US07920488B2
The invention comprises a method and apparatus for establishing a conference bridge. Specifically, the method comprises obtaining at least one request for establishing the conference bridge where the conference bridge is operable for enabling communications between a plurality of user devices, and determining a configuration for establishing the conference bridge, the configuration comprising at least one sub-bridge wherein each of the at least one sub-bridge comprises a communication path between a first combining user device and one of a second combining user device and a non-combining user device, wherein the configuration tends to minimize a bandwidth required for supporting communications between the plurality of user devices.
US07920483B2
The present invention includes a method of optimizing a transmission mode of wirelessly transmitted data. The method includes selecting a first transmission mode based on a predetermined channel database and a first channel characterization. The first channel characterization can be based upon signals transmitted in an initial mode. An error factor is generated based on a difference between an estimated performance characteristic, and an expected performance characteristic. A subsequent transmission mode is selected based upon the predetermined channel database, the error factor and a subsequent channel characterization. The predetermined channel database can include a predetermined look-up-table that provides transmission mode selections based upon the channel characterizations. The look-up-table generally includes a plurality of quality parameter thresholds that determine the selection of a transmission mode. Another method includes receiving transmission signals that include data encoded in an initial transmission mode. A first quality parameter of the received transmission signals is measured. A subsequent transmission mode is selected based upon the quality parameter. Transmission signals are received having data encoded in the subsequent transmission mode. A second quality parameter is measured. A parameter is adjusted within selection criteria of another subsequent transmission mode based upon the second quality parameter.
US07920476B2
A network controls congestion by monitoring how well packets are actually being received at their respective dataflow destinations. The destination nodes are outfitted with a monitor that returns an acknowledgement (ACK) datapacket to the source node for each reception. The return ACK datapackets are marked according to whether congestion was encountered in the delivery to the destination. If so, a rate limiter at the source node is signaled to slow down the data injection rate. If not, the rate limiter is signaled to dial up the injection rate. Several dataflows can be independently and simultaneously controlled this way.
US07920464B2
A ring network redundancy method is disclosed. If somewhere the connection of the ring network is damaged and broken, then the state of an initially blocked port that has been assigned as blocked is set as forward so as to keep the network functioning. And after the problem is repaired, a newly assigned blocked port is then assigned so that there is now once more a blocked ported; wherein the position of this newly assigned blocked port is set directly at one of the two ends of the repaired network line. Thereby the resettling time for the position of the newly assigned blocked port is reduced, thus the ring network system becomes much more stable.
US07920461B2
Combined echo and crosstalk cancellation is provided. Frequency domain adaptive filters are used to remove or reduce the effects of echo and crosstalk for a multi-channel and full-duplex communications system. Data from each transmit channel is buffered and converted to the frequency domain. The frequency domain data is multiplied by crosstalk coefficients to obtain a frequency domain correction signal for each channel. Adaptation of the crosstalk coefficients is based on correlations between the error signals and the data from each of the transmit channels. A single frequency domain transform engine, such as a Fast Fourier Transform engine, is employed for all calculations to save power and area.
US07920451B2
A recording apparatus to record data on a recording medium including a plurality of recording layers is provided. The recording apparatus includes a recording circuit adapted to record data on a recording layer selected from among the plurality of recording layers included on the recording medium; a recordable capacity detecting circuit adapted to detect recordable capacity of each of the plurality of recording layers; an instructing circuit adapted to provide instructions to start recording of the data; and a selecting circuit adapted to select a recording layer on which the data is to be recorded in accordance with the instructions to start recording provided from the instructing circuit based on the recordable capacity of the plurality of recording layers detected by the recordable capacity detecting circuit.
US07920450B2
An optical disc apparatus, which discriminates types of optical discs having different thicknesses of transparent layers by using the same wavelength of laser light, includes an aberration correction unit for correcting spherical aberration, an objective lens for condensing the laser beam onto a recording surface of an optical disc, an actuator for moving the objective lens with respect to the optical disc, a signal detection unit for delivering a focus error signal or a sum light signal, a control unit for controlling the aberration correction unit, the actuator and the signal detection unit. The control unit drives and sets the aberration correction unit so that the laser beam has a predetermined spherical aberration, performs a focus search operation of moving the objective lens to approach the optical disc in a state where the laser beam is projected onto the optical disc, and uses at least one of the focus error signal and the sum light signal delivered from the signal detection unit at a just focus position as an optical disc type discrimination signal.
US07920436B2
A sense amplifier includes a first cascode transistor, a second cascode transistor, a first feedback circuit, a second feedback circuit, and a comparator. The drain of the first cascode transistor is connected directly to a first voltage source. The gate of the first cascode transistor is connected to the first feedback circuit and a first input of the comparator, and the source of the first cascode transistor is connected to the first feedback circuit and a first column decoder. The drain of the second cascode transistor is connected directly to a second voltage source. The gate of the second cascode transistor is connected to the second feedback circuit and a second input of the comparator, and the source of the second cascode transistor is connected to the second feedback circuit and a second column decoder.
US07920433B2
Method and apparatus that relate to a storage device comprising a plurality of memory cells, an interface device configured to connect the storage device to a host system and configured to transmit signals to read and write data from the host system to the memory cells via a first and second data path, and a logic unit. The logic unit is configured to read and write data from the plurality of memory cells via the second data path, and configured to perform logic operations on data stored in the plurality of memory cells. When performing read and write operations, the first data path excludes the logic unit, and the second data path includes the logic unit. Furthermore, the logic unit is communicatively coupled between the interface device and the plurality of memory cells. Additionally, a method for manufacturing the memory device is provided.
US07920431B2
The present disclosure includes methods, and circuits, for operating a memory device. One method embodiment for operating a memory device includes controlling data transfer through a memory interface in an asynchronous mode by writing data to the memory device at least partially in response to a write enable signal on a first interface contact, and reading data from the memory device at least partially in response to a read enable signal on a second interface contact. The method further includes controlling data transfer in a synchronous mode by transferring data at least partially in response to a clock signal on the first interface contact, and providing a bidirectional data strobe signal on an interface contact not utilized in the asynchronous mode.
US07920408B2
Memory cells (MC) are formed at intersections of bit lines (BL) extending in the X direction and word lines (WL) extending in the Y direction. A plurality of basic array planes sharing the word lines (WL), each formed for a group of bit lines (BL) aligned in the Z direction, are arranged side by side in the Y direction. In each basic array plane, bit lines in even layers and bit lines in odd layers are individually connected in common. Each of selection switch elements (101 to 104) controls switching of electrical connection/non-connection between the common-connected even layer bit line and a global bit line (GBL), and each of selection switch elements (111 to 114) control switching of connection/non-connection between the common-connected odd layer bit line and the global bit line (GBL).
US07920407B2
Circuitry for performing a set or reset process for a reversible resistance-switching memory element in a memory device. A ramped voltage is applied to the memory cell and its state is constantly monitored so that the voltage can be discharged as soon as the set or reset process is completed, avoiding possible disturbs to the memory cell. One set circuit ramps the voltage using a current source, while detecting a current peak using an op-amp loop. One reset circuit ramps the voltage using an op-amp loop, while detecting a current peak by continuing to draw current at the peak current to maintain the output signal stable. Another set circuit ramps the voltage using an op-amp loop and a source-follower configuration. Another reset circuit ramps the voltage using an op-amp loop and a source-follower configuration with level shifting to reduce power consumption. Faster detection and shutoff, and stable operation, are achieved.
US07920399B1
A content addressable memory (CAM) device includes a CAM array and a configuration circuit. The CAM array has a plurality of rows of CAM cells, each row segmented into a plurality of row segments, each row segment including a plurality of CAM cells coupled to a corresponding match line segment, and a match line control circuit having an input coupled to the corresponding match line segment, an output coupled to the match line segment in a next row segment, and a control terminal to receive a corresponding enable signal. The configuration circuit has an input to receive configuration information indicative of a width and depth configuration of the CAM array and having outputs to generate the enable signals.
US07920395B2
A pulse width modulation method has the steps of operating a second instruction signal so that each of the differences between two or three arbitrary instruction signals in three first instruction signals may become more than the predetermined value, and modulating in pulse width based on the second instruction signal.
US07920394B2
A method for controlling a three-level inverter with a two-level inverter controller uses a conversion circuit to process the two-level control signals and output a set of three-level control signals.
US07920391B1
A transformer-coupled buck-boost DC-DC power converter is disclosed. An active clamp circuit is provided to form a resonant circuit with the transformer to control the slew rate of the secondary current and allow the secondary switch to be turned ON at conditions of zero voltage and relatively low current. The characteristic resonant period of the active clamp transformer circuit may be less than the minimum converter operating period. A winding of the transformer is shunted during a clamp phase to retain energy in the transformer. ZVS phases are provided to reduce switching losses when switches in the converter are turned ON. An energy-storage phase may be varied to control the amount of energy stored per operating cycle. An input-storage phase may transfer energy to the clamp capacitor during a series of converter operating cycles and transfer said energy to the secondary during different converter operating cycles.
US07920386B2
An electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes a housing, a rotating mechanism and a first rotating member. The rotating mechanism, rotatably disposed in the housing, rotatable along a first direction and a second direction different from the first direction. The first rotating member, disposed on the housing, rotatable between a first position and a second position. When the first rotating member is in the first position, the first rotating member engages with the rotating mechanism. When the rotating mechanism rotates along the first direction, the rotating mechanism is separated from the first rotating member, whereinafter, the first rotating member is able to rotate from the first position to the second position.
US07920383B2
A heat sink includes first and second base plates to contact with first and second surfaces of a heat source, respectively. The first base plate includes a support unit protruding from a first surface and a first dissipating unit to dissipate heat from the heat source. The second base plate includes a penetrating hole spaced apart from an edge portion to hold the support unit and a second dissipating unit to dissipate the heat from the heat source. A coupling member is positioned on an upper surface of the support unit and applies a force to the first and second base plates to thereby combine the first and second base plates to the heat source. The base plates are combined to the memory module without any loss of the surface area of the dissipating fin, to thereby improve the dissipation efficiency of the heat sink.
US07920381B2
An interior cooling structure according to the present invention includes a frame in which a plurality of circuit board modules are stacked, with electronic components mounted on the plurality of circuit board modules by being classified by function; an external housing which covers the frame together with the plurality of circuit board modules; a plurality of cooling devices which reduce temperature rises in the external housing caused by heat produced by the plurality of circuit board modules; and a heat generating region a partitioned in such away as to enclose a circuit board module which has the highest total power consumption out of the plurality of circuit board modules, wherein the plurality of cooling devices are arranged in such away as to reduce temperature rises in the heat generating region by displaying capacity higher than capacity of each of the cooling devices.
US07920380B2
A test slot cooling system for a storage device testing system includes a storage device transporter having first and second portions. The first portion of the storage device transporter includes an air director and the second portion of the storage device transporter is configured to receive a storage device. The test slot cooling system includes a test slot housing defining an air entrance and a transporter opening for receiving the storage device transporter. The air entrance is in pneumatic communication with the air director of the received storage device transporter. The test slot cooling system also includes an air mover in pneumatic communication with the air entrance of the test slot housing for delivering air to the air director. The air director directs air substantially simultaneously over at least top and bottom surfaces of the storage device received in the storage device transporter.
US07920376B2
A first card slot extends along a first imaginary plane. A second card slot extends along a second imaginary plane parallel to the first imaginary plane. A printed wiring board is placed between the first and second imaginary planes. A first connector is mounted on the front surface of the printed wiring board. The first connector receives a first card coming through the first card slot. A second connector is mounted on the back surface of the printed wiring board. The second connector receives a second card coming through the second card slot. A guiding member defines a first guiding surface extending along the first imaginary plane and a second guiding surface extending along the second imaginary plane. A space is efficiently utilized at the back surface of the printed wiring board. The first and second cards are enclosed in the enclosure in a layered manner.
US07920373B2
A cover unit to open and close an opening formed in a main body includes a cover including a hinged first end portion, a second end portion including an engagement portion provided on a side facing the opening, and a deformable portion deformable toward the main body, provided in the second end portion, a rotation stopper disposed between the cover and the opening, to inhibit the cover from rotating excessively, and a push latch unit disposed in the main body to lock and unlock the cover, including an engagement pawl to contact the engagement portion of the cover when the rotation stopper prohibits the cover from rotating further to the main body. When the second end portion is pressed while the rotation stopper prohibits the cover from rotating, the engagement portion of the cover is engaged or disengaged from the engagement pawl of the push latch unit.
US07920363B2
A tunnel junction magnetoresistive sensor having improved TMR performance (dR/R) and improved area resistance. The sensor includes a barrier layer sandwiched between a magnetic pinned layer structure and a magnetic free layer structure. The barrier layer includes a thin layer of Mg and a layer of MgOx. The barrier layer could also include a second thin layer of Mg such that the MgOx layer is sandwiched between the first and second Mg layers.
US07920359B2
Embodiments of the present invention achieve a high linear recording density and a high track recording density to thereby improve the areal recording density in a perpendicular magnetic recording apparatus having a magnetic head that includes a trailing shield and side shields around a main magnetic pole piece. According to one embodiment, in a magnetic recording apparatus, each of magnetic distances of various sorts is set so as to satisfy relationships of Lmag
US07920358B2
A perpendicular magnetic recording write head that may be used in magnetic recording disk drives has a magnetic write pole (WP) with an end that is generally the same width as the width of the data tracks on the disk. A trailing shield (TS) is spaced from the WP in the along-the-track direction, a pair of side shields are located on opposite sides of the WP in the cross-track direction, and an optional leading shield (LS) is located on the opposite side of the WP from the TS in the along-the-track direction. The TS, side shields and LS are formed of magnetically permeable soft ferromagnetic material and are separated from each other by nonmagnetic separation layers. The TS, side shields and LS each has a throat height (TH) thickness in its region facing the WP. The throat heights for the shields may be different.
US07920356B2
A method and a system are provided for writing a plurality of servo bands on magnetic tape. The magnetic tape is moved longitudinally relative to at least one servo write head. The servo write head is positioned to write a plurality of parallel longitudinal servo bands. The plurality of servo bands comprise odd servo bands and even servo bands, and each of the odd servo bands lie between the each of the even servo bands. The at least one servo write head is operated to write the plurality of parallel longitudinal servo bands on the magnetic tape such that each of the plurality of servo bands comprise a plurality of frames, wherein each frame comprises a plurality of bursts of transition stripes, and each burst has a first transition stripe. The first transition stripe of each burst of each the odd servo band is longitudinally shifted from the first transition stripe of each burst of each even servo band by a substantially equal distance, D, such that servo information of the odd servo bands is interleaved with the servo information from the even servo bands.
US07920338B2
A reduction projection objective for projection lithography has a plurality of optical elements arranged along an optical axis and designed for imaging an effective object field arranged in an object surface of the projection objective into an effective image field arranged in an image surface of the projection objective at a reducing magnification ratio. The optical elements include at least one concave mirror. The optical elements are designed to provide an image-side numerical aperture NA>0.6 in a large effective image field having a maximum image field height Y′>25 mm. A compact, low mass projection objective enabling high throughput of exposed substrates is thereby obtained.
US07920336B2
A barrel includes a through-hole through which an interlocking lever passes, the interlocking lever provided on a barrier drive member to receive a rotational force. The barrier drive member includes a flange portion in a circumferential direction. The flange portion is positioned at the same phase as the interlocking lever and covers the through-hole from an optical axis direction during a rotation of the barrier blades from an open state to a closed state.
US07920332B2
A variable-focal-length lens system includes first to fifth lens groups having positive, negative, positive, negative, and positive refractive powers, respectively, from the object side. As the lens-position state changes from wide-angle to telephoto, the air space between the first and second lens groups increases, the air space between the second and third lens groups decreases, the air space between the third and fourth lens groups changes, the air space between the fourth and fifth lens groups increases, the first lens group moves monotonously toward the object, the second lens group is fixed in the optical-axis direction, and the third and fourth lens groups move toward the object. Conditions 0.2
US07920318B2
A photoelastic modulator (PEM) has two parts (11, 13) of the same or dissimilar cross sections, joined together to form an abrupt junction (16). A transducer, for which the natural oscillation is at the half acoustic wavelength mode, excites a longitudinal standing wave of high purity in the PEM. A feedback system is used to achieve stable phase synchronisation of multiple PEMs working at the same oscillation frequency, where the outputs of an amplitude and phase sensor for one PEM is used to correct phase variations of other PEMs and to compensate optical retardation errors.
US07920317B2
The invention relates to a display apparatus including a first substrate supporting an array of light modulators, a second substrate separated from the first substrate by a gap, a fluid substantially filling the gap, sealing material joining the first substrate to the second substrate, and a bubble trapping region within a space enclosed by the sealing material for substantially constraining a location of a bubble trapped within the gap. In some embodiments, the bubble trapping region extends along a majority of a side of at least one of the substrates. In some embodiments, the fluid has a viscosity less than 70 centipoise.
US07920316B2
The invention relates generally to cognitive stimulation apparatuses and systems, and methods of manufacturing the same. In certain exemplary implementations the invention provides an at least partially transparent, pliable gel having an optical property, such as brightness or color, and a circuit for delivering electromagnetic radiation to the gel to modify the optical property. Under certain conditions, modifying the optical property can stimulate a user's visual and other senses to help improve cognitive development and functionality.
US07920312B2
A scanning apparatus and method, the apparatus comprising a light transmitter, a mount for supporting the light transmitter located remotely from its exit tip, a drive for driving the light transmitter to vibrate resonantly in a first direction and to vibrate non-resonantly in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, and a synchronizer for synchronizing vibration of the light transmitter in the first and second directions so that the exit tip of the light transmitter executes a scan pattern. The drive applies a driving force to the light transmitter between the mount and the exit tip.
US07920311B2
A method and apparatus for recording and/or reproducing data to and/or from a holographic storage medium and a holographic storage medium therefor are provided. The method of reproducing data from the holographic storage medium, in which a hologram containing data is recorded through interference between a signal beam and a reference beam, the data being recorded in pages and a plurality of the pages being recorded in a book, includes controlling the reference beam so that an increasing/decreasing order of a reference beam in a current book which is currently reproduced is reverse to an increasing/decreasing order of a reference beam in a previous book which was reproduced before the current book, and reproducing pages of the current book from the holographic storage medium according to the controlling of the reference beam.
US07920309B2
A holographic recording medium including a recording layer on a substrate, which records data information in a light interference pattern is provided. In the holographic recording medium, information on a thermal expansion characteristic of a recording material contained in the recording layer and/or information on temperature dependency of the refractive index of the recording material are recorded within the holographic recording medium in advance.
US07920301B2
A read device comprises: a read part that reads information recorded on a medium being carried in a given reading position; a first regulate member, disposed more upstream in a carry direction of the medium than the reading position, that regulates a position of one surface of the medium being carried; and a second regulate member, disposed more downstream in the carry direction of the medium than the reading position, that regulates a position of the other surface of the medium being carried.
US07920291B2
An image processing apparatus includes a comparison unit adapted to compare a color of a first master page and a color of an edge area of an object in a variable page, and a change unit adapted to, when the color difference between the first master page and the edge area of the object is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value, change the first master page to a second master page having a color that is not similar to the color of the object.
US07920289B2
A system and method for printing on media includes a printhead assembly, a memory, and a controller. The printhead assembly is configured to make physical print sweeps relative to print regions of the media and to print within the print regions during the physical print sweeps. The memory communicates with the printhead assembly and is configured to receive data associated with a logical print sweep. The data associated with the logical print sweep controls printing within a first print region of the media during a corresponding first physical print sweep. The controller communicates with the printhead assembly and memory. The controller initiates the first physical print sweep of the printhead assembly before all of the data associated with the logical print sweep is received by the memory.
US07920288B2
An object of the present invention is to obtain a desired output result when forming an image based on the resource data downloaded via a network by avoiding a situation that the downloaded resource data in incomplete state is employed for output. In order to accomplish the above object, the present invention provides an image forming method comprising a step (S901, S902) of holding the downloaded resource data, a step (S903 to S907) of determining whether or not the information necessary for forming the image is provided by analyzing the resource data, and a step (S908) of deleting the resource data held at the holding step, if as a result of the determination, it is determined that the information necessary for forming the image is not provided.
US07920286B2
An image output apparatus permitting entire access history and operation history regarding managed documents to be able to be grasped. A document security server holds and manages a history of accesses from a client PC to the managed documents as an access history DB. A digital multifunction peripheral identifies, from a job received from the PC, a user who has issued a job request and a managed electronic document to be printed, and executes online process or offline process depending whether an authority for execution of the presently received job has been checked for. An output image history DB is saved when output processing corresponding to the job received from the PC is performed online, whereas a job history DB is save when other output processing is performed. The access history DB, the output image history DB, and the job history DB are merged and displayed.
US07920285B2
A method is provided by which the information necessary to create an electronic form can be transmitted via a printed form. The formatting information necessary to recreate the electronic form is encoded in a symbology on the printed form in a space reserved for that purpose.
US07920267B2
An integrated optical waveguide type surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensor having an optical waveguide with a corresponding SPR sensing area, photodetectors, and wavelength tunable laser or any kind of external tunable laser source/coupler formed on a substrate. In an embodiment, the laser is a wavelength tunable laser and optionally, the integrated device may include a power source on the substrate for providing a electric power to the wavelength tunable laser and the photodetectors, or a circuit for signal processing, or a microfluidic structure for routing a target sample to the SPR sensor area. The microfluidic structure optionally includes a mixer or a reaction chamber for mixing and allowing a physical or chemical reaction to occur, respectively. In an embodiment, plural planar integrated optical waveguide type SPR sensors may be fabricated on a substrate to form an array of SPR sensors.
US07920266B2
There is provided a detection apparatus detecting target substance in a sample by utilizing plasmon resonance including a substrate and a plurality of metal-containing members arranged on the substrate, wherein the metal-containing members are shaped tubular and the metal-containing members are arranged on the substrate with a given orientation. By use hereof, a detection apparatus and a detection method enabling highly sensitive detection on target substance are provided.
US07920260B2
A measuring device determines the size, size distribution, and/or concentration of nanoscopic particles or hollow spaces in a measuring sample, the degree of opacity of such measuring samples, or the degree of roughness of surfaces by determining the wavelength and scattering angle dependent intensities of a measuring radiation scattered on a measuring sample. The measuring device comprises a retaining device for a measuring sample to be measured, a detector comprising at least one detector inlet, an evaluation unit, and at least two radiation sources that are respectively at a distance from each other and at a distance from the measuring sample. Via the radiation sources, a ray bundle can in each case be emitted in an essentially parallel beam in the direction of the measuring sample. The ray bundles directed onto the measuring sample are aligned or can be aligned in different angles onto the measuring sample.
US07920256B2
A printing medium detecting device capable of accurately detecting an amount of printing media in a paper cassette, an image forming apparatus including the printing medium detecting device, and a method to detect a printing medium. The printing medium detecting device of the image forming apparatus includes a light source to emit a light beam to one side of a stack of printing media housed in a paper cassette, a scanning unit to scan the light beam reflected from the stack and generate a signal based on the light beam, and a computing unit to compute information related to the stack based on the signal, wherein the information includes a number of printing media sheets in the stack.
US07920254B2
Aspects include metrology methods and systems for determining characteristics of conical shaft portions, such as angle of taper and crown height. In an example, a metrology system includes a fixture for supporting a workpiece. The fixture provides for translation in a longitudinal dimension, and rotation about an axis of symmetry. The system may include a sensor mounted for scanning lines including sections of the workpiece as well as control logic for coordinating translation of the workpiece to provide for an approximately constant ratio of longitudinal translation and lines scanned during scanning operations. The system may include image logic for assembling an image from image data generated during each scanning operation, edge detection logic for detecting an edge shape in each assembled image, and slope and crown height calculation logic for calculating a slope and a crown height of each of the detected edge shapes.
US07920237B2
A transparent polymer film satisfying Re≧15 and Rth≦−7.5, and having a moisture permeability at 40° C. and a relative humidity of 90% of at least 100 g/(m2·day) as calculated in terms of the film having a thickness of 80 μm. This film can be stuck to a polarizing film in on-line operation.
US07920229B2
A display device is provided which offers double-sided display and achieves a thin structure and also which prevents deterioration in display quality of each of front and back display units when an illumination unit such as a backlight is shared by these display units. The display device includes a first display unit having a display surface on the front surface thereof; a second display unit having a display surface on the rear surface thereof; and a common illumination unit interposed between the first display unit and the second display unit, for illuminating both the first display unit and the second display unit with light. A transflector is interposed between the second light-emitting surface of the light-guiding member and the second display unit.
US07920213B2
System and method for synchronizing the low speed mirror movement of a mirror display system with incoming frame or video signals, and synchronizing buffered lines of video data to the independently oscillating scanning mirror. According to one embodiment of the invention, the peak portions of the low speed cyclic drive signal are synchronized with the incoming frames of video by compressing or expanding the peak portion or turn around portion so that each video frame begins at the same location on the display screen. The actual position of the high frequency mirror is determined by sensors and a “trigger” signal is generated to distribute the signals for each scan line such that the scan lines are properly positioned on the display.
US07920198B2
A method of transferring charge from a photosensitive array using a plurality of vertical shift registers, each having a plurality of vertical elements including first and last vertical element is disclosed The vertical shift registers are capable of transferring charge in a first direction from the first to the last vertical element The method also includes using at least one horizontal shift register having a plurality of horizontal elements. Each of the horizontal elements is arranged to receive charge transferred from the last vertical element of a respective one of the plurality of vertical shift registers, and shift the charge in a horizontal direction. The method includes operating the horizontal shift register during a plurality of horizontal operating intervals and operating the plurality of vertical shift registers during at least a portion of the plurality of horizontal operating intervals.
US07920196B2
An imaging device with a semi-column-parallel pipeline analog-to-digital converter architecture. The semi-column-parallel pipeline architecture allows multiple column output lines to share an analog-to-digital converter. Analog-to-digital conversions are performed in a pipelined manner to reduce the conversion time, which results in shorter row times and increased frames rate and data throughput. The architecture also enhances the pitch of the analog-to-digital converters, which allows high performance, high resolution analog-to-digital converters to be used. As such, semi-column-parallel pipeline architecture overcomes the shortcomings of the typical serial and column-parallel architectures.
US07920191B2
When driven in an all-pixel read mode, a CCD (1) outputs, with each horizontal sync timing signal, captured image signals including signal charges arranged in a different order from that in which the pixels are actually arranged on a photosensitive surface of the CCD. During this time, the respective pixel signals are digitized sequentially by an A/D converter (5) to corresponding image data, which are then temporarily stored in units of a line in a line buffer (7) via a data distributor (6). In this case, an address generator (8) generates, for the respective image data, write addresses to store the respective image data in the line buffer (7) in the same order as the pixels of the photosensitive surface are actually arranged. In accordance with these write addresses, the data distributor (6) distributes the respective image data to appropriate addresses in the line buffer (7), thereby storing the image data there (FIG. 1).
US07920186B2
A bad pixel detection method and module which provide a quick-test and a full-test for bad pixel detections in an image. The quick-test tests a current pixel to one and only one good neighbor having been previously tested. The quick-test is optimized by exploiting weaknesses in the human visual system especially for red and blue colors. More lenient thresholds can be used for the blue color compared to thresholds for the red and green colors. Moreover, the full-test is constructed and arranged to detect bad pixel clusters in a kernel.
US07920184B2
An CMOS active pixel sensor (APS) imaging system include circuitry to compensate for different analog offset levels from the CMOS pixel array. More specifically, the compensation is performed in the analog (charge) domain. A digital correction value, which may be measured as part of the operation or testing of the CMOS APS system, is provided to a offset correction block circuit, to generate an analog electrical signal. The analog electrical signal is supplied to a sample-and-hold circuit including a charge amplifier. The signal read from the pixel array, after conditioning through an analog signal chain, is also supplied to the charge amplifier, which has a linear transfer function and outputs the compensated signal.
US07920183B2
A visual processing section 120 is provided which performs visual processing on a pixel-by-pixel basis according to a predetermined function defining a relation between a pixel value of a target pixel which is a pixel under visual processing and a pixel value of the target pixel after subjected to the visual processing. An input signal processing section 150 is further provided which performs, on a pixel-by-pixel basis, at least one of signal processing to restore resolution of an image data input to the visual processing section 120 and signal processing to correct signal deterioration due to the visual processing. In the input signal processing section 150, the at least one signal processing is performed according to a gain determined by using the function.
US07920182B2
A digital camera includes a sensor adapted to provide a digital representation of a portion of a field of view and an optical system that causes a plurality of locations within the field of view to become incident on the sensor. A pixel correction module adds a bias value to any pixel within the digital representation of a portion of a field of view and multiplies it by a gain factor. A region-of-interest lookup table stores sets of values, each set related to a rectangular region of interest within the field of view. The stored values include bias and gain factors.
US07920177B2
The imaging apparatus includes a plurality of image processing circuits, a memory having real address space, a memory management unit that performs virtual memory control, and a CPU that controls the image processing circuits. Each image processing circuit has a function of specified data processing, and writes/reads data to/from the memory in virtual address space. The memory management unit has corresponding information for managing correspondence between specified data unit region (virtual page) in virtual address space, and specified data unit region (real page) in real address space, and deletes the correspondence between virtual page and real page concerning the read data in the corresponding information when the image processing circuit completes the read operation of the data in specified data unit from the memory.
US07920169B2
A technique involving either: a) transmitting at least one portion of at least one image representation from, or b) receiving at least one portion of at least one image representation to, a first shared image device in a manner at least partially relying on a proximity of the first shared image device and an at least one other shared image device.
US07920155B2
An image forming apparatus that is operable at a plurality of image forming speeds and can be constructed at low costs without adding circuits or the like. A conversion circuit converts image data into lighting patterns for turning on/off laser light on a basis of each of units of auxiliary pixels formed by dividing a pixel as an image forming element. A shift register sequentially stores lighting patterns for pixels pixel from the conversion circuit, and sequentially outputs them to a laser drive circuit. In monochrome printing, the rotational speed of a polygon motor is set to perform a printing operation. In color printing, the difference between an image forming speed for the monochrome printing and an image forming speed for the color printing is calculated, and based on the difference, the amount of insertion of pixel pieces using the shift register is determined for a printing operation.
US07920149B2
Methods, apparatus, computer program products and systems are provided for editing an image. One method includes editing, by a processor, an image including maintaining a list of transformations applied to the image including a last transformation; receiving a selection from a user to rollback a transformation, the selection not including the last transformation, where receiving a selection includes receiving a selection from the list of transformations that include plural selections that are not contiguous in an order in which the transformations were applied; generating, by the processor, a unique identifier associated with the edited image without the selection, the unique identifier including data identifying the image and all transformations to be applied to the image; and after receiving a request for an edited image, the request including the unique identifier, transmitting the edited image to a requesting device.
US07920148B2
A system to apply a smoothing filter during anti-aliasing at a post-rendering stage. An embodiment of the system includes a three-dimensional renderer, an edge detector, and a smoothing filter. The three-dimensional renderer is configured to render a three-dimensional scene. The edge detector is coupled to the three-dimensional renderer. The edge detector is configured to read values of a depth buffer and to apply edge detection criteria to the values of the depth buffer in order to detect an object edge within the three -dimensional scene. The smoothing filter coupled to the edge detector. The smoothing filter is configured to read values of a color buffer and to apply a smoothing coefficient to the values of the color buffer. The values of the color buffer include a pixel sample at the detected object edge.
US07920147B2
The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus that performs predetermined conversion processing with keeping the color of an original image and eliminating processing time necessary for color space conversion, when applying special effects on video signals. The image processing apparatus includes a video signal input section for receiving a video signal having a value represented in a first color space, a signal converting section for performing predetermined conversion processing on a signal having a value represented in a second color space that is different from the first color space, and a signal interface section for supplying the signal converting section with the video signal, received by the video signal input section, that has a value represented in the first color space as a substitute for the signal having a value represented in the second color space.
US07920143B1
A system and a computer-readable medium are provided for controlling a computing device to define a set of computer animation parameters for an object to be animated electronically. An electronic reference model of the object to be animated is obtained. The reference model is altered to form a modified model corresponding to a first animation parameter. Physical differences between the electronic reference model and the modified model are determined and a representation of the physical differences are stored as the first animation parameter. Altering of the reference model and determining of the physical differences are repeated. The stored parameters are provided to a rendering device for generation of the animation in accordance with the stored parameters. Determining physical differences between the electronic reference model and the modified model and storing a representation of the physical differences as the first animation parameter include comparing vertex positions of the reference model.
US07920142B2
Systems and methods for identifying asymptotes in approximated geometric forms are provided. One disclosed method includes identifying a set of data points that represent an approximated geometric form. The data points may be organized into segments. The method may further include determining a visible range of the geometric form to display. The method may further include looping through successive segments of the approximated geometric form, and on each loop, for a current segment, making a decision whether to draw the current segment based upon a prediction of whether the current segment traverses an asymptote within the visible range. The method may further include displaying on a graphical user interface of a computing device, a graph of the segments of the geometric form in the visible range, the graph not including those segments that were decided not be drawn.
US07920141B2
The present invention relates to a rasterizer interpolator. In one embodiment, a setup unit is used to distribute graphics primitive instructions to multiple parallel rasterizers. To increase efficiency, the setup unit calculates the polygon data and checks it against one or more tiles prior to distribution. An output screen is divided into a number of regions, with a number of assignment configurations possible for various number of rasterizer pipelines. For instance, the screen is sub-divided into four regions and one of four rasterizers is granted ownership of one quarter of the screen. To reduce time spent on processing empty times, a problem in prior art implementations, the present invention reduces empty tiles by the process of coarse grain tiling. This process occurs by a series of iterations performed in parallel. Each region undergoes an iterative calculation/tiling process where coverage of the primitive is deduced at a successively more detailed level.
US07920130B2
The invention discloses a touch panel capable of identifying fingerprints. The touch panel includes a touch layer and a fingerprint sensing layer. The touch layer is used for sensing a specific location touched by a finger. The fingerprint sensing layer is disposed under the touch layer and includes a storage unit, multiple receiving modules, multiple transmitting modules, and a control module. The storage unit stores a first fingerprint data corresponding to the finger. Each receiving module respectively corresponds to one of the transmission modules. According to the specific location, one of the transmission modules transmits a signal, and the signal is then reflected by the finger to the corresponding receiving module. The control module converts the signal received by the receiving module into a second fingerprint data and then determines whether the second fingerprint data conforms to the first fingerprint data.
US07920127B2
A coordinate detection device mounted on an information terminal apparatus is provided. The coordinate detection device includes a substrate that has a wiring region where leading lines to be connected to detection electrodes are located. The leading lines extend in a direction crossing an extension direction of the detection electrodes in the wiring region. The substrate is deformed such that the wiring region is distant from a surface.
US07920119B2
At least one of a scanning-line drive part and a data-line drive part includes: a shift register for outputting transfer signals in sequence; a first enable supply line for supplying a plurality of series of first enable signals having a first pulse width smaller than that of the transfer signals; a second enable supply line for supplying one series of second enable signal having a second pulse width smaller than the first pulse width; and pulse-width restricting circuits for receiving input of the transfer signals, the first and the second enable signals. The pulse-width restricting circuits restricts the pulse width of the transfer signals to the first pulse width by shaping each pulse of the input transfer signals based on the individual first enable signals, and restricts the pulse width of the transfer signals to the second pulse width by shaping all the pulses of the transfer signals after restricted to the first pulse width based on the second enable signal.
US07920112B2
An electronic paper system includes: electronic paper having a display unit that can display and retain an image in a no-power state; image generation means for generating a displaying image by combining a scale-down image of at least a part of a document and an image of at least part of related information of the document; and write means for writing the generated displaying image into the display unit of the electronic paper so that the display unit displays and retains the generated displaying image.
US07920103B2
The present invention relates to a plasma display apparatus, and more particularly, to a driving method thereof. The plasma display apparatus includes a panel comprised of a first substrate and a second substrate bonded to each other, a first electrode and a second electrode formed on the upper substrate, and a sustain driver for applying sustain pulses to the first and second electrodes, wherein the sustain driver applies a sustain voltage between the first and second electrodes, and floats at least one of the first and second electrodes after the completion of a sustain discharge caused by the sustain voltage.In the plasma display apparatus and the driving method thereof, according to the present invention, at least one of a scan electrode and a sustain electrode is floated for a predetermined time after the completion of the sustain discharge. This floating state prevents wall charges that are generated during the sustain discharge from being accumulated and increases a discharge path of a plasma display apparatus using a space voltage, thereby improving afterimage characteristic and enhancing brightness and discharge efficiency.
US07920101B2
Aspects of the present invention relate to systems, methods and devices for imaging device display standardization. Some aspects relate to the integration of imaging-device-independent display information with imaging-device-dependent formatting information that may be resident on the imaging device. Some aspects relate to integration of application-specific template data with imaging-device-specific formatting data.
US07920096B2
A RFID tag or label comprises a RFID tag module (comprising an electronic identification circuit and a coupling means) and an antenna structure coupled to the coupling means. The RFID tag module is separate from, separable or arranged to be severable from, the antenna structure. The tag module can be placed in or on an object and the antenna structure in or on packaging material for use with the object. A patch antenna type RFID tag antenna structure has a ground plane spaced from the patch antenna so as to increase the range of the tag. The ground plane is not substantially larger than, and electrically insulated from, the patch antenna. The ground plane is flexible, so the RFID tag structure can be worn by a human, and can be incorporated into a piece of clothing. A RFID antenna structure for use with a tag reader is made flat and robust so that it can be mounted on the ground to be walked upon or driven over. A bi-directional YAGI type RFID tag antenna structure has director elements on two opposite sides so that the YAGI antenna radiates in two opposite directions. An object includes a gain increasing metallic structure for increasing the gain of a RFID tag when placed near the object so as to form a RFID tag antenna structure.
US07920095B2
A three-dimensional multi-frequency antenna includes a substrate; a shorting wall vertically formed on a first edge of the substrate; a radiation element including a first radiator corresponding to a first resonance frequency band, and a second radiator corresponding to a second resonance frequency band, the first radiator and the second radiator capable of generating a frequency-multiplying third resonance frequency extending toward opposite directions; and a connection element, for connecting the shorting wall and the radiation element, separated from a second edge of the substrate by a gap; wherein the width of the radiation element and the gap conforms to a specific ratio.
US07920086B2
A display is configured to display transformed video. The display includes a display unit comprising pixels. The display also includes a set of filter elements positioned adjacent to the display unit. The set of filter elements enable the display unit to display transformed video.
US07920079B2
A serial signal receiving device, includes: a serial-parallel converter that converts a transmitted serial signal into a parallel signal, wherein the serialized signal is obtained by the plural signal; a storage unit that stores phase difference information indicating a phase difference among the plural signals; and a correcting unit that corrects a phase relation among the plural signals of the parallel signal output from the serial-parallel converter based on the phase difference information stored by the storage unit.
US07920073B2
A method and terminal for receiving and processing traffic information and a method and apparatus for providing the traffic information, where the method for receiving traffic information includes reading region information included in received traffic information, determining whether a first region indicated by the region information overlaps with a second region corresponding to location information on which traffic information is desired, and decoding the traffic information including the region information indicating the first region if the determination result indicates that the first and second regions overlap.
US07920069B2
A combined and integrated audible and visual signal. A signal case is constructed of a light transmissive material and includes an exposed front end cover with one or more sound transmitting apertures and a tubular wall extending transversely from the exposed end cover for extending through a hole in a mounting panel. A transducer is mounted within the tubular wall and includes a diaphragm that is spaced from the exposed cover. Light sources are mounted to face the diaphragm. The tubular wall in the region between the cover and a plane transverse to the tubular wall through the diaphragm is, in the axial direction, smoothly continuous with no angled bends.
US07920065B2
A portable matching device and method is provided. The portable matching device includes a memory that is configured to store first identification information. A communication device in the portable matching device is configured to transmit the first identification information from the memory to a presence detector and to receive a matching attribute from a server, which is configured to determine whether a first profile associated with the first identification information and a second profile match according to matching criteria. The portable matching device further includes a match indicator that is configured to present the matching attribute, which is unique to the second profile and is presented by the match indicator so as to be at least one of outwardly visible or audible so as to be information to a person other than a user of the matching device of the match.
US07920058B2
A system and method that, upon connection of a trailer to a tow vehicle, a trailer brake controller informs a tire pressure monitoring system to begin monitoring information at the TPMS and at the same time, activates the initiators, i.e., the electromagnets. Sensors respond to the electromagnetic field that is generated by electric brake magnets. As a result, the sensors transmit RF signals that are received by the tire pressure monitoring system. Transmissions from the sensors are decoded in a controller and processed as necessary for tire pressure monitoring automatically calibrated to the tire pressure monitoring system and the system can request the pressure data from the sensors by way of the low frequency field generated by the electric brakes.
US07920055B2
In order to provide a fast and reliable classification of an impact, the present invention proposes a method for the classification of an impact between an object and a vehicle, comprising the steps of detecting an initial contact between said object and said vehicle; recording a width data relating to a width of an impact zone between the object and the vehicle; processing said width data for determining the width of said impact zone a predetermined time interval after the initial contact; forming a first criterion for deciding whether the object is a pedestrian by identifying if the determined width of the impact zone lies between predetermined lower and upper first threshold values; determining that the object is human if said first criterion is met.
US07920051B2
The present invention provides information providing system including: a wireless sheet attached to an article; and an information notifying apparatus which notifies information on the article in response to a radio signal sent from the wireless sheet, wherein, the wireless sheet includes a wireless measuring unit which, when receiving a radio signal, generates and sends a radio signal having identification data and data of physical quantity measured in the wireless sheet, and the information notifying apparatus includes: a transmitter/receiver which exchanges radio signals with the wireless sheet; a storage unit which stores the identification data and the article information in association with each other; and a notifying unit which extracts from the received radio signal, the identification data and the physical quantity data, and reads the article information stored in association with the identification data in the storage unit, and notifies the article information and the physical quantity data.
US07920040B2
A Nb3Sn superconducting coil can be formed from a wire including multiple unreacted strands comprising tin in contact with niobium. The strands are wound into a cable, which is then heated to react the tin and niobium to form a cable comprising reacted Nb3Sn strands. The cable comprising the reacted Nb3Sn strands are then mounted in and soldered into an electrically conductive channel to form a reacted cable-in-channel of Nb3Sn strands. The cable-in-channel of reacted Nb3Sn strands are then wound to fabricate a superconducting coil. The Nb3Sn superconducting coil can be used, for example, in a magnet structure for particle acceleration. In one example, the superconducting coil is used in a high-field superconducting synchrocyclotron.
US07920026B2
An output stage of an amplifier circuit includes one or more output transistors that are selectively driven by a boosted drive circuit, where the boosted drive circuit is arranged such that the output range of the amplifier circuit is increased while maintaining reduced quiescent current. The drive signal to each output transistor is selectively increased only when demanded by the output load conditions. The threshold for boosting the drive signal can be adjusted for optimized performance. In one example, a class AB output stage includes a separate drive boost circuit for each output transistor. For this example, each drive boost circuit has a separate threshold for boosting each of the drive signals to the output transistors. The boosting can also be adjusted to optimize the differential input stage and current mirror maximum current requirement while maintaining minimum required bias currents.
US07920018B2
A boosting circuit comprises a first boosting cell row and a second boosting cell row. The boosting circuit further comprises an analog comparison circuit for comparing the potential of boosting cells on the same stage, and selecting and outputting the lower or higher of the potentials. The potential of an N well is controlled using the output potential of the analog comparison circuit. Thereby, the amplitude of an N well potential can be suppressed, and a single N well region can be shared.
US07920014B2
In order to transfer data at high speed over a long distance, a current mode logic output circuit (CML) having a large number of taps, high accuracy, and a wide switchable range of the amount of pre-emphasis is needed. However, when the amount of emphasis is set by adding unit source-coupled pair circuits, a problem will arise that the output capacitance of the current mode logic output circuit would increase, thus hampering high-speed transmission. An output circuit of the invention is constructed from unit source-coupled pair circuits 501, which are obtained by dividing a current mode logic output circuit (CML) into m groups, terminal resistors 502, and a data selector 504. The amount of emphasis of each tap is determined by the ratio of the number of unit source-coupled pair circuits, which have been obtained by dividing the CML into m groups, allocated to each tap. Thus, the amount of emphasis can be set to be any arbitrary amount without a change in the output amplitude of 1. As a result, the transmission speed can be increased and the transmission distance can be extended.
US07920009B2
A method and a device for canceling an offset voltage in an output of a comparator circuit include sampling a set of offset voltages; applying a set of correction voltages equal in magnitude and opposite in polarity to the set of offset voltages, the set of correction voltages being applied to an output generating arrangement of the comparator circuit; and enabling output of the output generating arrangement after the set of correction voltages is applied.
US07920007B2
A data outputting apparatus of a semiconductor integrated circuit if presented for use in standardizing output timing brought about by different electrical output path lengths. The apparatus includes a data clock signal generating section and a data output section. The data clock signal generating section is configured to use an external clock signal in order to generate a plurality of data clock signals in which output timings of the data clock signals vary depending on a data output mode. The data output section is configured to be controlled by the plurality of data clock signals to output inputted data to the outside through a plurality of data input/output pads that have different path lengths.
US07920004B2
There is provided an apparatus for duty cycle correction. The apparatus for duty cycle correction comprises a moving sum unit performing a moving sum calculation with respect to the square-wave signal and outputting the moving sum signal subjected to moving sum calculation, a comparison unit comparing the moving sum signal with a predetermined threshold voltage, outputting a high signal or low signal, a mean value calculation unit calculating the mean value of an output signal outputted from the comparison unit, the output signal being included in a section having a period integer times greater than that of the square-wave signal, and a threshold voltage control unit comparing the mean value with a middle value, increasing the threshold voltage when the mean value is greater than the middle value, and decreasing the threshold voltage when the mean value is less than the middle value.
US07919994B2
The present invention relates to a wire-bound transmission of data, as occurs, for example, between a sensor and a control unit. In order to save lines, both the supply voltage and the data signal to be transmitted are transmitted over the same line. The field of the present invention relates to the extraction of data signals from the supply voltage line.
US07919988B2
An output circuit includes a pre-driving unit configured to drive an input signal by using a different driving power according to an output operation mode and generate pull-up and pull-down signals corresponding to the resultant input signal and an output driving unit configured to output data in response to the pull-up and pull-down signals.
US07919987B1
A logic signal transmitting circuit includes a CMOS inverter, a first transistor switch and an inverter. The CMOS inverter includes a p-type transistor and an n-type transistor and is configured for inverting an input signal. The first transistor switch is connected to an input of the CMOS inverter and controlled by the input signal. The inverter is connected between the p-type transistor and the first transistor switch, in which the inverter turns off the p-type transistor when the first transistor switch is turned on and the inverter turns on the p-type transistor when the first transistor switch is turned off.
US07919978B2
The present invention relates to an ODT control circuit which is controlled in synchronization with an external clock during power-down mode. An ODT control circuit according to the present invention includes a clock control circuit which receives a synchronized internal clock signal and a DLL clock signal, and selects either one of the internal clock signal or the DLL clock signal according to the power mode to output a plurality of delayed clock signals; and an ODT control signal generation circuit which receives an ODT command, and controls the ODT command with the internal clock signal and a plurality of the delayed clock signals to generate and output an ODT control signal. According to the present invention, an ODT control signal for controlling an on-die termination resistor is synchronized with an external clock even during power-down mode, thereby more effectively controlling the ODT control signal.
US07919964B2
A combined electromagnetic and magnetometer detection system for detecting objects. The system includes a primary electromagnetic transmitter for generating a primary magnetic field; an electromagnetic sensor for sensing secondary magnetic fields generated by a target region subjected to the primary magnetic field; a magnetometer sensor substantially centered at a center of the primary magnetic field; a compensation transmitter for generating a compensating magnetic field that substantially negates the primary magnetic field across the magnetometer sensor; and a signal generator electrically connected to the primary electromagnetic transmitter and the compensation transmitter for driving the transmitters to generate the primary magnetic field and the compensating magnetic field, respectively.
US07919963B2
A resonator assembly for executing measurements on a sample within a constant magnetic field B0 by means of magnetic resonance is disclosed. It comprises a resonator portion defining a longitudinal axis and an axial direction. The resonator portion has, along the axial direction, a hollow cavity for exciting electron resonance within the sample. A coupling portion is provided adjacent the resonator portion and has, along the longitudinal axis, a stepped through being electrically conductive at its inner surface. A first, middle section of the stepped through configures the hollow cavity. A second and a third, lateral section adjacent axially opposed sides of the hollow cavity are each dimensioned such that a basic mode being resonant within the hollow cavity is unable to propagate within the second and the third section. A coil is wound around the resonator portion for additionally exciting a nuclear resonance within the sample. The resonator portion comprises a toroidal body made from an electrically conductive material within which there is provided the stepped through. The toroidal body is provided with at least one axial slit.
US07919959B2
A signal readout circuit comprises a first amplifier, a second amplifier and first to fourth transistors. The signal readout circuit has a first electrode, a second electrode, and a third electrode. The signal readout circuit applied in a wide current-sensing range of amperometric chemical sensing. The readout circuit may be applied in electrochemical sensing such as glucose, so as to read out a current signal of an amperometric sensor. Through a design of low input impedance, sensing signals in a wide current range can be sensed in the readout circuit. Also, a current mirror structure is used to copy the input current to an output current, such that an output signal range of the output signals of the current circuit is not limited by a supplied voltage.
US07919958B2
Methods and apparatus for controlling a digital power supply are disclosed. An example method includes storing a first set of coefficients for controlling a digital power supply in a memory of the digital power supply, associating the first set of coefficients with a first set of characteristics of an input voltage for the digital power supply, storing a second set of coefficients for controlling the digital power supply in the memory of the digital power supply, associating the second set of coefficients with a second set of characteristics of the input voltage, receiving a first voltage from a voltage source at the digital power supply, determining that the first voltage has the first set of characteristics, and, in response to determining that the first voltage has the first set of characteristics, applying the first set of coefficients to the digital power supply.
US07919956B2
A start-up circuit for a high voltage power distribution circuit includes a transistor, a current source which generates ramped current, an operational amplifier which is connected between the current source and the transistor and controls the transistor, a capacitor which is fed the generated ramped current from the current source and is charged by the generated ramped current, the capacitor being connected to the non-inverting input of the operational amplifier, and a feedback capacitor connected from the transistor output to the non-inverting input of the operational amplifier, which is fed the generated ramped current from the capacitor and is discharged. The transistor is fully enabled when the feedback capacitor is fully discharged.
US07919954B1
A low-drop out (LDO) regulator is provided. In one embodiment, the LDO regulator includes an error amplifier, a pass transistor, a reference voltage circuit, an output noise filter, and a voltage divider. The voltage divider provides a feedback voltage based on the output voltage. Further, the feedback voltage is provided at a feedback node. The output of the error amplifier is coupled to the pass transistor. The reference voltage circuit is coupled to a first input of the error amplifier. The output noise filter is coupled between the feedback node and the second input of the error amplifier.
US07919947B2
A method and a device with a control apparatus (50) for starting an electric machine (10) with a rotor (20), particularly the spinning cup of an open-end spinning machine, magnetically mounted by a bearing having permanent magnets (31, 32, 33, 34). An actuator system controls the position in the axial direction (35, 36) and two limitation bearings (41, 42), determine the axial end positions of the rotor. The actuator system brings about a lifting from the first axial end position, and a system variable during such lifting is compared with a reference value, and the rotor (20) is moved into the second end position, and the actuator system brings about a lifting from the second axial end position, and a system variable on lifting from the second end position is compared with a reference value.
US07919944B2
A motor driving circuit for controlling a current amount flowing through a motor coil includes: a comparator configured to output a comparison signal indicating a comparison result between a set current amount and a current amount based on an inputted set current signal according to the set current amount and a current signal according to the current amount flowing through the motor coil; a current control signal update circuit configured to update a current control signal for controlling the current amount flowing through the motor coil in a stepwise manner so that the current amount flowing through the motor coil is changed to the set current amount in a stepwise manner, based on the comparison signal outputted from the comparator; and a driving circuit configured to drive the motor coil based on the current control signal outputted from the current control signal update circuit.
US07919939B2
A remote blind actuating system for use in opening and closing blinds with a string incorporates a motor, a pulley, a receiver, and a housing. The motor, the pulley, and the receiver are disposed within the housing. The motor is connected with the pulley and is in communication with the receiver. The pulley is an cylindrical member with a first distal end and a second distal end. The pulley is rotatably affixed to the motor about an axis. The first distal end of the pulley is connected with the motor and the second distal end is connected with the string.
US07919935B2
An electroluminescent (EL) element is connected to the power supply and is intermittently operated as a lighting device and as a brightness sensor. For this purpose, the processing unit induces the controlled AC voltage source to reduce the voltage for a short period. The current intensity is measured by current measuring devices and the corresponding measuring signal is digitized using the analog/digital converter (A/D). A processing unit uses the signal and the effective voltage to determine, by means of empirical calibration data stored in the memory or by using a calibration function, the brightness, i.e. the luminance of the light that is incident on the EL element. The processing unit associates, using desired values stored in the memory, the detected brightness with an operating voltage level which ensures the desired emission brightness of the EL element when operated as a lighting device. Optionally, the determined operating voltage is corrected in order to take into consideration any brightness loss of the EL element caused by aging. The optionally corrected value is output via the control channel as the desired operating voltage and is maintained by the power supply unit until the next measuring interval.
US07919927B2
A resonant circuit includes a feedback path for a feedback signal extending from a load terminal to an input terminal so that a potential of the load substantially tracks a potential of the input terminals. A resonant circuit extends from a load to a line terminal so that a potential of the load substantially tracks a potential of the line terminals. A resonant circuit includes a split inductor so that when the load increases so does the equivalent resonant inductance.
US07919924B2
In each anode vane 10, there is provided the brazing material spreading prevention groove 13 that interconnects the strap ring inserting portions 11 and 12 in parallel to the direction of the central axis Ax. With such a configuration, it is possible to prevent the residual brazing material 3a from spreading to the front end part 10a of the anode vane 10 when each anode vane 10 is brazed on the inner peripheral surface of the anode cylinder 1. Therefore, non-uniformity in thickness of the anode vanes 10 caused by the residual brazing material 3a is suppressed, and electrostatic capacity between the anode vanes 10 adjacent to each other becomes substantially constant. Thus, it is possible to obtain stable resonant frequency. In addition, it becomes easy to perform adjustment for obtaining the stable resonant frequency in that non-uniformity in initial frequency of the time when the magnetron is completely assembled decreases.
US07919921B2
The present invention relates to a photomultiplier having a fine structure capable of realizing high multiplication efficiency. The photomultiplier comprises a housing whose inside is maintained vacuum, and, on a device mounting surface which is a part of an inner wall surface defining an internal space of the housing, a photocathode serving as a reflection type photocathode, an electron-multiplier section, an anode, and a voltage distributing section are disposed integrally. In particular, the electron-multiplier section is constituted by dynodes at multiple stages cascade-multiplying photoelectrons from the photocathode, and the voltage distributing section, which applies corresponding voltages to the dynodes at the respective stages respectively, is on the same surface together with the electron-multiplier section.
US07919920B2
Disclosed is an organic light-emitting display device capable of blocking the infiltration of oxygen and moisture and effectively preventing light leakage. The device includes a first substrate with first and second pixel regions wherein a plurality of organic light-emitting diodes are formed. The device further includes a non-pixel region around the first and the second pixel-regions, a second substrate disposed on the upper part of the first substrate to be overlapped with the first and the second pixel regions and a part of the non-pixel region, and a frit provided between the first and the second substrates to be overlapped with at least one of the first and the second pixel regions and at least a part of the non-pixel region. The first and the second substrates are adhered to each other by the fit in the part corresponding to the non-pixel region.
US07919914B2
It is possible to enhance the luminance of a cold-cathode type discharge lamp and to contribute to a prolongation of service life thereof. A discharge lamp 1 is provided with an electrode 3 having a cup 4 with such a shape that a bottom is provided at each of both opposed ends of the glass tube 2. The cup 4 is connected to a lead-in wire 8 which is inserted through the end of the glass tube 2 and held thereby. The collision-preventing ring 5 covering an end surface of the cup 4 is provided to the open end 4a of the cup 4. The porous tungsten disk 6 impregnated with a ternary metal oxide composed of barium (Ba), aluminum (Al), and calcium (Ca) as an electron emission material is provided at a bottom in an inside of the cup 4.
US07919909B2
An integrated package provides contactless communication through a coupling mechanism embedded in the package. Package types include Surface Mount Technology (SMT), Low Temperature Co-fired Ceramic (LTCC) technology, and dual-in-line integrated circuit pressed ceramic packages generally. The package can include an acoustic wave device (AWD) sensor such as a surface acoustic wave (SAW) device or a bulk acoustic wave (BAW) device. Coupling includes inductive and capacitive effects through plates, loops, spirals, and coils. Coil inductance and SAW capacitance can be parallel resonant at the desired SAW resonance with the coil impedance higher than the SAW impedance, minimizing load-pull effects.
US07919906B2
An ultrasound probe particularly for diagnostic purposes includes a first array of ultrasound transducers that generate ultrasound waves by electric excitation and transforming ultrasound waves impinging on them into electric signals. Each transducer is provided with contact electrodes which are connected respectively to a ground potential and to electric signals feeding lines. The first array of transducers includes emitting transducers and is intended only for generating and transmitting ultrasound waves, while a second array of transducers is provided over the first array of emitting transducer and includes receiving transducers for generating the electric receipt signals. The second array of transducers is formed of a material having piezoelectric behavior.
US07919899B2
The invention describes an electrical machine having an armature with armature slots for accommodating armature coils. At least one armature coil is formed from two coil elements which are arranged symmetrically with respect to one another in relation to an axis of symmetry, which runs through the center-point of the armature shaft. The coil elements are connected to two adjacent commutator laminates of a commutator. A first brush, a second brush and a third brush bear against the commutator in a manner such that they can slide. The second brush interacts with the first brush or the third brush. The third brush is arranged in relation to the two coil elements in such a way that, when the two adjacent commutator laminates come into contact with one another, the third brush and the center-point of the armature shaft form an axis which has an angle of 90 DEG−(180 DEG/number of laminates)−(180 DEG/3×number of laminates) up to 90 DEG+(180 DEG/number of laminates)+(180 DEG/3×number of laminates) in relation to the axis of symmetry of the two coil elements.
US07919895B2
The invention relates to an asynchronous motor comprising a stator or a cage rotor, said cage rotor comprising a shaft (1) and a laminated bundle (2) and rotor rods (3) are arranged within the laminated bundle, running through the openings (10) of each end plate (9) at both ends of the laminated bundle (2) and terminated with a short-circuit ring (4) which electrically connects the ends of the rotor rods (3) on one side of the cage rotor. Each end plate (9) comprises a circumferential projection which at least partly covers the short circuit ring (4) on the outside thereof with a positive fit and each end plate (9) contains a part of the rotor rod (3) and a part of the short circuit ring (4).
US07919887B2
In order to provide a pulse power supply device using regenerating magnetic energy stored in a discharge circuit to a capacitor so as to use it as next discharge energy and supplying a bipolar pulse current with high repetition, a bridge circuit is composed of four inverse-conductive semiconductor switches, a charged energy source capacitor is connected to a DC terminal of the bridge circuit, and an inductive load is connected to its AC terminal. A control signal is supplied to gates of the inverse-conductive semiconductor switches, and a control is made so that when a discharge current rises, is maintained, or is reduced, all the gates are turned off, and the magnetic energy of the electric current can be automatically regenerated to the energy source capacitor by a diode function of the switches. Further, a large current power supply is inserted into a discharge circuit so as to replenish energy loss due to discharge, thereby enabling high-repetition discharge.
US07919884B2
A device for voltage supply includes a first generator and a second generator connected in parallel to it. A control unit is also provided, to which capacity utilization signals are made available by the first and the second generator. By an evaluation of the capacity utilization signals, the control unit ascertains control signals, which lead to a uniform load distribution with respect to the generators.
US07919882B2
A system for controlling a plurality of generators of a powered system, the system includes a controller configured to provide a command to energize at least a first generator and a second generator depending on an operational condition of the powered system, a switching device configured to connect the first generator and/or the second generator to the controller, and a rectifier connected between the controller and the switching device. The switch position of the switching device determines whether the first generator and/or the second generator is energized, depending on the operational condition of the powered system. A method and a computer software code for controlling a plurality of generators of a powered system are also provided.
US07919873B2
A method for fabricating a chip package is achieved. A seed layer is formed over a silicon wafer. A photoresist layer is formed on the seed layer, an opening in the photoresist layer exposing the seed layer. A first solder bump is formed on the seed layer exposed by the opening. The photoresist layer is removed. The seed layer not under the first solder bump is removed. A second solder bump on a chip is joined to the first solder bump.
US07919870B2
An integrated circuit chip includes devices formed by doping of a semiconductor on a substrate and at least one post-device formation through-chip via made up of an annulus of insulating material, an annulus of metallization bounding an outer surface of the annulus of insulating material and an annulus of electrically conductive material within the annulus of insulating material, the annulus of metallization and the annulus of electrically conductive material being electrically isolated from each another.
US07919863B2
Some embodiments include methods of forming semiconductor constructions. Oxide is formed over a substrate, and first material is formed over the oxide. Second material is formed over the first material. The second material may be one or both of polycrystalline and amorphous silicon. A third material is formed over the second material. A pattern is transferred through the first material, second material, third material, and oxide to form openings. Capacitors may be formed within the openings. Some embodiments include semiconductor constructions in which an oxide is over a substrate, a first material is over the oxide, and a second material containing one or both of polycrystalline and amorphous silicon is over the first material. Third, fourth and fifth materials are over the second material. An opening may extend through the oxide; and through the first, second, third, fourth and fifth materials.
US07919856B2
A package board module wherein a semiconductor chip such as an LSI is mounted on the topside surface of a package board, and a package mounted module wherein the package board is mounted on the motherboard of a large-sized computer or the like. A stiffener for supporting the package board and/or a stiffener for supporting the motherboard each has a bimetal structure wherein a first member and a second member having mutually different thermal expansion coefficients are respectively adhered to each other, so as to cause the stiffeners to warp in harmony with the warpage of the package board and the motherboard caused by a temperature change, thereby preventing stress from arising in the solder-bonded portions.
US07919841B2
A structure of an integrated circuit module includes a wiring board, a plurality of integrated circuits and at least one terminating resistance circuit. The wiring board has a mounting region on at least one surface thereof. The plurality of integrated circuits are mounted in the mounting region of the wiring board and spaced from one another in a first direction. The at least one terminating resistance circuit is arranged between at least two adjacent integrated circuits, and coupled to an output of a last of the plurality of integrated circuits.
US07919834B2
One or more multilayer back side metallurgy (BSM) stack structures are formed on thru-silicon-vias (TSV). The multiple layers of metal may include an adhesion layer of chromium on the semiconductor wafer back side, a conductive layer of copper, diffusion barrier layer of nickel and a layer of nobel metal, such as, gold. To prevent edge attack of copper after dicing, the layer of nickel is formed to seal the copper edge. To also prevent edge attack of the layer of nickel after dicing, the layer of gold is formed to seal both the layer of copper and the layer of nickel.
US07919828B2
A method and structure for reducing dark current in an image sensor includes preventing unwanted electrons from being collected in the photosensitive region of the image sensor. In one embodiment, dark current is reduced by providing a deep n-type region having an n-type peripheral sidewall formed in a p-type substrate region underlying a pixel array region to separate the pixel array region from a peripheral circuitry region of the image sensor. The method and structure also provide improved protection from blooming.
US07919826B2
A magnetoresistive element includes a first stacked structure formed by sequentially stacking a first fixed layer in which a magnetization direction is fixed and a first nonmagnetic layer, a second stacked structure formed on the first stacked structure by sequentially stacking a free layer in which a magnetization direction is changeable, a second nonmagnetic layer, and a second fixed layer in which a magnetization direction is fixed, and a circumferential wall formed in contact with a circumferential surface of the second stacked structure to surround the second stacked structure, and made of an insulator. A circumferential surface of the first stacked structure is substantially perpendicular. The second stacked structure has a tapered shape which narrows upward.
US07919825B2
The use of a poly(arylene ether) polymer as a passivation or gate dielectric layer in thin film transistors. This poly(arylene ether) polymer includes polymer repeat units of the following structure: —(O—Ar1—O—Ar2—O—)m—(—O—Ar3—O—Ar4—O)n— where Ar1, Ar2, Ar3, and Ar4 are identical or different aryl radicals, m is 0 to 1, n is 1−m, and at least one of the aryl radicals is grafted to the backbone of the polymer.
US07919822B2
A semiconductor device that suppresses variation and a drop in the breakdown voltage of transistors. In the semiconductor device in which a logic transistor and a high-breakdown-voltage transistor are formed on one Si substrate, an insulating film which has an opening region and which is thick around the opening region is formed on a low concentration drain region formed in the Si substrate on one side of a gate electrode of the high-breakdown-voltage transistor. The insulating film around the opening region has a two-layer structure including a gate insulating film and a sidewall insulating film. When ion implantation is performed on the low concentration drain region beneath the opening region to form a high concentration drain region, the insulating film around the opening region prevents impurities from passing through. This eliminates variation in the relative positions of the opening region and a place where the high concentration drain region is formed, and the high concentration drain region can be formed on a self align basis with respect to the low concentration drain region.
US07919817B2
An electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection circuit includes a triggering diode that includes a junction between a P-grade (PG) region and an N-well. The PG region has a dopant profile equivalent to a P-drain dopant profile of a PMOS transistor having a breakdown voltage represented by V whereby the triggering diode for conducting a current when a voltage greater than the breakdown voltage V is applied. In an exemplary embodiment, the dopant profile of the PG region includes two dopant implant profiles that include a shallow implant profile with a higher dopant concentration and a deep implant profile with a lower dopant concentration.
US07919815B1
Wafer suitable for semiconductor deposition application can be fabricated to have low bow, warp, total thickness variation, taper, and total indicated reading properties. The wafers can be fabricated by cutting a boule to produce rough-cut wafers, lapping the rough-cut wafers, etching the lapped wafers to remove a defect, deformation zone and relieve residual stress, and chemically mechanically polishing the etched wafers to desired finish properties. Etching can be performed by immersion in a heated etching solution comprising sulfuric acid or a mixture of sulfuric and phosphoric acids. A low pH slurry utilized in chemical mechanical polishing of the spinel wafer can comprise α-Al2O3 and an organic phosphate.
US07919811B2
A semiconductor device includes a second-conductivity-type base region provided on a first-conductivity-type semiconductor layer, a first-conductivity-type source region provided on the second-conductivity-type base region, a gate insulating film covering an inner wall of a trench which passes through the second-conductivity-type base region and reaching the first-conductivity-type semiconductor layer, a gate electrode buried in the trench via the gate insulating film, and a second-conductivity-type region being adjacent to the second-conductivity-type base region below the first-conductivity-type source region, spaced from the gate insulating film, and having a higher impurity concentration than the second-conductivity-type base region. c≧d is satisfied, where d is a depth from an upper surface of the first-conductivity-type source region to a lower end of the gate electrode, and c is a depth from an upper surface of the first-conductivity-type source region to a lower surface of the second-conductivity-type base region.
US07919810B2
System and method for self-aligned etching. According to an embodiment, the present invention provides a method for performing self-aligned source etching process. The method includes a step for providing a substrate material. The method also includes a step for forming a layer of etchable oxide material overlying at least a portion of the substrate material. The layer of etchable oxide material can characterized by a first thickness. The layer of etchable oxide material includes a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion. The second portion is positioned between the first portion and the third portion. The method additionally includes a step for forming a plurality of structures overlying the layer of etchable oxide material. The plurality of structures includes a first structure and a second structure.
US07919808B2
Embodiments relate to a flash memory device and a method of manufacturing a flash memory device, which may increase a coupling coefficient between a control gate and a floating gate by increasing a surface area of floating gate. In embodiments, a flash memory device may be formed by forming a photoresist pattern for forming a floating gate on a semiconductor substrate including an oxide film, a floating gate poly film, and a BARC (Bottom AntiReflect Coating), performing a first etching process using the photoresist pattern as a mask, to etch the floating gate poly film to a predetermined depth, depositing and forming a polymer to cover the photoresist pattern, forming spacers of the polymer at both sidewalls of the photoresist pattern, forming a second etching process using the spacers as a mask, to expose the oxide film, and removing the BARC, the photoresist pattern and the spacers by ashing and stripping.
US07919805B1
In a non-volatile memory cell, a single poly SOI technology is used to save space and achieve low current programming by providing two capacitors formed in an n-material over an NBL, forming a inverter in an n-material over a PBL, and isolating the NBL from the PBL by means of a lightly doped region or a deep trench isolation region.
US07919789B2
A lateral light-emitting diode backlight module includes a base, a circuit board, and at least a light emitting diode wherein the base having a heat conductor, the circuit board having a conductive pad formed on a surface thereof, and the circuit board disposed on the heat conductor and connected to the heat conductor. Each light emitting diode comprising a substrate, a heat sink fastened to the substrate and connected to the heat conductor, an LED chip disposed on the heat sink and emits light laterally, and a pin mounted on the substrate and extended to the conductive pad of the circuit board.
US07919783B2
An object is to provide a white light-emitting element which emits broad white light which is close to natural light and covers a wide wavelength range; that is, a white light-emitting element which has a broad spectrum waveform. Further, there are various different kinds of white light; however, in particular, an object is to provide a white light-emitting element which emits white light which is close to the standard white color of the NTSC. Over a substrate 100, a second light-emitting element 110 and a first light-emitting element 120 are stacked in series. The first light-emitting element 120 exhibits a light emission spectrum having two peaks (two peaks in the blue to green wavelength range) and is disposed close to a film of light-reflecting material. The second light-emitting element 110 exhibits a light emission spectrum having a peak in the orange to red wavelength range, and is disposed in a position which is not close to the film of light-reflecting material.
US07919781B2
A galvanic isolator having a transmitter die, a receiver die, and a lead frame is disclosed. The transmitter die includes an LED having first and second contacts for powering the LED, and the receiver die includes a photodetector. The lead frame includes first and second transmitter leads, and first and second receiver leads. The transmitter die is bonded to the first lead, the first contact being connected electrically to the first transmitter lead and the second contact being connected to the second transmitter lead. The receiver die is connected to the first and second receiver leads. The LED and the photodetector are positioned such that light generated by the LED is received by the photodetector. The first and second transmitter leads are capacitively coupled to the first receiver lead. The capacitive couplings are characterized by first and second capacitance values that are substantially the same.
US07919774B2
A lower electrode layer 2, an upper electrode layer 4 formed above the lower electrode layer 2, and a metal oxide thin film layer 3 formed between the lower electrode layer 2 and the upper electrode layer 4 are provided. The metal oxide thin film layer 3 includes a first region 3a whose value of resistance increases or decreases by an electric pulse that is applied between the lower electrode layer 2 and the upper electrode layer 4 and a second region 3b arranged around the first region 3a and having a larger content of oxygen than the first region 3a, wherein the lower and upper electrode layers 2 and 4 and at least a part of the first region 3a are arranged so as to overlap as viewed from the direction of the thickness of the first region 3a.
US07919771B2
Provided are a composition for an electron transport layer which can be wet coated at a low temperature, an electron transport layer manufactured by coating and drying the composition, and an organic electroluminescent device including the electron transport layer. The organic electroluminescent device including the electron transport layer manufactured by wet coating the composition for an electron transport layer has an improved electron injection into a light emitting layer, thereby having an excellent light emitting efficiency, low operating voltage, and improved lifespan.
US07919770B2
The present invention provides an article of manufacture formed from a substrate and a benzazoloporphyrazine bound to the substrate. The article may take a variety of different forms and may be for example an electrochromic display, a molecular capacitor, a battery, a solar cell, or a molecular memory device. Methods of making such articles, along with compounds, methods and intermediates useful for making such benzazoloporphyrazines, are also described.
US07919767B2
A semiconductor memory device comprises a heater electrode, a phase change portion, a heat insulation portion and an upper electrode. The phase change portion comprises a concave portion and a contact portion. The concave portion is in contact with the heater electrode. The contact portion is formed integrally with the concave portion. The heat insulation portion is formed in the concave portion. The upper electrode is formed on the contact portion and the heat insulation portion so that the heat insulation portion is positioned between the concave portion and the upper electrode.
US07919759B2
A charged particle beam 2 which enters a final bending electromagnet 7 after traveling through quadrupole electromagnets 4, 5, 6 travels through the final bending electromagnet 7 in an arc shape path by increasing or decreasing a bending magnetic field generated in the final bending electromagnet 7, with a pre-determined period for example and is scanned in an X-direction. The charged particle beam 2 scanned in the X-direction is scanned in a Y-direction while traveling through a Y-direction Wobbler electromagnet 8. Consequently, the charged particle beam 2 is scanned in the X-direction and the Y-direction, and the target 9 is irradiated with the charged particle beam 2 so that a round field is drawn, for example.
US07919756B2
The invention provides a detection device and a method of making a gamma detection image.The detection device comprises a gamma camera and an additional camera, that can make an image of the object outside the gamma detection space. Through correlating the positions of the object with respect to the first and the second camera, the images therefrom may also be correlated.The correlation of the images allows quick and accurate navigation through the object.
US07919755B2
A high efficiency electro-optic dendrimer based technology for nanophotonic integrated circuit devices is presented. In particular, an electro-optic waveguide dendrimer for electro-optic sensor applications is implemented. A terahertz system for detecting and imaging objects is implemented using electro-optic dendrimer based terahertz emitters and probing sensors.
US07919749B2
An electron beam apparatus and a method for providing an energy-filtered primary electron beam are described. Therein, a primary electron beam having an asymmetric first energy distribution is generated by means of an electron source. The primary electron beam is high-pass energy filtered using a retarding lens.
US07919740B2
An apparatus for wing unfolding is particularly suited for an airborne vehicle. The apparatus has a base body with a longitudinal axis, a number of moveable flaps, and a number of lateral recesses. Attachment devices are configured for fitting the base body to an end face of a wing, with the one or more moveable flap being formed to influence a drag of the wing. Each lateral recess is designed for self-detachable attachment of the base body to the wing. Furthermore, a folding wing is specified, in particular for an airborne vehicle, having a wing, having a swiveling mechanism for extension of the wing to a limit position, having a wing pocket for holding the wing on the longitudinal side in the retracted state, and having an apparatus, which is arranged at the end, for wing unfolding of the type already known. A flying object, such as a guided missile, has a number of such folding wing assemblies.
US07919731B2
A stirring hot plate for simultaneously heating and stirring a mixture includes a phase controlled motor that spins magnets which couple to, and thereby spin, a stir bar within the mixture. In addition to spinning the magnets, the motor includes an operational mode in which the motor is rapidly braked thereby quickly spinning down the stir bar. The stirring hot plate also includes a visual indicator to the user that the platform is hot-to-the-touch that is especially effective when the stirring hot plate is not in use.
US07919720B2
In an earthing switch a release mechanism releases pressure stored in a puffer type arc cancelling chamber by releasing the chamber at a predetermined area toward a stationary contact unit during a full stroke extent of a movable contact unit so that the puffering operation can be deterred from execution.
US07919716B2
According to one embodiment, a printed wiring board includes an insulating layer, a first conductor pattern on the insulating layer configured to be a signal line, and a second conductor pattern on the insulating layer. The second conductor pattern includes a larger conductor area than the first conductor pattern, and a slit which allows the second conductor pattern to stretch to follow a thermal expansion of the insulating layer.
US07919714B2
An assembly including a solder wettable surface is provided. The assembly also includes a metal mask configured to restrict solder from flowing outside the solder wettable surface.
US07919705B2
A method and apparatus for displaying a sheet of music, which may include providing an image of the sheet of music on an electronic storage media; transmitting the image from the electronic storage media into a system processor; showing the image on a display; and electronically scrolling lines of the music image as a musician plays each line on an instrument. Optionally, the apparatus may include a storage media into which a music sheet is scanned to form an image; a system processor for storing and processing the image from the storage media; and an electronic display for displaying the image while the musician plays the music from the image.
US07919699B2
A method of uncoupling mitochondria in a subject including administering nanotubes to the subject in a therapeutically effective amount, wherein the nanotubes are self-rectifying is provided. A method of decreasing reactive oxygen species and decreasing detrimental loading of Ca2+ into mitochondria is provided, including administering a pharmaceutically effective amount of nanotubes into the subject. A method of reducing weight, treating cancer, reducing the effects of traumatic brain injury, or reducing the effects of ageing, in a subject including administering a pharmaceutically effective amount of nanotubes into the subject is also provided.
US07919696B2
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated CH016740. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CH016740, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH016740 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 CH016740.
US07919689B2
The invention relates to the novel cotton variety designated 09Q914DF. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants, plant parts and derivatives of the cotton variety 09Q914DF. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the cotton variety 09Q914DF and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing cotton plants by crossing the cotton variety 09Q914DF with itself or another cotton variety and plants produced by such methods.
US07919687B1
According to the invention, there is provided a novel soybean variety designated XB38N08. This invention thus relates to the seeds of soybean variety XB38N08, to the plants of soybean XB38N08 to plant parts of soybean variety XB38N08 and to methods for producing a soybean plant produced by crossing plants of the soybean variety XB38N08 with another soybean plant, using XB38N08 as either the male or the female parent.
US07919686B2
Methods and compositions for modulating development and defense responses are provided. Nucleotide sequences encoding defensin proteins are provided. The sequences can be used in expression cassettes for modulating development, developmental pathways, and defense responses. Transformed plants, plant cells, tissues, and seed are also provided.
US07919680B2
The present invention provides DNA constructs, transgenic plants containing such constructs, and methods of making the plants. The DNA constructs encode a polypeptide that when expressed results in the production of fatty acid compounds having anthelmintic activity. Transgenic plants expressing such a polypeptide can exhibit enhanced resistance to plant parasitic nematodes, particularly when expressed in vegetative tissues. Transgenic plants expressing such a polypeptide can also be useful for non-pesticidal industrial uses.
US07919674B2
It is an object of the present invention to provide a high affinity antibody effective as a diagnostic or therapeutic for various diseases; a transgenic mammal for producing the high affinity antibody; and a medicine comprising the high affinity antibody or a cell producing the high affinity antibody. According to the present invention, a transgenic mammal carrying a GANP gene transferred thereinto, its progeny, or a part thereof, and a method of producing a high affinity antibody using the same are provided.
US07919669B2
A disposable absorbent article worn about the lower torso of a wearer includes at least one pair of side panels connecting a first waist region to a second waist region forming a waist opening and a pair of leg openings. Each side panel includes a waist region, a hip region and a leg region wherein the waist region, the hip region and the leg region differs structurally, functionally and visually to provide an improved initial fit and sustained fit while exhibiting a garment-like appearance.
US07919667B1
An improved absorbency material for absorbency applications comprised of a cellulosic fibrous material wherein said cellulosic fibrous material such as pulp is a cold alkali solution treated material at a treatment temperature of less than about 50° C.; a process for improving absorbency and other characteristics of said pulp.
US07919656B2
The present invention relates to linear amine-functionalized poly(trimethylene ether) compositions, and processes to produce these compositions.
US07919649B2
Esters produced by the catalyzed reaction of alcohols and acids or anhydrides are neutralized by treatment with an aqueous alkaline alkali metal salt solution in an amount that provides less than a stoichiometric amount of alkali metal salt in relation to the acidity of the crude ester and the amount of water present during the treatment is from 0.7 to 1.4 wt % of water based on the weight of crude ester. When using titanium as the esterification catalyst, the ester resulting from this process contains less than 0.01 ppm by weight of titanium residue, so that it is storage stable when stored in the presence of an antioxidant.
US07919639B2
The present invention provides polymerization catalyst compositions employing novel heterodinuclear metallocene compounds. Methods for making these new dinuclear metallocene compounds and for using such compounds in catalyst compositions for the polymerization of olefins are also provided.
US07919635B2
Novel substituted phenylsulfur trifluorides that act as fluorinating agents are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods for their preparation and methods for their use in introducing one or more fluorine atoms into target substrate compounds. Finally, various intermediate compounds for use in preparing substituted phenylsulfur trifluorides are provided.
US07919628B2
The invention relates to compounds of the formula I: in which R1, R2, X, A, B, D and Y1 to Y4 have the meanings indicated in the claims, and/or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt and/or a prodrug thereof. Because of their properties as inhibitors of chemokine receptors, especially as CXCR2 inhibitors, the compounds of the formula I and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts and prodrugs thereof are suitable for the prevention and treatment of chemokine mediated diseases.
US07919626B2
The invention provides a compound of formula I: wherein R1-R6, X, Y, and B have any of the values described herein, as well as salts of such compounds, compositions comprising such compounds, and therapeutic methods that comprise the administration of such compounds. The compounds are inhibitors of MAO-B enzyme function and are useful for improving cognitive function and for treating psychiatric disorders in animals.
US07919625B2
Compounds of the formula: wherein: n is an integer from 1-3; X is N, CH, provided that when X is N, n is 2 or 3; R is alkyl of 1 to 3 carbon atoms; R1 is 2,4-diCl, 5-OMe; 2,4-diCl; 3,4,5-tri-OMe; 2-Cl, 5-OMe; 2-Me, 5-OMe; 2,4-di-Me; 2,4-diMe-5-OMe, 2,4-diCl, 5-OEt; R2 is alkyl of 1 to 2 carbon atoms, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.
US07919621B2
Described herein are compounds and pharmaceutical compositions containing such compounds, which inhibit the activity of 5-lipoxygenase (5-LO). Also described herein are methods of using such 5-LO inhibitors, alone and in combination with other compounds, for treating respiratory, cardiovascular, and other leukotriene-dependent or leukotriene mediated conditions, diseases, or disorders.
US07919620B2
The antihypertensive agent of the present invention contains a soluble silicon compound. The soluble silicon compound is preferably metasilicic acid or a salt thereof. In one embodiment, the antihypertensive agent of the present invention contains deep sea water containing the soluble silicon compound, or a dried product of such deep sea water. It is preferred that in such embodiment, the antihypertensive agent further contains metasilicic acid or a salt thereof. The amount of silicon present in the deep sea water in the form of silicic acid (SiO2—Si) is 25 μM or more. The deep sea water is typically collected at a depth of 300 m or deeper, and preferably at a depth of 600 m or deeper.
US07919618B2
Novel methods of synthesizing piperazines, piperidines and related compounds are disclosed, as are compounds useful for their preparation.
US07919616B2
The present invention relates to a carbapenem compound represented by formula (Ia) shown below: The carbapenem compound preferably has a crystalline form, and more preferably, the crystalline form has a powder X-ray diffraction pattern with peaks at 15.64, 9.93, 6.83, 6.52, 5.44, 5.01, 4.72, 4.50, 4.33, 4.24, 3.98, 3.85, 3.57, 3.41, 3.31, 3.10 2.76, and 2.67 as d-spacings (Å).
US07919603B2
The present invention provides a novel RNA, designated herein as the “HSR1” (Heat Shock RNA), and its use together with translation elongation factor eEF1A in activation of heat shock transcription factor HSF. The invention further provides the use of HSR1 for generation of novel therapeutics for the treatment of cancer, inflammation, ischemia, neurodegeneration, age-related diseases, HIV infection, deafness, and related disorders.
US07919595B2
The present invention relates to polynucleotide and polypeptide molecules for Zcyto21, an interferon-like protein, which is most closely related to interferon-α at the amino acid sequence level. The present invention also includes antibodies to the Zcyto21 polypeptides, and methods of using the polynucleotides and polypeptides.
US07919590B2
The invention provides isolated nucleic acid and amino acid sequences of novel human tumor suppressors, antibodies to such tumor suppressors, methods of detecting such nucleic acids and proteins, methods of screening for modulators of tumor suppressors, and methods of diagnosing and treating tumors with such nucleic acids and proteins.
US07919569B2
The present invention relates to a process for the polymerization of olefins, comprising the steps of introducing at least one olefin, at least one polymerization catalyst, at least one cocatalyst and at least one cocatalyst aid, and optionally a scavenger, into a polymerization reactor, and polymerizing the olefin, wherein the cocatalyst aid is a reaction product prepared separately prior to the introduction into the reactor by reacting at least one metal alkyl compound of group IIA or IIIA of the periodic system of elements and at least one compound (A) of the formula RmXR′n, wherein R is a branched, straight, or cyclic, substituted or unsubstituted, hydrocarbon group having 1 to 30 carbon atoms, R′ is hydrogen or any functional group with at least one active hydrogen, X is at least one heteroatom selected from the group of O, N, P or S or a combination thereof, and wherein n and m are each at least 1 and are such that the formula has no net charge.
US07919566B2
A blend of a multiply branched lactic acid polymer of one steric configuration with a linear lactic acid polymer of the opposite steric configuration has different and more useful properties than either component alone.
US07919561B2
A process is described for producing a polymer blend comprising (a) a first polymer component comprising a crystalline propylene polymer and (b) a second polymer component comprising a copolymer of propylene with at least one comonomer, wherein the copolymer comprises between about 7 wt % and about 28 wt % of comonomer and the copolymer has a heat of fusion of 0.5 to 70 J/g and an mm triad tacticity of 75% or greater. The process comprises polymerizing propylene under first polymerization conditions in a polymerization reaction zone to produce a first effluent comprising a crystalline propylene polymer containing no more than 10% by weight of other monomers, the first polymerization conditions comprising a first reaction temperature between about 50° C. and about 100° C. Propylene is then copolymerized with at least one comonomer under second polymerization conditions in the presence of a metallocene catalyst and at least part of said first effluent in a slurry polymerization reaction zone to produce the second polymer component as a blend with the first polymer component, the second polymerization conditions comprising a second reaction temperature at least 7° C. less than the first reaction temperature.
US07919556B2
The present invention provides compositions that enable excellent hardness in coating applications, the compositions containing one or more copolymer having as copolymerized units one or more acrylic monomer with a phosphorus acid-functional group, a polymeric side chain containing multi-acid functional groups, a salt thereof, or a combination thereof, one or more polyurethane dispersion made from a high molecular weight polyol, and one or more coalescent having a normal boiling point of 190° C. or higher. The compositions may be ambient curable.
US07919545B2
The present invention provides a pigment dispersion containing at least a pigment at a concentration of from 2 to 50 mass % in the pigment dispersion, and a polymer having from 2 to 50 mass % of repeating units represented by the following formula (1) and from 2 to 40 mass % of repeating units represented by the following formula (2), and having a weight average molecular weight of 10,000 to 500,000. In formula (1), R1 represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, I represents —CO—, —COO—, etc., R2 represents an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms. In formula (2), R4 represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, J represents —CO—, —COO—, etc., R5 represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, an aryl group, etc., W represents a single bond or a bivalent linking group, and P represents a heterocyclic residue having a hetero ring contained in an organic pigment.
US07919540B2
A foam comprising the reaction product of one or more multifunctional acrylates with one or more multifunctional aceto- or cyano-acetate compounds in the presence of a base and a blowing agent.
US07919537B2
A method for producing a polymer electrolyte membrane for electrolyte fuel cells includes: irradiating gamma rays onto a polymer substrate to obtain a crosslinked polytetrafluoroetylene substrate, grafting a styrenic monomer and bis(vinylphenyl)ethane as monomers to the crosslinked polymer substrate, and introducing sulfonic acid groups into graft side chains formed by grafting. Fluoro polymer substrates such as polytetrafluoroethylene and ethylene tetrafluoroethylene copolymer may be used.
US07919530B2
Bis- and tris-dihydroxyaryl compounds and their methylenedioxy analogs and pharmaceutically acceptable esters, their synthesis, pharmaceutical compositions containing them, and their use in the treatment of synucleinopathies, such as Parkinson's disease, and the manufacture of medicaments for such treatment.
US07919521B2
Novel 5-membered iminocyclitol derivatives were found to be a potent and selective inhibitors of the glycoprotein processing α- and β-glucosidase which were further found to be active antiviral agents against Japanese encephalitis virus, dengue virus serotype 2 (DEN-2), human SARS coronavirus and human β-hexosaminidase, a new target for development of osteoarthritis therapeutics.
US07919502B2
The present invention provides a compound of Formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt form thereof, wherein A, L1, R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, and X are as defined herein. The compounds of Formula I have ALK and/or c-Met inhibitory activity, and may be used to treat ALK- or c-Met-mediated disorders or conditions.
US07919494B2
A novel pyridyl non-aromatic nitrogen-containing heterocyclic-1-carboxylate compound and its pharmaceutically acceptable salt has a potent FAAH-inhibitory activity. Further, the pyridyl non-aromatic nitrogen-containing heterocyclic-1-carboxylate compound of the present disclosure is also useful in the treatment of urinary frequency and urinary incontinence, overactive bladder and/or pain.
US07919490B2
The present invention provides novel purinones and purines useful for the prevention and treatment of autoimmune diseases, inflammatory disease, mast cell mediated disease and transplant rejection. The compounds are of the general formulae I and II shown below, in which Q is selected from the group consisting of CX and nitrogen; and A is chosen from the group consisting of H, (C1-C6) alkyl, heteroaryl, and aryl:
US07919485B2
The present invention relates to compositions and methods useful in treating diseases and disorders related to protein kinases. In particular, the present invention relates to compositions and methods useful for targeting protein kinases related to mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways (e.g., p38 MAPK, JNK, ERK, and upstream and downstream protein kinases) and/or casein kinase (CK) pathways (e.g., CK1δ, and upstream and downstream protein kinases), and diseases and disorders related to MAPK pathways (e.g., p38 MAPK, JNK, ERK, and upstream and downstream protein kinases) and/or CK pathways (e.g., CK1δ, and upstream and downstream protein kinases).
US07919479B2
Provided is a pharmaceutical or dietetic product, which serves for reducing and/or blocking the adhesion of pathogenic substances and organisms to eucaryontic cells, in particular mammal cells. Said preparation contains at least one carbohydrate having an uronic acid unit on one of the ends thereof. 10 to 100% of the present, terminal uronic acid units pertaining to the carbohydrates are provided with a double bond that is especially situated between the C4 and C5 atom.
US07919476B2
Compounds, compositions and methods are provided for modulating the expression of glucagon receptor. The compositions comprise oligonucleotides, targeted to nucleic acid encoding glucagon receptor. Methods of using these compounds for modulation of glucagon receptor expression and for diagnosis and treatment of disease associated with expression of glucagon receptor are provided.
US07919459B2
This invention relates to the use of an antagonist of a G protein-coupled receptor in the prevention and/or treatment of fibrosis, such as the treatment of fibrosis associated with myocardial infarction or diabetes or certain pulmonary conditions. In a preferred embodiment, the antagonist is a C5a receptor antagonist, more preferably a cyclic peptide antagonist of the C5a receptor. In particular, the invention provides a method of prevention, treatment or alleviation of a fibrotic condition, comprising the step of administering an effective amount of an antagonist of a G protein-coupled receptor to a subject in need of such treatment.
US07919450B2
The present invention relates to an auxiliary composition, for use in the laundering or treatment of fabrics, comprising an admix of (i) clay and (ii) a silicone in an emulsified form.
US07919444B1
A bath soap bar including outer side and end walls interconnected to form a quadrilateral frame. Top and bottom covers are fixed respectively to the top and bottom edges of the frame and multiple internal cells of varying configurations formed by at least two partition walls disposed within the frame.
US07919442B2
The present invention relates to a process of preparing bar toilet soap, composed of multiple phases, at least one of them being an opaque phase and at least one being a translucent phase. The translucent phase and the opaque phase(s) are mixed during the process, wherein the translucent phase is incorporated into the opaque phase during the extrusion of this second phase, giving rise to a toilet soap in which one of the phases predominate and the other appears as stripes dispersed in the first one.
US07919438B2
A method of cooling and lubricating an interface between a tool and a workpiece. A transiently stable emulsion is prepared including a water insoluble lubricant in water. The transiently stable emulsion, while stable, is introduced to the tool and/or the workpiece.
US07919431B2
A composition and method for preparation of a catalyst for the liquid phase selective hydrogenation of alkynes to alkenes with high selectivity to alkenes relative to alkanes, high alkyne conversion, and sustained catalytic activity comprising a Group VIII metal and a Group IB, Group IIB, Group IIIA, and/or Group VIIB promoter on a particulate support.
US07919428B2
The present invention comprises a method for preparing a mixed oxide catalyst for use in producing acrylonitrile or methacrylonitrile from propane or isobutene by ammoxidation in a gaseous phase via methods of heating or calcining precursor solid mixture to obtain mixed metal oxide catalyst compositions that exhibit catalytic activity.
US07919420B2
The invention relates to a spun-bonded nonwoven fabric made of polyolefin filaments having a titer<1.6 dtex, the spun-bonded nonwoven fabric having a basis weight≦18 g/m2, a waterproofness of <15 cm measured as a water column, and an air permeability of at least 230 m3/(m2·min), wherein the product of the air permeability and the basis weight is ≦5000 g/(m·min).
US07919419B2
The present invention provides high strength nonwoven wipe materials and the process of making the materials. The high strength nonwoven wipe materials contain cellulosic fibers, synthetic fibers, or mixtures thereof, with bicomponent fibers and optionally, a binder. The present invention provides a high strength, high elongation, reduced stiffness nonwoven wipe material with superior tensile strength.
US07919410B2
An imager device is disclosed which includes at least one photosensitive element positioned on a front surface of a substrate and a conductive structure extending at least partially through an opening defined in the substrate to conductively couple to an electrical contact or bond pad on the front surface. An insulating material of a conductive laminate film and/or a mold compound material is positioned within the opening between at least a portion of the conductive structure and the substrate. Also disclosed is a device that comprises a substrate and a plurality of openings in the substrate, wherein each of the openings is adapted to be positioned above an imager device when the substrate is positioned above and secured to an imager substrate. A method of forming an imager device is also disclosed.
US07919407B1
Described herein are novel, cost effective and scalable methods for integrating a CMOS level with a memory cell level to form a field induced MRAM device. The memory portion of the device includes N parallel word lines, which may be clad, overlaid by M parallel bit lines orthogonal to the word lines and individual patterned memory cells formed on previously patterned electrodes at the N×M intersections of the two sets of lines. The memory portion is integrated with a CMOS level and the connection between levels is facilitated by the formation of interconnecting vias between the N×M electrodes and corresponding pads in the CMOS level and by word line connection pads in the memory device level and corresponding metal pads in the CMOS level. Of particular importance are process steps that replace single damascene formations by dual damascene formations, different process steps for the formation of clad and unclad word lines and the formation of patterned electrodes for the memory cells prior to the patterning of the cells themselves.
US07919404B2
The present invention provides a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, which comprises the steps of: forming a buffer layer formed of a dual-layer structure of a buffer oxide film and a buffer nitride film on a semiconductor substrate formed with a certain lower structure; forming source/drain by performing an ion injection process after forming the buffer layer; defining a gate hole by etching the buffer layer after forming the source/drain; forming a gate oxide film on the defined gate hole; forming a gate material to bury the defined gate hole; forming a T-shape gate electrode through a process of etching the gate material using the buffer nitride film as an etching stop film; and forming a contact hole after forming an inter-layer dielectric on a resulting structure formed with the T-shape gate electrode.
US07919403B2
A method of manufacturing a silicon carbide semiconductor device is provided that includes a step of forming in a surface of a silicon carbide wafer of first conductivity type a first region of second conductivity type having a predetermined space thereinside by ion-implanting aluminum as a first impurity and boron as a second impurity; a step of forming a JTE region in the surface of the silicon carbide wafer from the first region by diffusing the boron ion-implanted in the first region toward its neighboring zones by an activation annealing treatment; a step of forming a first electrode on the surface of the silicon carbide wafer at the space inside the first region and at an inner part of the first region; and a step of forming a second electrode on the opposite surface of the silicon carbide wafer. Thereby, a JTE region can be formed that has a wide range of impurity concentration and a desired breakdown voltage without increasing the number of steps of the manufacturing process.
US07919402B2
A method of semiconductor manufacturing is disclosed in which doping is accomplished by the implantation of ion beams formed from ionized molecules, and more particularly to a method in which molecular and cluster dopant ions are implanted into a substrate with and without a co-implant of non-dopant cluster ion, such as a carbon cluster ion, wherein the dopant ion is implanted into the amorphous layer created by the co-implant in order to reduce defects in the crystalline structure, thus reducing the leakage current and improving performance of the semiconductor junctions. These compounds include co-implants of carbon clusters with implants of monomer or cluster dopants or simply implanting cluster dopants. In particular, the invention described herein consists of a method of implanting semiconductor wafers implanting semiconductor wafers with carbon clusters followed by implants of boron, phosphorus, or arsenic, or followed with implants of dopant clusters of boron, phosphorus, or arsenic.
US07919396B2
An organic thin film transistor that prevents the surface of an organic semiconductor layer from being damaged and reduces turn-off current, a method of fabricating the same, and an organic light-emitting device incorporating the organic thin film transistor. The organic thin film transistor includes a substrate, source and drain electrodes arranged on the substrate, a semiconductor layer contacting the source and drain electrodes and comprising a channel region, a protective film arranged on the semiconductor layer and having a same pattern as the semiconductor layer, the protective film comprising a laser-absorbing material, a gate insulating film arranged between the gate and the source and drain electrodes, a gate electrode arranged on the gate insulating film and a separation pattern arranged within the semiconductor layer and within the protective film, the separation pattern adapted to define the channel region of the semiconductor layer.
US07919383B2
The invention relates to a jig for producing capacitor elements, which is formed of resin material and is used for accommodate a plurality of capacitor element substrates therein to thereby batch-process the substrates. The jig is characterized in that portions of the jig at which the jig is supported during the process are protected with metal material. According to the invention, a group of capacitors each having a semiconductor layer serving as one electrode can be simultaneously produced with narrow variety in capacitance and with good precision, repeatedly, by using the jig having a high durability.
US07919379B2
The present invention relates to semiconductor devices, and more particularly to a process and structure for removing a dielectric spacer selective to a surface of a semiconductor substrate with substantially no removal of the semiconductor substrate. The method of the present invention can be integrated into a conventional CMOS processing scheme or into a conventional BiCMOS processing scheme. The method includes forming a field effect transistor on a semiconductor substrate, the FET comprising a dielectric spacer and the gate structure, the dielectric spacer located adjacent a sidewall of the gate structure and over a source/drain region in the semiconductor substrate; depositing a first nitride layer over the FET; and removing the nitride layer and the dielectric spacer selective to the semiconductor substrate with substantially no removal of the semiconductor substrate.
US07919378B2
According to some embodiments of the invention, a fin type transistor includes an active structure integrally formed with a silicon substrate. The active structure includes grooves that form blocking regions under source/drain regions. A gate structure is formed to cross the upper face of the active structure and to cover the exposed side surfaces of the lateral portions of the active structure. An effective channel length of a fin type transistor may be sufficiently ensured so that a short channel effect of the transistor may be prevented and the fin type transistor may have a high breakdown voltage.
US07919377B2
A method for forming a contactless flash memory cell array is disclosed. According to an embodiment of the invention, a plurality of active regions is formed on a substrate. An insulating layer is then deposited over the active regions, and a portion of the insulating layer is removed to form a one-dimensional slot and to provide access to the active regions. A bit line is then formed in the slot in contact with the active regions.
US07919376B2
A method for manufacturing a CMOS transistor includes preparing a silicon substrate provided with a first buried layer, a second buried layer and a body, vertically forming device-isolation films inside the body, forming a first-type well inside the body arranged on the first buried layer, and vertically forming a first source and drain region inside the first-type well, forming a second-type well inside the body arranged on the second buried layer, and vertically forming a second source and drain region inside the second-type well, and vertically forming a recessed gate between the first-type well and the second-type well.
US07919375B2
A semiconductor device and a method for manufacturing the device capable of preventing an LDD region and a lower portion of the gate electrode from overlapping each other to achieve desirable device performance are disclosed. Embodiments relate to a semiconductor device and a method for manufacturing the device that may minimize overlap between an LDD region and a lower portion of the gate electrode. Minimizing overlap may maximize device performance and minimize the generation of defects between gate electrodes.
US07919371B2
A method for fabricating a non-volatile memory device with a charge trapping layer wherein a tunneling layer, a charge trapping layer, a blocking layer, and a control gate electrode are formed on a semiconductor substrate. A temperature of the control gate electrode is increased by applying a magnetic field to the control gate electrode. The blocking layer is densified by allowing the increased temperature to be transferred to the blocking layer contacting the control gate electrode.
US07919368B2
Electrically erasable programmable “read-only” memory (EEPROM) cells in an integrated circuit, and formed by a single polysilicon level. The EEPROM cell consists of a coupling capacitor and a combined read transistor and tunneling capacitor. The capacitance of the coupling capacitor is much larger than that of the tunneling capacitor. In one embodiment, field oxide isolation structures isolate the devices from one another; a lightly-doped region at the source of the read transistor improves breakdown voltage performance. In another embodiment, trench isolation structures and a buried oxide layer surround the well regions at which the coupling capacitor and combined read transistor and tunneling capacitor are formed.
US07919355B2
An IC package having multiple surfaces for interconnection with interconnection elements making connections from the IC chip to the I/O terminations of the package assembly which reside on more than one of its surfaces and which make interconnections to other devices or assemblies that are spatially separated.
US07919353B2
This invention is directed to offer a technology that makes it possible to form desired bump electrodes easily when the bump electrodes are to be formed at locations lowered by a step. There is formed an isolation layer 12 to isolate each of bump electrode forming regions 11. The isolation layer 12 is a resist layer, for example, and is formed by exposure and development processes, for example. Each of the bump electrode forming regions 11 is surrounded by the isolation layer 12 and a protection layer 10 that covers a side surface of a semiconductor substrate 2. Then, a printing mask 16 that has openings 15 at locations corresponding to the bump electrode forming regions 11 is placed above the semiconductor substrate 2. Next, solder 17 in paste form is applied to the printing mask 16. Then the solder 17 is applied to a metal layer 9 by moving a squeeze 18 at a constant speed. Bump electrodes 19 are obtained by heating, melting and re-crystallizing the solder 17 after removing the printing mask 16.
US07919349B2
Provided is an apparatus and method for manufacture thereof. The apparatus includes a passive optical waveguide structure and a photodiode detector structure. The structures are located on a substrate, and the photodiode detector is laterally proximate to the semiconductor passive waveguide structure. The passive optical waveguide structure includes a first lateral portion of a semiconductor optical core layer on the substrate, a semiconductor upper optical cladding layer on the optical core layer, and a first lateral portion of a doped semiconductor layer on the upper optical cladding layer. The photodiode detector structure includes a second lateral portion of the semiconductor optical core layer, a semiconductor optical absorber layer on the optical core layer, and a second lateral portion of the doped semiconductor layer.
US07919346B2
A micromechanical component has a substrate, a first intermediate layer which is situated thereupon, and a first layer which is situated thereupon and is structured down to the first intermediate layer. A second intermediate layer is situated above the first layer. A second layer is situated on the former, at least one movable micromechanical structure being structured into the second layer. The second intermediate layer is removed in a sacrificial zone beneath the movable micromechanical structure and the first intermediate layer is partially removed in zones beneath the first layer. The movable micromechanical structure is provided with at least one stop surface on a bottom face, this stop surface being contactable with a zone of the first layer which is supported by the first intermediate layer by deflection of the movable micromechanical structure. A method for producing such a micromechanical component is also described.
US07919343B2
A method for surface treatment of a group III nitride crystal includes the steps of lapping a surface of a group III nitride crystal using a hard abrasive grain with a Mohs hardness higher than 7, and abrasive-grain-free polishing the lapped surface of the group III nitride crystal using a polishing solution without containing abrasive grain, and the polishing solution without containing abrasive grain has a pH of not less than 1 and not more than 6, or not less than 8.5 and not more than 14. Accordingly, the method for surface treatment of a group III nitride crystal can be provided according to which hard abrasive grains remaining at the lapped crystal can be removed to reduce impurities at the crystal surface.
US07919338B2
A method of making an integrally gated carbon nanotube field ionization device comprising forming a first insulator layer on a first side of a substrate, depositing a conductive gate layer on the first insulator layer, forming a cavity in the substrate by etching a second side of the substrate to near the first insulator layer, wherein the second side is opposite the first side and wherein a portion of the first insulator is over the cavity, etching an aperture in the portion of the first insulator layer and the conductive gate layer to form an aperture sidewall, depositing a second insulator layer removing the second insulator layer from the top surface, depositing a metallization layer over the second insulator layer, depositing a catalyst layer on the metallization layer and growing a carbon nanotube from the catalyst layer.
US07919337B2
Optoelectronic device modules, arrays optoelectronic device modules and methods for fabricating optoelectronic device modules are disclosed. The device modules are made using a starting substrate having an insulator layer sandwiched between a bottom electrode made of a flexible bulk conductor and a conductive back plane. An active layer is disposed between the bottom electrode and a transparent conducting layer. One or more electrical contacts between the transparent conducting layer and the back plane are formed through the transparent conducting layer, the active layer, the flexible bulk conductor and the insulating layer. The electrical contacts are electrically isolated from the active layer, the bottom electrode and the insulating layer.
US07919335B2
A method includes measuring a depth of a shallow trench isolation (STI) region below a surface of a substrate. The STI region is filled with an oxide material. The substrate has a nitride layer above the surface. A thickness of the nitride layer is measured. A first chemical vapor etch (CVE) of the oxide material is performed, to partially form a recess in the STI region. The first CVE removes an amount of the oxide material less than the thickness of the nitride layer. The nitride layer is removed by dry etching. A remaining height of the STI region is measured after removing the nitride. A second CVE of the oxide material in the STI region is performed, based on the measured depth and the remaining height, to form at least one fin having a desired fin height above the oxide in the STI region without an oxide fence.
US07919332B2
A biological molecule-immobilized chip is produced by:allowing a biological molecule having a portion capable of forming coordination bond to a metal ion to form a coordination bond to a metal ion, bringing the resultant complex adjacent to an electrically conductive support, and applying reduction potential to the electrically conductive support.
US07919324B2
A liquid testing device for determining the value of at least one property of a liquid. The liquid testing device includes a planar base and at least one test section, located on the planar base, with a reference color section located adjacent to the test section, which exhibits a color according to the value, as a result of reaction of a reagent with the liquid. The reference color section includes a plurality of different reference colors arranged for easy visual color comparison with the test result. The reference color section is placed adjacent to and in contact with the test section, with the test section having sufficient length so that it substantially encompasses the entire reference color section with its plurality of different reference colors. Thus, when the test section exhibits a reaction color, the visual comparison is simplified since the reference color which matches the reaction color becomes substantially visually merged and self-aligned therewith.
US07919323B2
Operation of a microfluidic flow device includes providing a microfluidic flow device including a body and at least one flow microchannel for transferring a mixture (G; T′) of at least two components being formed within the body, in which said mixture (G; T′) of the at least two components is caused to flow in the flow microchannel and the mixture is analyzed in at least one derived branch (B1-B6).
US07919322B2
The present invention provides methods, nucleic acid constructs, and kits for selectively deleting a region of a nucleic acid sequence. Specifically, it utilizes retargeting retroelements to place site-specific recombination sites at targeted locations in the nucleic acid sequence. The region between the recombination sites is then deleted using a site-specific recombination system.
US07919320B2
The invention generally relates to polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) polyketide synthase (PKS) systems isolated from or derived from non-bacterial organisms, to homologues thereof, to isolated nucleic acid molecules and recombinant nucleic acid molecules encoding biologically active domains of such a PUFA PKS system, to genetically modified organisms comprising PUFA PKS systems, to methods of making and using such systems for the production of bioactive molecules of interest, and to novel methods for identifying new bacterial and non-bacterial microorganisms having such a PUFA PKS system.
US07919316B2
The present invention relates to methods of identifying, collecting and isolating hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and compositions of purified HSCs. Specifically, the present invention provides methods of isolating and purifying CD150+ HSCs, CD48− HSCs, and CD244− HSCs. The present invention also relates to purified cell samples with enriched CD150+ HSCs, CD48− HSCs, and CD244− HSCs populations, as well as methods of treating subjects with such compositions.
US07919305B2
A main object of the invention is to provide a new method for producing a cell culture substrate used to cause cells to adhere in a highly precise form onto a base material and then culture the cells.To attain the object, the invention provides a method for producing a cell culture substrate comprising: a patterning substrate forming process of forming, on a base material, a cell culture patterning layer wherein a cell adhesion portion having cell adhesive properties and a cell adhesion-inhibiting portion having cell adhesion-inhibiting properties can be formed by action of a photocatalyst by energy irradiation, thereby forming a patterning substrate; an energy irradiating process of irradiating the energy onto the cell culture patterning layer, thereby forming the cell adhesion portion and the cell adhesion-inhibiting portion in a pattern form by action of the photocatalyst; and a cell-containing liquid applying process of applying a cell-containing liquid onto the cell adhesion portion by a region-selecting applying method of applying the cell-containing liquid selectively onto the patterned cell adhesion portion.
US07919292B2
The invention concerns the use of a type II NAD(P)H dehydrogenase (NDH-II), or of a polynucleotide encoding said NDH-II, to increase the capacity of a green algae to produce hydrogen. Said polynucleotide is in particular useful for transforming said green algae, so as to improve its hydrogen production.
US07919290B2
The invention provides a method to decrease emission of carbon dioxide from combustion of fossil fuels or other hydrocarbons and to enhance the efficiency of methane production from anaerobic biodigesters. The invention involves feeding carbon dioxide from the exhaust gas of hydrocarbon fuel combustion to an anaerobic biodigester where biomass is anaerobically fermented to produce methane. Carbon dioxide is an electron acceptor for anaerobic fermentation, and thus some of the carbon dioxide is reduced to methane, which can again be used for fuel. In this way, at least a portion of the exhaust gas CO2 is recycled to form fuel methane instead of being released into the atmosphere. Thus, the net CO2 emission from burning a given amount of fossil fuel is decreased. Adding carbon dioxide to an anaerobic fermentation also increases the efficiency and amount of methane production in the fermentation.
US07919289B2
The present invention relates to methods for producing high levels of alcohol during fermentation of plant material, and to the high alcohol beer produced. The method can include selecting plant material. Selecting can include excluding plant material that has been exposed to high temperatures or that has had high moisture content.
US07919283B2
The present invention provides a method for producing an L-amino acid using a bacterium of the Enterobacteriaceae family, particularly a bacterium belonging to genus Escherichia or Pantoea, which has been modified to attenuate expression of one or more of the cynT, cynS, cynX and/or cynR genes.
US07919281B2
The invention relates to a variant of a parent fungal glucoamylase, which exhibits improved thermal stability and/or increased specific activity using saccharide substrates.
US07919271B2
The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having branching enzyme activity and isolated nucleic acid sequences encoding the polypeptides. The invention also relates to nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the nucleic acid sequences as well as methods for producing and using the polypeptides.
US07919270B2
The present invention relates to protein expression systems and in particular to a mammalian protein expression system. Specifically, the present invention provides a rodent cell line with enhanced protein production capabilities.The invention also relates to eukaryotic cloning and expression vectors and related methods, and in particular to DNA vectors capable of high level expression of a protein of interest. The invention allows for long-term episomal maintenance of expression vectors in mammalian cells.
US07919266B2
A process for the detection of antibodies in a test sample by preparing a suspension of erythrocytes with a test serum or plasma by mixing a test serum or plasma with erythrocytes; incubating the suspension of erythrocytes at a temperature of from 37° C. to 45° C. to bind any antibodies in the test serum or plasma to the surface of said erythrocytes; combining the suspension of erythrocytes with an amount of a solution of a macromolecule which is effective to agglutinate the erythrocytes; packing the resultant red cell agglutinates by centrifuging the suspension of erythrocytes; and, determining the presence of anti-erythrocyte antibodies by observing if antibody-dependent erythrocyte agglutination has occurred.
US07919262B2
The present disclosure is directed to methods for treatment and prevention of disease states characterized by a decreased 14-3-3 polypeptide expression or activity. In one embodiment, the present disclosure provides methods for the treatment and/or prevention of Parkinson's disease, neurodegeneration and/or diseases characterized, at least in part, by neurodegeneration, by increasing a 14-3-3 polypeptide activity.
US07919258B2
Methods for diagnosing Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection in a human that include providing blood serum, contacting the serum with an Eis antigen fixed on a substrate, thereby forming complexes of Eis antigen with a human antibody that binds to the Eis antigen, contacting the antibody/Eis complexes with a labeled anti-human secondary antibody, and measuring a titer of the human antibody bound to the Eis antigen. In addition, statistically significant positive or negative diagnosis of infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis is provided by comparing patient serum antibody titer with a second titer from a negative control blood sample.
US07919256B2
A method for the early detection of disease through the use of reagents bound by IgM antibodies is described. A reagent and method for the detection of anti-Borna disease virus antibodies are also described.
US07919254B2
This invention relates to methods of analyzing a tissue sample from a subject. In particular, the invention combines morphological staining and/or immunohistochemistry (IHC) with fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) within the same section of a tissue sample. The analysis can be automated or manual. The invention also relates to kits for use in the above methods.
US07919251B2
The present invention provides methods for predicting tolerance associated with 6-mercaptopurine drug treatment of an immune-mediated gastrointestinal disorder such as inflammatory bowel disease. In particular, the present invention provides methods for predicting a patient's risk of an adverse drug reaction (or tolerance) to a 6-mercaptopurine drug by genotyping a patient at a polymorphic site in at least one gene selected from the group consisting of a xanthine dehydrogenase (XDH) gene, molybdenum cofactor sulfurase (MOCOS) gene, and aldehyde oxidase (AOX) gene. The present invention further provides methods for optimizing therapeutic efficacy in a patient receiving a 6-mercaptopurine drug by determining whether the patient should be given an alternative drug based on the presence or absence of a polymorphism in at least one of the XDH, MOCOS, and AOX genes.
US07919250B2
The present invention relates to methods for characterization of bacterial skin microbiota to provide diagnostic, therapeutic, and preventive measures for alleviating skin conditions. In certain embodiments, the invention relates to characterization of bacterial skin microbiota associated with psoriasis and related diagnostic, therapeutic, and preventive measures for alleviating psoriasis. These methods will be useful for detecting, diagnosing, and monitoring individuals who have or are at risk of certain skin conditions.
US07919248B2
The present invention is drawn to methods for modulating IL-13 expression and/or activity in a mammal comprising administering an effective amount of an agent which modulates the expression and/or activity of IL-9.
US07919245B2
The present invention concerns methods and compositions for isolating, enriching, and/or labeling miRNA molecules and for preparing and using arrays or other detection techniques for miRNA analysis. Moreover, the present invention concerns methods and compositions for generating miRNA profiles and employing such profiles for therapeutic, diagnostic, and prognostic applications.
US07919241B2
The physiological regulation of intake, growth and energy partitioning in animals is under the control of multiple genes, which may be important candidates for unraveling the genetic variation in economically relevant traits in beef production. The present invention relates to the identification of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within the bovine genes encoding fatty acid binding proteins and their associations with economically relevant traits in beef production. The invention further encompasses methods and systems, including network-based processes, to manage the SNP data and other data relating to specific animals and herds of animals, veterinarian care, diagnostic and quality control data and management of livestock which, based on genotyping, have predictable meat quality traits, husbandry conditions, animal welfare, food safety information, audit of existing processes and data from field locations.
US07919234B2
Methods and compositions for the detection of disease caused by infectious agents and microbes are provided. In particular, methods and compositions comprising novel combinations of nucleic acid amplification and drug susceptibility technologies are provided. In certain embodiments, the present invention enables the detection of infectious agents and microbes as well as providing information concerning the viability status of the agent or microbe. In one embodiment, the present invention is used for the detection of mycobacterial infections, including, but not limited to, tuberculosis.
US07919229B2
A phosphor coating process for a light-emitting device is described. A light-emitting diode chip is bonded on a substrate. A light-sensitive layer is formed over the light-emitting diode and the substrate. The light-sensitive layer is patterned by a photolithography process to expose an area of the light-emitting diode chip, on which desires a phosphor coating. A phosphor-adhesive material is filled on the area of the light-emitting diode chip.
US07919222B2
Underlying coating compositions are provided for use with an overcoated photoresist composition. In one aspect, the coating composition can be crosslinked and comprise one or more components that contain one or more acid-labile groups and/or one or more base-reactive groups that are reactive following crosslinking. In another aspect, underlying coating composition are provided that can be treated to provide a modulated water contact angle. Preferred underlying coating compositions can exhibit enhanced etch rates in plasma etchants. Additional preferred coating compositions can enhance lithographic performance of an associated photoresist composition.
US07919220B2
An electrophotographic photoreceptor, comprising: an electroconductive substrate; and a photosensitive layer located overlying the electroconductive substrate, wherein the photosensitive layer is a single-layered layer comprising a charge generation material and an electron transport material having the following specific formula (1): wherein the charge generation materials is a titanylphthalocyanine having a specific CuKα 1.542 Å X-ray diffraction spectrum.
US07919215B2
A corrosion-resistant electrode catalyst for oxygen reduction includes a main catalyst composed of at least one transition metal oxide selected from oxygen-deficient ZrO2, Ta2O5, Nb2O5, TiO2, V2O5, MoO3, and WO3 and a co-catalyst composed of gold. The electrode catalyst is used in contact with an acidic electrolyte at a potential at least 0.4 V higher than the reversible hydrogen electrode potential. The catalyst may be used, for example, in such a form that the transition metal oxide in the form of fine particles and gold in the form of fine particles, or fine particles including fine gold particles coated with the transition metal oxide are dispersed on a catalyst carrier which is an electron conductive powder. This electrode catalyst is suitable as an electrode catalyst for an electrochemical system using an acidic electrolyte in the fields of water electrolysis, inorganic/organic electrolysis, fuel cells, etc.
US07919214B2
Carbonate fuel cathode side hardware having a thin coating of a conductive ceramic formed from one of Perovskite AMeO3, wherein A is at least one of lanthanum and a combination of lanthanum and strontium and Me is one or more of transition metals, lithiated NiO (LixNiO, where x is 0.1 to 1) and X-doped LiMeO2, wherein X is one of Mg, Ca, and Co.
US07919210B2
A thermoelectric augmented fuel cell system is disclosed. The system includes a fuel cell stack for generating electrical power and a thermoelectric unit provided in thermal contact with the fuel cell stack for receiving thermal energy from the fuel cell stack and generating additional electrical power.
US07919203B2
A battery box structure includes a battery module, a holding frame which holds the battery module, a case which is made from expanded insulating resin and which stores the holding frame, and an elastic member secured to the holding frame and arranged between the battery module and the case, wherein the elastic member includes an upper wall and flanges extending from both side edges of the upper wall, and wherein a distance between the flanges is substantially the same as a width of a protrusion of the holding frame for securing the elastic member to the holding frame.
US07919198B2
Provided are a condensed ring aromatic compound for an organic light-emitting device, and an organic light-emitting device having optical output with high efficiency and high luminescence and having durability. An organic light-emitting device including an anode and a cathode, and a layer made of an organic compound interposed between the anode and the cathode, wherein at least one layer of the layers made of the organic compound contains a condensed ring aromatic compound shown in the following general formula [1]: wherein R1 to R16 each independently represent a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted alkoxy group, a substituted or unsubstituted aryloxy group, a substituted or unsubstituted amino group, a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group, or a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic group, and may be the same or different.
US07919197B2
There are provided a condensed ring aromatic compound and an organic light-emitting device having an optical output with high efficiency and high luminance, and durability. An organic light-emitting device including: a pair of electrodes comprising an anode and a cathode of which at least one is transparent or translucent; and an organic compound layer disposed between the pair of electrodes, wherein the organic compound layer contains the condensed ring aromatic compound represented by the following formula [1]. In the formula, X1 to X16 each independently represent a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted alkoxy group, a substituted or unsubstituted aryloxy group, a substituted or unsubstituted amino group, a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group, or a substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic group, and each may be the same or different; adjacent groups combine with each other to form at least one ring in the group selected from X4 to X7; and adjacent groups combine with each other to form at least one ring in the group selected from X12 to X15.
US07919195B2
Systems for displaying images. An exemplary embodiment of a system comprises an organic electroluminescent diode, having a hole injection layer. The hole injection layer comprises compounds having the structure showing in formula wherein at least one of two adjacent R1 groups link together with the carbon atoms to which they are attached to form a saturated ring system having from 4 to 20 atoms, and remaining R1 and R2 are the same or different and comprise hydrogen or halogen atom.
US07919188B2
This disclosure relates generally to polymeric networks of fullerene compounds, to methods of preparing precursors for such networks, and to their subsequent use as low dielectric constant materials in microelectronic devices.
US07919185B2
Polymer composites and polymer nanocomposites are designed and manufactured by choosing surface-modified fillers having a solid surface energy matching the solid surface energy of the polymer, wherein the advancing contact angle of the polymer on the surface-modified filler is less than about 5 degrees. The fillers are surface-modified by adsorption of amorphous polymeric surfactants, consisting of either mono-modal, bimodal, or multi-modal size distribution. The surface-modified fillers of this invention display a measurable yield stress and a viscosity of about 30.000 Pa·s or less at room temperature, and comprise one or more materials selected from the group consisting of minerals, plant material, animal material, carbon fiber, graphite, amorphous carbon, carbon nanotubes, and glass fiber. This invention also provides a method for manufacturing a polymer nanocomposite which includes exfoliating an amorphous organoclay in a crystalline or semi-crystalline polymer by melt compounding the constituents in the absence of added solvents, activators, edge-modifiers, compatibilizers, or hydrotropes.
US07919184B2
A method and composition for making hybrid nanoparticles and use of such nanoparticles are disclosed herein. In one embodiment of the invention, the hybrid nanoparticles comprise a phase change material (PCM) and a metal layer encapsulating the phase change material. In another embodiment of the invention, the hybrid nanoparticles comprise a phase change material, a polymer layer encapsulating the phase change material, and an outer metal layer encapsulating the polymer layer. In another embodiment of the invention, the hybrid nanoparticles comprise an inner core of a PCM encapsulated by a polymer shell containing embedded nanoparticles that have a high thermal conductivity.
US07919181B2
The invention relates to a metal sheet, or a component made of a metallic material, comprising a layer system on the surface with at least the following layers: a) a conversion layer, comprising no more than 1 mg chromium per m2, b) a layer of a cross-linked organic polymer system with a thickness in the range of 0.5 to 2.5 μm, comprising, in relation to the total mass of said layer, 2 to 25 wt. % of an electrically conductive pigment having a specific weight of 3 g/cm3 maximum, however no more than 5 wt. % of the electrically conductive pigment having a specific weight of more than 3 g/m3. A coating material and a coating method for the production of the layer b).
US07919160B2
A composite double component packaging material, particularly suited for food products, includes a first component, having a base sheet of paper material, upon which a second component formed from a tubular sleeve of a thin film of plastic material is adhered. This packaging material is of a type approved for use with food products. The sleeve member can be longitudinally cut at any suitable position to provide one or two free foldable flaps.
US07919154B2
Since a 1-(trifluoromethyl)naphthalene derivative of the present invention has negative dielectric anisotropy, has a very large absolute value, is chemically stable with heat, light, water, and the like, moreover, it excels in compatibility with a liquid crystal compound or a liquid crystal composition used widely nowadays, it is suitable as an element of a practical liquid crystal composition capable of low voltage drive. In addition, the liquid crystal composition using the compound of the present invention has low drive voltage, is useful as a constituent material of the liquid crystal display device of low consumption of electrical power, and can be used suitably for liquid crystal display devices such as a VA type and an IPS type, and the like.
US07919149B2
It is the purpose of the present invention to provide a carbodiimide compound exhibiting superior water resistance and having good storage stability when it is applied to a waterborne coating composition, and a waterborne curable resin composition comprising thereof, and the carbodiimide compound of the present invention is represented by the following general formula (1): wherein X represents a bifunctional organic group containing at least one carbodiimide group, Y represents a structure in which a hydroxyl group is eliminated from a polyalkylene glycol monoalkyl ether, R0 represents hydrogen or an alkyl group having 2 or less carbon atoms, R1 represents an alkylene group having 4 or less carbon atoms, n represents 0 or 1 and m represents an integer of 11 or more, and wherein the repeating number of oxyalkylene group in the polyalkylene glycol monoalkyl ether is 6 to 40.
US07919145B2
A method of producing a silica coating by forming a silica precursor formulation that is coated on a substrate as a continuous liquid phase. The silica precursor formulation is then cured in an ammoniacal atmosphere to produce a continuous, interconnected, nano-porous silica network.
US07919142B2
Disclosed are an atomic layer deposition apparatus using a neutral beam and a method of depositing an atomic layer using the apparatus, capable of converting an ion beam into a neutral beam and radiating it onto a substrate to be treated. The method uses an apparatus for supplying a first reaction gas containing a material that cannot be chemisorbed onto a substrate to be treated into a reaction chamber in which the substrate is loaded, and forming a first reactant adsorption layer containing a material that cannot be chemisorbed onto the substrate; and radiating a neutral beam generated by the second reaction gas onto the substrate on which the first reactant adsorption layer is formed, and removing a material not chemisorbed onto the substrate from the first reactant adsorption layer to form a second reactant adsorption layer. It is possible to perform a process without damage due to charging with the apparatus for depositing an atomic layer using a neutral beam and the method of depositing an atomic layer using the apparatus.
US07919135B2
The invention provides, in one aspect, a method of producing a cocoa beverage containing beneficial cocoa polyphenols. Ready-to-drink compositions, concentrates, primary beverage components, and packets for producing the beverages are specifically disclosed. Preferred sugar-free, low calorie, and calorie-free products and cocoa beverages are also disclosed.
US07919130B2
Shown herein is the use of crosslinked beta-cyclodextrin as a trap for removing cholesterol. The crosslinked beta-cyclodextrin is prepared by crosslinking beta-cyclodextrin in the presence of a crosslinking agent. Treatment with the crosslinked beta-cyclodextrin results in cholesterol-depleted foods. After application to foods, the crosslinked beta-cyclodextrin which traps cholesterol therein can be readily regenerated with organic solvents. The crosslinked beta-cyclodextrin can be applied to almost all cholesterol-containing foods, such as dairy products, meat products, and egg products, with excellent cholesterol removal rates.
US07919129B2
System and method for applying an antimicrobial agent, such as acidified calcium sulfate (ACS), to unpackaged meat products, in order to eliminate or reduce existing food borne bacterial pathogens and to prevent their growth when the meat products are stored. A conveyor transports unpackaged meat products to a spray chamber having nozzles positioned above and below the conveyor and meat products. The conveyor can be a wire conveyor having wires having a thickness so that they can support the food items, which can be eight to ten pounds, while being small enough so that the they do not block ACS solution sprays from the bottom nozzles, or do so to a negligible degree. The lower nozzles spray ACS solution through apertures of the conveyor and onto at least the bottom surfaces of the unpackaged meat products. The solution is sprayed with a sufficiently high pressure and sufficiently small drop size so that the ACS solution penetrates into tissues of the unpackaged meat products.
US07919126B2
Disclosed is an effervescent composition that includes a viscous component is in the form of a free flowing granulation, a tablet made from the free flowing granulation, and a method of using the effervescent composition.
US07919123B2
The present invention provides novel compositions and methods for repair and regeneration of tissues or organs of the body, especially mucosa in the gastrointestinal tract. The composition can be used as a pharmaceutical or nutraceutical to treat or prevent gastrointestinal cancer such as colorectal carcinoma, stomach cancer and esophagus cancer. The composition is in an oral dosage form and comprises edible oil homogenized with a sterol compound at a concentration of at least 0.5% by weight and edible wax at a concentration ranging from 3% to 30% by weight.
US07919114B2
Dietary supplements include a complementary blend of fruits including at least noni and Luo Han Guo. Other fruits having a high ORAC value, such as blueberries and raspberries, are also preferably incorporated. The combination of the Luo Han Guo and noni masks the noni's flavors and odors while sweetening the dietary supplements. The Luo Han Guo can be simultaneously provided in both powder and liquid form so that the liquid form acts as the primary sweetener while the powder form acts as the primary masker. The dietary supplements also have an enhanced natural preservative effect, providing an extended shelf life without the use of artificial preservatives.
US07919099B2
The present invention provides immunogenic peptides comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1, 2, 13, 32, and peptides comprising the above-mentioned amino acid sequences in which 1, 2, or several amino acids are substituted or added, and having cytotoxic T cell inducibility, and also provides drugs for treating or preventing tumors comprising these peptides. The peptides of this invention can be used as vaccines.
US07919097B2
The invention provides a method of inducing IL-10 production.
US07919094B2
In one aspect, the invention provides methods of inhibiting the effects of MASP-2-dependent complement activation in a living subject. The methods comprise the step of administering, to a subject in need thereof, an amount of a MASP-2 inhibitory agent effective to inhibit MASP-2-dependent complement activation. In some embodiments, the MASP-2 inhibitory agent inhibits cellular injury associated with MASP-2-mediated alternative complement pathway activation, while leaving the classical (C1q-dependent) pathway component of the immune system intact. In another aspect, the invention provides compositions for inhibiting the effects of lectin-dependent complement activation, comprising a therapeutically effective amount of a MASP-2 inhibitory agent and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
US07919093B2
The present application is directed to the identification of mutations and/or polymorphisms in the Dual Endothelin-1/Angiotensin II Receptor (Dear) that indicate susceptibility to, or show current affliction with, hypertension. Additionally, the present invention discloses methods for the modulation of angiogenesis via the regulation of Dear.
US07919089B2
The present invention provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising a bispecific single chain antibody construct. Said bispecific single chain antibody construct is characterized to comprise or consist of at least two domains, whereby one of said at least two domains specifically binds to human EpCAM and comprises at least one CDR-H3 region comprising the amino acid sequence NXID antigen and a second domain binds to human CD3 antigen. The invention further provides a process for the production of the pharmaceutical composition of the invention, a method for the prevention, treatment or amelioration of a tumorous disease and the use of the disclosed bispecific single chain antibody construct and corresponding means in the prevention, treatment or amelioration of a tumorous disease.
US07919084B2
The invention provides methods for diagnosis or prognosis of cardiovascular disease involving the detection of an elevated amount of MIC-1 in a test body sample. The invention also provides methods for treatment of cardiovascular disease and other chronic inflammatory disease.
US07919083B2
The present invention provides a means of inhibiting the growth and metastasis of cancer cells by administering anti-chemokine antibodies. It is possible to identify the particular chemokines which are over-expressed in the tumor using methods of the invention and administer antibodies against that over-expressed chemokine.
US07919080B2
The present invention provides a cell line which can be substituted for β cells in human mature pancreatic islets and express insulin in a glucose-concentration dependent manner, and enables the easy obtainment of the number of cells which meets the demand. The present invention also provides a therapeutical cell preparation for treating diabetes. The cell lines of the present invention can be obtained by integrating both a nucleotide sequence encoding tamoxifen-induced Cre recombinase and a nucleotide sequence encoding insulin regulated by glucose-sensitive promoter into the chromosome in a human immortalized hepatic cell line FERM BP-7498 containing the TERT gene inserted in between a pair of LoxP sequences.
US07919071B2
The present invention relates to a contrast agent of Formula I V-L-Z Formula I where V is a non-peptidic vector having affinity for the Angiotensin II receptor, L is a bond, a spacer or a linker moiety and Z represents a moiety detectable in an in vivo imaging procedure of a human or animal body.
US07919068B2
A method of producing porous complex oxides includes the steps of providing a mixture of a) precursor elements suitable to produce the complex oxide; or b) one or more precursor elements suitable to produce particles of the complex oxide and one or more metal oxide particles; and c) a particulate carbon-containing pore-forming material selected to provide pore sizes in the range of approximately 7 nm to 250 nm, and treating the mixture to (i) form the porous complex oxide in which two or more of the precursor elements from (a) above or one or more of the precursor elements and one or more of the metals in the metal oxide particles from (b) above are incorporated into a phase of the complex metal oxide and the complex metal oxide has grain sizes in the range of about 1 nm to 150 nm; and (ii) remove the pore-forming material under conditions such that the porous structure and composition of the complex oxide is substantially preserved. The method may be used to produce non-refractory metal oxides as well.
US07919055B2
The present invention relates to a method of forming a sealed channel on the surface of a sheet made of a material with a particular extent of plasticity, the sheet forming a reactor block for a microfluidic reactor.
US07919054B2
Disclosed are a process and an installation for treatment of a heavy petroleum feedstock, of which at least 80% by weight has a boiling point of greater than 340° C., wherein the process includes (a) hydroconversion in a boiling-bed reactor operating with a rising flow of liquid producing a hydroconversion effluent; (b) separation of hydroconversion effluent into a gas containing hydrogen and H2S, a fraction comprising gas oil, and a naphtha fraction; c) hydrotreatment, by contact with at least one catalyst, of at least said fraction comprising gas oil, producing a hydrotreatment effluent; and d) separation of hydrotreatment effluent into a gas containing hydrogen and at least one gas oil fraction having a sulfur content of less than 50 ppm, wherein the hydrogen supply for the hydroconversion and hydrotreatment is delivered by a single compression system.
US07919053B2
A pulsed gliding arc discharge (PGD) reactor includes an ignition coil driven by a pulse generator which is connected to a pair of divergent electrodes fixed by a reactor housing with a fluid inlet and outlet. Hydrogen peroxide and dye degradation can be carried out with a PGD reactor according to the invention with efficiencies that are more than two orders of magnitude greater than a conventional ACG reactor based on the calculated specific energy yield.
US07919050B2
An exhaust gas purifying apparatus is provided for efficiently purifying particulate matter discharged from an internal combustion engine at a lower exhaust gas temperature by adequately disposing of the absorbent material for absorbing hydrocarbon, the combustion catalyst for hydrocarbon, and the combustion catalyst for particulate matter. The exhaust gas purifying apparatus disposed in an exhaust gas path of the internal combustion engine for purifying particulate matter in exhaust gas discharged from the internal combustion engine, includes a particulate filter, wherein the particulate filter has a porous wall; a first layer formed on a surface of the porous wall, including an absorbent material for absorbing hydrocarbon contained in exhaust gas; and a second layer formed on a surface of the first layer, containing a combustion catalyst for the particulate matter and a combustion catalyst for the hydrocarbon.
US07919049B2
A tube and float system for use in separation and axial expansion of the buffy coat includes a transparent or semi-transparent, flexible sample tube and a rigid separator float having a specific gravity intermediate that of red blood cells and plasma. The float includes a main body portion of reduced diameter to provide a clearance gap between the inner wall of the sample tube and the float. One or more protrusions on the main body portion serve to support the flexible tube. During centrifugation, the centrifugal force causes the diameter of the flexible tube to expand and permit density-based axial movement of the float in the tube. The float further includes a pressure relief system to alleviate pressure build up in the trapped red blood cell blood fraction below the float, thereby preventing red blood cells from being forced into the annular gap containing the buffy coat layers.
US07919032B2
The present invention is to provide a process for producing a composite of an aluminum material and a synthetic resin molding that can be produced at a high efficiency and to provide a stable and fast composite that is large in a peel strength and a mechanical strength.The process for producing a composite according to the present invention is characterized in that an aluminum raw material is oxidized in an electrolytic bath of phosphoric acid or sodium hydride, thereby an anodic oxidation coating provided with innumerable pores 3 having a diameter of 25 nm or more made open in the surface thereof is formed thereon, and a synthetic resin mold 6 is coupled with the anodic oxidation coating 2 in such a condition that the part 6a thereof is intruded in the innumerable pores.
US07919030B2
Disclosed is a method for producing single- or multi-layered fiber performs by the TFP process with fiber strands which are aligned substantially such that they are oriented with the flux of force, are laid on at least one backing layer and are attached by at least one fixing thread. After completion of the TFP process, at least one fiber preform is introduced into a fixing device to secure the position of the fiber strands and the fixing threads and/or the backing layers are at least partially removed. As a result of the preferably complete removal of the fixing threads and/or the backing layer from the fiber preform, the latter has virtually ideal mechanical, quasi isotropic properties. In a preferred variant, the fixing threads and/or the backing layers are formed by a water-soluble material, so that they can be completely dissolved by water as the solvent and flushed out.
US07919028B2
A process for forming flexible noise attenuating cutting line for use in rotary vegetation trimmers formed of at least two monofilament polymer strands bonded together in a twisted disposition or a single strand twisted about its central axis in which the strand or strands are extruded in a molten disposition through a single die that is rotated during the extruding step either to twist the two strands together about a central longitudinal axis or a single strand about its own longitudinal axis such that upon cooling, stretching and heating, a flexible noise attenuating line is created in a continuous online process.
US07919015B2
A process including: providing a composition comprising silver-containing nanoparticles and molecules of an initial stabilizer on the surface of the silver-containing nanoparticles; and mixing a replacement stabilizer comprising a carboxylic acid with the composition to replace at least a portion of the initial stabilizer with the replacement stabilizer, resulting in molecules of the replacement stabilizer on the surface of the silver-containing nanoparticles.
US07919009B2
A polymerizable compound represented by general formula (1) of the invention has good solvent solubility and excellent alignment control properties and optical characteristics. In formula (1), M1 and M2 are each hydrogen or methyl; X1 and X2 are each a single bond, or an optionally branched C1-10 alkylene, alkyleneoxy or alkyleneoxycarbonyloxy; X3 is optionally branched C1-10 alkylene; Y1 and Y2 are each an ester linkage, etc.; and rings A, B, C, and D are each a cyclic structure, such as 2,6-naphthlene.
US07919000B2
Disclosed is a reactor for anaerobically treating waste water, especially treating waste water from the paper industry. Said reactor comprises a reactor vessel, at least one supply pipe which is arranged in the bottom area of the reactor vessel and is used for feeding waste water that is to be treated into the reactor, at least one supply distributor for mixing the waste water fed to the reactor with the medium located in the reactor, at least one overflow port which is disposed on the top reactor vessel and is used for discharging treated water, and at least one separator. The supply distributor is provided with at least one deflection means that is embodied such that waste water discharged from the at least one supply pipe is diverted into a circular current from the perspective of the cross-section of the reactor, one to 80 percent of the cross-section of the reactor being filled by the at least one deflection means. The invention further relates to a method for anaerobically treating waste water.
US07918989B2
A gas sensor and method thereof are provided. The example gas sensor may include first and second electrodes formed on a substrate, a carbon nanotube connecting the first and second electrodes on the substrate, a light source disposed above the carbon nanotube and an ampere meter measuring current flowing between the first and second electrodes. The example method may be directed to identifying a gas, and may include measuring a first current responsive to a first applied voltage during a first mode of operation, comparing the first measured current with a plurality of first index current values to obtain a first comparison result, each of the plurality of first index current values associated with one of a plurality of gases, measuring a second current responsive to a second applied voltage during a second mode of operation, comparing the second measured current with a plurality of second index current values to obtain a second comparison result, each of the plurality of second index current values associated with one of the plurality of gases and determining gas characteristic information based on the first and second comparison results.
US07918987B2
The present invention provides a process to prepare a halogenated carbonyl group-containing compound by electrochemically reacting the corresponding carbonyl group-containing compound with a hydrogen halide H—X, an organic halide R′—X and/or a halide salt Mn+—Xn− under substantially water-free conditions, wherein X is a chlorine, bromine or iodine atom, R′ is an alkyl or aryl group that may be linear or branched, optionally containing one or more heteroatoms such as oxygen, nitrogen, chloride, bromide, fluoride or iodide of which the halogen atom X can be electrochemically split off, Mn+ is a quaternary ammonium, alkaline earth metal, alkali metal or metal cation, and n is an integer of 1 to 5, depending on the valency of the metal cation Mn+.
US07918985B2
A method of reducing a titanium oxide in a solid state in an electrolytic cell which includes an anode, a cathode formed at least in part from the titanium oxide, and a molten electrolyte which includes cations of a metal that is capable of chemically reducing the cathode titanium oxide, which method includes operating the cell at a potential that is above a potential at which cations of the metal that is capable of chemically reducing the cathode titanium oxide deposit as the metal on the cathode, whereby the metal chemically reduces the cathode titanium oxide, and which method is characterized by refreshing the electrolyte and/or changing the cell potential in later stages of the operation of the cell as required having regard to the reactions occurring in the cell and the concentration of oxygen in the titanium oxide in the cell in order to produce high purity titanium.
US07918978B2
A sensing device includes a sensing surface, and a matrix overlaying the sensing surface. The sensing device includes a photoformed membrane overlaying at least a portion of the matrix. The photoformed membrane includes a directly photoformed organosiloxane polymer that is substantially permeable to gaseous molecules and substantially impermeable to non-gaseous molecules and ions.
US07918960B1
A method and an improvement to saw systems configured to convert raw I-joists from inventory to pre-cut sizes and/or cut routed patterns in I-joists for utility pass-through applications prior to their shipment to a construction site or return to inventory, whereby a controlled amount of adhesive and a protective liner are automatically and successively applied to the top flange of each I-joist. The saw system improvement comprises coordinated mechanical, electrical, and pneumatic components.
US07918950B2
An energy efficient method for making a gypsum cellulose fiberboard comprising adding a first portion of cellulose fiber to gypsum before the gypsum and cellulose fiber are co-calcined in a reactor, adding a second portion of cellulose fiber to the slurry after it leaves the reactor to form a second slurry, depositing the slurry to form a mat, dewatering the mat, rehydrating the mat and then finishing the mat to form a final gypsum cellulose fiberboard. A reduction of up to about 40% to 50% of steam energy used can be achieved when the second portion of added cellulose fiber is 50% or more of the total cellulose fiber used in the final board compared to gypsum cellulose board made with the same ingredients but when all of the fiber is added to the gypsum prior to the reactor.
US07918949B2
Disclosed is a heat-treated oxidizing agent for gas generating compositions which is obtained by mixing ammonium nitrate with an inorganic compound having as an element one or two or more metal atoms selected from the group consisting of Cu, Fe, Ni, Zn, Co, Mn and Ti and subjecting the mixture to heat treatment, and a gas generating composition containing the same. This invention provides a gas generating composition comprising ammonium nitrate, which can be safely produced, does not change in density with phase transition, and has sufficient combustibility.
US07918946B2
The invention provides an amorphous alloy with good soft magnetic properties, namely an Fe-based amorphous alloy having excellent soft magnetic properties comprising, in at. %, Fe: 78 to 86%, P: 6 to 20%, C: 2 to 10%, one or both of Si and Al: 0.1 to 5%, and a balance of unavoidable impurities. P or C can as required be partially or totally replaced with B: 1 to 18%.
US07918945B2
Method for manufacturing surface treated steel material using a chemical conversion treatment liquid
A method of manufacturing a surface treated oil well pipe comprising performing chemical conversion treatment on an oil well pipe having a steel composition containing 0.5-13% Cr using a chemical conversion treatment liquid containing zinc and phosphoric acid or manganese and phosphoric acid and further containing potassium tetraborate to form a chemical conversion film of a zinc-phosphate type or a manganese phosphate type, wherein the chemical conversion treatment is carried out in the absence of fluoride ions.
US07918941B2
The present invention relates to a cleaning agent composition for use in cleaning a substrate for recording media, a substrate for photomask, or a substrate for flat panel display, a surface of which at least contains a metallic or glassy substrate moiety, the cleaning agent composition containing (I) a copolymer compound satisfying at least the following (i) to (iii): (i) a constituting unit A1 derived from acrylic acid is contained in an amount of 20% by mol or more of the entire constituting units; (ii) the constituting unit A1 derived from acrylic acid and a constituting A2 derived from 2-acrylamide-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid are contained in a total amount of 90% by mol or more of the entire constituting units; and (iii) the constituting unit A1 and the constituting unit A2 of the entire constituting units are in a content ratio [constituting unit A1 (% by mol)/constituting unit A2 (% by mol)] of from 91/9 to 95/5.
US07918940B2
In a substrate processing apparatus for forming thin layers on a substrate used for an organic light emitting diode, the apparatus includes a mask attaching chamber, a deposition chamber and a mask detaching chamber. The mask attaching chamber, the deposition chamber and the mask detaching chamber are provided with a transferring guide installed thereinside, and a substrate supporter for supporting the substrate moves along the transferring guide in or between the chambers. Thus, a time for processing the substrate and an area for the apparatus may be reduced. Also, the chambers are grouped in one or more, and a gate valve is installed between the grouped chambers for opening and closing a path between the grouped chambers. Accordingly, the chambers may be continuously maintained in a vacuum state when any one of the chambers is repaired.
US07918937B2
A method of producing an epitaxial layer on a substrate of silicon carbide is provided. Utilizing the system, silicon carbide can be grown with a thickness uniformity that is better than 5% at a growth rate which is at least 100 μm/hour. The method comprises providing a cavity with a source material and a substrate of monolithic silicon carbide, evacuating the cavity and raising the temperature to 1400° C. Then the temperature is increased at a rate of about 20° C./min until a predetermined growth temperature is reached. Thereafter, the temperature is kept such that a predetermined growth rate between 10 μm/min and 300 μm/min is obtained.
US07918927B2
An inkjet recording liquid includes: water; a colorant; a first water-soluble organic solvent having a structure represented by the following Formula (1), an SP value of 27.5 or less, and a molecular weight of 100 to 210; and a second water-soluble organic solvent having a structure represented by the following Formula (2), an SP value of 27.5 or less, and a molecular weight of 240 to 2000, wherein the mass ratio of the content of the first water-soluble organic solvent to the content of the second water-soluble organic solvent is from 1:3 to 3:1: R1-(A1)n-OH Formula (1) R2-(A2)m-OH Formula (2) In Formulae (1) and (2), R1 represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group, R2 represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, or a group derived from a sugar alcohol, each A1 independently represents an ethyleneoxy group or a propyleneoxy group, each A2 independently represents an ethyleneoxy group or a propyleneoxy group, n represents an integer from 1 to 3 and m represents an integer from 3 to 40.
US07918924B2
A 3-dimensional air bubble trapping apparatus includes a plurality of chambers, each having an inflow and outflow channel at both ends, and which traps air bubbles in a material introduced through the inflow channel, wherein the chambers are divided into a previous chamber and a next chamber based on a moving direction of the material in the chamber, and wherein the outflow channel of the previous chamber is connected to the inflow channel of the next chamber, and wherein a face perpendicular to an outflow direction of the material in the outflow channel of the previous chamber is not disposed parallel with a face perpendicular to the outflow direction of the material in the outflow channel of the next chamber, whereby air bubbles in the material are trapped without being affected by an angle defined by a gravity direction and vibration of the apparatus.
US07918922B2
The invention provides a process for removal of hydrogen sulphide, iron pentacarbonyl and nickel tetracarbonyl from a feed synthesis gas stream, the process comprising the steps of: (a) removal of hydrogen sulphide and of iron pentacarbonyl by contacting the feed synthesis gas stream with an absorbing liquid comprising water, physical solvent and an amine, to obtain a synthesis gas stream depleted of hydrogen sulphide and depleted of iron pentacarbonyl; (b) adsorption of nickel tetracarbonyl by contacting the synthesis gas stream depleted of hydrogen sulphide and depleted of iron pentacarbonyl with solid adsorbent comprising activated carbon to obtain solid adsorbent enriched in nickel tetracarbonyl and a purified synthesis gas stream.
US07918921B2
A gas-separation membrane module assembly and a gas-separation process using the assembly. The assembly includes a set of tubes, each containing gas-separation membrane elements, arranged within a housing. The housing contains tube sheets that divide the space within the housing into three separate, gas-tight spaces, with the tubes mounted in the central space. Feed gas enters the tubes through apertures positioned to feed multiple membrane elements within a tube in parallel, and one or more manifolds are used to collect residue gas from the membrane elements and direct the gas to the residue port or to a second group of membrane elements within the tube. The assembly can be used in various ways to carry out gas separation processes.
US07918918B2
Provided is a novel extractant for palladium capable of improving an extraction rate compared to the conventional extractant, DHS, and also capable of back-extracting palladium using an ammonia solution, and a method of separating and recovering palladium using the novel extractant. The present invention provides a method for obtaining an aqueous solution containing palladium only by: bringing an acidic aqueous solution containing at least palladium into contact with an organic solution containing a sulfide-containing monoamide as an active integredient represented by the following structural formula (I), where R1, R2, and R3 each represent a group selected from a chain hydrocarbon group having 1 to 18 carbon atoms which may be branched, an alicyclic hydrocarbon group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, and an aromatic hydrocarbon group having 1 to 14 carbon atoms, and n represents an integer of 1 to 4; extracting palladium into the organic solution; and conducting the back-extraction of the palladium extracted in the organic solution to an aqueous solution using an ammonia solution.
US07918917B2
A method of smelting copper includes: a generating step of generating blister and calcium ferrite slag from copper matte by charging the copper matte into a smelting furnace and oxidizing the copper matte; and a refining step of refining another blister from the calcium ferrite slag in an electrical furnace under a temperature condition of 1250 degrees C. to 1350 degrees C. and under a reductive atmosphere condition of oxygen partial pressure logPO2≦−9.3.
US07918894B2
An implant system and apparatus configured to permit motion of the wrist in at least one physiological direction, as well as in a dart thrower's motion, and constrain motion of the wrist in at least one non-physiological direction are provided. The implant according to one embodiment includes a distal component and proximal component. Each of the distal and proximal components includes a primary articulating portion and a secondary articulating portion. Primary and secondary articulating portions include at least one component having either a substantially convex or a substantially concave shape. The secondary articulating portion is configured to be radially and volarly disposed in relation to the primary articulating portion.
US07918891B1
A system and method for spinal fusion comprising a spinal fusion implant of non-bone construction releasably coupled to an insertion instrument dimensioned to introduce the spinal fusion implant into any of a variety of spinal target sites.
US07918889B2
A prosthetic device for insertion into an intervertebral space defined by adjacent vertebrae includes a first articulation member and a second articulation member configured to cooperate to permit articulating motion. An expandable member may be connected to the first articulation member and may be configured to support and position the first articulation member within the intervertebral space.
US07918880B2
A medical appliance is provided that includes an outer sheath adapted to enclose a self-expanding stent in an inner space before deployment of the self-expanding stent and an inner sheath arranged between the outer sheath and the self-expanding stent before deployment of the self-expanding stent. The inner sheath includes longitudinal slits that extend from a distal end of the medical appliance to the proximal end. The longitudinal slits form a plurality of inner sleeve tails. The medical appliance also includes an actuator adapted to move the outer sheath with respect to the inner sheath during deployment of the self-expanding stent. The actuator is adapted to cause the outer sheath to move proximally. A method of deploying a self-expanding stent is provided. A method of loading a delivery mechanism is provided.
US07918879B2
Anchoring elements of a fastener are made elastically curved. The curvatures of the elements are resiliently straightened by a trocar for tissue insertion. As the trocar is withdrawn, the anchoring elements resume the curved configuration, laterally pressing the elements against tissue to anchor the fastener.
US07918877B2
A spine distraction implant alleviates pain associated with spinal stenosis and facet arthropathy by expanding the volume in the spine canal and/or neural foramen. The implant provides a deployable second arm that converts between a first position for insertion and a second position for retention of the implant between adjacent spinous processes. A tool can be used to insert the spine distraction implant.
US07918873B2
A generally U-shaped surgical staple comprises a base 10 and a pair of generally “L”-shaped legs 12 extending substantially perpendicularly from opposite ends of the base respectively. The legs 12 in use of the staple are bent through approximately 90° relative to the base. To effect a greater compression of the stapled tissue the legs include a penetrative portion 16 adjacent the tip and a compressive structure 30 which, due to its increased height relative to that of the penetrative portion, spreads the compressive forces of the staple further along the length of the incision being closed. The compressive portion also provides a depth stop to avoid the tip penetrating too deeply into the tissue in which it is deployed.
US07918871B2
A method of treating a constricted sinus passageway in a frontal sinus of a patient includes forming an artificial passageway into the frontal sinus of the patient with a tool. An elongate member having an inflation member thereon is inserted through the passageway. The inflation member is positioned with the constricted sinus passageway and the inflation member is expanded so as to expand at least a portion of the constricted sinus passageway.
US07918865B2
A novel catheter-based system that ligates the left atrial appendage (LAA) on the outside of the heart, preferably using a combination of catheters and/or instruments, e.g., a guide catheter inserted into the interior of the left atrial appendage that may assist in locating the left atrial appendage and/or assist in the optimal placement of a ligature or constricting element on the outside of the appendage, and a ligating catheter and/or instrument outside the heart in the pericardial space to set the ligature or constricting element at the neck of the left atrial appendage.
US07918855B2
A device and method for use in a vertebral spine to prepare a space between adjacent vertebral bodies to receive an implant. The device includes a shaft, and a mounting member at one end of the shaft. A working end is mounted on the mounting member and is coupled to a drive mechanism adjacent to the working end. The drive mechanism is operable to move the upper and lower cutters of the working end to create surfaces having predetermined contours in the end plate region of the adjacent vertebral bodies. A guard provides protected access to the disc space and the adjacent vertebral bodies for the working end of the bone removal device through a passageway.
US07918853B2
Systems, devices and methods are disclosed for treating fractures and other bone maladies. The systems, devices and methods may include one or both of a stabilizing structure, such as an implant, bone plate, or other device and a fastening assembly, such as an engaging member and a compression member. The stabilizing structure in some embodiments has a proximal section with a transverse aperture and a cross-section that may be shaped to more accurately conform to the anatomical shape of cortical bone and to provide additional strength and robustness in its lateral portions, preferably without requiring significant additional material. The fastening assembly may be received to slide, in a controlled way, in the transverse aperture of the stabilizing structure. In some embodiments, the engaging member and the compression member are configured so that the compression member interacts at least indirectly with the stabilizing structure and a portion of the engaging member to enable controlled movement between the first and second bone fragments. This configuration is useful for, among other things, compressing a fracture.
US07918846B2
An ophthalmological surgery system and method for performing ablative photodecomposition of the corneal surface by offset image scanning. The image of a variable aperture, such as a variable width slit and variable diameter iris diaphragm, is scanned in a preselected pattern to perform ablative sculpting of predetermined portions of a corneal surface. The scanning is performed with a movable image offset displacement mechanism capable of effecting radial displacement and angular rotation of the profiled beam exiting from the variable aperture. The profiled beam is rotated by rotating the aperture in conjunction with the offset displacement mechanism. The invention enables wide area treatment with a laser having a narrower beam, and can be used in the treatment of many different conditions, such as hyperopia, hyperopic astigmatism, irregular refractive aberrations, post ablation smoothing and phototherapeutic keratectomy.
US07918830B2
A drug administration safety device having a label configured to be attached to a drug container such as a syringe or IV bag, an adhesive on the back face of the label, and a backing or substrate for holding the label and protecting the adhesive prior to the application of the label to the drug container. In one embodiment, the label includes a first drug name section in a first orientation, a second drug name section in a second orientation, a third drug name section in a third orientation, a drug concentration section, a variable information section, and a gradiation viewing section. The first orientation, second orientation, and third orientation are different from each other to enable a user to readily see the drug name regardless of the position and orientation of the drug container.
US07918824B2
A pharmaceutical delivery device with triggered automatic needle insertion and manually controlled pharmaceutical injection. The pharmaceutical delivery device includes a housing, a pharmaceutical containing needled syringe having an injection tip that is recessed within the housing when the syringe is in a first position and which projects from the housing when the syringe is in a second position, a syringe advancing assembly operable to automatically advance the needled syringe from the first position to the second position, a plunger including an input portion projecting from the housing for manual access by a user, wherein the plunger is operable by the user directly shifting the input portion when the syringe is disposed in the second position to inject pharmaceutical from the syringe through the needle at a rate adjustably controlled by a user during the injection, and wherein the plunger includes a plunger extender automatically movable within the housing from a first location to a second location upon the needled syringe advancing from the first position to the second position, wherein the plunger extender, when in the second location, occupies a space vacated by the needled syringe during advancement from the first position to the second position, whereby the plunger input portion remains stationary relative to the housing during the advancement of the needled syringe.
US07918819B2
Disclosed is a deflectable tip guiding device, such as a catheter, that enables a physician, or other health care personnel, to vary the radius of curvature of the tip of the device. In one embodiment, a guiding device includes an elongate body and a deflectable distal tip. An elongate stiffener tube is coupled to the body for longitudinal movement relative thereto and has a distal end spaced a variable distance from the distal end of the tip, thereby serving as a fulcrum for the tip. Longitudinal movement of the stiffener tube relative to the body varies the distance between the distal ends of the tip and tube, which in turn causes a corresponding increase or decrease in the radius of curvature of the tip.
US07918817B2
A multiple catheter assembly (100) including a first catheter (110) constructed from a first material and having a first proximal end region (112), a first distal end region (114) terminating in a first distal tip (116), and an outer surface (120) defining at least a first lumen (122) extending longitudinally therethrough between a first distal (118) and a first proximal (111) opening. The first proximal end region (112) is integrally connected to an extension tube (320) constructed from a second material. A second catheter (130) is constructed from the first material and having a second proximal end region (132), a second distal end region (134) terminating in a second distal tip (136), and a second outer surface (140) defining at least a second lumen (142) extending longitudinally therethrough between a second distal (138) and a second proximal (131) opening. The second proximal end region (132) is integrally connected to an extension tube (350) constructed from the second material. The first lumen (122) and the second lumen (142) are independent from each other for facilitating simultaneous flow in opposite directions. The outer surfaces (120, 140) of the first and second catheters are releasably joined for allowing the first and second distal tips (116, 136) to be at least partially longitudinally split from each other.
US07918807B2
Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a system, method and computer instructions for assessing alertness of an operator of an image review system. In an embodiment, such a system includes: an input module configured to allow alertness data to be input; an alertness assessment module configured to evaluate alertness based on the alertness data; and an output module configured to output information based on the evaluation made by the alertness assessment module. In certain embodiments, the input module may input alertness data from: a three-dimensional coordinate tracking system; a brain wave monitoring device; an eye movement monitoring device; a video recording device; and/or an eye closure monitoring device, for example. In certain embodiments, the alertness assessment module may evaluate alertness data using: a Psychomotor Vigilance Performance Task; the Karolinska Sleepiness Scale; and/or a Visual Analogue Sleepiness Scale, for example.
US07918801B2
Sensors, apparatus, and methods for measuring movements are disclosed. The sensors include input and output windings wound about a common location and an armature is equally positioned relative to both windings movable to vary inductance reactance of the sensor. The mass of the sensor and the ease of movements are such that flexible membranes, such as skin, can be monitored with insignificant interference. The sensor can be included in “Band-aid” bandage arrangement in which the bandage backing can be removed and held in place on skin by the bandage. A monitoring circuit, responsive to the changes in sensor impedance, provides indications of the detected movements. The monitoring circuit includes an arrangement for self-adjusting parameters so that the system can be automatically preset and continually reset. The monitoring circuit includes a power savings arrangement.
US07918799B2
A method and interface for cooling electronics that generate heat are provided. The interface includes a housing having tubing (i) therein to transfer heat from liquid flowing in the tubing and (ii) extending therefrom and configured to engage a pump. The tubing forms a closed circulation path. The interface further includes an electrical connection member configured to provide electrical connection through the housing and to the electronics.
US07918784B2
An endoscopic tool utilizes a fiber optic system for illuminating and imaging ligaments or other tissue which are to be cut. Illumination and imaging is performed above a lateral opening at the distal end of a probe that is inserted into an incision point. Preferably, a two edged blade which can be moved in both the distal to proximal direction and the proximal to distal direction is selectively deployable from of the lateral opening at the distal end of the probe. The endoscopic tool is small in size, and preferably includes a pencil grip with a button actuator for deploying the two edged cutting blade. A wire actuator that fits into a slot in the bottom of the deployable blade, can be nested with the fiber optic cable such that the cross sectional area of the probe is reduced. Alternatively, a tube concentric with the fiber optic cable can be used as the mechanism for actuating the blade or other device. The surgeon can observe cutting of the ligament or other tissue as he moves the endoscopic tool in either or both the forward or reverse direction on a display screen which is operatively connected to the fiber optic system. A retractor can be used in conjunction with the endoscopic tool to lift tissue where dissection is desired, and to function as a guide for the blade.
US07918782B2
A prosthetic device comprises a column formed of resilient material and having a proximal end and a distal end. The prosthetic device comprises a bladder having a liquid cavity at the distal end. The bladder is inflatable and deflatable to increase and decrease a girth at the distal end of the prosthetic device. The prosthetic device comprises a liquid supply system that couples along the column to the bladder for selectively controlling liquid flow to the bladder to increase and decrease the girth.
US07918781B1
Systems for suppressing motion sickness are provided. In this regard, an exemplary system comprises a display device and a display controller. The display device is operative to display a first image and a second image. The display controller communicates with the display device and is operative to control display of the second image such that the second image moves relative to the display device in response to at least one of: motion of the first image relative to the display device, and motion of the display device. Methods and other systems also are provided.
US07918777B2
A method for the exclusive and singular treatment of all pharmaceuticals and drugs in any form that have passed their effective date, or are no longer of use to the individual, by mixing the pharmaceuticals and drugs with a granular solidification agent and water to form a non hazardous slurry which will solidify the liquefied pharmaceuticals and drugs into a non hazardous, environmentally friendly mixture safe for disposal into normal solid trash receptacles and landfills, and no longer a potential legal risk from ingestion after depositing into trash system. In this treatment the additional potential health risk and legal liability is eliminated from drugs and pharmaceuticals going into toilets and drains to sanitary sewers or septic tanks, and becoming liquid and untreatable at municipal wastewater treatment plants or septic fields, thereby returning to fresh water resources causing a risk to the general public health.
US07918776B2
A composition for destruction of unused or expired medicines comprised of: an acidic solvent; a dishwashing liquid; and activated carbon. The acidic solvent can be distilled vinegar, lemon juice, hydrochloric acid, diluted hydrochloric acid, acetic acid, diluted acetic acid, bleach, ammonia, alcohol, and combinations thereof, the dishwashing liquid includes at least one anionic surfactant, at least one nonionic surfactant, and cocinin, and the activated carbon is selected can be powdered activated carbon or granulated activated carbon, typically with a surface area of at least approximately 500 square meters per gram. The composition can further include fragrance and/or coloring. The components of the composition can also be sold individually or one or more components can be sold together with a container.
US07918770B1
An adjustable weight-loaded dip-chin machine. Dip bars and chin bars with means for vertical adjustment are mounted on columns, which in turn are mounted on a base. An arm is pivotally attached to the base, and weights can be added to an arm spindle attached to the arm. A belt is attached to the arm, and weights added to the arm spindle resist upward motion of an exerciser performing dips or chins. Elastic bands may be added connecting the arm to the base, and/or the belt to the base, which serve to render the exercise more strenuous. Dip bars incorporate a plurality of dip bar legs, each a differing distance from the other dip bar. Chin bars incorporate a downwardly-sloping dogleg. An alternate embodiment adjustable dip-chin machine incorporates a weight stack which can be attached to the belt. Stack weights selected from the weight stack render exercise more strenuous.
US07918762B2
The drive control of the invention executed in a vehicle sets a correction coefficient keg, based on an intake air temperature and an atmospheric pressure reflecting the density of intake air supplied to an engine, and multiplies a power demand required for the vehicle by the set correction coefficient keg to specify a target engine power, which is to be output from the engine. The engine and two motors are then controlled to ensure output of the specified target engine power from the engine and output of a torque demand, which depends upon an accelerator opening. The varying density of the intake air may cause output of excessive power from the engine or output of insufficient power from the engine. A battery is charged or discharged to compensate for the excessive power output from the engine or for the insufficient power output from the engine. The drive control of the invention effectively deals with the environmental change and prevents the battery from being excessively charged with an unexpectedly high electric power or from being excessively discharged to supply an unexpectedly high electric power.
US07918754B2
A hydraulic tensioner comprises a plunger, and a plunger-accommodating hole in a tensioner housing, together forming a high pressure oil chamber. A plunger-biasing spring is provided in the high pressure oil chamber between the plunger and the bottom of the plunger-accommodating hole. An oil storage chamber is formed inside the plunger, and a check valve unit is press-fit in the rear end of the plunger to allow flow from the oil storage chamber to the high pressure oil chamber while blocking reverse flow of oil.
US07918753B2
A hydraulic control unit (18), for a power transmission system having an oil receiving device (26,37), which controls a power transmitting condition of the power transmission system, and an oil reserving device for feeding the oil to the oil receiving device, wherein the oil reserving device comprises a piston (59) in which a diametrically large portion and a diametrically small portion are arranged integrally and coaxially, a first hydraulic chamber (57) in which the diametrically large portion, and a second hydraulic chamber (58) in which the diametrically small portion are housed liquid-tightly and movably back and forth; and an oil feeding amount control device for feeding the oil of the first hydraulic chamber to the oil receiving device, by raising the oil pressure in the second hydraulic chamber (58) to operate the piston (59).
US07918752B2
Game apparatus, e.g., a game racquet or a golf club, with selectively variable and maintainable weight distribution, e.g. by moving material (e.g., liquid and/or solid weight members) within or on the apparatus and selectively positioning the weight(s) and maintaining weight position in or on the apparatus.
US07918749B2
The invention provides a multi-piece solid golf ball comprising a core, an envelope layer encasing the core, an intermediate layer encasing the envelope layer, and a cover which encases the intermediate layer and has formed on a surface thereof a plurality of dimples, wherein the core is made primarily of a rubber material and has a diameter of at least 31 mm, the envelope layer and intermediate layer are each made primarily of the same or different resin materials and the cover is made primarily of polyurethane; the envelope layer, intermediate layer and cover have an optimized thickness relationship; the core, envelope layer, intermediate layer and cover have optimized hardness relationships; and the core surface and core center have a large hardness difference therebetween. The golf ball has an excellent flight performance and controllability that are acceptable to professionals and other skilled golfers, while also having an excellent durability to cracking on repeated impact and an excellent scuff resistance.
US07918746B2
A shaft 6 is formed by a prepreg sheet. The sheet of the shaft 6 includes full length sheets (a2), (a3), (a8) and (a11) provided wholly in a longitudinal direction of the shaft, and partial sheets (a1), (a4), (a5), (a6), (a7), (a9), (a10) and (a12) provided partially in the longitudinal direction of the shaft. The number of the full length sheets is equal to or greater than two. The number of the partial sheets is equal to or greater than four. Each of the partial sheets has an end. When four sections obtained by dividing the shaft into four equal parts in the longitudinal direction are set to be first, second, third and fourth sections from a tip end side in order, the total number of ends positioned in the first section is represented as (N1), the total number of ends positioned in the second section is represented as (N2), the total number of ends positioned in the third section is represented as (N3), and the total number of ends positioned in the fourth section is represented as (N4), all of (N1), (N2), (N3) and (N4) are equal to or greater than one.
US07918736B2
A wagering method is provided that allows players or gaming establishments to specify conditions which when satisfied, reconfigure the gaming device to change game play from a first game to a second game. The condition may depend upon the value of a parameter—generally related to game play—to determine if the condition is valid and triggers the reconfiguration. The second game may be selected from a game on the same gaming device, from a game on a different gaming device, or a game played by a specific player.
US07918735B2
A plurality of game selection-enabled gaming machines, which implement a game on the basis of a unit gaming fee, are connected to a game providing server via a network. The game providing server includes a game program storage unit and a download unit for permitting downloading a game program of a type of game requested by the gaming machine. The respective gaming machines includes a unit gaming fee selection unit for enabling selection of a unit gaming fee from a plurality of candidates, a game type selection unit for enabling selection of a type of game from the game type candidates which accept the selected unit gaming fee, and a game program request unit for requesting the game program from the game providing server.
US07918734B2
The present invention teaches methods and systems for providing a gaming server system (Gaming System) for enabling a quality-of-service on-demand (QoS) broadcast system to provide a gaming computer or game console with premium levels of quality-of-service. The gaming server provides premium network connection service levels based upon customer profile, current activity, account status or other criteria.
US07918724B2
Methods, devices, systems and computer readable media are described, comprising determining an intermediate player hand in a card game; offering to the player an option to receive a conditional hit card in exchange for resolving the hand according to a second pay table; if the player accepts the offer, dealing a conditional hit card face down to the player; determining a final dealer hand; and if the final dealer hand beats the intermediate player hand, turning the conditional hit card face up and adding the card to the intermediate player hand, thereby determining a final player hand; awarding a payout to the player according to the reduced pay table if the final player hand beats the final dealer hand.
US07918714B2
A method and a device for treating wafers on assembly carriers is disclosed. A wafer to be treated can be fixed on a liquid film that is located between the front side of the wafer and the assembly carrier by freezing of the film.
US07918713B2
A conditioning process including the steps of: (a) providing a system including: (i) a workpiece having a metal working surface; (ii) a contact surface, disposed generally opposite the working surface, the contact surface including an organic, polymeric material and (iii) a plurality of particles, including abrasive particles, the plurality of particles disposed between the contact surface and the working surface, and (b) treating the workpiece so as to: (i) effect an at least partially elastic interaction between the contact surface and the abrasive particles such that at least a portion of the abrasive particles penetrate the working surface, and (ii) incorporate organic particles into the metal working surface, thereby producing a modified working surface, wherein the treating of the workpiece includes a lapping process including: (i) exerting a load on the contact surface and the metal working surface, and (ii) applying a relative motion between the metal working surface and the contact surface.
US07918700B1
A rescue apparatus comprises a plurality of elongate, buoyant, rigid members attached at their respective ends to one another at a selected one of a plurality of possible angles relative to one another and in a manner to prevent relative movement between the attached members. Any number of the members can be affixed together to form one linear section, to form a length with a zig-zag configuration, to form an L-shaped length of members to extend around a corner, to form a hook or loop shape at the end of a straight length, or virtually any other configuration which might be advantageous in a particular water or ice rescue situation. At least a portion of the rescue device is extended to a position within reach of the victim to affect the rescue. In a preferred embodiment, three of the members have been attached together to form a triangular rescue device that can be thrown or launched near the victim for use as a floatation device.
US07918698B2
The invention relates to a boat (1) with a general contour defined by a periphery of predetermined shape and comprising a float (2) closed on itself along the periphery and formed by at least one floating tube (3); this tube is longer than this periphery and extends locally within the periphery towards the inside (INT) of the boat and has a curved portion (5) with a concavity turned towards the outside (EXT) and defining a re-entrant zone (7); a tent fabric (15) is fixed, along the periphery defining the general contour of the boat, to the tube except for the portion (5) defining the re-entrant zone (7).
US07918690B2
An electrical joint assembly for connecting a plurality of conductors includes a busbar hub and a plurality of limiter modules. The busbar hub includes an electrically conductive busbar body and a plurality of conductor legs extending from the busbar body. The limiter modules each include a fuse element. Each of the limiter modules is connected to a respective one of the conductor legs and is connectable to a respective conductor to provide a fuse controlled connection between the respective conductor leg and the respective conductor. Each of the limiter modules is independently removable from the respective one of the conductor legs.
US07918686B1
A server with an improved connecting port is provided. The server comprises a casing, a fastening module and a connecting port. The fastening module is disposed in an internal receiving space of the casing and further comprises a fastening base plate with a first through hole, a first fastening plate with a second through hole, and a second fastening plate with a third through hole. The connecting port has two ends connected to two engaging wings, respectively. The connecting port is inserted into the first through hole, the second through hole, and the third through hole. The engaging wings are embedded in the second through hole and held by and between the fastening base plate and the second fastening plate.
US07918683B1
A connector assembly including a connector that has a mating surface with an array of connector terminals thereon. The mating surface interfaces with a side surface of a daughter card assembly when the daughter card assembly is moved to an engaged position. The array of connector terminals are configured to engage an array of card terminals of the daughter card assembly. The connector assembly also includes a guide assembly that has a guide channel and a cam member that slidably engages the guide channel to direct the daughter card assembly to an offset position. In the offset position, the side and mating surfaces form a non-orthogonal angle with respect to each other. The guide channel is configured to permit the daughter card assembly to be rotated about an axis of rotation so that the daughter card assembly moves from the offset position to the engaged position.
US07918679B2
Disclosed herein is a test and burn-in socket for integrated circuits. The socket includes a socket body (37). A lead guide (36) is provided under the socket body. A slide (35) is mounted to the socket body to move horizontally. A plurality of slide springs (39) is elastically supported between the slide and the socket body, thus allowing the slide to smoothly restore an original position thereof. A contact guide (31) is provided above the slide to guide positions of upper contact terminals of contacts. An IC guide (30) is provided above the contact guide to guide a position of an IC. A cover (21) is provided to move vertically from the socket body (37). A latch (29) presses the IC. The socket also includes the contacts (33).
US07918677B2
The invention relates to a female connector (1) for a connector system (2) that couples first and second signal transmission conductor means. The connector system comprises a self-locking system of the push-pull type, some elements of which are secured to the female connector (1). The female connector (1) comprises a tubular body (10) housing an insert (11) equipped to accept each of the ends of the first signal conducting means. The elements (12) of the self-locking system that are secured to the female connector are formed on said insert (11). The invention also relates to a male connector (3).
US07918676B2
First and second connector housings (10, 40) are connected by displacing a force multiplying member (24). The first housing (10) includes a pair of detection terminals (13) and a shorting member (19). The shorting member (19) is displaced between a shorting position where the detection terminals (13) are shorted and a releasing position where the detection terminals (13) are released from a shorted state. The force multiplying member (24) includes a pressing surface (29) that is parallel to a displacing direction of the force multiplying member (24). The pressing surface (29) displaces the shorting member (19) to the shorting position in a partly connected state where the two housings (10, 40) have not reached a completely connected state while displacing the shorting member (19) to the releasing position when the two housings (10, 40) reach the completely connected state.
US07918674B2
A protection system for a connector that comprises two connector elements (1, 2) provided with open ends that are mutually engagable one in the other along an engagement direction, the system comprising first and second shutters (11, 21), each connected to a respective one of the open ends via a laterally-offset hinge (12, 22) of axis parallel to the engagement direction, in such a manner that each shutter can be pivoted between a position in which it shuts the corresponding open end and a position in which it disengages it, the shutters having respective front faces provided with means (17, 27) enabling them to be constrained to pivot together about the hinge axis, and the hinge of the first shutter being mounted on the corresponding end so as to be movable in translation parallel to the engagement direction between a position in which the shutter is flush with the open end and a position in which it is set back from the open end.
US07918665B2
An artificial anterior tooth capable of grinding food is provided. The lingual side of an artificial anterior tooth is provided with a protuberance for forming a frictional surface dented in an arch shape as seen from the mesiodistal direction, and the labial side of an opposite artificial lower tooth is provided with a protuberance for forming a sliding surface abutting the frictional surface and sliding on the frictional surface by a sliding motion of the upper and lower jaws.
US07918657B2
A head for a peristaltic pump that may be used for delivering ink to a flexographic printing press includes a housing and a roller assembly. The housing is adapted to receive a flexible tube. The housing has a curved wall and a clamp. The clamp secures the flexible tube within the housing. The roller assembly is rotatable within the housing. The roller assembly includes at least two compression rollers and at least one guide roller. The guide rollers are peripherally spaced between the compression rollers where each of them comes into contact with the flexible tube during rotation of the roller assembly. The guide rollers guide the flexible tube to stay centered with the compression rollers and initiate decompression of the flexible tube to return to a partial compression dimension. Fluid is moved through the flexible tube by rotation of the roller assembly.
US07918655B2
A compressor control system includes at least one variable compressor, at least one fixed-capacity compressor, and a controller. The controller modulates the variable compressor based on a suction pressure reading of the variable compressor. In addition, the controller selectively toggles the fixed-capacity compressor between a run mode and a shutdown mode based on an operating parameter of the variable compressor.
US07918654B2
A vacuum pump capable of pumping solid, liquid and gas, or any combination thereof, including a drive (40) and a manually disengageable pumping system connected thereto. The pumping system is composed of a two- or three-chambered canister (1, 18, 21) within which solids, liquids, and gases can be separated from one another. A highly flexible diaphragm (24) attached to the canister and sealed against it circumferentially, facilitates this separation, when reciprocating and pumping. The components of the pumping system are designed to be disposable, and the two- or three-chambered canister provides for a highly efficient pumping system that is significantly smaller in size than those previously known. The pump is particularly useful for medical applications.
US07918651B2
An impeller includes a hub, a plurality of first blades, and a plurality of second blades. The first blades are disposed around the hub. The second blades are disposed between the first blades. The lengths of the second blades are shorter than those of the first blades. The impeller can avoid the airflow reflux and have good airflow efficiency.
US07918649B2
A double-row self-aligning roller bearing includes left and right rows of rollers, arranged between an inner race and an outer race. A raceway surface of the outer race represents a spherical shape and the rollers have an outer peripheral surface following the shape of the raceway surface of the outer race. The rollers of the left and right roller rows have respective lengths different from each other. Also, the left and right roller rows have respective contact angles different from each other.
US07918648B1
A windpower generator apparatus has a horizontal shaft, a first arm extending outwardly of the shaft, a second arm extending outwardly of the shaft in spaced relationship to the first arm, a third arm extending outwardly of the shaft in spaced radial relationship to the first and second arms, a first plurality of vanes pivotally affixed to a first arm, a second plurality of vanes pivotally affixed to said second arm, a third plurality of vanes pivotally affixed to said third arm, and a generator cooperative with the shaft for producing electrical energy relative to a rotation of the shaft. Each of the vanes is movable between a first position aligned with the arm and a second position extending transverse to the arm. The vanes are movable between the first and second positions by actions of gravity during the rotation of the shaft.
US07918647B1
An airfoil used in a turbine of a gas turbine engine, the airfoil having a blocker insert formed within the serpentine cooling passage of the airfoil. The blocker insert forms a cooling air passage between the serpentine passage within the blade and the outer surface of the blocker insert. The blocker insert is formed of a carbon/carbon composite material and is cast into the airfoil when the airfoil is formed. A ceramic layer is applied over the blocker insert to produce a composite insert prior to casting the airfoil. The ceramic layer on the insert is then leached off to form the finished airfoil with the reduced size cooling air passage within the airfoil. The blocker insert can be formed with a cooling air passage therein in order to provide additional cooling for the finished airfoil.
US07918646B2
A high-efficiency turbine generates energy from a fluid flow, such as wind or water currents. The turbine has a central axis with a plurality of foils rotatable about the central axis in a general paddlewheel arrangement. Each of the foils has a foil axis parallel to the length of the foil and the central axis, and is rotatable about its foil axis. During operation of the turbine, each foil assumes an attack angle to the direction of the fluid flow with the attack angle dynamically controlled about the foil axis as the foil rotates about the central axis so as to maximize the foil's moment about the central axis.
US07918644B2
An axial-flow compressor for a gas turbine engine has a rotor drum (2) in thermally lower loaded first compressor stages (3 to 6) which includes a one-piece ring, or rotor rings (7 to 10) attached to one another. Fiber belts (18, 21) are wound onto these rings close to the rotor blades and include carbon fibers embedded in a high-temperature resistant polymer matrix. As the rotor disks can be dispensed with, since their function will be assumed by the fiber belts, the compressor features low weight, requires limited space only, and, in addition, can be produced cost-effectively.
US07918642B2
A turbine engine includes a target structure, for example, a rotating turbine blade. A probe is arranged near the target structure for communicating a detection frequency relative to the target structure for gathering information such as tip clearance. A housing is arranged adjacent to the target structure. In one example, the housing is a blade outer air seal. The housing includes a structural material that supports a window material. The window material is arranged between the probe and the target structure. The window material is transparent to the detection frequency permitting the detection frequency to pass through the window to the target structure for measurement of its position relative to the housing. The window material prevents probe contamination and provides a seal between the cooling path and turbine gas flow path.
US07918640B2
A technology to resolve positional deviations without using a transport robot. An object to be transported placed on a holding stand is rotated, so as to make an error angle α to be zero; and thereafter, a temporarily placing portion is made to move obliquely to move for an error distance in a horizontal component, thereby locating the center of the object to be transported on the central axis line of the holding stand; and the object to be transported is placed on holding stand. In a case where an orientation of a notch is definite, the holding stand is further rotated by a desired amount. Without using the transport robot, it is possible to resolve an error angle and an error distance.
US07918639B2
An automation apparatus and method includes a first unit rotationally moving objects from one area to another, and a second unit connected to the first unit and holding the objects, moving through or offset from the body of the first unit from a first side of the first unit to the other side the first unit in a direction other than the rotational movement by the first unit. Moreover, the apparatus and method provides moving the objects through a vertical axis of the body of the first unit.
US07918632B2
A nacelle for a wind turbine, the nacelle having a first height in its installed position and a second height in its transported position, the first height being higher than the second height, comprising a bottom part having a bottom face and two opposite side faces defining a space and a width of the bottom part and a top part. In the transported position, the top part extends inside the width or outside the width in order to cover at least part of the space. The invention also relates to a transportation kit and a transport method.
US07918630B2
A material cutting machine has a tool mount support mounted for reciprocal movement and a tool mount supported by the tool mount support. A driver, such as a pneumatic cylinder, selectively advances and retracts the tool mount support. A control system is operatively coupled to the driver for setting the advancement force of the tool mount support when a tool supported by said tool mount contacts a workpiece, such as the edge or surface of a moving strip. In this way, the depth of cut of the tool is controlled by tool advancement force rather than by accurate positioning of the tool. In one embodiment, the tool mount support may have a head and a base and a resilient member resiliently coupling the head to the base to provide a damped resilience. With this embodiment, a transient spike in the reaction force which may result, for example, from a hard spot in the material, causes the tool to momentarily deflect. Swing links may maintain the lateral positioning of the tool whenever it momentarily retreats due to a reaction force spike. A guide for the tool mount may be pivotably mounted to a frame so that a rake angle of a tool supported by the tool mount may be varied.
US07918625B2
A structure for supporting wave energy conversion mechanisms driven by—floats (24, 25) placed in the sea, said structure comprising: an open sided lattice framework (15); at least one leg (16) for supporting said open sided lattice framework; members (20) which are supported by said lattice framework (15) for providing a platform, in use, above sea level for said wave energy conversion mechanisms; and a plurality of discrete protective containers (21, 22) affixed to said members (20) and each for housing at least part of a wave energy conversion mechanism (23).
US07918622B2
A portable perimeter defense system is provided that is configured for preventing unwanted intrusions by vehicles or other heavy and fast-moving vehicles into a protected area while also providing requisite ballistic resistance capabilities. The defense system includes individual modular barriers that can be readily transported to a point of use and can be secured in place without requiring heavy equipment or power sources, such as electricity. This can be readily achieved with as few as one person. The modular barriers include a front plate configured to provide exceptional ballistic protection in the direction of impact and to provide an impact surface capable of withstanding impact. When circumstances warrant a double row portable perimeter defense system, a bracing system is provided to render parallel rows of barriers cooperative to prevent aft tilting of the impacted forward barriers. The bracing system transfers an impact force against the forward barrier rearward and downward toward a base plate of the rearward barrier. A method of protecting an area with a portable perimeter defense system and method of installing a portable perimeter defense system is also provided.
US07918621B2
A tube dispenser for adhesive compositions and adhesive components is equipped with a sponge applicator device. The tube includes an upper neck body which is cylindrical with exterior threads so that the sponge applicator device may be attached. The sponge applicator device has a rigid cap portion with interior threads, a cylindrical top end having a longitudinal channel, an absorbent, porous applicator material covering the external opening of the longitudinal channel, and a lance centered within the threaded cap and coaxial with the longitudinal channel. The porous applicator material may be affixed to the external opening of the top end with an adhesive, or held in place by a snap ring.
US07918607B2
A roller bearing includes a plurality of conical roller bodies arranged between inner and outer rings, and a cage having an annular sectional body mounted between the inner and outer rings. The annular sectional body further having an annular oil thrower located on each transverse side, each oil thrower having internal and external radial projections, wherein the free end of each projection is positioned opposite and away from a corresponding one of the inner and outer rings. The bearing has functional axial and radial clearances between the internal and external radial projections and the internal and outer rings. The clearances facilitate the passage of a bearing lubrication fluid there through and form an obstacle to the passage of solid particles.
US07918605B2
Gas journal bearing systems are provided. An exemplary gas journal bearing system comprises a vortex generator, a housing and a journal. The vortex generator is operative to receive a flow of gas and to impart an angular acceleration to the gas. The housing is in fluid communication with the vortex generator, with housing having a first exhaust through which the gas is exhausted. The journal is supported within the housing by a vortex of the gas as the gas swirls along at least a portion of a length of the journal. Methods and other systems also are provided.
US07918604B2
A linear guide comprises a rail with profiled elements on two opposite sides, and a roll unit. The roll unit and the rails can be displaced in relation to each other in the longitudinal direction of the rails. The roll unit comprises at least two rolls which can run on the profiled elements of the opposite sides of the rail. The rolls are mounted on the roll unit by means of prestressed angular ball bearings and can be prestressed in relation to the rails by a pre-determined force.
US07918603B2
There is provided a radiographic imaging table including: a test object mounting plate capable of allowing radiation to penetrate therethrough, on which a test object is mounted; a detector mounting plate which is disposed under the test object mounting plate to movably mount a radiographic image detector which detects radiation penetrating the test object and the test object mounting plate, and which generates an image according to the detected radiation; and a connection device which is disposed on the detector mounting plate such that it is connectable to the radiographic image detector in order to perform at least one of charging the radiographic image detector mounted on the detector mounting plate or facilitating communication between the radiographic image detector and an external device.
US07918599B2
An exemplary optical plate includes at least one transparent plate unit. The transparent plate unit includes a light output surface, a bottom surface, a plurality of enclosing V-shaped protrusions, a plurality of microstructures and a lamp-receiving portion. The light output surface and the bottom surface are on opposite sides of the optical plate. The enclosing V-shaped protrusions are formed on the bottom surface. The microstructures are formed on the light output surface. Each microstructure has circular cross-section taken along a plane parallel to its base surface thereof, a diameter of the circular cross-section decreasing along a direction away from its base surface thereof. The lamp-receiving portion is defined in at least one of the light output surface and the bottom surface. A backlight module using the present optical plate is also provided.
US07918596B2
A warning light and warning light assembly are disclosed. The warning light includes a housing including a base and a translucent cover. The warning light includes one or more light emitting diodes within the housing, each of the light emitting diodes operable to emit light substantially along an optical output axis. The warning light also includes a reflector within the housing, the reflector including a reflective surface having a curve section disposed substantially perpendicular to the optical output axis of at least one of the one or more light emitting diodes.
US07918573B2
An aspect of the present invention provides a compact light guide device and a light guide apparatus having high productivity and an even light emission property. A light guide device is made of a translucent material, and LED is disposed in a notch step portion formed by cutting at least a part of an inner peripheral surface, thereby guiding light from LED to emit the light to the outside. Particularly, in a surface and a backside of a sidewall portion of the notch step portion, the sidewall portion facing a light-emitting portion of the light-emitting element, at least an inward surface constitutes a reflecting surface diffusing the light, and a pair of facing surface adjacent to each other on both sides of the sidewall portion constitutes a light acceptance surface receiving the light reflected from the reflecting surface.
US07918557B2
A fundus camera includes an illumination unit which includes an optical element configured to irradiate an eye fundus with visible light from a position conjugate with an anterior eye portion of an eye to be examined, and an imaging unit configured to take an image of the eye fundus with light which is emitted from the illumination unit and reflected from the eye fundus, wherein the illumination unit includes a blue LED chip and a fluorescent member that is excited by light emitted from the blue LED chip and emits fluorescence, and the fluorescent member is irradiated again with apart of the light reflected by the optical element.
US07918553B2
This invention relates to a recording apparatus, comprising an opening delivering a recording medium after completion of recording and a cover capable of closing the opening in moving pivotally and a holding rib formed at the cover for holding a rear end as well as both sides of the delivered recording medium. The holding rib comes to be exposed when the cover is opened.
US07918552B2
A single-layer seamless inkjet conveying belt including a polyimide resin or a polyamide-imide resin as a resin component and a conductive filler, the inkjet conveying belt having a volume resistivity of 1010 to 1014 Ωcm. Also provided is an inkjet recording apparatus including a recording medium conveying device containing the inkjet conveying belt and a recording head that discharges ink droplets onto a recording medium.
US07918548B2
An ink cartridge includes a case which includes a first case member. The first case member includes a first wall, and the first wall includes an air intake portion extending from the first wall in a predetermined direction. The case also includes a second case member which is connected to the first case member, and the first case member and the second case member define an ink chamber therein. The second case member includes a second wall which is opposite to the first wall, and a support member connected to an interior surface of the second wall. The ink cartridge also includes a movable member which is connected to the support member.
US07918528B2
One aspect is a drop detection arrangement including a light source for projecting a light beam for scattering light off of an ejected drop. The arrangement includes a light collector configured to collect the scattered light off the ejected drop and a light detector coupled to the light collector and configured to process scattered light into an output signal. The arrangement includes a controller configured to receive the output signal from the light detector. The output signal is indicative of the condition of the ejected drop.
US07918515B2
A modular shelving system comprises multiple panels, multiple connection bars and multiple connectors. Each panel has multiple mortises. Each connection bar is connected to at least two panels and has multiple housing channels having slots. The connectors are respectively mounted in the housing channels of the connection bars and have four shoulders and multiple arms. The shoulders are formed at right angles to each other and one shoulder is mounted in a corresponding slot. The arms are formed on, protrude from the shoulders and respectively extend into corresponding mortises of the panels and two, three or four arms may be implemented. The modular shelving system can be conveniently assembled and disassembled in various combinations for different spaces while maintaining design consistency.
US07918510B2
A wheelchair sit-system with a three dimensional anatomical shape, which can accomplish an equal as well as an unequal pressure/load distribution, stabilize the pelvic base and trunk, compensate sit pathology, and be individually adapted on the basis of treatment of specific sit complaints/impairments. The wheelchair sit system (i.e., a sit cushion and a backrest) is developed methodically via inventory of the three dimensional pelvis/trunk measures; design a three dimensional drawing of basic sit cushions and backrest models in three sizes (S, M and L); specification of the sit pathology of the pelvis and trunk; and modification of the designed three dimensional basic sit cushion and backrest models on the basis of sit pathology. A product development trajectory results in nine sit cushion models in three sizes (S, M and L); six backrest models in three sizes (S, M and L); one generic sit cushion, with inserts, in three sizes (S, M and L); and one generic backrest, with inserts, in three sizes (S, M and L). The assortment of sit cushions and backrest models is applied via a prescription procedure has been developed.
US07918499B2
An infant swing has a base member supported by hanger members for reciprocal movement. The base member is formed with an upwardly extending mounting protrusion that nests into a mating receiver structure formed on the bottom of the seat carrier. A latch mechanism carried by the seat carrier is selectively operable to disengage a pivoted, spring-loaded latch member mounted on the base member mounting protrusion. The seat carrier is formed with a pivoted lift handle that provides a dual lift function, including the normal lift function associated with the lift handle being raised into the upright operative position. The lift handle is formed with grip openings adjacent the pivot connection of the lift handle such that the grip handles are rotated for access when the lift handle is lowered to the folded position to enable the seat carrier to be lifted by grasping the two transversely spaced grip openings.
US07918495B2
A director's chair comprises outer frames, connecting units, seat supporting units and back supporting units. The outer frame in square shape comprises with a pair of horizontal units and a pair of vertical units. A seat-supporting-unit connected piece setting under the top right angle of the horizontal unit. A stopper is set inside of each front and rear vertical unit. The connecting units which are pivotally crisscrossed with each other form an arc-shaped and an up-side-down arc-shaped connecting structure. The front protruding end of the seat supporting unit is curved. The back supporting unit comprises a supporting unit and a fitting seat wherein a concave is inside and a movable piece is at the bottom of the fitting seat.
US07918492B2
A vehicle door articulating mechanism including an articulating hinge assembly having a hinge arm pivotally mounted to a vehicle structure at one end thereof, a vehicle door pivotally mounted via first and second hinge mounts to the hinge arm at an opposite end of the hinge arm, a first cam mounted to the first hinge mount at one end of the hinge arm, a second cam mounted to the second hinge mount at an opposite end of the hinge arm, and a belt encircling both first and second cams. The hinge arm is disposed at first and second angular positions when the vehicle door is respectively disposed in closed and opened positions. The vehicle door articulating mechanism allows the door to articulate away independent of an adjacent vehicle door during initial and continued opening of vehicle door.
US07918482B2
To provide a technique that is effective for allowing a pressurized fluid to pass through smoothly between a plurality of bag-like bodies when inflated and extend, and for improving their extendibility.An airbag device includes a first bag 35 composed of a bag body formed by joining base fabrics 35A, 35B, and provided with a supply flow passage for supplying a pressurized fluid supplied from an inflator into the inside and a flow-out passage for allowing the pressurized fluid supplied into the inside to flow out to the outside, a second bag 36 composed of a bag body formed by joining base fabrics 36A, 36B, and provided with a flow-in passage for allowing the pressurized fluid allowed to flow out from the flow-out passage of the first bag 35 to flow into the inside, and a connection panel PN for connecting the first bag 35 and the second bag 36 so that the whole of the first bag 35 and the second bag 36 is configured in a predetermined shape when inflated and extends.
US07918465B2
The adjustable height trailer is a fifth wheel-type trailer with a single rear axle supporting the rear of the trailer and a fifth wheel hitch supporting the front. The rear axle and hitch have adjustable height suspensions, allowing the trailer to be lowered or raised uniformly while remaining hitched to the towing vehicle. One embodiment is configured as a livestock trailer with a series of stall positions therein. The loading and exit doors are generally diagonally opposite one another. A series of adjustably positionable partitions is installed on overhead tracks, with a partition placed between each animal as they are boarded and positioned in the trailer. Animals depart the trailer through the opposite door, with the partitions being repositioned correspondingly. The trailer suspension allows the trailer to be lowered to the underlying surface to facilitate loading and unloading animals therefrom, or other commodities, depending upon the trailer configuration.
US07918448B2
A sheet supplying device, including a sheet stacking member which can stack various sized sheets, a side edge alignment member which moves perpendicular to a sheet supplying direction and aligns at least one of side edges of the stacked sheets placed on the sheet stacking member, and an auxiliary side edge alignment member which is provided on the side edge alignment member and ejects in a moving direction of the side edge alignment member and which aligns stacked sheets whose width is narrower than that of the stacked sheets which are to be aligned by the side edge alignment member.
US07918441B2
A sheet finisher of the invention includes: a fold unit that forms a fold line with a fold rollers; a roller unit that moves a first roller and a second roller along the fold line while pressing the fold line; a drive unit that moves the roller unit along the fold line from a standby position separate from an end of the sheet bundle; a drive motor that separates the first and the second rollers in a thickness direction at the standby position; and a nipping unit that places the sheet bundle on a first nip plate, and nips it by the first and the second nip plates. Both positions of the nip of the fold rollers and a nip of the first and second rollers are disposed to be substantially coincident with a position on an imaginary plane extending from a surface of the first nip plate.
US07918439B2
The invention relates to a device, a process and an apparatus for manufacturing a silentblock device having a silentblock (4), a seating (2), a shock absorber (3) and a casing (1) having first joining means (120) between the casing (1) and the seating (2) formed by a frusto-conical portion (121) in each end of the casing (1) and a conjugated frusto-conical portion (122) in each end of the seating (2) to clamp the seating (2) to the casing (1). The apparatus has: containment devices (100) for defining a cavity (110) between the surface to be over-injected and the containment devices (100); entrance devices (200) in the containment devices (100), so that the over-injection product can be introduced in the cavity (110).
US07918436B2
A valve element opening/closing device may include a main body, an inflow pipe, an outflow pipe, a valve element, and a drive part for driving the valve element to open and close a flow passage. The drive part may include a linearly moving mechanism part for driving the valve element, which may include a rotary power transmission member, a linearly moving member for moving the valve element, a turning prevention mechanism, and an urging member for urging the valve element in a closing direction. The turning prevention mechanism may include a shaft turnably supporting the rotary power transmission member, and a shaft hole formed in the linearly moving member that is supported by the shaft, and the shaft is engaged with the shaft hole to prevent turning of the linearly moving member.
US07918427B2
A computer dock station includes a bracket covered with a cover member and having a fence at one side and upright pivot pins on the inside, and a locking mechanism, which includes a motive member, two follower members pivoted to the two opposite ends of the motive member and respectively coupled with the respective sliding slot to the upright pivot pins, two clamps respectively mounted on the follower members outside the bracket, and a screw rod threaded through the motive member and pivoted to the bracket and rotatable to move the motive member and to further turn the follower members about the respective upright pivot pins for adjusting the position of the clamps.
US07918424B1
A suspending buckle mechanism of output water device, which connects to a supporting arm protruding out of a wall, includes a sucker mechanism, a suspending tube, a supporting hoop and an elastic buckle. The suspending tube has an upper part with a through fixing hole and a lower part fixed to the sucker mechanism. The supporting hoop includes: a connecting sleeve, on which an axial groove is internally and externally disposed, and two connecting sheets. Through holes are disposed in the connecting sheets. The connecting sheets are symmetrically fixed around the connecting sleeve. The elastic buckle is placed between the connecting sheets. The connecting sheets are inserted in the upper opening of the hanging tube in order to make the convex columns of the elastic buckle protrude out of the through hole and then inserted in the fixing hole, so that the connecting sleeve can clasp the supporting arm.
US07918419B2
An ejection delay system, apparatus and/or method including an electronic ejection delay system having an ignition device; a power source connected to the ignition device; and, a flight parameter sensor switch electrically connected to the power source to initiate the provision of power from the power source to the ignition device; the electronic ejection delay system being disposed in some implementations in a housing system including a housing; a forward closure for closing the top end of the housing; and, an aft closure for closing the aft end of the housing. Also disclosed is a method for ejecting a rocket recovery system in flight; including sensing a parameter associated with flight; and, initiating deployment of a recovery system.
US07918414B1
An apparatus for the storing and management of a plurality of wire rope slings is presented, such slings being those typically comprised of a length of wire rope having at least one end loop. The apparatus has a base frame upon which is rotatably mounted a sling storage bin. The storage bin has a plurality of arm members that extend from the storage bin for engaging and holding an end loop of a selected wire rope sling. Rotation of the storage bin causes the selected wire rope sling to be coiled around said projecting arms within the storage bin. The apparatus may be provided with pad eyes and forklift tine guides to facilitate its transportation.
US07918411B2
A food waste disposer has a food conveying section, a motor section and a central grinding section disposed between the food conveying section. The motor section includes a motor having a motor shaft coupled to a rotatable plate of a grinding mechanism in the grinding section. An anti-vibration mount is disposed around an inlet of the food conveying section. The food conveying section includes a housing, which can be a plastic molded housing, having dishwasher inlet having an outer portion extending outwardly from the housing and an inner portion extending into the housing that is removably received in the housing. The inner portion of the dishwasher inlet may be slidably received in the housing with the housing including grooves on opposed sides of an opening that receive tongues on opposed sides of a body of the inner portion of the dishwasher inlet. The inner and outer portions of the dishwasher inlet have passageways connected by the opening in the housing when the inner portion of the dishwasher inlet is in place.
US07918408B2
A hand-held showerhead structure includes a handle portion, a water-outlet base, and a rotary member. The rotary member includes an outlet valve and is mounted on the water-outlet base in a rotationally adjustable manner, which is turned by a user to adjust to a desired water-spraying mode. A plurality of annular chambers is defined between a middle cover and a lower cover of the outlet valve. A plurality of arc-shaped flow-guide ribs distributed radially and separated from one another is protruded from a top wall of the lower cover opposing to an annular chamber in an outer peripheral area. A plurality of open-ended arc-shaped flow-guide channels is accordingly defined between the flow-guide ribs. Moreover, a plurality of outlet holes is arranged in flow-guiding directions of the flow-guide channels. Therefore, the showerhead positioned in such a water-spraying mode is capable of achieving a uniform water-spraying effect at a larger spraying area.
US07918403B2
There are provided an operational amplifier (A1), a capacitor (C1) capable of transmitting an input signal to an inverting input terminal of the operational amplifier, and a feedback path (B11) disposed between an output terminal and the inverting input terminal in the operational amplifier, and a reference voltage is supplied to a non-inverting input terminal. There is provided an input/output stabilizing circuit (B13) for changing a threshold voltage of the operational amplifier, and adding a micro signal input to the inverting input terminal of the operational amplifier, thereby carrying out an input/output stabilizing control in response to a signal output from the operational amplifier. In response to the signal output from the operational amplifier, the threshold voltage of the operational amplifier is changed and the micro signal is added to the signal input to the inverting input terminal of the operational amplifiers so that the input/output stabilizing control is carried out. By the control, the influence of a noise is eliminated and an enhancement in a noise resistance of a receiver circuit is achieved.
US07918401B2
Portable measuring devices which communicate by low power transceivers through a communication controller with a printer device collect weight and size data on articles to be shipped. The collected weight and size data are combined with origin and destination data, and labels are printed bearing pertinent shipping and routing information in machine readable format. The labels are attached to the articles to be shipped and accompany the articles to their respective destinations. At transfer points the labels are read by scanner devices which also communicate by low power transceiver links with the communication controller. The wireless linking of the scanner devices promotes human safety by the absence of cords which could cause entanglement of an operator in mechanized conveying equipment. The communication controllers at each stage of the shipping process have the capability of transferring received and updated status information on the shipped articles to a central data station.
US07918393B2
A machine and methods for automatically opening a closed book, for example a passport, to a desired page for subsequent processing on the page. The book is inserted into the machine in a closed configuration. The machine then opens the book to the appropriate page for subsequent processing either in the machine or in a separate processing machine. A pin is inserted between two adjacent sheets of the book to define a first book portion and a second book portion, and the pin is used to assist in moving the first book portion away from the second book portion to expose the desired page for subsequent processing.
US07918391B2
A transaction product has an account identifier and includes a series of interconnected, hinged puzzle segments. The various hinged segments may be collectively manipulated to reveal a variety of surfaces, graphics, and indicia. The transaction card may include a number of three-dimensional segments (e.g., eight polyhedral segments) interconnected such that each segment is hingedly connected to two other segments via a hinge structure, wherein the hinge structures on any given cube are orthogonal to each other, resulting in a closed chain of transformations. The hinge structures may be formed via skin components (e.g., plastic, paper, or other laminate media) bonded directly to respective pairs of the three-dimensional segments. The account identifier is associated with the housing and links the transaction product to an account or record having a value configured to be used toward one or more of a purchase and a use of goods or services.
US07918390B2
A system for printing educational information on a print medium, the system comprising: a mobile phone telecommunications device which comprises: a printer module to print the educational material on the print medium, wherein the print medium is provided with first coded data in a first format on a first side of the print medium and second coded data in a second format on an opposing side of the print medium, the first and second coded data encoding first and second information respectively, the first and second information being indicative of a print media identifier of the print medium; and a sensor module to sense the print media identifier of the print medium.
US07918389B2
A system and method is provided for tracking unfinished ceramic structures moved by a conveyor system through manufacturing loops which preserves both identification and manufacturing information during manufacture, and in particular during mark-obliterating steps. The method includes loading the marked, unfinished ceramic structure at a selected position on the conveyor system; relaying the identification mark and the selected position of the unfinished ceramic structure on the conveyor system; conveying the unfinished ceramic structure through a mark-obliterating manufacturing step, and then identifying the ceramic structure relaying and processing information relating to its position on the conveyor system. The ceramic structure is then re-marked with a second mark after completing all mark-obliterating steps of manufacturing, such as firing and contouring. Both the first and second marks include the combination of a machine-readable and human-readable component, such as the combination of a two-dimensional bar code and an alpha-numeric code.
US07918388B2
A centrally tracked artificial currency is provided within the context of an enterprise. This currency serves as a unit of account, medium of exchange, and store of value in a corporate “attention economy.” Users (typically coworkers) in the enterprise are allotted a base number of currency units, which they can earn, exchange, and spend in a variety of ways to signal importance and “purchase” attention of others, or priority for other organization resources. In one aspect, senders of messages can specify an amount of currency to be associated with the message, so that recipients can see the specified amount before deciding whether to read the message. Once such a system is in use, it facilitates exchange of value based on user-created transactions regarding behavior, communication, resources, incentives, and priorities.
US07918384B2
A carton having a dispenser with a removable dispenser panel. The dispenser panel is configured to be easily removed and to allow access to containers in the carton.
US07918383B2
Methods and devices for placing a semiconductor wafer or other substrate in contact with solder are described. A wave soldering apparatus includes a solder bath, a nozzle for producing a solder wave, and a jig for orienting a substrate in a substantially vertical orientation and placing the substrate in contact with a cascading solder wave. In another wave soldering apparatus, a jig orients a semiconductor wafer in a substantially horizontal orientation in contact with the solder wave. Another soldering apparatus includes a tank comprising molten solder and a fixture configured to orient one or more semiconductor wafers in a substantially vertical orientation. Methods of placing semiconductor wafers or other substrates in contact with solder using the devices of the present invention are also disclosed.
US07918363B2
A resealable beverage container includes a main body having a cylindrical sidewall, a bottom wall, and a lid. The lid includes an opening formed through its thickness. The main body of the container defines an interior cavity for holding a beverage. A tubular member extends from a lower surface of the lid downwardly at least partially into the interior cavity of the main body. The tubular member has open opposite axial ends, and a plurality of slots formed through its thickness axially along its length. The tubular member is aligned with the lid opening and defines a bore so that fluid may flow from the interior cavity through the bore and out the lid opening. The tubular member is interiorly threaded. A sealing cap is threadingly received by, and removable from, the bore of the tubular member to seal and unseal the lid of the beverage container.
US07918359B2
An opening device of plastics material, which is suitable for closing and re-closing of a metal can end, for example. The opening device has two distinct parts: a base plate and a tab, which are joined together by an integral rivet. The opening device is used to close an aperture in the metal panel of a can end by fitting the base plate to the underside of the panel and connecting this to the tab on the top of the panel. A sliding action by pulling or retaining the tab actuates movement of the base plate for opening and reclosing of the closure panel.
US07918357B2
A media storage container has a latch that is movable between latched, unlatched, and storage positions. The latch is disposed inside the outer periphery of the container when the latch is in the storage position. A method of using the container includes the steps of moving the latch to the storage position for shipping the container and moving the latch from the storage position to the open position while the container is loaded with media.
US07918354B2
The invention is a container lifter which is able to lift two 40 foot containers at a time. It includes two sets of the crane main lifting mechanisms with the wire rope winding systems being separate. Pulleys arranged at the crane upper frame cooperate with two lifting pulley groups arranged on the carrier. The first crane lifting mechanism and the second crane lifting mechanism are equipped with a barrel, a crane lifting mechanism motor, a brake and a crane lifting reduction gear box respectively The two sets of the crane lifting mechanisms are synchronously operated. By using the container lifter of the invention, the efficiency of the load and unload is increased, high repayment is obtained with less increasing the equipment cost, the larger beneficial result is occurred, also it has the wider applicable prospect.
US07918348B2
In a filter device and in a method for the periodic cleaning of a filter of a water treatment or sewage treatment plant, a rotating filter is arranged within its own separate filter chamber, the bottom of which is designed as following a contour of the rotating filter. The provision of an own separate filter chamber makes it possible for the rotating filter to be cleaned, without other parts of a filtering installation having to be taken out of operation, and without the rotating filter having to be dismantled and removed from the filter chamber. Therefore no lifting cranes or separate cleaning basins are necessary.
US07918344B2
Disclosed is a method for removing unburned carbon from fly ash at low cost and within a short time. The method comprises the steps of adding a collecting agent to fly ash directly, agitating/mixing the mixture in a mixer (5), adding water to the resulting mixed material in a mixing vessel (7) to yield a slurry, applying a shearing force to the slurry in a submerged stirrer (9), and performing flotation separation of unburned carbon in a flotator (15).
US07918334B2
A method and device for manufacturing a viscous or semisolid product. The device includes a versatile product holding tray for manufacturing or forming the product. This tray is a polygonal member that includes a top surface for receiving the liquid or semisolid product, and a plurality of sides wherein at least one side includes a registration recess that is configured and dimensioned to receive at least a portion of a retaining bar of an endless conveyor to facilitate positioning of the tray upon the conveyor so that the retaining bar advances the tray during manufacture of the product. The device also includes an endless conveyor that includes a plurality of spaced tray retainer bars thereon for holding and advancing the tray to one or more product forming stations for forming the product on the trays.
US07918333B1
A plurality of modules of sufficiently light weight (<80 lbs) are assembled end-to-end to construct an assembly machine for performing desired operations on a series of workpieces. A supporting spine underlies the interconnected modules and supports them and associated equipment in the desired array. The modular construction permits the assembly machine to be reconfigured as needed should operational alterations require it, including, but not limited to, the cannibalization of the machine with the modules being usable in constructing a machine having entirely different characteristics.
US07918329B2
Provided is a low-cost electrostatic attraction transfer apparatus which can perform high-speed transfer, stabilizes a contact status of an electrostatic attraction board with a film and the like and does not generate fine defects on an object to be transferred.
US07918327B2
An apparatus is disclosed for receiving successive bars moving longitudinally along an entry path and for laterally transferring the bars from the entry path to a braking path. The apparatus comprises a run in table having a plurality of rollers arranged to convey the bars along the entry path. A braking surface is arranged between the run in table and the braking path. The braking surface and the rollers of the run in table lie in a reference plane sloping downwardly from the entry path to the braking path. A dividing wall is arranged between the run in table and the braking surface. The dividing wall is adjustable between a raised position projecting above the reference plane to block lateral downward movement of bars from the entry path across the braking surface to the braking path, and a lowered position accommodating such downward movement. A switch is positioned in advance of the dividing wall. The switch has a plurality of guide channels arranged around a common axis. The switch is positioned to successively align individual guide channels with the entry path to thereby direct bars passing therethrough along the entry path while the dividing wall is in its raised position, and is rotatable about its axis to successively realign the individual guide channels with the braking path to thereby direct bars passing therethrough to and along the braking path when the dividing wall is in its lowered position.
US07918326B2
A driving and/or reversing system includes a driving and/or reversing element and a chain having a plurality of first and second chain pins connected by chain plates. The driving and/or reversing element has first and second pitch circles. First and second chain pins are alternately correspondingly engaged with the first and second pitch circles.
US07918318B2
A method for modernization of an elevator installation with several elevators in a building, wherein at least one floor terminal for input of a floor call is provided on at least one floor of the building, which floor terminal is, for communication of an input floor call, connected with a group control, and at least one elevator is controlled in drive in accordance with the communicated floor call by the group control, includes connecting at least one call detecting unit, for communication of an input floor call, with the group control. At least one new floor terminal is, for input of a floor call, mounted on at least one floor and the new floor terminal is, for communication of an input floor call, connected with the call detecting unit.
US07918314B2
A hoisting system for high-rise buildings which incorporates upright rails mounted on outer walls of the building, a lifting block for each rail. A truss section attached to two lifting blocks to form a loading platform for people or hardware. Doors and windows provide access from the building to the platform, which may be enclosed. The rails are secured on metallic trusses mounted in upright position inside the building structure. The metallic truss can have stairs or elevators for transporting people. The platform can be divided into compartments for holding trays. Guide rollers on the sides of the trays and drive wheels under the trays move the trays into and between the compartments. In this manner cars may be parked in limited space by being lifted to a floor and moved to an open compartment. The platform can be used for emergency evacuation, for construction, parking, or fire fighting.
US07918309B1
Herein taught is an apparatus for producing a continuous sonic boom that is simplified having few components. Namely, a motor, a rotating motor shaft, a rotor and a power source. The rotor is interconnected onto the rotating motor shaft, thus upon energizing, the motor rotates the rotor faster than the speed of sound resulting in production of a continuous sonic boom. Also, the rotor includes various configurations and the tips thereof are variable in shape and size. Furthermore, the apparatus is contained within different types of support means and also we provide a deflective sonic wave focal point projection mechanism.
US07918307B2
The present invention provides an accelerated weight drop for use as a seismic energy source, a method for operating an accelerated weight drop for use as a seismic energy source, and a seismic survey system including the accelerated weight drop. The accelerated weight drop, among other elements, may include a striker positionable over a surface, a compressed gas spring configured to drive the striker toward the surface thus creating seismic waves within the surface, and a cushioning means positioned proximate the compressed gas spring for dissipating reflected energy. In this embodiment the striker is slidably coupled to the compressed gas spring.
US07918304B2
A steering arrangement for a work machine includes a frame, at least one caster wheel assembly carried by the frame, at least one turn assist cylinder, and a turn assist arrangement. Each turn assist cylinder is coupled between the frame and a corresponding caster wheel assembly. The turn assist arrangement includes a steering assembly, a steering assist valve and a transfer gear. The steering assembly includes an output gear which is positionable dependent upon an operator commanded degree of turn. The output gear has exterior teeth. The steering assist valve is configured to selectively operate at least one turn assist cylinder and thereby bias a corresponding caster wheel assembly during an operator commanded turn. The steering assist valve includes an input gear with exterior teeth. The transfer gear includes a first set of peripheral teeth enmeshed with the output gear and a second set of peripheral teeth enmeshed with the input gear. The transfer gear pivots about a common pivot point. The first set of peripheral teeth and the second set of peripheral teeth are each at a common radius from the common pivot point on opposite sides of the transfer gear.
US07918303B2
A mobile vehicle includes a moveable operator seat movable between a forward-use configuration and a rearward-use configuration, a left-side stabilizer, a right-side stabilizer, and a control system configured to control the movement of the left-side stabilizer and the right-side stabilizer based on whether the operator seat is in the forward-use configuration or the rearward-use configuration.
US07918299B2
A rear suspension of a snow vehicle is provided with a slide rail which guides a track belt. The slide rail is made of metal and formed by extrusion. A bent portion is provided on an end of the slide rail to extend to a tip end thereof with a position toward the end being a starting point of bending. A projection, to which one end side of a torque arm supporting a vehicle body is connected, is arranged toward the end of the slide rail so as to project upwards. The projection includes a bracket provided separately from the slide rail and the starting point of bending is positioned in a length range of the projection.
US07918297B2
A motor vehicle chassis and a water-cooled internal combustion engine attached thereto has a cooling system comprising coolant-conducting pipes least one radiator element, and a coolant pump produces forced flow in the cooling circuit. A portion of the cooling pipe system as a distributor pipe module is attached to the vehicle's axle support.
US07918285B1
A hydraulic latching circuit is provided that allows a load-sense power source to be activated and deactivated depending on the SCV function. The load sense power source is activated when the wing cylinders are fully extended to maintain proper down force on the wings. It remains activated or latched when the SCV is returned to neutral. It is deactivated or unlatched when the wing cylinders are retracted. Two circuits have been devised to accomplish this latching function. Both of these latching circuits can be used with the sequencing circuit.
US07918281B2
The annular surface between the tubing and casing of an oil or gas well as well as flow conduits and vessels may be contacted with a foamed treatment composition containing a gas, a foaming agent and a treatment agent. The treatment agent may be an inhibitor or removal agent for scales, corrosion, salts, paraffins or asphaltenes. The foam, upon destabilization, renders a thin film of concentrated treatment agent on the external surfaces of the tubing, inside the casing and in the perforations of the oil or gas well or on the flow conduits or vessels.
US07918277B2
An increase in effective propped lengths is evidenced in hydraulic fracturing treatments by the use of ultra lightweight (ULW) proppants. The ULW proppants have a density less than or equal to 2.45 g/cc and may be used as a mixture in a first proppant stage wherein at least one of the proppants is a ULW proppant. Alternatively, sequential proppant stages may be introduced into the formation wherein at least one of the proppant stages contain a ULW proppant and where at least one of the following conditions prevails: (i.) the density differential between the first proppant stage and the second proppant stage is greater than or equal to 0.2 g/cc; (ii.) both the first proppant stage and the second proppant stage contain a ULW proppant; (iii.) the rate of injection of the second proppant stage into the fracture is different from the rate of injection of the first proppant stage; or (iv.) the particle size of the second proppant stage is different from the particle size of the first proppant stage.
US07918276B2
A technique is provided for forming a gravel pack at a well zone. A completion assembly is positioned in a wellbore and cooperates with a service tool engaging the completion assembly. The completion assembly comprises a completion assembly central bore. A return is located radially outward of the central bore at a specific well zone or zones and comprises a flow path for returning a carrier fluid. The location of the return allows flow of the returning carrier fluid to remain outside of the completion assembly central bore at a specific well zone or zones.
US07918260B2
Adhesive labels are applied to a continuous strip by a unit fed with a first continuous strip of wrapping material advancing along a first path, and a second continuous strip of backing material presenting a succession of labels and advancing along a second path. The labels are detached singly from the second strip by a diverter blade placed along the second path and presenting a sharp edge over which the backing strip is routed through an acute angle to induce the separation of the labels. The unit comprises an aspirating first drum rotating substantially in contact with the edge of the diverter blade at an angular velocity greater than the linear velocity of the second strip, so as to increase the distance between successive transferred labels, and a second drum around which the first strip is looped in such a way that it can be offered to the first drum; the first and second drums rotate tangentially one to another and at the same angular velocity through a point of mutual tangency coinciding with the point at which the labels are transferred from the first drum to the first continuous strip.
US07918255B2
A run flat device for use in a wheel assembly comprises a wheel rim made of a plurality of blocks and a tire cover having beads mounted against flanges of the rim. The device includes an annular support structure for mounting around the rim to support the cover, the structure subdivided in at least two ring sectors to form the structure by juxtaposition in the circumferential direction thereof, and means for locking the beads against the flanges to connect the ring sectors to the beads. Each ring sector comprises at least two rigid support elements superposed in the radial direction of the structure and separated in pairs by respective rubber-based resilient layers, the layers adapted to shear based on a lateral force applied to the structure to enable the radially outer support element to be displaced axially relative to the radially inner support element.
US07918251B2
A carrier comprises an enclosure, a cabinet and at least one substrate holder. The enclosure comprises a door. The cabinet is coupled to the carrier. The cabinet comprises at least one valve and contains at least one reduction fluid. The substrate holder is disposed within the enclosure to support at least one substrate.
US07918250B2
An apparatus and method for the recovery of propane vapors during propane cylinder refueling. The apparatus includes a separate recovery cylinder adapted to receive vapors that may be created during the refilling of propane cylinders. The recovered vapors may be used in the refilling of other cylinders during a subsequent refilling operation.
US07918236B2
A portable sun and weather shelter is provided. The shelter comprises an umbrella foldable between open and closed positions. The umbrella has a center post, a canopy, and a frame to fold the canopy up and down. A pair of wings are attached to the perimeter edge of the canopy and can be extended outwardly beyond the canopy.
US07918229B2
A method, means, and apparatus to prevent and treat infections and disorders using germicidal light to inactivate and/or kill the organisms or cells that cause infections and other disorders. The method of treatment comprises irradiating the area to be treated using electromagnetic radiation of a germicidal nature. The method utilizes a previously unrecognized ability of germicidal light to penetrate the skin, nails, and other membranes sufficiently to successfully treat and prevent disorders. The electromagnetic radiation damages the organisms and cells that cause disorders such as skin and nail infections and renders them substantially incapable of reproducing. Without the ability to replicate the organism cannot continue to infest the skin and nails. The damage inflicted can also be sufficient to kill the organism outright. An infection is thereby prevented (if organisms are present, but infection has not yet begun), and the infection is cured if the infection already exists.
US07918227B1
An improved endotracheal tube is provided which is adapted to optimally and safely accommodate the nasopharyngeal airway during nasopharyngeal intubation. The endotracheal tube includes a body having a nasopharyngeal section adapted to sealably enclose and contain a spirally-wound coil longitudinally therealong. The nasopharyngeal section integrally transposes into a rigid section which extends longitudinally from the nasopharyngeal section and terminates at a lower end of endotracheal tube. The nasopharyngeal section with incorporated spirally-wound coil allows for multiple positioning of nasopharyngeal section about a face of a patient, thereby minimizing pressure sores, abrasions, and ulcerations, and further allows for quick, easy, and efficient surgical access to the nasopharyngeal airway without requiring removal of the endotracheal tube.
US07918223B2
A system and a method for circuit compliance compensated pressure control in a patient respiratory ventilation system, having a pressure regulated feedback servo control loop, a pressure-regulated volume controller, and a patient volume observer. The patient volume observer is operative to estimate a patient volume, that is, the volume actually delivered to the patient by accounting for volume deviation or loss caused by patient circuit leakage and valve dynamics. Based on the difference between the estimated patient volume and a set tidal volume, the pressure-regulated volume controller is operative to generate and update a circuit compliance pressure compensation factor. The pressure regulated feedback servo control loop is operative to modulate the peak airway pressure based on the circuit compliance pressure compensation factor, so as to achieve the set tidal volume while maintaining a constant inspiratory time and a constant I:E ratio.
US07918214B2
A system and method for storing and purging fuel vapors for an internal combustion engine comprising a compressor is presented. The system allows the canister to be purged even while the engine is operated at high engine load.
US07918192B1
A multi-purpose utility vest for a pet incorporates a body portion, and a pocket assembly carried by the body portion. The pocket assembly includes overlying outside and inside pocket layers. The outside and inside pocket layers are formed together along a dividing line to define first and second isolated utility compartments having respective first and second access openings for receiving and storing articles therein. A bag-dispensing grommet is attached to the outside pocket layer, and defines a small hole communicating with the first utility compartment for dispensing disposable plastic bags stored in the first utility compartment.
US07918188B1
A cage for housing an animal includes a top wall, bottom, first and second sidewalls, a front wall and a rear wall. A door is disposed in at least one of the walls and is hinged for movement between an open and closed position. The door is mounted in a wall having a doorway. The door includes a plurality of loops on each side of the door. The wall includes a plurality of loops along each side of the doorway. The door loops are positionable adjacent the wall loops when the door is disposed within the doorway to form mating hinge structures. A hinge pin is selectively insertable into either of the door loops on one edge of the door together with the corresponding loops on the wall, to thereby hingedly mount the door to the wall for door swinging movement in either a first direction or a second direction with respect to the wall.
US07918186B2
Disclosed herein are exemplary embodiments of various grass-growing devices. In one nonlimiting embodiment, for example, a device for growing grass in a container that provides water to a household pet is disclosed. The device includes a basket that is configured for insertion into the container. The basket comprises one or more apertures that allow for fluid movement through the basket. The device further includes a seed-holding unit. The seed-holding unit of this embodiment comprises a housing in which one or more grass seeds can be placed.
US07918185B2
Methods and systems are provided for monitoring a herd of animals. Each of multiple sensors are attached to one of the animals and is in peer-to-peer communication with another of the sensors to define a dynamically network arrangement of sensors. A base station is in communication with at least one of the sensors to access the networked arrangement of sensors. A central system is in communication with the base station and has instructions to monitor a position of the herd with data collected by the sensors.
US07918184B2
A bird feeder generally in the form of hopper feeder (10) that is coupled with water reservoir (40). The hopper feeder (10) generally includes pole mount (12), hanger (14), seed silo (16), which is seated on platform (18), perches (19), roof (20), and lid (22). Silo (16) receives and holds bird seed, which is dispensed to the birds by way of feeding stations, such as feeding stations (24). Birds may alight on platform (18) adjacent to feeding stations (24) to feed on perches (19). Hopper (10) further provides drinking water to visiting birds, which is dispensed by water reservoir (40).
US07918177B2
A boat docking unit for small boats secures a boat to a dock structure without use of ropes, anchors or fenders. The unit has a pair of docking arms each having an elongated tubular housing, a telescoping member capable of telescoping movement within the housing. A pair of compression springs mounted in the housing in contact with the telescoping member dampens the wave force so as to restrict yaw of the boat docked at the pier. The docking arms pivotally secure the boat to the dock structure allowing a limited pitch motion of the boat.
US07918174B2
An anti-sloshing moon pool structure is disclosed. The anti-sloshing moon pool structure of the present invention includes moon pool plates (112, 114 and 116), which are provided on a bow-side wall (401), a stern-side wall (403) and opposite sidewalls (405) of a moon pool (100), and a moon pool bottom block (130), which is provided on a bow-side lower edge (407) of the moon pool (100). The moon pool plates and the moon pool bottom block have protruding lengths within which they do not interfere with a maximum working area. Upper steps (112a, 112b, 114a, 114b, 116a, 116a-1, 116b and 116b-1) of the moon pool plates are disposed such that, when a ship is in a working position, they are lower than the free surface of the seawater, and lower steps (112c, 112d, 116c and 116d) of the moon pool plates are disposed such that, when the ship runs, they are lower than the free surface of the seawater.
US07918163B2
The resent invention relates to a method for producing propellant charges with progressive combustion characteristic and a higher charge density than previously considered possible to achieve, intended in the first instance for direct-firing barrel weapons such as tank cannons. Combined in the charge that is characteristic of the invention are at least two radially perforated propellant tubes (10-12, 28-30, 48-52) which are arranged in their entirety inside or after one another, which process, at an e-dimension selected in relation to the actual type of propellant and its desired combustion characteristic, combustion or ignition channels (2, 19-21, 37), and which have circular outer and inner boundary surfaces, in conjunction with which, before initiation of the charge, at least one of the total number of outer surfaces of these propellant tubes that are available for initiation has been treated with an inhibition, surface treatment or surface coating (13-18, 33-36) intended to delay the propagation of ignition to that surface, so that the combustion of the propellant tubes is partially mutually overlapping and taken together, gives rise to a maximum propellant gas pressure behind a projectile fired with the charge from the barrel in question, which pressure, for the entire passage of the projectile through the barrel, lies close to the applicable Pmop value for the barrel (the maximum operational pressure, i.e. the highest barrel pressure that can be permitted continuously).
US07918162B2
An apparatus for transporting sheets to or in a sheet-processing machine includes a gripper device having at least one gripper with a gripper housing and a gripper pad. The gripper is actuatable by a pivoting movement of a gripper shaft. The gripper housing and the gripper pad are pivotably disposed on the gripper shaft and are jointly pivotable about an axis of the gripper shaft under a prescribed periphery.
US07918161B2
A printing unit for printing a web of paper is provided. The printing unit includes a frame and an upper printing group and a lower printing group. The printing unit has at least one throw-on configuration and a blanket-changing throw-off configuration. The blanket cylinders are capable of each receiving at least one tubular blanket. The frame has, in at least one lateral wall, at least one opening to allow the passage of the tubular blankets. In the blanket-changing throw-off configuration, the blanket cylinder of the upper printing group has been moved upwards relative to the position which it occupies in the throw-on configuration and the blanket cylinder of the lower printing group has been moved downwards relative to the position which it occupies in the throw-on configuration, so that an adequate space is provided between the blanket cylinders to allow a web of paper printed by another printing unit to pass between them.
US07918158B2
A baler comprises a baling chamber and a sensor arrangement. The sensor arrangement comprises at least one sensor arranged to provide information about a mechanical property of a bale built in the baling chamber and a control unit receiving signals from the sensor. The control unit is operable to automatically calibrate the signals from the sensor based upon at least one signal from the sensor received in at least one known state of the sensor.
US07918156B2
The invention presents a cold beverage dispenser which uses a heat exchanger to cool incoming water with a very cold closed loop of chilled coolant. Under control of a control system, the cooled water from the heat exchanger is mixed with uncooled in put water to regulate its temperature, then (if desired) carbonated. The regulated temperature water, optionally carbonated, is mixed with a liquid concentrate and dispensed at one or more dispensing stations. Preferably, the temperature, carbonation and strength of the dispensed beverage is controllable by the consumer.
US07918149B1
A machine slide tool assembly and a drive mechanism that includes a slide plate slideably mounted on guide members connected between opposed end supports and which slide plate is reciprocally driven by a drive assembly. The drive assembly includes a piston and cylinder arrangement disposed between the opposed end supports wherein a piston is displaceable within the cylinder by fluid pressure alternatively acting on the opposed ends of the piston, and which piston includes a gear wheel rotatably journaled thereto which is disposed in meshing relationship with a gear rack connected to the slide plate whereby the reciprocating motion of the piston is transmitted to the slide plate for enhancing the linear displacement of the slide plate relative to the linear displacement of the piston within its cylinder.
US07918147B2
A removal device for removing an internal seal from a pour top spout, which includes a body having a curved central portion disposed between a first end portion and a second end portion that forms an included angle of less then one hundred and eighty degrees therebetween. At least a portion of the body has a cross section substantially formed in a shape of a closed plane curve and the outer surface of the body is dimensioned to fit within the opening of the ring of the internal seal of the pour top spout along the entire length of the body.
US07918140B2
The present invention relates to a stress sensor to be combined with an assembled object of an input unit of an electronic device. The stress sensor includes a circuit substrate and a pointing operation element disposed on a surface of the circuit substrate. The circuit substrate is combined with an assembled object of an input unit by a connecting mechanism such that the circuit substrate is directly attached onto a surface of the assembled object. As a result, the overall height of the stress sensor and the assembled object is reduced in comparison with the prior art.
US07918125B2
Methods of detecting the discharge and uptake rates of ophthalmic lenses containing pharmaceutical agents are disclosed herein.
US07918118B2
A method of using an electromagnetic forming machine to hem a panel assembly includes providing an inner panel and an outer panel. The outer panel has a plurality of flanges and a plurality of relief areas. An electric forming machine is provided having a coil for discharging electric energy to generate a magnetic field. The inner panel is positioned such that portions of the outer edge of the inner panel are aligned with the flanges of the outer panel to form a loose assembly of panels. The loose assembly of panels is positioned proximate the electromagnetic forming machine such that the coil surrounds the flanges and is disposed substantially coplanar with a plane formed by the relief areas. The electromagnetic forming machine is activated to generate a magnetic field causing the flanges to bend over.
US07918114B2
An actuator assembly is for a lock including a handle, a latch, a retractor for retracting the latch when the handle rotates, and a lock member displaceable between locked and unlocked positions, which either releasably couples the handle with the retractor or releasably prevents handle rotation. The actuator includes a motor having a shaft rotatable about an axis and a coupler spring disposed about the axis and having a first end coupled with the lock member and a second end. A drive member is coupled or integrally formed with the motor shaft and has a helical drive surface threadably engaged with the coupler spring second end, such that rotation of the shaft displaces the coupler spring along the axis to move the lock member between the locked and unlocked positions. Preferably, the drive member includes a spring coupled with the motor shaft and threadably engaged with the coupler spring.
US07918110B2
A machine for washing items of various kinds includes a washing tub for containing the washing liquor, and a reactor for generating heat for heating up the washing liquor and a stream of gaseous hydrogen supplying a fuel cell to generate a source of electric power. In the interior thereof, the reactor contains a mass of metals, which may include magnesium, and produces a stream of gaseous hydrogen. The machine further includes a source of water that is let into the reactor to trigger the reaction process producing the hydrogen, a fuel cell that receives the stream of hydrogen and converts it into electric power, an electric connection adapted to transfer the electric power generated by the fuel cell to a controller and an actuator include in the machine, and heat transferring device for transferring the heat generated by the reactor to the washing liquor. In the interior thereof, the reactor includes a first heat exchanger for transferring the heat being generated therein to the washing liquor contained in the washing tub of the machine.
US07918099B2
A single medium voltage starter box is mounted on a chiller unit with the other components of the chiller system. The starter box can be positioned on the chiller system unit to permit the starter box to be close coupled to the motor, and specifically to the main motor lead exit hub without the need for any power conduit connections between the starter box and the motor. In addition, the starter box also does not require any control interface and receives controls from a control panel. A short conduit connection between the control panel and the starter box is used to provide the necessary connections between the control panel and the starter box.
US07918097B2
An air conditioning system is able to decrease the amount of refrigerant between a first expansion device and an injection valve and thus adjust the pressure of an injected refrigerant by decreasing the opening degree of the first expansion device and maintaining the opening degree of a second expansion device upon opening of the injection valve, thereby making the system stable upon opening of the injection valve. Furthermore, upon starting up a compressor, the opening degrees of the first and second expansion devices are partly decreased based on the start-up of the compressor and then gradually opened again, and upon completion of the start-up of the compressor, the opening amounts of the first and second expansion devices and the injection valve are controlled, thereby making the cycle more stable.
US07918081B2
A gas turbine engine includes an engine casing concentrically disposed around the following: a low pressure compressor; a turbine; and a high pressure compressor having at least one bleed tube and at least one joint proximate to the engine casing; and at least one flame prevention device adapted to cover at least a portion of at least one gas turbine engine component.
US07918073B2
The present invention relates to an erectable and/or collapsible floral easel for holding a floral object, and more particularly but not by way of limitation, to an erectable or collapsible floral easel for holding a floral object. In one aspect, the present invention relates to a floral easel for holding and/or supporting a floral object. In yet another aspect, the present invention relates to methods of shipping a floral easel, methods of using a floral easel, methods of storing a floral easel, and methods of placing a floral object on a floral easel.
US07918066B1
The present invention provides a device and method to maintain the integrity of a vapor barrier for use with concrete slab on grade construction. In accordance with the present invention an apparatus to repair a punctured concrete slab vapor barrier includes a substantially planar concrete slab vapor barrier patch having a resealable aperture to receive a removable, substantially upright support. The patch is secured to the existing vapor barrier and the concrete is poured and substantially set. The support is removed and the malleable concrete flows, causing the engagement of the resealable aperture, thereby repairing the punctured vapor barrier.
US07918065B2
A fastening member which can fix with sufficient strength siding boards whose lateral joint portions are disposed in a portion where no vertical member is provided and prevent displacement in the vertical direction, is capable of ensuring a ventilation space without using furring strips and has excellent durability, and an external wall construction structure using the same are provided. A fastening member 1 has a long fixing plate portion 11 which is fixed to at least one vertical member 21. On the front surface of the long fixing plate portion 11, a first fastening portion 12 for supporting and engaging the upper end portion in the lateral joint portions 39 of a siding board 3 and the lower end portion of the siding board thereabove, a vertical rising portion 13 for preventing displacement disposed in the lateral joint portions below the first fastening portion 12, and a second fastening portion 14 for engaging the upper end portion of the siding board in the portion other than the lateral joint portions 39 and supporting and engaging the lower end portion are provided. Each fastening portion is provided with a ventilating spacer between itself and the long fixing plate portion 11, thereby ensuring a sufficient ventilation space.
US07918055B2
The present invention is related to spacers that can create fluid flow space at a variety of structural interfaces, particularly in building construction. The spacers of the present invention include unique hinges that can physically couple one panel of the spacer to another panel of the spacer in a manner that substantially distortionally separates the two panels. Preferred embodiments include a folded hinge having at least two folds. The spacers of the present invention also include unique panel dimples that help control the rigidity of the panel. In preferred embodiments, elongated dimples are used to help control rigidity.
US07918049B2
A design for improvements to the prior art of conventional A-frame fish capture devices which incorporates one or more flexible loop spring mechanism(s) and a multi-functional crossbeam splay limiting and hand grip apparatus, attached to an A-frame structure which enables collapsing the device into a nearly flat condition for storage and when deployed the loop-spring mechanism instantly splays out the crossbeams and pushes the mouth of the net into a deep trough enabling the angler single handed instant deployment and attitude control of the net to enable prompt landing which minimizes stress by rapidly cradling the fish during landing.
US07918046B2
A photo display device including a top portion, a bottom portion having an upper surface and a cuboid member extending upwardly from the upper surface, and a middle portion having a translucent material, an outer surface having an elliptical curvature, a cuboid inner chamber defined by an inner surface and adapted to receive the cuboid member therein, wherein the top portion, the middle portion, and the bottom portion are adapted to be assembled as the photo display device such that the top portion rests upon the middle portion and the middle portion rests upon the bottom portion, and wherein the photo display device is adapted to hold at least one substantially planar item between the cuboid member and the inner surface, and the middle portion is adapted to magnify the at least one substantially planar item when held between the cuboid member and the inner surface.
US07918045B2
A cushioned wristband includes a carrier having a multi-layered band portion and a strap sewn to the back of the band portion of the carrier. The band has a surface with loop material and the strap has a surface of hook material, the hook and loop surfaces being intended to secure the band in place as it is wrapped about a patient's appendage. The strap is appropriately sized to insert through one or both of two cinch slots of a self-laminating hang tag which may be printed with patient information and separated from a sheetlet or page sized business form processed through a printer for imaging of patient information thereon. The band portion of the carrier includes a cushioned layer of soft foamy or spongy material for contacting a patient's skin to thereby substantially eliminate any possibility for abrasion, rash, or other irritation or injury to the patient through wearing of the wristband.
US07918043B2
An aroma visual message carrier is shaped into a card device for carrying multisensory messages to deliver two interchangeable images with a scent releasing mechanism linked to the very act of image change by a recipient. The carrier comprises an image changing frame including a still image member with a first image printed on it and a sliding image member with a second image print partially interlaced with the still image member so that a manual sliding action of the still image member brings the two images interchangeably fade in and out laterally through each other. The still image member has a deposit of scent material formed rearward of its visual side, and the sliding image member has at least one rough surface area on its visual side directly facing the scent deposit of the still image member to scratch and release the scent material to ambiance for the recipient to smell and see a creation of multisensory messages of the images and scent on the spot and; a medium holder adapted to be folded rearward of the visual side of the still image member of the image changing frame. The medium holder has a planar pocket for storing an electronic medium, which may be accessed at a later time through an electronic player to present data supplementary to the multisensory messages.
US07918037B1
A tape measure endpiece is disclosed that can hook the measuring blade onto the edge of an object to be measured. The hooking member of the endpiece is positioned to avoid impacting the performance of the measuring blade when not using the hooking member to make measurements (e.g., when making different types of measurements and when stored). In one embodiment, the endpiece comprises a tab extending below the plane of the measuring blade, an arm extending from the tab beyond the edge of the measuring blade, and a hooking member extending from the end of the arm. In other embodiments, the endpiece further comprises a support that extends above the plane of the measuring blade, with the arm extending from the support and supporting the hooking member. In some embodiments, the arm and hooking member are moveable to allow greater flexibility in making measurements.
US07918033B2
A coordinate measuring machine has a probe head, a calibrating body and an apparatus for recording and correcting measured values obtained by the probe head. A mechanical flexibility at predetermined points on the surface of the calibrating body is determined. The mechanical flexibility is stored in the apparatus in the form of a data record. The calibrating body is scanned point by point by means of the probe head in order to obtain the measured values. Thereafter, the probe head is calibrated by correcting the measured values using the data record. A similar approach can also be used on workpieces having a known mechanical flexibility.
US07918029B2
An attachment comb for a hair clipper includes a base portion constructed and arranged for releasably engaging the hair clipper, and a plurality of teeth extending from the base portion, each of the teeth including a body portion defined between an upper peripheral edge and a lower peripheral edge, a proximal end adjacent the base portion and a distal end opposite thereof, wherein the body portion includes at least one formation for retaining hair.
US07918019B2
A method for fabricating thin DITO or SITO touch sensor panels with a thickness less than a minimum thickness tolerance of existing manufacturing equipment. In one embodiment, a sandwich of two thin glass sheets is formed such that the combined thickness of the glass sheets does not drop below the minimum thickness tolerance of existing manufacturing equipment when thin film process is performed on the surfaces of the sandwich during fabrication. The sandwich may eventually be separated to form two thin SITO/DITO panels. In another embodiment, the fabrication process involves laminating two patterned thick substrates, each having at least the minimum thickness tolerance of existing manufacturing equipment. One or both of the sides of the laminated substrates are then thinned so that when the substrates are separated, each is a thin DITO/SITO panel having a thickness less than the minimum thickness tolerance of existing manufacturing equipment.
US07918013B1
A system and method for the production level screening of low flying magnetic heads in the manufacture of disk drive head disk assemblies (HDAs) is disclosed. A test disk is provided and has a plurality of bumps extending from at least one surface thereof to a predetermined height between 2 and 12 nanometers. The test disk is rotated to fly a head of a head gimbal assembly selected from the group adjacent the surface of the test disk. An interaction of the head with one or more of the plurality of bumps may be sensed and the head gimbal assembly may be screened out from the group in response to the sensing of the interaction.
US07918011B2
A radiopaque nitinol medical device such as a stent for use with or implantation in a body lumen is disclosed. The stent is made from a superelastic alloy such as nickel-titanium or nitinol, and includes a ternary element selected from the group of chemical elements consisting of iridium, platinum, gold, rhenium, tungsten, palladium, rhodium, tantalum, silver, ruthenium, or hafnium. The added ternary element improves the radiopacity of the nitinol stent comparable to that of a stainless steel stent of the same and strut pattern coated with a thin layer of gold. The nitinol stent has improved radioplacity yet retains its superelastic and shape memory behavior and further maintains a thin strut/wall thickness for high flexibility.
US07918008B2
A technique of easy manufacture of a column and a bed of a machine tool in a short time is provided by having an assembly structure of sheet metal members. A column body of the machine tool is constituted by combining a front member with a rear member 130 and mounting a side cover. Its inside is reinforced by a plurality of ribs 150, 160. Each of the members is made by precision laser machining of sheet plate materials. The column body is assembled by inserting projection portions provided on one member into slits formed on the other member.
US07918000B2
A clip for holding an object, such as a literature booklet, comprises first (23) and second (25) resilient parts, the first part adapted to hold an object having a first thickness and the second part adapted to hold an object having a second thickness, the first thickness being greater than the second thickness. Consequently, the clip can hold a range of thickness of literature booklets or other objects. The clip may be part of an article, such as a container for compact discs or DVD's.
US07917999B2
In an apparatus at a carding machine for cotton, synthetic fibers and the like, wherein at least one card flat having a card flat clothing is present, the card flat clothing is attached to the card flat, and the clothing is located opposite a roller, for example the cylinder, and an attaching means is present between the card flat and the card flat clothing. In order to make possible, in simple manner, a dimensionally stable clothed card flat and simpler and faster re-clothing (clothing replacement), at least one hook-and-loop closure is present between the card flat and those regions of the card flat clothing which face the card flat.
US07917987B2
The present invention discloses an air-injection type tool for scrubbing off the dirt on a body including: an air-retaining body 2 formed of an elastic material expandable in an air-injection manner, the air-retaining body 2 having a scrubbing towel 40 encompassed on the external surface thereof; a disc-like support body 4 disposed at the inside of the air-retaining body 2 and having a cylindrical coupling protrusion 6 formed at the top central portion thereof, the cylindrical coupling protrusion 6 having a piston A reciprocated therein such that the air generated by the reciprocating motion of the piston A is sent to the air-retaining body 2; and a cover body 12 adapted to be pressurized by a handle 18 screw-coupled with the coupling protrusion 6 of the support body 4 thus to come into close contact with the support body 4 such that the air-retaining body 2 is kept airtight.
US07917980B2
A mattress embodying a foam encasement surrounding individually wrapped coils and lacking a barrier separating upholstery layers from the coil assembly. Border material is affixed to sidewalls forming the foam encasement and the upholstery layer is tacked to a base of the foam encasement.
US07917974B2
A set of modular panels for providing water containment tanks and adjacent structures. The set comprises at least one panel, which is made at least partly of composite material which is substantially water-repellent and has any shape and size depending on design requirements, the perimetric walls of each panel being provided with watertight anchoring to the contiguous panels.
US07917973B2
An apparatus configured to lift and lower a seat assembly of a toilet includes a case that is configured to be mounted to the toilet using mounting bolts of the seat assembly. The case includes a passive infrared sensor (PIR) that outputs a detection signal in response to motion, a motor having a lever coupled to the shaft of the motor via a coupler, a direction control unit that applies a motor supply voltage to drive the shaft of the motor in one of a clockwise or counterclockwise direction in response to the detection signal, and a battery to provide power to the apparatus.
US07917972B1
An inflatable and adjustable shock absorption system including a shock absorption unit with interacting, force-dispersing dimple arrays and an intervening, reversibly inflatable air bladder.
US07917971B2
An energy absorbing and displacing structure for athletic protective equipment, such as an athletic shin-guard, is provided using a flexible web-shaped body to hold a rigid band-shaped member in place.The inner rigid band-shaped member follows the contour of the desired area to protect. The outer flexible web-shaped body is made of a softer rubber like material and works as a locator and supporter keeping the inner, rigid band-shaped member, in proper location.
