US08730762B2
The present disclosure relates to making seismic measurements using a seismic source disposed in a wellbore. One or more seismic sources are provided and carried on a conveyance mechanism. One or more seismic receivers are provided and placed on or near the earth's surface, in the same wellbore as the seismic sources, or in another wellbore. The one or more seismic sources are run into and/or out of the wellbore using a controller or sequencer. The one or more seismic sources are positioned, manually or automatically, at one or more locations in the wellbore, using a set of computer-controlled instructions. Seismic measurements are made at the one or more locations by activating the one or more seismic sources and detecting a seismic source signal using the seismic receivers. The receivers may be carried on a conveyance mechanism and their position controlled, manually or automatically, using the set of computer-controlled instructions.
US08730757B2
According to one embodiment, a memory system includes a first semiconductor memory and a controller. The first semiconductor memory receives a first clock, and outputs, in accordance with the first clock, a second clock and a data signal in synchronization with the second clock. The controller includes a detection circuit which detects a shift of a duty ratio of the second clock which is output from the first semiconductor memory. The controller also includes an adjustment circuit which adjusts a duty ratio of the first clock based on the shift detected by the detection circuit.
US08730755B2
The present disclosure relates to the fabrication of non-volatile memory devices. In at least one embodiment, a single transistor may be used to drive each address line, either a wordline or a bitline. Both an inhibit voltage and a selection voltage may be driven through these single transistor devices, which may be achieved with the introduction of odd and even designations for the address lines. In one operating embodiment, a selected address line may be driven to a selection voltage, and the address lines of the odd or even designation which is the same as the selected address line are allowed to float. The address lines of the odd or even designation with is different from the selected address lines are driven to an inhibit voltage, wherein adjacent floating address lines may act as shielding lines to the selected address line.
US08730754B2
A memory device includes wordline decoder circuits that share components between adjacent memory blocks. The wordline decoder circuits include multiple levels, where at least one level is split, driving half of the wordlines in one adjacent memory block and driving half of the wordlines in another adjacent memory block. Memory blocks have every other wordline coupled to one adjacent decoder circuit, and the remaining wordlines coupled to another adjacent decoder circuit.
US08730750B1
A memory device includes a memory array comprising a plurality of memory cells, a plurality of sense amplifiers configured to sense data stored in the memory cells of the memory array, a dummy wordline coupled to respective enable inputs of the sense amplifiers, a dummy wordline return, a dummy bitline, a dummy sense amplifier having an input coupled to the dummy bitline, and control circuitry coupled to the output of the dummy sense amplifier and the dummy wordline return. The control circuitry has a first configuration for generating a reset signal based at least in part on a signal at the output of the dummy sense amplifier in a read mode of operation, and has a second configuration different than the first configuration for generating the reset signal based at least in part on a signal on the dummy wordline return in a write mode of operation.
US08730746B2
A semiconductor integrated circuit includes a first pad allocated to receive a row address, a second pad allocated to discriminate a first input/output mode and a second input/output mode, a detector configured to generate a detection signal in response to logic levels of the first and second pads, and a column address controller configured to deassert a column address to a logic low level in response to a deasserted detection signal. The semiconductor integrated circuit may selectively support one of first and second memory capacities and one of the first and second input/output modes using the logic levels of the first and second pads.
US08730743B2
An integrated circuit includes: a memory controller configured to determine whether a memory cell included in a semiconductor memory device is defective or not and extract a fail address having positional information of the defective memory cell, in a test mode; and a fail address storage unit configured to store the fail address.
US08730739B2
A semiconductor device and a method for accelerating erase verification process thereof are introduced, in which a correction unit of erase verification is connected between broken bit lines of the semiconductor device and a page buffer. Grounding switches in the correction unit of erase verification are allowed to connect the broken bit lines to ground during an erase verification process by means of a specific circuit arrangement with respect to the broken lines. Thereby, the earth voltage is received, and further, that the broken bit lines pass the erase verification is identified by the page buffer, further saving time consumed in repeated verifications in the conventional technology significantly.
US08730731B2
A semiconductor memory device is provided. The semiconductor memory device includes a memory cell array including a matrix of memory cells; a plurality of local bit lines divided into at least two local bit line groups arranged to be alternately connected with at least two global bit lines and coupled with the memory cells; a plurality of bit line selection drivers respectively connected to the local bit lines; an internal boosted voltage generator configured to generate at least two internal boosted voltages having different levels; and a power transmitter configured to respectively transmit the at least two internal boosted voltages to at least two bit line selection driver groups, into which the plurality of bit line selection drivers are classified according to arrangement of the local bit lines. Accordingly, repair efficiency can be increased and near-far compensation can be more correctly performed.
US08730730B2
A temporary storage circuit including a reduced number of transistors is provided. The temporary storage circuit includes storage elements, each of which includes a first transistor and a second transistor. A channel of the first transistor is formed in an oxide semiconductor layer. A signal potential corresponding to data is input to a gate of the second transistor through the first transistor which is turned on by a control signal input to a gate of the first transistor. Then, the first transistor is turned off by a control signal input to the gate of the first transistor, so that the signal potential is held in the gate of the second transistor. When one of a source and a drain of the second transistor is set to a first potential, the state between the source and the drain of the second transistor is detected, whereby the data is read out.
US08730720B2
A memory cell is provided that includes a first conductor, a second conductor, and a semiconductor junction diode between the first and second conductors. The semiconductor junction diode is not in contact with a material having a lattice mismatch of less than 12 percent with the semiconductor junction diode. Numerous other aspects are provided.
US08730716B2
A magnetic random access memory (MRAM) cell includes an embedded MRAM and an access transistor. The embedded MRAM is formed on a number of metal-interposed-in-interlayer dielectric (ILD) layers, which each include metal dispersed there through and are formed on top of the access transistor. A magneto tunnel junction (MTJ) is formed on top of a metal formed in the ILD layers that is in close proximity to a bit line. An MTJ mask is used to pattern the MTJ and is etched to expose the MTJ. Ultimately, metal is formed on top of the bit line and extended to contact the MTJ.
US08730711B2
A method of operating a memory circuit compatible with dynamic random access memories (DRAM) and static random access memories (SRAM) is disclosed. The method includes selecting a word line (708) connected to a row of memory cells in response to a plurality of row address signals and selecting a plurality of columns (706,710) of memory cells in response to a plurality of column address signals. A first part (714) of the plurality of columns is selected in response to a first voltage applied to the selected word line. A second part (716) of the plurality of columns is selected in response to a second voltage applied to the selected word line.
US08730700B2
In controlling switching elements of a current source inverter, a switching loss in the switching element is prevented according to a normal switching operation for a commutation operation, without requiring any particular control.In the commutation operation of the current source inverter, a timing for driving the switching elements is controlled in such a manner that an overlap period is generated, during when both a switching element at the commutation source and a switching element at the commutation target are set to be the ON state, a resonant circuit is controlled based on the control of the switching elements having this overlap period, and resonant current of the resonant circuit reduces the switching loss upon commutation operation of the switching elements. By controlling the generation of the resonant current of the resonant circuit by using the control of the switching elements having the overlap period, the resonant current generated by this control renders current and voltage of the switching element at the commutation source to zero when commutation is performed, thereby reducing the switching loss in the commutation operation.
US08730698B2
A power conversion controller for controlling the operation of a switch in a power conversion circuit, wherein the power conversion controller is configured to operate the switch according to: a variable frequency mode of operation for switching frequencies greater than a minimum threshold value; and a fixed frequency mode of operation at a switching frequency equal to the minimum threshold value.
US08730694B2
A signal transmission arrangement includes a transformer with a first and a second winding. A damping circuit has an input terminal for receiving an input signal. The damping circuit is coupled to the first winding and is configured to have an electrical resistance that is dependent on the input signal. An oscillator circuit includes the second winding and is configured to provide an oscillating signal. An evaluation circuit is configured to receive the oscillating signal and to provide an output signal that is dependent on an amplitude of the oscillating signal.
US08730692B2
A switching mode power supply (SMPS) includes at least one transformer, a switching unit to switch a voltage applied to the at least one transformer, a snubber circuit connected to the switching unit, a first switch to control an on or off operation of the snubber circuit, and a second switch to control an on or off operation of the first switch.
US08730690B2
An electric machine drive system is described. The system includes an inverter, an electric machine coupled to the inverter by at least one output conductor and including a ground connection, and an active common mode current reducing device coupled between the ground connection of the electric machine and the inverter.
US08730689B2
A capacitive power supply including an input section having input terminals for connection to an AC-mains supply, and a capacitive coupling, a rectification section coupled via the capacitive coupling to the input terminals, and an output section coupled to the rectification section, the output section including output terminals, for providing an output voltage to a load, a first chain including a charge storage facility, and a second chain arranged in parallel to the first chain, and including an output voltage limiting facility, the capacitive power supply further including an inrush current limiting facility, wherein the output terminals are connected to respective terminals of the output voltage limiting facility, and the DC-conducting series impedance has a resistive component with a resistive value of at least 0.2 times a resistive value of the first chain.
US08730673B2
A self-contained fluid-cooled electro-optical plug in type module capable of being exchangeably mounted in an external chassis incorporates electronic or electro-optical devices mounted on one or more interposers which provide electrical power and electric and optical signal connections to the devices and are also provided with fluid conduits through which a cooling fluid is circulated in a closed-loop cooling path to a heat exchanger for transferring the heat generated in the devices to external heat disposal equipment in the mounting chassis.
US08730672B2
A power semiconductor system and method for producing a power semiconductor system. In one embodiment, the application relates to a power semiconductor system, comprising a line system for a fluid working medium; wall element having an outer side and an inner side; and a power semiconductor circuit arranged at the outer side of the wall element, wherein the inner side of the wall element forms a fluid-tight wall of the line system.
US08730671B2
A cooling device for rack mount equipment comprises an extensible side duct, open on its inner and rear-facing sides which redirects warm exhaust air exiting vents in the side of a chassis towards the rear of an enclosure holding the chassis. An apparatus incorporating the cooling device may be installed in a rack with the extensible side duct in a retracted position. The extensible side duct may extend under the influence of air pressure, forming a plenum in fluid communication with the interior of a chassis on which it is mounted such that warm air exiting the chassis is collected in the plenum formed by the extensible side duct and directed out towards the rear of the chassis. Use of the apparatus permits conventional front-to-back cooling airflow patterns to be maintained even with chassis having side exhaust vents.
US08730668B2
An electronic device includes a housing unit, an electronic module and a locking mechanism. The housing unit includes a first housing and a second housing that is coupled detachably to the first housing. The locking mechanism includes an operable member and a drive member. The drive member can prevent movement of the second housing relative to the first housing. The operable member is operable to release the second housing from the drive member. When the drive member is moved to a position whereat the second housing is released, it can be maintained in the position, so that a user doesn't have to maintain the position of the drive member through operation of the operable member when separating the second housing from the first housing.
US08730664B1
A cellular cooling part includes a number at least one movable part, that can be the removable flap or movable cover for a fan. The fan, for example, can be moved or opened to expose it. A flap can also be opened. In addition, different covering structures can be used.
US08730663B2
An electronic apparatus is disclosed, which comprises: a housing, configured with a plurality of inlets and one outlet; a plurality of electronic elements, disposed inside the housing; and a plurality of gates, arranged at positions corresponding to the plural inlets in an one-by-one manner; wherein, the plural electronic elements are activated while the electronic apparatus is enabled for causing the temperature of the plural electronic elements to be raised to their respective working temperatures, thereby, causing a plurality of heating zones to be formed inside the housing at positions respectively corresponding to the plural inlets; and by enabling each gate to be configured with one thermal expansion element that is enabled to deform with the temperature variation of the corresponding heating zone, each gate is enabled to move between a first position and a second position according to the deformation of the corresponding thermal expansion element.
US08730658B2
One end portion of a connecting member 31 is connected to a first housing 1 such that the connecting member 31 is rotatable about a first rotation axis L1. The other end portion of the connecting member 31 is connected to a second housing 2 such that the connecting member 31 is rotatable about a second rotation axis L2 parallel to the first rotation axis L1. The first and the second housings 1, 2 are arranged such that when the second housing 2 is rotated up to a predetermined intermediate position, opposite end portions of the first housing 1 in a direction perpendicular to the first and the second rotation axes L1, L2 are protruded from the second housing 2 in the said direction.
US08730657B2
A mobile computing device includes a flexible display, a rigid-flex printed circuit board (PCB) arrangement, an electrically conductive memory fabric, and a controller. The rigid-flex PCB arrangement is connected to the flexible display, and has a honeycomb configuration. The electrically conductive memory fabric is connected to the flexible display and the rigid-flex PCB arrangement. The controller is configured to, by selectively controlling supply of electrical current to the electrically conductive memory fabric, control whether the electrically conductive memory fabric (i) straightens and resists flexing of the flexible display and the rigid-flex PCB arrangement or (ii) is relaxed and allows flexing of the flexible display and the rigid-flex PCB arrangement.
US08730636B2
An adaptive protection circuit module for an operational amplifier including an over temperature protection circuit and an over current protection circuit is provided. The over temperature protection circuit provides a temperature protection function to power down the operational amplifier when an operating temperature of the operational amplifier increases higher than a first threshold temperature. The over current protection circuit provides a current protection function to limit an output current of the operational amplifier and adjusts the first threshold temperature to a second threshold temperature when the over current protection circuit is enabled. The second threshold temperature is lower than the first threshold temperature. After the first threshold temperature is adjusted to the second threshold temperature, the over temperature protection circuit powers down the operational amplifier when the operating temperature increases higher than the second threshold temperature. Furthermore, an adaptive protection method for the foregoing operational amplifier is also provided.
US08730633B2
The present disclosure is directed towards a method for protecting a multi-phase autotransformer for an aircraft including the steps of receiving values of current input into and output from the first and second phases; determining, as a function of these received values, values of current representative of the operation of the phases; determining, as a function of these determined values, a value representative of a homopolar current flowing in the first phase; comparing, in a first comparison, the value representative of the homopolar current flowing in the first phase with a first predetermined threshold value; and controlling the values of current input into the phases as a function of the first comparison.
US08730632B2
Embodiments include systems and methods for detecting and/or responding to deficiencies in power interconnect integrity. For example, a first module distributes power to a second module via a high-current mechanical power interconnect. Insufficient integrity in the interconnect can manifest as an impedance, causing potential thermal hazards. A separate (e.g., low-current) interconnect is used to monitor the power being received by the second module from the first module. Embodiments detect when a difference between the power supplied to and received by the second module exceeds a threshold difference, which can indicate deficient interconnect integrity (i.e., a fault). The supply of high-current power to the second module can be substantially immediately interrupted upon detecting the fault.
US08730630B2
Apparatuses and methods for providing transient electrical event protection are disclosed. In one embodiment, an apparatus comprises a detection and timing circuit, a current amplification circuit, and a clamping circuit. The detection and timing circuit is configured to detect a presence or absence of a transient electrical event at a first node, and to generate a first current for a first duration upon detection of the transient electrical event. The current amplification circuit is configured to receive the first current from the detection and timing circuit and to amplify the first current to generate a second current. The clamping circuit is electrically connected between the first node and a second node and receives the second current for activation. The clamping circuit is configured to activate a low impedance path between the first and second nodes in response to the second current, and to otherwise deactivate the low impedance path.
US08730629B2
A semiconductor die includes a substrate comprising a first layer of a first wide band gap semiconductor material having a first conductivity, a second layer of a second wide band gap semiconductor material having a second conductivity different from the first conductivity, in electrical contact with the first layer, a third layer of a third wide band gap semiconductor material having a third conductivity different from the first conductivity and second conductivity, in electrical contact with the second layer, a fourth layer of a fourth wide band gap semiconductor material having the second conductivity, in electrical contact with the third layer, and a fifth layer of a fifth wide band gap semiconductor material having the first conductivity and in electrical contact with the fourth layer, wherein the first layer, the second layer, the third layer, the fourth layer, and the fifth layer are sequentially arranged to form a structure.
US08730628B2
An electrostatic protection circuit includes a strained transistor array, an unstrained transistor, and a control circuit. The strained transistor array has a first end electrically connected to a bias terminal. The unstrained transistor has a first end electrically connected to the bias terminal. The control circuit is electrically connected to a second end of the strained transistor array, a second end of the unstrained transistor and a ground terminal. The control circuit controls impedance between the second end of the strained transistor array and the ground terminal according to current flowing through the unstrained transistor. The electrostatic protection circuit is capable of preventing latch-up effect.
US08730627B2
Illustrative circuits and methods are provided. Circuitry is configured to detect a decrease in a monitored voltage at greater than a threshold rate. A fuse is deliberately blown in response to the detection. Power control circuitry is disabled and prevented from resuming normal operations by way of control signaling. The blown fuse ensures that at least one control signal is maintained until the blown fuse is replaced by service personnel. Shunt circuitry optionally discharges storage capacitors of the power control circuitry. Sensitive electronic components are protected against over-voltage or overcurrent damage in accordance with the present teachings.
US08730626B2
A chip includes a first circuit, a second circuit, a first interconnect, and a least one protection circuit. The first circuit has a first node, a first operational voltage node, and a first reference voltage node. The second circuit has a second node, a second operational voltage node, and a second reference voltage node. The first interconnect is configured to electrically connect the first node and the second node to form a 2.5D or a 3D integrated circuit. The at least one protection circuit is located at one or various locations of the chip.
US08730623B2
Disclosed is a head stack assembly, which comprises a pivot bearing assembly having a main body which comprising a first end surface and a second end surface, and a flange extended from the main body and located between the first and second end surfaces, the flange having a first interface adjacent the first end surface of the main body and a second interface opposite to the first interface; a drive arm mounted on the main body and secured on the first interface of the flange; and a fantail spacer mounted on the main body and secured on the second interface of the flange.
US08730622B2
According to one embodiment, a disk drive includes a case including a base with a bottom wall, a drive motor on the bottom wall of the base, a plurality of disk recording mediums rotatable by the drive motor, a magnetic head configured to perform data processing on the recording mediums, a carriage on the bottom wall of the base, configured to support the magnetic head for movement relative to the recording mediums, a drive section including a yoke and a magnet on the bottom wall of the base and configured to drive the carriage, and a spoiler including a main body, which includes a magnetic shield member between the yoke and the recording mediums, and a baffle plate extending from the main body and between the adjacent disk recording mediums.
US08730618B2
An integrated lead suspension (ILS) has a constrained layer damper (CLD) that attenuates vibration of the ILS. The CLD may be applied over an already assembled ILS such that the CLD is applied to the cover layer, to the base layer, or to both. Alternatively, the ILS may be encapsulated via a deposition process such that a damping layer is sandwiched between the conductor layer and the cover layer of the ILS, between the conductor layer and the dielectric layer of the ILS, or both.
US08730611B2
A method of detecting a contact between a transducing head and a storage medium is provided. The method applies an input signal, having a select power level and known frequency, to an actuator for actuating the head. An output signal is obtained in response to the input signal. At least one signal component is extracted from the output signal at the same or a harmonic of the same known frequency as the input signal applied to the actuator. Whether the at least one extracted signal component indicates a contact between the head and the medium is determined. The power level of the applied wave pattern is increased incrementally until the extracted signal component indicates a contact between the head and the storage medium.
US08730607B1
Approaches for a hard-disk drive (HDD) comprising a head slider comprising a thermoelectric embedded contact sensor. The thermoelectric embedded contact sensor may comprise a first and second conductive lead and a metallic component. The metallic component has a different Seebeck coefficient than the first and second conductive leads. A thermoelectric voltage across the metallic component is used to measure the distance between a head slider and a magnetic-recording disk without supplying an electrical current from a hard-disk drive to either of the first conductive lead or the second conductive lead.
US08730591B2
Apparatus, methods, and systems provide negatively-refractive focusing and sensing of electromagnetic energy. In some approaches the negatively-refractive focusing includes providing an interior focusing region with an axial magnification substantially less than one. In some approaches the negatively-refractive focusing includes negatively-refractive focusing with a transformation medium, where the transformation medium may include an artificially-structured material such as a metamaterial.
US08730589B2
An image lens, in order from an object side to an image side thereof, includes a first lens including a first surface and a second surface, a second lens including a third surface and a fourth surface, a third lens including a fifth surface and a sixth surface, a fourth lens including a seventh surface and a eighth surface, and an image plane. The image lens satisfies the following formulas: D/TTL>1.11; D/L>1.13; Z/Y>0.076; wherein D is the maximum image diameter of the image plane; TTL is a total length of the image lens; L is a distance from an outermost edge of the eighth surface to an optical axis of the image lens; Z is a distance from a central point of the sixth surface to an outermost edge of the sixth surface; and Y is a distance from the outermost edge of the sixth surface to the optical axis.
US08730582B2
A microscope apparatus includes a laser beam source for emitting a laser beam, an objective lens for irradiating a sample with the laser beam, a phase-modulating spatial light modulator placed between the laser beam source and the objective lens at a position optically conjugate with a pupil position of the objective lens, and a beam diameter variable unit placed between the laser beam source and the phase-modulating spatial light modulator for varying a beam diameter of the laser beam incident to the phase-modulating spatial light modulator.
US08730575B2
Disclosed are a wire grid polarizer, which exhibits high polarization, p-polarized light transmittance, and s-polarized light reflectance in the visible light region, and the optical characteristics of which have low angular dependence and wavelength dependence, and a manufacturing method for the same. A wire grid polarizer (10) comprises a light transmissive substrate (14), on the surface of which a multiplicity of convex strips (12), the width of which gradually narrows from the base to the apex, is formed parallel to one another with intervening flat spots (13) formed between the convex strips (12), and at a specified pitch (Pp), and a metallic layer (20), which covers the entire surface of a first side face (16) of the convex strip (12) and a portion of the flat spot (13) adjacent thereto, and either does not cover a second side face (18) of the convex strip (12) or covers a portion of a second side face (18); and a manufacturing method forms a metallic layer (20) by vapor depositioning a metal or metal compound from a direction that is substantially orthogonal to the length direction of the convex strips (12) and forms a 25-40 DEG angle relative to the height direction of the convex strips (12) on the side of the first side face (16), under conditions in which the deposition amount is 40-60 nm.
US08730570B2
Techniques and devices for using a chirped fiber Bragg grating to compress amplified laser pulses.
US08730567B2
A terahertz continuous wave generator includes: an optical intensity modulator configured to modulate an optical signal into DSB optical signals; a local oscillator configured to generate a modulation signal for modulating the optical signal inputted to the optical intensity modulator into DSB optical signals; a notch filter configured to filter an optical signal with a specific frequency; an optical fiber amplifier configured to amplify an output signal of the optical intensity modulator; an optical circulator configured to transmit the optical signal inputted to the optical fiber amplifier to the notch filter and transmit the optical signal reflected from the notch filter to an input of the optical intensity modulator; an optical coupler configured to apply the optical signal to the optical intensity modulator; and an OE converter configured to photomix the DSB signals outputted through the notch filter.
US08730557B2
A series bias voltage increases the sensitivity of a MEMS ribbon to control signal voltages. This effect is obtained because of the nonlinear dependence of ribbon deflection on applied voltage. The resulting low-voltage operation of MEMS ribbons makes them more compatible with high speed electronics.
US08730553B2
An interior rearview mirror assembly includes a housing and a mirror reflective element having a glass substrate. The housing includes an element that protrudes beyond a rear surface of the glass substrate and towards the front surface of the glass substrate when the reflective element is at least partially received at the housing. The glass substrate includes a slanted rear perimeter edge-portion along a perimeter circumference of the rear surface of the glass substrate to at least partially accommodate the element of the housing when the reflective element is at least partially received at the housing. The glass substrate includes a beveled front perimeter along a perimeter circumference of the front surface of the glass substrate. The beveled front perimeter of the glass substrate is exposed and viewable by the driver of the vehicle.
US08730533B2
A document photosensor is provided which comprises a substrate 11, 12, a bracket 41, 42 disposed on substrate 11, 12 for forming a light diffusion chamber 53 and a light receiving chamber 58 separated from each other, an LED chip 21, 31 surface-mounted on substrate 11, 12 in light diffusion chamber 53, and a PD chip 37, 38 surface-mounted on substrate 11, 12 in light receiving chamber 58. These chips 21, 37, 31 and 38 are secured at precise locations on a substrate 11 and 12 with accuracy on the order of a few micrometers or less to exactly detect by PD chip 37, 38 a light irradiated from LED chip 21 or 31 after reflection of the light on a bill 50 moved along a passageway 55 to improve validation performance of bill 50.
US08730531B2
An automatic document feeding scanning device including an automatic document feeder, a flatbed scanner and a power switching mechanism is provided. The automatic document feeder has a pickup arm and a feeding gear, the flatbed scanner has a scanning module and a scanning gear. When the scanning module is moved and the movement of the scanning module is obstructed to enable the scanning module to take a first reacting force, the power switching mechanism is disengaged from the scanning gear in response to the first reacting force and transfers a driving power to the automatic document feeder. When the pickup arm is swung and the swing of the pickup arm is obstructed to enable the pickup arm to take a second reacting force, the power switching mechanism is disengaged from the feeding gear in response to the second reacting force and transfers the driving power to the flatbed scanner.
US08730529B2
A document scanner (10) includes an input tray (20) for holding documents; a transport system (45) for moving documents through the scanner; at least one document detection sensor (135A-135E) for detecting documents; an image capture device for capturing image data for a document; an image processor for determining characteristics of the document based on the image data; and wherein the processor compares characteristics of the document to ultrasonic data and excludes ultrasonic data which conflicts with image data.
US08730520B2
An image processing method includes the steps of converting input image data to ink color data corresponding to each amount of a plurality of colors of achromatic inks used for printing, and generating printing data for first, second and third achromatic inks based on the ink color data. The printing data is used for printing by causing a printing head to scan a common image area in a printing medium a plurality of times, the printing head ejecting the plurality of colors of inks. The converting step converts the input image data to ink color data for the first, second and third achromatic inks so that the first achromatic ink is used with respect to a value of the input image data indicating achromatic color, and the generating step generates the printing data for the first, second and third achromatic inks so as to (a) make a printing duty for the first achromatic ink during first half of the plurality of scans higher than a printing duty for the first achromatic ink during the latter half of the plurality of scans, and (b) make printing duties for the second and third achromatic inks during the latter half of the scans higher than in the first half of the scans.
US08730511B2
A printing apparatus is provided, which includes an instruction receiving unit which receives an execution instruction of a print job, a sheet receiving unit which receives printed sheets; a sorting unit which discharges a separation sheet for separating the printed sheets, and a control device which determine whether the print job is a first job to be executed while a user exists in the vicinity or a second job to be executed while the user dose not exist in the vicinity, and which executes the print job in a first mode where the sorting unit does not discharge the separation sheet, when the print job is the first job, and executes the print job in a second mode where the sorting unit discharges the separation sheet, when the print job is the second job.
US08730506B2
A printer transfers print data received from a host computer to a cloud server, requests a response, from the cloud server, indicating an ending time period when the cloud server processes the print data, receives the response indicating the ending time period returned from the cloud server, and shifts the printer to a sleep state during the ending time period. After the printer returns from the sleep state when the ending time period has elapsed, the printer requests processed data from the cloud server, receives the processed data returned therefrom, and performs print processing on the processed data.
US08730495B2
An image processing system configured to perform image processing with a plurality of apparatuses operating in cooperation with one another includes a setting unit configured to set a cooperation destination apparatus in a cooperation wait state, a searching unit configured to search for the cooperation destination apparatus set to the cooperation wait state by the setting unit, a display unit configured to display a result of the search on a display device, and a control unit configured, using the apparatus included in the displayed search result as the cooperation destination apparatus, to perform image processing with a cooperation source apparatus and the cooperation destination apparatus operating in cooperation with each other.
US08730493B2
An image processing apparatus which is capable of flow easily and efficiently resuming an interrupted processing. The image processing apparatus executes a processing flow for sequentially carrying out a plurality of processes. When execution of the processing flow is interrupted due to occurrence of a power failure, the image processing apparatus creates a recovery processing flow for carrying out yet-to-be-executed ones of the processes included in the processing flow, after restart of the image processing apparatus, and executes the created recovery processing flow.
US08730489B2
A printing system according to the present invention, being capable of controlling a post-processing apparatus to execute post-processing for a sheet printed by a printing apparatus, has an acceptance unit and a control unit. The acceptance unit is configured to accept a post-processing execution request for executing post-processing by the post-processing apparatus without executing print processing by the printing apparatus. The control unit controls, in a case where the acceptance unit accepts the post-processing execution request, the post-processing apparatus to execute the post-processing for a sheet set in a supply source without executing print processing by the printing apparatus.
US08730479B2
System, including methods and apparatus, for light detection and signal processing for droplet-based assays. An exemplary system provides a method of detection for droplets. An examination region of a channel may be illuminated with first pulses of light interleaved with second pulses of light as droplets pass through the examination region, the first pulses being spectrally distinct from the second pulses. Data may be collected representing light detected during illumination of the examination region with the first pulses and the second pulses. Each droplet may be illuminated with a beam of light that is narrower than a diameter of the droplets.
US08730478B2
A method for testing photosensitivity of an electronic display module, such as a liquid crystal display module, is provided. In one embodiment, a method includes exposing a display module to light at a first intensity and measuring an amount of light transmitted through the display module. The method may also include exposing the display module to light at a second intensity and measuring an amount of that light transmitted through the display module. The measured amounts may then be compared to determine an optical property, such as photosensitivity, of the display panel. Various other methods, systems, and manufactures are also disclosed.
US08730474B2
The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for measuring masks for photolithography. In this case, structures to be measured on the mask on a movable mask carrier are illuminated and imaged as an aerial image onto a detector, the illumination being set in a manner corresponding to the illumination in a photolithography scanner during a wafer exposure. A selection of positions at which the structures to be measured are situated on the mask is predetermined, and the positions on the mask in the selection are successively brought to the focus of an imaging optical system, where they are illuminated and in each case imaged as a magnified aerial image onto a detector, and the aerial images are subsequently stored. The structure properties of the structures are then analyzed by means of predetermined evaluation algorithms. The accuracy of the setting of the positions and of the determination of structure properties is increased in this case.
US08730471B2
Disclosed are a spectroscopic optical system and a spectrometer both enabling vertical illumination by means of an optical system using only refractive lenses and enabling wide-band color correction in the DUV-UV (190 to 400 nm) range. The spectroscopic optical system and spectrometer each comprise a light source (100), a folding mirror (110), a field stop (120), an object-side focusing lens system (130) for focusing light onto a sample, an image-side focusing lens (140) disposed on the image forming plane of the object-side focusing lens system, and a spectroscope (150) for dispersing regularly reflected light from the sample. The object-side focusing lens system (130) and the image-side focusing lens system (140) are each a spectroscopic optical system corrected with respect to color in a broad band of wavelength from 190 to 400 nm and configured from only refractive lenses enabling vertical illumination. The working distance (WD) of each lens is set shorter than a predetermined distance, and the doublet interval (D) is set longer than a predetermined distance.
US08730469B2
The present invention relates to a method for detecting vibrational structure of a molecule by generation of the Loss signals with the help of interaction of White Light Continuum (WL) and narrow spectral width picosecond pulse on the surface of the sample, known as Ultrafast Raman Loss Spectroscopy (URLS). The invention further defines a system for generation of Loss signals for detection of the vibrational structure of a molecule.
US08730468B2
Spectroscopy apparatuses oriented to the critical angle of the sample are described that detect the spectral characteristics of a sample. The apparatus includes an electromagnetic radiation source adapted to excite a sample with electromagnetic radiation introduced to a measurement site of the sample at a plurality of angles of incidence near a critical angle of the sample and a transmitting crystal in communication with the electromagnetic radiation source and the sample. The transmitting crystal may have a high refractive index adapted to reflect the electromagnetic radiation internally. The apparatus includes a reflector adapted to introduce the electromagnetic radiation to a measurement site of the sample at a plurality of angles of incidence near the critical angle between the transmitting crystal and sample. The apparatus includes a detector for detecting the electromagnetic radiation from the sample. Also, provided herein are methods, systems, and kits incorporating the peri-critical reflectance spectroscopy apparatus.
US08730463B2
A method of compensating for misalignment between an optical measurement instrument and a model eye includes: receiving a light beam from the model eye at the optical measurement instrument; producing image data, including light spot data for a plurality of light spots, from the received light beam; determining an observed location of a corneal reflex from the model eye within an image representing the image data; and determining an angle of misalignment between an axis normal to the front surface of the model eye and the optical axis of the optical measurement instrument from the observed location of the corneal reflex within the image.
US08730459B2
Provided herein are an examination device and an examination method that can efficiently perform examination even when both whole blood and serum/blood plasma specimens are to be examined. A solid-phase extraction cartridge or a filter is placed on a continuous track of a cartridge table. A cup table is disposed below the cartridge table. A cup is placed on a continuous track of the cup table to receive a sample purified by the filter. When viewed from above, the continuous track of the cartridge table and the continuous track of the cup table cross each other at a position “m”, and each of the tracks crosses a position at which a sample probe operates. A pretreatment for serum/blood plasma is completed in one rotation of the cartridge table. A pretreatment for whole blood is completed in two rotations of the cartridge table.
US08730452B2
An illumination source is optimized by changing the intensity and shape of the illumination source to form an image in the image plane that maximizes the minimum ILS at user selected fragmentation points while forcing the intensity at the fragmentation points to be within a small intensity range. An optimum mask may be determined by changing the magnitude and phase of the diffraction orders to form an image in the image plane that maximizes the minimum ILS at user selected fragmentation points while forcing the intensity at the fragmentation points to be within a small intensity range. Primitive rectangles having a size set to a minimum feature size of a mask maker are assigned to the located minimum and maximum transmission areas ad centered at a desired location. The edges of the primitive rectangle are varied to match optimal diffraction orders O(m,n). The optimal CPL mask OCPL(x,y) is then formed.
US08730445B2
The liquid crystal display device according to the present invention is a liquid crystal display device provided with a liquid crystal display panel having: a first substrate; a second substrate; a sealing material provided between the first substrate and the second substrate so that the first substrate and the second substrate are pasted together; and a liquid crystal layer sealed in the region surrounded by the sealing material between the first substrate and the second substrate, wherein the second substrate has a color filter and a protective film for covering the color filter on the surface of the second substrate on the liquid crystal layer side, and an end of the protective film is located inside an end of the second substrate and between the two sides of the sealing material, which are opposite to each other (outer wall surface and inner wall surface).
US08730442B2
A TFT substrate includes drain signal lines which are connected with respective pixels, source electrodes which are connected with the drain signal lines via channel portions of transistors, and pixel electrodes which are electrically connected with the source electrodes. The pixel electrode is, further, constituted of a contact-portion electrode which is connected to the source electrode, an opening-portion electrode which is an electrode in an opening portion which is not covered with a black matrix, and a channel upper electrode which is formed so as to cover the channel portion of the transistor of the neighboring pixel. By extending the channel upper electrode to the channel portion of the neighboring pixel, an area of the pixel electrode is increased, and a line width of the opening-portion electrode is made relatively small. Accordingly, the TFT substrate can hold a stable potential.
US08730439B2
To provide a production method of a liquid crystal display device and a liquid crystal display device, in which generation of a joint line on a display screen is suppressed and yield can be improved even if a substrate is subjected to an alignment treatment by completing exposure for the substrate through several exposures in a liquid crystal display device including pixels each having two or more domains. The present invention is a production method of a production method of a liquid crystal display device, the liquid crystal display device including: a pair of opposed substrates; a liquid crystal layer formed between the pair of opposed substrates; and an alignment film arranged on a liquid crystal layer side surface of at least one of the pair of opposed substrates, and the liquid crystal display device having two or more regions which differ in alignment azimuth in a pixel, wherein the production method comprises an exposure step of exposing the alignment film in such a way that a substrate plane is divided into two or more exposure regions through a photomask in each exposure region, and in the exposure step, exposure is performed in such a way that adjacent two exposure regions have an overlapping exposure region where the adjacent two exposure regions partly overlap with each other, and the photomask comprises a halftone part corresponding to the overlapping exposure region.
US08730432B2
An optical film is provided. The optical film includes a substrate, a first transmission medium, second transmission medium, and a reflective polarizing film. The first transmission medium is disposed at the front surface of the substrate and includes a plurality of embossed microlenses. The second transmission medium is disposed at the rear surface of the substrate and comprises a plurality of V-shaped prisms. The reflective polarizing film is disposed at the front surface of the first transmission medium. The substrate, the first transmission medium, and the second transmission medium are bounded to each other to form a unitary sheet.
US08730426B2
A liquid crystal display device is disclosed. The liquid crystal display device includes a panel, a first frame, and a second frame. The panel has a side face. At least one first locking hole is disposed on the side face. The first frame includes a first side edge and a second side edge. The first side edge has at least one second locking hole and at least one slot. The at least one first locking hole and the at least one second locking hole are locked with each other via at least one locking element, so as to fix the panel and the first frame. The second frame has at least one hook part used for matching the at least one slot of the first side edge such that the second frame and the first frame can be fixed to each other.
US08730421B2
In a liquid crystal display which includes a liquid crystal layer between a TFT substrate and a counter substrate, a gate electrode, a gate insulator and a semiconductor layer are laminated. A pixel electrode is formed on the gate insulator and metal source and drain electrodes are formed on the semiconductor layer and gate insulator. At least upper surfaces of the source and drain electrode contain Mo. One of the source and drain electrodes is directly laminated on a portion of the pixel electrode, which portion is disposed on the gate insulating film.
US08730420B2
A liquid crystal display to prevent light leakage with an improvement of aperture ratio and a reduction of load of a data line is provided. The liquid crystal display includes a gate line and a storage electrode line formed on a insulating substrate and apart from each other, a first data line and a second data line intersecting the gate line, a first pixel electrode defined by the gate line and the first data line, and a second pixel electrode defined by the gate line and the second data line and neighboring the first pixel electrode. Also, a blocking electrode between the first pixel electrode and the second pixel electrode is included, wherein at least portion of the first data line is disposed under the first pixel electrode, and at least portion of the blocking electrode is disposed under the second pixel electrode and apart from the first data line.
US08730414B2
Disclosed is an LCD device which facilitates to prevent light leakage by forming a light-shielding line in a disclination-occurring portion of a pixel region, that is, a portion along the interface between divided domains in the pixel region, wherein the LCD device comprises gate and data lines which are formed on a substrate while intersecting each other to define a pixel region; a pixel electrode which is formed in the pixel region, and is divided into at least two domains; a common electrode which is patterned to generate an electric field together with the pixel electrode; and a light-shielding line which is formed in the interfacial portion between the domains so as to prevent light leakage therethrough.
US08730408B2
This backlight device 12 of the present invention includes: a cold cathode fluorescent tube; a chassis 14 that houses at least the cold cathode fluorescent tube on a front surface 14a1 side of a bottom plate 14a of the chassis; and a circuit substrate 32 having a front surface 32a on which electronic components 38a and 38b are disposed, the front surface 32a facing a rear surface 14a2 of the bottom plate 14a of the chassis 14. The heat generated from the electronic components 38a and 38b circulates towards the chassis 14 with ease, and therefore the heat generated from the electronic components 38a and 38b on the circuit substrate 32 can be effectively dissipated by the bottom plate 14a of the chassis 14.
US08730407B2
Provided is a remote control command setting device capable of regulating some operations while being easy to handle for children. The device reconfigures a correspondence between an operation for an operation area having multiple operation buttons arranged therein and a control command for an electric device. The device includes an operation history holding unit (180) for accumulating operation history for the operation area, a control command setting unit (200) for reconfiguring an available control command on the basis of the operation history, and an operation area setting unit (210) for reconfiguring a sub-area in the operation area on the basis of the operation history and the available control command.
US08730401B2
A circuit module for a digital television receiver is formed by multi-layering a decoder LSI including a CPU and a decoder, a decoder layer substrate including a CA interface circuit, a demodulation function layer substrate including a demodulator, and an extension function layer substrate including a communication controller. The demodulation function layer substrate and the extension function layer substrate can be selectively multi-layered to the decoder layer substrate in response to a broadcasting system of a digital television signal or a type of a CA module.
US08730398B2
This video output apparatus includes a plurality of input units that input a plurality of video signals and an auxiliary information related to video shot-changes that are associated with the video signals. A composing unit stores the image data associated with the plurality of input video signals in an image memory and reads out image data at a predetermined timing, and outputs a composed video signal. A control unit obtains auxiliary information for each video signal and selects one video signal from among the plurality of video signals by comparing priority orders corresponding to the auxiliary information. The control unit carries out control in which the frame frequency of the video signal that the composition unit outputs by reading out the image data from the image memory is synchronized with the frame frequency of the selected video signal.
US08730392B2
A frame rate conversion method includes detecting a plurality of input frames to determine an image mode corresponding to the plurality of input frames; performing motion estimation on the plurality of input frames to generate a motion estimation result; and interpolating a plurality of interpolated frames according to the determined image mode, the motion estimation result and the plurality of input frames to generate a plurality of converted output frames, wherein a frame rate of the outputted frames is different from that of the input frames.
US08730384B2
Systems, methods, and devices for obtaining a properly exposed strobe-illuminated image are provided. One method for doing so may include, for example, gathering image capture statistics during a first period when a strobe is not emitting light and during a second period when the strobe emits a preflash. These image capture statistics may include distinct image capture control statistics and luma values associated with the periods. Final image capture control statistics then may be determined based at least in part on the first luma value normalized to the first image capture control statistics and the second luma value normalized to the second image capture control statistics. Thereafter, the final image capture control statistics may be used to capture a properly exposed strobe-illuminated image when the strobe emits a main flash.
US08730381B2
The image pickup system includes a camera and an interchangeable lens having an image-taking optical system. The camera includes an image sensor to photoelectrically convert an object image formed by the image-taking optical system and to be moved in an optical axis direction, and a camera controller configured to control movement of the image sensor such that focus variation caused due to variation of magnification of the interchangeable lens is reduced. The camera controller is configured to acquire image sensor moving data corresponding to the interchangeable lens attached to the camera, and controls the movement of the image sensor by using the image sensor moving data.
US08730364B2
An image sensor includes a plurality of pixel cells organized into rows and columns of a pixel array. A bit line is coupled to each of the pixel cells within a line of the pixel array. Readout circuitry is coupled to the bit line to readout the image data from the pixel cells within the line. The readout circuitry includes a line amplifier coupled to the bit line to amplify the image data and first and second sample and convert circuits coupled in parallel to an output of the line amplifier to reciprocally and contemporaneously sample the image data and convert the image data from analog values to digital values.
US08730362B2
An image sensor includes front-side and backside photodetectors of a first conductivity type disposed in a substrate layer of the first conductivity type. A front-side pinning layer of a second conductivity type is connected to a first contact. The first contact receives a predetermined potential. A backside pinning layer of the second conductivity type is connected to a second contact. The second contact receives an adjustable and programmable potential.
US08730356B2
A system, method, computer program product, and business method for automatic image glare removal. Glare is often caused by direct reflection of a photographic flash. Images are acquired from at least two different locations, possibly simultaneously, and from one or more cameras, and digitized if necessary. A glare pattern is identified, typically by recognition of a fully overexposed area or known test glare patterns. The images are processed to remove the glare pattern by subtraction of the glare pattern from at least one image and substitution of corresponding data from a related image not identically impacted. The substituted data typically comprises chrominance data, which may be from a luminance-adjusted exposure-bracketed image. The processing may be performed by a camera, a pc, or a networked server, and the processed image is output. The business method includes automated image glare removal via a fee-based per-transaction or subscription service.
US08730351B2
The present invention relates to a an electronic device such as a digital camera 300 that includes a deletion mode whereby a camera/electronic device user can delete captured images or data files that have already been transferred in order to make room in the electronic device or digital camera memory for capturing further images. In one embodiment a digital camera keep track of which images have already been transferred to an external storage device and presents those to the user as potential images to be deleted. In another embodiment, the user is presented with a “delete all transferred images” which when selected deletes all the captured images that have already been transferred. In still another embodiment, a deletion criteria is used to prioritize which images are deleted first.
US08730347B2
An image pickup apparatus of the present invention includes an image pickup element having imaging pixels and focus detection pixels, and configured to read a signal for which a photoelectric conversion has been performed in a first direction, a focus detector capable of detecting a focus state using a phase difference of a pair of images in the first direction and a pair of images in a second direction based on outputs of the focus detecting pixels, a flicker reduction portion configured to reduce the flicker, and a controller configured to control a focal point in accordance with the focus state obtained from a phase difference of the pair of images in the first direction before an operation of the flicker reduction portion.
US08730339B2
An image-capturing device includes: an instruction unit that issues a photographing instruction signal; an image sensor that obtains frame images over predetermined time intervals; a storage unit into which a plurality of frame images obtained via the image sensor are sequentially stored; a save candidate designation unit that designates a plurality of frame images obtained before and after an output of the photographing instruction signal among a plurality of frame images stored in the storage unit as save candidate images that may be saved into a recording medium; and a control unit that controls the save candidate designation unit so as to designate as the save candidates a plurality of frame images obtained before and after a second photographing instruction signal issued within a predetermined length of time following the output of the photographing instruction signal.
US08730338B2
An apparatus, method and computer program, in which there is provided an apparatus with a body, which apparatus has a set of camera modules mounted on the body, each camera module configured to take images with a first field of view and an adjustment mechanism configured to move the camera modules between a first configuration and a second configuration. In the first configuration, each camera module shares a substantially common field of view that covers a first view area. In the second configuration, the fields of view of the camera modules collectively form a second view area that is continuous and covers a second view area. A zoom-in image is formed in the first configuration using super-resolution combining of the images taken by the camera modules.
US08730332B2
Systems and methods for ergonomic measurement are disclosed. For example, in one embodiment a method for ergonomic measurement includes: receiving a first signal from an image sensor, the first signal comprising data associated with a user's orientation with respect to the image sensor. A second signal is received from a orientation sensor, the second signal comprising data associated with the image sensor's orientation with respect to gravity. An ergonomic measurement of the user is determined based at least in part on the first and second signals. Another embodiment includes a computer-readable medium comprising processor-executable code for executing such a method.
US08730331B2
A display apparatus is disclosed. The display apparatus includes a display unit which displays a calibration screen divided into a plurality of areas when a calibration mode is initiated, an image generating unit which generates a guide image for displaying an arrangement position of a calibrator, and a controlling unit which controls the display unit to display a guide image on areas where calibration is to be performed of the plurality of areas. Accordingly, it becomes possible to improve user convenience and exactness of calibration.
US08730330B2
An imaging system may include an array of image pixels. The array of image pixels may be provided with one or more rows and columns of optically shielded dark image pixels. The dark image pixels may be used to produce verification image data that follows the same pixel-to-output data path of light-receiving pixels. The output signals from dark pixels may be continuously or intermittently compared with a set of expected output signals to verify that the imaging system is functioning properly. In some arrangements, verification image data may include a current frame number that is encoded into the dark pixels. The encoded current frame number may be compared with an expected current frame number. In other arrangements, dark pixels may be configured to have a predetermined pattern of conversion gain levels. The output signals may be compared with a “golden” image or other predetermined set of expected output signals.
US08730326B2
A driving attention amount determination apparatus includes: an electroencephalogram measurement section for measuring an electroencephalogram signal of a driver; a central stimulation presentation section for presenting a visual stimulation in a central visual field of the driver; a peripheral stimulation presentation section for presenting a visual stimulation in a peripheral visual field of the driver; a threshold setting section for setting a determination threshold for attention amount determination from a distribution of amplitude of an event-related potential in the electroencephalogram signal based on a point of presenting the stimulation in the central visual field as a starting point; and an attention amount determination section for determining an attention amount through a comparison between the determination threshold and an amplitude of an event-related potential in the electroencephalogram signal based on a point of presenting the stimulation in the peripheral visual field as a starting point.
US08730325B2
A traveling lane detector according to the present invention includes: an imaging unit mounted on a vehicle to take a road surface image; and an image processor performing image processing on the image to detect lane marks on the road surface. The image processor judges whether the vehicle is crossing the lane marks, and, when the vehicle is not crossing any of the lane marks, defines first and second windows, in the image, for detecting the lane marks located respectively on left and right parts of a road surface in front of or behind the vehicle, performs image processing on the image in each of the windows to detect the lane marks, and, when the vehicle is crossing any of the lane marks, defines a third window including the currently-crossed lane mark in the image, performs image processing on the image in the third window to detect the lane mark.
US08730317B2
A substrate processing apparatus includes: a holding unit holding a substrate; a rotation driving unit rotating the substrate held on the holding unit; a moving mechanism moving the holding unit between a delivery position and an edge exposure position; an exposure unit provided on the edge exposure position side and exposing an edge portion of a coating film above the substrate held on the holding unit; an image capturing unit provided on the edge exposure position side and above the exposure unit and capturing an image of the substrate held on the holding unit; and a direction change unit changing a direction of an optical path formed between the substrate held on the holding unit and the image capturing unit. The direction change unit includes a first reflecting mirror, a second reflecting mirror, and a third reflecting mirror.
US08730316B2
A cable apparatus is provided and includes a cable to assume discrete positions, an actuator operably coupled to the cable and including a power source and a cable unit, which, when activated, causes the cable to translate and draws power from the power source and, when deactivated, draws no power and permits cable translation and a housing operably disposed along the cable and including a first element that rotates and translates with respect to the cable and a second element fixed to the cable, the first element being configured to cause the second element to rotate.
US08730314B2
A method of monitoring radiation treatment employs a video camera directed to at least a portion of a patient and/or patient support and at least a portion of a radiation machine. The direction of movement of the radiation machine and/or clearance between at least a portion of the radiation machine and the patient are determined by a control system. Graphics indicating the direction of movement of the machine and/or the clearance between the machine and the patient are overlaid on the video images. The video images overlaid with graphics displayed on a display.
US08730302B2
A three-dimensional (3D) video rendering device monitors 3D effects associated with an object in a received 3D video image-by-image. The object may be re-located to a preferred location to adjust the associated 3D effects. Two-dimensional (2D) image data and corresponding depth information for the object at the current location are interpolated to the preferred location. A location difference and lighting condition changes corresponding to the re-location of the object are calculated to determine a view angle and lighting conditions for the object at the preferred location. 2D image data and depth information for the object at the preferred location are estimated based on the determined view angle and the determined lighting conditions for the object at the preferred location. The estimated 2D image data and the estimated corresponding depth information may be applied to the object at the preferred location to enhance the associated 3D effects for 3D video rendering.
US08730294B2
A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a computer-readable storage medium in a media controller having computer instructions to execute a soft-phone client application on the media processor, receive an audio call or a video call originating from an IP Multimedia Subsystem network where the calls are directed to the media processor by a gateway having a switch that routes the audio call or video call in accordance with a destination address included in a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) header message, and selectively answer one of the audio call or the video call. The computer instructions can be operable to present an audio portion of the audio call through a speaker of a presentation device when an audio call is answered. Other embodiments are disclosed.
US08730283B2
Embodiments of the invention generally relate to credential processing devices and methods of feeding credential substrates in a credential processing device. One exemplary embodiment of the credential processing device includes a processing path, a print head, a transport mechanism, a first motor, a substrate input and an input feed mechanism. The print head is configured to print to a surface of a credential substrate that is fed along the processing path. The transport mechanism comprises one or more transport feed rollers that are configured to feed individual credential substrates along the processing path. The first motor is configured to drive the one or more transport feed rollers. The substrate input comprises an input feed roller configured to feed individual substrates from a supply to the transport mechanism. The input feed mechanism has an activated state, in which the input feed roller is mechanically coupled to the motor, and a deactivated state, in which the input feed roller is mechanically decoupled from the motor.
US08730269B2
In general overview, the present disclosure is directed to a system and method for selectively displaying a frame of an application user interface on a mobile computing device. A user interface analyzer on a mobile computing device analyzes a user interface for an application executing on a remote server. The user interface analyzer identifies frames in the user interface, the positions of the frames, relationships between frames, and horizontal and vertical panning offsets to move between adjacent frames. The mobile computing device receives a user input requesting the display of an adjacent frame. Based on the information the user interface analyzer obtained, the mobile computing device displays an adjacent frame of the user interface.
US08730264B1
A plurality of graphics objects are assigned to a quad-tree structure corresponding to a display. It is determined whether another graphics object overlaps with a display area corresponding to a node of the quad-tree structure. When the other graphics object overlaps with the display area, it is determined whether the other graphics object intersects with any graphics objects belonging to the node.
US08730261B2
A coordinate data read unit reads coordinate data of vertexes of a three-dimensional object stored in a memory into an internal storage unit. A coordinate transformation unit performs coordinate transformation on the coordinate data stored in the internal storage unit. A vertex deletion unit determines whether a piece of the attribute data of each vertex is to be read, based on the transformed pieces of the coordinate data stored in the internal storage unit. An attribute data read unit reads a piece of the attribute data of each vertex determined to be read by the vertex read unit from the memory into the internal storage unit. A display control unit performs drawing processing based on the pieces of the coordinate and the attribute data stored in the internal storage unit.
US08730260B2
An in-vehicle obstacle information notification apparatus for displaying an intersection map on a screen of a display section and superimposing a movable body mark on the intersection map when an own vehicle is in an intersection-surrounding area is disclosed. The display section displays the intersection map in a first mode or a second mode. In the first mode, an upper direction of the map is fixed to a given direction, which is determined before the entry into the intersection. In the second mode, the upper direction of the map on the screen is determined based on own vehicle direction, which is changed at a turn at the intersection. Based on information on a movable body in the intersection-surrounding area, the in-vehicle obstacle information notification apparatus determines whether to set the first mode or the second mode as a display mode of the display section.
US08730258B1
A graphics or image rendering system, such as a map image rendering system, receives image data from an image database in the form of vector data that defines various image objects, such as roads, boundaries, etc., which are to be rendered as straight lines within an image. The imaging rendering system renders the image objects by applying an anti-aliasing technique that determines varying pixel color values at or near the edges of each straight line to be rendered on the image, so as to obtain a pleasing visual effect when rendering a road or other boundary in any orientation on the image screen. The anti-aliasing technique determines a scaling vector having values dependent on the location of a particular pixel in the image along the normal to the straight line forming a road and determines a pixel color value at each pixel location associated with the road based on this scaling vector, such that the pixel color value at each pixel in or near the line is proportional to a component of the scaling vector. This technique produces a more gradual transition in pixel color values from a non-road location to a road location in the image, and thus provides a non-aliased rendering of the road regardless of the orientation or direction in which the road is being rendered in the image.
US08730257B2
The disclosed embodiments provide a system that drives a first display and a second display mirrored to the first display from a computer system. During operation, the system obtains a framebuffer update for a first framebuffer associated with the first display. Next, the system performs a color-correction operation on the framebuffer update to obtain a color-corrected framebuffer update that enables color output from the second display to substantially match color output from the first display. Finally, the system uses the framebuffer update to drive the first display, and uses the color-corrected framebuffer update to drive the second display.
US08730255B2
There is provided a video signal processing method for performing predetermined signal processing on an input video signal to transmit an output video signal in a form of a specified transmission format through a video signal line including invalid bit polarity setting processing to be performed by an invalid bit polarity setting unit, wherein, when there exists an invalid bit having no data corresponding to data making up the input video signal in the specified transmission format of the output video signal, to count the number of low and high levels of gray-level data of the input video signal to compare a numerical size between the number of low levels and the number of high levels for judgment and to set a polarity of the invalid bit based on the judgment result.
US08730233B2
A method for generating a three dimensional grid of terrain includes receiving data representing a three-dimensional point cloud and generating a plurality of slices of the data. The method evaluates the slices using a swarm intelligence algorithm. The method is able to identify both terrain and objects. The terrain can also be identified as traversable terrain.
US08730226B2
An active matrix includes an array of pixels individually addressable over a first frame-frequency range and over a second, higher frame-frequency range. The active matrix also includes, for each pixel of the array, a charging circuit through which that pixel is addressed. Each charging circuit includes an adjustable storage capacitance and is configured such that the storage capacitance is maintained at a first level over the first frame-frequency range, and at a second, lower level over the second frame-frequency range.
US08730221B2
A semiconductor integrated circuit and corresponding display panel and electronic apparatus. A pixel element includes a self-luminous element and a drive transistor connected to a power supply line. In an emission period of the self-luminous element, an active voltage and an intermediate voltage are sequentially applied between the power supply line and a potential line with a pulse-shaped waveform such that a predetermined luminance duration is obtained in the emission period. In a non-emission period of the self-luminous element, an off-state voltage is applied between the power supply line and the potential line so as to maintain the self-luminous element in a non-emission state.
US08730220B2
To provide a display device in which reliability of a driver circuit can be improved by suppressing shift of the threshold voltage of a TFT. The minimum power supply voltage that is optimal for driving a transistor used in the driver circuit is found by actually changing voltage applied to a gate of the transistor. Specifically, voltage that is output from an output circuit included in the driver circuit when a value of power supply voltage applied to a shift register is changed is monitored. Then, a value of the power supply voltage is found such that a value of the voltage output from the output circuit satisfies a value enough to operate a pixel portion, and the driver circuit is operated using the power supply voltage.
US08730217B2
A display panel with two display directions opposite to each other, an electronic device and a method for switching the electronic device are provided. The display panel comprises a substrate, a first switching element, a second switching element, and a light-emitting diode. The first switching element is coupled to a scan line and a data line. The second switching element is coupled to a power source. The light-emitting diode is coupled to the second switching element and another power source. The display panel further comprises a dielectric layer covering the above elements, a pixel electrode formed on the dielectric layer, an opposite substrate formed above the substrate and a non-emission display medium layer formed between the substrate and the opposite substrate. The pixel electrode is coupled to an electrode of the first switching element through the opening and is made of reflective material.
US08730197B2
A touch panel controller (1), which can accurately detect changes in capacitance values of respective first and second electrostatic capacitors which are touched, includes: a driving section (4) for driving drive lines (DL1 through DL4) on the basis of a code sequence so as to drive (i) electrostatic capacitors (C31 through C34) provided between the respective drive lines (DL1 through DL4) and a sense line (SL3) and (ii) electrostatic capacitors (C41 through C44) provided between the respective drive lines (DL1 through DL4) and a sense line (SL4) so that (i) a first linear sum of first capacitance values of the respective electrostatic capacitors (C31 through C34) is outputted from the sense line (SL3) and (ii) a second linear sum of second capacitance values of the respective electrostatic capacitors (C41 through C44) is outputted from the sense line (SL4); a differential amplifier (5) for amplifying a difference between the first linear sum and the second linear sum; and a saturation prevention control section (8) for correcting a line dependency between the first capacitance values and the second capacitance values.
US08730196B2
Displays with integrated touch sensing circuitry are provided. An integrated touch screen can include multi-function circuit elements that form part of the display circuitry of the display system that generates an image on the display, and also form part of the touch sensing circuitry of a touch sensing system that senses one or more touches on or near the display. The multi-function circuit elements can be, for example, capacitors in display pixels of an LCD that are configured to operate as display circuitry in the display system, and that may also be configured to operate as touch circuitry of the touch sensing system. For example, one or more circuit elements of the display pixel stackup can form a conductive portion of the touch sensing system, such as a charge collector, which can be operated with switches and conductive lines to sense touch.
US08730193B2
The present invention provides a mutual capacitive multi-touch screen. The conductive strip pattern allows that, when a touch range of each external conductive object on the mutual capacitive multi-touch screen is larger than a predetermined condition, capacitive coupling between each external conductive object and first conductive strip is greater than capacitive coupling between each external conductive object and second conductive strip, such that the proportion of a driving signal flowing out of the first conductive strip via at least one first external conductive object in the external conductive objects and into the second conductive strip via at least one second external conductive object in the external conductive objects decreases as the number of second external conductive objects increases.
US08730190B2
A system and method to detect motion generated from gestures, the gestures used to execute functionality associated with a computer system is described. The system includes a touch-sensitive display for receiving input. Further, the system includes a processor to convert the user input into an electrical signal to activate a sensor, the sensor to generate field of view. Additionally, the system includes a sensor logic module to identify at least one wave value associated with a gesture object residing within the field of view. Moreover, the system includes a receiver wave logic module to determine that the at least one wave value has exceeded a limit value. The system also includes a gesture logic module to execute functionality associated with the at least one wave value, the functionality related to an application depicted on the touch-sensitive display.
US08730189B2
Provided is a coordinate input device including: a coordinate input unit having a plurality of first detection electrodes and a plurality of second detection electrodes; an electrode drive circuit that applies a drive signal to one or more of the detection electrodes; a capacitance detection circuit that detects a capacitance of the first and/or second detection electrode; means for selecting one or more of the detection electrodes to which the drive signal is not applied from among the detection electrodes which are disposed in parallel to the detection electrodes to which the drive signal is applied, as a reference electrode; means for detecting a capacitance of the selected reference electrode; means for correcting a capacitance detection result of the capacitance detection circuit on the basis of the detected capacitance of the reference electrode; and an input coordinate computing circuit that calculates an input coordinate from the corrected capacitance detection result.
US08730178B2
A touch screen includes a liquid crystal layer, an upper transparent conductive layer, a lower transparent conductive layer, an upper transparent plate, a lower transparent plate, an upper polarizing plate, a lower polarizing plate and a circuit unit. The upper transparent conductive layer, the upper transparent plate, the circuit unit and the upper polarizing plate are disposed on the liquid crystal layer in the above-mentioned order from one side of the liquid crystal layer. The lower transparent conductive layer, the lower transparent plate and the lower polarizing plate are disposed under the liquid crystal layer in the above-mentioned order from another side of the liquid crystal layer.
US08730174B2
A method and device for receiving input are provided. The method involves determining an orientation of a touchscreen. When the orientation of the touchscreen is portrait, the method involves rendering at least one input element organized according to a first set of placement rules. When the orientation of the touchscreen is landscape, the method involves rendering the at least one input element organized according to a second set of placement rules. The second set of placement rules causes each of the at least one input element to be rendered proximate to one of first and second opposite edges of the touchscreen. The device includes a processor and a touchscreen configured to carry out the method.
US08730168B2
A contaminant-neutralizing cradle comprises a base and a support surface configured to removably receive a coherently-illuminated mouse. A neutralizing element is disposed on the support surface for alignment with at least one exposed surface of an optics module of the mouse and is configured to neutralize the optical effect of a contaminant on the at least one exposed surface. A method of neutralizing contaminants for an optical mouse comprises providing a mouse containing an optics module having at least one surface exposed to an opening of the mouse and interposing a barrier in the mouse between a contaminant and the at least one exposed surface. A method of detecting contaminants comprises aligning an optics module of a mouse with an imaging surface, obtaining a first image of the imaging surface, via application of coherent illumination from the optics module to the imaging surface, analyzing the first image to identify an interference pattern associated with a contaminant, alerting a user if a parameter of the interference pattern exceeds a threshold value.
US08730165B2
A 3 dimensional (3-D) user interface system employs: one or more 3-D projectors configured to display an image at a first location in 3-D space; one or more sensors configured to sense user interaction with the image and to provide user interaction information; and a processor configured (i) to receive the user interaction information from the one or more sensors; (ii) to correlate the user interaction with the image; and (iii) to provide one or more indications responsive to a correlation of the user interaction with the image, including displaying the image at a second location in 3-D space.
US08730157B2
Hand pose recognition comprises determining an initial hand pose estimate for a captured input hand pose and performing iterations based upon hand pose estimates and residues between such estimates and hand pose estimates. One or more control signals are generated based upon the hand pose recognition.
US08730153B2
The disclosure relates to waveforms, circuits and methods for driving bistable displays.
US08730151B2
Disclosed is an apparatus for writing an image on electronic paper, the apparatus including a writing head having a plurality of pixel electrodes corresponding to a plurality of pixels forming an image, the writing head applying a voltage to the pixel electrodes according to inputted address signals and data signals; a driver for generating the address and data signals according to an inputted image frame signal and outputting the address and data signals to the writing head; and a controller for generating the image frame signal and outputting the image frame signals to the driver.
US08730146B2
A drive voltage generating circuit which has a first shifter receiving an input voltage and outputting a first drive voltage obtained by first shifting a voltage level of the input voltage; a second shifter receiving outputting the second drive voltage obtained by second shifting a voltage level of the first drive voltage; and a drive voltage controller adjusting one of a shifting amount of the first shifter and a shifting amount of the second shifter in accordance with a surrounding temperature, wherein the second drive voltage is continuously varied in an analog manner, in accordance with the surrounding temperature.
US08730145B2
Disclosed herein is a shift register circuit that is formed on an insulating substrate with thin film transistors having channels of the same conductivity type and includes shift stages, each of the shift stages including: a first thin film transistor; a second thin film transistor; a 3(1)-th thin film transistor; a 3(2)-th thin film transistor; a 4(1)-th thin film transistor; a 4(2)-th thin film transistor; a fifth thin film transistor; and a sixth thin film transistor.
US08730143B2
A liquid crystal display device capable of reducing power consumption of a gate driving circuit and a method for driving the same are discussed. The liquid crystal display device includes a liquid crystal panel including pixel regions defined by gate lines and data lines, a timing controller for outputting a plurality of data control signals, a plurality of clock pulses and a start pulse, a time-divisional switching unit for time-dividing the plurality of clock pulses and outputting time-divisional clock pulses, a data driving unit for driving the data lines according to the plurality of data control signals, and a gate driving unit including a plurality of stages for sequentially outputting scan pulses according to the start pulse and the plurality of time-divisional clock pulses, wherein the stages receive the time-divisional clock pulses in units of blocks and each of the time-divisional clock pulses supplied to the blocks is different.
US08730134B2
A pixel circuit includes: a switching transistor whose conduction is controlled by a drive signal supplied to the control terminal; a drive wiring adapted to propagate the drive signal; and a data wiring adapted to propagate a data signal. The drive wiring is formed on a first wiring layer and connected to the control terminal of the switching transistor. The data wiring is formed on a second wiring layer and connected to a first terminal of the switching transistor. A multi-layered wiring structure is used so that the second wiring layer is formed on a layer different from that on which the first wiring layer is formed.
US08730133B2
The present invention provides a display device includes: a pixel array section including a set of pixels arranged in a form of a matrix; and a driving section for driving the pixel array section.
US08730130B1
A system and method for automatically aligning immersive displays, including helmet-mounted displays, such displays creating composite images from at least one image source. A gimbal-mounted camera/rangefinder apparatus is used to create a high resolution three-dimensional (3D) map of the screen surface which, in turn, is used to generate geometric corrections of projected image segments. The rangefinder is typically a laser rangefinder and the laser element thereof can draw display channel outlines of the screen. The gimbal-mounted camera/rangefinder is used to automatically analyze a test pattern projected onto the screen, typically without geometric correction. Each defined point of the test pattern may then be “moved” to its proper location on the 3D screen map. Video signal processing, performed either in software or hardware, accomplishes geometric correction, edge blending, color (e.g., gamma) correction and intensity matching. Unique polygonal blend regions are used for edge blending.
US08730128B2
An apparatus for displaying information in a motor vehicle, has a first display device which has a display area which is arranged in a dashboard of the motor vehicle. The apparatus also has a second display device for displaying the information on a windshield of the motor vehicle, which has a projection device. The second display device is arranged with respect to the first display device, and the two display devices are connected to a common control device, in such a way that coherent information, which continues from the first display device to the second display device, can be displayed on the two display devices.
US08730127B2
A method for displaying to an operator a rectangular image having a wide field of view of a scene, includes forming a virtual cylinder from the rectangular image, as if it was first printed on a transparent sheet such that it is visible from both sides of the sheet, and then rolled to form the cylinder. A perspective view of the cylinder is provided, vertically dividing the cylinder into two halves. One of the cylinder halves is vertically shifted until there is no overlap between the two halves. The ellipse which is formed between the two halves following the shifting step is defined as an orientation plane.
US08730122B2
An antenna device includes a concave-shaped reflecting mirror that reflects radio waves, a primary radiator disposed in the concave mirror and transmitting/receiving radio waves, and an antenna cover attached to an opening face of the reflecting mirror. The antenna cover is secured to the reflecting mirror with a flange part formed on the rim of the antenna cover and fitted to the inner side of a flange part formed on the rim of the reflecting mirror.
US08730119B2
A feed horn and systems and methods of making and using the feed horn are presented. Exemplary feed horns include a first portion comprising a dual mode geometry and a second portion comprising an axial corrugation geometry. The feed horn may operate simultaneously in a plurality of separate frequency bands (e.g., from about 18.3 GHz to about 20.2 GHz and from about 29.1 GHz to about 30.0 GHz) and a plurality of separate waveguide modes (e.g., TE11, TM11 or HE11 modes); simultaneously operating over two bandwidth segments of at least 1900 MHz that are separated by at least 5000 MHz. The feed horn may have a short axial length (e.g. less than 4 wavelengths at 18.3 GHz), and it may be configured to operate in a prime fed offset reflector antenna system. In addition, the feed horn may be formed as a single piece via a single casting pull.
US08730113B2
Apparatus, systems and methods to transmit power and data are provided. A particular apparatus includes a transmission component. The transmission component includes at least one first frequency selective surface (FSS) layer, at least one second FSS layer, and a dielectric layer separating the at least one first FSS layer and the at least one second FSS layer. In a particular embodiment, the apparatus also includes a first coupler coupled to the dielectric layer to send a signal along the transmission component.
US08730112B2
An antenna evaluation apparatus includes receiving antennas to be evaluated, scatterer antennas provided around them, signal generators, delay circuits, dividers, phase-shift circuits, and attenuation circuits. A computer controls the delay circuits to add delay times to radio frequency signals, and controls the phase-shift circuits and attenuation circuits to change phases and amplitudes of the radio frequency signals to produce a first fading. The antenna evaluation apparatus radiates the radio frequency signals from the scatterer antennas, thus creating multipath waves including delay and fading around the receiving antenna.
US08730111B2
A computer measures amplitudes and phases respective received signals S60a relative to a transmitting signal when radio waves are radiated solely from each of the scatterer antennas and received by using a calibration receiving antenna, determines a target amplitude based on measured amplitudes, and determines a target phase based on measured phases. Reference attenuation amount control voltages for respective attenuators are set to attenuation amount control voltages for making the measured amplitudes coincidence with an identical target amplitude, and a reference phase shift amount control voltage for each phase shifter is set to phase shift amount control voltages for making the measured phases coincidence with an identical target phase.
US08730108B2
A multi-band antenna includes a base portion, a substantially lying U-shaped first radiating portion, a substantially lying L-shaped second radiating portion and a third radiating portion. A rear edge of the base portion extends rearward to form a ground portion with a ground point being defined thereon. A top of the base portion defines a feeding point. The first radiating portion of which one end is connected with a first side edge of the base portion and the mouth faces to the first side edge of the base portion. The second radiating portion is connected with a second side edge of the base portion. The third radiating portion tortuously extends downward from a front edge of the base portion, then extends transversely, and further circuitously extends rearward to be located substantially near under a free arm of the second radiating portion.
US08730105B2
A method and apparatus are disclosed for determining the position, or change in the position, of a mobile terminal. The terminal has a receiver for receiving the signals from one or more transmission sources at unknown positions and an independent positioning device able to find, when operative, the position of the mobile terminal. The method uses the independent positioning device to measure the position of the mobile terminal at one or more first locations. A respective first set of time or phase offset values of signals received from the transmission sources relative to each other or to a reference in the mobile terminal is measured in the mobile terminal, at each first location. A second set of time or phase offset values are measured in the mobile terminal at a second terminal location where the independent positioning device is not operative and a second set of time or phase offset values of the signals received from the transmission sources, relative to each other or to a reference in the mobile terminal is measured. The values and said first measured terminal position or positions are combined, to thereby calculate the position of the mobile terminal at the second location, or the change in position of the mobile terminal between a first location and the second location.
US08730100B2
The subject matter disclosed herein relates to a method, an apparatus, and an article related to determining a location of a mobile device using more than one location determining technology, including, but not limited to, obtaining background position information based at least in part on said more than one location determining technology, and updating said background position information based at least in part on said more than one location determining technology.
US08730093B2
Level gauging including an approximation of a distance to the surface of a product kept in a tank. The approximation is determined by relating an amplitude of a first harmonic of an IF signal with an amplitude of a second harmonic of the IF signal.Basically, each harmonics represents a given distance range. By determining the received power in two or more harmonics, and correlating them to each other, the distance may be estimated. Depending on modulation and other parameters the distance dependence may be very different, and may be selected to suit the application.
US08730090B2
This disclosure provides a signal processing device, which includes a reception signal acquiring module for acquiring reception signals received by a radar antenna, an identifying module for identifying a kind of each reception signal, an extracting module for extracting the reception signal for each kind, and a kind-base signal processing module for performing individual signal processing for each kind of the extracted reception signal.
US08730083B2
According to an embodiment, there are provided a capacitor DAC for generating an output signal in accordance with a connection state of a capacitor element, a reference voltage generation circuit for supplying a reference voltage to the capacitor DAC, a comparator for outputting a comparison result in accordance with the output signal, a successive approximation register for outputting a digital signal in accordance with the comparison result, and a control circuit for controlling a connection state of the capacitor element in accordance with the comparison result and comparing an ideal code with a digital signal obtained by sampling a predetermined voltage, thereby correcting an error of the digital signal.
US08730082B1
Methods and systems are described for providing an analog-to-digital converter that uses reduced power and supply voltage. In one embodiment, an analog-to-digital converter comprises a sample phase configured to sample an analog signal with at least three capacitors, wherein at least two of the three capacitors have unequal capacitance to cause the analog-to-digital converter to have a feedback factor that is greater than 1/3. The analog-to-digital converter also includes a feedback phase configured to produce a digital output signal based at least in part on the sampled analog signal, wherein the analog-to-digital converter is configured to operate with a supply voltage equal to about one half of an input signal voltage range of the analog signal.
US08730074B1
A method and system for implementing a gain control with fine resolution and minimal additional circuitry. The fine digital gain control may be deployed in conjunction with a coarse switched gain at the front end of a sampling receiver. The fine digital gain control mechanism is configured to receive an input signal and moderate gains applied to the received input signal. The output of a low noise amplifier (LNA) is connected to a switched attenuator which provides fine gain stepped gain control. The output of this stage is connected to the switch stage whose output is connected to a charge redistribution successive approximation register digital-to-analog converter (SAR ADC) configured to convert an analog waveform into a digital representation.
US08730072B2
The present disclosure includes calibration circuitry for adjusting the bandwidth of at least one sub-converter of an interleaved analog to digital converter (ADC), the at least one sub-converter having an input switch coupled to an input line of the ADC, the calibration circuitry having a control circuit adapted to adjust a bulk voltage of a transistor forming the input switch.
US08730071B2
Devices and methods for entropy decoding a bitstream of encoded data by extracting a plurality of encoded subsequences from a payload field of the bitstream for parallel decoding on a set of parallel entropy decoders. The method includes dividing the payload of concatenated encoded subsequences into segments using a distribution function and distributing the segments amongst the set of parallel entropy decoders to balance the computational load among the parallel entropy decoders. The received bitstream includes auxiliary information inserted by the encoder to enable the decoder to entropy decode segments that begin with a portion of an encoded subsequence.
US08730069B2
A double data rate serial encoder is provided. The serial encoder comprises a mux having a plurality of inputs, a plurality of latches coupled to the inputs of the mux, an enabler to enable the latches to update their data inputs, and a counter to select one of the plurality of inputs of the mux for output. In another aspect, the mux provides a glitch-less output during input transitions. The mux includes an output selection algorithm optimized based on a priori knowledge of an input selection sequence provided by the counter.
US08730054B2
In one embodiment, an industrial process control system includes a field device configured to provide an alert. The process control system also includes a graphical user interface configured to present an alarm for the alert, and an alarm server comprising a processor and configured to associate an alarm class with the alert. The alarm class includes a plurality of alarm attributes having a respective plurality of values, and the graphical user interface is configured to present the alarm for the alert based on the plurality of alarm attributes and the respective plurality of values.
US08730053B2
A battery alarm for use with a battery assembly is provided, the battery alarm including a first activation component, a signaling component, and an output component. The first activation component is configured to activate the alarm upon disengagement of the battery assembly from a battery-operated device and is further configured to deactivate the alarm upon engagement of the battery pack with the battery-operated device. The signaling component is coupled to the first activation component and is configured to transmit a signal when the alarm is activated. The output component is adapted to receive the signal from the signaling component and is configured to produce a visual, audible, and/or tactile output upon receipt of the signal from the signaling component.
US08730051B1
The present invention provides a method of monitoring the position of a vehicle, vessel, rail car, barge, tanker truck that is loaded with bulk or hazardous material. A G.P.S unit is set to send a signal to a radio transmitter if the unit moves beyond a maximum permissible distance (for example, 50 feet or more). An oxygen sensor can be used to send a signal to a radio transmitter if oxygen levels fall below a selected minimum concentration. The radio transmitter can send the message to a tugboat crew, police department, fire department, company headquarters, civil defense office or other personnel if either of the unit has moved beyond the selected maximum travel distance or if oxygen levels fall below a minimum concentration. In addition to the radio transmission of oxygen concentration data and/or G.P.S position data, visible or audible alarms can be used such as strobe light, horn or the like. Also disclosed is a system for concealment of chemical and/or biological sensors in a building for urban or industrial environments.
US08730050B2
A device for monitoring the condition of a fluid receptacle such as one that is gradually filling or emptying is disclosed. The receptacle is attached to a torque weighing device, coupled with a transducer that outputs a measurement signal representing the weight of the receptacle. An alert or alarm may be generated by a signaling device in response to the measurement signal.
US08730040B2
The present invention is a process monitoring method, comprising the steps of capturing sensory data from one or more sensors; storing the sensory data from the one or more sensors in a data storage device; processing the sensory data from the sensors to detect primitive events in the sensory data; correlating two or more primitive events to determine one or more correlated events; and performing one or more actions based on the correlation performed in the correlating step, including sending alerts to recipients in a company's hierarchy. The process monitoring method can be used with a variety of sensors, including temperature, pressure, revolutions per minute, electrical meters, altitude meters, and speedometers, and can accept input from a variety of legacy systems, including financial systems, inventory systems, personnel systems, currency systems, and law enforcement databases. The invention can be used to optimize business processes and ensure safety and security procedures are followed.
US08730036B2
Errors in work in a bolt or nut tightening process are reduced to an extremely low level. Further, the process of the work is accurately recorded and quality of production processes is improved. A production management device receives information on a production instruction from a superordinate device, optically displays, according to the information, a socket to be selected for work to tighten a bolt or a nut, automatically recognizes a nut taken out from a socket holder, and alarms when the recognized socket and the displayed socket do not agree.
US08730035B2
Of the various technological features disclosed in the present specification, a structure according to the one technological feature is as follows. A lighting apparatus changeable between an illuminating state and a non-illuminating state comprising: a non-contact motion sensor arranged to sense a movement of a hand near the lighting apparatus; and a controller arranged to control the lighting apparatus in the non-illuminating state to change from the non-illuminating state to the illuminating state in response to the movement of hand sensed by the non-contact motion sensor, and to control the lighting apparatus in the illuminating state to cause a change in illumination with the illuminating state kept in response to the same movement of hand sensed by the non-contact motion sensor.
US08730027B2
A vehicle notification sound emitting apparatus is basically provided with a sound emitting device and a notification sound control device. The sound emitting device emits a starting movement notification sound to outside of a vehicle to inform a person in an outside area surrounding the vehicle that the vehicle will transition from a stopped state to a moving state, and emits a moving notification sound to outside of the vehicle to inform a person in the outside area surrounding the vehicle that the vehicle is moving. The notification sound control device operates the sound emitting device to selectively emit the starting movement notification sound. The notification sound control device includes a notification sound emission timing section that sets a start timing of the starting movement notification sound in response to a shift operation having been performed and an additional start movement preparation operation of the vehicle having been performed.
US08730020B2
A method for controlling a vehicle to emanate an audible alert. The method includes determining when the vehicle is operating, and controlling a speaker system in the vehicle to emanate the audible alert outside of the vehicle for a period of time when the vehicle is operating. The audible alert has a sound profile that includes a simultaneous emanation of a first audible frequency component at a first sound pressure level and a second audible frequency component at a second sound pressure level, with the first and second sound pressure levels being greater than a sound pressure level of the sound profile at all other frequencies. The method further includes modulating the first sound pressure level of the first audible frequency component.
US08730013B2
The present invention relates to a radio frequency identification (RFID) device and method for book tagging, using which a RFID tag which is designed to attach to a book is first being scanned and detected in view of optimizing the RFID tag's signal strength and its effective reading rate as well so as to determine a position on the book for the RFID tag to attach thereat while allowing the detection to the RFID tag to be prevented from being adversely affected by metals or magnetic materials that are situated ambient to the book.
US08730012B2
In accordance with some embodiments, an apparatus includes: a support structure; a storage circuit mounted in or on the support structure, the storage circuit for storing data; an antenna mounted in or on the support structure and coupled to the storage circuit for selectively transmitting the data; a switch mounted in or on the support structure, the switch being for initiating a time period in which the apparatus is enabled; and a timing circuit mounted in or on the support structure, the timing circuit being responsive to the switch for setting an end point to the time period; wherein the apparatus is operative to perform data exchange with a reader via the antenna only during the time period. In accordance with some embodiments, a method of operating an identification token includes detecting actuation of a switch on the identification token; in response to the detected actuation of the switch: enabling the identification token; and initiating a time period; determining an end point of the time period; and disabling the identification token if the end point of the time period is reached.
US08730010B2
Method of receiving a disaster warning message using a paging message in mobile communication system
A method of receiving a warning message in a mobile communication system. The method includes receiving a paging message from a network, wherein the paging message includes information related to the warning message. The information is a warning message indication representing a presence of the warning message. The warning message is an Earthquake and Tsunami Warning System (ETWS) message. If the warning message indication is included in the received paging message, the method includes receiving the warning message through a downlink channel according to scheduling information contained in a system information block (SIB).
US08730007B2
A method for controlling an image processing apparatus configured to output image data includes accepting, from a user, selection about whether to permit inputting biometric information, and performing control such that outputting the image data is permitted in a case where the selection for permitting inputting the biometric information is made, and the outputting the image data is prohibited in a case where the selection for permitting inputting the biometric information is not made.
US08730004B2
Methods, systems, and devices for controlling access within a multi-facility room are provided. More specifically, a guest of the multi-room facility is allowed to remotely confirm reservations to the facility as well as bypass the front desk of the multi-room for check-in purposes. At a location within the facility, the guest is allowed to confirm their arrival, check-in, and have their access credential written with personalized access data that may be useable for the duration of the guest's stay.
US08730000B2
Divided cores 11, 12 includes left and right leg portions and a yoke portion and formed by molding a yoke portion side core material within resin. The leg portions of the divided core are formed by tubular core mounting portions 41, 42. I-shaped leg portion side core materials 51-53 and spacers 6 are mounted in the tubular core mounting portions. A ring-shaped molded core 1 is formed by abutting and integrating the respective leg portions of two divided cores, and a coil 100 is wound around the molded core.
US08729998B2
A three step non-linear transformer core is formed from three sections of laminations each having different widths and cross-sectional areas. A first section of laminations is formed by cross-slitting a generally rectangular sheet or strip of metal. A resulting generally triangular segment is then wound upon a mold to form a first section of a core frame having a trapezoidal cross section. A second section of laminations is wound upon the first section of laminations to form a segment of a core frame having a rhombic cross section. The third section of laminations is wound upon the second section of laminations to form a segment of a core frame having a trapezoidal cross section. Each of the first, second, and third sections of laminations are offset from one another by a predetermined angle of offset.
US08729989B2
A magnetic trigger mechanism is provided. The magnetic trigger mechanism operates in conjunction with a plurality of magnetic sensors. The magnetic trigger mechanism includes: a magnet; a body, with its one side provided with a recess and its other side located near the plurality of magnetic sensors; and a moveable section, provided in the recess in a movable manner, comprising an accommodating space for restraining the magnet therein.
US08729987B2
A magnetic switch device and an electronic device having the same are disclosed. The electronic device includes an upper case which includes a first element and a lower case. The magnetic switch device includes a switch part and a driving part, wherein the switch part is mounted on the lower case and includes a second element that can be attached to the first element through magnetic force. The driving part is mounted on the lower case, such that when the driving part is moved, the switch part is enabled by the driving part to make the second element correspond to the first element, allowing the upper case to attach to the lower case; or the switch part is disabled by the driving part to not make the second element correspond to the first element, allowing the upper case not to attach to the lower case.
US08729985B2
Electrical switchgear which combines, connected electrically in series, a visible disconnect switch (operated by a main switch actuator) and 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 interlock is provided such that, as the main switch actuator begins to move from its switch-closed position to its switch-open position, the breaker-closed state is destabilized to open the circuit breaker contacts. An interlock is also provided such that the circuit breaker contacts cannot close while the visible disconnect switch is open.
US08729984B2
Systems and methods provide a magnetic actuator having more than one air gap. After the trip unit is triggered, a first armature is accelerated to quickly close a first air gap and then mate with a second armature. The first and second armature then move toward a core to close a second air gap and reach the final combined armature position, causing a contact to open. A faster reaction time is provided, yet without increasing the number of turns of the trip coil winding, and provides a more efficient actuator.
US08729983B2
A resonance coupler includes transmission-side resonant wiring provided on a transmission substrate and connected to a transmission ground between a connection point of first transmission wiring to the transmission-side resonant wiring and a connection point of second transmission wiring to the transmission-side resonant wiring, and reception-side resonant wiring provided on a reception substrate and connected to a reception ground between a connection point of first reception wiring to the reception-side resonant wiring and a connection point of second reception wiring to reception-side resonant wiring. When viewed in a direction perpendicular to a main surface of the transmission substrate, the transmission substrate and the reception substrate are provided facing each other so that the transmission-side resonant wiring and the reception-side resonant wiring are symmetric about a point and have matching contours.
US08729975B2
A method and circuit for implementing differential resonant clocking with a DC blocking capacitor, and a design structure on which the subject circuit resides are provided. An on-chip inductor and an on-chip capacitor are connected between a pair of differential active clock load nodes to form a resonant tank circuit. The on-chip inductor has a selected value based upon a value of a load capacitor of the differential active clock load nodes to determine the resonant frequency. The on-chip capacitor has a selected value substantially greater than the value of the load capacitor.
US08729973B2
A MEMS resonator comprises a resonator body (34), and an anchor (32) which provides a fixed connection between the resonator body (34) and a support body. A resistive heating element (R1,R2) and a feedback control system are used to maintain the resonator body (34) at a constant temperature. A location for thermally coupling the anchor (32) to the resistive heating element (R1,R2) is selected which has a lowest dependency of its temperature on the ambient temperature during the operation of the feedback control.
US08729971B2
An oscillator includes a reference voltage generator, an oscillation element configured to oscillate by either a drive voltage or a drive current and output an oscillation signal, a peak hold element configured to detect a peak level of the oscillation signal for output; and a controller configured to increase or decrease the drive voltage or drive current in accordance with the reference voltage generated by the reference voltage generator and the peak level output from the peak hold element.
US08729967B2
There are provided a surface-mounted crystal oscillator and a manufacturing method thereof which can realize miniaturization, improve quality, reduce a manufacturing cost, and enhance productivity. According to the surface-mounted crystal oscillator and the manufacturing method thereof, through terminals and of AgPd are formed on wall surfaces of through holes formed at corner portions of a rectangular ceramic substrate, a metal electrode of a support electrode lower portion of AgPd which is connected to the through terminal and forms a lower layer of a support electrode is formed on a front side of the substrate, the support electrode which holds a crystal piece is formed on the support electrode lower layer portion by using Ag, and a cover is mounted on an insulating film formed on the inner side of the periphery of the substrate and effect airtight sealing.
US08729960B2
A dynamic adjusting RFID demodulator circuit includes an envelope detector having an input for receiving a modulated RF signal, a fixed reference generator coupled to the input of an RC filter, an RF level dependent signal path adding to the fixed reference level at higher RF energy levels, a comparator having a first input coupled to an output of the envelope detector, a second input coupled to an output of the RC filter, and an output for providing a data output signal.
US08729948B2
There is provided a high frequency switch which is satisfactory in terms of both insertion loss characteristics and harmonic characteristics. The high frequency switch includes: a common port outputting a transmission signal to an antenna; a plurality of transmission ports each having the transmission signal input thereto; and a plurality of switching units each connected between the plurality of transmission ports and the common port to conduct or block the transmission signal from each of the transmission ports to the common port, wherein each of the switching units includes a plurality of series-connected MOSFETs formed on a silicon substrate, the plurality of MOSFETs are any one of body contact-type FETs and floating body-type FETs, and each of the switching units includes both of the body contact-type FETs and the floating body-type FETs.
US08729947B2
Embodiments include systems and methods for asynchronous, glitch-free clock switching across a wide range of clock frequencies with minimal clock down time. Embodiments effectively provide two stages of synchronization across two independent clock domains. In a first synchronization stage, a received, asynchronous clock select signal is translated into a synchronized clock select signal that is effectively synchronous with respect to a first clock domain and is still effectively asynchronous with respect to a second clock domain. In a second synchronization stage, the synchronized clock select signal is resynchronized so as to be effectively synchronous with respect to the second clock domain. The synchronized select signal can be used to disable the clock of the first clock domain, and the resynchronized clock select signal can be used to enable the clock of the second clock domain.
US08729942B2
Some of the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a D-type flip-flop, comprising a first latch configured to generate a sample enable signal, based on logical states of an input signal, and generate a sampled signal, based on logical states of the input signal and the sample enable signal; and a second latch configured to generate an output signal responsively to the sampled signal. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.
US08729937B2
A coarse lock detector for a delayed locked loop (DLL) is disclosed. The coarse lock detector includes multiple detection cells. Each detection cell receives a delayed clock phase and an output of a previous detection cell as inputs. To increase time for the output of the previous detection cell to propagate, the detection cells are arranged in groups such that the output from the previous detection cell is generated by a detection cell which is more than one detection cell previous.
US08729933B2
A frequency multiplier circuit with a function of automatically adjusting a duty cycle of an output signal includes an input terminal, a first detecting unit, a second detection unit, a duty cycle adjusting unit and a ground terminal; wherein the frequency multiplier control unit includes a first buffer, an AND gate, a first NOR gate and a second NOR gate; wherein the first detecting unit includes an inverter, a first resistance and a first capacitance; wherein the second detecting unit includes a second buffer, a second resistance and a second capacitance; wherein the duty cycle adjusting unit includes a comparator connected to the first resistance, the first capacitance, the second resistance, the second capacitance and the first buffer. The present invention also provides a frequency multiplier system thereof. The present invention is capable of automatically adjusting a duty cycle of an output signal to 50%.
US08729931B1
A divide-by-two divider circuit receives a differential input signal and outputs four rail-to-rail, twenty-five percent duty cycle signals, where the frequency of the output signals is half of the frequency of the input signal. Each latch can output its output signals into loads of at least 15 fF at a frequency of at least 3 GHz so that each output signal has a phase noise of better than 160 dBc/Hz, while the latch consumes less than 0.7 mW over PVT from a supply voltage less than 1.0 volt. Each latch has a cross-coupled pair of P-channel transistors and two output signal generating branches. A static current blocking circuit in each branch prevents current flow in the branch during times when the branch is not switching its output signal. The input node of the latch is capacitively coupled to a signal source, and the DC voltage on the node is set by a bias circuit.
US08729930B2
A multiplier-divider circuit for signal process according to the present invention comprises a digital-to-analog converter, a first counter, a second counter, an oscillation circuit, and a control-logic apparatus. The digital-to-analog converter generates an output signal of the multiplier-divider circuit in accordance with the value of an input signal and a first signal. The first counter generates the first signal in response to a clock signal and the duty cycle of the input signal. The second counter generates a second signal in response to the clock signal and the period of the input signal. The oscillation circuit generates the clock signal in accordance with a third signal. The control-logic apparatus generates the third signal in response to the second signal and a constant. The first signal is correlated to the duty cycle of the input signal. The second signal is correlated to the period of the input signal.
US08729922B2
Methods and apparatuses for enforcing terms of a licensing agreement between a plurality of parties involved in a particular hardware design through the use of hardware technologies. According to one embodiment, a hardware sub-design includes a license verification sub-design that is protected from user modification by encryption. In one embodiment, a license is generated based on a trusted host identifier within an external hardware device. In one embodiment, each trusted host identifier is unique, and no two integrated circuits share the same trusted host identifier. In another embodiment, the integrated circuit is a field programmable gate array or an application specific integrated circuit. In one embodiment, a license determines how long the hardware sub-design will operate when the hardware sub-design is implemented within an integrated circuit having a trusted host identifier.
US08729917B2
The inspection of semiconductors or like substrates by the present mechanism minimizes deflection in the checkplate and probe card. An inspection device including a housing, a toggle assembly within the housing, an objective lens assembly attached within the toggle assembly including an objective coupled within an objective focus, wherein the objective focus is deflectable along an optics axis, and a cam assembly including a rotary cam and a window carrier, wherein the window carrier is moveable along the optics axis with rotation of the rotary cam, wherein the cam assembly is coupled to the toggle assembly with the objective and window are aligned along the optics axis.
US08729907B2
A resistor-capacitor (RC) calibration circuit includes: a current source, providing a current to a first node; a first switch, coupled between the first node and a second node; a second switch, coupled between the first node and a third node; a resistor, coupled between a reference terminal and the second node; a variable capacitor, coupled between the reference terminal and the third node; a third switch, coupled between the third node and the reference terminal; a comparator, comprising a first input coupled to the second node and a second input coupled to the third node; and a logic controller, coupled between an output of the comparator and the variable capacitor for outputting an adjusting signal according to an output signal of the comparator to adjust a capacitance of the variable capacitor.
US08729904B2
Modeling and testing are used to characterize consequences of a first lithium-ion cell having an internal short. The vulnerability of a second lithium-ion cell being induced into thermal runaway by the energy released by the first cell undergoing an internal short is quantified. Characteristics of the packaging of Li-ion cells within a battery pack are analyzed. Combined, these analyses determine the robustness required of a cell in order to withstand a nearby cell's internal short given that the battery is maintained within the specified operational envelope by a BMS and this envelope is modified in real-time as required to meet the safety requirement. Robustness factors are: age, history of charging/discharging, as well as immediate state of charge and environment. In operation, the cell's operational history is incorporated into a model. When the model indicates cell robustness at a predetermined lower limit, operation of the cell is ceased or limited.
US08729893B2
A method and apparatus for estimating a flow rate of a phase of a multiphase fluid is disclosed. A first velocity distribution is obtained for a first set of nuclei in the fluid from a Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) signal received for the fluid in response to a first NMR excitation signal. A second velocity distribution is obtained for a second set of nuclei in the fluid from an NMR signal received for the fluid in response to a second NMR excitation signal. A velocity of the phase is estimated from the first velocity distribution and the second velocity distribution. The flow rate of the phase is estimated using the estimated velocity of the phase and an estimated volume fraction of the phase.
US08729891B2
A self-calibrating magnetic field monitor is disclosed. In one embodiment, a magnetic field sensor repeatedly generates an electronic signal related to the magnetic field. In addition, a calibration module generates a relative baseline signal based on an average value of the electronic signals for a given time period. A comparator compares the electronic signal with the relative baseline signal and generating an output signal if a difference in the comparing is greater than or equal to a threshold.
US08729887B2
A rotation angle sensor comprises: a resolver stator including an excitation coil for receiving an excitation signal and a detection coil (a sine wave coil and a cosine wave coil) for outputting a detection signal; and a resolver rotor rotatably placed to face the stator. The resolver stator is formed on a stator flat plate. The resolver rotor is made of a flat-shaped rotor flat plate. The stator flat plate and the rotor flat plate are placed in parallel to face each other. The rotor flat plate is formed with a cutout.
US08729881B2
A voltage/current control apparatus and method are disclosed. The apparatus includes a low-side field effect transistor (FET) having a source, a gate and a drain, a high-side field effect transistor (FET) having a source, a gate and a drain, a gate driver integrated circuit (IC), a sample and hold circuit, and a comparator configured to produce a trigger signal at the output when a sum of the first and second input signals is equal to a sum of the third and fourth input signals, wherein the trigger signal is configured to trigger a beginning of a new cycle by turning the gate of the high-side FET “on” and the gate of the low-side FET “off”.
US08729864B2
Methods and associated devices are described for discharging the high-voltage network, particularly a DC voltage intermediate circuit, in which for discharging the capacitors of the high-voltage network, switching devices are used that lie between the capacitors and at least one precharging resistor and a high-voltage battery, and the switching devices are switches having a specifiable positioning of the switching contacts or switching units or relays or contactors, which are switchable with the aid of a control device. The operation of the switching units takes place in such a way that the at least one precharging resistor is used simultaneously for charging and discharging the DC voltage intermediate circuit.
US08729859B2
Improved battery-charging system for a vehicle. Primary and secondary coils are located in places where the vehicle can receive power from the primary coil by pulling into a parking space, for example. The parking space may have a coil embedded in the ground, or may have an array of coils embedded in the ground. A guidance system is disclosed. Fine positioning is also disclosed. The secondary coil in the vehicle can also be raised or lowered to improve coupling.
US08729857B2
A data transfer, power supply and charging apparatus having a data interface transfers both energy to an energy storage device and vehicle- or driver-related data via a charging cable or electric line. The use of a charging cable for transmitting data to and from the vehicle is suitable particularly for electric and hybrid vehicles in the automotive sector. In this way, it is possible to perform updates for vehicle-internal systems and to check these. In addition, the data transfer, power supply and charging apparatus may include a communication unit which also allows data to be received and sent during travel without an electrical connection.
US08729846B2
A motor drive system includes an inverter that supplies power to a three-phase motor, and a control unit that, when first stopping and then commencing supply of alternating current to three phases of the three-phase motor, switches from first control to third control and then to second control. The first control places switching elements in the inverter in a non-conduction state, the second control is a PWM control of the switching elements, and the third control places and keeps a switching element of each of an upper arm and a lower arm in the conduction state until commencement of the supply of current. The upper arm corresponds to a phase through which current flows in a direction entering the motor upon commencement of the supply, and the lower arm corresponds to a phase through which current flows in a direction exiting the motor upon commencement of the supply.
US08729839B2
A BEMF detection circuit generates a rotation detection signal indicating a comparison result between electromotive force voltages VU through VW which occur at a terminal of respective multiple coils and an intermediate-point voltage VCOM. A rotor position detection circuit generates a rotor position detection signal indicating a stopped rotor position An internal start-up synchronization signal generating unit generates a predetermined-frequency forced synchronization signal. Upon receiving a fan motor start-up instruction, a driving signal synthesizing circuit generates a driving control signal based upon the rotor position detection signal. Thus, (1) when back electromotive force voltage occurs, a sensorless driving operation is started based upon the rotation detection signal; (2) when it does not occur, the driving control signal is generated based upon the forced synchronization signal. Subsequently, when it occurs, the sensorless driving operation is started based upon the rotation detection signal.
US08729838B2
A controller for an electric actuator includes a reference model that generates position and speed reference signals in response to a position command signal and employs a feed forward model that accounts for dynamic loading of the electric actuator. The feed forward model receives the position and speed reference signals provided by the reference model, and in response generates feed forward signals that account for mechanical characteristics of the electric actuator.
US08729836B2
A control device for a hoist, which enables easy judgment of the lifetime of a brake of a hoist is provided. The time setting unit sets the time from startup of a double winding induction motor to disengagement of the brake and the time from start of engagement of the brake to stopping of the double winding induction motor in accordance with the time from the startup of the double winding induction motor to generation of torque. The time changing unit detects if power-supply frequency of a power supply is 50 Hz or 60 Hz and can change at least one of the time from the startup of the double winding induction motor to the disengagement of the brake and the time from stopping of driving of the brake to stopping of double winding induction motor in accordance with the power-supply frequency of the power supply.
US08729834B1
Techniques disclosed herein include systems and methods for automated control of lighting systems. Such lighting system controllers can provide a range of control without requiring substantial programming, and that are compatible with existing, conventional, and new lighting systems. Such controllers include devices that can provide several features including network connectivity, a range of output levels, automated demand response control to manage electricity consumption, automated response to secondary sensor input (such as from photoreceptors and motion detectors), and generation of statistics showing power savings. A lighting controller polls a remote server or associated sensors to gather data relating to light output levels, determines to modify light output of corresponding light fixtures, and then transmits radio frequency signals over electrical power lines to light fixtures to modify light output.
US08729830B2
A feedback circuit for a zero-voltage-switching converter (1) for feeding a load circuit (2, 3), which converter (1) comprises a chopper (4), a driver (5) and a resonant tank (6), is provided with an arrangement (10) for receiving a first signal derived from a resonant tank signal and a second signal derived from a load circuit signal and for generating in response thereto a control signal for the driver (5). Such converters (1) can stand feeding voltage fluctuations and load variations relatively well. The arrangement (10) may comprise an error circuit (12) for, in response to the second signal and a reference signal, generating an error signal, and a combiner circuit (13) for, in response to the first signal and the error signal, generating the control signal. The same converter (1) may be used for supplying two or more load circuits (2, 3), in which case an error circuit (15) may generate an error signal and a duty cycle signal or two error signals.
US08729820B2
A LED driver integrated circuit has a voltage input pin, a voltage output pin, a capacitor pin, and a switching circuit connected to the capacitor pin and the voltage output pin. The capacitor pin and the voltage output pin are for a flying capacitor to be connected therebetween, and thus the switching circuit and the flying capacitor establish a charge pump to convert an input voltage received by the voltage input pin into an output voltage at the voltage output pin.
US08729817B2
A ballast including a latching circuit is provided. The ballast includes an inverter circuit for providing an oscillating voltage signal to energize a lamp set, a control circuit for controlling operation of the inverter circuit, and a voltage supply circuit for providing a supply voltage to the control circuit. The ballast also includes a fault detection circuit for detecting a fault condition and a latching circuit connected to the fault detection circuit. The latching circuit is configured to drain the supply voltage and thereby disable the control circuit so that operation of the inverter circuit is discontinued during a fault condition.
US08729816B1
In one embodiment, a charge-pump controller is formed to control a value of current supplied to a load.
US08729814B2
A two-wire load control device, such as, a dimmer switch, for controlling the amount of power delivered from an AC power source to an electrical load comprise a bidirectional semiconductor switch having first and second anti-series connected switching transistors (such as, for example, field-effect transistors) that are adapted to be coupled between the source and the load, and are controlled to be conductive and non-conductive in a complementary basis. The bidirectional semiconductor switch is operable to be rendered conductive and to remain conductive independent of the magnitude of a load current conducted through semiconductor switch. The dimmer switch also comprises a drive circuit for rendering the first and second switching transistors conductive and non-conductive each half-cycle on the complementary basis, so as to control the amount of power delivered to the electrical load to a desired amount of power.
US08729810B2
Embodiments of the present disclosure include an LED ballast circuit for dimming one or more LEDs using a phase controlled dimmer switch. The LED ballast circuit has a power conditioning unit which includes a substantially fixed duty cycle clock for outputting a clock cycle and a transformer configured to store energy and discharge a substantial portion of the stored energy once per clock cycle in order to power one or more LEDs.
US08729809B2
LED driver circuits containing voltage reducing devices, voltage regulating devices, and voltage converting devices are disclosed as the main components to provide power to LEDs. The LED driver circuits are designed to work with a ballast, mains alternating current voltage, direct current voltage, and electromagnetic induction power. The voltage regulating devices can be a resistor in series with at least one zener diode or a voltage regulator both in parallel with and providing power to the LEDs. The LEDs can also be anti-parallel diode pairs consisting of one diode and one LED or two LEDs, or the LEDs can be anti-parallel diode string pairs consisting of diodes and LEDs or all LEDs. The LED driver circuits will be incorporated into LED replacement lamps, and in particular to LED lamps to replace fluorescent lamps for use with existing ballasts and other power sources where the ballast may be removed or bypassed.
US08729807B2
The present disclosure provides a light emitting diode driving circuit, comprising: a power conversion module having an input end, a control end and an output end, wherein the input end receives a voltage, the control end controls the regulation of the duty cycle signal therein according to a received control signal, and the output end outputs a DC voltage having a constant current and a variable voltage value; an overcurrent protection circuit having a switch module and a first resistor connected in series, wherein the overcurrent protection circuit and a LED load connected in series with each other are connected to the power conversion module, so as to turn off the electrical channel between the LED load and the power conversion module when overcurrent occurs; and an overvoltage protection circuit for outputting the control signal when overvoltage occurs and thereby protecting the LED load.
US08729805B2
A plasma generator has a first member 2 containing a dielectric material, and an electrode group composed of a plurality of electrodes and including a first assembly 6 partially including a plurality of electrodes and a second assembly 7 partially including a plurality of electrodes. In accordance with an AC voltage, the first assembly 6 generates a plasma in a first space 23 contacting the first member 2. In accordance with a DC voltage, the second assembly 7 generates an electric field in a second space 24 contacting the first member 2 and communicating with the first space 23. At least one or more electrodes of a portion of the first assembly 6 and at least one or more electrodes of a portion of the second assembly 7 are provided on the surface of or in the inside of the first member 2.
US08729803B2
A vehicle head lamp light distribution controller includes an ADB controller configured to: detect a position of a vehicle present ahead of a subject vehicle; determine whether the vehicle ahead of the subject vehicle is a preceding vehicle or an oncoming vehicle; set a threshold vehicle position based on whether the vehicle ahead of the subject vehicle is a preceding vehicle or an oncoming vehicle; compare the threshold vehicle position and the detected vehicle position; and switch light distribution of head lamps of the subject vehicle based on the comparison between the threshold vehicle position and the detected vehicle position.
US08729801B2
The invention relates to a metal halogen lamp comprising an elongated arc tube enclosed in a transparent casing, wherein the arc tube is made up of a hollow glass body comprising two end portions and a middle portion, and electrode is arranged on the respective end portion, which electrodes, each having an electrode end, upon connection to a power source and during operation of the metal halogen lamp, generate an arc between them; and the glass body encloses halogens (h) and metal atoms (m) and has a wall thickness which is thicker on the end portions than on the middle portion. The thicker end portions each have a length (L1) of at least one-third of the total length (L) of the arc tube.
US08729800B2
The invention provides a high intensity discharge lamp comprising a ceramic discharge vessel having sealed first and second end plugs and an external electrical antenna, which is used as “active” antenna for facilitating ignition of the high intensity discharge lamp. The discharge vessel encloses a discharge volume and comprises two electrodes and contains a filling.
US08729799B1
A low-workfunction photocathode includes a photoemissive material employed as a coating on the photocathode. The photoemissive material includes AnMC2, where A is a first metal element, the first element is an alkali metal, an alkali-earth element or the element Al; n is an integer that is 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4; M is a second metal element, the second metal element is a transition metal or a metal stand-in; and C2 is the acetylide ion C22−. The photoemissive material includes a crystalline structure or non-crystalline structure of rod-like or curvy 1-dimensional polymeric substructures with MC2 repeating units embedded in a matrix of A.
US08729791B1
The disclosure provides a phosphor composed of (M1aLabEuc)2Si5-x(BdM2e)xN8-xOx, wherein M1 is Ca, Sr, or combinations thereof. M2 is Ga, In, or combinations thereof. 0
US08729788B2
A light-emitting device includes a light-emitting element for emitting primary light, and a wavelength conversion unit for absorbing part of the primary light and emitting secondary light having a wavelength longer than that of the primary light, wherein the wavelength conversion unit includes plural kinds of phosphors having light absorption characteristics different from each other, and then at least one kind of phosphor among the plural kinds of phosphors has an absorption characteristic that can absorb the secondary light emitted from at least another kind of phosphor among the plural kinds of phosphors.
US08729787B2
The present disclosure includes field emission device embodiments. The present disclosure also includes method embodiments for forming field emitting devices. One device embodiment includes a housing defining an interior space including a lower portion and an upper portion, a cathode positioned in the lower portion of the housing, a elongate nanostructure coupled to the cathode, an anode positioned in the upper portion of the housing, and a control grid positioned between the elongate nanostructure and the anode to control electron flow between the anode and the elongate nanostructure.
US08729783B2
A spark plug is provided having at least one of a center electrode or a ground electrode. The electrode comprises: a core formed of a composite material containing a matrix metal, the matrix metal being copper or a metal containing copper as a main component, and carbon dispersed in the matrix metal in an amount of 10 to 80 vol. %, the carbon having a thermal conductivity higher than that of the matrix metal. The electrode also contains an outer shell which surrounds the core and which is formed of nickel or a metal containing nickel as a main component. The thus-produced electrode exhibits favorable thermal conductivity and good heat dissipation, by virtue of the small difference in thermal expansion coefficient between the core and an outer shell. The spark plug including the above electrode exhibits excellent durability.
US08729782B2
An igniter (20) of a corona ignition system emits a non-thermal plasma in the form of a corona (30) to ionize and ignite a fuel mixture. The igniter (20) includes an electrode (32) and a ceramic insulator (22) surrounding the electrode (32). The insulator (22) surrounds a firing end (38) of the electrode (32) and blocks the electrode (32) from exposure to the combustion chamber (28). The insulator (22) presents a firing surface (56) exposed to the combustion chamber (28) and emitting the non-thermal plasma. A plurality of electrically conducting elements (24) are disposed in a matrix (26) of the ceramic material and along the firing surface (56) of the insulator (22), such as metal particles embedded in the ceramic material or holes in the ceramic material. The electrically conducting elements (24) reduce arc discharge during operation of the igniter (20) and thus improve the quality of ignition.
US08729778B2
An electromechanical transducer that includes an elongating/contracting member and a driving member. The elongating/contracting member elongates and contracts in response to application of a voltage thereto. The elongating/contracting member has a side surface that is parallel to an elongation/contraction direction. The driving member is provided on the side surface of the elongating/contracting member. The driving member is displaced with elongation and contraction of the elongating/contracting member.
US08729777B2
A piezoelectric crystal unit includes a package including a concave portion; a piezoelectric element having a protruding electrode and disposed within the package; and an electrically conductive adhesive contained in the concave portion. The piezoelectric element is fixed to the package with the protruding electrode embedded in the concave portion of the package.
US08729776B2
An electronic component includes: a substrate; a functional element located on the substrate; a wiring located on the substrate and electrically connected to the functional element; a metal ceiling located above the functional element so that a space is formed between the metal ceiling and the functional element; and a sealing portion located on the metal ceiling, wherein the metal ceiling is electrically connected to a signal wiring that is included in the wiring and transmits a high-frequency signal.
US08729772B1
A swept sideband driver circuit has a boost converter followed by a buck converter obtaining near unity power factor. A full wave bridge powered from the buck converter circuit drives the PZT output load. The output of the buck converter circuit is controlled by a power level control circuit. The analog power level control circuit receives a sample of the output load current and a sample of the output load voltage from which it produces a product. The product signal is compared with manually adjusted pot signal. A difference signal results and used to adjust the output voltage of the buck converter circuit thereby increasing or decreasing the power to the load to drive the error signal to zero. A swept sideband modulation circuit modulates the frequency of the full wave bridge with a harmonic rich signal thereby imposing side bands on the voltage to the PZT load.
US08729770B1
A MEMS system comprises a first rotational actuator having a first drive mechanism configured to drive rotation of a first rotator about a first axis, a second rotational actuator having a second drive mechanism configured to drive rotation of a second rotator about a second axis, first and second flexible linkages, a first drive beam coupled to the first rotator and to the first flexible linkage, a second drive beam coupled to the second rotator and to the second flexible linkage, and one or more device mounts coupled to the first and second flexible linkages. The one or more device mounts are configured to provide distributed points of attachment of a device. The rotation of the first and second rotators causes the device mount to rotate or piston.
US08729769B2
An electromechanical device includes: a center shaft; a rotor having a rotor magnet disposed around an outer periphery of the center shaft; and a stator disposed on an outer periphery of the rotor, wherein the center shaft is formed of a carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic, and when projection is performed in a radial direction from the center shaft toward the rotor magnet, an angle between a direction of carbon fiber in the carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic and a direction of the center shaft is 45°.
US08729767B2
An electric machine (1), particularly used as an electric motor, has a rotor (2) comprising a plurality of disks (4). A disk (4) of the rotor (2) is divided in a circumferential direction (5) into a plurality of disk sectors (6, 7, 8) between which magnetic pockets (9, 10) are designed. Furthermore, the disk (4) has an inner fastening collar (15) and connecting members (20, 23, 24) connecting the disk sectors (6, 7, 8) to the fastening collar (15). Such a connecting member (20) comprises a main web (21), a side arm (30) branching off the main rib (21) in the circumferential direction (5), and a side arm (31) branching off the main web (21) opposite to the circumferential direction (5). High mechanical stability of the disk (4) can thus be ensured, wherein magnetic flow losses are reduced.
US08729764B2
A damper circuit for damping a synchronous servo-motor having at least one winding, at least one main damper resistor, connection means for connecting the main damper resistor in series with the winding, and at least one additional damper cell including at least one additional damper resistor connected in parallel with the main damper resistor via a static switch connected to a control module for controlling the switch as a function of a voltage of the winding. The control module has a shunt in parallel with the main damper resistor. The shunt has an output connected to the control input of the switch and a divider bridge connected to the shunt to form a comparator between the voltage of the winding and a conduction voltage of the shunt.
US08729754B2
In a busbar unit, which is a distributing device arranged to supply electrical currents to coils, a busbar holder is arranged to support coil connection busbars and sensor connection busbars. A bottom surface portion of a busbar holder body portion includes a bearing holder holding a bearing defined therein, and includes resistors and capacitors defining a portion of a Hall IC circuit arranged thereon. The Hall IC circuit is arranged to input and output electrical signals to or from Hall ICs. An upper surface portion includes sensor holders each holding a separate one of the Hall ICs defined therein. A connector portion is arranged to project radially outward from the busbar holder body portion. The sensor connection busbars and each of the coil connection busbars are arranged one above another along an axial direction.
US08729746B2
The present invention provides a linear vibration device in which a PCB is coupled to a bracket having an extension piece protruding at a peripheral portion thereof to transfer an external electrical signal to a coil and a yoke of a stator is installed on an upper surface of the PCB to be coupled to the coil, in order to maximally generate an electromagnetic force in one direction. In addition, an upper plate and a lower plate are configured to concentrate a magnetic field of a magnet configured to create a magnetic field corresponding to an electromagnetic force of the yoke formed by the coil to one direction. Accordingly, a vibrating body includes a vibrator which is operated upward and downward in response to an electromagnetic force concentrated by the yoke, increasing vibration feelings due to the upward and downward movement thereof.
US08729740B2
A semiconductor relay of the invention includes first and second signal terminals, a substrate, a first switch circuit and a control circuit. The substrate includes signal patterns for forming a signal line between the first and second signal terminals. The first switch circuit has a semiconductor switch used to make or break the connection between the first and second signal terminals. The control circuit has a control IC for controlling the first switch circuit. The control IC is mounted on a land of the substrate. The land has a size corresponding to the control IC. A part or all of the land is included in a part of the signal patterns.
US08729735B2
Power is fed from a feeding coil L2 to a receiving coil L3 by magnetic resonance. A VCO 202 alternately turns ON/OFF switching transistors Q1 and Q2 at a drive frequency fo, whereby AC power is fed to the feeding coil L2, and then the AC power is fed from the feeding coil L2 to the receiving coil L3. A phase detection circuit 114 detects a phase difference between the current phase and voltage phase, and the VCO 202 adjusts the drive frequency fo such that the phase difference becomes zero. When load voltage is changed, the detected current phase value is adjusted with the result that the drive frequency fo is adjusted.
US08729732B2
A system, apparatus, method, and manufacture for generating backup power in a wireless communications system such as a wireless communications service base station. The system includes a communications interface, a primary power interface, a generator, rectifiers, and a battery circuit. During normal operation, the communications interface is powered from the primary power interface. During a power outage, the communications interface is powered from either the generator or the battery circuit. The generator is cycled on and off during power outages to charge the battery circuit while conserving fuel. To decrease rectification loss, rectifiers are run near full load while rectifying the generator output.
US08729731B2
Some embodiments include an electrical system. In many embodiments, the electrical system can comprise a system input configured to receive a first power signal from an external power source. In the same or different embodiments, the first power signal can comprise a first voltage. In the same or different embodiments, the electrical system can comprise a system output electrically coupled to the system input. In the same or different embodiments, the electrical system can comprise a charger module electrically coupled to the system input. In the same or different embodiments, the electrical system can comprise a resistive component coupled between the system input and the system output. In the same or different embodiments, the electrical system can comprise a power storage device electrically coupled to the system output and to the charger module. In the same or different embodiments, the electrical system can comprise a sense circuit electrically coupled across the resistive component and electrically coupled to the charger module. Other embodiments are disclosed.
US08729729B2
Method and apparatus for providing controllable power to the load via AC-line power source where load is less than minimal required for proper operation of said source. In one example LED lamp connected to AC power source via conventional triac-based dimmer uses less power than minimum required for proper operation of said dimmer. In another example LED lamp connected to AC power source via device known as electronic transformer uses less power than required for proper operation of said electronic transformer.
US08729723B2
A floating energy generating device includes at least two wind turbines mounted on a floating open structure, the floating open structure being moored to the seabed with a mooring system, each wind turbine featuring in operation mode a blade and rotor part mounted at the top of a tower and being connected via a cable to a central control power electronic unit on the floating open structure, the central control power unit being connected to a submerged high voltage power export cable for exporting the electricity generated by the at least two windmills, characterized in that the floating open structure being connectable to or disconnectable from the mooring system and that when disconnected from the mooring system, the center of gravity of the floating open structure is at or below its center of buoyancy.
US08729721B2
A wind turbine comprises a tower provided at the top with a horizontal shaft having an axis. A turbine rotor comprises turbine blades connected by a mounting arrangement to bearing members and to a rotor or a generator. Components of forces acting on the blades parallel to the axis are substantially exclusively communicated to the bearing members, for example by rigid straight members. Torque about the axis produced by the blades is communicated substantially exclusively to the rotor through a member.
US08729701B2
The invention concerns a method of forming a copper portion surrounded by an insulating material in an integrated circuit structure, the insulating material being a first oxide, the method having steps including forming a composite material over a region of the insulating material where the copper portion is to be formed, the composite material having first and second materials, annealing such that the second material reacts with the insulating material to form a second oxide that provides a diffusion barrier to copper; and depositing a copper layer over the composite material by electrochemical deposition to form the copper portion.
US08729697B2
A sensor arrangement is provided, the sensor arrangement including a chip including a sensor circuit configured to detect a bending of the chip; and a package structure configured to protect the chip; wherein the package structure includes a first region and a second region, and wherein the package structure is configured such that it is easier to be deformed in the first region than in the second region.
US08729694B2
A semiconductor wafer has a plurality of semiconductor die separated by a peripheral region. A trench is formed in the peripheral region of the wafer. A via is formed on the die. The trench extends to and is continuous with the via. A first conductive layer is deposited in the trench and via to form conductive TSV. The first conductive layer is conformally applied or completely fills the trench and via. The trench has a larger area than the vias which accelerates formation of the first conductive layer. A second conductive layer is deposited over a front surface of the die. The second conductive layer is electrically connected to the first conductive layer. The first and second conductive layers can be formed simultaneously. A portion of a back surface of the wafer is removed to expose the first conductive layer. The die can be stacked and electrically interconnected through the TSVs.
US08729690B2
Metal rerouting interconnects at one or more sides of a die or multiple die segments can form edge bonding pads for electrical connection. Insulation can be applied to surfaces of the die or multiple die segments after optional thinning and singulation, and openings can be made in the insulation to the electrical connection pads. After being placed atop one another in a stack, vertically adjacent die or die segments can be electrically interconnected using a flexible bond wire or bond ribbon attached to an electrical connection pad exposed within such opening, the bond wire or ribbon protruding horizontally, and an electrically conductive polymer, or epoxy, filaments or lines can be applied to the stack.
US08729677B2
A semiconductor wafer including: a base wafer; a seed crystal disposed on the base wafer; a compound semiconductor disposed above the seed crystal; and a high resistance layer disposed between the seed crystal and the compound semiconductor, the high resistance layer having a larger resistivity than the seed crystal, and the seed crystal lattice matching or pseudo lattice matching the compound semiconductor is provided.
US08729670B2
Provided is a semiconductor substrate and a method for manufacturing the same. The semiconductor substrate includes a substrate, a discontinuously formed hemispheric metal layer on the substrate, and a semiconductor layer on the hemispheric metal layer. A plurality of voids on the interface of the substrate and discontinuous hemisphere are formed to absorb or relax the stain of interface. Accordingly, even if a subsequent layer is relatively thickly formed on the substrate, substrate bow or warpage can be minimized.
US08729668B2
An adjustable resistor formed on a first insulating layer of a substrate, including: a first polysilicon layer covered with a second insulating layer of a first thickness, except in a region where the first polysilicon layer is covered with a thin insulator layer of a second thickness smaller than the first thickness; a second polysilicon layer covering the second insulating layer and the thin insulator layer; on each side of the second insulating layer and at a distance from it, a first and a second conductive vias providing access to the terminals of the resistor on the first polysilicon layer; and a third conductive via providing access to a contacting area on the second polysilicon layer.
US08729662B2
A semiconductor integrated circuit is reduced in size by suppressing lateral extension of an isolation region when impurities are thermally diffused in a semiconductor substrate to form the isolation region. Boron ions (B+) are implanted into an epitaxial layer through a third opening K3 to form a P-type impurity region, using a third photoresist as a mask. Then a fourth photoresist is formed on a silicon oxide film to have fourth openings K4 (phosphorus ion implantation regions) that partially overlap the P-type impurity region. Phosphorus ions (P+) are implanted into the surface of the epitaxial layer in etched-off regions using the fourth photoresist as a mask to form N-type impurity regions that are adjacent the P-type impurity region. After that, a P-type upper isolation region is formed in the epitaxial layer by thermal diffusion so that the upper isolation region and a lower isolation region are combined together to make an isolation region.
US08729659B2
Methods of fabricating semiconductor devices and structures thereof are disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, a method of fabricating a semiconductor device includes providing a workpiece having a plurality of trenches formed therein, forming a liner over the workpiece, and forming a layer of photosensitive material over the liner. The layer of photosensitive material is removed from over the workpiece except from over at least a portion of each of the plurality of trenches. The layer of photosensitive material is partially removed from over the workpiece, leaving a portion of the layer of photosensitive material remaining within a lower portion of the plurality of trenches over the liner.
US08729658B2
Integrated circuit devices include a semiconductor substrate having a plurality of trench isolation regions therein that define respective semiconductor active regions therebetween. A trench is provided in the semiconductor substrate. The trench has first and second opposing sidewalls that define opposing interfaces with a first trench isolation region and a first active region, respectively. A first electrical interconnect is provided at a bottom of the trench. An electrically insulating capping pattern is provided, which extends between the first electrical interconnect and a top of the trench. An interconnect insulating layer is also provided, which lines the first and second sidewalls and bottom of the trench. The interconnect insulating layer extends between the first electrical interconnect and the first active region. A recess is provided in the first active region. The recess has a sidewall that defines an interface with the interconnect insulating layer. A second electrical interconnect is also provided, which extends on: (i) an upper surface of the first trench isolation region, (ii) the electrically insulating capping pattern; and (iii) the sidewall of the recess. The first and second electrical interconnects extend across the semiconductor substrate in first and second orthogonal directions, respectively.
US08729646B2
A device includes a Micro-Electro-Mechanical System (MEMS) wafer having a MEMS device therein. The MEMS device includes a movable element, and first openings in the MEMS wafer. The movable element is disposed in the first openings. A carrier wafer is bonded to the MEMS wafer. The carrier wafer includes a second opening connected to the first openings, wherein the second opening includes an entry portion extending from a surface of the carrier wafer into the carrier wafer, and an inner portion wider than the entry portion, wherein the inner portion is deeper in the carrier wafer than the entry portion.
US08729644B2
A III-nitride semiconductor device which includes a charged gate insulation body.
US08729642B2
A semiconductor device comprises an active region formed in a semiconductor substrate and a gate electrode formed on the active region via a gate insulating film formed on a surface of the active region. A peripheral portion of the gate electrode and a peripheral portion of the active region overlap each other at a position where the active region is not divided by the gate electrode when viewed in plan view, thus forming an overlap region.
US08729640B2
Semiconductor devices can be fabricated using conventional designs and process but including specialized structures to reduce or eliminate detrimental effects caused by various forms of radiation. Such semiconductor devices can include the one or more parasitic isolation devices and/or buried guard ring structures disclosed in the present application. The introduction of design and/or process steps to accommodate these novel structures is compatible with conventional CMOS fabrication processes, and can therefore be accomplished at relatively low cost and with relative simplicity.
US08729630B1
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.
US08729629B2
A p-channel LDMOS device with a controlled n-type buried layer (NBL) is disclosed. A Shallow Trench Isolation (STI) oxidation is defined, partially or totally covering the drift region length. The NBL layer, which can be defined with the p-well mask, connects to the n-well diffusion, thus providing an evacuation path for electrons generated by impact ionization. High immunity to the Kirk effect is also achieved, resulting in a significantly improved safe-operating-area (SOA). The addition of the NBL deep inside the drift region supports a space-charge depletion region which increases the RESURF effectiveness, thus improving BV. An optimum NBL implanted dose can be set to ensure fully compensated charge balance among n and p doping in the drift region (charge balance conditions). The p-well implanted dose can be further increased to maintain a charge balance, which leads to an Rdson reduction.
US08729624B2
A non-volatile semiconductor storage device has a plurality of memory strings to each of which a plurality of electrically rewritable memory cells are connected in series. Each of the memory strings includes first semiconductor layers each having a pair of columnar portions extending in a vertical direction with respect to a substrate and a coupling portion formed to couple the lower ends of the pair of columnar portions; a charge storage layer formed to surround the side surfaces of the columnar portions; and first conductive layers formed to surround the side surfaces of the columnar portions and the charge storage layer. The first conductive layers function as gate electrodes of the memory cells.
US08729618B2
A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device comprises forming a first layer on an impurity diffusion region in a semiconductor substrate by a selective epitaxial growth method, forming a second layer on the first layer by the selective epitaxial growth method, forming a contact hole penetrating an interlayer insulating film in a thickness direction thereof and reaching the second layer, and filling a conductive material into the contact hole to form a contact plug including the first and second layers and the conductive material.
US08729604B2
A compound semiconductor device includes: a compound semiconductor multilayer structure; a gate insulating film on the compound semiconductor multilayer structure; and a gate electrode, wherein the gate electrode includes a gate base portion on the gate insulating film and a gate umbrella portion, and a surface of the gate umbrella portion includes a Schottky contact with the compound semiconductor multilayer structure.
US08729597B2
Provided is a method for controlling a device using a doped carbon-nanostructure, and a device including the doped carbon-nanostructure, in which the method for controlling the device selectively controls the mobility of electrons or holes using N-type or P-type doped carbon-nanostructure; the N-type or P-type impurities-doped carbon-nanostructure can selectively control the transport of electrons or holes according to a doped material; and also since the doped carbon-nanostructure limits the transport of charge that is the opposite charge to the transport facilitating charge, it can improve the efficiency of device by adding to a functional layer of device or using as a separate layer in the electrons or holes-only transporting device.
US08729587B2
An exemplary nitride-based semiconductor device includes: a nitride-based semiconductor multilayer structure 20 which has a p-type GaN-based semiconductor region whose surface 12 is inclined from the m-plane by an angle of not less than 1° and not more than 5° or the principal surface has a plurality of m-plane steps; and an electrode 30 that is arranged on the p-type GaN-based semiconductor region. The electrode 30 includes a Mg alloy layer 32 which is formed from Mg and metal selected from a group consisting of Pt, Mo, and Pd. The Mg alloy layer 32 is in contact with the surface 12 of the p-type GaN-based semiconductor region of the semiconductor multilayer structure 20.
US08729570B2
A mask frame assembly for thin film deposition, an organic light-emitting display device using the same, and a method of manufacturing the organic light-emitting display device. The organic light-emitting display device includes a first electrode and a second electrode patterned on a substrate to face each other, and a plurality of organic layers formed between the first and second electrodes. The plurality of organic layers include at least a plurality of stripe-shaped organic layers and a plurality of discontinuous dot-shaped organic layers.
US08729567B2
A silicon carbide semiconductor device includes a silicon carbide substrate, and a contact electrode. The silicon carbide substrate includes an n type region and a p type region in contact with the n type region. The contact electrode forms contact with the silicon carbide substrate. The contact electrode includes a first region containing TiSi, and a second region containing Al. The first region includes an n contact region in contact with the n type region and a p contact region in contact with the p type region. The second region is formed to contact the p type region and the n type region, and to surround the p contact region and the n contact region. Accordingly, there can be provided a silicon carbide semiconductor device including an electrode allowing ohmic contact with both a p type impurity region and an n type impurity region formed at a silicon carbide substrate.
US08729562B2
There are provided a high current semiconductor device that has low on-resistance, high mobility, and good pinch-off characteristics and in which a kink phenomenon is not easily caused even if a drain voltage is increased, and a method for producing the semiconductor device. The semiconductor device of the present invention includes a GaN-based layered body 15 having an opening 28, a regrown layer 27 including a channel, a gate electrode G, a source electrode S, and a drain electrode D. The regrown layer 27 includes an electron transit layer 22 and an electron supply layer 26. The GaN-based layered body includes a p-type GaN layer 6 whose end surface is covered by the regrown layer in the opening, and a p-side electrode 11 that is in ohmic contact with the p-type GaN layer is disposed.
US08729557B2
Disclosed is an electroluminescence device having a substrate, a thin film transistor over the substrate, an insulating film over the thin film transistor, an electroluminescence element over the insulating film, a passivation film over the electroluminescence element, and a counter substrate over the passivation film. The electroluminescence element is configured to emit light through the counter substrate, and a space between the substrate and the counter substrate is filled with a filler. The electroluminescence device is featured by the tapered side surface of a gate electrode of the thin film transistor.
US08729556B2
A display device in which a plurality of gate wires and a plurality of drain wires that intersect the gate wires are provided, and thin film transistors connected to the gate wires and the drain wires are formed for respective pixel regions. At least one of the gate wires, the drain wires, and lead wires drawn from the gate wires or the drain wires is formed of a light-transmitting patterned conductive film. The light-transmitting patterned conductive film is formed of at least a first light-transmitting patterned conductive film, and a second light-transmitting patterned conductive film laminated on the first light-transmitting patterned conductive film. The second light-transmitting patterned conductive film is formed of a conductive film for coating only the surface of the first light-transmitting patterned conductive film including its side wall surface.
US08729555B2
A break on a video signal line is prevented during patterning on the video signal line. A video signal line, a drain electrode, and a source electrode are simultaneously formed in the same layer. The video signal line includes three layers: a base layer, an AlSi layer, and a cap layer. Conventionally, an alloy having a high etching rate is formed at the boundary between the AlSi layer and the cap layer, causing breakage during patterning on the video signal line. According to the present invention, in the formation of the video signal line, the AlSi layer is formed by sputtering, a TFT is exposed to the atmosphere to form an Al oxide layer on the surface of the AlSi layer, and then the cap layer is formed by sputtering. Thus, the formation of an alloy having a high etching rate on a part of the AlSi layer is prevented, precluding the occurrence of a break on the video signal line.
US08729550B2
An object is to reduce the manufacturing cost of a semiconductor device. An object is to improve the aperture ratio of a semiconductor device. An object is to make a display portion of a semiconductor device display a higher-definition image. An object is to provide a semiconductor device which can be operated at high speed. The semiconductor device includes a driver circuit portion and a display portion over one substrate. The driver circuit portion includes: a driver circuit TFT in which source and drain electrodes are formed using a metal and a channel layer is formed using an oxide semiconductor; and a driver circuit wiring formed using a metal. The display portion includes: a pixel TFT in which source and drain electrodes are formed using an oxide conductor and a semiconductor layer is formed using an oxide semiconductor; and a display wiring formed using an oxide conductor.
US08729538B2
The organic light emitting diode (OLED) device includes a first substrate defined by a display area and a panel edge portion surrounding the display area, a thin film transistor, a first electrode connected to the thin film transistor, a bank formed on the first substrate, an organic light emitting layer formed on the display area of the first substrate, a second electrode formed on an entire surface of the first substrate having the organic light emitting layer, an anti-moisture permeation pattern formed on the second electrode on the bank located at the panel edge portion, a passivation layer formed on an entire surface of the first substrate and a second substrate attached to the first substrate.
US08729530B2
The present invention provides a light emitting device material which enables a light emitting device having high efficiency and excellent chromatic purity and durability using a light emitting device material containing a pyrene compound represented by formula (1), wherein any one of R1 to R10 is a group represented by formula (2), or 1 to 4 substituents is/are group(s) represented by formula (3), and a light emitting device using the same.
US08729529B2
A thin film transistor having a channel region including a nanoconductor layer. The nanoconductor layer can be a dispersed monolayer of nanotubes or nanowires formed of carbon. The thin film transistor generally includes a gate terminal insulated by a dielectric layer. The nanoconductor layer is placed on the dielectric layer and a layer of semiconductor material is developed over the nanoconductor layer to form the channel region of the thin film transistor. A drain terminal and a source terminal are then formed on the semiconductor layer. At low field effect levels, the operation of the thin film transistor is dominated by the semiconductor layer, which provides good leakage current performance. At high field effect levels, the charge transfer characteristics of the channel region are enhanced by the nanoconductor layer such that the effective mobility of the thin film transistor is enhanced.
US08729525B2
The present application relates to an opto-electronic device. The opto-electronic device includes an n-cladding layer, a p-cladding layer and a multi-quantum well structure. The multi-quantum well structure is located between the p-cladding layer and the n-cladding layer, and includes a plurality of barrier layers, a plurality of well layers and a barrier tuning layer. The barrier tuning layer is made by doping the barrier layer adjacent to the p-cladding layer with an impurity therein for changing an energy barrier thereof to improve the light extraction efficiency of the opto-electronic device.
US08729521B2
A fin-type programmable memory cell includes a bottom electrode electrically coupled to an access device, a top electrode, and an L-shaped memory material element electrically coupled to the bottom and top electrodes. A memory array includes an array of such memory cells, electrically coupled to an array of access devices. Method for making a memory cell, includes: forming a dielectric support layer over a bottom electrode, the dielectric support layer having an upper surface; forming a cavity through the dielectric support layer, exposing a surface of the bottom electrode and defining a dielectric support structure having a sidewall; forming a film of memory material over the dielectric support structure and in the cavity; depositing a dielectric spacer layer over the memory material film; forming a dielectric sidewall spacer from the dielectric spacer layer and a memory material structure having a generally horizontal portion underlying the dielectric sidewall spacer and a generally vertical portion between the dielectric sidewall spacer and the sidewall of the dielectric support structure; forming a dielectric fill; planarizing the dielectric fill to expose upper ends of the vertical portion of the memory material structure; depositing a top electrode material over the planarized dielectric fill; and forming a top electrode from the top electrode material and a memory material element from the memory material structure.
US08729513B2
This application relates to systems and methods for the detection of orientation features on a material web.
US08729512B2
An optical coupling element includes a light emitting element and a light receiving element which receives emitted light from the light emitting element. The optical coupling element contains a silicone resin and includes a light transparent resin which covers the light emitting element and the light receiving element and transmits the signal light emitted from the light emitting element to the light receiving element (for example, a specific light transparent gel resin) and a light reflection resin which covers a circumference of the light transparent resin. To the light transparent resin, a dye which absorbs light having a shorter wavelength than a predetermined wavelength range including a light emitting wavelength of the light emitting element is added in a concentration of 0.7% by weight or less.
US08729510B2
Disclosed are embodiments of an ion beam sample preparation apparatus and methods for using the embodiments. The apparatus comprises an ion beam irradiating means in a vacuum chamber that may direct ions toward a sample, a shield blocking a portion of the ions directed toward the sample, and a shield retention stage with shield retention means that replaceably and removably holds the shield in a position. The shield has datum features which abut complementary datum features on the shield retention stage when the shield is held in the shield retention stage. A retention stage lifting means allows the creation of a loading chamber that is isolated from the main vacuum chamber where sample ion beam milling takes place. A heat sink means is configured to conduct heat away from the sample undergoing sample preparation in the ion beam.
US08729502B1
Microfluidics has made great progress in integrating many aspects of biological analysis and testing into the microscale. One aspect which has proven challenging to miniaturize has been fluorescence testing, as a complete fluorescence system requires an integrated light source, detector and filters to filter out the excitation light (from the light source) from the detector. Here we demonstrate that with polarization filtering of the excitation light and multiple dye sources modulated at different frequencies, a high-sensitivity, multi-dye system with one detector can be realized. Simultaneous detection and quantition of a mixture of two different dyes is demonstrated with no physical change in the measurement setup. The degree of interaction of the dyes is measured. This system is readily adaptable to integrated lab-on-a-chip microfluorescence.
US08729501B2
Disclosed herein is an ultraviolet irradiation device for removing organic contaminants from implants using ultraviolet rays. In the present invention, the implants can be easily and smoothly put into or pulled out of a processing chamber, and the implants can be reliably prevented from being recontaminated after the ultraviolet irradiation process has finished. For this, the ultraviolet irradiation device includes a housing provided with an openable door, an ultraviolet lamp installed in the housing, a carriage provided in the housing so as to be extractable, and an implant mount unit placed on the carriage in such a way that the implant mount unit can be disposed facing the ultraviolet lamp in the housing. The implant mount unit includes a mounting board removably placed on the carriage, and an implant support removably placed on the mounting board.
US08729499B2
An apparatus for sterilizing at least a segment of an inner wall and a segment of an outer wall of containers by accelerated charge carriers, includes at least one first external application device for sterilizing at least a segment of an outer wall of containers and an internal application device for sterilizing at least a segment of an inner wall of containers. The internal application device at least in portions is arranged to be introduced through an opening into the container in order to apply the emitted charge carriers to an inner wall of the container. The containers are transported along a transport path during their sterilization, wherein along a segment of the transport path of the containers between the first external application device and the internal application device is arranged a pitch change device to change a distance between two containers succeeding each other along the transport path.
US08729485B2
Embodiments of the present invention provide a computer-implemented method for parallel readout for an X-ray image sensor module having a pixel array. Specifically, among other things, embodiments of the present invention provide a computer-implemented infrastructure comprising: generating a pixel data for each pixel within a respective pixel row of the pixel array based on a photon count; receiving a first serial pixel data, wherein the first serial pixel data comprises pixel data from a plurality of pixels of a first column; receiving a second serial pixel data, wherein the second serial pixel data comprises pixel data from a plurality of pixels of a second column; and shifting the first serial pixel data from the first column register to the second column register.
US08729477B2
A distance detection determination device includes positioning brackets that couple to a housing for the device. The positioning brackets include an emitting positioning bracket and a receiving positioning bracket that respectively hold and accurately position an infrared light emitter and an infrared light receiver.
US08729476B2
The present invention relates to the field of two dimensional (2D) radiometric imaging. The present invention especially relates to a sensor unit. The sensor unit according to the present invention comprises a reflecting element mounted so as to be rotatable around an axis of rotation and a line sensor operating in the microwave, millimeter wave and/or terahertz frequency range and having its field of view directed towards the reflecting element, whereby the axis of rotation intersects with a reflection plane of the reflecting element.
US08729475B1
An Absorption Biased (AB) methodology for NDIR gas sensors is used with a single infrared source and a detector to detect a single gas of interest by using a motion device to change the path length between that of the signal and reference channels. As in the case of the AB designed NDIR gas sensor, the ratio of the output of the Signal channel, measured during location arrangement X, over that of the Reference channel, measured during location arrangement Y, will be used to process the gas measurement. Multiple gases of interest can be detected by using one detector to detect multiple gases and/or by locating a second detector to detect multiple gases more distant from the source than the first detector, thereby creating longer path lengths for the second detector.
US08729472B2
The present invention is directed to systems and methods which utilize a cavity ring-down spectroscopy (CRDS) technique implemented for the measurements of vapor transmission rate. In one embodiment, the vapor content to be measured is contained within an optical cavity. Light is then injected into the cavity up to a threshold level and the decay time of the injected light is measured. When the wavelength of the injected light is resonant with an absorption feature of the vapor the decay time increases linearly as a function of vapor content. In this manner, vapor content causes a longer decay time and thus the amount of vapor passing through the film (film permeation rate) can be determined in real-time.
US08729468B2
Microelectronic substrate inspection equipment includes a gas container which contains helium gas, a helium ion generator which is disposed in the gas container and converts the helium gas into helium ions and a wafer stage which is disposed under the gas container and on which a substrate to be inspected is placed. The equipment further includes a secondary electron detector which is disposed above the wafer stage and detects electrons generated from the substrate, a compressor which receives first gaseous nitrogen from a continuous nitrogen supply device and compresses the received first gaseous nitrogen into liquid nitrogen, a liquid nitrogen dewar which is connected to the compressor and stores the liquid nitrogen, and a cooling device that is coupled to the helium ion generator. The cooling device is disposed on the gas container, and cools the helium ion generator by vaporizing the liquid nitrogen. Related methods are also disclosed.
US08729467B2
Provided is a charged particle radiation device enabling suppression of both inclination and vertical vibration of a charged particle optical lens barrel, with a simple configuration. A charged particle radiation device according to the present invention includes a vibration damping member (19) including viscoelastic material sheets (16A and 16B) sandwiched by support plates (17A and 17B), and is configured so that a plane including a sheet surface of each viscoelastic material sheet is not perpendicular to a center axis of the charged particle optical lens barrel.
US08729464B2
This invention provides a method or device for determining the stage of chronic kidney disease.The present invention relates to a method for determining a stage of chronic kidney disease in a subject suffering from kidney disease, the method comprising the steps of: (A-1) measuring the content of at least one marker selected from the group consisting of markers (1) to (16) in a specimen from the subject, (B-1) determining the stage indicated by each marker by comparing the content of the at least one marker in the specimen from the subject, which has been measured in step (A-1), with a reference content range determined in each stage, and (C-1) determining that when each marker indicates the same stage, which has been determined in step (A-1), the chronic kidney disease in the subject is in that stage.
US08729459B2
An apparatus for optical signal detection may include a housing in which a channel may be defined to receive an optical fiber in a bent configuration. The channel may have a predetermined radius of curvature to cause optical energy to escape from the fiber when an optical signal is being conveyed in the fiber and be detected at a photodetector arranged at the predetermined radius of curvature.
US08729450B2
There is provided a solid-state imaging device including a semiconductor substrate having an effective region in which a photodiode performing a photoelectric conversion is formed and, an optical black region shielded by a light shielding film; a first film which is formed on the effective region and in which at least one layer or more of layers having a negative fixed charge are laminated; and a second film which is formed on the light shielding region and in which at least one layer or more of layers having a negative fixed charge are laminated, in which the number of layers formed in the first film is different from the number of layers formed in the second film.
US08729447B2
A microchannel plate (1) having an array of channels (5),includes a substrate (2) and, deposited on the substrate, a hydrogenated amorphous silicon film (3) having a thickness ranging between 50 μm and 200 μm, preferably between 80 μm and 120 μm, the film including the array of channels (5). Preferably, the substrate (2) is an integrated circuit having an internal electronic readout circuit and pixilated collection electrodes (8), and the film (3) is integrated on the substrate (2). The channels (5) may be formed by a Deep Reactive Ion Etching (DRIE) process.
US08729446B2
An outdoor lighting fixture for communicating with a traffic light system is shown and described. The outdoor lighting fixture includes a ballast for providing current to at least one lamp and a fixture housing at least partially surrounding the ballast and the at least one lamp. The outdoor lighting fixture further includes a mount configured to hold the fixture housing to a pole and a control circuit wired to the ballast. A sensor and a radio frequency transceiver are wired to the control circuit. The control circuit is configured to process inputs from the sensor to determine whether to send a light change instruction to the traffic system via the radio frequency transceiver.
US08729445B2
Load-matched photo-voltaic power units incorporating a plurality of photo-voltaic cells for delivery of electrical power are described. A photo-voltaic system incorporates temperature and solar irradiance sensors, whose outputs are used to estimate the photo-voltaic system maximum power output voltage. Appropriate numbers of cells are suitably interconnected to assemble at least one photo-voltaic power unit intended to both satisfy the electrical requirements of a load and enable operation of the unit at an efficiency of 90% or greater of its maximum efficiency. In an embodiment, voltage-to-voltage convertors may be used to better match the photo-voltaic power unit capabilities to the load requirements. In another embodiment an alert is issued if the photo-voltaic power unit delivers a voltage which differs by a predetermined amount from an estimated maximum power voltage.
US08729442B2
Technology for predicting and correcting a trajectory is described. The technology can create a model to predict a position of the reusable launch vehicle at a time in the future; observe a wind condition during ascent of the reusable launch vehicle; store the observed wind condition in a wind map; predict during ascent a position and a terminal lateral velocity of the reusable launch vehicle at a terminal altitude; and correct a flight trajectory of the reusable launch vehicle based on the wind map.
US08729441B2
There is provided a high-frequency heating apparatus including a heating chamber that houses an object to be heated, a rotating turntable provided on a bottom surface of the heating chamber, on which the object to be heated is rotatably mounted; a high-frequency heating section (21) that heats the object to be heated which is housed in the heating chamber, a convection heater (27) for heating the heating chamber, a circulating fan (28) for supplying the heating chamber with heat of the convection heater (27) as hot air, and a grill heater (33) for heating the object to be heated, wherein the convection heater (27) and the grill heater (33) are separately disposed on an upper surface of the heating chamber, thereby allowing reduction in size of an external shape of the heating apparatus without sacrificing grill cooking performance and oven cooking performance.
US08729436B2
A method and system for drying a honeycomb structure having an original liquid vehicle content includes exposing the honeycomb structure to a first electromagnetic radiation source until the liquid vehicle content is between about 20% and about 60% of the original liquid vehicle content, exposing the honeycomb structure to a second electromagnetic radiation source different from the first electromagnetic radiation source until the liquid vehicle content is between about 0% and about 30% of the original liquid vehicle content, and exposing the honeycomb structure to convection heating until the liquid vehicle content is between about 0% and about 30% of the original liquid vehicle content.
US08729427B2
A process to cut sheet material using a laser is improved by performing a first plurality of routings using a first toolpath for the laser and performing at least a second routing using a second toolpath for the laser after performing the first plurality of routings using the first toolpath, the second toolpath traverse from a kerf formed by the laser as a result of performing the first plurality of routings. A z-height shift can be simultaneously implemented with the transverse shift. By shifting the toolpath, interference of plasma generated during laser processing is minimized by maximizing the coupling of the laser and the material, resulting in less discoloration and/or burning of the material.
US08729423B2
A system for supplying fluids to a plasma arc torch includes a single-gas power supply for regulating electrical power to the torch and for regulating supply of a first fluid to the torch, a flow regulator for regulating supply of a second fluid to the torch, and a first pressure-actuated valve disposed between the flow regulator and the torch. The valve shuts off supply of the second fluid to the torch when the first valve is closed and allows the second fluid to be supplied when the first valve is open. The first valve is opened by pressure of the first fluid supplied to the torch and closed when the first fluid is not supplied to the torch. A second pressure-actuated valve may be provided in the supply line for the first fluid, which is opened by pressure of the second fluid being supplied to the torch.
US08729422B2
Methods and systems for housing a consumable storage bin in addition to structural, thermal management, pneumatic, and/or electronic system components in a single multifunctional component within a plasma cutting power supply are provided. One embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a consumable storage bin, which fits into a consumable storage area in the power supply unit and is accessible to a user. In one embodiment, the consumable storage bin may be eliminated, leaving only the consumable storage area in which racks, snaps, friction-fit retention features, and so forth, may be placed to hold the consumables and ensure easy user access.
US08729406B2
Disclosed is a printed circuit board, which includes an insulating member having a circuit pattern embedded in one surface thereof, a bump pad formed in the insulating member so as to be connected to the circuit pattern and protruding from an outer surface of the insulating member, a build-up layer formed on one surface of the insulating member and including a build-up insulating layer and a circuit layer formed in the build-up insulating layer and having a via connected to the circuit pattern, and a solder resist layer formed on the build-up layer. A method of fabricating the printed circuit board is also provided. The printed circuit board is fabricated using a build-up process and the outermost circuit layer thereof is formed to have an embedded structure using an imprinting process, thus minimizing the separation of the circuit layer and reducing the lead time and the fabrication cost.
US08729403B2
First and second terminals project from a circuit board and lie adjacent to each other with an interspace formed between the first and second terminals. An electronic apparatus further includes a projecting member projecting along a neighboring terminal which is one of the first and second terminals at such a position that the neighboring terminal is located between the projecting member and the interspace. The projecting member is located at an adjacent position adjacent to the neighboring terminal, to attract molten solder from the interspace toward the projecting member during soldering to join the first and second terminals to the circuit board.
US08729401B2
A wiring substrate includes a composite substrate including an oxidized aluminum substrate portion in which a large number of penetration conductors penetrating in a thickness direction are provided, and a frame-like aluminum substrate portion provided around the oxidized aluminum substrate portion, and a wiring layer of n layers (n is an integer of 1 or more) connected to the penetration conductors.
US08729397B2
An embedded structure of circuit board is provided. The embedded structure includes a substrate, a first patterned conductive layer disposed on the substrate and selectively exposing the substrate, a first dielectric layer covering the first patterned conductive layer and the substrate, a pad opening disposed in the first dielectric layer, and a via disposed in the pad opening and exposing the first patterned conductive layer, wherein the outer surface of the first dielectric layer has a substantially even surface.
US08729396B2
An insulator for an electrical cutout having a fuse assembly, and methods of manufacturing. The insulator includes a weathershed housing and a single-piece full composite insulator body having no metal components. The insulator body includes a nonmetal composite polymer and a plurality of fibers. The insulators have improved mechanical strength and electrical performance over conventional insulators.
US08729395B2
A wire bonding joint structure of a joint pad in which electroless surface treatment plating layers of joint pads configured by a nickel layer/a palladium layer/a gold layer are connected to each other by a metal wire and when the metal wire is joined to the electroless surface treatment plating layer, a depth of the wire bonding pad formed by wedge deformation is 1.0 m or more.The electroless surface treatment layer of the joint pad can lower strength and hardness of the wire bonding pad of which the surface is treated to improve follow-up capability between a gold wire and the bonding pad, such that a joint area between the gold and the bonding pad is maximized, thereby increasing joinability at the wire bonding finish process by wedge pressure and greatly improving wire bonding workability.
US08729394B2
A cable exhibiting reduced crosstalk between transmission media includes a core having a profile with a shape which defines spaces or channels to maintain a spacing between transmission media in a finished cable. The core is formed of a conductive material to further reduce crosstalk. A method of producing a cable introduces a core as described above into the cable assembly and imparts a cable closing twist to the assembly.
US08729393B2
The present invention is an uncrosslinked linear medium-density polyethylene resin composition for a power cable, which is applicable to an insulating layer, a semi-conducting layer or a sheath layer. Specifically, the uncrosslinked polyethylene composition includes: 100 parts by weight of a polymer having a linear medium-density polyethylene resin having an α-olefin having 4 or more carbon atoms as a comonomer and having a melt index of 0.6-2.2 g/10 min (at 190° C. under a load of 5 kg), a differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) enthalpy of 130-190 joule/g and a molecular weight distribution of 2-30; and 0.1 to 10 parts by weight of one or more additive(s) selected from a flame retardant, an oxidation stabilizer, a UV stabilizer, a heat stabilizer and a process aid.
US08729383B2
Disclosed are a stacked-layered thin film solar cell and a manufacturing method thereof. The stacked-layered thin film solar cell includes plural unit cells connected together electrically, each including a substrate, a first electrode layer, a first photoconductive layer, an interlayer, a second photoconductive layer and a second electrode layer, wherein the first electrode layer is divided by plural first grooves; plural second grooves are formed through the second photoconductive layer, the interlayer, and the first photoconductive layer; and plural third grooves are formed in the second electrode layer and extended downward through the first photoconductive layer. The first, second and third grooves are offset with respect to one another. The stacked-layered thin film solar cell is characterized by plural recesses formed at intersections between the interlayer and the second grooves for preventing leakage of electrical current from the first or second photoconductive layer to the interlayer through the second grooves.
US08729371B2
The present invention provides a stringed instrument capable of corresponding to a preference of a player of the stringed instrument, a purpose of performance, and so on as much as possible. A resonance box portion fabricated by an additive fabrication method and a neck portion protruding from the resonance box portion are included, and material constants at a desired area of the resonance box portion is made different from material constants at an adjacent area adjacent to the desired area step by step or continuously. Vibrational characteristics of the instrument are changed by the partial difference of the material constants, and thereby, the stringed instrument capable of corresponding to the preference of the player, the purpose of the performance, and so on is provided.
US08729365B2
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the corn variety designated CV591103. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CV591103, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CV591103 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 CV591103 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 CV591103.
US08729364B2
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the corn variety designated CV741085. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CV741085, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CV741085 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 CV741085 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 CV741085.
US08729344B1
The present invention provides novel lettuce cultivar El Guapo and plant parts, seed, and tissue culture therefrom. The invention also provides methods for producing a lettuce plant by crossing the lettuce plants of the invention with themselves or another lettuce plant. The invention also provides lettuce plants produced from such a crossing as well as plant parts, seed, and tissue culture therefrom.
US08729324B2
Biomass conversion systems may incorporate integrated heat management to operate more efficiently during biomass conversion. Biomass conversion systems may comprise a first fluid circulation loop comprising a hydrothermal digestion unit, and a first catalytic reduction reactor unit in fluid communication with an inlet and an outlet of the hydrothermal digestion unit; and a second fluid circulation loop comprising a reaction product take-off line in fluid communication with the first fluid circulation loop, a second catalytic reduction reactor unit in fluid communication with the reaction product take-off line, and a recycle line establishing fluid communication between the first fluid circulation loop and an outlet of the second catalytic reduction reactor unit, where the first catalytic reduction reactor unit contains at least one first catalyst and the second catalytic reduction reactor unit contains at least one second catalyst, each being capable of activating molecular hydrogen.
US08729322B2
Conversion of renewable hydrocarbons to transportation fuels is required to reduce carbon emission, limit the use of fossil fuels, and develop renewable energy sources. Sorbitol, xylitol and trehelose are polyalcohols generated from the liquefaction of various sugars and carbohydrates in biomass from algae, corn, sugarcane, switchgrasses, and biological wastes. Mixtures of aqueous polyols and fuel feedstocks are catalyzed over metal catalysts to produce hexanes, pentanes, and lighter hydrocarbons. By managing the catalyst, reaction conditions and sulfur content, the octane value of the product fuel is dramatically increased.
US08729295B2
The present invention provides methods of using a novel sulfonated resin catalyst, showing improved performance. The catalyst has reduced or partial functionalization, throughout the sulfonated region of the polymer, leading to reduced by-product formation and other desirable features. This catalyst has particular usefulness in reactions or processes sensitive to high acidity, e.g., esterification-transesterification.
US08729241B2
The present disclosure provides methods for analyzing structure and/or composition of glycoproteins and glycans of glycoproteins. Such methods can include subjecting a glycoprotein preparation to a condition that removes at least one O-linked glycan from the glycoprotein. Such methods can include subjecting a glycoprotein preparation to a condition that releases an N-glycan from the glycoprotein, e.g., prior to subjecting the glycoprotein to a condition that releases an O-glycan from the glycoprotein.
US08729236B2
Methods to derive novel hybrid type 1 interferons that are broadly active against highly pathogenic viruses of biodefense significance are described. Libraries of hybrid interferon genes were produced using gene shuffling, the proteins were expressed, and screened for activity against viruses of interest. Sequences of several broadly active hybrid interferons are described.
US08729232B2
The invention features compositions and methods for site-specific modification of proteins by incorporation of an aldehyde tag. Enzymatic modification at a sulfatase motif of the aldehyde tag through action of a formylglycine generating enzyme (FGE) generates a formylglycine (FGly) residue. The aldehyde moiety of FGly residue can be exploited as a chemical handle for site-specific attachment of a moiety of interest to a polypeptide.
US08729229B2
The present invention relates to processes for preparing a polypeptide or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof comprising L-tyrosine, L-alanine, L-glutamate, and L-lysine. The polypeptide or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof is preferably glatiramer acetate.
US08729227B2
This invention relates generally to neuropeptide Y (“NPY”) Y4 receptor agonists including pancreatic polypeptide (PP), analogs thereof, and peptide fragments of PP, e.g. PP(32-36), and analogs thereof, to pharmaceutical compositions containing such Y4 receptor agonists, and to methods for treatment of mammals using the same. The NPY Y4 receptor agonists may be administered to mammals either alone or in combination with NPY Y2 receptor agonists including peptide YY (PYY) (3-36), analogs thereof, and to peptide fragments of PYY(3-36), e.g. PYY(22-36) and PYY(25-36), and analogs thereof, such as to control food intake in mammals, blood pressure, cardiovascular response, libido, circadian rhythm, hyperlipidimia, chronic pancreatitis, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease including nonalcoholic steatohepatitis.
US08729220B2
An organic semiconductor material, layer or component, comprising a copolymer of the formula wherein v and w each generally are from the range 4 to 1000; A is a benzodithiophene repeating unit of the formula II or III and COM is selected from certain arylene-type repeating units, and combinations thereof. The present copolymers, as well as composites thereof, may be used as semiconductor in the preparation of electronic devices such as photodiodes, organic field effect transistors and especially organic photovoltaic devices such as solar cells.
US08729214B2
A method for the purification of aromatic polyether polymers prepared by a halide displacement polymerization process comprises adsorbing the catalyst with an alkali metal halide to form an adsorbent component and then removing the adsorbent component. Mixtures resulting from this method are also discussed.
US08729213B2
A curing agent composition including at least one benzylated polyamine compound. The benzylated polyamine compound is a reaction product of a benzaldehyde compound or benzyl halide compound and a polyamine according to the following formula: H2N—CH2-A-CH2-NH2 where A is a phenylene group or a cyclohexylene group. A method for making the curing agent composition and an amine-epoxy composition are also disclosed.
US08729207B2
The invention relates to new types of polyester-polysiloxane block copolymers, to processes for their preparation and to their use.
US08729191B2
An embodiment of the present invention allows for production, with a high productivity, of a water-absorbent resin including an improved relationship between absorption capacity and water-soluble polymer which are conflicting properties of the water-absorbent resin, being easily controlled for polymerization reaction, being of no odor, being less colored, and being of high absorption properties. In one embodiment of the present invention, acrylic acid composition is neutralized with a basic composition including an iron content of 0.2 to 5 ppm by weight (relative to a basic compound exclusive of a solvent); and then polymerizing a resultant neutralized product, the acrylic acid composition including: (i) a methoxyphenol content of 10 to 200 ppm by weight relative to the weight of acrylic acid; and (ii) at least one compound content of which is 0 to 10 ppm by weight relative to the weight of acrylic acid, the compound being selected from the group consisting of protoanemonin and furfural.
US08729188B2
A propylene polymer composition comprising (percent by weight): A) 74%-84% of a propylene homopolymer having a Polydispersity Index (P.I.) value of from 4.6 to 10, a fraction insoluble in xylene at 25° C., higher than 90%, and a MFR L (Melt Flow Rate according to ISO 1133, condition L, i.e. 230° C. and 2.16 kg load) from 110 to 200 g/10 min; B) 16%-26%, of a copolymer of propylene with from 39% to 48%, of ethylene derived units; the composition having an intrinsic viscosity of the fraction soluble in xylene at 25° C. comprised between 2.7 and 4.0 dl/g; and a MFR L (Melt Flow Rate according to ISO 1133, condition L, i.e. 230° C. and 2.16 kg load) from 30 to 80 g/10 min.
US08729185B2
Provided is a method for producing a 2-cyanoethyl group-containing organic compound having a high ratio of replacement by cyanoethyl groups and a high dielectric constant. More specifically, provided is a method for producing a 2-cyanoethyl group-containing organic compound comprising a step of reacting acrylonitrile with a hydroxyl group-containing organic compound in the presence of a quaternary ammonium salt as a catalyst through a Michael addition.
US08729184B2
This invention relates to a rubber composition being excellent in the low heat buildup and fracture properties (resistance to crack growth). and more particularly to a rubber composition, characterized by compounding 10-100 parts by mass of an inorganic filler and/or carbon black based on 100 parts by mass of a rubber component including not less than 10 mass % of a modified conjugated diene-based polymer having a cis-1,4 bond content of not less than 90% and a vinyl bond content of not more than 1.2% and a primary amino group. In this case, the modified conjugated diene-based polymer is obtained by (1) reacting the predetermined conjugated diene-based polymer having an active terminal with a compound having two or more predetermined functional groups and (2) further reacting the resulting product with a compound having a primary amino group.
US08729182B2
A nanoparticle composition comprising a substrate comprising a metal oxide component and an aluminum oxide component; and a metallocene olefin polymerization catalyst component coupled to the substrate is disclosed. The metal oxide component is homogenously dispersed throughout the nanocomposite composition.
US08729180B2
In a polycarbonate resin composition containing a polycarbonate resin and a polycarbosilane compound, the use of the polycarbosilane compound modifies the surface properties of the polycarbonate resin composition without adversely affecting the intrinsic characteristics of the polycarbonate resin, such as transparency, heat resistance, and mechanical properties, e.g., impact resistance. A polycarbonate resin composition containing 100 parts by mass of a polycarbonate resin, 0.001 to 1 part by mass of a metal salt compound, and 0.005 to 5 parts by mass of a polycarbosilane compound has significantly improved flame resistance and high transparency and causes markedly reduced outgassing and mold fouling, without losing impact resistance and heat resistance.
US08729179B1
A process for preparing moisture curable compounds and moisture curable compositions prepared from the product of that process is provided.
US08729168B2
The invention is an adhesive composition comprising: a) an isocyanate functional polyether base prepolymers having a z molecular weight average (Mz) of about 10,000 to about 80,000 g/mole; a carbon black having an average oil absorption number of at least about 80 to at most about 400 cubic centimeters of dibutyl phthalate per 100 grams of the carbon black; (c) reactive silicon in an amount from about 0.001% to about 10% by weight of the adhesive composition; and (d) one or more catalysts for the reaction of isocyanate with hydroxyl groups. The adhesive compositions of the invention surprisingly may have improved sag performance (i.e., decreased sag) when heated, while also making them more easily pumped.
US08729163B2
The invention relates to flame retardant compositions, wherein a phosphinic acid hydrazide is present in a polymer substrate. The combination with >NOR-compounds improves the flame retardant properties.
US08729154B2
An object to be achieved by the present invention is to provide a binder for an ink-jet printing ink, the binder being capable of forming a printed image having excellent durability such as rubfastness and alkali resistance without impairing good ejection stability, storage stability, etc. of an ink, and an ink-jet printing ink containing the binder. The present invention relates to a binder for an ink-jet printing ink, the binder containing an aqueous medium (D); and a polyurethane (C) obtained by reacting a polyol (A) containing a vinyl polymer (a1) having two hydroxyl groups at one end and at least one polyol (a2) selected from the group consisting of polyether polyols, polyester polyols, polyester ether polyols, and polycarbonate polyols with a polyisocyanate (B), the polyurethane (C) having a structure derived from the vinyl polymer (a1) in a side chain thereof and being dispersed in the aqueous medium (D), and printed matter.
US08729151B2
There is provided an artificial marble that includes antimicrobial substance, wherein the antimicrobial substance comprises less that about 0.002% (dry weight) of the artificial marble composition.
US08729144B2
The present invention relates to a foamed polypropylene composition comprising a propylene homo- and/or copolymer and glass fibres, wherein (i) the composition has a density of 50 to 950 kg/m3, (ii) the tensile modulus tm(extrusion direction) measured according to ISO 527 in extrusion direction and the k-value measured according to ASTM C-518 satisfy the relation: tm(extrusion direction) [MPa]/k [W/mK]≧9000 MPa·mK/W, to the use of said composition for the production of an insulating layer and to an article comprising said composition.
US08729139B2
There is provided a method for recovering hydrocarbon compounds from gaseous by-products generated in a Fischer-Tropsch synthesis reaction. The method includes absorbing light hydrocarbon compounds and a carbon dioxide gas from the gaseous by-products using an absorption solvent including liquid hydrocarbon compounds and a carbon dioxide gas absorbent, separating the absorption solvent which has absorbed the light hydrocarbon compounds and the carbon dioxide gas into the liquid hydrocarbon compounds and the carbon dioxide gas absorbent, heating the separated liquid hydrocarbon compounds to recover the light hydrocarbon compounds from the separated liquid hydrocarbon compounds, heating the separated carbon dioxide gas absorbent to strip the carbon dioxide gas from the separated carbon dioxide gas absorbent, and reusing the gaseous by-products from which the light hydrocarbon compounds and the carbon dioxide gas are absorbed as a feedstock gas for the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis reaction.
US08729138B2
The present invention relates to a mixture of polyfluoroalkylsulfonamido alkyl amines including at least one polyfluoroalkylsulfonamido alkyl amine and its analog, a di(polyfluoroalkylsulfonamido alkyl)amine. The invention also relates to polyfluoroalkylsulfonamido alkyl halide intermediate used to make the aforementioned mixture.
US08729137B2
A cleansing bar comprising at least one member chosen from clay and talc, wherein a total amount of clay and talc is present in an amount that is greater than any other material in the cleansing bar, at least one cleanser chosen from soap and surfactant, and a binder present in an amount to structure the cleansing bar into a bar.
US08729136B2
The present invention implements a strategy that combines an enzyme inhibition assay with a chemical dereplication process to identify active plant extracts and the particular compounds—diarylalkanes and/or diarylalkanols within those extracts that specifically inhibit binuclear enzyme function. Included in the present invention are compositions of matter comprised of one or more of diarylalkanes and/or diarylalkanols, which inhibit the activity of binuclear enzymes, particularly tyrosinase and which prevent melanin overproduction. The present invention also provides a method for inhibiting the activity of a binuclear enzyme, particularly tyrosinase and a method for preventing and treating diseases and conditions related to binuclear enzyme function. The present invention further includes a method for preventing and treating melanin overproduction and diseases and conditions of the skin related thereto. The method for preventing and treating diseases and conditions related to binuclear enzyme function and melanin overproduction is comprised of administering to a host in need thereof an effective amount of a composition comprising one or more diarylalkanes and/or diarylalkanols synthesized and/or isolated from one or more plants together with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
US08729129B2
Disclosed is a method of reducing bleed time in a subject by activation of the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway in said subject. The cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway can be activated by direct or indirect stimulation of the vagus nerve. The cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway can also be activated by administering an effective amount of cholinergic agonist or acetylcholinesterase inhibitor to the subject.
US08729115B2
Nitrate esters and diazeniumdiolate derivatives of valsartanamide are described. They have valuable properties in the treatment of vascular and metabolic diseases.
US08729114B2
Disclosed are Cathepsin-S reversible inhibitor compounds of the formula (I) which are useful in the treatment of autoimmune and other diseases. Also disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions containing the same, and methods of making and using the same.
US08729108B2
A waterborne topical composition is designed specifically to address the treatment of acne vulgaris, rosacea, seborrheic dermatitis and other skin conditions. The composition contains effective amounts of essential components azelaic acid, niacinamide, and glycerin to create a rapidly penetrating and non-irritating compound.
US08729102B2
The present invention provides a compound having an ACC inhibitory action, which is useful as an agent for the prophylaxis or treatment of obesity, diabetes and the like, and having superior efficacy.The present invention relates to a compound represented by the formula (I): wherein each symbol is as defined in the specification, or a salt thereof.
US08729098B2
New tertiary 8-hydroxyquinoline-7-carboxamide derivatives of general formula (I) and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof are disclosed. These compounds are useful as antifungal agents. Specifically, these compounds were tested against Tricophyton Rubrum, Tricophyton Mentagrophytes, Aspergillus Niger and Scopulariopsis Brevicaulis. These compounds are also active against Candida species such as Candida Albicans and Candida Glabrata.
US08729096B2
The present invention relates to novel imidazolidine-2,4-dione derivatives, processes for preparing them, pharmaceutical compositions containing them and their use as pharmaceuticals as modulators of the N-formyl peptide receptor 2 (FPR2).
US08729086B2
[Object] The main object of the present invention is to provide a fibrosis inhibitor.[Solving Means] The present invention relates to a fibrosis inhibitor containing the heterocyclic derivative represented by the following general formula (1) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof as an active ingredient; In the formula (1), R1 and R2 are the same or different and each represents an optionally substituted aryl; R3 and R4 are the same or different and each represents hydrogen atom or alkyl; R5 represents hydrogen atom, alkyl or halogen atom; Y represents N or N→O; A represents NR6, and R6 represents hydrogen atom, alkyl, etc.; D represents alkylene or alkenylene which is optionally substituted with hydroxy; E represents phenylene or a single bond; G represents O, S, etc.; and Q represents carboxy, alkoxycarbonyl, etc.
US08729082B2
The present invention relates to substituted imidazoquinoxaline compounds of general formula (I) as inhibitors of Mps-1 Kinase or TTK, and being active against inflammation and cancer.
US08729081B2
The present invention provides compounds which antagonize epsilon protein kinase C (PKCε). These compounds have a structural formula (Ia), (Ic) or (II). The present invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions containing these compounds and methods of treating various diseases, conditions, and/or symptoms by using these compounds.
US08729076B2
The present invention provides new secondary 8-hydroxyquinoline-7-carboxamide derivatives of general formula (I) and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. These compounds are useful as antifungal agents. Specifically, these compounds were tested against Tricophyton Rubrum, Tricophyton Mentagrophytes, Aspergillus Niger and Scopulariopsis Brevicaulis. Many of these compounds are active against Candida species such as Candida Albicans and Candida Glabrata.
US08729071B2
In its many embodiments, the present invention provides certain iminothiadiazine dioxide compounds, including compounds Formula (I): (I) and include stereoisomers thereof, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts of said compounds stereoisomers, wherein each of R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R9, ring A, ring B, m, n, p, -L1-, L2-, and L3- is selected independently and as defined herein. The novel iminothiadiazine dioxide compounds of the invention have surprisingly been found to exhibit properties which are expected to render them advantageous as BACE inhibitors and/or for the treatment and prevention of various pathologies related to β-amyloid (Aβ) production. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising one or more such compounds (alone and in combination with one or more other active agents), and methods for their preparation and use in treating pathologies associated with amyloid beta (Aβ) protein, including Alzheimers disease, are also disclosed.
US08729067B2
Methods for treating an individual to improve cognitive function are provided. In the subject methods, an effective amount of a noncompetitive GABAA ionophore blocker is administered to the individual, resulting in an improvement in cognitive function of the host. The subject methods find use in a variety of different applications.
US08729062B2
The present invention relates to novel benzyl azetidine derivatives, processes for preparing them, pharmaceutical compositions containing them and their use as pharmaceuticals as modulators of sphingosine-1-phosphate receptors.
US08729055B2
Several ursolic acid derivatives and pharmaceutical compositions thereof are provided. The ursolic acid derivatives and the pharmaceutical compositions thereof have at least one of an anticancer and an anti-inflammatory effects. A method for increasing a reactive oxygen species in a cell is also provided. The method comprises a step of providing the cell with a pharmaceutical composition including an ursolic acid derivative.
US08729052B2
Disclosed is a composition for prevention and treatment of alopecia or for hair growth, comprising a phytosphingosine-1-phosphate derivative or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof as an active ingredient. Also, a medicine comprising the composition and a quasi-drug comprising the composition are provided.
US08729049B2
An embodiment is a mixture obtainable by a process comprising the following steps: a) adding a culture comprising sprouted rye grains and water to a rye fine or coarse meal and subjecting the mixture to a process of heating to 30-34° C. within 3 to 5 hours, a strong maltose formation being initiated from enzymatic reactions; b) followed by a further addition of rye fine or coarse meal, water and a bacteriological inoculum from the group of heterofermentative lactic-acid bacteria; c) acidifying the mixture until the metabolic activity of the microorganisms ceases, and optionally pasteurizing at 90-95° C.; d) separating the mixture by centrifugation into a solution and a precipitate, after which the solution is optionally filtered at least once.
US08729044B2
The present invention relates to nucleic acid molecule compositions comprising MiniVectors™ encoding a nucleic acid sequence and methods of gene therapy using MiniVectors encoding a nucleic acid sequence.
US08729042B2
The present invention provides novel agents, expression constructs, compositions and methods useful for treating an ocular disease associated with unwanted PPARδ activity through the modulation of PPARδ expression. The PPARδ interference RNA (iRNA) agents, expression constructs encoding such agents, and compositions comprising such agents or constructs are directed against RNA molecules encoding PPARδ. The methods comprise treating an ocular disease associated with unwanted PPARδ activity in a patient in need thereof by administering an effective amount of a pharmaceutical composition comprising a PPARδ iRNA agent or expression construct encoding such agent to the patient to reduce a symptom associated with unwanted PPARδ activity in the patient.
US08729040B2
A variety of methods, devices and compositions are implemented for light-activated molecules. One such method is implemented for generating secondary messengers in a cell. A nucleotide sequence for expressing a chimeric light responsive membrane protein (e.g., rhodopsin) is modified with one or more heterologous receptor subunits {e.g., an adrenergic receptor (alpha1, Beta2)}. The light responsive membrane protein is expressed in a cell for producing a secondary messenger in response to light.
US08729036B2
The present invention provides compositions for RNA interference and methods of use thereof. In particular, the invention provides single-stranded small interfering RNAs. Functional and genomic and proteomic methods are featured. Therapeutic methods are also featured.
US08729023B2
Methods, compositions and articles of manufacture for contributing to the treatment of cancers, including solid tumors, are disclosed. The methods, compositions and articles of manufacture can utilize an endothelin B agonist (ETB) to enhance the delivery and resulting efficacy of a chemotherapeutic agent.
US08729022B2
The invention relates to chemically as well as physically stable compositions comprising Factor VII or a Factor VII-related polypeptide such that these compositions can be stored, handled and used at room temperature.
US08729019B2
Methods are provided for coating crystalline microparticles with an active agent by altering the surface properties of the microparticles in order to facilitate favorable association on the microparticle by the active agent. Type of surface properties that are altered by the disclosed methods include by electrostatic properties, hydrophobic properties and hydrogen bonding properties.
US08729017B2
Provided herein are peptides and variant peptides that exhibit enhanced activity at the GLP-1 receptor, as compared to native glucagon.
US08729013B2
Methods of inhibiting S. aureus are provided. The methods include inhibition of polypeptides involved in the transport of the siderophore, staphylobactin.
US08728999B2
The present invention is directed to a method for improving the fuel efficiency of large low and medium speed engine oil compositions by reducing the traction coefficient of the oil by formulating the oil using a blend consisting of one or more Group I base oils having a kinematic viscosity at 100° C. of from 2 to less than 12 mm2/s in combination with a Group IV base oil having a kinematic viscosity of at least 38, the difference in kinematic viscosity between the Group I and Group IV oils in the blend being at least 30 mm2/s in combination with a detergent.
US08728993B2
A PTFE-based composite material includes a PTFE major phase filled with a metal oxide minor phase. The major phase is intermixed with the metal oxide minor phase, wherein the minor phase includes a plurality of irregularly shaped metal oxide nanoparticles. The irregularly shaped nanoparticles provide substantial reductions in steady state wear rate over otherwise similar nanocomposites. The metal oxide can comprise aluminum oxide.
US08728991B2
The present invention relates to lightweight high strength microsphere containing ceramic particles having controlled microsphere placement and/or size and microsphere morphology, which produces an improved balance of specific gravity and crush strength such that they can be used in applications such as proppants to prop open subterranean formation fractions. Proppant formulations are further disclosed which use one or more microsphere containing ceramic particles of the present invention. Methods to prop open subterranean formation fractions are further disclosed. In addition, other uses for the microsphere containing ceramic particles of the present invention are further disclosed, as well as methods of making the microsphere containing ceramic particles.
US08728968B2
A process for the synthesis of a bioceramic composition comprising calcium phosphosilicate (CPS, Ca10(PO4)4(SiO4)2), the process comprising: providing calcium or a calcium-containing compound, a phosphorus-containing compound and a silicon-containing compound; and forming a precipitate by reacting the compounds in an aqueous phase at an alkali pH.
US08728955B2
A method of depositing a film on a substrate surface includes providing a substrate in a reaction chamber; selecting a silicon-containing reactant from a precursor group consisting of di-tert-butyl diazidosilane, bis(ethylmethylamido)silane, bis(diisopropylamino)silane, bis(tert-butylhydrazido)diethylsilane, tris(dimethylamido)silylazide, tris(dimethylamido)silylamide, ethylsilicon triazide, diisopropylaminosilane, and hexakis(dimethylamido)disilazane; introducing the silicon-containing reactant in vapor phase into the reaction chamber under conditions allowing the silicon-containing reactant to adsorb onto the substrate surface; introducing a second reactant in vapor phase into the reaction chamber while the silicon-containing reactant is adsorbed on the substrate surface, and wherein the second reactant is introduced without first sweeping the silicon-containing reactant out of the reaction chamber; and exposing the substrate surface to plasma to drive a reaction between the silicon-containing reactant and the second reactant on the substrate surface to form the film.
US08728954B2
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a thin film containing a specific element, oxygen, carbon, and nitrogen by performing a cycle a predetermined number of times. The cycle includes supplying a specific element-containing gas, supplying a carbon-containing gas, supplying an oxidizing gas, and supplying a nitriding gas. The act of supplying the nitriding gas is performed before the act of supplying the specific element-containing gas, and the act of supplying the carbon-containing gas and the act of supplying the oxidizing gas are not performed until the act of supplying the specific element-containing gas is performed.
US08728932B2
A contact for memory cells and integrated circuits having a conductive layer supported by the sidewall of a dielectric mesa, memory cells incorporating such a contact, and methods of forming such structures.
US08728929B2
The invention relates to a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, the method comprising: i) providing a substrate carrier comprising a substrate layer and a patterned conductive layer, wherein the patterned conductive layer defines contact pads; ii) partially etching the substrate carrier using the patterned conductive layer as a mask defining contact regions in the substrate layer; iii) providing the semiconductor chip; iv) mounting said semiconductor chip with the adhesive layer on the patterned conductive layer such that the semiconductor chip covers at least one of the trenches and part of the contact pads neighboring the respective trench are left uncovered for future wire bonding; v) providing wire bonds between respective terminals of the semiconductor chip and respective contact pads of the substrate carrier; vi) providing a molding compound covering the substrate carrier and the semiconductor chip, and vii) etching the backside (S2) of the substrate carrier to expose the molding compound in the trenches. The invention further relates to a semiconductor device manufactured with such method, and to a printed-circuit board comprising such semiconductor device. The invention enables a reduced minimum bondpad pitch. An embodiment of the invention has a by-design-wettable terminal side at the perimeter of the device. This latest mentioned feature enables automated board inspection w.r.t. board mounting quality.
US08728928B2
A method for producing a solar cell having a substrate, having an inner face, wherein said inner face is designed to receive a conductive element based on molybdenum, wherein the method comprises forming several layers based on molybdenum on the substrate, at least one of the layers being enriched in molybdenum oxide, wherein the layers are formed by a magnetron sputtering method, and wherein the layer enriched with molybdenum oxide is obtained by injecting oxygen, ozone or a mixture of gas containing oxygen in atomic form during the formation of the molybdenum-based conductive element.
US08728926B2
The present invention discloses a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device. According to the method provided by the present disclosure, a dummy gate is formed on a substrate, removing the dummy gate to form an opening having side walls and a bottom gate, a dielectric material is formed on at least a portion of the sidewalls of the opening and the bottom surface of the opening, and a pre-treatment is performed to a portion of the dielectric material layer on the sidewalls of the opening, and thus the properties of the dielectric material is changed, and then the pre-treated dielectric material on the sidewalls of the opening is removed by a selective process. The semiconductor device manufactured by using the method of the present disclosure is capable of effectively reducing parasitic capacitance.
US08728918B2
A method for fabricating a semiconductor layer within a plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) apparatus. The PECVD apparatus includes a plurality of walls defining a processing region, a substrate support, a shadow frame, a gas distribution showerhead, a gas source in fluid communication with the gas distribution showerhead and the processing region, a radio frequency power source coupled to the gas distribution showerhead, and one or more VHF grounding straps electrically coupled to at least one of the plurality of walls. The VHF grounding straps provide a low-impedance current path between at least one of the plurality of walls and at least one of a shadow frame or the substrate support. The method further includes delivering a semiconductor precursor gas and a dopant precursor gas and delivering a very high frequency (VHF) power to generate a plasma to form a first layer on the one or more substrates.
US08728915B2
A wafer laser-marking method is provided. First, a wafer having a first surface (an active surface) and a second surface (a back surface) opposite to each other is provided. Next, the wafer is thinned. Then, the thinned wafer is fixed on a non-UV tape such that the second surface of the wafer is attached to the tape. Finally, the laser marking step is performed, such that a laser light penetrates the non-UV tape and marks a pattern on the second surface of the wafer. According to the laser-marking method of the embodiment, the pattern is formed by the non-UV residuals left on the second surface of the wafer, and the components of the glue residuals at least include elements of silicon and carbon.
US08728913B2
The invention relates to a method for transferring a layer from a donor substrate onto a handle substrate wherein, after detachment, the remainder of the donor substrate is reused. To get rid of undesired protruding edge regions that are due to the chamfered geometry of the substrates, the invention proposes to carry out an additional etching process before detachment occurs.
US08728912B2
The present invention is directed to a method for manufacturing an SOI wafer, the method by which treatment that removes the outer periphery of a buried oxide film to obtain a structure in which a peripheral end of an SOI layer of an SOI wafer is located outside a peripheral end of the buried oxide film, and, after heat treatment is performed on the SOI wafer in a reducing atmosphere containing hydrogen or an atmosphere containing hydrogen chloride gas, an epitaxial layer is formed on a surface of the SOI layer. As a result, there is provided a method that can manufacture an SOI wafer having a desired SOI layer thickness by performing epitaxial growth without allowing a valley-shaped step to be generated in an SOI wafer with no silicon oxide film in a terrace portion, the SOI wafer fabricated by an ion implantation delamination method.
US08728908B2
Disclosed herein are various methods of forming metal-containing insulating material regions on a metal layer of a gate structure of a semiconductor device. In one example, the method includes forming a gate structure of a transistor, the gate structure comprising at least a first metal layer, and forming a first metal-containing insulating material region in the first metal layer by performing a gas cluster ion beam process using to implant gas molecules into the first metal layer.
US08728906B2
A method includes forming a hard mask over a substrate, patterning the hard mask to form a first plurality of trenches, and filling a dielectric material into the first plurality of trenches to form a plurality of dielectric regions. The hard mask is removed from between the plurality of dielectric regions, wherein a second plurality of trenches is left by the removed hard mask. An epitaxy step is performed to grow a semiconductor material in the second plurality of trenches.
US08728905B2
A shallow trench isolation structure containing a first shallow trench isolation portion comprising the first shallow trench material and a second shallow trench isolation portion comprising the second shallow trench material is provided. A first biaxial stress on at least one first active area and a second bidirectional stress on at least one second active area are manipulated separately to enhance charge carrier mobility in middle portions of the at least one first and second active areas by selection of the first and second shallow trench materials as well as adjusting the type of the shallow trench isolation material that each portion of the at least one first active area and the at least one second active area laterally abut.
US08728896B2
When forming sophisticated transistors requiring an embedded semiconductor alloy, the cavities may be formed with superior uniformity on the basis of, for instance, crystallographically anisotropic etch steps by providing a uniform oxide layer in order to reduce process related fluctuations or queue time variations. The uniform oxide layer may be formed on the basis of an APC control regime.
US08728887B2
A method for fabricating a capacitor of a semiconductor device includes sequentially forming an etch-stop layer and a mold layer over a substrate, sequentially forming a support layer and a hard mask pattern over the mold layer, forming a storage node hole by etching the support layer and the mold layer using the hard mask pattern as an etch barrier, forming a barrier layer on the sidewall of the mold layer inside the storage node hole, etching the etch-stop layer under the storage node hole, forming a storage node inside the storage node hole, and removing the hard mask pattern, the mold layer, and the barrier layer.
US08728884B1
A method of fabricating a normally “off” GaN heterostructure field effect transistor having a source and a drain including depositing a passivation layer patterned to cover a channel region between a source and a drain, forming a first opening in the passivation layer, the first opening for defining a gate area in the channel region and the first opening having a first length dimension along a direction of current flow between the source and the drain, and implanting ions in an implant area within the gate area, wherein the implant area has a second length dimension along the direction of current flow shorter than the first length dimension.
US08728878B2
A MOS P-N junction diode device includes a substrate having a first conductivity type, a field oxide structure defining a trench structure, a gate structure formed in the trench structure and a doped region having a second conductivity type adjacent to the gate structure in the substrate. The method for manufacturing such diode device includes several ion-implanting steps. After the gate structure is formed by isotropic etching using a patterned photo-resist layer as a mask, an ion-implanting step is performed using the patterned photo-resist layer as a mask to form a deeper doped sub-region. Then, another ion-implanting step is performed using the gate structure as a mask to form a shallower doped sub-region between the gate structure and the deeper doped sub-region. The formed MOS P-N junction diode device has low forward voltage drop, low reverse leakage current, fast reverse recovery time and high reverse voltage tolerance.
US08728877B2
On a single-crystal substrate, a drift layer is formed. The drift layer has a first surface facing the single-crystal substrate, and a second surface opposite to the first surface, is made of silicon carbide, and has first conductivity type. On the second surface of the drift layer, a collector layer made of silicon carbide and having second conductivity type is formed. By removing the single-crystal substrate, the first surface of the drift layer is exposed. A body region and an emitter region are formed. The body region is disposed in the first surface of the drift layer, and has the second conductivity type different from the first conductivity type. The emitter region is disposed on the body region, is separated from the drift layer by the body region, and has first conductivity type.
US08728853B2
By selectively anisotropically etching a stack film formed to cover a plurality of photodiodes and a gate electrode layer of a MOS transistor, the stack film remains on each of the plurality of photodiodes to form a lower antireflection coating and the stack film remains on a sidewall of the gate electrode layer to form a sidewall. Using the gate electrode layer and the sidewall as a mask, an impurity is introduced to form a source/drain region of the MOS transistor. After the impurity was introduced, an upper antireflection coating is formed at least on a lower antireflection coating. At least any of the upper antireflection coating and the lower antireflection coating is etched such that the antireflection coatings on the two respective photodiodes are different in thickness from each other.
US08728844B1
The present disclosure provides a bio-field effect transistor (BioFET) device and methods of fabricating a BioFET and a BioFET device. The method includes forming a BioFET using one or more process steps compatible with or typical to a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) process. The BioFET device includes a gate structure disposed on a first surface of a substrate and an interface layer formed on a second surface of the substrate. The substrate is thinned from the second surface to expose a channel region before forming the interface layer.
US08728840B2
Solid state lighting devices and associated methods of manufacturing are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a solid state lighting device includes a substrate material having a substrate surface and a plurality of hemispherical grained silicon (“HSG”) structures on the substrate surface of the substrate material. The solid state lighting device also includes a semiconductor material on the substrate material, at least a portion of which is between the plurality of HSG structures.
US08728821B2
Provided herein is a transgenic bacteria engineered to accumulate carbohydrates, for example disaccharides. Also provided is a photobioreactor for cultivating photosynthetic microorganisms comprising a non-gelatinous, solid cultivation support suitable for providing nutrients and moisture to photosynthetic microorganisms and a physical barrier covering at least a portion of the surface of the cultivation support. Devices for the large scale and continuous cultivation of photosynthetic microorganisms incorporating photobioreactors and methods of use are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods of producing fermentable sugar from photosynthetic microorganisms using a photobioreactor of the invention.
US08728819B2
The present invention relates to novel methods of growing at least 100 million minimally-passaged fibroblasts from a small biopsy specimen. The invention includes methods wherein a small biopsy specimen is seeded directly into a large tissue culture flask, and passaged no more than three times.
US08728817B2
The present invention provides methodologies and parameters for fabrication of the hybrid biomaterial by blending pure laminin or complex extracts of tissues containing laminin with biopolymers such as polycaprolactone (PCL), polylactic/polyglycolic acid copolymer (PLGA) or Polydioxanone (PDO) in fluoroalcohols (HFP, TFA), fabrication of substrates and scaffolds and devices from the hybrid biomaterial in forms such as films, nanofibers by electrospinning or microspheres, and the biological or biomedical use of the material or devices derived from it.
US08728805B2
Provided herein are osteogenic placental adherent cells (OPACs), methods of using OPACs and OPAC populations, and methods of culturing, proliferating, expanding, or differentiating the OPACs. Further provided herein are methods of using the OPACs to formulate implantable or injectable compositions suitable for administration to a subject. Still further provided herein are methods for treating bone defects with OPACs and compositions comprising OPACs. Also provided herein are methods of using OPACs in the treatment and management of multiple myeloma, e.g., reducing the progression of, halting the progression of, or improving, one or more symptoms of multiple myeloma in an individual having multiple myeloma, comprising administering a plurality of OPACs to the individual.
US08728794B2
The present invention provides a novel bacterial cell composition which comprises cells of Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens having the ability to produce butyric acid, a cultured material thereof or an extract thereof, and a method for inhibiting carcinogenesis, a method for immunostimulating, a method for preventing or treating a pathogen, a method for preventing or treating an inflammatory bowel disease and a method for preventing or treating an allergic disease, which use the same.
US08728787B2
Novel laccases from Cerrena sp. WR1 and Lentinus sp. and uses thereof.
US08728782B2
Disclosed is a method of converting butyric acid contained in a fermentation broth into biofuel. This chemical conversion method includes separating biohydrogen from gases generated in the course of production of butyric acid through fermentation of carbohydrate, extracting butyric acid from the broth using an insoluble solvent, esterifying butyric acid thus producing butylbutyrate, and hydrogenolyzing all or part of butylbutyrate, thus obtaining butanol. Thereby, biobutanol can be efficiently and economically produced, and butylbutyrate, which has oxidation stability superior to that of conventional biodiesel (fatty acid methyl ester) and is thus regarded as novel biofuel, can be produced together.
US08728780B2
An object of the invention is to produce a microorganism which yields high amounts in a short time of a hydroxycarboxylic acid reduced in impurity content. This invention further provides a process for producing a hydroxycarboxylic acid, including glycolic acid, using the microorganism. This process enables a hydroxycarboxylic acid having high purity to be supplied at low cost.
US08728779B2
Biomass (e.g., plant biomass, animal biomass, microbial, and municipal waste biomass) is processed to produce useful products, such as food products and amino acids.
US08728778B2
DNA constructs and genetically engineered microbial strains constructed using these DNA constructs, which produce a nuclease enzyme with specificity for DNA and/or RNA, are provided. These strains secrete nuclease into the periplasm or growth medium in an amount effective to enhance productivity and/or recovery of polymer, and are particularly suited for use in high cell density fermentation processes. These constructs are useful for modifying microbial strains to improve production and recovery processes for polymers such as intracellular proteins, such as enzymes, growth factors, and cytokines; for producing polyhydroxyalkanoates; and for producing extracellular polysaccharides, such as xanthan gum, alginates, gellan gum, zooglan, hyaluronic acid and microbial cellulose.
US08728775B2
The present invention relates to a method for preparing 2-pyrrolidone using biomass, comprising: a step (a) of culturing a microorganism which contains glutamate decarboxylase as a whole-cell catalyst in a culture medium containing glutamic acid or glutamate so as to prepare 4-amino butyric acid; a step (b) of filtering the 4-amino butyric acid from the culture medium in order to obtain the 4-amino butyric acid; and a step (c) of converting the 4-amino butyric acid into 2-pyrrolidone. The present invention provides a series of processes for preparing 2-pyrrolidone from glutamic acid or glutamate using biomass. According to the present invention, 4-amino butyric acid is prepared using a microorganism as a whole cell, and preferably, 4-amino butyric acid which has not undergone a complicated refining process such as a crystallization process is directly used to prepare 2-pyrrolidone at a high yield rate in an economically advantageous manner. According to the present invention, 2-pyrrolidone may be mass-produced at a high yield rate and low production costs. The method of the present invention simplifies processes for preparing 2-pyrrolidone, and thus is suitable for mass production at an industrial scale.
US08728768B2
The present invention relates to isolated polypeptides having isoamylase activity derived from Dyella japonica and isolated polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides. The invention also relates to nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides as well as methods of producing and using the polypeptides. The invention also relates to the use of said polypeptide having isoamylase activity for producing glucose syrup, fructose syrup, maltose syrup or maltitol.
US08728760B2
The present invention relates generally to stabilized expression plasmid systems. The stabilized expression plasmid systems comprise an expression vector that includes a plasmid maintenance system (PMS) and, optionally, one or both of a polynucleotide encoding a selected antigen under control of a promoter, and a polynucleotide encoding a selectable marker under control of a promoter. The use of the mchI protein as a selectable marker is found in preferred embodiments of the invention.
US08728758B2
A method of measuring a metabolic activity (MA) of a cell is provided. The method comprising independently measuring in an extracellular environment of the cell, time-dependent acidification profiles due to secretion of: (i) non-volatile soluble metabolic products; (ii) non-volatile soluble metabolic products and volatile soluble metabolic products; and (iii) volatile soluble metabolic products; wherein at least one of the time dependent acidification profiles is indicative of the metabolic activity of the cell. Also provided are clinical methods which make use of the assay.
US08728752B2
The present invention relates to a method for the detection of essentially intact encapsulated or non-encapsulated parasites in meat, comprising the maceration of the meat with an alkaline digestion solution which contains a digestive enzyme that is active in an alkaline environment. Further, uses of a serine endopeptidase in a method for the detection of essentially intact encapsulated or non-encapsulated parasites in meat are described. The present invention also describes serine endopeptidases for use in a diagnostic method for the detection of essentially intact encapsulated or non-encapsulated parasites in meat. Finally, a kit is disclosed which comprises the enzymes and alkaline digestion solutions of the present invention.
US08728751B2
The invention provides a method and a system for diagnosing lymphoma in cats. The system allows a care giver to measure the enzymatic activity of thymidine kinase in a blood sample. The invention teaches that when the enzymatic activity of thymidine kinase in the blood stream of a cat is above 15.5 Units per liter, the cat has a high probability of having lymphoma. The invention allows for initial diagnosis, follow up after treatment for lymphoma and/or monitoring for example in breeds that prone to have lymphoma.
US08728739B2
The present invention provides means, such as a method, for determining whether a mammalian subject having a colorectal cancer belongs to a first or a second group, wherein the prognosis of subjects of the first group is better than the prognosis of subjects of the second group. The method comprises the steps of: evaluating an amount of RBM3 protein or RBM3 mRNA molecule in at least part of a sample earlier obtained from the subject and determining a sample value corresponding to the evaluated amount; comparing said sample value with a predetermined reference value; andif said sample value is higher than said reference value, concluding that the subject belongs to the first group; and if said sample value is lower than or equal to said reference value, concluding that the subject belongs to the second group.
US08728738B2
The invention provides an in vitro method for predicting clinical outcome of a patient affected with a non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC), which method comprises determining the expression level of at least 8 genes in a biological sample of said patient.
US08728734B2
The invention relates to a very general method for the random diversification of a nucleotide sequence S by PCR while preserving the identity of some domains of said sequence S; the invention also relates to a bank of nucleotide sequence thus diversified, and to diversified proteins obtained by the expressions of the nucleotide sequences in an appropriate host.
US08728728B2
The present invention provides methods, compositions, kits, systems and apparatus that are useful for multiplex PCR of one or more nucleic acids present in a sample. In particular, various target-specific primers are provided that allow for the selective amplification of one or more target sequences. In one aspect, the invention relates to target-specific primers useful for the selective amplification of one or more target sequences associated with cancer or inherited disease. In some aspects, amplified target sequences obtained using the disclosed methods, kits, systems and apparatuses can be used in various downstream processes including nucleic acid sequencing and used to detect the presence of genetic variants.
US08728718B2
There is provided a method for manufacturing a liquid ejection head having a substrate and a channel-forming member having an ejection port from which a liquid is ejected, the method including forming a negative photosensitive resin layer on or above the substrate; forming a lens layer on the negative photosensitive resin layer, the lens layer having a lens; exposing the negative photosensitive resin layer through the lens to form an ejection port in the negative photosensitive resin layer; and removing the lens layer.
US08728703B2
An electrophotographic toner obtained from a dispersion or emulsion liquid of an oil phase containing a toner material in an aqueous medium, the toner including: a binder resin, wherein the toner material includes: (A) an epoxy resin prepolymer; (B) an adduct of a dihydric phenol with a polyalkylene oxide; (C) a phenolic compound, or an alcohol compound, or both thereof; and (D) a carboxylic acid compound, and wherein the binder resin includes a resin obtained by allowing the (A), the (B), the (C) and the (D) to react with each other.
US08728697B2
A carrier for electrostatic image development includes: a carrier body including a core and a resin coating layer on the core; and first spherical silica particles having a volume-average particle diameter of from 50 nm to 300 nm that adhere to the surface of the carrier body at a ratio of from 0.001 parts by weight to 0.100 parts by weight relative to 100 parts by weight of the carrier body.
US08728686B2
A photosensitive composition includes a compound represented by Formula (I) and a curable composition contains the compound of Formula (I) and a polymerizable compound. A compound is represented by a Formula (1) and a photocurable composition contains the compound of Formula (1) and a polymerizable compound. In Formula (I), R, R1 and R2 each independently represent a hydrogen atom or a monovalent substituent. In Formula (1), R and B each independently represent a monovalent substituent, A represents a divalent organic group, and Ar represents an aryl group.
US08728684B2
Fuel cell stacks (20) include fuel cells (22) in which internal pressure on membranes (28), caused by adjacent cross points (19) or ribs (9, 17) of gas flow field plates (7, 33) is reduced by lowering the axial load holding the stack together, after an initial high axial load, that establishes minimal possible internal resistance, has been held for between a few hours and 20 hours. The need for robust axial load restraints is also reduced. Pressure of cross points (19) can also be spread by stiffening components or adding stiffeners.
US08728683B2
A cell unit of a fuel cell includes a first separator, a first membrane electrode assembly, a second separator, a second membrane electrode assembly, and a third separator. Resin connecting sections are provided in the outer circumferential ends of the first separator, the second separator, and the third separator. A coupling pin is molded integrally with the resin connecting section of the first separator. A first hole and a second hole are formed on both sides of the coupling pin for selectively inserting a rebuilt pin into either of the first and second holes. A hole for inserting the coupling pin is formed at the center, and the first hole and the second hole are formed on both sides of the hole, in each of the resin connecting sections of the second and third separators.
US08728675B2
A fuel cell system is disclosed in which the oxidative degradation of an anode of a fuel cell during an operation stop period is restrained.The fuel cell system (39) of the invention comprises a fuel cell (1) configured to generate electric power by use of hydrogen contained in a fuel gas supplied to an anode (1a) and oxygen contained in an oxidizing gas supplied to a cathode (1c); and a combustor (4) configured to combust flammable gas, and is formed such that after stopping the power generation, the flammable gas is introduced into and kept in the cathode (1c) and when discharging the flammable gas from the cathode (1c), the flammable gas is combusted by the combustor (4).
US08728673B2
A casing of a fuel cell system is divided into a fluid supply section, a module section, and an electrical equipment section. A detector, a fuel gas supply apparatus, an oxygen-containing gas supply apparatus, and a water supply apparatus are provided in the fluid supply section. A fuel cell module and a combustor are provided in the module section. A power converter and a control device are provided in the electrical equipment section. The module section is interposed between the fluid supply section and the electrical equipment section.
US08728667B2
According to one embodiment, an active material for batteries includes monoclinic β-type titanium composite oxide containing at least one element selected from the group consisting of V, Nb, Ta, Al, Ga, and In, the at least one element being contained in an amount of 0.03 wt % or more and 3 wt % or less.
US08728665B2
A negative electrode for a lithium ion secondary battery includes a negative electrode core member and a negative electrode mixture layer adhering to the negative electrode core member. The negative electrode mixture layer includes active material particles, a cellulose ether compound, and rubber particles. The cellulose ether compound has a degree of etherification of 0.25 or more and 0.7 or less and an average degree of polymerization of 20 or more and 1200 or less. The negative electrode mixture layer contains remaining particles including a water-insoluble portion of the cellulose ether compound and having a mean particle size of 1 μm or more and 75 μm or less. The bonding strength between the active material particles is 98 N/cm2 or more.
US08728655B2
A secondary battery including a case providing an inner space; at least one electrode assembly, the at least one electrode assembly including a stacked and wound positive electrode plate, negative electrode plate, and separator between the positive electrode plate and the negative electrode plate, and being disposed within the case and including a non-coating portion on an end thereof; a collector plate including alternately arranged crests and troughs, the non-coating portion of the electrode assembly being disposed on the crests and the crests being welded to the non-coating portion; a collector terminal coupled to one end of the collector plate, the collector terminal protruding upwardly from the case; and a cap plate on an upper portion of the case, the cap plate sealing the case.
US08728649B2
A battery system with at least one cell having an adjacent temperature-equalizing structure that is provided alternately with the cells and is designed for a medium that carries heat and/or cold to pass through. The cells are individual cells (1, 1′, 1″), and the temperature-equalizing structures are conventional corrugated board (2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 2e, 2′a, 2′b, 2′c, 2′d, 2′e) having two cover layers and at least one corrugation arranged between them for the air to pass through.
US08728647B2
The present document describes a surface mounting element for receiving a decorative element comprising: a portion for fixedly interfacing with said surface; and a mating connector for releasably connecting to a corresponding mating connector of the decorative element. The present document also describes a decorative element, a decorative adjustment element, decorative assembly kit and a decorative frame assembly and any combinations thereof.
US08728639B2
An exemplary battery is provided in the present invention. The battery comprises a carbon rod, a positive-electrode structure, a separation structure, a negative-electrode structure and a housing. The positive-electrode structure, the separation structure, the negative-electrode structure and the housing encircle the carbon rod in sequence. At least one of the positive-electrode structure and the negative-electrode structure contains chlorophyll. The battery of the present invention stores hydrogen by the chlorophyll to generate electricity. Thus, not only is the manufacturing process of the battery simple, and economical, but also natural, non-toxic substances are employed, unlike the conventional batteries, the battery of the present invention will not cause environmental pollution even when discarding after being used.
US08728638B2
Provided are a magnetic disk substrate that can be adapted to a reduction in flying height of a head in an HDD and to an increase in rotational speed therein, and a method of manufacturing such a substrate.In an annular glass substrate for a magnetic recording medium, a main surface (12) of the glass substrate is uniformly inclined from an inner peripheral end (13) to an outer peripheral end (14) and has an isotropic shape with respect to an axis passing through the center of the glass substrate. That is, it is rotationally symmetric with respect to an arbitrary angle rotation about the axis passing through the center of the glass substrate.
US08728626B2
The present invention provides a coated product having excellent corrosion resistance and excellent finish by a 3-coat 1-bake method; the method including the steps of forming cured coating film (A1) comprising cationic electrodeposition coating composition (A) on a metal object to be coated; forming first colored coated film (B1) by coating first colored aqueous coating composition (B); forming second colored coated film (C1) by coating second colored aqueous coating composition (C) on uncured first colored coated film (B1); forming clear coated film (D1) by coating clear coating composition (D) on uncured second colored coated film (C1); and simultaneously curing uncured first colored coated film (B1), uncured second colored coated film (C1), and uncured clear coated film (D1).
US08728623B2
Articles such as optical displays and protective films, comprising a (e.g. light transmissive) substrate having a surface layer comprising the reaction product of a mixture comprising a hydrocarbon-based hardcoat composition and at least one perfluoropolyether urethane additive. The surface layer exhibits low lint attraction in combination with high contact angles. Hardcoat coating compositions comprising a perfluoropolyether urethane additive and a silicone (meth)acrylate additive are also described.
US08728622B2
Provided is a base substrate with which a Group-III nitride crystal having a large area and a large thickness can be grown while inhibiting crack generation. A single-crystal substrate for use in growing a Group-III nitride crystal thereon, which satisfies the following expression (1), wherein Z1 (μm) is an amount of warpage of physical shape in a growth surface of the single-crystal substrate and Z2 (μm) is an amount of warpage calculated from a radius of curvature of crystallographic-plane shape in a growth surface of the single-crystal substrate: −40
US08728621B2
The present invention provides a hard multilayer film formed body which has an intermediate layer excellent in its adhesion to a base material and a DLC film which is a surface layer excellent in its wear resistance, prevents peeling from occurring between the DLC film and the intermediate layer, and is excellent in its wear resistance and a method for producing the same. A hard multilayer film formed body 1 consists of a multilayer film formed on a surface of a base material 2 consisting of a cemented carbide material or a ferrous material. The multilayer film has (1) a film, composed mainly of DLC, which is formed as a surface layer 5 of the multilayer film; (2) an intermediate layer 3, composed mainly of a metallic material, which is formed between the surface layer 5 and the base material 2; and (3) a stress relaxation layer 4, composed mainly of carbon, which is formed between the intermediate layer 3 and the surface layer 5. The stress relaxation layer 4 is a graded layer whose hardness increases continuously or stepwise from a side of the intermediate layer 3 toward a side of the surface layer 5.
US08728616B2
A polymer sheet according to at least one embodiment of the present invention is a polymer sheet whose main component is oriented nanocrystals of a polymer, and which satisfies the following conditions (I), (II), and (III): (I) having a crystallinity of not less than 70%; (II) having a tensile strength at break of not less than 100 MPa and a tensile modulus of not less than 3 GPa; and (III) having an average thickness of not less than 0.15 mm. According to at least one embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to provide a polymer sheet excelling in properties such as mechanical strength, heat tolerance, and transparency, particularly a polymer sheet having excellent properties such as mechanical strength, heat tolerance, and transparency in general-purpose plastics such as polypropylene.
US08728608B2
The invention relates to a profile element, in particular a construction profile, for example a dry construction profile, a profile for facades or a rendering profile, comprising, in particular a metallic profile body (17, 18) and at least one sealing element (9, 10, 11). Said sealing element is fixed. at least to a longitudinal side of the profile body and is made of a plastic. Openings (13) are embodied in. the longitudinal side of the profile body and the sealing element comprises projections (12) that are embodied as a single piece with the sealing elements for fixing to the profile body (17, 18, 20) on the side of said sealing elements that face the profile body (17, 18, 20), said projections protruding through the openings. The invention also relates to a method for producing said type of profile element.
US08728595B1
A buffer air column with a three-dimensional structure includes a first buffer portion and a second buffer portion. The first buffer portion includes a first air column, a first heat sealing section and a second heat sealing section. The second buffer portion includes a second air column, a first connection side, a second connection side and a corner area. One end of the corner area is connected to the first connection side, the other end is connected to the second connection side, and the corner area is used for abutting against a case body. A buffer slot is formed between the second air column and the first air column, and when an article abuts against the first air column, the first air column buffers and protects the article, and the buffer slot is compressed due to the pressure and assists in buffering and protecting the article.
US08728588B2
A method of treating a surface of at least one part by individual sources of an electron cyclotron resonance plasma is characterized by subjecting the part(s) to at least one movement of revolution with regard to at least one fixed linear row of elementary sources. The linear row or rows of elementary sources are disposed parallel to the axis or axes of revolution of the part or parts.
US08728584B2
The invention provides a method for patterning a polymer surface. A polymer layer is formed on a substrate. A conductive grid with a mesh pattern is placed on the polymer layer. The mesh pattern is transferred to the polymer layer by a plasma treatment. The conductive grid is then removed.
US08728583B2
The present invention provides a composite material comprising a glass cloth; and an organic-inorganic hybrid composition comprising diphenylsilanediol and alkoxy silane, a composite film manufactured by using the same, and a method for manufacturing the composite film.
US08728580B2
The tip of a downstream lip is disposed so as to be further separated from a web as compared to the tip of an adjacent lip, and downstream and upstream spacers are placed so that the a liquid discharge port length interposed between two downstream spacers is shorter than that of a liquid discharge port interposed between two upstream spacers. The method includes coating coating-liquid to the surface of the web from a slot die, which is formed so that tips of the downstream spacers are placed at the same position as a tip of the adjacent lip or further protrude so as to be closer to the web than the tip of the adjacent lip; depressurizing the cover inside that is provided on the upstream side of the slot die during the coating; and drying the coating-liquid that is coated to the surface of the web.
US08728579B2
A sol to form an inorganic-organic hybrid coating having a thick highly transparent hard coating is described. The hybrid coating is formed from a combined aqueous sol with least one hydrolyzable silane and at least one hydrolyzable metal oxide precursor where the only organic solvents present are those liberated upon hydrolysis of the silanes and metal oxide precursors. In one embodiment an inorganic-organic hybrid coating is formed by combination of a sol, prepared by the hydrolysis of tetraethoxysilane and γ-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane with an excess of water, and a sol, prepared by the hydrolysis of titanium tetrabutoxide and γ-glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane with a deficiency of water. A plastic substrate can be coated with the combined sol and the combined sol gelled to a thickness of at least 5 μm with heating to less than 150° C.
US08728577B2
Provided is a production method of a metallic decorative sheet capable of preventing from getting detached at edge portions. The production method of a metallic decorative sheet for insert molding comprises steps of forming a metal thin-film layer 12 on a back surface of a transparent thermoplastic resin film 11; removing a first region J for displaying a non-metallic design on an outer surface of the thermoplastic resin film 11 and a second region K which is at least a part of edge region of the thermoplastic resin film 11 from the metal thin-film layer 12; and laminating an ink layer 14 on at least the metal thin-film layer 12 and the second region K.
US08728573B2
Particulate mineral materials comprising at least one coating comprising at least one metal compound are disclosed. In one embodiment, the at least one metal compound is a metal silicate compound. In another embodiment, the at least one metal compound is a metal oxide compound. In one embodiment, the particulate mineral material is perlite. In another embodiment, the particulate mineral material is perlite microspheres. In a further embodiment, the particulate mineral material is diatomite. Methods of making particulate mineral materials coated with at least one metal compound are also disclosed. In one embodiment, the at least one metal compound may be injected into a perlite expander to form a metal compound coated perlite material. In another embodiment, the at least one metal compound may be applied through a low temperature coating process to the at least one particulate mineral material. Uses for metal compound coated particulate mineral materials are also disclosed.
US08728571B2
Provided is a fabrication method for a functional surface that has self-cleaning ability and superhydrophilic anti-reflective property, which includes a) arranging a plurality of beads having a sphere shape on a surface of a transparent substrate; b) forming a predetermined inter-bead gap by etching the plurality of beads; c) forming a surface unevenness on the surface of the substrate by etching the substrate using the plurality of the beads having the predetermined gap as an etching mask; d) removing the plurality of the beads from the surface of the substrate; and e) forming a photocatalytic layer or a compound layer having a surface tension of 18 to 28 N/m on the surface of the substrate formed with the surface unevenness.
US08728569B2
The method according to the invention for reprocessing the worn surface of grinding rollers (2) of a material bed roller mill comprises the following method steps: a. providing a mobile processing station (6) which is arranged in a container (8) and comprises at least one machine tool (9) and a drive (10) for rotating the grinding roller, b. removing the complete roller unit (A) containing the grinding roller to be reprocessed from the material bed roller mill, c. positioning the complete roller unit in front on the mobile processing station and coupling the drive to the shaft (1) of the grinding roller, d. producing a new cylindrical surface (2h) using the machine tool, and e. producing a new wear protection comprising new profiled bodies (2c) and/or build-up welding.
US08728566B2
The present invention is a method of making a composite polymeric material by dissolving a vinyl thermoplastic polymer, un-functionalized carbon nanotubes and hydroxylated carbon nanotubes and optionally additives in a solvent to make a solution and removing at least a portion of the solvent after casting onto a substrate to make thin films. The material has enhanced conductivity properties due to the blending of the un-functionalized and hydroxylated carbon nanotubes.
US08728565B2
The present invention provides a method for inhibiting production of copper sulfide in an electrical insulating oil inside an oil-filled electrical apparatus, including adding a benzotriazole compound not having a long-chain alkyl group when the oil-filled electrical apparatus is an open-type oil-filled electrical apparatus, or adding a benzotriazole compound having a long-chain alkyl group when the oil-filled electrical apparatus is a closed-type oil-filled electrical apparatus.
US08728554B2
A method of manufacture and a food product with a substrate impregnated with a stabilizer composition, the impregnated substrate coated with an aqueous or gel coating. The impregnation of the core with the stabilizer contributes to the moisture content of the core during subsequent cooking or reheating. The coating exhibits good adhesion to the impregnated substrate, and can facilitate adhesion of subsequently applied crumb or other fine particles and serve as an additional barrier to loss of moisture from the substrate during the subsequent cooking or reheating.
US08728545B2
A simple extraction method for preparing an organic certifiable stevia extract with high sweetness and optionally with antioxidant properties is provided. The extraction method involves extraction of stevia leaves that have been dried and grinded with a hot solvent generally regarded as safe (GRAS), allowing the dissolution of the sweetening compounds naturally present therein. These sweetening compounds include steviosides and rebaudioside A, which are purified from the extracts by two or more successive chromatographic purifications steps. The sweetening compounds are then eluted with an appropriate elution solvent. The simplicity and organic certification of the method provide advantages over the methods currently employed in the stevia industry.
US08728542B2
The present invention relates to a method of obtaining protein preparations from sunflower seeds as well as protein preparations produced with the method. In the method the sunflower seeds are dehulled to a residual hull content of ≦5% by weight or dehulled sunflower seeds with a residual hull content of ≦5% by weight are provided. Mechanical partial deoiling of the dehulled sunflower seeds is carried out through pressing up to a fat or oil content of the dehulled sunflower seeds in the range 10 to 35% by weight. After carrying out one or more extraction steps with at least one solvent, a defatted flour containing protein is obtained as a protein preparation. Both optically and functionally the protein preparation has very advantageous properties which allow it to be used directly in the food product or animal feed sector.
US08728537B2
This invention relates to aqueous solutions of reactive chlorine compounds having the empirical formulae H2Cl2O6 or ClO3H, for example, and the derivatives, anions or salts thereof. The invention further relates to methods for the production of said compounds and the use thereof in the pharmaceutical and particularly in the medical field, in cosmetics, medicinal care and in the domains of food technology and technology.
US08728532B2
The invention provides for ischemia/reperfusion protection compositions having one or more ketone bodies and melatonin. The invention also provides for methods of using such compositions to reduce or prevent ischemia/reperfusion injury due to blood loss, stroke or cardiopulmonary arrest or surgery.
US08728528B2
The disclosed processes for forming microparticles utilize low volumes of processing water while still providing microparticles having low residual solvent levels. The processes are adaptable to both continuous and batch processes using oil/water or water/oil or water/oil/water or oil/water/oil emulsions.
US08728527B2
The present invention belongs to the fields of pharmacology, medicine and medicinal chemistry. The present invention provides novel pharmaceutical compositions composed of solid nanoparticles dispersed in aqueous medium of substantially water insoluble pharmaceutical substances such as docetaxel with reduced Ostwald ripening.
US08728524B2
New biomaterials consisting of a combination of sulphated hyaluronic acid and gellan (as well as gellan that has not been associated with other polymers), to be used as a highly effective barrier to prevent post-surgical adhesions in abdominal, pelvic and, above all, spine surgery.
US08728520B2
A biocompatible capsule comprising a biological material encapsulated by a covalently stabilized coating and a method of making the same are disclosed. The biological material can be a material selected from the group consisting of cells, such as islets of Langerhans, pharmaceuticals, and biological agents. The coating can be formed by reacting an alginate-[polyalkylene glycol (PAG)-X1]n, and a multi-functional PAG-X2, to form covalent bonds, wherein n is an integer greater than 0, a first one of X1 and X2 is N3, and a second one of X1 and X2 is selected from the group consisting of: wherein R1=CH3, CH2CH3, CH(CH3)2, R2=N(CH3)2, OCH3, OH, CH3, H, F, Cl, Br or NO2, and R3=OCH3, CH3, H, F, Cl or NO2.
US08728514B2
Disclosed is a transdermal preparation containing a hydrophobic drug. As a method of continuing the high drug permeation, it is used an unique hydrophilic polymer system in which the drug can be contained in a high concentration under no water environment, a solubility of the hydrophobic drug is decreased as the water is introduced to the patch from the skin, so that the drug is maintained at the saturation concentration even though the drug content is decreased as the drug is permeated to the skin. During the application of the transdermal preparation to the skin, it is possible to continuously permeate the high amount of drug, to maintain the sufficient adhesion during the use and to minimize the skin side effect, because the hydrophilic polymer absorbs the water from the skin. The hydrophilic polymer system can serve the function thereof through the hydrophobic adhesive layer capable of preventing the water quickly absorbed from the skin from being evaporated to the outside of the patch.
US08728503B2
Provided is an emulsified cosmetic composition having an excellent UV-protective effect, an excellent transparent feeling, an excellent feeling upon application, and an excellent long-term stability. The emulsified cosmetic composition is characterized by containing a powder which is produced by subjecting a zinc oxide powder (A) having an average particle diameter of 0.1 to 1 μm, an average particle thickness of 0.01 to 0.2 μm, and an average aspect ratio of 3 or more to surface treatment with a silane or silazane compound having a C1-20 alkyl or fluoroalkyl group and having reactivity with an inorganic oxide.
US08728501B2
The invention discloses composite materials, comprising an inorganic nonmetallic mineral as a support and a nanotitania layer loaded on the support, wherein the layer is comprised of a plurality of titania nanospheres, and the titania nanosphere is comprised of a plurality of nanotitania single particles. The invention also discloses composite materials further comprising one or more functional layers loaded on the nanotitania layer. The above composite materials may not only take advantage of the high refractive index and the high covering power of the nanotitania layer, but also make use of the good photocatalytic activity of the small single nanoparticles. Furthermore, the composite materials can be more readily coated by other functional layer(s) to prepare functionally strengthened or multi-functional composite materials. The invention also discloses methods for preparing the composite materials. The composite materials may be used as an additive with good compatibility in various industrial fields.
US08728500B2
The invention relates to a physiologically acceptable composition, especially a cosmetic composition, comprising (a) at least one polyorganosiloxane containing polymer comprising at least one moiety which comprises at least one polyorganosiloxane group consisting of 1 to about 1000 organosiloxane units in the chain of the moiety or in the form of graft, and at least two groups capable of establishing hydrogen interactions; (b) at least one volatile alcohol; and (c) at least one thickening agent, as well as to methods of using such compositions and kits containing such compositions.
US08728494B2
The present invention provides a sprayable gel-type skin/mucosa-adhesive preparation comprising a gel formulation which contains an active pharmaceutical ingredient in a gel base material comprising a skin/mucosa-adhesive agent and an administration system comprising the preparation.
US08728488B2
The invention encompasses nucleic acid molecules containing transcription units which encode the flavivirus M and E protein antigens. The flaviviruses include Japanese encephalitis virus, dengue, yellow fever virus and St. Louis encephalitis virus. The nucleic acids function to provide the M and E protein antigens when the nucleic acid resides in an appropriate host cell, especially when the host cell is the cell of a subject. The invention also encompasses a vaccine whose active agent is the nucleic acid. The invention further encompasses the cultured host cells when they contain within them nucleic acid molecules containing the transcription units. The invention in addition encompasses a method of immunizing a subject against flavivirus infection by administering to the subject an effective amount of a vaccine containing a nucleic acid molecule containing the transcription unit of the invention.
US08728482B2
Disclosed are humanized antibodies that bind specifically to TNF superfamily member 15 (TNFSF15), also known as TL1A. Methods of making and using the anti-TL1A antibodies are also described. The humanized antibodies may be antagonists and may used to treat or diagnose conditions associated with TL1A function.
US08728479B2
Disclosed herein are recombinant protein scaffolds and recombinant multifunctional protein scaffolds for use in producing antigen-binding proteins In addition, nucleic acids encoding such recombinant protein scaffolds, recombinant multifunctional protein scaffolds, and antigen-binding proteins are provided Vectors and cells useful for expression of the described proteins are also provided, as are methods of use.
US08728473B2
Antibodies and antibody fragments thereof with binding specificity to human Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) and methods of use for treating pain. Methods of treating pain or eliciting an analgesic effect comprising administering an effective amount of an anti-human NGF antibody or antibody fragment thereof, which inhibits the association of NGF with TrkA, and/or p75. These methods may optionally further comprising administering an effective amount of a second anti-human NGF antibody or fragment thereof (e.g., one which inhibits the association of NGF with p75, or one that inhibits the association of NGF with TrkA.)
US08728450B2
Disclosed is a hair conditioning composition comprising: (a) a quaternized silicone polymer; (b) a grafted silicone copolyol; (c) a cationic surfactant system comprising a dialkyl quaternized ammonium salt cationic surfactant; (d) a high melting point fatty compound; and (e) an aqueous carrier. The present invention can provide improved conditioning benefits such as smooth feel and reduced friction in conditioning compositions using dialkyl quaternized ammonium salt cationic surfactants.
US08728445B2
Hydrogel compositions are provided (a) that have a continuous hydrophobic phase and a discontinuous hydrophilic phase, (b) that have a discontinuous hydrophilic phase and a continuous hydrophilic phase, or (c) that are entirely composed of a continuous hydrophilic phase. The hydrophobic phase, if present, is composed of a hydrophobic polymer, particularly a hydrophobic pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA), a plasticizing elastomer, a tackifying resin, and an optional antioxidant. The discontinuous hydrophilic phase, if present, is composed of a crosslinked hydrophilic polymer, particularly a crosslinked cellulosic polymer such as crosslinked sodium carboxymethylcellulose. For those hydrogel compositions containing a continuous hydrophilic phase, the components of the phase include a cellulose ester composition or an acrylate polymer or copolymer, and a blend of a hydrophilic polymer and a complementary oligomer capable of hydrogen bonding thereto. Films prepared from hydrogel compositions containing or entirely composed of the aforementioned continuous hydrophilic phase can be made translucent, and may be prepared using either melt extrusion or solution casting. A preferred use of the hydrogel compositions is in wound dressings, although numerous other uses are possible as well.
US08728443B2
A method of producing a nicotine delivery product includes a mixture having nicotine, a cation exchange resin and water. The water content of the mixture is between 5 and 75 wt. % relative to the whole mixture. The mixture is combined with further components of the nicotine delivery product.
US08728440B2
The present invention provides a trialkoxysilanes having structure I wherein R1 and R2 are independently at each occurrence a C1-C3 alkyl group; R3 is independently at each occurrence a hydrogen or a C1-C3 alkyl group; R4 is a C1-C5 aliphatic radical, a C7-C12 aromatic radical, or a C5-C10 cycloaliphatic group; n is 0, 1, 2 or 3; q is 1, 2 or 3; and X− represents a charge balancing counterion. The trialkoxysilanes are useful for the preparation of nanoparticulate diagnostic imaging agent compositions.
US08728439B2
A system and method for indirectly measuring calcium ion efflux from a cell of a subject by using manganese ions as a surrogate marker for calcium is disclosed. Manganese ion efflux is measured with a MEMRI T1-mapping method while the calcium-sodium exchanger is inhibited.
US08728435B2
Catalyst/catalyst support composition essentially consist of oxides of zirconium, cerium and lanthanum and of another rare earth selected from among yttrium, gadolinium and samarium, having a proportion of the lanthanum oxide and the oxide of the other rare earth of at least 15% and specific surfaces of at least 40 m2/g and at least 15 m2/g after calcination respectively for 4 hours at 1,000° C. and 10 hours at 1,150° C.; after calcination for 10 hours at 1,200° C. these have a surface of at least 7 m2/g and such surface is at least 5 m2/g for an embodiment in which after 10 hours of calcination at 1,150° C. the composition is in the form of a pure solid solution.
US08728432B2
A method of producing a surface-treated carbon black powder dispersion includes subjecting carbon black fine particles having a volume average particle size of 100 nm to 20 μm to wet granulation and drying by heating to obtain granulated carbon black having a hardness of 12 cN or less and a pH of less than 7, grinding the granulated carbon black to obtain a ground product having a volume average particle size of 20 nm to 20 μm, and subjecting the ground product to wet oxidization in an aqueous medium. The resulting surface-treated carbon black powder dispersion exhibits excellent print density, print quality, discharge stability, and storage stability when used as an inkjet printer aqueous black ink.
US08728430B2
The present disclosure is directed to a method for producing SWCNT from endothermic carbon-containing feedstock, such as, methane gas, using an activated alumina supported Fe:Mo catalyst. The SWCNT growth temperature is less than about 560° C., and the catalyst is activated by exposure to a reducing atmosphere at a temperature greater than about 900° C.
US08728428B1
Techniques for converting a portion of a carbonate to hydroxide include receiving an alkaline carbonate solution that includes between 0.1M (moles per liter of solution) to 4.0M hydroxide and between 0.1M to 4.1M carbonate; reacting, in a slaking process, quicklime (CaO) and a low carbonate content fluid to yield a slurry of primarily slaked lime (Ca(OH)2); and reacting the Ca(OH)2 slurry and the alkaline carbonate solution to grow calcium carbonate (CaCO3) crystal aggregates of 0.0005 mm3 to 5 mm3 in volume in a fluidized-bed reactive crystallizer.
US08728426B2
The invention relates to a hybrid reverse flow catalytic apparatus having two reaction zones: a homogeneous reaction zone in porous ceramic and a heterogeneous reaction zone with catalyst, arranged in two different catalyst beds. A first catalytic bed located in a central region of the reactor is provided with a low activity catalyst and a second catalyst bed located in a peripheral region of the reactor is provided with a high activity catalyst. The provision of two catalyst beds containing different catalysts reduces the effect of radial temperature gradients in the reactor and improves the overall efficiency of the reactor. The invention also relates to method of performing catalytic and thermochemical reactions in said apparatus.
US08728422B2
System to reduce the amount of NOx in exhaust gases of a vehicle. The system includes a storage space 1 containing an agent, a SCR catalytic converter 5, an injection module 6c to inject the agent upstream of the converter, a heat exchanger 2 containing a porous matrix, a shutter or injector 11 to control the flow rate of the agent to the exchanger, a valve 12 between the storage space and exchanger, to transfer thermal energy to gases during the starting period. The shutter or injector controls the flow of agent into the exchanger during the starting period to raise its temperature, and is closed when gases have reached a certain temperature. The valve regulates exchanger pressure during a period at operating temperature and conveys the agent to storage space when the exchanger pressure is higher than storage space pressure.
US08728420B2
A wet scrubber for removal of at least one gaseous pollutant from an effluent gas includes an inlet opening. A gas distributor is arranged in a wet scrubber housing and comprises a diffuser having a cover plate. The cover plate is arranged in the path of the effluent gas flowing into the wet scrubber housing. The diffuser has at least one diffuser channel for transporting the effluent gas from the inlet opening into the wet scrubber housing.
US08728415B2
A microtitration plate for use for automated polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is provided. The microtitration plate includes a frame which has a plate with a multiplicity of holes molded of a polypropylene or a polycarbonate. The microtitration plate further includes a multiplicity of receptacles made of the same polypropylene or polycarbonate. The receptacles are fixedly connected to the plate at the holes by fusing the same polypropylene or polycarbonate thereby directly molding the receptacles to the plate Each receptacle has a receiving portion protruding from the underside of the plate, and is accessible from the upper surface of the plate through apertures.
US08728412B2
A method for reducing the emissions from combustion gases produced during a combustion process includes injecting a hydrocarbon-based reducing agent into the combustion gases to form a combustion gas mixture. The combustion gas mixture including oxides of nitrogen, NOx, is directed through a selective catalyst reduction (SCR) system including a catalyst bed to remove NOx from the combustion gas mixture and to produce an exhaust gas. In one embodiment, the exhaust gases are released from the SCR to the atmosphere.
US08728408B2
The nozzle (3) is in its lower part formed respectively for receiving a pipette exchangeable tip (19) and is in its upper part releasably connected with the holder (2). In the holder (2) a pressure sleeve (6) is placed as being slidably borne in the holder (2). The pressure sleeve (6) is via a pressure sub-assembly seated in the holder (2) pressed to the sealing means placed between the pressure sleeve (6) and the nozzle (3). The plunger (1) is slidably borne in the pressure sleeve (6) and in the pressure sub-assembly. Due to this, leakproofness of the plunger (1) in the nozzle (3), which is indispensable for a correct and reliable pipette operation, is provided in PIPETTING, ADJUSTMENT or CALIBRATION MODES of the pipette. Simultaneously, in MAINTENANCE MODE of the pipette the sealing means automatically slide out from an abutting surface (2c) of the holder (2).
US08728400B2
Collection enhanced materials, flue gas additives, and methods of making the enhanced materials and flue gas additives are provided. In one embodiment, a down stream addition system configured to control material passing through a metering device from a vessel to a gaseous exhaust path extending between a unit and an exhaust flue of the unit is provided. In alternative embodiments, methods are provided for introducing at least one of a flue gas additive and a collection enhanced material to a gaseous exhaust stream exiting a unit; exposing and removing at least a portion of at least one a of flue gas additive and a collection enhanced material from a gaseous exhaust stream exiting a unit prior to entering an exhaust flue; and recycling at least a portion of material removed a from a gaseous exhaust stream exiting a unit back to the gaseous exhaust stream without passing through the unit.
US08728399B2
The invention relates to a light source for irradiating molecules present in a detection volume with one or more selected wavelengths of light and directing the fluorescence, absorbance, transmittance, scattering onto one or more detectors. Molecular interactions with the light allow for the identification and quantitation of participating chemical moieties in reactions utilizing physical or chemical tags, most typically fluorescent and chromophore labels. The invention can also use the light source to separately and simultaneously irradiate a plurality of capillaries or other flow confining structures with one or more selected wavelengths of light and separately and simultaneously detect fluorescence produced within the capillaries or other flow confining structures. In various embodiments, the flow confining structures can allow separation or transportation of molecules and include capillary, micro bore and milli bore flow systems. The capillaries are used to separate molecules that are chemically tagged with appropriate fluorescent or chromophore groups.
US08728397B2
A substance detection device, including a chemical substance analyzer, including an ion mobility spectrometer (IMS), a desorber, a conduit, and a membrane. The membrane extends across a cross-section of the conduit, and the membrane is positioned to have a desorber side in gas communication with the desorber and an analysis side opposite the desorber side. The substance detection device can be configured to direct a portion of a chemical substance to the desorber through the conduit so that at least a portion of the entrained chemical substance is transferred to the membrane by interacting with the desorber side of the membrane. The membrane is adapted to diffuse at least a portion of the chemical substance transferred to the membrane through the membrane to the analysis side. The device also includes a particle separator including a protuberance extending into a collection chamber of the particle separator.
US08728392B2
The method of using an amine compound represented by the formula NH2—(CH2)m—O—(CH2)n—OH, where each of m and n is an integer of 1 to 3, as a boiler anti-corrosive.
US08728391B2
A manufacturing method includes providing a component, such as a superalloy aircraft component, with a substrate surface having damaged brittle compound particles from machining. The manufacturing method removes the damaged compound particles from the substrate surface without producing significant amount of new damaged compound particles in the substrate surface. In one example, the damaged compound particles are removed with an abrasive media. The method results in a machined substrate surface free from damaged intermetallic component particles.
US08728384B2
A process and a device for charging a primary product for pig iron into a smelting unit are provided. According to the process and device, some of the primary product that has been formed by reducing oxidic iron carriers is stored in the hot state in a reservoir tank before being supplied into the storage device or charging device that is directly connected to the smelting unit.
US08728383B2
A ceramic composite material is comprised of a fabric of fibers of an inorganic substance; and a matrix for combining the fibers. The matrix consists essentially of a ceramic. The matrix is formed by burying the fabric in a mixture of a powder of carbon, a powder of silicon and a medium including an organic solvent, producing an oscillation in the mixture to impregnate the fabric with the mixture, and calcining the fabric impregnated with the mixture.
US08728382B2
In one aspect of the invention, a method of forming polycrystalline diamond comprises providing a can assembly comprising a preform of diamond powder with a first catalyst, the preform being adjacent a solid substrate with a second catalyst. The pressure and/or temperature on the can assembly increases until the first catalyst and carbon from the diamond powder begin to form a melting composition within the preform. The pressure and temperature may be held substantially constant on the can assembly until the melting composition has catalyzed crystalline growth in at least a portion of the preform. The pressure and/or temperature are then increased on the assembly until the second catalyst within the substrate is released into the preform.
US08728378B2
A system for mounting an injection molding system actuator to a manifold and a clamp plate comprising: a mount comprised of a thermally conductive material having first and second thermally conductive surfaces, the actuator being mounted to the first thermally conductive surface in thermal communication with the second thermally conductive surface, the clamp plate being mounted in thermal communication with the second thermally conductive surface, the actuator being mounted in thermal communication with the heated manifold; wherein the clamp plate, manifold and mold are assembled together with the actuator and the mount in an assembled operating arrangement such that the second thermally conductive surface is in compressed contact with the clamp plate under a spring force.
US08728367B2
The invention relates to a method for producing extruded profiled elements (3) from an elastomer material. In said method, the extruded profiled element (3) is formed from the elastomer material in a first step, the extruded profiled element (3) is entirely or partly surrounded by a thermoplastic material, the elastomer material that is surrounded by the thermoplastic material is cured, and the thermoplastic material is finally removed again once the elastomer material has been cured.
US08728360B2
[Object] An apparatus and a method for producing optical sheeting with which increased productivity can be achieved while maintaining the accuracy of produced optical sheeting.[Solution]An apparatus 1 for producing optical sheeting includes: a first rotating roll R1 configured to be heated; a second rotating roll R2; a first belt mold S1 that has molds for optical elements on a surface thereof, and is configured to turn around the first rotating roll and the second rotating roll; a sheet feeding means D2 configured to feed synthetic resin sheeting onto a surface of the first belt mold S1, a second belt mold S2 configured to be pressed against the first belt mold S1 and to turn with the turning of the first belt mold S1; and at least two pressure rolls R3 and R5 around which the second belt mold S2 is mounted and which is configured to press the second belt mold S2 against the first belt mold S1, wherein the pressure roll R5 is arranged at a position where the second belt mold S2 comes away from the first belt mold S1 and cooled at a surface thereof.
US08728359B2
Fire retardant materials are provided that contain carbon nanotubes and particles capable of endothermically reacting when exposed to elevated temperatures. The carbon nanotubes may be a buckypaper. Methods also are provided for making a fire retardant material and for improving the fire retardation capabilities of a material.
US08728356B2
The present disclosure provides a thermoelectric material which can be formed into a flexible and thin type material. The thermoelectric material is a composite that includes a binder resin, thermoelectric material particles dispersed in the binder resin, and fine metal particles supported on a surface of the thermoelectric material particles.
US08728352B2
An electrical connection material between conductors includes about 40 wt % to about 80 wt % of a urethane-modified acrylate resin, based on a total weight of the electrical connection material, the electrical connection material exhibiting, after curing, a tensile elongation of about 100% to about 500% and a yield point strain of about 10% to about 50% in a stress-strain curve.
US08728350B2
There are provided a method for producing metal nanoparticles including preparing a first solution including a metal precursor, an amine, and a non-aqueous solvent; producing metal nanoparticles capped with amine by heating, agitating, and reducing the first solution; preparing a second solution by washing a non-reactive amine among the produced metal nanoparticles and dispersing the metal nanoparticles in the non-aqueous solvent; and partially capping an acid on the metal nanoparticles dispersed by adding the acid to the second solution and heating and agitating it, an ink composition using the same, and a method for producing the same. The exemplary embodiments of the present invention can provide a method for producing metal nanoparticles having surface stability, excellent adhesion, an effect of reducing cracks by modifying the substituents of metal nanoparticles, an ink composition using the same, and a method for producing the same.
US08728349B2
An overall lead-free X-ray shielding rubber compound material. The overall lead-free X-ray shielding rubber compound material uses rare earth mixture to replace lead, simultaneously adds metal tin and compounds thereof, metal tungsten and compounds thereof and bismuth and compounds thereof as shielding main materials and is further compounded with rubber to prepare the compound material which can realize the overall shielding and the complete lead-free property within the energy range of 40-170 kVp. When rare earth and bismuth materials are used, the way of combined use of two metal element inorganic compounds and unsaturated organic complexes is adopted, and the in-situ reaction and the compounding with a polymer matrix are carried out, thereby leading the shielding element disperse phase to form nano-micro-level dispersed particles.
US08728345B2
The present invention relates to stable, zero or low VOC epoxy-containing polysiloxane oligomer compositions that provide for a high degree of chemical resistance to compositions containing organic resins, while at the same time, maintaining or improving the flexibility of these organic resin-containing compositions, to processes for preparing epoxy-containing polysiloxane oligomer compositions, and to uses in coatings, sealants, adhesives, and composites containing the same.
US08728340B2
The method of manufacturing the thermoelectric material including a plurality of phases that are phase-separated from a supersaturated solid solution includes: a process of performing a mechanical alloying treatment to a starting raw material that is prepared with a composition deviated from a composition range existing in an equilibrium state of a compound to generate the supersaturated solid solution; and a process of performing phase separation into the plurality of phases and solidification by heating and pressing the supersaturated solid solution, or by further performing a heat treatment according to the circumstances.
US08728335B2
A silsesquioxane resin is applied over the patterned photo-resist and cured at the pattern surface to produce a cured silsesquioxane resin on the pattern surface. The uncured silsesquioxane resin layer is then removed leaving the cured silsesquioxane resin on the pattern surface. The cured silsesquioxane resin on horizontal surfaces is removed to expose the underlying photo-resist. This photo-resist is removed leaving a pattern of cured silsesquioxane. Optionally, the new pattern can be transferred into the underlying layer(s).
US08728331B2
A method of fabricating an imprint mold is disclosed. The method includes: forming a first photo resist pattern on a substrate; etching the substrate using the first photo resist pattern as an etch mask to form a first pattern in the substrate; ashing the first photo resist pattern to form a second photo resist pattern; and etching the substrate using the second photo resist pattern to form a second pattern derived from the substrate and a third pattern derived from the first pattern.
US08728326B2
The invention relates to a polymer comprising structural units of formula and formula wherein R1, R2, R5 and R6 are independently hydrogen, a methyl group, or —COOH, only one of R1 and R2 or R5 and R6 is —COOH; R3 and R7 are independently hydrogen, or a methyl group; R4 is —COOH, —CONH2 or —OH, when R4 is —OH, R1, R2 and R3 are respectively hydrogen; and R8 is —COO, —CONH, or —O—, when R8 is —O—, R5, R6 and R7 are respectively hydrogen. Methods for preparing and using the polymer are also described herein.
US08728317B2
A device which is suitable for treating a fluid comprises an elongated foil formed of a plurality of foil layers arranged in zigzag fashion, wherein a first foil layer is connected to a second foil layer at a first end. The second foil layer is connected to a third foil layer at a second end remote from the first end. Spacers are arranged between said foil layers. The spacer comprises a mesh-like layer, through which fluid can flow in the plane of the mesh-like layer as well as transversely to the plane of the mesh-like layer.
US08728315B2
A system, method and device are disclosed for bio-processing a feed stream and providing a constant output by operating a continuous single-pass tangential-flow process. The single-pass process provides high conversion concentration while operating at relatively low feed flow rates, and the process can also be used to provide constant output diafiltration.
US08728307B2
A whirlpool skimming device removes surface debris from a pool by creating a whirlpool having an upper bound at the surface of the pool. The uppermost portion of the whirlpool is free standing and is not bounded by the device. The device includes an outer cup-shaped portion and an inner cup-shaped portion coaxially disposed therein. An opening is disposed in the bottom of the inner cup-shaped portion which communicates with a source of suction which is preferably a Venturi tube feeding the outlet water to a filter bag. There is a first nozzle supplying water at an upper, inner edge of the inner cup-shaped portion at a slightly downward angle in a first direction, and there is a second nozzle supplying water at a lower, outer edge of the inner cup-shaped portion and mounted on an opposite side of the inner cup-shaped portion. The device causes coaxial rotational flow patterns relative to the inner cup-shaped portion, in which the outer rotational flow takes an upwardly spiral path outside the inner cup-shaped portion, and the inner rotational flow takes a downwardly spiral path inside the inner cup-shaped portion of the device.
US08728305B2
The systems and methods described herein provide for extracting bitumen from oil sands at ambient or subambient temperature, for example at temperatures between 0 degrees Centigrade and about 20 degrees Centigrade. The process includes the steps of forming a slurry by mixing the oil sands with water, adding an extractant to the slurry, agitating the extractant with the slurry, and collecting bitumen that separates from the slurry.
US08728303B2
Trace element levels of heavy metals in crude oil are reduced by contacting the crude oil with an oxidizing agent, extracting heavy metals into a water phase for subsequent separation from the crude oil. The oxidizing agent is selected from the group of hydroperoxides, organic peroxides, inorganic peracids and salts thereof, organic peracids and salts thereof, and ozone. In one embodiment, the oxidizing agent converts heavy metals into the heavy metal cations in a water-oil emulsion, which can be subsequently separated from the crude oil, for a treated crude oil having reduced levels of heavy metals. In one embodiment, at least a complexing agent can be added to facilitate the removal by forming soluble heavy metal complexes in the water phase.
US08728297B2
A sensor utilizing a non-leachable or diffusible redox mediator is described. The sensor includes a sample chamber to hold a sample in electrolytic contact with a working electrode, and in at least some instances, the sensor also contains a non-leachable or a diffusible second electron transfer agent. The sensor and/or the methods used produce a sensor signal in response to the analyte that can be distinguished from a background signal caused by the mediator. The invention can be used to determine the concentration of a biomolecule, such as glucose or lactate, in a biological fluid, such as blood or serum, using techniques such as coulometry, amperometry, and potentiometry. An enzyme capable of catalyzing the electrooxidation or electroreduction of the biomolecule is typically provided as a second electron transfer agent.
US08728294B2
An anodizing method in which a workpiece made of aluminum or aluminum alloy is immersed in an electrolytic solution, and treatment is performed in which the application of positive voltage for a very short period of time and the removal of charges are repeated alternately between the workpiece and a cathode arranged in the electrolytic solution includes a step of performing treatment in which the positive voltage application and the charge removal are repeated in a tentative cycle, measuring the control point arrival time of a current waveform at the positive voltage application period, and determining normal positive voltage application time based on the control point arrival time; and a step of performing treatment in which the application of positive voltage and the removal of charges are repeated in a cycle corresponding to the normal positive voltage application time, and forming an anodized film on the surface of the workpiece.
US08728286B2
A method of manufacturing a sample for an atom probe analysis of the invention is made one going through a step of manufacturing a concave/convex structure in both of a base needle and a transplantation sample piece by an etching working of an FIB, a step of jointing mutual members, and a step of bonding such that the concave/convex structure becomes a mesh form by a deposition working of the FIB.
US08728285B2
A method of deposition of a transparent conductive film from a metallic target is presented. A method of forming a transparent conductive oxide film according to embodiments of the present invention include depositing the transparent conductive oxide film in a pulsed DC reactive ion process with substrate bias, and controlling at least one process parameter to affect at least one characteristic of the conductive oxide film. The resulting transparent oxide film, which in some embodiments can be an indium-tin oxide film, can exhibit a wide range of material properties depending on variations in process parameters. For example, varying the process parameters can result in a film with a wide range of resistive properties and surface smoothness of the film.
US08728283B2
Process for forming a film, piezoelectric film, piezoelectric device, and liquid discharge apparatus
Film formation conditions are determined in accordance with relationships among a film formation temperature Ts (° C.), a difference Vs−Vf (V), which is the difference between a plasma potential Vs (V) in the plasma at the time of the film formation and a floating potential Vf (V), and characteristics of the formed film. For a piezoelectric film containing at least one kind of Pb-containing perovskite type oxide, the film formation conditions should preferably be determined within a range such that Formulas (1) and (2) shown below are satisfied: Ts(° C.)≧400 (1) −0.2Ts+100
US08728280B2
An industrial fabric such as an endless belt or sleeve for use in the production of nonwovens, and a method of making thereof are disclosed. The industrial fabric is produced by spirally winding strips of polymeric material, such as an industrial strapping or ribbon material, and joining the adjoining sides of the strips of material using ultrasonic welding or laser welding techniques. The fabric may then be perforated using a suitable technique to make it permeable to air and/or water.
