a step for forming an amorphous layer at a surface of a semiconductor substrate, and a step for forming a shallow impurity-introducing layer at the semiconductor substrate which has been made amorphous, and an apparatus used therefore. Particularly, the step for forming the amorphous layer is a step for irradiating plasma to the surface of the semiconductor substrate, and the step for forming the shallow impurity-introducing layer is a step for introducing impurities into the surface which has been made amorphous.
US07709354B2
A 1×N wavelength selective switch which can function as a dynamic channel equalizer when N=1. In an exemplary arrangement, the present invention is a free-space device that includes a linear array of micromachined reflective elements for beam steering of individual wavelength channels. In at least some embodiments the array of reflective elements of the present invention provides a substantially seamless design such that the optical spectrum appears flat across the transition between actuators. Various embodiments provide high channel bandwidth with flat-top channel performance, low polarization dependence loss, low vibration sensitivity, extinction ratios greater than 40 dB over all temperatures, and very low levels of electrical and optical channel cross-talk.
US07709348B2
The present invention provides a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device, comprising the steps of preparing a substrate having a quartz support substrate and a silicon layer, forming a base or substrate silicon oxide film over the entire upper surface of the silicon layer, forming a silicon nitride film over the entire upper surface of the substrate silicon oxide film by a plasma CVD method, patterning the silicon nitride film thereby to form a mask pattern having a circumferential exposure portion that exposes the substrate silicon oxide film in a circumferential area, a first opening pattern that exposes the substrate silicon oxide film in an element isolation area, and a second opening pattern that exposes the substrate silicon oxide film within a peripheral area, and thermally oxidizing the substrate using the mask pattern as a mask thereby to form an element isolation structure portion in the element isolation area.
US07709344B2
A method comprises depositing a dielectric film layer, a hard mask layer, and a patterned photo resist layer on a substrate. The method further includes selectively etching the dielectric film layer to form sub-lithographic features by reactive ion etch processing and depositing a barrier metal layer and a copper layer. The method further includes etching the barrier metal layer and hard mask layer by gas cluster ion beam (GCIB) processing.
US07709341B2
A single crystal silicon etching method includes providing a single crystal silicon substrate having at least one trench therein. The single crystal silicon substrate is exposed to an anisotropic etchant that undercuts the single crystal silicon. By controlling the length of the etch, single crystal silicon islands or smooth vertical walls in the single crystal silicon may be created.
US07709338B2
A method of fabricating an heterojunction bipolar transistor (HBT) structure in a bipolar complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (BiCMOS) process selectively thickens an oxide layer overlying a base region in areas that are not covered by a temporary emitter and spacers such that the temporary emitter can be removed and the base-emitter junction can be exposed without also completely removing the oxide overlying the areas of the base region that are not covered by the temporary emitter or spacers. As a result, a photomask is not required to remove the temporary emitter and to expose the base-emitter junction.
US07709325B2
The present invention in one embodiment provides a method of forming an electrode that includes the steps of providing at least one metal stud in a layer of an interlevel dielectric material; forming a pillar of a first dielectric material atop the at least one metal stud; depositing an electrically conductive material atop the layer of the interlevel dielectric material and an exterior surface of the pillar, wherein a portion of the electrically conductive material is in electrical communication with the at least one metal stud; forming a layer of a second dielectric material atop the electrically conductive material and the substrate; and planarizing the layer of the second dielectric material to expose an upper surface of the electrically conductive material.
US07709323B2
Methods of forming a NAND-type nonvolatile memory device include: forming first common drains and first common sources alternatively in an active region which is defined in a semiconductor substrate and extends one direction, forming a first insulating layer covering an entire surface of the semiconductor substrate, patterning the first insulating layer to form seed contact holes which are arranged at regular distance and expose the active region, forming a seed contact structure filling each of the seed contact holes and a semiconductor layer disposed on the first insulating layer and contacting the seed contact structures, patterning the semiconductor layer to form a semiconductor pattern which extends in the one direction and is disposed over the active region, forming second common drains and second common sources disposed alternatively in the semiconductor pattern in the one direction, forming a second insulating layer covering an entire surface of the semiconductor substrate, forming a source line pattern continuously penetrating the second insulating layer, the semiconductor pattern and the first insulating layer, the source line pattern being connected with the first and second common sources, wherein a grain boundary of the semiconductor layer is positioned at a center between the one pair of seed contact structures adjacent to each other, and is positioned over the first common drain or the first common source.
US07709322B2
Methods for fabricating flash memory devices are disclosed. A disclosed method comprises: forming a polysilicon layer on a semiconductor substrate; injecting dopants having stepped implantation energy levels into the polysilicon layer; forming a photoresist pattern on the polysilicon layer; and etching the polysilicon layer to form a floating gate.
US07709319B2
Provided is a semiconductor device including a vertically oriented capacitor extending above the substrate surface and a method of manufacturing such devices in which cell, peripheral and boundary areas between the cell and peripheral areas are defined on a semiconductor substrate. Capacitors are formed in the cell area, a mold pattern is provided in the peripheral areas and an elongated dummy pattern is provided in the boundary areas. The dummy pattern includes a boundary opening in which a thin layer is formed on the elongated inner sidewalls and on the exposed portion of the substrate during formation of the lower electrode. A mold pattern and lower electrode structures having substantially the same height are then formed area so that subsequent insulation interlayer(s) exhibit a generally planar surface, i.e., have no significant step difference between the cell areas and the peripheral areas.
US07709310B2
A semiconductor device has: a semiconductor substrate having a pair of current input/output regions via which current flows; an insulating film formed on the semiconductor substrate and having a gate electrode opening; and a mushroom gate electrode structure formed on the semiconductor substrate via the gate electrode opening, the mushroom gate electrode structure having a stem and a head formed on the stem, the stem having a limited size on the semiconductor substrate along a current direction and having a forward taper shape upwardly and monotonically increasing the size along the current direction, the head having a size expanded stepwise along the current direction, and the stem contacting the semiconductor substrate in the gate electrode opening and riding the insulating film near at a position of at least one of opposite ends of the stem along the current direction.
US07709308B2
Disclosed is a semiconductor device and method of fabricating the same. The device is disposed on a substrate, including a fin constructed with first and second sidewalls, a first gate line formed in the pattern of spacer on the first sidewall of the fin, and a second gate line formed in the pattern of spacer on the second sidewall of the fin. First and second impurity regions are disposed in the fin. The first and second impurity regions are isolated from each other and define a channel region in the fin between the first and second gate lines.
US07709307B2
A nonvolatile memory cell is disclosed, having first and second semiconductor islands at the same horizontal level and spaced a predetermined distance apart, the first semiconductor island providing a control gate and the second semiconductor island providing source and drain terminals; a gate dielectric layer on at least part of the first semiconductor island; a tunneling dielectric layer on at least part of the second semiconductor island; a floating gate on at least part of the gate dielectric layer and the tunneling dielectric layer; and a metal layer in electrical contact with the control gate and the source and drain terminals. In one advantageous embodiment, the nonvolatile memory cell may be manufactured using an “all-printed” process technology.
US07709306B2
A method for forming an electronic device including at least one electrically conductive and one semiconductive material deposited from solution, the method comprising: forming on the substrate a confinement structure consisting of a least a first zone and a second zone, depositing the electrically conductive material on the substrate, wherein the electrically conductive material is absent from both the first and second zone, and subsequently depositing the electrically semiconductive material from solution, wherein the semiconductive material is absent from the first zone, but not from the second zone.
US07709303B2
A process for forming an electronic device can include forming a semiconductor fin of a first height for a fin-type structure and removing a portion of the semiconductor fin such that the semiconductor fin is shortened to a second height. In accordance with specific embodiment a second semiconductor fin can be formed, each of the first and the second semiconductor fins having a different height representing a channel width. In accordance with another specific embodiment a second and a third semiconductor fin can be formed, each of the first, the second and the third semiconductor fins having a different height representing a channel width.
US07709294B2
A method and apparatus for bonding integrated circuits uniquely suited to high volume tag production is described, where conductive material of a substrate at the die-attach-area is cut before an IC chip or transponder is placed on the conductive material over the cut and bonded. The apparatus performs the method of placing a first chip on a substrate having a conductive layer, measuring the location of the first chip on the substrate, cutting the conductive layer at a location of an expected subsequently placed chip to form a cut based on the measured location of the first chip, and placing the subsequently placed chip on the substrate over the cut.
US07709290B2
A method includes chemically bonding a polymeric material to a self-assembled molecular film that is chemically bonded to a surface of a substrate. The self-assembled molecular film includes one or more defect sites and a plurality of active device molecules, each of the plurality of active device molecules including a molecular switching moiety having a self-assembling connecting group at one end of the moiety and a linking group at an opposed end of the moiety. The polymeric material chemically bonds to at least some of the linking groups of the plurality of active device molecules, causing the formation of the self-assembled molecular layer covering the plurality of active device molecules and the defect site(s).
US07709283B2
The invention provides a semiconductor device, a method of manufacturing the same, an electro-optic device and an electronic apparatus which are capable of addressing or solving a problem of mechanical mounting of a semiconductor element chip on a substrate. A semiconductor device includes a tile-shaped microelement bonded to a substrate, and an insulating functional film provided to cover at least a portion of the tile-shaped microelement.
US07709282B2
A production method for producing a light-emitting device 1 in which a light-emitting layer at least comprised of a n-type substrate bearing layer 3 and a p-type substrate bearing layer 4 is layered on a transparent crystal substrate 2 is provided with a step of forming a transfer layer 5 on at least a part of the transparent crystal substrate 2 or the light-emitting layer 3, 4, which transfer layer 5 is softened or set upon supplying an energy thereto; a step of pressing a mold 6 formed with a minute unevenness structure 61 against the transfer layer 5 to transfer the minute unevenness structure 61 to an outer surface of the transfer layer 5, and a step of forming a minute unevenness structure 21, 34 for preventing multiple reflection based on the minute unevenness structure 51 transferred to the transfer layer 5.
US07709278B2
A semiconductor package is disclosed having a single CE signal during electrical test and a plurality of CE signals during normal operation thereafter. After electrical testing of the memory die during fabrication, the electrical traces carrying the single CE signal from the memory test pad matrix to each of the memory die may be severed. Severing the electrical traces from the memory test pad matrix electrically isolates the multiple electrical traces between the controller die and memory die, and allows separate and individual CE signals between the controller die and memory die during normal usage of the memory die.
US07709276B2
A by-product (e.g., RuF5) that is produced in the process of cleaning may cover a cleaning subject film and may obstruct the progress of the cleaning. To suppress an accumulation of the by-product, a cleaning operation is divided into plural operations, performing vacuum evacuation between the divided operations to evaporate the by-product and expose a new surface of the cleaning subject film between each supply of cleaning gas.
US07709267B2
A system and method for extracting headspace vapor is generally disclosed comprising pressurizing a vessel containing headspace vapor with a carrier gas and subsequently venting the sample mixture through an adsorbent trap and out a vent. A flow controller is employed to gradually increase the flow therethrough as the pressure drops as a result of the gradual depletion of headspace vapor in the vessel and, in certain embodiments, the flow controller maintains a constant flow rate. Due to the time saved, in some embodiments, multiple pressurization-venting cycles are implemented to maximize the amount of vapor extracted from the vial. Due to the constant flow rate, in certain embodiments, the pressure decay is monitored and compared to reference values in order to determine whether the sample vessel has a leak or other defect.
US07709265B2
Prior to adding detergent or chelant, the conductivity of water in a washing chamber is measured. The maximum concentration of hard water ions that could correspond to the measured conductivity is determined, i.e., it is assumed that all of the conductivity is from calcium and/or magnesium ions in the water even though other ions may in fact be contributing to the measured conductivity. Enough chelating agent is added to the chamber to sequester this maximum concentration of hard water ions and the conductivity is measured again. Using the two conductivity measurements, the actual concentration of hard water ions is determined. A chelant factor based on the actual concentration of hard water ions is then used to determine the amount of chelant to be added for subsequent wash cycles to sequester all of the hard water ions.
US07709264B2
A method and system for detecting tobacco-specific nitrosamines. The method includes exposing at least one microcantilever beam to a medium, which may contain tobacco-specific nitrosamines, and measuring a deflection of the microcantilever beam, wherein the deflection indicates a presence of tobacco-specific nitrosamines in the medium. The at least one microcantilever beam can include a silicon base layer and a gold-coated receptor layer with a plurality of thiol molecules having a sulfur head and carboxyl-terminated group. The at least one microcantilever beam can include a silicon base layer and a metal or metal oxide coated receptor layer. Alternatively, the microcantilever beam can be formed by co-absorbing tobacco-specific nitrosamines and silane molecules on a silicon microcantilever surface, wherein the template molecules of tobacco-specific nitrosamines physically co-adsorb between the silane molecules. The template molecules of tobacco-specific nitrosamines are then washed away with a solvent to form a silane monolayer having tobacco-specific nitrosamine cavities.
US07709261B2
The present invention describes a novel recombinant NADH recycling system that is used as a process for producing reduced compounds. In a specific embodiment, the reduced compounds include ethanol, succinate, lactate, a vitamin, a pharmaceutical and a biodegraded organic molecule. The NADH recycling system effects metabolic flux of reductive pathways in aerobic and anaerobic environments.
US07709242B2
The present invention describes the production of L-tyrosine by culturing in a medium an Escherichia bacterium which has L-tyrosine-producing ability and which carries a mutant prephenate dehydrogenase which is desensitized to feedback inhibition by L-tyrosine, producing and accumulating L-tyrosine in the medium or in the bacterial cells, and collecting L-tyrosine from the medium or the bacterial cells.
US07709241B2
A method of making sampling tubes containing culture growth media by loading the sample tubes containing culture media into a tray that holds the sample tubes, placing the sample tube trays into a rack with shelving to hold the trays and tubes at a predetermined angle, and sterilizing and cooling the sample tubes in an autoclave or inspissator. The culture growth media solidifies at the predetermined slant angle and the sample tube trays are loaded into the packaging box used for shipment. The trays are subsequently used by the end user for processing microbial growth, including storing and collecting data about microbial samples.
US07709236B2
A process for producing a crude oil having lowered unsaponifiable matter content and/or ester-type sterol content and comprising a highly unsaturated fatty acid as a constituent fatty acid, characterized in that a microorganism capable of producing a fat or oil comprising an unsaturated fatty acid as a constituent fatty acid is cultured in a medium containing a nitrogen source concentration of 2 to 15% within a culture tank equipped with an agitation impeller satisfying the requirement that the ratio of the diameter of agitation impeller (=d) to the inner diameter of the culture tank (=D) is d/D=0.30 to 0.6.
US07709224B2
Vector constructs for expression of two or more functional proteins or polypeptides under operative control of a single promoter and methods of making and using the same are described. The vectors comprise a self-processing cleavage site between each respective protein or polypeptide coding sequence. The vector constructs include the coding sequence for a self-processing cleavage site and may further include an additional proteolytic cleavage sequence which provides a means to remove the self processing peptide sequence from expressed protein(s) or polypeptide(s). The vector constructs find utility in methods for enhanced production of biologically active proteins and polypeptides in vitro and in vivo.
US07709215B2
The present invention provides methods, reagents and kits for diagnosing and/or for the prognosis of non-autoimmune acute joint inflammation by detecting cytokine biomarkers in a sample obtained from an individual thought to be suffering from joint injury. The cytokine biomarkers used with the methods and kits of the present invention are IL-6, MIP-1β, MCP1 and IFNγ.
US07709214B2
The invention provides isolated nucleic acids molecules, designated PD-L2 nucleic acid molecules, which encode novel B7-related molecules which are ligands for PD-1. The invention also provides antisense nucleic acid molecules, recombinant expression vectors containing PD-L2 nucleic acid molecules, host cells into which the expression vectors have been introduced, and nonhuman transgenic animals in which a PD-L2 gene has been introduced or disrupted. The invention further provides isolated PD-L2 polypeptides, fusion proteins, antigenic peptides and anti-PD-L2 antibodies. The invention still further provides methods for promoting or inhibiting the interaction between PD-L2 and PD-1. Diagnostic and treatment methods utilizing compositions of the invention are also provided.
US07709207B2
Methods and products for the attenuation or treatment of pain and the reduction of nociception are described. The methods and products are based on the modulation of CNS intracellular chloride levels. The methods and products may also relate to modulation of the activity and/or expression of a chloride transporter, such as the KCC2 potassium-chloride cotransporter. Also described herein are commercial packages and uses based on such modulation. Related methods for identifying or characterizing a compound for the treatment of pain, the reduction of nociception and the diagnosis and prognostication of pain are also described.
US07709192B2
A nucleic acid ligand “biochip” is disclosed, consisting of a solid support to which one or more specific nucleic acid ligands is attached in a spatially defined manner. Each nucleic acid ligand binds specifically and avidly to a particular target molecule contained within a test mixture, such as a bodily fluid. The target molecules include, but are not limited to, proteins (cellular, viral, bacterial, etc.) hormones, sugars, metabolic byproducts, cofactor, and intermediates, drugs, and toxins. Contacting the test mixture with the biochip leads to the binding of a target molecule to its cognate nucleic acid ligand. The biochip may then be contacted with a reagent(s) that reacts covalently with proteins and not with nucleic acids. Each protein target in the test mixture may then detected by detecting the presence of the reagent at the appropriate address on the biochip.
US07709191B2
A change in viral tropism occurs in many HIV positive individuals over time and may be indicated by a shift in coreceptor use from CCR5 to CXCR4. The shift in coreceptor use to CXCR4 has been shown to correlate with increased disease progression. In patients undergoing HAART, the predominant populations of virus may be shifted back to CCR5-mediated entry soon after the CXCR4-specific strains have emerged. The present invention relates to a diagnostic method to monitor coreceptor use in the treatment and clinical management of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. The present invention further relates to a diagnostic method applied to HIV-positive individuals undergoing HAART to monitor the suppression of CCR5- or CXCR4-specific strains. The diagnostic methods may be used to assist in selecting antiretroviral therapy and to improve predictions of disease prognosis over time. The methods of the invention include cell-based methods, including cell fusion assays, and molecular-based methods, including heteroduplex tracking assay, to both quantitatively and qualitatively analyze patient-derived HIV for coreceptor usage.
US07709185B2
In a method for imaging a lithographic printing form, subareas of a surface of the lithographic printing form which are covered by amphiphilic molecules, are exposed to electromagnetic radiation. Following the exposure and before printing from the lithographic printing form, the subareas are treated with at least one complex-forming substance, so that a lithographic printing area structured into hydrophilic and hydrophobic regions is obtained.
US07709183B2
A workpiece 70 is set to holding rotating means and then liquid-state photosensitive resin 10 is supplied to a resin applying smoothing unit 150 to mold the workpiece 70 into a uniform thickness while rotating the workpiece 70 and applying the liquid-state photosensitive resin 10 to the outer periphery of the workpiece 70 by the resin applying smoothing unit 150. Moreover, while rotating the workpiece 70, liquid-state photosensitive resin, it is exposed by high-intensity ultraviolet light 30 and thereby, the surface of the photo-cured photosensitive resin is shaped to remove an unnecessary resin layer. Then, laser carving is performed by an infrared laser beam 40 to perform post-treatment.
US07709181B2
Cyanine compounds represented by the general formula (I) which exhibit decomposition behavior suitable for the optical recording material to be used in optical recording layers of optical recording media for high-speed recording: (I) wherein A and B are each an optionally substituted benzene or naphthalene ring; X is O, S, Se, CR3R4, or NY; at least either of R1 and R2 is a group represented by the general formula (II) or (III) and when only either is a group represented thereby, the other is an organic group having 1 to 30 carbon atoms; R3 and R4 are each an organic group having 1 to 30 carbon atoms; Y is hydrogen or an organic group having 1 to 30 carbon atoms; at least either of Y1 and Y2 is a group represented by the general formula (IV) and when only either is a group represented thereby, the other is hydrogen or an organic group having 1 to 30 carbon atoms; Z is hydrogen, halogeno, or cyano; Anm− is an m-valent anion; m is an integer of 1 or 2; and p is a coefficient capable of keeping the electric charge neutral.
US07709177B2
Multilayered resist structures including bilayer and top surface imaging which utilize tuned underlayers functioning as ARCs, planarizing layers, and etch resistant hard masks whose properties such as optical, chemical and physical properties are tailored to give a multilayer resist structure exhibiting high resolution, residue free lithography and methods of preparing these materials.
US07709168B2
A photoconductor that includes, for example, a supporting substrate, a photogenerating layer, and at least one charge transport layer comprised of at least one charge transport component, and wherein the at least one charge transport layer contains at least one phosphonium salt.
US07709163B2
The present invention facilitates a control of a temperature of white color and color tones of respective colors of a color liquid crystal display device. To achieve such an aim, a display device of the present invention includes a display panel which arranges a plurality of color filters which differ in color for each pixel, and at least the color filter of one color is formed of a plurality of filter layers stacked on a transparent substrate.
US07709154B2
Disclosed is an electrolyte of a lithium secondary battery comprising a lithium salt, an organic solvent, and at least one additive compound selected from the group consisting of compounds represented by the following formula (1) and derivatives thereof: where R1 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen radicals, alkyls, aryls, cycloalkyls, alkenyls, alkynyls, ester radicals, and aliphatic carbonate radicals. The electrolyte improves both swelling inhibition properties at high temperature and capacity characteristics of a lithium secondary battery.
US07709152B2
An organic/inorganic composite separator includes (a) a polyolefin porous substrate having pores; and (b) a porous active layer containing a mixture of inorganic particles and a binder polymer, with which at least one surface of the polyolefin porous substrate is coated, wherein the porous active layer has a peeling force of 5 gf/cm or above, and a thermal shrinkage of the separator after being left alone at 150° C. for 1 hour is 50% or below in a machine direction (MD) or in a transverse direction (TD). This organic/inorganic composite separator solves the problem that inorganic particles in the porous active layer formed on the porous substrate are extracted during an assembly process of an electrochemical device, and also it may prevent an electric short circuit between cathode and anode even when the electrochemical device is overheated.
US07709151B2
As a positive electrode active material, a lithium transition metal complex oxide having a layered rock-salt structure containing lithium (Li) and containing magnesium atoms (Mg) substituted for part of lithium atoms (Li) is used. The lithium transition metal complex oxide is formed by chemical or electrochemical substitution of Mg atoms for part of Li atoms in LiCoO2, LiMnO2, LiFeO2, LiNiO2, or the like. A cell is prepared in which a negative electrode 2 and a positive electrode 1 including the lithium transition metal complex oxide (positive electrode active material) are disposed in a non-aqueous electrolyte 5 including a lithium salt, and part of Li in the lithium transition metal complex oxide is extracted by discharging the cell. Then, the electrolyte including Li is replaced with an electrolyte including Mg, and the cell is discharged, so that Mg atoms are substituted for the part of Li atoms in the lithium transition metal complex oxide.
US07709144B2
Processes for making rigid, binder free agglomerates of powdered metal are disclosed. The agglomerates have a low tap density. Articles that contain binder free agglomerates made from electrochemically active powder are also disclosed.
US07709143B2
A rechargeable battery includes an electrode assembly having a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator positioned between the positive and negative electrodes, a case for housing the electrode assembly, and a spacer positioned between the electrode assembly and the case.
US07709140B2
A separator for an electrochemical cell, comprising (A) a flexible perforate support, and (B) a porous ceramic material which fills the perforations in the support and is suitable for receiving an ion-conducting electrolyte, wherein the porous ceramic material comprises a first porous layer which is characterized by an average pore size and also at least one second porous layer for contacting with an electrode, the second porous layer having an average pore size which is smaller than the average pore size of the first porous layer.
US07709136B2
A battery pack assembly is provided for supplying electrical power to an electronic device, such as an electronic receiver of an animal confinement system. The battery pack assembly is removably insertable within a receptacle of the electronic receiver to electrically connect a battery contained within the battery pack assembly to internal electronics of the electronic receiver.
US07709130B2
A fuel cell include a membrane electrode assembly including an anode, a cathode opposed to the anode, and an electrolyte membrane interposed between the anode and the cathode; a lyophobic porous body in contact with the anode; and an anode passage plate in contact with the lyophobic porous body, the anode passage plate including a gas collection passage and a fuel supplying passage, the gas collection passage collects a gas generated in the anode via the lyophobic porous body, the fuel supplying passage supplies a fuel to the anode via the lyophobic porous body.
US07709128B2
A separating plate for a fuel cell includes first and second plates, each provided with a hydrogen channel, an oxygen channel, and a coolant channel. The first and second plates are attached to one another to form a main plate such that the first and second hydrogen, oxygen, and coolant channels compose main hydrogen, oxygen, and coolant channels, respectively. The main hydrogen and oxygen channels are fluidly isolated from each other. Distal ends of the main channels each communicate with a manifold through a communication passageway configured to supply hydrogen, oxygen, or coolant to a corresponding one of the main channels.
US07709127B2
A composition useful for the fueling and refueling of electrochemical devices is described. The composition comprises an ion-conducting medium such as an electrolyte, and catalyst nanoparticles. Unlike traditional electrodes, such as those typically used in electrolyzers and fuel cells, the inventive composition may be quickly drained from the device and refilled to maintain maximum cell performance. In addition, the electro-catalytic charging composition can be stored as a solid for safe handling; for example in a portable cartridge.
US07709126B2
Disclosed is a micro power cell capable of being applied as an energy source and utilizing a streaming potential phenomenon occurring in accordance with an electrokinetic principle when an electrolyte aqueous solution flows in the microchannels piled up in several layers. The streaming potential cell consists of a PDMS microfluidic-chip fabricated by MEMS process as well as micromachining technology. The microfluidic-chip is formed with multi microchannels radially arranged in parallel with each other around a center of a disk at a regular interval. The disk type multi microchannel can achieve uniform inflow and outflow effects. According to the invention, there is provided a cell device comprising a pile-up chip having a number of disk type microfluidic-chips with the optimal structure of flow-in and flow-out of a fluid, a distributor, a collector, an electrode insertion part, etc.
US07709125B2
A fuel cell system having a cooling fluid flowing therethrough includes a fuel cell stack in heat transfer communication with the cooling fluid and a conduit through which the cooling fluid flows. The conduit includes a first layer of hydrogen-permeable material. Hydrogen within the cooling fluid permeates through the first layer of hydrogen-permeable material to reduce a hydrogen content of the cooling fluid.
US07709122B2
A method for producing a proton conductive electrolyte membrane in which proton conductivity is sufficiently high, methanol permeability is sufficiently low and physical strength is sufficient for reducing the thickness adequately. The production method includes: laminating a dispersion liquid containing inorganic particles and inflammable organic particles on an inflammable support, the inflammable organic particles having an average particle size of 100 to 450 nm; baking the inflammable support on which the dispersion liquid is laminated; and filling a porous membrane formed of the inorganic particles obtained by the baking with an proton conductive organic material.
US07709119B2
In a method for operating a fuel cell including an electrolyte membrane sandwiched by a fuel electrode and an oxidizing agent electrode, the method includes a hydrogen feedback process either before starting operation of the fuel cell or after stopping operation of the fuel cell. The hydrogen feedback process includes the processes of a process for electrically connecting a positive electrode of an external electric power source to the oxidizing agent electrode of the fuel cell, a process for electrically connecting a negative electrode of the external electric power source to the fuel electrode of the fuel cell, a process for oxidizing hydrogen remaining in the oxidizing agent electrode to generate protons, the hydrogen contained in the fuel, and a process for reducing the protons, transferred to the fuel electrode from the oxidizing agent electrode through the electrolyte membrane, into hydrogen.
US07709117B2
An apparatus for supplying mixed fuel includes a water container storing water; a fuel container storing fuel, including at least gaseous fuel, the fuel container being coupled to the water container by a pressure pipe for transferring internal pressure of the fuel container to the water container; and a mixer coupled to the water container through a water supplying pipe and coupled to the fuel container through a fuel supplying pipe, the mixer outputting mixed fuel through a mixed fuel supplying pipe. A water supplying unit includes a water container storing water and connected to a water supplying pipe, the water container having an outlet; and a pressure applying unit coupled to the water container for applying gas pressure to an inside of the water container to discharge water from the water container through the outlet.
US07709112B2
An information recording medium comprises a substrate, a second recording layer, a second light transmitting layer, a first recording layer for recording different information from that to be recorded in the second recording layer, and a first light transmitting layer. The second recording layer is formed with a continuous second microscopic pattern of grooves. The first recording layer is formed with a continuous first microscopic pattern of grooves that is different from the second microscopic pattern. Both sidewalls of raised portions of the first and second microscopic patterns are formed with wobbling so as to be parallel with each other. Auxiliary information and a reference clock is recorded on these sidewalls alternately and continuously.
US07709111B2
An information recording medium comprises a substrate, a second recording layer, a second light transmitting layer, a first recording layer for recording different information from that to be recorded in the second recording layer, and a first light transmitting layer. The second recording layer is formed with a continuous second microscopic pattern of grooves. The first recording layer is formed with a continuous first microscopic pattern of grooves that is different from the second microscopic pattern. Both sidewalls of raised portions of the first and second microscopic patterns are formed with wobbling so as to be parallel with each other. Auxiliary information and a reference clock is recorded on these sidewalls alternately and continuously.
US07709108B2
An information recording medium comprises a substrate, a second recording layer, a second light transmitting layer, a first recording layer for recording different information from that to be recorded in the second recording layer, and a first light transmitting layer. The second recording layer is formed with a continuous second microscopic pattern of grooves. The first recording layer is formed with a continuous first microscopic pattern of grooves that is different from the second microscopic pattern. Both sidewalls of raised portions of the first and second microscopic patterns are formed with wobbling so as to be parallel with each other. Auxiliary information and a reference clock is recorded on these sidewalls alternately and continuously.
US07709105B2
An OLED device comprises a cathode, an anode, and has therebetween a light-emitting layer containing a phosphorescent emitter and a host comprising a first aluminum or gallium complex containing at least one 2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)pyridine ligand and at least one phenoxy ligand, wherein the phenoxy ligand is substituted by an amine or there is further present adjacent to the light-emitting layer on the cathode side a layer containing a second aluminum or gallium complex containing at least one 2-(2-hydroxyphenyl)pyridine ligand and at least one phenoxy ligand.
US07709103B2
The present invention provides a nano particle phosphor with superior luminous characteristic formed using nitride semiconductor material, a method of manufacturing the phosphor with high production yield, and a light emitting device using the phosphor. The phosphor is formed of a columnar crystal having a diameter of at most 3 nm, a light emitting region and a light absorbing region are defined in the columnar crystal, and the light emitting region and the light absorbing region are adjacent to each other along a longitudinal direction of the columnar crystal.
US07709100B2
An organic light emitting device is provided. The device has an anode, a cathode, and an emissive layer disposed between the anode and the cathode. The emissive layer further includes a molecule of Formula I (shown below) wherein an alkyl substituent at position R′5, which is an alkyl substituent, results in high efficiency and operational stability in the organic light emitting device.
US07709087B2
A fabricated microstructure includes a substrate, a primary fiber, and a plurality of base fibers. The primary fiber has a width less than about 5 microns. Each base fiber of the plurality of base fibers has a first end attached to the primary fiber and a second end attached to the substrate. Each base fiber has a width less than the width of the primary fiber.
US07709085B2
A thermosetting resin composition capable of providing a molding, such as a resin sheet, that excels in not only dielectric characteristics but also dimensional stability at high temperature and even after exposure to high temperature thermal history, exhibits little dimensional change by the thermal history, namely, exhibiting low linear expansion coefficient. There are further provided a resin sheet and resin sheet for insulated substrate produced from the thermosetting resin composition. In particular, there is provided a thermosetting resin composition comprising an epoxy resin of 100 to 2000 epoxy equivalent, an epoxy resin hardening agent consisting of a phenolated compound, and a layered silicate, and are further provided a resin sheet comprised of the thermosetting resin composition and a resin sheet for insulated substrate comprised of the resin sheet.
US07709080B2
Disclosed is a display device. The display device includes first and second substrates facing each other, a sealant pattern including a first compound attaching the first and the second substrates together, and a separator pattern within the sealant pattern. The separator pattern includes a second compound chemically reacting with the first compound to block the diffusion of the first compound.
US07709072B2
An adhesive pattern for a label system is disclosed. The adhesive pattern includes a label sheet having a plurality of non-adhesive sections, and a plurality of adhesive sections connected to the non-adhesive sections. The non-adhesive sections and the adhesive sections are in alternate arrangement to form the label sheet. The label sheet also includes a plurality of labels having a first end and a second end, and the first end is attached to a non-adhesive section. Upon removal of the label from a non-adhesive section, the label has a non-sticking surface.
US07709070B2
Articles for applying color on a surface comprise a sheet of dry color component and an adhesive on one surface of the sheet of dry color component. The article further includes a releasable liner, and the sheet of dry color component is arranged between the releasable liner and the adhesive. Methods for providing a substantially permanent color effect on an architectural surface comprise delivering such an article to the architectural surface.
US07709066B2
A liquid crystal composition is provided that satisfies at least one characteristic among the characteristics such as a high maximum temperature of a nematic phase, a low minimum temperature of a nematic phase, a small viscosity, a large optical anisotropy, a large dielectric anisotropy, a large specific resistance, a high stability to ultraviolet light and a high stability to heat, or is properly balanced regarding at least two characteristics. An AM device is provided that has a short response time, a large voltage holding ratio, a large contrast ratio, a long service life and so forth. The liquid crystal composition contains a specific tricyclic compound having a large optical anisotropy as the first component and a specific tetracyclic compound having a large dielectric anisotropy as the second component, and may contain a specific bicyclic compound having a particularly small viscosity as the third component. The liquid crystal composition has a nematic phase. The liquid crystal display device contains the liquid crystal composition.
US07709062B2
A hole in a sample from which a sample piece has been extracted with a focused ion beam is filled at high speed using ion beam gas assisted deposition. A method of filling the hole by using the ion beam includes a step of irradiating the hole formed in a face of the sample with the ion beam to thereby form an ion beam gas-assisted deposition layer in the hole. The ion beam gas-assisted deposition layer is formed in the hole while controlling the area to which the ion beam is irradiated so as to cause the ion beam to fall on a part of a side wall of the hole and to not fall on another part of the side wall in an area scanned with the ion beam. The filled hole may then be covered with a protective film.
US07709058B2
A process for coating metals, selected from aluminum and its alloys, zinc and its alloys, and galvanized or alloy-galvanized steel, in which the metal is given a weather-resistant protective coating, wherein the metal is cleaned if necessary, and thereafter subjected to a conversion treatment; optionally flushed with water and/or dried; brought into contact with a coating agent which comprises aliphatic cross-linking urethane resins, cross-linking agents, anti-corrosion pigments, one or more organic solvents and/or water and, if desired, other active or auxiliary substances; and then cured.
US07709053B2
A method of manufacturing polymer-coated particles is useful for chemical mechanical polishing magnetic, optical, semiconductor or silicon substrates. First it provides a dispersion of particle cores in a non-aqueous solvent. Then introducing a polymeric precursor into the dispersion to react the polymeric precursor forms a polymer. The polymer coats at least a portion of the surface of the particle cores with the polymer and forms the polymer-coated particles having a solid outer polymeric shell. Substituting the non-aqueous solvent with water forms an aqueous mixture containing the polymer-coated particles. And it forms an aqueous chemical mechanical polishing formulation with the polymer-coated particles without drying the polymer-coated particles.
US07709052B2
Alkyldiketene-containing aqueous polymer dispersions which are obtainable by miniemulsion polymerization of hydrophobic monoethylenically unsaturated monomers in the presence of alkyldiketenes, processes for the preparation of such polymer dispersions and the use of the thus obtainable dispersions as sizes for paper or as water repellents for leather, natural and/or manmade fibers and textiles.
US07709040B2
A process for treating tomato concentrates obtainable by concentration by evaporation, having a dry residue in percentage by weight higher than 15%, generally at least of about 18%, comprising the following steps: I) mixing of the tomato concentrate (component a)) with water (component b)); II) liquid separation by a separation solid-liquid apparatus, wherein the mass to be filtered is maintained under a slow stirring; III) addition of water and/or serum to the solid mass obtained in II).
US07709036B2
A method for producing granules made from malt extract is provided. The method provides for producing granules continuously or in batches under the prevention as much as possible of non-uniform temperature distributions in the production process. Simultaneously, the controllability of the granulation in the production is improved. This is realized by linking thermal conditions in the spraying zone and the temperature conditions in other region of the apparatus. This is achieved such that the supply of the heated process gas for drying is realized exclusively in the spraying region. The reliable supply of particles into the spraying region is performed through the special geometric configuration of the apparatus under the use of gravity.
US07709030B2
A description follows of mixtures of copper (II) hydroxide with at least one other cupric salt having the formula (A) and their use for the control of phytopathogenic fungi.
US07709027B2
The invention relates to an anti-inflammatory, wound-healing glass powder, whereby the glass of the glass powder comprises the following components: 20-80 wt. % SiO2, 0-40 wt. % Na2O, 0-40 wt. % K2O, 0-40 wt. % Li2O, 0-40 wt. % CaO, 0-40 wt. % MgO, 0-40 wt. % Al2O3, 0-1 wt. % P2O5, 0-40 wt. % B2O3 and 0-10 wt. % ZnO.
US07709026B2
The invention relates to a pharmaceutical vaginal composition for treating or preventing vaginal infections. The composition includes a synergistic mix of a bioadhesive, extended release formulation that decreases the pH and that contains a peroxide in an amount sufficient to increase oxygen concentration without sterilizing the vagina or substantially killing the normally-desired local vaginal flora. The invention also relates to a method of treating or preventing vaginal infections in a patient comprising inserting vaginally an amount of the pharmaceutical vaginal composition in an amount sufficient to decrease the pH and increase oxygen concentration without sterilizing the vagina or substantially killing the normally-desired local vaginal flora.
US07709025B2
Enteric film coating systems for orally ingestible substrates such as pharmaceutical tablets and dietary supplements are disclosed. In preferred aspects, the enteric film coatings include an ethylcellulose dispersion and a substantially gastro-insoluble pore former such as sodium alginate.
US07709021B2
The invention relates to a wound dressing comprising a microbial-derived cellulose for treatment of specific types of chronic wounds, including pressure sores, venous and diabetic ulcers. The wound dressing is capable of donating liquid to dry substrates is also capable of absorbing exudating wounds.
US07709018B2
A composite material comprising: (i) hyaluronic acid and/or hyaluronic acid derivatives, (ii) demineralised bone and/or biocompatible partially or totally demineralised bone tissue matrix and/or biocompatible and bioresorbable ceramic materials. This material preferably associated with at least one layer comprising a hyaluronic acid derivative may be used in the preparation of bone substitutes or grafts for the regeneration or formation of bone tissue in surgery.
US07709016B2
The object of the present invention is to impart lasting excellent insect proof property to boards.According to the present invention, an insecticidal treatment liquid which contains an insecticide in an aqueous dispersion of colloidal silica is applied to the surface of a coat on a substrate applied with coating. Namely, according to the present invention, since a coating composition is not used to fix the insecticide to the surface of the coat, the insecticide is not diluted with a resin in the coating composition.
US07709015B2
Disclosed is a polyol-in-silicone emulsion consisting essentially of: (i) an alkyl dimethicone copolyol having an HLB of from about 4 to about 6, and a molecular weight of from about 10,000 to about 20,000, wherein the alkyl group is made of about 10 to about 22 carbons; and (ii) a polyol, wherein the weight ratio of the alkyl dimethicone copolyol to the polyol is from about 100:1 to about 2:8; methods to make such a polyol-in-silicone emulsion, as well as an anhydrous personal care composition comprising by weight: (a) from about 0.01% to about 15% of an alkyl dimethicone copolyol having an HLB of about 4-6, and a molecular weight of from about 10,000 to about 20,000, wherein the alkyl group is made of about 10 to about 22 carbons; (b) from about 0.01% to about 35% of a polyol, wherein the weight ratio of the alkyl dimethicone copolyol to the polyol is from about 100:1 to about 2:8; and wherein the composition is substantially free of water.
US07709011B2
Cosmetic or pharmaceutical preparations comprising an oxalkylated polyglycerol ester of the formula (1) in which A is a group of the formula —C2H4— or —C3H6—, B is hydrogen or a group of the formula —COR, where at least one symbol B is a group of the formula —COR, R is C7-C21-alkyl or C2-C21-alkenyl, n is a number from 1 to 30 and x, y and z are numbers from 0 to 100, where the sum of x, y and z is 50 to 250.
US07709010B2
The present invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising virus-like particles (VLPs) of HPV, said VLPs adsorbed to an aluminum adjuvant, and an ISCOM-type adjuvant comprising a saponin, cholesterol, and a phospholipid. In preferred embodiments, the aluminum adjuvant comprises amorphous aluminum hydroxyphosphate sulfate. Another aspect of the invention provides multi-dose HPV vaccine formulations comprising HPV VLPs and an antimicrobial preservative selected from the group consisting of: m-cresol, phenol and benzyl alcohol. Also provided are methods of using the disclosed pharmaceutical compositions and formulations to induce an immune response against HPV in a human patient and to prevent HPV infection.
US07709009B2
The invention includes a GAS antigen, GAS 40, which is particularly suitable for use either alone or in combinations with additional GAS antigens, such as GAS 117, GAS 130, GAS 277, GAS 236, GAS 40, GAS 389, GAS 504, GAS 509, GAS 366, GAS 159, GAS 217, GAS 309, GAS 372, GAS 039, GAS 042, GAS 058, GAS 290, GAS 511, GAS 533, GAS 527, GAS 294, GAS 253, GAS 529, GAS 045, GAS 095, GAS 193, GAS 137, GAS 084, GAS 384, GAS 202, and GAS 057.
US07709007B2
Attenuated respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and vaccine compositions thereof are produced by introducing specific mutations associated with attenuating phenotypes into wild-type or RSV which is incompletely attenuated by cold-passage or introduction of mutations which produce virus having a temperature sensitive (ts) or cold adapted (ca) phenotype. Alternatively, recombinant RSV and vaccine compositions thereof incorporate attenuating and other mutations specifying desired structural and or phenotypic characteristics in an infectious RSV. Recombinant RSV incorporate desired mutations specified by insertion, deletion, substitution or rearrangement of a selected nucleotide sequence, gene, or gene segment in an infectious RSV clone. The immune system of an individual is stimulated to induce protection against natural RSV infection, or multivalently against infection by RSV and another pathogen, such as PIV, by administration of attenuated, biologically derived or recombinant RSV.
US07708991B2
The present invention relates to compositions and methods for treating cancer, especially epithelial and eutopic cancers using inhibitors of H-HCG or β-H-HCG, as well as vaccines for use in oncostasis or reducing the likelihood of recurrence of cancer after remission. In addition, the present invention provides a method for reducing the likelihood that a woman will become pregnant or that an unwanted pregnancy may be terminated.
US07708989B2
The invention provides methods of treating and/or preventing vascular diseases characterized by nitric oxide insufficiency by administering a therapeutically effective amount of at least one nitrosated angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, nitrosated beta-adrenergic blocker, nitrosated cholesterol reducer, nitrosated calcium channel blocker, nitrosated endothelin antagonist, nitrosated angiotensin II receptor antagonist, nitrosated renin inhibitor, and optionally at least one compound used to treat cardiovascular diseases and/or at least one antioxidant, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and/or at least one compound that donates, transfers or releases nitric oxide, elevates endogenous levels of endothelium-derived relaxing factor, stimulates endogenous synthesis of nitric oxide or is a substrate for nitric oxide synthase. The antioxidant may preferably be a hydralazine compound or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. The compound that donates, transfers or releases nitric oxide, elevates endogenous levels of endothelium-derived relaxing factor, stimulates endogenous synthesis of nitric oxide or is a substrate for nitric oxide synthase may preferably be isosorbide dinitrate and/or isosorbide mononitrate. The vascular diseases characterized by nitric oxide insufficiency include a cardiovascular disease and a disease resulting from oxidative stress.
US07708988B2
The present invention discloses compositions and methodologies for the utilization of probiotic organisms in therapeutic compositions. More specifically, the present invention relates to the utilization of one or more species or strains of lactic acid-producing bacteria, preferably strains of Bacillus coagulans, for the control of gastrointestinal tract pathogens, including antibiotic-resistant gastrointestinal tract pathogens, and their associated diseases by both a reduction in the rate of colonization and the severity of the deleterious physiological effects of the colonization of the antibiotic-resistant pathogen. In addition, the present invention relates to the utilization of therapeutic compounds comprised of lactic acid-producing bacteria and anti-microbial agents such as antibiotics, anti-fungal compounds, anti-yeast compounds, or anti-viral compounds. The present invention also discloses methodologies for: (i) the selective breeding and isolation of probiotic, lactic acid-producing bacterial strains which possess resistance or markedly decreased sensitivity to anti-microbial agents (e.g., antibiotics, anti-fungal agents, anti-yeast agents, and anti-viral agents); and (ii) treating or preventing bacteria-mediated infections of the gastrointestinal tract by use of the aforementioned probiotic bacterial strains with or without the concomitant administration of antibiotics. While the primary focus is on the treatment of gastrointestinal tract infections, the therapeutic compositions of the present invention may also be administered to buccal, vaginal, optic, and like physiological locations.
US07708979B2
Thermogelling polymers are described containing poly (n-isopropyl acrylamide). Solutions of this polymer, copolymers or mixtures of the polymer with a second polymer such as poly(ethylene glycol), poly (vinyl pyrrolidone) or poly(vinyl alcohol) are liquids at room temperature and solids at body temperature. Thus, also provided are methods of implanting a hydrogel into a mammal by injecting the solution as a liquid at a temperature below body temperature into a selected site in the mammal at a temperature below body temperature, which then undergoes thermal phase transition to form a solid hydrogel in situ in the body as the implant warms to body temperature. Methods for using these thermal gelling materials in various applications including nucleus pulposus replacement/augmentation, wound care, disk replacement, cartilage replacement, joint replacement, surgical barriers, gastrointestinal devices, cosmetic and reconstructive surgery, and breast enlargement are also provided.
US07708978B2
Targeted hydrophilic polymer, binders with interferon and medical composite comprising above binders
The present invention relates to an active targeted water-solubility macromolecule polymer, conjugate with interferon and pharmaceutical composition comprising the conjugate. The targeted agent includes, for example, glucose, galatose and the like, as well as their derivates. The conjugate of the present invention is well in water-solubility and have long physiological cycle half-life period, and have specific recognition to pathology organize, improved and increased medication effect of interferon to Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C etc. infectivity sickness and cancer, infect complication etc.
US07708977B2
A method for diagnosing decreased vascular function is disclosed. The method includes assaying the number of endothelial progenitor cells. A method for detecting increased cardiovascular risk is also disclosed, as is a method for diagnosing atherosclerosis. In one example, the methods include assaying the number of endothelial progenitor cells. A method for treating a subject with decreased vascular function is disclosed. The method includes administering a therapeutically effective amount of endothelial progenitor cells to the subject. In one embodiment, the subject has atherosclerosis.
US07708976B2
A novel small pore (metallo)aluminophosphate molecular sieve is disclosed. The as-synthesized material has an X-ray diffraction pattern including the lines listed in Table 1 and is produced in the presence of fluoride ions and 4-dimethylaminopyridine as structure directing agent. The silicoaluminophosphate material has methanol conversion activity and n-hexane cracking activity.
US07708972B2
Method for producing sodium carbonate, according to which an aqueous sodium chloride solution (5) is electrolyzed in a membrane-type cell (1) from which an aqueous sodium hydroxide solution (9) is collected, and carbonated by direct contact with carbon dioxide (15) to form a slurry of crystals of a sodium carbonate (16), and the slurry or its mother liquor is evaporated (3) to collect sodium carbonate (18).
US07708967B2
The invention provides a process for disposal of mercaptans, the process comprising the steps of: (a) contacting a feed gas stream comprising mercaptans with liquid sulphur in a sulphide producing zone at elevated pressure and at a temperature in the range of from 300 to 450° C. to obtain a liquid stream comprising sulphur and sulphide compounds; (b) optionally separating the liquid stream obtained in step (a) into a first liquid phase enriched in liquid sulphur and a second liquid phase enriched in sulphide compounds; (c) combusting at least part of the sulphide compounds at elevated temperature in the presence of an oxygen-containing gas in a sulphur dioxide generation zone using a sulphide burner to which burner oxygen-containing gas is supplied, whereby at least part of the sulphide compounds is converted to sulphur dioxide to obtain a gas stream comprising sulphur dioxide.
US07708964B2
Pollution control substances may be formed from the combustion of oil shale, which may produce a kerogen-based pyrolysis gas and shale sorbent, each of which may be used to reduce, absorb, or adsorb pollutants in pollution producing combustion processes, pyrolysis processes, or other reaction processes. Pyrolysis gases produced during the combustion or gasification of oil shale may also be used as a combustion gas or may be processed or otherwise refined to produce synthetic gases and fuels.
US07708962B2
A process for the separation and purification of hafnium and zirconium.
US07708959B2
A sterilization system for use in association with a filler device configured for filling at least one of rigid and flexible containers comprising a sterilization chamber and a sterilant supply assembly. The sterilization chamber includes a housing, an inlet into the housing, an outlet from the housing and a product retainer assembly. These components define a cavity within which to position a portion of a fitment. The sterilant supply assembly comprises a steam generating system having a steam supply conduit extending therefrom and a joint mixing conduit coupled with the inlet into the housing of the sterilization chamber, a hydrogen peroxide storing system and a member for metering liquid phase hydrogen peroxide from the hydrogen peroxide storing system into the steam supply conduit for mixing therewith, and, in turn, introduction thereof into the cavity of the sterilization chamber.
US07708956B2
A method and an apparatus for removing sulfur hydrocarbon compounds from a naphtha stream and for simultaneously removing sulfur hydrocarbon compounds from two streams is described. A separator vessel having a top, a bottom, a primary feed inlet and a co-feed inlet is disposed vertically above the primary feed inlet. The separator vessel further includes a catalyst bed disposed between the co-feed inlet and the top. A primary feed stream comprising sulfur hydrocarbon compounds is delivered through the effluent inlet and a vaporized co-feed stream that also comprises sulfur hydrocarbon compounds is delivered through the co-feed inlet. Vaporized sulfur hydrocarbon compounds from the primary feed stream with the vaporized co-feed stream pass upwardly through the desulfurization catalyst bed. Sulfur hydrocarbon compounds from both primary feed and co-feed stream are at least partially converted to hydrogen sulfide and non-sulfur containing hydrocarbons in the catalyst bed.
US07708948B2
The invention relates to a test system for analyzing body fluids of the type comprising a test element tape carrying a plurality of test elements, a tape deflector for the test element tape for the selective application of body fluid, and a light source as well as a detector for optically analyzing test elements to which body fluid has been applied. The tape deflector has a rotatable optical element which acts as a deflection roller during transport of the test element tape. The optical element is positioned in the optical path between the light source and the detector.
US07708946B1
A device for automation of biological and medical tests wherein test subjects or specimens that are placed in test vessels are subsequently treated by different liquid reagents, including: at least two test vessels of dimensions providing accommodation of specimens, a hydraulic gravity feeding system to deliver the liquid reagents into the two test vessels, a hydraulic gravity discharging system to remove waste liquid or spent reagents from the test vessels and directing them into an apparatus for accommodation of the such waste liquid or spent reagents, and a control system operating the device. A mechanical system is provided for agitating the test vessels.
US07708934B2
In a method for manufacturing a precursor ceramic by pyrolysis of elementorganic precursor polymers, carbon nanotubes are bonded to the precursor ceramic and the bonding is performed in such a way that the quantity of free carbon forming in the decomposition of the elementorganic precursor polymers is adjusted in such a way that there is a stoichiometric or moderately hypostoichiometric carbon concentration in the precursor ceramic.
US07708928B2
Medical device balloons are formed from a tubular parison by a process or apparatus which establishes a controlled location (initiation zone) on the parison where radial expansion is initiated. Initiation within the initiation zone is achieved by heating the parison in that location to a higher temperature than the remainder of the parison for at least a portion of the blowing time. A variety of apparatus configurations are provided, some of which allow for the size and location of the initiation zone to be readily reconfigured. Balloons can also be modified, post-blowing, using heating apparatus and methods described.
US07708925B2
An apparatus for heating and setting elements of a stent. The apparatus is a mandrel having a central core cylinder with an outer surface including a plurality of raised forms and gaps in-between the raised forms. The mandrel also includes a first and second outer cylinder, each having a curved radial end with a cut-out design similar to the shape of the plurality of raised forms. Once a stent is placed on the central core cylinder, the first and second outer cylinders are positioned on the central core cylinder such that the curved radial ends of the first and second outer cylinders align with the plurality of raised forms, shaping the stent.
US07708921B2
A cast web formed on a support in a casting process is peeled off the support by a first roller in a peeling and conveying process. As being peeled by the first roller, the cast web forms a film, and conveyed through a second roller to a tenter drying process. The peeling and conveying process has a length from a peeling position to a holding position of the film by clips. The length is set to be 10% to 80% of the width of the cast web. The first and second rollers are concave rollers. A couple of blowers are disposed at the end of the peeling and conveying process, to blow the lateral sides of the film in laterally outward directions of the film, to stretch curls in the lateral sides of the film.
US07708903B2
The present invention relates to fluoroolefin compositions. The fluoroolefin compositions of the present invention are useful as refrigerants or heat transfer fluids and in processes for producing cooling or heat. Additionally, the fluoroolefin compositions of the present invention may be used to replace currently used refrigerant or heat transfer fluid compositions that have higher global warming potential.
US07708901B2
The invention relates to magnetorheological materials comprising at least one non-magnetisable carrier medium and magnetisable particles contained therein, in addition a combination of magnetic and non-magnetic inorganic materials and/or composite particles thereof being contained.
US07708898B2
A system for removing particles from a slurry tank includes a filtering device and a controller. The filtering device collects and removes particles deposited within the slurry tank and the controller controls the placement and movement of the filtering device with respect to the slurry tank.
US07708896B2
An ion elution unit generates metal ions by applying a voltage between electrodes. Terminals are formed integrally to the electrodes. An interval between the electrodes becomes narrower from an upstream side to a downstream side with respect to a water current flowing through an inside of a casing of the ion elution unit. Terminals that are so laid as to run from the electrodes out of a casing of the ion elution unit are disposed on an upstream side with respect to a water current flowing through an inside of the casing.
US07708882B2
A vertical membrane module unit is allowed to be installed even at a place with a low ceiling. A housing containing a vertical membrane module unit is held by a housing holder. The housing holder holds the housing tiltably such that the housing can be positioned with the longitudinal direction of the membrane module unit being substantially vertical when treated water is extracted, and the housing can be positioned with the longitudinal direction of the membrane module unit being substantially horizontal when the membrane module unit is removed from the housing.
US07708870B2
To provide an electrophoresis method being capable of rapidly analyzing a protein in a native state without carrying out a heat-denaturing pretreatment step, and having even higher sensitivity. The electrophoresis method of the present invention is useful for proteosome analysis and medical diagnosis.
US07708867B2
The present invention provides a gas diffusion electrode having: an electrode substrate; and a catalyst layer containing a hydrophilic catalyst and a hydrophobic binder, which is carried on the electrode substrate, wherein the electrode substrate contains at least one carbon material selected from a carbon cloth, a carbon paper, a foamed carbon material, and a sintered carbon material.
US07708856B2
A method to control the post sinter distortion of hot pressing sintered multilayer ceramic laminate by placing a non-densifying structure in the green ceramic laminate prior to sintering. One or more non-densifying structures are placed on one or more ceramic greensheets which are then stacked and laminated to form a green ceramic laminate. The laminate is then sintered and the non-densifying structure will control the dimensions of the hot pressed multilayer ceramic substrate. The method can be used to control post sinter dimensions in MLC substrates manufactured as either single or multi-up substrates by placing the non-densifying structure in the kerf area between the individual product ups prior to sintering.
US07708854B2
Explained, inter alia, is a method in which a workpiece (52) to be processed is fastened to a work carrier (10) by means of a solid (62). The work carrier (10) is made of a porous material, e.g. of porous ceramic. This processing method permits simple manipulation of the wafer during the processing. In addition, the workpiece (52) can be easily separated from the work carrier (10) using a solvent.
US07708850B2
In the manufacturing method of the laminated metal plate, a fluorine resin film is used as a plastic film. Prior to a flame treatment, a joint surface of the metal plate is heated with a direct flame of 900° C. to 1200° C. for 1 to 5 seconds so that the joint surface is preheated to 40° C. to 70° C. After that, the joint surface of the metal plate is heated to 250° C. to 450° C. by the follow-on flame treatment.
US07708846B2
For a group of nickel-based superalloys, improved properties have been obtained by stabilizing at increased temperature for a reduced time relative to prior art specifications. In particular, improved creep properties have been obtained with a one-hour 1800° F. stabilization relative to a prior art four-hour 1500° F. stabilization.
US07708840B2
Method of cleaning dishes in an automatic dishwashing machine comprising providing film material consisting essentially of an ethoxylated poly(vinylalcohol) material enclosing a dishwasher detergent composition to an automatic dishwashing machine.
US07708837B2
This invention relates to a dishwasher (1) comprising a biosensor (7) and a control method which provides an efficient, clean and hygienic washing wherein the main water supply and washing water are microbiologically analyzed in the phases of the program, and the washing water temperature and circulation period are adjusted in each phase.
US07708828B2
A polycrystalline granulated silicon is made of particles which have a density of greater than 99.9% of the theoretical solid density and therefore have a pore content of less than 0.1% and have a surface roughness Ra of less than 150 nm.
US07708827B2
A highly pure, replaceable wear insert and a process for manufacturing the same use a group of materials which is suitable for meeting the requirements of high temperature semiconductor technology processes and is chosen at the same time for producing thin layers or components therefrom. The materials are compacted and purified at high temperatures in compression molds and the products so produced are put to their intended use. The substantially thin-walled and crucible-shaped, always highly pure components, which are predominantly made of expanded graphite, are employed as a wear insert for protecting graphitic support crucibles from reactive attack by quartz glass crucibles in semiconductor technology processes at temperatures above 500° C.
US07708823B2
The present invention relates to semitransparent interference pigments having a neutral mass tone comprising a substrate and a coating comprising metallic tin and additionally at least one metal oxide, to a process for the preparation of these pigments, and to the use thereof.
US07708816B2
A carbon nanotube filter. The filter including a filter housing; and chemically active carbon nanotubes within the filter housing, the chemically active carbon nanotubes comprising a chemically active layer formed on carbon nanotubes or comprising chemically reactive groups on sidewalls of the carbon nanotubes; and media containing the chemically active carbon nanotubes.
US07708815B2
Embodiments of the invention relate to a composite hydrogen storage material comprising active material particles and a binder, wherein the binder immobilizes the active material particles sufficient to maintain relative spatial relationships between the active material particles.
US07708803B2
The invention provides methods and apparatuses for removing additional aerosols and in some cases additional particulate matter from a gas stream, wherein a certain portion of such aerosols and particulate matter has already been removed using a primary aerosol and particulate collection device. In some embodiments, the invention includes a method for removing additional aerosols from a gas stream, including passing a gas stream having a plurality of aerosols through a gas duct; removing a first portion of the plurality of the aerosols using a primary aerosol collector; passing the gas steam through a screen; collecting at least a second portion of the plurality of aerosols on the screen; and cleaning a portion of the screen outside of the gas duct. The invention also provides various apparatuses for use in performing the method of the invention.
US07708780B2
Instrumentation for implanting a cervical disc replacement device includes cervical disc replacement trials for determining the appropriate size of replacement device to be implanted, an insertion plate for maintaining the elements of the replacement device in fixed relation to one another for simultaneous manipulation, an insertion handle for attachment to the insertion plate for manipulation of the elements, an insertion pusher for releasing the insertion handle from the insertion plate, a drill guide that cooperates with the insertion plate to guide the drilling of tap holes for bone screws to be placed through bone screw holes in the flanges of the replacement device, clips that are applied to the flanges after placement of the bone screws to resist screw backout, and a clip applicator for applying the clips to the flanges.
US07708772B2
An apparatus and method is provided for stenting bifurcated vessels. A proximal angled stent is configured for implanting in a side-branch vessel wherein the proximal angled stent has an angulated portion that corresponds to the angle formed by the intersection of the side-branch vessel and the main vessel so that all portions of the side-branch vessel at the bifurcation are covered by the proximal angled stent. A main-vessel stent is provided for implanting in the main vessel, wherein the main-vessel stent has an aperture or stent cell that aligns with the opening to the side-branch vessel to permit unobstructed blood flow between the main vessel and the side-branch vessel. Side-branch and main-vessel catheter assemblies are advanced over a pair of guide wires for delivering, appropriately orienting, and implanting the proximal angled stent and the apertured stent.
US07708767B2
An orthopedic screw with an internal bore and mating driver has a bioabsorbable polymer component. To increase the torque tolerance of the screw and to minimize the likelihood of the driver stripping inside the bore of the screw, the screw and driver are heat treated together to shrink fit the screw onto the driver thereby increasing the driver-to-screw contact and distributing the loading force over a greater area to protect against material failure. The heat treatment involves heating the screw to an elevated temperature and holding that temperature for a period to promote stress relaxation and/or crystallization of the material.
US07708763B2
Minimally invasive methods and devices for introducing a spinal fixation element into a surgical site in a patient's spinal column are provided. In one embodiment, a dissection tool is provided for separating muscles along a muscle plane without causing damage to the muscles. The dissection tool can also include a lumen extending therethrough for receiving a guide wire. The tool allows the guide wire to be positioned relative to a vertebra, and once properly positioned, the tool can be removed to allow a spinal anchor to be delivered along the guide wire and implanted into the vertebra.
US07708757B2
A medical forceps has a shaft, a handle at the proximal end of the shaft, which handle has at least one movable grip part which is pivotable about a pivot axis, at least one movable tool at the distal end of the shaft, and a force transmission element, which runs in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the shaft and is axially movable and with one end is in operative connection with the at least one movable tool and with the other end is in operative connection with the at least one movable grip part. The force transmission element is connected to a slide which is guided linearly with an exact fit in a sliding bearing and is axially movable in the direction of the force transmission element, the slide being connected to the movable grip part by means of an articulated lever, which is articulated with one end on the slide and with another end on the movable grip part.
US07708747B2
Disclosed is a method and device for suturing tissue and implanting prosthetic grafts, the device includes 1) at least one flexible cannula having a means to remotely manipulate the configuration of its distal end, and 2) a suction capsule component that may be incorporated or fit within or about the flexible cannula. The flexible cannula and suction capsule component are of a size that allows them to be inserted, independently or as a unit, into a natural body orifice or small surgical incision. The suction component may be used to draw tissue into an opening in the suction capsule component, enabling the at least one needle to be advanced through the at least one flexible cannula thereby passing through the tissue held by the at least one opening in the suction capsule component and thereby delivering the attached suture to the tissue.
US07708733B2
A method for treating a bone body comprises inserting a probe having at least one active electrode into the target tissue and applying a voltage difference between an active electrode and return electrode to ablate the tissue. The method is particularly directed to removing tumors in a bone body and or removing cancellous bone in a bone body. The bone body may be a vertebral body. An apparatus includes a plurality of active electrodes and a distal section including two bends. The bends serve to prevent the active electrodes from impinging upon the shaft of an introducer needle. Also, a kit includes an electrosurgical probe, an electrosurgical generator, an introducer needle, and a fluid connector to connect the introducer needle to a fluid source such that liquid may be supplied to the target site during an application.
US07708731B2
An electrotransport device (10) for delivering therapeutic agents includes an adjustable voltage boos multiple controller (100, 200) for boosting the voltage from a power source (102, 202) to a working voltage Vw having a value just sufficient to provide the desired therapeutic current level II through the electrodes (108, 112), at least of which contains the therapeutic agent to be delivered.
US07708729B2
The invention concerns a garment (1) comprising an absorbent section (2) and a waist belt (3) attached directly or indirectly thereto. The waist belt has two belt portions (7, 8) extending on either side of said absorbent section for securing to each other around a wearer of the garment The particular handling characteristics of the belt parts of the waist belt (3) are significantly improved by manufacturing a belt stiffness of between 25 g and 90 g as measured by the modified version of test ASTM D 4032-82 CIRCULAR BEND PROCEDURE.
US07708727B2
A personal care article (20) has a longitudinal-direction (22), a relatively shorter, lateral cross-direction (24), a first end-section (72), a second end-section (72a), and an intermediate-section (76). The article has been operatively connected in facing relation with a wrap member (98), and the article has been folded about a first, laterally extending supplemental-fold-region (64). The article and a corresponding section of the wrap member have been folded about a second, laterally extending supplemental-fold-region (66). A preliminary-folded article (82) and a corresponding, preliminary-folded wrap member have been provided after the article has been folded about both the first and second supplemental-fold-regions. The preliminary-folded article and wrap member have also been folded along a laterally extending, composite-fold-region (96a) of both the preliminary-folded article and wrap member, to provide a composite-folded, wrapped article (114).
US07708721B2
A vascular access needle assembly is provided. The needle assembly includes a housing interconnected with a needle. The housing and the needle have slots along their lengths which are aligned to form a slot extending along the entire needle assembly. A sheath interconnected with the needle extends partially about the needle and includes a slot. The vascular access needle, with the needle point exposed and needle slot closed, can be inserted into the blood vessel of a subject and a guide wire can be inserted into the blood vessel through the needle assembly. The sheath is then moved to cover the needle point and to expose the needle slot so that the guide wire can be lifted through the needle, sheath and housing slots and the vascular access needle assembly removed, leaving the guide wire in the subject. The device can also be used as a wire introducer for catheters. The vascular needle assembly can also be used as a biopsy needle for obtaining biopsy tissue wherein the edges of one or both of the needle slot and sheath slot are sharpened for cutting tissue.
US07708720B1
A catheter terminus protective system comprising a base panel having a pair of adjoining flaps, an adhesive patch on at least one of the flaps for securing at least one catheter terminus from which a catheter line extends, the flaps being relatively moveable between secured closed positions in which they form a protective enclosure for the catheter terminus, and free open positions in which they allow manual access to said catheter terminus. An original catheter line extends from the protective enclosure when the flaps are in the closed positions and may be replaced by an alternative catheter line when the flaps are opened. The flaps are constituted by a fluid impermeable facing and a fluid absorbent backing in superposition.
US07708719B2
A medicament container, medicament dispensing kit and packaging process that minimizes exposure of the medication to oxygen to prevent degradation of the medication are disclosed.
US07708718B2
A radiation shielding syringe carrier comprising a top cap, a main body and a needle shield, all formed from a radiation dense material. The main body preferably includes a syringe shield shaped to be threadably engaged to the bottom of the carrier. Preferably a separate top cap and shipping cap are provided.
US07708717B2
Some embodiments of a medical infusion pump system include a pump device and a removable controller device. When the pump device and the removable controller device are removably attached to one another, the components may provide a portable infusion pump unit to dispense medicine to a user. In particular embodiments, the removable controller device includes a user interface to readily provide information, for example, about the operation of the pump.
US07708706B2
The invention is a synchronous impact table (the impact table). The impact table includes a support system having a control system therein, a power system coupled to the control system, a lift system coupled to the power system and the support system, and a patient support system coupled to the lift system. By providing a synchronous percussion wave to a user continuously over time, body and jaw alignment can be enhanced, soft connective tissue can return to its natural position, and body fluids can again flow and balance more naturally.
US07708705B2
A device (4440), system and method may sense and/or analyze in-vivo pressure or stress, and may in addition sense other data such as for example, image data. An in-vivo device (4440) may include a stress or pressure sensor (4443), and possibly an additional sensor, such as an image sensor, a pH sensor, etc. In one example the stress or pressure sensor (4443) is connected to a shell (4444) of the device.
US07708699B2
A method including measuring time periods in which a reflex point of a subject is struck and a reflex response is observed. A method including determining a resting metabolic rate of a subject by applying the Kail-Waters equation. An apparatus including a striking instrument capable of delivering a kinetic energy to a reflex point of a subject; and a measurement instrument capable of being coupled to a subject and measuring a reflex response. A machine-readable storage medium containing executable program instructions which when executed cause a digital processing system to perform a method including determining time periods in which a reflex point is struck and a reflex response is observed. A machine-readable storage medium containing executable program instructions which when executed cause a digital processing system to perform a method including determining a resting metabolic rate of a subject by applying the Kail-Waters equation.
US07708692B2
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes: a transmitting section for driving an ultrasonic probe sending out an ultrasonic transmitted wave toward a body tissue of an organism; a receiving section for receiving an ultrasonic reflected wave, produced by getting the transmitted wave reflected by the body tissue, through the probe; a phase detecting section for detecting the phase of the reflected wave; and a computing section for calculating the magnitudes of positional displacement at multiple measuring points on the body tissue based on a signal obtained by the detecting section and calculating the greatest thickness difference between two of the measuring points and/or an elastic property based on the magnitudes of positional displacement. The computing section calculates the maximum and minimum thicknesses or thickness variations between the two points based on the magnitudes of positional displacement at the two points during a part of one cardiac cycle, and calculates the greatest thickness difference and/or elastic property as the difference between the maximum and minimum values.
US07708691B2
An ultrasonic image scanning system for scanning an organic object includes a container for containing a coupling medium for transmitting an ultrasonic signal to the organic object disposed therein whereby a simultaneous multiple direction scanning process may be carried out without physically contacting the organic object. The ultrasonic image scanning system further includes ultrasound transducers for transmitting the ultrasonic signal to the organic object through the coupling medium without asserting an image deforming pressure to the organic object. These transducers distributed substantially around a two-dimensional perimeter of the container and substantially at symmetrical angular positions at approximately equal divisions of 360 degrees over a two-dimensional perimeter of the container. The transducers are further movable over a vertical direction alone sidewalls of the container for a real time three dimensional (3D) image data acquisition. The container further includes sidewalls covered with a baffle layer for reducing an acoustic reverberation.
US07708689B2
An endoscope is described in which the diameter of the image relay assembly is less than that of the objective lens assembly. An endoscope sheath is also described for sheathing the endoscope and housing or directing optical fibers for use in illuminating the endoscope view of view. An endoscope-sheath system is further described comprising the combination of the endoscope and the endoscope sheath in eccentric alignment to reduce fluid flow impedance between the two.
US07708681B2
A porous bed centrifuge for continuous separation of immiscible liquids, for example water and mineral oil/petroleum, obtained by a modification to conventional disk centrifuges for increasing their efficiency, wherein the disks have been substituted by a filling of solid particles that act as a filtrating and coalescent bed.
US07708680B2
The present invention relates to a method and an arrangement in a cardboard creasing machine performing creases on a cardboard blank web. The web has a width of at least two lanes of blanks in parallel to each other and comprise in at least one zone per pair of lanes an area where intentional creases on both are made transversally to a feeding direction of the machine. The crease-lines are on the male side interrupted to provide a longitudinal seal strip to an edge of each blank to become. The cardboard web is in a limited area of such an interruption intentionally and positively lifted and supported from the side of a female crease die to a level in between being in line with to being above an outermost surface of a female crease die roller of the machine.
US07708677B2
The invention provides a plastic-sheathed roller, typically a tension roller of plastic for a belt drive. The roller comprises a wheel comprising an inner ring and an outer ring that are connected through radially oriented ribs arranged spaced apart on a periphery and through a central web. The wheel is mounted for rotating through a rolling bearing on a carrier element, while being supported through a running surface on a belt of the belt drive, and injection gates for injection molding are arranged distributed on a lateral surface while being spaced apart angularly non-uniformly from one another.
US07708672B2
A weight system includes a selector configured to selectively couple incremental weights that extend through a weight stack to a weight lift.
US07708670B2
A seated row exercise system including an exercise cycle assembly that detachably connects to a chair frame of a chair; and, an elongated support assembly. The exercise cycle assembly includes a main frame having a first end portion detachably connectable to a frame element of a chair frame, the main frame including a plurality of support legs for supporting the exercise cycle assembly relative to the floor; and, a pedal assembly securely connected to the main frame. The elongated support assembly includes a substantially vertical support member secured to the main frame; and, a pulley housing assembly attached to the vertical support member for supporting a cable assembly.
US07708668B2
A stationary exercise device with flexible support elements may include a frame with a base portion. A crank system with crank arms is coupled to and supported by the frame. Right and left pivotal linkage assemblies may each have an arcuate motion member and a foot support member. The arcuate motion member may be coupled to the frame. The foot support member may be coupled to the arcuate motion member. The arcuate motion member may be oriented in a generally vertical position and the foot support member may be oriented a generally horizontal position. Flexible element coupling systems couple the right and left foot support members to the crank system.
US07708664B2
A drive unit for oscillatingly driven mowing sickles has a first transmission unit {1} with a first housing (5) defining a first axis (6). A rotor (7) is rotationally supported in the first housing (5) around the first axis (6). A first internal gear wheel (10) is fixed in the first housing (5) and provided with internal teeth. A toothed pinion (14) is rotationally supported in the rotor (7) around a second axis (12). The second axis (12) is radially off-set to the first axis (6). The toothed pinion (14) forms the output element of the drive unit and meshes with the first internal gear wheel (10). A second transmission unit (2) has an output (34) non-rotationally connected to the rotor (7) of the first transmission unit (1). The second transmission unit (2) is formed as a step-down gear. A motor (4), with an output shaft (45), rotationally drives the second transmission unit (2). The rotational speed N1 is reduced by the second transmission unit (2), formed as a step-down gear, to the rotational driving speed N2 of the first transmission unit (1).
US07708663B2
A transmission includes a ring gear driven by a first primary gear train, a carrier driven by a second primary gear train and a sun gear driven by a third primary gear train. Clutches are utilized to lock and unlock the ring gear, carrier and sun gear. When locked each rotate at the same speed and the torques are added together at an output shaft to provide a high torque low speed output from the transmission. As the transmission accelerates the clutches are disengaged allowing the ring gear, carrier and sun gear to rotate separately and achieve higher speeds, providing a continuous output from high torque to high speed operation.
US07708654B2
A golf ball with a controlled moment of inertia and controlled spin rate is disclosed. The ball has an intermediate layer positioned between the core and the cover and the intermediate layer has a reduced specific gravity. Preferably, this reduction is less than about 30% in specific gravity and the reduction in the coefficient of restitution is less than about 2%.
US07708652B2
A golf club (40) has a golf club head with a large mass, relatively short club length and a moment of inertia about the Izz axis through the center of gravity of the golf club head greater than 5000 grams-centimeters squared. The golf club head (42) preferably has a volume ranging from 400 cubic centimeters to 470 cubic centimeters. The golf club head (42) preferably has a moment of inertia about the Ixx axis through the center of gravity of the golf club head greater than 3000 grams-centimeters squared. The golf club (40) preferably has an inertia ratio greater than 0.0019.
US07708649B2
The present invention relates generally to the field of training aids and methods for the development and improvement of a proper golf swing. Specifically, the present invention relates to training aids and methods for the development of proper golf swings that aid the student in learning the proper swing mechanics for hitting golf shots straight, hitting golf shots that curve slightly to the right, and hitting golf shots that curve slightly to the left. The training aid may be used to improve golf shots used during full shots, putting, pitching, and chipping. The present invention may be well suited for beginning players to teach proper techniques.
US07708643B2
In accordance with one aspect of saving audio source identifiers for soundtracks in a gaming system, an audio track is obtained from an audio source and the audio track is saved so that a copy of the audio track is available when the audio source is no longer accessible to a game console. The audio track is at least part of a user-created soundtrack and/or a user-selected soundtrack. The identifier of the audio source is also saved, and when a database containing meta data associated with the audio track is available, the meta data associated with the audio track is obtained from the database, based at least in part on the identifier saved on the storage device, and the obtained meta data is stored.
US07708641B2
When a selected character 50 in possession of a ball 51 enters a centering area, a button switch image 61 for “centering” is displayed on a second LCD 12 provided with a touch panel. If the player touches the button switch image 61, the selected character 50 makes a “centering” pass. The target point for the centering pass varies depending on which portion of the button switch image 61 the player touches. Each point in the button switch image 61 corresponds to a point within the centering area in the game field. This adds variety to the action of a player object by a simple operation, thereby making the game more fun.
US07708628B2
A gaming device for providing awards to players. The gaming device includes an award distributor such as an award wheel having a plurality of sections, each of the sections having or defined by first and second coordinates, a plurality of award symbols included on the sections, an illumination device associated with the sections, a section indicator associated with the award wheel and a processor in communication with the award wheel. The gaming device determines the first coordinate of one of the groups of sections. Then, the gaming device or player spins the award wheel and the section indicator determines the second coordinate of one of the sections in the group, which indicates the section. The gaming device provides any award or symbol to the player that is associated with the indicated section.
US07708626B2
An air supply device for an automotive seat includes an air duct which is arranged at the delivery side of a fan and has at least one air outlet opening provided in the upper region of the seat for supplying the head, shoulder and neck region of a seat occupant with a flow of air. A heating element is arranged in the air duct between the fan and the air outlet opening, and the air supply device has at least one sensor for detecting a parameter value as a function of which the flow of air emerging from the air outlet opening is controlled. In order to provide the air supply device with a flow of air which can be controlled in a more universal manner, the sensor is arranged inside the air duct between the air outlet opening and the heating element.
US07708625B2
An inlet and/or outlet air hood comprising vertical storm louvers is provided that is particularly well suited for use on a Mobile Offshore Drilling Unit and other marine vessels, although its use is not so limited. The hood may comprise a basic cube shape, which affords a smaller projected footprint than conventional round- or mushroom-shaped hoods and may incorporate an internal flow shaper, such as an inlet/outlet bell, to reduce airflow resistance. In addition, the hood may be configured to incorporate an internal valve or baffle to create a watertight closure.
US07708623B2
A grinding method and to a cylindrical grinding machine grinds metal rod that is pushed through a chuck of a workpiece spindle head. Two backrest seats are ground on and two backrests are then seated. The support of an end area enables a front cone to be ground. A grinding wheel comprised of two different individual wheels serves to grind the front cone and is advanced toward the round rod in the X-direction. The front cone is lodged in a hollow punch at a front end of a quill by displacement of the quill. The desired cylindrical grinding a final contour of the end area is done. Working the rod is done with a single chucking and the end area is cut off from the round rod by one of the individual wheels.
US07708621B2
This polishing apparatus includes a head that holds a semiconductor wafer, a polishing pad that polishes a surface to be polished of the semiconductor wafer held by the head, and a dresser that reconditions the polishing pad by cutting the polishing pad. The polishing apparatus polishes a surface to be polished of the semiconductor wafer while causing the head and the polishing pad to rotate and reconditions the polishing pad by use of the dresser before and after polishing the surface to be polished. The polishing apparatus of the present invention supports at least two dressers so that the dressers can rotate on their own axes and further includes a dresser oscillator that causes the dressers to oscillate simultaneously on the polishing pad.
US07708617B2
A pair of brassiere wings having ends meeting on a longitudinal centerline are interconnected by a closure having a flexible first patch fixed to on of the wing ends and provided with a plurality of fastener members and a flexible second patch fixed to the other of the wing ends and provided with a fastener member engageable with the members of the first patch. A stiff bar extending transversely of the centerline is fixed to the second patch and concave toward a wearer of a brassiere having the wings. One of the patches is of a shape that is longest parallel to the centerline than transversely offset therefrom so that it reduces longitudinal elastic deformation of the respective wing end at the centerline more than offset therefrom.
US07708616B2
A balloon is connected to a cylindrical tube, and the resulting assembly is mounted on a container to serve as a decorative balloon display system.
US07708614B2
An adhesive is applied in a shape having a straight line portion and protruding portions protruding in the direction crossing the straight line portion to the surface of one of a first substrate where organic electroluminescence elements have been formed and a second substrate for sealing the organic electroluminescence elements, and the first and second substrates are pressed together in such a manner that the first and second substrates face and approach each other, and thereby, the adhesive is spread between the first and second substrates so that the organic electroluminescence elements are sealed.
US07708611B2
A sea survival device (1) comprising a container (2) with several shells (3, 4) enclosing respective pneumatic liferafts (5, 6) in the deflated and folded-up state, and inflation means; one half-shell (4) enclosing a liferaft (6) is closed by a closure partition (7); the automatically triggered inflation means are operationally associated with at least the first liferaft (5) in a manner such that said first liferaft (5) is inflated first when the survival device (1) is deployed operationally; and the liferaft (6) is operationally associated with inflation trigger means suitable for trigging inflation thereof only once the first liferaft (5) is inflated.
US07708605B2
A base wall (21) of a connector housing (20) is formed with through holes (25), into which terminal fittings (60) are insertable. The inner surface of each through hole (25) includes an inclined portion (26) narrowed toward the rear side from the front surface of the base wall (21) and arranged at a position corresponding to projections (71) for guiding the terminal fitting (60), a straight portion (28) located behind the inclined portion (26), extending in an inserting direction toward the rear surface of the base wall (21) and having a press-in area for press-in portions (67), and restricting portions (27) defining steps together with the straight portion (28), extending from a taper end of the inclined portion (26) to the steps (35) and tightly holding rear parts of the projections (71) while preventing loose movements.
US07708601B2
A connector reduced in depth dimension. Contact portions of first and second signal contacts and ground contacts for high-speed transmission are arranged in a housing in a row in a contact arranging direction orthogonal to a fitting/removing direction, and contact portions of contacts for non-high-speed transmission are arranged in the housing in a row in the contact arranging direction below the contact portions of the first and second signal contacts and the ground contacts. Terminal portions of the first and second signal contacts and the ground contacts are arranged in a row in the contact arranging direction, and press-fitting portions of the contracts for non-high-speed transmission are press-fitted in the housing along the direction of height of the housing, whereby they are disposed between the contacts portions and the terminal portions of the first and second signal contacts and the ground contacts.
US07708600B2
An electrical connector (100) in accordance with the present invention is capable of mating with at least one of the first and second complementary connectors. The electrical connector includes a housing (2), a number of first terminals (41) and a pair of second terminals (42). The housing includes an upper wall (21), a lower wall (22) opposite to the upper wall, and a pair of sidewalls (23) connecting with the upper and lower walls. The housing defines a receiving space (20) circumscribed by the upper wall, the lower wall and the sidewalls. The first terminals are assembled to the upper wall, and the second terminals are assembled to corresponding side walls. Each terminal includes a mating portion (40), an intermediate portion (43) engaging with the housing to retain the terminals in the housing and a tail portion (44). The mating portions of the first terminals are exposed to the receiving space and the mating portions of the second terminal are laterally exposed outside the housing.
US07708583B2
An electrical connector assembly includes an electrical connector and a heat dissipate device disposed upon the electrical connector. The heat dissipate device includes a heat plate, a heat pipe secured on the heat plate and a load plate located between the heat plate and the heat pipe. The load plate has retention sections engaging with the heat plate for positioning the heat plate on the load plate in three directions.
US07708582B2
The electric connector comprises a first plug-in or receiving part (2) and a second plug-in or male plug (3) which are electrically connectable by relatively translating the plugging parts (2, 3) along a connection axis (X) and is characterised in that said first plug-in part (2) is provided with first guiding means (16, 26) interacting with the second guiding means of the connection element (43) of the second plug-in part (3) in such a way that the connection element is enabled to be displaceable with respect to the first plug-in part, and said second plug-in part (3) comprises a box (33) provided with third guiding means interacting with said connection element (43) in such a way that the connection element is enabled to be displaceable with respect to the box along the connection axis (X) and elastic means generating the movement of the connection element with respect to the box.
US07708577B2
The invention relates to an electrical connection structure for a superconductor element cooled by a cryogenic fluid and connected to an electrical bushing, which bushing passes successively through an enclosure at an intermediate temperature between ambient temperature and the temperature of the cryogenic fluid, and an enclosure at ambient temperature, said bushing projecting outside the ambient temperature enclosure. According to the invention, said intermediate enclosure is filled at least in part with a solid material of low thermal conductivity, such as a polyurethane foam or a cellular glass foam. The invention is applicable to connecting a superconductor cable at cryogenic temperature to a device for equipment at ambient temperature.
US07708576B2
A high-voltage electrical connector system comprises a bushing with a longitudinal axis, a shoulder, a first end, and a second end, wherein the shoulder is between the first end and the second end; a ring arranged circumferentially around a first outside diameter of the bushing, the ring disposed between the shoulder and the second end, the ring including a channel therein defining a circumferential extension extending axially toward the first end; a ground shield disposed on a second outside diameter of the bushing between the ring and the second end, the ground shield comprising one or more of conductive material and semiconductive material; and an insulative portion adjacent the ring and disposed circumferentially over a portion of the ground shield.
US07708571B2
A socket assembly (1) in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a socket body (20) holding a plurality of contacts therein, a pick up cap (22) fixed onto the socket body, and a loading plate (3) capable of moving between a closed position and a open position with regard to the socket body (20). A locking device (5) is proved to lock the loading plate (3) to a closed position. The pick up cap (22) comprises a flat suction surface (220) and at least one latch (222) for latching the loading plate (3) so that the pick up cap (22) can be attached to the loading plate (3) when the loading plate (3) is in a closed position, and detached from the socket body (20) when the loading plate (3) moves away from the socket body to an open position.
US07708570B2
In one embodiment of the present invention, a universal serial bus (USB) flash drive rotary device is disclosed to include a plastic frame including a USB flash drive and a USB plug connector and a rotary tube at least partially enclosing said plastic frame for deploying said USB plug connector, the USB flash drive is coupled to the USB plug connector, the rotary tube is turned to retract said USB plug connector, the USB flash drive rotary device is for deploying the USB plug connector to couple the USB flash drive to a USB port.
US07708567B2
A connector which is capable of preventing crosstalk from occurring when a plurality of pairs of differential signal transmission contacts are arranged in a horizontal row. A housing holds a plurality of connector modules with a gap between adjacent ones thereof. Each connector module is comprised of a plate-shaped holding member, a plurality of first signal contacts held on one surface of the holding member, and a plurality of second signal contacts held on the other surface of the holding member. Positions of the respective first signal contacts of the plurality of connector modules, and positions of associated ones of the second signal contacts of the connector modules are made approximately coincident with each other in the direction of the height of the housing, respectively.
US07708564B2
A circuit board and connector for use in an electrical connector has been provided. The circuit board comprises first and second signal contacts associated as a differential pair. A ground contact is located immediately adjacent the first signal contact and is joined directly to a ground plane provided within the circuit board. A floated contact is located immediately adjacent the second signal contact. A component interconnects the floated contact to the ground plane, forming an open circuit when a DC signal is impressed on the floated contact and a closed circuit when AC interference is impressed on the floated contact.
US07708563B2
A connector housing includes a housing and a shield. The housing has an interior chamber extending between housing mating and back ends. The inner surface has loading and transition portions, with the loading portion located proximate to the housing mating end and the transition portion located proximate to the housing back end. The shield is shaped to fit in the interior chamber and extends between a shield mating end and a shield back end. The shield back end includes a ground contact opening. The shield includes a rim protruding from the shield back end that extends around a portion of an outer periphery of the shield back end. The rim includes a plurality of rim ends separated by a gap. The rim engages the transition portion to prevent the shield being removed through the housing mating end and the gap exposes a portion of the transition portion.
US07708557B2
A dental prosthesis for periodontal integration is disclosed. Furthermore a customized dental prosthesis for osseointegration is disclosed having a first manufactured portion shaped to substantially conform to the three-dimensional surface of a root of a tooth to be replaced and a second manufactured portion shaped to substantially conform to the three-dimensional surface of a crown of a tooth to be replaced. Furthermore a customized manufactured splint is disclosed to position and fixate a tooth-shaped prosthesis. Furthermore a CAD/CAM based method of and a system for manufacturing a customized dental prosthesis replacing an extracted tooth is disclosed, where the extracted tooth is scanned regarding its three-dimensional shape and substantially copied using (a) an imaging system in-vitro like a 3D scanner or in-vivo like a cone beam CT system, (b) CNC machinery and (c) biocompatible material that is suitable to be integrated into the extraction socket and at least partially adopted by the existing tissue forming the socket.
US07708551B2
A hot runner system having a melt distribution system that is reusable and reconfigurable to vary drop or nozzle locations to meet various design requirements. The melt distribution system includes a melt distributor in fluid communication with a melt source, at least one melt conduit in fluid communication with the melt distributor, and at least one nozzle in fluid communication with the at least one melt conduit. The hot runner system also includes a backing plate; a manifold plate detachably connected to the backing plate; a melt distribution system positioned between the backing plate and the manifold plate and having at least one nozzle associated therewith. The hot runner system may be configured and reconfigured to accommodate various drop or nozzle locations.
US07708548B2
Embodiments of stents having profiles that improve gripping of the stent on a stent delivery system are provided. Additionally, embodiments of molds for fabricating the stents are provided.
US07708541B2
A method and apparatus for continuously producing preselected lengths of coiled tubing are disclosed. According to the method, plastic tubing is continuously wound onto a rotating main tube shaft (24). Downstream from the point where the tubing begins to wind about the shaft, a heat source (46) is directed toward the coiled tubing, softening it as it traverses thereby. Further downstream, a cool-air source (48) directed at the softened tubing sets the tubing into its coiled form. Subsequently, the coiled tubing is cut into preselected lengths by a cutter (50) downstream from the cool-air source.
US07708539B2
A device is suggested for calibrating an extruded plastic profile (1) having a shaping extrusion die (3) and having a framework (6) which is displaceable in the longitudinal direction of the plastic profile (1) in relation to the extrusion die (3), which has a cooling tank (5) and, between the cooling tank (5) and the extrusion die (3), a dry calibration apparatus (4) which is replaceably attached to a carrier (12) and is connectable on one hand to supply lines for a coolant liquid feed and removal and on the other hand to a partial vacuum. To obtain advantageous mounting conditions, it is suggested that the carrier (12), which is adjustable in relation to the cooling tank (5) in the longitudinal direction of the plastic profile (1), form a distributor, connected to the supply lines (16, 17), having line transitions (25) for the coolant liquid and the partial vacuum in the placement area of the dry calibration apparatus (4), which is provided with corresponding line transitions.
US07708535B2
Systems and methods for providing a dynamically adjustable, synchronously and/or asynchronously reciprocating fluid dispenser. A pump drive motor is coupled to the reciprocating fluid pump to actuate a pump shaft within a pump cylinder, wherein the pump shaft includes a duct that allows fluid to selectively pass thereby within the pump cylinder. As the pump shaft rotates within the pump cylinder, fluid is allowed to enter into a pump bore defined by a portion of the pump cylinder through a pump ingress port. As the pump shaft rotates, it blocks the pump ingress port. Further rotation allows the duct to allow the fluid in the pump bore to be dispensed through a pump egress port. An adjustment motor is coupled to an adjustment mechanism, which selectively adjusts the volume of the pump bore. A controller is coupled to the adjustment motor to dynamically control the adjustment motor, to cause the adjustment mechanism to be precisely and repeatably modified, and/or to control the particular waveform. As such, the volume of fluid dispensed is extremely accurate, repeatable, and dynamic.
US07708528B2
Gas turbine engine components having an airfoil extending outwardly of a platform are mounted in adjacent relationship, and such that cooling air flows outwardly of a gap between mating faces of the platforms. The location of localized hot spots is identified on the platform, and the mating faces are designed to provide cooling air through the gap to address these hot spots. A suction side edge of the platform has a curved portion extending inwardly into the platform, and the pressure side has a curved portion bulging outwardly away from the airfoil. When these two portions on adjacent components mate, a gap is provided between two platforms that provides leakage cooling air to the hot spot.
US07708527B2
An emergency power system may provide hydraulic and electrical power to an aircraft in the event of a failure of the aircraft's primary control power system. The system may be constructed as a ram air turbine in which a single ram air fan may drive both a hydraulic pump and an electrical generator. A unique gearbox may incorporate compound gearing to permit the pump and the generator to be driven at different speeds. Thus the pump and the generator may be driven at their respective optimum speeds. The pump and the generator may be detachably mounted on a gearbox that supports the ram air fan. The detachable mounting of the pump and generator may accommodate ease of maintenance of these items. The gearbox may be provided with a ground testing port through which rotational testing force may be introduced to a shaft that supports the ram air fan. This may permit ground level testing of the system. Ground level testing may reduce a need to perform periodic in-flight testing of the system.
US07708526B2
A propeller assembly is provided for mounting on a rotatable propeller shaft of a watercraft. The propeller assembly includes a housing structure extending along a longitudinal axis. The housing structure includes an outer surface and an inner surface defining a cavity having a polygonal-shaped cross-section defined by at least one corner and at least one sidewall. A bushing assembly is receivable in the cavity of the housing structure. The bushing assembly includes a spindle having an inner surface defining a passageway for receiving the propeller shaft therethrough and an outer surface having a plurality of circumferentially spaced fin pairs extending therealong. Each fin pair includes a first fin extending from the outer surface of the spindle and a second fin extending from the outer surface of the spindle at a predetermined angle to the first fin. The bushing assembly also includes a bushing positioned between the spindle and the inner surface of the housing structure.
US07708524B2
A method and system for detecting asymmetric utilizing lateral tower acceleration data may include: providing a lateral tower acceleration monitoring system; determining from the lateral tower acceleration monitoring system whether a lateral tower acceleration is above an acceleration limit; determining whether a rotor-mass imbalance condition exists; and determining whether the lateral tower acceleration coincides with icing on a rotor.
US07708518B2
A system and method for actively managing blade tip clearances in a turbine engine, particularly under steady state operating conditions such as at base load, involves routing a portion of air from a rotor cooling air circuit to a vane carrier or other stationary support structure surrounding the turbine blades. Because the temperature of the air is less than the temperature of the stationary support structure, the stationary support structure will thermally contract when the air is passed in heat exchanging relation therewith. In one embodiment, the air can be passed through one or more passages extending through at least a portion of the stationary support structure. The contraction of the stationary support structure reduces the blade tip clearance because the blades do not contract. Thus, fluid leakage through the clearances is minimized, which in turn can increase engine performance.
US07708514B2
A system and method for automated handling, transferring and storing conventional cargo storage containers on a cargo ship wherein the containers are stored in a multi-tier cell system and are manipulated by powered transfer units which are selectively moveable along an intersecting overhead track system such that containers may be simultaneously retrieved from, moved or placed within any of the cells of the ship. The transfer units are equipped both with hoists, which control spreader beams which are selectively secured to the cargo containers, and guide stabilizers, which prevent undesirable movement of the cargo containers when they are elevated above the cell structures such that the containers may be manipulated even during rough sea conditions such that the system is essentially continuously operable as a floating supply distribution system.
US07708507B2
A locking mechanism to secure a wheelchair while transporting in a vehicle comprises a base with a guide channel adapted to accept a catch pin and has been secured to a wheelchair. The catch pin is guided into the channel by an angled portion of the base. A locking mechanism cooperates with a pivot plate to secure the catch pin within the guide channel. A release mechanism allows disengagement. The guide channel includes a deformation groove that allows the mechanism to operate even when the metal has been deformed through repeated use. Lips are also provided at critical locations to allow free rotation of the parts even when the metal is deformed due to use.
US07708505B2
A power tool for drilling a hole in a workpiece made of wood or a wood material. The power tool generally includes a tool housing defining a handle and a motor contained within the tool housing that includes an output shaft that spins about a motor axis. A gear housing is connected to the tool housing. An output spindle is supported for rotation about a spindle axis in the gear housing. The spindle axis is disposed about ninety degrees from the motor axis. A gear portion on the output shaft is engaged to a gear portion on the output spindle. The motor and the gear portions are configured to rotate the output spindle at a speed in range from about five thousand revolutions per minute to about twenty-five thousand revolutions per minute. A cutting member is connected to the output spindle. The cutting member includes fluted cutting blades. A carriage assembly includes a base member and a head member connected by a first post having a first compliant member and a second post. The head member slides relative to the first and second posts and against a force exerted by the first compliant member when the head member is moved toward the base member to pass the cutting member through the base member to engage the workpiece. The base member includes a generally planar face on a bottom surface of the base member that is generally perpendicular to the spindle axis.
US07708502B2
A device for stabilizing slopes having a first plate and a second plate attached to the first plate at a non-perpendicular angle. The second plate is configured to inhibit rotation of the first plate. At least one gusset is disposed on a first side of the second plate and attaches the first plate to the second plate. At least one strut is disposed on a second side of the second plate and attaches the first plate to the second plate. A guide tube is non-pivotally attached to the first plate such that at least one of a rod and an extension of the anchor are rotatable within the guide tube. The guide tube is a hollow cylinder that is completely closed except at the ends thereof.
US07708495B1
A levee apparatus is constructed of base panels connected end to end and supported by an underlying support such as the earth's surface. Side panels interlock with the base panels and with each other to form a generally triangular transverse cross section and a hollow interior that can be filled with a selected fill material. Interlocking projections on the side panels interlock with apertures of the base and with notches or recesses of other side panels.
US07708494B2
A water diversion system includes a hydraulic chute and a chute screen assembly in the hydraulic chute having a wedge wire screen. The water diversion system also includes at least one collection chamber located below the screen configured to collect filtered diversion water which has passed through the screen. The hydraulic chute includes a base, a crest, a sloped accelerator, and an abrupt drop with an adjustable lip, which forms a hydraulic formation in a downstream pool. The hydraulic chute can also include sloped sidewalls, which constrict the flow of water and form fish passage zones. In addition, the chute screen assembly can include a modular panel configured to facilitate construction, maintenance and replacement of the wedge wire screen.
US07708488B2
A joint unit of a control arm of a wheel suspension in a motor vehicle, with a housing (1) and a pivot (2), which is mounted slidingly in the housing by a spheroidal bearing surface (3). The joint unit has a catching device (4) to avoid complete separation of the housing (1) from the pivot (2). The catching device spans over part of the housing (1) in a contactless manner during normal operation. The catching device (4) has at least one flexible catching band or at least one securing strap (4.1, 4.2) with a recess (4.1.1, 4.2.1), into which protrudes a catching pin (1.1, 1.2) of the housing in a contactless manner during normal operation, or at least two securing straps (4.1 and 4.2).
US07708487B2
A binder spine with a generally rectangular back panel that has a width and a length. The back panel is bounded by generally opposed longitudinal edges. The opposed longitudinal edges are joined through living hinges to adjacent side panels. The binder spine is foldable along the living hinges between an open generally flat configuration and a generally closed configuration. At least one post member is located on one of the side panels, and at least one socket member is located on the other side panel. The socket and post members are aligned with one another and include generally cylindrical mating walls. The post and socket members are spaced apart in the open configuration by a distance. The socket and post members are positioned to retainingly interengage one another in the closed configuration to hold the binder spine in that closed configuration. The socket in the socket member receives the post member in a snap fit. When a system including several of these binder spines with different capacities is provided the dimensions and proportions remain substantially the same except for the post members and the width of the back panel.
US07708485B2
A cleaning implement includes a cleaning head having a cleaning operation surface on a bottom, a holding portion arranged on the side opposite the cleaning head, a pipe for coupling the cleaning head and the holding portion, and a valve opening and closing device provided to the pipe so as to be able to hold a first container for receiving a first fluid or a second container for receiving a second fluid. The holding portion includes a lever coupled to the valve opening and closing device so as to open and close a first valve of the first container or a second valve of the second container. A first ejection nozzle can eject the first fluid forward of the cleaning head, and a second ejection nozzle can eject the second fluid rearward of the cleaning head.
US07708475B2
An electro-optical assembly (EA) is provided in which the transmitter and receiver components are integrated together on a single circuit board, which is encapsulated in a single molded EA package. Integrating the transmitter and receiver components on a single circuit board allows the size and complexity of the EA to be greatly reduced as compared to the traditional TO-can and FOT architectures. A standard semiconductor inline automation system and process may be used to manufacture the EA packages so that they may be mass produced with improved throughput, yield and quality as compared to the method currently used to manufacture and assemble the known EA used in the traditional TO-can and FOT architectures.
