US07961392B2
A disclosed polarization beam splitter is effective when light to undergo polarization-splitting has an incidence angle that falls in a range of 54 degrees through 66 degrees. The polarization beam splitter includes, between two transparent substrates, an adhesive layer configured to adhere to a first transparent substrate of the two transparent substrates, two or more types of dielectric multilayer films having different design basis wavelengths, and a single-layer dielectric film. The dielectric multilayer films and the single-layer dielectric film form a polarization split film, which performs a polarization split function with respect to light that is substantially in the visible wavelength region.
US07961385B2
An assistant microscope add-on device for a surgical microscope (1) comprises an objective (22) inclined relative to an object plane (10) with an object field (10′), wherein the objective defines an objective plane (22′) and an objective axis (16′) perpendicular thereto forming an angle α larger than 0° to the surface normal of the object plane (10). A tube (23) and an eyepiece (24) having an eyepiece lens (27) defining an eyepiece plane (27′) and an eyepiece axis (35) perpendicular thereto. Due to the oblique viewing angle, an intermediate image plane (26) to be imaged by the eyepiece (24) is inclined relative to the objective plane (22′). The resulting aberration is eliminated by the eyepiece axis (35) and the objective axis (16′) forming an angle β of larger than 0°, wherein the angle β is so chosen that the eyepiece axis (35) is substantially perpendicular to the intermediate image plane (26). Consequently, the object field (10′) is imaged free of distortion and sharply across the entire image area.
US07961384B2
A device for examining chemical and/or biological samples is provided that includes a sample carrier. The sample carrier includes a sample carrier wall through which a sample is examined with the aid of an objective. The objective includes an exit lens that defines a gap towards an outer surface of the sample carrier wall, in which gap a film of an immersion material can be arranged such that the film is in contact with both the outer surface and the exit lens. The exit lens is surrounded by an objective cap. To improve protection of the objective from becoming fouled by the immersion medium, the objective cap includes a capillary channel connected with a suction device for discharging the immersion medium.
US07961381B2
A combination day/night sight includes an image intensifying sensor/display combination and a daytime optical path length compensator that may be selectively placed within the optical path. Use of the optical path length compensator when the image intensifying sensor/display is not being used eliminates the need for moving optical elements. The night sight therefore requires no change in focus or bore sight adjustment after switching between day and night operations.
US07961376B2
In one embodiment, an apparatus for reducing adherence in a micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) device comprises a substrate. A MEMS is disposed outwardly from the substrate. The MEMS comprises structures and corresponding landing pads. Dibs are disposed outwardly from the substrate. Each dib has a surface with depressions. An adherence-reducing material is disposed within each depression. The adherence-reducing material reduces adherence between at least a portion of a structure and a corresponding landing pad.
US07961375B2
A multi-cell electrochromic device comprises a plurality of solid-state electrochromic cells that are arranged in an optical alignment. Each electrochromic cell is separated from an adjacent electrochromic cell in the optical alignment by a transparent conductive layer that is shared by the two adjacent electrochromic cells.
US07961374B2
Briefly, in accordance with one or more embodiments, a thermally controlled optical filter comprises a frame coupled to an etalon where the frame includes a resistive thermal device disposed on the frame to obtain thermal measurements of the etalon during operation. The frame may be generally L-shaped or generally square-shaped. The frame may include a fillet that is generally planar, generally beveled or trapezoidal, or generally circular in shape. A heater may be additionally disposed on the frame. The etalon and frame subassembly may be bonded to a micro hot plate that is capable of heating the etalon to an operational temperature.
US07961373B2
A digital phase modulator for a fiber-optic measurement device. A predetermined total number of electrodes of different lengths are arranged in parallel and on both sides of a light guidance path in or on an optical substrate. The electrodes are arranged in two or more triples along the light guidance path. In each case, two electrodes of successive length within a triple have the same length ratio with respect to one another. Such length ratio is chosen, in particular, to be ν=1.618. The electrode lengths of this triple are chosen such that the smallest step widths of the output value range of the phase modulator can be formed by subtraction between the values of at least two larger electrodes. This allows the resolution of the phase modulator to be increased from 9 bits to 11 bits without change in chip size.
US07961372B2
The present invention provides a photochromic film which is formed by curing a photochromic composition and includes a multifunctional (metha)acrylate-based monomer that has two or more functional groups, and a photochromic dye, a product including the same, and a method for producing the photochromic film.
US07961356B2
Embodiments of image processing apparatuses and methods according to the present general inventive concept may generate and/or store shading profile information based on an image characteristic relative to a prescribed condition of that characteristic such as according to brightness equal to or above a prescribed (e.g., minimum or lower) brightness level or the like. An embodiment of an image processing apparatus according to the present general inventive concept may include a scanning unit to scan an inputted image and an image processor to process the inputted image based on shading profile information determined according to brightness equal to or above a minimum brightness level.
US07961340B2
A printer prints a print job having a plurality of blocks each of which has a block size section and corresponding data that should be printed. A receiving section receives the print job from an external apparatus. A comparing section compares a content of the block size section with a threshold value. When the content of the block size section exceeds the threshold value, a discarding section discards a subsequent portion of the data. The threshold value is set to a user's desired value.
US07961338B2
When a sheet P is jammed after start of a print job, it is determined whether an automatic resumption mode for automatically resuming the print job is set. When a determination result of this determination is affirmative, the print job is resumed after the jam is released. When the determination result is negative, the print job is stopped.
US07961332B2
A method and system for performing two-dimensional laser Doppler vibrometry (LDV) are disclosed. A high speed fiber optic heterodyne imaging vibrometer can be used for the imaging of high speed surface deformation and/or vibration. Images provided by the high speed fiber optic heterodyne imaging vibrometer can be representative of movement, e.g., displacement or vibration, of the surface being imaged.
US07961316B2
An optical spectrum analyzer is implemented with a detector combined with a tunable filter mounted on a stage capable of 360-degree rotation at a constant velocity. Because of the constant rate of angular change, different portions of the input spectrum are detected at each increment of time as a function of filter position, which can be easily measured with an encoder for synchronization purposes. The unidirectional motion of the mirror permits operation at very high speeds with great mechanical reliability. The same improvements may be obtained using a diffraction grating or a prism, in which case the detector or an intervening mirror may be rotated instead of the grating or prism.
US07961315B2
Enhancement of fluorescence emission from fluorophores bound to a sample and present on the surface of two-dimensional photonic crystals is described. The enhancement of fluorescence is achieved by the combination of high intensity near-fields and strong coherent scattering effects, attributed to leaky photonic crystal eigenmodes (resonance modes). The photonic crystal simultaneously exhibits resonance modes which overlap both the absorption and emission wavelengths of the fluorophore. A significant enhancement in fluorescence intensity from the fluorophores on the photonic crystal surface is demonstrated.
US07961314B2
Methods and systems for real-time monitoring of optical signals from arrays of signal sources, and particularly optical signal sources that have spectrally different signal components. Systems include signal source arrays in optical communication with optical trains that direct excitation radiation to and emitted signals from such arrays and image the signals onto detector arrays, from which such signals may be subjected to additional processing.
US07961304B2
Embodiments of the invention relate to a light illumination funnel. The funnel includes a first opening positioned to receive an incoming light source, a second opening positioned opposite the first opening and with a diameter smaller than the first opening and inner reflective walls, in contact with the first opening and second opening. The funnel has a half angle of less than 25 degrees. Embodiments also relate to a light collection funnel and an apparatus utilizing both a light illumination funnel and light collection funnel.
US07961289B2
Immersion exposure apparatus and device manufacturing method with no liquid recovery during exposure
An exposure apparatus that by irradiating an exposure light, via a projection optical system and a liquid, on a substrate placed on the image plane side of the projection optical system, exposes the substrate, the exposure apparatus includes: a liquid supply system that supplies the liquid onto the substrate and a liquid recovery system that recovers the liquid having been supplied on the substrate. When the exposure light is being irradiated on the image plane side of the projection optical system, the liquid recovery system does not perform recovery of the liquid.
US07961282B2
An LCD device has a pair of substrates including orientation films on surfaces thereof which face opposing substrates. The substrate on which signal lines are formed, on a side thereof which is disposed between a region on which sealing material is arranged and a display region and along which the signal lines extend to the outside of the sealing material from the display region, includes a first conductive layer, a second conductive layer and an insulation layer which is interposed therebetween. The insulation layer extends in the direction at least along an outer periphery of the display region, and includes groove portion having a recessed groove which opens on the orientation film side. The first conductive layer is covered on the surface of the recessed groove. The signal lines are formed in a state that the signal lines go around the recessed groove.
US07961270B2
A display device and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. The display device includes a light guide, a light source, and a brightness enhancement film (BEF), and a dual brightness enhancement film (DBEF). The light guide has a first edge along a first direction and a second edge adjacent to the first edge corresponding to the light source. The BEF is disposed on the light guide and has a plurality of prisms along a second direction which rotates from 0 to 90 degrees with respect to the first direction. The DBEF has a transmission axis along a third direction which also rotates from 0 to 90 degrees with respect to the first direction.
US07961268B2
The present invention provides a liquid crystal display device which can enhance display quality and reliability by preventing the intrusion of foreign materials to a display screen of a liquid crystal display panel thus preventing the adhesion of the foreign materials to the display screen of the liquid crystal display panel. On an upper surface of a peripheral portion of a split mold frame housing a liquid crystal display panel, rubber cushions which are split in four are arranged at corner portions of the peripheral portion in an adhesive manner. With respect to the split portions of the rubber cushions at the corner portion, on a long-side mold frame, extending portions formed by extending both end portions of the long-side rubber cushion larger than a predetermined length are integrally formed and are arranged in an adhesive manner. On a short-side mold frame, a short-side rubber cushion having a predetermined length is arranged. A connecting portion is formed at the corner portion in a state that the end portions of the long-side rubber cushion and short-side rubber cushion intersect with each other in an approximately T-shape.
US07961266B2
An array substrate in which a short circuit between a line branch of an auxiliary capacitance line and a pixel electrode can be easily corrected comprises the pixel electrode connected to a switching element arranged near the intersection between a scanning line and a signal line and the auxiliary capacitance line arranged in a layer below the pixel electrode, wherein the auxiliary capacitance line comprises a line trunk arranged substantially parallel to the scanning line and a line branch extending from the line trunk, and the pixel electrode is provided with an aperture which crosses the line branch of the auxiliary capacitance line.
US07961265B2
An array substrate includes first and second gate lines, a data line, a pixel electrode, a domain electrode, first, second and third switching elements, and a voltage-changing part. The domain-dividing electrode divides the first and second pixel parts into a plurality of areas. The first, second and third switching elements are controlled by a first gate signal applied from the first gate line. The first, second and third switching elements apply a data signal received from the data line to the first and second pixel parts and the domain-dividing electrode, respectively. The voltage-changing part is controlled by a second gate signal applied from the second gate line. The voltage-changing part increases a voltage level of the domain-dividing electrode and decreases a voltage level of the second pixel part.
US07961259B2
An imaging apparatus includes: a camera having a lens barrel incorporating an imaging device and a photographic optical system for introducing a subject image to the imaging device; a bracket for supporting the camera; a guide member attached onto the camera, the guide member having a cylindrical surface extending about an axis of the lens barrel in a state in which the guide member is attached on the camera; a plurality of bearing members provided to the bracket and supporting the cylindrical surface so that the cylindrical surface is rotatable about the axis of the lens barrel; and a fixing device for fixing the camera to the bracket.
US07961251B2
A method for converting video data in a first video format to video data in a second interlaced video format comprising: determining a number of frames of the first video format to map into a frame of the second video format, the frame of the second video format having four fields; determining a number of lines from each of the number of frames of the first video format to be mapped into each of the four fields of the frame of the second video format; selecting the determined number of lines from each of the number of frames of the first video format; determining a sequence for mapping the number of selected lines into the fields of the frame of the second video format; and mapping the selected lines from each of the number frames of the first video format into the four fields of the frame of the second video format according to the determined sequence.
US07961249B2
A digital camera is provided having a memory for digitally storing an image captured by the camera, and a plurality of substantially identical processing elements functionally interconnected to each other via a crossbar switch for processing the stored image. The processing elements are connected to the memory via a bus external to the crossbar switch. The crossbar switch is selectively configurable to pass data of the stored image directly between the processing elements.
US07961238B2
A system and method for driving a solid-state image pickup device including a pixel array unit including unit pixels. Each unit pixel includes a photoelectric converter, column signal lines and a number of analog-digital converting units. The unit pixels are selectively controlled in units of rows. Analog signals output from the unit pixels in a row selected by the selective control though the column signal lines are converted to digital signals via the analog-digital converting units. The digital signals are added among a number of unit pixels via the analog-digital converting units. The added digital signals from the analog-digital converting units are read. Each unit pixel in the pixel array unit is selectively controlled in units of arbitrary rows, the analog-distal converting units being operable to performing the converting in a (a) normal-frame-rate mode and a (b) high-frame-rate mode in response to control signals.
US07961236B2
A circuit for processing an analog signal having a time sequence of discrete signal levels, each of which lies in a time interval and represents an information-bearing segment of the interval while the rest of the time interval is a non-information-bearing segment, comprises a transistor in emitter-follower or source-follower configuration, a high emitter or source resistance or, instead, a high-ohm constant current source, and a device for applying a voltage supply, as well as a switch which is connected between the emitter and a reference potential to prevent a current from flowing via the high-ohm resistance or the high-ohm voltage source for charge reversal of an output capacitance of the circuit in one direction, whereas for charge reversal in the other direction the dynamic current boosting effect of the transistor is exploited. This results in a fast emitter-follower or source-follower circuit which is particularly suitable as the output stage for image sensors.
US07961226B2
The present invention provides a digital imaging apparatus having an optical sensor, an analog-to-digital converter, a plurality of computational elements, and an interconnection network. The optical sensor converts an object image into a detected image, which is then converted to digital image information by the analog-to-digital converter. The plurality of computational elements includes a first computational element having a first fixed architecture and a second computational element having a second, different fixed architecture. The interconnection network is capable of providing a processed digital image from the digital image information by configuring and reconfiguring the plurality of computational elements for performance of a plurality of different imaging functions. The invention may be embodied, for example, as a digital camera, a scanner, a printer, or a dry copier.
US07961225B2
The digital camera according to an embodiment executes image sensing processing first, if interruption processing occurs during transfer parameter setting processing. Thus, the user does not miss a photo opportunity.
US07961223B2
In this image sensor, a first spring member is so arranged that the urging direction of the first spring member is inclined with respect to the axis of a first rotating shaft of a first driving source thereby inclining a transmission member urged by the first spring member with respect to the axis of the first rotating shaft and bringing the transmission member into contact with a first pressing member engaging with the first rotating shaft, so that the first pressing member engages with the first rotating shaft while the axis of the first pressing member is inclined with respect to the axis of the first rotating shaft.
US07961218B2
A digital camera inputs an image capture guide list including at least one of image titles as targets to be recorded, and displays the image title(s) included in the image capture guide list on its display part. User takes a picture or pictures while checking the image title(s) in the image capture guide list.
US07961216B2
An apparatus and method for preparing a composite image from a video data stream and for identifying changed features in two composite images. Frames from the video data stream are transformed to a projected 2D image, aligned with adjacent frames and overlapping areas are averaged to provide a higher apparent resolution. The composite image can be stored in real-time. As a second composite image is prepared of the same location at a later time, portions of the second image can be compared to corresponding portions of the stored image after the intensities of the images are equalized. Image areas whose absolute difference exceeds a threshold are again intensity equalized. Areas that are again above threshold can be flagged for further scrutiny, either by a human or by a machine that performs object recognition. In this way, composite video images of a scene can be prepared and compared in real-time.
US07961211B2
An optical scanning device includes a light source; a light source driving unit configured to modulate/drive the light source; a pulse width information holding unit configured to hold pulse width information items of predetermined pixels corresponding to scanning positions on a scan target surface; a deflecting unit including a reflection surface configured to deflect/scan a light beam from the light source; and a scan-imaging optical system configured to image the light beam deflected by the deflecting unit on the scan target surface. The pulse width information holding unit holds the pulse width information items which cancel out deviations of main scanning beam spot diameters among the scanning positions on the scan target surface; and the light source driving unit drives the light source based on the pulse width information items held by the pulse width information holding unit.
US07961201B1
A method and system is provided for viewing machine vision information. The machine vision information includes machine vision data representing a sequence of machine vision processing steps. The machine vision information pertaining to a machine vision process on a given machine vision processor is produced. The machine vision information is displayed at a device remotely located from the given machine vision processor. A selection interface is provided on the device to allow a user to view the machine vision data corresponding to at least one stage of the machine vision processing.
US07961194B2
A method of controlling the mode of parallel operation of a multi-mode parallel graphics processing system (MMPGPS) embodied within a host computing system having (i) host memory space (HMS) for storing one or more graphics-based applications and a graphics library for generating graphics commands and data (GCAD) during the run-time (i.e. execution) of the graphics-based application, (ii) one or more CPUs for executing said graphics-based applications, (iii) a display device for displaying images containing graphics during the execution of said graphics-based applications, and (iv) a multi-mode parallel graphics rendering subsystem supporting multiple modes of parallel operation selected from the group consisting of object division, image division, and time division and having a plurality of graphic processing pipelines (GPPLs) supporting a parallel graphics rendering process that employs one of the object division, image division and/or time division modes of parallel operation.
US07961188B2
User requested format alterations to interactive chart elements, including, but not limited to, legends, axes, gridlines, data labels, axes labels, error bars, and datapoints, whether they be represented as points, bars, pie wedges, etc., are persisted in spite of chart navigations, underlying data changes and/or format alterations. Interactive chart element format persistence is maintained by the association and storing of data identifying a format change on the data and index rule for the respective chart element.
US07961185B2
A plurality of rows of tiles is defined in a graphics display field comprising a plurality of rows of pixels, each tile including pixels from at least two rows of pixels. Occlusion flags for respective tiles of a row of tiles for a graphics primitive are set based on whether respective representative depth values for the tiles of the row of tiles meet an occlusion criterion. Pixels in rows of pixels corresponding to the row of tiles are processed for the graphics primitive in a row-by-row manner responsive to the occlusion flags. The processing may include processing rows of pixels in the row of tiles using a zig-zag traversal algorithm.
US07961181B2
A light sensing circuit capable of enhancing a reliability by lowering a dependency on a temperature change without using a resistor, a backlight control apparatus having the same, and an LCD device having the same. The light sensing circuit includes a first MOS-transistor; and a second MOS-transistor serially connected to the first MOS-transistor between a first power terminal and a ground terminal, in which a second power terminal is connected to each gate terminal of the first MOS-transistor and the second MOS-transistor, and an optical amount detecting terminal is connected to a common connection point between a drain terminal of the first MOS-transistor and a source terminal of the second MOS-transistor.
US07961179B2
An integrated driving apparatus having an elongated shape mounted at a peripheral portion of a display apparatus comprising a display section on a panel substrate comprises a logic section, a power supply circuit section, and a D/A converter. The logic section comprises a digital display data processor and a timing signal generator which generates a timing control signal necessary for the display apparatus and the D/A converter converts digital display data obtained by the digital display data processor into analog data. The power supply circuit section generates a power supply voltage used in the display apparatus using a signal from the timing signal generator. The power supply circuit section and the D/A converter are provided on left and right of the logic section with the logic section therebetween so that the power supply circuit section and the D/A converter are placed adjacent to the logic section along a long side direction of the elongated shape of the integrated driving apparatus.
US07961178B1
One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a method and system for reordering a plurality of pixel data returned by a frame buffer in a display system. The method includes the steps of recording the order of a plurality of requests for pixel data arriving at the frame buffer as a first sequence, wherein the plurality of requests is further associated with a first request stream, associating each pixel data returned by a frame buffer partition in the frame buffer in response to the plurality of requests with an independently operating data thread, wherein each of the data threads is further associated with the first request stream and the frame buffer partition, and retrieving the pixel data for display in a same sequence as the first sequence from the data threads.
US07961177B2
An input pen storage includes a pen holding part coupled to an input pen; a loader having an arm having a pen constraining part for constraining the pen holding part; an obstruct member for expanding the arm; an extendable lock mechanism having an extension state and a return state for constraining a base holding member on the loader; and a forcing member exerting an outward force on the loader. When the loader is displaced to a hold position to change the extendable lock mechanism from the extension state to the return state, the pen constraining part constrains the pen holding part and the extendable lock mechanism constrains the base holding member so that the input pen is held firmly along with the loader.
US07961168B2
To provide a drive circuit, a drive method, a display device, and a projection display device capable of increasing contrast of an image a mean gray level (first gray level characterizing brightness) Gf is detected from an image signal DATA per unit time. On the basis of the mean gray level Gf, a variation signal ΔS is set. By supplying the variation signal ΔS to an opposing electrode, the image signal DATA applied to a liquid crystal layer is modulated. In accordance with an increase in the mean gray level Gf, the gray level of an effective signal applied to the liquid crystal layer (image signal modulated using the variation signal ΔS) is set to be greater than the gray level of the unmodulated image signal.
US07961161B2
A display system includes a spatial light modulator for displaying a image by the modulation state of a plurality of micromirrors, and a control device for controlling the spatial light modulator. The control device includes a data conversion device for converting the digital image data into non-binary data, and a modulation-control device for generating a modulation control signal for micromirrors depending on the non-binary data, and controlling the spatial light modulator. The modulation state of the micromirrors by the modulation control signal includes modulation by oscillation of the micromirrors. The modulation control signal controls amplitude of the oscillation to be smaller than the maximum amplitude of the micromirrors in the modulation by the oscillation of the micromirrors. The oscillation having smaller amplitude than the maximum amplitude of the micromirrors is repeated by the modulation control signal in an optional time duration or frequency.
US07961156B2
A display and control device for medical equipment, comprising several identically configured display/control units, which are located on a base unit. The base unit is equipped with a bus, to which the display/control units and components of the medical equipment are connected. The base unit comprises connection devices, which are used to connect the display/control units to the bus. Once a display/control unit has been connected, a configuration unit transmits configuration data to the display/control unit and only then defines which function the display/control unit is to fulfill. This permits defective display/control units to be simply replaced. The construction of the display/control units is likewise simple and not susceptible to malfunctions.
US07961155B2
An antenna auxiliary support is provided, including two tubes, a fixed base, a first fixing element and a second fixing element. One of the tubes is connected to the fixed base and comprises two clipping portions and two gaps. The gaps are disposed between the clipping portions. The tubes are telescopically connected. The clipping portions respectively comprise an inner surface. The inner surface is an uneven surface. The fixed base and the first fixing element are respectively connected to the tubes. The second fixing element is disposed over the clipping portions and the gaps to fix the connecting position of the tubes.
US07961150B2
A portable terminal apparatus with TV function and a TV antenna with function as an input pen, in which the TV antenna is integrated with the input pen for the touch panel while ensuring sufficient sensitivity so that the internal space of the apparatus is effectively utilized, thus rendering the apparatus smaller and lighter. In the case of using a TV antenna with function as an input pen as an input pen, a mounting operation portion is pushed in a longitudinal direction with a fingertip for pushing it into the apparatus. Thereby, the hold state of the apparatus is released by a function of a latch switch, and the TV antenna with function as an input pen is pushed out to be pulled out of the apparatus. That is, the cellular phone has a configuration in which the TV antenna with function as an input pen cannot be pushed to be detached from the apparatus unless the user contracts a multistage antenna section and houses it completely in a pen body.
US07961149B2
An antenna structure includes a circuit board with a ground surface and a printed antenna. The printed antenna includes a signal feed-in portion, a first radiating unit connected to the signal feed-in portion and a second radiating unit connected to the first radiating unit. The first radiating unit includes a first printed thickness, and the second radiating unit includes a second printed thickness. At least part of the second printed thickness is larger than the first printed thickness.
US07961146B2
A positioning method in a positioning device that calculates a location of the positioning device by executing Kalman filtering includes, acquiring a satellite signal from a positioning satellite; predicting a state vector including a velocity component of the positioning device, and error covariance of the state vector; correcting the velocity component using a difference between a measured value and a predicted value of the reception signal frequency from the positioning satellite; determining accuracy of the corrected velocity component based on the error covariance; setting a velocity condition based on the determined accuracy; judging a moving state of the positioning device by comparing the corrected velocity component and the velocity condition; and calculating the location by executing the Kalman filtering with a filter characteristic changed according to the judged moving state.
US07961145B1
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for estimating relative position in a global navigation satellite system. In one embodiment, a method for estimating a position of a first receiver relative to a second receiver in a global navigation satellite system includes obtaining a first set of measurements from the first receiver, where the first set of measurements estimates a first distance between the first receiver and a satellite in the global navigation satellite system, obtaining a second set of measurements from the second receiver, where the second set of measurements estimates a second distance between the second receiver and a satellite in the global navigation satellite system, performing time domain recursive filtering in accordance with the first set of measurements and the second set of measurements, and estimating the position of a first receiver relative to a second receiver in accordance with the time domain recursive filtering.
US07961140B2
A multi-beam radar sensor has a plurality of antenna elements disposed next to each other, a collective lens situated at a distance in front of the antenna elements, and an additional preliminary focusing lens disposed in such a way that it affects only a portion of the radar radiation transmitted from, and/or received by, the antenna elements.
US07961137B2
A method for determining a path of travel of an intruder traversing an area of regard (AOR) to a predefined point, where the path of travel has a minimum probability of detection relative to other potential paths of travel of the intruder. The method may comprise: providing three dimensional terrain data concerning the AOR; providing the locations of a plurality of detection sensors implemented in the AOR, with each detection sensor having a known field of view; providing a predetermined single scan detection probability for each of the detection sensors; generating a grid of points that is laid over the AOR; and using the foregoing information to determine a particular path of travel, defined by selected arcs connecting specific ones of the grid of points, of the intruder to the predefined point that represents a minimum probability of detection of the intruder.
US07961135B2
A collision avoidance system according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a user interface, a plurality of sensors, and a computer system in communication with the user interface and the plurality of sensors. The computer system includes a processor and a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to receive data pertaining to a target from one or more sensors of the plurality of sensors, determine a position of the target based on the data from the one or more sensors, and present (through the user interface) the position of the target using one or more visual indicators that identify the one or more sensors.
US07961129B2
An apparatus and method for reducing error in converting a multi-bit signal to a single bit signal. An analog delta-sigma modulator receives an analog signal and converts it to a multi-bit digital signal that is provided to a digital delta-sigma modulator. The digital delta-sigma modulator introduces error by converting the multi-bit signal to a single-bit signal. The error from the conversion is fed back to the analog delta-sigma modulator which incorporates the error information into the analog signal before it is converted to a multi-bit digital signal.
US07961126B2
A multi-bit (M-bit, M>1) or multi-level (nlev levels, nlev>2, encoded on M bits where M=Floor(log 2(nlev))) sigma-delta analog-to-digital converter (ADC) with a variable resolution multi-bit quantizer having its resolution (number of distinct output levels) and associated quantization thresholds changed for each voltage sample with a random or pseudo-random sequence N(n) to provide automatic dynamic dithering for removing undesired idle tones in the digital output of the sigma-delta ADC. The random integer numbers N(n) between 2 and nlev may be provided by a random or pseudo-random sequence generator, e.g., Galois linear feedback shift register in combination with digital comparators and an adder.
US07961125B2
A multi-bit (M-bit, M>1) Sigma-Delta digital-to-analog converter (DAC) with a variable resolution multi-bit quantizer that has its digital value inputs that are truncated or rounded to a resolution that follows a random or pseudo-random sequence to provide automatic dynamic dithering for removing undesired idle tones in the analog output of the Sigma-Delta DAC. Random numbers N(n) between 1 and M are provided, and M−N(n) least significant bits in each M-bit digital value at the output of the quantizer are forced to zero with a digital truncator or rounder. The random numbers N(n) may be provided by a random or pseudo-random sequence generator, e.g., Galois linear feedback shift register in combination with digital comparators and an adder.
US07961121B2
DC balance encoded data is transmitted by transmitting a preamble of dummy data that is configured to provide an intermediate number of bits of a given logic value that is at least one bit of the given logic value but less than a maximum number of bits of the given logic value in the DC balance encoded data, to thereby reduce the simultaneous switching noise that is caused by transmission of a first word of DC balance encoded data. The preamble may contain one or more words of fixed and/or variable dummy data.
US07961110B2
An event communication system involves facilitating entry by a user of one or more device addresses via a network accessible user interface of the event communication system. The device addresses are associated with alerts provided by the event communication system. Test alert messages targeted for the device addresses are sent via the user interface. The system sends alerts user devices corresponding to the one or more tested device addresses in response to predetermined events. The system may provide user access to historical copies of data relating to the alerts. Registration on the system involves storing a personal identity data of a student on a database and comparing the personal identity data to registration data entered via the user interface. Authentication is automatically provided based on the comparison.
US07961103B2
A wireless tag adapted for mounting inside a hollow electrically conductive pipe, includes: a contact placed in contact with the electrically conductive pipe so as to be electrically connected to the electrically conductive pipe; a lead wire placed inside the electrically conductive pipe along a longitudinal direction of the electrically conductive pipe and spaced a prescribed distance away from an inside wall of the electrically conductive pipe, thereby forming a coaxial line together with the electrically conductive pipe; and a wireless tag circuit, electrically connected at one end to the contact and at the other end to the lead wire, for generating a response signal in response to an interrogation signal transmitted from a reader/writer.
US07961101B2
A memory card compatible RFID card includes a smartcard controller that receives power from a host device. The RFID card also includes a small inductive device capable of inductive coupling with an RFID reader. The small inductive device is small enough to fit in the form factor of a memory card. Commands may be sent to the RFID card to keep the RFID card powered.
US07961082B2
Transceiver ID information associated with a subject vehicle is accurately registered even when another vehicle having transceivers is nearby. During ID registration, a degree of a variance among received strength data elements is obtained in relation to a plurality of transceivers each having ID information associated therewith. ID information associated with data elements having a small degree of a variance is recognized as ID information of a transceiver attached to the subject vehicle. Therefore, ID information associated with transceivers attached to the subject vehicle can be reliably discriminated from ID information associated with transceivers attached to another vehicle.
US07961081B2
A system and apparatus for detecting unauthorized movement of a moveable object where the system includes a GPS receiver, cellular modulator, processor, pager modem, sensor and two-way pager. When the system is coupled to a moveable object and is armed via the pager, the sensor is monitored by the processor to determine when a possible theft of the moveable object may be occurring. In an embodiment, the sensor is a multiple axis accelerometer. In one embodiment the accelerometer is a two axes accelerometer where the sensor detects small movements of the object is two axes. When the sensor is triggered, the processor pages the two-way pager. The processor also determines the system's location via the GPS receiver. The processor generates a message including the system's location and unique system identifier. The processor transmits the message to a monitoring center via a cellular network (and the cellular modulator). In one embodiment, the message is a text message and transmitted using a GSM, GPRS, or Short Messaging Service cellular based network.
US07961079B2
Upon receiving a command for writing data to a transponder, a reading unit performs radio communication with the transponder to which data should be written, thereby reading, in non-contact fashion, a data item stored in the transponder. A collating unit collates the data read by the reading unit with a data item to be written to the transponder. A control unit performs radio communication with the transponder, thereby writing the data item to the transponder, when the data items are not identical, and skips the writing of the data item when the data items are identical.
US07961073B2
A controllable electronic switch for, e.g., controlling power distribution comprises a deformable member such as a bimetal arm that can be deformed to break an electrical path. The deformable member may be anchored at one end and in controllable contact with an electrical conductor at the other end. A heating element, such as a coil, can be used to selectively heat the deformable member. The controllable electronic switch can alternatively comprise a deformable member that is terminated in a wedge-shaped member. When the deformable member bends in response to being heated, the wedge-shaped member forces apart a pair of contacts thus breaking an electrical path. The wedge-shaped member and/or associated structures may be configured as a cam mechanism with multiple latching positions.
US07961070B2
An inductor has a case having an opening, a core accommodated in the case, a coil wound on a part of the core and a fixing member fixed to the case. The fixing member fixes the core by contacting a top surface of the core facing the opening and elastically biasing the core toward a bottom surface of the case. The fixing member further includes a first plate portion and a first contacting portion. The first plate portion is disposed between the top surface of the core and the opening of the case and extending in parallel with the top surface of the core. The first contacting portion extends from a fore-end portion of the first plate portion so as to be U-shaped and having a distal end portion elastically push-contacting the top surface of the core.
US07961067B2
A superconducting magnet apparatus obtains high magnetic field uniformity without increasing the volume of a magnetic material even against disturbances. The superconducting magnet apparatus has a circular superconducting coil which generates a magnetic field; a coil vessel which contains the superconducting coil 11 together with refrigerant; a thermal shield arranged so as to surround the coil vessel; a vacuum vessel with inside kept vacuum which surrounds the thermal-shield; and magnetic materials and for correcting the magnetic field, the magnetic materials being arranged in the vacuum vessel; wherein the magnetic materials and are supported by a heat-insulation support medium fixed to the coil vessel.
US07961066B2
The invention relates to a filter operating with bulk acoustic waves, comprising at least one first resonator and at least one second resonator. In the at least one first and second resonator, a longitudinal acoustic mode is capable of propagation, for which normal dispersion is adjusted in the first resonator and abnormal dispersion in the second resonator by selection of the material and the relative layer thicknesses. In particular, the power compatibility of the filter at the higher frequency edge of its passband can be improved.
US07961063B2
A balanced-unbalanced (balun) signal transformer includes an unbalanced port, a balanced port coupled to the unbalanced port, the balanced port comprising a first terminal and a second terminal, a first capacitor coupled to the first terminal, a first inductor coupled to ground and the first capacitor, a second capacitor coupled to the second terminal, and a second inductor coupled to ground and the second capacitor. The transformer may also include a third capacitor coupled to a terminal of the unbalanced port; and a third inductor coupled to the third capacitor and the third terminal.
US07961061B2
Provided are modulation and demodulation methods and apparatuses using a frequency selective baseband. The frequency modulation method includes: generating a plurality of subgroups by dividing 2N (N is a real number) spread codes used for frequency spreading into 2M (M
US07961059B1
A phase-locked loop control system and method are described. Present invention phase-locked loop control systems and methods facilitate control of phase-lock loop operations. In one embodiment, phase-lock loop control systems and methods are utilized in the implementation of a modulated frequency synthesizer for facilitating efficient frequency spreading over a designated spectrum. It is appreciated that present invention embodiments can have a variety of implementations and can be compatible with vector accumulation. For example, a phase-locked loop control system or method can facilitate generation of a variety of modulation patterns, including but not necessarily limited to linear or non-linear modulation, standard or non-standard modulation, etc.
US07961057B2
An integrated circuit and an apparatus are provided. The integrated circuit comprises a bias circuit, an LC resonator circuit, and a current mode logic (CML) frequency divider. The bias circuit generates first and second bias voltages. The LC resonator circuit generates an oscillation signal having an oscillation frequency. The CML frequency divider, coupled to the bias circuit and the LC resonator circuit, biased by the first and second bias voltages, receives the oscillation signal to generate an output signal having an output frequency with a fractional rate of the oscillation frequency. The oscillation signal comprises AC and DC components, the CML frequency divider receives the AC component to determine an injected frequency and reuses the DC component to provide tail currents to determine a natural frequency of the CML frequency divider. The output frequency is determined by the injected frequency and the natural frequency.
US07961027B1
The clock circuit of an integrated circuit operates with variations such as temperature, ground noise, and power noise. Various aspects of an improved clock integrated circuit address one or more of the variations in temperature, ground noise, and power noise.
US07961020B2
A digital signal converter (CNV) converts a digital input signal (PCM) into a pulse width modulated signal (PWM), which is a binary signal that comprises pulses of varying width. The digital signal converter can operate in a signal mode and a transition mode. In the transition mode, the digital converter provides the pulse width modulated signal (PWM) by applying an anti-transient noise shaping function (NSH2) to a direct current modification signal (SC). In the signal mode, the digital signal converter provides the pulse width modulated signal by applying a signal noise shaping function (NSH1) to the digital input signal.
US07961013B2
A first switch receives an input signal. A second switch receives the input signal, in parallel with the first switch. An output potential sensing inverter detects the potential of an output signal derived from a connection point of the first switch and the second switch. Upon receipt of an output of the output potential sensing inverter, an input switch controls whether the input signal is inputted to the second switch or not. When the potential of the output signal exceeds a predetermined threshold voltage, the output potential sensing inverter performs control such that the input switch be turned off.
US07961011B2
An amplifier includes: an operation amplifier including a positive input terminal and a negative input terminal; and a detector which detects that a difference between a voltage of the positive input terminal and a voltage of the negative input terminal is equal to or exceeds a predetermined value and outputs a detection signal.
US07961010B2
A dynamic logic circuit includes a first region including a plurality of PMOS transistors and a second region, adjacent to the first region, including a plurality of NMOS transistors connected with at least one of the plurality of PMOS transistors. Channel sizes of the plurality of NMOS transistors are greater than channel sizes of the plurality of PMOS transistors.
US07961006B2
With an offset circuit including transistors of the same conductivity type, offset of an input signal is performed. Then, the input signal after the offset is supplied to a logic circuit including transistors of the same conductivity type as that of the offset circuit, thereby H and L levels of the input signal can be shifted at the same time. Further, since the offset circuit and the logic circuit are formed using the transistors of the same conductivity type, a display device can be manufactured at a low cost.
US07961005B1
Provided is a non-volatile logic circuit that includes a latch unit having a pair of latch nodes and a pair of non-volatile memory cells to be supplied first and second write voltages according to data of the pair of latch nodes when a write enable signal is activated such that a write operation is performed with respect to the pair of non-volatile memory cells. The first and second write voltages are different and logic values of data written to the respective non-volatile memory cells are different.
US07960995B2
Provided is a test apparatus that tests a device under test that outputs a plurality of modulated signals modulated with carrier signals having frequencies identical to each other, including a synthesizing section that synthesizes the plurality of modulated signals to output a synthesized signal; an AD converting section that samples the synthesized signal to output a digital signal corresponding to the synthesized signal; and a judging section that judges acceptability of the plurality of modulated signals output by the device under test, based on the digital signal.
US07960992B2
A conveyor-stack test system has motherboards that test memory modules. The motherboards are not stationary but are placed inside movable trays that move along conveyors. A loader-unloader removes tested memory modules from test sockets on the motherboards and inserts untested memory modules into the motherboards using a robotic arm. A conveyor carries the motherboards from the loader-unloader to an elevator. The elevator raises or lowers the motherboards to different levels in a conveyor stack with multiple levels of conveyors each with many test stations. The motherboards move along conveyors in the conveyor stack until reaching test stations. A retractable connector from the test station extends to make contact with a motherboard connector to power up the motherboard, which then tests the memory modules. Test results are communicated from the test station to a host controller, which instructs the loader-unloader to sort the tested memory modules once the motherboard returns.
US07960989B2
A stiffener structure, a wiring substrate, and a frame having a major surface disposed in a stack can be part of a probe card assembly. The wiring substrate can be disposed between the frame and the stiffener structure, and probe substrates can be coupled to the frame by one or more non-adjustably fixed coupling mechanisms. Each of the probe substrates can have probes that are electrically connected through the probe card assembly to an electrical interface on the wiring substrate to a test controller. The non-adjustably fixed coupling mechanisms can be simultaneously stiff in a first direction perpendicular to the major surface and flexible in a second direction generally parallel to the major surface.
US07960982B2
A CMOS driver test configuration, which allows both leakage current and load current testing, using a single monitor, or current meter, located in a power lead of a tester connected to a power pad servicing the driver circuits. Both leakage testing and load current testing for CMOS drivers is described. The test configuration allows a plurality of driver circuits connected in parallel between power pads to be tested simultaneously. An ESD device, internal to the chip, is used as a load during load current testing in chip testing, and an external load is used during package testing in order to include the bonding means between the chip output pad of the driver and the package I/O pin in the current path during load current testing.
US07960975B2
The condition of a lamp (1) for heating blank bodies made of thermoplastic material, intended for the manufacture of containers by blow moulding or stretch-blow moulding, is detected. The infrared electromagnetic radiation lamp has an envelope (2) made of glass or quartz enclosing a filament (3); the lamp is provided with an electrically conductive element (6) mechanically integral with the envelope; the conductive element is made electrically live and an electrical variable is continuously detected between the terminals of the conductive element when the lamp is in operation; and data representative of the condition of the conductive element, and of the envelope, is supplied.
US07960970B2
A magnetic sensor having a reduced size and cost is provided. More particularly, the magnetic sensor includes a magnetic field detection chip having a magnetic field detection element for detecting a magnetic field and an output terminal for outputting an output signal from the magnetic field detection element. A substrate has the magnetic field detection chip mounted thereon, and has a connection terminal for being connected to the output terminal of the magnetic field detection chip that is formed on a mount face of the substrate. An output-terminal formed face of the magnetic field detection chip is arranged non-parallel to the mount face of the substrate. More specifically, the output-terminal formed face of the magnetic field detection chip is arranged almost vertical to the mount face of the substrate.
US07960967B2
A pulsar ring for a rotary encoder has a mounting ring (1) made of a non-magnetic material, with one end being fixed to an inner ring (202) at the rotation side and the other end being positioned in proximity to an outer ring (201) at the stationary side via labyrinth-shaped clearances (G1, G2, G3), a pulsar ring body (2) formed by a synthetic resin material or rubber-like elastic material mixed with magnetic powder, magnetized to have multiple poles, and integrally installed on an inner surface of the mounting ring (1), and a seal ring (3) disposed inside the mounting ring (1), fixed to the inner ring (202) via the mounting ring (1), and slidably in contact with the outer ring (201), whereby the pulsar ring is hardly exposed to disturbances by foreign matters, muddy water, and external magnetic fields from the outside, and consequently can maintain a stable magnetic pattern.
US07960966B2
An operating state detection technique is provided which makes it possible to accurately detect an abnormality of a high-frequency heating apparatus. An anode current detected by the anode current detection resistor 40 of a magnetron is inputted into the A/D converter terminal of a microcomputer 27 on a control panel circuit board side. The current is subjected to an analog-to-digital conversion to thereby obtain an anode voltage IaDC value. The microcomputer 27 determines an operating state based on a plurality of the anode voltage IaDC values thus read. Further, the microcomputer 27 obtains a summed value of the IaDC values corresponding to one period of the revolution of rotary antennas 68, 69 to thereby determines the operating state of the high-frequency heating apparatus 100 based on the summed value. According to the aforesaid IaDC value reading method, it makes it possible to accurately detect an abnormality without an erroneous operation also in correspondence to the change of the feeding distribution. Further, the microcomputer 27 changes, in accordance with the set output of the high-frequency heating apparatus, a threshold value used for determining the abnormality and a changing value (increasing amount) from the start of the operation with respect to the change of the output of the apparatus and the operating state of a heated subject etc., whereby it makes it possible to accurately detect an abnormality without an erroneous operation.
US07960963B1
A method and apparatus for providing a selected amount of power from a power source to a load produce a pseudo random code sequence of different type bits, in which one type of the different type bits is used to control application of power from the source to the load so that the power applied to the load corresponds to the total of the number of the bits of one type applied to the load in a given time period. A plurality of code sequences is provided, with each corresponding to a different power level, and a sequence can be selected to provide a selected power level to the load.
US07960951B2
Disclosed is a multi-phase power regulator that accurately senses current at a load in a lossless manner and adjusts the power supplied to the load based on the sensed current. Also disclosed is a method of calibrating a multiphase voltage regulator by applying a known calibration current at the load and determining actual current values by the difference in measured values between when the known calibration current is applied and when it is not applied. The accurate current is determined at a known temperature and accurate temperature compensation is provided by a non-linear digital technique. Each phase of the multi-phase power regulator is individually calibrated so that balanced channels provide accurate power to the load. Also disclosed is a calibration method with minimal noise generation.
US07960949B2
A power converter (1) comprises a voltage level increasing circuit (3) which receives a DC-input voltage (VIN) between first and second power converter inputs (IN1, IN2), and which has an output (O1; O2, O3) to supply an adapted input voltage having either a higher level than the input voltage (VIN) or a polarity opposite to the input voltage (VIN). A down-converter (2) has first and second down-converter inputs (IN3, IN4), a control switch (S1) with a main current path arranged between a first node (N1) and the first downconverter input (IN3), an inductor (L) arranged between the first node (N1) and a load (LO), and a sync switch (S2) arranged between the first node (N1) and the second down-converter input (IN4). A controller (4) controls the control switch (S1), and switches (S3, S4; S3, S4, S5, S6, S7, S8) of the voltage level increasing circuit (3) for either coupling the input voltage (VIN) or the adapted input voltage to the first node (N1) or to the first or second downconverter inputs (IN3, IN4).
US07960941B2
A battery module is constructed with a plurality of unit batteries, and barrier ribs including bands mounted on each of the unit batteries and forming gaps to enable a heat conductive medium to circulate the unit batteries.
US07960937B2
A miniaturizable, low-cost highly reliable inverter unit. A control circuit section for controlling operating timing of high breakdown voltage semiconductor elements included in an inverter circuit section and first and second drive and abnormality detection circuit sections for outputting drive signals for driving the high breakdown voltage semiconductor elements according to the operating timing and for feeding back an abnormality of the inverter circuit section to the control circuit section are formed on an SOI substrate as one integrated circuit chip. On the integrated circuit chip, circuit formation areas which differ in reference potential are separated from one another by dielectrics. A plurality of level shifters for transmitting signals exchanged between circuit formation areas separated by the dielectrics are formed.
US07960930B2
In the rectangular-wave voltage control mode, torque feedback control, in which the voltage phase of the rectangular-wave voltage is adjusted based on the deviation of the torque estimated value from the torque command value, is performed. A torque estimation portion calculates the torque estimated value using the motor currents calculated based on the values detected by a current sensor and a rotational position sensor, as in the case of the PWM control mode. Namely, the same state quantity (quantity detected by the sensors) of the alternating-current motor is used in the motor control in both the rectangular-wave voltage control mode and the PWM control mode.
US07960929B2
A motor driving device includes an output circuit, a control circuit, a backflow preventing diode, and a capacitor. The output circuit is driven by a first voltage, includes a switching element of which turning-on/off is switched according to a switching control signal, and outputs current to motor coils when receiving a pulse-width-modulated first voltage. The control circuit is driven by a second voltage, and includes a position detecting circuit that detects the position of a rotor of the motor and a switching circuit that generates the switching control signal on the basis of the detection result of the position detecting circuit in order to switch the turning-on/off of the switching element. The capacitor performs a charging operation by a voltage applied from an input terminal of the first voltage through the diode, and applies a voltage of a node between the diode and the capacitor to the control circuit.
US07960922B2
A high efficiency low power DC driver apparatus is presented for powering a light source, with a capacitive divider circuit receiving an AC input and providing a divided AC output, a rectifier provide a DC output below ten watts, output terminals coupleable to one or more light sources, and a linear regulator coupled in series with the light source to regulate a drive current flowing through the series circuit.
US07960914B2
An image display element includes: a front panel; a back panel opposite thereto; plural pixels arranged in a matrix between the panels; and plural electrodes for controlling the pixels. The panels are bonded with the pixels and the electrodes interposed therebetween. The electrodes are connected to a driving circuit via metal film wires. The back panel is divided so as to expose electrode terminals, and a groove part V-shaped in cross section is formed at the divided portion. The metal film wires are formed on the top surface of the back panel, and the electrode terminals and the metal film wires are connected by a conductive paste coated along the tilt surfaces forming the groove part. A contact resistance reducing means is disposed at the connection part interface between the electrode terminal and the conductive paste.
US07960913B2
An OLED display includes a display panel having a display area and a pad area, a first bezel receiving the display panel, and a second bezel combined with the first bezel along a display panel side where the pad area is formed.
US07960909B2
A light-emitting device assured of high reliability, high efficiency and high color rendering, is provided. The light-emitting device includes a frame, an LED chip provided on the frame, and a fluorescent layer containing an inorganic fluorescent material and an organic fluorescent material and being provided on the LED chip. In the fluorescent layer, the concentration of the inorganic fluorescent material is decreased toward the top from the bottom of the fluorescent layer, and the concentration of the organic fluorescent material is decreased toward the bottom from the top of the fluorescent layer.
US07960896B2
A piezoelectric motor includes: a base; first and second piezoelectric elements that are provided symmetrically on the base to face with each other, the first and second piezoelectric elements actuating in opposite directions; first and second displacement enlarging mechanisms that respectively enlarge actuating displacements of the first and second piezoelectric elements through first and second levers that rotate around first and second fulcrums fixed to the base; first and second leaf springs that are respectively coupled to action points of the first and second levers at one ends thereof; and an actuating portion that is coupled to the other ends of the first and second leaf springs and swings in accordance with actuation of the first and the second piezoelectric elements, the actuating portion being urged against a driven member to actuate the driven member with a frictional force.
US07960894B2
A generator for exciting a piezoelectric transducer, includes at least one digital processor unit. The digital processor unit is configured to operate at least in an iterative operation stage including more than two successive iterations. Each iteration includes: exciting the transducer at a plurality of frequencies in a frequency band about a set-point frequency; during transducer excitation, acquiring one or more values related to at least one electrical magnitude associated with the excitation of the transducer for a plurality of frequencies in the frequency band; and analyzing the values acquired to determine a new set-point frequency for a subsequent iteration.
US07960887B2
A permanent-magnet switched-flux (PMSF) device has an outer rotor mounted to a shaft about a central axis extending axially through the PMSF device. First and second pluralities of permanent-magnets (PMs) are respectively mounted in first and second circles, radially outwardly in first and second transverse planes extending from first and second sections of the central axis adjacent to an inner surface of the outer rotor. An inner stator is coupled to the shaft and has i) a stator core having a core axis co-axial with the central axis; and ii) first and second pluralities of stator poles mounted in first and second circles, radially outwardly from the stator core axis in the first and second transverse planes. The first and second pluralities of PMs each include PMs of alternating polarity.
US07960886B2
A rotating electric machine includes a stator having a plurality of winding phases formed by distributed winding, a rotor having a plurality of magnetic poles and an outer circumference facing the stator, a first groove formed in the outer circumference of the rotor, a second groove formed in a position opposite to reference magnetic poles closest to the first groove, of the magnetic poles, with respect to the first groove, and a protrusion positioned between the first groove and the second groove and defined by the first and second grooves, and a ratio of a width half the width of the protrusion in a circumferential direction of the rotor to a width of the first groove and the second groove in the circumferential direction of the rotor is not smaller than 0.37 and not greater than 6.
US07960884B2
An axial gap rotating machine rigidly fixing permanent magnets without reducing magnetic flux and having a high output has: a housing; a rotating shaft rotatably supported in the housing; two rotors having disks rotatably integral with the rotating shaft, and permanent magnets arranged concentrically in spaced relation to each other on at least one side of surfaces of the rotating disks in spaced relation to each other on at least one side of surfaces of the rotating disks in spaced relation to each other; and a stator arranged between the rotors, spaced from the rotors and fixed to the housing, the stator having a plurality of coils disposed concentrically around the rotating shaft spaced from each other; wherein magnetic flux generated from the permanent magnets of the rotors intermittently penetrates the interior of each of the coils as the shaft rotates, wherein the rotating disk has a concave portion in the surface facing the stator in which the permanent magnets are disposed so as to protrude.
US07960880B2
The present invention provides an automotive electric motor-generator that can achieve sufficient cooling of a radiating plate by ensuring a sufficient cooling airflow ventilation channel within limited axial or radial dimensions.In the present invention, first and second radiating plates each form a fan shape, have N-channel power MOSFETs mounted thereto, and have a drain potential for the power MOSFETs. A first circuit board includes insert conductors that connect the power MOSFETs in series, and a second circuit board has insert conductors that are connected to source terminals of the power MOSFETs and that have negative potential. The first radiating plate, the second radiating plate, the first circuit board, and the second circuit board are disposed in a fan shape that is centered around a shaft so as to line up radially in a plane that is perpendicular to the shaft outside one axial end of a rear housing.
US07960877B2
An electric reciprocating motion device includes a motor having a rotary shaft for outputting a reciprocating rotational power and a motion head coupling with the rotary shaft and being driven to move in a reciprocating motion along an axis of the rotary shaft and in a predetermined swing angle range. The motor is a spring motor including a motor unit and a torsion spring having two ends affixing at a motor housing and to the rotary shaft respectively. After the rotary shaft outputs a mechanical torque at one rotational direction, the torsion spring applies a spring force against the rotary shaft to drive the rotary shaft to rotate backward for generating the reciprocating rotational power. Using the spring motor in the electric reciprocating motion device, the device achieves the goals of simple mechanical structure, small volume, easy to install, and low in cost.
US07960875B2
There is provided a small-sized vibration generator that resonates at two different frequencies. A movable base is housed inside a case. The movable base has an installation plate, and supporting plates bent at right angles from both ends of the installation plate. A first elastically deformable portion is formed integrally with the installation plate, and a weight body is supported by the first elastically deformable portion. In the movable base, a second elastically deformable portion is provided between the installation plate and the supporting plates, and the supporting plates are fixed to supporting end plates of the case. The bending elastic modulus of the second elastically deformable portion is higher than the bending elastic modulus of the first elastically deformable portion, and resonates at two natural frequencies when a driving force is applied to the weight body by a magnetically-driven portion.
US07960872B1
The present invention discloses a side illumination LED lighting device which includes at least one semiconductor light emitter mounted on a thermally conductive substrate and positioned within a reflective cavity such that the forward light path of the LED is directed towards a reflective member. The reflective member is effective in re-directing the light from the semiconductor light emitter such that the light is extracted from the side of the lighting device through a substantially transparent output window, thereby provide a side illumination solid-state semiconductor lighting device. The lighting device may further include a wavelength conversion element to facilitate the production of a white light that can be extracted from the side of the lighting device.
US07960867B2
System and methods for wireless energy and data transmission are described. One aspect includes an emitter and receiver. The emitter may include primary and secondary emitting windings. The receiver may include primary and secondary receiver windings. In further aspects, the emitter may include a tertiary emitting winding and the receiver may include a tertiary receiver winding. In one aspect, the emitter uses driving circuitry and the receiver uses rectifying circuitry and one or more capacitors. In further aspects, the emitter and receiver are reversible.
US07960864B2
Switching power supplies are implemented using a variety of methods and devices. According to an example embodiment of the present invention, an arrangement provides power to a circuit by selecting between a first supply and a second supply. The arrangement includes a first circuit that charges a first capacitive element using the first supply and generates a first reference voltage by distributing charge between the first capacitive element and a second capacitive element. The arrangement also includes a first comparator that compares the first reference voltage to a second reference voltage derived from the second supply and a second comparator that compares the first reference voltage to a third reference voltage. The arrangement further includes a power control circuit that selects one of the supplies based on the results of the comparisons.
US07960847B2
A manufacturing method for a packaging structure of SIP (system in package) includes the following steps. First step is providing a substrate having electronic devices thereon. Second step is covering the electronic devices by a mixture of a molding compound and a conductive polymer precursor so as to form a molding structure, wherein the substrate, the electronic devices and the molding structure forms a collective electronic module. Third step is separating the collective electronic module into a plurality of individual electronic modules. Fourth step is performing a doping step by using a doping element for transforming the conductive polymer precursor in the mixture into a conductive layer near the surface of the molding structure. Therefore, the manufacturing method is optimized for forming a shielding structure of the SIP module.
US07960845B2
A semiconductor device such as a field-effect transistor, improved to reduce device resistance, comprises a leadframe which includes a die paddle integral with a first set of leads and a second set of leads that is electrically isolated from the first set, a semiconductor die having its lower surface positioned on, and electrically connected to, the die paddle, and a conductive layer on the upper surface of the die. At least one electrically conductive wire, preferably plural wires, extend laterally across the second surface of the semiconductor die, are in electrical contact with the conductive layer, and interconnect corresponding second leads on opposite sides of the die. The plural wires may be welded to leads in succession by alternate ball and wedge bonds on each lead. The conductive layer may be an aluminized layer on which is formed a thin layer a solderable material, such as tin. A solder is deposited on the tin layer, enmeshing the wires. The wires, which preferably are made of copper, then may be bonded to the electrically conductive layer by melting the solder paste, preferably by heating the leadframe, allowing the solder to reflow and wet the wires, and then cool to produce a low resistance mass between the leads.
US07960837B2
In a semiconductor package, at least two of connection pads are formed into different-shape pads which are different in planar shape from other connection pads, and one different-shape pad and another different-shape pad are disposed in a manner that, when the position of the one different-shape pad is rotated about the center point of the semiconductor package, the position does not coincide with the disposition position of the other different-shape pad.
US07960835B2
A method of fabricating metal film stacks is described that reduces or eliminates adverse effects of photolithographic misalignments. A bottom critical dimension is increased by removal of a bottom titanium nitride barrier.
US07960826B2
A dielectric layer structure includes an interlayer dielectric (ILD) layer covering at least a metal interconnect structure and a single tensile hydrophobic film. The ILD layer further includes a low-k dielectric layer, and the single tensile hydrophobic film is positioned on the low-k dielectric layer for counteracting at least a part of a stress of the low-k dielectric layer.
US07960822B2
A package on package substrate is disclosed. The package on package substrate in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention can include a bottom package substrate, on which and an electronic element is mounted and of which an upper surface is formed with a bottom pad part and a solder resist part corresponding to the bottom pad part, and a top package substrate, which is stacked on an upper side of the bottom package substrate by interposing a solder between the top package substrate and the bottom package substrate and of which a lower surface is formed with a top pad part corresponding to the bottom pad part. The solder resist part can include a first solder resist layer, which is formed on the upper surface of the bottom package substrate, corresponding to the bottom pad part, and a second solder resist layer, which is formed on the first solder resist layer such that the bottom pad part is exposed.
US07960821B2
An integrated circuit device and method of making the integrated circuit device are disclosed. An exemplary apparatus includes: a semiconductor layer; and a dielectric layer on the semiconductor layer, the dielectric layer having conductive vias and dummy vias formed therein, wherein the conductive vias and dummy vias extend varying distances into the dielectric layer, the conductive vias extending through the dielectric layer to the semiconductor layer, and the dummy vias extending through the dielectric layer to a distance above the semiconductor layer.
US07960809B2
A fuse includes a fuse link region, a first region and a second region. The fuse link region electrically connects the first region to the second region. A SiGe layer is disposed only in the fuse link region and the first region.
US07960800B2
Disclosed are semiconductor dice with backside trenches filled with elastic conductive material. The trenches reduce the on-state resistances of the devices incorporated on the dice. The elastic conductive material provides a conductive path to the backsides of the die with little induced stress on the semiconductor die caused by thermal cycling. Also disclosed are packages using the dice, and methods of making the dice.
US07960799B2
A charge trap type non-volatile memory device has memory cells formed on a silicon substrate at a predetermined interval via an element isolation trench along a first direction in which word lines extend. Each of the memory cells has a tunnel insulating film formed on the silicon substrate, a charge film formed on the tunnel insulating film, and a common block film formed on the charge film. The common block film is formed in common with the memory cells along first direction. An element isolation insulating film buried in the element isolation trench has an upper portion of a side wall of the element isolation insulating film which contacts with a side wall of the charge film in each of the memory cells and a top portion of the element isolation insulating film which contacts with the common block film. A control electrode film is formed on the common block film.
US07960798B2
A multilayer embedded stressor having a graded dopant profile for use in a semiconductor structure for inducing strain on a device channel region is provided. The inventive multilayer stressor is formed within areas of a semiconductor structure in which source/drain regions are typically located. The inventive multilayer stressor includes a first conformal epi semiconductor layer that is undoped or lightly doped and a second epi semiconductor layer that is highly dopant relative to the first epi semiconductor layer. The first and second epi semiconductor layers each have the same lattice constant, which is different from that of the substrate they are embedded in. The structure including the inventive multilayer embedded stressor achieves a good balance between stress proximity and short channel effects, and even eliminates or substantially reduces any possible defects that are typically generated during formation of the deep source/drain regions.
US07960789B2
An integrated field-effect transistor is described in which a substrate region is surrounded by: two terminal regions (a source region and a drain region), two electrically insulating layers, two electrically insulating regions, and an electrically conductive connecting region. The insulating layers are arranged at mutually opposite sides of the substrate region and are adjoined by control regions. The insulating regions are arranged at mutually opposite sides of the substrate region. The electrically conductive connecting region produces an electrically conductive connection between one terminal region and the substrate region. The connecting region includes a metal-semiconductor compound. Part of a covering area of the substrate region is covered by the connecting region, which extends further over a covering area of the source region. The part of the covering area of the substrate region covers the substrate region between the two insulating layers and between the two control regions.
US07960786B2
A semiconductor structure includes a semiconductor substrate of a first conductivity type; a pre-high-voltage well (pre-HVW) in the semiconductor substrate, wherein the pre-HVW is of a second conductivity type opposite the first conductivity type; a high-voltage well (HVW) over the pre-HVW, wherein the HVW is of the second conductivity type; a field ring of the first conductivity type occupying a top portion of the HVW, wherein at least one of the pre-HVW, the HVW, and the field ring comprises at least two tunnels; an insulation region over the field ring and a portion of the HVW; a drain region in the HVW and adjacent the insulation region; a gate electrode over a portion the insulation region; and a source region on an opposite side of the gate electrode than the drain region.
US07960781B2
In one embodiment, a semiconductor device is formed having vertical localized charge-compensated trenches, trench control regions, and sub-surface doped layers. The vertical localized charge-compensated trenches include at least a pair of opposite conductivity type semiconductor layers. The trench control regions are configured to provide a generally vertical channel region electrically coupling source regions to the sub-surface doped layers. The sub-surface doped layers are further configured to electrically connect the drain-end of the channel to the vertical localized charge compensation trenches. Body regions are configured to isolate the sub-surface doped layers from the surface of the device.
US07960780B2
In a vertical-type semiconductor device, a method of manufacturing the same and a method of operating the same, the vertical-type semiconductor device includes a single-crystalline semiconductor pattern having a pillar shape provided on a substrate, a gate surrounding sidewalls of the single-crystalline semiconductor pattern and having an upper surface lower than an upper surface of the single-crystalline semiconductor pattern, a mask pattern formed on the upper surface of the gate, the mask pattern having an upper surface coplanar with the upper surface of the single-crystalline semiconductor pattern, a first impurity region in the substrate under the single-crystalline semiconductor pattern, and a second impurity region under the upper surface of the single-crystalline semiconductor pattern. The vertical-type pillar transistor formed in the single-crystalline semiconductor pattern may provide excellent electrical properties. The mask pattern is not provided on the upper surface of the single-crystalline semiconductor pattern in the second impurity region, to thereby reduce failures of processes.
US07960775B2
The present disclosure is related to non-volatile memory devices comprising a reversible resistivity-switching layer used for storing data. The resistivity of this layer can be varied between at least two stable resistivity states such that at least one bit can be stored therein. In particular this resistivity-switching layer is a metal oxide or a metal nitride. A resistivity-switching non-volatile memory element includes a resistivity-switching metal-oxide layer sandwiched between a top electrode and a bottom electrode. The resistivity-switching metal-oxide layer has a gradient of oxygen over its thickness. The gradient is formed in a thermal oxidation step. Set and reset voltages can be tuned by using different oxygen gradients.
US07960771B2
A memory element is formed by providing an organic compound between a pair of upper and lower electrodes. However, when the electrode is formed over a layer containing an organic compound, a temperature is limited because the layer containing the organic compound can be influenced depending on a temperature for forming the electrode. A forming method for the electrode is limited due to this limitation of a temperature. Therefore, there are problems that an expected electrode cannot be formed, and miniaturization of an element is inhibited. A semiconductor device includes a memory element and a switching element which are provided over a substrate having an insulating surface. The memory element includes first and second electrodes, and a layer containing an organic compound, which are provided on the same plane. A current flows from the first electrode to the second electrode. The first electrode is electrically connected to the switching element.
US07960762B2
It is an object to provide a CCD solid-state image sensor, in which an area of a read channel is reduced and a rate of a surface area of a light receiving portion (photodiode) to an area of one pixel is increased. There is provided a solid-state image sensor, including: a first conductive type semiconductor layer; a first conductive type pillar-shaped semiconductor layer formed on the first conductive type semiconductor layer; a second conductive type photoelectric conversion region formed on the top of the first conductive type pillar-shaped semiconductor layer, an electric charge amount of the photoelectric conversion region being changed by light; and a high-concentrated impurity region of the first conductive type formed on a surface of the second conductive type photoelectric conversion region, the impurity region being spaced apart from a top end of the first conductive type pillar-shaped semiconductor layer by a predetermined distance, wherein a transfer electrode is formed on the side of the first conductive type pillar-shaped semiconductor layer via a gate insulating film, a second conductive type CCD channel region is formed below the transfer electrode, and a read channel is formed in a region between the second conductive type photoelectric conversion region and the second conductive type CCD channel region.
US07960750B2
A light emitting diode package including a substrate; a plurality of electrodes on the substrate; a light emitting diode on the substrate; at least one wire connecting the light emitting diode and at least a first electrode of the plurality of electrodes; a reflecting member formed around the light emitting diode and being spaced apart from the light emitting diode; a cavity included in the reflecting member; a mold material including in the cavity; and a heat sink disposed under the light emitting diode and configured to emit heat generated by the light emitting diode. Further, a connection portion connecting the plurality of electrodes extends under a surface of the substrate through a portion of the substrate, and an inside surface of the reflecting member has a step-shape structure.
US07960735B2
An array substrate for a liquid crystal display device comprises a substrate having a pixel region, a gate line on the substrate, and a data line crossing the gate line to define the pixel region. A thin film transistor (TFT) includes a gate electrode connected to the gate line, an insulating layer on the gate electrode, an active layer on the insulating layer, an ohmic contact layer on the active layer, a source electrode connected to the data line and a drain electrode spaced apart from the source electrode. A pixel electrode connects to the drain electrode and is disposed in the pixel region. An opaque metal pattern is provided on end portions of the pixel electrode.
US07960732B2
A method of manufacturing a thin film transistor array panel is provided, which includes: forming a gate line on a substrate; depositing a gate insulating layer and a semiconductor layer in sequence on the gate line; depositing a lower conductive film and an upper conductive film on the semiconductor layer; photo-etching the upper conductive film, the lower conductive film, and the semiconductor layer; depositing a passivation layer; photo-etching the passivation layer to expose first and second portions of the upper conductive film; removing the first and the second portions of the upper conductive film to expose first and second portions of the lower conductive film; forming a pixel electrode on the first portion of the lower conductive film; removing the second portion of the lower conductive film to expose a portion of the semiconductor layer; and forming a columnar spacer on the exposed portion of the semiconductor layer.
US07960731B2
A multi-layered complementary conductive line structure, a manufacturing method thereof and a manufacturing method of a TFT (thin film transistor) display array are provided. The process of TFT having multi-layered complementary conductive line structures does not need to increase the mask number in comparison with the currently process and is able to solve the resistance problem of the lines inside a display.
US07960723B2
A stacked electro-optically active organic diode has an anode electrode (102), a cathode electrode (162), a first electro-optically active organic layer (110) arranged between the electrodes (102, 162), and a second electro-optically active organic layer (130) arranged between said first active organic layer (110) and said cathode (162). A low electron affinity layer (120) is arranged between the first electro-optically active organic layer (110) and the second electro-optically active organic layer (130), and is formed of a first transparent inorganic semi-conductor material. A high electron affinity layer (121) is arranged between said second electro-optically active organic layer (130) and the low electron affinity layer (120), and is formed of a second transparent inorganic semiconductor material, wherein said second transparent inorganic semiconductor material has a higher electron affinity than said first inorganic semiconductor material. The low and high affinity layers (120, 121) constitute a connection layer of only two semiconductor (sub-)layers which allow for transparent, thick layers, and as a result the diode can be both efficient and reliable.
US07960722B2
A method comprises providing a bottom electrode, depositing, on the bottom electrode, an active material comprising a first structural portion having an absorption peak at a UV wavelength, wherein such first structural portion is photo-activatable at such wavelength and which is constituted by monomers or oligomers that, when irradiated at said wavelength, undergo a photo-polymerization and/or photo-cross-linking reaction, or constituted by a polymer that at a UV wavelength undergoes a photo-degradation reaction, and a second electrically active or activatable structural portion which is substantially transparent to such predetermined UV wavelength; exposing a portion of the active material, through a photomask, to UV radiation having such UV wavelength, with photo-activation of the exposed portion of such film; selectively removing either the exposed photo-activated portion or the non-exposed portion, with exposure of a respective portion of the bottom electrode; depositing a head electrode.
US07960720B2
A transistor including a first gate electrode, a second gate electrode, a first gate insulating layer disposed between the first gate electrode and the second gate electrode, a first interlayer disposed between the first gate insulating layer and the second gate electrode and containing a first organic material, an organic semiconductor layer disposed between the first interlayer and the second gate electrode, a second gate insulating layer disposed between the organic semiconductor layer and the second gate electrode, and a source electrode and a drain electrode disposed between the first interlayer and the second gate insulating layer and injecting carriers into the organic semiconductor layer, wherein an ambipolar property is imparted to a part of the organic semiconductor layer that contacts with the first interlayer under an action of the first interlayer.
US07960715B2
Nanowire devices comprising core-shell or segmented nanowires are provided. In these nanowire devices, strain can be used as a tool to form metallic portions in nanowires made from compound semiconductor materials, and/or to create nanowires in which embedded quantum dots experience negative hydrostatic pressure or high positive hydrostatic pressure, whereby a phase transitions may occur, and/or to create exciton crystals.
US07960709B2
An ion implantation device and a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device is described, wherein ionized boron hydride molecular clusters are implanted to form P-type transistor structures. For example, in the fabrication of Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) devices, the clusters are implanted to provide P-type doping for Source and Drain structures and for Polygates; these doping steps are critical to the formation of PMOS transistors. The molecular cluster ions have the chemical form BnHx+ and BnHx− where 10
US07960708B2
Various embodiments disclose devices and methods for fabricating microporous particulate filters with regularly space pores wherein sheet membrane substrates are exposed to energetic particle radiation through a mask and the damaged regions removed in a suitable developer. The required depth of field is achieved by using energetic particles to minimize diffraction and an energetic particle source with suitably small diameter.
US07960703B2
A charged-particle beam lithography apparatus includes a projection system that projects a charged-particle beam, and images a pattern on a substrate with the projected charged-particle beam. The projection system has a symmetrical magnetic doublet lens configured to generate a magnetic field, and an electro-static lens configured to generate an electrical field superimposed on the magnetic field. The electro-static lens includes an electrode configured to apply, on at least the pupil plane of the symmetrical magnetic doublet lens, a potential to accelerate a charged-particle beam that has entered the symmetrical magnetic double lens.
US07960702B2
Locations of the origins of the photons are acquired from a scanned sample with reference to a scan frame. The location on the sample from which a photon was emitted is inferred from the location of the scan as commanded by a scan drive signal, a feedback signal related to the position of the scan device, or alternatively by the point in time during a scan at which the photon is detected. A position function, e.g., photon probability density, is associated with a photon position. Summing or other processing of photon probability density functions can require fewer photons to converge to an ideal density distribution associated with an image feature than are required using conventional pixel binning. Stored data can be mapped into pixels or voxels of a display or otherwise processed. Original data remains available in the digital storage for post-hoc analysis. Imprecision introduced by the display process need not adversely affect the precision of the collected data.
US07960693B2
Microengineered stacked ring electrode assemblies capable of acting as either RF or DC ion guides in an ion optical system, and method of fabricating same are described. The electrodes are fabricated using planar processing as sets of grooved, proud features formed in a layer of material lying on an insulating substrate. Two such structures are then stacked together to form a set of diaphragm electrodes with closed pupils. Arrangements for fabrication by patterning, etching and bonding are described, together with methods for tapering the electrode pupils or otherwise varying the ion path.
US07960692B2
A miniature linear ion trap (MLIT) with a length of less than 30 mm is provided for ion focusing in the axial plane. The MLIT has multipoles for applying an AC voltage to ions and tubular entrance and exit lenses for applying a DC voltage to the ions. In another aspect, MLIT includes electrodes within the tubular entrance and exit lenses for detection of image current. A method is also provided for applying voltage to the entrance and exit lenses for ion focusing.
US07960688B2
Disclosed are photoluminescent markings that contain a photoluminescent layer and one or more functional overlayers wherein the photoluminescent marking has an emission signature that lies partly or fully in the infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum. One functional overlayer conceals the photoluminescent layer and blends into the background or blends with marks that are normally present, without significantly reducing the luminescent intensity of the photoluminescent layer. Another functional overlayer provides photolytic stability to the underlying photoluminescent layer. Also disclosed are functional overlayers that enhance the daytime observability of the infrared emissions. A further functional overlayer prevents the observability of a printed message with the naked eye. A combination of functional overlayers each providing a different function is also included. Also disclosed are a multifunctional overlayer and methods of creating and using the inventive photoluminescent markings as well as objects containing the inventive photoluminescent markings.
US07960677B2
A projection apparatus including a projection drive control unit modulating an emitted light from a light source unit for each of a plurality of color components at predetermined time, and a projection distance acquisition unit irradiating light to the projection screen to acquire a distance to the projection screen, wherein the projection distance acquisition unit carries out laser distance measurement during a period the projection drive control unit modulates a color component of the emitted light to color components except one color component of a plurality of modulated color components.
US07960671B2
A method for laser shock processing a device, including a metallic body having a surface, comprises conformally applying a compliant solid material to the first region on the surface of the metallic body and applying a layer of ablative material to the second region on the surface of the metallic body. A damping liquid is flowed over the layer of ablative material. An array of pulses of laser energy is directed through the damping fluid to impact the layer of ablative material on the surface and peen the surface in the second region. The pulses induce pressure waves within the metallic body which propagate to the surface in the first region. The compliant solid material acts as a momentum trap, so that the acoustic waves are at least partially coupled into the compliant solid material and attenuated outside of the metallic body.
US07960660B2
A base for a scale tilts slightly when a wheel is rolled onto it, to facilitate rolling the wheel onto a central ovular or elliptical concave mat surface. Opposed handgrips forming grippable loops may be provided on the base.
US07960652B2
A cable includes a plurality of cable strands, an insulator disposed on a portion of the plurality of strands such that the plurality of strands are at least partially exposed, and a sealant disposed between gaps of the plurality of strands and at least partially under the insulator. Moreover, a method includes stripping an insulator from an end of the cable to expose a plurality of cable strands, and applying a sealant to the cable strands such that the sealant is drawn under the insulator and fills in gaps between the cable strands by capillary action.
US07960645B2
A method is disclosed for passivating and contacting a surface of a germanium substrate. A passivation layer of amorphous silicon material is formed on the germanium surface. A contact layer of metal is then formed on the passivation. The structure is heated so that the germanium surface makes contact with the contact layer. Thus, a passivated germanium surface is disclosed, as well as a solar cell comprising such a structure.
US07960639B2
First display object associated with a control operating member and a second display object associated with a tone color effect parameter are displayed, and variation of a displayed position of the first display object is controlled in accordance with operation of the control operating member. Control value of the tone color effect parameter is determined in response to variation in relationship between the first and second display objects, and tone control is performed on the basis of the determined control value. Further, the variation of the displayed position of the first display object is controlled so as to move on and along a set path, so that displayable positions of the first display object is limited to the set path. Control value of the tone color effect parameter is determined on the basis of relationship between displayed position of the first and second display objects to perform tone control.
US07960638B2
Audio content data is used in various modes as materials to easily create a new high-quality audio content. Multiple pieces of audio content data used as material data are prepared in advance in a material data storage device 31. Additional data is added to each piece of the material data and is stored in a material database storage device 32. A controlling unit 10 extracts necessary material data from the material data storage device 31 on the basis of at least one of external information received by a receiving unit 20 and rule information stored in a restructuring rule database storage device 33 in accordance with the additional data to compose a new music piece from the extracted material data.
US07960625B2
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated CH938558. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CH938558, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH938558 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to genetic complements of plants of variety CH938558.
US07960624B2
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated CH794019. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CH794019, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH794019 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to genetic complements of plants of variety CH794019.
US07960620B2
The invention relates to the novel cotton variety designated 07W903DF. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants, plant parts and derivatives of the cotton variety 07W903DF. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the cotton variety 07W903DF and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing cotton plants by crossing the cotton variety 07W903DF with itself or another cotton variety and plants produced by such methods.
US07960616B2
Compositions and methods for conferring herbicide resistance or tolerance to bacteria, plants, plant cells, tissues and seeds are provided. Compositions include polynucleotides encoding herbicide resistance or tolerance polypeptides, vectors comprising those polynucleotides, and host cells comprising the vectors. The nucleotide sequences of the invention can be used in DNA constructs or expression cassettes for transformation and expression in organisms, including microorganisms and plants. Compositions also include transformed bacteria, plants, plant cells, tissues, and seeds. In particular, isolated polynucleotides encoding glyphosate resistance or tolerance polypeptides are provided, particularly polypeptide variants of SEQ ID NO:2 and 4. Additionally, amino acid sequences corresponding to the polynucleotides are encompassed. In particular, the present invention provides for isolated polynucleotides containing nucleotide sequences encoding the amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:7-28, or the nucleotide sequence set forth in SEQ ID NO:29 or 30.
US07960614B2
The present invention relates to a genotype-independent method for transforming and selecting plant explants. The transformation method includes pre-culturing the explants in the presence of an Agrobacterium inducer and exposing the transformed explants to a shoot regeneration media that accelerates shoot development. Plants generated from this transformation method are provided. In particular, methods for obtaining transgenic Eucalyptus and pine cells and regenerating stably transformed Eucalyptus and pine trees are provided. The invention also provides media, methods, and plasmids for selecting and regenerating plants, particularly forest trees.
US07960612B2
The invention relates to plant transcription factor polypeptides, polynucleotides that encode them, homologs from a variety of plant species, and methods of using the polynucleotides and polypeptides to produce transgenic plants having advantageous properties, including increased soluble solids, lycopene, and improved plant volume or yield, as compared to wild-type or control plants. The invention also pertains to expression systems that may be used to regulate these transcription factor polynucleotides, providing constitutive, transient, inducible and tissue-specific regulation.
US07960597B2
The present invention is directed to methods (processes) and systems for processing triglyceride-containing, biologically-derived oils to provide for base oils and transportation fuels, wherein partial oligomerization of fatty acids contained therein provide for an oligomerized mixture from which the base oils and transportation fuels can be extracted. Such methods and systems can involve an initial hydrotreating step or a direct isomerization of the oligomerized mixture.
US07960583B2
The invention encompasses processes for the synthesis of (S)-(+)-3-(aminomethyl) -5-methylhexanoic acid, (S)-Pregabalin, and intermediates of (S)-Pregabalin.
US07960580B2
A process for making menthyl glutarate is disclosed. The process comprises reacting excess glutaric acid and menthol to produce a mixture comprising monomenthyl glutarate (MMG) and dimenthyl glutarate (DMG), wherein the weight ratio of glutaric acid to menthol is from 1.0 to 1.6 and the resulting mixture comprises from 60 to 70 wt. % of MMG and from 30 to 40 wt. % of DMG.
US07960576B2
Described are diol-derived organofunctional silanes in which the silanes contain cyclic and bridged alkoxy groups derived from hydrocarbon-based diols and methods for the preparation of the silanes. Also described are rubber compositions containing the diol-derived organofunctional silanes, methods for the preparation of the rubber compositions and articles of manufacture containing the rubber compositions, in particular, automotive tires and components thereof.
US07960573B2
A method for preparing an enantiomeric chromane, by asymmetrically hydrogenating a chromene compound in the presence of an Ir catalyst having a chiral ligand. The method includes the enantioselective preparation of enantiomeric equol. A preferred Ir catalyst has a chiral phosphineoxazoline ligand. Enantiomeric chromanes of high stereoselective purity can be obtained.
US07960571B2
In one embodiment of the present invention, a silicon-based cross-coupling reagent is disclosed which is a highly stable tetraorganosilicon compound allowing for a cross-coupling reaction under mild reaction conditions without using fluoride ions, transition metal promoter, or strong bases, and the residue of the silicon reagent can be recovered and reused. The silicon-based cross-coupling reagent is a silicon compound in which an o-hydroxymethylphenyl group is connected to a silicon atom for intramolecular activation.
US07960567B2
Compounds, compositions and methods that are useful in the treatment of inflammatory and immune-related diseases and conditions are provided herein. In particular, the invention provides compounds which modulate the function and/or expression of proteins involved in atopic diseases, inflammatory conditions and cancer. The subject compounds are carboxylic acid derivatives.
US07960558B2
The compounds of the general Formula (I), wherein R1 is aryl or alkyl; R2 represents alkyl; R3 represents alkyl or aralkyl, are valuable pharmaceutical intermediates, which can be prepared by reacting a compound of the general Formula (IV) (wherein the definitions of R1 and R2 are as above), with at least 2 molar equivalents of the compound of the general Formula (VI) (wherein X represents halogen or tertiary butyloxycarbonyloxy group and R3 is as defined above). The known compounds of the general Formula (II) (wherein R1 and R2 are as defined above) are prepared by reacting the compounds of the general Formula (I) with thionyl chloride. The compounds of the general Formula (I) are new intermediates useful in the synthesis of pharmaceutically active ingredients, particularly in the preparation of ACE-inhibitors, e.g. enalapril, perindopril or ramipril.
US07960552B2
The present invention provides novel substituted isoxazole compounds, pharmaceutical compositions, therapeutic uses and processes for preparing the same.
US07960539B2
A probe, a set of probes, and a probe carrier on which the probe or the set of probes is immobilized, are provided for classification of fungus species. The probe or the set of probes is capable of collectively detecting fungus of the same species and distinguishingly detecting those fungus from fungus of other species. The probe is an oligonucleotide probe for detecting a pathogenic fungus DNA and includes at least one of base sequences of SEQ ID NOS. 1 to 2 and mutated sequences thereof.
US07960528B1
An acetyl xylan esterase variant having perhydrolytic activity is provided for producing peroxycarboxylic acids from carboxylic acid esters and a source of peroxygen. More specifically, a Thermotoga maritima acetyl xylan esterase gene was modified using error-prone PCR and site-directed mutagenesis to create an enzyme catalyst characterized by an increase in the ratio of peracetic acid formation to peracetic acid hydrolysis specific activities (PAAF/PAAH ratio). The variant acetyl xylan esterase may be used to produce peroxycarboxylic acids suitable for use in a variety of applications such as cleaning, disinfecting, sanitizing, bleaching, wood pulp processing, and paper pulp processing applications.
US07960522B2
Compounds that are adjuvants and immunoeffectors are described and claimed. The compounds augment antibody production in immunized animals as well as stimulate cytokine production and activate macrophages. Compositions and methods for using the compounds as adjuvants and immunoeffectors are also disclosed.
US07960521B2
To provide a dye capable of forming an anisotropic dye film showing high dichroism and having a high degree of molecular orientation, a composition containing the dye, an anisotropic dye film using the dye and a polarizing element.A trisazo dye, of which the free acid form is represented by the following formula (1), wherein at least one of B1 and D1 has at least one substituent as defined by the following Q1, a dye composition for an anisotropic dye film containing the dye, an anisotropic dye film and a polarizing element using the anisotropic dye film: Q1: an alkyl group or alkoxy group substituted by a hydrogen bond-forming group: wherein A1 is a phenyl group or a naphthyl group, each of B1 and D1 is a phenylene group or a naphthylene group, X1 is an amino group which may be substituted or a hydroxyl group, and m is 0 or 1.
US07960520B2
A method for preparing biomass for slurry processing. The method includes solubilizing the solid material into either a dissolved state or a suspended solid in a liquid phase, and treating the liquid phase to produce chemicals and fuels.
US07960514B2
The invention is directed to a fusion protein which includes a first portion including an immunoglobulin (Ig) chain and a second portion including interleukin-7 (IL-7).
US07960507B2
The present invention relates to tumor associated antigen (TAA) peptides and to use of same, of polynucleotides encoding same and of cells presenting same as anti-tumor vaccines. More particularly, the present invention relates to tumor associated antigen peptides derived from Uroplakin Ia, Ib, II and III, Prostate specific antigen (PSA), Prostate acid phosphatase (PAP) and Prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA), BA-46 (Lactadherin), Mucin (MUC-1), and Teratocarcinoma-derived growth factor (CRIPTO-1) and the use of same as anti-tumor vaccines to prevent or cure bladder, prostate, breast or other cancers, carcinomas in particular. Most particularly, the present invention relates to tumor associated antigen peptides which are presentable to the immune system by HLA-A2 molecules.
US07960503B2
The present invention provides a method for continuously washing poly(vinyl butyral) in which a poly(vinyl butyral) slurry is passed through multiple continuous stirred tank reactors, each of which is adjusted to specific processing parameters that allow for continuous input, washing, and removal of poly(vinyl butyral). The resulting poly(vinyl butyral) can then be dried to form a powder resin that can be used in place of conventional poly(vinyl butyral) resin. In an alternative embodiment, a counter current screw washing unit is provided that passes wash water over the poly(vinyl butyral) in a direction opposite to the flow of the poly(vinyl butyral), thereby allowing the continuous washing of the poly(vinyl butyral) resin.
US07960496B2
Disclosed herein is a novel stabilizer for preparing a polymer polyol, which is used to prepare polyurethane foam having improved physical properties. The stabilizer is prepared by allowing maleic anhydride to react with a polyether polyol, having an OH functionality of 3-8 and a molecular weight of 3,000-15,000, and then adding ethylene oxide to the reaction solution. Because the molecular weight and functionality of the stabilizer are increased through aging and dimerization, the stabilizer has a high molecular weight of 5,000-30,000, a high OH functionality of 6-10 and a viscosity of 3,000-15,000 cps/25° C. A polymer polyol derived from the stabilizer has low viscosity compared to those of prior products and contributes to the improvement in the physical properties of the resulting polyurethane foam.
US07960493B2
A process to prepare polyol esters from tertiary alkyl acid with reduced homo-polymerisation of the polyols. The ester polyol can be used in the synthesis of further polyester resins for coating or structural/composite or lube oil applications.
US07960492B2
Polybranched, particulate, organic/inorganic hybrid polymer in the form of a sol-gel product having the basic structure: Formula (I) where X is a linkage group chosen among C1-C18-alkylene and arylene, R1-R6 are chosen among hydrogen, C1-C18-alkyl, aryl, formyl, aliphatic or aromatic carbonyl, carbamoyl, sulphonyl, sulphoxyl, phosfonyl, sulphinyl or phosphinyl, or R1-R6 are chosen among condensation products and addition products of acids, alcohols, phenoles, amines, aldehydes or epoxides.
US07960491B2
In an isoolefin-diolefin rubber production process (e.g. a butyl rubber production process), the cold rubber slurry produced in the reaction vessel is transported from the reaction vessel to the flash tank during which time the cold slurry may be expressed to separate at least part of the cold liquid reaction medium from the isoolefin-diolefin rubber. The separated cold liquid reaction medium is transported off stream, for example by a mechanical filter, where it can be recycled back into the reaction vessel and/or where it can be used to cool a feed stream or streams of the reaction components. The isoolefin-diolefin rubber and the residual liquid reaction medium are transported to a flash tank for further processing. The ability to separate and recycle cold liquid reaction medium makes the process more economical. In one aspect, the slurry may be transported from the reaction vessel to the flash tank by a self-cleaning fully intermeshing co-rotating twin screw extruder, which helps overcome the problem of plugging due to rubber sticking to the surfaces of the slurry transfer apparatus.
US07960483B2
An adamantane derivative of formula (I), a compound of formula (VII) or (VIII), compositions containing them, and optical electronic members using the resin compositions. In the formulas, W represents, for example, a hydrogen atom, X is bonded to a bridge-head adamantane carbon and represents, for example, a group of represented by the general formula (II), Y represents a group of formula (V) or (VI), R1 represents a methyl group or an ethyl group, R2 represents a C1 to C10 hydrocarbon group which may contain O or S, m is an integer of 2 to 4, k is an integer of 0 to (16−m) and p and q are each an integer of 1 to 5.
US07960475B2
A powder coating composition of the present invention includes, as essential components, an epoxy group-containing vinyl copolymer (A) with a glass transition temperature of 40° C. or higher, an epoxy group-containing vinyl copolymer (B) that contains organosiloxane side chains and has a glass transition temperature of 0° C. or lower, and a polyvalent carboxylic acid (C), and is able to form a coating film with excellent external appearance and scratch resistance.
US07960472B2
A process for preparing modified polymer by withdrawing a slip stream of polymer melt from the discharge line of a continuous polymerization reactor, admixing in a highly modified polymeric additive into the polymer melt within the slip stream, then introducing the modifier containing slip stream late in the manufacturing process prior to the slip stream withdrawal point. The improved processes of the invention have particular utility for large-scale, continuous reactor where transitions and short production runs are economically prohibitive thereby limiting the product breath. The process is particularly suited for producing a family of copolyesters using a continuous melt phase production process.
US07960471B1
A poly(ether-ketone) composite of the formula: wherein CNF is carbon nanofibers and MWNT is multi-walled carbon nanotubes; wherein Ar represents ether-ketone repeating groups of the formula wherein Q is —O— or —O—(CH2)n—O—, wherein n has a value of 2-12; wherein R is —H, —CH3, or —C2H5, m has a value of 1 or 2; wherein R′ is —H or —CH3; and wherein — denoted the presence of a direct C—C bond between Ar and CNF or MWNTg Also provided is a process for preparing the composite.
US07960470B2
Disclosed are a process for producing a polymer composition having a high solubility in a solvent, and a polymer composition. The process for producing a polymer composition comprises polymerizing a radical polymerizable monomer in a solvent comprising a compound of formula (1) or (2) in the presence of a radical polymerization initiator:
US07960466B2
The present invention provides a natural rubber masterbatch effective in achieving a tread rubber composition which is suitable for heavy-duty tires for rough roads and which is effective in greatly enhancing the abrasion resistance of the tires without impairing the low heat build-up of the tires, a method of producing the natural rubber masterbatch, a rubber composition prepared using the natural rubber masterbatch, and a tire. In a mixing step of mixing a natural rubber latex with a slurry containing water and a carbon black dispersed therein, 10 to 100 weight parts of the carbon black is mixed with 100 weight parts of a natural rubber component in the natural rubber latex. The carbon black satisfies the following conditions: (1) N2SA is 120 to 180 m2/g; (2) the relationship between 24M4DBP and N2SA is represented by the inequality 15≦24M4DBP−0.375N2SA≦38; and (3) the Dst of aggregates of the carbon black is represented by the inequality Dst≦65 nm and the ratio (ΔD50/Dst) of the ΔD50 of the carbon black aggregates to the Dst thereof is represented by the inequality ΔD50/Dst≦0.70.
US07960459B2
The present invention has its object to provide a curable composition which comprises a reactive silyl group-containing organic polymer, does not contain, as a silanol condensation catalyst, any organotin type curing catalyst currently of concern because of the toxic feature thereof, is excellent in surface curability and depth curability and, further, can provide cured products excellent in adhesiveness; the above object can be achieved by a curable composition which comprises: an organic polymer (A) containing a silicon-containing group capable of crosslinking under siloxane bond formation; and a guanidine compound (B-1), as a silanol condensation catalyst (B), represented by the general formula (1): R1N═C(NR12)2 (1) (wherein one of the five R1s is an aryl group and the other four R1s each independently is a hydrogen atom or a hydrocarbon group in which the carbon atom at position 1 is saturated).
US07960450B2
A flame retardant and light diffusing polycarbonate resin composition comprising 100 parts by weight of a polycarbonate resin (A), 0.1 to 6 parts by weight of a light diffusing agent (B) with an average particle diameter of 1 to 10 μm, 0.03 to 1 part by weight of a light storing agent (C) with an average particle diameter of 1 to 20 μm and 0.03 to 1.5 parts by weight of a silicone compound (D) wherein the silicone compound (D) has a branched main chain structure and contains organic functional groups and the presence of aromatic groups is essential as the organic functional groups but the presence of hydrocarbon groups other than aromatic groups is optional as the organic functional groups other than terminal groups. The light diffusing sheet obtained by molding a polycarbonate resin composition of this invention can be used ideally in all applications where excellent flame retardance and a high degree of optical performance are needed such as in parts materials covering a light source such as, for example, in light diffusing sheets for direct backlighting units and edge lighting units for liquid crystal televisions, globe boxes for lighting devices and switches for various devices.
US07960449B2
A process for the production of a polysiloxane containing mass incorporating surface treated filler materials comprising feeding materials to a change can mixer in which the materials are mixed; the change can mixer comprising a detachable mixing head assembly containing least two spiral mixing arms extending downwardly into the can of the change can mixer, drive means for rotating the spiral mixing arms around their own axis, and drive means for rotating the spiral mixing arms as a unit around the axis of the can and wherein the geometry of the mixing arms is such that they generate downwardly directing motion on the composition being mixed.
US07960444B2
Polyols useful in the manufacture of polyurethanes are disclosed. The polyols are prepared by reacting a vegetable oil based (hydroxymethyl containing) monomer with a polyol, polyamine or aminoalcohol under vacuum.
US07960443B2
The present invention relates to an extruded styrenic resin foam and a method for producing the same, wherein a base resin composing the extruded styrenic resin foam is a styrenic resin mixture of a styrene-(meth)acrylic ester copolymer, or a combination of a styrene-(meth)acrylic ester copolymer and polymethyl methacrylate, and a styrenic resin except the styrene-(meth)acrylic ester copolymer, and the styrenic resin mixture contains a (meth)acrylic ester component at a ratio of 4 to 45% by weight with reference to the styrenic resin mixture. The present invention provides an extruded styrenic resin foam having an apparent density of 20 to 60 kg/m3, a thickness of 10 to 150 mm, and a low thermal conductivity, and keeping excellent heat insulation performance over a long period of time and flame retardancy, even when the styrenic resin extruded foam is foamed using a blowing agent having an ozone depleting potential of 0 (zero) and a low global warming potential.
US07960438B2
The present invention relates to the use of agomelatine, or N-[2-(7-methoxy-1-naphthyl)ethyl]acetamide, in obtaining medicaments intended for the treatment of Generalized Anxiety Disorder.
US07960436B2
This invention provides compounds of formula I where Ar1 is a 5- to 10-member mono- or bicyclic aromatic group, optionally substituted; where the —NR3R4 group is situated ortho to the NHC(═X) group; n=1 or 2; X═O or S; Y is O or S; and q=1 or 0. The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising compounds of formula I and/or salts, esters, and prodrugs thereof. These compounds modulate the activation and inactivation of potassium channels. The compounds are useful for the treatment and prevention of diseases and disorders—such as seizure disorders—which are affected by modulation of potassium ion channels.
US07960425B2
A compound represented by the formula (I) (wherein R1, R2, R3 and R4 are as defined in the description), a tautomer, prodrug or pharmaceutically acceptable salt of the compound or a solvate thereof.
US07960424B2
The present invention relates to shelf-stable liquid formulations of palonosetron for reducing chemotherapy and radiotherapy induced emesis with palonosetron. The formulations are particularly useful in the preparation of intravenous and oral liquid medicaments.
US07960420B2
Diazonamide A analogs, and the salts, esters and conjugates thereof, having improved aqueous solubility are provided. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions, and methods for preparing and using such compounds and compositions for the treatment of proliferative diseases.
US07960415B2
The present invention provides a compound of formula I: wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, and R5 are as defined herein. The present invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions and methods using such compositions for treating a caspase-mediated diseases and processes for preparing the compounds of the invention.
US07960413B2
Compounds of the formula (I) and salts and solvates thereof, in which X, R1, R2, R3, R4, R5 and R6 have the meanings indicated in Claim 1, are suitable as ligands of 5 HT receptors.
US07960406B2
Compounds having drug and bio-affecting properties, their pharmaceutical compositions and methods of use are set forth. In particular, diketo fused azolopiperidine and azolopiperazine derivatives of Formula I: that possess unique antiviral activity are provided. These compounds are useful for the treatment of HIV and AIDS.
US07960402B2
A compound represented by, e.g. the formula (I): [wherein X, Y, Z, and W each independently represent optionally substituted methine; A, B, and D each independently represent —C(O)—, etc.; Q represents a methine or a nitrogen; and R represents the formula (II-1), optionally substituted with lower alkyl, etc.; (wherein R6 represents a lower alkyl, etc; and R7 and R8 each independently represents a lower alkyl, etc.)] or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of the compound. The compounds and salt have antagonistic activity against a histamine H3 receptor or inverse agonistic activity against a histamine H3 receptor. They are useful in the prevention or treatment of metabolic diseases, circulatory diseases, or neurotic diseases.
US07960395B2
There are disclosed novel 5,7-disubstituted [1,3]thiazolo[4,5-d]pyrimidin-2(3H)-one derivatives of formula (I) wherein R1, R2, R3, R4 and n are as defined in the specification, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, together with processes for their preparation, pharmaceutical compositions comprising them and their use in therapy. The compounds of formula (I) are CX3CR1 receptor antagonists and are thereby particularly useful in the treatment or prophylaxis of neurodegenerative disorders, demyelinating disease, cardio- and cerebrovascular atherosclerotic disorders, peripheral artery disease, rheumatoid arthritis, pulmonary diseases such as COPD, asthma or pain.
US07960394B2
This invention provides a compound or its pharmaceutically-acceptable salt of formula (I) wherein R1 represents a lower alkyl group et al; R2 and R3 are same and different and represents hydrogen atm et al; R4 represents the substituent of the formula (II) et al; X1 represents NH, O or S; Y represents N or C; Ar is a divalent substituent derived from aryl et al, by removing two hydrogen atoms therefrom; the ring A represents a 5- or 6-membered heteroaryl group; this compounds has a histamine-H3 receptor antagonistic effect or a histamine-H3 receptor inverse-agonistic effect and is useful for preventive or remedy of metabolic system diseases, circulatory system diseases or nervous system diseases.
US07960392B2
Nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compounds represented by the following Formula (1) are provided. The compounds or salts thereof have a strong EP1 antagonistic activity when they are administered to a human or an animal, and they are useful as an effective component of a pharmaceutical agent for prophylaxis and/or treatment of an overactive bladder, for example. Furthermore, they are useful as an effective component of a pharmaceutical agent for the prophylaxis and/or treatment of symptoms including frequent urination, urinary urgency and urinary incontinence.
US07960388B2
Compounds are provided that act as potent antagonists of the CCR1 receptor, and have in vivo anti-inflammatory activity. The compounds are 3-imidazoyl-pyrazolo[3,4-b]pyridine derivatives and are useful in pharmaceutical compositions, methods for the treatment of CCR1-mediated disease, and as controls in assays for the identification of competitive CCR1 antagonists.
US07960385B2
The invention provides compounds of formula I: or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein R1-3, R5-7, a, X, Y, Y′, Y″, and Z are as defined in the specification. These compounds are muscarinic receptor antagonists. The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions containing such compounds, processes for preparing such compounds and methods of using such compounds to, for example, treat pulmonary disorders such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma.
US07960381B2
A compound comprising or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, prodrug, or a metabolite thereof is disclosed herein. Y, A, and B are as described herein. Methods, compositions, and medicaments related to these compounds are also disclosed.
US07960378B2
Compounds comprising or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or a prodrug thereof, are disclosed, wherein Y, A, R1, R2, Z, and G are as described. Methods, compositions, and medicaments related thereto are also disclosed.
US07960377B2
The invention provides compounds having the structure of formula I, and prodrugs, stereoisomers, racemates, salts, hydrates, solvates, acid salt hydrates and isomorphic crystalline forms thereof, wherein A, Y and the groups R1, R2, R3 and R4 are defined in the specification. These compounds can be administered in pharmaceutical formulations to modulate cannabinoid receptor activity for the prevention and treatment of a variety of diseases and conditions, including pain, inflammation and pruritis.
US07960373B2
The present invention relates to 2-alkoxy-3,4,5-trihydroxyalkylamide benzothiazepine compounds, to pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds, to methods of treatment comprising administering such compounds, to processes for the preparation of such compounds and to intermediate precursors to such compounds.
US07960367B2
Steroid compounds processing a hydrogen donor in 3beta position, either in the form of a hydroxy- or a sulfate group, function as efficient blockers of the 3alpha-hydroxy-pregnan-steroid action and thus have utility as therapeutic substances for the prevention and/or treatment of steroid related CNS disorders. Treatment methods based on the administration of these substances are disclosed, and these substances either alone or in combination are also suggested for the manufacture of pharmaceuticals for the treatment of many specific steroid induced CNS disorders.
US07960357B2
The present application relates to the use of hybridization chain reaction (HCR) to form double stranded RNA polymers in the presence of a target, such as a nucleic acid associated with a disease or disorder. The RNA polymers are preferably able to activate the RNA-dependent kinase PKR. Activation of PKR via RNA-HCR can be used to treat a wide variety of diseases and disorders by specifically targeting diseased cells.
US07960342B2
SRIF peptide antagonists, which are selective for SSTR2 in contrast to the other cloned SRIF receptors and which bind with high affinity to the cloned human receptor SSTR2 but do not activate the receptor, have many useful functions. Because they do not bind with significant affinity to SSTR1, SSTR3, SSTR4 or SSTR5, their administration avoids potential undesirable side effects. Because they block the receptor function, they can be used therapeutically to block certain physiological effects which SSTR2 mediates. By incorporating radioiodine or the like in these SSTR2-selective SRIF antagonists, a labeled compound useful in drug-screening methods is provided. Alternatively, for use in therapy, highly radioactive moieties can be N-terminally coupled, complexed or chelated thereto.
US07960339B2
The present invention relates to families of polypeptides and lipopolypeptides that have antimicrobial and endotoxin-neutralizing activities. These molecules show a broad spectrum of activity against various pathogens (including bacteria, viruses, fungi etc.) These compounds can be used alone or in combination therapy with conventional antibiotics or antiendotoxic agents. In addition, the present invention discloses processes for making and using of the compounds.
US07960337B2
The invention describes a pharmaceutical composition to combat multiple-drug-resistant bacteria in non-ocular infective conditions. Compositions comprising glycopeptides, in particular vancomycin, and cephalosporins, in particular ceftriaxone, are disclosed. Such compositions are found to be useful for parenteral administration for hospitalized patients with serious infections. Specifically, this invention also discloses a pharmaceutical composition further including an excipient such as CVMC agent and is available in dry powder form for reconstitution before injection with a suitable solvent. The pharmaceutical compositions of this invention have been found normally to enhance resistance to precipitation in solutions to be administered parenterally. The invention also gives details of the dosage forms stored in sealed containers to be reconstituted before use. The invention further provides a process to manufacture these compositions and also a method of treating a subject having non-ocular infective conditions due to multi drug resistant bacterium.
US07960327B2
Provided is a detergent composition containing a polyoxyethylene alkyl ether sulfate or an alkyl sulfate which composition is excellent and creamy in foam quality, and excellent in storage stability. The detergent composition contains the following components (A), (B) and (C): (A) a polyoxyethylene alkyl ether sulfate or an alkyl sulfate represented by a general formula (1): R1O(CH2CH2O)nSO3M (1); (B) myristyl alcohol; (C) one or more nonionic surfactants selected from the group consisting of an alkoxylate (C-1) represented by a general formula (2) and a glyceryl ether (C-2) represented by a general formula (3): R2O-(AO)n—R3 (2) wherein the weight ratio of the component (A) to the component (B) is (A)/(B)=91.5/8.5 to 80/20, the weight ratio of the component (A) to the component (C) is (A)/(C)=98/2 to 85/15, the weight ratio of the component (B) to the component (C) is (B)/(C)=90/10 to 30/70, and the content of the component (B) is 1.6 to 14% by weight.
US07960320B2
Reaction of a carboxylic acid-containing polymer with certain aromatic amines results in dispersant viscosity modifiers with improved soot handling performance in heavy-duty diesel engines, compared with reaction with non-aromatic amines.
US07960317B2
A method for in-situ solid lubrication of sliding electrical contacts includes the steps of providing a device having a movable electrically conductive first member and an electrically conductive second member, the first and second member being in electrical contact at a slideable electrical contact, and automatically applying an electrically conductive solid lubricant transfer film to the slideable electrical contact during operation of the device. The applying step can be a deposition of the electrically conductive solid lubricant transfer film on a surface of the first member, wherein the electrically conductive solid lubricant transfer film is carried by movement of the first member to the electrical contact.
US07960312B2
Disclosed is a method for immobilizing a target protein to the surface of silicon oxide-containing substance such as glass without modifying the surface of silicon oxide-containing substance by using a protein binding strongly to silicon oxide-containing substance. A protein capable binding strongly to silicon oxide-containing substance such as glass has been found, and thus a target protein can be directly bound and immobilized to the surface of silicon oxide-containing substance via the found protein. In addition, a fusion protein of the found protein and a target protein can be bound and immobilized to silicon oxide-containing substance.
US07960310B2
The use of a compound of formula (I) wherein X is (i), (ii) or (iii), formula (i), formula (ii), formula (iii) Y is O, S(O)m, NR3, CR5R6, CR5R6—CR7R8, O—CR7R8, S(O)m—CR7R8, NR3—CR7R8, CR5R6—O, CR5R6—S(O)m, CR5R6—NR3, SO2—NR3, NR3—SO2, NR3—O or O—NR3; m is 0, 1, or 2; the ring (T) formula (T) is a 5- or 6-membered aromatic or heteroaromatic ring; R1 to R10 are specified organic groups and n and is 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4; or salts or N-oxides thereof or compositions containing them in controlling insects, acarines, nematodes or molluscs. Novel compounds are also provided.
US07960305B2
A polymerization catalyst composition for a radically polymerizable monomer of the present invention comprises a transition metal-containing phosphazenium composition which is produced by mixing a phosphazenium compound with a compound of a transition metal belonging to Groups 4 to 12 in the periodic table and an organic halogen compound.
US07960304B2
A catalyst composition comprises (a) a MCM-22 family molecular sieve; and (b) a binder, wherein the MCM-22 family molecular sieve is characterized by an average crystal agglomerate size of less than or equal to 16 microns. The catalyst composition may further have a second molecular sieve having a Constraint Index of less than 12, e.g., less than 2. Examples of molecular sieve useful for this disclosure are a MCM-22 family molecular sieve, zeolite Y, and zeolite Beta. The catalyst composition may be used for the process of alkylation or transalkylation of an alkylatable aromatic compound with an alkylating agent.
US07960303B2
The invention is an apparatus and method to remove hydrogen sulfide and siloxanes from biogas and destroy the contaminants in microwave reactors. Hydrogen sulfide and siloxane are removed from biogas using an adsorbent media such as activated carbon. The media is regenerated in a microwave reactor where the hydrogen sulfide and siloxane are removed in a sweep gas. In one process, siloxane is oxidized to silicon dioxide in a second microwave reactor and removed with a filter. Hydrogen sulfide if first oxidized to sulfur dioxide, then reduced to sulfur in a third microwave reactor and removed with a filter. In another process, siloxane is combined with water to form silicon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide is reduced to elemental sulfur in a microwave reactor. These reactants are removed with a filter. The remaining sweep gas containing hydrogen and low molecular weight hydrocarbons is returned to the biogas stream.
US07960297B1
A semiconductor processing tool heats wafers using radiant heat and resistive heat in chamber or in a load lock where pressure changes. The wafers are heated in greater part with a resistive heat source until a transition temperature or pressure is reached, then they are heated in greater part with a radiant heat source. Throughput improves for the tool because of the wafers can reach a high temperature uniformly in seconds.
US07960292B2
A zinc oxide (ZnO) film is fabricated. Metal-organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) is used to obtain the film with few defects, high integrity and low cost through an easy procedure. The ZnO film above a silicon substrate has a matching crystal orientation to the substrate. Thus, the ZnO film is fit for ultraviolet light-emitting diodes (UV LED), solar cells and related laser devices.
US07960284B2
Affords a III-V compound semiconductor substrate manufacturing method that enables enhancement of the substrate PL intensity. In such a III-V compound semiconductor substrate manufacturing method, first, the surface 3a of a wafer 3 is polished (polishing step). Second, the surface 3a of the wafer 3 is cleaned (first cleaning step S7). Next, the surface 3a of the wafer 3 is subjected to first dry-etching, employing a halogen-containing gas, while first bias voltage is applied to a chuck 24 for carrying the wafer 3. Subsequently, the surface 3a of the wafer 3 is subjected to second dry-etching, employing the halogen-containing gas (second dry-etching step S11), while second bias power lower than the first bias power is applied to the chuck 24.
US07960282B2
A method of manufacture of an integrated circuit system includes: providing a substrate including an active device; forming a through-silicon-via into the substrate; forming an insulation layer over the through-silicon-via to protect the through-silicon-via; forming a contact to the active device after forming the insulation layer; and removing the insulation layer.
US07960271B2
The present invention provides a semiconductor device that can suppresses poor connection caused by the variation of the heights of bumps during reflow heating, can be applied to a narrow array pitch, and can freely adjust the heights of the bumps.
US07960268B2
Disclosed are a semiconductor device with a metal gate and a method of manufacturing the same. The method of the present invention includes: preparing a semiconductor substrate having a isolation layer to define an active region; forming a gate insulation layer on the semiconductor substrate; sequentially forming a polysilicon layer, a first metal silicide layer, a metal nitride layer and a metal layer on the gate insulation layer including the isolation layer; etching the metal layer and the metal nitride layer so that the metal layer and the metal nitride layer have a narrower width than that of a desired gate; forming a second metal silicide layer on the first metal silicide layer including the etched metal nitride layer and the metal layer; forming a hard mask on the second metal silicide layer so that the hard mask has a desired gate width; and etching the second metal silicide layer, the first metal silicide layer, the polysilicon layer and the gate insulation layer by using the hard mask as an etching barrier, so as to form a metal gate with a structure in which the metal nitride and the metal layer are enclosed with the first and second metal silicide layers.
US07960267B2
A method of making a semiconductor device on a semiconductor layer includes: forming a gate dielectric over the semiconductor layer; forming a layer of gate material over the gate dielectric; etching the layer of gate material to form a select gate; forming a storage layer that extends over the select gate and over a portion of the semiconductor layer; depositing an amorphous silicon layer over the storage layer; etching the amorphous silicon layer to form a control gate; and annealing the semiconductor device to crystallize the amorphous silicon layer.
US07960266B2
High density semiconductor devices and methods of fabricating the same are provided. Spacer fabrication techniques are utilized to form circuit elements having reduced feature sizes, which in some instances are smaller than the smallest lithographically resolvable element size of the process being used. Spacers are formed that serve as a mask for etching one or more layers beneath the spacers. An etch stop pad layer having a material composition substantially similar to the spacer material is provided between a dielectric layer and an insulating sacrificial layer such as silicon nitride. When etching the sacrificial layer, the matched pad layer provides an etch stop to avoid damaging and reducing the size of the dielectric layer. The matched material compositions further provide improved adhesion for the spacers, thereby improving the rigidity and integrity of the spacers.
US07960260B2
A method for forming a nanowhisker of, e.g., a III-V semiconductor material on a silicon substrate, comprises: preparing a surface of the silicon substrate with measures including passivating the substrate surface by HF etching, so that the substrate surface is essentially atomically flat. Catalytic particles on the substrate surface are deposited from an aerosol; the substrate is annealed; and gases for a MOVPE process are introduced into the atmosphere surrounding the substrate, so that nanowhiskers are grown by the VLS mechanism. In the grown nanowhisker, the crystal directions of the substrate are transferred to the epitaxial crystal planes at the base of the nanowhisker and adjacent the substrate surface. A segment of an optically active material may be formed within the nanowhisker and bounded by heterojunctions so as to create a quantum well wherein the height of the quantum well is much greater than the thermal energy at room temperature, whereby the luminescence properties of the segment remain constant without quenching from cryogenic temperatures up to room temperature.
US07960258B2
The present invention discloses a method for fabricating a nanoscale thermoelectric device, which comprises steps: providing at least one template having a group of nanoscale pores; forming a substrate on the bottom of the template; injecting a molten semiconductor material into the nanoscale pores to form a group of semiconductor nanoscale wires; removing the substrate to obtain a semiconductor nanoscale wire array; and using metallic conductors to cascade at least two semiconductor nanoscale wire arrays to form a thermoelectric device having a higher thermoelectric conversion efficiency.
US07960251B2
Disclosed herein is a method for producing nanowires. The method comprises the steps of providing a porous template with a plurality of holes in the form of tubes, filling the tubes with nanoparticles or nanoparticle precursors, and forming the filled nanoparticles or nanoparticle precursors into nanowires. According to the method, highly rectilinear and well-ordered nanowires can be produced in a simple manner.
US07960247B2
Microelectronic dies are thinned according to a variety of approaches, which may include bonding the dies to a substrate under vacuum, disposing a film over the dies and the substrate, and/or changing a center of pressure during thinning.
US07960244B2
A process for manufacturing an electronic semiconductor device, wherein a SOI wafer is provided, formed by a bottom layer of semiconductor material, an insulating layer, and a top layer of semiconductor material, stacked on top of one another; alignment marks are formed in the top layer; an implanted buried region is formed, aligned to the alignment marks; a hard mask is formed on top of the top layer so as to align it to the alignment marks; using the hard mask, the top layer is selectively removed so as to form a trench extending up to the insulating layer; there a lateral-insulation region in the trench, that is contiguous to the insulating layer and delimits with the latter an insulated well of semiconductor material; and electronic components are formed in the top layer.
US07960243B2
A semiconductor device (10) is formed in a semiconductor layer (12). A gate stack (16,18) is formed over the semiconductor layer and comprises a first conductive layer (22) and a second layer (24) over the first layer. The first layer is more conductive and provides more stopping power to an implant than the second layer. A species (46) is implanted into the second layer. Source/drain regions (52) are formed in the semiconductor layer on opposing sides of the gate stack. The gate stack is heated after the step of implanting to cause the gate stack to exert stress in the semiconductor layer in a region under the gate stack.
US07960242B2
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor wafer, the method comprising: providing a base wafer comprising a semiconductor substrate, metal layers and first alignment marks; transferring a monocrystalline layer on top of said metal layers, wherein said monocrystalline layer comprises second alignment marks; and performing a lithography using an alignment based on a misalignment between said first alignment marks and said second alignment marks.
US07960241B2
A manufacturing method for double-side capacitor of stack DRAM has steps of: forming a sacrificial structure in the isolating trench and the capacitor trenches; forming a first covering layer and a second covering layer on the sacrificial structure; modifying a part of the second covering layer; removing the un-modified second covering layer and the first covering layer to expose the sacrificial structure; removing the exposed part of the sacrificial structure to expose the electrode layer; removing the exposed electrode layer to expose the oxide layer; and removing the oxide layer and sacrificial structure to form the double-side capacitors.
US07960240B1
A buried thin film resistor having end caps defined by a dielectric mask is disclosed. A thin film resistor is formed on an integrated circuit substrate. A resistor protect layer is formed over the thin film resistor. First and second portions of a first dielectric material are formed over the resistor protect layer over the first and second ends of the thin film resistor. The resistor protect layer is then wet etched using the first and second portions of the first dielectric material as a hard mask. Then a second dielectric layer is deposited. A first via mask and etch process is used to etch vias down to the underlying portions of the resistor protect layer over the ends of the thin film resistor. A second via mask and etch process is used to etch substrate vias to an underlying conductor layer.
US07960239B2
A power device with improved reliability and a method for producing the same is disclosed. One embodiment provides an active area having an electrical power dissipation characteristic, a metallization layer portion configured with respect to the active area so that the dissipation characteristic of the active area results in heating the metallization layer portion, the metallization layer portion being formed as a connected region. The metallization layer portion has at least one hole, fully extending through the metal layer and having a dielectric. The at least one hole is arranged so that each location of the metal layer portion is connected electrically to each other location via the metallization material of the metal layer portion.
US07960236B2
Methods for formation of epitaxial layers containing n-doped silicon are disclosed. Specific embodiments pertain to the formation and treatment of epitaxial layers in semiconductor devices, for example, Metal Oxide Semiconductor Field Effect Transistor (MOSFET) devices. In specific embodiments, the formation of the n-doped epitaxial layer involves exposing a substrate in a process chamber to deposition gases including a silicon source, a carbon source and an n-dopant source. An epitaxial layer may have considerable tensile stress which may be created in a significant amount by a high concentration of n-dopant. A layer having n-dopant may also have substitutional carbon. Phosphorus as an n-dopant with a high concentration is provided. A substrate having an epitaxial layer with a high level of n-dopant is also disclosed.
US07960217B2
The invention relates to a method for producing a switch element. The invention is characterised in that the switch element comprises three electrodes that are located in an electrolyte, two of which (source electrode and drain electrode) are interconnected by a bridge consisting of one or more atoms that can be reversibly opened and closed. The opening and closing of said contact between the source and drain electrodes can be controlled by the potential that is applied to the third electrode (gate electrode). The switch element is produced by the repeated application of potential cycles between the gate electrode and the source or drain electrode. The potential is increased and reduced during the potential cycles until the conductance between the source and drain electrode can be switched back and forth between two conductances, as a result of said change in potential in the gate electrode, as a reproducible function of the voltage of the gate electrode.
US07960210B2
A packaging method involves attaching a first chip to a stable base, forming contact pads at locations on the stable base, applying a medium onto the stable base such that it electrically insulates sides of the first chip, forming electrical paths on the medium, attaching a second chip to the first chip to form an assembly, and removing the stable base. A package has at least two chips electrically connected to each other, at least one contact pad, an electrically conductive path extending from the contact pad to a contact point on at least one of the chips, a planarizing medium, and a coating material on top of the planarizing medium.
US07960207B2
An organic thin film transistor (OTFT) and a method of fabricating the same are provided in which an organic layer and metal interconnections are formed to have certain linewidths and shapes such that a degradation of device characteristics is prevented. The method includes providing a substrate, forming a gate electrode on the substrate, forming a gate insulating layer on the gate electrode, forming source and drain electrodes on the gate insulating layer, and forming a semiconductor layer on the source and drain electrodes. The gate electrode is formed by an inkjet printing method and ablated by a laser.
US07960204B2
A method for forming a thin film photovoltaic device includes providing a transparent substrate comprising a surface region and forming a first electrode layer overlying the surface region. The method further includes forming a thin layer of copper gallium material overlying the first electrode layer to act as an intermediary adhesive layer to facilitate attachment to the first electrode layer. Additionally, the method includes forming a copper layer overlying the thin layer and forming an indium layer overlying the copper layer to form a multilayered structure and subjecting the multilayered structure to thermal treatment process with sulfur bearing species to form a copper indium disulfide alloy material. The copper indium disulfide alloy material comprises a copper:indium atomic ratio of about 1.2:1 to about 3.0:1 overlying a copper gallium disulfide material converted from the thin layer. Furthermore, the method includes forming a window layer overlying the copper indium disulfide alloy material.
US07960199B2
A thin film transistor array substrate and a fabricating method thereof are disclosed. The thin film transistor array substrate protects a thin film transistor without a protective film and accordingly reduces the manufacturing cost. In the thin film transistor array substrate, a gate electrode is connected to a gate line. A source electrode is connected to a data line crossing the gate line to define a pixel area. A drain electrode is opposed to the source electrode with a channel therebetween. A semiconductor layer is in the channel. A pixel electrode in the pixel area contacts the drain electrode over substantially the entire overlapping area between the two. A channel protective film is provided on the semiconductor layer corresponding to the channel to protect the semiconductor layer.
US07960193B2
A dual panel-type organic electroluminescent display device includes first and second substrates facing and spaced apart from each other, an array element layer disposed along an inner surface of the first substrate, the array element including a thin film transistor, a connection pattern disposed on the array element layer and electrically connected to the thin film transistor, a color filter layer disposed along an inner surface of the second substrate, the color filter layer including red, green, and blue color filters, an overcoat layer disposed on the color filter layer, the overcoat layer including a hygroscopic material, an organic electroluminescent diode disposed on the overcoat layer and connected to the connection pattern, the organic electroluminescent diode including a first electrode, an organic light-emitting layer, and a second electrode sequentially formed on the overcoat layer, and the organic light-emitting layer emits substantially monochromatic light, and a seal pattern along peripheral portions between the first and second substrates.
US07960190B2
In some embodiments, a temporary package for at-speed functional test of semiconductor chip, including high power chips, is presented. In this regard, a method is introduced including placing an integrated circuit die on a contactor layer, the contactor layer to electrically couple contacts on the integrated circuit die with contacts on a multi-layer substrate designed to be permanently attached with the integrated circuit die, placing an integrated heat spreader over the integrated circuit die, and bonding the integrated heat spreader with the substrate, the integrated heat spreader holding the integrated circuit die in place to form a temporary package. Other embodiments are also disclosed and claimed.
US07960189B2
A system in package (10) has a, preferably wireless, test controller (20) for testing each die (30) after it has been mounted onto the substrate of the system in package (10), and a faulty die (30) is repaired before a next die (30) is mounted onto the substrate (15). This way, the system in package (10) can be tested during the intermediate stages of its manufacturing, thus ensuring that all dies (30) function correctly before sealing the dies in the single package. Consequently, a method for manufacturing a system in package (10) is obtained that has an improved yield compared to known manufacturing methods.
US07960181B2
The invention relates to methods of determining potassium ions in a sample, wherein the ions are contacted with a compound having chromophoric moiety and an ionophoric moiety, where the ionophoric moiety interacts with the potassium ions present in the sample, resulting in the chromophoric moiety changing its radiation absorption properties in the ultraviolet and visible regions of the spectrum. For example, a change in an intensity of an absorption maximum is measured and the ion concentration is determined accordingly.
US07960174B2
The present invention relates to the field of animal health and in particular to Lawsonia intracellularis. In particular, the invention relates to a method of diagnosing Lawsonia intracellularis infection and a diagnostic test kit using Lawsonia intracellularis-specific antibodies. The invention also relates to the use of the method or test kit for diagnosing Lawsonia intracellularis infections.
US07960169B2
A biological indicator for monitoring the effectiveness of a sterilizing, disinfecting treatment or process. A compound or condition is disclosed which comprises a substrate containing functional groups residing on a surface thereof, said functional end groups being desirably free of silicon linking groups. The functional end groups are desirably in the form of a monolayer of a uniform distribution and of a selected quantity. Various types of microorganisms, such as spores, fungi, mycobacteria, vegetative bacteria, protozoa, and/or etiological agents are covalently bonded to the functional end groups through a zero-length crosslinking agent and thus form a uniform number and distribution of microorganisms and/or etiological agent indicators on a surface of the substrate. After being subjected to sterilization, disinfection, or other similar treatments or processes, along with various articles such as instruments, the indicator can be cultured in an appropriate medium to determine the effectiveness of the sterilization, disinfection, or other similar process.
US07960165B2
Organic waste having a moisture content of about 65% is dried to a level of dryness by applying heat generated by microbial action on the waste organic material to dry that material to usable levels of about 20% moisture. Method of the present invention is more efficient and economical for the drying of waste materials to combustible fuel than conventional drying methods and apparatus. Preblended portions of the organic material are deposited sequentially into a fermentation zone of a chamber and hot exhaust gases generated by the fermentation process are passed through an air-to-air heat exchanger along with cooler ambient intake air which is in its turn heated and turned back on the waste material in the second drying stage.
US07960163B2
The invention is directed to a method of detecting a malignancy or a pre-malignant lesion in breast or other tissue, or a pathologic condition, by detecting the presence of single-chain or two-chain forms of matriptase in the tissue. The invention is further directed to a method of treating malignancies, which have the phenotype of matriptase production by administering a tumor formation inhibiting effective amount of concentrate of Bowman-Birk inhibitor (BBIC), or other matriptase inhibitor. The invention also is directed to nucleic acids encoding a matriptase protein or fragments thereof, and their use for structure elucidation and modeling to identify other inhibitors of matriptase, as well as to methods of identifying matriptase modulating agents, including activators and inhibitors.
US07960162B2
Proteins isolated from Coprinus clastophyllus having prolyl oligopeptidase activity, nucleic acids encoding the protein and methods for producing and using the protein, wherein SEQ ID NO:5, SEQ ID NO:6, SEQ ID NO:9 and SEQ ID NO:10 must be contained therein to at least 60% similarity. The proteins and nucleic acids have improved heat stability and perform more favorably in vivo having optimum activity conditions around 40 degrees centigrade and around pH 7, and can therefore be used in medicaments for the treatment of celiac disease caused by proline abundant gluten or other applications.
US07960161B2
The invention relates to a variant of a parent Termamyl-like alpha-amylase, which variant has alpha-amylase activity and exhibits an alteration in at least one of the following properties relative to the parent alpha-amylase: substrate specificity, substrate binding, substrate cleavage pattern, thermal stability, pH/activity profile, pH/stability profile, stability towards oxidation, Ca2+dependency and specific activity.
US07960160B2
The present invention relates to an isolated polypeptide having xylanase activity from Aspergillus fumigatus with a molecular weight of approximately 50 kDa by SDS-PAGE and homologous polypeptides thereof comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 95% identity with amino adds 20 to 397 of SEQ ID NO: 6; encoded by a polynucleotide comprising a nucleotide sequence having at least 95% identity with nucleotides 107 to 1415 of SEQ ID NO: 5: or encoded by a polynucleotide that hybridizes under high stringency conditions with (i) nucleotides 107 to 1415 of SEQ ID NO: 5, (ii) the cDNA sequence of (i), or (iii) a full-length complementary strand of (i) or (ii). The present invention also relates to a method for producing such polypeptides having xylanase activity comprising: (a) cultivating a wild-type Aspergillus fumigatus cell under conditions conducive for production of the polypeptide; and (b) recovering the polypeptide.
US07960154B1
The present invention relates to a novel microorganism and a method for degrading plastics or for collecting monomers through biological treatment using the microorganism. The present invention also relates to a novel polyester-based plastic-degrading enzyme and a polynucleotide encoding the enzyme, as well as a method for degrading plastics or for collecting monomers using the enzyme or a microorganism expressing the enzyme.
US07960146B2
The present invention provides a novel β-glucosidase nucleic acid sequence, designated bgl3, and the corresponding BGL3 amino acid sequence. The invention also provides expression vectors and host cells comprising a nucleic acid sequence encoding BGL3, recombinant BGL3 proteins and methods for producing the same.
US07960145B2
The compositions and methods of the present invention comprise the efficient and effective presentation of antigens to the appropriate components of the immune system resulting in the production of species-specific antibodies in vitro. In general, these compositions comprise one or more antigenic components together with a colloidal metal, optionally combined with derivatized PEG (polyethylene glycol) or other agents. The invention also comprises novel cytokine cocktails for generating desired antibodies.
US07960138B2
Presented is a method of prognosing a patient's response to a cancer therapy wherein prior to the therapy contacting a sample of cells from the patient's tissue or organ being treated for the cancer with a solution of TCPP to permit binding of the TCPP to components of the abnormal dysplastic or carcinomic cells, if any are present; detecting TCPP fluorescence in the sample, the presence of TCPP fluorescence being indicative that the sample contains dysplastic or carcinomic cells; at intervals during the therapy and subsequent to the therapy performing steps a-c on another sample of cells from the patient's tissue or organ being treated for the cancer; and determining if the percentage of abnormal pre-cancerous cells in the samples tested during and subsequent to the therapy are reduced as compared with the sample tested prior to the therapy, the reduction being prognostic of the patients response to the cancer therapy.
US07960136B2
An antimicrobial susceptibility assay, including the steps of: providing an assay dish; providing a growth medium in said dish; providing an antimicrobial agent sample; providing an interpretive indication located a predetermined distance from a sample location adjacent the growth medium in the assay dish; providing an interfitting element which interfits with said dish, said interfitting element configured to enable at least one the steps of: a) more accurately positioning the antimicrobial sample at the sample location in contact with the growth medium; b) providing the interpretive indication at a predetermined distance from said sample position to enable said interpretative indication to be compared with a margin of a zone of inhibition of a colony grown on said medium to determine an assay result, wherein said result can include determination of at least one of: a) “susceptible;” “intermediate;” and, “resistant;” placing a microorganism on the growth medium; placing the antimicrobial agent sample at said sample location with accuracy using said interfitting element; incubating said microorganism for a period sufficient to allow a margin of a zone of inhibition to be discernable; and, comparing the location of the margin of the zone of inhibition to the interpretive indication, to obtain a result including a determination of at least one of a) “susceptible;” b) “intermediate;” and, c) “resistant” for said microorganism with respect to the antimicrobial agent.
US07960124B2
A conjugate comprising a dye-labeled microporous crystal, a stop-cock moiety, and covalently bound thereto an affinity binding agent is disclosed. The dye-labeled microporous crystal is a zeolite crystal, such as a zeolite L crystal, having a large number of channels in its interior into which the dye is loaded. The stop-cock moiety can be functionalized with an amino group to which a carboxyester group can be attached. The affinity binding agent allows for the binding to a biological moiety. The conjugate of the moiety can be used in in-vivo and/or in-vitro imaging applications.
US07960119B2
Methods disclosed herein relate to identification of nucleotides in a nucleotide sequence.
US07960118B2
The present invention relates to mutations in Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) and methods of detecting such mutations as well as prognostic methods method for identifying a tumors that are susceptible to anticancer therapy such as chemotherapy and/or kinase inhibitor treatment. The methods involve determining the presence of a mutated EGFR gene or mutated EGFR protein in a tumor sample whereby the presence of a mutated EGFR gene or protein indicates the tumor is susceptible to treatment.
US07960113B2
Disclosed is a DNA analysis method and a DNA analyzer whose signal intensity is not lowered even when a material at a higher density is measured. There is supplied dATP, dTTP, dGTP, or dCTP from a dATP solution vessel, a dTTP solution vessel, a dGTP solution vessel, or a dCTP solution vessel, and this causes an extension reaction of a double-stranded DNA immobilized to a bead, to yield pyrophosphoric acid. The pyrophosphoric acid is converted into a redox compound by the actions of a reagent and an enzyme contained in a reaction buffer in a reaction buffer vessel. The redox compound causes a variation in surface potential of a measuring electrode bearing an electrochemically active material immobilized thereto through an insulating molecule, and this variation causes a variation in drain current of a field-effect transistor electrically connected to the measuring electrode. Thus, the extension reaction is detected.
US07960109B2
Described herein are methods and kits for prognosis of prostate cancer in a subject. The methods comprises: (a) determining the ratio of PCA3 and PSA expression in a urine sample and (b) correlating the value of the PCA3/PSA ratio with the aggressiveness and mortality risk of prostate cancer in the subject. Kits for prognosing prostate cancer are also described. More particularly, the present invention features a method for prognosing prostate cancer in a biological sample of a patient comprising: assessing the amount of a prostate cancer specific PCA3 mRNA and the amount of PSA in the biological sample; determining a ratio value of this amount of prostate cancer specific PCA3 mRNA over the amount of PSA; comparing the ratio value to at least one predetermined cut-off value, wherein a ratio value above the predetermined cut-off value is indicative of a higher risk of mortality of prostate cancer as compared to a ratio value below the predetermined cut-off value.
US07960106B2
A method for simultaneous detection and identification of Bacillus anthracis, Yersinia pestis and Francisella tularensis, in a single real time PCR assay using species-specific primers and Taqman MGB probes. Also, a kit for the diagnosis of bacterial bioterrorism agents. In addition, an infection-free control plasmid to verify the result of the real time PCR analysis method.
US07960105B2
Methods are provided for tagging, characterizing and sorting double-stranded biomolecules while maintaining the integrity of the biomolecules.
US07960103B2
The present invention relates to a method for generating a novel form of life comprising the steps consisting of: a) irreversible alteration of the genome of a microbial clone; b) cultivation of a vast population of microbial cells originating from the altered clone obtained in step a) during numerous generations under conditions allowing selection for a higher and stable proliferation rate; c) isolation of descendant clones within the cultivated population of step b) still bearing the alteration of step a).
US07960100B1
The present invention provides a method for diagnosing and detecting diseases associated with colon. The present invention provides one or more proteins or fragments thereof, peptides or nucleic acid molecules differentially expressed in colon diseases (CCAT) and antibodies binds to CCAT. The present invention provides that CCAT is used as targets for screening agents that modulates the CCAT activities. Further the present invention provides methods for treating diseases associated with colon.
US07960097B2
A method of minimizing etch undercut and providing clean metal liftoff in subsequent metal deposition is provided. In one embodiment a bilayer resist mask is employed and used for etching of underlying substrate material and subsequent metal liftoff. In one embodiment, the top layer resist such as positive photoresist which is sensitive to selected range of energy, such as near UV or violet light, is first patterned by standard photolithography techniques and resist development in a first developer to expose portion of a bottom resist layer which is sensitive to a different selected range of energy, such as deep UV light. The exposed portion of the bottom layer resist is then removed by anisotropic etching such as oxygen reactive ion etching using the top layer resist as the etch mask to expose portion of the underlying substrate. This minimizes the undercut in the bottom resist around the top photoresist opening. The resultant patterned bilayer resist stack is then used as the etch mask for the subsequent etching of the exposed portion of the underlying substrate material. Because there is no undercut in the bottom resist layer, the etch undercut in the substrate material is also minimized relative to the edges of the top photoresist opening.
US07960092B2
An optical information recording and reproducing device 1 irradiates initialization light L1 to an optical information recording medium 100 having a recording layer 101 made of photopolymerization-type photopolymer in advance to bring about the photopolymerization or the photocrosslinking to perform the initialization processing, and condenses a recording light beam L2c having a comparatively strong light intensity to a target position in the recording layer 101 and increases the temperature thereof to transubstantiate the target position to record a recording mark RM at the time of recording information, and condenses a reading light beam L2d having a comparatively weak light intensity to the target position and receives a returned light beam L3 having a sufficient light amount reflected by the recording mark RM at the time of reproducing information, which makes it possible to reliably record the recording mark RM and stably read out the recording mark RM.
US07960082B2
Disclosed is an electrophotographic imaging member including a substrate; a charge generating layer; a charge transport layer with a hole transport material; and a protective overcoat layer having a silicone polyether additive with at least one carbinol function group; a polyol binder; a hole transport material; a curing agent; and an acid catalyst.
US07960077B2
A reflective mask blank for EUV lithography including a substrate having a front surface and a rear surface, a reflective layer formed over the front surface of the substrate, an absorbing layer formed over the reflective layer, and a chucking layer formed on the rear surface of the substrate and positioned to chuck the substrate to an electrostatic chuck. The substrate has a non-conducting portion which eliminates electrical conduction between the reflective layer and the chucking layer and electrical conduction between the absorbing layer and the chucking layer, and the non-conducting portion is formed by forming a portion of the substrate covered with one or more covering members and preventing formation of the reflective layer and the absorbing layer.
US07960073B2
The membrane-electrode assembly of the present invention includes an anode and a cathode facing each other, and a polymer electrolyte membrane interposed therebetween. At least one of the anode and the cathode includes an electrode substrate and a metal catalyst layer disposed thereon. The metal catalyst layer includes a metal catalyst and a liquid crystal material.
US07960071B2
Disclosed is a separator for a fuel cell made of a metal plate comprising both a cooling water flow field and a gas flow field formed on each surface thereof, wherein the separator consists of the joined metal plates for the cooling water flow fields to face each other, the surfaces of the joined metal plates are coated with TiN, a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell comprising the separator and a method for manufacturing the separator.
US07960070B2
An electrocatalyst for ethanol oxidization includes an elemental mixture containing platinum and ruthenium and at least one element, wherein the foregoing at least one element is selected from the group of tungsten, tin, molybdenum, copper, gold, manganese, and vanadium.
US07960058B2
The invention relates to materials for use as electrodes in an alkali-ion secondary (rechargeable) battery, particularly a lithium-ion battery. The invention provides transition-metal compounds having the ordered-olivineor the rhombohedral NASICON structure and the polyanion (PO4)3− as at least one constituent for use as electrode material for alkali-ion rechargeable batteries.
US07960057B2
A lithium-ion battery comprises a negative electrode, a positive electrode, and an electrolyte including a molten salt. The positive electrode comprises an electroactive compound including phosphorus, oxygen, lithium, and at least one other metal or semi-metal. The combination of such electrode compositions and a molten salt electrolyte provides a battery with very high thermal stability. Other ions, such as alkal metal ions, may be used in place of lithium ions for applications in other battery technologies.
US07960056B2
Provided is a binder for an electrode mix containing a semi-interpenetrating polymer network (semi-IPN) of polyvinyl alcohol and polyurethane, wherein the polyurethane is mixed to crosslink with the polyvinyl alcohol to form semi-IPN, and a lithium secondary battery comprising the same. The binder has superior adhesion to the electrode, excellent electrolyte resistance and improved elongation percentage, and therefore it is possible to prevent exfoliation or separation of electrode active materials from current collectors which occurs during repeated charge/discharge cycles. As a result, the capacity or power out of secondary batteries can be maintained at a constant level.
US07960042B2
Paving blocks for photocatalytic paving comprising at least a base layer in cementitious material and a surface layer based on a cementitious composition comprising:at least a hydraulic binder, a photocatalyst capable of oxidizing organic and inorganic polluting substances present in the environment in the presence of environmental light, air and humidity, at least an aggregate, water and, optionally, a water reducing additive.
US07960035B2
There is provided a high-strength hot rolled steel sheet excellent in phosphatability, wherein a maximum depth (Ry) of pits and bumps, existing on a surface thereof, is not less than 10 μm, and an average interval (Sm) of the pits and the bumps is not more than 30 μm, meeting either a requirement for a load length ratio (tp40) of the pits and the bumps on the surface at not more than 20%, or a requirement for a difference between a load length ratio (tp60) and the load length ratio (tp40), at not less than 60%, or both thereof. The high-strength hot rolled steel sheet is capable of exhibiting stable and excellent phosphatability even if Mo highly effective for reinforcement in strength is added thereto in expectation of a higher strength.
US07960029B2
To provide an optical filter for a display which can be easily prepared, which is thin and light, which has excellent electromagnetic wave shielding property and antireflection property, and which scarcely suffers from occurrence of interference fringe. An optical filter for display comprising at least one transparent film, a mesh-shaped conductive layer provided on the one transparent film, and a hard coat layer provided on the mesh-shaped conductive layer, wherein an intermediate layer is further provided between the transparent film and the mesh-shaped conductive layer, and the intermediate layer has refractive index of 1.60 to 1.80 and contact angle of 70 to 100 degrees.
US07960028B2
A heat-shrinkable polyester type film has a dynamic friction coefficient of at least one face with one face of another film of μd≦0.27 and range R≦0.05 and a weight loss of less than 0.24 g/m2 after 10 reciprocation times with 400 g load using a color fastness rubbing tester comprising a friction element bearing a sand paper with #1000 particle diameter.
US07960026B2
An organic-inorganic composite particle containing an inorganic particle having a plurality of polymer particles attached to the inorganic particle and a polymer layer encapsulating the attached polymer particles. A process is provided for the organic-inorganic composite particle. The organic-inorganic composite particle is useful in the preparation of dried coatings that have improved hiding, whiteness, or gloss.
US07960023B2
There is provided an adhesive film for stacking semiconductor layers of chips comprising: a first adhesive layer comprising phenoxy resin, epoxy resin and phenol resin; a second adhesive layer comprising phenoxy resin and an ultraviolet ray curable compound; and a third adhesive layer comprising phenoxy resin, epoxy resin and phenol resin, wherein the second adhesive layer is disposed between the first adhesive layer and the third adhesive layer.
US07960022B2
Disclosed is a forgery-preventing film having, on one side of a first layer (A) comprising a thermoplastic resin, a second layer (B) comprising a thermoplastic resin wherein said film satisfying at least one of the following conditions: Condition 1: one side of said first layer (A) is treated to prevent forgery and said second layer (B) is formed on the surface of the treated side of said first layer (A); Condition 2: said second layer (B) comprises at least two thermoplastic resins of different melt viscosities; Condition 3: porosity of said second layer (B) is greater than porosity of said first layer (A); and Condition 4: a polymer net is formed on one side of said first layer (A) and said second layer (B) is formed on the surface having the polymer net.
US07960012B2
It is an object of the present invention to provide a laser-welded article that workpieces prepared simply can be easily unified by laser in one laser welding process without using complicated processes. Moreover, the laser-welded article has an excellent appearance and sufficient welding strength of the molded workpieces, and does not damage the resin property.The laser-welded article comprises: an integral construction of a single workpiece that at least a part of curled workpiece is overlapped or plural workpieces that at least a part of each workpiece is piled, which is welded by exothermic through irradiating laser, wherein the single laser-transmissible-absorptive molded workpiece or the plural laser-transmissible-absorptive molded workpieces include a thermoplastic resin and a laser-transmissible absorbent to have an absorbance: a ranging from 0.07 to 2.0, and have abilities of absorbing at least partial beam of the laser and transmitting another partial beam of the laser.
US07960007B2
Retort liners and containers including a container body such as a bottle or jar, a closure, and the retort liner, wherein the retort liners exhibit attractive properties such as low compression set under retort conditions, desirable adhesion to a polymeric closure such as a cap or lid, and beneficial oxygen barrier properties. In particular, the retort liners are thermoplastic elastomers formed from compositions including one or more styrenic block copolymers, one or more polyolefins and a softener. In a preferred embodiment, the retortable containers are all plastic packages, wherein the bottle or jar and the closure are thermoplastic compositions and the liner is a thermoplastic elastomer composition.
US07959995B2
A deep drawing heat shrinkable multilayer film includes: an intermediate layer made of a vinylidene chloride copolymer resin (a); and a resin layer made of a first thermoplastic resin (b) layered on at least one surface of the intermediate layer. The multilayer film has hot water shrinkabilities in longitudinal and transverse directions at a temperature of 90° C. range from 3% to 35% respectively.
US07959993B2
An organic electroluminescent display (OELD) device and a method of fabricating the same are disclosed. The OELD device includes a substrate, a first electrode, an organic layer containing at least one light emitting layer, and a second electrode. The light emitting layer is comprised of at least one phosphorescent dopant and at least two host materials.
US07959990B2
The present invention concerns functionalized photoreactive compounds of formula (I), that are particularly useful in materials for the alignment of liquid crystals. Due to the adjunction of an electron withdrawing group to specific molecular systems bearing an unsaturation directly attached to two unsaturated ring systems, exceptionally high photosensitivities, excellent alignment properties as well as good mechanical robustness could be achieved in materials comprising said functionalized photoreactive compounds of the invention.
US07959978B2
A drywall hopper assembly that contains a double blade that can apply drywall mud to both interior and exterior drywall corners with no blade change. A zigzag blade can contain two grooves, one for interior corners and one for exterior corners. With this blade arrangement, an operator can quickly move from one type of corner to another without using multiple tools, multiple blades or hand application methods to apply mud. The present invention can contain a pliable release port to present mud equally to an interior or an exterior corner. There can be such a port on both the top and bottom of the blade so that mud is smoothly applied as trim moves through the hopper or the hopper is moved along the trim.
US07959977B2
A substrate processing method and apparatus can securely carry out a pre-plating treatment that enables uniform plating in the necessary area of the surface of a substrate. The substrate processing method carries out a cleaning treatment and a catalyst-imparting treatment of a surface of a substrate as pre-plating treatments and then electroless plates a metal film on the catalyst-imparted surface of the substrate. The cleaning treatment is carried out in a wider area of the surface of the substrate than that area to which a catalyst is imparted by the catalyst-imparting treatment.
US07959967B2
One embodiment of a tool to pierce and split a coconut to facilitate removal of the water and meat from the nut. The tool includes of a body (100), comprising a frame (110) sufficient in size to accommodate a coconut and a constrictor cup (124), a shaft (210) which has releasably engaged tap assembly (300) and a releasably engaged splitter assembly (400). The body has a hub aperture (160) to receive the shaft (210). The shaft has means to urge both the cutting and the splitting end into coconut. Other embodiments are described and shown.
US07959966B2
Fat-containing compositions comprise a fat component having less than 40% by weight of trans fat and a cyclodextrin, wherein at least about 25% of the cyclodextrin in the composition is bound to the fat. The fat compositions as provided herein can be substantially more viscous or harder than a like fat composition that does not contain cyclodextrin that is bound to the fat. Food products and methods of use of food products are described.
US07959954B2
A bioactive fraction obtained from Xylocarpus that is useful for the treatment of diabetes and dyslipidemia. This fraction can be provided in a pharmaceutical composition that is useful as antidiabetic and antidyslipidemic agent, or can be used in a method of treating diabetes and dyslipidemia in a subject. Also, a process for the preparation of bioactive fraction from Xylocarpus. Isomeric xyloccensins and the preparation of such compounds. Also, pharmaceutical compositions comprising a therapeutically effective amount of such isomeric xyloccensins optionally along with one or more pharmaceutically acceptable carriers, additives, lubricant and diluents and the use of such pharmaceutical compositions in a method for treating dyslipidemia.
US07959953B2
A cosmetic composition is provided having ingredients that may prevent signs of aging, improve the aesthetic appearance of skin, and promote recovery from environmental stresses. The composition includes natural ingredients, including at least one ingredient or extract from rosemary; at least one ingredient or extract from Centella, Echinacea, Alpinia or mixtures thereof; a DNA repair enzyme; and at least one pharmaceutically or cosmetically acceptable vehicle.
US07959950B2
A human or animal dietary supplement composition comprising one or more long chain (C24-C36) primary alcohols (policosanols) dispersed in food-grade oils or fats where the policosanol particle size is substantially less than ten (10) microns. The composition (Nanocosanol™) is effective and convenient for supporting blood lipid health.
US07959943B2
Chronic Otitis Media with Effusion (COME), Recurrent Acute Otitis Media (RAOM), cholesteatoma, and other bacterial ear conditions may be treated by applying a solvating system containing greater than 0.2 wt. % surfactant to a bacterial biofilm in the middle or inner ear, disrupting the biofilm, and applying a protective layer of a polymeric film-forming medical sealant.
US07959938B2
Liquid polyoxaester polymer materials are provided as suspending vehicles suitable for dispensing of pharmaceutically active agents, such as proteins, from delivery devices, for example, pump-driven dosage forms. Polyoxaesters are made from at least one diacid and at least one diol. Through the use of polyoxaesters virtually solvent-free pharmaceutical suspensions can be created.
US07959937B2
The present invention pertains to an apparatus and method for controlling wild animals comprised of an attractant that entices the target wild animal, such as a coyote, to consume the apparatus. Upon consumption, a trigger, which may be covered by a portion of the attractant reacts with fluids in the digestive system of the wild animal, that is, if the fluids are at a predetermined pH level corresponding to the trigger. For if not, the trigger is remains in a state of inactivation, but if the pH is within the predetermined pH range corresponding to the trigger, the trigger is configured to dissolve. Upon dissolving of the trigger, a subduing agent activates causing terminal damage in the digestive system of the wild animal leading to its death. The subduing agent may include metal reactants, chemical agents, percussion devices, compressed sponges, etc.
US07959932B2
Provided are G12 human rotaviruses having VP7 gene of SEQ ID NO: 1 or 2 and VP4 gene of SEQ ID NO: 3 or 4; antibodies specific for said rotaviruses; and a vaccine composition containing the same. The antibodies and the vaccine composition are effective for diagnosing rotavirus infection and for treatment of diseases caused by rotavirus.
US07959926B2
The present invention relates generally to the production, purification, and isolation of human growth hormone (hGH). More particularly, the invention relates to the production, purification, and isolation of substantially purified hGH comprising non-naturally encoded amino acids and hGH from recombinant host cells or culture medium including, for example, yeast, insect, mammalian and bacterial host cells. The process of the present invention is also useful for purification of hGH linked to polymers or other molecules.
US07959918B2
Compositions and methods included herein describe the treatment of atherosclerosis and other vascular diseases such as thrombosis, restenosis after angioplasty and/or stenting, and vein-graft disease after bypass surgery, by inhibition of the expression or biologic activity of the toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and/or myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88). TLR4 cell signal transduction is at least partially responsible for the manifestation, continuation, and/or worsening of atherosclerosis and other forms of vascular disease. The present invention provides several means with which to inhibit this signal transduction pathway by affecting the biological activity of the TLR4 receptor and/or MyD88.
US07959915B2
The present invention describes inhibitors of extracellular Hsp90. The inhibition of extracellular Hsp90 leads to a reduction of the invasiveness of the tumor cells. Furthermore, the invention relates to the use of molecules inhibiting extracellular Hsp90 function for the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment or prevention of invasion and/or metastatic potential of cancer cells.
US07959903B2
The invention relates to a photoprotective composition containing as liquid phase, an oil-in-water emulsion, emulsified with at least one dimeric surfactant comprising two surfactant units, which may be identical or different, each consisting of a hydrophilic head and a hydrophobic tail and connected to each other, via the hydrophilic heads, by means of a spacer group, at least one photoprotective system capable of screening out UV rays, containing at least one mineral nanopigment based on metal oxide, and optionally at least one organic, preferably hydrosoluble or liposoluble UV-A and/or UV-B screening agent, and at least one associative polymer comprising at least one C8-40 fatty chain, and also to a process for preparing such a photoprotective composition.
US07959902B1
A device that may be placed on a fingertip for treating an oral cavity. The device may be made from a material comprised of at least one ingredient for treating an oral cavity. Examples of ingredients for treating an oral cavity include abrasives, cavity prevention ingredients, medicinal ingredients (e.g., antiseptics, fungicides, and anesthetics), odor absorbing ingredients, tartar control ingredients, plaque control ingredients, tooth whitening ingredients, ingredients adapted to provide relief from hypersensitivity, and other cleaning ingredients and dentifrices. The device may be dissolvable and edible. Furthermore, some or all of the ingredients may be digestible. For example, the device may be primarily or entirely made of ingredients that are digestible.
US07959888B2
The present invention provides a raw coke having such a structure that the graphitized product resulting from graphitization of the raw coke at a temperature of 2800° C. under an inactive gas atmosphere will have ratios of the crystallite size to the lattice constant of 360 or less in the (002) plane and 1500 or less in the (110) plane, as a raw coke providing active carbon produced by alkali-activating the raw coke, which is reduced in remaining alkali content and can simplify washing operation because washing liquid can easily pass through the activated carbon, or as a raw coke for the production of needle coke.
US07959886B2
A new mixed layer silicate useful for industrial materials is provided.The mixed layer silicate is obtained by a specific synthesis method. The mixed layer silicate includes non-swelling 2:1 type layered silicate layers having a layer charge of 0 or non-swelling 2:1 type layered silicate layers having a layer charge of 0.6 to 1 and including potassium ions between layers and swelling 2:1 type layered silicate layers having a layer charge of 0.2 to 0.6 and including exchangeable cations between layers. The mixed layer silicate has a structure in which individual layers are laminated in a regular order in a lamination direction (regularly mixed layer structure). Furthermore, an organic-inorganic composite material is prepared through intercalation of a positive charge organic compound into the swelling 2:1 type layered silicate layers in the resulting mixed layer silicate, and the resulting organic-inorganic composite material is swollen and peeled in a polymer, so that a polymer composite material in which silicate sheet sets, each set including a few silicate sheets, are homogeneously dispersed in the polymer can be obtained.
US07959883B2
Particulate pollutants such as carbonaceous particles are removed from an engine exhaust stream by passing the exhaust stream through an exhaust gas reactor, the exhaust stream first traversing a charging zone wherein the particles are charged via a corona discharge, and thereafter traversing a downstream collection zone wherein the charged particles are collected and eliminated by a collector/reactor having an oppositely charged reactive collecting surface.
US07959882B2
A process for preparing lithium-rich metal oxides. The process comprises subjecting a mixture of a metal oxide or a metal oxide with low lithium content and a lithium sulfide in a solid state to a thermal treatment to form a lithium-rich metal oxide and elemental sulfur and subliming off the elemental sulfur. The lithium-rich metal oxides produced from the process may be used as cathode material in lithium ion batteries or electrochemical cells. Suitable metal oxides may be selected from metal oxides of the elements of group Va to VIIa of the Periodic Table and may include vanadium oxides, manganese dioxide, manganese oxide, chromium trioxide, niobium pentoxide, tantalum pentoxide, molybdenum oxides or tungsten trioxide. Metal oxides with low lithium content are metal oxides as defined above which comprise a small amount of lithium, in which the molar ratio of lithium atoms to metal atoms is not more than 1:2.30.
US07959873B1
A biosensor is comprised of a free and a biofunctionalized recognition self-sensing nanocantilever, a dock adjacent to the ends of the nanocantilevers, and a gap between the nanocantilevers and dock. The self-sensing cantilevers each include a semiconductor piezoresistor defined in a pair of legs about which the cantilevers flex. A bias power or current is applied to the piezoresistor. The sensitivity of the cantilevers is optimized for a given ambient temperature and geometry of the cantilevers and dock by minimizing the force spectral density, SF, of the cantilevers to determine the optimum bias power, Pin. A sub-aN/√Hz force sensitivity is obtained by scaling down the dimensions of the cantilevers and supplying an optimum bias power as a function of temperature and geometry.
US07959847B2
Methods and systems of stereolithography for building cost-efficient and time-saving multi-material, multi-functional and multi-colored prototypes, models and devices configured for intermediate washing and curing/drying is disclosed including: laser(s), liquid and/or platform level sensing system(s), controllable optical system(s), moveable platform(s), elevator platform(s), recoating system(s) and at least one polymer retaining receptacle. Multiple polymer retaining receptacles may be arranged in a moveable apparatus, wherein each receptacle is adapted to actively/passively maintain a uniform, desired level of polymer by including a recoating device and a material fill/remove system. The platform is movably accessible to the polymer retaining receptacle(s), elevator mechanism(s) and washing and curing/drying area(s) which may be housed in a shielded enclosure(s). The elevator mechanism is configured to vertically traverse and rotate the platform, thus providing angled building, washing and curing/drying capabilities. A horizontal traversing mechanism may be included to facilitate manufacturing between components of SL cabinet(s) and/or alternative manufacturing technologies.
US07959842B2
Techniques for forming a carbon nanotube (CNT) structure are disclosed.
US07959835B2
This invention is directed towards chemiluminescent systems useful in the practice of methods of intrusion detection, compositions useful for intrusion detection and methods for their formation, and to covert intrusion detection techniques and compositions therefore containing an infrared light generating chemiluminescent system, blended into an earthen-like carrier that enable one to detect whether any movement has breached an area during a certain time frame.
US07959833B2
A thermoelectric conversion material contains a metal oxide comprising M1, M2 and oxygen, wherein M1 is at least one selected from the group consisting of Ca, Sr and Ba and may contain an element selected from the group consisting of Li, Na, K, Mg, La, Ce, Nd, Sm, Bi and Pb, and wherein M2 comprises Cu as an essential element and may contain an element selected from the group consisting of Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co and Ni. The mole ratio of M2 to M1 (M2/M1) is 1.2 to 2.2.
US07959831B2
Disclosed is a paste for a back contact-type solar cell that includes: (a) electrically conductive particles containing silver particle and added particles selected from the group consisting of (i) metal particles selected from the group consisting of Mo, Tc, Ru, Rh, Pd, W, Re, Os, Ir and Pt particles, (ii) a metal alloy containing the metal particles, and (iii) particles loaded with the metal particles, (b) glass frit, and (c) a resin binder.
US07959826B2
Disclosed is a method of preventing frost and facilitating removal of winter precipitation relative to a windshield, comprising applying to a windshield a winter precipitation barrier composition. In one embodiment, the barrier composition comprises: a solvent and a silicon containing compound, the silicon containing compound comprising at least one of a reactive silane, a polyalkylene oxide polysiloxane, or a combination of at least one of the foregoing, wherein the reactive silane is at least one of a halosilane having the formula XnSiR4-n1 (I); an alkoxysilane or aminosilane having the formula a compound of formula (R6)3Si—R7—Si(R8)3 (III); or a combination comprising one or more of the foregoing reactive silanes. In another embodiment, the disclosed winter precipitation barrier composition comprises a reactive silane and a solvent, wherein the reactive silane is as described above.
US07959824B2
The refrigerating machine oil composition of the invention is characterized by comprising a prescribed base oil, a phosphorus-based extreme pressure agent and an oil agent. The refrigerating machine oil composition of the invention having this construction exhibits excellent lubricity for refrigerating/air conditioning devices employing refrigerants such as HFCs, and allows the refrigerating/air conditioning devices to be operated in a stable manner for prolonged periods.
US07959820B2
According to the substrate processing method of the invention, a jet of droplets generated from a gas and a heated processing liquid is supplied to the surface of a substrate. A resist stripping liquid to strip off the resist from the surface of the substrate is then supplied to the surface of the substrate.
US07959815B2
The invention concerns a transparent substrate whereof part at least of the outer surface has the form of a web comprising protuberances, 80% of them at least, having heights ranging between 40 and 250 nm, mean diameters between 1 and 500 nm, 80% at least of the distances between two neighboring protuberances ranging between 1 and 500 nm. The invention further provides two methods for making said substrates and its use in a transport vehicle glazing, for a building, or for an indoor or outdoor decorative element, for urban environment or for household appliance, in a lenticular screen or microprism substrate, in an engraved glass substrate for lamp or display, and in a chemical or biochemical microreactor.
US07959804B2
A filter media includes a media pack having a central opening that extends between opposing ends of the media pack. A support member, such as a center tube, extends through the central opening and supports one of the opposing ends. A second support member, such as a guide, is secured to the second support member and supports the other of the opposing ends. The guide loads the components within the filter to provide desired sealing. The guide is provided by flexible plastic tabs in one example and by an elastomeric grommet in another example.
US07959802B2
A water purification system performs a water purification process through physical sterilization, and at least includes a compression device and a decompression device. Water is converted into a high-pressure liquid through the compression device, and then is converted into a high-speed fluid by controlling the cross-sectional area of a spout of the decompression device, thus generating physical effects such as pressure drop and shear stress, so as to damage cell walls of bacteria in the liquid to die-off the bacteria. Therefore, purified water is obtained.
US07959801B2
A device for generating micro- and nanoflow mobile phase gradients for high performance liquid chromatography includes a generator of micro- and nanoflows of at least two mobile phases in different percentage compositions; an n-position gradient distributor having inlet and outlet ports and n couples of ports for a like number of capillary loops, each selectively connectable at one end with the inlet port and at its other end to the outlet port, which in turn is connectable to an analytical circuit that includes a chromatographic column and a detector; a micro- and nanoflow meter connected to the analytical circuit; a flow deviator having an inlet connected to the outlet of the gradient distributor, one outlet connected to a discharge and another outlet connected to the micro- and nanoflow meter, and a control unit that includes means of control of the generator of micro- and nanoflows such to create the different mobile phase mixture compositions, means for controlling the gradient distributor, means for controlling the position of the flow deviator and means for controlling the throughput of the generator of micro- and nanoflows on the basis of data received from the micro- and nanoflow meter.
US07959796B2
Contact of a crude feed with one or more catalysts produces a total product that include a crude product. The crude product is a liquid mixture at 25° C. and 0.101 MPa. One or more other properties of the crude product may be changed by at least 10% relative to the respective properties of the crude feed.
US07959790B2
An improved method for the electro-coagulation c treatment of water and waste water includes an electrolytic cell having an anode and a helical cathode mounted longitudinally within a duct for receiving the contaminated water or waste water at one end and for discharging the treated water and electro-coagulated precipitates at the other end. The electro-coagulated precipitates can be subsequently separated by conventional flocculation, settlement and filtration systems. The anode forms a central longitudinal sacrificial rod defining a cylindrical outer surface and the helical cathode comprises an elongate wire coiled helically around and along the anode so as form a plurality of turns of the wire which turns are wrapped around the anode surface in the form of a constant helix of constant diameter with the turns spaced each from the next and spaced from the anode surface.
US07959783B2
A method of improving the material properties of a composite by electrodepositing particular polymers, organic compounds or inorganic compounds onto electrically conductive fibrous substrates, whether individual fibers or as a fabric, to form composites of improved structural properties and having particular physical properties such as being ice phobic, fire resistant, or electrically conductive.
US07959781B2
The present invention provides an apparatus for manufacturing a carbon nano-tube tip comprising an AC/DC voltage supply, a metallic or semiconductor tip, an amperemeter, and a metallic vessel connected to the tip and the amperemter, wherein the metallic vessel is used as the electrode and define a groove therein filled with a carbon nano-tube solution. The present invention also provides a method for manufacturing a carbon nano-tube tip wherein carbon nano-tubes dispersed in a solvent are attached by electrophoresis to the end of a metal tip or semiconductor tip by using as an electrode a metallic vessel having a groove therein.
US07959761B2
The present invention relates to the use of a quaternary ammonium complex comprising at least one non-cyclic amide as a modifier for a creping adhesive used on a creping cylinder, e.g., a Yankee dryer.
US07959760B1
Apparatus, devices, systems and methods for removing automatically removing fixed carpeting such as glued down carpeting from spaces. The apparatus can include a motor powered winch having a hook end that can grip about a raised edge of the carpet. The winch can be anchored to a doorway by clamping ends of a telescopic bar to doorjamb members about the doorway opening. An operator can operate the winch by remote control and be spaced outside the room that the carpet is being removed from. Another version can include a U-shaped telescopic clamp arrangement so that the winch is also spaced outside the room from which the carpet is being removed. Another version includes a carpet grabbing plate adapter having hooks on a top side and carpet grabbing teeth extending below. The clamp ends of the telescopic bar can be locked to the upper hooks on the carpet grabbing plate. Another version has a double jawed carpet grabber with a pair of handles and teeth with channel members for enhanced carpet edge grabbing. Another version has a carrying case with handles and wheel(s) so that the carpet removing device and associated components can be hand carried and/or rolled.
US07959759B2
An apparatus and method for manufacturing a double layer air cylinder type air enclosure uses a middle film conveying unit to provide a middle film, a plurality of inner film conveying units to provide a plurality of inner films to stack on two sides of the middle film, a first hot sealing apparatus to hot-seal the plurality of inner films and the middle film to allow two sides of the middle film to be respectively formed with a check valve with an air passageway, an outer film conveying unit to provide two sheets of outer film to respectively stack on the outside of the check valve and a second hot sealing apparatus to hot-seal the plurality of outer films and the middle film to allow an air storable air chamber to be formed between the middle film and the each sheet of outer film. Whereby, air enters the air chamber causes the air chamber to be filled with air and expanded via the air passageway, air in the air chamber compresses the check valve to shield the air passageway to enable air in the air chamber not to be leaked out to attain to the air locking.
US07959753B2
The present invention relates to a process for manufacturing panels (9) for aeronautical structures with U-shaped stiffening members (13) and I-shaped stiffening members (17) between their webs comprising the following steps: providing laminates for shaping the skin (11) on the curing tool (31); providing planar laminates (23) for shaping the stiffening members (13, 17); shaping the U-shaped stiffening members (13) on individual shaping tools (33) and placing the I-shaped stiffening elements (17) in said tools; grouping said individual shaping tools (33) together on an assembly tool (41); placing the group of stiffening members (13, 17) on the skin (11); placing a vacuum bag (55) on the assembly with the aid of profiles (59); consolidating said assembly by means of a curing process under suitable pressure and temperature conditions using external tools (60) to assure verticality of the webs of the stiffening members (13, 17).
US07959746B2
This invention provides sputtering target materials having high reflectance and excellent heat resistance, which are formed of Ag base alloys formed by adding a specific, minor amount of P to Ag and alloying them.
US07959744B2
An automatic dishwasher comprises a housing defining a wash chamber for holding utensils to be washed, a movable sprayer fluidly coupled with a source of liquid and having at least one directionally-controllable outlet for controllably spraying liquid into the wash chamber, and a controller operably coupled to the movable sprayer to control the direction of the directionally-controllable outlet to spray liquid in at least one preselected location within the wash chamber.
US07959743B2
The invention relates to a process of cleaning boreholes, boring equipment and borings with an aqueous cleaning of one more lithium salts of alkyl sulfates of formula (I): R—O—SO3−Li+ (I) in which R is a saturated, unsaturated, branched or linear alkyl group containing 8 to 22 carbon atoms, preferably the lithium salts of alkyl sulfates are comprised of a mixture of those in which R is a saturated, linear alkyl groups having 8 to 14 carbon atoms.
US07959741B2
A method for cleaning the interior surfaces of a fuel storage tank. The first step of the method is to extract a material sample from the bottom of the fuel tank to determine how thoroughly the tank must be cleaned. The clean fuel is then removed from the tank and is stored in a holding tank. Loose and liquid contaminants are then vacuumed out of the tank. Next, a self-propelled spray nozzle, a sprayer tube, and a rotating spray nozzle, each of which is connected to a pressurized water supply line, are successively lowered into the fuel tank and are used to scour the various interior surfaces of the tank with pressurized water while wash water and loosened contaminants are simultaneously vacuumed out of the tank. The interior of the tank is then dried, and the clean fuel stored in the holding tank is pumped back into the fuel tank.
US07959733B2
A film formation apparatus for a semiconductor process includes a source gas supply circuit to supply into a process container a source gas for depositing a thin film on target substrates, and a mixture gas supply circuit to supply into the process container a mixture gas containing a doping gas for doping the thin film with an impurity and a dilution gas for diluting the doping gas. The mixture gas supply circuit includes a gas mixture tank disposed outside the process container to mix the doping gas with the dilution gas to form the mixture gas, a mixture gas supply line to supply the mixture gas from the gas mixture tank into the process container, a doping gas supply circuit to supply the doping gas into the gas mixture tank, and a dilution gas supply circuit to supply the dilution gas into the gas mixture tank.
US07959732B1
Apparatus and method for growing a crystal from a melt of a growth material, wherein crystal growth occurs at a solid-liquid interface between the melt and the crystal, and a characteristic of the solid-liquid interface is determined by using a float atop the melt and a detector for detecting displacement of the float. The characteristic of the solid-liquid interface can be at least one of the following: position, velocity or acceleration of the solid-liquid interface.
US07959728B2
A process for wet pulverizing mesoporous silica particles while a surfactant exists in mesopores, and mesoporous silica particles having an average particle diameter of 1 μm or less, wherein the volume of mesopores having a diameter of 2 to 50 nm is 0.7 mL/g or more and the geometric standard deviation of a mesopore distribution is 2.0 or less. Mesoporous silica particles having a particle diameter in a submicron order can be obtained at a high yield without causing the marked collapse of mesopores and can be produced efficiently by using an ordinary pulverizer and safely by using an aqueous medium. The mesoporous silica particles having an average particle diameter of 1 μm or less are useful as an ink absorbent for ink jet recording paper, low-dielectric film, catalyst support, separating agent, adsorbent and medical carrier for medicines.
US07959727B2
The present invention relates to pigments, the particles of which generally have a length of from 2 μm to 5 mm, a width of from 2 μm to 2 mm, and a thickness of from 20 nm to 2 μm, and a ratio of length to thickness of at least 2:1, wherein the particles contain a core of SiO2 or a silicon/silicon oxide obtained by heating SiOy flakes with 1.1≦y≦1.8 in an oxygen-free atmosphere at a temperature of at least 400° C., which core has a narrow distribution of particle sizes and two substantially parallel faces, the distance between which is the shortest axis of the core, and a material layer having a high index of refraction a metal oxide; a process for their production and their use in paints, ink-jet printing, for dyeing textiles, for pigmenting coatings (paints), printing inks, plastics, cosmetics, glazes for ceramics and glass.
US07959724B2
A substrate having an inkjet ink disposed thereon. The ink comprises an IR-absorbing naphthalocyanine dye of formula (I): wherein: M is a metal group; R1 and R2 are selected from the group consisting of: H and C1-12 alkoxy; W is selected from the group consisting of: a sulfonic acid group or a salt thereof; and a sulfonamide group; n1 is 0, 1, 2 or 3; n2 is 0, 1, 2 or 3; n3 is 0, 1, 2 or 3; and n4 is 0, 1, 2 or 3; provided that at least one of n1, n2, n3 or n4 is greater than 0. n4 is 0, 1, 2 or 3; provided that at least one of n1, n2, n3 or n4 is greater than 0.
US07959723B2
The invention is directed to the use of compositions (a) biocides, and (b) dialkylamides, for wood protection.
US07959719B2
A device for controlling relative humidity in an environment with a solidified humectant composition. The solidified humectant composition is made from a humectant salt, water, and a carrier. The solidified humectant may be formed into a tablet with the aid of a binder, or it may be contained within a thermoformed felt material, a sachet, or a water permeable canister. In a preferred embodiment, the sachet is made of a micro-perforated polyester/paper/polyethylene material. Preferred humectant salts include CaCl2, K2CO3, LiCl, NaCl, K2SO4, and combinations thereof. A preferred embodiment of the present invention includes the use of one or more of: an antimicrobial agent, activated carbon, a volatile organic, a moisture adsorber and an oxygen absorber, in combination with the solidified humectant salt.
US07959703B2
A filter element includes a filter media pack, a frame, an annular seal, and a sealing means independent of the annular seal. The frame is integrally secured to the fluted filter media pack with material of the frame integrally bonding the frame thereto.
US07959698B2
A smoke evacuating system for use during surgical procedures, particularly minimally invasive procedures involving the use of a laser or cautery at a surgical site having an associated higher than ambient pressure, wherein the system includes a filter with a site side and an outlet side and a fluid conduit extending between the surgical site and the filter. The filter includes a filter media and a housing substantially surrounding the filter media with a space between the filter media and the housing to collect condensed vapor. The filter exhibits low resistance or a low pressure drop and resists fluid flow, whereby the higher than ambient pressure is not substantially diminished and generates a fluid flow in the fluid flow path tending to carry smoke to and through the filter.
US07959691B2
The present invention provides a composition comprising: i) at least one compound of formula (I): wherein R1 and R2 are independently selected from a group consisting of hydrogen, unsubstituted or substituted C1-19 hydrocarbyl or a group of formula (II): wherein Q is a bond or an unsubstituted or substituted hydrocarbyl group; wherein R3 is selected from a group consisting of hydrogen and unsubstituted or substituted C1-18 hydrocarbyl; wherein the R1—C—R2 backbone is from 5 to 20 atoms in length; wherein each A and B is independently an unsubstituted or substituted unsaturated cyclic hydrocarbyl group; and wherein n is an integer from 0 to 10; and ii) a diluent or carrier; wherein the compound(s) of formula (I) is present in an amount sufficient to provide, at −30° C., at least 1 wt % of iron, based on the weight of the composition.
US07959689B2
A scented candle includes at least two different wax materials with one of the materials having one melting point and at least one of the other wax materials having a second higher melting point. The wax having the higher melting point may include a malodor control agent or odor abatement substance or alternatively a fragrance that is different than the fragrance in the other wax materials in the candle. The second fragrance may also be at a much higher concentration than the fragrances in the other wax materials contained in the candle.
US07959685B2
The present invention provides a laundry detergent composition, a process for making said composition, the use of the composition in a laundry detergent and a method for treating fabric with the composition. Said laundry detergent compositions comprise a polyaspartate derivative modified with at least two hydrophilic groups, one of which is a charged hydrophilic group, surfactant and optionally other ingredients.
US07959681B2
The present invention provides a cannulated hemi-implant with a base and a threaded stem for fixing the stem of the implant within a medullary canal of a phalanx or other bone in the foot. The implant includes a tri-part head capable of both cutting bone and self-threading, with bone forming the medullary canal of a phalanx of a human foot. The present invention also provides a hand tool which engages and rotates the implant within the medullary canal of the phalanx. The present invention further provides a method of surgically implanting the implant in the medullary canal of the phalanx or other bone.
US07959680B2
Disclosed is a set of prosthetic components for use in shoulder replacements. A glenoid component having a base and a plurality of coupling members are disclosed. The coupling members are used to couple the base to at least one of the acromion or coracoid process. A polymer insert which is configured to couple to the base member and articulate with a humeral component is provided.
US07959678B2
The invention relates to an intervertebral disk implant having two implant plates contacting prepared vertebral body surfaces in the implanted state and an implant core which can be introduced between the implant plates. The invention further relates to a method for the manufacture of an intervertebral disk implant.
US07959677B2
Insertion methods for placing dynamic interbody devices between a first vertebra and a second vertebra using a posterior approach are provided. In an embodiment, the insertion method may be based on the first vertebra. A bridge assembly may be attached to tap shafts positioned in the first vertebra. The bridge assembly may establish an insertion angle of implants into a disc space between the vertebrae. In an embodiment, the insertion method may be based on the position of expandable trials positioned between the vertebrae. The trials may be positioned and a bridge assembly may be coupled to the expandable trials and taps positioned in the first vertebra. One or more posterior stabilization systems may be coupled to the vertebrae after insertion of the dynamic interbody devices between the vertebrae.
US07959660B2
A catheter device including an elongate catheter shaft comprising a multifilar cable tubing having a proximal portion and a distal portion. At least a part of the distal portion is more flexible than the proximal portion.
US07959654B2
The present invention relates to a vertebral fixing system adapted to be mounted on a vertebra of the spine to connect it to a rod. Said fixing system comprises: a connecting part adapted to face the rib and/or said transverse process and to be connected to said rod; an elongate flexible ligature adapted to connect together said connecting part and at least one rib and/or one transverse process; and adjustable locking means fastened to said connecting part and adapted to fix simultaneously in position said connecting part relative to said rod and at least one portion of said ligature relative to said connecting part, so as to prevent relative displacement of said rod and said vertebra in opposite directions.
US07959652B2
An embodiment of a system in accordance with the present invention can include an implant having a spacer with a thickness and a wing, wherein a first configuration of the wing has a first height substantially similar to the thickness and wherein the wing is adapted to be selectably arranged in a second configuration such that the wing has a second height greater than the first height. A periphery of the implant has a shape generally conformal with a shape of an inner surface of a cannula and a cross-sectional diameter smaller than an inner diameter of the cannula. The cannula is inserted such that a proximal end of the cannula is arranged between the adjacent spinous processes. The implant is then urged into position between the adjacent spinous processes by way of the cannula, and subsequently arranged in a second configuration to fix the implant in position.
US07959648B2
A device and method for closing a percutaneous vascular puncture with anchors at the distal ends of wires temporarily implanted in extravascular tissue adjacent the puncture. The wires are tensioned to draw the tissue together to approximate the edges of the puncture. The wires are retained in that position while the blood in the region of the arteriotomy clots. When hemostasis has been achieved, the anchoring wires then can be removed.
US07959643B2
Devices, systems and methods for treating disorders characterized by low cardiac output. The devices, systems and methods use intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation in combination with hypothermia of all or a portion of a human or veterinary patient's body to improve coronary perfusion and cardiac output. To effect the hypothermia, a heat exchange catheter may be positioned in the a patient's vasculature separately from the intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation catheter. Alternatively, a combination Intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation/heat exchange catheter may be utilized. Such combination catheter comprises a) a catheter sized for insertion into the aorta, b) a counterpulsation balloon and c) a heat exchanger. A drive/control system receives temperature and electrocardiograph signals and drives the inflation/deflation of the counterpulsation balloon as well as the heating/cooling of the heat exchanger.
US07959642B2
A medical instrument includes a flexible sheath, a pivot base, a medical needle knife base, a medical needle knife, and a handpiece. The flexible sheath has a distal sheath portion insertable within a patient and has a proximal sheath portion. The pivot base is attached to the distal sheath portion. The needle knife base is pivotally connected to the pivot base and has a passageway. The medical needle knife is extendable from the passageway and is retractable within the passageway. The handpiece is connected to the proximal sheath portion and includes a manually-operated articulation control operatively connected to the needle knife base for pivoting the needle knife base with respect to the pivot base.
US07959635B1
The present invention relates to limited incision total joint replacement methods for performing surgery on a joint in a patient's body, such as a knee. In one embodiment, an incision is made in a knee portion of one leg while a lower portion of the one leg is extending downward from an upper portion of the one leg and while a foot connected with the lower portion of the one leg is below a support surface on which the patient is disposed. The incision is relatively short, for example, between seven and thirteen centimeters. A patella may be offset from its normal position with an inner side of the patella facing inward during cutting of a bone with a cutting tool. During cutting of the bone, one or more guide members having opposite ends which are spaced apart by a distance less than the width of an implant may be utilized to guide movement of a cutting tool.
US07959621B2
An array of disposable absorbent articles comprising a sequence of graphic designs corresponding to a wearer's stage of development. For a disposable diaper, the array of disposable absorbent article graphic designs may comprise a first absorbent article graphic design for newborns and infants, a second absorbent article graphic design for toddlers, and a third absorbent article graphic design for older wearers, and other absorbent article graphic designs.
US07959620B2
The invention is directed to an absorbent article, which is preferably a sanitary napkin or a pantiliner, comprising: a body contacting layer; a garment contacting layer; and an absorbent core disposed between the body contacting layer and the garment contacting layer. The absorbent core has a core edge. The core edge defines a core region within the core edge and an outer region outside the core region. The body contacting layer and the garment contacting layer extend outward into the outer region and joined together in the outer region. In one aspect of the invention, the garment contacting layer has a graphic printed on the body facing surface at least in a portion of the outer region. In another aspect of the invention, the body contacting layer has a graphic printed on the garment facing surface at least in a portion of the outer region. The body contacting layer has a first light transmittance so that the graphic can be seen through the body contacting layer in the outer region. Since users (or women) can see the graphic through the body contacting layer, the absorbent article can provide an emotional benefit to women before uses, and thus decrease women's melancholic mood.
US07959617B2
The subject invention provides novel, inexpensive, and highly effective methods and devices for convenient and effective wound irrigation. In one embodiment the subject invention provides a discharge means for a reservoir housing containing irrigation solution wherein the discharge means has one or more specifically designed nozzles through which a sufficient volume of the irrigation solution can pass at an appropriate pressure.
US07959611B2
Disclosed is a urinary catheter immobilizer for immobilizing movement of a urinary catheter in a human body. The urinary catheter immobilizer comprises a funnel-shaped member and a body member configured to be received over the funnel-shaped member. The funnel-shaped member has a first end portion and a second end portion. The first end portion is capable of being received over a urinary meatus of the human body. The body member is configured to be received over the second end portion of the funnel-shaped member and capable of removably attaching to an external portion of the urinary catheter. The body member comprises a torus-shaped structure and at least one elongated tubular structure. The torus-shaped structure comprises at least one channel. The at least one channel is capable of receiving the at least one elongated tubular structure for looping around the torus-shaped structure for immobilizing the urinary catheter.
US07959606B2
A system for the metering and delivery of small discrete volumes of liquid is comprised of a small or minimal number of inexpensive components. One such component is a movable member, such as a miniature precision reciprocating displacement pump head, which is driven by an actuator that comprises a shape memory alloy material. The operating mechanism of the system is of little or minimal complexity. The system facilitates the precise metering and delivery of the small discrete volumes of liquid. Potential applications for the system include subcutaneous, long-term, automated drug delivery, for example, the delivery of insulin to a person with diabetes. In such an application, the small, simple and inexpensive nature of the invention would allow for its use as both a portable and a disposable system.
US07959601B2
An improved steerable catheter with in-plane deflection comprises a catheter body having proximal and distal ends and a lumen extending therethrough and a tip section at the distal end of the catheter body. The tip section comprises a flexible plastic tubing having a pair of diametrically-opposed lumens extending therethrough. The catheter also provides two puller wires manipulated through a control handle at the proximal end of the catheter body. Each puller wire extends through one of the pair of lumens in the tip section and through the lumen of the catheter body and is anchored to the control handle at its proximal end and anchored to the tip section at its distal end. The deflection mechanism is configured to generally define a plane along which deflection most readily occurs and an edge along which deflection is most readily avoided. The deflection mechanism extends longitudinally along a centerline of the tip section between the first and second puller wire and is configured generally with a cross section having a thinner dimension and a thicker dimension to bias the tip section to deflect in a plane parallel with the thinner dimension of the deflection mechanism and to resist deflection in a plane perpendicular to thicker dimension.
US07959600B2
A container closure delivery system that is suitable for lyophilized pharmaceutical injectable powder products is disclosed. The system comprises storage stable powder formulations and a container closure assembly design wherein the formulation can be filled and lyophilized with a standard fill finish equipment, and the formulations and lyophilization processes are optimized to produce a powder that readily dissolves upon contact with a diluent, thereby facilitating the direct injection of the lyophilized product without the need for a separate reconstitution/mixing/priming step.
US07959583B2
A lancing device integrated with a sensing strip and method of making and using the same are provided. A lance and analyte sensing strip are combined in a single, preferably disposable, device. In a preferred embodiment, a slot is provided in a support member so the lance can be engaged by a lance driver and driven into the skin producing a bodily fluid sample from a wound. The sensing area of the sensing strip is adjacent to the wound location reducing dexterity requirements for patients.
US07959582B2
These and other objects of the present invention are achieved in a body fluid sampling system for use on a tissue site that includes a single drive force generator. A plurality of penetrating members are operatively coupled to the force generator. The force generator moves each of the members along a path out of a housing with a penetrating member exit, into the tissue site, stops in the tissue site, and withdraws out of the tissue site. A flexible support member couples the penetrating members to define a linear array. The support member is movable and configured to move each of the penetrating members to a launch position associated with the force generator. A user interface is configured to relay at least one of, penetrating member performance or a penetrating member setting.
US07959580B2
A biopsy apparatus includes a cannula having a closed distal end. An orifice is located on a circumferential surface of the cannula. The orifice is configured to receive a tissue sample into a lumen of the cannula. A cutting sheath is slidably and coaxially disposed over the cannula. The cutting sheath is adapted to seal the opening of the orifice. A pressure generating device is connected to a proximal portion of the cannula for altering a pressure in the lumen of the cannula. A valve is positioned between the cannula and the pressure generating device for controlling a flow of a fluid between the lumen of the cannula and the pressure generating device.
US07959573B2
A needle-guide device, particularly for ultrasound probes, or the like, comprising a base body constructed and arranged for connection to the probe and at least one elongated guide hole for receiving a needle-like surgical tool, characterized in that said needle-guide device is made of at least two removably connectable parts, which are shaped in such a manner that each of them forms complementary parts of the peripheral delimiting wall of the elongated guide hole for the surgical tool, which peripheral wall parts complete each other when said two parts of the needle-guide device are connected, thereby forming an elongated guide hole for guiding the needle with a 360° covering delimiting wall.
US07959572B2
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus by which highly quantitative IMT (intima media thickness) measurement with little variations depending on examiners can be performed. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes: an ultrasonic probe for transmitting ultrasonic waves to an object to be inspected and receiving ultrasonic echoes generated by reflection of the ultrasonic waves in the object to output reception signals; a signal processing unit for performing at least envelope detection processing on the reception signals outputted from the ultrasonic probe to generate envelope data; a boundary detecting unit for detecting two boundaries representing intima media of a blood vessel based on difference or differential of values of the envelope data and amounts of change in the values of the envelope data; and an IMT calculating unit for calculating an IMT of the blood vessel based on the two boundaries detected by the boundary detecting unit.
US07959568B2
Systems, devices and methods for identifying, displaying and assisting in correlating health-related data. One aspect is a programmable device having machine executable instructions for performing a method for use in correlating data to manage a patient's health. In various embodiments, data related to the patient's health is acquired. The acquired data includes one or more trended health-related parameters, and at least one of one or more predetermined health-related events and one or more health-related alerts. Correlations are identified. The one or more trended health-related parameters and the at least one of the one or more predetermined health-related events and the one or more health-related alerts establish a causal relationship between the acquired data and the patient's health.
US07959563B2
A capsule endoscope includes an objective lens and a transparent dome that covers the object side of the objective lens, and the transparent dome has negative refracting power. In the capsule endoscope of the present invention, the center of curvature of the object-side surface of the transparent dome disagrees with the center of curvature of the objective-lens-side surface of the transparent dome to satisfy the following condition: Rb
US07959558B2
In a camera head for an endoscope, a camera system for an endoscope, and an endoscope system of the invention, a camera head section has: an adaptor connection section to be connected to an eyepiece section of an endoscope that enables observation of inside of a body cavity of a subject; a CCD which picks up an observation image from the eyepiece section connected by the adaptor connection section; an image signal processing device which processes an image signal of the observation image picked up by the CCD; a cable including a connector as an output device which outputs the image signal from the image signal processing device; and a recording device which records the image signal.
US07959557B2
A method of performing a medical procedure on a patient comprises introducing a medical instrument into a patient (e.g., percutaneously), conveying control signals from a remote controller to a drive unit, and operating the drive unit in accordance with the control signals to actuate the tool located on the medical instrument to secure a stent to an anatomical vessel (e.g., a blood vessel, such as an abdominal aorta). The tool may be a sewing tool that is controlled to stitch the stent to the anatomical vessel. In one method, the control signals are conveyed from the remote controller to the drive unit in response to user commands. The user commands may be movements made at a user interface that correspond to movements of the medical instrument.
US07959555B2
Various methods and devices for deploying a sub-pericardial sack about at least a portion of a heart to alleviate congestive heart failure. A medical device housing the sub-pericardial sack is inserted into the pericardial sack. An inverted umbrella framework is deployed through the medical device and into the pericardial sack to position the sub-pericardial sack adjacent the heart. The umbrella framework is then retracted through the medical device once the cardiac assist device is placed adjacent the heart. A steerable catheter can instead be deployed through the pericardial sack to deploy and position a cardiac assist device, such as a mesh, around the heart. The steerable catheter is covered by a sheath housing the cardiac assist device. Once the sheath is pulled back, the cardiac assist device is deployed and secured adjacent the heart. Filaments or tensions wires are used to tighten the mesh around the heart.
US07959554B2
Described are methods and systems for drying remodelable materials, such that selective regions of the remodelable materials have differing properties. Also described are medical graft products having selective regions of differing material properties. Advantageous remodelable materials include collagenous extracellular matrix material, such as small intestine submucosa.
US07959548B2
An automated implantation system assists the implantation of low dose radioisotope seeds in a patient as part of a brachytherapy procedure. A Z-axis automated motion control system and an X-Y axis automated motion control system control a needle assembly. The X-Y axis automated motion control system positions an insertion axis of the needle assembly relative to the patient. The Z-axis automated motion control system selectively moves the needle assembly along the insertion axis to implant at least one radioisotope seed. This process is repeated for a plurality of locations on a base plane perpendicular to the insertion axis. Preferably, the radioisotope seeds are contained in a replaceable cartridge and the needle assembly is also replaceable.
US07959544B2
An exercise device is provided which comprises a base configured to support the exercise device, an arcuate path extending from the base, a limb support configured to receive a limb of a user and which moves along the arcuate path, and a resistance member attachable to the limb support and configured to provide resistance against movement of the limb support along the arcuate path.
US07959542B1
A lightweight, portable device trains a martial artist to kick. A riser extends vertically from a base plate and can move pivotally and slidably in relation to the plate. An arm pivotally extends from the riser and supports a kicking pad that moves linearly along the arm. The pad provides resistance to the user executing a kicking motion.
US07959541B2
An ultra light but resistive ball device for exercise is provided comprising: a flexible sheet with least one preliminary broken section of collapse for allowing contraction of the sheet under bias about at least one flex point in response to an exertion of hand grip. The sheet has two free ends extending substantially half the circumference of the ball and partially folded back on the sheet. Two lateral apertures are located at opposite ends of the free ends to permit an uninterrupted collapse of the sheet. A sheath envelopes the sheet to provide a slip resistant exterior surface for grasping the ball.
US07959531B2
A transmission is provided having an input member, an output member, four planetary gear sets, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. Each of the planetary gear sets includes first, second and third members. The torque transmitting devices include clutches and brakes.
US07959525B1
A dual composition polymeric device to be used as a golf tee, the device having a polymeric hollow stiff stem portion with an integral cone portion at its top end, a cone-shaped polymeric flexible face portion mechanically joined to the cone and stiff stem portion and an internal air passage through the center of the cone-shaped flexible face and a removable mechanical screw joining the cone-shaped flexible face portion with the stiff stem portion and its integral cone portion. The flexible face portion internal cone is made from a 50-85 durometer elastomer material and the stiff stem portion and its integral external cone is made from a 90-95 durometer elastomer material.
US07959508B2
In one embodiment, a gaming machine carries out a main game, such as a spinning reel type game, either using physical reels or simulated reels on a video screen. A special combination of symbols activates a video bonus game. The bonus game comprises a plurality of N unknown options in the form of icons, where the player may only make M choices, where M is less than N. In another embodiment, M is less than or equal to N. The unknown options may include, for example, different award credits. The options may be presented as hidden values behind doors or using other attractive presentation. The N values behind the closed doors are displayed in an order unrelated to the arrangement of the unknown options so the player sees what she can possibly win. The player then makes her M selections to win the awards behind the doors. There may be additional levels of the bonus game. Numerous other embodiments are described relating to providing the player unknown options and allowing the player to select a subset of the options. In one embodiment, the games involve some player strategy. For example, the game reveals a hidden value to a player, and the player must choose whether to take the revealed value or select another door.
US07959506B2
A gaming machine includes: a CPU 106 which determines whether or not the game state is to be switched to a special game state advantageous to a player; mechanical reels 30A through 30C formed of a translucent material to display multiple kinds of indicating information variably and statically; a motor driving circuit 120 which controls the mechanical reels 30A through 30C; a water tank 500 formed of a translucent material to retain liquid, and provided behind a display screen 10; lamps 650a through 650w for emitting multiple kinds of lights toward the liquid stored in the water tank 500; and a drive control circuit 300 which performs a control operation that instructs the lamps 650a through 650w to emit a light selected from among the multiple kinds of lights according to the result of the determination made by the CPU 106.
US07959503B2
Described is a player activated game system, particularly adapted for playing instant lottery type games, that includes a game device having a computer containing at least one game, an electronic display and a card interface adapted to receive a game card having data that represents a particular game outcome such that connection of the card to the interface can result the game being played by the device with the particular outcome displayed on the display. Also described are lottery tickets or game cards that are adapted use with the game devices along with methods of manufacturing the game cards.
US07959501B2
A method and apparatus for testing and/or training persons, particularly athletes, with regard to reaction time, peripheral vision, foot speed, agility and (in some cases) strength of hand punch/speed or impact. In addition to testing and training persons, the method & apparatus can improve response and/or reaction time to verbal/audible stimuli. Testing and training can be applied in similar fashion to individuals, or groups of individuals, e.g. part or all of a sport team, under direction of a coach or of a testing operator/technician. An initiating stimulus (illumination of a light signal or motion of a ‘mounted” ball) provides a start signal to test subjects, who respond to the stimulus, as by touching or striking a blow to a target. Either of these actions will initiate one or more conditions which occur in a predetermined pattern, e.g. to start a timer which is halted by sensing the touch or blow. With multiple trainees, multiple sensing means may be used to detect individual time lapses relative to some or all of the trainees, thus providing a means to compare and evaluate the several response times. The apparatus also may include an optional force-sensing device in the target(s), which can rate & record the force of a striking blow against the associated target, plus time lapse(s).
US07959498B2
The invention relates to an internally cooled grinding disc shielding (16), wherein a cooling liquid (14) outwardly flows thorough a recess embodied in the peripheral surface of a grinding disk, the shielding is provided with a collecting groove (17) for the cooling liquid (14) which surrounds the grinding disc (1) under a sector comprises at least one discharge nozzle (20) which is arranged on the output side and by means of which a jet is directed to a work piece (13) or to a grinding point (16).
US07959493B2
Spots generated on a glass substrate after a polishing step are reduced. The present invention relates to a method for polishing a glass substrate including injecting a silica abrasive and a high-boiling solvent in a final glass substrate polishing step. The high-boiling solvent is preferably a solvent having a molecular weight of 300 or lower and a boiling point of 150° C. or higher. As Examples of the high-boiling solvent having a molecular weight of 300 or lower and a boiling point of 150° C. or higher includes ethylene glycol, propylene glycol and glycerine.
US07959492B2
The disk-shaped substrate inner circumference polishing method for polishing an inner circumference of a disk-shaped substrate including a portion having an opening hole at the center thereof includes inserting a brush having a shaft core into the portion having the opening hole of the disk-shaped substrate; fixing one end and the other end of the brush to a pair of rotating shafts that are provided at mutually detached positions and pulling at least any one of the one end and the other end of the brush and applying tension in the axial direction to the shaft core of the brush; and rotating the brush and polishing the inner circumference of the disk-shaped substrate.
US07959488B2
A brassiere pad assembly is provided for use in a brassiere for delivering optimal support, aesthetic enhancement and health benefits including a first panel comprised of a flexible material having a plurality of perforations and a bottom edge. A second panel is provided having an interior surface and an exterior surface, the second panel having at least a bottom edge affixed to at least the bottom edge of the first panel. A third panel is provided comprising a membrane defining a cavity having at least one attachment means formed therein, the third panel being placed between the first and second panels and having at least a bottom edge affixed to the second panel. An insertable element may be provided configured to be receivable and securable within the cavity of the third panel for imparting skin therapeutic benefits to a wearer.
US07959486B1
A standing length of untreated deadwood timber, having a 2″-6″ diameter and an above ground length of between 3′ and 9′, has a flattened face with sets of different diameter holes drilled therein. Colorful ribbons, in addition to the aroma of the decaying deadwood, attract multiple species of native solitary bees to the bee pole to use the holes to lay eggs therein. The pole is planted 1.5 to 2′ in soil adjacent fields, gardens or orchards which need pollination.
US07959483B2
Provided is a manufacturing method of forming an airtight container including an electron beam irradiation process for irradiating an electron beam to a non-evaporable type getter that has not been activated so as not to activate the non-evaporable type getter, and a sealing process for sealing a seal portion after the electron beam irradiation process.
US07959479B2
A boat propulsion system includes a control section, a thrust calculation section, a thrust generating unit, a thrust detection section, and a control section. An operating amount is input to the control lever by operation of an operator. An accelerator detector detects the input operating amount of the control lever. The thrust calculation section calculates a thrust intended to be generated from the operating amount of the control lever to output a calculated thrust. The thrust generating unit generates a thrust. The thrust detection section detects a thrust actually generated on the thrust generating unit to output it as an actual thrust. The control section controls an output of the thrust generating unit so that the actual thrust approaches the calculated thrust.
US07959478B2
A USB connector fabrication method includes the steps of (a) stamping a metal sheet into a terminal set having a set of first terminals, a set of second terminals and material bridges joining the first terminals and the second terminals, (b) preparing an electrically insulative housing having punch holes and then mounting the terminal set in the electrically insulative housing to keep the material bridges in vertical alignment with the punch holes, (c) using a machine to cut off the material bridges and (d) securing a metal shield around the periphery of the electrically insulative housing.
US07959469B2
A connector device (10) has a connector (20) to be mounted on a metal case (11) that accommodates a device therein and is covered by a first shield shell (50) and a second shield shell (60). Connecting portions for connecting the first and second shield shells (50, 60) are provided at least at three positions and these connecting portions are arranged at positions displaced in a connecting direction of the connector (20) and a mating connector (40) and a direction orthogonal to the connecting direction. The connecting positions of the first and second shield shells (50, 60) are well-balanced to provide a good a shielding performance.
US07959462B2
A connector is provided which includes a housing having a plurality of pinholes which are connectable to a signal cable and through which a plurality of electrical signals are transmitted or received, and a plurality of connection pins extending from the housing where a first end of each connection pin is electrically connected to at least one of the plurality of pinholes, and a second end of each connection pin is mountable on a printed circuit board (PCB), wherein the total number of the plurality of connection pins is less than the total number of the plurality of pinholes.
US07959461B1
An improved MiniPCI connector structure includes a mini area bus connector and a set of plate type antenna connector. The bus connector comprises an upper unit and a lower unit buckling to each other. The upper unit has a plurality of contacting terminals within, and the adjacent sides of contacting terminals protrude out of the opening of the upper unit to form adapting slot and plug; the flange of the upper unit has two buckling portions, and the lower unit has corresponding adapting slot and corresponding buckling portion corresponding to the contacting terminals and the buckling portions at the flange of the upper unit. Thus, the interne card can be adapted into the adapting slot of the upper unit and the buckling of the buckling portion and the corresponding buckling portion enables the upper unit joining with the lower unit as a mini area bus connector and a set of plate type antenna connector positioning on the circuit board.
US07959460B2
Intelligent patch panels support patch cord management in communications networks. Modular patch panels can be connected to one another for the purposes of sharing power and also for the purposes of monitoring patch cord connections and reporting the status of patch cord connections to a network management system. Each port of an intelligent patch panel may be provided with out-of-band contacts to allow for monitoring and reporting of patch cord connectivity information. According to one embodiment, out-of-band contacts send identification information regarding their associated patch panel ports along a ninth wire of a patch cord.
US07959457B2
The invention discloses a battery connection device comprising a connection block positioned at an electrode end of a battery; the connection block is provided with a series connection mechanism at both ends respectively, and with a parallel connection mechanism at all sides respectively; the series connection mechanism is provided inside with a conductive slice electrically connected with the electrode end of the battery; the conductive slice is further led out to a fitting face of the parallel connection mechanism; and thus the conductive slices on the two connection blocks are electrically connected when the two batteries respectively fitted with the connection block are parallel. The invention can make each unit battery connected modularly in series or parallel like a building block; the battery does not further need electrode connection by welding or battery fixing by assembling, which is convenient for operation as well as safe and reliable.
US07959453B2
The invention concerns an electrical cabinet (1) including a housing (2), a door (3) and a hinge (4). The housing and the door support electric wires which are each routed from an electrical component located inside an electrical equipment compartment (11) formed by the housing towards the outside of the compartment to be connected to a corresponding electrical connector (17). Therefor, according to the invention the electric wires are routed through the hinge which is itself connected to the electrical connector. The hinge forms at least one passage orifice (18, 19) guiding, the electric wires from inside the compartment towards the outside of the compartment while directing them towards the electrical connector.
US07959452B2
A lever-type connector capable of detecting displacement of a slider within a housing is provided. The lever-type connector includes a housing that has a contact receiving passageway for receiving a contact, a movable slider that is received within the housing, and a lever that can rotate between a mating start position and a mating completion position. By positioning the lever to the mating completion position, the slider is set to a mating position, thereby completing mating with a mating connector. The lever-type connector further includes an inspection hole that corresponds and communicates with a cam groove only when the slider is set to the mating position. The inspection hole is provided on a front surface of the housing.
US07959450B1
An electrical connector includes an insulating body having a mouth and fastening passages connected with the mouth, first terminals disposed in the fastening passages with soldering tails stretching into the mouth and abutting against the bottom side of the mouth, and a lid mounted in the mouth. The lid has a restraining board abutting against a front side of the mouth to seal up the fastening passages for stopping solder flowing forward along the fastening passages, and a plurality of separating arms protruding rearward from a bottom of the restraining board and spaced from one another along a length direction of the restraining board to abut against the bottom side of the mouth. The soldering tails are respectively restrained between two adjacent separating arms and separated by the separating arms to make easier for being soldered with cables and avoid a short circuit among the soldering tails.
US07959446B1
An electrical element is revealed. At least one receiving hole disposes on an insulating body. A conductive layer disposes on surfaces of the receiving hole. At least one soldering body mounts in the receiving hole correspondingly and contacts with the conductive layer. Part of the soldering body exposes outside a surface of the insulating body to form a soldering part. The electrical element is further arranged with at least one conductive terminal mounted in the corresponding receiving hole movably and slantingly, the conductive terminal contacts with the conductive layer. Each conductive terminal includes a head part exposed outside the surface of the insulating body for being pressed and contacted. By electrical connection of the conductive layer, the assembly between the soldering body and the terminal is replaced and errors of the assembly between the soldering body and the terminal are eliminated. Therefore, the soldering quality is improved greatly.
US07959445B1
A connector system includes a first contact module terminated to a first circuit board proximate to an edge of the first circuit board. The first contact module has a first housing holding first contacts that are electrically connected to the first circuit board. The connector system also includes a second contact module terminated to a second circuit board proximate to an edge of the second circuit board. The second contact module having a second housing holding second contacts that are electrically connected to the second circuit board. A jumper module electrically connects the first contacts and the second contacts, where the jumper module is movable independently of the first and second housings between a mated state and an unmated state. The first and second contacts are electrically connected in the mated state. When the jumper module is in the unmated state, the first circuit board and the second circuit board can be brought together from a plurality of different directions. The jumper module is moved to the mated state after the first and second circuit boards are brought together.
US07959438B2
An ultrasonic tool is disclosed with a handpiece (300, 500, 806) containing coils (304A-304D; 504A-504D; 804A-804B) that produce an electromagnetic field that vibrates a magnetic rod (102, 702A, 702B, 820) of a moveable pin transducer (MPT) 100 disposed within the handpiece. Ultrasonic vibrations are produced when the coils are selectively powered by an ultrasonic signal generator, which can include a stepper motor control apparatus (1300, 1400). A tip 106 can be removably attached to an MPT 100. A channel (708A, 708B) in the magnetic rod (700A, 700B) can allow fluidic communication with a handpiece fluid supply channel (310, 510). A method of vibrating a tool can include controllably energizing at least one electromagnetic coil contained within a handpiece to vibrate a magnetic rod and an attached tip. The method can include varying the energy to at least one of the electromagnetic coils with a stepper motor control apparatus.
US07959435B2
A method of operating a mineral processing kiln includes introducing a quantity of a selective non-catalytic reduction (SNCR) reducing agent into the kiln. The SNCR reducing agent may be a solid, liquid, or a gas. A mineral processing kiln modified for the implementation of SNCR is also disclosed.
US07959431B2
A burner fires into a radiant tube to provide a downstream flow of combustion products within the radiant tube. Staged fuel is injected upstream into the radiant tube. A recirculation conduit inside the radiant tube receives the staged fuel along with combustion products that are inspirated into the recirculation conduit by the staged fuel. The recirculation conduit has an outlet for discharging a mixture of the inspirated combustion products and staged fuel into the downstream flow of combustion products.
US07959430B2
The method comprises the following steps: a) the container opening is sealed, b) at least one wall opening is created by drilling through or piercing the wall of the outer container using a drill, graver or needle, a pressurized medium being introduced into the gap between the outer container and the inner tube, once the wall of the outer container has been fully penetrated, c) the advance of the drill or needle is halted as soon as a predetermined first pressure threshold has been reached in the inner tube, d) the introduction of the pressurized medium into the gap between the outer container and the inner tube is halted as soon as a predetermined second pressure threshold has been reached in the inner tube, e) once the pressure in the gap between the outer container and the inner tube has been relieved, a pressurized medium is introduced into the inner tube through the container opening, in order to place the inner tube against the container wall again after it has been detached from the latter. The method allows the inner tube to be detached in a controlled manner with a high degree of uniformity from the outer container and to be placed against said outer container again without a significant inclusion of air.
US07959416B2
A suction system for a refrigerator compressor includes a suction muffler with an outlet tube mounted to a valve plate and a cylinder head having a reinforced portion in the area of the valve plate and the outlet tube.
US07959411B2
A generally spherical turbine configured to rotate transversely within a cylindrical pipe under the power of fluid flowing either direction therethrough is operatively coupled with a rotating machine or generator to produce electricity. In one embodiment, the blades of the spherical turbine curve in an approximately 180 degree arc in a plane that is at an inclined angle relative to the rotational axis of a central shaft. In another embodiment, a deflector is provided upstream of the spherical turbine and within the cylindrical pipe to control flow through the spherical turbine by shielding a part thereof. The blades of the spherical turbine are airfoil in cross section to optimize hydrodynamic flow, to minimize cavitation, and to maximize conversion from axial to rotating energy.
US07959389B2
Tiedown systems and methods to attach a vehicle to a support floor. The tiedown system may include a wheel cage configured to be attached to the support floor and to receive a wheel of the vehicle. The tiedown system may also include a locking assembly comprising a pivoting lever arm and an engagement member attached to the lever arm. The lever arm may be pivotal between an unlocked position to attach the engagement member to the vehicle, and a locked position that causes the engagement member to exert a force on the vehicle to maintain the wheel of the vehicle in the wheel cage.
US07959388B2
A device for securing a vehicle includes a frame member locatable over the upper portion of a tire of a wheel of a vehicle and; a respective tie down attachable to each of opposite sides of the frame member. Each tie down includes an attachment member at its end remote from the frame member, whereby with the frame member located over a tire, the wheel is able to be secured by engaging each connector with an anchor point below the frame member.
US07959385B2
A printed circuit board machining apparatus includes a spindle that holds a tool for machining a printed circuit board and a pressure unit for pressing the printed circuit board to a table in machining the printed circuit board. The pressure unit includes a pressure foot movable up an down along the spindle, a rotating member having a plurality of pressure pieces through which a through hole for passing the tool is formed and provided so as to select one among the plurality of pressure pieces, a motor for moving the rotating member, cylinders and electromagnetic valves for moving the pressure foot up and down and a control section for controlling the cylinders and electromagnetic valves. The control section rotates the motor so as to select the pressure piece and controls the cylinders and the electromagnetic valves to change force for pressing the printed circuit board.
US07959383B2
The present invention provides a cutting insert and a cutting tool used with the same. A tool body includes at least one seating surface and a threaded hole extending as slanted with respect to the seating surface. At least one cutting insert having a mounting hole passing therethrough is removably secured on the seating surface. A screw passes through the mounting hole and is fastened to the threaded hole, thereby removably securing the cutting insert to the tool body. A wall surface of the mounting hole contacts a head of the screw about at least one first contact portion and at least one second contact portion. The first contact portion is formed at a level different from that of the second contact portion along a longitudinal axis of the mounting hole. Contact angles at the first contact portions and the second contact portions are different from each other.
US07959376B1
A method of reducing greenhouse gases while simultaneously generating carbon credits includes mitigating greenhouse gases at unregulated landfill sites or mitigating greenhouse gases at regulated landfill sites in excess of the required mitigation activities, obtaining carbon credits in an amount created by the mitigation efforts and selling or using the carbon credits in an open market to, for example, offset the costs of the mitigation efforts or to fund or support other greenhouse gas emission activities.
US07959370B2
A container enclosing an applicator and a dental composition including a volatile organic solvent. The container is sealed. The volatile organic solvent is effectively retained within the container, even after storage at about 43° C. for one week. Preferably the container is made of a copolymer of a cycloolefin and an open chain olefin.
US07959358B2
A sensor for detecting a speed of rotation is an active sensor, a sensing portion 35 of the sensor directly faces the magnetic encoder 10 without interposition between it and the encoder 10, and a harness 34 (or connector) of the sensor 30 for detecting the speed of rotation is taken out of a gap between a knuckle N and a constant velocity universal joint 9.
US07959356B2
Systems and methods for providing a dynamic laundry bag apparatus that is lightweight, sorts laundry, and facilitates the carrying of laundry to a laundry facility or the packing of laundry when traveling. A laundry bag slips onto the lock bar of a hanger to be placed in a hanging position. The bag sorts laundry. For transporting the laundry, the laundry bag can be slipped off the hanger. A drawstring at the top of the bag is pulled and fastened into a snap hook to create a shoulder strap. In cleaning the laundry, the bag may be washed with the laundry. The bag can similarly be used to transport the clean laundry, and can be placed back on the lock bar of the hanger. Clean shirts can be hung over the hanger and/or clean pants can be hung over the lock bar to prevent wrinkles as the laundry is being transported.
US07959355B2
A method and apparatus including an intraoral dental X-ray electronic sensor facing an x-ray source and connected to a signal processing unit that allows taking and storing multiple x-ray images even without the unit to be connected to database computer. The processing unit has a memory that may be equipped with energy source and the unit is mounted on the sensor holder and can be easily removed from it. The images from the memory can be downloaded into a database using standard serial digital interfaces during or after the image acquisition.
US07959353B2
A thermal imaging system for a battery module enclosure that includes first and second battery module enclosure components between which a weld is formed includes a thermal imaging camera that focuses on the first and second battery module enclosure components within a predetermined amount of time after the weld is formed and that acquires a thermal signature. A control module includes an image processing module that receives the thermal signature and that locates a predetermined reference point in the thermal signature. An image comparison module receives the thermal signature and uses the predetermined reference point to compare the thermal signature to a template signature in order to verify structural integrity of the weld. The image comparison module computes a relative measure of deviation of the thermal signature from the template signature and identifies the weld as defective when the relative measure of deviation is greater than a predetermined value.
US07959345B2
A holder and system for mixing a volume of material within a closed container in a mixing machine. Holders and systems in accordance with embodiments of the present invention may permit mixing of fluids in containers that are otherwise ill-suited for conventional mixing machines. The holder may include a receptacle or bucket into which a first insert or adapter is placed to receive and hold one end of the closed container. A second insert may also be inserted into the bucket to receive and hold a second end of the closed container. The bucket may include a tapered inner sidewall surface and one or both adapters may include side surfaces that generally conform to the sidewall surface.
US07959344B2
In a backlight assembly and a display device having the same, a receiving container includes a bottom plate and sidewalls adjacent to the edges of the bottom plate. A molded frame includes a first plate surrounding the sidewalls and a second plate connected to a side of the first plate. A second plate is substantially parallel with the bottom plate. A lamp assembly includes a lamp cover received in the receiving container and a lamp received in the lamp cover. An optical module is interposed between the molded frame and the receiving container to improve optical characteristics of a light generated from the lamp. A fixing member is combined with fixing portions of the receiving container, the molded frame and the lamp assembly to fix the receiving container, the lamp cover and the molded frame to one another. As a result, the manufacturing process can be simplified and mechanical strength improved.
US07959343B2
The invention relates to an illumination system (4) comprising at least one light source (10) for emitting light of a predominant wavelength (W), and a light-transmitting panel (14) which comprises a light-emitting window (16), a rear wall (18) situated opposite said light-emitting window, and edge walls (20) extending between the light-emitting window and the rear wall. Light from the LED is coupled into the light-transmitting panel and is transported substantially via total internal reflection. The rear wall is provided with a two-dimensional array of recesses (22, 24). A sub-set of recesses (22) is distributed substantially regularly on the rear wall. Each recess (22A, 22B, 22C) from the sub-set (22) comprises scattering material (26). When light from the light-transmitting panel reaches the scattering material of the recess, part of the light (W′) is coupled out of the light-transmitting panel via scattering. The regular distribution of the scattering material on the rear wall improves the uniformity of the light emitted via the light-emitting window. In an embodiment of the illumination system, the scattering material comprises a luminescent material (28), which absorbs light of the predominant wavelength (UV) and emits light of a further predominant wavelength (R, G, B).
US07959338B2
A solid-state light source includes a semiconductor light source for emitting light and an optical system having a fiber optic element. The fiber optic element has an input for receiving emitted light from the semiconductor light source. The fiber optic element also has an output for emitting light received from the solid-state light source. The semiconductor light source and the fiber optic element in aggregate form an illumination path.
US07959336B2
A vehicle lighting device includes: a lamp unit for concentrating light; a lamp unit for diffusion; a lamp housing and a lamp lens, partitioning a lamp room; and an optical-axis adjuster which is integrally mounted in the lamp housing in an optical-axis adjustable manner in a state in which the lamp unit for concentrating light and a lamp unit for diffusion are integrally disposed in the lamp room. The lamp unit for concentrating light radiates a light distribution pattern for diffusion. The lamp unit for diffusion radiates a light distribution pattern for diffusion. As a result, in this vehicle lighting device, one lamp unit for concentrating light is provided which satisfies a main light distribution standard and forms a light distribution pattern for concentrating light as a standard for optical axis, thereby facilitating adjustment of light distribution and allowing for precise adjustment of light distribution.
US07959326B2
A mounting surface for mounting a plurality of LEDs has a plurality of orientable lenses each individually affixed about a single LED. Each orientable lens may have a primary reflector and a refracting lens that direct light emitted from a single LED to a reflective surface of the orientable lens that reflects the light off a primary LED light output axis.
US07959323B2
An illuminating device includes a plurality of light-emitting diodes, a plurality of first light-reflecting parts, and a plurality of second light-reflecting parts. Each of the plurality of first light-reflecting parts has a first light reflecting surface surrounding one of the light-emitting diodes. Each of the plurality of second light-reflecting parts has a second light reflecting surface surrounding one of the light-emitting diodes. The shape of the first light reflecting surface is different from that of the second light reflecting surface.
US07959311B2
A portable electronic device having an illuminated keyboard includes a display having a recessed portion and a main body pivotally connected with the display. The main body includes a casing, a keyboard, a fastening element, and a plurality of light-emitting elements. The keyboard is disposed at the casing and includes a plurality of keys made of a first light-transmitting material. Each key has a light incident surface and a light output surface. The fastening element is fastened to the casing and has a first portion made of a second light-transmitting material. The fastening element corresponds to the recessed portion. The light-emitting elements are disposed in the fastening element. The light emitted by the light-emitting elements passes through the first portion of the fastening element to directly enter into the key through the light incident surface and to be outputted from the key through the light output surface.
US07959310B2
An optical arrangement, in particular a projection system, illumination system or beam shaping system for EUV lithography, including at least one optical element that is arranged in a beam path of the optical arrangement and that reflects radiation in the soft X-ray- or EUV wavelength range, wherein at least during operation of the optical arrangement at least one of, preferably each of, the reflective optical elements in the beam path, at least at the optical surface, has an operating temperature of approximately 30° C. or more, preferably of approximately 100° C. or more, particularly preferably of approximately 150° C. or more, and even more preferably of approximately 250° C. or more, and wherein the optical design of the at least one reflective optical element is selected such that its optical characteristics are optimised for operation at the operating temperature. Also presented is a method for providing a reflective optical element with such an optical design.
US07959304B2
A projector which is configured to project an image by means of a projection light onto a surface approximately parallel, or a surface approximately perpendicular, to an installation surface. According to aspects of the disclosure, the projector may include a first reflecting surface which reflects the projection light toward the approximately parallel surface; a second reflecting surface which reflects the projection light toward the approximately perpendicular surface; and a reflecting surface switching section which can switchably place the first reflecting surface and the second reflecting surface in an optical path of the projection light.
US07959296B2
A multiple path stereoscopic projection system is disclosed. The system comprises a polarizing splitting element configured to receive image light energy and split the image light energy received into a primary path and a secondary path, a reflector in the secondary path, and a polarization modulator or polarization modulator arrangement positioned in the primary path and configured to modulate the primary path of light energy. A polarization modulator may be included within the secondary path, a retarder may be used, and optional devices that may be successfully employed in the system include elements to substantially optically superimpose light energy transmission between paths and cleanup polarizers. The projection system can enhance the brightness of stereoscopic images perceived by a viewer. Static polarizer dual projection implementations free of polarization modulators are also provided.
US07959291B2
A telecentric lens optical system includes: a front lens group; a rear lens group having a front focal point coinciding with a rear focal point of the front lens unit; and diaphragm mechanisms, each of which is disposed at a position where the rear focal point of the front lens unit and the front focal point of the rear lens unit coincide with each other. One of the front lens group and the rear lens group is provided by a plurality of variable magnification lens groups. The diaphragm mechanisms are provided corresponding to the variable magnification lens groups, respectively. A magnification switching mechanism is provided to selectively move a pair of one of the variable lens groups and one of the corresponding diaphragm mechanisms to be disposed on an optical axis of the other of the front lens group and the rear lens group.
US07959290B2
A scanning ophthalmoscope (10) and method is provided for scanning the retina of an eye comprising a source of collimated light (12), a first scanning element (14), a second scanning element (16), scan compensation means (18), wherein the source of collimated light, the first and second scanning elements and the scan compensation means combine to provide a two-dimensional collimated light scan from an apparent point source, and the scanning ophthalmoscope further comprises scan transfer means (20), wherein the scan transfer means has two foci and the apparent point source is provided at a first focus of the scan transfer means and an eye (22) is accommodated at a second focus of the scan transfer means.
US07959288B2
An ophthalmologic imager comprises an illuminating optical system for projecting an illuminating light beam onto an ocular fundus, a light-receiving optical system having a focusing lens and serving to guiding the light reflected from the ocular fundus to an imaging section, and a focusing target projecting optical system having a bar mirror detachably inserted in the optical path of the illuminating optical system and serving to project split focusing target light beams onto the ocular fundus through the bar mirror and the illuminating optical system. A mirror image of the bar mirror is projected onto the ocular fundus by using the illuminating light beam. The ophthalmologic imager further comprises a judging device which judges the sharpness of the contour of the mirror image or the focusing target light imagers from the output of the light-receiving section and judges the focusing state by the focusing lens from the sharpness.
US07959287B1
An eyeglass frame sizing system includes a frame member, a pair of adjustable rims supported by the frame member, each rim including an indicator for indicating a center of the rim, an adjustable nosepiece supported by the frame member, a pair of adjustable temples each supported by one of the pair of rims and a plurality of sensors for detecting positions of the pair of adjustable rims, the pair of adjustable temples and the adjustable nosepiece.
US07959283B2
An integrated device enables a customer replaceable unit within an ink jet printer to be enclosed within an enclosing structure as the unit is removed from the printer. The enclosing structure traps debris that may disburse from the customer replaceable unit as it is removed from the printer. The integrated device includes a customer replaceable unit that is mountable within a printer, a handle mounted to and extending from one end of the customer replaceable unit; and an extendable cover having a first end and a second end, the first end of the extendable cover being coupled to the handle and the second end of the extendable cover being configured to couple to a stationary structure within the printer, the second end of the cover being configured to extend past the customer replaceable unit in response to the first end of the cover being moved away from the second end and to be proximate to the first end to expose the customer replaceable unit in response to the first end of the cover being moved towards the second end.
US07959275B2
A printing system is provided having a printhead, a media drive mechanism for driving media to the printhead for printing, and a media cartridge for supplying the media. The cartridge has a rotatable core for a roll of media and a media delivery arrangement having an opening in the cartridge. The media delivery arrangement is arranged to enable a roller of the print media drive mechanism to contact a wound portion of the roll of media so as to feed an unwound portion of the media from the roll to the printhead on demand operation of the roller on the wound portion.
US07959272B2
A print cartridge assembly includes a print cartridge. The print cartridge includes a core defining a plurality of ink storage reservoirs and a length of print media wound upon the core. The print cartridge further includes a roller assembly for feeding the print media from the core. A printhead assembly includes a chassis, a pair of printhead supports extending from the chassis and an ink ejection printhead supported by the supports to print ink from the reservoirs upon the fed print media.
US07959267B2
A liquid ejection apparatus having a liquid ejection head and a switching device is provided. The switching device includes a first supply passage through which first liquid flows, a second supply passage through which second liquid different from the first liquid flows, a head supply passage, a first ON-OFF valve that selectively opens and closes the first supply passage, a second ON-OFF valve that selectively opens and closes the second supply passage, a rotary cam, and an actuator. The head supply passage extends from a joining point between a downstream end of the first supply passage and a downstream end of the second supply passage to the liquid ejection head. The actuator is driven by the cam in such a manner that the first ON-OFF valve and the second ON-OFF valve are selectively opened and closed. The actuator operates the first and second ON-OFF valves in such a manner that one of the first and second ON-OFF valves becomes open and the other becomes closed.
US07959263B2
The invention provides for a printhead integrated circuit for an inkjet printer. The printhead integrated circuit includes a wafer substrate defining a nozzle outlet port. The printhead integrated circuit also includes an electromagnetic piston inside the chamber, the piston mounted to the wafer substrate via torsion springs, said piston operatively forced towards the outlet port when activated. Also included is a solenoid coil positioned on the wafer substrate about the piston to activate the piston when a current is passed through the coil.
US07959261B2
Micro-fluid ejection devices, methods for making micro-fluid ejection, heads, and micro-fluid ejection heads having N actuators on a first substrate and logic capable of driving the N actuators on a second substrate. The ejection heads also have less than N electrical connections between the first and second substrates.
US07959260B2
A method for discharging liquid from a recording head including a first discharge port configured to discharge a liquid, a second discharge port configured to discharge a liquid, an amount of which is smaller than an amount of the liquid discharged from the first discharge port, and a substrate including a first heating element corresponding to the first discharge port, a second heating element corresponding to the second discharge port and the liquid supply port, wherein a distance between the liquid supply port and the second heating element is longer than a distance between the liquid supply port and the first heating element, and wherein discharge of the liquid from the first discharge port is performed by a discharge method in which a bubble formed by the first heating element communicates with atmosphere and an amount of the liquid discharged from the second discharge port is less than 2 pico liters.
US07959258B2
A printhead assembly comprises at least one printhead integrated circuit having a plurality of ink ejection nozzles; and an ink distribution support mounting the at least one printhead integrated circuit, the ink distribution support being arranged to distribute ink to the nozzles, the printhead assembly being arranged to be mounted to a printer at the ink distribution support. The ink distribution support is provided with a plurality of reference features, the plurality of reference features serving to provide information on the location of the nozzles upon mounting of the printhead assembly to the printer. The plurality of reference features include a flat surface provided at each corner of the ink distribution support, and a slot in a mounting zone of the ink distribution support.
US07959257B2
Provided is a print engine pipeline subsystem of a printer controller. The subsystem includes a print engine pipeline controller for reading and writing print engine pipeline registers, and a contone decoder unit for expanding JPEG compressed continuous tone (“contone”) layers. Also included are a lossless bi-level decoder for expanding compressed bi-level layers, a line loader unit for expanding page images for a printhead, and a printhead interface for sending dot data to the printhead and for providing line synchronization between multiple printer controllers.
US07959256B2
A device for cleaning out residual ink. The device includes an assembly of a bed and a slide mount. The bed has an oblique rail. The slide mount is equipped with a wiping blade. The slide mount is drivable by an ink cartridge carrier to reciprocally move along the oblique rail on the bed. Accordingly, the wiping blade can move componentially along y-axis to wipe off residual ink remaining on a printhead of the ink cartridge.
US07959254B2
A capping device provided in a liquid ejection apparatus having a liquid ejection head is provided. The liquid ejection head has a nozzle-forming surface in which a nozzle for ejection liquid is formed. The capping device includes a cap, a liquid absorber, and a fixing member. The cap is capable of contacting the liquid ejection head in such a manner as to encompass the nozzle. The liquid absorber is accommodated in the cap. The fixing member fixes the liquid absorber accommodated in the cap to the cap. The fixing member is arranged in the cap such that an upper end of the fixing member is at the same height as or lower than an upper surface of the liquid absorber.
US07959253B2
A printing method of the present invention is a printing method for forming, on a medium, a plurality of correction patterns each including a pre-carry pattern and a post-carry pattern, and includes: forming the pre-carry pattern on the medium, carrying the medium in a carrying direction after forming the pre-carry pattern, and then forming the post-carry pattern on the medium after carrying the medium. In the printing method of the present invention, the plurality of correction patterns are formed on the medium lined up in a direction that intersects the carrying direction. With this printing method, it is possible to form a greater number of correction patterns in a narrow region on the medium.
US07959252B2
Ejection of a clear-ink nozzle is inspected with ease. When forming an ejection-test pattern for a clear ink, for example, the clear ink is ejected toward a medium from a clear-ink nozzle to form the ejection-test pattern, and a color ink is ejected toward a region in which the clear ink is to adhere from at least two color-ink nozzles to form the ejection-test pattern.
US07959251B2
The image forming device includes an image forming unit that forms images on a surface of a web-type recording medium, a printing defect detecting unit that detects a defective image with a printing defect from among the images formed by the image forming unit and a printing defect marking unit that places a mark on the defective image with the printing defect having been detected. The label printer includes the image forming device described above, wherein the images formed on the surface of the web-type recording medium by the image forming unit of the image forming device are label images and the specific image is a specific label image and a post-treatment unit that post-treats the surface of the web-type recording medium having the label images formed thereon by the image forming unit.
US07959248B2
A recording apparatus includes a recording unit configured to record an image on a recording medium, a roller configured to convey the recording medium, a first signal generation unit configured to generate a first period signal according to a movement of the recording medium, a second signal generation unit configured to generate a second period signal according to a rotation of the roller, a correction unit configured to correct the first period signal when a period value of the first period signal is outside a predetermined range, an information generation unit configured to generate variation information of a moving speed of the recording medium based on the first period signal, and a control unit configured to control recording on the recording medium based on the variation information and the second period signal.
US07959245B2
An ink level sensing device and associated method. The ink level sensing device includes a near infrared illumination source that emits near infrared light, and a container configured to accommodate a supply of ink containing light absorption material. The device further includes a protruding chamber adjacent to the container. The protruding chamber is configured to accommodate a portion of the supply of ink accommodated by the container. The device also includes a sensor that is configured to receive a signal based on an amount of the light that passes through the protruding chamber. The method includes emitting a light from a near infrared illumination source and directing the light toward a protruding chamber of the ink supply. The method further includes sensing an amount of the light that passes through the protruding chamber in the ink supply.
US07959242B2
A slidable structure for a pocket door cabinet. The slidable structure may be coupled to a false wall of the pocket door cabinet, with a door hinged to the slidable structure. In some aspects, the slidable structure includes a self-open mechanism to force the door to a fully extended position.
US07959233B2
A seat back assembly including a frame formed of a low density material such as expanded polypropylene (EPP) and a reinforcement structure encapsulated within the frame is provided. The reinforcement structure includes a load transferring surface extending between opposite ends of the seat back. Each end of the reinforcement structure is secured to a vehicle body structure. The reinforcement structure transfers a load placed upon the seat back assembly throughout the frame so as to maintain the structural integrity of the frame under a predetermined load. Specifically, the load transferring surface of the reinforcement structure is in contact with the frame and transfers the load across a predetermined area of the frame and to the vehicle body.
US07959230B2
A positioning system is provided for moving a seat back in a vehicle between a seating position and a cargo storage position. The positioning system includes a release mechanism actuatable between a first position to permit movement of the seat back and a second position to prevent movement of the seat back. A first actuator is provided on the seat back near an upper corner of the seat back and a second actuator is provided on the seat back near a lower corner of the seat back, so that the seat back can be moved from the cargo storage position to the seating position by a person actuating the first actuator from a location alongside the vehicle and by a person actuating the second actuator from a location behind the vehicle.
US07959228B2
A method of loading a child or child seat into a vehicle is disclosed. A user can rotate the rear-most vehicle seat toward the rear of the vehicle and load the child and/or child seat from the rear opening.
US07959225B2
A vehicle seat having a seat back including an actuatable back panel. The back panel of the seat back may be moved between a normal, or flush position, and an actuated, or spaced position, relative to the seat back assembly. The back panel may be provided with connectors that may be used to connect the back panel to the seat assembly. The back panel is actuated in the event of a rear end collision to provide added clearance for penetration of an occupant's torso into the seat back without interference by seat accessories, such as an adjustable lumbar system, a bolster assembly, massage assembly, or a heating/cooling system. The seat accessories may be secured to the back panel as a sub-assembly to facilitate manufacture. A resilient member biases a linkage or torsion bar to automatically reset the back panel.
US07959221B2
A four-bar linkage system for a chair having a leg rest extension, the linkage system having a first set of linkage members of irregular geometric shapes connected at one end to an outboard portion of a leg extension platform and at a second end to a seat member. A second set of linkage members of irregular geometric shapes is connected to the first set of linkage members and at one end to an inboard portion of the leg rest platform and at a second end to the seat member.
US07959218B2
A first engaging hole and a second engaging hole are formed in a fan-shaped standing portion which is fixed to a vehicle body frame and concentrically constructed with respect to a tilt direction of a the driver's cabin with a hinge shaft as a center of tilting. The first and second engaging holes respectively correspond to a tilt down position and a tilt up position of the driver's cabin. The standing portion is inserted into an actuating member fixed to a driver's cabin frame, and a locking pin urged by a spring is slidably disposed to the actuating member. Since the locking pin slides on a surface of the standing portion, the locking pin can be automatically engaged with the first or second engaging hole.
US07959213B2
Door panel assembly of an automobile, having a door panel 1 and a sound-insulating sheet 4 attached to the door panel, characterised in that the door panel has hooks on its surface to which the sound-insulating sheet is attached, and a looped knitted fabric or a looped non-woven fabric 6′ is attached to the surface of the sound-insulating sheet to be attached to the panel, the looped knitted or non-woven fabric weighing between 15 and 60 g/m2, preferably between 15 and 40 g/m2.
US07959211B2
A system and method of installing sensors around a perimeter of a motorized armored vehicle door to detect obstructions between a closing door and a door frame are provided. A safety switch including a plurality of sensors formed of a sensing element molded in a casing is provided. Adjacent sensors are separated from one another by electrical connectors. A clip is used to retrofit the safety switch to the door.
US07959210B2
A folding top bin cover assembly includes a folding top bin cover and a fixation system. The bin cover is movable to a covered position in which the bin cover covers a folding top bin of a vehicle body. The fixation system acts between the bin cover and a structural element fixable to the vehicle body. The fixation system has a fixing mechanism including a sliding element and an insertion bracket. The sliding element is connected to the bin cover and the insertion bracket is fixedly connected to the structural element. The fixation system adjusts the bin cover at right angles to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle body as the sliding element operates interactively with the insertion bracket while the bin cover is in the covered position.
US07959201B2
A vehicle may have a device that is movably connected to the vehicle and a gear damper used to control the motion of the device. If the vehicle is subjected to crash acceleration, the viscosity of the damper fluid increases to prevent the motion of the device.
US07959200B2
The present disclosure is directed to an adjustable lift assembly for a flatbed vehicle such as a pickup truck. The adjustable lift assembly includes an extendible vertical member located at each corner of a vehicle flatbed. A frame is attached to an upper portion of each extendible vertical member. The frame rises and lowers with extension and retraction of the extendible vertical support members. Each extendible vertical member is placed through a respective support collar. The support collars support and maintain the extendible vertical members parallel to each other when the vehicle moves. The present adjustable lift assembly is lightweight and provides stable elevated support for a flatbed vehicle with little or no impediment to the storage area of the vehicle flatbed.
US07959198B2
A system for detecting, capturing and retrieving a wire, optical cable, string, coaxial cable, or other line or object from within a wall or other type of enclosed structure. The system uses magnetic forces to detect and capture the object through a wall or other type of structure of the enclosure. The system also comprises a retrieval mechanism for drawing the object toward an opening in the enclosure for retrieval from the enclosure.
US07959197B2
A bumper system includes primary and secondary structural cross beams, at least one having an S-shaped cross section with forwardly-facing (or outwardly-facing) top concavity. The beams include different arrangements of stiffening ribs in concavities formed by the S-shaped cross section for impact and bending strength. In one form, the beams are made of polymeric material. The beams may include integrally formed crush cans for attachment to the vehicle frame, or alternatively can be attached to vehicle frame rail tips by separate metal crush cans and brackets.
US07959196B2
A system and method for locking a door. An assembly has a first engagement surface. A door is coupled to the assembly, the door including a latch member having a second engagement surface for engaging the first engagement surface. A movable member is capable of generating a force against at least one of the assembly and the door to press together and substantially prevent disengagement of the first engagement surface and the second engagement surface.
US07959194B2
A latch assembly includes a plate and an arm pivotable between a closed and an open position relative to the plate about a pivot axis. The pivot axis is substantially aligned with a line of entry of a connecting bar to a latched position in which, when the arm is in the closed position, the connecting bar is entirely surrounded by both the plate and the arm together and partially surrounded by the arm and the plate individually. The plate is fixed relative to the line of entry.
US07959191B2
An extension pole including an outer tube connected to a water source and an inner tube positioned in a telescoping relationship to the outer tube. The inner tube includes a series of spaced apart openings that are engaged by a biased locking member positioned on the end of the outer tube. The locking member may be manually released by activation of a release button connected to locking member, thereby allowing inner and outer tubes to be moved with respect to each other. The extension pole also includes a locking nut assembly positioned on the free end of the inner tube for attaching the tube to cleaning tool and preventing rotation of the cleaning tool during use.
US07959190B2
A cuffed connection system for the transport of a particulate material includes a tube, a conduit, or a duct, and a flexible tube end that is received and snap fit so as to be inter-engaged within the tube, the conduit, or the duct. The snap fit inter-engagement is of a pair of outward circumferential forms each fit into a complementary receiving groove of a ferrule.
US07959187B2
A label assembly that includes a face sheet with at least one label shape defined by one or more tearable lines of separation, a back sheet adjacent to the face sheet, and an adhesive material disposed between the face sheet and the back sheet. The back sheet has a removable panel disposed over the label shape adhesive material and a registration structure aligned with the label shape. The registration structure is raised or raisable above the back sheet to allow an object for labeling to be positioned against the registration structure for proper alignment with the label. Once positioned against the registration structure, the object can be rolled over the adhesive coated back of the label to apply the label to the surface of the object.
US07959185B2
An inflator bottle adapted for controlled release of product gas to deploy an inflatable cushion and a method thereof is provided. The inflator bottle comprises a compartment filled with a combustible gas mixture having a partition that divides the compartment into a first region and a second region. Upon a crash event, an igniter on the inflator bottle ignites initiating combustion in the first region. Combustion propagates in the first region toward a nozzle building pressure in the first region sufficient to rupture a burst disk over the passage of the nozzle releasing product gas through the nozzle. The release of product gas through the nozzle draws combustible gas mixture from the second region flowing through the gas portal on the partition into the first region for combustion. The area of the gas portal between the regions is sized in relation to the size of the minimum area of the passage of the nozzle to supply the combustible gas mixture to the first region at a rate that maintains the flame front while preventing it from propagating out into the second region or out the nozzle until the remaining combustible gas mixture in the compartment is consumed.
US07959182B2
An apparatus for a hunter. The apparatus has a preformed body with a plurality of adjustable supports to brace the body in an upright position. The apparatus has removable wheels and is foldable for transport. It may be pulled over land or ice. Accessories are an overhead awning and a removable side skirt. The apparatus is easily assembled.
US07959176B2
A conveyance has a plurality of wheels and, at least, first and second drive axles, which are mounted, or disposed, between the wheels. One of the wheels defines a first wheel that is rotatably mounted to one end of the first drive axle. A second of the wheels is rotatably mounted to one end of the second drive axle. The conveyance further includes a first actuation device for the first drive axle, on the opposite end of the first drive axle from the first wheel and proximate to the second wheel, and a second actuation device for the second drive axle on the opposite end of the second drive axle from the second wheel and proximate the first wheel. The first actuation device is selectively operated to apply a selective relative rotation to the first wheel and the second actuation device is selectively operated to apply a selective relative rotation to the second wheel.
US07959171B2
A lower spring seat mounting structure in a suspension of a vehicle, including a spring mounting portion to which a lower end portion of a coil spring is mounted, the spring mounting portion being disposed on a lower link, an elastic lower spring seat including one side surface that is in contact with the spring mounting portion and the other side surface that is in contact with the lower end portion of the coil spring, and a seat mounting portion at which the lower spring seat is connected to the spring mounting portion. The seat mounting portion is arranged within a range defined between two straight lines which extend through a center of the lower spring seat and form an angle of ±45 degrees with respect to an axis of the lower link in a plan view.
US07959167B2
Even when bending stress acts on a steering gearbox 1 about attachment holes 161 and 171 of vehicle attachment boss portions 16 and 17, deformation of the vehicle attachment boss portions 16 and 17 in both the longitudinal direction and the vertical direction of the vehicle becomes small since rigidity with respect to deformation in the vicinity of the vehicle attachment boss portions 16 and 17 in both the longitudinal direction and the vertical direction of the vehicle is large due to a first rib 61 to a fourth rib 64. Accordingly, it is possible to improve steering stability at the time a steering reaction force occurs.
US07959166B2
A method of assembling shopping carts includes providing a basket defining including rear upright frame members. Each rear upright frame member defines includes a lower connecting portion. The method further includes providing a first base and providing a second base. The first base includes a pair of first base supports each configured to be removably secured to one of the lower connecting portions. The second base includes a pair of second base supports each configured to be removably secured to one of lower connecting portions, and the second base is shaped differently than the first base. The method includes selecting one of the first base and the second base having a desired base size and shape, and removably securing the basket to the selected one of the first base and the second base including coupling each lower connecting portion with one of the first base supports and second base supports.
US07959163B2
In some embodiments, the present systems include, consist of, or consist essentially of a roadarm having a first end, a second end, and an opening near the first end; where the second end is configured for attachment to a passive spring (e.g., an air spring, a coil spring, a compressible fluid spring, or a leaf spring), and the opening is configured for interchangeable use with any of: (a) a passive suspension system damping element, (b) a semi-active suspension system damping element, and (c) an active suspension system actuator. Other systems are included, such as those with common control systems for the active and semi-active suspension systems. Methods relating to such systems.
US07959157B2
An oil seal having the usual lips for retaining oil and a guide member made of a variety of relatively stiff or rigid materials. The guide member is made slightly larger than the smallest diameter of the seal member when the seal rests on the shaft. The seal member can have the guide member on either the air side or the oil side of the seal. The disclosure also relates to a shipping plug, which is inserted into the seal and retains the oil in place during shipping when the seal is installed but a shaft is not installed.
US07959156B2
A seal assembly for use with a rotating shaft comprises a seal ring, a seal ring shell and bellows. The seal ring defines an axially extending annular surface and a radially extending seal face. The seal ring shell includes a foot portion connected to a radially extending shin portion located radially outward of the foot portion. The foot portion defining an axially extending engagement surface in interference-fit engagement with the annular surface of the seal ring. The engagement surface is positioned so as to have a near-zero moment about the center of gravity of the seal ring due to the engagement. The bellows defines an effective diameter at zero pressure applied on the seal ring. The interface of the foot portion with the seal ring defines an interference diameter.
US07959155B2
A packer cup for sealing the interior of a pipe under pressure includes a first region of relatively soft material and a second region of relatively hard material. The region of the relatively softer material would begin at the lip of the cup and extend for at least one third the length of the cup up to the entire length of the cup.
US07959153B2
A used card handling device includes both a card cancelling device and a card sorting unit, as well as an imaging device, a transport mechanism for transporting cards between the card imaging, cancelling, and sorting devices or units, and a controller for controlling the card imaging, cancelling, sorting, and transporting devices or units. The sorting device includes a holding device for each type of card, and output pockets to which the holding devices distribute the cards in a desired order.
US07959151B2
An image forming apparatus conveying a recording medium through a sheet conveying path may include a recording medium conveying device, and includes an edge position detector to detect a position of a side edge of a recording medium along a width direction perpendicular to a sheet travel direction of the recording medium in the sheet conveying path, and an edge position recognizer to recognize, based on detection results obtained by the edge position detector, the position of the side edge at multiple detection positions of the recording medium in the sheet travel direction of the recording medium. The multiple detection positions includes a detection position located within a dog ear region in the vicinity of either a leading edge or a trailing edge of the recording medium in the sheet travel direction.
US07959148B2
A tuned media buckler comprises a body made of a plastic material, a rib extending from the upper surface of the body with an overall flat configuration and uniform rigidity with the rib running along the upper surface and centrally lengthwise along the body, a spring force material backing the lower surface of the body opposite to the rib that compresses against the lower surface of the body in response to the generally normal force applied to the top edge surface of the rib by a media stack, and a housing having a central aperture running lengthwise of the housing such that the rib of the media buckler extends through the aperture for engagement by a media stack.
US07959138B2
A connector fitting and air spring assembly includes a connector fitting supported on an end member of an air spring. The connector fitting is secured on the air spring by a retaining member engaging the end member of the air spring.
US07959136B2
A sensing and communication system includes a transceiver broadcasting an electromagnetic wave, a transponder supported on an associated structural member at a distance from the transceiver that receives the electromagnetic wave, and a sensor adjacent the transponder and in communication therewith. The sensor being operable to sense an input acting on the associated structural member and communicate a signal corresponding to the input to the transponder. The transponder is adapted to induce a modulation of the electromagnetic wave in relation to at least one of the sensor signal and the distance between the transceiver and the transponder. A method is also disclosed.
US07959127B2
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a dirty service valve including an axial trim which, as a result of its structural attributes and extended stroke length, provides increased Cv capacity relative to valve plug size in comparison to existing prior art designs. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the axial trim integrated into the valve of the present invention is configured to provide a linear flow characteristic. In accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the axial trim may be configured to provide a non-linear flow characteristic which, coupled with the extended stroke length thereof, provides improved flow control in addition to increased Cv capacity. The axial trim possessing the above-described structural and functional attributes may also be integrated into an axial body or housing, thus making the use of rotary actuators in conjunction with the axial trim more feasible.
US07959120B2
A universal support is provided in the present invention. The universal support includes a brace unit, a mounting unit and a connecting unit, in which the brace unit has several joint assemblies with stronger mechanical strength and several quick-release clamp unit to carry heavier load, while the connecting unit can be securely fastened to a stationary object and the mounting unit can perform universally rotation so as to perfectly satisfy every need of the users.
US07959119B2
The present invention relates to a connection system for use with an active or passive protection device that minimizes weight. In accordance with the present invention, a single stem connection system for use with an active protection device includes a single bent cable that is attached to the single cable terminal of the active protection device. A stem tube is fitted over a portion of the bent cable giving the appearance and benefits of a single stem. However, a portion of the bent cable is left separated thereby automatically forming a clip-in point for the entire active protection device. Unlike conventional single stem connection systems, the single stem system in accordance with the present invention only requires coupling the cable to the cable terminal thereby reducing manufacturing cost and minimizing overall weight. Alternatively, a similar connection system can be used with a passive protection device to provide many of the same benefits.
US07959117B2
A seat structure is provided for disposing below an assembly in order to support the assembly from underneath. The assembly has a base portion formed with an opening. The seat structure includes a bottom seat for placing within the opening in the base portion and a plurality of flexible connecting elements. Each flexible connecting element includes an outer bent end connected to a periphery confining the opening in the base portion, an inner bent end connected to the bottom seat and a main body between the outer and inner bent ends. The vibration of the assembly is absorbed by the seat structure to provide stability to the assembly.
US07959115B2
An apparatus includes a lockable, adjustable pole support rail allowing a user to adjust a mounted pole to vertical on sloping terrain. The apparatus has multiple embodiments and useful applications, in that it can be attached to a vehicle's hitch receiver, or can be self-supporting utilizing fold-out stabilizing or attachable legs, for example. In addition, the apparatus may include wheels, thus permitting ease of transport to or from a vehicle. The pole can be deployed with a range of attachments or devices depending on the application. Exemplary applications include a photography camera, a surveillance camera, an infra-red camera, an antenna, loudspeakers, lighting equipment, signage, weather monitoring equipment, inspection equipment, and detection equipment.
US07959112B2
A system for detecting and classifying a wheel of a rail vehicle traveling on a railway track includes a plurality of wheel detectors coupled to one rail of the railway track and configured to detect presence of the wheel and to generate signals representative thereof. A processing system is coupled to the wheel detectors and configured to receive and process the signals. The processing system is configured to classify the wheel based on a speed independent classification value calculated based on the signals from the wheel detectors.
US07959110B2
A refueling boom for an aerial tanker includes an outer member operatively connected to the tanker, an inner member operatively and telescopically configured with the outer member, and one or more torque rollers. The torque roller is disposed on the outer member such that the torque roller engages with the inner member when the inner member is telescoping and reacts to torsional loads subject on the inner member when the boom is deployed in an aerial refueling operation. The inner member may include a plurality of longitudinally disposed torsion surfaces or races for respectively engaging with the torque rollers.
US07959105B2
An aircraft has a streamlined structure (10) pierced by an air flow duct (20) having an axis of symmetry (AX) contained in a plane of symmetry (P) perpendicular to a longitudinal axis (AL) of the aircraft, the aircraft possessing a shrouded rotor (1) having a plurality of blades (2) arranged in the air flow duct (20). The aircraft is also fitted with blower elements (40) suitable for propelling compressed air towards a first injection zone (44) opening out in a first front inject (22′) of a first lip (22) of the periphery (21) of the duct (20) and towards a second injection zone (45) opening out in a second front portion (24′) of a second lip (22) of the periphery (21) of the duct (20).
US07959100B2
A double-gear driving mechanism for a reel unit comprises a reel chamber in which a rotor drive shaft is disposed longitudinally and a master gear shaft is disposed laterally. A main gear is formed around a periphery of the drive shaft, and a first master gear is fixed on one end of the master gear shaft. A crank handle is connected to a male thread portion of the master gear shaft. The inner teeth around a periphery of the first master gear engage the teeth of the main gear. An idle pinion provided on the other side of the drive shaft in parallel and it engages the main gear. On the other end of the master gear shaft is fixed a second master gear, inner teeth of which engage the teeth of the idle pinion. The present invention provides a double-gear drive mode of the rotor drive shaft by using the idle pinion. This increases the lifting capability of the rotor drive shaft while the original strength of the pinion teeth still remaining unchanged. Meanwhile, the double-gear driving mechanism of the present invention features a high specific speed, at the same time it is easy to manufacture and exhibits good mating conditions.
US07959097B2
Grinding members on a grinding drum are arranged to move the material to be reduced laterally across the drum. The drum may be used in a tub grinder where the tub is configured to rotate about a vertical axis. In a tub grinder environment, the drum extends through the grinding floor, is configured to rotate about a horizontal axis, and includes cutters arranged in a right-handed helical pattern on the drum.
US07959096B1
As previously disclosed this invention will change a lot of ways the prescription bottle is used, such as Americans won't have to keep them for lack of time to destroy them. The shredder will prevent a lot of injuries from people trying to scrap information off the bottle with a sharp object. It would be made of parts right here in the United States and of communally used parts. The invention will be child proof but most of all the cost to build would be minimal so it would be very affordable for the majority of Americans.
US07959086B2
The subject invention provides a means of automatically detecting and recording a person's use of magazines, i.e. printed media exposure, for the purpose of market research. The present invention comprises one or more electrically conductive marker regions applied to certain specific locations on one or more magazine pages. In one general embodiment, the presence and relative separation of the marker regions are detected by a capacitive sensors and electronic device that stores, processes and communicates the data wirelessly to an external device. In another embodiment, a passive chip less tag is used to indirectly measure the change in conductivity of the conductive regions caused by prolonged exposure to air or light. Exemplary methods are described for acquiring readership and exposure data using the present invention.
US07959081B2
A method of imaging a coding pattern disposed on a surface of a substrate. The method comprises the steps of: (a) operatively positioning an optical reader relative to the surface and capturing an image of a portion of the coding pattern; (b) sampling and decoding local tag data contained in the imaged portion; and (c) determining a position of the reader. The imaged portion has a diameter of at least one tag diameter and less than two tag diameters.
US07959078B2
The invention relates to a scanner with an embedded voice/data communication system. The embedded communication system enables data to obtained remotely, and transferred to the scanner. The scanner includes a multiplexing component that can enables data received via the communication component to be handled as though it were obtained with the scanner. In addition, the communication system enables paging/calling of remote devices.
US07959070B1
A system for use in banking operates responsive to data in data bearing records. The system is suitable for securing the contents in safety deposit boxes or similar locked receptacles, and selectively permits access to key locks only to individuals who have been determined to be authorized to have such access. Each safety deposit box or other receptacle includes a door (16) with at least one key lock (22, 24) thereon. An assembly (26) is installed on the preexisting door to limit access to a key lock to an authorized person. The assembly includes a body (32) that is held in a blocking position by a cover lock. A selectively programmable electronic key module (28) is operative to change the condition of the cover lock from a latched to an unlatched condition.
US07959066B2
A controller for a printhead is provided having an encoder for encoding tags to be printed on a page. The encoder has an input at which to receive a tag structure template having at least one predetermined mark position, an input at which to receive fixed data bits, an input at which to receive variable data bits, and a dot generator which uses the input tag structure template, and fixed and variable data bits for outputting, for at least one mark position of a respective tag, a single bit indicating if a dot is to be provided at the at least one mark position, for the respective tag.
US07959063B2
A plurality of cartons, preferably fabricated from paper, paperboard and/or corrugated paperboard, and particularly of tray or wrapper-style construction, are provided, having integral lid constructions, and outer overlap panels, operably associated with the at least one top panel, to enable articulation of the carton into a substantially completed structure, without interfering with the subsequent articulation of the at least one top panel to enable loading of the carton subsequent to articulation and affixation of the outer overlap panels.
