US08730404B2
In an embodiment, the present invention includes a latch circuit having a first input to receive a data signal and a second input to receive a clock signal. This latch circuit may have a first pair of transistors including a first transistor gated by the data signal and a second transistor gated by an inverted data signal and a second pair of transistors including third and fourth transistors gated by the clock signal. The first transistor may be coupled to the third transistor at a first inter-latch node and the second transistor coupled to the fourth transistor at a second inter-latch node. A reset circuit may be coupled to the latch circuit to maintain the first and second inter-latch nodes at a predetermined voltage level when the clock signal is inactive.
US08730395B2
A history information recording device is provided to an image display equipment, for recording, as history information, information about operations that have been executed in the image display equipment up to a present time. The history information recording device includes a connection terminal to which an external storage medium is connected, in which the history information is transmitted to and recorded on the external storage medium connected to the connection terminal in response to a given instruction. Therefore, it is possible to check the history information of the image display equipment without displaying the history information on a screen of the image display equipment.
US08730394B2
To provide a video display system for allowing a user to look at and listen to video and sound on various means. A video display system has a video display device and a portable video display device, connected to each other for communication. The video display device produces own device video data and own device sound data to be displayed and reproduced, respectively, on the video display device; displays the own device video data and reproduces the own device sound data; encodes these data into a data format which the portable video display device is able to handle, to thereby produce other device video data and other device sound data; and sends to the portable video display device. The portable video display device receives these data, and decodes and displays the other device video data, and decodes and reproduces the other device sound data.
US08730389B2
An AV amplifier detects combinations of resolutions and vertical frequencies of input video data, and reads information about combinations of resolutions and vertical frequencies stored in a display device in advance. The AV amplifier sets values, that are a combination of an output resolution and an output vertical frequency in which a value obtained by dividing a vertical frequency of the video data detected by a video detecting section by the output vertical frequency is an integer number and are present in the combinations of the resolutions and the vertical frequencies read by the reading section, as the combination of the output resolution and the output vertical frequency.
US08730386B2
The imaging apparatus includes a lens mount to which a lens unit is mountable, an imaging unit operable to generate an image signal, and a shutter unit that is arranged between the lens mount and the imaging unit, and is capable of limiting the light incident on the imaging unit, opening and closing at least at recording and being kept in an opened state during a recording preparation operation, and a main frame to which the lens mount, the shutter unit and the imaging unit are fixed.
US08730380B2
During a period before focusing is instructed, contrast detection is used to detect positions at which focus evaluation values reach a peak in regard to detection regions obtained by dividing a region containing a region in which phase-difference detection pixels of an imaging element are disposed; when focusing is instructed, focus evaluation value peak positions of each of the detection regions are acquired; if an optical system is in a focused state, the number of detection regions whose deviation in focus evaluation value peak position is within a threshold value is counted; if the number of applicable detection regions is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, focus position detection and focus control are performed by phase-difference detection, and if the number of detection regions is less than the predetermined value, focus position detection and focus control are performed by contrast detection.
US08730379B2
An auto-focus method controls a motor to drive an optical lens of a lens module to a focus point and includes steps of: describing a first parabola according to three coordinate points in a coordinate system; describing a second parabola according to a first highest point of the first parabola and two coordinate points selected from the three coordinate points in the coordinate system, wherein the resolution values of two selected coordinate points are greater than that of unselected coordinate point; comparing a difference between the electric current value of a second highest point of the second parabola and the electric current value of the first highest point with a preset value; wherein when the difference is less than the preset value, the second highest point is regarded as the focus point.
US08730378B2
An optical apparatus includes: a first focus detection unit that detects a focusing condition of an image forming optical system through a first focus detection method and outputs a first focus detection signal; a second focus detection unit that detects the focusing condition of the image forming optical system through a second focus detection method different from the first focus detection method and outputs a second focus detection signal; a focus adjustment unit that executes focus adjustment for the image forming optical system based upon either the first focus detection signal or the second focus detection signal; and a notification unit that alters a focus detection method notification in correspondence to the focus adjustment that the focus adjustment unit executes.
US08730376B2
The lens barrel is a lens barrel for forming an optical image of a subject on an imaging element, comprising a first lens unit, a second lens unit, a focus lens unit, a zoom mechanism, and a focus actuator. The focus lens unit is movably supported by the second lens unit in the optical axis direction. The operating force inputted to the zoom control is mechanically transmitted to at least one of the first lens unit and the second lens unit. The focus actuator is fixed to the second lens unit and electrically drives the focus lens unit relative to the second lens unit in the optical axis direction. The second lens unit or the focus lens unit is disposed nearest to the image plane in the optical system including the first lens element, the second lens element, and the focus lens.
US08730374B2
An image capture apparatus includes: an image sensor including a plurality of image forming pixels that generate an image generation signal, and focus detection pixels that divide a pupil region of the imaging lens, photo-electrically convert an object image from the divided pupil region and generate a phase difference detection signal; a first focus detection unit configured to perform focus detection by using the phase difference detection signal; a second focus detection unit configured to detect an image contrast from the image generation signal from the image forming pixels and performing focus detection by a contrast detection method; and a correction value calculation unit configured to calculate a correction value for a result of focus detection by the first focus detection unit based on a difference between the result of focus detection by the first focus detection unit and a result of focus detection by the second focus detection unit.
US08730373B2
An image forming apparatus includes an image sensor comprising a plurality of pixels at least part of which form a plurality of focus detection pixel pairs, each receiving light rays passing through different pupil areas of an image forming optical system; a detection unit configured to detect a defocus amount, based on a phase difference between signals output from the focus detection pixel pairs in a focusing area; a judging unit configured to determine if a subject corresponds to a predetermined pattern, based on the signals output from the pixels other than the focus detection pixel pairs around the focus detection pixel pairs in the focusing area; and a focus control unit configured to drive the image forming optical system to be in an in-focus state based on the detected defocus amount. The judging unit changes focus control, performed by the focus control unit, based on the determination result.
US08730366B2
A solid-state imaging device is provided in which transfer failure of signal charges is suppressed. The solid-state imaging device includes a plurality of photoelectric conversion units, a plurality of vertical transfer units having a plurality of vertical transfer electrodes, a plurality of horizontal transfer units having a plurality of horizontal transfer electrodes, and an intermediate transfer unit having a branch transfer electrode. In the first horizontal transfer unit, one of the horizontal transfer electrodes includes a plurality of column direction electrodes that are disposed adjacent to one another in the vertical direction and transfer the signal charges via the intermediate transfer unit to the second horizontal transfer unit. The vertical transfer electrode, the horizontal transfer electrodes, and the branch transfer electrode are a single layer electrode.
US08730363B2
An analog-digital converter includes: comparators disposed to correspond to analog signals which are converted into digital signals and configured to compare a voltage value of the analog signal, which is converted into the digital signal, with a voltage value of a predetermined reference signal; counters disposed to correspond to the comparators and configured to count a count value at the time point when the comparison process of the corresponding comparator is finished; and a determiner configured to determine a time point when all the comparators finish their comparison processes.
US08730360B2
When a central pixel having a red component is generated by interpolation, mixing is performed using red-component pixels lying along the diagonal directions thereof. When a central pixel having a green component is generated by interpolation, mixing is performed using green-component pixels located above, below and to the left and right thereof. When a central pixel having a blue component is generated by interpolation, no mixing processing is executed. A reduction in image size is performed at the same time as pixel interpolation.
US08730358B2
An image sensor that has a plurality of pixels within a pixel array coupled to a control circuit and to one or more subtraction circuits. The control circuit causes an output transistor coupled to a pixel to provide a first reference output signal, a common reset output signal, and a first sense-node reset output signal, between which a subtraction circuit may form a weighted difference to create a noise signal. The control circuit causes the output transistor to provide a second sense-node reset output signal, a light response output signal and a second reference output signal, between which a subtraction circuit may form a weighted difference to create a normalized light response signal. The light response output signal corresponds to the image that is to be captured by the sensor. The noise signal is subtracted from the normalized light response signal to generate a de-noised signal.
US08730357B2
An image processing method includes the steps of calculating, with respect to a processing-target pixel in an input image signal, a concentric aberration correction amount for concentric aberration that is a component of magnification chromatic aberration, the concentric aberration causing a color shift to occur in a concentric manner from the center of an image, calculating, with respect to the processing-target pixel, a uniform aberration correction amount for uniform aberration that is a component of magnification chromatic aberration, the uniform aberration causing a color shift direction and a color shift amount to uniformly occur on a whole image, and correcting a pixel value of the processing-target pixel on the basis of the calculated concentric aberration correction amount and the calculated uniform aberration correction amount.
US08730355B2
An image signal processing device includes: a color mixture correction circuit correcting color mixture among pixels arranged in the row and column directions, having plural light receiving units which perform photoelectric conversion and including filters dividing light incident on respective plural light receiving units into plural color components, wherein the color mixture correction circuit performs correction processing to a signal value of a target pixel of color mixture correction by associating respective signal values of neighboring pixels adjacent to the target pixel of color mixture correction with correction parameters unique to an address of each signal.
US08730350B2
Only images captured in a snapshot movie capture mode are extracted and are continuously reproduced. Also, second audio data prepared separately from first audio data that is recorded during image capturing is reproduced in place of the first audio data. Accordingly, an effect of change in images at predetermined intervals at a good tempo can be obtained. Furthermore, an interrupt of audio data at change of images can be prevented, so that discomfort felt by a user can be decreased.
US08730346B2
According to one embodiment, a solid-state imaging apparatus includes: a pixel unit in which pixels are arranged in a matrix form; an electronic shutter scanning circuit controlling an accumulation time of the pixels for each line of the pixel unit; a flicker correction circuit correcting flicker generated in a signal imaged in the pixel unit for each line based on a signal of the pixels of each of the lines in which the accumulation times are different from each other.
US08730333B2
An image stabilization system includes: a region vector detection unit configured to detect a motion vector of each of a plurality of regions in an image; a reliability determination unit configured to determine reliability of the motion vector of each of the regions; a region indicator configured to indicate, to the region vector detection unit, a new detection target region instead of a region whose motion vector is determined to have low reliability; an image vector computing unit configured to compute a motion vector of the entire image using a motion vector determined to have high reliability; and a stabilization unit configured to move an entire image to be output according to the motion vector of the entire image to compensate for sway of the image.
US08730327B2
A method for measuring the amount of noise in a video image includes receiving a signal from an imaging device; extracting a luma component from a color image; applying a filter to compute the second derivatives of the extracted luma component; determining a ratio of noise pixels to total pixels in the second derivative; and comparing the ratio to a pre-determined ratio.
US08730322B2
An imaging system comprising a panoramic visual image display, an associated directional sound playback device, and an associated motion reproduction device is disclosed. The imaging system conveys visual, sound and motion information related to a particular viewing direction to provide a realistic experience for the viewer. The imaging system can also comprise a panoramic visual image recording device capable of recording panoramic images, an associated directional sound capturing device capable of recording sound, and an associated directional motion capturing device capable of recording motion. Recorded panoramic images, sound and motion can be synchronously recorded to a common time code for simultaneous playback.
US08730321B2
An apparatus and method for insuring the proper alignment of a detected vein pattern and a projected vein pattern are disclosed. The apparatus enhances the visual appearance of veins so that an error that can lead to improper patient care or injury can be avoided.
US08730292B2
A scanning optical device that scans a photoreceptor with laser light includes a light source, a light outputting section, and a projection. The laser light from the light source is output through the light outputting section so that the photoreceptor is irradiated with the laser light. The projection projects through a partition wall toward the photoreceptor. The light outputting section is disposed in a position separated from the photoreceptor by the partition wall. The projection contains a polygon motor that rotates a polygon mirror to reflect the laser light.
US08730291B2
An image forming apparatus wherein a photosensitive drum is located such that its circumferential surface is exposed to light at a position between an image surface of light that is emitted from an LED at a distance of a half of a pitch of a plurality of rod lenses from a first rod lens of the plurality of rod lenses and that passes through the first rod lens and an image surface of light that is emitted from an LED at a distance of the pitch of the plurality of rod lenses from a second rod lens of the plurality of rod lenses and that passes through the second rod lens.
US08730286B2
A method of manufacturing a thermal head, including: forming a concave being, which is open on one surface of a support-substrate made of an alumina material; forming an intermediate-layer made of a glass paste by printing the glass paste made of a first-glass-material on the one surface of the support-substrate and baking the glass paste; bonding an upper-substrate to the one surface of the support-substrate by arranging the upper-substrate on the intermediate-layer formed on the one surface of the support-substrate in a laminated state and heating the upper-substrate at a temperature of an annealing point thereof or higher and a softening point thereof or lower, the upper-substrate being made of a second-glass-material having a softening point lower than a softening point of the first-glass-material; and forming a heat generating resistor on a surface of the upper-substrate bonded to the support-substrate at a position opposed to the concave portion.
US08730285B2
According to one embodiment, a decoloring apparatus includes: a heating rotating member having roughness (Rz) of a surface, which comes into contact with a conveyed sheet, equal to or larger than 3.5 μm and equal to or smaller than 6.0 μm and configured to heat and decolor a decolorable colorant on the sheet; and a pressing member configured to come into press contact with the heating rotating member to form a nip section between the pressing member and the heating rotating member and cooperate with the heating rotating member to nip and convey the sheet.
US08730278B2
Disclosed is a paper-like display device. A front substrate 1 and a back substrate 2 are disposed to face each other with a space therebetween, and partition walls 5 partition the space vertically (Y) and horizontally (X) into cell spaces 3. A predetermined quantity of black-colored particles 4 is enclosed within each cell space 3. A white reflective layer 6, first electrodes 7, and an insulating layer 8 are formed on the inner surface of the back substrate 2. Each first electrode 7 is separately formed for a different pixel and extends along the bottom surface of the cell space 3. Each partition wall 5 includes an upper partition wall 5b, facing the front substrate 1, and a lower partition wall 5a, facing the back substrate 2. A second electrode 9 serving as a common electrode is formed between the upper partition wall 5b and the lower partition wall 5a.
US08730277B2
A driving device of a embodiment of the invention for driving a pixel array section includes a generation device (weighted average calculation section) for generating pixel values of driving signals of at least one color for pixels of the at least one color among driving signals of colors to be supplied sequentially to the pixel array section, the generation device being configured to generate the pixel values for each pixel of the at least one color on (i) a pixel value of the pixel in a current frame of the color of the pixel and (ii) a pixel value of the pixel in a previous of the same. This makes it possible to create a subframe appropriate in display position and luminance, thereby realizing an image display signal device, driving method, image display device, television receiver, and display monitor device, in which color breaking is effectively alleviated.
US08730271B2
A method and device for controlling power of an active matrix organic light-emitting diode are provided. The method for controlling power of an active matrix organic light-emitting diode includes: calculating a frame data rate, which is a ratio of a light emitting pixel quantity representing a specific color in an image data to be displayed; determining a luminance reducing amount mapped to the frame data rate; and controlling and displaying an entire luminance of an image according to the luminance reducing amount.
US08730267B2
Embodiments of the disclosed technology comprise a handheld display device with built-in accelerometer and, in some embodiments, compass. The display of a human figure is changed based on a change in viewpoint/orientation of the device. That is, upon detecting a change in viewpoint (e.g., viewing angle, tilt, roll, or pitch of the device), the image of the person changes. This may be used with a still picture of a person, such as for the sale of clothing, or in conjunction with moving images, such as for a sports or exercise instructional video.
US08730265B2
A character generating system (10) includes a pickup image information acquiring unit (14), a texture generating unit (15), and a texture pasting unit (16). The pickup image information acquiring unit (14) acquires face pickup image information corresponding to an image pasting area (51) of a face texture (53) of character (70) from the pickup image information. The texture generating unit (15), on the basis of color information of a difference area (52), sorts pixels in the image pasting area (51), replaces the color information of the selected pixels with the color information of the difference area (52), and generates the face texture (53) from the face pickup image information.
US08730254B2
A color processing apparatus includes a device characteristic acquisition unit configured to acquire a monitor device characteristic, a viewing condition acquisition unit configured to acquire a viewing condition of a display screen, a correction unit configured to correct the monitor device characteristic based on the viewing condition of the display screen, and a color conversion unit configured to perform color conversion based on the viewing condition of the display screen and the corrected monitor device characteristic.
US08730252B1
A system, method and computer program product are provided for bump mapping in a hardware graphics processor. Initially, a first set of texture coordinates is received. The texture coordinates are then multiplied by a matrix to generate results. A second set of texture coordinates is then offset utilizing the results. The offset second set of texture coordinates is then mapped to color.
US08730251B2
The disclosed embodiments provide a system that facilitates driving a display in a computer system. During operation, the system receives an input video stream from a graphics source. The system directs the input video stream through a front memory buffer and a back memory buffer to produce an output video stream. While directing the input video stream through the set of memory buffers, the system writes a video frame from the input video stream into the back buffer, and concurrently drives the output video stream from a preceding video frame in the front buffer. When the writing of the video frame completes, the system switches buffers so that the back buffer becomes the front buffer, which drives the output video stream, and the front buffer becomes either a spare buffer or the back buffer, which receives a subsequent frame from the input video stream.
US08730249B2
A parallel array architecture for a graphics processor includes a multithreaded core array including a plurality of processing clusters, each processing cluster including at least one processing core operable to execute a pixel shader program that generates pixel data from coverage data; a rasterizer configured to generate coverage data for each of a plurality of pixels; and pixel distribution logic configured to deliver the coverage data from the rasterizer to one of the processing clusters in the multithreaded core array. A crossbar coupled to each of the processing clusters is configured to deliver pixel data from the processing clusters to a frame buffer having a plurality of partitions.
US08730248B2
A multi-graphics processor system includes a CPU; a first GPU connected to the CPU via an input/output interface; and a second GPU connected to the first GPU via a second-GPU interface. The first GPU is provided with a second-GPU bus for communicating the CPU and the second GPU via the second-GPU interface. The CPU communicates with the second GPU via the second-GPU bus after receiving a signal indicating the timing of the data communication.
US08730244B2
A device includes a character-data rotating section that rotates a regular-position character by a predetermined angle with respect to a reference point that is the center point of the background area of the regular-position character by using regular-position character data having a rotation angle of 0° and a center-point matching processing section that horizontally and/or vertically enlarges the background area of the rotated character data to cause the center point of the rotated character and the center point of BMP data to match each other even with respect to rotated character data. Thus, when multiple pieces of character data are arranged so that the center points thereof lie on a reference line, not only are the center points of the characters aligned along the reference line, but also bottom portions of the characters aligned with respect to the reference line.
US08730238B2
A system and method receive an object representative of a new element of a scene to be simulated. A probabilistic prediction of coordinates of the new element in the scene is provided. The new element is placed in the scene as a function of rules for combining probabilistic nature objects in the scene. A visual representation of the simulated scene including the new element is also provided for display.
US08730225B2
An electro-wetting display device includes a polar fluid layer, a pixel electrode, a non-polar black fluid layer, a driving electrode, and a color fluid layer. The non-polar black fluid is deformed by a voltage difference between a voltage applied to the pixel electrode and a voltage applied to the polar fluid layer. the non-polar color fluid is deformed by a voltage difference between a voltage applied to the driving electrode and a voltage applied to the polar fluid layer. The driving electrode receives a voltage having a voltage level varied according to a display mode.
US08730216B2
A display medium drive device includes: a translucent display medium, a back substrate opposing the display substrate, a dispersant sealed between the display substrate and the back substrate, and plural types of particle groups with different colors and charge polarities that are dispersed in the dispersant so as to move in the inter-substrate space in response to an electric field; and a voltage application unit which, in a case of displaying a gradation of a color of a first particle group, applies a first voltage and which is a voltage equal to or greater than a threshold voltage needed to cause at least some of the first particle group to detach from the display substrate or the back substrate and thereafter applies a second voltage that has the same polarity as the first voltage and is lower than the threshold voltage.
US08730215B2
The present invention provides a data latch circuit which can operate stably with a low-amplitude signal, which consumes less electric power, and which is resistant against the variation in TFTs. When an analog switch is turned on, a data signal is inputted to a gate electrode of an n-channel TFT and, at this time, VDD is supplied to an input terminal of an inverter. When the analog switch in turned off, the n-channel TFT is turned on or off depending on a level of the data signal. When the data signal is at an H level, the n-channel TFT is turned on and VSS is supplied to the input terminal of the inverter. When the data signal is at an L level, VDD is supplied to an input terminal of the inverter. Therefore, only VDD and VSS levels are applied to the input terminal of the inverter.
US08730211B2
In an exemplary optical touch circuit and a LCD device using the same, an optical sensing unit is turned on or off according to an irradiation light intensity and accordingly generates a first signal. A first signal readout unit is electrically coupled to the optical sensing unit and turned on or off according to a first operation timing sequence and accordingly outputs the first signal. A touch reference unit is for providing a reference voltage. A second signal readout unit is turned on or off according to a second operation timing sequence and accordingly outputs the reference voltage. The touch sensing unit is electrically coupled to the first and second signal readout units and uses a voltage difference between the first signal and the reference voltage as a basis to determine that whether the optical touch circuit is touched or not.
US08730205B2
Detection of complex input by two touched points are enabled to be detected by a resistive film type touch panel input device equipped with two resistive films facing each other with a minute gap therebetween; a first electrode pair; a second electrode pair extending in directions perpendicular to the first electrode pair; means for applying voltages between the first electrode pair and between the second electrode pair; means for measuring the voltage which is divided at two touch points with respect to the first electrode pair and the second electrode pair, when the resistive films are caused to contact each other by being touched at two points; means for measuring currents that flow between the first electrode pair and between the second electrode pairs when the touch occurs; and discriminating means, for discriminating the trajectories of the two touch points based on the values of the measured voltages and currents.
US08730204B2
An input device processing system comprises a sensor module that transmits a first transmitter signal with a transmitter electrode and receives a resulting signal with a receiver electrode. The first transmitter signal comprises a first transmitter frequency, and the resulting signal comprises effects corresponding to the first transmitter signal. A demodulation module demodulates the resulting signal to produce a first signal (e.g., an upper sideband signal) and a second signal (a lower sideband signal), selectably determines a first measurement of a change in capacitive coupling between the transmitter electrode and the receiver electrode based on at least one of the first and second signals, and determines positional information for an input object based on the first measurement.
US08730201B2
A touch panel includes an insulating base, a plurality of first sensing electrodes, a plurality of second sensing electrodes and a plurality of third sensing electrodes. The insulating base has a first surface and a second surface. The first sensing electrodes and the second sensing electrodes are disposed on the first surface of the insulating base, and electrically isolated from each other. The third sensing electrodes are disposed on the second surface of the insulating base, and each third sensing electrode at least partially overlaps a portion of the first sensing electrodes and a portion of the second sensing electrodes.
US08730192B2
Apparatus and methods are disclosed for simultaneously tracking multiple finger and palm contacts as hands approach, touch, and slide across a proximity-sensing, multi-touch surface. Identification and classification of intuitive hand configurations and motions enables unprecedented integration of typing, resting, pointing, scrolling, 3D manipulation, and handwriting into a versatile, ergonomic computer input device.
US08730187B2
An apparatus includes a memory and a processing device comprising touch sorting logic. The touch sorting logic sorts the raw touch position data in two stages. In each of the stages, the touch sorting logic predicts the centroid positions for each touch of the plurality of touches, compares the predicted centroid positions for each touch and indexes the centroid position for each touch based on the predicted centroid position that is closest to the raw touch position data. The sorted touch position data is sorted according to the touch index assigned to each of the centroid positions for each of the plurality of touches.
US08730185B2
Provided is a user interface comprising a substrate having a through-hole, an annular touch sensor array located on the substrate and at least partially surrounding the through-hole, and a display device in alignment the through-hole.
US08730183B2
A large scale multi-user, multi-touch system with a specialized zone-based user interface including methods for space management and spatial apportioning of audio cues. The system comprises a multi-touch display component fabricated in dimensions sufficient for at least a plurality of users and for displaying projected images and for receiving multi-touch input. The apparatus includes a plurality of image projectors, a plurality of cameras for sensing multi-touch input and the apparatus includes interface software for managing user space. The interface software implements techniques for managing multiple users using the same user interface component by allocating physical spaces within the multi-touch display component and coordinating movement of displayed objects between the physical spaces. Embodiments include a plurality of audio transducers and methods for performing audio spatialization using the plurality of audio transducers corresponding to the physical spaces, apportioning of volume levels to the audio transducers based on movement of a displayed object.
US08730180B2
A mobile terminal including a speaker configured to output sound data, a microphone configured to receive voice data, a sensing unit configured to sense a touching operation of at least one of 1) the speaker or the microphone and 2) a neighborhood area of the speaker or the microphone, and a controller configured to control a volume of the speaker or the microphone based on the sensed touching operation of said at least one of 1) the speaker or the microphone and 2) the neighborhood area of the speaker or the microphone.
US08730175B2
An electronic device including a processor, input device, an informing device and a sensor is presented. The sensor can be adapted to detect the attitude of the device, wherein the sensor can be adapted to communicate data indicative of the attitude of the device to the processor. The processor can be configured to execute instructions to: compare the attitude with a predetermined attitude criteria, and disable the further processing of data received from the input device in the event that the attitude is not less than the predetermined attitude criteria for at least a predetermined period of time. The informing device can be adapted to output a notification when further processing of data from the input device is disabled, the notification indicating the further processing of data from input device is being disabled.
US08730173B2
Provided is an electronic device which easily selects and executes an application relating to characters inputted by a user. A cellular phone is provided with a display unit which displays a character input screen, an operation unit for inputting characters to be displayed on the character input screen, and a control unit which controls the display unit to display a candidate for conversion or a predicted candidate of the characters inputted using the operation unit. The control unit displays the name of an application or the name of a processing in the application as the candidate for conversion or a predicted candidate, and when either name is selected, executes the processing of the application corresponding to the selected name.
US08730166B2
Systems and methods incorporating an embedded sensor in a control stick to detect the presence of an object, such as a thumb. A presence detect signal may be generated by the additional sensor and auto calibration logic then may automatically remove bias from the control stick in real time when the presence detect signal indicates the control stick is not under the influence of a force external to the controller, and therefore at its neutral mechanical position. In further embodiments, embedded sensors are arrayed across an exterior surface of a control stick as a secondary control stick-based positional input device. In such embodiments, tactile or proximity sensor technology may be applied to either improve precision of first positional information generated by the control stick or to control a coordinate space separate from that controlled by first position information provided by the control stick.
US08730162B1
In one general aspect, a computer-readable storage medium can store instructions that when executed cause a computing device to perform a process. The instructions can include instructions to receive a cursor behavior representing an interaction with a user interface where the interaction is triggered via a cursor device. The instructions can include instructions to identify a deviation of the cursor behavior from an expected cursor behavior, and calculate a cursor value related to a responsiveness of the cursor device based on the deviation.
US08730161B2
There is provided an information processing apparatus including a reception section which receives contact position information indicating a contact position of an operating tool on a contact surface, a cursor position control section which decides pre-movement position information indicating a position on a display surface of a cursor before being moved based on the contact position information. The reception section further receives an operating tool-movement vector indicating a direction in which and a distance by which the operating tool moves on the contact surface from the contact position while being in contact with the contact surface. The cursor position control section calculates a cursor-movement vector based on the operating tool-movement vector, and decides post-movement position information indicating a position of the cursor after being moved on a basis of the pre-movement position information and in accordance with the cursor-movement vector.
US08730148B2
A method of driving a light source of a light source module including a red light source, a green light source and a blue light source, includes sensing a luminous intensity of the environment; and adjusting a wavelength of light generated from the light source module according to the luminous intensity of the environment.
US08730144B2
A driving circuit includes a plurality of stages driven in response to a start signal. Each normal stage outputs a gate signal and a carry signal, increases an electric potential of a node in response to a previous carry signal of a previous stage, and decreases the gate signal to a first voltage in response to a carry signal from a next stage. Each stage applies a second voltage lower than the first voltage to the node in response to receipt of a carry signal from a second next stage. A first dummy stage outputs a first dummy carry signal to the last two normal stages in response to a last carry signal from the last normal stage and the start signal, and a second dummy stage outputs a second dummy carry signal to the last normal stage in response to the first dummy carry signal and the start signal.
US08730141B2
The present invention discloses a display pixel structure, a liquid crystal panel, a liquid crystal display (LCD) device and a driving method. Said display pixel structure comprises multiple parallel pixel areas; each said pixel area comprises two single rows of first sib-pixel area and second sub-pixel area which are mutually parallel; said second sub-pixel area comprises multiple pixel elements; every three adjacent pixel elements form a group; and the three pixel elements of each group are respectively corresponding to three primary colors. The present invention has the advantages that the corresponding phase retardation coating is not exceeded within the range of wider light; the XTALK problem under the condition of large-angle light is avoided; the viewed color is not changed because the light emitted by each pixel of the second sub-pixel area is not blocked; and higher aperture opening ratio is obtained.
US08730135B2
A self-luminous display panel driving method for driving a self-luminous display panel of the active matrix driving type, includes the step of executing threshold value correction operation for a driving transistor divisionally in a plurality of periods within at least one of which, after a point of time of an end of a preceding correction period till a point of time of a start of a succeeding correction period, a potential to be applied to the drain electrode of the driving transistor is controlled to an intermediate potential between a first potential for lighting driving of the driving transistor and a second potential for initialization applied within a preparation period of the first one of the correction periods.
US08730120B2
Provided are a transmission/reception antenna and a transmission/reception device using the same wherein the transmission/reception antenna comprises an excitation loop antenna (12) having a loop of a single turn and a transmission/reception loop antenna (14) having a pair of loops (14a, 14b) of a plurality of turns which are closely wound around a magnetic member (11). The two loops of the transmission/reception loop antenna are located on either side of the excitation loop. A resonance capacitor (15) is connected across one ends of the two loops of the transmission/reception loop antenna, and a connecting portion (14c) is connected between the ends of the two loops opposite to those connected to the resonance capacitor. The frequency property is expanded without increasing the power consumption.
US08730118B1
A biconical antenna driven by an equal-delay transformer is provided herein with a bifurcating ground plane. According to one embodiment, the biconical antenna comprises a pair of cone-shaped elements and a conducting ground plate. The cone-shaped elements are arranged back-to-back to one another and aligned along a first axis. The conducting ground plate is arranged between the cone-shaped elements in a plane perpendicular to the first axis. As described herein, the bifurcating ground plane provides the decoupling needed to eliminate the anomalous undulations, which tend to occur in the antenna response at odd-integer average quarter-wave frequencies.
US08730115B2
A craft (e.g., an aircraft, a spacecraft, a watercraft, a vehicle such as an automotive vehicle or a rail vehicle, or any suitable mobile platform) may incorporate a first inertial measurement unit. A calibration unit incorporating a second inertial measurement unit may be mounted to the craft with a mount point. One or more first inertial measurements may be received from the first inertial measurement unit and the second inertial measurement unit. One or more antenna pointing controller calibration parameters may be determined based at least in part on the first inertial measurement(s) and the second inertial measurement(s). An antenna pointing controller may be configured with the determined calibration parameters and may control a steerable antenna subsystem mounted with the mount point utilizing the determined calibration parameters. The mount point may be keyed such that inertial measurements with the mounted calibration unit are applicable to the mounted steerable antenna subsystem.
US08730109B2
Radio transmitting and receiving slot antenna, comprising a transmitting and receiving portion, means for connection to a transmitting and/or receiving circuit, said transmitting and receiving portion being formed of two volumes of liquid delimiting a slot, and means to modify the shape of said volumes of liquid and to modify the width of the slot, said means to modify the shape of said volume of liquid using electrostatic forces, the liquid being electrically conductive, and a control unit controlling the means to deform the volumes of fluid.
US08730091B2
The target identification technology described herein includes a method, a system, and a computer program product. In some examples, the system includes a length estimation module configured to determine a length of a target from a radar image based on a range profile, the radar image, and one or more adaptive parameters. The system can include a points of interest module configured to identify at least one point of interest of the target from the radar image based on the length of the target, the range profile, the radar image, the one or more adaptive parameters, and Hough Line processing. The system can include an identification module configured to determine a target identification from a plurality of identification classes based on the length of the target and the at least one point of interest of the target.
US08730089B2
There are provided an object distinguishing unit that distinguishes an object every predetermined calculation cycle; and a state determination unit that determines a relative state between the object distinguished by the object distinguishing unit and a vehicle and that performs switching control in which based on the result of the determination, there is performed switching from one of a first angle detection unit and a second angle detection unit to the other in the next calculation cycle, and the value of an incident angle is inputted to the object distinguishing unit.
US08730085B2
A method and system for detecting the presence of subsurface objects within a medium is provided. In some embodiments, the imaging and detection system operates in a multistatic mode to collect radar return signals generated by an array of transceiver antenna pairs that is positioned across the surface and that travels down the surface. The imaging and detection system pre-processes the return signal to suppress certain undesirable effects. The imaging and detection system then generates synthetic aperture radar images from real aperture radar images generated from the pre-processed return signal. The imaging and detection system then post-processes the synthetic aperture radar images to improve detection of subsurface objects. The imaging and detection system identifies peaks in the energy levels of the post-processed image frame, which indicates the presence of a subsurface object.
US08730081B2
A method of an aspect includes acquiring analog image data with a pixel array, and reading out the analog image data from the pixel array. The analog image data is converted to digital image data by performing an analog-to-digital (A/D) conversion using a multiple slope voltage ramp. At least some of the digital image data is adjusted with calibration data. Other methods, apparatus, and systems, are also disclosed.
US08730080B2
An analog-to-digital converter is provided. The analog-to-digital converter includes a sampling-voltage providing circuit, a first comparison circuit, a second comparison circuit, and an encoder circuit. The sampling-voltage providing circuit provides a group of first comparison voltages and a group of second comparison voltages. The first comparison circuit performs a first comparison operation to an analog-signal input quantity according to the group of first comparison voltages to generate a first comparison digital quantity. The second comparison circuit selects second comparison voltages among the group of second comparison voltages according to the first comparison digital quantity and performs a second comparison operation to the analog-signal input quantity according to the selected second comparison voltages to generate a second comparison digital quantity. The encoder circuit encodes the first comparison digital quantity and the second comparison digital quantity and generates a digital quantity corresponding to the analog-signal input quantity.
US08730075B2
An apparatus, comprising: a charge-pump; a sampler that samples an optical signal, including: a black sampler; a video sampler; and an analog to digital converter. The first aspect further provides a single clock that is coupled to and provides clocking signals to: a) the charge-pump logic that is coupled to the charge-pump; and b) the sampler logic that is coupled to the sampler that samples the optical signal, wherein if the clock for the charge pump is running faster than an analog front end (“AFE”) video sampling clock, a state-machine control is configured to: skip the charge pump clock period right before a video sample signal falling edge, thereby recovering to a normal operation the next charge-pump clock period, wherein this duty cycle modulation of charge pump clock will not substantially impact charge pump output.
US08730070B2
A decoding method for unary/kth order exponential Golomb (UEGk) codes is provided. The first step is a receiving step: receiving N bits from an input stream and updating a bit count. If the N bits are all one, the receiving step is re-performed. If the N bits includes zero, a searching step is performed to find a first value based on the bit count. Subsequently, according to the bit count and a threshold value, a remaining bit number M is calculated. A second value is generated based on M remaining bits received from the input stream. Then, the first value and the second value are added, so as to generate an index.
US08730061B2
A method comprises: disposing an on-board unit at a preset relative position with respect to a road-side unit; transmitting a signal by the road-side unit; receiving the signal by the on-board unit and detecting a strength of the received signal; calculating, by the on-board unit, a calculated strength of the received signal according to the detected strength of the received signal; storing the calculated strength of the received signal in a memory accessible by the on-board unit; using the stored calculated strength of the received signal to determine if payment of a toll should be made.
US08730049B2
A water sensing electrode circuit comprises a voltage source; first electrode; second electrode; first resistor; second resistor; and an inverting comparator with an internal reference voltage, Vc; wherein: said voltage source, first electrode, second electrode, first resistor and second resistor are connected in series; and the negative input of said voltage comparator is attached to the junction of said first and second resistor.
US08730045B2
An RFID-based sensor is provided with an RFID chip and an antenna electrically connected to the RFID chip. The antenna is adapted to receive energy from an RF field and produce a signal. The sensor also includes a sensing material electrically connected to the antenna and having an electrical property which varies in the presence of an environmental factor. The sensor is further provided with a dielectric spacer material and a ground element which is adapted to at least partially isolate the sensing material from the environmental factor.
US08730041B2
A utility cart includes a sensor or plurality of sensors to determine the state of a cart and secure cart contents. A sensor may be used to determine whether the contents of the cart have been accessed. When the sensor determines that the cart has been accessed, an alarm sequence that sounds an alarm or activates a visual indicator will be initiated. The alarm sequence may be terminated by a kill switch or by using an input device to deactivate the alarm. After the cart is used, the cart is re-stocked and the alarm controller is re-armed to return the cart's alarm system to an access sensing state.
US08730030B2
A method and system (10) are provided for preventing accidental intrusion into a hazardous area (12) at a worksite (14). The system (10) includes a transmitter (16), a signal wire (18) connected to the transmitter (16) to emit a wireless signal (19) driven by the transmitter (16), with the signal wire (18) configured for placement between the hazardous area (12) and a nonhazardous area (22) at the worksite (14), a sensor (24) configured to be carried on a person (28) at the worksite (14) and to sense the wireless signal (19) from the signal wire (18) when the sensor (24) is within a predetermined distance from the signal wire 18, and at least one alerting device (30) operably associated with the sensor (24) to generate an alert to the person (28) carrying the sensor (24) in response to the sensor (24) sensing the wireless signal (19).
US08730026B2
The vehicular lamp of the present disclosure includes a lamp control unit configured to control the lighting state of the lamp, the sound generating device configured to generate an alarm sound from the lamp when the device is driven, and a sound generating control unit configured to control the sound generating device. The lamp control unit is configured such that a normal operation of the lamp control unit itself becomes impossible so as not to turn ON the lamp unit normally when a remodeling is performed to the sound generating control unit cutting off, for example, a power source line VW, a control line CW, and a driving line MW which are connected to the sound generating unit.
US08730017B2
A first antenna section included in an antenna has a first conductor, supplies electric power to a plurality of tags, and transmits electromagnetic waves to and receives electromagnetic waves from the plurality of tags. One end of the first conductor is a feeding point and an other end of the first conductor is an open end. The first conductor is connected to a reader-writer device for communicating with the plurality of tags. The first conductor can output electromagnetic waves. A second antenna section included in the antenna has a second conductor one end of which is a feeding point, an other end of which is an open end, and which is opposite to the first conductor of the first antenna section with the plurality of tags therebetween.
US08730015B2
A duplication detection module may be configured to determine if data on a RFID tag is encoded. If the data on the RFID tag is not encoded, the duplication detection module may determine that the RFID tag is a duplicate RFID tag and that an item associated with the duplicate RFID tag is counterfeit. If the data on the RFID tag is encoded, the duplication detection module may cause the decoder to decode the data on the RFID tag using a private key of a receiving party as a decoding parameter. The module may check for an item identifier and a sender identifier as a part of the encoded data, determine whether the item identifier has previously been read to determine if the RFID tag was duplicated during transport and compare the sender identifier with an expected sender identifier to determine if the RFID tag was duplicated during transport.
US08730014B2
An improved system and method for monitoring objects, people, animals, or places uses a passive Modulating Reflector (MR) tag where a characteristic of an antenna is modified according to a time-varying pattern by a modulating network thereby causing the reflective characteristics of the antenna to vary in accordance with the time-varying pattern. When an interrogator transmits an RF waveform that impinges on the antenna, the return signal reflecting off the antenna is modulated in accordance with the time-varying pattern allowing a remote receiver to demodulate information from the modulated return signal. The antenna is embedded in a dielectric material. The MR tag can be used with a wide variety of tag-interrogator configurations employing monostatic and/or bistatic radar techniques to allow monitoring, locating, and/or tracking of objects, people, animals, or place with which MR tags are associated.
US08730009B2
There provided an exemplary smart card. The exemplary smart card comprises a microphone for capturing an audio signal. The exemplary smart card also comprises at least one processor for processing the audio signal.
US08730006B2
Provided is an engine control unit, which supports an antitheft system outputting, when a key ID registered in a portable device matches an authentication-purpose key ID registered in a receiver, a receiver status signal that contains information indicating that the portable device has been authenticated, and which is initiated in response to an initiating instruction has not been issued from an external, includes: starting control unit for controlling a starting operation of an engine in response to a start permission signal; storage unit registered with an authentication-purpose receiver ID for authenticating the receiver; and antitheft function install/non-install judging unit for judging whether or not the antitheft function is installed to the moving object, in which, when the authentication-purpose receiver ID is not registered in the storage unit and the receiver status signal is not entered, the antitheft function install/non-install judging unit judges that the antitheft function is not installed, and outputs the start permission signal to the starting control unit.
US08730005B2
The invention is directed to a control system for managing access of users to a plurality of restricted areas. The control system includes at least one manager module and one or more provider modules. The modules are configured in particular fashions.
US08730001B2
Provided is a reactor and a reactor component that can prevent cracking of a resin portion that is interposed between a coil and an internal core portion. The reactor includes a coil 10 and a core that includes an internal core portion 22 and a couple core portion 24. The coil 10 is formed by helically winding a wire. The internal core portion 22 is disposed inside the coil and forms a part of a closed magnetic path. The couple core portion 24 is joined to the internal core portion 22 and forms the remaining part of the closed magnetic path. The reactor includes a resin portion (internal resin portion 30) including a region that is interposed between the coil 10 and the internal core portion 22, and a cushioning member 70 that is interposed between the resin portion and the internal core portion 22 and that does not cover the couple core portion 24. It is preferable that the material of the cushioning member 70 has a Young's modulus that is smaller than a resin material of the resin portion.
US08729999B2
There is provided a multi-layered chip electronic component, including: a multi-layered body including a plurality of first magnetic layers on which conductive patterns are formed; and second magnetic layers interposed between the first magnetic layers within the multi-layered body, wherein the conductive patterns are electrically connected to form coil patterns in a stacking direction, and when a thickness of the second magnetic layer is defined as Ts and a thickness of the conductive pattern is defined as Te, 0.1≦Ts:Te≦0.3 is satisfied.
US08729993B2
In a solenoid, a coil is energized in a state where movement of a plunger toward the inside of a yoke is stopped. Accordingly, when the coil is energized, it suffice that movement of the plunger toward the outside of the yoke is inhibited by a magnetic force, and it is not necessary to move the plunger into the yoke by the magnetic force. Therefore, it is not necessary that a force moving the plunger toward the inside of the yoke is increased by a conventional core. Accordingly, the conventional core is not assembled in a frame, so that number of components can be decreased so as to reduce the cost.
US08729986B2
An electromagnetic switching device includes: a housing; first contacts coupled to the housing; a second contact which is brought into contact with the first contacts and separated from the first contacts; and an actuator for driving the second contact such that the second contact is brought into contact with the first contacts and separated from the first contacts, wherein any one of the first contacts and the second contact includes an elastic deformation portion elastically deformed when the first contacts and the second contact are brought into contact. Vibration and noise generated when contacts are brought into contact can be suppressed.
US08729982B2
The elementary filter of the HBAR type includes two resonators (20, 22) of the HBAR type which are each formed by a transducer (8) and a substrate (12) which are coupled in a suitable manner by electroacoustic waves. The first resonator (20), the second resonator (22) and the coupling element (28) by way of evanescent waves include the same monobloc acoustic substrate (12) which is arranged facing and coupled to the piezoelectric transducer (8) by waves having the same longitudinal or transverse vibration mode through the same reference electrode (10).
US08729964B2
A power envelope controller configured for use with an amplification stage and method are disclosed. The power envelope controller includes voltage feedback input circuitry configured to receive a voltage feedback signal representing an internal voltage drop across the amplification stage and current feedback input circuitry configured to receive a current feedback signal representing an output current of the amplification stage. An analog multiplier is configured to generate an internal power dissipation signal representing the internal power dissipation of the amplification stage based on the voltage and current feedback signals. A comparator circuit is configured to compare the internal power dissipation signal to a power threshold and generate a power control error signal when the internal power dissipation of the amplification stage exceeds the threshold.
US08729955B2
For thermal compensation for an intrinsic element in a system, a circuit and method are proposed to predict the temperature variation caused by power loss of the intrinsic element, in addition to sense the external environment temperature variation of the intrinsic element, and thus sense the operational temperature of the intrinsic element more precisely.
US08729946B2
A clock generation circuit includes first and second logic circuits and a switch circuit. The first logic circuit has a first circuit threshold value lower than a circuit threshold value of a front-stage circuit, receives an input clock output from the front-stage circuit, and outputs a first output signal in accordance with a logic state of the input clock and the first circuit threshold value. The second logic circuit has a second circuit threshold value higher than the circuit threshold value of the front-stage circuit, receives the input clock output from the front-stage circuit, and outputs a second output signal in accordance with the logic state of the input clock and the second circuit threshold value. The switch circuit receives the first and second output signals and outputs, as an output clock, one of first and second voltages corresponding to different logic states.
US08729945B2
A printed circuit board includes multiple receiving components for respectively receiving control signals and a transmitting component coupled to the receiving component through multiple leads. Given that the lengths of the leads may be different to each other, the control unit generates the control signals to the leads according to the information about the leads, and firstly delivers at least one of the control signals to the corresponding receiving component(s), and then delivers the remaining control signals to the receiving components after a predetermined time. Furthermore, a method for controlling a signal sequence for the printed circuit board includes generating multiple control signals depending on the information about leads and delivering at least one of the control signals to the corresponding receiving component and delivering the remaining control signals to the remaining receiving components after the predetermined time.
US08729938B2
It is an object of the present invention to provide a phase locked loop in which a voltage signal input to a voltage controlled oscillator after a return from a stand-by state becomes constant in a short time and power consumption is reduced. A transistor including a semiconductor layer formed using an oxide semiconductor material is provided between an input terminal of a voltage controlled oscillator and a capacitor of a loop filter. The transistor is turned on in a normal operation state and turned off in a stand-by state.
US08729935B2
One or more techniques and systems for starting an output driver and an associated start-up circuit are provided herein. In some embodiments, a voltage provider is configured to charge a charge store to a pre-turn-on voltage. In some embodiments, an output driver is configured to control a connection between the charge store and the output driver. For example, the connection enables the charge store to discharge a voltage to the output driver, thus starting the output driver. Accordingly, a response time associated with starting the output driver is mitigated at least because the charge store is charged to the pre-turn-on voltage and connected to the output driver such that a gate of the driver is biased in a sudden fashion. In this manner, the driver is turned on more quickly. Additionally, effects associated with process, voltage, and temperature variations are mitigated, for example.
US08729932B2
A frequency multiplier for generating an output signal having a frequency N times the input signal, with N equal to or greater than 3, the frequency multiplier including a phase splitter circuit responsive to the input signal for generating N signals with phase differences, and a mixer circuit responsive to the N signals of the phasor circuit for providing an output signal having a frequency N times the input signal.
US08729927B2
A drive circuit includes a switching transistor having a design maximum voltage V2 and a cascode transistor having a design maximum voltage V1, wherein the cascode transistor is source-drain coupled in series with the switching transistor. The circuit further includes a current source coupled between an intermediate voltage node and a gate of the cascode transistor. If the drive circuit is a low side driver, the intermediate voltage node receives an intermediate voltage Vmed set below a high supply voltage Vhigh and that meets the following conditions: a) Vmed<=V2 and b) Vhigh−Vmed<=V1. If the drive circuit is a high side driver, the intermediate voltage node receives an intermediate voltage Vmed set below the high supply voltage and that mees the following conditions: a) Vmed<=V1 and b) Vhigh−Vmed<=V2. The circuit may be configured as a push pull driver by coupling a high side driver and low side driver in series.
US08729925B2
In one embodiment, an internal buffer may be provided within an integrated circuit (IC) to convert a signal to an output current to be output via a pin of the IC, under control of a switch which can be controlled based on a configuration setting of the IC, and may selectively directly couple the signal to the pin when the IC is coupled to an external driver circuit.
US08729924B2
Embodiments of the invention are generally directed to a single-ended configurable multi-mode driver. An embodiment of an apparatus includes an input to receive an input signal, an output to transmit a driven signal generated from the input signal on a communication channel, a mechanism for independently configuring a termination resistance of the driver apparatus, and a mechanism for independently configuring a voltage swing of the driven signal without modifying a supply voltage for the apparatus.
US08729919B2
With a light source evaluation device 10 according to the present invention and a solar cell evaluation device 1 employing the same, a dependency P (λ, Ib) for each wavelength λ of a short-circuit current Ib generated by white bias light of a measurement target solar cell 2, which is pre-measured at each of a plurality (i) of irradiance levels, is regarded as a spectral responsivity Pi (λ) at each irradiance level, and a value for adjusting a light quantity of an illumination light source 3 that illuminates the solar cell 2 is computed using a spectral responsivity Ps (λ), which is computed using the spectral responsivity Pi (λ), a pre-supplied spectral irradiance S (λ) of reference sunlight, and a pre-measured spectral irradiance L (λ) of the illumination light source 3. Therefore the light source evaluation device 10 having this configuration and the solar cell evaluation device 1 employing the same can accurately adjust the light quantity of the illumination light source 3 when evaluating the solar cell 2 of which spectral responsivity changes depending on the light quantity.
US08729914B2
A circuit arrangement includes: a reverse conducting IGBT configured to allow for conducting a load current in a forward direction and in a reverse direction, the IGBT having a load current path and a gate electrode; a gate control unit connected to the gate electrode and configured to activate or deactivate the IGBT by charging or, respectively, discharging the gate electrode in accordance with a gate control signal; a gate driver unit configured to detect whether the IGBT conducts current in the forward direction or the reverse direction by sensing a gate current caused by a change of a voltage drop across the load path due to a changing of the reverse conducting IGBT into its reverse conducting state, the gate control unit further configured to deactivate the IGBT or to prevent an activation of the IGBT via its gate electrode when the gate driver unit detects that the IGBT is in its reverse conducting state.
US08729913B2
A capacitance sensing system may include a current conveyor circuit coupled to receive induced current from a capacitance sensing structure at a low impedance current input port; and a comparator having an input coupled to a high impedance output port of the current conveyor circuit, and an output coupled to the current conveyor circuit by a feedback path and coupled to drive the capacitance sensing structure to generate the induced current.
US08729908B2
A monitoring circuit and method, wherein a voltage waveform having a linear falling edge is applied to a first node of at least one test memory cell (e.g., a plurality of test memory cells connected in parallel). The input voltage at the first node is captured when the output voltage at a second node of the test memory cell(s) rises above a high reference voltage during the falling edge. Then, a difference is determined between the input voltage as captured and either (1) the output voltage at the second node, as captured when the input voltage at the first node falls below the first reference voltage during the falling edge, or (2) a low reference voltage. This difference is proportional to the static noise margin (SNM) of the test memory cell(s) such that any changes in the difference noted with repeated monitoring are indicative of corresponding changes in the SNM.
US08729905B2
This invention relates to a method of detecting faults on an electrical power line (7) and a sensor (5) for use in such a method. Preferably, the sensor is a line-mounted sensor (5). The method comprises the initial step of determining an initial impedance profile for the power line (7), and thereafter the method comprises the subsequent steps of the line-mounted sensor (5) transmitting a conducted communication signal (41) along the power line, receiving a reflected signal (43) particular to the transmitted communication signal and correlating the transmitted signal and the reflected signal. By correlating the signals, it is possible to determine the actual impedance of the power line. The actual impedance of the power line may then be compared with the initial impedance profile and it is possible to ascertain whether a fault exists on the power line. Preferably, the method uses an adaptive filter to determine the location of the fault.
US08729903B2
Method for assessing hydrocarbon source rock potential of a subsurface region without well log information. The method uses surface electromagnetic (121) and seismic (122) survey data to obtain vertical profiles of resistivity and velocity (123), which are then analyzed in the same way as well log data are analyzed by the well known Delta Log R method (124).
US08729902B1
Metal detectors use graphical displays offering many analysis methods and user options which were not possible before. The new graphical detector displays allow new ways to display target information that enable better methods of analyzing and viewing target data. Graphical detectors have menu structures with dozens of operating parameters which can be modified by the user. Some of these parameters are able to be changed on-the-fly without having to suspend detector operation.
US08729898B2
A capillary cartridge assembly for positioning a sample fluid at a geometric center between juxtaposed pole pieces of a NMR magnet assembly for NMR analysis comprises a capillary captured in a channel in a printed circuit board assembly that is sized to fit between the pole pieces. The assembly includes a RF coil surrounding a portion of the capillary. Electric traces shaped to function as shim coils can be included in the printed circuit board. An end of the printed circuit board includes electrically conductive contacts that plug into a receptacle to connect the RF coil and traces to external electrical circuitry when the RF coil is in the geometric center. The capillary can be a continuous flow-through capillary or a closed cartridge.
US08729894B2
Systems and methods for operating a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) during ramping are provided. One method includes reducing pressure in a cryogen vessel of an MRI system during magnet ramping. The method also includes returning pressure in the cryogen vessel to a normal operating pressure level after magnet ramping is complete.
US08729885B2
Some embodiments herein relate to a sensor package. The sensor package includes a printed circuit board with a laminar current conductor arranged on a first main surface of the printed circuit board. The sensor package also includes a sensor chip adapted to measure a current flowing through the laminar current conductor, wherein the sensor chip comprises a magnetic field sensor. The sensor chip is electrically insulated from the current conductor by the printed circuit board, and is arranged on a second main surface of the printed circuit board opposite to the first main surface. The sensor chip is hermetically sealed between the mold material and the printed circuit board, or is arranged in the printed circuit board and hermetically sealed by the printed circuit board.
US08729882B2
An example circuit includes a capacitance circuit coupled between a first node and a second node. A regulator circuit is coupled to the capacitance circuit to regulate a supply voltage across the capacitance circuit with a charge current during a normal operation mode of the circuit. A slew rate control circuit is coupled to the capacitance circuit and the regulator circuit. The slew rate control circuit is coupled to set a slew rate of a change in voltage over change in time between the first and second nodes during a power up mode of the circuit. The slew rate control circuit includes a transistor coupled between the first and second nodes to shunt excess current from the charge current.
US08729880B2
A regulator circuit comprising an input for receiving an input voltage; an output stage, configured to switch between said input voltage and a reference voltage to generate an output voltage, in dependence on a modulated signal; a controller, configured to receive an error signal (VERROR) on a control input and to provide the modulated signal to said output stage; an error amplifier, for providing the error signal to the controller in dependence on the output voltage; and presetting circuitry, configured to estimate the error signal in dependence on at least the input voltage, and for presetting the control input with the estimated error signal.
US08729875B2
A method and circuit for controlling the delivery of power having a current component to a load having an inductive component, the method comprising selectively switching power to the load with a switch, wherein the switch is caused to operate at the threshold of saturation during a conduction state such that the switch self commutates to its off state when the magnitude of the current through the load is substantially zero. The method and circuit may be used in a number of applications for detecting a current zero crossing and may be applied to circuits such as dimmer circuits.
US08729872B2
A multiphase control system is provided, which is adapted to convert power of an input power source into an output voltage for outputting through an output terminal. The multiphase control system comprises a plurality of control units connected in series to form a loop. Each of the control units receives a sequential input signal from an adjacent control unit connected there before through a multiphase input terminal, and generates a control signal to control power transmission from the input power source to the output terminal when determining that the output voltage is lower than a predetermined voltage value, and generates a sequential output signal at a multiphase output terminal for outputting to an adjacent control unit connected there after.
US08729871B2
The present invention concerns a circuit for operating a consumer comprising a current source to provide a power supply for a consumer and a first switch connected in parallel with the consumer, in which through opening and closing of the first switch the power is transmitted to the consumer in the form of square wave current pulses. Here, a second switch is connected in parallel to the first switch and in series to the consumer which is opened and closed in anti-phase manner to the first switch, and a load with high load voltage is connected in parallel to the first switch and in series to the consumer. Furthermore, the present invention concerns a method for operating a circuit.
US08729851B2
A battery pack features a shock-absorbing and sealed construction and an electronic control module that provides automatic recovery circuitry in the event of a short circuit in the load whereby the power is terminated and then restarted at a lower level so that removal of the short circuit may be detected. Full power is restored to the load when the short circuit is removed. In addition, the electronic control module of the battery pack uses the battery pack load, such as a cap lamp, to provide an indication of a low battery charge level. The electronic control module also provides a soft-start feature where the power provided to the bulb is ramped up to avoid current in-rush to the bulb during startup.
US08729847B2
Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to methods, systems and apparatus for mapping torque to current to generate current commands used to control operation of an electric machine. Based on a DC input voltage, lookup tables (LUTs) are selected. Each of the selected LUTs includes a plurality (B) of first entries that correspond a particular input value of an angular rotation speed of the electric machine, and a set of coefficients are output from each of the selected LUTs that can be applied within a first polynomial function to generate a plurality of first polynomial functions each having a different sets of coefficients. A plurality of particular output values for a first current command are generated via the plurality of first polynomial functions. The particular output values for the first current command can be interpolated to generate a final output value for the first current command.
US08729845B2
A method and device for controlling an electric motor, in particular a machine tool drive, wherein during a sensorless open-loop control mode of operation of the electric motor the speed and the torque are determined from the motor current and the motor voltage, and the moment of inertia of the electric motor torque are determined from the determined motor current and the determined motor voltage, wherefrom then a control torque is determined, which is then associated with an open-loop torque control value and supplied as the torque setpoint value to a control element for setting the motor current and/or the motor voltage in the open-loop mode of operation. As long as the speed is below a minimum speed, the control element receives as input variable a control or pilot control torque generated from a predefined moment of inertia for a sensorless closed-loop control mode of operation of the electric motor.
US08729842B2
Apparatus and associated systems and methods may relate to a process for supplying unidirectional current to a load, controlling a reverse electromotive force (REMF), capturing inductive energy from the load, and supplying the captured inductive energy to the load. In an illustrative example, an operating cycle may include a sequence of operations. First, inductive energy captured from the load on a previous cycle may be supplied to the load. Second, energy may be supplied to the load from an external power source. Third, a REMF voltage may be substantially controlled upon disconnecting the power source from the load. Fourth, the load current may be brought to zero by capturing the inductive energy for use on a subsequent cycle. In some embodiments, a single power stage may supply a DC inductive load, or a pair of power stages may be operated to supply bidirectional current to an AC load.
US08729841B2
An electronic circuit and an associated method used to drive an electric motor provide a user selectable relationship between rotational speed of the electric motor and phase advances of signals used to drive the electric motor. By selecting the relationship, efficiency of the electric motor drive can be improved.
US08729840B2
When a forced commutation mode ends, a switchover to a sensorless control mode is made. The sensorless control mode immediately after the switchover to the sensorless control mode is executed with a power source current maximum value set at a value higher than a rated current value of a motor. The sensorless control mode immediately after the switchover is executed only over a predetermined period of time, and, after a lapse of the predetermined period of time, a steady sensorless control mode is executed. In the steady sensorless control mode, the power source current maximum value is set at a value equal to the rated current value of the motor.
US08729835B2
A lighting system for areal illumination is disclosed which may include a remote driver and a plurality of fixtures including luminaires. The luminaires may include a light source whose output light level can be adjusted, a light sensor co-located therewith adapted to measure light received from adjacent fixtures. The remote driver may provide power for the light sources of the luminaires.
US08729832B2
A system comprising a luminaire, a computerized device, and a docking member establishing electrical communication between the luminaire and the computerized device is disclosed. The luminaire may include an optic, a light source, a controller operably coupled to the light source, and an electrical connector configured to couple with the dock. The light source may be operable to emit light having a variety of characteristics, such as luminous intensity, color, color temperature, and any other characteristics of light. The controller may be programmable by a signal received from the computerized device via the dock.
US08729831B2
A constant-current power source unit has a variable power source which can adjust an output voltage. To detect a voltage applied to the gas discharge tube, a voltage detection unit is provided. A power source controlling unit configured to control the voltage by adding a predetermined voltage to the voltage taken in from the voltage detection unit after the electric discharge is started in the gas discharge tube.
US08729828B2
The present invention provides an integrated circuit controller for ballast with preheat/repreheat filament and ignition time control. A charge/discharge circuit is connected to a capacitor to provide the charge/discharge path for the capacitor. It charges when integrated circuit controller without errors and discharges when error occurred during lamp operation or power tripped. A control circuit is coupled to the charge/discharge circuit to control the charge/discharge circuit to charge or discharge the capacitor. A compare circuit is coupled to the charge/discharge circuit to compare a voltage signal on the capacitor from the charge/discharge circuit with threshold voltages for timing control and providing a preheat signal and an ignition signal. A control logic circuit is coupled to the control circuit to control the control circuit and coupled to the compare circuit to receive the preheat signal and the ignition signal for preheating the filament and igniting the lamp. The control logic circuit further receives a feedback voltage for over voltage protect. Once the feedback voltage is over its threshold voltage in the control logic circuit, the control logic circuit controls the control circuit for discharging the capacitor.
US08729825B2
A computing device is disclosed. The computing device includes a housing having an illuminable portion. The computing device also includes a light device disposed inside the housing. The light device is configured to illuminate the illuminable portion.
US08729815B2
A current control system, and method for controlling current, and a lighting system including the same, are provided. The current control system includes front end circuitry to receive an input voltage and provide a regulated DC voltage to current source circuitry via a first input voltage terminal. Dimming interface circuitry provides a pulse width modulation signal to conversion circuitry, which uses the pulse width modulation signal to generate an analog voltage. The conversion circuitry sends the analog voltage to the current source circuitry via a second input voltage terminal. The current source circuitry uses the regulated DC voltage and the analog voltage to create an output current. The output current drives a load, which, in the lighting system, is one or more solid state light sources.
US08729811B2
A single magnetic storage element is used to provide power to multiple lighting devices, which may be strings of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) of different color. A switching circuit controls alternating application of energy among the multiple lighting devices and another switching circuit may charge the primary winding to different energy levels to control the intensity of the multiple lighting devices. In particular, the multiple lighting devices may be controlled to provide a desired color profile while dimming the lighting devices, while requiring only a single magnetic storage element for supplying energy to the lighting devices.
US08729806B2
A novel ion source is described having an improved lifetime. The ion source, in one embodiment, is a proton source, including an external RF antenna mounted to an RF window. To prevent backstreaming electrons formed in the beam column from striking the RF window, a back streaming electron dump is provided, which in one embodiment is formed of a cylindrical tube, open at one end to the ion source chamber and capped at its other end by a metal plug. The plug, maintained at the same electrical potential as the source, captures these backstreaming electrons, and thus prevents localized heating of the window, which due to said heating, might otherwise cause window damage.
US08729797B2
A manufacturing method of an OLED display is provided. The method includes: forming an organic emission layer and a thin film encapsulation layer covering the organic emission layer on a substrate including a pixel area and a peripheral area; adhering a laminating film including a plurality of adhesive layers and an upper protective layer that covers an upper adhesive layer from among the adhesive layers on the thin film encapsulation layer, a lower adhesive layer from among the adhesive layers contacting the thin film encapsulation layer; radiating UV light on the laminating film that corresponds to the peripheral area of the substrate to decrease adhesion between the lower adhesive layer and the thin film encapsulation layer corresponding to the peripheral area; and peeling the laminating film corresponding to the peripheral area from the thin film encapsulation layer to maintain the laminating film that corresponds to the pixel area.
US08729795B2
Color purity of a light emitting element is improved without an adverse effect such as reduction in voltage and luminance efficiency. The light emitting element has a light emitting laminated body including a light emitting layer between a pair of electrodes. A buffer layer is provided to be in contact with at least one of the electrodes. One of the electrodes is an electrode having high reflectance and the other is a translucent electrode. By employing a translucent electrode, light can be transmitted and reflected. An optical distance between the electrodes is adjusted in accordance with a thickness of the buffer layer, and accordingly, light can be resonated between the electrodes. The buffer layer is made of a composite material including an organic compound and a metal compound; therefore, voltage and luminance efficiency of the light emitting element is not affected even if a distance between the electrodes becomes long.
US08729790B2
Provided according to embodiments of the invention are method of coating a phosphor that include contacting the phosphor with a sol comprising at least one of silica, alumina, borate and a precursor thereof, to form a coating on the phosphor; and heating the phosphor. Also provided are phosphors that are coated with alumina, silica and/or borate, and light emitting devices that include such phosphors.
US08729775B2
An exemplary piezoelectric vibrating device includes a piezoelectric vibrating piece that vibrates when electrically energized. A first package plate has a main recess in which the piezoelectric vibrating piece is placed, and a peripheral surface surrounding the recess. A second package plate is bonded to the peripheral surface of the first package plate in airtight manner. A band of adhesive bonds the first package plate to the second package plate. The adhesive band surrounds the peripheral surface. Between the adhesive and the main recess is a band of metal film. The band of metal film prevents gas, generated from the adhesive, from flowing into the recess. The band of metal film surrounds the peripheral surface and is disposed inboard of the band of adhesive.
US08729771B2
According to a composite substrate manufacturing method of the present invention, (a) a piezoelectric substrate having minute asperities formed in a rear surface thereof, and a support substrate having a smaller thermal expansion coefficient than the piezoelectric substrate are prepared, (b) a filler is applied to the rear surface 11a to fill the minute asperities, thereby forming a filling layer, (c) a surface of the filling layer is mirror-polished to such an extent that an arithmetic mean roughness Ra of the surface of the filling layer is smaller than an arithmetic mean roughness Ra of the rear surface 11a in a state of above (a), and (d) the surface of the filling layer and a surface of the support substrate are bonded to each other with an adhesive layer interposed therebetween, thereby forming a composite substrate.
US08729766B2
The invention relates to a synchronous machine with hybrid energization, in particular a generator for supplying the electrical system of a motor vehicle, comprising a laminated stator (16) with a multiphase stator winding (18) and a laminated rotor (20) with an energizer winding (29), which together with permanent magnets (24,25) around the rotor periphery, provides the energization for the machine. According to the invention, favorable electrical and magnetic properties and an improvement in manufacturing conditions of the machine can be achieved, wherein the grooves (40) for the energizer windings (29) are disproportionately enlarged in relation to the groove base (44) and are preferably bell-shaped.
US08729765B2
A field coil segment for an electric machine including a rotor and a stator includes a first wire element having a first cross sectional area electrically connected in parallel with a second wire element having a second cross sectional area greater than the first cross sectional area.
US08729761B2
A motor with an axial air gap includes a base, a rotor and a coil unit. The base has a shaft-coupling portion. The rotor has a body coupled with a permanent magnet and a shaft. The permanent magnet has inner and outer circumferential faces, and the inner and outer circumferential faces are respectively projected onto the base as inner and outer circles. The shaft is coupled with the shaft-coupling portion. The coil unit is mounted on the base and has one or more coils. The permanent magnet and the coil unit face each other. At least one coil has a periphery intersecting with the inner and outer circles. The permanent magnet has a first radial length between the inner and outer circumferential faces. At least one coil has a second radial length. The first radial length is 10% to 90% of the second radial length.
US08729744B2
Disclosed is an inverter that supplies power using a battery pack mounted on a mobile device. The inverter includes a case having a receiving part in which a battery pack is to be received, a control part disposed within the case to convert a voltage of the battery pack into a preset output voltage, and an external terminal disposed outside the case. The output voltage converted by the control part is output through the external terminal.
US08729738B2
The invention proposes a means for transporting electrical energy and/or information from a distance by using, at a slowly varying regime, the Coulomb field which surrounds any set of charged conductors. The device according to the invention is composed of energy production and consumption devices situated a short distance apart, it uses neither the propagation of electromagnetic waves nor induction and cannot be reduced to a simple arrangement of electrical capacitors. The device is modeled in the form of an interaction between oscillating asymmetric electric dipoles, consisting of a high-frequency high-voltage generator (1) or of a high-frequency high-voltage load (5) placed between two electrodes. The dipoles exert a mutual influence on one another. The devices according to the invention are suitable for powering industrial and domestic electrical apparatus, they are especially suitable for powering low-power devices moving in a limited environment and for short-distance non-radiating transmission of information.
US08729733B2
A reception unit sequentially receives input of voltage values indicating an AC input voltage from an AC power supply. A ROM stores a power control table in which a power control parameter corresponding to the AC power supply voltage is matched with each group of the voltage values indicating the same AC power supply voltage. A decision unit determines to which group the received voltage values belong among the plurality of groups, whenever the reception unit receives the input of the voltage value and decides the group, to which a predetermined number of voltage values belongs among the plurality of voltage values sequentially received by the reception unit, among the plurality of groups using the determination result. A power control unit controls power supply according to the power control parameter matched with the decided group.
US08729727B2
Disclosed is a controller driving apparatus of an electric vehicle which includes a first switch connected to a low-voltage DC-DC converter, a first port of a battery management system (BMS), and an electric vehicle controller, and a second switch connected to an output terminal of a high-voltage DC-DC converter connected to a second port of the BMS and an auxiliary battery connected to one end of the ignition switch, and a side connected to the low-voltage DC-DC converter, the one signal port of the BMS, and the electric vehicle controller. Finally, a third switch having connected between the auxiliary battery and a vehicle-on port of the BMS, and connected to the low-voltage DC-DC converter, the one signal port of the BMS, and the electric vehicle controller.
US08729717B2
A free piston linear alternator including a pair of pistons, each piston axially opposed from the other and generating electric current when linearly translating within the cylinder, a combustion chamber disposed between the pistons, a return mechanism configured to return the pistons to respective first positions from respective second positions after combustion; and an exhaust system fluidly coupled to the combustion chamber and including a power turbine transforming exhaust gas feedstream pressure into a mechanical output.
US08729712B2
Embodiments of a semiconductor device that includes a semiconductor substrate and a cavity disposed in the semiconductor substrate that extends at least from a first side of the semiconductor substrate to a second side of the semiconductor substrate. The semiconductor device also includes an insulation layer disposed over the first side of the semiconductor substrate and coating sidewalls of the cavity. A conductive layer including a bonding pad is disposed over the insulation layer. The conductive layer extends into the cavity and connects to a metal stack disposed below the second side of the semiconductor substrate. A through silicon via pad is disposed below the second side of the semiconductor substrate and connected to the metal stack. The through silicon via pad is position to accept a through silicon via.
US08729707B2
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming an insulating film over a semiconductor substrate, forming a capacitor including a lower electrode, a capacitor dielectric film including a ferroelectric material, and an upper electrode over the insulating film, forming a first protective insulating film over a side surface and upper surface of the capacitor by a sputtering method, and forming a second protective insulating film over the first protective insulating film by an atomic layer deposition method.
US08729704B2
A memory device has multiple dielectric barrier regions. A memory device has multiple barrier regions that provide higher or lower current-voltage slope compared to a memory device having a single barrier region. The device also has electrode regions that provide further control over the current-voltage relationship.
US08729702B1
A trench is opened in a dielectric layer. The trench is then lined with a barrier layer and a metal seed layer. The metal seed layer is non-uniformly doped and exhibits a vertical doping gradient varying as a function of trench depth. The lined trench is then filled with a metal fill material. A dielectric cap layer is then deposited over the metal filled trench. Dopant from the non-uniformly doped metal seed layer is then migrated to an interface between the metal filled trench and the dielectric cap layer to form a self-aligned metal cap.
US08729688B2
Provided is a stacked semiconductor package. The stacked semiconductor package of the present invention comprises: a substrate including at least one contact pad; an external chip laminate which includes a plurality of semiconductor chips mounted on the substrate, and which is stacked in multi-steps such that the ends at one side of the plurality of semiconductor chips alternately protrude in opposite directions to expose bonding pads which are formed on the up-face surface; at least one internal chip which is disposed in a mounting space formed between the external chip laminate and substrate so as to be electrically connected to the substrate; and a conductive wire electrically connecting the bonding pad of the semiconductor chip and the contact pad of the substrate.
US08729681B2
A package structure includes a base unit, a pin unit and a housing unit. The base unit has a carrier member and a through hole penetrating through the carrier member, and at least one annular structure is formed in the through hole. The pin unit has a plurality of conductive pins disposed beside the carrier member. The housing unit has an annular housing encircling the carrier member to envelop one part thereof and connecting to the pin unit, and the annular housing is partially filled into the through hole to cover the annular structure. Therefore, the instant disclosure can increase the bonding force between the carrier member and the annular housing and retard external moisture to permeate through slits between the carrier member and the annular housing to intrude into the chip-mounting region, thus the reliability and the usage life are increased.
US08729679B1
Consistent with an example embodiment, there is an integrated circuit device (IC) built on a substrate of a thickness. The IC comprises an active device region of a shape, the active device region having a topside and an underside. Through silicon vias (TSVs) surround the active device region, the TSVs having a depth defined by the substrate thickness. On the underside of and having the shape of the active device region, is an insulating layer. A thin-film conductive shield is on the insulating layer, the conductive shield is in electrical contact with the TSVs.
US08729678B2
An image sensor includes first pixels, second pixels and a deep trench. The first pixels are formed in an active region of a semiconductor substrate, and configured to measure photo-charges corresponding to incident light. The second pixels are formed in an optical-black region of the semiconductor substrate, and are configured to measure black levels. The deep trench is formed vertically in a boundary region of the optical-black region, where the boundary region is adjacent to the active region, and configured to block leakage light and diffusion carriers from the active region.
US08729669B2
A method for manufacturing a bipolar transistor includes forming a first epitaxial layer on a semiconductor substrate, forming a second epitaxial layer on the first epitaxial layer, forming an oxide layer on the second epitaxial layer, etching the oxide layer to form an opening in which the second epitaxial layer is exposed, and forming a third epitaxial layer in the opening. The first and third epitaxial layers have a first-type conductivity, and the second epitaxial layer has a second-type conductivity.
US08729667B2
According to one embodiment, a second electrode layer is formed on first structures where a first electrode layer and a first memory cell layer sequentially stacked above a substrate are patterned in a line-and-space shape extending in a first direction and a first interlayer insulating film embedded between the first structures. Etching is performed from the second electrode layer to a predetermined position in an inner portion of the first memory cell layer by using a first mask layer having a line-and-space pattern extending in a second direction, so that a first trench is formed. A first modifying film is formed on a side surface of the first trench, anisotropic etching is performed on the first memory cell layer by using the first mask layer, and after that, isotropic etching is performed.
US08729664B2
An integrated circuit chip comprising a guard ring formed on a semiconductor substrate that surrounds the active region of the integrated circuit chip and extends from the semiconductor substrate through one or more of a plurality of wiring levels. The guard ring comprises stacked metal lines with spaces breaking up each respective metal line. Each space may be formed such that it partially overlies the space in the metal line directly below but does not overlie any other space. Alternatively, each space may also be formed such that each space is at least completely overlying the space in the metal line below it.
US08729663B2
On a silicon substrate 120 of a semiconductor device, a field oxide film 101 is provided. On the field oxide film 101, two fuses 104 are provided. Directly below the fuses 104 in the silicon substrate 120, an n-type well 102 is provided. Besides the n-type well 102, a p-type well 103 is provided in such a manner as to surround a region directly under the fuses 104 in the silicon substrate 120. A cover insulating film 108 is provided over the silicon substrate 120 and the field oxide film 101. A seal ring composed of a contact 106 and an interconnection 107 is embedded in the cover insulating film 108 so as to surround the fuses 104.
US08729657B2
A MEMS logic device comprising agate which pivots on a torsion hinge, two conductive channels on the gate, one on each side of the torsion hinge, source and drain landing pads under the channels, and two body bias elements under the gate, one on each side of the torsion hinge, so that applying a threshold bias between one body bias element and the gate will pivot the gate so that one channel connects the respective source and drain landing pad, and vice versa. An integrated circuit with MEMS logic devices on the dielectric layer, with the source and drain landing pads connected to metal interconnects of the integrated circuit. A process of forming the MEM switch.
US08729653B2
An integrated die-level camera system and method of making the camera system include a first die-level camera formed at least partially in a die. A second die level camera is also formed at least partially in the die. Baffling is formed to block stray light between the first and second die-level cameras.
US08729651B2
A semiconductor device includes a substrate, a bonding pad provided above the substrate, a first signal transmitting/receiving portion provided above the substrate and below the bonding pad, and a transistor provided over the substrate. The transistor is connected to the first signal transmitting/receiving portion provided in a layer of the semiconductor device.
US08729650B2
A solid-state imaging device includes a layer including an on-chip lens above a sensor section, and the layer including the on-chip lens is composed of an inorganic film which transmits ultraviolet light. The layer including the on-chip lens may further include a planarizing film located below the on-chip lens. A method of fabricating a solid-state imaging device includes the steps of forming a planarizing film composed of a first inorganic film, forming a second inorganic film on the planarizing film, forming a lens-shaped resist layer on the second inorganic film, and etching back the resist layer to form an on-chip lens composed of the second inorganic film. The first inorganic film constituting the planarizing film and the second inorganic film constituting the on-chip lens preferably transmit ultraviolet light.
US08729649B2
A magnetic memory device including a memory layer having a vertical magnetization on the layer surface, of which the direction of magnetization is changed according to information; and a reference layer provided against the memory layer, and being a basis of information while having a vertical magnetization on the layer surface, wherein the memory device memorizes the information by reversing the magnetization of the memory layer by a spin torque generated when a current flows between layers made from the memory layer, the nonmagnetization layer and the reference layer, and a coercive force of the memory layer at a memorization temperature is 0.7 times or less than a coercive force at room temperature, and a heat conductivity of a center portion of an electrode formed on one side of the memory layer in the direction of the layer surface is lower than a heat conductivity of surroundings thereof.
US08729648B2
A magnetic body device has a stacked structure comprising an underlying layer, a magnetic body layer, and a cap layer. The material for the underlying layer is different from that for the cap layer. The magnetic body layer has a free magnetization region having perpendicular magnetic anisotropy and a first characteristic change region and a second characteristic change region situated on both sides of the free magnetization region in a first in-plane direction. The perpendicular magnetic anisotropy of the first characteristic change region and the second characteristic change region is at a level lower than that of the free magnetization region. An external magnetic field containing a component in the first in-plane direction is applied to the free magnetization region. Further, a current in the first in-plane direction is supplied to the free magnetization region.
US08729633B2
A CMOS device with transistors having different gate dielectric materials and a method of manufacture thereof. A CMOS device is formed on a workpiece having a first region and a second region. A first gate dielectric material is deposited over the second region. A first gate material is deposited over the first gate dielectric material. A second gate dielectric material comprising a different material than the first gate dielectric material is deposited over the first region of the workpiece. A second gate material is deposited over the second gate dielectric material. The first gate material, the first gate dielectric material, the second gate material, and the second gate dielectric material are then patterned to form a CMOS device having a symmetric Vt for the PMOS and NMOS FETs.
US08729632B2
A semiconductor structure comprising a semiconductor unit, a first conductive structure, a first conductive plug, and a second conductive structure is provided. The semiconductor unit has a substrate on a first side of the semiconductor unit. The substrate has at least a hole. The first conductive plug is in the hole and the hole may be full of the conductive plug. The first conductive structure is on the surface of the semiconductor unit. The surface is at the first side of the semiconductor unit. The second conductive structure is on a surface at a second side of the substrate of the semiconductor unit.
US08729621B2
Disclosed is a method of forming memory devices employing halogen ion implantation and diffusion processes. In one illustrative embodiment, the method includes forming a plurality of word line structures above a semiconducting substrate, each of the word line structures comprising a gate insulation layer, performing an LDD ion implantation process to form LDD doped regions in the substrate between the word line structures, performing a halogen ion implantation process to implant atoms of halogen into the semiconducting substrate between the word line structures, and performing at least one anneal process to cause at least some of the atoms of halogen to diffuse into the gate insulation layers on adjacent word line structures.
US08729616B2
An analog floating-gate electrode in an integrated circuit, and method of fabricating the same, in which trapped charge can be stored for long durations. The analog floating-gate electrode is formed in a polycrystalline silicon gate level, and includes portions serving as a transistor gate electrode, a plate of a metal-to-poly storage capacitor, and a plate of poly-to-active tunneling capacitors. Silicide-block silicon dioxide blocks the formation of silicide cladding on the electrode, while other polysilicon structures in the integrated circuit are silicide-clad.
US08729613B2
The concentration of impurity elements included in an oxide semiconductor film in the vicinity of a gate insulating film is reduced. Further, crystallinity of the oxide semiconductor film in the vicinity of the gate insulating film is improved. A semiconductor device includes an oxide semiconductor film over a substrate, a source electrode and a drain electrode over the oxide semiconductor film, a gate insulating film which includes an oxide containing silicon and is formed over the oxide semiconductor film, and a gate electrode over the gate insulating film. The oxide semiconductor film includes a region in which the concentration of silicon is lower than or equal to 1.0 at. %, and at least the region includes a crystal portion.
US08729611B2
The present disclosure provides a semiconductor device and a method for manufacturing the same. The semiconductor device comprises: a semiconductor layer comprising a plurality of semiconductor sub-layers; and a plurality of fins formed in the semiconductor layer and adjoining the semiconductor layer, wherein at least two of the plurality of fins comprise different numbers of the semiconductor sub-layers and have different heights. According to the present disclosure, a plurality of semiconductor devices with different dimensions and different driving abilities can be integrated on a single wafer.
US08729608B2
A semiconductor device (100) includes a substrate (1) having a semiconductor layer (102); a trench (12) in the semiconductor layer (102); a gate insulating film (11) covering a periphery and an inner surface of the trench (12); a gate electrode (8) including a portion filling the trench (12) and a portion around the trench (12), and provided on the gate insulating film (11); an interlayer insulating film (13) on the gate electrode (8); and a hollow (50) above and around the trench (12), and between the gate electrode (8) and the gate insulating film (11). Above the trench (12), the hollow (50) protrudes inside the trench (12) from a plane extending from an upper surface of the gate insulating film (11) at a portion covering the side surface of the trench (12) with a flat shape.
US08729600B2
A semiconductor device has a first conductivity-type semiconductor substrate, second conductivity-type channel regions, and second conductivity-type thinning-out regions. The channel regions and the thinning-out regions are formed adjacent to a substrate surface of the semiconductor substrate. Further, a hole stopper layer is formed in each of the thinning-out regions to divide the thinning-out region into a first part adjacent to the substrate surface and a second part adjacent to a bottom of the thinning-out region. The hole stopper layer has an area density of equal to or less than 4.0×1012 cm−2 to permit a depletion layer to punch through the hole stopper layer, thereby to restrict breakdown properties from being decreased.
US08729596B2
An organic electroluminescent element comprising: an anode (3); a cathode (4); and an organic layer (5), sandwiched between the anode (3) and the cathode (4), which contains a positive and negative charge transporting material, the organic layer (5) including an acceptor region (6) doped with an acceptor, a donor region (8) doped with a donor, and a light-emitting region (7) doped with an organic light-emitting material, the acceptor region (6) being located on the anode (3), the donor region (8) being located on the cathode (4), the light-emitting region (7) being located between the acceptor region (6) and the donor region (8), the acceptor having such a concentration gradient in the acceptor region (6) as to become lower in concentration from the anode (3) toward the light-emitting region (7), the donor having such a concentration gradient in the donor region (8) as to become lower in concentration from the cathode (4) toward the light-emitting region (7). This makes it possible to provide a simple-structured, high-luminance, high-efficiency, and long-life organic EL element.
US08729593B2
Provided is an electronic device having a long life and a large effective area. Furthermore, provided is an optical device capable of controlling specular visibility. And provided is a substrate for the optical device, which includes a scattering layer having excellent scattering properties and having a desired refractive index while retaining surface smoothness. Further, there is provided a substrate for the electronic device, which includes a substrate having first and second main surfaces facing each other and an electrode pattern formed on the first main surface of the substrate, in which the first main surface of the first and second main surfaces is a surface which forms waviness made up of curved faces, the waviness of the surface has a wavelength Rλa of greater than 50 μm and a ratio Ra/Rλa of waviness roughness Ra of the surface which forms waviness to the wavelength Rλa of the waviness is from 1.0×10−4 to 3.0×10−2.
US08729585B2
According to one embodiment, in a semiconductor light emitting device, a substrate includes a first surface, a second surface opposite to the first surface, lateral surfaces intersected with the first surface and the second surface, first regions each provided on the lateral surface, and second regions each provided on the lateral surface. Each of the first regions has a first width and a first roughness. Each of the second regions has a second width smaller than the first width and a second roughness smaller than the first roughness. The first regions and the second regions are alternately arranged. A proportion of the sum of the first widths to a distance between the first surface and the second surface is 0.5 or more. A semiconductor laminated body is provided above the first surface of the substrate, and includes a first semiconductor layer, an active layer and a second semiconductor layer.
US08729583B2
According to one embodiment, a semiconductor light-emitting device includes a first semiconductor layer, a second semiconductor layer, a light-emitting layer, a third semiconductor layer and a first electrode. The first semiconductor layer of a first conductivity type has a first major surface provided with a first surface asperity. The second semiconductor layer of a second conductivity type is provided on an opposite side of the first semiconductor layer from the first major surface. The light-emitting layer is provided between the first and second semiconductor layers. The first semiconductor layer is disposed between a third semiconductor layer and the light-emitting layer. The third semiconductor layer has an impurity concentration lower than an impurity concentration of the first semiconductor layer, and includes an opening exposing the first surface asperity. The first electrode is in contact with the first surface asperity through the opening, and reflective to emission light emitted from the light-emitting layer.
US08729572B2
A light emitting diode package includes an electrically insulated base, first and second electrodes, an LED chip, a voltage stabilizing module, and an encapsulative layer. The base has a first surface and an opposite second surface. The first and second electrodes are formed on the first surface of the base. The LED chip is electrically connected to the first and second electrodes. The voltage stabilizing module is formed on the first surface of the base, positioned between and electrically connected to the first and second electrodes. The voltage stabilizing module connects to the LED chip in reverse parallel and has a polarity arranged opposite to that of the LED chip. The voltage stabilizing module has an annular shape and encircles the first electrode. The encapsulative layer is formed on the base and covers the LED chip.
US08729561B1
In one implementation, a method of forming a P type III-nitride material includes forming a getter material over a III-nitride material, the III-nitride material having residual complexes formed from P type dopants and carrier gas impurities. The method further includes gettering at least some of the carrier gas impurities, from at least some of the residual complexes, into the getter material to form the P type III-nitride material. In some implementations, the carrier gas impurities include hydrogen and the getter material includes at least partially titanium. An overlying material can be formed on the getter material prior to gettering at least some of the carrier gas impurities.
US08729553B2
A thin film transistor (TFT), a method of fabricating the same, and display device having the TFT of which the TFT includes a metal catalyst layer disposed on a substrate, a semiconductor layer disposed on the metal catalyst layer, a gate insulating layer disposed on the entire surface of the substrate, a gate electrode disposed on the gate insulating layer at a position corresponding to the semiconductor layer, an interlayer insulating layer disposed on the entire surface of the substrate, and source and drain electrodes disposed on the interlayer insulating layer and connected to the semiconductor layer, wherein the metal catalyst layer includes one of carbon, nitrogen, and halogen. The thin film transistor includes a poly-Si layer that may be formed to a smaller thickness than in conventional deposition methods thereby producing a TFT in which the remaining amount of metal catalyst in a semiconductor layer is reduced.
US08729552B2
In one aspect, a back plane for a flat panel display apparatus include: a substrate; a source electrode and a drain electrode formed on the substrate; a capacitor bottom electrode formed on a same layer as the source/drain electrodes; an active layer formed on the substrate in correspondence to the source electrode and the drain electrode; a blocking layer interposed between the source electrode and the drain electrode and the active layer; a first insulation layer formed on the substrate to cover the active layer; a gate electrode formed on the first insulation layer in correspondence to the active layer; a capacitor top electrode formed on a same layer as the gate electrode in correspondence to the capacitor bottom electrode; and a second insulation layer formed on the first insulation layer to cover the gate electrode and the capacitor top electrode is provided.
US08729544B2
It is an object to provide a semiconductor device including a thin film transistor with favorable electric properties and high reliability, and a method for manufacturing the semiconductor device with high productivity. In an inverted staggered (bottom gate) thin film transistor, an oxide semiconductor film containing In, Ga, and Zn is used as a semiconductor layer, and a buffer layer formed using a metal oxide layer is provided between the semiconductor layer and a source and drain electrode layers. The metal oxide layer is intentionally provided as the buffer layer between the semiconductor layer and the source and drain electrode layers, whereby ohmic contact is obtained.
US08729539B2
Provided is a light-emitting apparatus which, without using an insulating film for separating pixels, inhibits leakage current between adjacent pixels and which accommodates higher resolution. By providing a groove in an insulating layer along an edge of a first electrode, the thickness of a first charge transport layer is reduced to inhibit leakage current between adjacent pixels.
US08729524B2
In an aspect, the present invention provides stretchable, and optionally printable, components such as semiconductors and electronic circuits capable of providing good performance when stretched, compressed, flexed or otherwise deformed, and related methods of making or tuning such stretchable components. Stretchable semiconductors and electronic circuits preferred for some applications are flexible, in addition to being stretchable, and thus are capable of significant elongation, flexing, bending or other deformation along one or more axes. Further, stretchable semiconductors and electronic circuits of the present invention are adapted to a wide range of device configurations to provide fully flexible electronic and optoelectronic devices.
US08729518B2
A multilayer structure is disclosed that includes a conductive layer, a layer of a negative differential resistance (NDR) material disposed above the conductive layer, a layer M2 disposed above the NDR material, a second layer of NDR material disposed above layer M2, and a conductive layer disposed above the second NDR layer. Layer M2 can include a conductive material interspersed with regions of a dielectric material or a layer of the dielectric material and regions of the conductive material disposed above and below the dielectric material.
US08729508B2
A beam transport system for a hadron therapy facility comprises: a main beam transport line; secondary beam transport lines branching off from the main beam transport line for delivering the hadron beam into the patient treatment stations; and switching electromagnets for deviating the hadron beam from the main beam transport line into the secondary beam transport line. A discharge circuit associated with each switching electromagnet comprises a discharge accelerating circuit capable of generating a voltage opposing the counter electromotive force induced in the electromagnet coil of the switching electromagnet when the energization of the electromagnet coil producing the hadron beam deviation is interrupted, wherein this voltage stays substantially constant or increases as the current induced in the electromagnet coil decreases.
US08729505B2
An inspection device is provided to monitor hygienic conditions of a space unit for a vehicle. The vehicle includes, but is not limited to, an inspection device, the use of an inspection device, and a method to assure hygienic conditions in a vehicle. In order to optimize assuring hygienic conditions in interior spaces on board a vehicle an inspection device is provided that includes, but is not limited to, an optical detection device. The optical detection device generates electromagnetic radiation to irradiate a surface to be cleaned, and renders visible soiling that, in visible light, is invisible to the human eye. The optical detection device is permanently installable on an interior lining.
US08729494B2
An ion source is disclosed wherein a sample is introduced into the sample chamber of the ion source in the gas phase via a sample introduction capillary tube. The sample is directed onto a heated surface coated with an oxidizing reagent such as copper oxide. Carbon in the sample is oxidized to form carbon dioxide. The resulting carbon dioxide molecules are then ionised by electron impact ionization with an electron beam and the resulting ions are passed to a mass analyzer for mass analysis.
US08729492B2
A multiple-deflection blanker for charged particle beam lithography includes a support structure, a first pair of electrodes mounted to the support structure and providing a first electric field, a second pair of electrodes mounted to the support structure and providing a second electric field, at least a third pair of electrodes mounted to the support structure and providing a third electric field, and a surface, such as, an aperture or knife edge, positioned to obstruct a charged particle beam passed through the electric fields. The blanker may include at least a fourth pair of electrodes providing a fourth electric field and apparatus for regulating the time of the excitation of the electric fields. Methods for exposing media to charged particles and aperture holders are also provided.
US08729491B2
The present invention provides a charged particle beam apparatus which is provided with a tilting deflector which is disposed between a charged particle source and an objective lens and tilts a charged particle beam, wherein a first optical element includes an electromagnetic quadrupole which generates dispersion to suppress the dispersion which is generated by deflection by the tilting deflector, and a second optical element is composed of a deflector for deflecting the charged particle beam which enters the first optical element or an electromagnetic quadrupole which causes the charged particle beam to generate a dispersion different from the dispersion generated by the first optical element.
US08729489B2
A radiation detecting device is provided, according to which it is possible use only one radiation detecting device to measure radiation and measure gamma ray and neutron at once and discriminately in a restricted space. The radiation detecting device includes a radiation detecting unit to measure gamma ray and neutron discriminately at once, and a signal processing circuit which applies voltage to the neutron detecting unit and indicates measured gamma ray and neutron discriminately.
US08729488B2
A method for investigating a volume of material at an investigation location for radioactive material includes: detecting signals from a first detector caused by the interaction of one or more types of emission from the radioactive material with the first detector; detecting signals from a second detector caused by the interaction of cosmic rays and/or one or more types of particle generated by cosmic rays with the second detector; processing the signals from the first detector to provide information on the amount of radioactive material associated with the volume of material; processing the signals from the second detector to provide information on the amount of cosmic rays and/or one or more types of particle generated by cosmic rays incident on the investigation location; and correcting the information on the amount of radioactive material associated with the volume of material using the amount of cosmic rays and/or one or more types of particle generated by cosmic rays incident on the investigation location, thereby providing corrected information on the amount of radioactive material associated with the volume of material.
US08729483B2
Certain embodiments described herein are directed to devices and systems that can be used for direct and indirect detection of radiation such as X-rays. In certain examples, the device can include a modulator optically coupled to a sensor. In some examples, the modulator can be configured to switch between different states to provide an imaging signal in one state and a dosimetry signal in another state.
US08729478B2
Embodiments of radiographic imaging apparatus and methods for operating the same can include a first scintillator, a second scintillator, a plurality of first photosensitive elements, and a plurality of second photosensitive elements. The plurality of first photosensitive elements receives light from the first scintillator and has first photosensitive element characteristics chosen to cooperate with the first scintillator properties. The plurality of second photosensitive elements are arranged to receive light from the second scintillator and has second photosensitive element characteristics different from the first photosensitive element characteristics and chosen to cooperate with the second scintillator properties. Further, the first scintillator can have first scintillator properties and the second scintillator can have second scintillator properties different from the first scintillator properties.
US08729473B2
In conventional membrane infrared (IR) sensors, little to no attention has been paid toward transmissivity of IR near metal traces. Here, because the substrate of an integrated circuit carrying the sensor is used as a visible light filter, reflection of IR radiation back into the substrate can affect the operation and reliability of the IR sensor. As a result, an arrangement is provided that reduces the area occupied by metal lines by reducing the pitch and compacting the routing so as to reduce the effects from the reflection of IR radiation by metal traces.
US08729460B2
Apparatuses and methods for the control and self-assembly of particles into adaptable monolayers and changing the relative position of a plurality of particles at an interface between two fluids, including applying an electric field perpendicular to the interface; moving the particles vertically in the interface in response to applying the electric field; moving the particles laterally within the interface in response to the electric field and capillary forces; maintaining the particles at the interface when moving the particles vertically; and maintaining the particles at the interface when moving the particles laterally.
US08729455B2
Systems and methods are disclosed for the detection and identification of objects, wherein an illumination device emits polychromatic light in the infrared range, creating a light curtain, or an essentially two-dimensional area of light in the X and Z axis. The light from the light curtain and light reflected or transmitted by an object in the light curtain is imaged, via aperture-imaging optics, onto an aperture that is in the optical path and behind the aperture-imaging optics. The aperture is an elongated opening extending along the Z axis. A wavelength-dispersive device, such as a grating, diffracts light admitted by the aperture wavelength-dispersively in a diffraction direction along the Y axis. An image sensor detects the diffraction image and generates image signals which are analyzed to identify the materials comprising the object. An output signal may be generated in response to the material identified.
US08729454B2
The present invention relates to a light sensor device comprising a substrate (18), a first light sensitive area (14, 15), and a second light sensitive area (12, 13). It is characterized in that a first optical filter device (22) assigned to said first area (14) and adapted to filter the visible light spectrum and a second optical filter device (24) assigned to said second area (12) and adapted to filter the non-visible light spectrum, preferably IR light spectrum, are provided, and said first and second light sensitive areas (12, 14) are fabricated on the same substrate (18) adjacent to each other to form a single integrated sensor component (10). The invention also relates to a lamp device (60) comprising such a light sensor device.
US08729438B2
A cover for covering an opening of a container for a food stuff includes a substantially flat cover body including at least one aperture and at least one substantially flat flap. The at least one flap includes a linear proximal end configured to connect with the cover body and allow the at least one flap to rotate with respect to the cover body. A lower surface of the at least one flap includes a protrusion configured to close the at least one aperture when the at least one flap is at a first position in which the at least one flap is in parallel with the cover body. The cover body and the at least one flap are integrally formed by a co-injection molding. The container and cover are suitable for heating a food stuff in a microwave.
US08729434B2
An induction cooking device includes a heating coil performing induction heating of a cooking container placed on a top plate, an inverter circuit supplying high frequency current to the heating coil, an infrared sensor detecting an amount of infrared light radiated from the cooking container and outputting a detection signal based on the detected amount, a temperature sensor detecting a temperature of the cooking container by thermal conduction through the top plate, and a control unit controlling an output of the inverter circuit so that the outputs of the infrared and temperature sensors do not exceed the respective control temperature. The control unit judges whether or not the infrared sensor is normally detecting the temperature of the cooking container, and when it is judged that the infrared sensor is normally detecting the temperature of the cooking container, the control unit raises the control temperature of the temperature sensor.
US08729431B2
A rotary-type furnace for conditioning preforms with a heating wheel at which several heating modules for heating one preform each are arranged, wherein the heating modules are each a heating chamber and a holding device for the preform. The furnace has a lifting device for lifting and lowering the holding device and/or the heating chamber to change between a loading or withdrawal position, in which the preform does not overlap with the heating chamber in the direction of its main axis, and a radiation position in which a section of the preform is arranged within the heating chamber, a particularly quick and reliable transfer from an infeed starwheel can be realized.
US08729424B2
A method of welding a joint includes directing a first output from a high energy density heat source, such as a laser, against a first side of the joint. The method further includes directing a second output from an arc welding heat source, such as a gas metal arc welding torch, against a second side of the joint. The first output produces a keyhole surrounded by a molten metal pool which extends from the first side of the joint toward the second side of the joint. In some embodiments a third output from a second arc welding heat source may also be directed at the first side of the joint. A second molten metal pool produced by the arc welding heat source joins with the first molten metal pool and the third molten metal pool to form a common molten metal pool which solidifies to form the weld.
US08729421B2
A lattice pallet 13 having a large number of supporters for placing a plate 14 is installed to a table 12 so as to be freely fittable and removable. Bringing in of the plate 14 is performed by the method of raising the lattice pallet 13 with a crane with the plate 14 already having been loaded upon the lattice pallet 13 in a different location, transporting them over the table 12, and lowering them down onto the table 12. Directly after cutting has been completed, the lattice pallet 12 is raised and separated from the table 12 with the manufactured product and the left over material carried upon it and is taken away to a different location, and another lattice pallet 13 with another plate 14 mounted upon it is brought in with the crane upon the table 12, and the task of cutting this other plate 14 is commenced.
US08729419B2
A metal microparticle generator has a discharge electrode formed from a core, which includes platinum, and a cover, which includes zinc and covers the core. A high voltage application unit applies high voltage to the discharge electrode to generate platinum microparticles and zinc microparticles.
US08729416B2
A circuit breaker module (which may also be termed an interrupter) including circuit breaker contacts which are opened and closed by an electrically-activated magnetic actuator and capable of interrupting fault currents. The magnetic actuator is stable in either a breaker-closed state or a breaker-open state without requiring electrical current flow through the magnetic actuator. An externally-connectable mechanical drive is linked to the magnetic actuator in a manner such that movement of the externally-connectable mechanical drive can destabilize the breaker-closed state to open the circuit breaker contacts. An external actuator activated by an external condition is connected to said externally-connectable mechanical drive so as to cause said circuit breaker contacts to open upon occurrence of the external condition.
US08729399B2
A flat cable has a plurality of electric wires disposed in parallel, and a fiber member woven to thread through each of the electric wires along a juxtapositional direction of the electric wires. The fiber member is made of a fiber having an elastic recovery rate after elongation of 80% or more and 95% or less. The fiber has an initial modulus of 20 cN/dtex or more and 30 cN/dtex or less.
US08729392B2
Compositions for use as cable coverings, e.g. insulation or jacket, are described. The compositions contain a base polymer having (a) a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU); (b) a chlorinated flame retardant; and (c) an antimony flame retardant.
US08729391B2
A wire or cable comprising a conductor or wire core and a coating layer on the exterior of the conductor or wire core which is formed from a rubber or plastic composition containing a rubber or plastic and an inorganic filler having high moisture resistance is provided. The inorganic filler is the one which has been surface treated with an alkoxy group-containing organopolysiloxane having an unsaturated aliphatic group-containing group and a monovalent hydrocarbon group of 3 to 10 carbon atoms containing no aliphatic unsaturated bond obtained by partially cohydrolytic condensation of an organic functional group-containing silane and/or its (partially) hydrolytic condensate, and an organic functional group-containing silane and/or its (partially) hydrolytic condensate.
US08729387B2
Disclosed is an organic photoelectric conversion element having high photoelectric conversion efficiency and high durability. Also disclosed are a solar cell and an optical sensor array, each using the organic photoelectric conversion element. The organic photoelectric conversion element comprises a bulk heterojunction layer wherein an n-type semiconductor material and a p-type semiconductor material are mixed. The organic photoelectric conversion element is characterized in that the n-type semiconductor material is a polymer compound and the p-type semiconductor material is a low-molecular-weight compound.
US08729384B2
A solar cell module includes a plurality of solar cells each including a substrate, an emitter region positioned at a back surface of the substrate, first electrodes electrically connected to the emitter region, second electrodes electrically connected to the substrate, a first current collector connecting the first electrodes, and a second current collector connecting the second electrodes, and a first connector connecting a first current collector of a first solar cell of the plurality of solar cells to a second current collector of a second solar cell adjacent to the first solar cell. The first current collector of the first solar cell and the second current collector of the second solar cell have a different polarity.
US08729379B2
An electronic instrument simulating a percussion instrument using capacitive touch sensitive sensors. The instrument has an art layer, a sensor layer, a shielding layer, an electronics package and a speaker. The art layer has depictions of one or more percussion instruments. The sensor layer is deposed under the art layer. The sensor layer has one or more instrument sensors, each with one or more capacitive touch sensors. Instrument sensors are positioned underneath one of the depicted percussion instruments in the art layer so that a finger tapping the depicted instrument will trigger the sensor. The capacitive touch sensors are electrically connected to the electronics package configured to detect changes in capacitance when a particular capacitive touch sensor is touched, causing the electronics package to play on the speaker a sound sample of an percussion instrument associated with that capacitive touch sensor.
US08729377B2
Provided are a method, computer storage device, and tone control device for generating tones with a vibrato effect. A determination is made of a key depression interval comprising a difference of a current time of a current note from a previous time of a previous note. A performance mode is set to a single tone mode, in which only one note is generated, or a polyphonic mode, in which multiple notes are simultaneously generated, based on the determined key depression interval. The tone is generated to output the current note with a first modulation magnitude in response to determining that the performance mode is the single tone mode. A tone is generated to output the current note with a second modulation magnitude in response to determining that the performance mode is the polyphonic mode, wherein the first modulation magnitude is greater than the second modulation magnitude.
US08729372B2
An adjuster with a frame attachable to the front end portion of an instrument tailpiece, a lever member with a base portion and a front plate portion swingably supported by the frame, a mounting portion with an adjusting screw positioned therein, an anchoring portion extending from the lever member that projects through an anchor hole to the surface side of the tailpiece to removably anchor a string of the instrument, and a swing transmitting member provided to the frame so as to be interposed between the adjusting screw and the lever member. The swing transmitting member is swingably supported by the frame and includes one or more transmitting levers extending along the string. When the adjusting screw is screwed into the mounting portion, one end of the transmitting lever is pushed down and another end pushes up the lever member, and the anchoring portion is swung to stretch the string.
US08729367B1
A novel maize variety designated X95A943 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof, produced by crossing Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. proprietary inbred maize varieties. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprises crossing hybrid maize variety X95A943 with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X95A943 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety X95A943, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X95A943. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X95A943.
US08729361B2
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the corn variety designated CV140658. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CV140658, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CV140658 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 CV140658 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 CV140658.
US08729356B2
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated CH213992. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CH213992, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH213992 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to genetic complements of plants of variety CH213992.
US08729355B2
A soybean cultivar designated S110128 is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of soybean cultivar S110128, to the plants of soybean cultivar S110128, to the plant parts of soybean cultivar S110128, and to methods for producing progeny of soybean cultivar S110128. 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 S110128. The invention also relates to methods for producing other soybean cultivars, lines, or plant parts derived from soybean cultivar S110128, 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 S110128 with another soybean cultivar.
US08729351B2
The invention relates to the soybean variety designated A1035428. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety A1035428. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety A1035428 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety A1035428 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods.
US08729341B2
The invention is generally related to methods of generating plants transformed with novel autonomous mini-chromosomes. Mini-chromosomes with novel compositions and structures are used to transform plants cells which are in turn used to generate the plant. Methods for generating the plant include methods for delivering the mini-chromosome into plant cell to transform the cell, methods for selecting the transformed cell, and methods for isolating plants transformed with the mini-chromosome. Plants generated in the present invention contain novel genes introduced into their genome by integration into existing chromosomes.
US08729336B2
Embodiments of the present invention relate to insecticidal Bacillus thuringiensis Cry1 and Cry2 polypeptides. Methods for using the polypeptides and nucleic acids of embodiments of the invention to synergistically enhance resistance of plants to insect predation are encompassed in embodiments of the present invention.
US08729333B2
An absorptive article 1 includes a liquid-permeable top sheet 20, a liquid impermeable back sheet 30, and an absorber 50 disposed between the top sheet 20 and the back sheet 30. The absorber 50 has a layered structure including an upper absorbent layer 511 disposed on the side of the top sheet 20 and a lower absorbent layer 512 disposed on the side of the back sheet 30. The upper absorbent layer 511 is composed of virgin pulp and virgin polymer, and the lower absorbent layer 512 contains recycled pulp and recycled polymers.
US08729331B2
The invention relates to a process for the electrochemical separation of hydrogen from a hydrogen-comprising reaction mixture R by means of a gastight membrane-electrode assembly comprising at least one selectively proton-conducting membrane and at least one electrode catalyst on each side of the membrane, where at least part of the hydrogen present in the reaction mixture R is oxidized to protons over the anode catalyst on the retentate side of the membrane and the protons are, after passing through the membrane to the permeate side, I reduced to hydrogen over the cathode catalyst and/or II reacted with oxygen over the cathode catalyst to form water, with the oxygen originating from an oxygen-comprising stream O which is brought into contact with the permeate side of the membrane, and also a reactor equipped with at least one membrane-electrode assembly.
US08729330B2
Non-hydrotreated biocomponent feeds can be mixed with mineral feeds and processed under catalytic isomerization/dewaxing conditions. The catalytic isomerization/dewaxing conditions can be selected to advantageously also substantially deoxygenate the mixed feed. Diesel fuel products with improved cold flow properties can be produced.
US08729329B2
A process, comprising: a) introducing an acidic ionic liquid to a reactor comprising a solid support; b) feeding to the reactor a feed stream comprising a Brønsted acid and a hydrocarbon mixture comprising: i. at least one alkylatable hydrocarbon, and ii. at least one alkylating agent; and c) collecting one or more liquid hydrocarbon products in an effluent from the reactor, wherein the one or more liquid hydrocarbon products are oligomer products, alkylate products, or mixtures thereof, made from the alkylatable hydrocarbon. Also, a process, comprising: a) introducing an acidic ionic liquid to a reactor comprising a solid support; b) feeding to the reactor a feed stream comprising a Brønsted acid and a hydrocarbon mixture; c) cooling the reactor by evaporating a volatile hydrocarbon from a reaction zone in the reactor; and d) collecting one or more liquid hydrocarbon products made from the hydrocarbon mixture.
US08729328B2
A method for the oxidative coupling of hydrocarbons, such as the oxidative coupling of methane to toluene, includes providing an oxidative catalyst inside a reactor, and carrying out the oxidative coupling reaction under a set of reaction conditions. The oxidative catalyst includes (A) at least one element selected from the group consisting of the Lanthanoid group, Mg, Ca, and the elements of Group 4 of the periodic table (Ti, Zr, and Hf); (B) at least one element selected from the group consisting of the Group 1 elements of Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs, and the elements of Group 3 (including La and Ac) and Groups 5-15 of the periodic table; (C) at least one element selected from the group consisting of the Group 1 elements of Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs, and the elements Ca, Sr, and Ba; and (D) oxygen.
US08729319B2
Provided is a method of producing a higher alcohol, comprising a step of hydrogenating a lipid obtained by culturing Euglena in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst.
US08729318B1
The present invention relates to a process for producing ethanol by methyl acetate hydrogenolysis. The process comprises the step of reacting carbon monoxide and methanol in a reaction medium to form a reaction solution that comprises acetic acid and from 0.5 to 25 wt. % methyl acetate. The process further comprises the step of esterifying the acetic acid and feeding the methyl acetate to a distillation column to remove alkyl halides. The process further comprises the steps of reacting the methyl acetate stream that does not contain alkyl halides and hydrogen in the presence of a second catalyst to form an alcohol product that comprises ethanol and/or methanol.
US08729315B2
Process for the production in continuous or semi-continuous of phenol/acetone from cumene, via cumene hydroperoxide (CHP), which comprises: a. producing CHP in an air-lift reactor in which at least the upper and/or lower part of the downcomer has a flaring; b. cleaving the cumene hydroperoxide by means of acid treatment in a loop reactor comprising two heat exchangers connected in series and wherein the feedings of CHP and fresh acetone are in pairs and each pair is positioned up-stream of each exchanger.
US08729313B2
The present invention provides a method for forming sevoflurane comprising (i) combining chlorosevo ether, a nucleophilic fluoride reagent, and a solvent comprising sevoflurane to form an initial reaction mixture and (ii) reacting the initial reaction mixture to form additional sevoflurane relative to the amount of sevoflurane present in the initial reaction mixture. The present disclosure is also directed to a method for forming sevoflurane, comprising: initiating a reaction between chlorosevo ether and a nucleophilic fluoride reagent in an initial reaction mixture further comprising a solvent comprising sevoflurane, thereby forming additional sevoflurane relative to the amount of sevoflurane present in the initial reaction mixture.
US08729309B2
The invention relates to a process for the continuous production of nitrobenzene by nitration of benzene with a mixture of nitric acid and sulfuric acid under adiabatic conditions, in which unreacted benzene is separated from the crude product obtained after phase separation before washing thereof, using the adiabatic heat of reaction.
US08729307B2
A photoresponsive ionic organic compound of formula (I); a method of producing the same; a photoresponsive carbon nanotube (CNT) dispersant; a CNT dispersion containing the dispersant; and a method of separating a CNT from the dispersion: wherein R1, R2, and R3 each represent a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group; A represents —CH— or a nitrogen atom; X represents an anion; and n is a number to give a charge of −2 to nX.
US08729301B2
The invention pertains to a process for dehydrating wet acetic acid. One embodiment of the invention comprises contacting wet acetic acid with acetyl chloride. Another embodiment of the invention comprises contacting wet acetic acid; acetic anhydride; and a catalytic effective amount of hydrogen chloride, acetyl chloride, or a chlorosilane.
US08729294B2
The present invention provides a production method of optically active 3-substituted-3-formyl-2-hydroxypropanoic acid compound (4), which includes a step of reacting glyoxylic acid compound (1-1) or (1-2) with aldehyde (2) in the presence of optically active pyrrolidine compound (3); wherein each symbol is as defined in the specification.
US08729289B2
A method for performing a flying grade switch in an ester production process, which preferably is operated in semi-continuous mode, maximizes plant equipment productivity while minimizing product cross-contamination. Mixed ester products of the process containing a C9-C11 alkyl or isodecyl benzoate together with a higher molecular weight di-alkyl phthalate or cyclohexanoate, bring performance advantages such as improved permanence in plasticized PVC articles or improved processability in manufacturing these articles.
US08729286B2
The present invention is a platinum(II) compound comprising a beta-diketonate ligand represented by the following general formula: Or general formula: wherein R1 and R2 are independently selected from the group consisting of alkyl optionally substituted, heteroalkyl optionally substituted, and aryl optionally substituted; R3 and R4 are independently selected from the group consisting of ammonia, an optionally substituted heterocycle including at least one nitrogen, and an optionally substituted amine, or R3 and R4 can be joined together to form a bidentate ligand Z and Y are independently selected from the group consisting of O and S, provided at least one of Z and Y is S; and X— is a counterion. These compounds are useful in the treatment of cancer.
US08729284B2
A method for producing an anionized meso-form double-cross-linked ligand represented by formula (3), including: bringing a compound represented by formula (1) into contact with a compound represented by formula (2) at −25° C. or less; and introducing an anionizing agent within 5 hours after the contact, wherein R1 to R10 are independently a hydrogen atom, a hydrocarbon group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, or the like; A and A′ are independently a cross-linking group containing an atom belonging to the 14th group of the periodic table; M and M′ are independently an atom belonging to the 1st or the 2nd group of the periodic table.
US08729268B2
This invention relates to compounds that inhibit protein tyrosine kinase activity. In particular the invention relates to compounds that inhibit the protein tyrosine kinase activity of growth factor receptors, resulting in the inhibition of receptor signaling, for example, the inhibition of VEGF receptor signaling. The invention also provides compounds, compositions and methods for treating cell proliferative diseases and conditions and opthalmological diseases, disorders and conditions.
US08729266B2
The present invention is directed to the reduction of an N-imine moiety or a hemiaminal moiety of a morphinan in the presence of a ruthenium, rhodium, or iridium asymmetric catalyst and a hydrogen source.
US08729265B2
The present invention relates to a method of making pyrimidines of formula (III) said method comprising reacting a compound of formula (I) with an oxygen, sulfur or nitrogen nucleophile of formula T-H; and reacting the compound obtained with an amine of formula (II) [HN(R1)R2] to form a compound of formula (III) wherein X1, X2, T, R1 and R2 have the meanings as defined herein.
US08729258B2
The present invention provides a novel class of macrocyclic compounds as well as complexes formed between a metal (e.g., lanthanide) ion and the compounds of the invention. Preferred complexes exhibit high stability as well as high quantum yields of lanthanide ion luminescence in aqueous media without the need for secondary activating agents. Preferred compounds incorporate hydroxy-isophthalamide moieties within their macrocyclic structure and are characterized by surprisingly low, non-specific binding to a variety of polypeptides such as antibodies and proteins as well as high kinetic stability. These characteristics distinguish them from known, open-structured ligands.
US08729254B2
An O-acyl product derived from glucose which may be obtained by partial or total esterification of glucose and of vitamin F, comprising a mixture of esters, for example, monoesters, of glucose and of at least one acid chosen from linoleic acid, oleic acid, palmitic acid and stearic acid, compositions, for example, cosmetic and pharmaceutical compositions, comprising this novel derivative, and their use for improving the condition of head hair and/or other hairs, and, for example, for reducing and/or impeding the loss of head hair and/or other hairs, and/or for inducing and/or stimulating hair growth, as well as a process for preparing O-acyl derivatives mainly in position 6 of glucose, comprising preparing a mixed anhydride by reacting a carboxylic acid with a trimethylacetyl halide, followed by reacting said mixed anhydride formed with glucose.
US08729247B2
A soluble multimeric protein or polypeptide is disclosed that is able to inhibit interaction of leukocyte Fcγ receptors (FcγR) and immunoglobulin G (IgG). The protein or polypeptide comprises two or more linked Fc binding regions, at least one of which is derived from an FcγR type receptor and, particularly, FcγRIIa. Also described are polynucleotide molecules encoding the protein or polypeptide and the use thereof in methods of treating a subject for an immune-complex (IC)-mediated inflammatory disease.
US08729245B2
Isolated nucleic acids encoding polypeptides that exhibit butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) enzyme activity are disclosed, along with molecular criteria for preparing such nucleic acids, including codon optimization. Methods of preparing modified and/or truncated BChE molecules having selected properties, especially selective formation of monomers, are also described. Vectors and cells containing and/or expressing the nucleic acids are also disclosed.
US08729244B2
The invention relates to a method for purifying factor B, comprising the steps consisting in: (i) obtaining a blood plasma fraction containing factor B; (ii) subjecting the fraction obtained in step (i) to a heparin-like affinity chromatography; (iii) subjecting the factor B-enriched fraction obtained in step (ii) to a cation exchange chromatography; (iv) subjecting the factor B-enriched fraction obtained in step (iii) to an anion exchange chromatography, (v) eluting the factor B.
US08729243B2
The present invention relates to a novel method for preparing compounds having the formula (I), where X is biotin or Y being biotin or Z being biotin or V being biotin or It also relates to compounds having the formula (I) and their use in clinical and industrial diagnosis.
US08729240B2
Provided is a monoclonal antibody against slightly oxidized LDL, which can play a role as an important tool in the research and development of oxidized LDL. Also provided are a kit for the simple detection of slightly oxidized LDL and a method for the simple detection of slightly oxidized LDL from the biological sample of a subject to be tested which use the monoclonal antibody. By means of ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay) using the monoclonal antibody as the solid phase antibody and an anti-apolipoprotein B antibody as the detection antibody, the degree of reaction between a severely oxidized low-density lipoprotein and the monoclonal antibody is low in comparison to the degree of reaction between a slightly oxidized low-density lipoprotein and the monoclonal antibody, and the monoclonal antibody specifically reacts with an oxidized low-density lipoprotein.
US08729233B2
A nanowire comprising a purified protein filament, such as a pilus, isolated from a bacterium, such as Geobacter sulfurreducens, is provided. Such a purified pilus can contain peptide subunits capable of assembling into the protein filament and establishing an electrical connection with an insoluble electron acceptor. The novel nanowires can be produced via a novel single step. Such nanowires are useful in applications requiring rectifying behavior.
US08729230B2
The present invention provides novel proteins activating pro-phenoloxidase (pro-PO) system of Tenebrio molitor, genes encoding the same, methods of detecting bacterial infection in a sample using the proteins, and kits for detecting bacterial infection in a sample using the proteins. The present invention also provides a method of preparing a soluble linearized Lys-type pep-tidoglycan (SLPG), useful for a standard substance for the kit.
US08729221B2
Embodiments of the invention include polymers comprising a regioregular conjugated main chain section having an enantiopure or enantioenriched chiral side chain, as well as methods and materials for producing such polymers. Illustrative methods include regioselectively preparing a monomer that includes an enantiopure or enantioenriched chiral side group, and then reacting these monomers to produce a polymer that comprises a regioregular conjugated main chain section having an enantiopure or enantioenriched chiral side chains. In illustrative embodiments of the invention, the regioregular conjugated main chain section can contain a repeat unit that includes a dithiophene and a pyridine.
US08729204B2
Compositions and methods for producing polymerization initiators comprising at least two protected primary amine groups. Polymers prepared using such polymerization initiators can comprise a residue of the polymerization initiator and can initially comprise the at least two protected primary amine groups. Such polymers can undergo a deprotection process thereby yielding a polymer having one or more unprotected primary amine groups. Polymers having primary amine groups can be employed in rubber compositions, which have a variety of potential applications, such as, for example, in tire manufacturing.
US08729199B2
The present invention relates to a process for cleaning a catalyst slurry preparation system and/or a catalyst preparation system. More particularly, the invention relates to a cleaning process for a catalyst preparation system and/or for a catalyst slurry preparation system, wherein an aqueous catalyst inactivation agent is used to rinse the systems, or any parts thereof. The catalysts used in the present invention may be chromium, Ziegler-Natta or metallocene catalysts.
US08729195B2
An objective of the present invention is to provide a curable silicone composition of the present invention exhibiting superior adhesive properties with respect to a poor-adhesive resin such as PPS, even if the composition is cured at a relatively low temperature for a short period. The aforementioned objective of the present invention is achieved by a curable silicone composition comprising: (A) an organopolysiloxane having at least two alkenyl groups in a molecule, (B) an organopolysiloxane having at least two silicon-bonded hydrogen atoms in a molecule, (C) a hydrosilylation-reaction catalyst, and (D) an acid anhydride having an alkoxy group bonding to a silicon atom or an alkoxyalkoxy group bonding to a silicon atom.
US08729193B2
Disclosed are polyurea compositions comprising the reaction products of a polyformal-isocyanate prepolymer and a curing agent comprising an amine. The compositions are useful as sealants in aerospace applications.
US08729192B2
The invention provides an epoxy resin composition, a novel epoxy resin, a novel phenol resin and a semiconductor encapsulating material. The cured article of the epoxy resin composition has superior characteristics in flame retardancy, heat-resistant and curing. The epoxy resin composition is a preferable resin composition using in a semiconductor device or a circuit board device, and has the structure in which a naphthalene structure is bonded with an arylene group through an oxygen atom, and the total number of the aromatic nucleus in both the naphthalene structures and the arylenes group is 2-8. The epoxy resin composition essentially includes an epoxy resin (A) having the glycidoxy group as a substituent in the aromatic nucleus and a curing agent (B).
US08729181B2
Aromatic polycyanate compounds which comprise cycloaliphatic moieties, a process for the production thereof and resins and thermoset products which are based on these compounds.
US08729176B2
A process is disclosed wherein ricinoleic acid from petroleum alternative vegetable castor oil that has a hydroxyl group at the 12-position or a derivative thereof (an ester or a hydrogenated compound thereof) is polymerized in the presence of a synthetic zeolite and an immobilized lipase at around normal temperature without using any harmful polymerization catalysts or organic solvents which can cause environmental pollution whereby a polyester useful in the industry that has a weight average molecular weight of 20,000 or more is obtained. This high-molecular weight polyester is crosslinked to give a crosslinked elastomer that is comparable to synthetic rubbers.
US08729164B2
The present invention relates to thermoplastic molding compositions and moldings with improved wear resistance comprising at least one thermoplastic matrix M, at least one carbon reinforcing fiber F, at least one carbon component K; at least one silicate component S, where the at least one silicate component S comprises particles which have, in any particle dimension, a length/thickness ratio greater than or equal to 3, and at least one titanium dioxide T.
US08729161B2
An environmental barrier coating comprises at least one transition layer made from a transition layer slurry comprising from about 1 wt % to about 99.9 wt % water, from about 0.1 wt % to about 72 wt % primary transition material, from about 0.1 wt % to about 25 wt % slurry sintering aid, optionally, any one or more of an outer layer made from an outer layer slurry comprising from about 1 wt % to about 99.9 wt % water and from about 0.1 wt % to about 72 wt % primary outer material, and a compliant layer made from a compliant layer slurry comprising from about 1 wt % to about 99.9 wt % water and from about 0.1 wt % to about 72 wt % primary compliant material.
US08729157B2
A process for making an ultra high solids emulsion adhesive that is coatable and dryable at room temperature. The process consists of increasing solids using a phase inversion process to accomplish the addition of increased solids into aqueous formulations thereby obtaining emulsion pressure sensitive adhesives with solids content in excess of 60%.
US08729152B2
A curing agent composition for a water-soluble phenol resin used to produce a mold, which comprises a branched ester compound that is derived from a carboxylic acid having a branched chain, and an alcohol, and has 5 to 13 carbon atoms.
US08729146B2
A catalyst composition including a solution of at least one member selected from the group consisting of an alkali metal carboxylate and an alkaline earth metal carboxylate in a solvent which is nonreactive with the isocyanate groups of a polyisocyanate.
US08729135B2
This invention relates to a stabilized aqueous glutaraldehyde solution including 0.005% to 45% m/v, suitably 10% to 45% m/v solution of glutaraldehyde, an alcohol ethoxylate non-ionic surfactant, a buffer and a sufficient amount of a pH modifier to bring the pH of the solution to 6.0 to 8.5. The glutaraldehyde and the alcohol ethoxylate non-ionic surfactant are chemically bound together, suitably by complexing. These stable solutions can be stored for a period of at least six months without the glutaraldehyde polymerizing or the pH dropping below 5.0.
US08729132B2
The present invention relates to an agomelatine hydrobromide hydrate of formula I wherein X is Br, preparation and use thereof, and to pharmaceutical compositions containing it. The agomelatine hydrobromide hydrate obtained through the present method has significant increased solubility than agomelatine, and therefore is more suitable for manufacturing pharmaceutical formulations. In addition, the product enjoys higher stability and purity. Using the present method, product of high purity can be obtained through a simple process, free of any complicated steps.
US08729122B2
The invention relates to compositions comprising abscisic acid, and/or salts, derivatives and analogs thereof, and methods of pharmaceutical and/or nutraceutical use.
US08729121B2
A sterilized cyanoacrylate adhesive composition including a cyanoacrylate composition and a cure speed enhancer, wherein the sterilized cyanoacrylate adhesive composition does not cure upon sterilization. A kit for applying the sterilized cyanoacrylate adhesive composition, including the cyanoacrylate adhesive composition and an applicator. A method of making the sterilized cyanoacrylate adhesive composition, by adding a cure speed enhancer to a cyanoacrylate adhesive composition and sterilizing the composition. A method of applying the sterilized cyanoacrylate adhesive composition to tissue by applying the sterilized cyanoacrylate adhesive composition as a liquid, and quickly curing the sterilized cyanoacrylate adhesive composition. A method of sealing tissue by applying the sterilized cyanoacrylate adhesive composition as a liquid to tissue to be sealed, quickly curing the sterilized cyanoacrylate adhesive composition, and sealing the tissue.
US08729113B2
The invention relates to compounds of formula I wherein R1, R2, X, Y, and n are defined in the specification and to pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salts thereof. The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions and methods of manufacture of such compounds. The compounds are useful for the treatment of diseases related to the biological function of the trace amine associated receptors, which diseases are depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, stress-related disorders, psychotic disorders, schizophrenia, neurological diseases, Parkinson's disease, neurodegenerative disorders, Alzheimer's disease, epilepsy, migraine, substance abuse and metabolic disorders, eating disorders, diabetes, diabetic complications, obesity, dyslipidemia, disorders of energy consumption and assimilation, disorders and malfunction of body temperature homeostasis, disorders of sleep and circadian rhythm, and cardiovascular disorders.
US08729112B2
This application describes compounds useful as anti-microbial agents, including as antibacterial, disinfectant, antifungal, germicidal or antiviral agents.
US08729111B2
Disclosed are compounds and methods of using compounds of the invention for treating a subject with a proliferative disorder, such as cancer, and methods for treating disorders responsive to Hsp70 induction and/or natural killer induction. Also, disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions comprising compounds of the invention and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
US08729109B2
The present invention relates to novel oxadiazole derivatives, processes for preparing them, pharmaceutical compositions containing them and their use as pharmaceuticals as modulators of sphingosine-1-phosphate receptors.
US08729104B2
The instant invention provides compounds of formula I which are 5-lipoxygenase activating protein inhibitors. Compounds of formula I are useful as anti-atherosclerotic, anti-asthmatic, anti-allergic, anti-inflammatory and cytoprotective agents.
US08729087B2
The invention encompasses compounds having formula I and the compositions and methods using these compounds in the treatment of conditions in which modulation of the JAK pathway or inhibition of JAK kinases are therapeutically useful.
US08729072B2
Alkylated piperazine compounds of Formula I are provided, including stereoisomers, tautomers, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, useful for inhibiting Btk kinase, and for treating immune disorders such as inflammation mediated by Btk kinase. Methods of using compounds of Formula I for in vitro, in situ, and in vivo diagnosis, and treatment of such disorders in mammalian cells, or associated pathological conditions, are disclosed.
US08729070B2
The present invention is directed to CNS pharmaceutical compositions and methods of use. The pharmaceutical compositions comprise a CNS active agent and preferably at least two vagal neuromodulators, one of which is a mechanoreceptor stimulator. The vagal neuromodulators are preferably in an amount sufficient to reduce a somnolence side-effect of the CNS active agent without changing its therapeutic efficacy/activity. The invention further encompasses a method of reducing CNS active agent side-effects. The method typically comprises oral administration of at least one CNS active agent to a patient at the conventionally accepted dose; and administration of at least two vagal neuromodulators to the patient so that at least one neuromodulator is administered or released from dosage form after the CNS active agent is administered and/or released.
US08729064B2
Disclosed are compounds, compositions and methods for treating diseases, syndromes, conditions and disorders that are affected by the inhibition of MGL, including pain. Such compounds are represented by Formula (I) as follows: wherein R1, W and are defined herein.
US08729059B2
Embodiments of the present disclosure include methods for identifying a compound or compounds useful as therapeutic agents in the treatment of paramyxovirus infections, compounds for the treatment of measles, and high throughput screening methods for identifying compounds capable of inhibiting the proliferation of a paramyxovirus.
US08729054B2
This invention discloses 3-desoxy-2-methylene-vitamin D analogs, and specifically (20S)-3-desoxy-1α,25-dihydroxy-2-methylene-vitamin D3 and (20R)-3-desoxy-1α,25-dihydroxy-2-methylene-vitamin D3 as well as pharmaceutical uses therefor. These compounds exhibit relatively high binding activity and pronounced activity in arresting the proliferation of undifferentiated cells and inducing their differentiation to monocytes thus evidencing use as anti-cancer agents especially for the treatment or prevention of osteosarcoma, leukemia, colon cancer, breast cancer, skin cancer or prostate cancer. These compounds also exhibit relatively high calcemic activity evidencing use in the treatment of bone diseases.
US08729050B2
A method for treating or preventing disorders, diseases, and symptom of reflux, that is laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR), in the laryngopharynx caused by pepsin comprises orally administering to the laryngopharynx of a patient an effective amount of cellulose powder. A method for treating or preventing damage to the lining membranes of at least some of the aerodigestive tract, the damage caused by pepsin, comprises coating at least some of the lining membranes with an effective amount of a cellulose powder. Upon inhalation of the powder, the powder coats the lining membranes. Upon coating the lining membranes, the powder becomes a gel. The gel prevents the pepsin from binding with the lining membranes, thereby preventing damage caused by pepsin in laryngopharyngeal reflux or in extra-esophageal reflux.
US08729038B2
The present invention relates to compositions of virus-like particles for the introduction of RNA-interference (RNAi-) inducing molecules into eukaryotic cells and methods for the cell type-specific transduction of a plurality of eukaryotic cells with RNAi-inducing molecules. The present invention furthermore relates to methods for a diagnosis, prevention and/or treatment of diseases or disease states associated with an increased expression rate of at least one endogenous gene, and/or with the undesired expression of at least one endogenous gene and/or foreign nucleic acids, in particular viral nucleic acids.
US08729032B2
Provide are a peptide gel with practically sufficient mechanical strength and a self-assembling peptide capable of forming the peptide gel. The self-assembling peptide is formed of the following amino acid sequence: a1b1c1b2a2b3db4a3b5c2b6a4 where: a1 to a4 each represent a basic amino acid residue; b1 to b6 each represent an uncharged polar amino acid residue and/or a hydrophobic amino acid residue, provided that at least five thereof each represent a hydrophobic amino acid residue; c1 and c2 each represent an acidic amino acid residue; and d represents a hydrophobic amino acid residue.
US08729030B2
The present invention relates to peptide compounds that are agonists of the erythropoietin receptor (EPO-R). The invention also relates to therapeutic methods using such peptide compounds to treat disorders associated with insufficient or defective red blood cell production. Pharmaceutical compositions, which comprise the peptide compounds of the invention, are also provided.
US08729029B2
The invention relates to peptide derivatives (peptides and pseudo-peptides) and use thereof as vectors for molecules of interest. The invention also relates to conjugates containing a peptide derivative of the invention bound to a molecule of interest. The peptides and prodrug conjugates of the invention can be used to vectorise molecules of pharmaceutical or diagnostic interest, such as, for example, therapeutic molecules, imaging or diagnostic agents, or molecular probes, across cell membranes, and notably to promote their transport across the blood-brain barrier (BBB).
US08729027B2
Disclosed is a drug effective in the treatment of fibromyalgia. Basically, the disclosed therapeutic agent was created on the basis of experiments showing improvement in symptoms when etanercept was administered to patients suffering from fibromyalgia. Etanercept is known as a therapeutic agent for rheumatoid arthritis, and the JFIQ score of patients not suffering from fibromyalgia improved considerably in the preferred embodiment. In other words, a therapeutic agent for fibromyalgia is disclosed that contains etanercept as an active ingredient in an effective amount.
US08729016B2
Methods for treating impaired glucose tolerance and early and late stage diabetes in mammals, for prophylactically sparing β-cell function, aiding in preventing β-cell death, preventing the onset of overt diabetes in a mammal with type 2 diabetes, treating the current level of glycemic control dysfunction of a mammal with impaired glucose tolerance or diabetes, comprising orally administering insulin and a delivery agent that facilitates insulin absorption from the gastrointestinal tract at the time of or shortly before mealtime, e.g., within about 10 minutes prior to ingestion of a meal, on a chronic basis. The methods also comprise, in addition to administering a rapid-acting insulin to provide a first insulin peak, administering a slow acting insulin to provide a second insulin peak occurring at a later time but of a longer duration. These methods achieve improved glycemic control without the risks of hypoglycemia, hyperinsulinemia and weight gain and the need for frequent blood glucose monitoring that are normally associated with insulin therapy.
US08729012B2
The invention relates to the use of peptides, proteins, and other oligomers to provide a means by which normally quenched nanoparticle fluorescence may be recovered upon detection of a target molecule. Further, the inventive technology provides a structure and method to carry out detection of target molecules without the need to label the target molecules before detection. In another aspect, a method for forming arbitrarily shaped two- and three-dimensional protein-mediated nanoparticle structures and the resulting structures are described. Proteins mediating structure formation may themselves be functionalized with a variety of useful moieties, including catalytic functional groups.
US08729007B2
An acidic laundry detergent composition comprising less than about 20% of a surfactant system comprising surfactants selected from the group consisting of anionic surfactants, nonionic surfactants, cationic surfactants and mixtures thereof, wherein the surfactant system has a Hydrophilic Index of greater than or equal to about 9.00 and an organic acidulant at a level such that the ratio of surfactant system to organic acidulant is less or equal to about 3.0 and an alkaline neutralizer added in an amount necessary to raise the neat pH of the detergent composition above or equal to about 2.5 but no higher than or equal to about 3.0.
US08729006B2
The present invention includes methods and compositions that employ sodium carboxymethyl cellulose as a scale inhibitor. According to the invention, scale inhibiting compositions are disclosed which include, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose and a polymer such as polymaleic acid, polyacrylic acid or mixtures, copolymers or terpolymers of the same and optionally may also include a phosphonate. The scale control composition may be incorporated into a detergent/cleaning composition.
US08729000B2
A convenient single use multi-phase care system including multiple formulations can be packaged in one dispensing unit. The multi-phase care system is capable of separately dispensing one of the multiple formulations at a time in a sequential order to allow the consumer to dispense a daily care regimen one step at a time. In one embodiment, the daily care regimen is a multi-phase skin care system. In another embodiment, the daily care regimen is a multi-phase hair care system.
US08728996B2
The invention provides a lubricating composition containing an oil of lubricating viscosity and a compound obtained/obtainable by a process comprising reacting a glycolic acid, a 2-halo-acetic acid, or a lactic acid, or an alkali or alkaline metal salts thereof, (typically glycolic acid or a 2-halo-acetic acid) with at least one member selected from the group consisting of an amine, an alcohol, and an aminoalcohol. The invention further relates to the use of the lubricating composition in an internal combustion engine.
US08728992B2
The invention provides a grease composition containing a thickener, a base oil and an antistatic agent, where the antistatic agent includes at least one selected from the group consisting of Li(CF3SO2)2N and Li(CF3SO2)3C; and a mechanical part where the above-mentioned grease composition is packed. The composition of the invention shows satisfactory results in the antistatic properties and the acoustic property.
US08728989B2
New hydrocarbon based slurry compositions and drilling, fracturing, completion and production fluids including the hydrocarbon based slurry composition are disclosed, where the composition includes a hydrocarbon soluble polymer adapted to decrease particle settling rates of particulate materials present in the fluids and in the case of fluids that include hydratable materials to increase hydration properties of such materials.
US08728986B2
A metering device, a metering element, and a method for operating same, the metering element having a storage container open on one side for receiving the substances to be metered and a plunger which is axially movable and reversibly seals the opening of the storage container and which preferably has at least one centrally located metering opening for metering the substances provided in the storage container, the plunger including a separation device for particles.
US08728984B2
The present invention relates to the method of determining the risk of acute kidney injury comprising determining the amount of one or more marker(s) selected from REN, SLC38A4, IL17RB, TMEM149, FLRT3, and CATSPERG or any combination thereof in a sample.
US08728980B2
A peptide microarray comprising a plurality of predicted unique binding peptides being selected by computational prediction of interaction with a protein of interest or a domain thereof. The selected unique binding peptides are pre-synthesized and then printed and/or immobilized onto a solid support surface via N-terminus with a linker. Methods of using the invention peptide microarray for quantitative determination of protein-peptide interaction, epitope mapping, and drug screening are also provided.
US08728978B2
Suggested are biocide compositions, comprising (a) esters based on ketocarboxylic acids, (b) biocides, and optionally (c) oil components or co-solvents and/or (d) emulsifiers. The compositions exhibit an improved stability even if stored at temperatures between 5° and 40° C. over a longer period.
US08728973B2
The present invention relates to a photocatalytic material having a visible light activity which includes a tungsten-doped titanium oxide or a tungsten/gallium-codoped titanium oxide, and a divalent copper salt and/or a trivalent iron salt supported on a surface of the doped or codoped titanium oxide, and a process for producing the photocatalytic material.
US08728972B2
Embodiments of the present invention disclose improved micro-pore catalyst structures containing catalytic material comprised of mixed oxides of vanadium and phosphorus and using such improved micro-pore catalyst structures for the production of maleic anhydride.
US08728971B2
The present invention relates to a process for preparing catalyst slurry in a catalyst slurry preparation system and supplying catalyst slurry to an ethylene polymerization loop reactor wherein an accurate control of the pressure within said catalyst slurry preparation system is provided. More particularly, the present invention provides a method for preparing a catalyst slurry and supplying said catalyst slurry to an ethylene polymerization loop reactor, said catalyst slurry comprising solid catalyst and a liquid hydrocarbon diluent, wherein said method comprises the steps of: (a) feeding concentrated catalyst slurry to a mixing vessel by means of a feeding device; (b) diluting said concentrated catalyst slurry in a suitable amount of said diluent in a mixing vessel thereby obtaining a diluted catalyst slurry having a concentration suitable for use in an ethylene polymerization reaction; wherein said mixing vessel is provided with at least one pressure regulating unit connected therewith and wherein said pressure regulating unit comprises a pulsation dampener; and (c) transferring said diluted catalyst slurry from said mixing vessel to said ethylene polymerization loop reactor; characterized in that the method comprises the step of maintaining said mixing vessel essentially free of a gaseous phase by regulating the pressure in said mixing vessel using said at least one pressure regulating unit comprising the pulsation dampener.
US08728969B2
A process for obtaining a catalyst composite comprising the following steps: a). selecting a molecular sieve having pores of 10-or more-membered rings b). contacting the molecular sieve with a metal silicate different from said molecular sieve comprising at least one alkaline earth metal and one or more of the following metals: Ga, Al, Ce, In, Cs, Sc, Sn, Li, Zn, Co, Mo, Mn, Ni, Fe, Cu, Cr, Ti and V, such that the composite comprises at least 0.1 wt % of silicate.
US08728965B2
Provided is a method for producing a porous material, wherein porosity can be controlled to 50% or higher by means of a freezing method, pore size can be controlled to 10 μm to 300 μm, and pore diameter distribution is uniform. The method is a method for producing a porous material, comprising freezing a mixture of water and a raw material comprising at least any of a ceramic material, a resin, a metal, and precursors thereof from a specific portion of the mixture to use ice crystals produced at the time as a pore source and then heat-treating a dry material obtained by removing the ice from the frozen material, wherein the mixture of a raw material and water or the frozen material comprises an antifreeze protein.
US08728963B2
An optical glass that is an oxide glass having a very high refractive index in spite of its low-dispersion property, having excellent glass stability and having less susceptibility to coloring.
US08728960B2
The invention described relates to a polyolefin blend composition suitable for spunbond fiber or filament compositions, and to fabric compositions and composite constructions therefrom, said blend comprising a) from 60-98 wt % of at least one random propylene copolymer having a comonomer content of from 8 to 25 wt % and a crystalline melting point (Tm) as determined by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) of from about 40° C. to about 110° C.; and b) from 2-40 wt % of at least one substantially isotactic polypropylene homopolymer or copolymer comprising one or more C2 and/or C4-C8 comonomer, having a crystalline melting point (Tm) as determined by DSC greater than or equal to 120° C. The blends of the present invention typically have a melt flow rate (MFR) of from 100 g/10 min to about 500 g/10 min.
US08728951B2
A method of processing a substrate includes performing a first exposure that comprises generating a plasma containing reactive gas ions in a plasma chamber and generating a bias voltage between the substrate and the plasma chamber. The method also includes providing a plasma sheath modifier having an aperture disposed between the plasma and substrate and operable to direct the reactive gas ions toward the substrate, and establishing a pressure differential between the plasma chamber and substrate region while the reactive gas ions are directed onto the substrate.
US08728949B2
A method for forming a semiconductor device. A substrate having thereon at least one small pattern and at least one large pattern is provided. A sacrificial layer is deposited to cover the small pattern and the large pattern. A chemical mechanical polishing is performed to planarize the sacrificial layer. The sacrificial layer is then dry etched to a thickness that is smaller than a height of the small pattern and the large pattern, thereby revealing an oxide hard mask of the small pattern and the large pattern. The oxide hard mask is then selectively removed.
US08728947B2
A method for opening a conformal layer at the bottom of a contact via on a substrate is described. The method includes providing a substrate having a first layer with a via pattern formed therein and a second layer conformally deposited on the first layer and within the via pattern to establish a contact via pattern characterized by an initial mid-critical dimension (CD). The method further includes etching through the second layer at the bottom of the contact via pattern to extend the contact via pattern through the second layer and form a contact via while retaining at least part of the second layer on the top surface of the first layer, the corner at the entrance to the via pattern, and the sidewalls of the via pattern, wherein the etching is performed by irradiating the substrate with a gas cluster ion beam (GCIB) according to a GCIB etching process.
US08728943B2
A pattern forming method includes forming a spin on dielectric film on a substrate, washing the spin on dielectric film by using a washing liquid, drying a surface of the spin on dielectric film after the washing, forming a photosensitive film on the dried coating type insulation film, emitting energy rays to a predetermined position of the photosensitive film in order to form a latent image on the photosensitive film, developing the photosensitive film in order to form a photosensitive film pattern which corresponds to the latent image, and processing the spin on dielectric film with the photosensitive film pattern serving as a mask.
US08728942B2
Mirror-polishing a front surface of a silicon wafer using polishing liquid composed of an abrasive grain-free alkaline solution including water-soluble polymers simplifies a polishing process, thus leading to an increase in productivity and a reduction in cost, and reduces the density of LPDs attributable to processing and occurring in the front surface of a mirror-polished wafer, thus improving the surface roughness of the wafer front surface.
US08728931B2
A method for forming an interconnect structure includes forming a recess in a dielectric layer of a substrate. An adhesion barrier layer is formed to line the recess. A first stress level is present across a first interface between the adhesion barrier layer and the dielectric layer. A stress-reducing barrier layer is formed over the adhesion barrier layer. The stress-reducing barrier layer reduces the first stress level to provide a second stress level, less than the first stress level, across a second interface between the adhesion barrier layer, the stress-reducing barrier layer, and the dielectric layer. The recess is filled with a fill layer.
US08728914B2
Fractures (17a, 17b) are generated from modified regions (7a, 7b) to front and rear faces (12a, 12b) of a object to be processed (1), respectively, while an unmodified region (2) is interposed between the modified regions (7a, 7b). This can prevent fractures from continuously advancing in the thickness direction of a silicon substrate (12) when forming a plurality of rows of modified regions (7). By generating a stress in the object (1), the fractures (17a, 17b) are connected to each other in the unmodified region (2), so as to cut the object (1). This can prevent fractures from meandering in the rear face (12b) of the object (1) and so forth, whereby the object (1) can be cut accurately along a line to cut the object (5).
US08728911B2
An optical device wafer processing method for processing an wafer having an epitaxy substrate and an optical device layer formed on the front side of the epitaxy substrate through a buffer layer. The buffer layer is to be broken in the condition where the optical device layer is bonded through a bonding metal layer to a transfer substrate. The method includes a buffer layer breaking step of applying a pulsed laser beam having a wavelength having transmissivity to the epitaxy substrate and having absorptivity to the buffer layer from the back side of the epitaxy substrate to the buffer layer, thereby breaking the buffer layer. The buffer layer breaking step includes a first laser beam applying step of completely breaking the buffer layer corresponding to an optical device area and a second laser beam applying step of incompletely breaking the buffer layer corresponding to a peripheral marginal area.
US08728909B2
A semiconductor cell includes first trenches defining fin type active regions within the semiconductor substrate and adjacent to each other, second trenches disposed at one side and the other side of the first trenches, adjacent to the first trench and including fin type active regions, a first oxide layer formed on each of surfaces of the first trenches, and a second oxide layer formed on each of surfaces of the second trenches and having a thicker thickness than the first oxide layer. Although the critical dimension of the fin is increased, the gate drivability can be improved.
US08728901B2
A method for fabricating a non-volatile, ferroelectric random access memory (F-RAM) device is described. In one embodiment, the method includes forming an opening in an insulating layer over a surface of a substrate, and forming bottom electrode spacers proximal to sidewalls of the opening. Next, a ferroelectric dielectric layer is formed in the opening over the surface of the substrate and between the bottom electrode spacers, and a pair of top electrodes is formed within the opening comprising first and second side portions displaced laterally from respective ones of the bottom electrode spacers by the ferroelectric dielectric layer.
US08728895B1
The present invention discloses a double diffused metal oxide semiconductor (DMOS) device and a manufacturing method thereof. The DMOS device includes: an isolation structure for defining device regions; a gate with a ring-shaped structure; a drain located outside the ring; and a lightly doped drain, a source, and a body electrode located inside the ring. To increase the sub-threshold voltage at the corners of the gate, the corners are located completely on the isolation structure, or the lightly doped drain is apart from the corners by a predetermined distance.
US08728893B2
A method of fabricating a semiconductor memory device includes alternately and repeatedly stacking sacrificial layers and insulating layers on a substrate, forming an active pattern penetrating the sacrificial layers and the insulating layers, continuously patterning the insulating layers and the sacrificial layers to form a trench, removing the sacrificial layers exposed in the trench to form recess regions exposing a sidewall of the active pattern, forming an information storage layer on the substrate, forming a gate conductive layer on the information storage layer, such that the gate conductive layer fills the recess regions and defines an empty region in the trench, the empty region being surrounded by the gate conductive layer, and performing an isotropic etch process with respect to the gate conductive layer to form gate electrodes in the recess regions, such that the gate electrodes are separated from each other.
US08728891B2
Contact openings are produced in a semiconductor body by forming a plurality of self-aligned structures on a main surface of a semiconductor body, each self-aligned structure filling a trench formed in the semiconductor body and extending above and onto the main surface. Adjacent ones of the self-aligned structures have spaced apart sidewalls which face each other. A spacer layer is formed on the sidewalls of the self-aligned structures. Openings are formed in the semiconductor body between adjacent ones of the self-aligned structures while the spacer layer is on the sidewalls of the self-aligned structures. Each opening has a width and a distance to the sidewall of an adjacent trench which corresponds to a thickness of the spacer layer. Self-aligned contact structures can also be produced on a semiconductor body, with or without using the spacer layer.
US08728883B2
A highly reliable semiconductor device is manufactured by giving stable electric characteristics to a transistor in which an oxide semiconductor film is used for a channel. An oxide semiconductor film which can have a first crystal structure by heat treatment and an oxide semiconductor film which can have a second crystal structure by heat treatment are formed so as to be stacked, and then heat treatment is performed; accordingly, crystal growth occurs with the use of an oxide semiconductor film having the second crystal structure as a seed, so that an oxide semiconductor film having the first crystal structure is formed. An oxide semiconductor film formed in this manner is used for an active layer of the transistor.
US08728869B2
A method for fabricating a semiconductor chip module and a semiconductor chip package is disclosed. One embodiment provides a first layer, a second layer, and a base layer. The first layer is disposed on the base layer, and the second layer is disposed on the first layer. A plurality of semiconductor chips is applied above the second layer, and the second layer with the applied semiconductor chips is separated from the first layer.
US08728863B2
Methods of forming bonded semiconductor structures include providing a substrate structure including a relatively thinner layer of material on a thicker substrate body, and forming a plurality of through wafer interconnects through the layer of material. A first semiconductor structure may be bonded over the thin layer of material, and at least one conductive feature of the first semiconductor structure may be electrically coupled with at least one of the through wafer interconnects. A transferred layer of material may be provided over the first semiconductor structure on a side thereof opposite the first substrate structure, and at least one of an electrical interconnect, an optical interconnect, and a fluidic interconnect may be formed in the transferred layer of material. A second semiconductor structure may be provided over the transferred layer of material on a side thereof opposite the first semiconductor structure. Bonded semiconductor structures are fabricated using such methods.
US08728861B2
A method is provided for fabricating a thin film transistor. A plurality of layers is deposited on a substrate. The plurality of layers includes a conductive gate contact layer, a gate insulator layer, an undoped channel layer, an etch-stop layer, and a conductive contact layer. The etch-stop layer is positioned between the conductive contact layer and the undoped channel layer. A portion of the conductive contact layer is selectively removed while removal of a portion of the undoped channel layer is prevented by the etch-stop layer during the selective removal. A portion of the etch-stop layer is selectively removed and an exposed portion of the etch-stop layer is converted from a conductor to an insulator by oxidizing the exposed portion of the etch-stop layer in air. A portion of remaining layers of the plurality of layers is selectively removed to form the thin film transistor.
US08728859B2
An example embodiment disclosed is a method for fabricating a phase change memory cell. The method includes forming a non-sublithographic via within an insulating substrate. The insulating substrate is embedded on the same layer as a first metalization layer (Metal 1) of a semiconductor wafer, and includes a bottom and a sidewall. A sublithographic aperture is formed through the bottom of the non-sublithographic via and extends to a buried conductive material. The sublithographic aperture is filled with a conductive non-phase change material. Furthermore, phase change material is deposited within the non-sublithographic via.
US08728855B2
A method for processing a semiconductor assembly is presented. The method includes: (a) contacting at least a portion of a semiconductor assembly with a chalcogen source, wherein the semiconductor assembly comprises a semiconductor layer comprising a semiconductor material disposed on a support; (b) introducing a chalcogen from the chalcogen source into at least a portion of the semiconductor material; and (c) disposing a window layer on the semiconductor layer after the step (b).
US08728848B2
A method for forming, on an organic semiconductor layer, an electrical contact layer comprising a metal, is disclosed. In one aspect, the method includes providing a charge collecting barrier layer on the organic semiconductor layer, providing a liquid composition comprising a precursor for the metal on the charge collecting barrier layer, and performing a sintering process. The charge collecting barrier layer is substantially impermeable to the components of the liquid composition.
US08728836B2
An embodiment of the disclosed technology provides a method for preventing electrostatic breakdown during the manufacturing process of the array substrate. The method comprises: when forming a conductive pattern of a substrate, connecting conductive lines for forming the conductive pattern with a closed conductive ring on a same layer as the conductive lines in a peripheral region of the substrate, and wherein when electrostatic charges are generated over the metal line, the electrostatic charges are led to the closed conductive ring.
US08728832B2
Embodiments related to methods for forming a film stack on a substrate are provided. One example method comprises exposing the substrate to an activated oxygen species and converting an exposed surface of the substrate into a continuous monolayer of a first dielectric material. The example method also includes forming a second dielectric material on the continuous monolayer of the first dielectric material without exposing the substrate to an air break.
US08728831B2
A system and method for reducing warpage of a semiconductor wafer. The system includes a device for securing the semiconductor wafer in a heating area. The device includes a holding mechanism for securing an edge of the semiconductor wafer. The device further includes a pressure reducing device that reduces the pressure underneath the semiconductor device, which further secures the semiconductor device in the heating area. The heating area includes a plurality of heating and cooling zones in which the semiconductor wafer is subjected to various temperatures.
US08728824B2
The invention relates to the detection of fatty acids. In a particular aspect, the invention relates to methods for detecting very long chain fatty acids and branched chain fatty acids by mass spectrometry.
US08728823B2
A method is described for detecting lung cancer comprising detecting an elevated level of a CTAP III-related biomarker in a biological sample from a subject at risk for developing lung cancer. Further, a method is described for predicting risk of developing lung cancer in a subject comprising detecting an elevated level of a CTAP III-related biomarker in a biological sample from a subject. Additionally, a method of monitoring the success of lung cancer treatment is described comprising detecting levels of a CTAP III-related biomarker in a biological sample from a subject undergoing treatment for lung cancer for comparison with a previous level obtained from the subject. Multivariate analysis may be incorporated into these methods, evaluating such clinical, or demographic risk factors as age, sex, smoking history, smoking status, smoking family history, education level, COPD, socio-economic status, body mass index and lung function. Kits for conducting such methods are described.
US08728818B2
In one aspect, there is provided a cell culturing substrate including: a cell culture surface having a film attached thereto, wherein the film includes one or more plasma polymerized monomers; and a coating on the film-coated surface, the coating deposited from a coating solution comprising one or more extracellular matrix proteins and an aqueous solvent, where the total extracellular matrix protein concentration in the coating solution is about 1 ng/mL to about 1 mg/mL.
US08728816B2
The present invention relates to a medium for the cultivation of eukaryotic cells, the medium comprising as (an) additive(s) DMSO, N-acetylmannosamine (NAcMan), N-acetylglucosamine (NAcGlc), or any combination of two or more of these additives, including the combination of NAcMan and NAcGlc.
US08728813B2
A method of ex-vivo increasing insulin content in progenitor cells which express SLUG is provided. The method comprises downregulating an amount or activity of SLUG in the progenitor cells. Cell populations generated thereby and uses thereof are also provided.
US08728803B2
Isolated and/or purified polypeptides and nucleic acid sequences encoding polypeptides from Alicyclobacillus acidocaldarius are provided. Further provided are methods for modulating or altering metabolism in a cell using isolated and/or purified polypeptides and nucleic acid sequences from Alicyclobacillus acidocaldarius.
US08728797B2
The invention relates to an in vitro cell based expression system for overexpressing heterologous pump proteins associated with drug resistance into the membrane of the host cell for drug screening applications.
US08728790B2
The present invention provides protease variants, compositions comprising protease variants, and methods of using such protease variants and compositions.
US08728786B2
Disclosed are methods for the enhancement of the reactivation of thermostable reversibly inactivated enzymes comprising reactivating at least one thermostable reversibly inactivated enzyme in the presence of one or more nitrogen containing compounds.
US08728784B2
A method is provided for fluid flow containment in an open liquid environment at least partially defined by a surface. The method includes the step of positioning a microfluidic device over the surface. The microfluidic device defines a chamber having a height. A flow of fluid is applied in the chamber. The pressure of the flow of fluid is monitored and the height of the chamber is determined from the measured pressure of the flow of fluid.
US08728776B2
The invention relates to strains of bacteria of the genus Ochrobactrum, that can degrade polylactic acid. The invention also relates to an enzyme that can degrade polylactic acid, characterized in that it is produced by said bacteria strains according to the invention. The invention also relates to the applications of said bacteria strains and said enzyme that can degrade polylactic acid.
US08728769B2
The invention relates to xylanases and to polynucleotides encoding the xylanases. In addition, methods of designing new xylanases and methods of use thereof are also provided. The xylanases have increased activity and stability at increased pH and temperature.
US08728764B2
The present invention relates to the field of molecular biology, and more specifically to methods for reducing the complexity of a nucleic acid sample.
US08728753B2
Peptides from the Insulin-Like Growth Factor 1 Receptor (IGF-1R) protein are provided that are particularly advantageous for quantifying the IGF-1 R protein directly in biological samples, such as samples fixed in formalin. The ionization characteristics of the peptides also are disclosed. The peptides may be used in Selected Reaction Monitoring (SRM) mass spectrometry methods, also referred to Multiple Reaction Monitoring (MRM) mass spectrometry methods. The samples are chemically preserved and fixed, such as tissues and cells treated with formaldehyde containing agents/fixatives including formalin-fixed tissue/cells, formalin fixed/paraffin embedded (FFPE) tissue/cells, FFPE tissue blocks and cells from those blocks, and tissue culture cells that have been formalin fixed and or paraffin embedded. A protein sample may be prepared from the biological sample and the IGF-IR protein is quantitated by the method of SRM/MRM mass spectrometry by quantitating one or more of the described peptides. These peptides can be quantitated in either modified or unmodified form. An example of a modified form of an IGF-1 R peptide is phosphorylation of a tyrosine, threonine, serine, and/or other amino acid residues within the peptide sequence.
US08728745B2
The present invention concerns a method for predicting the potential for aggressive growth and/or the risk to progress to high grade cancer for tumors in cell based detection procedures. In one aspect the invention concerns the detection of overexpression of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor gene products as a tool for predicting the progression risk and/or potential for aggressive growth of tumors. In a second aspect the invention concerns predicting the progression risk and/or potential for aggressive growth in tumors on the basis of the simultaneous co-detection of the presence of overexpression of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor gene products together with the expression of markers for active cell proliferation. Further the invention concerns preparations of probes for diagnosis namely for predicting the progression risk and/or the potential for aggressive growth of tumors.
US08728742B2
Provided are methods for evaluating the risk of an adverse clinical outcome in a subject, deciding whether to discharge or continue treating a subject (e.g., on an inpatient basis), or to initiate or terminate treatment, selecting a subject for participation 5 in a clinical study, and selecting a therapeutic treatment for a subject that include determining a level of ST2 and a level of galectin-3 in a biological sample from the subject. Kits are also provided that contain an antibody that specifically binds to ST2, an antibody that specifically binds to galectin-3, and instructions for using the in the methods described.
US08728741B2
The present application describes a monoclonal antibody selected from the group consisting of monoclonal antibody DS6, monoclonal antibodies that specifically bind to the antigen or epitope bound by monoclonal antibody DS6, and fragments of the foregoing that specifically bind to the antigen or epitope bound by monoclonal antibody DS6. Methods of use of such antibodies and the isolated antigen bound by such antibodies are also described.
US08728740B2
Epitopes localized on FNIII-8 repeat that are normally cryptic but are unmasked by insertion of FNIII-B into the FN molecule and are recognized by specific ligands are described; antibodies or their fragments able to identify the above said epitope are also described.
US08728737B2
The present invention concerns preparation of DNA molecules, such as a library, using a stem-loop oligonucleotide. In particular embodiments, the invention employs a single reaction mixture and conditions. In particular, at least part of the inverted palindrome is removed during the preparation of the molecules to facilitate amplification of the molecules. Thus, in specific embodiments, the DNA molecules are suitable for amplification and are not hindered by the presence of the palindrome.
US08728733B1
Disclosed is a method for analyzing the organismic complexity of a sample through analysis of the nucleic acid in the sample. In the disclosed method, through a series of steps, including digestion with a type II restriction enzyme, ligation of capture adapters and linkers and digestion with a type IIS restriction enzyme, genome signature tags are produced. The sequences of a statistically significant number of the signature tags are determined and the sequences are used to identify and quantify the organisms in the sample. Various embodiments of the invention described herein include methods for using single point genome signature tags to analyze the related families present in a sample, methods for analyzing sequences associated with hyper- and hypo-methylated CpG islands, methods for visualizing organismic complexity change in a sampling location over time and methods for generating the genome signature tag profile of a sample of fragmented DNA.
US08728732B2
The present invention provides methods of determination of a global DNA methylation index (GDMI) in a sample from a subject, using a variety of methods which can detect global, genome-wide, and gene-specific DNA methylation to create methylation portraits that can be used for early detection, diagnosis, and clinical management in the personalized medicine space. Further, the invention provides methods of diagnosis of cancer, including gastric cancer and hepatocellular cancer in a subject, by comparing the GDMI in a sample obtained from a subject to the methylation index of standard controls. These methods allow diagnosis of gastric carcinoma and liver cancer in patients who may be asymptomatic or have inconclusive pathology, and allowing earlier treatment of the subject.
US08728726B1
A mutation in the gene encoding the raffinose synthase 2 enzyme, RS2, in soybean, Glycine max (L.) Merr., is associated with a reduced raffinose and stachyose seed phenotype. Soybean homozygous for a mutant allele of the RS2 gene which encodes an amino acid change to isoleucine at position 107 of the enzyme's amino acid sequence exhibit significantly reduced seed raffinose and stachyose content, and increased seed sucrose content. Nucleic acid samples of soybean may be assayed for the presence of this mutant allele, and soybean containing the allele may be selected for breeding to generate reduced raffinose and stachyose soybean lines. Alternatively, the mutation may be detected by analysis of the RS2 enzyme produced in the soybean to determine the presence of either an isoleucine or a threonine at amino acid 107. Molecular markers have been developed for detecting the presence or absence of the mutant allele.
US08728712B2
Provided is a polymerizable composition containing (A) a polymerization initiator, (B) a polymerizable compound, (C) at least either a tungsten compound or a metal boride, (D) a compound having a maximum absorption wavelength between 300 nm and 450 nm and assuming that the maximum absorbance between 300 nm and 450 nm is 1, having an absorbance of 0.3 or less at a wavelength of 550 nm, and (E) an alkali-soluble binder.
US08728711B2
In one embodiment, a method for cleaning a reticle stage of an extreme ultraviolet exposure apparatus is disclosed. The method can include pressing a particle catching layer of a cleaning reticle onto the reticle stage, and the cleaning reticle includes the particle catching layer formed on a substrate. The method can include peeling the cleaning reticle from the reticle stage. The method can include removing the particle catching layer from the substrate. I addition, the method can include forming a new particle catching layer on the substrate having the particle catching layer removed.
US08728710B2
Disclosed is a method of making polysiloxane and polysilsesquioxane based hardmask respond to radiations with positive tone and negative tone simultaneously. Unradiated films are insoluble in developers, showing positivity tone. Radiated films are insoluble in developers as well, showing negative tone. Only half-way radiated films are soluble in developers. The dual-tone photo-imageable hardmask produces splitted patterns. Compositions of dual-tone photo-imageable hardmask based on the chemistry of polysiloxane and polysilsesquioxanes are disclosed as well. Further disclosed are processes of using photo-imageable hardmasks to create precursor structures on semiconductor substrates with or without an intermediate layer.
US08728702B2
A polyester resin toner binder which gives a toner with good anti-blocking property at high temperature and high humidity and good low-temperature fixing ability. The present invention is directed to a toner binder for developing electrostatic charge images, which binder comprises a condensation-polymerization polyester resin, the polyester resin being a product formed in the presence of a catalyst (a) represented by the following general formula (I): Ti(—X)m(—OR)n (I) wherein R, X, m and n are as defined herein.
US08728701B2
The production process is a production process of a toner for electrostatic image development, which is composed of toner particles containing at least a binder resin. The process has an aggregating and fusion-bonding step of adding a aggregating agent containing polysilicato-iron into an aqueous medium in which fine binder resin particles formed of the binder resin have been dispersed, thereby aggregating the fine binder resin particles, and an aggregation stopper-adding step of adding an aggregation stopper composed of a polyvalent organic acid or a salt thereof. In the production process of the toner for electrostatic image development, the polyvalent organic acid or the salt thereof is preferably an amino acid or a salt thereof.
US08728700B2
A reactor, which heats a slurry raw material including a solid component, including a reaction tube, wherein the slurry raw material is continuously fed from an end of the reaction tube relative to the central axial direction of the reaction tube so as to be flown toward another end of the reaction tube to be heated; and plural perforated plates arranged in the reaction tube so as to separate the inside of the reaction tube into plural compartments. The reactor satisfies the relations (½)·D′≦D
US08728694B2
An image is formed with an electrostatic latent image-developing toner that includes toner base particles and titanium oxide serving as an external additive. The toner base particles containing a binder resin, a colorant, and a charge control agent. The titanium oxide is attached to surfaces of the toner base particles and containing titanium oxide A and titanium oxide B. Each of the titanium oxide A and the titanium oxide B has a predetermined particle diameter and a predetermined volume resistivity. The liberation rate of each of the titanium oxide A and the titanium oxide B in the toner is within a predetermined range.
US08728693B2
A toner for developing an electrostatic image, includes: colored particles containing a colorant and a binder resin, and two or more kinds of inorganic particles that are externally added to a surface of the colored particles, in which the two or more kinds of inorganic particles contain titanium-containing particles and silica-containing particles, an exposure ratio of the surface of the colored particles is about 25% or less, and a ratio of the titanium-containing particles that are in contact with the colored particles is about 15% by number or less.
US08728692B2
A surface decorated particle including a core particle phase having an outer surface; and fine inorganic particles on the outer surface of the core particle phase; wherein the fine inorganic particles have hydrophobic groups covalently bonded primarily on portions of surfaces of the fine inorganic particles positioned away from the core particle phase. Such surface decorated particles are obtainable by a method including stabilizing dispersed hydrophobic phase particles in an aqueous phase with fine inorganic particles having a relatively hydrophilic surface; and treating the stabilized dispersed hydrophobic phase particles with a hydrophobic group containing reactant to form hydrophobic groups covalently bonded to surfaces of the fine inorganic particles. In a particular embodiment, such surface decorated particles are obtainable by a limited coalescence process for preparing binder polymer particles using inorganic stabilizer particles that provide a plurality of surface bonding sites and reacting such sites with a plurality of alkoxy silane moieties that contains pendant hydrophobic groups.
US08728690B2
A photoreceptor charge transport layer containing a spirodilactam and/or a lubricant has superior wear resistance.
US08728688B2
A colored curable composition is provided which has good developability, has excellent color purity, can be formed into a thin film, and has a high absorption coefficient. The colored curable composition includes at least one of specific dipyrromethene metal complex compounds and tautomers thereof. Also, a colored curable composition suitable for forming a color filter which is used in a liquid crystal display device or a solid-state imaging device, and a color filter using the colored curable composition and a method of producing the same are provided.
US08728680B2
A fuel cell component includes an electrode support material made with nanofiber materials of Titania and ionomer. A bipolar plate stainless steel substrate and a carbon-containing layer doped with a metal selected from the group consisting of platinum, iridium, ruthenium, gold, palladium, and combinations thereof.
US08728678B2
A fuel cell system capable of improving the voltage controllability of a converter provided in the system is provided. A controller judges whether or not a passing power of a DC/DC converter falls within a reduced response performance area for the number of active phases as of the present moment. When the controller determines that the passing power of the DC/DC converter falls within the reduced response performance area, the controller determines the number of phases which avoids the driving within the reduced response performance area, and outputs a command for switching to the determined number of phases (phase switching command) to the DC/DC converter.
US08728670B2
The invention provides a nonaqueous-electrolyte battery which has a positive electrode 3 including a positive active material, a negative electrode 4 including a negative active material having a lithium insertion/release potential higher than 1.0 V (vs. Li/Li+), and a nonaqueous electrolyte, wherein an organic compound having one or more isocyanato groups has been added to the nonaqueous electrolyte.
US08728668B2
A negative electrode active material for a lithium ion rechargeable battery having high electrode density, excellent in permeability of an electrolyte, less in capacity loss due to charging/discharging, and excellent in cycle performance is provided at a low cost. The negative electrode active material is a mixture of three kinds of graphite powders having different hardnesses and shapes from one another, with a binder added thereto and is coated onto a metallic current collector to be dried and pressed, thereby rendering an electrode density not lower than 1.7 g/cm3.
US08728666B2
An object of the present invention is to provide a positive electrode material for non-aqueous electrolyte lithium-ion battery which capable of discharging high output power and inhibiting cracking of secondary particle in the cyclic endurance at a high temperature. The above object can be attained by a positive electrode material for non-aqueous electrolyte lithium-ion battery of the present invention, characterized in that said material comprises secondary particles composed of primary particles of lithium nickel composite oxide containing the primary particles having different aspect ratios, and that at least a part of said primary particles having different aspect ratios are arranged so as to make the longitudinal direction (the long side direction) thereof oriented toward the center of the secondary particle.
US08728664B2
An anode for a lithium secondary battery contains an active material and a binder mixture. The active material can occlude or liberate lithium. The binder mixture includes a synthetic rubber-based latex-type binder, a cellulose-based thickener, and an acrylamide-based water-soluble polymer. The adhesive forces among electrode materials and between the electrode materials and a current collector are greatly increased. As a result, the number of battery defects, which are caused by low adhesive forces in the electrode plate manufacturing process, in particular, a rolling process, can be unexpectedly decreased. At the same time, high-rate discharge characteristics can be improved by decreasing the resistance at the interface between the electrode materials and the current collector.
US08728657B2
An object of the present invention is to provide: a production method for commercially advantageously producing lithium difluorophosphate or an electrolyte solution containing the lithium difluorophosphate, the lithium difluorophosphate serving as an additive useful for improving performance of a nonaqueous electrolyte battery; and a nonaqueous electrolyte battery employing the electrolyte solution for the nonaqueous electrolyte battery which solution contains the lithium difluorophosphate produced by the production method. To provide an electrolyte solution for a nonaqueous electrolyte battery which solution contains lithium difluorophosphate, in such a manner as to produce lithium difluorophosphate in the electrolyte solution by reacting a halide other than a fluoride, LiPF6 and water in a nonaqueous solvent, the lithium difluorophosphate serving as an additive useful for improving performance of the nonaqueous electrolyte battery.
US08728653B2
An object is to increase the amount of ions capable of entering and leaving a positive electrode active material in an ion battery so that the capacity of the battery is increased. When a solid solution including alkali metal oxide having electrical conductivity less than or equal to 10−10 S/cm and including alkali metal with a valence of 2 or more, and alkali metal oxide having electrical conductivity greater than or equal to 1×10−6 S/cm and less than or equal to 3×10−6 S/cm is used as a positive electrode active material in an ion battery, the amount of ions capable of entering and leaving the positive electrode active material is increased, so that the capacity of the battery is increased.
US08728652B2
Provided is a cylindrical alkaline battery in which the packing density Dc of the manganese dioxide in the positive electrode is 2.8 to 3.0 g/cm3 and the packing density Da of zinc or a zinc alloy in the negative electrode is 2.0 to 2.3 g/cm3. The packing density Dc of the manganese dioxide, the packing density Da of the zinc or zinc alloy, the thickness Tc of the positive electrode in a radial direction, and the thickness Ta of the negative electrode in a radial direction satisfy one of the following relational formulas (1) to (3): −1.975×(Tc/Ta)+2.745
US08728650B2
An apparatus for enhancing impregnation of the electrolyte in a secondary battery includes a tray in which at least one battery cell is received, and an oscillation and rotation unit capable of oscillating and rotating the tray simultaneously.
US08728645B2
A battery pack is loaded and unloaded to and from a battery mounting portion on the electronic apparatus side by sliding a housing thereof on the battery mounting portion. A lock recess is formed in each of side surfaces adjacent to a mount surface for mounting to the battery mounting portion through a pair of side edges parallel to the sliding direction of the mount surface, and a detection recess is formed in one or each of the side surfaces according to the kind of the battery pack; and the lock recess includes an inclined surface portion, and a clamped portion to be clamped between a bottom surface of the battery mounting portion and the lock protrusion, and the thickness of the clamped portion in a height direction is set to be larger than the depth of the detection recess in the same direction.
US08728644B2
A rechargeable battery includes an electrode assembly having a first electrode plate, a separator and a second electrode plate, a first collector plate electrically connected to the first electrode plate, a second collector plate electrically connected to the second electrode plate, a case accommodating the electrode assembly, the first collector plate and the second collector plate, a first electrode terminal electrically connected to the first collector plate, a second electrode terminal electrically connected to the second collector plate, a first plate connected to the first collector plate and the first electrode terminal and sealing the case, a second plate connected to the second collector plate and the second electrode terminal and including a short-circuit plate, and an insulation plate interposed between the first plate and the second plate.
US08728643B2
A rechargeable battery including: an electrode assembly; a case having an opening to receive the electrode assembly; a cap plate covering the opening of the case; a terminal arranged at the cap plate and electrically connected to the electrode assembly; a current collecting member coupled to the electrode assembly and the terminal and including a fuse unit; and a supporting member coupled to the current collecting member and supporting the fuse unit.
US08728641B2
A startup control device of a fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack having a plurality of fuel cells stacked together, each of the fuel cells having a membrane electrode assembly including an electrolyte membrane interposed between a cathode electrode and an anode electrode. The device further includes a gas supply unit configured to supply a gas to the fuel cell stack and a controller configured to control the gas supply unit based on a parameter value related to the occurrence of flooding of the fuel cell stack. During startup of the fuel cell stack, the gas is supplied to the fuel cell stack at a first supply pressure for a time period determined based on the parameter value, and after the time period has expired, gas is supplied to the fuel cell stack at a second supply pressure, the second supply pressure being less than the first supply pressure.
US08728633B2
An organic electroluminescent element containing an anode and a cathode having therebetween a light emitting layer, wherein the light emitting layer contains a guest compound having a substructure represented by the following Formula (A): wherein Ra represents alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl, aromatic hydrocarbon, aromatic heterocyclic or heterocyclic, Rb and Rc represent hydrogen or a substituent, A1 represents a group of atoms which forms an aromatic hydrocarbon ring or an aromatic heterocycle, M represents Ir or Pt, and a host compound having the following Formula (1): wherein Ra1 represents alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, cycloalkyl or heterocyclic, R1, R2 and R5 each represent hydrogen or a substituent, and n1, n2 and n5 each represent 0 to 4.
US08728630B2
Bipolar wave current, is used to electrodeposit a nanocrystalline grain size. Polarity Ratio is the ratio of absolute value of time integrated amplitude of negative and positive polarity current. Grain size can be controlled in alloys of two or more components, at least one of which is a metal, and at least one of which is most electro-active. Typically, the more electro-active material is preferentially lessened during negative current. Current density, duration of pulse portions, and bath composition are determined with reference to relations showing grain size as a function of deposit composition, and deposit composition as a function of Polarity Ratio, or a single relation showing grain size as a function of Polarity ratio. A specified size can be achieved by selecting a corresponding Polarity Ratio. Coatings can be layered, each having an average grain size, which can vary layer to layer and also graded through a region.
US08728625B2
A water-reducible coating composition includes a water-reducible polymer binder; water; and a ketal adduct of formula (1) as well as coated substrates and films formed from the compositions. The films are useful as paints, stains, and clear-coats.
US08728620B2
An object of the present invention is to provide white colored fine particles with high white reflectance and not easily precipitating in a dispersion medium compared to inorganic white pigments, a method of producing the fine particles, an image display medium and an image display apparatus having a high whiteness like a paper and an excellent display memorability using the fine particles. Therefore, the fine particles contain a polymer of a compound expressed by the following formula (1): wherein, R represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an alkyl group or an alkenyl group, “m” represents an integer of 1 to 10, and at least one of R represents the alkenyl group.
US08728610B2
A structured surface articles such as molds or sheeting are formed on a compound substrate including a machined substrate and a replicated substrate. In one embodiment, the structured surface is a cube corner element on a compound substrate. In another embodiment, the structured surface is a geometric structure that has a plurality of faces, where one face is located on the machined substrate and another face is located on the replicated substrate. In yet another embodiment, at least some of the faces include a compound face with a portion formed on the machined substrate and a portion formed on the replicated substrate. The method of making a structured surface article including a geometric structure having a plurality of faces includes forming an array of geometric structures in a first surface of a machined substrate; passivating selected locations of the first surface of the machined substrate; forming a replicated substrate of the machined substrate to form a compound substrate; forming an array of second geometric structures on a second surface opposite the first surface on the machined substrate; and removing selected portions from the second surface of the machined substrate.
US08728596B2
The presently disclosed and claimed inventive concept(s) relates generally to packaging materials for packaging articles. The packaging materials may include a substratum with a printed pattern disposed thereon that provides a grass-like appearance, and/or the packaging materials may include a plurality of individual strips, strands, or units of material bondably connected thereto.
US08728587B2
A plasma processing apparatus and method are disclosed which improve the repeatability of various plasma processes. The actual implanted dose is a function of implant conditions, as well as various other parameters. This method used knowledge of current implant conditions, as well as information about historical data to improve repeatability. In one embodiment, a plasma is created, a first sensing system is used to monitor a composition of the plasma and a second sensing system is used to monitor a total number of ions implanted. Information about plasma composition and dose per pulse is used to control one or more operating parameters in the plasma chamber. In another embodiment, this information is combined with historical data to control one or more operating parameters in the plasma chamber. In another embodiment, the thickness of material on the walls is measured, and used to modify one or more operating parameters.
US08728586B2
In large area plasma processing systems, process gases may be introduced to the chamber via the showerhead assembly which may be driven as an RF electrode. The gas feed tube, which is grounded, is electrically isolated from the showerhead. The gas feed tube may provide not only process gases, but also cleaning gases from a remote plasma source to the process chamber. The inside of the gas feed tube may remain at either a low RF field or a zero RF field to avoid premature gas breakdown within the gas feed tube that may lead to parasitic plasma formation between the gas source and the showerhead. By feeding the gas through an RF choke, the RF field and the processing gas may be introduced to the processing chamber through a common location and thus simplify the chamber design.
US08728576B2
A method for manufacturing photocatalytically active titanium dioxide layers on substrate surfaces. The method reduces the effort for the manufacture of photocatalytically active titanium dioxide layers and increases the choice for the coating of suitable substrate materials. In the method, a titanium compound present in the gas phase and water vapor are directed to a preheated substrate by means of gas phase hydrolysis and a titanium dioxide layer is foamed on the surface of the substrate by chemical reaction. In this respect, the titanium compound and water vapor are supplied separately from one another so that a flow speed of at least 0.5 m/s is achieved and the time between the first contact of the two gases up to the impact on the surface of the substrate is kept lower than 0.05 s, and in this process the photocatalytically active titanium dioxide layer is formed on the substrate surface.
US08728574B2
Gas distribution units of fluidized bed reactors are configured to direct thermally decomposable compounds to the center portion of the reactor and away from the reactor wall to prevent deposition of material on the reactor wall and process for producing polycrystalline silicon product in a reactor that reduce the amount of silicon which deposits on the reactor wall.
US08728564B2
A powder mix layer for a building panel and a method for producing a building panel with a decorative surface produced from a powder mix layer with a controlled loss on cure.
US08728558B2
A process for the production of a foodstuff containing a fat carrier, a stabilizer and a solvent for the stabilizer, the fat carrier comprising vegetable fat contents having a solid consistency at room temperature comprising dissolving the stabilizer in the solvent, soaking the mixture containing the solvent and the stabilizer in a warmed state for between 15 and 45 minutes at a temperature of between 10 degrees Celsius and 35 degrees Celsius, heating the vegetable fat contents to a temperature between 2% and 20% above their melting point, and mixing the fat carrier to the mixture containing the solvent and the stabilizer in liquid form.
US08728557B2
Disclosed is a new fruit-juice-containing black tea beverage that, without performing enzyme treatment such as tannase treatment, and moreover even if a large quantity of fruit juice is added, can suppress time degradation. The fruit-juice-containing black tea beverage packed in a container containing 10-90 mass % of fruit juice is characterized by containing 10-24 ppm of theogallin, and by the ratio (theogallin/K) of contained theogallin to contained potassium being 0.015-0.100.
US08728555B1
An apparatus and method for continuously searing and/or branding the surface of and continuously cooking a food product wherein the cooking oven is different from the searing and/or branding apparatus. At least a portion of the vapor product produced in the searing and/or branding apparatus is preferably delivered into the oven such that the food product is cooked in an environment comprising the vapor product from the searing and/or branding apparatus. The vapor extraction rate from the searing and/or branding apparatus is also preferably controlled to maintain a desired vapor product temperature in or flowing from the searing and/or branding apparatus.
US08728551B2
A method for producing a fish product according to the present invention includes: a step of combining and mixing at least 0.01 percent by weight up to but not including 0.05 percent by weight of a protein cross-linking enzyme with ground fish meat to prepare a first ground-fish-meat material paste; a step of combining and mixing at least 0.05 percent by weight up to but not including 1.0 percent by weight of the protein cross-linking enzyme with ground fish meat to prepare a second ground-fish-meat material paste; a step of laminating a first paste consisting of the first ground-fish-meat material paste, and a second paste consisting of the second ground-fish-meat material paste, to make a laminated material; and a step of heating the laminated material.
US08728546B1
The invention provides a medicament for the treatment of cancer, cardiovascular diseases and/or inflammation. The medicament may be administered orally, parenterally or topically.
US08728540B2
Textiles coated with aqueous compositions of silane quaternary ammonium compounds and alkali metal bicarbonates are provided with deodorization properties and protection from allergens, irritants, molds, dust mites, bacteria, and fungi.
US08728534B2
A method of manipulating allogeneic cells for use in allogeneic cell therapy protocols is described. The method provides a composition of highly activated allogeneic T-cells which are infused into immunocompetent cancer patients to elicit a novel anti-tumor immune mechanism called the “Mirror Effect”. In contrast to current allogeneic cell therapy protocols where T-cells in the graft mediate the beneficial graft vs. tumor (GVT) and detrimental graft vs. host (GVH) effects, the allogeneic cells of the present invention stimulate host T-cells to mediate the “mirror” of these effects. The mirror of the GVT effect is the host vs. tumor (HVT) effect. The “mirror” of the GVH effect is the host vs. graft (HVG) effect. The effectiveness and widespread application of the anti-tumor GVT effect is limited by the severe toxicity of the GVH effect. In the present invention, the anti-tumor HVT effect occurs in conjunction with a non-toxic HVG rejection effect. The highly activated allogeneic cells of the invention can be used in methods to stimulate host immunity. The method includes a complete HLA mis-matched setting in patients that have not had a prior bone marrow transplant or received chemotherapy and/or radiation conditioning regimens.
US08728533B2
Provided is a formulation containing amorphous or microcrystalline calcium carbonate finely interspersed with organic matter in a ratio of 10 parts of the carbonate per 1 to 3 parts of the organic matter, wherein the organic matter consists of chitin and polypeptide. The formulation is efficient in treating various pathological conditions, including proliferative diseases, neurological disorders, and musculoskeletal disorders.
US08728530B1
The invention relates to a polymer-micelle complex. The polymer-micelle complexes include a negatively charged micelle that is electrostatically bound to a water-soluble polymer bearing a positive charge. The polymer does not comprise block copolymer, latex particles, polymer nanoparticles, cross-linked polymers, silicone copolymer, fluorosurfactant, or amphoteric copolymer. The compositions do not form a coacervate, and do not form a film when applied to a surface.
US08728517B2
The present invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising entacapone or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof along with one or more sugar alcohols; wherein the entacapone is co-micronized with one or more sugar alcohols. The invention also relates to processes of making such compositions.
US08728511B2
Controlled release melatonin formulations are useful for imparting avoidance of mood depression which may be associated with administration of melatonin in conventional form comprising. Particular embodiments of methods use formulations designed to release melatonin according to a profile that simulates a normal endogenous melatonin nocturnal profile. The methods also include co-administration with additional medicaments.
US08728507B2
Use of agonists and antagonists of the nicotinergic acetylcholine receptors of insects for the non-systemic control of parasitic insects, such as fleas, lice and flies, on humans and on animals.
US08728505B2
What are described are insect- and mite-repellent compositions comprising at least 2 enantiomers selected from the group of 1-[(S)-sec-butyloxycarbonyl]-2-(S)-(2-hydroxyethyl)piperidine (referred to hereinafter as S,S), 1-[(R)-sec-butyloxycarbonyl]-2-(R)-(+)-(2-hydroxyethyl)piperidine (referred to hereinafter as R,R), 1-[(S)-sec-butoxycarbonyl]-2-(R)-(+)-(2-hydroxyethyl)piperidine (referred to hereinafter as S,R), 1-[(R)-sec-butyloxycarbonyl]-2-(S)-(+)-(2-hydroxyethyl)piperidine (referred to hereinafter as R,S), excluding the racemate mixture thereof, a process for preparation thereof and the use thereof in insect- and mite-repellent formulations.
US08728499B2
The present invention includes a hydrogel and a method of making a porous hydrogel by preparing an aqueous mixture of an uncrosslinked polymer and a crystallizable molecule; casting the mixture into a vessel; allowing the cast mixture to dry to form an amorphous hydrogel film; seeding the cast mixture with a seed crystal of the crystallizable molecule; growing the crystallizable molecule into a crystal structure within the uncrosslinked polymer; crosslinking the polymer around the crystal structure under conditions in which the crystal structure within the crosslinked polymer is maintained; and dissolving the crystals within the crosslinked polymer to form the porous hydrogel.
US08728498B2
The present invention relates to the processes of preparing silkfibroin/polyethylene oxide blended materials, and the resulting materials thereof, which are suitable for biomedical applications such as wound healing. In particular, the electrospun silk fibroin/PEO mats with a silk:PEO blend ratio of 2:1 to 4:1, treated with controlled evaporation, constraint-drying techniques, and/or alcohol treatment, and/or PEO extraction, demonstrate suitable physical and biofunctional properties, such as fiber structure, topography, absorption, water vapor transmission rates, oxygen permeation, and biodegradability, relevant to biomaterial systems with utility for wound dressings.
US08728496B2
At least some embodiments of the invention relates to an implant having a coating that contains or is composed of a functionalized RGD peptidomimetic RGD-P1 having the formula (1) and/or a functionalized RGD peptidomimetic RGD-P2 having the formula (2), and an associated manufacturing method.
US08728491B2
The present invention provides materials and methods to facilitate the transcutaneous delivery of therapeutic agents. In some embodiments, agonists of tight junctions are used in compositions to facilitate the uptake of therapeutic agents from the skin. In a particular embodiment, the present invention provides immunogenic compositions comprising a tight junction agonist and an antigen. In a particular embodiment, the present invention provides vaccine compositions comprising a tight junction agonist and an antigen.
US08728487B2
The present disclosure provides an attenuated live vaccine strain and the formulations thereof, for preventing pigs from infection of porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS). The preparation methods for the vaccines and the formulations are also provided. The attenuated live vaccine strain provided herein offers significant immunological protection to pigs against PRRS. The vaccine formulations of the present disclosure also have advantages in long shelf lives as well as good stability during storage.
US08728480B2
The present invention is directed to compositions of matter useful for the diagnosis and treatment of tumor in mammals and to methods of using those compositions of matter for the same.
US08728471B2
The present invention includes a pharmaceutical compositions and methods for treating diseases associated with gluten intolerance in a patient, comprising: administering to the patient an effective amount of an antibody having specific activity against gluten or gluten-derived peptides. Such diseases include, for example, celiac disease and dermatitis herpetiformis.
US08728468B2
The present invention provides methods for reducing tumor survival, expansion, and metastasis. In particular, the invention provides methods for reducing melanoma tumor survival, expansion, and metastasis. The invention also provides agents for use in the methods, particularly agents that reduce the level or activity of connective tissue growth factor (CTGF).
US08728460B2
A biological soil nutrient system that combines beneficial soil fungi and bacteria in a growth promoting nutrient medium, embedded in an inorganic porous ceramic particle for direct delivery during soil aerification to the rhizosphere of adventitious plants, including sports turf, landscape and agricultural applications.
US08728457B2
The present invention relates to methods of inducing differentiation of stem cells. In particular, the invention relates to methods of inducing differentiation of embryonic stem cells into muscle cells or vascular endothelial cells. The invention also includes cells, cell lines, testing models and culture systems used in the methods of the present invention and differentiated cells produced therefrom. The present invention also provides methods of using the differentiated cells of the present invention for therapeutic purposes.
US08728456B2
Biomaterial systems, e.g., gel scaffolds, are used in vivo to recruit immune cells and promote their activation towards a non-inflammatory phenotype, thereby leading suppression of inflammation. The compositions and methods are useful to reduce the severity of autoimmunity, chronic inflammation, allergy, and periodontal disease.
US08728452B2
The present invention is drawn to an aqueous composition containing: (a) at least one fatty monoamine; (b) at least one nonionic surfactant; (c) at least one compound chosen from an alkyl ether carboxylic acid, an alkyl ether carboxylate, a fatty acid having from about 6 to about 40 carbon atoms, and mixtures thereof; and (d) at least one water-insoluble material, and wherein the composition is homogeneous and clear to substantially clear in appearance.
US08728447B2
A teeth-whitening gel is provided. The main ingredient of the teeth-whitening gel comprises a polypeptide having halamine (N—X bond, X═Cl, Br or I) groups and a high molecular weight. By the redox properties of halamine group, the gel contacting with the teeth's surface can bleach and whiten the teeth.
US08728434B2
Disclosed herein is a method of synthesizing a nanocrystal. The method can include reacting a bismuth material, an antimony material, and a ligand together with a heat source. The method may also include injecting a sulfur precursor at a predetermined temperature and maintaining the predetermined temperature for a predetermined amount of time to form a plurality of precursor nanocrystals. The precursor nanocrystals may include Bi0.5Sb1.5S3 nanocrystals.
US08728424B1
A method and apparatus are disclosed for sequestering carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide and a reductant are fed into a combustion chamber and burned. The reductant forms an oxide with oxygen from the carbon dioxide, generating an oxidized reductant and carbon which are exhausted from the combustion chamber and separated. The oxidize reductant is then itself reduced to form reclaimed reductant, which is used to provide the reductant for reducing the carbon dioxide. The oxidized reductant is reduced by disposing the oxidized reductant in an inert environment and exposing the oxidized reductant to electromagnetic radiation of a wavelength for freeing oxygen from the oxidized reductant. The electromagnetic radiation is preferably provided by light having a wavelength which is readily absorbed by oxygen, such as light emitted by a YAG laser. Preferably the reductant is provided by a metal, such as magnesium.
US08728419B1
The invention relates to the recovery of manganese dioxide, zinc hydroxide/oxide and steel from metal cased alkaline dry cell batteries which have been wet crushed. There is also a process for recovery of the steel and high purity manganese dioxide which can be directly utilized in the electrode for alkaline dry cell batteries.
US08728418B2
An object of the present invention is to provide a method for producing a metal hydroxide fine particle, which can produce metal hydroxide fine particles with favorable crystallinity and small particle sizes. The present invention provides a method for producing a metal hydroxide fine particle by reacting a metal ion with a hydroxide ion in a solvent, which includes a mixing and reacting step of supplying the metal ion, the hydroxide ion, and a silane coupling agent to a reaction field to mix and react the ions.
US08728416B2
In a method and apparatus for thermal processing of slurry, the slurry is combined with a bio-mass to produce a mixture which is then subjected to a cracking temperature in a receiving tank, thereby liquefying and allowing the mixture to catalytically undergo a cracking reaction. The cracking reaction which the liquefied mixture undergoes is continued in a mixer pump to thereby produce a reaction mixture. The reaction mixture is outgased in an intermediate tank to separate an outgased fraction from a non-outgased fraction. Subsequently, the outgased fraction is allowed to cool down, thereby producing fuel, while the non-outgased fraction is returned to the receiving tank and subjected again to the cracking temperature. Residual matter of the non-outgased fraction settles in the intermediate tank and is periodically removed.
US08728405B2
A chemical dispensing assembly having a base member, a flow chamber, a chemical chamber and a dispensing control conduit, wherein water or other liquid flows through the base member, into the flow chamber, through the dispensing control conduit and out the base member, wherein a small amount of saturated solution retained within the chemical chamber is drawn into the water flow, the chemical chamber being connected below the flow chamber and the volume of the chemical chamber being greater than the volume of the flow chamber. Preferably, the flow chamber is connected to the base member with a bayonet-type connection mechanism, and keys and key slots are provided such that only dedicated flow chambers can be connected to the base member.
US08728401B2
The pleated filter bag, which can be used in a bag-house type dust collector, is elongated and has a longitudinal hollow center with an open end, and a pleated filter wall circumscribing the hollow center. The pleated filter wall has a felt such as PTFE fibers felted onto an apertured and pleatable scrim which can be made of metal, and having a permeability lower than a permeability of the scrim. A membrane of lower-permeability material, such as an E-PTFE membrane, covers the support felt on the outer side of the bag.
US08728398B2
The present invention is a flow cell and method for use in microfluidic analyses that presents highly discrete and small volumes of fluid to isolated locations on a two-dimensional surface contained within an open fluidic chamber defined by the flow cell that has physical dimensions such that laminar style flow occurs for fluids flowing through the chamber. This process of location specific fluid addressing within the flow cell is facilitated by combining components of hydrodynamic focusing with site specific cell evacuation. The process does not require the use of physical barriers within the flow cell or mechanical valves to control the paths of fluid movement.
US08728396B2
The present invention is a sample analyzer including: a first and a second measurement unit configured to measure a sample accommodated in a sample container; a rack transport unit configured to transport each of a plurality of sample containers held in a sample rack to either the first or the second measurement unit; and a controller configured to acquire a measurement item information indicating a measurement item of each of samples accommodated in the plurality of sample containers held in the sample rack, determine a sample container to be a transport object and a measurement unit to be a transport destination of the sample container based on the acquired plurality of measurement item information, and control the rack transport unit to transport the sample container determined as the transport object to the measurement unit determined as the transport destination.
US08728395B2
The present invention provides an automatic analyzer for analyzing blood, urine, or other samples in which, for the purpose of reducing the workload of the operator, the process of reagent replacement is automated such that the measurement operation of the analyzer need not be halted during the reagent replacement. A sample rack transfer mechanism and reagent storage/transfer mechanisms are placed on different levels of two-story structure. This configuration allows reagent replacement even when the analyzer is performing an analysis, as well as achieving size reduction of the analyzer. The automation of reagent replacement is achieved by the following: a sensor's detection of the remaining reagent amount in a reagent vessel reaching a particular value; and the analyzer's detection of a measurement request for a sample rack when necessary reagents are not present in any reagent storage mechanism of an analyzer unit.
US08728389B2
A method for producing high strength aluminum alloy tanks and other vessels containing L12 dispersoids from an aluminum alloy powder containing the L12 dispersoids. The powder is consolidated into a billet having a density of about 100 percent. Tanks are formed by rolling consolidated billets into sheets, cutting preforms from said sheets, roll forming the performs into cylindrical shapes and friction stir welding the seams to form cylinders. L12 alloy domes are spin formed from the rolled sheet and friction stir welded to the cylinder. Circular bases are cut from the rolled sheet and friction stir welded to the domed cylinder to form bottoms of the tank.
US08728380B2
A lithographic method for forming a pattern within a surface on a substrate includes providing a substrate with a degradable material, molding the material to imprint a pattern thereon, depositing a layer of a second material over the imprinted pattern, removing portions of the layer of the second material to expose portions of the imprinted pattern of degradable material and removing portions of the exposed degradable material to leave an open pattern in the layer of second material.
US08728379B2
The present invention relates to methods for making oxidation resistant medical devices that comprise polymeric materials, for example, ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE). The invention also provides methods of making antioxidant-doped medical implants, for example, doping of medical devices containing cross-linked UHMWPE with vitamin E by diffusion and materials used therein.
US08728373B2
The present invention is directed to endless belts and fabrics incorporating thermochromic material such as polythiophene for use as a process control aid which can be used in thermal profiling of industrial thermal process, the industrial fabrics used in such a process, the manufacture of the industrial fabrics thereof and/or the products produced or carried thereon.
US08728369B2
A method of making an auxetic mesh, which method includes: (a) extruding a polymeric material 60 onto an open casting surface 58 that has an intended pattern 62 disposed therein, the pattern 62 being configured to create an auxetic mesh 20; (b) wiping off excess extruded polymeric material 60 from the open casting surface 64; (c) removing the cast mesh 20 from the open casting surface 64 after the excess polymeric material 60 has been wiped off; and (d) removing any residual polymeric material that is not of the intended mesh pattern 20. The method allows for the continuous production of auxetic meshes.
US08728368B2
The invention relates to a method for producing a semicrystalline polymer, said method comprising the following steps: producing a polymer melt from a crystallizable polymer; shaping particles and solidifying the polymer melt, the step of shaping the particles being carried out before or after solidification; cooling the particles; treating the particles to reduce their tendency to agglomerate; crystallizing the particles. The invention is characterized in that the treatment is carried out by shaking at a temperature T1 which is below the glass transition temperature of the polymer plus 10° C., i.e. T1
US08728361B2
Hollow, porous, spherical metal-carbon composite particles, having nanostructures, are prepared from suitable precursor solutions containing metal-organic ligand coordination complexes with template. Such precursors may be made for each elemental metal to be in the spherical particles. The precursor solution is atomized as an aerosol in an inert gas stream and the aerosol stream heated to decompose the organic ligand portion of the precursor leaving the spherical metal-carbon composite or metal alloy-carbon composite particles. The organic ligand serves as a structure directing agent in the shaping of the spherical particles after the ligand has been removed. Other materials may also be used as permanent or removed templates. The morphology of the particles may be altered for an application by varying the preparation and composition of the metal precursor material, and the optional use of a template.
US08728346B2
A method for preparing a suspension of LDH particles comprises the steps of preparing LDH precipitates by coprecipitation to form a mixture of LDH precipitates and solution; separating the LDH precipitates from the solution; washing the LDH precipitates to remove residual ions; mixing the LDH precipitates with water; and subjecting the mixture of LDH particles and water from step (d) to a hydrothermal treatment step by heating to a temperature of from greater than 80° C. to 150° C. for a period of about 1 hour to about 144 hours to form a well dispersed suspension of LDH particles in water.
US08728344B2
An electrode active material that contains a lithium-nickel-manganese-cobalt composite oxide having a hexagonal, layered rock-salt type crystal structure that belongs to the space group R3m. The lithium-nickel-manganese-cobalt composite oxide is represented by the general formula Li1+α[NixMnyCoz]O2 (wherein α satisfies 0.1<α<0.3, and x, y, and z satisfy x+y+z=1, 0.075
US08728339B2
Provided is a composition that is useful for textile processing, including for softening and providing smoothness to textiles The composition comprises an alkoxylate of the formula (I): wherein AO, EO, m, n, R. R1 and R2 are as defined below, and a polysiloxane oil.
US08728338B2
There is provided with an etching method using an etching apparatus. Four arms can be positioned in a direction substantially from a center of the stage toward a peripheral portion with an angle difference of about 90°. Etchant is supplied to a first position nearest to the center of the object which is rotating, from a first etchant supply nozzle placed on a first arm. Etchant is further supplied to a second position second nearest to the center of the object, from a second etchant supply nozzle placed on a second arm. The second arm is substantially symmetrically positioned with respect to the first arm and the second arm has an angle difference of about 180° with respect to the first arm.
US08728337B2
A method is for processing a substrate. The method includes placing the substrate in a process volume and introducing a process gas or vapor into the process volume and/or subsequently removing gas or vapor from the volume. The step of introducing and/or removing the gas is at least partially performed by moving a movable wall to change the process volume in an appropriate sense.
US08728333B2
A three step ion beam etch (IBE) sequence involving low energy (<300 eV) is disclosed for trimming a sensor critical dimension (free layer width=FLW) to less than 50 nm. A first IBE step has a steep incident angle with respect to the sensor sidewall and accounts for 60% to 90% of the FLW reduction. The second IBE step has a shallow incident angle and a sweeping motion to remove residue from the first IBE step and further trim the sidewall. The third IBE step has a steep incident angle to remove damaged sidewall portions from the second step and accounts for 10% to 40% of the FLW reduction. As a result, FLW approaching 30 nm is realized while maintaining high MR ratio of over 60% and low RA of 1.2 ohm-μm2. Sidewall angle is manipulated by changing one or more ion beam incident angles.
US08728327B2
A method and apparatus are provided for the controlled application of ultrasonic energy for conditioning of mixtures of gas and liquids by evolving and/or agglomerating gas bubbles existing with or in a liquid or for coalescing droplets of liquid dispersed in another liquid. The invention in preferred embodiments thereof comprises a coalescing apparatus for increasing the droplet size of a mixture formed as a liquid dispersed in another liquid, and a de-gassing apparatus arranged to evolve and/or agglomerate gaseous bubbles in a gas/liquid mixture. In the apparatuses, ultrasonic transducers are used to impart vibrational energy to the mixtures.
US08728321B2
This invention relates to a process for removing solid matter from process liquids that are miscible with water. A brine made from water and dissolved salt and which is more dense than the process liquid is placed underneath and in contact with the mixture of process liquid and solid matter. The particles and pieces of solid matter move from the process liquid and then through the brine. In so doing the process liquid that is carried with the solid matter is displaced by the more dense brine.
US08728318B2
A three phase separator or settling device (2) or a digester (1) including the settling device. The settling device can receive a fluid containing liquid, gas and particulate material. The settling device includes a settling chamber to be filled with this fluid. The device can also include a liquid-discharge (5) for discharging liquid from the settling chamber and fitted close to the liquid level (30), a fluid inlet (6) for supplying the fluid into the settling chamber (3), a particulate material separation device (7) and a sludge outlet (8). A flow of fluid is provided into and out of the settling device and settling chamber. The inlet includes a gas separation device (4) for separating gas from the fluid including channels, the inlet positioned close to the fluid level. The inlet and transition (75) into the settling chamber is arranged to create a pre-separated flow pattern including a generally laminar liquid flow.
US08728308B2
A filter has an elongated filter envelope with an inner pocket containing filter material and configured to receive fluid filtered by the filter envelope. The filter envelope has a bent position defined by a port portion and a loop portion, the loop portion and the port portion overlapping each other at least partially. A port is attached to the filter envelope proximate the port end and is configured to be connected to a hydraulic device and to allow fluid to be released from the pocket. The filter envelope has a periphery with a sealed rim and a slit splitting a portion of the rim so as to form a flexible retention element unitarily attached to the loop portion of the filter envelope. The retention element is positioned around one of the port and the port portion of the filter envelope to retain the filter envelope in the bent position.
US08728306B2
A method for extracting bitumen from an oil sand feed stream comprises at least the steps of: (a) providing an oil sand feed stream; (b) contacting the oil sand feed stream with a liquid comprising an aliphatic hydrocarbon solvent thereby obtaining a solvent-diluted oil sand slurry; (c) filtering the solvent-diluted oil sand slurry, thereby obtaining a first bitumen-enriched filtrate, a second bitumen-depleted filtrate and a bitumen-depleted sand; (d) reusing the second filtrate obtained in step (c) in the contacting of step (b); and (e) removing solvent from the first bitumen-enriched filtrate thereby obtaining a bitumen-enriched stream.
US08728295B2
A cell having an anode compartment and a cathode compartment is used to electrolyze an alkali metal polysulfide into an alkali metal. The cell includes an anode, wherein at least part of the anode is housed in the anode compartment. The cell also includes a quantity of anolyte housed within the anode compartment, the anolyte comprising an alkali metal polysulfide and a solvent. The cell includes a cathode, wherein at least part of the cathode is housed in the cathode compartment. A quantity of catholyte is housed within the cathode compartment. The cell operates at a temperature below the melting temperature of the alkali metal.
US08728289B2
The disclosure provides monolithic electrodes including a substrate defining a walled cavity having a floor, an electrically conductive cathode layer overlaying the cavity floor, an electrically conductive contact pad overlaying the substrate, an electrically conductive via in electrical communication with the cathode layer and the contact pad, and a porous membrane layer overlaying the cavity and defining a chamber formed by the porous membrane layer, the walled cavity, and the cavity floor. The disclosure also provides pH transducers including monolithic indicator and reference electrodes, and methods of making and using monolithic pH electrodes and transducers.
US08728288B2
The invention relates to a sensor assembly comprising a first electronic wiring substrate having a first and a second surface and at least one analyte sensor formed on the first surface thereof, the at least one analyte sensor being connected with one or more electrical contact points, a second electronic wiring substrate having a first and a second surface and at least one analyte sensor formed on the first surface part thereof, the at least one analyte sensor being connected with one or more electrical contact points, and a spacer having a through-going recess with a first and a second opening, wherein the first substrate, the second substrate and the spacer are arranged in a layered structure, where the first surface of the first substrate closes the first opening of the spacer and the first surface of the second substrate closes the second opening of the spacer, thereby forming a measuring cell which is faced by at least one sensor from each of the substrates.
US08728287B2
A cathode sputtering target includes: between 30 and 40 atomic % of a metal, between 2 and 10 atomic % of nitrogen, and between 35 and 50 atomic % of oxygen. The remainder up to 100% is constituted by at least one element selected from the group that comprises phosphorous (P), boron (B), silicon (Si), germanium (Ge), gallium (Ga), sulphur (S) and aluminium (Al). Also provides a method of manufacturing a thin film from the target, and an electrochemical device comprising the thin film.
US08728282B2
This invention is about an industrial continuous cracking device of plastics. The technical program of this invention is as following: it includes the outer cylinder and the internal cylinder, and the two sides of the internal cylinder are connected with the outer cylinder; at least one of the outer cylinder and the internal cylinder is set with heating mechanism, and the helical ribbon is fixed in the inside of the outer cylinder wall; the transport mechanism is fixed in the internal cylinder, with its direction contrary to the outer cylinder's the feeding direction. The structures of this invention are simple, and it can reduce the possessive space. Furthermore, when cycling in the cylinder, the solid heat carrier has no heat energy loss, and that can substantially reduce the operation cost of the equipment.
US08728277B2
A method to dewater a fibrous web includes directing the fibrous web through a first press zone defined between a revolving permeable belt and a revolving permeable support belt and having a first press zone length. The fibrous web is arranged lying between the revolving permeable belt and the revolving permeable support belt. A fluid is caused to flow through the permeable belt, the fibrous web and the support belt at least over a section of the first press zone length. The fibrous web is dewatered in a second press zone following the first press zone and defined between the revolving permeable belt and the revolving permeable support belt, the second press zone having a second press zone length. The fibrous web is led through the second press zone between the permeable belt and the support belt, the permeable belt and the support belt each having a different compressibility.
US08728268B2
A method for manufacturing a resin molding can be provided that uses a laser beam. The method can include providing the resin molding including welded portions that can impart high level of adhesion, have excellent appearance and provide very strong bonding strength. The method can also include arranging and pressing a weld region of a light-absorbing resin member and corresponding weld region of a light-transmitting resin member that are opposed to each other, and setting a plurality of irradiation areas in the extending direction of the welded regions. The method can also include arranging a plurality of laser irradiation scanning heads corresponding to the irradiation areas. Here, the irradiation areas can include a single irradiation area which the corresponding scanning head can irradiate with the laser beam and a composite irradiation area which the adjacent scanning heads can irradiate with respective laser beams. The method can further include causing the plurality of laser beams emitted from the scanning heads to repeatedly scan the single irradiation area along a first trajectory in the extending direction of the single irradiation area and part of both the single irradiation area and the composite irradiation area along a second trajectory in the extending direction, so that the entire welded regions are heated and fused to weld the light-transmitting resin member and the light-absorbing resin member.
US08728262B2
A method of fabricating a composite part including reinforcing fibers comprises fabricating a masterless layup mandrel tool at a fabrication site. The tool includes a composite face sheet that provides a layup surface. The method further comprises using the masterless tool at that site to form a layup of the reinforcing fibers.
US08728257B2
The invention provides a high tensile strength steel material having a tensile strength of 600 MPa, which is excellent in delayed fracture resistance property, and a method of manufacturing the steel material. As means for this, a steel material contains, in mass percent, C of 0.02 to 0.25%, Si of 0.01 to 0.8%, Mn of 0.5 to 2.0%, Al of 0.005 to 0.1%, N of 0.0005 to 0.008%, P of 0.03% or less, and S of 0.03% or less. In addition, the steel material contains at least one element selected from Mo, Nb, V, and Ti, and contains at least one of Cu, Ni, Cr, W, B, Ca, REM and Mg, as needed. The remainder includes Fe and inevitable impurities. In addition, in the steel material, precipitates having an average grain size of 20 nm or less, which contains at least one of Mo, Nb, V and Ti, are contained in steel in the number of at least 5 per 250000 nm2, and a microstructure includes residual austenite in a volume fraction of 0.5 to 5%. When Ca to be added is specified to be 0.0010% to 0.0020%, it is specified that S is 0.0005% to 0.0020% and O is 0.0008% to 0.0025%. ACR is specified to be 0.2≦ACR(=(Ca−(0.18+130*Ca)*O)/1.25/S)≦1.0.
US08728255B2
Provided is a pot-shaped copper sputtering target manufactured with die forging, wherein the Vickers hardness Hv at all locations of the inner surface of the pot-shaped target is 70 or greater. With this pot-shaped copper sputtering target, the average crystal grain size in the target structure is 65 μm or less. Further, the inner surface of the pot-shaped target comprises crystalline orientations of (220), (111), (200), (311) obtained by X-ray diffraction, and the crystalline orientation of the face subject to erosion of the pot-shaped target is of a (220) primary orientation. An object of the present invention is to obtain a manufacturing method of a high quality sputtering target by improving and devising the forging process and heat treatment process to make the crystal grain size refined and uniform, and to obtain a high-quality sputtering target.
US08728253B2
A method for handling aqueous solutions of methanesulfonic acid (MSA) having a concentration from 50 to 99% by weight of MSA and a total chlorine content of less than 50 mg/kg in apparatuses in which the aqueous MSA solution is in contact with steel surfaces. The steel comprises austenitic steels having a chromium content of from 15 to 22% by weight and a nickel content of from 9 to 15% by weight.
US08728248B2
An adjustable filter system for a dishwashing appliance is provided. More specifically, a filter system is provided whereby the relative amount of fluid filtered by two different filters can be selectively controlled during operation of the dishwashing appliance. Flow can be directed primarily to one filter or the other depending upon the size of the soil particles expected at certain times during the cleaning process. Selection can be e.g., based on the temperature of fluid used in the appliance or determined by a controller.
US08728245B2
The present invention includes a process using environmentally friendly materials for the removal of adhesive residues from hard substrates, particularly vehicles, e.g., cars, trucks, buses, aerospace vehicles including airplanes, and the like. The process uses a novel adhesive remover composition comprising one or more non-halogenated organic solvents, a non-abrasive thickening agent, a surfactant, and a vapor-pressure modulating agent. The total Hansen Solubility Parameter (δt) at 25° C. for each of the non-halogenated organic solvents is from about 14 MPa1/2 to about 24 MPa1/2. The invention provides a cost effective, safe, environmentally friendly adhesive remover composition specifically formulated for removal of, e.g., pressure sensitive adhesive residues from large areas of aircraft composite and aluminum surfaces, as well as others.
US08728239B2
A gas panel according to various aspects of the present invention is configured to deliver a constant flow rate of gases to a reaction chamber during a deposition process step. In one embodiment, the gas panel comprises a deposition sub-panel having a deposition injection line, a deposition vent line, and at least one deposition process gas line. The deposition injection line supplies a mass flow rate of a carrier gas to a reactor chamber. Each deposition process gas line may include a pair of switching valves that are configured to selectively direct a deposition process gas to the reactor chamber or a vent line. The deposition vent line also includes a switching valve configured to selectively direct a second mass flow rate of the carrier gas that is equal to the sum of the mass flow rate for all of the deposition process gases to the reactor chamber or a vent line. The gas panel is configured to substitute the mass flow rate of the deposition vent line with the mass flow rate of the deposition process lines, such that when the deposition vent line is directed to the reactor chamber the deposition process lines are directed to the vent line and when the deposition vent line is directed to the vent line the deposition process lines are directed to the reactor chamber. The substitution of the two mass flow rates maintains a constant mass flow rate of gases to the reactor chamber throughout the deposition process step.
US08728233B2
The present invention relates to a method for the production of crystal layers or bulk crystals of group III nitride or of mixtures of different group III nitrides by means of precipitation, at a first temperature T1 in a first temperature range, from a group-III containing fused metal on a group-III-nitride crystal seed placed in the fused metal or on a foreign substrate placed in the fused metal, with the admixture of nitrogen in the fused metal at a pressure P.With the method a solvent additive is added to the fused metal which increases the conversion rate of group III metal to group III nitride in the fused metal. The fused metal runs through at least one temperature cycle with a first and a second process phase in which cycle the fused metal cools after the first process phase from the first temperature to a second temperature T2 below the first temperature range and at the end of the second process phase is heated from the second temperature back to a temperature within the first temperature range. The described method permits producing group III nitride crystal layers with a thickness of >10 μm, respectively massive crystals with a diameter of >10 mm at dislocation densities of <108 cm−2 at temperatures below 1100° C. and process pressures below 5×105 Pa.
US08728226B2
Multilayer pearlescent pigments comprising platelet-shaped transparent substrates provided with an optically active coating, where the optically active coating includes at least a) an absorbing high-index layer A having a refractive index n≧1.8 b) a low-index layer B having a refractive index n<1.8 c) a high-index layer C having a refractive index n≧1.8 and also d) optionally at least one outer protective layer D and where the multilayer pearlescent pigments have a cumulative frequency distribution of a volume-averaged size distribution function, with the indices D10, D50, D90 and a span ΔD in a range from 0.7-1.4, the span ΔD being calculated in accordance with formula (I) ΔD=(D90−D10)/D50 (I). The disclosure further relates to a method for producing these multilayer pearlescent pigments, and also to their use.
US08728215B2
A cyclic adsorption process is provided having pressurization and depressurization steps and driven by one or more centrifugal machines operating under acceleration and deceleration conditions wherein the deceleration rate of the machine is controlled to minimize power consumption and maximize the efficiency of the process. The operating speed of the centrifugal machine during deceleration is matched to the measured pressure ratio conditions so that the centrifugal machine arrives at its minimum operating speed near the point required to begin acceleration.
US08728214B2
The invention relates to a gas transfer device comprising at least two chambers and at least one gas-permeable and liquid-impermeable membrane, wherein the chambers are separated from one another by the membrane(s), and wherein the membrane(s) is/are structured on at least one side and channels and/or branching structures, in particular branched pathways, are formed on the membrane by this structure, the walls of which have a spacing of ≦500 μm, preferably of ≦350 μm, and more preferably of ≦150 μm, and the proportion of the membrane surface area which comprises channels and/or branching structures having this spacing constitutes at least 50% of the total surface area of the membrane.
US08728211B2
A nozzle for spraying a liquid, comprising a central body which comprises a connecting portion for connecting the nozzle to a supply of liquid, an atomizing portion forming droplets of the liquid, and a liquid supply pipe forwarding liquid to the atomizing portion. The nozzle further comprises a sleeve mounted on the central body, the sleeve comprising a central aperture, which at least partly encloses the atomizing portion of the central body, and a spray angle controlling rim which at least partly encircles the atomizing portion.
US08728209B2
A method for reducing energy requirements of a CO2 capture system comprises: contacting a flue gas stream with a CO2 lean absorbent stream in an absorber, thereby removing CO2 from the flue gas and providing a CO2 rich absorbent stream; heating a first portion of the CO2 rich absorbent stream using heat from the CO2 lean absorbent stream, and providing the heated first portion of the CO2 rich absorbent stream to a regenerator; providing a second portion of the CO2 rich absorbent stream to the regenerator, wherein the heated first portion is hotter than the second portion and the heated first portion is provided to the regenerator at a lower elevation in the regenerator relative to that of the second portion.
US08728204B2
A method and apparatus are provided for reducing quench water required by a wet electrostatic precipitator. The apparatus includes a wet electrostatic precipitator and an evaporator in flow communication with the wet electrostatic precipitator to evaporate at least one portion of bleed water discharged from the wet electrostatic precipitator into steam. The method includes directing at least one portion of bleed water discharged from the wet electrostatic precipitator to an evaporator and directing at least one portion of flue gas from a boiler to the evaporator. The energy of the at least one portion of flue gas is used to evaporate the at least one portion of the bleed water into steam. The steam is directed to the wet electrostatic precipitator. The at least one portion of flue gas is directed from the evaporator to the wet electrostatic precipitator.
US08728202B2
Ion transport membrane oxidation system comprising (a) two or more membrane oxidation stages, each stage comprising a reactant zone, an oxidant zone, one or more ion transport membranes separating the reactant zone from the oxidant zone, a reactant gas inlet region, a reactant gas outlet region, an oxidant gas inlet region, and an oxidant gas outlet region; (b) an interstage reactant gas flow path disposed between each pair of membrane oxidation stages and adapted to place the reactant gas outlet region of a first stage of the pair in flow communication with the reactant gas inlet region of a second stage of the pair; and (c) one or more reactant interstage feed gas lines, each line being in flow communication with any interstage reactant gas flow path or with the reactant zone of any membrane oxidation stage receiving interstage reactant gas.
US08728199B2
Provided is a novel hydrogen separation membrane formed of a Nb—W—Mo-based alloy. A method for separating hydrogen using the hydrogen separation membrane and hydrogen separation conditions are selected by a particular procedure. A hydrogen separation membrane formed of the Nb—W—Mo-based alloy membrane. A method for separating hydrogen using the Nb—W—Mo-based alloy membrane and the conditions for separating hydrogen using the Nb—W—Mo-based alloy membrane are set by measuring the hydrogen pressure P of a hydrogen atmosphere for the Nb—W—Mo-based alloy membrane and the dissolved hydrogen content C of the Nb—W—Mo-based alloy membrane at a temperature T; generating a PCT curve associating the temperature T, the hydrogen pressure P, and the dissolved hydrogen content C on the basis of actual measurement data about the three requirements; and setting operating temperature and primary and secondary hydrogen pressure conditions by determining the relationship between the dissolved hydrogen content C and the brittle fracture of the Nb—W—Mo-based alloy membrane on the basis of the PCT curve to evaluate critical dissolved hydrogen content related to hydrogen embrittlement resistance.
US08728198B2
A method of recovering metal from heap leached ore is provided. The method includes supplying process fluid to a tank, distributing heap leached ore in the tank, optionally disrupting the flow of ore through the tank, creating a pregnant solution and discharging the process fluid, heap leached ore and pregnant solution from the tank to recover additional metal from the heap leached ore.
US08728196B2
A semi-liquid metal processing and sensing device comprising a crucible that is at least partially encircled by at least one induction coil. The one or more induction coils can be water cooled. The one or more induction coils can be designed to generate a variable power and/or variable frequency magnetic field which can be modulated to control the cooling of a molten metal charge in the crucible from the liquidus temperature to a selected heat content, resistivity and/or viscosity. The magnetic field can be designed to induce toroidal agitation of the metal charge in the crucible. The semi-liquid condition is sensed and can be actively controlled by the induction power supply via real time or non-real time analysis of electrical feedback signals that are obtained from the induction coil.
US08728192B2
A filter housing has first and second housing parts connected to each other to be openable and secured by a latching element. The latching element is connected to the first housing part by a moveable connection with a predetermined breaking point and is pivotable by the movable connection into the closed state. The latching element has two positioning elements and the housing parts have counter positioning elements. In the closed state, the counter positioning elements are axially arranged between the two positioning elements and the positioning elements form a stop for the counter positioning elements. The latching element has an element locking section locking at a housing locking section on the first or second housing part. The predetermined breaking point is subjected to mechanical stress such that the predetermined breaking point breaks upon locking or release of the latching element.
US08728188B2
Disclosed is a dust-collecting apparatus with a packing member. The disclosed dust-collecting apparatus for separating dust from introduced air comprises: a dust-collecting receptacle with an open bottom; a dust discharge cover arranged at the bottom of the dust-collecting receptacle such that that the dust discharge cover can be opened/closed; and a packing member for sealing the dust-collecting receptacle and the dust discharge cover, wherein the packing member presses the dust discharge cover in the direction of opening the dust discharge cover. Thus, the dust discharge cover can be opened from the bottom of the dust-collecting receptacle in an easier manner.
US08728183B2
The present invention relates to processes for preparing gaseous products, and in particular methane, via the hydromethanation of a carbonaceous feedstock in the presence of steam, syngas, a hydromethanation catalyst and an oxygen-rich gas stream.
US08728177B2
A system and method for the conversion of free fatty acids to glycerides and the subsequent conversion of glycerides to glycerin and biodiesel includes the transesterification of a glyceride stream with an alcohol. The fatty acid alkyl esters are separated from the glycerin to produce a first liquid phase containing a fatty acid alkyl ester rich (concentrated) stream and a second liquid phase containing a glycerin rich (concentrated) stream. The fatty acid alkyl ester rich stream is then subjected to distillation, preferably reactive distillation, wherein the stream undergoes both physical separation and chemical reaction. The fatty acid alkyl ester rich stream is then purified to produce a purified biodiesel product and a glyceride rich residue stream. Neutralization of the alkaline stream, formed during the alkali-catalyzed transesterfication process, may proceed by the addition of a mineral or an organic acid.
US08728173B2
Highly compactable granulations and methods for preparing highly compactable granulations are disclosed. More particularly, highly compactable calcium carbonate granulations are disclosed. The granulations comprise powdered materials such as calcium carbonate that have small median particle sizes. The disclosed granulations are useful in pharmaceutical and nutraceutical tableting and provide smaller tablet sizes upon compression than previously available.
US08728172B2
Compositions and methods useful for providing one or more benefits, including a color rejuvenation and/or color maintenance benefit to a fabric are disclosed. The disclosed compositions contain at least one cationic polymer. The methods include providing the disclosed compositions in combination with a source of anionic surfactant. Unit dose and multi-compartment systems are also disclosed.
US08728164B2
A process for the production of an implant and to an implant for surgical use in humans or vertebrates, in particular for the replacement, for the partial replacement or for the strengthening of a damaged intervertebral disk or for the replacement, for the partial replacement or for the strengthening of an anatomical joint. The implant includes at least one wire or at least one fiber. The wire or the fiber is present at least partially as a knitted fabric.
US08728148B2
An endoluminal prosthesis may include a tubular body of a biocompatible graft material having proximal and distal ends and anterior and posterior sides. The prosthesis may include at least a first and a second fenestration. The first and second fenestrations may be spaced from one another circumferentially around the tubular body. The prosthesis may include at least one first diameter reducing tie positioned circumferentially on the posterior side of the prosthesis and engaging at least a circumferential segment of the posterior side to restrain the engaged segment from expansion. The prosthesis may include at least one second diameter reducing tie positioned circumferentially between the first and second fenestrations on the anterior side of the prosthesis and engaging at least a circumferential segment of the anterior side to restrain the engaged segment from expansion.
US08728147B2
Segmented articulatable stent of open structure comprised of end-connected struts of first and second lengths making up first and second segments with angular interconnects between adjacent first and second segments.
US08728142B2
The apparatus for deployment of a therapeutic device such as a micro-coil detachably mounts the therapeutic device to a distal portion of a pusher member. In one embodiment, the therapeutic device is detachably mounted to the distal portion of the pusher member by a tubular collar that can be heated by a heater such as an electrical resistance coil to expand the collar and release and deploy the therapeutic device. The apparatus for deployment of a therapeutic device such as a micro-coil may also provide for a pusher member and a connector fiber for securing the therapeutic device to the pusher member. The connector fiber passes through a heater within the distal portion of the pusher member, for heating and breaking the connector fiber to release the therapeutic device when a desired placement of the therapeutic device within the vasculature is achieved.
US08728141B2
An expandable spherical structure for deployment in a blood vessel or other body lumen, comprising: an open frame configured to assume a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration; and a closed face carried by the open frame; wherein the open frame is configured so as to permit substantially normal flow therethrough when the open frame is in its expanded configuration, and further wherein the closed face is configured so as to obstruct flow therethrough.
US08728138B2
Methods and apparatus are provided for thermally-induced renal neuromodulation. Thermally-induced renal neuromodulation may be achieved via direct and/or via indirect application of thermal energy to heat or cool neural fibers that contribute to renal function, or of vascular structures that feed or perfuse the neural fibers. In some embodiments, parameters of the neural fibers, of non-target tissue, or of the thermal energy delivery element, may be monitored via one or more sensors for controlling the thermally-induced neuromodulation. In some embodiments, protective elements may be provided to reduce a degree of thermal damage induced in the non-target tissues.
US08728117B1
Vascular treatment and methods include a plurality of self-expanding bulbs and a hypotube including interspersed patterns of longitudinally spaced rows of kerfs. Joints between woven structures and hypotubes include solder. Woven structures include patterns of radiopaque filaments measureable under x-ray. Structures are heat treated to include at least shapes at different temperatures. A catheter includes a hypotube including interspersed patterns of longitudinally spaced rows of kerfs. Heat treating systems include a detachable flange. Laser cutting systems include a fluid flow system.
US08728097B1
A tissue plication device and method of using the same is described. The tissue plication device includes a helical fastener having a distal portion with a first pitch and a proximal portion with a second pitch that is smaller than the first pitch. The method includes introducing the distal tip of the helical fastener into the tissue and advancing the helical fastener to plicate the tissue. Another tissue plication device includes a helical fastener having a first configuration with a first pitch and a second configuration with a second pitch. The helical fastener in the first configuration is advanced into a tissue and then converted to the second configuration by applying a stimulus.
US08728090B2
The various embodiments of the present invention provide a tonsillar suction dissector for performing the functions of dissecting a tonsil and suctioning blood simultaneously. The tonsillar suction dissector includes a handle, a suction tube connected to one end of the handle, a proximal part coupled to a proximal end, a serrated distal end connected to the proximal part through the suction tube, a rolling part interconnected to the proximal part and the proximal end, and a tip assembly. The opening suctioning channels placed adjacent to the serrated distal end provide an opening to communicate with the handle and allows the suction tube to suction to clear a dissection surface thereby performing the functions of dissecting a tonsil and suctioning the dissection surface simultaneously.
US08728073B2
The present invention involves a surgical device and method of use, particularly an assembly and method incorporating a shaped expandable member along the distal region of an ablation device to facilitate ablation of a circumferential region of tissue engaged by the expandable member. The ablation device assembly includes an elongate body with a proximal end portion, a distal end portion, and a longitudinal axis. A contact member is located along the distal end portion of the elongate body. The contact member has a circumferential wall and is expandable from a radially collapsed condition to a radially expanded condition. The contact member also includes a single chamber having a single bulbous section. The single bulbous section has a plurality of longitudinally adjacent circumferential regions wherein adjacent regions have dissimilar wall thicknesses. The ablation device also has an ablation element having an ablative energy source that is located along the distal end portion, wherein the ablation element cooperates with the contact member such that the ablative energy source emits a substantially circumferential pattern of energy through the circumferential wall.
US08728069B2
According to some embodiments, a method of treating a subject having diabetes or symptoms associated with diabetes is provided. The method includes delivering a neuromodulation catheter within a vessel (e.g., hepatic artery) having surrounding nerves that innervate the liver (e.g., sympathetic nerves of the hepatic plexus). The method may also include modulating (e.g., disrupting, ablating, stimulating) the nerves by mechanical compression, energy delivery, or fluid delivery.
US08728065B2
An electrophysiology catheter includes an elongate catheter body having an elastically-deformable distal region predisposed to assume a spiral shape and a first plurality of electrodes disposed thereon. Each of the first plurality of electrodes includes an electrically active region limited to the inner surface of the spiral shape for use in non-contact electrophysiology studies. A second plurality of electrodes may also be disposed on the distal region interspersed (e.g., alternating) with the first plurality of electrodes, with each of the second plurality of electrodes having an electrically active region extending into the outer surface of the spiral shape for use in contact electrophysiology studies. The distal region may be deformed into a straight configuration for insertion into and navigation through the patient's vasculature, for example via use of a tubular introducer. As the distal region deploys beyond the distal end of the introducer, it resumes the spiral shape.
US08728062B2
A device for controlling a laser therapy of the eye, including an evaluation unit that determines an intensity of a transient temperature effect by analysis of interferometric signals obtained from the eye and a control unit that controls the laser therapy, which is based on said transient temperature effect, the control unit being connected with said evaluation unit. A method for controlling a laser therapy of the eye, includes determination of the intensity of a transient temperature effect that is utilized for the control of the laser therapy, based on the effect, by analysis of interferometric signals.
US08728055B2
The present invention is a splitable/peelable reinforced flexible tubular body (10) for a catheter or sheath (12). The body (10) comprises a proximal end (14), a distal end (16), a wall structure (18), and a lumen (20) defined by the wall structure (18). The wall structure (18) extends between the ends and includes a reinforcement layer (22) within the wall structure (18) and a separation line (26) extending longitudinally along the wall structure (18). The separation line (26) is adapted to facilitate the splitting/peeling of the wall structure (18) to allow a medical device such as a pacemaker lead to be removed from within the tubular body (10).
US08728054B2
A syringe-carpule assembly comprising first and second carpules, a housing holding the first and second carpules in an end-to-end relationship, an outer hollow plunger rod supported by and slidable relative to the housing, and an inner hollow rod having first and second openings and being slidably arranged inside the outer hollow plunger rod. The inner hollow rod is slidable between first and second positions. The inner hollow rod in the first position has the first opening disposed within the first carpule and the second opening disposed within the second carpule. This allows liquid solvent in the second carpule to flow into the first carpule, which comprises an evacuated chamber containing solid matter that dissolves in the presence of that solvent to form a mixture. The second carpule is then removed and the mixture in the first carpule is injected into the patient.
US08728050B2
The present invention aims to provide an absorbent article with a barrier sheet preventing body waste from coming in contact with a wearer's skin and thereby to alleviate skin trouble such as eczema the wearer might suffer from. The article includes an absorbent chassis, a barrier sheet and a leak-barrier cuffs. An absorbent panel is disposed on the inner surface of the chassis, the barrier sheet is disposed above the absorbent panel and the leak-barrier cuffs are disposed along a lateral side of the barrier sheet. The barrier sheet has lateral zones a middle zone connecting the lateral zones, and front and rear through-holes defined by the lateral zones and the middle zone. Barrier sheet elastic members are provided along the lateral zones. Folds are formed so as to cross the middle zone in a transverse direction.
US08728038B2
Disclosed is an apparatus and method for accessing blood located within a flash chamber of an IV catheter insertion device, the apparatus is separate from the IV catheter insertion device and sized to be attached to a structure of the IV catheter insertion device to secure it thereto. Once secured, movement of the plunger from its rearward position to a forward position presses on a flash plug to expel blood from a flash chamber of the IV catheter insertion device and out through the needle.
US08728029B2
A safety needle device includes a housing, a Huber needle, a cap and a sheath. The Huber needle has a first needle leg disposed in the housing and a second needle leg extending perpendicularly of the first needle leg. The cap is disposed over the second needle leg and is movable relative thereto from a first position with the second needle leg extending through the cap to a second position with a tip of the needle disposed in sealed relation in the cap. The sheath is concentrically disposed on and about the needle in a collapsed state, and secured to and between the housing and the cap. The sheath is extendable from the collapsed state to an extended state in response to movement of the cap from the first position to the second position.
US08728012B2
An apparatus comprising a blood vessel measuring device is disclosed. The blood vessel measuring device may comprise a handle. A measuring member may be attached to the handle. The measuring member may be dimensioned to wrap around a blood vessel to measure a size of the blood vessel. The blood vessel measuring device may comprise an extension, and a first end of the extension may be attached to the handle. The blood vessel measuring device may comprise a connector attached to a second end of the extension. A method is also disclosed. The method may comprise inserting a measuring device into an incision in a patient. The measuring device may comprise a measuring member. The method may also comprise wrapping the measuring member around a blood vessel of the patient and measuring a dimension of the blood vessel with the measuring member.
US08728011B2
A multi-guidewire sheath (MGS) is provided for cases where simultaneous guidewire access to multiple target arteries is required. Embodiments of the MGS have multiple guidewires in a single sheath configured with a single lumen. The MGS incorporates an engagement system to independently secure the one or more guidewires within the sheath to maintain the separate positions of the guidewires. Embodiments of the MGS are configured with a taper from the desired intra-arterial portion (e.g., conventional French sizes) to a larger diameter for the portion of the sheath outside (distal) the vessel. The distal segment of the MGS has a larger diameter to accommodate the engagement system to secure the independent positions of multiple guidewires, and a hemostatic valve seal and slit mounted in a rotating hub. The engagement system has a series of wire-lock engagement points positioned along the circumference of the MGS.
US08728008B2
A bone marrow aspiration assembly including an outer cannula and an inner cannula. The inner cannula is moved only radially about a longitudinal axis thereof with respect to the outer cannula to selectively align inner openings of only one of distal, intermediate, and proximal opening groups of the inner cannula with outer openings of only one of distal, intermediate, and proximal opening groups of the outer cannula to permit aspiration therethrough.
US08728001B2
The disclosed embodiments relate to a system and method for detecting a response of a patient to an external stimulus. An exemplary method comprises the acts of generating at least one time series of at least one physiologic parameter, detecting the external stimulus, detecting at least one response associated with the stimulus, the response comprising at least one of a pattern and a value, and outputting an indication of the response.
US08727984B2
An ultrasound diagnosis apparatus that can perform predetermined input operations without using an operation table or a remote controller. To realize improved ergonomics in an ultrasound diagnosis apparatus, predetermined input operations, such as storing moving images or change of scanning mode, can be performed during examinations analyzing physical operations of an ultrasound probe from generated images. An image data analyzing unit acquires movement data of an ultrasound probe by analyzing image data generated by processing the received signals from the ultrasound probe. An operation converting unit converts the acquired movement data to a predetermined input operation data. A system control unit controls each of units in the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus based on the input operation data from the operation converting unit.
US08727977B2
The invention provides a body-worn vital sign monitor that measures a patient's vital signs (e.g. blood pressure, SpO2, heart rate, respiratory rate, and temperature) while simultaneously characterizing their activity state (e.g. resting, walking, convulsing, falling) and posture (upright, supine). The monitor processes this information to minimize corruption of the vital signs and associated alarms/alerts by motion-related artifacts. It also features a graphical user interface (GUI) rendered on a touchpanel display that facilitates a number of features to simplify and improve patient monitoring and safety in both the hospital and home.
US08727974B2
An access assembly is provided including a tubular member having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end in mechanical cooperation with at least one slit seal member configured to create a fluid-tight seal in a first configuration. The access assembly also includes a first ring secured at the proximal end of the tubular member and a second ring secured at the distal end of the tubular member. The at least one slit seal member is configured to create an opening in a second configuration when forces are applied at opposing ends of the first ring.
US08727969B2
An endoscope includes an outer tube having a sharpened distal end and a retractable sleeve slidably disposed in the outer tube. An image conduit is attached to the distal end of the retractable sleeve for imaging any object in contact with the distal tip of the image conduit.
US08727968B2
Provided is a medical treatment endoscope including: an endoscope main body which includes an elongated insertion portion having a lumen and an image capturing mechanism disposed in a distal end of the insertion portion; an arm which is able to be inserted into or extracted from the lumen and has a treatment tool lumen for allowing an endoscope treatment tool to be inserted therethrough; and a positioning mechanism which positions a part of the arm inserted through the lumen with respect to the endoscope main body.
US08727953B2
An exercise system utilizes exercise apparatus having at least two operative positions, a first operative position with a base fixedly contacting a floor, and a second operative position with the base spaced apart from the floor and horizontally moveable over the floor in any desired direction of travel. When a barbell is mounted at rest on the exercise apparatus the apparatus is in the first operative position. When the barbell is disengaged from the at rest position, the exercise apparatus moves to the second operative position.
US08727949B2
A cost effective training belt that offers the ability to vary the release resistance and that allows the release resistance to remain relatively constant throughout the life of the belt. In one disclosed embodiment, the reaction belt has a first and second belt detachably secured together with a detaching structure that can connect the first and second belts together in at least two different ways. Each of the connecting ways offers a different release resistance; thereby a user can select the desired release resistance by selecting which way to connect the two belts together.
US08727933B2
A final drive assembly for a machine is disclosed. The final drive assembly may comprise a motor coupled with a motor housing, a driven component rotatably mounted on the motor housing by at least one bearing, and a planetary transmission configured to transfer power from the motor to the driven component. The planetary transmission may have a stationary carrier coupled with the motor housing, and the carrier may be adapted to retain the at least one bearing.
US08727931B2
The invention relates to a gear train unit comprising a plurality of planetary gear train stages, which are connected one after the other and which each comprise a ring gear (4, 4a, 4b), a sun gear (2a, 21, 21a) and a plurality of planet gears (3, 3a, 3b) supported on a planet carrier (5, 5a, 6), wherein the sun (2a, 21, 21a) of each following planetary gear train stage is formed by the planet gear carrier (5, 5a) of the preceding planetary gear train stage. The gear train unit comprises a drive element (2), which forms the sun gear (2a) of the first planetary gear train stage, and an output element (17), which is connected in a torsionally rigid manner to the planet gear carrier (6) of the last planetary gear train stage. The gear train unit can be shifted in such a way that either a first or a second gear ratio can be set.
US08727930B2
Provided is a forced speed changing apparatus of bicycle. The forced speed changing apparatus of bicycle is characterized in that a pressure member is disposed at the pawl controlling ring 15, and a spline groove 27, 27a and 27b is formed at an inner circumference of the carrier 20 so that the pressure member is moved by rotation of the carrier 20 so as to press the pawl 12, 13 and to release engagement between the pawl 12, 13 and the sun gear 23, 24. Therefore the function and operation of the forced speed changing apparatus of bicycle can be enhanced.
US08727925B2
A method for operating a hybrid vehicle drive-train having an engine, electric machine, transmission and a planetary gearset comprising ring, sun and carrier elements. A first planetary element is coupled to a transmission input shaft, a second planetary element is coupled to the electric machine, and a first clutch couples a third planetary element to the engine while a second clutch couples two of the three elements. When the second clutch is disengaged, the drive-train operates in a first mode while, when the second clutch is engaged, the drive-train operates in a second mode. When starting up or crawling, to change from first to second mode while maintaining traction force at the output, the second clutch engages to reduce the transmission capacity of the first clutch until slip occurs, then the engine speed is regulated, while synchronizing the second clutch, after which the second clutch engages without any load.
US08727923B2
A drivetrain has at least one drive machine (2, 3) with a drive output shaft (6) that can be coupled via a transmission (10) to at least one drive wheel. The transmission (10) is mounted on the drive machine (2, 3) and has a planetary gear set (18). To reduce the expenditure for the development and/or manufacture of the drivetrain, the transmission (10) has different mounting positions rotated relative to the drive output shaft (6) of the drive machine (2, 3).
US08727921B2
An example drive train assembly for a power conversion system includes a first sprocket which defines an axis of rotation, at least two secondary sprockets adjacent to the first sprocket and at least one belt. The axis of rotation lies outside of an area defined by the belt. The belt is operable to transfer mechanical power between the first sprocket and the two secondary sprockets in response to a rotation of the first sprocket about the axis of rotation. The belt defines a first side having one of a first plurality of notches and a first plurality of teeth and an opposing second side having one of a second plurality of notches and a second plurality of teeth. The first sprocket defines the other of the first plurality of notches and the first plurality of teeth and the secondary sprockets define the other of the second plurality of notches and the second plurality of teeth. The first plurality of teeth engage the first plurality of notches and the second plurality of teeth engage the second plurality of notches, whereby rotation of the first sprocket about the axis of rotation engages the first plurality of teeth with the first plurality of notches and the second plurality of teeth with the second plurality of notches.
US08727920B2
The present invention relates to inflatable neoprene bladders and method of manufacturing inflatable neoprene bladders. The invention also relates to inflatable articles having an inflatable neoprene bladder wherein the article has an idealized shape and superior resiliency and air retention. Finally, the invention relates to sportsballs and gameballs having an inflatable neoprene bladder.
US08727917B2
A ball bat extending about a longitudinal axis. The bat includes a bat frame having a handle portion and a tubular barrel portion, a knob coupled to the handle portion; and an annular member. The bat has a proximal end, a distal end, a center of percussion and a length of at least thirty inches. The barrel portion has an inner surface. At least a portion of the inner surface of the barrel portion includes a first set of projections. The annular member includes an outer radial surface having a second set of projections. The annular member is positioned within the barrel portion such that the first set of projections engages the second set of projections to inhibit longitudinal movement of the annular member with respect to the barrel portion in at least one direction.
US08727912B2
A golf ball includes an inner core layer formed from a thermoplastic material. The inner core has a center hardness that is greater than the surface hardness to define a negative hardness gradient. An outer core layer is disposed about the inner core. The outer core has a surface hardness that is greater than the surface hardness of the inner core to define a positive hardness gradient. An inner cover layer and an outer core layer are formed over the outer core layer. The negative hardness gradient of the inner core is about −1 to −5 Shore C, the positive hardness gradient of the outer core layer is less than 25 Shore C, the surface hardness of the outer core layer is about 45 Shore D to about 70 Shore D, and the surface hardness of the inner core is about 20 Shore D to about 60 Shore D.
US08727902B2
A golf putting aid comprises first and second substantially vertically extending members and a substantially horizontally extending member attached between the first and second vertically extending members. The horizontally extending member and the vertically extending members cooperatively define a first at least partially enclosed space beneath the horizontally extending member through which a golf ball may be putted and a second at least partially enclosed space above the horizontally extending member through which a golfer may align a target for the golf ball.
US08727899B1
An adjustable hosel assembly allows for adjustment of shaft angle and the distance between the shaft and the club head. The adjustable hosel assembly comprises a hosel portion, a cam piece, a bolt, and a golf club head having a convex or concave surface, wherein the hosel portion can move along the surface of the cam piece, and the cam piece can move along the surface of the club head, to adjust the orientation of a shaft placed within the hosel with respect to the club head, and wherein the bolt secures the cam piece and the hosel to the golf club head.
