US08356440B2
An ammunition magazine including a housing having a first end and an opposing second end for carrying stacked cartridges, a follower plate reciprocally movable within the housing, a spring retainer reciprocally movable within the housing and having an extension tab extending therefrom toward the second end, and a biasing member carried by the housing between the follower plate and the spring retainer. The biasing member biases the follower plate toward the first end and biases the spring retainer toward the second end. A bottom plate closes the second end of the housing and retains the spring retainer within the housing. The bottom plate includes an opening extending therethrough permitting passage of the extension tab therethrough in reciprocal directions.
US08356437B1
A firing pin position indicator may be mounted to the breech end of a weapon. The indicator may include a solenoid with a plunger and a firing pin adapter that is selectively engageable with the plunger. The firing pin adapter may be fixed to the firing pin of the weapon. The solenoid plunger may be coupled to a quick-release lock. The quick-release lock may be selectively engageable with the firing pin adapter. The quick-release lock may include a housing and a spring-loaded piston that is translatable in the housing. The quick-release lock housing may be coupled to the solenoid plunger with a pin. A sensor may sense the position of the solenoid plunger and may provide a control signal to the weapon.
US08356432B2
A wear assembly for securing a wear member to excavating equipment that includes a base having a nose and a wear member having a socket. The nose and socket are each provided with one or more complementary stabilizing surfaces in central portions thereof.
US08356427B2
A foot support adapted to position a foot in an anatomically functional position is provided. The foot support includes a metatarsal portion, a toe portion, and a bendable joint defined between the metatarsal portion and the toe portion. The metatarsal portion is adapted to align the first metatarsal head of a foot, and the metatarsal portion includes an upper surface and a lower surface. The toe portion extends away from the metatarsal portion and is adapted to align the big toe of a foot. The toe portion also includes an upper surface and a lower surface.
US08356414B2
A nail clipping apparatus for cutting a fingernail, thumbnail, or toenail nail of a user, comprising a base having an upstanding support member and a nail clipper disposed on the support member, wherein the nail clipper has a rotatable cutter head actuated to cut the user's nail by pivoting movement of a lower clipper arm upwardly toward and an upper clipper arm on which the cutter head resides, wherein the upper clipper arm is connected to the support member and wherein the lower clipper arm is connected to an actuating member that extends in front of the cutter head were a nail positioning pad is disposed on the actuating member adjacent the cutter head and where a user pushes downwardly on the actuating member to move the lower clipper arm upwardly toward the upper clipper arm to actuate the cutter head to cut a nail positioned in the cutter head.
US08356412B2
This patent relates to a machine that automatically assembles, inspects, and packages disposable prophylaxis angles. The machine includes a movable table including a plurality of fixtures on which angle components are assembled and the assembled angles are inspected. The movable table is surrounded by a number of stations, each of which performs a different operation of the assembly and inspection procedure. Feeders automatically supply the angle components to their respective stations for assembly. Angles that are incorrectly assembled are automatically rejected. Properly assembled angles are automatically sealed in individual bags. Individually bagged angles are counted into batches by the machine and automatically sealed into cartons.
US08356406B2
A method of manufacturing an electronic device includes: roughening an underside surface of a film made of a resin, opposite to a mounting surface of the film for mounting a circuit chip; forming a conductor pattern on the mounting surface of the film, thereby obtaining a substrate made of the film where the conductor pattern is formed; and attaching a thermoset adhesive to a conductor-pattern-formed surface of the substrate. The method further includes: mounting the circuit chip to be connected to the conductor pattern on the substrate via the thermoset adhesive; clamping the substrate by a heating apparatus having a presser section and a support section, the presser section abutting the circuit chip mounted on the substrate and the support section abutting the underside surface of the roughened film; and fixing the circuit chip to the conductor pattern by heating and hardening the thermoset adhesive using the heating apparatus.
US08356383B2
A windscreen wiper device comprising an elastic, elongated carrier element, as well as an elongated wiper blade of a flexible material, which can be placed in abutment with a windscreen to be wiped, which wiper blade includes opposing longitudinal grooves on its longitudinal sides, in which grooves spaced-apart longitudinal strips of the carrier element are disposed, wherein neighboring ends of longitudinal strips are interconnected by a respective connecting piece, which windscreen wiper device comprises a connecting device for an oscillating wiper arm, wherein oscillating arm is pivotally connected to connecting device about a pivot axis near one end, with the special feature that connecting device is soldered to longitudinal strips.
US08356378B1
A hand worn scrubber is provided for facilitating cleaning. The scrubber provides for a cleaning agent and multiple scrubbing surfaces on a hand covering. The scrubber includes a glove having an open end designed for receiving a hand. The glove includes palm section, a thumb section, a plurality of finger sections, and a plurality of fingertip sections. A scrubbing member is coupled to the glove. The scrubbing member extends from the plurality of fingertip sections towards the open end. A cleaning agent is positioned in the scrubbing member. The cleaning agent is dispensable from the scrubbing member during use of the scrubbing member. The fingertip sections of the glove have a plurality of fingertip scrubbing nodules to facilitate cleaning of an item by vigorous scrubbing with the fingertip sections.
US08356367B2
An adjustable support device for under-mounted sanitary fixtures which enables the installation of rimless and rimmed fixtures to a countertop without the use of counter attaching hardware. The system includes mounting brackets for attachment to under-counter support cabinetry and moveable carriages suspended from the mounting brackets by adjustable lift actuators. Length adjustable hanger beams are attached to the opposing moveable carriages to create a support surface for the fixtures. The moveable carriages and attached hanger beams are lowered by the lift actuators to accommodate the insertion of a sanitary fixture and then raised to position the supported, upward facing rim of the fixture to the desired position relative to the countertop.
US08359656B2
A method for processing media content includes receiving, at a second communications device communicatively coupled to a network at a first geographic location, from a first wireless mobile communications device communicatively coupled to the second communications device at the first geographic location, a device profile of the first wireless mobile communications device. The device profile received from the first wireless mobile communications device and media content may be sent to a server communicatively coupled to the network at a second geographic location. Media content may be received from the server, where the media content has been reformatted based on the device profile. The reformatted media content may be transmitted to the first wireless mobile communications device. The received device profile of the first wireless mobile communication device may be stored.
US08359655B1
Methods for scanning software for the existence of a licensing condition. Software may be uploaded, scanned and compared against known software stored in a datastore. If the uploaded software matches known software in the datastore, a license associated with the known software may be determined. The license may have information associated with it, such as a classification based on risk and obligations. The classification of the license, as well as the obligation information may be returned as a report to a requester that uploaded software to easily identify the risks associated with incorporating the software into a larger code base or project.
US08359642B1
Methods, devices, and products provide for restricting access to mature content by individuals for whom access to the mature content is designated as inappropriate. A content filter receives a communication, determines that the communication includes an image, and extracts the image. The image is scanned for mature content. A content restrictor component restricts access by various classes of users to the mature content.
US08359640B2
A printing apparatus management system includes: a printing apparatus which includes an IC tag performing wireless communication with the outside and a memory being connected to the IC tag; and a first information terminal which has at least a function of writing information in the memory through wireless communication with the IC tag. The first information terminal maintains authentication data used by the printing apparatus, writes the authentication data in the memory, and transmits the authentication data to another information terminal. In addition, the printing apparatus interrupts a predetermined function, when the authentication data is written by the first information terminal, and in a state where authentication data is written in the memory by the first information terminal or an information terminal other than the first information terminal in the interruption state, the printing apparatus makes the predetermined function effective, when the authentication data written by the first information terminal before the interruption state and the authentication data written by the first information terminal or the information terminal other than the first information terminal after the interruption state accord with each other.
US08359639B1
A user at a computing device interacts with a networked site so that the user can log in thereto. The site receives a selection to log in and in response downloads at least one replacing driver for bypassing a corresponding driver operating on the computing device that may possibly copy log-in data including authentication credentials as entered by the user. Each replacing driver is loaded into an operating system of the computing device so as to bypass the corresponding possibly copying driver and be employed in the operating system rather than such corresponding bypassed driver. The site then delivers a log-in screen to a presentation application of the computing device after each replacing driver has been loaded. The presentation application displays the log-in screen and the user enters the log-in data thereinto. Accordingly, each non-trusted and bypassed driver is unable to copy the entered log-in data.
US08359636B2
Distributed Management Task Force (DMTF) management profiles, based on the Common Information Model (CIM) protocol, may be utilized to perform access authentication during opaque management data profile operations based on DMTF/CIM Role Based Authorization (RBA) profile and/or Simple Identity Management (SIM) profiles. Instances of CIM_Identity class may be utilized to enable validation of ownership and/or access rights, via instances of CIM_Role class and/or instances of CIM_Privilege class for a plurality of common users and/or applications. Quota related operations may be performed via “QuotaAffectsElement” associations between instances of CIM_Identity class and instances of the CIM_OpaqueManagementDataService class. The “QuotaAffectsElement” association may comprise “AllocationQuota” and/or “AllocatedBytes” properties to enable tracking and/or validating of quota related information within the opaque management data profile.
US08359630B2
A method is disclosed, which includes receiving a message including an account identifier and a first verification value. The method uses the account identifier to select a dynamic verification value process from at least two dynamic verification value processes. Then, using the selected dynamic verification value process, a second verification value is determined. Next, the method determines if the first verification value and the second verification value match or are within an expected range.
US08359628B2
A display device includes a signal receiving unit, an image display unit, a communicating unit, a position designating unit, and an information transmitting unit. The signal receiving unit receives a video signal by a differential signal through a plurality of channels from an external apparatus via a transmission path. The image display unit processes the vide signal received in the signal receiving unit to display an image. The communicating unit performs a bi-directional communication by using a predetermined line which constitutes the transmission path. The position designating unit designates a position on a display screen of the image display unit. The information transmitting unit transmits, by the communicating unit, coordinate information on the position designated by the position designating unit to the external apparatus.
US08359598B2
An energy efficient scheduling system and method is disclosed. In some embodiments, a method includes receiving, with a processor, a request for execution of an application. The method also includes receiving, based on the request, a scheduling policy. Additionally, the method includes for each of a plurality of datacenters, determining one or more datacenter attributes associated with each respective datacenter. The method also includes selecting one of the plurality of datacenters to execute the application based, at least in part, on the request, the scheduling policy, and the datacenter attributes and executing the application at the selected datacenter.
US08359597B1
The proposed method exploits inherent characteristics of a software program to select a core of a multi-core processor for executing the software program. Each characteristic is associated with a suitability metric, which measures the degree of the match between that characteristic and the corresponding hardware configuration. In one embodiment, fuzzy logic is used to combine individual metrics to produce an overall suitability that indicates the overall degree of the match between a program and a core.
US08359592B2
Aspects of the subject matter described herein relate to automatically identifying groups and subgroups in dependency data. In aspects, a data structure that indicates dependencies between components is analyzed to create groups that are related by dependencies. The groups are further analyzed to create subgroups that depend on shared components but that do not depend on each other. Information about the components is used to generate names for the groups that are indicative of the components included in the groups. The groups, their names, and their relationships may then be displayed.
US08359583B2
Methods are provided that allow a false path pruner to traverse a directed acyclic graph in conjunction with one or more checker programs that are analyzing a program for defects or other artifacts of interest. While the checkers may have ways of avoiding re-traversal of portions of the graph that have already been traversed, the false path pruner may override such decisions made by the checkers as a result of a false path in order to allow re-traversal during a future different traversal when that same defect or artifact may not lie along a false path, and therefore avoid missing a valid defect or artifact. Computer programs stored on tangible media are provided that implement the methods of the invention.
US08359578B2
A computer implemented method for the verification of concurrent software programs wherein the concurrent software program is partitioned into subsets named concurrent trace programs (CTPs) and each of the CTPs is evaluated using a satisfiability-based (SAT) symbolic analysis. By applying the SAT analysis to individual CTPs in isolation the symbolic analysis is advantageously more scalable and efficient.
US08359570B2
A meta-data driven adaptive scripting tool which employs a framework across clients and servers to achieve dynamic binding for user defined commands at runtime and support different scripting languages residing in a heterogeneous distributed network. In a preferred embodiment the Bean Scripting Framework (BSF) defines the unified extension mechanism used, the meta-data associated with commands is in XML format, and the adaptive scripting tool is written in Java.
US08359566B2
A method, system and computer-readable medium for creating software in a standardized manner are presented. The method includes the steps of: receiving, at a software factory, a description of software needs from a customer; creating, in the software factory, a project proposal that meets performance criteria found in the description of software needs; inducting the project proposal into the software factory, where inducting the project proposal initially evaluates the project proposal's compatibility with a capacity of the software factory; parsing the project proposal into major functional areas; retrieving work packets that are appropriate for the project proposal, where the work packets are pre-stored, reusable, self-contained, discrete units of software code; assembling the work packets into a deliverable software; testing the deliverable software; and delivering the deliverable software to the customer.
US08359565B2
In one embodiment, the invention is a method and apparatus generating test patterns for use in at-speed testing. One embodiment of a method for use by a general purpose computing device that is configured to generate a set of test patterns with which to test an integrated circuit chip includes receiving, by an input device of the general purpose computing device, statistical timing information relating to the integrated circuit chip and a logic circuit of the integrated circuit chip and generating, by a processor of the general purpose computing device, the set of test patterns in accordance with the statistical timing information while simultaneously selecting a set of paths on which to test the set of test patterns.
US08359563B2
In one embodiment, the invention is a moment-based characterization waveform for static timing analysis. One embodiment of a method for mapping a timing waveform associated with a gate of an integrated circuit to a characterization waveform includes using a processor to perform steps including: computing one or more moments of the timing waveform and defining the characterization waveform in accordance with the moments.
US08359562B2
In one embodiment, a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes using a processor to generate a first three dimensional (3-D) resist profile for a first process condition using an layout mask of a target structure. The method further includes using a processor to generate a second 3-D resist profile for a second process condition using the layout mask. The first process condition includes a plurality of process variables, and the second process condition includes different values of the plurality of process variables than the first process condition. The method includes generating a 3-D process variable (PV) band profile by combining the first 3-D resist profile with the second 3-D resist profile and displaying a 3-D image of the 3-D PV band profile on a display.
US08359559B2
Methods and systems for evaluating checker quality of a verification environment are provided. In some embodiments, an overall sensitivity for the verification environment and an individual sensitivity for a respective checker are calculated. The overall sensitivity is a probability that a plurality of problematic design behaviors, which are propagated to a checker system including at least one checker, can be detected by the verification environment. The individual sensitivity is a probability that a plurality of problematic design behaviors, which are propagated to at least one specific probe among a plurality of probes of a design, can be detected by the checker corresponding to the specific probe. The overall checker sensitivity numbers can show the robustness of the check system. The individual checker sensitivity can guide the user which individual checker or checkers to improve.
US08359557B1
A method is provided for generation of a circuit design. A plurality of components, including at least a processor and a peripheral device, is instantiated in a circuit design. One or more parameterizable data bus interface blocks are automatically selected based on the master-slave relationships, requirements, and capabilities of the components. The one or more parameterizable data bus interface blocks are instantiated in the circuit design. In response to user input, values are assigned to one or more parameters of the processor. The plurality of components and data bus interface blocks are automatically parameterized by determining appropriate parameter values according to the parameters of the processor and capabilities and requirements of the components and data bus interface blocks.
US08359556B1
A mechanism is provided for resolving patterning conflicts. The mechanism performs decomposition with stitches at all candidate locations to find the solution with the minimum number of conflicts. The mechanism then defines interactions between a layout of a first mask and a layout of a second mask through design rules, as well as interactions of mask1/mask2 with top and bottom layers (i.e., contacts, vial, etc.). The mechanism then gives the decomposed layout and design rule definition to any existing design rule fixing or layout compaction tool to solve native conflicts. The modified design rules are that same-layer spacing equals spacing of single patterning, different-layer spacing equals spacing of final layout, and layer overlap equals minimum overlap length.
US08359552B2
A contact position detecting unit 122 detects the position on the touch panel touched by a controlling object. A rendering unit 104 determines the layout of a document file including a link and display the document in the layout thus determined. A link position specifying unit 106 specifies the position of the link in the screen. A detection area setting unit 114 sets an object detection area for determination that the link is selected by the user as a result of contact with the controlling object associated one-to-one with the link, such that the object detection area occupies a range different from that of the link and is spaced apart from an adjacent object detection area by a predefined minimum distance, that the display mode of the link is maintained, and that the object detection area is superposed on the link. A matching unit 130 matches the position on the touch panel touched by the controlling object against the range occupied by the object detection area so as to determine which object detection area is selected.
US08359550B2
Methods and systems are disclosed for displaying information topics that are available via an online help system. The methods and systems store information for given topics in a respective folder associated with a given topic, detect the selection of one of the folders associated with a topic of interest, search files at a hierarchical level in the selected folder to identify files of a predetermined type, locate HTML metatags that pertain to the display of help information, merge data associated with the HTML metatags into a HTML template file to generate an HTML file containing data associated with each of the located HTML metatags, and provide a table of contents for the topic of interest associated with the selected folder using the generated HTML file.
US08359538B2
The invention describes a method for sharing calendar content in a communications system, a communications system, and a terminal. The communications system comprises a terminal and at least one remote device, and the terminal is configured to generate calendar content from one or more calendar notes. The communications system is configured to associate calendar notes with calendar profiles of the terminal, which define a unique view to the calendar content on the basis of the calendar notes associated with the calendar profile; to select in the terminal at least one calendar profile for generating calendar content to be shared; to generate the calendar content to be shared on the basis of at least one selected calendar profile and the calendar notes associated with it; and to share the generated calendar content between the terminal and the remote device.
US08359529B2
A sending part sends a data generated by a second device from the second device to a first device. A data collating part collates the data sent from the sending part with a data generated by the first device, and determines that it is abnormal when a mismatch between these data occurs. Thus, a data generated by the first device is collated with a data generated by the second device and when a mismatch between these data occurs, it is determined that it is abnormal, so that abnormality can be detected surely.
US08359524B2
The parallel RS-RAID data storage architecture can aggregate that data and checksums within each cluster into intermediate or partial sums that are transferred or distributed to other clusters. The use of intermediate data symbols, intermediate checksum symbols, cluster configuration information on the assignment of data storage devices to clusters and the operational status of data storage devices, and the like, can reduce the computational burden and latency for the error correction calculations while increasing the scalability and throughput of the parallel RS-RAID distributed data storage architecture.
US08359517B2
A DRAM memory device includes several banks of memory cells each of which are divided into first and second sets of memory cells. The memory cells in the first set can be refreshed at a relatively slow rate to reduce the power consumed by the DRAM device. Error checking and correcting circuitry in the DRAM device corrects any data retention errors in the first set of memory cells caused by the relatively slow refresh rate. The memory cells in the second set are refreshed at a normal rate, which is fast enough that data retention errors do not occur. A mode register in the DRAM device may be programmed to select the size of the second set of memory cells.
US08359512B2
A method of avoiding periodic interference by permuting periodic transmissions by a base station (BS) may include transmitting a frame of data to a subscriber station (SS). The BS may check for an acknowledgement of the frame of data from the SS and may schedule a next frame of data for transmission or retransmission based on whether the acknowledgement was received from the SS. The scheduling may include permuting traffic within the next frame in time or in frequency relative to similar traffic in a prior frame according to a predetermined function. The BS may generate media access protocol (MAP) information for the next frame based on the permuting.
US08359504B1
A digital functional test system incorporating both digital stimulus and digital response/compare capability for digital electronic circuitry. The system includes a chassis and a single width VME eXtensions for Instrumentation (VXI) module arranged in or on the chassis. The single width VXI module includes a timing sub-module that generates a stimulus clock signal and a response clock signal, eight pattern sub-modules, and a master oscillator sub-module that provides a clock signal. Each pattern sub-module receives the stimulus and response clock signals, and the clock signal from the master oscillator sub-module, and includes a pattern generating module, a stimulus memory component that stores stimulus data outgoing from the pattern generating module, a response memory component that records response data incoming to the pattern generating module, and a compare reference memory component that provides a reference for a compare function of the recorded response data in the response memory component.
US08359500B2
Consistent with the present disclosure, circuitry may be provided in an optical receiver that can determine a bit error rate (BER) associated with an incoming signal by dividing the number of errored bits in a frame alignment signals (FAS) by the number of bits in the FAS. Accordingly, although an optical signal may be severely degraded and forward error correction (FEC) cannot be performed, a BER may be obtained if the FAS can be identified. The BER can then be used in a feedback loop to control various optical or electrical components in the receiver to improve or reduce the BER to a level, for example, at which FEC can be performed.
US08359499B2
A method and apparatus for deinterleaving in a communication system is disclosed. The method and apparatus deinterleave data units using a data deinterleaver; compressed deinterleave input symbol quality information (SQI) units using a compressed deinterleaver, wherein at least one of the input SQI units deinterleaved by the compressed deinterleaver corresponds to at least one of the plurality of data units deinterleaved by the data deinterleaver; and apply the deinterleaved SQI units to the corresponding deinterleaved data units.
US08359498B1
A method of communicating a bitstream having a characteristic Hamming weight to a destination via a channel comprises determining the characteristic Hamming weight of the bitstream, inverting each bit in the bitstream if the characteristic Hamming weight of the bitstream is below a threshold value and developing an indication of whether the bits in the bitstream are inverted, delivering the bitstream and the indication of whether the bits in the bitstream are inverted to the destination via the channel, and inverting each bit in the bitstream at the destination if the indication indicates that the bits are inverted.
US08359490B2
A memory controller coupled to a DRAM includes a delay control section including a delay holding section, and coupled to the DRAM to output a delay set value to the DRAM and a delay adjustment section coupled to the DRAM to receive data from the DRAM, and to arrange a delay amount of the received data based on the delay set value. The delay set value is stored in both the delay holding section of the memory controller and the DRAM.
US08359487B2
A system and method for effectively performing a clock adjustment procedure includes a multi-core processor that has a plurality of processor cores that each operate with reference to a target clock signal for performing various processing tasks. The processor cores include functional processor cores and one or more non-functional processor cores. A clock manager performs the clock adjustment procedure under control of a master processor core by selecting and applying a target clock frequency for the target clock signal. The target clock frequency is selected to allow the functional processor cores to compensate for the non-functional processor cores by collectively performing all of the required processing tasks.
US08359484B2
An application control engine computing platform having a shut-down mechanism that permits the platform to adequately start up and operate upon return of power after a power interruption, without a need of a battery pack. The mechanism may target the saving of control object runtime values and operational settings of those objects, rather than the saving of the complete set of objects, and all unsaved alarm and history records upon a power interruption.
US08359482B2
A power supply circuit is provided. The power supply circuit includes an audio codec chip and a voltage absorbing circuit. The audio codec chip has a power input terminal. The power input terminal is connected to a power source terminal. The voltage absorbing circuit is connected between the power source terminal and the power input terminal of the audio codec chip so as to decrease a divided voltage accomplished with a voltage from the power source terminal to low level. A method configured for starting up an audio codec chip on a computer motherboard in a normal manner is also provided.
US08359480B2
A protocol with constant-time complexity solves the problem of private identification of tags in low-cost, large-scale radio frequency identification (RFID) systems—assuming that an adversary has complete control over the communication channel. Each RFID tag has an internal counter, c, and is preloaded with a unique pseudonym, ψ, and a secret key, k. A RFID reader attempting to identify and authenticate a tag within its range generates and transmits a random nonce to the RFID tag, which returns a first hash of its current pseudonym and counter, and a second hash that is a function of the secret key. The reader uses the returned data to identify the RFID tag and its secret key by reference to a database and returns other hash values that authenticate the reader to the RFID tag. The most expensive operation that RFID tags are required to perform is a hash function.
US08359479B2
The present invention is a cryptoengine configured for providing countermeasures against attacks, including: an input/output (I/O) control unit, a memory, a controller, and an Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU). The memory is communicatively coupled with the I/O control unit, receives inputs from the I/O control unit, and provides outputs to the I/O control unit based upon the received inputs. The controller is communicatively coupled with the I/O control unit for transmitting and receiving control signals. The ALU includes a plurality of storage components and computational components. The ALU is communicatively coupled with the controller and receives commands from/transmits status bits and flags to the controller. The ALU is further communicatively coupled with the memory and is configured for providing output signals to/receiving input signals from the memory. Further, the cryptoengine is configured for being communicatively coupled with a host computing device.
US08359478B2
A method and a system for protecting a static digital datum contained in a first element of an electronic circuit, intended to be exploited by a second element of this circuit, in which: on the side of the first element, the static datum is converted into a dynamic data flow by at least one first linear shift feedback register representing a different polynomial according to the value of the static datum; the dynamic flow is transmitted to the second element; and on the side of the second element, the received dynamic flow is decoded by at least one second shift register representing at least one of the polynomials that has been used by the first element.
US08359472B1
One embodiment relates to a computer-implemented process for generating document fingerprints. A document is normalized to create a normalized text string. A first hash function with a sliding hash window is applied to the normalized text string to generate an array of hash values. Candidate anchoring points are selected by applying a first filter to the array of hash values. The anchoring points are chosen by applying a second filter to the candidate anchoring points. Finally, a second hash function is applied to substrings located at the chosen anchoring points to generate hash values for use as fingerprints for the document. Other embodiments and aspects are also disclosed.
US08359452B2
An image forming apparatus and a method of overwriting for a storage unit in an image forming apparatus. The method of overwriting data in a storage unit of an image forming apparatus includes configuring a plurality of overwriting options corresponding to data stored in the storage unit; deleting the data stored in the storage unit according to a delete instruction; and overwriting data according to the configuration of the plurality of overwriting options corresponding to the data stored in the storage unit.
US08359448B1
A circuit controls a memory arrangement and includes an array of programmable resources and interconnect resources, a reconfiguration port, and a processor. The programmable resources and interconnect resources in the array are initially configured with a reference configuration data-set. The reference configuration data-set configures the programmable resources and interconnect resources to implement a general memory controller. The processor obtains a characteristic of the memory arrangement and selects a particular partial reconfiguration data-set based on the characteristic of the memory arrangement. The processor reconfigures the programmable resources and interconnect resources in the array via the reconfiguration port. The processor reconfigures the programmable resources and interconnect resources with the particular partial reconfiguration data-set. The particular partial reconfiguration data-set partially reconfigures the programmable resources and interconnect resources to implement a portion of a specific memory controller that differs from the general memory controller.
US08359442B2
A computer system comprises: a central processing unit (CPU); an input/output control hub (IOCH) connected to the CPU; a storage device; the input/output control hub (IOCH) comprising a direct data access control (DDAC) being connected to the storage device; the DDAC providing protected regions and unprotected regions on the storage device (HDD). The IOCH comprises in addition to the DDAC an interface for semantic control of data access (SCDA), the SCDA storing custom configuration data which can be loaded only by a dedicated service which controls protected code running on the CPU. Via the SCDA, files in protected regions can be accessed on a record or even field level, whereby each record or field can have different access rights.
US08359420B2
An external memory based FIFO (xFIFO) apparatus coupled to an external memory and a register bus is disclosed. The xFIFO apparatus includes an xFIFO engine, a wDMA engine, an rDMA engine, a first virtual FIFO, and a second virtual FIFO. The xFIFO engine receives a FIFO command from the register bus and generates a writing DMA command and a reading DMA command. The wDMA engine receives the writing DMA command from the xFIFO engine and forwards an incoming data to the external memory. The rDMA engine receives the reading DMA command from the xFIFO engine and pre-fetches a FIFO data from the external memory. The wDMA engine and the rDMA engine synchronize with each other via the first virtual FIFO and the second virtual FIFO.
US08359416B1
An interface includes a port and a port control module. The port control module detects whether a remote device communicating with the port is one of a Universal Serial Bus (USB) device and a satellite digital transceiver (DT) device. The port control module selectively generates one of a USB configure signal and a satellite DT configure signal. A USB control module selectively configures the interface to communicate with the USB device when the USB configure signal is received. A satellite control module selectively configures the interface to communicate with the satellite DT device when the satellite DT configure signal is received.
US08359414B2
An interface unit may comprise a buffer configured to store requests that are to be transmitted on an interconnect and a control unit coupled to the buffer. In one embodiment, the control unit is coupled to receive a retry response from the interconnect during a response phase of a first transaction for a first request stored in the buffer. The control unit is configured to record an identifier supplied on the interconnect with the retry response that identifies a second transaction that is in progress on the interconnect. The control unit is configured to inhibit reinitiation of the first transaction at least until detecting a second transmission of the identifier. In another embodiment, the control unit is configured to assert a retry response during a response phase of a first transaction responsive to a snoop hit of the first transaction on a first request stored in the buffer for which a second transaction is in progress on the interconnect. The control unit is further configured to provide an identifier of the second transaction with the retry response.
US08359404B2
A system for routing data in a network comprising a network logic device at a sending node for determining a path between the sending node and a receiving node, wherein the network logic device sets one or more selection bits and one or more hint bits within the data packet, a control register for storing one or more masks, wherein the network logic device uses the one or more selection bits to select a mask from the control register and the network logic device applies the selected mask to the hint bits to restrict routing of the data packet to one or more routing directions for the data packet within the network and selects one of the restricted routing directions from the one or more routing directions and sends the data packet along a link in the selected routing direction toward the receiving node.
US08359401B2
A system and method for electronically transferring data between servers in a Local Area Network (LAN) requires a Network switch. Essentially, the Network switch incorporates a PCI Express switch that is run by a Central Processing Unit (CPU). A plurality of connectors (i.e. one for each server in the system) is provided to directly connect the PCI Express capability of the respective server to the PCI Express switch. With these connections, the CPU is used to implement an Internet Protocol (IP) routing function in compliance with IP addresses provided by respective servers to route data through the system from one server to another.
US08359400B2
A document exchange based on user-definable validation rules provided by the exchanging parties. In one embodiment, an uploader uploads a document from a first computer, the upload being associated with a first member account registered with a network site. A user interface receives a delivery destination for the document from the first computer, the delivery destination being associated with a second member account registered with the network site. A content validator validates content of the document based on rules registered at the network site in connection with the second member account. An output adaptor determines a document delivery format registered at the network site in connection with the second member account. A delivery component delivers the document in the determined format to a second computer associated with the second member account.
US08359392B2
A system for securely communicating content as streaming data is provided. The system includes a closed network created on a public network, and a dedicated device for receiving twice-encrypted streamed content from the closed network. Upon authentication of the dedicated device, a content enabling component in the closed network twice-encrypts previously once-encrypted streamed content by using randomly selected encryption algorithms, and streams the twice-encrypted streamed content to the dedicated device during a closed network communication session and through a closed connection established between the closed network and the dedicated device. The dedicated device includes a content enabling component having a unique content enabling component identifier and a unique decryption key. The dedicated device decrypts the twice-encrypted streamed content by using its unique information and decryption key as well as randomly selected information received from the closed network during the closed network communication session and through the closed connection.
US08359391B2
Various embodiments of the invention are directed to closely integrating functionality between an internet server and a WebDAV tool. Areas of specific focus in this document include delegation of duties between the internet server and the WebDAV tool, efficient management of a resource's content-type, support for segregation of a namespace into separate virtual roots, and determinations of whether to invoke certain processing extensions to handle requests for a given HTTP verb.
US08359384B2
Methods, systems, and apparatus are provided for enabling communication with a computer management device. According to a method one or more vendor specific commands for communicating with a management device are defined according to a first communication standard. The one or more vendor specific commands are then transmitted to the management device over a communication link conforming to a second communication standard. A device conforming to the second communication standard may be emulated on the communication link. If vendor specific commands are received by the management device that are not intended for the emulated device, the commands may be used for communicating with the management device.
US08359383B2
The present invention relates to a server for supporting one service in multiple domains, including: a service management unit that receives service and service execution engine from a service providing server and registers them in a service DB; a profiling server unit that requests device profile to user terminals according to a request from the service management unit and parses device profile received from the user terminals and stores it in a device DB; a service ensembler that generates a list of services usable in the user terminal based on the device profile stored in the device DB and provides the list of services to the user terminals and extracts a service execution engines suitable for the user terminals from the service DB according to user selection and transmits them to the user terminals.
US08359379B1
A facility for impersonating a number of iSCSI initiators within a IP-based Storage Area Network (SAN) is provided. In some embodiments, the facility receives iSCSI PDUs from a plurality of iSCSI devices. Each iSCSI PDU includes a SCSI command, an IP address of the initiator from which it was received, and an indication of a target storage device to which the iSCSI PDU is addressed. The facility maps IP address of the initiator from which the iSCSI PDU was received to a globally unique IP address and sends the iSCSI PDU to the indicated target storage device. When a response to the iSCSI PDU is received, the facility maps the globally unique IP address to the IP address of the initiator from which the iSCSI PDU was received and forwards the response to the initiator. In some embodiments, the facility is transparent to the iSCSI initiators.
US08359374B2
A method of determining compatibility of a virtual machine or virtual machine disk file with a host, including a storage host, is disclosed. A lookup matrix is created to provide a fast compatibility lookup for a group of computing objects and a group of hosts. To create the lookup matrix, computing object properties are retrieved from each of the plurality of computing objects. The computing object properties include resource requirements of each of the plurality of computing objects. Further, host properties are retrieved from each of the plurality of hosts. The method further includes creating a plurality of host logical groups of a subset of the plurality of hosts having substantially same host properties and creating a plurality of computing object logical groups of a subject of the plurality of computing objects having substantially same computing object properties. The lookup matrix provides answers whether each member of a selected computing object logical group can be transferred to each member of a selected host logical group.
US08359351B2
A content management (CM) system is provided to centrally control operation of one or more connected devices by issuing control requests and/or data requests. In some situations the connected device(s) include devices that control presentation of television programming-related content, such as digital video recorder (“DVR”) devices and media center devices, and in other situations may include other types of media devices and/or other electromechanical (“E/M”) devices that may be centrally controlled, such as E/M devices for home automation that may operate independently or in conjunction with the media devices. In some situations, the CM system communicates with the connected devices via a network and using appropriate protocol(s), and may be accessed remotely via a network so as to allow a user to remotely operate the CM system. The CM system may further control searching, identification, selection, and presentation of pieces of media content by the connected device(s).
US08359350B2
A communication apparatus including: a content-information extracting section which obtains feed information and extracts content information from the feed information; a display-priority setting section which sets a display priority; a display-priority changing section which lowers, on the basis of display of at least part of the content information, the display priority of the displayed content information by a first degree; a display-number setting section which sets the display number of times such that the display number of times of the content information during displaying of the at least part of each of all content informations to be displayed among the content informations is larger in a situation where the content information has a high display priority than in a situation in where the content information has a low display priority; and a display controller which displays the at least part on the basis of the display number of times.
US08359348B2
Methods and systems for submitting media to a media distribution site are disclosed. The submission of media to the media distribution site is able to be performed by numerous submitters in a uniform and computer-assisted manner. The submitted media can then be encoded in a largely automated manner at the media distribution site into a suitable digital form and then made available for online purchase and distribution.
US08359345B2
The use of the ordinary Poisson iterative reconstruction algorithm in PET requires the estimation of expected random coincidences. In a clinical environment, random coincidences are often acquired with a delayed coincidence technique, and expected randoms are estimated through variance reduction (VR) of measured delayed coincidences. In this paper we present iterative VR algorithms for random compressed sonograms, when previously known methods are not applicable. Iterative methods have the advantage of easy adaptation to any acquisition geometry and of allowing the estimation of singles rates at the crystal level when the number of crystals is relatively small. Two types of sonogram compression are considered: axial (span) rebinning and transaxial mashing. A monotonic sequential coordinate descent algorithm, which optimizes the Least Squares objective function, is investigated. A simultaneous update algorithm, which possesses the advantage of easy parallelization, is also derived for both cases of the Least Squares and Poisson Likelihood objective function.
US08359333B2
A system for managing a plurality of systems, includes a domain comprised of a plurality of systems, wherein the systems are managed by one or more closed-loop system management (CLSM) regulators. A virtual regulator manages operational characteristics of the domain and the plurality of systems, by communicating with the CLSM regulators to monitor the systems' states, events and conditions within the domain and to adjust the systems' operational characteristics in response to the systems' states, events and conditions.
US08359324B2
Provided is a geographic information system using map data including configuration data provided with time information and attribute data corresponding to an attribute of an object contained in the map data, including an information import module for receiving an input of a geographic area of an object to be retrieved and a search key; a map retrieval module for extracting configuration data, for which the input geographic area of the object to be retrieved and an area represented by the configuration data at least partially overlap each other, from the map data; a correlation module for correlating the configuration data with the attribute data identical with the input search key, for which the area represented by the extracted configuration data overlaps the positional information, according to each of the time information provided to the configuration data and to the attribute data; and an output module for outputting the correlated data.
US08359320B2
A repository receives metadata from databases associated with different service providers. The repository converts the received metadata to a common format, such as MPEG7, and stores the converted metadata in a central database. The repository can also receive a query from a client device. The repository retrieves metadata associated with the query from the central database and provides it to the requesting client device. The repository can also convert the provided metadata to an appropriate format for the requesting device. Because the metadata is stored at a common location in a common format, content from different providers can be efficiently identified.
US08359319B2
The invention provides for customized display of search results to Users. The invention further provides for customization of associated advertisements. The invention further provides for a dynamic personal knowledge base that is kept private. The invention provides an Intelligent Web Proxy that re-sorts search results based on the contents of the personal knowledge base (PKB) and creates a display customized to User preferences. The invention also automatically tracks and updates User activity, and “learns” User preferences.
US08359317B2
A method and device index resource content in a computer network. The computer network includes at least a first computer as a search engine and at least a second computer as a resource content site where a resource content of a user is stored. A determination is made as to whether the resource content is linked to a user-defined indexing code. The user-defined indexing code is used to process the resource content to obtain a set of information describing the resource content. The user-defined indexing code is executed in response to determining that the resource content is linked to the user-defined indexing code. The set of information describing the resource content is obtained as an indexing result in response to the executing.
US08359315B2
A method and a system are provided for generating a representative sub-signature of a particular cluster of signatures. In one example, the system reads a sub-signature of a signature of the particular cluster. The system calculates a first factor for the sub-signature. The first factor is based on how many signatures contain the sub-signature. The signatures are in the particular cluster. The system calculates a second factor for the sub-signature. The second factor is based on how many signatures in other clusters contain the sub-signature. These other signatures in other clusters are not in the particular cluster. The system calculates an effectiveness score for the sub-signature. The effectiveness score is based on at least the first factor and the second factor. The system then determines one or more representative sub-signatures for the particular cluster. The one or more sub-signatures are based on one or more effectiveness scores calculated by the system.
US08359310B1
Methods for providing group swarm metrics and content are described herein. In different aspects, the methods may include compiling a content access metric. The methods may also include determining a threshold metric for a user. Further, the methods may include generating a notification message for the user when the compiled content access metric reaches the threshold metric. The methods may additionally include delivering the notification message to the user. The techniques described herein may enable the user to retrieve the content.
US08359309B1
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer program products, for ranking search results of a search query using corpus search statistics. In one aspect, a method includes determining a first relevance of a first corpus to a search query, determining a second relevance of a second corpus to the search query, determining a measure of relative relevance of the first corpus and the second corpus to the search query, and providing the measure of relative relevance to a ranking engine for ranking of search results for a new search corresponding to the search query.
US08359294B2
An incorrect hyperlink detecting apparatus which can detect a semantic inconsistency of a hyperlink with high accuracy is provided. An incorrect hyperlink detecting apparatus 10 includes a link source text extracting unit 12 for extracting a text from an HTML file 26 of a link source, a link destination text extracting unit 14 for extracting a text from the HTML file 26 of a link destination, a morpheme analysis unit 16 for dissolving the extracted texts into words, a weighting unit 18 for assigning a weightier every part of speech, a consistency rate calculating unit 20 for calculating a rate that the words of the link source are included in the words of the link destination as a consistency rate from the link source to the link destination and a rate that the words of the link destination are included in the words of the link source as a consistency rate from the link destination to the link source, degree of association calculating unit 22 for calculating a degree of association which indicates a probability of the hyperlink in response to both of the consistency rates, and a CSV output unit 24 for outputting the consistency rate and the degree of association in a CSV form.
US08359290B1
A method of synchronizing data is provided. An embodiment of the method includes receiving, at a server, information identifying a detected user interaction with a device, determining, at the server, a probability that a user will access a service provided by the server using the device at a time, and generating, at the server, a session signature based on the determined probability, wherein the session signature is used by the device to generate refresh requests associated with the service.
US08359283B2
Disclosed herein, among other things, is a method for fitting a hearing assistance device for a user using a genetic algorithm. Stimulus pairs are presented to the user using a computer, the stimulus pairs adapted to provide contrasting options for selection from a set of stimuli stored in the computer. Inputs are received from the user entered into the computer, including preference judgments of the user. A score is calculated for each stimulus of the pair using the computer to execute a rank agreement function to maximize agreement between scores and the preference judgments. A set of genes is selected based on the scores, where the set of genes correspond to hearing assistance device parameters. The set of genes is operated on with a genetic algorithm using the assigned scores to obtain a child set of genes. The child set is used to provide parameter values during fitting.
US08359281B2
A method system for training an apparatus to recognize a pattern includes providing the apparatus with a host processor executing steps of a machine learning process; providing the apparatus with an accelerator including at least two processors; inputting training pattern data into the host processor; determining coefficient changes in the machine learning process with the host processor using the training pattern data; transferring the training data to the accelerator; determining kernel dot-products with the at least two processors of the accelerator using the training data; and transferring the dot-products back to the host processor.
US08359279B2
Assisted clustering systems and methods are described herein that provide a user interface by which a user can easily create clusters and selectively associate data items with such clusters. Information regarding data item-cluster associations made by the user is processed by a recommendation engine to learn a clustering model. The clustering model is then be used to generate recommendations for the user regarding which unassociated data items should be associated with which clusters. In certain embodiments, after the user has determined that the clustering model is performing at a satisfactory level based on the quality of the recommendations, the user can cause the system to automatically cluster a large quantity of remaining unassociated data items. In accordance with further embodiments, a user can specify arbitrary data item types for clustering as well as features of such data types that should be considered in generating the clustering model.
US08359274B2
In one aspect, a computing apparatus is configured to generate trigger records for a transaction handler to identify authorization requests that satisfy the conditions specified in the trigger records, identify communication preferences of the users associated with the identified authorization requests, and use the communication preferences to target real-time messages at the users in parallel with the transaction handler providing responses to the respective authorization requests.
US08359269B2
Equipment of a provider performs operations including facilitating establishment of first communications between the equipment of the provider and equipment of a purchasing customer to establish a billing arrangement, facilitating establishment of second communications with equipment of a selling vendor to establish a remitting arrangement, enabling the equipment of the purchasing customer to communicate with the equipment of the selling vendor by way of the equipment of the provider, obtaining transactional information relating to a purchase transaction initiated by the equipment purchasing customer, where the purchase transaction results in a billing account of the purchasing customer being charged a first fee, and initiating a remittance of a second fee with the equipment of the selling vendor Additional embodiments are disclosed.
US08359267B1
A method, system and program product for operating an exchange method for municipal and/or state funds from banking institutions, comprising: accessing, one or more electronic databases holding data on client transaction accounts and funds in aggregated accounts and banking institutions holding Federal government securities; obtaining transaction data; generating instructions to deposit/transfer funds to or withdraw/transfer funds; receiving data for a first deposit from a first one of the banking institutions, where the first deposit comprises municipal funds and/or state funds; selecting, at least another of the banking institutions holding government securities to receive at least a portion of the first deposit of municipal funds and/or state funds; selecting, a plurality of client transaction accounts from one or more of the other banking institutions for the transfer of funds to the first banking institution; generating instructions to deposit/transfer funds.
US08359255B2
A computer system includes a data storage module. The data storage module receives, stores, and provides access to data related to long term disability claims. A proactive referral model component is coupled to the data storage module, and determines whether to refer a current claim to an investigation unit. The proactive referral model is based on at least two of the following variables: (a) a variable that indicates that the claimant's diagnosis has changed; (b) a variable that indicates that the current claim in question was brought under any-occupation coverage; (c) a variable that reflects a market segment for a policy under which the current claim in question was brought; (d) a variable that has a value based on a state in which the claimant resides; and (e) a variable that represents an amount of experience of a claims handler who handled the current claim in question.
US08359236B1
Methods, systems and apparatus, including computer program products, for generating cookies. Multiple advertisements for multiple advertisers are stored on an ad server. Hostnames specific to each of the multiple advertisers are generated dynamically. The generated hostnames identify the ad server. A reference is generated identifying a particular advertisement of the multiple advertisements and the ad server. The ad server is identified in the reference with the generated hostname associated with the advertiser of the advertisement. The reference is provided to a client. A request is received from the client for the advertisement. The request includes the generated hostname. In response to the request, a client cookie, which includes a unique identifier, is sent to the client.
US08359235B1
Marketing techniques are disclosed that allow companies to efficiently identify target businesses to solicit for purchase of advertising products. One embodiment includes a map-based interface for selecting a neighborhood and locating any businesses known to a company selling advertising products in that area, with the intent of allowing a company representative to select a set of those businesses to contact regarding the company's advertising products. The map displays business listings as markers on the map, with color-coding used to indicate listings the representative has already contacted, and listings that some other representative has contacted.
US08359227B2
A real time sales support method includes automatically monitoring an interaction between a sales agent and a customer. One or more contexts of the interaction are determined and, based on the contexts, stored information relevant to the interaction is automatically retrieved. The retrieved information is provided in an electronically presentable format to the sales agent to be shared with the customer.
US08359225B1
A system and method determines which uploaded videos to subject to further analysis based upon a measure of trust in the users who uploaded the videos. The evaluation system obtains the information about a user's uploaded video content to a video hosting website, determines a measure of trust of the user's account based on the user information, and ranks or classifies the user into a trust category base on the trust measure. The evaluation system determines the user's trust category responsive to user uploading a video, and selectively evaluates the uploaded video based on the trust category.
US08359224B2
Certain example embodiments relate to algorithmic and/or programmatic approaches to identifying service candidates from among business process functions. In certain example embodiments, a method of analyzing functions of a business process model for possible exposure as service capabilities in a service-oriented business process system (SO-BPS) is provided. A business process model defined by a plurality of objects is received, with each said object having metadata attributes associated therewith. Business process analysis intelligence is obtained at design time for each said object. Process performance intelligence at run time is obtained for each said object. Indicators corresponding to the design time and run time gathered intelligence are stored together with the metadata attributes for the corresponding object. Via at least one processor of the SO-BPS, an overall service candidate algorithm is applied to the stored indicators to arrive at a total service eligibility value for each process function in the model.
US08359216B2
A method and system for determining one or more shortfalls of one or more business components by multiple dimensions for business transformation, in one aspect define a plurality of shortfall types associated with a plurality of business components, define a plurality of dimensions of the plurality of business components, construct a shortfall assessment model for the plurality of dimensions, load a business model associated with the plurality of business components, compute shortfall assessment by performing a daisy chain analysis using the shortfall assessment model and the business model for said plurality of shortfalls and associated shortfall types, and presenting the shortfall assessment using visualization.
US08359214B1
A system for data processing for an account of a financial product has a processor and a memory. The processor receives an account value and a charge applicable to the account based on a fraction of the value of the account; on a basis of a second period, shorter than a first period. Throughout the first period, the processor calculates a fractional charge based on the value of the account, and updates the account value by decrementing the account value in the amount of the fractional charge. At the end of the first period, the processor compares a charge for the first period based on the account value on one day during the first period to a sum of the fractional charges for the first period, and increases the account value by the difference if the first period charge is less than the sum of the fractional charges.
US08359212B2
The present invention provides a life insurance product known as longevity insurance. Longevity insurance mitigates longevity risk, the risk that an individual will outlive his or her assets. More specifically, the purchase of longevity insurance guarantees an individual a predetermined, periodic income payment for the life of the purchaser. The guaranteed stream of monthly income commences at a later date, which may be utilized to supplement an existing income level or provide income in the event that the individual outlives his or her accumulated assets.
US08359211B2
A system and method are disclosed herein for maintaining an inventory of assets located at an insured property covered under an insurance policy based on data received from IP-addressable devices located at the property. The system includes an inventory database for storing inventory information about assets located at an insured property, a communication interface for receiving registration and operational data associated with an IP-addressable device, and a business logic computer. The business logic computer creates a data structure for storing inventory information about assets located at the insured property in the inventory database for each insured property. The business logic computer determines, for the insured property, the inventory information about the insured property's assets based on registration and operational data received from its IP-addressable devices located at the property. The business logic computer stores the insured property's inventory information in its associated data structure in the inventory database.
US08359209B2
The invention relates generally to data analysis, and to systems and methods for the computation of the volatility of a loss. The system comprises a module for receiving a data parameter, a database for storing the parameter, a computerized predictive model, and a business logic processor for executing the predictive model. The volatility is used to, among other things, determine an appropriate work flow for handling the loss.
US08359199B2
A frame erasure concealment technique for a bitstream-based feature extractor in a speech recognition system particularly suited for use in a wireless communication system operates to “delete” each frame in which an erasure is declared. The deletions thus reduce the length of the observation sequence, but have been found to provide for sufficient speech recognition based on both single word and “string” tests of the deletion technique.
US08359198B2
A method of pre-processing an audio signal transmitted to a user terminal via a communication network and an apparatus using the method are provided. The method of pre-processing the audio signal may prevent deterioration of a sound quality of the audio signal transmitted to the user terminal by pre-processing the audio signal, and by enabling a codec module, encoding the audio signal, to determine the audio signal as a speech signal. The method of pre-processing may include separating the audio signal into channels, measuring the channel energy for each of the channels, selecting a specific channel energy, and amplifying the specific channel energy. The method may include encoding an audio signal using a speech codec and/or decoding an encoded audio signal using the speech codec.
US08359197B2
Encoding a sequence of digital speech samples into a bit stream includes dividing the digital speech samples into one or more frames, computing model parameters for a frame, and quantizing the model parameters to produce pitch bits conveying pitch information, voicing bits conveying voicing information, and gain bits conveying signal level information. One or more of the pitch bits are combined with one or more of the voicing bits and one or more of the gain bits to create a first parameter codeword that is encoded with an error control code to produce a first FEC codeword that is included in a bit stream for the frame. The process may be reversed to decode the bit stream.
US08359192B2
An Internet radio station program discovery service is provided. In general, the discovery service subscribes to or downloads a number of Internet radio station programs. For each radio station program, the discovery service analyzes audio content of the radio station program to dynamically categorize the radio station program over time. The discovery service also enables users to discover radio station programs of interest based on the dynamic categorizations of the radio station programs. The users may be enabled to search for radio station programs of interest based on the dynamic categorizations of the radio station programs, navigate or browse the radio station programs based on the dynamic categorizations of the radio station programs, or the like.
US08359190B2
A computer executable method includes determining semantic positions in a semantic space of portions of a text. Once the semantic positions of portions of the text have been determined, an action is performed with respect to the text based on the determined semantic positions.
US08359183B1
An embodiment includes a computer-readable media storing instructions that when executed on processing logic execute a process for reducing complexity. The media stores instructions for identifying data dependencies in a model having executable semantics, the data dependencies affecting verification of the model and for selecting a location in the model, the location having data dependencies with other locations in the model, the location to be verified when the model is verified. The media also stores instructions for detecting complexities in the model, the complexities related to the selected location and presenting information about a source for at least one of the complexities. The media further stores instructions for eliminating the source for the at least one of the complexities and for transforming the model into an updated model based on the eliminating, the updated model not including the source for the at least one of the complexities.
US08359182B2
Disclosed are systems and methods for evaluating the navigation performance of MEMS inertial sensors. The method uses MEMS inertial sensors static data signals to estimate the static sensor errors and combines them with a reference kinematic signal obtained through field testing of a high-grade inertial sensor. Such emulated field data may then be processed with the corresponding GPS data collected in the same or different field test to evaluate the navigation performance of the MEMS inertial sensors.
US08359181B2
A method of position clustering includes maintaining a set of clusters by storing a rectangular boundary of each cluster in the set of clusters, a centroid within each cluster, and a number of the points within each cluster. The method further includes adding a point to a cluster in the set of clusters when the cluster bounds the point by adjusting the rectangular boundary of the cluster, the centroid within the cluster, and the number of the points within the cluster.
US08359180B2
To avoid an influence on measurement accuracy in a case where an observation window for a measurement sample is provided to a thermal analysis apparatus, the influence being imposed by thermal conduction through the observation window, the observation window is formed of layers of transparent members, and a gap layer is provided between the layers, to thereby reduce the thermal conduction. Gas or solid having a high heat insulation property is employed for the gap layer to further enhance a heat insulation property of the observation window. Accordingly, a change due to heating of the measurement sample is visually observed in the thermal analysis apparatus, to thereby obtain a thermal change or a physical change with higher accuracy.
US08359179B2
The present invention relates to an equipment, device (10; 110) and apparatus for applying electrical stimuli to a system and acquiring a system response. According to the present invention there is provided a test equipment such as a portable test device (10; 110) for testing a system, the equipment comprising: signal generation means, signal receiving means, and signal processing means, wherein, in use, the signal generation means generates a signal to be applied to a system to be tested and the signal receiving means receives a response signal of the system, and the generated and response signals undergo processing by the signal processing means so as to provide a measure of a characteristic of the system, wherein further the generated signal comprises a plurality of periodic signals each of different frequency and phase and which are applied to the system simultaneously. The equipment finds particular use in the field of dentistry, but also finds other uses, e.g. in medicine and also in corrosion detection and battery testing.
US08359177B2
Multicarrier reflectometry device and method for on-line diagnosis of at least one transmission line
A multi-carrier reflectometry device and method for on-line diagnosis of at least one transmission line. The device includes: a transmission part that includes successively: a module for parameterizing a test signal SF, such that: sF=[0,c1ejθ1,c2ejθ2, . . . ,CN/2-1ejθN/2-1,CN/2,CN/2-1ejθN/2-1,cN/2-2ejθN/2-2, . . . ,c1ejθ1]T, a module for synthesizing the test signal by inverse discrete Fourier transform, and a digital to analog converter, connected to the line; and a detection part that includes successively: an analog to digital converter connected to this transmission line, a discrete Fourier transform module, and an analysis module containing a deconvolution module, which also receives the test signal sF.
US08359169B2
A method of qualifying a ferrule assembly as being adequate to make physical contact upon application of a certain mating force, said ferrule assembly comprising a ferrule having an mating face and two or more fibers in said ferrule extending from said mating face, said method comprising (a) determining a coplanarity line of the ends of said fibers of said ferrule assembly, (b) determining minus coplanarity, said minus coplanarity being the greatest parallel offset between said coplanarity line and a fiber end below the coplanarity line; and (c) determining whether said ferrule assembly will make physical contact as a function of at least said minus coplanarity and said certain mating force.
US08359162B2
A method, apparatus and computer program code for processing data from potential field surveys, particularly airborne gravity field surveys, to correct for the effects of terrain. A method of processing potential field measurement data from a moving platform survey for mapping a field includes data defining a time series of potential field measurements captured by a potential field measurement instrument mounted on a moving platform, each of the measurements having associated data defining positions, inputting terrain data defining a spatial variation of terrain surveyed, determining time-domain correction data to be applied to the measured potential field data in the time-domain, and adjusting the measured potential field data defining the time series of potential field measurements using the time-domain correction data to provide terrain corrected measured potential field data for the mapping of the field.
US08359160B2
The present invention relates to a method for operating a navigation device comprising an input device into which operating commands and/or location data, especially start data and/or destination data, can be entered, a road network database, a route calculation unit for calculating and storing a planned route taking into account the location data and the road network database, a signal receiving unit for receiving position signals, particularly GPS signals, a position determining unit for determining the current position of a vehicle, and a display device. In embodiments, the method comprises the following steps: a) the current vehicle position is determined taking into account the received position signals; b) a route preview is calculated which represents at least one section of the planned route as a film sequence, starting from the current vehicle position; c) the route preview is displayed.
US08359155B2
A motor vehicle includes a vehicle driving operation support system. The vehicle driving operation support system senses an environment surrounding the motor vehicle; senses a traveling condition of the motor vehicle; calculates a risk potential of the motor vehicle on a basis of the sensed environment and the sensed traveling condition; controls the motor vehicle on a basis of a control setpoint. The vehicle driving operation support system sets on a basis of the calculated risk potential the control setpoint to a provisional setpoint effective for reducing the risk potential; senses driver's operation in reaction to the controlling operation with the control setpoint set to the provisional setpoint; and sets the control setpoint to a normal setpoint on a basis of the sensed driver's operation.
US08359145B2
In an energy storage and recovery system for a hybrid vehicle 1, the operating ratio range of a continuously variable transmission (CVT) 10 which transfers drive between the vehicle's driveline 8 and a flywheel 9 is effectively extended by the use of an integrated starter-generator (ISG) 13 connected to the flywheel shaft 12. When there is a high mismatch of rotational speed between the propshaft 8 and the flywheel shaft 12, prior to connecting the two shafts by a clutch 11, the ISG 13 either spins up or decelerates the flywheel 9 until its speed is brought within the optimum operating range of the CVT 10. This measure reduces wear and tear on the clutch 11.
US08359141B1
An apparatus, method and tangible medium using row sensing for calibrating geographical positions for guiding a farm implement and calibrated geographical positions for steering a vehicle along a row.
US08359140B2
A pedal lock control device for work vehicle includes: a motor driving device that drives a travel hydraulic motor in response to an operation amount of a travel pedal; a locking device that locks the travel pedal in a state of being operated; an instruction device that instructs lock and unlock of the travel pedal by the locking device upon an operation by an operator; a first detection device that detects a first signal change according to an unlock operation which is an operation that reflects an intention of an operator to release the locking device and is other than an unlock operation by the instruction device; a second detection device that detects a second signal change according to an unlock operation which is an operation that reflects an intention of an operator to release the locking device and is other than the unlock operation by the instruction device, with the second signal change being different from the first signal change; and a lock control device that unlocks the locking device when an unlock operation is detected by at least one of the first detection device and the second detection device in a state where the travel pedal is locked by the locking device.
US08359137B2
For the operation of a motor vehicle (2), when a critical (CRIT) operation state (STATE) of the motor vehicle (2) and/or a drive system (4) of the motor vehicle (2) is detected in which an operation error (ERROR) can occur, a driver of the motor vehicle (2) is signaled (SIG) that there is a critical (CRIT) operation state (STATE). When the operation error (ERROR) occurs, the system is switched into a limited operation (LIMIT) of the drive system (4).
US08359133B2
A method for a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) having an engine and a battery configured to respectively deliver engine power and battery power to provide a total output power for powering the vehicle includes the following. An elevated engine power which falls within a total output power range where only engine power without battery power may be delivered to power the vehicle in response to a driver demand power and which is greater than the combination of the driver demand power and vehicle powering losses is determined. The engine delivers the elevated engine power in response to the driver demand power. The extra engine power is transferred to the battery for the battery to buffer.
US08359124B2
A system for optimizing customer utility usage in a utility network of customer sites, each having one or more utility devices, where customer site is communicated between each of the customer sites and an optimization server having software for optimizing customer utility usage over one or more networks, including private and public networks. A customer site model for each of the customer sites is generated based upon the customer site information, and the customer utility usage is optimized based upon the customer site information and the customer site model. The optimization server can be hosted by an external source or within the customer site. In addition, the optimization processing can be partitioned between the customer site and an external source.
US08359113B2
A method of processing an audio signal is disclosed. The present invention comprises receiving downmix signal including object signals, transforming the downmix signal per frequency band, determining a direction of an object signal from the transformed downmix signal, and determining blind information by estimating a level of the object signal corresponding to the direction. Accordingly, the present invention generates blind information in case of using an encoder incapable of generating object information, thereby enabling a gain and panning of object to be controlled using the blind information.
US08359109B2
An apparatus for determining and/or monitoring at least one process variable of a medium. The apparatus includes: at least one sensor unit for registering the process variable, wherein the sensor unit produces measurement signals; at least one electronics unit for controlling the sensor unit, wherein the electronics unit has at least one microprocessor; and at least one memory unit, which is associated with the sensor unit, and in which control data are storable. The control data specifically relate to the sensor unit and can be read out by the electronics unit. The microprocessor of the electronics unit is embodied in such a manner, that the microprocessor executes in an inactive state only basic functionalities, and that the microprocessor in an active state controls the sensor unit. The microprocessor transfers from the inactive state into the active state transfers by loading control data from the memory unit.
US08359107B2
A lead includes a lead body with a distal end and a proximal end. A plurality of terminals are disposed at the proximal end of the lead body. A plurality of electrodes are disposed at the distal end of the lead body. Each electrode includes an electrode body and at least one anchoring member. The at least one anchoring member couples to the electrode body and extends into the lead body and beneath the electrode body to anchor the electrode to the lead body. A plurality of conductive wires electrically couple the plurality of electrodes to the plurality of terminals.
US08359089B2
Reconstruction of a surface electrocardiogram from far field signals extracted from an endocardial electrogram in an active medical device is disclosed. The device collects a ventricular EGM signal (EGMV) and an atrial EGM signal (EGMA), and extracts a ventricular far field signal component (FFV) and an atrial far field signal component (FFA). The ventricular and atrial far field signal components are combined to deliver as an output a reconstructed surface electrogram ECG signal (ECGj*). The ventricular and atrial far field signals are respectively extracted from the collected ventricular and atrial EGM signals (FFV, FFA). The reconstruction of the ECG is operated by ventricular (18) and atrial (16) far field signal estimator filters. According to one embodiment, the far field signal estimator filters are linear or nonlinear filters, receiving as input the far field signal components. An adder (20) adds the filtered signals and delivers as output the reconstructed ECG signal (ECGj*).
US08359087B2
A liquid injector stores data of operating conditions of a liquid injection mechanism for regions to be imaged, and also stores data of schematic images of a plurality of body sections and schematic images of regions to be imaged in association with each other. The liquid injector displays the schematic images in the shape of a human body. When one of the schematic images of the corresponding regions is selected, the liquid injector reads the data of corresponding operating conditions, and controls operation of the liquid injection mechanism according to the read operating conditions. When the operator manually selects one of the schematic images of the body sections and then manually selects one of the schematic images of the corresponding regions, the liquid injector automatically injects a contrast medium into the subject under operating conditions corresponding to the selected region to be imaged.
US08359085B2
The invention relates to a method and device for performing coordinate transformation for navigation-guided procedures using an imaging diagnostic tool, especially an X-ray diagnostic tool, and a position-determining system. In the vicinity of the image receiver, the diagnostic tool has one or more three-dimensional reference structure that can be touched with a pointer of a position-determining system. From the known geometry of the three-dimensional reference structure and the coordinates of the touched points determined by the position-determining system, a coordinate transformation is created between the coordinate system of the diagnostic tool and the coordinate system of the position-determining system. Navigation for an instrument captured by the position-determining system can be performed in reconstructed images of the diagnostic tool after the registration procedure.
US08359082B2
A catheter for contact force sensing includes a catheter body, a deflectable section, and a distal section having a tip electrode and a contact force sensor for sensing a 3D contact force vector applied to the tip electrode. The contact force sensor has a body and at least one sensor with an electrical characteristic responsive to deformation of the body resulting from the force vector. The sensor receives an electrical current and outputs an electrical signal indicative of a change in the electrical characteristic. The sensor may be a strain gage responsive to tension and compression of at least a portion of the body of the force sensor, and the electrical characteristic may be electrical resistivity of the strain gage. Alternatively, the sensor may be responsive to strain and stress of at least a portion of the body, and the electrical characteristic is inductance or hysteresis loss.
US08359076B2
A mobile wireless communications device and associated method of making same includes a housing and circuit board having a ground plane. Radio frequency (RF) circuitry and a processor are carried by the circuit board and operative with each other. An antenna is carried by the housing and operative with the RF circuitry. Audio circuitry is carried by the circuit board and operative with the RF circuitry and processor. An audio transducer assembly such as a receiver is carried by the circuit board and engages audio circuitry for carrying audio signals between the audio circuitry and speaker. A filter is mounted at the speaker for blocking RF energy from the antenna through the speaker to the ground plane and decoupling the antenna from the speaker and any other components on the circuit board to minimize any detuning of antenna impedance match and degradation in antenna gain.
US08359071B2
Power management techniques for a universal serial bus are described. For example, a mobile computing device may include an interface having a universal serial bus, a host processor to couple to the interface, and a radio module to couple to the interface. The radio module may have a radio processor and a detector, the detector operative to detect temporary block flow from radio signals communicated over wireless shared media, the radio processor to enable the universal serial bus when the detector detects the temporary block flow and disable the universal serial bus when the detector does not detect the temporary block flow for a guard interval. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US08359062B2
Techniques for accessing wireless networks are disclosed. For instance, an apparatus may include a control module to broadcast messages for transmission within a coverage area of a first type of a wireless communications network. In addition, the apparatus may include a storage medium that stores access parameters for wireless network(s) of a second type that are accessible within the coverage area. Additionally, the control module may generate messages for transmission that include the one or more access parameters. The types of wireless communications networks may be, for example, wireless cellular networks and wireless data communications networks.
US08359052B1
A first wireless device including a control module and a transmitter. The control module is configured to estimate a first path loss between the first wireless device and a second wireless device, estimate a second path loss between the first wireless device and the second wireless device, generate an absolute value of a difference between the first path loss and the second path loss, and compare the absolute value of the difference between the first path loss and the second path loss to a predetermined threshold. The transmitter is configured to transmit a radio frequency signal at the first minimum transmit power in response to the absolute value of the difference being less than or equal to the predetermined threshold, and transmit the radio frequency signal at a second minimum transmit power in response to the absolute value being greater than the predetermined threshold.
US08359044B2
A method and system is disclosed for locating a mobile radio terminal in a radio communications network. The method makes use of additional positional constraints provided as a result of unreported cells. In one form of the invention, a likely reason for a particular cell not being reported is determined and an associated probability term is determined for use in a position location model. The invention also relates to a system for implementing the method.
US08359039B2
A method for processing a control channel at a user agent (UA) to identify at least one of an uplink and a downlink resource allocated by a resource grant within a multi-carrier communication system wherein resource grants are specified by control channel element (CCE) subset candidates, the method comprising the steps of identifying the number of carriers used to communicate with the access device, based on the number of carriers used to communicate with the access device, identifying a number of CCE subset candidates to decode and decoding up to the identified number of CCE subset candidates in an attempt to identify the resource grant.
US08359038B2
In an exemplary embodiment there are determined which radio resource are to be used for contention based access, and the allocated radio resource is accessed according to a probability function that varies in dependence on at least one of interference measured on the allocated radio resource and a received power level for the allocated radio resource. By example the radio resource is allocated by a cellular base station for use in D2D communications; the base station provides configuration parameters for the D2D communications via common or dedicated signaling; the received power level is a target received power level that is received via broadcast system information or dedicated control signaling; and/or the received power level is itself a function of pathloss on a wireless link to the cellular base station. Embodiments are presented for method, apparatus, and tangibly stored computer program.
US08359037B2
Techniques for determining a sleep area of a sleep group in a wireless communications network based on a value of a dynamically changing communication characteristic. In various embodiments, a sleep area may be determined to reduce resource use in a wireless communication network supporting a sleep mode of a mobile station. In one embodiment, the sleep area may be determined based on a speed of a mobile station.
US08359029B2
A non-transitory computer readable storage medium of a first distributed management architecture (DMA) system includes a first home location register (HLR) that stores information associated with one or more mobile subscribers that are registered with the first DMA system. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium includes a community location register (CLR) associated with a second DMA system. The CLR stores information associated with a second HLR of the second DMA system, and the second HLR stores information associated with one or more mobile subscribers that are registered with the second DMA system. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium includes instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to initiate connection of a call from a first mobile subscriber to a second mobile subscriber via the first DMA system and the second DMA system when the second mobile subscriber is registered with the second DMA system.
US08359028B1
Methods and devices for mitigating the impact of handoffs to non-preferred wireless coverage areas are presented. In particular, a RAN may determine that a first wireless communication device (WCD) and a second WCD are contending for a resource of a preferred wireless coverage area, and that both of the WCDs are likely to be handed off to non-preferred wireless coverage area(s) if they are not granted the resource. Both WCDs may be subscribed to a home wireless service provider that also controls and/or operates the preferred wireless coverage area. The RAN may compare historical call length data of the first WCD with historical call length data of the second WCD. Based on the outcome of this comparison, the RAN may allocate the resource to the WCD that would likely incur higher roaming fees to the home wireless service provider if that WCD were to roam to a non-preferred wireless coverage area.
US08359019B2
A computer system having one or more non-transitory computer readable mediums having stored thereon instructions which, when executed by one or more processors of the computer system, causes the one or more processors to prioritize a target mobile content by (a) receiving interaction information relating to the target mobile content accessed by a user of a first mobile communication facility; (b) receiving a datum associated with the first mobile communication facility, wherein the datum corresponds to geographic information relating to the mobile communication facility; (c) weighting the mobile content based at least in part on the interaction information and the geographic information relating to the mobile communication facility; and (d) providing the weight as a parameter for use in the prioritization of the target mobile content for presentation on a second mobile communication facility.
US08359013B2
A mobile device receives via a wireless network an enable message which indicates that a data message has been received and is ready for retrieval. The mobile device then provides an indication which indicates that the data message has been received, and includes a subset of the data message. After providing the indication, the mobile device detects a user-initiated entry into a messaging application. In response to detecting the user-initiated entry, the mobile device examines a setting in a data store which is provided in response to the enable message. If the setting is provided in the data store, the mobile device requests the data message by sending via the wireless network a fetch message and subsequently receives the data message. If the setting is not provided in the data store, the mobile device refrains from sending the fetch message.
US08359011B2
A mobile communication device is operable to receive and store messages in a defined message inbox. A user input device is provided to permit a user of the device to make a message inbox status query. In answer to the query, the device provides a non-visual response communicating one or more characteristics of the message inbox. Such characteristics are definable and the method of providing a non-visual response communication is configurable. The non-visual response potentially includes an auditory communication that is provided in response to a query made using an easy to access button located on the device.
US08359008B2
A security system and method for an electronic device include comparing data in a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card with data in a virtual SIM card, if the virtual SIM card is not blank. The security system further include determining whether the electronic device has received a command of reporting loss of the SIM card from the network server, if the data in the SIM card is the same as the data in the virtual SIM card. The security method further includes running the electronic device normally if the electronic device has not received the command of reporting loss of the SIM card. If the command of reporting loss is received, a contact list and message of the electronic device are deleted and a calling function of the electronic device is disabled.
US08359006B1
Subject matter described herein is directed to detecting fraudulent use of telecommunication services. Different attributes (e.g., dialed number, start location, start time, end time, etc.) are analyzed that describe communication instances. When an authorized-use parameter is violated, fraudulent use can be detected. Once unauthorized use of services with a mobile device has been detected, a location of the mobile device can be used to determine a locus of fraudulent activity.
US08359003B1
An alternative billing system for communication service, comprising a gateway comprising a processor and a memory, and an application stored in the memory that, when executed by the processor, receives a text message from an originating electronic device, determines that an account balance associated with the originating electronic device lacks sufficient funds to pay for origination of the text message, sends a message to a terminating electronic device identified by the text message to inquire if the terminating electronic device wants to be billed for the origination of the text message, when a message accepting billing for the origination of the text message is received from the terminating electronic device, sends the text message to the terminating electronic device, and when a message rejecting billing for the origination of the text message is received from the terminating electronic device, does not send the text message to the terminating electronic device.
US08359001B2
A user of a first mobile station, which is lost either in silent mode or switch-off mode may send a ‘Find-Me’ message to the first mobile station from a second mobile station. The first mobile station, after receiving the ‘Find-Me’ message, may power-on the first mobile station enabling the first mobile station to receive voice call and messages. Also, if the first mobile station is in silent mode, the first mobile station may change the profile of the first mobile station from a silent to a regular-noisy mode. The user of first mobile station may call-up the first mobile station and identifies the location of the first mobile station by tracking the ringing sound. The first mobile station may send a location message to the second mobile station in response to receiving the ‘Find-Me’ message that may be used to identify the location of the first mobile station.
US08358997B2
A system for correcting a mismatch between an in-phase path and a quadrature path in a receiver, the system including one or more processors operable to correlate a received signal with a complex training sequence having periodic, uncorrelated real and imaginary components, thereby generating a complex correlation. The one or more processors estimate a gain mismatch and a phase mismatch based on the complex correlation over a unit period. The one or more processors control a first receive filter in the in-phase path via a first digital-to-analog controller, and control a second receive filter in the quadrature path via a second digital-to-analog controller. The cutoff frequency and bandwidth of the first receive filter is controlled independently of the second receive filter to enable the output of the first receive filter and the output of the second receive filter to be tightly matched.
US08358990B2
A method is provided for transmitting a digital signal via n transmit antennas, wherein n is strictly greater than 2. The method includes combining with a source data vector n vectors to be transmitted respectively by each of the transmit antennas by a coding matrix M with a yield equal to 1, using reference symbols known to at least one receiver whereby it is able to estimate at least three transmission channels corresponding respectively to each of the transmit antennas. The coding matrix M applies a mathematical transformation to the reference symbols prior to the transmission thereof.
US08358981B1
A system for performing non-invasive networked medical procedures including a number of in vivo medical devices, a communication path between at least two of the devices, an ex vivo control unit to control the behavior of the devices, and a wireless communication path between the control unit and at least one of the devices. An associated method for performing non-invasive networked medical procedures is also provided.
US08358976B2
An apparatus, device, methods, computer program product, and system make a determination that a wireless device is in proximity to at least one secondary wireless device, and determine an aggregate user interface on the wireless device based on the determination.
US08358969B2
A wireless repeater includes an echo canceller to cancel an estimated feedback amount from an input signal and a delay to delay the input signal. The delay may be selected to decorrelate a remote signal from a signal to be transmitted by the repeater.
US08358966B2
User exposure to media items is detected and measured. A mobile client device carried by a user digitally samples the audio environment of the user on a regular basis. These samples are transformed into a stream of data signatures and compared with reference media items to detect user exposure to the reference items. Purchase behavior following exposure to selected media content items can be detected and tracked as well, so as to gauge effectiveness of media items such as advertisements.
US08358964B2
Implementations feature scannable form techniques and systems. Some aspects feature an apparatus that includes a pen-camera device, an electronic clipboard to store the pen-camera device, and a docking station for the clipboard. The clipboard includes a retention clip to hold a form on a substantially planar surface, and a pen-camera storage compartment to store the pen-camera device. The clipboard includes a power supply interface for charging the pen-camera device, a communication interface to transmit image and location data from the pen-camera device, and electrical interfaces for the clipboard docking station. The pen-camera device can mark response data on the form, optically scan response data and location data on the form, and associate time-stamped information for the marked responses on the form for error checking and fraud detection. The scannable form can include an area for encoded information that identifies a location and arrangement of a position-coding pattern on the form.
US08358963B2
A method of presenting educational content to a plurality of students in a classroom includes displaying the educational content on an instructor terminal in the classroom. A synchronization command is wirelessly transmitted to a plurality of portable student terminals in the classroom according to a localized wireless connection protocol. The synchronization command is configured to display, on the plurality of portable student terminals, the educational content that is displayed on the instructor terminal. The plurality of portable student terminals may be respectively associated with ones of the plurality of students who are registered for an academic course associated with the educational content. An ad hoc wireless data connection may also be selectively established with at least one of the plurality of portable student terminals in the classroom. Related systems, devices, and computer program products are also discussed.
US08358953B2
An image forming device includes: a main casing; a holder unit; a plurality of image bearing members; a plurality of developing units; a plurality of toner boxes; a first acting portion; a second acting portion; and an abutment member. The holder unit is configured to be movable in a moving direction between an accommodated position and a pull-out position. The plurality of image bearing members are held by the holder unit and are juxtaposedly arrayed in the moving direction with intervals between neighboring image bearing members. The plurality of developing units are held by the holder unit in one to one correspondence with the plurality of image bearing members. The plurality of toner boxes are detachably attachable to the holder unit in one to one correspondence with the plurality of developing units. Each toner box is detachably attachable to the holder unit at the pull-out position.
US08358951B2
An image forming apparatus that includes: an image carrier; a developing cartridge detachably mountable with respect to the image carrier; a processing device to which voltage acting between the image carrier and the processing device is applied; and a first electrode, wherein the developing cartridge further includes: a developing roller on which toner is capable of being held; and a second electrode capable of being electrically connected with the first electrode when the developing cartridge is mounted with respect to the image carrier, the processing device further includes: a third electrode capable of being electrically connected with the second electrode when the developing cartridge is mounted with respect to the image carrier, wherein the second electrode positions the developing cartridge in an axial direction of the developing roller.
US08358948B2
A fixing device includes a fixing rotary body and a pressing member each of which includes a waveform elastic layer having at least one wave crest and at least one wave trough to form a waveform face between the fixing rotary body and the pressing member pressed against each other. A controller identifies a temperature differential between a first temperature of the wave crest of the fixing rotary body detected by a first temperature detector and a second temperature of the wave trough of the fixing rotary body detected by a second temperature detector and adjusts an amount of heat stored from a heater into the fixing rotary body based on the identified temperature differential.
US08358947B2
In a fixing device, having a sheet portion and an inter-sheet portion, heats and fixes the toner image onto each of sheets by rotationally bringing the sheet portion into contact with each sheet. A heating unit heats the fixing unit. A sensing unit senses a temperature of the fixing unit. A control unit controls a duty ratio of on/off of the heating unit based on a sensing output of the sensing unit, determines whether the sensing unit is sensing the temperature of the sheet portion or the temperature of the inter-sheet portion in a rotation cycle, and controls the temperature of the heating unit by using the adjustment value corresponding to the sheet portion or the inter-sheet portion depending on a determination result.
US08358944B2
Provided are an image forming apparatus and a method for print control which can carry out printing using appropriate toners without selecting an apparatus to be used from apparatuses loaded with different toner groups depending on a print object. In an image forming apparatus provided with an image forming section including photoreceptor drums, writing units to form electrostatic latent images on the photoreceptor drums, and development devices to carry out development by feeding toners to the latent image, there are loaded, as the toners, a first toner group (for example, normal toners) containing three colors of CMY; a second toner group (for example, Vivid toners) containing three colors of CMY with a wider color reproduction area than the first toner group; and a K (black) toner.
US08358943B2
An electric power relaying unit of an image forming apparatus which includes an electric power blocking unit which selectively blocks the alternating current electric power output from the electric power input unit to be input to the electric power output unit, the electric power blocking unit including: a switching unit which switches an input of the alternating current electric power with respect to the electric power output unit; an electric power detecting unit which detects an electric power property; a memory unit in which a predetermined electric power property information is stored; and a control unit which controls a switching operation of the switching unit if determining that the detected electric power property corresponds to a predetermined electric power property in a failure of the image forming apparatus main body from a comparison result.
US08358929B2
A network protection switching mechanism comprises a plurality of optical switches located at a plurality of nodes; a plurality of optical communication paths between said switches; switch based fault detectors located as part of at least two switches which generate detection results representative of the identification of a fault; switch based controllers located as part of said at least two switches; and internal switch-communication means between said fault detectors and said controllers which facilitate the transmission of detection results from said fault detectors to said controllers; wherein said controllers directly cause switching to an alternative optical communication path dependent upon the receipt of said detection results; whereby autonomous switch based protection without dependence on either inter-switch control communication or higher level network control communication is achieved.
US08358911B2
Various embodiments reduce disruptions in recorded programming, by automatically recording retransmissions of prior programming. In one embodiment, a recording manager is provided for execution on a receiving device, such as a set-top box. The recording manager detects a disruption in a recorded program. In response, the recording manager automatically records, or schedules a recording of, a later transmission of the same program. This abstract is provided to comply with rules requiring an abstract, and it is submitted with the intention that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.
US08358908B2
A recording and playback apparatus includes a recording unit configured to download a content stored in a server and to record the content in a recording medium, an instruction receiver configured to receive a stop instruction for stopping download of the content done by the recording unit, and a controller configured to control the recording unit. The controller controls the recording unit so as to stop the download of the content when the instruction receiver receives the stop instruction for stopping download of the content, and to restart the download of the content when a predetermined time elapses in which the recording unit is in a stop state of the download.
US08358907B2
A display control apparatus includes a receiving unit that receives a television broadcast signal containing at least remote broadcast image information, a display unit that displays image information, a recording and reproducing unit that records and reproduces the image information, a player information acquiring unit that acquires, from the remote broadcast image information, player information regarding players in a sports game included in a broadcast image signal, and a recording and reproducing control function unit that receives an audio signal contained in the broadcast signal, generates an excitation graph representing the level of excitation of the sports game along a time line, and records the excitation graph, the image of the game, time information, and the player information in the recording and reproducing unit. Upon receiving information indicating a break in the sports game, the recording and reproducing control function unit displays the excitation graph together with the recorded image.
US08358904B2
According to one embodiment of the present invention is applied to an apparatus which performs automatic recording based on a timer recording list. A transmitting/receiving module is connected to a network. Preference information retrieved from another recording apparatus via the transmitting/receiving module is once set directly in a first storage module. A second storage module saves a timer recording list in which the preference information in the first storage module is reflected. As a result, the preference information retrieved from the other recording apparatus is once set directly in the first storage module, and the preference information in the first storage module is reflected in the timer recording list.
US08358902B2
One or more representative images extracted from an image group comprising a plurality of images is/are displayed. A part or all of the representative image or images, such as a main subject region or a background region including a search target, is/are selected from the representative image or images, and used for setting search conditions. The image group is searched for an image or images agreeing with the search conditions having been set.
US08358901B2
Various embodiments of wedge-shaped light guide optics are disclosed. One embodiment comprises a wedge-shaped light guide having opposing first and second faces and includes a material having a first refractive index. The first face of the wedge-shaped light guide supports a cladding layer having a second refractive index less than the first refractive index. The optic further comprises a turning film bonded to the cladding layer via an interface layer. The interface layer has a third refractive index matched to the first refractive index.
US08358900B2
A fiber optic telecommunications frame is provided including termination modules positioned on left and right sides of the frame. The frame further includes left and right vertical cable guides. The frame includes a horizontal passage linking the left and right panels and the cable guides. The termination modules hold fiber optic modules with front termination locations. The fiber optic modules can house couplers, such as splitters, combiners, and wave length division multiplexers. A retention mechanism retains each fiber optic module in a partially removed position from the termination module.
US08358880B2
The present invention provides a hybrid coupling structure of a short range surface plasmon polariton and a conventional dielectric waveguide, including a dielectric substrate layer, a dielectric waveguide layer positioned on the said dielectric substrate layer, a coupling matching layer positioned on the said dielectric waveguide layer and a short range surface plasmon waveguide portion, formed on the said coupling matching layer, for conducting the short range surface plasmon polariton. The present invention also provides a coupling structure of a long range surface plasmon polariton and a dielectric waveguide, including a dielectric substrate layer, a dielectric waveguide layer, a coupling matching layer and a long range surface plasmon waveguide portion upward from below respectively.
US08358879B2
Raster segment commands are generated by a delta encoder and are encoded for raster segments detected to have moved in the current frame with respect to a location of the raster segment in a previous frame. Raster segment motion commands are stored in a queue and, when written, copy a raster segment into the current frame from a previous payload or cache. When written from the queue to a payload, raster segment motion commands are applied to a copy of the current frame maintained at the server using a copy of the previous payload sent. When copying a raster segment from a raster segment cache, a raster segment cache command retrieves identified raster segment data from the raster segment cache and copies the raster segment into a particular location in the current frame at the client. The raster segment commands are sent to a client via a payload to copy a raster segment from a previous payload into the current frame at the client or from a raster segment cache to the current frame.
US08358870B2
An image reading apparatus includes a fingerprint sensor that acquires a plurality of first images obtained by successively reading the portions of a relatively moving object, an extrapolation section that extrapolates the plurality of first images to generate a plurality of second images obtained by extending the image area of the first image, and a relative position detection section that calculates the relative position between the plurality of images or the plurality of second images based on a plurality of images including at least the plurality of first images or the plurality of second images.
US08358869B2
An image processing apparatus and method for quickly and effectively reducing noise in images processed by apparatuses having a low hardware specification, and a program for executing the image processing method. The image processing apparatus includes an image dividing unit for obtaining a plurality of first sub-image data items corresponding to a plurality of first sub-images that are obtained by dividing a first image corresponding to first image data, a noise reducing unit for obtaining a plurality of second sub-image data items corresponding to a plurality of second sub-images by reducing noise in the first sub-images from the first sub-image data items that are obtained by the image dividing unit, and an image synthesizing unit for obtaining second image data corresponding to a second image corresponding to the plurality of second sub-images from the plurality of second sub-image data items that are obtained by the noise reducing unit.
US08358868B2
Even when an enlarged image is deteriorated due to a block noise or color mixture, the contour in the enlarged image is sharpened and a quality of the image is improved. A contour extracting unit 103 determines a pixel indicating the contour in an interpolation image, using brightness gradient strength and a brightness gradient direction. A contour correcting unit 104 specifies a first isolation pixel isolated by the predetermined distance from each pixel indicating the contour in a brightness gradient direction of the pixel indicating the contour and a second isolation pixel isolated by the predetermined distance from each pixel in a 180°-rotation direction of the brightness gradient direction, for each pixel indicating the contour, corrects colors of the pixels between the pixel indicating the contour and the first isolation pixel with a color of the first isolation pixel, and corrects the colors of the pixels whose colors are not corrected with the color of the first isolation pixel among the pixels between the first isolation pixel and the second isolation pixel with a color of the second isolation pixel.
US08358867B1
Local histogram-based filters may create non-photorealistic computer graphics effects. An edge-preserving smoothing filter processes a source image to generate a smoothed image. An orientation filter processes the source image to generate a smoothed orientation image. At least one of the orientation filter and the edge-preserving smoothing filter include a local histogram-based filter. The non-photorealistic effect filter may generate a fine detail image from the smoothed image and the source image. The fine detail image may be diffused according to the smoothed orientation image to generate a brush stroke image. The brush stroke image is combined with a base image to create a non-photorealistic image. Local histogram-based filters include a closest mode, a local median, and a dominant mode filter. Local histogram-based filters are determined by convolving a neighborhood filter with one or more offset-kernel images, each based on the application of a shifted tonal filter kernel to the source image.
US08358858B2
This invention relates to utilizing image compression and reconstruction algorithms for transmission and reception of data that can be represented as a numerical matrix or a sequence of numerical matrices in bandwidth limited channels. The method and algorithms described herein may reduce data size to such an extent that data that was considered too large to be practically transmitted in a useful time frame can be transmitted in real or near real time. The algorithms can be applied to data communications for a variety of sensor, electronic and information systems.
US08358853B2
Systems and methods automatically generate a model of a form or other document and identify the form or other document. In one aspect, a system and method normalize an image of a document and identify the relative positions of vertical and horizontal lines in the normalized image. The relative positions of vertical and horizontal lines of the normalized image are the model of the document image. The model may be stored in a record, such as an array. The system and method compare the relative positions of vertical and horizontal lines of the model to the relative positions of vertical and horizontal lines of other models to identify a matching model.
US08358851B2
A computer program product capable of enabling a computer to perform a digital image analyzing operation, wherein the digital image analyzing operation comprises: receiving settings of a plurality of lines corresponding to one or more image edges of a digital image; and identifying a plurality of intersections of the plurality of lines and the one or more image edges of the digital image.
US08358836B2
A specific color detection circuit shows an RGB input pixel and an RGB color signal to be detected in a three-dimensional coordinate, calculates a first distance from an origin to a foot of a perpendicular drawn from the coordinate of the RGB input pixel to a straight line connecting the origin and the coordinate of the RGB color signal or a coordinate with the same RGB ratio as the signal and a second distance from the coordinate of the input pixel to the foot, and detects a hue of a signal of the input pixel. The circuit generates a detection region in a color-difference direction according to the first distance and the hue, calculates a third distance based on the first distance for the detection region and judges the input pixel as being in a predetermined color detection region when the third distance is longer than the second distance.
US08358835B2
A method for detecting and correcting a chromatic aberration, and an apparatus and method for processing an image using the same are provided. A chromatic aberration is detected by dividing an edge portion of the image into static areas where a color varies below a reference value and a dynamic area where a color varies above the reference value, calculating a intensity difference value between at least one reference color and a comparative color for each of the static areas and the dynamic area, and determining at least one pixel having a intensity difference value exceeding a range of intensity difference values in the static areas among pixels in the dynamic area, as a chromatic aberration region. The chromatic aberration is corrected by correcting the intensity difference value for the pixels in the chromatic aberration region using a correction value in the intensity difference value range in the static area.
US08358831B2
Probe mark inspection involves a recipe based on unique image characteristics or combinations of unique image characteristics. Result images are correlated with a reference created to determine which image characteristic or combination of image characteristics provides an improved contrast.
US08358828B2
A method, system, and computer program product for preprocessing a pattern in a library of patterns and querying a preprocessed library of patterns are disclosed. Embodiments for querying a preprocessed library of patterns are disclosed for determining a distance between the representation for the first pattern and the representation for the second pattern, determining whether the distance between the representation for the first pattern and the representation for the second pattern is within the range for the first pattern, and transforming the second pattern with the transformation matrix to provide information about the second pattern. Embodiments for preprocessing a pattern in a library of patterns are disclosed for determining a transformation matrix for the first pattern, determining a range for the first pattern, wherein a distance between a representation for a first pattern and a representation for a second pattern is within the range and the second pattern can be transformed with the transformation matrix to provide information about the second pattern, and associating the range and the transformation matrix with the first pattern.
US08358823B2
A tumor is tracked in sequences of bi-plane images by generating a set of segmentation hypotheses using a 3D model of the tumor, a bi-plane geometry, and a previous location of the tumor as determined from the pairs of biplane images. Volume prior probabilities are constructed based on the set of hypotheses. Seed pixels are selected using the volume prior probabilities, and a bi-plane dual image graph is constructed using intensity gradients and the seed pixels to obtaining segmentation masks corresponding to tumor boundaries using the image intensities to determine a current location of the tumor.
US08358811B2
A method and apparatus for creating and updating a facial image database from a collection of digital images is disclosed. A set of detected faces from a digital image collection is stored in a facial image database, along with data pertaining to them. At least one facial recognition template for each face in the first set is computed, and the images in the set are grouped according to the facial recognition template into similarity groups. Another embodiment is a naming tool for assigning names to a plurality of faces detected in a digital image collection. A facial image database stores data pertaining to facial images detected in images of a digital image collection. In addition, the naming tool may include a graphical user interface, a face detection module that detects faces in images of the digital image collection and stores data pertaining to the detected faces in the facial image database, a face recognition module that computes at least one facial recognition template for each facial image in the facial image database, and a similarity grouping module that groups facial images in the facial image database according to the respective templates such that similar facial images belong to one similarity group.
US08358807B2
An image-data-distribution-model updating apparatus includes: a determining unit that determines, concerning image data continuous in time series, to which of plural distribution models indicating an average of signal levels for each of plural color components, variance of a signal level distribution of all the plural color components, and reliability of all the plural color components the target image data belongs; and an updating unit that updates the average, the variance, and the reliability of a distribution model having the highest reliability among the distribution models to which it is determined that the target image data belongs and updates the reliability of the other distribution models.
US08358804B2
An image processing apparatus includes: a recognition unit that recognizes a layout of a line including a character string in an image read from an original; a determination unit that determines a size of a region in which additional information is embedded so as to include at least a part of a line including a character string in the region, based on the layout recognized by the recognition unit; a dividing unit that divides the image read from the original based on the size of the region determined by the determination unit; and an embedding unit that embeds the additional information in the image divided by the dividing unit.
US08358802B2
A method of transmitting a data set comprising at least one medical data from a first imaging station to at least one other imaging station via a network interface in a DICOM standard communication system is provided. The method comprises the acts of selecting a first medical data from the data set for transmission; checking a memory of the first imaging station for a receipt of an acknowledgement signal indicative of a successful transmission of the first medical data to the at least one other imaging station; transmitting the medical data if the act of checking does not detect the receipt of acknowledgement signal; receiving the acknowledgment signal from the at least one other imaging station in response to a successful receipt of the first medical data at the at least one other imagine station; and storing the receipt of acknowledgement signal in the memory of the first imaging station.
US08358790B2
A band-splitting time compensation signal processing device 2 includes a band-splitting circuit 211 for extracting, after extracting a signal of a high-frequency band component or low-frequency band component from an input signal, a signal of the low-frequency band component or high-frequency band component by subtracting the signal of the high-frequency band component or low-frequency band component from the input signal; a delay circuit 212 for delaying, for adjusting arrival time, at least one of the high-frequency band component and low-frequency band component output from the band-splitting circuit 211; and a mixing circuit 213 for combining the high-frequency band component or low-frequency band component output from the delay circuit 212 with the low-frequency band component or high-frequency band component output from the band-splitting circuit 211.
US08358788B2
An audio host device has a connector having a speaker contact, a microphone contact, and a reference contact. The reference contact is shared by a microphone and a speaker. The reference contact is also directly coupled to a power return plane of the audio host device. A difference amplifier is provided, having a first cold input, a second cold input, and hot input. The first cold input is coupled to an output of the speaker amplifier, while the second cold input is coupled a sense point for the reference contact. The hot input is coupled to the microphone contact. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.
US08358787B2
A portable handheld test fixture has an acoustic port, e.g. a speaker port, a microphone, and/or an earpiece/receiver port. Once the media device has been installed onto the test fixture, the port becomes acoustically coupled to a respective acoustic aperture of the media device that is associated with a speaker, a microphone, or an earpiece/receiver as the case may be. A sound test tool, e.g. a reference sound source and/or a sound pressure level, SPL, meter, has an input or output sound port that can be removably coupled to the acoustic port of the test fixture. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.
US08358780B2
Described is an execution unit for performing at least part of the Data Encryption Standard that includes a Left Half input; a Key input; and a Table input, as well as a first group of transistors configured to receive the Table input, perform a table look-up, and output data. The execution unit further includes a first exclusive-or operator having two inputs and an output that is configured to receive the Left Half input and the Key input. The execution unit also includes a second exclusive-or operator having two inputs and an output that is configured to receive the data output by the first group of transistors and to receive the output of the first exclusive-or operator. The execution unit also includes a third exclusive-or operator having two inputs and an output that is configured to receive the Left Half input and the data output by the first group of transistors.
US08358771B1
A system and method for managing customer communications over communication channels are disclosed. A method may include (1) determining a contact mode for contacting a customer based on at least one of a campaign strategy, a customer account attribute, a phone number attribute, a previous contact outcome, a previous call outcome, an email address attribute, a time of day, a customer contact preference, a customer availability, and a customer contact consent; (2) initiating contact with the customer; and (3) interacting with the customer. A system may include a database comprising contact data including at least one of a campaign strategy, a customer account attribute, a phone number attribute, a previous contact outcome, a previous call outcome, a customer contact preference, a customer availability, and a customer contact consent; a computer processor executing a communication manager, the communication manger determining a contact mode for contacting a customer on a communication channel selected from the group consisting of a telephone, a cellular phone, an email, a text message, a chat, a facsimile, and a social networking site. The communication manager may select a communication channel based on the contact data; and the contact system may contact the customer using the selected communication channel.
US08358768B2
Methods, systems, and computer program products for providing a country code identifier in an international ENUM system are disclosed. According to one method, a message is received that includes a telephone number and information associated with a country of origin of the telephone number. A country code identifier may be determined for the telephone number based on the information associated with the country of origin of the telephone number. Further, the country code identifier may be appended to the telephone number of the received message.
US08358763B2
In one embodiment, a scheduling/conferencing system provides a user with the ability to set up a camp-on request for a person invited to attend a conference session in response to one or more selections made by the user via a user interface, which may include a name of the person and a specified action to be taken when the person leaves the conference session. During the conference session, a conference port of the person is camped-on. When the person leaves the conference session and his conference port becomes free, the specified action, which includes an attempt to communicate with the person by the user, is executed. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure.
US08358756B2
In one embodiment, techniques for manipulating a voice message using a telephone user interface are provided. The telephone user interface receives a mark begin segment command from a telephonic device through a voice modality. The mark begin segment command indicates a beginning point for a voice message segment in the voice message. The telephone user interface then receives a mark end segment command from the telephonic device through the voice modality. The mark segment command indicates an ending point for the voice message segment in the voice message. An action command from the telephonic device is received and an action based on the action command for the voice message segment is performed. The voice message segment is a portion of the voice message determined based on the indicated beginning point of the voice message segment and the indicated ending point of the voice message segment in the voice message.
US08358747B2
A computer-implemented method, system, and computer program product for recognizing a voice input to an interactive voice recognition system is presented. An initial caller voice input is received from a caller. In response to determining that the initial caller voice input is a computer-unintelligible voice input that does not match any entry from a lexicon of known voice inputs, the caller is prompted to transmit a secondary input to clarify the computer-unintelligible voice input. The secondary input is utilized to match the computer-unintelligible voice input with a specific known voice input from the lexicon of known voice inputs. The lexicon of known voice inputs is then updated with the computer-unintelligible voice input.
US08358742B2
A system and method that may include placing a first telephone call from a data network to a target phone number using a trusted carrier; recording the first telephone call in a reference audio data file; placing a second telephone call from the data network to the target phone number using a suspect carrier; recording the second telephone call in a test audio data file; and comparing the test audio data file to the reference audio data file.
US08358741B2
A device to control an electron beam for the generation of x-ray radiation, has an electron emitter to generate an electron beam, to which emitter an emitter voltage can be applied, a diaphragm, at least two control elements associated with the diaphragm to affect the electron beam, and switching arrangement with which at least two different electrical voltages can be applied to the at least two control elements. The same electrical voltage is applied to each of the at least two control elements. Upon switching the voltage, an electrical circuit that delays the setting of the respective voltage at the one control element is associated with the connection line of the one control element with the switching arrangement to switch over the voltage. The invention moreover concerns an operating method for the device and an x-ray tube provided with the device.
US08358740B2
A radiographic image capturing system includes a radiographic image capture device, a radiation irradiation device, and a control device. The radiographic image capture device is capable of wired and wireless communications, and is capable of fluoroscopic imaging in which radiographic images are successively captured at notified synchronization timings or at a predetermined frame rate. The radiation irradiation device irradiates radiation toward the radiographic image capture device during fluoroscopic imaging, with continuous irradiation or pulse irradiation. The control device includes a wireless communication unit, a wired communication unit, and a controller that, if communication with the radiographic image capture device is performed by the wireless communication unit, prohibits fluoroscopic imaging with pulse irradiation in which the synchronization timings are notified to the radiographic image capture device and radiation is irradiated from the radiation irradiation device in pulses matching the notified synchronization timings.
US08358739B2
The present subject matter relates to systems and methods for temporal multiplexing x-ray imaging of dynamic objects with high temporal resolution and fast imaging speed. A pulsed x-ray beam can irradiate an object undergoing a range of motion such as a cyclic motion. Multiple x-ray images can be acquired at different phases within a single motion cycle or range of the object. The multiple x-ray images can be demultiplexed to produce an individual phase image. Compared to sequential imaging, temporal multiplexing x-ray imaging can achieve high temporal resolution of dynamics object in multiple phases with imaging time comparable to that of a single phase. Temporal multiplexing x-ray imaging can thus be applied to a wide variety of applications, including biomedical imaging and industrial non-destructive testing.
US08358738B2
An approach to radiotherapy is disclosed which allows the therapeutic beam to be more accurately directed towards a target region. Instead of stopping acquiring images during treatment, the system continues to acquire images as treatment is ongoing. This ongoing pipeline of images is used to update the previously created 3D reconstructions of each breathing phase. Thus the position of the target region can also be updated. The surrogate is recorded simultaneously with the image acquisition although it is not used to determine the breathing phase. As new images are used to update the 3D reconstructions of each breathing phase the values of the surrogate associated with that phase are also updated. This means that the correlation with the surrogate can also continue to be evaluated, and the correlation refined, thus improving the ability of the system to track the motion of the target.
US08358735B2
To provide a method and device for testing the size and conductivity of a foreign material adhered to a substrate for a liquid crystal display device, there is provided a method of testing whether a foreign material including a metal element is adhered to a substrate for a liquid crystal display device, the method including a first test step of detecting the size and position of the foreign material adhered to the substrate and a next step of testing whether the foreign material includes the metal element at the position detected in the first test step.
US08358733B2
A support grid for a nuclear fuel assembly, the fuel rod assembly having a generally cylindrical fuel rod with a diameter, wherein the support grid includes a frame assembly having a plurality of outer straps and a plurality of helical frame members. The helical frame members have a contact portion structured to contact an adjacent helical frame member and at least one helical fuel rod contact portion with a lesser diameter. The lesser diameter is generally equivalent to the fuel rod diameter such that a fuel rod disposed in the helical frame member would engage the inner helical frame member at helical fuel rod contact portion. The helical frame members are coupled to each other at the contact portions thereby forming a grid. The plurality of outer straps are disposed about the perimeter of the helical frame members.
US08358725B2
The synchronous sequential processing of multi-sampled phase (SSP MSP) includes a method, a system and an apparatus for implementing programmable algorithms for analyzing and recovering data from a very wide range of low and high frequency wave-forms, by using a synchronous sequential processor (SSP) for real time capturing and processing of in-coming wave-form and a programmable computing unit (PCU) for controlling SSP operations and supporting adaptive signal analysis algorithms.
US08358721B2
A base station transmits a control channel transmitted before information channels upon performing differential coding between control channels of adjacent frequencies. A terminal apparatus performs transmission path estimation on the basis of a pilot while decoding the control channel having undergone the differential coding. The information channels are decoded on the basis of information obtained by decoding the control channel and a transmission path estimation result on the pilot.
US08358717B2
Disclosed is a binary phase shift key (BPSK) demodulating device using a phase shifter and a method thereof. The BPSK demodulating device includes an I signal generator to generate an in-phase (I) signal from a received BPSK signal, a Q signal generator to generate a quadrature-phase (Q) signal from the received BPSK signal, using a plurality of phase shifters, an oscillator to generate a first signal to separate a baseband signal, and a determining unit to determine a transmission phase angle based on the I signal and the Q signal.
US08358713B2
In digital communication systems forward error correction coding techniques are typically used to improve the bit error rate performance. The receiver of the digital communication systems employs a decoding apparatus which may use Maximum A posteriori Probability (MAP) algorithm and its variations such as Logarithmic-MAP (Log-MAP), Maximum-Logarithmic-MAP (Max-Log-MAP). MAP decoding apparatus is commonly used as a key component in of decoder for error correcting codes such as convolutional codes and turbo codes. The MAP decoding apparatus computes likelihood estimates as the output. The present invention performs faster MAP decoding by computing likelihood estimates in parallel.
US08358710B2
An OFDM receiver according to the present invention judges whether or not a delay amount (i.e., a first delay amount) of a transmission path detected from scattered pilot information existing in an OFDM signal of a frequency domain by referring to peak position information obtainable from OFDM signals of the preceding and following symbols, calculates another delay amount (i.e., a second delay amount) from the delay amount (i.e., the first delay amount) if the aforementioned delay amount is judged to be inappropriate, and set a position of a time window by using the calculated delay amount.
US08358701B2
The decode resolution of a video signal can be varied during decoding by decoding a first portion of a video signal at a first resolution; determining a second resolution, different from the first resolution, at which a second portion of the video signal is to be decoded; adjusting one or more reference pictures associated with the video signal to correspond to the second resolution; and decoding the second portion of the video signal at the second resolution. The second resolution, at which the second portion of the video signal is decoded, can be selected from a plurality of predetermined decoding resolutions in response to the detection of a predetermined condition or in response to an input received from a user. Additionally, one or more reference pictures associated with the video signal can be up-sampled or down-sampled in at least one of the horizontal direction and the vertical direction.
US08358698B2
A transcoder and method of transcoding in which inter-prediction frames of a downsampled video are encoded using downsampled full-resolution residuals in the rate-distortion analysis used to locate a motion vector for a given partition in the downsampled video.
US08358685B2
One or more embodiments to iteratively detect and decode data transmitted in a wireless communication system, featuring a MIMO detector and a soft input soft-output error-correction-code decoder. More specifically, a method suitable for iterative detection and decoding schemes is proposed, which is able to output near optimal bit soft information processing efficiently given input bit soft information. First, a transmitting source is selected as a reference layer, wherein the associated symbol represents a reference transmit symbol. Subsequently, a set of candidate values are identified for the reference transmit symbol. For each candidate value a candidate transmit sequence is estimated through a novel spatial decision feedback equalization process based on both Euclidean distance metrics and the a-priori soft information provided by the SISO ECC decoder. The novel DFE technique uses a novel bit metric. Techniques are provided to identify a reduced size transmit symbol candidate set and generate from it near-optimal LLRs, also processing input a-priori LLRs in an iterative fashion.
US08358684B2
A demodulation circuit including: a first error calculation section configured to calculate a first error in accordance with a blind method; a second error calculation section configured to calculate a second error in accordance with a DD method; an update section configured to update filter coefficients for first and second filters based on the first or second error, the first filter filtering an input signal to generate a first signal, the second filter filtering a signal representing a hard decision value for a post-equalization signal to generate a second signal; a control section configured to, in the case where the update section is updating the filter coefficients based on the second error, controlling the filter coefficients to be updated based on the first error, when the degree of the second error has exceeded a first threshold; and a generation section configured to generate the post-equalization signal based on the first and second signals.
US08358683B2
A channel equalizer arranged to receive a data signal encoded by a plurality of amplitude levels, the circuitry including a filter having a plurality of taps, each tap generating an output signal based on a coefficient, an input for receiving an error signal for adapting the coefficients, and an output for outputting a filtered signal; and blind error generation circuitry arranged to generate the error signal, the blind error generation circuitry including: error estimating circuitry arranged to estimate the error of the filtered signal based on maximum likelihood; and adding circuitry coupled to the error estimating circuitry and to the output of the filter and arranged to add at least part of the filtered signal to the error estimated by the error estimating circuitry to generate the error signal.
US08358681B2
There is provided a communication apparatus, including a transmission unit that transmits information by a plurality of systems and a reception unit that receives information by a plurality of systems, wherein the transmission unit includes a calibration information generation unit that generates calibration information transmitted for each the system and a calibration information generation notification generation unit that generates a calibration information generation notification indicating that the calibration information has been generated by the calibration information generation unit for each system, and the reception unit includes a calibration information detection unit that starts measurement of time based on reception of the calibration information generation notification and detecting calibration information turned back by the transmission unit for each system after a fixed time passes after starting measurement of time.
US08358676B2
A data transmitting/receiving method and apparatus for allocating optimal sub-bands and transmission power levels and transmitting data in a ultra wide band (UWB) communication system. The method includes receiving data through sub-bands of each band group; determining performance ranks of the sub-bands based on error rates and differences of transmitting and receiving power levels of the received data; selecting a predetermined number of sub-bands according to the performance ranks of the sub-bands; generating power level adjustment information based on measured power levels of data of the selected sub-bands; and receiving data according to the selected sub-bands and the power levels.
US08358673B2
According to the concepts of the present disclosure, laser diode waveguide configurations are contemplated where the use of Al in the waveguide layers of the laser is presented in the form of InGaN/Al(In)GaN waveguiding superstructure comprising optical confining wells (InGaN) and strain compensating barriers (Al(In)GaN). The composition of the optical confining wells is chosen such that they provide strong optical confinement, even in the presence of the Al(In)GaN strain compensating barriers, but do not absorb lasing emission. The composition of the strain compensating barriers is chosen such that the Al(In)GaN exhibits tensile strain that compensates for the compressive strain of InGaN optical confinement wells but does not hinder the optical confinement.
US08358671B2
Processing a workpiece with a laser includes generating laser pulses at a first pulse repetition frequency. The first pulse repetition frequency provides reference timing for coordination of a beam positioning system and one or more cooperating beam position compensation elements to align beam delivery coordinates relative to the workpiece. The method also includes, at a second pulse repetition frequency that is lower than the first pulse repetition frequency, selectively amplifying a subset of the laser pulses. The selection of the laser pulses included in the subset is based on the first pulse repetition frequency and position data received from the beam positioning system. The method further includes adjusting the beam delivery coordinates using the one or more cooperating beam position compensation elements so as to direct the amplified laser pulses to selected targets on the workpiece.
US08358665B2
Described herein are various techniques for remotely controlling the presentation of multimedia data contained within a multiplex signal by various devices on a local area network. According to one aspect, a method is provided that allows for controlling the presentation of multimedia data being delivered to one or more devices on a local area network. Control is provided through the steps of receiving at least a portion of a multiplex signal at a control device, determining at the control device the one or more logical channels contained within the multiplex signal, detecting the presence of a controllable device on the local area network, receiving at least a portion of the multiplex signal at the controllable device, and transmitting instructions from the control device to the controllable device that instructs the controllable device to present to a user at least one type of multimedia data associated with one or more of the logical channels of the multiplex signal. According to another aspect, a mobile device is provided that communicates wirelessly over a local area network and includes at least one interface for displaying information and accepting input from a user. Furthermore, the mobile device receives a wireless multiplex signal that comprises one or more logical channels of multimedia data, and issue instructions to at least one multimedia device on the network indicating what multimedia data to consume by instructing the multimedia device to tune into one or more logical channels of the multiplex signal.
US08358662B2
An apparatus comprising a node configured to communicate with a path computation element (PCE) and a neighbor node, wherein the node is configured to send a local traffic engineering (TE) information directly to the PCE without sending the local TE information to the neighbor node. Also disclosed is a network component comprising at least one processor configured to implement a method comprising establishing a PCE protocol (PCEP) session with a PCE, and sending a TE information directly to the PCE without flooding the TE information. Also disclosed is a method comprising receiving a TE information, updating a first TE database (TED) using the TE information, and synchronizing the first TED with a second TED.
US08358657B2
A process is described to build physical layer frames with a modcode adapted to the signal quality of a destination terminal. Data packets assigned to the same modcode may be sent in the same frame, although packets associated with higher modcodes may be used to complete a frame before switching to the applicable higher modcode for construction of subsequent frames. After an interval, the order of progression is restarted with an out of order packet above a threshold age. Flow control filtering mechanisms and a variable reliability margin may be used to adapt dynamically to the current data traffic conditions.
US08358646B2
The present invention makes it possible to connect to and communicate with a connect destination by using a temporary number. In the present invention, a temporary number user terminal (100) registers a temporary number acquired from a SIP account server (300) in a SIP proxy server (400), and connects to and communicates with a connected user terminal (200) by using the temporary number. After the communication is finished, the temporary number is unregistered from the SIP proxy server (400), thereby disabling a connection from the connected user terminal (200). Also, connection conditions are provided by specifying the validity period of connection using a temporary number, the number of times connection can be made, the connect destination to which connection can be made, and the like, and only those calls which meet the connection conditions are accepted, thereby making it possible to restrict the uses of the temporary number.
US08358645B2
In one embodiment, a method and system for enabling determination of a physical location of a Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) endpoint device utilized to originate an emergency call are described. A network location associated with the VoIP endpoint device is automatically detected. The VoIP endpoint device is coupled with a VoIP network via a port of a network device (e.g., a wireline or a wireless network device). The network location includes an identity of the network device and an identity of the port. The network location is saved and upon initiation of an emergency call, the VoIP endpoint device forwards the network location to a device capable of converting the network location to a physical location.
US08358644B2
An embodiment includes a method for generating a set of synchronization/pilot sequences (SPS) by generating a plurality of candidate SPS using different initial conditions. Correlations are performed among the candidate SPS to generate a plurality of correlation values, and a plurality of permutations of the candidate SPS are determined, where each permutation includes a different set of candidate SPS, and wherein each permutation includes a number, D, of candidate SPS. In addition a selected permutation is identified from the plurality of permutations, where the selected permutation corresponds to the set of SPS being generated. A system includes a transmitter adapted to generate a wireless signal in which an SPS is embedded by combining each SPS of the set with phase shifted input data, determining peak-to-average power ratios (PARs) for at least some of the combined signals, and identifying a selected combined signal based on the PARs.
US08358643B2
A communication method for reducing Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection setup time in an Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN) includes the step of using an inclusive Signalling Radio Bearer (iSRB) in place of a plurality of individual Signalling Radio Bearers (indSRBs) for transferring signals from Radio Resource Control (RRC) to Medium Access Control (MAC). A Protocol Discriminator (PD) is added to the tail (right side) of each indSRB at the RRC for allowing the MAC to identify each indSRB as received in the iSRB. The PD is needed because the MAC would otherwise be unable to place each indSRB into the appropriate prioritizing queue for trans-mission to the physical layer. The PD is stripped off at the MAC. A preferred embodiment uses the iSRB in place of four individual indSRBs (SRB1, SRB2, SRB3 and SRB4), but in an alternative form the Unacknowledged Mode SRB (SRBI) would not be present in the system and therefore not included in the iSRB.
US08358635B2
Methods and apparatus for establishing communication between a Mobile Node and a Home Agent are disclosed. The Home Agent receives a registration request packet from the Mobile Node, the registration request packet including an IP source address and a Home Agent address. The Home Agent then detects from the registration request packet when network address translation has been performed. When it has been detected that network address translation has been performed, a tunnel is set up between the Home Agent address and the IP source address.
US08358618B2
A method for operating a Base Station (BS) in a wireless communication system includes, when a bandwidth request message is received from a Mobile Station (MS), whether a resource allocated to the MS exists is determined. When the resource allocated to the MS does not exist, a resource is temporarily allocated to the MS. A message indicating a network initial entry is transmitted to the MS using the temporarily allocated resource.
US08358611B2
Provided is a method of sending multiple codewords in a wireless communication system using a plurality of transmitting antennas. The method includes the steps of encoding a plurality of parallel information bit streams to generate a plurality of parallel codewords; modulating the plurality of parallel codewords to generate a plurality of parallel modulated symbol streams; performing a DFT (Discrete Fourier Transform) on the modulated symbol streams to generate a plurality of frequency domain symbol streams; performing a pre-coding process on the plurality of frequency domain symbol streams; mapping the plurality of precoded frequency domain symbol streams to resource elements; performing an IFFT (Inverse Fast Fourier Transform) on the plurality of frequency domain symbol streams to generate SC-FDMA (Single Carrier Frequency Division Multiple Access) symbols; performing shifting, at a predetermined time interval, on layers at which the plurality of parallel codewords, the plurality of parallel modulated symbol streams, or the plurality of frequency domain symbol streams; and transmitting the SC-FDMA symbol.
US08358581B2
A method for adjusting a signal delivery bandwidth is provided. The method includes the following steps: A media gateway (MG) receives a command request carrying signal delivery bandwidth adjusting information, and the MG adjusts the signal delivery bandwidth according to the signal delivery bandwidth adjusting information. An MG and a media gateway controller (MGC) are also provided. By extending the media gateway control protocol (H.248 or MGCP), the delivery bandwidth adjusting information of a signal is transferred while the signal is transferred, the signal is adjusted according to the signal delivery bandwidth adjusting information, a signal and/or signal list corresponding to the signal delivery bandwidth adjusting information is transferred simultaneously, and the executing process of the signal remains uninterrupted.
US08358570B2
A method of drawing a pattern for magnetic transfer on a substrate, including the steps of rotating the substrate and scanning the substrate, by an electron beam, in a circumferential direction thereof, deflecting, using a deflection signal, the electron beam in a radial direction thereof, and switching irradiation of the electron beam on and off, so as to create the pattern of a plurality of dots.
US08358566B1
A method and device for determining frequency error to extend the pull-in range of a timing recovery circuit for a storage device such as an optical disc drive. A code associated with a storage format of the storage device is detected, and the distance between occurrences of the code is determined. The calculated distance is compared with the expected distance to determine the difference. Based on the difference, the frequency error is determined.
US08358558B2
An address control circuit is presented for use in reducing a skew in a write operation mode. The address control circuit includes a read column address control circuit and a write column address control circuit. The read column address control circuit is configured to generate a read column address from an address during a first burst period for a read operation mode. The write column address control circuit is configured to generate a write column address from the address during a second burst period for a write operation mode.
US08358556B2
To provide an internal power supply circuit that supplies a power supply voltage to an internal circuit of a semiconductor device via an internal power supply wiring, the internal power supply circuit includes a plurality of power supply units connected in common to the internal power supply wiring and an internal-power-supply control circuit that selects either activation or deactivation with regard to at least a part of the power supply units.
US08358555B2
A fuse circuit includes a plurality of fuse sets configured to perform fuse programming and generate fuse signals in response to fuse programming signals and a fuse control unit configured to generate the fuse programming signals depending upon a level of a programming voltage.
US08358537B2
A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device according to one embodiment includes: a memory cell array; word lines each connected to nonvolatile memory cells; and a control circuit. When executing the data reading operation, the control circuit applies to a selected word line connected to a selected memory cell a first voltage obtained by adding a first adjusting voltage to an intermediate voltage between adjoining two of the threshold voltage distributions; applies to first non-selected word lines adjoining the selected word line a second voltage obtained by subtracting a second adjusting voltage from a reading pass voltage; applies to second non-selected word lines adjoining the first non-selected word lines a third voltage obtained by adding the second adjusting voltage to the reading pass voltage; and applies to third non-selected word lines, the third non-selected word lines being non-selected word lines except the first and second non-selected word lines, the reading pass voltage.
US08358536B2
A nonvolatile memory device includes an operation voltage generation unit configured to generate a first pass voltage when a verification voltage is higher than a reference voltage and to generate a second pass voltage lower than the first pass voltage when the verification voltage is lower than the reference voltage.
US08358529B2
A memory cell including a memory element comprising an electrolytic insulator in contact with a conductive metal oxide (CMO) is disclosed. The CMO includes a crystalline structure and can comprise a pyrochlore oxide, a conductive binary oxide, a multiple B-site perovskite, and a Ruddlesden-Popper structure. The CMO includes mobile ions that can be transported to/from the electrolytic insulator in response to an electric field of appropriate magnitude and direction generated by a write voltage applied across the electrolytic insulator and CMO. The memory cell can include a non-ohmic device (NOD) that is electrically in series with the memory element. The memory cell can be positioned between a cross-point of conductive array lines in a two-terminal cross-point memory array in a single layer of memory or multiple vertically stacked layers of memory that are fabricated over a substrate that includes active circuitry for data operations on the array layer(s).
US08358525B2
A high density memory device is fabricated three dimensionally in layers. To keep points of failure low, address decoding circuits are included within each layer so that, in addition to power and data lines, only the address signal lines need be interconnected between the layers.
US08358524B1
A content addressable memory (CAM) device can include a number of bit line. One or more of the bit lines can be connected to storage circuits of CAM cells in a corresponding column. Each CAM cell can include compare circuits that compare a stored value one or more compare data values. An isolation circuit can have a controllable impedance path connected between the bit line and a precharge voltage node and can be controlled by application of a potential at a control node. A control circuit can be coupled to the control node and can switch the isolation circuit from a high impedance state to a low impedance state in response to, and no later than the start of, an access operation.
US08358522B2
An apparatus for providing synchronous rectifier gate drive timing is described. The apparatus includes circuitry to receive a first signal. The apparatus also includes circuitry to generate a second signal by modifying the first signal to delay a transition from high to low for a non-zero overlap duration. An output to apply an inverse of the first signal as a gate drive timing of at least a first transistor and to apply the second signal as a gate drive timing of at least a second transistor, where the first transistor is a part of a primary side of a full-bridge synchronous rectifier and the second transistor is a part of a secondary side of the full-bridge synchronous rectifier is also included. The second signal and the inverse of the first signal are high during the overlap duration. Methods and program storage devices are also disclosed.
US08358517B2
A switching power conversion circuit receives an input voltage and generates an output voltage to a system circuit. The switching power conversion circuit includes a power circuit, a feedback circuit, a control circuit, and an initiation circuit. The power circuit includes a first switch circuit. The feedback circuit generates a feedback signal according to a power-status signal and the output voltage. The first switching circuit is conducted or shut off according to the feedback signal under control of the control circuit, so that the input voltage is converted into the output voltage and the first auxiliary voltage by the power circuit. If the power-status signal is in an off status, a ratio of the feedback signal to the output voltage is equal to a first feedback ratio and the magnitude of the first auxiliary voltage is lower than a normal operating voltage value, so that the control circuit is disabled.
US08358506B2
A mechanical arrangement for use in implementing a galvanically-isolated, low-profile micro-inverter primarily, though not exclusively, intended for use with solar panels. The micro-inverter contains a circuitry assembly having a planar transformer formed of two abutting E-shaped core halves, and a chopper device assembly with all chopper devices mounted to a common thermally-conductive plate. To provide passive cooling, heat conduction paths are established, via separate compressive thermally-conductive pads, from a top surface of a top core half of the transformer and from a bottom surface of the conductive plate to large-area portions of opposing internal surfaces of top and base portions, respectively, of an enclosure. The enclosure portions, once secured together to house the circuitry and chopper device assemblies, exert a physical force through the compressive pads to effectively clamp the core halves together and eliminate air gaps that might otherwise form between abutting portions of the core halves.
US08358497B2
An electrode foil includes a base made of foil of valve metal, and a rough surface layer made of valve metal provided on a surface of the base. The rough surface layer includes plural tree structures extending d from the base. Each of the tree structures includes plural particles of valve metal linked together, and is branched into plural twigs. This electrode foil provides an electrolytic capacitor with a small size and a large capacitance.
US08358496B2
A high reliable electric double layer capacitor is provided by increasing a sealing ability and strength of given portions of collecting terminals. In an electric double layer capacitor including a capacitor proper 1a produced by a plurality of stacked cells and an aluminum laminate film covering the exterior of the capacitor proper, a pair of collecting terminals 12 and 13 are provided at opposed portions of the capacitor proper 1a. Each collecting terminal 12 or 13 includes a first bent portion 12b or 13b that is bent to extend along a side surface 1b of the capacitor proper 1a and a second bent portion 12c or 13c that is bent to extend outward from a vertically middle position of the side surface 1b of the capacitor proper 1a. The second bent portions 12c and 13c of the pair of collecting terminals 12 and 13 are arranged to constitute a common plane and covered with the aluminum laminate film in such a manner that leading end portions of the pair of collecting terminals 12 and 13 protrude to the outside from the aluminum laminate film.
US08358470B2
A zoom lens, including: a front lens group; an aperture stop; and a rear lens group, in which the rear lens group includes: a front lens unit and a rear lens unit, a maximum air interval of the rear lens group being interposed between the front lens unit and the rear lens unit, in which the rear lens unit includes: a first lens which is located on the most object side; a second lens which is located on the most image side, and the following conditional expressions are satisfied: −6.0≦fs1/frr≦−1.0; and −9.0≦fs3/frr≦−2.0, where frr indicates a focal length of the rear lens unit, and fs1 and fs3 indicate a focal length of the first lens and a focal length of the second lens, respectively.
US08358463B2
A particle image-capturing method includes controlling a light-emitting diode unit to emit light so as to illuminate a fluid through an annular condenser, particles in which scattering the light, and controlling an image-capturing unit to capture images of the scattered light through a microscope. A micro particle image velocimetry that performs the method is also disclosed.
US08358452B2
An imaging system comprises a calibration system adapted to perform a calibration scan of a charged luminescent calibration strip disposed in a scan window of an automatic document feeder. The calibration system is adapted to determine whether an opaque object is disposed within a visible area defined by the scan window from the calibration scan.
US08358451B2
A conveying device, comprising: a linear conveyance route on which a sheet-like medium is linearly conveyable; a bent conveyance route that is branched from the linear conveyance route and on which the medium is conveyable in a bent manner; a switching member provided at the branched portion and movable into a bent conveyance position for guiding the medium to the bent conveyance route and into a linear conveyance position for guiding the medium to the linear conveyance route, according to a force acting from the medium at a time of coming in contact with the medium; and a variable pressurizing unit configured to make a force acting on the medium from the switching member in the linear conveyance position smaller than a force acting on the medium from the switching member in the bent conveyance position.
US08358433B2
A method of revealing hidden content associated with printed content using a handheld display device. The method includes the steps of: imaging an area of a printed substrate and generating image data using an image sensor; determining interaction data using the image data; retrieving display data using an identified page description, the display data including the hidden content associated with the printed content; displaying, on an opaque touch-sensitive display screen of the handheld display device, display information based on the display data and including the hidden content. The opaque display screen has real-time virtual transparency through the screen to the printed content from a user's perspective to provide a virtual window to the printed content. The opaque display screen additionally displays the hidden content in real-time as if it were printed on the printed substrate.
US08358429B2
A method of interacting with printed content using a handheld display device. The method includes the steps of: imaging an area of a printed substrate and generating image data using an image sensor; determining interaction data using the image data, retrieving display data using an identified page description, the display data corresponding to the printed content; displaying, on an opaque touch-sensitive display screen of the handheld display device, display information based on the display data; and interacting with the display information via the opaque touch-sensitive display screen. The opaque touch-sensitive display screen has real-time virtual transparency through the screen to the printed content from a user's perspective to provide a virtual window to the printed content.
US08358424B2
A distance measuring apparatus comprises: an edge specifying part 101 for specifying the edge of a probe 6 in a secondary portrait appearing on the surface of a work 9 and an image of the probe 6; a straight line inserting part 102 for inserting a straight line along the outer edge of the secondary portrait onto an image, and an overlap determining part 103 for determining an overlap of the edge and the straight line, wherein one or more LED lamps 7, and calculating part for calculating the distance wherein the imaging device and the probe 6 are movably held integrally for the surface of the work 9.
US08358416B2
A processing system having a chamber for in-situ optical interrogation of plasma emission to quantitatively measure normalized optical emission spectra is provided. The processing chamber includes a confinement ring assembly, a flash lamp, and a set of quartz windows. The processing chamber also includes a plurality of collimated optical assemblies, the plurality of collimated optical assemblies are optically coupled to the set of quartz windows. The processing chamber also includes a plurality of fiber optic bundles. The processing chamber also includes a multi-channel spectrometer, the multi-channel spectrometer is configured with at least a signal channel and a reference channel, the signal channel is optically coupled to at least the flash lamp, the set of quartz windows, the set of collimated optical assemblies, the illuminated fiber optic bundle, and the collection fiber optic bundle to measure a first signal.
US08358405B2
A blood collecting apparatus includes a main flow path and a pressure generator. The pressure generator is provided in an intermediate position of the main flow path to insert a gas as separators at designated predetermined intervals, thereby to take out blood to be measured, as separated in a time series. The blood can be taken out in minute volumes by inserting the separators consisting of the gas while feeding the blood continuously into the main flow path in this way. And consumption of the blood can be held down, and the amount of collected blood can be minimized. Since the operation to insert the separators is excellent in speed, repeated collection in a short time, i.e. frequency of blood collection, can be secured.
US08358403B1
Remote platform enhanced munitions detection can support improved detection of munitions by separating the signal source platform from a detector on a remote mobile platform. The source platform may support a large, complex, or expensive optical laser or radio frequency source. The source platform may also support a remote signal processing system. The electromagnetic source may be used to illuminate munitions or threat material from a standoff distance. The mobile platform may be maneuvered and positioned closer to the measurement target. The mobile platform may be equipped with an appropriate electromagnetic detector to obtain measurement data at different ranges and positions around the measurement target. The mobile platform may also provide an articulating arm with a mirror or reflector to support non-line-of-sight measurements.
US08358402B2
A method of structuring a photosensitive material is disclosed. The method includes illuminating a first object structure and projecting a pattern of the first object structure onto a photosensitive material such that the projected pattern of the first object structure is focussed at a first focus position with respect to the photosensitive material. The method also includes illuminating a second object structure and projecting a pattern of the second object structure onto the photosensitive material such that the projected pattern of the second object structure is focussed at a second focus position with respect to the photosensitive material. The respective patterns are projected in the same projection direction.
US08358398B2
An optical device is configured to perform both switching and attenuation of an optical beam in response to a single control signal. The optical device includes a liquid-crystal-based beam-polarizing element having polarization-conditioning regions that are controlled using a common electrode. The first polarization-conditioning region conditions the polarization of the input beam in order to separate the input beam into a primary component and a residual component. The second and third polarization-conditioning regions change the polarization of the primary component and the residual component, respectively. The primary component is directed to an output port after it has been attenuated based on its polarization state. The residual component, after passing through the third polarization-conditioning region, has its intensity further reduced based on its polarization state.
US08358394B2
A liquid crystal display device includes first and second substrates, a liquid crystal layer disposed therebetween, pixel regions formed by gate signal lines and image signal lines formed over the first substrate, a first insulating layer formed over the gate signal lines, thin film transistors connected to the gate signal lines with in a second insulating layer formed thereover, pixel electrodes connected to the thin film transistors, a counter electrode formed of a first transparent conductive layer over the second insulating layer, and a second transparent conductive layer and an external connection terminal disposed outside of the pixel regions. The second transparent conductive layer is formed over the second insulating layer and is electrically connected to the counter electrode and the external connection terminal, and a part of each of the gate signal lines is disposed outside of the pixel regions and is covered by the second transparent conductive layer.
US08358393B2
In one embodiment of an invention concerning liquid crystal display devices, a first pixel electrode of a thin film transistor (TFT) array substrate may overlap a slit of a second pixel electrode of the TFT array substrate but not overlap another slit of the second pixel electrode. This may help induce a multi-domain electric field without having to precisely position a common electrode of a color filter substrate and the TFT array substrate. This may prevent position errors, enhance display quality, produce a wider viewing angle, and lower color shift sometimes associated with conventional liquid crystal display devices and methods.
US08358391B2
We disclose a new method of preparing liquid crystal alignment layers that can produce controllable pretilt angles from near 0 to near 90°. It is based on the stacking of two alignment materials sequentially, with the first one being continuous and the second one being discontinuous leaving part of the first layer exposed.
US08358384B2
A projection system can include a color wheel and at least one digital micromirror device. The color wheel can produce different colors of light from a light source. Each color can be produced in sequential order for a predetermined color phase. Each of the digital micromirror device(s) can have a plurality of micromirrors. At least one of the plurality of micromirrors can be activated at different respective portions of each of two consecutive color phases responsive to a control signal. The projection system also can include a lens configured to project light reflected from the at least one digital micromirror device onto a projection surface.
US08358377B2
A method of operating an image display apparatus includes generating a thumbnail image based on an input signal, detecting an error in the thumbnail image, and displaying the thumbnail image if no error is detected in the thumbnail image.
US08358372B2
A curved flat cable (32) for electrically connecting a cards cage (18) and a charged coupled device (CCD) (12) can be freely rotated coaxially in respect to the cards cage, and includes a curved shaped insulating film and a set of separate plated conductor strips (23, 44) disposed on the curved shaped insulating film.
US08358371B1
The crane block camera system attaches onto a crane block in order to provide video footage of the area around the crane block. The system attaches onto the crane block and includes electrical generating means thereon. The video footage is transmitted wirelessly where it is received by a receiver and monitor located near the crane operator.
US08358368B2
An image processing device and an image processing method determine whether the photographic scene has a high luminance difference. If the photographic scene has a high luminance difference, the image processing device and method switch the image pickup unit to a high luminance difference exposure mode. If the photographic scene does not have a high luminance difference, the image processing device and method switch the image pickup unit to a normal exposure mode.
US08358361B2
A high-speed, high-resolution column A/D converter having a noise reduction function to eliminate a fixed pattern noise etc. is provided with a small circuit scale. Each column A/D converter includes a dual-output D/A converter for selecting two reference voltages from among a reference voltage group supplied in common to each column A/D converter, so as to output the two reference voltages to sandwich each sensor signal voltage input to each column A/D converter, along with a charge-redistribution D/A converter having a full scale determined by the above two reference voltages. Thus, the high-speed, high-resolution column A/D converter is achieved with a small circuit scale. Further, by the utilization of high-speed conversion capability, noise reduction is performed through digital calculation after the A/D conversion.
US08358355B2
To be capable of correcting a captured image to an image desirable to a user only by using a digital still camera.An RAM 15 storing the image data of an image for which tone correction is to be performed in a standard color space format and a tone correction circuit 35 are provided. The image data is read out from the RAM 15, and the tone correction is performed for the readout image data in the tone correction circuit 35. In automatic tone correction, luminance signals of the image are statistically analyzed to categorize the image, and an appropriate correction curve is used to correct the image.
US08358341B2
System and method for scanning an object using a surveying instrument is provided. The method includes designating an area associated with an object to be scanned. Defining one or more sections within the area associated with the object. Scanning a portion of the area associated with the object corresponding to a first section of the area associated with the object and designating one or more sections adjacent to the first section if scan results indicate presence of an object. Designating one or more sections adjacent to the first section for not scanning if the scan results of the portion of the area associated with the object corresponding to the first section do not indicate presence of an object. A remote control device is provided that can control the surveying instrument, receive the scan results, and analyze the scan results for subsequent use.
US08358340B2
A pattern inspection device according to the embodiment, includes: an image picking-up portion for picking-up an image of a pattern formation member in which a plurality of opening patterns are formed so as to obtain a picked-up image of the pattern formation member; a reference image obtaining portion for obtaining a reference image used for comparing with the picked-up image; and a pattern defect detecting portion for matching the center locations of the opening pattern images respectively between the picked-up image and the reference image, forming difference images of the opening pattern images between the picked-up image and the reference image per the opening pattern and detecting the defect of the opening pattern base on the difference images.
US08358332B2
Techniques for creating 3-D movies allow improved control over camera positioning parameters and editing of depth in post-process to provide for a smoother variation in the viewer's convergence distance and a more pleasant viewing experience. A director can define reference parameters related to a desired viewing experience, and camera positioning parameters are derived therefrom. A depth script specifying piecewise continuous variations in reference parameters can be applied in post-process to generate 3-D shots, scenes, or movies. These techniques can be applied in both computer-generated and live-action 3-D movies.
US08358331B2
A 3D caption display method for harmoniously merging and displaying closed caption with 3D image in a 3D display apparatus, and a 3D display apparatus suitable for implementing the method. The 3D display apparatus receives a broadcast signal containing caption data, and obtains caption control commands including a 3D parameter setting command from the caption data. Afterwards, the 3D display apparatus displays a plurality of 3D caption images according to the caption control commands.
US08358330B2
A stereoscopic microscope workstation providing high-resolution, real-time video signals to a display device. A stereoscopic microscope workstation providing high-resolution, real-time data to a display means. Various embodiments are disclosed including desktop and free-standing workstations. An image processing unit can be implemented, providing for natural orientation of the magnified image of the viewed object, also allowing rotation, cropping, filtering and other image manipulation features. Methods of performing a procedure utilizing the stereoscopic microscope workstation are disclosed, including a method of performing a procedure of simultaneously utilizing both foveal vision and peripheral vision.
US08358329B2
The present invention is directed to a stereo image processing apparatus adapted for performing stereoscopic reproduction of images without depending upon header information of file to have ability to recover or restore header information for stereoscopic display which has been broken or missing, which includes an image input unit (1) for inputting plural main images constituting stereo images, a stereo information encoding unit (6) for encoding stereo information for stereoscopic display control with respect to the inputted plural main images into an image like bar code, and an image synthesis unit (8) for synthesizing the inputted plural main images and an encoded image of the stereo information in the state where corresponding areas for respective images are partitioned.
US08358328B2
A method, an apparatus, and a storage medium with executable code to execute a method including accepting camera views of at least some participants of a teleconference, each view from a corresponding video camera, with the camera views together including at least one view of each participant. The method includes accepting audio from a plurality of microphones, and processing the audio from the plurality of microphones to generate audio data and direction information indicative of the direction of sound received at the microphones. The method further includes generating one or more candidate people views, with each people view being of an area enclosing a head and shoulders view of at least one participant. The method also includes making a selection, according to the direction information, of which at least one of the candidate people views are to be transmitted to one or more remote endpoints.
US08358322B2
A display includes a plurality of display elements. Each display element includes two opposed electrodes, a first dielectric layer, a fluid including a plurality of colorants, and a second dielectric layer. The first dielectric layer is disposed between the electrodes and has at least one reservoir defined therein. The second dielectric layer exhibits non-linear resistance, and is disposed on at least one of the electrodes and adjacent to the fluid. The fluid is disposed in a space defined between the electrodes, and the plurality of colorants is configured to move in response to an applied electric field.
US08358321B1
A method, computer program product, and system are provided for orienting content on a display. The method may include identifying one or more features of a user in a captured image. A user orientation axis is determined in the captured image. A content orientation axis corresponding to an orientation direction of a screen content is defined. A determination is made as to whether the content orientation axis and the user orientation axis are parallel or perpendicular. The orientation direction of the screen content is changed to be substantially along the user orientation axis based on the determination of whether the content orientation axis and the user orientation axis are parallel or perpendicular. The screen content is then displayed.
US08358320B2
A method and system which seamlessly combines natural way of handwriting (real world) with interactive digital media and technologies (virtual world) for providing a mixed or augmented reality perception to the user is disclosed.
US08358319B2
Various techniques are provided herein for processing raw image data acquired using a digital image sensor in an image processing pipeline of an image signal processing system. In one embodiment, the image processing pipeline may first process the raw image data (e.g., Bayer image data) for the detection and correction of defective pixels. Next, the image processing pipeline may process the raw image data to reduce noise. Thereafter, the image processing pipeline may correct lens shading distortion in the raw image data and, subsequently, apply a demosaicing algorithm to convert the raw image data into full color image data (e.g., RGB image data). The color image data may be further processed by the image processing pipeline to correct color and gamma properties prior to being converted into a luma and chroma color space (e.g., YCbCr color space).
US08358316B2
Procedure and device for the texturizing of an object of a virtual three-dimensional geometric model
A procedure for texturing an object of a virtual three-dimensional geometric model represented by three-dimensional geometric model data comprised of a three-dimensional object data associated with the object. Facet data is created out of three-dimensional geometric model data representing object surfaces of an object and which will be assigned 3D object data. Texture data is created representing a surface texture of the object surfaces of each object and which is assigned facet data. The three-dimensional object data, facet data and texture data are used to create a textured, three-dimensional representation of the object.
US08358306B2
Technology for re-coloring a region of a color image including determining an original base color in a region of a color image; establishing at least one shading parameter in the region of the color image; and combining a new base color with the at least one shading parameter in the region of the color image thereby producing a re-colored region of the color image.
US08358299B2
A display system, a driver for driving the display array, method of operating the display system and a pixel circuit in the display system are provided. The driver includes: a bidirectional current source having a convertor coupling to a time-variant voltage, for converting the time-variant voltage to the current. The pixel circuit includes: a transistor for providing a pixel current to a light emitting device; and a storage capacitor electrically coupling to the transistor, the capacitor coupling to a time-variant voltage in a predetermined timing for providing a current based on the time-variant voltage. The method includes: in a first cycle in a programming operation, changing a time-variant voltage provided to a storage capacitor in a pixel circuit, from a reference voltage to a programming voltage, the storage capacitor electrically coupling to a driving transistor for driving a light emitting device; and in a second cycle in the programming operation, maintaining the time-variant voltage at the programming voltage. The method includes: in a programming operation, providing programming data to a pixel circuit from a data line, the pixel circuit including a transistor coupling to the data line and a storage capacitor; and in a driving operation, providing, to the storage capacitor in the pixel circuit via a power supply line, a time-variant voltage for turning on a light emitting device. The pixel circuit, which includes: an organic light emitting diode (OLED) device having an electrode and an OLED layer; and an inter-digitated capacitor having a plurality of layers.
US08358291B2
An exemplary stylus includes a barrel, two slide mechanisms, two housings and a head. The two housings are slidably coupled to the barrel by the two slide mechanisms. The head is attached to an outer end of one of the housings, and configured to contact a touch screen of an electronic device. The two housings cooperatively surround the barrel when the stylus is in a retracted position, and are slidable along two opposite directions to elongate the stylus.
US08358289B2
Controller arrangement for an optical sensing pen with an infrared data association (IRDA) interface
A controller arrangement for an optical sensing pen having a nib, the controller arrangement configured to operatively sense location data by sensing location tags on a page of printed media, and to calculate a nib-to-tag distance indicative of the location data. The controller arrangement includes an infrared (IR) illumination LED and image sensor assembly configured to transmit IR light onto, and receive IR light reflected from, respectively, the page of printed media. The arrangement also includes a force sensing infrared LED and photodiode assembly configured to detect when the nib contacts the page so that the sensor assembly is only activated when the nib is in contact with said page. The arrangement further has an infrared data association (IrDA) interface for short-range communication with a computing system, and a processor arranged in signal communication with, and configured to control, the sensor assembly, the photodiode assembly, and IrDA interface to operatively calculate the nib-to-tag distance and to transmit related location data to the computing system.
US08358275B2
The present invention provides a partially flexible display device (30) including at least one relatively flexible display region (54) and at least one relatively non-flexible display region (56); whereby the at least one relatively flexible display region (54) and the at least one relatively non-flexible display region (56) share a common base structure comprised of a plurality of layers (60-66) and the at least one relatively non-flexible display region (56) further comprises at least one additional layer (70). The at least one additional layer (70) is added to provide additional display features in the partially flexible display device (30). The additional display features may include, without limitation, a color feature, a front lighting feature, a back lighting feature and a touch sensitivity feature. In this construction, the at least one flexible region (54) and at least one non-flexible region (56) are mechanically interconnected and preferably aligned in the same dimension.
US08358274B2
The present invention discloses a control method for generating varying colored lights in a keyboard and a self-luminous keyboard for realizing the same method. The control method comprises steps: establishing a driving signal table storing a plurality of backlight driving signals; setting the conditions for outputting the backlight driving signals respectively; detecting a keying signal generated by pressing a key; outputting the backlight driving signal corresponding to the keying signal to drive a backlight unit, or sequentially outputting the backlight driving signals according to the keying signal to drive a backlight unit. The self-luminous keyboard for realizing the same method comprises a memory unit storing the driving signal table and a microcontroller unit detecting the keying signals. The microcontroller unit sequentially outputs the backlight driving signals to drive the backlight unit, or outputs the backlight driving signal corresponding to the keying signal to drive the backlight unit.
US08358272B2
A computer keyboard, comprising: an operation unit, a processing unit, an output unit, a query unit, and a display unit; wherein the operation unit comprises an editing key, a function key, the editing key is configured to respond to a user input to generate an editing information, the function key is configured to respond to the user input to control the computer keyboard entering an editing mode; and the processing unit is configured to transmit the editing information to an editing software via the output unit, when the computer keyboard is in the editing mode.
US08358269B2
A user may wear the radio frequency human interface device on a body portion and move the body portion over any even and un-even surface that is not touch sensitive to provide inputs. The radio frequency human interface device may sense, encode, and provide the radio frequency signals to a computing system. The computing system may be provisioned with a radio frequency reader that may receive the radio frequency signal and decode the radio frequency signal before responding to the input. Also, a plurality of users may use radio frequency human interface devices to provide inputs to the computing system concurrently.
US08358268B2
A multi-touch system is provided. The multi-touch system includes a multi-touch detection area generated by a mobile device and a first communication device, the mobile device and first or second communication device being movable relative to each other. The mobile device is operable to determine a first set of coordinates for a first detectable object within the multi-touch detection area as a function of: a distance between the mobile device and the first communication device, a distance between the mobile device and first detectable object, and a distance between the first communication device and first detectable object.
US08358260B2
A display device may include a flat panel display, and a controller coupled to the flat panel display. The controller may be configured to determine an operating mode for the flat panel display among a plurality of operating modes including at least a first operating mode and a second operating mode. In the first operating mode, the controller may set the flat panel display to utilize a first frame rate and a first inversion mode to save power. In the second operating mode, the controller may set the flat panel display to utilize a second frame rate, a second inversion mode, and a black frame insertion to improve image quality. The second frame rate may be faster than the first frame rate. The second inversion mode and black frame insertion may be mutually configured to maintain a DC balanced operation of the flat panel display.
US08358256B2
Compensation is performed for initial nonuniformity or aging of drive transistors and electroluminescent (EL) emitters in 3T1C EL subpixels of an EL display, such as an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display. A readout transistor connected to the EL emitter is used to readout the voltage of the emitter and compensation for ΔVth, ΔVEL, and OLED efficiency loss is performed using a model. Measurements are taken during a frame by driving a target subpixel at a higher luminance for a shorter time, then using the remaining time in the frame to measure. Measurements can be taken with an A/D converter or with a ramp generator and comparator. Compensation is performed for each subpixel individually.
US08358253B2
The present invention generally relates to a video control system, more particularly to a video control system, a display system control device and a video controlling method thereof. The video control system comprises a display system control device for processing all signals in the system and a display device assembly, which is composed of at least one and above intellectual display devices having independent addresses each, which are from 1A to M×N. The display system control device comprises a video bridge, which further comprises at least a video bridge unit, a video switch, an embedded micro-processing module and a storage device. The video controlling method comprises the steps of transmitting video inputs to respective video bridge units, which convert the video inputs to the video format of a video switch and outputting the converted video signals to the video switch; enabling the video switch to receive the video signals and output video output stream to the display device assembly. The video bridge and the video switch of the present invention are applied to adjust the ways of providing video sources, enabling the display device assembly to perform more flexibly and efficiently; the present invention further reduces the whole system and maintenance costs.
US08358246B2
A stripline antenna-coupler for a RFID system is provided. The coupler is configured to communicate with a targeted transponder from among a group of multiple adjacent transponders. The coupler may include at least two conductive strips, at least one terminating load, a dielectric material, a first ground plane, and a second ground plane. Each of the conductive strips extends between the first and second ground planes and the dielectric material from an input end connected to a transceiver to a loaded end connected to the terminating load. The conductive strips may be configured to propagate electromagnetic fields concentrated in a near field region of the conductive strips in a direction generally perpendicular to the conductive strips to couple with a targeted transponder. The coupler may include an enclosure for directing the electromagnetic fields. The conductive strip may have a tapered or non-linear profile such as a modified bow-tie profile.
US08358241B2
A position calculating method includes: estimating a reception frequency and a code phase related to reception of a positioning signal from a positioning satellite as an estimated measurement; acquiring a reception frequency and a code phase on the basis of the positioning signal received from the positioning satellite; setting a value of an error parameter as an observed measurement, which is used in position calculation using a Kalman filter, on the basis of a difference between the observed measurement and the estimated measurement; and calculating a position by performing the position calculation using the error parameter value.
US08358231B2
A tracking analog-to-digital converter “ADC” with a self-controlled variable clock comprises: a digital register; a digital-to-analog converter “DAC” coupled to said digital register providing an analog feedback signal; a comparator coupled to an analog input signal and said analog feedback signal and providing a comparison signal based on a comparison between said analog input signal and said analog feedback signal, said comparison signal being coupled to the digital register; a means for determining comparator readiness to determine if said comparator is ready, indicating that said comparison signal can be reliably read, said means for determining comparator readiness further comprising a determination of a comparison ready indicator; a means for clocking to generate a clock signal to drive said digital register in response to said means for determining comparator readiness determining that said comparator is ready; and said digital register being configured to count in response to said clock signal based on said comparison signal of the comparator.
US08358223B2
The vessel control device disclosed herein comprises a channel-mounted, spring-loaded eyebolt that trails a floating line. It also embodies a latch mechanism, a cable release device and an electrical switch.By the action of grabbing the line the man overboard victim (MOB) can stop the vessel by himself; then use the line to reboard.
US08358220B2
A wellbore communications system comprising a surface computing unit. The surface computing unit comprises a processing module and a communications module, one or more downhole modules arranged within the wellbore, and a wireless communications channel communicatively coupling one or more the downhole modules and the surface computing unit. The surface computer unit and one or more of the downhole modules are configured to encode data with an iterative code prior to transmission on the wireless communications channel.
US08358217B2
A stationary induction apparatus has: a winding to which AC current is supplied; an electrostatic shield which includes an electrostatic shield member having a hollow and an electrically conductive film wound around the electrostatic shield member, and which is configured to suppress the electric field of the winding; a housing which contains the winding, the electrostatic shield and the insulating fluid; an IC tag which has a sensor arranged in the hollow of the electrostatic shield member and configured to detect position of the electrostatic shield member, and a transmitter unit configured to transmit, by radio, information acquired by the sensor as a high-frequency signal having a frequency much higher than the frequency of the AC current; and a receiver unit which is arranged in the housing, receives the high-frequency signal transmitted by radio from the IC tag and transmits, by wire, the signal outside the housing.
US08358212B2
An integral detection and identification system for detecting and identifying an object includes an identification transponder and a presence/absence transponder. The identification transponder includes a first inductive winding wound about a core and electrically coupled to an integrated circuit to transmit an identification signal in response to receipt of an interrogation signal in a first frequency range. The identification signal encodes an identifier stored by the integrated circuit. The presence/absence transponder includes a resonant inductive/capacitive tank circuit having at least a second inductive winding wound about a core and electrically coupled to a capacitor to transmit a presence/absence signal in response to an interrogation signal in a second frequency range. The presence/absence response signal lacks unique identifying information and is physically coupled to the identification transponder to form an integral detection and identification transponder that can selectively be attached to the object.
US08358191B2
An inductor may include an electrical conductor for generating a magnetic field; and at least one inductor core unit which is arranged in the region of the conductor and includes an inductor core composed of a magnetizable material and also at least one air gap, a filling material being introduced at least into part of the air gap for the purpose of mechanical stabilization, wherein the filling material is configured in such a way that it has a coefficient of thermal expansion, the value of which lies in a range of ±70% of the value of the coefficient of thermal expansion of the magnetizable material of which the inductor core is composed.
US08358190B1
A wide aperture permanent magnet structure which is useful in creating a highly uniform longitudinal or solenoidal magnetic field in the working region of the magnet and in which the aperture of the structure can be equal in cross-sectional area to the working region of the magnet. The geometry and magnetization direction of the constituent magnets are chosen to maximize the uniformity of the longitudinal or solenoidal magnetic field in the working region of the magnet while minimizing the overall volume and weight of the structure as well as eliminating the need for magnetic pole pieces made of iron or other high permeability materials. The invention can take the form of a cylindrical shell of permanent magnets to create a solenoidal magnetic field, or a parallel surface arrangement to create a longitudinal magnetic field.
US08358189B2
A method of activating an electric machine having a stator, and a rotor which rotates about an axis with respect to the stator; the stator having a plurality of stator segments arranged about the axis; the rotor having modules made of magnetizable material and arranged about the axis; and the method including the steps of connecting the rotor to the stator by means of a bearing; and magnetizing the modules of magnetizable material when the rotor is connected to the stator.
US08358184B2
A stripline filter that suppresses a fundamental wave frequency without increasing the size of a board and in which a harmonic frequency is easily set to a desired frequency. The stripline filter includes a glass layer having a relative dielectric constant lower than that of a dielectric board. A first top surface line is provided on a top surface of the dielectric board and has a resonant open end. A second top surface line and a side surface electrode are provided on the glass layer so as to extend from positions connected to the first top surface line.
US08358178B2
A phase modulation apparatus and method are provided. The phase modulation apparatus includes a storage to store phase modulation setting values corresponding to various communication modes; a phase modulation setting value selector to select, when a communication mode is changed, phase modulation setting values corresponding to the changed communication mode among the phase modulation setting values stored in the storage; and a phase modulator to modulate a phase of a transmission signal using the phase modulation setting values selected by the phase modulation setting value selector. According to the phase modulation apparatus, since a frequency characteristic of a loop filter in a PLL circuit is changed depending on a transmission mode of a communication apparatus and phase modulation is performed using appropriate bandwidths according to various transmission modes, it is possible to prevent noise characteristics from degrading when a PLL bandwidth changes.
US08358175B2
An oscillator architecture and a method for powering up/down the oscillator architecture are described. In one embodiment, an oscillator architecture includes a reference generator configured to generate reference signals and an in-phase/quadrature (IQ) oscillator configured to generate oscillation signals based on the reference signals. The reference generator includes a distributed start-up circuitry that includes multiple start-up circuits. The IQ oscillator includes at least one turbo comparator having a low power functional mode and a turbo functional mode. Other embodiments are also described.
US08358174B2
The embodiment relates to a Doherty amplifier, wherein in order to perform impedance matching. The embodiment comprises an impedance converter and a connector. The impedance converter includes a plurality of lines having different lengths and disposes between an output end of a carrier amplifier and an output end of a peaking amplifier. The connector connects a line selected from the plurality of lines having different lengths of the impedance converter to the output end of the carrier amplifier and to the output end of the peaking amplifier.
US08358166B2
Embodiments of the present invention provide systems, devices and methods for detecting the RMS value of a signal. The RMS detector uses multiple variable-gain stages and internal gain control to generate an RMS output signal based on an arbitrary signal input. This RMS detector significantly reduces the signal swings seen on a squarer within prior art RMS detectors and reduces the detector's dependency on DC offsets at low signal levels and overload errors at high signal levels. The embodiments of the present invention also improve the accuracy of the RMS detector within large dynamic signal ranges by obviating the operation of a squarer in saturation or out of the squaring region. Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention are able to more accurately detect RMS values on a signal, operate over relatively higher signal ranges, and better function within different signal modulation schemes, particularly those with large peak-to-average ratios.
US08358162B2
A buffer circuit includes an amplifier circuit amplifying a difference between an input signal and a reference signal, providing a branch current that varies with a duty cycle of the input signal, and outputting a preliminary output signal on the basis of the amplified difference. The buffer circuit also includes a charge pump circuit charging/discharging a control node in response to the branch current to provide a control signal. The buffer circuit also includes a driver circuit configured to control pull-up strength and pull-down strength for the preliminary output signal based on control signal to thereby correct the duty cycle of the preliminary output signal in relation to a target duty cycle.
US08358151B2
A receiver for receiving a reduced swing signal from a transmission channel is disclosed, in which the swing of the reduced swing signal is less than the power supply of the receiver and possibly is less than the power supply of the transmitter. The receiver comprises a level shifter for offsetting the reduced swing signal, and an amplifier which receives both the reduced swing signal and its offset to produce a full swing signal output referenced to the power supply of the receiver. The full swing signal can thereafter be buffered, and eventually can be captured by a clock. Optionally, the disclosed reduced swing receiver also contains calibration circuitry for improving the integrity of the full swing signal output, and in particular for countering the effects of process, and in some embodiments temperature, variations, which alter the characteristics of the transistors which make up the receiver circuitry. More particularly, the calibration circuitry compensates for the unbalanced way in which process and temperature variations impact transistors of differing polarities (e.g., n-type and p-type).
US08358134B1
Defects in a pipeline may be detected by an in-line inspection tool passing therethrough. However, as the tool travels through the pipeline, errors associated with certain onboard components may accumulate. These errors may reduce the accuracy with which the locations of detected defects can be determined. Accordingly, markers may be positioned at various locations along the pipeline. Each marker may include a radio receiver to receive signal transmitted by an in-line tool passing thereby and one or more magnetic flux detection systems that may detect a magnetic field emanating from the in-line tool. The radio receiver may include an antenna comprising two or more coils connected in series and positioned side-by-side. The flux detection system may include one or more flux concentrators to amplify the strength of the magnetic field. Signals received through the antenna or flux detection system may be used to correct any errors associated with the onboard components charting the progression of the in-line tool through the pipeline.
US08358127B2
A measuring circuit system in a magnetic field measuring apparatus of the invention has an amplifier and a band-pass filter connected in sequence on an output terminal side of the TMR element, the band-pass filter is a narrow-range band-pass filter such that a peak pass frequency of the filter that is a center is a basic frequency selected from a range of 10 to 40 GHz and a band width centered around the basic frequency is a narrow range of ±0.5 to ±4 GHz; and with the measuring circuit system, an SIN ratio (SNR) of 3 dB or greater is obtained, the SNR being defined by a ratio of an amplitude S of a high-frequency generated signal induced by the TMR element to a total noise N that is a sum of a head noise generated by the TMR element and a circuit noise generated by the amplifier. With such a configuration, an in-plane high-frequency magnetic field generated by a microwave-assisted magnetic head is reliably and precisely measured.
US08358122B2
An electrical current sensor (2) comprising a magnetic core (6) with an air gap (14), a magnetic field detector (8) positioned at least partially in the air gap, and a conductive mounting element (10). The mounting element comprises at least first and second fixing extensions (56) extending between opposed outer faces of the magnetic circuit, and a bridge portion (34) interconnecting the fixing extensions and spanning across the air gap. The bridge portion comprises an electrical terminal (42) in electrical contact with a grounding pad (24) of the magnetic field detector.
US08358119B2
A current reference circuit includes a proportional-to-absolute temperature (PTAT) current generator, a band-gap reference circuit and a current replication circuit. The PTAT generator generates a PTAT current. The band-gap reference circuit generates a reference voltage based on the PTAT current and generates a second current by cancelling a first current from the PTAT current. The first current has a zero temperature coefficient and the second current has a positive temperature coefficient. The current replication circuit replicates the first current based on the PTAT current and the second current.
US08358118B2
A current mode Boost converter is disclosed. The Boost converter operates in a pulse width modulation (PWM) mode or a pulse frequency modulation (PFM) mode. To prevent a load current with various probable magnitudes from varying a decision boundary between the PWM mode and the PFM mode, the Boost converter adaptively adjusts a trigger condition for the PFM mode according to a mean value of an inductor current or AC components of an inductor current of an inductor and a slope compensation current.
US08358112B2
A multiphase DC-DC converter is provided that includes a multiphase transformer, the multiphase transformer including a plurality of input voltage terminals and an transformer output voltage terminal, each input voltage terminal associated with a corresponding phase. Each phase is assigned to an input voltage terminal of the plurality of input voltage terminals to minimize a ripple current at the input voltage terminals of the multiphase transformer.
US08358107B2
Power management techniques are disclosed. For instance, an apparatus may include a bidirectional voltage converter circuit, and a control module that selectively operates the bidirectional voltage converter circuit in a charging mode and a delivery mode. The charging mode converts a voltage provided by an interface (e.g., a USB interface) into a charging voltage employed by an energy storage module (e.g., a rechargeable battery). Conversely, the delivery mode converts a voltage provided by the energy storage module into a voltage employed by the interface.
US08358106B2
An AC and DC dual input charger includes a charger receptacle and a plug connector assembly. The charger receptacle includes a cover, a printed circuit board assembly, at least two AC input components, at least two DC input components and an output member. The cover defines an accommodating chamber and a receiving cavity. The printed circuit board assembly is received in the accommodating chamber and defines an AC charging circuit and a DC charging circuit. The AC input components and the DC input components are mounted to the charger receptacle and electrically connected with the AC charging circuit and the DC charging circuit, respectively. The output member is mounted on the printed circuit board assembly. The plug connector assembly includes an AC plug and a DC plug which can be alternately inserted in the receiving cavity so as to provide corresponding AC and DC charging power for the charger receptacle.
US08358098B2
A first rectifier diode is electrically connected between a first input terminal where an alternating current (AC) power is received and a first output terminal where a direct current (DC) power is output. A second rectifier diode is electrically connected between the first input terminal and a second output terminal. The first and second rectifier diodes rectify first and second portions of the AC power into the DC power, respectively. When switching of a plurality of power factor correction (PFC) switches is enabled, the plurality of PFC switches increases a voltage of the DC power to greater than a peak voltage of the AC power. An inductor is electrically connected between a second input terminal and two of the plurality of PFC switches. When the switching is disabled, first and second bypass diodes provide a current path past the plurality of PFC switches and the inductor.
US08358094B2
The invention relates to a method and arrangement having an electric machine, comprising a stator (4) and a rotor (1) and an infrared temperature sensor, wherein the detection field of the infrared temperature sensor is directed at an outer surface of the rotor (1). The infrared temperature sensor is a thermopile (6) for radiometrically contactlessly detecting a temperature of the rotor (1), the thermopile being arranged in a slot of the stator (4) and being compatible with standard slot-sealing-wedge components of the electric machine with regard to assembly, and thus enables the operational monitoring of the thermal state of an electric machine in a novel manner, such that adapted power states can be achieved.
US08358092B2
Method for control of synchronous electrical motors that enables determining the instantaneous motor load angle and rotor speed without using rotor position sensors. The method is realized with solving the set of differential equations that govern the currents in the stator windings of the motor for the time intervals between each two consecutive crossings of the currents in the windings of their set values and deriving relationships between the induced in the windings back-electromotive force voltages and the parameters of the Pulse Width Modulation. The parameters of the Pulse Width Modulation are measured and stored in a memory and based on the derived relationships the values of the back-electromotive force voltages are calculated continuously in time. From the values of the back-electromotive force voltages the motor load angle and rotor speed are calculated and used as feedback signals for the closed-loop control of the motor.
US08358087B2
A starter unit (for example, an RF-enabled and replaceable starter unit) has an ability both to turn on and to turn off a fluorescent lamp. The starter unit detects whether a ballast in the circuit with the fluorescent lamp is of a first type (for example, an L-type ballast) or is of a second type (for example, a C-type ballast). If the determination is that the ballast is of the first type, then the starter unit turns off the lamp in a first way (for example, using C-type timing and then using L-type timing alternatingly). If the determination is that the ballast is of the second type, then the starter unit turns off the lamp in a second way (for example, using only C-type timing). The same starter unit design is usable both in single-lamp fixtures and in multi-lamp fixtures where a mix of ballast types may be used.
US08358065B2
A display panel package structure is disclosed, which includes a first substrate, a metal wire layer formed on the first substrate, an insulating layer formed on the metal wire layer, a second substrate, a frit formed on an edge of the second substrate for sealing the first substrate and the second substrate, and a conductive layer formed between the frit and the insulating layer corresponding to the frit for conducting a heat when the frit is heated.
US08358061B2
Disclosed is a coating solution for use in the formation of an intermediate layer in an organic electroluminescence element which comprises at least a pair of electrodes, a light-emitting layer arranged between the pair of electrodes and comprising an organic material, and the intermediate layer arranged between one of the electrodes and the light-emitting layer. The coating solution is produced by dissolving an alkali metal salt.
US08358053B2
A unit comprising a quartz crystal resonator vibratable in a flexural mode and having a base portion including a length less than 0.5 mm, and first and second vibrational arms connected to the base portion, at least one groove being formed in each of two of opposite main surfaces of each of the first and second vibrational arms, and an electrode being disposed on a surface of the at least one groove formed in each of the two of the opposite main surfaces of each of the first and second vibrational arms so that the electrode disposed on the surface of the at least one groove formed in each of the two of the opposite main surfaces of the first vibrational arm has an electrical polarity opposite to an electrical polarity of the electrode disposed on the surface of the at least one groove formed in each of the two of the opposite main surfaces of the second vibrational arm.
US08358050B2
An electronic percussion apparatus for use with an acoustic drum. The apparatus has a base layer of material having a first side for contacting a drum head of an acoustic drum, and an opposite, second side. The apparatus has a top layer of material joined to the base layer of material. A percussion detector is between the top and base layers. The percussion detector generates electrical signals in response to percussion impacts on the top layer. The top and bottom layers each have a thickness that acoustically isolates the drum head from percussion impacts on the top layer, wherein when the electronic percussion apparatus is placed on a drumhead of an acoustic drum and percussion impacts occur on the top layer, the drumhead is acoustically isolated from the percussion impacts and the percussion detector generates electrical signals in response to the percussion impacts on the top layer.
US08358045B2
Presented is a winding arrangement for an electric machine that includes a laminated core that includes a yoke that includes a plurality of teeth each having flanks that form first wedge surfaces and a winding support area that has a trapezoidal cross-section. The arrangement further includes a coil winding, and a winding body configured to arrange the coil winding on one of the plurality of teeth. The coil winding has an inner area arranged opposite the first wedge surfaces and represents second wedge surfaces. The arrangement further includes a stop means disposed on the winding body and/or one of the plurality of teeth. The stop means is configured to limit movement of the winding body in a direction toward the yoke. The arrangement further includes a centering means configured to center the winding body on one of the plurality of teeth.
US08358041B2
An electric motor having a wire connection structure includes a stator including a stator coil, a rotor, a motor housing accommodating the stator and the rotor and having a hole, a cable retaining portion formed on the motor housing for retaining end portions of feed cables, a fixing portion formed on the stator, first terminals connected to the stator coil and arranged on the fixing portion in an orientation different from an orientation of the end portions, second terminals each projecting from each of the end portions to face the corresponding first terminal after being inserted into the hole, at least one of the second terminals being bent, and screw members engaged with the fixing portion after being inserted into the corresponding first and second terminals, each of the screw members jointly fastening the first and second terminals to the fixing portion to electrically connect the first and second terminals.
US08358037B2
A circuit for operating a household appliance, having a switching power supply for transforming a grid voltage of a supply grid to a direct current supply voltage, a controller for controlling processes of the household appliance that can be coupled to the switching power supply and supplied by the DC supply voltage, and a button by means of which the switching power supply can be coupled to the supply grid by closing an electrical switch. The switch has two mechanically stable states and can be transitioned from one mechanically stable state to the other by actuating the button and/or by an at least indirect energy input from the controller.
US08358029B2
A generator drive apparatus includes: a rotor shaft having a generally annular open end; a gear unit including a stationary member and a plurality of intermeshed gears, the gear unit disposed at least partially within the open end and drivingly coupled to the rotor shaft; and an electric power generator mounted to the stationary member and drivingly coupled to the gear set.
US08358025B2
A wave-powered electrical generation apparatus including an array of buoyant bodies and at least one energy-generator connected to one or more moveable links and forming a part of each link, each link being configured as a hinge with a first hinge part constituted by or connected to a stator, a second hinge part constituted by or connected to a rotor, and a hinge link shaft pivotly connecting the first and second hinge parts. At least one connection element is provided between adjacent links, wherein each link includes or is coupled to at least one of the array of buoyant bodies.
US08358019B2
An environmentally friendly and efficient electrical generator and system for and method of generating electricity comprises a source of power having one or more batteries, an electric motor powered by the batteries, a hydraulic pump operated by the motor to pressurize a fluid, a first hydraulic motor powered by the pump, a rotating shaft attached to the first hydraulic motor, an air pressurized hydraulic system and an output alternator connected to the shaft to generate electricity. In the preferred embodiment, the air pressurized hydraulic system comprises a compressor operatively connected to the shaft to pressurize air, an air amplifying mechanism to increase the flow rate of the pressurized air, a pressurizing tank to increase the pressure of the pressurized air, a hydraulic power unit to pressurize fluid with the pressurized air, a second hydraulic motor powered by the pressurized fluid and a recharging alternator to recharge the batteries.
US08358014B2
A packaged semiconductor device has a metal plate (1200) with sawed sides (1200c), a flat first surface (1200a) and a parallel second surface (1200b); the plate is separated into a first section (1201) and a second section (1202) spaced apart by a gap (1230). The plate has on the second surface (1200b) at least one insular mesa (1205) of the same metal in each section, the mesas raised from the second plate surface. The device further has an insulating member (1231), which adheres to the first plate surface, bridges the gap, and thus couples the first and second sections together. The device further has a vertical stack (1270) of two power FET chips (1210) and (1220), each having a pair of terminals on the first chip surface (1211 and 1212; 1221 and 1222 respectively) and a single terminal on the second chip surface. The single terminals of chip (1210) and chip (1220) are attached to each other to form the common terminal (1240). The terminal pair (1221) and (1222) is conductively attached to plate (1200) so that terminal (1221) contacts the first plate section (1201) and terminal (1222) contacts the second plate section (1202). The terminal pair (1211) and (1212) is available for attachment to a substrate.
US08358010B2
A method for realizing a nanometric circuit architecture includes: realizing plural active areas on a semiconductor substrate; realizing on the substrate a seed layer of a first material; realizing a mask-spacer of a second material on the seed layer in a region comprised between the active areas; realizing a mask overlapping the mask-spacer and extending in a substantially perpendicular direction thereto; selectively removing the seed layer exposed on the substrate; selectively removing the mask and the mask-spacer obtaining a seed-spacer comprising a linear portion extending in that region and a portion substantially orthogonal thereto; realizing by MSPT from the seed-spacer an insulating spacer reproducing at least part of the profile of the seed-spacer; realizing by MSPT a nano-wire of conductive material from the seed-spacer or insulating spacer, the nano-wire comprising a first portion at least partially extending in the region and a second portion contacting a respective active area.
US08358006B2
A semiconductor device having a via chain circuit including a plurality of fine interconnections and an extension interconnection wider than the fine interconnections, having a first end connected to one or more of the fine interconnections and a second end located in an area of the semiconductor device external to the via chain circuit. One or more of the fine interconnections becomes wider gradually towards the connection to the extension interconnection. The extension interconnection is formed in a same layer as the one or more of the fine interconnections connected to the extension interconnection. The one or more of the fine interconnections connected to the extension interconnection is connected to the extension interconnections at a position where the fine interconnections become wider.
US08358003B2
A surface mount electronic device packaging assembly includes a body having an aperture defined therethrough. The aperture is adapted to receive an electronic device therein. The body has a first surface and a second surface. An electrically conductive contact pad is disposed on the first surface of the body. The contact pad is adapted to receive a lead from the electronic device. A thermally conductive base pad is disposed on the second surface of the body. A top surface of the base pad is adapted to receive the electronic device thereon.
US08358002B2
Embodiments of the present disclosure provide window ball grid array semiconductor packages. A semiconductor package includes a substrate having (i) a first surface, (ii) a second surface that is opposite to the first surface, and (iii) an opening formed between the first surface of the substrate and the second surface of the substrate. The semiconductor package further includes a semiconductor die having (i) a first surface and (ii) a second surface that is opposite to the first surface, the first surface of the semiconductor die being electrically coupled to the second surface of the substrate by one or more interconnect bumps; one or more bonding wires that electrically couple the first surface of the semiconductor die to the first surface of the substrate through the opening of the substrate; and a first electrically insulative structure disposed to substantially fill an area between the first surface of the semiconductor die, the second surface of the substrate, and the one or more interconnect bumps. The first electrically insulative structure substantially encapsulates the one or more bonding wires and substantially fills the opening of the substrate.
US08357991B2
A semiconductor device includes an upper interconnect, a lower interconnect, insulating layers interposed between the upper interconnect and the lower interconnect, a connecting portion that is formed in the insulating layers and connects the upper interconnect and the lower interconnect, and an element that is placed in one of the insulating layers and has a conductive layer connected to the connecting portion. The connecting portion is formed over the lower interconnect and the end portions of the conductive layer of the element, and is in contact with the upper face of the lower interconnect and the upper faces and side faces of the end portions of the conductive layer of the element.
US08357978B1
Disclosed herein are various methods of forming replacement gate structures on semiconductor devices and devices incorporating such gate structures. In one example, the device includes a plurality of gate structures and at least one sidewall spacer positioned proximate each of the gate structures, a metal silicide region in a source/drain region formed in a substrate, wherein the metal silicide region extend laterally so as to contact the sidewall spacer positioned proximate each of the gate structures and a conductive contact positioned between the gate structures that conductively contacts the metal silicide region, wherein the conductive contact has a bottom portion that is wider than an upper portion of the conductive contact.
US08357976B2
An electrical device on a single semiconductor substrate includes: an open base vertical PNP transistor placed in parallel with a wide bandgap, high voltage diode wherein the PNP transistor has a P doped collector region, an N-doped base layer, an N doped buffer layer, and a P doped emitter layer.
US08357970B2
Methods of fabricating charge storage transistors are described, along with apparatus and systems that include them. In one such method, a pillar of epitaxial silicon is formed. At least first and second charge storage nodes (e.g., floating gates) are formed around the pillar of epitaxial silicon at different levels. A control gate is formed around each of the charge storage nodes. Additional embodiments are also described.
US08357968B2
A non-volatile memory semiconductor device having one end of an electricity supply line ESL arranged over a terminal end TE1 and the other end thereof arranged over a terminal end TE2, the central portion of the electricity supply line ESL being arranged over a dummy part DMY. The terminal end TE1, the terminal end TE2, and the dummy part DMY have substantially the same height, so that most of the electricity supply line ESL arranged from over the terminal end TE1 to over the terminal end TE2 via the dummy part DMY has the same height.
US08357956B2
A solid-state imaging apparatus, controlling a potential on a semiconductor substrate for an electronic shutter operation, includes: a first semiconductor region of the first conductivity type for forming a photoelectric conversion region; a second semiconductor region of the first conductivity type, formed separately from the photoelectric conversion region, for accumulating carriers; a third semiconductor region of a second conductivity type arranged under the second semiconductor region, for operating as a potential barrier; a fourth semiconductor region of the second conductivity type extending between the first semiconductor region and the semiconductor substrate, and between the third semiconductor region and the semiconductor substrate; and a first voltage supply portion for supplying a voltage to the third semiconductor region; wherein the first voltage supply portion includes a fifth semiconductor region of the second conductivity type arranged in the pixel region, and a first electrode connected to the fifth semiconductor region.
US08357955B2
Disclosed herein is a semiconductor integrated circuit, wherein a desired circuit is formed by combining and laying out a plurality of standard cells and connecting the cells together, of which the cell length, i.e., the gap between a pair of opposed sides, is standardized, the plurality of standard cells forming the desired circuit include complementary in-phase driven standard cells, each of which includes a plurality of complementary transistor pairs that are complementary in conductivity type to each other and have their gate electrodes connected together, and N (≧2) pairs of all the complementary transistor pairs are driven in phase, and the size of the standardized cell length of the complementary in-phase driven standard cell is defined as an M-fold cell length which is M (N≧M≧2) times the basic cell length which is appropriate to the single complementary transistor pair.
US08357951B2
An LED (light emitting diode) chip includes a substrate, a first conduction layer formed on a top surface of the substrate, and a second conduction layer formed on the first conduction layer. The first conduction layer extends from a bottom surface of the second conduction layer to a circumferential surface of the second conduction layer, thereby surrounding the bottom surface and the circumferential surface of the second conduction layer. An active layer is sandwiched between the first and second conduction layers, to increase a contact area between the active layer and the first conduction layer and the second conduction layer.
US08357948B2
Disclosed are a light emitting device and a method of manufacturing the same. The light emitting device includes a body, an insulating layer over a surface of the body, at least one electrode over the insulating layer, a light emitting diode connected to the electrode, and a reflective layer over the insulating layer.
US08357947B2
There are provided a light emitting device package and a method for manufacturing the same. The light emitting device includes: a plurality of barriers provided above a metal circuit board; a plurality of light emitting devices placed in a space between the barriers; and a lens unit provided at an upper side of the barrier. Accordingly, the plurality of light emitting devices can be conveniently seated as a module format, and a luminance can be increased. Also, an efficiency of heat sink can be increase.
US08357942B2
In a semiconductor device by which peripheral circuit sections, such as a semiconductor element, a matching circuit section, a bias circuit section, a capacitor element, are placed on and connected to a substrate, the semiconductor element can be grounded, and the semiconductor device which can make heat radiation characteristics of the semiconductor element satisfactory is provided, without providing a via hole into a semiconductor substrate.It includes: a semiconductor element (2) placed on a substrate (1); peripheral circuit sections (30) and (40) placed on the substrate (1) and connected with the semiconductor element (2); an electrode (30e) provided in the peripheral circuit section (30) and grounded; an electrode (30s) for grounding connected to a metal layer (30m), a metal layer (30m) and a source electrode (2s) of the semiconductor element (2); and an electrode (30d) connected to a gate electrode (2g) of the semiconductor element (2).
US08357937B2
A liquid crystal display (LCD) includes: a first substrate divided into a pixel part and first and second pad parts; a gate electrode and a gate line formed at the pixel part of the first substrate; an active pattern formed as an island on the gate electrode and having a width smaller than the gate electrode; an insulation film formed on the first substrate and having first and second contact holes exposing source and drain regions of the active pattern, respectively; source and drain electrodes formed at the pixel part of the first substrate and electrically connected with the source and drain regions of the active pattern via the first and second contact holes; a data line formed at the pixel part of the first substrate and crossing the gate line to define a pixel region; an etch stopper positioned between the source and drain electrodes and formed as an insulation film; a pixel electrode electrically connected with the drain electrode; and a second substrate attached with the first substrate in a facing manner.
US08357932B2
A test pad structure in a back-end-of-line metal interconnect structure is formed by repeated use of the same mask set, which includes a first line level mask, a first via level mask, a second line level mask, and a second via level mask. The test pad structure includes a two-dimensional array of test pads such that a first row is connected to a device macro structure in the same level, and test pads in another row are electrically connected to another device macro structure of the same design at an underlying level. The lateral shifting of electrical connection among pads located at different levels is enabled by lateral extension portions that protrude from pads and via structures that contact the lateral extension portions. This test pad structure includes more levels of testable metal interconnect structure than the number of used lithographic masks.
US08357931B2
A device and method for providing access to a signal of a flip chip semiconductor die. A hole is bored into a semiconductor die to a test probe point. The hole is backfilled with a conductive material, electrically coupling the test probe point to a signal redistribution layer. A conductive bump of the signal redistribution layer is electrically coupled to a conductive contact of a package substrate. An external access point of the package substrate is electrically coupled to the conductive contact, such that signals of the flip chip semiconductor die are accessible for measurement at the external access point.
US08357928B2
Diode for which one of the conducting layers presents a suitable surface resistance so that when a power supply voltage is applied between a connection element and this conducting layer and the other conducting layer, a potential distribution is generated at the surface of this resisting conducting layer which is able to cause light to be emitted by a portion of the surface of the organic light emitting layer which is proportional to this power supply voltage. This diode is advantageously used to visualize the signal value.
US08357920B2
An electronic component (100) comprising a matrix (102) and a plurality of islands (103) embedded in the matrix (102) and comprising a material which is convertible between at least two states characterized by different electrical properties, wherein the plurality of islands (103) form a continuous path (104) in the matrix (102).
US08357919B2
Certain embodiments of the invention may include systems, methods, and apparatus for generating terahertz electromagnetic radiation. According to an example embodiment of the invention, a method is provided for generating terahertz electromagnetic radiation. The method includes: coupling a terahertz resonator with an optical resonator, wherein the optical resonator comprises non-linear optical material; directing laser light through the optical resonator to generate terahertz radiation by parametric interaction of the laser light with the optical resonator and the terahertz resonator; and directing the terahertz radiation from the terahertz resonator to an output.
US08357918B2
An apparatus for analysing a fluorescent sample disposed on a substrate comprises a first processor for producing first and second electrical signals derived from respective first and second light signal components received from a sample and from a substrate. The apparatus produces the first and second electrical signals such that there is a phase difference between phases of the first and second electrical signals. The apparatus comprises a control circuit for producing an attenuation signal for attenuating the second electrical signal.
US08357914B1
A disinfecting apparatus comprises a housing, an ultraviolet (UV) light, and a dispensing mechanism. The housing is designed to receive contaminated pens and dispense disinfected pens. The UV light comprises a UVC cold cathode light bulb housed integrally within the housing and an AC power connector. In a preferred embodiment the AC power connector further comprises an ON/OFF switch which controls the UV light bulb. The dispensing means comprises a means of re-obtaining a pen from the housing for subsequent use. Between uses, the pens are immersed in the light of the UV light bulb which helps to kill bacteria and germs associated with illnesses commonly contracted in such public places.
US08357911B2
The objective is to eliminate the effect of the hysteresis of a scanning electromagnet so that there is obtained a particle beam irradiation system that realizes high-accuracy beam irradiation. There are provided a magnetic-field sensor that measures the magnetic field of a scanning electromagnet and an irradiation control apparatus that controls the scanning electromagnet based on a measurement magnetic field measured by the magnetic-field sensor and target irradiation position coordinates of a charged particle beam. The irradiation control apparatus is provided with an inverse map means that calculates a target magnetic field, based on the target irradiation position coordinates of the charged particle beam; and a compensator that outputs a control input, to the scanning electromagnet, for controlling the magnetic-field error between the target magnetic field and the measurement magnetic field to be the same as or smaller than a predetermined threshold value.
US08357900B2
A thermal infrared imaging device includes a diode, a power supply for supplying a constant power supply voltage to an anode of the diode through a first interconnection, a voltage setting circuit for setting a voltage across the diode, and a current read circuit which is connected to a cathode of the diode through a second interconnection and the voltage setting circuit, for reading a current of the diode. The voltage setting circuit controls a voltage of a connection point of the second interconnection and the voltage setting circuit to a voltage obtained by subtracting a voltage drop from a predetermined bias voltage. The voltage drop is generated by resistances of the first and second interconnections, and the diode current.
US08357895B2
Defect inspection apparatus, defect inspection method, and semiconductor device manufacturing method
A defect inspection method includes generating and applies a charged beam to a sample with patterns; controlling a shape of the charged beam so that a beam width in a first direction perpendicular to an optical axis differs from a beam width in a second direction perpendicular to the optical axis and the first direction, while substantially maintaining a cross-sectional area of the beam; scanning the sample with the charged beam having the controlled shape; and detecting charged particles from the sample by irradiation of the charged beam and detects a defect of the patterns. Assuming that the beam width of the charged beam in the first direction is smaller than that in the second direction, the first direction is set to a direction in which an interval between adjacent patterns becomes a minimum value and the sample is scanned in the second direction.
US08357893B2
An ion mobility sensor system including an ion mobility spectrometer and a differential mobility spectrometer coupled to the ion mobility spectrometer. The ion mobility spectrometer has a first chamber having first end and a second end extending along a first direction, and a first electrode system that generates a constant electric field parallel to the first direction. The differential mobility spectrometer includes a second chamber having a third end and a fourth end configured such that a fluid may flow in a second direction from the third end to the fourth end, and a second electrode system that generates an asymmetric electric field within an interior of the second chamber. Additionally, the ion mobility spectrometer and the differential mobility spectrometer form an interface region. Also, the first end and the third end are positioned facing one another so that the constant electric field enters the third end and overlaps the fluid flowing in the second direction.
US08357892B2
A mass spectrometer that allows easy replacement of an MCP (microchannel plate) and is enabled to secure orthogonality between an incident surface of the MCP and an ion track at high accuracy is provided. A flight tube 2 where ions fly is arranged in a vacuum vessel composed of a vacuum flange 6 and a body 1, and an MCP group 4 is attached to a tail end of the flight tube 2 via an MCP-IN electrode 3. A vacuum flange 6 is attachably and detachably attached to the body 1, and the MCP group 4, by a spring 710 provided on a circuit board 7 for detection attached to the vacuum flange 6, is urged toward an end portion of the flight tube 2 so that its orthogonality with respect to an ion flight track is secured.
US08357885B2
A system for melting a substance may be provided. The system may comprise at least one burner probe. The at least one burner probe may comprise an absorber and a first wave guide configured to transmit microwaves. The absorber may be configured to receive the microwaves from the first wave guide and to convert energy from the microwaves into heat. The system may further comprise a second wave guide and a rotating wave guide. The rotating wave guide may be positioned between the first wave guide and the second wave guide. The rotating wave guide may comprise a plurality of sections configured to rotate about a central axis. The rotating wave guide may be configured to rotate approximately 90 degrees. For example, the rotating wave guide may comprise three sections wherein each one of the three sections may be configured to rotate approximately 30 degrees.
US08357884B1
A device for the extraction and collection of volatiles from soil or planetary regolith. The device utilizes core drilled holes to gain access to underlying volatiles below the surface. Microwave energy beamed into the holes penetrates through the soil or regolith to heat it, and thereby produces vapor by sublimation. The device confines and transports volatiles to a cold trap for collection.
US08357882B2
An induction heatable server comprises a base element having top and bottom elements, said bottom element having a peripheral wall defining an upwardly opening cavity in which are disposed a heat retentive disc and a ring member which is bonded to the peripheral wall. A top element extends over the ring member and seals the cavity. The top element and ring member are bonded to the peripheral wall of the bottom element to preclude moisture penetration into the cavity.
US08357866B1
A weatherproof toggle switch cover adapter assembly comprises a cover plate adapted for placement over a toggle switch and coupling with an electrical junction box. A lever rotationally pivotably coupled with the cover plate is in mechanical communication with the toggle switch through a yoke. When the lever is moved to an on position, the toggle switch also moves to an on position. The yoke comprises two opposing tines defining a yoke spanning gap having a perimeter edge, the yoke spanning gap sized to straddle the toggle switch. An adapter ring comprising an external perimeter edge and an internal perimeter edge is interposed between the yoke and the toggle switch. The external perimeter edge is in communication with the perimeter edge of the yoke. The internal perimeter edge is inside two opposing tines and is disposed about an adapter spanning gap sized to straddle the toggle switch.
US08357862B2
Pressurized rotary machine comprising a canned or sleeved assembly of which the electrical connections are connected to the outside of the machine by an electric supply duct, the electrical connections passing from the canned or sleeved assembly to the outside via the electric supply duct by passing in succession through first, second and third hermetically sealed bushings, none of these hermetically sealed bushings through which the electrical connections pass being exposed to a pressurized gas.
US08357860B2
A wiring board has predetermined numbers of wiring layers and insulating layers among the respective wiring layers. The wiring board has an external connecting pad and a surface plating layer for connecting to an external circuit is arranged on the external connecting pad. An area of an external connecting pad is smaller than an area of a surface plating layer thereof.
US08357857B2
An exemplary cable holding device includes a supporting member and sliding bars. The supporting member includes a first sidewall, a second sidewall spaced from the first sidewall, and a bottom connecting the first sidewall to the second sidewall. Each of the first sidewall and the second sidewall defines through holes. Each bar slidably extends through a corresponding one of the through holes. The cables pass over ends of the sliding bars between the first sidewall and the second sidewall.
US08357855B2
In communication cable of high capacity, conductor of diameter d is coated by insulation material to form wire of diameter D, plural number of the wire are twisted by pitch p to form pairs, plural number of the pairs are twisted by collective pitch P. The communication cable of high capacity has sheath wrapping the pairs, and impedance (Z) of the wire is from 90 to 110, and, diameter (d) of the conductor is from 0.48 mm to 0.65 mm, and diameter (D) of wire is from 0.8 mm to 1.15 mm, and the pitch (p) is from 7 mm to 30 mm, and the collective pitch (P) is from 40 mm to 150 mm, and relative ratio of diameter of wires to diameter of conductor D/d is from 1.625 to 1.835.
US08357854B2
A push plug designed to interact with and seal an open end of a length of conduit containing a cable. The plug is comprised of a cap, a neck, and a body. The body contains a number of saw-toothed annular ridges. The plug is manufactured from an elastomeric material which allows the plug to be inserted into a conduit opening of a diameter smaller than the diameter of the saw toothed ridges which creates a frictional seal which resists removal of the plug. The plug body further contains passages running longitudinally through the center of the plug. These passages allow cable run through the conduit to be drawn through the plug and inserted through a thin, flexible membrane covering the plug cap.
US08357852B2
An electrical box cover includes a frame securable to an electrical box. The frame defines an opening to permit access to the electrical box. A lid is pivotally mounted to the frame and movable between an open and closed position. A lid biasing device is disposed between the lid and the frame, the lid biasing device urging the lid away from the closed position. A latch is disposed on the frame and movable between a latched and unlatched position. The latch, when in the latched position, engages the lid and retaining the lid in the closed position. When the latch is in the unlatched position, the lid biasing device lifts at least a portion of the lid at least partially above the frame.
US08357830B2
A process for producing a monoalkylated aromatic compound in an alkylation reaction zone, comprising providing upstream of said alkylation reaction zone a reactive guard bed having a catalyst of *BEA, MWW, or FAU framework structure and an alkylation feed wherein at least a portion of any reactive impurities are removed from the alkylation feed to form an effluent; and providing the effluent and a first catalytic particulate material which comprises MCM-56 and an alumina binder sized 50-60 mesh and having a ratio of surface area over volume ratio in the range of 241 to 2867 cm-1 and optionally additional alkylating agent to said alkylation reaction zone; and contacting said alkylatable aromatic compound and said alkylating agent with said catalytic particulate material in said alkylation reaction zone maintained under alkylation conditions, to form a product comprised of said monoalkylated aromatic compound.
US08357826B2
This invention provides a method for producing ethanol and 2-propanol from syngas, the method comprising: (a) converting syngas into methanol using a methanol-synthesis catalyst; (b) converting methanol into ethylene and propylene using a methanol-to-olefins catalyst; and (c) hydrating ethylene into ethanol and propylene into 2-propanol. As taught herein, the combined yield of the ethanol and the 2-propanol from biomass can be at least 100 gallons per dry ton biomass. In certain embodiments, the yield of ethanol is at least 100 gallons per dry ton biomass. In some embodiments, the yield of 2-propanol is at least 50 gallons per dry ton biomass.
US08357823B2
Provided are foam control agents and their use for controlling foam in fermentation processes. The foam control agents are of the formula I: wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, n and y are as defined herein.
US08357820B2
The present invention relates to a method for producing N-protected amino acid. Specifically, the present invention provides a method in which a protecting group is introduced to the amino group of an amino acid in a reaction under alkaline condition, and the N-protected amino acid thus generated is then separated from the reaction solution as crystals, without undergoing an extraction step or a concentration step. The present inventors have completed the invention based on the finding that desirable crystals of N-protected amino acids may be obtained without extraction, concentration or recrystallization steps between the initial generation of the N-protected amino acid molecules and the subsequent separation of the crystals, by first adding an water-soluble organic solvent and optionally water to the reaction solution (alkaline) containing the N-protected amino acid, and then neutralizing the solution by an acid.
US08357818B2
In one aspect, the invention relates to hydrolysis-resistant silicone compounds. In particular, disclosed are sterically hindered hydrolysis-resistant silicone compounds and improved purity hydrolysis-resistant silicone compounds. Also disclosed are processes for making hydrolysis-resistant silicone compounds; the products of the disclosed processes; compositions and polymers comprising the disclosed compounds and products of the disclosed processes; and ophthalmic lenses, for example contact lenses, intraocular lenses, artificial cornea, and spectacle lenses, comprising the disclosed compositions, disclosed polymers, disclosed compounds, and products of the disclosed processes. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention.
US08357817B2
The present invention relates to a novel sulfone hybrid precursor, to the synthesis method thereof, and to the uses thereof, particularly for preparing proton-exchanging electrolyte membranes as the functional hybrid charge in a host structure; for the manufacture of functional hybrid nanoparticles by sol-gel polymerization; for the use as a fluidifying agent; for the production of surface coverings through chemical grafting by means of sol-gel polymerization; for the use as a hygroscopic agent; and for the use as a bonding or structuring agent.
US08357816B2
A fungicidal compound of formula (I): where Het is a 5- or 6-membered heterocyclic ring containing one to three heteroatoms, each independently selected from oxygen, nitrogen and sulphur, the ring being substituted by groups R7, R8 and R9; R1 is hydrogen, optionally substituted (C1-4alkyl, optionally substituted (C1-4alkylC(═O), optionally substituted (C1-4alkylC(═O)O, optionally substituted (C1-4)alkoxy(C1-4)alkyl, optionally substituted allyl, optionally substituted propargyl or optionally substituted allenyl; R2, R3, R4 and R5 are each, independently, hydrogen, halogen, optionally substituted (C1-4)alkyl, optionally substituted (C1-4)alkoxy or optionally substituted (C1-4)alkoxy(C1-4alkyl; R6 is an organic group containing three to thirteen carbon atoms and at least one silicon atom and, optionally, one to three heteroatoms, each independently selected from oxygen, nitrogen and sulphur, and is optionally substituted by one to four independently selected halogen atoms; R7, R8 and R9 are each, independently, hydrogen, halogen, C1-3 alkyl, C1-3 haloalkyl, C1-3alkoxy(C1-3)alkyl or cyano, where at least one of R7, R8 and R9 is not hydrogen; and X is O or S; or an N-oxide thereof; and when present, each optional substituent on alkyl moieties, allyl, propargyl and allenyl is, independently, selected from halogen, hydroxy, cyano, methoxycarbonyl, ethoxycarbonyl, methoxy, ethoxy, methylsulfonyl, ethylsulfonyl, difluoromethoxy, trifluoromethoxy and trifluorothiomethoxy.
US08357808B2
The problem to be solved is to provide an important intermediate for production of an FXa inhibitor. The solution thereto is a process for industrially producing a compound (1) represented by the following formula (1): wherein Boc represents a tert-butoxycarbonyl group.
US08357806B2
The present disclosure generally relates to a process for synthesizing optionally substituted 1-chloro-4-methoxyisoquinolines. The present disclosure also relates to intermediates useful in this process.
US08357803B2
The present invention relates to the process of preparation of 2,3,4,9-tetrahydro-1/−/-β-carbolin-3-carboxylic acid esters substituted in position 1 of the general formula (I). in the preferred diastereoisomeric form through a single step starting from tryptophan in racemic form and/or its enantiomers and from 3,4-(methylenedioxy)benzaldehyde.
US08357802B2
Methods are provided which include converting oripavine to other opiates, including converting oripavine to naltrexone, buprenorphine, 14-hydroxymorphinone and/or converting 14-hydroxymorphinone to oxymorphone. Purification and salt formation are optionally included.
US08357800B2
The present invention relates to light emitting materials comprising novel ortho-metalated transition metal complexes [C^N]2M[N^N] comprising two orthometalated ligands (C^N ligands) and a neutral bidentate bipyridine ligand (N^N). Surprisingly, it has been found that when the metal binds both orthometalated chelate C^N ligands and a neutral bidentate bipyridine ligand (N^N), these ligands participate in the emission process, thus greatly improving the red emission efficiency of complexes [C^N]2M[N^N]. The present invention further relates to the use of such light emitting materials and an organic light emitting device comprising such light emitting material.
US08357796B2
A simple, inexpensive, and efficient method for separation and purification of the α-and β-forms of penta-O-galloyl-D-glucose (PGG) without the need for HPLC. The methods provided herein are useful for separation α-PGG or β-PGG from a mixture containing α-PGG and β-PGG and other chemicals. The method for separation of α-PGG from a mixture of α-PGG and β-PGG comprises the steps of: adding water to a sample containing 50% or more α-PGG and 50% or less β-PGG; mixing the PGG and water to dissolve the PGG; filtering out any undissolved particles; and allowing the filtered solution to stand undisturbed until crystals form.
US08357795B2
Disclosed herein are cohesive soft tissue fillers, for example, dermal and subdermal fillers, based on hyaluronic acids and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. In one aspect, hyaluronic acid-based compositions described herein include a therapeutically effective amount of at least one anesthetic agent, for example, lidocaine. The present hyaluronic acid-based compositions including lidocaine have an enhanced stability and cohesivity, relative to conventional compositions including lidocaine, for example when subjected to sterilization techniques or when stored for long periods of time. Methods and processes of preparing such hyaluronic acid-based compositions are also provided.
US08357786B2
Disclosed is an AMPK activating material used for improving and treating metabolic syndrome, in which AMPK (AMP-activated protein kinase) is a main enzyme for regulating an energy sensor and lipid/glucose metabolism in the body. The activation of AMPK inhibits the synthesis of fat and cholesterol, and accelerates the reduction of body fat and blood glucose, thereby improving obesity, diabetes, and hyperlipidaemia. The disclosed AMPK activating material contains, as active ingredients having an improving and treating effect on metabolic syndrome, including obesity, diabetes, and hyperlipidaemia, a novel compound 2α,3β,12β-trihydroxydammar-20(22)-E,24-diene-3-O-[β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→)-β-D-glucopyranoside], named Damulin A, and a novel compound 2α,3β,12β-trihydroxydammara-20,24-diene-3-O-[β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1→)-β-D-glucopyranoside], named Damulin B. Herein, the contents of damulin A and damulin B (as active indicator ingredients for AMPK activation) can be increased by treating a Gynostemma pentaphyllum extract with high temperature/high pressure. Accordingly, the novel Gynostemma pentaphyllum extract with a significantly increased AMPK activating capability can be used for improving or treating metabolic syndrome, such as obesity, diabetes, and hyperlipidaemia.
US08357783B2
Disclosed herein are isolated human monoclonal antibodies that specifically bind human mesothelin with a binding affinity of about 25 nM or less. Nucleic acids encoding these antibodies, expression vectors including these nucleic acid molecules, and isolated host cells that express the nucleic acid molecules are also disclosed. The antibodies can be used to detect human mesothelin in a sample. Methods of diagnosing cancer, or confirming a diagnosis of cancer, are disclosed herein that utilize these antibodies. Methods of treating a subject with cancer are also disclosed.
US08357781B2
The application provides novel neuroactive fragments of human amyloid precursor protein (APP). The fragments include sequence from the Aβ region of APP but also extend upstream. The fragments are soluble in aqueous solution most bands are about 10 kDa and above and do not correspond with the expected molecular weight of a dimer or trimer. The fragments and subfragments thereof can be used as immunogens in methods of immunotherapy to treat Alzheimer's and other amyloidogenic diseases characterized by deposits of Aβ in the brain. Antibodies to the part of the fragment upstream from APP or the interface between Aβ and the upstream sequence can also be used in such therapeutic method. The fragments are also useful as markers, which can be detected for diagnosis or prognosis of disease or for screening agents.
US08357773B1
The disclosure relates to a steam stripping process for producing purified polyimides, e.g., polyetherimide homopolymers and polyetherimide copolymers. The process can include contacting an initial polyimide with steam to remove a volatile species from the initial polyimide to produce a purified polyimide. The purified polyimide can have a weight average molecular weight of from 5,000 to 80,000 Daltons. The weight average molecular weight of the purified polyimide can be greater than or equal to 90% of the weight average molecular weight of the initial polyimide. The purified polyimide can have less than 44 ppm of a volatile species, having a molecular weight of less than 250 Daltons. The polyimide can have less than 10 ppm of a metal cation.
US08357769B2
Disclosed is a method for producing a polyphenylene ether, which comprises a step of preparing a polymerization solution composed of 10-25 parts by mass of a phenolic compound (M) and 75-90 parts by mass of an aromatic solvent (A) with the total of the compound and the solvent being 100 parts by mass, and 0.1-10 parts by mass of a catalyst (C) containing a metal salt; a step of performing an oxidative polymerization of the phenolic compound (M) by passing an oxygen-containing gas through the polymerization solution; a step of stopping the polymerization by mixing an aqueous chelating agent solution into the polymerization solution; a step of subjecting a diphenoquinone compound produced as a by-product to a quinone binding process or removal by reduction; and a step of obtaining a polyphenylene ether by separating the aqueous phase through liquid-liquid separation. In the method for producing a polyphenylene ether, 0.001-0.004 part by weight of an ion catalyst (D) is added into the polymerization solution before the liquid-liquid separation.
US08357755B2
Moisture curable one-component organosilicon compositions exhibiting excellent resilience and adhesiveness contain an α-alkoxysilyl-terminated base polymer, aminoalkylalkoxysilane adhesion promoter, and polyolefin bearing succinic anhydride groups.
US08357747B2
The present invention describes polymer compositions comprising fluoroelastomer and expanded perlite and uses thereof.
US08357746B2
Improved binder technology for use with fibrous materials is provided whereby the adjoining fibers of a fibrous material are bound in the absence of a phenol-formaldehyde reaction product. A curable binder composition is provided which comprises a water-soluble Michael adduct crosslinking agent having reactive hydroxyl end groups and a polycarboxylic acid capable of undergoing an esterification reaction. The binding composition is coated on a fibrous material and is heated to achieve crosslinking of hydroxyl end groups of the Michael adduct and carboxylic acid groups of the polycarboxylic acid via an esterification reaction to form a cured water-resistant binder in association with the fibrous material wherein adjoining fibers are bound at cross-over points.
US08357744B2
The invention relates to a translucent, white, light-diffusing thermoplastic composition containing both white pigment and refractive index-matched particles. The blend of pigment and particles provides a synergistic effect, resulting in a very high luminous transmission and good diffusion properties.
US08357743B2
A method for making polyester nanocomposite materials by polymerization in the presence of exfoliated fibrous clay nanoparticles includes dispersing the nanoparticles in a mixture of diol, water, and sodium salt before polymerization, thereby improving the dispersion of the nanoparticles in the final nanocomposite. This results in enhanced mechanical properties, such as modulus, in articles made from the nanocomposite.
US08357737B2
The object of the present invention is to provide a polyarylene sulfide composition having excellent thermal conductivity, dimensional stability, heat resistance and low gas property, which is particularly useful to applications of electric parts such as electric and/or electronic parts or automobile electric parts. The present invention relates to a polyarylene sulfide composition comprising a polyarylene sulfide (a), a metal silicon powder (b), a fibrous filler (c), and preferably a release agent (d) and at least one thermally conductive filler (e) selected from the group consisting of a scale-like boron nitride powder (e1) having a hexagonal structure, a coated magnesium oxide powder (e2) coated with a complex oxide of silicon and magnesium and/or a complex oxide of aluminum and magnesium, a high purity magnesite powder (e3) which is a magnesite comprising magnesium carbonate as a main component and has a magnesium carbonate content of from 98 to 99.999% by weight, and graphite (e4).
US08357733B2
The present invention provides a process for making silica-filled rubber masterbatch using silica hydrophobated with a trimethoxy silane coupling agent that is soluble in an alcohol-water solution containing at least about 70 wt % water. One embodiment uses a mixture of trimethoxy silanes, one or more of which react with rubber to bond the silica to the rubber, and one or more of which do not react with rubber, but do hydrophobate the silica. Hydrophobated silica is mixed with latex polymer and incorporated into rubber during coagulation of the latex, which is preferably coagulated with calcium chloride. The present invention further provides a process for making the trimethoxy silane coupling agents. Preferred trimethoxy silane coupling agents include bis-(3-trimethoxysilylpropyl)-disulfide and bis-(3-trimethoxysilylpropyl)-tetrasulfide. Rubber products, particularly tires, compounded with the inventive silica masterbatch can be processed for a long time before scorching because the silica masterbatch provides a long scorch time.
US08357731B2
A one-package type tooth surface coating material that is capable of forming, on the surface of a tooth, a cured film having not only a very high strength of adhesion to the tooth surface but also excellent properties such as long-term adhesion, long-term durability, dentinal tubule occlusion and aesthetic appearance, and that has excellent storage stability and can be stored in the form of one package. The one-package type tooth surface coating material includes (A) a polymerizable monomer component containing not less than 5% by mass of an acidic group-containing polymerizable monomer; (B) polyvalent metal ions; (C) a volatile water-soluble organic solvent; (D) water; and (E) an effective amount of a photopolymerization initiator; the amount of the polyvalent metal ions (B) and the amount of the volatile water-soluble organic solvent (C) satisfying a specific relationship.
US08357726B2
A process for devulcanizing crosslinked elastomer particles comprising applying an alternating radio frequency dielectric field to a composition comprising crosslinked elastomer particles. The alternating radio frequency dielectric field preferably has a frequency between 1 and 100 MHz and a voltage between 1000 and 10,000 V.
US08357723B2
The invention provides the compounds of formula (I) or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising one or more compounds of formula I or intermediates thereof and one more of pharmaceutically acceptable carriers, vehicles or diluents. The invention further provides methods of preparation and methods of use of prodrugs including NO-releasing prodrugs, double prodrugs and mutual prodrugs comprising the compounds of formula I.
US08357720B2
The NSAID, sulindac and/or its metabolites and derivatives, in combination with an agent that generates or induces reactive oxygen species (ROS), significantly enhances the killing of abnormal cells but does not affect normal cells. This effect occurs at concentrations of each compound that individually have little or no activity directed against the abnormal cells.
US08357719B2
A drug having a muscle relaxing effect can be prepared by binding negatively charged gold nanoparticles having a size of 1.4 nm fitted to synaptic clefts to choline through ionic bonds, thereby inducing gold-sulfur bonds in the Cys loop of an acetylcholine receptor in neuromuscular junction, and thus blocking the electric current induced in signal transduction from a nerve to a muscle, thereby blocking neuromuscular transmission chemically and physically. When the reverse is administered after surgery, the gold-sulfur bonds are broken due to the re-flow of the electric current, and thus the gold nanoparticles are again released and metabolized into neuromuscular junction. Further, such muscle relaxing effect can be applied as an anticonvulsant.
US08357716B2
Indazole compounds, processes for their preparation, intermediates usable in these processes, pharmaceutical compositions containing such compounds and their use in therapy.
US08357713B2
Described herein are compounds useful in the modulation of blood uric acid levels, formulations containing them and methods of using them. In some embodiments, the compounds described herein are used in the treatment or prevention of disorders related to aberrant levels of uric acid.
US08357704B2
A compound of formula I wherein m, n, A, B, D, E, G, H, Y, R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, and R8, are described herein.
US08357699B2
6-Amino isoquinoline compounds are provided that influence, inhibit or reduce the action of a kinase. Pharmaceutical compositions including therapeutically effective amounts of the 6-aminoisoquinoline compounds and pharmaceutically acceptable carriers are also provided. Various methods using the compounds and/or compositions to affect disease states or conditions such as cancer, obesity and glaucoma are also provided.
US08357696B2
Disclosed herein are formulations of fluoroquinolones suitable for aerosolization and use of such formulations for aerosol administration of fluoroquinolone antimicrobials for the treatment of pulmonary bacterial infections. In particular, inhaled levofloxacin specifically formulated and delivered for bacterial infections of the lungs is described. Methods include inhalation protocols and manufacturing procedures for production and use of the compositions described.
US08357692B2
Methods of reducing bone loss and treating degenerative bone diseases such as osteoporosis are disclosed. The methods comprise administration of an agent that inhibits signaling through the IL-17 pathway, such as an antibody or a quinazolinone analogue such as halofuginone.
US08357690B2
Provided herein are methods of treating a proliferative disease in a subject, comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of AC220 and a nucleoside analog, a topoisomerase inhibitor or an anthracycline, or a combination thereof.
US08357686B2
The invention relates to aryl-substituted polycyclic amines of the formula I, especially bicyclic amines, and to the physiologically tolerated salts and physiologically functional derivatives thereof; where the symbols and radicals are explained in the description as well as to pharmaceutical compositions and medical treatments employing these compounds.
US08357681B2
The present invention provides a composition for controlling pests comprising, as active ingredients, ethaboxam and a neonicotinoid compound represented by formula (1).
US08357679B2
The present invention relates to hexafluoroisopropanol derivatives having the general formula I to pharmaceutical compositions comprising the same and to the use of these hexafluoroisopropanol derivatives in the treatment of atherosclerosis.
US08357676B2
Provided herein, inter alia, are solid forms of geldanamycin analogs, pharmaceutical compositions comprising a geldanamycin analog and a crystallization inhibitor, methods of making and using such compositions. Additionally, provided are methods for the treatment of cancer, a neoplastic disease state and/or a hyperproliferative disorder, and methods of inhibiting Heat Shock Protein 90 (“Hsp90”).
US08357673B2
A series of mono- and binuclear 4-arylazo-3,5-diamino-pyrazoles which are useful for inhibition of cyclin-dependent kinases (preferably CDK9). Hence they can be used as antimitotic-, pro-apoptotic and antiinflammatory drugs, in particular, in chemotherapy of cancer and asthma, therapy of psoriasis and parasitoses as those caused by fungi or protists, treatment of Alzheimer's disease or as antineurodegenerative drugs, or to suppress immunostimulation. These compounds are useful in a variety of utilities, including as intermediates in the preparation of flame-retardants, diagnostic reagents and therapeutics, including antivirals and immunosuppressors.
US08357671B2
The invention relates to high affinity Siglec ligands that are useful for isolating cells that express Siglecs and for delivering agents to cells that express Siglecs. In one embodiment, the invention provides a method for treating cancer in a mammal that involves administering a Siglec ligand of the invention to the mammal, where the Siglec ligand is linked to a therapeutic agent.
US08357664B2
The invention provides antisense antiviral compounds and methods of their use and production in inhibition of growth of viruses of the Orthomyxoviridae family and in the treatment of a viral infection. The compounds are particularly useful in the treatment of influenza virus infection in a mammal. The antisense antiviral compounds are substantially uncharged morpholino oligonucleotides having 1) a nuclease resistant backbone, 2) 12-40 nucleotide bases, and 3) a targeting sequence of at least 12 bases in length that hybridizes to a target region selected from the following: a) the 5′ or 3′ terminal 25 bases of the negative sense viral RNA segment of Influenzavirus A, Influenzavirus B and Influenzavirus C; b) the terminal 25 bases of the 3′ terminus of the positive sense cRNA and; and c) the 50 bases surrounding the AUG start codon of an influenza viral mRNA.
US08357660B2
Methods are provided for inhibiting growth of prolactin-responsive cancer cells and treating prolactin-responsive malignancies via administration an agent such as cyclosporine A which directly inhibits an enzymatic activity of a cyclophilin.
US08357659B2
The invention relates to the use of the peptide toxin APETx2 that blocks the ASIC3 cationic channels and that is derived from the Anthopleura elegantissima sea anemone, and to the use of the analogs and derivatives thereof as a drug, particularly as an analgesic pain associated with the activation of ASIC3 (Acid Sensing Ion Channel 3) channels, in particular pain occurring upon an inflammation and potentially upon any painful situation associated with tissue acidosis (ischemiae, fractures, hematoma, oedema, phlyctena, local infections, tissue lesions, ocular wounds, tumours, etc.).
US08357658B2
The invention relates to the manufacture of a unit dose of a medicament for relieving the symptoms and/or restoring and/or protecting the neurons of patients suffering from Parkinson's disease. According to the invention, apamine is used in an amount of between 1 and 10 micrograms inclusive, for the manufacture of a unit dose for subcutaneous injection, every one to six weeks, of a medicament for relieving the symptoms and/or restoring and/or protecting the neurons of patients suffering from Parkinson's disease. The invention finds use in particular in the field of pharmacy.
US08357656B2
This document relates to methods and materials involved in preferentially activating natriuretic peptide receptor-C polypeptides. For example, agonists of natriuretic peptide receptor-C polypeptides as well as methods for activating natriuretic peptide receptor-C polypeptides are provided herein.
US08357655B2
Methods and compositions for the treatment of wounds in a mammalian subject are provided. Particularly, novel polypeptides and encoding nucleic acids that stimulate keratinocyte and endothelial cell motility and/or proliferation are provided.
US08357644B2
A lubricant composition useful for automotive engines, comprising: (A) at least one polyalkylene glycol suitable for use as a lubricant in an automotive engine, (B) an additive package which comprises an acid scavenger, wherein the acid scavenger is an aspartic acid ester, aspartic acid amide, a Group V aspartic acid salt, or a combination thereof.
US08357642B2
Provided is a functional fluid including a tetrazole compound (A) and a base oil (B), which may further include a triazole compound (C).
US08357641B2
Embodiments of the invention provide a food grade cleaning oil, such as one of synthetic or mineral oil origin, which can be used for the cleaning, flushing, and lubrication of compressors and vacuum pumps. The cleaner composition can include alkylated aromatics, such as naphthalenes. The cleaner composition can be compounded with additives including one or more of antioxidants, corrosion inhibitors, antiwear additives, metal passivators, and anti foam agents that are cleared for incidental food contact.
US08357637B2
The present invention is based, at least in part, on the identification of molecules involved in the differentiation and/or activity of osteoblasts and osteoclasts. Accordingly, the present invention provides methods of identifying modulators of bone formation, mineralization, and/or osteoclastogenesis and methods for treating disorders that would benefit from modulation of bone formation, mineralization, and/or osteoclastogenesis using agents identified as described herein.
US08357634B2
Compounds of formula (I) in which the substituents are as defined in claim 1, are suitable for use as microbiocides.
US08357628B2
The present invention is a process for making an inorganic/organic hybrid totally porous spherical silica particles by self assembly of surfactants that serve as organic templates via pseudomorphic transformation.
US08357625B2
An object of the present invention is to provide a catalyst exhibiting excellent performance particularly in partial oxidation reaction. Another object is to provide a method for efficiently producing carboxylic acid or carboxylic anhydride through vapor-phase partial oxidation of an organic compound by use of an oxygen-containing gas in the presence of the catalyst. The catalyst contains (1) diamond; (2) at least one species selected from among Group 5 transition element oxides, collectively called oxide A; and (3) at least one species selected from among Group 4 transition element oxides, collectively called oxide B. The method for producing a carboxylic acid or a carboxylic anhydride includes subjecting an organic compound to vapor phase partial oxidation by use of an oxygen-containing gas in the presence of the catalyst, wherein the organic compound is an aromatic compound having one or more substituents in a molecule thereof, the substituents each including a carbon atom bonded to an aromatic ring.
US08357624B2
A lens formed of a high-refractivity low-dispersion glass and free of fogging and scorching on its optical-function surface, which is obtained by precision press-molding of an optical glass having a refractive index (nd) of over 1.83, an Abbe's number (νd) of 40 or more and a glass transition temperature (Tg) of 640° C. or lower and containing no Li2O and has one form of a meniscus form, a biconcave form or a plano-concave form.
US08357620B2
An embodiment of the invention provides a laser annealing method, including the steps of radiating a laser beam to an amorphous film on a substrate while scanning the laser beam for the amorphous film, crystallizing the amorphous film, detecting a light quantity of laser beam reflected from the substrate and a scanning speed of the laser beam while the radiation and the scanning of the laser beam are carried out for the amorphous film, and controlling a radiation level and the scanning speed of the laser beam based on results of comparison of the light quantity of laser beam reflected from the substrate, and the scanning speed of the laser beam with respective preset references.
US08357614B2
Disclosed are ruthenium-containing precursors and methods of using the same in CVD and ALD.
US08357612B2
A semiconductor device in which a conductor of a bit line may be made as large in thickness as possible to reduce resistance of the bit line and to reduce capacitance across the neighboring bit lines. The device includes a first interlayer film having a first contact metal part accommodated in it, and a second interlayer film. The second interlayer film includes a trench, and is deposited on the first interlayer film. The semiconductor device also includes a metal conductor filled in and protruding above the trench, and a hard mask film deposited on the metal conductor. The semiconductor device also includes sidewalls formed on lateral surfaces of the hard mask film and the metal conductor for overlying the second interlayer film, and a third interlayer film formed above the second interlayer film inclusive of the hard mask film and the sidewalls. The device also includes a contact hole opened through the third interlayer film and the second interlayer film and in the first interlayer film to expose the first contact metal part between the sidewalls. The device further includes a second contact metal part 1 in the contact hole.
US08357609B2
Metal interconnects are formed with larger grain size and improved uniformity. Embodiments include patterning metal layers into metal interconnects and vias prior to depositing a dielectric layer. An embodiment includes forming metal layers on a substrate, patterning the metal layers to form metal interconnect lines and vias, and forming a dielectric layer on the substrate, metal interconnect lines, and vias, thereby filling gaps between the metal interconnect lines and between the vias. The metal layers may be annealed prior to patterning. A liner may be formed on the sidewalls of the metal interconnect lines and vias prior to forming the dielectric layer. The dielectric layer may be formed of a porous material with a dielectric constant less than 2.4.
US08357606B2
A method of making a semiconductor device includes forming a layer over a substrate, forming a plurality of spaced apart features of imagable material over the layer, forming sidewall spacers on the plurality of features and filling a space between a first sidewall spacer on a first feature and a second sidewall spacer on a second feature with a filler feature. The method also includes removing the sidewall spacers to leave the first feature, the filler feature and the second feature spaced apart from each other, and etching the layer using the first feature, the filler feature and the second feature as a mask.
US08357604B2
In sophisticated semiconductor devices, different threshold voltage levels for transistors may be set in an early manufacturing stage, i.e., prior to patterning the gate electrode structures, by using multiple diffusion processes and/or gate dielectric materials. In this manner, substantially the same gate layer stacks, i.e., the same electrode materials and the same dielectric cap materials, may be used, thereby providing superior patterning uniformity when applying sophisticated etch strategies.
US08357596B2
A method of crystallizing a silicon layer and a method of manufacturing a TFT, the method of crystallizing a silicon layer including forming a catalyst metal layer on a substrate; forming a catalyst metal capping pattern on the catalyst metal layer; forming a second amorphous silicon layer on the catalyst metal capping pattern; and heat-treating the second amorphous silicon layer to form a polycrystalline silicon layer.
US08357589B2
A method for thinning a structure of at least two assembled wafers, where one of the wafers includes channels on its surface facing the other wafer. In order to cause thinning of the structure, a fluid is introduced into the channels in a supercritical state and the fluid is passed from the supercritical state into the gaseous state. The channels do not open to the outside of the structure, such that the method further includes forming at least one access opening to the channels from the outer surface of the structure and before introducing the fluid in the supercritical state.
US08357586B2
Provided is a method for manufacturing an SOI wafer, which is capable of: efficiently removing an ion-implanted defect layer existing in an ion implanted layer in the vicinity of a peeled surface peeled by an ion implantation peeling method; ensuring the in-plane uniformity of a substrate; and also achieving cost reduction and higher throughput. The method for manufacturing an SOI wafer includes at least the steps of: bonding a silicon wafer with or without an oxide film onto a handle wafer to prepare a bonded substrate, wherein the silicon wafer has an ion implanted layer formed by implanting hydrogen ions and/or rare gas ions into the silicon wafer; peeling the silicon wafer along the ion implanted layer, thereby transferring the silicon wafer onto the handle wafer to produce a post-peeling SOI wafer; immersing the post-peeling SOI wafer in an aqueous ammonia-hydrogen peroxide solution; and performing a heat treatment at a temperature of 900° C. or higher on the immersed post-peeling SOI wafer, and/or polishing a silicon film layer of the immersed post-peeling SOI wafer, through CMP polishing by 10 to 50 nm.
US08357576B2
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, the method including providing a semiconductor substrate; forming a gate pattern on the semiconductor substrate such that the gate pattern includes a gate dielectric layer and a sacrificial gate electrode; forming an etch stop layer and a dielectric layer on the semiconductor substrate and the gate pattern; removing portions of the dielectric layer to expose the etch stop layer; performing an etch-back process on the etch stop layer to expose the sacrificial gate electrode; removing the sacrificial gate electrode to form a trench; forming a metal layer on the semiconductor substrate including the trench; removing portions of the metal layer to expose the dielectric layer; and performing an etch-back process on the metal layer to a predetermined target.
US08357569B2
The present disclosure provides a FinFET device and method of fabricating a FinFET device. The method includes providing a substrate, forming a fin structure on the substrate, forming a gate structure including a gate dielectric and gate electrode, the gate structure overlying a portion of the fin structure, forming a protection layer over another portion of the fin structure, and thereafter performing an implantation process to form source and drain regions.
US08357566B2
Pre-encapsulated lead frames suitable for use in microelectronic device packages are disclosed. Individual lead frames can include a set of multiple lead fingers arranged side by side with neighboring lead fingers spaced apart from each other by a corresponding gap. An encapsulating compound at least partially encapsulates the set of lead fingers without encapsulating a microelectronic device. The encapsulating compound can generally fill the plurality of gaps between two adjacent lead fingers.
US08357555B2
A method for producing a semiconductor optical device includes the steps of forming a semiconductor layer; forming a non-silicon-containing resin layer; forming a first pattern in the non-silicon-containing resin layer; forming a silicon-containing resin layer; etching the silicon-containing resin layer to have a second pattern reverse to the first pattern; selectively etching the non-silicon-containing resin layer by a RIE method employing a gas mixture containing CF4 gas and O2 gas, the non-silicon-containing resin layer having the second pattern; and etching the semiconductor layer. In the step of selectively etching the non-silicon-containing resin layer, a side wall of the second pattern in the silicon-containing resin layer and the non-silicon-containing resin layer is formed, the silicon-containing resin layer and the non-silicon-containing resin layer are maintained at a temperature equal to or less than a freezing point of SiF4, and a protective layer containing SiF4 is formed on the side wall of the second pattern.
US08357548B2
A semiconductor wafer metrology technique comprising performing atmospheric buoyancy compensated weighing of a wafer, in which the wafer is weighed in a substantially upright condition. A vertical or near vertical wafer orientation causes the surface area in the direction of a force (weight) sensor to be reduced compared with a horizontal wafer orientation. Hence, the electrostatic force components acting in the same direction as the wafer weight force component is reduced.
US08357543B2
A reaction vessel with a bottom drain opening supporting a selected unpressured head of fluid by the surface tension of the fluid. A device processing zone includes a support for spaced rows of reaction vessels, passages communicating with their drain openings of supported vessels, and a pressure source for selectively draining fluid through the drain openings. Generally horizontal bar magnets are supported for selected vertical movement between the vessel rows. A dispensing head has X discharge openings selectively positionable over X selected reaction vessels. A metering pump mechanism selectively meters X a selected quantity of fluid a bulk supply (where X is at least four), and selectively pumps the metered selected quantities through the drain openings to the selected reaction vessels. Methods of drawing fluid from the vessels using the pressure source, and moving the magnets to form a pellet of analyte are also included.
US08357540B2
Amino-containing materials can be attached to polymeric materials having a pendant amine capture group that includes a fluoroalkoxycarbonyl group. An amino-containing material can react with the pendant amine capture group by a nucleophilic substitution reaction. The product of the reaction is an alcohol and a pendant group that contains a carbonylimino group. The reaction results in the connection of the amino-containing material to the polymeric material. The polymeric materials are often disposed on a surface of a substrate and the connection of the amino-containing material to the polymeric material results in the immobilization of the amino-containing material on the substrate.
US08357534B2
The invention concerns a human stem cell isolated from the full depth of human cartilage tissue and/or isolated from aged human cartilage; and uses thereof.
US08357532B2
This invention provides compositions and methods for producing translational components that expand the number of genetically encoded amino acids in eukaryotic cells. The components include orthogonal tRNAs, orthogonal aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases, orthogonal pairs of tRNAs/synthetases and unnatural amino acids. Proteins and methods of producing proteins with unnatural amino acids in eukaryotic cells are also provided.
US08357519B2
Methods are provided for producing esters. The methods comprise converting a fermentable carbon source to organic acids by fermentation with organic acid producing microorganisms, followed by catalytic esterification. The methods comprise integrated fermentation, extraction, and esterification reactions wherein the organic acids produced during fermentation are extracted into an extraction solvent and then directly reacted with an alcohol in the presence of a catalyst to form organic esters. Methods of producing esters are also provided wherein the organic acids produced during fermentation and extracted into the extraction solvent are stripped from the extraction solvent prior to being reacted with an alcohol in the presence of a catalyst to form organic esters.
US08357506B2
This invention features a method of identifying a compound useful for enhancing efficacy of a therapeutic agent. The method includes incubating a compound in blood cells; separating immune cells from erythrocytic cells; and determining the ratio of the concentration of the compound in the immune cells to the concentration of the compound in the erythrocytic cells; wherein the compound comprises a transportophore and a therapeutic agent, in which the transportophore is covalently bonded to the therapeutic agent via a bond or a linker.
US08357501B2
There is disclosed a molecular composition(s) of a novel tissue protective erythropoietin (EPO) binding receptor protein complex, termed NEPOR. Presence of NEPOR components on a tumor allows EPO to impinge on the survival of associated cells thereby enhancing tumor progression and negatively effecting patient survival. Presence of NEPOR represents a prognostic biomarker for poorer patient outcome. Thus, methods are provided for stratifying patients having a tumor as suitable (i.e. NEPOR not present) or non-suitable (i.e., NEPOR present) for EPO treatment, comprising: (a) isolating a tissue sample from an individual who is receiving or is a candidate for receiving erythropoietin, (b) determining the level of expression of the NEPOR gene(s) (mRNA) and/or the presence of the NEPOR gene product (protein) from the isolated tissue, and (c) correlating the presence of an NEPOR gene expression product or the presence of NEPOR protein to a physiological response to the treatment with erythropoietin. Furthermore, by disclosing the molecular compositions of NEPOR species, there are disclosed methods for rationally identifying/designing NEPOR modulating therapeutics. Methods also are provided for treating neurological insults such as stroke (via enhancement of NEPOR activity) and cancer (via down-regulation of cyto-protective signaling from NEPOR).
US08357500B2
Non-invasive methods for detecting non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and identifying the presence or absence of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) in a subject utilize one or more biomarkers. The methods can differentiate between subjects with NASH and those with simple steatosis. Kits containing one or more agents for measuring the level of the biomarkers can be utilized to perform the described methods.
US08357490B2
An integrated instrument for oligonucleotide synthesis and PCR, and a system and method thereof are disclosed. The integrated instrument is basically composed of two independent modules. The first module is a unit for chemical de novo synthesis of oligonucleotides such as oligonucleotide primers and/or oligonucleotide hybridization probes. The second module is a unit for performing an analytical polymerase chain reaction amplification in real time, i.e. a qPCR. The two modules are operatively linked to each other in such a way that a user can load a nucleic sample to be analyzed into the integrated instrument and perform a PCR reaction by programming the instrument without a previous external synthesis of oligonucleotide amplification primers.
US08357486B2
Described herein are methods for detecting a bacteria in a subject and methods for detecting, imaging or diagnosing a site, disease, disorder or condition in a subject using bacteria. The methods can be used in conjunction with methods for treating a disease, disorder or condition. Such sites, diseases and disorders include sites of cellular proliferation, such as tumors, tumor tissues, metastases, areas of inflammation, immunoprivileged sites or tissues, wounds and infections. Further described are bacteria for use in the methods and compositions, combinations and kits, including diagnostic and pharmaceutical compositions, containing a bacterium. Bacteria described herein include those that bind, sequester or accumulate radiolabeled compounds by expression of an endogenous gene product that binds to the radiolabeled compound. Additional imaging and therapeutic agents and methods also are described.
US08357478B2
An electrophotographic photoconductor includes a base, a photosensitive layer formed on the base, and an overcoat layer formed on the photosensitive layer, wherein the overcoat layer includes gallium, oxygen, and hydrogen, and the intensity ratio (IO-H/IGa-O) of a signal IO-H of an O—H bond to a signal IGa-O of a Ga—O bond in an infrared absorption spectrum is about 0.1 or more and 0.5 or less.
US08357470B2
An organic solid electrolyte comprises a polymer obtained by (co)polymerization of cyanoethyl acrylate and/or cyanoethyl methacrylate, the polymer being doped with an inorganic ion salt. The electrolyte has a high ionic conductivity and is based on a hydroxyl-free polymer so that it may be used to construct a secondary battery which eliminates the risk of gas evolution.
US08357461B1
A method and apparatus for producing electricity using Earth electromotive force is disclosed herein. The method comprises placing a first electrode into a first section of the Earth, typically a hydrocarbon bearing formation. Next, a second electrode is placed into a second section of the Earth, typically in or proximal a water zone. Further, the first and second electrodes are electrically coupling to a boost converter assembly. The boost converter assembly is adapted to convert an input voltage derived from the first and second electrodes to an output voltage higher than the input voltage. An apparatus and electrical system comprising the various components for harvesting Earth energy are further disclosed.
US08357460B2
A communication device, and battery there for, are provided. In at least one of the battery and the communication device is provided a magnetic shield portion for routing magnetic flux away from the receiver when the radio is in operation. The magnetic shield portion can be incorporated into at least one of the battery and the communication device. When the battery is inserted into mobile communications devicemobile communication device, the magnetic shield portion is located substantially between a battery portion, in the battery, and the receiver.
US08357453B2
The invention relates to moisture-reactive hotmelt adhesive compositions which comprise at least one polyurethane prepolymer P1 being liquid at room temperature containing isocyanate groups and also at least one linear polyurethane P2 being solid at room temperature which comprises polycaprolactone segments, contains hydroxyl groups and has a melt viscosity of 100-300 Pa·s at 170° C. The compositions are notable in particular for a prolonged open time.
US08357447B2
A printable paper comprising a water-resistant support having two optionally subbed sides and a single layer on at least one of said optionally subbed sides, wherein said single layer has no substantial compositional variation, has a layer thickness of at least 3 μm, a pore volume of at least 1.2 mL/m2 and comprises at least one porous pigment; a process for producing a printable paper comprising the steps of: (i) optionally providing a water-resistant support having two sides with a subbing layer on at least one side; (ii) providing at least one side of said optionally subbed water-resistant support with a single layer having no substantial compositional variation, said single layer being applied to said optionally subbed water-resistant support as at least one wet aqueous layer in a single pass for each side of said water-resistant support, said at least one aqueous layer comprising at least one latex, at least one pigment, at least one binder and optionally at least one insolubilizing agent, wherein said latex is an anionic acrylic latex or an aliphatic polyurethane latex; and the use in printing of the above-described printable paper or that obtained by the above-described production process.
US08357441B2
The present invention is an ignition resistant carbonate polymer composition, a method to make said composition and fabricated articles made therefrom. The ignition resistant carbonate polymer composition comprises: (i) an aromatic polycarbonate or an aromatic polyester carbonate, (ii) a graft polymer, (iii) optionally one or more thermoplastic vinyl (co)polymer, (iv) optionally one or more thermoplastic polyester polymer, (v) an aromatic phosphate compound, and (vi) a mixture of a fibril forming polytetrafluoroethylene polymer and a fluorothermoplast.
US08357436B2
The subject is to provide a liquid crystal composition that satisfies at least one characteristic of characteristics such as a high maximum temperature of a nematic phase, a low minimum temperature of a nematic phase, a small viscosity, a suitable optical anisotropy, a negatively large dielectric anisotropy, a large specific resistance, a high stability to ultraviolet light and a high stability to heat, or that is suitably balanced regarding two characteristics thereof. The subject is to provide an AM device that has a short response time, a large voltage holding ratio, a large contrast ratio, a long service life and so forth.The invention provides a liquid crystal composition having a negative dielectric anisotropy that includes a specific compound having 1-pyran-2,5-dyil as a first component, and a specific compound having a negatively large dielectric anisotropy as a second component , and provides a liquid crystal display device containing the composition.
US08357429B2
A method for forming an aperture includes stamping an aperture into the article using a pellet, and refining aperture shape(s) and/or aperture dimensions. Methods for forming articles having reduced residual compressive stress are also disclosed. Very generally, the methods include establishing a diamond coating on at least a portion of a substrate, and applying a stress-relief process to the diamond coating, the substrate, or combinations thereof.
US08357415B2
In pressure bonding edible layers having irregular surfaces due to the presence of aggregated substance so that the irregular surfaces face each other, an edible layer substantially free of any aggregated substance is interposed therebetween. This allows an orally administrable edible agent of aggregated substance-containing laminate film form having a multilayer structure including laminated extremely thin layers to be produced. The multilayer structure by such a pressure bonding technique can satisfy quantitative accuracy required for pharmaceutical preparations, and prevents time constraint in a drying step or the like, thereby providing a producing method with high productivity.
US08357410B2
A frozen dumpling is obtained by applying to a dumpling, a first layer of a batter, and a second layer of water or a seasoning solution, wherein the first layer is present in an amount of 5 to 30% by weight relative to the dumpling, and the second layer is present in an amount of 20 to 100% by weight relative to the dumpling, and then freezing the dumpling. Tray-packed frozen dumplings are obtained by placing the dumplings on a tray, and contacting the dumplings with a first layer of batter, and a second layer of water or a seasoning solution, and freezing the dumplings, wherein the first layer is present in an amount of 5 to 30% by weight relative to the dumpling, and the second layer is present in an amount of 20 to 100% by weight relative to the dumpling.
US08357402B2
This invention relates to a flowable collagen/glycosaminoglycan (GAG) material including particles of collagen/GAG matrix that, when hydrated, can be effectively delivered to wounds having varying depths and geometries. The flowable collagen/GAG matrix allows a more intimate contact between the wound matrix and the wound bed, and provides a structural framework that serves as a scaffold for cell ingrowth.
US08357397B2
The invention relates to the field of pharmacology. More specific, the invention relates to a controlled release composition. In one of the embodiments, the invention provides a method for preparing a controlled release composition comprising the steps of: providing a mixture of a recombinant gelatin and a pharmaceutical chemically cross-linking said recombinant gelatin to obtain a three dimensional network structure.
US08357393B2
A pharmaceutical composition for transdermal delivery comprising one or more physiologically active agents; one or more dermal penetration enhancers; and a volatile pharmaceutically acceptable carrier comprising a volatile solvent; and wherein the physiologically active agent and dermal penetration enhancer form an amorphous deposit upon evaporation of the volatile carrier, said amorphous deposit forming a reservoir within the stratum corneum; and (A) wherein the composition has a release rate profile of physiologically active agent so as to provide a ratio of the maximum concentration (Cmax) to the average concentration (Cavg) for the physiologically active agent over the dosage interval within the range of 1 to 10.
US08357390B2
The present invention relates to implantable medical devices coated with polymer having hemocompatible and/or prohealing moieties appended thereto and to their use in the treatment of vascular diseases.
US08357383B2
Skin care or cleansing implements are described containing a liquid, semi-solid or solid cleansing or skin treatment composition that is releasably associated with the implement. The composition is substantially nonaqueous and has a continuous and a discontinuous phase. Components of the discontinuous phase can react with each other or with water when water is blended with the nonaqueous cleansing or skin treatment composition during consumer use. Methods for treating the skin with the inventive implements are also described.
US08357380B2
The coenzyme Q10-containing liquid composition is obtained by dispersing and emulsifying coenzyme Q10 in an aqueous liquid containing a water-soluble substance consisting of octenylsuccinate starch and dextrin, and glycerin. The liquid composition may be dried to prepare a coenzyme Q10-containing solid composition.
US08357375B2
The structural design, preparative methods and chemical composition of two structural formulations of bivalent vaccines against morphine-heroin addiction (morphine-6-hemisuccinyl-EDC-TFCS-tetanus toxoid and 3-O-carboxymethylmorphine-EDC-TFCS-tetanus toxoid), are disclosed. These vaccines are suitable for human use in which they are capable of triggering the synthesis of polyclonal antibodies against morphine opiate and its structural analogue, heroin, through the repeated in vivo administration of these formulations, in active vaccination protocols, in pre-clinical studies in rodents. The active vaccination paradigm through which these immunogens trigger a humoral immune response consolidated with a long-term immunological memory, characterized by the presence of high titers of specific antibodies against these two drugs of abuse, is also disclosed. Furthermore, the present invention reveals the efficacy of these conjugate formulations for triggering a sustained immunoprotection against morphine and heroin addiction using an intravenous self-administration paradigm of these two opiate substances in the rodent. Finally, a discussion is also made on the potential future use of these immunoconjugates in active vaccination protocols for treating both morphine and heroin addiction in the humans.
US08357359B2
A malodor control composition having at least one volatile aldehyde and an acid catalyst, and methods thereof are provided. The malodor control composition is suitable for a variety of applications, including use in fabric and air freshening products.
US08357358B2
The present invention relates to novel compounds and their use in fragrance compositions. Novel 3.2.1-bicyclo-octane compounds of the present invention are represented by formula: wherein R is selected from the group consisting of carbonyl and [1,3]dioxolane; R′ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and allyl; or R and R′ taken together represent
US08357355B2
Compositions of the present invention comprise from about 40-99% of an aqueous suspension of silicone elastomer powder in a cosmetically acceptable vehicle. The compositions are useful as skin exfoliants when mechanical agitation is supplied, for example by rubbing with a hand. After exfoliation, little or no film or residue remains on the skin and washing the treated area is optional. The cosmetically acceptable vehicle may comprise a wide range of beneficial ingredients, cosmetic or dermatological actives and additives. The present invention also encompasses a method of exfoliating skin in need of such treatment.
US08357350B2
The present invention relates to methods for imaging annulus fibrosus tissue and a quantitative measurement of its local concentration in a sample using an agent comprising the compound of Formula I, a 13C or 2H enriched compound of Formula I, an 19F-labeled derivative of Formula I, a metal-DOTA (1,4,7,10-tetra-azacyclododecane-N,N′,N″,N′″-tetraacetic acid) complex of Formula I, or a radioisotope derivative of Formula I.
US08357349B2
The present invention provides compounds, pharmaceutical compositions, and methods that can be used to treat pathologies that are due to copper overload or to the presence of reactive oxygen species.
US08357343B2
A method for producing star-shaped zinc oxide particles, the method including heating a solution containing tetrahydroxozincate(II) ion [Zn(OH)4]2−, and diluting the solution containing tetrahydroxozincate(II) ion [Zn(OH)4]2− with a solvent in the course of reaction so that the concentration of zinc ion (Zn2+) after the dilution is adjusted to 0.008 M or lower.
US08357338B2
The invention relates to an apparatus for generating a multi-component compound, in particular for dental purposes, comprising: —At least two cartridges (3), each cartridge (3) adapted for containing a component (4) of the multi-component compound and having a plunger (2) adapted for pressing out its component (4) from the cartridge (3); and—a driving device for said plungers (2) in which the driving speed is adjustable, wherein the driving device comprises a stepping motor (1), and a detector associated with the stepping motor for detecting at least one of a) the steps of the stepping motor and b) The load on the stepping motor. At low revolutions per minute, the stepping motor (1) offers higher torque as compared with the known DC motors, whereas it also offers high revolutions per minute, although with comparatively low torque, sufficient for rapid advance and retraction of the plungers (2).
US08357331B2
A sterilization system includes a plurality of vaporizers that are controlled by a network of interconnected controllers. The network includes a plurality of control units with each control unit controlling an associated vaporizer to adjust independently the rate at which the associated vaporizer injects vaporized sterilant into the different regions of an enclosure. The network also includes a master control unit configured to control each control unit over the network to coordinate the aggregate injection of sterilant vapor.
US08357324B2
The present invention relates to a process for the production of polyethylene hollow articles, which process comprises charging the polyethylene with one or more NO-acyl hindered amine additives containing one or more groups of formula (I), filling this mixture into a mold, heating this mold in an oven to above 280° C., such that the additized polyethylene melts, rotating the mold around at least 2 axes, the additized polyethylene spreading to the walls, cooling the mold while still rotating, opening it, and taking the resultant hollow article out, where the group of formula (I) is where Ra is a monoacyl or diacyl radical; R1-R4 are each C1-C6alkyl; and R5 and R6 are each, independently of one another, hydrogen, C1-C6alkyl or C6-C10aryl; or R5 and R6 are together oxygen.
US08357322B2
A method for producing a colorless transparent resin film by a solution flow casting method containing: flow-casting an organic solvent solution of a polyamic acid or a polyimide on a support; and drying, the method containing at least the following step (1), step (2) and step (3) in this order, and an apparatus therefor: (1) a step of flow-casting an organic solvent solution of a polyamic acid or polyamide on a support, (2) a step of evaporating the organic solvent while blowing a gas having an oxygen content of from 0.001 to 15% by volume at a temperature of from 100 to 170° C. onto the flow-cast material, and releasing as a self-supporting film from the support, and (3) a step of performing the following step (3-1) and step (3-2) in this order: (3-1) a step of lowering a residual ratio of the organic solvent in the self-supporting film while blowing a gas having an oxygen content of 15% by volume or less at a temperature of from 100 to 250° C. onto the film by using at least one dryer of a type of blowing a heated gas, and (3-2) a step of lowering the residual ratio of the organic solvent in the self-supporting film while blowing a gas having an oxygen content of 5% by volume or less at a temperature of from 150 to 400° C. onto the film by using at least one dryer of a type of blowing a heated gas.
US08357320B2
A process for the impregnation of carbon fiber bundles enables the carbon fiber bundles to be impregnated with a curable liquid resin without the impregnated fiber bundles sticking together. The fiber bundles are present in a mechanically generated fluidized bed during the impregnation and are held in the fluidized bed until the resin has been cured or at least dried. A resin-impregnated carbon fiber bundle, a shaped body and an intermediate body for silicization are also provided.
US08357316B2
One gamma radiation source comprises 75Selenium or a precursor thereof, wherein the 75Selenium is provided in the form of one or more thermally stable compounds, alloys or mixtures with one or more nonmetals which upon irradiation do not produce products capable of sustained emission of radiation which would unacceptably interfere with the gamma radiation of 75Selenium. A further gamma radiation source comprises 75Selenium or a precursor thereof, wherein the 75Selenium is provided in the form of one or more thermally stable compounds, alloys or mixtures with one or more metals or nonmetals, the neutron irradiation of which does produce products capable of sustained emission of radiation which would acceptably complement the gamma radiation of 75Selenium. Further, the gamma radiation source may have components that are separately irradiated before being combined and the components may be of natural isotopic composition or of isotopically modified composition so that the subsequent radiation peaks may also be adjusted in relative frequency.
US08357302B2
Product yields in chemical reactions that produce a solid product from a liquid reaction mixture are improved by chromatographically separating certain key impurities from the product mixture prior to crystallization, or from the filtrate after crystallization in which case further product is crystallized from the filtrate. The removal of key impurities either before the first crystallization or between the first and second crystallizations facilitates the crystallization of product to produce a higher yield of product.
US08357295B2
An adjustable anchor rod arrangement for use with an underdrain system that includes the a pair of spaced apart legs and an elongated member adjustably attached to the legs, wherein the legs are adjustable along a longitudinal axis of the elongated member and the elongated member is adjustable along a longitudinal axis of the legs.
US08357290B2
Corrosive amine salts in hydrocarbon streams such as desalted crude oil streams can be prevented or avoided by adding certain amine scavenging chemicals to the streams to remove the amines therefrom. Suitable amine scavengers include, but are not necessarily limited to, carboxylic anhydrides and copolymers of carboxylic anhydrides, aromatic anhydrides, isocyanates, polyisocyanates, and epoxides. The non-corrosive reaction products of the amines and/or ammonia with these scavengers are preferably oil-soluble, non-basic and thermally stable. The amine scavengers bind up and react with the amines and/or ammonia to keep them from reacting with materials such as acids (e.g. HCl) to form corrosive amine salts.
US08357280B2
The invention is a method of phase separation in liquid mixtures comprising two or more components. The method comprises the steps of inserting the liquid mixture between suitably shaped and positioned electrodes and applying a voltage to the electrodes in order to produce a non-uniform electric field between the electrodes. The phase separation takes place with essentially all electrode geometries and the phase separation is reversible. The method is characterized in that the liquid mixture must contain dissociated positive or negative ions. In this case the phase separation takes place when the applied voltage is a few volts or less and when the temperature is many degrees above the binodal (coexistence) temperature Tc. The invention has many practical applications including: electrical field controlled lubrication, influencing the kinetics and spatial dependence of chemical reactions in liquid environments, controlling the propagation of light, and controlling the opacity of a window.
US08357274B2
An electrochemical biosensor analysis system is provided for analyzing a sample liquid, comprising a biosensor having an electrode structure made of at least two electrodes, a test field, covering the electrode structure and capable of absorbing the sample liquid, and a defined sample application surface on the top side of the test field. The system also includes an analysis instrument comprising an evaluation unit for determining the desired analysis data. The analysis instrument comprises an AC resistance measuring device for measuring an AC resistance value between two electrodes of the electrode structure by means of an area compensation measurement. The measured AC resistance value is used, in the determination of the analysis data, as a measure of the partial area of the effective electrode structure area wetted by the sample liquid.
US08357273B2
The present invention relates to an analyzer (1) to be used with an analytical tool (2) mounted thereto and used for analyzing a particular component contained in a sample supplied to the analytical tool (2). The analyzer (1) includes at least one detection terminal pair (11, 12) including a first and a second detection terminals (11A, 11B, 12A, 12B) which are capable of selecting a mutually contacting state and a non-contacting state, a detector (15) for detecting the state of contact of the first and the second detection terminals (11A, 11B, 12A, 12B), and an abnormality detector (16) for detecting an abnormality of the at least one detection terminal pair (11, 12) based on the detection result by the detector (15).
US08357270B2
A low-voltage, low-energy electrochemical system and method of removing protons and/or producing a base solution comprising hydroxide and carbonate/bicarbonate ions, utilizing carbon dioxide in a cathode compartment that is partitioned into a first cathode electrolyte compartment and a second cathode electrolyte compartment such that liquid flow between the cathode electrolyte compartments is possible, but wherein gaseous communication between the cathode electrolyte compartments is restricted. Carbon dioxide gas in one cathode electrolyte compartment is utilized with the cathode electrolyte in both compartments to produce the base solution with less that 3V applied across the electrodes.
US08357268B2
By providing an enhanced drive system for electrochemical etch process tools, the operational range, as well as the reliability, may be enhanced. For this purpose, a high torque electric motor may be used in combination with an appropriate power transmission, which may be attached to a corresponding tool frame at a height level that is above a corresponding height level at which respective chemicals are provided to the substrate under process. Hence, the probability for contamination by chemicals may be significantly reduced, thereby also reducing maintenance efforts resulting in reduced production costs.
US08357267B2
The present invention has been achieved to provide a method and apparatus for speedily and homogeneously fabricating polycrystalline silicon films or similar devices at low cost. A silicon target is attached to a water-cooled electrode, while a substrate made of a desired material is set on the other, heated electrode. When atmospheric pressure hydrogen plasma is generated between the two electrodes, silicon atoms will be released from the low-temperature target on the side and deposited on the high-temperature substrate. A doped silicon film can be created by using a target containing a doping element. Since there is no need to handle expensive and harmful gases (e.g. SiH4, B2H6 and PH3), the apparatus can be installed and operated at lower costs. In an application of the film producing method according to the present invention, an objective substance can be selectively purified from a target containing a plurality of substances.
US08357266B2
A method and system for conditioning a vapor deposition target is described. In one illustrative embodiment, a vapor deposition system is operated in which a vapor deposition target is used, the occurrence of electrical arcs in the vapor deposition system is detected, and the vapor deposition target is conditioned by adjusting an output current of a power supply that powers the vapor deposition system and adjusting an interval during which energy is delivered to each arc to deliver substantially the same energy to each arc. In some embodiments, the energy delivered to each arc is approximately equal to the maximum energy that the vapor deposition target can withstand without being damaged. The described method and system significantly reduces the time required to remove impurities from a target and does not require the venting of the vacuum chamber or the removal of the target from the chamber.
US08357254B2
A method of cutting a length of tire tread for a retread tire includes measuring a circumference of the tire casing and cushion gum, and dispensing a length of tire tread from a roll based on the measured circumference. The length of tire tread relative to a tread cutter is adjusted so that the tire tread design at the point where the tread may be cut is between a set of marks formed in the periodically repeating tread design. The tread is then cut along a linear length of the tread disposed within the marks so that the periodically repeating tread pattern appears substantially continuous across a seam defined when the section of tire tread is wrapped around the casing such that the first and second ends meet in abutting relationship.
US08357250B2
The formability of coiled and annealed (O-temper) magnesium alloy sheet material in high temperature forming operations is sometimes adversely affected by small amounts of cold work introduced into the fine grained material during handling of the coil and unwinding it to obtain blank workpieces for hot stamping, hot blow forming, or the like. When necessary, the formability of the sheet material with regions of hard worked microstructure may be improved by predetermining a recovery heat treatment using small portions of the material in formability tests. The recovery heat treatment, determined for the specific coiled stock, may then be applied to the material of the coil as it is used in making vehicle body panels or the like.
US08357248B2
A copper alloy having high strength, high electrical conductivity, and excellent bendability, the copper alloy containing, in terms of mass %, 0.4 to 4.0% of Ni; 0.05 to 1.0% of Si; and, as an element M, one member selected from 0.005 to 0.5% of P, 0.005 to 1.0% of Cr, and 0.005 to 1.0% of Ti, with the remainder being copper and inevitable impurities, in which an atom number ratio M/Si of elements M and Si contained in a precipitate having a size of 50 to 200 nm in a microstructure of the copper alloy is from 0.01 to 10 on average, the atom number ratio being measured by a field emission transmission electron microscope with a magnification of 30,000 and an energy dispersive analyzer. According to the invention, it is possible to provide a copper alloy having high strength, high electrical conductivity, and excellent bendability.
US08357247B2
A martensitic stainless steel, having high temper softening resistance, for disc brakes is provided. The martensitic stainless steel is not seriously softened by maintaining the steel at more than 600° C. The steel has a hardness of 32 or more or a hardness of 30 or more in HRC after the steel is tempered at 650° C. for one hour or tempered at 670° C. for one hour, respectively. In particular, the martensitic stainless steel for disc brakes contains less than 0.050 mass % carbon, 1.0 mass % or less silicon, 2.0 mass % or less manganese, 0.04 mass % or less phosphorus, 0.010 mass % or less sulfur, 0.2 mass % or less aluminum, more than 11.5 mass % to 15.0 mass % chromium, 0.5 mass % to 2.0 mass % nickel, more than 0.50 mass % to 4.0 mass %. copper, more than 0.08 mass % to 0.6 mass % niobium, and less than 0.09 mass % nitrogen, the remainder being iron and unavoidable impurities. The carbon content, the nitrogen content, the niobium content, the chromium content, the silicon content, the nickel content, the manganese content, and the copper content satisfy the following inequalities (1) and (2): 0.03≦[C]+[N]−13/93×[Nb]≦0.09 (1) 5×[Cr]+10×[Si]+30×[Nb]−9×[Ni]−5×[Mn]−3×[Cu]−225×[N]−270×[C]≦40 (2).
US08357244B1
A method of removing photoresist beneath an overlayer includes estimating a rapid temperature change for a photoresist layer to produce cracking in the overlayer. The temperature chance is estimated so that the cracking of the overlayer is sufficient to allow a liftoff solution to penetrate below the overlayer during a liftoff step. The method further includes baking the photoresist layer and chilling the photoresist layer after baking to produce the rapid temperature change. The method then includes lifting off the photoresist layer using the liftoff solution.
US08357243B2
The present invention discloses a new testing method of group III-nitride wafers. By utilizing the ammonothermal method, GaN or other Group III-nitride wafers can be obtained by slicing the bulk GaN ingots. Since these wafers originate from the same ingot, these wafers have similar properties/qualities. Therefore, properties of wafers sliced from an ingot can be estimated from measurement data obtained from selected number of wafers sliced from the same ingot or an ingot before slicing. These estimated properties can be used for product certificate of untested wafers. This scheme can reduce a significant amount of time, labor and cost related to quality control.
US08357240B2
A method of preparing a light weight concrete composition using expanded polymer particles that includes a) replacing from about 10 to about 50 volume percent of the coarse aggregate in the concrete composition with prepuff particles; and b) preparing the concrete composition by combining ingredients comprising 3-40 volume percent cement, 1-50 volume percent fine aggregate, 0-40 volume percent coarse aggregate, 10-22 volume percent water, and 5-40 volume percent of prepuff particles. The prepuff particles have an average particle diameter of from 0.2 mm to 5 mm, a bulk density of from 0.02 g/cc to 0.56 g/cc, an aspect ratio of from 1 to 3. The concrete composition has a density of from about 90 to about 135 lb./ft3 and after it is set for 28 days, has a compressive strength of at least 1800 psi as tested according to ASTM C39.
US08357236B1
A board wax and a method for fabricating the board wax is provided wherein the method includes producing melted ivory beeswax by heating a predetermined amount of ivory beeswax to a temperature of about between 120° F. and 140° F., generating a coconut oil mix by mixing a predetermined amount of refined, bleached, de-scented coconut oil with a predetermined amount of naturally scented coconut oil, creating an ivory beeswax coconut oil combination by combining the melted ivory beeswax with the coconut oil mix and mixing the ivory beeswax coconut oil combination until the ivory beeswax coconut oil combination is substantially clear and processing the ivory beeswax coconut oil combination to generate board wax bars having a predetermined size.
US08357222B2
A metal magnetic powder for a magnetic recording medium is provided whose particles have a metal magnetic phase, composed mainly of Fe or Fe plus Co, and an oxide layer, wherein the average major axis length of the powder particles is 10-50 nm, the average particle volume including the oxide layer is 5,000 nm3 or less, the atomic ratio (R+Al+Si)/(Fe+Co) calculated using the content values (at. %) of the elements contained in the powder particles is 20% or less, where R is rare earth element (Y being treated as a rare earth element). The metal magnetic powder is obtained by using a complexing agent and a reducing agent to elute nonmagnetic constituents after firing. The metal magnetic powder exhibits a large saturation magnetization as for its particle volume while maintaining weatherability comparable to the conventional level and is suitable for a coated-type magnetic recording medium.
US08357218B2
A filter element has a reinforcement band or ring along at least a portion of the perimeter thereof and performing a support function thereat preventing or minimizing damage upon attempted percussive cleaning of the filter element by service personnel striking the perimeter against an impact surface. Alternatively, a failure band or ring is provided along at least a portion of the perimeter and performs a designated failure function to a failure condition thereat upon attempted percussive cleaning, with the failure condition providing at least one of: a) an indication to service personnel that the filter element has been damaged and should not be re-installed; and b) a deformed condition preventing re-installation.
US08357182B2
Some embodiments relate to systems, devices, and associated methods for correcting spinal column deformities that help minimize a number of attachment anchors utilized for correction, facilitate use of straight or contoured rods, and/or help promote a more natural, physiologic motion of the spinal column.
US08357170B2
Methods and devices are provided for placing occlusion fasteners. In general, a surgical instrument is provided having a shaft configured to be introduced into a body through a scoping device and to deliver a ligating clip to occlude tissue in the body. The scoping device and the shaft can each be flexible, with the shaft configured to be advanced through a working channel of the scoping device. The shaft can have a size configured to allow a plurality of surgical instruments to be concurrently disposed in the scoping device's working channel and for one or more of the surgical instruments to extend beyond a distal end of the scoping device.
US08357166B2
A number of orthopedic surgical instruments are also disclosed. A method, apparatus, and system for fabricating such instruments are also disclosed.
US08357155B2
An electrosurgical instrument blade includes a body having more than two electrodes with at least two electrodes having alternating current power supplied to them provide a bipolar alternating current configuration and employ a means other than electrode spacing for reducing or preventing accumulation of eschar. The electrodes are separated from each other using electrically insulating materials such that electric current does not flow between at least two of the bipolar alternating current electrodes unless they contact at least one other electrically conductive medium, such as patient tissue. The conductor edge portion and insulation layer each have geometric shapes and composition to reduce or eliminate the production of smoke and eschar and reduce tissue damage. The outer profile of the insulation layer and conductive element are configured to facilitate the flow of electrosurgical decomposition products away from the conductor edge where they are formed.
US08357142B2
The present disclosure relates to a connector hub assembly. The connector hub assembly includes a housing and a retention device. The housing has a connector bank having one or more input ports and one or more output ports, that are defined therein. The input ports are configured to operably connect to one or more first conduits and the output ports are configured to operably connect to one or more second conduits. The retention device is operably coupled to the housing. The retention device includes a flexible membrane that has one or more slits defined therethrough that form flexible segments in the membrane. The flexible segments are configured to selectively secure the connector hub assembly to a sheet-like material when the sheet-like material is fed through the slits.
US08357139B2
Systems, methods and devices for performing pulmonary procedures, and in particular treating lung disease. A flow control element includes a valve that prevents airflow in the inhalation direction but permits airflow in the exhalation direction. The flow control element is guided to and positioned at the site by a bronchoscope that is introduced into the patient's trachea and used to view the lungs during delivery of the flow control element. The valve may include one, two or more valve elements, and it may be collapsible for easier delivery. A source of vacuum or suction may be used to increase the amount of fluid withdrawn from the lung tissue. A device for measuring hollow structures, such as bronchioles, and a device for removing a previously-placed flow control element are disclosed as well.
US08357138B2
An angioplasty catheter assembly having an anchoring catheter within a guide catheter such that the anchoring catheter anchors to the guide catheter and the inner wall of a coronary artery; the anchoring catheter has an opening in its tubular wall such that a guide wire and balloon dilatation catheter can be disposed therethrough and extending through the length of the anchoring catheter.
