US08723987B2

In one embodiment, a method comprises generating three-dimensional (3D) imaging data for an environment using an imaging sensor, extracting an extracted plane from the 3D imaging data, and estimating an uncertainty of an attribute associated with the extracted plan. The method further comprises generating a navigation solution using the attribute associated with the extracted plane and the estimate of the uncertainty of the attribute associated with the extracted plane.
US08723986B1

A computer implemented method for initiating capture of an image on a computer system, performed by the computer system that is programmed to perform the method includes determining by a physical sensor of the computer system, a change in physical state of the computer system, wherein the change in physical state is associated with a magnitude of change in physical state, determining by the computer system, whether the magnitude of change in physical state by the physical sensor exceeds a threshold level, determining by the computer system, a plurality of parameters for a camera associated with the computer system, and initiating by the computer system, capture of one or more images using the camera after the magnitude of change in physical state by the physical sensor exceeds the threshold level.
US08723981B2

A flicker detecting apparatus for a camera module includes a processor. The processor includes a brightness values reading module, a calculating module, and a determining module. The brightness values reading module reads out a number of brightness values from a number of pixels of pictures captured by the camera module. The calculating module calculates out brightness values differences between the pixels. The determining module compares the brightness values differences with a preset value to determine whether the camera module is acceptable.
US08723977B2

An image editing method and an image editing apparatus include dividing an entire image, generating representative images, and generating edited images. Accordingly, a user may edit photographed images, recorded images or reproduced images more easily and conveniently.
US08723958B2

A luminance signal and a color information signal having high S/N ratios are generated by combining a visible luminance image component and an infrared image component at an appropriate ratio according to brightness of a subject such as brightness on a sunny day or brightness in darkness. An image pickup element 3 picks up a ye image component Dye, an R image component DR, an infrared image component DBlk and a luminance image component DW. An evaluation value calculator 41 calculates an evaluation value eDW and an evaluation value eDBlk by adding pixel values of the luminance image component DW and pixel values of the infrared image component DBlk in a local area, and calculates an evaluation value e (=eDW−eDBlk). A factor determiner 51 determines weighting factors k, kw from the evaluation value e. A signal generator 44 weights the luminance image component by the weighting factor k, weights the visible luminance image component by the weighting factor kw, combines the luminance image component and the visible luminance image component to calculate a luminance signal dY, and also calculates color signals dR, dG and dB.
US08723951B2

An interactive video server which enables multiple clients to independently and interactively extract views from a one or more wide-angle imagery sources is disclosed.
US08723950B2

An apparatus for evaluating the fit of a modular window assembly into a simulated vehicle body opening includes a base member, a vehicle body opening/sheet metal simulator mounted to the base member, one or more light sources disposed in the vehicle body opening/sheet metal simulator and one or more devices for securing the vehicle window to the vehicle body opening/sheet metal simulator. A method of utilizing the apparatus is also a part of the invention.
US08723938B2

Provided are a method of determining a brightness value of a target area on an optical image, and a computer-readable recording medium including a program for executing the method on a computer. Target brightness values of a plurality of target areas in an optical image are accurately compared with each other by plotting a graph with brightness values depending on positions within a subject.
US08723934B2

A projected display, onto the surface of an appliance, of a user interface that can be utilized to make selections regarding the operation of the appliance is described. Where the surface is part of a door of the appliance, the user interface can be configured for display on the top surface, bottom surface, or both, of the door. Such door can be constructed from a transparent material that can be transformed to provide a reflection of the projected display that is visible to the user.
US08723928B2

It is possible to perform three-dimensional shape measurement with easy processing, regardless of whether an object is moving or not. An image capturing unit (103) captures a captured image (I) including both a real image (I2) of the object (113R) and a mirror (101). A light amount changing unit (63a) changes a light amount of a virtual image (I1). An image separating unit (captured image separating unit 104) specifies, as a virtual image (Ib1), an image in a region having a different light amount (R1), in a captured image (Ia) in which the light amount is changed and a captured image (Ib) in which the light amount is not changed, and specifies an image in a region having the same light amount (R2) as a real image (Ib2). A three dimensional shape is reconstructed from the real image and so on that are specified.
US08723920B1

Exemplary embodiments provide devices, systems and methods that enable viewing of three-dimensional images on an autostereoscopic display using a barrier grid of dynamically configurable grid characteristics. The barrier grid is configurable to include alternating light-transmitting and light-blocking portions that may be characterized by and configured using a set of one or more grid indicia. The cooperative display of an image on an image display device and the dynamically configurable barrier grid enables autostereoscopic 3D and 4D viewing of images.
US08723919B2

Provided are an image processing apparatus and an image processing method, the image processing apparatus including: a parallax estimation unit which estimates parallax with respect to a left eye image and a right eye image of a three-dimensional (3D) image; a horizontal movement value determination unit which determines a horizontal movement value using the estimated parallax; a horizontal movement unit which horizontally moves the left eye image and the right eye image based on the horizontal movement value; and a controller which calculates a chronological change rate of the estimated parallax for a predetermined time, determines whether the chronological change rate is greater than a predetermined threshold, and if the chronological change rate is greater, limits the horizontal movement value to a predetermined range and controls the horizontal movement unit to horizontally move the left eye image and the right eye image based on the limited horizontal movement value.
US08723918B2

An image capturing apparatus includes a driving unit for displacing one of a lens unit and an imaging device with respect to an optical axis, and a controller for causing the driving unit to displace one of the lens unit and the imaging device, in response to the motion of the image capturing apparatus. When, with a shooting direction being moved, captured images are generated so that a panoramic image is generated from the captured images, the controller displaces the position of the lens unit or the imaging device at the start of exposure of each image to be captured in a direction based on a direction in which the shooting direction is moved. In addition, a displacement amount at the start of the exposure is set in response to the length of an exposure time period so that the displacement during the exposure time period becomes small and the quality of an image is improved.
US08723911B1

A video stream from a webcam or video telephone is received. The video stream can be analyzed in real-time as it is being received or can be recorded and stored for later analysis. Information within the video streams can be extracted and processed by a facial and video content recognition engine and the information derived therefrom can be stored as metadata. The metadata can be used for enriching the call content recorded by a recorder. The information derived from the video streams can be used to solve business and legal issues.
US08723907B2

Since a photodiode (PD) is disposed in the vicinity of the plurality of light emitting elements and, therefore, the PD also receives a laser beam emitted only by a bias current during the APC period, setting a bias current based on a result of light amount detection by the PD does not result in a bias current setting with sufficient accuracy. To solve this issue, an electrophotographic image forming apparatus forms an electrostatic latent image pattern on a photosensitive drum, and controls the value of the bias current set for a first light emitting element based on the potential of the electrostatic latent image pattern and a detecting result of the PD.
US08723901B2

A liquid crystal display (LCD) comprises a gate line formed on a first insulation substrate and extending in a first direction; a data line insulated from the gate line and extending in a second direction; a pixel electrode comprising a first sub-pixel electrode connected to the gate line and the data line and a second sub-pixel electrode connected to the gate line and the data line; first and second voltage lines receiving a pair of voltages having opposite phases, from an external source; and first and second storage lines respectively overlapping the first and second sub-pixel electrodes and respectively receiving first and second storage voltages whose phases are inverted at a cycle of at least one frame, wherein the first storage line is connected to the first and second voltage lines by a first switching unit, the second storage line is connected to the first and second voltage lines by a second switching unit, and the first and second switching units apply the pair of voltages to the first and second storage lines as the first and second storage voltages.
US08723899B2

A liquid crystal display and a method of driving the same are disclosed. The liquid crystal display includes a liquid crystal display panel on which data lines and gate lines cross each other, a data driving circuit that converts data of an input image into positive and negative analog data voltages and outputs the data voltages to the data lines, a gate driving circuit sequentially supplying a gate pulse synchronized with the data voltages to the gate lines, and a timing controller that supplies the input image data to the data driving circuit, controls an operation timing of each of the data driving circuit and the gate driving circuit, compares the input image data with a previously stored reference data pattern, and decides whether or not the input image data is the same as the reference data pattern.
US08723894B2

A method of processing data for driving a display panel including a pixel structure including red, green, blue and white (RGBW) sub-pixels includes receiving red, green and blue (RGB) data at a first frame frequency. The method further includes generating RGBW data at a second frame frequency, greater than the first frame frequency, using the RGB data.
US08723893B2

A predetermined display image is displayed on a display device, and a hue of the display image corresponding to an input position obtained from a pointing device is obtained. A predetermined range having the obtained hue at a center thereof is set as a conversion target range, and at least one of saturation, brightness, and hue is changed with respect to a pixel of the display image which has a hue within the conversion target range to display a resultant image on the display device.
US08723885B2

A computer peripheral that may operate as a scanner. The scanner captures image frames as it is moved across an object. The image frames are formed into a composite image based on computations in two processes. In a first process, fast track processing determines a coarse position of each of the image frames based on a relative position between each successive image frame and a respective preceding image determine by matching overlapping portions of the image frames. In a second process, fine position adjustments are computed to reduce inconsistencies from determining positions of image frames based on relative positions to multiple prior image frames. As a result, a composite image of an object being scanned may be presented in real time to a user, providing a user feedback or portions of the object that have been scanned and those that have not.
US08723883B2

A display device includes a display panel including red, blue, green and white (RBGW) sub pixels, a signal conversion apparatus for converting an input signal having a first color format and color arrangement into a display signal having a second color format and color arrangement, a color conversion unit configured to convert the first color format into the second color format; a sub pixel position determining signal which determines a color arrangement of a sub pixel position of the display panel, and a sub pixel signal generation unit configured to generate a sub pixel signal having the second color format and color arrangement based on the sub pixel position determining signal.
US08723870B1

Systems, servers, methods, media, and programs for storing a list of options associated with object-types, such as a chart-type, selected during an on-line session. When a new object-type is selected, some of the options in the first object-type are copied from the options list associated with the first object-type to the options list associated with the second (new) object-type. The list of options to be transferred is determined by a set rules associated with a transferable array and a set of rules associated with a quarantine set. The transferrable array includes rules for options available for transfer, and quarantine list includes rules for options and type pairs that are not available for transfer.
US08723866B2

An adaptive image volume rendering system first fragments a 3-D dataset into multiple sub-volumes and constructs an octree structure, wherein each sub-volume is associated with one node on the octree. The system then establishes a 2-D image plane and selectively launches a plurality of rays towards the 3-D dataset, each ray adaptively interacting with a subset of the sub-volumes. The ray energy reflected by each sub-volume is estimated using a modified Phong illumination model, constituting a pixel value at the ray origin on the 2-D image plane. Finally, the system interpolates pixel values at a plurality of selected locations and generates a 2-D image of the 3-D dataset.
US08723863B2

A CAD system, method, and computer readable medium. A method for modeling a topological structure includes receiving a definition of a topological structure. The method also includes receiving a definition of a construction element and receiving a geometrical relationship between the construction element and an element of the topological structure. The method further includes receiving a change to the topological structure and, in response to the change, changing the first construction element according to the geometrical relationship.
US08723853B2

A driving device includes an output timing controller which controls an output timing of a first driving voltage and a second driving voltage respectively generated from a first voltage generator and a second voltage generator. A third driving voltage output from the output timing controller is provided to a first data driver and a second data driver, and also provided to a gamma voltage generator to generate a plurality of gamma voltages. Accordingly, a reverse electric potential between the third driving voltage and the gamma voltages is prevented from being generated in the first and second data drivers, therefore, preventing the first and second data drivers from being damaged.
US08723851B2

The data driver of a flat panel display includes: an output driver configured to output a plurality of amplified data signals for a plurality of channels corresponding to a plurality of data lines, the plurality of channels including: a plurality of amplifiers configured to amplify a plurality of input data signals and to supply the amplified data signals to the data lines; and a plurality of chopping controllers, each of the chopping controllers being coupled connected to a plurality of input terminals of a corresponding amplifier of the amplifiers and configured to receive a first control signal or a second control signal to periodically change signals applied to positive and negative input terminals from among the input terminals of the amplifiers.
US08723836B1

A system for disabling touch panel input capabilities may include, but is not limited to: a touch panel device including a touch panel controller; a touch panel input processing device; an isolation switching means coupling at least one of a touch panel device and the touch panel controller to the touch panel input processing device; and an electromagnetic interference (EMI) detection system configured to provide control signals to the isolation switching means.
US08723830B2

A multi-touch capacitive touch sensor panel can be created using a substrate with column and row traces formed on separate layers of the substrate. The column and row traces can include sections extending from a central trace and forming a rectilinear trace pattern with sections of the columns and rows interdigitated with one another. The trace pattern can comprise a plurality of pixels arranged continuously across the sensor panel. In this manner, the sensor panel can provide a linear or near linear response to touches across the touch sensor panel.
US08723829B2

In order to provide a touch sensor-equipped display device that is not susceptible to the effect of noise caused by a polarity reversal in a common voltage of a display device without using special circuitry, the disclosed touch sensor-equipped display device is provided with: a sensor output read circuit 21 that is sequentially connected to a plurality of sensor electrodes of a touch sensor part 7 and that outputs a signal voltage according to the electrical properties of each electrode; a sensor control circuit 23 that supplies a control signal to the sensor output read circuit 21; and a coordinate calculation circuit 22 that detects a contact position on the basis of the signal voltage. The coordinate calculation circuit 22 is provided with: an averaging circuit 221 that calculates the average values of signal voltage values obtained during a scan that was started in synchronization with a horizontal synchronization signal when the common voltage is reversed from positive polarity to negative polarity, and the signal voltage values obtained during a scan that was started in synchronization with a horizontal synchronization signal when the common voltage is reversed from negative polarity to positive polarity; and a contact position detection circuit 222 that detects the contact position on the basis of the average values.
US08723817B2

In a touch-sensing structure for a touch panel and a touch-sensing method thereof, the touch-sensing structure includes a plurality of first conducting wires paralleled to each other and a first conductor. A terminal of each first conducting wire is electrically coupled to the first conductor, so as to divide the conductor into a plurality of first line segments. The resistance of each first conducting wire is smaller than that of each first line segment. Wherein, when the displaying area of the touch panel receives an external force, a first conducting wire corresponding to the position designated by the external force is electrically coupled to a reference potential.
US08723812B2

A mobile terminal and a method of controlling the mobile terminal are provided. The method includes displaying a web page screen on a touch screen of the mobile terminal; choosing a portion of the web page in response to a touch input to the touch screen; and if a movement of the mobile terminal is detected, selectively refreshing the chosen web page portion and displaying the refreshed web page portion. Therefore, it is possible to selectively refresh a portion of a web page chosen by a user.
US08723806B2

Disclosed is a liquid crystal display device of novel construction, in which a fingerprint recognition device is integrally formed with the liquid crystal display device, thereby minimizing the increase in the price and size of a final product. The liquid crystal display device comprises an image display panel and a fingerprint recognition panel which are integrally formed, wherein the image display panel comprises a scan drive unit which sequentially turns on rows formed in the image display panel for each frame in order to display images, and a data drive unit which outputs data signals to a turned-on row provided in the image display panel, and wherein the fingerprint recognition panel comprises a switch control unit which sequentially turns on rows formed in the fingerprint recognition panel for each frame in order to perform fingerprint recognition, and a reading unit, to which fingerprint information recognized from a turned-on row is outputted.
US08723803B2

A method for controlling movement of a computer display cursor based on a point-of-aim of a pointing device within an interaction region includes projecting an image of a computer display to create the interaction region. At least one calibration point having a predetermined relation to the interaction region is established. A pointing line is directed to substantially pass through the calibration point while measuring a position of and an orientation of the pointing device. The pointing line has a predetermined relationship to the pointing device. Movement of the cursor is controlled within the interaction region using measurements of the position of and the orientation of the pointing device.
US08723802B2

Provided is a mobile electronic device capable of reflecting a user's intention. While an initial screen for waiting for an incoming-call is being displayed on an LCD display unit, a control unit performs control so that a first type character display area and a second type character display area are displayed on the LCD display unit in place of the initial screen, wherein the first type character display area is an area for, when any of first keys is depressed, displaying a first type character (for example, a number such as “1”, “2”, “3”) assigned to the depressed first key and the second type character display area is an area for displaying a second type character (for example, “a”, “i”, “u”, etc. in Japanese Hiragana letter) assigned to the depressed first key.
US08723795B2

Systems and methods for detecting, representing, and interpreting three-space input are described. Embodiments of the system, in the context of an SOE, process low-level data from a plurality of sources of spatial tracking data and analyze these semantically uncorrelated spatiotemporal data and generate high-level gestural events according to dynamically configurable implicit and explicit gesture descriptions. The events produced are suitable for consumption by interactive systems, and the embodiments provide one or more mechanisms for controlling and effecting event distribution to these consumers. The embodiments further provide to the consumers of its events a facility for transforming gestural events among arbitrary spatial and semantic frames of reference.
US08723792B2

The disclosure relates to a system for controlling devices and information on a network by hand gestures, and more particularly, to a system for controlling devices and information on a network by hand gestures in which a device or a file to be controlled is selected by a user and a display device is pointed so that information and data can be shared and that various devices can be coupled to each other easily and can be controlled easily.The system for controlling devices and information on a network by hand gestures can remarkably improve the interaction between various input and display devices and a user under a ubiquitous computing environment.
US08723790B1

A control system enables a user to control an electronic device by moving parts of the face, including the eyes. Optical emitters and optical detectors are used to reflect light from the relevant parts of the user's face. Pattern matching or approximation of a pointing location are used to define the control input to the electronic device based on the user's motions. Visual feedback is optionally provided to the user during the controller's actions. Additional sensor elements are optionally provided to improve performance of the system. Hardware and software elements are combined to provide for the specified control actions.
US08723788B2

In a real-time information transmission and reception system, a transmission device includes a light emitter driven by a modulated control signal generated by a modulation controller based on a code sequence, which is encoded from an input signal generated by an input unit and corresponding to information to be transmitted, to emit light. The modulated control signal has a constant average power, and various frequencies greater than 60 Hz. A reception device includes a photoelectric sensor for sensing the light emitted by the light emitter to generate a current signal that is demodulated and processed to generate a data output corresponding to the information and received by a display unit for displaying the information thereon.
US08723787B2

The present disclosure relates generally to systems and methods that are related to an image capture projection surface. For example, in some implementations, a method includes receiving at least one projected image on at least one image capture projection surface, capturing at least a portion of the at least one projected image from the at least one image capture projection surface to form a captured image, and communicating at least a portion of the captured image.
US08723770B2

A flat panel display apparatus includes a first pixel region on a substrate and defined by an intersection between a first gate line and a data line. The first pixel region includes a first transistor and a first capacitor and is covered by a first pixel electrode. The apparatus includes a second pixel region adjacent to the first pixel region and defined by an intersection between a second gate line and the data line. The second pixel region is covered by a second pixel electrode. The first gate line is positioned between the first pixel electrode and the second pixel electrode. A second capacitor is in the second pixel region, and the second capacitor includes a first transparent conductive layer and a second transparent conductive layer. A transparent shielding portion extends from the second transparent conductive layer of the second capacitor toward the first pixel region to overlap with the first gate line.
US08723768B2

The display device includes an anti-reflection film having a plurality of projections over a display screen surface and a protective layer filling a space between the projections. The number of times of incidence of external light entering the display device on the anti-reflection film is increased; therefore, the amount of external light transmitted through the anti-reflection film is increased. Thus, the amount of external light reflected to a viewer side is reduced, and the cause of a reduction in visibility such as reflection can be eliminated. Further, since the plurality of projections is covered with a protective layer, entry of dust can be prevented, and physical strength of the anti-reflection film can be increased.
US08723767B2

A display device including a display unit including first and second lines, light emitting elements and pixel circuits; a first drive unit sequentially applying a selection pulse to the first lines; and a second drive unit applying a signal pulse including first to third voltages to each of the second lines. Each of the pixel circuits includes a first transistor sampling the signal pulse, and a second transistor driving one of the light emitting elements. The first drive unit applies the selection pulse when the first voltage is being applied by the second drive unit, before a correction of a threshold voltage of the second transistor is initiated and within a period that the one of the light emitting elements is being turned out, and the first drive unit applies the selection pulse when the second voltage is being applied by the second drive unit.
US08723763B2

An organic light emitting display device includes: a scan driver for driving one or more scan lines and emission control lines; a data driver for sequentially providing j data signals to each of a plurality of output lines in each horizontal period; a demultiplexer for transmitting the j data signals to j first data lines, the demultiplexer being coupled to the output lines; a plurality of pixels at crossing regions of the scan lines and second data lines extending in a direction crossing the scan lines; and a common circuit unit for controlling voltages of the second data lines coupled to the pixels by using a reference voltage and an initial voltage and the data signals, the common circuit unit being coupled between the first data lines and the second data lines.
US08723760B2

A-light-emitting device which realizes a high aperture ratio and in which the quality of image is little affected by the variation in the characteristics of TFTs. A large holding capacitor Cs is not provided in the pixel portion but, instead, the channel length and the channel width of the driving TFTs are increased, and the channel capacitance is utilized as Cs. The channel length is selected to be very larger than the channel width to improve current characteristics in the saturated region, and a high VGS is applied to the driving TFTs to obtain a desired drain current. Therefore, the drain currents of the driving TFTs are little affected by the variation in the threshold voltage. In laying out the pixels, further, wiring is arranged under the partitioning wall and the driving TFTs are arranged under the wiring in order to avoid a decrease in the aperture ratio despite of an increase in the size of the driving TFT. In the case of the 3-transistor pixels, the switching TFT and the erasing TFT are linearly arranged to further increase the aperture ratio.
US08723758B2

A display device includes a substrate, a plurality of first signal lines, a plurality of second signal lines, and a plurality of first signal internal links. The first signal lines and the second signal lines are crossed and disposed in a display region of the substrate. The first signal internal links are disposed in the display region of the substrate, wherein each of the first signal internal links is electrically connected to a corresponding first signal line and disposed between two adjacent second signal lines. Each of the first signal internal links intersects the first signal lines, and the number of intersection points of each of the first signal internal links and the first signal lines is the same.
US08723756B2

A serial display interface such as the VESA-Display Port interface is expanded to support daisy chained coupling of one display monitor to the next. Each daisy chain wise connectable display monitor (except optionally the most downstream one on the daisy chain) has a local daisy chain transceiver device associated with it where the local transceiver device routes a selectable one or more video data streams to the local monitor and the local transceiver device relays on to more downstream devices of the daisy chain other video data streams. In one embodiment, the daisy chain wise connectable display monitors are hot-pluggable and unpluggable.
US08723755B2

Provided are a terminal having dual display units and a method for inputting letters therein. The terminal has a main display unit on one side, and a sub-display unit and an input unit on other side. When a screen-flip is requested, a second input window is displayed on the sub-display unit while the main display unit is displaying a first input window. When a letter is selected through the input unit, the selected letter is displayed on the second input window. The displayed letter is saved according to a letter-save request. The saved letter is displayed on the first input window. Therefore, the usability of the main display unit is increased.
US08723753B2

An antenna device includes a first antenna element that resonates with a first resonant frequency, a second antenna element that resonates with a second resonant frequency, a first frequency stabilizing circuit connected to a feeding end of the first antenna element, and a second frequency stabilizing circuit connected to a feeding end of the second antenna element. The first antenna element and the second antenna element can be arranged along two sides of a case of a communication terminal apparatus, for example.
US08723746B1

An antenna structure including a ground plane is capable of producing an EM interference pattern to produce signal gains at a zenith of the antenna. The slots in the ground plane are positioned at a predetermined distance from a radiator and extend a predetermined distance from the axis of the antenna. The slots generate an interference pattern relative to the radiated signal to create a circular polarization thereby producing a signal gain at the zenith of the antenna. The slots may be provided during the manufacturing process of the ground plane or added later to existing antennas.
US08723737B2

A cover assembly includes a cover body, an antenna, and a function key. The cover body includes an end wall and a peripheral wall cooperatively defining a receiving slot. The peripheral wall defines an assembly hole. The antenna is received in the receiving slot and fixed to the end wall. The function key includes a latching plate and a press portion positioned on the latching plate. The press portion extends from the assembly hole, and the latching plate is sandwiched between the antenna and the cover body.
US08723729B2

Angle of arrival and/or range estimation within a wireless communication device. Appropriate processing of communications received by a wireless communication device is performed to determine the angle of arrival of the communication (e.g., with respect to some coordinate basis of the wireless communication device). Also, appropriate processing of the communications may be performed in accordance with range estimation as performed by the wireless communication device to determine the distance between the transmitting and receiving wireless communication devices. There are two separate modes of packet processing operations that may be performed: (1) when contents of the received packet are known, and (2) when contents of the received packet are unknown. The wireless communication device includes a number of antenna, and a switching mechanism switches from among the various antennae capitalizing on the spatial diversity of the antennae to generate a multi-antenna signal.
US08723725B2

In one embodiment, a method for ionospheric delay compensation is provided. The method includes determining an ionospheric delay based on a signal having propagated from the navigation satellite to a location below the ionosphere. A scale factor can be applied to the ionospheric delay, wherein the scale factor corresponds to a ratio of an ionospheric delay in the vertical direction based on an altitude of the satellite navigation system receiver. Compensation can be applied based on the ionospheric delay.
US08723723B2

A dual mode ground penetrating radar includes an enclosure which houses radar electronics. The dual mode ground penetrating radar includes a enclosure housing radar electronics. The dual mode ground penetrating radar further includes a first antenna feed having ferrite loading and extending outside of the enclosure. The dual mode ground penetrating radar further includes a second antenna feed spaced apart from the first antenna feed, the second antenna feed having ferrite loading and extending outside of the enclosure. An RF signal is provided in at least one of the first and second antenna feeds by the radar electronics.
US08723722B2

Composite material, devices incorporating the composite material and methods of forming the composite material are provided. The composite material includes interstitial material that has at least one of a select relative permittivity property value and a select relative permeability property value. The composite material further includes inclusion material within the interstitial material. The inclusion material has at least one of a select relative permeability property value and a select relative permittivity property value. The select relative permeability and permittivity property values of the interstitial and the inclusion materials are selected so that the effective intrinsic impedance of the interstitial and the inclusion material match the intrinsic impedance of air. Devices made from the composite include metamaterial and/or metamaterial-inspired (e.g. near-field LC-type parasitic) substrates and/or lenses, front-end protection, stealth absorbers, filters and mixers. Beyond the intrinsic, applications include miniature antenna and antenna arrays, directed energy weapons, EMI filters, RF and optical circuit components, among others.
US08723721B2

A multistatic radar surveillance system includes transmitter elements and receiver elements arranged according to a zone to be monitored, and a command and control unit that configures the elements and collects information relating to objects detected by the receiver elements. Each transmitter element transmits a signal, the bandwidth of which is substantially equal to the totality of a frequency band B allocated to the system. Each transmitter element transmits a common waveform to all of the transmitter elements, and the waveform is modulated by a binary signal specific to the element in question, this signal allowing each of the receiver elements receiving a signal to identify the transmitter element at the source of this signal. The coding applied to the waveform is defined so that the spread spectrum caused to the signal transmitted by the latter does not exceed the frequency band B allocated to the system.
US08723714B2

A multiplying digital-to-analog converter (MDAC) is provided. The MDAC includes a sub DAC decoding circuit, a capacitor-switch circuit, and an operation amplifier circuit. The capacitor-switch circuit includes at least two sampling capacitor sets which are coupled in parallel. The number of sampling capacitors in one of the sampling capacitor sets is larger than or equal to two. Each sampling capacitor set is coupled to an analog-signal input quantity through a sampling switch and to a corresponding output terminal of the sub DAC decoding circuit through a decoding switch. The sub DAC decoding circuit decodes a digital quantity and outputs a corresponding analog signal at each output terminal, such that the corresponding analog signals are applied to the respective sampling capacitor sets through the decoding switches and summed by the respective sampling capacitor sets to obtain an analog-signal quantity corresponding to the digital quantity.
US08723713B2

There is provided a signal interpolation device, including: a first amplifier to generate a first signal representing a difference between an input signal and a first reference voltage; a second amplifier to generate a second signal representing a difference between the input signal and a second reference voltage; a first output amplifier to amplify the first signal to generate a first output signal; a second output amplifier to amplify the second signal to generate a second output signal; a third output amplifier to amplify a sum of a first interpolation signal and the first signal to generate a third output signal, the first interpolation signal representing a voltage generated by dividing a difference between the first reference voltage and the second reference voltage by “2^n”; and a fourth output amplifier to amplify a difference between the second signal and the first interpolation signal to generate a fourth output signal.
US08723701B2

The transmission of broadcast data, such as financial data and news feeds, is accelerated over a communication channel using data compression and decompression to provide secure transmission and transparent multiplication of communication bandwidth, as well as reduce the latency. Broadcast data may include packets having fields. Encoders associated with particular fields may be selected to compress those particular fields.
US08723698B2

Systems, methods, apparatus, and computer program products are provided for identifying overlapping areas. For example, in one embodiment, telematics data can be collected as vehicles traverse various geographic areas. Then, the areas traversed by the vehicles can be displayed to identify overlapping areas.
US08723697B2

The present invention discloses a device for automobile safety in the field of automobile safety, which addresses the problems existing in the prior art that the conventional automobiles tend to be stolen and have a low safety. The device for automobile safety includes an RF antenna (JP1), an RFID module, a GSM unit, a data processing unit (U1), a control unit (U2) and automobile circuits. The device for automobile safety of the invention has numerous benefits, for example an improved theft-proof property and warnings against driving at fatigue and/or beyond the speed limit.
US08723685B2

A method and apparatus for providing a public transportation service in a communication system includes transmitting a signal representing an existence of a passenger at a particular stop terminal, and transmitting a signal representing information on a number of vehicles at to the stop terminal for selection by a user.
US08723682B2

A strobe device that includes multiple strobe elements is disclosed. The strobe device may include a first strobe element and a second strobe element, where at least one aspect of the first strobe element differs from the second strobe element. For example, the first strobe element may be a Xenon flash tube strobe element and the second strobe element may be an LED-based strobe element. In response to receiving a command to generate an output, the controller determines which of the first strobe element and/or the second strobe element to activate, and sends one or more signals to the first strobe element and/or the second strobe element based on the determination. The controller may activate both of the first strobe element and the second strobe element (such as alternating activation of the first strobe element and the second strobe element). Or, the controller may select one of the first strobe element and the second strobe element. For example, depending on the ambient light at or near the strobe device, the controller may activate either the first strobe element or the second strobe element.
US08723679B2

A computer-implemented method for receiving alert messages relating to events that occur within a pre-defined area is described. The user interface for a reporting application is provided. A map associated with a location of a user is displayed. A neighborhood is created according to input received from the user via the user interface. An alert message regarding an occurrence of an event within the neighborhood is received. Information is displayed on the map that relates to the location of the occurrence of the event.
US08723677B1

A patient safety system including an adjustable bed and a patient monitoring system is disclosed herein. The adjustable bed can automatically adjust to a safe default configuration when the safety system detects that a care provider has left the patient's room or when the safety system detects that the patient is trying to leave the bed. The patient monitoring system can send an alert to the care provider and/or sound an alarm if the patient tries to leave the bed and a care provider is not present with the patient.
US08723665B2

An alarm system includes an alarm panel that signals sensed alarm conditions at a premises to a monitoring server over a packet switched data network. The alarm panel also senses and buffers audio at the premises. In response to a sensed alarm condition, buffered audio, buffered prior to signalling the sensed alarm condition, is transferred to the monitoring station. The alarm panel may further receive live audio from the premises. Data representing live audio and buffered audio may be transferred concurrently, allowing an operator at a monitoring center to listen to audio arising from events before and after an alarm is signalled. The alarm system may further allow real-time communication between the monitoring center and panel.
US08723663B2

A control apparatus (100) for driving a luminaire with, a signal input (101), a signal output (102), and a signal processing apparatus (104), in which the signal input (101) is configured to receive a serial input signal (21) of the length N, the signal processing apparatus (104) is configured to shorten the input signal (21) by a control signal (23) of the length n, the signal output (101) is configured to output an output signal (22), which comprises the input signal (21) shortened by the control signal (23), and the signal processing apparatus (104) comprises a UART (11) and a switching element (10), the UART (11) being configured to switch the switching element (10) as the control signal (23) is input, with the result that the switching element (10) shortens the input signal (21) by the control signal (23).
US08723658B2

A method of managing physical effort expended by a user of a human-propelled vehicle provided with a control unit connected to an electric motor that is powered by a battery and that is arranged to take the place at least in part of the user for the purposes of propelling and of braking the vehicle, as a function of a program executed by the control unit in order to manage the physical effort expended by the user. A vehicle adapted to this method.
US08723654B2

A memory circuit includes a memory, a memory access control circuit coupled to the memory, an RFID interface coupled to the memory access control circuit, a secondary interface coupled to the memory access control circuit, and an interrupt manager coupled to the memory access control circuit, the RFID interface, and the secondary interface.
US08723653B2

A power distribution apparatus includes a reader, one or more electrical outlets, and one or more antennas mounted in proximate relation to one or more of the electrical outlets. An asset includes a power cord having a transponder attached thereto, and the power cord may be coupled to one of the electrical outlets. A method for identifying and managing an asset includes mounting the power distribution apparatus in an equipment rack, reading, by the reader through one or more of the antennas, identification data contained in the transponder, communicating information including the identification data through a network to a controller, and determining, by the controller, a control action based on the information.
US08723651B2

A method for detecting a pattern in a signal according to one embodiment includes determining a time between symbol transitions in a signal derived from a radio frequency signal; determining ratios of relational times between consecutive symbol transitions; and comparing a sequence of the ratios to a target pattern for determining whether the sequence corresponds to the target pattern. Such methodology may also be implemented as a system using logic for performing the various operations. Additional systems and methods are also presented.
US08723645B2

A system for data synchronization of intermittently connected sensors may include an RFID system and an information management system. The system may also include an application to insure integrity of data retrieved or posted between the RFID system and the information management system.
US08723639B2

An apparatus interposed between a healthcare pillow speaker and an internally-unmodified commodity television where said apparatus powers the pillow speaker, enables the pillow speaker to control the television and drives the pillow speaker with said television audio content. The apparatus is designed to attain applicable healthcare safety approvals. The apparatus is designed to be compatible with standard healthcare equipment and to be placed within new and existing installations. The apparatus can selectively shut off the audio drivers to reduce noise. The apparatus generates its own audio content for the pillow speaker. The apparatus can enable, disable, set access timers, track and report on user access and equipment operational. The apparatus can internally configure limits and alternatives in how the television equipment will be controlled.
US08723636B2

There is provided a PTC device having a sufficient function to detect the possibility of the substrate reaching an extraordinary high temperature more rapidly, and prevent the substrate from reaching such an extraordinary high temperature beforehand. The PTC device 10 includes a layered support 14 that functions as a heat transfer medium and a polymer PTC element 12 disposed thereon wherein the polymer PTC element is disposed on one surface 15 of the layered support (in a thermally connected condition) and the polymer PTC element and the layered support are molded in a resin such that the other surface 15′ of the layered support is exposed.
US08723635B2

A pressure transducer comprising a corrosion resistant metal diaphragm, having an active region, and capable of deflecting when a force is applied to the diaphragm; and a piezoresistive silicon-on-insulator sensor array disposed on a single substrate, the substrate secured to the diaphragm, the sensor array having a first outer sensor near an edge of the diaphragm at a first location and on the active region, a second outer sensor near an edge of the diaphragm at a second location and on the active region, and at least one center sensor substantially overlying a center of the diaphragm, the sensors connected in a bridge array to provide an output voltage proportional to the force applied to the diaphragm. The sensors are dielectrically isolated from the substrate.
US08723630B2

A current transformer supplying a power for an electronic controller comprises two independent core magnetic circuits, wherein a first core magnetic circuit is a closed loop formed by connecting a U-shaped core and a linear core, a primary conductor extends through the closed loop, and a secondary winding for power supply is wound on the linear core; a second core magnetic circuit having an opening shape is disposed in parallel to the linear core of the first core magnetic circuit, and the open end of the second core magnetic circuit is coupled to the first core magnetic circuit through air gaps. The area of the cross section of the linear core is less than that of the cross section of the U-shaped core, so that the linear core can be magnetically saturated earlier than the U-shaped core. The centerline length of the U-shaped core is 1.5 to 4 times of that of the linear core. The current transformer of the present invention can not only normally start and work in case that a primary current is far lower than a rated current In, but also achieve the purpose of inhibiting rapid increase of an output current of the secondary windings and smoothing the output current in case that the primary current is far more than the rated current In.
US08723605B2

A dynamic power supply for N amplifiers includes first and second power boost circuits which temporarily boost the positive or negative power supply rail, respectively. A control circuit monitors amplifier output signal levels and provides power boost control signals to the power boost circuits, which temporarily raise the positive supply voltage above the nominal voltage level in tandem with the highest output signal from the N amplifiers and lower the negative supply voltage below the nominal voltage level in tandem with the lowest output signal level from the N amplifiers. The power boost circuits each may be coupled to a reservoir capacitor from which current is drawn to provide the power boost. When inactive, the reservoir capacitors charge up from the respective power supply rails. The dynamic power supply is well suited for audio amplification systems.
US08723602B2

The class-E amplifier can be tuned to pass only the fundamental frequency to the antenna by optimizing the second harmonics at the drain of the final PA driver transistor. A CPW in series with a capacitor between the PA transistor and the load forms a band pass filter that only allows the fundamental frequency to pass to the load of the antenna. A supply inductor to couple the drain of the final PA driver transistor to the power supply is tuned at the second harmonic with the parasitic capacitance of the drain of the PA transistor. A load capacitance is adjusted at the fundamental frequency to insure that the current waveform and voltage waveforms at the drain of the PA driver transistor do not overlap, thereby minimizing the parasitic power dissipation and allowing maximum energy to be applied to the antenna.
US08723599B1

An adjustable gain amplifier system having cleanly adjustable and stable linearized gain is provided for amplifying an input signal. The system generally comprises a main amplifier and a linearized transconductance amplifier coupled thereto, which generates an amplified current signal in response to the input signal according to a variably defined transconductance factor. The linearized transconductance amplifier includes a linearized transconductance portion and a translinear current amplifier portion coupled thereto. The linearized transconductance portion generates an intermediate current signal based upon a voltage of the input signal, and forms an unswitched resistor-based conduction path for that intermediate current signal. The translinear current amplifier portion forms a translinear loop section for amplifying the intermediate current signal to generate the amplified current signal. The translinear current amplifier portion is selectively reconfigurable to correspondingly adjust the transconductance factor, wherein the linearized gain is adjustably defined according to the adjusted transconductance factor.
US08723596B2

A power adapter includes a regulation device, which includes a division circuit, a reference circuit, and an impedance regulation circuit. The division circuit includes a first reference terminal and a second reference terminal. The second reference terminal is connected to an output terminal of the regulation device. The reference circuit includes a third reference terminal connected to the first reference terminal, and the reference circuit outputs a stable reference voltage via the third reference terminal, to provide the stable reference voltage for the first reference terminal. The impedance regulation circuit is connected to the first reference terminal, to provide equivalent impedance for the first reference terminal. The impedance of the equivalent impedance changes in a way corresponding to changes in the current flowing through the output terminal.
US08723585B2

Provided is a level shift circuit which includes: a first level shift module; a first signal input terminal for providing a first input signal for the first level shift module; a first signal output terminal for providing output from the first level shift module; a second level shift module; a second signal input terminal for providing a second input signal for the second level shift module; a second signal output terminal for providing output from the second level shift module; a drive module connected to the first signal output terminal and the second signal output terminal; and a drive signal output terminal from the drive module. The level shift circuit of the present invention can be applicable for the requirements of BCD process and prevent damages to the high-voltage device due to the excessively high gate voltage.
US08723579B2

The timing generation circuit includes a binary counter constituted of three T-flip-flop circuits, and a binary state at reset of the binary counter is also used at system reset and in generation of the output pulses, to generate eight output pulses having different timings from eight binary states generated by the binary counter and including the state at the reset. At the system reset, a reset signal to the binary counter is delayed, so that an output of a decoder circuit at the reset of the binary counter is delayed. Therefore, the output of the decoder circuit is masked with a fast reset signal, so that the output of the decoder circuit at the system reset can be prevented from being reflected in an output terminal.
US08723577B2

Method, circuitry and device for spreading a clock signal in which the clock signal is received at an input of a variable delay line, the clock signal having been generated by a clock signal generator. In one embodiment, for each edge of the clock signal, the delay introduced by the variable delay line is set in accordance with a stored delay value. For each of a plurality of consecutive edges of the clock signal, the stored delay value is either incremented or decremented based on a randomly generated value for that edge. A spread version of the clock signal is output from the variable delay line, wherein each edge of the spread version of the clock signal is delayed by the respective delay that is set for that edge of the clock signal.
US08723573B1

An output driver that includes a pull-up network comprising a first plurality of resistive branches forming a first R-2R resistive ladder structure, wherein the resistive branches of the pull-up network are coupled to a high voltage supply through pull-up switching transistors. The output driver may further include a pull-down network comprising a second plurality of resistive branches forming a second R-2R resistive ladder structure, wherein the resistive branches of the pull-down network are coupled to a low voltage supply through pull-down switching transistors. The output driver includes a control circuit to selectively activate or deactivate each of the first plurality of resistive branches and to selectively activate or deactivate each of the second plurality of resistive branches.
US08723555B2

A comparator circuit, includes a first power source terminal having a first potential, a second power source terminal having a second potential different from the first potential, a detection voltage terminal, a reference voltage generator coupled between the first power source terminal and the second power source terminal, the reference voltage generator generating a middle potential which is a potential between the first potential and the second potential and outputting the middle potential at a middle potential node, the reference voltage generator further generating a reference voltage, a bias unit coupled between the first power source terminal and the middle potential node, the bias unit receiving the reference voltage and generating a corresponding reference voltage by using the first potential and the middle potential as energy sources thereof, and a comparator unit coupled between the first and second power source terminals and the detection voltage terminal.
US08723551B2

Level shifting circuitry and corresponding enable signal generating circuitry provides improved leakage current control while eliminating the need for supplying reference voltage input in the enable signal generator. The level shifting circuitry is a type of cascode free level shifting circuit that does not include cascode transistors as in the prior art but instead utilizes cross coupled logic to provide level shifting while also utilizing enable signal controlled transistors to control leakage current through the cross coupled logic during power up sequencing. The level shifting circuitry provides improved leakage current limiting structure for power up sequencing whether a lower level supply voltage ramps up faster than the higher level supply voltage or vice a versa.
US08723550B2

The invention provides a semiconductor device having a current input type pixel in which a signal write speed is increased and an effect of variations between adjacent transistors is reduced. When a set operation is performed (write a signal), a source-drain voltage of one of two transistors connected in series becomes quite low, thus the set operation is performed to the other transistor. In an output operation, the two transistors operate as a multi-gate transistor, therefore, a current value in the output operation can be small. In other words, a current in the set operation can be large. Therefore, an effect of intersection capacitance and wiring resistance which are parasitic on a wiring and the like do not affect much, thereby the set operation can be performed rapidly. As one transistor is used in the set operation and the output operation, an effect of variations between adjacent transistors is lessened.
US08723546B2

The present invention is a set of layered probes that make electrical contact to a device under test. The layered probes are disposed within openings of at least one guide plate. The guide plate surrounds the probes via the openings. The layered probes have a base end, an opposing tip end and a shaft connecting the base end to the tip end. The base end can have a positioning device that extends away from the base end.
US08723541B2

An exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a vertical micro contact probe that includes a column formed by longitudinally continuously stacking a plurality of basic units and a front end formed at the front end of the column and contacting an electrode pad of a semiconductor chip. The basic unit includes a probe body alternately bending to the left and right and protrusions protruding from the probe body at the left and right sides from the center of the width direction, and contacting the adjacent probe body to support the probe body under compression.
US08723536B2

Non-contact type displacement sensors which measure the height of a substrate surface are installed above the substrate in order to hold the upper surface of the substrate at a desired height or to maintain the flatness of the substrate. A substrate mounting device is such that a plurality of grooves and of barriers are provided on the upper surface of a table and air is supplied between the substrate and the table to enable the pressure of air to displace the substrate. In addition, the substrate mounting device has such a structure as to make it possible to deform the substrate into an arbitrary convex-concave shape or to make the substrate flat by feeding back the output of the displacement sensor.
US08723531B2

An integrated RF circuit has an RF input port and an RF output port coupled to an external circuit element having known impedance such as an antenna. An RF circuit element is disposed between the RF input port and the RF output port and has a first input port and a first output port. The RF circuit element affects a signal received at the first input port and provides the affected signal to the first output port. The integrated RF circuit also has a VSWR detector circuit that measures a ratio of a characteristic of RF signals at the first input port and the first output port and that provides an indication of the ratio at a VSWR output port. The measured ratio of the characteristic is affected by an impedance of the coupling thereby providing an indication relating to the coupling.
US08723525B2

Systems and method for providing sensors in batteries are provided. In certain aspects of the disclosure, a battery comprises a housing dimensioned to fit within a battery compartment of the communication device, a battery cell configured to supply power to the communication device, one or more sensors within the housing configured to measure a condition external to the battery and to received power from the battery cell, and an interface configured to interface the one or more sensors with a processing system in the communication device.
US08723520B2

A method of controlling the static magnetic field in an NMR spectrometer in such a way that the magnetic field can be homogenized even if there is a temperature gradient across a sample tube. A distribution of resonance frequencies and chemical shift differences within the sample tube is found by NMR measurements for each of two peaks of a calibration sample. A temperature distribution is found based on the distribution of the chemical shift differences. A distribution of chemical shifts of a solvent used for the measurements is found, based on the temperature distribution in the sample tube. Shimming is done using magnetic field gradients based on the distribution of the chemical shifts of the solvent.
US08723518B2

Apparatus, methods, and other embodiments associated with NMR fingerprinting are described. One example NMR apparatus includes an NMR logic configured to repetitively and variably sample a (k, t, E) space associated with an object to acquire a set of NMR signals. Members of the set of NMR signals are associated with different points in the (k, t, E) space. Sampling is performed with t and/or E varying in a non-constant way. The varying parameters may include flip angle, echo time, RF amplitude, and other parameters. The NMR apparatus may also include a signal logic configured to produce an NMR signal evolution from the NMR signals, a matching logic configured to compare a signal evolution to a known, simulated or predicted signal evolution, and a characterization logic configured to characterize a resonant species in the object as a result of the signal evolution comparisons.
US08723506B2

A capacitor charging circuit is provided in a utility meter. The utility meter includes a measurement circuit configured to provide consumption data, a memory configured to store the consumption data from the measurement circuit, and a communications device configured to transmit the consumption data to a remote location. The utility meter also includes a power supply configured to supply an unregulated DC voltage and a regulated voltage within the utility meter. The regulated DC voltage is output from a voltage regulator and is provided to the measurement circuit. The unregulated DC voltage is supplied to the communications device. The capacitor charging circuit is configured to charge a capacitor with the unregulated DC voltage when the regulated DC voltage is provided to the charging circuit from the voltage regulator. The capacitor charging circuit may be a supercapacitor charging circuit.
US08723496B2

A switching power supply with a quick transient response is provided. A hysteretic control loop which comprises a hysteretic controller (117) and a control signal gate (116) is added to the original PWM control loop of the switching power supply. The hysteretic controller (117) is used to detect an output voltage (Vout) of the switching power supply and compare the output voltage (Vout) of the switching power supply with a reference voltage (Vref). When a load current (Iout) of the switching power supply is suddenly changed, the output voltage (Vout) of the switching power supply fluctuates. If the output voltage (Vout) of the switching power supply is in a setting range of the hysteretic voltage, output terminals (SELp, SELn) of the hysteretic controller (117) are in a low potential, and the control signal gate (116) selects output signals (Qp1, Qn1) from a PWM controller (101) as input signals of a gate signal drive circuit (106). If the fluctuation of the output voltage (Vout) of the switching power supply exceeds the setting range of the hysteretic voltage, an output terminal (SELp, SELn) of the hysteretic controller (117) outputs a high potential, and the control signal gate (116) selects output signals (Qp2, Qn2) of the hysteretic controller (117) as input signals of the gate signal drive circuit (106), so the operation of switching tubes (111, 112) at the power lever (102) of the switching power supply is controlled to stabilize the output voltage (Vout).
US08723490B2

A system and method for regulating power flow and limiting inductor current in a bidirectional direct current (DC)-to-DC converter is provided. In one aspect, a feedback circuit is provided to control power flow and/or limit inductor current based on the input/output voltage and/or current conditions in the bidirectional DC-DC converter. During a boost mode of operation, the duty cycle of a low-side switch within the bidirectional DC-DC converter is reduced, based on an analysis of the high-side voltage and positive inductor current. Further, during a buck mode of operation, the duty cycle of the low-side switch is increased, based on an analysis of the low-side voltage and negative inductor current. Moreover, the duty cycle of the low-side switch is adjusted, such that, the high-side voltage, low-side voltage and inductor current (in both directions) do not exceed preset threshold and the bidirectional DC-DC converter returns to a steady state.
US08723488B2

An energy savings device, system, and method wherein a predetermined amount of voltage below a nominal line voltage and/or below a nominal appliance voltage is saved, thereby conserving energy. Phase input connections are provided for inputting analog signals into the device and system. A volts zero crossing point detector determines the zero volts crossing point of the signal. The positive half cycle and negative half cycle of the signal are identified and routed to a digital signal processor for processing the signal. The signal is reduced by pulse width modulation and the reduced amount of energy is outputted, thereby yielding an energy savings for an end user.
US08723482B2

A battery unit balancing system comprises a discharging circuit and means for connecting the discharging circuit to a battery unit. The discharging circuit is configured such that it is automatically activated, when a voltage of the battery unit exceeds a predetermined threshold, to draw a constant discharging current from the battery unit until the voltage of the battery unit falls below the predetermined threshold.
US08723481B2

A battery management system includes multiple battery modules, first balancing units, second balancing units, and controllers. Each battery module is coupled to a respective first balancing unit, second balancing unit, and controller. A first controller of the controllers controls a first balancing unit of a first battery module to adjust a voltage output of the first battery module when the first controller determines the voltage output of the first battery module is greater than a combined voltage output of the first battery module and a second battery module, and controls a second balancing unit of the first battery module to adjust the combined voltage when the first controller determines the combined voltage is greater than the voltage output of the first battery module.
US08723464B2

A sensorless permanent magnet motor system that prevents negative torque caused by back EMF. The system determines the position of the rotating permanent magnet by monitoring back EMF generated on an inactive coil of the motor system. A snubber circuit is used to prevent the back EMF from causing negative torque on the motor. The voltage of back EMF used to power a logic circuit, such as a microcontroller, that controls the operation of the motor. The microcontroller controls the operation of the motor by detecting back EMF and is also partially powered by the back EMF.
US08723461B2

Provided is an apparatus for operating interior permanent magnet synchronous motor in a system including a detector measuring a position and a speed of a rotor of an IPMSM, the apparatus including an output unit generating and outputting a current command driving a MTPA (Maximum Torque Per Ampere) based on the command torque, a correction unit correcting the current command outputted by the output unit, a feedback unit transmitting over-modulated voltage information to the correction unit, a control unit controlling the current command to output a voltage, a first limit unit limiting an output of the control unit using a maximum voltage synthesizable by an inverter unit, and the inverter unit applying a 3-phase voltage command for tracking a command torque to the IPMSM using an output of the first limit unit.
US08723441B2

Consistent with an example embodiment, there is a method for regulating a LED current (ILED) flowing through a LED circuit arrangement at a mean LED current level. The method includes establishing an oscillating converter current (IL), establishing a first and a second current control indicator representative of a flow of a converter current (IL); regulating a peak and valley current level of the converter current in dependence on the first current control indicator; controlling a converter current period (T) of an oscillation of the converter current in dependence on the second current control indicator to be within a period control range (Tref) and feeding at least part of the converter current to the LED circuit arrangement.
US08723440B2

The invention relates to an AC voltage conversion and switching device comprising a main circuit and a switching circuit. The input of the device is connected to the power supply, and the output to the consumer. In the main circuit a controlled transformer (T) is inserted. The essence of the invention lies in that the secondary coil (6) of the transformer (T) is connected in series between the input (8) and the output (10) for decreasing the voltage at the consumer (F) during operation, and the secondary coil (6) of the transformer (T) is bridged by a first controlled switch (12), whereas the primary coil (7) of the transformer (T) is connected in series with a second controlled switch (18), and the serial circuit formed by the primary coil (7) and the second controlled switch (18) is connected parallel with the consumer (F), the switches (12; 18) are in an operational connection with a central control unit (K).
US08723424B2

A light assembly includes a light source circuit board and a plurality of light-emitting diodes disposed on the light source circuit board. A plurality of light pipes axially extends from and adjacent to each light-emitting diode. Each light pipe has a respective first end adjacent to the plurality of light-emitting diodes and a second end opposite to the light-emitting diodes. The plurality of light pipes communicates light from the light-emitting diodes therethrough and defines a cavity therebetween. A plurality of thermal vanes forms a heat sink for removing heat from the light-emitting diodes. The plurality of thermal vanes extend adjacent to the plurality of light pipes. A driver circuit board is disposed within the cavity.
US08723422B2

Systems and methods may be provided for cylindrical Hall thrusters with independently controllable ionization and acceleration stages. The systems and methods may include a cylindrical channel having a center axial direction, a gas inlet for directing ionizable gas to an ionization section of the cylindrical channel, an ionization device that ionizes at least a portion of the ionizable gas within the ionization section to generate ionized gas, and an acceleration device distinct from the ionization device. The acceleration device may provide an axial electric field for an acceleration section of the cylindrical channel to accelerate the ionized gas through the acceleration section, where the axial electric field has an axial direction in relation to the center axial direction. The ionization section and the acceleration section of the cylindrical channel may be substantially non-overlapping.
US08723421B2

Described embodiments include an incandescent lighting system and a method. A described system includes a gas filled and sealed glass envelope. The system includes a gas filled glass envelope. The system includes at least two filaments enclosed within the glass envelope. Each filament of the at least two filaments is configured to generate visible light in response to a flow of electric current. The system includes a sensor configured to detect an aspect of a filament of the at least two filaments and to generate a sensor signal indicative of the aspect. The system includes a controller circuit configured to manage the at least two filaments in response to a filament management schedule. The filament management schedule includes adjusting a flow of electric current through a filament of the at least two filaments in response to the sensor signal.
US08723420B2

A magnetron includes an anode cylinder; a cathode side tube hermetically coupled to a lower portion of the anode cylinder; and a shield cylinder. The shield cylinder includes a cylindrical part extending in substantially a vertical direction, a flange part which is connected to the cylindrical part and extends in substantially a horizontal direction over the entire periphery of the cylindrical part, and a folded part in which a portion of the flange part is folded toward the cathode side tube. The shield cylinder is electrically coupled to the cathode side tube at a lower end of the anode cylinder.
US08723400B2

A piezoelectric resonator device in which excitation electrodes of a piezoelectric resonator plate are hermetically sealed, includes a plurality of sealing members that hermetically seal the excitation electrodes of the piezoelectric resonator plate. The plurality of sealing members each have a bonding layer, and at least one of the plurality of sealing members is provided with a bank portion and having the bonding layer formed on a top face of the bank portion. The plurality of sealing members are bonded together with the bonding layers of the sealing members, and a bonding material that contains an intermetallic compound is formed.
US08723398B2

Disclosed is a piezoelectric energy harvesting apparatus. The piezoelectric energy harvesting apparatus includes: a piezoelectric energy harvesting array that includes a plurality of piezoelectric energy harvesting devices converting an external vibration into electric energy; a plurality of switches that is connected in series to the piezoelectric energy harvesting devices, respectively, and fits the resonance frequency of the piezoelectric energy harvesting array to the frequency of the external vibration by adjusting the resonance frequencies of the piezoelectric energy harvesting devices through the operation of the switches; and at least one or more rectifiers that convert alternating voltage outputted from the piezoelectric energy harvesting array into direct voltage.
US08723397B2

Provided are various embodiments of an adjustment circuit, having a base layer and a piezoelectric layer juxtaposed relative to the base layer and including a first electrode such that when the piezoelectric layer is stressed a polarization charge appears between the base layer and one side of the piezoelectric layer and an opposite polarization charge appears on an opposite side of the piezoelectric layer.
US08723396B2

A SAW device has an IDT which is provided on the principal surface of a quartz crystal sustrate having Euler angles (−1.5°≦φ≦1.5°, 117°≦θ≦142°, ψ) and excites a SAW in a stopband upper end mode. Inter-electrode-finger grooves 8 are recessed between the electrode fingers of the IDT. When the Euler angle ψ is 42.79°≦|ψ|≦49.57°, the thickness H of the electrode fingers of the IDT is set to be within 0.055 μm≦H≦0.335 μm, preferably, 0.080 μm≦H≦0.335 μm. When the Euler angle ψ is |ψ|≠90°×n (where n=0, 1, 2, 3), and the thickness H of the electrode fingers is set to 0.05 μm≦H≦0.20 μm.
US08723393B2

A SAW device 11 has an IDT which is provided on the principal surface of a quartz crystal substrate 12 having Euler angles (−1.5°≦φ≦1.5°, 117°≦θ≦142°, 42.79°≦|ψ|≦49.57°) and excites a SAW in a stopband upper end mode, and a pair of reflectors which are arranged on both sides of the IDT. Inter-electrode-finger grooves are recessed between the electrode fingers of the IDT, and inter-conductor-strip grooves are recessed between the conductor strips of the reflectors. The wavelength λ of the SAW and the depth G of the inter-electrode-finger grooves satisfy 0.01λ≦G. An IDT line occupancy η and the depth G of the inter-electrode-finger grooves satisfy a predetermined relational expression. The IDT line occupancy η and a reflector line occupancy ηr satisfy the relationship η<ηr. Therefore, an excellent frequency-temperature characteristic and a high Q value in an operation temperature range are realized simultaneously.
US08723392B2

Disclosed herein is a surface acoustic wave (SAW) filter and method of making the same. The SAW filter includes a piezoelectric substrate; a planar barrier layer disposed above the piezoelectric substrate, and at least one conductor buried in the piezoelectric substrate and the planar barrier layer.
US08723390B2

A flux compression generator (FCG) is provided for producing an electromagnetic pulse (EMP). The FCG includes an environmental case, a reactive load, a dielectric core, a superconducting stator, an electric energy source, a load switch, and a transition device. The reactive load transmits the EMP in response to an electric current pulse. The dielectric core has proximal and distal ends within the case, with the stator disposed coaxially around the core that provides structural support. The case contains the electrical energy source, the stator, the core and the transition device. The energy source connects to the stator at the proximal end and powers the transition device. The load switch connects the reactive load to the stator at the distal end. The energy source initially provides an electric current to the stator. The device upon activation heats at least a portion of the stator to reversibly transition the portion from a superconducting state to a non-superconducting state. The stator transfers the electric current as the pulse to the reactive load upon the portion's transition to the non-superconducting state. The stator can be a superconducting helical coil that wraps around the core connected to a superconducting conductor disposed coaxially within the core. Alternatively, the stator can be a stack of superconducting rings disposed coaxially along the core. The superconducting coil and rings can preferably be composed of a high temperature superconductive material on a metal substrate.
US08723387B2

An electric wire includes a conductive portion 11 made of a material having a volume resistivity higher than that of copper, wherein the volume resistivity of the conductive portion is specified so that, in a frequency range in which the electric wire is used, a ratio of AC resistance of the conductive portion 11 to AC resistance of reference copper wire is less than 1.
US08723384B2

A rotary electric machine is provided with a shaft which is a rotary shaft; a laminated core which has a permanent magnet embedded therein and is press-fitted to the shaft; a first member which is a magnetic member and is press-fitted to the shaft so as to hold an end portion of the laminated core; a second member which is a nonmagnetic member and is provided between the end portion of the laminated core and the first member so as to hold an end portion, with respect to the axial direction of the shaft, of the permanent magnet; and at least one of a first gap between the first member and the second member, and a second gap between the laminated core and the second member.
US08723377B2

A linear vibrator includes a fixed part providing an interior space having a predetermined size; at least one magnet disposed in the interior space and generating magnetic force; a vibration part including a coil facing the magnet and generating electromagnetic force through interaction with the magnet and a mass body; and a substrate having one end coupled to the vibration part to thereby serve as a free end, and the other end including a copper foil pattern portion coupled to the fixed part to thereby serve as a fixed end. The fixed part includes an exposure hole penetrating a top and bottom surface thereof or an exposure groove recessed from an outer end of the fixed part. The exposure hole or groove is formed on the protrusion portion. The copper foil pattern portion is coupled with a part of the protrusion portion defining the exposure hole or groove.
US08723359B2

A plurality of sodium-sulfur batteries are divided into a plurality of groups. Power to be input or output, which is assigned to all sodium-sulfur batteries in order to compensate for fluctuations of output power of a power generation device, is distributed to each group. The plurality of sodium-sulfur batteries divided in the groups are periodically rotated. This enables a uniform utilization rate of the sodium-sulfur batteries to be achieved.
US08723355B2

Apparatus, intended to be deployed in a body of water, includes a payload comprised of a multiplicity of different electronic and electromechanical loads and a wave energy converter (WEC) system responsive to the amplitude of waves in the body of water for producing electrical power, which is a function of the wave amplitudes, to power the payload. The apparatus includes switching circuitry for controlling the application of power to selected ones of the loads. Control circuitry and devices which are responsive to the electric power being produced control the switching circuitry for controlling the amount of power supplied to, and consumed by, the loads.
US08723350B2

A device comprising a float (5) and a pivoting assembly of a rigid beam (10) and an elastic beam (30), firmly connected to each other, pivoting about a stationary point (15). The device transforms the rise and falls of the ocean waves into usable mechanical energy. In one embodiment, the elastic beam is latched into a latch mechanism (150). The latch mechanism obstructs the elastic beam to continue moving. The elastic beam deflects and accumulates potential power. When the elastic beam is released, it moves with a high speed and momentum. In another embodiment this momentum is utilized to counter-rotate an electric generator's two rotors (251, 252).A method of transforming the energy of a mass in reciprocating motion to electrical power.
US08723342B2

A wearable generator system in one embodiment includes a plurality of coils, each of the plurality of coils extending within a respective one of a plurality of planes, a magnet for generating a magnetic field, and a support attached to a support anchor point and to the magnet, and suspending the magnet at a position whereat the magnet is not frictionally engaged with a fixed surface, the support having a length selected such that the magnetic field is movable across each of the plurality of coils.
US08723332B2

In die stack assembly configurations successive die in the stack are offset at a die edge at which die pads are situated, and the die are interconnected by electrically conductive traces. In some embodiments the electrically conductive traces are formed of an electrically conductive polymer. An electrically insulative conformal coating is provided having openings at die pads that are electrically connected.
US08723331B2

Certain embodiments provide a semiconductor device including a first line, a second line, and a sacrificial line. The second line is connected to the first line, and has a narrower linewidth than the first line. The sacrificial line is a wiring having its one end connected to the first line, and its another end as an open end. Further, the sacrificial line at least partially has a portion with a narrower linewidth than the second line.
US08723330B2

A method of protecting through substrate via (TSV) die from bonding damage includes providing a substrate including a plurality of TSV die having a topside including active circuitry, a bottomside, and a plurality of TSVs that include an inner metal core that reaches from the topside to protruding TSV tips that extend out from the bottomside. A protective layer is formed on or applied to the bottomside of the TSV die including between and over the protruding TSV tips. The TSV die is bonded with its topside down onto a workpiece having a workpiece surface and its bottomside up and in contact with a bond head. The protective layer reduces damage from the bonding process including warpage of the TSV die by preventing the bond head from making direct contact to the protruding TSV tips.
US08723318B2

A packaged microelectronic element includes a microelectronic element having a front surface and a plurality of first solid metal posts extending away from the front surface. A substrate has a major surface and a plurality of conductive elements exposed at the major surface and joined to the first solid metal posts. In particular examples, the conductive elements can be bond pads or can be second posts having top surfaces and edge surfaces extending at substantial angles away therefrom. Each first solid metal post includes a base region adjacent the microelectronic element and a tip region remote from the microelectronic element, the base region and tip region having respective concave circumferential surfaces. Each first solid metal post has a horizontal dimension which is a first function of vertical location in the base region and which is a second function of vertical location in the tip region.
US08723316B2

A chip package structure includes a flexible substrate having a chip mounting region, a plurality of leads disposed on the flexible substrate, an insulating layer and a chip. Each lead includes a body portion and an inner lead portion connected to each other. The body portion is located outside the chip mounting region and has a thickness greater than that of the inner lead portion. The insulating layer is disposed on the inner lead portions. The chip has an active surface on which a plurality of bumps and a seal ring adjacent to the chip edges are disposed. The chip is mounted within the chip mounting region and electrically connects the flexible substrate by connecting the inner lead portions of the leads with the bumps. The insulating layer is corresponding to the seal ring in position when the chip is electrically connected to the flexible substrate.
US08723297B2

In a semiconductor device having an enlarged contact area between a contact structure and a substrate, the substrate may include a first region on which a conductive structure is arranged and a second region defining the first region. The first region may include a multi-faced polyhedral recess of which at least one of the sidewalls is slanted with respect to a surface of the substrate. An insulation layer may be formed on the substrate to a thickness that is sufficient to cover the conductive structure. The insulation layer has a contact hole that may be communicated with the recess. The active region of the substrate is exposed through the contact hole. A conductive pattern is positioned in the recess and the contact hole. Accordingly, the contact resistance at the active region of the substrate may be kept to a relatively low value even though the gap distances and line width of pattern lines are reduced.
US08723291B2

A semiconductor integrated circuit which can perform reliable relief processing using an electric fuse. The semiconductor integrated circuit includes a fuse wiring, a first electrode pad, a second electrode pad, a pollution-control layer, and a first via hole wiring and a second via hole wiring. The fuse wiring is cut by current exceeding a predetermined value. A first electrode pad is connected to one side of a fuse wiring, a second electrode pad is connected to the other of a fuse wiring, a pollution-control layer is formed in the upper layer and the lower layer of the fuse wiring via an insulating layer. In the fuse wiring, second via hole wiring of a pair is formed in the outside of a first via hole wiring so that the first the via hole wiring is surrounded.
US08723290B2

The invention relates generally to a fuse device of a semiconductor device, and more particularly, to an electrical fuse device of a semiconductor device. Embodiments of the invention provide a fuse device that is capable of reducing programming error caused by non-uniform current densities in a fuse link. In one respect, there is provided an electrical fuse device that includes: an anode; a fuse link coupled to the anode on a first side of the fuse link; a cathode coupled to the fuse link on a second side of the fuse link; a first cathode contact coupled to the cathode; and a first anode contact coupled to the anode, at least one of the first cathode contact and the first anode contact being disposed across a virtual extending surface of the fuse link.
US08723280B2

A micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) device and method for forming a MEMS device is provided. A proof mass is suspended a distance above a surface of a substrate by a fulcrum. A pair of sensing plates are positioned on the substrate on opposing sides of the fulcrum. Metal bumps are associated with each sensing plate and positioned near a respective distal end of the proof mass. Each metal bump extends from the surface of the substrate and generally inhibits charge-induced stiction associated with the proof mass. Oxide bumps are associated with each of the pair of sensing plates and positioned between the respective sensing plate and the fulcrum. Each oxide bump extends from the first surface of the substrate a greater distance than the metal bumps and acts as a shock absorber by preventing the distal ends of the proof mass from contacting the metal bumps during shock loading.
US08723279B2

MEMS sensor including substrate, lower thin film confronting one face of the substrate with a space therebetween and having lower through holes extending in the thickness direction thereof, and upper thin film arranged on the opposite side of the substrate confronting the lower thin film with a space therebetween and having upper through holes extending in the thickness direction. A MEMS sensor manufacturing method includes forming a first sacrificing layer on one face of a substrate, forming a lower thin film on the first sacrificing layer with lower through holes individually extending in the thickness direction, forming a second sacrificing layer on the lower thin film, forming an upper thin film on the second sacrificing layer with upper through holes individually extending in the thickness direction, removing the second sacrificing layer through the upper through holes by etching, and removing the first sacrificing layer through the upper and lower through holes by etching.
US08723272B2

A semiconductor device and method for fabricating a semiconductor device is disclosed. An exemplary semiconductor device includes a substrate including a fin structure disposed over the substrate. The fin structure includes one or more fins. The semiconductor device further includes an insulation material disposed on the substrate. The semiconductor device further includes a gate structure disposed on a portion of the fin structure and on a portion of the insulation material. The gate structure traverses each fin of the fin structure. The semiconductor device further includes a source and drain feature formed from a material having a continuous and uninterrupted surface area. The source and drain feature includes a surface in a plane that is in direct contact with a surface in a parallel plane of the insulation material, each of the one or more fins of the fin structure, and the gate structure.
US08723270B2

A SRAM includes a first CMOS inverter of first and second MOS transistors connected in series, a second CMOS inverter of third and fourth MOS transistors connected in series and forming a flip-flop circuit together with the first CMOS inverter, and a polysilicon resistance element formed on a device isolation region, each of the first and third MOS transistors is formed in a device region of a first conductivity type and includes a second conductivity type drain region at an outer side of a sidewall insulation film of the gate electrode with a larger depth than a drain extension region thereof, wherein a source region is formed deeper than a drain extension region, the polysilicon gate electrode has a film thickness identical to a film thickness of the polysilicon resistance element, the source region and the polysilicon resistance element are doped with the same dopant element.
US08723269B2

Buried power grids are designed as a fine mesh-type pattern of heavily doped diffusion regions with neutral epitaxial region cores to allow the uninterrupted electrical continuity of the epitaxial substrate, thus avoiding floating substrate effects. The buried power grids are formed beneath the epitaxial substrate surface and are powered via electrical contact to adjacent well regions. The buried power grids, when powered, form strongly reverse-biased buried pn junction regions that restrict radiation induced excess charge collection volumes and draw excess charge away from sensitive circuit nodes The method for forming buried power grids requires no uniquely complex process steps and no critical mask alignments to the CMOS devices on the epitaxial top surface. Buried power grids provide enhanced protection to sensitive circuit nodes against logic upsets due to single-particle and prompt dose radiation events and thereby improve the radiation hardness and decreases the latchup susceptibility of CMOS circuits.
US08723268B2

A finFET block architecture uses end-to-end finFET blocks in which the fin lengths are at least twice the contact pitch, whereby there is enough space for interlayer connectors to be placed on the proximal end and the distal end of a given semiconductor fin, and on the gate element on the given semiconductor fin. A first set of semiconductor fins having a first conductivity type and a second set of semiconductor fins having a second conductivity type can be aligned end-to-end. Interlayer connectors can be aligned over corresponding semiconductor fins which connect to gate elements.
US08723265B2

A multiple finger structure comprises a plurality of active regions placed between a pair of dummy POLY lines. The active regions comprise a plurality of multiple fingered NMOS transistors, which are part of a sense amplifier of an SRAM memory circuit. The drain and source of each multiple fingered NMOS transistor have an SiP/SiC epitaxial growth region. The active regions extend and overlap with the dummy POLY lines. The overlap between the active regions and the dummy POLY lines helps to reduce edge imperfection at the edge of the active regions.
US08723259B2

A SiC semiconductor device capable of increasing a switching speed without destroying a gate insulating film. In addition, in a SiC-MOSFET including an n-type semiconductor substrate formed of SiC, a p-type semiconductor layer is entirely or partially provided on an upper surface of a p-type well layer that has a largest area of the transverse plane among a plurality of p-type well layers provided in an n-type drift layer and is arranged on an outermost periphery immediately below a gate electrode pad. It is preferable that a concentration of an impurity contained in the p-type semiconductor layer be larger than that of the p-type well layer.
US08723254B2

An object is to provide a semiconductor device and its manufacturing method in which delay in switching and non-uniform operations are prevented and in which stresses occurring in trench regions are alleviated as much as possible. A gate electrode in a gate trench is formed of a polysilicon layer and a gate tungsten layer that is lower resistant than the polysilicon layer. Also, a source electrode is formed of source tungsten layers buried in source trenches and an AlSi layer in contact with the source tungsten layers and covering source layers and the gate electrodes with a thick insulating film interposed therebetween.
US08723245B2

According to one embodiment, a nonvolatile memory device includes a substrate, first and second tunnel insulating films, first and second floating gate electrodes, an intergate insulating film and a control gate electrode. The substrate has first and second active regions isolated from each other by an element isolation trench. The first and second tunnel insulating films are located in the first and second active regions, respectively. The first and second floating gate electrodes are located on the first and second tunnel insulating films, respectively. The intergate insulating film includes a first insulating layer of a first insulating material, an electron trap layer of a second insulating material on the first insulating layer, and a second insulating layer of the first insulating material on the electron trap layer. The control gate electrode is located on the intergate insulating film.
US08723226B2

An enhancement-mode group III-N high electron mobility transistor (HEMT) with a reverse polarization cap is formed in a method that utilizes a reverse polarization cap structure, such as an InGaN cap structure, to deplete the two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG) and form a normally off device, and a spacer layer that lies below the reverse polarization cap structure and above the barrier layer of the HEMT which allows the reverse polarization cap layer to be etched without etching into the barrier layer.
US08723208B2

A light-emitting device includes a light-emitting layer and a fine structure interposed between the light-emitting layer and a substrate, wherein the fine structure includes a laminate of a first fine substructure and a second fine substructure, the first and second fine substructures each includes a first member and second members disposed in the first member, the second members having a refractive index different from the refractive index of the first member and being periodically arranged in a direction parallel to a surface of the substrate, and the second members of the first fine substructure and the second members of the second fine substructure have different arrangement periods.
US08723205B2

A thermal conductivity and phase transition heat transfer mechanism has an opto-luminescent phosphor contained within the vapor chamber of the mechanism. The housing includes a section that is thermally conductive and a member that is at least partially optically transmissive, to allow emission of light produced by excitation of the phosphor. A working fluid also is contained within the chamber. The pressure within the chamber configures the working fluid to absorb heat during operation of the lighting device, to vaporize at a relatively hot location at or near at least a portion of the opto-luminescent phosphor as the working fluid absorbs heat, to transfer heat to and condense at a relatively cold location, and to return as a liquid to the relatively hot location. Also, the working fluid is in direct contact with or contains at least a portion of the opto-luminescent phosphor.
US08723197B2

A semiconductor light emitting device including a first semiconductor layer, an active layer formed on the first semiconductor layer, a second semiconductor layer formed on the active layer, and at least one SiNx cluster layer formed between the first semiconductor layer and the second semiconductor layer.
US08723196B2

Light-emitting elements have a problem that their light-extraction efficiency is low due to scattered light or reflected light inside the light-emitting elements. The light-extraction efficiency of the light-emitting elements needs to be enhanced by a new method. According to the present invention, a light-emitting element includes a first layer generating holes, a second layer including a light-emitting layer for each emission color and a third layer generating electrons between an anode and a cathode, and the thickness of the first layer is different depending on each layer including the light-emitting layer for each emission color. A layer in which an organic compound and a metal oxide are mixed is used as the first layer, and thus, the driving voltage is not increased even when the thickness is increased, which is preferable.
US08723183B2

A pixel driving circuit array is disclosed, comprising a first capacitor and a second capacitor. The first capacitor comprises a first electrode, an insulator layer and a common electrode. The second capacitor comprises a second electrode, the insulator layer and the common electrode. The first capacitor and the second capacitor share the same common electrode. The first electrode and the second electrode are on the same plane.
US08723182B2

A semiconductor device includes TFTs designed in accordance with characteristics of circuits. In a first structure of the invention, the TFT is formed by using a crystalline silicon film made of a unique crystal structure body. The crystal structure body has a structure in which rod-like or flattened rod-like crystals grow in a direction parallel to each other. In a second structure of the invention, growth distances of lateral growth regions are made different from each other in accordance with channel lengths, of the TFTs. By this, characteristics of TFTs formed in one lateral growth region can be made as uniform as possible.
US08723181B2

Stacked transistors and electronic devices including the stacked transistors. An electronic device includes a substrate, a first transistor on the substrate and including a first active layer, a first gate, and a first gate insulating layer between the first active layer and the first gate, a first metal line spaced apart from the first gate on the substrate, a first insulating layer covering the first transistor and the first metal line, and a second transistor on the first insulating layer between the first transistor and the first metal line, and including a second active layer, a second gate, and a second gate insulating layer between the second active layer and the second gate.
US08723168B2

A display includes: a first light-emitting device disposed in a first region on a substrate and including a transfer organic layer; a second light-emitting device disposed in a second region adjacent to the first region on the substrate and not including a transfer organic layer; and a level difference provided between the first region and the second region, and being large enough to inhibit transfer of the transfer organic layer to the second region when the transfer organic layer is formed in the first region.
US08723166B2

An organic light-emitting display apparatus includes a light-shielding layer formed on a pixel defining layer to prevent external light or internal light from entering an active layer of a thin-film transistor (TFT), thus improving the stability of the active layer, and a method of manufacturing the organic light-emitting display apparatus.
US08723165B2

A vertical electro-optical component and a method for forming the same are provided. The vertical electro-optical component includes a substrate, a first electrode layer formed on the substrate, a patterned insulating layer formed on the first electrode layer, a metal layer formed on the patterned insulating layer, a semiconductor layer formed on the first electrode layer, and a second electrode layer formed on the semiconductor layer, wherein the semiconductor layer encapsulates the patterned insulating layer and the metal layer. The vertical electro-optical component thus has a low operational voltage of a vertical transistor and a high reaction speed of a photo diode, and may be used to form light-emitting transistors.
US08723164B2

An electronic device comprising a substrate, a first electrode, at least one organic functional layer, and a second electrode is indicated. The organic functional layer comprises a first, a second, and a third matrix material, wherein the first matrix material has a larger band gap than the second and the third matrix materials.
US08723125B1

A Ge waveguide photo-detector fabricated on a silicon-on-insulator substrate is provided. It comprises a Ge waveguide detector end-coupled to a light-signal-carrying silicon waveguide, both disposed on a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) substrate. An electrical field is established along the direction of light propagation inside the Ge waveguide detector by doping the two opposite ends of the Ge detector with P or N type dopants. In result the height and width of the Si waveguide is decoupled from the speed of the Ge detector.
US08723116B2

A method of determining an applicable threshold for determining the critical dimension of a category of patterns imaged by atomic force scanning electron microscopy is presented. The method includes acquiring, from a plurality of patterns, a pair of images for each pattern; for each pair of images determining a reference critical dimension via an image obtained by a reference instrumentation and determining an empirical threshold applicable to an image obtained by a CD-SEM instrumentation such that the empirical threshold substantially corresponds to the reference critical dimension; determining a threshold applicable to a category of patterns, the threshold being determined from a plurality of empirical thresholds.
US08723114B2

A sequential radial mirror analyzer (RMA) (100) for facilitating rotationally symmetric detection of charged particles caused by a charged beam incident on a specimen (112) is disclosed. The RMA comprises a 0V equipotential exit grid (116), and a plurality of electrodes (119, 120a, 120b, 120c) electrically configured to generate corresponding electrostatic fields for deflecting at least some of the charged particles of a single energy level to exit through the exit grid (116) to form a second-order focal point on a detector (106). The second-order focal point is associated with the single energy level, and the detector (106) is disposed external to the corresponding electrostatic fields. A related method is also disclosed.
US08723112B2

Provided are a controller and a control method for improving signal performance of an ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometer. The controller and control method apply electric signals for causing ions injected into an ion trap of the ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometer to be injected to the center of the trap as close as possible to trap electrodes, and adjust biased ion motion by appropriately adjusting signals of trap electrodes for causing the injected ions to make ion motion, thereby improving the fidelity of ion signals. The control method for improving signal performance of an ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometer includes an ion position adjustment process and an ion signal detection process.
US08723109B2

In or for a dual source mass spectrometry system (10), an ion source housing (16) for detachable connection to a mass spectrometer of the system. The ion source housing comprises a source chamber (22) having an outlet port for connection to a vacuum region of a mass spectrometer, a sample port for receiving a gas chromatography [GC] column and means for charging analyte molecules discharged from said GC column, wherein the housing comprises a docking means by which a GC interface probe can be releasably engaged with the housing.
US08723108B1

Methods, apparatus and systems for acquiring spectrometric data from analyte ions implement transient-level data acquisition and peak correction in a time-of-flight mass spectrometer. Transient spectra including analyte peaks and reference mass peaks are recorded, from which a set of averaged peak centroids of the reference masses is generated. The peaks of reference masses in each transient spectrum are compared to the averaged peak centroids. From this comparison, an appropriate correction function is applied to each transient spectrum to correct the positions of the analyte peaks in each transient spectrum. The corrected transient spectra are then summed to obtain a corrected averaged spectrum.
US08723107B2

Ions that are transported from an ion source to a mass spectrometer for mass analysis are often accompanied by background particles such as photons, neutral species, and cluster or aerosol ions which originate in the ion source. Background particles are also produced by scattering and neutralization of ions during collisions with background gas molecules in higher pressure regions with line-of-sight to the mass spectrometer detector. In either case, such background particles produce noise in mass spectra. Apparatus and methods are provided in which a multipole ion guide is configured to efficiently transport ions through multiple vacuum stages, while preventing background particles, produced both in the ion source and along the ion transport pathway, from reaching the detector, thereby improving signal-to-noise in mass spectra.
US08723098B2

A CCD image sensor includes vertical CCD shift registers and gate electrodes disposed over the vertical CCD shift registers. The gate electrodes are divided into distinct groups of gate electrodes. The CCD image sensor is adapted to operate in an accumulation mode and a charge transfer mode, an accumulation mode and a charge shifting mode, or an accumulation mode, a charge transfer mode, and a charge shifting mode. The charge transfer mode has an initial charge transfer phase and a final charge transfer phase. The charge shifting mode has an initial charge shifting phase and a final charge shifting phase.
US08723093B2

An image sensor includes a pixel array with a plurality of pixels. Two or more rows of pixels in the pixel array share a control line in the pixel array, and pixels of the two or more rows of pixels that are in a same column of the pixel array are connected to provide output to different column readout lines. A method includes providing a control signal over a control line within a pixel array to pixels in two or more rows of the pixel array, and reading out signals from the pixels in the two or more rows at a same time over different column readout lines. An image sensor includes a pixel array with a plurality of pixels, and two or more columns of pixels in the pixel array may share a control line in the pixel array for receiving a control signal.
US08723085B2

A temperature controlled/limiting heating element for an electrically powered cooking appliance, having: a plate with an upper contact heating surface; a pair of heating element terminals adapted for removably engaging electrical power supply terminals of the electrically powered cooking appliance; a plurality of resistive heating wires, in thermal engagement with a lower surface of the top plate, comprising: a non-cycling resistive heating wire connected in series to the heating element terminals; and a cycling resistive heating wire connected in series to the heating element terminals via a thermostat switch in thermal engagement with a lower surface of the top plate, wherein the thermostat switch is normally closed when exposed to a sensed temperature below a set temperature and the thermostat switch opens when the sensed temperature is equal to or exceeds the set temperature.
US08723081B2

A superimposed voltage waveform with a predetermined cycle and amplitude is superimposed on a commanded voltage waveform for a second predetermined time after a first predetermined time elapses within an arcing period in which an arc is produced. The predetermined cycle of the superimposed voltage waveform is shorter than a short-circuit cycle and longer than a control cycle of a welding power supply unit. This suppresses a growth of a weld droplet by being pushed up toward a consumable electrode and suppresses an excessive growth of the droplet over an entire range from a low current range, characterized by frequent short-circuits, to a medium to high current range where short-circuits are less frequent. The droplet is also smoothly transferred to the weld pool in addition to preventing excessive droplet growth. This reduces the generation of spatter, giving a flatter bead appearance.
US08723078B2

A method of monitoring a welding process, comprising detecting a selected portion of a light spectrum of plasma plume of a fusion welding process with a photo detector, processing the detected portion of the spectrum, comparing the detected portion of the spectrum with an expected spectra to determine whether a weld is acceptable, providing a signal to a welder control, and adjusting the weld process based on the signal.
US08723077B2

A method of marking an object for identification purposes uses a local heating source, preferably a solid-state or fiber laser, to form a multi-symbol encoded encrypted monochrome or polychrome message with identification parameters of the object by impacting its surface. The message is created by modifying optical properties and structural configuration of the surface to create contrast microscopic imprints comprising cluster nanostructures of elements of the material of the surface. Encoding the message is based on a primary code array of correspondence of each of the message symbols to a multibit combination of 0 and 1 respectively representing absence and presence of the heating source impact imprint. Encrypting is effected by creating particular code arrays based on the primary one by means of random perturbation of its components. The invention makes it practically impossible to counterfeit the objects, replace them, or make a subject of others illegal actions.
US08723074B2

Vision correction and tracking systems may be used in laser machining systems and methods to improve the accuracy of the machining. The laser machining systems and methods may be used to scribe one or more lines in large flat workpieces such as solar panels. In particular, laser machining systems and methods may be used to scribe lines in thin film photovoltaic (PV) solar panels with accuracy, high speed and reduced cost. The vision correction and/or tracking systems may be used to provide scribe line alignment and uniformity based on detected parameters of the scribe lines and/or changes in the workpiece.
US08723069B2

A high-voltage arrangement has at least one switching device, a housing and a drive for the switching device. The housing is formed with a first housing opening and a second housing opening. Both the first and second housing openings are suitable for the selective fitting of a viewing window or a ground contact connection.
US08723068B2

A method and system for optically inspecting manufactured rounds of ammunition or cylindrical components of the rounds to obtain rounds which exhibit superior accuracy when fired are provided. The method includes providing a nominal numerical value and an acceptable range of numerical values for a size or a geometric characteristic of an acceptable manufactured round of ammunition or a cylindrical component of the round for a predetermined caliber of ammunition. Also provided is a high-performance range of numerical values for the corresponding size or geometric characteristic of a high-performance manufactured round of ammunition or a cylindrical component of the high-performance round for the predetermined caliber of ammunition. A generated signal identifies the inspected round or a round including the inspected cylindrical component as having superior accuracy when fired relative to acceptable inspected rounds or inspected cylindrical components having a corresponding measured value which is outside the high-performance range but within the acceptable range of numerical values.
US08723067B2

A capacitive touch control sensor includes a plurality of first electrodes, a plurality of first electrode wires, a plurality of second electrodes, a plurality of second electrode wires. The first and second electrodes are disposed at predetermined interval. The first electrodes have two opposite sensor units and a connecting unit which bridges there-between. Each of the first electrode wires connects one of the first electrodes. Each of the second electrode wires connects more than one of the second electrodes in a same column. The first and second electrodes are arranged alternatively and the neighboring second electrodes are disposed respectively at either side of the connecting unit of the first electrodes.
US08723061B2

A MEMS switch in which contact force sufficient to make a contact having low contact resistance is maintained after contact-formation to maintain low contact resistance at the contact where the signal is transmitted in an “on” state. The MEMS switch includes a first electrode, a second electrode opposed to and separated from the first electrode, a third and a fourth electrodes, wherein electrical contact is made between the electrodes by electrostatic force generated between the electrodes, and a bump which can form the contact between the electrodes is provided on an electrode, and a gap is formed between the electrodes when the electrical contact is made between the electrodes.
US08723053B2

An electromagnetically shielded enclosure with operable interfaces that is portable and lightweight. The electromagnetically shielded enclosure has operable interfaces including a tactile interface through the shielding material and optionally a shielded tactile window for viewing of a secured electronic device and also for operating the secured electronic device should it have a touch screen. An internal frame is optionally provided that prevents conductive interference of a secured electronic device touch screen by the shielded tactile window. An input/output assembly is further provided to allow signals and power to be brought in or out of the enclosure to connect with the secured electronic device without compromising radio silence.
US08723038B2

A bus bar attached to a box main body of an electrical junction box includes: a first terminal portion 11; a second terminal portion 12; and a coupling portion 13 coupling the first and second terminal portions, and made of a plate metal member 10. The plate metal member 10 includes: a first corresponding portion 21 corresponding to the first terminal portion 11; a second corresponding portion 22 corresponding to the second terminal portion 12 and provided parallel to the first corresponding portion 21 with a gap; and a coupling corresponding portion 23 corresponding to the coupling portion 13. The coupling corresponding portion 23 couples both ends adjacent to each other of the first and second corresponding portions 21, 22.
US08723037B1

A shield for biasingly self-attaching to a duplex electrical receptacle in a wall without having to be plugged into the duplex electrical receptacle or having to enter the wall and for completely concealing the duplex electrical receptacle to completely hide and thereby protect the duplex electrical receptacle from paint when painting therearound. The shield includes a shell. The shell is generally rectangular parallelepiped shaped for biasingly self-attaching to the duplex electrical receptacle in the wall without having to be plugged into the duplex electrical receptacle or having to enter the wall and for completely concealing the duplex electrical receptacle to completely hide and thereby protect the duplex electrical receptacle from the paint when painting therearound.
US08723036B2

A wall mounting bracket to carry a modem adjacent to two 120 VAC outlet wall receptacles on the face of a wall, said bracket secured to the wall beneath a six outlet plug adaptor when the adaptor is plugged into the receptacles, comprising: a generally planar member having, a) a wall outlet attachment side portion which has a border portion which surrounds the six outlet plug adaptor when it is plugged into the receptacle to thereby prevent rotation with respect to the adaptor, and a flange means which extends inwardly from the border portion beneath the plug adaptor to thereby maintain the bracket adjacent to the wall, and a receptacle access opening positioned centrally within the border portion to permit electrical access to the receptacles; and, b) an adjacent modem attachment side portion which extends from the border portion, along the wall so that the modem can be carried thereby.
US08723034B2

A junction box includes a cable connecting box, a cover covering the cable connecting box and an o-ring sealing between the cover and the cable connecting box. The cable connecting box includes an insulative block, a plurality of contacting foils retained in the insulative block, a plurality of diodes connecting with two neighborly contacting foils and four walls surrounding around the insulative block. The cover defines a sealing slot for receiving the o-ring. The sealing slot has a bump at a place of the molding joint of the cover to enlarge a deformation of the o-ring for improving a waterproof effect of the junction box.
US08723017B2

The present invention pertains to an electrode layer comprising a porous film made of oxide semiconductor fine particles sensitized with certain methin dyes. Moreover the present invention pertains to a photoelectric conversion device comprising said electrode layer, a dye sensitized solar cell comprising said photoelectric conversion device and to novel methin dyes.
US08723013B2

An object of the present invention is to provide a musical performance device capable of changing layout information, such as information regarding the arrangement of a virtual musical instrument set, by an intuitive operation. In the present invention, when position coordinates detected at a shot timing are within one of the areas of a plurality of virtual pads, a CPU designates a virtual pad in this area as a target of positional change. Then, the CPU determines a position where the virtual pad designated as a target of positional change is placed by this positional change, based on position coordinates detected at shot timings, and changes the position of the virtual pad designated as a target of positional change to the determined position.
US08722998B2

According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the corn variety designated CV038052. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CV038052, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CV038052 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to corn seeds and plants produced by crossing plants of variety CV038052 with plants of another variety, such as another inbred line. The invention further relates to the inbred and hybrid genetic complements of plants of variety CV038052.
US08722997B2

According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the corn variety designated CV927887. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CV927887, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CV927887 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to corn seeds and plants produced by crossing plants of variety CV927887 with plants of another variety, such as another inbred line. The invention further relates to the inbred and hybrid genetic complements of plants of variety CV927887.
US08722993B2

The current invention provides methods and compositions for producing an elite line of Zea mays enhanced for transformability. Compositions comprising an elite germplasm exhibiting increased transformability are disclosed. Further provided are methods for breeding maize such that enhanced transformability traits may be transferred to a desired germplasm. The plants and methods of the invention represent a valuable new tool for the creation of elite transgenic plants, preferably having one or more added beneficial characteristics.
US08722992B2

A novel garden bean cultivar, designated SB4534, is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of garden bean cultivar SB4534, to the plants of garden bean line SB4534 and to methods for producing a garden bean plant by crossing the cultivar SB4534 with itself or another garden bean line. The invention further relates to methods for producing a garden bean plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic plants produced by that method and to methods for producing other garden bean lines derived from the cultivar SB4534.
US08722983B2

A soybean cultivar designated S110130 is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of soybean cultivar S110130, to the plants of soybean cultivar S110130, to the plant parts of soybean cultivar S110130, and to methods for producing progeny of soybean cultivar S110130. The invention also relates to methods for producing a soybean plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic soybean plants and plant parts produced by those methods. The invention also relates to soybean cultivars or breeding cultivars, and plant parts derived from soybean cultivar S110130. The invention also relates to methods for producing other soybean cultivars, lines, or plant parts derived from soybean cultivar S110130, and to the soybean plants, varieties, and their parts derived from use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid soybean seeds, plants, and plant parts produced by crossing cultivar S110130 with another soybean cultivar.
US08722981B2

A soybean cultivar designated 11190435 is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of soybean cultivar 11190435, to the plants of soybean cultivar 11190435, to the plant parts of soybean cultivar 11190435, and to methods for producing progeny of soybean cultivar 11190435. The invention also relates to methods for producing a soybean plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic soybean plants and plant parts produced by those methods. The invention also relates to soybean cultivars or breeding cultivars, and plant parts derived from soybean cultivar 11190435. The invention also relates to methods for producing other soybean cultivars, lines, or plant parts derived from soybean cultivar 11190435, and to the soybean plants, varieties, and their parts derived from use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid soybean seeds, plants, and plant parts produced by crossing cultivar 11190435 with another soybean cultivar.
US08722978B2

The invention relates to the soybean variety designated A1036377. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety A1036377. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety A1036377 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety A1036377 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods.
US08722973B1

A novel soybean variety, designated XBP28006 is provided. Also provided are the seeds of soybean variety XBP28006, cells from soybean variety XBP28006, plants of soybean XBP28006, and plant parts of soybean variety XBP28006. Methods provided include producing a soybean plant by crossing soybean variety XBP28006 with another soybean plant, methods for introgressing a transgenic trait, a mutant trait, and/or a native trait into soybean variety XBP28006, methods for producing other soybean varieties or plant parts derived from soybean variety XBP28006, and methods of characterizing soybean variety XBP28006. Soybean seed, cells, plants, germplasm, breeding lines, varieties, and plant parts produced by these methods and/or derived from soybean variety XBP28006 are further provided.
US08722967B2

The present invention relates to methods for increasing seed size and/or weight, embryo size and/or weight, and cotyledon size and/or weight. The methods comprise expression of a cytokinin oxidase in plants or plant parts, preferably in seeds, embryos and/or cotyledons. The methods result in increases in: yield, growth of seedlings, early vigor, and stress tolerance. The invention also relates to isolated plant cytokinin oxidase proteins, nucleic acid sequences encoding cytokinin oxidase proteins as well as to vectors, host cells, transgenic cells and plants comprising such sequences.
US08722963B2

An absorbent article having improved softness signals is disclosed. The article may include a topsheet or a backsheet including a nonwoven web. The web may have a basis weight of 30 gsm or less, may be formed of spunlaid fibers including polyolefin and up to 5 percent by weight TiO2, and may be impressed with a pattern of bond impressions to a bond area percentage of at least 10 percent forming a pattern of bonded regions and raised regions. The web may have opacity of 42 or greater; have an average height difference between bonded regions and raised regions of at least 280 μm; be hydroengorged; and/or have a cross-direction tensile strength of 350 gf/cm. A nonwoven web manufactured to have a suitable combination of such features exhibits an enhanced appearance of softness, soft tactile feel and satisfactory mechanical attributes, while being relatively cost effective.
US08722943B1

Alkyl ethers are produced directly from polyols or their salts in a single step reaction, or alternatively, the polyols are first converted to a ketal or acetal derivative which comprises at least one free hydroxyl moiety and one or more ketal or acetal moieties. In either embodiment, the polyol, its salt, or its ketal or acetal derivative is reacted with an alkylating agent to produce a first alkoxy polyol ether comprising one or more alkoxy moieties formed at the sites of the free hydroxyl moieties. Ethers prepared from the polyol ketal or acetal derivatives retain their ketal or acetal moieties, which may be hydrolyzed to additional free hydroxyls and reacted with alkylating agent to produce a second alkoxy polyol ether. Alkyl tosylates are preferred alkylating agents. The spent alkylating agents may also be recovered and regenerated. Recovered alkoxy polyol ethers may be used as renewable fuels, solvents and lubricants.
US08722938B2

The present invention relates to arylated camphenes, processes for their preparation and uses thereof for the manufacture of medicaments for the treatment of diseases, disorders or conditions associated with, or benefiting from stimulation of CB2 receptors.
US08722931B2

The invention is directed to a compound represented by the Formula (1) as defined herein, and a method for preparing a compound represented by the Formula (1) which includes: reacting a diamine compound represented by the Formula (2) as defined herein with a methacrylic anhydride or an acrylic anhydride under a condition where an organic acid having a pKa of 2.0 or more is present in an amount of 0.5 to 5.0 moles based on 1 mole of the diamine compound to obtain a reaction mixture; adding phosphoric acid to the reaction mixture; and purifying the reaction mixture by extraction with an organic solvent.
US08722926B2

β-ketocarbonylquats contain at least one quaternary ammonium salt group, and may be prepared by the reaction of an alkyl ketene dimer with a tertiary amine group-containing compound also containing a protic group, followed by quaternization.
US08722923B2

A conjugate comprising L-DOPA covalently linked to at least one γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) moiety, an ester and/or an addition salt thereof are disclosed, as well as uses thereof for treating a neurodegenerative disease or disorder.
US08722920B2

The invention relates to a process for obtaining 3,3-diphenylpropylamines of general formula (I), particularly Fesoterodine, as well as their enantiomers, solvates and salts, comprising a chemoselective reduction of the acid group against the ester group in compounds of general formula (V), wherein R1 is C1-C8 alkyl; and R3 and R4, independently of one another, represent H or C1-C8 alkyl, or together form a ring of 3 to 7 members with the nitrogen to which they are bound. The invention also relates to the compounds of formula (V), as well as their enantiomers, solvates and salts.
US08722919B2

The present invention provides a method for producing asymmetrical mono-substituted alkylated compounds of α-amino acids that are represented by a specific formula, using an aldimine-type Schiff base. In the method of the present invention, the process of alkylating an aldimine-type Schiff base in a medium in the presence of an optically-active quaternary ammonium salt phase-transfer catalyst and an inorganic base is initiated, and subsequently the reaction is quenched at a time earlier than a time for completion of the stoichiometric reaction of the alkylation reaction, so that a mono-substituted alkylated product with high optical purity can be obtained.
US08722900B2

The present invention relates to processes for making cabazitaxel, cabazitaxel analogues and intermediates thereof. The invention provides novel compounds useful in the synthesis of cabazitaxel.
US08722893B2

A process for manufacturing 5-chloromethyl-2,3-pyridine dicarboxylic acid anhydrides (I) wherein Z is hydrogen or halogen; Z1 is hydrogen, halogen, cyano or nitro; comprising the steps of (i) reacting a compound of formula (II), wherein the symbols have the meaning given in formula (I), with a chlorinating agent, optionally in the presence of a radical initiator in a solvent selected from halogenated hydrocarbons, and (ii) crystallizing the compound (I) formed in step (i) from a solvent selected from chlorobenzene, 1,2-dichlorobenzene, 1,3-dichlorobenzene, 1,4-dichlorobenzene, dichloroethane, trichloromethane, dichloromethane, toluene, xylenes, ethyl acetate, methyl tert.-butyl ether, and mixtures thereof. Compounds (I) are useful intermediates in the synthesis of herbicidal imidazolinones.
US08722884B2

The present invention relates to salts, solvates and substoichiometric solvates of N-[3-[[[2-[(2,3-dihydro-2-oxo-1H-indol-5-yl)amino]-5-(trifluoromethyl)-4-pyrimidinyl]amino]methyl]-2-pyridinyl]-N-methylmethanesulfonamide. The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising such complexes, as well as methods of treating abnormal cell growth by administering the complexes of the invention.
US08722876B2

AChE antisense oligonucleotides are used as antiinflammatory agents, such oligonucleotides preferably having the sequence of SEQ ID NO:1 and SEQ ID NO:7. Methods of treatment of inflammatory conditions, as well as fever, and particularly inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract, are described.
US08722872B2

Therapeutic agents which target heat shock protein (hsp) 27 in vivo are used to provide treatment to individuals, particularly human individuals, suffering from prostate cancer and other cancers that overexpress hsp27. A therapeutic agent, for example an antisense oligonucleotide or RNAi nucleotide inhibitor with sequence specificity for hsp27 mRNA, for example human hsp27 mRNA, is administered to an individual suffering from prostate cancer or some other cancer expressing elevated levels of hsp27 in a therapeutically effective amount. The therapeutic agent is suitably formulated into a pharmaceutical composition which includes a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, and packaged in dosage unit form. A preferred dosage unit form is an injectable dosage unit form.
US08722867B2

This disclosure provides modified cytosine deaminases (CDs). The disclosure further relates to cells and vector expressing or comprising such modified CDs and methods of using such modified CDs in the treatment of disease and disorders.
US08722857B2

The present invention is directed to cysteine-engineered anti-CD79b antibody, huMA79b.v28, and compositions of matter thereof useful for the treatment of hematopoietic tumor in mammals and to methods of using those compositions of matter for the same.
US08722843B2

Disclosed is a material for fiber manufacturing comprising a liquid crystal polyester satisfying the following requirements (a) and (b):(a) the weight-average molecular weight is equal to or less than 30000 and the polydispersity is equal to or less than 2.5; and(b) the melt viscosity measured at 360° C. with conditions of a nozzle pore diameter of 0.5 mm and a shear velocity of 1000 s−1 using a flow feature testing machine is equal to or less than 70 Pa·s.
US08722841B2

There is provided a resist underlayer film having heat resistance that is used for a lithography process in the production of semiconductor devices, and a high refractive index film having transparency that is used for an electronic device. A polymer comprising a unit structure of Formula (1): wherein each of R1, R2, R3, and R5 may be a hydrogen atom, R4 may be phenyl group or naphthyl group. A resist underlayer film forming composition comprising the polymer, and a resist underlayer film formed from the composition. A high refractive index film forming composition comprising the polymer, and a high refractive index film formed from the composition.
US08722840B2

There is provided a composition for forming a resist underlayer film that has a high selectivity of dry etching rate even though the composition contains an aromatic ring such as a benzene ring, and that is useful in lowering LER that presents a large problem in EUV (wavelength 13.5 nm) lithography. Moreover, another object is to obtain a composition for forming a resist underlayer film that provides a resist pattern having a desired shape on the resist underlayer film. A resist underlayer film forming composition for lithography which includes a polymer and a solvent, wherein in the polymer, diphenyl sulfone or a derivative thereof is introduced in the main chain of the polymer through an ether bond.
US08722827B2

The present invention relates to a polyolefin composition comprising a cross-linkable polyolefin with (A) hydrolysable silane groups which upon hydrolysation form an acid or a base, (B) hydrolysable silane groups different from silane groups (A).
US08722823B2

Disclosed is a polymer including a polymer polymerized of a phosphorous-based monomer, a polymer polymerized of a nitrogen-based monomer, or a polymer polymerized of the phosphorous-based monomer and the nitrogen-based monomer. The phosphorous-based monomer has the formula as follows: and the nitrogen-based monomer has the formula as follows: R1 and R3 consists of hydrogen, a phenyl group, a C7-12 alkyl phenyl group, a C1-12 alkyl group, a C2-12 ether group, a C1-12 alkoxyl group, or a C1-12 hydroxylalkyl group, respectively. R2 and R4 consists of a phenylene group, a C7-12 alkyl phenylene group, a C1-12 alkylene group, a C2-12 ether group, a C1-12 alkylene glycol group, or a C1-12 hydroxylalkylene group, respectively.
US08722822B2

This invention provides an aqueous emulsion, which comprises a polyvinyl alcohol-based resin, as the dispersant, and a polymer comprising a structural unit derived from an ethylenically unsaturated monomer, as the dispersoid, from which a film having excellent transparency can be obtained, and which is excellent in mechanical stability, chemical stability, freezing stability and storage stability, and a method for producing the same, and relates to an aqueous emulsion which has an average particle size of the dispersoid of from 100 to 450 μm and an apparent grafting efficiency of the polyvinyl alcohol-based resin of from 65 to 75% based on the dispersoid, and a method for producing the same.
US08722820B2

Catalysts and methods for making and using the same are provided. The method for fabricating a catalyst may includes contacting a supported catalyst with a monomer under conditions that reduce an overall charge of the catalyst to less than about 75% of an initial charge of the catalyst. A method for polymerization may include introducing a pre-polymerized catalyst and one or more olefins into a gas phase fluidized bed reactor, operating the reactor at conditions sufficient to produce a polyolefin, wherein the polymerization is carried out in the substantial absence of any continuity additives.
US08722817B2

A process is taught, comprising polymerizing ethylene in the presence of a catalyst to form a crystalline ethylene-based polymer having a crystallinity of at least 50% as determined by DSC Crystallinity in a first reactor or a first part of a multi-part reactor and reacting the crystalline ethylene-based polymer with additional ethylene in the presence of a free-radical initiator to form an ethylenic polymer in at least one other reactor or a later part of a multi-part reactor.
US08722816B2

A solder resist having both adequate sensitivity at photo-irradiation and alkali developability, and the solder resist forming a cured product which is excellent in dimensional stability against temperature change, does not exhibit brittleness, and further, is excellent in water resistance, electrical insulation, thermal cycle test resistance (TCT resistance) and the like is provided, and further, a dry film having a solder resist layer, a cured product and a printed wiring board are provided. The solder resist comprising an acid-modified vinyl ester synthesized from an epoxy compound, a phenol compound, an unsaturated monobasic acid and a polybasic acid anhydride, wherein the epoxy compound contains a crystalline epoxy resin having a melting point of 90° C. or more, and the phenol compound contains a compound having a bisphenol S structure.
US08722811B2

The invention comprises an adhesion promoter for a printing ink and a printing ink comprising the adhesion promoter. The adhesion promoter comprises the product of reacting together (a) a solution of a polymer or synthetic resin (b) a sulphonic acid or a derivative of a sulphonic acid, and (c) a metal compound selected from one or more of the group consisting of a metal halide, metal alkoxide, metal halo-alkoxide or a condensed metal alkoxide, wherein the metal is selected from titanium or zirconium.
US08722809B2

The present invention provides a preparation process for converting to a vinylidene fluoride elastomer having a group having sulfinic acid, sulfinic acid derivative, sulfonic acid or sulfonic acid derivative at one end or both ends of its trunk chain, and the preparation process provides a vinylidene fluoride elastomer having, at one end or both ends of its trunk chain, end groups represented by the formula: —CR1R2—CR3R4—SO2H, wherein R1 to R4 may be the same or different and each is hydrogen atom or fluorine atom, by allowing a vinylidene fluoride elastomer having, at one end or both ends of its trunk chain, end groups represented by the formula: —CR1R2—CR3R4—X1, wherein R1 to R4 are as defined above, X1 is bromine atom or iodine atom, to react with a sulfur compound represented by the formula: (M1)nH2-nS2O4, wherein M1 is a monovalent or divalent metal ion or ammonium ion, n is an integer of 0 to 2.
US08722806B2

An object of the present invention is to provide a rubber composition for a tire, which is, when it is used as a rubber composition for a tire, capable of exhibiting good dry grip properties and excellent grip properties in both a relatively low temperature range and a relatively high temperature range, as well as a tire produced by using the rubber composition. The rubber composition of the present invention contains: a rubber component made of at least one type of diene-based polymer; and a copolymer resin obtained by copolymerizing α-methylstyrene based monomer and aromatic vinyl monomer.
US08722802B2

A novel polyethylene composition is described. The composition is suitable for manufacturing especially stretched bands or tapes, also coined raffia in the art.
US08722795B1

A dry erase writing surface is formed from a single component, 100% solids polyurethane, ambient cured, dry erase paint composition having at least ninety percent by weight low NCO isocyanate, a cure accelerating catalyst and a defoaming agent. The surface is ready for use in a day. The composition can additionally contain a diluent, vegetable oil or mineral spirits. The coating has a VOC of between 0 and 49 g/l. The coating is initially applied to the surface of the substrate to form a film thickness of 1-3 mils. The whiteboard is characterized as when tested by erasure of the dry erase markers, the marks are virtually invisible after 2500 cycles. The composition can be packaged as a kit with applicators.
US08722788B2

The invention describes transparent plastics mixtures having low-temperature impact resistance composed of a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) and of an impact-modified poly(meth)acrylate (PMMA).
US08722785B2

Provided is a composite of saponified product of an ethylene-vinyl ester-based copolymer from which films excellent in gas barrier properties and film rigidity and highly inhibited from having fish eyes are obtained.It is a process for producing a composite of saponified product of an ethylene-vinyl ester-based copolymer, which comprises: mixing a composition (a) containing a saponified product of ethylene-vinyl ester-based copolymer (A1) and having a moisture content of 50% by weight or higher with a water-swellable layered inorganic compound (B) to obtain a composition (C); and mixing the composition (C) in the state of having a moisture content of 10% by weight or higher and less than 60% by weight with a saponified product of ethylene-vinyl ester-based copolymer (A2).
US08722782B2

The present invention provides a polyvinyl alcohol-based resin composition having less coloration from melt processing and having high aging stability of the melt viscosity comprising a polyvinyl alcohol-based rein having a structural unit represented by the following formula (1) and having an absorbance of 0.1 to 0.3 of 280 nm in an ultraviolet absorbance spectrum as a 4 mass % aqueous solution, a carboxylic acid and an alkaline (earth) metal salt, wherein when an aqueous solution of the polyvinyl alcohol-based resin composition is prepared so as to have a content of the polyvinyl alcohol-based resin of 4 mass %, the pH of the aqueous solution at 20° C. is from 5.5 to 7: wherein R1, R2 and R3 independently represent a hydrogen atom or an organic group, X represents a single bond or a bonding chain, and R4, R5 and R6 independently represent a hydrogen atom or an organic group.
US08722779B2

The invention relates to a thermoplastic processible aminoplast resin, a method for its production and a fine fiber non-woven material as textile area of fibers from aminoplast resins, in particular duroplastic triazine resins, which have an average fiber diameter of 0.1 to 100 μm and between 1 and 1000 branching arms and between 1 and 300 branching points per square millimeter. The invention also relates to a method for production of duroplastic fine fiber non-woven material in which a melt of melamine resin is pressed through spinning nozzles and blown by the escaping hot air to fine fibers, the fine fibers are separated from the air stream and deposited to a non-woven material consisting of a tangled layer, a treatment with a media causing cross-linking and a neutralization step follows, and the fine fibers are glued to a non-woven material in a subsequent thermal after-treatment, whereat the thermal after-treatment comprises two steps.
US08722774B2

A biodegradable resin composition containing a biodegradable resin and a cellulose having a crystallinity of less than 50%; and a biodegradable resin molded article wherein the biodegradable resin composition as defined above is molded. The biodegradable resin composition can be suitably used for various industrial applications, such as daily sundries, household electric appliance parts, and automobile parts.
US08722768B2

According to the invention, a liquid resin composition which has favorable wet spreadability after mounting of a chip and exhibits excellent solder cracking resistance even in a high-temperature solder reflow process at about 260° C., i.e., even when being used in lead-free solder, and a semiconductor package using the liquid resin composition are provided. In the liquid resin composition of the invention, an acrylic copolymer having a radical polymerizable functional group contains alkyl(meth)acrylate as a constituent monomer having a linear or branched alkyl group having 6 to 9 carbon atoms in an amount of 10 wt % to 40 wt % of the entire constituent monomers.
US08722763B2

The present invention relates to a process for preparing a polymer composition by using a masterbatch, as well as a process, wherein said polymer composition is used for preparing an article, preferably a cable. Also a masterbatch, a polymer composition comprising the masterbatch, and an article, preferably a cable, comprising the polymer composition are provided.
US08722748B2

In a process for producing hydrocarbons according to the present invention, estimated production rates for a light hydrocarbon oil and a heavy hydrocarbon oil are respectively determined based on a set reaction temperature used when the hydrocarbons are synthesized by a Fischer-Tropsch synthesis reaction, and the discharge flow rates of the light hydrocarbon oil and the heavy hydrocarbon oil from temporary storage buffer tanks (91, 92) during supply to a fractionator (40) are respectively controlled so as to be equal to the respective estimated production rates.
US08722745B2

The invention relates to a sulfur-containing compound and the preparation thereof. The invention also relates to the uses of the sulfur-containing compound in inhibiting inducible nitric oxide synthase and/or cyclooxygenase-2 and in treating the diseases associated with inducible nitric oxide synthase and/or cyclooxygenase-2. This invention also describes a series of chemical analogues of the said sulfur-containing compound and the preparation of these compounds.
US08722741B2

The invention relates to substituted phenoxyacetic acids of formula (I), where the variables are as defined in claim 1, as useful pharmaceutical compounds for treating respiratory disorders, pharmaceutical compositions containing them, and processes for their preparation.
US08722735B2

The present invention is directed to the provision of pharmaceutical compositions. The compositions include a therapeutic agent and a relatively low amount of surfactant for providing higher bioavailability of the therapeutic agent. The compositions are particularly desirable as ophthalmic compositions in which the therapeutic agent is a prostaglandin such as travoprost and the surfactant is a vegetable oil such as castor oil.
US08722729B2

The present invention relates to a compound with the following general formula (I): in which: R1 is a hydrocarbon chain of an unsaturated fatty acid from C12 to C24 including at least one unsaturation; and R2 and R3 are, independently or simultaneously: a hydrogen or a C1-C3 alkyl or a phenyl; and R4: a hydrogen atom or COR1′, where R1′ is a hydrocarbon chain of an unsaturated fatty acid from C12 to C24 including at least one unsaturation, advantageously 1 to 6 and preferably 1 to 4.
US08722728B2

The present invention provides for compositions, medicaments, and methods for treating or alleviating the symptoms of dry eye syndrome or chronic dry eye. More specifically, the present embodiments provide for medicaments consisting of tocopherol or tocotrienol eyedrops. A single topical administration of tocopherol or tocotrienol eyedrops in the eyes of a subject suffering from dry eye alleviates symptoms for at least one day. In particular, the eyedrop medicament consists of α-tocopheryl acetate; α-tocopheryl acetate and about 0.5% aqueous component; or α-tocopheryl acetate, about 2.5% tocopherol emulsifier, and about 20% to about 30% aqueous excipient.
US08722727B2

Novel derivatives of enfumafungin are disclosed herein, along with' their pharmaceutically acceptable salts, hydrates and prodrugs. Also disclosed are compositions comprising such compounds, methods of preparing such compounds and method of using such compounds as antifungal agents and/or inhibitors of (1,3)-β-D-glucan synthase. The disclosed compounds, their pharmaceutically acceptable salts, hydrates and prodrugs, as well as compositions comprising such compounds, salts, hydrates and prodrugs, are useful for treating and/or preventing fungal infections and associated diseases and conditions.
US08722725B2

The present invention provides caffeoylquinic acid derivatives and a method of preparing for the same, and also provides pharmaceutical compositions containing caffeoylquinic acid derivatives, and uses of caffeoylquinic acid derivatives in preparation of a medicament for the treatment or prophylaxis of virus diseases, in particular, uses of respiratory syncytial virus and hepatitis B virus, which has the characteristics of safety, high effectiveness and low toxicity.
US08722723B2

A compound represented by the following general formula (I) (R1 and R2 represent hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, a halogen atom, etc.; R3 and R4 represent hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, an alkoxy group, or an alkenyl group; R5 represents hydrogen atom, an alkyl group, or nitro group, and R6 represents hydrogen atom or an alkyl group), which acts on the transcription process of genes.
US08722715B2

The present application relates to N-chlorinated oxazolidinone, hydantoin and imidazolidinone compounds of Formula I or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, and associated compositions and methods of use as antimicrobial agents.
US08722713B2

A synergistic antimicrobial composition containing 1,2-benzisothiazolin-3-one and tris(hydroxymethyl)nitromethane.
US08722702B2

Compounds active on the receptor protein tyrosine kinases c-kit and/or c-fms are provided herewith. Also provided herewith are compositions useful for treatment of c-kit mediated diseases or conditions and/or c-fms-mediated diseases or conditions, and methods for the use thereof.
US08722698B2

The invention provides novel berbamine derivatives, and compositions or pharmaceutical compositions thereof. These berbamine derivatives have shown higher potency in killing cancer/tumor cells comparing to berbamine, and can be used in cancer/tumor treatments.
US08722690B2

Disclosed are compounds of Formula 1, N-oxides, and salts thereof, wherein X is O or S; Y is O or S; A is O, S, NR3e or C(R3c)═C(R3d); Z is a direct bond, O, S(O)n, NR6, C(R7)2O, OC(R7)2, C(═X1), C(═X1)E, EC(═X1), C(═NOR8) or C(═NN(R6)2); a is 1, 2 or 3; and R1, R2, R3a-R3e, R4, R5, R6, R7, R8, X1 and E are as defined in the disclosure. Also disclosed are compositions containing the compounds of Formula 1 and methods for controlling an invertebrate pest comprising contacting the invertebrate pest or its environment with a biologically effective amount of a compound or a composition of the invention.
US08722689B2

A synergistic antimicrobial composition containing flumetsulam or diclosulam; and diiodomethyl-p-tolylsulfone.
US08722680B2

The present invention relates to a method of treating a patient suffering from a disorder of the central nervous system associated with 5-HT1A receptor subtype, comprising as an active ingredient a carbostyril derivative or a salt thereof represented by the formula (1) wherein the carbon-carbon bond between 3- and 4-positions in the carbostyril skeleton is a single or a double bond.
US08722662B2

Provided is a compound having a monoamine reuptake inhibitory activity, which is represented by the formula (I) wherein ring A is an optionally substituted 6-membered aromatic ring, ring B is the substituents on ring A are optionally bonded to form, together with ring A, an optionally substituted 9- or 10-membered aromatic fused ring, and other symbols are as defined in the specification, or a salt thereof.
US08722660B2

Provided is a compound useful for the prophylaxis or treatment of cancer.The present invention relates to a compound represented by formula (I): wherein each symbol in the formula is as defined in the specification, or a salt thereof or a prodrug thereof, which is useful for the prophylaxis or treatment of cancer.
US08722658B2

Disclosed are compounds, compositions and methods for treating various diseases, syndromes, conditions and disorders, including pain. Such compounds are represented by Formula (I) as follows: wherein Y, Z, R1, and s are defined herein.
US08722653B2

The invention relates to a method for treating uterine fibroids, which method comprises administering to a patient in need thereof, an effective amount of 17α-acetoxy-11β-[4-N,N-dimethylamino-phenyl)-19-norpregna-4,9-diene-3,20-dione (ulipristal) or any metabolite thereof. More particularly, the method is useful for reducing or stopping bleeding in a patient afflicted with uterine fibroids, and/or for reducing the size of uterine fibroids.
US08722648B2

The inventions relates to a liquid pharmaceutical form containing an active ingredient alkylphosphocholines and a co-solvent system. The co-solvent system is mixture from hexylene glycol, propylene glycol, diethylene glycol monoethyl ether and water. The pharmaceutical form having a pH value in the range of 4 to 6, which if it is necessary can be achieved by adding a pH adjuster. The composition has a good storage stability and it is suitable for local application on the different organs of the body. The inventions relates also to a method for producing the same pharmaceutical form.
US08722647B2

Methods of treating, preventing and/or managing cancer as well as and diseases and disorders associated with, or characterized by, undesired angiogenesis are disclosed. Specific methods encompass the administration of an immunomodulatory compound alone or in combination with a second active ingredient. The invention further relates to methods of reducing or avoiding adverse side effects associated with chemotherapy, radiation therapy, hormonal therapy, biological therapy or immunotherapy which comprise the administration of an immunomodulatory compound. Pharmaceutical compositions, single unit dosage forms, and kits suitable for use in methods of the invention are also disclosed.
US08722646B2

The invention provides highly concentrated chitosan-nucleic acid polyplex compositions and dispersions, and methods for producing the compositions and dispersions. Methods of mixing the chitosan-nucleic acid polyplexes include an inline mixing of chitosan solution and nucleic acid solution, followed by further concentrating the dispersion of chitosan-nucleic acid polyplexes, optionally with an aggregation inhibitor. Further provided are methods for altering the diameter of chitosan-nucleic acid polyplexes.
US08722636B2

Compositions and methods for the treatment and control of various conditions in an animal which comprises administering to said animal an effective amount of a immediate release composition of about 0.5% to 50% wt/wt of active ingredient together with excipients to a total of about 100%, wherein said compositon dissolves in a relatively short period of time, e.g., 75 seconds or less, 5 seconds or less, or 3 seconds or less, upon administration to said animal.
US08722632B2

The present invention relates to compositions and methods for treating autoimmune diseases, such as Sjogren's syndrome, by administering to a subject a CTLA4 molecule that block endogenous B7 molecules from binding their ligands.
US08722631B2

The invention pertains to methods and compositions for treating medical disorders characterized by elevated levels or abnormal expression of TNFα by administering a TNFα antagonist, such as recombinant TNFR:Fc.
US08722630B2

The invention features methods of using serum factors such as Apolipoprotein A2 and Apolipoprotein C3 for reducing or preventing a chronic or acute inflammatory response (e.g., an inflammatory response due to an autoimmune disease or an injury).
US08722624B2

A streamlined method for purifying alpha-1-antitrypsin (AAT) from an AAT-containing protein mixture, such as a Cohn fraction IV precipitate, is provided. In the method of the invention, contaminating proteins are destabilized by cleavage of disulfide bonds with a reducing reagent, such as a dithiol, which does not affect AAT. The destabilized proteins are then preferentially adsorbed on a solid protein-adsorbing material, without the addition of a salt as a precipitant. Separation of the solid adsorbent from the solution leaves a purified AAT solution that is directly suitable for chromatographic purification, without the need for extensive desalting as in prior art processes. A process incorporating this method, which provides pharmaceutical grade AAT in high yield on a commercial scale, is also described.
US08722621B2

The invention relates to stabilized polypeptides having an IGF-1 sequence and an Ea peptide sequence, where the natural physiological cleavage of the Ea peptide from the IGF-1 is prevented.
US08722620B2

The present invention is related to insulin derivatives having a side chain attached to an ε-amino group of a Lys residue present in the A-chain or to an ε-amino group of a Lys residue in the B-chain.
US08722618B2

IL4/IL13-binding proteins comprise binding domains, which inhibit IL4/IL13 binding to IL4Ralpaha and common gamma chain complexes (Type 1) and inhibit IL4 binding to IL4Ralpha and IL13Ralpha1 complexes (Type 2), and IL13 binding to IL13Ralpha1 and/or IL13Ralpha2, are useful in the treatment of cancer, inflammatory, and other pathological conditions, such as allergic or fibrotic conditions, especially pulmonary conditions.
US08722613B2

A series of p105-based NF-κB super repressors, designated p-105(sr), have been designed. The p105(sr), no longer generates p50 and undergoes signal-induced degradation, effectively inhibiting all NF-κB activities. Additionally, p105(sr) significantly enhances tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α)-mediated killing of MT1/2 skin papilloma cells when p50 homodimer activity is elevated. p105(sr) is an effective NF-κB super repressor with a broader range than other currently available IkBα super repressors. The novel repressor can be used in cells where a noncanical NF-κB activity is dominant or multiple NF-κB activities are activated.
US08722610B2

An auto-emulsifying cleaning composition capable of emulsifying upon contact with water, the composition in one typical embodiment comprising, based on the total weight of the composition, (a) from about 1% to about 99% by weight a blend of dibasic esters; (b) from about 1% to about 40% by weight of a blend of surfactants consisting of an organic anion neutralized with an organic cation, where either or both of the anion and the cation have surfactant properties, and the complex of which is soluble in the dibasic ester solvent blend. The blend of surfactants is typically a cationic surfactant and an anionic surfactant, which may or may not be used in conjunction with non-ionic surfactants. The dibasic esters are be derived from a blend of adipic, glutaric, and succinic diacids, and, in one particular embodiment, the blend comprises dialkyl adipate, dialkyl methylglutarate and dialkyl ethylsuccinate, wherein the alkyl groups individually comprise a C1-C12 hydrocarbon group.
US08722607B2

Methods are provided for making a treatment composition by loading active components into a high pressure vessel and pressurizing the high pressure vessel with carbon dioxide to reach a pressure within the high pressure vessel of about 400 pounds per square inch to about 1,070 pounds per square inch. The active components can include a protein denaturant and a surfactant, and optionally an acaricide. In one particular embodiment, this method can be used to clean a substrate, by loading the substrate into the high pressure vessel prior to pressurizing with carbon dioxide. Methods are also provided for treating a substrate to clean it from dust mites by delivering dry ice particles to the substrate, and vacuuming the substrate. Treatment compositions are also generally provided.
US08722605B2

A “water-in-oil emulsion” comprising a solvent or solvent blend; water; an emulsifier; optionally an emulsion stability additive, such as a surfactant, preferably anionic and optionally a paint compatibility additive, such as esters, ketones, alcohols.
US08722604B2

The present invention provides personal wash compositions where partially hydrogenated triglyceride oil (defined by IV of 20 to 100) are specifically formulated to provide low temperature stability. Specifically when formulated to have specific concentration of partially hydrogenated triglycerides, delivered alone or as part of mixture with other oils, desirable low temperature stability of formulations is achieved.
US08722598B2

The invention provides a grease composition having (A) a lithium soap thickener, (B) as a base oil an ester type synthetic oil obtainable from an esterification reaction of trimethylolpropane with a fatty acid, and (C) (c-1) a 1-naphthylamine type antioxidant and (c-2) a diphenylamine type antioxidant, wherein the contents of (c-1) and (c-2) are 1.0 to 10 mass % in total, based on the total mass of the composition, and the ratio by mass of (c-1) to (c-2) is in the range from 30:70 to 70:30.
US08722594B2

The present invention provides a lubricating oil composition comprising: a lubricant base oil; and a dialkyl monothiophosphate metal salt, wherein based on the total mass of the lubricating oil composition, the dialkyl monothiophosphate metal salt is contained in an amount of 0.005 to 0.12 mass % in terms of phosphorus; thereby it is possible to provide the lubricating oil composition which can be reduced in the sulfur content and which exhibits excellent friction reduction while maintaining the anti-wear property equivalent to that of the ZnDTP-added oil.
US08722593B2

The invention relates to compounds with the formula (II), where R is a C1- to C30-alkyl group, a C2- to C30-alkenyl group, a C6- to C18-aryl group, or a C7- to C30-alkylaryl group, AO is a C2-C4-alkoxy group, x is a number from 1 to 50, m is a number between 4 and 12, and to the use thereof in quantities of 0.0001 to 5% by weight relative to the oil content of the emulsion to be demulsified, for splitting water in oil emulsions.
US08722592B2

A method using one or more of certain triazoles in an amount effective to reduce cobalt leaching during a metal working process from a metal working tool comprising cobalt, such as tungsten carbide particles bonded by cobalt, wherein the one or more triazoles comprise at least butyl-benzotriazole, and optionally one or more other benzotriazoles. Also, a composition is provided which comprises a metal working fluid and one or more of these triazoles in an amount effective to reduce cobalt leaching from metal working tools comprising cobalt, such as tungsten carbide particles bonded by cobalt.
US08722591B2

Disclosed is an environmentally conscious, odor-free lighter fluid mixture comprising a 50-70% ethanol and 30-50% biodiesel combination. Methyl-ester, ethyl-ester and propyl-ester fatty acids, commonly referred to as biodiesel, are clean burning fuels derived from new or waste vegetable oil such as soybean, canola or sunflower. Combined with an ethanol accelerant, the mixture provides a lighter fluid that is easily ignitable without risk of detonation or explosion, and one that brings charcoal briquettes up to temperature quicker than traditional methods. The mixture is petroleum free, which eliminates the associated unpleasant odors and potential health risks of traditional lighter fluid, including a reduction in the emission of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the environment. The mixture offers a renewable, sustainable, and efficient ignition source for charcoal that does not sacrifice utility compared to traditional lighter fluid, and does not impart undesirable flavors onto grilled food.
US08722587B2

The invention is generally directed to antibody variable domains or antibodies, libraries of antibody variable domains or antibodies, methods of making said antibodies and libraries, and methods of treatment comprising administering the generated antibody variable domains or antibodies. Specifically, the invention is directed to novel primer nucleotide sequences that are used to amplify all rearranged sequences of canine variable heavy (VH) and variable light (VL) immunoglobulin chains that have been used in naturally occurring antibody responses. These novel sequences contain canine framework regions and complementarity determining regions which may be used to canine-ize antibodies. Further, these sequences are useful for the identification and targeting of viral and bacterial pathogens, and tumor-associated antigens.
US08722582B2

What is described is a thermodynamically stable crystal modification of the herbidically active compound 2-({2-chloro-4-(methylsulfonyl)-3-[(2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy)methyl]phenyl}carbonyl)cyclohexan-1,3-dione (tembotrione). This thermodynamically stable crystal modification has particular advantages in the stability of suspension formulations.
US08722581B2

The present invention relates to stable glyphosate formulations with improved efficacy by a highly effective alkoxylated alkylamine quaternary surfactant at a very low used level. The alkoxylated alkylamine quaternary surfactant is compatible in all salts of glyphosate formulations (including potassium and ammonium) EVEN AT VERY HIGH CONCENTRATION (470-600 g a.e./l).
US08722580B2

Disclosed are: a substance which has an activity of inhibiting the intracellular signaling from a plant-derived cytokinin receptor and which can control the growth or differentiation of a plant. Also, disclose is a method for searching for a chemical substance capable of promoting the growth of a root of a plant, which comprises measuring the level of intracellular signaling from the receptor in a system where a cell having the receptor is contacted with a chemical substance having an agonistic activity on the receptor and a substance to be tested, comparing the level of intracellular signaling measured in the preceding step with a level of intracellular signaling measured in the absence of the chemical substance, and determining the chemical substance as being a chemical substance capable of promoting the growth of a root of a plant based on the difference obtained by the comparison; and others.
US08722570B2

The present invention provides a catalyst comprising a catalytic metal, preferably cobalt, rhenium or mixtures thereof. The catalytic metal is supported on a support comprising a major amount of titania and a minor amount of cobalt aluminate derived from anatase titania. The support also includes a minor amount of titania derived from a titanium chelate.
US08722562B2

There is provided a metal fine particle dispersant containing a branched polymer compound having an ammonium group. The metal fine particle dispersant of the present invention comprises a branched polymer compound having an ammonium group and having a weight average molecular weight of 500 to 5,000,000. The metal fine particle dispersant has the structure of Formula (1): The present invention also relates to a composition comprising the metal fine particle dispersant and a metal fine particle.
US08722550B2

A base fabric for an air bag is provided which is light-weight, flexible, superior in stowability, air shieldability, heat resistance and flame retardancy, further superior in the adhesion to resin and difficult to undergo stitch dislocation and fray. The air bag base fabric comprises a synthetic fiber fabric at least one surface of which is coated with resin. The resin is present also over at least 85% of the total area of an intertwined portion interface as a warp-weft crossing portion of the synthetic fiber fabric.
US08722545B2

A method of forming a transistor is disclosed, in which gate-to-substrate leakage is addressed by forming and maintaining a conformal oxide layer overlying the transistor gate. Using the method disclosed for an n-type device, the conformal oxide layer can be formed as part of the source-drain doping process. Subsequent removal of residual phosphorous dopants from the surface of the oxide layer is accomplished without significant erosion of the oxide layer. The removal step uses a selective deglazing process that employs a hydrolytic reaction, and an acid-base neutralization reaction that includes an ammonium hydroxide component.
US08722534B2

A method for forming an interconnect structure includes forming a recess in a dielectric layer of a substrate, forming a first transition metal layer in the recess on corner portions of the recess, and forming a second transition metal layer in the recess over the first transition metal layer to line the recess. The method further includes filling the recess with a fill layer and annealing the substrate so that the first transition metal layer and the second transition metal layer form an alloy portion proximate the corner portions during the annealing, the alloy portion having a reduced wettability for a material of the fill layer than the second transition metal. Additionally, the method includes polishing the substrate to remove portions of the fill layer extending above the recess.
US08722525B2

Methods of fabricating multi-tiered semiconductor devices are described, along with apparatus and systems that include them. In one such method, a first dielectric is formed, and a second dielectric is formed in contact with the first dielectric. A channel is formed through the first dielectric and the second dielectric with a first etch chemistry, a void is formed in the first dielectric with a second etch chemistry, and a device is formed at least partially in the void in the first dielectric. Additional embodiments are also described.
US08722522B2

An electro-static discharge protection device including a gate electrode formed on a substrate. First and second diffusion regions of a first conductivity type are formed in the substrate with the gate electrode located in between. A first silicide layer is formed in the first diffusion region. A silicide block region is formed between the gate electrode and the first silicide layer. A third diffusion region is formed below the first silicide layer to partially overlap the first diffusion region. The third diffusion region and first silicide layer have substantially the same shapes and dimensions. The third diffusion region and a portion below the gate electrode located at the same depth as the third diffusion region contain impurities of a second conductivity type. The third diffusion region has an impurity concentration that is higher than that of the portion below the gate electrode.
US08722514B2

In one embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a glass substrate, a semiconductor substrate disposed on the glass substrate, and a magnetic sensor disposed within and/or over the semiconductor substrate.
US08722513B2

The present invention relates to a semiconductor chip stack package and a manufacturing method thereof, and more particularly, to a semiconductor chip stack package and a manufacturing method thereof in which a plurality of chips can be rapidly arranged and bonded without a precise device or operation so as to improve productivity.
US08722512B2

The invention enhances the accuracy of an end point detection when an insulation film formed on a semiconductor substrate is dry-etched. Gate layers made of polysilicon are formed, and an end point detection dummy layer made of polysilicon is formed on a LOCOS. After the gate layers and the dummy layer are formed, a TEOS film is formed on a silicon substrate so as to cover the gate layers and the dummy layer. The TEOS film, a thin gate oxide film and a thick gate oxide film are then dry-etched to form sidewalls on the sidewalls of the gate layers and also expose the front surface of the P well of the silicon substrate in a region surrounded by the LOCOS. The end point detection dummy layer helps the end point detection by being exposed during this dry-etching to enhance the accuracy of the end point detection.
US08722511B2

Contact failures in sophisticated semiconductor devices may be reduced by relaxing the pronounced surface topography in isolation regions prior to depositing the interlayer dielectric material system. To this end, a deposition/etch sequence may be applied in which a fill material may be removed from the active region, while the recesses in the isolation regions may at least be partially filled.
US08722510B2

A method of filling a trench comprises heating a semiconductor substrate having a trench formed therein and an oxide film formed at least on the sidewall of the trench and supplying an aminosilane gas to the surface of the substrate so as to form a seed layer on the semiconductor substrate, heating the semiconductor substrate having the seed layer formed thereon and supplying a monosilane gas to the surface of the seed layer so as to form a silicon film on the seed layer, filling the trench of the semiconductor substrate, which has the silicon film formed thereon, with a filling material that shrinks by burning, and burning the semiconductor substrate coated by the filling material filling the trench in an atmosphere containing water and/or a hydroxy group while changing the filling material into a silicon oxide and changing the silicon film and the seed layer into a silicon oxide.
US08722509B2

A method of forming trench isolation with different depths of a semiconductor device is disclosed. A semiconductor substrate having a first mask layer formed thereon is first provided. A first etching process is performed with the first mask layer as an etching mask to form a shallow trench structure, followed by forming a first dielectric layer on the semiconductor substrate to fill the shallow trench structure. The first dielectric layer is then patterned to form a second mask layer which is used in a second etching process to form a deep trench structure. After that, a dielectric material is applied to fill the deep trench structure.
US08722507B2

A method for forming an identification mark on a silicon carbide single crystal substrate according to the present invention includes: (a) scanning a principal surface of a silicon carbide single crystal substrate with a laser beam at a first energy density such that a groove is formed in the principal surface of the silicon carbide single crystal substrate, thereby forming an identification mark which is constituted of one or more grooves in the principal surface of the silicon carbide single crystal substrate; and (b) scanning an inside of the groove formed in the principal surface of the silicon carbide single crystal substrate with a laser beam at a second energy density that is lower than the first energy density.
US08722499B2

The field effect device is formed on a substrate of semiconductor on insulator type provided with a support substrate separated from a semiconductor film by an electrically insulating layer. The source and drain electrodes are formed in the semiconductor film on each side of the gate electrode. The electrically insulating layer comprises a first area having a first electric capacitance value between the semiconductor film and the support substrate facing the gate electrode. The electrically insulating layer comprises second and third areas having a higher electric capacitance value than the first value between the semiconductor film and the support substrate facing the source and drain electrodes.
US08722491B2

Embodiments of the present invention relate to approaches for forming RMG FinFET semiconductor devices using a low-resistivity metal (e.g., W) as an alternate gap fill metal. Specifically, the semiconductor will typically comprise a set (e.g., one or more) of dielectric stacks formed over a substrate to create one or more trenches/channels (e.g., short/narrow and/or long/wide trenches/channels). A work function layer (e.g., TiN) will be provided over the substrate (e.g., in and around the trenches). A low-resistivity metal gate layer (e.g., W) may then be deposited (e.g., via chemical vapor deposition) and polished (e.g., via chemical-mechanical polishing). Thereafter, the gate metal layer and the work function layer may be etched after the polishing to provide a trench having the etched gate metal layer over the etched work function layer along a bottom surface thereof.
US08722485B1

A method of fabricating an integrated circuit includes the steps of providing a semiconductor substrate having formed thereon a sacrificial silicon oxide layer, an interlayer dielectric layer formed over the sacrificial silicon oxide layer, and a dummy gate structure formed over the sacrificial silicon oxide layer and within the interlayer dielectric layer, removing the dummy gate structure to form an opening within the interlayer dielectric layer, and removing the sacrificial silicon oxide layer within the opening to expose the semiconductor substrate within the opening. The method further includes the steps of thermally forming an oxide layer on the exposed semiconductor substrate within the opening, subjecting the thermally formed oxide layer to a decoupled plasma oxidation treatment, and etching the thermally formed oxide layer using a self-saturated wet etch chemistry. Still further, the method includes depositing a high-k dielectric over the thermally formed oxide layer within the opening.
US08722477B2

A cascoded junction field transistor (JFET) device comprises a first stage high voltage JFET cascoded to a second stage low voltage JFET wherein one of the first and second stages JFET is connected to a drain electrode of another JFET stage.
US08722476B2

A compound semiconductor device includes a compound semiconductor layer, a gate electrode disposed above the compound semiconductor layer, and a gate insulation film. The gate insulation film is interposed between the compound semiconductor layer and the gate electrode. The gate insulation film contains a fluorine compound at least in the vicinity of the interface with the compound semiconductor layer.
US08722474B2

Disclosed are a semiconductor device including a stepped gate electrode and a method of fabricating the semiconductor device. The semiconductor device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure includes: a semiconductor substrate having a structure including a plurality of epitaxial layers and including an under-cut region formed in a part of a Schottky layer in an upper most part thereof; a cap layer, a first nitride layer and a second nitride layer sequentially formed on the semiconductor substrate to form a stepped gate insulating layer pattern; and a stepped gate electrode formed by depositing a heat-resistant metal through the gate insulating layer pattern, wherein the under-cut region includes an air-cavity formed between the gate electrode and the Schottky layer.
US08722470B2

An integrated circuit fabrication apparatus is configured to fabricate an integrated circuit with at least one p-FinFET device and at least one n-FinFET device. A bonding control processor is configured to bond a first silicon layer having a first crystalline orientation to a second silicon layer having a second crystalline orientation that is different from the first crystalline orientation. A material growth processor is configured to form a volume of material extending through the first silicon layer from the second layer up to the surface of first layer. The material has a crystalline orientation that substantially matches the crystalline orientation of second layer. An etching processor is configured to selectively etch areas of the surface of the first layer that are outside of the region to create a first plurality of fins and areas inside the region to create a second plurality of fins.
US08722469B2

A memory cell and a process for manufacturing the same are provided. In the process, a first electrode layer is formed on a conductive layer over a substrate, and then a transition metal layer is formed on the first electrode layer. After that, the transition metal layer is subjected to a plasma oxidation step to form a transition metal oxide layer as a precursor of a data storage layer, and a second electrode layer is formed on the transition metal oxide layer. A memory cell is formed after the second electrode layer, the transition metal oxide layer and the first electrode layer are patterned into a second electrode, a data storage layer and a first electrode, respectively.
US08722467B2

A die attach method for a semiconductor chip with a back metal layer located at the back surface of the semiconductor chip comprises the steps of forming a bonding ball array including a plurality of bonding balls with a same height on a die attach area at a top surface of a die paddle; depositing a die attach material in the bonding ball array area with a thickness of the die attach material equal or slightly larger than the height of the bonding ball; attaching the semiconductor chip to the die attach area at the top surface of the die paddle by the die attach material, wherein the bonding ball array controls the bond line thickness of the die attach material between the back metal layer and the top surface of the die paddle and prevents the semiconductor chip from rotating on the die attach material when it is melted.
US08722460B2

In a method of fabricating an integrated circuit device having a three-dimensional stacked structured, the step of fixing many chip-shaped semiconductor circuits to a support substrate or a circuit layer with a predetermined layout can be performed easily and efficiently with a desired accuracy. Temporary adhesion portions 12b of semiconductor chips 13 are temporarily adhered to corresponding temporary adhesion regions 72a of a carrier substrate 73a by way of sticky material. The carrier substrate 73a is then pressed toward a support substrate or a desired circuit layer, thereby contacting connecting portions 12 of the chips 13 on the carrier substrate 73a with corresponding predetermined positions on the support substrate or a circuit layer. Thereafter, by fixing the connecting portions 12 to the predetermined positions, the chips 13 are attached to the support substrate or the circuit layer with a desired layout.
US08722459B2

Methods of forming 3-D ICs with integrated passive devices (IPDs) include stacking separately prefabricated substrates coupled by through-substrate-vias (TSVs). An active device (AD) substrate has contacts on its upper portion. An isolator substrate is bonded to the AD substrate so that TSVs in the isolator substrate are coupled to the contacts on the AD substrate. An IPD substrate is bonded to the isolator substrate so that TSVs therein are coupled to an interconnect zone on the isolator substrate and/or TSVs therein. The IPDs of the IPD substrate are coupled by TSVs in the IPD and isolator substrates to devices in the AD substrate. The isolator substrate provides superior IPD to AD cross-talk attenuation while permitting each substrate to have small high aspect ratio TSVs, thus facilitating high circuit packing density and efficient manufacturing.
US08722456B2

The embodiments disclosed a method for preparing a p-type ZnO-based material, the method conducted in a metal organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) system, including cleaning a surface of a substrate and placing the substrate in a growth chamber of the metal organic chemical vapor deposition system, vacuumizing the growth chamber to 10−3-10−4 Pa, heating the substrate to 200-700° C., introducing an organic Zn source, an organic Na source and oxygen, and depositing the p-type ZnO-based material on the substrate. Na-doping is capable of greatly improving hole concentration and p-type stability in the ZnO-based material, and use of Na-doping technology in combination with MOCVD equipment provides a p-type ZnO-based material having excellent crystal quality and electrical and optical qualities.
US08722454B2

A method for manufacturing an organic electronic component is provided. The method includes steps of providing a substrate and an organic material; coating the organic material onto the substrate; heating the substrate to form a first carrier transport layer; doping a material having a metal ion to an organic solvent to form an organic solution; and applying the organic solution onto the first carrier transport layer to form a second carrier transport layer.
US08722453B2

The method includes: steps of forming an n-type diffusion layer having an n-type impurity diffused thereon at a first surface side of a p-type silicon substrate; forming a reflection prevention film on the n-type diffusion layer; forming a back-surface passivation film made of an SiONH film on a second surface of the silicon substrate; forming a paste material containing silver in a front-surface electrode shape on the reflection prevention film; forming a front surface electrode that is contacted to the n-type diffusion layer by sintering the silicon substrate; forming a paste material containing a metal in a back-surface electrode shape on the back-surface passivation film; and forming a back surface electrode by melting a metal in the paste material by irradiating laser light onto a forming position of the back surface electrode and by solidifying the molten metal.
US08722452B2

A method of forming optoelectronic conversion layer includes the following steps. A first substrate is provided, and an electrode layer is formed on the first substrate. A first metal precursor layer including one or plural of metal components is formed on the electrode layer. A second substrate is provided, and a nonmetal precursor layer including at least one nonmetal component is formed on the second substrate. The first substrate and the second substrate are then stacked so that the nonmetal precursor layer and the first metal precursor layer are in contact. A thermal treatment is performed to have the first metal precursor layer react with the nonmetal precursor layer for forming an optoelectronic conversion layer.
US08722451B2

A solid state energy conversion device and method of making is disclosed for converting energy between electromagnetic and electrical energy. The solid state energy conversion device comprises a wide bandgap semiconductor material having a first doped region. A thermal energy beam is directed onto the first doped region of the wide bandgap semiconductor material in the presence of a doping gas for converting a portion of the first doped region into a second doped region in the wide bandgap semiconductor material. A first and a second Ohmic contact are applied to the first and the second doped regions of the wide bandgap semiconductor material. In one embodiment, the solid state energy conversion device operates as a light emitting device to produce electromagnetic radiation upon the application of electrical power to the first and second Ohmic contacts. In another embodiment, the solid state energy conversion device operates as a photovoltaic device to produce electrical power between the first and second Ohmic contacts upon the application of electromagnetic radiation.
US08722448B2

A photo detector and related fabricating method are disclosed. The photo detector includes a substrate, a first patterned semiconductor layer, a dielectric layer, a patterned conductive layer, an inter-layer dielectric, a second patterned semiconductor layer, two first electrodes disposed on the inter-layer dielectric and two second electrodes disposed on portions of the second semiconductor layer. The first patterned semiconductor layer having a first doping region and a second doping region is disposed on a transistor region. The dielectric layer is disposed to cover the substrate and the first semiconductor layer. The patterned conductive layer is disposed on the dielectric layer. The inter-layer dielectric having at least two openings adapted to expose the first doping region and the second doping region is disposed to cover the dielectric layer. The second patterned semiconductor layer is disposed on a photosensitive region. The first electrodes are electrically connected to the first patterned semiconductor layer.
US08722445B2

A method of forming at least one Micro-Electro-Mechanical System (MEMS) includes forming a plurality of discrete wires on a substrate. The method further includes forming a sacrificial cavity layer on the discrete wires. The method further includes forming trenches in an upper surface of the sacrificial cavity layer. The method further includes filling the trenches with dielectric material. The method further includes depositing metal on the sacrificial cavity layer and on the dielectric material to form a beam with at least one dielectric bumper extending from a bottom surface thereof.
US08722443B2

An IC device (100) includes an IC body (106) having a base layer (108) and first and second upper layers (114, 116) on the base layer. The IC body includes a cavity region (104) extending through said base and first upper layers and at least a portion of said second upper layer. In the IC device, a portion of said second upper layer in the cavity region comprises a planar inductive element (102) having first and second contacting ends (140, 142). In the IC device, at least one support member (128, 130, 132) extends at least partially into said cavity region from said IC body in at least a first direction parallel to said base layer and intersects at least a portion of said planar inductive element.
US08722440B2

A display substrate includes a gate electrode, a gate insulating layer, and a semiconductor layer that are sequentially formed on a substrate. Also, the display substrate includes a color filter layer formed on the substrate and exposing a portion of the semiconductor layer, and source and drain electrodes that each overlap with the semiconductor layer and the color filter layer. The gate electrode, the gate insulating layer, and the semiconductor layer have the same shape as each other, and the gate electrode is insulated from the gate insulating layer and the semiconductor layer by the color filter layer.
US08722435B2

Provided is a light emitting device package including: a plurality of lead frames disposed to be separated from one another; at least one light emitting device mounted on the lead frames and electrically connected to the lead frames through a bonding wire provided on a wire bonding pad, the wire bonding pad being disposed on the same surface as a light emission surface provided as an upper surface of the light emitting device; a body part formed to encapsulate and support the wire bonding pad, the bonding wire, the light emitting device and the lead frames, and having a reflective groove formed in an upper surface thereof to expose the light emission surface to the outside therethrough; and a lens part disposed on the body part, to cover the light emitting device.
US08722432B2

The present invention provides devices capable of testing the electrical performance of thin-film transistor backplane arrays and methods for their use.
US08722430B2

The production method for the oxidized carbon thin film of the present disclosure includes: a first step of preparing a carbon thin film and iron oxide that is in contact with the carbon thin film and contains Fe2O3; and a second step of forming an oxidized carbon thin film having an oxidized portion composed of oxidized carbon by applying a voltage or current between the carbon thin film and the iron oxide with the carbon thin film side being positive and thereby oxidizing a contact portion of the carbon thin film with the iron oxide to change it into the oxidized portion. This production method allows a pattern of nanometer order to be formed on a carbon thin film represented by graphene. The method causes less damage to the formed pattern and has high affinity with a semiconductor process, thereby enabling a wide range of applications as a process technique for producing an electronic device.
US08722424B2

In a chromatography quantitative measuring apparatus, a beam applied from a light source to a chromatography test strip is formed into an elliptical shape by an optical means such as a cylindrical lens, a variation in absorbance that accompanies elution of a marker regent is detected while the elliptical beam is applied between a marker reagent hold part and a detection part, and a measurement is automatically started in a prescribed period of time since the detection of variation. According to the chromatography quantitative measuring apparatus so configured, non-uniform coloration is reduced by shaping the beam elliptically with the optical means, whereby the accuracy of quantitative analysis is enhanced, and the apparatus can be operated easily.
US08722420B2

Provided is a method for the real-time visualization of an endogenous biomolecule to clarify the mechanisms of various diseases and enable diagnosis and treatment of these diseases. Specifically provided is a novel method for visualizing an endogenous biomolecule by using a magnetic resonance method (including Overhauser MRI and the electron spin resonance method). The aforesaid visualization method, whereby an endogenous biomolecule is visualized on a real-time basis, comprises: a step for treating a living organism to be examined by a magnetic resonance method and thus acquiring data of the endogenous biomolecule; a step for processing the data of the endogenous biomolecule thus obtained to give imaging data; and a step for displaying the imaging data thus obtained.
US08722415B1

This invention provides methods of using modified magnetic microspheres to extract target ions from a sample in order to detect their presence in a microfluidic environment. In one or more embodiments, the microspheres are modified with molecules on the surface that allow the target ions in the sample to form complexes with specific ligand molecules on the microsphere surface. In one or more embodiments, the microspheres are modified with molecules that sequester the target ions from the sample, but specific ligand molecules in solution subsequently re-extract the target ions from the microspheres into the solution, where the complexes form independent of the microsphere surface. Once the complexes form, they are exposed to an excitation wavelength light source suitable for exciting the target ion to emit a luminescent signal pattern. Detection of the luminescent signal pattern allows for determination of the presence of the target ions in the sample.
US08722412B2

An apparatus for sensing specimen slides (38) has a specimen slide holder (42) holding specimen slides (38), each specimen slide (38) comprising an identification code. The specimen slides (38) are arranged inside the specimen slide holder (42) on a lifting element (50) in a lifted position. The apparatus includes a reading apparatus (40) for reading out the identification code, and a positioning apparatus that moves the specimen slide holder (42) with the specimen slides (38) relative to the lifting element (50) so that the specimen slides (38) drop successively from the lifted position on the lifting element (50). As one of the specimen slides (38) drops, the identification code of the specimen slide (38) or of the subsequent specimen slide (38) becomes readable for the reading apparatus (40). A triggering apparatus (67, 68) triggers the reading apparatus (40) to read the identification code.
US08722409B2

The present invention relates to a host cell comprising a cofilin-specific small interfering RNA (siRNA) sequence. The host cell may further comprise a nucleic acid encoding a recombinant protein. The present invention also relates to a method for producing a recombinant protein by the host cell comprising a cofilin-specific small interfering RNA (siRNA) sequence.
US08722403B2

The present invention comprises a specimen preserver. A bubble reservoir is used to hold a preserving liquid such as artificial cerebrospinal liquid (aCSF). Oxygen is introduced into the aCSF by a gas diffuser which is attached to the bubble reservoir. The tissue samples are contained in one or more chambers in a holding platform. The platform is suspended well above the bottom of the bubble reservoir. The lower portion of each of the chambers is open toward the bottom of the bubble reservoir, but is covered by a fine mesh. The gas introduced into the aCSF circulates within the bubble reservoir. However, the tissue samples are not directly exposed to the gas bubbles because the fine mesh excludes the bubbles from the chambers in which the tissue samples are housed.
US08722400B2

The invention relates to novel artificial antigen presenting cells (aAPCs). The aAPC comprises at least one stimulatory ligand and at least one co-stimulatory ligand where the ligands each specifically bind with a cognate molecule on a T cell of interest, thereby mediating expansion of the T cell. The aAPC of the invention can further comprise additional molecules useful for expanding a T cell of interest. The aAPC of the invention can be used as an “off the shelf” APC that can be readily designed to expand a T cell of interest. Also, the aAPC of the invention can be used identify the stimulatory, co-stimulatory, and any other factors that mediate growth and expansion of a T cell of interest. Thus, the present invention provides powerful tools for development of novel therapeutics where activation and expansion of a T cell can provide a benefit.
US08722397B2

A circular DNA is provided comprising endogenous DNA common to both genetically modified wheat and non-genetically modified wheat along with one or more pieces of DNA each having a sequence present specifically in a strain of genetically modified wheat. Also provided is a method for determining a mix rate of genetically modified wheat in a test sample.
US08722396B2

A photobioreactor assembly, including a first generally horizontal manifold, a second generally horizontal manifold positioned below the first generally horizontal manifold, an array of generally parallel, generally transparent tubes extending between the manifolds, an air supply operationally connected to at least one manifold, a water filter, a water purifier, a water supply operationally connected to the water purifier, a pH sensor positioned to measure the pH in the array, and an electronic controller operationally connected to the pH sensor, the air supply, the water purifier, and the water supply. Each respective tube is connected in fluidic communication with the first horizontal manifold, and each respective tube is connected in fluidic communication with the second horizontal manifold.
US08722393B2

Method and apparatus for processing a cell culture are provided. The method includes establishing a cell culture within a holding device having one or more wells, each well holding a cell culture, and including a well substrate with at least one electrode in contact with the cell culture; periodically applying at least one electrical pulse to the at least one electrode to prevent cells from attaching to and achieving confluence over the at least one electrode while allowing cells to attach to and achieve confluence over other portions of the well substrate; and discontinuing the periodically applying of the at least one electrical pulse to the at least one electrode after cells have achieved confluence over the other portions of the well substrate, and thereafter, monitoring the cell culture to monitor migration of cells over the electrode(s) from the other portions of the well substrate.
US08722389B1

A system and method for culturing algae are presented. The system and method utilize a fog of growth medium that is delivered to an algal mat generator along with a stream of CO2 to promote growth of algal cells contained in the generator.
US08722378B2

Disclosed are mutant DNA polymerases having increased 3′-mismatch discrimination relative to a corresponding, unmodified polymerase. The mutant polymerases are useful in a variety of disclosed primer extension methods. Also disclosed are related compositions, including recombinant nucleic acids, vectors, and host cells, which are useful, e.g., for production of the mutant DNA polymerases.
US08722373B2

Contamination was controlled in fermentations using Zymomonas mobilis as the biocatalyst, without negative impact on fermentation production, by the addition of virginiamycin. The effective concentration of virginiamycin was found to be dependent upon the type of fermentation medium used.
US08722372B2

To provide a method for producing an ethanol which facilitates the processing of a solid component as a residue generated upon processing, while improving the recovery rate of heat energy contained in leftover food. The method for recovering and producing ethanol and oil is a method for producing ethanol by saccharification, fermentation, and distillation of leftover food. In this method, a three-phase centrifuge for performing separation into three phases of an oil component, an aqueous solution component, and a solid component is used in a step of solid-liquid separation of any one of a saccharified liquid, a fermented liquid, and a distillation waste liquid.
US08722368B2

Aspects of the present invention include methods and compositions for determining the number of individual polynucleotide molecules originating from the same genomic region of the same original sample that have been sequenced in a particular sequence analysis configuration or process. In these aspects of the invention, a degenerate base region (DBR) is attached to the starting polynucleotide molecules that are subsequently sequenced (e.g., after certain process steps are performed, e.g., amplification and/or enrichment). The number of different DBR sequences present in a sequencing run can be used to determine/estimate the number of different starting polynucleotides that have been sequenced. DBRs can be used to enhance numerous different nucleic acid sequence analysis applications, including allowing higher confidence allele call determinations in genotyping applications.
US08722367B2

A method for monitoring breast conditions in a subject is disclosed. The method comprises determining a Paired Box 2 gene-to-beta defensin-1 gene (PAX2-to-DEFB1) expression ratio (the “Donald Predictive Factor” or “DPF”) in cells obtained from the breast of the subject, wherein the PAX2-to-DEFB1 expression ratio is correlated with breast conditions. Also disclosed is a kit for monitoring breast conditions and determining drug resistance.
US08722366B2

The present invention provides a novel polypeptide having a β1,3-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase activity; a method for producing the polypeptide; a DNA which encodes the polypeptide; a recombinant vector into which the DNA is inserted; a transformant comprising the recombinant vector; a method for producing a sugar chain or complex carbohydrate, using the polypeptide; a method for producing a sugar chain or complex carbohydrate, using the transformant; an antibody which recognizes the polypeptide; a method for screening a substance which changes the expression of the gene which encodes the polypeptide; and a method for screening a substance which changes the activity of the polypeptide.
US08722362B2

The present invention provides and includes monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) preferentially selective for HER2 antigens, hybridoma lines that secrete these HER2 antibodies or antibody fragments, and the use of such antibodies and antibody fragments to detect HER2 antigens, particularly those expressed by cancer cells. The present invention also includes antibodies that are specific for or show preferential binding to a soluble or secreted form of HER2. The present invention also includes an antibody or antibody fragment that is capable of reducing the activity of HER2 in at least one form, including a soluble form or a secreted form. The present invention further includes chimeric antibodies, processes for producing monoclonal and chimeric antibodies or monoclonal or chimeric antibodies, and their therapeutic uses, particularly in the detection of cancer most preferentially in human breast, stomach, and colon. The present invention further includes methods and kits for the immunodetection and immunotherapy of cells for samples which express HER2 antigens.
US08722356B2

A sampling system and method may use a kit that has a package enclosing a swab and a receptacle. The swab may have a shaft and a tip. The tip may be substantially made of calcium alginate. The receptacle may contain a diluent, such as sodium citrate, and glass beads. The swab may be used in an environment to sample microorganisms present on surfaces or in equipment. The kit may be used in a method of sampling and the resulting sample may be used in a method of quantitative testing.
US08722350B2

The disclosure provides, among other things, molecular markers for categorizing the neoplastic state of a patient, methods for using the molecular markers in diagnostic tests, nucleic acid and amino acid sequences related to the molecular markers, reagents for detection of molecular markers, and methods for identifying candidate molecular markers in highly parallel gene expression data.
US08722345B2

A process for measuring the amount of an antigen in a sample comprising the steps of binding the antigen to a solid phase, forming an antigen-antibody immunocomplex on the solid phase by applying a detection antibody that is specific for the antigen, liberating the detection antibody from the immunocomplex by applying a competing molecule that disrupts the immunocomplex by competing against the antigen for binding to the detection antibody, collecting the liberated detection antibody; and quantifying the liberated detection antibody to measure the amount of the antigen in the sample.
US08722343B2

Methods, assays and compositions for the diagnosis and treatment of diabetes, in which the glutamate transporters and/or receptors expressed in pancreatic islet cells are used as therapeutic targets or tools for the identification or treatment of individuals suffering from or susceptible to diabetes.
US08722340B2

Methods of diagnosing and prognosticating the development of human cancers, such as breast cancer, colon cancer, and pancreatic cancer, are provided. The diagnostic and prognostic methods include the detection and/or quantifying of the amount of expression of JAB1 in human cells, particularly in relation to the amount of p27 or c-Jun. In addition, methods for reducing the expression of JAB1 protein in cells and inhibiting its interaction with p27 or c-Jun, for example, are provided.
US08722339B2

The invention relates to a method of detecting a disease state or disease susceptibility in a mammalian subject which comprises detecting an antibody in a test sample comprising a bodily fluid from said mammalian subject wherein said antibody is a biological marker of a disease state or disease susceptibility, the method comprising: (a) contacting said test sample with a plurality of different amounts of an antigen specific for said antibody, (b) detecting the amount of specific binding between said antibody and said antigen, (c) plotting or calculating a curve of the amount of said specific binding versus the amount of antigen for each amount of antigen used in step (a) and (d) determining the presence or absence of said disease state or disease susceptibility based upon the amount of specific binding between said antibody and said antigen at each different antigen concentration used.
US08722330B2

This document provides methods and materials involved in collecting and processing complex macromolecular mixtures (e.g., stool samples). For example, stool collection devices, buffers for stabilizing nucleic acid and polypeptides present in stool, and kits for using sequence-specific capture probes (e.g., nucleic acid sequences designed to hybridize with particular target nucleic acids) to capture target nucleic acids directly from complex macromolecular mixtures (e.g., stool samples) without the need to perform prior steps to enrich, isolate, or purify the nucleic acid component are provided.
US08722327B2

Methods of analyzing features such as the physical size of macromolecules or biomarkers along large genomic DNA molecules were disclosed as well as the devices for carrying out such high throughput analysis in a massively parallel fashion. Methods of fabricating such devices are also disclosed.
US08722324B2

This invention relates to compositions and methods or the detection of human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) infection by conducting an immunoassay comprising the steps of: (a) contacting a biological sample containing HIV-1 antibody with a peptide, having an epitope, of one or more of SEQ ID 49-56 to form a peptide-anti-HIV-1 antibody complex; (b) contacting the formed complex with an anti-HIV-1 antibody binding molecule to permit the anti-HIV-1 antibody binding molecule to bind to the anti-HIV-1 antibody of the formed peptide-anti-HIV-1 antibody complex and form an extended complex that is immobilized on a solid support; (c) removing unbound anti-HIV-1 antibody and anti-HIV-1 antibody binding molecule from the extended complex; and (d) determining the presence or concentration of the anti-HIV-1 antibody in the biological sample.
US08722314B2

A first exposure treatment for irradiating a first photosensitive layer formed on one main surface of a transparent support with a first light thereby to expose the first photosensitive layer and a second exposure treatment for irradiating a second photosensitive layer formed on the other main surface of the transparent support with a second light to expose the second photosensitive layer are performed such that the first light incident on the first photosensitive layer does not substantially reach the second photosensitive layer and the second light incident on the second photosensitive layer does not substantially reach the first photosensitive layer.
US08722313B2

A method of manufacturing a touch screen panel includes a first process, a second process, and a third process. Each of a plurality of first electrode serials includes a plurality of first electrode patterns which are separated from each other, neighboring first electrode patterns are electrically connected to each other via a first connection pattern, and a first insulation pattern electrically insulates the first electrode serial from the second electrode serial at an intersection of the first electrode serial and the second electrode serial.
US08722310B2

A lithographic printing plate precursor includes, in the following order: a support; an image-recording layer which is capable of forming an image by removing an unexposed area by an automatic development processor in the presence of a developer having pH of from 2 to 14 after exposure and contains (A) a sensitizing dye, (B) a polymerization initiator, (C) a polymerizable compound and (D) a polymer which is insoluble in water and alkali-soluble; and a protective layer, and the protective layer contains (E) a hydrophilic polymer which has a repeating unit represented by the formula (1) as defined herein and a repeating unit represented by the formula (2) as defined herein and a sum of the repeating unit represented by the formula (1) and the repeating unit represented by the formula (2) is at least 95% by mole based on total repeating units constituting the polymer.
US08722302B2

The present invention provides a method for producing a liquid developer for electrophotography or electrostatic recording obtained by a coacervation method, which sufficiently maintains the charging property and has good dispersion stability of colored resin particles, as well as a liquid developer obtained by the method.A method for producing a liquid developer by a coacervation method, wherein a colored resin particle is dispersed in an insulating hydrocarbon dispersion medium in the presence of a particle dispersant and an acid group-containing resin, and the particle dispersant is a reaction product of a polyamine compound and a self-condensation product of a hydroxycarboxylic acid.
US08722293B2

An electrostatic charge image developing toner includes toner particles, and an external additive. The toner particles are (1) prepared by forming aggregated particles by aggregating resin particles in a raw material dispersion in which the resin particles are dispersed, and causing the aggregated particles to coalesce by heating an aggregated particle dispersion in which the aggregated particles are dispersed so as to form the toner particles, or (2) obtained by kneading and pulverizing a material including a binder resin and a release agent, and the external additive is silica particles having an average diameter in the range of 100 nm to 500 nm, an average circularity in the range of 0.5 to 0.85, and an average of a ratio of a circle-equivalent diameter Da obtained by plane image analysis to a maximum height H obtained by 3-D image analysis of greater than 1.5 and less than 1.9.
US08722288B2

[Problems] To provide a novel compound which has a high carrier mobility and is useful as a charge-transporting agent that is not only capable of stably forming a photosensitive layer without precipitating crystals or forming pinholes at the time of forming the photosensitive layer but is also capable of forming an organic photosensitive material for electrophotography that has a high sensitivity and a low residual potential.[Means for Solution] A diphenylnaphthylamine derivative represented by the following general formula (1), wherein R1 to R3 are alkyl groups, k is an integer of 0 to 3, j is an integer of 0 to 4, l is an integer of 0 to 6, and X1 and X2 are hydrocarbon groups having at least one ethylenically unsaturated bond.
US08722286B2

A device for reflective electron-beam lithography and methods of producing the same are described. The device includes a substrate, a plurality of conductive layers formed on the substrate, which are parallel to each other and separated by insulating pillar structures, and a plurality of apertures in each conductive layer. Apertures in each conductive layer are vertically aligned with the apertures in other conductive layers and a periphery of each aperture includes conductive layers that are suspended.
US08722281B2

There are provided a fuel cell capable of suppressing damage to an end thereof, and a fuel cell module and a fuel cell device that include the fuel cell. In a fuel cell (1) wherein a fuel electrode layer (3) is formed on one of opposite main surfaces of a solid electrolyte layer (4) and an air electrode layer (5) is formed on the other of the main surfaces, and electric power is generated by utilizing a fuel gas and an oxygen-containing gas, an oxidation suppression layer (10) is located closer to the fuel electrode layer (3) than at least the solid electrolyte layer (4) on one end of the fuel cell (1), the oxidation suppression layer (10) being composed mainly of silicate containing at least one of elements belonging to Group 2 on the periodic table. This makes it possible to provide a fuel cell (1a) capable of suppressing damage to and oxidation of one end thereof.
US08722278B2

Disclosed is a solid oxide fuel cell that has a high initial power generation performance and a good power generation durability. The fuel cell comprises at least a fuel electrode, an electrolyte, an air electrode, and a current collecting part disposed on the air electrode, wherein the current collecting part comprises an electroconductive metal and an oxide, the electroconductive metal is silver and palladium, the oxide is a perovskite oxide, and the content of the oxide is more than 0 (zero) and less than 0.111 in terms of weight ratio to the electroconductive metal.
US08722274B2

A subassembly for a fuel cell stack includes a fuel cell plate and a datum hole formed in the fuel cell plate for alignment of the fuel cell plate during assembly of the fuel cell stack. The subassembly also includes a datum insert disposed adjacent the datum hole of the fuel cell plate. The datum insert is configured to militate against a bending of the fuel cell plate at the datum hole during the assembly of the fuel cell stack.
US08722267B2

A front terminal plate (31) that is joined to a fuel cell unit (40) at the front end of a fuel cell stack has a metal-plating layer (31b) formed on the side to be joined to the fuel cell unit (40). The metal-plating layer (31b) is formed so as to cover the surface of a plate (31a), and the surface of the metal-plating layer (31b) is flat. The thickness of the metal-plating layer (31b) in an electrode-facing region (31c) that faces an electrode region of the fuel cell unit (40) is different from the thickness of the metal-plating layer (31b) in a peripheral region (31d) that surrounds the electrode-facing region (31c), and the thickness of the metal-plating layer (31b) in the peripheral region (31d) is larger than the thickness of the metal-plating layer (31b) in the electrode-facing region (31c).
US08722264B2

A method for providing a current density set-point for a fuel cell stack in response to a power request from the stack where the set-point is determined based on system parameters that identify the life and degradation of the stack. The method includes dividing a current density range of the fuel cell stack into a predetermined number of sample regions, and selecting the sample regions in order from low to high during the current set-point analysis. The method calculates an average cell voltage for the current density of the selected sample region, and stack power from the average cell voltage. The method then determines whether a power request signal is less than the stack power for the selected sample region and greater than the calculated power for the previous sample region, and if so, calculates the current density set-point at the requested power based on these values.
US08722262B2

The invention relates to a method and to a device for discharging used operating media of a fuel cell (1) in a fuel cell system (20), at least some of which are explosive, comprising a sensor unit (30) for examining the operating media discharged from an operating space (27). In order to discharge the used operating media from the fuel cell system independently of the operation of the fuel cell system and taking safety regulations into account, a mixing zone (32) is provided for mixing the operating media with a scavenging medium (28) to obtain waste air (33), wherein the operating space (27) is closed by a fan (29), and the sensor unit (30) is disposed downstream of the mixing zone (32), viewed in the flow direction of the waste air (33).
US08722243B2

An inventive electrolyte material contains a lithium salt comprising the following components (A1) and (B), or contains the following components (A1), (A2) and (B): (A1) a lithium cation; (A2) an organic cation; and (B) a cyanofluorophosphate anion represented by the following general formula (1): −P(CN)nF6-n  (1) wherein n is an integer of 1 to 5. The inventive electrolyte material is excellent in electrochemical properties, i.e., has a higher electrical conductivity and a higher oxidation potential, and is capable of forming an electrode protection film, so that a highly safe lithium secondary battery can be provided.
US08722241B2

A packaged battery, an assembled battery, and a film-covered battery, which can prevent a dangerous state involving a high-pressure gas filled in the film-covered battery while ensuring a sealing reliability, are provided.The Packaged battery includes film-covered battery 1 including a battery element and exterior films forming a sealed space housing the battery element, and holding member 10 holding film-covered battery 1. The sealed space includes a housing section housing the battery element, and a pocket communicating with the housing section to expand when the pressure in the sealed space increases. The pocket includes a safety valve which activates when the pocket expands. Holding member 10 includes an opening and a cavity fitting the housing section therein. When the housing section is fitted into the cavity, at least part of the pocket and the safety valve protrude to the outside of the holding member from the opening.
US08722239B2

A terminal of a rechargeable battery, the terminal including a current collecting terminal electrically coupled to an electrode assembly inside a case, wherein the current collecting terminal protrudes from the case; a terminal plate outside of the case and coupled to the current collecting terminal; and a plate spring on the terminal plate and coupled to the current collecting terminal.
US08722233B2

Printed electronics are increasingly becoming an important industry, thus innovations to integrate the various components and processes would be very useful to expand this industry. Disclosed are innovational concepts that would be very useful to accelerate this industry. Webs of printed electronics, antennas, power sources (cells/batteries), and assembly substrates can be merged together to form a completed electronic assembly that could be, for example, in label form or in a stand alone electronic device.
US08722232B2

An electrochemical device includes a container, a storage element, and a structure. The container includes a container main body including a first inner surface, and a lid including a second inner surface that is opposed to the first inner surface, the lid being joined to the container main body. The storage element includes a first electrode layer that is bonded to the first inner surface, a second electrode layer that is bonded to the second inner surface, and a separator that is provided between the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer, the storage element being sandwiched between the first inner surface and the second inner surface. The structure is provided to at least one of the first inner surface and the second inner surface, at least partially embedded in an inside of at least one of the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer, and made of a cured conductive adhesive.
US08722226B2

Redox flow devices are described including a positive electrode current collector, a negative electrode current collector, and an ion-permeable membrane separating said positive and negative current collectors, positioned and arranged to define a positive electroactive zone and a negative electroactive zone; wherein at least one of said positive and negative electroactive zone comprises a flowable semi-solid composition comprising ion storage compound particles capable of taking up or releasing said ions during operation of the cell, and wherein the ion storage compound particles have a polydisperse size distribution in which the finest particles present in at least 5 vol % of the total volume, is at least a factor of 5 smaller than the largest particles present in at least 5 vol % of the total volume.
US08722223B2

A battery pack includes a plurality of battery modules including at least a first group of the battery modules and a second group of the battery modules, a first coolant flow pathway through the battery modules of the first group and the second group, a second coolant flow pathway along an exterior of the battery modules of the first group, and a converging coolant flow pathway connected with the first coolant flow pathway, the converging coolant flow pathway being disposed downstream of the first group of the battery modules, the converging coolant flow pathway joining the second coolant flow pathway with the first coolant flow pathway.
US08722220B2

Provided is a hydrophobic catalyst layer for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell to which hydrophobicity is imparted so that the dissipation property of produced water is improved and which simultaneously has an increased effective surface area and an increased utilization ratio of a catalyst, and a method of producing the same. The catalyst layer for a polymer electrolyte fuel cell includes a catalyst obtained by reducing a platinum oxide, a hydrophobic agent, and a proton conductive electrolyte, wherein the hydrophobic agent is mainly composed of alkylsiloxane. An Si compound containing a hydrophobic substituent is brought into contact with a platinum oxide to subject the Si compound to hydrolysis and a polymerization reaction by the catalytic action of the platinum oxide, and then it is reduced, thereby obtaining a hydrophobic catalyst layer carrying an alkylsiloxane polymer.
US08722219B2

A fuel cell stack includes stacked unit fuel cells provided between end holding members, each unit fuel cell having a membrane electrode assembly including an anode and a cathode. A pair of separators respectively contact the anode and the cathode, and respectively form reaction gas passages between one separator and the anode, and between the other separator and the cathode. For each reaction gas passage, a gas supply passage and a gas discharge passage are formed through the unit fuel cells and one end holding member so that they communicate with the reaction gas passage of each unit fuel cell, and a drainage passage is also formed through the unit fuel cells and one end holding member. An end of the drainage passage and an end of the gas discharge passage on the side of the other end holding member are joined to each other.
US08722207B2

Organometallic compounds and organic electroluminescence devices and compositions employing the same are provided. The organic metal compound has a chemical structure represented by formula (I) or formula (II): wherein, R is an alkyl group, or cycloalkyl group, such as C1-12 alkyl group, or C4-12 cycloalkyl group.
US08722195B2

A composite glass pane comprising at least an upper pane, a lower pane, and an intermediate layer between the upper pane and the lower pane is described.
US08722194B2

It is an object of the invention to provide a plasticized polyvinyl acetal composition that is suitably used for an intermediate film of a laminated glass and other applications, specifically, the polyvinyl acetal composition being characterized in that in cases when a layer that is composed of the polyvinyl acetal composition and another resin layer such as a resin layer of a polycarbonate, a poly(meth)acrylic acid ester, or a styrene thermoplastic elastomer are laminated, the plasticizer does not migrate from the polyvinyl acetal layer. The present invention relates to a polyvinyl acetal composition including 100 parts by mass of a polyvinyl acetal and 0.5 to 100 parts by mass of an ester plasticizer or ether plasticizer that is amorphous or has a melting point of 30° C. or less, and has a hydroxyl value of 15 to 450 mgKOH/g.
US08722184B2

A wafer-adhering adhesive tape, which has, on a surface of a base, a radiation-curable removable adhesive layer, and if necessary a die-bonding adhesive layer in order, wherein the radiation-curable removable adhesive layer is mainly composed of an acrylic-series copolymer having, in a principal chain, at least a radiation-curable carbon-carbon double bond containing group, a hydroxyl group, and a group containing a carboxyl group, respectively, and the radiation-curable removable adhesive layer has a gel fraction of 60% or greater.
US08722179B2

A substrate comprises a first mark and a second mark. The first mark comprises a first pattern with at least one mark feature formed by a first material and at least one further region formed by a second material. The first and second materials have different material characteristics with respect to a chemical-mechanical polishing process such that a step height in a direction substantially perpendicular to the surface of the substrate may be created by applying the chemical-mechanical polishing process. The second mark can be provided with a second step height by applying the chemical-mechanical polishing process. The second step height is substantially different from the first step height.
US08722177B2

In a transfer mold body, a display portion is formed from a crystalline resin and a main body portion is formed from an amorphous resin. Accordingly, a transfer layer is only transferred to the amorphous resin formed main body portion that has good transfer properties for the transfer layer, and the transfer layer is not transferred to the crystalline resin formed display portion that has poor transfer properties for the transfer layer. Accordingly, only the main body portion is decorated by the transfer layer, with the display portion to which the transfer layer is not transferred visibly displayed as the letter. Accordingly, since printing process is not necessary, suppressing an increase in cost of the transfer mold body. Moreover, the position of the letter is determined by two-color molding of the main body portion and the display portion, enabling positional displacement of the letter to be suppressed.
US08722173B2

A liquid-pervious fibrous non-woven fabric includes staple fibers made of thermoplastic synthetic resin fused together which is formed on its upper surface with a plurality of ridges, and a plurality of grooves extending in parallel in a longitudinal direction. The ridges and grooves are arranged alternately in a transverse direction. On the upper surface, some of the staple fibers extend across the ridges to the adjacent grooves on each side of the ridges and are, in the respective grooves, fused to the staple fibers of a different type from the former staple fibers.
US08722154B2

A method of electrostatic spraying of a polymer surface involves oxidation and treating the oxidized surface with a polyamine and an electroconductivity modifying agent which contains a mono-carboxylic acid of from one to 12 carbon atoms.
US08722142B2

A method and composition for plating metal contacts on photovoltaic solar cells is described. The cell is immersed in an aqueous bath containing platable metal ions and a chemical reducing agent. The cell is then exposed to light, causing the two sides of the cell to become oppositely charged. The metal ions are plated without requiring an external electrical contact, without backside anodic corrosion and without the need for backside sacrificial material.
US08722141B2

High-purity polysilicon granules are prepared by depositing reaction gas on silicon granules in a fluidized bed reactor having: a reactor space comprising at least two zones lying one above the other, the lower zone weakly fluidized by introduction of a silicon-free gas into silicon granules in the lower zone by a plurality of individual dilution gas nozzles, and a second, reaction zone directly abutting the lower zone, the reaction zone heated via its outwardly bounding wall, introducing silicon-containing reaction gas as a vertical high speed gas jet into the reaction zone by reaction gas nozzle(s), forming local reaction gas jets surrounded by bubble-forming fluidized bed, gas decomposing leading to particle growth, wherein the reaction gas has fully or almost fully reacted to chemical equilibrium conversion before reaching the wall or bed surface.
US08722137B2

A hydrated water-absorption polymer containing resin composition includes a liquid cross-link curable resin composition, and a water-absorption polymer dispersed in the liquid cross-link curable resin composition. The water-absorption polymer is preliminarily hydrated and swollen. The water-absorption polymer before being hydrated and swollen includes an average particle diameter of not more than 10 μm. The water-absorption polymer includes an amount of water absorption of 10 to 100 g/g.
US08722131B2

Disclosed are comestible emulsions that comprise polyunsaturated fatty acids and methods of preparing them. The emulsions remain clear or semi-clear upon dilution. The emulsions comprise one or more polyunsaturated fatty acids or derivatives thereof, one or more emulsifiers, one or more organic solvents, and one or more polyols in a water solution. The emulsions are particularly suited for incorporation into beverages.
US08722129B2

The invention provides a method for efficiently improving emulsifying ability of gum arabic, in other words, a method for producing gum arabic with excellent emulsifying ability. Further, the present invention provides a method by which a gum arabic modified so as to have a high emulsifying ability can be obtained without involving the problem of forming syrupy masses or sticking to the vessel or the trouble of excessive dehydration or charring. The above-described methods can be carried out by heating gum arabic (unmodified) under dry conditions. Preferably, the method is carried out by heating gum arabic in such a manner that the loss-on-drying is not more than 3%.
US08722128B2

A foamable oil-in-water emulsified oil composition for chilled-distribution whipped creams, characterized in that: the oil content is 20 to 40 wt %; the oil contains an oil (A) containing trigricerides in which the constituent fatty acids have total carbon atom numbers of 36 and 38 in a total amount 40 wt % and having a rising slip point of 30° C. or higher and an oil (B) selected from hardened palm kernel oils and a hardened coconut oils; the content of the oil (A) is 1 to 30 wt % with respect to the total amount of the oil; the content of the oil (B) is 5 to 30 wt % with respect to the total amount of the oil; the total content of the oils (A) and (B) is 15 to 50 wt % with respect to the total amount of the oil; the crystallinity of the oil, after the composition is stored at 5° C. for 4 days is 50% or more; and the difference between the crystallinity of the oil after the composition is stored at 5° C. for 1 hour and the crystallinity of the oil after the composition is stored at 5° C. for 1 hour time and additionally at 15° C. for 30 minutes is 2% or less.
US08722127B2

Bakery products and pasta with added chitosan are disclosed. The chitosan is addified with a biologically acceptable acid and added to pasta and baked products. Once the baked products and/or pasta are ingested, gastro-intestinal absorption of fats is limited even after cooking.
US08722122B2

A resealable closure for packages is provided which has a package integrity feature. The closure includes a two-ply material having an inner film layer and an outer film layer, forming a top of container. The outer film layer has a sealing panel completely covering a first panel and a second panel of the inner film layer. The sealing panel is permanently attached to the first panel and is releasably affixed a portion of the inner film layer around the perimeter of the first panel to form an opening in the top when the sealing panel with affixed first panel is peeled back from the top. The sealing panel is resealable against the top to seal the opening when the sealing panel is moved back against the top. The package integrity feature comprises the second panel of the inner layer which separates from the sealing panel to indicate that the container has been previously opened.
US08722116B2

The present invention is directed to a method and a composition for producing and using a plant-based biocidal solution. The plant-based biocidal solution contains a bioactive material and a plant-based substance formed from the cellular material of a plant. The plant-based substance is capable of binding to the bioactive material. In some embodiments, the bioactive material is hydrogen peroxide. The hydrogen peroxide can be added exogenously or generated endogenously. In accordance with further embodiments, the plant-based biocidal solution can be applied to a target, thereby impairing the target. In some embodiments, the target can be a pathogen. In accordance with another embodiment, the plant-based substance of the plant-based biocidal solution can form a microscopic cluster, a complex, or an aggregate for providing sufficient bioactive material to overcome the defense mechanism of the target.
US08722106B2

A lip balm composition of natural ingredients, comprising: 54-70 wt. % of one or more oils, 22-28 wt. % beeswax, 3-4 wt. % propolis, 3-5 wt. % pomace, 0.02-3.2 wt. % antioxidant, and optional ingredients, whereby all components add to 100 wt. %.
US08722099B2

The present invention relates to a porous bioceramic composition for bone repair and method of fabrication of the same. 3D-scaffolds were fabricated with a novel micro- and macro-architecture. Porous scaffolds based on dextrin, dextran, gelatin and biomineral (CaCO3) powder were fabricated by heating and freeze-drying methods. Fabrication of different compositions of porous scaffolds (20, 30 wt % of gelatin, 20, 40 wt % dextrin, 30, 40, 50, 60 wt % dextran bounder with the constant quantity of CaCO3 50 g). The scaffolds properties were characterized by x-ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and compression tests.
US08722098B2

A method of alleviating or preventing inflammation in an animal is provided. In concrete, the method comprises the step of administering to an animal a composition including an Ecklonia cava extract in an amount effective to suppress SOCS-3 expression in the animal to thereby alleviate or prevent inflammation in the animal.
US08722087B2

A titration dosing regimen for the administration of controlled release tramadol analgesic to patients. The titration dosing regimen provides a significant reduction in the occurrence of adverse effects from the introduction of controlled released tramadol dosing, thus increasing patient compliance and medication tolerability.
US08722058B2

Bacillus strains that inhibit pathogenic swine E. coli and/or improve performance are provided. Inhibition of pathogenic swine E. coli decreases E. coli disease. At least one strain enhanced swine performance by improving average daily gain, feed efficiency, and feed intake. Preferred Bacillus strains are of species that are included on the GRAS, i.e., generally recognized as safe, list. Bacillus species are sporeformers and therefore are highly stable and can be fed to swine.
US08722056B2

The present invention relates to novel and non-obvious methods and media for preparing fermentation products of Cordyceps sinensis. The present invention also relates to novel and non-obvious compositions comprising fermentation products of Cordyceps sinensis produced by the methods of the invention or obtained from other sources. The present invention also relates to novel and non-obvious methods of treating patients by administering the compositions of the invention. In one embodiment, the Cordyceps sinensis mycelia is Paecilomyces hepiali mycelia. In another embodiment the compositions of the invention are used to treat patients infected with hepatitis C.
US08722055B2

Compositions and methods for preventing and treating pneumococcal infections are provided. Compositions include novel polypeptides comprising an amino acid sequence corresponding to the R2i or R22 domain of CbpA or a consensus sequence of one of these domains, and variants and fragments thereof, wherein the polypeptide is stabilized in a desired conformation, particularly a loop conformation. The polypeptides of the invention may be engineered to comprise a first and a second cysteine residue, thereby resulting in the formation of a disulfide bond that stabilizes the polypeptide in the desired conformation. Alternatively, a polypeptide of the invention may be modified to create a synthetic linkage between a first and second amino acid residue present within the polypeptide, wherein the synthetic linkage stabilizes the polypeptide in the desired conformation. The polypeptides of the invention may further comprise an amino acid sequence for a T cell epitope. Compositions further include isolated nucleic acid molecules that encode the polypeptides of the invention, immunogenic compositions and vaccines comprising the disclosed polypeptides, and antibodies specific for these polypeptides.
US08722048B2

The present invention provides a T-cell receptor (TCR) which binds to a peptide from the cytomegalovirus (CMV) phosphoprotein pp65 having the amino acid sequence NLVPMVATV (SEQ ID No. 1) when presented by a major histocompatability complex (MHC) molecule. The present invention also provides a nucleotide sequence encoding such a TCR, a vector comprising such a nucleotide sequence and its use to produce a CMV-specific T-cell. The present invention also provides the use of CMV-specific T-cell for cellular immunotherapy.
US08722041B2

This invention provides monoclonal antibodies that recognize hENT1. The invention further provides methods of using such monoclonal antibodies as a therapeutic, diagnostic, and/or prophylactic in disorders associated with aberrant hENT1 expression and/or activity.
US08722039B2

An adhesive material for medical use comprising gelatin and a non-toxic cross-linking material such as transglutaminase. An optional embodiment of the invention includes dressings in which a layer of a transglutaminase is sandwiched between a first and second layer of gelatin. The hemostatic products are useful for the treatment of wounded tissue.
US08722019B2

The present invention is related to fragments of human melanotransferrin (p97). In particular, this invention relates to treatment of diseases through the introduction of the melanotransferrin fragment conjugated to a therapeutic or diagnostic agent to a subject.
US08722016B2

Methods of identifying a xenohormetic induced phenotype in an organism are provided. Also provided are methods if using organisms having a known xenohormetically induced phenotype in a number of different applications, such as the identification of xenohormetic agents and the generation of chemical entities and foodstuffs under specific conditions of production governed by xenohormetic effects.
US08722010B1

A method for the coproduction of oxygen, hydrogen and nitrogen using an ion transport membrane is provided. This method includes separating a compressed, hot air stream in an ion transport membrane, thereby producing a product oxygen stream and a hot nitrogen rich stream; utilizing at least a portion of the hot nitrogen rich stream as a heat source for reforming a hydrocarbons stream, thereby producing a syngas stream and a warm product nitrogen stream; and separating the syngas stream into a product hydrogen stream and a carbon dioxide rich stream.
US08722009B2

A nanocrystalline supported or unsupported copper oxide with a residual carbon content of <10% and a BET surface area >95 m2/g. Further, a method for the production of a supported, or unsupported nanocrystalline copper oxide is disclosed, as well as the use thereof in catalysis, in particular in the steam reforming of methanol or in the hydrogenation of esters.
US08721990B2

Disclosed is an assay device for the determination of the presence and/or extent if an analyte in a liquid sample over an extended concentration range comprising a first assay and a second assay, wherein the first assay for an analyte comprises a first flow-path having a sole detection zone capable of immobilizing a labelled binding reagent and the second assay for said analyte comprises a second flow-path having a sole detection zone capable of immobilizing a labelled binding reagent, wherein the presence of labelled binding reagent at the detection zones provides an indication of the presence and/or extent of analyte in said liquid sample.
US08721984B2

A system for gas sterilization includes a sterilization chamber, a source of sterilant gas, and a sterilant gas remediation mechanism. Embodiments relate to systems and methods for delivering humidified air to a sterilization chamber, systems and methods for removing gaseous NO2 from an exhaust gas stream of a sterilization chamber, systems and methods for removing and replacing a source of sterilant gas, an exhaust gas scrubber and/or supplies for a humidification system. Some embodiments relate to hardware and software for user interface in a sterilizing device and hardware and software for control of a sterilization cycle. Some embodiments relate to chamber, chassis and door configurations of a sterilizer.
US08721978B2

Disclosed is a catalyst carrier which is used for carrying a catalyst thereon. The catalyst carrier is characterized in that the apparent specific heat measured at 800° C. is 1.8 times or more greater than that measured at room temperature, wherein the apparent specific heat means a charge heat amount required for substantially increasing the temperature of a unit mass (kg) by 1 K, inclusive of the influence of endotherm or exotherm caused by change in crystalline form, partial melting, coagulation, phase transformation, vitrification, amorphous-formation, crystallization and the like.
US08721975B2

Plant for urea production from ammonia and carbon dioxide having a so-called high-pressure section which comprises a synthesis reactor and a condensation unit (7, 107) positioned inside the reactor, all substantially operating at the same pressure.
US08721965B2

A transporting apparatus for transporting a specimen rack holding a specimen container containing a specimen, comprising: an engage unit capable of engaging with the specimen rack; and a moving mechanism for moving the engage unit in a transport direction of the specimen rack, the transport direction including a first direction and a second direction opposite to the first direction, wherein the engage unit comprises: a pair of engage members, capable of mutually approaching and separating relative to the transport direction, and engaging with the specimen rack gaplessly relative to the transport direction by the approaching operation or the separating operation; and a driver for driving the pair of engage members so as to perform the approaching operation and the separating operation. A specimen analyzing apparatus is also disclosed.
US08721961B2

An Au—Sn alloy bump that does not include large voids and a method of producing the same are provided. The Au—Sn alloy bump that does not include large voids comprises a composition containing Sn: 20.5 to 23.5 mass % and the balance Au and unavoidable impurities, and a structure where 0.5 to 30 area % of Sn-rich primary crystal phase is crystallized in the matrix.
US08721954B2

In some examples, a method for densifying a material via pitch comprises inserting the material to be densified into a mold, wherein the mold is part of an apparatus. The apparatus may include a ram configured to apply a ram pressure sufficient to force a pitch into the mold to densify the material, a gas source configured to apply a gas pressure sufficient to force the pitch into the mold to densify the material, and a vacuum source operable to create a vacuum pressure in the mold at least prior to application of either the ram pressure or the gas pressure. The method may further comprise densifying the material in the mold via pitch using a selectable one of the ram, the gas source, the ram and the vacuum source, or the gas source and the vacuum source.
US08721936B2

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide for devices, methods for forming non-spherical particles, and the like.
US08721935B2

The essence of the invention is that an aqueous medium is mixed with a lipid component (lipid solution in an organic solvent) by the ejecting introduction (suction) of the lipid component (lipid solution in an organic solvent) into an ejector mixing chamber in the form of a de Laval nozzle by means of the energy from a pressurized jet of the aqueous medium flowing out of the inlet nozzle of the ejector, which jet creates a pressure drop in the convergent part (confuser) of the mixing chamber, wherein an aerosol stream of liposome is formed at the outlet of the divergent part (diffuser) of the mixing chamber.
US08721933B2

A manufacture method of an optical sheet made of a transparent thermoplastic resin sheet on whose surface a regular geometric design working is performed, the optical sheet manufacture method comprising steps of performing a geometric design working on the resin sheet at a temperature not lower than a glass transition temperature of the resin sheet, by using a metal endless working belt formed with a geometric design on a surface thereof, rapidly cooling the resin sheet on which the geometric design working is performed to a temperature lower than the glass transition temperature, and detaching the rapidly cooled resin sheet from the metal endless working belt.
US08721931B2

The present invention pertains to an electroconductive paste for a solar cell electrode, which includes a first silver powder with a crystallite size of 58 nm, a second silver powder with a different crystallite size from that of the first silver powder, glass frit, and resin binder. The present invention also provides a solar cell having an electrode containing the aforementioned electroconductive paste.
US08721929B2

The invention relates to novel polythiophene-polyanion complexes which are soluble or dispersible in nonpolar organic solvents, and to the use thereof.
US08721917B2

Improved slurry compositions comprising a mixture of a first type of particles and a second type of abrasive particles dispersed within an aqueous medium, and abrasive slurry compositions for use chemical mechanical planarization (CMP) processes, particularly abrasive slurry compositions for polishing of sapphire. These abrasive slurry compositions comprise a mixture of a first type of abrasive particles having a hardness that is harder than the surface being polished and a second type of abrasive particles have a hardness that is softer than the surface being polished, particularly mixtures of silicon carbide abrasive particles and silica abrasive particles, dispersed within an aqueous medium.
US08721911B2

The present invention relates to a novel aging-resistant aerosol generating agent and preparation method thereof. The aging-resistant aerosol generating agent in the present invention comprises oxidizer, reducer and bonding agent, wherein the oxidizer is potassium nitrate, the bonding agent is phenolic resin, and the reducer is melamine; the weight percentages of the three constituents are: potassium nitrate: 60˜80%, phenolic resin: 8˜15%, and melamine: the rest. In the preparation process, phenolic resin is dissolved in ethanol to give phenolic resin solution at concentration by 40˜50 wt %; the oxidizer and reducer are pulverized, mixed, and then the phenolic resin solution is added to the mixed powder; next, the mixture is agitated, pelletized, dried, and shaped by pressure molding. Compared to that in the prior art, the aerosol generating agent in the present invention has higher fire suppression efficiency and higher fire suppression rate, and greatly improved aging resistant performance.
US08721909B2

A polishing composition contains at least one water soluble polymer selected from the group consisting of polyvinylpyrrolidone and poly(N-vinylformamide), and an alkali, and preferably further contains at least one of a chelating agent and an abrasive grain. The water soluble polymer preferably has a weight average molecular weight of 6,000 to 4,000,000. The polishing composition is mainly used in polishing of the surfaces of semiconductor wafers such as silicon wafers, especially used in preliminary polishing of the surfaces of such wafers.
US08721899B2

Provided are methods and systems for continuously producing low concentrations of chlorine dioxide from dilute solutions of sodium chlorite. The low concentrations of chlorine dioxide produced allow for reduced exposure risk with direct application of the chlorine dioxide stream. The incorporation of a suitable chlorine dioxide detector permits continuous monitoring and control of chlorine dioxide production ensuring that the process stays within regulatory guidelines. Pretreatment of reaction water is preferred for achieving suitable conversion rates of the low concentrations of chlorite to chlorine dioxide.
US08721874B2

Trace element levels of heavy metals in crude oil are reduced by contacting the crude oil with an oxidizing agent, converting heavy metals into heavy metal cations for subsequent separation from the crude oil. At least a complexing agent is added to convert the heavy metal cations into soluble heavy metal complexes in a water phase, which can be separated from the crude oil, for a treated crude oil having reduced levels of heavy metals. In one embodiment, the complexing agent is selected from the group of metal halides, and the oxidizing agent is selected from the group of organic peracids, inorganic peracids and salts thereof.
US08721869B2

The present invention provides a high volume, foul-resistant electrolytic process for treating contaminated water comprising at least one upflow electroflocculation cell consisting of (i) a lower (or “bottom”) electrode (3) in form of a porous, non-fluidized bed of loose iron or aluminium granules kept in periodic motion by pulsed gas injections and (ii) an upper (or “top”) vibrating electrode (4) made of an iron or aluminium grid mesh or ribmesh. A voltage potential between the upper (4) and lower (3) electrode causes ions to be released from the moving electrodes. These ions oxydise and/or render insoluble contaminants in the ascending flow of wastewater and create easy filterable insoluble contaminants resulting in substantially cleansed water. Such moving electrodes electroflocculation cells are useful at municipal water works and commercial and industrial applications were large amounts of raw water have to be processed.
US08721859B2

An analysis apparatus is an apparatus that performs electrophoresis using a microchip provided with a channel. The analysis apparatus includes a cooling unit (an electron cooling element and a driving circuit) that cools the microchip, a voltage application unit (electrodes and a power supply circuit) that applies voltage to a buffer solution filled in the channel of the microchip, an optical analysis unit (a light source, a light receiving element, and an analysis unit) that conducts, through the microchip, optical analysis of a sample introduced in the channel, and a control unit that controls the cooling unit, the voltage application unit, and the optical analysis unit. The control unit causes the cooling unit to start cooling the microchip, and after the microchip has been cooled, causes the voltage application unit and the optical analysis unit to operate.
US08721857B2

A gas sensor element includes a main body and a protective layer. The main body has four plane portions and four corner portions each of which is formed between one adjacent pair of the plane portions. The four corner portions include a pair of first corner portions that are formed on a porous diffusion-resistant layer side in a lamination direction of the main body and a pair of second corner portions that are formed on a heater layer side in the lamination direction. The protective layer is comprised of an inner protective layer that covers at least the first corner portions of the main body and an outer protective layer that covers the entire outer periphery of the main body and the inner protective layer. The protective layer has a larger average thickness at the first corner portions than at the plane portions of the main body.
US08721856B2

A gas sensor control system for a gas sensor having a first, a second, and a third cell. The second cell produces a second cell electric current indicating the concentration of oxygen in gas in which the amount of oxygen has already been controlled by the first cell. The third cell produces a third cell electric current indicating the concentration of a preselected component of the gas in which the amount of oxygen has already been controlled by the first cell. A second cell circuit converts the second cell electric current into a voltage as a second cell current-measured value. A current adjuster produces a flow of an adjustment current as a function of the second cell current-measured value so that a third cell circuit converts the third cell electric current minus the adjustment current into a voltage as representing the concentration of the preselected component of the gas.
US08721853B2

In one form, a fructosyl peptidyl oxidase derived from a budding yeast Phaeosphaeria nodorum for assaying a glycated protein in a sample is provided. The fructosyl peptidyl oxidase has higher activity toward fructosyl valine as well as fructosyl valyl histidine, and may be useful in assaying HbA1c with higher sensitivity and specificity. Still, other forms include unique methods, techniques, systems and devices involving a fructosyl peptidyl oxidase.
US08721840B2

The invention relates to an apparatus for mixing a gaseous or liquid substance into fiber suspension. The apparatus includes a tubular body, which defines a space that forms a flow channel for the suspension, in which body an inlet and an outlet for the suspension are arranged so that the suspension flows through the flow channel mainly in the axial direction. Further the apparatus comprises a feed member that extends into the flow channel transversely against the flow direction of the suspension and has a cylindrical wall provided with openings for leading the substance from the feed member into the flow channel. At least one protrusion is arranged on the inner surface of the tubular body in the region the feed member. A throttling member is arranged in the flow channel downstream of the feed member in the flow direction of the suspension, and a mixing chamber is formed in the flow channel between the feed member and the throttling member.
US08721833B2

A replaceable chamber element for use in a plasma processing system, such as a plasma etching system, is described. The replaceable chamber element includes a chamber component configured to be exposed to plasma in a plasma processing system, wherein the chamber component is fabricated of a ferroelectric material.
US08721830B2

A method for manufacturing a structural part including at least two wings extending in intersecting planes made of thermoplastic fiber-reinforced composite material including at least two plies of continuous fibers. The fibers extend from one wing to another. The method includes cutting the at least two plies in a fabric and/or a tape of fibers pre-impregnated with a thermoplastic resin; assembling the plies to create a preform; and compacting the preform to a final shape of the part by subjecting the preform to a defined cycle of temperature and pressure. A toolset can implement the method described above. Such a toolset includes a rigid punch and die such that closing the tool creates a sealed chamber in a shape of the part between the punch and the die.
US08721827B2

This invention relates to methods of forming an elastic, breathable film/nonwoven layer laminate. In particular, the invention pertains to elastic polymer compositions that can be more easily processed on cast film lines, extrusion lamination or coating lines. The compositions of the present invention preferably comprise an elastomeric polyolefin resin and a high pressure low density type resin.
US08721821B2

A vehicle interior component including decorative stitching along a stitch path includes a seam filler located between a component substrate and an overlying decorative covering. The seam filler lies along the stitch path and supports the decorative covering directly beneath at least a portion of a line of decorative stitching, where the covering may include a reduced thickness portion. The seam filler can have any number of configurations to prevent visual defects along the stitch path and/or to cause the appearance of simulated seams to be more realistic. The seam filler may be deposited along the stitch path as a curable filler material that cures, or it may be provided as a pre-formed piece for attachment to the decorative covering.
US08721819B2

An improved stent-graft device is provided that delivers a smooth flow surface over a range of operative expanded diameters by applying a unique cover material to the stent through a technique that allows the cover to become wrinkle-free prior to reaching fully deployed diameter. The unique cover material then allows the device to continue to expand to a fully deployed diameter while maintaining a smooth and coherent flow surface throughout this additional expansion. Employed with a self-expanding device, when the device is unconstrained from a compacted diameter it will self-expand up to a fully deployed diameter with the graft being substantially wrinkle-free over diameters ranging from about 30-50% to 100% of the fully deployed diameter.
US08721806B2

A device is used for cleaning a flexible hollow shaft of a medical instrument, the wall of said flexible hollow shaft is provided with openings. The device comprises a hollow space in which at least one portion of said hollow shaft can be received. A cleaning liquid can be delivered into said hollow space via an attachment piece. An inside wall of said hollow space is at a radial distance from the outer face of said hollow shaft. Flow resistance means, spaced axially apart from one another, are provided, either in the form of sealing means or in the form of narrow annular gaps which respectively seal off or delimit, in the axial direction, a space between said outer face of said hollow shaft and said inside wall of said hollow space.
US08721801B2

A method of warewashing is provided. A combination detergent rinse aid composition is used according to the invention. The warewashing detergent composition includes an alkaline source and a water-soluble anion. The rinse aid composition comprises an acid. The alkaline source is provided in an amount effective to provide a use composition having a pH of at least about 8. The anion is present in sufficient amount to leave a residue of anions on the surface of the wares. The acid of the rinse aid has a sufficiently low pKa to react with the anions to form an insoluble oxide on the surface of the wares. The insoluble oxide reduces the surface tension of water on the surface of the wares thus reducing water spotting. Methods for using and manufacturing a combination warewashing detergent-rinse aid composition are provided.
US08721798B2

Methods for processing substrates in twin chamber processing systems having first and second process chambers and shared processing resources are provided herein. In some embodiments, a method may include providing a substrate to the first process chamber of the twin chamber processing system, wherein the first process chamber has a first processing volume that is independent from a second processing volume of the second process chamber; providing one or more processing resources from the shared processing resources to only the first processing volume of the first process chamber; and performing a process on the substrate in the first process chamber.
US08721787B2

A method for manufacturing a silicon single crystal is provided including producing a silicon melt in a chamber by melting a silicon raw material loaded into a silica glass crucible under a reduced pressure and high temperature, removing gas bubbles from within the silicon melt by rapidly changing at least the pressure or temperature within the chamber, and pulling up the silicon single crystal from the silicon melt after the gas bubbles are removed. When the pressure is rapidly changed, the pressure within the chamber is rapidly changed at a predetermined change ratio. In addition, when the temperature is rapidly changed, the temperature within the chamber is rapidly changed at a predetermined change ratio. In this way, Ar gas attached to an inner surface of the crucible and h is the cause of the generation of SiO gas is removed.
US08721765B2

A method of producing a brass is disclosed. The alloy contains trace amounts of iron, manganese or aluminum. Phosphorous is added to a zinc, copper melt and combined with the iron, manganese and aluminum to form intermetallics. Additional phosphorous is added so the melt contains between about 0.08 to 0.15% phosphorous. A low lead brass alloy is provided. The alloy has tin in the range of 0.15% to 0.35%.
US08721759B1

An agricultural fertigation method includes the continuous in situ manufacture of one or more nitrogen-nutrient raw fertilizers within the irrigation system upstream of the agricultural field being irrigated for a prolonged term. Raw materials, namely nitric acid, urea, ammonium hydroxide, calcium nitrate and/or magnesium nitrate, are intermixed with each other and/or with the stream of the flowing irrigation water. The stream of flowing irrigation water dampens the resultant dissolution exotherm. A system wherein raw materials are efficiently continuously fed to the irrigation system main line or a side-arm reactor efficiently implements the method.
US08721754B2

A spring loaded filter clamping frame includes a rear frame section which defines an interior space to secure a filter element. The rear frame section includes a projection extending toward the interior space and a rear latch mechanism. A front frame section defines an interior space and is slidably engaged with the rear frame section. An aperture in the front frame section interacts with the projection. A front latch mechanism with a latch mechanism biasing member interacts with the rear latch mechanism. A frame biasing member is located between the rear frame section and the front frame section. The frame biasing member applies a force urging the rear frame section and the front frame section apart, resulting in a filter clamping frame. In further examples, the frame biasing member is a coil spring and the latch mechanisms are hooks.
US08721749B2

A fuel reforming system, process, and device including a catalytic chamber and a heating chamber. The catalytic chamber, further including a fluid fuel intake and a gaseous fluid exit port and at least one heat exchanger for distributing heat between the heating chamber and the catalytic chamber. The catalytic chamber further including a screen member having a surface, wherein the member includes a catalytic deposit made from a combination of platinum and rhodium alloy. A catalytic conversion of converting liquid fuel to gaseous fuel occurs within the catalytic chamber. Fuel exits the fuel reforming device through a gaseous fluid exit port. In the process of phase change from liquid to gaseous phase, there is no change of chemical composition and C8H18 remains stable throughout, except for an increase in Enthalpy (heat content) per mol.
US08721735B2

A composite multi-layer material may generally comprise a d-PTFE material combined with an open structured material (either resorbable or non-resorbable) creating a composite multi-layer material. Attachment of the layers may be accomplished by stitching layers of material, exertion of hydraulic or other pressure, application of a biocompatible adhesive or heat, or some combination of the foregoing. Use of a d-PTFE, unexpanded material has multiple alternative uses, including without limitation, placement on the visceral side of a hernia that may minimize or even eliminate the incidence of abdominal adhesions. Alternatively, the material may be used to create tubing sufficient as a graft for treating abdominal aortic aneurysms.
US08721732B2

Systems and methods for providing deeper knee flexion capabilities. In some instances, such systems and methods include an asymmetrical femoral component that includes a femoral prosthesis that is configured to attach to a distal portion of a femur. In some such instances, the prosthesis includes a medial condyle and a lateral condyle, wherein a medial-lateral width of an articulation surface of the lateral condyle is approximately 75% or less of a medial-lateral width of an articulation surface of the medial condyle. Other implementations are also discussed.
US08721729B1

A connecting device of joint prosthesis includes a stem means provided for being inserted into a medullary cavity of a bone, a receiving means provided for receiving a bone structure near the bone, an offset connecting means connected between the stem means and the receiving means, and an inserting member. The offset connecting means includes a first connecting component and a second connecting component. The inserting member inserts into an inserting bore of the first connecting component and an inserting recess of the second connecting component to make the first connecting component being fixed and positioned at the second connecting component, wherein there is an offset distance between the longitudinal central axis of the first connecting component and the longitudinal central axis of the second connecting component. Thereby the connecting device of joint prosthesis is adjustable for fitting individual patients with more effect in regard of the musculoskeletal mechanics.
US08721727B2

A glenoid component having an offset center of articulation and associated systems and methods.
US08721724B2

A modular intervertebral implant including a first and second component connectable in a ball-joint like manner. The first component having a first surface configured to abut an end plate of a first adjoining vertebral body and a concave spherical articulation surface with a radius R. The second component having a second surface configured to abut an end plate of a second adjoining vertebral body and a convex spherical articulation surface with substantially the same radius R as the concave spherical articulation surface.
US08721717B2

A venous valve with a tubular frame that includes an outer surface and an inner surface opposite the outer surface and defining a lumen, and a cover over at least the outer surface of the tubular frame, where the cover includes surfaces defining a reversibly sealable opening for unidirectional flow of a liquid through the lumen. A system with the venous valve and a catheter including a proximal end and a distal end, the venous valve located between the proximal end and distal end of the catheter. A method including forming the venous valve and reversibly joining the venous valve and a catheter. A method including positioning at least part of the catheter including the venous valve at a predetermined location and deploying the venous valve from the catheter at the predetermined location.
US08721715B2

A delivery device for a collapsible prosthetic heart valve includes a support shaft around which a compartment is defined, an inner shaft extending through the support shaft and adapted to slide relative to the support shaft along a longitudinal axis thereof, the inner shaft having a lumen therethrough, and a distal sheath operatively connected at a distal end to the inner shaft and slidable therewith. The compartment may receive the valve in an assembled condition, and may be selectively covered and uncovered by the distal sheath. A first flow path may provide flow communication between the lumen of the inner shaft and the compartment.
US08721709B2

Pushing a self-expanding stent from one of its ends, during release of the stent at a stenting site in a bodily lumen, by proximal withdrawal of a surrounding sheath, can impose unacceptably high stresses on parts of the strut network of the stent. For location of stents in a bodily lumen, it is customary to equip the end annulus of a stent with radiopaque markers. The present invention involves arranging the markers so that they share with non-marker portions of the end annulus the stresses imposed in the stent by the end pushing, whereby the high stresses are shared more equally by all the struts of the stent in the end annulus.
US08721706B2

Methods and systems are described for receiving a parameter relating to a specific patient and for configuring a stent with a flow occlusion portion in response to receiving the parameter relating to the specific patient.
US08721695B2

A device with a control unit and a plurality of stimulation units configured to be implanted in the body of a patient and generate optical stimuli, wherein the optical stimuli reset the phase of the neuronal activity of the neurons during the stimulation of neurons exhibiting abnormally synchronous and oscillatory neuronal activity, and the control unit is configured to actuate the stimulation units such that at least two of the stimulation units reset the phases of the respectively stimulated neurons at different times.
US08721691B2

The present application is directed to various spinal stabilization systems. The systems can include one or more guiding elements attached to screw members to assist in guiding rod implants and tools to desired locations within a patient. The guiding elements can include a plurality of wires, blades, or tabs. The guiding elements can be capable of criss-crossing or intersecting at or near an incision, such that only a single incision may be needed to perform a surgery. The guiding elements can also include telescoping features that allow the height of the guiding elements to be adjusted in use, thereby allowing multiple telescoping guiding elements to be used with the same incision.
US08721688B1

One exemplary device includes a main body including a shaft having a longitudinal axis; a first clamping mechanism having first and second jaws configured to clamp a spinous process of a first vertebra, and a second clamping mechanism having third and fourth jaws configured to clamp a spinous process of a second vertebra. The first, second, third and fourth jaws extend transversely from the shaft and at least two of two of the jaws are releasably mounted to the shaft and are mountable to and removable from the shaft by relative movement between the respective jaw and the shaft in a direction normal to a longitudinal axis of the shaft.
US08721686B2

A bone plate assembly including at least one bone plate, polyaxially adjustable fixation elements and a polyaxially adjustable locking mechanism. A first plate includes at least one polyaxial element for lockable connection with a fixation pad, and a connection feature which allows the plate to translate and polyaxially rotate relative to the locking mechanism. A second plate includes at least one polyaxial element for connection with a fixation pad and a connection feature for non-rotatable connection with the locking mechanism. The locking mechanism allows translation and polyaxial adjustment of the first plate relative to the second plate and locks the first and second plates via a taper lock. The fixation pad includes a deflectable spacer configured to prevent premature locking of the pad. Methods for implantation of the bone plate assembly between bone structures are disclosed. Instrumentation for implantation, compression and locking of the bone plate assembly is disclosed.
US08721685B2

The present invention relates to a brace installation instrument placement that is mounted to anchors secured in an animal subject. The installation instrument includes anchor extensions coupled to the anchors. The instrument is movable with respect to the anchors to position a brace in a position more proximate the anchors. The brace can be indexed for insertion at a predetermined orientation with respect to the installation instrument. Methods and techniques for using the installation instrument are also provided.
US08721679B2

An apparatus and method for closing an arteriotomy site is disclosed. The apparatus includes inner and outer frames adapted to sandwich a blood vessel wall therebetween. The inner and outer frames may be manufactured from memory metals such that they can be compressed during the insertion into the tissue tract proximate the arteriotomy site, and then deployed into an expanded configuration larger than the dimensions of the arteriotomy opening itself. A universal joint connects the inner and outer frames to ensure proper pivoting therebetween. In addition, polymeric coverings can be provided on the inner and outer frames to ensure closure, while a collagen plug can also be provided between inner and outer frames to facilitate closure as well.
US08721672B2

A lancet having a lancet body and a sharp lancing tip extending from the lancet body, the lancet body including at least one flexing engagement fin, which is resiliently deformable upon insertion into a receiver of a lancing device. The outer dimension of the lancet effectively self-adjusts to conform to a wide range of receiver inner dimensions, and as such, the lancet of the present invention enables universal application with a larger range of lancing devices than previously known lancets.
US08721671B2

An electric lancet actuator and method of using same. An embodiment provides control of a lancet used for sampling blood by puncturing the skin. The lancet can be contained within a stationary housing which interacts with the proximal or driving end of lancet and allows the distal or front end of the lancet to protrude beyond the stationary housing and puncture the skin. Electric field coils or solenoids drive the lancet using either magnetic attraction or repulsion.
US08721670B2

A laparoscopic scissor instrument can include a scissor assembly pivotally coupled to an elongate shaft. The scissor assembly can be formed of scissor blades having pivot posts thereon. The pivot posts can engage apertures on the elongate shaft, thus eliminating the need for a through-pinned pivot connection of the scissor blades. The scissor blades can also include actuation posts thereon. An actuation mechanism can include a slot to engage the actuation posts and open or close the blades of the scissor assembly. The scissor assemblies described herein can have a relatively low operational height such that they do not extend beyond a diameter of the elongate shaft during opening and closing of the scissor assembly.
US08721669B2

A method for treating a brain tumor includes providing a surgical instrument having an inner member and an outer member. The outer member has a distal region forming a cutting window. The inner member is rotatably received within the outer member, and has a cutting tip that is exposed at the window. The cutting tip and the distal region of the outer member combine to define a cutting implement. An opening is created through the patient's skull to provide access to a brain tumor target site. The cutting implement is delivered through the opening to the target site. The cutting tip is placed into contact with the tumor and operated to cut the tumor. The target site is selectively aspirated to remove cut tumor tissue.
US08721664B2

A barbed suture including a body with barbs on the periphery, a pointed end, and an anchor at one end to resist movement of the suture in the direction of the pointed end is provided. One or more limbs on the anchor may be provided, which may be arcuate, of varying lengths, and of varying distribution about the periphery of the suture body. Other anchor designs are provided. Methods of placing single-directional and bi-directional barbed sutures to approximate the tissue on each side of a wound and to position and support tissue in the absence of a wound, as in cosmetic surgery, are provided, and may include terminal J-stitches or S-stitches. Methods of placement may be made with sharp, pointed ends, which may be needles, or insertion devices. Sinusoidal patterns of sutures that have amplitudes generally perpendicular to the resultant holding force of the suture are provided.
US08721661B2

An extensible implantable medical device includes a body defining a lumen extending through the body. The lumen is configured to receive at least a portion of an implantable medical lead. The body includes a non-rectilinearly shaped portion. The non-rectilinearly shaped portion has a first shape spanning a first distance in a relaxed state. The non-rectilinearly shaped portion has a second, more rectilinear, shape spanning a second distance when subjected to a stretching force. The second distance is greater than the first distance. The non-rectilinearly shaped portion returns to the relaxed first shape upon release of the stretching force and is configured to assume the first shape when the lead is inserted into the lumen and no load is placed on the lead or the shaped body portion.
US08721628B2

An adapter that bridges the connecting ends of a medication providing device and a fluid connector includes a housing shroud that is fitted at one end with a core and at its other end with an inner shroud. Once fitted to the housing shroud, the core and the inner shroud each are not removable from the housing shroud. A catch hub is provided within the housing shroud for non-removably maintaining the core to the housing shroud. The core is rotatable relative to the housing shroud.
US08721627B2

A disinfecting and pre-opening device is disclosed for use with a female needleless connector. The disinfecting and pre-opening device includes a housing comprising a chamber having a distal opening and configured to fit over the female needleless connector, and an elongated finger attached to the housing and disposed within the chamber such that the elongated finger opens the fluid path through the female needleless connector when the distal opening of the disinfecting and pre-opening device is placed proximally adjacent to the septum and the disinfecting and pre-opening device is advanced in the distal direction.
US08721625B2

An endovascular device (1, 100, 200, 300) having a distal end (2), a proximal end (4) and a body portion (3) therebetween. The body portion is made of a multiple filament helically wound row (A) of wires (5), provided with a sealing coating (14) on the inside surface or the outside surface or both. The device may be a catheter (1), a sheath, an introducer, a delivery device, a pusher (100), an embolization coil delivery device (300), or a receptacle (208) for an expandable prosthesis (220) used with a delivery device (200). From 2 to 12, and preferably from 4 to 8, wires (5) are used in the row, and fewer wires may be used proceeding toward the distal end (2) for greater flexibility. The helically wound row of wires transmits torque and provides pushability to the device while resisting kinking, and enables a small outside diameter for reaching very small vessels and extending through very tortuous vessels.
US08721620B2

Embodiments of the invention provide swallowable devices, preparations and methods for delivering drugs and other therapeutic agents within the GI tract. Some embodiments provide a swallowable device such as a capsule for delivering drugs into the intestinal wall or other GI lumen. The device comprises a capsule sized to be swallowed and pass through the intestinal tract. The capsule can include at least one guide tube, one or more tissue penetrating members positioned in the guide tube, a delivery member, an actuating mechanism and a release element. The release element degrades upon exposure to various conditions in the intestine so as to release and actuate the actuating mechanism. Embodiments of the invention are particularly useful for the delivery of drugs which are poorly absorbed, tolerated and/or degraded within the GI tract.
US08721619B1

The present invention provides for a safety device and methods of using a safety device for use with a medical implement having a body with an inlet end portion, the safety device comprises a bracket for mounting on the body of the medical implement; a cap supported by the bracket and sized to fit over and seal the inlet end portion of the medical implement in a safety position wherein the cap covers the medical implement; an elongate shaft having a longitudinal axis, the shaft being secured to the cap and being slidably and pivotally supported by the bracket so that the cap can be raised away from the inlet end portion of the medical implement and be pivoted about the longitudinal axis of the shaft away from the inlet end portion; and a biasing means for biasing the cap to the safety position.
US08721616B2

The invention refers to a new system for packaging pharmaceutical compositions comprising active principles that may be administered intravenously, in particular it concerns a system for packaging in bottles which makes it possible to ensure the complete transfer of the content of the bottle into the liquid for intravenous infusion and at the same time prevent any accidental contact with the active principle by the health-care personnel preparing said intravenous infusion, and a complete kit for intravenous administration.
US08721614B2

A connector assembly includes a first connector having a tubular first connector body, a hollow needle inside the first connector body and a first sealing component piercable by the needle, and a second connector having a tubular second connector body and a second sealing component. The second sealing component is in the second connector body, is attached to a first piercing section when inserted into the first connector body, and, in that state, is pierced by the needle together with the first piercing section. The connector assembly also includes a restriction which, when the second connector is inserted into the first connector, temporarily interrupts and restricts the insertion operation, but allows resumption of such operation when the restriction is removed, and which, when the second connector is withdrawn from the first connector, temporarily interrupts and restricts the withdrawing operation, but allows such operation to resume when the restriction is removed.
US08721603B2

A prefilled syringe for injecting medicament into a patient includes a barrel constructed of a polymeric material, a cannula and a hub. The barrel has a diameter, a longitudinal axis, a proximal end and a distal end. The cannula has a proximal end and a tip opposite the proximal end. The proximal end of the cannula is fixed to the distal end of the barrel. The cannula is positioned generally coaxially with the longitudinal axis. The hub is integrally formed with the distal end. The hub includes a rib section and a cap. The rib section has a generally cruciform cross-section taken along a rib plane. The rib plane is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The cap has a generally U-shaped cross-section taken along a longitudinal plane. The longitudinal plane is generally parallel to the longitudinal axis.
US08721600B2

A delivery gun for discharging bone cement from a cartridge that includes a piston. The gun has a casing from which a drive rod and a disk extend. A drive assembly advances the drive rod and disk so that disk displaces the piston causing the discharge of cement. The drive assembly includes plural links that are pivotally connected to a trigger. The links are displaced in response to the manual displacement of a trigger. One of the links is configured to selectively engage the drive rod. When this particular link is engaged with the drive rod and displaced, the drive rod the drive rod is advanced at a first speed. When this link does not is not engaged with the drive rod, the drive rod is advanced by another link at a second speed.
US08721595B2

A suction wand for use during a surgical operation involving cutting of bone which yields bone debris, the wand comprising a suction conduit, a suction tip, and a positive pressure conduit for directing gas toward the suction tip to expel debris.
US08721592B2

A system and method for localized delivery of a therapeutic or diagnostic agent within a vessel is provided. The system and method provide for adjustability of the length of the treatment area and for reducing of pressure within the treatment area. A catheter system includes an inner elongated element, an outer elongated element positioned coaxially with respect to the inner elongated element, and a blood-release element at a distal end of the inner elongated element. A proximal occlusion element is positioned at the distal end of the outer elongated element, proximal to an outlet port. A distal occlusion element is positioned at a distal end of the inner elongated element. The distal end of the inner elongated element is distal to and movable with respect to the outer elongated element distal end.
US08721584B2

Methods and systems for determining an intravenous infusion rate to correct hyperglycemia of a patient, to maintain euglycemia of a patient, and to prevent hypoglycemia are disclosed. In one aspect, a method for determining an intravenous insulin infusion rate to correct hyperglycemia of a patient includes estimating an insulin infusion maintenance rate to maintain euglycemia in a patient. Further, a relationship between a current blood glucose concentration of the patient and a target blood glucose concentration may be determined. An insulin infusion rate may be determined based on the estimated insulin infusion maintenance rate and based on the relationship between the current blood glucose concentration and the target blood glucose concentration. A glycemic response of the patient may be measured while using the determined insulin infusion rate. The insulin infusion maintenance rate is re-estimated based on the glycemic response of the patient at a previous insulin infusion rate.
US08721582B2

An internal dry powder delivery system through a working channel of an endoscopic cannula for directly applying the powder form medication to an internal tissue/organ site, includes an elongated tubular delivery channel and a powder supply device for producing pressurized gas mixing with the dry powder for feeding to form a mixture of dry powder and pressurized gas delivering to an internal tissue/organ site through the delivery channel via endoscopic cannula. It ensures a smooth powder release by preventing liquid from accumulation at the tip of the delivery channel and offers physicians a new powder form drug delivery method via endoscope. Also, it offers new minimal invasive application by directly and precisely applying the powder format drug to the internal sites of human gastrointestinal organ via endoscope to achieve hemostasis, anti-inflammation, anti-ulcer and anti-tumor treatment, etc.
US08721579B2

Apparatus and methods for providing extracorporeal blood circulation and oxygenation control include multi-stage de-airing of blood to provide automated cardiopulmonary replacement to sustain patient life during a medical procedure such as cardiopulonary bypass graft surgery, keyhole cardiopulonary bypass graft surgery, percutaneous angioplasty, percutaneous stent placement, and percutaneous etherectomy.
US08721578B2

An ankle stabilizing apparatus for minimizing inversion and eversion of the foot, and more specifically, a body member having at least one cuff member positioned against a cuff portion of the body member, wherein the cuff member defines at least one opening for receiving at least one stabilizing strap such that the cuff and stabilizing strap dynamically apply a variable force against the body member and ankle. The apparatus promotes variable compression against the ankle upon application and during wear. The apparatus also resists distal migration during wear.
US08721571B2

A method of treating a condition associate with accumulation of an agent in cells in a patient includes exposing the cells to ultrasound, to selectively kill or induce apoptosis in the cells. The cells include the accumulated agent.
US08721567B2

A mobile, hand-held communication device with a display screen and a camera is programmed to perform a postural screening method. An image of a patient is acquired on the display screen having an array of pixels. A pixel to distance ratio of the displayed image is determined. A postural displacement of the patient in the displayed image is calculated using the determined ratio. A gyroscope, accelerometer and/or a level of the device is used to level the camera before capturing the image with the camera. Reference lines are overlaid on the display screen and the image to enable alignment of the image. A reference line on the display screen is used for normalizing a known distance in the aligned image to a reference distance of a known number of pixels on the screen for determining the ratio.
US08721561B2

A pulmonary testing device and method are provided that measure an inspired volume of a selected gas component. In one configuration, the selected gas component is injected into the device in an airway of the device upstream of a gas analyzer. The device has opposing open ends, one for the patient's mouth and the other for inspiration of air.
US08721557B2

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a system and method for determining a physiologic parameter of a patient. Specifically, embodiments provided herein include methods and systems for non-invasive determination of blood pressure. Information from a photoplethysmography sensor may be used to determine a systolic pressure, which in turn may be used to control a deflation pattern of a blood pressure cuff.
US08721554B2

A method and system for cancelling body movement effect for non-contact vital sign detection is described. The method begins with sending on a first electromagnetic wave transceiver a first electromagnetic signal with a first frequency to a first side of a body, such as a person or animal. Simultaneously using a second electromagnetic wave transceiver a second electromagnetic signal is sent with a second frequency to a second side of a body, wherein the first frequency and the second frequency are different frequencies. A first reflected electromagnetic signal reflected back in response to the first electromagnetic wave on the first transceiver is received and a first baseband complex signal is extracted. Likewise a second reflected electromagnetic signal reflected back in response to the second electromagnetic wave on the second transceiver is received and a second baseband complex signal is extracted. The first baseband complex signal is mathematically combined with the second baseband complex signal to cancel out a Doppler frequency drift therebetween to yield a periodic Doppler phase effect.
US08721548B2

According to one embodiment, an ultrasonic diagnosis apparatus includes a storage unit, a ultrasonic probe, a transmission/reception unit, a measured value calculation unit, a distance calculation unit, and a determination unit. The storage unit stores data of a state space based on a first measured values of a measurement item associated with an able-bodied person. The transmission/reception unit transmits ultrasonic waves to a subject via an ultrasonic probe, and generates reception signals corresponding to an ultrasonic waves reflected by the subject. The measured value calculation unit calculates a second measured value of the measurement item associated with the subject based on the reception signals. The distance calculation unit calculates a Mahalanobis distance of the subject based on the state space and the second measured value. The determination unit compares the Mahalanobis distance with a threshold to determine whether the subject has the disease evaluated by the measurement item.
US08721540B2

The present invention provides for safe and reliable electronic circuitry that can be employed in ingestible compositions. The ingestible circuitry of the invention includes a solid support; a conductive element; and an electronic component. Each of the support, conductive element and electronic component are fabricated from an ingestible material. The ingestible circuitry finds use in a variety of different applications, including as components of ingestible identifiers, such as may be found in ingestible event markers, e.g., pharma-informatics enabled pharmaceutical compositions.
US08721536B2

This disclosure is directed to minimally-invasive devices, methods and systems used through small access portals to minimize trauma to structures adjacent the treatment site. The access device includes a guide frame and a cannula support washer movebly coupled to the guide frame. The washer has a cannula port aperture extending therethrough and a surface geometry complementary to the surface geometry of the guide frame. The complementary surface geometries limit movement of the cannula port aperture to arcuate movement along a surface segment of a sphere.
US08721534B1

A speculum assembly includes a tubular shaped housing having a first open end, a second end open and a peripheral wall extending between the first and second ends. A tubular shaped bladder has an open forward end, an open rear end and a perimeter wall extending between the forward and rear ends. The rear end is attached to and is coextensive with the second end so that the bladder extends forward of the second end of the housing. The bladder is inflatable and flares outwardly from the rear end to the forward end when the bladder is inflate. A pump apparatus is fluidly coupled to the bladder. The pump apparatus is adapted for inflating the bladder so that the bladder extends outwardly away from the housing. A sleeve is mounted to the housing and covers the bladder when the bladder is deflated.
US08721533B2

An actuator has a magnet moved together with a moving lens frame, an SMA wire capable of extending and contracting in a moving direction I of the moving lens frame with execution or non-execution of energization thereof, a fixing member made of a magnetic material attached to a distal end of the SMA wire, a pressing spring which urges the fixing member toward the magnet along the moving direction I, and a stopper member and a stopper portion which limits the movement of the magnet along the moving direction I at a first position or a second position.
US08721529B2

Methods and devices are provided for providing suction and/or irrigation to locations within a body cavity. In general, the methods and devices can allow instruments within a body cavity to be cleaned during a surgical procedure without having to remove the instruments from the body cavity. In one embodiment, an end effector is provided that includes an elongate body having a cleaning base formed thereon. The end effector can be configured as a modular element configured to be removably and replaceably attachable to a distal end of an elongate shaft. The cleaning base can have one or more ports formed through a surface thereof. The cleaning base can be configured to provide suction and/or irrigation through the one or more ports to clean a face of a surgical instrument seated in the cleaning base or in close proximity to the cleaning base.
US08721523B2

A mechanized dildo, including a motor driven coaxial plurality of longitudinally spaced drive cams, and corresponding sets of passive cams that operate within an elastic phallic sleeve to locally cyclically expand a girth of the sleeve. Optional vibratory elements are positioned proximate a distal extremity of the sleeve, and in a laterally extending arm that is formed for clitoral stimulation. A battery powered control handle provides multiple operating modes and speeds.
US08721504B2

A cushioning mechanism of a treadmill is interposed with an auxiliary plate between a base frame and the running board. The cushioning mechanism includes two hanging support pieces, two hanging swing pieces, and a flexible elastic element. When the running board is subject to a downward force and sinks, the flexible elastic element will be pulled and expanded externally. When the external force is eliminated, the running board will be returned back to its original position by the self-restoring ability of the flexible elastic element. In this way, an expected and optimal cushioning effect is achieved.
US08721497B2

Disclosed therein is an automatic speed control system for a manual transmission. Clutch operating means using a combination of a motor and gears, transmission lever operating means using a combination of a motor and gears, and a control part, which check a driving state of a vehicle in real time and controls the motor if gear-shifting is needed, are additionally mounted to a general manual transmission, so that the general manual transmission can automatically shift the gear like an automatic transmission.
US08721496B2

A system and method for controlling a hybrid electric vehicle during regenerative braking is provided. The system and method include a brake controller adapted to cause, for a selected transmission gear, a first torque ratio to be applied to a regenerative brake system during regenerative braking and a second torque ratio, different from the first torque ratio, to be applied when the vehicle is not regenerative braking. The first torque ratio results in an increased braking torque generated by the regenerative brake system compared with application of the second torque ratio.
US08721495B2

A motorized rear derailleur is basically provided with a base member, a movable member, a pulley arrangement, a motor unit and a power limit circuit. The movable member is movably mounted to the base member between a plurality of gear positions. The pulley arrangement is supported by the movable member. The pulley arrangement includes a pulley having a dynamo that generates electrical energy in response to rotation of the pulley. The motor unit is operatively coupled between the base member and the movable member to selectively move the movable member relative to the base member between the gear positions. The motor unit is electrically coupled to the dynamo to selectively receive electrical energy generated by the dynamo. The power limit circuit is electrically coupled between the dynamo and the motor unit.
US08721494B2

An apparatus and method are disclosed for controlling fluid flow to a variator which responsive to separate high and low pressure fluids to control an output torque thereof. A first trim valve may be responsive to a first control signal to supply a first fluid at a fluid outlet thereof. A second trim valve may be responsive to a second control signal to supply a second fluid at a fluid outlet thereof. A variator switching sub-system may controllably supply the high pressure fluid and the low pressure fluid to the variator. A multiplex valve may be fluidly coupled to the outlets of the first and second trim valves, and may supply the first fluid as the high pressure fluid to the variator switching sub-system during at least one predefined operating condition and may otherwise supply the second fluid as the high pressure fluid to the variator switching sub-system.
US08721492B2

A multi-stage gearbox of planetary construction, in particular a power split transmission of a work engine, having a housing which accommodates four planetary sets, several shafts and several shift elements including at least a brake and a number of clutches. Selective engagement of the shift elements implements different gear ratios between a drive shaft and an output shaft. The drive shaft is connected to a carrier of the second planetary set while the sun gear of the second planetary set is coupled with a third shaft and the ring gear of the second planetary set is coupled with a fourth shaft. The output shaft is connected to a carrier of the fourth planetary set, and a fifth shaft is firmly connectable to the housing by a first brake.
US08721488B2

A transmission is provided having an input member, an output member, four planetary gear sets, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. Each of the planetary gear sets includes first, second and third members. The torque transmitting devices may include clutches and brakes.
US08721487B2

A straddle-type vehicle is disclosed. The straddle-type vehicle has a planetary gear mechanism having a ring gear rotatable with a crankshaft, a sun gear, and at least two planetary gears. The straddle-type vehicle also has a planetary carrier, a rotary shaft rotating with the sun gear, an output shaft rotating with the planetary carrier, and a CVT having a primary shaft rotatable with the rotary shaft. The straddle-type vehicle further has a primary pulley, a secondary shaft rotatable with the crankshaft, a secondary pulley, and a belt. The straddle-type vehicle additionally has an actuator configured to change a transmission gear ratio of the CVT. The crankshaft, the planetary gear mechanism, the rotary shaft, and the belt-type continuously variable transmission form a cyclic power transmission passage. A centrifugal clutch is disposed within the passage.
US08721486B2

A continuously variable transmission having a variator (5) comprising input discs (2) coupled to an input shaft (12) and an output disc (3) providing a rotary variator output. The input and output discs are mounted for rotation about a common axis and at last one roller (4) is arranged between the discs to transfer drive from one to the other at a continuously variable variator drive ratio. The roller is mounted in a carrier (30) in a manner which permits it to spin about its own axis and to tilt relative to the disks to vary the variator drive ratio. A hydraulic actuator (22) is arranged to apply to the carrier (30) a reaction force determined by a hydraulic pressure difference acting on the actuator. The reaction force opposes a traction force applied to the roller (4) by the action of the discs (2, 3). Power-recirculation gearing (6), preferably in the form of planetary gearing, receives as inputs the rotation of the input shaft (12) and the rotary variator output, and produces an output speed which is a function of both its inputs.
US08721485B2

Inventive embodiments are directed to components, subassemblies, systems, and/or methods for infinitely variable transmissions (IVT). In one embodiment, a control system is adapted to facilitate a change in the ratio of an IVT. In another embodiment, a control system includes a carrier member configured to have a number of radially offset slots. Various inventive carrier members and carrier drivers can be used to facilitate shifting the ratio of an IVT. In some embodiments, the traction planet assemblies include planet axles configured to cooperate with the carrier members. In one embodiment, the carrier member is configured to rotate and apply a skew condition to each of the planet axles. In some embodiments, a carrier member is operably coupled to a carrier driver. In some embodiments, the carrier member is configured to couple to a source of rotational power. Among other things, shift control interfaces for an IVT are disclosed.
US08721483B2

An arrangement which comprises at least one claw clutch that can be connected to at least one component of a transmission, such that the claw clutch is arranged substantially within a bearing support (1) of the transmission.
US08721480B2

The bicycle crankset includes a bottom bracket axle, two cranks and a chainring carrier bearing first and second different toothed chainrings. The chainring carrier has the shape of a star, of which each arm is provided with a mounting hole aligned with a mounting hole in the first and second chainrings respectively. These holes accommodate elements for fastening chainrings to the chainring carrier, and they are arranged on a first circle with a predetermined diameter. Each arm of the chainring carrier is provided with a second mounting hole arranged on a second circle with a diameter that has been reduced relative to the first circle to match the chainring carrier to two other toothed circular chainrings with a size that is respectively reduced relative to the first and second chainrings and of which the mounting holes are located on the second circle.
US08721478B2

A racket capable of being changed in its weight includes handle, a main body, at least one nut embedded in the main body, and at least one bolt threadedly engaged with the nut. The main body has a frame and a connection portion connected between the frame and the handle. Because bolts having different weights can be selectively used to be threaded into the nuts, the user can adjust the overall weight of the racket according to his/her need so as to have a suitable racket.
US08721467B1

This swing trainer is a full swing trainer designed to produce what is known in golf vernacular as “the classic swing”. Its attributes are as follows: It trains both the back swing and the forward swing. The golfer can hit balls with it at a driving range, or practice his swing in his garage or yard without actually hitting balls. It assembles in less than one minute and can be broken down and transported in a canvas “chair-type” bag. It adjusts for the skill and the height of the golfer, and for right or left-handed golfers. When the golf club is properly gripped and swung along the paths dictated by the guidelines of this swing trainer, an ideal ball flight is produced. Its most effective feature is the visual images provided for the golfer of the proper paths for the club head.
US08721464B2

A dynamic simulator includes a carrying platform, a movable platform, a load carrying seat, a first actuator pivotally coupled to carrying platform, and a second actuator pivotally coupled to movable platform, and an included angle is formed between the first actuator and the carrying platform, and an included angle is formed between the second actuator and the load carrying seat, and an included angle is formed between the second actuator and the first actuator, so as to simplify the dynamic simulator.
US08721460B2

The present invention relates to a toy gun capable of transmitting a laser beam and/or an infrared (“IR”) beam of light for use in a game. The toy gun also has a detector for detecting a laser and IR signal. A controller within the gun tracks the number of shots fired, the type of light beam fired, the number of hits received by other guns, and permits the user to alternate between firing an IR beam or laser beam. The toy gun also has unique features available through the use of lasers, including detecting the distance to a target. The present invention further relates to an interactive electronic targeting system for use with a toy laser gun. The targeting system includes an electronic multi-colored backlit board with light detecting sensors positioned within the board. The targeting system is programmed with multiple interactive games for use with a toy gun.
US08721455B1

A recommendation service is provided for recommending computer video game titles to players. The recommendation service offers suggestions for game titles to purchase or rent based on playing usage related parameters for each particular player. A profile is created based on several factors that represents the player's affinity to each factor. Communication and use of player usage data may be strictly conditioned on a player's knowledge and consent.
US08721453B2

A virtual activity is facilitated by receiving collected data related to a non-virtual, real-world physical activity performed by a user, evaluating the collected data to determine what benefit the user has earned by performing physical activity, and providing a benefit to the user that enables the user to virtually build or reconstruct something in a virtual world. In some embodiments, the user is enabled to virtually reconstruct a real-world location at which the physical activity was performed by unlocking a feature of that location within the virtual world. In other embodiments, the user is enabled to virtually build a fictional location by unlocking the ability to add a feature to that location within the virtual world.
US08721451B2

Embodiments of the present invention provide a library of video related to game play involving the use of particular objects. By observing game play of users in a game play environment, determinations may be made as to users who excel at the use of a particular object. Video of game play related to these users and a particular object may be created, cataloged, and stored for later use by users that lack proficiency with that object. By observing video of game players with particular skill as to an object, less skilled players may improve their game play thereby avoiding frustration with a game, which may lead to a loss of interest. Acquisition and proffering of video may be facilitated through the use of an analytics server or functional software module that observes game play and identifies players of particular skill or lack thereof.
US08721443B2

A system and method for implementing game play are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method comprises defining, in a game play controller object, at least one game play rule of a virtual multiplayer game, maintaining, in the game play controller object, at least one game play state, maintaining, in a virtual object controller object, at least one state of a virtual object in a virtual multiplayer game environment, wherein the virtual object is one of a plurality of object types, receiving, over a network, user commands regarding the virtual object, and executing the game play rule based on the received instructions and the object type of the virtual object, wherein the execution of the game play rule modifies the game play state.
US08721438B2

A system, method and apparatus provides a unique pool betting product where players make selections in a number of different events which occur in sequential legs or time periods. After some and preferably most of the legs have been completed, players who have correct “win” predictions for each of the events or legs that are completed and thus remain in contention for the Jackpot Pool, and potentially those still eligible for consolations prizes, will be offered an opportunity to sell their tickets, in whole or in part, to the game operator or through the game operator.
US08721434B2

A gaming system including wager-based electronic gaming machines compatible with mobile devices, such as smart phones or tablet computers, is described. The electronic gaming machines can be configured to establish temporary communication connections with mobile devices. After a communication connection is established with a mobile device, the EGM can be configured to utilize the network access capabilities of the mobile device to access a wide area network, such as the Internet. In one embodiment, the EGM can be configured to push data, such as fault condition data, to a remote device via the wide area network connection. In another embodiment, owners of the mobile devices, which can be a player playing the EGM, can receive incentives for allowing the EGM to utilize its network access capabilities.
US08721433B2

An account is established for a player of a gaming device. The balance of the account is increased if a predetermined condition is satisfied. Disbursements from the account may be made if a predetermined condition is satisfied. A disbursement may be in the form of a payout, bonus, or other benefit.
US08721414B1

A card game and method for playing a card game are provided for a plurality of players. A pre-determined number of cards are included in the card deck. A preset number of cards from the card deck are dealt to each player. Each card has a face with a variety of characters, written instructions, numeric fractional values, shapes, mathematical symbols, special characters, or lines. In embodiments of the card game, a designated winning word is spelled or a designated number of matching cards are obtained, with consideration to the operation instructions of a number of cards that can alter the arrangement of the cards in a player's hand or can alter the order of play of the card game. Once a current designated player obtains the designated word or the designated number of matching cards and has a winning combination of cards, that player wins and the game is over.
US08721408B2

An air conditioner for a vehicle includes: an air-blowing guide that includes a flexible connecting section that elastically deforms, and a pair of engaging sections that are arranged at both ends of the flexible connecting section, is arranged in a mixing region of a hot air and a cool air, and guides the hot air and the cool air; and a case that includes a protrusion that engages the engaging section in a state where the flexible connecting section is elastically deformed, the case in which the air-blowing guide is provided.
US08721404B2

The invention relates to an apparatus which is designed and equipped for completely removing at least a part of the breast cartilage from a poultry carcass that is free of breast meat, comprising a transporting conveyor for conveying the poultry carcass in a transporting direction T, said conveyor having at least one support body for receiving and fixing the poultry carcass, a cutter for separating the breast cartilage or parts thereof from the poultry carcass and a control device for controlling the cutter, which is characterized in that the transporting conveyor is aligned with the or each support body and driven such that a poultry carcass to be arranged on the support body is oriented with its connecting line between the breast bone and the breast cartilage parallel to the transporting direction T, the cutter comprises a double blade which is designed and equipped for longitudinally cutting into the poultry carcass at least along a sub-portion on both sides of the breast cartilage and/or both sides of the breast bone, and the cutter comprises a separating element arranged downstream of the double blade, which is designed and equipped for laterally cutting a connecting region between the breast cartilage and the breast bone, thereby completely removing the breast cartilage from the poultry carcass. The invention further relates to a corresponding method.
US08721397B2

The invention relates to a device (10) for machining, in particular eroding and grinding, rotational workpieces (44) provided with cutting edges, with a machine base (12), a machining mechanism (14), which can be displaced relative to the machine base (12), and a workpiece positioning mechanism (18), which can be displaced relative to the machine base (12), wherein the machining mechanism (14) has at least one machining tool (30), which is attached in a rotatably drivable manner to a slide arrangement (20), which can be displaced in relation to the machine base (12), for machining a functional portion to be machined of the rotational workpiece (44), and wherein the workpiece positioning mechanism (18) has a workpiece holding mechanism (46), which can be displaced relative to the machine base (12) and holds a holding portion of the rotational workpiece (44) directly or via a holding adapter for attaching the rotational workpiece (44) to the workpiece positioning mechanism (18). In this device the workpiece holding mechanism (46) is oriented relative to the machine base (12) and holds the holding portion of the rotational workpiece (44) such that the rotational workpiece (44) is arranged with its functional portion suspended substantially in the vertical direction for machining.
US08721395B2

An abrasive tool with flat and consistent surface topography for conditioning a CMP pad and method for making are disclosed. The abrasive tool includes abrasive grains coupled to a low coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) substrate through a metal bond. There is an overall CTE mismatch that ranges from about 0.1 μm/m-° C. to about 5.0 μm/m-° C. The overall CTE mismatch is the difference between the CTE mismatch of the abrasive grains and the metal bond and the CTE mismatch of the low CTE substrate and the metal bond.
US08721380B2

Disclosed is a method for manufacturing a display panel, which employs a vacuum bonding method. A display material is dispensed such that the height distance from the upper surface of a lower substrate to the top of the display material is larger than the height distance from the surface of either upper or lower substrate on which the seal pattern is formed to the apex of the seal pattern. The upper substrate is placed at a position where the upper substrate and the top of the display material in the height direction are in touch with each other and the seal pattern on one substrate is not in touch with the other substrate, then, air is released. Thus, volatilization of the display material is reduced easily at small cost to prevent drying of the surface of the display material, and the display qualities can be prevented from being degraded.
US08721371B2

An adaptor may include a body portion and a conduit receptacle. The body portion may include a cross-member and first and second arms extending from the cross-member. The first and second arms may include first and second engagement features, respectively. The conduit receptacle may extend from the cross-member in a direction opposite the first and second arms and may include an aperture and a third engagement feature. The third engagement feature may retain an outer surface of a conduit. The conduit may receive and protect a plurality of wires transmitting electrical power to an electrically powered component.
US08721369B1

A multi-connector power or power and signal transmission cable includes a connection cable, a first connection head connected to one end of the connection cable and at least one connector to mate with the first connection head. The first connection head includes a first plug at a front end thereof. The connector includes a second plug and a socket at front and rear ends thereof. The first plug is detachably connected to the socket of the connector. The connector includes a connection arm thereon. The connection arm has a protruding block at a distal end thereof. The first connection head has a pivot hole for connection of a rotation disc. The rotation disc includes a rotation axle and a receiving hole on the top end of the rotation axle. The connection arm of the connector is detachably connected to the receiving hole of the first connection head.
US08721367B2

A fuse unit includes a fuse element and an insulative resin part. The fuse element includes a power supply connecting part fixed to a battery post of a battery so as to receive power supply and arranged along an upper surface of the battery, a terminal connecting part to which a terminal is connected, and a fusible part provided between the power supply connecting part and the terminal connecting part. The insulative resin part is arranged on outer surface of the fuse element. The fuse element is bent upwards at a position between the power supply connecting part and the terminal connecting part. The terminal connecting part is arranged at a position above the upper surface of the battery and along a side surface direction of the battery.
US08721359B1

A heat sink socket for cooling electronic devices has a heat conducting body having an upper surface for receiving an electrical component and a lower surface for engaging a supporting circuit board. An insulated terminal has an electrical insulating body supporting a first electrical terminal within the heat conducting body. The first electrical terminal connects an electrical contact of the electrical component to the circuit board. The heat sink socket may include a ground plane on the heat conducting body. The ground plane may have a second electrical terminal that connects an electrical contact of the electrical component to the circuit board.
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