US07936711B2

The present invention relates to a system and method for extending the coverage area and communication capacity of a spread-spectrum based wireless network through the use of intelligent repeaters. The system comprises a wireless communication network augmented with low cost channel selective repeaters that is capable of repeating only desired signals, thereby suppressing undesirable interference and increasing network capacity. The repeaters can be integrated into an existing wireless network with minimal impact to the existing network layer topology or control structure.
US07936708B2

Device, system, and method of wireless network selection and handover. A multi-transceiver wireless device includes: at least first and second co-located wireless transceivers; one or more firmware modules to handle network selection of at least one of the first and second wireless transceivers based on one or more commands received from one or more drivers when the multi-transceiver wireless device is in full-power mode; and a manageability engine to handle network selection of at least one of the first and second wireless transceivers when the multi-transceiver wireless device is in reduced-power mode.
US07936706B2

A method of establishing wireless communications between an interrogator and individual ones of multiple wireless identification devices, the method comprising combining tree search and Aloha methods to establish communications between the interrogator and individual ones of the multiple wireless identification devices without collision. A system comprising an interrogator, and a plurality of wireless identification devices configured to communicate with the interrogator in a wireless fashion, the respective wireless identification devices having a unique identification number, the interrogator being configured to employ tree search and Aloha techniques to determine the unique identification numbers of the different wireless identification devices so as to be able to establish communications between the interrogator and individual ones of the multiple wireless identification devices without collision by multiple wireless identification devices attempting to respond to the interrogator at the same time.
US07936704B2

The invention concerns a method of configuring the topology of a communication network comprising a plurality of nodes (i,j, . . . , N), the communication network being organized as a forest structure comprising trees and subtrees, wherein at least one node i maintains a periodic timer and an expiration of the timer of the node i triggers the steps of: searching, by the node i, a parent node; selecting, by the node i, a parent node using at least throughput and subtree size as selection criteria; and migrating the node i to the selected size as selection criteria; and migrating the node i to the selected parent node along with its subtree size. Preferably, the step of selecting a parent node by the node i comprises a sub-step of executing a function having as parameters respective subtree sizes of a node j before and after the migration of the node i to another node k.
US07936693B2

A system, method and computer program product are disclosed for transmitting a datagram in a wireless multiplexing framework. A datagram destined to a destination in a network is received and a wireless connection is then selected from a set of wireless connections. The received datagram is then processed to associate an intermediary destination with the datagram. The datagram is subsequently transmitted to the associated intermediary destination via the selected wireless connection. From the associated intermediary destination, the datagram is then forwarded to the destination utilizing the network.
US07936692B1

A method of estimating end-to-end delay performance at an end-to-end delay percentile of interest for a network having two or more network segments includes measuring a delay performance level for each network segment at a corresponding network segment delay percentile and concatenating the measured performance levels by summing to provide an estimate value indicative of end-to-end delay performance. A network segment delay percentile may be selected for each network segment for a particular end-to-end delay percentile of interest, error band, and number of segments. Selection may result in using the same network segment delay percentile for all network segments, or, selecting individual network segment delay percentiles for each network segments, or selecting a first network segment delay percentile for a particular network segment having a largest range of delay relative to the other network segments and selecting a second network segment delay percentile for other segments.
US07936686B2

Once a gateway connected to access networks and a packet network has received a notification of a communication state relating a terminal, a gateway that publishes communication states of terminals transforms a current communication state of the terminal into an instant messaging communication state. The instant messaging communication state is then transferred to an instant messaging server so terminals can consult communication states of the terminal.
US07936685B2

An intelligent fast switch-over network active tap system enables active monitoring of a network segment connected between network devices. A fail-safe relay subsystem is coupled between a pair of network ports, enabling transmission of network communications signals through a passive cross-connect between the network ports or through an active bridge subsystem. The active bridge subsystem is capable of independently establishing network links with the network devices, and a separate network link with a monitoring device. A controller manages operation of the relay and active bridge subsystems, including switches between passive and active network transmission through the tap system and to determine and establish the active network links subject to symmetric network link parameters and state. Thereby, the network link status of the connected network devices is preserved on switch between active and passive transmission and correctly reflected in the presence of link and power failures.
US07936675B2

A bandwidth packing rate control technique includes altering bandwidth allocations of existing flows on a link depending on a current utilization of a current bandwidth allocation for a flow. A disclosed example decreases the bandwidth allocation for flows that are utilizing a current bandwidth allocation below a selected target utilization rate. Flows with higher utilization can receive increased bandwidth allocation, which provides increased throughput for such flows. One overall result of a disclosed example is increased utilization and increased throughput using existing bandwidth resources.
US07936669B2

Various embodiments of methods and systems for pausing and shaping data flow while supporting both parameterized and prioritized Quality of Service are disclosed. In some embodiments, a system for pausing and shaping data flow comprises an input buffer, a first pause controller coupled to the input buffer and an output buffer for flow control messages. Various embodiments also include a hop-1 buffer coupled to the input buffer and a hop-2 buffer comprising a plurality of queues coupled to the hop-1 buffer. Additionally, in some embodiments, a second pause controller is coupled to the queues. The second pause controller selects a queue or queues that will cause a pause to be generated based on a predetermined condition. A two-hop process controller controls the data packet flow from the input buffer to the hop-1 buffer and from the hop-1 buffer to the hop-2 queues based on packet classification.
US07936664B2

A method is provided for facilitating efficient usage of radio capacity in a radio communication system including a communication station operable to receive, over a plurality of subchannels of the radio communication system. In this regard, the packet-formatted data has an overall sequence, and is divided into a plurality of portions receivable by the communication station over respective subchannels, where each portion has a respective link sequence. The method includes detecting missing packet-formatted data at the communication station based upon the overall sequence or at least one of the link sequences. Then, when the missing packet-formatted data is detected based upon the overall sequence, a time period is timed, and when the communication station fails to receive the missing packet-formatted data before the step of timing times out, retransmission of the missing packet-formatted data is requested.
US07936658B2

The present invention provides a photodetector capable of generating highly accurate tracking and focusing error signals free of variations in light quantity caused by interference, in an optical pickup with a two-wavelength multilaser. The photodetector comprises first three light receiving areas arranged linearly to receive three light beams respectively resulting from splitting of a light beam emitted from a laser light source of a first wavelength and second three light receiving areas arranged linearly to receive three light beams respectively resulting from splitting of a light beam emitted from a laser light source of a second wavelength longer than the first wavelength. The distance between both-end light receiving areas out of the first three light receiving areas is longer than the distance between both-end light receiving areas out of the second three light receiving areas.
US07936643B2

The present thermally assisted magnetic head has: a plasmon antenna; an optical wave guide having the plasmon antenna installed at the tip thereof; a diffraction grating which is disposed in or on the optical wave guide; and a laser element which is disposed at a position to irradiate laser beams onto the diffraction grating, and is composed of a photonic crystal surface emitting semiconductor layer. A laser light intensity distribution on the diffraction grating has at least two intensity peaks in the width direction of the optical wave guide. The two-dimensional form of the laser light intensity distribution on the diffraction grating is a ring or two ellipses.
US07936637B2

One or more techniques are provided for the synchronization of asynchronous signals without the use of an external system clock. In one embodiment, an asynchronous synchronization device is provided and configured to synchronize one or more asynchronous signals to an internal clock signal provided by an internal clock generator. The internal clock generator may be enabled upon detecting inputs on the one or more asynchronous signals, and disabled once the one or more asynchronous inputs are synchronized with the internal clock signal. Thus, the internal clock signal is provided only for a duration required to synchronize the one or more asynchronous signals. Embodiments of the asynchronous synchronization device, as disclosed herein, may be implemented in a processor-based device and/or a memory device.
US07936632B2

A semiconductor device includes an internal circuit configured to receive a first power supply voltage applied via a first power input terminal through a first power supply path and receive an internal power supply voltage to perform a predetermined circuit operation and an internal power supply voltage generator configured to receive a second power supply voltage for a power circuit applied via a second power input terminal through a second power supply path and generate the internal power supply voltage, wherein the second power supply path is separated from the first power supply path.
US07936631B2

A very small magnetic tunnel junction is formed on a semiconductor p-i-n diode. Spin-polarized current which is generated by circular polarized light or elliptically-polarized light, is injected into a free layer of the magnetic tunnel junction so that magnetization direction (two opposite directions) in the free layer is changed based on the information, whereby information is stored in the memory element.
US07936629B2

Method and apparatus for reading data from a non-volatile memory cell, such as a modified STRAM cell. In some embodiments, at least a first and second memory cell are read for a plurality of resistance values that are used to select and store a voltage reference for each memory cell.
US07936621B2

A clock-generating circuit for forming internal clock signals by comparing a signal obtained by delaying, through a variable delay circuit, an input clock signal input through an external terminal with the input clock signal through a phase comparator circuit, and so controlling the delay time of the variable delay circuit that they are brought into agreement with each other, wherein the clock-generating circuit and an internal circuit to be operated by the clock signals formed thereby are formed on a common semiconductor substrate, and an element-forming region in which the clock-generating circuit is formed is electrically isolated from an element-forming region in which the digital circuit is constituted on the semiconductor substrate relying upon the element-isolation technology. The power-source passages, too, are formed independently of other digital circuits.
US07936620B2

A receiver of a semiconductor memory apparatus includes a first input transistor configured to be turned ON when an input signal is equal to or more than a predetermined level; a second input transistor configured to be turned ON when the input signal is equal to or less than the predetermined level; a first output node voltage control unit configured to increase a voltage level of an output node when the first input transistor is turned ON; a second output node voltage control unit configured to decrease the voltage level of the output node when the second input transistor is turned ON; a third input transistor configured to increase the voltage level of the output node when an inversion signal of the input signal is equal to or less than the predetermined voltage level; and a fourth input transistor configured to decrease the voltage level of the output node when the inversion signal of the input signal is equal to or more than the predetermined voltage level.
US07936618B2

The memory circuit comprises at least one memory element (T1), a sense amplifier (SA) for sensing a state of the memory element (T1), a switching device (T2) for selectively coupling the sense amplifier (SA) to the memory element (T1), The sense amplifier (SA) comprises a first module (M1) and a second module (M2). The first module (M1) provides a first current limited to a maximum value (Iref+Ibias). The second module (M2) provides a second current which decreases from a value higher than the maximum value at the start of a sensing operation until a value lower than the maximum value at the end of the sensing operation. The memory circuit has a third module (CS2) for sinking a third current (Ibias) at a side of the switching device (T2) coupled to the memory element (T1).
US07936617B2

Provided is a nonvolatile semiconductor memory device which can enhance a stable control of a voltage applied to a memory cell and has excellent capability of controlling a drain voltage. The nonvolatile semiconductor memory device includes: a plurality of memory cells; a write buffer receiving data to be written to the plurality of memory cells; a count circuit searching data input to the write buffer and determining bit number of data to be simultaneously programmed to the plurality of memory cells; a write circuit supplying a write voltage to the plurality of memory cells according to the data; and a voltage regulator supplying a control voltage (Vpb) to the write circuit, wherein the voltage regulator includes a controller Counting write bit number and supplying the control voltage (Vpb) according to the counted write bit number.
US07936616B2

A semiconductor memory device includes a reference voltage generator for generating a plurality of reference voltages each having different voltage levels in response to a self refresh enable control signal, and a voltage comparator for generating a result signal that controls a self refresh operation cycle by comparing each of the plurality of reference voltages with a temperature information voltage that represents an internal temperature of an integrated circuit.
US07936613B2

A charge driving circuit and a discharge driving circuit occupy a relatively small area and maintain driving force in a semiconductor memory device having a plurality of banks. The semiconductor memory device includes multiple banks, a common discharge level detector configured to detect a voltage level of internal voltage terminals on the basis of a first target level in response to active signals corresponding to the respective banks, and a discharge drivers assigned to the respective banks. The discharge drivers are configured to drive the internal voltage terminals to be discharged in response to the respective active signals and respective discharge control signals outputted from the common discharge level detector.
US07936611B2

A memory transistor including a substrate, a tunnel insulating pattern on the substrate, a charge storage pattern on the tunnel insulating pattern, a blocking insulating pattern on the charge storage pattern, and a gate electrode on the blocking insulating pattern, the blocking insulating pattern surrounding the gate electrode and methods of operating and fabricating the same. A nonvolatile memory may further include a plurality of memory transistors in series and a plurality of auxiliary structures between each of the plurality of unit transistors in series. Each of the plurality of auxiliary structures may be a dummy mask pattern or an assistant gate structure.
US07936608B2

Non-volatile memory devices utilizing a modified NAND architecture where ends of the NAND string of memory cells are selectively coupled to different bit lines may facilitate increased memory densities, reduced fabrication steps and faster read operations when compared to traditional NAND memory array architectures. Programming and erasing of the memory cells can be accomplished in the same manner as a traditional NAND memory array. However, reading of the memory cells may be accomplished using charge sharing techniques similar to read operations in a DRAM device or by using one bit line as a ground node for sensing current flow through the strings. The use of bit lines for virtual grounding is further suitable to other array architectures.
US07936602B2

Methods and circuitry are present for improving performance in non-volatile memory devices by allowing the inter-phase pipelining of operations with the same memory, allowing, for example, a read operation to be interleaved between the pulse and verify phases of a write operation. In the exemplary embodiment, the two operations share data latches. In specific examples, at the data latches needed for verification in a multi-level write operation free up, they can be used to store data read from another location during a read performed between steps in the multi-level write. In the exemplary embodiment, the multi-level write need only pause, execute the read, and resume the write at the point where it paused.
US07936597B2

The present invention includes a memory configured to store data having a pinned layer and a plurality of stacked memory locations. Each memory location includes a nonmagnetic layer and a switchable magnetic layer. The plurality of stacked memory locations are capable of storing a plurality of data bits.
US07936595B2

Each layer in the magnetic multilayer film is a closed ring or oval ring and the magnetic moment or flux of the ferromagnetic film in the magnetic unit is in close state either clockwise or counterclockwise. A metal core is put in the geometry center position in the close-shaped magnetic multilayer film. The cross section of the metal core is a corresponding circular or oval. A MRAM is made of the closed magnetic multilayer film with or without a metal core. The close-shaped magnetic multilayer film is formed by micro process method. The close-shaped magnetic multilayer film can be used broadly in a great variety of device that uses a magnetic multilayer film as the core, such as MRAM, magnetic bead in computer, magnetic sensitive sensor, magnetic logic device and spin transistor.
US07936592B2

A method and apparatus for writing data to a non-volatile memory cell, such as a spin-torque transfer random access memory (STRAM) memory cell. In some embodiments, a selected resistive state is written to a magnetic tunneling structure by applying a succession of indeterminate write pulses thereto until the selected resistive state is verified.
US07936587B2

A data read/write device according to an example of the present invention includes a recording layer, and means for applying a voltage to the recording layer, generating a resistance change in the recording layer, and recording data. The recording layer is composed of a composite compound having at least two types of cation elements, at least one type of the cation element is a transition element having a “d” orbit in which electrons have been incompletely filled, and the shortest distance between the adjacent cation elements is 0.32 nm or less.
US07936584B2

A read current high enough to threshold a phase change memory element may be used to read the element without thresholding the memory element. The higher current may improve performance in some cases. The memory element does not threshold because the element is read and the current stopped prior to triggering the memory element.
US07936567B2

A method for manufacturing a wiring board with built-in component. The method provides a secure connection between a component and interlayer insulating layers so that the wiring board with built-in component has excellent reliability. The wiring board is manufactured through a core board preparation step, a component preparation step, an accommodation step and a height alignment step. In the core board preparation step, a core board having an accommodation hole therein is prepared. In the component preparation step, a ceramic capacitor having therein a plurality of protruding conductors which protrudes from a capacitor rear surface is prepared. In the accommodation step, the ceramic capacitor is accommodated in the accommodation hole with the core rear surface facing the same side as the capacitor rear surface. In the height alignment step, a surface of a top portion of the protruding conductor and a surface of a conductor layer formed on the core rear surface are aligned to the same height.
US07936566B2

An electronic control unit has a respiratory filter mounted on a waterproof case. Raised protective walls formed in the case surround the portion of the case at which the respiratory filter is arranged. At least two concave portions are provided for drainage that each extend through different positions of the protective walls.
US07936565B2

According to one embodiment, an electronic apparatus includes a housing, a circuit board accommodated in the hosing and including a first surface and a second surface located on an opposite side to the first surface, a flexible printed wiring board having an elasticity, electrically connected to the circuit board and provided from the first surface of the circuit board over to the second surface, and a pressing portion formed from a part of the flexible printed wiring board as it is bent, and pressing the flexible printed wiring board towards the first surface as it is brought into contact with the inner surface of the housing, which opposes the first surface of the circuit board.
US07936561B1

A light-emitting diode (LED) heat dissipation aluminum bar and electricity conduction device includes a heat dissipation aluminum bar having a structure formed of multiple sections each having multiple heat dissipation fins. The heat dissipation aluminum bar forms a LED circuit board receiving slot and power channels and each power channel receives therein an insulation that encloses an electrically conductive bars. When an LED circuit board is received and secured in the LED circuit board receiving slot by fasteners, the fasteners, which are made electrically conductive, penetrate the insulations to contact the electrically conductive bars so as to supply electricity to the LED circuit board at the same time of fixing the LED circuit board. The LED circuit board has a structure formed of multiple sections interconnected to each other to allow for adjustment of the overall length thereof.
US07936552B2

An apparatus produces contractions in skeletal muscles of a target to impede locomotion by an animal or human target. The apparatus is used with at least one electrode for conducting a current through the target. The apparatus may be implemented as an electronic disabling device. The apparatus includes two circuits. The first circuit includes a transformer and a first capacitor. The second circuit includes a second capacitor and a secondary winding of the transformer. The second circuit is a series circuit with the electrode. In operation with the electrode, the transformer impresses a voltage on the electrode of greater magnitude than the first voltage, and the current is responsive to discharge of the first capacitor and discharge of the second capacitor.
US07936551B2

An electronic device with an electrostatic guiding structure includes a metal case, a plastic case overlapping the metal case, a conductive strip, and an electrically insulating strip. The conductive strip is electrically connected to a conductive region of the plastic case, and has at least one tip portion. An end point of the tip portion is located at an edge of the electrically insulating strip, and separated from the metal case with the electrically insulating strip. The conductive region is electrically connected to a ground region of an electronic module. Therefore, when electrostatic charges accumulated in the metal case is above a specific value, the electrostatic charges are discharged to the ground region of the electronic module according to point discharge principle, thereby protecting user of the electronic device from getting an electric shock.
US07936541B2

A fault interrupter and load break switch includes a trip assembly configured to automatically open a transformer circuit electrically coupled to stationary contacts of the switch upon the occurrence of a fault condition. The fault condition causes a Curie metal element electrically coupled to at least one of the stationary contacts to release a magnetic latch. The release causes a trip rotor of the trip assembly to rotate a rotor assembly. This rotation causes ends of a movable contact of the rotor assembly to electrically disengage the stationary contacts, thereby opening the circuit. The switch also includes a handle for manually opening and closing the electrical circuit in fault and non-fault conditions. Actuation of the handle coupled to the rotor assembly via a spring-loaded rotor causes the movable contact ends to selectively engage or disengage the stationary contacts.
US07936540B2

A DC-DC converter includes a chip including an error amplifier, a pulse width modulator (PWM), and an inductor driven by said PWM in series with an output node (VOUT), wherein a load current flows through the inductor. A circuit for sensing the load current includes a first operational amplifier and a sense resistor having resistance RSENSE; wherein a sense current related to the load current flows through the sense resistor. A reference resistor has a resistance RREFERENCE which is a fixed multiple of RSENSE. A set resistor has a resistance RSET. Tracking circuitry sets a voltage across the reference resistor to be equal to a voltage across the set resistor. A function block receives a current through the set resistor and a current through the reference resistor to find their ratio. A current multiplier provides a measurement current which is proportional to the load current divided by RSET.
US07936528B2

A graded order-sorting filter for hyperspectral imagers and methods of making the same are provided. The graded order-sorting filter includes a substrate wafer having a first side and a second side and is formed of a material that is substantially transparent to light photons. The graded order-sorting filter also includes an absorption filter deposited outwardly from the first side of the substrate wafer. The absorption filter is tapered along a taper direction and formed of a graded composition semiconductor material with a bandgap graded to decrease outwardly from the substrate wafer and/or graded along the taper direction. The graded composition semiconductor material is substantially transparent to the light photons for photon energies substantially less than the bandgap. The above filter can also be aligned to a two-dimensional array of pixels to form a hyperspectral imager.
US07936520B2

The invention provides an optical axis orientating device for a liquid lens. The optical axis orientating device includes a transparent substrate, a symmetric electrode structure, and an insulating layer. The electrode structure is capable of supplying an electric field and defines a central axis. The insulating layer provides an optical axis orientating structure symmetric with respect to the central axis. In particular, at a rest state, an optical axis of the liquid lens and the central axis of electrode are substantially coaxial.
US07936519B2

Disclosed herein is a head mounted display including: an eyeglasses frame-like frame to be mounted onto an observer's head; and two image display devices, each of the image display devices including an image generating device, and light guide means which is mounted to the image generating device, which as a whole is located on the side of the center of an observer's face relative to the image generating device, on which beams emitted from the image generating device are incident, through which the beams are guided, and from which the beams are emitted toward an observer's pupil.
US07936517B2

A method of extrusion molding a prism film and a prism film manufactured by the same, the method including providing a molten film, simultaneously forming a prism pattern and an embossed pattern on opposite surfaces of the molten film by passing the molten film through a gap between a prism roll and an emboss roll, and cooling the molten film having the prism pattern and the embossed pattern on opposite surfaces thereof.
US07936509B2

A wavelength locker includes: a birefringent plate for separating light emitted from a light source into two beams of light which are approximately in parallel to each other; a first light receiving element for directly receiving one of the two beams of light separated by the birefringent plate; a λ/4 plate and an etalon filter through which other one of the two beams of light separated by the birefringent plate passes; and a second light receiving element for receiving the other one of the two beams of light which has passed through the etalon filter. The λ/4 plate has an optic axis tilted at 45 degrees with respect to a polarization direction of light incident on the λ/4 plate, changes a polarization direction of light, which has been reflected by the etalon filter and incident on the λ/4 plate, such that the reflected light does not return to the light source after passing through the birefringent plate, and emits the resultant light.
US07936503B2

A laser scanning microscope separates fluorescence signals of different fluorophores in accurate unmixing by eliminating positional pixels shifts between different fluorescence images obtained through irradiation of different-wavelength laser lights. The microscope includes a laser light source capable of emitting a wavelength-changeable laser light, a correction amount determination unit that determines a correction amount for correcting an optical axis shift of the laser light, an optical axis adjusting unit that adjusts an optical axis, a scanning unit that performs two-dimensional scanning, an objective lens that focuses the laser scanning light to a specimen and fluorescence emitted from the specimen, a light detector that detects the fluorescence, and a control unit that changes the wavelength of the laser light synchronously with the scanning by the scanning unit while controlling the optical axis adjusting unit based on the correction amount determined by correction amount determination unit.
US07936496B2

An optical device with at least one interconnection tab is provided. The optical device includes a pair of opposed substrates with a gap therebetween filled with an electro-optic material. Each substrate has a facing surface with a substrate electrode disposed thereon. A sealing material is disposed between the pair of opposed substrates to contain the electro-optic material. At least one interconnection tab is interposed between the substrates. The interconnection tab includes an insulator layer with opposed surfaces. A tab electrode layer is provided on each surface, wherein each tab electrode layer contacts a corresponding substrate electrode. And each tab electrode layer includes a portion that extends from the pair of opposed substrates on selected portions of the insulator layer.
US07936493B2

An optical scanning apparatus that includes a light source unit having plural main light sources that are two-dimensionally arranged in the main scanning direction and the sub scanning direction, and plural sub light sources that are arranged between rows of the main light sources aligned in the main scanning direction. The optical scanning apparatus also includes an optical system configured to scan light emitted from the light source unit on a scanning object to form an image on the scanning object, and a control apparatus configured to adjust a main scanning direction image position by controlling two of the main light sources that are juxtaposed to each other with respect to the main scanning direction and adjust a sub scanning direction image position by controlling a main light source and a sub light source that are adjacent to each other.
US07936491B2

A hologram recording apparatus (300) is provided with: a recording device (100) for recording record information into a hologram recording medium (1); a measuring device (325) for measuring a time elapsed from when the recording of the record information is stopped to when the recording of the record information is restarted; a first controlling device (354) for controlling the recording device to multiplex-record the record information, if the measured elapsed time is shorter than a time length in which the record information can be multiplex-recorded; and a second controlling device (354) for controlling the recording device not to multiplex-record the record information, if the measured elapsed time is longer than the time length in which the record information can be multiplex-recorded.
US07936488B2

An image reading apparatus includes: a light source emitting a plurality of colors; a light receiver including a plurality of pixels which receive lights of respective colors; an analog-to-digital converter which analog-to-digital converts analog signals obtained by the light receiver to obtain digital photoelectric conversion outputs, respectively; a color determining portion which receives output signals, determines whether output signals for respective colors from the same pixel are within predetermined ranges, respectively, and outputs, as dropout data, pixel position information of the pixel, the outputs signals from which are within the predetermined ranges, respectively; an image monochromating circuit which receives output signals and obtains monochrome data; a data substituting portion which receives the monochrome data, substitutes the monochrome data corresponding to the pixel position information from the color determining portion with a level at which the pixel is determined as a white level in a binarizing process.
US07936485B2

An image reading apparatus includes a clamp-ratio controlling unit configured to change at least one of a clamp period and a line period for each read operation mode, wherein the clamp-ratio setting unit provides a control so that a clamp ratio that is a ratio between the clamp period and the line period is constant through all read operation modes. The clamp period is a period for performing clamp processing for setting a black level to a constant, which is an absolute black reference of an analog image signal output according to a quantity of light at a time of receiving reflected light from a document, and the line period is a read period of one line in the sub scanning direction.
US07936478B2

Provided is a method of printing a compressed image. The method includes the steps of receiving, with a printer controller, the image, having a bi-level black data layer compressed in an Edge Delta and Runlength (EDRL) compression format and a continuous tone (contone) CMYK data layer, from a computer. The method includes the steps of expanding the image by simultaneously decompressing the two data layers in parallel, and halftoning the contone CMYK data layer into bi-level CMYK data layer. Also included are the steps of compositing the bi-level black data layer over the bi-level CMYK data layer to form a composited bi-level CMYK image, transmitting the composited bi-level CMYK image to a memory buffer of pagewidth printer for printing.
US07936476B2

A system, method and computer readable medium for adjusting font pitch during a print process is disclosed. The method on a computer system includes observing a print command issued by an application. The method further includes generating an output file in response to the print command and modifying the output file to conform to a template. The method further includes determining the type of each character in the output file and adjusting the font pitch of characters in the output file based on their type. The method further includes sending the output file to an output destination. In one alternative, the method includes determining whether each character in the output file is at least one of a numerical character and an alphabetic character and 1) adjusting the font pitch of numerical characters to be fixed font pitch, and 2) adjusting the font pitch of alphabetic characters to be variable font pitch.
US07936474B2

When conditions for copying are satisfied while an image sensing apparatus is connected to a PC, copying is executed by only operating the copy button of the image sensing apparatus, and the progress of copying operation can be notified on the image sensing apparatus side. For this purpose, a program monitoring whether a digital video camera is connected is resident in a memory of the PC. When the digital video camera is connected to the PC, it is determined whether a writable optical disk is set, i.e., whether conditions for copying are satisfied. If the PC is ready for copying operation, the program notifies it to the digital video camera. Upon reception of this, the digital video camera turns on a copy button incorporating an LED. When this button is pressed, corresponding information is notified as response data to the PC, thereby starting copying operation.
US07936469B2

The invention provides a system and method for the distributed processing of print jobs using multiple printer processors and centralized printing. The method can include the operation of dividing the print job into a plurality of print job segments in a print distribution module. The plurality of print job segments is transmitted to one or more distribution responsive printers. A further operation can be processing the plurality of print job segments using the one or more distribution responsive printers. Another operation is receiving the plurality of print job segments from the one or more distribution responsive printers into the print distribution module. In addition, the plurality of print job segments is printed at a target printer.
US07936467B2

There is provided an image processing apparatus which is capable of maintaining high data security and provide high convenience and high security. When a print request is transmitted from a client PC to a printer in a security print mode, a main CPU of the printer determines whether or not print data received from the client PC is for printing in the security print mode. If the print data received from the client PC is determined to be for printing in the security print mode, the main CPU causes all of the print data and temporary data to be erased from the hard disk.
US07936465B2

A print data processing apparatus performs combined printing of a plurality of pages including a page on which an image is oriented in a different direction from images on other pages. In the print data processing apparatus, the layout unit lays out, in a memory, print data of target pages in a number specified to be combined into a single print to create print data of a physical page and sends the print data to a printing apparatus to print the print data. The rotation-angle determining unit determines a rotation angle of an image on the target pages based on the specified number of the target pages, the paper feeding direction, the direction of an image on the first page of the target pages, the order in which the target pages are arranged, and the direction of an image on the target pages.
US07936460B2

An exhaust gas analyzer of the present invention includes a sensor unit 11 installed in an exhaust path from an engine, applies laser light to exhaust gas emitted from the engine and receives laser light that has passed through the exhaust gas so as to measure the concentration of a component contained in the gas based on the received laser light. To an aperture 16 formed in a sensor base 15 of the sensor unit 11, an adjustment ring 40 in a circumferential face of which small holes 41 serving as a laser light passage portion is formed and whose inner circumferential face serves as an exhaust gas passage opening 21 is detachably fitted, whereby the sensor unit can be attached so as to conform to different inner diameters of exhaust tubes.
US07936459B1

An apparatus adapted to obtain a profile of a density gradient sample independently of fractionation is provided. The apparatus includes a light source, a probe comprising a first probe needle actuatable to extend into a tube containing a sample, a first light-transmitting means to receive light from the light source and transmit light through the sample as the probe needle extends into the sample, a second light-transmitting means to receive light transmitted by the first light-transmitting means and transmit the received light to a signal-producing means capable of translating the received light into a recordable signal to produce a profile of the sample. The apparatus may additionally be adapted to fractionate the sample following generation of the gradient profile.
US07936456B2

The present invention is to present a particle analyzer that is capable of classifying and counting particles contained in a sample more accurately. The blood analyzer 1 includes: measuring unit 2 for obtaining a plurality of characteristic information of each of particles contained in a sample by measuring a measurement sample prepared from the sample; data processing unit 3 for obtaining a particle number of a specific kind of particles and each particle number of a plural kinds of particles different from the specific kind of particles, and determining a target kind of particles, whose particle number is corrected, from the plural kinds of particles, based on information obtained by the measuring unit 2, and correcting a particle number of the target kind of particles by using the particle number of the specific kind of particles.
US07936449B1

Rapid calibration of a TOF system uses a stationary target object and electrically introduces phase shift into the TOF system to emulate target object relocation. Relatively few parameters suffice to model a parameterized mathematical representation of the transfer function between measured phase and Z distance. The phase-vs-distance model is directly evaluated during actual run-time operation of the TOF system. Preferably modeling includes two components: electrical modeling of phase-vs-distance characteristics that depend upon electrical rather than geometric characteristics of the sensing system, and elliptical modeling that phase-vs-distance characteristics that depending upon geometric rather than electrical characteristics of the sensing system.
US07936443B2

Data from the piezo-electric sensors in the mounts for the projection system can be used in the control loops for other parts of the lithographic apparatus, for example the mask table, the substrate table or the air mounts for the frame bearing the projection system. Information from, for example, a geophone, which is used to measure the absolute velocity of the frame bearing the projection system, can be used in the control loop for the piezo-electric actuator in the mount for the projection system.
US07936440B2

The present invention provides an exposure apparatus that can prevent the degradation of exposure and measurement accuracies. An exposure apparatus (EX) exposes a substrate (P) by irradiating the substrate (P) with exposure light (EL) through a projection optical system (PL) and a liquid (LQ), and comprises: a liquid supply mechanism (10) that supplies the liquid (LQ) between an optical element (2) at the image plane side tip part of the projection optical system (PL) and a substrate (P) that opposes the optical element (2); a timer (60) that measures the time that has elapsed since the supply of the liquid by the liquid supply mechanism (10) was started; and a control apparatus (CONT) that determines, based on a measurement result of the timer (60), whether a space(SP), which is between the optical element (2) and the substrate (P) and includes at least an optical path of the exposure light (EL), is filled with the liquid (LQ).
US07936427B2

An optical sensor for detecting peripheral light including: at least two first transistors coupled in parallel between an output line and base power supply for detecting an intensity of peripheral light; and at least two second transistors positioned at a side of the first transistors and between the first transistors and a voltage source.
US07936421B2

A display device and its fabrication method are disclosed. According to one aspect, the method for fabricating a display device includes forming a first element unit including a first reflector layer, a light emitting part and a common electrode on a lower substrate, and forming a second element unit including a floating electrode, a photocurrent layer and a signal electrode on the first element unit. A third element unit is formed on the lower substrate. The third element unit includes a second reflector layer connected with the floating electrode and also a second light emitting part and a second floating electrode disposed on the second reflector layer.
US07936420B2

A monolithic light guiding and dispersing plate is provided in a backlighted display panel for receiving input light from one or more edge sources and for guiding the received light throughout the plate for substantially uniform reflection upwardly and substantially uniform dispersal toward an image forming plane located above the light guiding and dispersing plate. In one embodiment, the light guiding and dispersing plate has a light receiving surface upon which the light generated by an edge light source is incident, a top major surface which is adjacent to the light receiving surface and on which a plurality of first protrusions are formed and elongated in a first direction, wherein the first protrusions have cross-sections in the shapes of partial ellipses. The plate further has a bottom major surface in which light reflecting recesses are defined to reflect light upwardly towards the top major surface.
US07936413B2

A display apparatus includes a display module and a front case. The display module displays images. The display module includes a boss fixing member having a combination hole. The front case covers a first surface of the display module and has a first boss that is inserted into the combination hole to combine the front case to the display module. The first boss is formed at inside edges of the display module. The boss fixing member is positioned within the edges of the display module which define the outdimension of the display module.
US07936411B2

Disclosed herein are a light guide plate, a backlight assembly including the light guide plate, and a liquid crystal display device including the backlight assembly which can uniformly maintain the brightness uniformity and prevent the moiré phenomenon. The light guide plate in accordance with the present disclosure includes: an incident surface, to which light generated from a light source is incident, including a diffusion pattern formed in a round shape; an emitting surface, through which the light is emitted, including a first prism pattern; and an opposite surface, formed opposite to the emitting surface, including a direction change pattern by which the direction of the light is changed toward the emitting surface.
US07936407B2

An array substrate includes a switching device, a storage capacitor and a voltage-dividing capacitor. The switching device is formed in a pixel region defined by two gate lines adjacent to each other and two data lines adjacent to each other. The storage capacitor is electrically connected to the switching device. The voltage-dividing capacitor is disposed between the storage capacitor and one of the gate lines. The voltage-dividing capacitor is electrically connected to the storage capacitor. Therefore, an overlapping area with the data lines is reduced to reduce the RC delay and enhance aperture ratio. Furthermore, a possibility of occurrence of an electrical short is reduced.
US07936404B2

An apparatus comprising a first liquid crystal elastomer, a first heating element, a first layer of thermal paste, and a second liquid crystal elastomer. The apparatus further comprising a second heating element, a second layer of thermal paste, and a third liquid crystal elastomer. The heating element can be a nickel-chromium heating element. A method comprising arranging a first heating element on a first liquid crystal elastomer, arranging a first layer of thermal paste on the first heating element, and arranging a second liquid crystal elastomer on the first layer of thermal paste.
US07936399B2

A digital cable broadcast receiver and a method for automatically processing caption data of various standards and types, is disclosed. The digital broadcast receiver includes: a demultiplexer for dividing a received broadcast stream into video data, audio data, supplementary information; a controller for determining whether caption data included in the video data is digital caption data or analog caption data on the basis of caption information included in the supplementary information, and outputting a control signal according to a result of the determining; a digital caption decoder for extracting and decoding digital caption data from the video data according to the control signal; and an analog caption decoder for extracting and decoding analog caption data from the video data according to the control signal.
US07936381B2

According to a method of managing photographing conditions for an image sensing apparatus, one of images photographed by the image sensing apparatus is selected. The selected image, photographing conditions such as the exposure value and shutter speed in photographing the image, and a separately input photographing status such as the photographing place are stored in association with each other.
US07936378B2

A method of transferring encoded data and an imaging device executing the method thereof are disclosed. The image signal processor according to an embodiment of the present invention has an encoding unit, which generates encoded image data by encoding, in accordance with a predetermined encoding method, image data corresponding to an electrical signal inputted from an image sensor, and a data output unit, which temporarily stores the image data encoded by the encoding unit and transfers the stored encoded image data to a receiving part. The data output unit can input a skip command, which makes the process of a following frame skip, to the image sensor or the encoding unit in case input start information of the following frame is inputted from the image sensor or the encoding unit while a preceding frame is processed by the encoding unit, the skip command. Therefore, it becomes possible to increase the process efficiency of the back-end chip and to reduce the power consumption.
US07936377B2

In a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a camera is provided. The camera comprises a lens and a sensor to record an image focused by the lens in N color bands, wherein N equals a number of color bands, with the number and respective locations and widths of the N color bands being selected to optimize the image for processing.
US07936375B2

An image processor for lowering data transfer speed. A JPEG compression circuit performs two-dimensional compression process on data output from a YCbCr conversion circuit to generate compressed image data. A timing signal generator changes the frequency of a transfer clock signal in accordance with the compressed image data. An output circuit outputs the compressed image data in accordance with the transfer clock signal.
US07936367B2

An image forming apparatus includes an optical scanning device that scans a scan area on an image carrier with light flux containing image information and writes the image information onto an image area in the scan area. In the optical scanning device, a first light receiving unit receives light flux emitted from a light source and reflected by a reflecting optical unit; a second light receiving unit receives light flux that passes through an aperture of the reflecting optical unit, is deflected by a deflecting unit, and heads for outside the image area within the scan area; and a control unit controls a drive signal of the light source based on signals output from the first and second light receiving units.
US07936365B2

A printing method and apparatus using a shuttle thermal print head (TPH), which can print by moving the TPH in a transverse direction. The apparatus and printing method include (a) printing an image on a medium using the TPH while feeding the medium in a positive longitudinal direction; (b) moving the TPH in the transverse direction by a predetermined value; and (c) printing an image on the medium using the TPH while feeding the medium in a negative longitudinal direction.
US07936364B2

In one embodiment, the present invention includes a method of measuring a duration difference between a video frame and a corresponding modulation frame; and determining whether to change a duration of a future modulation frame based on the duration difference. The video frame and modulation frame may be part of a video stream and a modulation stream used to activate a display.
US07936359B2

A reconfigurable floating point data filter may be implemented by configuring a texture filter in response to state data, where the state data specifying at least a data width of input texture data to be filtered, where the input texture data is in a floating point format, filtering the input texture data using the texture filter, and then reconfiguring the texture filter to be substantially fully utilized when the data width of the input texture data changes.
US07936355B2

A method for visually representing an object by simulating the object as a particle with fewer degrees of freedom than those visually represented comprises simulating an object as a particle having linear motion. The method also comprises deriving an angular component of the particle from the linear motion of the particle. The method also comprises representing the object visually based on the linear motion and the derived angular component of the particle.
US07936345B2

To reduce EMI and current consumption in internal wiring after display data have been input to a data driver. Display data DN/DP constituted by RSDS signals input to a data driver in a first stage are converted to display data DA constituted by CMOS signals, subjected to primary inversion control according to a data inversion signal INV generated inside, and transferred into internal wiring 31 in a data capturing circuit 30. Then, the display data are subjected to secondary inversion control by a secondary data inversion circuit 33 disposed immediately before data registers 34 according to the data inversion signal INV, and then captured by the data registers 34. Further, chip-to-chip transfer of the display data DA and the data inversion signal INV to the data drivers in second and subsequent stages is performed through the internal wiring 31 and internal wiring 32. Then, as in the data driver in the first stage, the display data DA are captured by the data registers 34.
US07936337B2

A handheld electronic device includes a reduced QWERTY keyboard and is enabled with text disambiguation software. The device provides output in the form of a default output and a number of variants. The output is based largely upon the frequency, i.e., the likelihood that a user intended a particular output, but various features of the device provide additional variants that are not based solely on frequency and rather are provided by various logic structures resident on the device. The device includes a number of non-alphabetic characters that are assigned to keys and that can be accessed directly by the text disambiguation software without the need to active a non-alphabetic input routine or to additionally actuate and key or an key, for instance.
US07936334B2

A displaying apparatus includes a signal input unit through which an analog image signal is input, an A/D converter to convert the analog image signal input through the signal input unit into a digital image signal according to a preset offset value thereof, a monitoring unit to sense a generation of an abnormal operating condition of the A/D converter, and a controlling unit to store information on a desired reference digital image signal corresponding to the preset offset value, to compare the digital image signal output from the A/D converter with the desired reference digital image signal information when the generation of an abnormal operating condition of the A/D converter is sensed by the monitoring unit, and to the preset offset value of the A/D converter when the digital image signal output from the A/D converter is different from the desired reference digital image signal, so that the digital image signal output from the A/D converter matches the desired reference digital image signal. Accordingly, a displaying apparatus is capable maintaining regularity of colors in image pictures that are displayed, regardless of any change in operational environment of an A/D converter, and in particular, a change in temperature of an image signal processing unit or a change in an analog image signal input thereto.
US07936330B2

A liquid crystal display and a method of driving the same are provided. The liquid crystal display includes a timing controller, N source drive integrated circuits (ICs), where N is an integer equal to or greater than 2, N pairs of data bus lines, each of which connects the timing controller to each of the N source drive ICs in a point-to-point manner, a lock check line that connects a first source drive IC of the N source drive ICs to the timing controller and cascade-connects the N source drive ICs to one another, and a feedback lock check line that connects a last source drive IC of the N source drive ICs to the timing controller.
US07936309B2

There is disclosed an antenna for reception of circularly polarized satellite radio signals. The antenna comprises at least one two-dimensional or three-dimensional antenna conductor structure connected with an antenna output connector. The multi-dimensional antenna conductor structure is configured so that it comprises a plurality of antenna conductor sections, which, with reference to a spatial reference point (z) common to the antenna conductor sections, are disposed in pairs, symmetrically and extending in the same direction. The multi-dimensional antenna conductor structure is furthermore configured so that during reciprocal operation of the antenna as a transmission antenna, antenna currents having at least approximately the same size flow in the individual pairs of antenna conductor sections, and the arithmetical average of the current phases of these antenna currents, counted in the same direction, in each instance, in the antenna conductor sections of each pair, has at least approximately the same value in the case of essentially all the pairs of antenna conductor sections, with reference to a common phase reference point (B), during reciprocal operation of the antenna as a transmission antenna. Such an antenna receives left-rotating circularly polarized waves and right-rotating circularly polarized waves equally. The vertical radiation diagram can be filled up towards low elevation angles by means of a vertical, electrically short monopole disposed at the phase reference point (B), whose reception signal is superimposed on that of the antenna conductor structure.
US07936306B2

A multilayer antenna arrangement is distinguished in particular by the following features: a further patch antenna (B) comprising a dielectric carrier and a radiation plane is provided above the base portion or central portion of the patch arrangement, the radiation plane being provided on the upper side, opposite the base portion or central portion, of the dielectric carrier, and the further patch antenna (B) is buried at least in part in the parasitic patch arrangement, which is configured so as to be box-shaped or box-like, and/or the parasitic patch arrangement which is configured so as to be box-shaped or box-like is formed, completely or in part, as electrically conductive planes, which are provided on the further patch antenna (B) at least in partial regions on the circumferential edge surface or outer surface thereof.
US07936305B2

An attitude system that includes a radiating means which moves predeterminately through three-dimensional space, such that a cyclic Doppler is superimposed upon a transmitted signal; receiving this transmitted signal through a receiving means which moves predeterminately through three-dimensional space, such that a cyclic Doppler is superimposed upon the received signal; analyzing the movement of the receive means in relation to the radiating means by interpreting the received cyclic Doppler; and determining attitude based on the interpreted Doppler. Or alternatively, adjusting the movement of the receive means in three-dimensional space so the superimposed cyclic Doppler is minimized on the received signal and; determining attitude based on the adjustment required to bring the receive means and radiating means into an alignment.
US07936301B2

A multi-port junction is fed with a frequency-stepped source and has one of its ports connected to an antenna that can serve either as a transmit-and-receive antenna or as a receive antenna only, with the outputs of the multi-port junction being used to estimate a complex reflection coefficient for each frequency of interest. The subject system requires no IF stages, down-conversion mixers or oscillators, and therefore may be provided adjacent each antenna at low cost. An embodiment involving co-located separate transmit and receive antennas is used to minimize the power requirements for the multi-port junction, whereas in a third embodiment, an array of transmit/receive antennas is used, fed by the same RF source but in which digitally-controlled phase shifters are used for beam-forming purposes.
US07936298B2

An integrated circuit comprises a threshold generation circuitry for generating at least one differential voltage signal. The threshold generation circuitry comprises at least one common mode current generation circuit arranged to generate at least one common mode current signal, whereby said at least one common mode current signal is combined with at least one input current signal to produce a combined current signal comprising a combined signal common mode component. Conversion circuitry is arranged to receive the combined current signal and convert the combined current signal into the at least one differential voltage signal for use within the comparator circuit. The threshold generation circuitry further comprises feedback circuitry arranged to receive an indication of the combined signal common mode component, compare the received indication to a reference value, and regulate the at least one common mode current signal based at least partly on the comparison results.
US07936297B2

An analog to digital converter comprising an Nth analog to digital converter and an N+1th analog to digital converter arranged in series such that a residue signal from the Nth analog to digital converter is provided as an input to the N+1th analog to digital converter, characterized in that a bandwidth control means is provided in a signal path for the residue signal and the bandwidth control means is controlled so as to have a first bandwidth during a first period following generation of a conversion result from the Nth analog to digital converter, and a second bandwidth less than the first bandwidth in a second period following the first period.
US07936295B2

A selection section (105) selects a step voltage, among a plurality of step voltages (SV1, SV2, SV3, . . . ) each having a voltage value changing stepwise, corresponding to the digital value of digital data (D-DATA). For each of the plurality of step voltages (SV1, SV2, SV3, . . . ), different digital values are allocated to different steps of the step voltage. An amplifier section (106) amplifies the step voltage selected by the selection section (105). An output section (107) outputs the step voltage amplified by the amplifier section (106) as an output voltage (Vout) for a time period corresponding to the digital value of the digital data (D-DATA).
US07936292B2

Systems and methods to achieve a logarithmic digital-to-analog converter (DAC), which is easy to be implemented, and requiring reduced chip space have been disclosed. The logarithmic DAC is created by a simple and easy to scale linear DAC, which is linearly scaling a predefined voltage range. The output voltage of the linear DAC is converted to a logarithmic current value directly by the voltage-current characteristic of an integrated diode.
US07936285B2

An aircraft communications system is located on an aircraft. The aircraft communications system comprises a set of eyewear units, an aircraft data processing system, and a wireless system. Each eyewear unit has a set of sensors and a display. The set of eyewear units is capable of receiving user input and is capable of presenting information to a set of users of the set of eyewear units. The aircraft data processing system is capable of receiving the user input and sending the information to the set of eyewear units in response to receiving the user input from the set of eyewear units. The wireless system is located proximate to the cabin of the aircraft and is capable of sending the user input from the set of eyewear units to the aircraft data processing system and sending the information to the set of eyewear units.
US07936284B2

The invention provides a system for parking time estimations, the system comprising at least one device able to sense at least momentary location and respective time; and an application server to receive from a plurality of the devices time series of location points and to calculate, based on the received time series of location points, duration of searches for parking spots. The invention provides a method for parking time estimations, the method comprising detecting beginning of searching for a parking spot by a user of a device able to sense at least momentary location and respective time; detecting time of parking; and calculating at least estimated duration of searching for a parking spot.
US07936283B2

A parking space is detected by using a range sensor. Distance data in a predetermined period is collected by using the range sensor according to a user's selection and mapping the collected distance data on a coordinates system based on a parking space searching vehicle. The collected distance data are classified into short distance data and long distance data. Parking-available distance data, is calculated. Whether the parking space exists based on the calculated parking-available distance data is checked. The parking space searching vehicle is stopped by controlling an active braking apparatus or recommending a driver to stop the parking space searching vehicle by means of a voice and alarm sounds when it has been checked that the parking space exists.
US07936280B2

The invention relates to a signal display device for displaying signals on signal paths of a wiring harness, for example, which may be connected to the signal outputs of an electronic apparatus generating/receiving signals, or looped into the signal paths between a signal-generating electronic apparatus and a signal-receiving electronic apparatus. A signal to be displayed each time is measurable from a plurality, preferably all, of the signal paths, and each measured signal is fed to an evaluation unit that, for each measured signal, activates a multicolor display element based on a value of the signal, such that one of several colors may be displayed using the multicolor display element.
US07936274B2

We have found that to effectively shield inductively coupled RFID systems, the shield does not have to be present on all the sides of the device. It is also not required that one side be covered completely. In fact, a shield of any shape that allows a current to flow in a closed loop may be enough to shield the RFID. The only requirement is that the back electromagnetic field (EMF) from the shield induces sufficient flux to cancel all or part of the magnetic flux coming from the reader. It is possible for the shield to work even if the induced flux is small: the shift in the self-inductance of the RFID or contactless card coil due to the presence of the material in the shield can be enough to cause a shift in a resonant frequency of the circuit and thus in the power delivered to the chip. The current invention is a shield that does not completely cover a smartcard or RFID tag and/or has a hole or void within the shield. The advantage of this invention is that it will allow optical and mechanical access to the surface and the body of the smartcard or RFID tag and/or to parts of the smartcard/RFID coil. It also leads to significant cost savings since less shielding material is used.
US07936258B2

A display system for a vehicle system includes at least one light sensor that detects a light condition, and a display member that displays an information message. The information message includes a background and an object that is displayed adjacent the background. The display system further includes a controller that changes legibility of the information message by changing each of the background and the object based on the light condition detected by the light sensor. A method of controlling the display system is also disclosed.
US07936250B2

An identifier device, which may be part of a tracking or similar transponder device, which can be removably coupled to an article to be identified or tracked. Data representing the identity of the article is encoded in the form of a pattern, and can be read by the identifier device when correctly engaged to the article, by sampling the pattern so as to extract the data encoded therein for transmission. The pattern may be a relief pattern, for example in the form of bumps and pits such as a Braille pattern, or magnetic domains, or the like.
US07936248B2

The present invention relates to a thin-film resistor for an attenuator that is utilized in the fourth generation mobile communication, and more specifically, to a thin-film resistor having a Ti(N) thin film formed on an aluminum nitride (ALN) substrate. The thin-film resistor of the invention has superior electrical characteristics, such as sheet resistance, and superior characteristics in change of attenuation and voltage standing wave ratio (VSWR) with respect to changes of frequency and L/W, and thus the thin-film resistor can be utilized in a high frequency domain of up to 6 GHz.
US07936246B2

Saturation of nonlinear ferromagnetic core material for on-chip inductors for high current applications is significantly reduced by providing a core design wherein magnetic flux does not form a closed loop, but rather splits into multiple sub-fluxes that are directed to cancel each other. The design enables high on-chip inductance for high current power applications.
US07936241B2

A contactor includes a housing having a mounting side, an operating side, main connector surfaces and side surfaces. The operating side lies opposite the mounting side and is connected to the mounting side by main connector surfaces and side surfaces. The main connector surfaces lie opposite one another and the side surfaces lie opposite one another. The operating side has a raised central area and two edge areas, which border a central area on both sides of the central area. The edge areas border the main connector areas and are connected to the central area by way of an additional connector area in each case. Main terminals, connected to load contacts of the contactor, have main receptacle openings into which main conductors are fed from one of the main connector surfaces. Additional terminals have receptacle openings into which additional conductors are fed from additional connector surfaces.
US07936238B1

The present invention is directed to an electrical wiring device that includes a housing assembly including a plurality of line terminals, a plurality of load terminals, and a plurality of receptacle load terminals. A circuit assembly includes at least one signal detection circuit and an interrupting contact assembly. The interrupting contact assembly includes four sets of interrupting contacts being at least partially disposed on four cantilevered members. The four cantilevered members include a first set of two cantilevered members and a second set of two cantilevered members. The first set of cantilevered members is configured to rotate around a first axis in a first direction and the second set of cantilevered members being configured to rotate around a second axis in a second direction opposite to the first direction. The four sets of interrupting contacts are configured to provide electrical continuity between the plurality of line terminals, the plurality of load terminals, and the plurality of receptacle load terminals in a reset state and decouple the four sets of interrupting contacts in a tripped state.
US07936235B2

The present invention relates to a tunable circuit, or admittance, arrangement comprising at least one capacitive branch with at least a tunable first capacitor, and tuning application means. It further comprises at least one resonant branch comprising at least a second capacitor and an inductor, said second capacitor and said inductor being connected in series. Said at least one capacitive branch and said at least one resonant branch are connected in parallel, and said tuning application means are adapted for application of a DC tuning voltage. The capacitance of said first and/or second capacitor and/or the inductance of said inductor are selected such that the frequency dependency of the tunability of a varactor arrangement forming the equivalent varactor arrangement of the admittance arrangement can be controlled at least in a selected frequency range.
US07936233B2

The invention concerns a coaxial automatic impedance adaptor characterized in that it comprises two slugs and has only a lateral translational movement along an axis Ox. The double slug tuner principle is based on the movement of two line segments of different characteristics of 50 O inside a closed cylinder on either side of standard connectors.
US07936231B2

A circulator/isolator housing is provided that includes body and a plurality of slots within the body configured to receive therethrough inserts having magnetic permeability. The housing further includes a plurality of receiving portions within the body corresponding to the plurality of slots and configured to maintain a position of the inserts.
US07936220B2

Techniques for improving the linearity of a cascode amplifier. In an exemplary embodiment, an auxiliary common-gate amplifier is provided in parallel with the principal cascode branch. The auxiliary common-gate amplifier samples a cascoded node in the principal cascode branch. The auxiliary common-gate amplifier generates a current which, when combined with the current generated by the principal cascode branch, cancels a distortion component to generate an output current with improved linearity characteristics. In an exemplary embodiment, a phase shifting network couples the cascoded node to the auxiliary common-gate amplifier, and may include, e.g., a capacitor coupled to an inductor.
US07936216B2

The invention relates to a current limiting method, e. g. for Class D amplifiers comprising a unique detection- and control method. The current detection circuit can be implemented as a voltage measurement where the measured voltage corresponds to the current flowing through the power-switching device. The device can be switched OFF when a set limit is reached. By forcing certain OFF time, the associated control system behaves as a self-oscillating current limiting circuit. This can be implemented locally close to the switching device and be independent of other local or global control systems.
US07936205B2

In one embodiment, an apparatus for reducing leakage in an electronic circuit (e.g., a CMOS circuit) includes a power switch transistor configured to selectively couple or decouple a voltage to a logic portion of the electronic circuit. The power switch transistor receives a first voltage during an active mode of the electronic circuit and receives a second voltage during a sleep mode of the electronic circuit. The power switch transistor has a bulk region that is biased using the first voltage during sleep mode. The power switch transistor has a gate region that is biased using the first voltage during sleep mode.
US07936187B1

A sample-and-hold feed switch has parallel PMOS branches and parallel NMOS branches, each extending from an input node to an output node connected to a hold capacitor. Each PMOS branch has a PMOS switch FET connected to a matching PMOS dummy FET, and each NMOS branch has an NMOS switch FET connected to a matching NMOS dummy FET. A sample clock switches the PMOS switch FETs on and off, and a synchronous inverse sample clock effects complementary on-off switching of the PMOS dummy FETs. Concurrently, a synchronous inverse sample clock switches the NMOS switch FETs on and off, and the sample clock effects a complementary on-off switching of the NMOS dummy FETs. A bias sequencer circuit biases the bodies of the PMOS switch FETs and the bodies of the PMOS dummy FETs, in a complementary manner, and biases the NMOS switch FETs and the NMOS dummy FETs, also in a complementary manner. The on-off switching of the PMOS dummy FETs injects charge, cancelling a charge injection by the PMOS signal switch FETs, and injects glitches cancelling glitches injected by the PMOS signal switch FETs. The on-off switching of the NMOS dummy FETs injects charge that cancels a charge injection by the NMOS signal switch FETs, and injects glitches that cancels glitches injected by the NMOS signal switch FETs.
US07936185B1

A clockless return to state domino logic gate including a domino circuit and an input circuit. The domino circuit asserts s preset node and an enable node to a first logic state and asserts an output node and a reset node to a second logic state in a preset state, and switches to a latch state when the preset node is pulled to the second state. In the latch state, the domino circuit pulls the output node to the first logic state and pulls the enable node to the second logic state. The domino circuit resets back to the preset state when the first reset node is pulled to the first logic state. The input circuit controls the domino circuit based on collective state of input signals, and is configured to perform a selected logic function using at least one return to state signal without use of a clock signal.
US07936184B2

A programmable logic device (PLD) includes at least two regions. Each region includes electrical circuitry that has a set of transistors. Each of the two regions has a corresponding fixed transistor threshold voltage, a corresponding fixed transistor body bias, and a corresponding fixed supply voltage.
US07936182B1

An isolated level shifter base cell that is configurable as either an isolated HIGH level shifter or an isolated LOW level shifter based on changes to connection layers, e.g., metal-2 and/or via-1 layers, without adjusting lower layers, or base layers, that form the isolated level shifter base cell. Regardless of the configuration selected, the isolated level shifter base cell requires the same footprint and provides the same input-to-output path timing. Further, the isolated level shifter base cell is configurable as either a HIGH or LOW isolation cell, i.e., without level shifting, based on changes to the connection layers while again maintaining the same footprint and input-to-output path timing. The configuration of the described isolated level shifter base cell can be changed late in the integrated circuit design process without affecting integrated circuit base layers, without changing the integrated circuit footprint, and without introducing integrated circuit timing changes.
US07936169B2

An apparatus in one example comprises a polarization filter and a polarization analyzer. The polarization filter comprises a first polarization axis. The polarization analyzer comprises a second polarization axis. The polarization filter is configured to polarize detection light for a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) cell along the first polarization axis. The polarization analyzer is configured to receive the detection light from the NMR cell and pass a portion of the detection light to a processor for determination of angular rate information. The portion of the detection light passed to the processor is based on an orientation of the second polarization axis relative to the first polarization axis. The orientation is selected to maximize a signal-to-noise ratio of the detection light.
US07936163B2

A method for detecting electricity theft in an electricity meter is provided. The method includes determining a first power outage at the meter and determining whether load energy is flowing through the meter after power has been restored to the meter after the first power outage. The method also includes determining a second power outage at the meter, wherein the second power outage occurs after the first power outage, and determining whether load energy is flowing through the meter after power has been restored to the meter after the second power outage. The method also includes outputting an indication of a potential electricity theft based on the determinations of whether no load energy was flowing through the meter after the first power outage and whether load energy was flowing through the meter after the second power outage.
US07936159B2

A control circuit for use in a power supply is disclosed. An example control circuit according to aspects of the present invention includes a signal generator coupled to generate an output signal to control switching of a power switch to be coupled to the control circuit. A feedback circuit is coupled to receive a feedback signal, which is representative of an output of the power supply during a feedback portion of an off time of the power switch. The signal generator generates the output signal in response to the feedback circuit to control a fraction of the feedback portion of the off time of the power switch that the feedback signal is above a threshold and another fraction of the feedback portion of the off time of the power switch that the feedback signal is below the threshold.
US07936154B2

A regulator included in a high voltage generator for supplying a high voltage to a semiconductor memory device is disclosed. The regulator includes a voltage dividing circuit configured to divide an output voltage of a charge pump, a comparing circuit configured to compare a reference voltage with a divided voltage by the voltage dividing circuit, a regulator driving circuit configured to couple selectively the voltage dividing circuit to a ground, and a high voltage discharging circuit configured to discharge the divided voltage applied to the comparing circuit when supply of a power supply voltage is stopped.
US07936149B2

A charging device has an electric accumulator (20) formed by a plurality of series-connected electric accumulator cells (E1, E2, . . . , En), one electrode of any one of the electric accumulator cells being used as a reference potential of the electric accumulator (20); at least one capacitor (C1) having one end fixed to the potential of one electrode of each of the electric accumulator cells (E1, E2, . . . , En) or fixed to the potential of the other electrode of any one of the electric accumulator cells (E1, E2, . . . , En) through a rectifying means (D11, D12); and a periodical power source (30) connected between the capacitor (C1) and the reference potential of the electric accumulator to generate repetitive signals.
US07936146B2

A motor control device has: a motor current detecting portion for detecting, based on a current flowing between an inverter and a direct-current power supply, a motor current flowing through a three phase motor; a specified voltage value producing portion for producing a specified voltage value based on the motor current; a specified voltage value holding portion for holding an earlier specified voltage value outputted from the specified voltage value producing portion; and a specific period setting portion for setting a specific period based on a voltage difference between two of U-phase, V-phase, and W-phase voltages. Outside the specific period, the motor is controlled based on the specified voltage value outputted from the specified voltage value producing portion, and, within the specific period, the motor is controlled based on the specified voltage value held by the specified voltage value holding portion.
US07936145B2

An electronically commutated asynchronous motor (12) features a stator (202), a short-circuit rotor (204), a controller (FOR 20) for field-oriented regulation of the motor (12), a sensor magnet (274) in thermally conductive connection with the short-circuit rotor (204), a rotor position sensor (14A; 18; 18′) arranged at a predetermined distance (d) from the sensor magnet (274) to generate an output signal (HALL, U, U1, U2) that is dependent upon the spatial orientation of the sensor magnet (274), and a temperature evaluation apparatus (CALC_T 44) configured to ascertain, during operation, from the sensor output signal (HALL, U, U1, U2), a temperature value (T) that characterizes a temperature (T_SM, T_S) in the motor (12).
US07936135B2

A light-emitting device capable of being powered by an AC power supply or an unregulated DC power supply is disclosed. The light-emitting device, in an aspect, is coupled to a controller, a light-emitting diode (“LED”) array, and a power supply, wherein the power supply can be an AC power source or an unregulated DC power source. While the power supply provides electrical power, the controller generates various LED control signals in response to power fluctuation of the electrical power. The LED array allows at least a portion of LEDs to be activated in accordance with the logic states of the LED control signals.
US07936129B2

An adapter for a T12 fluorescent light fixture that is used to convert the fixture into a T5 or T8 fixture. The adapter includes a male input for receiving power supplied by the T12 ballast. The adapter has circuitry that adjusts the power supplied by the T12 ballast to parameters usable by a T5 or T8 fluorescent lamp. Also, the adapter includes a female output for outputting the usable power from the circuitry. The usable power drives the T5 or T8 fluorescent lamp.
US07936123B2

An organic light emitting diode comprising a pair of electrodes and a stack including a hole transport layer, a light emitting layer, and an electron transport layer, the stack being intermediate between the electrodes, the light emitting layer being of a material having hole mobility and electron mobility equal to or lower than hole mobility of the hole transport layer and electron mobility of the electron transport layer, respectively.
US07936120B2

An organic light emitting device (OLED) and a method of manufacturing the OLED. The OLED includes an anode, a cathode, a hole transport layer arranged between the anode and the cathode, a self-buffer layer arranged between the hole transport layer and the cathode, the self-buffer layer being adapted to protect the hole transport layer, the self-buffer layer being made of a first material and a light emitting layer arranged between the self-buffer layer and the cathode, the light emitting layer also being made of the first material.
US07936097B2

An electromechanical propulsion system is disclosed. The propulsion system uses magnetic propulsion and magnetic bearings to move a vehicle. The propulsion system is well suited for use on land, air, space, above water and underwater vehicles. The propulsion system includes a plurality of electromagnets that repel each other with strong and weak magnets to move the propulsion motor in linear motion. Multiple side propulsion motors can be incorporated to alter the direction of travel of the electromechanical propulsion system. The propulsion system is manufacturable in a self contained configuration where it is controllable from a remote location.
US07936086B2

A power generation and distribution system utilizes two or more AC generators each of which may be driven by a separate prime mover such as a turbine. The generators may be driven at different rotational speeds. AC power from the generators may be rectified and applied to a common DC bus. Electrical loads may be applied to the common bus and may establish an electrical power requirement. Allocation of electrical power requirement may be made among the generators based on power available from the turbines.
US07936074B2

Some embodiments of the invention provide a programmable system in package (“PSiP”). The PSiP includes a single IC housing, a substrate and several IC's that are arranged within the single IC housing. At least one of the IC's is a configurable IC. In some embodiments, the configurable IC is a reconfigurable IC that can reconfigure more than once during run time. In some of these embodiments, the reconfigurable IC can be reconfigured at a first clock rate that is faster (i.e., larger) than the clock rates of one or more of the other IC's in the PSiP. The first clock rate is faster than the clock rate of all of the other IC's in the PSiP in some embodiments.
US07936054B2

A semiconductor package is disclosed. Particularly, a multi-chip package is disclosed, which can stably maintain insulation between a plurality of semiconductor chips and effectively release heat to the outside. The semiconductor package includes an insulation layer including a diamond layer formed by a chemical vapor deposition method between a lead frame or a heat sink and the semiconductor chips disposed thereon.
US07936053B2

An integrated circuit package system includes forming lead structures including a dummy tie bar having an intersection with an outer edge of the integrated circuit package system, and connecting an integrated circuit die to the lead structures.
US07936045B2

An integrated circuit with a multi-stage matching circuit with an inductive conductive structure with a first end and a second end in the integrated circuit and a capacitor structure in the integrated circuit connected to a tap between the ends of the inductive conductive structure between the inductive conductive structure and a reference potential.
US07936044B2

A memory device may include a switching device and a storage node coupled with the switching device. The storage node may include a first electrode, a second electrode, a data storage layer and at least one contact layer. The data storage layer may be disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode and may include a transition metal oxide or aluminum oxide. The at least one contact layer may be disposed at least one of above or below the data storage layer and may include a conductive metal oxide.
US07936038B2

Disclosed herein is a photodiode cell, including: a first-type substrate; a second-type epitaxial layer disposed on the first-type substrate; heavily-doped second-type layers, each having a small depth, formed on the second-type epitaxial layer; and heavily-doped first-type layers, each having a narrow and shallow section, disposed on the second-type epitaxial layer and formed between the heavily-doped second-type layers, wherein the first-type and second-type have opposite doped states.
US07936035B2

A photoelectric conversion element comprises: a pair of electrodes; and an organic photoelectric conversion layer between the pair of electrodes, wherein one of the electrodes is a first electrode that collects electrons generated in the organic photoelectric conversion layer; the other one of the electrodes is a second electrode that collects holes generated in the organic photoelectric conversion layer; and the photoelectric conversion element further comprises a hole blocking layer that comprises silicon oxide and inhibits injection of holes into the organic photoelectric conversion layer from the first electrode while applying a bias voltage between the electrodes, the hole blocking layer being disposed between the first electrode and the organic photoelectric conversion layer, and an oxygen/silicon composition ratio of the silicon oxide is 0.5 or greater and 1.2 or less.
US07936033B2

According to one embodiment, a micro-optical device includes an electro-optical circuit and an annular frame disposed on a surface of a substrate. The electro-optical circuit has an active region that is encapsulated by a window and an interconnect region adjacent at least one edge of the electro-optical circuit. The annular frame extends around an outer periphery of the window and is separated from the window by a gap, the annular frame and the electro-optical circuit form a cavity for placement of a plurality of bonding wires the interconnect that electro-optical circuit to the substrate.
US07936028B2

A spin field effect transistor may include at least one gate electrode, a channel layer, a first stack and a second stack separate from each other on a substrate, wherein the channel layer is formed of a half metal. The half metal may be at least one material selected from the group consisting of chrome oxide (CrO2), magnetite (Fe3O4), a double perovskite structure material, a Heusler alloy, NiMnSb, La(1-x)AxMnO3 (A=Ca, Ba, Sr, x˜0.3), and GaN doped with Cu, and the double perovskite structure material is expressed as a chemical composition of A2BB′O6, and a material corresponding to A is Ca, Sr, or Ba, a material corresponding to B is a 3d orbital transition metal, and a material corresponding to B′ is a 4d orbital transition metal. The 3d orbital transition metal may be Fe or Co, and the 4d orbital transition metal is Mo or Re.
US07936021B2

In a fin field effect transistor (Fin FET) and a method of manufacturing the Fin FET, the Fin FET includes an active pattern inside which insulating layer patterns are formed, an isolation layer pattern enclosing a sidewall of the active pattern such that an opening exposing a sidewall of the active pattern located between the insulating layer patterns is formed, a gate electrode formed on the active pattern to fill the opening, impurity regions formed at portions of the active pattern adjacent to sidewalls of the gate electrode, an insulating interlayer covering the active pattern and the gate electrode and contact plugs formed through portions of the insulating interlayer and the active pattern adjacent to the sidewalls of the gate electrode such that the contact plug makes contact with the impurity region.
US07936014B2

A structure of power semiconductor device integrated with clamp diodes having separated gate metal pad is disclosed. The separated gate metal pads are wire bonded together on the gate lead frame. This improved structure can prevent the degradation of breakdown voltage due to electric field in termination region blocked by polysilicon.
US07936006B1

An MOS device has an embedded dielectric structure underlying an active portion of the device, such as a source extension or a drain extension. In an alternative embodiment, an embedded dielectric structure underlies the channel region of a MOS device, as well as the source and drain extensions.
US07935993B2

A method for making a semiconductor device structure, includes: providing a substrate; forming on the substrate: a first layer below and second layers on a gate with spacers, source and drain regions adjacent to the gate, silicides on the gate and source and drain regions; disposing a stress layer over the structure resulting from the forming step; disposing an insulating layer over the stress layer; removing portions of the insulating layer to expose a top surface of the stress layer; removing the top surface and other portions of the stress layer and portions of the spacers to form a trench, and then disposing a suitable stress material into the trench.
US07935991B2

A semiconductor component includes a semiconductor substrate having at least one conductive interconnect on the backside thereof bonded to an inner surface of a substrate contact. A stacked semiconductor component includes multiple semiconductor components in a stacked array having bonded connections between conductive interconnects on adjacent components. An image sensor semiconductor component includes a semiconductor substrate having light detecting elements on the circuit side, and conductive interconnects on the backside.
US07935990B2

A method and apparatus is provided for use in power amplifiers for reducing the peak voltage that transistors are subjected to. A power amplifier is provided with first and second switching devices and an inductor connected between the switching devices. The switching devices are driven such that the switching devices are turned on and off during the same time intervals.
US07935988B2

A method of manufacturing a solid state imaging device having a photo-electric conversion portion array and a transfer electrode array, these arrays being provided in parallel to each other, upper surfaces and side wall surfaces of the transfer electrode array being covered with a light-shielding layer, and a transparent layer showing an oxidizing property at the time of film formation, the transparent layer being formed on the photo-electric conversion parts and the light-shielding layer.
US07935984B2

There are provided a higher-performance compound semiconductor epitaxial substrate having improved electron mobility characteristics and its production method. The compound semiconductor epitaxial substrate includes a channel layer in which electrons travel and an epitaxial layer on each of a front side and a back side of the channel layer, wherein a total p-type carrier concentration A (/cm2) per unit area in the epitaxial layer on the back side of the channel layer and a total p-type carrier concentration B (/cm2) per unit area in the epitaxial layer on the front side of the channel layer satisfy the following expression (1): 0
US07935978B2

A light emitting device includes: a substrate having a concave portion formed on a surface thereof; a light emitting element emitting a first light which is a blue light or a near-ultraviolet light; a resin sheet being a deformable resin sheet formed on the substrate so as to cover the light emitting element; a first transmissive layer formed in a hemispherical shape on the first region of the resin sheet, and transmitting the first light; a color conversion layer including a fluorescent material that converts the first light into a second light of a different wavelength from that of the first light and a transmissive material that transmits the first light, the color conversion layer covering the first transmissive layer in such a manner that an end portion reaches an upper face of the resin sheet; and a second transmissive layer covering the color conversion layer in such a manner that an end portion reaches the upper face of the resin sheet, and transmitting the first light and the second light.
US07935975B2

Disclosed is a white LED lamp using an ultraviolet light emitting LED, which can simultaneously realize a high level of color rendering and a high level of brightness. Included is an LED chip 2 having a luminescence wavelength between 360 nm and 440nm, and a light emitting part excitable upon exposure to light from the LED chip 2 to emit white light and comprising a phosphor, the phosphor including blue, green, and red light emitting phosphors bonded to each other. A phosphor selected from europium-activated halophosphate phosphors and europium-activated aluminate phosphors is used as the blue light emitting phosphor. A gold- and aluminum-activated zinc sulfide phosphor is used as the green light emitting phosphor. A phosphor selected from europium- and samarium-activated lanthanum oxysulfide phosphors and copper- and manganese-activated zinc sulfide phosphors is used as the red light emitting phosphor.
US07935970B2

A nitride semiconductor light emitting diode (LED) comprises an n-type nitride semiconductor layer; an electron emitting layer formed on the n-type nitride semiconductor layer, the electron emitting layer being composed of a nitride semiconductor layer including a transition element of group III; an active layer formed on the electron emitting layer; and a p-type nitride semiconductor layer formed on the active layer.
US07935963B2

A hybrid organic light emitting diode employing fluorescent family of blue light-emitting OLED and phosphorescent family of red and green light emitting OLED, each family being electrically isolated for driving current in to them independent of each other and thus prevent overloading the phosphorescent family when fluorescent family of OLED is driven at high current density. The electrical isolation built in to the device gives long life for the hybrid OLED and yields high brightness. The independent driving also yields additional advantage of varying the color temperature of white light from the device and thus enables the device to function as a variable color OLED lamp.
US07935958B2

The present invention provides a semiconductor device which has a storage element having a simple structure in which an organic compound layer is sandwiched between a pair of conductive layers and a manufacturing method of such a semiconductor device. With this characteristic, a semiconductor device having a storage circuit which is nonvolatile, additionally recordable, and easily manufactured and a manufacturing method of such a semiconductor device are provided. A semiconductor device according to the present invention has a plurality of field-effect transistors provided over an insulating layer and a plurality of storage elements provided over the plurality of field-effect transistors. Each of the plurality of field-effect transistors uses a single-crystal semiconductor layer as a channel portion and each of the plurality of storage elements is an element in which a first conductive layer, an organic compound layer, and a second conductive layer are stacked in order.
US07935957B2

The present invention provides a memory device and a semiconductor device which have high reliability for writing at low cost. Furthermore, the present invention provides a memory device and a semiconductor device having a non-volatile memory element in which data can be additionally written and which can prevent forgery due to rewriting and the like. The memory element includes a first conductive layer, a second conductive layer, and an organic compound layer, which is formed between the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer, and which has a photosensitized oxidation reduction agent which can be an excited state by recombination energy of electrons and holes and a substance which can react with the photosensitized oxidation reduction agent.
US07935950B2

An ovonic phase-change semiconductor memory device having a reduced area of contact between electrodes of chalcogenide memories, and methods of programming the same are disclosed. Such memory devices include a lower electrode including non-parallel sidewalls. An insulative material overlies the lower electrode such that an upper surface of the lower electrode is exposed. In one embodiment, the insulative material and lower electrode may have a co-planar upper surface. In another embodiment, an upper surface of the lower electrode is within a recess in the insulative material. A chalcogenide material and an upper electrode are formed over the upper surface of the lower electrode. This allows the memory cells to be made smaller and allows the overall power requirements for the memory cell to be minimized.
US07935949B2

A switching device with a solid electrolyte layer includes: a substrate; a lower electrode formed over the substrate; a solid electrolyte layer disposed over the lower electrode; and an upper electrode formed over the solid electrolyte layer.
US07935948B2

An apparatus for monitoring a position of a semiconductor process fluid interface in a dispense nozzle includes an extended optical source adapted to provide an optical beam propagating along an optical path. The optical beam is characterized by a path width measured in a first direction aligned with a dispense direction. The apparatus also includes an optical detector coupled to the optical path and adapted to detect at least a portion of the optical beam and a dispense nozzle disposed along the optical path at a location between the extended optical source and the optical detector. The apparatus further includes a nozzle positioning member coupled to the dispense nozzle and adapted to translate the dispense nozzle in the first direction.
US07935946B2

Using a beam current of an ion beam, a dose amount to a substrate, and a reference scan speed, a scan number of the substrate is calculated as an integer value in which digits after a decimal point are truncated. If the scan number is smaller than 2, the process is aborted. If the scan number is equal to or larger than 2, it is determined whether the scan number is even or odd. If the scan number is even, the current scan number is set as a practical scan number. If the scan number is odd, an even scan number which is smaller by 1 than the odd scan number is obtained, and the obtained even scan number is set as a practical scan number. A practical scan speed of the substrate is calculated by using the practical scan number, the beam current, and the dose amount.
US07935943B2

A focused ion beam (FIB) processing system includes a FIB irradiation unit that irradiates a FIB onto a pattern formed in a wafer, to form a section of the pattern, an imaging unit that images the section of the pattern, a calculation unit that calculates a pattern size based on the image of the section, a judgment unit that judges whether or not a differential of the pattern size with respect to time is equal to or below a threshold; and a control unit that stops the FIB irradiation unit if the judgment unit judges that the differential of the pattern size is equal to or below the threshold.
US07935935B2

A radiation-based timer for use in an implantable medical device (IMD) includes a radiation source and a radiation detection circuit. The radiation source emits radiation particles during a process referred to as radioactive decay. The radiation detection circuit detects the radiation particles emitted during the decay process and tracks the number of radiation particles detected. When the number of radiation particles detected reaches a threshold value, a timer signal is generated. In this manner, the radiation-based timer generates a timer signal as a function of the radioactive decay of the radiation source. The timer signal may be used by one or more components of the IMD for any of a number of functions, including as a wakeup trigger for a communications and/or a sensor event.
US07935931B2

The power consumption of a battery for supplying electric power to a cassette having a radiation detector for detecting radiation image information is greatly reduced. When a cassette transceiver of the cassette starts transmitting the radiation image information to a console transceiver of a console, the cassette transceiver changes the gain of a variable-gain amplifier to change a transmission radio-wave intensity, and transmits a test signal at the changed transmission radio-wave intensity. When the console transceiver receives the test signal, the console transceiver transmits a reception acknowledgement signal generated by a reception acknowledgement signal generator. In response to the reception acknowledgement signal, the cassette transceiver sets its own transmission radio-wave intensity to a value at the time the cassette transceiver received the reception acknowledgement signal, and transmits the radiation image information at the set transmission radio-wave intensity.
US07935929B2

An accessory for use with a microscope arranged to carry out ATR measurements has a support (40) which can be mounted on the moveable stage of the microscope. A mounting (100) for an ATR crystal (106) is carried on the support. The accessory includes a registration indicium which is located at a fixed position relative to the sample contacting area of the crystal. The registration indicium is preferably provided at the apex region of the crystal. The registration indicium can be used to ensure correct focussing of a sample when obtaining an image of the sample.
US07935927B2

A method and device for observing a specimen, in which a convergent electron beam is irradiated and scanned from a desired direction, on a surface of a calibration substrate on which a pattern with a known shape is formed, and a beam SEM image of the pattern formed on the calibration substrate is obtained. An actual direction of the electron beam irradiated on the surface of the calibration substrate is calculated by use of the information about an apparent geometric deformation of the known shape on the SEM image, and the actual direction of the electron beam to the desired is adjusted direction by using information of the calculated direction. The pattern with the known shape formed on the calibration substrate has a crystal plane formed by anisotropic chemical etching.
US07935925B2

In a method of scanning a charged particle beam which can position the scan position to a proper location inside a deflectable range of the scan position of charged particle beam, the scan position of charged particle beam is deflected to a plurality of target objects inside a scan position deflectable region and on the basis of a shift of a target object at a scan location after deflection, the deflection amount at the scan location is corrected.
US07935922B2

An ion guide chamber comprising a gas-tight elongate chamber, at least one first electrode for generating a field for transporting ions along the elongate chamber and at least one second electrode for generating a field for focusing ions within the elongate chamber. The elongate chamber, e. g. constituted by a glass tube, comprises a resistive structure extending substantially along a main axis of the chamber, whereas the first electrode is constituted by the resistive structure. Furthermore, the second electrode is arranged outside the elongate chamber. Having the RF electrodes arranged outside the vacuum chamber, provides a mechanically simple solution as well as insuring that contamination of the RF electrodes to the analyte gas cannot occur. This allows for a cost-saving design of the RF electrodes and with the corresponding voltages outside the chamber, preferably at atmospheric pressure or high vacuum, avoids discharges within the tube.
US07935920B2

An optical system for image projection is disclosed which is easy to be manufactured and designed and capable of projecting a bright image with high contrast. The optical system includes an illumination optical system introducing a luminous flux emitted from a light source to an image-forming element through an optical surface having a light-splitting function, and a projection optical system projecting the luminous flux from the image-forming element through the optical surface onto a projection surface. The illumination optical system includes a conversion system which respectively converts the widths of the luminous flux in first and second cross-sections into widths different from those before entering thereinto. Conversion rates in the first and second cross-sections are different from each other.
US07935919B2

The present invention allows immediate reading of a monitor voltage of a required arbitrary burst cell and provides a burst light receiving power monitor circuit that monitors the monitor voltage of a burst cell, the burst light receiving power monitor circuit comprising: a memory that includes a plurality of areas and that prepares an address for each area; a monitor voltage forming section that converts input signal light of the burst cell to a digital monitor voltage amplitude; and a controller that continuously stores the monitor voltage amplitude from the monitor voltage forming section in each area of the memory specified with an address by a control signal externally inputted according to the timing of the burst cell and that controls reading out a monitor voltage from an arbitrary area of the memory specified with an address by an external memory access signal.
US07935916B2

A system and/or a method reads, measures and/or controls intensity of light emitted from a light-emitting diode (LED). The system and/or the method have a light intensity detector adjacent to the LED for reading and/or measuring the intensity of light emitted from the LED. The system and/or the method have a control circuit that may be electrically connected to both the detector and/or the LED for measuring and/or for controlling an intensity of light emitted from the LED. A housing surrounds the light detector and/or the LED. The housing has a pathway that allows only light emitted from the LED to reach the light detector. The LED has a finish and/or a coating that eliminates and/or retards absorption of light by internal components of the LED. The finish and/or the coating eliminates and/or retards reflection of the light by the LED.
US07935914B2

A sealed cookware and servingware object, such as a pressure cooker, is provided. The object is temperature and pressure regulated using control technology such as Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology and temperature sensors associated with the objects. In a first embodiment, the temperature sensor is at least partially embedded in the base of the object. In a second embodiment, the temperature sensor extends through a tunnel in a wall of the object and includes a sealing cap to cover the tunnel and prevent air and/or liquid from escaping the interior of the object.
US07935910B2

A method of forming a via hole reaching a bonding pad in a wafer having a plurality of devices on the front surface of a substrate and bonding pads formed on each of the devices by applying a pulse laser beam from the rear surface side of the substrate, wherein when a pulse laser beam having a spot diameter which satisfies D/2≦d≦D−2 μm (wherein a diameter of the via hole to be formed is represented as D and a spot diameter of the pulse laser beam is represented as d) is applied in such a manner that the periphery of the spot moves along the inner circumference of the via hole to be formed, the pulse laser beam is applied at an angle of 120 to 180° from the previous application position.
US07935909B2

Methods and devices for controlling the flow of gases through a plasma arc torch are provided. A flow of plasma gas is directed to a plasma chamber, a first flow of auxiliary gas is directed around a plasma stream that exits a tip in one of a swirling manner and a radial manner, and a second flow of auxiliary gas is directed around the first flow of auxiliary gas and the plasma stream in one of a coaxial manner, an angled manner, and a radial manner. The first flow of auxiliary gas functions to constrict and shape the plasma stream to improve cut quality and cut speed, and the second flow of auxiliary gas functions to protect the plasma arc torch during piercing and cutting and to cool components of the plasma arc torch such that thicker workpieces may be processed with a highly shaped plasma stream.
US07935894B2

A flexible wiring cable includes a flexible flat base, and a plurality of first and second leads wired on first and second surfaces of the base respectively. First and second circuit elements are mounted on the first and second leads respectively. A plurality of terminal electrodes is provided on the first surface of the base. The terminal electrodes include a plurality of first terminal electrodes formed on the first leads and a plurality of second terminal electrodes formed on the second leads, being exposed to the outside of the first surface side via through holes formed in the base.
US07935891B2

The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a wiring board comprising: a build-up layer, in which wiring patterns are piled with insulating layers; and a core substrate, which is separately formed from the build-up layer, the method comprising the steps of: separably forming the build-up layer on a plate-shaped support; electrically connecting the core substrate to the wiring patterns of the build-up layer on the support; and removing the support from the build-up layer so as to form the wiring board, in which the build-up layer is connected to the core substrate. By separably forming the build-up layer and the core substrate, the wiring board effectively exhibiting characteristics thereof can be produced.
US07935887B2

An electrical device outlet cover for use in covering an opening in an outlet box or an opening in an outlet box drywall ring. It includes a front plate having a cut line formed through a first, telescopable portion of the front plate, the cut line allowing the first, telescopable portion of the front plate to be telescoped outwardly from a second, stationary portion of the front plate. Also provided is a cutting guide with a wall that extends generally perpendicularly upwardly from the front plate and follows a path that generally corresponds to a shape of an outlet box or a drywall ring to which the device outlet cover is to be attached. The invention also provides a method for protecting an electrical device in an electrical device outlet during installation of sheet material and providing for accruing cutting of an opening in the sheet material.
US07935885B2

An insulated assembly of insulated electric conductors includes a first plurality of insulated electric conductors. Each insulated electric conductor has a copper core, a uniform thickness thin sheet of aluminum that is mechanically formed to envelope the copper core and a single dielectric layer of aluminum oxide that is formed by anodizing an outer surface of the thin sheet of aluminum. A first aluminum layer is mechanically formed to envelope the first plurality of insulated electric conductors and a first single dielectric layer of aluminum oxide surrounds the first aluminum layer.
US07935882B2

A self-powered food heater. The food heater includes a burner with an electric fuel pump and an electric blower, a fire box, a water tank and electronic controls. The food heater also includes a set of thermoelectric modules compressed against a heat transfer surface of the tank. Hot exhaust leaving the burner enters the fire box. Some of the heat from the fire box passes through the thermoelectric modules generating sufficient electric power to power the fuel pump and the blower. Water in the tank is heated to its boiling temperature. Heat from the boiling water heats food also contained in the tank. In a preferred embodiment special compression frames provide substantially uniform compression, within desired ranges, of the modules between a portion of the heat transfer surface of the tank and a module cover plate. Fins may be provided on the cover plate or insulating spacers may be added to assure the hot side temperatures of the modules are within desired ranges to provide desired power output without damaging the modules. In a preferred embodiment the modules are compressed against a heat transfer surface on the outside of the tank within the fire box.
US07935876B1

A method and apparatus for string load reduction and real-time pitch alteration on stringed instruments. A string load is substantially reduced with a camming surface actuator so that the pitch can be rapidly manipulated by an input force which is generated by human power or an electronically controlled motor. Various types of camming surfaces are provided as well as a load optimization calculation which determines the shape of a variable ratio camming surface. Multiple embodiments are described including a constant force pitch alteration device, a motorized control system with pitch compensation and real-time tracking of string pitch to multiple relative input signals, a control signal generator based on real-time position measurement of a control object relative to an electromagnetic radiation sensor, and methods for generating mechanical looping, vibrato, and polyphonic chorus effects which can be automated or dynamically controlled by a user. Other embodiments are described and shown.
US07935869B2

1. Chimeric gene containing several herbicide tolerance genes, plant cell and plant which are tolerant to several herbicides.2. The plant is tolerant to several herbicides at the same time, in particular to the inhibitors of HPPD and to those of EPSPS and/or to the dihalohydroxybenzonitriles.3. Use for removing weeds from plants with several herbicides.
US07935868B2

The invention provides seed and plants of the spinach line designated MSA66-1119M. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of spinach line MSA66-1119M, and to methods for producing a spinach plant produced by crossing a plant of spinach line MSA66-1119M with itself or with another spinach plant, such as a plant of another line. The invention further relates to seeds and plants produced by such crossing. The invention further relates to parts of a plant of spinach line MSA66-1119M, including the fruit and gametes of such plants.
US07935865B2

The invention provides seed and plants of the spinach line designated SMB66-1082F. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of spinach line SMB66-1082F, and to methods for producing a spinach plant produced by crossing a plant of spinach line SMB66-1082F with itself or with another spinach plant, such as a plant of another line. The invention further relates to seeds and plants produced by such crossing. The invention further relates to parts of a plant of spinach line SMB66-1082F, including the fruit and gametes of such plants.
US07935863B2

The present invention is directed to polypeptides and nucleic acid sequences related thereto, and methods to purify, obtain, and use such molecules in genetic engineering applications. More specifically, the present invention relates to polypeptides associated with the production of triacylglycerols in plants and fungi.
US07935861B2

A liquid distribution unit disposed in a position between an absorbent member and a wearer's body. The liquid distribution unit includes a sheet, the sheet including a plurality of openings defined through material which is otherwise liquid impermeable, and a plurality of introductory tubes extending toward the absorbent member, and each one of the introductory tubes includes one first end and one second end. Each first end of the tubes is connected to the sheet so that a center of each of a plurality of openings of the sheet is coincident with a center of an opening of each first end. The introductory tubes are adjacent to one another through an empty space. An absorbent product having the distribution unit is provided.
US07935858B2

A tissue spacer shaped to a general configuration of a projected tissue growth site of a patient for use in conjunction with vacuum suction for medical purposes and reduced pressure device and method employing the same.
US07935853B2

A composition comprising a 2,4,-disubstituted phenol derivative in its micronized form and its use in the treatment of leukotriene-mediated diseases, gastrointestinal-inflammatory diseases or pulmonary fibrosis. More particularly, 2,4,6-triiodophenol can be used for the treatment of pulmonary fibrosis and arthritis.
US07935851B2

High purity isobutylene streams are obtained by the hydroformylation of mixed butene streams containing butene-1 and isobutylene (and optionally butene-2) under conditions that hydroformylate primarily butene-1 to yield a mixture of valeraldehyde and isobutylene, which may be separated out as an enriched isobutylene stream and used in the production of methyl tertiary butyl ether, tertiary butyl alcohol, di-isobutylene or polyisobutylene.
US07935850B2

Increasing the propylene content of the propylene feed delivered to a continuous hydroformylation process from the 95 mole % maximum level that is usual in typical chemical grade propylene to at least 97 mole %, for example to the 97.5% level obtainable from the conversion of oxygenates to olefins or the 99.5% level of polymer grade propylene, enables adjustments to be made in the syngas feed to the process. This leads to surprising improvements in hydroformylation product yield, in reactor capacity utilization and in the reduction of amounts of waste gases.
US07935847B2

C-nitroso compound releases nitroxyl ion in blood in a second order reaction.
US07935846B2

The present invention provides a process for producing high-purity aliphatic tertiary amines containing a less amount of by-products by using a chromium-free catalyst with a good productivity in an economically advantageous manner. The present invention relates to a process for producing a tertiary amine by reducing an amide compound in the presence of a catalyst containing copper and magnesium at a molar ratio of magnesium to copper (magnesium/copper) of from 0.01 to 20.
US07935839B2

The invention relates to the use of compounds to ameliorate or treat an condition such as a cystic fibrosis, neutropenia or other exemplified conditions. Exemplary compounds that can be used include 3β-hydroxy-17β-aminoandrost-5-ene, 3β-hydroxy-16α-fluoro-17β-aminoandrost-5-ene, 3α-hydroxy-16α-fluoro-17β-aminoandrost-5-ene, 3β-hydroxy-16β-fluoro-17β-aminoandrost-5-ene, 1α,3β-dihydroxy-4α-fluoroandrost-5-ene-17-one, 1α,3β,17β-trihydroxy-4α-fluoroandrost-5-ene, 1β,3β-dihydroxy-6α-bromoandrost-5-ene, 1α-fluoro-3β,12α-dihydroxyandrost-5-ene-17-one, 1α-fluoro-3β,4α-dihydroxyandrost-5-ene and 4α-fluoro-3β,6α,17β-trihydroxyandrostane.
US07935829B2

The present invention relates to a process for the manufacture of cyclic thio esters (thiolactones) and related compounds by hydrogenation of cyclic thioanhydrides in the presence of metal catalysts.
US07935828B2

The present invention is directed to the provision of a novel liquid crystalline organic semiconductor material that is highly stable under an film forming environment and, at the same time, can easily form a film, for example, by coating. The liquid crystalline organic semiconductor material is represented by chemical formula 1 wherein R1 and R2 represent an identical alkyl group having 7 to 20 carbon atoms: There is also provided a liquid crystalline organic semiconductor material characterized by being represented by chemical formula 2 wherein R3 and R4 represent an identical alkyl group having 7 to 20 carbon atoms:
US07935823B2

Some exemplary embodiments comprise fluoro-containing derivatives of pyrido[4,3-b]indoles (and exemplary methods of making the same) that may be administered to a mammal (including a human) in an effective amount for potential use in the treatment or prophylaxis of neurological disorders including AD, mild cognitive impairment, senile and vascular dementia, HD, ALS, Parkinson's disease, AIDS-related dementia, ischaemic cerebral pathologies, neuropathic pain, ADHD (attention deficit disorder/hyperactivity syndrome), eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia, panic attacks, withdrawal from drug abuse such as cocaine, ethanol, nicotine and benzodiazepines, schizophrenia (in particular the cognitive deficit of schizophrenia), stroke and also disorders associated with spinal trauma and/or head injury. These derivatives may also be useful for the treatment of borderline personality disorder, obesity, and for use as geroprotectors. The compounds may also be used as “pharmacological tools” for an investigation of the mechanism of protection against neurodegeneration disorders in vivo or in vitro.
US07935820B2

The present invention provides a method for the N-demethylation of an N-methylated heterocycle, particularly a morphine or tropane alkaloid or derivative thereof. The method comprises reacting the heterocycle with a metal catalyst and a solvent in the presence of an oxidizing agent.
US07935818B2

A process for the preparation of valgancyclovir which comprises: a) reacting a compound of formula 7, in an aprotic solvent, in the presence of a condensing agent, with a compound of formula 8, wherein R1, and R2 may be, each independently, hydrogen, an halogen atom or an hydroxyl group; the double bond may either be in the E or Z configuration or a mixture thereof to yield a compound of formula 9 b) mild hydrolysis of compound obtained in a) to give valgancyclovir.
US07935812B2

The present invention relates to compounds, compositions, and methods for the study, diagnosis, and treatment of traits, diseases and conditions that respond to the modulation of hepatitis C virus (HCV) gene expression and/or activity. The present invention is also directed to compounds, compositions, and methods relating to traits, diseases and conditions that respond to the modulation of expression and/or activity of genes involved in hepatitis C virus (HCV) gene expression pathways or other cellular processes that mediate the maintenance or development of such traits, diseases and conditions. Specifically, the invention relates to double stranded nucleic acid molecules capable of mediating or that mediate RNA interference (RNAi) against hepatitis C virus (HCV) gene expression, including cocktails of such small nucleic acid molecules and lipid nanoparticle (LNP) formulations of such small nucleic acid molecules.
US07935808B2

Compositions and methods comprising recombinant expression vector elements (rEVEs) to enhance the level of expression of recombinant proteins are described. Other compositions and methods for lowering, substantially suppressing, or essentially silencing expression of a recombinant protein are also described.
US07935805B1

The present invention relates to polynucleotides encoding immunogenic HIV type C Pol, Gag- and/or Env-containing polypeptides. Uses of the polynucleotides in applications including DNA immunization, generation of packaging cell lines, and production of Pol, Gag- and/or Env-containing proteins are also described.
US07935797B2

This invention provides methods for inhibiting fusion of HIV-1 to CD4+ cells which comprise contacting CD4+ cells with a non-chemokine agent capable of binding to a chemokine receptor in an amount and under conditions such that fusion of HIV-1 to the CD4+ cells is inhibited. This invention also provides methods for inhibiting HIV-1 infection of CD4+ cells which comprise contacting CD4+ cells with a non-chemokine agent capable of binding to a chemokine receptor in an amount and under conditions such that fusion of HIV-1 to the CD4+ cells is inhibited, thereby inhibiting the HIV-1 infection. This invention provides non-chemokine agents capable of binding to the chemokine receptor and inhibiting fusion of HIV-1 to CD4+ cells. This invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising an amount of the non-chemokine agent capable of binding to the chemokine receptor and inhibiting fusion of HIV-1 to CD4+ cells effective to prevent fusion of HIV-1 to CD4+ cells and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
US07935796B2

Monoclonal antibodies that specifically bind to ANGPTL3 are provided. Monoclonal antibodies that neutralize at least one activity of ANGPTL3 are provided. Methods of treating a disorder of lipid metabolism using neutralizing monoclonal antibodies are provided.
US07935795B2

The present invention provides a human monoclonal antibody, and antigen-binding portions thereof, capable of binding to human granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (hGM-CSF) and neutralizing the bioactivity of the hGM-CSF, wherein the anti-hGM-CSF monoclonal antibody has a light chain (L chain) including an amino acid sequence SEQ ID NO:1 and a heavy chain (H chain) including an amino acid sequence SEQ ID NO: 2. Also provided are human monoclonal anti-hGM-CSF antibodies, and antigen-binding portions thereof, characterized by complementarity determining regions (CDRs) or H chain and L chain variable regions related to SEQ ID NO:1 and SEQ ID NO:2. Antibodies, and antigen-binding portions thereof, of the invention are useful in the treatment of diseases associated with overproduction of hGM-CSF, including allergic disease, graft rejection and graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), and autoimmune diseases.
US07935789B2

The present invention is to provide meiosis-specific novel kinetochore protein Sgo1 (shugoshin) derived from fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe, and a homologue or paralogue thereof having a regulatory activity of chromosome segregation; and DNAs encoding them; as a factor ensuring the retention of unidirection and cohesion in sister centromere at meiosis I in cooperation with cohesin. To elucidate the proteins protecting Rec8 during anaphase, the present inventor screened in fission yeast genes for a gene that inhibits mitotic growth and prevents sister chromatid from the separation at anaphase, when co-expressed with Rec8. In this approach, meiosis-specific protein Sgo1 that protects (Shugo) centromeric Rec8 from the degradation at anaphase I was identified. Further, a budding yeast Sgo1 homologue and a fission yeast mitotic paralogue Sgo2 were identified.
US07935788B2

Recently, the development of inducible expression systems has involved exploitation of the p-cym operon from Pseudomonas putida. Disclosed herein are novel expression systems and components thereof, which involve the development of a CymR variant with reverse DNA binding activity, such that they exhibit increased affinity for DNA in a presence rather than an absence of an effector molecule such as cumene or an equivalent thereof. Also disclosed are the CymR variant, fusion proteins incorporating such a variant, and its use in the control and expression of polynucleotides. The CymR variant comprises a 142Glu to 142Gly single point mutation of wild type CymR.
US07935785B2

The invention provides isolated MMP-2, MMP-9 and MT1-MMP selective substrate polypeptides or functional peptidomimetics. The selective substrate polypeptides contain the following sequences: MMP-2 selective substrate polypeptides contain SEQ ID NOS:1-27, MMP-9 selective substrate polypeptides contain SEQ ID NOS:28-35, and MT1-MMP selective substrate polypeptide contain SEQ ID NOS:36-40. In addition, the invention provides a method of preferentially directing a moiety to a site of MMP-2 activity by administering to a subject an effective amount of an isolated MMP-2 selective substrate polypeptide containing SEQ ID NOS:45-47 linked to a moiety. Also provided is a method of preferentially directing a moiety to a site of MMP-9 activity by administering to a subject an effective amount of an isolated MMP-9 selective substrate polypeptide containing SEQ ID NO:44 linked to a moiety, and preferentially directing a moiety to a site of MT1-MMP activity by administering to a subject an effective amount of an isolated MT1-MMP selective substrate polypeptide containing SEQ ID NOS:36-40 linked to a moiety.
US07935784B2

There is disclosed a pharmaceutical composition for treating solid tumors that overexpress HER-2, comprising an agent selected from the group consisting of (a) an isolated polypeptide having from about 50 to 79 amino acids taken from the sequence of SEQ ID NO. 1 or SEQ ID NO:12, wherein the polypeptide binds to the extracellular domain ECD of HER-2 at an affinity of at least 108, (b) an isolated and glycosylated polypeptide having from about 300 to 419 amino acids taken from the sequence of SEQ ID NO:2 or SEQ ID NO:13, wherein the C terminal 79 amino acids are present, and wherein at least three N-linked glycosylation sites are present, (c) a monoclonal antibody that binds to the ECD of HER-2, and (d) combinations thereof, with the proviso that the agent cannot be the monoclonal antibody alone, and pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Also disclosed are prognostic and diagnostic assays.
US07935783B2

A method and apparatus for processing polystyrene. The method includes the steps: using at least one scrapped surface heat exchanger (160) to heat a solution of polystyrene dissolved in an organic solvent to provide a heated solution of polystyrene dissolved in the organic solvent, and separating the dissolved polystyrene from the organic solvent. The apparatus includes: a holding tank at least partly filled with a solution of polystyrene dissolved in an organic solvent, at least one scrapped surface heat exchanger (160), and a separator.
US07935781B2

An improved process for preparing regioregular substituted polythiophenes is described where a substituted thiophene having at least two leaving groups is treated with an organomagnesium halide followed by zinc chloride or bromide and the resulting reaction mixture in solution is polymerized with a Ni(II) catalyst.
US07935778B2

The present invention relates to a phenol resin obtained by reacting phenolic compounds with formaldehyde and/or formaldehyde-forming compounds. The present invention furthermore relates to the use of such a phenol resin, as well as to a molded product having a core of solid, inert parts impregnated with such a phenol resin.
US07935765B2

The present invention is a composition useful as an impact modifier for polyamide compositions. In one embodiment, impact modifiers of the present invention are ethylene maleic anhydride copolymers having at least 3% maleic anhydride functionality. Compositions comprising copolymers of ethylene and maleic anhydride or its functional equivalents and ethylene copolymers with polar comonomers are disclosed. The compositions provide miscible blends and exhibit improved properties, such as increased temperature resistance and mechanical strength, compared to pure ethylene copolymers with polar comonomers.
US07935752B2

The thermosetting resin composition and the solder resist ink according to the present invention are characterized by comprising: a thermosetting resin (A) comprising (A1) a compound containing an acid anhydride group and/or a carboxyl group and (A2) a compound having a functional group which reacts with (A1) described above and an organic filler (B) containing a phosphorus atom, wherein the organic filler (B) containing a phosphorus atom has an average particle diameter of 50 Êm or less. According to the present invention, capable of being provided at a low cost and a good productivity are an excellent thermosetting resin composition and solder resist ink capable of forming a cured material which achieves an adhesion to a substrate, a low warping property, a flexibility, a plating resistance, a solder heat resistance and a long term reliability as well as a flame retardancy, and a cured material and a protective film which are excellent in the above characteristics. Further, electronic parts having a protective film which is excellent in a flame retardancy and which has a high reliability can be provided.
US07935750B2

The present invention provides: a polycarbonate light diffusing resin composition in which a first discoloration is a little, and particularly a photo-deterioration caused by a cold-cathode tube as a light source of liquid crystal displays is suppressed; and a light diffuser panel obtained by molding the same.The polycarbonate light diffusing resin composition comprises: (A) 100 parts by mass of an aromatic polycarbonate resin; (B) 0.01 to 10 parts by mass of a light diffusing agent; and (C) 0.05 to 5 parts by mass of a light-resisting agent having a maximum absorption wavelength at 290 to 330 nm in an ultraviolet light absorption spectrum and the light diffuser panel is a light diffuser panel having a thickness of 0.5 to 2 mm and obtained by molding the polycarbonate light diffusing resin composition.
US07935746B2

Disclosed herein is a powder coating suspension prepared by a method comprising (1) emulsifying a liquid component comprising a liquid starting product in an aqueous medium in the presence of an emulsifier whose aqueous solution at the critical micelle concentration (CMC) has a surface tension >30 mN/m to give an aqueous emulsion of liquid particles and (2) cooling the emulsion so that a suspension of dimensionally stable particles is formed. Also disclosed are a process for preparing a powder coating suspension and a process for preparing a powder coating material.
US07935722B2

The present invention provides a compound of the formula: Formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; pharmaceutical compositions comprising an effective amount of a compound of Formula (I) in combination with a suitable carrier, diluent, or excipient; and methods for treating physiological disorders, particularly frailty, osteoporosis, osteopenia, and male and female sexual dysfunction comprising administering to a patient in need thereof an effective amount of a compound of formula (I).
US07935721B2

This invention is directed to spiro-oxindole compounds of formula (I): wherein k, j, Q, R1, R2a, R2b, R2c, R2d, R3a, R3b, R3c, and R3d are as defined herein, as a stereoisomer, enantiomer, tautomer thereof or mixtures thereof; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate or prodrug thereof, which are useful for the treatment and/or prevention of sodium channel-mediated diseases or conditions, such as pain. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds and methods of preparing and using the compounds are also disclosed.
US07935713B2

Glucagon receptor antagonist compounds are disclosed. The compounds are useful for treating type 2 diabetes and related conditions. Pharmaceutical compositions and methods of treatment are also included.
US07935712B2

The invention relates to a compound of a formula (I): or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or ester thereof, useful as a therapeutic agent for various ACC-related disorders.
US07935683B2

Disclosed is a complex which comprises a carbon nanotube and a modified polysaccharide having a backbone chain with the side thereof being introduced with monosaccharide or oligosaccharide residues. The polysaccharide is preferably β-1,3-glucan. The complex is prepared by admixing a solution of the modified polysaccharide dissolved in an aprotic polar solvent or a strong alkali solution with an aqueous dispersion of the carbon nanotube, and incubating the mixture.
US07935681B2

4-Amino-1-((2R,3S,4S,5R)-5-azido-4-hydroxy-5-hydroxymethyl-3-methyl-tetrahydro-furan-2-yl)-1H-pyrimidin-2-one (22) and prodrugs thereof are hepatitis C (HCV) polymerase inhibitors. Also disclosed are compositions and methods for inhibiting HCV and treating HCV-mediated diseases, processes for making the compounds and synthetic intermediates employed in the process.
US07935679B2

Gene expression profiling is a powerful tool that has varied utility. It enables classification of multiple myeloma into subtypes and identifing genes directly involved in disease pathogensis and clinical manifestation. The present invention used gene expression profiling in large uniformly treated population of patients with myeloma to identify genes associated with poor prognosis. It also demonstrated that over-expression of CKS1B gene, mainly due to gene amplification that was determined by Fluorescent in-situ hybridization to impart a poor prognosis in multiple myleoma. It is further contemplated that therapeutic strategies that directly target CKS1B or related pathways may represent novel, and more specific means of treating high risk myeloma and may prevent its secondary evolution.
US07935677B2

A structured drug system that is useful for delivering a drug payload to a specific tissue or cell type is disclosed. The system is based on purified polymalic acid. This polymer isolated from natural sources is biocompatible, biodegradable and of very low toxicity. The polymer is extremely water soluble and contains a large number of free carboxyl groups which can used to attach a number of different active molecules. In the examples disclosed N-hydroxysuccinimide esters of the carboxyl groups are used to attach such molecules. The active molecules include monoclonal antibodies to promote specific cellular uptake and specific pro-drugs such as antisense nucleic acids designed to modify the cellular metabolism of a target cell. The pro-drugs are advantageously linked by a somewhat labile bond so that they will be released under specific conditions. In addition, the system contains amide-linked valine to encourage membrane disruption under lysosomal conditions. Polyethylene glycol groups are attached to extend the drug system's circulation half-life. In addition, fluorescent reported groups can be readily included to aid in visualizing and confirming drug system targeting. The drug system can deliver treatments for a wide range of diseases and is specially advantageous for treatment of neoplasms.
US07935676B2

The present invention relates to a replicon RNA comprising a nucleotide sequence at least containing the 5′ untranslated region, the nucleotide sequence encoding NS3 protein, NS4A protein, NS4B protein, NS5A protein and NS5B protein, and the 3′ untranslated region on the genomic RNA of hepatitis C virus of genotype 2a.
US07935669B2

The present invention relates to the field of perfumery. More particularly, it concerns compounds comprising at least one β-oxy or β-thio carbonyl moiety capable of liberating a perfuming molecule such as, for example, an α,β-unsaturated ketone, aldehyde or carboxylic ester. The present invention concerns also the use of the compounds in perfumery as well as the perfuming compositions or perfumed articles comprising the invention's compounds.
US07935665B2

A non-corrosive cleaning composition that is aqueous-based, non-hazardous and will not harm the environment and is useful primarily for removing both fresh and aged plasma etch residues from a substrate. The composition comprises (a) water; and (b) a synergistic combination of at least one tricarboxylic acid and at least one carboxylic acid. Preferably, the at least one carboxylic acid has a pKa value ranging from 3 to 6. Also, a method for removing etch residues from a substrate. The method includes the steps of (a) providing a substrate with etch residue; and (b) contacting the substrate with a cleaning composition comprising water; and a synergistic combination of at least one tricarboxylic acid and at least one carboxylic acid.
US07935656B2

The present teachings provide thermosensitive recording compositions which are useful for preparing thermosensitive recording media for displaying images. The thermosensitive recording media can include a substrate, a thermosensitive recording composition, and a topcoat. Methods of preparing and using the thermosensitive recording media also are disclosed.
US07935652B2

Nanoparticle catalysts are manufactured by first preparing a solution of a solvent and a plurality of complexed and caged catalyst atoms. Each of the complexed and caged catalyst atoms has at least three organic ligands forming a cage around the catalyst atom. The complexed and caged catalyst atoms are reduced to form a plurality of nanoparticles. During formation of the nanoparticles, the organic ligands provide spacing between the catalyst atoms via steric hindrances and/or provide interactions with a support material. The spacing and interactions with the support material allow formation of small, stable, and uniform nanoparticles.
US07935651B1

A method for preparing a titanium-containing Ziegler-Natta catalyst is disclosed. A dialkyl magnesium compound, a trialkyl aluminum compound, and a polymethylhydrosiloxane are first combined in a hydrocarbon solvent. That product is then combined with dry, alcohol-free magnesium chloride. A solid product from the reaction with the magnesium chloride component is isolated and washed with a hydrocarbon solvent. The washed solid product is then combined with an alkyl aluminum dichloride or a dialkyl aluminum chloride to give the catalyst. The catalyst is suitable for both slurry and gas-phase olefin polymerizations. Polyolefins produced with the catalyst have broad molecular weight distributions and narrow distributions of relatively large particles.
US07935647B2

The present invention relates to a laminate prepared in part from a continuous acid polysaccharide film. In various embodiments, the laminate is useful for fabrication as a protective article as it typically is largely impermeable to hazardous chemical and biological agents, but is sufficiently permeable to water vapor that, if worn as protective apparel, it is both protective and comfortable to wear.
US07935632B2

Formation of metal pipes resulting from formation of metal silicide contacts are reduced or avoided. To reduce formation of metal pipes, an epitaxial layer is formed over the diffusion region on which the metal silicide contact is formed. The epitaxial layer reduces defects which enhances diffusion of metal atoms or molecules.
US07935629B2

An apparatus and method are disclosed for an improved semiconductor interconnect scheme using a simplified process. In an embodiment of the apparatus, a polysilicon shape is formed on a silicon area. The polysilicon shape is created having a bridging vertex. When a spacer is created on the polysilicon shape, the spacer width is formed to be small enough near the bridging vertex to allow a silicide bridge to form that creates an electrical coupling between the silicon area and the bridging vertex. Semiconductor devices and circuits are created using the improved semiconductor interconnect scheme using the simplified process.
US07935623B2

In a method for fabricating a semiconductor device, first, a first metal interconnect is formed in an interconnect formation region, and a second metal interconnect is formed in a seal ring region. Subsequently, by chemical mechanical polishing or etching, the upper portions of the first metal interconnect and the second metal interconnect are recessed to form recesses. A second insulating film filling the recesses is then formed above a substrate, and the upper portion of the second insulating film is planarized. Next, a hole and a trench are formed to extend halfway through the second insulating film, and ashing and polymer removal are performed. Subsequently to this, the hole and the trench are allowed to reach the first metal interconnect and the second metal interconnect.
US07935615B2

A self-supported III-V nitride semiconductor substrate having a substantially uniform carrier concentration distribution in a surface layer existing from a top surface to a depth of at least 10 μm is produced by growing a III-V nitride semiconductor crystal while forming a plurality of projections on a crystal growth interface at the initial or intermediate stage of crystal growth; conducting the crystal growth until recesses between the projections are buried, so that the crystal growth interface becomes flat; and continuing the crystal growth to a thickness of 10 μm or more while keeping the crystal growth interface flat.
US07935609B2

A method is provided for fabricating a semiconductor device and more particularly to a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device having radiation hardened buried insulators and isolation insulators in SOI technology. The method includes removing a substrate from an SOI wafer and selectively removing a buried oxide layer formed as a layer between the SOI wafer and active regions of a device. The method further comprises selectively removing isolation oxide formed between the active regions, and replacing the removed buried oxide layer and the isolation oxide with radiation hardened insulators.
US07935607B2

According to one aspect of the present invention, a method of forming a microelectronic assembly, such as an integrated passive device (IPD) (72), is provided. An insulating dielectric layer (32) having a thickness (36) of at least 4 microns is formed over a silicon substrate (20). At least one passive electronic component (62) is formed over the insulating dielectric layer (32).
US07935598B2

A vertical channel transistor includes a plurality of active pillar patterns extending perpendicularly from the top surface of the substrate toward an upper part. A gate insulating layer is deposited on the side wall of the active pillar pattern and serves as an ion diffusion barrier between the pillar patterns and surrounding lower gate electrodes. The resultant pillar pattern structure is encapsulated with a metal. The resultant pillar pattern is surrounded on all sides by a specified height by a sacrificial layer of Spin-On Dielectric (SOD). The metal layer is etched-back to the height of the sacrificial layer, thus forming the lower gate electrodes. A spacer layer of an insulating mater is deposited surrounding the upper part of the pillar patterns and the sacrificial layer is removed exposing a part of the lower gate electrodes. The exposed gate electrode is etched to facilitate semiconductor integration.
US07935597B2

Performance and reliability of a semiconductor device including a non-volatile memory are improved. A memory cell of the non-volatile memory includes, over an upper portion of a semiconductor substrate, a select gate electrode formed via a first dielectric film and a memory gate electrode formed via a second dielectric film formed of an ONO multilayered film having a charge storing function. The first dielectric film functions as a gate dielectric film, and includes a third dielectric film made of silicon oxide or silicon oxynitride and a metal-element-containing layer made of a metal oxide or a metal silicate formed between the select gate electrode and the third dielectric film. A semiconductor region positioned under the memory gate electrode and the second dielectric film has a charge density of impurities lower than that of a semiconductor region positioned under the select gate electrode and the first dielectric film.
US07935584B2

There is provided a method for manufacturing a crystalline semiconductor film. An insulating film is formed over a substrate; an amorphous semiconductor film is formed over the insulating film; a cap film is formed over the amorphous semiconductor film; the amorphous semiconductor film is scanned and irradiated with a continuous wave laser beam or a laser beam with a repetition rate of greater than or equal to 10 MHz, through the cap film; and the amorphous semiconductor film is melted and crystallized At this time, an energy distribution in a length direction and a width direction in a laser beam spot is a Gaussian distribution, and the amorphous semiconductor film is scanned with the laser beam so as to be irradiated with the laser beam for a period of greater than or equal to 5 microseconds and less than or equal to 100 microseconds per region.
US07935580B2

A display substrate includes a gate line, a storage capacitor, a source line, a switching element, a pixel electrode, and a color filter. The gate line is formed on a base substrate. The storage capacitor has a storage line substantially parallel to the gate line. The source line crosses the gate line to define a pixel area. The switching element is connected to the gate line and the source line. The pixel electrode contacts the switching element. The color filter pattern is formed between the base substrate and the pixel electrode such that the color filter pattern contracts the base substrate and the pixel electrode. Thus, the color filter pattern is formed on the display substrate using a three-mask process.
US07935577B2

A trench is formed in a semiconductor region. A dielectric layer lining sidewalls and bottom surface of the trench is formed. The dielectric layer is thicker along lower sidewalls and the bottom surface than along upper sidewalls of the trench. After forming the dielectric layer, a lower portion of the trench is filled with a shield electrode. Dielectric spacers are formed along the upper trench sidewalls. After forming the dielectric spacers, an inter-electrode dielectric (IED) is formed in the trench over the shield electrode. After forming the IED, the dielectric spacers are removed.
US07935576B2

Semiconductor device 10 includes wiring substrate 11 including wiring 14 and wiring 15 in predetermined patterns, semiconductor chips 19 and 23 which are mounted on wiring substrate 11 with electrodes electrically connected to wiring 14 of wiring substrate 11 via wires 21 and 24, first sealing body 25 made of an insulative resin which is formed on a part of wiring substrate 11 and which covers semiconductor chips 19 and 23 and wires 21 and 24, a plurality of connecting connection pads 27 provided on the top surface of first sealing body 25, a plurality of connecting wires 26 which extend from the surface of wiring substrate 11, on which semiconductor chips 19 and 23 are mounted, to the top surface of first sealing body 25 via the side surfaces of first sealing body 25, and which electrically connect wiring 14 of wiring substrate 11 and the plurality of connecting connection pads 27 and second sealing body 28 made of an insulative resin which covers the plurality of connecting wires 26.
US07935568B2

A method is provided for fabricating a unit including a semiconductor element such as a sensor unit, e.g., for optical imaging. A semiconductor element has plurality of conductive features exposed at the front surface and semiconductive or conductive material exposed at least one of the front and rear surfaces. At least some of the conductive features are insulated from the exposed semiconductive or conductive material. By electrodeposition, an insulative layer is formed to overlie the at least one of exposed semiconductive material or conductive material. Subsequently, a plurality of conductive contacts and a plurality of conductive traces are formed overlying the electrodeposited insulative layer, the conductive traces connecting the conductive features to the conductive contacts. The unit can be incorporated in a camera module having an optical element in registration with an imaging area of the semiconductor element.
US07935567B2

An active material electronic device with a containment layer. The device includes an active chalcogenide, pnictide, or phase-change material in electrical communication with an upper and lower electrode. The device includes a containment layer formed over the active material that prevents escape of volatilized matter from the active material when the device is exposed to high temperatures during fabrication or operation. The containment layer further prevents chemical contamination of the active material by protecting it from reactive species in the processing or ambient environment. Once the containment layer is formed, the device may be subjected to high temperature or chemically aggressive environments without impairing the compositional or structural integrity of the active material.
US07935565B2

A method for forming an electronic device having a multilayer structure, comprising: embossing a surface of a substrate so as to depress first and second regions of the substrate relative to at least a third region of the substrate; depositing conductive or semiconductive material from solution onto the first and second regions of the substrate so as to form a first electrode on the first region and a second electrode on the second region, wherein the electrodes are electrically insulated from each other by the third region.
US07935559B1

This method for producing a non-planar microelectronic component, especially a concave component, involves superposing a layer that contains an active flexible circuit above a cavity shaped according to the desired profile of said component, said cavity being formed in substrate; and applying a pressure difference either side of said layer thereby causing slumping of the flexible circuit into the cavity therefore causing the circuit to assume the shape of the cavity. Superposition of the flexible circuit and the cavity is realized by filling the cavity with a material capable of being selectively removed relative to the substrate and the flexible circuit; then fitting or forming the flexible circuit on the cavity thus filled; then forming at least one feedthrough to access the filled cavity; and by selectively etching the material that fills the cavity via at least one feedthrough in order to remove said material.
US07935557B2

A manufacturing method of a photoelectric conversion device included a first step of forming a gate electrode, a second step of forming a semiconductor region of a first conductivity type, a third step of forming an insulation film, and a fourth step of forming a protection region of a second conductivity type, which is the opposite conductivity type to the first conductivity type, by implanting ions in the semiconductor region using the gate electrode of the transfer transistor and a portion covering a side face of the gate electrode of the transfer transistor of the insulation film as a mask in a state in which the semiconductor substrate and the gate electrode of the transfer transistor are covered by the insulation film, and causing a portion of the semiconductor region of the first conductivity type from which the protection region is removed to be the charge accumulation region.
US07935556B2

A micro electromechanical system and a fabrication method thereof, which has trenches formed on a substrate to prevent circuits from interfering each other, and to prevent over-etching of the substrate when releasing a microstructure.
US07935550B2

The object of this invention is to provide a high-output type nitride light emitting device.The nitride light emitting device comprises an n-type nitride semiconductor layer or layers, a p-type nitride semiconductor layer or layers and an active layer therebetween, wherein a gallium-containing nitride substrate is obtained from a gallium-containing nitride bulk single crystal, provided with an epitaxial growth face with dislocation density of 105/cm2 or less, and A-plane or M-plane which is parallel to C-axis of hexagonal structure for an epitaxial face, wherein the n-type semiconductor layer or layers are formed directly on the A-plane or M-plane.In case that the active layer comprises a nitride semiconductor containing In, an end face film of single crystal AlxGa1-xN (0≦x≦1) can be formed at a low temperature not causing damage to the active layer.
US07935532B2

The present invention relates to novel, polynucleotides isolated from dwarf plants. The dwf4 polynucleotides that encode all, or a portion of, a DWF4 polypeptide, a cytochrome P450 enzyme that mediates multiple steps in synthesis of brassinosteriods. The present invention also relates to isolated polynucleotides that encode regulatory regions of dwf4. Uses of the dwf4 polypeptides and polynucleotides are also disclosed.
US07935529B2

This invention describes a simple method useful for the excision and isolation of maize immature embryos. The embryos are useful for plant tissue culture and transformation methods.
US07935527B2

The present invention discloses a method for improving growth and survival of single human embryonic stem cells. The method includes the step of obtaining a single undifferentiated HES cell; mixing the single undifferentiated cell with an extracellular matrix (ECM) to encompass the cell; and inoculating the mixture onto feeder cells with a nutrient medium in a growth environment. Therefore the single cells can survive, proliferate and grow in vitro.
US07935523B2

The present invention provides an apparatus for temporal immersion cell culture comprising: A first container for holding culture media; A second container for holding the culturing cells; At least, one tube that connects a port in the first container to a port in the second container; and, A mechanism to move cyclically the containers up and down wherein the culture media on the first container migrates by gravity to the second container when the first container is in a position higher than the second container, and wherein the culture media migrates back by gravity from the second container to the first container when the first container is in a position lower than the second container; and wherein the first container moves independently from the second container.
US07935518B2

Capture particles for harvesting analytes from solution and methods for using them are described. The capture particles are made up of a polymeric matrix having pore size that allows for the analytes to enter the capture particles. The pore size of the capture particles may be changeable upon application of a stimulus to the particles, allowing the pore size of the particles to be changed so that analytes of interest remain sequestered inside the particles. The polymeric matrix of the capture particles may be made of co-polymeric materials having a structural monomer and an affinity monomer, the affinity monomer having properties that attract the analyte to the capture particle. The capture particles may be used to isolate and identify analytes present in a mixture. They may also be used to protect analytes which are typically subject to degradation upon harvesting and to concentrate low an analyte in low abundance in a fluid.
US07935516B2

Novel strains of isolated and purified bacteria have been identified which have the ability to degrade petroleum hydrocarbons including a variety of PAHs. Several isolates also exhibit the ability to produce a biosurfactant. The combination of the biosurfactant-producing ability along with the ability to degrade PAHs enhances the efficiency with which PAHs may be degraded. Additionally, the biosurfactant also provides an additional ability to bind heavy metal ions for removal from a soil or aquatic environment.
US07935514B2

A polyploid transformed yeast cell comprising a deleted or disrupted GDH1 gene encoding an NADPH-dependent glutamate dehydrogenase. The polyploid yeast cell shows increased production of ethanol and reduced production of glycerol when compared with a control polyploid yeast cell.
US07935510B2

This invention relates to the field of biotechnology or genetic engineering. Specifically, this invention relates to the field of gene expression. More specifically, this invention relates to novel substitution mutant receptors and their use in a nuclear receptor-based inducible gene expression system and methods of modulating the expression of a gene in a host cell for applications such as gene therapy, large scale production of proteins and antibodies, cell-based high throughput screening assays, functional genomics and regulation of traits in transgenic organisms.
US07935506B2

A method for producing lower alkyl ester of α-L-aspartyl-L-phenylalanine by cultivating a recombinant Escherichia coli bacterium that has the ability to produce and accumulate an aromatic L-amino acid according in a culture medium to produce and accumulate L-phenylalanine in the medium and synthesizing lower alkyl ester of α-L-aspartyl-L-phenylalanine from the aspartic acid or its derivative and the obtained L-phenylalanine.
US07935503B2

The present invention provides methods for producing a polymyxin from an isolated Paenibacillus amylolyticus, and methods for using the polymyxin, including methods for producing a recombinant polypeptide.
US07935494B2

The present invention provides methods for detecting changes in tryptophan concentrations in a cell and methods for identifying agents that modulate cellular tryptophan concentrations. In particular, the present invention provides methods for detecting cellular exchange between tryptophan and kynurenine, and methods for identifying agents that modulate this exchange. The present invention also provides methods for treating a disease associated with immunosuppression in a subject in need thereof. In particular, the present invention is directed toward a method of treating a disease associated with immunosuppression comprising contacting the disease with an agent that modulates cellular Trp/kynurenine exchange. Furthermore, the present invention provides methods for identifying an agent that modulates an immunosuppression.
US07935472B2

Provided is a new photo-curable resin composition which can be used in a photo nanoimprinting technology available for a photo nanoimprinting technology by which a substrate is processed with high accuracy. The photo-curable resin composition contains a photo-curable resin material essentially containing a (meth)acrylate, a reactive diluent, and a photo initiator. Preferably, the (meth)acrylate has a structure containing a benzene ring structure in its skeleton.
US07935468B2

There is provided a toner which is excellent in temporal stability and environmental stability of charges and which is capable of forming images that contains almost no background fog and has high density even in a long-term use and in use at a high-temperature and high-humid circumstance, and furthermore the toner which is not scattered inside an image forming apparatus and thus causes no contamination inside the apparatus, and there is further provided a method of manufacturing the above toner. An organic boron compound is contained as a charge control agent, a surface CCA concentration per specific surface area of toner falls in a range from 2.1×10−6 g/cm2 to 5.5×10−6 g/cm2, and a surface CCA concentration is 1.8×10−3 g/g or more.
US07935466B2

A photoconductor that includes a supporting substrate, a photogenerating layer, and at least one charge transport layer that contains at least one charge transport component, and where the photogenerating layer contains a benzothiazolesulfenimide additive.
US07935464B2

A system and a method for self-aligned dual patterning are described. The system includes a platform for supporting a plurality of process chambers. An etch process chamber coupled to the platform. An ultra-violet radiation photo-resist curing process chamber is also coupled to the platform.
US07935462B2

A method of forming a pattern including a first pattern portion having a first minimum dimension and a second pattern portion having a second minimum dimension includes a first exposure step of performing exposure using a Levenson-type mask and a second exposure step of performing exposure using a half tone-type mask. When second minimum dimension is 1.3 time or more than the first minimum dimension, the exposure amount of the second exposure step is set to be equal to or smaller than the exposure amount of the first exposure step.
US07935459B2

Photo-masks for fabricating surface-relief grating diffractive devices and methods of fabricating surface-relief grating diffractive devices are described. The photo-mask can include refractive elements and/or diffractive elements contained in or on a body element. The photo-mask can be used to simultaneously produce multiple surface-relief grating diffractive devices in a recording material. The photo-mask enables the surface-relief grating diffractive devices to be produced in large quantities while significantly reducing the cost and labor required.
US07935457B2

An arrangement for a direct methanol fuel cell includes a fuel cartridge that supplies a source of fuel to the direct methanol fuel cell. The fuel cartridge has a surface area enhanced planar vaporization membrane residing in the fuel cartridge. The arrangement also includes a fuel reservoir that receives fuel from the fuel cartridge, the fuel reservoir arranged to deliver fuel to the fuel cell. The fuel reservoir also including a surface area enhanced planar vaporization membrane residing in the fuel reservoir. The combination of the surface area enhanced planar vaporization membranes residing in the fuel cartridge and reservoir provides a dual stage vaporization of fuel to the fuel cell. Other features included are passive or active arrangements to increase the temperature of the fuel or reduce pressure in the fuel container to enhance rate of vaporization.
US07935453B2

A UEA for a fuel cell having an active region and a feed region is provided. The UEA includes an electrolyte membrane disposed between a pair of electrodes. The electrolyte membrane and the pair of electrodes is further disposed between a pair of DM. The electrolyte membrane, the pair of electrodes, and the DM are configured to be disposed at the active region of the fuel cell. A barrier film coupled to the electrolyte membrane is configured to be disposed at the feed region of the fuel cell. The dimensions of the electrolyte membrane are thereby optimized. A fuel cell having the UEA, and a fuel cell stack formed from a plurality of the fuel cells, is also provided.
US07935449B2

At least one positive temperature coefficient element is used to efficiently control fuel cell voltage at startup and shutdown making the fuel cell more efficient and protecting the electro catalyst layer.
US07935436B2

A rechargeable battery including an electrode assembly containing a positive electrode, a negative electrode and a separator interposed therebetween, a case having a space for housing the electrode assembly therein, lead elements connected to the electrode assembly and disposed at a sealing region of the case, and a sealant arranged between and adjacent to the case and the lead element the sealant including an area having relatively less resistance to fracture.
US07935429B2

Disclosed herein is a method for producing a transparent or opaque flooring sheet or a flooring using a styrene-butadiene copolymer resin (as a thermoplastic elastomer) by calendering. The flooring causes no problems associated with environmental hormones, and generates no halogen gases or endocrine disruptors, such as dioxin, during incineration. Further, the flooring can be regenerated and reused at any time, and exhibits superior stability upon installation and mounting and excellent elastic restoration after application of stress due to inherent flexibility of rubber.
US07935428B2

The invention relates to a component made from a substrate with a coating, whereby that coating forms a surface of the component with reduced wettability. The invention further relates to production of said component. The coating which forms a surface with projections and recesses, brings about a reduction in wettability, in particular, by means of an effect based on the properties of lotus blossom. According to the invention, a metal with antimicrobial properties, in particular silver is provided under the coating, which is not fully covered, in other words, regions remain free of the coating in which the surface of the component is formed by the antimicrobial properties.
US07935424B2

An adhesive sheet includes a substrate and an energy-ray curable adhesive layer formed on the substrate. The energy-ray curable adhesive layer includes an energy-ray curable acrylic copolymer and a urethane acrylate. The energy-ray curable acrylic copolymer is formed by copolymerizing at least one of either a dialkyl(meth)acrylamide that has an alkyl group with carbon number of not more than 4, a phenol EO modified (meth)acrylate that has an ethylene glycol chain with a phenyl group bonded to the ethylene glycol chain, a (meth)acryloyl morpholine, or a (meth)acrylate that has an aceto-acetoxyl group, in total of 1 to 30 weight percent of all monomers to form the energy-ray curable acrylic copolymer. The energy-ray curable acrylic copolymer further includes a side chain with an unsaturated group.
US07935416B2

Provided are a nanoporous membrane including a support; a first separation layer with a plurality of first nano-sized pores and a first matrix; and a second separation layer having a plurality of second pores respectively corresponding to the plurality of first pores of the first separation layer and a second matrix, and formed on the first separation layer, wherein a density of the plurality of the first pores and the second pores is equal to or greater than 1010/cm2, and a diameter of each of the second pores is less than that of the corresponding first pore, a process of fabricating the same, and a device for a controlled release of biopharmaceuticals including the nanoporous membrane. The device for a controlled release of biopharmaceuticals including the nanoporous membrane can release biopharmaceuticals at a constant rate for a long period of time regardless of the concentration of the biopharmaceuticals including in pharmaceuticals, and high flex and selectivity.
US07935405B2

A flame-retardant metal-coated fabric which not only has excellent electromagnetic wave shielding properties but has a high degree of flame retardancy without the necessity of containing a halogen compound or antimony compound. It is soft and suffers no deterioration of the metal coating even in long-term use. The flame-retardant metal-coated fabric comprises a metal-coated fabric and a flame-retardant coating layer formed on at least one side of the metal-coated fabric, the flame-retardant coating layer comprising a mixture (F) of the following components (A), (B), (C), (D) and (E): (A) a flame retardant selected from the group consisting of ammonium polyphosphate and melamine polyphosphate; (B) a flame-retardant aid selected from the group consisting of melamine, melamine cyanurate, and tris(2-hydroxyethyl)isocyanate; (C) a blowing agent selected from the group consisting of heat-expandable graphite, azodicarbonamide, and N,N′-dinitrosopentamethylenetetramine: (D) a phosphoric ester; and (E) a thermoplastic resin having a melting point of 70-130° C., the ratio of (A):(B):(C):(D):(E) being 15-100:50-100:30-60:15-50:100 in weight ratio.
US07935398B2

An image recording medium has a substrate having a hot melt extruded ink-receiving layer formed on a first side of the substrate. The ink-receiving layer includes at least 50% of a hydrogel by weight. The hydrogel is capable of absorbing at least 50% of its dry weight of water.
US07935396B2

An object of the present invention is to provide a liquid crystal display device that has an excellent mass-productivity and gives an image improved by the reduction of the chromaticity difference between white display and black display, the reduction of coloring and luminance in black display, and the improvement of the contrast ratio. In the present invention, of a pair of alignment films 131 and 132 formed on a pair of substrates 101 and 102, respectively, the alignment film 132 formed on the glass substrate 102 on the observer side is made of a material obtained by adding a photoisomerized compound to a photosensitive polymer and has anisotropic absorption all over the visible light wavelength region (approximately 400 nm to 750 nm).
US07935385B2

The object of the present invention is to form a chromium-oxide film excellent in corrosion resistance without containing an oxide film of other metal onto the optional metallic material. The chromium-oxide passivation film excellent in corrosion resistance without containing the oxide film of other metal can be formed inexpensively and in a short time, and a fluid supplying system for supplying fluid hard in corrosivity in safety is able to be provided. This invention comprises a step of forming the passivation film consisting of a chromium oxide by giving heat treatment in an oxidizing atmosphere after coating chromium on metallic material of which surface roughness (Ra) of a coat surface is not more than 1.5 μm
US07935383B2

A method of producing an adhesive tape having at least one carrier layer and two outer adhesive layers, wherein the carrier layer is from 300 μm to 5000 μm thick and is composed of a photoinitiator-free homogeneously thermally crosslinked polymer based on acrylate and/or methacrylate, in which at least one trimerized isocyanate crosslinker is added in the melt to a polyacrylate copolymer having primary hydroxyl groups and based on acrylic esters and/or methacrylic ester, a layer of the polyacrylate together with the crosslinker is conveyed to a coating unit, where pressure-sensitive adhesive layers are laminated onto both sides of the not-yet fully-crosslinked polyacrylate layer, and the crosslinking of the polyacrylate leads to a homogeneously crosslinked carrier layer.
US07935379B2

The present invention relates generally to coated medical devices, preferably a stent, that has a drug-eluting surface completely or partially coated with a coating that is imprinted with an impression. In particular, the invention is directed to a coated medical device having a coating that comprises biologically active materials, polymers, or a combination thereof. The coating is imprinted with an impression by printing, molding, lithography, or embossing techniques. Preferably, the patterning imprinted on the coating is capable of releasing biologically active materials in different amounts, at different rates, and/or at different time periods. The invention also relates to methods of making and methods of using the coated medical device.
US07935370B1

An improved process is shown wherein a carbohydrate-containing feedstock, such as corn, is milled to form a flour having a median particle size of less than about 100 microns. The flour is then hydrolyzed along with added vitamins and/or nutrients and/or enzymes. The hydrolyzed product is then mixed with a soy hull flour, also preferably having a median particle size of less than about 100 microns, and subjected to conventional fermentation to produce an ethanol containing product. The ethanol-containing product is then distilled to produce an ethanol enriched steam and a separate whole stillage. In preferred embodiments the process includes various filtration treatments of the whole stillage with and without added vitamins, nutrients, or other compounds to obtain value-added by-products.
US07935359B2

The invention relates to the use of L-2-thiohistidine, or a cosmetically acceptable salt or ester of its acid group, as a depigmenting agent in a cosmetic composition or for the preparation of a cosmetic composition. It further relates to a method of cosmetic care for toning down or eliminating pigment spots on the skin and/or lightening the complexion by the application of this cosmetic composition. The invention provides a highly depigmenting composition.
US07935353B2

Compounds and methods for diagnosing tuberculosis or for inducing protective immunity against tuberculosis are disclosed. The compounds provided include polypeptides that contain at least one immunogenic portion of one or more Mycobacterium proteins and DNA molecules encoding such polypeptides. Diagnostic kits containing such polypeptides or DNA sequences and a suitable detection reagent may be used for the detection of Mycobacterium infection in patients and biological samples. Antibodies directed against such polypeptides are also provided. In addition, such compounds may be formulated into vaccines and/or pharmaceutical compositions for immunization against Mycobacterium infection.
US07935348B2

The invention relates to a method for treating Alzheimer's disease by inducing sequestration of amyloid β into a plasma with a Aβ-mimotope peptide, and treatment with an apheresis device such that a fixed carrier can come into contact with the blood or plasma flow and includes a receptor that binds to an amyloid-β precursor-protein (APP), the APP being removed from the blood with the apheresis device.
US07935341B2

Disclosed are antibodies and antigen-binding fragments that bind to a complementary peptide having an amino acid sequence that is encoded by the complement of a nucleotide sequence encoding thrombin or a portion thereof. Such antibodies and antigen-binding fragments can be agonists or antagonists of thrombin receptor-mediated events. Also disclosed are methods of using the agonist antibodies and antigen-binding fragments of the invention to activate the non-proteolytically activated thrombin receptor (NPAR) in a subject in need of such treatment. In addition, methods of using the antagonist antibodies and antigen-binding fragments of the invention to inhibit activation of the NPAR in a subject in need of such treatment are disclosed.
US07935335B2

Novel strains Paenibacillus sp. BS-0048, Paenibacillus sp. BS-0074, Paenibacillus polymyxa BS-0105 and Paenibacillus sp. BS-0277 and Fusaricidin A, Fusaricidin B and novel compounds 3 and 4 produced thereby have an activity of inducing resistance to plant diseases. Thus, they can protect plants from infections with fungi, bacteria, viruses and so on and, as a result, effectively control plant diseases.
US07935324B2

The present invention involves a catalytic process for purifying a gas stream comprising purifying the gas stream at a temperature from about 250° to 550° C. by removing sulfur compounds and including a gas shift reaction to convert carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide to produce a partially purified gas stream. The warm gas stream purification involves COS hydrolysis and hydrogenation to H2S, the removal of H2S, and a CO gas shift to convert CO to CO2 to produce a partially purified stream. Then the carbon dioxide and other impurities are removed from the partially purified gas stream.
US07935322B2

A process for the separation of nickel, cobalt or both from impurity elements selected from one or more of calcium, magnesium, manganese and chloride contained in a leach solution, the process comprising the step of subjecting the leach solution to solvent extraction using a carboxylic acid (such as Versatic 10), a hydroxyoxime such as LIX 63, a kinetic accelerator such as TBP, and optionally a stabilizer.
US07935313B2

The invention concerns a device for producing liquid hydrocarbons by Fischer-Tropsch synthesis on solid catalyst particles in a three-phase bed reactor, said device being equipped with at least one filter cartridge mounted in a filtering zone inside said reactor, said filter cartridge comprising: a filter for separating the filtrate of the solid catalyst particles, a cylindrical casing, and inner element having the shape of a hollow cylinder open at its ends and mounted substantially coaxial relative to the longitudinal axis of the casing, an annular chamber delimited by the casing and the walls of the inner element, said chamber being designed to collect the filtrate, and a discharge conduit for said filtrate, wherein the walls of the inner element of the filter cartridge are at least partly formed by the filter of the cartridge.
US07935310B2

Devices, systems and methods of using same where hybrid substrate materials are provided with a substantially uniform surface to provide uniformity of properties, including interaction with their environments. Uniform surfaces are applied as coatings over, e.g., hybrid metal/silica, metal/polymer, metal/metal surfaces to mask different chemical properties of differing regions of the surface and to afford a protective surface for the hybrid structure.
US07935305B2

The present invention relates to hydrogen storage alloys, methods for producing the same, and anodes produced with such alloys for nickel-hydrogen rechargeable batteries. The alloys are useful as electrode materials for nickel-hydrogen rechargeable batteries, excellent, when used as anode materials, in corrosion resistance or activity such as initial activity and high rate discharge performance, of low cost compared to the conventional alloys with a higher Co content, and recyclable. The alloys are of a composition represented by the formula (1), and has a substantially single phase structure, and the crystals thereof have an average long axis diameter of 30 to 160 μm, or not smaller than 5 μm and smaller than 30 μm. The present anodes for rechargeable batteries contain at least one of these hydrogen storage alloys: RNixCoyMz  (1) (R: rare earth elements etc., M: Mg, Al, etc., 3.7≦x≦5.3, 0.1≦y≦5.0, 0.1≦z≦1.0, 5.1≦x+y+z≦5.5).
US07935304B2

This invention relates to magnesium-based alloys particularly suitable for casting applications where good mechanical properties at room and at elevated temperatures are required. The alloys contain: 2 to 4.5% by weight of neodymium; 0.2 to 7.0% of at least one rare earth metal of atomic No. 62 to 71; up to 1.3% by weight of zinc; and 0.2 to 0.7% by weight of zirconium; optionally with one or more other minor component. They are resistant to corrosion, show good age-hardening behaviour, and are also suitable for extrusion and wrought alloy applications.
US07935300B2

A manufacturing method of a resin container includes continuously supplying a base material resin forming a container body from a main extruder, discharging from a discharge portion provided in a die head a sub-material supplied from a sub-extruder so that the sub-material joins the base material resin, extruding a parison from a slit portion opened on an end side of the die head, and blow-molding the parison, thereby forming a coating layer which covers the whole or a part of the container body by using the sub-material. A thickness reducing portion in which a thickness is continuously reduced is formed in the coating layer while adjusting a resin pressure in a supply path of the sub-material fed from the sub-extruder by performing suck-back control which pulls back the sub-material from the discharge portion at an arbitrary timing when joining the sub-material with the base material resin.
US07935298B2

A process of making fibers by electrostatic spinning includes the use of a mixing vessel (10), a piston (15) for pressurizing the polymer, carbon dioxide sources (20) for lowering the viscosity of the polymer or pressurizing the collection vessel (35), a pressure generator (25), view ports (30), a target (36), a spinning needle (40), a camera/TV recorder (45) and a voltage source (50).
US07935293B2

An injection molding apparatus includes a forming mold provided with a gas inlet through which a gas is introduced into an area between a rear molding surface in a cavity and a resin material inside the cavity. A plurality of the gas inlets is provided along a passage direction of the resin material in the cavity. In injection molding the resin molded article, a molten resin material is introduced into the cavity from a resin inlet and, when filling the inside of the cavity with the resin material, the introduction of the gas is sequentially started, beginning with a gas inlet provided in an area inside the cavity which is first filled with the resin material, thereby sequentially pressing the relevant resin material against a front molding surface of the cavity.
US07935290B2

The invention relates to a process for making swaged lighting holes (1) in planar areas of parts (5) made of preimpregnated composite, by means of which the part (5) is arranged between a female tooling (11) with the final shape of the bottom side of the swaged part and a caul plate (19) with the final shape of the top side of the swaged part, except in an area (3) which must be swaged, pressure P1 is applied on the caul plate (19) in the area of the part (5) that must be maintained substantially planar, and pressure P2 is applied by means of a male tooling (17) on the area (3) of the part (5) which must be swaged at a forward speed allowing the flow of the resin during the slippage of the fibers of the material so that it may deform, adapting to the final shape of the female tooling (11).
US07935289B2

A method is provided for making a composite laminate aircraft skin for a fuselage in multiple composite panels. A resin-impregnated composite tape is placed on a lay-up surface of a mandrel tool to form the composite laminate aircraft skin as a barrel that is substantially the shape of a fuselage section. The barrel is cut into a plurality of panels on the mandrel tool, and at least one panel of the plurality of panels is transferred, individually and independently of all other of the plurality of panels, from the lay-up surface of the mandrel tool to a first cure tool of a plurality of cure tools having an aero surface tooled to an outer mold line. The at least one of the panels is cured on the first cure tool to form a cured composite panel. The first cure tool defines and controls the outer mold line of the at least one panel. The cured composite panel is removed from the first cure tool.
US07935283B2

Compositions that are intimate blends of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene and high-density polyethylene (HDPE), and which are melt spinnable. The compositions include certain quasi-spherical particles. Also disclosed is a method of melt spinning from such compositions and the multi-filament fibers produced thereby. The fibers of the invention are useful in a variety of applications.
US07935272B2

Disclosed is a dispersant having a multifunctional head, and a phosphor paste composition comprising the dispersant. The dispersant has a multifunctional head that comprises an acidic group, a basic group and an aromatic group, thereby enhancing an affinity for the surface of phosphor particles and improving dispersibility.
US07935269B2

Novel deicing compositions and methods of using and forming those compositions are provided. The compositions comprise a blend of NaCl, KCl, and MgCl2, with the NaCl preferably being coated with a solution comprising an ice melt trigger and/or urea. The deicing composition has low corrosion, particularly when compared to a NaCl solution. At the same time, the compositions have superior melt properties compared to NaCl solutions as well as other prior art deicers. The deicing compositions are useful for melting ice on surfaces such as roadways.
US07935266B2

A substrate supporting film to be etched is held on a rotating stage. Ultraviolet light having a wavelength of 200 nm or shorter radiated from first lamps irradiates the film in air, thereby removing an organic coatings from the film and making the surface of the film hydrophilic. A chemical solution is applied to the hydrophilic film while rotating the substrate. Ultraviolet light having a wavelength longer than 200 nm is radiated from second lamps and onto the film through the chemical solution.
US07935252B2

The invention relates to an apheresis device for use in the treatment of Alzheimer patients. Said device comprises a solid support with which a flow of blood or plasma can be contacted.
US07935250B2

The invention relates to blood processing apparatus comprising a cabinet (2) defining at least an interior housing (6) and presenting an aperture (6a) for allowing access from outside into said housing. The apparatus has a user interface (13) mounted in a movable manner on the cabinet between at least a first position, where the user interface is adjacent to the cabinet in correspondence of said aperture, and a second position, where the user interface is spaced apart from the aperture and opens the access to said housing.
US07935247B2

Metal additives to hydrocarbon feed streams give improved hydrocarbon liquid yield during thermal cracking thereof. Suitable additives include metal over-bases and metal dispersions and the metals suitable include, but are not necessarily limited to, magnesium, calcium, aluminum, zinc, silicon, barium, cerium, and strontium overbases and dispersions. Particularly useful metals include magnesium alone or magnesium together with calcium, barium, strontium, boron, zinc, silicon, cerium, titanium, zirconium, chromium, molybdenum, tungsten, and/or platinum. In one non-limiting embodiment, no added hydrogen is employed. Coker feedstocks are a particular hydrocarbon feed stream to which the method can be advantageously applied, but the technique may be used on any hydrocarbon feed that is thermally cracked.
US07935246B2

Metal additives to hydrocarbon feed streams give improved hydrocarbon liquid yield during thermal cracking thereof. Suitable additives include metal overbases and metal dispersions and the metals suitable include, but are not necessarily limited to, magnesium, calcium, barium, strontium, aluminum, boron, zinc, silicon, cerium, titanium, zirconium, chromium, molybdenum, tungsten, and/or platinum, overbases and dispersions. Particularly useful metals include magnesium alone or magnesium together with calcium, barium, strontium, boron, zinc, silicon, cerium, titanium, zirconium, chromium, molybdenum, tungsten, and/or platinum. In one non-limiting embodiment, no added hydrogen is employed. Coker feedstocks and visbreaker feeds are particular hydrocarbon feed streams to which the method can be advantageously applied, but the technique may be used on any hydrocarbon feed that is thermally cracked.
US07935245B2

Systems and methods of reducing refinery carbon dioxide emissions by improving the overall synthesis gas yield in a fluid catalytic cracking unit having a reactor and a regenerator are discussed. In one example, a method comprises introducing spent catalyst and a feed gas comprising oxygen to the regenerator at gasification conditions. The method further comprises heating the spent catalyst to burn coke therefrom to produce a synthesis gas. The method further comprises combining the synthesis gas with a dry gas comprising hydrogen, creating the overall synthesis gas and thereby increasing the yield of the overall synthesis gas produced in the FCC unit.
US07935244B2

The invention concerns a process for slurry phase hydroconversion of liquid sulphur-containing heavy hydrocarbon feeds, in the presence of hydrogen and in the presence of a solid catalyst, said catalyst being obtained from an aqueous solution formed from at least one cobalt and/or nickel salt of at least one heteropolyanion combining molybdenum and cobalt or molybdenum and nickel in its structure. The aqueous solution is introduced into a hydrocarbon oil containing asphaltenes and/or resins to form an emulsion and said emulsion is then injected upstream or directly into the slurry reactor.
US07935239B2

A liquid moving apparatus is disclosed. The liquid moving apparatus may include a container having a holding chamber enclosed by first and second end walls facing against each other and side walls connecting the first and second end walls, a polarized or conductive first liquid filled in the holding chamber, a second liquid filled in the holding chamber and prevented from mixing with the first liquid, first and second electrodes for applying an electric field to the first liquid, and voltage application means for applying voltage between the first electrode and the second electrode.
US07935218B2

An optical apparatus includes an illumination system configured to form a pulsed radiation beam, an optical element with a surface on which the radiation beam is incident in operation, and a gas source arranged to supply a mixture of a first type of gas and a second type of gas to a space adjacent the surface. Particles of the first and second types of gas are capable of reacting with the surface, when activated by the radiation beam. The gas source is configured to generate a combination of surface occupation numbers of molecules of the first and second types of gas on the surface under operating conditions, at least prior to pulses of the radiation beam, the combination of surface occupation numbers lying in a range in which reactions of particles with the surface during pulses of the radiation beam are in majority reversed.
US07935205B2

A method of restoring a section of a composite includes the steps of removing an undesirable section of a composite and securing a repair section in the location of the removed undesirable section. One or more covers are secured on at least a portion the repair section to prevent or resist peeling of the repair section.
US07935203B2

Artificial turf stock materials useful for artificial turf stock backfixing, including: a hotmelt made of: a) from 5% to 100% by weight of at least one amorphous poly-α-olefin, b) from 0% to 100% by weight of at least one modified amorphous poly-α-olefin, c) from 0% to 40% by weight of at least one resin, d) from 5% to 15% by weight of at least one modified crystalline polypropylene, e) from 0% to 20% by weight of at least one crystalline polyolefin, f) from 0% to 80% by weight of fillers or pigments, g) from 0% to 20% by weight of at least one flame retardant, and h) from 0% to 20% by weight of at least one wax, where ribbon yarn of polyethylene, polypropene, polyester, polymide, or an interpolymer is bound together with the hotmelt in an artificial turf stock material.
US07935200B1

A protocol for determining process parameters for debulking composite laminates is established using a standardized double vacuum debulk (DVD) process. This allows for the development of a rapid fabrication process for thick laminates of toughened carbon/epoxy composite materials. The protocol provides for obtaining cure and current consolidation information of a composite material system as a preliminary baseline. A test matrix is prepared for varying time/temp profiles to pursue better results or find process limits and the testing defined by the matrix is run with variations of time/temp DVD profiles to confirm data values. Results for the process variations in the test matrix are then assessed. An optimum consolidation is determined and process points are defined at which quality drops off. The protocol results are then applied to part preparation for the material tested.
US07935199B2

When a label on a conveyor belt is detected, there is performed a label sticking process of making a sticking mechanism take out the label and stick it to an article at a predetermined position, while when a defect of the label on the conveyor belt is detected before detecting the label, the label is sent out to a label recovery position without performing the label sticking process.
US07935193B2

A wheel washing assembly contains a machine frame, a pendulum assembly pivotably supported on the machine frame, and two washing manifolds, including a first washing manifold and a second washing manifold, attached to the pendulum assembly. Each of the washing manifolds has a nozzle assembly for ejecting water at a wheel to be washed. The washing manifolds are pivotable between a start washing position and an end washing position by an automatic motion of the pendulum assembly. The washing manifolds further automatically track the wheels to be washes by a motion of one of the wheels.
US07935175B2

This invention relates to a carbon nanotube producing system. A carbon nanotube producing system includes a reaction tube in which a metal catalyst and a carbon-containing gas are supplied and carbon nanotube grows on the metal catalyst by pyrolysis; an exhaust line along which a gas including the carbon nanotube grown on the metal catalyst is exhausted from the reaction tube; and a carbon nanotube trapping apparatus installed on the exhaust line and configured to trap the carbon nanotube grown on the metal catalyst by using a magnetic force.
US07935173B1

A hydrometallurgical process for the recovery of metals selected from the group consisting of platinum, palladium, rhodium, ruthenium, iridium, and gold (PM) from solids includes dissolving the PM and base metals in an acidic halide aqueous solution and precipitating the PM using substituted quaternary ammonium salts (SQAS). PM having multiple oxidation states may be oxidized or reduced to separate through differential solubility. Au-SQAS is separated by washing the precipitate with a suitable organic solvent. Rh-SQAS and other PM with multiple oxidation states are dissolved in a strong halide acid solution and oxidized to separate soluble Rh. Pb and Pd are separated by boiling the initial acidic halide aqueous solution of metals in an excess of SQAS. The Pb and Pd filtrate is oxidized and then Pd-SQAS is dissolved in aqueous ammonia and separated from insoluble Pb. A slurry of Ir-SQAS and Pt-SQAS are separated through dissolution of Ir-SQAS with NaNO2.
US07935172B2

A steelmaking process is disclosed. The process includes producing molten steel and molten steelmaking slag in a steelmaking process, the steelmaking slag including iron units and flux units, and thereafter producing molten iron in a molten bath based direct smelting process using a substantial portion of the steelmaking slag as part of the feed material requirements for the direct smelting process. A direct smelting process is also disclosed. The process includes pre-treating ferrous material including steelmaking slag and thereafter direct smelting molten iron using the pretreated ferrous material as part of the feed material for the process.
US07935166B2

A filter element arrangement is provided which includes a media pack comprising Z-filter media, a preform and an overmold sealing a portion of the interface between the preform and the media pack, and also forming an air cleaner seal for the filter element. The overmold preferably comprises molded, foamed, polyurethane. A variety of media pack shapes can be used.
US07935137B2

A bone plate system including a bone plate and a bone screw with an integrated locking mechanism is disclosed. The bone screw includes an elongate member having a threaded shank and a bone screw head that is radially deformable. The integrated locking mechanism sits within the bone screw head and can rotate between a locked condition and an unlocked condition. When the bone screw head is seated within an aperture in the bone plate, rotating the integrated locking mechanism into the locked condition helps to prevent bone screw backout.
US07935135B2

A bone fixation device including a retainer and an anchor. The retainer includes first and second receiving regions. The first receiving region is configured for receipt of a connecting rod. The second receiving region is configured for receipt of an anchor. The first receiving region is constructed so that a connecting rod can be positioned within the receiving region at a number of non-coaxial orientations. The first receiving region is also constructed to accommodate a curved connecting rod. A flexible, integral locking structure is located between the first and second receiving regions. The locking structure is arranged to secure each of the retainer, an anchor, and a connecting rod in a position relative to one another.
US07935134B2

A dynamic bone stabilization system is provided. The system may be placed through small incisions and tubes. The system provides systems and methods of treating the spine, which eliminate pain and enable spinal motion, which effectively mimics that of a normally functioning spine. Methods are also provided for stabilizing the spine and for implanting the subject systems.
US07935123B2

A guide device is provided for use with a spinal plate that has at least one pair of screw bores formed therein. The guide device generally includes an elongate shaft having a proximal end and a distal end. A guide member is coupled to the distal end of the elongate shaft and it includes at least one lumen extending therethrough, and at least one alignment element that is positioned distal of the guide member. Each alignment element(s) is adapted to interact with a spinal plate to position the guide member with respect to the spinal plate such that the each lumen in the guide member is aligned with a corresponding screw bore formed in the spinal plate. The guide member can then be used to guide a tool or implant through each lumen in the spinal plate and into bone.
US07935115B2

A system for fixation of fractures is disclosed. The system comprises a chassis and one or more fixation elements in the form of screws and/or pins. Each fixation element is received in the chassis in such a way that it is locked by friction regarding movement in axial, rotational and angular directions. The friction is preferably given by the material of the chassis having an elasticity giving locking effect by friction on the fixation elements.
US07935106B2

In a forceps 1 of the present invention, an operating section 12 is provided with a main body 12 and a pair of slider sections 13 which advance and retract an operating wire 11 by relative closing-and-departing motions thereof; the slider section 13 is provided with a thumb hole section 16 to which a thumb is engaged to operate the operating section 12; the main body 12 is provided with a second finger-receiving section 21 having a sandwiched section 21a to be sandwiched between a first finger and a second finger and thereby being engaged with the first finger and the second finger; and when an operating duct section 6 is inserted within a forceps channel, a distance from the second finger-receiving section 21 to a forceps opening is longer than a distance from a thumb hole section 16 to the forceps opening.
US07935102B2

A system for preventing air from entering a first catheter of a multi-catheter system. Air is prevented from entering the proximal end of the first catheter by an axially elongate chamber having an impeller, the chamber being affixed to the proximal end of the first catheter. The air is removed through a port near the centerline of the chamber. Liquid removed with the air is returned to the chamber to minimize liquid loss during the procedure. A second catheter inserted through the chamber and into the first catheter is unable to entrain gas into the first catheter because any gas that enters the chamber is routed to the centerline of the chamber where it is removed. Inflow of fluid from an external pump scrubs the second catheter shaft of air bubbles attached by surface tension.
US07935099B2

An SBS based construction adhesive that includes an amount of SIS adhesive to make an SBS/SIS adhesive that shows excellent shear hang time values when used to manufacture disposable absorbent articles. The SBS/SIS adhesive is applied in a spiral pattern having a particular width and frequency to form an endflap seal that may reduce the likelihood of a gel on skin occurrence.
US07935098B2

An applicator for intravaginal devices includes an elongate handle, an insertion sleeve, and an intravaginal device support member. The elongate handle has an open first end that defines a cavity extending into the handle. The insertion sleeve extends from the open first end of the handle; it is arranged and configured to slide into the cavity of the handle and to accommodate an intravaginal device; and it has associated therewith a trigger. The intravaginal device support member is disposed in the cavity of the handle; it is operatively connected to the handle; and it has a bearing surface disposed proximate the open first end of the handle. The applicators are useful to ensure that intravaginal devices are placed in the appropriate position to be effective.
US07935096B2

A percutaneous implant serves for implantation into an animal or a human body. The implant is of the kind that has an anchoring section, extending radially from a distal end of an interior section. The anchoring section comprises an inner anchoring ring extending from or integral with the interior section, an outer anchoring ring, and at least one connection member for connecting the inner anchoring ring with the outer anchoring ring. Since a first connection point between a first end of the at least one connection member and the inner anchoring ring is angularly offset from a second connection point between a second end of the connection member and the outer anchoring ring, the anchoring section constitutes a resilient spring means, which adapts to the movements of the body. The implant is especially designed for use without externalization of the vessel to be brought into communication with the exterior.
US07935095B2

An ostomy body side mounting wafer and a method of preparing the ostomy body side mounting wafer, where the wafer is assembled from two parts using laser welding. The laser light is provided through one of the parts having a low or lower absorption of the laser light. The other part has a higher absorption of the laser light, whereby the interface between the two parts is heated at the welding zone(s) of the laser light. In this manner, an assembly is obtained independently of the thicknesses of the materials and even close to openings or other edges.
US07935086B2

A fluid dispensing device, particularly suited to medicine but also having many other applications. The device selectively dispenses any of one or more fluids contained within the device. Adapters on the dispensing end of the unit permit the device to be effectively used for intra-venous, intra-dermal or intra-muscular injections, gasses, colloids, gels, liquids or other fluids. Adapters on the head of the unit permit the device to be used with or without electrical power and to varying degrees of automatic control for timing, sequence, volume of fluid dispensed and other features.
US07935079B2

An implantable pump and methods for detecting leaks in an implantable pump are provided. In one embodiment, the implantable drug pump includes a housing having at least one inlet port and an outlet port formed therein. The outlet port is adapted to communicate with a catheter for delivering fluid to a patient's body, and the inlet port(s) are effective to deliver fluid into the housing. The housing further includes at least one reservoir disposed therein and effective to contain a fluid. In use, the pump preferably includes a fluid having one or more drugs disposed in at least one of the reservoirs, and a radiopaque fluid disposed in one of the reservoirs. A user programmable control mechanism is coupled to the drug pump and is effective to selectively control movement of the valves between the open and closed positions.
US07935077B2

A thrombectomy catheter deployment system which greatly simplifies setup procedures and operation of a thrombectomy catheter includes a stand alone drive unit and a disposable pump/catheter assembly which is manually placed into a carriage assembly in the drive unit. The pump/catheter assembly has a plurality of preconnected components including tubular structure and a thrombectomy catheter connected thereto and is transported into or out of the interior of the drive unit for automatic high pressure pump piston head engagement or disengagement with a reciprocating linear actuator and for automatic engagement or disengagement of an effluent waste tube with a roller pump. A barcode reader senses specific operational data pertaining to an individual pump and provides an interface for operation of the reciprocating linear actuator. A bubble trap incorporated for effective debubbling of saline solution is closely coupled to an insert molded pump having an improved valve arrangement. A spiked bag with large tubing is incorporated for bubble-free transfer of saline.
US07935074B2

A portable peritoneal dialysis apparatus having a side-hinged, inclined door for enclosing a disposable cassette that seals tightly shut using air pressure which imposes a safety interlock, a cassette with its inlet/outlet tube exclusively along the lower edge so that the connected lines can hang straight, a circumferential channel defined in the cassette, and a pneumatic system for sealing the membranes of both the pump chamber diaphragms and the pressure sensor diaphragms in the cassette to the respective mating pistons and pressure sensors in the cycler. In addition a system for draining patient line fluid to an empty solution bag is disclosed.
US07935067B2

The present invention is directed to an anchored ankle brace including an anchor strap that connects an anchor member and ankle support member creating an increased resistance to lateral roll at the ankle. The ankle support member includes an ankle surround that surrounds and encloses at least a portion of the foot and an anchor member for positioning about the circumference above a midpoint of the lower leg characterized by a girth that is increasing as a distance from the ankle joint decreases. The anchored ankle brace also includes an anchor strap attached at a first end to the ankle support member and at a second end to the anchor member. The anchored ankle brace stabilizes the ankle joint increasing resistance to ankle sprain characterized by excessive inversion with planter flexion also known as “rolling the ankle”.
US07935063B2

An integrated lancing test strip includes a test strip and a lancet packet coupled to the test strip. The lancet packet includes a sterility sheet enclosing a lancet to maintain the sterility of the lancet and prevent cross-contamination between the test strip and the lancet. The sterility sheet allows the lancet to be sterilized separately from the test strip. In one form, a firing mechanism has a blade that punctures and slits the sterility sheet during the firing cycle to reduce the chance of cross contamination between the lancet and the test strip prior to use. This allows an operator to load and subsequently remove an unused integrated lancing test strip without compromising the sterility of the lancet. The lancet includes an engagement opening in which the blade of the firing mechanism engages the lancet. The engagement opening is configured to reduce the chance of the blade becoming dull.
US07935055B2

A system for obtaining serial biochemical, anatomical or physiological in vivo measurements of disease from one or more medical images of a patient before, during and after treatment, and measuring extent and severity of the disease is provided. First anatomical and functional image data sets are acquired, and form a first co-registered composite image data set. At least a volume of interest (VOI) within the first co-registered composite image data set is identified. The first co-registered composite image data set including the VOI is qualitatively and quantitatively analyzed to determine extent and severity of the disease. Second anatomical and functional image data sets are acquired, and form a second co-registered composite image data set. A global, rigid registration is performed on the first and second anatomical image data sets, such that the first and second functional image data sets are also globally registered.
US07935045B2

The present invention provides methods, systems and devices that reduce dyskinesis and hypokinesis. The contoured heart assist device of the present invention includes a selectively inflatable end-systolic heart shaped bladder with one or more contoured supports configured to surround at least a portion of the heart and provide curvatures similar to the proper shape of the heart when the device is pressurized and one or more fluid connections in communication with the selectively inflatable end-systolic heart shaped bladder for pressurization and depressurization.
US07935043B2

A centrifugal blood processing apparatus comprising a centrifuge rotor, a separation chamber, a tubing set for conducting blood components and fluids and having an inlet line, an outlet line and a storage solution line in fluid communication with the outlet line at a junction. The apparatus controls pumps to conduct a predetermined quantity of storage solution to a collected blood component. The apparatus also purges blood components in the tubing set by applying a negative pressure and positive pressure. A disposable blood processing set has a separation chamber; a tubing set including an inlet line in fluid and an outlet and a storage solution line connected to the outlet line at a junction.
US07935041B2

A two-piece reinforced container is provided. The container includes an outer structure and an inner structure. The outer structure includes front and rear panels that are coupled to each of a first side panel and a second side panel via at least one corner panel. The corner panels extend from the front panel, the rear panel, the first side panel, and the second side panel at a substantially oblique angle. The inner structure includes front and rear panels that are coupled to each of a first side panel and a second side panel via at least one corner panel. The corner panels extend from the front panel, the rear panel, the first side panel, and the second side panel at a substantially oblique angle. The inner structure is positioned within the outer structure such that each of the first side panel, second side panel, front panel, and rear panel of the outer structure is positioned in an overlapping relationship with the corresponding first side panel, second side panel, front panel, and rear panel of the inner structure.
US07935037B2

A gripping power training bender capable of counting the times of gripping, it has an elastic member, two ends of the elastic member each is connected to a handle, wherein one handle is connected with a counting member, at least a positioning member is positioned between the two handles and is provided with a through hole; and one end of a pulling rope is fixed on an end of one of the handles, the other end is connected to the counting member after being extended through the elastic member and the through hole. Thereby when a user exerts forces continuously on the two handles to bend the elastic member, one end of the pulling rope continuously pulls the counting member to count the times of gripping.
US07935033B2

Ski simulation device has at least two arching rails parallel each other on a sloped plane elevated at an angle of a variable degree, joined to frame structure which includes handgrip and cross rail, arching rails providing track; a carriage rides in side-to-side movement on track; whereas carriage on which platform is mounted around axis, whereas platform on which two cradles each is mounted around its axis, whereas cradles wherein two rocking footrests are nested; resistance members providing a constraint on carriage as it rides on track; dampening member extending from front section of frame structure joined to midpoint on transverse bar of which ends joined to cradles; an assembly of rollers mounted on frontal sides of both cradles, whereby rollers as guide roll on cross rail; and rod extending from front section of frame structure to a point where mounted ball can be reached by user's both knees.
US07935027B2

A method of improving mobility skills of a user on a stationary elliptical exercise device comprising two footpads, each footpad associated with a stationary exercise device, comprising a frame member having a transverse pivot axis. A first and a second foot tread member are operatively associated with a coupling member for pivotally coupling the front end of each foot tread member to the pivot axis at a predetermined distance from the pivot axis, so that each foot tread member front end travels in an arcuate path about the pivot axis. Each foot tread member moves independently of the other foot tread member. Each foot tread member rear end is operatively associated with a glide member for moveable coupling of the rear end of each foot tread member to a support surface. The glide members direct each foot tread member rear end along a reciprocating path of travel, as each foot tread member front end travels in an arcuate path.
US07935024B2

A method for the operation of an automatic transmission in a motor vehicle. The downshifting of the transmission takes advantage of a braking action of a driving motor connected to the automatic transmission through a clutch, are terminated by the closing of a clutch during a compression phase lasting until the achievement of a predetermined threshold speed. For the improvement of the immediacy of the vehicle drive after the termination of the compression phase, the invention provides that at speeds less than the threshold speed, downshifting is carried out and is terminated with an open clutch.
US07935023B2

In the case where a belt return of a continuously variable transmission is not determined when the vehicle speed has become equal to or lower than a threshold value, control that causes a hydraulic actuator to have an intermediate pressure by setting a duty of a duty solenoid based on an input torque and an oil temperature and closing control are repeatedly performed, in accordance with the running and the stopping of the vehicle. As a result, it is possible to inhibit the continuously variable transmission from being shifted up due to a gradual increase in the hydraulic pressure in the hydraulic actuator caused by a line pressure seeping to the hydraulic actuator side through a small clearance in a spool of a flow rate control valve in a hydraulic circuit, and it is also possible to allow the continuously variable transmission to be shifted down.
US07935017B2

An eccentrically oscillating speed reducer 100 includes a case 110 having inner teeth 110a, a plurality of crankshafts having outer teeth, outer teeth gears 131 and 132 having outer teeth 131a and 132a brought in mesh with the inner teeth 110a of the case 110 and eccentrically moved by the crankshafts, a carrier 140 rotatably supporting the crankshafts and rotated to move relative to the case 110 by the crankshafts, and a cylindrical gear 180 brought in mesh with the outer teeth of the crankshafts for transmitting a power inputted to one crankshaft 121 of the plurality of crankshafts to remaining crankshafts, and the cylindrical gear 180 is rotatably supported by sliding friction.
US07935007B1

A turf accessory placement device adapted for use with turf. The turf accessory placement device has a base. The base has a top, bottom and sides between the top and bottom. The turf accessory placement device has grip spikes extending from the bottom of the base which are adapted to grip the turf. The grip spikes have spike shanks projecting from the base in the same direction at an angle between one degree and eighty-eight degrees downward from a plane along the bottom of the base.
US07935006B2

An apparatus for soccer kicking practice comprises a soccer ball having a hidden attachment point and means of removably attaching a tether to the ball wherein the tether comprises a handle connecting a cord and elastic strip to a soccer ball in a manner allowing the ball to freely rotate with respect to the cord and the handle providing kicking and spinning of the ball and return of the ball to the user in a controlled manner. The device is designed to be readily attached or detached from the soccer ball for training or play.
US07935005B1

A golf assistance device for aiding golfers while playing golf is provided. The golf assistance device comprises a housing having a top surface, a bottom surface, a first side, a second side, a first end, and a second end with the top surface and the bottom surface creating a space and the second end being open. An elongated slot is formed in the top surface of the housing. A divot repair tool is receivable within the space. A protrusion is formed on the top surface of the divot repair tool with the protrusion receivable within and slidable along the elongated slot formed in the housing. A tensioning mechanism tensions the divot repair tool in either a retracted position or an extended position. A money clip is secured to the first end of the housing. A golf ball placement marker system is secured to the money clip. A marking coin is releasably securable to the golf ball placement marker system.
US07934999B2

A wood-type golf club head with an adjustable keel zone member is disclosed herein. The golf club head includes a body and an adjustable keel zone member. The body has a front portion, a crown portion and a sole portion. The body also having a heel end, a toe end and an aft end. The sole portion has only a single keel point. The adjustable keel zone member is disposed within a keel zone of the sole and located preferentially with respect to the center of gravity. The keel zone member is capable of adjusting the face angle of the wood-type golf club head.
US07934991B2

Disclosed is a gaming system and method designed or configured to provide wins of restricted credits. Restricted credits may be awarded according to the same or a different pay table than cashable credits on the same machine or at the same gaming property. Where separate pay tables are used for restricted and cashable credits, the invention may be implemented with a machine that accepts and pays only restricted credit according to a single, fixed internal payout schedule (“pay table”). Alternatively, the invention may be implemented with a machine that pays restricted credit according to one fixed internal pay table and cashable credit according to another fixed internal pay table. Or, a machine may pay restricted credit according to an external pay table provided by a host system to which the machine is connected.
US07934987B2

A gaming system utilizes a game designation generating component, a gaming establishment component, and a set of predefined bingo card representations. Each bingo card representation is stored in electronic format as a data structure or data record defining a predefined pattern of game designations chosen from a pool of available designations. The game designation generating component generates sets of game designations from a pool of available designations. The method employed in the gaming system includes pre-matching the bingo card representations to a given set of game designations to produce a matched card set. This pre-matching occurs prior to the sale, distribution, or assignment of card representations to players in the game. The matched card set includes a number of game play records, each corresponding to a different one of the bingo card representations and each being associated with a result indicator which indicates whether the respective bingo card representation is a winning card or losing card for that set of game designations. Data representing these matched card sets are stored and then the individual game play records are assigned to players in response to game play requests initiated by the players.
US07934985B2

A gaming apparatus according to the present invention comprises: a roulette wheel including a plurality of pockets associated with respective numbers in advance; a memory for storing a plurality of control data for controlling the gaming apparatus so as to provide different weights on probabilities that a ball is housed in each of the pockets; a plurality of stations for a player to play games; and a controller, said controller being programmed to execute the following processings (a) and (b): (a) controlling rotation of the roulette wheel and launching of the ball by referring to a single control data out of the control data, and (b) selecting another control data different from the single control data, out of the plurality of control data, to set the selected control data as a reference target, when the balance between the total sum of the currency value inserted at the plurality of stations and the total sum of the currency value paid out from the plurality of stations reaches a predetermined value.
US07934984B2

A system for providing a plurality of games is disclosed in which a plurality of user-operable terminals (1) provide respective players with a primary game, and generate primary game information messages relating to the primary game. A second game controller (2) receives the primary game messages and uses the information contained therein to administer a secondary game having an associated prize. The secondary game controller generates a tertiary game trigger message when the secondary game is won, and a tertiary game controller (5) responds the tertiary game trigger message by offering the secondary game winning player an opportunity to play a tertiary game using all or a portion of the secondary game prize as a stake.
US07934969B2

A method for producing a plasma display panel, includes mixing MgO crystals with MgF2, firing the resulting mixture. pulverizing the fired mixture to obtain powdered MgO crystals to which fluorine is added, and forming a priming particle-emitting layer on a protective layer. The priming particle-emitting layer contains the powdered MgO crystals to which fluorine is added, and the protective layer is included in a front-side substrate assembly that comprises a display electrode and a dielectric layer on a glass substrate.
US07934964B2

In an outboard motor, a lower casing is located below an upper casing, and an engine with a vertically-arranged crankshaft is mounted above the upper casing. The rotation of the crankshaft is transmitted to a drive shaft pivotally supported in the upper casing, has its speed changed by a transmission mounted on the drive shaft, and is transmitted to a propeller shaft pivotally supported in the lower casing. The upper casing includes an upper-side casing and a lower-side casing, and mating surface portions of the upper-side casing and the lower-side casing are laterally wider than an upper section and a lower section of the upper casing.
US07934962B2

The present invention provides a contact probe pin having both electrical conductivity and durability and being capable of realizing low adhesion to the device under test (particularly, tin contained therein) and thereby stably maintaining electrical contact over a long period of time. The present invention relates to a contact probe pin comprising: a base material; and a carbon film comprising at least one of a metal and a carbide thereof, wherein the carbon film is continuously formed over the surface of from a tip part of the contact probe pin to a lateral part of the contact probe pin, and a content of the at least one of a metal and a carbide thereof in the carbon film is continuously or intermittently decreased from the tip part toward the lateral part.
US07934959B2

An adapter includes a mechanical frame, which is configured to be inserted into a four-channel Small Form-Factor Pluggable (SFP) receptacle and to receive inside the frame a single-channel SFP cable connector. First electrical terminals, held by the mechanical frame, are configured to mate with respective first pins of the receptacle. Second electrical terminals, held within the mechanical frame, are configured to mate with respective second pins of the connector. Circuitry couples the first and second electrical terminals so as to enable communication between the connector and one channel of the receptacle while terminating the remaining channels of the receptacle.
US07934956B1

A connector for a cable contains a connecting sleeve, an internal tube, an inner fitting member, an outer fitting member, a sheath member, and a circular paw piece, wherein the inner fitting member, the outer fitting member, and the sheath member are made of plastic material, so that the connector is assembled easily and conveniently without using an auxiliary tool, and can lower production cost and time.
US07934955B1

A connector for a cable contains at least one connecting sleeve, an internal tube, a front fitting member, a rear fitting member, a sheath member, and a circular paw piece, wherein the front fitting member, the rear fitting member, and the sheath member are made of plastic material, so that the connector is assembled easily and conveniently without using an auxiliary tool, and can lower production cost and time.
US07934950B2

A connector (10) for an apparatus includes a housing (11) having a fit-in part (41) to be fit in a mounting hole (33) that penetrates through a case (30) of the apparatus. Tubular terminal insertion parts (42), penetrating through the fit-in part (41) and can receive a terminal fitting (21) connected with an end of a wire (20). Guide ribs (46A-46C) project from the fit-in part (41) into the case (30) and are spaced apart around an inner peripheral surface of the mounting hole (33). Reinforcing ribs (45A-45D) projecting into the case (30) Each reinforcing rib (45A-45D) and connects a side edge of a guide rib (46A-46C) to a peripheral surface of a terminal insertion part (42).
US07934946B2

A media power protection system comprises a media controller configured to detect a type of media card coupled to a multi-card connector, and a protection circuit configured to selectively enable at least one of a plurality of power supply interfaces of the multi-card connector based on the type of media card.
US07934944B2

An embodiment of an electrical connecting apparatus comprises a support board having an upper surface and a lower surface, a block having an attachment surface directing downward and attached to the support board in a state where at least the attachment surface is located below the support board, a flexible circuit board having a contactor area in which a plurality of contactors are arranged and an outside area around the contactor area and attached at part of the outside area to the lower surface of the support board in a state where at least the contactor area is opposed to the attachment surface of the block, and a reference mark member having a lower end surface and a reference mark for positioning provided on the lower end surface and attached to the block in a state where the lower end surface is exposed to the lower side of the circuit board. Accordingly, the measurement accuracy of the probe tip position is heightened.
US07934942B2

A contact adapted to be used in conjunction with an electric wire prearranged with a tip connection terminal, of essentially rigid type, and including reception means of the terminal for at least one prevailing part of the length of the same in a direction of insertion (A), electric interface means between tip and contact, against which the terminal is in use abuttingly withheld, and elastic locking means prearranged between the reception means and the electric interface means so as to press in use with predetermined pressure the terminal against the electric interface means and at the same time cooperate with the terminal forming a first angle with the direction of insertion so as to prevent by seizing the extraction of the terminal from the reception means in the direction of insertion; wherein the elastic means and the reception means are shaped so as to allow a user to displace the terminal, against the bias of the elastic means, obliquely with respect to the interface means and to the direction of insertion (A), so as to determine between the elastic means and the terminal a second angle which does not allow the removal of the tip from the reception means along a direction of extraction (B) different from that of insertion (A).
US07934937B1

A connector assembly includes a body and one or more contacts. The body extends along a longitudinal axis between front and back ends and along a vertical axis between a top surface and bottom surfaces. The body has a mating section, a raised section, and a mounting section. The contact is disposed in the body and is configured to electrically couple with the mating connector and with the circuit board. The raised section is spaced apart from and is suspended above the circuit board when the mounting section is mounted to the circuit board.
US07934932B1

Disclosed is an electrical power receptacle device, comprising: a main body, a dual-sided power socket, and a flip unit, wherein, the main body has a retaining wall. The dual-sided power socket is disposed in the accommodating space. The flip unit couples to the main body and the dual-sided power socket for providing the dual-sided power socket to be flipped to an open position or to a close position on the main body, wherein, as the dual-sided power socket is flipped to the open position, the dual-sided power socket is facilitated to be fixed and maintained in the open position on the main body by the retaining wall.
US07934930B2

A self-contained paint color system and method is described comprising a handled carrying box, at least one container of a base color paint, a plurality of containers containing colored tints, and a “matchbook” styled booklet that incorporates coordinated and matching sheets and self-adhesive stickers. When utilizing this paint color selection system and method, a designer can create and select numerous colors utilizing a single kit.
US07934925B2

A catalyzer for burning part of a gaseous fuel/oxidant mixture, in particular for a burner of a power plant installation, has catalytically active channels and catalytically inactive channels and at least two sectors are arranged consecutively in the main flow direction. The sectors include a first sector defining an inlet sector and at least one following sector that includes one or more of a mixing sector arranged downstream from the inlet sector and an outlet sector. Further, the catalyzer has one or more of a smaller flow resistance in the inlet sector than any following sector, a higher catalytic activity in the inlet sector than any following sector, a plurality of holes in the mixing sector oriented transversely to the main flow direction and through which adjoining channels communicate, and a swirl generator in the outlet sector that provides a swirl to a gas mixture flowing through the outlet sector.
US07934910B2

A piston displacement device for a reciprocating compressor comprises a piston linearly reciprocated in a cylinder and having a stroke length varied by a reciprocating motor, a plurality of resonance springs for guiding a resonant motion of the piston, and a piston transfer unit for moving the piston forward or backward in a motion direction of the piston according to a capacitance variation of a compressor and thereby maintaining the same top dead center. The piston is moved according to a capacitance variation of the compressor thereby to minimize a dead volume thereof and to increase the efficiency of the compressor.
US07934906B2

A turbine blade for a turbine engine having a cooling system in the turbine blade formed from at least one elongated tip cooling chamber forming a portion of the cooling system and at least partially defined by the tip wall proximate to the first end. An inner surface of the tip wall may include a plurality of curved bumper protrusions extending from the inner surface radially inward toward the root. The cooling system may include a plurality of ribs generally aligned with the trailing edge, and the curved bumper protrusions may be offset in a chordwise direction relative to the ribs. A throat section may extend between a first forwardmost curved bumper protrusion and a second immediately adjacent downstream curved bumper protrusion and may be offset radially outward from an inner tip surface, thereby creating a first recessed tip slot with a reduced tip wall thickness.
US07934904B2

A diffuser and exhaust system is provided for a turbine having an axial-radial diffuser and an exhaust hood including diffuser inner and outer flow guides that extend from an inlet to an outlet. The exhaust hood includes two throats or flow passages between the diffuser outlet and an exhaust hood side wall. The outer flow guide includes a recess, at one of the said two flow passages. The flow passage is positioned in relation to a point in the exhaust hood in the direction of the tangential flow velocity vector, where the point in the exhaust hood is farthest away from the exhaust hood outlet. The recess prevents a re-acceleration of the flow within the exhaust hood and affects an increase in the performance of the diffuser and exhaust hood system.
US07934903B2

Fluid release apparatus (26) for the release of fluid from the interior of a rotating and/or pressurized body (16;18;102;104), the apparatus comprising a core member (28) having a chamber wall (44) disposed thereabout so as to define an open chamber (30) about said core member. The apparatus further comprises a chamber closure (48) mounted about said core member (28), said closure being resiliently deformable between an at rest state in which the closure contacts the chamber wall (44) and an actuated state in which the closure is spaced there-from, wherein the chamber has an aperture (32;35;55) for receiving liquid phase fluid from the interior of said rotating body. Upon build up of sufficient liquid in said chamber (30) the closure (48) moves to said actuated state so as to release liquid from the interior of the body.
US07934897B1

An apparatus and method for coupling different body types to a truck, specifically interchanging between dump and trailer bodies, so that a single truck may be used to perform dump truck and tractor truck operations. The truck includes a pair of rearward extending frame rails and a mounting bracket to which a 5th wheel may be releaseably attached. The truck is adapted for carrying at least one of a 5th wheel and a hydraulic lift system and, thus, is capable of being coupled to a trailer body or dump body, respectively. The truck is changed over from having a dump body to a trailer body by lifting the dump body with its hydraulic cylinder; attaching a hoist to a dump body; lifting the dump body with a hoist; removing at least part of the weight of the hydraulic cylinder from the truck; detaching the hydraulic cylinder from the truck; removing at least part of the weight of the dump body from a coupling pin holding the dump body to the truck; removing the coupling pin; positioning a 5th wheel onto mounting brackets; securing the 5th wheel to the mounting brackets; and coupling a trailer body to the 5th wheel. The method may be reversed in order to change over the truck from carrying a trailer body to a dump body.
US07934895B2

A self drilling anchor for use in a friable material mounted on a member comprises an elongated body having an axis, an axial bore adapted to receive an elongated fastener, a flared end having torque transmitting surfaces therein, a proximal portion, an intermediate portion, a distal portion, and a drilling tip generally opposite the flared end, wherein the proximal portion has a threaded exterior having a root, a crest diameter, and a thread height, the intermediate portion has a threaded exterior having a root, a crest diameter substantially smaller than the crest diameter of the proximal portion, and a thread height substantially smaller than the thread height of the proximal portion, and the distal portion has a threaded exterior with a root that tapers toward the drilling tip, a crest diameter substantially smaller than the crest diameter of the proximal portion, and a thread height substantially smaller than the thread height of the proximal portion.
US07934894B1

A reusable pallet wrap for securing lading on pallets. The invention consists of an adjustable flexible wrap made from one rectangular shaped cloth (synthetic blend preferred) and has hook and loop fasteners sewn on the ends. The ends run from top to bottom of the wrap. Squares of hook and loop fastener are secured to the bottom of the wrap that line up with each corner of the pallet. Sewn into these squares are straps that are passed under the pallet to connect the wrap to the pallet. Once this is done, the load is secured to the pallet. Two straps with hook and loop fastener ends are also sewn directly to the wrap that give an added stability to load as well as to secure the wrap. Finally, a top cover can be added if load requires protection from the elements.
US07934893B2

Described is a quick-change arbor for a tool, in particular a hole saw (2), the arbor comprising a longitudinal body (3) having a drive end and a tool end, means (6) for attaching the tool which are provided with a central hole allowing a sliding of the attachment means (6) over the longitudinal body (3), and means for rotationally and axially locking the attachment means (6) to the longitudinal body (3). The attachment means (6) are slidably releasable from the longitudinal body (3), and can after applying a latch (9-1) in the attachment means (6) simply be slid over the body in order to push a plug of the sawn material out of the hole saw (2).
US07934892B2

A collet clamping nosepiece for a power feed drill is described which includes at least one clamping piston located along a centerline of the nosepiece, an expansion mandrel comprising a frusto-conical exterior surface, and an expandable collet. The expandable collet is configured to substantially surround the expansion mandrel and operatively connect to the at least one clamping piston. Operation of the at least one clamping piston causes the mandrel to move along the exterior surface of the expansion mandrel for engagement and disengagement of the collet with a bore configured for insertion of the collet.
US07934885B2

The invention is directed to reinforced ground cover mats which can be used to facilitate the passage of heavy equipment and vehicles on wet or disturbed ground. The ground cover mats are comprised of boards contained within a metal frame. A structural support in the form of an I-beam encases the boards and frame on one side, and a tubular member such as a pipe on the other side, thereby increasing the strength at the middle of the mat ends. Further, the tubular member can be modified at its ends to facilitate insertion of a sling and stacking of adjacent mats. The mat also comprises means for lifting, including passages through which chains or cable may be threaded, lifting shackle assemblies or pear link assemblies.
US07934884B2

A cover (10) is disclosed for holding objects such as papers and reports. The cover (10) is formed of a member (12) having a front cover (14), a spine (16) and a back cover (18), a ring binder (22) and a paper surround (24). The paper surround (24) encapsulates the ring binder (22) and secures it to the member (12). The cover can be either a top bound or side bound cover.
US07934881B2

A ribbon cartridge for a printer. The ribbon cartridge includes a frame that supports supply and take-up spools and that has one or more locating features to facilitate its insertion and positioning in a frame of a printer. For example, the ribbon cartridge frame may include a pair of detents defined approximately midway between the two spools to facilitate balanced insertion. The detents are slots with rounded ends that are configured to receive similarly shaped reference protrusions of the printer frame. The cartridge frame may also define a pocket for receiving an identification tag associated with the ribbon cartridge that ensures compatibility with the printer and passage of other information to the printer. In other embodiments, the ribbon cartridge may include a cleaning roller.
US07934879B2

A camera module includes a lens module, an image sensor, a circuit board for supporting the image sensor, and a lens holder for connecting the lens module and the circuit board. A method for fabricating the camera module includes the following steps. Firstly, at least one cleaning hole is created in the lens holder, and the at least one cleaning hole is filled with a removable sealing stuff. Then, the printed circuit board, the image sensor, the lens holder and the lens module of the camera module are combined together. Then, a testing procedure is performed to detect whether any pollutant is present within the assembled camera module. Once any pollutant within the assembled camera module is detected, the sealing stuff is removed from the at least one cleaning hole, a cleaning procedure is done to remove the pollutant, and the at least one cleaning hole is sealed again.
US07934878B2

A diaphragm driving device for a camera including a camera body and an interchangeable lens which is detachably attached to the camera body, wherein the interchangeable lens includes a diaphragm mechanism having an in-lens spring device for performing a stop-down operation, the in-lens-spring device having a spring constant. The camera body includes a diaphragm drive mechanism having a diaphragm drive motor and an in-body spring device, both of which are for making the diaphragm mechanism of the interchangeable lens perform the stop-down operation, and a controller for controlling a driving current which is supplied to the diaphragm drive motor in accordance with the spring constant of the in-lens spring device.
US07934877B2

A diaphragm blade includes a light-shielding, thin-plate blade base made of laser absorptive resin to regulate an aperture, and a first shaft portion made of laser transmissive resin and provided on one surface of the blade base. The first shaft portion includes a cylindrical member which is welded to the protruding weld portion, a protruding weld portion integrally formed with the blade base, and a recess formed at the back side of the protruding weld portion. The cylindrical member has a first recess defined at one end thereof near the blade base and coming into contact with the protruding weld portion, and a second recess defined at the other end. A contact surface of the protruding weld portion is melted with laser beam transmitted through the cylindrical member, whereby the protruding weld portion is welded to the cylindrical member.
US07934875B2

An object of the present invention is to provide a method for arranging an FPC in a lens barrel of an imaging device which allows installation of new function to an imaging device without eliminating function installed and size up. To solve the problem, the FPC electrically connect plurality of a optical elements movable which constitute an optical unit arranged movably along the optical axis, to the control unit that controls the operation of the optical elements movable, is made to comprise an extension section extending from a connector of the control unit in a state able to be fixed to a lens barrel, a fixed section fixed to the lens barrel, and a bent turn back section extending from the fixed section and then turn back in a loop shape with a terminal provided on the edge, and the terminal is connected to the optical element movable constituting the optical unit.
US07934874B2

A holder capable of protecting an optical connector ferrule from an external shock, or the like and executing a fusion-splice of a short optical fiber not to take out the optical connector ferrule from the holder is obtained.A holder for holding a connector plug equipped with an optical connector ferrule to which a short optical fiber is fitted and a plug frame for covering an outer periphery of the optical connector ferrule therein, wherein, when the short optical fiber together with the holder is fitted to a fusion splicing apparatus that fusion-splices the short optical fiber and other coated optical fiber, the short optical fiber extended from the plug frame is positioned in a fusion position.
US07934870B2

A circulating structure for a linear guideway is arranged in a circulating assembly the linear guideway. The linear guideway includes two circulating assemblies, and each circulating assembly is provided with a circulating channel. Each circulating channel is provided with a third guiding groove. A rolling element system is arranged in the circulating channel and consists of plural rolling elements and a rolling element chain. The rolling element chain includes plural spacers and a linking portion located at both sides of the plural spacers to link them with one another. The linking portion circulates along the center line of the third guiding groove, and the third guiding grooves have a constant width.
US07934867B2

A mixer capable of developing suitable stirring characteristics by forming a sufficient vertical circulation flow over the entire part of the inside of a tank, wherein an opening is formed in a stirring blade under the following conditions: (i) the ratio of the opening area of the opening in the upper half of the stirring blade to the overall area of the upper part of the stirring blade (the opening rate in the upper half of the stirring blade) is 45 to 80%, (ii) the ratio of the opening area of the opening in the lower half of the stirring blade to the overall area of the lower half of the stirring blade (the opening rate in the lower half of the stirring blade) is 18 to 50%, and (iii) the ratio of the opening rate in the lower half of the stirring blade to the opening rate in the upper half of the stirring blade is 31 to 71%.
US07934863B2

An object of the present invention is to provide a liquid crystal display device where there is less inconsistency in the brightness of the backlight due to deterioration in the efficiency of light emission of the light emitting diodes. The present invention provides a liquid crystal display device which stands on a horizontal surface for use having: a liquid crystal display panel; and a backlight provided on the rear of this liquid crystal display panel, and the light emitting source of the above described backlight is formed of a number of light emitting diodes, at least some of which are aligned in the up-down direction of the backlight, and the interval between light emitting diodes aligned at the top of the above described backlight is smaller than the interval between light emitting diodes aligned at the bottom of the above described backlight.
US07934853B2

Systems, methods and apparatus for illuminating a mobile imaging system by use of a light source operable to emit light for status indication, pathway illumination, and/or creation of favorable lighting environment. A triggering signal originating from a photosensor arranged to receive light at the mobile imaging system, a signal indicative of movement of the mobile imaging system, or user or system command is used to adjust the lighting source. The light source can be a light emitting diode (LED), collimator lamp, halogen lamp, fluorescent lamp, organic display, or any other light-emitting technology. The light source is adjustable as to color and intensity and can indicate the mobile imaging system's condition, status, or event.
US07934845B2

A candle-like lighting device is disclosed. The device comprises a decorative seat and a base seat, characterized in that the decorative seat is a transparent configuration, and within the decorative seat a cavity is provided which could hold at least a kind of low boiling point liquid, and the center of the decorative seat is a through hole passing through the decorative seat, and a top cover is provided to the through hole which mounted with a glowing member, and the base seat is mounted with a circuit with light source components, and the circuit is provided with a heat-generating body allowing current to pass through to generate an impedance effect, and the circuit also provides the glowing component of the decorative seat to be connected by a conductive cable to generate light.
US07934834B2

A method and apparatus is provided in which a digital image is transmitted to a presentation projector resource over a wireless transmission medium using a reduced amount of transmission bandwidth by transmitting a subset of the digital image data. The subset image data may be a delta subset that represents those areas of the image that have changed since the previous transmission. Header data is provided to further describe the subset image data. A projector discovery logic selects a suitable projector resource based on the order or signal strength of the discovery replies. A wireless image transmission session is established with the selected projector resource during which the projector is unavailable to other devices. The subset image data may be compressed and transmission coordinated with the projector resource so that the data is sent only when it is ready to be received.
US07934828B2

An inkjet printing system is provided, which comprises: a stage on which a substrate including at least two alignment keys is mounted; an inkjet head device disposed above the stage; and an alignment key sensing device disposed above the stage, wherein the inkjet head device comprises a head unit including an inkjet head, and a supporting unit which supports the head unit and scanning the substrate in a first direction, and wherein the alignment key sensing device comprises: at least two alignment key sensors for sensing positions of the alignment keys; a sensor supporting unit for supporting the at least two alignment key sensors; and a sensor position adjustment device for adjusting positions of the alignment key sensors with respect to the alignment key sensing device.
US07934820B2

An ink cartridge includes an ink storage chamber and an ink supply chamber, and the ink supply chamber includes a check valve configured to selectively open and close a communication hole between the ink storage chamber and the ink supply chamber depending on a pressure differential between a first pressure in the ink storage chamber and a second pressure in the ink supply chamber. When the ink storage chamber is filled with ink, the first pressure is lower than an atmospheric pressure, and the second pressure is higher than the first pressure such that the check valve closes the communicating hole.
US07934819B2

An inkjet recording head cartridge includes a container body configured to accommodate a plural colors of ink. The container body has a first side surface and also has a projecting part. The inkjet recording head cartridge includes a recording head unit configured to have ink supply port arrays. The recording head unit also has discharge port arrays which discharge the plural colors of ink. The container body has a first partitioning wall and second partitioning walls. The first partitioning wall is configured to partition the inside of the container body to intersect with the ink supply port arrays, to form a first ink accommodating unit which has the first side surface, and to form a space which does not have the first side surface. The second partitioning walls are in contact with the first partitioning wall and divide the space into a plurality of ink accommodating units.
US07934815B2

A fluid dispensing assembly having a fluid dispensing subassembly to deliver fluid to a substrate, an external manifold to supply fluid having a first wall arranged adjacent to the fluid dispensing subassembly, and a compliant wall attached to a second wall arranged opposite the first wall, the compliant wall to confine the fluid to chambers in the manifold and to provide compliance for acoustic attenuation. A fluid dispensing assembly having an external manifold having at least one opening in a back side opposite a fluid dispensing subassembly side, the fluid dispensing subassembly side being in contact with fluid, and a compliant wall adhered to the external manifold on the back side. A method of manufacturing a fluid dispensing assembly having forming an external manifold having openings to receive fluid, attaching a compliant wall to the external manifold such that the compliant wall seals the openings, and attaching the external manifold to a fluid dispensing subassembly wherein the fluid dispensing subassembly and manifold are on opposite sides of a transducer arranged to operate on the fluid in the manifolds.
US07934812B2

An inkjet head chip has an ink chamber containing ink, channels separated by piezoelectric elements and disposed parallel to each other along a width direction of the inkjet head chip, and a nozzle hole for discharging an ink droplet. The channels include a discharge channel disposed in a middle portion of the parallely disposed channels and communicating with the ink chamber and nozzle hole, dummy channels disposed outside of the discharge channel at respective ends thereof, and non-discharge channels toward the recording medium and supply of the ink from the ink chamber to the dummy channels is interrupted. The discharge of an ink droplet from the non-discharge channels toward the recording medium and the supply of ink from the ink chamber to the non-discharge channels are interrupted. The inkjet head chip is configured such that voltages are substantially simultaneously applied to one of the plurality of piezoelectric elements which is adjacent to the discharge channel and to one of the plurality of piezoelectric elements which is disposed between the dummy and non-discharge channels.
US07934810B2

An ink jet recording head has sufficient and uniform ink refill for all orifices and separate flow paths even though the substrate has high rigidity by dividing a supply port into a plurality of ports. The substrate of the ink jet recording head has a plurality of separate flow paths corresponding to discharge pressure generating elements, a common flow path communicating with the separate flow paths, an ink supply port communicating with the common flow path and supplying ink to the common flow path, and a plurality of beam portions dividing the ink supply port. A recess is formed on the common flow path, extending to the separate flow paths formed nearest to the beam portion.
US07934803B2

A nozzle arrangement for an inkjet printhead includes a substrate assembly incorporating an electrical drive circuitry layer and defining an ink inlet channel; a nozzle chamber structure extending from the substrate assembly and defining a nozzle chamber in fluid communication with the ink inlet channel and an ink ejection port in fluid communication with the nozzle chamber, the nozzle chamber being rectangular in plan; an anchor extending from the substrate assembly; a thermal bend actuator extending from the anchor and electrically coupled to the drive circuitry layer; and a lever arm coupled to the thermal bend actuator, pivotally supported by the substrate assembly and terminating in a paddle within the nozzle chamber. Upon receipt of a driving signal from the drive circuitry layer, the thermal bend actuator bends to induce movement of the paddle and effect ejection of ink in the nozzle chamber through the ink ejection port. The paddle has a rectangular profile substantially corresponding to the nozzle chamber.
US07934797B2

The present invention relates to a printhead for an inkjet printer. The printhead includes a plurality of nozzle arrangements. Each nozzle arrangement includes a nozzle defining a nozzle chamber in fluid communication with an ink ejection port. A static coil is fixed within the chamber. A movable coil is movably attached within the chamber. An actuator is configured to provide current to the coils so that the movable coil reciprocates relative to the static coil and ink in the chamber is ejected from the ink ejection port.
US07934795B2

A liquid ejection head includes a substrate including a liquid supply port and a plurality of ejection energy generating elements, disposed along the liquid supply port, and an ejection outlet plate including a plurality of ejection outlets, provided correspondingly to the plurality of ejection energy generating elements, and including a plurality of liquid flow passages, provided correspondingly to the plurality of ejection outlets, for establishing communication between the ejection outlets and the liquid supply port. The ejection outlet plate is provided with a hole portion formed to surround the liquid flow passages. The hole portion includes a plurality of first holes which are arranged in a line and which have opening edges having a shape without an acute angle and further includes a plurality of second holes having opening edges formed in a substantially sawtooth shape, with respect to a direction perpendicular to a surface of the ejection outlet plate.
US07934793B2

A printer for creating and cutting an image to be processed on a surface of an object includes a guide rail that extends in a specified direction, an inkjet head supported on the guide rail for movement in the specified direction on the guide rail, wherein ink from the inkjet head is emitted and the image is created on the surface in response to image data, and a cutting head supported on the guide rail for movement along the specified direction on the guide rail for providing cutting of the image in response to the image data.
US07934783B2

A dishwasher is provided, comprising a door pivotably engaged with a body and a counterbalance assembly coupled therebetween for facilitating pivoting of the door. The counterbalance assembly includes a first and second biasing member, each coupled to the body and serially engaged with a respective first and second flexible element coupled to the door. A guide member is secured to the body and includes a fixed arcuate member defining a first guide track, and a pulley rotatable about an axis and defining a second guide track. The first flexible element is at least partially wrapped about each of the fixed arcuate member and the pulley so as to serially engage the first and second guide tracks. The second flexible element is at least partially wrapped about a second side of the fixed arcuate member so as to engage the first guide track. An associated apparatus and method are also provided.
US07934769B1

A seat frame for a folding chair includes a U-shaped front frame, a linear rear frame and a seat cushion. The front frame has a first support surface between an upper surface and a lower surface of the front frame, the first support surface having a contour the same as that of the front frame. The rear frame has a second support surface between an upper surface and a lower surface of the rear frame, the second support surface having a contour the same as that of the rear frame. The seat cushion is clamped between the first and second support surfaces in a horizontal position. The peripheral edges of the seat cushion are thereby in tight contact with the first and second support surfaces. Brackets are then used to connect the front frame and the rear frame that surround the seat cushion therein.
US07934763B2

A vehicle seat apparatus includes a vehicle seat; a swiveling drive unit that swivels the vehicle seat between a frontward-oriented position in which the vehicle seat faces the front of a vehicle and at least one of an outward-oriented position in which the vehicle seat is oriented in the outward direction of the vehicle and an inward-oriented position in which the vehicle seat is oriented in the inward direction of the vehicle; an occupant condition detection unit that detects the condition of an occupant in the vehicle; and a control unit that controls the swiveling drive unit based on the detection result obtained by the occupant condition detection unit. With this configuration, it is possible to further increase the comfort of a passenger compartment based on the condition of the occupants in the vehicle.
US07934762B2

A vehicle with a sleeping arrangement includes a vehicle compartment, a driver's seat mounted in the compartment, the driver's seat having a bottom cushion portion and a back portion, and a passenger's seat mounted in the compartment, the passenger's seat having a bottom cushion portion and a back portion. At least one of the driver's seat and the passenger's seat may be pivotable from a normal use position facing a front of the compartment to a sleeping position oriented approximately 90° relative to the normal use position, and the pivotable seat is adapted to recline such that the bottom cushion portion and the back portion of the pivotable seat defines at least part of a generally horizontal surface together with the bottom cushion portion of the other one of the driver's seat and the passenger's seat.
US07934748B2

A metal bracket (50) is mounted on the outside surface that faces outside of the passenger compartment in the lateral direction of the vehicle of an upper end (46C) of a center pillar garnish (36). When an air bag (20) is deployed, bent parts (74B) of the wings of the bracket (50) come into contact with a seat part (88) of a pillar inner panel (38) and the a portion of the expansion force is transferred. As the air bag (20) continues to expand, the bracket (50) rotates about the base of an upper inclined part (72C), and the bent parts 74B rotate toward the outside in the vehicle width direction. Because the lower edges (74C) of the wings (74) come into contact with the pillar inner panel (38), the expansion force is transferred to the pillar inner panel 38.
US07934743B1

An apparatus for facilitating trailer towing is provided comprising a steer axle fixed to a rigid frame by means of a suspension, a selectably adjustable hitch, for receiving a trailer tongue, mounted on the frame and positioned above and forward of the steer axle, a vertically displacing articulated and spring centered tongue support fixed to the front of the frame, the vertically displacing articulated tongue support capable of absorbing vertical displacement between the apparatus and a towing vehicle while maintaining the a forward disposed tongue mount in a horizontal position. The apparatus forms a towing apparatus providing improved stability, traction, control, and maneuverability facilitating wheel traction at speed, through turns and over irregular or undulating terrain. The apparatus is particularly suitable for use in combination with light weight prime mover vehicles.
US07934737B2

A step device for a vehicle including a movable step arranged in a doorway opened and closed by a door is disclosed. The step device includes a drive unit, an open/close mechanism, a projection/retraction mechanism, and a plate cam. The open/close mechanism opens or closes the slide door. The projection/retraction mechanism moves a movable step. The plate cam is rotated by the open/close mechanism and engaged with a bushing arranged on the projection/retraction mechanism to enable or disable power transmission between the open/close mechanism and the projection/retraction mechanism. The plate cam includes a first recess and a second recess. The first recess pushes the bushing during rotation of the plate cam when the slide door is in a range of a predetermined open/close position to enable or disable power transmission between the open/close mechanism and the projection/retraction mechanism. The second recess frees the bushing from the pushing during rotation of the plate cam and disables power transmission between the open/close mechanism and the projection/retraction mechanism when the slide door is outside the range of the predetermined open/close position.
US07934733B2

A stabilizing device for a heavy vehicle, such as a truck or the like, includes a stabilizer bar which can be attached to a vehicle axle and pivotally mounted relative to a vehicle frame via stabilizer arms. The stabilizer bar and respective stabilizer arm are pivotally interconnected to each other. At least one said stabilizer arm is attached to a stabilizer anchor which is mountable in a vehicle frame, and the stabilizer anchor includes a stabilizer arm attachment point which is displaceable so as to enable the effective length of the stabilizer arm to be adjusted within a predetermined interval.
US07934729B2

Disclosed is a sports bag assembly with an integral wheeled transportation system. The bag assembly can accommodate the transportation and storage of sports equipment. The wheels can be deployed and retracted with a single mechanical movement, and may be stowed within the geometry of the bag. The bag assembly can fit within the recessed areas of platforms on the rear of motorized golf carts; within conventional storage stands, racks, lockers, vehicle trunks and/or hatches typically found around golf courses and in residences; and within travel containers or other systems for traditional golf bags. The golf bag assembly may also include a ventilated club storage compartment to facilitate the drying of clubs (including grips), and allow drainage of fluids which may enter the interior of the bag assembly. The bag assembly can also include a support and suspension system which restrains the grip and upper shaft or hosel ends of clubs which stabilizes and protects clubs during transport and play. The restraint system also can enhance the golfing experience by reducing or eliminating noise generated by clubs banging together during transportation. The restraint system can also extend the life of golf clubs by preventing contact between clubs, which contact could damage and alter frequency settings for various clubs.
US07934715B2

An arrangement for mounting an ingestion assembly within a singulating apparatus operative to singulate and convey sheet material along a feed path. The mounting arrangement includes a radial bearing pivotally mounting the ingestion assembly to a stationary support structure of the singulating apparatus. The radial bearing is operative to pivot the singulating assembly from an operating position to an idle position about a pivot axis which is substantially orthogonal to the feed path of the sheet material. The mounting arrangement also includes an over-center mechanism disposed in combination with the radial bearing for biasing the ingestion assembly about the pivot axis such that the ingestion assembly is forcibly held in each of the operating and idle positions. Optimum space utilization and ease of use is provided by the radial bearing which cantilever mounts the ingestion assembly to the singulating apparatus.
US07934707B2

A pneumatic spring has a pneumatic spring bellows (1) made as a hollow cylinder and a damper (19) can be arranged in the pneumatic spring in such manner that a gap (24) is created through which ambient air can reach the damper (19) and cool it.
US07934703B2

An apparatus includes an ultrasonic transducer; an ultrasonic propagation medium disposed so as to fill a plane of vibration of the transducer; liquid retaining means disposed so as to be in contact with an end face of the medium; and an ultrasonic focusing reflecting mechanism disposed in an ultrasonic propagation path, thereby the apparatus attains discharging into air and atomization of the liquid by use of ultrasonic waves. Atomization efficiency is enhanced by the use of an ultrasonic reflection tube, and mist emission is carried out. Use is made of a compact liquid container equipped at its bottom with an ultrasonic transmission membrane. Various types of liquids can be atomized by changing the direction of ultrasonic course.
US07934693B2

A panel unit used as part of a form for a concrete wall has a pair panels, held in spaced apart relation by a spacer. A spacer has rods with angled rod portions at the end which co-operate with other rod members to form retention cells which can receive reinforcement bar members. Another spacer is pre-fabricated in a generally planar grid with reinforcement members secured thereto. Connectors are used to connect the spacers to the panels. One type of connector is formed in two parts, with one part being removable, to permit removal of the panel, the other part having an anchoring mechanism. Another connector has a blade element enabling the connector flange to be recessed in the outer surface of the panel. A corner panel unit is also provided, as is a panel unit adapted for forming a wall with a ledge. In other panel units, form liners are provided which can permit a textured or contoured finished wall surface to be produced.
US07934690B1

The flag holder includes a plate surrounded by an edge flange. Raised letters and symbols are integral with a plate face side. Letters, symbols and edge flange have flat surfaces in a front plane. The plate has a rear side and three mounting bosses with rear surfaces and threaded bores. Surfaces of the edge flange and the bosses are in a rear plane parallel to the front plane and the plate front side. Two vertically spaced tongue members extend from an outside surface of the edge flange. A U-shaped flag pole recess in each tongue has an open end that faces rearward. Three threaded pins are received in the threaded bores. Epoxy holds the pins in gravestone bores. Flag pole recesses are closed by the gravestone. A pole support surface is on the edge flange.
US07934689B2

A display with an automatic locking device. The display includes a body, a support, and a sliding assembly. The support is connected to the body. The base connects with the support in a rotatable manner. The sliding assembly is movably disposed on the base in a manner such that the sliding assembly can move between a first position and a second position. When the sliding assembly is in the first position, the support is separated from the sliding assembly. When the sliding assembly is in second position, the support is engaged with the sliding assembly.
US07934682B2

A system for enabling the safe landing of an aircraft during an in-flight emergency is provided. The system includes a plurality of onboard devices for releasably securing a plurality of wings to a fuselage, and a non-electric module for activating said onboard devices. Said onboard devices are released to separate said wings from the fuselage.
US07934681B1

A rapid air transportation system for humans, animals, materials or facilities, comprises of rapid coupling of a carriage on land to the tether of a hovering aircraft using quick coupling methods and rapid de-coupling of the same at the end of transportation and landing of the carriage, without landing the aircraft.
US07934671B2

An apparatus and method relate to an auxiliary drive for rotating a gearless grinding mill.
US07934667B2

A diffuser for a device for packaging and dispensing a product. The arrangement is particularly advantageous for foaming cosmetic products. The diffuser includes a collar which can be mounted on a container and a product diffusion head extending from the collar and provided with at least one output aperture. Preferably, the output aperture is oriented at an angle, relative to an axis of the collar, lying between 0° and 85°. The diffusion head is movable relative to the collar. Moreover, the diffusion head has an extension axis inclined with respect to a longitudinal axis of the collar, and has a size which is contained within the maximum cross-section of the collar and/or of the container.
US07934665B2

Disclosed is an ultrasonic spray coating system comprising an ultrasonic spray head with integrated fluid delivery system (IFDS), which consists of an ultrasonic transducer with a spray forming tip, an ultrasonic generator, an external liquid applicator, a precision liquid delivery system and air directors. The coating liquid is delivered to the spray forming tip on the ultrasonic transducer from an external liquid applicator. The liquid is stored in a pressurized reservoir and fed to the liquid applicator by a precision liquid delivery system. The ultrasonic vibrations of the spray forming tip break up the liquid into small droplets and propel them from the tip in the form of a spray. The spray produced with ultrasonic energy alone is a very narrow “sheet-like” pattern. The width of the spray pattern produced is equal to the width of the spray forming tip (2 mm to 4 mm). Air directors are used to produce air streams to further shape and accelerate the ultrasonically produced spray. Air directors can be used to produce three distinct spray patterns, based upon the nature and placement of the air stream—narrow mode spray pattern; wide mode spray pattern; or side mode spray pattern.
US07934641B2

A new method and system for bar code data interchange includes a bar code scanner, such as a high scan rate LED scanner, and reads bar coded information from a video display. This bar coded information is scanned from the video display into a host device. The bar coded information may be sent to a user in a variety of ways, including over the Internet, any intranet, or any type of telephony network. The bar coded information may be viewed by the user on the video display as part of an e-mail message, as displayed on a web-page, or as displayed on television programming. The scanned bar coded information is decoded and may then be used. A first software program may have been used to create the bar coded information, and a second and distinct software application may be used with the now decoded bar coded information.
US07934636B2

A single-piece packaging plate foldable to form boxes having different sizes is provided for a product having a variable size. The packaging plate has an elongated plate portion, two side plate portions and two wing portions. The elongated plate portion has a plurality of parallel and spaced-apart preformed fold lines. The side plate portions extend outward from two sides of the elongated portion, and have fold lines at the junctures thereof. The two wing portions can be torn or cut out optionally. Each wing portion has a main wing extending from two sides of an area between sixth and seventh fold lines of the elongated plate portion. The packaging plate is foldable along the fold lines to form a unit body-packaging box or a system-packaging box.
US07934633B2

An ultrasonic bond is formed using a bond tool foot having a waffle shape of thin protrusions and gaps between the protrusions. The tool is brought in contact with the ribbon to a depth to create depressions in a ribbon approximately 150 μm or less from the underlying bonding surface. The tool is then brought down further into the ribbon to contact the portions of the ribbon between the depressions, such as an additional 25 to 50 μm. The result is lightly bonded regions underneath the groove portions and highly bonded regions underneath the protrusions and around the perimeter of the bond. In another embodiment, an ultrasonic bond is formed along a partial width of a ribbon.
US07934631B2

A staple housing includes an array of staples each in a staple delivery position or “ready position” ready to be fired into target tissue. A staple driver is advanceable to drive the ready-position staples from the staple head into the tissue using staple pushers. During use, the staples in the ready positions are simultaneously fired into the target tissue using the staple pushers, forming an array of staples in the target tissue. After the array has been fired, one or more feed mechanisms within the staple housing advance a second group of staples from one or more staple storage locations into the ready positions in preparation for firing of the second group of staples.
US07934629B2

A surgical stapler is provided that maintains the jaws of the stapler in an open position and prevents firing of staples when a cartridge is not loaded in one of the jaws. Distinct positioning and sequencing of the jaws, capture pin and firing of the staples are provided by a latch mechanism. Such locking and latching mechanisms ensure proper operation of the stapler.
US07934626B2

An airless dispensing pump container with an airtight nozzle head of a push down type capable of discharging a fixed amount of content is disclosed, in which a vacuum sealing function is enhanced in the whole structure of the present invention, and a content opening and closing plate of a content opening and closing valve member in the construction of a content discharge part of a nozzle head is automatically opened and closed, along with a reliable discharge of the content, and a reverse flow and leakage are prevented by improving a structure of a content pump piston which sucks and transfers the content. When a pump cylinder is slanted at a certain angle along with the content storing container or in case of a content having high viscosity, it is possible to improve the operation errors of the ball valve by providing an inventive structure of the ball valve support installed at a lower side of the stem.
US07934618B2

Mechanisms, components, kits, combinations, and methods of securing shredder bags to shredder baskets that allows at least a portion of a top edge of a shredder basket to not be overlapped by a shredder bag. One preferred embodiment of a bag securing component may include a plurality of securing components each having lateral sides, the plurality of securing components may be detachably engaged in a side-by-side fashion to form a one piece member that may be reducible in length.
US07934611B2

A retail system includes a rack assembly and a cover. The rack assembly has a stand that is adapted to rest on a substantially horizontal surface, where the stand is formed of a plurality of tubular members. The rack assembly also has a mounting frame that is substantially rectangular in shape and supported in a substantially vertical position by the stand. The cover includes a base portion that is formed by a combination of a first shell and a second shell that is complementary to the first shell, the base portion defining a hollow, substantially box-like structure that is supported in a substantially vertically position by the rack assembly and covers at least a portion of the mounting frame. The cover also includes a stack portion defining a hollow, substantially box-like structure that is adapted to slide over the mounting frame and mount atop the base portion.
US07934607B2

A system and method are described for a variable mount arm assembly for installing support structures within different types of rack systems. Embodiments of the invention disclose a rack system support member comprising a rotatable bracket having first and second mounting interfaces on first and second mounting faces of the bracket. The rotatable bracket can be secured in a first position to mount the support member in a rack system that uses the first mounting interface. The bracket can be released from the first position and rotated to a second position to mount the support member in a rack system that employs the second mounting interface.
US07934606B2

The induced vortex particle separator is a device for separating solid particulate matter from a liquid containing such particulate matter. The liquid enters a housing through an inlet port and is driven about a helical vane to form a helical flow path. Upon exiting the helical vane, the liquid is received within a central portion of the housing where a centralized structure including an annular stator and an inverted diffuser cone drive the liquid to form a free vortex. Under centrifugal force, the solid particulate matter is separated from the liquid and flows, under the force of gravity, into a lower region of the housing. Due to a negative pressure differential, the liquid is driven upwards within an inner cylindrical shell mounted within the housing to flow into a siphon for output through an outlet port.
US07934604B2

The present invention provides a filter module comprising a body of wound layers of a sheet material, said sheet material having a plurality of openings formed therein, said openings forming two types of channels within the wound layers of sheet material of said body, said channels extending in a direction from the inner peripheral surface to the outer peripheral surface, a first type of channels being open at one end at said outer peripheral surface of the body and closed at the other end located adjacent to said inner peripheral surface, a second type of channels being open at one end at said inner peripheral surface of the body, and closed at the other end located adjacent to said outer peripheral surface, said channels of the one type being separated from the channels of the other type by portions of sheet material, wherein the surface of at least one type of the channels supports a precoat and a process for the manufacturing of such a filter module.
US07934602B2

A recovery device and method of use ensure that any reusable medical device that has been disposed of in a sharps container is recovered, cleaned, sterilized, and repackaged for reuse. In one embodiment, a sharps container and sorting surface are manipulated to rotate together and independently, so that the content of the sharps container are emptied onto the sorting surface, enabling an operator to manually, safely, efficiently, and timely retrieve reusable medical devices from the sorting surface and place these medical devices into a receptacle bin. The non-reusable contents are subsequently dumped into a waste bin, whose contents will subsequently be incinerated or otherwise destroyed. The operator of the recovery device is protected by a shield and an exhaust system that minimize the operator's exposure to airborne biohazardous toxins and enable the sorting to be done without injury to the operator from sharp medical devices.
US07934600B2

An automated machine is used to handle and manipulate individual pieces of particulate matter. The particulate matter is contained in a bin. The machine operates to pick single individual pieces of the particulate matter from the bin. The picked individual pieces are then conveyed for further handling. Pneumatic transport is primarily used for the conveying operation. One aspect of the handling involves individually weighing each piece of the picked particulate matters. Another aspect of the handling involves sorting the individual pieces of particulate matter into a plurality of receptacles. Yet another aspect of the handling involves both weighing and then sorting the individual pieces of particulate matter, wherein the sorting operation may be performed based upon the measured weight of each piece.
US07934598B2

Disclosed is a protective film-integrated pouch wherein a protective film to protect a display panel and a bag to cover and package the display panel are integrally formed. The protective film-integrated pouch includes a rectangular body, including upper and lower layers, the body having three sealed edges and one opened edge to define an opening, allowing insertion of a display panel into the pouch, wherein each of the upper layer and the lower layer includes a base layer made of a metallic material, an outer surface layer disposed on the base layer, and an inner surface layer disposed on the outer surface layer, wherein the inner surface layer contacts the display panel and is made of a mixed polyethylene resin.
US07934597B2

In order to improve the reliability of cleanly dispensing the first tissue in a pop-up dispensing tissue container, a relatively high strength sacrificial top sheet is interfolded with the tissue clip. The sacrificial top sheet is adhered to the underside of a removable surfboard in the top of the container, such that when the surfboard is removed to access the tissues, the sacrificial sheet is simultaneously removed, which causes the first tissue to pop up into a ready position for subsequent dispensing by the user.
US07934596B1

A storage and organization system for storing wrapping paper rolls and wrapping supplies includes a first supply holding side and a second supply holding side pivotally connected to each other between a workstation orientation and a storage orientation. The workstation orientation is an orientation where the first and second supply holding sides form an angle and the storage orientation is an orientation where the first and second sides are substantially parallel. The first and second supply holding sides each have an inwardly facing surface facing the opposing supply holding side and an outwardly facing surface facing away from the opposing supply holding side. A plurality of wrapping paper roll-receiving features and a plurality of supply receiving features are disposed on the outwardly facing surfaces of the respective first and second supply holding sides.
US07934590B2

A park-by-wire subsystem which is internally mounted within an electrically variable hybrid transmission is provided. The park-by-wire subsystem provides a means of selectively placing the electrically variable hybrid transmission in a park condition by the selective actuation of an actuator operatively connected to a lever. The lever enables selective engagement of a park pawl mechanism and incorporates multiple Hall effect switches to monitor the position of the lever. The subsystem is monitored by various switches and sensors to provide control and diagnostic feedback and is activated by a command source controlled by a first control unit. A second control unit is incorporated into the design for required control, monitoring, and diagnostic redundancies.
US07934589B2

An exemplary embodiment of a Hill Start Aide system for a vehicle includes a brake system. The brake system including a brake actuator for manually actuating the brake system. The brake system is selectively configurable in a stopped configuration, where the brake system is manually maintained via the brake actuator such that a vehicle road wheel speed is about zero rpm, a released configuration, where the brake system will not generally inhibit rotation of at least one vehicle road wheel, and a control stop configuration, where the vehicle road wheel speed is about zero rpm. The Hill Start Aide system also includes a controller for at least partially controlling the brake system. The controller will selectively send a signal to maintain the brake system in the control stopped configuration when the brake actuator is manually released. The controller will send a signal to the brake system to release the brakes when a predetermined amount of time has elapsed after a transmission is manually shifted to a neutral configuration while the brake system is in the control stopped configuration.
US07934578B2

There is provided a working vehicle having first and second hydraulic pump units operatively driven by a driving source and arranged away to each other in a width direction of the vehicle. In the working vehicle, each of the first and second hydraulic pump units includes a pump body; a port block formed with an oil passage for supplying/discharging an operating fluid to/from said pump body; a pump case connected to the port block so as to define a pump body accommodating space for surrounding the pump body; and a pump shaft for rotatably driving the pump body, the pump shaft having an input end operatively connected to said driving source. A drain port for opening the pump body accommodating space outward and a charge suction port for drawing in an oil from an oil tank in order to supply a charge oil to a hydraulic circuit fluidly connecting with the corresponding hydraulic motor unit are provided respectively in first and second assemblies formed by the corresponding pump case and port block. The drain port is provided on a wall surface other than an opposing wall surface facing each other of the wall surfaces of said first and second assemblies when arranging the first and second assemblies so that the input ends of each pump shaft are directed in the same direction.
US07934570B2

In one aspect of the invention, a swivel for use in a drilling operation comprises a body with a central bore adapted for threaded connection to a tool string component. At least one electrically conductive medium is rotationally supported within the bore and adapted to rotate with respect to an electrically conductive receiver that is rotationally fixed to and disposed within the body. The electrically conductive medium and the receiver are in electrical communication through an electrically conductive arm that is rotationally fixed to the electrically conductive medium and at least partially disposed within an electrically conductive fluid disposed within a reservoir. The reservoir comprises a rigid shape that is partially filled by the conductive fluid. At least one rotary seal is disposed intermediate the reservoir and the electrically conductive medium. The rigid shape of the reservoir is adapted to prevent the conductive fluid from accumulating around the rotary seal.
US07934562B2

A hybrid process control system including electrical transmission of power to a sub-sea hydraulic power unit, which in turn provides hydraulic power for control of hydraulic actuators. A circulation system using small bore tubing in the umbilical cord in combination with a traditional topside hydraulic power unit provides for active control of hydraulic fluid quality with respect to contamination caused by the sub-sea hydraulic actuators, especially process gas from down hole safety valves. Thus, a more economical power transmission is achieved without reduction of fluid quality, which is essential to system integrity and reliability. Also, a significant enhancement of power transmission without a dramatic increase in the size of hydraulic supply and return lines is achieved. Fluid environmental issues are reduced to a negligible aspect.
US07934553B2

A technique utilizes a tool to selectively shift flow control devices in a variety of well applications. In one application, the tool is delivered downhole via coiled tubing to selectively deliver treatment fluid and shift valves in a combined well treatment and sand control well system. The tool also can be used to carry a jetting device that can be employed to deliver a non-solids fluid to a desired region of a wellbore.
US07934532B2

A composite laminar tape (1) for mass-sealing bottles (15) or similar containers consists, according to the invention, of at least one extensible laminar tape (16), made of an extensible plastomeric film, which is possibly provided with closed lines for a predetermined separation of areas being meant to act as sealing membranes.The invention also relates to an apparatus for mass-sealing containers with said tape, and to an apparatus for mass-unsealing the containers sealed with said tape.
US07934515B1

A prior art backflow bonnet and poppet is replaced by a functionally equivalent new bonnet and poppet. The new bonnet and poppet reduces risk of freeze damage with about a 50% greater strength against pressure. The new bonnet and poppet has only three parts when assembled versus six parts in the prior art. A hollow in the valve plug holds the biasing spring. The bonnet shaft rides in the hollow.
US07934511B2

The invention relates to a method of processing tobacco fines, whereby the tobacco preparation for producing smoking articles from an initial material to be processed, which contains tobacco fines and tobacco material, is subjected to an increased mechanical pressure in order to bind the tobacco fines permanently to the tobacco material, and no extra or external binding agents are added the material to be processed in order to bind the tobacco fines to the tobacco material. It further relates to smoking articles containing smoking material produced on the basis of one of the methods proposed by the invention.
US07934508B2

Implantable medical device telemetry is provided between an implantable medical device and an external communication device. The implantable medical device includes a device transmitter and/or a device receiver. The external communication device includes a moveable communication head including an antenna therein connected to at least one of an external transmitter and/or an external receiver for communication with the device transmitter and/or the device receiver of the implantable medical device. A user moves the moveable head apparatus relative to the implantable medical device. Tactile feedback is provided to the user via the moveable head apparatus upon movement of the moveable head apparatus to a position where valid telemetry can be performed.
US07934507B2

The present invention comprises a modified woman's undergarment that includes a peri-pubic light compression panel allowing for compression at the incision site and a treatment dressing means for exposing the wound to a medicament. The combination of light compression and treatment with applicable medicament functions to minimize the formation of scars following cesarean section incisions performed in the lower transverse uterine or peri-pubic area. Considering the long phase of wound healing, this design flexibility allows for the use of the garment under a variety of street clothes. Unlike a girdle or abdominal support device, the crux of the invention does not require heavy or high abdominal support, although for those applications requiring girdle-type support, the invention could also be fabricated in a style that allows abdominal support along with the focused incision peri-pubic compression and incision care.
US07934504B2

Contraceptive methods, systems, and devices generally improve the ease, speed, and reliability with which a contraceptive device can be deployed transcervically into an ostium of a fallopian tube. The contraceptive device may remain in a small profile configuration while a sheath is withdrawn proximally, and is thereafter expanded to a large profile configuration engaging the surrounding tissues, by manipulating one or more actuators of a proximal handle with a single hand. This leaves the other hand free to manipulate a hysteroscope, minimizing the number of health care professional required to deploy the contraceptive device.
US07934503B2

A delivery device for and method of delivering substance, the delivery device comprising: a delivery outlet (7) from which substance (S) is in use delivered; a gas chamber (17) containing a gas and being of reducible volume, wherein a reduction in the volume of the gas chamber (17) to a predeterminable volume acts to pressurize the contained gas to a predeterminable pressure; a seal element (11) disposed between the gas chamber (17) and the delivery outlet (7); and an opening mechanism configured, on reduction of the volume of the gas chamber to a predeterminable volume, to open the seal element (11), whereupon a gas flow from the gas chamber (17) acts to deliver substance (S) from the delivery outlet (7).
US07934500B2

A method and a device are provided for detecting the respiratory activity of a person and for controlling the time progression of breathing gas pressure, especially in accordance with physical parameters and considering parameters indicating the momentary physiological condition of the breathing person. The device for detecting the respiratory activity of a person has at least one sensor that provides a first signal indicating the breathing gas flow, wherein at least one signal processing device is provided for processing the first signal. The signal processing device is configured in such a way that said device determines a reference-relation on the basis of the first signal detected during a first time interval. On the basis thereof, the device determines a correlation-relation between the reference-relation and the first signal. The device generates an output signal indicating the respiratory activity and/or the physiological condition of the breathing person by considering at least the correlation-relation.
US07934495B2

A non-thermostatic heating device is provided with temperature range control whereby materials may be heated and melted to a safe or desired temperature and maintained, particularly soy based non-candle formulated waxes for skin therapy as well as aromatherapy waxes generally. The device is vented and comprises a non flammable insulative container such as treated paper tubing and semi insulative elements, particularly one or more enclosed air pockets which are predetermined in dimension or movable for change in volume to provide a desired equilibrium temperature range.
US07934489B2

A fuel system for improved fuel efficiency may include a fuel injector to transmit fuel in droplet form to a reaction region. A reaction rod may be positioned in the reaction region, where the reaction rod may have a convex end and a concave end. The fuel system may be used with engines such as gasoline engines, turbine engines, diesel engines, and steam engines.
US07934483B2

A motorcycle engine includes a crankcase housing a crankshaft, and a transmission unit therein, a cylinder block disposed above the crankcase, a cylinder head disposed above the cylinder block, and an intake system arranged behind the cylinder head, and a knock sensor arranged on an upper surface of the crankcase. The knock sensor is arranged behind the cylinder head, and disposed between the intake system and the cylinder block, such that the knock sensor does not restrict arrangement of additional functional parts of the engine on an upper surface of the crankcase. The knock sensor is substantially surrounded and protected by the intake system, the cylinder head, the cylinder block and the crankcase.
US07934479B2

A camshaft adjuster (10) for an internal combustion engine which includes a locking mechanism is provided. At least one locking element (21, 22) which can be locked in the zone of a central position (20) as well as at least one additional locking element (23, 24) that can be locked in the zone of a retarded end position (19) or an advanced end position (20) are provided such that the internal combustion engine can be selectively started from an end position (19, 20) or the central position.
US07934474B2

Devices, methods and system for combustion of an intimate emulsion of water-in-fuel without the use of chemical additives in order to reduce emissions and improve fuel economy with little or no engine or boiler de-rating or modifications. Apparatus and method for producing, combusting, storing and reducing viscosity of a fuel comprised of water and oil or other hydrocarbons, which is constituted as an emulsion without the need for chemical stabilizers by exposure to constant cavitation.
US07934473B2

An access portal for a pet carrier allows a pet owner to insert a hand into the pet carrier but prevents the animal contained therein from escaping through the access portal. The access portal may be blocked by an elastic barrier with an aperture that stretches to allow the pet owner to gain access to the interior of the pet carrier. Doors covering the access portal on the inside and/or the outside of the carrier may also be used instead of, or in conjunction with the elastic barrier.
US07934472B2

An apparatus and method for moderating the environment of a pet shelter is provided. The apparatus may include a climate control device which may be attached to the pet shelter in order to regulate the temperature and environment within the pet shelter. The apparatus may also include a photoelectric control element electrically connected to the climate control device and operable based on the ambient light input from outside the pet shelter. The apparatus may regulate the environment of the pet shelter based on the ambient light outside of the pet shelter.
US07934469B2

An installation for supplying liquid feed to an animal, such as a calf. The installation comprises one or more feed loading places (1) and one or more feed unloading places (2-5), and one or more vehicles (9) that are autonomously displaceable, controlled by a microprocessor or the like, between one or more feed loading places and one or more feed unloading places, each vehicle comprising a drinking nozzle (10), such as a flexible teat.
US07934466B2

The invention concerns a coating plant for the coating of construction units with a coating medium, in particular a paint system for the lacquer finish of motor vehicle body parts, with a dosing pump, the coating medium supplied with a certain delivery (Fm) proportioned, and a pressure control valve arranged upstream before the dosing pump to adjust a coating medium pressure (p v) at the entrance of the dosing pump, as well as a control unit to adjust the pressure control valve a controlled variable of the pressure difference (Δp) through the dosing pump independently of the delivery of the dosing pump and the changing viscosity of the lacquers to an essentially constant desired value (ΔpTARGET).
US07934460B2

Installation to be applied to self-propelled or tow-type agricultural seeders that comprises a general command central unit (5) fed from an electric power source and controls a corresponding individual control unit (10) that regulates the operation of the electro-pneumatic unit (6) associated to the seed dosing devices within the seeder to perform the pneumatic action. Electro-pneumatic unit may be a motor suction or a motor compressor unit. The invention envisages the association of these units to all the dosing devices in a seeding body of the seeder, to pairs of dosing units in the seeder, or else, on an individual basis, to each seed dosing device of the seeder.
US07934456B1

A sabot projectile with a subcaliber penetrator and a sabot, which has a propulsion element that acts on the rear end of the penetrator, a segmented, essentially cylindrical guide cage, which is connected to the front end of the propulsion element, and a segmented, disk-shaped metal guide element that extends radially inward in the front area of the guide cage and holds the penetrator. The disk-shaped guide element has a slightly convex contour in the direction of flight of the projectile and the material and the wall thickness of the guide element are chosen in such a way that convex area of the guide element is pushed back slightly when the sabot projectile is fired, so that the outer marginal area of the guide element rests against the inside wall of the gun barrel from which the sabot projectile is fired, and/or the inner marginal area of the guide element, which faces the penetrator, rests against the outer surface of the penetrator.
US07934451B2

A printing apparatus includes a magnetic rotatable roller with a smooth even outer surface for aligning magnetic flakes in a carrier, such as an ink vehicle or a paint vehicle to create optically variable images in a high-speed, linear printing operation. Images can provide security features on high-value documents, such as bank notes. Magnetic flakes in the ink are aligned using magnetic portions of the roller, that can be formed by permanent magnets embedded in a non-magnetic roller body, or selectively magnetized portions of a flexible magnetic cover of the roller. In some embodiments, the roller is assembled for a plurality of interchangeable sections, which can include spinning magnets. Selected orientation of the magnetic pigment flakes can achieve a variety of illusive optical effects that are useful for decorative or security applications.
US07934445B2

Fixed weapon emplacements include ballistic weapon stands having heights sufficient to protect standing gunners in combination with tripods, which are fixed thereto with welded connections. In a first embodiment, the tripod has two legs fixed to a weapon platform and to the base of the ballistic weapons stand and a third leg fixed to the weapon platform and to a weld plate on a front armor plate of the stand. In a second embodiment, the third leg of the tripod is provided by a strut that extends through a slot in the front armor plate and is welded to both a weld plate behind the front armor plate and to the weapon platform. In a third embodiment, the tripod has one leg fixed to the base of the weapon stand and two legs welded to a weld plate behind the front armor panel to support the weapon platform. In a fourth embodiment, a hood projects from the front armor plate with a front leg of the tripod fixed to the base at a location within the hood and rear legs of the tripod fixed to the base. A universal base is provided wherein either a single leg of the tripod is attached to the base adjacent to the front armor plate or a pair of legs of the tripod is attached to the same base adjacent to the front armor plate. In any of the embodiments the weapon platform at the top of the tripod is mounted on the tripod by utilizing three sleeves that receive top portions of three straight legs of the tripod.
US07934428B2

A system for detecting fastener movement and measuring a residual torque in a fastener joint, including a device for applying torque to a stationary fastener in a tightened state and measuring torque and angle of rotation. The device includes a sensing system that has a gyroscope that provides a signal corresponding to the angle of rotation of the device as it applies torque to the fastener, and a torque transducer that provides a signal corresponding to the torque applied to the fastener by the device. The device also includes a computing unit in communication with the sensing system and adapted to receive the signal corresponding to an angle of rotation of the device and the signal corresponding to the torque applied to the fastener, and determine a torque at a moment of initial movement of the fastener.
US07934419B2

In an intake air mass flow measurement device, for preventing clogging in a pressure intake tube due to water or the like entering the pressure intake tube in a device measuring a pressure in the intake air tube, the intake air mass flow measurement device includes a mass air flow measurement device for measuring an intake air mass flow in an intake air tube; and a pressure sensing device for sensing pressure in the intake air tube, the pressure sensing device being integrated with the mass air flow measurement device, and an aperture plane opened to the inside of a main air flow passage for detection of the pressure takes in pressure by using a gap generated between a main air flow passage constituting member and an insertion part of the mass air flow measurement device when a measurement part of the mass air flow measurement device is inserted into the main air flow passage. With this construction, it is possible to provide a structure in which water or the like can hardly clog the pressure intake port.
US07934416B2

A method of determining whether a liquid amount and/or quality of a liquid reagent held in a reagent holding portion are/is normal or not in a microchip that includes the steps of measuring each liquid reagent held in the reagent holding portion with a first measuring portion, mixing, at least, two or more types of measured liquid reagents in a first mixing portion, and evaluating the liquid amount and/or quality of obtained liquid mixture and determining, based on the evaluation, whether or not the liquid amount and/or quality of the liquid reagents are/is normal, as well as a liquid-reagent-containing microchip are provided. A method of easily determining whether a liquid amount and/or quality of liquid reagents in a microchip are/is normal or not and a microchip in which the method can be performed are provided.
US07934415B2

A hydrostatic testing tool for testing containers, hoses or the like under high pressures. The testing tool having a coupling that threadably engages a threaded aperture of a test container without having to be rotated into the threaded aperture. The hydrostatic testing tool may be hooked up to a source of pressurized medium and the tool includes a container-engaging head having a plurality of collet segments that each have a threaded surface that can expand radially outward, partially due to the force of the pressurized medium, to engage a threaded aperture of the test container, allowing for the formation of a liquid and/or gas tight seal under high pressures. The testing tool further includes an actuating unit connected to the head that controls the movement of the collet segments with a piston or the like.
US07934413B2

Disclosed is a bi-directional piston displacement type volumetric fluid flow rate delivery and metering system (calibration standard) and operational method for calibration of fluid flowmeters. The present invention provides reduced uncertainty of delivered volumetric fluid flow rate at meters under test relative to the uncertainty of volumetric fluid flow rate at meters under test provided by prior art bi-directional piston displacement type volumetric fluid flow rate standards given the same nominal cylinder diameters and working fluid and equal dimensional, timing and temperature measurement uncertainties by employing a plurality of metering pistons and cylinders to minimize the connecting volume piping between the metering piston cylinder outlet and meters under test, providing open access to one side of each metering piston to accomplish installation of temperature probes through the pistons into the working fluid and by operational method which minimizes the connecting volume to standard volume ratio.
US07934411B2

Inspecting gas detectors is difficult if the gas detectors are arranged in a place which is difficult to access. The provision of a test device which is in an operational connection with the gas detector or the heat detector facilitates the testing considerably.
US07934407B2

A process for producing a metallic component of a structural member or the like used in an aircraft or automobile or the like, the process including shot peening the surface of a metallic material, wherein the fatigue properties of the metallic material are improved with almost no variation in the surface roughness over the course of shot peening. Shot peening the metallic material surface uses a shot material having an average particle size of not more than 200 μm, and the ratio of the surface roughness of the metallic material surface following the projection step relative to the surface roughness of the metallic material surface prior to the projection step is not less than 0.8 and not more than 1.5.
US07934396B2

This invention relates to a cut-resistant knit glove comprising a) cut-resistant composite yarn having a core yarn and at least one first wrapping yarn helically wrapped around the core yarn, the core yarn including at least one 50 to 400 denier (56 to 440 dtex) glass fiber filament yarn and the first wrapping yarn being one 100 to 600 denier (110 to 680 dtex) para-aramid yarn; b) companion yarn of 200 to 1600 denier (220 to 1800 dtex) selected from the group consisting of aliphatic polyamide, polyester, natural fiber, cellulosic fiber, and mixtures thereof; and c) lining yarn comprising a composite yarn of from 250 to 1200 denier (280 to 1300 dtex) comprising aliphatic polyamide fiber, polyester fiber, natural fiber, cellulosic fiber, and mixtures thereof; and wherein the cut-resistant composite yarn, the companion yarn, and the lining yarn are co-knit in the glove with the lining yarn plated on the interior of the glove and the cut-resistant composite yarn and companion yarn forming the exterior of the glove.
US07934392B2

The method of continuously producing flat glass includes rolling a fluid glass sheet between upper and lower shaping rollers to shape and calibrate the glass sheet, generating a respective gas cushion between the fluid glass sheet and each shaping roller from a liquid, controlling the pressure of the gas cushion between the fluid glass sheet and the upper shaping roller to completely prevent contact of the glass sheet with the upper shaping roller, controlling the pressure of the gas cushion between the fluid glass sheet and the lower shaping roller to form a linear contact area between the fluid glass sheet and the lower shaping roller and controlling the contact area width according to speed and viscosity of the glass sheet in order to transport it without slipping and reduce cooling path length.
US07934379B2

In an internal combustion engine comprising an exhaust gas turbocharger, including a turbine with at least two inlet passages arranged in the exhaust gas tract of the internal combustion engine, via which exhaust gas from the internal combustion engine can be supplied to a turbine wheel of the turbine, and a valve arrangement being arranged in to the exhaust gas tract to the turbocharger to control the supply of exhaust gas to the inlet passages of the turbine, a valve and turbine inlet passage configuration is selectable providing for a maximum braking power with low thermal load.
US07934357B2

A sheet handling device having at least one sheet feed path therethrough from an inlet to an outlet, the sheet feed path defined by a guide for directing sheet material from the inlet to the outlet. The sheet handling device comprising a plurality of processing sections located along the sheet feed path for performing a plurality of operations on sheet material being handled by the device. The processing sections including a central accumulator section, a collation section, a sheet folding section and at least one inserter section which are collectively located within a main chamber of the sheet handling device. The accumulator section is centrally located relative to the other processing sections and employs a vertically-oriented feed path to facilitate accumulation of sheet material while minimizing the spacing/gaps between adjacent sections. Furthermore, an access doorway is disposed over the processing stations to facilitate jam clearance.
US07934356B2

To quickly fill a bag with medicine containers without damaging the containers, a machine for filling a bag with medicine containers includes: a bag positioning member (4) for positioning and opening a bag (13); a first moving member (37) that reciprocates between a supply position inside the bag (13) and a waiting position outside the bag (13), the first moving member including a bottom surface portion for supporting medicine containers; a second moving member that reciprocates relative to the bag (13) and includes a guide surface (47) guiding medicine containers (11) to the bottom surface portion; and a drive-control means (59) that moves the first moving member (37) from the supply position to the waiting position while maintaining the second moving member (38) in a fixed position relative to the bag (13), thereby causing medicine containers (11) guided by the guide surface (47) to the bottom surface portion to remain in the bag (13).
US07934352B1

A backed paneling unit providing a drainage pathway for liquids that might be behind the backing portion of the paneling unit. The paneling unit facilitates the drainage of liquid from behind the panel by providing grooves that are typically connected so as to allow the drainage to occur from behind a series of adjacent installed panels. Additional grooves are provided to provide alternative drainage pathways for a liquid in the event that at least a portion of a groove is obstructed.
US07934345B2

A mortarless masonry structure comprising a plurality of regular masonry blocks and/or bricks connected to each other by a plurality of metal bars and a plurality of standard metal threaded fasteners thereby forming a post tensioned structure. Preferably, the blocks are operatively connected to each other as a structure by simple mechanical tools. Each interconnection results in a unitized post tensioned member that, when interconnected to the adjacent members, forms a comparatively higher strength structure than systems made of mortar and reinforced mortar. The method used to create this structure is a simple, waterless, mortarless interconnection process that is completed by a series of simple individual steps of fastening the blocks and bars into a strong and durable structure. Once connected the structure is strong and durable. If desired, the structure may be disassembled and the components re-used.
US07934341B2

A weatherstrip is provided in which a first component provides for functional sealing. A second component, formed of a different material, is interlocked to the first component. The securing structure is not visible from the exterior and allows the second component to improve the aesthetics, be color-matched with the vehicle, or have an altered geometry as needed for the particular vehicle component.
US07934336B2

A tool for releasing excess air from the swim bladder of a fish. The present invention includes a puncturer situated in a housing and a push rod which extends out of the housing for pushing the puncturer out of the housing and into the swim bladder of the fish. When the tool is employed, the excess air passes through the puncturer into the housing and then out vents located in the side wall of the housing. The puncturer is spring biased to remain in the covered position until the user applies an external force to the push rod to expose the puncturer.
US07934329B2

An excavation control system for a machine is disclosed. The excavation control system may have a tool, at least one operator input device configured to provide manual control over movement of the tool, and a controller in communication with the at least one operator input device. The controller may be configured to receive an input related to an operator desired tool location, and determine that an operator is manually controlling movement of the tool toward the operator desired tool location. The controller may be further configured to automatically assume control over movement of the tool toward the operator desired tool location based on the determination.
US07934324B2

A linear scale that is used for displacement measurement is provided. The linear scale includes a scale board, a graduation unit, and an attachment unit. The scale board is made of low expansion ceramics. The graduation unit is fixed to an upper surface of the scale board. The graduation unit is read at the time of measurement. The attachment unit is a unit for attaching the scale board to a base member.
US07934319B2

The present invention is directed to a pencil-sharpening device having a titanium chromium nitride coating disposed on the cutting blade of the device. The titanium chromium nitride coating is metallurgically bonded to the steel blade. The coated blade provides enhanced properties for the pencil-sharpening device.
US07934311B2

A method of forming at least a portion of a cable comprises providing at least one conductor, extruding at least an inner layer of polymeric insulation over the at least one conductor to form a cable conductor core, embedding a plurality of conductors into the inner layer of the cable conductor core, and extruding an outer layer of polymeric insulation over the cable conductor core and the plurality of conductors and bonding the inner layer to the outer layer to form the cable and provide a contiguous bond between the inner layer, the conductors, and the outer layer, wherein embedding comprises heating a one of the inner layer and the conductors prior to embedding the conductors into the inner layer.
US07934306B2

A method for packaging micro electromechanical systems (MEMS) microphone has steps of providing a base, arranging and mounting multiple microphone component assemblies on the base, providing a frame, mounting the frame on the base, forming multiple microphone units, providing a cover; mounting the microphone units on the cover and forming multiple MEMS microphones. Therefore, the MEMS microphones can be produced once in large quantities to save production time and costs.
US07934304B2

A method to manufacture tubing includes co-forming a base material strip and a liner material strip into a string of internally-lined tubing and joining edges of the base material strip to form a seam therebetween.
US07934300B2

A method for producing expanded metal profiles, consisting of subjecting a metal strip of width less than the development of the profile to be produced to the following operations: —forming longitudinal slits in at least that longitudinal band which is to form the central web of the profile, —bending the edges of the slits, —profiling said strip, —transversely stretching that band containing the slits, —pressing areas of said central web in correspondence with said stretched band to displace them external to the plane of said web, characterised by subjecting the bent edges to drawing to obtain radiused edging having the tangent to the free edge forming an angle not less than 90° to the surface of the strip.
US07934298B1

A book-shaped or rectangular container for the cremated remains or belongings of a deceased individual, that may be placed on a bookshelf. A picture of the decedent, and/or a written description of him or her and his or her life may appear on or be stored within the container. Public or private libraries may have bookshelves holding the containers, as an alternative to traditional tombs and cemeteries. The containers are hermetically sealed if they contain ashes of the deceased. The pictures and/or written descriptions may be permanently bonded on or removably retained to the surface of the container, or stored in a memory card. The containers may be used for the memorialization of pets as well as people.
US07934293B2

A hinge mechanism 10 to lift the rear edge of a bonnet 11 of a motor vehicle comprises an upper leaf 13 connected to the bonnet 11, a lower leaf 12 connected to the body structure of the vehicle and a middle leaf 14 connected to the upper leaf 13 and the lower leaf 12. The middle leaf 14 is connected to the upper leaf 13 by means of a stud 16 and a slot 17 connection so as to limit movement of the bonnet from a normal position to a deployed position under an upward force exerted by a lift actuator. The stud 16 and slot 17 connection is provided with a resiliently deformable element 30 arranged at the end of the slot for dissipating impact energy of the stud 16 against the slot 17 during the upward force.
US07934288B2

An eraser for use in erasing markings on boards, such as chalk boards and white boards, is provided. The eraser comprises a form-fitted finger element made from a knitted or felted fabric. The finger element consists of a tubular member that defines a longitudinally extending finger passage. The tubular member has one open end and one closed end. The open end is sized such that the finger of the eraser user is insertable through the open end, so that at least a portion of the finger is received within the finger element passage.
US07934286B2

An upright vacuum cleaner that includes a suction assembly, a cleaner body, a supporting member, and mounting parts. The cleaner body has a dust collecting unit which is in communication with the suction assembly. The supporting member is formed as a single frame with a lower end hinged to the suction assembly. The cleaner body is detachable from a front surface of the supporting member. A width of the supporting member is narrower than the cleaner body. The mounting parts are formed on a rear surface of the supporting member and are provided in a longitudinal direction with respect to the supporting member. The mounting parts are also shaped to mount accessories.
US07934283B2

A crew transfer system for transferring personnel from a vessel to a stationary platform, such as an oil rig, is disclosed. In the illustrative embodiment, the system includes a ramp that is coupled to the vessel and an interface that is attached to the stationary platform. The ramp is coupled to the vessel in such a way as to permit one translational and three rotational degrees of freedom at the vessel-end of the ramp. The ramp is coupled to the interface in such a way as to permit no translational and at least one rotational degree-of-freedom at the rig-end of the ramp with respect to the interface. The interface is rotatably coupled to the stationary platform in such a way as to permit a rotation of the interface about the yaw axis. Permitted rotation of the interface enables a range of acceptable angles of orientation between the vessel and the platform.
US07934282B2

The present invention relates to a method for washing a washing tub and a washing machine having the same applied thereto, and more particularly, a method for washing a washing tub including the step of washing a washing tub with powder detergent and a step for washing the washing tub with bleaching agent; and a washing machine having the same applied thereto. A method for cleaning a tub in a washing machine includes a washing water supply step for supplying washing water to the washing tub, a powder detergent supply step for supplying powder detergent to the washing tub, a powder detergent washing step for washing the washing tub with the powder detergent, a bleaching agent supply step for supplying bleaching agent to the washing tub, and a bleaching agent washing step for washing the washing tub with bleaching agent.
US07934281B2

Methods for laundering a textile wash load in a washing apparatus comprising the steps of pre-treating a textile wash load using methods that include a detection step selected from an airlock detection step, a water log detection step and combinations thereof.
US07934276B2

An end panel 312 for a patient-support apparatus 310 includes a main portion 316 and one or more movable portions 330, 332. The movable portions 330, 332 are movable to provide a barrier 318 in a gap between a siderail 360 of the patient-support apparatus 310 and the main portion 316 of the end panel 312.
US07934274B2

A grab bar for attachment to a bathroom wall structure includes a body member that extends between first and second ends. The body member is defined by a non-circular cross-section.
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