US08090230B1
An interconnect system for coupling light from a laser light source to an optical fiber having a fiber aperture, the interconnect system including a 2-dimensional array of laser light sources, a 2-dimensional array of micro lenses disposed between 10-200 μm distance from the laser light source, between the laser light source and the optical fiber and in registration therewith, each micro lens comprising a micro lens back surface, a micro lens body, a micro lens front surface, and a clear aperture, the micro lens front surface and back surface being shaped to provide a laser beam in the micro lens body of smaller diameter than the clear aperture for focusing the beam onto the fiber aperture.
US08090227B2
Purging of fiber optic conduits in subterranean wells. A downhole optical sensing system includes an optical line, at least two tubular conduits, one conduit being positioned within the other conduit, and the optical line being positioned within at least one of the conduits, and a purging medium flowed in one direction through one conduit, and flowed in an opposite direction between the conduits. A method of purging a downhole optical sensing system includes the steps of: installing at least two conduits and an optical line in a well as part of the sensing system, one conduit being positioned within the other conduit, and the optical line being positioned within at least one of the conduits; and flowing a purging medium through the conduits in the well, so that the purging medium flows in one direction through one conduit and in an opposite direction between the conduits.
US08090225B2
A swipe scanner for scanning a graphic image pre-printed on a surface. The swipe scanner comprises: (a) a printhead for printing a position-coding pattern onto the graphic image, the position-coding pattern identifying a plurality of absolute positions and an impression identity for the graphic image; (b) an ink supply containing an ink for printing the position-coding pattern; (c) a first sensor for sensing positions of the scanner during a swipe of the surface; (d) a second image sensor for capturing, during the swipe, portions of the graphic image; and (e) a processor. The processor is configured for: using the sensed positions to control an output of the printhead during the swipe; using the sensed positions to assemble the captured portions of the graphic image into a scanned graphic image; and generating association data indicating an association between the impression identity, the plurality of absolute positions and the scanned graphic image.
US08090221B2
A method for detecting displacement with sub-pixel accuracy includes the steps of: capturing a first array image and a second array image; interpolating the first array image to form a reference image; interpolating the second array image to form a comparison image; comparing the reference image with the comparison image so as to obtain a displacement. The present invention also provides an apparatus for detecting displacement with sub-pixel accuracy.
US08090218B2
A method (1000) of measuring performance parameters of an imaging device (120, 160) is disclosed. The method (1000) maintains a test pattern image (1005), the test pattern image (1005) comprising alignment features and image analysis features. A test chart (110, 170) containing a representation of the test pattern image is next imaged using the imaging device (120, 160) to form a second image (1010). The test pattern image (1005) and the second image (1010) are then registered using region based matching (1035) operating on the alignment features. Finally, the performance parameters are measured by analysing (1060) the image analysis features.
US08090217B2
An image processing apparatus that creates a still image from a motion picture. A storage section has a storage region for correction required when a target image with a predetermined determination size is corrected by using a plurality of images. A size determining section determines whether or not the size of the target image designated as a still image is equal to or smaller than the determination size. An image extracting section extracts from the motion picture a plurality of images including a target image designated as a still image and a first image for correction used when performing correction using a plurality of images. A still image creating section creates the still image by extracting the plurality of images by means of the image extracting section, and by executing first correction for making a correction using the plurality of images when a result of the determination indicates that the size of the target image is equal to or smaller than the determination size and that creates the still image by extracting only the target image designated as the still image by means of the image extracting section, and by executing second correction for correcting the extracted target image when the determination result indicates that the size of the target image is larger than the determination size.
US08090212B1
A method of processing an image includes determining at least one point spread function for the image. For each point spread function, the image, or at least a portion of the image, is filtered using at least one filter based on that point spread function to generate a corresponding filtered image for each filter. If only a single point spread function is determined then a plurality of different filters are used to individually filter the image, or at least a portion of the image, to generate a plurality of different filtered images. At least one quality metric is determined for each of the filtered images. A final filtered image is selected from the filtered images based on the at least one quality metric for each of the filtered images.
US08090207B2
Images captured in a digital form are stored in a digital storage device with already-stored images by determining if a percentage of a finite storage capacity of the digital storage device needed to store the captured and already stored images in the storage device exceeds a pre-set threshold value, wherein storage used of the finite storage capacity to store images may exceed the pre-set threshold value. If the percentage of storage space needed to store the captured and already stored images in the storage device exceeds the pre-set threshold value, then at least one of the captured and already stored images are compressed and all of the captured and already stored images, including all of the compressed images of the captured image and the already stored image, are stored in the storage device.
US08090206B2
A method for matching images is disclosed. The method includes selecting a template image and a target image from a batch of images and sampling the template image so as to obtain a template-sampled image, and sampling the target image so as to obtain a target-sampled image, wherein the sampling of both the template image and the target image is according to a sample interval. The method further includes matching the template-sampled image and the target-sampled image, and matching the template image and the target image, if the template-sampled image and the target-sampled image are matched successfully.
US08090204B2
A method for extracting line segments from an edge image comprises receiving a digital image comprising a plurality of edge pixels, and processing the plurality of edge pixels using a breadth first search to determine a plurality of breadth first search pixels in a breadth first search order for a connected component. The connected component comprises a plurality of components. The method continues by processing the plurality of breadth first search pixels in an order related to the breadth first search order to determine a plurality of component pixels for at least one component of the plurality of components. Each of the plurality of components comprises a line segment. The method concludes by processing the plurality of component pixels to determine a plurality of line segment pixels for the line segment.
US08090194B2
A method and apparatus for obtaining an image to determine a three dimensional shape of a stationary or moving object using a bi dimensional coded light pattern having a plurality of distinct identifiable feature types. The coded light pattern is projected on the object such that each of the identifiable feature types appears at most once on predefined sections of distinguishable epipolar lines. An image of the object is captured and the reflected feature types are extracted along with their location on known epipolar lines in the captured image. Displacements of the reflected feature types along their epipolar lines from reference coordinates thereupon determine corresponding three dimensional coordinates in space and thus a 3D mapping or model of the shape of the object at any point in time.
US08090192B2
A pattern misalignment measurement method includes acquiring an inspection image of a composite pattern formed by superposing a plurality of kinds of element patterns on each other, acquiring reference images of at least two kinds of element patterns from reference images which are images of reference patterns of the plurality of kinds of element patterns, performing first matching of each of the acquired reference images with the inspection image, and outputting misalignment between the element patterns in the composite pattern on the basis of the result of the first matching.
US08090190B2
An apparatus for reviewing defects including an image processing section (defect classification device section) with a function of estimating a non-defective state (reference image) of a portion in which the defect exists by use of a defect image, and a function of judging criticality or non-flat state of the defect by use of the estimation result. It becomes possible to establish both of a high-throughput image collecting sequence in which any reference image is not acquired and high-precision defect classification, and then to realize both of a high performance classifying function and a high-throughput image collecting function in a defect reviewing apparatus which automatically collects and classifies images of defects existing on a sample of a semiconductor wafer or the like.
US08090185B2
A method for optical inspection, detection and visualization of defects (9) on wafers (2) is disclosed, wherein at least one camera (5) acquires images of at least one portion (11) of the wafer (2) relative to a reference point (12) of the wafer (2), and the Cartesian coordinates of the image data associated with the at least one portion (11) of the wafer (2) are transformed into polar coordinates.
US08090184B2
Embodiments of the present invention enable fault detection in a printed dot-pattern image. Certain applications of the present invention are its use in various embodiments of a system for inspection of a printed circuit board (“PCB”) substrate. In embodiments, a generated distortion map is based on a comparison of a reconstructed dot-pattern image, a simulated reference bitmap, and an error map representing differences between the reconstructed dot-pattern image and the reference bitmap. In embodiments, the pixels of the distortion map are color coded to identify the locations and types of aberrations that were discovered as a result of the comparison.
US08090182B2
A computerized tomography apparatus and program for obtaining a cross-sectional image corresponding to projections are provided in which, for a temporary cross-sectional image f(x, y) obtained in some manner, an evaluation function E is defined which includes differences between projections calculated from f(x, y) and measured projections, and f(x, y) is changed in a manner which substantially decreases E. The computerized tomography apparatus and program are characterized in which a back projection operation, which is required by conventional computerized tomography, is not essentially required. The computerized tomography apparatus and program are particularly effective in removal or reduction of metal artifacts, aliasing artifacts and the like.
US08090180B2
A method is disclosed for segmenting image data for detecting a liver of a subject under examination. In at least one embodiment, the method includes determining as rib pixels which represent a rib, determining pixels which delimit an area inside the rib cage, determining pixels which represent a pixel of the liver and determining a probability, for each pixel inside the rib cage, as to whether the pixel belongs to the liver or not, with the aid of a Random Walker method.
US08090178B2
A medical imaging system is used to recognize an internal structure from a three-dimensional image. The image includes image sub-volumes. An image sub-volume is selected using a non-linear search pattern. The selected image sub-volume is analyzed for the presence of the internal structure. The steps of selecting an image sub-volume using the non-linear search pattern and analyzing the selected sub-volume for the presence of the internal structure are repeated until the internal structure is found in an image sub-volume. Bounds of the internal structure are identified based on the location of the image sub-volume within which the internal structure is found.
US08090176B2
A computer receives a temporal sequence of x-ray images of an examination region of an examination object. The examination region includes a blood vessel system and tissue supplied with blood. A detection time is assigned in each instance to the x-ray images. The x-ray images correspond locally with one another in terms of pixels and each display a distribution of a contrast agent in the examination region at the respective detection time. The computer determines the temporal course of the temporal derivation of the data values and/or of the average value of the data values of the pixels located in the evaluation region for at least one evaluation region which is standard for all x-ray images. It assigns a type to the evaluation region as a function hereof.
US08090173B2
A method for detecting blood vessel bifurcations in digital medical images includes inflating a sphere from a first center point inside a segmented blood vessel until a surface of the sphere intersects a surface of the blood vessel, searching within the inflated sphere for a second center point that has a sphere intersecting a surface of the blood with a maximum radius, assigning all voxels of the maximal radius sphere to a root node of a shape-tree, increasing the radius of the maximal radius sphere and computing a voxel difference set with respect to the previous maximal radius sphere, computing one or more connected components Cm in the voxel difference set, assigning voxels of each connected components to a different child node of the shape tree, connecting each child node with the root node, and calculating features from the shape tree for training a classifier to detect blood vessel bifurcations.
US08090157B2
A system for finding and providing images of eyes acceptable for review, recordation, analysis, segmentation, mapping, normalization, feature extraction, encoding, storage, enrollment, indexing, matching, and/or the like. The system may acquire images of the candidates run them through a contrast filter. The images may be ranked and a number of candidates may be extracted for a list from where a candidate may be selected. Metrics of the eyes may be measured and their profiles evaluated. Also, the spacing between a pair of eyes may be evaluated to confirm the pair's validity. Eye images that do not measure up to certain standards may be discarded and new ones may be selected.
US08090150B2
A method and system for identifying an object in an acquired image. The method includes detecting an object within the acquired image, and determining whether the detected object is a containment vessel. If the object is not a containment vessel, the method includes applying a first set of rules for classifying the object. If the object is a containment vessel, the method includes applying a second set of rules for classifying the object.
US08090143B2
There is disclosed a method of inspecting the outer wall of a honeycomb structure body which can be performed without relying on human sensory functions and in which a defect detection level and an inspection time per honeycomb structure body are constant, so that stable inspection can be performed. In a method of inspecting the outer wall of a honeycomb structure body 1 made of a ceramic material, while rotating the honeycomb structure body 1, the outer wall of the honeycomb structure body 1 is imaged by a line camera 2, and the thus obtained image is processed to judge whether or not a defect is present in the outer wall of the honeycomb structure body 1.
US08090137B2
A speaker mount has differently shaped coverings. Preferred speakers have a mount that is coupled to a base. The speaker has two interchangeable covers with speaker grills that fit over the mount and have two visibly different shapes.
US08090136B2
An improved handheld electronic device has a case with an elongated cavity formed therein. An audio transducer is in fluid communication with the cavity, and a number of sound openings are formed in the case and are in fluid communication with the cavity and with the atmosphere surrounding the handheld electronic device. The sound openings are generally spaced from a central region of the audio transducer to space the sound openings generally farther from an edge of the case than the audio transducer. The cavity is configured to form a Helmholtz resonator that enables the communication of sound through the cavity between the audio transducer and the sound openings. The spacing of the sound openings from an edge of a case helps a user to form a seal between the case and the user's ear to enable sound from the sound openings to enter the ear and to be perceived by the user.
US08090130B2
An improved portable media device and methods for operating a media device are disclosed.
US08090128B2
The object is to improve the action of a directional microphone in real acoustic environments. To do this, it is envisaged that the interference powers in a directional microphone with three microphones are reduced in that a first and a second microphone signal are adaptively filtered with respect to a first direction, with a direction-determining first parameter being adapted in such a way that the summation of interference powers is reduced. The second and a third microphone signal is adaptively filtered with respect to the first direction, with a direction-determining second parameter being adapted in such a way that the summation of interference powers is reduced. The two parameters are different from each other. This makes it possible, even in real environments, to suppress two interference sources from different directions with one second-order directional microphone.
US08090125B2
A contact type electret condenser pickup to deliver high anti noise, top talking quality, and comprehensive range of applications includes a casing provided with an accommodation chamber to contain an O-ring, a vibration part, an insulation packing, a back plate retaining ring containing a back plate, a conductive connection ring, and a circuit board horizontally placed in sequence; vibration of a sound of a user is transmitted to the vibration part; then an inertia vibration of the metal sheet changes capacitance between the vibration part and the back plate; the changed vibration is converted through the circuit board set into voltage of alternating signals for output variable according to changes of vibration.
US08090122B2
According to one embodiment, during mixing of an N-channel input signal to generate an M-channel output signal, in at least one frequency sub-band, magnitude equalization is applied to the mixed channel signals such that an amplitude sum magnitude for the N input channels (e.g., the magnitude of a sum of estimated amplitudes of the N input channels) is approximately equal to an amplitude sum magnitude for the M output channels (e.g., the magnitude of a sum of estimated amplitudes of the M output channels). In one implementation, magnitude equalization is applied to one or more sub-bands (e.g., those below 1 kHz), and power equalization is applied to one or more other sub-bands (e.g., those above 1 kHz) to reduce coloration effects in the output signal.
US08090114B2
Apparatus and method for implementing a convertible filter in differing ones of its delay and weighting elements are powered through different power conductors, thereby enabling the convertible filter to be dynamically configured to be operable as different types of digital filter through selective provision of power to differing ones of the power conductors.
US08090106B2
A multi-level data encryption and decryption system and a method thereof are provided. The method includes dividing a data into a plurality of sub-data blocks corresponding to a plurality of user levels. The method also includes generating an encryption key for each level according to a level generation key and a time key of the level and encrypting the sub-data block of each level by using the encryption key of the level, wherein the level generation key and the time key of a lower level are generated based on the same of an upper level, the time key is generated according to a time generation key and a time seed, and the time seed is periodically updated according to different encryption periods. Thereby, the number of keys to be managed by a user is reduced while the read rights of different users are managed with forward and backward data security.
US08090099B2
There is provided a computer-readable recording medium recording a program for encryption/decryption, an apparatus for encryption/decryption, an apparatus for multiplication in an extension field, that enable to perform high speed multiplication processing, while allowing the selection of arbitrary key lengths. In multiplying two elements A={a0, a1, a2, . . . , am−1} and B={b0, b1, b2, . . . , bm−1} in an extension field Fpm of extension degree m with a prime number p as characteristic, firstly, a positive integer k is determined such that km+1 is a prime number and p is a primitive element in Fkm+1. Next, two elements A and B are multiplied as two elements in extension field Fpkm of extension degree km with a prime number p as characteristic using the positive integer k. Lastly, using the result of such multiplication, a result of multiplication in an element in the extension field Fpm of extension degree m which is a subfield of Fpkm is obtained.
US08090094B2
An echo canceller is capable of reducing echo feeling in a conversation even if a tone signal is input. The echo canceller of this invention judges whether a far-end input signal is a calling control tone signal or not, and if that is the case, resets a coefficient of an adaptive filter. An echo canceller of another aspect judges whether a far-end input signal is a predetermined kind of a tone signal or not, and stops the update of the coefficient of the adaptive filter if the result is affirmative and an amount of echo cancellation is not larger than a threshold value. Further, when the tone signal ends, the echo canceller compares amounts of echo cancellation before and after the end of the tone signal, in accordance with a result of the comparison, restart the update of the coefficient of the adaptive filter after resetting the coefficient of the adaptive filter, or restarts the update of the coefficient of the adaptive filter without resetting the coefficient of the adaptive filter. Moreover, notch filters may be provided to eliminate a tone signal frequency component at input stages of the adaptive filter and the adder for echo cancellation.
US08090089B2
An imaging method for imaging a region of investigation of an object comprises the steps of generating an energy input beam with an energy beam source, irradiating the region of investigation with energy input beam components of the energy input beam along a plurality of projection directions, the energy input beam components being formed with a frame mask being arranged between the energy input beam and the object and including frame mask windows, measuring first integrated attenuation values of the energy input beam components with an outer detector device arranged outside the frame mask, measuring second integrated attenuation values of the energy input beam components with a frame mask detector device being arranged on an inner surface of the frame mask, and reconstructing an image of the region of investigation based on the first and second integrated attenuation values. Furthermore, an imaging device for imaging a region of investigation of an object is described.
US08090086B2
Call routing systems and methods are provided. A particular routing method comprises decoding a message based on an incoming call to determine whether a live agent is required. When a live agent is not required, a destination interactive voice response (IVR) application is identified, a determination of whether the destination IVR application is VoiceXML capable is made, and the incoming call is sent to the destination IVR application when the destination IVR application is VoiceXML capable. When the destination IVR application is not VoiceXML capable, a determination of whether the destination IVR application is capable of supporting an external data interface is made, and incoming call session data is routed to the destination IVR application when the destination IVR application is capable of supporting the external data interface. An audio file including one or more dual tone multi-frequency (DTMF) commands based on the incoming call session data is constructed and sent to the destination IVR application when the destination IVR application is not VoiceXML capable and is not capable of supporting an external data interface.
US08090080B2
A method and system for an automated departure strategy from an automated system includes a track engine and an error engine. The track engine allows for the tracking and storing of one or more utterances spoken by a caller in response to one or more prompts. In addition, the track engine classifies each of the utterances with a confidence level. The error engine determines when one of the utterances initiates an error condition and transfers the caller to an operator on the occurrence of the error condition. In addition to transferring the caller to the operator, the error engine plays to the operator an error utterance, causing the error condition, and a preceding utterance, preceding the error utterance. Furthermore, the error engine populates an operator screen with information provided by the caller in the utterances for utterances classified with a high level of confidence.
US08090067B2
A clock-data recovery circuit includes a phase rotator, a phase detector and a charge pump. The phase rotator receives first and second reference clocks and differential control signals. The phase rotator generates a modified clock signal responsive to the first and second reference clocks and the control signals. The phase detector receives a data signal and the modified clock signal. The phase detector generates a modified data signal and a phase error signal responsive to the data signal and the modified clock signal. The charge pump receives the phase error signal and generates the differential control signals, which direct the phase rotator to interpolate between select clock phases.
US08090064B2
In one embodiment, a method includes receiving a data signal comprising a plurality of bits. The method further includes generating a clock signal. A plurality of samples is acquired from the data signal at a sampling rate determined by the clock signal and it is determined whether a transition point from a first bit in the plurality of bits to a second bit in the plurality of bits occurs within the plurality of samples. If it is determined that the transition point occurs within the plurality of samples, a state machine comprising a plurality of states transitions from a first state to a second state. If the second state indicates a non-zero amount of phase displacement between the clock signal and the data signal, the clock signal is adjusted to correlate with the data signal.
US08090057B2
A method of parameter estimation in a shared channel communications system includes the steps of receiving a preamble including a first sequence corresponding to a sequence having zero autocorrelation, a second sequence having zero autocorrelation, and a third sequence having zero autocorrelation, performing a coarse carrier frequency estimate based on the first sequence, and performing a fine carrier frequency estimate based on the second and third sequences.
US08090056B2
In various embodiments, a first and second complex multiplier may be configured to receive an input signal and provide a baseband I component signal and a baseband Q component signal, respectively. A first and second filter may be configured to filter the baseband I component signal and the baseband Q component signal, respectively. An equalizer may be configured to equalize the filtered baseband I component signal and the filtered baseband Q component signal. A carrier recovery portion may be configured to generate a reference signal based on the equalized filtered baseband I component signal and the equalized filtered baseband Q component signal. A first and second multilevel comparator may be configured to receive the equalized filtered baseband I component signal from the carrier recovery portion and provide an output I and receive the equalized filtered baseband Q component signal and provide an output Q signal for further modulation.
US08090050B2
Multi-carrier transmission is performed without inserting a repetitive signal into guard interval periods. A transmitter provides guard interval periods by using a null signal to save transmission power and prevent the deterioration of the SN ratio. Delayed waves at the head of each received symbol cause high-frequency waves to occur and carriers to interfere with one another. Accordingly, a receiver adds a component following each received symbol to a delayed-wave component at the head of the received symbol. As a result, the delayed-wave component at the head of the received symbol and the added component become continuous in wave form and subcarriers do not interfere with each other.
US08090044B2
A wireless transceiver includes a plurality of antennas. A plurality of signal recovery circuits generate a selected number of received signals from a first subset of the plurality of antennas, based on a control signal. A receiver section recovers an inbound data stream from the selected number of received signals. A transmitter module generates a transmit signal to a selected one of the plurality of antennas, based on the control signal. The intersection between the first subset of the plurality of antennas and the selected one of the plurality of antennas is the null set for each value of the control signal. The control signals can be generated in multiple different operational modes including, for instance, a cyclic modes and a fixed mode of operation.
US08090026B2
A method and apparatus for variable accuracy inter-picture timing specification for digital video encoding is disclosed. Specifically, the present invention discloses a system that allows the relative timing of nearby video pictures to be encoded in a very efficient manner. In one embodiment, the display time difference between a current video picture and a nearby video picture is determined. The display time difference is then encoded into a digital representation of the video picture. In a preferred embodiment, the nearby video picture is the most recently transmitted stored picture. For coding efficiency, the display time difference may be encoded using a variable length coding system or arithmetic coding. In an alternate embodiment, the display time difference is encoded as a power of two to reduce the number of bits transmitted.
US08090018B2
The invention discloses an image processing apparatus for improving the definition of an input image. The input image consists of a plurality of pixels, and the pixels are divided into an edge portion and a background portion. The image processing apparatus includes a compound operating unit, a sharpness processing unit, and an edge detecting unit. The compound operating unit is used for generating a noise-eliminated image by subjecting the input image to an open-close process and a close-open process. The sharpness processing unit is used for generating an enhanced image by subjecting the input image to a sharpness process. The edge detecting unit is used for receiving the noise-eliminated image and the enhanced image and determining whether each pixel of the input image belongs to the edge portion or the background portion, so as to selectively output the gray level of each pixel of the enhanced or noise-eliminated image.
US08090014B2
A system for managing multiview streaming video data composed of a plurality of frames includes an encoder configured to encode multiple representations of at least one frame of the plurality of frames corresponding to multiple views using different reference frames for each of the multiple representations. The system also includes a controller configured to create a coding tree containing the plurality of frames and the multiple representations. The system further includes a data store configured to store the coding tree, wherein the controller is further configured to identify a storage constraint of the data store and to omit at least one of the multiple representations from the coding tree to cause the plurality of frames stored in the data store to remain within the storage constraint.
US08090011B2
Provided is a measuring apparatus which measures a quadrature modulator, including a supplying section supplying the quadrature modulator with a reference I signal having a predetermined frequency and a reference Q signal whose phase is shifted by 90 degrees from the reference I signal, an extracting section extracting, from a modulation signal output from the quadrature modulator by applying quadrature modulation to the reference IQ signals, a main signal component as the reference IQ signals modulated, and an image signal component occurring at a position symmetric to the modulated reference IQ signals with respect to the carrier signal, and a measurement value calculating section calculating at least one of a carrier phase error and amplitude error which occur between I signal and Q signal sides of the quadrature modulator, and a skew between IQ signals of the quadrature modulator, based on the main signal component and image signal component.
US08090008B2
A system and method that scrambles the phase characteristic of a carrier signal are described. The scrambling of the phase characteristic of each carrier signal includes associating a value with each carrier signal and computing a phase shift for each carrier signal based on the value associated with that carrier signal. The value is determined independently of any input bit value carried by that carrier signal. The phase shift computed for each carrier signal is combined with the phase characteristic of that carrier signal so as to substantially scramble the phase characteristic of the carrier signals. Bits of an input signal are modulated onto the carrier signals having the substantially scrambled phase characteristic to produce a transmission signal with a reduced PAR.
US08090006B2
A receiver in a CDMA system comprises a front end processor that generates a combined signal per source. A symbol estimator processes the combined signal to produce symbol estimates. An S-Matrix Generation module refines these symbol estimates based on the sub channel symbol estimates. An interference canceller is configured for cancelling interference from at least one of the plurality of received signals for producing at least one interference-cancelled signal.
US08090004B2
Provided is a high frequency radio apparatus for correcting a frequency of a carrier of the own apparatus in accordance with a frequency of a reception carrier when performing spread spectrum communication using very weak power. A carrier demodulating part demodulates a spread code received from a communication counterpart radio apparatus by using default carrier data, and sends the demodulated spread code to a synchronization timing detecting part. When the synchronization timing detecting part detects the spread code from the carrier demodulated data, a carrier frequency deviation detecting part performs a frequency analysis of the spread code to detect a deviation amount of the carrier frequency. A carrier data generating part generates corrected carrier data based on the detected deviation amount. A DBPSK modulating part uses the corrected carrier data to perform data transmission to the communication counterpart radio apparatus.
US08089996B2
Techniques are disclosed that enable fine features such as serifs and narrow strokes of texts to be produced by xerographic devices, for example. The fine features may be generated by subpixels which are produced when a pulse width used to image a pixel is shorter than a corresponding physical size of a laser beam spot used to write the image on a Xerographic photoreceptor. The laser driver may be modified to drive a light emitting element with a boost current profile that includes an overshoot above a steady state current at a rising edge. The overshoot results in a light intensity time profile that has an increased area for a subpixel.
US08089990B2
Disclosed are an apparatus and a method for preventing data read error for OFDM symbol demodulation. An average time synchronization offset estimating unit estimates average time synchronization offset between a pilot symbol of a time synchronized data frame and pilot symbols of data frames next to the time synchronized data frame. A data buffer control unit acquires a start location of a data frame to be read using the estimated average time synchronization offset, and controls reading of written data frames using the acquired start location information of the data frame to be read. In the apparatus and the method, a data buffering using a ring buffer construction may compensate time synchronization offset of samples containing real data in an OFDM symbol and prevent an erroneous read error in order to improve a receiving performance of a receiver.
US08089987B2
Embodiments of the present invention provide methods and systems for high availability in data-stream applications using separate but synchronized nodes. Initially, a live node is designated to provide the data stream. Upon startup or restart, a standby node synchronizes its state with the live node. The initial synchronization is performed in two phases. In the first phase, the standby node connects to the same data stream (or a data stream with same content) and obtains the same symbols as the live node. In the second phase, the standby node obtains metadata from the live node for various symbols, such as symbols that are new to the standby node. Once synchronized, the live and the standby nodes then continue with separately processing the data stream.
US08089985B2
Allocation of an amount of available bandwidth among a plurality of users of a computer network is provided. Each user has a maximum allocation of bandwidth. Tier information of a plurality of tiers is accessed. In the tier information, users are grouped according to maximum allocation. Tier information includes a breakpoint value of each tier. The available bandwidth is allocated in one example embodiment by (1) allocating the maximum allocations to users in tiers with breakpoint values less than or equal to the amount of available bandwidth, and (2) allocating remaining available bandwidth in a fair manner among remaining users, which are users in tiers with breakpoint values greater than the amount of available bandwidth. The breakpoint value of at least one tier is a minimum amount of bandwidth that must be allocated in a Max-Min fair manner among the plurality of users such that each user in the tier receives its maximum allocation of bandwidth.
US08089977B2
A method and apparatus providing interconnectivity between several telephone networks. The apparatus receives a telephone transaction initiation message that originated with a telephone set located in a first network. The initiation message bears an originator's registration number identifying a subscriber whose home registration is located in a second network, the first and second networks using disparate signaling protocols. The apparatus then queries the originator's home registration database using the network protocol of the second network to determine the registration status of the originator. Finally, the registration status information is forwarded to the first network in the network protocol of the first network.
US08089975B2
A highly scalable Internet Protocol (IP) based communications system which provides voice and other communication services to end-users. The instant system incorporates a unique architecture which simplifies scaling of services to hundreds of thousands and even millions of subscribers. The instant system architecture includes a means for directly connecting a plurality of peered service providers thereby obviating the need to move the communications across the PSTN. By bypassing the PSTN, the instant system can leverage the advantages of IP-based networks in meeting subscriber communications needs such as, without limitation, quality of service, service up-time, and advanced feature sets. Bypassing the PSTN also allows the peered partners to negotiate communications rates between themselves, without incurring PSTN carrier fees.
US08089966B2
System and method for filtering a data packet using a combined filter are disclosed. In one aspect, the method includes receiving a data packet and N filters. The method includes receiving a data packet and N (wherein N is an integer and N>1) filters, each filter comprising a bit mask and corresponding bit values. The method further includes, for each of the N filters, identifying a key element from a portion of the filter corresponding to a combined filter, the key element being a segment of the filter portion having the richest bit pattern. The method further includes generating the combined filter by combining the key element of the N filters. The method further includes filtering the data packet with the combined filter to determine whether there is a match between the data packet and each key element.
US08089965B2
A communication apparatus that performs instant switchover from working links to backup links. The communication apparatus has a plurality of output interfaces each comprising a set of physical links constituting a different portion of a logical link. Aggregate destination management data is provided to define which physical links to use to forward frames. Upon receipt of a frame, a frame distributor consults the aggregate destination management data to select an output interface and its physical links for use in transmitting the received frame, from among the physical links constituting the logical link. When a switchover command is received, the frame distributor performs switchover from the current physical links to other physical links belonging to another output interface.
US08089956B2
The present invention discloses a method and a system for implementing communication for a CSI terminal, the system includes: an IP Multimedia Subsystem Terminal Module (IMS TM), a Circuit Switched Terminal Module (CS TM), a CS/IMS interworking gateway. The method includes: the IMS IM indicates the CS TM to establish a CS/IMS interworking call connection from the CS TM to the IMS TM, and establish a CS bearer between the CS TM and CS/IMS interworking gateway, the IMS TM correlated controls the two sessions respectively with the CS/IMS interworking gateway and the peer side, so as to make the media components it exchanged with the peer side be exchanged between the peer side and the CS/IMS interworking gateway via IP bearer, and then be exchanged between the CS/IMS interworking gateway and the CSI terminal through the established CS bearer. Thus the present invention ensures the communication of the CSI terminal.
US08089948B2
Methods and apparatus are described for improving the transmission of multimedia data over wireless communication channels. These techniques include determining a physical layer packet size of the wireless communication system and determining a maximum size of a compressed header. Then, partitioning an information unit, wherein the size of the partitions are selected such that after a partition is encoded the aggregate size of the encoded partition and the compressed header are the size of the physical layer packet, or less. The techniques can be used for various types of information units, such as multimedia data, variable bit rate data streams, video streams, video teleconference stream, or voice over IP. The techniques can also be used with various over the air interfaces, such as, Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM), General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), Enhanced Data GSM Environment (EDGE), or standards based on CDMA such as TIA/EIA-95-B (IS-95), TIA/EIA-98-C (IS-98), IS2000, HRDP, cdma2000, Wideband CDMA (WCDMA), and others.
US08089947B2
In directional antennas, spatial reuse involves enabling two communications to occur on the same link at the same time. The communications may be in the same or opposite directions. If no link of sufficient bandwidth is available that does not already have an active communication, a link with an active communication of sufficient bandwidth is located. Then an antenna training sequence may be implemented. A check determines whether the antenna training sequence was successful. If there was interference during the antenna training sequence, then the spatial reuse is not permitted. Otherwise, spatial reuse may be permitted.
US08089945B2
A method for communicating in a communication apparatus includes receiving an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) signal transmitted from a base station, the OFDM signal including a plurality of carrier groups, each carrier group including a plurality of carriers. The plurality of carrier groups are assigned transmission data for a plurality of communication apparatuses, and each of the plurality of carrier groups adopts one of a first transmission mode in which the transmission data is transmitted using one modulated signal and a second transmission mode in which the transmission data is transmitted using a plurality of modulated signals. A carrier group, to which transmission data for the communication apparatus is assigned, is specified based on control information included in the received OFDM signal. Reception data associated with the specified carrier group is generated by decoding the one modulated signal used in the first transmission mode, when the first transmission mode is adopted for the specified carrier group, and reception data associated with the specified carrier group is generated by decoding the plurality of modulated signals used in the second transmission mode when the second transmission mode, is adopted for the specified carrier group.
US08089940B2
A method and system provides for efficient data throughput by avoiding unnecessary data sub-packets transmission while not missing new data packets. The method and system distinguishes between a sub-packet for a current data packet and a sub-packet for a new data packet by assigning different codes to them. When a currently received sub-packet and a previously received sub-packet for a previously decoded data packet have equivalent codes, the remote station sends an acknowledgement signal to the base station, preventing unnecessary sub-packets transmission. When the currently received sub-packet and the previously received sub-packet have different codes, the remote station sends an acknowledgement signal, if the remote station can decode the new packet from the current sub-packet. Otherwise, the remote station sends a negative acknowledgement signal to the base station, and requests more sub-packs for the current packet if the limit on number of transmission for currently received sub-packet has not reached.
US08089938B2
A method of synchronizing with an uplink channel and a method of determining a propagation delay in a wireless communications system are provided. In the example method of synchronizing, a propagation delay between a target base station and a mobile station is calculated. Then, the calculated propagation delay is sent to the target base station. In the example method of determining a propagation delay, a first signal is received indicating a first measured chip offset between a downlink channel of a serving base station and a pilot signal of the target base station. A second signal indicating a second measured chip offset between an uplink channel of the mobile station and a pilot signal of the target base station is then received. A propagation delay between the target base station and the mobile station is calculated based at least in part on the first and second measured chip offsets.
US08089936B2
To the logical links established between the first node and the second node by use of the first protocol belonging to the first layer, a signal, which is a signal of the second protocol belonging to the second layer higher than the first layer and to which signal the information identifying the transmission source node is transmitted. The first and the second nodes manage the communications links in association with the node identifier added to the signal received through the communications links.
US08089933B2
A macrotechnology-based system is provided. The system includes a processor configured to promote macrotechnology-based transmission to a multi-mode user equipment of a signal including a plurality of data portions and a plurality of gaps between one or more of the plurality of data portions, at least one of the gaps used by the multi-mode user equipment for measurement of a signal strength of a microtechnology-based network.
US08089924B2
In a data communication system capable of variable rate transmission, high rate packet data transmission improves utilization of the forward link and decreases the transmission delay. Data transmission on the forward link is time multiplexed and the base station transmits at the highest data rate supported by the forward link at each time slot to one mobile station. The data rate is determined by the largest C/I measurement of the forward link signals as measured at the mobile station. Upon determination of a data packet received in error, the mobile station transmits a NACK message back to the base station. The NACK message results in retransmission of the data packet received in error. The data packets can be transmitted out of sequence by the use of sequence number to identify each data unit within the data packets.
US08089920B2
A communication apparatus is disclosed that includes a wireless transceiver and a computer readable storage medium. A mobile switching center (MSC) module is embedded in the computer readable storage medium. The MSC module includes an authentication, authorization, and accounting (AAA) module configured to support generation of call detail records at the communication apparatus. A base station controller (BSC) module is also embedded in the computer readable storage medium. The communication apparatus is adapted to transmit Internet Protocol (IP) packet data to a second apparatus via a peer-to-peer IP connection.
US08089916B2
In a training cycle, a source node transmits at least one pilot symbol to relay nodes in a training cycle. The relay nodes each amplifies and forwards the pilot symbol to a destination node in an assigned time slot in the training cycle. The destination node sequentially receives multiple versions of the pilot symbol from the relay nodes and estimates channel information based on the multiple versions of the pilot symbol. In data transmission cycles that follow the training cycle, the nodes apply coherent distributed space-time block code (DSTBC) with the estimated channel information to communicate data symbols. The power allocation between training and data cycles may be adjusted to improve the error performance. The nodes may also apply orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) based DSTBC when timing errors are not known.
US08089914B2
To allocate a bandwidth to a terminal, a base station in a communication system including a relay receives a bandwidth request code from the relay, and determines whether a bandwidth request code that is the same as the received bandwidth request code has been received from the terminal. In addition, when the same bandwidth request code has been received from the terminal, the base station allocates the bandwidth to at least one among the relay and the terminal.
US08089913B2
A physical layer frequency translating repeater for use in a wireless network can include a baseband section with demodulator, a processor and a memory. A portion of a packet for repeating can be processed during a physical layer repeating operation and a higher layer function performed without modification of an address. A received signal can be processed on a symbol-by-symbol basis in a first symbol interval, and regenerated after at least a second symbol interval and prior to completion of the demodulating the received signal. A hybrid network device can include a network node portion and a physical layer repeater portion.
US08089901B2
A method and corresponding system for operating in a network in which stations communicate over a shared medium are presented. The shared medium has at least one varying channel characteristic that varies approximately periodically. The method includes providing repeated beacon transmissions from a coordinator station for coordinating transmissions among a plurality of the stations, wherein at least some beacon transmissions are synchronized to the varying channel characteristic; and transmitting from a first station to at least one receiving station during a time slot determined based on at least one of the beacon transmissions received by the first station from the coordinator station.
US08089897B2
Systems and methods are described that analyze Layer 3 network performance between a network and its Intelligent Route Service Control Point (IRSCP) architecture to identify problems without having to disrupt customer service.
US08089896B2
A network system is provided, in which a system change can be easily performed by adding or exchanging an equipment(s) to be controlled or monitored. The equipment has an object with an object identifier defined according to a service content provided by the equipment. Upon the receipt of a service request using the object identifier from a network device connected to the equipment via a network, the equipment executes the service defined in the object according to this service request. By assigning a same object identifier to objects of a plurality of equipments, it is possible to provide the same service from those equipments according to the service request performed from the network device by use of the same object identifier.
US08089893B2
A method and apparatus for transmitting a ChannelMeasurementReport message in a wireless communication system, comprising generating a ChannelMeasurementReport message comprising a 8 bit MessageID field, a 12 bit PilotPN field that indicates the PilotPN of a sector for which a measurement was performed, a 2 bit CarrierID field that indicates a carrier on which the measurements are performed, a 40 bit StartPHYFrameNumber field that indicates a frame number of a PHYFrame where an access terminal made a first measurement reported in the message, a 8 bit MeasurementInterval field that indicates a number of PHYFrames between measurements made by the access terminal, and a 8 bit NumMeasurements field that indicates number of measurements included in the message and transmitting the ChannelMeasurementReport message over a communication link. A method and apparatus is also provided for receiving and processing the ChannelMeasurementReport message.
US08089892B2
A method and apparatus for estimating packet loss rate are described including calculating a real packet loss rate in a time slot at the end of the time slot, estimating average packet loss rate for a subsequent time slot, estimating variance of packet loss rate for the subsequent time slot and estimating the packet loss rate for the subsequent time slot. A method and apparatus and also described for dynamically allocating available bandwidth for video multicast including selecting an intra-frame rate, determining a packet loss rate threshold, receiving user topology information, receiving channel conditions for each user, determining an optimal operation point for encoding and transmitting video frames in a subsequent time slot, adapting dynamically quantization parameters and a forward error correction code rate, encoding the video frames using the quantization parameters and applying forward error correction code with the forward error correction code rate to data packets of the video frames to generate forward error correction packets.
US08089890B2
A method for transmitting high rate data within a multiple input multiple output (MIMO) wireless local area network (WLAN) begins by determining a data transmission rate. The method continues by, when the data transmission rate is between a first data rate and a second data rate, enabling two transmission paths. The method continues by, for each of the two transmission paths, determining at least one of: level of constellation, number of data subcarriers, rate code, and cyclic prefix duration.
US08089889B2
An apparatus for configuring a port in a multi-port communication adapter includes a quiesce module quiescing communications at one or more first I/O ports of a multi-port communication adapter while allowing communications at one or more second I/O ports of the multi-port communication adapter. A path module removes one or more logical paths between the one or more first I/O ports and one or more remote adapters in anticipation of taking the one or more first I/O ports offline. The offline module takes offline the one or more first I/O ports. The update module updates a port resource of the one or more first I/O ports while allowing a concurrent communication on the one or more second I/O ports of the multi-port communication adapter.
US08089887B2
A method and system provide routing of signals through a communications network. A transmitted signal is received. The signal has an associated parameter that is monitored as the signal is received. The parameter indicates the extent to which prior retransmission of the signal has occurred. The signal is retransmitted only if its parameter satisfies at least one predetermined criterion.
US08089883B2
At least one request between neighboring access nodes in a radio communications system is transmitted after verifying a class of the at least one request being transmitted between the neighboring access nodes, where the class assigned by an access node indicates a priority of the request. Based upon the verified class, the transmission of the request is controlled.
US08089881B2
Mesh Network Access Points (APs) points, including gateways and routers, are deployed over a geographic area. The APs monitor the communication channel for other carriers and transmit accordingly. The APs selectively co-transmit when other carriers are sensed, if the efficiency of the mesh network will improve. APs select a transmission rate based on observed carrier-to-interference ratios. APs use directional antennas to increase carrier-to-interference ratios and spectral efficiency. AP transmit schedules are adaptable and adjusted according to observed carrier-to-interference measurements.
US08089879B2
In the method, a source device places identifiers in data packets to be transmitted. The identifiers may include in-band flow control acknowledgment data in response to a flow control request transmitted from a destination device. When the destination device receives the transmitted data packets, the destination device will proceed based on the data contained in the data packets that are to be decoded at the destination device. If the decoded data packet contains in-band flow control acknowledgment data in response to a flow control request from the destination device, the destination device processes the data packets based on the received in-band flow control acknowledgment data.
US08089875B2
A network real-time monitoring and control system includes several layers of components for generating a network traffic shaping control that is used to shaping network traffic flows for one or more network nodes. The layers of the network real-time monitoring and control system include a monitoring layer, an event control layer, a traffic shaping control layer, a reporting layer, and an administrative layer. The monitoring obtains network traffic indicator measurements and network node operational indicator measurements. The event control layer uses the indicator measurements to generate a network event identifier, and generates a request for a network traffic shaping control based on a correlation of the network event identifier with a network node status identifier. The request for the network traffic shaping control is communicated to the traffic shaping control layer to generate a network traffic shaping control.
US08089873B2
Disclosed herein is a method and system for managing QoS-guaranteed multimode fast mobility in wireless networks. The method includes the steps of (a) in response to a request for call establishment, registering a user ID, the unique IP address of a user, a currently used temporary IP address and the current location of the mobile host; (b) completing the call establishment; (c) establishing a tunnel between the OMS and the mobile host; (d) in response to the provision of a new temporary IP address and the wireless network information of a newly activated wireless communication interface, establishing a new tunnel using the unique IP address of the OMS and the new temporary IP address of the mobile host, and then transmitting data packets in parallel; and (e) in response to a request for the removal of a tunnel, removing the corresponding tunnel.
US08089856B2
In an oversampled orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) orthogonal network, the preamble used for time synchronization does not have an ideal autocorrelation function due to guard bands, which degrade the accuracy of symbol timing. Therefore, a zero-correlation-zone (ZCZ) based preamble is used for time synchronization. Across correlation function (CCF) used for time synchronization is forced to 0 within a certain region around a main lobe. The length of the ZCZ is guaranteed to be larger than a cyclic prefix length of OFDM data symbols synchronization accuracy.
US08089845B2
The generation of a pseudo-lock is prevented in a JFB offset compensator whose use has been conventionally limited due to a tendency to generate the pseudo-lock, and performance degradation of a PLL and a Viterbi decoder is suppressed. A means for monitoring an offset of a read signal is provided independently from the JFB offset compensator. With this configuration, the generation or a possibility of the generation of the pseudo-lock can be detected to reset an integrator. In order to reduce the influence of a large sporadic offset triggering the pseudo-lock, there may also be provided a limitter for limiting the absolute value of an offset signal inputted to the integrator or a limitter for limiting the absolute value of an offset compensation signal.
US08089844B2
There is provided an optical recording method for directing a recording pulse train to an optical disc medium to form marks thereon and for recording information as information about the edge positions of said marks and the spaces between marks, the recording pulse train having been created by modulating laser light into plural power levels. The method includes: coding to-be-recorded data into coded data consisting of the combination of marks and spaces; classifying said marks within said coded data on the basis of the mark length and the preceding or succeeding space lengths of the marks; shifting the position of the second pulse edge counted from the end portion of the recording pulse train for forming said marks, depending on the result of said classification, to adjust said recording pulse train; and directing said recording pulse train to the optical disc medium to form said marks thereon.
US08089843B2
A recording drive waveform adjusting method for manufacturing a master disc is provided. The method includes forming an exposed area in an inorganic resist layer for test exposure by irradiating a master disc having the inorganic resist layer with laser light of a recording power based on a recording drive waveform according to a test recording signal. The method also includes obtaining reflected-light information by irradiating the exposed area formed in the test exposure with laser light of a reproducing power, determining whether the recording drive waveform is appropriate by using the reflected-light information, and correcting the recording drive waveform if the recording drive waveform is determined to be inappropriate in the determination.
US08089842B2
A system and method of controlling data recording process of optical recording medium in a sequential writing are described. The control system comprises an information unit, a data-preparing unit and a recording controller. The information unit generates an information signal. The data-preparing unit prepares the data for recording. The data is then transformed into a writing signal according to the information signal. The recording controller controls the data-preparing unit to adjust the writing signal while acquiring the information signal during a sequential writing. Thus, the recording controller adjusts the writing signal according to the information signal. The data-preparing unit outputs the adjusted writing signal having desired recording area and undesired recording area and the adjusted writing signal is recorded on the optical recording medium during the sequential writing. The adjusted writing signal is outputted to OPU. The OPU performs a recording process of the optical recording medium.
US08089838B2
An optical disc apparatus includes: a rotation section to rotate an optical disc including a spiral or concentric track with a predetermined track center, with a rotational center of the optical disc as the center; a light source to emit a light beam; an objective lens to collect the light beam on the optical disc; a lens drive section to drive the objective lens in a tracking direction; a light-receiving section to receive a reflected light beam and generate a light-receiving signal; a tracking error signal generation section to generate a first tracking error signal based on the light-receiving signal; an eccentric-state acquisition section to acquire an eccentric state of the track center; a correction section to generate a corrected tracking error signal; and a drive control section to drive the objective lens in the tracking direction by the lens drive section based on the corrected tracking error signal.
US08089835B2
An optical disc apparatus of the present application has a lens position signal generator for generating a lens position signal representative of a position of an objective lens in a disc radial direction, an amplitude corrector for correcting an amplitude of a tracking error signal, and a tracking controller for generating an actuator drive signal for controlling an actuator, from an output of the amplitude corrector, wherein the amplitude corrector corrects an amplitude of the tracking error signal in accordance with the lens position signal to make approximately constant a tracking error detection sensitivity relative to a displacement between an optical spot and a track.
US08089829B2
A thermally assisted magnetic recording medium includes a substrate and at least two, i.e., first and second magnetic recording layers. These layers are hard magnetic layers and contain magnetic grains and a non-magnetic substance magnetically segregating the magnetic grains at grain boundaries. The first magnetic recording layer has a magnetic anisotropy energy Ku1, a grain volume v1, and energy for maintaining its recording magnetization Ku1v1; the second magnetic recording layer has a magnetic anisotropy energy Ku2, a grain volume v2, and energy for maintaining its recording magnetization Ku2v2; and the ratio Ku1v1/kBT of Ku1v1 to a thermal fluctuation energy kBT, where kB represents a Boltzmann constant and T represents an absolute temperature, and the ratio Ku2v2/kBT of Ku2v2 to kBT satisfy the following conditions: Ku1v1/kBT is larger than Ku2v2/kBT at room temperature, but is smaller than Ku2v2/kBT at temperatures around the Curie temperature of the first magnetic recording layer.
US08089828B2
A micromechanical acoustic sensor element, which has at least one diaphragm and at least one fixed counter element, the diaphragm being situated in a cavity between a substrate and the counter element and acting as movable electrode of a capacitor system, the counter element acting as first fixed counter electrode of this capacitor system, and at least one through hole being formed in the substrate for the application of sound pressure to the diaphragm. For fixation and strengthening purposes, the counter element is connected to the substrate via at least one support element. The support element is situated in the region of the cavity, and an opening is formed in the diaphragm for the support element.
US08089822B1
A circuit and method are provided for controlling power consumption in an electronic circuit. Generally, the method involves measuring current flow through a memory core in the circuit, the memory core including a number of cells each with a number of active devices, and, if current flow exceeds a predetermined amount limiting it by applying reverse body bias to the active devices. In one embodiment, power is supplied to the memory through a low drop-out (LDO) regulator fabricated on a common substrate therewith, and the LDO regulator functions as a current mirror to mirror current through the memory core through a replica stack. Other embodiments are also disclosed.
US08089815B2
During programming of storage elements, channel-to-floating gate coupling effects are compensated to avoid increased programming speed and threshold voltage distribution widening. Programming speed can be adjusted by grounding the bit line of a selected storage element until it reaches a verify level which is below a target verify level of its target data state, after which the bit line is floated so that programming speed is slowed. The verify level which triggers the floating can be a target verify level of a data state that is one or more states below the target data state. Or, the verify level which triggers the floating can be an offset verify level of the target data state. An option is to raise the bit line voltage before it floats, to enter a slow programming mode, in which case there is a double slow down.
US08089813B2
A voltage reference driver includes a voltage divider circuit with a voltage reference output node to output a voltage between a first voltage and a second voltage. The voltage reference driver also includes a first selectable impedance circuit coupled to a node at the first voltage and further coupled to the voltage reference output node, and a second selectable impedance circuit coupled to a node at the second voltage and further coupled to the voltage reference output node. Combinations of the first selectable impedance circuit and the second selectable impedance circuit are selectable such that a constant impedance is maintained at the voltage reference output node within a threshold value.
US08089812B2
A semiconductor memory device can reduce a circuit area necessary for row repair. The semiconductor memory device includes a plurality of memory banks, a plurality of cell arrays arranged in each of the memory banks, a plurality of array word lines arranged in each of the cell arrays, one or more repair word lines arranged in each of the cell arrays, and a plurality of repair information storages configured to store bank information and row addresses of the array word lines to be replaced with the repair word lines.
US08089805B2
Programming a memory in two parts to reduce cell disturb includes, in at least one embodiment, programming data in two or more sequences of programming pulses with data requiring higher programming voltages programmed first. During each programming sequence, the data which is not being currently selected for programming is inhibited. Overlapping levels and/or voltage ranges can be used.
US08089803B2
A magnetic random access memory of a spin transfer process, includes a plurality of magnetic memory cells 10, a current supply unit 43+20+30 and a control unit 41. The current supply unit 43+20+30 supplies a write current to the magnetic memory cell 10. The control unit controls a supply of the write current supplied by the current supply unit 43+20+30 on the basis of a write data. Each magnetic memory cell 10 includes a magnetic material storage layer which stores a data by using a magnetization state, and at least one spin control layer which supplies spin electrons to the magnetic material storage layer on the basis of a same control principle independently of the write data, on the basis of the write current.
US08089796B2
According to one embodiment, an information recording and reproducing device includes a first layer, a second layer and a recording layer. The recording layer is provided between the first and second layers and is capable of reversibly transitioning between a first state and a second state with a resistance higher than in the first state. One of the first and second layers includes a resistivity distribution layer perpendicular to a stacking direction of the first and second layers, and the recording layer. The resistivity distribution layer includes a low and a high resistivity portion. Resistivity of the high resistivity portion is higher than resistivity of the low resistivity portion. The low resistivity portion contains a transition element identical to a transition element contained in the high resistivity portion.
US08089787B2
The disclosure describes techniques for converting an input voltage level to two or more output voltage levels using only two pump capacitors and three switching phases. The disclosure also describes techniques for selectively controlling a dc-dc converter to operate in different conversion modes. One mode may use only two pump capacitors and three switching phases to produce output voltage levels with a first set of conversion ratios. Another mode may use two pump capacitors and two switching phases to produce output voltage levels with a second set of conversion ratios. The first mode may use three different subcircuit arrangements of the pump capacitors. The second mode may use two different subcircuit arrangements of the pump capacitors. A converter may include switches and pump capacitors that can be selectively configured to transition between two or three different subcircuits, thereby producing output voltages according to different conversion ratios on a selective basis.
US08089786B1
The present invention is a polyphase, resonant switching power converter which includes a transformer structure configured for minimizing converter-frequency ripple at both an input and output of the power converter. The power converter is further configured for maximizing frequency response of an output signal provided by the power converter. The power converter further provides an electrically efficient system for providing a modulated supply voltage/power signal (ex.—the output signal) to power amplifiers which utilize EER or other techniques requiring modulated supply voltage.
US08089781B2
An example integrated circuit for use in a power supply includes a switch, a terminal and a controller. The controller is coupled to control switching of the switch to regulate the output of the power supply in response to a feedback signal received at the terminal. The controller includes a comparator and an oscillator. The comparator is coupled to detect when a switch current through the switch exceeds a current limit and the oscillator is coupled to extend an off time of the switch in response to the comparator detecting that the switch current exceeds a current limit and if an on time of the switch is substantially equal to a sum of a leading edge blanking period and a current limit delay time period. The oscillator extends the off time of the switch independent of the feedback signal.
US08089773B2
A housing for an electronic control unit has at least two housing parts which include at least a housing base, a housing cover and an electronic connection between components which are disposed inside the housing and components which are outside the housing. The connection is fixed to the housing base. The electronic connection has open conductor track regions outside the housing cover. The regions are at least partially covered by one or more contact partners. In this case, the contact partners simultaneously have at least one direct contact-connection to one or more of the open conductor track regions.
US08089772B2
A mobile electronic device is provided. The mobile electronic device includes a case having a sidewall; a circuit board mounted in the case, and a side button module attached to the case sidewall. The circuit board includes a switch disposed thereon. The side button module includes a positioning member secured to the case sidewall and a button secured to the positioning member. The button includes a base and an actuating protrusion protruding from the base. The base abuts the positioning member. The actuating protrusion extends through the positioning member and is configured to trigger the switch on the circuit board when actuated. The positioning member is sandwiched between the base and the actuating protrusion.
US08089766B2
A liquid submersion-cooled computer that is configured to reduce physical structures passing through walls of the computer liquid-tight computer case, which eliminates the amount of sealing needed around those physical structures and reduces the number of possible fluid leakage paths from the interior of the computer that contains a cooling liquid submerging at least some of the computer components. The computer includes a mechanism to pass input/output signals into and from the computer without any physical structure extending through any of the plurality of walls. The computer also has a mechanism for wirelessly transferring power into the interior space of the computer case, and a switch that controls power in the computer without having any physical structure extending through any of the plurality of walls.
US08089764B2
A liquid submersion cooling system that is suitable for cooling a number of electronic devices in parallel using a plurality of cases connected to a rack system. The system cools heat-generating components in server computers and other devices that use electronic, heat-generating components and are connected in parallel systems. The system includes a housing having an interior space, a dielectric cooling liquid in the interior space, a heat-generating electronic component disposed within the space and submerged in the dielectric cooling liquid. The rack system contains a manifold system to engage and allow liquid transfer for multiple cases and IO connectors to engage electrically with multiple cases/electronic devices. The rack system can be connected to a pump system for pumping the liquid into and out of the rack, to and from external heat exchangers, heat pumps, or other thermal dissipation/recovery devices.
US08089759B2
A fastener for mounting an electronic device in a computer includes a cap, a sleeve, a spring, and a mounting post. The cap is mounted to the sleeve. The sleeve defines a receiving aperture and a passage hole therein. The mounting post includes a torsion portion and a wedge portion at opposite ends thereof. The wedge portion is provided with an angled surface. A blocking ring is formed between the torsion portion and the wedge portion. The torsion portion extends into the cap. The spring is disposed around the torsion portion. The spring and the blocking ring are received in the receiving aperture of the sleeve, and the wedge portion extends out of the sleeve from the passage hole. The torsion portion rotates commensurately when the cap is rotated to adjust an orientation of the angled surface of the wedge portion.
US08089740B2
A clamp unit is adapted for controlling a clamp switch of a power supply such that the power supply outputs an output voltage in an ON mode when the clamp switch is in an ON-state and that the power supply does not output the output voltage in an OFF mode when the clamp switch is in an OFF-state. The clamp unit includes: a coupling circuit for outputting a coupling voltage in response to first and second reference voltages, and a control signal outputted by a control signal generating circuit in response to an input voltage; and a detecting circuit for outputting a clamp signal to the clamp switch in response to a first signal indicating whether the power is in the ON mode or the OFF mode, and a second signal indicating whether the power supply is to output the output voltage.
US08089735B2
Hybrid power relay for making and breaking an electrical circuit which includes electromagnetically operated contacts for making and breaking the circuit, a solid state switch connected across the contacts, a control circuit responsive to a control signal for actuating the solid state switch and the contacts such that the solid state switch closes before the contacts to make the circuit and the contacts open before the solid state switch to break the circuit, and a protective circuit for monitoring the temperature of the solid state switch and opening the switch in the event of a rise in temperature produced by abnormal current flow in the switch due to failure of the contacts to make and maintain the circuit.
US08089727B2
A data storage cartridge comprises data storage media configured to store data for read and/or write access, wherein the data may be arranged in a plurality of partitions; and a plurality of cartridge memories. A control system, for example of a data storage drive, is configured to allocate at least portions of capacity of the data storage media to cartridge memories of the data storage cartridge; and to provide information defining the allocated portions of capacity to the cartridge memories. Each of the cartridge memories may have a separate user and thus provide access for that user to separate partitions.
US08089711B2
In an engaging member 1 which holds a contact member 8 made of metal and having two contact surfaces 9 which form a recess 6 for receiving a shaft member 5 so as to be slidably displaceable on the shaft member 5 in accordance with displacement in a direction of the axis of the shaft member 5, a holding groove 12 is formed for exposing at least either end of a back side of the contact surface 9 of the contact member 8 in a direction of the axis of the shaft member 5, and not for exposing a central section of a back side of the contact surface 9 of the contact member 8 in the axial direction. As a result, it becomes possible to hold the contact member 8 in the manufacturing process, so that the contact surface 9 is accurately positioned.
US08089710B2
A stand magnifier is provided, comprising a magnifier base to be placed on reading material or any other surface to be inspected, namely a contact surface, and a magnifier element having a grip and a magnifying body disposed on one grip end, with the magnifier element being detachably attached to the magnifier base and being pivotable relative to the contact surface when the magnifier base is attached, wherein the magnifier base is designed in at least two parts having at least first and second magnifier base parts mounted one inside the other in a light-tight fashion, and the magnifier element is designed as a separately usable hand magnifier and the grip is formed such that it touches the contact surface with its free grip end region.
US08089709B2
A lens array unit includes first lens array plates, second lens array plates and a support member. Each of the first lens array plate has multiple first lenses thereon. Each of the first lenses has a first optical axis that extends in a first direction and the first lenses are arranged in a second direction perpendicular to the first. Each of the second lens array plates has multiple second lenses thereon. Each of the second lenses has a second optical axis that extends in the first direction and the second lenses are arranged in the second. The support member has opposite first and second sides. The support member extends in the second direction to support the first lens array plates on the first side and support the second lens array plates on a second side so that each of the first lens array plates opposes a different corresponding one of the second lens array plates. The first lens array plates are arranged on the first side of the support member in the second direction and the second lens array plates are arranged on the second side of the support member in the second direction.
US08089707B2
The invention relates to an optical imaging device, in particular an objective 1 for microlithography in the field of EUVL for producing semiconductor components, having a beam path 2, a plurality of optical elements 3 and a diaphragm device 7 with an adjustable diaphragm opening shape. The diaphragm device has a diaphragm store 7a, 7b with a plurality of different diaphragm openings 6 with fixed shapes in each case, which can be introduced into the beam path 2.
US08089702B2
A zoom lens includes first to fourth lens groups arranged in that order from the object side and having positive, negative, positive, and positive refractive powers. The first lens group includes a single first lens having a negative refractive power, a right-angle prism bending an optical path, and a second lens including at least a lens having a positive refractive power in that order from the object side. The second lens group includes a third lens including an aspherical surface and having a negative refractive power, a fourth lens having a negative refractive power, a fifth lens having a positive refractive power, and a sixth lens having a negative refractive power in that order from the object side. The second and fourth lens groups are moved in an optical-axis direction during zooming.
US08089698B1
A wide-angle optical lens assembly comprises, in order from an object side to an image side: a first lens element with a negative refractive power having concave image-side surface, a second lens element with a positive refractive power, a third lens element with a positive refractive power, and a fourth lens element with a positive refractive power having convex image-side surface, at least one surface of the fourth lens element thereof being aspheric. By such arrangement, total track length and photosensitivity of the wide-angle optical lens assembly can be effectively reduced while retaining large field of view and superb image quality.
US08089696B2
An illumination optical system has a condenser, a first lens array, a second lens array, and a polarized beam splitting surface. The condenser and the first and second lens arrays compress light incident on the condenser. The distance between a lens cell in the first lens array and a lens cell in the second lens array is appropriately set, whereby an illuminated surface is illuminated brightly and efficiently without significant loss of light amount.
US08089684B1
Techniques and devices for tuning a phase shift of an RF or microwave signal by using an optical tuning mechanism based on photonic elements.
US08089683B2
A modular routing node includes a single input port and a plurality of output ports. The modular routing node is arranged to produce a plurality of different deflections and uses small adjustments to compensate for wavelength differences and alignment tolerances in an optical system. An optical device is arranged to receive a multiplex of many optical signals at different wavelengths, to separate the optical signals into at least two groups, and to process at least one of the groups adaptively.
US08089680B2
An electrophoretic display device is described. The device includes a substrate, first electrodes, an electrophoretic film having electrophoretic particles, and second electrodes. The substrate is has a plurality of pixel regions. First electrodes are disposed respectively on each pixel region, and include first patterns separated from one another and second patterns connected to the first patterns. The second electrode is disposed on the electrophoretic film. The area of one of the electrodes, opposing the other of the electrodes has apertures formed therein, reducing the contact area between the electrode and the electrophoretic film.
US08089678B2
The present invention provides optical elements comprising a photochromic linear polarizing element and a birefringent layer that circularly or elliptically polarizes transmitted radiation. The photochromic linear polarizing element comprises a substrate and either: (1) a coating comprising an aligned, thermally reversible photochromic-dichroic compound having an average absorption ratio of at least 1.5 in an activated state, and being operable for switching from a first absorption state to a second absorption state in response to actinic radiation, to revert back to the first absorption state in response to thermal energy, and to linearly polarize transmitted radiation in at least one of the two states; or (2) an at least partially ordered polymeric sheet connected to the substrate; and a thermally reversible photochromic-dichroic compound that is at least partially aligned with the polymeric sheet and has an average absorption ratio greater than 2.3 in the activated state.
US08089675B2
An optical beam scanning apparatus according to the present invention includes a light source, a pre-deflection optical system, a light deflecting device configured to separate the luminous fluxes in a sub-scanning direction for each of color components and scan the luminous fluxes against a scanning object in the main scanning direction, a post-deflection optical system configured to at least include one or plural first optical elements, plural second optical elements, plural reflection mirrors which are respectively provided on a downstream side of the second optical elements in plural optical paths excluding an optical path in which any one of the second optical elements is included and reflect luminous fluxes emitted from the second optical elements, and a position adjusting mechanism which adjusts positions of the reflection mirrors, imaging the luminous fluxes scanned by the light deflecting device on the scanning object.
US08089673B2
An actuator includes: a frame; first members at each end of the frame along a first axis making the frame rotatable thereabout; second members supporting each end of a movable plate against the frame along a second axis making the movable plate rotatable thereabout; first magnets with poles interposing the first axis; a second magnet with poles interposing the first axis; a coil generating a magnetic force acting on the first and second magnets; and a voltage source applying a voltage to the coil. The first and second magnets have an angle of 30-60 degrees to the first axis, and identical magnetic pole directions. The voltage source includes first and second voltage generators generating first and second voltages of first and second frequencies, and a voltage superimposer. The movable plate is rotated about the first and second axes at the first and second frequencies by the superimposed voltages.
US08089669B2
It is made possible to determine image characteristics in a reading image while the image of an original is being read. A first line sensor (9R2, 9G2, 9B2) is arranged on a board and reads the original image. A second line sensor (9K1) has a larger number of pixels than the first line sensor and is arranged on the board to read the original image earlier than the first line sensor. An image signal processing characteristic control unit (46) uses an output of the second line sensor as a control signal to control the processing characteristic of the image signal read by the first line sensor.
US08089661B2
In a computer system in which information represented by digital data is output to plural pages of recording medium, and then information on the plural pages of recording medium is read to use digital data representing the read information, authentication information is embedded in information of a start page selected by the computer system; a page number of the start page embedded the authentication information is notified to a user; information on the plural pages of recording medium is read, wherein the start page is positioned so as to be read first; digital data read from the plural pages of recording medium is authenticated based on the authentication information embedded in the start page; and a process for the digital data read from the plural pages of recording medium is controlled in accordance with a result of the authentication.
US08089653B2
There is provided a document processing apparatus capable of, when acquiring a document based on a template file created by a variable printing system after converting the document into its own format, constructing a document in a format in which a concept of a record is introduced and preferably enabling operations for the unit of the concept of the source record, a document processing method and a program. In a computer 100 which issues to a printer 107 a print job for printing document data in which specified variable data is put into specified areas, template data into which the variable data can be merged is imported based on records; a segment is tentatively set for the template data, for each imported record; and the template data in which predetermined variable data is merged at predetermined areas is acquired on the basis of a record for which a segment is tentatively created.
US08089651B2
A right information managing device includes: a right information storage that associates both old right information and new right information with a target user, and that stores, as first right information showing the right to use of the target user for an information processor, the information associated with the target user; a detecting unit that detects a start of a use of the information processor based on the new right information by the target user; and a use limiting unit that limits the use of the information processor based on the old right information by the target user in accordance with a result obtained by the detecting unit.
US08089642B2
An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a sheet based on image data and performing post-processing with respect to the sheet having the image, includes a post-processing designator for designating a post-processing side of a sheet bundle, and a post-processing position with respect to the post-processing side. The post-processing designator identifies four sides of the sheet based on combination information relating to combination of discrimination as to whether the post-processing side is a long side or a short side of the sheet, and discrimination as to whether the post-processing side is a left side, a right side, an upper side, or a lower side of the sheet, depending on whether the image to be formed on the sheet is a portrait image or a landscape image, and designates the post-processing side by using the combination information.
US08089636B2
An object of the present invention is to apply a phase shift method to a workpiece having a rough surface to accurately detect an abnormal concave-convex irregularity. Therefore, in an inspecting system of the present invention, an image of a stripe pattern reflected on an inspection target surface is detected at a shallow angle, and one or more continuous unit stripes of a unit stripes reflected image is specified among the stripe pattern reflected images existing in a predetermined distance range counted from the edge in a closer side to the workpiece. Then, the phase of the specified unit stripes reflected image is varied to apply a phase shift method and scan the inspection target surface with the unit stripes reflected image to thereby detect the abnormal concave-convex irregularity.
US08089627B2
Described is a detector for receiving the eluent from a liquid- or supercritical-fluid chromatograph in which a signal indicative of the presence of an analyte in the eluent is generated by the scattering of light by desolvated particles of the analyte. The detector includes a nebulizer for generating an aerosol from the eluent in a chamber that has a wall in thermal communication with a heat sink. Changes in the temperature of the wall during an analysis of the eluent are reduced by the transfer of heat to the first heat sink.
US08089626B2
A device and a method for implementing a photo-spectrometer unit (20), or PSU (20), for use with a spectrometry system (100) having optical means (12), and electronic means (13) is disclosed. The PSU is formed in a two-step manufacturing process to form a chip having a monolithic structure. The chip has a first surface and second surface. During the first manufacturing process step, optical means are integrally formed on the first surface (301), and during the second manufacturing process step, electronic means are formed on the second surface (302). The chip is transparent to electromagnetic radiations, and the PSU has at least one optical deflecting element (32) for guiding received radiations through the chip, for establishing direct optical path coupling between an optical element formed on the first surface and an electronic element formed on the second surface.
US08089614B2
A parallel glass which is a prism having a parallelogram-shaped cross section in an x-y direction, and parallel glasses which are prisms having a parallelogram-shaped cross section in the x-y direction and each include grooves formed in one surface in a z direction perpendicular to the x-y direction, are stacked in direct contact with each other such that the grooves are located on the inside, and light trying to enter the grooves is subjected is total reflection, thereby changing incident parallel beams with a pitch of 13 mm into emergent parallel beams with a pitch of 1 mm.
US08089613B2
A CD-pitch dependency for a lithographic pattern printing process is related to the spectral intensity distribution of radiation used for projecting the pattern. A CD-pitch dependency can vary from one system to another. This can result in an iso-dense bias mismatch between systems. The invention addresses this problem by providing a lithographic apparatus including an illumination system for providing a projection beam of radiation, a projection system for projecting a patterned beam onto a target portion of a substrate, and a substrate table for holding the substrate, with a controller to provide an adjustment of the spectral distribution of radiant intensity of the projection beam. The adjustment of the spectral intensity distribution is based on data relating to an iso dense bias, and comprises a broadening of the spectral bandwidth or a change of shape of the spectral intensity distribution.
US08089602B2
The generation of bubbles in a liquid crystal material of a liquid crystal display panel and the generation of color irregularities when the liquid crystal display panel is pushed can be reduced. In a display device having a liquid crystal display panel in which a liquid crystal material is filled between a first substrate and a second substrate, the second substrate forms, on a surface of an insulation substrate which faces the first substrate, first columnar members, second columnar members and third columnar members which differ from each other in a distance from the surface of the insulation substrate to a top portion of each columnar member. Assuming the distance of the first columnar member as L1, the distance of the second columnar member as L2 and the distance of the third columnar member as L3, a relationship among the distances L1, L3, L2 satisfies L1>L3>L2, and assuming the number of the first columnar members arranged on the surface of the insulation substrate as N1, the number of the second columnar members arranged on the surface of the insulation substrate as N2 and the number of the third columnar members arranged on the surface of the insulation substrate as N3, a relationship among the numbers N1, N2, N3 satisfies N2>N1>N3.
US08089588B2
A thin-film transistor array substrate, used in a transflective liquid crystal display. The thin-film transistor array substrate has a substrate, a plurality of pixels, a plurality of scan lines and a plurality of data lines. Each of the pixels has a transparent sub-pixel and a reflective sub-pixel, while the transparent sub-pixel further has a transparent electrode and a first thin-film transistor, and the reflective sub-pixel has a reflective pixel electrode and a second thin-film transistor. The pixel electrode of each sub-pixel is thus electrically connected to a different thin-film transistor. The step of forming a molybdenum layer is thus not required, saving fabrication cost.
US08089584B2
A liquid crystal display (LCD) panel including a lower substrate, an upper substrate and a liquid crystal layer interposed between the upper substrate and the lower substrate is provided. The liquid crystal layer includes at least one liquid crystal molecule and a stabilized alignment polymer, which is polymerized by a plurality of photosensitive monomers and formed on at least one of the surface of the upper substrate or the lower substrate. The photosensitive monomer is represented by the following chemical formula: P1-A1-(Z1—RS—Z2-A2)n-P2 Wherein, n≧1; “P1” and “P2” are independently a polymerizable group; “A1” and “A2” are independently a aryl group; “Z1” and “Z2” are independently a linking group; and “RS” is straight-chain or branched-chain alkyl having 1 to 6 carbons or a derivative thereof.
US08089582B2
An object of the present invention is to provide a liquid crystal display device having a light guide plate that is capable of providing improved liquid crystal display performance without generating a striped image. The liquid crystal display device includes a light guide plate, which illuminates a liquid crystal panel from its rear surface, and light sources, which shed a light ray on the light guide plate. The rear surface of the light guide plate is separated into a plurality of rear surface divisions by concave grooves. The light sources can adjust the brightness of each rear surface division. The display performance of the liquid crystal panel is improved by individually managing a plurality of regions of the liquid crystal panel, which correspond to the rear surface divisions, and darkening a rear surface division that corresponds to a region where the black color is predominant.
US08089573B2
A liquid crystal panel (10) includes an active matrix substrate on which a transistor (12), a pixel electrode (17), signal lines (15, 16) and backup wirings (8a, 8b) for recovering a defect in the signal line are formed; a color filter substrate on which a common electrode (counter electrode) is formed; and a liquid crystal material provided between the active matrix substrate and the color filter substrate. The backup wirings (8a, 8b) are (electrically) connected to the common electrode on the color filter substrate, through (i) a protection circuit (9) for discharging an undesired electric charge that occurs in the backup wirings (8a, 8b) and (ii) a sealing adhesive (6). With this configuration, it becomes possible to reduce problems (for instance, unexpected short-circuiting of the backup wiring and the signal line) caused by the undesired electric charge that occurs in the backup wirings.
US08089572B2
A pixel structure adapts for compensating variation of gate-drain parasitic capacitance caused by misalignment in manufacturing process by forming a transverse compensation capacitance between a capacitance compensation portion and a scan line in an in-plane direction, and therefore the flicker in displaying of a display panel can be alleviated. In addition, being applied into a concept of “data lines reducing”, the pixel structure is capable of reducing difference of capacitance between two adjacent pixel structures due to misalignment in manufacturing process and improving display uniformity. Furthermore, a thin film transistor array substrate, a display panel, and a display apparatus applying the pixel structure are also provided.
US08089571B2
An active matrix substrate (12) includes a substrate, a TFT (24) formed on the substrate, a storage capacitor element (20) formed on the substrate, an interlayer insulating film covering the storage capacitor element (20), and a pixel electrode (21) formed on the interlayer insulating film. The storage capacitor element (20) includes a storage capacitor line (27), an insulating film formed on the storage capacitor line (27), and two or more storage capacitor electrodes (25a, 25b, 25c) opposed to the storage capacitor line (27) with the insulating film interposed therebetween. The two or more storage capacitor electrodes (25a, 25b, 25c) are electrically connected via associated contact holes (26a, 26b, 26c) formed in the interlayer insulating film to the pixel electrode (21) and electrically continuous with a drain electrode of the TFT (24).
US08089560B2
An image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a correction interval setting unit for setting a correction interval; a correction interval dividing unit for dividing the correction interval into a black side interval and a white side interval; histogram calculating units for calculating a total number of luminance histograms of the black side interval and the white side interval, respectively; gain setting units for setting gains of a γ curve for raising the luminance and a γ curve for lowering the luminance, respectively; gamma curve generating units for generating a gamma curve for raising the luminance and a gamma curve for lowering the luminance, respectively; a gamma curve combining unit for combining the gamma curve for raising the luminance and the gamma curve for lowering the luminance; and a luminance conversion unit for performing the luminance conversion process using the combined gamma curve.
US08089559B2
A method for outputting multimedia files and broadcast contents of a selected television (TV) channels on the DPF in a picture-in-picture (PIP) output mode is provided. The method includes: starting the PIP output mode when the DPF plays multimedia files under a DPF mode; defining a PIP region on the DPF; receiving broadcasts of a selected TV channel; and outputting the multimedia files and the broadcast contents of the selected TV channel in the PIP output mode. A related DPF is also provided.
US08089552B2
A temperature sensor is provided backward an imaging device. A temperature of the imaging device is always detected when a through image is displayed and result of measurement is output to an MPU. The MPU compares a temperature t input from the temperature sensor with a predetermined threshold value tc. When the temperature t of the imaging device becomes a value equal or higher than the predetermined threshold value tc, a warning display continues for a predetermined time, for example 15 seconds and then the through image on the backside liquid crystal display is stopped.
US08089543B2
A solid-state image pickup element includes: a semiconductor layer of a first conductivity type; a pixel area having pixels formed in a matrix form, each of the pixels including a photoelectric conversion element having a pn junction formed of the semiconductor layer of the first conductivity type and a first semiconductor region of a second conductivity type, a second semiconductor region of the first conductivity type formed on a first surface side of the semiconductor layer, and potential control wiring connected electrically to the second semiconductor region; and a pixel signal readout circuit including at least one MOS transistor formed on the first surface side of the semiconductor layer in the pixel area to have a source and a drain formed of an impurity region of the second conductivity type. Incidence of light to the photoelectric conversion element is made from a second surface side opposite to the first surface side.
US08089542B2
A CMOS imager is integrated on a single substrate along with logic and support circuitry for decoding and processing optical information received by the CMOS imager. Integrating a CMOS imager and peripheral circuitry allows for a single chip image sensing device.
US08089540B2
A method for reading data from a holographic storage medium is described. An image sensor is used for acquiring data. The holographic storage medium, which contains binary information in the form of at least one two-dimensional data page, is illuminated by means of a laser beam bundle and the retrieved data page is read out by means of the image sensor, for which purpose the latter is provided with an activatable area having a multiplicity of pixels. It achieves the object of configuring a method of this type in such a way that the read-out of the information is accelerated with a number of pixels remaining the same. For this purpose, the activatable area of the image sensor is subdivided into different regions which are in each case assigned to a region having a specific intensity of the light beam. In this case, a longer exposure time and/or a higher sensitivity are/is determined for regions assigned to regions having lower intensity than for regions assigned to regions having a higher intensity.
US08089526B2
A circuit is used to process video signal from a video sensor. The video signal includes video content signal and synchronization signals. The circuit includes a status register, a data register, and a processor. The status register provides a sampling clock signal to the data register and the video sensor. The sampling clock signal is synchronized with the synchronization signals to sample the video signal. The status register stores the synchronization signals. The data register storing the video content signal. The processor is coupled to the status register and the data register. The processor reads the video content signal from the data register according to the synchronization signals in the status register.
US08089525B2
A first white balance correction value is computed by detecting white pixels from an image. A determination is made as to whether or not a corrected image signal in the face region falls into a second color signal region surrounding a first color signal region that represents a skin color if white balance of the image signal in the face region is corrected based on the first white balance correction value. When it is determined that the corrected image signal of the face region falls into the second color signal region, a second white balance correction value for correcting the image signal is computed based on relationships between the corrected image signal of face region and the first color signal region. The computed second white balance correction value is modified based on information obtained when the image was captured.
US08089511B2
Provided is a universal joint capable of freely regulating a mounting angle of one member with respect to the other member, and an image display unit using the same. The image display unit (1) includes an image display unit main body (100) having a convex surface (101) forming a part of a specific spherical surface, and an intermediate member (200). The intermediate member (200) includes a guide member (220) having a concave surface (221) that is a curved surface corresponding to the convex surface (101) and is supposed to come into contact with the convex surface (101) when the image display unit main body (100) and the intermediate member (200) are fixed to each other, and a magnet (230) provided at a position substantially the center of the guide member (220) and capable of being fixed to the convex surface (101) by attraction. When this convex surface (101) is allowed to slide on the concave surface (221), a mounting angle of the image display unit main body (100) with respect to the intermediate member (200) can be regulated.
US08089503B2
Methods and systems of message notification and access via a video distribution network are disclosed. A method may include receiving, via an Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) network, a data stream including video content. The method may also include receiving, via the IPTV network, a notification of a message directed to a communication address associated with a subscriber. The method may also include selecting a first visual message indication based at least partially on the communication address.
US08089499B2
An exposure head, includes: a substrate that is provided with a first light emitting element, a second light emitting element that is arranged at one side of the first light emitting element in a first direction and a third light emitting element that is arranged at the one side of the second light emitting element in the first direction, the first light emitting element and the second light emitting element being arranged at a first distance from each other in the first direction, the second light emitting element and the third light emitting element being arranged at a second distance, which is different from the first distance, from each other in the first direction; and an imaging optical system that images light from the first, the second and the third light emitting elements.
US08089489B2
A method for converting a source gamut of an image to a destination gamut includes providing an imaging apparatus having a plurality of destination gamuts, determining a source gamut boundary for the source gamut of the image; selecting an appropriate destination gamut from the plurality of destination gamuts based on a desired output; mapping to the appropriate destination gamut based at least in part on the source gamut boundary; and determining a color conversion lookup table based on the mapping to the appropriate destination gamut for use in replicating the image to provide the desired output using the imaging apparatus.
US08089488B2
Graphics resources are virtualized through an interface between graphics hardware and graphics clients. The interface allocates the graphics resources across multiple graphics clients, processes commands for access to the graphics resources from the graphics clients, and resolves conflicts for the graphics resources among the clients.
US08089485B2
A method for constructing a data structure of a proximate particle search is executed by a GPU, and computes a simulation of a physical object by converting three-dimensional digital image data to two-dimensional digital image data. The memory for a bucket is composed of buckets for dividing a memory space that is created in accordance with a space in which the physical object occurs. A writing step is provided in which a scattering function (GPU: vertex shader) is used by the GPU to read a particle coordinate and the particle number of a particle stored in the bucket and write the particle coordinate and the particle number to a two-dimensional image space.
US08089480B2
A curved surface meshing method is provided. The method meshes a three-dimensional curved surface by meshing a parameter plane, mapping triangles generated on the parameter plane to triangles in a three-dimensional space to get a 3D meshed curved surface. The method may generate substantially well-proportional distributed triangles on curved surfaces of three-dimensional models of objects.
US08089475B2
A display device is provided. The display device includes a display screen having a light-transmissible display conductor extending in a predetermined plane, and at least one detection conductor extending along the predetermined plane, the at least one detection conductor having at least one base line portion formed of a conductor of a first width and a narrow line portion including a plurality of narrow-line conductors of a second width connected in parallel between the at least one base line portion.
US08089474B2
Systems and methods provide for adaptive drive signal adjustment to improve reception of a stylus signal at a location sensor. A location sensing system includes an untethered stylus comprising circuitry configured to receive a drive signal and transmit a stylus signal. The circuitry is configured to be energized by the received drive signal and includes frequency-sensitive circuitry. A location sensor includes a controller and a sensing array. The location sensor is configured to generate the drive signal and receive the stylus signal. The controller is configured to adjust a parameter of the drive signal that improves receptivity of the stylus signal by the location sensor.
US08089470B1
A touch pad module to implement user input functions to an electronic device. The touch pad module includes a sensor layer which, when used in conjunction with an insulative layer and contiguous conductive layer enable the touch pad module to sense both finger and stylus input data to the electronic device.
US08089465B2
An optical tracking system is disclosed that provides more precise tracking and better performance in an optical mouse. It involves provides a collimated laser, and imaging a reflection of the collimated laser, such that the reflection has a substantially linear phase gradient. The reflection of the laser includes a pattern of speckles due to optical interference effects. The speckles are imaged such that the substantially linear phase gradient restricts any variation in intensity of the imaging of the speckles during a translating motion of the reflection, thereby providing superior tracking performance.
US08089461B2
A system to generate a wakeup signal for a low power device: The system includes a capacitor, the capacitance of which changes when a user touches the device by placing a finger or hand near a certain location on the device. The capacitor is cyclically charged to a pre-established value and then discharged. The time required to charge and discharge the capacitor is a function of the capacitor size and thus, a function of whether or not the operator is touching the device. The number of charge-discharge cycles that occur in a certain period of time is counted. If the number is relatively small, it indicated that a user is touching the device and a wake signal is generated. If the number is relatively large, it means that the user is not touching the device and no wake signal is generated. Thus, in the embodiments shown, a wake signal is generated when the operator touches the device.
US08089457B2
An image operating device which is inexpensive and capable of allowing a user to understand to what extent an image operation of movement, enlargement and reduction, rotation or the like is performed on an image. The image operating device that performs an operation on a display image comprises: an image display section (14) for displaying an image on a screen; an image operating section (13) for performing a predetermined image operation on the image displayed on the image display section (14); a position designating section (12) for designating a first point which is any point on the screen by means of a single-point input device and for further designating a position, on the screen, to where the first point is to be moved as a result of the image operation performed by the image operating section (13); and a pointer display section for displaying a first pointer image at the position designated by the position designating section (12), and for further displaying a second pointer image at a position symmetrical to the first pointer image with respect to a center point of rotation and/or enlargement and reduction when the image operation of rotation and/or enlargement and reduction is performed by the image operating section.
US08089456B2
A method for inputting commands to a holographic input system, includes the steps of generating a virtual image of an input device by illuminating a hologram of the input device by means of a corresponding reference beam, the hologram being prerecorded on a holographic support; optically detecting a position of at least one actuator for operating the input device with respect to the virtual image of the input device; and issuing at least one command signal corresponding to the position of that at least one actuator as optically detected. The optical detection operation further includes providing at least one actuation hologram corresponding to the at least one actuator being placed at a specified position with respect to the virtual image of the input device, illuminating the at least one actuator with a beam, in order to obtain scattering into a corresponding object beam interacting with one actuation hologram through the corresponding object beam; generating a respective actuation detection beam through the interaction; and detecting the respective actuation detection beam to issue the command signal.
US08089453B2
Novel addressing schemes for controlling electronically addressable displays include a scheme for rear-addressing displays, which allows for in-plane switching of the display material. Other schemes include a rear-addressing scheme which uses a retroreflecting surface to enable greater viewing angle and contrast. Another scheme includes an electrode structure that facilitates manufacture and control of a color display. Another electrode structure facilitates addressing a display using an electrostatic stylus. Methods of using the disclosed electrode structures are also disclosed. Another scheme includes devices combining display materials with silicon transistor addressing structures.
US08089449B2
Provided is a liquid crystal display apparatus capable of stopping the brightness control of a back light source on the featuring quantity of an input video signal, in case a multi-plane display was performed. The liquid crystal display apparatus comprises a liquid crystal panel (6) for displaying a picture, a light source for irradiating the liquid crystal panel (6), a backlight unit (7) for controlling the light source, a two-plane control unit (3), and a brightness control unit (4). In accordance with the featuring quantity of the input video signal, the brightness control unit (4) performs the control of the emitting brightness of the back light source, upon the backlight unit (7). In case it is decided by a notice from the two-plane control unit (3) that the display mode for displaying a plurality of planes was selected, the brightness control unit (4) controls the backlight unit (7), so that the emitting brightness of the back light source may be kept constant irrespective of the featuring quantity of the input video signal.
US08089444B2
A display device including a display panel having a plurality of data lines and a plurality of gate lines disposed cross-wisely, a timing controller, the timing controller including a data comparing and blank time detecting device comparing whether current data and previous data are same and detecting a blank time in which no data inputs to generate a flag signal for indicating the blank time and a data keeping time in which a data same with the previous data is inputted, a memory control signal generator generating a memory clock, and stopping the generation of the memory clock when the flag signal is generated, a memory which is operated by the memory clock intermittently by the flag signal, and a data synchronizer delaying the data in time for treating operation of the data comparing and blank time detecting device and the memory control signal generator to synchronize the data inputted to the memory with the memory clock, and a data drive circuit converting data from the memory into a data voltage and supplying to the data lines, and a gate drive circuit supplying a scan pulse to the gate lines.
US08089434B2
A sheet in an electronic display is composed of a substrate containing an array of wire electrodes. The wire electrodes are preferably electrically connected to patterned transparent conductive electrode lines. The wire electrodes are used to carry the bulk of the current. The wire electrodes are capable of being extended away from the substrate and connected directly to the printed circuit board. The transparent conductive electrode (TCE) is used to spread the charge or voltage from the wire electrode across the pixel. It is a patterned film and must be at least 50% transparent, and, for most applications, is preferably over 90% transparent. In most display applications, the electroded surface of the electroded sheet has to be flattened. Use of a thin polymer substrate yields a light, flexible, rugged sheet that may be curved, bent or rolled.
US08089433B2
The disclosed embodiments relate to a system and method of enhancing a contrast ratio of a display device. An exemplary method comprises determining a quantity of pixels in a frame of video data having a predetermined level of blackness, comparing the quantity of pixels to a reference value, and modulating an illumination signal based on a quantity of pixels exceeding the reference value.
US08089418B2
An antenna structure that includes a magnetic film coated on a textured backside of an antenna substrate to reduce the size of antenna from an average size of the antenna for a predetermined frequency band.
US08089412B2
There is provided with an antenna device includes a conductive ground plane; an antenna including a radiating element; at least one variable capacitor having one end connected to the conductive ground plane; a plurality of switch elements having one ends connected to the other end of said at least one variable capacitor and other ends connected to the antenna at different locations; a switch controlling unit configured to control an ON/OFF state of each of the switch elements; and a capacitor controlling unit configured to control a capacitance of said at least one variable capacitor.
US08089408B2
Methods and apparatus are described for a navigation system. A process includes providing a plurality of transmitters distributed throughout a desired coverage area; locking the plurality of transmitters to a common timing reference; transmitting a signal from each of the plurality of transmitters. An apparatus includes a plurality of transmitters distributed throughout a desired coverage area; wherein each of the plurality of transmitters comprises a packet generator; and wherein the plurality of transmitters are locked to a common timing reference.
US08089400B1
Network designs and techniques for using a navigation satellite positioning system to operate a femto cell base station in a wireless network.
US08089399B2
This disclosure describes a system and method for refining a WLAN-PS estimated location using satellite measurements. In some embodiments, the disclosure relates to a method of determining the location of a WLAN and satellite enabled device by using two or more satellite measurements to refine an initial WLAN based location determination. The method can include estimating a position of the WLAN and satellite enabled device using a WLAN positioning system, gathering satellite location measurements from at least two satellites, determining an uncertainty area around the WLAN location estimate based on the expected error of the WLAN location estimate, wherein the uncertainty area has a plurality of possible location solutions, and determining the device location estimate inside the WLAN location uncertainty that best satisfies the satellite measurements.
US08089396B2
Herewith disclosed a method for volume visualization in ultra-wideband radar and a system thereof. The method comprises perceiving processing provided in order to facilitate a meaningful representation and/or an instant understanding of the image to be displayed, said perceiving processing resulted in generating one or more perceiving image ingredients. The perceiving image ingredient may be, for example, a shadow added to the reconstructed image, a position-dependent color scheme applied to the reconstructed image, a color scheme adapted to external lighting conditions and applied to the reconstructed image, a Halo artificially added to the reconstructed image, a distinctive color scheme applied to time-invariant and time-variant elements of the reconstructed image, etc.
US08089393B2
An exemplary system and method are for tracking a target in a decentralised network having a plurality of sensing nodes. Each node makes observations of a target, performs a multiple models tracking algorithm based on the observations, and updates tracking information stored therein. Each node communicates the updated track information to selected other nodes in the network. In response to receiving track information from another node, each node fuses the receiving track information with local track information.
US08089387B2
Systems, methods, and devices for obtaining data from a data location. The method may include generating a first value by sensing a data location under a first condition and generating a second value by sensing the data location under a second condition. The method may further include combining the first value with the second value to identify data conveyed by the data location.
US08089385B2
A D/A conversion circuit in accordance with the present invention, which is provided with a switch swD, allows a writing operation of a voltage (a true gradation voltage) to be performed at a higher speed by first applying a first voltage (a voltage close to the true gradation voltage), which is supplied without passing through a resistor element, to an output line and then applying a second voltage (the true gradation voltage), which is supplied via the resistor element, to the output line. Thus, the present invention can provide a D/A conversion circuit capable of writing display data to liquid crystal cells with higher precision at higher speed, and a semiconductor device utilizing such a D/A conversion circuit.
US08089384B1
A multi-mode digital-to-analog converter (DAC) configured to operate in a plurality of modes.
US08089378B1
Some of the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method of transferring data from a fast clock domain associated with a fast clock signal to a slow clock domain associated with a slow clock signal, the method comprising receiving first fast data from the fast clock domain during a first fast clock cycle, wherein the first fast clock cycle is a first full fast clock cycle in a first slow clock cycle; and propagating, during the first full fast clock cycle in the first slow clock cycle, the received first fast data to the slow clock domain. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.
US08089376B2
An RFID keyboard comprising a base with a first antenna and; keys with secondary antennas wherein a key is normally in a first position such that the resonant frequency is away from an interrogation frequency and no signal for the key is detected and wherein when the key is depressed, the secondary antenna for the key and the first antenna become adjacent such that the resonant frequency shifts such that information identifying the key is transferred.
US08089374B2
A signal is described that includes one or more LEDs that emit light and a lens that receives and collimates the light from the LED array. A distribution optic receives light from the collimating lens and distributes the light in a predetermined pattern according to a specification. A light absorbing/reflecting element is located in an area proximate the one or more LEDs to minimize light received from an external source from exiting the signal.
US08089367B2
An air monitoring apparatus includes, in an exemplary embodiment, a housing having at least one fluid passage to permit a fluid to enter the housing, and a constituent detection device positioned in the housing. The detection device includes at least one electrode, a power supply electrically coupled to the at least on electrode, and a logic circuit electrically coupled to the power supply. The logic circuit is configured to detect a change in at least one of impedance magnitude and a phase shift angle magnitude over a range of frequencies when the detection device contacts at least one fluid constituent contained in the fluid flowing into the cartridge through the at least one fluid passage, or when the detection device contacts at least one constituent in a solid whose chemical and/or material properties change as a function of fluid flowing into the housing through the at least one fluid passage.
US08089366B2
To enable an air velocity of sampling air to be precisely measured, a smoke detector (S) includes: a smoke detection part (22) connected to a sampling pipe (11); a fan (12) that sucks sampling air (SA) into the sampling pipe; and an air velocity sensor (15) that measures an air velocity of the sampling air within the sampling pipe. The air velocity sensor (15) is disposed at a primary side of the fan (12), and a straightening vane (25) is disposed between the air velocity sensor (15) and a suction port (12a) of the fan (12).
US08089363B2
Method and system for providing a fault tolerant data receiver unit configured with a partitioned or separate processing units, each configured to perform a predetermined and/or specific processing associated with the one or more substantially non-overlapping functions of the data monitoring and management system is provided.
US08089359B2
Systems and apparatus for a security device for an article having a constrained elongate member are disclosed.
US08089354B2
The present invention provides a solution to backhauling health information. The present invention utilizes a mesh network to backhaul the health information. The system includes a plurality of first tags, a mesh network, and an information engine. Each of the tags represents a first object. The mesh network preferably includes a plurality of plug-in sensors located within the facility. At least one node in the mesh network operates as healthcare device. The information engine is in communication with the mesh network and determines a position location of the healthcare device and an operation of the healthcare device.
US08089352B2
Provided are a control apparatus and method. The control apparatus includes: a measurement module which measures a motion of the control apparatus due to an external force; and a signal generation module which generates a signal corresponding to the measured motion, wherein the signal is transmitted to a display device to adjust a state of the display device according to the signal.
US08089350B2
One embodiment of the present application includes a vehicle illumination system. The vehicle illumination system comprises an input keypad configured to receive at least one input provided by a user. The vehicle illumination system also comprises a controller configured to receive input commands provided by the input keypad and to sequentially control a state of a plurality of output device drivers corresponding to a respective plurality of vehicle lamps. The vehicle illumination system also comprises mean for reducing or eliminating undesired LED illumination. The vehicle illumination system further comprises overvoltage protection circuitry configured to continuously monitor an electrical signal associated with each of the plurality of output device drivers relative to respective over-current condition thresholds and a summation over-current condition threshold. The summation over-current threshold can be less than a sum of the respective over-current condition thresholds associated with each of the plurality of outputs.
US08089343B2
A smart entry system includes a vehicle-side unit and a plurality of portable devices. Each of the portable devices has a discrimination code different from each other. When a first portable device is locked in a vehicle compartment, the discrimination code of the first portable device is stored in the vehicle-side unit. When the vehicle is parked in a state where all of the doors are locked, the vehicle-side unit transmits a request signal to an exterior communication area provided at an outside of the vehicle, and when the vehicle-side unit receives a response signal from a second portable device and the discrimination code of the second portable device is different from the discrimination code of the first portable device stored in the vehicle-side unit, the vehicle-side unit permits an unlock of the doors of the vehicle.
US08089334B2
An inductor device is described. The inductor device includes a core comprising two core sections, at least one gap defined between the two core sections, and at least one cast coil and fringe shield assembly. The at least one cast coil and fringe shield assembly includes a conductor winding and a fringe shield sealed within an insulator. The at least one cast coil and fringe shield assembly is configured to at least partially surround portions of the two core sections.
US08089330B2
The present invention provides a novel direct current thyristor valve saturated reactor includes: case, winding in the case, iron cores, cooling fins, pipes and press fit mechanism. The iron cores are coupled with winding. The invention having the following advantages: simple, modular design, low connection capacity of the wingding, fixed dimension, winding and irons well-cooled, small noise and vibration. The saturated reactor is particularly suitable used as the positive saturated reactor for high voltage current thyristor valve.
US08089328B2
The invention relates to an electronic switching device for high-frequency signals. The invention is of particular use in the connection between a microwave frequency antenna and an electronic circuit. This circuit comprises one or two access points designed to be connected to the antenna forming a third access point. In the case of a switch between one access point and the antenna (called an SPST switch), it comprises two switching diodes, one, called a serial diode, being connected in series between the access points and the other, called a shunt diode, between one of the access points and an earth of the device. According to the invention, a first transmission line is placed in series with the shunt diode, a second transmission line is placed in series with the serial diode, a third transmission line is placed at the common point of the first transmission line and of the shunt diode, a fourth transmission line is placed at the first access point, and a fifth transmission line is placed at the second access point. For a switch with three access points, two other diodes and four other transmission lines are added in a symmetrical manner relative to those already described. It is possible to obtain adapted lines having lengths much shorter than λ/4, which makes it possible to improve the compactness of the device while increasing its bandwidth.
US08089326B2
The invention discloses a PVT-independent current-controlled oscillator, including a PV-controller, a current-controlled oscillator and a T-controller. The current-controlled oscillator is coupled to the PV-controller and outputs an oscillation frequency. The T-controller is coupled to the PV-controller and the current-controlled oscillator, providing a total current to be shared by the PV-controller and the current-controlled oscillator, wherein the PV-controller decreases the shared current of the current-controlled oscillator by increasing the shared current of the PV-controller if the oscillation frequency is higher than a predetermined frequency due to a process variation of the current-controlled oscillator, and increases the shared current of the current-controlled oscillator by decreasing the shared current of the PV-controller if the oscillation frequency is lower than the predetermined frequency due to the process variation of the current-controlled oscillator, thereby dynamically adjusting the oscillation frequency.
US08089324B2
The fundamental breakthrough in green technology are the Varactor Free Amplitude Controlled Oscillator VFACO and the planar EMI-Free Planar Inductor. The VFACO makes the fine tune for oscillation frequency. It has the frequency compensation over temperature. It doesn't have the VCO self-modulation-induced phase noise. It is phase-noiseless. It is high-Q and high stability. It increases the communication capacity. The EMI-Free Planar Inductor is the backbone of the platform of green technology. The platform of green technology contains the Xtaless ClockChip, Inductorless PMU & PA and ESDS-PCB to provide the green technology for green chip design. Especially for the 4th generation wireless communication, the Inductorless PMU & PA are the most important green technology. The Xtaless ClockChip adopts the most advanced self-compensation Amplitude controller. The ESDS-PCB has the minimum Via assignment algorithm to make the optimum pin assignment for the platform of green technology. The self-compensation Amplitude controller is so powerful that the Xtaless ClockChip is trimless and/or trimfree Xtaless ClockChip. It is plastic-packageable and IP-able Xtaless ClockChip that it is the only market-ready-product Xtaless ClockChip.
US08089320B2
In one embodiment, the differential amplifier (DA) includes a first inverter inverting a first input signal and outputting the inverted first input signal to a current supply controller and a current drain controller. A second inverter inverts the first input signal and outputs the inverted first input signal as an output signal of the DA. The current supply controller supplies current to the first and second inverters in response to the inverted first input signal output from the first inverter during a first period. The current drain controller drains current from the first and second inverters in response to the inverted first input signal output from the first inverter during a second period. The output signal of the DA and the first input signal have differential phases with respect to each other and oscillate between logic high and low levels during the first period and the second period.
US08089317B2
A phase-locked loop circuit includes a phase detection unit, a loop filter unit including a series circuit of a resistor and a capacitor, first and second pulse-current output units which supply differential and single-end pulse currents corresponding to phase information to the resistor and capacitor, an oscillating unit which varies an oscillation frequency in accordance with a voltage generated at the resistor and capacitor, and a calibration unit which obtains information of an oscillation gain in actual operation and corrects an operation of the oscillating unit on the basis of a difference between the oscillation gain in actual operation and a target oscillation gain. The oscillation gain in actual operation represents a characteristic of oscillation frequency versus input signal of the oscillating unit and is obtained using predetermined oscillation control signals on the basis of a difference between actual oscillation frequencies under the oscillation control signals.
US08089313B2
An adaptive bias power amplifier including an amplifier, a signal coupler, a power detector and a bias control circuit is provided. The signal coupler is connected to an input terminal of the amplifier. The power detector is connected to the signal coupler, and detects an input power of the amplifier via the signal coupler. The bias control circuit is connected to an output terminal of the power detector and the input terminal of the amplifier. The bias control circuit adjusts a gate bias of the amplifier in accordance with a detecting result of the power detector.
US08089311B2
A signal amplifier including a transformer with a primary winding and a secondary winding, an oscillator circuit driven by an input signal establishing in the primary winding an oscillating signal amplified by the secondary, and a rectifier circuit responsive to the secondary winding configured to convert the amplified oscillating signal to an amplified version of the input signal.
US08089307B2
A phase-locked loop arranged to generate an output signal having a first frequency that is a static value times the frequency of a reference signal, the phase-locked loop comprising a signal generator arranged to generate the output signal, a divider arranged to receive the output signal and divide the output signal to form a feedback signal, the divider being arranged to vary the divisor by which the output signal is divided to cause the output signal to have a frequency that is said static value times the frequency of the reference signal, a comparison unit arranged to compare the feedback signal with the reference signal, one or more current generators arranged to output current pulses in dependence on said comparison, a summation unit arranged to receive the current pulses output by the current generator(s) and form a single current pulse therefrom and a loop filter arranged to filter the single current pulse to form a control signal for controlling the signal generator, the phase-locked loop being arranged such that the current generator(s) generate(s) a first current pulse dependent on a phase-difference between the feedback signal and the reference signal and a second current pulse whose magnitude and sign are dependent on an error in the feedback signal that is caused by the variation of the divisor, and the summation unit receives the first and second current pulses and stores an electrical charge representative of those current pulses and the summation unit outputs a single current pulse dependent on the electrical charge stored by the summation unit, said single current pulse being representative of a phase-difference that would have existed between the reference signal and the feedback signal if the feedback signal had been formed by dividing the output signal by said static value and not by the varied divisor.
US08089297B2
The present invention discloses a structure and method for determining a defect in integrated circuit manufacturing process, wherein the structure comprises a plurality of normal active areas formed in a plurality of first arrays and a plurality of defective active areas formed in a plurality of second arrays. The first arrays and second arrays are interlaced, and the defect is determined by monitoring a voltage contrast from a charged particle microscope image of the active areas.
US08089293B2
A test and measurement instrument including a port including a plurality of connections; an impedance sense circuit configured to sense an impedance coupled to a connection of the plurality of connections; and a controller configured to setup the test and measurement instrument in response to a sensed impedance from the impedance sense circuit.
US08089291B2
A junction-current probe is provided which can measure a current flowing in a junction port adapted to connect a circuit board or an electronic apparatus to a chassis under the condition that the circuit board or electronic apparatus is packaged to the chassis. Structurally, the current probe has a circular or rectangular insulator having a hole in the center, a coiled conductor wire for converting linkage flux into voltage, an insulating member for preventing the insulator from making electrical contact with surroundings, an extraction lead for connecting opposite ends of the conductor wire to a cable and the cable for connection to a measurement unit. The current probe is reduced in thickness within in a range in which the condition of packaging to the chassis can remain unchanged.
US08089289B1
A capacitive sensor includes a switching capacitor circuit, a comparator, and a charge dissipation circuit. The switching capacitor circuit reciprocally couples a sensing capacitor in series with a modulation capacitor during a first switching phase and discharges the sensing capacitor during a second switching phase. The comparator is coupled to compare a voltage potential on the modulation capacitor to a reference and to generate a modulation signal in response. The charge dissipation circuit is coupled to the modulation capacitor to selectively discharge the modulation capacitor in response to the modulation signal.
US08089275B2
A sensor arrangement has a sensor array (SA) with a first, a second, and a third sensor focus (SSP1, SSP2, SSP3), which are located along a main linear direction (L) and in which the third sensor focus (SSP3) is located in the middle between the first and second sensor foci (SSP1, SSP2). Individual sensor devices (SM1, SM2, SM3) with magnetic field sensors that provide a first, second, and third set of sensor signals are correlated with the sensor foci (SSP1, SSP2, SSP3). A first and a second channel signal (CH1, CH2) are derived as a function of the sets of sensor signals in a processing device (PRC) via a first and a second combination device (K1, K2). An evaluation unit (EV) is configured to derive a phase angle as a function of the channel signals (CH1, CH2).
US08089274B2
The present invention relates to a method for evaluating the SOI wafer in a method for evaluating an SOI wafer in which a sheet resistance of a buried diffusion layer of an SOI wafer that has at least an SOI layer on an insulator layer and has a buried diffusion layer whose impurity concentration is higher than other region of the SOI layer in an interface area with the insulator layer of the SOI layer is evaluated, the method including the steps of measuring a sheet resistance of the whole SOI layer or the whole SOI wafer, and estimating the sheet resistance of the buried diffusion layer by assuming respective layers that compose the SOI wafer to be resistors connected in parallel and converting the measured result of the sheet resistance measurement. As a result of this, there is provided a method for evaluating the SOI wafer that can directly measure the SOI wafer itself to be the product to thereby evaluate the sheet resistance of the buried diffusion layer thereof, without fabricating a monitor wafer.
US08089265B2
By subdividing the free layer of a GMR/TMR device into multiple sub-elements that share common top and bottom electrodes, a magnetic detector is produced that is domain stable in the presence of large stray fields, thereby eliminating the need for longitudinal bias magnets. Said detector may be used to measure electric currents without being affected by local temperature fluctuations and/or stray fields.
US08089262B2
An apparatus for shaping a varying input voltage signal received at an input locus to effect a desired varying output voltage signal at an output locus includes: (a) at least one energy transferring unit coupled with the input locus and with the output locus; and (b) at least one energy storing unit coupled with the at least one energy transferring unit. The at least one energy transferring unit presents at least one predetermined range of the input voltage signal at the output locus. The at least one energy transferring unit cooperates with the at least one energy storing unit to store energy in the at least one energy storing unit and to present energy from the at least one energy storing unit at the output locus when the input voltage signal is not presented at the output locus.
US08089256B2
A method of passive current balancing for digital control of multiphase DC-DC converters is provided based upon the duty-cycle matching principle. Current balance is achieved by inserting a digital filter into the control path. Being sensorless, it is insensitive to current measurement inaccuracies caused by noise, component value tolerance or variation. It will be shown that effective current balancing can be achieved via some simple modifications to standard voltage mode control laws, allowing current balancing to be achieved with minor additional complexity. The current share scheme has been shown to perform well dynamically, matching currents cycle by cycle during load steps, and clearly benefiting from the absence of the slow current share loop popular in traditional methods. The current share filter proposed, blends well with existing digital controllers. Given the very low complexity in implementing the filter, the degree of matching achieved is exceptional.
US08089239B2
A method and apparatus for determining speed of a stepper motor. In one embodiment of the method, a first terminal of a first coil of the stepper motor is coupled to an input of a multibit digital-to-analog (A/D) convertor. The stepper motor's a rotor is rotated about an axis while the first terminal is coupled to the multibit A/D convertor. An analog signal is induced at the first terminal generating while the rotor is rotating about the axis. The multibit A/D convertor receives the analog signal induced at the first terminal. The multibit A/D convertor generates a plurality of multibit digital signals in response to receiving the analog signal. The multibit digital signals can be processed to determine the rotational speed at which the rotor was rotating when the A/D convertor generated the plurality of multibit digital signals.
US08089237B2
A method for controlling an opening leaf of a vehicle. The method detects whether a predetermined event is occurring in the absence of a predetermined situation likenable to a trapping incident and, if appropriate, lowers a function of detecting the situation likenable to a trapping incident.
US08089236B2
A computer-based method for adjusting pulse width modulation (PWM) signals according to temperatures of one or more computer components includes setting a frequency formula for a fan in a computer. The method further includes reading current temperatures of one or more components in the computer from a temperature measuring device. Furthermore, the method includes computing a frequency according to the frequency formula and the current temperatures, and sending the computed frequency to a PWM signal manager for generating an adjustment PWM signal to control the rotational speed of the fan in the computer.
US08089219B2
In accordance with the present invention, the SMPS circuit for PDP includes first and second transformers inducing voltages supplied to primary sides to secondary sides; a plurality of DC/DC converters connected to secondary sides of the first and second transformers and supplying voltages of different sizes; a clamp circuit connected to the secondary side of the first transformer and outputting an address voltage of a predetermined size by receiving a voltage supplied from the first transformer; and a linear regulator unit connected to the DC/DC converter for supplying a low voltage among the DC/DC converters connected to the secondary side of the first transformer and outputting a gate voltage of a predetermined size by receiving the low voltage supplied from the DC/DC converter.
US08089217B2
A light-emitting device capable of being powered by an AC power supply or an unregulated DC power supply is disclosed. The light-emitting device, in an aspect, is coupled to a controller, a light-emitting diode (“LED”) array, and a power supply, wherein the power supply can be an AC power source or an unregulated DC power source. While the power supply provides electrical power, the controller generates various LED control signals in response to power fluctuation of the electrical power. The LED array allows at least a portion of LEDs to be activated in accordance with the logic states of the LED control signals.
US08089214B2
A driving method for a discharge lamp that lights by performing discharge between two electrodes while alternately switching a polarity of a voltage applied between the two electrodes includes: modulating an anode duty ratio, which is a ratio of an anode time for which one of the electrodes operates as an anode in one period of the polarity switching, within a predetermined range; and changing the predetermined range to make a maximum value of the modulated anode duty ratio higher than a maximum value of an initial anode duty ratio of the discharge lamp when a predetermined condition is satisfied.
US08089201B2
A contour resonator reducing fluctuation of resonance frequency due to variety of a film thickness of an excitation electrode is provided. A counter resonator includes a quartz substrate and excitation electrodes respectively formed on front and back surfaces of the quartz substrate. There is a range where a frequency sensitivity with respect to an electrode film thickness is smaller than that in related art when a ratio Fe/Fb between a contour vibration frequency Fe of the excitation electrodes and a contour vibration frequency Fb of the substrate is larger than 0.69. That is, fluctuation of the contour vibration frequency with respect to variety of the electrode film thickness can be made small substantially.
US08089200B2
An exemplary piezoelectric device includes a piezoelectric vibrating piece, on which excitation electrodes are formed, and a piezoelectric frame having a frame portion surrounding the piezoelectric vibrating piece. A plate (e.g., lid or base) is bonded to one surface of the frame portion. Fitting members are provided on both the frame and the plate. When the piezoelectric frame and plate are brought together for assembly, the fitting members fit together (e.g., interdigitate) to provide quick and error-free alignment. Then, the fitting members are bonded together by a bonding material.
US08089193B2
An alternator for generating electric power is mounted on an automotive vehicle. The alternator includes a housing, a stator fixed in the housing, a rotor driven by an engine of the automotive vehicle, and electric components such as a brush holder. The brush holder is mounted on a rear surface of a rear frame constituting the housing and is covered with a rear cover fixed to the rear frame. The rear cover includes a surrounding wall covering the brush device to prevent water from reaching a brush area. The surrounding wall is composed of plural partial walls having respective radiuses from a rotational axis of the rotor. The surrounding wall may be continuously made by the partial walls. Alternatively, openings for draining water may be formed in the partial walls positioned downward of the rotational axis of the rotor.
US08089186B2
A spindle motor is provided. The spindle motor includes a base, a bearing housing, a bearing, a rotation shaft, a stator, a bushing, and a rotor. The bearing housing is installed on the base. The bearing is fixed inside the bearing housing. The rotation shaft is installed to be supported by and rotate on the bearing. The stator is disposed around the bearing housing. The bushing is coupled to the rotation shaft. The rotor is coupled to the bushing to rotate through interaction with the stator.
US08089185B2
An actuator having an output axis which is moved linearly by a rotatory force, and a boss for holding the above-mentioned output axis in such a way that the output axis can move linearly includes a connecting member for propagating the linear motion of the above-mentioned output axis to an external device. The above-mentioned connecting member is comprised of a joint connected to the above-mentioned output axis, and a link plate having an end rotatably connected to the above-mentioned joint, and another end rotatably connected to the external device. A mechanism for preventing rotation of the above-mentioned output axis is constructed of only a connecting portion for connecting the above-mentioned joint, the above-mentioned link plate, and the above-mentioned external device to one another.
US08089168B2
A tire actuated generator for use on a car has a pair of wheels making contact with the rear tire. One wheel from the pair of wheels is at the leading side of the tire. One wheel from the pair of wheels is at the trailing side of the tire. Each of the wheels is directly connected to a generator. In a preferred embodiment, each of the wheels are also frictionally coupled to an other wheel, the other wheel being connected to a generator.
US08089159B1
The present invention is related to a semiconductor package and method for fabricating the same wherein the semiconductor package includes a die pad having a semiconductor die mounted thereto, and two or more sets of leads or I/O pads which extend at least partially about the die pad in spaced relation thereto and to each other. The formation of the die pad and the leads of the leadframe are facilitated by the completion of multiple plating and chemical etching processes in a prescribed sequence. The present invention is further related to a semiconductor package and method for fabricating the same wherein the semiconductor package includes a semiconductor die electrically connected a plurality of leads or I/O pads via a flip chip type connection, each of the leads being formed by the completion of multiple plating and chemical etching processes in a prescribed sequence.
US08089157B2
A contact metallurgy structure comprising a patterned dielectric layer having vias on a substrate; a silicide layer of cobalt and/or nickel located at the bottom of vias; a contact layer comprising Ti located in vias on top of the silicide layer; a diffusion layer located in vias and on top of the contact layer; a metal fill layer in vias is provided along with a method of fabrication. The metal fill layer comprises at least one member selected from the group consisting of copper, ruthenium, rhodium platinum, palladium, iridium, rhenium, tungsten, gold, silver and osmium and alloys thereof. When the metal fill layer comprises rhodium, the diffusion layer is not required. Optionally a seed layer for the metal fill layer can be employed.
US08089156B2
The bump electrode 100 of the present invention has a structure in which dummy metals 111 are provided in the uppermost layer portion of a silicon 101 between a pad-form wiring metal 102 and a wiring metal 103 such that an edge of each dummy metal and an edge of the barrier metal 107 are not aligned in a line, and a lot of interfaces are formed between the dummy metals 111 and an interlayer film 140, and therefore expansion of a crack generated due to bump stress concentrated on the under-edge portion 109 below the barrier metal 107 between the pad-form wiring metal 102 and the wiring metal 103 is suppressed.
US08089154B2
It is an object of the present invention to provide a technology for forming an ULSI fine copper wiring by a simpler method. An electronic component in which a thin alloy film of tungsten and a noble metal used as a barrier-seed layer for an ULSI fine copper wiring is formed on a base material, wherein the thin alloy film has a composition comprising tungsten at a ratio equal to or greater than 50 at. % and the noble metal at a ratio of equal to or greater than 5 at. % and equal to or less than 50 at. %. The noble metal is preferably one or more kinds of metals selected from the group consisting of ruthenium, rhodium, and iridium.
US08089150B2
A structurally robust power switching assembly, comprising a first rigid structural unit that defines a first unit major surface that is patterned to define a plurality of mutually electrically isolated, electrically conductive paths. Also, a similar, second rigid structural unit is spaced apart from the first unit major surface. Finally, a transistor is interposed between and electrically connected to the first unit major surface and the second unit major surface.
US08089141B1
A semiconductor package including a leadframe which has one or more anchor pads formed on and/or defined by the die pad thereof. Such anchor pad(s) may be provided in any one of a multiplicity of different pad shapes, and are adapted to satisfy the required mechanical anchoring and thermal dissipation thresholds for the package, while still enabling high density circuit routing on the printed circuit board under the package. The leadframe of the semiconductor package further includes a plurality of leads which are segregated into at least two sets, with the leads of each set extending along and in spaced relation to respective ones of the peripheral edge segments defined by the die pad. Connected to the top surface of the die pad is at least one semiconductor die which is electrically connected to at least some of the leads of each set by conductive wires. The semiconductor die, the wires, and portions of the die pad and leads are encapsulated by a package body, the bottom surfaces of the anchor pads of the die pad and the bottom surfaces of the leads being exposed in or on a common exterior surface of the package body.
US08089137B2
A memory device includes a diode driver and a data storage element, such as an element comprising phase change memory material, and in which the diode driver comprises a silicide element on a silicon substrate with a single crystal silicon node on the silicide element. The silicide element separates the single crystal silicon node from the underlying silicon substrate, preventing the flow of carriers from the single crystal silicon node into the substrate, and is capable of acting as a conductive element for interconnecting devices on the device. The single crystal silicon node acts as one terminal of a diode, and a second semiconductor node is formed on top of it, acting as the other terminal of the diode.
US08089130B2
The present invention, in one aspect, provides an integrated circuit that comprises a first region of transistors having gate structures with a low dopant concentration, and a second region of transistors having gate structures with a dopant concentration substantially higher than the gate structures of the first region, and wherein the transistors in the first region comprise a substantial portion of the integrated circuit. The transistors may include a resistor region located between an upper portion of the gate and the gate dielectric.
US08089128B2
A transistor gate forming method includes forming a first and a second transistor gate. Each of the two gates includes a lower metal layer and an upper metal layer. The lower metal layer of the first gate originates from an as-deposited material exhibiting a work function the same as exhibited in an as-deposited material from which the lower metal layer of the second gate originates. However, the first gate's lower metal layer exhibits a modified work function different from a work function exhibited by the second gate's lower metal layer. The first gate's lower metal layer may contain less oxygen and/or carbon in comparison to the second gate's lower metal layer. The first gate's lower metal layer may contain more nitrogen in comparison to the second gate's lower metal layer. The first gate may be a n-channel gate and the second gate may be a p-channel gate.
US08089126B2
Methods and structures for improving substrate loss and linearity in SOI substrates. The methods include forming damaged crystal structure regions under the buried oxide layer of SOI substrates and the structures included damaged crystal structure regions under the buried oxide layer of the SOI substrate.
US08089117B2
A desired property for a metal gate electrode layer is that it can cover a three-dimensional semiconductor structure having a microstructure with high step coverage. Another desired property for the metal gate electrode layer is that the surface of a deposited electrode layer is flat on a nanometer scale, enables a dielectric layer for electrical insulation to be coated without performing special planization after deposition of the electrode layer. Furthermore, another desired property for the metal gate electrode layer is that it has the similar etching workability to materials used in an ordinary semiconductor manufacturing process. Furthermore, another desired property for the metal gate electrode layer is that it has a structure in which diffusion of impurity is suppressed due to homogeneity thereof and the absence of grain boundaries. It was found that an amorphous metal electrode is most suitable for realizing the metal gate electrode layer satisfying the above-mentioned properties and thereby the present invention was achieved.
US08089108B2
Memory cells are constructed from double-gated four terminal transistors having independent gate control. DRAM cells may use one, two or three transistors. Single transistor cells are constructed either with or without a bit storage capacitor, and both NAND- and NOR-type Non-Volatile NVRAM cells, as well as Ferroelectric FeRAM cells, are described. For all cells, top gates provide conventional access while independent bottom gates provide control to optimize memory retention for given speed and power parameters as well as to accommodate hardening against radiation. In a single transistor cell without a capacitor, use of the bottom gate allows packing to a density approaching 2 F2. The memory cells are compatible with SOI logic circuitry for use as embedded RAM in SOC applications.
US08089101B2
A semiconductor device includes a substrate portion having a plurality of diffusion regions defined therein. A gate electrode level region is formed above the substrate portion to include conductive features defined to extend in only a first parallel direction. Adjacent ones of the conductive features that share a common line of extent in the first parallel direction are fabricated from respective originating layout features that are separated from each other by an end-to-end spacing having a substantially equal and minimum size across the gate electrode level region. A width of the conductive features is less than a wavelength of light used in a photolithography process for their fabrication. Some of the conductive features extend over the plurality of diffusion regions to form PMOS or NMOS transistor devices. A number of the PMOS transistor devices is equal to a number of the NMOS transistor devices in the gate electrode level region.
US08089099B2
A restricted layout region includes a diffusion level layout including a number of diffusion region layout shapes to be formed within a substrate portion of a semiconductor device. The diffusion region layout shapes define at least one p-type diffusion region and at least one n-type diffusion region. A gate electrode level layout is defined above the substrate portion to include linear-shaped layout features placed to extend in only a first parallel direction. Adjacent linear-shaped layout features that share a common line of extent in the first parallel direction are separated from each other by an end-to-end spacing that is substantially equal across the gate electrode level layout and that is minimized to an extent allowed by a semiconductor device manufacturing capability. A total number of the PMOS transistor devices and the NMOS transistor devices in the restricted layout region of the semiconductor device is greater than or equal to eight.
US08089098B2
A restricted layout region in a layout of a semiconductor device is disclosed to include a diffusion level layout including a plurality of diffusion region layout shapes. The plurality of diffusion region layout shapes are defined in a non-symmetrical manner relative to a centerline defined to bisect the diffusion level layout. A gate electrode level layout is defined to include linear-shaped layout features placed to extend in only a first parallel direction. Adjacent linear-shaped layout features that share a common line of extent in the first parallel direction are separated from each other by an end-to-end spacing that is substantially equal across the gate electrode level layout and that is minimized to an extent allowed by a semiconductor device manufacturing capability. The gate electrode level layout includes linear-shaped layout features defined along at least four different lines of extent in the first parallel direction.
US08089092B2
A semiconductor light emitting device (A1) includes a substrate (1) and two electrodes (2A, 2B) formed on the substrate (1). The electrode (2A) is formed with a die bonding pad (2Aa), to which an LED chip (3) is bonded by silver paste (6). The outer edge of the die bonding pad (2Aa) is positioned on the inner side of the outer edge of the LED chip (3) as viewed in the thickness direction of the substrate (1). The electrode (2A) is formed with an extension (21) extending from the die bonding pad (2Aa) to the outside of the LED chip (3).
US08089088B2
A light emitting device includes an active layer; at least a portion of the active layer constitutes a gain region. The gain region is continuous from a first end surface and a second end surface. The gain region has a first reflective surface and a second reflective surface for reflecting light generated by the gain region. The first reflective surface and second reflective surface extend from the first end surface to the second end surface. The gain region includes a first portion extending from the first end surface to the first reflective surface in a direction tilted with respect to a normal to the first side surface as viewed two-dimensionally; a second portion extending from the second end surface to the second reflective surface in a direction tilted with respect to a normal to the first side surface as viewed two-dimensionally; and a third portion extending from the first reflective surface to the second reflective surface in a direction tilted with respect to a normal to the first reflective surface as viewed two-dimensionally. A distributed Bragg reflector or a photonic crystal region is provided to at least one of a side of the first reflective surface and a side of the second reflective surface.
US08089082B2
A nitride semiconductor light emitting diode according to the present invention, includes: a substrate; a buffer layer formed on the substrate; an In-doped GaN layer formed on the buffer layer; a first electrode layer formed on the In-doped GaN layer; an InxGa1−xN layer formed on the first electrode layer; an active layer formed on the InxGa1−xN layer; a first P—GaN layer formed on the active layer; a second electrode layer formed on the first P—GaN layer; a second P—GaN layer partially protruded on the second electrode layer; and a third electrode formed on the second P—GaN layer.
US08089081B2
A semiconductor light emitting device including: a substrate; an electrode layer; and a semiconductor multilayer film disposed between the substrate and the electrode layer, the semiconductor multilayer film including: an n-type semiconductor layer; a p-type semiconductor layer; and an active layer disposed between the n-type semiconductor layer and the p-type semiconductor layer, wherein the semiconductor multilayer film has a light extraction surface from which a light emitted in the semiconductor multilayer film is extracted, the light extraction surface being formed with a relief structure having nano-scaled convex portions, wherein the relief structure is formed to have variation in equivalent circular diameters of the convex portions, and wherein 90% or more of the convex portions in the relief structure are configured to have circularity coefficient of (4π×(area)/(circumferential length)2) being equal to or larger than 0.7.
US08089080B2
Electroluminescent (EL) light emitting structures comprises one or more active layers comprising rare earth luminescent centers in a host matrix for emitting light of a particular color or wavelength and electrodes for application of an electric field and current injection for excitation of light emission. The host matrix is preferably a dielectric containing the rare earth luminescent centers, e.g. rare earth doped silicon dioxide, silicon nitride, silicon oxynitrides, alumina, dielectrics of the general formula SiaAlbOcNd, or rare earth oxides. For efficient impact excitation, corresponding drift layers adjacent each active layer have a thickness related to a respective excitation energy of an adjacent active layer. A stack of active layers emitting different colors may be combined to provide white light. For rare earth species having a host dependent emission spectrum, spectral emission of the stack may be tuned by appropriate selection of a different host matrix in successive active layers.
US08089079B2
A light emitting device includes a package body including a multilayer cavity; a first light emitting part including a first light emitting device in a first cavity of a first layer area of the multilayer cavity, and a second light emitting part including a second light emitting device in a second cavity of a second layer area higher than the first layer area.
US08089072B2
A method of manufacturing a thin film transistor array panel is provided, which includes: forming a gate line on a substrate; forming a gate insulating layer on the gate line; forming a semiconductor layer on the gate insulating layer; forming an ohmic contact on the semiconductor layer; forming a data line and a drain electrode on the ohmic contact; depositing a passivation layer on the data line and the drain electrode; forming a first photoresist layer on the passivation layer; etching the passivation layer and the gate insulating layer using the first photoresist layer as a mask to expose a portion of the drain electrode and a portion of the substrate; depositing a conductive film; and removing the photoresist layer; to form a pixel electrode on a portion of the drain electrode exposed by the etching of the passivation layer.
US08089071B2
A thin film semiconductor device is provided. The semiconductor device includes a semiconductor thin film configured to have an active region turned into a polycrystalline region through irradiation with an energy beam, and a gate electrode configured to be provided to traverse the active region. Successive crystal grain boundaries extend along the gate electrode in a channel part that is the active region overlapping with the gate electrode, and the crystal grain boundaries traverse the channel part and are provided cyclically in a channel length direction.
US08089070B2
An imager apparatus and associated starting material are provided. In one embodiment, an imager is provided including a silicon layer of a first conductivity type acting as a junction anode. Such silicon layer is adapted to convert light to photoelectrons. Also included is a semiconductor well of a second conductivity type formed in the silicon layer for acting as a junction cathode. Still yet, a barrier is formed adjacent to the semiconductor well. In another embodiment, a starting material is provided including a first silicon layer and an oxide layer disposed adjacent to the first silicon layer. Also included is a second silicon layer disposed adjacent to the oxide layer opposite the first silicon layer. Such second silicon layer is further equipped with an associated passivation layer and/or barrier.
US08089068B2
A thin-film transistor panel includes a substrate, and a thin-film transistor formed on the substrate. The transistor includes a gate electrode, a gate insulating film, a semiconductor thin film, first and second ohmic contact layers formed on the semiconductor thin film, and source and drain electrodes which are respectively formed on the first and second ohmic contact layers. The semiconductor thin film includes a channel area between the source electrode and the drain electrode. A pixel electrode is connected to the source electrode of the thin-film transistor. First and second conductive coating films are provided on the source and drain electrodes, respectively, and formed of the same material as the pixel electrode. The first conductive coating film is wider than the source electrode, and the second conductive coating film is wider than the drain electrode.
US08089064B2
This invention relates to dibenzothiopyran compounds. This invention also relates to layers and devices including at least one of these compounds.
US08089063B2
A solar cell may including a quantum dot, an electron conductor and a bridge molecule disposed between the quantum dot and the electron conductor. The bridge molecule may include a quantum dot anchor that bonds to the quantum dot and an electron conductor anchor that bonds to the electron conductor. The quantum dot anchor may be an electron-rich anchor group that includes a Group 5A element. The solar cell may also include a hole conductor that is configured to reduce the quantum dot once the quantum dot absorbs a photon and ejects an electron through the bridge molecule and into the electron conductor.
US08089058B2
A method and a system for establishing a wafer testing recipe are disclosed. The method may include acquiring images of a number of dice from a produced wafer; using at least part of the images to compose a reference-image; defining on the reference-image multiple “zones of interest; determining the Detection-Policy for each kind of zone of interest and determining the algorithm that will be used by each of the Detection-Policy; determining the parameters of each of the Detection-Policy's algorithms; determining the Reporting-policy; determining the Inspection-policy; and creating a “wafer testing recipe” by integrating of the testing reference of a typical die image, the zones of interest, the Detection-Policies, the parameters of the Detection-Policies' algorithms, the Reporting-Policies and the Inspection-Policies.
US08089056B2
A charged particle multi-beamlet system for exposing a target using a plurality of beamlets. The system comprises a first plate having a plurality of holes formed in it, with a plurality of electrostatic projection lens systems formed at the location of each hole so that each electron beamlet passes through a corresponding projection lens system. The holes have sufficiently uniform placement and dimensions to enable focusing of the beamlets onto the surface of the target using a common control voltage. Preferably the electrostatic projection lens systems are controlled by a common electrical signal to focus the electron beamlets on the surface without correction of the focus or path of individual electron beamlets.
US08089052B2
An ion implanter system including an ion source for use in creating a stream or beam of ions. The ion source has an ion source chamber housing that at least partially bounds an ionization region for creating a high density concentration of ions within the chamber housing. An ion extraction aperture of desired characteristics covers an ionization region of the chamber. In one embodiment, a movable ion extraction aperture plate is moved with respect to the housing for modifying an ion beam profile. One embodiment includes an aperture plate having at least elongated apertures and is moved between at least first and second positions that define different ion beam profiles. A drive or actuator coupled to the aperture plate moves the aperture plate between the first and second positions. An alternate embodiment has two moving plate portions that bound an adjustable aperture.
US08089050B2
A ribbon-shaped ion beam is modified using multiple coil structures on a pair of opposed ferromagnetic bars. The coil structures comprise continuous windings which have predetermined variations along the length of the bar of turns per unit length. In an example, one coil structure may have uniform turns per unit length along the bar, so that energizing the coil structures forms a magnetic field component extending across the gap between the bars with a quadrupole intensity distribution. A second coil structure may have turns per unit length varying to produce a hexapole magnetic field intensity distribution. Further coil structures may be provided to produce octopole and decapole magnetic field distributions. The coil structures may be energized to produce magnetic fields parallel to the bars which vary along the length of the bars, to twist or flatten the ribbon-shaped beam.
US08089049B2
A radiation image capturing system includes a plurality of image capturing apparatus having different specifications for capturing a radiation image of a subject, a plurality of processors having specifications corresponding to the specifications of the image capturing apparatus, for controlling the image capturing apparatus and processing radiation image information acquired from the image capturing apparatus, and a supply apparatus for supplying image capturing instruction information for the image capturing apparatus to one of the processors, which is selected depending on the specifications of the image capturing apparatus.
US08089048B2
A fiber-optic scintillator radiation detector includes a multitude of optical fibers that each include an optical core. The optical cores are spaced apart from one another by an interposer material. In various embodiments, the interposer material has an average atomic number less than 13 and a density greater than 1.3 g/cm3.
US08089024B2
A torch spacing apparatus for a plasma or flame cutting machine includes a gantry that is guided to travel in an X axis. Mounted to the gantry is at least one carriage that is/are guided to travel in a Y axis. Mounted to each carriage are selected tooling having at least two cutting torches mounted thereon with an active cutting tool in an active cutting position. The carriage is mounted to enable tooling substitution whereby the torch spacing apparatus includes a substitution mechanism which is operatively attached to the carriage and tooling such that the said substitution mechanism is adapted to allow the position of a cutting torch or active cutting torch to be substituted with another cutting torch currently in the active position to space the torches accordingly by rotating the cutting tools about a Z axis.
US08089018B2
A movable contact unit, of which an upper surface of a movable contact made of a conductive metal plate is adhesively fixed to an adhesive layer formed on the underside of a base film, an upper surface of a separator is affixed to the adhesive layer in a manner to sandwich the movable contact between them, and the periphery of the movable contact is heated and pressed in a circular shape from above of the base film to form a convex-shaped portion in an area of base film corresponding to the movable contact in a manner to fit along a dome-like shape of the movable contact and to make a peripheral area or a base of the convex-shaped portion pressed circularly to close adhesion to the separator with the adhesive layer. By virtue of this structure, there can be an improvement of manufacturing efficiency of the movable contact unit.
US08089013B2
Electronic devices (10, 30, 50) utilizing electrically-controlled liquid components to accomplish device switching. Electric fields are used in a device structure to manipulate the position and/or geometrical shape of a conductive fluid or liquid (60, 24) using electrowetting. This manipulation regulates the flow of current between electrodes of the device structure, such as the source and drain regions (16, 20) of a transistor construction, by bridging a non-conductive channel (15) separating the electrodes (16, 20) so that the electrodes (16, 20) are electrically coupled.
US08089011B2
A control mechanism includes a control, a mounting plate, and a printed circuit board. The control includes a rotary main body, a contact member connected to the rotary main body, and at least one limiting protrusion extending from a side of the rotary main body. The mounting plate includes a through hole receiving the control, and a blocking portion extending from an inner surface of the through hole. The blocking portion defines at least one cutout. The printed circuit board includes a resilient contact. The at least one limiting protrusion is blocked by the blocking portion until the rotary main body is rotated to a portion whereby the at least one limiting protrusion aligns with the at least one cutout, such that the contact member impels the resilient contact.
US08089006B2
A circuit includes an input signal line, a high performance resonant element connected to the input signal line, and an output signal line connected to the high performance resonant element. The high performance resonant element is a via.
US08088984B2
A convertible percussion cart-platform system includes first and second instrument platforms that are shiftable between a transportation position and a performance position for moving and positioning musical instruments and a player platform that is shiftable between folded and unfolded positions for allowing a user to perform on instruments supported by first and second instrument platforms in the performance position.
US08088983B2
An opening and closing device 10 for a fallboard 8 includes a first damper member 13 that dampens the rotational movement of the fallboard 8 by constantly applying a fixed load to the fallboard 8, and a second damper member 14 that dampens the rotational movement of the fallboard 8 by applying a load to the fallboard 8 depending on a closing movement or an opening movement of the fallboard 8. Accordingly, when the fallboard 8 is being closed, the closing movement of the fallboard 8 can be slowed by being dampened by the first damper member 13 and the second damper member 14, and when the fallboard 8 is being opened, the opening movement of the fallboard 8 can be slowed by being dampened by the first damper member 13 and the second damper member 14.
US08088967B2
A disposable absorbent article has a liquid permeable liner, an outer cover, and an absorbent body disposed between the liner and the outer cover for absorbing liquid body waste. A flow control layer is disposed between the liner and the absorbent body. The flow control layer is adapted to retard the flow of liquid body waste penetrating the liner toward the absorbent body. The flow control layer has a plurality of apertures for permitting at least some of the liquid body waste that passes through the liner to flow past the flow control layer toward the absorbent body without migrating laterally outward around lateral side edges of the flow control layer.
US08088965B2
Methods accelerate healing of a wound by applying a multilayer bandage to the wound. The multilayer bandage has a spun-bonded webbing comprising at least one partially or completely hydrolytically condensed silicon compound and a water-impervious or semi-permeable first membrane having at least one water-insoluble polymer. The webbing has a biologically degradable or biologically resorbable structure and is brought into direct contact with the wound by placing the webbing in or on the wound.
US08088963B2
A process for the production of styrene is described. The process comprises dehydrating 1-phenyl ethanol in the liquid phase in the presence of a para- and ortho-toluenesulfonic acid mixture. The ratio of para-toluenesulfonic acid to ortho-toluenesulfonic acid is from 1:9 to 20:1. The process results in reduced heavies production, improved 1-phenyl ethanol conversion and selectivity, less reactor tube fouling, and lower corrosion rates.
US08088961B2
A process for making a pour point depressing lubricant base oil blending component comprises: pyrolyzing a plastics feed comprising polyethylene in a pyrolysis zone at a temperature in the range of about 450° C. to about 700° C. and a residence time in the range of about 3 minutes to about 1 hour to provide a pyrolysis effluent; isomerization dewaxing at least a portion of the pyrolysis effluent with an isomerization dewaxing catalyst in a catalytic isomerization dewaxing zone to provide a isomerization dewaxing effluent comprising a pour point depressing lubricant base oil blending component; and recovering the pour point depressing lubricant base oil blending component boiling in the range of about 900° F. to about 1100° F. and having a pour point in the range of about −15° C. to about 0° C. The pour point depressing lubricant base oil blending component can be used to improve lubricating properties (e.g. pour point) of a lubricant base oil.
US08088960B2
The present invention relates to a process for the production of compounds of formula (I) wherein X is fluoro, chloro, bromo or iodo and n is 1, 2, 3 or 4, which process comprises reacting a compound of formula (II) wherein the substituents are as defined for formula (I), with inorganic nitrite in an acidic aqueous medium in the presence of bromide and a copper catalyst and wherein the process is carried out as a one-pot reaction.
US08088959B2
A process is disclosed for the conversion of fluorocarbons into fluorinated unsaturated compounds useful as monomers or other chemical precursors, such as C2H2F2. The process comprises reacting a hydrocarbon feed (20) arid a fluorocarbon feed (10) in a high temperature reactor (26), at sufficiently high temperature and sufficiently short resident time to form product mixture (28) having the fluorinated unsaturated compound as the major reaction product, and cooling (18) to a temperature sufficiently low to inhibit polymerisation of the unsaturated compound. The reaction product may then be processed by removal of higher molecular weight compounds (35) and acids (32) and optionally separated (44) into product components.
US08088958B2
Methods for recovery of at least one alcohol from dilute aqueous alcohol feed streams are described. The methods include steps of a) providing a source of a dilute aqueous alcohol feed stream including at least one alcohol; b) substantially removing any solids from the dilute aqueous alcohol feed stream to form a feed stream substantially devoid of solids; c) circulating the feed stream substantially devoid of solids through a liquid-liquid extraction system having multiple equilibrium stages; d) recovering a raffinate phase substantially depleted in the at least one alcohol and an extract phase substantially enriched in the at least one alcohol; e) passing the extract phase to a recovery system wherein the extract phase is subjected to microwave radiation; f) recovering the volatilized product; and g) recycling the solvent to the liquid-liquid extraction system. The microwave radiation substantially heats the alcohol but not the solvent to form a volatilized product of substantially pure alcohol. The methods further include optional steps of removing any residual water from the substantially pure alcohol product to form a fuel-grade alcohol. The liquid-liquid extraction system can be a hydrophobic, microporous membrane extraction system having a plurality of hollow fibers.
US08088952B2
A new ionic compound is provided that is derived from N,N-dimethylaniline and pentafluorophenol in amounts such that there are at least 2 equivalents of pentafluorophenol per equivalent of the N,N-dimethylaniline.
US08088949B2
L-cysteine-is separated from an L-cysteine-containing fermenter broth containing an oxidizing agent which is capable of oxidizing L-cysteine at pH<5, by contacting the L-cysteine-containing fermenter broth with an ion exchanger at a pH from 5 to 9, the pH in the fermenter broth becoming <5, and preferably <2. The L-cysteine binds to the ion exchanger and the bound L-cysteine is then removed from the ion exchanger by means of an eluant.
US08088946B2
The present invention provides: a palladium-containing supported catalyst which is used for producing an α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acid from an olefin or an α,β-unsaturated aldehyde in high selectivity; a method for manufacturing the catalyst; and a method for producing an α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acid in high selectivity. In particular, the present invention resides in a method for manufacturing a palladium-containing supported catalyst for producing an α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acid from an olefin or an α,β-unsaturated aldehyde, comprising the step of reducing palladium oxide contained in a catalyst precursor wherein at least the palladium oxide is supported on a carrier. By using such a palladium-containing supported catalyst, an α,β-unsaturated carboxylic acid is produced through liquid-phase oxidation of an olefin or an α,β-unsaturated aldehyde with molecular oxygen.
US08088944B2
Isocyanates are prepared by a process in which a product stream from the isocyanate synthesis is purified.
US08088938B2
Methods of storing a precursor which decreases the precursor decomposition rate. A vessel is provided, where the vessel has an outer surface made of a first material, and an inner surface made of a second material. The first and second materials are different. A tantalum containing precursor is placed inside the vessel, and the vessel is heated to a temperature between 60° C. and 150° C. At least part of the precursor is withdrawn from the vessel.
US08088936B2
Provided herein are compounds of the formula (I): as well as pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein the substituents are as those disclosed in the specification. These compounds, and the pharmaceutical compositions containing them, are useful for the treatment of diseases such as, for example, COPD.
US08088934B2
Disclosed is a novel composition comprising a novel bi-cyclic compound, which is expected to be pharmaceutically active, and a glyceride. The stability of the bi-cyclic compound can be improved significantly by dissolving the same in a glyceride.
US08088920B2
The present invention relates to pyrazine derivatives of the formula and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein R1 to R8 are as defined in the description and claims for use as HDL-cholesterol raising agents in the treatment and/or prophylaxis of diseases or disorders that can be treated with such agents such as dyslipidemia.
US08088919B2
Provided are crystalline forms of N-[4-[2-(2-amino-4,7-dihydro-4-oxo-1H-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidin-5-yl)ethyl]benzoyl]-L-glutamic acid, pemetrexed diacid, and processes for the preparation thereof.
US08088917B2
The invention relates to an ionic liquid composition and a method for preparing the ionic liquid. The ionic liquid comprises a cation containing the Formula I, as herein disclosed, and wherein: n is 2, R1 is selected from the group consisting of: H, C1-C12 alkyl, aryl or together with R2 may form a heterocyclic ring, and R2 is selected from the group consisting of: H, C1-C12 alkyl, aryl or together with R1 may form a heterocyclic ring, and R3 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and C1-C12 alkyl, and wherein R1 and R2 are not simultaneously selected from hydrogen.
US08088915B2
A method for modulating NF-κB dependent gene transcription in a cell comprised of modulating IKKα protein activity in the cell. The present invention also provides siRNA compositions and methods thereof for modulating NF-κB dependent gene transcription.
US08088900B2
Provided are new methods for precipitating proteins comprising (a) providing a protein solution, (b) adding a salt to the solution, (c) either (i) adjusting pH of the composition to below the pI of the protein (in cases where the method is directed towards precipitation of most or all proteins in the solution) or (ii) adjusting the pH of the composition to above the pI of the protein (in cases where keeping the target protein in solution is desired), and (d) adding an organic compound to the solution, wherein (I) in the case where the method comprises step (c)(i) a two phase solution is formed wherein at least about 75% of the protein is contained in the protein phase or (II) in the case where the method comprises step (c)(ii) the method further comprises removing precipitated impurities from the protein solution.
US08088894B2
The present invention provides a Mycoplasma pneumoniae community acquired respiratory distress syndrome (CARDS) toxin, biologically active fragments/domains of the CARDS toxin, antibodies to the CARDS toxin and nucleic acids encoding the CARDS toxin. Also provided are methods of diagnosing, treating and/or preventing infection by Mycoplasma pneumoniae using the compositions provided herein.
US08088889B2
The invention provides a novel family of biologically active neuropeptides and the nucleic aid molecules coding for same. The peptides are derived for the C-terminus of the teneurin family peptides (Ten M1-4). These novel peptides, referred to as teneurin C-terminal associated peptides (TCAPs) are active in neuronal communication and are implicated in a number of neuropathologies. They are particularly useful in modulating stress responses and anxiety and in the treatment of cancer.
US08088884B2
The present disclosure provides novel POZ-2 derivatives, methods for synthesizing POZ-2 derivatives and intermediates useful in such methods. In one embodiment, the POZ-2 derivative comprises two linear POZ chains of the present disclosure linked directly or indirectly to a branching moiety that contains a functional group for linking the POZ-2 derivative to the target molecule. Target molecule-POZ-2 conjugates are also described. In certain embodiment, the POZ-2 derivatives have low polydispersity values and a decreased amount of impurities produced by unwanted side reactions, such as, but not limited to, chain transfer.
US08088882B2
A main object of the present invention is to provide a polymer precursor which exhibits high transmittance to a shorter wavelength range with respect to an electromagnetic wave though the polymer precursor has a part which sequences an unsaturated bond having a π electron orbit and a single bond alternately. In order to attain the object, a polymer precursor comprising a part which sequences an unsaturated bond having a π electron orbit and a single bond alternately, wherein the polymer precursor has a first functional group and a second functional group which form a repeating unit constituting a polymer skeleton of an end product by an intramolecular reaction, wherein at least a part of a conjugated state formed by the π electron orbit in the molecule is disconnected or weakened due to a three-dimensional structure of the molecule, and wherein a transmittance with respect to an electromagnetic wave of at least one wavelength selected from the group consisting of 436 nm, 405 nm, 365 nm, 248 nm and 193 nm is improved, is provided.
US08088875B2
A polymer contains a constituent unit having a specific acetal skeleton. This polymer is able to be used as a resist resin in DUV excimer laser lithography, electron beam lithography, EUV lithography, or the like.
US08088871B2
A method of polymerizing olefins with catalyst systems, such as, for example, a multimodal catalyst system, wherein the catalyst system is stored at a controlled temperature to minimize loss of catalyst system productivity.
US08088863B2
An organic-solvent dispersion containing fine polysilsesquioxane particles stably dispersed therein, which is obtained by adjusting the pH of an aqueous dispersion of fine polysilsesquioxane particles to 2 to 9, subsequently adding an organic solvent thereto, and then removing the water from the system; and an aqueous dispersion of fine polysilsesquioxane particles having an appropriate average particle diameter, which is obtained by adjusting the amount of a base catalyst to be used so as to be in a specific range. The process for producing an aqueous dispersion of fine polysilsesquioxane particles having a pH of 2 to 9 with an organic solvent. The process for producing an aqueous dispersion of fine polysilsesquioxane particles having an average particle diameter of 1 to 40 nm comprises mixing a dispersion stabilizer, a base catalyst, and trialkoxysilane in the presence of an aqueous solvent to produce an aqueous dispersion of fine polysilsesquioxane particles, and is characterized in that the base catalyst is used in an amount of 4 to 45 mmol/L per total amount of the aqueous solvent.
US08088860B2
A photo-feel coating for application to a surface of paper which is opposite that configured to receive printing, includes a binder; and polyethylene particles having first and second predetermined sizes.
US08088850B1
The present invention provides curable poly(acrylate) compositions, cured reaction products of which demonstrate improved resistance to shrinkage when exposed to hydrocarbon fluids, such as transmission fluids and oil-and fuel-based fluids.
US08088848B2
Transparent polypropylene film comprising at least two UV-absorbing additives, a first additive being a non-aggregated inorganic material present in the film composition in an amount of from 0.1 to 5.0% by weight, and a second additive comprising an organic material selected from triazines, hindered amines, oxanilides, cyanoacrylates, benzotriazoles and/or benzophenones and present in the film in an amount of less than 2.0% by weight and wherein when both benzotriazole(s) and benzophenone(s) are present in the film, the ratio of benzotriazole(s) to benzophenone(s) is above 0.5.
US08088847B2
The invention relates to a novel UV-protective and weather-resistant package for surface protecting films for polyvinyl chloride window profiles made of poly(meth)acrylate. Matrix plastics having great molecular weights are used in order to obtain great weather resistance of the surface protecting films.
US08088842B2
Amine solubilizing agents are mixed with water insoluble defoamers and optionally a dispersant for cementitious compositions to provide an admixture for cementitious compositions that is stable over time. A method is provided for controlling the amount of air in a cementitious material in a predictable manner that includes mixing cementitious material, water, a water insoluble defoamer, an amine salt solubilizing agent that solubilizes the water insoluble defoamer, and optionally a dispersant for cementitious compositions.
US08088839B2
Hybrid composite materials with multiscale morphologies are formed by doping polymer submicrometer spheres with semiconductor or metal (e.g. CdS or Ag, respectively) nanoparticles and using these doped microspheres as functional building blocks in production of hybrid periodically structured materials. The preparation of hybrid polymer particles include the following stages: (i) synthesis of monodisperse polymer microspheres, (ii) in-situ synthesis of the inorganic nanoparticles either on the surface, or in the bulk with polymer beads, and (iii) encapsulation of hybrid microspheres with a hydrophobic shell.
US08088834B2
The invention relates to a process for making modified polybutylene terephththalate random copolymers from a polyethylene terephthalate component. The invention relates to a three step process in which a diol component selected from the group consisting of ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, and combinations thereof reacts with a polyethylene terephthalate component under conditions sufficient to depolymerize the polyethylene terephthalate component into a first molten mixture; and where the first molten mixture is combined with 1,4-butanediol under conditions that create a second molten mixture that is subsequently placed under subatmospheric conditions that produce the modified polybutylene terephthalate random copolymers. The invention also relates to compositions made from the process.
US08088833B2
To provide a separating agent for IgG purification, whereby IgG can be separated and purified efficiently at a high purity, and a method for purifying an IgG using it.A separating agent for IgG purification, characterized in that a polyacrylic acid and/or a polymethacrylic acid is immobilized on a carrier, and a method for purifying an IgG monomer, characterized in that a mixture containing an IgG monomer and an impurity containing polymeric IgG is contacted to the separating agent and eluted.
US08088812B2
The invention relates to compounds of formula I having pharmacological activity towards the sigma receptor, to processes of preparation of such compounds, to pharmaceutical compositions comprising them, and to their use for the treatment and or prophylaxis of a disease in which the sigma receptor is involved.
US08088805B2
The invention relates to the inhibition of histone deacetylase. The invention provides compounds and methods for inhibiting histone deacetylase enzymatic activity. The invention also provides compositions and methods for treating cell proliferative diseases and conditions.
US08088796B2
An object of the present invention is to provide a novel compound which has a potent inhibitory effect on FXa and exhibits an excellent antithrombotic effect when orally administered. The present invention provides a compound represented by the following general formula (1): wherein R1 and R2 each independently represent a hydrogen atom, a hydroxy group, an alkyl group or an alkoxy group; Q1 represents a saturated or unsaturated bicyclic or tricyclic fused hydrocarbon group which may be substituted, a saturated or unsaturated bicyclic or tricyclic fused heterocyclic group which may be substituted, or the like; Q2 represents a single bond, a straight-chained or branched alkylene group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, a straight-chained or branched alkenylene group having 2 to 6 carbon atoms, or the like; R3 and R4 each represent an alkyl group, or the like; m and n each represent an integer from 0 to 3; Q4 represents an aryl group; and T0 and T1 each represent a carbonyl group or the like, and a medicine containing the compound.
US08088791B2
Compounds of formula (I) have antibacterial activity: wherein R represents hydrogen or 1, 2 or 3 optional substituents; W is ═C(R1)— or ═N—; R1 is hydrogen or an optional substituent and R2 is hydrogen, methyl, or fluorine; or R1 and R2 taken together are —CH2—, —CH2CH2—, —O—, or, in either orientation, —O—CH2— or —OCH2CH2—; R3 is a radical of formula -(Alk1)m-(Z)p-(Alk2)n-Q wherein m, p and n are independently 0 or 1, provided that at least one of m, p and n is 1, Z is —O—, —S—, —S(O)—, —S(O2)—, —NH—, —N(CH3)—, —N(CH2CH3)—, —C(═O)—, —O—(C═O)—, —C(═O)—O—, or an optionally substituted divalent monocyclic carbocyclic or heterocyclic radical having 3 to 6 ring atoms; or an optionally substituted divalent bicyclic heterocyclic radical having 5 to 10 ring atoms; Alk1 and Alk2 are optionally substituted C1-C6 alkylene, C2-C6 alkenylene, or C2-C6 alkynylene radicals, which may optionally terminate with or be interrupted by —O—, —S—, —S(O)—, —S(O2)—, —NH—, —N(CH3)—, or —N(CH2CH3)—; and Q is hydrogen, halogen, nitrile, or hydroxyl or an optionally substituted monocyclic carbocyclic or heterocyclic radical having 3 to 6 ring atoms; or an optionally substituted bicyclic heterocyclic radical having 5 to 10 ring atoms.
US08088787B2
The invention includes methods of neuroprotection, inducing release of neurotrophic factors, inhibiting the over-activation of innate immune cells, attenuating the toxin-induced death and/or damage of tissues, reducing inflammation, treating an inflammation-related condition, and inhibiting NADPH oxidase, that includes contacting or administering an effective amount of at least one compound of the invention that include: valproic acid, sodium butyrate, and salts thereof; opioid peptides; a peptide comprising the tripeptide GGF; and morphinans, such as naloxone, naltrexone, 3-hydroxy-morphinan and dextromethorphan.
US08088785B2
Compositions and uses associated with the MT477 family of compounds are disclosed. Particular structural features and properties of the compounds are described in detail. Uses include administering an MT477 family member to a patient for therapeutic purposes. Compositions include chemicals belonging to the MT477 family and pharmaceuticals that contain such chemicals.
US08088782B2
4-(3-chloro-2-fluoroanilino)-7-methoxy-6-{[1-(N-methylcarbamoylmethyl)piperidin-4-yl]oxy}quinazoline difumarate, pharmaceutical compositions containing the difumarate, the use of the difumarate in the treatment of hyperproliferative disorders such as cancer and processes for the manufacture of the difumarate are described.
US08088765B2
Compounds of formula (I): wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, Het and X are as defined in the disclosure, or an acid addition salt thereof, and the therapeutic use and process of synthesis thereof.
US08088759B2
The present invention relates to novel chemical compounds, methods for their discovery, and their therapeutic use. In particular, the present invention provides novel 1,4-benzodiazepine-2,5-dione compounds, and methods of using novel 1,4-benzodiazepine-2,5-dione compounds as therapeutic agents to treat a number of conditions associated with the faulty regulation of the processes of programmed cell death, autoimmunity, inflammation, hyperproliferation, and the like.
US08088757B2
The present invention relates to a method of treating cancer selected from the group of cancers consisting of prostate cancer, renal cancer, breast cancer, ovarian cancer, CNS cancer, melanoma, lung cancer, and bladder cancer. This method involves administering to a patient in need of such treatment a therapeutically effective amount of a betulinol derivative compound of Formula (I). Also disclosed are conjugated and immunoconjugated derivatives of the compound of Formula (I) as well as methods of making and using them.
US08088754B2
Compounds and compositions of Formula I are described, useful as anti-proliferative agents, and in particular anti-HPV, wherein: Y1A and Y1B are independently Y1; RX1 and RX2 are independently RX; Y1 is ═O, —O(RX), ═S, —N(RX), —N(O)(RX), —N(ORX), —N(O)(ORX), or —N(N(RX)(RX)); and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.
US08088746B2
The present disclosure describes bis-modified bicyclic nucleosides and oligomeric compounds that can be prepared comprising at least one of these bis-modified bicyclic nucleosides. More particularly, the bis-modified bicyclic nucleosides have at least one substituent group at the 5′-methylene and on the bridge methylene and can be chiral. These bis-modified bicyclic nucleosides are expected to be useful for enhancing one or more property of oligomeric compounds including for example enhancing nuclease resistance.
US08088744B2
The invention provides a cancer chemotherapeutic agent which has fewer side effects and excellent efficacy. The cancer chemotherapeutic agent of the invention includes a cholestanol derivative represented by formula (1): (wherein G represents GlcNAc-Gal-, GlcNAc-Gal-Glc-, Fuc-Gal-, Gal-Glc-, Gal-, or GlcNAc-) or a cyclodextrin inclusion compound thereof, and an anti-cancer agent.
US08088743B2
Methods are provided for treating obesity or causing weight loss in a mammalian subject or patient, wherein a therapeutically effective amount of an SGLT2 inhibitor alone or optionally in combination with another anti-obesity agent, is administered to a mammalian subject or patient. In addition, a pharmaceutical composition is provided which comprises an SGLT2 inhibitor, alone or in combination with another anti-obesity agent, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier thereof.
US08088732B2
The invention is directed to novel cellular factor-containing solution compositions (referred to herein as “CFS” compositions), including novel sustained-release cellular factor-containing solution compositions (referred to herein as “SR-CFS” compositions), methods of making such novel compositions and uses thereof.
US08088725B2
A perfume composition including the compound 4-[(1,5-dimethylhexyl)oxy]butanal in both its racemic and enantiomeric forms.
US08088720B2
The present invention is directed to method of making a green lubricant composition having improved wear protection and reduced phosphorus emissions.
US08088716B2
A compressible object is described that may be utilized in drilling mud and with a drilling system to manage the density of the drilling mud. The compressible object includes a shell that encloses an interior region. Also, the compressible object has an internal pressure (i) greater than about 200 pounds per square inch at atmospheric pressure and (ii) selected for a predetermined external pressure, wherein external pressures that exceed the internal pressure reduce the volume of the compressible object and wherein the shell being designed to reduce localized strains of the compressible object during expansion and compression of the compressible object.
US08088714B2
A method for production of hollow bodies, in particular for radio-frequency resonators is shown and described. The object to provide a hollow bodies and a resonator, respectively, having improved electrical properties is achieved by a method comprising the following steps: Providing a substrate having a monocrystalline region, defining a cut area through the substrate, fitting markings on both sides of the cut area, producing two wafers by cutting along the cut area, wherein the wafers are completely removed from the monocrystalline region, forming the wafers into half-cells, wherein the half-cells have a joining area, joining together the half-cells to form a hollow body, wherein the joining areas bear on one another, and wherein the markings on the half-cells are oriented with respect to one another on both sides of the joining area as on both sides of the cut areas.
US08088699B2
The invention provides a powder comprising at least 95% by number of fused grains, with the following chemical composition, as a percentage by weight based on the oxides, for a total of 100%: 0≦BaO≦40.8%; 0≦SrO≦31.8%; 27.2%≦Al2O3≦31.3%; 32%≦SiO2≦36.9%; other species ≦1%; the quantity of at least one of the oxides BaO and SrO being more than 0.3%, the size of said grains being such that D5≧5 μm and D95≦150 μm.
US08088697B2
A fibrous ceramic material including a plurality of fibers entangled with one another. The fibrous ceramic material includes at least one connector projecting between the fibers. At least a portion of the fibers have the connectors extending between and attach the fibers to one another. A method of manufacturing the fibrous ceramic material includes providing a precursor material having a plurality of fibers. A holder is provided for holding the precursor material. The precursor material is placed on the holder and both are heated to between about 1500 degrees Celsius and about 1700 degrees Celsius to form the fibrous ceramic material, thereby causing connectors to project from a portion of the fibers and attach the fibers to one another.
US08088694B2
A method of forming a multiple layer passivation film on a semiconductor device surface comprises placing a semiconductor device in a chemical vapor deposition reactor, introducing a nitrogen source into the reactor, introducing a carbon source into the reactor, depositing a layer of carbon nitrogen on the semiconductor device surface, introducing a silicon source into the reactor after the carbon source, and depositing a layer of silicon carbon nitrogen on the carbon nitrogen layer. A semiconductor device incorporating the multiple layer passivation film is also described.
US08088692B2
A method for fabricating a multilayer microstructure with balancing residual stress capability includes forming a multilayer microstructure on a silicon substrate and conducting a step of isotropic plasma etching. The multilayer microstructure includes a first metal layer and a second metal layer patterned and aligned symmetrically to form etching through holes; a metal via layer surrounding each etching through hole; and an insulating layer filling each etching through hole and disposed between the substrate and the first metal layer. The step of isotropic chemical plasma etching removes the insulating layer in each etching through hole, the insulating layer between the substrate and the metal layer and a portion of the substrate to form a suspended multilayer microstructure on the substrate, during which a chamber pressure larger than vacuum and maintains a ratio between a lateral etching rate and a vertical etching rate between 0.5 to 1 is used; and the reaction gases comprise a gaseous fluoride and oxygen.
US08088687B2
A copper line having self assembled monolayer for use in ULSI semiconductor devices and methods of making the same are presented. The copper line includes an interlayer dielectric, a self-assembled monolayer, catalytic particles on the monolayer, and a copper layer on the monolayer with the catalytic particles. The method includes the steps of forming an interlayer dielectric on a semiconductor substrate having a metal line forming region; forming a self-assembled monolayer on the metal line forming region; adsorbing catalytic particles on the self-assembled monolayer; forming using an electroless process a copper seed layer on the self-assembled monolayer having the catalytic particles adsorbed thereto; and forming a copper layer on the copper seed layer to fill in the metal line forming region.
US08088681B2
A cell layout of a semiconductor device includes a diffusion level layout including a plurality of diffusion region layout shapes, including p-type and n-type diffusion regions separated by a central inactive region. The cell layout also includes a gate electrode level layout for the entire cell defined to include linear-shaped layout features placed to extend in only a first parallel direction. Adjacent linear-shaped layout features that share a common line of extent in the first parallel direction are separated from each other by an end-to-end spacing that is substantially equal and minimized across the gate electrode level layout. Linear-shaped layout features within the gate electrode level layout extend over one or more of the p-type and/or n-type diffusion regions to form PMOS and NMOS transistor devices. A number of the PMOS transistor devices is equal to a number of the NMOS transistor devices in the cell.
US08088672B2
A method for producing a thin film includes the following steps: providing a primary substrate; forming an etching stop layer on the primary substrate; forming a sacrificial layer on the etching stop layer; implanting gas ions to form an ion implantation peak layer, which defines an effective transferred layer and a remnant layer; and separating the effective transferred layer from the remnant layer. The thickness of the effective transferred layer can be effectively determined by controlling the thickness of the sacrificial layer. Moreover, the thickness of the effective transferred layer can be uniform and then the effective transferred layer can become a nanoscale thin film.
US08088671B2
A method of detaching two substrates at the embrittlement zone situated at a given depth of one of the two substrates. The method includes a separation annealing step implemented in a furnace, wherein the annealing includes a first phase during which the temperature changes along an upgrade allowing a high temperature to be reached and annealing at this high temperature to be stabilized, and a second phase during which the temperature changes along a downgrade, at the end of which the furnace is opened to unload the substrates from the furnace. The second phase is regulated so as to minimize temperature inhomogeneities such as cleavage defects at the detached surfaces of the substrates when the furnace is opened.
US08088661B2
A nonvolatile semiconductor memory of an aspect of the present invention comprises a memory cell transistor and a resistance element arranged on a semiconductor substrate. The memory cell transistor includes a floating gate electrode constituted of a first conductive material arranged on a gate insulating film on a surface of the semiconductor substrate, an inter-gate insulating film arranged on the floating gate electrode, a control gate electrode arranged on the inter-gate insulating film, and a source/drain diffusion layer provided in the semiconductor substrate. The resistance element includes an element isolation insulating layer arranged in the semiconductor substrate and including a depression, and a resistor constituted of a second conductive material filling up the depression. An impurity concentration of the second conductive material is lower than that of the first conductive material.
US08088652B2
In an electron device in which plural thin film transistors each having at least a source electrode, a drain electrode, a semiconductor region including a channel, a gate insulation film and a gate electrode are provided on a substrate, a device separation region provided between the plural thin film transistors and the semiconductor region are constituted by a same metal oxide layer, and resistance of the semiconductor region is formed to be lower than resistance of the device separation region.
US08088634B2
A pattern of conductive ink is disposed on the topside of the unsingulated integrated circuits of a wafer, and, typically after wafer probing, the pattern of conductive ink is removed. The conductive ink pattern provides an electrical pathway between bond pads on an integrated circuit and large contact pads disposed on the topside of the integrated circuit. Each of the large contact pads is much greater in area than the corresponding bond pads, and are spaced apart so that the pitch of the large contact pads is much greater than that of the bond pads. In one aspect of the present invention, the conductive ink includes a mixture of conductive particles and wafer bonding thermoset plastic. In another aspect of the present invention, the conductive ink is heated and disposed on a wafer by an ink jet printing system.
US08088632B2
Protons are entered into a substrate to be analyzed at a proton incident angle larger than 0° and smaller 90°. Excited by the entered protons and emitted from the substrate to be analyzed, the characteristic X-ray is measured by an energy dispersive X-ray detector and the like. Impurity elements present in the substrate to be analyzed are identified based on the measured characteristic X-ray. The in-plane distribution in the substrate can be obtained by scanning the proton beam. The in-depth distribution can be obtained by entering protons at different proton incident angles. The elemental analysis method can be applied to semiconductor device manufacturing processes to analyze metal contamination or quantify a conductivity determining impurity element on an inline basis and with a high degree of accuracy.
US08088631B2
The present invention relates to a method of preparing lanthanide-doped NaYF4 nanocrystals, the method comprising: (A) providing a first solution comprising a non-coordinating solvent, a fatty acid coordinating ligand, sodium trifluoroacetate, yttrium trifluoroacetate, a first doping lanthanide trifluoroacetate and a second doping lanthanide trifluoroacetate, and a second solution comprising the non-coordinating solvent and the fatty acid coordinating ligand, the first and second solutions being substantially free of water and oxygen; (B) in an inert atmosphere, slowly adding the first solution heated at a temperature between about 100° C. and about 150° C. to the second solution heated at temperature between about 290° C. and about 330° C., thereby producing a reaction mixture containing the nanocrystals; and (C) recovering the nanocrystals from the reaction mixture. The invention also relates to lanthanide-doped uniformly shaped cubic NaYF4 nanocrystals having an average particle size of at most about 50 nm with a standard deviation of at most about 15%. Finally, the invention also relates to methods of (A) identifying or authenticating a product, (B) labelling an analyte, (C) detecting an analyte, and (D) producing a light source for the telecommunication industry using the above nanocrystals.
US08088629B1
Various methods for forming dyed microspheres are provided. One method includes attaching a hydrophilic dye to chemical groups to form a bubble. The bubble includes the chemical groups surrounding the hydrophilic dye and an aqueous solution. The chemical groups are soluble in aqueous and organic solvents. The method also includes disposing the bubble and a microsphere to be dyed in a solvent such that the bubble is incorporated into the microsphere thereby dyeing the microsphere. Another method includes adsorbing a hydrophilic dye on a surface of a hydrophobic polymer core of a microsphere to be dyed thereby dyeing the microsphere. The method also includes attaching chemical groups to the hydrophilic dye. The chemical groups are soluble in aqueous and organic solvents. The chemical groups attached to the hydrophilic dye form an enclosure surrounding the hydrophilic dye and an aqueous solution.
US08088628B2
Spectroscopic analysis systems and methods for analyzing samples are disclosed which exploit inelastically scattering radiation to amplify optical signals from an irradiated sample. Samples are irradiated in a chamber having a resonant cavity containing a plurality of affixed reflectors, where selective Stokes scattered radiation is transmitted to a detector for determination of sample identity. Coupling the spectroscopic analysis system and method with a nucleic acid sequencing system is also disclosed for determining nucleic acid sequences.
US08088624B2
A method of detecting thrombosis or the degree of thrombophilia by measuring a von Willebrand factor cleaving protease, and a kit for detecting thrombosis or the degree of thrombophilia, comprising an antibody or a fragment thereof specifically binding to a von Willebrand factor-cleaving protease, are disclosed. The detection method and the detection kit have an excellent convenience, rapidity, and specificity.
US08088622B2
The expansion of a population of stem cells or progenitor cells, or precursors thereof, may be accomplished by disrupting or inhibiting p21cip1/waf1 and/or p27, cyclin dependent kinase inhibitors. In the absence of p27 activity, progenitor cells move into the cell cycle and proliferate; whereas in the absence of p21 activity, stem cells move into the cell cycle and proliferate without losing their pluripotentiality (i.e., their ability to differentiate into the various cell lines found in the blood stream). Any type of stem cell or progenitor cell, or precursor thereof, including, but not limited to, hematopoietic, gastrointestinal, lung, neural, skin, muscle, cardiac muscle, renal, mesenchymal, embryonic, fetal, or liver cell may be used in accordance with the invention. The present invention provides a method of expanding a cell population, cells with decreased p27 and/or p21 activity, transgenic animals with a disrupted p27 and/or p21 gene, pharmaceutical compositions comprising the cells of the invention, and methods of using these cells in gene therapy (e.g., stem cell gene therapy) and bone marrow transplantation.
US08088617B2
Isolated antibodies that specifically binds to an extracellular conserved ligand binding region of a human Notch receptor and inhibits growth of a tumor are described. Also described are methods of treating cancer, the method comprising administering an anti-Notch antibody in an amount effective to inhibit tumor growth.
US08088611B2
The present invention provides, in part, AKT3 polypeptides and methods of use thereof along with nucleic acids encoding the polypeptides. For example, methods for screening for AKT3 inhibitors are provided herein.
US08088608B2
The present invention relates to variant endoglucanases and particularly endoglucanases having improved properties over wild-type endoglucanase.
US08088606B2
The present invention provides a method for producing an L-amino acid using a bacterium of the Enterobacteriaceae family, particularly a bacterium belonging to genus Escherichia or Pantoea, which has been modified to attenuate expression of a gene coding for sRNA.
US08088605B2
The present invention relates to a delivery system for delivery of an active molecule to a patient, the delivery system comprising a population of exopolysaccharide micelles, each micelle defining a core for containing the active molecule.
US08088604B2
The present invention relates to methodology for polymer grafting by a polysaccharide synthase and, more particularly, polymer grafting using the hyaluronate or chondroitin or heparin/heparosan synthases from Pasteurella, in order to create a variety of glycosaminoglycan oligosaccharides having a natural or chimeric or hybrid sugar structure with a targeted size that are substantially monodisperse in size. The present invention also relates to methodology for polymer grafting by a polysaccharide synthase to form glycosaminoglycan polymers having an unnatural structure.
US08088602B1
The present invention describes the use of thio-phosphate as a novel metabolite for chemically modifying mRNA in cells. Thio-phosphate is taken up by both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, incorporated into rNTP pools and ultimately mRNA. This enables the in vivo modification of mRNA with nuclease resistant phosphorothioate internucleotide linkages. Significant incorporation of thio-phosphate occurs such that RNA is significantly stabilized from degradation both in vivo and in vitro upon subsequent isolation. Thio-phosphate can be used as the sole source of phosphate in the culture medium for several generations resulting in a significant increase in the amount of mRNA per cell. The method should facilitate the detection and analysis of mRNA for research and diagnostic purposes. To enhance protein production it is necessary to use a mixture of thio-phosphate and phosphate in the culture medium. Generally a specific ratio of thio-phosphate to phosphate results in the optimal synthesis of many proteins for a given organism. Significant increases in both native and recombinant proteins are possible with the use of thio-phosphate in the culture media. The method represents a significant advance for cell culture with the potential to not only enhance a variety of fermentation reactions but to also potentially stimulate cellular differentiation for a variety of therapeutic purposes.
US08088595B2
This disclosure relates to a method of measuring a glucose concentration metric or a glucose metric in a patient by contacting an implantable glucose-sensing device with a test sample, which may be in the patient, under conditions that permit a sugar-binding molecule and a functionalized polymer or nano-particle ligand present throughout the matrix of a hydrogel to interact in a glucose-dependent manner to produce an optical signal resulting from quenching of a first fluorophore linked to the ligand or sugar-binding molecule and having a fluorescent emission spectrum quenched upon binding or release of glucose. Next the first fluorophore may be excited with light of a certain wavelength. Then at least one wavelength of light in the glucose-dependent optical signal from the fluorophore may be detected with a detector to produce a detected light signal, which may be processed to produce a glucose metric, such as a glucose concentration metric.
US08088593B2
The present invention provides devices and systems for use at the point of care. The methods devices of the invention are directed toward automatic detection of analytes in a bodily fluid. The components of the device are modular to allow for flexibility and robustness of use with the disclosed methods for a variety of medical applications.
US08088591B2
Novel, sensitive and specific markers and methods for diagnostics and monitoring of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) are provided. Kits and methods for the use of hyaluronic acid, hyaluronidase and CD44 to diagnose HNSCC are described.
US08088590B2
The invention relates to methods and compositions for inhibiting metastasis, such as by inhibiting FOXC2 expression or activity. The invention further relates to methods of prognosticating, diagnosing, and assisting in the diagnosis of metastasis in an individual, or of determining the metastatic potential of a tumor. The invention further relates to methods of identifying agents which inhibit metastasis.
US08088565B2
An exposure system includes a cleaning unit for cleaning a surface of a resist film formed on a wafer with a cleaning fluid and an exposure unit for performing pattern exposure with an immersion liquid provided between the resist film and a projection lens.
US08088555B2
A system and method for forming encoded microparticles is described. One embodiment includes a method of forming an encoded microparticle, the method comprising: depositing and patterning a plurality of layers on a substrate so as to form a plurality of microparticles, each microparticle comprising a plurality of separate segments aligned along an axis and representing a code; and releasing the microparticles in order to separate the microparticles from the substrate.
US08088548B2
Developable bottom antireflective coating compositions are provided.
US08088546B2
There is provided an underlayer coating forming composition for lithography, and an underlayer coating having a high dry etching rate compared with photoresist, and causing no intermixing with the photoresist, which are used in lithography process of manufacture of semiconductor device. Concretely, it is an underlayer coating forming composition comprising a polymer having a structural unit containing naphthalene ring substituted with halogen atom in a molar ratio of 0.3 or more in the structural units constituting the polymer, a solvent.
US08088544B2
Nano-sized particles for use in making emulsion aggregation toner particles have a core portion and a shell portion, wherein the core portion of the nano-sized particles includes crystalline resin and the shell portion includes amorphous resin and is substantially to completely free of the crystalline resin.
US08088541B2
The present invention relates to a polyvinyl acetal resin having a specific repeating structural unit, an electrophotographic photosensitive member using the polyvinyl acetal resin, and a process cartridge and an electrophotographic apparatus each having the electrophotographic photosensitive member.
US08088540B2
An object of the invention is to provide a photoreceptor for electrophotography which has a low residual potential in an initial stage, is inhibited from increasing in residual potential, is prevented from decreasing in charge potential, undergoes little fatigue deterioration even upon repeated use, and is less apt to pose a problem concerning toxicity or environmental pollution. The invention relates to a photoreceptor for electrophotography which has a photosensitive layer containing an aromatic hydroxycarboxylic acid metal complex represented by the following general formula (1): and one or more charge-transporting agents each having an arylaminophenyl group in the molecule.
US08088539B2
In an exposure aligning method, a first shift amount indicating a shift amount of a lower layer pattern of an exposure target substrate from an origin point position is determined and a second shift amount indicating a shift amount of the lower layer pattern in at lease one past lot which has been processed before said exposure target substrate is processed, from the origin point position is determined. A third shift amount indicating a difference between the first shift amount and the second shift amount is calculated and a first correction value is determined based on the third shift amount. An exposure position of an exposure target pattern is adjusted based on the first correction value.
US08088537B2
The present invention relates to a resist top coat composition and a patterning process adopting such a material, which resist top coat composition is provided for forming a top coat on a photoresist film so as to protect the photoresist film, in liguid immersion photolithography. The present invention provides a resist top coat composition for forming a top coat on a photoresist film, wherein the resist top coat composition comprises, at least: a polymer I including a repeating unit a represented by the following general formula (1); and a polymer II including repeating unit having a sulfonic acid or an amine salt of a sulfonic acid:
US08088527B2
When a power generation instruction value for a fuel cell is reduced during warm-up of the fuel cell by a low power generation efficiency operation as compared to a normal operation and when supply of a reactant gas to the fuel cell cannot be controlled so as to follow the reduction of the power generation instruction value, the reactant gas supply to the fuel cell is reduced and the output voltage to the fuel cell is increased. Thus, it is possible to charge an excessive power equivalent to a difference between a fuel cell generation amount and the power generation instruction value into a capacitance component of the fuel cell, so that the power supplied to the external load of the fuel cell coincides with the power generation instruction value. Thus, when a power request for the fuel cell during the low-efficiency operation is suddenly reduced, it is possible to perform control so that the excessive power is not supplied to the external load.
US08088518B2
Disclosed is a method for producing a lithium difluorobis(oxalato)phosphate solution, which is characterized by that lithium hexafluorophosphate and oxalic acid are mixed together in a nonaqueous solvent, in a manner that the molar ratio of lithium hexafluorophosphate to oxalic acid falls within a range of 1:1.90 to 1:2.10, and furthermore silicon tetrachloride is added to this, in a manner that the molar ratio of lithium hexafluorophosphate to silicon tetrachloride falls within a range of 1:0.95 to 1:1.10, thereby conducting a reaction. The lithium difluorobis(oxalato)phosphate solution produced by this method has low contents of chlorine compounds and free acids. Therefore, it can become an additive that is effective for improving performance of nonaqueous electrolyte batteries.
US08088512B2
An electrochemical device includes a first electrode in electrical communication with a first current collector, a second electrode in electrical communication with a second current collector and a crosslinked solid polymer in contact with the first and second electrodes. At least one of the first and second electrodes includes a network of electrically connected particles comprising an electroactive material, and the particles of one electrode exert a repelling force on the other electrode when the first and second electrodes are combined with an uncrosslinked precursor to the solid polymer.
US08088510B2
A lithium secondary battery having enhanced safety, which includes an electrode group, a non-aqueous electrolyte and a battery can for housing them. The electrode group includes: a positive electrode having a strip-shaped positive electrode current collector and a material mixture layer carried thereon; a negative electrode having a strip-shaped negative electrode current collector and a material mixture layer carried thereon; a separator; and a porous heat resistant layer. The positive and negative electrodes are spirally wound with the separator and the porous heat resistant layer interposed therebetween. An outermost surface of the electrode group includes an exposed portion of either of the positive and negative electrode current collectors. The exposed portion faces an inner surface of the battery can with the separator interposed therebetween, and has opposite polarity to that of the battery can.
US08088503B2
A superconducting article includes a substrate having an untextured metal surface; an untextured barrier layer of La2Zr2O7 or Gd2Zr2O7 supported by and in contact with the surface of the substrate; a biaxially textured buffer layer supported by the untextured barrier layer; and a biaxially textured superconducting layer supported by the biaxially textured buffer layer. Moreover, a method of forming a buffer layer on a metal substrate includes the steps of: providing a substrate having an untextured metal surface; coating the surface of the substrate with a barrier layer precursor; converting the precursor to an untextured barrier layer; and depositing a biaxially textured buffer layer above and supported by the untextured barrier layer.
US08088500B2
The invention provides an OLED device including a cathode, an anode, and having there between a light-emitting layer, further including, between the cathode and the light emitting layer, a first layer containing a fluoranthene compound including one and only one fluoranthene nucleus and having no aromatic rings annulated to the fluoranthene nucleus, the fluoranthene nucleus having independently selected aromatic groups in the 7,10-positions and an azine group in the 8- or 9-position, provided that the azine group is not a phenanthroline group. The OLED device desirably includes a second layer containing an alkali metal or alkali metal compound, located between the cathode and the first layer. The OLED device can also include a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon compound in the first layer or in a third layer located between the first layer and the light-emitting layer. Devices of the invention provide improvement in features such as efficiency and drive voltage.
US08088494B2
A laminate of laminae of uniform rectangular cross-sections or depths and lengths arranged randomly or otherwise in the laminate, such laminae having been derived from a feedstock comprising a population of logs (single or multigrade) wherein the population of laminae comprises all of the laminae that can be derived from the population of logs (exclusive only of laminae or material for laminae that are not of acceptable rectangular cross-section and/or length), and where each cross-section of each lamina represents a maximum of one thirtieth of the log cross-section, or the thickness of each lamina represents a maximum of one fifteenth of the small end log diameter.
US08088492B2
A thermal transfer image-receiving polymeric sheet capable of recording thereon thermally transferred dye or ink images in a clear and sharp form. The image-receiving layer comprises at least one water dispersible aliphatic polyether-polyurethane resin and at least one water dispersible aliphatic polyester-polyurethane resin or a silica dispersion or an anionic aqueous emulsion of wax.
US08088483B1
Methods for producing Group 10 metal nanostructures are provided. The methods involve novel precursors, novel surfactants, or novel precursor-surfactant combinations. Compositions related to the methods are also featured.
US08088481B2
A tire adhesive sheet having a high adhesive strength to a tire at a wide temperature range and a good tackiness even to a studless tire is provided. The tire adhesive sheet contains a base material and an adhesive layer. The adhesive layer contains a hot-melt type adhesive composition and is constructed to satisfy adhesion characteristics of:(A) an adhesive strength of 7 N/25 mm or more with respect to a SBR plate at 5° C.; and(B) an adhesive strength of 7 N/25 mm or more with respect to a SBR plate at 40° C.
US08088478B2
The barrier properties of a water soluble gas barrier material are improved if the material is blended with a nanoparticle calcium carbonate having a size of from 10 to 250 nanometers. The barrier material is on a substrate to provide a substrate with gas barrier properties. A layer of heat sealable material may be applied to the exposed surface of the barrier material. A method for making the barrier coated substrate is disclosed.
US08088468B2
A protective cover for lining one or more edges of an undermount sink is provided. The protective cover has a means for removably attaching the cover to one or more interior ledges of the countertop adjacent to one or more sides of the sink, and is formed of a pliable material such as vinyl. In one embodiment, the protective cover is shaped to protect the edge of the countertop adjacent to the sink, without means for attachment to the countertop.
US08088462B1
A vehicular window assembly includes a vehicular window, an inner film unit and an outer film unit. The vehicular window panel has interior and exterior opposed surfaces. The inner film unit includes an inner adhesive layer and an inner film layer adhered to the interior surface of the vehicular window panel by the inner adhesive layer. The outer film unit includes an outer adhesive layer and an outer film layer adhered to the exterior surface of the vehicular window panel by the outer adhesive layer.
US08088457B2
A decorative architectural glass panel comprises a two or more glass sheets separated by a resin in which one or more decorative objects are suspended. A method of making the glass panel comprises positioning one or more spacers and one or more decorative objects on a first glass sheet, placing a second glass sheet about the first glass sheet, sealing the edges of the first glass sheet and second glass sheet, and filling the space between the first and second glass sheets with a curable liquid resin. The resin can be poured using a substantially horizontal pour in order to keep the decorative objects from substantially shifting when pouring the liquid resin. The resin can also be poured in combination with a vacuum force. In some implementations, the glass panel may also be substituted with a resin panel using polymeric resin sheets.
US08088455B2
A drain port and an exhaust port arranged at the bottom of a cup surrounding a substrate holding unit. A drainage tray is arranged below the cup so as to cover the moving area of the drain port when the substrate holding unit and the cup move in X-directions and Y-directions. An exhaust unit is arranged at a position corresponding to the position of the exhaust port of the cup when the substrate holding unit is in its spin-drying position. The exhaust unit is connected to the exhaust port to suck the interior of the cup when the spin-drying of the substrate is executed. The use of a flexible tube which is always connected to the exhaust port is no longer necessary.
US08088444B2
An electrode mixture paste (5) is applied on both sides of a strip of core material (1) made of porous metal sheet that is running along its lengthwise direction. The paste-coated core material (1) is pressed with press rollers (15a, 15b) alternately from opposite sides once or more, after which the paste-coated core material (1) is passed through the gap between a pair of scraper tools (16a, 16b) to adjust the coating thickness of the paste (5), while the position of the core material (1) is restricted with comb-shaped projections (17a or 17a, 17b), so that, even though the projections (17a, 17b) are distanced from each other sufficiently to allow weld points of the core material (1) to pass through, the coating thickness is precisely regulated. Therefore, a method of applying an electrode mixture paste is realized, with which coating thickness is precisely adjusted and, even in a continuous production process in which core materials are connected together by welding, production failures due to weld points being stuck are prevented.
US08088437B2
Disclosed is a method for producing a silver-containing nanostructure which can reduce the time required for a post treatment step and the amount of a waste material and which is achieved by the application of the reduction reaction of silver oxide; and a silver-containing nanostructure having a specific structure, which can be produced by the method. Specifically disclosed is a method for producing a silver-containing nanostructure, including dispersing a polymeric compound in which a hydrophilic segment is bonded to a polyalkyleneimine chain in a medium, adding silver oxide thereto, and carrying out a reduction reaction of the silver oxide, thereby obtaining a silver-containing nanostructure. In the method, a structure having a branched structure can be produced when a specific compound is used as a complexing agent. The silver-containing nanostructure thus produced can be used as a conductive paste or the like.
US08088432B2
Shown is a method for manufacturing an instant-type soybean paste blend made with sea urchin eggs, having grinding lyophilized sea urchin eggs; blending 100 parts by weight of an aged soybean paste, with 16 to 30 parts by weight of the ground sea urchin eggs; lyophilizing the soybean paste blend with sea urchin eggs for 15 to 20 hours to a water content of 5 to 10%; and packing the lyophilized soybean paste blend made with sea urchin eggs. Packed in a unit dose suitable for one meal, the soybean paste blend can be readily used in the precise amount necessary for cooking. Blended with sea urchin eggs, the soybean paste is rich in various nutrients. Foods cooked with the soybean paste blend are imparted with the flavor of sea urchin eggs and the nutrients of the soybean paste as well as those of the sea urchin eggs.
US08088430B1
An improved method for preparing a shortening composition comprising the steps of blending a non-hydrogenated vegetable oil with an emulsifier to form a liquid mixture, the emulsifier comprising monoglycerides and diglycerides; utilizing a pre-determined minimum cooling rate, a nucleation temperature and a nucleation time for the mixture; blending an inert gas into the liquid mixture until the mixture comprises at least 5% by volume inert gas; pumping the mixture through a scraped surface heat exchanger to rapidly cool the mixture, wherein the temperature of the mixture changes at a rate of at least the minimum cooling rate; controlling the cooling rate of the mixture within the scraped surface heat exchanger such that the mixture is cooled to the nucleation temperature before the mixture exits the scraped surface heat exchanger; pumping the cooled mixture from the scraped surface heat exchanger to a working unit before the nucleation time has elapsed, wherein the nucleation time is measured from the moment at which the mixture reaches the nucleation temperature, and wherein the working unit mechanically works the cooled mixture; and filling a metered amount of the shortening composition into a container for further processing and packaging.
US08088429B2
To provide a packaged high-catechin beverage in which a low-caffeine green tea extract is added. A packaged beverage containing from 0.03 to 1.0 wt % of non-polymer catechins, in which a low-caffeine green tea extract obtained by a method of brining a green tea extract into contact with a 91/9 to 97/3 by weight mixture of an organic solvent and water, activated carbon, and acid clay or activated clay is added.
US08088428B2
To provide a packaged coffee beverage, which contains chlorogenic acids at high concentration, has good flavor and taste, and is suppressed in the occurrence of sediment during long-term storage. A packaged coffee beverage subjected to heat sterilization treatment, the beverage comprising (A) monocaffeoylquinic acid, (B) feruloylquinic acid and (C) dicaffeoylquinic acid, wherein (a) a total content of the ingredients (A), (B) and (C) contained in dissolved states in the beverage is from 0.14 to 4% by weight based on the beverage, and the beverage comprises (b) 80% by weight or more of water, (c) magnesium and sodium at a Mg/Na weight ratio of from 0.04 to 1, (d) a coffee extract obtained from roasted coffee beans having an L value of form 16 to 25, and (e) from 0.0024 to 0.0122% by weight of brown color in terms of Food Yellow No. 4.
US08088426B2
The invention relates to compounds of formula (I) that provide a kokumi flavor to consumables and flavor compositions, and to consumables and flavor compositions comprising such compounds. Enzymatic methods to prepare the compounds are provided.
US08088422B2
Food products fortified by purified PQQ and methods of application and production are disclosed. A method of preserving a food product comprising admixing an effective amount of purified PQQ or a compound containing purified PQQ derivatives with a foodstuff to provide an inhibiting means to microorganism growth in the food product.
US08088420B2
The present invention relates to a method for determining the optimum macronutrient content of a diet for an individual companion animal and for optimised diets determined according to such a method.
US08088415B2
The invention includes a core-and-shell dosage form or unit in which the core contains API and in which the shell substantially governs the release such as by controlling diffusion of API through the shell. The shell may comprise a release-blocking polymer, and particles of a release-regulating polymer. The shell may be substantially impervious but the release-regulating polymer may become suitable to allow diffusion through it when activated. The core may include a buffer region between the shell and the API-containing portion of the core. The dosage form may include multiple units. The dosage form of the invention is capable of providing a release profile whose time scale can be adjusted by adjusting powder composition, and which may be approximately zero-order release. The invention further includes methods of manufacturing such a dosage form, such as three-dimensional printing.
US08088407B2
Methods for reducing or preventing transplant rejection in the eye of an individual are described, comprising: a) performing an ocular transplant procedure; and b) implanting in the eye a bioerodible drug delivery system comprising an immunosuppressive agent and a bioerodible polymer.
US08088405B2
Methods of promoting healing through enhanced regeneration of tissue (e.g. hard tissue or soft tissue) by contacting the tissue or the surrounding tissue with an anti-inflammatory agent. These methods are useful in a variety of dental and orthopedic applications.
US08088404B2
Biocompatible coatings for medical devices are disclosed. Specifically, polymer coatings designed to control the release of bioactive agents from medical devices in vivo are disclosed wherein the solubility parameters of polymers and drugs are closely matched to control elute rate profiles. The present application also discloses providing vascular stents with controlled release coatings and related methods for making these coatings.
US08088401B2
The invention provides a composite material comprising a porous semiconductor impregnated with at least one beneficial organic substance, wherein the beneficial organic substance is present in an amount of at least 15% by weight, based on the weight of the material. Also provided are methods for the preparation of such materials, pharmaceutical compositions comprising them and their use in methods of treatment.
US08088399B2
The present invention relates to the field of preventive and/or curative protection of delicate lips. More precisely, a subject-matter of the invention is the cosmetic use of active principles which are capable of enhancing the content of ceramides in the lips, such as a ceramide precursor comprising a 6-hydroxy-4-sphingenine base, ascorbic acid or one of its analogues, as protective agent for delicate lips. The invention is additionally targeted at corresponding compositions for labial application.
US08088397B2
The present invention relates to an adjuvant derived from human lymphocytes. The adjuvant can be used in combination with traditional vaccines or cancer immunotherapy, to enhance the response of the patient's immune system to the vaccine or other immunotherapeutic agent. The adjuvant is derived from the supernatant collected from cultured activated lymphocytes.
US08088394B2
This invention relates to a mutant E. coli heat-labile enterotoxin (LT) subunit A that can be used as an adjuvant. This subunit A mutant contains an amino acid substitution at a position corresponding to position 61 of a wild-type LT. An LT containing this mutated subunit A exhibits reduced toxicity compared to its wild type counterpart.
US08088392B2
The present invention provides methods for the use of viral capsid proteins and chaperone proteins to produce immunogenic macro-molecular structures as antigen carrier to carry desired epitopes or antigens, for enhancing the immunogenicity of the carried epitopes or antigens for therapeutic or prophylactic vaccination. The immunogenic macro-molecular structures may also be used for therapeutic or prophylactic vaccination.
US08088390B2
The present invention discloses the protease stratum corneum chymotryptic enzyme (SCCE) is specifically over-expressed in ovarian and other malignancies. A number of SCCE peptides can induce immune responses to SCCE, thereby demonstrating the potential of these peptides in monitoring and the development of immunotherapies for ovarian and other malignancies.
US08088385B2
A methods and compounds for inhibiting 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase /fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase 3 (PFKFB3) are described. Also described are methods of inhibiting cell proliferation, treating cancer, and screening compounds to determine their ability to inhibit PFKFB3.
US08088383B2
Methods of therapy for B-cell malignancies are provided. The methods comprise administering a therapeutically effective amount of an antagonist anti-CD40 antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof to a patient in need thereof. The antagonist anti-CD40 antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof is free of significant agonist activity when the antibody binds a CD40 antigen on a normal human B cell, exhibits antagonist activity when the antibody binds a CD40 antigen on a malignant human B cell, and can exhibit antagonist activity when the antibody binds a CD40 antigen on a normal human B cell. Antagonist activity of the anti-CD40 antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof beneficially inhibits proliferation and/or differentiation of malignant human B cells.
US08088379B2
The invention is directed to a modified T cell receptor (TCR) comprising an amino acid sequence of a wild-type (WT) TCR with no more than three amino acid substitutions, wherein the modified TCR, as compared to the WT TCR, (i) has an enhanced ability to recognize target cells when expressed by CD4+ T cells and (ii) does not exhibit a decrease in antigen specificity when expressed by CD8+ T cells. Polypeptides, proteins, nucleic acids, recombinant expression vectors, host cells, populations of cells, antibodies, and pharmaceutical compositions related to the modified TCR also are part of the invention. Further, the invention is directed to methods of detecting a diseased cell in a host, methods of treating or preventing a disease in a host, and methods of identifying a candidate adoptive immunotherapy TCR.
US08088369B2
The invention provides an anti-wrinkle agent which has an excellent effect of inhibiting the formation of wrinkles and excellent safeness.The anti-wrinkle agent contains, as an active ingredient, a culture supernatant of a lactic acid bacterium belonging to Streptococcus thermophilus.
US08088365B2
PEG and related polymer derivatives having weak, hydrolytically unstable linkages near the reactive end of the polymer are provided for conjugation to drugs, including proteins, enzymes, small molecules, and others. These derivatives provide a sufficient circulation period for a drug-PEG conjugate, followed by hydrolytic breakdown of the conjugate and release of the bound molecule. In some cases, drugs that demonstrate reduced activity when permanently coupled to PEG maintain a therapeutically suitable activity when coupled to a degradable PEG in accordance with the invention. The PEG derivatives of the invention can be used to impart improved water solubility, increased size, a slower rate of kidney clearance, and reduced immunogenicity to a conjugate formed by attachment thereto. Controlled hydrolytic release of the bound molecule into an aqueous environment can then enhance the drug's delivery profile by providing a delivery system which employs such polymers and utilizes the teachings provided herein.
US08088364B2
In one embodiment, a personal-care composition in the form of a water-in-oil emulsion comprises at least about 10% of a non-polar silicone oil; from about 0.1% to about 10% of a first oil-soluble solid sunscreen; and from about 0.1% to about 10% of a second oil-soluble solid sunscreen. The weight ratio of the first sunscreen to the second sunscreen may be from about 0.8 to about 2.0, or from about 1.0 to about 1.5. The first sunscreen may be oxybenzone. The second sunscreen may be avobenzone. The composition may further comprise a skin-care active selected from the group consisting of a vitamin B3 compound, a sugar amine, a peptide, a hexamidine compound, and combinations thereof. In another embodiment, the invention relates to a method for improving the solubility of a second oil-soluble solid sunscreen in the oil phase of a water-in oil emulsion.
US08088361B2
A method is disclosed for blocking or reducing physiological reaction in a mammal to the interaction of IgE antibodies present in said mammal upon contact with the corresponding antigen, by the administration to said mammal of a therapeutically effective amount of a neurotoxin (CnT) derived from Clostridia sp.
US08088357B2
The invention relates to recognition molecules which are directed towards tumors and can be used in the diagnosis and therapy of tumor diseases.
US08088349B2
Disclosed is a clean method for preparing layered double hydroxides (LDHs), in which hydroxides of different metals are used as starting materials for production of LDHs by atom-economical reactions. The atom efficiency of the reaction is 100% in each case because all the atoms of the reactants are converted into the target product since only M2+(OH)2, M3+(OH)3, and CO2 or HnAn− are used, without any NaOH or other materials. Since there is no by-product, filtration or washing process is unnecessary. The consequent reduction in water consumption is also beneficial to the environment.
US08088341B2
An aspect of the invention is directed to an analyte collection device of the type that includes at least one plate for storing the analyte and a heating element for heating the at least one plate. An example device comprises a controller linked to the heating element that heats the at least one plate to a first temperature, takes a measurement of a property of the at least one plate, and uses the measurement to estimate one or more of the amount of the analyte on the plate and the amount of contaminant on the plate.
US08088337B2
The inventive ozone generator comprises at least one tubular external electrode (4), at least one internal electrode (7), wherein each internal electrode consists of a plurality of tubular metal segments (8) which are closed at least partially at each end and externally ceramic-coated, said tubular segments are disposed one behind another, mechanically de-coupled from each other and electrically connected, a rod (11) axially crosses the tubular segments (8) and is provided on the end thereof with means (12, 13) for axially clamping the tubular segments to each other in such a way that an electric contact is formed. Each tubular metal segment (8) is provided at each end thereof with an outwardly convex bottom (8a, 8b) which is embodied substantially in the form of a spherical cap, comprises a central area (18) for electric contact and is provided with a ceramic coating (9) consisting of at least two thin layers (9a, 9b).
US08088335B2
A conversion apparatus for catalytic cracking a hydrocarbon feed to light hydrocarbon comprises at least one riser reactor, a dense bed reactor, a disengager, and a stripper. A dense bed reactor which is separated from disengage, is employed to enforce further cracking hydrocarbon to light olefins, with low methane yield. Moreover, the spent catalysts discharged from the outlet of the dense bed reactor can be introduced into the stripper via a specific catalyst transporting channel, to maintain catalyst concentration in the dense bed reactor that can be advantageous to deeper cracking of the intermediate products to produce more light olefins, particularly propylene.
US08088328B2
A heat treating furnace is disclosed for nitride case hardening and gas cooling a stationary workload in the same furnace which is comprised of a single chamber and an access door. The chamber is segregated into an outer portion and an inner portion, with the inner portion being adapted to receive the workload to be nitride case hardened through the access door. The inner portion is surrounded by graphite insulation to retain the gas used to nitride case harden the workload. The inner portion further includes a plurality of graphite resistance heating elements and a plurality of graphite plates juxtaposed in near proximity to the graphite resistance heating elements forming a conduit or plenum between them. The inner portion further includes a fan assembly including a graphite radial fan wheel adapted to circulate the nitriding gas within the inner portion and through the conduit to provide uniform nitride case hardening of the workload.
US08088325B2
Articles and methods of making an articles having at least one convexity or at least one concavity are described. A first article having at least one concavity is prepared using a molding surface that includes at least one gas bubble. A second article having at least one convexity is prepared using the first article as a mold.
US08088322B2
The present invention relates to a method and a device for shaping a pharmaceutically active substance in the form of powders, granules, multiparticulate medicaments, in particular pellets and microcapsules, for the production of a tablet or a multiparticulate medicament by means of ultrasound, with an ultrasound generator, a sonotrode and a mould, into which the pharmaceutically active substance can be poured.
US08088319B2
A method for producing a panel assembly is provided. The panel assembly includes a panel and a gasket adhered to the panel and extending along at least a portion of the periphery. A curable composition is applied either directly or indirectly onto the panel and onto a mold surface onto which the panel has been positioned. When being applied on the mold surface, the curable composition has a dynamic viscosity which is lower than the dynamic viscosity of extrusion materials. In this way, a better surface quality can be achieved without having to exert a high pressure onto the curable composition. In contrast to the known RIM processes, the curable composition is not injected in a closed mold but is applied onto an open mold surface by means of an applicator device moving along at least the portion of the periphery of the panel.
US08088308B2
A resin composition which is excellent in quick curing and can be used for curing in conventionally used ovens, and a semiconductor device which is excellent in reliability such as solder crack resistance or the like when the resin composition is used as a die attach material for semiconductor. Further preferably, a resin composition which has a sufficient low stress property, good adhesion and excellent bleeding property. A resin composition comprising a filler (A), the compound (B) comprising a structure represented by the formula (I) and a functional group represented by the formula (2) and a thermal radical initiator (C), and substantially not containing a photo polymerization initiator.
US08088300B2
Disclosed is a stabilized chlorine dioxide generating composition containing an oxy-chlorine salt, an acid source, optionally a free halogen source, and an endothermic agent. The endothermic agent neutralizes heat evolved by exothermic reaction of the oxy-chlorine salt by the endothermic reaction of the endothermic agent. Since the endothermic reaction eliminates and/or mitigates propagation of the exothermic reaction of the oxy-chlorine salt from a localized area through the total mass of the material, the chlorine dioxide generating composition is thereby stabilized during making, storing, or shipping the composition.
US08088297B2
The present invention relates firstly to HF/fluoride-free etching and doping media which are suitable both for the etching of silicon dioxide layers and also for the doping of underlying silicon layers. The present invention also relates secondly to a process in which these media are employed.
US08088295B2
A method according to one embodiment comprises forming a thin film layer; forming a hardmask layer above the thin film layer, the hardmask layer comprising laminated layers of diamond-like carbon; removing a portion of the hardmask layer; and removing a portion of the thin film layer that is unprotected by the hardmask layer. A method according to another embodiment comprises forming a thin film layer; forming a patterned hardmask layer above the thin film layer, the hardmask layer comprising laminated layers of diamond-like carbon; and implanting a material into a portion of the thin film layer that is unprotected by the patterned hardmask layer. Additional methods are disclosed.
US08088294B2
An exemplary method for manufacturing printed circuit boards is provided. In the method, a copper clad substrate having a copper layer thereon is provided. A surface of the copper layer is roughened by applying an atmospheric pressure plasma thereto. A photoresist layer is formed on the roughened surface of the copper layer. The photoresist layer is exposed. The photoresist layer is developed to form a patterned photoresist layer, thereby exposing portions of the copper layer. The exposed portions of the copper layer exposed are removed so that the remaining portions of the copper layer form electrical traces. The patterned photoresist layer is removed.
US08088293B2
The invention includes methods of forming reticles configured for imprint lithography, methods of forming capacitor container openings, and methods in which capacitor container openings are incorporated into DRAM arrays. An exemplary method of forming a reticle includes formation of a radiation-imageable layer over a material. A lattice pattern is then formed within the radiation-imageable layer, with the lattice pattern defining a plurality of islands of the radiation-imageable layer. The lattice-patterned radiation-imageable layer is utilized as a mask while subjecting the material under the lattice-patterned layer to an etch which transfers the lattice pattern into the material. The etch forms a plurality of pillars which extend only partially into the material, with the pillars being spaced from one another by gaps. The gaps are subsequently narrowed with a second material which only partially fills the gaps.
US08088287B2
An automatic, self-regulating method of water treatment for use in water circulating towers in which water is evaporated, and make up water is added, with components which synergistically function to cut chemical, energy, water, corrosion, pollution, and maintenance costs, by passing the water through a Water Conditioning unit to prevent adhering evaporation scale deposits along with their content of concentrated biofouling nutrients from forming on the flooded surfaces of the tower and its associated water flow circuit, adding a trace level of iodine to the input make-up water to enhance the further disinfection of nutrient-deprived surfaces from any residual biofilm and chance pathogen contaminations, and adding a trace level addition of zinc ions in the water such as by an assured treatment feeder to the input make-up flow for inhibiting residual iodine-resistant algal and bacterial organisms of hazard for restoring bionutrient tower conditions, such as within sun-lit environments, and apparatus for carrying out the foregoing method.
US08088286B2
A gravity separator includes a vessel within which a mixture containing water, oil, and gas can separate under gravity to form vertically discrete oil and water layers and a gas phase. An inlet duct communicates with a vessel entrance for the mixture containing water, oil, and gas. The inlet duct of the gravity separator includes a gas injector that injects a gaseous medium in a volume in the range of from 0.01-1.9 Sm3 of the gaseous medium per 1 m3 of the mixture into the mixture containing water, oil, and gas.
US08088284B2
A system for measuring the concentration of magnetic ballast in a moving slurry including a detection conduit surrounded by a set of coaxial detection coils configured to receive the moving slurry, a reference conduit surrounded by a set of coaxial coils, an AC power source for establishing a magnetic field in one of the detection coils and one of the reference coils, and a measurement subsystem for measuring the differential induced voltage between one of the set of coaxial detection coils and one of the set of coaxial reference coils to determine the concentration of the magnetic ballast in the moving slurry.
US08088281B2
A method for the removal of entrained hydrocarbons, particularly aromatics, from water by extracting the hydrocarbons in the water with a hydrocarbon which is relatively less soluble in the water than the entrained hydrocarbon. The hydrocarbons are then separated from the water by a process of coalescence/separation. The extractant is suitably a paraffinic hydrocarbon which, while having an affinity for the entrained hydrocarbon, is relatively less soluble in water than hydrocarbons such as aromatics. The hydrocarbons removed from the water can be recirculated to the feed with the composition of the recirculating phase being controlled to achieve the desired level of hydrocarbon removal.
US08088277B2
A method of removing impurities from heavy fuel includes providing a first stationary adsorption column. The method further includes packing adsorbent particles that have a particle size distribution wherein at least about 50% of the particles have a diameter greater than about 18 microns in the first column. The method further includes diluting heavy fuel with a solvent to form a solvent-fuel mixture, and supplying the solvent-fuel mixture through the first column to facilitate removing impurities from the mixture.
US08088276B2
A lubricating oil re-refining system and process provide a highly efficient and environmentally sound alternative for reclaiming and reusing spent oils. The re-refining process advantageously removes the additives, water, wear metals and other contaminants from the used lubricating oil, while at the same time, returns the base oil fraction that once again can be blended with additives and can be restored to its original high quality specifications for reuse without causing secondary pollution.
US08088275B2
A process treats a fluid stream of used fracturing fluid containing contaminants and forms a reconditioned fluid stream. Contaminants are removed by the combination of distillation, electrostatic agglomeration, decanting, and filtration or by distillation and optional filtering. Optionally, in each case, the filtered fluid stream is treated in a clay tower to remove residual contaminants.
US08088274B2
A process is described for catalytic cracking of hydrocarbon feedstocks from petroleum refining which increases substantially the yields of light olefins. The process limits the extreme conditions to a first reaction section and introduces a stream of cooling fluid above the feedstock injection point so as to maintain a second reaction section under cracking conditions which produce light olefins propene and ethene, and inhibits reactions undesirable for the process.
US08088271B2
The present invention provides a method of electrochemically measuring a hematocrit (Hct) value using a sensor, capable of achieving excellent measurement accuracy and reliability and also provides a sensor used in the method. The method of electrochemically measuring a hematocrit (Hct) value of blood include: providing an electrode system having a working electrode (11) and a counter electrode (12), in which a redox substance is provided on the counter electrode (12) but not on the working electrode (11); supplying blood to the electrode system; applying a voltage to the electrode system in this state to cause an oxidation current or a reduction current to flow between the working electrode (11) and the counter electrode (12); detecting the oxidation current or the reduction current; and determining a Hct value based on a value of the detected current.
US08088270B2
Alkali metals and sulfur may be recovered from alkali polysulfides in an electrolytic process that utilizes an electrolytic cell having an alkali ion conductive membrane. An anolyte solution includes an alkali polysulfide and a solvent that dissolves elemental sulfur. A catholyte solution includes alkali metal ions and a catholyte solvent. Applying an electric current oxidizes sulfur in the anolyte compartment, causes alkali metal ions to pass through the alkali ion conductive membrane to the catholyte compartment, and reduces the alkali metal ions in the catholyte compartment. Sulfur is recovered by removing and cooling a portion of the anolyte solution to precipitate solid phase sulfur. Operating the cell at low temperature causes elemental alkali metal to plate onto the cathode. The cathode may be removed to recover the alkali metal in batch mode or configured as a flexible band to continuously loop outside the catholyte compartment to remove the alkali metal.
US08088262B2
Provided are a low impedance gold electrode, which has increased surface area, and can improve a bonding force with other materials, an apparatus for and a method of fabricating the low impedance gold electrode, and an electrolyte solution for use in the fabrication of the low impedance gold electrode. The gold electrode has a surface roughness that is increased through electrolysis using an acid electrolyte solution, has an impedance that is less than 1/10 of an impedance before the electrolysis and is higher than 0Ω when the low impedance gold electrode is disposed in the acid electrolyte solution or another electrolyte solution, and has a single-layered structure whose thickness is less than that before the electrolysis.
US08088261B2
An electrochemical cell for producing copper having a dense graphite anode electrode and a dense graphite cathode electrode disposed in a CuCl solution. An anion exchange membrane made of poly(ethylene vinyl alcohol) and polyethylenimine cross-linked with a cross-linking agent selected from the group consisting of acetone, formaldehyde, glyoxal, glutaraldehyde, and mixtures thereof is disposed between the two electrodes.
US08088259B2
A display device in which an Al alloy film and a conductive oxide film are directly connected without interposition of refractory metal and some or all of Al alloy components deposit or are concentrated at the interface of contact between the Al alloy film and the conductive oxide film. The Al alloy film contains 0.1 to 6 at % of at least one element selected from the group consisting of Ni, Ag, Zn, Cu and Ge, and further contains 1) 0.1 to 2 at % of at least one element selected from the group consisting of Mg, Cr, Mn, Ru, Rh, Pd, Ir, Pt, La, Ce, Pr, Gd, Tb, Sm, Eu, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu and Dy or 2) 0.1 to 1 at % of at least one element selected from the group consisting of Ti, V, Zr, Nb, Mo, Hf, Ta and W, as the alloy components.
US08088258B2
The invention relates to cryogenic engineering, in particular to purifying krypton-xenon mixture and is usable in the chemical and oil-and-gas industries. The inventive method comprises purifying and separating the mixture in rectification columns, wherein coolant is removed and returned to a cooling cycle, additionally removing radionuclides from krypton and xenon fractions and from krypton and xenon production flows by means of filtration and/or adsorption and/or rectification and/or absorption and/or chemical and/or physicochemical methods in apparatuses for additional removing radionuclides. Balloons for reception of the separated products are certified with respect to radionuclides content and/or activity prior to and after the filling thereof. An installation for carrying out the method is also disclosed, allowing to additionally remove radionuclides from the separated products in such a way that the products can be used, for example, for medical purposes and to increase the cost efficiency of purification and separation processes.
US08088256B2
The invention disclosed herein relates to the use of laser energy to weld or fuse selected locations in paper machine clothing (“PMC”) and other industrial and engineered fabrics. The invention also relates to an improved loop seam for an on machine seamable papermaker or other industrial fabric.
US08088248B2
A gas switching system for a gas distribution system for supplying different gas compositions to a chamber, such as a plasma processing chamber of a plasma processing apparatus, is provided. The chamber can include multiple zones, and the gas switching section can supply different gases to the multiple zones. The switching section can switch the flows of one or more gases, such that one gas can be supplied to the chamber while another gas can be supplied to a by-pass line, and then switch the gas flows.
US08088247B2
A plasma processing apparatus is provided using a method of measuring the thickness of a processed material, by which the actual remaining thickness or etching depth of a processed layer can be correctly measured online. The plasma processing apparatus includes a detector 11 for detecting interference light of multiple wavelengths from a surface of a sample during processing, pattern comparing means 15 for comparing actual deviation pattern data on the interference light obtained at a given time during processing and a plurality of standard deviation patterns corresponding to two or more thicknesses of the film, and calculating a deviation, the standard deviation patterns corresponding to interference light data of multiple wavelengths obtained, before the processing of the sample, for processing of another sample, deviation comparing means 115 for comparing the deviation between the data and a predetermined deviation and outputting data on a thickness of the film of the sample at that time, remaining-thickness time-series data recording means 18 for recording, as time series data, the data on the thickness of the film, and an endpoint decision unit 230 for deciding completion of a predetermined amount of etching by using the data on the thickness of the film.
US08088231B2
A metallic article is prepared by first furnishing at least one nonmetallic precursor compound, wherein all of the nonmetallic precursor compounds collectively containing the constituent elements of the metallic article in their respective constituent-element proportions. The constituent elements together form a titanium-base alloy having a stable-oxide-forming additive element therein, such as magnesium, calcium, scandium, yttrium, lanthanum, cerium, praseodymium, neodymium, promethium, samarium, europium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, holmium, erbium, thulium, ytterbium, and lutetium, and mixtures thereof. The stable-oxide-forming additive element forms a stable oxide in a titanium-based alloy. At least one additive element is present at a level greater than its room-temperature solid solubility limit in the titanium-base alloy. The precursor compounds are chemically reduced to produce an alloy material, without melting the alloy material. The alloy material may be consolidated. The alloy material, or consolidated metallic article, is thereafter desirably exposed to an oxygen-containing environment at a temperature greater than room temperature.
US08088228B2
A method and system for cleaning foreign material from a fluid reservoir of an implantable medical device, the fluid reservoir being substantially enclosed in an interior portion of the implantable device and accessible from an environment exterior of the implantable device through a penetrable septum. An elongated member having a first end and a second end is engaged with a source of ultrasonic energy capable of imparting vibrations to the first end. The septum is penetrated by the elongated member in a manner such that the first end extends into the fluid reservoir, and the second end does not extend into the reservoir. The ultrasonic energy source is activated to impart vibrations into the reservoir via the elongated member first end, in an amount sufficient to break up the foreign material into particulates, which can then be removed from the reservoir.
US08088227B2
The invention relates to the continuous cleaning of objects, in particular of semiconductor elements, using ultrasound, wherein the objects to be cleaned are arranged within a liquid. Furthermore, the present invention relates to an apparatus for carrying out the method according to the invention.A basic idea of the invention is that the surface of an object to be cleaned (2) in a tank (5) filled with liquid passes through at least one oscillation maximum that is emitted by at least one sound source (8a) being present in the tank (5). According to one embodiment, the sound source fields (8) that are positioned within the tank (5) are arranged inclined with respect to the transport direction (4).
US08088225B2
A substrate support system comprises a substrate holder having a plurality of passages extending between top and bottom surfaces thereof. The substrate holder supports a peripheral portion of the substrate backside so that a thin gap is formed between the substrate and the substrate holder. A hollow support member provides support to an underside of, and is configured to convey gas upward into one or more of the passages of, the substrate holder. The upwardly conveyed gas flows into the gap between the substrate and the substrate holder. Depending upon the embodiment, the gas then flows either outward and upward around the substrate edge (to inhibit backside deposition of reactant gases above the substrate) or downward through passages of the substrate holder, if any, that do not lead back into the hollow support member (to inhibit autodoping by sweeping out-diffused dopant atoms away from the substrate backside).
US08088224B2
The present inventions provide method and apparatus that employ constituents vaporized from one or more constituent supply source or sources to form one or more films of a precursor layer formed on a surface of a continuous flexible workpiece. Of particular significance is the implementation of vapor deposition systems that operate upon a horizontally disposed portion of a continuous flexible workpiece and a vertically disposed portion of a continuous flexible workpiece, preferably in conjunction with a short free-span zone of the portion of a continuous flexible workpiece.
US08088222B2
A novel approach for the growth of high-quality on-axis epitaxial silicon carbide (SiC) films and boules, using the Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) technique, is described here. The method includes a method of substrate preparation, which allows for the growth of “on-axis” SiC films, plus an approach giving the opportunity to grow silicon carbide on singular (a small-angle miscut) substrates, using halogenated carbon-containing precursors (carbon tetrachloride, CCl4, or halogenated hydrocarbons, CHCl3, CH2Cl2, or CH3Cl, or similar compounds or chemicals), or introducing other chlorine-containing species, in the gas phase, in the growth chamber. At gas mixtures greater than the critical amount, small clusters of SiC are etched, before they can become stable nuclei. The presence of chlorine and the formation of gas species allow an increased removal rate of these nuclei, in contrast to the growth without the presence of chlorine. Or, alternatively, the novel precursors introduced in the growth system reduce the effective supersaturation ratio of the Si species in the growth layer. The reduction of the supersaturation ratio reduces or eliminates the 2D (and 3C—SiC) nucleation which would occur due to the large terrace widths present on the on-axis wafers. This allows the growth of Silicon Carbide epitaxial layers on SiC substrates or composite substrates with monocrystalline layers. This can also be applied to the other semiconductors, chemicals, compounds, materials, growth methods, or devices.
US08088217B2
The present invention describes an improved building material composition, useful for example as a fire door core. The building material of the present invention is prepared by compressing an aqueous mixture of expanded perlite and a fast setting, cementitious composition consisting essentially of a hydraulic cement, preferably Portland cement, and a pozzolan additive selected from the group consisting of metakaolin, VCAS and mixtures thereof, and preferably also includes an organic binder and a fibrous reinforcement.
US08088205B2
The invention relates to a wood preservative, which wood preservative contains vegetable oils processed from crude tall oil, such as resin acids and fatty acids. The wood preservative according to the invention is characterized by that the wood preservative is crude tall oil, from which have been removed neutral components contained by the crude tall oil, especially compounds acting as the breeding ground and nutriment of rot fungi and/or compounds causing esterification reactions, such as fatty alcohols and/or steroid groups, such as sitosterol and sitostanol. The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing wood preservative according to the invention.
US08088200B2
In a method for removing acid gases from a fluid stream, the fluid stream, which is in contact with an absorption medium within an absorber, is passed through a first absorption zone in the absorber to remove a majority of acid gases from the fluid stream. The fluid stream is susequently passed through a second absorption zone in the absorber to further remove acid gases from the fluid stream. The loaded absorption medium is passed into a first regeneration zone to obtain a partially regenerated absorption medium, and a part of the partially regenerated absorption medium is passed into the first absorption zone. The other part of the partially regenerated absorption medium is passed into a second regeneration zone to obtain a regenerated absorption medium. A part of the regenerated absorption medium is passed into the first absorption zone and the other part is passed into the second absorption zone.
US08088199B2
A method for obtaining particulate calcium carbonate having an average particle size less than about 12 microns is provided. The method includes the steps of (1) withdrawing from a pulp mill a mixture containing calcium carbonate; (2) treating the mixture to remove contaminants contained in the mixture to produce a treated mixture containing calcium carbonate and further having a chemical composition and/or purity which substantially inhibits the fusing together of calcium carbonate particulates; (3) recovering from the treated mixture particulate calcium carbonate having an average particle size less than about 12 microns. The calcium carbonate produced has a high surface area to volume ratio and is therefore highly reactive and suitable for numerous applications such as in the treatment of soil, filler paper production, paint production, and contaminant containment in coal stack emission assemblies.
US08088192B2
A process for recovering non-ferrous metals, in particular copper, nickel and cobalt, from metallurgical residues containing these non-ferrous metals at an oxidation state of greater than or equal to zero, in an alternating current type plasma arc electric furnace comprising a plurality of electrodes, containing a liquid copper heel covered by a fluid slag comprising at least one fusion-reduction phase, comprising charging of metallurgical residues comprising the non-ferrous metals onto the heel contained in the plasma arc electric furnace, fusion of the metallurgical residues in the fluid slag or at the slag-metal bath interface, reduction of at least the non-ferrous metals to oxidation state zero, and intense stirring of the copper heel by injection of inert gas, preferably nitrogen and/or argon, so as to avoid crust formation and to accelerate the reduction reaction and to cause the copper-miscible non-ferrous metals to pass into the copper heel.
US08088185B2
A system is provided for producing and separating hydrogen and carbon dioxide from a hydrocarbon and steam. A hydrocarbon and steam are steam reformed and the reformed gas is shift reacted to produce a shift gas in the system. Hydrogen is removed from the shift gas, and the hydrogen-depleted gas is reformed and shift reacted again to produce more hydrogen and carbon dioxide in the system. The hydrogen and carbon dioxide are then separated.
US08088183B2
A system and method for the conversion of free fatty acids to glycerides and the subsequent conversion of glycerides to glycerin and biodiesel includes the transesterification of a glyceride stream with an alcohol. The fatty acid alkyl esters are separated from the glycerin to produce a first liquid phase containing a fatty acid alkyl ester rich (concentrated) stream and a second liquid phase containing a glycerin rich (concentrated) stream. The fatty acid alkyl ester rich stream is then subjected to distillation, preferably reactive distillation, wherein the stream undergoes both physical separation and chemical reaction. The fatty acid alkyl ester rich stream is then purified to produce a purified biodiesel product and a glyceride rich residue stream. The glycerin rich second liquid phase stream may further be purified to produce a purified glycerin product and a (second) wet alcohol stream.
US08088182B2
The present invention relates to dyes of formula wherein D, R1, R2, R3, R4 and n are defined as in the claims, to the process for the preparation thereof and to the use thereof in dyeing or printing semi-synthetic and especially synthetic hydrophobic textile materials, more especially textile materials.
US08088170B2
A ureteral stent is designed to be placed within a patient's ureter to facilitate drainage from the patient's kidneys to the bladder. An elongated portion of the stent includes a length sufficient to extend substantially within the ureter from the kidney to the bladder, and the elongated portion defines a lumen extending therethrough. A retention portion extends from one end of the elongated portion and retains the position of the ureteral stent when placed substantially within the kidney. The retention portion includes an interior space that is in communication with the lumen within the elongated portion and has at least one opening for urine drainage. A flared portion extending from the other end of the elongated portion is positioned within the patient's bladder. The flared portion curves outward and includes an elastic member that maintains the shape of the flared portion when positioned within the bladder.
US08088160B2
The present invention provides intravascular prostheses and methods of production and use. An implantable device for treating a vascular disease or disorder includes an intravascular prosthesis containing an inhibitor of smooth muscle cell proliferation and a growth factor. The device can be coated with a biodegradable drug-eluting polymer that is impregnated with the inhibitor of smooth muscle cell proliferation and the growth factor. The device is useful for treating or preventing a vascular disease or disorder such as restenosis, by simultaneously inhibiting vessel blockage and enhancing recovery of the vessel wall following an intravascular intervention.
US08088152B2
An orthopedic retaining system comprising at least one bone screw which has a head part and a threaded shaft pivotally mounted thereon is disclosed. A clamping element is mounted in the head part, which can be pressed against the threaded shaft from its upper side and, as a result, secure the threaded shaft relative to the head part. A retaining bar is arranged in a receptacle of the head part and extends essentially transversely to the threaded shaft. A clamping device is provided on the upper side of the head part, by means of which the clamping element and the retaining bar are pressed into the head part such that the threaded shaft and the retaining bar are secured in position relative to the head part. The clamping device comprises an elastically deformable pressure element which is displaced into a clamping position during actuation of the clamping device.
US08088146B2
A surgical suture is made of an elongate, hollow braid of high strength fibers. The braid defines an elongate, longitudinally-extending, central chamber that is open and without any core material extending therein so that, when a surgeon's knot is tied with the suture, the cross-sectional shape of the braid collapses upon itself and is reduced in size in response to pressures experienced when the knot is tightened thereby producing a low profile knot that resists slippage. Preferably, the braid is of a size corresponding to a USP size 5-0 to USP size 7 suture and has one or more, preferably a pair, of color contrasting monofilaments woven therein to enhance suture visibility. Methods of making a flattened suture and of utilizing the high strength suture to maintain body tissues in an engaged position to promote healing are also provided.
US08088133B2
A tongue cleaning device comprising a tongue cleaning surface supported for tongue cleaning by running the surface across the tongue, a reservoir for a tongue cleaning fluid, means to dispense the fluid either onto the tongue cleaning surface, or directly onto the user's tongue, with a cover part, the tongue cleaning surface and cover part being relatively moveable between a position in which the tongue cleaning surface is exposed for use and a position in which the tongue cleaning surface is covered by the cover part.
US08088131B2
A surgical instrument for suturing soft tissue is disclosed. The surgical instrument is capable of probing tissue, and preferably provides tactile feedback concerning the condition of the tissue. The instrument can then be used to pass and retrieve a suture without the need for an additional suture retrieval tool.
US08088127B2
Systems, assemblies, and methods to treat pulmonary diseases are used to decrease nervous system input to distal regions of the bronchial tree within the lungs. Treatment systems damage nerve tissue to temporarily or permanently decrease nervous system input. The treatment systems are capable of heating nerve tissue, cooling the nerve tissue, delivering a flowable substance that cause trauma to the nerve tissue, puncturing the nerve tissue, tearing the nerve tissue, cutting the nerve tissue, applying pressure to the nerve tissue, applying ultrasound to the nerve tissue, applying ionizing radiation to the nerve tissue, disrupting cell membranes of nerve tissue with electrical energy, or delivering long acting nerve blocking chemicals to the nerve tissue.
US08088119B2
Device and method are provided for diagnosing and treating diseases and injuries to the spine by injecting drugs into the diseased or injured area. The device and method of the subject invention provide improvements to patient and operator safety, along with ease-of-use and convenience improvements over conventional techniques.
US08088116B2
Absorbent articles such as disposable diapers, incontinent briefs, diaper holders, training pants and the like, having elastomeric ear panels and a fastening system that provides the user with different options as to how the absorbent article may be fitted to and removed from the wearer. The absorbent articles allow the wearer to choose between conventional and pull-on diaper configurations, or combinations thereof, and properly and comfortably fit a large range of wearer sizes. Further, the absorbent articles can be pulled on and/or off as a pant. This feature is provided by the ear panels which maintain sufficient tension to hold the diaper on the wearer throughout the period of use without harming the wearer's skin, while providing enough stretch to allow the diaper to be pulled up or down over the wearer's hips. The fastening system is refastenable for convenience yet strong enough to maintain the diaper in a fastened configuration without becoming detached if the diaper is pulled on or off the wearer.
US08088114B1
A bag cover is fabricated of a flexible material. The bag cover has a rear sheet with a hole adjacent to a top edge. The rear sheet has a downwardly extending projection formed at a bottom edge. The cover has a front sheet overlying the rear sheet. A top edge is essentially midway between top and bottom edges of the rear sheet. A pocket receives and supports a bag. A slit is provided in the rear sheet between an upper edge and the hole. Facing fasteners are provided on the rear sheet adjacent to the slit. The facing fasteners are adapted to be separated to separate a bag from the cover. A fixed patch of hook and loop fasteners is provided on an upper surface of the projection. An overlying removable patch is provided. The patches are adapted to receive a cylindrical portion of a bag.
US08088107B1
A hemodialysis needle assembly and system that includes a first outer needle having a conical tip and a sidewall where the sidewall has a plurality of apertures located adjacent the tip, a second introducer needle located within the outer needle, a guide wire located within the introducer needle, and a spring motor removably secured to the outer needle. The introducer needle and the guide wire are inserted into a patient's vein and the spring motor releases the outer needle into the vein after the introducer needle and the guide wire are properly placed within the patient. The introducer needle, the guide wire, and the spring motor are removed from the patient after the outer needle is in place within the vein.
US08088106B2
An intravenous fluid pump (IV) contains a disposable part including a fluid chamber having a resilient top membrane and a non-disposable part including a piston abutting a resilient membrane and a vacuum chamber fitted on top of the resilient top membrane. An external pump is used to create vacuum in the vacuum chamber, resulting in the resilient top membrane being held taut. The flow rate through the pump is relatively independent of changes in the pressure of IV fluid on the upstream and the downstream due to changes in the relative elevation of the fluid reservoir and the patient with respect to the fluid pump.
US08088102B2
The present invention provides a dilatation and stent delivery device which tracks over two guidewires. One guidewire is disposed in each branch vessel of a bifurcation. The present invention provides a dilatation and stent delivery device which enables efficient and accurate stent deployment and dilatation of bifurcation lesions.
US08088079B2
A polyp trap for use in collecting tissue samples. The device includes a collection container and a removable tray. The collection container has an inlet port, a sidewall aperture, and an exit port. The removable tray has a first end and a second end. The tray is sized for movement within the sidewall aperture between an inserted position forming a seal with the collection container and a withdrawn position remote from the collection container. The tray has a perforated bottom surface such that fluids traveling under suction from the inlet port to the outlet port pass through the tray.
US08088077B2
Objectively measuring tinnitus in human and animal subjects. A subject is exposed to an alteration in a sound pattern otherwise qualitatively similar to the subject's tinnitus and a startle reflex is induced. The subject's acoustic startle response is obtained and used to determine whether the subject detected the alteration of the sound pattern.
US08088068B2
This present application describes a multiple ultrasound beams transmitting and receiving method, comprising: transmitting a first fat beam along a first transmit line with a first transmit aperture; receiving echo of the first fat beam with a first receive aperture and forming data of a first group of receive lines; transmitting a second fat beam along a second transmit line with a second transmit aperture; receiving echo of the second fat beam with a second receive aperture and forming data of a second group of receive lines; constructing a full receive aperture by combining the first receive aperture and the second receive aperture, the full receive aperture centered in the area covering the first group of receive lines and the second group of receive lines; weighting a data of a receive line of the first group and a data of a receive line of the second group collinear with said receive of the first group respectively, and summing two weighted data.
US08088067B2
A system for focusing ultrasonic energy through intervening tissue into a target site within a tissue region includes a transducer array including transducer element, an imager for imaging the tissue region, a processor receiving images from the imager to determine boundaries between different tissue types within the intervening tissue and generate correction factors for the transducer elements to compensate for refraction occurring at the boundaries between the tissue types and/or for variations in speed of sound. A controller is coupled to the processor and the transducer array to receive the correction factors and provide excitation signals to the transducer elements based upon the correction factors. The correction factors may include phase and/or amplitude correction factors, and the phases and/or amplitudes of excitation signals provided to the transducer elements may be adjusted based upon the phase correction factors to focus the ultrasonic energy to treat tissue at the target site.
US08088066B2
An air gap retractor illumination system includes any suitable retractor such as a McCulloch with a channel in the blade to accommodate an air gap illuminator. The illuminator is preferably made from a suitable light conducting plastic material such as acrylic or polycarbonate or silicone. The illuminator has active portions in which light passes and inactive or dead zones in which light does not pass as a result of the configuration and orientation of the input, output and surfaces of the illuminator. The illuminator is formed to have an air gap surrounding any active portion of the illuminator extending from the light input to the light output portion. The dead zones may include elements to allow the illuminator to securely engage the retractor. The light output portion of the illuminator contains from two to eight output zones, each zone having specially designed output optical structures that control and direct light to escape the illuminator to shine onto a predetermined area of interest or to form one or more predetermined shapes or footprints.
US08088062B2
Methods and devices are provided for performing various procedures using interchangeable end effectors. In general, the methods and devices allow a surgeon to remotely and selectively interchange various surgical end effectors within a patient's body, thus allowing the surgeon to perform various procedures without the need to remove the device from the patient's body. In one embodiment, a modular device is provided having an insertion device and a cartridge containing a plurality of end effectors coupled to or formed on the insertion device. The cartridge can be configured to move between various positions to allow an instrument shaft to be selectively mated to one of the various end effectors contained within the cartridge. For example, the cartridge can be moved to a desired position, and an instrument shaft can be advanced into a chamber in the cartridge to engage and remove an end effector from the cartridge, thus allowing the end effector to be used to perform a surgical procedure. Once complete, the instrument shaft can be retracted relative to the cartridge to return the end effector into its original chamber in the cartridge. The cartridge can then be repositioned to allow the shaft to engage and utilize another end effector.
US08088056B2
A cermet wire includes at least 1% californium-252 and is characterized by a diameter of no more than 0.0225 inch.
US08088052B1
A core-strengthening exercise apparatus is comprised generally of three primary components, namely a pair of identically shaped and configured swing arms each of which is pivotally mounted at or proximate to its midpoint to a substantially C-shaped transverse bar member. The apparatus has two general modes of use. In a first mode of use, referred to as the “static mode”, the subject apparatus may be oriented such that its swing arms rest on the floor with the bar member extending therebetween a distance above the floor to provide a stable gripping surface over which a plurality of exercises may be performed. In a second mode of use, referred to as the “dynamic mode”, the apparatus is flipped over such that only the bar member is in contact with the floor supporting the swing arms there above. In this mode, the user supports his or her upper body in the plank position over the apparatus by grasping either end of each swing arm and resting his or her forearms along the longitudinal axis thereof. The unique curvature and configuration of the bar member creates an inherently unstable interface between the user and the floor permitting side-to-side or back-to-front rocking motions, pivoting motions about a vertical axis, or combinations thereof, all requiring control over core muscles to prevent loss of balance.
US08088048B2
A swivel exerciser includes a base frame, left and right handlebars, a plate on the base frame, a curved rail around the plate and fixedly secured onto the base frame, left and right stop members at both ends of the rail, pivotal left and right arms, left and right pedals on ends of the left and right arms respectively and being slidable on the rail, left and right projecting plates each at one side of the left or right arm and having a through hole, and an inverted U-shaped member. In a first exercise mode, the inverted U-shaped member has both ends inserted into the through holes of the pedals for interconnection so that both the left and right pedals may swing clockwise or counterclockwise. In a second exercise mode and after removing the inverted U-shaped member, either pedal may swing clockwise or counterclockwise independently.
US08088047B2
A jump rope exercise device is provided having a first elongated member and a second elongated member with each member having a free distal end, and a proximal end rotatably attached to a specially designed handle which can be gripped between the fingers of the user during the exercise period. During the exercise each handle is gripped by the user; one by the left hand and the other by the right hand, and the elongated members are maneuvered in clockwise, counterclockwise or crisscrossing direction.
US08088046B2
An adjustable exercise device that includes one or more inclined riser blocks for readily elevating and inclining a platform to enable stepping and other exercises to be readily performed on an inclined platform. The inclined riser blocks may be matingly engageable with the bottom of the platform to elevate and incline the platform. The inclined riser block may include a top face matingly engageable with the bottom of the platform, a bottom face, and a central portion extending between the bottom and top faces and having a front and rear, the central portion increasing in thickness from the front to the rear. The top face extends at an incline.
US08088043B2
A wearable device has a carrier having an aperture. A device has a USB connection and a protrusion wherein the protrusion is received in the aperture to connect the device to the carrier. The device is a USB type device having athletic functionality.
US08088040B2
A process for actuating a transmission mechanism having hydraulic shifting elements for changing gear ratios by using electric actuators to adjust the actuating pressures of the shifting elements. Upon a request from an engine start/stop function for shutdown of an engine, the flow of electrical current to the actuators is changed from an operating level to a standby level depending upon the operating pressure of the shifting elements. Upon the request for startup of the engine, the flow or electrical current is changed from the standby level to the operating level. A system pressure in the hydraulic system is zero when the engine is shutdown, and the power consumption in the transmission mechanism is lower at the standby level than the operating level.
US08088020B2
A golf swing training apparatus includes a base, a supporting member extending from the base and a body restraining member slidably and pivotably coupled to the supporting member. A swivel mechanism detachably interconnects the supporting member to the body restraining member. The body restraining member includes a slide member with an enlarged cylindrical roller at one end. The swivel mechanism allows the cylindrical roller to be positioned to any height and any angular position within a substantially 360° range of motion. A pivotable supporting member may also be provided.
US08088011B2
An error data dumping process on a game console is described, in which a request for an error data dump may be initiated using commands mapped to a handheld game controller. The request may include parameters for customizing the resulting dump, where the parameters may identify one or more physical memory address ranges to be included in the dump. Allocated virtual memory contents may also be added to the dump data structure, as can call stack data (such as thread lists and module lists) and system information. The assembled dump data can be written to a file and uploaded, via secure communication, to a network location where it may be indexed.
US08088008B2
A game device (A1) registers at least one game character from among a plurality of prepared game characters with an entity managed in a virtual space by a player, and engages in a competition with another game device (B1), using a game character that is specified by a player from among registered game characters. A server device (3) computes a degree of popularity for each of game character on the basis of information sent from a plurality of game devices (A1, B1), and determines registration fees necessary for registering game characters with players' entities on the basis of degrees of popularity. The registration fee list is delivered to each game device when the game device is activated.
US08088006B2
The card playing system or network and method is particularly suitable for playing bridge and other multi-table card games in clubs and tournaments. A remote input/output device or scoring unit is provided at each of a plurality of tables. Each remote unit preferably has a transmitter and receiver for sending and receiving playing information to and from a base station, such as a base computer and/or a connection to the World Wide Web. The base station equipment also has a transmitter and receiver. Bids are input into the scoring units by operating keys or other input means, and the bids and scores are transmitted by means of the network to the base station. The base computer or website equipment computes interim standings of the players and sends that and other information to the scoring units. Transmission preferably is wireless or by means of cables.
US08088003B1
A game having a base structure including an array of lights with associated music. A player must respond to the illumination and music issued by the game by pressing a series of sensors located on the game at specific beats according to the rhythm and illumination of the game. A sequential linear illumination of the light displays can progress from the center outward to the sensor or progress from the sensor inward to the center.
US08087996B2
Systems and methods are provided for providing a service to a player using a player device. A indication of a player identifier which corresponds to a player of a gaming device is received. A player device is provided to the player. A service to provide the player is determined based on a gaming activity of the player, and the service is then provided to the player using the player device.
US08087993B2
A method of gaming comprising: selecting in at least one game round a plurality of symbols for display to a player in a set of display positions; modifying the displayed symbols copying each symbol in an original subset of the display positions to at least one clone subset of the display positions which is identical to or laterally displaced from the original subset, in response to determining that a subset of the symbols should be cloned; and determining an outcome based on the modified symbols.
US08087988B2
A mobile game device for selective display of one or more pre-purchased games of chance thereon. The game device includes a removable communication interface adapted to communicate with a central gaming system to selectively receive gaming data controlling the play and outcome of the pre-purchased game of chance, generated at a first time. The game device further includes a display screen, and one or more input mechanisms. A game device microprocessor device is provided which is configured to: commence play, selectively activated by operation of the one or more input mechanisms, of the pre-purchased games of chance using the gaming data at a selected second time after the first time; and selectively display on the display screen the generated outcome of the game of chance.
US08087983B2
One possible embodiment of the invention could be an electronic table game system, and a process for operating the system, generally comprising of an electronic gaming table whose playing surface supports one or more gaming elements of a table game generally played in a gaming establishment; with one or more dealer's electronic interfaces proximate to the playing surface to generally allow input of data substantially regarding gaming action of the table game; with one or more the player's electronic interfaces proximate to the playing surface to generally input data substantially regarding information on one or more wagers placed on the table game; and a computer system connected to the electronic interfaces to substantially process the inputted data to generally indentify a winner of the table game. The system could further provide two or more electronic table games with a progressive bonus jackpot with or without a cap.
US08087981B2
An apparatus for providing ventilation in a lower level of a building and for preventing mold and mildew from building up in an interior portion of such building while also preventing entrance of small unwanted animals. The apparatus comprises a frame member having each of a first predetermined shape and a first predetermined size and formed of a first predetermined material. A screen member is engageable with the frame member for attachment thereto, such screen member having each of a second predetermined shape and a second predetermined size and being formed of a second predetermined material. The apparatus is secured to the structure by one of masonry screws or is secured in new construction with bricks and brick mortar.
US08087975B2
The present invention relates to a composite sheet for mounting a workpiece and a method for making the same. The composite sheet includes a buffer layer and an adsorption layer. The buffer layer has a plurality of continuous pores. The adsorption layer is located on the buffer layer for adsorbing a workpiece, and the compression ratio of the buffer layer is higher than that of the adsorption layer. Thereby, due to low hardness, good adsorption effect, and high compression ratio, the composite sheet of the present invention has good buffer effect.
US08087971B2
A doll toy is provided with a thigh section capable of turning further upward toward its chest section when extending ahead of its waist section. The doll toy includes a waist section, hip joint mechanisms, and thigh sections attached to a lower portion of the waist section via the hip joint mechanisms. The hip joint mechanisms include rotation links which rotate about a first rotation centerline within a predetermined rotation angular range, first connecting mechanisms which connect the rotation links to the waist section to allow the rotation links to rotate within the predetermined rotation angular range, stoppers disposed to restrict movement of the rotation links, and second connection mechanisms disposed to connect base portions of the thigh sections to the rotation links to allow the thigh sections to rotate about a second rotation centerline.
US08087966B2
The invention relates to a method for the thermal treatment of tungsten electrodes having a fibrous mocrostructure and being free from thorium oxide for high-pressure discharge lamps, to such a tungsten electrode free from thorium oxide, to a method of manufacturing a high-pressure gas discharge lamp with at least one such tungsten electrode free from thorium oxide, to a high-pressure gas discharge lamp with at least one such tungsten electrode free from thorium oxide, and to a lighting unit with at least one such high-pressure gas discharge lamp.
US08087965B2
An organic electro-luminance display device includes a first substrate and a second substrate; an array element on the first substrate, the array element including at least one thin film transistor (TFT) in each sub-pixel; a first electrode on the second substrate; a buffer on the first electrode including a first buffer at an outer region partitioning each sub-pixel and a second buffer at a region including a stepped portion of the first buffer, wherein a undercut structure is formed by the first and second buffers; an organic electro-luminescent layer in each sub-pixel partitioned by the second buffer; a second electrode formed on the organic electro-luminescent layer; and a conductive spacer for electrically connecting the TFT to the second electrode.
US08087960B2
Embodiments provide an LED comprising a quantum well region operable to generate light and a substrate having an interface with the quantum well region, wherein light generated by the quantum well region traverses the interface to enter the substrate and exit the LED through an exit face of the substrate. The exit face may be opposite from and a distance from the interface, with some portion or all of this LED being shaped to optimize the light extraction efficiency of the device. The exit face can have at least 70% of a minimum area necessary to conserve brightness for a desired half-angle of light. Sidewalls of the LED may be positioned and shaped so that rays incident on a sidewall reflect to the exit face with an angle of incidence at the exit face at less than or equal to a critical angle at the exit face.
US08087953B2
A surface mount device jumper includes a base member and an electrode member. The base member is fabricated from a resin laminate. The electrode member is fabricated from an electrically-conductive material and is formed in a generally C-shaped configuration to define an opening therethrough. The opening is sized to receive the base member such that the electrode member partially wraps around and clamps to the base member to retain the base member in the opening.
US08087949B2
A novel, reliable, moisture migration preventing cable connector for non-standard port attachment is provided. Such a connector device includes a deformable sealing element that is clear of mating port threads during connector attachment to a cable port, but that deforms upon actuation of a mated thread device rotated around the connector subsequent to cable port attachment. Such deformation allows for the sealing element to enter the open areas of the mated threads thereby preventing the migration of moisture into the cable connector, protecting not only the connector threads, but also the mating port, as well as the internal dielectric and center conductor of the cable itself. A method of providing a signal connection and transfer in a cable system is also encompassed within this invention.
US08087947B2
A connector which has a high level of contact stability. An operation member is formed by blanking and bending a metal plate. First and second linking portions that are disposed in a manner opposed to each other to connect a pair of operation portions are in an arrangement in which the first and second linking portions sandwich a pair of operation portions when the operation member is in a developed state. When the operation member is in a completed state, the first and second linking portions connecting the are bent at right angles with respect to the pair of operation portions, respectively.
US08087946B2
A power adapter having a replaceable plug has a body having a recess formed in the body and an engagement mechanism inside the recess. A plug, slidably mounted inside the recess, has a bottom board having an engagement mechanism thereon and is slid so that the engagement mechanism of the plug engages or disengages the engagement mechanism inside the recess. A fixing cover is mounted inside the recess and is slidably moved to a first location and a second location. When located at the first location, the fixing cover is located inside the recess, the bottom board abuts the plug fixed inside the recess, and the plug is retrained restrained from moving. When located at the second location, the fixing cover is partially moved away from the recess and maintains a distance to the bottom board, and the plug can be removed from the recess.
US08087942B2
A board-to-board connector assembly includes a receptacle connector and a plug connector. The receptacle connector has a receptacle housing, a plurality of first terminals disposed in the receptacle housing, and at least one first fixing member mounted to the receptacle housing. The first fixing member has a first base portion, an elastic portion bending toward one side and then extending downward from a top of the first base portion. An outside portion of the elastic portion defines a fixing cavity opposite to the first base portion. The plug connector has a plug housing mated with the receptacle housing, a plurality of second terminals disposed in the plug housing and contacting the corresponding first terminals, and at least one second fixing member mounted in the plug housing and defining at least one fixing portion which is buckled into the fixing cavity of the corresponding first fixing member.
US08087938B2
A method and system are disclosed for computerized training, monitoring, certification or re-certification of human raters in clinical trials. The invention provides an interactive computerized interview that can be compared scores obtained by human raters to monitor and train clinical raters on a continuing basis in order to reduce rater drift and variance during clinical trials. Remediation can be automatically flagged or provided to improve a deviating rater's performance. Computerized assessment of symptom severity is provided without the need for human clinical raters. The system and method enable screening of prospective patients for inclusion or exclusion from a clinical trial by automatically obtaining computerized ratings of symptom severity.
US08087925B2
A device for forming headrest in a foaming die, which includes a lid engagement mechanism operable to keep a lid member engaged in an injection nozzle placed in the foaming die, thereby preventing leakage of liquid foaming agent from the injection nozzle. Further, the device includes a lid disengagement mechanism operable to disengage the lid member from the injection nozzle and an injection gun movable vertically. The lid disengagement mechanism includes a pressure element provided at the injection gun. Upon downward movement of the injection gun, the pressure element acts on the lid member, so that the lid member is disengaged from the injection nozzle and the injection gun is then engaged with the injection nozzle, thereby allowing liquid foaming agent to be injected into a trim cover assembly placed in the foaming die.
US08087904B2
A hybrid hydraulic-electric pumping unit (12) with downstroke energy recovery is disclosed which is operated in a conventional flow mode to supply hydraulic fluid to a hydraulic ram (26), and then is operated in a reverse flow mode to receive the hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic ram (26) and turn an electric motor (16) to generate electric power. A single hydraulic hose (48) connects the pump (18) to the hydraulic ram (26), and is used for both passing the hydraulic fluid from the pump (18) to the hydraulic ram (26) and from the ram (26) to the pump (18). The potential energy of the weight of sucker rods (10) lifted in operating the pumping unit (12) is recovered by operating the pump (18) and motor (16) with return of the hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic ram (26) through the pump (18), which turns the motor (16) to generate electric power.
US08087901B2
A fluid channeling device including a channeling body, an axial transfer channel, and a radial outlet channel. The channeling body includes first and second annular body sections spaced axially apart and a tubular body section extending between the first and second body sections. The axial transfer channel is defined axially through the channeling body, and is configured to fluidly couple a first compression assembly with a second compression assembly. The radial outlet channel is defined radially through the channeling body and is configured to fluidly couple the second compression assembly with an outlet.
US08087893B1
A turbine rotor blade with a showerhead arrangement of film cooling air for cooling the leading edge of the airfoil, where the film cooling holes each includes a tear drop shaped opening that extends in a radial direction of the airfoil from the film hole breakout and functions to spread out the film layer of cooling air that is ejected from the holes so that a hot streak between holes along the pressure side row and the suction side row of film holes does not occur. The tear drop shaped opening have a shallow depth and include a divider wall extend down the middle to divide the opening.
US08087880B2
Apparatus and method of operating a centrifugal compressor and active control system includes a centrifugal compressor with compressor blades mounted on an impeller, an annular cavity bounded in part by a shroud adjacent to the blades, and an active control system for controlling a clearance between the shroud and the blades by controlling a cavity pressure in the cavity. An electronic controller for controlling a control pressure valve for pressurizing using a source of compressor discharge pressure air and depressurizing the cavity respectively may open and close the valves using pulse width modulation. Pressure and clearance sensors positioned for measuring the cavity pressure the blade tip clearance respectively in signal supply communication with the electronic controller may be used. The shroud may be supported by radially spaced apart annular radially outer and inner supports connected to a casing by a bolted joint bounding the cavity.
US08087877B2
A fan array fan section in an air handling system includes a plurality of fan units arranged in a fan array and positioned within an air handling compartment. One preferred embodiment may include an array controller program to operate the plurality of the fan units at peak efficiency. The plurality of fan units may be arranged in a true array configuration, a space pattern array configuration, a checker board array configuration, rows slightly offset configuration, columns slightly offset configuration, or a staggered array configuration.
US08087870B2
A compressor or fan is controlled to avoid stall, surge or flutter. The control system includes a look-up table from which is retrieved a margin-adjusted limiting value of a control parameter of the compressor, using inputs representing inlet guide vane angle (IGV), non-dimensional speed of the compressor (N/R√T), vehicle Mach number (Mn) and inlet geometry (IG). A variable stall, surge or flutter safety margin about a nominal limiting value of a control parameter is pre-established to reflect threats to the working, stall, flutter and surge lines, for example as a result of measurement inaccuracies, and from this the margin-adjusted limiting value is derived. An actual value of the control parameter is determined in real time, and the actual value is compared with the margin-adjusted limiting value. An output signal indicating stall, surge or flutter risk is generated if the actual value falls within the stall, surge or flutter safety margin.
US08087862B1
A clip having a U-shaped body and a cantilevered replacement tab with a threaded hole. The clip replaces damaged threaded tabs on a metal electrical box. The U-shaped body of the clip is slid over the wall of an electrical box after the damaged threaded tab is removed. A cantilevered replacement tab extends from the U-shaped body of the clip having a replacement threaded hole therein for receiving a machine screw. The machine screw holds an electrical outlet within the electrical box. The cantilevered replacement tab creates a moment arm causing an attached tooth to bite into a surface of the electrical box. The clip is thereby securely held within the electrical box and is prevented from sliding off of the box as the electrical outlet is drawn into the box by the machine screw. The present invention provides an improved clip for the replacement of a tab in a damaged electrical box and eliminates the need for replacing the electrical box.
US08087856B2
The invention includes a double helix thread cutting tap with both right-handed and left-handed helical chip removal flutes. The double helix thread cutting tap places a positive rake angle on all sets of thread cutting teeth for optimum performance and minimal cutting pressure.
US08087855B1
A drill press has a housing, base and support shaft. The support shaft has a vertical first axis and a lower end supporting the base and an upper end supporting the housing. The housing includes a bit rotatable about a vertical second axis. A first lower plate is coupled to the support shaft. The connector is adjustable for varying the angular orientation of the first lower plate about a horizontal third axis. The first lower plate has an upper surface with a downwardly extending groove transverse to the third axis. A first upper plate has a lower surface with a downwardly extending projection slidable within the recess. A locking bolt is adapted to secure the upper plate with respect to the lower plate. The upper plate has an upper surface with a plurality of threaded apertures for securing a workpiece to be drilled.
US08087853B2
In the pocket hole apparatus of the present invention, a table reciprocates linearly relative to a base. An anvil is fixed relative to the base and holds the workpiece on a sloped top surface at the desired angle for the pocket hole. A drill spindle with a drill bit is fixed relative to the table. After the workpiece is mounted to the anvil, the table is moved to drill the pocket hole. Optionally, a second spindle on the opposite side of the anvil predrills the pocket hole when the table is first moved to a predrill position. The spindle is enabled or disabled by latching mechanism. The spindle is mounted to a rail that is slidably mounted to the table so that the rail can slide perpendicularly thereby adjusting the spacing between pocket holes.
US08087852B2
A shank has a mount reference surface formed with a mount seat having a mount seat surface inclined at a given inclined angle α. A diamond raw material is held on the shank in an attitude such that a first bottom surface thereof is in tight contact with the mount seat surface, and a first apex is protruded forward nearly along a centerline of the shank. A portion of the first apex, protruding from the mount reference surface, is ground and removed as a given inclined angle θ. This causes a surface or its vicinity (in a value less thank approximately ±1°) to be formed as a raked face. The first bottom surface of the diamond raw material is held intact in tight contact with the mount seat surface to be integrally bonded thereto by active metal brazing, easily ensuring an increased bonding surface area to easily obtain increased bonding strength. This results in a further remarkable reduction in manufacturing time and manufacturing cost as those achieved in a case where a portion of a seconds apex opposite to the first apex formed with the raked face is grounded and removed to forma a bonding member.
US08087844B2
A swivel for connecting a fishing line to fishing lure or other terminal tackle having a main body with one open end and cavity running through the axis of for inserting a coupler into. a rod of which has an eyelet on one end and head on the opposite end which is larger than said rod shaft yet small enough to fit into said main body cavity. Two neodymium ring magnets and rubber ring washers which fit onto said rod and are inserted into said main body cavity after which a male compression fitting is inserted into said main body cavity and compressed over ridges on the end cap securing all parts within said main body. The rod shaft spins freely within by using the opposing magnetic poles of the neodymium ring magnets as an air bearing which creates zero friction from moving parts removing any possibility of swivel seizure due to ball bearings wearing out which is common with bearing swivels.
US08087839B2
A disclosed printer includes a frame; a thermal head attached to the frame; a platen roller drive motor attached to the frame; a reduction gear train attached to the frame and configured to reduce the speed of rotation generated by the platen roller drive motor; and a platen roller detachably attached to the frame and configured to be driven by the platen roller drive motor via the reduction gear train and to feed paper while pressing the paper against the thermal head. The frame is produced by press-forming sheet metal and includes a horizontal plate part, a backboard part rising vertically from a back edge of the horizontal plate part, sideboard parts rising vertically from corresponding side edges of the horizontal plate part, and a projecting part protruding outward from an edge of one of the sideboard parts and forming a surrounding part of a gearbox.
US08087832B2
A bearing failure indication arrangement which has a bearing with an inner and outer races, a first part arranged to be attached in fixed relation to either the bearing inner race or bearing outer race, a failure indicator arranged in fixed relation to both the first part and either the bearing inner race or the bearing outer race, the failure indicator constructed so that if relative movement occurs between the first part and the bearing race to which it is attached, the failure indicator responds to the relative movement thereby indicating failure of the bearing.
US08087825B2
Temperature-indicting system including a mechanical temperature-indicating system including a bourdon tube for directly driving an indicating pointer, and an electrical temperature-indicating system including an electronic sensor, a transmitter and one or more electrical switches. The transmitter is modular and easily replaceable. Output of the pointer and the transmitter is synchronized relative to accuracy so that comparison of switch points of the switches that correlate temperature determined by the mechanical system and temperature determined by the electronic system enables detection of a failure or inaccuracy in one or both systems.
US08087819B2
This escapement comprises a balance wheel (3), an escape wheel (1), a detent rocker (4) having an arresting element (4a) and an elastic clearance element (4c), means for inserting the arresting element into the path of the teeth of the escape wheel (1), and a clearance pin (7) rotating integrally with the balance wheel (3) in order to engage with the elastic clearance element (4c) of the rocker (4) once per period of oscillation of the balance wheel. The means for inserting the arresting element (4a) into the path of the teeth of the escape wheel (1) comprise a sliding surface (4b) integral with the detent rocker (4) and arranged so as to move into the path of the teeth of the escape wheel (1) when the arresting element (4a) leaves it, this sliding surface being shaped so as to return the arresting element (4a) to the locking position.
