US08111881B2
An image pickup device can effectively detect a face in accordance with an object without causing a user to do bothersome setting. A speed preference mode and a person-number preference mode both having different detection conditions of a face region are prepared beforehand as face detection modes. The user is caused to select a desired face detection mode, and minimum values of a face size set as detectable in a face detection and a maximum number of face regions to be detected are set to values corresponding to the face detection mode selected by the user. In a case where an image-pickup preparation is set by pressing a shutter key halfway, when the face detection mode is the speed preference mode, the mode is forcibly changed to the person-number preference mode.
US08111880B2
Provided are a method and apparatus for extracting facial features from an image containing a face. The method and apparatus filter an input image using a filter set for face recognition at each of predetermined locations in the input image, merge values obtained by filtering the input image at locations, which are horizontally symmetrical to each other with respect to the center of the face, and synthesize values obtained by filtering the input image at locations which are not symmetrical to each other with respect to the center of the face with the merged values. Therefore, the time, feature values, and storage space required to extract or compare facial features can be significantly reduced. In addition, a face recognition system that runs well on low specification hardware can be implemented.
US08111878B2
A vein authentication device according to the present invention includes an imaging part for continuously imaging a portion of venation present inside a finger by near-infrared light scattered inside the finger by irradiating a finger surface with the near-infrared light while continuously imaging a portion of fingerprints present on the finger surface or inside the finger by reflected light reflected on the finger surface or inside the finger, a motion vector detection part for detecting a motion vector of the fingerprints, an image synthesis part for synthesizing images picking up a portion of the fingerprints to generate an image of the fingerprints and synthesizing images picking up a portion of the venation to generate an image of the venation, a vein pattern extraction part for extracting a vein pattern from the image of the venation, and an authentication part for performing authentication processing.
US08111876B2
A plurality of pieces of observation raw data observed by an observation unit are subjected to an object identifying process, and by using a parameter determined by a parameter determination unit in accordance with a period of time between a point of object identifying process completion time of one piece of data and process completion scheduled time of another piece of data, a position estimating process of the object is carried out from the data that has been subjected to the object identifying process, and the position of the object relating to the object ID is estimated based upon the object ID and positional candidates acquired by an object identifying unit.
US08111874B2
An image capturing method is provided, especially adaptable in a camera. First, a composition profile for a picture to be taken, is configured. The composition profile defines the number of objects to be included in the picture, and positions and sizes of each object. Thereafter, a sensor in the camera is enabled to receive an image, and simultaneously, it is determined whether the image satisfies the composition profile. If the image satisfies the composition profile, the image is stored to be the picture.
US08111867B2
An electronic device (100) having a speaker (30) located in a sealed and separate speaker enclosure is described. The electronic device includes a housing (20), a circuit board (70), a cover (60), and two connecting bodies (50). The housing includes a cavity (22) defined therein for receiving the speaker. The circuit board is electrically connected to the speaker. The cover has through holes (622) defined thereon and is disposed between the housing and the circuit board. In addition, one end of the connecting bodies connects to the speaker, and the other end of the connecting bodies is configured to resist the circuit board via the through holes to electrically connect the speaker and the circuit board.
US08111860B2
A waterproof recreational audio device and method that transmits sound via transcutaneous bone conduction provides high fidelity musical signals to a user. The device can be worn on the head of a user and integrated into various types of headgear. The device is tunable for sound quality and comfort by adjusting and moving the sound transmitting transducers around the head of the user. The present invention uses commercially available transducers to produce sounds in the low, mid and high frequency ranges. A sound source for the musical signal can also be provided as part of the waterproof recreational audio device. Controls enable the user to select volume levels for the high, mid and low frequency ranges, while a volume limiter restricts the mid range to a preset maximum volume level to allow external ambient sounds to be heard via the ear canal and protects the hearing of the user.
US08111859B2
A headgear assembly is provided with an integrated music or other sound player supportable therein. The headgear assembly includes a headband or cap with pouches therein for various portions of the music player. In particular, a left speaker pouch is provided for a left speaker, a right speaker pouch is provided for a right speaker and a player pouch is provided for a sound player. A wire harness is also provided to preferably removably attach the speakers to the sound player. The headband or cap with the pouches therein holds the player and speakers directly adjacent a head of the user, and with the speakers directly over ears of the user. Controls on the player are accessed through a window in an outer panel of the headband or cap to allow user access. The player, wire harness and speakers are all substantially concealed within the headgear assembly.
US08111853B2
In one embodiment, a dual-mode earphone is provided, comprising a first earbud including a speaker with a diaphragm and at least one acoustic port in front of the diaphragm, and a cap in front of the speaker. The speaker or the cap is configured to move relative to the other for opening and closing the acoustic port in one embodiment and a movable seal is provided in another embodiment. The earphone further includes a second earbud housing operably coupled to the first earbud opposite the speaker. A method for providing acoustic equalization in a dual-mode earphone is also disclosed.
US08111849B2
A hearing aid which achieves a comfortable feeling to use while preventing generation of howling includes a microphone for converting an environmental sound to an electric signal, a hearing aid processor for hearing aid processing of an output signal of the microphone, an earphone for converting an output signal of the hearing aid processor to a sound signal, an external ear canal microphone converting a sound within an external ear canal to an electric signal, and an adaptive filter for comparing an output signal of the external ear canal microphone and the output signal of the hearing aid processor to automatically adjust the output signal of the hearing aid processor in such a manner that the output signal of the external ear canal microphone approaches the output signal of the hearing aid processor. The output signal of the hearing aid processor functions as an input signal and a desired signal of the adaptive filter, and the output signal of the external ear canal microphone functions as a response signal of the adaptive filter.
US08111842B2
A handheld wireless communications device has an adjustable volume setting. The communications device also has a downlink audio processor containing a digital audio filter. Storage in the device contains a first set of filter coefficients that configure the filter to enable the device to pass a wireless communications device certification process while sacrificing sound quality, at a low volume setting. The storage also contains a second set of filter coefficients that configure the filter to enhance sound quality while sacrificing passing the wireless communications device certification process, at a high volume setting. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.
US08111839B2
A system that records audio and stores the recording is provided. The system includes first and second monitoring assemblies mounted in an earpiece that occludes and forms an acoustic seal of an ear canal. The first monitoring assembly includes an ambient sound microphone (ASM) to monitor an ambient acoustic field and produce an ASM signal. The second monitoring assembly includes an ear canal microphone (ECM) to monitor an acoustic field within the ear canal and produce an ECM signal. The system also includes a data storage device configured to act as a circular buffer for continually storing at least one of the ECM signal or the ASM signal, a further data storage device and a record-activation system. The record-activation system activates the further data storage device to record a content of the data storage device.
US08111834B2
A frequency detecting circuit estimates the frequency fp of a propeller shaft based on the frequency fc of vehicle speed pulses, and calculates a control frequency fp′ which is a harmonic of the frequency fp. A basic signal generator generates a basic cosine wave signal xp1 and a basic sine wave signal xp2 of the control frequency fp′. Adaptive filters and an adder generate a control signal Scp for canceling a driveline noise produced in a passenger compartment by the propeller shaft. A speaker outputs a canceling sound based on the control signal Scp into the passenger compartment.
US08111833B2
The method comprises, in the time domain, echo cancellation processing (40) by subtracting from the microphone signal a reference signal delivered by an adaptive circuit for modeling the acoustic coupling between the microphone (18) and the loudspeaker (16). Successive frames of the signal are subjected in the frequency domain to processing (42) for suppressing the residual echo that remains after the echo cancellation, together with noise reduction processing (44). The residual echo suppression processing comprises estimating respective values for the power of the residual echo over a plurality of defined frequency bands for successive signal frames, then calculating and applying a variable gain specific to each frequency band and to each frame, the respective gains being smaller whenever the estimated relative power of the residual echo is high for the frequency band under consideration, and vice versa. For each frequency band and for each frame, the respective values of the power of the ambient noise present in the microphone signal are estimated a priori, and the relative levels of the power of the noise and of the power of the residual echo in the microphone signal are compared. The variable gain is a function of the estimated relative power of the residual echo when its level is greater than that of the noise, and otherwise of the estimated relative power of the noise.
US08111832B2
A method is provided for making localized decisions and taking localized actions to achieve a global solution. In an embodiment of the present invention, acoustic impedances for impedance-tunable acoustic segments are adjusted. A first acoustic segment through an N-th acoustic segment are defined. To start the process, the first acoustic segment is designated as a leader and a noise-reducing impedance is determined therefor. This is accomplished using (i) one or more metrics associated with the acoustic wave at the leader, and (ii) the metric(s) associated with the acoustic wave at the N-th acoustic segment. The leader, the N-th acoustic segment, and each of the acoustic segments exclusive of the leader and the N-th acoustic segment, are tuned to the noise-reducing impedance. The current leader is then excluded from subsequent processing steps. The designation of leader is then given one of the remaining acoustic segments, and the process is repeated for each of the acoustic segments through an (N−1)-th one of the acoustic segments.
US08111831B2
An acoustic apparatus includes a positive value conversion section configured to convert, into a positive value, a response signal obtained by collecting a test signal emitted from a speaker using a microphone; a detection section configured to detect a first transient response part that becomes a first mountain portion of the converted response signal; an estimation section configured to estimate a rise point of the converted response signal from at least N points that contain a peak position of the first transient response part or the vicinity thereof; and a computation section configured to compute a time delay of audio collected by the microphone based on the estimated rise point and on a timing at which the test signal is generated.
US08111824B2
A control device for controlling a supply voltage which can be switched between a constant line current operation and a constant line voltage operation, wherein a line current, which consists of a direct current for supplying the terminal and of an alternating current for transmitting information, flows via a subscriber line of a terminal, comprising a sensing circuit for sensing an analogue input voltage dependent on the line current, a subtractor which, in the constant line current operation, subtracts an analogue feedback voltage dependent on an adjustable nominal direct-current value from the sensed input voltage for generating an analogue difference voltage, an analogue/digital converter for converting the generated analogue difference voltage into a digital difference voltage value, a digital low-pass filter for filtering a sequence of control error values out of the generated sequence of difference voltage values, a controller for generating a control value in dependence on the filtered-out sequence of control error values, and comprising a first digital/analogue converter which, in the constant line current operation, converts the control value in each case generated by the controller into the analogue direct voltage for supplying the terminal.
US08111818B2
A method of processing a call by proxy in a network is provided. The method comprises: receiving a request from a first party for a proxy call on behalf of a second party at a first call control entity, whether or not an active call exists between the first and second parties; signaling the proxy call through the network; and establishing the proxy call to an appropriate destination, such as an emergency call center near the second party.
US08111817B2
A portable tele-homecare monitoring system and method for the same overcomes the problem of medical monitoring requiring a large organized system, with the associated high costs and disadvantages generated due to the large amount of equipment required by the prior art. The present invention allows a user to access home monitoring data by a portable electronic device, an application program or explorer via the Internet from a distributed data server. The portable tele-homecare monitoring system does not require a server and is designed to be modular and portable, so it costs are reduced and so that the design is flexible.
US08111796B2
An apparatus and method is disclosed for synchronizing a timing signal for a computational system to different reference clock signals without impairing the operation of the computational system. A corresponding “offset” register is provided for each of the reference clock signals (RCS) for storing signal timing differences between the timing signal and RCS. When one of the reference clock signals not used for synchronizing the timing signal, is selected as the signal for synchronizing the timing signal, the corresponding offset register R0 (for the newly selected reference clock signals) retains its last value prior to the switch, and another register R1 stores subsequent signal timing differences between the timing signal and the newly selected reference clock signals. To synchronize the timing signal with the new reference clock signal without distorting the timing signal and impairing the operation of the computation system, differences between R1 and R0 are output (for successive time intervals) for iteratively adjusting the timing signals. The contents of the offset register R0 is incrementally changed toward a predetermined value (i.e., zero) thereby gradually adjusting the timing signals to factor in a potentially large timing change when switching between reference clock signals.
US08111794B2
According to one embodiment, a data hold module is configured to receive first data synchronized with a first clock signal on the basis of a second timing signal and output second data obtained by synchronizing the received first data with a second clock signal differing from the first clock signal in frequency. A reception timing generator is configured to generate a timing signal synchronized with the second clock signal as the second timing signal on the basis of a first timing signal corresponding to the first data and synchronized with the first clock signal. The reception timing generator comprises flip-flops connected in cascade. An update timing adjusting module is configured to limit the timing to update the flip-flops in value on the basis of an update enable signal synchronized with the second clock signal.
US08111791B2
A method for designing a digital filter, includes: (a) selecting a predetermined number of current sets of coefficients for the digital filter; (b) selecting a metric for evaluating coefficients of the digital filter; (c) computing a metric for each current set of coefficients; (d) deriving a next set of coefficients based on a subset of the current set of coefficients; (e) computing the metric for the next set of coefficients; (f) replacing a selected one of the current set of coefficients based on comparing the metric for the next set of coefficients with the metric for the selected current set of coefficients; and (g) iterating steps (a) to (e) until a termination criterion is met. In one embodiment, the selected metric represents a desired stop band response. The next set of coefficients may be derived by adjusting a first current set of coefficients by a weighted difference between a second current set of coefficients and a third current set of coefficients. The weighted difference may be obtained by multiplying a predetermined factor to the difference between the second current set of coefficients and the third current set of coefficients. In one embodiment, a scaling is performed such that the next set of coefficients does not include a pole outside of the unit circle.
US08111786B2
A signal converter. The signal converter converts an analog inphase signal and an analog quadrature phase signal into a digital baseband inphase signal and a digital baseband quadrature phase signal. The analog inphase signal and the analog quadrature phase signal are orthogonal to each other and are carried in a predetermined intermediate frequency. The digital baseband inphase signal and the digital baseband quadrature phase signal are carried in zero frequency. The signal converter comprises a signal combiner combining the analog inphase signal and the analog quadrature phase signal to obtain an analog combined signal, an analog to digital converter converting the analog combined signal to a digital combined signal, and a signal separator separating the digital combined signal to obtain the digital baseband inphase signal and the digital baseband quadrature phase signal.
US08111781B2
An RFID interrogator includes a signal processing module for converting a transmission signal transmitted from an RFID tag into an input signal; a first matched filter coupled to the signal processing module for generating a first matched signal according to the input signal and a first predetermined signal pattern; a second matched filter coupled to the signal processing module for generating a second matched signal according to the input signal and a second predetermined signal pattern; a control unit for generating a control signal according to the input signal; and a decision unit, coupled to the first matched filter, the second matched filter and the control unit, for comparing the first matched signal with the second matched signal according to the control signal to generate a read-back signal.
US08111776B1
Systems and methods for bandwidth reduction in polar modulation systems are described. Detection of problematic signal transition paths may performed, and then, dependent on the signal path, a correction signal may be generated and added to the signal to improve system performance. In typical implementations, detection of problematic signal paths may be performed by determining whether the signal transitions through a particular region in the signal constellation, such as a region about the origin, or whether the signal instantaneous frequency exceeds a predetermined threshold, and then responsively generating the correction signal.
US08111775B2
A communication device adopted for a multi-input multi-output orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (MIMO-OFDM) system and a method thereof are provided. The MIMO-OFDM system comprises the communication device and a corresponding communication device, and they communicate with each other. The communication device comprises a transceiving module, a singular value decomposition (SVD) operation module, and an interpolation operation module. The transceiving module receives a channel state information (CSI) from the corresponding communication device, wherein the CSI comprises CSIs of a plurality of selected subcarriers. For each of the selected subcarriers, the SVD module performs an SVD decomposition operation on the channel matrix representing the CSI of the selected subcarrier to obtain a decomposed result, wherein the decomposed result comprises a beamforming matrix, an SVD matrix, and a decoding matrix. The interpolation operation module performs interpolations on the beamforming matrices of the selected subcarriers to derive beamforming matrices of the unselected subcarriers. The interpolation operation module performs interpolations on the decoding matrixes of the selected subcarriers to derive obtain decoding matrices of the unselected subcarriers.
US08111772B2
The present disclosure relates to communication technologies and discloses a method and apparatus for multi-antenna transmitting based on spatial-frequency encoding. The method includes: performing spatial-frequency encoding on input data and outputting encoded data; mapping the encoded data to the same sub-carrier of each antenna in an antenna group; adding a phase shift to the encoded data on different sub-carriers of each antenna; OFDM-modulating the phase-shifted encoded data on each antenna; and transmitting the OFDM-modulated data by transmit antennas.
US08111771B2
A wireless transmitting method includes calculating a beamforming channel matrix which is a channel matrix generated at a time when a transmitting apparatus applies a beamforming matrix to a data signal and transmits the data signal to receiving apparatuses, selecting a parameter to be used while transmitting the data signal based on the beamforming channel matrix and noise information fed back from the receiving apparatuses, and transmitting the data signal by using the selected parameter.
US08111770B1
An electronic MIMO-OFDM carrier frequency recovery method is disclosed. The method includes receiving a wirelessly propagated time-domain signal observation, estimating a data-channel vector from a latest observation vector by correcting for a phase rotation effect based on an initial estimate or an up-to-date estimate of a phase rotation term, removing an effect associated with the data-channel vector from the latest observation vector using the estimated data-channel vector to obtain an up-to-date estimate of the phase rotation term; and repeating those prior acts iteratively to allow for production of FFT input samples that are free or nearly free of carrier frequency and phase error.
US08111767B2
An adaptive sliding block Viterbi decoder (ASBVD) includes forward and backward Viterbi processors, a state estimator and a control unit. The processors generate metrics of states and of transitions between the states associated with an encoder, based on encoded input information symbols received via a communications channel. Each processor includes a plurality of buffers for storing information symbols so that a number of the encoded input information symbols can be concurrently decoded. The state estimator estimates a current state of a code trellis based on the generated metrics, and the processors decode the stored information symbols based on the estimated current state. The control unit adapts the number of encoded input information symbols to be concurrently decoded based on a condition of the communications channel, and selectively controls the number of buffers that are enabled in accordance with the number of encoded input information symbols to be concurrently decoded.
US08111766B2
An apparatus for generating sets of radio parameters includes a first deriving unit deriving a set of radio parameters for specifying a symbol including an effective symbol part with the same period as the effective symbol part specified by another set of radio parameters and a guard interval part with a different period from the guard interval part specified by the other set of radio parameters. The apparatus further includes a second deriving unit deriving a set of radio parameters so that an occupancy proportion of the guard interval part in a single symbol specified by another set of radio parameters is equal to an occupancy proportion of the guard interval part in a single symbol specified by the other set of radio parameters.
US08111765B2
A communication apparatus for transmitting transmission data containing a preamble and a postamble is provided. The communication apparatus includes: a phase vector assigning unit which assigns a first phase vector to a plurality of subcarriers relating to the preamble and assigns a second phase vector to a plurality of subcarriers relating to the postamble, the first phase vector being different from the second phase vector.
US08111762B2
A radio transmission device capable of improving channel estimation precision for each frequency. In this device, an FFT unit (103) subjects a data signal to a Fourier transformation. A signal substitution unit (108) substitutes the frequency component of a portion of a plurality of frequency components composing the Fourier-transformed data signal, for a pilot signal. An IFFT unit (109) subjects the data signal, the frequency component of which has been partially substituted for the pilot signal, to an inverse Fourier transformation. A transmission RF unit (111) transmits the inversely Fourier-transformed data signal on a single carrier.
US08111756B2
A method for reducing computational complexity of video compression standard is provided, and it includes an intra 4×4 macroblock (I4MB) search algorithm, an intra 16×16 macroblock (I16MB) search algorithm and a chroma search algorithm. The I4MB search algorithm and I16MB search algorithm accelerate the prediction process of the luma macroblock, and the chroma search algorithm accelerates the prediction process of chroma macroblock. The above algorithms can greatly reduce the computation of prediction mode of video compression standard.
US08111754B1
Coding techniques for a video image compression system involve improving an image quality of a sequence of two or more bi-directionally predicted intermediate frames, where each of the frames includes multiple pixels. One method involves determining a brightness value of at least one pixel of each bi-directionally predicted intermediate frame in the sequence as an equal average of brightness values of pixels in non-bidirectionally predicted frames bracketing the sequence of bi-directionally predicted intermediate frames. The brightness values of the pixels in at least one of the non-bidirectionally predicted frames is converted from a non-linear representation.
US08111750B2
A method for 3-D recursive search motion estimation is provided to estimate a motion vector for a current block in a current frame. The method includes the following steps. First, provide a spatial prediction by selecting at least one motion vector for at least one neighboring block in the current frame. Then, provide a temporal prediction. After that, estimate the motion vector for the current block based on the spatial prediction and the temporal prediction. The temporal prediction is obtained by selecting at least one most frequent motion vector from a plurality of motion vectors for a plurality of blocks in a corresponding region of a previous frame, wherein the corresponding block encloses a previous block which is location corresponding to the current block in the current frame.
US08111749B2
A method is proposed for encoding/decoding an image having rectangular blocks of pixels. The image has a height of H blocks and a width of W blocks and is divided into vertical (or horizontal) bands of blocks having the height of H (or width of W) blocks. The method includes: obtaining N processors and M coprocessors, the M coprocessors distributed over S levels, N>1, S>0 and M>S; assigning the N processors Pi to N contiguous bands BPi having sizes of Ki blocks, 0≦i≦N−1 and ∑ i = 0 N - 1 K i = W ; for every level of coprocessors s, 0≦s≦S−1, assigning Ms coprocessors CPs,j to Ms contiguous bands having sizes of Qs,j blocks, with: ∑ j = 0 M s - 1 Q s , j = W ; managing sending of first, second and third start messages, and first and second verification messages to the processors and coprocessors, according to a predetermined set of rules.
US08111747B2
A picture coding method of the present invention codes a picture signal and a ratio of a number of luminance pixels and a number of chrominance pixels for the picture signal, and then one coding method out of at least two coding methods is selected depending on the ratio. Next, data related to a picture size is coded in accordance with the selected coding method. The data related to the picture size indicates a size of the picture corresponding to the picture signal or an output area, which is a pixel area to be outputted in decoding in a whole pixel area coded in the picture signal coding.
US08111746B2
Motion graphics keying in the compressed domain may be accomplished by receiving a compressed video stream comprising one or more source macroblocks, receiving a keyed graphics stream, determining which of the one or more source macroblocks overlaps with the keyed graphics stream, decoding only the one or more overlapping macroblocks to create one or more decoded macroblocks, combining the keyed graphics stream with the one or more decoded macroblocks to create a composited video stream, encoding the composited video stream to create an encoded composited video stream, and restoring the encoded composited video stream in the compressed video stream in place of the one or more overlapping macroblocks.
US08111739B1
A system for removing low frequency offset distortion from a digital signal, the system comprising an analog-to-digital converter to convert an analog frequency signal associated with an optical storage medium to a digital frequency signal; an equalizer to equalize the digital frequency signal; an estimator to estimate a low frequency offset distortion of the digital frequency signal; a compensator to substantially cancel the low frequency offset distortion of the digital frequency signal from the equalized digital frequency signal using the estimate; and a decoder to decode the equalized digital frequency signal having the low frequency offset distortion substantially cancelled therefrom.
US08111737B2
A bidirectional digital communication circuit and a bidirectional digital communication method for combining multi-channel signals to a duplex digital communication system apply time division multiplexing. The signals can be unidirectional and bidirectional; signals relationship is not necessary. The direction detector circuit determines signal directional automatically to avoid the signal loop. It's suitable for applying to fiber, cable or wireless communication system which is needed to minimize the communication channels.
US08111732B2
Method for generating reference signal sequence using grouping is explained. In this method, base sequences are grouped such that each group contains at least one base sequence of each length, so UE(s) can use various length sequences as a reference signal. And in this method, inter cell interference caused by using various length sequence as a reference signal sequence can be minimized by grouping sequences having the high cross correlation relation.
US08111730B2
An optoelectronic (OE) package or system and method for fabrication is disclosed which includes a silicon layer with a wiring layer. The silicon layer has an optical via for allowing light to pass therethrough. An optical coupling layer is bonded to the silicon layer, and the optical coupling layer includes a plurality of microlenses for focusing and or collimating the light through the optical via. One or more first OE elements are coupled to the silicon layer and electrically communicating with the wiring. At least one of the first OE elements positioned in optical alignment with the optical via for receiving the light. A second OE element embedded within the wiring layer. A carrier may be interposed between electrical interconnect elements and positioned between the wiring layer and a circuit board.
US08111722B1
Techniques and devices based on optical resonators made of nonlinear optical materials and nonlinear wave mixing to generate RF or microwave oscillations and optical comb signals.
US08111719B2
A transmission system includes: a transmission-side device that has a transmission-side clock generation unit that generates a first clock signal on the basis of a reference clock signal; a clock extraction unit that removes a data clock signal superimposed with transmission data to a reception-side device; a clock difference acquisition unit that determines a difference between the first clock signal and the data clock signal; and a packet generation unit that packetizes the information on the difference determined by the clock difference acquisition unit; and the reception-side device that has a reception-side clock generation unit that generates a second clock signal on the basis of the reference clock; a packet reception unit that receives the information on the packetized difference from the transmission-side device; and a data clock regeneration unit that regenerates the data clock signal on the basis of the second clock signal and the difference information.
US08111714B2
A broadband access node and method for controlling access by end users to services over communication channels. A resource admission control mechanism includes a first memory for storing information about a currently available transmission capacity on an uplink channel, a second memory for storing information about a currently available transmission capacity on a downlink subscriber line; and a third memory for storing information about a currently available maximum performance of the access node. A fourth memory stores service-related information regarding the capacity and performance service requirements of respective services. A processor calculates whether the service requirements of a requested service fulfill given conditions in relation to currently available uplink/downlink capacity and currently available performance capability of the access node. Requests that fulfill the given conditions are granted while requests that do not fulfill the conditions are rejected.
US08111712B2
Embodiments provide an apparatus, method, and storage medium wherein a communication identifier of a session or part of a session is provided in a package or added to a message. An apparatus may check, based on the communication identifier of package or the received communication identifier, whether or not a service indicated by the communication identifier is supported. A decision of transferring the service may be based on the communication identifier.
US08111710B2
The invention is directed to a method for receiving a feedback for at least a multicast broadcast service flow transmitting to a plurality of subscriber stations. The method comprises steps of assigning a plurality of code division multiple access (CDMA) codes to a feedback corresponding to the multicast broadcast service flow and then performing an allocation process for allocating a feedback channel for the subscriber stations. Thereafter, an announcement process is performed to announce a multiple feedback condition, the CDMA codes and the feedback channel to the subscriber stations. A channel monitoring process is performed for receiving a negative-acknowledgment (NACK)-based feedback sending from one of the subscriber stations unsatisfied with the multiple feedback condition and the NACK-based feedback is in a form of one of CDMA codes corresponding to the multicast broadcast service flow and is transmitted through the feedback channel.
US08111709B2
A wireless communication method in a MIMO OFDMA system in which users in each of multiple adjacent cells are served by a base station of the cell, the base station having a transmission link to each user in the cell on a respective MIMO channel. The method involves the base station (BSA) of a first cell carrying out the following steps: receiving, from a base station (BSB) or user (B) of another cell, one or more requests for reduction of interference which it is causing to users in that other cell; identifying a rank deficient MIMO channel (HA) among its transmission links to users in the first cell to select a MIMO channel to be made the subject of zero forcing; and applying zero forcing to transmissions on the selected MIMO channel (HA) to reduce interference experienced by at least one user (B) in the other cell. A rank deficient MIMO channel is chosen to minimize the reduction of overall data capacity due to the zero forcing; it is found by examining eigenvalues of the channel matrix and calculating ratios thereof. In addition, correlation between the selected channel (HA) and the channel (HB) to the user (B) in the other cell is checked and if they are correlated by more than a threshold amount, another channel in the first cell is selected instead.
US08111703B2
An IP telephone repeater includes a first communication portion connected to an internet IP telephone network, a second communication portion connected to a local area IP telephone network, and a call controller which supplies, upon receipt of an incoming call via the first communication portion from the internet IP telephone network, a jingle signal to the incoming call and to a plurality of terminals connected to the second communication portion, and which supplies a holding tone to the incoming call and supplies the jingle signal to the plurality of terminals connected to the second communication portion in the case where a response operation of a non-audio terminal connected to the second communication portion is conducted.
US08111693B2
A method for receiving a broadcast message in a wireless communication device is disclosed. The device receives a broadcast message that has associated therewith a unique message grouping identifier and determines whether the unique message grouping identifier of the received message is equal to a unique message grouping identifier of a previously received message. The device ignores the received broadcast message when the unique message grouping identifier of the received message is equal to the unique message grouping identifier of the previously received message and in some implementations enters sleep mode.
US08111689B2
A system for allocating bandwidth resources among various mobile stations which are wirelessly connected to a base station. The length of the data queue in each mobile station is determined and information regarding that length is placed in a field in the outgoing data packet. When it is received in the base station, this field is decoded and the queue length information used to allocate bandwidth resources among the mobile station connections. This allows a very quick response to data queue lengths and accordingly better service.
US08111686B2
A method and system for aggregating capabilities from multiple endpoints associated with a user are provided. The system aggregates the capabilities of the endpoints associated with a user into an aggregate view of available modes of communication for reaching the user. Then, the system publishes the aggregate view so that other users who want to send communications to the user will know the modes of communication available for that user. In addition, the system may designate certain modes of communication as preferred or as capable of reaching the user.
US08111685B2
Embodiments of the present invention route a wavelength division multiplexed signal across multiple communication paths using skew characteristics of at least some of the communication paths. The network is a wavelength division multiplexed optical transport network. The plurality of communication paths involves different signal and path attributes such as a plurality of carrier wavelengths, optical carrier groups, physical communication paths (different nodes, different fibers along a same path, or any combination of the foregoing), or any other differentiating factors between two paths.
US08111682B2
A method and system reduce interference between overlapping first and second wireless LAN cells contending for the same medium. Each cell includes a respective plurality of member stations. An inter-cell contention-free period value is assigned to a first access point station in the first cell, associated with an accessing order in the medium for member stations in the first and second cells. The access point in the first cell transmits an initial shield packet to deter other stations from contending for the medium. The access point then transmits a beacon packet containing the inter-cell contention-free period value to member stations in the second cell. A second access point in the second cell can then delay transmissions by member stations in the second cell until after the inter-cell contention-free period expires. The beacon packet sent by the first access point station also includes an intra-cell contention-free period value, which causes the member stations in the first cell to delay accessing the medium until polled by the first access point. After the expiration of the intra-cell contention-free period, member stations in the first cell may contend for the medium based on the quality of service (QoS) data they are to transmit, using the Tiered Contention Multiple Access (TCMA) protocol.
US08111681B2
A wireless data-communication arrangements including a wireless terminal, located in a direction, receiving the pilot signal and determining a data rate according to reception quality of the pilot signal; the wireless terminal transmitting to a base station a signal for requesting the determined data rate; the base station receiving the signal and, based on the requested data rate, transmitting data to the wireless terminal with the radiation pattern, which includes the beam pattern in a same direction as the direction in which the pilot signal was transmitted, using a data channel of a second slot which is a predetermined number of slots after the first slot.
US08111680B2
In a system where mobile stations use one frequency to transmit/receive and share position information data, synchronization has been made in a shared time resulting from GPS and the mobile stations transmit the data at mutually different timings that are predetermined, whereby overlapping of the transmissions is avoided. However, the transmission period of a station cannot be changed even if that station wants to change its transmission period. Transmission period determining units are disposed which determine transmission periods on the basis of the moving speeds of mobile stations. The mobile stations are time-synchronized by GPS. After the time synchronization, fundamental transmission periods comprising plural time slots are disposed. Transmission is done just in one time slot within one fundamental transmission period normally, and the number of transmissions is increased to two times or three times within one fundamental transmission period when the period is to be shortened.
US08111679B2
A wireless communication apparatus on the base station transmits beamformed multi-beam data to a wireless communication apparatus on the mobile station side using a multiple antennas. To obtain an expected directivity without gain reduction under the existence of phase variation in transmission circuits, the wireless communication apparatus on the base station is equipped with a code book that stores beamforming information, a precoder that reads the code book and performs processing to form a multi-beam pattern for the data, and a control unit that controls, based on feedback information, the reading of beamforming information from the code book for the compensation of phase variation.
US08111670B2
A method and system for processing high definition video data using remainder bytes is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes receiving an information packet having the length of L bytes, wherein L=(M×n×K)+A, and where: M is the depth of an interleaver, n is the number of interleavers, K is an encoding code length and A is the number of remainder bytes with respect to M×n×K bytes, wherein the remainder bytes are located at the end of the information packet, and wherein M×n×K bytes represent M×n codewords. The method further includes converting the A remainder bytes into a plurality of shortened codewords, wherein each of the shortened codewords is shorter in length than each of the M×n codewords. At least one embodiment of the invention provides much lower padding efficiency while improving the decoding performance.
US08111669B2
Methods and systems in a wireless receiver for enabling the reception of input signals at varied power levels in the presence of co-channel interference utilizing combinations of space-time adaptive processing (STAP), interference cancellation multi-user detection (MUD), and combined STAP/MUD techniques. In MUD, code, timing, and possibly channel information of multiple users are jointly used to better detect each individual user. The novel combination of adaptive signal reconstruction techniques with interference cancellation MUD techniques provides accurate temporal cancellation of interference with minimal interference residuals. Additional methods and systems extend adaptive signal reconstruction techniques to take Doppler spread into account. STAP techniques permit a wireless receiver to exploit multiple antenna elements to form beams in the direction of the desired signal and nulls in the direction of the interfering signals. The combined STAP-MUD methods and systems increase the probability of successful user detection by taking advantage of the benefits of each reception method. An additional method and system utilizes STAP techniques in the case where no pilot signal is available. This method compares the outputs of various hypothesized STAP solutions.
US08111667B2
In a MIMO wireless transceiver, priority control that judges priority of transmit data and a transmission mode table are provided to control an option as to which transmission system SDM or STBC is selected, coding rate and modulation method based on a transmission mode for a transmission destination that is determined by priority of transmission data and status of a communication matrix at the time of data transmission. With such arrangement, a wireless communication system composed of the MIMO wireless transceiver can control coding, MIMO signal processing and modulation methods according to priority of transmit data. More specifically, it is possible to ensure transmission of data having higher priority and improve throughput in total when a plurality of types of data are transmitted.
US08111658B2
An access radio port is provided that includes means for spreading a payload data signal, extracted from an ATM packet, with a uniquely assigned orthogonal code, means for transmitting the spread payload data signal to one of a group of mobile subscriber terminals located within a microport cell of a wireless terrestrial network, and means for releasing the uniquely assigned orthogonal code. In another aspect, a mobile subscriber terminal, configured to be located within a microport cell of a terrestrial wireless network that interfaces with an access radio port, is provided. The mobile subscriber terminal includes means for receiving an assignment of a unique orthogonal code, means for spreading a payload data signal by the unique orthogonal code, means for modulating and forwarding the spread payload data signal to the access radio port, and means for releasing the assignment of the unique orthogonal code.
US08111654B2
A wireless communication system and method for wireless communication are disclosed. One embodiment of the system includes a wireless communication device. The device includes a receiver configured to receive a data packet via a channel. The device further includes a transmitter configured to send an acknowledgment (ACK) signal via a low-rate channel upon receiving the data packet. The low-rate channel has a directional mode and an omni-directional mode. The acknowledgment signal includes a low-rate physical layer (LRP) preamble and an acknowledgment (ACK) header including a mode index field. The mode index field includes a plurality of bits indicative of whether the ACK signal is transmitted using the directional mode or the omni-directional mode.
US08111653B2
In the present invention, a wireless transmission system includes a plurality of mobile stations in a cell area, and a base station. The base station divides each of an uplink frame and a downlink frame into a plurality of blocks, assigns a specific one of the plurality of blocks to each of the plurality of the mobile stations, assigns a specific frequency channel to the mobile station, and notifies the specific block and the specific frequency channel to the mobile station. The length of each of the plurality of blocks is optional, and a sum of the lengths of the plurality of blocks is equal to the length of the frame.
US08111644B2
A device for wirelessly communicating a service to user equipment is provided. The device includes a transmitter, a receiver, and a processor. The processor is programmed to promote the transmitter polling to determine whether user equipment desire a service and responsive to receiving, via the receiver, at least one user equipment request for the service, the processor programmed to promote the transmitter providing a point-to-multipoint (PTM) broadcast of the service.
US08111641B2
A method for performing multi-user joint-detection in a neighboring cell in a TDD-CDMA system presets slot types and includes: a network device configuring a slot type of each uplink slot in its administrated cells and a base station of each cell obtaining a slot type of each uplink slot in a neighboring cell from the network device; the network device configuring for each user a slot for transmitting uplink data and a midamble and channelization code to be used according to the slot type of each uplink slot and a service type of each user in each cell; each user in each cell using the configured midamble and channelization code to transmit uplink data in the configured slot; and the base station detecting activated code channels in the neighboring cell according to the received uplink data transmitted by users in the neighboring cell and obtaining midamble used by each user in the neighboring cell according to the channeliazation codes of the activated code channels and according to the slot type of each uplink slot in the neighboring cell so that the base station may perform the multi-user joint-detection in the neighboring cell.
US08111638B2
There is provided a radio measurement procedure for station statistics measurements in wireless communication network. In the method, a requesting station transmits to a requested station a triggered station statistics measurements request message including a group identity field which indicates the requested statistics group and a triggered reporting field for station counter which is used to specify trigger conditions comprising reporting triggers and thresholds for the corresponding reporting triggers, wherein the group identity field is set to a predetermined value indicating one group between two groups of station counters, and wherein all subfields for specifying the reporting triggers regarding the other group between the two groups of station counters is set to 0. And the requesting station receives from the requested station a station statistics measurements report message when the trigger conditions specified in the triggered reporting field for station counter of the triggered station statistics measurements request message.
US08111630B2
A system and method to intercept traffic at standard interface points as defined by Cellular/Wireless networks (GSM/GPRS, 3G/UMTS/HSDPA/HSUPA, CDMA, WIMAX, LTE), emulate the respective protocols on either side of the interception point, extract user/application payloads within the intercepted packets, perform optimizations, and re-encapsulate with the same protocol, and deliver the content transparently is disclosed. The optimizations include but are not limited to Content Caching, prediction & pre-fetching of frequently used content, performance of content-aware transport optimizations (TCP, UDP, RTP etc.) for reducing back-haul bandwidth, and improvement of user experience. An additional embodiment of the current invention includes injecting opportunistic content (location based, profile based or advertisement content) based on the information derived while monitoring control plane protocols.
US08111616B2
An apparatus and method as described for constructing a repair path for use in the event of failure of an inter-routing domain connection between respective components in first and second routing domains of a data communications network. The apparatus is arranged to assign a propagatable repair address for use in the event of failure of the inter-routing domain connection and to propagate the repair address via data communications network components other than the inter-routing domain connection.
US08111613B2
A method of implementing a p-cycle protection scheme for a communications network comprising a plurality of nodes and interconnecting communications links along which Ethernet traffic is forwarded in a connection-oriented manner. The method comprises for each said Ethernet node in the communications network determining a label associated with each connection-oriented Ethernet path along one or more links in said communications network for which an entry exists in a forwarding table of Ethernet switching apparatus located at said Ethernet node and mapping a plurality of said paths individually identified by said respective labels, to another path defining a p-cycle between logically adjacent nodes in said communications network, wherein each said p-cycle is provisioned in the same layer as said Ethernet traffic.
US08111609B2
According to an example embodiment, a method may include determining, by a first wireless node in a wireless network, a number N of resource blocks available for transmitting data within a cell, the N resource blocks each including V resource block orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbols, the V resource block OFDM symbols each including U resource block subcarriers. The method may also include mapping the N resource blocks into N subchannels based on a permutation formula, the permutation formula assigning, based on permutation parameters including the number N and a random or pseudorandom variable, U subchannel subcarriers for each of V subchannel OFDM symbols to each of the N subchannels and thereby allocating a subchannel index for each of the N subchannels. The method may also include sending a message to a second wireless node indicating the permutation parameters and the allocated subchannel index of at least one of the N subchannels for communication between the first wireless node and the second wireless node.
US08111606B2
The optical storage medium comprises a substrate layer, a data layer, and a nonlinear layer with a super-resolution structure disposed on the data layer, wherein pits and lands having a size above a diffraction limit of a pickup for reading of the data establish a first and a second level of the data layer, and pits and lands having a size below the diffraction limit of the pickup are arranged on a further level of the data layer. In a preferred embodiment, pits having a size below the diffraction limit are arranged on a third level and lands having a size below the diffraction limit are arranged on a fourth level of the data layer. The optical storage medium is in particular a read-only optical disc comprising a phase-change material, for example AgInSbTe, for providing the super-resolution effect.
US08111604B2
A fabrication method of a multilayer optical recording medium having a plurality of recording layers, comprises a step of preparing an optical recording medium having at least one record area; a write-position mark generating step of recording write-position marks in the record area beforehand; a step of preparing an optical system including a common objective lens to focus a data recording beam and a position mark recording beam on different positions in a thickness direction of the record area; a first data writing step of writing data between the write-position marks with following the write-position marks by the data recording beam; a position mark recording step of, in parallel with the first data writing step, recording new write-position marks in the record area by the position mark recording beam; and a second data writing step of writing data between the new write-position marks with following the new write-position marks by the data recording beam.
US08111602B2
Provided are an optical pickup apparatus and an objective lens which can record and/or reproduce information for discs with different recording densities and can realize simplification of the structure of themselves and reducing cost. When the expression (1) is satisfied, step differences of a step structure can be further reduced than those in the case that d1=λ1(n−1) holds, and fine grooves corresponding to a steps structure, formed on an optical-surface transfer surface of a mold for molding the objective lens become shallow, to be easily processed. In addition, the moldability is enhanced because the material of the objective lens easily enters the inner portion of the grooves. Further, a fluctuation of a diffraction efficiency caused when wavelength of a light flux changes or temperature changes is reduced so that information can be recorded and/or reduced stably.
US08111600B2
A method for detecting whether vertical deviation of an optical disc occurs is provided. First, before a pickup head is successfully focused on the optical disc, a pickup head is actuated based on an input control signal so as to generate a focus error signal with a plurality of S-curves. Then, a plurality of zero crossing points of the S-curves in the focus error signal is identified and a plurality of input control values respectively corresponding to the zero crossing points is obtained. A variation of the input control values is then calculated. Whether vertical deviation of the optical disc occurs can be determined according to the variation of the input control values.
US08111599B2
An optical disc drive apparatus (100) of the present invention rotates an optical disc (1) at a predetermined rotation speed using a motor (2). An optical pickup (3) irradiates the optical disc (1) with a laser beam (5) emitted from an internal semiconductor laser (4) included therein, and obtains a reproduction signal (7) based on a laser beam reflected from the optical disc (1). A laser driving unit (8) controls a driving current (9) of the semiconductor laser (4) to a predetermined level, and superimposes a high-frequency current (11) having a predetermined level on the driving current (9). In a high-speed reproduction mode, a control unit (12) sets the rotation speed of the optical disc (1) higher, the power of the laser beam (5) irradiating the optical disc (1) higher, and the level of the high-frequency current (11) lower than in a normal reproduction mode.
US08111585B1
A sonar system includes an objective having reflecting surface(s) with coincident forward radiant axes. Each of the reflecting surfaces defines sets of equivalent acoustic output/receiving locations allowing the use of a plurality of transducers with each reflecting surface. When used in a projection mode, and depending upon the frequency radiated, the sound sources may function as a distributed, functionally continuous sound source. In a passive mode use of a field reflector allows determination of bearings.
US08111584B1
A method of detecting a submerged vessel in or near the wake of a ship in which a plurality of optical fiber sensors are trailed from said ship and in which at least one of said sensors which is located in the ship's wake comprises a magnetically-responsive optical fiber sensor.
US08111583B2
A method and apparatus for determining the direction of a sound source is disclosed. The method includes determining time differences of arrival of the sound at N locations and using the differences to determine the angular direction of the source. The apparatus indicates the angle of arrival and additionally indicates the type of the sound source.
US08111558B2
A nonvolatile memory cell is constructed using a floating-gate pFET readout transistor having its source tied to a power source (Vdd) and its drain providing a current, which can be sensed to determine the state of the cell. The gate of the pFET readout transistor provides for charge storage, which can be used to represent information such as binary bits. A control capacitor coupled between a first voltage source and the floating gate and a tunneling capacitor between a second voltage source and the floating gate are fabricated so that the control capacitor has much more capacitance than the tunneling capacitor. Manipulation of the voltages applied to the first voltage source and second voltage source controls an electric field across the capacitor structure and pFET dielectrics and thus Fowler-Nordheim tunneling of electrons on and off the floating gate, controlling the charge on the floating gate and the information stored thereon.
US08111536B2
The memory cell array has memory cells each positioned at respective intersections between a plurality of first wirings and a plurality of second wirings. Each of the memory cells has a rectifier element and a variable resistance element connected in series. The resistance element may have at least a first resistance value and a second resistance value higher than the first resistance value. The contact arrangement portion is formed to arrange a plurality of contacts on a plane. The contacts are connected to the first wirings or the second wirings. The probe can move along the plane to electrically contact with either of the contacts.
US08111535B2
A programmable volatile memory cell has a reset device in communication with a bit store. The reset device may produce a high or low logic state within a latch loop when activated by an assertive logic level on a reset line. A set of mask programmable vias may be provided on a single mask layer in a semiconductor fabrication process for the memory cell. A program-selectable one of two sets of vias may communicate with one reset device to the reset line and the other reset device to ground. In this way a single and programmatically determinable logic state may be produced in the memory cell with reset signaling. Otherwise, the memory cell is capable of retaining a logic state according to read/write processes. The memory cell may be implemented in an array where all or some of the cells may be reset at once.
US08111532B1
Aspects of the disclosure provide a CAM module that can be used independent of a defective entry line. The CAM module can include at least a CAM array having at least X CAM entry lines, and an additional CAM entry line. Each CAM entry line may include a selection line for enabling the CAM entry line for writing and/or reading and an entry output for indicating matching to a search key. Further, the CAM module can include a decoder unit that can decode an address to enable one out of X word-lines, and an encoder unit that can encode X matching outputs to a matching address according to a predetermined priority sequence. Additionally, the CAM module can include a switching unit coupling the CAM array with the decoder unit and the encoder unit. The switching unit can select X CAM entry lines from the X+1 CAM entry lines based on a defective status of the CAM array; correspond the X word-lines of the decoder unit to the selection lines of the selected X CAM entry lines; and correspond the entry outputs of the selected X CAM entry lines to the X matching outputs of the encoder unit.
US08111523B2
A wiring board for use in mounting an electronic component includes a switch element portion interposed in a signal transmission line including a wiring layer linked to an electrode terminal of the electronic component. The switch element portion has such a structure as to change the shape thereof depending on a temperature, and to disconnect the signal transmission line when the temperature exceeds a predetermined temperature. A conductor layer which constitutes a portion of the signal transmission line is formed at the bottom of a cavity formed in an electronic component mounting surface side of the wiring board. One end of the switch element portion is fixedly connected to the wiring layer, and another end thereof is in contact with the conductor layer when the temperature is equal to or lower than the predetermined temperature.
US08111522B2
An electrical contact area on a printed circuit board (“PCB”), that would otherwise be subject to abrasion and possibly also corrosion, can be protected by covering it with another, more durable contact structure that is bonded to the first-mentioned contact area using an anistropic conductive adhesive (“ACA”). The more durable contact structure may include a member of PCB material or the like with electrically connected electrical contacts on its upper and lower surfaces. At least the upper one of these contacts (which is exposed for the service that involves possible abrasion and/or corrosion) may be given high durability by plating it with hard gold. The lower of these contacts is adhered to the main PCB via the above-mentioned ACA.
US08111520B2
A semiconductor module can include a printed circuit board (PCB) and a semiconductor package inserted into an inner space of the PCB. The semiconductor package may be electrically connected to the PCB. The PCB may thus surround the semiconductor package so that cracks may not be generated in the outer terminals.
US08111517B2
A heat sink assembly, a portable electronic device using the same and a wireless modem using the heat sink assembly are disclosed. The heat sink assembly assembled within the portable electronic for dissipating the heat source generated within the portable electronic device to the outside. The heat sink assembly includes a frame, a cover and an absorbing sheet. The frame includes a through opening formed and surrounded thereby. The cover foldably or bendably extends outwardly from one side of the frame and is configured to be alternatively accommodated within the opening of the frame for covering the opening or forming an angle relative to the frame. The absorbing sheet is fixedly covered on the other side of the frame opposite to the cover.
US08111516B2
A system for cooling processor assembly is disclosed which comprises a printed circuit board (PCB) with a plurality of heat emitting electronic components and a housing for each PCB with a heat collector. The heat collector is constructed in one-piece material covering the plurality of heat emitting electronic components through heat collecting areas with different heights adapted to the different heights of the electronic components as regard to the PCB surface wherein the heat collecting areas being in thermal contact with the electronic components.
US08111511B2
A portable electronic device comprises a physical security component configured to be in a retracted position and an extended position relative to a housing of the portable electronic device, the physical security component having at least two differently shaped openings enabling at least two different types of locking devices to be coupled to the at least two differently shaped openings.
US08111505B2
A multipart computer housing is described. The multipart computer housing includes at least a structural support layer and a body. The body includes at least an outer layer formed of lightweight flexible material and an inner layer attached to the outer layer. The inner layer is connected to the support layer forming a load path between the inner layer and the structural support layer. A load applied to the multipart computer housing is transferred by way of the load path to the support layer without substantially affecting the outer layer.
US08111504B2
A current-sensing assembly comprising a housing and first and second current transformers contained in and fixed in position by the housing. The assembly includes at least one conducting pin corresponding to each of the first and second current transformers and inserted through the housing to expose a top end and a bottom end. The top end of the pin is electrically coupled to an end of the conducting wire of the corresponding current transformer through a window in the housing coinciding with the current transformer. The top end of a common pin is electrically coupled through the window to the opposite end of the coil conductor. The bottom end of each pin is configured to be coupled to a printed circuit board. The housing includes first and second elongated rings passing substantially through the centers of the current transformers and configured to accept first and second current lines.
US08111500B2
Described herein is electroadhesion technology that permits controllable adherence between two objects. Electroadhesion uses electrostatic forces of attraction produced by an electrostatic adhesion voltage, which is applied using electrodes in an electroadhesive device. The electrostatic adhesion voltage produces an electric field and electrostatic adherence forces. When the electroadhesive device and electrodes are positioned near a surface of an object such as a vertical wall, the electrostatic adherence forces hold the electroadhesive device in position relative to the surface and object. This can be used to increase traction or maintain the position of the electroadhesive device relative to a surface. Electric control of the electrostatic adhesion voltage permits the adhesion to be controllably and readily turned on and off.
US08111498B2
An electronic circuit which provides an electrical incapacitation current to a living target. The circuit includes a high voltage power supply, a charge-storing capacitor connected by a high voltage lead to the high voltage power supply. The charge-storing capacitor stores a charge at high voltage as supplied by the high voltage power supply. The circuit further includes a switch, a step-up transformer including a primary coil a secondary coil, a resonant circuit and an output terminal serially connected through the secondary coil to the high voltage lead of the charge-storing capacitor. The primary coil is connected in parallel with the charge-storing capacitor through the switch. During the incapacitation, the output terminal is operatively attached to at least a part of the living target. When the switch is closed, the resonant circuit initially stores zero charge, and any gap if present between the output terminal and the living target undergoes electrical breakdown from energy stored in the charge-storing capacitor. After the electrical breakdown, the incapacitation current is provided substantially from the charge stored in the charge-storing capacitor.
US08111497B2
A device 10 for electrically discharging samples of an electrically non-conductive liquid includes an electrically conductive outer member 12, an electrically conductive inner member 14 disposed within the outer member 12, an electrically conductive rod 16 with upper and lower plugs 18 and 19 secured thereto to maintain a non-conductive fluid in the device 10, non-conductive handles 20 and 22 secured to the outer and inner members 12 and 14, and an electrically conductive ground cable 26 detachably secured to the rod 16 to ultimately remove or reduce static charge in the electrically non-conductive liquid via the liquid engaging the outer member 12, inner member 14 and rod 16, which are electrically grounded via the cable 26.
US08111494B2
A memristor-protection integrated circuit. The memristor-protection integrated circuit includes a first current-bias circuit, a second current-bias circuit, an inverter, and a current limiter. The first and second current-bias circuits are configured to be coupled to first and second power-supply rails, respectively. The inverter is coupled to the first current-bias circuit and to the second current-bias circuit, and is configured to couple at least one memristor to at least one of the first current-bias circuit and the second current-bias circuit in response to an input signal applied to the inverter. The current limiter is coupled to the first current-bias circuit and coupled to the second current-bias circuit, and is configured to limit current flowing through the memristor.
US08111487B2
Devices for reading or writing electromagnetic information include a wafer substrate piece disposed between an electromagnetic transducer and an electrostrictive or piezoelectric actuator. The substrate piece is shaped as a rigid body adjoining the transducer and as a flexible element connecting the body and the actuator. To fabricate, at least one electrostrictive layer and many transducers are formed on opposite sides of a wafer that is then cut into rows containing plural transducers. The rows are processed from directions generally normal to the wafer surface upon which the transducers were formed, by removing material to form a head, flexures and a media-facing surface on the head. Conductive leads are formed on a back surface of flexures connecting the transducer with drive electronics. The flexures are aligned with forces arising from interaction with the media surface and from seeking various tracks, reducing torque and dynamic instabilities and increasing actuator access time.
US08111477B2
Provided is a recording medium onto which a plurality of tracks that constitute a unit as one unit of signal processing for reproducing data are recorded, each of the plurality of tracks being recorded with at least data and, as a preamble necessary for controlling the reproduction of the data, a separation pattern necessary for detecting a positional relationship between a reproducing head and the plurality of tracks in a track width direction and synchronization patterns for synchronization processing, the synchronization patterns being recorded in front and rear of the separation pattern in a running direction of the plurality of tracks.
US08111469B2
A combined gear includes a pair of first gear and second gear having the same tooth profile and rotatably combined in a state, wherein rotation centers of the gears are coincident. One gear of the pair of gears includes an elastic displacement portion that is biased in a direction of rotating the other gear with respect to one gear. The other gear includes a positioning portion that positions the other gear with respect to one gear, and elastic displacement portion contacts positioning portion.
US08111468B2
A lens barrel includes a movable lens unit movable in an optical-axis direction, an actuator configured to move the movable lens unit in the optical-axis direction, a guide member configured to guide the movable lens unit in the optical-axis direction, and a guide-member-holding portion holding the guide member. The guide member is held by the guide-member-holding portion with one end thereof being in a press-fitted state and the other end thereof being in a non-press-fitted state.
US08111458B2
There is provided an optical device including a plurality of first phasors having substantially the same phase delaying axis as each other; and a plurality of second phasors having substantially the same phase delaying axis as each other in a direction different from that of the first phasors and providing a phase difference substantially the same as that provided by the first phasors, in which the plurality of first phasors and the plurality of second phasors are arranged on substantially the same face, a density of the first phasors is substantially the same as a density of the second phasors, and a spatial distribution of the density of the first phasors and a spatial distribution of the density of the second phasors are substantially uniform.
US08111453B2
A submarine optical repeater that shares optical pump power in multiple gain stages such that approximately the same wavelengths of optical pump is provided to each of the gain stages. Also, tilt control mechanism may adjust gain dependency on wavelength by adjusting the amount of optical pump power delivered to the optical gain stages. Residual optical pump power from both forward and backward Raman amplification may be used to power corresponding optically pumped amplifiers.
US08111445B2
A spatial light modulator comprises an integrated optical compensation structure, e.g., an optical compensation structure arranged between a substrate and a plurality of individually addressable light-modulating elements, or an optical compensation structure located on the opposite side of the light-modulating elements from the substrate. The individually addressable light-modulating elements are configured to modulate light transmitted through or reflected from the transparent substrate. Methods for making such spatial light modulators involve fabricating an optical compensation structure over a substrate and fabricating a plurality of individually addressable light-modulating elements over the optical compensation structure. The optical compensation structure may be a passive optical compensation structure. The optical compensation structure may include one or more of a supplemental frontlighting source, a diffuser, a black mask, a diffractive optical element, a color filter, an anti-reflective layer, a structure that scatters light, a microlens array, and a holographic film.
US08111444B2
An imaging method includes emitting radiation from an illumination source towards a total internal reflection (TIR) modulator. At least one of the pixel regions is controlled to form at least one image pixel on a surface. A first electric potential is imposed on a first pixel region, the first electric potential being associated with a first signal provided by a first electrical conductor to the second set of electrodes associated with the first pixel region, the first electrical conductor extending over a first non-pixel region. A second electric potential is imposed on the first pixel region, the second electric potential being associated with a second signal provided by a second electrical conductor to first set of electrodes associated with the first pixel region, the second electrical conductor extending over a second non-pixel region, wherein the second non-pixel region is different from the first non-pixel region, and the second electric potential is different from the first electric potential. The second electric potential is imposed on the first non-pixel region.
US08111441B2
Method for treating a nominally pure crystal having non-linear optical properties. The nominally pure crystal contain foreign atoms at a residual concentration of less than 20 ppm so as to provide specific absorption of incident light. The method includes determining, based on testing on a specifically doped reference crystal of same type as the nominally pure crystal, a threshold value. The threshold value is defined by a temperature at which a migration of ions in the nominally pure crystal to the surface of the nominally pure crystal ceases. The foreign atoms are transformed to a higher valance state by a thermally-supported oxidation process including heating the nominally pure crystal at a heating rate that increases by less than 3 ° C. per minute to a maximum temperature above the threshold value and below a Curie temperature of the nominally pure crystal. An electrical voltage is applied so as to eliminate electrons released during the oxidation process from the nominally pure crystal.
US08111433B2
An image reading device includes a reference member, a reading unit, a first reference value setting unit, a detecting unit, a second reference value setting unit, a determining unit, and a pixel value setting unit. The reading unit obtains image data and reference data. The first reference value setting unit sets a first reference value based on the reference data. The detecting unit detects a usage state of the reading unit. The second reference value setting unit sets a second reference value in accordance with the usage state. If the determining unit determines that the first reference value is in a predetermined condition, the pixel value setting unit sets a pixel value based on the image data and the first reference value; otherwise, the pixel value setting unit sets the pixel value based on the image data and the second reference value.
US08111412B2
According to a printer of the present invention, the displaying unit creates a print image of the image received by the receiving unit and displays a preview of the print image when the loss detecting unit detects the lost part of the image, and the displaying unit creates a print image of an image obtained as a result of the trimming and displays a preview of the print image when the trimming unit trims the image, and the printing unit prints an image obtained as a result of the trimming by the trimming unit. Consequently, if a user failed in communicating an image as the user did not set an external communication terminal to an appropriate place and the image has been lost, the user can display a preview of the image by removing the lost part by trimming and display the lost part by a preview, check the trimmed image and print it.
US08111410B2
In merging the printing data of the merger source to the printing data of the merger destination, the setting information concerning the tab sheets are identified from the both printing data and the aligning process is executed for aligning the tab setting information of the both printing data. For example, the tab positions are changed and aligned in such a way that the tab positions vary sequentially from the start side of pages.
US08111407B2
A displacement is accurately measured at high speed to a measurement object having various surface states. In a displacement sensor including a confocal optical system in which an objective lens is moved along an optical axis, light emitted from a laser diode is formed into a slit beam by a cylindrical lens, a Y-axis side orthogonal to the optical axis is narrowed such that the light is collected on a surface of a measurement object, and an X-axis orthogonal to the optical axis is elongated in order to average a component of the light reflected from the surface. A photodiode receives the light reflected from the surface of the measurement object through an opening disposed in a position of conjugation with the laser diode. The opening is formed into a slit shape that is short in the Y-axis while being long in the X-axis. The displacement of the surface is measured from a position of the objective lens when a light receiving signal becomes the maximum.
US08111402B2
Techniques and devices based on transverse magnetic (TM) and transverse electric (TE) modes in an optical resonator or interferometer to provide sensitive optical detection with insensitivity to a change in temperature. A shift in a difference between a first resonance wavelength of a TE optical mode and a second resonance wavelength of a TM optical mode is measured to measure a change in a sample that is in optical interaction with the optical resonator or interferometer. For example, the detected shift can be used to measure a change in a refractive index of the sample.
US08111400B2
An SPR sensor comprising a thin conducting layer comprising at least one conductive element formed on a surface of a transparent substrate, a light source that illuminates an interface between the conducting layer and the substrate, a photosensitive surface that generates signals from light reflected from the interface, a flow cell formed with at least one flow channel having a lumen defined by a wall formed from an elastic material and from a region of the conducting layer, and at least one hollow fluid-providing flow control apparatus having a lumen and an orifice communicating with its lumen. Fluid flow is enabled between the flow channel and the lumen of the flow control apparatus by forcing an end of the flow control apparatus through the elastic material so that the orifice communicates with the flow channel lumen.
US08111398B2
According to an example, a first layer of a substrate comprises a plurality of gratings having a periodicity P. A second layer of the substrate comprises a plurality of gratings, overlapping with the first set of gratings, and having a periodicity of NP, where N is an integer greater than 2. A first set of gratings has a bias of +d and the second set of gratings has a bias of −d. A beam of radiation is projected onto the gratings and the angle resolved spectrum of the reflected radiation detected. The overlay error is then calculated using the angle resolved spectrum of the reflected radiation.
US08111397B2
A plate inspection system and a plate inspection method with which irregularities in phase difference caused in a retardation layer can be efficiently detected. The inspection system is for inspecting a plate to be inspected having a retardation layer. The plate inspection system comprises a polarized-light source for irradiating a polarized light and an observation-side polarizer placed on the observation side. In the inspection system, a plate to be inspected is placed between the polarized-light source and the observation-side polarizer so that the plate to be inspected is irradiated with polarized light from the polarized-light source. The position of at least the observation-side polarizer or the plate to be inspected is changeable relative to the polarized-light source.
US08111391B2
An optical cell for spectral analysis is disclosed generally comprising a monolithic cell body that transmits light, the cell body having an outer surface and a fluid channel for receiving a sample that defines an inner surface. The inner surface of said cell body includes a planar section, and the outer surface of said cell body likewise includes a planar section, which is adjacent and substantially parallel to the planar section of the inner surface. In certain embodiments, the ends of the channel are frustoconical, and ferrules are employed to secure sample inlet/outlet tubes to the cell.
US08111386B2
The output modal content of optical fibers that contain more than one spatial mode may be analyzed and quantified by measuring interference between co-propagating modes in the optical fiber. By spatially resolving the interference, an image of the spatial beat pattern between two modes may be constructed, thereby providing information about the modes supported by the optical fiber. Measurements of the phase front exiting the optical fiber under test are advantageously performed in the far field.
US08111376B2
A method and apparatus for process control in a lithographic process are described. Metrology may be performed on a substrate either before or after performing a lithographic patterning process on the substrate. One or more correctables to the lithographic patterning process may be generated based on the metrology. The lithographic patterning process performed on the substrate (or a subsequent substrate) may be adjusted with the correctables.
US08111365B2
A liquid crystal display device includes an active area which is composed of pixels arrayed in a matrix, and a light-shield area surrounding the active area. The liquid crystal display device includes a first substrate including pixel electrodes disposed in the respective pixels, a second substrate including color filters disposed in the respective pixels, and a counter-electrode which is disposed to cover the color filters and extends from the active area to at least a part of the light-shield area, and a liquid crystal layer held between the first substrate and the second substrate. The pixel electrode and the color filter of the pixel, which is disposed at an end portion of the active area, extend into the light-shield area beyond a boundary between the active area and the light-shield area.
US08111364B2
An in-plane switching (IPS) mode liquid crystal display (LCD) includes: a plurality of gate lines and data lines arranged vertically and horizontally to define a plurality of pixel regions on a first substrate; thin film transistors (TFTs) at each crossing of the gate and data lines and including an active layer, a source electrode and a drain electrode, respectively; a common electrode line substantially parallel to the gate lines; a plurality of first pixel electrodes and first common electrodes and a plurality of second pixel electrodes and second common electrodes having a tilt angle with respect to the gate lines and alternately disposed on upper and lower portions of the pixel regions to generate an in-plane electric field; and a second substrate attached with the first substrate.
US08111363B2
A LCD device includes a gate line on a substrate and a data line crossing the gate line to define a pixel area; a thin film transistor source and drain electrodes; a common line parallel to the gate line; a common electrode extended from the common line and a pixel electrode extending from the drain electrode wherein the gate line and the common line have a first conductive layer group having at least double conductive layers, and the common electrode is formed by an extension of at least one transparent conductive layer of the common line; and the gate line, the source electrode and the drain electrode have a second conductive layer group having at least double conductive layers, and the pixel electrode is formed by an extension of at least one transparent conductive layer of the drain electrode.
US08111345B2
A LCD device includes a LC panel unit including TFT and counter substrates, and a backlight unit on which the LC panel unit is mounted. The backlight unit has a plurality of positioning ribs protruding from the backlight unit in the vicinity of the corners of the display panel for positioning the display panel. Some of the positioning ribs have a first positioning wall having a height larger than the height of the boundary between the TFT substrate and the counter substrate in a first display area in which the edge of the TFT substrate protrudes from the edge of the counter substrate. Others of the positioning ribs have a second positioning wall having a height lower than the height of the boundary between the TFT substrate and the counter substrate in a second display area in which the edge of the TFT substrate is flush with the edge of the counter substrate.
US08111342B2
A display substrate that has increased aperture ratio is presented. The display substrate includes a base substrate, a first metal pattern formed on the base substrate and a gate wiring and a gate electrode. A first insulating layer is formed on the base substrate covering the first metal pattern. A second metal pattern is formed on the first insulating layer including a data wiring crossing the gate wiring, a source electrode connected to the data wiring and a drain electrode separated from the source electrode. A second insulating layer is formed on the base substrate covering the second metal pattern. A transparent electrode is formed on the second insulating layer. An organic layer is formed on the transparent electrode, and a pixel electrode is formed on the organic layer being insulated with the transparent electrode, and contacted to the drain electrode. The organic layer may comprise red, green and blue color filters.
US08111341B2
A liquid crystal display according to the present invention includes a first substrate and a second substrate facing each other, a pixel electrode disposed on the first substrate and including a first sub-pixel electrode and a second sub-pixel electrode spaced apart from the first sub-pixel electrode by a gap, a common electrode disposed on the second substrate, a shielding member disposed on the first substrate or the second substrate and overlapping the gap between the first sub-pixel electrode and the second sub-pixel electrode, an alignment layer disposed on at least one of the pixel electrode and the common electrode, and a liquid crystal layer disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate.
US08111339B2
A liquid crystal projector which projects a three-dimensional imaged based on image signals for the left and right eyes including: a liquid crystal panel into which an image for the left or right eye is written in a one-field time period based on the image signal; an optical shutter has a plurality of divisional regions arranged in a vertical direction and controllable independently in regard to whether or not light should be blocked; a polarizing element has a plurality of divisional regions arranged in vertical direction and controllable independently in regard to whether the polarization direction should be set to that for the left eye or the right eye; and a control circuit controls the optical shutter and the polarizing element in synchronism with a writing position in the liquid crystal panel.
US08111336B2
Briefly, in accordance with one or more embodiments, scanned beam projector may comprise a light source, a scan drive and a scanning platform to project an image onto a projection surface. The scan drive circuit is capable of at least partially correcting distortion in the projected image by varying an amplitude of the scan drive signal to at least partially compensate for the distortion in the projected image.
US08111333B2
A video bit-stream gamma characteristic correction method and a multipoint control unit in video communication field resolve the gamma distortion problem of video image in the existing multimedia communication. In the method, the receiving end carries out correction once through carrying the gamma characteristic parameter of the transmission end in the video bit-stream; or the multipoint control unit and the receiving end correct gamma distortion of the video image in multiple steps. A multipoint processor (200) of the multipoint control unit includes a gamma characteristic parameter storing module (201), which stores gamma characteristic parameter of the video image transmission end; and a gamma characteristic correction module (202), which is connected to the gamma characteristic parameter storing module and corrects the gamma characteristic of the video image according to the gamma characteristic parameter of the video image transmission end.
US08111331B2
An apparatus embodiment is operative to scale video and includes an input buffer coupled to a real time source of video data and configured to hold a number of lines of video, a horizontal resizer coupled to the input buffer to resize lines of image data, outputting horizontally scaled line(s) to an intermediate buffer configured to store a number of lines. The apparatus has a vertical resizer coupled to the intermediate buffer configured to output vertically and horizontally resized lines of image data. At any given time, some of the lines in the input buffer are scheduled using the DMA controller for replacement via DMA by lines generated by the source of video data, and some or all of the remaining lines in the input buffer are available for processing by the horizontal resizer. A sufficient number of lines are available in the intermediate buffer, such that in operation, the intermediate buffer need not introduce latency.
US08111324B2
A method for film reconstruction includes identifying motion tear artifacts within a plurality of video fields of a stream of video fields. The motion tear artifacts identified by analyzing the video fields using fuzzy logic. The method also includes comparing the analysis of one video field to the analysis of an immediately preceding video field to determine whether there is a relatively high level of motion tear artifacts within the video field or a relatively low level of motion tear artifacts within the video field. The method further includes identifying a pattern of temporal periodicity for the comparisons. The method also includes determining the cadence of the stream of video fields based on the pattern of temporal periodicity.
US08111319B2
A class of imaging systems in which the imaging optics, the sensor array and the image processing are related by three parameters: W040 the amount of third order spherical aberration, U the undersampling factor defined as the ratio of the Nyquist frequency of the sensor array divided by the diffraction-limited frequency of the imaging optics, and N the number of rows in the FIR implementation of the image processing. In one aspect, W040 is between approximately 2 and 8 waves, U is between approximately 0.05 and 0.30, and N satisfies an equation that defines the acceptable range of N as a function solely of W040 and U.
US08111310B2
An image sensor includes: a plurality of first pixels that receive a light flux having passed through an optical system and output pixel signals to be used as image signals; a plurality of second pixels that receive a light flux having passed through the optical system and output pixel signals to be used as signals other than the image signals; a plurality of first pixel rows, each of which includes an array made up with a plurality of first pixels; at least one second pixel row that includes an array made up with first pixels and second pixels; an output circuit that outputs a read signal in response to which pixel signals output at the first pixels are read out from the first pixel rows over first pixel intervals and pixel signals output at the second pixels are read out from the second pixel row over second pixel intervals, different from the first pixel intervals, the output circuit outputting externally the pixel signals having been read out; and a switching device that selects a specific pixel row, either one of the first pixel rows or the second pixel row, from which pixel signals are to be read out by the output circuit.
US08111309B2
A solid-state image pickup device having a reduced signal transfer time and a signal processing method using the solid-state image pickup device. A pixel array includes a plurality of light-receiving pixel elements and a plurality of light-blocked pixel elements. A read block reads the output signals of the plurality of light-blocked pixel elements. An AD conversion processing block includes a circuit for summing up the output signals of adjacent light-blocked pixel elements and transferring the signals of the light-blocked pixel elements in a reduced period.
US08111306B2
An image pickup apparatus includes an image pickup device including plural imaging planes each having different dark current characteristics, each of the imaging planes having an effective image area and an corresponding optical black (OPB) area. The image pickup apparatus also includes a memory that stores a dark current data table including difference data between dark current values pre-measured at upper and lower areas of the effective image area of each of the imaging planes and dark current values pre-measured at corresponding upper and lower areas of the OPB area. The image pickup apparatus further includes an image processing unit to calculate estimate dark current values for the effective image area based on the dark current data table and actual dark current values measured in the OPB area for each of the imaging planes, and eliminates the dark current components for the effective imaging areas.
US08111301B2
There is provided a method of performing auto white balance including: setting a plurality of sections of a whole range of a value of each of Y, Cb, and Cr in the YCbCr color space, according to a size of each value; calculating an accumulated Y, Cb, and Cr value of pixels included in each of the plurality of sections; determining effective sections according to the number of the pixels included in each of the plurality of sections; calculating a mean Y, Cb, and Cr value of pixels included in all of the effective sections by using the accumulated Y, Cb, and Cr value of each of the effective sections; calculating a mean RGB value by converting the mean Y, Cb, and Cr value into an RGB color space; and determining an RGB color gain of a Bayer image outputted from an image sensor by using the mean RGB value.
US08111295B2
A CCD support mechanism includes a CCD holder for holding a CCD, a first printed circuit board having a first printed coil, a second printed circuit board having a second printed coil, a pair of horizontal leaf springs, and a pair of vertical leaf springs. When a camera shake occurs by hand-held shooting, a VCM composed of the first printed coil and a first stationary magnet shifts the CCD, while bending the horizontal leaf springs, to counteract the camera shake in a Y-axis direction. A VCM composed of the second printed coil and a second stationary magnet shifts the CCD, while bending the vertical leaf springs, to counteract the camera shake in an X-axis direction. Current values of the VCMs are determined by feedback control by using an output signal from a shake detector as a target value and a present position from a position detector as a measurement value.
US08111291B2
Image capture systems capable of ensuring clear images are provided, in which an image capture module senses at least one image, and an operational module performs a compensation to the image capture system according to a modulation transfer function (MTF) value corresponding to the image, such that the image capture system can be operated under an optimized total gain thereby ensuring clear images.
US08111288B2
There is provided an image processing controller capable of faithfully recreating a process of a series of image processing based upon a control program, which includes: a history buffer for extracting a result of the measurement in each processing unit, executed by the program executing section, as history information in each measurement cycle and holding the extracted result in association with the processing unit and the measurement cycle; a history buffer for extracting a camera image acquired from a camera by the program executing section during execution of a control program, as history information in each the measurement cycle and holding the extracted image in association with the measurement cycle; and a history information transferring section for transferring history information, held in the history buffers, to the PC.
US08111278B2
An image forming apparatus which performs an exposure of a plurality of line images concurrently, by scanning an image carrier with a plurality of light beams in a main scanning direction and simultaneously drives the image carrier in a sub scanning direction, the image forming apparatus having: a plurality of light sources which are driven to emit the plurality of light beams corresponding to image data; a polygon mirror configured to deflect the plurality of light beams emitted from the plurality of light sources in a main scanning direction; and a control section which determines an image formation speed and switches, based on the determined image formation speed, a control between a control of changing a number of light sources used for light emission drive and a control of changing a number of polygon mirror use-surfaces used for a scanning with the light beams in the main scanning direction.
US08111276B2
An optical scanning device deflects a light beam emitted from a light source device by a vibrating mirror, scans a scanning surface with deflected light beam, and focuses the light beam onto the scanning surface by a scanning imaging optical system. The optical scanning device includes an offset detecting unit that detects an offset that is a deviation between a center of vibration amplitude of the vibrating mirror and a center of an optical scanning area and an adjusting unit that adjusts the center of the vibration amplitude when the offset detected by the offset detecting unit is larger than a predetermined value.
US08111271B2
Methods, apparatus, and systems for generating drive sequences for pulse width modulated displays are described. A pulse width modulated signal that includes a drive sequence of temporal segments that are activated and deactivated to produce a desired gray scale. The temporal segments can be non-binary, non-equally weighted. The drive sequence can also include at least two of the temporal segments are least significant bit segments and the other segments are higher order segments.
US08111270B2
A driving device including a signal controller which receives input image data corresponding to a plurality of frame periods, outputs the input image data during a first sub-frame period of one frame period among the plurality of frame periods, and outputs impulsive data having gray-scales, which are lower than those of the input image data, during a second sub-frame period of the one frame period. The impulsive data in the frame periods in which still images are displayed comprise first gray-scales, and the impulsive data in the frame periods in which moving images are displayed comprise second gray-scales, the second gray-scale being different from the first gray-scales. A data driver converts the input image data to pixel voltages during the first sub-frame period, and converts the impulsive data to impulsive voltages during the second sub-frame period.
US08111261B1
A method for creating an appearance of texture in a computer image having the steps of introducing information into a computer from which the image is produced for each point of the image in 3D geometric space. There is the step of computing a pseudo-random hash value at each vertex of a unit cube surrounding the point of the image using six + modules and seven L modules where the L module is implement as a look-up table having 64 6 bits entries. There is the step of mapping the lower six bits from last stage L modules of a plurality of stages of modules to a fixed set of 64 gradient vectors where the set is chosen such that a length of each component of every vector of the 64 vectors is a power of two. There is the step of based on the gradient vectors, combining with the computer the contribution from each vertex into a single interpolated result to produce the point of the image with noise interpolated texture that do not have visible grid artifacts. There is the step of after all points of the image are obtained, displaying the image on a display.
US08111254B2
A depth image-based representation (DIBR) method of modeling a 3-dimensional (3D) object, by which the 3D object is expressed by depth information, color information, and camera parameters or geometry information, color information, and camera parameters. The camera parameters include position, orientation, ranges of camera view or angle (fieldOfView), front and back of a camera volume (nearPlane and farPlane) and projection information(orthographic) on whether an object is projected on a camera orthographically or perspectively, and, when at least one of modeling and rendering of a 3D object is performed, values of the camera parameters are changed in real time.
US08111247B2
A system and method changes touch screen functionality based on whether a user is detected during camera operation. A first camera generates a video signal containing a representation of at least a portion of a scene within a field of view of the first camera. A controller analyzes the video signal to determine whether one or more physical features of a user of the electronic device are present within the field of view of the first camera. A touch input device includes one or more touch points for receiving user input, each touch point being associated with controlling a respective one of a plurality of functions of the second camera. At least one of the touch points is associated with controlling a shutter function of a second camera, and a total number of touch points is dependent upon a result of the video signal analysis made by the controller.
US08111244B2
Provided are an apparatus, method, and medium for providing a user interface for file transmission. The apparatus includes a motion perception (recognition) module perceiving (recognizing) a motion input to the user interface and identifying a position of the perceived (recognized) motion; a motion execution module executing a motion corresponding to the perceived motion and the identified position of the perceived motion and modifying components of the user interface according to the executed motion; and a communication module transmitting a file to a transmission target based on the perceived motion and the identified position of the perceived motion. The components of the user interface include a file list region where a file to be transmitted is selected and the selected file is moved; a transmission target region where a transmission target to which the selected file is to be transmitted and the selected transmission target is moved; and an execution region to which the selected file and the selected transmission target are moved and in which the selected file is transmitted to the selected transmission target.
US08111238B2
A liquid crystal display device and a dimming controlling method thereof are disclosed. The liquid crystal display device includes a liquid crystal display panel, a drive circuit supplying a data pulse and a gate pulse to the liquid crystal display panel, a backlight unit divided into a plurality of block including light sources, and irradiating lights of which luminescence is controlled by the blocks, respectively, a controller analyzing an input video data by the block unit, generating a block dimming value based on a result of the analyzing, repeating a low pass filtering to the block dimming value to generate a local dimming value, applying a predeterminded global dimming value to an average of the local dimming value to generate a dimming signal, and a backlight driver generating a PWM signal for controlling a luminescence of the light sources by the blocks respectively according to the dimming signal to drive the light sources by the blocks respectively.
US08111237B2
A liquid crystal display includes: a liquid crystal panel; a backlight; an image move speed detection unit that detects the move speed of a display image, which is displayed on the liquid crystal panel; a black insertion percentage setting unit that sets black insertion percentage to produce black display according to liquid crystal response on the liquid crystal panel based on the move speed of the display image detected by the image move speed detection unit; and a backlight drive circuit that changes the luminance of the backlight in response to the black insertion percentage.
US08111224B2
An organic light emitting diode display, and a display panel and driving method thereof are provided. The organic light emitting diode display includes a plurality of data lines for transmitting data signals, a plurality of scan lines for transmitting selection signals, and a plurality of pixel circuits coupled to the data lines and the scan lines. The pixel circuits include at least four emitting elements for emitting light corresponding to amount of an applied current, a light emitting element driver for outputting a data current corresponding to at least one of the data signals, and a switching unit for respectively transmitting the data current to the four emitting elements. In the display, at least two emitting elements of the four light emitting elements are formed in different places.
US08111223B2
In order to perform local dimming, a driving dimming duty cycle is generated using a target gamma curve (TGV), wherein the driving dimming duty cycle corresponds to a representative grayscale value (RGV) of each of a plurality of dimming unit areas. Each of a plurality of light unit blocks of a light source is driven based on the driving dimming duty cycle, wherein the light unit blocks correspond to the dimming unit areas, respectively. Therefore, a display apparatus may display an image having a higher contrast ratio than normal.
US08111220B2
An EL device includes a substrate having a square shape, an element-forming region provided on an upper surface of the substrate and having organic light-emitting elements, a protruding section arranged in a region between the element-forming region and an end portion of the substrate, and a protection film deposited in a region extending from the element-forming region to the end portion of the substrate and disposed so as to cover the protruding section. The protruding section is disposed in a substantially strip-like shape along at least two of four sides of the substrate.
US08111215B2
The luminance of light emitting elements varies when the characteristics thereof change due to changes in environment temperature and changes with time. It is an object of the present invention to suppress the effect of the change in current value of a light emitting element due to the changes of environment temperature and changes with time. The invention provides a display device provided with a compensation function for the changes in environment temperature and a compensation function for the change with time. The display device of the invention includes a light emitting element, a driving transistor connected to the light emitting element, and a monitoring light emitting element. By using this monitoring light emitting element, an effect of the change of current value of the light emitting element due to the change of environment temperature and change with time can be suppressed.
US08111214B2
A control circuit for an electro luminescent display in which a flyback converter and an H-bridge are used to provide a high voltage alternating current to a capacitive load from a low voltage DC source. Each time the polarity of the capacitive load is reversed, the capacitive load discharges. This high voltage discharge is stored on a low voltage capacitor and subsequently used as an auxiliary power supply to power the switching elements of the control circuit.
US08111211B2
A plasma display includes a plurality of first electrodes divided into at least two groups. In the plasma display, first group cells corresponding to first electrodes of the first group are initialized, and light emitting cells are selected from the first group cells to be sustain-discharged. In addition, second group cells corresponding to the first electrodes of the second group are initialized, and light emitting cells are selected from the second group cells to be sustain-discharged.
US08111201B2
A wireless communication device includes: a case made of a first dielectric material; a cover made of a second dielectric material which covers an outer surface of the case; a wireless communication circuit which is housed in the case; an antenna element made of a conductive material and provided on the outer surface of the case between the case and the cover, the antenna element being electrically connected to the wireless communication circuit by a connection member that penetrates the case; and an adhesive layer which is disposed between the antenna element and the case to adhere the antenna element onto the case, the adhesive layer being made of a third dielectric material.
US08111181B2
An embodiment of the invention provides a single-ended polar transmitting circuit. The single-ended polar transmitting circuit comprises a DAC, a differential-to-single-ended converter, a GmC filter and a load. The GmC filter comprises two gain stages, two filters, two switching devices, a translinear loop and a current mirror. When a second clock signal is high, a first current is conducted through the load, a second switching device and a second gain stage. When a first clock signal is high, a second current is conducted through a first switching device and the second gain stage. The first gain stage has a transconductance Gm1 and the second gain stage has a transconductance Gm2. The bandwidth of the GmC filter is approximately equal to the square root of the quantity (Gm1*Gm2)/(C1*C2). The bandwidth of the GmC filter is substantially a constant value.
US08111160B2
A radio frequency identification (RFID) card having an antenna configured to transmit data wirelessly to a remote receiver and an integrated circuit configured to transmit the data through the antenna to the remote receiver. The integrated circuit includes a transmitter section and a memory section. The memory section is configured to store the data. A power generating device is configured to supply power to the integrated circuit and a light-sensitive switch is interposed between one or more portions of the RFID card. The light-sensitive switch is configured to provide electrical coupling between the one or more portions of the RFID card when light is incident on the switch.
US08111156B2
This invention is an intruder detection system which integrates wireless sensor network and security robots. Multiple ZigBee wireless sensor modules installed in the environment can detect intruders and abnormal conditions with various sensors, and transmit alert to the monitoring center and security robot via the wireless mesh network. The robot can navigate in the environment autonomously and approach to a target place using its localization system. If any possible intruder is detected, the robot can approach to that location, and transmit images to the mobile devices of the securities and users, in order to determine the exact situation in real time.
US08111153B2
Provided are an apparatus and a method for providing position information and gathering information using Radio Frequency Identification (RFID). The apparatus includes: a plurality of RFID tags, driven by a radio frequency transmitted from an RFID reader installed in the vehicle, for providing stored tag information in order to provide current position information to the vehicle; a plurality of sensor nodes for sensing the time point when the RFID tags are driven and transmitting the sensed information through a sensor network; and an information gathering server for gathering and processing the information sensed by the sensor nodes, where at least two RFID tags and one sensor node are configured in groups, and the groups are installed at predetermined intervals on each lane of a road.
US08111152B2
A relative positioning system and method has an adjoining pair of spaced apart receivers positioned proximal to an object causing a signal interference with a radio frequency signal detectable by each receiver of the adjoining pair. The radio frequency signal is associated with an emitter. Control electronics operatively couple the spaced apart receivers. The control electronics are configured to determine a direction of the emitter based on the signal interference. In an embodiment of the system and method the emitter is associated with an object of interest, the signal encodes information relating to the identity and status of the object, and information and heading of the object are cutaneously communicated to an operator by an article worn by the operator.
US08111148B2
A wireless electrically isolated plug-n-play communications system for branch circuit breakers. The system providing means for automatically connecting the wireless electrically isolated communication system between the branch circuit breaker and a communications strip as the branch circuit breaker is being installed in the load center.
US08111144B2
A mobile device, through the use of an NFC subsystem, may determine holster-proximity information, i.e., whether the mobile device is near to (including in) a holster or out of, and away from, the holster. The holster-proximity information may be used by the mobile device to enter into a user-inactive mode. Such entry into a user-inactive mode may involve disabling user interface components, such as input devices and output devices. In particular, the holster-proximity information may be used by the mobile device to disable the keyboard, that is, prevent presses on keys in the keyboard from being recorded. Such disabling may be considered of particular importance when the mobile device is going into and coming out of the holster.
US08111143B2
An assembly for monitoring an environment includes a RFID tag and a sensing unit. The sensing unit is configured to be activated by a RF signal received by the RFID tag and to sense information regarding an environment.
US08111141B1
Systems and methods provide for determining a distance between a signpost and a tag and for locating a tag using multiple signposts. The system uses a signal received at a tag from a signpost, and from them measures the signal strength of the signal with respect to one or more antennas on the tag. The system calculates an RSSI using the measured signal strength, from which a distance can be determined between the signpost and the tag. The system also uses signals received from multiple signposts, to measure multiple signal strengths, resulting in multiple distance determinations corresponding to the various signposts, thereby establishing a location for the tag.
US08111139B2
An arrangement for monitoring the switching state of a switch has a monitoring circuit that monitors a circuit containing a first switch. The monitoring circuit has RFID electronics and a second switch. An outlet of the RFID electronics is connected in series with an RFID antenna, and the second switch is connected to an input of the RFID electronics, such that the second switch opens or closes the monitoring circuit dependent on the switching state thereof. The first and second switches are coupled to each other so that the switching state of the second switch is controlled as a function of the switching state of the first switch, so the switching state of the second switch represents the switching state of the first switch. An RFID reading device is within range of the RFID antenna, and feeds a query signal via the RFID antenna into the monitoring circuit to determine the representative switching state of the first switch via the switching state of the second switch.
US08111138B2
Passive tags use two antennas with only limited mutual coupling one of which receives a power/clock field and the other of which receives a data signal. An area-reading antenna, or two or more antennas, are deployed to generate the power/clock field, from a base station. The base station, or active tags, or both, generate the data signals from time to time. This topology together with the use of low frequencies permits area reads, and permits small and economical passive tags, and further permits localization of a particular passive tag as being nearby to a particular active tag.
US08111131B2
Programmable occupancy sensors that control the on/off operation of a fluorescent lamp automatically determine loss of lamp life as the lamp is used. The programmable occupancy sensors can provide lamp life status and can automatically alert a user when a lamp is nearing its end of life and should be replaced. The occupancy sensors are also programmable to automatically maximize lamp life and energy savings by selecting an optimal time delay from among a number of selectable time delays at which to operate the sensor. The selection is based on an occupancy pattern sensed by the sensor over a given period of time. The optimal time delay, which prevents the lamp from turning off immediately after last sensing occupancy, extends lamp life by limiting the number of lamp off/on transitions, which shortens lamp life, in view of overall energy usage and lamp usage.
US08111128B2
A method for arranging a plurality of thermally isolated microstructures over at least one cavity, each of the microstructures housing at least part of a thermally-trimmable resistor, the thermally-trimmable resistor having at least a functional resistor, the method comprising: providing pairs of facing microstructures; grouping together sets of pairs of facing microstructures, each of the sets having at least one pair of facing microstructures; and arranging microstructures within a given set to have each microstructure exposed to heat from a same number of facing, side, and diagonal neighbors of microstructures from a same resistor.
US08111126B2
An over-current protection device comprises a PTC material layer, a first electrode layer, a second electrode layer, a first side electrode and a second side electrode. The PTC material layer is sandwiched between the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer. The first side electrode and the second side electrode are respectively disposed on two opposite side surfaces of the PTC material layer, and are respectively connected to the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer. Furthermore, the first side electrode and the second side electrode are respectively extended to four surfaces adjacent and perpendicular to the two side surfaces.
US08111117B2
An electromagnetic relay includes an electromagnetic block formed by winding a coil around an iron core and a frame shaped card. One end portion of the frame-shaped card is engaged with a movable iron piece that is rotated by being attracted to and separated from a magnetic pole portion of the iron core based on excitation and non-excitation of the electromagnetic block. The electromagnetic relay also includes a contact mechanism portion configured to be driven by the other end portion of the frame-shaped card that makes a reciprocating movement so as to open/close contacts and a pair of protrusions protrusively provided on the same shaft center inside of the one end portion of the frame-shaped card. Both side edge portions of the movable iron piece are held by the one end portion of the card and the protrusions. An adjustment opening is provided between the pair of protrusions.
US08111112B2
A semiconductor device has a first coil structure formed over the substrate. A second coil structure is formed over the substrate adjacent to the first coil structure. A third coil structure is formed over the substrate adjacent to the second coil structure. The first and second coil structures are coupled by mutual inductance, and the second and third coil structures are coupled by mutual inductance. The first, second, and third coil structures each have a height greater than a skin current depth of the coil structure defined as a depth which current reduces to 1/(complex permittivity) of a surface current value. In the case of copper, the coil structures have a height greater than 5 micrometers.The first, second, and third coil structures are arranged in rounded or polygonal pattern horizontally across the substrate with a substantially flat vertical profile.
US08111111B2
Device (5) comprising controlled matching stages (10) for matching second stages such as antenna stages (2) to first stages such as power amplifier stages (1) get a simple construction by providing the controlled matching stages (10) with deriving means (11) for deriving first signals and second signals from output signals of the first stages, with detecting means (12) for detecting phases between the first signals and the second signals, and with controlling means (13) for controlling adjustable impedance networks (14) in response to said detecting for said matching. The deriving means (11) comprise elements (21) such as passive elements such as inductors and capacitors, with the first signals being the output signals and the second signals being derived via the elements (21). The detecting means (12) comprise phase detectors (22-24) made of first and second limiters (22,23) for limiting the first and second signals and mixers (24) for mixing the limited first and second signals. The controlling means (13) comprise analog-to-digital converters (25) such as limiters and digital circuits (26) such as up-down counters.
US08111104B2
Biasing methods and devices for power amplifiers are described. The described methods and devices use the power amplifier output voltage to generate bias voltages. The bias voltages are obtained using rectifiers and voltage dividers. The described biasing methods and devices can be used with class-E power amplifiers.
US08111102B2
An auto gain controller is provided. The auto gain controller includes a variable gain amplification unit configured to receive differential input signals, adjust an amplification gain based on an auto gain control voltage and output differential output signals. The auto gain controller also includes a peak detector configured to detect at least one peak value among the amplified differential output signals, a comparator configured to compare the at least one detected peak value with a reference voltage and generate a comparison signal, and a voltage adjusting circuit configured to adjust the auto gain control voltage and the reference voltage based on the comparison signal.
US08111100B1
The present invention covers novel approaches to the differential amplification of an input signal. Embodiments of the present invention have precise gain, swing to within micro-volts (μV) of ground, and have high CMRR without the need for precision resistors or tuned potentiometers. Embodiments of the present invention are particularly suited for the amplification of an instrumentation signal for delivery to an analog-to-digital converter. Examples of such signals include the product of a strain-gauge front end, a temperature sensor front end, and certain devices for bioelectronics detection. Embodiments of the present invention which are systems for amplification of a differential input signal can comprise a differential input stage transconducing a differential voltage input signal into a single-ended intermediate current signal using a follower transconductance amplifier, and a single-ended output stage comprising an amplifier producing an output voltage across a resistor network that forms a negative feedback network of the amplifier.
US08111092B2
A digital data register is disclosed that provides setup and hold timing on the pre-register side, clock centering on the post-register side, and constant propagation delay time over variations in process, supply voltage and temperature (PVT) using a novel means to generate and distribute the clock signal. These features allow the register to be used in applications operating at clock frequencies in excess of 800 MHz.
US08111087B2
A semiconductor integrated circuit includes an n-channel spin FET including one of a magnetic tunnel junction and a magneto-semiconductor junction, the n-channel spin FET including a gate terminal to receive an input signal, a source terminal to receive a first power supply potential, and a drain terminal connected to an output terminal, a p-channel FET including a gate terminal to receive a clock signal, a source terminal to receive a second power supply potential, and a drain terminal connected to the output terminal, a subsequent circuit connected to the output terminal, and a control circuit which turns on the p-channel FET to start charging the output terminal, then turns off the p-channel FET to end the charging, and supplies the input signal to the gate terminal of the n-channel spin FET.
US08111085B2
It is desired to reduce the current consumption of an autonomous impedance adjustment circuit. The semiconductor integrated circuit according to the present invention stops the change in the drive capability of a driver correspondingly to the output (count data) of a comparator which is sequentially outputted for changing the drive capability of a replica driver and an output driver.
US08111084B2
An impedance calibration circuit includes: a first calibration unit configured to compare a first converted voltage obtained by converting a first calibration signal with a reference voltage and vary the first calibration signal; a voltage detection unit configured to activate a voltage detection signal according to a level of a power supply voltage; a multiplexing unit configured to select and output the reference voltage or the first converted voltage in response to the detection signal; and a second calibration unit configured to compare a second converted voltage obtained by converting a second calibration signal with the level of the output signal of the multiplexing unit and vary the second calibration signal.
US08111080B2
An improved knee probe for probing electrical devices and circuits is provided. The improved knee probe has a reduced thickness section to alter the mechanical behavior of the probe when contact is made. The reduced thickness section of the probe makes it easier to deflect the probe vertically when contact is made. This increased ease of vertical deflection tends to reduce the horizontal contact force component responsible for the scrub motion, thereby decreasing scrub length. Here “thickness” is the probe thickness in the deflection plane of the probe (i.e., the plane in which the probe knee lies). The reduced thickness probe section provides increased design flexibility for controlling scrub motion, especially in combination with other probe parameters affecting the scrub motion.
US08111073B2
A testing device (100) includes a main body (20) for supplying power to an electronic product including a space capable of assembling a battery therein, and a housing (10). The main body includes a fixing member (22) and a moving member (24) movable relative to the fixing member. The housing includes a plurality of supporting posts (14) for supporting the main body and at least one driving post (18) for driving the moving member to move relative to the fixing member. When the testing device is in standby mode, a length of the main body is shorter than that of the battery of the electronic product; when the testing device is performing its testing process, the length of the main body is equal to that of the battery of the electronic product.
US08111069B2
A magnetic resonance system has a basic magnet system that generates a temporally static, spatially homogeneous basic magnetic field in an examination volume of the magnetic resonance system, and a radio-frequency system. An overlay system generates overlay fields in the examination volume that, together with the basic field, form a complete field. The overlay system has at least one first order field system and at least one second order field system. The first order field system generates fields that, to a first approximation, exhibit a spatial dependency of the first order. The second order field system generates fields that, to a first approximation, exhibit a spatial dependency of the second order. A control device operates the radio-frequency system with an operating frequency and controls the first and second order field systems to cause a deviation between the complete field and a desired gradient to exhibit a spatial dependency of the second order and to satisfy a minimum condition within a correction volume.
US08111068B2
A method and system for improving image quality by correcting errors introduced by rotational motion of an object being imaged is provided. The object is associated with a fiducial mark. The method provides a computer executable methodology for detecting a rotation and selectively reordering, deleting and/or reacquiring projection data.
US08111058B2
A reference voltage generating circuit in a semiconductor memory apparatus comprises a driving control signal generating unit configured to generate a driving control signal according to a temperature variation, wherein the driving control signal generating unit is enabled in response to a power-up signal, a driving unit configured to control a voltage level, which is applied to a voltage transfer node, in response to the power-up signal and the driving control signal, and a reference voltage generating unit configured to generate a reference voltage when a voltage level on the voltage transfer node is higher than a predetermined voltage level.
US08111056B2
A converter device which is configured by connecting three converter circuits in parallel is provided between a secondary battery serving as a first power supply and a fuel cell serving as a second power supply. Two differential ammeters are placed on three reactors corresponding to the three converter circuits. A control unit includes a passing electric power calculation module which calculates electric power passing through the converter device on the basis of detected values of the two differential ammeters, an electric power equalization module which performs equalization of passing electric power between the respective converter circuits which constitute the converter device, a module for changing the number of drive phases which changes the number of drive phases of the converter device in response to the passing electric power, and a voltage conversion control module which controls the converter device and executes a desired voltage conversion.
US08111051B2
An output monitoring comparator outputs an ON signal when an output voltage becomes lower than a reference voltage. A pulse modulator generates a pulse signal at a predetermined level, an ON time-period from when the ON signal is outputted. A driver circuit alternately turns ON, after a dead time, a switching transistor and a synchronous rectification transistor, based on the pulse signal. A light load mode detector compares a switching voltage at a connection point of the switching transistor and the synchronous rectification transistor, and ground potential, and at timing at which the ON signal is outputted from the output monitoring comparator, when the switching voltage is higher than the ground potential, nullifies the ON signal.
US08111041B2
A power reception device transmits authentication information (e.g., start code, manufacturer ID, product ID, rated power information, and resonance characteristic information) to a power transmission device before starting normal power transmission by a non-contact power transmission system. The power transmission device performs instrument authentication based on the received authentication information, and regulates the maximum transmission power is regulated to conform to a power-reception-device side rated power. The power transmission device then performs normal power transmission.
US08111037B2
A method is provided for determining a battery's state-of-health. An initial battery voltage is measured after a first voltage drop during an initiation of an engine cranking phase. A battery voltage is monitored during the remainder of the engine cranking phase. A lowest battery voltage is determined during the remainder of the engine cranking phase. A determination is made if a voltage difference between the lowest battery voltage and the initial battery voltage at the initiation of the engine cranking phase is less than a voltage threshold. A low battery state-of-health is identified in response to the voltage difference being less than the voltage threshold.
US08111019B2
A sensing type control circuit for an electronic apparatus is provided. An output unit is coupled between an external power source and the electronic apparatus and provides varied power supply to the electronic apparatus according to a control signal. A switch is coupled between the external power source and the output unit and disconnects or connects the external power source. A control unit receives a sensing signal and generates the control signal to the output unit according to the received signal. A sensing unit includes a sensing device and senses an external variation, wherein the sensing unit generates the sensing signal to the control unit when the sensing device senses an excitation.
US08111001B2
An LED package containing integrated circuitry for matching a power source voltage to the LED operating voltage, LEDs containing such integrated circuitry, systems containing such packages, and methods for matching the source and operating voltages are described. The integrated circuitry typically contains a power converter and a constant current circuit. The LED package may also contain other active or passive components such as pin-outs for integrated or external components, a transformer and rectifier, or a rectifier circuit. External components can include control systems for regulating the LED current level or the properties of light emitted by the LED. Integrating the power supply and current control components into the LED can provide for fabrication of relatively small LEDs using fewer and less device-specific components.
US08111000B2
The invention describes a method for operation of a mercury vapour discharge lamp (1) in an image rendering system (30), wherein during a total operation time necessary for the presentation of an image content (C), the lamp (1) is deliberately operated in a saturated operating regime at least over a part of the total operation time according to a brightness parameter (BP) of the content (C), in which saturated operating regime mercury is condensed in an arc tube (2) of the lamp (1), and, at least over another part of the operation time, the lamp (1) is driven in an unsaturated operating regime, in which essentially the entire mercury evaporates. Thereby, the duration of the operation periods in the saturated and the unsaturated operation regime are chosen so that no significant blackening of the walls of the arc tube (2) arises during the total operation time of the lamp. The invention describes further an appropriate operation controller (27) for operation of a mercury vapour discharge lamp in an image rendering system (30) according to this method. Moreover a method for driving such an image rendering system and an appropriate image rendering system are described.
US08110986B2
A dispersion-type EL element formed on a thin or flexible transparent plastic film and a method for manufacturing the same are provided. The dispersion-type electroluminescent element is a dispersion-type electroluminescent element with at least a transparent conductive layer, a phosphor layer, a dielectric layer, and a rear electrode layer sequentially formed on a transparent plastic film surface, in which a thickness of the transparent plastic film is less than 50 μm, and the transparent conductive layer is formed by applying compression processing to an applied layer formed by applying a transparent conductive layer forming application liquid mainly composed of conductive oxide particles and a binder on the transparent plastic film surface and then, curing the compressed layer.
US08110983B2
To provide a method of improving an efficiency for extracting light in a self light-emitting device using an organic EL material. In the self light-emitting device having a structure in which an EL layer (102) is sandwiched between a transparent electrode (103) and a cathode (101), a film thickness of the EL layer (102) and a film thickness of the transparent electrode (102) are equivalent to the film thicknesses in which there is no occurrence of a guided light, and an inert gas is filled in a space between the transparent electrode (103) and a cover material (105).
US08110981B2
Provided is an organic light-emitting display apparatus with improved contrast. The organic light-emitting display apparatus includes: a substrate; an organic light-emitting device on the substrate, the organic light-emitting device including a first electrode, a second electrode, and an organic light-emitting layer between the first electrode and the second electrode; and a pixel define layer on the first electrode, the pixel define layer including an opening through which the first electrode is exposed and having a black color, wherein the organic light-emitting layer and the second electrode are sequentially disposed on a portion of the first electrode exposed through the opening, and the second electrode includes indium oxide doped with a metal or metal oxide.
US08110978B2
The present invention provides a display device including: a pair of substrates in which a plurality of pixels are disposed in a matrix form as a whole, the pixels being configured with pixels corresponding to R (red), G (green), or B (blue), and the pixels corresponding to the R, G, or B having size different from each other; a self-luminous photo-emission element formed in a region corresponding to each of the pixels, on one of the pair of substrates; and a black matrix layer formed in a region corresponding to among the pixels, on the other of the pair of substrates. Formula (1) and formula (2) are satisfied, or formula (1) and formula (3) are satisfied.
US08110973B2
An integrally ballasted lamp assembly (200) including a spacer disk (220) disposed in a lamp receptacle cavity (244) between a lamp (226) and the bottom (238) of the lamp receptacle (214). The disk (220) may be configured to contact connector clips (216, 218) coupled to the bottom (238) of the lamp receptacle to positively align the clips (216, 218) for connection to a ballast circuit disposed on a PCB (212). The disk (220) may also, or alternatively, at least partially occlude connector clip openings (402, 404) in the bottom (238) of the lamp receptacle (214) for hindering the flow of uncured cement (902) through the openings (402, 404), and may also, or alternatively, provide a thermal barrier between the lamp (226) and the lamp receptacle (214).
US08110971B2
A light emitting element of the present invention includes an electrode substrate; a thin-film electrode; and an electron acceleration layer sandwiched between the electrode substrate and the thin-film electrode. In the electron acceleration layer, as a result of a voltage applied between the electrode substrate and the thin-film electrode, electrons are accelerated so as to be turned into hot electrons. The hot electrons excite surfaces of the silicon fine particles contained in the electron acceleration layer so that the surfaces of the silicon fine particles emit light. Such a light emitting element of the present invention is a novel light emitting element, which has not been achieved by the conventional techniques. That is, the light emitting element of the present invention is able to (i) be produced by using a silicon material, which is available at low price, through a simple production method, and (ii) efficiently emit light.
US08110968B2
The present invention relates to an irradiation device having a radiation source and a filter which is arranged in the optical path and has two transparent filter disks which are substantially arranged in parallel with each other and which are held with their surrounding edges in a frame made of a material of good heat conduction, the filter disks and the frame defining a closed cavity which has provided therein a medium which selectively influences the radiation spectrum. In order to improve an irradiation device such that a degassing of the medium is prevented during heating and the filter disks do not deform as the pressure increases, provision is made for the cavity to be in the form of a pressure chamber, so that during operation of the irradiation device overpressure prevails in the cavity, and for the filter disks to be made of glass ceramic or mineral glass, wherein the filter disk which is arranged closer to the radiation source is in the form of a safety device such that it is more susceptible to breaking than the filter disk which is further away from the radiation source.
US08110967B2
A spherical rotary piezoelectric motor comprises a spherical rotor, a hemispherical stator, and a plurality of piezoelectric actuators. The hemispherical stator comprises an inner surface and an outer surface, wherein the inner surface forms a hemispherical hollow portion which substantially corresponds to the spherical rotor so as to contain a portion of the spherical rotor. The plurality of piezoelectric actuators is arranged on the inner surface (or the outer surface) of the hemispherical stator respectively so as to drive the hemispherical stator. The hemispherical stator generates traveling waves with a resultant elliptical motion, so the spherical rotor can be rotated accordingly with at least one degree of freedom.
US08110959B2
A method for producing a core and a method for producing an electrical machine. Said core has a body of soft magnetic material having a plurality of teeth and at least one magnetic flux cross section area enlarging element being made from a composite of a soft magnetic powder and a binder, said magnetic flux area enlarging element being arranged onto a tooth of said body.
US08110952B2
To provide a rotating electric machine capable of accurate detection of coil temperature by causing refrigerant to flow so as not to contact a temperature detecting element provided on a coil end portion. A rotating electric machine (10) comprises: a cylindrical stator core (12); coils (16) wound around a plurality of teeth (14) projecting from an inner circumferential surface of the stator core (12) and having coil end portions (18) protruding beyond respective end portions in an axial direction of the stator core (12); a cooling part (50) to cool the coil (16) by dropping refrigerant onto the coil end portions (18); and a temperature detecting element (30) placed in contact with the coil end portion (18), for detecting coil temperature. The temperature detecting element (30) is provided so as not to directly contact the refrigerant flowing on the coil end portion.
US08110948B2
A power conversion apparatus includes an interfacing circuit that enables a current source inverter to operate from a voltage energy storage device (voltage source), such as a battery, ultracapacitor or fuel cell. The interfacing circuit, also referred to as a voltage-to-current converter, transforms the voltage source into a current source that feeds a DC current to a current source inverter. The voltage-to-current converter also provides means for controlling and maintaining a constant DC bus current that supplies the current source inverter. The voltage-to-current converter also enables the current source inverter to charge the voltage energy storage device, such as during dynamic braking of a hybrid electric vehicle, without the need of reversing the direction of the DC bus current.
US08110935B2
An apparatus for converting wave energy into electrical energy includes a wave power generation unit including a frame and float guides. A wave power generation float is joined to the float guides for vertical motion in response to the wave energy. The wave power generation float includes at least one wave power conversion module. The wave power conversion module includes a module case and an air sealing tube formed in the module case for generally preventing fluids from entering the module case. A power transmission cable transmits electrical energy where one end of the power transmission cable passes through the air sealing tube and is joined to the frame. A cable reel winds and unwinds the power transmission cable. A power transmission drive translates a bidirectional rotation of an input shaft into a unidirectional rotation. A generator generates electrical energy in response to the unidirectional rotation.
US08110931B2
A wafer defines a plurality of chips arranged in array manner. Each chip includes at least one aluminum pad and a middle material. The middle material covers the aluminum pad and is mounted on the aluminum pad.
US08110919B2
A package includes a thermal interface member which includes a bulk layer and a surface layer that is disposed on at least a portion of a surface of the bulk layer. The surface layer is highly thermally conductive, has a melting point exceeding a solder reflow temperature, and has a maximum cross-sectional thickness of less than about 10 microns.
US08110917B2
A package substrate 310 incorporating a substrate provided with a conductor layer 5, a conductive connecting pin 100 arranged to establish the electrical connection with a motherboard and secured to the surface of the substrate, wherein a pad 16 for securing the conductive connecting pin is provided for the package substrate 310. The pad 16 is covered with an organic resin insulating layer 15 having an opening 18 through which the pad 16 is partially exposed to the outside. The conductive connecting pin 100 is secured to the pad exposed to the outside through the opening with a conductive adhesive agent 17 so that solution of the conductive connecting pin 100 from the substrate occurring, for example when mounting is performed is prevented.
US08110915B2
An RF semiconductor package includes a substrate having generally planar top and bottom surfaces. The substrate includes a metallic base region and one or more metallic signal terminal regions extending from the top surface to the bottom surface, and an insulative material separating the metallic regions from one another. The bottom surface of an RF semiconductor die is surface-mounted to the base region at the top substrate surface. The RF semiconductor die has a terminal pad disposed at a top surface of the RF semiconductor die. The terminal pad is electrically connected to one of the signal terminal regions at the top substrate surface. A lid is attached to the top substrate surface so that the RF semiconductor die is enclosed by the lid to form an open-cavity around the RF semiconductor die. The base and signal terminal regions are configured for surface-mounting at the bottom substrate surface.
US08110911B2
A first wiring pattern is formed on a surface of a first support plate; a semiconductor chip is disposed on the first wiring pattern; and electrode terminals of the semiconductor chip are electrically connected to the first wiring pattern at required positions. Post electrodes connected to a second wiring pattern of a wiring-added post electrode component integrally connected by a second support plate are collectively fixed and electrically connected to the first wiring pattern formed on the first support plate at predetermined positions. After sealing with resin, the first and second support plates are separated; a glass substrate is affixed on a front face side; and external electrodes connected to the second wiring pattern are formed on a back face side.
US08110908B2
A method of manufacture of an integrated circuit packaging system includes: providing a substrate having a substrate cavity; mounting a bottom flip chip die below the substrate; mounting an internal integrated circuit die above the substrate; filling between the internal integrated circuit die and the substrate and between the bottom flip chip die and the substrate with a substance filling through the substrate cavity; and encapsulating the internal integrated circuit die with an encapsulation.
US08110899B2
An apparatus including a first die including a plurality of conductive through substrate vias (TSVs); and a plurality of second dice each including a plurality of contact points coupled to the TSVs of the first die, the plurality of second dice arranged to collectively include a surface area approximating a surface area of the first die. A method including arranging a plurality of second dice on a first die such that collectively the plurality of second dice include a surface area approximating the surface area of the first die; and electrically coupling a plurality of second device to a plurality of the first die. A system including an electronic appliance including a printed circuit board and a module, the module including a first die including a plurality of TSVs; and the plurality of second dice arranged to collectively include a surface area approximating the surface area of the first die.
US08110891B2
Methods for forming dielectric layers, and structures and devices resulting from such methods, and systems that incorporate the devices are provided. The invention provides an aluminum oxide/silicon oxide laminate film formed by sequentially exposing a substrate to an organoaluminum catalyst to form a monolayer over the surface, remote plasmas of oxygen and nitrogen to convert the organoaluminum layer to a porous aluminum oxide layer, and a silanol precursor to form a thick layer of silicon dioxide over the porous oxide layer. The process provides an increased rate of deposition of the silicon dioxide, with each cycle producing a thick layer of silicon dioxide of about 120 Å over the layer of porous aluminum oxide.
US08110890B2
A semiconductor device including reentrant isolation structures and a method for making such a device. A preferred embodiment comprises a substrate of semiconductor material forming at least one isolation structure having a reentrant profile and isolating one or more adjacent operational components. The reentrant profile of the at least one isolation structure is formed of substrate material and is created by ion implantation, preferably using oxygen ions applied at a number of different angles and energy levels. In another embodiment the present invention is a method of forming an isolation structure for a semiconductor device performing at least one oxygen ion implantation.
US08110878B2
There is provided a technology which allows improvements in manufacturing yield and product reliability in a semiconductor device having a triple well structure. A shallow p-type well is formed in a region different from respective regions in a p-type substrate where a deep n-type well, a shallow p-type well, and a shallow n-type well are formed. A p-type diffusion tap formed in the shallow p-type well is wired to a p-type diffusion tap formed in a shallow n-type well in the deep n-type well using an interconnection in a second layer. The respective gate electrodes of an nMIS and a pMIS each formed in the deep n-type well are coupled to the respective drain electrodes of an nMIS and a pMIS each formed in the substrate using an interconnection in a second or higher order layer.
US08110875B2
A structure for dissipating charge during fabrication of an integrated circuit. The structure includes: a substrate contact in a semiconductor substrate; one or more wiring levels over the substrate; one or more electrically conductive charge dissipation structures extending from a top surface of an uppermost wiring level of the one or more wiring levels through each lower wiring level of the one or more wiring levels to and in electrical contact with the substrate contact; and circuit structures in the substrate and in the one or more wiring layers, the charge dissipation structures not electrically contacting any the circuit structures in any of the one or more wiring levels, the one or more charge dissipation structures dispersed between the circuit structures.
US08110872B2
A semiconductor device includes a transistor, a conductive pad, and a contact. The conductive pad is electrically connected to the transistor. The conductive pad may include, but is not limited to, a first region and a second region. The contact is electrically connected to the conductive pad. At least a main part of the first region overlaps the transistor in plan view. At least a main part of the second region does not overlap the transistor in plan view. At least a main part of the contact overlaps the second region in plan view. The at least main part of the contact does not overlap the first region in plan view. The at least main part of the contact does not overlap the transistor in plan view.
US08110871B2
The semiconductor device includes an active region, a recess, a Fin channel region, a gate insulating film, and a gate electrode. The active region is defined by a device isolation structure formed in a semiconductor substrate. The recess is formed by etching the active region and its neighboring device isolation structure using an island shaped recess gate mask as an etching mask. The Fin channel region is formed on the semiconductor substrate at a lower part of the recess. The gate insulating film is formed over the active region including the Fin channel region and the recess. The gate electrode is formed over the gate insulating film to fill up the Fin channel region and the recess.
US08110869B2
A semiconductor power device supported on a semiconductor substrate of a first conductivity type with a bottom layer functioning as a bottom electrode and an epitaxial layer overlying the bottom layer with a same conductivity type as the bottom layer. The semiconductor power device includes a plurality of FET cells and each cell further includes a body region of a second conductivity type extending from a top surface into the epitaxial layer. The body region encompasses a heavy body dopant region of second conductivity type. An insulated gate is disposed on the top surface of the epitaxial layer, overlapping a first portion of the body region. A barrier control layer is disposed on the top surface of the epitaxial layer next to the body region away from the insulated gate. A conductive layer overlies the top surface of the epitaxial layer covering a second portion of the body region and the heavy body dopant region extending over the barrier control layer forming a Schottky junction diode.
US08110867B2
A semiconductor device includes a device isolation insulating film which is buried in a semiconductor substrate, a gate insulation film which is provided on the semiconductor substrate, a gate electrode which is provided on the gate insulation film, a source region and a drain region which are provided in the semiconductor substrate and spaced apart from each other in a manner to sandwich the gate electrode, both end portions of each of the source region and the drain region being offset from the device isolation insulating film in a channel width direction by a predetermined distance, and first and second gate electrode extension portions which are provided in a manner to cover both end portions of each of the source region and the drain region in a channel length direction.
US08110862B2
A structure and a method for fabrication of the structure use a capacitor trench for a trench capacitor and a resistor trench for a trench resistor. The structure is typically a semiconductor structure. In a first instance, the capacitor trench has a linewidth dimension narrower than the resistor trench. The trench linewidth difference provides an efficient method for fabricating the trench capacitor and the trench resistor. In a second instance, the trench resistor comprises a conductor material at a periphery of the resistor trench and a resistor material at a central portion of the resistor trench.
US08110859B2
A photoelectric conversion device includes a plurality of photoelectric conversion units each generating charges corresponding to light, an element isolation portion which electrically isolates the plurality of photoelectric conversion units, and an antireflection portion which is arranged to prevent reflection of light, which has entered the element isolation portion from above the element isolation portion, only on a bottom face of the element isolation portion or only on the bottom face and a lower part of a side face of the element isolation portion. In addition, a first semiconductor region is arranged below the element isolation portion. A refractive index of the antireflection portion takes a value between a refractive index of the element isolation portion and a refractive index of the first semiconductor region.
US08110857B2
A low noise (1/f) junction field effect transistor (JFET) is disclosed, wherein multiple implants push a conduction path of the transistor away from the surface of a layer upon which the transistor is formed. In this manner, current flow in the conduction path is less likely to be disturbed by defects that may exist at the surface of the layer, thereby mitigating (1/f) noise.
US08110855B2
An array with cells that have adjacent similar structures that are displaced from each other across a common cell border in a direction that is not perpendicular to the cell border thus avoiding an across cell border design rule violation between the adjacent similar structures. A method of forming reduced area memory arrays by displacing adjacent similar structures along a common cell border. A method of building arrays using conventional array building software by forming unit pairs with cells that are not identical and are not mirror images or rotated versions of each other.
US08110853B2
A semiconductor structure. The semiconductor structure includes a semiconductor substrate, a first transistor on the semiconductor substrate, and a guard ring on the semiconductor substrate. The semiconductor substrate includes a top substrate surface which defines a reference direction perpendicular to the top substrate surface. The guard ring includes a semiconductor material doped with a doping polarity. A first doping profile of a first doped transistor region of the first transistor in the reference direction and a second doping profile of a first doped guard-ring region of the guard ring in the reference direction are essentially a same doping profile. The guard ring forms a closed loop around the first transistor.
US08110852B2
A finger length a1 of a transistor P11 is longer than a finger length A1 of a transistor P1, and a finger length b1 of a transistor N11 is longer than a finger length B1 of a transistor N1. The finger length b1 of the transistor N11 is shorter than the finger length A1 of the transistor P1, and the relation: a1>A1>b1>B1 is established. In a relation between an I/O section and a logic circuit section, as for MOS transistor of the same conductive type, a finger length of a MOS transistor constituting the logic circuit section is set so as to be longer than a finger length of a MOS transistor constituting the I/O section.
US08110848B2
The substrate is used for opto-electric or electrical devices and comprises a layer of nitride grown by means of vapor phase epitaxy growth wherein both main surfaces of the nitride substrate are substantially consisting of non N-polar face and N-polar face respectively and the dislocation density of the substrate is 5×105/cm2 or less. Therefore, the template type substrate has a good dislocation density and a good value of FWHM of the X-ray rocking curve from (0002) plane less than 80, so that the resulting template type substrate is very useful for the epitaxy substrate from gaseous phase such as MOCVD, MBE and HVPE, resulting in possibility of making good opto-electric devices such as Laser Diode and large-output LED and good electric devices such as MOSFET.
US08110846B2
Semiconductor devices and methods for making such devices are provided. One such method may include forming a transparent diamond layer having a SiC layer coupled thereto, where the SiC layer has a crystal structure that is substantially epitaxially matched to the transparent diamond layer, forming epitaxially a plurality of semiconductor layers on the SiC layer, and coupling a diamond substrate to at least one of the plurality of semiconductor layers such that the diamond support is oriented parallel to the transparent diamond layer. In one aspect such a method may further include electrically coupling at least one of a p-type electrode or an n-type electrode to at least one of the plurality of semiconductor layers.
US08110845B2
The application is related to a method of forming a substrate of a light-emitting diode by composite electroplating. The application illustrates a light-emitting diode comprising the following elements: a light-emitting epitaxy structure, a reflective layer disposed on the light-emitting epitaxy structure, a seed layer disposed on the reflective layer, a composite electroplating substrate disposed on the seed layer by composite electroplating, and a protection layer disposed on the composite electroplating substrate.
US08110843B2
Provided is a light emitting element, a light emitting device including the same, and fabrication methods of the light emitting element and light emitting device. The light emitting device comprises a substrate, a light emitting structure including a first conductive layer of a first conductivity type, a light emitting layer, and a second conductive layer of a second conductivity type which are sequentially stacked, a first electrode which is electrically connected with the first conductive layer; and a second electrode which is electrically connected with the second conductive layer and separated apart from the first electrode, wherein at least a part of the second electrode is connected from a top of the light emitting structure, through a sidewall of the light emitting structure, and to a sidewall of the substrate.
US08110838B2
Light-emitting devices (e.g., LEDs) and methods associated with such devices are provided. In some embodiments, the device includes a distribution of light-generating portions (including active regions) that are spatially localized and separated (e.g., horizontally or vertically) from one or more patterned light extraction portions. This arrangement can allow light generated by the device to propagate and pass through regions of low absorption (e.g., light-extraction portions) rather than in regions of high absorption (e.g., light-generating portions), which can enhance light emission.
US08110836B2
A semiconductor is provided with: a silicon substrate 2a of a first conductivity type, including a first surface S1a and a second surface S2a; a silicon layer 4a of a second conductivity type, arranged on the first surface S1a of the silicon substrate 2a, including a third surface S3a opposite a junction surface with the silicon substrate 2a; a first electrode 12a arranged on the second surface S2a; a second electrode 14a arranged on the third surface S3a; and an argon added area 6a formed in a semiconductor area formed of the silicon substrate 2a and the silicon layer 4a. The argon added area 6a includes an area indicating an argon concentration of a minimum of 1×1018 cm−3 and a maximum of 2×1020 cm−3.
US08110820B2
A multipurpose ion implanter beam line configuration constructed for enabling implantation of common monatomic dopant ion species and cluster ions, the beam line configuration having a mass analyzer magnet defining a pole gap of substantial width between ferromagnetic poles of the magnet and a mass selection aperture, the analyzer magnet sized to accept art ion beam from a slot-form ion source extraction aperture of at least about 80 mm height and at least about 7 mm width, and to produce dispersion at the mass selection aperture in a plane corresponding to the width of the beam, the mass selection aperture capable of being set to a mass-selection width sized to select a beam of the cluster ions of the same dopant species but incrementally differing molecular weights, the mass selection aperture also capable of being set to a substantially narrower mass-selection width and the analyzer magnet having a resolution at the mass selection aperture sufficient to enable selection of a beam of monatomic dopant ions of substantially a single atomic or molecular weight.
US08110818B2
A method of controlling particle absorption on a wafer sample being inspected by a charged particle beam imaging system prevents particle absorption by grounding the wafer sample and kept electrically neutral during the transfer-in and transfer-out process.
US08110802B2
In a photodetecting device 3, positional alignment marks 18A, 18B to serve as positional references of a photodetecting element 11 are formed at the front surface side of the photodetecting element 11. Moreover, a pin base 13 is provided with a threaded fitting pin 32 to be fitted with a cold plate 2, and the threaded fitting pin 32 is accurately positionally aligned with respect to the photodetecting element 11 via a positioning portion 33 positioned with respect to the positional alignment marks 18A, 18B exposed from a slit portion 23 and a cutaway portion 24 of a wiring board 12. Accordingly, in the photodetecting device 3, by only fitting the threaded fitting pin 32 with a recess portion 4 of the cold plate 2, the photodetecting element 11 is accurately positionally aligned with respect to the cold plate 2.
US08110795B2
Mass spectrometry with lasers generates ions from analyte molecules by matrix assisted laser desorption for a variety of different mass spectrometric analysis procedures. The mass spectrometers with laser systems supply laser light pulses having at least two different pulse durations, and mass spectrometric measuring techniques use the laser light pulses of different durations. The duration of the laser light pulses allows the characteristics of the ionization of the analyte molecules, particularly the occurrence of the ISD (in-source decay) and PSD (post-source decay) types of fragmentation, whose fragment ion spectra supply different kinds of information, to be adapted to the analytic procedure.
US08110786B2
A novel concentrator system is described, which increases the efficiency of collecting and concentrating sunlight energy onto a target. This method uses an array of small movable reflective or refractive concentrator components that can move via a feedback mechanism which tracks the sun and concentrates the suns energy on to a second array of energy converting elements. In order to improve the effective collected energy, the array of concentrator elements is placed on a moving or tiltable flat slab (or dish, substrate, plane, plate, holder, tablet, or similar flat or non-flat surface) that tracks the sun. An alternative method uses an array of target elements or linear elements and a second array of concentrator elements in harmony such that the suns energy is efficiently redistributed by the reflective or refractive array on to the energy converting array as the sun's position in the sky (elevation and azimuth) changes. The elements of the reflective or refractive array are tilted by novel actuation mechanisms describe herein.
US08110785B2
A projectile including: a body having an internal space; and a mechanical stepper motor disposed in the body. The mechanical stepper motor including: a shuttle having one of a plurality of pockets and movable pins offset from each other with a first spacing; a body portion having the other of the plurality of pockets and movable pins offset from each other with a second spacing, where the first spacing is different from the first spacing; and actuation means for engaging at least one of the movable pins into a corresponding pocket to step one of the shuttle and body portion a predetermined linear and/or rotary displacement.
US08110783B2
A tubular heater includes a continuous heat-generating resistance element formed in a predetermined pattern on one surface of a tubular insulating substrate, and first and second lead wires connected opposite ends of the heat-generating resistance element and extending from one end of the tubular insulating substrate in a common axial direction of the tubular insulating substrate. The first and second lead wires are disposed in diametrically opposed relation to each other about a central axis of the tubular insulating substrate.
US08110782B2
Heated architectural panel temperature control systems and methods are provided for heating windows that are formed from heated architectural panels. The control system comprises the heated architectural panel that produces heat when connected to external AC power, a panel frame disposed around the panel periphery, and a temperature control circuit that is electrically connected to the window. The temperature control circuit, which may be disposed in the panel frame, controls the temperature of the panel by utilizing a Hall effect sensor and the panel temperature coefficient of resistance α. The panel may comprise insulated glass panels, laminated structures, or combinations thereof, where the window is disposed in an opening of a building.
US08110774B2
A laser welding method includes providing a storage medium containing stored data about possible welding defects and associated repair welding parameters, welding a workpiece with a laser to produce weldings on the workpiece, monitoring the produced weldings for defective weldings, and, in response to detecting a defective welding from among the monitored weldings: comparing the defective welding with the stored data about possible welding defects; selecting repair welding parameters from among the associated repair welding parameters based on the comparison; and then performing a repair welding in a region of the detected defective welding in accordance with the selected repair welding parameters.
US08110769B2
The invention relates to a vacuum switch, especially a vacuum circuit breaker, for medium and high voltages, comprising a mobile switch unit arranged inside a vacuum switch compartment (1) and provided with mutually mobile elements including a contact tappet (17), an insulator (18), and a driving or switching rod (11) introduced into the vacuum switch compartment (1) by means of metal bellows. Said vacuum switch also comprises a fixed contact inserted into the housing of the vacuum switch compartment (1). The upper end of the insulator (18) is fixed to the contact tappet (17), and the lower end of the insulator (18) is fixed to the driving or switching rod (11). The contact tappet (17) is connected to a conductor (8) by a flexible, electroconductive connection (20), said conductor being electroconductively connected to at least one laterally arranged output contact (6). The aim of the invention is to enable an improved embodiment of the switching and contact surfaces. To this end, the fixed contact (16) and the contact tappet (17) respectively comprise a switching contact part (14a, 14b) comprising an outer switching and contact surface (29) and an inner switching and contact surface (30) that can be moved in relation to the outer surface.
US08110765B2
An combined monolithic electroluminescent lamp and membrane switch is manufactured by continuous printing. Graphic indicia is imprinted on deformable substrate. An electroluminescent lamp is imprinted on the graphic indicia layer and a membrane switch is formed on the lamp. The monolithic switch has a layer for sensing switch actuation by means including resistance change, capacitance change, or magnetic field change.
US08110764B2
A key structure is provided, including a substrate, a key cap, a first link, and a second link pivotally connected to the first link. The first and second links movably connect the key cap with the base. The key cap comprises a first surface and a guiding portion extended along a first direction, wherein the guiding portion has a second surface. The first link is made of metal and has a sliding end forming a first curved portion and a second curved portion. The first and second curved portions are respectively adjacent to the first and second surfaces and slidable along the guiding portion.
US08110755B2
A device includes: a package having a bottom and a side wall surrounding the bottom; an element adhered to the bottom of the package; an internal contact formed inside the package; a resin encapsulation material with which a space between the package and the element is filled; and a coating formed to cover an end surface of the internal contact near the element, and made of a material whose thermal expansion coefficient is greater than or equal to the thermal expansion coefficient of the package and less than the thermal expansion coefficient of the resin encapsulation material.
US08110740B2
In a dye sensitizing solar cell 1 wherein an electrolyte 4 is filled in a space between a photoelectrode substrate 2 and a counter electrode of a counter electrode substrate 3, a composite film 7 comprising metal portions 7a of titanium or the like and oxide portions 7b thereof is formed on a transparent electrode film 6 formed on the surface of a substrate member 5, and a porous semiconductor electrode film 8 adsorbing or carrying sensitizing dyes 8a thereon is formed on the composite film 7, the metal portions 7a of the composite film 7 contacting the porous semiconductor electrode film 8, and the oxide portions 7b of the composite film 7 contacting the electrolyte 4 without contacting the porous semiconductor electrode film 8.
US08110737B2
The invention teaches novel structure and methods for producing electrical current collectors and electrical interconnection structure. Such articles find particular use in facile production of modular arrays of photovoltaic cells. The current collector and interconnecting structures may be initially produced separately from the photovoltaic cells thereby allowing the use of unique materials and manufacture. Subsequent combination of the structures with photovoltaic cells allows facile and efficient completion of modular arrays. Methods for combining the collector and interconnection structures with cells and final interconnecting into modular arrays are taught.
US08110735B2
A first control may be for setting a patch including one or more types of effects to be provided by circuitry to an inputted music signal, the patch associated with multiple candidate keywords to be displayed by a display device. A second control may be for assigning a patch name including a candidate keyword from the multiple candidate keywords to the patch. A storage device may be for storing the patch name and the patch. The one or more types of effects may be provided to the inputted music signal based on the patch stored in the storage device.
US08110732B2
A keyboard device for an electronic keyboard instrument, ensuring stable pivotal motion of each key and improved in each of assembly and disassembly. Each key extends in a front-rear direction and has a pivot shaft extending at a rear end in a left-right direction. A keyboard chassis has a mounting portion and key-separating support portions each for supporting the pivot shaft. A pivot shaft bearing member has a pivot shaft support portion cooperating with each key-separating support portion to form a bearing for the pivot shaft, supporting each key pivotally movable, and is removably mounted to the mounting portion. During assembly, with each key engaged with the key-separating support portion via the pivot shaft and held on the keyboard chassis, the mounting portion remains exposed, enabling the bearing member to be mounted from above or rear.
US08110729B2
Pyrocarbon components have been found to create richer, clearer sound when employed as bridges (19), saddles (1), nuts (2), frets (3), tuning heads (4), pegs (9) and other components which contact the strings in guitars (6, 16), violins (11) and like stringed musical instruments. Bridges/saddles and nuts of stringed instruments produce a marked difference in the sound when pyrocarbon components are used compared with currently used materials. There is a significant increase in sound volume for a given intensity of string movement, along with richer harmonics and a clearer, less muddy sound. The crystalline structure of pyrolytic carbon minimizes the damping of string vibration as it is transferred to the sound-amplifying portion of acoustic instruments, producing a rich, pleasing and higher volume sound. The useful life of strings is increased in contact with pyrolytic carbon components before they go “dead” or break.
US08110728B2
The invention relates to the soybean variety designated A1016498. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety A1016498. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety A1016498 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety A1016498 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods.
US08110724B2
The present invention relates to isolated nucleic acid molecules and their corresponding encoded polypeptides able to confer the trait of altered flowering time in plants. The present invention further relates to using the nucleic acid molecules and polypeptides to make transgenic plants, plant cells, plant materials or seeds of a plant having flowering times that are altered with respect to wild-type plants grown under similar conditions. Altered flowering time includes both plants having an early flowering time and a late flowering time with respect to wild-type plants grown under similar conditions. Flowering time in plants may be altered either with respect to the normal time at which wild-type plants flower within their normal life cycle or altered temporally such that the entire life cycle of the plant is accelerated or prolonged using the nucleic acid molecules and polypeptides of the present invention.
US08110721B2
The present invention provides novel methods of maintaining genetic stability of non-human animal inbred strains. In the methods, pedigree-tracked cryopreserved embryos derived from a foundation colony are produced and used to re-establish the foundation colony at appropriate intervals.
US08110712B2
The invention provides a process for the preparation of an alkylene glycol from an alkylene oxide. Alkylene oxide reacts with carbon dioxide in the presence of a carboxylation catalyst to provide alkylene carbonate; alkylene carbonate reacts with water in the presence of a hydrolysis catalyst to provide alkylene glycol. An initial charge of the carboxylation catalyst and an initial charge of the hydrolysis catalyst are added, the degradation and activity of the hydrolysis catalyst are monitored, and when the activity of the hydrolysis catalyst has fallen below a minimum level, an additional charge of the hydrolysis catalyst is added.
US08110704B2
Stable NCO prepolymers are produced from polyisocyanates having a melting point greater than 70° C., preferably, naphthalene diisocyanate, having advantageous physical properties. An important feature of the process of the present invention is the rapid cooling of the prepolymer. The process of the present invention may be carried out on a continuous or batch basis. The prepolymers of the present invention are particularly suitable for the production of cast polyurethane elastomers.
US08110694B2
A method for manufacturing dialkylaluminum monohalide is provided by which dialkylaluminum monohalide substantially including no zinc component after recovering dialkylzinc from a reaction product obtained by a reaction of zinc halide and trialkylaluminum used as raw materials can be efficiently obtained on an industrial scale at a high yield. According to the method for manufacturing dialkylaluminum monohalide of the present invention, zinc halide is reacted with trialkylaluminum to produce dialkylzinc and dialkylaluminum monohalide, and after the dialkylzinc is separated from a reaction product by distillation, metal aluminum in which a molar ratio is 0.40 or more to zinc component, that is dissolved in the reaction product, and then the mixture is distilled to separate the dialkylaluminum monohalide which substantially includes no zinc component.
US08110689B2
Benzanilides of the formula: in which X represents hydrogen, halogen, nitro, C1-6 alkylthio, C1-6 alkylsulfinyl, C1-6 alkylsulfonyl or C1-6 alkylsulfonyloxy; Y represents halogen or C1-6 alkyl; R1 represents C1-6 alkyl, C1-6 alkylthio-C1-6 alkyl, C1-6 alkylsulfinyl-C1-6 alkyl or C1-6 alkylsulfonyl-C1-6 alkyl; R2 represents hydrogen, C1-6 alkyl or C1-6 haloalkyl; R3 represents hydrogen or hydroxy; W represents CH or N; and Q represents optionally substituted phenyl or optionally substituted pyridyl wherein the substituent is at least one group selected from the group consisting of halogen, C1-6 haloalkyl, C1-6 haloalkoxy, C1-6 haloalkylthio, C1-6 haloalkylsulfinyl and C1-6 haloalkylsulfoxy; provided that when R3 is hydroxy, R2 is not C1-6 alkyl, or when R2 is C1-6 haloalkyl, R3 is hydroxy, W is CH, and the substituents of Q are two or more C1-6 haloalkyl. Insecticides comprising the benzanilides are herein provided.
US08110686B2
The present invention relates to methods of treatment of certain metabolic diseases, and to novel compounds and their prodrugs, and/or pharmaceutically acceptable salts, pharmaceutical compositions containing such compounds useful in treating such diseases. In particular, this invention relates to the use of novel compounds and compositions for treatment of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancers, acidosis, and obesity through the inhibition of malonyl-CoA decarboxylase (MCD). These compounds have the formulae (I) and (II), wherein Y, C, R1, R2, R6, and R7 are defined herein.
US08110685B2
A novel azafluorene derivative and an organic light-emitting device having the derivative are provided. The organic light-emitting device includes a pair of electrodes composed of an anode and a cathode one of which is a transparent or semi-transparent electrode, and an organic compound layer interposed between the pair of electrodes. The organic compound layer contains the azafluorene derivative represented by the following general formula (I):
US08110662B2
A cDNA fragment participating in the maintenance of smooth muscle differentiation was isolated using a culture system of chicken gizzard smooth muscle cells, the differential display method and the subtracted hybridization method. Using the obtained cDNA sequence as a query, cDNA sequences of Helix Research Institute (Japanese Patent Application No. 2000-118776) were retrieved, and thus, a novel gene “C-NT2RP3001495” was obtained. The protein encoded by this gene has two WW domains that participate in protein interactions in the N-terminal domain. Evidence suggests that this protein binds to other proteins, and thus regulates the intracellular signal transduction, gene expression, and so on, thereby participating in the maintenance of the differentiation of smooth muscle cells. This protein and compounds regulating the expression thereof are markedly useful in developing drugs for various diseases associated with abnormality in the maintenance of smooth muscle cell differentiation.
US08110641B2
An anionic polymerization method for styrene derivative containing pyridine as functional group is provided. The method includes forming a complex of (vinylphenyl)-pyridine and lithium chloride and performing anionic polymerization. Accordingly, a polymer of styrene derivative containing pyridine can be obtained. The polymer has excellent optical properties, and its molecular weight and molecular weight distribution can be controlled.
US08110637B2
Disclosed is a room temperature curable silicon group-containing polymer composition containing a reactive silicon group-containing polymer (A) having a group represented by the formula (1) at an end of the main chain, which is obtained through a reaction between a polyoxypropylene polyol and a γ-isocyanate propyltrialkoxysilane, a curing catalyst (B), an amino-functional organosiloxane (C), and optionally an inorganic filler (D) which is surface-treated with glycol. Also disclosed is a room temperature curable silicon group-containing polymer composition which contains, as the reactive silicon group-containing polymer (A), a mixture of a polymer (A1) having a reactive silicon-containing group at two or more ends, which is obtained through a reaction between a polyoxypropylene polyol and a γ-isocyanate propyltrialkoxysilane, and another polymer (A2) having a reactive silicon containing-group only at one end, which is obtained through a reaction between a hydroxypolyoxypropylene having a hydroxyl group at one end and a γ-isocyanate propyltrialkoxysilane, a curing catalyst (B) and an amino group-substituted alkoxysilane (C1) or an amino-functional organosiloxane (C2).
US08110632B2
A profile extruded article includes a composition that is formed by melt-kneading particular amounts of a poly(arylene ether), a polystyrene-poly(ethylene-butylene)-polystyrene triblock copolymer, a homopolystyrene, and a polysalicylate. The article is particularly useful in the fabrication of solar collectors for low cost solar energy systems.
US08110627B2
A rubber composition for a tire superior in low heat build-up (tan δ) and superior in fracture strength is provided. A rubber composition for a tire comprising (B) 5 to 80 parts by mass of silica based on 100 parts by mass of (A) including (a) 10 to 60% by mass of a butadiene rubber including 2.5 to 20% by mass of 1,2-syndiotactic polybutadiene crystals, (b) 5 to 60% by mass of a modified diene rubber and (c) 20 to 75% by mass of a diene rubber other than (a) and (b).
US08110615B2
The application discloses stable correction fluids and/or correction fluids that change from colored to substantially white (or to a color substantially matching the color of a substrate to which the correction fluid is to be applied) after application to a substrate.
US08110613B2
Provided is a method for efficiently producing a cationically curable condensed silicon compound. There was an unsolved problem that, in a condensation reaction, an oxetanyl group is subjected to ring-opening under an acidic condition, while gelation is easily caused under an alkaline condition. It was found that a silicon compound (C) having an oxetanyl group can be obtained without causing gelation even at a high concentration by the present method including a first step of separately subjecting a silicon compound (A) having four siloxane bond-forming groups and a silicon compound (B) having an oxetanyl group to alcohol exchange reaction with 1-propanol and a second step of subjecting silicon compounds (AP) and (BP) undergone the first step to hydrolytic copolycondensation under an alkaline condition at a specific ratio.
US08110610B2
A radiation curable composition comprising a curable compound, a photo-initiator and a co-initiator, characterized in that said co-initiator is a oligomer or polymer having a repeating unit, said repeating unit comprising at least two tertiary amines, and said polymer being prepared by the polycondensation of di- or oligofunctional Michael acceptors with mono- or oligofunctional aliphatic primary amines or with di- or oligofunctional aliphatic secondary amines or with a mixture thereof.
US08110609B2
The invention relates to a composition comprising a modified, random copolyetherester containing a modified, random polytrimethylene terephthalate copolymer block that is derived from a polyethylene terephthalate component selected from the group consisting of polyethylene terephthalate and polyethylene terephthalate copolymers and combinations thereof; and contains at least one residue derived from the polyethylene terephthalate component; and a polyalkylene oxide copolymer block that contains polyalkylene oxide and at least one residue derived from the polyethylene terephthalate component. The composition has a modulus of elasticity that is at least 80%, as compared to the modulus of elasticity of a copolyetherester derived from (1) polytrimethylene terephthalate derived from a monomer component selected from the group consisting of terephthalic acid, isophthalic acid, alkyl esters of terephthalic acid, hydroxyalkyl esters of terephthalic acid, alkyl esters of isophthalic acid, 1,3-propane diol, (2) polyalkylene oxide glycol, and (3) combinations thereof.
US08110607B2
A composition containing 1,4-dihydroxy-2-naphthoic acid at a high concentration is obtained by intracellularly and extracellularly producing 1,4-dihydroxy-2-naphthoic acid using a bacterium belonging to the genus Propionibacterium and collecting it. This composition is efficacious in improving intestinal flora, alleviating abdominal ailments in association with the intake of milk, and preventing metabolic bone diseases.
US08110605B2
The invention discloses a novel compound effective in inactivating viruses and bacteria. The compound, 2-(10-mercaptodecyl)-propanedioic acid or salts thereof, is shown to disrupt, break down or inactivate viruses and bacteria, thus suppressing infection and proliferation thereof in host cells. A method of chemically synthesizing the novel compound is also disclosed.
US08110596B2
The present invention provides a triprenyl phenol compound represented by the following formula (II) and (III) and having a thrombolysis-enhancing activity, and an efficient method for producing the triprenyl phenol compound. In formula (II) and (III), R1 represents an aromatic group having as a substituent or as a part of a substituent at least one member selected from the group consisting of a carboxyl group, a hydroxyl group, a sulfonic acid group and a secondary amino group, or an aromatic group which comprises a secondary amino group and may comprise nitrogen; R4 in the general formula (III) represents an aromatic amino acid residue represented by the general formula (III-1) below; X represents —CHY—(CH3)2Z; and Y and Z are respectively —H or —OH or together form a single bond: (III-1) wherein R5 represents a hydroxyl group which may be present or absent; and n represents an integer of 0 or 1.
US08110588B2
This invention relates to novel 1,2,3-triazole derivatives, which are found to be modulators of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. Due to their pharmacological profile the compounds of the invention may be useful for the treatment of diseases or disorders as diverse as those related to the cholinergic system of the central nervous system (CNS), the peripheral nervous system (PNS), diseases or disorders related to smooth muscle contraction, endocrine diseases or disorders, diseases or disorders related to neuro-degeneration, diseases or disorders related to inflammation, pain, and withdrawal symptoms caused by the termination of abuse of chemical substances.
US08110584B2
This invention relates to compounds, pharmaceutical compositions and methods for use in the prevention and treatment of cerebral insufficiency, including enhancement of receptor functioning in synapses in brain networks responsible for basic and higher order behaviors. These brain networks, which are involved in regulation of breathing, and cognitive abilities related to memory impairment, such as is observed in a variety of dementias, in imbalances in neuronal activity between different brain regions, as is suggested in disorders such as Parkinson's disease, schizophrenia, respiratory depression, sleep apneas, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and affective or mood disorders, and in disorders wherein a deficiency in neurotrophic factors is implicated, as well as in disorders of respiration such as overdose of an alcohol, an opiate, an opioid, a barbiturate, an anesthetic, or a nerve toxin, or where the respiratory depression results form a medical condition such as central sleep apnea, stoke-induced central sleep apnea, obstructive sleep apnea, congenital hypoventilation syndrome, obesity hypoventilation syndrome, sudden infant death syndrome, Rett syndrome, spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, Cheney-Stokes respiration, Ondines curse, Prader-Willi's syndrome and drowning, hi a particular aspect, the invention relates to bicyclic amide compounds useful for treatment of such conditions, and methods of using these compounds for such treatment.
US08110577B2
The present invention provides histone deacetylase inhibitors of general formula (I), a process for the preparation of such compounds and uses of the compounds in medicine, especially in the treatment of cancers and the inhibition of histone deacetylase activity.
US08110576B2
Compounds and salts thereof, formulations thereof, conjugates thereof, derivatives thereof, forms thereof and uses thereof are described, wherein the compounds have the formula: In certain aspects and embodiments, the described compounds or salts thereof, formulations thereof, conjugates thereof, derivatives thereof, forms thereof are active on at least one Raf protein kinase. Also described are methods of use thereof to treat diseases and conditions associated with activity of Raf protein kinases, including melanoma, colorectal cancer, thyroid cancer, ovarian cancer, cholangiocarcinoma, pain or polycystic kidney diseases.
US08110574B2
A subject of the present application is new derivatives of 4-aminopiperidines of formula in which R1, R2 and R3 represent various radical, and their preparation processes by synthetic methods in parallel in liquid and solid phase. These products having a good affinity with certain sub-types of somatostatin receptors, they are particularly useful for treating the pathological states or diseases in which one (or more) somatostatin receptors are involved.
US08110568B2
The invention provides novel inhibitors of IAP that are useful as therapeutic agents for treating malignancies where the compounds have the general formula I: wherein X, Y, A, R1, R2, R3, R4, R4′, R5, R5′, R6 and R6′ are as described herein.
US08110562B2
This invention provides nuclear hormone receptor binding compounds, compositions comprising the same and methods of uses thereof in treating a variety of diseases or conditions in a subject, including, inter-alia, prostate cancer and/or diseases or disorders of bone and muscle.
US08110556B2
The gene associated and causative of classical late infantile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (LINCL), CLN2, has been identified and characterized. The translation product of this gene is a novel protease and a deficiency in this activity results in LINCL. Identification of CLN2 will not only aid in the prevention of LINCL through genetic counseling but provides strategies and test systems for therapeutic intervention. In addition, further characterization of this previously unknown lysosomal enzyme may provide useful insights into other more common human neurodegenerative disorders. Finally, the utility of a general approach for determining the molecular bases for lysosomal disorders of unknown etiology has been demonstrated.
US08110551B2
This invention relates to immunotoxins and their use. Specifically, the invention relates to compositions comprising Cdt toxins or their inhibitors and their use in methods for treating infectious and proliferative diseases.
US08110546B2
Formulations of a vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-specific fusion protein antagonist are provided including a pre-lyophilized formulation, a reconstituted lyophilized formulation, and a stable liquid formulation. Preferably, the fusion protein has the sequence of SEQ ID NO:4.
US08110535B2
The present invention relates to semi-aqueous formulations and the method using same, to remove bulk photoresists, post-etched and post-ashed residues, as well as contaminations. The formulation comprises: an alkanolamine, a water miscible organic co-solvent, a quarternary ammonium compound, a non-free acid functionality corrosion inhibitor, and remainder water. The pH is greater than 9.
US08110520B2
A method of preparing carbon-coated metal oxide nano-particles and carbon-coated metal oxide nano-particles prepared with the same method are described. The method includes the following steps at least. A precursor of a polymer is polymerized on metal oxide nano-particles to form polymer-coated metal oxide nano-particles. Then, pyrolysis is conducted to carbonize the polymer coated on the metal oxide nano-particles, so as to form carbon-coated metal oxide nano-particles.
US08110494B1
Systems and methods for maximizing the breakdown voltage of a semiconductor device are described. In a multiple floating guard ring design, the spacing between two consecutive sets of floating guard rings may increase with their distance from the main junction while maintaining depletion region overlap, thereby alleviating crowding and optimally spreading the electric field leading to a breakdown voltage that is close to the intrinsic material limit. In another exemplary embodiment, fabrication of floating guard rings simultaneously with the formation of another semiconductor feature allows precise positioning of the first floating guard ring with respect to the edge of a main junction, as well as precise control of floating guard ring widths and spacings. In yet another exemplary embodiment, design of the vertical separation between doped regions of a semiconductor device adjusts the device's gate-to-source breakdown voltage without affecting the device's pinch-off voltage.
US08110491B2
A manufacturing method of a semiconductor device of the present invention includes the step of forming an insulating film on a substrate, and the step of forming a high dielectric constant insulating film on the insulating film, and the step of forming a titanium aluminum nitride film on the high dielectric constant insulating film, wherein in the step of forming the titanium aluminum nitride film, formation of an aluminum nitride film and formation of a titanium nitride film are alternately repeated, and at that time, the aluminum nitride film is formed firstly and/or lastly.
US08110489B2
Embodiments of the invention described herein generally provide methods and apparatuses for forming cobalt silicide layers, metallic cobalt layers, and other cobalt-containing materials. In one embodiment, a method for forming a cobalt silicide containing material on a substrate is provided which includes exposing a substrate to at least one preclean process to expose a silicon-containing surface, depositing a cobalt silicide material on the silicon-containing surface, depositing a metallic cobalt material on the cobalt silicide material, and depositing a metallic contact material on the substrate. In another embodiment, a method includes exposing a substrate to at least one preclean process to expose a silicon-containing surface, depositing a cobalt silicide material on the silicon-containing surface, expose the substrate to an annealing process, depositing a barrier material on the cobalt silicide material, and depositing a metallic contact material on the barrier material.
US08110487B2
By incorporating a carbon species below the channel region of a P-channel transistor prior to the formation of the gate electrode structure, an efficient strain-inducing mechanism may provided, thereby enhancing performance of P-channel transistors. The position and size of the strain-inducing region may be determined on the basis of an implantation mask and respective implantation parameters, thereby providing a high degree of compatibility with conventional techniques, since the strain-inducing region may be incorporated at an early manufacturing stage, directly to respective “large area” contact elements.
US08110485B2
Provided are nanocrystal silicon layer structures formed using a plasma deposition technique, methods of forming the same, nonvolatile memory devices including the nanocrystal silicon layer structures, and methods of fabricating the nonvolatile memory devices. A method of forming a nanocrystal silicon layer structure includes forming a buffer layer on a substrate and forming a nanocrystal silicon layer on the buffer layer by a plasma deposition technique using silicon (Si)-containing gas and hydrogen (H2)-containing gas. In this method, the nanocrystal silicon layer can be directly deposited on a glass substrate using plasma vapor deposition without performing a post-processing process so that the fabrication of a nonvolatile memory device can be simplified, thereby reducing fabrication cost.
US08110478B2
If the size of a single crystal silicon layer attached is not appropriate, even when a large glass substrate is used, the number of panels to be obtained cannot be maximized. Therefore, in the present invention, a substantially quadrangular single crystal semiconductor substrate is formed from a substantially circular single crystal semiconductor wafer, and a damaged layer is formed by irradiation with an ion beam into the single crystal semiconductor substrate. A plurality of the single crystal semiconductor substrates are arranged so as to be separated from each other over one surface of a supporting substrate. By thermal treatment, a crack is generated in the damaged layer and the single crystal semiconductor substrate is separated while a single semiconductor layer is left over the supporting substrate. After that, one or a plurality of display panels is manufactured from the single crystal semiconductor layer bonded to the supporting substrate.
US08110468B2
A DMOS-transistor having enhanced dielectric strength includes a first well region. A highly doped source region is located in the first well region and is complementarily doped thereto. A highly doped bulk connection region is located in the first well region and has the same type of doping as the first well region. A gate electrode and a gate insulation layer for forming a transistor channel are included on a surface of the first well region. The DMOS-transistor further comprises an isolation structure, a highly doped drain doping region, and a second well complementarily doped to the first well region. The second well accommodates the first well region and the drain doping region. A highly doped region is formed at least adjacent to the second well and has the same type of doping as the second well for enhancing the dielectric strength of the highly doped source region.
US08110466B2
A method of forming an integrated circuit structure includes providing a semiconductor substrate; providing a first lithography mask, a second lithography mask, and a third lithography mask; forming a first mask layer over the semiconductor substrate, wherein a pattern of the first mask layer is defined using the first lithography mask; performing a first etch to the semiconductor substrate to define an active region using the first mask layer; forming a second mask layer having a plurality of mask strips over the semiconductor substrate and over the active region; forming a third mask layer over the second mask layer, wherein a middle portion of the plurality of mask strips is exposed through an opening in the third mask layer, and end portions of the plurality of mask strips are covered by the third mask layer; and performing a second etch to the semiconductor substrate through the opening.
US08110461B2
Disclosed are a flash memory device and a method for manufacturing the same. The flash memory device includes first and second memory gates on a substrate; a floating poly between the first and second memory gates; first and second select gates at respective outer sides of the first and second memory gates; an oxide layer between the first memory gate and the first select gate and between the second memory gate and the second select gate; a drain region in the substrate at outer sides of the first and second select gates; a source region in the substrate between the first and second memory gates; and a metal contact on each of the drain region and the source region.
US08110453B2
A method and apparatus for forming a thin film transistor is provided. A gate dielectric layer is formed, which may be a bilayer, the first layer deposited at a low rate and the second deposited at a high rate. In some embodiments, the first dielectric layer is a silicon rich silicon nitride layer. An active layer is formed, which may also be a bilayer, the first active layer deposited at a low rate and the second at a high rate. The thin film transistors described herein have superior mobility and stability under stress.
US08110444B2
A prepreg which can meet a demand for thickness reduction is provided. The prepreg has first and second resin layers having different applications, functions, capabilities, or properties, and allows an amount of a resin composition in each of the first and second resin layers to be set appropriately depending on a circuit wiring portion to be embedded into the second resin layer. Further, a method for manufacturing the above prepreg, and a substrate and a semiconductor device having the prepreg are also provided. The prepreg according to the present invention includes a core layer including a sheet-shaped base member and having one surface and the other surface which is opposite to the one surface, the first resin layer provided on the one surface of the core layer and formed of a first resin composition, and the second resin layer provided on the other surface of the core layer and formed of a second resin composition, wherein at least one of a requirement that a thickness of the first resin layer is different from that of the second resin layer and a requirement that a constitution of the first resin composition is different from that of the second resin composition is satisfied.
US08110443B2
A method of fabricating a semiconductor device from a semiconductor wafer, having external connecting terminals on one side of the semiconductor wafer and a cover layer on another side of the semiconductor wafer, includes forming a groove with a first width from the one side to at least an interface between the semiconductor wafer and the cover layer in the semiconductor wafer, and cutting the cover layer with a second width from a bottom side of the groove. The second width is narrower than the first width.
US08110428B2
A method is provided for producing a thin-film photovoltaic device. The method includes forming on a substrate a first thin-film absorber layer using a first deposition process. A second thin-film absorber layer is formed on the first thin-film absorber layer using a second deposition process different from the first deposition process. The first and second thin-film absorber layers are each photovoltaically active regions and the second thin-film absorber layer has a smaller concentration of defects than the first thin-film absorber layer.
US08110426B2
A pixel of a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor includes a plurality of photodiodes for sensing light to thereby generate photoelectric charges in different regions; a plurality of transfer transistors for transferring photoelectric charges of corresponding photodiodes in response to a first control signal; a floating diffusion region for receiving photoelectric charges transferred by the plurality of transfer transistors; a rest transistor connected between a power supply voltage and the floating diffusion region for resetting the floating diffusion region by controlling a voltage loaded on the floating diffusion region in response to a second control signal; a drive transistor connected between the power supply voltage and the floating diffusion region to serve as a source follower buffer amplifier; and a select transistor connected between the drive transistor and a pixel output terminal for performing an addressing operation in response to a third control signal.
US08110409B2
This invention discloses using SPR technology to simultaneously and quantitatively measure the concentrations of different liver fibrosis-associated serum biomarkers in a serum sample, which can be used for the diagnosis of liver fibrosis. It also discloses an efficient formula to make a mixed SAM that can greatly enhance the immobilization ability of the metal surface in SPR based techniques, which is good for the immobilization of relevant antibodies used for the detection of liver fibrosis-associated serum biomarkers for the diagnosis of liver fibrosis.
US08110406B2
[PROBLEMS] To reduce the amount of, for example, a capturing antibody to be employed without lowering detection sensitivity. At the same time, to enable the achievement of intense color development or light emission in a determination area even in the case where only a small amount of a labeled antibody is accumulated. To lower the detection limit in the sandwich method. To enlarge the dynamic range in the competition method. [MEANS FOR SOLVING PROBLEMS] A method of analyzing a test substance by an immunological analysis method by using the test substance, a support having a determination area, on which one member selected from a capturing antibody capable of binding specifically to the test substance and a capturing antigen capable of binding specifically to the test substance has been immobilized, and a labeled antibody capable of binding specifically to the test substance, wherein a label having a sensitizing effect has been immobilized on the determination area of the support.
US08110392B2
Microfluidic methods and devices for heterogeneous binding and agglutination assays are disclosed, with improvements relating to mixing and to reagent and sample manipulation in systems designed for safe handling of clinical test samples.
US08110390B2
The present invention provides isolated infectious polynucleotides, such as infectious clones, having a nucleotide sequence with identity to PRRS viruses such as VR-2332, Lelystad, or others, and optionally further including a deletion in a region of ORF1 that encodes the nsp2 polypeptide.
US08110388B2
The present invention provides novel lysophosphatidic acid acyltransferase genes.A nucleic acid comprising the nucleotide sequence shown in SEQ ID NO: 1, 3, 36 or 37 or a fragment thereof.
US08110380B2
A starch-based biodegradable material composition includes: an enzyme-hydrolyzed starch; and a biodegradable polyester selected from at least one of an aliphatic polyester of polybutylene succinate and an aliphatic-aromatic copolyester. The enzyme-hydrolyzed starch is prepared by hydrolyzing a native starch using a starch-hydrolyzing enzyme. The starch-hydrolyzing enzyme has an activity unit ranging from 15000 to 40000.
US08110376B2
A polypeptide and polynucleotides encoding same comprising at least two carboxy-terminal peptides (CTP) of chorionic gonadotrophin attached to an EPO peptide are disclosed. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising the polypeptide and polynucleotides of the invention and methods of using same are also disclosed.
US08110375B2
A high-throughput, anchorage-independent assay is described, which screens compounds for inhibition of cancer cell growth. The assay utilizes a three-dimensional matrix or semi-solid media transfected with the subject compound, and enables live colony growth determination and imaging.
US08110372B2
Novel polypeptides, polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides, and related compositions and methods are disclosed for zalpha11, a novel cytokine receptor. The polypeptides may be used within methods for detecting ligands that stimulate the proliferation and/or development of hematopoietic, lymphoid and myeloid cells in vitro and in vivo. Ligand-binding receptor polypeptides can also be used to block ligand activity in vitro and in vivo. The polynucleotides encoding zalpha11, are located on chromosome 16, and can be used to identify a region of the genome associated with human disease states. The present invention also includes methods for producing the protein, uses therefor and antibodies thereto.
US08110370B2
This invention encompasses antibodies specific for IBC-1 (Invasive Breast Cancer-1), methods for diagnosis and prognosis of metastatic breast cancer and degenerative neural conditions, methods of identifying and manufacturing therapeutic compounds, and methods of treating patients with invasive and metastatic breast cancer or degenerative neural conditions.
US08110369B2
Certain embodiments disclosed herein are directed to methods and kits for detecting and quantifying in patient peritoneal fluid, such as spent peritoneal dialysis buffer, peptides having amino acid sequences related to megakaryocyte potentiating factor. The methods and kits can be used to monitor the biological status of the mesothelial lining of the peritoneal cavity in a patient, to predict development of a pathology of the mesothelium in an otherwise asymptomatic patient, and/or to assess the risk and suitability of a therapeutic method. In particular, the method can be used to assess negative effects of peritoneal dialysis on the biological integrity of the peritoneum, and thus to determine the time point when peritoneal dialysis treatment should be discontinued in favor of hemodialysis in a patient with kidney dysfunction, in order to avoid the development of peritoneal hypertrophy and other progressive mesothelial disorders such as encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis.
US08110364B2
Methods of diagnosing or monitoring an autoimmune or chronic inflammatory disease, particularly SLE in a patient by detecting the expression level of one or more genes or surrogates derived therefrom in the patient are described. Diagnostic oligonucleotides for diagnosing or monitoring chronic inflammatory disease, particularly SLE infection and kits or systems containing the same are also described.
US08110362B2
An object is to provide: a method for determining a tongue cancer in which the malignancy of tongue cancer can be objectively and accurately determined; a method for analyzing a tongue cancer tissue specimen; and a kit for analyzing a tongue cancer tissue specimen. There is provided: a method for determining a tongue cancer, comprising measuring mRNA quantity of an integrin family gene and a reference gene in the tongue cancer tissue specimen, and determining the malignancy of the tongue cancer based on a ratio of the mRNA quantity of the integrin family gene/the mRNA quantity of the reference gene; a method for analyzing a tongue cancer tissue specimen, comprising the steps of measuring mRNA quantity of an integrin family gene and a reference gene in the tongue cancer tissue specimen, and correlating a ratio of the mRNA quantity of the integrin family gene/the mRNA quantity of the reference gene with clinical data; and a kit for analyzing a tongue cancer tissue specimen.
US08110359B2
The present invention relates to a method of identifying a serotype of Klebsiella pneumoniae, in particular to a method using specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) primer sets designed according to a fragment of a capsular polysaccharide synthesis (cps) region to identify a K57 or a NTUH-N1 serotype and its application. NTUH-N1 is a novel serotype which differs from the previously reported 77 serotypes. This PCR-based cps genotyping method not only solves the problems of insufficient specificity and sensitivity caused by conventional immune method, but can be applied in clinical diagnosis with the advantages of rapidity and low cost. In addition, the rate of unidentifiable strains can also be reduced by this method.
US08110358B2
The present invention is directed to detection and measurement of gene transcripts in blood. Specifically provided is a RT-PCR analysis performed on a drop of blood for detecting, diagnosing and monitoring diseases using tissue-specific primers. The present invention also describes methods by which delineation of the sequence and/or quantitation of the expression levels of disease-associated genes allows for an immediate and accurate diagnostic/prognostic test for disease or to assess the effect of a particular treatment regimen.
US08110356B2
Blockade of mismatch repair in a plant can lead to hypermutation and a new genotype and/or phenotype. One approach used to generate hypermutable plants is through the expression of dominant negative alleles of mismatch repair genes in transgenic plants or derived cells. By introducing these genes into cells and transgenic plants, new cell lines and plant varieties with novel and useful properties can be prepared more efficiently than by relying on the natural rate of mutation. Moreover, methods to inhibit the expression and activity of endogenous plant MMR genes and their encoded products are also useful to generate hypermutable plants.
US08110355B2
Disclosed are methods for identification of agents that modulate cell attachment, cell migration and cell viability. Cancer and primary cells adhered to a matrix are treated with agent(s) that modulate ActRII signaling and cell adhesion. Agents are tested that modulate cell adhesion, detachment, invasion and viability. Agents that modulate the expression, phosphorylation, function and translocation of ActRII signaling pathway members also can predict agents that modulate cell adhesion, detachment, invasion and viability. The methods have utility in identifying agents that prevent cancer cell metastasis, wound dehiscence, aortic dissection and aid retina attachment and skin replacement and fertility.
US08110353B2
A catalytic system and method of catalyzing reactions that uses a novel toehold exchange mechanism that allows a specified input to catalyze the release of a specified output, which in turn can serve as a catalyst for other reactions is provided. This toehold exchange catalyst system, which can be driven forward by the configurational entropy of the released molecule, provides an amplifying circuit element that is simple, fast, modular, composable, and robust. Using this toehold exchange catalyst system it has been possible to construct and characterize several circuits that amplify nucleic acid signals, including a feed-forward cascade with quadratic kinetics and a positive feedback circuit with exponential growth kinetics.
US08110350B2
Human parvovirus, genus Bocavirus, associated with respiratory tract infections in children. Nucleic acid and polypeptide sequences of the virus. Methods and products for diagnosing presence of bocavirus in a sample using nucleic acid probes or primers, or specific binding members such as antibodies. Methods and products for diagnosing past or present infection of bocavirus in an individual e.g. by serology testing. Viral nucleic acid, polypeptide and/or viral particles for generating immune response in an individual, including vaccine compositions.
US08110348B2
Compositions and methods relating to the diagnosis and treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders, such as schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorders, and bipolar disorders are disclosed. Also provided are methods for screening therapeutic agents having efficacy for the treatment of such disorders.
US08110347B2
The present invention relates to a diagnostic method for predicting the possible recurrence of tumors in cancer patients. The method comprises culturing blood cells from a patient suffering from cancer in the presence of a cytokine stimulating factor, where after the amount of induced cytokine thereby produced is determined giving an indication of the risk of recurrence of the cancer.
US08110343B2
In an optical recording and reproducing medium having a groove 2 formed along a recording track and which is recorded and/or reproduced with irradiation of light L having a predetermined wavelength λ, a track pitch p of the groove 2 is selected in a range of from 200 nm to 350 nm and a ratio wg′/p between a width wg of the groove 2 and the track pitch p is selected in a range of from 0.24 to 0.67.
US08110340B2
A pattern for a gate line is formed using a first photoresist pattern and a first BARC layer. A pad and patterns for a select line, which has a width that is larger than that of the gate line, are formed using a second photoresist pattern and a second BARC layer. The gate line, the pad and the select line can be formed at a same time.
US08110338B2
A heat-sensitive positive-working lithographic printing plate precursor includes a support having a hydrophilic surface or which is provided with a hydrophilic layer, a heat-sensitive coating including an IR absorbing agent, a phenolic resin, and a first polymer, wherein the first polymer is an alkaline soluble polymer including a monomeric unit having a structure according to Formula I or Formula II, wherein at least one of the aromatic groups Ar1 and Ar2 is an optionally substituted heteroaromatic group:
US08110332B2
Provided are an electrophotographic toner and a method for producing the electrophotographic toner that satisfy high image quality, cleaning stability, and high productivity.The electrophotographic toner is produced by spray-drying a toner ingredient-containing liquid, wherein the toner ingredient-containing liquid dissolves or disperses at least a resin, a low molecular mass organic material, and a colorant in an organic solvent, the resin is soluble in the organic solvent, the low molecular mass organic material is a crystalline compound or a composition of crystalline compounds that is soluble in the organic solvent, the toner ingredient-containing liquid contains substantially no particles having a particle diameter of 500 nm or more, the crystalline compound or the composition of crystalline compounds crystallizes upon spray-drying to deform toner particles into a circularity of 0.93 or higher to 0.98 or less, and volume average particle diameter of the toner particles is 3.0 μm or higher to less than 7.0 μm.
US08110331B2
An electrophotographic developer including: magnetic particles, and a toner containing toner particles charged with the magnetic particles and having a particle diameter distribution, wherein the toner exhibits cumulative toner weight distributions of both square of charge amount q2 [C2] and attachment force F [N] per particle with respect to a representative toner particle diameter in the particle diameter distribution, giving a linear approximation of plots of the attachment force F [N] versus the square of charge amount q2 [C2] per particle at a plurality of corresponding cumulative toner weight ratios, and the linear approximation satisfies a slope of the linear approximation of from 5×1020 to 3×1022 and a squared multiple correlation coefficient (R2) of 0.6 or more. As a result, the developer allows good control of transferability under the control of an electric field and allows a reduction in transfer residual amount of the toner.
US08110329B2
A charge controlling agent is provided as a compound in which an amide group is introduced together with a sulfonic group or a derivative thereof. The charge controlling agent is characterized by including at least one compound represented by the chemical formula (2) in which an amide group is introduced together with at least one of a sulfonic group, a sulfonic acid ester, a sulfonic acid salt, and a sulfonic acid halide.
US08110321B2
A method for manufacturing an optical projection reticle employs a damascene process. First feature recesses are etched into a projection reticle mask plate which is transmissive or transparent. Then feature recesses are tilled with a radiation transmissivity modifying material comprising a partially transmissive material and/or a radiation absorber for absorbing actinic radiation. Sacrificial materials may be added to the recess temporarily prior to filling the recess to provide gaps juxtaposed with the material filling the recess. Thereafter, the sacrificial materials are removed. Then the projection mask is planarized leaving feature recesses filled with transmissivity modifying material, and any gaps desired. The projection mask is planarized while retained in a fixture holding it in place during polishing with a polishing tool and a slurry.
US08110303B2
The invention provides a non-aqueous secondary battery having positive and negative electrodes and non-aqueous electrolyte containing lithium salt which has an energy capacity of 30 Wh or more, a volume energy density of 180 Wh/l or higher, which battery has a flat shape and is superior in heat radiation characteristic, used safely and particularly preferably used for a energy storage system. The invention also provides a control method of the secondary battery.
US08110301B2
An article is provided. The article may include an electrochemical cell. The cell may include a molten electrolyte, and at least one molten electrode. The cell may include a structure for separating an anode from a cathode, while enabling ionic communication between the anode and cathode. An energy storage device comprising the article is also provided. Methods related to the article and the energy storage device may be provided.
US08110300B2
A mounting system for a plurality of battery modules needed to form a battery pack includes a battery tray with a combination of fixed and detachable retainers that enable insertion/removal of individual battery modules from the battery pack, both during assembly of the battery pack and later in conjunction with service during its operation. The battery tray may be disposed on a base plate for added support, as well as integration of more than one battery tray and associated modules into a battery pack. A cover may be added to for additional support and protection of the battery modules. Where multiple battery trays are integrated on a base plate, the battery trays may be oriented on the base plate in different directions. The battery mounting system may be used in a motor vehicle or other applications that use a battery pack.
US08110297B2
Certain example embodiments relate to articles supporting photocatalytic layers that also include UV-reflecting underlayers, and/or methods of making the same. In certain example embodiments, the inclusion of a UV-reflecting underlayer surprisingly and unexpectedly results in the reduction of dosing time to enable quick activation of the photocatalytic coating. For example, dosing time may be reduced from a few hours to a few minutes or even seconds in certain example embodiments. The UV-reflecting underlayer may be a single-layer coating or a multi-layer stack.
US08110291B2
A composite material for an electric/electronic part, having a metal base, a resin film on at least a part of the metal base, and a layer of Sn or a Sn alloy on at least a part of the metal base at a site where the resin film is not provided, the layer of Sn or a Sn alloy including a solidified structure, and the resin film having a residual solvent quantity adjusted to 5% to 25% by mass.
US08110282B2
An object of the present invention is to provide a film having a high brightness and a natural metal-effect, and also having excellent formability, causing no delamination and maintaining the metal-effect after forming. Another object is to provide a molded body having less environmental burden, excellent in recycling efficiency and giving no electromagnetic interference. A laminated film including a structure where each 30 layers or more of a layer composed of a resin A (A layer) and a layer composed of a resin B (B layer) are alternately laminated, wherein a relative reflectance in a wavelength range of 400 nm to 1000 nm is 30% or more, tensile stresses at 100% elongation in a longitudinal direction and a width direction of the film are 3 MPa or more and 90 MPa or less in a tensile test at 150° C., and the number of layers with a layer-pair thickness of 10 nm or more and less than 220 nm is more than the number of layers with a layer-pair thickness of 220 nm or more and 320 nm or less.
US08110272B2
An information recording medium (100) is provided with at least a first recording layer (101), which accepts a first laser beam having a first wavelength, can display a visible display pattern (pit art), and has a first pit formed thereon for reading information; and a second recording layer (102), which accepts a second laser beam having a second wavelength and can record second information by forming a second pit.
US08110268B2
A personalized adhesive cover for a consumer device includes multiple layers. In one implementation, an adhesive cover includes a top laminate layer adhered to a base layer that is adhered to a bottom adhesive layer. The base layer is treated to facilitate acceptance of a personalized design applied to the middle layer. The adhesive cover is contoured to partially or completely cover one or more sides of a consumer device. The cover can include one or more separate pieces, apertures and cutouts, for example, so that the cover does not interfere with the functions of a device.
US08110242B2
The present invention provides hydrogel coated, implantable medical devices and methods of coating hydrogels onto implantable medical devices. In one embodiment, a hydrogel coated medical device is formed by physically treating a surface of the medical device, chemically treating the surface, applying a hydrogel precursor and then crosslinking the hydrogel precursor to form a hydrogel coating on the surface of the medical device. The present invention may be particularly applicable for coating articulating surfaces on implantable medical devices such as artificial joints.
US08110238B2
The disclosed embodiments concern a processing method for a beverage destined for human or animal consumption with the aim of increasing the sweetness of said beverage, characterized in that a yeast preparation inerted by enzymatic and/or physical-chemical treatment containing a peptide sweetener with a molecular weight equal to 2.750+/−0.1 kDa is added to the beverage. The disclosed embodiments also concern such a sweetener compound.
US08110235B2
Systems and methods according to the present invention yield milk products having reduced cholesterol. A method according to the present invention includes the steps of adding an edible oil to skim that was separated from whole milk; standardizing the particle size of the skim-and-oil mixture; combining the skim-and-oil mixture with homogenized cream that was separated from whole milk; and separating the oil from the reduced cholesterol cream and skim. A method according to the present invention may further include the steps of separating the reduced cholesterol cream and skim and then recombining them to form a reduced cholesterol milk product having desired properties.
US08110218B2
The present invention provides compositions and methods for reducing the immunogenicity and increasing the circulating half-life of therapeutic proteins such as Factor VIII. The compositions comprise lipidic structures such as liposomes, micelles and cochleates comprising a negatively charged lipid and polyethylene glycol derivatized phosphatidyl ethanolamine.
US08110217B2
The present invention provides pharmaceutical compositions and methods for the instillation of lipid vehicles comprised of liposomes containing sphingomyelin or sphingomyelin metabolites to prevent, manage, ameliorate and/or treat disorders involving neuropathic pain and aberrant muscle contractions, such as what occurs in bladder hyperactivity disorders such as interstitial cystitis (IC) in animals or humans in need thereof. Also provided is a liposome-based delivery of drugs, e.g., antibiotics, pain treatments and anticancer agents, to the bladder, genitourinary tract, gastrointestinal system, pulmonary system and other organs or body systems. In particular, liposome-based delivery of vanilloid compounds, such as resiniferatoxin, capsaicin, or tinyatoxin and toxins, such as botulinum toxin is provided for the treatment of bladder conditions, including pain, inflammation, incontinence and voiding dysfunction.
US08110214B2
A method of feeding a ruminant that entails providing a feed that comprises sugar alcohol and at least one additional feed component, where the feed is free of rumen-protected fatty acid or comprises less than 10 weight percent rumen-protected fatty acid, based on the total weight of the feed and further entails orally supplying the feed to the ruminant during a pre-partum period when the ruminant is pregnant, where the ruminant ingests the feed and sugar alcohol during the pre-partum period.
US08110202B2
This invention is related to the field of immunology of protein biotechnology and particularly to the construction of synthetic immunogens which result, where inoculated, in the production by cattle of an immune response capable of lesion to the ticks feeding on the inoculated bovines, reducing their number, their weight and their reproductive capacity to such an extent that the constructed immunogen can be used as an effective vaccine for tick control on bovines. The technical object of the invention consists of the design and construction of two synthetic immunogens constituted of a continuous and defined sequence with forty-three (43) amino acids, found in different positions in the sequence of protein Bm86, their polymerization with cysteine in the N-terminal and in the C-terminal, the medicamentous composition based on said peptide(s) and the synthetic vaccine obtained thereby.
US08110200B2
The present invention relates to compositions and fusion proteins containing at least two Mycobacterium sp. antigens, and nucleic acids encoding such compositions and fusion proteins. The compositions of the invention increase serological sensitivity of sera from individuals infected with tuberculosis, and methods for their use in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of tuberculosis infection.
US08110198B2
The invention provides isolated polypeptide and nucleic acid sequences derived from Staphylococcus epidermidis that are useful in diagnosis and therapy of pathological conditions; antibodies against the polypeptides; and methods for the production of the polypeptides. The invention also provides methods for the detection, prevention and treatment of pathological conditions resulting from bacterial infection.
US08110195B2
The present invention relates to a cell for the production of an antibody molecule such as an antibody binding to ganglioside GM2, a fragment of the antibody and a fusion protein having the Fc region of the antibody or the like, a method for producing an antibody composition using the cell, the antibody composition and use thereof.
US08110194B2
A disease or condition, such as cancer or an infectious disease, can be treated in a patient by administering a CTLA-4 antibody in an escalating dosage regimen until a partial or complete response is elicited in the patient or a pre-determined maximum dosage is reached.
US08110180B2
Antibodies that bind to polypeptides and peptides comprising the sequence of zalpha11 Ligand as shown in SEQ ID NO: 2 are described. The antibodies may bind the full length sequence of 162 amino acid residues or a fragment thereof, including a mature polypeptide of 131 amino acid residues and smaller polypeptide and peptide sequences. The antibodies may include antibodies that are polyclonal, monoclonal, murine, humanized or neutralizing. Methods for producing the antibodies are also described.
US08110172B2
Methods to at least partially reduce a niobium oxide are described wherein the process includes mixing the niobium oxide and niobium powder to form a powder mixture that is then heat treated to form heat treated particles which then undergo reacting in an atmosphere which permits the transfer of oxygen atoms from the niobium oxide to the niobium powder, and at a temperature and for a time sufficient to form an oxygen reduced niobium oxide. Oxygen reduced niobium oxides having high porosity are also described as well as capacitors containing anodes made from the oxygen reduced niobium oxides.
US08110169B2
A carbonaceous material, also referred to as a carbon alloy, and a process of making the carbonaceous material is provided. A particulate of partially pyrolyzed carbon (PPC) base is formed on heating a carbon-containing feed material and a nucleating agent in the form of a interactive filler is included. The nucleating agent is adhered together to the PPC particles by application of heat. The material is molded into a shape, voids in the material are collapsed and the resulting carbon alloy is cooled.
US08110162B2
Provided is a method of easily producing scorodite which is stable and has excellent filtering properties with excellent reproducibility and without using complex operations, when processing arsenic that is included in non-ferrous smelting intermediates, and particularly when processing copper arsenic compounds in the form of an intermetallic compound. Scorodite is produced by a leaching step of leaching arsenic from a non-ferrous melting intermediate containing a copper arsenic compound in the form of an intermetallic compound in the presence of a sulfidizing agent and an oxidizing agent, a solution adjusting step of oxidizing trivalent arsenic to pentavalent arsenic by adding the oxidizing agent to the leaching solution, and a crystallizing step of converting the arsenic in the adjusted solution to scorodite crystals.
US08110161B2
The invention relates to a process for the production of alkylated aromatic compounds comprising introducing olefin and aromatic compounds into at least first and second vertically spaced catalytic reaction zones in an alkylation unit under alkylation reaction conditions to provide an alkylated product, wherein the second catalytic reaction zone is positioned above the first catalytic reaction zone; wherein aromatic compound from each of the at least first and second catalytic reaction zones are contacted with a cooling means for re-condensing at least a portion of the aromatic compounds vaporized from the exothermic heat of reaction of the alkylation process; and wherein the olefin is introduced into the at least first and second catalytic reaction zones via respective first and second olefin feed streams at respective olefin feed rates such as to maintain olefin partial pressures at inlets to at least first and second catalytic reaction zones which vary by less than about ten percent. The invention additionally relates to an apparatus for practicing the alkylation process of the invention.
US08110142B2
A refractory bottom for a metallurgical vessel comprised of a bottom lining having a bottom surface that is dimensioned to overlay a bottom of a metallurgical vessel and an upper surface. The upper surface is comprised of a plurality of discrete sections that include an uppermost section, an intermediate section and a lowermost section. Each section has an upper surface at a discrete elevation such that the upper surface of the uppermost section has a highest elevation and the upper surface of the lowermost section has a lowest elevation. The upper surface of the uppermost section, the intermediate section and the lowermost section comprise a series of successive stepped sections that define a stepped path from the uppermost section downward to the lowermost section. Each successive section of the upper surface is lower than a preceding section.
US08110140B2
In methods of manufacturing optical components for infrared-light or ultraviolet-light applications, by lessening the expense consumed during finishing processes, a technique for manufacturing ceramic optical components inexpensively is realized. Raw material powders whose main constituent is ZnS, ZnSe or Ge, for ceramics for infrared-light optical components, and whose main constituent is CaF2 or MaF2, for ceramics for ultraviolet-light optical components, are molded into molded masses; the molded masses are sintered into sinters; and by pressing the sinters through a heating and compressing process, net-shape ceramic sinters can be produced. Alternatively, a finishing process is carried out after they are pressed into near-net shape. By shaping into net shape or near-net shape, the finishing process can be omitted, or the finishing process time and processing expense taken up can be decreased.
US08110136B2
Nanofibers are formed from a polymer material by rotating a conductive rotating container having a plurality of small holes while supplying a polymer solution formed by dissolving a polymer material in a solvent into the rotating container, charging the polymer solution discharged from the small holes of the rotating container by charging means, and drawing the discharged filamentous polymer solution by centrifugal force and an electrostatic explosion resulting from evaporation of the solvent. The nanofibers from this production step are oriented and made to flow from one side toward the other side in a shaft center direction of the rotating container by a reflecting electrode and/or blowing means, or those nanofibers are deposited, to produce a polymer web. The nanofibers and the polymer web using these nanofibers can be produced uniformly by a simple configuration with good productivity.
US08110135B2
The present invention describes a process for producing a three-dimensional object, comprising: providing a material to be solidified, the material comprising a filler and a binder; delivering electromagnetic radiation and/or synergistic stimulation in a pattern or an image to a building region for solidifying said material; wherein said delivering of electromagnetic radiation and/or synergistic stimulation is performed selectively to a defined area or volume of said material to be solidified; and wherein an energy density of electromagnetic radiation and/or synergistic stimulation is varied within said pattern or image and/or between patterns or images of different building regions of said material. The present invention may be directed also to a system where different first and second materials are to be solidified. The present invention further provides a freeform fabrication system, and a freeform three-dimensional object having unique properties as well as products derived therefrom, such as sintered products.
US08110134B2
Lightweight trays are fabricated containing a multitude of cavities in shapes for molding dobies for supporting concrete reinforcing, such as rebar. The trays are sized to fit boxes of a convenient size and weight. The trays are also designed in a way that when placed into the box they make a seal between the tray edges and the inside wall of the box. This seal allows the cavities in the tray to be filled with grout without spilling into a lower tray. The trays are also designed so that when placed into the box and turned, alternating 180° to each other, the lower tray provides support to the upper tray. The boxes are sealed and the dobies are allowed to cure inside the box. The size and arrangement of trays and boxes is designed to fit uniformly on a standard pallet for convenient handling, storage, and shipping.
US08110130B2
The present invention consists in the use, in a process of manufacture of a composition with a water and hydraulic binder base, of a rheological additive characterised in that it is an emulsion of at least one non-cross-linked copolymer, consisting of: a) (meth)acrylic acid, b) alkyl(meth)acrylate having 1 to 25 carbon atoms, c) a monomer of formula R1—(R2O)m—R3, in which: R1 designates a radical containing a polymerisable unsaturated group, R2O designates an alkylene oxide group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, m is an integer between 20 and 30, preferentially between 23 and 27, and is very preferentially equal to 25, R3 designates a linear or branched alkyl chain having 28 to 33 carbon atoms, preferentially 30 to 33 carbon atoms, and very preferentially having 32 carbon atoms. The invention also concerns the formulations thus obtained.
US08110121B2
A piezoceramic composition has a nominal empirical formula of Pb1−aREbAEc[ZrxTiy(FefWw)z]O3. RE is a rare earth metal with a fraction b and AE is an alkaline earth metal with a fraction c. Iron is present with an iron fraction f·z, and tungsten with a tungsten fraction w·z. In addition, the following relationships apply: a<1; 0=b=0.15; 0=c=0.5; f>0; w>0; 0.1=f/w=5; x>0; y>0; z>0 and x+y+z=1. A method of producing a piezoceramic material using the piezoceramic composition has the steps: a) provision of a green ceramic body with the piezoceramic composition, and b) heat treatment of the green body, a piezoceramic of the piezoceramic material being produced from the piezoceramic composition. The heat treatment encompasses calcining and/or sintering. The piezoceramic composition undergoes compaction at below 1000° C. Metals which melt at low temperature (such as silver or a silver-palladium alloy with a low palladium content, for example) can therefore be sintered together with the piezoceramic composition.
US08110118B2
An adhesive layer, an insulating layer and a copper foil are laminated together on both surfaces of a metallic base material by way of for example thermal press molding. In this case, openings (window holes) are formed in opposed positions on a portion of the adhesive layer. A circuit pattern is formed by etching on the copper foil in this state, followed by an external shape machining step of executing separation treatment reaching the metallic base material in predetermined positions including the openings. After that, a part of the insulating layer is cut off along the edge of the opening to obtain a circuit board with the end of the metallic base material exposed.
US08110116B2
A water treatment apparatus includes a raw water supply tube, mixed raw water stream jet nozzles each communicating at one end thereof with the raw water supply tube and having at the other end thereof a raw water outlet from which mixed stream of raw water and air is jetted out, a filtering tank housing a filter layer disposed below the mixed raw water stream jet nozzles with a predetermined distance between the surface of the filter layer and the raw water outlet of the mixed raw water stream jet nozzles, a filtered water takeout tube provided in the filtering tank for taking out water filtered through the filter layer, a reverse stream cleaning water supply tube provided in the filtering tank for supplying reverse stream cleaning water to the filter layer, filter layer cleaning jet nozzles each communicating at one end thereof with a filter layer cleaning water supply tube and having at the other end thereof a cleaning water outlet from which cleaning water is jetted out, and an overflow outlet provided in the filtering tank above the filter layer.
US08110111B1
The present invention relates to a functionalized membrane contactor extraction/reaction system and method for extracting target species from multi-phase solutions utilizing ionic liquids. One preferred embodiment of the invented method and system relates to an extraction/reaction system wherein the ionic liquid extraction solutions act as both extraction solutions and reaction mediums, and allow simultaneous separation/reactions not possible with prior art technology.
US08110108B2
Disclosed is a system for treating wastewater. The system includes a microorganism clad structure positioned in a body of wastewater such that the microorganism clad structure is at least partially submerged in the body of wastewater. The apparatus also includes an aeration device, such as a propeller-type, surface mounted aeration device, supplying a horizontal flow of oxygenated water to the microorganisms attached to the microorganism clad structure such that the microorganisms may carry out a biological process.
US08110107B2
The wastewater treatment tank results in high quality effluent meeting what is referred to as “Secondary Treatment Standard. The tank deploys in combination an Facultative Aerobic Bacterial Generators (FABG) that includes a plurality of surrounding horizontally extending bacteria supporting filters disposed in a vertical array along with a second vertical filter media disposed between the FABG and the outlet port. A facultative bacteria generator and additional bacteria supporting filters are also deployed adjacent the FABG and between the second vertical filter media.
US08110100B2
The system has a storage tank and two or more arc whirl devices disposed in a top of the storage tank. Each arc whirl device includes: (a) a pump volute or hydrocyclone, (b) a throat connected to the pump volute or hydrocyclone head, (c) a parabolic reflector having a vertex, a focus and an opening at the vertex, wherein the opening is connected to the throat such that the vertex and focus are axially aligned with the central axis and the focus is not located within the throat, and (d) a wave energy source that irradiates the liquid using a first electrode within the pump volute or hydrocyclone head that extends into the throat along the central axis of the throat, and a second electrode extending into the parabolic reflector proximate to the focus wherein the second electrode is spaced apart and axially aligned with first electrode.
US08110092B2
Disclosed is a process for recovery power from an FCC product. Gaseous hydrocarbon product from an FCC reactor is heat exchanged with a heat exchange media which is delivered to an expander to generate power. Cycle oil from product fractionation may be added to the gaseous FCC product to wash away coke precursors.
US08110088B2
The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing an implant, in particular an intraluminal endoprosthesis, with a body containing metallic material, preferably iron. To control the degradation of the implant, the method comprises the following steps: a) preparing the body of the implant, and b) incorporating hydrogen into at least a portion of the structure of the implant body near the surface. Furthermore, such an implant is described.
US08110085B2
A method for forming a magnetic write head using a damascene process that does not form voids in the magnetic structure. An opening is formed in an alumina layer, the opening being configured to define a trench. Then a first layer of magnetic material is deposited into the trench. A CMP process is then performed to remove any voids that have formed in the first magnetic layer. Then a second layer of magnetic material is deposited over the first layer of magnetic material. In another embodiment of the invention, a opening is formed in the alumina layer, and a first layer of magnetic material is electroplated into the opening. A thin layer of non-magnetic material is then deposited, and a second layer of magnetic material is deposited over the thin layer of non-magnetic material. The thin layer of alumina advantageously provides a laminate structure that avoids data erasure.
US08110081B2
A method for improving the performance of a galvanic fuel cell type oxygen sensor comprises providing a pressure equalization port leading to the interior of an inner core housing that contains the membrane, the electrolyte and the anode and cathode electrodes and hermetically sealing the sensor housing except for its sample inlet port and its sample outlet port. By connecting the same vacuum source to both the pressure equalization port and the sample outlet port, the device's membrane is less subject to movement or rupture as gas samples are drawn in via the sample inlet port. A technique for ensuring a hermetic seal is also described.
US08110064B2
A labeling apparatus is for applying labels to articles advanced along an article conveyor. The labeling apparatus may include a frame to be positioned adjacent the article conveyor, and a labeler carried by the frame. The labeler may include a housing, a rotary bellows wheel carried by the housing, bellows carried by the rotary bellows wheel and a fluid pump within the housing and connected in fluid communication with the rotary bellows wheel to provide a fluid flow for the bellows so that each bellows is movable between a retracted position and an extended label-applying position.
US08110056B2
A rubber composition used for a tire, in which friction on ice is improved, which includes 0.5 to 30 parts by weight of a filler having at least two protuberances and a non-metal fiber based on 100 parts by weight of a diene rubber.
US08110048B2
A method for producing a magnetic powder comprised chiefly of Fe16N2 comprising providing a starting powder comprising an oxy-hydroxide or oxide of iron and an amount of noble metal. The starting powder is reduced into an iron powder by a dry method using a hydrogen gas; and the iron powder is nitrided into a magnetic powder comprised chiefly of Fe16N2 particles using a nitrogen-containing gas at a temperature not higher than 200° C. The amount of noble metal is such that an amount that the atomic percent ratio of the noble metal content to Fe in the magnetic powder is 0.01-10.
US08110045B2
Processing equipment for an object to be processed is provided with a process container, the internal of which can be evacuated, a gas introducing means for introducing a prescribed gas into the process container, a supporting table provided in the process container, a ring-shaped supporting part provided on the supporting table, a mounting plate for mounting the object to be processed and supported by the supporting part, a plurality of thermoelectric conversion elements provided on an upper plane of the supporting table on an inner side of the supporting part, an element storing space evacuating means for evacuating inside the element storing space formed by a lower surface of the mounting plate, which is supported by the supporting part, an upper plane of the supporting table and the supporting part.
US08110042B2
Using a pulling-up apparatus, an oxygen concentration of the monocrystal at a predetermined position in a pulling-up direction is controlled based on a relationship in which the oxygen concentration of the monocrystal is decreased as a flow rate of the inactive gas at a position directly above a free surface of the dopant-added melt is increased when the monocrystal is manufactured with a gas flow volume in the chamber being in the range of 40 L/min to 400 L/min and an inner pressure in the chamber being in the range of 5332 Pa to 79980 Pa. Based on the relationship, oxygen concentration is elevated to manufacture the monocrystal having a desirable oxygen concentration. Because the oxygen concentration is controlled under a condition corresponding to a condition where the gas flow rate is rather slow, the difference between a desirable oxygen concentration profile of the monocrystal and an actual oxygen concentration profile is reduced.
US08110037B2
Methods, treatment compositions and treatment systems are disclosed for forming a detachable and renewable coating on a receptive surface by a process of applying a treatment composition comprising a plurality of hydrophobically modified fumed silica particles colloidally dispersed in a volatile solvent; allowing the volatile solvent to evaporate; and thereby depositing a protective coating on the receptive surface consisting of a layer of the hydrophobically modified particles, which provide a substantially transparent coating with dirt- and water-repellency properties that effectively shed dry particulate soils as well as water from the treated surface or treated article bearing a receptive surface. The methods, treatment compositions and treatment systems employing the hydrophobically modified fumed silica particle are particularly useful in providing nearly invisible detachable coatings and treated articles featuring surface protective benefits including dirt- and water-repellency, self-cleaning with water, and easier cleaning benefits when applied to a variety of automotive and home surfaces, both interior and exterior, including articles and materials such as metals, painted materials, sealed materials, plastics and polymeric articles, wood, textiles and the like.
US08110034B2
An ink set for ink jet recording that realizes a satisfactory image in addition to high color-developing ability, high ejection stability, and high recover ability from clogging is provided.An ink set contains two or more ink compositions at least including a black ink composition and a color ink composition. The black ink composition includes a self-dispersing pigment having a hydrophilic group on the surface thereof and the color ink composition includes a self-dispersing pigment having a hydrophilic group on the surface thereof with a phenyl group interposed therebetween. The ink set is used for an ink jet recording method.
US08110023B2
LNG is pumped to supercritical pressure and vaporized, preferably in an offshore location to thereby form a natural gas stream with an intermediate temperature. A first portion of that stream is then processed in an onshore location to remove at least some non-methane components to thereby form a lean LNG, which is then combined with a second portion of that stream to form a sales gas having desired chemical composition. The intermediate temperature and the split ratio of the gas stream in first and second portion are a function of the concentration of the non-methane components in the LNG.
US08110019B2
The present invention is based on a novel electric induction furnace design that enables the removal of zinc-containing filter dust (FD) originating from the production of steel (alloy or non-alloy) and the production of cast iron with galvanized steel scrap, using a novel process based on the carbothermal reduction of the metal oxides present in the FD, performed at the temperature at which the materials are melted inside the electric induction furnace. The electric induction furnace of the invention incorporates an electric arc or plasma beam generator to melt all the inorganic non-metallic material. The incorporation of this generator also enables the use of large volumes of molten slag.
US08110016B2
The present invention is directed toward fluid filter assemblies along with methods for making and using the same. The fluid filter assemblies include a ring-shaped seal disposed about a portion of an outer periphery of a filter module. In several embodiments the seal includes an inner surface having at least two parallel contact surfaces separated by a channel, wherein the contact surfaces are in sealing engagement with the outer periphery of the filter module. Additional embodiments are also described.
US08110004B2
An expandable intervertebral fusion cage that includes an inferior baseplate and a superior baseplate, an insert rotatably received between the inferior and superior baseplates, and a guide pin coupled to the inferior and superior baseplates for facilitating the rotation of the insert. The insert includes a pair of protuberances, each of which are releasably engageable with a corresponding lock groove formed within the inferior and superior baseplates. When said insert is rotated relative to the guide pin, the protuberances engage the lock grooves, and the inferior and superior baseplates expand from a collapsed position, in which said inferior and superior baseplates are juxtaposed with one another, and an expanded position, in which said inferior and superior baseplates are diverged away from one another. Tabs formed on the superior baseplate continuously engage slots formed within the inferior baseplate when the baseplates expand from their collapsed position to their expanded position.
US08110002B2
A muscle fastening cap includes a head having one or more groups of openings along a direction of its axial length. The cap also may include a stem adapted for insertion into a muscle-supporting structure such as an intramedullary canal or a prosthesis device.
US08110001B2
Disclosed herein is an improved Bone Tendon Bone graft for use in orthopedic surgical procedures. Specifically exemplified herein is a Bone Tendon Bone graft comprising one or more bone blocks having a groove cut into the surface thereof, wherein said groove is sufficient to accommodate a fixation screw. Also disclosed is a porcine bone tendon bone graft for use in orthopedic procedures. Also disclosed are multiple embodiments of assembled bone tendon bone blocks for use in orthopedic surgeries. Additionally, a method of harvesting grafts that has improved efficiency, increases the quantity of extracted tissue and minimizes time required by surgeon for implantation is disclosed.
US08110000B2
A system for ligament reconstruction includes placing a first jig having a first plurality of drill guide holes on a first bone of the joint, forming two intersecting holes in the first bone using the first plurality of drill guide holes, placing a second jig having a second plurality of drill guide holes on a second bone of the joint, forming a tunnel and a first branch hole and a second branch hole in the second bone using the second plurality of drill guide holes, placing a tendon having sutured ends through the two intersecting holes, extending the sutured ends through the tunnel and through the first and second branch holes so that the first and second ends of the tendon are positioned within the tunnel, and affixing the tendon within the tunnel. The apparatus of this system has specially formed jigs placed over bones.
US08109987B2
A stepped balloon catheter prosthesis deployment system is disclosed for placement of a prosthesis across an Os opening from a main body lumen to a branch body lumen. The prosthesis comprises a radially expansible support at one end, a circumferentially extending link at the other end and at least one frond extending axially therebetween. The prosthesis is configured to be deployed from a stepped diameter balloon with the support in the branch body lumen, with the circumferentially extending link in the main lumen and the frond extendable across the Os.
US08109982B2
The present invention is directed to methods and apparatus for modulation of the sympathetic-parasympathetic balance by application of heat, carotid and/or ocular message to reduce sympathetic tone or increase parasympathetic tone in a target muscle system to relieve a symptom of urinary hesitancy, shy bladder syndrome, DESD, urinary retention, or laryngeal spasm, as well as to monitor the efficacy of treatments for bladder conditions and to assist in the passage of medical devices through bodily sphincters as well as to treat congestive heart failure.
US08109980B2
A plating system for stabilization of a bony segment includes a plate engageable to at least first and second bony elements. For spinal stabilization, the plate is attached to the antero-lateral portions of at least first and second vertebrae and is structured to facilitate engagement of the plate to the vertebrae from an approach extending in the anterior-posterior directions.
US08109976B2
Systems and methods for vertebral stabilization are provided. In one embodiment, a system includes a bone anchor with a threaded portion positioned opposite a post portion. A connector is provided including a pair of oppositely positioned branches defining a receptacle structured to receive the post portion. The receptacle is positionable between an open configuration and a closed configuration, wherein the connector is positionable along and about the post portion in the open configuration. The system also includes an elongate support member defining a passage structured to receive and engage a portion of the connector. As the connector is received in the passage, the branches of the connector move toward one another and force the receptacle toward the closed configuration wherein the connector is fixed relative to the post portion. Other systems, apparatuses and methods for vertebral stabilization are also disclosed.
US08109974B2
A spinal fixation device is provided having first and second elongate members that are angularly adjustable relative to one another. Each elongate member can include a connecting feature formed on a terminal end thereof, and each connecting feature can be coupled to one another to allow angular movement of the first and second elongate members. The device can also include a locking mechanism that is adapted to couple to the connecting feature on each of the first and second elongate members to lock the elongate members in a fixed position relative to one another.
US08109971B2
A fixation mechanism and method of fixation, such as the fixation of a facet resurfacing implant to an articular facet of a spinal vertebra. The fixation mechanism includes a securing mechanism having a socket configured to receive a knob of a biologic implant. The fixation mechanism further includes a locking mechanism for limiting expansion of the socket following engagement with the knob of the implant.
US08109961B2
A bone fusion system and method is disclosed. The system includes a bone mill having at least one docking station that is located at a position other than where a user inserts bone to be morcellated into the bone mill. This allows, for example, a surgeon to deposit morcellated bone onto a desired location on a patient's spine immediately after the bone is morcellated. The bone mill can include two or more docking stations having different sizes so that a surgeon can couple differently sized syringes to the bone mill. This allows, for example, morcellated bone to be deposited at two or more locations immediately after the bone is morcellated. A hand held retractor having a serrated tip is included so that a surgeon can simultaneously retract a patient's muscle bundles while decorticating a recipient bed.
US08109958B1
A device for osteoligamentous resection comprising a resector having a shaft with a resecting tip at its distal end, and a retractor at least partially surrounding the resector, and at least part of the retractor being moveable relative to the resector.
US08109954B2
A rotational device for removing a stenotic lesion from within a vessel of a patient is disclosed. The device comprises a flexible hollow drive shaft having a distal end insertable into the vessel and an abrasive element located on the drive shaft proximal to the distal end of the drive shaft to abrade a stenotic lesion when the drive shaft rotates. The hollow drive shaft defines a lumen for fluid supplied into the drive shaft to flow in an antegrade direction along the lumen and into the vessel from the drive shaft distal to the abrasive element so that the fluid entering the vessel flows in a retrograde direction over the abrasive element and die drive shaft to entrain debris abraded by the abrasive element for removal of said debris from the patient.
US08109946B2
Devices, delivery systems and techniques for an occlusion device for the closure of physical anomalies, such as an atrial septal defect, a patent foramen ovale (PFO), and other septal and vascular defects are described. The devices, delivery systems and techniques relate to, but are not limited to, a patent foramen ovale (PFO) occluder made from a substantially cylindrical form. An occluder having a distal side and a proximal side, with a catch system for securing the deployed configuration, is introduced into the treatment site by a delivery sheath. In one aspect, the occluder has an adjustable length center joint that allows the device to fit a particular septal defect. In some embodiments, the occluder includes a catch member that holds the occluder in the deployed, expanded profile configuration. In one aspect, the catch member also has an adjustable length.
US08109945B2
The present invention is directed to methods and apparatus for cutting filaments percutaneously. The methods and systems may be used in conjunction with sealing a puncture percutaneously in tissue separating two internal portions of the body of a living being with an anchor, a sealing plug and a filament connecting the anchor and sealing plug. The present invention provides for safe filament cutting below the skin and may reduce the risk of cutting the filament distal of any knots.
US08109943B2
Provided are systems and methods for suture anchor deployment. A system according to the present invention is a trocar system that includes a cannula assembly and an obturator assembly, the cannula assembly providing a needle assembly and the obturator assembly providing a needle actuation mechanism. The obturator assembly may be at least partially inserted into the cannula assembly and arranged to operatively couple the needle actuation mechanism to the needle assembly. The needle assembly includes at least one needle, each needle having disposed near its distal tip a suture anchor. A method according to the present invention includes steps for deploying and/or depositing at least one suture anchor in or through an organ of the human body.
US08109936B2
The invention facilitates the fixation of bone fractures. In particular, the invention relates to a cap that has an inside surface comprising an interface component that is operable to engage a flexible wire. The flexible wire is connected to a head component that engages a first bone fragment. The outside surface of the cap may include cutting threads to facilitate attachment to a second bone fragment. A tensioner may be used to exert tension on the wire, the cap and the head component, thereby drawing the first bone fragment to the second bone fragment. In various embodiments, the cap is a planar disk that has a central hole that restricts backward translation and expands when the cap is translating down a wire.
US08109935B2
An implant inserter device having an outer collar, an inner sleeve slidably and rotatably received within the outer collar, and a push rod slidably received within the inner sleeve. The outer collar has at least one cammed surface formed on an interior surface thereof, while the inner sleeve has at least one rib projecting outwardly from an exterior surface thereof. The rib is releasably engageable with the cammed surface when the inner sleeve is rotated relative to the outer collar. As a result, a distal end of the inner sleeve collapses from an undeformed position, in which the inner sleeve does not grip an implant housed therein, and a deformed position, in which the inner sleeve grips the implant. The push rod is movable between an extended position and a retracted position for urging the implant through and from the inner sleeve for insertion into a defect in damaged cartilage and bone.
US08109921B2
Some embodiments of a portable medical device, such as an infusion pump, can receive an external reference signal (e.g., a radio, cellular and/or satellite signal) to provide an automatic time-setting and maintenance operation. In these circumstances, the medical device can maintain accurate time and date information even in the event of a power interruption, a time-zone change and/or an internal clock error, for example. In this manner, the portable medical device provides safe operation and added convenience to the user.
US08109918B2
The invention provides biodegradable implants for treating sinusitis. The biodegradable implants have a size, shape, density, viscosity, and/or mucoadhesiveness that prevents them from being substantially cleared by the mucociliary lining of the sinuses during the intended treatment period. The biodegradable implants include a sustained release therapeutic, e.g., an antibiotic, a steroidal anti-inflammatory agent, or both. The biodegradable implants may take various forms, such as rods, pellets, beads, strips, or microparticles, and may be delivered into a sinus in various pharmaceutically acceptable carriers.
US08109917B2
Disclosed is a dispenser having a first chamber containing a first fluid and a second chamber containing a second material. Each chamber has screw threads that are selectively joinable so that the first and second chambers are twistable relative to one another. The first chamber includes an open top end that is, before use, covered with a breakable membrane. A breaker ring is located within the second chamber and is configured to break the breakable membrane when the dispenser is transitioned between an extended position and a compact position. In the compact position with the breakable membrane broken, the first fluid and second material form a mixture that can be dispensed via an opening in an openable tip.
US08109914B2
An apparatus for keeping a urinary container in place while in use. The apparatus comprises a first generally stiff member for positioning between a mattress and box springs of a bed. There is a urinary collection means engageable with and hanging from the first member for retaining urine therein while in use and a fluid communication means engageable with the urinary collection means and with such user for fluid communication of such urine from such user to the urinary collection means.
US08109908B1
An introducer assembly includes a sheath and a dilator. A biodegradable shroud covers the distal portion of the introducer assembly on the surface of both the sheath and the dilator. The biodegradable shroud dissolves in blood after being exposed for a predetermined time. Afterwards, the dilator can be separated from the sheath without breaking the sheath. The shroud improves movement of the introducer assembly through a venous system by preventing body tissue from getting caught in the space between the dilator and the shroud, for example should a “fish mouth” separation occur between them.
US08109898B2
A device for controlling the opening and closing of a clamp intended to seal a flexible tube, for example in a positive displacement pump, includes: a housing that can be closed with a door; a tube placed inside the housing; a clamp also placed in the housing, which cooperates with the tube to open or seal it. The clamp is closed when the door is being opened and when the door is being closed. As well as ensuring that the tube is always closed when the door is being opened, the inventive safety device also ensures that the tube remains closed once the door has been closed as long as a suitable device does not trigger the opening of the clamp. The fully mechanical closure device is not exposed to the dangers of a faulty power supply.
US08109893B2
A patient wearable, continuously operating extracorporeal pump apparatus which accesses the patient's arterial venous pressure differential by applying external pressure to a subcutaneous graft that has been cannualized to modulate blood flow through an extracorporeal circuit and to drive the pump for delivering a medicament, such as an anticoagulant, to the site of an intravenous cannula to prevent clogging thereof and also to move a dialysate through a circuit, including a dialyzer and a dialysate rejuvenating cartridge, whereby kidney failure can be treated without recourse to prior art hemodialysis machines found in most treatment facilities. With slight modification, the present invention can be used to remove excess fluids from CHF patients, to remove toxins from the blood in those suffering from liver failure and to facilitate administration of insulin to diabetics and/or glucose to those having hypoglycemia.
US08109891B2
The invention discloses an epileptic event alert system, capable of detecting and analyzing whether motions sensed by at least one motion sensor of the system, are related to an epileptic seizure event. The system may be utilized for detection of additional motion-related pathologies. A detection method is similarly disclosed, as is computer-readable media adapted to perform the detection method of the invention.
US08109887B2
A method of making a guide wire involves butting a connection end face at a proximal end of a first wire against a connection end face at a distal end of a second wire while applying voltage and a pressing force to weld together the first and second wires at a welded portion. The welded portion forms a projection that projects outwardly in an outer peripheral direction relative to portions of the first and second wire adjacent the projection. The outer dimension of the projection at the welded portion is adjusted so that upon completing adjusting the outer dimension of the projection the projection still projects outwardly in the outer peripheral direction relative to the portions of the first and second wire adjacent the projection.
US08109884B2
A metabolism monitoring system, data analyzer, and method is disclosed for processing data to very quickly estimate metabolic parameters. The analyzer of the invention uses a dynamic observer state estimator to estimate the parameters and tracks their values as they change with alterations in the patient metabolism or testing conditions. The state estimator does not use the conventional steady state solutions. The observer predicts the patient consumption of oxygen and exhalation of carbon dioxide at a subsequent point in time, corrects these values using measurements of air flow rate and chamber levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide taken at that subsequent time, and repeats for the next time. The corrected values are used for estimation of the metabolic parameters.
US08109883B2
A cable monitoring apparatus includes a housing having an input interface adapted to electrically connect to one end of a medical cable and an output interface adapted to electrically connect to a medical monitoring apparatus. Signal processing circuitry is incorporated within the housing for receiving a medical signal from the medical cable via the input interface and for selectively passing the medical signal to the medical monitoring apparatus via the output interface when in a first mode of operation, and has application software for selectively testing functionality of the medical cable when in a second mode of operation.
US08109882B2
Methods and systems for detecting venous pulsation are provided. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present technique, there is provided a method for detecting venous pulsation, including acquiring a first signal corresponding to absorption at a first near-infrared wavelength, acquiring a second signal corresponding to absorption at a second near-infrared wavelength, deriving an offset metric from the first and second signals, and detecting the presence of venous pulsation based on the offset metric. The method further includes correcting calculations of physiological parameters such as, for example, blood oxygen saturation, when venous pulsation is detected.
US08109881B2
A sphygmomanometer includes a base block and a cuff block having a cuff for restricting flow of blood, the cuff block being connected to the base block in such a manner that an angle of the cuff block with respect to a horizontal plane is variable within an angular range. The sphygmomanometer further includes a spring biasing unit for returning the cuff block to a position at a predetermined angle within the variable angular range of the cuff block when the cuff block is not used.
US08109880B1
A method to measure effective cerebral outflow pressure or intracranial pressure is disclosed. The craniospinal venous system has multiple anastomoses between the jugular veins and vertebral venous plexus. Jugular veins collapse with cervical compression or head elevation, when extrinsic pressure exceeds venous pressure. The vertebral venous plexus is exposed to intracranial pressure and collapses when intracranial pressure exceeds venous pressure. Vertebral venous plexus is not compressed with head elevation or cervical compression, because enclosure in the spinal canal protects veins from the direct effects of atmospheric pressure and cervical compression. Using cervical compression and/or head elevation blood outflow is redistributed between jugular veins and vertebral venous plexus, while the degree of cervical compression or head elevation indicates effective cerebral outflow pressure or ICP.
US08109878B1
A method for detecting a target or targets in a medium. The method incorporates generating beams of ultrasonic wave energy each having a modulation envelope and causing each beam of wave energy to impact a target region having a multiplicity of targets and demodulating each signal generated by vibration of each target caused by the interaction of a respective ultrasound wave energy beam having a modulation envelope with each of the targets and receiving each demodulated signal from each target by a multiplicity of sensors. Thereafter, each time-of-flight of each demodulated signal from each of the targets to each of the multiplicity of sensors is computed to determine the location of a respective target.
US08109865B2
Systems and methods for using antiprotons for terminating unwanted or undesirable cells which can be used in the treatment of conditions caused by the existence and/or proliferation of such undesirable cells. Such conditions include cardiovascular ailments, Parkinson's disease, wet macular degeneration, endocrine disorders, dermatological ailments, and cancer. Because of the unique nature of antiprotons and their annihilation characteristics, the preferred antiproton delivery device (1010, 1015, 1030) embodiments further incorporate detector arrays (1050a), capable of detecting characteristic emissions in the course of treatment.
US08109853B2
A method for controlling a locking differential for a vehicle includes using a coil to unlock the differential, if the vehicle stops for a period whose length is equal to or greater than a reference length, and using the coil to lock the differential, if the vehicle is moving or stopped for less than the reference length.
US08109851B2
A driving belt and method of assembling the same, which can fit rings with elements easily even at a final phase of fitting work. In a driving belt, two rows of endless rings are accommodated and held parallel to each other in a recess of a plurality of elements interlinked annularly in a manner to situate the recess to open to an outer circumferential side and in a manner to pivot with respect to the adjoining elements, and the element includes plural types of elements having different configurations of the recess.
US08109845B2
An interactive sports target device is designed specifically to be suspended on the inside of a net attached to a goal. The target device emits an audible signal when impacted by a projectile such as a ball, puck or the like. The target device is light in weight to avoid deforming the net and can be easily attached or detached to the net in less than 30 seconds. The target device is reversible and can include both a front and rear with contrasting colors or designs. Both mechanical and electronic target devices are shown which provide a loud audible sound when struck by a projectile. Advanced electronic versions contain a programmable processor.
US08109843B2
The present invention is directed towards a method of forming a multilayer golf ball which comprises a core, an inner cover layer and an outer cover layer. The steps include forming a golf ball core; molding an inner cover layer around said golf ball core with a material having a first shore D hardness; and casting an outer cover layer around said inner cover layer and golf ball core with a thermoset material having a second shore D hardness less than the first. The core is comprised of a center made from a first rubber based material and an outer layer formed from a second rubber based material. Preferably, the first rubber based material has about 15 to 25 parts of a crosslinking agent per hundred parts of rubber and the second rubber based material has about 20 to 40 parts of a crosslinking agent per hundred parts of rubber.
US08109838B2
Embodiments of golf club heads with a three-dimensional alignment member and methods to manufacture golf club heads are generally described herein. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.
US08109825B2
An enhanced mechanical gaming system (10) utilizes a touch panel (40) as a user control device for mechanical assemblies and game play features which provides users with the enhanced flexibility and interactivity of a video gaming device in a mechanical gaming device environment. The enhanced mechanical gaming system (10) includes a gaming machine assembly (20), a touch sensor assembly (30) incorporating a substantially transparent touch panel (40), a touch panel controller (50), and touch panel software (60). The gaming machine assembly is a standard gaming machine assembly that has been modified to utilize touch-panel components. The touch panel (40) and the sensor assembly (30) produce touch data when activated, and provide viewing of mechanical assemblies behind the touch panel (40). The touch panel controller (50) acts to control and interpret the touch panel (40). The touch panel software (60) controls and interprets the touch data, as well as applying the touch data to interactive applications of the gaming machine assembly (20).
US08109822B2
A gaming machine includes plural stations and a processor. Each station can determine a game result and execute a game independently. The processor accepts each station's entry to an event game when a predetermined condition is satisfied. There is collected an entry fee from a station whose entry to the event game has been accepted. Then, there is executed the event game in common at each station whose entry to the event game has been accepted.
US08109817B2
To provide a game system that enables a degree of difficulty of an occurrence of a predetermined game event to be changed depending on a degree of proficiency of a player in a game in which the predetermined event is made to occur when a controller is operated according to specific procedures. The present invention relates to a game system including one or more controllers. In the game system, a determining unit (52) determines whether or not a criterion operation data string has been inputted from the controller, a game event generation unit (58) generates a predetermined game event according to a result of the determination made by the determining unit (52), and the determining unit (52) changes the criterion operation data string based on a result of a past determination on at least one of the one or more controllers.
US08109811B2
An air duct for installation in a passenger compartment of a vehicle includes duct walls defining the cross-section of the air duct, such as a top duct wall and a bottom duct wall. The bottom duct wall may contain a fixing hole, whereas the top duct wall may contain an access hole. The air duct may be fixed directly to the vehicle body by a fastener, such as a screw, through the fixing hole in the bottom duct wall. To prevent air from escaping through the fixing hole, an outer wall of the bottom duct wall may be shaped at least in the area of the fixing hole so that it lies flush with and essentially air-tight against the vehicle body. After attachment, the access hole may be suitably sealed to prevent air from escaping.
US08109800B2
A transmission device includes hydraulic type transmission mechanisms arranged to change the speed or the direction of rotation of an engine, and hydraulic pressure control valves arranged to control hydraulic pressure supplied to the hydraulic type transmission mechanisms. The hydraulic pressure control valves are disposed on one side or the other side in the watercraft width direction. The transmission device provides an outboard motor capable of securing cooling characteristics of a hydraulic pressure control valve without incurring complexity in structure and increase in cost.
US08109799B2
A high-temperature patch plug (50) for one or more connection lines (60), especially for connecting electric supply and/or signal lines to heating elements and/or thermocouples or temperature sensors. The patch plug (50) has one or more poles each with a contact element (64) connected to an inner conductor (61) of a connection line (60), and with a one-piece, insulating housing (51), which surrounds an interior (59), in which at least the at least one contact element (64) is accommodated at least partially. The housing (51) has at least one insertion opening (63) on the side facing away from the plugging side and a passage opening (57), which is connected to the insertion opening via the interior (59) of housing (51) for each pole on the side facing the plugging side. The contact element (64) is locked in the housing (51) for each pole at a locking step (53) arranged in the interior of the housing such that a motion of the contact element (64) against the plugging direction is limited by the locking, wherein said locking step (53) is formed by an irreversible deformation of housing.
US08109797B2
A cable connector assembly, for mating with a complementary connector, includes a cable having a number of wires; and a connector comprising a contact module connected with the wires, a mounting ring attached to the cable, and a shielding shell attached to the mounting ring. The shielding shell and the mounting ring both have a number of screw threads to match with each other. An associated method of manufacturing the cable connector assembly comprises screwing the shielding shell onto the mounting ring.
US08109791B2
A shield connector is provided, by which an electric shield can be securely performed. The shield connector includes: a plurality of terminal fittings; a housing holding the plurality of the terminal fittings; an electrically conductive inner shield shell receiving the housing; and an electrically conductive outer shield shell receiving the inner shield shell, wherein the outer shield shell includes: a square tube-shaped shell body; and surface-fixing parts, each of which is formed projecting from a peripheral wall of the shell body toward the inside of the shell body and has a parallel wall, which is formed parallel to the peripheral wall and placed closely on an outer surface of the inner shield shell.
US08109790B2
An electrical connector (100) includes an insulative housing (1) having a base (11) and a tongue plate (12) extending beyond the base; a set of contacts (2) retained in the insulative housing; and a metal shell (3) covering the insulative housing. The metal shell includes a pair of first walls (31), a pair of second walls (32) including a front wall and a back wall, and a receiving space (33) surrounded by the first walls and the second walls. The first walls have a pair of first mounting portion (315) for being mounted onto first holes of the PCB. The front wall has a pair of jointing walls (326) extending toward each other from the respective front sides of the first walls and combining with each other at a joint. The front wall has a pair of mounting legs (325) extending from the jointing walls at the joint and forming as a second mounting portion (35) for being mounted onto a second hole of the PCB.
US08109785B2
A device is configured to be secured to a connection box. The device includes a fixture and a face plate. The fixture includes a main body and at least one flange extending from the main body. The at least one flange defines a fixture securement aperture configured to receive a fastener for securing the fixture to the connection box. It also defines at least one face plate engagement aperture configured to receive a prong extending from the face plate in a manner that secures the face plate to the fixture. The face plate is configured to at least partially cover the fixture. The face plate includes a body having a front face and an opposite rear face. The at least one prong extends outwardly from the rear face of the body. The at least one prong is configured to be inserted into the aperture in the flange of the fixture to secure the face plate to the fixture.
US08109762B2
A dental handpiece carries a drill and drives it in relative motion in a direction of penetration. The handpiece includes a body with a proximal end and a distal end, a removable head connected to the body's distal end, able to hold the drill, abutment means fixed on the dental handpiece by fixation means and able to limit the depth of penetration of the drill in the body of a patient. The abutment means, protruding from the dental handpiece, are fixed and locked on the dental handpiece by locking means which are actuated by the simple movement of joining the head to the body.
US08109755B2
A special hand tool for laying concrete blocks. The device includes a mini-hopper sized to hold the correct amount of mortar, a sluiceway, dimensioned to fill the normal joint space between blocks, an optional divider to accommodate both 4 inch and 8 inch nominal blocks, and a vibrator. The device has a handle that can also contain batteries for the vibrator. A mason can scoop up mortar while the tool is vibrating. When full, the vibrator can be stopped and the tool positioned to face the end of a block already set in a wall while the next block to be laid can be put in place on its mortar bed and pushed to the other face of the tool. The vibrator can then be re-started, and the tool vertically withdrawn leaving the mortar that was in the tool between the two block ends. The same tool can also be used to butter horizontal joints by running the vibrator only sufficiently to apply the correct amount of mortar. Alternatively, a second similar tool sized equal to the length of a block, containing exactly the right amount of mortar for a horizontal joint, can be used.
US08109749B2
A core (N) defining at least partially a manufacturing form whose receiving surface (S), which is of essentially toroidal appearance, is designed to receive directly, by winding, profiles (B) in the form of contiguous bands forming the inside surface of a tire, comprising a plurality of segments (10, 10d, 10i), each having transverse faces (110d, 111d, 110i, 111i), said segments being circumferentially adjacent and located side by side, bearing against each other via their transverse faces, in which core the connecting radius (r) between the transverse face and the receiving surface (S) of a segment (10d, 10i) is between 0.8 mm and 1.5 mm, along all or part of the length of the edge formed by the intersection of these two surfaces.
US08109747B1
A variable output assembly including a hydraulic pump disposed on a pump running surface located on a center section, end cap or other hydraulic mounting member. The pump may be a gerotor or other rotatable pump body. A support member is disposed between the pump running surface and the pump and includes a pump support surface having openings to permit fluid communication between the support member and the pump running surface. A motor assembly may be hydraulically connected to the pump running surface by a first porting system, and a sump is hydraulically connected to the pump running surface by a second porting system. The support member is movable between neutral and a plurality of positions corresponding to forward and reverse directions of the output. In forward and reverse positions, the support member permits fluid communication between the pump and the motor through the support surface openings and the first porting system, and in the neutral position the support member permits fluid communication between the pump and the sump through the support surface openings and the second porting system.
US08109745B2
A floor pump includes a base; and a cylinder assembly having a first end coupled to the base and a second end, with a cross-sectional area of the first end of the cylinder assembly being larger than the second end of the cylinder assembly. A linkage assembly is partially disposed in the cylinder assembly and communicates with the base. A hose has a first end coupled to the base and communicating with the linkage assembly and a second end coupled to a thing desired to be inflated.
US08109741B2
A pump has a body and a pressurizing barrel. The body has an outlet tube and a magnetic check valve mounted in the outlet tube to prevent a back-flow current from damaging an impeller mounted inside the body. When closed, the magnetic check valve actuates a magnetic switch to signal external devices. The pressurizing barrel has a tank containing liquid for compensating a pressure in the body and a casing. The casing is externally mounted on the pressurizing barrel, defines a notch for receiving a circuit board and has a detachable cap to facilitate maintenance of the circuit board. Accordingly, the pump effectively prevents impeller and motor damage due to the back-flow current. Moreover, the casing facilitates maintenance of the circuit board.
US08109732B2
The invention relates to a wind generator for generating power thanks to the force of the wind or a stream of water. The invention includes a rotor provided with 2, 3 or 4 semi-frustoconical twisted blades practically parallel to the rotation axis, which is horizontal. It is silent, starts with a low-speed wind and can operate in very strong winds. It requires a very short mast, thereby considerably reducing the visual impact on the countryside and the environmental disturbance. It may be intended for dwellings, individual houses, ships, caravans, but also for agricultural uses or any other applications requiring electric power or the like.
US08109728B2
Apparatus for adjusting pitch angle of propeller blades of a variable-pitch propeller. The blades being adjustable in a first blade pitch-angle range with positive pitch angles, in a second blade pitch-angle range, and in a third blade pitch-angle range with negative pitch angles. The second blade pitch-angle range is an intermediate range located between the first and the third blade pitch-angle range, which includes the pitch-angle range where blade drag is a minimum, and ranges of positive pitch angles with low thrust and of negative pitch angles with low reverse thrust. The apparatus provides adjustment of the propeller blades from the first to the third blade pitch-angle range and vice versa, and is designed to be operated so that at least a first group of propeller blades can be rotated through the second blade pitch-angle range, while propeller blades in another group are in a positive blade pitch-angle range.
US08109724B2
An internally cooled airfoil comprises an airfoil body, a baffle and a plurality of standoffs. The airfoil body is shaped to form leading and trailing edges, and pressure and suction sides surrounding an internal cooling channel. The baffle is disposed within the internal cooling channel and comprises a liner body having a perimeter shaped to correspond to the shape of the internal cooling channel and to form a cooling air supply duct. The baffle includes a plurality of cooling holes extending through the liner body to direct cooling air from the supply duct into the internal cooling channel. The standoffs maintain minimum spacing between the liner body and the airfoil body. In one embodiment, the standoffs are recessed into a surface of either the baffle or the airfoil body. In another embodiment, the standoffs are elongated to meter flow between the liner body and the airfoil body.
US08109714B2
A sewage pump is to mount a blade set coaxially mounted between a water paddle disk and a first wheel blade within the blade chamber, wherein the blade set comprises a stationary annular blade base and a movable second wheel blade. The second wheel blade is within the annular blade base fixed to an inner wall of the blade chamber. Particularly, the stationary blade base and the second wheel blade respectively have blade sheets facing toward each other. When the sewage pump is driven by its motor, the water paddle disk, the first and second wheel blades are rotated to cause a suction force to drive precipitation flow into the blade chamber via the precipitation inlet. The first wheel blade cooperates with a gear ring to perform a first smashing stage and then the blade set performs a second smashing stage to improve the smashing efficiency of the sewage pump.
US08109710B2
The invention relates to a method and a device to separate blanks form each other in a stack by that at least one separating unit is brought into contact with one or more of the edges of the blank stack. The separating unit comprises a separating arm having a narrow teeth provided blade, which moves first horizontally until a tooth grasps the uppermost blank, whereupon the arm having the narrow teeth provided blade controllably moves upwards and lifts one blank edge. An air knife, which acts towards the side of the blank stack in a direct connection to the point of application of the teeth provided blade, can give one or several air thrusts when the blade is starting its controlled movement upwards and is urging like an wedge in under a slit under the uppermost blank of the blank stack, an eventual existing vacuum between the blanks being disappeared at the same time as the uppermost blank of the blank stack receives a lifting force by the air cushion, created.
US08109704B2
A cage nut assembly for a drain pan includes a nut having a barrel with a barrel end and a distal end opposed thereto. A flange at the distal end has a flange face abutting the drain pan inner surface. A threaded bore is defined along a central axis through the barrel and flange. At least one channel is defined in the flange face and allows substantially complete drainage of a fluid from a sump through a single drain aperture. A cage having a plate with a central aperture receives the barrel with substantial clearance to an edge of the central aperture. Leg(s) extend substantially orthogonally from the plate. An attachment projection on the leg(s) attaches the assembly to the drain pan. The assembly accepts a flange bolt removably installed through the single drain aperture. The flange bolt removably compresses a seal around a periphery of the single drain aperture.
US08109695B2
A concrete pile installation apparatus includes a pile clamping unit having stop plates arranged at different elevations and hand wheel-controlled clamping blocks disposed corresponding to the stop plates and operable to clamp concrete piles for installation and rollers that facilitate adjustment of the position of concrete piles, and two racks that use hydraulic cylinders to support the pile clamping unit and to adjust the elevation of the pile clamping unit and the clamped concrete piles.
US08109691B2
An apparatus and method for on site pouring of pre-stressed concrete structures. A form, having elongated sides spanned by first and second bulkheads at each end, is assembled on a building site. The form defines the size and configuration of a structure, and has an upper edge determining the upper surface of the structure. A transportable cable pre-stressing frame is provided, having a first end and a second end with respective outrigger assemblies and at least one pre-stressed cable extending therebetween. Adjustable means are provided for positioning and maintaining the frame over and generally in longitudinal alignment with the form, the pre-stressed cable lying below the form's upper edge. Concrete is poured into the form, covering the cable. After curing is complete, the portions of the cable extending outside the concrete structure are cut, releasing the tension on the cable and transferring it to the concrete.
US08109688B2
The invention relates to an device for connecting lines, especially to a quick connector, comprising at least one connector adapted to be joined with a line end by means of friction welding. A controlled release of excess melt is achieved by that the connecting device is provided with means for withdrawing the melt producible by the friction welding from the its area of the origin.
US08109686B2
A brush, in particular a toothbrush, including a head part with a cleaning structure that with bristles, a hand part and a neck part, a cavity with at least one outlet opening for an active substance being located in the head or neck part. In one embodiment, the cavity incorporates an active substance element, which contains the active substance in a carrier material and releases the substance in a controlled manner when it comes into contact with water. In another embodiment, the cavity is adapted to the shape of an active substance element by means of defined external contours. The volume of the cavity is preferably 1-2 times and no more than 4 times greater than the volume of the active substance element, ensuring that the latter is preferably surrounded by water during use. This allows the active substance to be effectively metered and ensures that the brush is easy to use.
US08109685B1
A liquid dispenser with an interchangeable head and remote operating mechanism includes: a) an elongated handle member having a proximal end for a user to hold and an opposing distal end, the distal end including a storage compartment; b) a liquid reservoir contained within the storage compartment; c) said liquid reservoir connected to a universal head connector; d) the universal head connector having external exposure at distal end for connection to at least one interchangeable head; e) a pump located in the storage compartment connected to said liquid reservoir; f) remote control means located near the proximal end of the handle member for turning the pump on and off and for operating the pump in a first direction to pump liquid into the liquid supply container and in a second direction for subsequently pumping out of the liquid supply container; and, g) at least one interchangeable head connectable to the universal head connector, selected from the group consisting of a liquid dispensing brush, a liquid dispensing squeegee, a liquid dispensing mop, a paint dispensing head, and combinations thereof.
US08109683B2
A method and device for improving the handling, in a label printer, of labels without a carrier strip operates by reversing the direction of transport of the label medium for a short distance before transporting the medium in the printing direction, allowing the label strip to reliably detach from a transport roller (10) that is used to guide the label strip through the printer.
US08109680B2
The present application is directed to a device for securing an object to a mountable surface. The device is configured to face the object secured thereto in any direction up to 360 degrees about the mountable surface. The device comprises a mating surface securable to the mountable surface via a tamper proof locking means and a support attached to the mating surface that is operationally configured to secure the object thereto.
US08109676B2
A fiber optic cable is provided with a cable section including at least one length of fiber optic line having a first end and a second end. A first and second plug each have a mechanical body shaped to selectively engage and disengage a jack housing. Each plug has a microlens with a planar surface to engage the fiber optic line end and a convex surface to transceive light in a first collimated beam with a jack optical interface. The fiber optic cable ends are formed in a focal plane of a corresponding plug microlens.
US08109675B1
An optical-electrical processing jack is provided. The optical processing jack includes an optical jack with a jack housing having walls and an orifice for mechanically and optically engaging an optical plug housing. A signal bridge, with a bridge element, transceives optical signals between the optical plug and a backcap processing module. The backcap processing module includes a backcap housing with walls, attached to the jack housing and an optical element. The optical element has an optical interface to transceive an optical signal via the signal bridge, and convert optical signals and electrical signals transceived via an electrical interface. In one aspect, the bridge element is a lens with a first surface to transceive an optical signal with the optical plug, and a second surface to transceive the optical signal with the optical element optical interface. For example, the optical element is a photodiode or laser source.
US08109663B2
A vehicular lamp includes a light source, a reflector, a shade, and the projector lens. Light emitted from the light source is reflected by the reflector, and the light is partially blocked by the shade. Light which is not blocked is transmitted through the projector lens, and an object ahead of a vehicle is irradiated with the light. A diffraction grating is provided in a region including an end portion of a light passing region of at least one surface in the projector lens in order to reduce color separation.
US08109661B2
An illumination apparatus includes a housing, a light source module, and a heat dissipation structure including heat sink fins, a shutter structure, and a variable element. The housing provides a bottom and an outlet disposed at one side of the bottom. The heat sink fins are disposed in the housing and thermal conductivity connected with the light source module. The shutter structure is disposed on the outlet and includes guiding plates, a connecting rod, and an operating element. Each of guiding plates is connected to the connecting rod. The operating element is disposed at one end of the connecting rod and provides an operating force for the connecting rod. The variable element is near the heat sink fins and connected with the connecting rod, the variable element is deformed to exert a force on the connecting rod when the variable element is heated.
US08109658B2
An illuminating lens includes: a light entrance surface through which light emitted from a light source enters the lens; and a light exit surface through which the light that has entered the lens exits the lens. The light exit surface has: a concave portion intersecting the optical axis; and a convex portion provided around the concave portion to extend continuously from the concave portion. The light exit surface is formed in a shape such that a curvature C of micro-segments of the light exit surface in a cross section including the optical axis has a maximum value at a position outward from the midpoint of the convex portion.
US08109656B1
A bulb adapted to fit over and around a light-emitting diode emitting a light of a first hue in a predetermined radiation pattern defines an inner cavity for housing the light-emitting diode with a cross-sectional geometry based on the predetermined radiation pattern of the light-emitting diode. The bulb is composed of a light-transmitting material and a light color-converting material, with the light color-converting material converting the light of the first hue into light of a desired hue, which is then viewed over a light-emitting surface of the bulb.
US08109654B2
An LED lamp includes a heat sink including a supporting plate, a light-reflecting member mounted on a bottom face of the supporting plate, and a plurality of LEDs disposed on the bottom face of the supporting plate. The light-reflecting member defines a plurality of concave portions recessed inwardly from an outer face thereof. The LEDs include a plurality of first LEDs arranged within the light-reflecting member and a plurality of second LEDs arranged outside the light-reflecting member. The second LEDs are located corresponding to the concave portions, respectively, whereby light generated by the second LEDs can be reflected by the light-reflecting member to illuminate a large area.
US08109653B2
An LED lamp includes a heat sink, a bracket, a plurality of LED modules. The heat sink includes a supporting plate and a plurality of fins extending upwardly from a first surface of the supporting plate. The bracket is mounted on a second surface of the supporting plate and includes a plurality of bottom plates each angled an acute angle relative to the second surface of the supporting plate. The bottom plates are arranged radially from a central portion of the supporting plate. Each of the bottom plates includes an outer surface facing downwardly and outwardly away from the second surface of the supporting plate. The LED modules are mounted on the outer surfaces of the bottom plates, respectively.
US08109643B2
A perfume-dispensing, auto light-regulating and music-playing lamp system includes a body unit having a lamp mounted in a housing thereof, an aroma dispenser mounted in the body unit, a control panel mounted outside the body unit and having a function selector, a memory setting button and multiple display devices, and a speaker mounted in the body unit for sound/music output. By means of operating the function selector, a user can set on/off time of the lamp to simulate the lighting effect from dim to bright light of sun raise, to set alarm clock, to set on/off time of pre-recorded sound/music, and to set the aroma dispensing time of the aroma dispenser.
US08109638B2
According to one embodiment, an image projector has a spatial light modulator (SLM) adapted to modulate illumination from a laser with a spatial pattern such that the modulated illumination projects an image on a viewing screen. The image projector further has an optical diffuser located on an optical path between the laser and the SLM. The laser is adapted to illuminate the SLM through the optical diffuser to create an illuminated area at the SLM. The optical diffuser is adapted to introduce an angular spread into the light transmitted therethrough. The image projector is adapted to move the illuminated area with respect to the SLM to mitigate speckle in the projected image.
US08109633B2
A non-invasive device and methods for acquiring and analyzing ocular images from a subject is presented. Aspects of the method comprise of the acquisition of ocular image(s) and subsequent evaluation, classification and/or interpretation of these image(s). The ocular image(s) are acquired using ocular scanning instruments or suitable substitutes. Evaluation, classification, and/or interpretation are most easily accomplished automatically through the use of one or more algorithms.
US08109629B2
Techniques for providing eyewear with electrical components are disclosed. The electrical components can provide electrical technology to eyewear without having to substantially compromise aesthetic design principles of the eyewear. The electrical components can be partially or completely internal to eyewear. The electrical components can also be attached to the eyewear as an after-market enhancement. The electrical components can operate independently or together with other electrical components provided elsewhere. Apparatus for presenting after-market electrical components are also disclosed.
US08109620B2
A reliable ink cartridge that reduce printing nonconformity even during high speed inkjet-recording with multiple nozzles by alleviating rapid external impact applied from the outside of the ink cartridge. Within a casing of an ink cartridge, a flexible bag forming an ink reservoir is accommodated. Between the surface of the flexible bag where a sheet member is bonded and a wall surface of the casing, a stress damping chamber is provided. The stress damping chamber communicates with the atmosphere outside the ink cartridge via an orifice formed on a wall surface of the casing.
US08109603B2
Durability of a recording apparatus is enhanced. The recording apparatus includes: a carriage that carries a recording head which discharges a liquid onto a recording medium; and a guide unit that supports the carriage so as to be freely movable. The carriage has a first sliding surface and a second sliding surface. The first sliding surface is slidable on the guide unit, and the second sliding surface is displaceable with respect to the carriage and slidable on the guide unit. The recording apparatus is switchable between a first condition in which the guide unit and the first sliding surface are in contact with each other, and a second condition in which the guide unit and the second sliding surface are in contact with each other.
US08109590B2
A liquid ejecting apparatus includes liquid chambers in which a liquid is filled, nozzles communicating with the liquid chambers, a signal generator generating a signal of potential change, and elements operating in accordance with the potential of the signal to be applied to cause a change in pressure in the liquid chambers. The signal generator generates a signal for micro vibration of a free surface of the liquid to be exposed from the nozzles such that the liquid is not ejected. The signal for micro vibration has a first potential change portion at which a potential changes from a first potential to a medium potential between the first potential and a second potential, a subsequent constant potential portion at which the potential is maintained constant at the medium potential, and a subsequent second potential change portion at which the potential changes from the medium potential to the second potential.
US08109585B2
A recording apparatus includes a recording head mounted on a carriage movable along a recording material, a guide member for guiding the carriage, a bearing member which is mounted to the carriage so as to be movable relative to the carriage in a vertical direction, and a slidable member mounted slidably in a carriage movement direction between the carriage and the bearing member. The slidable member is slid in the carriage movement direction to switch a height position of the carriage with respect to the guide member, whereby a gap between the recording head and the recording material is switched.
US08109571B2
A child safety seat includes a seat body, a backrest, a first side wing, and an adjusting mechanism. The backrest is connected to the seat body. A hole is formed on the backrest and a first slot is formed on a first side of the backrest. A first side wing is movably disposed through the first slot. The adjusting mechanism is movably disposed in the hole of the backrest and is movably connected to the first side wing. The adjusting mechanism has an actuating part. The actuating part is operable for driving the first side wing to move relative to the first slot telescopically.
US08109560B2
A front end assembly mounting for the front unit of a motor vehicle including a mounting and a container for holding an operating fluid integrated together with the front side of the container projecting forwardly. The container is arranged in an installation position at the height of an impact region of a leg or hip of a pedestrian to absorb energy in case of impact with a pedestrian.
US08109552B2
The truck bed extender (10) has three panels (12, 26a, 26b) removably attached to the edge of the vehicle tailgate (G) and the rear portions (LR, RR) of the cargo box sidewalls (LW, RW). The deployed extender (10) increases the vehicle capacity and efficiency. The side panels (26a, 26b) fold against the inner surface of the primary panel (12) and the primary panel (12) folds against the inner surface of the tailgate (G) for compact storage of the assembly. The panel assembly (10) may be quickly and easily removed from the permanently installed hinges (14a, 14b) on the vehicle tailgate (G). The extender assembly (10) may be deployed, stored, removed, and installed without tools, once the primary panel hinges (14a, 14b) and side panel attachment brackets have been installed on the vehicle.
US08109539B2
An adjustable or variable joining device (such as a fitting or connector) used to connect a duct (such as pipe or tubing) having a range of shapes, sizes and thread styles to an object (such as equipment, a container, or another length of pipe or tubing). In various embodiments, the device may generally comprise a sealing member, a support assembly, and a support plate. The sealing member is adapted to seal the duct to the device by elastically expanding to fit around the exterior surface of the duct. The support plate, which is placed adjacent to the interior surface of the sealing member, protects the sealing member and prevents it from collapsing under thrust loads. The support assembly is positioned on the outside of the sealing member and assists in operatively holding the sealing member in place. The device may also comprise a casing member, which encloses the above members.
US08109513B2
A system, method and lottery ticket that implement a lottery game that uses a geometric figure having a plurality of selection spaces from which a player selects at least one selection space. The selection spaces are then populated with one or more game indicia, with each game indicia having a point value, and prizes are awarded based upon the total number of points associated with the game indicia populated into the player-selected selection spaces. Other lottery games can also be played simultaneously therewith on the same ticket or round of play.
US08109507B2
A movable component which can be moved between a protruding position in which the movable component protrudes from the outer chute into a curved path toward an inner chute so as to be able to contact the recording medium and a retracted position in which the degree of protrusion of the movable component from the outer chute into the curved path is smaller than the degree of protrusion in the protruding position, and the movable component is moved from the protruding position to the retracted position at a timing on or after a first timing and before a second timing.
US08109488B2
A wastewater treatment system having a tank, a rotatable surface aerator and an elongate draft tube is presented. The elongate draft tube is at least partially submerged beneath the liquid and is rotated about its longitudinal axis for orbitally moving the liquid through the tank in a fixed direction. The rotatable surface aerator is coupled to the proximal end of the draft tube and is at least partially immersible into the liquid. The system further can provide an anoxic zone. A process for treating wastewater is also provided.
US08109486B2
A chassis includes a base body and a rubber pad. The base body includes a bottom plate and a side plate perpendicular to the bottom plate. A mounting portion is defined in a junction portion of the bottom plate and the side plate. The rubber pad includes a resisting portion and a clamping portion perpendicularly extending from the resisting portion. The rubber pad is detachably received in the mounting portion, with the resisting portion locking with the side plate and the clamping portion engaging with the bottom plate.
US08109477B1
A bag holding apparatus for supporting one or more bags that are used for the purpose of depositing and storing leaves or other lawn debris. The apparatus includes a base platform upon which a full bag rests; at least two wheels interconnected by an axle shaft and for supporting the base platform; an upright main frame mounted from the base platform and disposed over the wheels; and sidewall members also supported over the base platform and defining with the main frame an open compartment for receiving the bag therein. Each of the sidewall members has a lower section thereof positioned to leave a space between the sidewall member and an edge of the bag and an upper section extending inwardly of the compartment. A clip member is secured at the upper section of each sidewall member for holding an edge of the bag.
US08109476B2
A baggie holder comprising first and second support members, the center portions of which are pivotally connected to each other. Each of the first and second support members comprises two legs, and each leg comprises a roughly vertical member, a foot, and a connecting portion between the foot and the center portion of the support member. The length of each connecting portion of each of the four legs is the same.
US08109468B2
Aircraft nacelle including a cowling and an engine, the cowling including a fixed portion and a mobile portion able to slide in order to define a radial opening with the mobile portion, a thrust reverser system including a plurality of flaps intended to be deployed in order to seal at least partially an annular channel surrounding the engine, the mobile portion of the cowling including an annular housing extending longitudinally in order to receive the flaps in rest position. Each flap is linked to the fixed portion by a pivot joint and is linked to the mobile portion by a sliding-pivot joint, in such a way that a sliding of the mobile portion in separating from the fixed portion provokes a rotation of each flap around the axis of rotation of the joint with the fixed portion.
US08109466B2
An aircraft engine thrust reverser cascade assembly includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced cascade segments, each cascade segment including a plurality of spaced vanes including an aft-most vane, and an aft end. The cascade assembly also includes an aft cascade ring removably attached to the aft ends of the cascade segments. The aft cascade ring includes a deflector portion that at least partially extends forward of the aft ends of the cascade segments. The deflector portion is configured to at least partially redirect at least a portion of a volume of air as the air outwardly passes between the aft-most vanes and the aft ends of the cascade segments.
US08109464B2
An on board secondary propulsion system for an aircraft provides the capability of taxiing the aircraft on the ground without using the main aircraft engine(s). The power system includes a small taxi engine mounted on or in the aircraft at a location suitable to provide a thrust sufficient only to taxi the aircraft. Such a suitable system may be provided as original equipment to an aircraft or retrofitted to existing aircraft. The on board secondary propulsion system, in addition to the taxiing function, can provide electrical power, an environmental control unit, power for the aircraft hydraulic system and an emergency power unit as desired. The system can also be used to supplement the main aircraft engines as necessary during takeoff and climb to further reduce fuel consumption, noise, engine emissions, maintenance costs and extend the life of the main aircraft engines, reduce the required takeoff distance of an aircraft when used in conjunction with the main engines and provide emergency glide support.
US08109450B2
A handheld showerhead has a showerhead portion and a handle portion. The showerhead portion may include at least two fluid channels. The handle portion may be operatively associated with the shower portion. The handle portion may include at least one fluid inlet or fluid passage. A rigid internal shaft is used to reinforce the connection between a fluid conveyance structure in the showerhead portion, the handle portion, or both, and a water supply connector at least partially in the handle portion The handle portion may further include a movable mode selector. Movement of the mode selector may selectively place the fluid inlet or fluid passage in fluid communication with at least one of the two fluid channels in the showerhead portion.
US08109449B2
An outlet nozzle (1) which can be attached to an outlet fitting, or to a similar outlet end of a sanitary water line, which includes a valve unit (3), which is displaceable between a blocking position, closing the water line, and an open position, releasing the water line, wherein at least one aerator unit having a jet divider, homogenizer, and/or flow rectifier, a shower unit, or similar jet former, is provided in the outlet nozzle (1). The outlet nozzle (1) is characterized by the low space requirement and production costs thereof.
US08109441B2
A system for decoding machine-readable graphical codes is provided. The system includes a graphical code reading device configured to read a graphical code and generate reference encoded source data. The reference encoded source data includes a first reference identifier and a second portion. The system also includes a computing device in electronic communication with the graphical code reading device. The computing device also includes a reference decoder configured to effect conversion of the reference encoded source data into source data. The source data includes first affiliated data in place of the first reference identifier. The first affiliated data may be longer in length than the first reference identifier. The source data also includes the second portion. The computing device also includes a software application configured to use the source data.
US08109434B2
A side open-and-close type cash transaction machine is provided. A cash transaction machine includes: a body including an opening on a side of the body; a door being mounted on the body to open and close the opening; a first financial module being integrally formed with the door in the door to be externally exposed when the door is opened; and a second financial module being provided in the body, separate from the door to move toward the opening when the door is opened. Since the second financial module may be provided and be exposed separate from the first financial module, it is possible to easily manage the financial modules and also reduce the size of the side open-and-close type cash transaction machine.
US08109431B2
A method of joining a first article to a second article using adjustment features located in an assigned scrap portion of the first article. The first article can be a casing for a turbine engine the first article being the casing skin and the second article a flange. The adjustment features are springs that can be stretched to increase the circumference of the skin. Following the correct sizing of the skin and joining to the flange the attachment features are removed along with the assigned scrap portion of the skin.
US08109425B2
A shooting mode switch control mechanism used in a nail gun is disclosed to include a trigger, a lever function stop member pivotally mounted in the trigger, a spring member stopped against the stop member and a switch pivotally mounted in the trigger. The spring member and the switch are arranged at two sides relative to the pivoted area of the stop member so that when the switch is in the single-shooting position and the trigger is released, the second end portion of the stop member is forced by the spring member into the moving path of the safety bar and pushable by the safety bar for enabling the stop member to activate the air-valve switch once each time the trigger is pressed. When the switch is in the continuous-shooting position, the first end portion of the stop member is stopped against the switch for enabling the second end portion of the stop member to be continuously pushed by the safety bar to activate the air-valve switch continuously. By using the stop member to match with the left-sided switch and the right-sided spring member for controlling the biasing angle of the stop member, one single spring member can provide the necessary power for returning the stop member and the trigger, and therefore the invention has a compact structure characteristic.
US08109424B2
A tray apparatus may include a housing, a tray slidably accommodated in the housing to be opened or closed, a rotary lock pivotally coupled to the housing at a hinge portion of the rotary lock and locking the tray to the housing when external shock is applied to the tray beyond a predetermined value, wherein a center of gravity of the rotary lock is positioned above the hinge portion, and a holding unit for holding the rotary lock in a normal state so that the rotary lock maintains an original position thereof.
US08109421B2
A hands free case for mobile personal computers provides a mobile worker a stable platform for laptops, Tablet PCs, Ultra Mobile PCs and accessories. One embodiment comprises a platform insert (22), fabric shell (24), shoulder harness (28), waist/torso harness(30) and an articulated flap (26). Shoulder harness (28) and waist/torso harness (30) is attached to fabric shell (24) via two or more rings and hooks allowing multiple configurations of straps and computer display orientations. Mobile personal computer is secured to platform insert (22) by impact-resistant cordage. When shoulder harness (28) and waist/torso harness (30) is placed around the body a mobile personal computer is carried without being held. The case can be positioned vertically along the body and tilted to improve viewing by adjusting the length of shoulder harness (28) and waist/torso harness (30). When articulated flap (26) is buckled to top of fabric shell (24) mobile personal computer is enclosed in a protective case.
US08109415B2
A foam pump includes a pump body, a large piston, large piston rod, a small piston, a small piston rod, a over cap and a foaming mesh. The large piston rod is equipped with a one-way valve connected with an air cavity to enable one-way air inlet from the air cavity to a gas-liquid mixing chamber. The mixed air and liquid forms a dischargeable foam.
US08109406B2
A beverage container includes a can body having a side wall, a neck portion of reduced diameter, a closure lid and an anchor structure on the closure lid. The anchor structure is offset with respect to the center of the lid. A pull tab has a mounting hole which fits onto the anchor structure. One end of the pull tab has a grip handle, and the other end has a puncturing nose. The pull tab is turnable on the anchor structure, and thus also turnable with respect to the closure lid. The pull tab is of a length whereby it normally just fits between the opposite locations of a peripheral groove on the closure lid. The pull tab can be manually turned from a first position overlying the closure lid, to a second position wherein it overhangs one part of the peripheral groove. The construction thus provides an extended handle length to permit the user to more easily grasp and raise the pull tab, and open the container, for use. The pull tab remains captive with the open container, for anti-litter and recycling purposes.
US08109400B2
Example embodiments are directed toward industrial packages. Example embodiments may meet several packaging requirements for different modes of transport, including both roadway and flight regulations such as Department of Transportation (DOT) Class 7 requirements for ground transport of radioactive materials and International Air Transport Association (IATA) Regulations for air transport of radioactive materials. Example embodiments may include integrated bumpers, specialized bottom tube skids, lid lattice support, multiple gasket pressurization seal, corner reinforcement, and/or multiple shielding and modular interior components.
US08109399B1
A drink bottle funnel for attaching securely to a drink bottle to facilitate pouring flavoring into the drink bottle includes a main portion formed by a circumferential wall having a top opening and a bottom opening. A tubular connection portion extends from the main portion around the bottom opening. An interior surface of the connection portion has interior surface threads. Thus, the connection portion is designed for threadably engaging the threaded neck of a drink bottle.
US08109398B2
A plastic container that particularly adapted for hot-fill applications includes a bottom portion; and a sidewall portion that is unitary with the bottom portion. The sidewall portion has a maximum outer diameter, and includes first and second pairs of opposing first and second vacuum panels, respectively. At least one of the second vacuum panels includes gripping structure. The first and second vacuum panels respectively have first and second substantially constant radii of curvature as measured in a horizontal plane that are substantially constant from upper to lower ends of the vacuum panels. At least one of the second vacuum panels may be asymmetric about a central vertical axis as viewed in side elevation.
US08109396B1
A bi-injected closure is provided which includes a gripping area molded on the exterior of the closure through a bi-injection technique. As a result of the closure having a high frictional material positioned on the exterior of the closure, the slide area acts to allow the closure to move freely and unrestricted in material handling machinery without the gripping material restricting movement of the closure.
US08109391B2
A method of facilitating a sorting of a plurality of components nested in a workpeice, including at least two sets of components, each adapted to be assembled to form a structure, comprising producing a plan replicating the cut pattern of the workpiece, depicting the profiles of the components, each provided with an identifier denoting the location of the component on the workpiece; producing at least one of a plurality of labels, each bearing a distinguishable one of the location indicators and a distinctive, readily visable identifier denoting a different one of the sets of components; applying each of the labels on a nested component of the workpiece corresponding to the profile of the component on the plan, guided by the plan and the applicable location identifiers; removing each of the nested components provided with labels bearing the same readily, visable identifier and grouping all components provided with labels bearing the same identifier, together.
US08109386B2
A fastening clip bar, comprising a plurality of fastening clips arranged parallel to each other, an adhesive joining the fastening clips with each other, and at least one elastic tape extending over the fastening clips which is glued together with the same.
US08109384B2
A spacing conveyor having article-accelerating rollers and selectively retractable stops to control the gaps between consecutive conveyed packages. A sensor measures the length of a package being fed onto the spacing conveyor. A controller selectively actuates one or more actuators positioned along the length of the conveyor to move selected stops advancing with the conveyor from a retracted position to a blocking position to receive packages a variety of sizes and to control the gaps between consecutive packages.
US08109383B1
An assembly for loading and conveying ferrous metal articles including a magnet having north and south poles, an axis between the north and south poles, the poles forming an annular belt support; a powered conveyor belt extending over the belt support for rotating the magnet, the magnet being segmented along the polar axis, a first polar axis segment being a magnet mounting plate, a plurality of second polar axis segments being sub-magnets, each such sub-magnet overlying or underlying the magnet mounting plate having north and south poles, and having a polar axis, and a third polar axis segment being a sheath extending annularly about the magnet's first and second polar axis segments, the sheath having a radially outer surface forming the magnet's annular belt support.
US08109379B2
A coin dispensing apparatus has a cabinet housing the apparatus. The apparatus has a controller and at least one dispenser for dispensing coins. The apparatus is for dispensing a specific composition of coins, under control by the controller, from the at least one dispenser to a portable coin receptacle. A closeable dispense space is arranged within the cabinet. The closeable dispense space has an open state which permits reception of the portable coin receptacle to be filled, and a closed state which permits dispensing of the specific composition of coins from the at least one dispenser into the portable coin receptacle while shielding the closeable dispense space from user access during the dispensing.
US08109377B2
In a clutch device wherein a plurality of clutch plates are relatively non-rotatably engaged with a clutch outer, a plurality of clutch disks disposed alternately with the clutch plates are relatively non-rotatably engaged with a clutch inner, and an end plate disposed so that the clutch plates and the clutch disks are disposed between itself and a piston slidably fitted in the clutch outer is relatively non-rotatably and axially movably supported on the clutch outer in the manner of being restricted in movement toward one end side in the axial direction, to prevent the clutch inner from coming out of position at the time of assembling the clutch device into position, thereby to enhance workability in the assembling operation, and to prevent the clutch inner from generating a collision sound by colliding against other member than the component members of the clutch device when the clutch is disengaged.
US08109369B2
An elevator system includes a car with an empty weight MK, which car can move a rated load MLmax, a counterweight, which is coupled with the car by a support device so that it rises when the car lowers and lowers when the car rises, as well as a drive device which can apply a maximum traction force MFmax to the support means. According to the present invention the drive device is selected in such a manner that the maximum traction force MFmax is at least greater than half the rated load MLmax (MFmax>0.5×MLmax) and the weight MG of the counterweight is optimized in such a manner that it is substantially equal to the empty weight MK and the difference between the rated load MLmax of the car and the maximum traction force MFmax of the selected drive device (MG≈MK+(MLmax−MFmax)).
US08109367B2
In an elevator, with an elevator car, a counterweight, a drive unit arranged below the counterweight and provided with a drive pulley, and an elevator support device, which is guided over the drive pulley and at least one deflecting pulley and which supports and moves the elevator car and the counterweight in opposite directions, at least one run of the support device, which leads to the drive pulley, is led through a cut-out in the counterweight.
US08109366B2
A lubricating structure for a static hydraulic continuously variable transmission includes a central oil path axially formed at a center of a shaft of the transmission. A circumferential oil path is arranged at an inner circumferential part of a retainer between the retainer and an outer circumferential part of the transmission shaft. A diametrical oil path is in communication with the circumferential oil path and the central oil path of the shaft of said transmission. The diametrical oil path is provided with an orifice. A lubricant oil ejection hole is arranged at the retainer to eject lubricant oil from the circumferential oil path.
US08109360B2
A method and apparatus for providing a loudspeaker assembly is provided. In accordance with at least one embodiment, a method is provided for mounting a loudspeaker driver in a loudspeaker driver aperture defined in a ground plane and installing a grille in relation to the ground plane such that a distance between the grille and the ground plane decreases as the distance from the loudspeaker driver increases. In accordance with at least one embodiment, apparatus is provided comprising a ground plane, a loudspeaker driver mounted in a loudspeaker driver aperture of the ground plane, and a grille positioned relative to the ground plane such that a distance between the grille and the ground plane decreases with increasing distance from the loudspeaker driver. The loudspeaker assembly can be used to replace ceiling tiles having any size or configuration, and can also me mounted in other surfaces, such as ceiling walls, floors, table tops, etc. made of drywall, hard decking, wood, stone, cement, glass, or any other material or type of construction, or configured in a stand-alone loudspeaker frame or cabinet. The loudspeaker assembly of the present invention can be mounted in any orientation.
US08109358B2
An electronically controlled locking differential includes an electromagnetic coil and a control system adapted to control operation of the differential. The control system has a module adapted to be mounted under a dashboard of a vehicle and a circuit electrically interfacing with the module. The circuit has a latching switch that is electrically connected to first and/or second sources of power and adapted to provide latching power of the differential. A latching component is electrically connected to the latching switch and adapted to provide latching power of the differential. The circuit is disabled when power to the control system is turned off and in “standby” mode when power to the control system is turned on. Upon the latching switch being activated, current flows through the circuit to activate the latching component, and the differential is actuated.
US08109357B1
Method and apparatus for a propulsion system for a vehicle or the like having a two part turbine system comprising a main turbine portion for driving the vehicle drive train and a smaller, accessory turbine system to provide auxiliary power for other components of the engine and vehicle. The turbines are both liquid driven by having a two-stage pressure system wherein the first stage raises the pressure to approximately 50 psi and the second stage system raises the pressure to approximately 3,000 to 5500 psi which pressurized fluid is then sprayed or injected onto the blades of a turbine so as to make the turbines rotate about a central drive axle. The fluid chosen as the hydraulic fluid of the present invention is extended life antifreeze.
US08109347B2
The present invention relates to a core catcher and a corer having the same, and more particularly, to a core catcher provided with dual blade radial pins for preventing loss of sediments and a corer having the same.
US08109342B2
A box-shaped beach-cleaning trailer is configured to be loaded with, and collectively carry beach-cleaning equipment and a litter collection station. The beach-cleaning equipment are towed by a vehicle to collect litter on the sands. The litter collected by the beach-cleaning equipment is collected in the litter collection station. The trailer includes a pair of rail members disposed on upper edges of the respective opposite side wall portions such that the rail members face each other with an opening therebetween. A sieve unit is detachably mounted on the rail members, and is configured to move a back-and-forth direction along the rail members. The sieve unit is moved in a back-and-forth direction manually; or by using a driving mechanism including a drive wheel, a driven wheel, and a connecting rod arranged between the sieve unit and the driven wheel, for separating colleted litter of various sizes from sand.
US08109337B2
An alignment system can include at least one alignment device positioned between two flanges, the alignment device having a greater thickness on one side of the alignment device than on an opposite side of the alignment device. A method of producing a relative angular offset between a first flange and a second flange can include positioning at least one alignment device between the first and second flanges, and securing the alignment device between the first and second flanges, thereby producing the angular offset. A method of aligning an axis of a blowout preventer stack with a rig floor can include positioning at least one alignment device between a first flange, and a second flange of the blowout preventer stack; and securing the alignment device between the first and second flanges, thereby producing an angular offset of the second flange relative to the first flange.
US08109332B2
A sensor used to determine the height of one or more fluids in a fluid column and to determine a location of an interface or boundary between a plurality of fluids in a fluid column is disclosed. The sensor includes a plurality of sensing elements comprising a capacitor and other components, such as resistors and inductors. The sensor also includes an oscillator that alters a frequency of an electrical current applied to the sensor, from which the dielectric constant of the fluid in which each sensing element is disposed can be determined. Methods of using such a sensor to determine the relative heights of various fluids in a fluid column are disclosed. In particular, methods of using embodiments of the invention in a well, such as water and petroleum wells, are described.
US08109330B1
An angled or inline choke for flowing drilling fluid to a choke and kill manifold, wherein the choke has a body with a bore, a connection can be sealed to the body and can have a connection bore in communication with the bore. A locking plate can index the connection to the body. The choke can have a cavity with a piston. A port can be in communication with the cavity to provide a hydraulic fluid to the piston. A choke bean in the bore can flow drilling fluid to the choke and kill manifold. A tip can connect to the choke bean with a rod. When the hydraulic fluid passes into the port, the piston can move within the bore and compress a choke element around the tip to cause restriction of the drilling fluid, enabling for control of a pressure of the drilling fluid.
US08109322B2
A heat plate type cooler module includes a heat plate, which is formed of a bottom cover plate and a top cover plate and having a working fluid filled in a vacuum chamber between the top cover plate and the bottom cover plate; heat pipes each having a cold end and a top end; a locating plate covered on the heat plate to hold the hot end of each heat pipe in contact with the heat plate; and radiation fins fastened to the cold ends of the heat pipe by press-fitting.
US08109320B2
In a method and apparatus for the continuous casting of preliminary steel sections, the liquid or molten steel is introduced substantially vertically into an open-ended die. The cross section of the cavity of the die is made up of a web part and one or more flange parts, for example, such as in preliminary double-T sections. The liquid core of the strand of the preliminary section is set in agitating motions transversely to the direction of continuous casting by selectively using electromagnetically-induced forces in the regions of the flange parts and/or of the web part. The agitating motions have the effect of exchanging the liquid steel in the molten crater of the strand of the preliminary section in and between flange parts and the web part. This allows the flow and temperature conditions in the liquid steel crater within the strand of the preliminary section to be actively influenced in a targeted manner and stabilization of the region of the surface of the liquid metal to be brought about, along with favorable and controllable flow conditions.
