US07986925B2
A technique for calibrating a transceiver of a wireless communication device includes selectively coupling an output node of a transmitter of the transceiver to an input node of a receiver of the transceiver. A calibration signal is provided, from the output node of the transmitter, to the input node of the receiver. The calibration signal is down-converted, with the receiver, to provide a down-converted calibration signal. A discrete Fourier transform is performed on the down-converted calibration signal. Finally, one or more correction factors are determined based on an analysis of the discrete Fourier transform of the down-converted calibration signal. At least one of the correction factors is utilized to facilitate substantial cancellation of a direct current offset associated with the transceiver.
US07986919B2
A recursive method of calculating an inverse impairments matrix is used to generate an SINR estimate, which in turn is used to generate a CQI estimate. The recursive inverse impairments matrix calculation avoids the need to perform a computationally intensive matrix inversion, allowing for faster CQI estimate generation and consuming less power.
US07986918B2
The invention relates to a method for attenuating interferences in a positioning receiver, wherein a signal transmitted by the satellites of a positioning system is received, and the received signal is amplified. In the positioning receiver a noise level of the received signal is determined, the existence of interferences is established on the basis of changes of the determined noise level, and the amplification is controlled on the basis of the noise level of the signal received otherwise than during interference. The invention also relates to an electronic device, wherein the method is applied, as well as to a program, with which the method can be implemented in connection with the positioning receiver.
US07986917B2
A method of transferring data from a hand held electronic device to a target electronic device includes establishing a wireless interface between the hand held electronic device and the target electronic device. A transfer motion that includes rotation of the hand held electronic device is detected. Upon detection of the transfer motion, the data is transmitted from the hand held electronic device to the target electronic device over the wireless interface. The wireless interface may be initiated and configured using a localized communication link.
US07986914B1
Architecture for playing back personal text-based messages such as email and voicemail over a vehicle-based media system. The user can use a cell phone that registers over a cellular network to an IMS (IP multimedia subsystem) to obtain an associated IP address. The personal messages are then converted into audio signals using a remote text-to-voice (TTV) converter and transmitted to the phone based on the IP address. The phone then transmits the audio signals to the vehicle media system for playback using an unlicensed wireless technology (e.g., Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, etc.). Other alternative embodiments include transmitting converted message directly to the media system, via a satellite channel, converting the messages via a TTV converter on the cell phone, and streaming the converted messages to the phone and/or the media system for playback.
US07986913B2
A user (102) hears an audio program being broadcast and can record a sample of the audio. The sample is then conveyed to an analyzing means (106) to determine to which broadcast station the user is listening. The analyzing means monitors many broadcast channels. Thus, characteristics of the audio sample and samples taken from the broadcast channels can be compared to find a match. Broadcast information pertaining to the broadcast channel from which the match was found may then be reported back to the user, combined with an advertisement of a promotion, prize notification, discount offers, and other information specific for a certain radio station for example.
US07986910B2
The present invention provides a lubricant coater including an applying member for applying a lubricant powder on a surface of an image bearing member, wherein the lubricant powder contains paraffin as a main component, and the lubricant coatability of the applying member is controlled such that a maximum thickness of a lubricant film formed on the image bearing member, which is obtained after the lubricant powder is continuously applied on the surface of the image bearing member for 120 minutes, is 0.25 μm or less.
US07986904B2
In an image forming apparatus, a plurality of photoconductors arranged in the apparatus is supported by a support frame which is allowed to be pulled out from a body of the apparatus; and an endless intermediate transfer belt looped around a first roller and a second roller is in contact with each of the plurality of photoconductors. The first roller is supported by the body of the apparatus and retained in a position fixed relative to the body of the apparatus, and the support frame comprises a positioning portion which is configured to support a roller shaft of the second roller or a bearing part of the roller shaft of the second roller and to retain the intermediate transfer belt in a position fixed relative to the plurality of photoconductors.
US07986899B2
A development unit includes a developer accommodating part that accommodates a developer therein, a developer stirring-transporting member that transports the developer in the developer accommodating part while stirring the developer, a bearing part that receives a rotating shaft of the developer stirring-transporting member, a magnetic member that is located between the bearing part and the developer accommodating part and fixed around the rotating shaft, and a stirring member that is spaced apart from the magnetic member so as to be opposed to the magnetic member and that is arranged at the rotating shaft of the developer stirring-transporting member.
US07986898B2
An image forming apparatus is provided. The image forming apparatus includes: plural photosensitive members aligned in a first direction; plural developing units for the photosensitive members, respectively, each of the developing units including a developer supplier, and a housing which holds the developer supplier; a translation member which moves the developing units between a contact position in which the developer suppliers contact the photosensitive members and a separated position in which the developer suppliers are separated from the photosensitive members by a linear reciprocating movement in the first direction; plural memory chips provided on the housings of the developing units, respectively; plural contacts provided on the translation member, each of the contacts configured to contact the corresponding memory chips; and a wiring provided on the translation member and electrically connected to each of the contacts.
US07986894B2
A disclosed power supply device includes a voltage resonance circuit configured to include an output coil for boosting an input direct-current voltage to a predetermined voltage and outputting the boosted voltage to a load and also include a capacitor connected to the output coil; and a switching unit configured to be turned ON/OFF so as to control electric current supply to the output coil. An auxiliary resonance circuit is connected in parallel with the output coil so as to reduce switching losses without using a power control circuit for switching control.
US07986890B2
Using an operation panel a user selects group to which a recording medium to be subjected to image formation belongs out of plural groups of recording media classified according to grammages, a classification processing unit sub-classifies the group selected, to which the recording medium belongs, into plural sub-groups of recording media according to a detecting result of the media sensor provided further upstream in a conveying direction of a recording medium than a fixing unit, and a control unit sets, for the recording medium belonging to the group selected, the temperature of the fixing unit to a fixing temperature in a fixing temperature range and controls this fixing temperature according to any one of the sub-groups sub-classified. Consequently, it is possible to perform fixing processing at an optimum temperature according to a type of a recording medium.
US07986887B2
An image forming apparatus is supplied capable of adopting low price structure to obtain information that is stored in a storing section and is used for analyzing reason of failure/repair. The image forming apparatus performs an image formation by using an exchanging unit having a mounting section to mount an unit information store use memory and stores unit information including use status of the exchanging unit into the unit information store use memory, and comprises a history information storing section in which history information of the image forming apparatus is stored; an apparatus information store use memory which is mounted onto the mounting section to replace the unit information store use memory; a judging section which judges which of the unit information store use memory and the apparatus information store use memory is mounted in the mounting section; and a store controlling section which controls the apparatus information store use memory to store the history information in the case that the apparatus information store use memory is judged being mounted.
US07986885B2
An optical communication device such as a transmitter or receiver has a control loop for controlling relative phase of two related optical signals based on signal peak intensity. An optical transmitter measures the signal peak intensity of a combined optical signal representing two data channels to adjust relative phase as desired. An optical receiver measures the signal peak intensity of combined electrical signals, single electrical signals or single optical signals to adjust relative phase as desired. Signal peak intensity is minimized or maximized by adjusting the relative phase, depending upon the modulation configuration used. The feedback control provides a consistent and robust control to stabilize the optical communication device in the presence of variables such as temperature changes, aging and manufacturing tolerances.
US07986878B2
Techniques, apparatus and systems to provide adjustable bit rate optical transmission using programmable signal modulation in optical communication systems.
US07986877B2
A digital camera is provided with a vertically long camera body having an approximately rectangular solid shape. An LCD panel provided in a rear surface of the camera body is arranged such that longitudinal directions of the display screen and the camera body correspond to each other. The digital camera is operated through a touch panel provided in a lower portion of the display screen. In a taking mode, an image is displayed in a small size on an upper portion of the display screen. In reproducing, the camera body is rotated sideways by 90 degree. In a reproducing mode, display posture of the image is also rotated by 90 degree, and the image is displayed in a large size on the entire display screen.
US07986876B2
An interval photographing method with a plurality of photographing conditions includes setting at least one interval photographing condition in an interval photographing mode, obtaining an image at regular time intervals according to the at least one set interval photographing condition, classifying the image obtained at the regular time intervals by an index according to the at least one set interval photographing condition and storing the image, and combining the image stored by the index and converting the image into a motion picture.
US07986868B2
A closed caption tagging system provides a mechanism for inserting tags into an audio or video television broadcast stream prior to or at the time of transmission. The receiver receives the broadcast stream and detects and processes the tags within the broadcast stream which is stored on a storage device that resides on the receiver. The tags contain command and control information that the receiver translates and acts upon. A one-touch recording option is provided. An icon is displayed to the viewer telling the viewer that an advertised program is available for recording at a future time. The viewer presses a single button on an input device causing the receiver to schedule the program for recording.
US07986865B2
The recording operation can be rapidly started and a notification about the operating state during the recording operation can be realized without adding a new component, whereby a target scene of a subject can be recorded reliably. When a video signal captured by a camera unit 10 is compressed and encoded and is recorded on a DV tape, a control unit 100 controls a compression/decompression unit 40 and a tape deck unit 60 to compress and encode the video signal and record as DV data without using compressed data already recorded on the DV tape. In other words, the control unit 100 controls the operation of compressing and encoding video data to be newly recorded in such a manner that compressed data already recorded on the DV tape is not read out, thus reducing the time until recording of the video data on the DV tape is started.
US07986859B2
In one embodiment, R and B values for each G pixel element are interpolated and the RGB values are converted to HSI values. The converted HSI values are interpolated to determine interpolated HSI values for the R and B pixel elements and then the interpolated HSI values are converted to RGB values.
US07986855B2
A block noise detector has a spatial difference calculator that calculates differences between values of adjacent pixels. A spatial difference comparator detects edges by comparing the calculated differences. Eight counters count edges detected at different groups of positions spaced eight pixels apart in each horizontal line. The maximum count and the group of positions at which it occurs are detected at the end of each horizontal line to detect block noise and the positions of the block boundaries. The block noise detector is small in size because it only has to count edges in one line at a time, and detects edges accurately by comparing the difference at a given position separately with differences to the left and differences to the right.
US07986841B2
An image edge detection method includes: classifying a plurality of candidate directions of an image region into a first direction set and at least one second direction set; computing a gradient for each candidate direction of the first direction set to obtain a first gradient set; determining if the first gradient set satisfies the conditions that one edge direction exists in the first direction set; and if the first gradient set does not satisfy the conditions, determining that none of the plurality of candidate directions is the edge direction of the image region.
US07986831B2
An image processing apparatus for extracting pictures-in-picture information contained in an image, includes an image segmentation unit segmenting an input image into regions, and a region extraction unit extracting a pictures-in-picture region containing the pictures-in-picture information on the basis of a contour of a segmented region.
US07986829B2
Generation of a transformed Interim Connection Space for spectral data is provided. A first Interim Connection Space for spectral data in a full spectral space is accessed. A first map, which characterizes a linear transformation from the full spectral space to a first color space, is accessed. A second map, which characterizes a linear transformation from the first Interim Connection Space to the first color space, is determined. The first Interim Connection Space is decomposed into orthogonal subspaces, the orthogonal subspaces including a first subspace that is a null space of the second map and a second subspace that is an orthogonal complement of the null space in the first Interim Connection Space. The transformed Interim Connection Space is generated based on the first subspace and the second subspace.
US07986827B2
A method of training a classifier for computer aided detection of digitized medical image, includes providing a plurality of bags, each bag containing a plurality of feature samples of a single region-of-interest in a medical image, where each region-of-interest has been labeled as either malignant or healthy. The training uses candidates that are spatially adjacent to each other, modeled by a “bag”, rather than each candidate by itself. A classifier is trained on the plurality of bags of feature samples, subject to the constraint that at least one point in a convex hull of each bag, corresponding to a feature sample, is correctly classified according to the label of the associated region-of-interest, rather than a large set of discrete constraints where at least one instance in each bag has to be correctly classified.
US07986825B2
The present invention provides a model forming apparatus that can simply and efficiently form a three-dimensional model of an object using previously obtained three-dimensional model data of the object as a starting point. The apparatus comprises a photographing section 110 for photographing an object 10, an image data storage section 130 for storing three-dimensional model data of the object, a display section 140 for displaying a three-dimensional model based on the three-dimensional model data of the object 10, a recognition section 150 for recognizing an unmodeled part of the object 10 based on the three-dimensional model data stored in the image data storage section 130, and a photographing instruction information section 160 for obtaining photographing instruction information related to photographing the unmodeled part. The photographing section 110 photographs the object 10 in accordance with the photographing instruction information obtained by the photographing instruction information section 160.
US07986821B2
Systems, processes and apparatus are described through which signals are modified within a system. A process for image conditioning in a nondestructive imaging system includes acts of: (i) selecting a protocol from a group of protocols, each protocol of the group being structured to provide multiple coordinated views of a particularized anatomical region and to facilitate automated characterization of an aspect of the anatomical region; (ii) opting for at least one of a plurality of viewing modalities for review of images associated with the selected protocol; and (iii) displaying the images in conformance with the at least one viewing modality.
US07986816B1
Methods and systems for multiple factor authentication combining eye tracking hardware with iris scanning. The resulting multiple factor authentication is a highly secure and highly accurate authentication procedure. Iris scanning provides excellent identification and eye tracking provides the information that the iris is live and provides identification capabilities based on the eye movement itself while enabling gaze-based password entry.
US07986813B2
A pose estimation and comparison system has a pose estimation and comparison unit. The pose estimation and comparison unit has an pose candidate decision unit which decides an pose candidate. According to the generated pose candidate, a comparison image generation unit generates a plurality of comparison images close to the input image, while projecting a three-dimensional object model obtained from a three-dimensional object model storage unit to a two-dimensional image. A sharpness extraction unit extracts a first sharpness amount reflecting the sharpness from each of the generated comparison images. A weighted difference calculator calculates a plurality of weighted differences by weighting the first sharpness amount to the difference between the input image and each of the comparison images. A determination unit selects a comparison image having the smallest weighted difference as the comparison image closest to the input image, thereby performing the pose estimation and comparison.
US07986807B2
Machine readable signals embedded in other media signals include a circular structure in a transform domain to facilitate detection. The machine readable signals are not apparent to human observers of rendered media containing the machine readable signals, such as images and documents. A detector captures the media signal, transforms it to the transform domain, and then uses the circular structure in the transform domain to facilitate detection despite rotation of the media signal.
US07986804B2
An audio speaker having a removable voice coil, which may be a part of a voice coil assembly. The voice coil may be user-removable to facilitate replacement of a damaged voice coil or reconfiguration of a speaker system. Properly positioning the voice coil assembly may provide a solder-free electrical connection between the voice coil and leads that provide current to the voice coil. In some embodiments, the voice coil is user-removably attached to an inner circumferential surface of a diaphragm. In other embodiments, the voice coil is connected to the diaphragm, and the voice coil assembly and the diaphragm are both user-removably attached to a frame.
US07986803B1
An ear bud earphone having an outer portion, which may be a microphone or sound input or a contact for wires or acoustic tubes, a central body portion, an ear canal main body and a tab. The ear canal main body of the earphone has flexibility to conform to the ear anatomy. The ear (pinna) has a helix, an anti-helix, a concha including the anatomical elements of a cymba and a cavum, and an ear canal. The ear canal main body is partially inserted into the concha and ear canal opening, with the tab resting on or under the anti-helix.
US07986802B2
A portable electronic device and personal hands-free accessory are provided. The personal hands free accessory includes at least one electro-acoustic speaker, and at least one microphone that receives ambient sound and converts the ambient sound to an ambient sound signal. Included among the portable electronic device and the personal hands-free accessory are a processing circuit, the processing circuit including circuitry that combines an audio signal from the portable electronic device with the ambient sound signal from the at least one microphone to produce a combined audio signal provided to the at least one speaker such that the at least one speaker reproduces the ambient sound in combination with audio from the audio signal; event detecting circuitry for detecting an occurrence of a predefined event; and disabling circuitry for substantially disabling the reproduction of the ambient sound signal by the at least one speaker based upon the detected occurrence of the predefined event, while still permitting the reproduction of the audio signal.
US07986785B2
Embodiments of methods, apparatuses, devices, and/or systems for data copyright management are described.
US07986780B2
A system to contribute to creating a substring of a string may include a communication unit and a processing unit. The communication unit may be configured to receive an encrypted representation of a second share of the string. The string may be identical to the second share of the string combined with a first share of the string. The communication unit may be configured to send a rearranged representation of the encrypted representation of the second share of the string to a further system. The processing unit may be configured to rearrange a representation of the encrypted representation of the second share of the string using a first share of a start value of the substring. The start value may be identical to the first share of the start value added to a second share of the start value.
US07986778B2
A cryptographic method and apparatus is provided in which an identifier-based encryption process is used to encrypt a message with an identifier string that specifies conditions to be checked by a trusted entity before providing a decrypted form of the encrypted message, or enabling its decryption. A further trusted entity is used to verify the identity of the message sender as indicated by a further identifier string, and to provide the sender with a secret key that the sender uses to generate complimentary signature components. These signature components are sent along with the encrypted message and are used, along with other data including the first identifier string and a public key of the further trusted entity, to authenticate the identity of the message sender.
US07986770B2
A system and method for monitoring the state of a structure over a network. The system and method provides for providing the status of a monitoring device to a status file. The status file is accessible over the Internet by computer so that a party can first determine the status of the device. The system operates over normal PSTN's, over cable systems, over wireless networks and over the Internet.
US07986764B2
An x-ray laminography device includes at least one x-ray detector and at least one x-ray source coupled in coordinated traversal with the at least one x-ray detector. The at least one x-ray source is configured to generate and transmit x-rays. The at least one x-ray detector and the at least one x-ray source traverse an at least partially radial travel path in unison about an object such that the object is illuminated with x-rays from a plurality of oblique radial angles defined between the at least one x-ray source and the object.
US07986758B2
User Equipment in a wireless communication network considers the downlink channel bandwidth in setting out of synchronization (OoS) and in synchronization (IS) thresholds and filter durations. Additionally, the UE may consider transmitter antenna configuration—that is, the number of transmitting antennas in a MIMO system—in setting the OoS and IS thresholds. The UE determines it is OoS when a monitored, filtered, downlink channel quality metric, such as reference symbol SINR, is below the OoS threshold.
US07986754B2
An apparatus including a first circuit, a second circuit, a third circuit, and a fourth circuit. The first circuit may be configured to generate a demodulated signal in response to a modulated signal and a seed value selected in response to a first control signal. The second circuit may be configured to generate a second control signal in response to the demodulated signal. The third circuit may be configured to generate the first control signal in response to the second control signal, a compensation signal, and the first control signal, where generation of the first control signal includes adding the second control signal, the compensation signal, and a latched version of the first control signal. Generation of the latched version of the first control signal may include sampling the first control signal in response to a clock signal. The compensation signal may compensate for variation in the clock signal.
US07986753B1
A modified branch metric for decoders and equalizers is described. In one embodiment the branch metric includes determining a set of branch metric values for symbols of a received digital signal, the branch metric values indicating a correlation between symbols obtained using a reduced calculation set, the reduced calculation set being obtained by adding a common term to all of the branch metric values before determining the correlation. The branch metric may be followed by determining path metrics for paths through a decision tree using the branch metric values, and selecting a path and a corresponding symbol sequence in the received digital signal using the path metric values.
US07986751B2
A carrier frequency offset estimating device for estimating frequency offsets of a multi-carrier signal includes a transforming circuit, a cosine effect eliminating circuit, a model creating circuit, and an estimating circuit. The transforming circuit receives the multi-carrier signal and transforms the multi-carrier signal to single-carrier signals. The cosine effect eliminating circuit eliminates cosine effects in the single-carrier signals to form single-carrier signals without the cosine effects. The model creating circuit creates linear data models according to the single-carrier signals without the cosine effects. The estimating circuit estimates the frequency offsets of the multi-carrier signal according to the linear data models. A carrier frequency offset estimating system is also provided.
US07986745B2
An encoding apparatus that converts input digital data and an input clock into three-bit six-state transition encode outputs and outputs them is disclosed. The encoding apparatus has a first state transition control section, second state transition control section, and an output selection section. The first state transition control section changes a state of first data at a positive edge of the input clock. The second state transition control section changes a state of second data at a negative edge of the input clock. The output selection section alternately selects the state of the first state transition control section and the second state transition control section.
US07986725B2
A code phase signalling module arranged to provide code phase signalling to assist in signal acquisition of direct sequence spread spectrum signalling received by a receiver module from a transmitter module. The code phase signalling is arranged to be used by the receiver module to synchronise the phase of a synchronisation code provided from within the receiver module with the phase of a modulation code of the direct spread spectrum sequence signalling received by the receiver module. The synchronisation code sequence corresponds to the modulation code sequence. The code phase signalling module is arranged to provide code phase time signalling representing the offset time of the synchronisation code from a reference time. The reference time is associated with the time of transmission of a particular reference portion of the modulation code of the direct spread spectrum signaling.
US07986702B1
A customer-premises equipment (CPE) gateway and methods for operation thereof, and a multimedia server and methods for operation thereof are disclosed, the method for the CPE gateway, the method including: (a) receiving, by the CPE gateway, a first IGMP compliant command; (b) generating by the CPE gateway, in response to the first IGMP compliant command, a unicast command that instructs a multimedia server to generate a unicast media stream; wherein the generating includes concealing multicast information from at least one IGMP compliant entity that follows the CPE gateway; and (c) transmitting, by the CPE gateway, the unicast command to the at least one IGMP compliant entity; wherein the unicast command passes through the at least one IGMP compliant entity and reaches the multimedia server.
US07986698B2
Methods and apparatus related to scheduling and/or utilization of air link traffic resources are described. A connection identifier is associated with priority with regard to use of an air link resource, e.g., a peer to peer traffic segment which is in contention. A particular connection may acquire and hold one or multiple connection identifiers. In some embodiments, the priority associated with a particular connection identifier is intentionally varied in a set of traffic slots. In some such embodiments, there is priority randomization from slot to slot. In one such implementation there is a statistically uniform average priority between the different connection identifiers over the recurring structure. Such an implementation facilitates access to traffic segments to a wide range of users, yet allows for differentiation with regard to the amount of access as a function of the number of connection identifiers being held by a particular connection.
US07986697B2
A device and method for processing information fragments, the method includes: receiving multiple information fragments from multiple communication paths; wherein the each information fragment is associated with a cyclic serial number indicating of a generation time of the information fragment; storing the multiple information fragments in multiple input queues, each input queue being associated with a communication path out of the multiple communication paths; determining whether at least one serial number associated with at least one valid information fragment positioned in a head of one of the multiple input queues is located within a pre-rollout serial number range; mapping, in response to the determination, serial numbers associated with each of the valid information fragment positioned in the heads of the multiple input queues to at least one serial number range that differs from the pre-rollout serial number range; and sending to an output queue information fragment metadata associated with a minimal valued serial number out of the serial numbers associated with each of the valid information fragment positioned in the heads of the multiple input queues.
US07986687B2
An edge router (6) for multicast data transfer comprises a cache (10). In response to a request for a file from a host (3a), the router (6) retrieves the file from a content provider (2). The file, comprising data packets A-G, is stored in the cache (10) before transmission to host (3a) to allow the receipt of requests for the same file from other hosts (3b, 3c). A timer is activated to count down through a predetermined waiting period T. A file delivery group is defined, comprising host (3a). Any other hosts (3b, 3c) located in the same cell as host (3a), requesting the same file during period T are added to the group. When a predetermined number of requests have been received or, alternatively, when the waiting period T expires, the file is retrieved from the cache (10) and forwarded to the hosts (3a, 3b, 3c), in the group.
US07986682B2
In a method of registering with an access point in a terminal of a wireless communication system, a frame includes a downlink sub-frame including a broadcast interval and a first management connection interval, and an uplink sub-frame including an access interval and a second management connection interval, the broadcast interval being used for transmitting a map message, the method includes: sending a first ranging request message to the access point using the access interval; receiving allocation information of a ranging slot from the access point using the map message; performing ranging through the ranging slot; sending a registration request message to the access point using the second management connection interval; and receiving information on whether to permit the registering from the access point using the first management connection interval.
US07986663B2
A wireless LAN includes two interfaces with a transmitter-receiver function and a channel controller. One of the two interfaces employs one communication channel to search for a communication channel being used by a destination communication unit. The channel controller determines a surrounding radio wave condition based on the communication channel obtained by the searching, and controls channel setting so that the respective communication channels of the two interfaces differ from each.
US07986661B2
A terminal communicates with a first wireless network and obtains a list of cells in a second wireless network to measure. The terminal operates in a compressed mode and receives multiple transmission gap pattern sequences for different measurement purposes, e.g., RSSI measurements, BSIC identification, and BSIC re-confirmation. The terminal utilizes each transmission gap for its designated purpose or an alternate purpose. For each transmission gap, the designated purpose for the transmission gap is ascertained, and whether the transmission gap is usable for an alternate purpose is also determined based on at least one criterion. The transmission gap is used for the alternate purpose if the at least one criterion is satisfied and is used for the designated purpose otherwise. For example, a transmission gap designated for RSSI measurement may be used for BSIC identification, a transmission gap designed for BSIC identification or BSIC re-confirmation may be used for RSSI measurement, and so on.
US07986659B2
A notification equipment comprises a transmission data determination unit configured to determine whether transmission data to be transmitted to a terminal equipment is first transmission data or repeated transmission data, an instruction data generator configured to generate identification instruction data indicating that the transmission data is the first transmission data or the repeated transmission data based on a transmission data determination result by the transmission data determination unit, and an instruction data transmitter configured to transmit the identification instruction data to the terminal equipment.
US07986657B2
A control system uses a wireless network to provided communication between a host computer and field devices. The field devices are normally maintained in a lower power or sleep state. Only field devices that will be involved in a communication with the host computer are turned On and maintained On until communication between the field devices and the host computer is completed.
US07986656B2
A method for inter-network communication between a first and second user. The method includes receiving a first request for a location associated with the second user from a first switching system for a first network in response to a second request. The method processes information associated with the first request and determines a network identifier for a second network related to the location associated with the second user, and sends the first switching system a location message, including the network identifier for the second network. The method includes receiving a third request for routing information associated with the second user from a second switching system for the second network. The method determines a location directory in the second network for the second user and receives the roaming information for the second user from the location directory. The method then sends the roaming information to the second switching system.
US07986652B1
A system and method allows devices to send and receive packets while using power to do so in a manner that responds to events, such as receipt or other identification of different parameters that control how packets are sent and received.
US07986628B2
A communication apparatus including a physical layer processing unit that transmits data to a communication medium and a lower-layer processing unit that performs transmission control is provided. The transmission control includes at least one of aggregated-frame transmission control in which a data frame is supplied to the physical layer processing unit as an aggregated frame by aggregating the data frame with at least one other data frame, and single-frame transmission control in which the data frame is supplied to the physical layer processing unit as a single frame. The lower-layer processing unit determines whether to supply the data frame to the physical layer processing unit as the aggregated frame by performing the aggregated-frame transmission control or as the single frame by performing the single-frame transmission control based on a type of data contained in a payload of the data frame.
US07986624B2
A process is described to build frames for transmission with a modcode adapted to the signal quality of a destination terminal. The order of transmission may be based, at least in part, on the age of a packet as defined by a timestamp. Data packets assigned to the same modcode may be grouped in the same frame, with precedence given to older timestamps. For data packets with certain quality of service designations, timestamps may be modified to expedite forwarding. The amount of modification may, for example, be based on factors related to delay and latency.
US07986621B2
A signaling speed module wherein that signaling speed module sets the signaling rate for each of a plurality of data storage devices. In certain embodiments of the invention, the signaling speed module comprises a memory device encoded with a pre-determined signaling rate. In other embodiments of the invention, the signaling speed module comprises a speed selection module, wherein that speed selection module sets the signaling rate for each of a plurality of data storage devices.
US07986620B2
To improve accuracy for verifying reception in the data transmission utilizing the common channel. A radio communication apparatus for transmitting the data to the transmitting destination apparatus selected from a plurality of transmitting destination apparatuses using the shared channel, comprises a control unit for controlling data transmission and a path search unit for identifying the transmitting destination apparatus as the object of the path search in accordance with control of data transmission.
US07986618B2
Systems and methods for distinguishing a node failure from a link failure are provided. By strengthening the assumption of independent failures, bandwidth sharing among backup tunnels protecting links and nodes of a network is facilitated as well as distributed computation of backup tunnel placement. Thus a backup tunnel overlay network can provide guaranteed bandwidth in the event of a failure.
US07986617B2
The invention is directed toward an automated system and process to provide resiliency to a network infrastructure where traditional established methods tend to fail. The system analyzes the underlying physical characteristics of the network topology to identify physically diverse backup routing paths among nodes in the network. The system takes as input the number of diverse paths desired and a characteristic(s) used to choose the most desirable paths, such as delay, flow, or cost. The invention searches for multiple solutions for the selected number of diverse paths within the network.
US07986609B2
An optical recording medium records information in a mechanism of generating new material, having reflectance different from that of others in information recording layer, when laser beam is projected thereonto. The optical recording medium includes a substrate, and a reflective layer positioned on the substrate to reflect an entering laser beam and having an information recording layer. The information recording layer includes a first information recording layer containing one or more elements selected from a group of Si, Ge, and Sb, and a second information recording layer containing one or more elements selected from a group of Si, Sb, Te, and Al. Data can be recorded in high density and the optical recording medium provides high recording stability and recording sensitivity.
US07986607B2
An optical pickup includes a wave plate on an optical path to be followed by every light beam emitted from three light sources (with wavelengths λ1, λ2 and λ3, respectively) both on their way toward an optical disc and back from the disc toward a photodetector. The wave plate has two layers with different retardations and different optic axis directions. The sum of the retardations of the first and second layers is defined to be approximately 5/4λ1, 3/4λ2 and 1/2λ3 to the light beams with the wavelengths λ1, λ2 and λ3.
US07986606B2
An optical head device having a broadband phase plate of transforming at least three linearly polarized light beams having different wavelengths into circularly polarized light beams, is obtained.A broadband phase plate comprising two phase plates 9A and 9B laminated with e.g. an adhesive agent so that their optical axes are crossed, wherein provided that wavelengths of linearly polarized incident light beams are λ1, λ2 and λ3 (λ1<λ2<λ3), at least one or both of the two phase plates has such a phase difference characteristics that a ratio R(λ1)/R(λ3) and a ratio R(λ2)/R(λ3) between retardation values of the wavelengths are smaller than 1 and R(λ1)/R(λ3) is smaller than R(λ2)/R(λ3), is integrated in the optical head device.
US07986596B2
An optical recording/reproducing system 1 reads, based on a predetermined reproduction clock, information associated with a recording track of a recording medium by irradiating frequency light. The frequency light is scanned at a predetermined scan velocity. The optical recording/reproducing system includes a computer 13, a DSP 49, and a LD driver that modulate light by a drive signal on which a frequency signal is superimposed to thereby output the frequency light, and synchronizes a frequency of the frequency signal with a frequency of the reproduction clock according to the scan velocity.
US07986594B2
An optical pickup has a lens actuator, at least one suspension wire having a first end and an opposite second end, the lens actuator being held by the wire at the first end, and a support base to which the wire is fixed at the second end. The support base has at least one cutaway section provided as corresponding to the wire, having a concavity to receive at least partially the wire in cross section orthogonal to a longitudinal direction of the wire, the concavity curving in a direction parallel to the cross section of the wire, and a land formed around the cutaway section, the wire being soldered to the land at the second end while the wire is being received at least partially by the concavity.
US07986589B2
A seismic exploration method and unit comprised of continuous recording, self-contained wireless seismometer units or pods. The self-contained unit may include a tilt meter, a compass and a mechanically gimbaled clock platform. Upon retrieval, seismic data recorded by the unit can be extracted and the unit can be charged, tested, re-synchronized, and operation can be re-initiated without the need to open the unit's case. The unit may include an additional geophone to mechanically vibrate the unit to gauge the degree of coupling between the unit and the earth. The unit may correct seismic data for the effects of crystal aging arising from the clock. Deployment location of the unit may be determined tracking linear and angular acceleration from an initial position. The unit may utilize multiple geophones angularly oriented to one another in order to redundantly measure seismic activity in a particular plane.
US07986585B2
A method for improving the bit error rate in digital transmissions of sonobuoy sensor data from a sonobuoy to a receiver platform includes computing a send checksum on a frame of sonobuoy sensor data, copying the frame of data and checksum into a plurality of subframes, delaying one of the plurality of subframes for a predetermined period, multiplexing the delayed subframe with the plurality of subframes into a transmit frame; and transmitting the transmit frame. The invention is particularly suited to improving the reception of legacy sonobuoy receivers in littoral waters where radio frequency interference and signal propagation is a severe problem.
US07986584B2
A memory device having a memory core is described. The memory device includes a clock receiver circuit, a first interface to receive a read command, a data interface, and a second interface to receive power mode information. The data interface is separate from the first interface. The second interface is separate from the first interface and the data interface. The memory device has a plurality of power modes, including a first mode in which the clock receiver circuit, first interface, and data interface are turned off; a second mode in which the clock receiver is turned on and the first interface and data interface are turned off; and a third mode in which the clock receiver and first interface are turned on. In the third mode, the data interface is turned on when the first interface receives the command, to output data in response to the command.
US07986582B2
A method for operating a memory apparatus which comprises at least two memory devices, each memory device containing at least one bank, comprising: activation of at least one word line in at least one bank on the basis of a row activation command; storage of bank information, the bank information indicating which banks per memory device contain a word line activated by the row activation command; reading/writing of memory contents from/to banks with activated word lines on the basis of the bank information.
US07986574B2
A data input circuit comprises a sensing control unit which delays an internal write command by a predetermined period and generates a sense amplifier enable signal in response to a first clock signal, and a data sensing unit which senses align data and transfers the sensed data to a global line in response to the sense amplifier enable signal, wherein the sense amplifier enable signal is enabled at a time point when the align data is inputted in the data sensing unit.
US07986561B2
A semiconductor memory device comprises memory cells which includes a selection transistor and a memory transistor; selection gate lines coupled to a gate of the selection transistor; control gate lines coupled to the control gate of the memory transistor; source lines coupled to a source of the memory transistor; bit lines coupled to the selection transistor; a selection gate line driver circuit; a control gate line driver circuit; and a source line driver circuit, wherein the selection gate line driver circuit comprises a first transistor including a first gate insulation film and drives the selection gate line with a first driving voltage, and the control gate line driver circuit and the source line driver circuit comprise a second transistor including second gate insulation films and drive the control gate line and the source line with a boost voltage higher than the first driving voltage.
US07986559B2
A method of operating a nonvolatile memory device includes performing a first program operation and a first verification operation on memory cells until a cell, having a threshold voltage higher than a first reference voltage, occurs and, when a cell having the threshold voltage higher than the first reference voltage occurs, performing a second program operation and performing a second verification operation using a second reference voltage higher than the first reference voltage.
US07986546B2
A non-volatile memory cell includes a volatile storage device that stores a corresponding logic state in response to electrical stimulus; and a shadow memory device coupled to the volatile storage device. The shadow memory device receives and stores the corresponding logic state in response to electrical stimulus. The shadow memory device includes a non-volatile nanotube switch that stores the corresponding state of the shadow device.
US07986544B2
The present invention generally relates to magnetic devices used in memory and information processing applications, such as giant magneto-resistance (GMR) devices and tunneling magneto-resistance devices. More specifically, the present invention is directed to a single ferromagnetic layer device in which an electrical current is used to control and change magnetic configurations as well as induce high frequency magnetization dynamics. The magnetic layer includes full spin-polarized magnetic material, which may also have non-uniform magnetization. The non-uniform magnetization is achieved by varying the shape or roughness of the magnetic material. The present invention may be used in memory cells, as well as high frequency electronics, such as compact microwave sources, detectors, mixers and phase shifters.
US07986537B2
A DC-to-DC converter having an active switch connected between a pair of DC input terminals via the primary winding of a transformer whose secondary winding is connected to a pair of DC output terminals via a rectifying and smoothing circuit. Operating under the control of an output voltage detector circuit, a switch control signal generator rapidly turns the active switch on and off so as to keep the DC output voltage constant. For overcurrent protection, a current detect resistor is connected in series with the active switch for providing an uncorrected current detect signal indicative of the current flowing through the active switch. An overcurrent protector generates, in response to a clocked ramp voltage, a correction voltage which builds up with time during each conducting period of the active switch. The correction voltage is subtracted from the uncorrected current detect signal to provide a corrected current detect signal. The switch control signal generator is caused to turn off the active switch when the corrected current detect signal rises to an overcurrent threshold.
US07986534B2
An apparatus to generate a high voltage includes a switching part to control a voltage induced in a secondary coil of a power transforming part, by interrupting a current in a primary coil of the power transforming part, a digital controlling part to control the interruption operation of the switching part according to supplied control data. The switching part, the digital interfacing part and the digital controlling part may be embodied in an ASIC chip (application-specific integrated circuit). An optimum control according to an output state of the apparatus is easily achieved, manufacturing time for tuning each parameter is reduced and heat generation in the apparatus is reduced.
US07986520B2
According to one embodiment, an electronic device includes a printed wiring board, a first heat generating part and a second heat generating part secured to one surface of the printed wiring board, a plurality of first heat pipes, a second heat pipe and a heat sink. The first heat pipes each include a first end portion, a second end portion on an opposite side to the first end portion and a middle portion located between the first and second end portions and thermally connected to the first heat generating part. The second heat pipe includes a third end portion connected to the second end portion and a fourth end portion provided on an opposite side to the third end portion and thermally connected to the second heat generating part. The second heat pipe has a width dimension larger than that of the first heat pipe.
US07986518B2
An optical disk drive includes a main body defining a receiving space and a pivotable cover. A latching mechanism that contacts the cover at two points distributes stresses better than where the latching mechanism only contacts the cover at one point.
US07986516B2
An engaging structure for an electronic device includes a first substrate, an engaging member, and a fixed reinforcing member. The first substrate defines at least one guiding slot. The engaging member includes at least one first latching protrusion extending therefrom. The at least one first protrusion engages in the at least one guiding slot. The fixed reinforcing member includes at least one abutting block extending therefrom. The at least one abutting block is configured for abutting against the at least one first latching protrusion.
US07986511B2
A slide mechanism used in portable electronic device is described including a main plate, a slide plate, a parallelogrammically-shaped slider, and two guiders. The slider is attached to the slide plate. The guiders are attached to the main plate and configured for deformably guiding the slider to move therealong. The slider is positioned between the guiders. During the sliding process of the slide plate with respect to the main plate, two corners of the slider deform the guiders to slide the slide plate along the main plate.
US07986510B1
An electrochemical device having an operational voltage up to 4.5 V in combination with a high concentration of an electrolyte salt consisting of a tetrafluoroborate salt and a eutectic of two solvents in which ethylene carbonate is one and an improved carbon electrode a preferred electrochemical device is a capacitor.
US07986507B2
A variable capacitor is provided which is appropriate for suppressing fluctuation in driving voltage characteristic and for achieving a larger variation ratio of static capacitance. The variable capacitor includes a fixed electrode and a movable electrode. The fixed electrode includes a first opposing face, while the movable electrode includes a second opposing face that faces the first opposing face. The movable electrode further includes a curved portion that protrudes toward the fixed electrode. The variable capacitor also includes a dielectric pattern provided on the first opposing face.
US07986506B2
An apparatus for interfering with locomotion of a target by conducting a current through a load that includes an ionizable path. The apparatus includes, according to various aspects of the present invention, an energy source, an ionization detector, a charge detector, a controller, and a pulse generator. The controller determines, in response to the detector and by trial and error, a respective quantity of energy for each pulse of a plurality of pulses to be generated. For each pulse of the plurality, the pulse generator receives the respective quantity of energy from the energy source, provides in response to the quantity of energy a respective voltage to ionize the ionization path, and provides the current through the load. The charge detector detects a charge provided through the load. The processor sets the voltage for charging for a next pulse in response to the charge detected by the charge detector.
US07986501B2
A circuit interrupting device configured to cause electrical discontinuity along a conductive path upon the occurrence of a predetermined condition is disclosed. The device includes a fault sensing circuit detecting the predetermined condition and generating a circuit interrupting actuation signal, and a coil and plunger assembly actuatable by the circuit interrupting actuation signal so that, upon detecting the predetermined condition, the plunger will move in a fault direction from a non-actuated to an actuated configuration a distance sufficient to cause disengagement of at least one set of contacts from each other to cause electrical discontinuity along the conductive path; and a test assembly causing the plunger to move in a test direction, from a pre-test configuration to a post-test configuration, a distance insufficient to disengage the at least one set of contacts from each other. Analogous methods of testing the circuit interrupting device are also disclosed.
US07986496B2
Embodiments of the present invention help to prevent data error occurrence in a hard disk drive by reducing the generation of dust caused by friction between a magnetic disk and a ramp. According to one embodiment, a hard disk drive comprises an enclosure, a motor for rotating a magnetic disk, an actuator for supporting a head slider for accessing the disk, and a ramp for loading/unloading the head slider disposed in the enclosure. The ramp comprises a tab slide formed of a resin material having a sliding characteristic to slide a tab at a tip end of the actuator at a specific velocity, and a slit on which a reinforcement made of a resin material with higher mechanical strength than the tab slide is formed.
US07986491B2
A hard disk drive (HDD) has a stack of disks mounted on a rotatable spindle with the disks being movable axially, i.e., in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation of the spindle. A disk separator is located inside the spindle and separates axially-adjacent disks in a pair to create an axial gap. Any pair of axially-adjacent disks can be separated so that different axial gaps are created. A single head-arm assembly with at least one and preferably two read write heads is movable axially so that it can be rotated by the rotary actuator into any one of the axial gaps. The read/write heads can thus access data on the disk surfaces in the axial gaps. When it is desired to have the disk separator create an new axial gap and thus a new pair of disk surfaces to be accessed, the actuator rotates the head-arm assembly away from the outer perimeters of the disks and moves the read/write heads onto a head support structure that supports the read/write heads off the disks.
US07986475B2
An exemplary lens module includes a lens barrel, a first lens, and a second lens. The lens barrel includes an accommodating cavity defined therein. The first lens is received in the accommodating cavity of the lens barrel. The first lens has a first adjusting notch defined at a periphery thereof. The second lens is received in the accommodating cavity of the lens barrel and adjacent to the first lens. The second lens has a second adjusting notch defined at a periphery thereof. The second adjusting notch communicates with the first adjusting notch.
US07986471B2
An optical-element supporting device includes a first supporting unit and a second supporting unit configured to support an optical element. The first and second supporting units are spaced apart. The first and second supporting units support the optical element so as to constrain translational motion of the optical element along each of three axial directions and rotation of the optical element about each of the three axes. Where n is the number of axes constrained by the first supporting unit among the translational motion of the optical element along each of the three axial directions and the rotation of the optical element about each of the three axes, and m is the number of axes constrained by the second supporting unit among the translational motion of the optical element along each of the three axial directions and the rotation of the optical element about each of the three axes, n+m=6 is satisfied.
US07986470B2
An annular aperture stop includes a first annular portion and a second annular portion. The first annular portion extends and slowly tapers towards the center of the aperture stop. The second annular portion extends inwards from the first portion and sharply tapers off to the innermost boundary of the aperture stop and defines a tapering angle. The radial thickness of the second portion is smaller than a predetermined tolerance of about 0.035 mm of the inner diameter of the aperture stop. The tapering angle is smaller than a predetermined threshold of about 70 degrees, whereby the innermost boundary of the aperture stop is protected from flashes during molding the aperture stop.
US07986469B2
An interchangeable lens unit comprises a second lens group unit, a focus lens unit, a fourth lens group unit, a zoom ring unit, and a focus motor. The zoom ring unit mechanically transmits operational force inputted to a zoom ring to the second lens group unit and the fourth lens group unit. The focus motor electrically drives the focus lens unit in the Z axis direction with respect to the second lens group unit. When the zoom ring is operated in a state in which no power is being supplied to the focus motor, a gap is always ensured in the Z axis direction between the focus lens unit and the second lens group unit.
US07986464B2
An image system adapted to a projection display apparatus includes a first lens group having a negative refractive power, a second lens group having a positive refractive power, an aspheric reflector, and a curved reflector. The second lens group includes an aspheric lens which is the nearest to the light valve in the second lens group. A material of the aspheric lens includes glass, the thermal-optical coefficient of the glass is between 1.0×10−6/K and 12.5×10−6/K, and the refractive index of the glass is between 1.482 and 1.847. The aspheric reflector is disposed front of the first lens group for reflecting the image beam passing through the first lens group and second lens group. The curved reflector is disposed above the first lens group for reflecting the image beam reflected by the aspheric reflector onto the screen. The image system has a good imaging quality.
US07986463B2
A beam blocking and combining optic comprising a wedged optically transparent substrate with a hard dielectric coating applied to a beam combining side of the substrate. The coating has a high reflectance at a laser wavelength and high transmittance at visible wavelengths. The single optical component can combine laser beams into a viewing path and act as a laser safety filter to protect the viewer from reflected laser radiation while providing good color balance and very low astigmatism in the viewing path and very low astigmatism in the reflected laser beam.
US07986458B2
A zoom lens and an image pickup apparatus are disclosed. The zoom lens includes, in order from an object side to an image side, a first lens group having a positive refractive power, a second lens group having a negative refractive power, a third lens group having a positive refractive power, a fourth lens group having a positive refractive power, and a fifth lens group having a positive refractive power. The fifth lens group includes a fixed group having a negative refractive power, and a movable group having a positive refractive power and being movable in a direction substantially orthogonal to the optical axis. The image formed on an image surface is movable in a direction substantially orthogonal to the optical axis by moving the movable group of the fifth lens group in the direction substantially orthogonal to the optical axis. The fifth lens group is satisfied predetermined conditions.
US07986457B2
A screen includes; a plurality of layers including a diffusion layer that diffuses incident light; an elastic member that movably supports the diffusion layer with respect to an arbitrary holding part; and a driving unit that moves the diffusion layer in a direction perpendicular to an optical axis of light that is incident to the diffusion layer.
US07986455B2
A multilayer mirror includes a layer sequence arranged on a substrate and a plurality of layer pairs. Each layer pair includes a first layer composed of a first material and a second layer composed of a second material. The first layers and the second layers each have a thickness of more than 2 nm, and the first material or the second material is a silicon boride or a molybdenum nitride.
US07986454B1
An apparatus and method for tunable generation of terahertz waves at room temperatures are provided. The apparatus for tunable terahertz generation comprises: (A) a terahertz antenna further comprising a magnon gain medium; (B) a means for generating the nonequilibrium magnons in the magnon gain medium; wherein the terahertz antenna is configured to emit generated terahertz photons; and (C) a means for tuning frequency of terahertz photons emitted by the terahertz antenna. The magnon gain medium is selected from the group consisting of: {a ferromagnetic semiconductor; a dilute magnetic semiconductor (DMS); a half-metallic ferromagnet (HMF); and a ferromagnetic conductor, with a gap in the density of states of the minority electrons around the Fermi energy}.
US07986449B2
Briefly, in accordance with one or more embodiments, a MEMS based scanning platform is arranged to have increased efficiency by driving a first frame of the scanning platform directly by applying a drive voltage to a set of comb fingers disposed on the first frame to cause the first frame to oscillate via torsional rotation of a first flexure and by driving a second frame of the scanning platform indirectly via mechanical coupling of the second frame with the first frame via a second flexure, wherein damping losses and work capacity are such that the operation of the scanning mirror is more efficient than if the set of comb fingers were disposed on the second frame and directly driven by the drive voltage. The scanning platform may comprise a 1D scanner, a 2D scanner, or a multiple-dimensional scanner.
US07986443B2
An object of the present invention is to solve dissatisfaction of the user who can not take out the source data in a case where a code image in the original can not be decoded. In order to accomplish the above object, the invention provides an image processing apparatus comprising code image detection unit that determines whether or not an code image is included in the original image data, code image decoding unit that decodes the code image to extract source data if it is determined that the code image is included by the code image detection unit, and synthesizing unit that encodes information obtained by decoding a partial area of the code image and overlaying encoded information on the area where the code image is included, if the code image decoding unit is successful in decoding only the partial area of the code image.
US07986441B2
System and methodologies are provided herein for low-distortion image watermarking. Parity relationships between multiple pixels and/or regions of an image can be leveraged as described herein to reduce the amount of toggling required to embed a watermark in an image, thereby increasing watermark efficiency and reducing visual artifacts introduced in a watermarked image. Various algorithms for leveraging parity relationships are described herein, including a Block-Overlapping Parity Check (BOPC) algorithm, a Champagne Pyramid Parity Check (CPPC) algorithm, and a Tree-Based Parity Check (TBPC) algorithm.
US07986439B2
A first entity is provided having a first bit-pattern, resource data, a first base key, and a first variant key which is the result of applying a one way function to a second base key and the first bit-pattern. The first entity is configured to receive a request from a second entity to perform an operation on the resource data, where the second entity has a second bit-pattern and a second variant key which is the result of applying a one way function to the first base key and the second bit-pattern, perform the operation in the request to generate a response, digitally sign the response using the first base key to generate a digital signature, and send the response and the digital signature to the second entity so the second entity can verify the response using the second variant key.
US07986432B2
An interface device backs up printer settings and operating history data of printer so that the settings and history data can be easily restored. A nonvolatile memory 109 in the printer 101 stores printer settings data. Commands from a host 161 are passed by the interface device 131 and received by a receiver 103 within the printer. If the command data is a print command, the print mechanism 108 prints the specified text or image. If the command data is a command for updating the settings data, the corresponding settings data in the nonvolatile memory 109 is updated and at an appropriate backup time the updated settings data is copied to a nonvolatile memory 135 in the interface device 131. The settings data backed up into the interface device 131 can then be restored back to the printer's nonvolatile memory 109 at an appropriate data restore time.
US07986428B2
A system providing printer resource sharing in a communication network is disclosed and may include a first communication device deployed in a first location, a second communication device deployed in a second location, and a communication network communicatively coupled to the first communication device and the second communication device. At least one personal printer resource may be communicatively coupled to the first communication device. The first communication device deployed in the first location may enable printing of information content on the at least one personal printer resource, at a request of a user of the second communication device. The user of the first communication device may receive a signal from the second communication device that authenticates the second communication device, prior to printing of the information content on the at least one personal printer resource at the request of the user of the second communication device.
US07986427B2
A system is provided for copying interactive documents which has a copier for scanning a surface of a document, a computer system networked with the copier and a printer networked with the computer system. The document is printed with document content and a plurality of coded tags. Each tag encodes an identity of the document and the position of that tag on the document. The copier incorporates a sensor for sensing the coded tags. The computer system identifies a digital version of the document from the document identity of a sensed tag and determines user input, requesting copy content and/or coded data from the computer system, on the scanned document using the tag position of the sensed tag. The printer prints a copy of the scanned document to incorporate the scanned document content and coded tags and the requested copy content and/or coded data.
US07986423B2
An image reprinting apparatus and method thereof. The apparatus includes an image-processing information storage unit storing processing information of an image when the image is processed, a print history search unit searching the image-processing information storage unit to determine whether an input image has been printed before, a display unit processing the input image based on previous processing information of the input image if the print history search unit determines that the input image has been printed before and displaying the processed image, and an image-printing unit printing the displayed image. In the reprinting apparatus, information regarding the processing of an image that has been printed before is stored. When a user desires to reprint the image, the user can reprint the image without reprocessing the image, which enhances user convenience.
US07986420B2
A computer implemented method, data processing system, and computer usable program code are provided for detecting printer conditions. A set of signals are received from a sensor in a printer. A current state of the printer from a plurality of states is detected within the set of signals. Responsive to the current state being a selected state, a response signal is sent to the printer based on a policy. The response signal is a printer condition, which may be a paper jam, out-of-paper, or a cover open condition.
US07986419B2
A method for optimizing the performance of a network printer comprising: scanning the input print data stream in a raster image processor and processing the entire input print data stream in a page parallel processing pathway where said input print data stream is in a page independent form; otherwise selecting the processing pathway corresponding to a lower processing time period and thereafter processing the entire input print data stream using said selected processing pathway.
US07986417B2
A laser imaging system and method of projecting a laser template on a surface, including independently determining a position and orientation of the surface using an external metrology device, independently determining a position and orientation of a laser projector using the metrology device, generating a signal from the metrology device to a computer and orienting the laser projector relative to the surface to project a laser template. The apparatus includes a plurality of metrology transmitters at fixed locations, a plurality of metrology receivers at fixed locations relative to the surface and a plurality of metrology receivers at fixed locations relative to either the laser projector or laser targets within a field of view of the laser projector. A laser projector and frame assembly is also disclosed, wherein the metrology receivers are located on the frame and the frame includes laser targets for correcting laser drift. Kinematic supports for the metrology receivers are disclosed as well as an independent laser tracker.
US07986416B2
A size and position detecting system includes a laser sensor and a controller. The laser sensor includes an emitter emitting a laser beam to a receiver. The controller is configured to compute a first time of how long the emitter emits the laser beam and a second time of how long the receiver receives the laser beam when a cutting tool moves along a first direction perpendicular to and coplanar with a straight line connecting the emitter and the receiver. The controller is configured to record a first position of the cutting tool at a moment when the second time is less than the first time, and a second position of the cutting tool when the second time remains changeless for a predetermined amount of time, to determine whether the cutting tool is off-centered according coordinates difference between the first and second positions along the first direction.
US07986405B2
In a foreign matter inspection apparatus comprising: irradiating unit for irradiating inspection light to an inspection area of an article to be inspected; intensity detecting unit for detecting intensity of either reflected light or scattered light, which is generated from the inspection area by irradiating thereto the inspection light; position detecting unit for detecting a position of either the reflected light or the scattered light within the inspection area; and deciding unit for deciding whether or not a foreign matter is present within the inspection area; the foreign matter inspection apparatus is comprised of: display unit capable of displaying thereon both a threshold image in which the threshold value is indicated over an entire area of the inspection area, and a detection sensitivity image indicated by being converted from the threshold image.
US07986404B2
An illumination device and method for inspecting objects having microscopic features is provided. The device includes an illuminator which provides a solid angle of angularly specific illumination defining an illumination angle, selected by a user from among a continuous range of possible illumination angles. The device further includes an object inspector which inspects the object illuminated by the illuminator. The illuminator may include an illumination source, a light concentrator, an illumination angle selector, disposed along a light path between the illumination source and the object inspector. The illumination angle selector may have a first position in which directly-reflected light propagates toward the object plane and a second position in which no light both selected by the illumination angle selector and directly reflected from the object plane enters the collecting lens. Rather, in the second position, only scattered light from the object plane enters the collecting lens.
US07986395B2
A lithography apparatus includes an imaging lens module; a substrate table positioned underlying the imaging lens module and configured to hold a substrate; and a cleaning module adapted to clean the lithography apparatus. The cleaning module is selected from the group consisting of an ultrasonic unit, a scrubber, a fluid jet, an electrostatic cleaner, and combinations thereof.
US07986393B2
A liquid crystal display device includes an array substrate having a power supply line for supplying a power voltage to a counter electrode of a counter substrate. The power supply line connects a power pad arranged at a corner of the array substrate to a common line which is arranged between an active area and a seal portion, crossing the seal portion provided at a peripheral portion of the array substrate so as to surround the active area. The array substrate further includes at least two block elements with a convex shape for blocking the flowing out of the sealing element to the active area. The block elements are arranged so as to cross the power supply line and face the power supply pad. A gap between the block elements and the counter substrate is smaller than a gap between the slit formed by the adjacent block elements and the counter substrate.
US07986392B2
An exemplary liquid crystal display includes a printed circuit and a bottom tray. The printed circuit board defines a plurality of through holes therein. The bottom wall includes a plurality of deformable fixing members and blocking members respectively extending from the bottom wall. Each deformable fixing member includes a protrusion extending through a respective one of the through holes of the printed circuit board, engagement of the protrusions in the through holes blocks movement of the printed circuit board in directions parallel to the bottom wall. The blocking members hold edge portions of the printed circuit board and block movement of the printed circuit board in a direction away from the bottom wall. The printed circuit board is secured to the bottom tray by cooperation of the deformable fixing members and the blocking members.
US07986386B2
A base substrate includes a transmissive area and a reflective area. An insulation layer is formed on the base substrate to have an embossed pattern in correspondence with the transmissive area. A first pixel electrode includes a first transmissive electrode formed on the insulation layer of the embossed pattern, and a first reflective electrode formed on the base substrate in correspondence with the reflective area. A second pixel electrode includes a second transmissive electrode formed on the insulation layer of the embossed pattern corresponding to the transmissive area, and a second reflective electrode corresponding to the reflective area.
US07986381B2
An array substrate for a liquid crystal display device includes a substrate, a gate line elongated in one direction, a data line crossing over the gate line, a thin film transistor near a crossing point of the gate and data lines and connected to the gate and data lines, an independent portion under the data line at the crossing point, the portion being separated from the gate line, and a pixel electrode connected to the thin film transistor. The independent portion may be inside the gate line. The parasitic capacitor between the gate line and the data line can be reduced and the amount of light from the backlight device can be reduced.
US07986380B2
A liquid crystal display using horizontal electric field and a method of fabricating the liquid crystal display device that are capable of reducing the number of mask processes are provided.The liquid crystal display of horizontal electric field applying type has a thin film transistor array substrate, with a conductive film connected to a gate pad, s data pad and a common pad of a thin film transistor on the substrate. The pads are exposed on the thin film transistor array substrate.
US07986367B2
A camera system includes a video camera having a first mating mechanism defined on a bottom, planar surface of the video camera. A battery assembly contains an energy cell and a first surface of the battery assembly is releasably engageable with the mounting mechanism such that the battery assembly is suspended beneath the video camera, with the bottom, planar surface of the video camera in substantial contact with the first surface. A support apparatus having a second mating mechanism is also provided, the second mating mechanism releasably engaging a second surface of the battery assembly.
US07986364B2
A digital image capture device includes an image capture unit, a display unit, a selection unit, and a processing unit. The image capture unit is configured to capture an image. The display unit is configured to display the captured image and allow determination of a portion thereof to be selected. The selection unit is configured to allow selection of a portion of the image in response to user input based on the determination. The processing unit is configured to process the unselected portion of the image.
US07986363B2
A high dynamic range imager operates pixels utilizing at least a short integration period and a long integration period. The pixel reading circuits of the imager are adapted to process pixel signals corresponding to the integration periods in parallel. The pixel signals are converted into digital values in parallel. The digital values are each linear functions of the incident light and therefore suitable for use with conventional color processing algorithms. A pipelined rolling shutter operation may be employed where the short integration period of one row of pixels is performed simultaneously with the long integration period of another row of pixels.
US07986359B2
An electronic image pickup apparatus comprises a color image pickup element having a plurality of drive modes including at least the first drive mode and the second drive mode. The color-conversion parameter storage section of the apparatus stores the first color-conversion parameter. The color-conversion parameter computing section of the apparatus computes from the first color-conversion parameter the second color-conversion parameter. The computation parameter storage section of the apparatus stores the computation parameter for computing the second color-conversion parameter. The color-conversion section of the apparatus converts the color data acquired by the color image pickup element in the first drive mode according to the first color-conversion parameter and the color data acquired by the color image pickup element in the second drive mode according to the second color-conversion parameter.
US07986357B2
An image processing method includes the steps of linearizing a Color Filter Array image having non-linear RGB pixel data to generate a linearized image, the step of linearizing using at least one lookup table for each of the three RGB colors, the step of linearizing further performed using an address for current RGB pixel data being read to index the lookup tables and incrementing the addresses for the RGB pixel data; generating a histogram for each of three RGB image color planes of the linearized image data, and storing at least a high and a low threshold for each histogram; planarizing the linearized image using the high and the low thresholds to generate a planarized linear RGB image; and transforming the planarized linear RGB image from planarized linear RGB form to L*a*b* form. The step of transforming the planarized linear RGB image from planarized linear RGB form to L*a*b* form performs additional steps of white balancing, range expansion, resampling, color conversion, and sharpening. The additional steps read and write to a plurality of buffers such that the additional steps are performed in parallel.
US07986352B2
An image processing apparatus (30) generating an image with high resolution over a diffraction limit includes an image input unit (101) receiving red image data and green image data, which represent images of an object by red light and green light, respectively, and receiving a blue image data representing an image of the object by blue light having a wavelength shorter than the red and the green light. Further, the image processing apparatus (30) includes an image processing unit (103) correcting the red and the green image data by adding thereon a spatial high frequency component contained in the blue image data, such that the image input unit (101) receives, as the blue image data, image data generated by light receiving elements provided at intervals shorter than a size of a smallest area that the red and the green light can converge.
US07986350B2
A mobile terminal is provided. The mobile terminal includes a shot setting part, an image input part, a meta information extractor, and a meta information inserting part. The shot setting part sets shooting conditions and the image input part photographs an image using an optical zoom lens under the set shooting conditions and processes the photographed image. The meta information extractor extracts the shooting conditions set by the shot setting part as meta information and the meta information inserting part inserts the meta information extracted from the meta information extractor into the image processed by the image input part.
US07986347B2
A method and system are provided. In one embodiment, a video image is preprocessed from a video camera to separate objects to be tracked from the rest of the video image. Statistics for the tracked objects and the rest of the video image are computed. Further, a quality measure based on the statistics for the tracked objects and the rest of the video image are generated. The quality measure indicates the suitability of the video image for use by an object tracking system. The generating of the quality measure maximizes saturation of each of the tracked objects. Further, the video camera is tuned to increase the quality measure beyond a threshold.
US07986344B1
A digital camera is provided, comprising a body containing an image sensor, a lens attached to the camera body and configured to focus a scene onto the image sensor. The digital camera also includes a wireless communication unit for communicating with a service host. In addition, the digital camera includes a control unit and a download setting unit. The digital camera also contains executable program code embodied in a computer readable medium and configured to cause the download setting unit to select a subset of digital images to download from a communication network in response to a user query.
US07986341B2
Provided is a hand-held modular camera assembly with a camera module, a printer module, and a dispenser module. The assembly has a central processor which includes a RISC processor core, and a memory operatively storing operating instructions for the processor core and image data for manipulation by said core. The central processor also includes a serial bus interface for communicating with the camera module, the printer module and the dispenser module.
US07986335B2
A videoconferencing system may include a camera, microphones, speakers, and a codec. In some embodiments, the codec functionality may be incorporated in a set-top box (e.g., a cable box, a satellite box, or a gaming box). The codec functionality may also be split between different components of the videoconferencing system. The camera and speakers may be coupled to or placed around a display. The videoconferencing system may send/receive signals through a network coupled to the computer system. The various functions to support the videoconference (e.g., compression and decompression of video signals) may be performed by circuitry in the camera base, codec/set top box, and/or on the computer system. The computer system may be a laptop computer. In some embodiments, ported speakers may be used to maximize sound quality for the provided speaker size.
US07986334B2
An image forming apparatus includes a plurality of image carriers and an optical writing device including light sources that emit light beams of different wavelengths, a deflector that deflects the light beams emitted from the light sources and synthesized on an identical axis in a sub-scanning direction, a first beam separator, a second beam separator, a first imaging device, and a second imaging device. The first beam separator and the second beam separator are located between the first imaging device and the second imaging device and transmit or reflect the light beams according to travel directions or wavelengths thereof. One of the targets is scanned with the light beam transmitted through the second beam separator. Another target is scanned with the light beam reflected by the second and first beam separators. The first and second imaging devices narrow the beams in the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction, respectively.
US07986330B2
A method, apparatus, and computer implemented instructions for generating antialiased lines for display in a data processing system. Graphics data is received for display, wherein the graphics data includes primitives defining lines. A gamma correction is applied to the graphics data on a per primitive basis to form antialiased lines. The antialiased lines are displayed.
US07986328B2
A graphics optimization system comprises a graphics application adapted to render a data model for presentation via a graphics card using a plurality of different data rendering settings. The system also comprises an optimizer adapted to interface with the graphics application to automatically determine a time-optimized data rendering setting for the graphics application from the plurality of different data rendering settings.
US07986314B2
A method for data compressing includes compressing an original data with DPCM, compressing again the compressed data with Huffman's encoding for generating a bit-stream, and storing the bit-stream.
US07986312B2
A method of enabling user interaction with computer software including, in a computer system, transferring print data to a printer, printing a form responsive to the print data by printing information indicative of a text field coincident with coded data indicative of the text field, so that when a sensing device is moved relative to the text field the sensing device can sense the coded data and generate the indicating data indicative of its movement relative to the text field, using the indicating data to determine the movement and then perform an action associated with the text field based on the movement. The computer system determines a handwritten signature using the movement, determines a predetermined signature using a user identity, and verifies the user by comparing the signatures.
US07986310B2
An electronic device is formed at least partially from a deflectable material that generates an electrical signal in response to contact. The first material is integrated with a display module to provide a shaped feature on the exterior surface of the display module. The shaped feature detects contact with an external object on one or more contact points, where contact with the contact points corresponds to a defined input for a processor of the electronic device.
US07986303B2
Methods and systems for textures and other spatial sensations for a relative haptic interface device are described. One embodiment includes a method comprising the steps of receiving a signal from a sensor, the sensor signal associated with a change in a position of a haptic feedback device, transmitting sensor data to a host processor, the sensor data associated with the sensor signal, receiving force information from the host processor, the force information comprising a texture sensation having at least one parameter describing at least one force to be output based at least in part on an interaction of a graphical object with a texture field, the force information further comprising at least one characteristic of the texture sensation, parsing the force information, storing the at least one characteristic, and determining when to output the at least one force based at least in part on the interaction.
US07986300B2
A computer system includes a computer, a calibration module, an event detection module, and an application interface module. The computer executes one or more applications and receives pointing device events generated by a pointing device connected to the computer. The calibration module modifies a rate of movement of a cursor displayed by the computer in response to the pointing device events. The event detection module detects a less-than-optimal calibration indicator from the pointing device events and modifies the rate of movement of the cursor. The application interface module communicates with the application being performed on the computer. A storage module for storing calibration information may also be included.
US07986287B2
When a light-emitting element emits light for a long time, characteristics thereof change and current flowing therethrough is reduced even in the same voltage is applied. In particular, in a case of a display device with light-emitting element, there is a problem such that burn-in is generated in a display screen. A burn-in correction period in which characteristics of a light-emitting element in each pixel are detected is provided in addition to a normal driving period in which an image is displayed. The light-emitting element can emit light which compensates the changes in the characteristics, by correcting video signals inputted to each pixel in the normal driving period according to the characteristics of the light-emitting elements obtained in the burn-in correction period.
US07986282B2
In accordance with the invention, the present disclosure is related to a sign display panel for displaying a sign display panel message. The sign display panel includes at least one set of display units. Each display unit of the at least one set of display units includes a plurality of display units. In addition, each of the plurality of display units includes a display unit central processing unit (CPU) configured to execute software instructions associated with the display of the sign display panel message, a display unit memory configured to store the software instructions for execution by the display unit CPU, and a plurality of display elements configured to respond to signals sent from the display unit CPU. The sign display panel also includes at least one interconnect (IC) unit. The at least one IC unit is coupled to a first display unit and a second display unit included in the at least one set of display units. In addition, the sign display panel includes a controller connected to the at least one IC unit.
US07986281B2
A multi-band antenna includes a first radiating portion, a second radiating portion extending perpendicularly from the first radiating portion, a third radiating portion extending perpendicularly from the second radiating portion and located at a same side with respect to the second radiating portion as the first radiating portion, a fourth radiating portion extending perpendicularly from the third radiating portion towards the first radiating portion, a fifth radiating portion in alignment with the first radiating portion, with a feeding portion connecting with the first radiating portion and the fifth radiating portion, a sixth radiating portion extending perpendicularly towards the fourth radiating portion from the fifth radiating portion and spaced away from the fourth radiating portion, and a grounding portion spaced from the first radiating portion, the feeding portion and the fifth radiating portion with a grounding area disposed thereon, and connected with the first radiating portion by a connecting portion.
US07986278B2
A slot antenna positioned on a substrate includes a grounding portion, a radiating portion, and a feeding portion. The grounding portion is positioned on the substrate. The radiating portion is parallel to the grounding portion and shaped like an irregular octagon. The radiating portion includes an irregular slot that is defined substantially in the center of the irregular octagon. The feeding portion electrically connects the radiating portion to the grounding portion for feeding electromagnetic signals.
US07986273B2
A multi-band monopole antenna includes a first metal radiator and a second metal radiator extending in a same direction and arranged in parallel for exciting a high frequency band, and a detoured wire pattern connected between the feed end of the first metal radiator and the connection end of the second metal radiator for exciting a low frequency band. The detoured wire pattern has a, circuit path length longer than one half of the high frequency band λ/2 so that the phase difference on current between the feed end of the first metal radiator and the connection end of the second metal radiator is about π(180-degrees); the electric fields generated at the lower sides of the first metal radiator and the second metal radiator have approximately the same size but reversed phases and the magnetic fields have the same characteristics; when the reversed phases of electromagnetic waves excited by the first and second metal radiators reach the HAC test surface, they cause a destructive interference, thereby improving hearing aid compatibility performance of the multi-band monopole antenna.
US07986270B2
A system and method for estimating the range between two devices performs two or more ranging estimates with subsequent estimates performed using a clock that is offset in phase with respect to a prior estimate. The subsequent estimate allows estimate uncertainties due to a finite clock resolution to be reduced and can yield a range estimate with a higher degree of confidence. In one embodiment, these additional ranging estimates are performed at n/N (for n=1, . . . N−1, with N>1 and a positive integer) clock-period offset introduced in the device. The clock-period offset can be implemented using a number of approaches, and the effect of clock drift in the devices due to relative clock-frequency offset can also be determined. To eliminate the bias due to clock-frequency offset, a system and method to estimate the clock-frequency offset is also presented.
US07986261B2
A collision prediction system includes a collision face determining unit that determines a collision face of the own vehicle which is presumed to collide with another vehicle, based on a travelling direction of the other vehicle relative to the own vehicle at an estimated collision time at which a collision is presumed to occur, a collision position estimating unit that estimates a collision position as a position of a potential collision between the own vehicle and the other vehicle, based on the collision face determined by the collision face determining unit, and a collision position correcting unit that corrects the collision position estimated by the collision position estimating unit, based on a preset size of the other vehicle.
US07986254B1
The present invention pertains to calibration in current sensing applications. Power conversion systems such as those used in computer architectures may employ step down converters such as buck converters or other types of converters. The present invention provides calibration processes and devices to account for various parasitic resistances which are found in such systems. A calibration circuit may be coupled to the buck converter or other power conversion to determine a calibrated voltage signal for the output of the power converter. An effective DC resistance may be determined and programmed for use by a control device used. In this way, the parasitic resistances are taken into account to obtain an accurate estimate of the actual current. In turn, this enables power converters and other devices to operate within specification requirements.
US07986253B2
An apparatus for digital error correction in a successive approximation (SAR) analog to digital converter (ADC) includes a binary weighted digital to analog converter (DAC) which can be virtually divided into multiple sub-DACs for redundancy insertion; and a comparator configured to compare the analog input with a DAC level corresponding to digital. The apparatus further includes a register and control logic unit configured to control a switching operation for DAC and to add output codes obtained from sub-DACs to output the added code as a final A/D converted code.
US07986252B1
A bit stream is received and each bit corresponding to the bit stream is over-sampled to generate a first set of data samples. Each data sample from the first set of data samples is compared with a corresponding immediate previous data sample to generate a second set of data samples. The second set of data samples is compared with bit masks, and accordingly, some of the data samples in the first set of data samples are identified for replacement. Further, a substitute data sample is selected from the first set of data samples based on a predefined criterion and some of the data samples in the first set of data samples are replaced with the substitute data sample.
US07986242B2
An electrical connector assembly includes a first connector subassembly associated with a removable component, and a second connector subassembly associated with a host component to which the removable component is removably connectable. One and only one of the first and second connector subassemblies is floatable relative to its associated component.
US07986238B2
Disclosed is a system for managing containers through RF communication and to a container position tracking and real-time management system employing RF, in which safety information and management information of a container are obtained by a sensor and a wireless terminal device attached to a container, the position of the container is tracked until it reaches its destination through a reader through RF communication, environments within the container are monitored in real-time for safe transportation, and security and crime prevention functions are carried out.
US07986234B2
A low consumption power is realized in a communication type that a ratio of transmission between apparatus limited to a relatively short distance occupies most of communications.Upon reception of transmission data constituted of a bit series, a wireless transmission module unit performs an on/off operation of an antenna switch connected to an antenna, in accordance with a bit image of the transmission data, and transmits, by a back scattering scheme, the transmission data as reflected radio waves of radio waves from a transmission destination generated by a change in an antenna load impedance. The antenna switch is generally made of a gallium arsenide IC, its consumption power is several 10 μW or less, and it becomes possible to realize ultra low consumption wireless image transmission.
US07986228B2
A security system includes at least one audio sensor and alarm panel, each located at a premises and generating alarm report data through a communications network to at least one alarm receiver located at a central station remote from the premises. A line card receives the alarm report data. An alarm receiver processor receives and processes regulated alarm report data in accordance with Underwriter Laboratories 1610 requirements. A line card is operable for receiving non-regulated alarm report data that is not regulated in accordance with Underwriter Laboratories 1610 requirements and establishing a bi-directional link for the non-regulated alarm report data between any central station automation system and the alarm panel at the premises until the bi-directional link is no longer required.
US07986219B2
A power line communication system includes: a first electronic instrument and a second electronic instrument, wherein information is received or transmitted between the first electronic instrument and the second electronic instrument which are connected through a communication line using a power line, wherein the first electronic instrument comprises: a key operation unit for accepting a key operation performed by a user; and a transmission unit for transmitting a power-on request signal for requesting the second electronic instrument to be turned on, to the second electronic instrument through the power line based on the key operation in the key operation unit, and the second electronic instrument comprises: a reception unit for receiving the power-on request signal transmitted from the first electronic instrument through the power line; and a power-on control unit for turning on the second electronic instrument based on the power-on request signal received by the reception unit.
US07986203B2
A multi-pole circuit breaker and method include at least two breaker modules including circuit breakers therein. The circuit breakers include a moveable arm configured to connect and disconnect contacts therein. The at least two modules including armatures connectable to the moveable arms of each of the at least two modules. A center module connects the at least two modules. The center module includes an actuator and a beam connected to the actuator at a mid-portion. The beam connects to each armature of the at least two modules wherein under a trip condition the actuator displaces the beam to simultaneously trip the at least two modules using the armatures.
US07986189B1
A circuit includes a first resistive element coupled to a diode, a second resistive element, a first transistor having a first current electrode coupled the second resistive element, a second transistor having a first current electrode coupled to the first resistive element and a second current electrode coupled to the control electrode of the first transistor, a third resistive element coupled to a node, a third transistor having a first current electrode coupled to the node and having a control electrode and a second current electrode each coupled to the control electrode of the second transistor, a fourth transistor having a first current electrode coupled to the second resistive element and a control electrode coupled to the control electrode of the second transistor, and a fifth transistor having a first current electrode coupled to the node and a control electrode coupled to the second current electrode of the fourth transistor.
US07986176B2
A clock generating apparatus includes a phase-difference measuring device for measuring a difference in phase between a reference clock and a feedback clock generated by a divider with a high-speed clock generated by a multiplier, an averager for averaging the measured phase difference, and an output clock generator for returning a self-generated output clock to the multiplier and the divider and generating an output clock synchronized with the reference clock by using the averaged phase difference and a generated operation clock. The multiplier generates the high-speed clock by multiplying the returned output clock, and the divider generates the feedback clock by dividing the returned output clock A frequency of generation of the output clock in the output clock generator is increased.
US07986175B2
A calibration circuit (19) adjusts at least one of one of a charging current of a charge pump circuit (12) and a capacitance value of a filter capacitor in a loop filter circuit (13) and a gain of a voltage controlled oscillator (14), depending on a frequency of a reference clock signal input to a calibration circuit (10).
US07986170B2
Noise is more effectively reduced in one circuit. When sampling and holding is performed, switching of an ON resistance of MOS transistors (MSH1 and MSH2) that are for sampling is made in two or more stages according to speed of sampling. Here, a level adjustment circuit (20) is provided that generates sample-and-hold pulse signals (φSH1S and φSH2S), which vary voltage to enable switching the ON resistance of the MOS transistors (MSH1 and MSH2), to be provided to gates of the MOS transistors (MSH1 and MSH2).
US07986154B2
A circuit includes a first capacitor having first and second capacitive sensing strips positioned on first and second sliding portions of the slider type mobile device. In the closed position, the first and second capacitive sensing strips overlap one another and in an open position the first and second capacitive sensing strips have no overlap with one another. A voltage divider having a voltage VIN(+) comprised of a first resistor network is coupled with the first capacitor. A voltage comparator having two inputs VIN(+) and VIN(−) is used to determine a high or low state. A second resistive network is used to set VIN(−). The voltage comparator will return a digital high condition indicative of the slider being in the open position when VIN(+) is greater than VIN(−) and a digital low condition indicative of the slider being in the closed position when VIN(+) is less than VIN(−).
US07986153B2
An apparatus for sensing a change in capacitance of a sensing electrode to a system ground, such as that which may be used to form a touch sensor, with the sensing electrode forming touch sensitive surface is arranged to include a sleep mode of operation. The apparatus includes a sample capacitor having a first terminal coupled to the sensing electrode, and a second terminal coupled to a voltage measurement circuit. The voltage measurement circuit is arranged in operation to determine a voltage at the second terminal of the sample capacitor. A voltage biasing arrangement is arranged under the control of a controller to apply a biasing voltage or the system ground to the first terminal or the second terminal of the sample capacitor in accordance with a measurement cycle.
US07986152B2
In one embodiment, a sensor includes a substrate; multiple interconnected sense elements arranged in a first direction on a surface of the substrate; and first interconnected drive elements arranged on a surface of the substrate in the first direction. Each respective one of the first interconnected drive elements are located adjacent to and between respective ones of the sense elements to form first sets of sense and drive elements alternating in the first direction. The sensor also includes second interconnected drive elements arranged on a surface of the substrate in a second direction. Each respective one of the second interconnected drive elements are located between respective ones of the sense elements to form second sets of sense and drive elements alternating in the second direction.
US07986151B2
When moving a head rest front portion in a full-open position direction, an ECU determines that the head rest front portion comes close to an occupant head portion on the basis of a detection result of an electrostatic capacitance sensor so as to stop the head rest front portion, and determines that the head rest front portion comes close to the occupant head portion on the basis of an absolute capacitance change with respect to a reference electrostatic capacitance value of the electrostatic capacitance sensor. Alternatively, the ECU determines that the head rest front portion comes close to the occupant head portion on the basis of a change amount of the electrostatic capacitance value of the electrostatic capacitance sensor.
US07986134B2
A power supply controller is provided. The power supply controller includes a switching device, an inductor, a comparator, and a sensing device. The switching device is coupled to an input power source and switches according to a comparing result. The inductor is coupled between the switching device and an output terminal, and conducts an inductor current. The comparator is coupled to the output terminal, a reference power source and a bias voltage, compares the voltage level of the output voltage and the reference voltage, and outputs the comparing result according to the bias voltage. The sensing device is coupled to the inductor and the comparator, senses the inductor current, generates a sensed voltage according to the inductor current, and adjusts the bias voltage according to the sensed voltage.
US07986131B2
A booster power supply circuit includes a booster boosting an input voltage to output an boosted voltage for applying said boosted voltage to a first smoothing capacitor and a controller controlling a transfer destination and an amount of transfer of a charge in the first smoothing capacitor at a transition from an operation mode to a standby mode.
US07986126B1
A system may automatically identify whether a vehicle charge station is publicly accessible. A location data input may receive location data which is indicative of the location of the vehicle charge station. A public accessibility data input may receive accessibility data which is relevant to determining whether the vehicle charge station is publicly accessible. A computer data processing system may determine whether the vehicle charge station is publicly accessible based on the accessibility data. A data output may deliver output data indicative of whether the vehicle charge station is publicly accessible based on the determination of such public accessibility by the computer data processing system.
US07986120B2
A pulse motor control device includes a drive pulse generator configured to generate a drive pulse in accordance with a set cycle, a pulse motor driver configured to generate an excitation current of a pattern corresponding to the number of division per one step of a pulse motor based on the drive pulse supplied from the drive pulse generator, the number of division being set in the pulse motor driver, the pulse motor driver supplying the excitation current to the pulse motor to thereby drive the pulse motor based on micro-step driving, and a controller configured to set the cycle in the drive pulse generator every time the drive pulse is supplied from the drive pulse generator.
US07986116B2
The apparatus is for controlling a torque of an electric rotating machine at a command torque by supplying command voltages in accordance with the command torque to a power conversion circuit driving the electrical rotating machine. The apparatus includes a detecting function of detecting an input voltage of the power conversion circuit to be power-converted and thereafter applied to the electric rotating machine as a drive voltage, and a control function of setting a command current corresponding to one of two current components in a 2-phase coordinate system of the electric rotating machine in accordance with a command torque directed from outside, and thereafter determining command voltages corresponding to two voltage components of the 2-phase coordinate system on the basis of the command current and the input voltage of the power conversion circuit.
US07986113B2
We describe an ultra-small resonant structure that produces electromagnetic radiation (e.g., visible light) at selected frequencies that can also be used or formed in conjunction with passive optical structures. The resonant structure can be produced from any conducting material (e.g., metal such as silver or gold). The passive optical structures can be formed from glass, polymer, dielectrics, or any other material sufficiently transparent using conventional patterning, etching and deposition techniques. The passive optical structures can be formed directly on the ultra-small resonant structures, or alternatively on an intermediate structure, or the passive optical structures can be formed in combination with other passive optical structures. The size and dimension of the passive optical structures can be identical with underlying structures, they can merely extend outwardly beyond an exterior shape of the underlying structure, or the passive optical structures can span across a plurality of the underlying structures, including in each instance embodiments with and without the intermediate structures.
US07986107B2
An electrical circuit is disclosed for driving color strings that have at least one lamp, preferably a light emitting diode (LED). The color strings can be different lengths. In some embodiments, a switch is coupled in parallel to one of the LED strings to shunt power away from the LED string to a power supply or to one or more other LED strings. In some embodiments, a current injector is configured to remove current from or inject current into a node adjacent to an LED string. Methods are disclosed for producing a desired light output utilizing color strings that may be of dissimilar length and that may contain light emitting diodes of different colors.
US07986106B2
A discharge lamp driving device includes a power stage circuit, a transformer circuit, a control circuit, a feedback circuit and a lamp protection circuit. The lamp protection circuit includes a current sensing circuit, a reference voltage selecting circuit, a comparing circuit and a protection signal generating circuit. The current sensing circuit senses current signals flowing through the lamps, and transforms the current signals to voltage signals. The reference voltage selecting circuit is connected to the current sensing circuit. The comparing circuit is connected to the current sensing circuit and the comparing circuit. The protection signal generating circuit is connected between the comparing circuit and the control circuit. The control circuit is connected to the comparing circuit.
US07986104B2
A discharge lamp lighting apparatus includes a first inverter, a second inverter to output a voltage whose phase is opposite to that of a voltage provided by the first inverter, a discharge lamp connected between a first output terminal of the first inverter and a first output terminal of the second inverter, a first current detection circuit arranged between a second output terminal of the first inverter and a common potential and having a first current detection element and a second current detection element that are connected in series, a second current detection circuit arranged between a second output terminal of the second inverter and the common potential and having a third current detection element and a fourth current detection element that are connected in series, and a protection circuit to detect a current abnormality according to a composite signal of outputs of the second and fourth current detection elements and stop the operation of the first and second inverters.
US07986102B2
A multi-channel light source has different channels for generating illumination of different channel colors corresponding to the different channels. An electrical power supply selectively energizes the channels using time division multiplexing to generate illumination of a selected time-averaged color.
US07986095B2
An organic light emitting diode display with enhanced luminance and light uniformity is presented, along with a method of manufacturing the display. The display including: a substrate, a first signal line formed on the substrate and a second signal line extending perpendicularly to the first signal line, and thin film transistors formed on the substrate and electrically coupled to the first signal line and the second signal line. A planarization member is formed on the same layer as the first signal line and/or the second signal line, such that it does not overlap the first signal line, the second signal line, and the thin film transistors. An insulating layer is formed on the first signal line, the second signal line, the thin film transistors, and the planarization member. Two electrodes are formed on the insulating layer connected to one of the thin film transistors and sandwiching a light emitting member.
US07986092B2
An OLED display including a first substrate on which a plurality of OLEDs are formed, a second substrate attached with the first substrate, a photo sensor formed on the second substrate and for detecting incident light generated by an external source, and a plurality of shield layers covering the photo sensor and for blocking (or preventing) light emitted from the OLED from being detected by the photo sensor.
US07986089B2
A light emitting device includes a substrate, a plurality of light emitting elements that is formed on the substrate, and a partition wall layer that is formed on the substrate so as to form a plurality of opening parts in the plan view. Each of the plurality of light emitting elements includes a pixel electrode, an opposing electrode, and a light emitting function layer interposed between the pixel electrode and the opposing electrode. One of the light emitting function layers is formed to be assigned to each of the plurality of opening parts, and a plurality of the pixel electrodes is formed to be fitted into each of the plurality of opening parts. One pixel of the light emitting device includes the light emitting element that includes at least one of the pixel electrodes fitted into one of the plurality of opening parts, and at least one of the pixel electrodes that is fitted into the one of the plurality of opening parts that is adjacent to each other.
US07986083B2
An electron emission device includes a cathode electrode and a gate electrode, the gate electrode is separated and insulated from the cathode, the gate electrode is a CNT layer, and the CNT layer includes at least a carbon nanotube film and a plurality of carbon nanotube reinforcement structures. A display that includes the electron emission device is also disclosed.
US07986081B2
An optical filter 17 is attached to the display screen surface of a flat display panel 3 of a flat display apparatus. The optical filter 17 is constituted of a lamination of an electromagnetic-wave blocking sheet 17A, an infrared-radiation absorbing and color-tone correcting sheet 17B and an ambient light antireflective sheet 17C.
US07986079B2
A light emitting diode lamp includes a light emitting diode and a circuit board having a circuit layer and a heat conductive layer. The circuit layer includes at least one mounting area having a first electrode, a second electrode and a heat conductive section spaced from each other. A heat conductive pole is provided corresponding to the heat conductive section. Two opposite ends of the heat conductive pole are thermally attached to the light emitting diode and the heat conductive layer of the circuit board, respectively. A spacing between the heat conductive section and each of the first electrode and the second electrode ranges from 0.7 millimeter to 1.45 millimeters.
US07986076B2
The present invention discloses an energy harvesting device that converts small magnitude and low frequency vibrations into electrical energy. The device can include a base, a low frequency element, and a piezoelectric element. The low frequency element can be movably attached to the base and the piezoelectric element can also be attached to the base and be spaced apart from the low frequency element with a vacant space therebetween. Upon vibration of the low frequency element resulting from environmental vibrations, the low frequency element can impact the piezoelectric element and cause elastic deformation thereto.
US07986071B2
An exemplary slot closure arrangement has a sliding block and a pressure piece. At least one spring element is arranged in between them and can be prestressed by at least one attachment, which interacts with the sliding block and the pressure piece, thus creating a prefabricated assembly. Once the slot closure arrangement has been positioned in a slot, the attachment can be mechanically moved from a first position to a second position, which can be monitored, after positioning of the slot closure arrangement, for activation of the spring forces of the at least one spring element.
US07986068B2
A motor including: a rotatably supported shaft; and a rotor section press-fitted and fixed coaxially to the shaft, wherein the rotor section is provided with: a rotor yoke; a housing hole formed on an end surface of the rotor yoke along the axial direction of the shaft; a permanent magnet housed within the housing hole; and a pair of end surface plates: that have a ring-shaped plate that is provided so as to cover at least an opening section of the housing hole and that is made of a non-magnetic material, and a supporting plate that supports the ring-shaped plate, that is press-fitted and fixed on the shaft, and that has a coefficient of linear expansion equivalent to that of the shaft; that are provided on axial end portions of the rotor yoke; and that clamp the rotor yoke so as to hold the permanent magnet within the housing hole.
US07986067B2
A brushless motor is smaller, flatter, and lighter but is easy to assemble and has reduced motor vibration. An attachment base is integrally molded by two-color extrusion molding using a first resin material that forms a base main portion and a second resin material that forms a support portion and is softer than the first resin material.
US07986065B2
A rolled pole housing for an electric motor includes a sealed enclosure formed by a frame body, a flange and an end cap. Therefore, the rolled pole housing may be used in both sealed and unsealed applications.
US07986063B2
A high-precision cylindrical coil having a high-precision fine coil pattern and a high mechanical precision such as fine roundness and no axial runout, and a cylindrical micrometer using the cylindrical coil are provided.In a cylindrical coil, a plurality of layers of coil patterns formed by filling the coil pattern grooves formed on a cylindrical substrate with a conductor and a plurality of insulating layers coating the cylindrical substrate are formed, the layers of coil patterns are electrically interconnected to each other by filling a through-hole formed by performing a hole forming process with a conductor, and the outmost layer is made of an insulating material.
US07986057B2
A method and system for improving peak power capability in an electrical system is disclosed. The system may include an auxiliary generator operated in conjunction with one or more main engine generators during the need for increased transient load demands. The system may include a main engine generator, an auxiliary generator, an inverter/converter controller (ICC) connected to respective generators, a semi-conductor power device connected between the ICCs, and a main bus between the semi-conductor power device and a load.
US07986051B2
An energy converter for inducing membrane vibrations when subject to a fluid flow and converting the kinetic energy embedded in the fluid flow into another form of energy, such as electricity. The energy converter includes a supporting structure and multiple generator units. Each generator unit includes at least one flexible membrane, and at least one electrical conductor and at least one magnetic field generator configured to apply a magnetic field to the at least one electrical conductor, wherein one of the electrical conductor and the magnetic field generator is attached to the membrane and configured to move with the membrane. Each membrane vibrates when subject to the fluid flow and has at least two ends supported by the supporting structure. The vibration of each membrane creates a relative movement between the conductor and a magnetic field generated by the magnetic field generator, which induces a current. A power conditioning circuit is provided to condition the current.
US07986044B2
Data signals are transmitted between a number of semiconductor chips which are connected to one another in a common chip package. For that a signal transmission arrangement is set up for a transmission of the signals via in each case one transmitting/receiving interface which is arranged at the chip ends of a power supply connection which connects the number of semiconductor chips.
US07986034B2
A method for producing a power semiconductor module including forming a contact between a contact region and a contact element as an ultrasonic welding contact via a sonotrode. The ultrasonic welding operation also being used for joining the contact regions with the contact ends and consequently for joining the contacts and the foot regions.
US07986030B2
A nitride semiconductor substrate has a first surface forming a principal surface of the substrate. A first edge is formed by beveling at least a portion of an edge of the first surface of the substrate. A scattering region is formed in at least a portion of the first edge. The scattering region scatters more external incident light than the first surface.
US07986029B2
A semiconductor structure having a hybrid crystal orientation is provided. The semiconductor structure includes an insulator layer, e.g., a buried oxide (BOX), on a first semiconductor layer, and a second semiconductor layer on the buried oxide, wherein the first and second semiconductor layers have a first and a second crystal orientation, respectively. A first region of the second semiconductor layer is replaced with an epitaxially grown layer of the first semiconductor layer, thereby providing a substrate having a first region with a first crystal orientation and a second region with a second crystal orientation. An isolation structure is formed to isolate the first and second regions. Thereafter, NMOS and PMOS transistors may be formed on the substrate in the region having the crystal orientation that is the most appropriate.
US07986027B2
The method provides a semiconductor structure and method for forming such a structure that provides for protection for resistive layers formed within the structure from contamination from adjacent layers. By encapsulating the resistive layer in a material that is resistant to the diffusion of contaminants it is possible to protect the resistive material during the processing required to manufacture the structure.
US07986022B2
A diode comprises a substrate formed of a first material having a first doping polarity. The substrate has a planar surface and at least one semispherical structure extending from the planar surface. The semispherical structure is formed of the first material. A layer of second material is over the semispherical structure. The second material comprises a second doping polarity opposite the first doping polarity. The layer of second material conforms to the shape of the semispherical structure. A first electrical contact is connected to the substrate, and a second electrical contact is connected to the layer of second material. Additional semiconductor structures are formed by fabricating additional layers over the original layers.
US07986018B2
A solid-state imaging device includes a light-receiving portion, an optical filter layer, and quantum dots. The light receiving portion, where a photoelectric conversion is carried out, is formed in a semiconductor substrate. The optical filter layer is directly formed on or formed through another layer on the surface of the semiconductor substrate in which the light-receiving portion is formed. Quantum dots having substantially equal diameters are formed in the optical filter layer. The quantum dots have higher refractive indexes than the refractive index of the optical filter layer in which the quantum dots are embedded.
US07986009B2
A circuit arrangement including a capacitor in an n-type well is disclosed. A specific polarization of the capacitor ensures that a depletion zone arises in the well and the capacitor has a high ESD strength. An optionally present auxiliary doping layer ensures a high area capacitance of the capacitor despite high ESD strength.
US07986008B2
SOI semiconductor components and methods for their fabrication are provided wherein the SOI semiconductor components include an MOS transistor in the supporting semiconductor substrate. In accordance with one embodiment the component comprises a semiconductor on insulator (SOI) substrate having a first semiconductor layer, a layer of insulator on the first semiconductor layer, and a second semiconductor layer overlying the layer of insulator. The component includes source and drain regions of a first conductivity type and first doping concentration in the first semiconductor layer. A channel region of a second conductivity type is defined between the source and drain regions. A gate insulator and gate electrode overlie the channel region. A drift region of the first conductivity type is located between the channel region and the drain region, the drift region having a second doping concentration less than the first doping concentration of the first conductivity determining dopant.
US07986005B2
A power semiconductor device includes a semiconductor body. The semiconductor body includes a body region of a first conductivity type for forming therein a conductive channel of a second conductivity type; a gate electrode arranged next to the body region; and a floating electrode arranged between the gate electrode and the body region.
US07986004B2
In a high withstand voltage transistor of a LOCOS offset drain type having a buried layer, a plurality of stripe-shaped diffusion layers are formed below a diffusion layer ranging from an offset layer to a drain layer and a portion between the drain region and the buried layer is depleted completely; thus, a withstand voltage between the drain region and the buried layer is improved. By the formation of the stripe-shaped diffusion layers, the drain region becomes widened; thus, on-resistance is reduced. Further, the buried layer is made high in concentration so as to sufficiently suppress an operation of a parasitic bipolar transistor.
US07985999B2
A semiconductor device having a capacitor and a method of fabricating the same may be provided. A method of fabricating a semiconductor device may include forming an etch stop layer and a mold layer sequentially on a substrate, patterning the mold layer to form a mold electrode hole exposing a portion of the etch stop layer, etching selectively the exposed etch stop layer by an isotropic dry etching process to form a contact electrode hole through the etch stop layer to expose a portion of the substrate, forming a conductive layer on the substrate and removing the conductive layer on the mold layer on the mold layer to form a cylindrical bottom electrode in the mold and contact electrode holes. The isotropic dry etching process may utilize a process gas including main etching gas and selectivity adjusting gas. The selectivity adjusting gas may increase an etch rate of the etch stop layer by more than an etch rate of the mold layer by the isotropic wet etching process.
US07985992B2
A semiconductor device and method of fabricating the same, which forms a contact hole, a via hole or a via contact hole with multiple profiles with various taper angles. The semiconductor device includes a substrate, a thin film transistor formed on the substrate and having a semiconductor layer, a gate insulating layer, a gate electrode, and an interlayer dielectric, and a contact hole penetrating the gate insulating layer and the interlayer dielectric and exposing a portion of the semiconductor layer. The contact hole has a multiple profile in which an upper portion of the contact hole has a wet etch profile and a lower portion of the contact hole has at least one of the wet etch profile and a dry etch profile.
US07985991B2
A semiconductor device features a semiconductor substrate with a MOSFET, an electrode for main current of the MOSFET disposed on a first major surface of the substrate, an electrode for control of the MOSFET disposed on the first major surface, a rear plane electrode of the MOSFET disposed on a second, opposing surface of the substrate, and an external connection terminal electrically connected to the rear plane electrode, the external electrode contains a first part, a second part and a third part, the first part is positioned over the rear plane electrode, the third part is positioned below the second major surface and the third part is connected via the second part to the first part.
US07985990B2
A symmetrical circuit is disclosed (FIG. 4). The circuit includes a first transistor (220) having a first channel in a substantial shape of a parallelogram (FIG. 5A) with acute angles. The first transistor has a first current path (506) oriented in a first crystal direction (520). A first control gate (362) overlies the first channel. A second transistor (222) is connected to the first transistor and has a second channel in the substantial shape of a parallelogram with acute angles. The second transistor has a second current path (502) oriented parallel to the first current path. A second control gate (360) overlies the second channel.
US07985988B2
A semiconductor device 20 formed on a semiconductor chip substrate 30 has a plurality of circuit blocks made up of circuits each containing at least a metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) transistor 36, the circuit blocks being covered on top with a protective film 41 to protect the circuits. A plurality of bumps 23a, 23b, 23c are formed, at least via the protective film 41, only on circuit blocks whose current-carrying ability and threshold voltage do not satisfy predetermined values and which are in need of performance enhancement. The bumps 23a, 23b, 23c impose stresses on the MOS transistors 36, increasing the mobility of the MOS transistors 36 and thereby improving the performance of the semiconductor device 20.
US07985986B2
Normally-off semiconductor devices are provided. A Group III-nitride buffer layer is provided. A Group III-nitride barrier layer is provided on the Group III-nitride buffer layer. A non-conducting spacer layer is provided on the Group III-nitride barrier layer. The Group III-nitride barrier layer and the spacer layer are etched to form a trench. The trench extends through the barrier layer and exposes a portion of the buffer layer. A dielectric layer is formed on the spacer layer and in the trench and a gate electrode is formed on the dielectric layer. Related methods of forming semiconductor devices are also provided herein.
US07985979B2
Structures are incorporated into a semiconductor light emitting device which may increase the extraction of light emitted at glancing incidence angles. In some embodiments, the device includes a low index material that directs light away from the metal contacts by total internal reflection. In some embodiments, the device includes extraction features such as cavities in the semiconductor structure which may extract glancing angle light directly, or direct the glancing angle light into smaller incidence angles which are more easily extracted from the device.
US07985978B2
A display panel is disclosed. The display panel includes a data line, a scan line, a first switch connected to a first voltage, a second switch connected to a second voltage, and a pixel. The pixel is further comprised of a data transistor having a first source/drain electrode connected to said data line, a gate electrode connected to said scan line and a second source/drain electrode, a driving transistor having a first source/drain electrode connected via a first switch to the first voltage, a gate electrode connected via the second switch to the second voltage and a second source/drain electrode, a storage capacitor having a first electrode connected to the gate electrode of the driving transistor and a second electrode connected to the first source/drain electrode of the driving transistor and to the second source/drain electrode of the data transistor, and a lighting device having an anode electrode connected to the second source/drain electrode of said driving transistor and a cathode electrode connected to a third voltage.
US07985968B2
Disclosed herein is a display device including: a support substrate; a drive circuit provided on the support substrate; an interlayer insulating film which covers the drive circuit; organic field light-emitting elements arranged in a display region on the interlayer insulating film; and a lead-out wiring extended from the organic field light-emitting elements to a peripheral region around the display region, wherein the interlayer insulating film includes a laminated film made up of an inorganic insulating film and organic insulating film stacked in this order, the organic insulating film has an isolation trench which surrounds the display region, the isolation trench being devoid of the organic insulating film and having the inorganic insulating film at its bottom, and the drive circuit and lead-out wiring are insulated from each other by the inorganic insulating film where the lead-out wiring crosses the isolation trench.
US07985960B2
The present invention discloses a memory system comprising a plurality of crystals, and at least two conductors. The at least two conductors being orthogonal to each other. Wherein at least one of the plurality of crystals are bounded by the orthogonal intersection of the at least two conductors.
US07985954B2
An X-ray detector includes a plurality of bias connection lines that connect both ends, respectively, of a bias line for applying a bias voltage to a PIN diode. The bias line includes first and second bias lines.
US07985946B2
A solid-state imaging device including: pixel section having two-dimensionally arranged pixels, each pixel containing photoelectric conversion device, charge retaining section, amplification section, and reset section controlled by reset control signal applied on control terminal, pixel section having vertical signal line and constant current supply; CDS circuit for outputting pixel signal corresponding to light signal by computing difference between first signal outputted from the pixel immediately after applying first potential to control terminal and second signal outputted from pixel corresponding to signal charges; and reset section control section taking potential of reset control signal at the time of cutting off connection between the one end and the other end of reset section as second potential, for applying third potential being intermediate potential between first potential and second potential to control terminal between a timing of outputting the first signal and a timing of outputting the second signal.
US07985940B2
A welder having an internal shielding gas regulator is disclosed. The welder has an internal gas cylinder and an internal regulator disposed in an enclosure. The welder may be equipped with an auxiliary shielding gas cylinder inlet so that a bulk shielding gas cylinder can be attached thereto and have a flow therefrom regulated by the internal shielding gas regulator. The welder constructed according to the invention is highly transportable, compact, and self-sufficient.
US07985933B2
An assembling structure of a quick installation/uninstallation switch, including a layout fixing seat formed with a central opening and a transverse insertion slot intersecting the central opening. A locating member is inserted through the transverse insertion slot. The locating member is formed with a central hole corresponding to the central opening. A resilient locating member and at least one lateral projecting section with a guide slope are disposed on the circumference of the central hole. At least one resilient restoring member is disposed between the locating member and the layout fixing seat for restoring the locating member to its home position. A connecting end of a switch main body is fitted in the central opening. A lateral locating section with a guide slope is formed on a circumference of the connecting end corresponding to the lateral projecting section. A locating transverse slot is formed on the circumference of the connecting end. The resilient locating member is inlaid in the locating transverse slot.
US07985932B2
A door lock apparatus with safety switch capable of locking a door. A coupling member is pivotally moved about a pivotal shaft by a closing operation by a rotary handle, thereby bringing an engaging portion thereof into engagement with a fixing member, so that a protective door is inhibited from moving in two directions of arrows X, Y including a moving direction of the door. Whether the door is of a slide or pivot type, the door is assuredly locked in a closed state because the door is inhibited from moving in the two directions including the moving direction thereof. If an operation mistake is made to open the door, the force for opening the door is not directly applied to the switch body or the actuator. A safety switch may achieve an increase in durability.
US07985930B2
A metal layer 18 is sandwiched between insulating layers 14 and 20 so that required strength is maintained. Hence it follows that the thickness of a core substrate 30 can be reduced and, therefore, the thickness of a multi-layer printed circuit board can be reduced. Formation of non-penetrating openings 22 which reach the metal layer 18 in the insulating layers 14 and 20 is simply required. Therefore, small non-penetrating openings 22 can easily be formed by applying laser beams. Thus, through holes 36 each having a small diameter can be formed.
US07985928B2
A microelectronic structure and a method for fabricating the microelectronic structure use a dielectric layer that is located and formed upon a first conductor layer. An aperture is located through the dielectric layer. The aperture penetrates vertically into the first conductor layer and extends laterally within the first conductor layer beneath the dielectric layer while not reaching the dielectric layer, to form an extended and winged aperture. A contiguous via and interconnect may be formed anchored into the extended and winged aperture while using a plating method, absent voids.
US07985925B2
The present invention relates to a superconducting hollow cable and a method for the production thereof. The superconducting hollow cable (1) has an outer tube (2) which has a circular inner cross-section and a cylindrical inner wall (3). In addition, the superconducting hollow cable (1) has a central cooling channel (4) of a polygonal or circular cross-section that is, however, smaller than the inner cross-section of the outer tube (2). Arranged between the outer tube (2) and the cooling channel (4) are profiled superconducting wires (5). These profiled superconducting wires (5) have a cross-sectional profile which corresponds to a key stone as known for Roman stone bridges or for groin vaults. For the purpose, the cross-sectional profile has at least one outer region (7) of curvature and an inner region (8), the outer region (7) of curvature being matched to the inner radius of the outer tube (2) and the inner region (8) being matched to the cooling channel (4). The side edges (12, 13) too can be profiled either rectilinearly towards the center-point (11) of the cooling channel (4) or by means of an offset from that rectilinearity.
US07985917B2
A graphical user interface for facilitating generation of an accompaniment for a recorded audio melody is described. A Hidden Markov Model, trained with blended chord transition matrices and melody observation matrices, is used for providing the accompaniment for the recorded audio melody. The recorded audio melody includes segments. Frequency analysis of the recorded audio melody is performed. The total duration of each fundamental frequency within a segment of the melody is summed. Based on the summing, a probability for each possible chord for each segment is computed. Based on the computed probabilities, a set of chords are selected for the segments. The chords are displayed on a chord chart of the graphical user interface. The graphical user interface facilitates various manipulations using the chords and/or controls, and generation of a new accompaniment for a recorded audio melody based on the manipulations.
US07985914B2
An automatic player piano includes a voice recognizer and a piano controller; while a user is singing a song, the voice recognizer analyzes the voice signal representative of vocal tones so as to determine the loudness and pitch of each vocal tone, and successively sends music data codes each expressing a note-on event, key number closest to the pitch of vocal tone and a velocity and music data codes each expressing a note-off and the key number to the piano controller together with music data codes duplicated from a set of music data codes stored in the memory; and the piano controller selectively drives the black and white keys with driving signal produced on the basis of the music data codes so as to play the accompaniment of the song.
US07985912B2
A method of processing music data is disclosed. The method comprises storing score data providing a representation of a musical score and storing part data defining a musical part derived from the score, the part data including data specific to the part. The score data and part data together form an accessible data representation of the part. The method further comprises modifying or outputting the part by accessing the part representation. The method finds particular use in music notation software.
US07985910B2
A musical content utilizing apparatus has a data input portion B11, transformation process portion B13 and utilization process portion B15 implemented via programmed processes. The data input portion B11 inputs musical content data comprising different kinds of content material data about music and content definition data defining the handling of the content material data. The transformation process portion B13 transforms the content definition data in accordance with stylesheets stored in a stylesheet storage portion B14 in order to enable the utilization process portion B15 to utilize the content material data. The utilization process portion B15 generates musical tones or displays images in accordance with the input content material, providing a user with musical content. As a result, a piece of musical content is able to be shared among various different types of musical content utilizing apparatuses, i.e., various platforms.
US07985905B2
African Violet plants exhibiting the multiflorescence trait with at least one leaf axil that produces two or more flower stems are provided. African Violet plants carrying the multiflorescence trait bloom continuously. The multiflorescence trait has been successfully bred into diverse African Violet plants. The multiflorescence trait can be combined with many desirable traits including different flower colors, leaf colors and growth habit, to produce a wide variety of unique cultivars.
US07985902B1
A novel inbred maize variety designated PH1T9 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprise crossing inbred maize variety PH1T9 with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into PH1T9 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. Hybrid maize seed, plant or plant part produced by crossing the inbred variety PH1T9 or a trait conversion of PH1T9 with another maize variety. Inbred maize varieties derived from inbred maize variety PH1T9, methods for producing other inbred maize varieties derived from inbred maize variety PH1T9 and the inbred maize varieties and their parts derived by the use of those methods.
US07985901B1
An inbred corn line, designated BD9122BM, the plants and seeds of the inbred corn line BD9122BM, methods for producing a corn plant, either inbred or hybrid, produced by crossing the inbred corn line BD9122BM with itself or with another corn plant, and hybrid corn seeds and plants produced by crossing the inbred line BD9122BM with another corn line or plant and to methods for producing a corn plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic corn plants produced by that method. This invention also relates to inbred corn lines derived from inbred corn line BD9122BM, to methods for producing other inbred corn lines derived from inbred corn line BD9122BM and to the inbred corn lines derived by the use of those methods.
US07985888B2
A method is provided for increasing the weight of plant seed, which comprises preparing a genetically modified plant in which gibberellin content has been manipulated in the seed of the plant.
US07985880B2
There is provided a method for producing an optically active 1-(fluoro-, trifluoromethyl- or trifluoromethoxy-substituted phenyl)alkylamine N-monoalkyl derivative, which includes the steps of conducting reductive alkylation of an optically active secondary amine and a formaldehyde (including an equivalent thereof) or lower aldehyde in the presence of a transition metal catalyst under a hydrogen gas atmosphere, thereby converting the secondary amine to an optically active tertiary amine of the formula, and subjecting the tertiary amine to hydrogenolysis. The target optically active compound can be produced efficiently by this production method.
US07985878B2
An iodide compound is adsorbed and removed from an organic acid containing the iodide compound as an impurity by passing the organic acid through a packed bed of a cation-exchange resin having silver ion carried thereon at 50° C. or lower. The cation-exchange resin is a macroporous-type resin with an average particle size of 0.3 to 0.6 mm and an average pore size of 15 to 28 nm, and silver ion substitutes for 40 to 60% of the active site.
US07985877B2
The present invention provides a process for producing 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoro-2-methoxypropane, wherein a novel compound, 2-methoxy-2-trifluoromethyl-3,3,3-trifluoropropionic acid or a salt thereof is decarboxylated, or wherein an olefin compound represented by chemical formula (4): CF2═C(CF3)(OCH3) is reacted with a fluorinating agent; and a process for producing 2-methoxy-2-trifluoromethyl-3,3,3-trifluoropropionic acid or a salt thereof by reacting a hydroxycarboxylic ester with a methylating agent and then hydrolyzing the reaction product, or hydrolyzing the hydroxycarboxylic ester and then reacting the resulting product with a methylating agent.In accordance with the invention, 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoro-2-methoxypropane, which is useful as a raw material for, for example, the anesthetic Sevoflurane, can be produced efficiently and at low cost.
US07985868B1
We describe the preparation and characterization of two zinc hybrid luminescent structures based on the flexible and emissive linker molecule, trans-(4-R,4′-R′) stilbene, where R and R′ are mono- or poly-coordinating groups, which retain their luminescence within these solid materials. For example, reaction of trans-4,4′-stilbenedicarboxylic acid and zinc nitrate in the solvent dimethylformamide (DMF) yielded a dense 2-D network featuring zinc in both octahedral and tetrahedral coordination environments connected by trans-stilbene links. Similar reaction in diethylformamide (DEF) at higher temperatures resulted in a porous, 3-D framework structure consisting of two interpenetrating cubic lattices, each featuring basic to zinc carboxylate vertices joined by trans-stilbene, analogous to the isoreticular MOF (IRMOF) series. We demonstrate that the optical properties of both embodiments correlate directly with the local ligand environments observed in the crystal structures. We further demonstrate that these materials produce high luminescent response to proton radiation and high radiation tolerance relative to prior scintillators. These features can be used to create sophisticated scintillating detection sensors.
US07985867B2
A process for producing epoxides, the process including: (a) feeding at least one aqueous alkali and at least one halohydrin to a reactive distillation column, wherein the reactive distillation column includes a feed zone, a top zone disposed above the feed zone, and a bottom zone disposed below the feed zone; (b) concurrently in the reactive distillation column: (i) reacting at least a portion of the halohydrin with the alkali to form an epoxide; and (ii) stripping water and the epoxide from a basic aqueous residue; (c) recovering the water and the epoxide from the reactive distillation column as an overheads fraction; (d) condensing and phase separating the overheads fraction to form an organic overheads fraction including the epoxide and an aqueous overheads fraction including water; and (e) maintaining a liquid holdup per plate in the feed zone at a residence time of 10 seconds or less.
US07985865B2
A compound having the formula wherein R1, Z, and the carbonyl can be comprised by a common ring, wherein R1 comprises a chromophore that absorbs light from the visible wavelength range, and wherein n is an integer of at least 12. A solid phase change ink composition is also disclosed containing a colorant comprising a chromophore that absorbs light from the visible wavelength range and has the formula wherein R1, Z, and the carbonyl can be comprised by a common ring, and wherein n is an integer of at least 12. Also disclosed is a method of forming a colorant wherein a first compound having the formula is reacted with a second compound having the formula Z(CH2)nCH3 wherein n is an integer of at least 12 to form a third compound having the formula wherein the third compound comprises a chromophore that absorbs light from the visible wavelength range.
US07985850B2
This invention relates to an isolated nucleic acid fragment encoding a protein involved in regulation of gene expression. The invention also relates to the construction of a chimeric gene encoding all or a portion of the protein involved in regulation of gene expression, in sense or antisense orientation, wherein expression of the chimeric gene results in production of altered levels of the protein involved in regulation of gene expression in a transformed host cell.
US07985846B2
A process for preparing a hemostatically active preparation containing von Willebrand factor (vWF) from a fraction of human plasma by chromatographic purification of a vWF-containing plasma fraction on an anion-exchange material which has the anion-exchanging groups on grafted polymeric structures (tentacle materials), collecting a vWF-containing fraction, followed by purification of said fraction using gel permeation to prepare a purified thermally stable vWF-containing preparation; and heating the preparation for inactivating viruses.
US07985842B2
Antibodies, humanized antibodies, resurfaced antibodies, antibody fragments, derivatized antibodies, and conjugates of these molecules with cytotoxic agents, which specifically bind to and inhibit insulin-like growth factor-I receptor, antagonize the effects of IGF-I and are substantially devoid of agonist activity toward the insulin-like growth factor-I receptor. These molecules can be conjugated to cytotoxic agents for use in the treatment of tumors that express elevated levels of IGF-I receptor, such as breast cancer, colon cancer, lung cancer, ovarian carcinoma, synovial sarcoma and pancreatic cancer. These molecules can also be labeled for in vitro and in vivo diagnostic uses, such as in the diagnosis and imaging of tumors that express elevated levels of IGF-I receptor.
US07985828B2
A solid electrolyte of fully conjugated, water-soluble rigid-rod polymer with articulated backbone for isotropic ionic conductivity, a method for synthesizing the solid electrolyte and a battery, fuel cell or super-capacitor including the solid electrolyte. The polymer has a repeating unit E1 represented by the following general formula I: wherein the repeating unit E1 has two pendants, L1 and L2, linked to two of four N atoms of the repeating unit E1; L1 and L2 independently represent a group of R1—SO3M, R1 represents a hydrocarbon; M represents a cation selected from the group consisting of Li+, Na+, H+and K+; R3 represents a group of H or SO3M; and x represents an integer larger than 100.
US07985821B2
A process for producing a low VOC epoxy silane oligomer which includes hydrolyzing an epoxy silane, the epoxy silane upon hydrolysis of its hydrolyzable sites producing a reduced amount of volatile organic compound compared to that produced by the hydrolysis of a silane possessing an equivalent number of hydrolyzable sites all of which are hydrolyzable alkoxy groups, the hydrolyzing of the epoxy silane being carried out with less than 1.5 equivalents of water, said water being continuously fed during the hydrolysis reaction.
US07985819B2
The present invention discloses styrene-maleic anhydride copolymers preparations using solventless techniques. The solventless method resulted in reduced amounts of residues, such as unreacted styrene and/or maleic anhydride monomers, which makes the copolymers particularly suitable for bioapplications.
US07985809B2
There is provided a method of making a polymer solution comprising polymerizing one or more monomer in a solvent, wherein said monomer comprises one or more ethylenically unsaturated monomer that is a multi-functional Michael donor, and wherein said solvent comprises 40% or more by weight, based on the weight of said solvent, one or more multi-functional Michael donor.
US07985808B2
The disclosure relates to composites having increased distortional deformation, and/or decreased dilatation load, as expressed within the von Mises strain relationship, which provide increased von Mises strain results. These composites may provide enhanced composite mechanical performances.
US07985799B2
A process for preparing polyolefin blends comprising:a) polymerizing in a solution phase propylene or 1-butene to prepare a polymeric solution containing a semicrystalline polymer component;b) polymerizing in a solution phase 1-hexene or 1-octene to prepare a polymeric solution containing an amorphous polymer component;c) mixing the polymeric solutions obtained from steps a) and b);d) subjecting the mixture of step c) to a devolatilization step to separate a polyolefin blend comprising a semicrystalline component and an amorphous component;the polymerization steps a) and b) being carried out in two polymerization reactors connected in parallel.
US07985775B2
A method of promoting or improving the feed efficiency and the muscle to fat ratio in animals by administering to the animals a therapeutically effective amount of a pure or substantially pure RR-isomer of ractopamine is disclosed. Also disclosed are animal feed preparations and compositions and pharmaceutical preparations capable of increasing lean meat deposition in an animal or decreasing body fat, or promoting or improving the growth of an animal or improving the feed efficiency of an animal. Feed preparation, compositions and pharmaceutical preparations including therapeutically effective amounts of a pure or substantially pure RR-isomer of ractopamine are disclosed.
US07985769B2
The present invention provides novel compounds represented by formula I: or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof useful for treating flaviviridae viral infection.
US07985766B2
The present invention describes a combination of an anticholinergic, such as R,R-glycopyrrolate, and a β mimetic, such as tormoterol, for the treatment of respiratory diseases including airway inflammation or obstruction such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma.
US07985761B2
The present invention relates to novel diphenylurea derivatives useful as chloride channel blockers or BKCa channel modulators.In other aspects the invention relates to the use of these compounds in a method for therapy, and to pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds of the invention.
US07985758B2
Compounds of formula (I) modulate the activity of gamma secretase and hence find use in treatment or prevention of Alzheimer's disease and related conditions.
US07985757B2
An aqueous, stable, sterile pharmaceutical composition of the thrombin inhibitor argatroban in a solution containing an acid to solubilize the argatroban, substantially free from dehydrated alcohol is described, as well as a method for its preparation.
US07985755B2
2,4-Diaminoquinazolines of formula (I) are provided herein and are useful for treating spinal muscular atrophy (SMA).
US07985748B2
In its many embodiments, the present invention relates to a novel class of phenylmorpholine and phenylthiomorpholine compounds useful as α2C adrenergic receptor agonists, pharmaceutical compositions containing the compounds, and methods of treatment, prevention, inhibition, or amelioration of one or more diseases associated with the α2C adrenergic receptor agonists using such compounds or pharmaceutical compositions.
US07985740B2
The invention provides novel compounds which are agonists of the adenosine 2A receptor along with pharmaceutical compositions thereof, and methods of administering such compounds.
US07985731B2
The present invention relates to an oligosaccharide chain added GLP-1 peptide that has higher stability in blood than that of GLP-1 and, preferably, exhibits higher activity of controlling blood-sugar levels than that of GLP-1. The present invention relates to an oligosaccharide chain added GLP-1 peptide having GLP-1 activity, wherein at least one amino acid is substituted with an oligosaccharide chain added amino acid, in: (a) GLP-1; (b) a peptide having the amino acid sequence of GLP-1 with deletion, substitution or addition of one or several amino acids; or (c) a GLP-1 analog.
US07985730B2
The present invention relates to 3-aminopyrrolidine derivatives of the formula I: (wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, R8, X, Y and X are as defined herein) which are useful as modulators of chemokine receptor activity. In particular, these compounds are useful as modulators of chemokine receptors and more specifically as a modulator of the CCR2 and/or CCR5 receptor. The compounds and compositions of the invention may bind to chemokine receptors, e.g., the CCR2 and/or CCR5 chemokine receptors, and are useful for treating diseases associated with chemokine, e.g., CCR2 and/or CCR5, activity, such as atherosclerosis, restenosis, lupus, organ transplant rejection and rheumatoid arthritis.
US07985728B1
A method including advancing a delivery device through a lumen of a blood vessel to a particular region in the blood vessel; and introducing a composition including a sustained-release carrier and an apolipoprotein A-I (Apo A-I) synthetic mimetic peptide into a wall of the blood vessel at the particular region, wherein the peptide has a property that renders the peptide effective in reverse cholesterol transport. A composition including an apolipoprotein A-I (Apo A-I) synthetic peptide, or combination of an Apo A-I synthetic mimetic peptide and an Acyl CoA cholesterol: acyltransferase (ACAT) inhibitor in a form suitable for delivery into a blood vessel, the peptide including an amino acid sequence in an order reverse to an order of various Apo A-I mimetic peptides, or endogenous Apo A-I analogs, or a chimera of helix 1 and helix 9 of endogenous Apo A-I.
US07985726B2
A method of reducing damage to cells and tissue caused by an ischemic or hypoxic event is disclosed. The method includes administering to the cell or tissue, either in vivo or ex vivo, ψεRACK peptide. The peptide can be administered before, during or after the ischemic or hypoxic event.
US07985722B2
The present invention relates to rhamnolipid-based formulations to clean, disinfect, deodorize, and act as an antimicrobial and antifungal agent for living and working environments. In addition, the present invention relates to the use of rhamnolipids to create a bio-film when applied to a surface, which prevents the growth of bacteria and fungus. This technique is especially useful to create clean surface areas for medical procedures, chemical testing, during food preparation, as well as for daycare centers and hospitals.
US07985718B2
The use of a surfactant mixture comprising at least one surfactant having a hydrocarbon radical composed of from 12 to 30 carbon atoms and at least one cosurfactant having a branched hydrocarbon radical composed of from 6 to 11 carbon atoms for tertiary mineral oil extraction.
US07985717B2
Methods of treating a wellbore comprise displacing a drilling fluid comprising an organophilic clay treated with a quaternary ammonium surfactant having an amide linkage into the wellbore. Methods of drilling a wellbore comprise: applying torque to a bit within the wellbore and concurrently applying force to urge the bit to extend through the wellbore; and circulating a drilling fluid past the bit to remove cuttings therefrom, the drilling fluid comprising an organophilic clay treated with a quaternary ammonium surfactant having an amide linkage. Methods of preparing a drilling fluid comprise: forming an organophilic clay treated with a quaternary ammonium surfactant having an amide linkage; and combining the organophilic clay with an oil-based fluid.
US07985715B2
The present invention relates to artificial receptors, arrays or microarrays of artificial receptors or candidate artificial receptors, methods of and compositions for making them, and methods of using them. Each artificial receptor includes a building block molecule that is a peptide of Formula: R1R2N—R3—(R4)n—X—(R5)m—Y—C(O)—R6, Tether-R1NH—Z-Ala-Gly-Ala-Gly-X-Ala-Y—C(O)—R6, R1R2NH—Z-Ala-Gly-Ala-Gly-X-Ala-Y—C(O)-Tether, Linker-R1NH—Z-Ala-Gly-Ala-Gly-X-Ala-Y—C(O)—R6, or R1R2NH—Z-Ala-Gly-Ala-Gly-X-Ala-Y—C(O)-Linker.
US07985714B2
A precursor for fabricating a Nb3Sn superconducting wire by an internal Sn process includes one or a plurality of stabilizing copper portions collectively disposed in the center, each stabilizing copper portion being provided with a diffusion barrier layer in the periphery thereof, and a superconducting matrix portion disposed so as to surround the one or the plurality of stabilizing copper portions, the superconducting matrix portion including a Nb or Nb-based alloy core and a Sn or Sn-based alloy core embedded in a Cu or Cu-based alloy matrix.
US07985709B2
The invention described herein involves a novel approach to the production of oxidation/reduction catalytic systems. The present invention serves to stabilize the tin oxide reducible metal-oxide coating by co-incorporating at least another metal-oxide species, such as zirconium. In one embodiment, a third metal-oxide species is incorporated, selected from the group consisting of cerium, lanthanum, hafnium, and ruthenium. The incorporation of the additional metal oxide components serves to stabilize the active tin-oxide layer in the catalytic process during high-temperature operation in a reducing environment (e.g., automobile exhaust). Moreover, the additional metal oxides are active components due to their oxygen-retention capabilities. Together, these features provide a mechanism to extend the range of operation of the tin-oxide-based catalyst system for automotive applications, while maintaining the existing advantages.
US07985706B2
Provided are: a uniformly, highly dispersed metal catalyst including a catalyst carrier and a catalyst metal being loaded thereon dispersed throughout the carrier, the uniformly, highly dispersed metal catalyst having excellent performances with respect to catalytic activity, selectivity, life, etc.; and a method of producing the same. The uniformly, highly dispersed metal catalyst includes a catalyst carrier made of a metal oxide and a catalyst metal having catalytic activity, the catalyst metal being loaded on the catalyst carrier, in which the catalyst carrier is a sulfur-containing catalyst carrier having sulfur or a sulfur compound almost evenly distributed throughout the carrier and the catalyst metal is loaded on the sulfur-containing catalyst carrier in a substantially evenly dispersed manner over the entire carrier substantially according to the distribution of the sulfur or the sulfur compound.
US07985699B2
A substrate processing method capable of preventing a substrate rear surface from being scratched when attracted onto an electrostatic chuck. In a coater/developer (11), a photocurable resin is coated onto a rear surface of a wafer (W), the resin is cured to form a resin protective film, and a resist is coated onto a front surface of the wafer. An exposing apparatus (12) subjects the resist to light exposure processing, irradiating ultraviolet light onto a resist portion of a pattern reversed with respect to a mask pattern. The coater/developer uses a washing liquid to remove the resist, thereby forming a resist film. In an etching apparatus (13), the front surface of the wafer is electrostatically attracted onto an electrostatic chuck (49) is subjected to RIE processing. In a washing apparatus (14), the resin protective film is dissolved and removed.
US07985697B2
Provided are a wafer level package in which a communication line can be readily formed between an internal device and the outside of the package, and a method of fabricating the wafer level package. The wafer level package includes a first substrate having a cavity in which a first internal device is disposed, an Input/Output (I/O) pad formed on the first substrate and electrically connected with the first internal device, a second substrate disposed over the first substrate and from which a part corresponding to the I/O pad is removed, and a solder bonding the first and second substrates. According to the wafer level package and the method of fabricating the same, upper and lower substrates are sawed to different cutting widths, or a hole is formed in the upper substrate, such that a communication line of an internal device can be readily formed without a via process which penetrates a substrate. Therefore, in comparison with a conventional wafer level package fabricated using the via process, it is possible to simplify a fabrication process and reduce production cost.
US07985694B2
A method for forming a pattern includes the step of forming an electrically conductive film by applying a liquid composition onto a first plate. The liquid composition includes an organic solvent and conductive particles surface-modified with a fatty acid or an aliphatic amine. Then, a second pattern, which is a reverse pattern of a first pattern, is formed on the first plate by pressing a second plate having a concave-convex pattern on a surface thereof on a surface of the first plate having the electrically conductive film on the surface thereof. Then, the first pattern of the electrically conductive film is transferred onto convex top faces of the second plate. Then, the second pattern is transferred onto a surface of a transfer substrate by pressing the surface of the first plate having the second pattern thereon on the surface of the transfer substrate.
US07985689B2
Methods of forming a 3D structure in a substrate are disclosed. A layer of resist is deposited on the substrate. The layer of resist is patterned to define an edge at a predetermined location. The resist is reflowed to form a tapered region extending from the etch. Both the reflowed resist and the substrate are concurrently etched to transfer the tapered profile of the reflowed resist into the underlying substrate to form an angled surface. The etching is discontinued before all of the resist is consumed by the etching.
US07985688B2
A method for etching a substrate having a silicon layer in a plasma processing chamber having a bottom electrode on which the substrate is disposed on during etching. The method includes performing a main etch step. The method also includes terminating main etch step when a predefined etch depth of at least 70 percent of thickness into silicon layer is achieved. The method further includes performing an overetch step. The overetch step including a first process step and a second process step. First process step is performed using a first bottom power level applied to bottom electrode. Second process step is performed using a second bottom power level applied to bottom electrode that is lower than first bottom power level. First process and second process steps are alternately performed a plurality of times. The method yet also includes terminating overetch step after silicon layer is etched through.
US07985684B1
A method of actuating a semiconductor device includes providing a transistor. The transistor includes a substrate. A first electrically conductive material layer, having a thickness, is positioned on the substrate. A second electrically conductive material layer is in contact with and positioned on the first electrically conductive material layer. The second electrically conductive material layer overhangs the first electrically conductive material layer. An electrically insulating material layer, having a thickness, is conformally positioned over the second electrically conductive material layer, the first electrically conductive material layer, and at least a portion of the substrate. The thickness of the first electrically conductive material layer is greater than the thickness of the electrically insulating material layer. A semiconductor material layer conforms to and is in contact with the electrically insulating material layer. A third electrically conductive material layer is nonconformally positioned over and in contact with a first portion of the semiconductor material layer. A fourth electrically conductive material layer is nonconformally positioned over and in contact with a second portion of the semiconductor material layer. A voltage is applied between the third electrically conductive material layer and the fourth electrically conductive material layer. A voltage is applied to the first electrically conductive material layer to electrically connect the third electrically conductive material layer and the fourth electrically conductive material layer.
US07985669B2
Processes are provided for selectively depositing thin films comprising one or more noble metals on a substrate by vapor deposition processes. In some embodiments, atomic layer deposition (ALD) processes are used to deposit a noble metal containing thin film on a high-k material, metal, metal nitride or other conductive metal compound while avoiding deposition on a lower k insulator such as silicon oxide. The ability to deposit on a first surface, such as a high-k material, while avoiding deposition on a second surface, such as a silicon oxide or silicon nitride surface, may be utilized, for example, in the formation of a gate electrode.
US07985660B2
The present invention provides a method for manufacturing an SOI wafer, including: a step of preparing a base wafer consisting of a p+ silicon single crystal wafer and a bond wafer consisting of a silicon single crystal wafer containing a dopant at a lower concentration than that in the base wafer; a step of forming a silicon oxide film on an entire surface of the base wafer based on thermal oxidation; a step of bonding the bond wafer to the base wafer through the silicon oxide film; and a step of reducing a thickness of the bond wafer to form an SOI layer, wherein a step of forming a CVD insulator film on a surface on an opposite side of a bonding surface of the base wafer is provided before the thermal oxidation step for the base wafer. As a result, it is possible to provide the method for manufacturing an SOI wafer which can easily prevent the p-type dopant contained in the base wafer from outwardly diffusing from the surface on the opposite side of the bonding surface of the base wafer due to a high-temperature heat treatment, suppress this dopant from being mixed into the SOI layer, and reduce warpage.
US07985654B2
A key hole structure and method for forming a key hole structure to form a pore in a memory cell. The method includes forming a first dielectric layer on a semiconductor substrate having an electrode formed therein, forming an isolation layer on the first dielectric layer, forming a second dielectric layer on the isolation layer, and forming a planarization stop layer on the second dielectric layer. The method further includes forming a via to extend to the first dielectric layer and recessing the isolation layer and the stop layer with respect to the second dielectric layer, depositing a conformal film within via and over the stop layer, forming a key hole within the conformal film at a center region of the via such that a tip of the key hole is disposed at an upper surface of the second dielectric layer, and planarizing the conformal film to the stop layer.
US07985651B2
A semiconductor device and method of fabricating a semiconductor device are provided. The method includes forming a gate trench in a semiconductor substrate to define source/drain regions. The source/drain regions are separated from each other by the gate trench, and the semiconductor substrate is exposed through the gate trench. The semiconductor substrate has impurities of a first conductivity type. The source/drain regions have impurities of a second conductivity type different from the first conductivity type. The concentration of the second conductivity type impurities increases as the impurities approach the surfaces of the source/drain regions. A differential gate dielectric layer is formed along the surfaces of the source/drain regions and the semiconductor substrate exposed through the gate trench. A gate electrode filling the gate trench is formed. The differential gate dielectric layer has a first thickness between the gate electrode and the semiconductor substrate and has a second thickness greater than the first thickness between the gate electrode and the source/drain regions.
US07985642B2
A semiconductor device can be formed without use of an STI process. An insulating layer is formed over a semiconductor body. Portions of the insulating layer are removed to expose the semiconductor body, e.g., to expose bare silicon. A semiconductor material, e.g., silicon, is grown over the exposed semiconductor body. A device, such as a transistor, can then be formed in the grown semiconductor material.
US07985639B2
Methods are provided for fabricating a semiconductor device. A method forms a conductive fin arrangement on a first region of a semiconductor substrate. The method continues by forming a semiconductive resistor structure on a second region of the semiconductor substrate after forming the conductive fin arrangement, and forming a gate stack foundation structure overlying the conductive fin arrangement after forming the semiconductive resistor structure. The method removes portions of the gate stack foundation structure overlying the first region of the semiconductor substrate to define a gate structure for the semiconductor device.
US07985637B2
After an n-type AlGaN barrier layer (3) is formed over a substrate (1), an n-type GaN contact layer (4) is formed over the n-type AlGaN barrier layer (3). Next, the n-type GaN contact layer (4) is wet-etched with using an etching solution containing an organic alkali agent and an oxidizer while the n-type GaN contact layer (4) is irradiated with an ultraviolet illumination.
US07985628B2
An integrated circuit package system includes: mounting a device structure over a package carrier; connecting an internal interconnect between the device structure and the package carrier; forming an interconnect lock over the internal interconnect over the device structure with interconnect lock exposing the device structure; and forming a package encapsulation adjacent to the interconnect lock and over the package carrier.
US07985622B2
A method of forming collapse chip connection bumps on a semiconductor substrate is provided. The method includes providing a semiconductor substrate having a plurality of bump vias on a top surface of the semiconductor substrate and electroplating the plurality of bump vias to form a plurality of via pads on the top surface of the semiconductor substrate. The method also includes disposing a plurality of solder microballs on the top surface of the semiconductor substrate, wherein each solder microball is placed on a corresponding via pad on the semiconductor substrate and reflowing the plurality of solder microballs to form the collapse chip connection bumps on the semiconductor substrate.
US07985619B2
A manufacturing method for a semiconductor device embedded substrate, includes: a first step of preparing a semiconductor device having a first insulating layer; a second step of preparing a support body, and arranging the semiconductor device on one surface of the support body; a third step of forming a second insulating layer on the one surface of the support body; a fourth step of removing the support body; a fifth step of forming a first wiring pattern on a surface of each of the first insulating layer and the second insulating layer; a sixth step of forming a via-hole from which the first wiring pattern is exposed on the second insulating layer; and a seventh step of forming a second wiring pattern electrically connected on a surface of the second insulating layer.
US07985617B2
Some embodiments include methods in which microwave radiation is used to activate dopant and/or increase crystallinity of semiconductor material during formation of a semiconductor construction. In some embodiments, the microwave radiation has a frequency of about 5.8 gigahertz, and a temperature of the semiconductor construction does not exceed about 500° C. during the exposure to the microwave radiation.
US07985611B1
The present invention provides a method for manufacturing a micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) resonator device using the same device layer, dielectric layer, and conductive layer that is used to create other electrical devices in a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) process.
US07985607B2
A method for preparing a quantum dot-inorganic matrix composite includes preparing an inorganic matrix precursor solution containing one or more quantum dot precursors, spin-coating the precursor solution on a substrate to form an inorganic matrix thin film, and heating the inorganic matrix thin film to form an inorganic matrix, while growing the quantum dot precursors into quantum dots in the inorganic matrix, thereby yielding a quantum dot-inorganic matrix composite. The quantum dot-inorganic matrix composite thus obtained has a structure in which the quantum dots have a high efficiency and are densely filled in an inorganic matrix. The quantum dot-inorganic matrix composites can be prepared using a low temperature process, and can be used for various displays and electronic device material applications.
US07985600B2
Use of flat surfaces comprising perfluorinated polymers in the determination of the binding constant of two interacting molecular species by using measurements of reflected light intensity, said surface comprising at least one molecule with the receptor function adsorbed or immobilized on said surface, and at least one ligand which interacts with the receptor.
US07985591B2
The present invention relates to: parasitic helminth cuticlin proteins; parasitic helminth cuticlin nucleic acid molecules, including those that encode such cuticlin proteins; antibodies raised against such cuticlin proteins; and compounds that inhibit parasitic helminth cuticlin activity. The present invention also includes methods to obtain such proteins, nucleic acid molecules, antibodies, and inhibitory compounds. Also included in the present invention are therapeutic compositions comprising such proteins, nucleic acid molecules, antibodies and/or inhibitory compounds as well as the use of such therapeutic compositions to protect animals from diseases caused by parasitic helminths.
US07985586B2
The present invention provides a cell culture enriched for sphingolipid enhances neural stem cells (SENSe), particularly oligodendrocyte precursor cells (ODPCs), that do not form teratomas after transplanted in vivo. Methods for producing and use of the invention ODPCs or the cell culture enriched with these ODPCs for stem cell therapy are also provided. The invention method comprises culturing a stem cell culture with a cell culture medium comprising a ceramide compound and a S1P receptor agonist in sequence, overlapping intervals or concurrent manners. The present invention further provides a cellular or gene therapy using a composition comprising a ceramide compound in conjunction with a S1P1 agonist to proliferate or differentiate endogeneous neural stem cells to ODPCs and further to oligodendrocytes.
US07985579B2
An assembly is disclosed that is to be used for the culturing of specimens such as embryos and gametes for use in in vitro fertilization. The assembly includes an annular ring which is affixed to the stage of an optical viewing instrument, such as a microscope. The viewing instrument is focused on a point which lies inside of the ring at a predetermined distance from the center of the ring. Circular specimen dishes having a plurality of specimen wells in which the specimens in question are cultured or grown is removably positioned inside of the ring. The specimen wells have bottom walls which are configured so as to ensure that the specimens in the wells will gravitate to the same predetermined position in each of the wells. That position coincides with the focus point of the viewing instrument. When the specimen culturing dishes are placed inside of the ring, they can be rotated inside of the ring to bring the specimens in each well sequentially into the focus point of the viewing instrument whereby the specimens in each dish can be quickly and accurately monitored for growth and development. Other devices are disclosed which enable the rotation of the dish and proper alignment of the specimens in each well with the focus point of the viewing instrument. The assembly can be used for a wide range of specimen culturing. Typical specimens include animal and human cells, tissues, stem cells, embryos, oocytes, immature oocytes, sperm precursor cells, embryonic cells, blastocysts, and spermatozoa.
US07985578B2
Systems, methods, compositions and apparatus relating to genome selection are disclosed.
US07985565B2
A nucleic acid molecule can be annealed to an appropriate immobilized primer. The primer can then be extended and the molecule and the primer can be separated from one another. The extended primer can then be annealed to another immobilized primer and the other primer can be extended. Both extended primers can then be separated from one another and can be used to provided further extended primers. The process can be repeated to provide amplified, immobilized nucleic acid molecules. These can be used for many different purposes, including sequencing, screening, diagnosis, in situ nucleic acid synthesis, monitoring gene expression, nucleic acid fingerprinting, etc.
US07985561B2
The present invention provides, for the first time, the finding that the manganese superoxide dismutase Val16Ala polymorphism is significantly associated with prognosis for cancer patients treated with chemotherapeutic drug therapy. The alanine allele is a novel biomarker that predicts poor response and poor outcome to chemotherapeutic drug cancer therapy. Conversely, the valine allele predicts a good response and a good outcome to chemotherapeutic drug cancer therapy. Therefore, a genotype assay can be used to determine which alleles a subject is carrying, and subsequently this information can be used to determine if chemotherapeutic drug therapy is appropriate, and to customize therapy according to the patient's MnSOD genotype.
US07985560B2
The present invention relates to methods and compositions for monitoring, diagnosis, prognosis, and determination of treatment regimens in subjects. In particular, the invention relates to methods and compositions selected to monitor cardiorenal syndrome using assays that detect NGAL, preferably together with assays that detect natriuretic peptides such as BNP. Such methods and compositions can provide early indications of a deterioration in cardiorenal syndrome status, including prognosis regarding mortality and worsening renal function.
US07985558B2
This invention pertains to methods and compositions for the diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular conditions. More specifically, the invention relates to isolated molecules that can be used to diagnose and/or treat cardiovascular conditions including cardiac hypertrophy, myocardial infarction, stroke, arteriosclerosis, and heart failure.
US07985554B2
The present invention is based on the identification of synaptic vessel glycoprotein SV2 as the BoNT/A receptor and the further identification of various BoNT/A-binding fragments of SV2. The disclosure here provides new tools for diagnosing and treating botulism.
US07985546B2
Compositions and methods for amplifying nucleic acid sequences from a single cell are provided. Compositions and methods for constructing a genomic library from a single cell are also provided.
US07985545B2
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.
US07985538B2
Described herein is a cellular marker, MyD88, useful for assessing an individual's (patient's) sensitivity (or resistance) to chemotherapy, particularly sensitivity (or resistance) to chemotherapeutic drugs, such as plant alkaloids (e.g., a taxane, such as paclitaxel or docetaxel). As described herein, Applicants provide a method by which it is possible to determine whether an individual (cancer cells in an individual) is sensitive to chemotherapy with plant alkaloids (e.g., a taxane, such as paclitaxel or docetaxel). Early identification of chemoresistance in patients with cancer is of utmost importance, particularly since it makes it possible to provide the most appropriate therapy.
US07985536B2
An exsanguinous metabolic support system for maintaining an organ or tissue at a near normal metabolic rate is disclosed that employs a warm perfusion solution capable of altering the production of nitric oxide (NO) in an organ or tissue and supporting the metabolism of the organ or tissue at normothermic temperatures. Perfusion with the solution of the invention, therefore, can be used to regulate nitric oxide production in situations where it is desirable to do so, for example, to prevent reperfusion injury. The system also monitors parameters of the circulating perfusion solution, such as pH, temperature, osmolarity, flow rate, vascular pressure and partial pressure of respiratory gases, and nitric oxide (NO) concentration and regulates them to insure that the organ is maintained under near-physiologic conditions. Use of the system for long-term maintenance of organs for transplantation, for resuscitation and repair of organs having sustained warm ischemic damage, to treat cardiovascular disorders, to prevent reperfusion injury, as a pharmaceutical delivery system and prognosticator of posttransplantation organ function is also disclosed.
US07985534B2
A pattern forming method, includes: (i) a step of applying a resist composition whose solubility in a positive tone developer increases and solubility in a negative tone developer decreases upon irradiation with an actinic ray or radiation, the resist composition containing a resin capable of increasing a polarity by the action of an acid; (ii) an exposure step; (iii) a step of performing development by using a negative tone developer to form a resist pattern; and (iv) a step of causing a crosslinked layer-forming material to act on the resist pattern to crosslink the resin constituting the resist pattern and the crosslinked layer-forming material, thereby forming a crosslinked layer. According to the present invention, a method for forming a pattern having an effectively micro-dimensioned trench or hole pattern without generation of a scum is provided.
US07985532B2
Three positive-type photosensitive material layers which are photosensitive to light having the same wavelength range are provided on a substrate, and an intermediate layer contains a light-absorbing agent. The ultraviolet absorbing agent contained in the intermediate layer prevents the intermediate layer and lower layer from being exposed during the exposure of an upper layer. After the upper layer is exposed, the intermediate layer and lower layer are exposed with the light having the same wavelength range, which is used to expose the upper layer.
US07985529B2
Mask patterns include a resist pattern and a gel layer on a surface of the resist pattern having a junction including hydrogen bonds between a proton donor polymer and a proton acceptor polymer. Methods of forming the mask patterns and methods of fabricating a semiconductor device using the mask patterns as etching masks are also provided.
US07985521B2
A photoconductor that includes, for example, a supporting substrate, a photogenerating layer, and at least one charge transport layer comprised of at least one charge transport component, and wherein at least one of the photogenerating layer and charge transport layer contains an anthracene, including derivatives thereof.
US07985506B2
A fuel cell system and a reformer for a fuel cell system prevents backfire and improves efficiency of heat transfer. The fuel cell system includes a reformer generating hydrogen gas from fuel including hydrogen by a catalytic chemical reaction using heat energy, and at least one electricity generating unit generating electrical energy by an electrochemical reaction between the hydrogen gas and oxygen. The reformer includes a case, a heat source, and a reforming reaction part. The case forms an external shape. The heat source is disposed in the case to generate heat energy by an oxidation reaction between fuel and a catalyst, and includes a mesh, an oxidation catalyst layer formed on a surface of the mesh, and at least one fuel injection nozzle supplying the fuel to the oxidation catalyst layer. The reforming reaction part is disposed in the case to generate hydrogen gas from fuel using the heat energy generated from the heat source.
US07985504B2
Provided is a lithium secondary battery which has excellent low-temperature power output characteristics by the inclusion of a given amount of a lithium metal oxide and/or a lithium metal sulfide in an anode mix for a lithium secondary battery containing a carbon-based anode active material and is thereby capable of being used as a power source for electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) that must provide high-power output at low temperatures as well as at room temperature.
US07985481B2
The present invention provides an interlayer for a laminated glass, which contains a polyvinyl acetal resin, and can be easily bonded to a glass sheet to form a highly transparent laminated glass. And the present invention provides a laminated glass using the interlayer. The interlayer for a laminated glass contains 100 phr of a polyvinyl acetal resin and 42 to 60 phr of a plasticizer, wherein the plasticizer is unsaturated fatty acid alkyl ester having 16 to 20 carbon atoms.
US07985477B2
A cationically polymerizable composite coating composition comprising: a) a condensation product of at least one hydrolyzable silane having a fluorine-containing group, b) at least one cationically polymerizable organic resin, and c) a cationic initiator, provides, upon curing, substrates with an alkali-resistant, liquid-repellent coating. The composite coating composition may be used in pattern forming methods.
US07985476B2
The present invention provides a transparent inorganic oxide dispersion which makes it possible to improve the refractive index and mechanical characteristics and to maintain transparency by modifying the surface of inorganic oxide particles with a surface modifier having one or more reactive functional groups; and an inorganic oxide particle-containing resin composition in which the transparent inorganic oxide dispersion and a resin are compositely integrated by the polymerization reaction, a composition for sealing a light emitting element, a light emitting element, and a method for producing an inorganic oxide particle-containing resin composition; and a hard coat film which has high transparency and makes it possible to improve a refractive index and tenacity, an optical functional film, an optical lens and an optical component. The transparent inorganic oxide dispersion of the present invention comprises inorganic oxide particles which have a surface modified with a surface modifier having one or more reactive functional groups and have a disperse particle diameter of 1 nm or more and 20 nm or less, and a disperse medium, wherein the surface modifier is one or more kinds selected from the group consisting of a silane coupling agent, a modified silicone, and a surfactant.
US07985472B2
An EB (electron beam) or UV (ultra violet) curable, low-gloss, dry-erase coating formulation for static and electronic whiteboards is disclosed. The coating contains an acrylate silica blend, an aliphatic urethane acrylate or a polyester acrylate, a polyfunctional reactive diluent and at least one photoinitiator.
US07985470B2
An object is to raise both the wear resistance and chipping resistance of diamond sintered compacts while taking advantage of the characteristics of highly chipping-resistant microfine-grain diamond sintered compacts. A sintered diamond layer 3 is formed by sintering diamond grains and a binder on a cemented carbide substrate 2. This sintered diamond layer 3 comprises a main diamond layer 4 and a Co-rich diamond layer 5 that is present between the main diamond layer 4 and the cemented carbide substrate 2 and that has a Co content larger than that of the main diamond layer 4; the main diamond layer has a residual compressive stress of 1.5 GPa to 3 GPa.
US07985468B1
An earpiece of flexible foam construction which incorporates recycled pulverized polyurethane foam (RPPF). RPPF constituting 5% to 30% of the improved foam has been found to be useful. The novel and unique nature of RPPF allows for the replacement of a higher cost component with a lower cost component while maintaining or improving physical properties, such as sound attenuation, sound control, comfort and fit.
US07985467B1
A thin, x-ray-transparent window system for environmental chambers involving pneumatic pressures above 40 bar is presented. The window allows for x-ray access to such phenomena as fuel sprays injected into a pressurized chamber that mimics realistic internal combustion engine cylinder operating conditions.
US07985463B2
Methods are provided for producing large volumes of small antenna arrays. In one embodiment, the method comprises the steps of creating an antenna array pattern as a computer file, printing the created pattern onto the surface of a suitable transfer paper, placing the printed image surface in contact with the surface of a material to be etched, and transferring the printed image to the surface of the material to be etched. The transfer can be effected by any combination of chemicals, heat, and/or pressure. After transfer of the printed image, the transfer paper is removed. The step of removing the transfer paper optionally includes wetting the transfer paper in a manner that dissolves the transfer paper leaving the printed antenna pattern on the surface of the material to be etched. The method further includes the step of etching the non-printed portions of the material, preferably by chemical etching, and removing the printed pattern from the surface of the material to yield an antenna array comprising a non-etched portion of the substrate surface. Arrays, and substrates having an etch-resistant mask for making the arrays, are also provided.
US07985459B2
A foam filling member having a foaming base material in sheet form which is simplified in structure so that it can be formed into a predetermined shape corresponding to a shape of a space of a structure with an improved working efficiency and can also be placed in a space of the structure with an improved working efficiency, without any need of the sticking to a wall surface of a partition wall defining the space of the structure. Incisions 4, 5, 6, 7, cut in partway along a thickness direction of the foaming base material 2 along a bending portion and cuts 9, 10 passing through in the thickness direction are formed in the foaming base material 2. By simply bending or folding the foaming base material 2 along the incisions 4, 5, 6, 7 and the cuts 9, 10, the foam filling member 1 can be formed in a three-dimensional shape corresponding to an interior space of a pillar and thus can be set in place in the interior space. By foaming the foaming base material 2 thus placed in the interior space, the foam can be filled up in the interior space, leaving no space therein.
US07985452B2
A silicone coating is applied to fabrics to increase the abrasion resistance while enhancing the natural absorbency and breathability. These fabrics can be used for a variety of applications such as components for shoes, inkjet receptive media, automotive air bags, facing for insulation, tapes and other uses.
US07985449B2
A process is described for depositing a metal film on a substrate surface having a diffusion barrier layer deposited thereupon. In one embodiment of the present invention, the process includes: providing a surface of the diffusion barrier layer that is substantially free of an elemental metal and forming the metal film on at least a portion of the surface via deposition by using a organometallic precursor. In certain embodiments, the diffusion barrier layer may be exposed to an adhesion promoting agent prior to or during at least a portion of the forming step. Suitable adhesion promoting agents include nitrogen, nitrogen-containing compounds, carbon-containing compounds, carbon and nitrogen containing compounds, silicon-containing compounds, silicon and carbon containing compounds, silicon, carbon, and nitrogen containing compounds, or mixtures thereof. The process of the present invention provides substrates having enhanced adhesion between the diffusion barrier layer and the metal film.
US07985448B2
A process system includes a plurality of processing modules each processing a substrate with a process liquid. There is disposed a dispensing mechanism that dispenses the process liquid to the vertically arranged modules. The dispensing mechanism is provided with a process liquid supply source, and pumps corresponding to the respective processing modules. Each pump temporarily stores therein the process liquid which has been pressure-fed through a riser piping from the process liquid supply source by a pressing apparatus, and delivers the process liquid from an outlet. There are disposed nozzles each having a discharge port and discharging the process liquid to the corresponding processing module. Delivery pipings connecting the outlets of the pumps with the discharge ports of the corresponding nozzles have identical length to each other.
US07985443B2
The invention relates to a self-cleaning lighting device comprising a light source and a wall, which permits a portion of at least the radiation emitted by said source to pass therethrough and which is covered, over a portion of at least one of its two faces, by a photocatalytically active layer. The invention is characterized in that under the weakest illumination conditions, the photocatalytic activity of said layer is high enough for degrading and reducing organic soilings into easily eliminable particles that do not adhere to said layer, and/or for conferring a hydrophilic character to this layer. The invention also relates to a method for producing the aforementioned device, a translucent wall provided for this device, and to the use of the device for lighting tunnels, public lighting, airport runway lighting, indoor lighting or for headlamps or indicator lights of transportation vehicles.
US07985442B2
An apparatus and method for imprinting a pattern on a medical device to provide a surface with greater surface area and improved adhesion properties.
US07985434B2
The present invention refers to compositions of atomized or lyophilized extracts of selected maca hypocotyls of the red and black variety and atomized or lyophilized parts of the yacon plant selected from leaves and roots. The invention also refers to the methods to prepare such compositions using aqueous or hydroalcoholic extraction processes. Likewise, as novel element of the maca hypocotyls extraction process is the selection of the batches of maca hypocotyls having a pH of less than 5.5, which have better biological activity than those with a greater pH. The compositions of the invention are useful in the treatment of different conditions and diseases.
US07985426B1
The invention discloses a system, method and pharmaceutical composition of nanoparticles for lodging in a target tissue cell in situ of an animal subject, the nanoparticles comprising PGA-PLA block copolymers that are conjugated with a ligand, wherein the ligand has ligand-receptor binding affinity for the ligand to bind a surface receptor of the tissue cell.
US07985425B1
The present invention is a method for manufacture and treatment of depression and health disorders using a non-pharmacologic stable negative ion solution.
US07985411B2
Compositions comprising activatable recombinant neurotoxins and polypeptides derived therefrom. The invention also comprises nucleic acids encoding such polypeptides, and methods of making such polypeptides and nucleic acids.
US07985410B2
The purpose of the present invention is to provide a method and an agent to efficiently inhibit the function of the drug efflux pump of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The invention provides a method to inhibit the function of the drug efflux pump of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, comprising modifying any amino acid residue selected from 100th to 109th or 311th to 320th amino acid residues in the amino acid sequence of mature OprM protein. The invention also provides an agent having such inhibitory effect, and a screening method thereof.
US07985409B2
The present invention relates to a method of treating or preventing atherosclerosis comprising administering to a mammal in need of such a treatment a) an antigen which has been used to activate in vitro a Tri cell population originating from said mammal, and b) the TO cell population activated by said antigen, said TO cell population being obtained from a CD4+ T lymphocyte population of said mammal.
US07985405B2
A treatment solution used to prevent posterior capsular opacification is applied or introduced into the lens capsular bag before, during, or after cataract surgery. The treatment solution comprises an ion transport mechanism interference agent, which either alone or in combination with other treatment agents such as an osmotic stress agent and an agent to establish a suitable pH, selectively induces detachment and/or death of lens epithelial cells such that posterior capsular opacification is prevented. While the ion transport mechanism interference agent is capable of interfering with the cellular mechanisms and cell ion distribution of a broad range of cells, a concentration of agent is selected such that the treatment solution interferes selectively with the cellular mechanisms of lens epithelial cells while leaving other ocular cells substantially unharmed. The treatment solution selectively induces cellular death and/or detachment of lens epithelial cells while other ocular cells and tissue remain substantially unharmed and without lengthy preoperative pre-treatment.
US07985404B1
The present invention utilizes natural and/or synthetic serine protease inhibitory agents or botanical extracts containing serine protease inhibitory activity, with or without the addition of one or more isoflavones and/or additional natural extracts containing one or more isoflavones, and their ability to affect changes in mammalian hair growth, hair follicle and hair shaft size and hair pigmentation.
US07985400B2
A method for making a mesoporous or combined mesoporous/microporous inorganic oxide includes reacting a source of inorganic oxide with a complexing agent at a complexation temperature to provide a complex; decomposing the complex to provide a porous material precursor having an inorganic oxide framework containing at least some organic pore-forming agent; and removing the organic pore forming agent from the inorganic oxide framework by solvent extraction and/or calcination.
US07985398B2
The present teachings are directed towards a thermolysis method of producing iron-containing nanoparticles by providing an iron-containing component, a colloid stabilizing component, and an amount of water. The iron-containing component, the colloid stabilizing component, and the amount of water form a mixture, which is then heated to a temperature sufficient to form iron-containing nanoparticles, which are then isolated from the mixture. Another method is also provided which involves a repetitive shell growth method of producing iron-containing nanoparticles by providing a first amount of an iron-containing component and a colloid stabilizing component; the iron-containing component and the colloid stabilizing component are then mixed and heated to a temperature sufficient to form iron-containing nanoparticles. The mixture is allowed to cool to room temperature, and an additional amount of iron-containing component is added to the mixture, which is then reheated to reaction temperature, and the process is repeated until the isolated iron-containing nanoparticles obtain the desired size.
US07985396B2
Processes for producing sodium bisulfite from sodium sulfite purge streams are disclosed which enable recovery of additional resource material including sodium bisulfite.
US07985390B2
The invention relates to hydrotalcite intercalated by precipitated silica, and to the use thereof as a charge in a polymer composition. The invention also relates to polymer compositions comprising one such charge, and to finished articles based on such compositions.
US07985371B2
A method for forming a remateable cracked titanium powder base alloy connecting rod using a titanium alloy powder processed to produce a connecting rod.
US07985369B2
A downdraft exhaust cutting and shuttle table mechanism includes a cutting area and a loading area, which includes first and second elongated, horizontally disposed cutting tables which are shuttled into and out of a cutting area which includes a material cutting assembly positioned therein, the shuttle table mechanism including horizontal and vertical table movement devices which are operative to move the first and second cutting tables forwards and backwards between the cutting area and a loading area generally adjacent thereto and a vertical table movement device operative to move the first and second cutting tables upwards and downwards, the vertical and horizontal table movement devices cooperating to move each of the first and second cutting tables from a loading position generally horizontally forwards into the cutting area for cutting of material mounted thereon then generally horizontally backwards into the loading area to a position generally underneath the other of the cutting tables which has been lifted into the elevated loading position, thereby cycling the first and second cutting tables to alternate use of each.
US07985367B2
A method for producing active glass nanoparticles that exhibit upconversion is described. The method employs pulsed-laser ablation of an active glass substrate using, for example, a high repetition rate ultra-short pulse duration laser under normal atmospheric conditions or in a liquid environment.
US07985362B2
The present invention encompasses a method of forming a housing that locates an internal element. This method is instigated by firstly the steps of locating an internal element within a mould, and then introducing a plastic material into the mould. Next the mould is rotated to form a plastic exterior surface of a housing on the internal surface of the mould with said internal element being located inside the exterior surface of the housing formed.
US07985347B2
In a method of forming a pattern and a method of forming a capacitor, an oxide layer pattern having an opening is formed on a substrate. A conductive layer is formed on the oxide layer pattern and the bottom and sidewalls of the opening. A buffer layer pattern is formed in the opening having the conductive layer, the buffer layer pattern including a siloxane polymer. The conductive layer on the oxide layer pattern is selectively removed using the buffer layer pattern as an etching mask. A conductive pattern having a cylindrical shape can be formed on the substrate. The method of forming a pattern may simplify manufacturing processes for a capacitor and a semiconductor device, and may improve their efficiencies.
US07985342B2
A method and apparatus for treating a fluid using a wave energy uses a cyclone separator configured to create a flow of the fluid in a thin film along a vortex path from a first end to a second end of the cyclone separator, a first electrode and a second electrode that are at least partially disposed within the cyclone separator, spaced apart from one another, and axially aligned with one another along a central axis of the cyclone separator from the first end to the second end. The electrodes are used to create an open electrical arc to provide the wave energy directly exposing the fluid as the fluid flows along the vortex path in close proximity to and surrounding the electrical arc such that only a gas separates the fluid from the open electrical arc.
US07985340B2
A magnetic separator unit for the selective separation of at least one component from a fluid mixture is described. The unit can include at least one mandrel-shaped magnet unit and tubing wrapped around it. Fluid containing magnetisable particles can be passed through the tubing to allow attraction of the particles to the magnet unit.
US07985337B2
A device for reducing the number of leucocytes in blood comprising a plurality of hollow fibers based on organic polymers, whereby the hollow fibers have a lumen and a wall surrounding the lumen, said wall having an internal surface facing the lumen and an external surface, whereby the hollow fibers are arranged in a cylindrical housing with an inlet arrangement and an outlet arrangement and whereby an outer space is formed between the hollow fibers and the housing, which space is accessible for a fluid via the inlet arrangement and the outlet arrangement, characterized in that only the external surfaces of the hollow fibers are accessible for a fluid, that the lumina of the hollow fibers are not accessible for a fluid, that the arrangement of the hollow fibers shows a high degree of order and that the hollow fibers based on organic polymers cause a generation of the complement activation product C5a in a concentration of at least 10 μg per m2 of fiber surface.
US07985329B2
By providing two or more consumable electrodes within a single reactor vessel, an alloy having a high degree of chemical ordering may be deposited in situ in that the current flows of the individual consumable electrodes are controlled to obtain a substantially layered deposition of the two or more metals. Hence, especially in copper-based metallization layers, the advantage of enhanced resistance against electromigration offered by alloys may be achieved without unduly reducing the overall conductivity.
US07985307B2
Article (e.g., turbine engine fan or compressor blade) comprising a titanium alloy has a first portion with alpha+beta microstructure and a second portion with martensitic or a bimodal microstructure. The modified microstructure of the second portion is provided by selectively heating, and immediately quenching, the second portion without substantially heating the first portion. An exemplary method includes providing a near net-shaped article having a first portion (e.g., an airfoil region) and a second portion (e.g., an unfinished dovetail region). Initially, the article comprises an alpha+beta microstructure throughout. Thereafter, the second portion is selectively heated, followed by immediate quenching, without substantially heating the first portion, to modify the microstructure of the second portion to a martensitic or bimodal microstructure without substantially modifying the microstructure of the first portion. Thereafter, the second portion may be processed to a final body dimension.
US07985306B2
A precipitation-hardened stainless steel alloy comprises, by weight: about 14.0 to about 16.0 percent chromium; about 6.0 to about 7.0 percent nickel; about 1.25 to about 1.75 percent copper; about 0.5 to about 2.0 percent molybdenum; about 0.025 to about 0.05 percent carbon; niobium in an amount greater than about twenty times to about twenty-five times that of carbon; and the balance iron and incidental impurities. The alloy has an aged microstructure and an ultimate tensile strength of at least about 1100 MPa and a Charpy V-notch toughness of at least about 69 J. The aged microstructure includes martensite and not more than about 10% reverted austenite and is useful for making turbine airfoils.
US07985305B2
A polymeric quenchant. The polymeric quenchant comprises an inorganic nanoparticle, a water-soluble polymer, and water, wherein a weight ratio of the inorganic nanoparticle, water-soluble polymer and water is about 0.05-5:1-5:100. The cooling rate of steel during a quenching process can be adjusted by regulating the components and ratios of the adjusted by regulating the components and ratios of the polymeric quenchant to achieve desirable steel properties.
US07985299B2
Compositions and methods based on the use of fluoroalkene containing from 3 to 4 carbon atoms and at least one carbon-carbon double bond, such as HFO-1214, HFO-HFO-1233, or HFO-1354, having properties highly beneficial in solvent cleaning applications.
US07985287B2
The present invention relates to a novel anthrapyridone compound represented by the following formula (1) or a salt thereof: wherein, R1 represents a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group or the like, R2 represents a hydrogen atom or a methoxy group and R3 represents an unsubstituted or substituted aryl group, or an unsubstituted or substituted a heteroaryl group, respectively; and with regard to the substitution positions of —SO2R3 and —SO3H whose substitution position are not specified and the both of which the benzene ring has thereon, one of their substitution positions is the para-position and the other thereof is the ortho-position to the substitution position of the nitrogen atom by which said benzene ring is substituted, and the compound of the present invention or a salt thereof has a hue which possesses high vividness suitable for inkjet recording, and provides a magenta coloring matter having higher fastnesses on recorded matter and excellent storage stability.
US07985280B2
Methods and apparatus for generating a vapor to be injected into a flue gas stream are described. Apparatus comprises a fluid vaporization and injection assembly further comprising: a stripper for producing first ammonia vapor and a first aqueous ammonia solution from a second aqueous ammonia solution; a reflux tank for producing a second ammonia vapor and the second aqueous ammonia solution from the first ammonia vapor and the first aqueous ammonia solution; and a first outlet for outputting the second ammonia vapor for introduction into the flue gas.
US07985268B2
Embodiments include a gasification process where the carbon content of the residue from gasification of agricultural waste products and the fly ash content of the gaseous exhaust is controlled by regulated inflow of gasification-supporting air in a plurality of flow stream at different velocities to enhance fluidization of particulate feed in a bed being raked by a rotating sweep arm inducing radially outward movement of gasification residue into a collecting zone from which the residue enters a discharge duct. The particulate feed is dropped at a location in the gasification chamber above the bed in alignment with the inflow stream of maximum velocity.
US07985264B2
An artificial knee joint includes a joint support having upper and lower ends jointed to outside links and an upper link respectively; a brake block having upper and lower jointing holes respectively jointing a lower end of the upper link and a connector, and having an upper portion forming a positioning slot; a hydraulic cylinder arranged inside the brake block and having an upper end coupled to the joint support; a connector having a lower portion connected to a shank and an upper end portion through which a positioning axle extends; and outside links having an upper end jointed to an upper jointing hole of the joint support and a lower end jointed to a jointing hole of the connector. A cylinder barrel, a piston, a resilient element, and an adjusting bolt are arranged inside the connector and the piston is set against a lower end of the brake block.
US07985249B2
Endoprosthesis, such as a stent, includes at least one annular element defined by a first set of strut members interconnected to define apices proximate opposite sides of the annular element. The annular element further includes a foot extension extending between at least one pair of circumferentially-adjacent strut members. The foot extension has first and second foot portions extending circumferentially from corresponding ends of the circumferentially-adjacent strut members, and are contoured to provide at least two areas of flexure. The first and second foot portions are joined at a toe portion of the foot extension, and define a circumferentially-directed apex between the pair of circumferentially-adjacent strut members. Preferably, at least one or more additional annular elements, each defined by interconnected strut members, are provided. The annular elements are generally expandable between a delivery configuration and a deployed configuration. The annular elements are longitudinally aligned and connected at connection locations. Preferably, each connection location includes a foot extension, such as by an overlapping pattern between the longitudinally-adjacent annular elements or by a connector extending therebetween.
US07985246B2
A method for implanting an interspinous process spacer includes deforming a spacer from an extended configuration to a collapsed configuration. The spacer has a first pair of resiliently deformable arms extending from a central section of the spacer and when the spacer is deformed into the collapsed configuration, the first pair of arms moves toward each other. When in the collapsed configuration, the spacer is advanced into a guide tube such that the first pair of arms is constrained only by the guide tube. The guide tube is positioned proximate a pair of adjacent spinous processes and then the spacer is removed from the guide tube so that the first pair of arms resiliently move away from each other and are disposed on a common lateral side of the spinous processes.
US07985245B2
A low-profile surgical implant assembly is provided that includes a connector device that is an integral part of a rod, the connector device allowing the rod to be attached directly to a bone screw, such as a pedicle screw. Another aspect of the invention is a clamp device that allows the length of a rod spanning to attachment devices to be adjusted at the time of implantation, and further allows the clamp device to be secured by tightening a securing end of the clamp at the attachment device. The assemblies are useful for insertion into bone and connecting a foreign object to bone via a polyaxial coupling mechanism. A method for implanting the assembly is also provided.
US07985241B2
A surgical fastener with a safety position includes a lower base having piercing posts each having fixed and coupling ends, first and second base portions respectively attached to the posts, a hinge coupling the base portions, and a bias device imparting force on at least one base portion toward the other and at an angle to the hinge axis. Also provided is an upper fastening portion receiving and selectively coupling the posts. The lower base has a piercing position for coupling with the upper fastener portion where the posts are substantially parallel and a folded position where a distance between a coupling end of the first piercing post and the coupling end of the second piercing post is less than a distance between the fixed end of the first piercing post and the fixed end of the second piercing post.
US07985240B2
Apparatus for sealing a puncture includes an elongate occlusion member having a balloon attached to distal ends of telescoping inner and outer members. A housing on the proximal end of the outer member includes a piston coupled to the inner member and slidable within a chamber communicating with a fluid reservoir. A switch on the housing is actuated to direct fluid from the reservoir through the outer member into the balloon to expand the balloon and into the chamber to move the piston and pull the inner member, shortening the balloon as it expands. During use, the distal end of the occlusion member is introduced into a puncture communicating with a vessel until the collapsed balloon is disposed within the vessel. The balloon is expanded, and a tensioner is connected to the housing to apply a proximal force holding the balloon against the vessel wall to seal the puncture.
US07985231B2
A bone fusion device can include elongated interlockable segments, each having an engaging surface interlockable with the engaging surface of another segment. The segments can be inserted in between bones one at a time. A device can include an outer expandable component having outer expandable members insertable to a location between bones in an unexpanded configuration and an inner expander including surface engaging portions interlockable with inner surface engaging portions in the outer expandable members. A device can include the inner expander having an outwardly flared proximal portion that can interlock with the proximal end of the outer expandable members. A device can include a locking bridge expandable with an expandable body, such as an inflatable balloon, and movable to a locked expanded configuration. A bone fusion system, a bone fusion device kit, and/or a method for fusing bone can include such a bone fusion device.
US07985209B2
A wound or surgical dressing is disclosed. The wound or surgical dressing is configured to cover or surround a wound, a surgical incision, or any type of skin irritation. In accordance with the present disclosure, the wound or surgical dressing is treated with a bacteriostatic composition that is capable of binding and trapping negatively charged matter, such as bacteria, pathogens, and the like. The bacteriostatic composition comprises a cationic polymer, a cationic oligomer, or particles coated with a cationic material. The bacteriostatic composition is bonded to the wound or surgical dressing in a manner such that the bacteriostatic composition is not substantially transferred to a patient being treated.
US07985199B2
This invention relates to an injection site or gateway or a system comprising such an injection site or gateway. In one form the invention concerns a system comprising an inserter device and a gateway for subcutaneous injection of fluid where comprises a distal surface (1a) corresponding to a proximal surface (1b) integrated with the inserter device. In another form the invention concerns a gateway for subcutaneous injection of fluid, which gateway comprises —a body (1) with at least one through-going opening (6) with an entrance and an outlet, and at least one cannula (3) and having a proximal end protruding from the lower side of the body; —and at the entrance of the through-going opening medication can be injected by a delivery device (20) which delivery device has protruding parts (22) which form an inner opening with a diameter di; wherein the surface of the entrance is shaped in such a way that the cross-section of the top part of entrance, i.e. from the top of the entrance to a position di/3 below the top, do not exceed di.
US07985195B2
A dressing having a flexible sleeve shaped to accommodate a substantially cylindrical body or plant portion, the sleeve having a lining which is substantially non-adherent to the body or plant part being bandaged and having a peripheral securement means which attaches two peripheral portions to each other without those portions being circumferentially adhered to the sleeve portion.
US07985191B2
Apparatus and methods for therapeutically treating bone fractures, osteopenia, osteoporosis, or other tissue conditions. A platform supports a body to be treated. An oscillator is positioned within the platform and is configured to impart an oscillating force on the body. A capacitor assembly is positioned adjacent the platform for automatically determining the mass of the body being supported on the platform. Once the mass of the body is determined, an amplitude of the frequency of the oscillating force is adjusted to provide a desired therapeutic treatment to the patient. Also, the capacitor assembly is configured to turn the oscillator on and off as a function of whether or not a body is being supported on the platform.
US07985187B2
This invention relates to systems and methods for site selection and placement of extra-anatomic passages altering gaseous flow in a diseased lung.
US07985182B2
A measurement data processing device measures a size of a diagnostic region from a tomographic image as two-dimensional information. An ROI width determining device determines a size of a region of interest based on the size (lateral width and longitudinal width) of the diagnostic region. An oscillation angle determining device determines a range of an angle for oscillating ultrasonic transducers based on the size. An oscillation rate determining device determines a rate for oscillating the ultrasonic transducers based on information indicating the oscillation angle and image quality. In order to acquire a three-dimensional image of the diagnostic region, the probe oscillation control device controls the oscillation of the ultrasonic transducers based on the information. A three-dimensional image processing device extracts a three-dimensional image of in the determined region of interest from the acquired three-dimensional image. A display device displays the extracted three-dimensional image. Then, the three-dimensional image based on the shape of the diagnostic region is acquired.
US07985179B2
A retraction apparatus and method are disclosed that provide optimized access to a surgical site. In one form, a retraction frame has a retraction opening with two sets of blades operating therein. The blades are used to sequentially retract the tissue from about an incision. The sequential retraction of the blades generates only narrow gaps between the blades so that tissue and blood encroachment during the surgical procedure are minimized.
US07985172B2
After-loader devices, kits, and methods for using the same are provided. Such after-loader devices are useful for loading implants into hollow needles, especially after the needles are inserted into patient tissue. The after-loader devices can be pre-loaded with implants, before the after-loaders are connected to hubs of hollow needles, or loaded thereafter.
US07985168B2
The power stride apparatus and method therefor is directed to training the quads and gluts. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises rotatable pedal assemblies having articulating pedals which may be engaged by a user's feet. The apparatus may include a seat to support the user. Resistance devices, such as one or more springs, may attach to the pedal assemblies to provide resistance to the movement of the pedal assemblies and to return to pedal assemblies to their initial position. The user may push the pedal assemblies and resist the return of the pedal assemblies thus training the user's quads and gluts. The articulating pedals allow training to be focused on the quads and gluts and provide a safer workout for the user. In some embodiments, return mechanisms may be used to allow the articulating pedals to follow the rotation of the user's foot during training.
US07985164B2
Systems, devices, methods and computer program products for providing an exercise device access to information stored on a portable memory device. An exercise device includes a data port which is adapted to receive the portable memory device, regardless of its format. For instance, either a Secure Digital or multimedia format memory card may be accessed through the same data port. To access the portable memory device, the exercise device stores the access protocols for each of the various formats. Upon determining that the format of the memory device, the exercise device then selectively applies the appropriate protocols, which may allow read and optionally write access to the portable memory device. The enabled communication allows the exercise device to access data stored on the memory card. The accessed data may include personal user information, exercise programs, and motivational content. The data can be delivered to the user.
US07985153B2
A hydraulic control system of an eight-speed automatic transmission includes a first clutch/second clutch control portion controlled by a first proportional control solenoid valve and selectively supplying hydraulic pressure of a first pressure control valve to the first clutch or the second clutch; a third clutch control portion controlled by a second proportional control solenoid valve and supplying hydraulic pressure of a second pressure control valve to the third clutch; a fourth clutch/first brake control portion controlled by a third proportional control solenoid valve and selectively supplying hydraulic pressure of a third pressure control valve to the fourth clutch or the first brake, the fourth clutch/first brake control portion supplying reverse range pressure to the first brake at the reverse speed; and a second brake control portion controlled by a fourth proportional control solenoid valve and directly supplying hydraulic pressure of a fourth pressure control valve to the second brake.
US07985152B2
Described herein is a toothed belt comprising a body made of elastomeric material, in which there is embedded a plurality of longitudinal filiform resistant inserts or cords, and a toothing coated with a coating fabric; on top of the coating fabric there is made to adhere a resistant layer, which increases resistance to wear of the toothed belt and comprises a fluorine-based plastomer with addition of elastomeric material, in which the plastomer is present in a larger amount than is the elastomeric material and in which the majority of the particles constituting the fluorine-based plastomer have a size less than 10 μm. The resistant layer is applied directly on the fabric via spreading. The fluorinated plastomer preferably has a base of polytetrafluoroethylene compound.
US07985151B2
The invention relates to a tensioning device of a traction mechanism drive, having a tensioning lever mounted on a base housing and rotatable by a pivot bearing. A coil spring is arranged coaxially to the pivot bearing. The pivot bearing comprises a bearing journal, a bearing hub and at least one plain bearing sleeve which is arranged between the bearing journal and the bearing hub, and a central radial force application plane of the tensioning roller is axially spaced apart from a central radial bearing plane of the pivot bearing.
US07985149B2
A bat for baseball or softball of the present invention includes a first tube formed from FRP or synthetic resin having a part to be hit and a stopper part, a cylindrical second tube having two ends which are open and including at least two or more layers, a first fixing component including a body part, an interior periphery surface of the body part is fixed to the first tube, a second fixing component including an insertion part, and a gap located between the first tube and the second tube and being formed by the second tube being attached to an exterior periphery of the first tube, one end of the second tube being fixed to an exterior periphery surface of the body part, and the other end of the second tube being fixed to the insertion part which is inserted between the first tube and the second tube.
US07985137B1
The invention is directed to a hand-held game apparatus and method providing an elimination game wherein audible and/or visual signals instruct players to manipulate particular input devices, such as a push button, a pull knob or a twist knob, to actuate a corresponding switch. If the particular input device is not manipulated within a predetermined period of time, such as one second, the game may output an audible and/or visual error signal, stopping play and indicating that the player who failed to manipulate the input device is eliminated from that round of play. The audible signals instructing a player to manipulate an input device can be selected to be voice messages, musical sounds, or other prompts corresponding to each input device. Similarly, the visual signals may correspond to each input device, and may comprise the illumination of lights disposed at each of the input devices. The game apparatus may further include moveable components allowing the players to rearrange the game apparatus into different physical configurations.
US07985125B2
A dart game apparatus includes an image display body which displays an image of a target; a panel body, which has a plurality of holes each with a cross-sectional size substantially the same as that of an end of a soft dart, which is also formed, extending toward each hole, with an inclined surface in a ridge taken as a border between adjacent holes. A coordinate detecting body is disposed on a front surface of the panel body and detects coordinates of the position of the soft dart, the end of which is inserted into any of the plurality of holes. The coordinate detecting body has at least four rims, in which so as to correspond to the four rims two pairs of a light-emitting sensor section and a light-receiving sensor section for detecting light emitted by the light-emitting sensor section are provided respectively on the rims arranged face-to-face in parallel.
US07985124B2
The invention relates to a drum-type valve (1; 101; 201; 301; 301′) comprising: a partial cylindrical surface forming a first area (2; 102; 302); two circular segment surfaces each forming a second area (3; 103; 303), and; an outer encircling edge (4; 104; 304), which is disposed essentially in two planes, outwardly projects, and which is rests against correspondingly formed contact surfaces, whereby the drum-type valve (1; 101; 201; 301; 301′) has at least one second edge (5; 105; 305).
US07985121B2
A chemical mechanical polishing pad. The pad includes a surface and a polymer matrix capable of transmitting at least a portion of incident radiation. In addition, at least one embedded structure in the polymer matrix, including a portion of the pad where the embedded structure is not present, and a window integral to the pad defined by the portion of the pad where the embedded structure is not present.
US07985120B2
An apparatus and method for grinding a workpiece by rotating the workpiece about a rotational axis, rotating a cylindrical grinding wheel about a rotational axis being parallel to the rotational axis of the workpiece, moving the grinding wheel relative to the workpiece at least in one of a first direction being perpendicular to the rotational axis of the workpiece for grinding the workpiece at a cylindrical surface of the grinding wheel and a second direction being parallel to the rotational axis of the workpiece for grinding the workpiece at an end surface of the grinding wheel being perpendicular to the rotational axis of the grinding wheel, and by superimposing a vibration signal including a plurality of frequency components to a driving signal outputted to one of a workpiece rotating means for rotating the workpiece and a grinding wheel rotating means for rotating the grinding wheel.
US07985119B2
A blank and method for the production of dental shaped bodies in machining equipment having at least two tools located in the machining chamber of the machining equipment, including a corpus of tooth restoration material, from which the shaped body can be carved by means of at least one of at least two tools by material removal. The blank exhibits at least two gages, each of which is in the form of a recess, the geometry of which is such that the tool selected for the cutting operation can be recognized by means of at least one of the gages by reference to its outer contour, the at least two gages being disposed on the blank in such a way that they can be simultaneously engaged by the at least tools when the blank is clamped in the machining equipment for carving purposes.
US07985111B2
One or more tubular carbon fiber stringers are axially aligned with the lengthwise dimension of a water sport board, such as a surfboard. A tubular carbon fiber stringer may have vertical shaping tabs reaching opposed major surfaces of the board and laterally extending tabs that register the stringer position inside of a board by fitting in channels that tightly nest the stringer in the board. Tublar carbon fiber stringers, designed to extend more than half the length of a board, may be made by molding symmetric halves, then joining the halves together, or by winding carbon fiber around a mandrel, epoxying the fiber in place and removing the mandrel. Board blanks have openings to seat the tubular stringers, such as by seating in board halves, or a tubular stringer may be seated in an empty board blank mold with foam blown around the stringer.
US07985105B2
A circular or plate wave spring that maintains high conductivity under high operating temperatures is provided herein. This is possible due to, at least in part, the conductor being made from a bi-metallic or multi-metallic material which can include a high tensile strength material, such as steel, that maintains strength properties at elevated temperatures cladded with a layer of highly conductive metal, such as copper. The high tensile strength material helps maintain the contact force needed for good conductivity since highly conductive metals and alloys tend to lose their tensile properties at elevated temperatures. The connector is presented here as a wave spring providing inward or outward protrusions for a conductive pin and housing.
US07985094B2
Connector block for electrically connecting a plurality of insulated conductors of a first data cable to corresponding insulated conductors of a second data cable, including first and second opposed rows of insulation displacement contacts (IDCs) extending out of a common side of the connector block for electrical connection with respective ones of the insulated conductors of the first data cable and the second data cable; and a plurality of pairs of levers coupled to the block, wherein relative movement of the levers of each pair of said pairs with respect to corresponding opposed IDCs of the first and second rows of IDCs electrically connects respective ones of the insulated conductors of the first data cable and the second data cable with said opposed IDCs.
US07985093B2
An impedance assembly is provided for a termination device, disconnectable connector, or other type of joint for an electrical connection, such as an elbow, to facilitate preventing improper installation. More specifically, an impedance assembly can include an obstruction member that help prevent the insertion of a stud into a female device, such as a bushing, unless the stud is properly inserted through the aperture of the lug of the cable assembly. The obstruction member can include a flexible and/or displaceable member that can be displaced by the lug of the cable assembly. Alternatively, an impedance assembly can prevent the rotation of a female member which rotates to receive the stud of a male device. The impedance assembly can include an element that is received in a cavity, groove, etc. of the female member for preventing the rotation of the female member unless the element is removed therefrom. For example, the element can be removed from the cavity, groove, etc. upon the displacement of a displaceable member operatively connected to the element, thus permitting the female member to rotate.
US07985087B2
A card edge connector for mating with an electronic card includes an elongated housing, a number of contacts and a retainer disposed in the housing. The housing has a center slot extending along a lengthwise direction of the housing and a first tower section at one end thereof. The retainer is rotatably retained in the first tower section and does not extend beyond the first tower along the lengthwise direction, a thickness direction of the housing and a direction opposite to an insertion direction of the electronic card. The retainer has a locker to lock the electronic card and at least a spring sandwiched between the locker and an outer wall of the first tower section to make the locker automatically move in the lengthwise direction in an insertion process of the electronic card.
US07985085B2
An electrical socket with locking protective doors comprises an upper cover with first and second upper ports. A bottom case couples with the upper cover and has socket terminals. A middle frame may comprise mounting brackets. Adjustable, lockable large and small protective doors are between the upper cover and the middle frame. A lock mounting guide plate coupled to the middle frame comprises large and small guide plate ports corresponding to the upper ports. Large and small protective doors are located on the lock mounting guide plate, and the small protective door is located between the large protective door and the lock mounting guide plate. The upper ports and the guide plate ports correspond to and vertically align with the socket terminals. When the protective door is in a first position, it prevents an object from passing to the guide plate ports. When the protective door is in a second position, it allows plug pins to access to the guide plate ports.
US07985084B2
A zero insertion force (ZIF) socket assembly comprises a ZIF socket and a pick-up cap. The ZIF socket includes a base, a cover, and a cam assembled to the base and rotated for driving the cover to move relative to the base between an opened position and a closed position. The pick-up cap is mounted to the ZIF socket and has a lock-up abutting against the cam for preventing the cam from rotating.
US07985078B2
The electrode junction structure includes: a glass substrate; a plurality of flexible substrates, in a planar view, arranged to cross over an edge of the glass substrate and arranged to have a space from each other along the edge; an adhesive for joining the glass substrate and each flexible substrate; and a sealing resin for covering junction portions between the glass substrate and each flexible substrate, wherein an edge of the sealing resin is formed so that the edge of the sealing resin has, in the planar view, a consecutive waveform portion in which a convex portion and a concave portion alternate with an imaginary line as a center axis, the imaginary line being parallel to the edge of the glass substrate and locating outer than the edge of the glass substrate, and wherein the convex portions are formed to be located on the flexible substrates.
US07985077B2
A socket assembly for connecting an array of bulbous terminals such as balls wherein the female element is a miniature tube that has resilient prongs that grip the corresponding terminals with varying force during insertion and deletion. The tube is of resilient conductive material that has been sliced or helically partitioned into opposing prongs forming slots of a width that increases with axial distance from the end of the tube so as to allow the prongs of the connector to grip around the ball-like bulbous terminal and mechanically retain the terminal within the connector. The tubular element of the connector may be made by forming prongs in one or both ends of a tube by cuts of a width that increases with distance from the end of the tube.
US07985070B2
The segmental distalization element includes a smoothly arcuate central body equipped at one end with a head for adaptation to the canine and at the other end with a head for adaptation to the molar, connected to the arcuate body of the element via a zone of reduced cross-section to increase the resilience of the distalization element in the zone and obtain direct, easy adaptation.
US07985052B2
A curved blade for use on horizontal wind turbines, the blade comprising a substantially semicircular tip portion, a substantially semicircular counter-tip portion opposite the tip portion, and a body portion extending between the tip portion and the counter-tip portion, the body portion being further defined by a concave curved trailing edge and a convex curved leading edge.
US07985051B2
A gas turbine vane, especially a vane pertaining to an aircraft engine, comprising a blade and a vane footing. The blade is defined by a flow inlet edge or a front edge, a flow outlet edge or a rear edge, and a blade surface extending between the front edge and the rear edge and forming a suction side and a pressure side. The suction side of the blade includes at least one microprofiled or microstructured region for optimizing the flow around the blade.
US07985049B1
A turbine blade for use in a gas turbine engine that requires internal cooling for the blade. The blade includes a leading edge cooling supply cavity and a trailing edge cooling supply cavity to supply pressurized cooling air from an external source to the internal cooling circuit of the blade. The leading edge cooling supply cavity is connected to a leading edge impingement cavity through metering and impingement holes to provide metering and impingement cooling air to the leading edge region of the blade and to the showerhead film cooling holes. Both the leading edge and the trailing edge cooling supply cavities also supply cooling air through metering and impingement holes to respective pressure side and suction side impingement cavities located between the two supply cavities for impingement cooling. Each impingement cavity is connected to the blade external surface through a row of film cooling holes to discharge the spent impingement cooling air.
US07985048B2
In one embodiment, a folding rotor blade for an autogyro device comprises a plurality of connected rotor members. When the folding rotor blade is in a compressed state the folding rotor blade has a compressed length, and some of the connected rotor members are disposed in a non-parallel arrangement. When the folding rotor blade is in an extended state the folding rotor blade has an extended length, which is greater than the compressed length, and the connected rotor members are disposed in a parallel arrangement.
US07985046B2
A technique for refurbishing nozzle diaphragm sections of a gas turbine replaces an eroded section of the nozzle diaphragm with a replacement part designed to engage a slot machined in the nozzle diaphragm. The replacement part is formed of a material with capable of sustained exposure to higher temperature than the original eroded section, and with a similar coefficient of expansion as the material used for manufacture the original nozzle diaphragm. The combination of the nozzle diaphragm and the replacement part conform to the original manufacturer's dimensional specifications for the nozzle diaphragm.
US07985038B2
The present invention provides an earth anchor bracket supported by a girder coupled to a side surface of an earth wall to fix a free length of an anchor body inserted into a boring hole formed at the earth wall according to an earth anchor method. The earth anchor bracket of the present invention includes two side plates each including a curved portion including saw-teeth and facing each other; a coupling material coupling and fixing the two side plates; and a pressure bearing means, supported by the two side plates and including obstacle protrusions engaged with the saw-teeth of the two side plates and a through portion withdrawing the free length of the anchor body.
US07985034B2
A ball joint for a wheel suspension in a vehicle is disclosed. The ball joint includes a bearing shell, a ball, and a housing. The ball is supported in the bearing shell, with the shell being subdivided by slots into lip elements. The slots are preferably arranged in the bearing shell from a middle part and up to an upper rim. The lip elements may be bent outwards at a compression groove to admit the ball when it is introduced into the shell.
US07985029B2
A multi-electrode system includes a fiber holder that holds at least one optical fiber, a plurality of electrodes arranged to generate a heated field to heat the at least one optical fiber, and a vibration mechanism that causes at least one of the electrodes from the plurality of electrodes to vibrate. The electrodes can be disposed in at least a partial vacuum. The system can be used for processing many types of fibers, such processing including, as examples, stripping, splicing, annealing, tapering, and so on. Corresponding fiber processing methods are also provided.
US07985017B2
A luminaire including a light source mounted on a base having a plug-in style connector attached to the internal wires of the luminaire for supplying AC power to the light source. The connector is adapted to mate with a plug-in style connector connected to wires of a J-box. The luminaire may include a second connector for connecting to a conditional actuation device. If the conditional actuation device is not used, a continuous actuation device may be connected to the luminaire. A method of installing a luminaire includes connecting an electrical connector to the wires for connection to a J-box, connecting the luminaire connector to the electrical connector, and mounting the luminaire onto the J-box. A method of selling includes providing a choice from among different style luminaires, providing a choice from among different actuation devices to connect with the selected luminaire, and optionally selling the selected luminaire and actuation device. Methods of replacing and repairing an actuation device are also disclosed.
US07985016B2
Fiber optic display systems and related methods are disclosed. According to one embodiment, a fiber optic display system can include a plurality of fiber optics. Output ends of the fiber optics can be spaced from one another and can be arranged in predetermined positions such that at least a portion of the output ends are positioned in a first plane and another portion of the output ends are positioned in a second plane. A light-transmissive material can contain the output ends. The output ends can terminate within the light-transmissive material and can be angled with respect to the light-transmissive material such that light transmitted within the fiber optics emits into the light-transmissive material. A light source can generate a plurality of light beams and selectively control input of the light beams into the input ends for transmission of light in the fiber optics such that an image is formed.
US07985004B1
A luminaire assembly comprises a housing, a plurality of light emitting diodes disposed within the housing, a microwave sensor disposed within the housing for detecting occupants in an area adjacent the housing, wherein the microwave sensor is in electrical communication with the light emitting diodes, and wherein the light emitting diodes are driven at a first light level and in response to the microwave sensor at a second light level.
US07985003B2
A forming mold of a light-emitting member includes a frame, an upper mold and a lower mold, and the frame is provided with carriers, pins and supporting portions. The upper and lower molds match with each other to provide a forming space for the base of the light-emitting member. The forming space contains the carriers and a part of the supporting portions. One or more projections are disposed at the position where the brinks of the upper and lower molds contact the supporting portions. After injection molding, the burrs formed by a plastic material along the supporting portions can be concealed in the recesses that are formed corresponding to each of the projections, thereby reducing the influence of the burrs on the external size of the base.
US07985002B2
An illuminant device and a manufacturing method thereof. The manufacturing method includes the following steps of providing a body with a plurality of connecting members, disposing a plurality of lamps on the connecting members, respectively, dividing the body with the lamps into a plurality of assembling units, installing the assembling units on a carrier, and assembling the carrier with a holder.
US07984993B2
A projector to form image light by modulating light emitted from a light source according to image information and enlarges and projects the image light includes a projector main body with a light passing opening regulated by a blocking member, a reproduction device, and a control unit to control operation of projector components. The reproduction device reproduces information recorded on inserted recording medium. The control unit includes a startup information receiving section, a closed condition checking section, a medium judging section, and a light source controlling section. The light source controlling section executes immediate light turn-on control when the light passing opening is in the opened condition and image/video media exists.
US07984986B2
Provided is a hand held personal digital assistant (PDA). The PDA includes body and display sections interconnected via a hinge section, as well as an internal printer arranged in the body section. The internal printer includes a printhead, a motor driver and media transport device arrangement for transporting print media from a roll of print media past the printhead, and a motor driver and guillotine motor arrangement for severing the printed print media from the roll of media. Also included is a microcontroller for controlling the printhead and respective motor driver arrangements.
US07984980B2
The ink cartridge has: a cartridge container having a flat box shape; an ink bag that is made of a plastic material or an elastic body, accommodates ink, is disposed in the cartridge container, and has an ink supply port via which the ink is extracted from the ink bag, wherein: the cartridge container has an air connection port by which an interior of the cartridge container in which the ink bag disposed is able to connect to an atmospheric air; the ink bag has a flat shape matching the flat box shape of the cartridge container; the ink bag is provided with a negative pressure generating device which applies impelling force to the ink bag in a direction of expanding a volume of the ink bag to generate a negative pressure inside the ink bag; and the impelling force applied to generate the negative pressure inside the ink bag by the negative pressure generating device, becomes less in a continuous or a stepwise fashion, as a distance from the ink supply port of the ink bag increases.
US07984977B2
A piezoelectric element comprises a piezoelectric body including a film made of an ABO3 perovskite oxide crystal epitaxially grown above a substrate, and a pair of electrode layers provided to the piezoelectric body, wherein the piezoelectric body has a porous region on a side opposite to a side of the substrate.
US07984971B2
A printhead system for an inkjet printer includes a pagewidth inkjet printhead formed from a plurality of printhead integrated circuits arranged end-to-end; a flexible ink hose extending a length of the printhead, the flexible ink hose defining a plurality of distinct and parallel ink channels and further defining plural groups of apertures repeated along the length of the flexible ink hose; and a substrate channel supporting on a top thereof the plurality of printhead integrated circuits and supporting from a bottom thereof the extruded flexible ink hose, the substrate channel provided with plural groups of repeated apertures defined therethrough and extending along a length of the channel. Each group of apertures provided on the substrate channel aligns with a respective group of apertures defined along the flexible ink hose and further with apertures provided on a bottom of one printhead integrated circuit.
US07984958B2
In an image-recording device, a feeding roller feeds recording media one at a time from a media-accommodating unit along a conveying path. A pair of registration rollers is disposed on the conveying path and conveys the recording medium fed by the feeding roller to an image-recording region. The registration rollers include a drive roller. A carriage reciprocates in the image-recoding region in a direction intersecting a conveying direction in which the recording medium is conveyed. A recording head is mounted on the carriage. A drive transmission switching unit is disposed outside the image-recording region on one end with respect to the reciprocating direction of the carriage and switches a combination of rotating and halted states of the drive roller in the registration rollers and the feeding roller between a continuous feeding mode and an intermittent feeding mode. A controlling unit activates the drive transmission switching unit by moving the carriage to selectively switch between the continuous feeding mode and the intermittent feeding mode.
US07984957B2
A liquid jet apparatus including a plurality of nozzles provided to a liquid jet head, an actuator corresponding to each of the nozzles, and drive unit that applies a drive pulse to each of the actuators, wherein the drive unit includes correction value storing unit that stores a drive pulse application timing correction value corresponding to the number of actuators to be driven at the same time, and drive pulse application timing correction unit that corrects the drive pulse application timing using the drive pulse application timing correction value stored in the correction value storing unit.
US07984953B2
In a method for optimizing a cutting process in milling machines which are used to machine road coverings, which comprise a milling device fitted with milling tools which is sprayed with liquid in order to cool the milling tools, in addition to a drive motor, the following steps are provided: detection of the at least one parameter which is representative of the instantaneous power output of the milling device and controlling the amount of cooling liquid supplied according to the at least one parameter which is representative of the instantaneous power output of the milling device.
US07984948B2
A four way lumbar support for an automobile seat includes a wire array (16), a fixed frame (20), and a basculating arm. When in its extruded position, the basculating arm (50) exerts pressure on the wire array (16) thus providing lumbar support to the seat occupant at that point. A system of Bowden cables and sliding connections allows the basculating arm to slide vertically along the fixed frame so that the lumbar support may be provided at different heights within the seat.
US07984946B2
Child and infant safety seats for automotive vehicles, comprises in one embodiment, a safety seat apparatus including a base unit that may be secured to a vehicle seat, a coupling unit extendably and retractably coupled to the base unit, and a safety seat pivotally and removably coupled to the coupling unit.
US07984945B2
A reduced thickness vehicle seat is provided with an active headrest, including a transmission assembly for transmitting a load received by a pressure receiving part to the headrest side, and a mechanism for moving the headrest when a rear end collision occurs. The transmission assembly has a lower link movably installed in the lower part of the seat back frame of the vehicle seat and connected to the pressure receiving part; an upper link disposed in the upper part of the seat back frame and movably connected with the headrest; and a connecting link connecting the lower link and the upper link to each other and operating in association with the operation of the lower link. The connecting link has a bent part bent along the lengthwise direction in the direction to separate from the backrest surface of the seat back.
US07984941B2
A Rapid Deployment Modular Carrier (RDMC) that incorporates a unique locking system and auxiliary control systems for the loading, transportation, and unloading of Rapid Deployment Modules (RDM's). The locking system has a hinging powered arm, linear driven pin, and rotating locking clip. The auxiliary systems has an electronic control panel that manages the engagement and disengagement of the locking system. The control panel also manages the suspension components of the RDMC, adjusting ride height and handling characteristics as needed.
US07984938B2
A door handle device for a vehicle includes a first handle member made of resin and formed with a housing portion which houses an electronic component and is arranged opposing to the outer panel and a second handle member covering the housing portion and assembled to the first handle member. A first connector, which protrudes in a vehicle width direction penetrating through the outer panel, is provided at an end of the first handle member. A board mounted with a control circuit connected to the electronic component is housed in the housing portion in a state where the board is connected to a terminal of the first connector and a terminal of the electronic component.
US07984936B2
A latch mechanism for locking a cover unit to a base unit which comprises a bottom panel and a cover panel defining a through hole therein, includes a latch member slidably installed to the bottom panel, a supporting member fixed to the bottom panel and defining a hole therein, a plug received in the hole of the supporting member, a resilient member placed between the supporting member and the bottom panel configured for resiliently driving the plug to move to make a top of the plug extend through the hole of the supporting member to engage in the through hole of the cover panel, and a hook protruding from the cover unit for extending through the through hole of the cover panel to drive the plug to move to engage with the latch member when covering the cover unit to the base unit.
US07984925B2
A liquid tank is provided for a heavy vehicle, suitable for fastening to a vehicle frame by at least one supporting bracket having shaped surfaces arranged for load bearing and locating contact against the liquid tank. The tank includes two end face portions and a shell portion with a non-symmetrical cross-section extending there between. The tank includes a first, shaped portion facing the vehicle frame, arranged for load bearing contact against a first shaped surface of the supporting bracket, a second, shaped portion extending partially below the frame, arranged to locate the tank relative to a second shaped surface of the supporting bracket, and a third, substantially rectangular portion facing away from the vehicle frame, and that the tank is fastened to the bracket by at least one clamping means. A bracket for supporting such a tank is also disclosed.
US07984922B2
The invention relates to a carrier frame for a manually movable caddie, in particular to a golf caddie comprising wheels (2) mounted on the laterally protruding parts (7, 8) of the fame. According to the invention, for folding the golf caddie, the laterally protruding parts (7, 8) of the frame are embodied pivotable and/or displaceable in such a way that they bring the wheels (2) closer to each other towards a mid-plane (18) or move them away therefrom. In a preferred embodiment, the protruding parts (7, 8) of the frame and the wheels (2) are embodied pivotable or displaceable in such a way that the axes of the brought together wheels (2) coincide and the wheels (2) are disposed oppositely to each other by the external faces thereof.
US07984916B2
A three-wheeled cart includes a bottom portion with a base inclined downwardly toward a rear end of the cart, a pair of side walls attached to the base, the base and side walls defining a cavity therebetween. The bottom portion can have a pair of wedge-shaped fenders extending generally perpendicular to the side walls and a pair of axle mounts attached to the side walls and extending below the base, each side wall, fender and axle mount being integral with each other and part of a monolithic piece. A pair of front wheels is coupled via an axle to the axle mounts, the front wheels disposed below the fenders and inwardly therefrom. The cart can have a back portion attached to the bottom portion, the back portion having a back plate inclined rearwardly toward the rear end of the cart. A handle portion is attached to the side rails and has a support portion disposed rearwardly of the back plate. A rear wheel is operatively coupled to the bottom portion and disposed rearwardly of the bottom portion, the rear wheel configured to pivot about a vertical axis to facilitate the turning of the cart.
US07984907B2
In an automatic feeder and an image acquiring apparatus, a cover is rotatably connected to a body through a first pin and openable and closable with respect to the body. A roller gear rotates a transporting roller to transport a sheet. An actuating member is attached to the first pin and driven by rotation of the first pin. A middle gear, displaceable by the actuating member, is selectively engaged with a power-output gear and the roller gear so as to transmit a power to the roller gear. An actuating member moves the middle gear to be engaged with the power-output gear and the roller gear when the cover is closed upon the body, and moves the middle gear to be disengaged from at least one of the power-output gear and roller gear when the cover is opened.
US07984901B2
A paper feeding cassette includes: a cassette case configured to store sheets; a sheet tray on which the sheets are stacked, the sheet tray being rotatably attached to the cassette case; a push-up member configured to push up the sheet tray and rotate the sheet tray in one direction when driving force is input and release the push-up of the sheet tray to allow rotation of the sheet tray in the other direction when the input of the driving force is interrupted; and a buffer member configured to be nipped by the cassette case and the sheet tray and elastically deformed when the sheet tray rotates in the other direction. The buffer member is located, when viewed from a stacking direction of the sheets, in an area closer to a rotation axis of the sheet tray than a distal end of the sheet tray that is most distant from the rotation axis in the sheet tray.
US07984884B1
An artificial Christmas tree stand comprises a receptacle, at least three equally spaced legs radially extending therefrom, an equal plurality of braces pivotally extending upwards from the legs' lengths, and outer struts and corresponding inner struts that travel a track in the braces' lengths. The legs pivot downwards 90° to collapse the stand for storage. The brace is extendable about a height of the tree trunk so that its claws can engage the trunk at a manually manipulated height. The braces essentially support the trunk upright as opposed to the conventional receptacle.
US07984875B2
A door system for an aircraft has a flight deck door hingely coupled to a flight deck bulkhead. A lavatory is adjacent to the flight deck bulkhead and formed of a lavatory bulkhead. A lavatory door is coupled to the lavatory bulkhead. A latching mechanism is attached to the flight deck door. The latching mechanism in a first position engages the flight deck bulkhead and in a second position engages the lavatory bulkhead.
US07984873B2
A retraction cylinder (20) makes it possible to retract a leg (10) of a rotorcraft landing gear, the retraction cylinder (20) comprising a retraction chamber (33) and an extension chamber (34) separated by a head (26) of a piston (25), the piston (25) sliding in a cylindrical sheath (35). In addition, the retraction cylinder (20) comprises a return element (23) and a control chamber (22) furnished with a first fluid, this control chamber (22) being separated from the return element (23) by a movable release member (24), the movable release member (24) sliding so that the retraction cylinder (20) fulfils a damping function when a control pressure exerted by the first fluid on the movable release member (24) is greater than a return pressure exerted by the return element (23).
US07984872B2
A sheet product dispenser includes a sheet product feed mechanism coupled to a DC stepper motor, the mechanism moving a sheet product out of the dispenser during a dispense cycle; and a control unit controlling the DC stepper motor to move the sheet product with a gradually increasing acceleration during a portion of the dispense cycle.
US07984871B2
A printing apparatus and a roll paper transportation device which reduces the space needed to accommodate a roll paper buffer mechanism unit and paper detection unit, and to reduce poor electrical contact in the contact part of the paper detection unit. The roll paper transportation device has a paper detection unit 8 for detecting the presence of roll paper 5, and a buffer mechanism unit 7 for absorbing variation in roll paper tension in order to keep the roll paper 5 tension less than or equal to a predetermined level. The buffer mechanism unit 7 forms a housing unit 16 for housing at least part of the paper detection unit 8 in a common area disposed in the buffer mechanism unit 7 enabling the paper detection unit 8 and buffer unit 7 to operate in unison without interfering with the operation of the other.
US07984856B2
A cheat preventing optical mark recognition (OMR) card capable of preventing cheating of examinees by configuring a marking part thereof such that marks formed on the marking part are not easily recognized from angles other than a right angle, that is, a front of the card. The cheat preventing OMR card includes the marking part and an answer checking section of the marking part includes a shaded background.
US07984850B2
A financial transaction card assembly is described. Specifically, the financial transaction card assembly comprises a drill gauge, at least one drill bit, and a substrate. The drill gauge and the drill bit may be removably coupled to the substrate. The drill gauge may be used to measure a plurality of drill bit sizes, and to purchase retail goods and services. The drill bit may be coupled to a drill to make holes in metal, wood, and plastic materials.
US07984847B1
An automated banking machine operates responsive to data read from data bearing records, such as user cards that include financial account data. The machine operates to carry out transactions involving the accounts and generates records thereof. A plurality of cameras captures images associated with machine users, documents and/or events. Image data is stored and may be searched based on selection parameters.
US07984845B2
A packaging container is used to package a regulated fluid dispensing system including a regulated fluid dispensing device and a beverage container. The packaging includes carry handles, and a perforation pattern that allows a front panel of the packaging container to be removed thus exposing working parts of the dispensing device. The dispensing system may remain housed within the packaging during use that assists in stabilizing and protecting the dispensing system.
US07984836B2
A handicraft assisting tool for folding a fabric into a configuration having rotational symmetry is provided. The handicraft assisting tool includes a flexible sheet body adhered to the fabric and a folding facilitator formed at the sheet body. The folding facilitator facilitates an operation of folding an overlapped product, which is obtained by adhering the fabric to the sheet body, along a predetermined folding line. The folding facilitator includes, for example, a plurality of slits disposed along the predetermined folding line.
US07984835B2
A power measure-dispensing cap including a body having a first end face, which is designed to be brought into contact with a powder container, and a second end face which, together with the first end face, defines at least one feed opening which flares out towards the first end face, the feed opening supplying at least one endless screw; and at least one opening. The opening is disposed in the second end face in contact with the endless screw.
US07984820B2
A container with removable dividers. The container includes a bottom wall, four side walls, one pair of opposed side walls comprising pairs of channels formed thereon, and a plurality of removable dividers receivable in pairs of channels. The dividers include a notch formed at a top of a body portion to enable easy placement and removal of the dividers in the container having a handle.
US07984819B1
A rectangular collapsible, stackable shipping container is provided that is capable of safely, stably, and securely carrying cargo and is capable of being reliably collapsed to save space when empty. The collapsible shipping container preferably includes a top section assembly, bottom section assembly, opposing end wall assemblies, and opposing horizontally hinged side wall panels that are interconnected and articulated. The opposing side wall panels are formed of at least two articulating longitudinal sections and also articulate with the bottom frame section, folding inwardly and downwardly when collapsed. The opposing end wall assemblies, one of which is configured as a door, articulate with the top roof section and with the bottom frame section, folding inwardly when collapsed. Provision is made for increasing security via the integration of a security device in the container walls. Additionally provision is made for weight-reduction through the utilization of a non-metallic material.
US07984814B2
A combination support and hanger for suspending at least one object, wherein the support includes at least one orthogonally extending slot located between at least two legs. The hanger includes a base having a top surface, a bottom surface and a cap extending from the top surface of the base. Further, the cap is slideably and removably positioned within the at least one slot and the cap mutually engages the at least two legs to suspend the at least one object secured to the base.
US07984812B2
A support member is provided that includes a body defining a first channel configured to engage a main spine of a folding rack and a second channel perpendicularly disposed with respect to the first channel and configured to engage a wire member of a dishwasher rack so as to secure the folding rack thereto. The body further defines an aperture configured to receive therethrough one of a plurality of tines of the folding rack. The aperture can define horizontal and vertical support portions configured to support the tine when the folding rack is in folded and unfolded positions, respectively. The aperture can further define an arcuate channel extending between the horizontal support portion and the vertical support portion, the arcuate channel being configured to axially displace the tine along the longitudinal axis as the tine is moved between the horizontal support portion and the vertical support portion.
US07984808B1
Present patent relates to a rolling painting frame, comprising a box (1) having an opening, a scroll mechanism (2) mounted in said box (1) and a slidable drawer (3) mounted in said box (1), said box (1) comprises a bottom surface (100), an opening surface (101) opposite to said bottom surface (100) and four side surfaces; among the four side surfaces, a first side surface (102) has two mounting holes (103) on it; said scroll mechanism (2) comprises two rotary rollers (200) mounted side by side in said two mounting holes (103) respectively and a painting paper (201) which connects said two rotary rollers (200) and seals said opening of the box (1). The rolling painting frame can realize successive painting without changing the painting paper (201) frequently, it's very convenient for users to place related tools into the drawer and adjust the angle of the rolling painting frame so as to draw more comfortable.
US07984801B2
In a friction plate 40, segment pieces 42 of a friction material are bonded onto a core plate 40 at intervals in a circumferential direction. 43 denotes a spline tooth. On each segment piece, there are formed a first oil groove which is made to open to an inside-diameter side of the segment piece and has its end portion part-way along the segment piece (hereinafter, referred to as a first oil groove) and a second oil groove which is made to open to an outside-diameter side of the segment piece and has its end portion part-way along the segment piece (hereinafter, referred to as a second oil groove). Segment pieces in which a first oil groove 51 and second oil grooves 61 are pressure molded and segment pieces in which a first oil grooves 52 and second oil grooves 62 are stamped are arranged alternately.
US07984799B2
A reel device of diversion joint comprises: a casing, a wire holder, a telegraph line, a position plate and two L-shape anchors. The casing has a shaft and a restraint cavity. The wire holder is located on the shaft. The telegraph line is winded inside the wire holder. The position plate located on the wire holder has a guiding groove and at least one anchor recess. Two L-shape anchors located on the guiding groove are separated to two sides of the shaft, and each of the L-shape anchors has a slider protrusion to slide along the guiding groove. When the joint performs a linear motion, the wire holder drives the shaft to rotate and the slider protrusion slides along the guiding groove. When the linear motion stops, the joint is fixed on a position where the slider protrusion is anchored in the anchor recess.
US07984793B2
A mast includes a base section, an outer telescopic section and an inner telescopic section which are raised and lowered by a pair of main lift cylinders. A fork carriage is slidably mounted to the inner telescopic section and is raised and lowered thereon by a pair of free lift cylinders. The mast elements are arranged to form two mast columns which produce minimum obstruction to the truck operator's field of view when looking forward through the mast.
US07984791B2
An oil discharge structure of a baffle plate for discharging oil from a space of a gear side to a space of a transmission side with a space-saving design is provided. A slit is formed in a side face plate facing a final gear of a case side baffle plate to discharge the oil from an oil volume X in the circumference of the final gear to an oil volume Y stored in a clearance between the case side baffle plate and the transmission case, and in a clearance between the housing side baffle plate and the housing. This provides a compact structure that is not larger in a radial direction of the final gear and discharges the oil in the oil volume X.
US07984785B2
A steering system includes a fluid pump and an electro-hydraulic steering circuit in selective fluid communication with the fluid pump. The electro-hydraulic steering circuit defines a first flow path having a first proportional valve and a first load-sense passage in selective communication with the first proportional valve. The first proportional valve includes a closed position. A hydrostatic steering circuit is in selective fluid communication with the fluid pump and defines a second flow path having a second proportional valve and a second load-sense passage in selective fluid communication with the second proportional valve. The second flow path is in a parallel flow configuration with the first flow path. An isolation valve is disposed in the first flow path in series with the first proportional valve. The isolation valve includes a closed position and is piloted to the closed position by fluid communicated through the second load-sense passage.
US07984784B2
A vehicle is disclosed that includes a transmission and a gear selector. A controller determines the position of the gear selector and other conditions of the vehicle to control the operation of the transmission.
US07984780B2
A radiator grille mounting structure for facilitating the mounting of a radiator grille. A radiator grille is mounted on part of a vehicle body frame. The radiator grille is rotated about the part of the vehicle body frame. A support portion included on the radiator grille is connected to a vehicle body cover.
US07984772B1
In one aspect of the invention, a downhole centrifugal drilling fluid separator has a bore within a tubular body comprising a central axis. The bore is formed to receive drilling fluid comprising particulate matter. At least one fin rigidly fixed within the bore and at least one port formed in a wall of the tubular body. As the drilling fluid flows through the tubular body the at least one fin creates a rotary motion within the drilling fluid forcing a portion of the particulate matter away from the central axis and through the at least one port in the tubular body.
US07984769B2
A method for the directional control of a rock-drilling ma-chine, the drilling unit (1) of the rock-drilling machine, which is located in a borehole (2), comprising at least a pi-lot drill bit (6) or an underreamer drill bit (8), the drill bit(s) (6, 8) being driven by an electric motor (10) via a gearbox (12), and the drill bit(s) (6, 8) being moved into the rock (3) by means of a feeding rod (4) extending from a feeding machine at the outside the borehole (2), and the drill bit(s) (6, 8), gearbox (12) and motor (10) being pivoted in a controlled manner about a steering axis (18) which is approximately perpendicular to the center axis (26) of the feeding rod (4).
US07984767B2
A marker assembly for use with an agricultural implement includes a marker wheel that may caster as needed to reduce loading of the marker assembly during deployment of the marker assembly, in response to variations in surface contour, and in response to changes in travel direction of the agricultural implement.
US07984763B2
Embodiments of the invention relate to an assembly for forming a cased well. The assembly may include an undercut drillable cementing shoe with a casing string connection at a first end. The shoe includes external tubing that forms a second end of the shoe and has a first section defining an enlarged inner diameter relative to a second section of the external tubing. The assembly may also include an earth removal member coupled to the second end of the shoe. The first section of the shoe is disposed between the earth removal member and the second section of the shoe. In another embodiment, the assembly may include a casing string having a first portion with a larger inner diameter than a second portion. The assembly may also include an earth removal member coupled to an end of the casing string. The first portion of the casing string is disposed between the earth removal member and the second portion of the casing string.
US07984762B2
A method of completing a wellbore having a branch wellbore extending outwardly from a window in a parent wellbore is provided. The method comprises positioning a tubular string in the window, wherein the positioning comprises deflecting the tubular string from the parent wellbore into the branch wellbore. The method also comprises providing a particulate barrier outside and against the tubular string proximate the window, the particulate barrier substantially excluding transport of particulate matter from the branch wellbore into the parent wellbore outside of the tubular string through the window. The method also comprises the tubular string passing fluid into the tubular string proximate the window from a formation proximate to the window while substantially excluding transport of particulate matter from the formation proximate to the window into the tubular string.
US07984755B2
The invention relates to the geophysical examination of wells and can be used for determining the electrical resistivity of rock beds surrounding a well cased in a metal column. The inventive method consists in using a sonde embodied in the form of two current electrodes located on the opposite sides with respect of at least the measuring electrodes, in alternately supplying electric current, in measuring, by means of a measuring devices, during each current supply, a supplied current, a potential on a central measuring electrode and the potential difference between the outer measuring electrodes and the central electrode, in using the specific electrical resistivity of the rock beds surrounding the cased well in the form of the electrical parameter of the electrical logging of the cased wells, in forming a measuring circuit according to the resistivity pattern of the layers of the rock beds surrounding the well and of those sections of a casing string which are provided with the collars, wherein the sonde, whose measuring electrodes are spaced without respecting equidistance requirements and current electrodes are embodied in such a way that they can be used in the form of measuring electrodes is applied. In addition, the inventive method also consists in measuring the potential difference of an electric field between the current electrode, to which the current is not supplied at the present switching, and the central measuring electrode, by means of additional measuring devices, and in determining a specific electrical resistivity according to a formula referred thereto.
US07984752B2
A double-tube heat exchanger that is easy to produce, the entire part of which is smoothly bent so that the heat exchanger works as a part of piping, and that has high pressure resistance. In the cross-section perpendicular to the axis of an inner tube (1), there are bag-like or ballon-like bulged sections (7a) directing radially from the center, and openings of the bulged sections (7a) are closed and the head of each bulged section (7a) is in contact with the inner surface of an outer tube (2).
US07984750B2
A sand core is prepared for use in defining a surface of a cast metal article. The core is formed of sand particles bonded with a polyurethane resin, preferably a polyol moiety-containing polyurethane resin. An alkali metal hydroxide, and optionally a glycol, is mixed with precursors of the polyurethane before they are mixed with sand particles for molding and curing the core. The hydroxide and glycol may be encapsulated to prevent interference with core molding. The hydroxide and glycol is distributed in the polyurethane binder resin and used to reduce the decomposition temperature of the core binder during casting. This practice is particularly useful in removing core sand from castings of light metal, lower casting temperature metal alloys.
US07984746B2
A system for deploying and stowing a cover, including a mechanical assembly coupled to the cover, preferably comprising a plurality of deploy arms and synchronization means, and reconfigurable between deployed and stowed conditions, and further including an actuator presenting an active material element operable to undergo a change, when activated, and operable to cause the assembly to reconfigure as a result of the change.
US07984741B2
Disclosed herein is a high release nip roll assembly comprising a nip roll with a covering comprising a high release material. The release properties of the nip roll material can permit intermittent contact without the coating adhering to the surface of the roller and wrapping the nip. Also disclosed is a high release nip roll belt is made of a high release material on the top and bottom surfaces of the belt. The belt can be positioned at each end of a nip roll so that areas of the nip roll typically vulnerable to molten thermoplastic material contact are protected by a belt. Also disclosed is a belt making apparatus. Also disclosed is a frame assembly for moving a belt longitudinally along a nip roll. Also disclosed is a rope guide assembly for threading a belt in relation to a nip roll and at least at least one belt roller.
US07984740B2
A flexible magnetized portion applicator is disclosed. The apparatus applies a portion of flexible self-adhesive magnetized material (31) onto a card that is typically promotional in nature, for it to be held magnetically against a metal surface, via the method of pulling the magnetized material's adhesive release-coated backing paper (28) between rollers that grip the material (25) and (26), which when correctly rotated, draw suitably wide, adhesive-backed magnetized material (12) from a roll (13) into the apparatus (11) to project the material (28) over a stationary lower blade (18) and then cut a portion via a shear action (30) between a descending upper blade (19) mounted on a linear actuating ram (21) and the stationary lower blade (18), to then carry via the magnetism possessed within each portion (32) and press-apply (36) the self-adhesive portion of magnetised material (31) onto the upper-most card in a stack of cards (35) residing beneath the apparatus positioned to receive the said portion.
US07984739B2
It is intended to provide a method of producing thermally fused synthetic resin members for medical use which makes it possible that, in the case of thermally fusing synthetic resin members for medical use, for example, a relatively soft thermoplastic tube constituting an AVF needle with another part being harder than the tube such as a needle base (hub) of a wing needle, or a part provided with a fitting connector being harder than the tube (for example, a blood circuit, an extension tube, an infusion set or the like), the connecting parts of the thermoplastic tube member and the other member harder than the thermoplastic tube member can be quickly and uniformly thermal-fused and the production process can be automatically and continuously performed while keeping a high productivity; and a production apparatus therefor.
US07984727B2
A valve for use in the control of pressurized air from a pressure tank, the pressure tank including a wall in which an outlet port is formed, the wall having an inner surface and an outer surface. The valve includes a valve body of generally cylindrical configuration having an inner end which in use is located inside the pressure tank and an outer end which in use is located outside of the tank. A flow passage extends through the valve body, the flow passage having an inlet at or adjacent the inner end of the body and an outlet at or adjacent the outer end of the body. A valve seat surrounds the flow passage and a valve closure member is moveable towards and away from the valve seat to close and open the valve respectively. The valve body has at least one laterally extending mounting formation at or adjacent the inner end thereof, the mounting formation being shaped and dimensioned to enable the inner end and the mounting formation to be introduced into the pressured tank through the outlet port to engage the inner surface of the wall of the tank adjacent the outlet port.
US07984723B2
A walking cane that can be stored in a novel manner is provided. The walking cane may include a non-articulating handle portion and a shaft portion extending from the handle portion. The handle portion is shaped in such a manner as to allow the walking cane to be self-standing when it is inverted and the handle portion is placed on the ground.
US07984713B2
The invention relates to a powder inhaler (1) with mouthpiece (2) for dispersing pharmaceutical medicament formulations, which comprises an auxiliary energy source in the form of a pressure medium system (3), having a device for supplying (6) a powder formulation (7), while on activation of the pressure medium system a gaseous pressure medium (8) released by the pressure medium system (3) forms an aerosol (9) with the powder formulation (7) such that the powder particles are present in the gaseous pressure medium (8) in dispersed form. This is achieved by means of a powder inhaler (1) comprising a multi-channel nozzle, the channels of which are inclined to one another at an angle such that the aerosol jets flowing through them meet one another downstream behind the nozzle (10).
US07984702B2
The combination of a piston with an integrated spark plug to be used in an internal combustion engine is disclosed. The plug-in-piston configuration allows for maximum combustion and fuel efficiency as well as increased power output. Further, the configuration minimizes the release of unburned fuel and pollutants into the atmosphere. A method is also disclosed by which electrical energy is communicated to a spark plug.
US07984698B1
A pet tether apparatus is described, comprising a stake assembly configured to receive a tether. The stake assembly has a tether attachment piece configured to rotate around a vertical axis of the stake assembly. A flexible rod having a first end and a second end, is attached to the tether attachment piece at its first end. A tether feeding top assembly is attached to the flexible rod at the second end of the rod and is configured for connection to a pulley for feeding of a tether. The pet tether apparatus is configured for attachment of a tether to the stake assembly and conduction of the tether through the tether feeding top assembly so that a user may attach the tether to the collar of a pet so as to confine the pet to a predetermined area while minimizing the risk of entanglement of the tether. Other variants are described.
US07984697B2
A versatile and mobile pet leg restraining device used to secure dogs in a stationary position while performing bathing, grooming, nail clipping, and veterinarian exam operations. The pet leg restraining device attaches to most grooming tables, tubs and sinks and consists of suction cups, suction cup attachment hooks, adjustable straps and hook and loop or Velcro attachments. The pet leg restraining device is designed to secure the animal in a variety of positions by its legs to impair movement in a safe and comfortable manner.
US07984696B2
A cross piece socket assembly includes a first resting bracket spaced from a second resting bracket. The cross piece socket assembly further includes at least one hoop support. The hoop support includes a hoop anchor portion selectively engageable with one of the first and second resting brackets. First and second arms extend from the hoop anchor portion. A cradle socket is fixed between the first and second arms, and the cradle socket is configured to secure the cross piece bar within the cradle socket where the cross piece bar is struck with an impact force less than an impact force capable of causing a horse or rider to fall. When repositioning the cross piece bar at a different height the hoop anchor portion is disengaged from the first resting bracket and moved to the second restring bracket with the cross piece bar continuously secured in the cradle socket.
US07984691B2
A method of cleaning and coating a used organic photoconductive drum is disclosed. Using this method remanufacturers can reliably reuse certain used organic photoconductive drums which could not be reused without this method. The method comprises providing a used organic photoconductive drum, cleaning the surface of the used organic photoconductive drum, applying a new surface layer comprising a non-volatile non-polar dielectric fluid such as a silicone oil with a viscosity of less than 200 cSt at 40 degrees Celsius. The resulting liquid surface on the used organic photoconductive drum provides wear resistance, and improved electrical characteristics allowing the used organic photoconductive drum to be used at least a second time.
US07984687B2
To provide a temperature sensitive indicator that is capable of easily control the temperature of the temperature sensitive indicator itself and is not affected by the temperature of a finger when the temperature sensitive indicator is operated. In the temperature sensitive indicator that has: a base body; a capsule placed on the base body and filled with a heat-sensitive material; an absorbent member placed on an upper part of the capsule; a cover covering at least the capsule and the absorbent member; and capsule breaking means formed therein with a space through which the base body and the cover are inserted, the base body and the cover are pulled out through the space of the capsule breaking means, whereby the capsule is broken by the capsule breaking means.
US07984686B1
A canopy for a small watercraft, such as kayak or canoe. The canopy has a generally rectangular planar frame supported overhead of an individual occupant of the watercraft by a forward leg assembly and an aft leg assembly. The frame is provided with a cover designed for protecting the individual from direct sunlight. The forward leg assembly is releasably connected to brackets mounted on the watercraft and the aft leg assembly is pivotally connected to brackets mounted on the watercraft so that the forward leg assembly may be released from the brackets and the aft leg assembly may pivot about an axis perpendicular to the centerline of the watercraft to support the frame in an upright orientation to catch wind as a downwind sail.
US07984682B2
The invention relates to a multiple needle sewing machine for sewing large-area sewing material (28) which consists of several layers, at least two layers (6, 15, 21), whereof one layer (15) at least is formed of an elastic material, which multiple needle sewing machine comprises a sewing unit, a supply device for the layers to be sewn together (6, 15, 21), a storage device for withdrawing and storing the sewn layers (6, 15, 21) from the sewing unit, as well as a device which is arranged upstream of the sewing unit and by which the layer (15) made of an elastic material is supplied to the sewing unit in a non-stretched condition or tendentiously in the region of the device in a tendentiously compressed condition, together with said one or said further layers (6, 21), while retaining the compression. For improving a multiple needle sewing machine of the above-described type to the effect that it is possible to produce almost any sewing pattern while simultaneously facilitating the handling, it is proposed with the invention that the device which is arranged upstream of the sewing unit includes cylinders (33, 34) which guide the layers to be sewn together (6, 15, 21) and which are adapted for being automatically driven.
US07984674B2
A perforating charge for use in a wellbore includes an explosive and a liner to be collapsed by detonation of the explosive. The liner includes at least a first liner portion and a second liner portion which have different cohesiveness.
US07984673B2
An inking device of a printing unit includes an ink reservoir, an ink film pick-up roller which has a shaft, and an inking roller having a shaft.A detector detects the distance between the inking roller and the pick-up roller and/or an angular displacement of the two shafts relative to each other and providing an output signal which represents this distance and/or this angular displacement. A controller angularly the second shaft relative to the first shaft, and the controller is capable of reducing the angular displacement and of positioning the pick-up roller in accordance with the output signal.
US07984667B2
A pizza cutting apparatus and portions of the apparatus, and methods of forming the apparatus and of disassembly. The apparatus includes a simple frame assembly made from sheet metal, an actuator assembly and a cutting assembly. The cutting assembly includes a central hub, a number of attached blade and guard combinations, a shaft with a flange and an elastic band. Each blade includes two spaced apart openings, one to receive the flange and the other to be engaged by the band so as to restrain the blades mounted in the hub. Each guard includes perforations for easy gripping by an operator. A blade is removed by having the operator safely grip each guard to stretch the band so as to disengage the blade from the flange and then return and rotate the blade to disengage the blade from the band.
US07984654B2
The invention relates to a testing device for tube bundle reactors, with a multitude of tubes (22) arranged as a bundle. At least one probe (12) is movably mounted in or on the testing device (10) and has, in particular, a drive (32) for its movement.
US07984652B2
An industrial process transmitter apparatus includes a housing chassis of a first metallic material and a housing skin of a second metallic material. The housing chassis includes a substantially cylindrical body portion, a first circumferentially extending support member located at or near a first end of the body portion of the housing chassis, and a second circumferentially extending support member located at or near a second end of the body portion of the housing chassis opposite the first end. The first circumferentially extending support member extends radially outward from the body portion, and the second circumferentially extending support member extends radially outward from the body portion. The housing skin is fitted over the housing chassis and is in physical contact with both the first and second circumferentially extending support members. The housing skin is spaced from the housing chassis in between the first and second circumferentially extending support members.
US07984650B2
A scanner device for performing nondestructive testing of a tube includes an ultrasonic probe, a waveguide (wedge) secured relative to the probe, and an encoder secured relative to the probe. The waveguide has a surface contoured in relation to a radius of a tube to be inspected, and the encoder provides a signal indicative of a location of the probe relative to the tube as the probe, waveguide, and encoder are moved in a direction of a longitudinal axis of the tube. In one example, the tube is part of a waterwall, and the surface of the waveguide extends substantially from a web on one side of the tube to a web on the opposite side of the tube. The waveguide may be removably secured relative to the probe such that the waveguide can be replaced with a waveguide having a different surface contour in relation to a different radius of a different tube to be inspected.
US07984644B2
A method of operating an engine includes determining a relative position between a first camshaft and a second camshaft during a startup event of the engine when the first camshaft is at a first home position and the second camshaft is at a second home position. The first home position is a first preset angular position of the first camshaft relative to a crankshaft. The second home position is a second preset angular position of the second camshaft relative to the crankshaft when the engine is in an OFF state. The method includes generating a first estimate of the first home position. The method also includes diagnosing a mis-build of the engine based on the relative position, the first estimate and a second estimate of the second home position.
US07984642B2
Devices, systems and methods for measuring and detecting properties of a variety of particles or cells in suspension. Properties, such as, for example, velocity of particles, concentration and/or size may be measured according to the methods of the invention. Acoustic energy may be introduced to a focal zone and narrow band interrogating signals may be used. The acoustic energy may cause movement or streaming of the fluid or suspension. The acoustic streaming may allow a Doppler effect measurement without any other source of velocity.
US07984639B2
According to one embodiment, a liquid leak sensing structure is provided with a casing including a lower wall, a circulation unit received in the casing and providing circulation of a liquid, a liquid leak sensor interposed between the lower wall of the casing and the circulation unit, and a liquid absorbing member interposed between the liquid leak sensor and the circulation unit. The liquid absorbing member permits part of a liquid from the circulation unit to flow therethrough toward the liquid leak sensor.
US07984636B2
A mandrel usable for expanding a medical device is disclosed. The mandrel includes a first tube portion having a first lumen and a first tube diameter. A second tube portion extends from the first tube portion; the second tube portion is configured to receive a medical device. A second tube diameter is smaller than the first tube diameter. A plurality of tube segments are separated by a plurality of slots formed in the mandrel, while a second lumen is in communication with the first lumen. At least a portion of the plurality of tube segments is moveable outwardly to expand the medical device.
US07984634B2
Disclosed is a milling device for inline-rolling a steel band which is produced especially by means of a twin-roll continuous casting process. Said milling device comprises at least two rolling units (20, 30) with working rolls (21, 31) that mill the steel band (11) and support rolls (22, 32) which support said working rolls. The working rolls and support rolls are rotatably mounted in bearing housings (23, 24, 33, 34). At least two rolling units (20, 30) are disposed successively in a monolithic or multipiece frame structure (15) such that the rolling temperatures between the rolling units differ only slightly while a simple and inexpensive design is created.
US07984628B2
When an operation for washing is completed and door is unlocked, water level in a water tank is monitored only for a prescribed time period. When there is no water leakage, monitoring is stopped after the prescribed time period and the power is turned off. When there is a water leakage, water level in the water tank increases. When it is detected that a first water level is reached, the door is locked to prevent opening. After a prescribed time period, the power is turned off while the door is kept locked. If the door cannot be locked, the door lock error is notified and the water collected in the water tank is drained.
US07984625B2
Methods of fabricating glass sheets (13) are provided in which the sheets are cut from a glass ribbon (15) composed of a glass having a setting zone temperature range (SZTR). As the glass is drawn, it passes through the SZTR (31) and an across-the-ribbon temperature distribution is produced at least one longitudinal position along the ribbon to compensate for in-plane stress induced in the sheets (13) when flattened. Through such thermal compensation, glass sheets (13) are produced which exhibit controlled levels of distortion when cut into sub-pieces and thus are suitable for use as substrates in the manufacture of, for example, flat panel displays, e.g., LCD displays.
US07984622B2
Disclosed herein is an icemaker of a refrigerator including an ice dispersing unit to disperse ice for uniform distribution of ice in an ice making container. The icemaker includes an ice making unit to make ice, and an ice making container to receive ice separated from the ice making unit. The icemaker further includes an ice dispersing unit arranged between the ice making unit and the ice making container. The ice dispersing unit serves to guide the ice moving from the ice making unit to the ice making container, to assure uniform distribution of the ice in the ice making container.
US07984614B2
A diffuser system for a compressor for a gas turbine engine includes a diffuser and a plasma actuator. The diffuser comprises a first wall and a second wall. The first and second walls form a diffuser flow passage therebetween. The plasma actuator is disposed at least partially proximate the second wall. The plasma actuator is adapted to generate an electric field to ionize a portion of air flowing through the flow passage.
US07984613B2
A geothermal power system for production of power, and in particular electrical energy, utilizing naturally occurring geothermal energy sources and a method for identifying and converting manmade and natural geological formations into a substantial source of energy and at the same time providing remediation of environmental and safety hazards. Utilizing surface air that is substantially cooler than the geothermal temperature of the subterranean cavern an induced air flow will be produced. This naturally induced air flow will be harnessed and provide the energy to the system power plants for production of electrical energy.
US07984611B2
A hydraulic control system for controlling preferably at least two consumers, has a pump with an adjustable delivery quantity supplying pressure fluid, an adjustable metering orifice with which the consumers are each associatable, a power beyond connection to which at least one power beyond consumer is connectable, an inlet pressure governor unit situated downstream of the pump and acted on in a closing direction by a load pressure of the consumers or of the at least one power beyond consumer, the inlet pressure governor unit being provided in a pressure fluid flow path between the pump and at least one of the two consumers, while the power beyond connection branching off from a pressure fluid flow path between the pump and the inlet pressure governor unit, a tank, the inlet pressure governor unit in a spring-prestressed position closing a connection to the at least one of the two consumers and the tank, and in another position a pressure fluid connection to the tank is opened, the inlet pressure governor unit being movable into an additional position in which a throttled connection to the tank is opened.
US07984609B2
An exhaust gas post treatment system for nitrogen oxide and particle reduction of internal combustion engines operated with excess air. An oxidation catalytic converter is disposed in the exhaust gas stream of the engine for converting at least a portion of the nitric oxide in the exhaust gas into nitrogen dioxide. The first particle separator or filter is disposed in the exhaust gas stream downstream of the oxidation catalytic converter for converting carbon particles accumulated in the separator or filter into carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, nitrogen and nitric oxide with the aid of nitrogen dioxide contained in the exhaust gas. A partial exhaust gas stream is branched off from the exhaust gas stream upstream of the first separator or filter. A metering device adds reduction agent to the partial exhaust gas stream in the form of ammonia or a material that releases ammonia downstream of the supply location due to hot exhaust gas. A second particle separator or filter is disposed in the partial exhaust gas stream downstream of the supply location. The partial exhaust gas stream returns to the exhaust gas stream downstream of both particle separators or filters. An SCR catalytic converter is disposed downstream of the return location for reducing nitrogen oxides in the exhaust gas to nitrogen and water vapor with the aid of ammonia or released ammonia by way of selective catalytic reduction.
US07984602B2
This patent relates to a machine that automatically assembles, inspects, and packages disposable prophylaxis angles. The machine includes a movable table including a plurality of fixtures on which angle components are assembled and the assembled angles are inspected. The movable table is surrounded by a number of stations, each of which performs a different operation of the assembly and inspection procedure. Feeders automatically supply the angle components to their respective stations for assembly. Angles that are incorrectly assembled are automatically rejected. Properly assembled angles are automatically sealed in individual bags. Individually bagged angles are counted into batches by the machine and automatically sealed into cartons.
US07984601B2
A profiled rail has two opposite side walls (13) at least one connection wall (16) for connecting the side walls (13), first and second openings (17, 37; 27, 47) for passing therethrough a connection element (6) and having, respectively, first and second opening widths (B; F; C; G) measured in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal profile axis (12) of the profiled rail, with a minimal distance (A; E) between the opposite wall sections (14; 34) of the side walls (13; 33), which is measured in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal profile axis (12) of the profiled rail, at most corresponding to the opening width of (B; F; C; G) the first and second openings (17, 37; 27; 47).
US07984592B1
A self-cleaning grain bin roof configured to allow ventilation through the roof ribs which has a trapezoidal shaped inner rib with ventilation orifices therein and a spaced apart and partially covering outer rib configured to inhibit precipitation from falling through the orifices while permitting air to be blown from inside the grain bin outside. The trapezoidal shape providing for a self-cleaning ability in that if matter is blown to the orifices by positive pressure in the grain bin, it will, in the event of a loss of pressure, either fall outside of the orifices and slide down one of the slanted trapezoidal sides, or return to the grain bin. If debris blown by wind gathers on the roof, it will be blown out from under the outer rib by the airflow through the orifices.
US07984591B2
The present invention provides an impact resistant sheet material that helps provide exterior walls of a building with resistance to impacts so that the building structure can meet building standards, such as the Miami-Dade County Large Missile Impact Test, for resisting impacts in high wind areas. In one embodiment, sheet material comprises an impact resistant layer that attached to fibrous substrate. The impact resistant layer provides impact resistance to the sheet material so that a wall structure employing the sheet material is able to successfully withstand an impact from a projectile comprising a 9 pound, 7 foot two-by-four (“2×4”) traveling at a speed of at least 34 miles per hour. The impact resistant sheet material may comprise a moisture vapor permeable, water-impermeable barrier layer having a hydrohead of at least 55 cm and a moisture vapor transmission rate of at least 35 g/m2/day. Such a sheet material is particularly useful in barrier applications, such as a house wrap.
US07984589B2
Embodiments of a system and method for potting plants are disclosed. The system can include a drain shield, a filling material, and a liner for placing between the filling material and a growing medium. In particular embodiments, the filling material comprises expanded polystyrene spheres. The liner is a porous material allowing passage of fluids and preventing passage of substantial amounts of growing medium. The drain shield can include a top wall, at least two supports, at least two bottom walls, and a bottom member having a plurality of openings. The drain shield may include adhesive strips for securing the drain shield to a bottom wall of the container. Also disclosed are embodiments of a method for potting a plant in a container having at least one drain hole in a bottom wall of the container.
US07984580B1
A semi-infinitely-adjustable butt stock assembly. A butt stock is slidably affixed to a buffer stem. An over-center lock is attached to the butt stock adjacent to the buffer stem. The user can disengage the over-center lock from the buffer stem by rotating a lever thereby permitting the longitudinal position of the butt stock to be adjusted relative to the buffer plate. To secure the butt stock at the desired position, the user rotates the lever in the opposite direction causing the over-center lock to re-engage the buffer stem. A cheek rest overlaying the butt stock and biased forward with respect thereto is adjustable vertically with respect to the butt stock by manually moving the cheek rest aft, adjusting it vertically, and releasing the cheek rest.
US07984575B2
A quick coupler for connecting and disconnecting an implement such as a bucket to and from a machine such as an excavator. In an example, the quick coupler includes a frame having recesses configured to receive pins located on the implement. The quick coupler includes first and second securing latches that are movable between latched and unlatched positions for removably latching the pins of the implement in the recesses. A rocker assembly and a connector link are provided for moving the second latch between latched and unlatched positions.
US07984558B2
A portable coordinate measuring machine (PCMM) can have one or more rotatable grip assemblies to provide a locations for an operator to grasp the PCMM. A rotatable grip assembly can include a rotatable sleeve, a grip portion disposed over the sleeve, and one or more retaining rings to prevent the rotatable grip from axially sliding along one or more members of an articulated arm PCMM. A PCMM can include two rotatable grips to allow an operator to grasp the PCMM with both hands for positioning and repositioning operations. One rotatable grip can be positioned on an arm member most distant the PCMM base, and another rotatable grip can be positioned on a housing at least partially encasing an articulating joint assembly coupled to the arm member most distant the PCMM base. Other numbers of and locations of rotatable grip assemblies can be used in PCMMs.
US07984553B1
A cable preparation tool having a main body, with a cable receiving end, a cable receiving area and a manipulation end. There is a center conductor support shaft guide channel in the manipulation end to receive a center conductor support shaft. The center conductor support shaft guide channel allows for the center conductor support shaft to enter a hollow center conductor of the cable and be removed from the hollow center conductor of the cable while the cable is within the cable receiving area. There is a jacket strip slot on the main body. There is a jacket strip blade attached at the jacket strip slot. There is a blade holder slot on the main body which receives a blade holder. There is a cable cutting blade attached to the blade holder. There is a cable slug slot on the main body.
US07984550B2
A remanufacturing and salvaging strategy for fuel injector tips such as high flow fuel injector tips includes blocking a first set of spray orifices in the fuel injector tip, including at least partially filling the first set of spray orifices with a material, for example by laser welding. New spray orifices are formed in virgin material of the fuel injector tip, offset from the former spray orifices, also for example via a laser. A remanufactured fuel injector tip includes blocked former spray orifices as well as new spray orifices configured to permit spraying of fuel from the fuel injector tip.
US07984547B2
A method is for manufacturing and/or repairing components, e.g., blades and blade segments, for gas turbines, e.g., for aircraft engines, by laser-powder build-up welding. Laser-powder build-up welding is performed using at least one substructure, the material build-up by a powder material occurring in the process of laser-powder build-up welding such that the or every substructure is at least in sections enclosed by the built-up powder material.
US07984541B1
An anchor bolt template for use with cardboard molds used to form concrete into footings and other foundations. The template is integrally formed of plastic or some other resilient, light weight material. The most common bolt configuration includes four bolts spaced equal distances from the foundation's center. Thus, the preferred template shape is four arms extending radially from a hub. Each of the arms has bolt location markers labeled with the diameters of several bolt patterns. The arms may be generally C-shaped in cross section so that the depending edges ride on the upper edge of the mold, supporting the lower anchor bolt nut above the concrete. Notches, preferably labeled by mold size, on the bottom of the depending edges of the arms receive the upper edge of the mold so that as heavy concrete is poured into the cardboard mold the sidewall of the mold will not deform.
US07984540B2
An enclosure method comprising a first enclosure portion and a second enclosure portion configured to mate with the first enclosure portion. A receptacle is provided on the first enclosure portion. The receptacle has a frangible wall portion accessible from an exterior of the first enclosure portion. The frangible wall portion is operable to be broken from outside the enclosure method. A protrusion is provided on the second enclosure portion and the protrusion is operable to be received in the receptacle. A first locking member is connected to the frangible wall portion to extend inside the receptacle and a second locking member is provided on the protrusion. The second locking member is configured to engage the first locking member such that separation of the first and second enclosure portions is prevented unless the frangible wall portion is deliberately broken.
US07984538B2
An installation tool assembly for advancing a fitting's swage ring onto a fitting's connector body while a conduit is received in the connector body to mechanically and sealingly connect the fitting to the conduit includes a body defining at least two spaced apart piston chambers, a fixed jaw connected to the body and adapted to engage one of the connector body or the swage ring, and a movable jaw connected to the body and movable relative to the fixed jaw. The movable jaw is adapted to engage the other of the connector body or the swage ring. Pistons are disposed in the at least two spaced piston chambers. The pistons and the movable jaw are configured such that movement of the pistons in a first direction moves the movable jaw toward the fixed jaw thereby moving the swage ring axially onto the connector body to mechanically and sealingly connect the connector body to the conduit received therein when the fixed and movable jaws are engaged to the connector body and swage ring. A crossover assembly follows the contours of the body and fluidly connects the at least two spaced apart piston chambers. The crossover assembly is fluidly connectable to a hydraulic pressure source for delivering hydraulic fluid to the at least two spaced apart piston chambers to move the pistons in the first direction.
US07984535B2
A mounting strip for mounting a formed part on a body of a motor vehicle includes a strip-shaped basic body, a plurality of pins formed directly at the rear side of the basic body as locking elements for holding the mounting strip in corresponding openings in the motor vehicle body; and attachment elements formed at the front side of the basic body for receiving and holding in place the formed part, wherein the mounting strip comprises weakened areas located in direct proximity to the formed on pins and including ribs extending vertical relative to the longitudinal direction of the mounting strip.
US07984528B2
A cleaning implement that includes a connector for connecting a handle to a base block. The connector prevents the handle from rotating relative to the base block and, thus, the connector prevents the handle from unscrewing or otherwise loosening or disconnecting from the base block. The base block can include a headpiece supported between oppositely arranged shoulders, a generally cylindrical flange projecting from the headpiece, and a generally cylindrical opening extending through the cylindrical flange. A slot may be formed in an inner surface of the cylindrical flange. A ferrule that can have a generally dovetail-shaped projection provided on its outer surface can be secured to an end of the handle. The projection and the slot can form a joint when the handle is connected to the base block. This joint substantially prevents the handle from rotating relative to the base block.
US07984526B2
The present invention includes methods and materials for making a brush or pad for removing materials, particles, or chemicals from a substrate. The brush or pad includes a rotatable base for supporting a porous pad material. The base include an inner surface and an outer surface and a plurality of channels in the base for interlocking the porous pad material with the base. A porous pad material covers at least a portion of the outer surface of the base and is used for removing material from various substrates. The porous pad material fills one or more of the channels in the base and interlocks the porous pad material with the base. Preferably the channels fluidly connect said inner surface with the outer surface of the base and aid in the alignment of porous pad nodes and the distribution of fluid within the porous pad.
US07984525B2
Access means are provided for accessing a fixed offshore structure (70) such as a wind turbine, larger vessel or the like form a smaller vessel (50), or for providing for transfer between vessels. One or more guide wires (12) are connected from the vessel (50) to the fixed structure (70) or second vessel and placed in tension such as by directing the vessel away from the fixed structure. In one embodiment, inflatable members (14) are suspendable from the guide wires and inflation of the inflatable members causes them to extend along the guide wires to form an access surface across which personnel may walk to access the fixed structure or second vessel from the first vessel. Mounting means are also provided which accommodate relative rotational, translational and pitching movement of the apparatus and vessel, caused by wave motion. In another embodiment, a bridge member is retained on a runway of the first vessel and deployed using said guide wires.
US07984519B1
A self-contained swimming pool for containment of water and generation of water currents therein for exercise, therapy and or rehabilitation of a user comprising a rigid frame 1 exteriorly located in relation to an inner water containment area 2. A set of water return channels 3 in communication with the inner water containment area 2. A propulsion system 4 in communication with the set of water return channels 3 and the inner water containment area 2. A hydraulic system 5 for driving the propulsion system 4 using a hydraulic fluid 6 to produce a current 7 in the inner water containment area 2 allowing positioning of a user 12 in the current 7 for exercise, therapy and or rehabilitation therein and wherein the hydraulic system 5 is self-contained and mounted external of the rigid frame 1.
US07984518B1
An animal escape device has a central plate, an upper plate and a pair of side plates. The central plate depends downwardly at an angle and has a lower edge positionable in a swimming pool beneath the surface of the water, an upper edge, and parallel side edges. The upper plate is positionable on a deck of the pool and has an interior edge coupled to the upper edge of the central plate and has an exterior edge and side edges. Each of the side plates has a top edge coupled to an associated one of the side edges of the central plate. Each side plate has a bottom edge positionable entirely within the pool and a top edge partially within the water. The side plates form obtuse angles with respect to the central plate.
