US08760592B2
A light deflecting apparatus includes first and second light deflecting liquid crystal cells, each corresponding to each eye of a user and each comprising a liquid crystal layer including liquid crystal molecules with positive dielectric anisotropy and exhibiting a cholesteric blue phase when no voltage is applied, a pair of transparent substrates sandwiching the liquid crystal layer, a pair of transparent electrodes each being formed above each transparent substrate, a prism layer formed above one of the transparent substrates, and a driving device switching between a first state wherein the first and the second light deflecting liquid crystal cells are respectively in a homeotropic phase and a cholesteric blue phase, and a second state wherein the first and the second light deflecting liquid crystal cells are respectively in a cholesteric blue phase and a homeotropic phase.
US08760590B2
A control key unit attachment structure includes a control key unit, a base component, a retainer, an engagement member, a board receiver, and a positioning member. A frame of the control key unit is placed on the base component. The retainer and the base component sandwiches the frame of the control key unit in a first direction of the frame therebetween. The engagement member engages with the frame of the control key unit. The board receiver and the engagement member clamp the frame of the control key unit in a second direction of the frame therebetween. The positioning member positions the frame of the control key unit with respect to the board receiver in a third direction of the frame.
US08760575B2
The computer readable storage medium includes computer executable instructions for implementing a videodescription player module. The computer executable instructions implementing a user interface for selecting one or more videodescription output options among a plurality of videodescription output options. A videodescription player module generates a videodescription output that includes vocal communication information according to the selected output option.
US08760572B2
A method for constructing an image includes acquiring image data in a first domain. The acquired image data is transformed from the first domain into a second domain in which the acquired image data exhibits a high degree of sparsity. An initial set of transform coefficients is approximated for transforming the image data from the second domain into a third domain in which the image may be displayed. The approximated initial set of transform coefficients is updated based on a weighing of where substantial transform coefficients are likely to be located relative to the initial set of transform coefficients. An image is constructed in the third domain based on the updated set of transform coefficients. The constructed image is displayed.
US08760569B2
An external lens device mounted in front of an internal camera of a portable electronic device includes an external lens and a positioning mechanism. The positioning mechanism includes a fixing element defining an opening and a sliding element fixing the external lens. The fixing element is slidably mounted on the portable electronic device to enable the opening to align with the internal camera. The sliding element is slidably mounted on the fixing element to enable the external lens to align with the opening and the internal camera. A portable electronic device using the external lens device is also described.
US08760568B2
An image pickup apparatus capable of achieving in-focus photographing with a reduced time lag. A system controller of the image pickup apparatus detects an in-focus state of image while moving a focus lens in an optical axis direction, and detects a state of a photographing scene at image acquisition. When detecting a change in photographing scene, the system controller moves the focus lens to a movement start position. When detecting that a photographing scene has been decided by a photographer, the controller detects an in-focus state while moving the focus lens.
US08760562B2
A camera (1), in particular in a space vehicle, having a housing (2) which contains at least one optically sensitive exposure surface (7), and a base lens (9), having a first fixed focal length, connected thereto in each case, and which projects on the at least one exposure surface (7) and which is situated on a first optical axis (10) for the exposure surface (7). To provide the camera with various fields of view, in particular for the approach of two satellites toward one another over large distances, at least two afocal supplementary lenses (11, 12) which are each parallel with respect to their optical axes (15, 16) and spaced at a distance from the first optical axis (10) are situated in the housing (2), whose optical paths are alternately coupleable with the aid of a pivotable prism (17), to form further fixed focal lengths in an optical path of the base lens (9).
US08760561B2
Image data of a scene is captured. Spectral profile information is obtained for the scene. A database of plural spectral profiles is accessed, each of which maps a material to a corresponding spectral profile reflected therefrom. The spectral profile information for the scene is matched against the database, and materials for objects in the scene are identified by using matches between the spectral profile information for the scene against the database. Metadata which identifies materials for objects in the scene is constructed, and the metadata is embedded with the image data for the scene.
US08760560B2
An imaging apparatus includes: an imaging optical system having an aperture; an imaging device that outputs an image signal; an electronic shading processing portion that adds an electronic shading to a photographic image corresponding to the image signal; and a control portion which determines whether or not an optical shading can be added to the photographic image based on the imaging condition, the control portion controlling the aperture and adding the optical shading when the optical shading can be added, and the control portion controlling the electronic shading processing portion and adding the electronic shading when it is difficult to add the optical shading.
US08760554B2
An apparatus for processing image, includes an input unit for inputting user operation information, a recording medium for recording moving image data, a data processor for retrieving data recorded on the recording medium and generating display data in response to an input to the input unit, and a display unit for displaying the display data. The data processor selects a frame containing an image of a person's face from a scene as a moving image recording unit recorded on the recording medium, generates a thumbnail image of a face region extracted from the selected frame and displays on the display unit a list of generated thumbnail images arranged in a time-series order.
US08760546B2
While a drain power source of a reset transistor and a drain power source of an amplifying transistor are separated, the load of drain power source can be reduced by sharing a drain diffusion layer of the reset transistor and a drain diffusion layer of the amplifying transistor by adjacent cells in sharing pixel units. Further, an efficient pixel layout is provided by reducing the number of routing wires.
US08760544B2
The radiation image pickup apparatus of this invention can obtain an accurate temperature characteristic of dark current noise, the dark current noise being caused by dark current flowing through an X-ray conversion layer, by obtaining dark image signals at varied times for accumulating in capacitors charge signals converted by an X-ray converting layer. Consequently, the noise due to the dark current can be removed with high accuracy by removing periodically acquired offset signals from X-ray detection signals acquired at a time of X-ray image pickup, and correcting variations of the dark current noise due to a difference in temperature between a time of offset signal acquisition and the time of X-ray image pickup, using the temperature characteristic of the dark current noise.
US08760535B2
In an embodiment, computational complexity of estimating the actual illuminant of a scene is reduced by examining only a subset of the pixel values generated for a received image frame. In another embodiment, number of rotations of color values is minimized by selecting an area which contains the color cue values of a color in an original/unrotated coordinate space and has boundaries which parallel the axis of the original coordinate space, and rotating a color value only if the color value is within the selected area. In another embodiment, such an area is used in conjunction with a histogram-based approach to determine the actual illuminant.
US08760534B2
Image processing apparatus with function for specifying image quality, and method and storage medium
An image processing apparatus to be employed at an imaging device. An image acquisition section acquires data of an image. An input operation receiving section receives an operation for selection of an image region of the image data acquired by the image acquisition section. An image quality processing choosing section chooses image quality processing to be applied to the image data acquired by the image acquisition section in accordance with the image region received by the input operation receiving section. An image quality processing information presentation section presents information relating to the image quality processing chosen by the image quality processing decision section.
US08760528B2
An image capture apparatus capable of auto bracketing. When a capture count for the auto bracketing is N (N is an integer of not less than three), a total of N−1 correction values are set by at least one on each of a positive side and negative side with respect to a reference value, and the apparatus sequentially expands or narrows a correction width serving as a difference between the reference value and each of the N−1 correction values in accordance with user's operation. When the capture count is two, the reference value and one correction value are set, and the apparatus sequentially increases or decreases the one correction value within the predetermined range in accordance with user's operation.
US08760524B2
Provided is a method of correcting handshake in a digital image processing apparatus. The digital image processing apparatus includes a lens location detector for detecting a location of the focusing lens when a lens driving unit drives a photographing lens group; a handshake detector for detecting an amount of handshake from a signal representing a movement of the digital image processing apparatus; and a handshake correction unit for adjusting the lens driving unit according to a difference between the amount of handshake detected by the handshake detector and the location of the focusing lens detected by the lens location detector.
US08760517B2
One embodiment may take the form of a method for providing security for access to a goal including storing a first image and receiving a second image comprising polarized data. The method also includes comparing the first image with the second image to determine if the first image and the second image are substantially the same. In the event the first and second images are not substantially the same, the method includes denying access to the goal. In the event the first and second images are substantially the same, the method includes determining, utilizing the polarized information, if the second image is of a three-dimensional object. Further, in the event the second image is not of a three-dimensional object, the method includes denying access to the goal and, in the event the second image is of a three-dimensional object, permitting access to the goal.
US08760498B2
A method of processing disparity data for closed captions for three dimensional video involves receiving closed caption data including closed caption text within a first Standard service block having a service number in the range of 1-6; receiving closed caption disparity data within a Standard service block having a service number equal to n, where n is between 1 and 6; receiving a linkage field which associates each instance of said disparity data to a corresponding Standard service; parsing the disparity data from the closed caption data appearing in service number n; and processing the caption text and disparity data to produce an output suitable for defining a rendering of a three dimensional image on a display of the caption text at a z-axis position defined by the disparity data. This abstract is not to be considered limiting, since other embodiments may deviate from the features described in this abstract.
US08760497B2
A video processing device includes an input unit that receives a video signal for a left channel and a video signal for a right channel, a synchronization processing unit that performs a synchronization process used to correct mismatches between timings of the video signal for the left channel and the video signal for the right channel which are input to the input unit, a changing unit that changes video signal components of the video signal for the left channel and the video signal for the right channel which have undergone the synchronization process in the synchronization processing unit at an instructed timing and selects and outputs a synchronization signal component of either of the video signals, a control unit that performs setting for a video signal selected by the changing unit depending on an instructed mode, and an output unit that outputs the video signal selected by the changing unit.
US08760496B2
Methods and systems for presenting adjunct content during a presentation of a media content instance
An exemplary method includes an adjunct content presentation system including adjunct content within a first image of a media content instance and a second image of the media content instance by setting a pixel value of a first group of pixels included in the first image and a pixel value of a second group of pixels included in the second image and corresponding to the first group of pixels to each be greater than a predetermined neutral pixel value, including the adjunct content within a compensating image by setting a pixel value of a third group of pixels included in the compensating image and corresponding to the first and second groups of pixels to be less than the predetermined neutral pixel value, and presenting the first image, the second image, and the compensating image. Corresponding methods and systems are also disclosed.
US08760494B1
An imaging system for identifying camouflaged or concealed objects includes an image sensor for receiving at least a portion of reflected light from an interrogation region having foliage including at least an ultraviolet (UV) including band. The image sensor includes a 2-D photodetector array that has a plurality of photodetector pixels that provides sensitivity to the UV band. The 2-D photodetector array generates at least a first detection signal from at least the UV band. A green light filter can be added to exclude green light in the background from being detected. A processor for data processing is coupled to an output of the photodetector array that forms processed image data from at least the first detection signal. The processed image data can be used to generate a visual image that reveals camouflaged or concealed objects, or be used for automatic detection of camouflaged or concealed objects.
US08760484B2
An attachment mechanism of an optical scanner includes a supporting structure with an opening and a fixing member. The fixing member positions and fixes the optical scanner with a positioning boss held by the opening. The fixing member includes an annular part having an outer circumference face fitted in the opening and an internal circumference face fitted on the positioning boss. One of the internal circumference face and an outer circumference face of the positioning boss includes a projection and another includes a depression for insertion of the projection. A top face of the projection and/or a bottom face of the depression slope(s) slanted from the circumference. By inserting the positioning boss in the opening, fitting the annular part in the opening, and turning the fixing member to narrow a gap between the top face and bottom face, the optical scanner is fixed to the supporting structure.
US08760479B2
A liquid crystal display according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: first and second substrates opposed to each other; a liquid crystal layer including liquid crystal molecules interposed between the first and second substrates; a gate line formed on the first substrate and transmitting a gate signal; first and second data lines formed on the first substrate and transmitting first and second data voltages having different polarities; a first switching element connected to the gate line and the first data line; a second switching element connected to the gate line and the second data line; and first and second pixel electrodes that are connected to the first and second switching elements, respectively, and separated from each other, wherein the liquid crystal layer has positive dielectric anisotropy.
US08760477B2
A display system which includes a display controller, a display unit, and a light source is disclosed. The display controller includes a processor unit, a memory device, a voltage source and, optionally, a light source control unit. The display unit includes an array of pixel cells and circuitry to receive logic and control voltages and data and operate the display, a transparent counter electrode, and a liquid crystal layer disposed between the two alignment layers. The pixel cell includes a storage element, a DC balance control switch, a pixel voltage override circuit, an inverter able to select between two voltages available to it, and a pixel electrode/mirror. In different modes of operation the pixel mirror voltage may be determined by the storage element or by the pixel voltage override circuit. The display system may display images in one period and reset to a fixed state in another period.
US08760460B1
One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a technique for using a shared memory to store hardware-managed virtual buffers. A circular buffer is allocated within a general-purpose multi-use cache for storage of primitive attribute data rather than having a dedicated buffer for the storage of the primitive attribute data. The general-purpose multi-use cache is also configured to store other graphics data sinces the space requirement for primitive attribute data storage is highly variable, depending on the number of attributes and the size of primitives. Entries in the circular buffer are allocated as needed and released and invalidated after the primitive attribute data has been consumed. An address to the circular buffer entry is transmitted along with primitive descriptors from object-space processing to the distributed processing in screen-space.
US08760458B2
A scan-type display device control circuit is suitable for receiving successive frame data and driving a light-emitting diode (LED) display device accordingly. The scan-type display device control circuit includes a ping-pong buffer, a data storage controller, a line scan controller, a display buffer, and a scrambled pulse width modulation (PMW) signal generating device. The scan-type display device control circuit can utilize frame data circularly and repeatedly, so as to prevent a great mass of data from being transmitted repeatedly. Therefore, a band width for inputting data can be reduced significantly. Furthermore, the scrambled PMW signal generating device can scramble a PMW signal with a long period into a plurality of scrambled PMW signals with a short period. Therefore, the refresh rate can be efficiently enhanced without changing the band width for inputting data.
US08760443B2
A gates-line driving circuit of a display device includes a plurality of stages that are serially connected to each other, where each stage includes a plurality of transistors and a plurality of capacitors and receives a scanning start signal, a plurality of clock signals, and first and second gate-off voltages Voff1 and Voff2 of different magnitudes, where some of the transistors are turned off with the first gate-off voltage, and others of the transistors are turned off with the second gate-off voltage.
US08760438B2
A method, system, and computer-readable storage medium for simulating bristle brush behavior in an image editing application may use stiffness-height parameterization to determine the height of a brush tool above a canvas during a brush stroke. The determination may be dependent on the pressure applied during the stroke (e.g., using a stylus on a pressure-sensitive tablet), and on the stiffness of the brush bristles. The system may select a standard-stiffness or high-stiffness mapping between stylus pressure values and brush height values dependent whether the bristle stiffness value is above or below a pre-determined threshold. The standard-stiffness mapping may apply a linear function to pressure values to determine height values. Using the high-stiffness mapping, the effect of increased pressure on corresponding brush height values may be reduced as bristle stiffness is increased. Adjusting pressure-to-height mapping based on stiffness may allow the system to realistically mimic the behavior of stiff bristle brushes.
US08760431B2
An embodiment of the present invention provides a display apparatus including: a first substrate; an optical layer on the first substrate, the optical layer comprising a plurality of pixels for displaying an image and an array of optical sensors for detecting a contact location on the display apparatus; and a contact detector detecting whether or not the display apparatus is touched.
US08760420B2
A mobile phone handset includes a mode switching unit and a configuration detection sensor, so that the operating mode of the mobile phone handset can be switched. The mode switching unit has a switching program installed, and is a computer for executing a prescribed process in accordance with the switching program when a signal is input from the configuration detection sensor. The configuration detection sensor is a sensor for detecting the configuration of the mobile phone handset, and for example may use an angular sensor for detecting the relative angle about a rotation axis between a first casing and a second casing.
US08760419B2
A touch substrate includes a base substrate, a first sensing element and a first variable voltage part. The first sensing element senses a first light and includes a first active pattern disposed on the base substrate, a first sensing source electrode disposed on the first active pattern, a first sensing drain electrodes disposed on the first active pattern and spaced apart from the first sensing source electrode, and a first sensing gate electrode disposed on the first sensing source electrode and the first sensing drain electrode. The first variable part provides at least one of a first sensing gate voltage and a second sensing gate voltage to the first sensing gate electrode based on reception of the first light, where a level of the second sensing gate voltage is higher than a level of the first sensing gate voltage.
US08760414B2
A mobile terminal including a first body, a second body slidably coupled with the first body such that the second body is slidably moved in a widthwise direction to implement an opened and closed configuration with respect to the first body, first and second keypads disposed separately on a front surface of the second body, a display disposed on a front surface of the first body and configured to display content input through manipulation of the first or second keypads, and a touch screen disposed between the first and second keypads and being linked with the first and second keypads so as to display information that can be input and displayed on the display and that is not included on the first or second keypads.
US08760413B2
In one or more embodiments, a device includes a surface and an actuator mechanism operably associated with the surface. The actuator mechanism is configured to provide tactile feedback to a user responsive to an electrical signal. In at least some embodiments, the actuator mechanism comprises a pair of spaced-apart substrates each of which supports a conductive layer of material. A dielectric material and an adjacent air gap may be interposed between the substrates. Drive circuitry is operably connected to the spaced-apart substrates and is configured to drive the conductive layers of material with an electrical signal. This signal may be responsive to sensing a touch input on the surface or other appropriate event.
US08760412B2
A display having data lines that can be configured between a display mode and a touch mode is disclosed. The display can have sense regions for sensing a touch or near touch on the display during the touch mode. These same regions can display graphics or data on the display during the display mode. During display mode, the data lines in the sense regions can be configured to couple to display circuitry in order to receive data signals from the circuitry for displaying. During touch mode, the data lines in the sense regions can be configured to couple to corresponding sense lines in the regions, which in turn can couple to touch circuitry, in order to transmit touch signals to the circuitry for sensing a touch or near touch. Alternatively, during touch mode, the data lines in the sense regions can be configured to couple to ground in order to transmit residual data signals to ground for discarding.
US08760405B2
A cover for a portable terminal having a fixing part for fixing the portable terminal and a folder rotating at the fixing part to open and close the portable terminal. The cover includes an input unit and/or a display unit, and a charging unit. The input unit inputs data to the portable terminal. The display unit displays data from the portable terminal. The input unit and display unit are constructed in the folder. The charging unit is constructed in at least one of the fixing part and folder, and supplies power to the portable terminal generated using a solar cell.
US08760400B2
A remote wand for controlling the operations of a media system is provided. The wand may be operative to control the movement of a cursor displayed on screen by the position and orientation at which the wand is held. As the user moves the wand, the on-screen cursor may move. The user may use the wand to control a plurality of operations and applications that may be available from the media system, including for example zoom operations, a keyboard application, an image application, an illustration application, and a media application.
US08760396B2
Disclosed is a stereoscopic image display device which detects movement of moving viewers from among multiple viewers and enables the multiple viewers to observe a stereoscopic image even if the moving viewers change positions, the stereoscopic image display device includes a display panel corresponding to one switchable region to emit two-dimensional images, the number of which is more than the number of N views (N being a natural number over 3), a switchable panel located on the display panel to convert the two-dimensional images into three-dimensional images and to emit the three-dimensional images when voltage is applied thereto, a detection unit to detect movement of moving viewers from among multiple views and final positions of the moving viewers, and a control unit to output a control signal to shift the views of the two-dimensional images according to the movement and the final positions of the moving viewers.
US08760395B2
In one or more implementations, a static geometry model is generated, from one or more images of a physical environment captured using a camera, using one or more static objects to model corresponding one or more objects in the physical environment. Interaction of a dynamic object with at least one of the static objects is identified by analyzing at least one image and a gesture is recognized from the identified interaction of the dynamic object with the at least one of the static objects to initiate an operation of the computing device.
US08760393B2
A haptic device for human/computer interface includes a user interface tool coupled via cables to first, second, third, and fourth cable control units, each positioned at a vertex of a tetrahedron. Each of the cable control units includes a spool and an encoder configured to provide a signal corresponding to rotation of the respective spool. The cables are wound onto the spool of a respective one of the cable control units. The encoders provide signals corresponding to rotation of the respective spools to track the length of each cable. As the cables wind onto the spools, variations in spool diameter are compensated for. The absolute length of each cable is determined during initialization by retracting each cable In turn to a zero length position. A sensor array coupled to the tool detects rotation around one or more axes.
US08760389B2
The present invention provides a method of inputting characters into a handheld device, comprising steps of: reading handwriting information; recognizing said handwriting information in one active recognition mode and at least one inactive recognition mode; displaying at least one character candidate obtained in said active recognition mode and at least one character candidate obtained in said at least one inactive recognition mode; and inputting into said handheld device a desired character candidate selected by a user among said character candidates being displayed. The present invention also provides a corresponding apparatus for inputting characters into a handheld device, and a related handheld device. A user no longer needs to designate handwriting recognition modes, and recognition accuracy is greatly improved.
US08760388B2
A display medium includes: a pair of substrates; a spacing member that maintain a gap between the pair of substrates and has a first portion projecting in an intersecting direction, the intersecting direction intersecting a direction in which the pair of substrates face each other; and a holding layer that is provided on at least one of the pair of substrates such that the holding layer fills a space between the at least one of the pair of substrates and an end face of the spacing member, the holding layer covers the first portion from the end face of the spacing member, and the holding layer holds an end part of the spacing member in the direction in which the pair of substrates face each other.
US08760387B2
A display device separates a size-reduced image into a plurality of sub-areas in such a manner that a sub-area farther away from the light sources becomes wider than a sub-area closer to the light sources; compares, in each of the sub-areas, the luminance values of each pixel in a direction perpendicular to the array direction; and selects a pixel having the greatest luminance value, thereby creating line information. The display device then compares a light distribution that is a synthesis of light radiation patterns of the light sources with a luminance distribution indicated by each line information and then adjusts the emission intensity of each of the light sources.
US08760386B2
The present invention relates a display device and a method for driving the same which can improve a picture quality. The display device can include a histogram generation/analysis unit for analyzing image data, generating a histogram of the image data to each of the frames, and analyzing the histograms, a gamma reference voltage generating unit for generating gamma reference voltages and adjusting magnitude of the gamma reference voltages according to a result of analysis and forwarding the gamma reference voltages adjusted, a timing controller for re-arranging the image data, controlling output timings of the image data re-arranged and forwarding the image data re-arranged, and a data driver for generating gamma gradient voltages by using the gamma reference voltages, converting the image data into analog image signals by using the gamma gradient voltages and supplying the analog image signals to a display panel.
US08760383B2
A backlight module includes a light-emitting unit, and a controller to receive a first control signal and generate a second control signal to control the light-emitting unit. The controller controls a frequency of the second control signal according to a duty cycle of the first control signal.
US08760379B2
A driving circuit for a display panel comprising a driving voltage generator for outputting a plurality of gamma reference voltages, and a gray scale voltage generating unit for selecting one out of the plurality of gamma reference voltages and generating a gray scale voltage based on the selected gamma reference voltage, a liquid crystal display having the driving circuit, and a method for driving the liquid crystal display. A gamma reference voltage is dynamically changed depending on a user's selection, so that a gray scale voltage is changed, thereby varying the gamma characteristic and the viewing angle of an output image. Accordingly, a user can actively control the gamma characteristic and the viewing angle of an output image to be suitable for a user's preference and environment.
US08760376B2
A liquid crystal display device that displays an image by inputting n (n is a natural number) bit digital signals has n memory circuits in each pixel. The n memory circuits store n bit digital signals, which are converted into corresponding analog signals by a D/A converter provided in each pixel so that the analog signals are inputted to a liquid crystal element. Therefore, when a still image is to be displayed, the stored digital signals are repeatedly used once the digital signals are written in the memory circuits. During the still image is displayed, a source signal line driving circuit and other circuits can stop their driving. Power consumption of the liquid crystal display device thus can be reduced.
US08760375B2
In a conventional display device comprising a sub-display, the display device is increased in thickness and in the number of components as the number of displays is increased. In the present invention, a dual emission display device is used so that either surface of a display is used as a main display or a sub-display. Accordingly, the display device can be reduced in thickness and in the number of components. Further, mechanical reliability can be enhanced when the invention is applied to a tablet PC, a video camera and the like.
US08760365B2
A multi-display apparatus includes two panels disposed with a step difference so that pixel boundaries of display devices formed on substrates overlap, and at least one of the two panels includes a thin film encapsulation layer covering the display device and disposed on an adjacent surface of one of the two panels where there is the step difference to improve a disconnection of an image at a seam between the two panels, and mitigate a perspective difference of the image at the seam due to the step difference between the two panels, thereby realizing a large natural and smooth image.
US08760361B2
A polarization adjustment assembly for a reflector antenna is provided with a radio bracket with a mounting flange. The mounting flange is coupled to a hub provided with a stop portion. Fasteners couple the radio bracket to the hub via slots in the mounting flange, rotatable with respect to the hub within the extents of the slots. An adjustment bolt passes through a boss coupled to the mounting flange. The adjustment bolt abuts the stop portion, whereby longitudinal displacement of the adjustment bolt with respect to the boss rotates the radio bracket with respect to the hub. Alternatively, the positions of the boss and stop portion on the mounting flange and hub may be exchanged.
US08760357B2
Wideband single resonance antenna. An antenna may include a first conductor unit and a second conductor unit. The first conductor unit may be configured to have one end electrically coupled to a power. The second conductor unit may be configured to have one end electrically coupled to a ground, to surround at least one side of the first conductor unit, and to be electrically separated from the first conductor unit.
US08760348B2
A multi-band antenna includes a base plate of which a feeding portion, a connection section and a ground portion are connected with rear, front and left edges of the base plate respectively, a first radiating element connected with a right edge of the base plate and coplanar with the base plate, a second radiating element coplanar with the base plate and the connection section and connected with an upper portion of a left rim of the connection section with a free end thereof adjacent to the ground portion, and a third radiating element connected with a lower end of the left rim of the connection section. Wherein the second radiating element is apart located between the ground portion and the third radiating element.
US08760344B2
A method for processing radionavigation signals coming from satellites that broadcast the radionavigation signals on at least two distinct frequencies, comprises receiving the signals for each satellite, realizing, for each satellite, non-differentiated measurements of code and phase (10), determining the widelane ambiguities in a coherent manner on the group of satellites (12, 13, 14) by using the widelane biases associated with the satellites, received from a reference system, and global positioning of the receiver with the help of measurements of code and phase and the coherent widelane ambiguities (16, 18). The global positioning comprises, for each satellite, the determination (16) of a pseudo distance by means of an ionosphere-free combination of the measurements of code and of the difference of the phase measurements, compensated for the widelane ambiguity, this ionosphere-free combination being optimized in terms of noise. The pseudo distance is determined by receiving the satellite clock values associated with the ionosphere-free combination from the reference system.
US08760343B2
A global navigation system includes a first navigation receiver located in a rover and a second navigation receiver located in a base station. Single differences of measurements of satellite signals received at the two receivers are calculated and compared to single differences derived from an observation model. Anomalous measurements are detected and removed prior to performing computations for determining the output position of the rover and resolving integer ambiguities. Detection criteria are based on the residuals between the calculated and the derived single differences. For resolving integer ambiguities, computations based on Cholesky information Kalman filters and Householder transformations are advantageously applied. Changes in the state of the satellite constellation from one epoch to another are included in the computations.
US08760342B2
A circuit board is provided. The circuit board includes a substrate, a waveguide line and a laminated waveguide. The waveguide line is at least partially positioned on a first surface of the substrate. The waveguide line transmits a high frequency signal. The laminated waveguide is formed inside the substrate. The laminated waveguide is electromagnetically coupled to the waveguide line, and has a lead-out portion led out from inside the substrate to a surface other than the first surface. The laminated waveguide includes a dielectric layer, a pair of main conductive layers and a through conductor group. The pair of main conductive layers sandwiches the dielectric layer in a thickness direction thereof. In the through conductor group, a plurality of through conductors are arranged along a high frequency signal transmitting direction. The plurality of through conductors electrically connect the pair of main conductive layers.
US08760332B2
An apparatus and a method for digital-analog conversion are provided. The apparatus includes a first cell matrix for outputting a current of a signal corresponding to a number of Most Significant Bits (MSBs) of an input digital signal, a second cell matrix for outputting a current of a signal corresponding to a number of Least Significant Bits (LSBs) of the input digital signal, an amplifier for amplifying the output current of the second cell matrix at a preset amplification, and an adder for adding the output current of the first cell matrix and the output current of the amplifier.
US08760329B2
A method is provided. An analog signal is received. The analog input signal is compared to first and second reference signals to generate a first comparison result, and the first comparison result and a first time stamp corresponding to the first comparison result are registered. A first portion of a digital signal is generated from the first comparison result. If the comparison result remains substantially the same for a predetermined interval, an ADC is enabled to generate a second comparison result at a sampling instant. A second time stamp that corresponds to the sampling instant is generated. The second comparison result and a second time stamp corresponding to the first comparison result are registered, and a second portion of the digital signal is generated from the second comparison result.
US08760328B1
An integrated circuit system may include a first integrated circuit (IC), a second IC, and interface circuitry. The first IC is operable to output a parallel data stream at a first data rate. The second IC is operable to output a serialized data stream at a second date rate. The second data rate may be different than the first data rate. The interface circuitry may be coupled between the first integrated circuit and the second integrated circuit. The interface circuitry may be operable to convert the parallel data stream received from the first IC into a serialized data stream with the second data rate. The interface circuitry may be also operable to convert the serialized data stream received from the second IC to a parallel data stream with the first data rate.
US08760323B2
An encoding device enables the amount of processing operations to be significantly reduced while minimizing deterioration in the quality of an output signal. This encoding device (101) encodes an input signal by determining the correlation between a first signal generated by using the input signal and a second signal generated by a predetermined method. An importance assessment unit (202) sets the importance of each of a plurality of processing units obtained by dividing the frames of the input signal. A CELP coder (203) performs sparse processing in which the amplitude value of a predetermined number of samples among multiple samples constituted by the first signal and/or the second signal in each processing unit is set to zero according to the importance that was set for each processing unit, and calculates the correlation between the first signal and the second signal, either of which was subjected to sparse processing.
US08760317B2
An upstream vehicle detection system captures images of a vehicle as it travels through a high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lane or high occupancy vehicle tolling (HOT) station and generates an hypothesis as to whether the vehicle is complying with HOV or HOT rules based on image analysis. A database of historical information about various vehicles' compliance with HOV or HOT rules is consulted to determine whether the vehicle has previously been identified as a potential violator and pulled over by law enforcement as a result. If the vehicle was previously pulled over by law enforcement and determined to be complying with HOV or HOT rules (a false positive), then the violation hypothesis may be weighted in favor of not pulling the vehicle over.
US08760315B2
A system for controlling traffic for allowing passage of an emergency vehicle through an intersection controlled by traffic signals includes an intersection module for transmitting signals for preempting the traffic signals and one or more circuit cards coupled to the intersection module. Each expansion card includes a plurality of contact closures for outputting one or more of the signals for preempting the traffic signals. The intersection module selects an expansion card based on a type of output desired, and further selects one or more contact closures of the selected card for the desired output. The expansion cards allow preempt or vehicle outputs beyond the output that a single card can provide. According to another embodiment, the output expansion is achieved by emulating the communication interface between the intersection module and the traffic signal controller.
US08760314B2
Upon detecting a request for traffic information or abnormal motion, a mobile electronic device can generate and transmit a first signal to a remote traffic-information generator, the first signal identifying a location and motion of the device. The remote traffic-information generator can aggregate this type of data across devices and estimate traffic information, assuming that traffic is normal along roads not associated with first signals. The remote traffic-information generator can transmit a second signal with estimated traffic information back to the device. The conditioned transmission can allow real-time traffic information to be efficiently estimated while conserving devices' power usage and the remote traffic-information generator's processing and storage resources.
US08760307B2
The present invention relates to a monitoring device (9) for an electric appliance (1), comprising electronic control means and data and/or information storage means. Said monitoring device (9) is typically connected to a first communication network (70A, 70B) through first interface means (7) and to a second communication network (80) through second interface means (8). Said first communication network (70A, 70B) is adapted to connect at least one sensing device (93, 94, 95, 96), being capable of measuring at least one value of at least one physical quantity related to the monitored electric appliance (1), to the monitoring device (9). According to the present invention, the monitoring device (9) receives the value of at least one physical quantity through the first interface means (7), and the electronic control means use said value of at least one physical quantity in order to obtain at least one piece of information related to the monitored electric appliance (1).
US08760301B2
An LED strobe notification device and method for operating an LED strobe notification device is provided. The LED strobe notification device is configured to generate an output at two or more candela settings and is configured to generate the output at the two or more candela settings having a human-perceived pulse duration with a fixed width. The LED strobe device includes: an LED strobe element; and an LED controller in communication with the LED strobe element with the LED controller configured to: receive a candela selection for the LED strobe element, the candela selection selected from the two or more candela settings; receive a command to activate the LED strobe element of the LED strobe notification device; and in response to receiving the command, control the LED strobe element in order to generate the output from the LED strobe element having the human-perceived pulse duration with the fixed width.
US08760296B2
Systems and associated methods for monitoring and/or controlling access to interior portions of consumer-operated kiosks and other enclosures are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a consumer-operated kiosk includes an enclosure having a door movable between a closed position that prevents access to the enclosure and an open position that permits access to the enclosure. In this embodiment, an identifier, such as an RFID transponder or tag, is mounted to one of the enclosure or the door, and a reader, such as an RFID reader, is mounted to the other of the enclosure or the door. When the door is closed, the reader detects the identifier. Conversely, when the door moves away form the closed position, the reader ceases to detect the identifier and can generate/send a signal indicating that the door is open.
US08760294B2
According to one aspect, a portable electronic device sized and shaped to be received within a holster having a magnetic element. The portable electronic device includes an electronic compass adapted to measure a magnetic field of the magnetic element in at least two axes. When the measured pattern corresponds to a first pattern, the portable electronic device is adapted to determine that the portable electronic device is in the holster.
US08760291B1
A notification apparatus, system, and method that provides up-to-the-minute status information for a facility or a group of facilities to an administrator and to persons who work at or otherwise frequent such facility or group of facilities.
US08760285B2
A system and method provide determining a wildfire risk associated with home and identifying mitigatable features located on and around the home. An inspection list of questions is presented to a user through a mobile computing device, and images are captured by a camera included in the mobile computing device. In an embodiment, an image can be captured using augmented visual assistance through a mobile application. A wildfire risk associated with the home can be determined at least based on answers to the questions in the inspection list and captured images. In another embodiment, a virtual reality game for simulating a wildfire behavior is provided. The wildfire behavior can be re-simulated during the game after removing or modifying mitigatable features on or around the home. In yet another embodiment, a system and method for determining a building status and location is provided in real-time during an active fire.
US08760275B2
As a user is interacting with a mobile device, the user is sometimes distracted from impending obstacles that may be approaching the user. The mobile device can detect an approaching obstacle and can determine that the user is also interacting with the mobile device. Upon detecting these two events, the user of the mobile device is notified of the approaching obstacle using various notification methods, such as displaying a message to the user or using an audible sound or message. The notification can also include interrupting an application on the mobile device, such as a video game, to display a message to the user of the approaching obstacle.The system and method also comprise a distributed architecture where detection of the approaching obstacle is accomplished external to the mobile device. For example, a detection module in an automobile or airplane can be used to detect approaching obstacles.
US08760269B2
Presented is a control system for augmenting a portable touch screen device having integral processing capability. The control system includes an enclosure configured for housing the portable touch screen device, an internal docking connector configured for communicatively mating with the portable touch screen device, and hard buttons. At least one of the hard buttons is functionally configured for use with an application program running on the portable touch screen device. The control system further includes first and second cameras disposed on the enclosure. The control system further includes a processor configured for converting button actuations into a digital format, and a first facility for communicating the digital format to the portable touch screen device via the internal docking connector. The application program is configured such that, during operation, the application program communicates the status of the one hard button to at least one external device.
US08760267B2
A wireless control system is configured to be trainable to control any number of remotely controlled devices. The system can be configured to gather and learn information relating to a signal transmitted by the original transmitter in a manner that is blind to a user of the system. The system can be designed to learn signals automatically such that fewer steps are necessary for a user to train the system to control a particular remotely controlled device. The system can train to remotely controlled devices in this manner with little or no user action required.
US08760259B2
An electronic device with unlocking function includes an accelerometer, an unlocking module, a touch screen and a storage. The accelerometer detects a direction of movement of the electronic device. The touch screen provides output and input for the electronic device. The touch screen detects a contact path of a user when the user contacts the touch screen. When the contact path matches an unlocking path stored in the storage, the electronic device is unlocked.
US08760257B2
Provided is a transmission line transformer, and more particularly, a transmission line transformer capable of decreasing a power loss caused by a parasitic resistance component of the transmission line transformer and improving a coupling factor by forming a primary transmission line and a secondary transmission line parallel to each other on an integrated circuit (IC) by using a highest layer metal line, and forming a lower layer metal line immediately below the highest layer metal line in addition to the highest layer metal line in a region where the primary transmission line and the secondary transmission line face each other, while forming the transmission line transformer used in a high frequency circuit via a semiconductor process.
US08760249B1
A magnetic core including (i) a first magnetic material having a first magnetic permeability to substantially provide a core body of the magnetic core, and (ii) a second magnetic material having a substantially triangular structure positioned in a corner region of the core body. The corner region is defined by a region of the core body where a first portion of the core body coincides with a second portion of the core body in a manner that is substantially perpendicular. The second magnetic material is used to substantially evenly distribute magnetic flux in the magnetic core, and the second magnetic material has a second magnetic permeability that is lower than the first magnetic permeability.
US08760248B2
The invention relates to an electromagnetic actuator to be mounted in a haptic-feedback control device (1) for transmitting a haptic feedback to a user, wherein said actuator (5a, 5b) comprises a fixed portion (9) and a mobile portion (11), said fixed (9) and mobile (11) portions forming a magnetic circuit defining at least one air gap (e) between said fixed (9) and mobile (11) portions. According to the invention, the actuator (5a, 5b) further comprises: at least two permanent magnets (23a, 23b) respectively generating first (B1) and second (B2) opposite magnetic fields; and an electric coil (25) provided between said magnets (23a, 23b) such that the winding of said coil (25) extends successively through said first (B1) and second (B2) opposite magnetic fields so that, when a current flows through said coil (25), the actuator (5a, 5b) is submitted to a resulting actuation force in a common driving direction for translating said mobile part (11) in said air gap (e).
US08760244B2
A variable resonator includes a first transmission line 101, a second transmission line 102 and a plurality of switch circuits 150. The electrical length of the first transmission line 101 is equal to the electrical length of the second transmission line 102. The characteristic impedance for the even mode of the first transmission line 101 is equal to the characteristic impedance for the even mode of the second transmission line 102. The characteristic impedance for the odd mode of the first transmission line 101 is equal to the characteristic impedance for the odd mode of the second transmission line 102. Each switch circuit 150 is connected to any of the first transmission line 101 and the second transmission line 102, and one of the switch circuits 150 is turned on.
US08760240B2
A miniaturized (compact) millimeter wave hybrid based on a coupling function and associated method for designing millimeter wave electrical elements based on a coupling function is provided. The invention overcomes a drawback of conventional coupled transmission lines structures and equivalent lumped elements in that they are considerably large in size for IC designs making such structures unsuitable for use in RFICs' designs. Hence, such structures are not partial in millimeter wave electrical elements, and more particularly elements that should be integrated in devices for 60 GHz applications.
US08760238B2
An equalizer for compensating transmission losses of electronic communication signals includes a circuit board and a compensation module. The compensation module includes a pair of input pins, a pair of output pins, first and second resistors, first and second vias, and a pair of micro-strips. When a signal transmitted by the circuit board is received by the input pins, a first part of the signal is directly outputted from the output pins, a second part of the signal is reflected by the first resistor and transmitted back to the output pins to be outputted, and a third part of the signal is reflected by the second resistor and transmitted back to the output pins to be outputted, such that the output of the equalizer applies two stages of compensation.
US08760230B2
A switching amplifying method or a switching amplifier for obtaining one or more than one linearly amplified replicas of an input signal, is highly efficient, and does not have the disadvantage of “dead time” problem related to the class D amplifiers. Said switching amplifying method comprises the steps of: receiving the input signal; pulse modulating the input signal for generating a pulse modulated signal; switching at least one pulsed current flowing to a first input terminal of a filter according to the pulse modulated signal when the polarity of the input signal is positive; switching at least one pulsed current flowing from the first input terminal of the filter according to the pulse modulated signal when the polarity of the input signal is negative; filtering all said pulsed currents flowing through the first input terminal for getting an output signal.
US08760228B2
Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to radio frequency (RF) transmitter circuitry, which includes non-inverting path power amplifier (PA) circuitry, inverting path PA circuitry, and RF transformer circuitry. The non-inverting path PA circuitry provides a non-inverting RF signal and a first power supply (PS) signal to the RF transformer circuitry, such that the first PS signal has a first ripple voltage. The inverting path PA circuitry provides an inverting RF signal and a second PS signal to the RF transformer circuitry, such that the second PS signal has a second ripple voltage. The RF transformer circuitry additively combines the non-inverting RF signal and the inverting RF signal to provide an RF output signal, such that effects of the first ripple voltage and the second ripple voltage are substantially cancelled from the RF output signal.
US08760227B2
A circuit and a method for correcting an offset is provided that includes a current amplifier and an adjusting circuit for correcting an offset of an output current of the current amplifier. Wherein the adjusting circuit has a controlled current source, an output of the controlled current source is connected to the current amplifier for impressing an output current of the controlled current source in the current amplifier, an input of the controlled current source to form a regulation element of a control loop is connected by a first switching device of the adjusting circuit to an output of the current amplifier and to form a holding element is disconnected from the output of the current amplifier by the first switching device. The controlled current source, acting as a regulation element in the control loop, is set up to regulate the offset to a minimum by setting of a current value of the output current, and the controlled current source, acting as a holding element, is set up to hold the current value, associated with the minimum, of the output current.
US08760203B1
A charge pump, comprising a charge pump output may be operatively coupled to a filter input of a loop filter. A first amplifier input of an operational transconductance amplifier (OTA) may be operatively coupled to the filter input and the charge pump output, and the second amplifier input is operatively coupled to the amplifier output and filter output.
US08760194B2
Some embodiments of the invention provide a configurable integrated circuit (IC) that has several configurable circuits for configurably performing different operations. During the operation of the IC, each particular configurable circuit performs a particular operation that is specified by a particular configuration data set for the particular configurable circuit. While the IC operates and a first set of configurable circuits performs a first set of operations, configuration data is loaded from the outside of the IC for configuring a second set of configurable circuits. In some embodiments, the configurable IC includes a configuration network for rapid loading configuration data in the IC from outside of the IC. In some of these embodiments, the configuration network is a pipelined network.
US08760192B2
Provided is a programmable circuit. The programmable circuit includes a first path and a second path connected in parallel between a first voltage node and a second voltage node. The first path includes a first programmable element, a first node, a first pull-up transistor, a second node, and a first pull-down transistor connected in series between the first voltage node and the second voltage node. The second path includes a second programmable element, a third node, a second pull-up transistor, a fourth node, and a second pull-down transistor connected in series between the first and second voltage nodes. A gate electrode of the first pull-up transistor, a gate electrode of the first pull-down transistor, and the fourth node are electrically connected to one another. A gate electrode of the second pull-up transistor, a gate electrode of the second pull-down transistor, and the second node are electrically connected to one another.
US08760187B2
A first device and a second device can include at least one alignment feature and at least one corresponding constraint. The alignment feature and the constraint can be configured to align the first device and the second device when the alignment feature is inserted into the constraint. The alignment feature and the constraint can be further configured to direct relative movement between the first device and the second device due to relative thermal expansion or contraction between the first device and the second device. The directed relative movement can keep the first device and the second device aligned over a predetermined temperature range.
US08760186B2
A probe apparatus is provided and includes a probe layer formed with a through-hole, a conductor, electrically coupled to test equipment, disposed on and insulated from a through-hole sidewall, a probe disposed within the through-hole to be spaced from the conductor and thereby movable upon application of an external force thereto and a compliant layer connected to the probe and sufficiently compliant to allow the probe to at least temporarily contact the conductor upon the application of the external force thereto.
US08760185B2
An improved system for capacitive testing electrical connections in a low signal environment. The system includes features that increase sensitivity of a capacitive probe. One feature is a spacer positioned to allow the probe to be partially inserted into the component without contacting the pins. The spacer may be a collar on the probe that contacts the housing of the component, contacts the substrate of the circuit assembly, or both. In some other embodiments, the spacer may be a riser extending beyond the surface of the sense plate that contacts the component, a riser portion of the component, or a combination of both. The spacer improves sensitivity by establishing a small gap between a sense plate of the probe and pins under test without risk of damage to the pins. A second feature is a guard plate of the probe with reduced capacitance to a sense plate of the probe. Reducing capacitance also increases the sensitivity of the probe.
US08760184B2
A measuring probe, particularly for a non-contacting vector network analysis system, having a housing and at least one coupling structure disposed on the housing and designed for coupling an HF signal from a signal line, such that at least one additional signal probe is disposed on the housing for coupling an electrical signal into the signal line.
US08760182B2
A system for docking an electronic test head with a handling apparatus is provided. The system includes an assembly for at least partially aligning and subsequently bringing together the electronic test head and the handling apparatus. The system includes a power driven actuator for powered bringing together of the electronic test head and the handling apparatus.
US08760174B2
The present disclosure generally relates to an evanescent microwave microscopy probe and methods for making and using the same. Some embodiments relate to a probe which is constructed of silver. Other embodiments relate to a method of measuring an unknown property a target material, comprising moving the probe away from the target material, taking a first measurement, moving the probe such that it touches the target material, taking a second measurement, and comparing the first and second measurements in order to measure the unknown property.
US08760150B1
Power transfer over power lines is indicated using a controller to short power lines briefly near the end of the positive portion of the alternating voltage cycle of a distant power generation source using a silicon-controlled rectifier thereby creating current pulses from the voltage produced by that source and at a frequency consistent with the source's electric system frequency. The pulse can be detected and measured on other parts of the same circuit using a probe. The controller and probe may be used for locating cables in the same electrical circuit, sorting particular cables in the same circuit from others cables, verifying the condition of cables, determining the source and load feeds on the primary side of a transformer from the low side of the transformer, locating unwanted ground faults, and determining the portion of the electrical load provided by each of plural generation plants.
US08760149B2
Current sensors, conductors and methods are disclosed. A magnetic current sensor includes a conductor including a first sheet metal layer having a first thickness and including at least one notch extending inwardly from a first edge of the first sheet metal layer, and a second sheet metal layer having a second thickness less than the first thickness and including at least one notch, the second sheet metal layer being coupled to the first sheet metal layer such that the at least one notch of the first sheet metal layer is generally aligned with the at least one notch of the second sheet metal layer; and an integrated circuit (IC) die including at least one magnetic sensor element and being coupled to the conductor such that the at least one magnetic sensor element is generally aligned with a tip of the at least one notch of the second sheet metal layer.
US08760143B2
One embodiment provides a reference current generation circuit. The circuit has first and second reference current generation circuits for generating first and second reference currents respectively, and a current output circuit for outputting a third reference current by adding the first and second reference currents. The first reference current generation circuit includes first and second current-voltage conversion circuits and a first current supply circuit. The first current supply circuit provides substantially equal amounts of current to the first and second current-voltage conversion circuits respectively. The second reference current generation circuit includes third to fifth current-voltage conversion circuits and a second current supply circuit. The second current supply circuit provides a current to the fourth current-voltage conversion circuit, divide and provide amounts of current substantially equal to that of the current provided to the fourth current-voltage conversion circuit, to the third and fifth current-voltage conversion circuits respectively.
US08760140B2
An apparatus for auto-regulating the input power source of a driver is provided. The apparatus includes a load detector and a controller. The load detector detects a load current and outputs a detection signal according to the load current. The controller is coupled to the load detector and receives the detection signal. The controller provides an operation voltage between a first voltage and a second voltage, wherein the first voltage is lower than the second voltage. The operation voltage is supplied to the driver and regulated flexibly according to different load demand. In the light loading, the device for auto-regulating the input power source can improve the use efficiency of electric power.
US08760138B2
A DC-DC converter control circuit, to control a DC-DC converter having an inductor and two switching elements, including a first feedback circuit to generate a first feedback voltage indicating a DC component of an inductor current of the inductor based on an output voltage of the DC-DC converter; a second feedback circuit to generate a second feedback voltage indicating an AC component of the inductor current; a synthesis circuit to add the first and second feedback voltages to generate a third feedback voltage; a comparator to compare the third feedback voltage with a reference voltage to output a control signal; and a driving circuit to control the switching elements. The second feedback voltage is generated based on a difference between input and output voltages of the DC-DC converter when the control signal from the comparator is low and based on the output voltage when the control signal is high.
US08760134B2
One embodiment described herein provides a circuit to approximate the inductor current of a power supply that includes a capacitor; charge/discharge circuitry configured to charge the capacitor with a voltage that is proportional to an input voltage rail of the power supply, and discharge the capacitor with a voltage that is proportional to the output voltage of the power supply; and error correction circuitry is configured to adjust the voltage that is proportional to the input voltage rail and the voltage that is proportional to the output voltage based on an instantaneous current of the inductor; and wherein the voltage on the capacitor is proportional to a current associated with the inductor.
US08760131B2
A voltage regulator includes a power device formed by an NMOS transistor having a drain terminal coupled to an input voltage, a source terminal providing an output voltage and a gate terminal receiving a gate drive signal; and an integrated AC/DC control loop configured to access the output voltage and to generate the gate drive signal based on a value of the output voltage in relation to a first reference voltage and a second reference voltage. The AC control portion generates a gate drive control signal which is AC coupled to the gate terminal of the power device as an AC component of the gate drive signal. The DC control portion controls a DC voltage level of the gate drive signal. The AC control portion is powered by the input voltage while the DC control portion is powered by a high supply voltage greater than the input voltage.
US08760118B2
An electrochemical battery system, in one embodiment, includes a plurality of electrochemical cells, a memory in which command instructions are stored, and a processor configured to execute the command instructions to sequentially connect a first set of the plurality of electrochemical cells to an electrical load, disconnect the first set from the electrical load, connect a second set of the plurality of electrochemical cells to the electrical load, and disconnect the second set from the electrical load, wherein the electrochemical cells in the first set and the electrochemical cells in the second set are selected based upon a target electrochemical cell discharge rate.
US08760114B2
An information processing apparatus includes an antenna having a variable Q value, the antenna being used for performing communication with an external apparatus in a noncontact manner by using a carrier of a predetermined frequency and charging a battery in a noncontact manner by using the carrier, an obtaining unit configured to obtain information about charging of the battery, a determining unit configured to determine whether charging of the battery is to be performed or not on the basis of the information obtained by the obtaining unit, and a setting unit configured to selectively set the Q value of the antenna to a first value or a second value in accordance with a determination result generated by the determining unit, the second value being larger than the first value.
US08760108B2
A bag includes a frame having a base, a pair of side walls, and a pair of end walls. The base, side walls, and end walls are engaged to one another to define an interior portion accessible via an open end of the frame. An inner lining is removably positionable within the frame and an outer jacket is removably positionable about the frame. The outer jacket is configured to engage the inner lining adjacent the open end of the frame to secure the outer jacket and the inner lining about the frame. A solar charging unit is mountable on the frame. The solar charging unit includes one or more solar cell arrays and one or more energy storage devices. The solar charging unit is configured to provide charging power to one or more portable electronic devices coupled thereto.
US08760098B2
An method for driving a motor is provided. A plurality of pulse width modulation (PWM) signals are generated from a commanded voltage signal and a commanded angle signal, and these PWM signal are used to drive a motor (which has a plurality of phases). Currents through the phases of the motor are measured, and a Park transformation is performed on the measured currents to determine a projection current measurement. Based at least in part on the projection current measurement, the adjusting the commanded voltage signal and the commanded angle signal can be adjusted.
US08760092B2
A motor control unit determines whether a rotor of an electric motor is in rotation or not after the motor control unit is started up but before an initial operation, based on an encoder count value after the start-up of the motor control unit. When the electric motor is stopped, the initial operation is carried out so as to learn a correction value of phase difference between the encoder count value and an actual current-supply phase. When the electric motor is still rotated due to its inertia, a motor-stop control is carried out before the initial operation in order to completely stop the rotation of the rotor. In the motor-stop control, electric power is supplied to windings of two phases at the same time.
US08760086B2
An accelerator for accelerating two beams of charged particles and for producing a collision of the beams includes: an apparatus for producing an electrostatic potential field such that the two beams are acceleratable or deceleratable by the electrostatic field, a reaction zone for collision of the charged particles; first and second acceleration distances for the first and second beams, each acceleration distance directed towards the reaction zone, wherein the reaction zone is arranged geometrically with respect to the potential field and to the acceleration distances such that the particles of the beams are acceleratable towards the reaction zone along the first and second acceleration distances and, after interaction in the reaction zone and passage through the reaction zone, are deceleratable in the potential field, such that energy used by the potential field apparatus for accelerating the beams towards the reaction zone can be at least partially recovered by the deceleration.
US08760080B2
The present invention relates to a hybrid multi-output power supply and regulation method thereof. In one embodiment, a power supply includes: a driving circuit that generates an error signal based on an expected driving voltage, the expected driving voltage being determined by an LED load driving current, and where the driving circuit regulates the driving current to be substantially constant and consistent with an expected driving current; a first stage voltage regulator receiving an input voltage and the error signal, and generating a first regulation voltage consistent with the expected driving voltage, where the first regulation voltage supplies power to the driving circuit, and provides driving voltage for the LED load, and where the first regulation voltage provides sufficient expected driving current; and a second stage voltage regulator that receives the first regulation voltage, and generates a substantially constant second regulation voltage to supply power to a first load.
US08760077B2
A plant illumination apparatus includes a light source module including a first light source and a second light source generating lights having different wavelengths, an environment-detecting module detecting an external environment to obtain a real-time environment parameter, and a control module connected to the light source module and the environment-detecting module. The control module includes a processor unit and a storage unit storing a database of plant growing environment parameters. The processor unit loads at least one preset growing environment parameter corresponding to a plant growth timing from the database of plant growing environment parameters, and compares the preset growing environment parameter with the real-time environment parameter to output at least one comparison result. The processor unit adjusts the first light source and the second light source according to the comparison result, so that an adjusted environment parameter matches the preset growing environment parameter.
US08760076B2
A pulse width modulation (PWM) dimming circuit comprises a switch unit, a current generation unit, a mirror current source, a multi-path output unit, a plurality of current balance units and a plurality of LED lamp strings. The switch unit receives a PWM signal which controls the switch on or off. The current generation unit is connected with the switch unit and generates a current of a predetermined magnitude when the switch unit is on. The mirror current source is connected with the current generation unit and receives the current to generate a mirror current. The multi-path output unit is connected with the mirror current source and receives and output the mirror current in multiple paths. The current balance units are connected between the multi-path output unit and the LED lamp strings respectively. The PWM dimming circuit decreases both the difficulty and the manufacturing cost and is easy to operate.
US08760066B2
A constant power drive for light emitting diodes, such that there is automatic compensation for variation in forward voltage of the LED, both in a single unit with temperature, and also due to unit-to-unit variations.
US08760065B2
A passive anti-arcing protection components for electronic ballasts of fluorescent lamps. This protection component is a bridge-rectifier-resistor-capacitor network, containing at least a diode, a resistor, and a capacitor. The component's circuitry is electrically connected to the ballast at the lamp side, acting as a low-resistance redirection path for any sudden change in energy. When an arcing condition is about to occur, this protection circuitry absorbs the spark energy, ceasing the arcing condition.
US08760062B2
An LED drive method is disclosed. In this way, the LED drive method allows not only the reference voltage to be periodically updated on the basis of the feedback drive voltages but also the drive voltage control signal to be generated using the updated reference voltage, in order to adjust the LED drive voltage applied to the LED array. Therefore, the LED drive circuit is hardly affected by the external environmental noise.
US08760059B2
A current-preheat electronic ballast includes an AC-to-DC converter, a controlling unit, an auxiliary voltage generator, and an inverter. The inverter is connected with the DC bus for converting a high DC voltage into an AC output voltage and generating a resonant current and a lamp filament current to a lamp group. The inverter includes a resonant circuit and a resonant capacitor adjusting circuit. The resonant circuit provides electric energy required to preheat the lamp group. The resonant capacitor adjusting circuit judges whether the inverter is enabled according to the detecting element. After the inverter has been enabled for a delayed time, two high-voltage switching terminals of the resonant capacitor adjusting circuit are correspondingly conducted or shut off, so that an equivalent resonant capacitance value of the resonant circuit is changed and a voltage drop across two ends of a lamp filament of the lamp group is changed.
US08760057B2
A far infrared ray ceramic bulb structure includes a light emitting element under a ceramic substrate, a far infrared thermal radiation film on the ceramic substrate, a circuit unit, a bulb shell, a bulb shade and a connector connected to an external power supply. The circuit unit in the connector is electrically connected to the light emitting element and the connector. The bulb shade encloses the light emitting element and the ceramic substrate. The bulb shell is connected to the connector and encloses the far infrared thermal radiation film. The far infrared thermal radiation film propagates the heat generated by the light emitting element by far infrared thermal radiation. The working temperature of the light emitting element is reduced and the stability and the efficiency of light emitting are improved to increase the lifetime and the safety.
US08760053B2
According to one embodiment, a power supply control device of a plasma processing device having a plasma generation unit which generates plasma in a process chamber. The power supply control device includes a radio frequency power supply, a storage unit, and a matching circuit. The radio frequency power supply supplies a power to the plasma generation unit. The storage unit stores matching information including a first matching value, a second process condition, and a third matching value. The first matching value corresponds to process information of a first process condition. The second matching value corresponds to process information of a second process condition. The third matching value corresponds to process information of a transient state where the first process condition is being switched to the second process condition. The matching circuit matches impedances based on the matching information.
US08760051B2
A lamp includes a single string of light emitting diodes (LEDs), driven in common, configured to cause the lamp to emit a visible light output via a bulb. The lamp also includes a lighting industry standard lamp base, which has connectors arranged in a standard three-way lamp configuration, for providing electricity from a three-way lamp socket. Circuitry connected to receive electricity from the connectors of the lamp base as standard three-way control setting inputs drives the string of LEDs. The circuitry is configured to detect the standard three-way control setting inputs and to adjust the common drive to the string of LEDs to selectively produce a different visible light outputs of the lamp via the bulb responsive to the three-way control setting inputs. The lamp may also include nanophosphors pumped by emissions of the LEDs, so that the lamp produces a white light output of particularly desirable characteristics.
US08760034B2
A SAW resonator which, using a quartz crystal substrate with Euler angles (−1.5°≦φ≦1.5°, 117°≦θ≦142°, and 41.9°≦|ψ|≦49.57°), includes an IDT that excites a stop band upper end mode SAW, and an inter-electrode finger groove provided between electrode fingers configuring the IDT. When a wavelength of the SAW is λ, a first depth of the inter-electrode finger groove is G, a line occupation rate of the IDT is η, and an electrode film thickness of the IDT is H, λ, G, η and H satisfy the relationship of 0
US08760021B2
Centrifugally decoupling mechanical bearing systems provide thin tensioned metallic ribbons contained in a support structure. This assembly rotates around a stationary shaft being centered at low speeds by the action of the metal ribbons. Tension springs are connected on one end to the ribbons and on the other end to the support structure. The ribbons pass through slots in the inner ring of the support structure. The spring preloading thus insures contact (or near-contact) between the ribbons and the shaft at rotation speeds below the transition speed. Above this speed, however, the centrifugal force on the ribbons produces a tensile force on them that exceeds the spring tensile force so that the ribbons curve outward, effectively decoupling them from mechanical contact with the shaft. They still remain, however, in position to act as a touchdown bearing in case of abnormally high transverse accelerations.
US08760008B2
Described herein are embodiments of a first resonator, with a resonant frequency f1, optionally coupled to an energy source; and a second resonator, with a resonant frequency f2, optionally coupled to an energy drain, located a variable distance from the first resonator. The first resonator and the second resonator may be coupled to provide near-field wireless energy transfer among the first resonator and the second resonator, and where f1 may be approximately equal to f2 and both f1 and f2 may be less than 400 MHz.
US08759992B1
A mechanical energy accumulator has a housing, a first pair of flywheels rotatable about a first axis within the housing, a second pair of flywheels rotatable about a second axis within the housing, and a third pair of flywheels rotatable about a third axis within the housing. Each flywheel of the first pair of flywheels being rotatable in opposite directions, each flywheel of the second pair of flywheels being rotatable in opposite directions and each flywheel of the third pair of flywheels being rotatable in opposite directions. The first, second and third axes are perpendicular to each other. An energy input is cooperative with at least one of the flywheels for supplying electrical energy so as to rotate the flywheel. An energy output is also provided for converting the rotation of the flywheels into potential energy. Each of the flywheels has a double conical shape.
US08759990B2
An energy harvesting device includes a MEMS composite transducer. The MEMS composite transducer includes a substrate. Portions of the substrate define an outer boundary of a cavity. A MEMS transducing member includes a beam having a first end and a second end. The first end is anchored to the substrate and the second end cantilevers over the cavity. A compliant membrane is positioned in contact with the MEMS transducing member. A first portion of the compliant membrane covers the MEMS transducing member. A second portion of the compliant membrane is anchored to the substrate. The compliant member is configured to be set into oscillation by excitations produced externally relative to the energy harvesting device.
US08759973B2
A microelectronic assembly is disclosed that includes a semiconductor wafer with contacts, compliant bumps of dielectric material overlying the first surface of the semiconductor wafer, and a dielectric layer overlying the first surface of the semiconductor wafer and edges of the compliant bumps. The compliant bumps have planar top surfaces which are accessible through the dielectric layer. Conductive traces may be electrically connected with contacts and extend therefrom to overlie the planar top surfaces of the compliant bumps. Conductive elements may overlie the planar top surfaces in contact with the conductive traces.
US08759956B2
Embodiments provide provides a chip package. The chip package may include a leadframe having a die pad and a plurality of lead fingers; a first chip attached to the die pad, the first chip being bonded to one or more of the lead fingers via a first set of wire bonds; a second chip bonded to one or more of the lead fingers via flip chip; and a heat slug attached to the second chip.
US08759951B2
The present invention provides a method for selectively transferring elements such as monocrystalline Si thin films or elements made of monocrystalline Si from a base substrate (100) onto an insulating substrate without the use of an intermediate substrate. The base substrate (first substrate) (100) in which the elements are formed is selectively irradiated with a laser having a multiphoton absorption wavelength. Thus, elements to be transferred out of the elements and corresponding thin films on the base substrate (100) are transferred onto a transfer destination substrate (second substrate) (200).
US08759949B2
An integrated circuit structure includes a semiconductor substrate having a front side and a backside, and a conductive via penetrating the semiconductor substrate. The conductive via includes a back end extending to the backside of the semiconductor substrate. A redistribution line (RDL) is on the backside of the semiconductor substrate and electrically connected to the back end of the conductive via. A passivation layer is over the RDL, with an opening in the passivation layer, wherein a portion of the RDL is exposed through the opening. A copper pillar has a portion in the opening and electrically connected to the RDL.
US08759934B2
An image sensor includes a photosensitive region disposed within a semiconductor layer and a stress adjusting layer. The photosensitive region is sensitive to light incident through a first side of the image sensor to collect an image charge. The stress adjusting layer is disposed over the first side of the semiconductor layer to establish a stress characteristic that encourages photo-generated charge carriers to migrate towards the photosensitive region.
US08759929B2
A solid-state imaging device includes: a substrate including a plurality of light receiving sections; and a color filter including a guided-mode resonant grating provided immediately above each of the plurality of light receiving sections, at least one of an upper surface and a lower surface of the guided-mode resonant grating being covered with a layer having a lower refractive index than the guided-mode resonant grating.
US08759928B2
A system and method for reducing cross-talk in complementary metal oxide semiconductor back side illuminated image sensors is provided. An embodiment comprises forming a grid around the pixel regions on an opposite side of the substrate than metallization layers. The grid may be formed of a material such as tungsten with a (110)-rich crystalline orientation. This orientation helps prevents defects that can occur during patterning of the grid.
US08759919B2
A method for fabricating a semiconductor device includes forming a plurality of gate structures on a semiconductor substrate. The plurality of gate structures are arranged in a plurality of lines, wherein an end-to-end spacing between the lines is smaller than a line-to-line spacing between the lines. The method further includes forming an etch stop layer over the gate structures, forming an interlayer dielectric over the gate structures, and forming a dielectric film over the gate structures before the interlayer dielectric is formed. The dielectric film merges in end-to-end gaps formed in the end-to-end spacing between the gate structures.
US08759918B2
A semiconductor device includes two Dt-MOS transistors each having insulation regions respectively under the source and drain regions, the two Dt-MOS transistors sharing a diffusion region as a source region of one Dt-MOS transistor and a drain region of the other Dt-MOS transistor, wherein the insulation regions have respective bottom edges located lower than bottom edges of respective body regions of the Dt-MOS transistors, and wherein the bottom edges of the respective body regions are located deeper than respective bottom edges of the source and drain regions of the Dt-MOS transistors.
US08759917B2
A thin-film transistor (TFT) may include a channel layer, an etch stop multi-layer, a source, a drain, a gate, and a gate insulation layer. The etch stop multi-layer may include a first etch stop layer and a second etch stop layer. The second etch stop layer may prevent or reduce an etchant from contacting the channel layer.
US08759915B2
Semiconductor device formed by a first conductive strip of semiconductor material; a control gate region of semiconductor material, facing a channel portion of the first conductive strip, and an insulation region arranged between the first conductive strip and the control gate region. The first conductive strip includes a conduction line having a first conductivity type and a control line having a second conductivity type, arranged adjacent and in electrical contact with each other, and the conduction line forms the channel portion, a first conduction portion and a second conduction portion arranged on opposite sides of the channel portion.
US08759913B2
The present invention discloses a double diffused drain metal oxide semiconductor (DDMOS) device and a manufacturing method thereof. The DDDMOS device is formed in a substrate, and includes: a drift region, a gate, a source, a drain, a dielectric layer, and a conductive layer. The drift region includes a first region and a second region. The gate is formed on the substrate, and overlaps the first region from top view. The source and drain are formed at both sides of the gate respectively, and the drain is located in the second region. The drain and the gate are separated by a portion of the second region from top view. The dielectric layer is formed by dielectric material on the gate and the second region. The conductive layer is formed by conductive material on the dielectric layer, and overlaps at least part of the second region from top view.
US08759911B2
Plural island-form emitter cells (22) having a p-base region (23) and an n+ emitter region (24) are provided, distanced from each other, on a main surface of an n− layer (21). A trench (25) deeper than the p-base region (23) is formed on either side of the emitter cell (22). A first gate electrode (26) is embedded in the trench (25) across a first gate insulating film (41). A second gate electrode (27) that electrically connects first gate electrodes (26) is provided, across a second gate insulating film (40), on a surface of a region of the p-base region (23) sandwiched by the n+ emitter region (24). A conductive region (28) that electrically connects second gate electrodes (27) is provided, across a third gate insulating film (42), on a surface of the n− layer (21). A contact region (29) that is isolated from the second gate electrode (27), and that short circuits the n+ emitter region (24) and p-base region (23), is provided.
US08759908B2
A shielded gate transistor device may include one or more shield electrodes formed in a semiconductor substrate at a first level and one or more gate electrodes formed in the semiconductor substrate at a second level that is different from the first level. One or more portions of the one or more gate electrodes overlap one or more portions of the one or more shield electrodes. At least a portion of the gate electrodes is oriented non-parallel to the one or more shield electrodes. The shield electrodes are electrically insulated from the semiconductor substrate and the one or more gate electrodes are electrically insulated from the substrate and shield electrodes.
US08759904B2
Electronic devices (20, 20′) of superior design flexibility that avoid channel-width quantization effects common with prior art fin-type (FIN) field effect transistors (FIN-FETS) (22) are obtained by providing multiple FIN-FETs (22) and at least one planar FET (32, 32′) on a common substrate (21), wherein the multiple FIN-FETs (22) have fins (231, 232) of at least fin heights H1 and H2, with H2
US08759902B2
A non-volatile memory device includes a plurality of gate electrodes stacked over a semiconductor substrate and stretched in a first direction along the semiconductor substrate and a plurality of junction layers having a first region protruding from the semiconductor substrate and crossing the gate electrodes and a second region formed between the gate electrodes.
US08759898B2
A non-volatile memory including at least first and second memory cells each including a storage MOS transistor with dual gates and an insulation layer provided between the two gates. The insulation layer of the storage transistor of the second memory cell includes at least one portion that is less insulating than the insulation layer of the storage transistor of the first memory cell.
US08759897B2
According to one embodiment, a nonvolatile semiconductor memory device includes a stacked structural unit, a semiconductor pillar, a memory layer, an inner insulating film, an outer insulating film and a cap insulating film. The unit includes a plurality of electrode films stacked alternately in a first direction with a plurality of inter-electrode insulating films. The pillar pierces the stacked structural unit in the first direction. The memory layer is provided between the electrode films and the semiconductor pillar. The inner insulating film is provided between the memory layer and the semiconductor pillar. The outer insulating film is provided between the memory layer and the electrode films. The cap insulating film is provided between the outer insulating film and the electrode films, and the cap insulating film has a higher relative dielectric constant than the outer insulating film.
US08759894B1
A memory device is provided including a substrate. A first dielectric layer is formed over the substrate. An isolation trench is formed in a portion of the substrate and the first dielectric layer. At least two charge storage elements are formed over the first dielectric layer on opposite sides of the isolation trench. A second dielectric layer is formed over the at least two charge storage elements. A control gate layer is formed over the second dielectric layer, where the isolation trench has a width suitable for reducing cross-coupling noise of charge storage elements, and where the at least two charge storage elements have a height suitable for providing sufficient gate coupling between the at least two charge storage elements and the control gate layer.
US08759885B1
A standard cell for a semiconductor device has first and second opposing boundaries and third and fourth opposite boundaries, and includes first and second active regions formed in a semiconductor substrate. The first and second active regions are a first predetermined distance (a) from the first and second boundaries, respectively. A gate electrode is formed over the first and second active regions. First and second dummy diffusions layers are formed along the third boundary and are the first predetermined distance (a) from the first and second boundaries and a second predetermined distance (b) from the first and second active regions, respectively. Third and fourth dummy diffusions layers are formed along the fourth boundary and are the first predetermined distance (a) from the first and second boundaries and a third predetermined distance (b′) from the first and second active regions, respectively.
US08759880B2
An ultra-high voltage silicon-germanium (SiGe) heterojunction bipolar transistor (HBT), which includes: a P-type substrate; an N-type matching layer, a P-type matching layer and an N− collector region stacked on the P-type substrate from bottom up; two field oxide regions separately formed in the N− collector region; N+ pseudo buried layers, each under a corresponding one of the field oxide regions and in contact with each of the N-type matching layer, the P-type matching layer and the N− collector region; an N+ collector region between the two field oxide regions and through the N− collector region and the P-type matching layer and extending into the N-type matching layer; and deep hole electrodes, each in a corresponding one of the field oxide regions and in contact with a corresponding one of the N+ pseudo buried layers. A method of fabricating an ultra-high voltage SiGe HBT is also disclosed.
US08759870B2
On the top surface of a thin semiconductor wafer, top surface structures forming a semiconductor chip are formed. The top surface of the wafer is affixed to a supporting substrate with a double-sided adhesive tape. Then, from the bottom surface of the thin semiconductor wafer, a trench, which becomes a scribing line, is formed by wet anisotropic etching so that side walls of the trench are exposed. On the side walls of the trench with the crystal face exposed, an isolation layer with a conductivity type different from that of the semiconductor wafer for holding a reverse breakdown voltage is formed simultaneously with a collector region of the bottom surface diffused layer by ion implantation, followed by annealing with laser irradiation. The side walls form a substantially V-shaped or trapezoidal-shaped cross section, with an angle of the side wall relative to the supporting substrate being 30-70°. The double-sided adhesive tape is then removed from the top surface to produce semiconductor chips. With such a manufacturing method, a reverse-blocking semiconductor device having high reliability can be formed.
US08759864B2
There is provided a polarizer for organic light emitting diodes (OLED) having improved brightness. The polarizer, which comprises a linear polarizer and a ¼ retardation plate, comprises a reflective polarizer film disposed between the linear polarizer and the ¼ retardation plate and transmitting a polarized light horizontal to the transmission axis of the linear polarizer while reflecting a polarized light vertical to the transmission axis of the linear polarizer. The polarizer may be useful to highly improve the brightness of the OLED device when the polarizer is used in the OLED device.
US08759855B2
A light emitting device includes a support member having a mounting surface. The support member includes an insulating member having top surface and a plurality of side surfaces, a first metal pattern disposed on the top surface of the insulating member, and a second metal pattern disposed on the side surface of the insulating member such that a side surface of the second metal pattern is continuous with a top surface of the first metal pattern. The light emitting device further includes a light emitting element mounted on the mounting surface at a location of the first metal pattern, and a bonding member that bonds the light emitting element to the mounting surface. The bonding member covers at least a portion of the first metal pattern and at least a portion of the second metal pattern.
US08759843B2
An optical/electrical transducer device has housing, formed of a thermally conductive section and an optically transmissive member. The section and member are connected together to form a seal for a vapor tight chamber. Pressure within the chamber configures a working fluid to absorb heat during operation of the device, to vaporize at a relatively hot location as it absorbs heat, to transfer heat to and condense at a relatively cold location, and to return as a liquid to the relatively hot location. The transducer device also includes a wicking structure mounted within the chamber to facilitate flow of condensed liquid of the working fluid from the cold location to the hot location. At least a portion of the wicking structure comprises semiconductor nanowires, configured as part of an optical/electrical transducer within the chamber for emitting light through and/or driven by light received via the transmissive member.
US08759842B2
The invention relates to a semiconductor device and a method for manufacturing the semiconductor device, which includes: an insulating film over a substrate; a first pixel electrode embedded in the insulating film; an island-shaped single-crystal semiconductor layer over the insulating film; a gate insulating film and a gate electrode; an interlayer insulating film which covers the island-shaped single-crystal semiconductor layer and the gate electrode; a wiring which electrically connects a high-concentration impurity region and the first pixel electrode to each other; a partition which covers the interlayer insulating film, the island-shaped single-crystal semiconductor layer, and the gate electrode and has an opening in a region over the first pixel electrode; a light-emitting layer formed in a region which is over the pixel electrode and surrounded by the partition; and a second pixel electrode electrically connected to the light-emitting layer. A surface of the first pixel electrode, which is in contact with the light-emitting layer, is flat, and a surface where the insulating film is in contact with the island-shaped single-crystal semiconductor layer roughly coincides with a surface where the first pixel electrode is in contact with the light-emitting layer.
US08759832B2
A semiconductor device, disposed on a substrate, includes a first channel layer, a patterned doped layer, a gate insulating layer, a conducting gate electrode, a second channel layer, a first electrode and a second electrode, and a third electrode and a fourth electrode. The first channel layer is disposed on the substrate and in a first region. The patterned doped layer includes a doped gate electrode disposed in a second region, and two contact electrodes electrically connected to two sides of the first channel layer, respectively. The conducting gate electrode is disposed on the gate insulating layer in the first region. The second channel layer is disposed on the gate insulating layer in the second region. The first electrode and the second electrode are electrically connected to the contact electrodes, respectively. The third electrode and the fourth electrode are electrically connected to two sides of the second channel layer, respectively.
US08759831B2
A thin film transistor (TFT) array structure for a liquid crystal display (LCD) includes a panel, a first conductive layer, a middle layer, a second conductive layer, a passivation layer, and a black electrode layer. The first conductive layer is formed on the panel using filming technologies and a first photo-mask process. The middle layer is deposited and formed on the first conductive layer using a second photo-mask process. The second conductive layer is formed on the middle layer using a third photo-mask process and a first etching operation. The passivation layer is deposited and formed on the middle layer and the second conductive layer using a forth photo-mask process and a second etching operation. The black electrode layer formed on the passivation layer. The TFT array structure and the manufacturing method of the present disclosure reduce the consumption of the voltage and improve the display effect of the LCD.
US08759830B2
An electronic device (100) is presented, being configured for example as a vertical field effect transistor. The device comprises an electrically-conductive perforated patterned structure (102) which is enclosed between a dielectric layer (105) and an active element (106) of the electronic device (100). The electrically-conductive perforated patterned structure (102) comprises a geometrical pattern defining an array of spaced-apart perforation regions (108) surrounded by continuous electrically conductive regions (110). The pattern is such as to allow the active element (106) of the electronic device (100) to be in direct contact with said dielectric layer (105) aligned with the perforation regions (108). A material composition of the device (100) and features of said geometrical pattern are selected to provide a desired electrical conductance of the electrically-conductive perforated patterned structure (102) and a desired profile of a charge carriers' injection barrier along said structure (102).
US08759825B2
A light emitting device and an element substrate which are capable of suppressing variations in the luminance intensity of a light emitting element among pixels due to characteristic variations of a driving transistor without suppressing off-current of a switching transistor low and increasing storage capacity of a capacitor. According to the invention, a depletion mode transistor is used as a driving transistor. The gate of the driving transistor is fixed in its potential or connected to the source or drain thereof to operate in a saturation region with a constant current flow. A current controlling transistor which operates in a linear region is connected in series to the driving transistor, and a video signal for transmitting a light emission or non-emission of a pixel is inputted to the gate of the current controlling transistor through a switching transistor.
US08759824B2
A semiconductor structure including an ordered array of parallel graphene nanoribbons located on a surface of a semiconductor substrate is provided using a deterministically assembled parallel set of nanowires as an etch mask. The deterministically assembled parallel set of nanowires is formed across a gap present in a patterned graphene layer utilizing an electric field assisted assembly process. A semiconductor device, such as a field effect transistor, can be formed on the ordered array of parallel graphene nanoribbons.
US08759822B2
An organic light-emitting display apparatus including a substrate; an organic light-emitting device formed on the substrate; a thin film encapsulation layer that is formed on the organic light-emitting device and covers the organic light-emitting device; and a barrier layer disposed between the organic light-emitting device and the thin film encapsulation layer, in which the barrier layer includes a first barrier layer formed on the organic light-emitting device and including an alkali metal-containing compound; and a second barrier layer disposed between the first barrier layer and the thin film encapsulation layer and including an amorphous inorganic oxide.
US08759797B2
A drawing apparatus performs drawing overlaid with a shot formed on a substrate with a plurality of charged particle beams based on a plurality of drawing stripe data that constitute drawing data. The apparatus includes a charged particle optical system configured to generate the plurality of charged particle beams; and a controller configured to generate a plurality of intermediate stripe data as data of a plurality of intermediate stripes, adjacent ones of the plurality of intermediate stripes overlapping with each other, to obtain information on distortion of the shot, and to transform the plurality of intermediate stripe data based on the information on the distortion to generate the plurality of drawing stripe data.
US08759775B2
Method for the selective detection of petroleum hydrocarbon in an environmental sample containing natural organic matter. The method includes subjecting the sample to infrared (IR) radiation, and detecting an IR signal centered on a signal at 1380 cm−1, 2690 cm−1, 2730 cm−1, 2830 cm−1, 2870 cm−1, 4164 cm−1, 4256 cm−1, 4329 cm−1 and/or 4388 cm−1. Detection of the IR signal indicates the presence of petroleum hydrocarbon in said sample.
US08759771B2
An optical element includes a semiconductor layer having an energy band gap larger than a photon energy of light, and a plurality of electrodes in electrical contact with the semiconductor layer. At least one of the electrodes forms a Schottky junction between the electrode and the semiconductor layer; the Schottky junction has a barrier height smaller than the photon energy of the light. At least part of a junction surface between the electrode that forms the Schottky junction and the semiconductor layer includes a light irradiation surface arranged to be irradiated with the light from a surface of the semiconductor layer without the electrodes, and a portion of a coupling structure arranged to be coupled to a terahertz wave that is generated or detected through the irradiation with the light.
US08759763B2
A method of measuring a step height of a device using a scanning electron microscope (SEM), the method may include providing a device which comprises a first region and a second region, wherein a step is formed between the first region and the second region, obtaining a SEM image of the device by photographing the device using a SEM, wherein the SEM image comprises a first SEM image region for the first region and a second SEM image region for the second region, converting the SEM image into a gray-level histogram and calculating a first peak value related to the first SEM image region and a second peak value related to the second SEM image region, wherein the first peak value and the second peak value are repeatedly calculated by varying a focal length of the SEM, and determining a height of the step by analyzing a trend of changes in the first peak value according to changes in the focal length and a trend of changes in the second peak value according to the changes in the focal length.
US08759762B2
A method of inspecting for plug-to-plug short (short circuit) defects on a sample is disclosed. A charged particle beam for imaging the sample is repeatedly line-scanned over the sample with a line-to-line advancement direction perpendicular to the line-scan direction. The method includes scanning the sample with a line-to-line advancement along a first and a second direction, to obtain a first and a second image of the sample, respectively. Then, the method includes identifying plug patterns, represented in the obtained images with abnormal grey levels, as abnormal plug patterns. Next, the method compares the locations of the abnormal plug patterns to determine the presence of plug-to-plug short defects on the sample.
US08759752B2
A method for determining a mass-to-charge ratio of an analyte is described that accounts for space charge limitations when there are relatively high concentrations of ions in an ion trap. The method includes calibrating a mass spectrometer for the space charge effects caused by the analyte ion itself and also for adjacent ions that have a mass-to-charge ratio different than the analyte ion. A mass spectrum can be measured for both an analyte ion and an adjacent ion where there is a relatively high concentration of ions in the ion trap. A corrected mass-to-charge ratio can be calculated for an analyte ion based on the measured analyte mass-to-charge ratio, the measured analyte abundance, the first mass-to-charge ratio difference, and the measured first adjacent ion abundance. The resulting corrected mass-to-charge ratio has an increased accuracy and at the same time improves the dynamic range of the ion trap mass analyzer.
US08759750B2
Systems, methods, and devices for determining porosity with high sensitivity are provided. In one example, a downhole tool with such high porosity sensitivity may include a neutron source, a near neutron detector, and a far neutron detector. The neutron source may emit neutrons into the subterranean formation, which may scatter and be detected by the near and far detectors. The near neutron detector may be disposed near enough to the neutron source to detect a maximum number of neutrons when the porosity of the subterranean formation is greater than 0 p.u.
US08759747B2
An absolute rotary encoder comprises: a rotary member which includes a cylindrical surface on which a plurality of marks are arranged at a predetermined pitch in a circumferential direction; a light source configured to emit a light toward the cylindrical surface; a detector configured to detect a predetermined number of marks of the plurality of marks; and a computing device configured to obtain an absolute rotation angle of the rotary member based on an output from the detector. The detector is configured to output a signal corresponding to the predetermined number of marks and having an uneven period resulting from a geometrical layout of the light source, the cylindrical surface, and the detector. The computing device is configured to correct the signal using correction data so as to reduce unevenness of the period, and to obtain the absolute rotation angle of the rotary member using the corrected signal.
US08759746B2
A rotary encoder and an optical wheel for the rotary encoder are provided. The rotary encoder further includes a light source module, a code plate and an optical sensor module. The light source module is coupled with the code plate. The optical wheel is rotary, and has imaging elements arranged annularly; at least one of the imaging elements is coupled with the code plate. The optical sensor module is coupled with at least one of the imaging elements. The light source module emits lights to the code plate, and the lights passing through the code plate forms an image which is then transmitted to the optical sensor module via the imaging element. When the optical wheel rotates, the image moves accordingly. The optical sensor module senses that the image moves. A method for generating a zeroing signal of a rotary encoder and a liner encoder are also provided.
US08759742B2
A two-dimensional solid-state image capture device includes pixel areas arranged in a two-dimensional matrix, each pixel area being constituted by multiple sub-pixel regions, each sub-pixel region having a photoelectric conversion element. A polarization member is disposed at a light incident side of at least one of the sub-pixel regions constituting each pixel area. The polarization member has strip-shaped conductive light-shielding material layers and slit areas, provided between the strip-shaped conductive light-shielding material layers. Each sub-pixel region further has a wiring layer for controlling an operation of the photoelectric conversion element, and the polarization member and the wiring layer are made of the same material and are disposed on the same virtual plane.
US08759731B2
A cooking oven system with a master-slave power assembly therebetween to allow for a single power connection to a 30 ampere single phase electrical outlet includes: a first oven which runs on about 15 amperes; and a second oven which runs on about 15 amperes with an electrical power system which includes a power cord that extends from the second oven to the electrical inlet of the first oven, thereby allowing the first oven to act as a power master to the second oven which acts as a slave by obtaining power from the first oven; wherein the heated gas at or near the food product disposed in the cooking chamber of either the first or second oven exhibits a flow rate of at least about 100 CFM at 100 percent velocity.
US08759727B2
A roasting oven includes an enclosure coupled to a source of microwave RF energy, an operable door for sealing the enclosure for RF, the operable door having a viewing aperture which prevents the escape of RF from inside the chamber. A rotating support has an axis which is perpendicular to the viewing aperture such that the progress of roasting may be viewed through the viewing aperture and into a food container placed in the rotating support. The applied power of the microwave RF source and the rotational velocity of the rotating support are selected to provide uniform or wide spectrum roasting of the food item. A roasting profile may include a roasting interval during which the microwave RF source and rotating support are both energized, and subsequently a cool-down interval where the microwave RF source is disabled and the rotating support continues to rotate.
US08759717B2
An electrically heated window comprising at least two plies of a glazing material; at least one ply of an interlayer material; a grid of at least one electrically conductive pathway attached to a film; and an electrical connector for supplying current to the grid in order to heat the window; wherein the at least one ply of an interlayer material, the grid and the film are laminated between the at least two plies of a glazing material.
US08759709B2
An improved electrode for use in a plasma arc torch. The electrode includes an electrode body, a cavity in a front face at a first end of the electrode body, and an insert disposed in the cavity. The first end of the electrode body is formed of high purity copper containing at least 99.81% copper. The insert has a first end and a second end and is formed of a high emissivity material. A diameter of the first end of the insert is less than a diameter of a second end of the insert. An electrode is compressed to retain the insert using radial compression. The invention also includes a method for forming the electrode, and a method of operation of an electrode in a plasma torch.
US08759707B2
This invention relates to methods and devices for the production of micro-structured substrates and their application in natural sciences and technology, in particular in analysis and detection systems based on artificial and biological lipid membranes. The structure is preferably a hole or a cavity or channel and is obtained by spark perforation. Energy, preferably heat, is applied to the region to be structured so as to reduce the amplitude of voltage required and/or soften the material. The electrical parameters of the spark perforation are feedback-controlled.
US08759706B2
A switch device including arm springs as movable contacts slide in accordance with a switching operation of a switch knob. The arm springs come into resilient contact and slide on movable contact slide parts. Root parts and mountain parts are formed in the movable contact slide parts and a fixed contact is formed with end edges of bus bars. The bus bars are mounted and fixed to an upper surface of a support part. A cut out part is provided on the upper surface of the support part. The arm springs are formed in the shapes of bars having mountain forms in section fitted to the root parts, and the arm springs are extended in the vertical direction to plate surfaces of the bus bars and arranged to be inclined so that outer side surfaces abut on upper side edges of the fixed contacts.
US08759704B2
A switch includes a click spring, stationary contacts, a spring holding sheet, a switch base, and a nub disposed on the sheet and having a non-linear acting load to displacement characteristic. Spring constant k11 (tangent gradient of the characteristic curve of the a nub at an origin point), spring constant k3 (gradient of a line connecting a point corresponding to a peak acting load and an origin point of a characteristic curve of the click spring and the sheet), spring constant k12 (tangent gradient at an arbitrary point of a non-linear portion of the characteristic curve of the nub), and displacement s11 (displacement corresponding to an intersection point of the line having the gradient k11 and the line having the gradient k12) satisfy k11
US08759702B2
The present invention relates to a key structure and a keyboard having the same. The key structure includes a seat, a conductive membrane disposed on the seat, a scissor assembly, a light source, and a cap. The seat has a plurality of protruding hooking portions. At least one conducting section is defined on the conductive membrane away from the central portion thereof. The collapsible scissor assembly is arranged between the seat and the cap. The key structure has at least one protrusion arranged above the corresponding conducting section. A rubber element having a hole formed on the top portion thereof is disposed centrally on the conductive membrane. The light source is arranged beneath and covered by the rubber element. The cap is disposed on the scissor assembly. The protrusion may be arranged on the side portion of the scissor assembly or the undersurface of the cap.
US08759696B2
A trigger switch includes a case having a switching mechanism inside thereof and open on one side, a cover configured to be fitted inside an opening of the case to close the opening, and a trigger arranged outside of the case and configured to operate the switching mechanism by sliding operation via the plunger. An engaging depression is formed on an inner wall surface defining an opening edge portion of the case. A shoulder is formed on an outer peripheral end edge portion of the cover. An engaging projection is formed to project outward from a side surface of the shoulder to a small extent so as to be capable of engaging with the engaging depression corresponding thereto. A joint groove is formed by the inner wall surface of the opening edge portion of the case and the shoulder, and the joint groove is filled with an adhesive agent.
US08759693B2
An enclosure includes a sidewall defining a number of first vents and a shield apparatus installed to the sidewall. The shield apparatus includes a shield plate spaced from the sidewall. A distance between the sidewall and the shield plate is greater than a size of the first vent. The shield plate defines a number of second vents respectively aligning with the first vents.
US08759687B2
A flex-rigid wiring board includes an insulative substrate, a flexible wiring board positioned beside the insulative substrate, and an insulation layer positioned over the insulative substrate and the flexible wiring board and exposing at least a portion of the flexible wiring board. The flexible wiring board has a tapered portion which is made thinner toward the insulative substrate at an end portion of the flexible wiring board positioned beside the insulative substrate.
US08759682B2
This device for holding at least one longitudinal element, of the wiring harness or tube type, on a support, comprises a deformable clamp that allows said longitudinal element to be inserted into the clamp and holds the longitudinal element, and a protective layer that at least partially covers the clamp. The clamp is made of thermoplastic, the protective layer being overmolded onto the clamp.
US08759678B2
Exemplary embodiments are directed to cable storage devices and associated methods. The exemplary cable storage device includes at least one chamber and at least one chamber path. The at least one chamber path detachably secures at least one cable in the at least one chamber path. The at least one chamber is configured and dimensioned to have at least one of a spring-like property or a flexible property. An alternative exemplary cable storage device includes at least one chamber and at least one coupling member. The coupling member detachably secures at least one cable in the at least one chamber path and further includes a first coupler and a second coupler having at least one of a spring-like property or a flexible property. In alternative exemplary embodiments, methods of cable storage are provided.
US08759676B1
An electrical box assembly for concrete poured floors. The electrical box assembly includes a concrete can with an open end and a plurality of hubs with integral sockets for connection of electrical conduit thereto. Plugs are provided for closing off unused sockets. The electrical box assembly includes a mounting bracket for installation on the open end of the can, a duplex receptacle, a back plate and a cover plate. The back plate provides a seal between the mounting bracket and the cover plate. Removable threaded blanks are included for sealing the openings in the cover plate in order to gain access to the plug-ins on the duplex receptacle.
US08759659B2
An object of the present invention is to provide a musical performance device by which layout information, such as information regarding the arrangement of a virtual musical instrument set, can be quickly and easily changed during musical performance and whereby the variety of musical performance can be increased. In the present invention, a CPU identifies a musical tone associated with a virtual pad in an area where the position coordinates of a marker section are located in an image captured by a camera unit section at a shot timing by a drumstick section, and emits the identified musical tone. When the position coordinates of the marker section in an image captured at a shot timing are within the area of a control pad on a virtual plane, the CPU switches processing target set layout information to other set layout information among a plurality of set layout information.
US08759656B1
A game facilitating teaching of music reading and learning in a fun way includes a pair of blinding glasses which completely deprive a wearer of sight, seven cubes having a magnet at their centers and engraved musical notes on some of their sides. A musical staff having palpable lines and spaces allowing for the receipt of a plurality of staff note pieces to designate musical scales or chords. A timing device offers the possibility of increasing the difficulty of game play by limiting the amount of time a participant has to complete an arrangement of game pieces.
US08759655B2
Provided are systems and methods for resonance tuning. A signal is received in response to a resonance of a structure. A frequency or musical note related to an overtone is determined from the signal. The frequency or musical note related to the overtone is selected as a filter mode reference frequency or musical note. A display of frequencies or musical notes from a subsequent signal that deviate from the filter mode reference frequency or musical note by a predetermined threshold is suppressed.
US08759648B2
The present invention is a banjo tone ring with vertical sides (30) as opposed to the angled design of conventional banjo tone rings (120). The ring (30) of the present invention has specific height (h) to width (w) or thickness ratios and is within specific weight ranges for improved performance It vibrates much freer and thus raises the quality of musical tones from the banjo (10) to much higher aesthetic levels. Other embodiments also modify the musical tones for different sounds. Several novel embodiments of manufacturing methods are also described.
US08759636B1
A novel maize variety designated PH1D84 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprise crossing maize variety PH1D84 with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into PH1D84 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. Hybrid maize seed, plant or plant part produced by crossing the variety PH1D84 or a locus conversion of PH1D84 with another maize variety.
US08759633B1
A novel maize variety designated X7F728 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof, produced by crossing Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. proprietary inbred maize varieties. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprises crossing maize variety X7F728 with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X7F728 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety X7F728, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X7F728. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X7F728.
US08759620B2
Compositions and methods for controlling plant pests are disclosed. In particular, transgenic maize plants comprising nucleic acid molecules encoding modified Cry3A toxins having increased toxicity to western corn rootworm are provided. Such modified Cry3A toxins, into which a non-naturally occurring protease recognition site is inserted, are expressed at levels in transgenic plants to inhibit insect feeding damage and cause insect mortality.
US08759608B2
Crossing a winter B. napus line with a rapid-cycle B. rapa line has been discovered to provide an unexpectedly simple and efficient way to create a modified B. napus with a spring flowering habit. In one implementation, such a modified B. napus or its progeny is crossed with a second winter B. napus line to produce a plant having a winter flowering habit. This allows one to significantly shorten the development cycle for winter-flowering B. napus lines by conducting part of the breeding program with spring-flowering time cycles, then migrating the resultant germplasm back into a winter-flowering line.
US08759607B2
The present invention relates to screening methods for rust resistance or tolerance, in particular, Asian soybean rust (ASR—Phakopsora pachyrhizi). In addition, the present invention relates to the use of molecular markers for the Glycine genus, in particular, for the Glycine max species. The present invention further relates to a method for identifying loci with quantitative and/or qualitative traits associated with rust resistance or tolerance in plants by means of molecular markers. Said markers can be used for assisted screening in improvement programs directed to selecting disease-resistant or -tolerant plants. The present invention also relates to gene pyramiding related to rust resistance. The markers of the present invention are also useful for the positional cloning of rust-resistant or -tolerant genes. Also disclosed are a method for obtaining disease-resistant or -tolerant cultivars, process for obtaining a plant population and a method for controlling diseases in a plant population. Another object of the present invention is the use of species from the Glycine genus as a source of resistance for obtaining ASR-resistant or tolerant cultivars.
US08759597B2
A method for producing a zeolite catalyst includes mixing a zeolite material with a filler material comprising transition phase and alpha alumina, a porosity enhancing agent, and water to produce a paste; mulling the paste; extruding the paste to produce a shaped extrudate; and drying and calcining the shaped extrudate to produce a zeolite catalyst, wherein the zeolite catalyst has a total porosity greater than about 0.60 ml/gm and greater than 15% of a total pore volume of pores in the range from about 550 Å to about 31,000 Å.
US08759596B2
A liquid fuel production process from Cellulosic biomass and coal comprises providing a mixture of Cellulosic biomass and coal, subjecting the mixture to gasification to obtain synthesis gas and converting the synthesis gas to a liquid fuel under the presence of catalyst. The catalyst includes molybdenum sulfide, alkali metal compound and a component activating the C—H bond in alkanes product, wherein the alkali metal compound is selected from the group of salts of Li, Na, K, Rb and Cs, the component activating the C—H bond in alkanes product is selected from Mo, V, Os, Re, Ir, Pt, Pd, Co, Rh, Ni and their mixture. Additionally, co-gasification of Cellulosic biomass and coal can reduce the ash fusion temperature of coal.
US08759594B2
The present invention relates to a process for hydrogenating oligo- and/or polyesters obtainable by esterifying a DCS with a diol or diol mixture, said hydrogenation being performed in the presence of a catalyst whose catalyst precursor comprises copper oxide, aluminum oxide and at least one oxide of lanthanum, of iron, of tungsten, of molybdenum, of titanium or of zirconium, and to a process for preparing 1,6-hexanediol by catalytically hydrogenating ester mixtures which comprise, as main components, oligo- and polyesters of adipic acid and 6-hydroxycaproic acid, and are obtained by esterifying DCS with diols, especially 1,6-hexanediol or diol mixtures.
US08759590B2
A specified indenopyrene compound containing a disubstituted amino group substituted with a group having a carbon number of from 1 to 40, which is a useful indenopyrene compound as an organic electronics material, and in particular, an indenopyrene compound which when used for organic thin film solar cells, displays a photoelectric conversion characteristic with high efficiency, is provided.
US08759576B2
In one embodiment, the invention is to a process for purifying acetic anhydride. The process includes the steps of feeding a liquid crude acetic anhydride stream directly to a distillation column and separating the liquid crude acetic anhydride stream to produce a light ends stream, a sidedraw and a residue stream. The sidedraw comprises substantially pure acetic anhydride product. The distillation column is operated at a pressure less than 101 kPa. The substantially pure acetic anhydride product comprises greater than 98 wt. % acetic anhydride, has a permanganate time of greater than 10 minutes, and has an APHA color of less than 10.
US08759574B2
The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of a composition comprising tartaric acid wherein between 55 and 90% by weight of the tartaric acid is meso-tartaric acid, comprising the steps of (i) preparing an aqueous mixture comprising between 35 and 65% by weight of a di-alkali metal salt of L-tartaric acid, a di-alkali metal salt of D-tartaric acid, a mixture of di-alkali metal salts of L-tartaric acid, D-tartaric acid, and optionally meso-tartaric acid, and between 2 and 15% by weight of an alkali metal or alkaline metal hydroxide, and (ii) stirring and heating the aqueous mixture to a temperature of between 100° C. and its boiling point until between 55 and 90% by weight of tartaric acid has been converted to meso-tartaric acid.
US08759564B2
Novel amidoacetonitrile compounds and compositions containing the compounds are disclosed. The compounds have pesticidal properties and are suitable for controlling endoparasites on warm-blooded animals.
US08759559B2
Provided are processes for preparing polytrimethylene ether glycol monoester or diesters composition wherein polytrimethylene ether glycol containing less than about 1 weight % of unreacted diol monomer is reacted with an equivalent excess of a monocarboxylic acid.
US08759558B2
The present invention relates to lipid compounds of the general formula (I): wherein R1 is selected from a C10-C22 alkyl, a C10-C22 alkenyl having 1-6 double bonds, and a C10-C22alkynyl having 1-6 triple bonds; R2 and R3 are the same or different and may be selected from a group of different substituents; Y is selected from sulphur, sulfoxide, and sulfone; and X represents a carboxylic acid or a derivative thereof, a carboxylic ester, a carboxylic anhydride or a carboxamide; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, complex or solvate thereof.The invention also relates to pharmaceutical compositions and lipid compositions comprising such compounds, and to such compounds for use as medicaments or for use in therapy, in particular for the treatment of diseases related to the cardiovascular, metabolic and inflammatory disease area.
US08759556B2
The invention relates to a method for the selective extraction of functionalised fatty acid esters from seeds of oleaginous plants, wherein said method includes: a) at least one step of extracting fatty acid esters that comprises simultaneously feeding into a reactor containing said seeds a light anhydrous alcohol, a basic catalyst and an extraction solvent non-miscible with said light alcohol and in which said functionalised fatty ester is not soluble in order to obtain a mixture of esters and glycerol; b) and at least one step of selectively extracting hydroxylated fatty acid esters by feeding into the reactor said extraction solvent in a backflush direction relative to the light alcohol in order to obtain an alcohol phase enriched with fatty acid esters, a glycerol phase and a cake. The invention can be used for obtaining a fraction having a high concentration of hydroxylated or epoxydised functionalised fatty acid esters, and a solvent phase containing the other non-functionalised fatty acid esters directly from the seeds of oleaginous plants.
US08759549B2
This invention relates to a novel compound extracted from antrodia Cinnamomea and related compounds of formula (1), and pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compound of formula (1) and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or excipient. The invention further comprises the method of inhibit cancer cells by administering an effective amount of the compound of formula (1).
US08759547B2
A process for the extraction of Vitamin E from annatto plant matter is disclosed wherein annatto seed matter is subjected, before extraction, to acidification using amla fruit matter. After the acidification, the mixture of the two plant matters is extracted by water. The acidification converts the vitamin E compounds in the plant matter into more water-soluble forms, thus enhancing the vitamin yield. More of the vitamin is obtained in the ester form than in the form of vitamin alcohols. Processing time is reduced.
US08759543B2
In an embodiment of the disclosure, a bithiophene derivative is provided. The bithiophene derivative has formula (I): In formula (I), R is C8-25 alkyl, and A includes In another embodiment of the disclosure, a semiconductor device including the bithiophene derivative is further provided.
US08759540B2
The present invention provides a color tone correcting agent having suitable heat resistance for use in an optical filter, a novel squarylium compound that is specifically preferable as the color tone correcting agent, and an optical filter including the color tone correcting agent. Specifically, the present invention provides a color tone correcting agent including a squarylium compound represented by the general formula (1), a novel squarylium compound which is represented by the general formula (4) and is preferable as the color tone correcting agent, and an optical filter including the color tone correcting agent. The general formula (1) and (4) are each as defined in the specification.
US08759520B2
Compounds of general formula (I): wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, X and Y are as defined herein are inhibitors of Bcl-2 and are useful for treating diseases characterized by abnormal cell growth and/or dysregulated apoptosis.
US08759514B2
The present invention is directed to a method for effectively separating HMX and RDX from HMX/RDX-included explosives, respectively, without using a harmful organic solvent, the method capable of respectively separating HMX and RDX from HMX/RDX-included explosives by selectively dissolving RDX included in explosives by using a difference between solubility parameters of HMX and RDX with respect to compressed dimethylether. The present invention is further directed to an apparatus for respectively separating HMX and RDX from HMX/RDX-included explosives comprising a dimethylether supplying unit, an explosive particle dissolving unit, and an explosive particle collecting unit.
US08759504B2
The present invention describes new cholinergic/serotoninergic chimeric receptors and provides methods and compositions suitable for screening for ligands such as agonists, antagonists and allosteric modulators of α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors.
US08759503B2
Isolated nucleic acid sequence encoding the CD20 gene comprising SEQ ID NO: 5, recombinant vector comprising a nucleic acid sequence placed under the control of one or a plurality of elements required for the expression thereof in a host cell, and method for improving the efficacy of a treatment comprising using a nucleic acid sequence comprising SEQ ID NO: 5.
US08759500B2
New crystalline forms of macrolide compounds, and pharmaceutical compositions thereof, are described herein. In addition, processes for preparing the crystalline forms are described herein.
US08759496B2
The present invention relates to therapeutic conjugates with improved ability to target various diseased cells containing a targeting moiety (such as an antibody or antibody fragment), a linker and a therapeutic moiety, and further relates to processes for making and using the conjugates.
US08759493B2
A new gene —MN— and proteins/polypeptides encoded therefrom are disclosed. Recombinant nucleic acid molecules for expressing MN proteins/polypeptides and recombinant proteins are provided. Expression of the MN gene is disclosed as being associated with tumorigenicity, and the invention concerns methods and compositions for detecting and/or quantitating MN antigen and/or MN-specific antibodies in vertebrate samples that are diagnostic/prognostic for neoplastic and pre-neoplastic disease. MN-specific antibodies are disclosed that can be used diagnostically/prognostically, therapeutically, for imaging, and/or for affinity purification of MN proteins/polypeptides. The invention still further concerns antisense nucleic acid sequences that can be used to inhibit MN gene expression.
US08759492B2
The invention provides engineered red-shifted channelrhodopsin variants. In some embodiments, the channelrhodopsin variants are characterized by improved membrane trafficking, expression, and/or unique spectral and kinetic properties.
US08759491B2
The invention provides methods and compositions for modulating hepatocyte growth factor activator function.
US08759483B2
Disclosed are: a peptide comprising an amino acid sequence composed of contiguous nine amino acid residues derived from a WT1 protein, wherein an amino acid residue at position 2 in the amino acid sequence is selected from the group consisting of Ala, Ile, Leu, Val, Phe, Tyr, Ser and Asp and an amino acid residue at position 9 in the amino acid sequence is Arg; a polynucleotide encoding the peptide; a pharmaceutical composition comprising the peptide; and a method for the induction of a WT1-specific CTL using the peptide.
US08759480B2
According to the present invention, there is provided a range of new conotoxin derivatives and methods for synthesizing these analogues and other intramolecular dicarba bridge-containing peptides, including dicarba-disulfide bridge-containing peptides.
US08759479B2
The present invention concerns compositions and methods of extracting infectious pathogens from a volume of blood. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of creating a fibrin aggregate confining the pathogens and introducing a fibrin lysis reagent to expose the pathogens for analysis. The present invention also concerns materials and methods for removing aurintricarboxylic acid (ATA) from a sample.
US08759475B2
Polyamides, e.g., polyhexamethylene adipamide, are continuously produced via the following stages: Stage 1: into and through a reactor, polycondensing a liquid stream which contain the polyamide monomer(s) at a pressure P1 greater than atmospheric pressure, the stream of material at the outlet of the reactor including a vapor phase which contains steam and a liquid phase which at least contains the product of polycondensation; Stage 2: feeding the outlet stream of material into a chamber, evacuating at least a portion of the vapor phase therefrom and recovering at least the liquid phase which at least contains the product of polycondensation, the pressure P2 in the chamber being regulated at a set value such that it is greater than atmospheric pressure and the residence time of said liquid phase in the chamber being less than 5 minutes; and Stage 3: pressure reducing at least the liquid phase which at least contains the stream of polycondensation product recovered during Stage 2.
US08759472B2
A polyamide-imide resin insulating paint according to the present invention includes polyamide-imide resin containing no halogen element in its molecular chain which is dissolved in a polar solvent, in which the polyamide-imide resin contains an aromatic diisocyanate component (A) having three or more benzene rings or an aromatic diamine component (E) having three or more benzene rings in a monomer, and a ratio M/N between a molecular weight (M) of the polyamide-imide resin per repeat unit and an average number (N) of amide groups and imide groups is equal to or more than 200.
US08759467B2
A process for producing a polyurethane, which comprises using a polyester polyol (a-1), a polyether polyol (b), an isocyanate compound (c) and a chain extender (d) as a raw material to produce a polyurethane, wherein the polyester polyol (a-1) is a polyester polyol (a-1) obtained by forming an ester bond between either a carboxyl group of a polycarboxylic acid (i-1) having a polysiloxane framework and a plurality of carboxyl groups or an ester group of a polycarboxylic acid ester (i-2) having a polysiloxane framework and a plurality of ester groups, and a hydroxyl group of a polyether polyol (ii).
US08759457B2
Two-component epoxy resin compositions are disclosed. The polyepoxide component comprises one or more oligomers having at least one aromatic ring substituent R4X1—in which R4 represents a substituted or unsubstituted aliphatic group having at least 4 carbon atoms, a substituted or unsubstituted cycloaliphatic group having at least 5 carbon atoms, a poly(oxyalkylene) group wherein the average number of carbon atoms per oxyalkylene unit is at least 3, or a aryl group having one or more of the foregoing substituents, bonded directly to the aryl group via a covalent bond or bonded to the aryl group via an oxy, a thio, or a carbonyloxy divalent linking group, or a combination thereof, and X1 represents a covalent bond or a divalent moiety selected from oxy, thio, carbonyloxy, and —X2C(R2)2C(R1)(OH)C(R2)2O—, in which X2 represents a covalent bond or a divalent moiety selected from oxy, thio, and carbonyloxy, R1 represents —H or —C1-14 alkyl, and each R independently represents —H or —CH3. The curing agent component comprises one or more compounds of Formula (VI): in which each Z independently represents a divalent hydrocarbylene group having from 2 to 20 carbon atoms; R5 represents a Cg-2O saturated or unsaturated aliphatic ring substituent; each R6 independently represents a hydrogen atom or a hydrocarbyl group having from 1 to 10 carbon atoms and optionally at least one hetero atom; each m independently is an integer in the range from 1 to 4; k represents an integer in the range from 1 to 3; and j represents 1 or 2, and/or one or more adducts of one or more Formula (VI) compounds. The two-component epoxy resin compositions are capable of faster cure at low ambient temperatures, such as at temperatures below 1O0C, such as below 50C or even below O0C, to quickly form nonsticky coatings and seals having a good appearance. (R5)Ph(OH)j[CHR6NH(ZNH)mH]k (VI)
US08759452B2
The present invention is directed to a polypropylene composition comprising a propylene homo- or copolymer (A) with a polydispersity index (PI), determined according ISO 6721-1, of at least 5.8 Pa−1; and an inorganic filler (B) in an amount from 2.0 to 20 parts per weight based on 100 parts per weight of (A)+(B); The present invention is furthermore directed to a polypropylene composition comprising a propylene homo- or copolymer (A); and an inorganic filler (B); whereby the following relation is fulfilled (80F+1700)MPa≦T wherein F are the parts per weight of component (B) based on 100 parts per weight of the total amount of (A)+(B). T is the tensile modulus in MPa, determined according to ISO 527-2, of the polypropylene composition measured on a test specimen prepared by injection molding according to ISO 1873-2. The present invention is also directed to a process for the production of the polypropylene compositions according to the invention and to an article made of the polypropylene compositions according to the invention.The present invention is furthermore directed to the use of the polypropylene compositions according to the invention for the production of pipes, car components, appliance housings, transport containers.
US08759450B2
The present invention relates to a plastics molding composition encompassing at least one poly(meth)acrylate A) and at least one impact-modified poly(meth)acrylate B), wherein the die swell of the plastics molding composition is at least 15%, measured at 5 MPa and 2200C to DIN 54811 (1984), and the melt flow rate of the poly(meth)acrylate A) is at least 10 ml per 10 minutes, measured to ISO 1133 at 2300C with a load of 3.8 kg. The present invention also describes moldings which encompass the plastics molding composition described above, and processes for the production of the said moldings.
US08759449B2
The invention relates to a wiper rubber for windshield wipers, which contains at least one rubber component that is cured by vulcanization, the material of the wiper rubber containing, at least in the unvulcanized state, a combination of a cross-linking agent with sulfur and/or with a sulfur donor.
US08759440B2
Provided is a heat-resistant resin paste excellent in heat resistance, flexibility, printability and viewability. A heat-resistant resin paste containing a first organic solvent (A1), a second organic solvent (A2) containing a lactone, a heat-resistant resin (B) soluble in a mixed solvent of the solvents (A1) and (A2), a heat-resistant resin filler (C) insoluble in the mixed organic solvent of the solvents (A1) and (A2), and a pigment (D), wherein the components (C) and (D) are dispersed in a solution containing the solvents (A1) and (A2) and the component (B).
US08759439B2
A tire tread rubber composition includes: diene rubber containing three kinds of rubber (E-SBR, modified S-SBR, and natural rubber (NR)) in a total amount of 80% by weight or more; and a filler in an amount of 100 to 140 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of the diene rubber, the filler containing 70% by weight or more of silica, wherein the diene rubber contains 10 to 25% by weight of the natural rubber, the weight ratio of the three kinds of rubber (E-SBR:modified S-SBR:NR) is 1 to 2:2.5 to 4:1, the styrene content of the E-SBR and the modified S-SBR is 35 to 40% by weight, and the difference between the glass transition temperature of the E-SBR and the glass transition temperature of the modified S-SBR is 10° C. or lower.
US08759436B2
The present invention relates to a transparent color coating composition containing nano-sized dispersed pigments, to a coated substrate, and to a method for preparing the same. When used in coating glass, the transparent color coating composition expresses a variety of colors, maintains continuous color transparency, gives sun protection to glass, and has superior adhesion, solvent resistance, and sun protection properties.
US08759431B2
A durable polyoxymethylene composition includes a polyoxymethylene copolymer with 1,3-dioxolane as a comonomer, a lubricant, an inorganic filler, a nucleating agent including a sodium salt, a stabilizer, an anti-static agent. A ramp is made of the durable polyoxymethylene. The ramp and the durable polyoxymethylene have excellent micro-wear-resistant property.
US08759420B2
The present invention provides marble chips produced by hardening or molding a resin composition including a binder and a reactive monomer, wherein the binder comprises a halogenated alkoxylated diacrylate oligomer. The marble chips of the present invention can be formed into a uniform pattern, so that an artificial marble made using the marble chips of the present invention may have an outer appearance and texture similar to that of engineered stone.
US08759416B2
The present invention relates to a process comprising adding a sufficient amount of a halamine with a latex binder to achieve microbial prophylaxis, wherein the halamine is characterized by the following formula: wherein X1 is H, Br, or Cl; X2 is Br or Cl; and R1 is H or a C1-30 alkyl group or mixtures thereof. The present invention also relates to a composition comprising the halamine and a latex binder. The present invention provides a quick kill shelf stable preservative for latex binders and for formulations that use such binders.
US08759407B2
Process for producing synthetic natural gas (SNG) which is provided in an energy-efficient way at the inlet pressure into a downstream pipeline system. For this purpose, a synthesis gas containing carbon oxides and hydrogen is converted into a product gas rich in methane by multi-stage catalytic methanation in a main reaction zone and a post-reaction zone, wherein the adjustment of the target pressure is effected by compression before the main reaction zone and/or before or in the post-reaction zone.
US08759401B2
Disclosed is a stable aqueous gel formulation suitable for topical use comprising water, an anesthetic (e.g., lidocaine hydrochloride), a viscoelastic polymer, and a tonicity modifier, wherein the aqueous gel formulation is free of preservatives and phosphate buffer, is isotonic with physiological fluids, and is sterile and has low particulate count. Also disclosed is a method of inducing topical anesthesia on a tissue or organ, e.g., the eye, of an animal comprising providing a stable aqueous gel formulation comprising water, an anesthetic, a viscoelastic polymer, and a tonicity modifier, wherein the aqueous gel formulation is free of preservatives and phosphate buffer, is isotonic with physiological fluids, and is sterile, and topically administering an effective amount of the aqueous gel formulation to the tissue or organ of the animal.
US08759392B2
Methods and compounds useful for inhibiting a phoshpolipase A2 are provided, the methods comprising contacting the phoshpolipase A2 with a compound having the structure A, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof: wherein R1 is H, F, NH2, or COOH; R2 is, H, linear saturated or unsaturated alkyl, alkenyl, or alkynyl; each of R3 and R4 is independently H, linear saturated or unsaturated alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, phenyl, or substituted phenyl; R5 is H, (C1-C6) alkyl such as methyl or ethyl; X is aryl or substituted aryl, such as phenyl or a substituted phenyl; and Y is O or S.
US08759384B2
Compounds represented by Formula I and II, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof: inhibit bacterial 2-epimerase and are useful anti-infective agents.
US08759373B2
The present invention relates to cyanoisoquinoline compounds suitable for use in treating hypoxia inducible factor-mediated and/or erythropoietin-associated conditions. The cyanoisoquinoline compounds of the invention have the following structure:
US08759371B2
Substituted bicyclic heteroaryls and compositions containing them, for the treatment of general inflammation, arthritis, rheumatic diseases, osteoarthritis, inflammatory bowel disorders, inflammatory eye disorders, inflammatory or unstable bladder disorders, psoriasis, skin complaints with inflammatory components, chronic inflammatory conditions, including but not restricted to autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosis (SLE), myestenia gravis, rheumatoid arthritis, acute disseminated encephalomyelitis, idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, multiples sclerosis, Sjoegren's syndrome and autoimmune hemolytic anemia, allergic conditions including all forms of hypersensitivity, The present invention also enables methods for treating cancers that are mediated, dependent on or associated with p110 activity, including but not restricted to leukemias, such as Acute Myeloid leukaemia (AML) Myelo-dysplastic syndrome (MDS) myelo-proliferative diseases (MPD) Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML) T-cell Acute Lymphoblastic leukaemia (T-ALL) B-cell Acute Lymphoblastic leukaemia (B-ALL) Non Hodgkins Lymphoma (NHL) B-cell lymphoma and solid tumors, such as breast cancer.
US08759369B2
An inhalable medicament is provided, in particular a new solid-state form of tiotropium bromide. The medicament can be in the form of solid amorphous particles containing an intimate admixture of tiotropium bromide together with a pharmaceutically acceptable co-solid having a glass transition temperature of at least −50° C., such as a sugar and/or sugar alcohol.
US08759362B2
The invention relates to compounds of formula I and pharmaceutically acceptable derivatives thereof, compositions comprising an effective amount of a compound of formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable derivative thereof, and methods for treating or preventing a condition such as pain, UI, an ulcer, IBD and IBS, comprising administering to an animal in need thereof an effective amount of a compound of formula I or a pharmaceutically acceptable derivative thereof.
US08759358B1
The present disclosure provides compounds such as pyrazolpyrimidine compounds, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, that are tyrosine kinase inhibitors, in particular BLK, BMX, EGFR, HER2, HER4, ITK, TEC, BTK, and TXK and are therefore useful for the treatment of diseases treatable by inhibition of tyrosine kinases such as cancer and inflammatory diseases such as arthritis, and the like. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions containing such compounds and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof and processes for preparing such compounds and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.
US08759345B2
The present invention is directed to benzoimidazole compounds of the formula (1) and enantiomers, diastereomers, racemates, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. Compounds of the present invention are useful in pharmaceutical compositions and methods for the treatment of disease states, disorders, and conditions modulated by prolyl hydroxylase activity.
US08759341B2
This invention relates to novel bi- and tricyclic indazole-substituted 1,4-dihydropyridine derivatives having protein tyrosine kinase inhibitory activity, to a process for the manufacture thereof and to the use thereof for the treatment of c-Met-mediated diseases or c-Met-mediated conditions, particularly cancer and other proliferative disorders.
US08759332B2
The present invention discloses compounds of Formula (I), or pharmaceutically acceptable salts, esters, or prodrugs thereof: which inhibit RNA-containing virus, particularly the hepatitis C virus (HCV). Consequently, the compounds of the present invention interfere with the life cycle of the hepatitis C virus and are also useful as antiviral agents. The present invention further relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising the aforementioned compounds for administration to a subject suffering from HCV infection. The invention also relates to methods of treating an HCV infection in a subject by administering a pharmaceutical composition comprising the compounds of the present invention. The present invention relates to novel antiviral compounds represented herein above, pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds, and methods for the treatment or prophylaxis of viral (particularly HCV) infection in a subject in need of such therapy with the compounds.
US08759331B2
The present invention relates to a X-ray and gamma-photon activable compound responding to the following formula (I). The present invention also relates to methods of synthesizing a compound according to the invention, and to an aqueous or physiological solution comprising at least one compound of the invention. The present invention also concerns a method of liberating a biologically active compound, said method involving the step of irradiating at least one compound, or at least one aqueous or physiological solution according to the invention. Finally, the present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising at least one compound, or at least one aqueous or physiological solution according to the invention.
US08759330B2
Novel pentacyclic steroids and pentacyclic D-homosteroids comprising: (i) the tetracyclic steroid ring system or tetracyclic D-homosteroid ring system, respectively; (ii) a C(3) substituent selected from the group consisting of (a) a hydroxyl or carboxyl in the α-configuration and (b) a sulfate or other negatively charged moiety; and (iii) a fused fifth ring, the fused fifth ring comprising a hydrogen bond acceptor, and (a) in the case of the pentacyclic steroid the C(13) and C(17) carbons, or (b) in the case of the pentacyclic D-homosteroid the C(13) and C(17a) carbons, having utility as anesthetics and in the treatment of disorders relating to GABA function and activity.
US08759324B2
The present invention provides a method of hydroxylating or oxidizing a compound of interest in a subject (e.g., a cytotoxic oxazaphosphorine prodrug), by administering the compound of interest to the subject; and concurrently administering the subject a metalloporphyrin in an amount effective to hydroxylate or oxidize the compound of interest in the subject.
US08759322B2
The present invention provides a hydrophobic group-introduced hyaluronic acid derivative comprising at least one repeating unit represented by the formula (I): wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, Z, n, Ra, Y, and X1 are as defined in the specification.
US08759316B2
A method for reducing or maintaining platelet inhibition in a patient by administering cangrelor prior to an invasive procedure is described. The method of this invention can be used for patients in need of antiplatelet therapy or at risk of thrombosis. The method can further be used in patients who were previously treated with long-acting platelet inhibitors without increasing the risk of excessive bleeding.
US08759314B2
A method for treating a patient suffering from multiple sclerosis, particularly a relapsing form of multiple sclerosis, comprising periodically administering a pharmaceutical composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of OLIGONUCLEOTIDE 1 to the patient, thereby treating the patient.
US08759305B2
The invention provides immunoregulatory polynucleotides and methods for immunoregulation of individuals using the immunoregulatory polynucleotides.
US08759302B2
A method for treating a subject afflicted with an autoimmune disease with a pharmaceutical composition comprising glatiramer acetate and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, comprising the steps of administering a therapeutic amount of the pharmaceutical composition to the subject, determining whether the subject is a glatiramer acetate responder or a glatiramer acetate hypo-/non-responder by measuring the value of a biomarker selected from the group consisting of IL-10 concentration, IL-17 concentration, IL-18 concentration, TNF-α concentration, BDNF concentration, caspase-1 concentration, IL-10/IL-18 ratio and IL-10/IL-17 ratio in the blood of the subject, and comparing the measured value to a reference value for the biomarker to identify the subject as a glatiramer acetate responder or a glatiramer acetate hypo-/non-responder, and continuing the administration if the subject is identified as a glatiramer acetate responder, or modifying treatment of the subject if the subject is identified as a glatiramer acetate hypo-/non-responder.
US08759299B2
The present invention relates to novel analogues of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), pharmaceutical compositions containing said analogues, and the use of said analogues for treatment of IGF-1-receptor mediated conditions, such as short stature, diabetes therapy, neurodegenerative disease treatment, and cartilage repair. More particularly, the present invention relates to novel analogues of IGF-1 having an amino acid substitution at position 59, e.g., (Asn59)hIGF-1(1-70)-OH (SEQ ID NO:1), and other substitution(s) as defined herein.
US08759295B2
Peptide-peptidase inhibitor conjugate molecules are disclosed. These conjugate molecules are useful as agents for the treatment and prevention of metabolic and cardiovascular diseases, disorders, and conditions. Such diseases, conditions and disorders include, but are not limited to, hypertension, dyslipidemia, cardiovascular disease, eating disorders, insulin-resistance, obesity, and diabetes mellitus of any kind, and other diabetes-related disorders.
US08759294B2
Tissue factor-bearing yeast derived microvesicles comprising a yeast membrane and a tissue factor protein, or a fragment thereof, or a tissue factor protein or a fragment thereof fused to another peptide as a fusion protein having pro-coagulant activity are disclosed. Said products can be used as pro-coagulant agents in the treatment of hemorrhages in a subject.
US08759293B2
The present invention relates to methods, compositions and kits for preparing FVIII and employing same. Also provided are vWF polypeptides and nucleic acid molecules encoding same.
US08759287B2
Methods for preventing incisional hernia formation and acute wound failure are described. More particularly, methods are described for preventing incisional hernia formation and acute wound failure by administering a composition comprising basic fibroblast growth factor. In addition, a drug delivery device to administer basic fibroblast growth factor is described.
US08759286B2
Described herein are pharmaceutical compositions comprising a VEGF-D polypeptide.
US08759285B2
Modified VEGF proteins that inhibit VEGF-mediated activation or proliferation of endothelial cells are disclosed. The analogs may be used to inhibit VEGF-mediated activation of endothelial cells in angiogenesis-associated diseases such as cancer, inflammatory diseases, eye diseases, and skin disorders.
US08759282B2
A film comprising as a film-forming agent an alginate salt of monovalent cation or a mixture of alginate salts containing at least one alginate salt of monovalent cation, the film-forming agent being such that a 10% aqueous solution thereof at a temperature of 20° C. has a viscosity of 100-1000 mPas, as measured at a shear rate of 20 rpm by use of a Brookfield viscometer with a spindle No. 2. A method of preparing the film. The film is useful for delivery of active ingredients to a mammal.
US08759275B2
The present application relates to high efficiency particles and compositions, such as consumer products, comprising such high efficiency particles as well as processes for making and using such high efficiency particles and compositions comprising such high efficiency particles. Such high efficiency particles and compositions provide enhanced benefit agent delivery to a situs that is treated with such high efficiency particles and compositions.
US08759274B2
The present invention is directed to self-emulsifiable compositions comprising polyolefines, in particular polyisobutene, the process to obtain said emulsions and the use of said emulsions.
US08759273B2
Thickening composition comprising a copolymer of polydiallyldimethylammonium chloride and acrylamide
A liquid detergent composition has a thickening system which comprises; (a) a carboxylic acid/carboxylate polymer, and (b) a polymer comprising an ammonium group.
US08759262B2
A lubricating oil composition for internal combustion engines, particularly heavy duty diesel (HDD) engines, having reduced phosphorus, sulfur and sulfated ash contents that provide excellent piston cleanliness performance and contain an amount of phenate detergent that introduces a relatively large amount of phenate soap into the lubricating oil composition.
US08759260B2
Disclosed herein is a polymer useful in a method of forming a wellbore fluid additive. This polymer comprises a polyethylene backbone comprising pendant aminoalkylsulfonic acid amides which comprise a carbonyl directly attached to a backbone carbon, and an amide formed via the amine group from the aminoalkylsulfonic acid. Methods of preparing these polymers by addition of the aminoalkylsulfonic acid to a polymeric anhydride are disclosed. Methods related to oil extraction using the wellbore fluid with the additive are also disclosed.
US08759249B2
A method for the production of nanocrystalline nickel oxides as well as the nickel oxides produced by the method according to the invention and the use thereof as catalyst following reduction to nickel metal, in particular for hydrogenation reactions.
US08759239B2
Transparent, essentially colorless β-quartz glass-ceramic materials, the composition of which is free of As2O3 and of Sb2O3, where said composition contains a specific combination of three nucleating agents: TiO2, ZrO2 and SnO2; TiO2 being present in low quantity.
US08759235B2
A new orthopedic prayer mat proposed, whereas the new orthopedic prayer mat has a multiple layered structure. The top layer is made from microfiber which is antimicrobial, anti-molding, water-resistant, anti-dust and heat-resistant. The bottom layer is an anti-slip layer to prevent the user from physical injury in any situation while using the mat, and a soft polyurethane layer and an anti-fatigue layer or a hard polyurethane layer are arranged between the top microfiber layer and the bottom anti-slip layer in order to absorb pressure pressure and providing support, and the soft and hard polyurethane layer are combined at an angle to adjust the ratio of the weight-absorption and bearing to form the orthopedic prayer mat. Further the angle between the layers is tailored for users according to user's weight, height, body structure type and healthy conditions.
US08759231B2
The present disclosure includes a texture formulation that includes an aliphatic diol, an alkaline compound and water which provides a consistent textured region across a silicon surface suitable for solar cell applications. Processes for texturing a crystalline silicon substrate using these formulations are also described.
US08759229B2
A method for manufacturing an epitaxial wafer that can reduce occurrence of a surface defect or a slip formed on an epitaxial layer is provided. The manufacturing method is characterized by comprising: a smoothing step of controlling application of an etchant to a wafer surface in accordance with a surface shape of a silicon wafer to smooth the wafer surface; and an epitaxial layer forming step of forming an epitaxial layer formed of a silicon single crystal on the surface of the wafer based on epitaxial growth.
US08759218B2
A chemical mechanical polishing process includes placing a substrate on a first polishing pad of a first platen, wherein the substrate has a bulk metal layer and a barrier layer; polishing the bulk metal layer by using the first polishing pad having a hardness of above 50 (Shore D) until the barrier layer is exposed; polishing the barrier layer on a second polishing pad of a second platen after removing the bulk metal layer, wherein the second polishing pad has a hardness ranging between 40 and 50 (Shore D) and includes an upper layer and a lower backing layer and the upper layer has a hardness less than 50 (Shore D).
US08759216B2
The present invention provides a method for polishing silicon nitride-containing substrates. The method comprises abrading a surface of a silicon nitride substrate with a polishing composition, which comprises colloidal silica, at least one acidic component, and an aqueous carrier. The at least one acidic component has a pKa in the range of about 1 to 4.5. The composition has a pH in the range of about 0.5 pH units less than the pKa of the at least one acidic component to about 1.5 pH units greater than the pKa.
US08759213B2
A method for forming a metal-semiconductor alloy layer uses particular thermal annealing conditions to provide a stress free metal-semiconductor alloy layer through interdiffusion of a buried semiconductor material layer and a metal-semiconductor alloy forming metal layer that contacts the buried semiconductor material layer within an aperture through a capping layer beneath which is buried the semiconductor material layer. A resulting semiconductor structure includes the metal-semiconductor alloy layer that further includes an interconnect portion beneath the capping layer and a contiguous via portion that penetrates at least partially through the capping layer. Such a metal-semiconductor alloy layer may be located interposed between a substrate and a semiconductor device having an active doped region.
US08759207B2
One or more embodiments relate to a method of forming a semiconductor structure, comprising: providing a workpiece; forming a barrier layer over the workpiece; forming a seed layer over the barrier layer; forming an inhibitor layer over the seed layer; removing a portion of said inhibitor layer to expose a portion of the seed layer; and selectively depositing a fill layer on the exposed seed layer.
US08759204B1
The inventive concept provides methods for manufacturing a semiconductor substrate. The method may include forming a stop pattern surrounding an edge of a substrate, forming a transition layer an entire top surface of the substrate except the stop pattern, and forming an epitaxial semiconductor layer on the transition layer and the stop pattern. The epitaxial semiconductor layer may not be grown from the stop pattern. That is, the epitaxial semiconductor layer may be isotropically grown from a top surface and a sidewall of the transition layer by a selective isotropic growth method, so that the epitaxial semiconductor layer may gradually cover the stop pattern.
US08759202B2
A semiconductor device includes a drift zone of a first conductivity type formed within a semiconductor body, wherein one side of opposing sides of the drift zone adjoins a first zone within the semiconductor body and the other side adjoins a second zone within the semiconductor body. First semiconductor subzones of a second conductivity type different from the first conductivity type are formed within each of the first and second zones opposing each other along a lateral direction extending parallel to a surface of the semiconductor body. A second semiconductor subzone is formed within each of the first and second zones and between the first semiconductor subzones along the lateral direction. An average concentration of dopants within the second semiconductor subzone along 10% to 90% of an extension of the second semiconductor subzone along a vertical direction perpendicular to the surface is smaller than the average concentration of dopants along a corresponding section of extension within the drift zone.
US08759199B2
A method of selectively growing a plurality of semiconductor carbon nanotubes using light irradiation. The method includes disposing a plurality of nanodots, which include a catalyst material, on a substrate; growing a plurality of carbon nanotubes from the plurality of nanodots, and irradiating light onto the nanodot to selectively grow the plurality of semiconductor carbon nanotubes.
US08759197B2
Methods of dicing substrates by both laser scribing and plasma etching. A method includes laser ablating material layers, the ablating leading with a first irradiance and following with a second irradiance, different than the first. An asymmetrically shaped beam having an asymmetrical spatial profile along the direction of travel, multiple passes of a beam adjusted to have different irradiance levels, and multiple laser beams having various irradiance levels may be utilized to ablate at least a mask with the first irradiance and expose the substrate with the second irradiance.
US08759184B2
A method includes providing a plurality of semiconductor fins parallel to each other, and includes two edge fins and a center fin between the two edge fins. A middle portion of each of the two edge fins is etched, and the center fin is not etched. A gate dielectric is formed on a top surface and sidewalls of the center fin. A gate electrode is formed over the gate dielectric. The end portions of the two edge fins and end portions of the center fin are recessed. An epitaxy is performed to form an epitaxy region, wherein an epitaxy material grown from spaces left by the end portions of the two edge fins are merged with an epitaxy material grown from a space left by the end portions of the center fin to form the epitaxy region. A source/drain region is formed in the epitaxy region.
US08759170B2
Electronic apparatus and methods may include a hafnium tantalum oxynitride film on a substrate for use in a variety of electronic systems. The hafnium tantalum oxynitride film may be structured as one or more monolayers. The hafnium tantalum oxynitride film may be formed using atomic layer deposition. Metal electrodes may be disposed on a dielectric containing a hafnium tantalum oxynitride film.
US08759168B2
A field effect transistor structure that uses thin semiconductor on insulator channel to control the electrostatic integrity of the device. Embedded stressors are epitaxially grown in the source/drain area from a template in the silicon substrate through an opening made in the buried oxide in the source/drain region. In addition, a dielectric layer is formed between the embedded stressor and the semiconductor region under the buried oxide layer, which is located directly beneath the channel to suppress junction capacitance and leakage.
US08759164B2
In a method for manufacturing an integral imaging device, a layer of curable adhesive is first applied on a flexible substrate and half cured such that the curable adhesive is solidified but is capable of deforming under external forces. Then the curable adhesive is printed into a lenticular lens having a predetermined shape and size using a roll-to-roll processing device and fully cured such that the curable adhesive is capable of withstanding external forces to hold the predetermined shape and size. Last, a light emitting diode display is applied on the flexible substrate opposite to the lenticular lens such that an image plane of the light emitting diode display coincides with a focal plane of the lenticular lens.
US08759162B2
A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device comprises a memory string, and a wiring. The memory string comprises a semiconductor layer, a charge storage layer, and a plurality of first conductive layers. The plurality of first conductive layers comprises a stepped portion formed in a stepped shape such that positions of ends of the plurality of first conductive layers differ from one another. The wiring comprises a plurality of second conductive layers extending upwardly from an upper surface of the first conductive layers comprising the stepped portion. The plurality of second conductive layers are formed such that upper ends thereof are aligned with a surface parallel to the substrate, and such that a diameter thereof decreases from the upper end thereof to a lower end thereof. The plurality of second conductive layers are formed such that the greater a length thereof in the perpendicular direction, the larger a diameter of the upper end thereof.
US08759150B2
A method includes providing an interposer wafer including a substrate, and a plurality of through-substrate vias (TSVs) extending from a front surface of the substrate into the substrate. A plurality of dies is bonded onto a front surface of the interposer wafer. After the step of bonding the plurality of dies, a grinding is performed on a backside of the substrate to expose the plurality of TSVs. A plurality of metal bumps is formed on a backside of the interposer wafer and electrically coupled to the plurality of TSVs.
US08759148B2
A method of mounting a semiconductor chip includes: forming a resin coating on a surface of a path connecting a bonding pad on a surface of a semiconductor chip and an electrode pad formed on a surface of an insulating base material; forming, by laser beam machining, a wiring gutter having a depth that is equal to or greater than a thickness of the resin coating along the path for connecting the bonding pad and the electrode pad; depositing a plating catalyst on a surface of the wiring gutter; removing the resin coating; and forming an electroless plating coating only at a site where the plating catalyst remains.
US08759138B2
A solar cell receiver for use in a concentrating solar system which concentrates the solar energy onto a solar cell for converting solar energy to electricity. The solar cell receiver may include a solar cell mounted on a support and with one or more III-V compound semiconductor layers. An optical element may be positioned over the solar cell and have an optical channel with an inlet that faces away from the solar cell and an outlet that faces towards the solar cell. A frame may be positioned over the support and extend around the solar cell with the frame having an inner side that extends above the support and faces towards the optical element. An encapsulant may be positioned over the support and contained between the optical element and the frame. The encapsulant may have enlarged heights at contact points with the optical element and the frame and a reduced height between the contact points away from the optical element and the frame. The solar cell receiver may be used in a solar cell module.
US08759133B2
A back panel for a flat panel display apparatus includes: a pixel electrode disposed on a substrate; a first gate electrode layer of a thin-film transistor (TFT) disposed on the substrate; a second gate electrode layer disposed on the first gate electrode layer and including a semiconductor material; a third gate electrode layer disposed on the second gate electrode layer and including a metal material; a first insulating layer disposed on the third gate electrode layer; an active layer disposed on the first insulating layer and including a transparent conductive oxide semiconductor; a second insulating layer disposed on the active layer; source and drain electrodes disposed connected to the active layer through the second insulating layer; and a third insulating layer covering the source and drain electrodes. The first gate electrode layer and the pixel electrode include a transparent conductive oxide.
US08759129B2
A method of forming a light emitting diode includes forming a transparent substrate and a GaN buffer layer on the transparent substrate. An n-GaN layer is formed on the buffer layer. An active layer is formed on the n-GaN layer. A p-GaN layer is formed on the active layer. A p-electrode is formed on the p-GaN layer and an n-electrode is formed on the n-GaN layer. A reflective layer is formed on a second side of the transparent substrate. A scribe line is formed on the substrate for separating the diodes on the substrate. Also, a cladding layer of AlGaN is between the p-GaN layer and the active layer.
US08759128B2
A light emitting diode (LED) die includes a semiconductor substrate having an n-type confinement layer, a multiple quantum well (MQW) layer in electrical contact with the n-type confinement layer configured to emit electromagnetic radiation, a p-type confinement layer in electrical contact with the multiple quantum well (MQW) layer; multiple light extraction structures on the n-type confinement layer configured to scatter the electromagnetic radiation; and an electrode in a recess embedded in the n-type confinement layer proximate to the light extraction structures. A method of fabrication includes: forming the semiconductor substrate; forming a recess in the n-type confinement layer having sidewalls and a planar bottom surface; forming an electrode in the recess comprising a conductive material conforming to the sidewalls and to the bottom surface of the recess; planarizing the electrode; and forming a plurality of light extraction structures in the n-type confinement layer proximate to the electrode.
US08759126B2
An image display device comprises: a first substrate having flexure property; a first resin layer which is attached to the first substrate and over which thin film transistors are located; a barrier layer which comprises an inorganic film covering a surface of the resin layer; and a first thin film layer and a second thin film layer which are located so as to sandwich the first resin layer with the barrier layer disposed therebetween.
US08759120B2
A silicon solar cell includes a first silicon layer with an emitter layer which has a thickness in a range of 50 nanometers to few hundreds nanometers. The emitter layer has at least one region which is porosified by chemical or electrochemical etching, wherein at least one part of the porosified region is embodied as metal silicide layer. A second silicon layer is disposed underneath the emitter layer, with the metal silicide extending from a top side of the emitter layer in a direction to the second silicon layer. At least one metal layer is applied on the metal silicide layer.
US08759119B2
A semiconductor device has an alignment mark which can be recognized by a conventional wafer prober. A redistribution layer connects electrodes of the semiconductor device to electrode pads located in predetermined positions of the redistribution layer. Metal posts configured to be provided with external connection electrodes are formed on the electrode pads of the redistribution layer. A mark member made of the same material as the metal posts is formed on the redistribution layer. The mark member serves as an alignment mark located in a predetermined positional relationship with the metal posts.
US08759112B2
The present invention concerns a system and method for the luminescence detection of an analyte in a liquid sample. The system comprises a support on which an analyte-specific substance and a reference substance are located. The analyte-specific substance is able to emit a first luminescence signal on contact with the analyte and the reference substance is able to emit a second luminescence signal which is substantially quenched by contact with the liquid sample.
US08759107B2
This disclosure relates to process for controlling chlorination reactions in manufacturing titanium tetrachloride in a fluidized bed reactor, optionally followed by processing to form a titanium product comprising a minor amount of silica, the process comprising: (a) feeding carbonaceous material, titanium bearing material comprising an amount of silica, and chlorine to the fluidized bed reactor to form a gaseous stream, and condensing the gaseous stream to form titanium tetra-chloride, a non-condensed gas stream and a condensable product stream, wherein at least one of the titanium tetrachloride and the non-condensed gas stream comprise silicon tetrachloride; (b) analyzing the non-condensed gas stream, the titanium tetrachloride or both, to determine the analyzed concentration of silicon tetrachloride; (c) identifying a set point concentration of silicon tetrachloride based on the desired amount of silica in the titanium product; (d) calculating the difference between the analyzed concentration of silicon tetra-chloride and the set point concentration of silicon tetrachloride; (e) measuring the titanium tetrachloride flow to a processing reactor that releases chlorine; (f) measuring the flow of fresh chlorine added to the fluidized bed; (g) measuring the flow of the titanium bearing material added to the fluidized bed reactor and establishing a historic average flow of the titanium bearing material added to the fluidized bed reactor; (h) calculating the chlorine released from the titanium tetrachloride that is processed using the titanium tetrachloride flow data from step (e); (i) calculating the total chlorine flow to the fluidized bed reactor by adding the chlorine flow in step (f) to the chlorine flow calculated in step (h) and establishing a historic average chlorine flow; (j) calculating a unit titanium bearing material consumption per unit chlorine; (k) calculating an estimated current consumption rate of titanium bearing material based on the total chlorine flow from step (i) times the unit titanium bearing material consumption per unit chlorine from step (j); and (l) generating a signal based on difference generated in step (d) that provides a feedback response and combining this to the estimated current consumption rate of titanium bearing material from step (k) to provide a feed forward response to control the flow of the titanium bearing material into the fluidized bed reactor.
US08759102B2
Cells that have been exogenously supplied with short RNA molecules to effect posttranscriptional gene silencing are described.
US08759097B2
The present invention relates to compositions and methods for reducing cell proliferation and/or promoting cell death by inhibiting Drp1. It is based, at least in part, on the discoveries that (i) Drp1 disruption-induced mitochondrial hyperfusion is functionally linked to the cell cycle regulation apparatus, so that Drp1 inhibition results in a disruption of the cell cycle and DNA aberrancies; (ii) inhibition of both Drp1 and ATR are synthetic lethal causing increased DNA damage and apoptotic cell death; and (iii) even in resistant cell lines, Drp1 inhibitor (e.g., mdivi-1) together with a second antiproliferative agent (e.g., cisplatin or carboplatin) act synergistically to promote apoptosis. Accordingly, the present invention provides for novel anticancer strategies.
US08759088B2
The invention is in the field of molecular biology, and relates to recombinant engineering and protein expression. More in particular, the invention relates to nucleic acids for recombinant expression of proteins comprising sequences derived from Lactococcus and useful as promoters. The invention further relates to vectors comprising the nucleic acids and host cells transformed therewith. The invention also covers the use of host cells comprising the nucleic acids or vectors for expressing heterologous or homologous proteins; and also for delivery, especially therapeutic delivery, of the said proteins to subjects.
US08759086B2
The present invention provides methods of doing business and providing services. For example, methods of increasing the revenue of crops are provided. To this end, the method includes the use of a nucleic acid sequences of plant centromeres. This will permit construction of stably inherited recombinant DNA constructs and mini chromosomes which can serve as vectors for the construction of transgenic plant and animal cells.
US08759083B2
A bioreactor having improved gas yield is described, wherein the necessary residence time of the biomass in the digestion tank is reduced. During the fermentation of dry, i.e. non-pumpable biomass, percolating juices, so-called percolate, is generated as a result of the moisture contained in the biomass, which percolate is withdrawn via a drainage system and, if necessary, recirculated from the top onto the biomass to be fermented. It has now been found that the biomass yield is significantly increased—in the region of between 10% and 40%—when the resultant percolate is not immediately withdrawn by way of the drainage system, but is accumulated in the digestion tank up to a specific level. This is achieved by a technical device wherein the digestion tank is liquid-tight, i.e. also the flap for loading and unloading the digestion tank must be liquid-tight and also be designed in a correspondingly solid manner in order to withstand the resultant liquid pressure. By linking the existing percolate drainage system with a percolate control system it is possible to adjust and control the liquid level of the percolate in the fermenting biomass in such a way that the biogas generation rate or the biogas yield is maximized.
US08759073B2
A method for effectively controlling harmful organisms in the large-scale culture of microalgae comprises the following steps: (1) determining the harmful organism species causing contamination to the microalgae in culture, and the acid and alkali tolerance levels of said harmful organism species; and (2) adjusting the pH value of the microalgae culture system according to the different acid and alkali tolerance levels of the harmful organisms; when the harmful organisms are determined to be killed or inhibited effectively, adjusting the pH value back to be suitable for the normal growth of the microalgae. After the treatment, common harmful protozoa in the culturing processes of most microalgae (green algae, blue algae and variegated algae) can be controlled effectively, and the method is also effective on certain miscellaneous algae contamination.
US08759070B2
The present invention relates a recombinant Clostridium expressing one or more heterologous Wood-Ljungdahl (WL) genes. In particular, the recombinant Clostridium produces a metabolite at an increased level. The present invention also relates to a method for producing a metabolite by the recombinant Clostridium.
US08759068B2
The system for fermentation using algae of the present invention includes a first reactor and a second reactor being in fluid communication with each other. A first valve placed between the first reactor and the second reactor controls the fluid connection between the reactors. A gas inlet, in fluid connection to the first reactor, is located at an end opposite the second reactor. A devolatization unit or cell lysis chamber is connected to the second reactor by a second valve. A biomass stream having gas, liquid and biosolids contents passes through the first reactor with gas. The biomass stream mixes and dissolves the gas in the reactors. The cellular structure of the biomass stream ruptures in the devolatization unit, allowing the processed materials, such as oil, gas, and biosolids, to be harvested for use.
US08759064B2
The invention relates to recombinant expression of variant forms of C1 CBH1a and homologs thereof, having improved thermostability, low-pH tolerance, specific activity and other desirable properties. Also provided are methods for producing ethanol and other valuable organic compounds by combining cellobiohydrolase variants with cellulosic materials.
US08759060B2
The present invention is directed to an arginine/lysine oxidoreductase modified with polyethylene glycol, a production method thereof, and methods of treating disorders responsive to a modification of amino acid levels reactive oxygen species and/or ammonium.
US08759056B2
A process for the production of granules or pellets containing filamentous fungi is described comprising the steps of selecting and growing filamentous fungi in a suitable culture medium for a predetermined amount of time, adding a gelling agent and at least one carrier to said culture medium, so as to obtain a mixture, subjecting said mixture to gelling through contact, drop by drop, with a solution containing a calcium salt thus obtaining gelled pellets or granules containing said filamentous fungi and drying said gelled pellets or granules to a moisture content of 13-18%.
US08759042B2
The invention provides a microorganism belonging to Enterobacteriaceae in which a function of CsrC RNA has been decreased or lost, and which has the ability to produce and accumulate an amino acid, and a process in which the microorganism is cultured in a medium to produce and accumulate the amino acid in the culture, and the amino acid is recovered from the culture.
US08759027B2
The expression vectors and methods using an E. coli expression system for the large scale production of IL-29 are described. The vectors utilize the IL-29 coding sequence with specific changes in nucleotides in order to optimize codons and mRNA secondary structure for translation in E. coli. Also included are methods of producing, purifying and pegylating an IL-29 polypeptide.
US08759013B2
A method and apparatus, as defined herein, for use in compound screening, compound profiling, or both assays, for example, against two different cellular targets in, for example, a single cell-type.
US08759007B2
The present invention provides a method for detecting modified LDL, abnormal cells or bacteria using an intermolecular interaction analysis method, in which a region involved in ligand recognition by a receptor is expressed, without modification or as a biotinylated protein, in cells or in a test tube, and thereafter, the expressed region or the expressed biotinylated protein is immobilized via avidin or streptavidin to a solid phase while the orientation thereof is maintained, and the immobilized protein is utilized; and a kit for detecting the modified LDL or the like.
US08759006B2
The invention provides a novel prostate cell-surface antigen, designated Prostate Stem Cell Antigen (PSCA), which is widely over-expressed across all stages of prostate cancer, including high grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN), androgen-dependent and androgen-independent prostate tumors.
US08759004B2
The present invention relates to compounds and methods for detection and treatment of carcinomas and their precursor lesions. The invention provides DNase nucleic acids and polypeptides useful for the detection and treatment of carcinomas and their precursor lesions. The invention is more specifically related to a method for detection of carcinomas and their precursor lesions comprising the detection of the level and/or the subcellular localization of one or more DNase molecules in biological samples. Furthermore the present invention provides methods for early diagnosis, prognosis and monitoring of the disease course of carcinomas and their precursor lesions as well as for the treatment of said lesions.
US08758998B2
A method for designing a bi-shRNA expression cassette encoding a bi-shRNA comprising: selecting one or more target site sequences; providing a backbone sequence comprising a first and a second stem-loop structure, inserting a first passenger strand and a second passenger strand and providing for synthesis of the bi-shRNA expression cassette.
US08758987B2
A method of forming a reversed pattern in a substrate. A resist on a substrate is exposed and developed to form a pattern therein, the patterned resist having a first polarity. The polarity of the patterned resist is reversed to a second polarity, and a reversal film is formed over the patterned resist having the second polarity. The patterned resist having the second polarity is removed, forming a pattern in the reversal film. The pattern in the reversal film is then transferred to the substrate. Additional methods of forming a reversed pattern in a substrate are disclosed, as is a semiconductor structure formed during the methods.
US08758985B2
Provided are a method of fabricating a nanostructure array and a device including the nanostructure array. Nanoscale patterning is caused at an interface of a resist layer by light passed through a focusing layer. By such nanoscale patterning, a nanostructure array is fabricated on a substrate in various ways. As the focusing layer, an array of beads or lenses is used, and a pattern of the resist layer may include a nanoscale pore-opening and an undercut structure connected to a lower portion of the opening. The method facilitates adjustment of the size and shape of nanostructures and the interval between the nanostructures. Also, performance of the device including the nanostructure array can be improved. In particular, the method and device result in a sensor having improved sensitivity and reliability optimized for an environment and purpose to be used.
US08758981B2
A photoresist underlayer composition includes a solvent, and a polysiloxane resin represented by Chemical Formula 1: {(SiO1.5—Y—SiO1.5)x(SiO2)y(XSiO1.5)z}(OH)e(OR1)f. [Chemical Formula 1]
US08758972B2
A toner produced by a method including dissolving or dispersing toner components comprising a resin, a colorant, and a release agent in a solvent to prepare a toner components liquid, discharging the toner components liquid from multiple nozzles provided on a thin film by vibrating the thin film by a mechanical vibration unit to form liquid droplets, and drying the liquid droplets into solid particles of the toner. The particle diameter distribution that is a ratio of a weight average particle diameter to a number average particle diameter of the toner is between 1.00 and 1.15, and a weight average particle diameter of the release agent in the toner is between 1% and 30% of an aperture diameter of the nozzle.
US08758958B2
A fuel cell separator plate assembly (20) includes a separator plate layer (22) and flow field layers (24, 26). In one disclosed example, the separator plate layer (22) comprises graphite and a hydrophobic resin. The hydrophobic resin of the separator plate layer (22) serves to secure the separator plate layer to flow field layers on opposite sides of the separator plate layer. In one example, at least one of the flow field layers (24, 26) comprises graphite and a hydrophobic resin such that the flow field layer is hydrophobic and nonporous. In another example, two graphite and hydrophobic resin flow field layers are used on opposite sides of a separator plate layer. One disclosed example includes all three layers comprising graphite and a hydrophobic resin.
US08758956B2
A bipolar plate (1) comprising on the first face a groove forming a first distribution channel (111) for one of the gases, comprising on the second face a groove forming a second distribution channel for the other of the gases, comprising in its thickness an inner channel (122) for the circulation of a coolant, said plate being formed from a structural support having a surface that does not conduct electricity and that is chemically inert, said plate comprising pins (10) that pass through the whole thickness and that emerge on both sides through each of said first and second faces in the working section, said pins being spread over the entire working section of said plate.
US08758952B2
Disclosed is a fuel cell system including a fuel cell, a pipe forming a fuel supply passage through which a fuel gas supplied from a fuel supply source flows to the fuel cell, an on/off valve which regulates a gas state on the upstream side of the fuel supply passage to supply the gas to the downstream side, and control means for controlling the opening/closing operation of the on/off valve. The control means sets a required time from the opening time of the on/off valve to the closing time of the valve so that the vibration level of the pipe on the upstream side of the on/off valve is a predetermined reference level or less.
US08758940B2
A lithium-titanium complex oxide containing Li4Ti5O12 is characterized in that, based on SEM observation, the number-based percentage of particles whose size is less than 0.1 μm is 5 to 15% or 40 to 65%, the number-based percentage of particles whose size is 0.3 to 1.5 μm is 15 to 30%, the specific surface area measured by the BET method is 5.8 to 10.1 m2/g, and the average particle size D50 according to the particle size distribution measured by laser diffraction measurement is preferably 0.6 to 1.5 μm.
US08758935B2
A compound comprises a polymeric chain with a repeat unit repeated more than 5 times. The repeat unit comprises conjugated first and second cyclic groups and a plurality of side groups each bonded to one of the cyclic groups. A side group bonded to the first cyclic group is an electron donor and a side group bonded to the second cyclic group is an electron acceptor, such that the compound is switchable between first and second electrical conductive states by application of an electric field to the compound. At least one of the side groups is selected so that the compound is soluble in an organic solvent. The compound may be used in films, memory cells, or electronic devices. A layer of the compound may be formed on a surface by dissolving the compound in an organic solvent, applying the solution to the surface, and then removing the solvent.
US08758933B2
A battery includes a battery cell and a battery housing. The battery cell includes arcuate portions wherein an outer circumference of the battery cell is formed at least in part to be arcuate. The battery housing includes angular portions respectively opposing the arcuate portions and for storing the battery cell therein. Support walls having substantially the same curvatures as the arcuate portions and supporting the arcuate portions are formed along an insertion direction of the battery cell.
US08758929B2
A secondary battery including an electrode assembly including a first electrode, a second electrode, and a separator between the first and second electrodes; a first collecting part electrically connected to the first electrode; a second collecting part electrically connected to the second electrode; a case configured to receive the electrode assembly; a cap assembly including a cap plate configured to seal an opening of the case; and an auxiliary connection part electrically connected between the second collecting part and the cap plate, and the second collecting part includes at least two fuse parts, a first extension part, and a second extension part connected to the second electrode.
US08758922B2
A battery system and a manifold assembly are provided. The assembly includes a first manifold member having a first tubular wall. The first manifold member further includes a first sealing member disposed on a first inner surface proximate to the first end, and a first male connecting portion extending from the second end. The manifold assembly further includes a second manifold member having a second tubular wall. The second manifold member further includes a second sealing member disposed on a second inner surface proximate to a third end, and a second male connecting portion extending from a fourth end. The first male connecting portion of the first manifold member is configured to be removably coupled to the fourth end of the second manifold member such that the second sealing member of the second manifold member contacts an outer surface of the first male connecting portion.
US08758918B2
According to one embodiment, there is provided a battery having a plurality of current collector tabs extended from a plurality of points of a current collector of at least one electrode of a positive electrode and a negative electrode. The battery further has a lid and a lead. The lead has a current collector tab junctional part connected with the current collector tabs, a lid junctional part fixed to the lid, and a vibration absorber part linking the current collector tab junctional part to the lid junctional part.
US08758917B2
In a lithium-ion secondary battery (100), a battery case (300) has sidewalls (300A, 300B) facing toward side ends of a wound electrode body (200), the side ends being at opposite lateral sides of the positive electrode sheet (220), and of the sidewalls (300A, 300B), one of the sidewalls (300A) (positive-electrode-side sidewall) facing toward an uncoated portion (222) of the positive electrode sheet (220) is thicker than the other sidewall (300B) (negative-electrode-side sidewall). In other words, the relationship between the thickness A of the one sidewall (300A) facing toward the uncoated portion (222) of the positive electrode sheet (220) and the thickness B of the other sidewall (300B) is A>B.
US08758906B2
A soft magnetic material includes a plurality of composite magnetic particles. Each of the plurality of composite magnetic particles has: a metal magnetic particle including iron; a lower film surrounding the surface of the metal magnetic particle and including a nonferrous metal; and an insulating upper film surrounding the surface of the lower film and including at least one of oxygen and carbon. The nonferrous metal has an affinity with the at least one of oxygen and carbon included in the upper film that is larger than such affinity of iron; or the nonferrous metal has a diffusion coefficient with respect to the at least one of oxygen and carbon included in the upper film that is smaller than such diffusion coefficient of iron. This configuration provides desirable magnetic properties.
US08758905B2
A quinoxaline derivative represented by a formula (1) is provided. In the formula (1), R9 and R10 and R11 and R12 are bonded to each other to form an aromatic ring, and Ar1 to Ar4 each independently represents an aryl group or a heterocyclic group.
US08758904B2
Disclosed is an organic electroluminescent device (organic EL device) which can achieve high efficiency and long lifetime even when driven at low voltage. The organic El device comprises at least a light-emitting layer and an electron-transporting layer between an anode and a cathode facing each other. The electron-transporting layer consists of two layers, namely, a first electron-transporting layer and a second electron-transporting layer and the first electron-transporting layer and the second electron-transporting layer are arranged sequentially in this order from the light-emitting layer side to the cathode side. The first electron-transporting layer contains an indole derivative in which the ring nitrogen atom is substituted with an aromatic group and an aromatic ring is fused to the indole ring.
US08758902B2
A product including a damping substrate and a layer over a portion thereof, the layer including graphite, and a body portion positioned so that the layer is interposed between the body portion and the damping substrate.
US08758900B2
The present invention provides nanometer-size spherical particles. Each of the particles is made of at least one selected from the group consisting of a metal, an alloy, and a metal compound. The particles include one or both of a polycrystalline region and a single-crystalline region. The particles have a particle size of less than 1 μm; and a sphericity of −10% to +10%.
US08758895B2
Plant biomass particles coated with a biological agent such as a bacterium or seed, characterized by a length dimension (L) aligned substantially parallel to a grain direction and defining a substantially uniform distance along the grain, a width dimension (W) normal to L and aligned cross grain, and a height dimension (H) normal to W and L. In particular, the L×H dimensions define a pair of substantially parallel side surfaces characterized by substantially intact longitudinally arrayed fibers, the W×H dimensions define a pair of substantially parallel end surfaces characterized by crosscut fibers and end checking between fibers, and the L×W dimensions define a pair of substantially parallel top and bottom surfaces.
US08758891B2
A conductive reflective film which is formed by calcining a substrate on which a composition containing metal nanoparticles is coated, the conductive reflective film including pores which appear on the film contact surface in the substrate side having an average diameter of 100 nm or less, an average depth of 100 nm or less in terms of position of the pores, and a number density of the pores of 30 pores/μm2 or less.
US08758886B2
This invention is directed to an recording sheet having improved image dry time for use in printing comprising a substrate having in contact with at least one surface thereof one or more water soluble divalent metal salts, preferably admixed with one or more starches, to process of forming such recording sheet, to a method of generating one or more image(s) on said recording sheet in an printing process and to a recording sheet having one or more images on a surface thereof.
US08758882B2
Composite layer comprising a plurality of longitudinal first zones comprised of a first polymeric material alternating with a plurality of longitudinal second zones comprised of a second polymeric material such that one first zone is disposed between two adjacent second zones. The zones are generally parallel to one another, and at least one of each first zone or each second zone has a maximum width dimension of not greater than 2 mm. Adjacent first and second zones have an average pitch, wherein for the composite layer there is an average of said average pitches, and wherein the average pitch for any adjacent first and second zones is within 20 percent of the average pitch for adjacent first and second zones of said average of said average pitches.
US08758881B2
A method for producing a floor panel comprising a carrier board, a cork layer, a primer and a decorative layer is disclosed. To achieve qualitatively improved decorative layers, a method is disclosed in which the cork layer is applied to the carrier board, in which, in order to form the primer, a coating system having a proportion of volatile components is applied to the cork layer, and in which the decorative layer is printed onto the primer.
US08758878B2
A device is disclosed that includes a first polymer body having tacky properties. The first polymer body has a substantially-flat exterior surface. One or more protrusions are disposed on the substantially-flat exterior surface of the first polymer body. When the one or more protrusions are in contact with a substantially-flat exterior surface of a second polymer body having tacky properties, the adhesive force between the one or more protrusions and the substantially-flat exterior surface is less than the force of gravity on the first polymer body.
US08758873B2
One embodiment of the invention includes a product including an annular portion including a frictional surface and a first flange portion extending from the frictional surface, wherein the first flange portion comprises a first face, a second face, and a third face; and a hub portion and a second flange portion extending from the hub portion, wherein the second flange portion engages the first face, the second face, and the third face of the first flange portion.
US08758871B2
A liquid crystal display is provided which is capable of reducing the occurrence of defective display due to variations in the initial alignment direction of a liquid crystal alignment control film in a liquid crystal display of an IPS scheme, realizing the stable liquid crystal alignment, providing excellent mass productivity, and having high image quality with a higher contrast ratio. The liquid crystal display has a liquid crystal layer disposed between a pair of substrates, at least one of the substrates being transparent, and an alignment control film formed between the liquid crystal layer and the substrate. At least one of the alignment control films 109 comprises photoreactive polyimide and/or polyamic acid provided with an alignment control ability by irradiation of substantially linearly polarized light.
US08758867B2
Methods and compositions for depositing metal films are described herein. In general, the disclosed methods utilize precursor compounds comprising gold, silver or copper. More specifically, the disclosed precursor compounds utilize neutral ligands derived from ethylene or acetylene.
US08758865B2
A system and method for creating an authentication mark on a recording medium by depositing marking material on a medium in an image area to create a marking material image and to create a marking material authentication image. The method comprises (a) depositing marking material directly onto a recording medium in an image area to create a marking material image and in an authentication image area to create a marking material authentication image, wherein the marking material is an ultraviolet curable phase change ink composition comprising an optional colorant and a phase change ink vehicle comprising a radiation curable monomer or prepolymer; a photoinitiator; a reactive wax; and a gellant; (b) depositing a predetermined amount of additional marking material upon the authentication image area to increase an amount of marking material associated with the marking material authentication image in the authentication image area; and (c) curing the marking material upon the recording medium such that the fixed marking material associated with the authentication image area is a tactilely perceptible authentication mark, the fixed marking material associated with the tactilely perceptible authentication mark having a first height, the first height being tactilely perceptible.
US08758864B2
An organic-inorganic hybrid electroluminescent device having a semiconductor nanocrystal pattern prepared by producing a semiconductor nanocrystal film using semiconductor nanocrystals, where the nanocrystal is surface-coordinated with a compound containing a photosensitive functional group, exposing the film through a mask and developing the exposed film.
US08758858B2
A method of creating a plasma-resistant thermal oxide coating on a surface of an article, where the article is comprised of a metal or metal alloy which is typically selected from the group consisting of yttrium, neodymium, samarium, terbium, dysprosium, erbium, ytterbium, scandium, hafnium, niobium or combinations thereof. The oxide coating is formed using a time-temperature profile which includes an initial rapid heating rage, followed by a gradual decrease in heating rate, to produce an oxide coating structure which is columnar in nature. The grain size of the crystals which make up the oxide coating is larger at the surface of the oxide coating than at the interface between the oxide coating and the metal or metal alloy substrate, and the oxide coating is in compression at the interface between the oxide coating and the metal or metal alloy substrate.
US08758853B2
The invention is directed to a process and apparatus for preparing coated particles, in particular a process for preparing particles that are coated with small particles using electrospraying. The coated particles produced according to the present invention find use for instance as catalysts or as pharmaceuticals. According to the invention a host particle is contacted in a gas stream where it is allowed to contact with one or more moving tribocharging particles, thus providing a charged host particle, which is subsequently contacted with charged guest particles in an electrospraying step.
US08758851B2
A method for increasing the durability of glass by a coating, according to the present invention comprises the step of coating glass with a coating comprising at least one layer whose thickness is below 5 nanometers, wherein the coating comprises a compound of at least one element.
US08758840B2
A method of administering milkweed seen oil to areas of osteoarthritis in animals and human beings is disclosed to alleviate symptoms associated with osteoarthritis.
US08758837B2
A method for removing pests from harvested vegetables has steps of extracting a first portion of harvested vegetables to obtain a vegetable cleanser, and cleaning a second portion of harvested vegetables with the vegetable cleanser, such that pests residing on the second portion of harvested vegetables are removed from the second portion of harvested vegetables, wherein the first portion of harvested vegetables and the second portion of harvested vegetables independently contain vegetables selected from the group consisting of vegetables belonging to the families of Cruciferae, Compositae, Chenopodiaceae and Amaranthaceae. The aforementioned method is effective at removing pests from harvested vegetables and satisfies urgent needs to reduce use of chemical pesticides.
US08758830B2
Compounds of Formula I are useful for inhibition of CHK1 and/or CHK2. Methods of using compounds of Formula I and stereoisomers and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, for in vitro, in situ, and in vivo diagnosis, prevention or treatment of such disorders in mammalian cells, or associated pathological conditions are disclosed.
US08758827B2
A local system for the release of active principle is described which consists of approximately spherical or rotation symmetrical bodies which are composed essentially of polymethyl methacrylate or polymethyl methacrylate co-methyl acrylate, zirconium dioxide or barium sulphate and one or more pharmaceutical active principles, in particular antibiotics, and which are produced by radical polymerization, radical polymerization activators effective in the temperature range of 10-80° C. or residues of these polymerization activators from the groups of aromatic amines, heavy metal salts and barbiturates not being contained therein.A process for the production of the local system for the release of active principle in the case of which a) a paste is produced by mixing methyl methacrylate, polymethyl methacrylate or polymethyl methacrylate co-methyl acrylate, zirconium dioxide and/or barium sulphate, one or more pharmaceutical active principles and a thermally decomposing radical initiator, the paste having a viscosity such that it cannot be deformed at room temperature by the effect of gravity; b) the paste is injection molded by an injection molding device without heating at room temperature into approximately spherical or rotation-symmetrical bodies or the approximately spherical or rotation symmetrical bodies are injection-molded onto a wire; c) the bodies are heated to a temperature at which the polymerization initiator decomposes.
US08758820B2
Compositions and methods for making robust pellets that contain a high percentage, by weight, of active drug agent, and which also contain additional components that enhance the absorption and solubility of the active drug agent within the gastrointestinal tract (GI tract) without diminishing the robust nature of the pellet, are disclosed.
US08758818B2
Oral tablet compositions of dexlansoprazole or pharmaceutically acceptable salts or hydrated forms thereof having a gradual release and processes for the manufacture of the tablet composition and its use in the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders.
US08758815B2
The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition, preferably a pharmaceutical dosage form, comprising at least two separate compartments, wherein one compartment contains a composition comprising metformin or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and wherein another compartment contains a composition comprising sitagliptin.The present invention also relates to a process for preparing dosage forms comprising metformin or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and sitagliptin or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, the process comprising the steps of: a) providing one composition containing metformin or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and optionally also sitagliptin, b) providing a further composition containing sitagliptin or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and optionally also metformin, and c) combining the compositions to form compartments. The present invention also refers to a process for preparing dosage forms comprising at least one compartment comprising metformin or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and sitagliptin or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, the process comprises providing a composition containing metformin or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and sitagliptin or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and a matrix agent.Moreover, the present invention related to a dosage form obtained by said process, and to the use of said dosage form for the treatment of diabetes.
US08758811B2
The present invention provides a multilayer vehicle, including a mesoporous silica core and a lipid bilayer coating thereon. Hydrophobic molecules are formed between the silica core and lipid layer. Additionally, methods and uses of the multilayer vehicle are also provided.
US08758802B2
Described herein are methods of inhibiting or reversing the progression of cataract formation or presbyopia in an eye by administering a βL-crystallin electrostatic interaction inhibitor. Both presbyopia and cataracts are caused by aggregation of the soluble crystalline lens proteins called the crystallins, particularly βL-crystallin. It has been found that the aggregation of βL-crystallin is an electrostatic phenomenon and that electrostatic interaction inhibitors can be employed to prevent the formation of βL-crystallin aggregates as well as to deaggregate already formed aggregates.
US08758795B2
Surgically implantable drug delivery systems for long-term delivery of haloperidol containing a biodegradable polymer and haloperidol fabricated into the surgically implantable drug delivery systems via solvent casting and compression molding are provided. Also provided are methods for producing the surgically implantable drug delivery systems and methods for using these systems in the treatment of psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia.
US08758794B2
The present invention is a natural, cell-free tissue replacement that does not require difficult or extensive preparation made by washing tissue replacement in a solution including one or more sulfobetaines and an anionic surface-active detergent and washing the tissue replacement in serial solutions of the buffered salt to remove excess detergent. The natural, cell-free tissue replacement may be a nerve graft that supports axonal regeneration, guides the axons toward the distal nerve end and/or is immunologically tolerated. Other forms of the invention are a composition and kit prepared by the method of making a native, cell-free tissue replacement. The present invention may be modified for use in diagnostic, therapeutic, and prophylactic applications.
US08758792B2
Osteoinductive compositions and implants having increased biological activities, and methods for their production, are provided. The biological activities that may be increased include, but are not limited to, bone forming; bone healing; osteoinductive activity, osteogenic activity, chondrogenic activity, wound healing activity, neurogenic activity, contraction-inducing activity, mitosis-inducing activity, differentiation-inducing activity, chemotactic activity, angiogenic or vasculogenic activity, and exocytosis or endocytosis-inducing activity. In one embodiment, a method for producing an osteoinductive composition comprises providing partially demineralized bone, treating the partially demineralized bone to disrupt the collagen structure of the bone, and optionally providing a tissue-derived extract and adding the tissue-derived extract to the partially demineralized bone. In another embodiment, an implantable osteoinductive and osteoconductive composition comprises partially demineralized bone, wherein the collagen structure of the bone has been disrupted, and, optionally, a tissue-derived extract.
US08758785B2
A composition for external use containing a physiologically acceptable salt of a tranexamate as an active ingredient, which is dispersed in the composition in the state of fine particles, is provided. Thereby, a physiologically acceptable salt of the tranexamate is dissolved in a solvent to prepare a solution, to which a salting-out agent is added to precipitate the salt. Such salt is so dispersed in a composition for external use in the state of fine particles that the tranexamate salt can be mixed without using a large amount of an oil component to obtain a composition for external use affording excellent feel of use and stability.
US08758783B1
Provided is a composition and especially a cosmetic composition comprising: A) an oily phase and B) an aqueous phase which comprises: a) water, b) a pigment, c) a modified phospholipid, and d) an alkyl substituted diol comprising 5 or more carbons; wherein the composition is in the form of an water-in-oil emulsion, and wherein the pigment essentially remains in the water phase. Also provide is a method of producing the composition which comprises: 1) obtaining a mixture of a modified phospholipid and an alkyl substituted diol comprising 5 or more carbons in the alkyl chain; 2) obtaining a mixture of water and a pigment; 3) combining the mixture of the modified phospholipids and the alkyl substituted diol with the mixture of the pigment and water; 4) obtaining an oil composition; and 5) combining the mixture from 3) with the oil composition of 4) to form an water-in-oil emulsion.
US08758782B2
Topically applicable pharmaceutical compositions contain at least one pharmaceutically active agent and an effective antimicrobial amount of a preservative excipient mixture and devoid of such amount of known preservative(s) as would otherwise itself impart an effective antimicrobial action thereto.
US08758778B2
The present invention features compositions in which nano-carriers are synthesized with polymers that respond to lower pH and/or ROS by being degraded. The compositions may be utilized to selectively deliver payloads within patients by responding to lower pH and/or ROS at localities within the patient. The present invention also features methods of synthesizing nano-carriers that are degraded by lower pH and/or ROS.
US08758774B2
A bivalent vaccine against Scuticociliatosis, Vibriosis and marine ich in zobaidy, sobaity and hamoor includes a formalin killed whole cell Vibrio encapsulated Uronema spp. The vaccine is made by collecting a mass of infected zobaidy and scraping the moribund fish with a plastic spatula to transfer live Uronema into a pretri dish. The cerebro-spinal fluid is removed from the zobaidy and added to the fluid containing the Uronema at different concentrations formed with the BHIB. A mass of zobaidy juvenile are fed a commercial pellet feed coated with formalin inactivated Uronema spp. encapsulated in Vibrio four times a day for a period of ten days.
US08758763B2
The invention provides non-replicating compositions, and methods for the delivery of these compositions containing pharmaceuticals, biologically relevant molecules, and/or antigens to the host, by administration via a mucosal route such as the intranasal. This invention provides non-replicating vaccine compositions and methods for the delivery of antigens in these vaccine compositions comprising an antigen and a self-adjuvanting carrier, useful for inducing antigen-specific mucosal and systemic immune responses in the host upon immunization via a mucosal route such as intranasal. The vaccine compositions comprise multivalent cations in association with a plurality of spherical archaeal polar lipid aggregates containing aqueous compartments, the AMVAD structure, formed by the interaction of archaeosomes and antigen(s) with multivalent cations such as Ca2+, wherein the AMVAD structure acts as a self-adjuvanting carrier for the antigen(s) in the vaccine composition. Certain advantageous immune responses can also be elicited with the subject compositions.
US08758762B2
Disclosed are a construct for expressing a rotavirus antigen complex loaded with a heterologous virus epitope, a vaccine composition containing the rotavirus antigen complex, a virus-like particle of rotavirus containing the rotavirus antigen complex, and a vaccine composition containing the virus-like particle of rotavirus. According to the present disclosure, an antigen complex containing a rotavirus antigen as well as a heterologous virus epitope and a virus-like particle of rotavirus containing the antigen complex can be produced in large scale at low cost. Thus, the present disclosure may be applied for research and development of novel complex vaccines for rotavirus and heterologous virus.
US08758754B2
The present invention provides a binding molecule which is capable of binding to the human NogoA polypeptide or human NiG with a dissociation constant <1000 nM, a polynucleotide encoding such binding molecule; an expression vector comprising said polynucleotide; an expression system comprising a polynucleotide capable of producing a binding molecule; an isolated host cell which comprises an expression system as defined above; the use of such binding molecule as a pharmaceutical, especially in the treatment of a disease of the peripheral (PNS) and/or central (CNS) nervous system; a pharmaceutical composition comprising said binding molecule; and a method of treatment of a disease of the peripheral (PNS) and/or central (CNS) nervous system.
US08758747B2
The invention concerns lyophilized pharmaceutical preparations of monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies which contain a sugar or an amino sugar, an amino acid and a surfactant as stabilizers. In addition the invention concerns a process for the production of this stable lyophilizate as well as the use of a sugar or amino sugar, an amino acid and a surfactant as stabilizers for therapeutic or diagnostic agents containing antibodies.
US08758745B2
The invention discloses the use of glutathione S-transferase P1 (GSTP1) for the prevention or treatment of cardiomyopathies or ischemic heart diseases and for the diagnosis thereof.
US08758742B1
An encapsulation system is provided comprising nitrogen-purge, instant bonding encapsulation method. Specifically, the encapsulation system comprises a composition, a two-piece capsule comprising a capsule cap and a capsule body; a gas to purge oxygen from the composition within the capsule; and a sealing solution to seal the capsule cap to the capsule body. Associated methods for encapsulating compositions using the encapsulation system are also provided.
US08758741B2
A transformant is prepared to insert at least a gene expression cassette comprising a gene involved in the synthesis of 2-deoxy-scyllo-inosose into E. coli as host cells. A 2-deoxy-scyllo-inosose is synthesized from D-glucose, oligosaccharide, polysaccharide, starch and rice bran, using the transformant. A culture solution containing the 2-deoxy-scyllo-inosose is treated with a mixed bed or double bed type column comprising a hydrogen form of strong acidic cation exchange resin and an organic ion form of basic anion exchange resin. The 2-deoxy-scyllo-inosose as purified is reacted with trimethoxymethane to convert into 2-deoxy-scyllo-inosose dimethylketal, and the dimethylketal is crystallized and purified. Then, DOI is highly purified through hydrolyzing the dimethylketal in the presence of acid.
US08758739B2
A cosmetic composition containing at least one block copolymer having a hard segment and a soft segment, at least one tackifier component, at least one solvent, at least one gelling agent, and optionally, at least one colorant, and wherein the at least one hard segment has a Tg value of 50° C. or more, and the at least one soft segment has a Tg value of 20° C. or less, and the at least one solvent, or solvent mixture, is capable of solubilizing either the at least one hard segment or the at least one soft segment, or both the hard and the soft segments.
US08758736B2
The invention relates to a composition in the form of a water-in-oil emulsion comprising an aqueous phase dispersed in an oily phase and containing: a) at least one fatty acid ester of a polyol; and b) at least one hydrophobically modified polysaccharide chosen from inulins, celluloses and derivatives thereof, starches and agars, and mixtures thereof. In particular, the fatty acid ester of a polyol is polyglyceryl-4 diisostearate/polyhydroxystearate/-sebacate. It also relates to a process for caring for, making up and/or removing makeup from the skin, including the scalp, the hair and the lips, comprising the topical application of such a composition to the skin, the scalp or the lips.
US08758733B2
The present invention is directed to compositions and methods for the treatment of post-chemotherapeutic hypotrichosis. More specifically, the present invention is directed to the use of compositions comprising bimatoprost for the treatment of post-chemotherapeutic hypotrichosis which may be applied before, during and after receiving chemotherapeutic treatment.
US08758732B2
The invention relates to cosmetic compositions comprising a black color subtractive mixture consisting of at least one blue organic pigment, at least one yellow organic pigment and at least one red organic pigment, which are mixed homogeneously, said mixture having a luminance value L*(15°) of less than 30.
US08758731B2
The present invention relates to compositions comprising 1-hydroxyl 3,5-bis(4′hydroxyl styryl)benzene or cosmetically acceptable salt thereof, and methods of lightening skin using said compositions.
US08758714B2
Adsorbents for radioisotopes, preparation method thereof, and radioisotope generators using the same
Disclosed is a novel adsorbent for use in a 99Mo/99mTc generator, which is a medical diagnostic radioisotope generator, and in a 188W/188Re generator, which is a therapeutic radioisotope generator. The adsorbent composed of sulfated alumina or alumina-sulfated zirconia exhibits adsorption capacity superior to that of conventional adsorbents, and is stable and is thus loaded in a dry state in an adsorption column so that the radioisotope 99Mo or 188W can be adsorbed. Thus, it is possible to miniaturize the column, and such a miniaturized column is small, convenient to use, and highly efficient, and extracts a radioisotope satisfying the requirements for pharmaceuticals, and thus can be useful for radioisotope generators extracting 99mTc or 188Re.
US08758710B2
A process for treating a flue gas is provided. The process comprises burning an amount of elemental magnesium in the flue gas, optionally to produce magnesium oxide and elemental carbon. A process for regenerating elemental magnesium from magnesium oxide is also provided, in addition to processes for producing energy from the elemental carbon.
US08758707B2
An apparatus and method for applying reagents to tissue mounted on slides, in the field of histology is disclosed. The apparatus holds a number of slides, in slide trays, which are loaded onto the apparatus. Each slide tray forms a batch of slides, with all the batched forming a group. The apparatus holds a number of reagents, grouped into a first group comprising bulk type reagents, and a second group comprising antibodies or probes, and detection systems, for identifying elements of the tissue. A group fluid dispenser, in the form of a robot arm, dispense reagents to the group of slides. Each batch of slides has its own batch fluid dispenser to dispense reagents onto the batch of slides. In on embodiment, the group fluid dispenser dispense antibodies, probes, detection reagents to all slides depending on the protocol defined for each slide, and the batch dispensers dispense bulk reagent to each batch, thus freeing the group fluid dispense from dispensing bulk reagents to all slides.
US08758704B2
A method of making a microfluidic diagnostic device for use in the assaying of biological fluids, whereby a layer of adhesive in a channel pattern is printed onto a surface of a base sheet and a cover sheet is adhered to the base sheet with the adhesive. The layer of adhesive defines at least one channel, wherein the channel passes through the thickness of the adhesive layer.
US08758703B2
The present invention provides a pump device 50 which is usable to dilute a sample 52 before analysis. A first pump 54 pumps the sample to a mixing region 58 where it mixes with a diluent 66. A second pump 64 pumps the diluted sample to the analysis instrument. The flow of the diluent to the mixer is equal to the difference of the flow of the sample to the mixer and the flow of the diluted sample to the instrument. Pumps 54 and 64 are independently controllable by a controller unit which is arranged so that data from the instrument can be used to determine the dilution factor of the sample. Thus, the controller can control this dilution factor in real time, upon receipt of such data from the instrument, by change either one of (or both) the pump's flow rate.
US08758697B2
The invention relates to a device for the microstructured plasma treatment of a film substrate, especially of a plastic film. Said device comprises a rotatably received cylindrical electrode the surface of which contains or consists of metal, especially chromium, the surface having microstructured depressions, a planar high-voltage electrode the surface of which has a shape complementary to that of the cylindrical electrode and can be arranged on a section of the surface of the cylindrical electrode in a substantially form-fit manner, a transport device for transporting the film substrate to be treated between the surface of the cylindrical electrode and the high-voltage electrode, and a device for feeding a process gas to the surface of the cylindrical electrode and to the interspace between the cylindrical electrode and the high-voltage electrode.
US08758695B2
The present invention relates to a treatment system for a gasoline engine exhaust gas stream comprising a particulate filter, said particulate filter comprising: a particulate filter substrate, an inlet layer disposed on the exhaust gas inlet surface of the filter substrate, and an outlet layer disposed on the exhaust gas outlet surface of the filter substrate, wherein the inlet layer comprises Rh and/or Pd, and the outlet layer comprises Rh and/or a zeolite.
US08758692B2
There is provided a synthesis reaction system which synthesizes a hydrocarbon compound by a chemical reaction of a synthesis gas including hydrogen and carbon monoxide as main components, and a slurry having solid catalyst particles suspended in liquid and which extracts the hydrocarbon compound from the slurry. The synthesis reaction system includes a reactor main body which accommodates the slurry, a separator which separates the hydrocarbon compound included in the slurry from the slurry, a first flow passage which allows the slurry including the hydrocarbon compound to flow to the separator from the reactor main body, a second flow passage which allows the slurry to flow to the reactor main body from the separator, and a fluid supply nozzle which supplies a fluid toward at least any one of the separator, the first flow passage, and the second flow passage.
US08758687B2
The present invention is an apparatus and fluid delivery system for automated assays. The apparatus, for example, may be used for western blotting that uses flow lines for multiple reagents. In one embodiment, the present invention comprises a tray base with one or more fixed or disposable trays for testing samples, multiple flow lines, and multiple valves and the system is used for automatic controlled delivery of different fluids from supply vessels to different trays and discharges them to designated reservoirs or sewage system with minimum of operator actions. The system may include air line to assist supply and discharge the fluids and also coupled with measuring vessels with adjustable volume and valves adapted to interface with a valve operating unit with drive means. The system is controlled by a programmable electronic device that controls the preset values and sequences of valves operation to deliver or discharge the selected fluids in any one or more of plural fluid input ports individually or all together simultaneously, by a set of programmable pinch valves assemblies that pinching or releasing multiple of elastomeric flow conduits, used as a pinch member. The valve operating unit may, in one embodiment, be a single drive unit to control all valve assemblies or, as alternative embodiment, attached to the housing individual mechanism.
US08758686B2
This invention relates to a device (1) for detecting energy generated by non-radiative decay generated in a substance (2) on irradiation with electromagnetic radiation. The device (1) comprises a radiation source (6) adapted to generate a series of pulses of electromagnetic radiation, a transducer (3) having a pyroelectric or piezoelectric element and electrodes (4, 5) which is capable of transducing the energy generated by the substance (2) into an electrical signal, and a detector (7) which is capable of detecting the electrical signal generated by the transducer (3). The detector (7) is adapted to determine the time delay between each pulse of electromagnetic radiation from the radiation source (6) and the generation of the electric signal. The device (1) has a wide applicability in the fields of assays and monitoring.
US08758677B2
Methods and systems for administering a consumable composition may provide for one or more operations including, but not limited to: obtaining schedule data specifying a consumable composition dose consumption schedule for a specified user; dispensing at least one dose of a consumable composition into a container according to the schedule data specifying a consumable composition dose consumption schedule for the specified user; and controlling sterilizing of at least a portion of the container.
US08758676B2
A component is manufactured from a powdered material such as a titanium alloy, by performing a first hot isostatic pressing HIP operation on the powdered material 14 while the powdered material is in contact with a molding surface 8 of a rigid, usable molding tool 2. The first HIP operation creates a non-porous shaped surface 16 on a partially consolidated component 14, but avoids bonding or reaction between the partially consolidated component 14 and the molding tool 2. After separation of the partially consolidated component 14 from the molding tool 2, the partially consolidated component 14 is subjected to a second HIP operation in which the powdered material is fully consolidated.
US08758674B2
The invention relates to a furnace slag door, comprising at least one panel which is moveable, in a mounted state of the slag door, from an opened position, in which the panel is remote from a corresponding slag discharge opening within the furnace wall to a closed position, in which the panel covers at least part of said slag discharge opening. The invention further comprises a corresponding furnace equipped with such slag door. The furnace is, in particular, an electric arc furnace (EAF) but may be as well of another type.
US08758671B2
A method of making ceramic articles includes compounding ceramic precursor batch components that include hydrous clay. The hydrous clay includes particle components having a platy geometry. The crystallite size of the platy hydrous clay particle components is less than a predetermined amount. Controlling such crystallite size can result in fired ceramic articles with a lower coefficient of thermal expansion and improved thermal shock resistance.
US08758669B2
An apparatus and method for forming cavities in pouches. The packages are used for packaging sterile medical products. The apparatus has a frame and a tongue plate member. A pouch is placed onto the tongue plate member to form a cavity into at least one side of the pouch.
US08758668B2
An apparatus and method for making coiled and buckled electrospun fiber including (a) providing a solution of a polymer in an organic solvent and a device for electrospinning fiber; b) subjecting the polymer solution to an electric field such that at least one fiber is electrospun; (c) subjecting the so formed fiber to electrical bending and mechanical buckling instability to hereby form a coiled and buckled fiber; (d) collecting the at least one fiber on a collector, such that a fiber structure is produced.
US08758667B2
A cold press and a method for the production of green compacts for diamond-containing tool segments includes a tool matrix, a top ram and a bottom ram assigned to a matrix adapter from opposite directions for the purpose of compressing sinterable metal powder and diamond granules after both of these materials have been fed to the matrix adapter. Step-by-step build-up of the green compact is carried out in such a manner that after one layer of metal powder and one layer of diamond granulate have been charged, these layers are together compressed.
US08758665B2
The invention relates to a combination packaging container (2, 2′) comprising a beaker-shaped inner container (3) with a container jacket (17), a base (18) and a flange (20) projecting out from the container jacket (17) in the region of its open end (19), as well as a sleeve-shaped outer part (4) surrounding the inner container (3) at its container jacket (17) with end regions (11, 12) spaced apart from one another in the direction of a longitudinal axis (9). The inner container (3) is laid against and molded onto an internal face (10) of the sleeve-shaped outer part (4). The sleeve-shaped outer part (4) is of a single-layered design between its end regions (11, 12) spaced apart from one another in the direction of the longitudinal axis (9). An end face (29) of the outer part (4) lying opposite the flange (20) constitutes a standing surface for the combination packaging container (2, 2′).
US08758663B2
A device for making an object comprises a substantially flat surface, an applicator, and a controller. The applicator is operable to project at an elevation angle without a substantial downward component a material used to make the object towards the substantially vertical flat surface. The controller is adapted to receive instructions for making the object and is configured to coordinate relative movement of the applicator and the surface and the application of the material by the applicator such that the material applied over at least one portion of the surface as a plurality of individually determined layers. In use the object is made adjacent to the surface.
US08758656B2
In order to obtain a graphite film having an excellent thermal diffusivity, a high density, and excellent flatness without flaws, recesses and wrinkles on the surface, the process for producing a graphite film according to the present invention comprises the graphitization step for a raw material film made of a polymer film and/or a carbonized polymer film and/or the post-planar pressurization step for the film in this order to prepare a graphite film, wherein the graphitization step is a step of thermally treating two or more stacked raw material films at a highest temperature of 2,000° C. and includes a method of electrically heating the raw material films themselves and/or a method of thermally treating the films while applying pressure to the films planarly, and the post-planar pressurization step includes a method of planarly pressurizing the one raw material film or the multiple stacked raw material films after graphitization by single-plate press or vacuum press.
US08758646B2
Compositions, methods of making compositions, materials including compositions, crayons including compositions, paint including compositions, ink including compositions, waxes including compositions, polymers including compositions, vesicles including the compositions, methods of making each, and the like are disclosed.
US08758627B2
Embodiments of the invention provide a twin tank water treatment system and method. The water treatment system includes first tank with a first set of sensors and a first resin bed, a second tank with a second set of sensors and a second resin bed, and a valve assembly with a flow meter and a controller in communication with the first set of sensors, the second set of sensors, and the flow meter. The method includes determining when the resin beds are exhausted based on input from the flow meter, the sensors, and a water hardness setting.
US08758624B2
Water treatment process, and membrane separation process and water treatment plant suitable therefor
A description is given of a multistage process for treating water, wherein a water stream is purified in a membrane separation stage and a downstream deionization unit having at least one concentrate chamber and at least one diluate chamber, wherein the water stream is separated in the membrane separation device into a concentrate stream and at least two permeate streams of different electrical conductivity, and wherein at least the permeate stream having the highest electrical conductivity is fed at least partially into the at least one concentrate chamber and at least the permeate stream having the lowest electrical conductivity is fed at least partially into the at least one diluate chamber of the downstream deionization unit. In addition, a membrane separation device is described which is constructed in such a manner that at least two permeate streams having different electrical conductivity can be generated therein, and also a water treatment plant, comprising at least one such membrane separation device and at least one deionization unit having at least one concentrate chamber and at least one diluate chamber.
US08758622B2
A method of cleaning a membrane (6) in a membrane filtration system by flowing gas bubbles past the surfaces of the membrane (6) to scour accumulated solids therefrom. The method includes flowing a liquid past a supply of gas; creating a reduced pressure within the liquid flow to cause a flow of gas from the supply of gas (9) into the liquid flow and form gas bubbles therein and then flowing the liquid containing the gas bubbles past the surfaces of the membrane (6) to scour the surfaces thereof. Apparatus for performing the method is also disclosed.
US08758614B2
A waste stream having anaerobically biodegradable components is fed to an anaerobic reactor where the components react with microorganisms to biodegrade the components and produce biomass and biogas. Mixing occurs in select portions of the anaerobic reactor, particularly the bottom and top portions of the reactor. Relatively heavy solids settle to the bottom and are mixed with the mixed liquor while relatively light or fine solids float to the top portion of the anaerobic reactor where they are mixed with the mixed liquor. Mixed liquor is pumped from an intermediate portion of the anaerobic reactor to a membrane separation unit where the mixed liquor is separated into a permeate stream and a retentate stream that is concentrated with solids.
US08758611B2
Disclosed are an edge member for membrane elements that can effectively improve adhesion with exterior finishing materials, and a membrane element that is equipped with the same. A plurality of types of undulations (134, 135) of different shapes are formed on the circumference of an extension (132) that extends from the main body (131) of an anti-telescoping member (edge member for membrane element) (13) toward a membrane roll body (11), and an exterior finishing material is attached to extend across the circumference of the extension (132) and the circumference of the membrane roll body. The adhesion between the anti-telescoping member (13) and the exterior finishing material can thus be effectively improved, since the exterior finishing material can be attached to the circumference of the extension (132) with the plurality of types of undulations (134, 135) in contact with the exterior finishing material.
US08758610B2
An apparatus to convey and seal a material recovery and separation container (MRSC) that is water and air permeable for in-place material recovery and separation of a primary product of clean water and clean air and a secondary product of floating contaminants such as an oil spill or other pollution from a composite mixture of products at the surface of water or at depths (oil plume). The apparatus has a horizontal platform base for support and to provide a lay-down area, provide an operator support area, and provide a structure for connecting to a local containment boom and standoff. One embodiment is a hook and rail conveying system brings the MRSC to the composite mixture, through the composite mixture for collection, to a container closing area and to a lay-down area. The MRSC is closed after filling.
US08758601B2
A process and composition for removing heavy oil and bitumen from oil sands is disclosed. The composition comprises an emulsion of d-limonene in water, with an optional anionic surfactant as an emulsifying agent. The emulsion is contacted with an oil sand slurry until the aqueous and hydrocarbon phases separate. The process may take place at temperatures less than about 80° C. and with low concentrations of the d-limonene.
US08758596B2
A first hydroisomerization catalyst contains a support being a extruded product prepared by calcination having a thermal treatment that includes thermally treating at 350° C. or more and at least one metal supported on the support and selected from the group consisting of metals belonging to Groups 8 to 10 of the periodic table, molybdenum and tungsten, wherein the support contains (a1) a calcined zeolite prepared by calcination having a thermal treatment that includes thermally treating at 350° C. or more of an ion-exchanged zeolite obtained by ion exchange of an organic template-containing zeolite containing an organic template and having a 10-membered ring one-dimensional porous structure in a solution containing ammonium ions and/or protons, and (b1) a calcined inorganic oxide prepared by calcination having a thermal treatment that includes thermally treating at 350° C. or more of one inorganic oxide selected from the group consisting of alumina, silica, titania, boria, zirconia, magnesia, ceria, zinc oxide, phosphorus oxide, and a composite oxide containing a combination of two or more of these oxides, wherein the thermal treatment to which the calcined zeolite has been subjected includes calcination in which the ion-exchanged zeolite that has not been thermally treated at 350° C. or more is heated within the range of 350° C. to 450° C.
US08758584B2
Systems and methods are provided for detecting the presence of an analyte in a sample. A solid state electrochemical sensor can include a redox active moiety having an oxidation and/or reduction potential that is sensitive to the presence of an analyte immobilized over a surface of a working electrode. A redox active moiety having an oxidation and/or reduction potential that is insensitive to the presence of the analyte can be used for reference. Voltammetric measurements made using such systems can accurately determine the presence and/or concentration of the analyte in the sample. The solid state electrochemical sensor can be robust and not require calibration or re-calibration.
US08758582B2
An electrochemical test strip is formed from a first insulating substrate layer, a second substrate layer, and an intervening insulating spacer layer. An opening in the insulating spacer layer defines a test cell which is in contact with the inner surface of the first substrate on one side and the inner surface of the second substrate on the other side. The size of the test cell is determined by the area of substrate exposed and the thickness of the spacer layer. Working and counter electrodes appropriate for the analyte to be detected are disposed on the first insulating substrate in a location within the test cell. The working and counter electrodes are associated with conductive leads that allow The second substrate is conductive at least in a region facing the working and counter electrodes. No functional connection of this conductive surface of the second substrate to the meter is required. When a potential difference is applied between the working and counter electrodes, because of the presence of the conductive surface on the second substrate, the relevant diffusion length is not dependent on the distance between working and counter electrodes, but is instead dependent on the distance between the first and second substrates (i.e., on the thickness of the spacer layer). This means that shorter measurement times can be achieved without having to reduce the spacing of the working and counter electrodes.
US08758574B2
Provided are: novel rutile titanium dioxide nanoparticles each having a high photocatalytic activity; a photocatalyst including the rutile titanium dioxide nanoparticles; and a method for oxidizing an organic compound using the photocatalyst. The rutile titanium dioxide nanoparticles each have an exposed crystal face (001). The rutile titanium oxide nanoparticles may be produced by subjecting a titanium compound to a hydrothermal treatment in an aqueous medium in the presence of a hydrophilic polymer. A polyvinylpyrrolidone, for example, is used as the hydrophilic polymer. An organic compound having an oxidizable moiety can be oxidized with molecular oxygen or a peroxide under photoirradiation in the presence of the photocatalyst including the rutile titanium oxide nanoparticles.
US08758570B2
A triple papermaking fabric includes a set of warp machine direction top yarns; a set of weft cross machine direction top yarns interwoven with the top MD yarns to form a top fabric layer; a set of bottom MD yarns; a set of bottom CMD yarns interwoven with the bottom MD yarns to form a bottom fabric layer; and a set of binding yarns arranged in the cross machine direction and interwoven with the top MD yarns and binding the top layer to the bottom layer. The binding yarns are arranged in pairs between two adjacent top CMD yarns, and in a fabric repeat unit at least one binding yarn of each pair is interwoven with at least one bottom MD yarn. The ratio between weft yarns and warp yarns is 4:2.
US08758560B2
A paper product having at least one ply, a basis weight of greater than 18 g/m2, and indicia having L*a*b* color values disposed thereon is disclosed. The indicia disposed upon the web substrate has a color value defined by the CIELab coordinate values disposed inside the boundary described by the MacAdam 3-D gamut and CIELab coordinate values disposed outside the boundary described by the Kien 3-D gamut.
US08758559B2
Systems and methods for forming fiber webs, including those suitable for use as filter media and battery separators, are provided. In some embodiments, the systems and methods involve a first system for forming a fiber web (e.g., a wet laid system or non-wet laid system) and additionally one or more coating units. The first system for forming a fiber web may be used to form one or more fibrous layers of the fiber web, and the coating unit may be used to form an additional fibrous layer of the fiber web. In some embodiments, the systems and methods can be used to form fiber webs having a gradient in a property across a portion of, or the entire, thickness of the fiber web.
US08758549B2
The present invention relates to heat-curable compositions containing a mixture of reactive epoxy resins that contains, based on the mass of all epoxy resins, a) at least 10 wt % of an epoxy group-containing reaction product of epichlorohydrin with polypropylene glycol which has an epoxy equivalent weight of at least 250 g/eq, and b) at least 10 wt % of an epoxy group-containing reaction product of epichlorohydrin with a novolac resin which has an epoxy equivalent weight of at least 175 g/eq, and at least one latent hardener.
US08758544B2
A method and apparatus for forming a vehicle window assembly utilizes one or more induction heating devices to adhesively bond an item of hardware to a glass substrate, which substrate is then adapted to fill an opening in a vehicle body. Preferably, the induction heating device(s) and one or more assembly aids are components of an assembly fixture which allows for automated or semi-automated production of such vehicle window assemblies.
US08758533B2
The invention relates to a process to foam a water-base adhesive wherein a gas is dissolved or generated under pressure in the water phase essentially without the formation of foam. To apply the adhesive in the form of foam, the pressurized adhesive is released through a valve onto a substrate at atmospheric pressure, whereby the dissolved gas separates as gas bubbles. The invention relates further to an apparatus for the implementation of said process comprising a pressure-tight container for the adhesive wherein an overpressure is provided through a first valve, and at the outlet of said container a drain valve is placed. The apparatus further comprises a pressure-tight acid vessel for the acid which is furnished with a second valve at its inlet The outlet of said vessel is connected through a third valve to the container.
US08758532B2
An device for simultaneous application of elastoplastic spacer tapes to two glass panes with identical outline shape and identical dimensions has two application heads (107) that can be adjusted essentially vertically up and down on linear axles (105). The application heads (107) are moved synchronously, likewise the two glass panes by the holding devices that are assigned to them and that move the glass panes in a direction that is perpendicular to the direction of motion of the application heads (107). Thus, it is sufficient to measure a single glass pane of a triple insulating glass element, and both application panes of the insulating glass element can be covered at the same time with spacer tapes, so that time is saved, and the two application panes can be assembled with the cover pane in a shorter time interval into an insulating glass element with three panes.
US08758531B1
Provided is a fuel of catalytic metal-containing ionic liquid (MCIL) and an IL, to spur hypergolic ignition of such liquids upon contact with an oxidizer to define a hypergolic bipropellant.
US08758530B2
Aluminum alloy products having improved ballistics performance are disclosed. The aluminum alloy products may be underaged. In one embodiment, the underaged aluminum alloy products realize an FSP resistance that it is better than that of a peak strength aged version of the aluminum alloy product. In one embodiment, ballistics performance criteria is selected and the aluminum alloy product is underaged an amount sufficient to achieve a ballistics performance that is at least as good as the ballistics performance criteria.
US08758529B2
Aluminum alloys having improved properties are provided. The alloy includes about 0 to 2 wt % rare earth elements, about 0.5 to about 14 wt % silicon, about 0.25 to about 2.0 wt % copper, about 0.1 to about 3.0 wt % nickel, approximately 0.1 to 1.0% iron, about 0.1 to about 2.0 wt % zinc, about 0.1 to about 1.0 wt % magnesium, 0 to about 1.0 wt % silver, about 0.01 to about 0.2 wt % strontium, 0 to about 1.0 wt % scandium, 0 to about 1.0 wt % manganese, 0 to about 0.5 wt % calcium, 0 to about 0.5 wt % germanium, 0 to about 0.5 wt % tin, 0 to about 0.5 wt % cobalt, 0 to about 0.2 wt % titanium, 0 to about 0.1 wt % boron, 0 to about 0.2 wt % zirconium, 0 to 0.5% yttrium, 0 to about 0.3 wt % cadmium, 0 to about 0.3 wt % chromium, 0 to about 0.5 wt % indium, and the balance aluminum. Methods of making cast aluminum parts are also described.
US08758527B2
A surface processing method includes the step of increasing a surface hardness of a metal having a nominal composition that includes about 0.21-0.25 wt % carbon, about 2.9-3.3 wt % chromium, about 11-12 wt % nickel, about 13-14 wt % cobalt, about 1.1-1.3 wt % molybdenum, and a balance of iron from a first hardness to a second hardness. For example, the method is used to produce a surface-hardened component that includes a core section having a first hardness between about 51 HRC and 55 HRC and a case section having a second hardness that is greater than the first hardness.
US08758526B2
A method of directing gas flows in a gas torch includes directing a flow of a first gas and a flow of a second gas to a mixer central gas passageway of a mixer and directing the flow of the mixed first and second gases from the mixer to an axial passageway of a tip. The method further includes directing a flow of a third gas to an outer passageway of the tip, directing the flow of the third gas inwardly through at least one intermediate gas passageway, and then directing the flow of the third gas to a tip central gas passageway of the tip. Finally, the flow of the mixed first and second gases and the flow of the third gas are directed distally through a distal portion of the tip.
US08758525B2
A dishwasher includes a cabinet, a washing tub provided in the cabinet, a condensation duct to cool air in the washing tub and to discharge the cooled air outside of the dishwasher and having a guide duct to divide the cool external air and to mix divided parts of the cool external air with the air in the washing tub in stages, and a fan assembly to introduce the air in the washing tub and cool external air into the condensation duct.
US08758521B2
A semiconductor substrate cleaning method includes cleaning a semiconductor substrate formed with a line-and-space pattern, rinsing the substrate, supplying the rinse water to rinse the substrate, and drying the substrate. The rinsing includes supplying deionized water and hydrochloric acid into a mixing section to mix the deionized water and the hydrochloric acid into a mixture, heating the mixture in the mixing section by a heater, detecting a pH value and a temperature of the mixture by a pH sensor and a temperature sensor respectively, adjusting an amount of hydrochloric acid supplied into the mixing section so that the rinse water has a predetermined pH value indicative of acidity, and energizing or de-energizing the heater so that the temperature of the mixture detected by the temperature sensor reaches a predetermined temperature, thereby producing the rinse water which has a temperature of not less than 70° C. and is acidic.
US08758517B2
There is disclosed a process for the hydrolysis of cellulose comprising the sequential steps (a) mixing cellulose with a viscosity below 900 ml/g with an aqueous solution to obtain a liquid, wherein particles comprising cellulose in said liquid have a diameter of maximum 200 nm, wherein the temperature of the aqueous solution is below 35° C., and wherein the pH of the aqueous solution is above 12, (b) subjecting the liquid to at least one of the steps: (i) decreasing the pH of the liquid with at least 1 pH unit and (ii) increasing the temperature by at least 20° C., and (c) hydrolyzing the cellulose. Moreover there is disclose glucose manufactured according to the method and ethanol manufactured from the glucose. Advantages include that the cellulose is hydrolyzed faster and to a greater extent after the treatment. The yield is increased.
US08758514B2
A cluster type semiconductor processing apparatus includes a wafer handling chamber having a polygonal base including multiple sides for wafer processing chambers and two adjacent sides for wafer loading/unloading chambers as viewed in a direction of an axis of the wafer handling chamber. An angle A between two adjacent sides of the multiple sides for wafer processing chambers is greater than an angle B which is calculated by dividing 360° by the number of the total sides consisting of the multiple sides for wafer processing chambers and the two adjacent sides for wafer loading/unloading chambers.
US08758511B2
A film forming apparatus including a raw material supplying section for supplying a raw material of a liquid or a gas-liquid mixture, a raw material vaporizing section for vaporizing the raw material to form a raw material gas, and a film forming section for conducting a film forming treatment using the formed raw material gas, and a filter on the transport path for the raw material gas from the raw material vaporizing section to the film forming section. An outer edge of the filter is pressed to the inner surface of the transport path over the whole perimeter thereof by a cyclic supporting member, which is less prone to be deformed by a loading in the pressing direction than the outer edge, and is fixed to the inner surface of the transport path in a compressed state between the inner surface of the transport path and the supporting member.
US08758503B2
A concrete additive includes expanded perlite with a volume weighted mean particle size of approximately 10-100 μm. The perlite further includes at least one additional component to improve workability and compensate for the natural tendency of expanded perlite to absorb water from the concrete mix. The additional component can include: water; a superplasticizer such as polycarboxylates, naphthalene sulfonate, and melamine sulfonate; or a hydrophobic compound such as salts of fatty acids, fatty acids, silanes, and siloxanes. The additive can be made in the form of a flowable powder or a flowable slurry. Concrete containing this additive displays superior properties to conventional concrete, including extremely high thermal resistance and high strength, low chloride ion permeability, and good early strength. The expanded perlite is a readily available raw material and the finished concrete is extremely cost effective for applications where a high strength structural concrete must withstand high temperatures.
US08758501B2
The present invention relates to nanoparticulate UV protectants which are obtainable by hydrothermal treatment of a nanoparticulate metal oxide and subsequent application of a silicon dioxide coating, and to the preparation and use thereof. The present invention furthermore relates to novel compositions, in particular for topical application, which are intended, in particular, for light protection of the skin and/or of the hair against UV radiation, and to the use thereof in the above-mentioned cosmetic application.
US08758483B2
A process for removing carbon dioxide from a fluid comprises the steps of: (a) treating the fluid by bringing it into countercurrent contact with a liquid absorbent in a first absorption zone and thereafter in a second absorption zone to absorb at least part of the carbon dioxide contained in the fluid into the absorbent; (b) depressurizing the loaded absorbent to release a first stream of carbon dioxide and yield a partially regenerated absorbent; (c) recycling a first stream of the partially regenerated absorbent into the first absorption zone; (d) heating a second stream of the partially regenerated absorbent to release a second stream of carbon dioxide and yield a regenerated absorbent; (e) recycling the regenerated absorbent into the second absorption zone; (f) condensing water vapor entrained in the second stream of carbon dioxide by cooling the second stream of carbon dioxide and transferring at least part of the heat recovered to the partially regenerated absorbent by indirect heat exchange. The invention provides a two-stage carbon dioxide recovery process wherein the overall energy required for carbon dioxide recovery is reduced and/or wherein at least part of the carbon dioxide is recovered at a pressure higher than atmospheric pressure so as to reduce the energy required for compression of the carbon dioxide, e.g., for sequestration. Also disclosed is a plant for removing carbon dioxide from a fluid.
US08758472B2
The present invention relates to a method and system for producing electric power and fertiliser. The method comprises the steps of: (a) combusting biomass to produce energy for the generation of electric power and an exhaust gas; (b) producing a liquor from compounds extracted from the exhaust gas; and (c) producing a fertiliser by composting organic materials in the presence of the liquor.
US08758463B2
In one aspect, a vacuum-sealed can is used during the bonding process to improve the properties of an infiltrated TSP cutting element. In one embodiment, ultra hard diamond crystals and a catalyst material are sintered to form a polycrystalline diamond material (PCD). This PCD material is leached to remove the catalyst, forming a thermally stable product (TSP). The TSP material and a substrate are placed into an enclosure such as a can assembly, heated, and subjected to a vacuum in order to remove gas, moisture and other residuals that can inhibit infiltration of the infiltrant into the TSP layer. The can assembly is then subjected to high temperature, high pressure bonding to bond the TSP material to the substrate. During bonding, material from the substrate infiltrates the TSP layer.
US08758458B2
A gasifier includes a combustion chamber in which a fuel is burned to produce a syngas and a particulated solid residue. A quench chamber is disposed downstream of the combustion chamber. A dip tube is disposed coupling the combustion chamber to the quench chamber. The syngas is directed to contact liquid coolant in the quench chamber and produce a cooled syngas. A draft tube is disposed surrounding the dip tube such that an annular passage is formed. A baffle is disposed proximate to an exit path of the quench chamber. The cooled syngas is directed through the annular passage and impacted against the baffle so as to remove entrained liquid content from the cooled syngas before it is directed through the exit path. A cross sectional area of the annular passage is larger towards the bottom of the quench chamber and smaller towards the top of the quench chamber.
US08758456B2
A diesel fuel, diesel fuel additive concentrate and method for improving the performance of fuel injectors for a diesel engine are provided. The diesel fuel includes a major amount of middle distillate fuel having a sulfur content of 15 ppm by weight or less; and a reaction product of (a) a hydrocarbyl substituted dicarboxylic acid or anhydride, and (b) an amine compound or salt thereof of the formula wherein R is selected from hydrogen and a hydrocarbyl group containing from about 1 to about 15 carbon atoms, and R1 is selected from hydrogen and a hydrocarbyl group containing from about 1 to about 20 carbon atoms, wherein the reaction product contains less than one equivalent of an amino triazole group per molecule of reaction product, and wherein the reaction product is present in an amount sufficient to improve the performance of diesel direct and/or indirect fuel injectors.
US08758455B2
A method of producing a layered structure lithium mixed metal oxide, including a step of calcining a lithium mixed metal oxide raw material containing a transition metal element and a lithium element in a molar ratio of the lithium element to the transition metal element of 1 or more and 2 or less, in the presence of an inactive flux containing one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of a carbonate of M, a sulfate of M, a nitrate of M, a phosphate of M, a hydroxide of M, a molybdate of M, and a tungstate of M, wherein M represents one or more elements selected from the group consisting of Na, K, Rb, Cs, Ca, Mg, Sr and Ba.
US08758450B2
The subject of the present invention is therefore a method for the lightening and/or lightening dyeing of keratin materials, which consists in treating the keratin fibers with at least: a) one direct emulsion (A) comprising one or more fatty substances free of carboxylic acid groups, one or more surfactants, an amount of water of greater than 5% by weight of the total weight of the emulsion, and one or more oxidizing agents; and b) one direct emulsion (B) comprising one or more fatty substances free of carboxylic acid groups, one or more surfactants, an amount of water of greater than 5% by weight of the total weight of the emulsion, and one or more alkaline agents; the concentration of fatty substances free of carboxylic acid groups being at least equal to 25% by weight of the total weight of the composition obtained after mixing the two direct emulsions (A) and (B). This process does not have the drawbacks caused by the presence of high contents of alkaline agents, and uses dyeing and/or bleaching compositions having improved lightening properties and that are stable over time, while at the same time remaining at least as effective in terms of the uniformity of the lightening, while at the same time preserving the quality of the keratin fiber.
US08758449B2
A hypobarically-controlled artificial limb for amputees includes a single socket with a volume and shape to receive a substantial portion of the residual limb. A sealed cavity is formed between the socket and the residual limb. The wearer may use a liner over the residual limb for comfort. A vacuum source is connected to a vacuum valve connected to the cavity to suspend the artificial limb from the residual limb and to control and minimize volumetric and fluid changes within the residual limb. A liner for a hypobarically-controlled socket for an artificial limb, with a liner interface bonding the liner to the socket and forming a seal between the liner and the socket. The liner may be permanently attached to the socket or the liner may be removed from the socket for replacement.
US08758446B2
Apparatus and methods of protecting modular implant connection portions are provided. A guard includes an outer sidewall and an inner sidewall defining a cavity that covers a modular implant connection portion. The modular implant connection covered with the guard can facilitate test-fitting of other modular implant components and allows reaming of the tissue around the guard.
US08758436B2
An expansible ear canal insert for treating TMJ disorders and headaches which acts directly on the TMJ and associated ligament and muscle structures to reduce stress and loads placed on the articulator disc located between the temporal bone and the mandible, as well as supportive muscles and ligaments near the TMJ. The insert is adapted to expand by application of body heat. In the expanded condition, the insert provides support to the TMJ and associated ligament and muscle structures.
US08758432B2
A method for reducing regurgitation in a mitral valve using a blood flow controlling apparatus. The blood flow controlling apparatus comprises an anchoring means, preferably arranged to anchor the apparatus to a wall of the left ventricle. The blood flow controlling apparatus further comprises a valve means configured to expand in a direction transverse to blood flow. The valve means is preferably positioned within a native mitral valve and expands for making contact with the mitral valve leaflets during ventricular systole, thereby preventing blood from regurgitating back through the mitral valve into the left atrium. When blood flows from the left atrium to the left ventricle during ventricular diastole, the valve means collapses for allowing blood to pass freely through the mitral valve.
US08758428B2
A coated implantable medical device 10 includes a structure 12 adapted for introduction into the vascular system, esophagus, trachea, colon, biliary tract, or urinary tract; at least one coating layer 16 posited on one surface of the structure; and at least one layer 18 of a bioactive material posited on at least a portion of the coating layer 16, wherein the coating layer 16 provides for the controlled release of the bioactive material from the coating layer. In addition, at least one porous layer 20 can be posited over the bioactive material layer 18, wherein the porous layer includes a polymer and provides for the controlled release of the bioactive material therethrough. Preferably, the structure 12 is a coronary stent. The porous layer 20 includes a polymer applied preferably by vapor or plasma deposition and provides for a controlled release of the bioactive material. It is particularly preferred that the polymer is a polyamide, parylene or a parylene derivative, which is deposited without solvents, heat or catalysts, and merely by condensation of a monomer vapor.
US08758427B2
Assemblies, kits, and methods for occluding a vascular vessel, such as a varicose vein, are disclosed. An assembly can include a removable inner member, a removable outer member, and an elongated expandable member positioned in a compressed form between portions of the inner and outer members. To facilitate their removal, one or both of the inner and outer members can include a handle coupled to a proximal end. The elongated expandable member can include a gelatin material or a collagen material that is configured, when wetted, to expand from a compressed first diametrical size to a second larger diametrical size within a time period of 5 minutes or less. At the second larger diametrical size, the gelatin or collagen material can occlude a vascular vessel for a period of at least 20 days without degrading.
US08758421B2
Medical systems and related methods are disclosed. In some embodiments, the medical systems include an inner tubular member defining an aperture and an outer tubular member at least partially surrounding the inner tubular member. The inner and outer tubular members can be arranged such that an implantable medical endoprosthesis can be disposed therebetween.
US08758412B2
The present invention relates generally to various integrated Inter-Spinous Process Decompression, IPD, devices and methods for implantation thereof for treating spinal stenosis. Generally, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the disclosed IPD system comprises an IPD tusk-shaped needle, an IPD tusk-shaped sizer, an IPD tusk-shaped implant tool, and an IPD implant.Preferably, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, each of the IPD tusk-shaped needle, the IPD tusk-shaped sizer, the IPD tusk-shaped implant tool, and IPD implant are suitably configured for percutaneous insertion between a patient's spinous process. Most preferably, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, either the IPD tusk-shaped sizer or the IPD tusk-shaped implant tool is configured to be reversibly coupled to an IPD implant.
US08758405B2
The present invention generally provides devices and methods for tensioning a length of suture. In one embodiment, a suture tensioning device is provided having a shaft and a suture grasping member. A knotting element can be removably coupled to a distal end of the shaft, and it can be adapted to receive a suture and to lock to engage the suture. The suture grasping member can be movably coupled to the shaft and configured to grasp a suture and pull it through the knotting element to allow the knotting element to lock and engage the suture.
US08758403B2
The present invention provides devices for closing septal defects, such as a patent foramen ovale (PFO). The closure devices include a proximal anchor member, a distal anchor member, and at least one flexible center joint connecting the two anchor members. According to some embodiments, the proximal and/or distal anchor members may include a generally cylindrical member split along the central portion of its length to form an elongate oval. The proximal and/or distal anchor members may further include a tissue scaffold. At least some of the closure devices according to the present invention are repositionable and retrievable.
US08758398B2
An apparatus for delivering and deploying a closure element to an opening formed in a body lumen, including a delivery assembly positionable through the tissue and into the opening. The delivery assembly includes a distal locator portion and a carrier assembly oriented proximal to the distal locator portion. The distal locator portion is configured to selectably engage the body lumen adjacent to the opening, and the carrier assembly is configured to carry and support the closure element in a substantially tubular configuration. The carrier assembly is further configured to urge the closure element toward an expanded cross-sectional dimension for deployment thereof, such that the closure element is oriented to engage the tissue when deployed and, when released, to return to the natural, substantially planar configuration and the natural cross-section dimension wherein the engaged tissue is drawn substantially closed.
US08758395B2
The present invention relates generally to a device and method for preventing the undesired passage of emboli from a venous blood pool to an arterial blood pool. The invention relates especially to a device and method for treating certain cardiac defects, especially patent foramen ovales and other septal defects, through the use of an embolic filtering device capable of instantaneously deterring the passage of emboli from the moment of implantation. The device consists of a frame, and a braided mesh of sufficient dimensions to prevent passage of emboli through the mesh. The device is preferably composed of shape memory allow, such as nitinol, which conforms to the shape and dimension of the defect to be treated.
US08758390B2
Tourniquet effector system estimates and indicates the pressure gradients produced on the surface of the body by an effector, thereby allowing the pressure gradients to be minimized. The system also detects and monitors blood flow beneath the effector, thereby allowing the pressure applied by the effector to be regulated near the minimum necessary to stop blood flow past the effector.
US08758382B2
The invention relates to a lancet magazine with a plurality of lancets for generating a puncture wound for collecting a sample of body fluid. According to the invention, the lancets in the lancet magazine are each coupled to a drive mechanism which, for each lancet, comprises at least one pretensioned drive element which, when the drive mechanism is triggered, releases mechanical energy to accelerate the lancet coupled thereto for a puncturing movement.
US08758378B2
Surgical micro-resecting and evoked potential monitoring system and method. The system includes a micro-resecting instrument, handpiece, and evoked potential monitor. The instrument includes an outer tube forming a cutting window at which a cutting tip of an inner member is located. A hub assembly rotatably maintains the inner and outer members. An electrically non-conductive material covers a region of the outer tube, and wiring is connected to an exposed surface of the outer tube. The instrument defines a probe surface proximate the cutting window as part of an electrical pathway with the wiring. The hub assembly is powered by the handpiece, and the wiring is connected to the evoked potential monitor. Evoked potential monitoring is performed at the probe surface via stimulation energy delivered along the electrical pathway, and tissue/bone resection occurs with rotation of the cutting tip.
US08758368B2
A surgical suturing device having an axis extending between a proximal end and a distal end is operable to move a suture through body tissue. An actuating rod extends between the handle assembly and the shaft. A needle assembly at the distal end of the actuating rod is movable with the actuating rod between an extended state and a retracted state. Bifurcated portions of the needle assembly define a suture slot, the bifurcated portions have a proximate relationship when the needle assembly is in the retracted state and having a separated relationship when the needle assembly is in the extended state. The needle assembly is biased to the retracted state and the bifurcated portions are biased to the separated relationship. A handle assembly is configured to releasably receive the needle assembly and is operable to move the needle assembly between a free suture state and a captured suture state.
US08758367B2
The present disclosure relates to an anchor delivery system. The system includes a guide and an anchor delivery tool disposed within the guide. The tool includes a shaft and a handle coupled to a proximal portion of the shaft. The handle includes a hub and a nose cone coupled to the hub. In an embodiment, the tool further includes a knob coupled to the hub and located between the handle and the nose cone. In an embodiment, the system further includes an anchor, such as a suture anchor, coupled to a distal portion of the shaft. An anchor delivery tool and a method of repairing soft tissue are also disclosed.
US08758366B2
A single trigger system and associated method for manipulating tissues and anatomical or other structures in medical applications for the purpose of treating diseases or disorders or other purposes. In one aspect, the system includes a delivery device configured to deploy and implant anchor devices for such purposes.
US08758358B2
Instrumentation for implanting an artificial intervertebral disc includes repositioners/extractors for repositioning and extracting the static trials or the artificial intervertebral discs, each of the repositioners/extractors including a shaft and at least two pins coupled to the shaft distal end and extending in a same direction and perpendicular to a plane passing through the shaft longitudinal axis, each pin being parallel to all others of the pins, wherein the disc includes at least two holes, at least two of the pins being sized, directed, and spaced for simultaneous engagement with at least two of the holes, and wherein such simultaneous engagement enables repositioning of the implant via application of pressure to the shaft.
US08758356B2
Methods and apparatus provide for modifying an intercondylar notch of a patient's femur, including cutting bone from the intercondylar notch using a hole saw having a hollow cylinder and a circular cutting edge, where the hollow cylinder of the hole saw defines a central longitudinal axis which is oriented with reference to the patient's femur such that the circular cutting edge of the hole saw removes a portion of material from the intercondylar notch of the patient's femur.
US08758355B2
A device for performing a surgical procedure on a knee includes an adjustable femoral portion, a tibial portion and at least one sensor coupled with the femoral and/or tibial portions to sense pressure exerted by the a moral and tibial portions against one another. The femoral portion is adapted for removably coupling with a distal end of a femur to adjust tension in soft tissue adjacent the knee and has at least one positioning feature adapted to move relative to the distal end of the femur as the femoral portion is adjusted, thus helping position a femoral prosthetic on the distal end of the femur. The sensor(s) may be adapted to sense pressure at medial and lateral sides of the knee, and relative pressures may be displayed as data on a visual display. Adjustments to the femoral member may be made to balance pressure at flexion and extension of the knee.
US08758350B2
A device for clamping fixation elements, which have been inserted into bone, for manipulating fragments of a fractured bone. The device incorporating a hollow body with a cavity having a wall, a clamping body moveable within the cavity between a first position and a second position, and a clamping device operably connected to the clamping body for moving the clamping body between the first position and the second position. The device being sized and configured so that when the clamping body is in the first position a free end of the fixation element(s) may be positioned between the clamping body and the wall of the cavity. Once the fixation element(s) is properly positioned within the cavity, the clamping device may be used to move the clamping body into the cavity, thereby wedging the fixation element(s) between the clamping body and the wall of the cavity. A bone fragment may then be manipulated using the device.
US08758345B2
An interlocking nail having an hour-glass geometry is used for repair of bone fractures. The hour-glass interlocking nail includes a proximal section, a mid section, and a distal section. Each section of the hour-glass interlocking nail has a diameter. The proximal and distal sections each have a diameter larger than the mid section so that the interlocking nail has an hour-glass geometry. The hour-glass interlocking nail comprises at least one fixation aperture located within either the proximal or distal section of the hour-glass interlocking nail. Preferably, the fixation aperture has a tapered locking design adapted to receive a screw-cone peg. The hour-glass geometry utilized by the interlocking nail is better suited to address a larger population of bone canal geometries, stressing the fracture site with known values within the healing process and preventing inadvertent perforation of the nail through the cortex of the bone. Hour-glass nail geometry more appropriately distributes stresses and promotes better healing at the bone fracture.
US08758343B2
A clamp assembly for bone fixation elements including first and second clamp structures configured to engage first and second bone fixation elements, respectively. The first clamp structure may have a first spherically contoured bearing surface. The second clamp structure may have a second spherically contoured bearing surface seated in sliding contact with the first bearing surface. A spring-loaded mechanism may apply a spring force urging the bearing surfaces together to resist pivotal movement of the clamp structures relative to each other. The clamp assembly may be used with an assembly of fixation elements to create an external fixation frame.
US08758339B2
Apparatus for positioning of a medical device in body tissue includes an angle indexer which mates in at least two positions with an index-key attached to the medical device. The indexer may be hand held or otherwise secured to a separate device, such as an introducer cannula, with the medical device being rotatable relative to the indexer.
US08758332B2
There is provided a system, apparatus and methods for developing laser systems that can create precise predetermined self-sealing incisions in the cornea. The systems, apparatus and methods further provide laser systems that can provide these incisions in conjunction with the removal and replacement of the natural human crystalline lens.
US08758331B2
A method and apparatus for a refractive surgical treatment that uses a laser which produces a succession of laser pulses applied to a material region. The laser pulses irradicates the material region to be divided where the energy of the individual pulse in less than the energy required to produce the material division or cutting.
US08758329B2
A liquid catheter, in particular a urinary catheter, includes a catheter shaft part (21) with a longitudinal liquid channel extending between a proximal and distal side thereof, and an anchoring body (22). The catheter body is intended to be received fully internally in a body cavity, such as in particular the urine bladder (50), and to drain the bladder from inside via the urethra (51). The catheter body has a length to span a distance between the bladder and a closure point (35) of the sphincter urethrae. An operating member (24,25) is connected durably to the catheter body to enable a user to carry the catheter body transluminally out of the bladder past the closure point. An insertion device for the catheter includes an insertion sleeve which can be carried transluminally as far as the urine bladder and from which the catheter body can be carried into the bladder.
US08758327B2
The invention provides a manipulator which can carry out a treatment having a large moving amount in a manipulator leading end while being compact. The manipulator is provided with a manipulator shaft portion, a first rod supported so as to be capable of linearly moving with respect to the manipulator shaft portion and driven by a driving force of a driving source, a first gear rotatably supported to the first rod, a first rack supported to the manipulator shaft portion, a second rack supported so as to be capable of linearly moving in the same direction as the first rod with respect to the manipulator shaft portion, and a end-effecter driven by the driving force of the second rack. The first rack and the second rack are arranged in such a manner that respective cogged surfaces come face to face. The first gear is pinched between the first rack and the second rack, and is arranged in an engaged state.
US08758326B2
An elongate medical device includes a tubular member extending between a proximal end and a distal end that has a wall defining a lumen extending therethrough. The elongate medical device also includes a loop portion comprising a plurality of wires having proximal portions embedded into the wall and distal portions which are connected together to form a loop that is distal the distal end of the tubular member.
US08758317B2
An absorbent article that realizes favorable erection of gathers and excels in transversal leakage preventing effects. There is disclosed a vertically long absorbent article comprising a surface layer with surface sheet (2), a backside layer with backside sheet (3), an absorbent layer with absorbent body (4) interposed therebetween and a pair of gathers (5,5) formed of a sheetlike member (9) so as to have a hollow on both the side areas of the surface layer in the longitudinal direction thereof. The pair of gathers (5,5) in the state of having a three-dimensional configuration part (10) wherein the sheetlike member (9) makes a convex on the external surface side of the absorbent article in the thickness direction thereof are joined to the surface layer and/or backside layer by a junction portion (11) provided so as to extend in the longitudinal direction of the absorbent article. The three-dimensional configuration part (10) is provided so as to construct a hollow. The junction portion (11) includes a first junction edge portion (10a) defining the edge portion of the three-dimensional configuration part (10) on the inward side in the width direction thereof and a second junction edge portion (10b) defining the edge portion of the three-dimensional configuration part (10) on the outward side in the width direction thereof. Providing that L1 refers to the length of the three-dimensional configuration part (10) from the first junction edge portion (10a) to the second junction edge portion (10b) and L2 refers to the inter-junction-edge-portion distance being the distance between the first junction edge portion (10a) and the second junction edge portion (10b), the ratio thereof, L1/L2 is 2 or greater.
US08758300B2
A device (10) for at least partially inserting a needle (16) into the body of a patient is disclosed. The device (10) comprises a connector adapted for attachment to a needle (16), and a guard member (18) having a guide surface adapted to rest against a surface of the skin. The connector is adapted to set an attached needle (16) with a fixed position relative to the guard member (18), such that movement of the guide surface along the surface of the skin at least partially inserts the needle (16) into the body.
US08758297B2
This disclosure relates to medical temperature sensors and related systems and methods. In some aspects, a sensor assembly includes a non-invasive temperature sensor to detect a temperature of a medical fluid in a medical fluid line and an ambient temperature sensor to detect an ambient air temperature.
US08758288B2
A gasket member is provided for use with a fluid processing cassette having a plurality of valve stations and a fluid processing system having a valve assembly with a plurality of valve actuators. The valve stations and valve actuators are positioned in discrete locations, with the location of each valve station corresponding to the location of an associated valve actuator. The gasket member includes a filter layer and a support layer, the support layer being made of a support material. The support layer includes discrete portions of support material corresponding generally to the discrete locations of the valve stations and the valve actuators.
US08758282B2
A compression garment apparatus includes a compression garment and a pressurizer. The pressurizer intermittently pressurizes a therapeutic bladder on the compression garment and pressurizes a support bladder on the compression garment to enhance the fit of the compression garment and maintain the therapeutic bladder in position with respect to a target compression zone on a body part on which the garment is worn. The support bladder may be selectively pressurized when needed based at least in part on sensed physical characteristics.
US08758279B2
A device is taught that rejuvenates the skin of a users brow, eyes and body which consists of a vibrating sheet. The vibrating sheet of flexible contains a series of holes through the surface in a parallel array. An acrylic sphere partially passes through each hole permitting containment therein. A layer of silicone, the same thickness as the sheet, sandwiches the spheres, and a coin-sized vibrating motor powered by a battery is adhered to the body with a belt member retaining the device onto the user.
US08758276B2
A patient assessment apparatus, such as for balance assessment, includes an elongated member having a length and first, second and third positions along the length, a first receiving member situated at the first position, and a second receiving member situated at the third position, the second position situated between the first and third positions. The first and second receiving members are each arranged to receive a marker from a patient. Reach characteristic data is collected from a patient using the balance assessment apparatus, and the reach characteristic data is analyzed to determine whether the patient has a balance deficit.
US08758257B2
Instrument including a movement sensor for positioning an effective portion and method of using same
An instrument positionable with respect to a body valve in the body of a living subject for performing a predetermined procedure on the living subject at a predetermined location relative to the body valve. The instrument includes: a movement sensor for sensing movements of the body valve; an effective portion for performing the predetermined procedure when the effective portion is at the predetermined location; and an effective portion positioner for positioning the effective portion in the living subject. The effective portion is positionable using the effective portion positioner in response to the movements sensed by the movement sensor for positioning the effective portion at the predetermined location in order to perform the predetermined procedure.
US08758255B2
Devices, systems, and methods for controlling the field of view in imaging systems are provided. For example, in one embodiment an imaging system includes a flexible elongate sized and shaped for use within an internal structure of a patient, an imaging transducer positioned within the distal portion of the flexible elongate member, and a monitor positioned within the distal portion of the flexible elongated member and configured to generate a feedback signal indicative of a position of the imaging transducer relative to the transducer's motion profile. The imaging system may also include a controller in communication with the monitor and configured to adjust a control signal based on the feedback signal in order to achieve a desired field of view for the imaging transducer.
US08758254B2
An ultrasound probe diagnosing apparatus which diagnoses an ultrasound probe having an array of a plurality of ultrasound transducing elements on the basis of how the ultrasound probe receives reflected ultrasound waves from a test object placed to face the ultrasound probe, includes a part which detects a posture of the ultrasound probe with respect to the test object by comparing reflected ultrasound signals received by at least some of the plurality of ultrasound transducing elements, and a presenting part which presents information based on the detected posture.
US08758250B2
Disclosed is an ultrasound color Doppler image system. The ultrasound color Doppler image system includes a calculation unit that calculates a mean value associated with an I/Q signal corresponding to a pixel of a color image in an ultrasound image and generates a multiplication value using the calculated mean value; a comparison unit that compares the generated multiplication value with the mean value; and a masking unit that performs masking of the pixel based on a comparison result, and, the calculation unit calculates the mean value of the I/Q signal for each frame, selects a reference mean value based on scales of the calculated mean values, and generates the multiplication value by multiplying the selected reference mean value and a scale factor.
US08758249B2
A method for Tissue Doppler Imaging is provided. The method for Tissue, Doppler Imaging comprises steps of: a) transmitting ultrasound signals to a target area including the tissue to be imaged, and receiving the echo signals returned from the target area; b) performing Doppler estimation on Doppler signals extracted from the echo signals, to acquire Doppler parameters of stationary tissue or nonstationary tissue or blood flow within the target area, wherein the Doppler parameters comprise at least velocity and power; c) processing the acquired power of the Doppler parameters to obtain the power related to the nonstationary tissue within the target area, so as to display the tissue motion.
US08758246B2
Disclosed herein is an ultrasound system which has a control panel adjustable in height. The ultrasound system includes the control panel, a power transmission device adjusting a height of the control panel, a contact detection unit detecting contact and generating a selection signal, and a controller controlling the power transmission device according to the selection signal.
US08758238B2
A remote health monitoring system, comprising a device suitable for transmitting and receiving data and configured for determining a geographic location of the device, a communication network and a server. The device is suitable for communicating with the server via the communication network, and a visitation schedule of a healthcare provider is determined based upon health related information of a patient and the geographic location of the device.
US08758234B2
An endoscope with a wide angle lens that comprises an optical axis that is angularly offset from a longitudinal axis of the endoscope such that the optical axis resides at an angle greater than zero degrees to the longitudinal axis. The wide angle lens system simultaneously gathers an endoscopic image field, the endoscopic image field at least spanning the longitudinal axis and an angle greater than ninety degrees to the longitudinal axis. The endoscope includes a transmission system with a lens system having f-sin(theta) distortion or substantially f-sin(theta) distortion that distributes the angle of incidence of the light rays gathered from the endoscopic field of view on to the image surface area in order to even out the information density across the surface area of the imager.
US08758231B2
In at least one embodiment of the present invention, an access sheath for positioning in a patient's body is provided. The access sheath comprises an elongated member having a proximal portion extending to a distal portion and a plurality of lumens formed therethrough including a working lumen and a first additional lumen. The first additional lumen is configured to receive an optical system or an irrigation system. The proximal portion has a stiffening section that includes a first coil and one of a braiding and a second coil which are disposed about the working lumen in concentric relationship with each other. The distal portion has a tip and a first deflection section and a second deflection section. The first deflection section is proximal to the tip and distal to the second deflection section. The first deflection section is configured to be actuated to bend at a first angle to position the tip. The second deflection section is configured to bend at a second angle to reposition the tip.
US08758225B2
An adapter for endoscopic treatments has a fiber constraint device that is set at a desired maximum fiber retraction distance, and provides a physical barrier to prevent excessive fiber retraction into the endoscope. The restricted retraction prevents the fiber from firing within the endoscope, thus avoiding expensive damage to both the endoscope and fiber. This benefits the patient with potentially shorter treatment time and less exposure to anesthesia. The adapter also limits maximum extension of fibers. Limiting maximum extension protects the fiber tip and avoids patient complications. The adapter is securely attached to the optical fiber with a connecting means. When using directionally radiating fiber tips, fiber orientation can be defined and the fiber can be rotated relative to the initial angular position of the fiber tip.
US08758219B2
The present invention provides a method to select a non-human female animal subject having the capacity to produce appropriate number of transferable embryos or fertilizable oocytes in said animal, said method comprising the determination of the anti-Mullerian hormone concentration in a biological sample before an ovarian superovulatory treatment. The present invention is further directed to the use of AMH as a predictive marker of number of transferable embryos or fertilizable oocytes able to be produced in a non-human female animal.
US08758215B2
A device for treating human keratinous materials includes an electrical appliance comprising a handpiece and a reader, and an applicator suitable for being removably fastened on the handpiece. The applicator includes a solid cosmetic or dermatological composition for applying to the keratinous materials, and/or an applicator element including fibers and/or cells suitable for enabling a cosmetic or dermatological composition to be applied on keratinous materials. The applicator also includes an encoder for encoding information arranged to be read by the reader. The operation of the handpiece depends on the information read.
US08758214B2
A catheter device for irradiating tissue surrounding a body site within a body of a patient, includes an elongated shaft which has a distal portion configured to be deployed within the body site. A treatment location at the distal portion has one or more radiation guides configured to receive a radiation source to irradiate tissue at least in part surrounding the body site. An inflatable multilayered balloon is located to surround the treatment location with a wall thereof having at least two layers including a first layer separate from, inside, and in contact with a second layer around an entire periphery of the first layer, and each of the first layer and the second layer being secured to the distal portion of the elongated shaft.
US08758211B2
Centrifuges are useful to, among other things, remove red blood cells from whole blood and retain platelets and other factors in a reduced volume of plasma. Platelet rich plasma (PRP) and or platelet poor plasma (PPP) can be obtained rapidly and is ready for immediate injection into the host. Embodiments may include valves, operated manually or automatically, to open ports that discharge the excess red blood cells and the excess plasma into separate receivers while retaining the platelets and other factors in the centrifuge chamber. High speeds used allow simple and small embodiments to be used at the patient's side during surgical procedures. The embodiments can also be used for the separation of liquids or slurries in other fields such as, for example, the separation of pigments or lubricants.
US08758204B2
A portable exercise apparatus comprising one or more planar arm supports for supporting one or both of a user's forearms; strapping means for securing each arm support to the user's forearms; one or more elastomeric cords attachable between each planar arm support and one or more anchor points; and anchor means for securing each elastomeric cord to the anchor points. The apparatus may be used for pectoral exercises, core muscle exercises, and other exercises.
US08758202B2
A respiratory muscle endurance training device (RMET) includes a chamber and a patient interface. In one implementation, one or both of a CO2 sensor or a temperature sensor can be coupled to the chamber or patient interface to provide the user or caregiver with indicia about the CO2 level in, or the temperature of, the chamber or patient interface, and/or the duration of use of the device. In another implementation, the RMET may have a fixed volume portion adjustable to contain a measured portion of a specific patient's inspiratory volume capacity. Methods of using the device are also provided.
US08758201B2
A portable system retrieves one or more exercise programs from a remote communication system that provides motivational content for a user exercising upon an exercise mechanism. The exercise program further includes at least one control signal that controls one or more operating parameters of the exercise mechanism. The portable system includes a control device configured to retrieve the exercise program and deliver the motivational content to the user by way of an audio delivery device, while delivering the control signals to the exercise mechanism. A sensor communicates with the control device and tracks one or more measurable parameters of the user during the user's performance of the exercise program. Data representative of the one or more measurable parameters can be delivered to the control device for delivery to the remote communication system.
US08758198B2
A power transmitting apparatus for a vehicle mounted with a torque converter can be configured to instantly supply sufficient oil to a clutch mechanism on restart of the engine after an idle-stop without an electrically-driven oil pump. A power transmitting apparatus can comprise a torque converter having a torque amplifying function, a clutch mechanism, an oil pump, a clutch control device, an engine control device, and a flow control device. The oil pump can be driven by the driving power of the engine to supply oil to the clutch mechanism and the torque converter to operate them. The flow control device can be configured to limit or prevent the supply of oil to the torque converter by the oil pump and to prioritize the supply of oil to the clutch mechanism when the engine is restarted by the engine control device after the idle-stopped condition.
US08758193B2
A first engine ENG1, transmission TM1, one-way clutch OWC1, driving target member 11 connected to an output member 121 of the one-way clutch, main motor/generator MG1 connected to the member 11, sub motor/generator MG2 connected to an output shaft S1 of the engine ENG1, battery 8, and controller 5. The controller 5 performs EV running, engine running, and series running where power generated by a sub motor/generator MG2 using the power of the first engine ENG1 is supplied to the main motor/generator MG1. Series running is carried out between EV running and the engine running when switching from EV running to engine running is carried out. A rotational speed of the engine and/or a transmission ratio of the transmission are/is controlled so that the rotational speed input to the input member is less than the rotational speed of the output member 121 during the series running control.
US08758190B2
An epicyclic gear assembly has a plurality of planetary gear sets secured in a carrier. Each planetary gear set has a planet gear supported by a planet shaft, the planet shaft having its opposite ends supported within the carrier, the planet shaft being capable of defecting along at least a part of its length when the gear assembly is subject to torsional and rotational loads.
US08758188B2
A planetary gear train may include input shaft, output shaft, first planetary gear set disposed on the input shaft and including first rotation element selectively connected to the input shaft or transmission housing, second rotation element selectively connected to the input shaft or the transmission housing, and third rotation element connected to the output shaft, second planetary gear set disposed on the output shaft and including fourth rotation element selectively connected to the input shaft and connected to the first rotation element, fifth rotation element connected to the third rotation element and directly connected to the output shaft, and sixth rotation element selectively connected to the input shaft, three transfer gears, and six frictional elements including four clutches selectively connecting the first, second, fourth, and sixth rotation elements to the input shaft and two brakes selectively connecting the first and second rotation elements to the transmission housing respectively.
US08758183B2
A transmission includes a first gear set with a first sun gear member rotatable about a first axis of rotation, a second sun gear member rotatable about the first axis of rotation, a carrier member, and a ring gear member radially outward of and concentric with the first sun gear member. A first annular gear meshes with the first sun gear member, and a second annular gear meshes with the first annular gear, the second sun gear member, and with the ring gear member. The first annular gear is rotatable about a second axis of rotation and the second annular gear is rotatable about a third axis or rotation.
US08758182B2
A hydraulic bulkhead configured for use with a limited slip differential includes a plenum comprising a passageway for hydraulic fluid and a boss. A first seal is located on an outer surface of the boss. The outer surface of the boss is a low pressure area relative to the inner surface of the boss. The plenum is stationary relative to the limited slip differential. A differential assembly including the inventive hydraulic bulkhead is also disclosed.
US08758181B2
The described system and method provide a continuously variable full range transmission having inputs for receiving rotational power from a primary power source and a secondary power source such as a hydraulic variator. A first planetary gear group contains first and second planetary gear sets, and the inputs for receiving rotational power are linked to one or more of the first planetary gear set and the second planetary gear set. A second planetary gear group includes a third planetary gear set and a fourth planetary gear set, with a nested clutch assembly having first and second selectable clutches being provided to link the first planetary gear group to the second planetary gear group. Activation of the first clutch fixes the continuously variable transmission in a first speed range, while activation of the second clutch fixes the continuously variable transmission in a second speed range.
US08758170B2
Golf club telemetry equipment sends signals to a receiver in a golf round data system. The signals uniquely identify the particular club a player has selected for a stroke and the fact that a stroke has been taken. The club identification can occur either before or during a stroke. Automatic detection of clubs and strokes simplifies round data collection for the player. Club identification before a stroke permits a forecast of the result of the stroke to be presented to then player prior to the stroke. The signals can be either acoustic or electromagnetic.
US08758162B2
This invention provides a golf club head in which a plurality of scorelines are formed in its face surface at an equal pitch. Rounded portions are formed on the edges of the scorelines. Each region between adjacent scorelines includes a fine groove formation region in which N (N≧2) fine grooves are formed to extend parallel to the scorelines and to align themselves in a direction perpendicular to the scorelines at an interval d (d≧0). Letting S be the distance between the endpoints of the rounded portions of the adjacent scorelines, Wt be the sum total of the widths of all the fine grooves, A1 be the distance from the endpoint of the rounded portion of one scoreline of the adjacent scorelines to the fine groove formation region, A2 be the distance from the endpoint of the rounded portion of the other scoreline of the adjacent scorelines to the fine groove formation region, and Wmax be the maximum width of the widths of the fine grooves, 0≦A1+A2
US08758154B2
A golf club head is provided having a club body having a front portion, a rear portion, a toe portion, and a heel portion. The club head also having a central portion connected with the front portion. A frame is connected with the central portion configured to provide a lightweight crown portion being located above an offset plane.
US08758151B2
A head measuring method of the present invention includes: (a) preparing a golf club having a head having a plurality of markers provided thereon; (b) photographing the head by a camera disposed at a position, wherein a backward distance between the position and a center point of a ball is equal to or greater than 0, to obtain a head image near an impact; and (c) analyzing the head image to calculate a position and attitude of the head near the impact. Preferably, three or more combinations of the markers set such that the marker interval is equal to or greater than a head vertical width exist.
US08758149B1
A coupling transmits torque between shafts approximately aligned on a shaft axis. The coupling has a center axis approximately aligned with the shaft axis and a center element formed from an elastomer material. The center element has first and second axial sides. A clamp ring extends axially from each side of the center element along the coupling center axis. The clamp rings may include slots for fasteners for mounting the coupling to shaft hubs. The clamp ring has a flange portion embedded within the center element. Each clamp ring flange portion extends substantially away from the coupling center axis within the center element. An amount of extension away from the coupling center axis is selected to provide the coupling with a desired torsional stiffness characteristic. In accordance with a method, the coupling is formed by selecting the flange portions that will provide the coupling with a desired torsional stiffness characteristic.
US08758147B2
A torque fluctuation absorber includes a first plate member being rotatable, a second plate member positioned to be axially separated from the first plate member, the second plate member being rotatable relative to the first plate member, a first friction member arranged between the first plate member and the second plate member and slidably pressed against the first plate member and the second plate member, and a first guide portion restricting the first friction member from moving radially inwardly.
US08758144B2
A gaming machine may have an optical module having a first display screen configured to output a visual image in response to a control signal, and a lighting module having light film on a first surface, a plate on a second surface, and a plurality of light sources positioned in an interior region formed by the light film and plate, wherein the plurality of light sources provide light to the optical module, and wherein the lighting module is removably coupled to the optical module such that the lighting module may be replaced or serviced without disturbing the optical module.
US08758137B2
Described are methods, systems and apparatus for enabling a lottery player to receive information corresponding to a lottery outcome in association with receipt of an incoming communication. In an implementation, the method includes receiving an indication of an incoming communication, determining a lottery entry outcome, and determining an audible output based on the lottery entry outcome and on the indication of the incoming communication. The method also includes outputting the audible output via a player device to indicate both the incoming communication and the lottery entry outcome.
US08758136B2
A multi-media interactive play system has a number of play elements situated in a variety of play environments or play media. The play elements are linked to a common record of participant performance, progress, character attributes, etc. The participant's performance in the play elements determines the play elements to which the participant may proceed as well as the play parameters of the play element in which the participant is currently involved. The play elements are thus interlinked to define a sequence or path network along which the participant advances. By advancing through the play elements the participant carries out a plot, story, theme, etc. that attaches a significance to the successful completion of a given play element or elements. Also disclosed in a variety of play elements suitable for use in the system, an example of a plot or theme that may be carried out by the system, and a send/receive radio frequency network that may be used to track play participants in a play center.
US08758134B2
A game machine includes: an entertainment button that can move up and down from a normal operation position to a protruding position; a display part that displays characters associated with a game; a character determining part that determines a character to be displayed on the display part; a stopper plate that holds the entertainment button in the protruding position; a protruding position detecting part that detects the entertainment button being held in the protruding position by the stopper plate; a push operation detecting part that detects the entertainment button being pushed down; and a time interval measuring part that measures, when the protruding position detecting part detects the entertainment button being held in the protruding position, a time interval until the push operation detecting part detects the entertainment button being pushed since the protruding position detecting part no longer has detect the entertainment button being held in the protruding position.
US08758133B2
Respective orientations (a pitch angle, a roll angle, and a yaw angle) of the input device are detected based on angular velocity data outputted from a gyro sensor unit of an input device. Then, it is determined whether the pitch angle is within a first range or within a second range. When it has been determined that the pitch angle is within the first range, a posture of an object is updated based on the roll angle. When it has been determined that the pitch angle is within the second range, the posture of the object is updated based on the yaw angle. Accordingly, operability can be improved in a game executed in accordance with an orientation of the input device.
US08758131B2
Systems and methods for synchronizing audio in a bank of gaming machines, such as video slot and video poker machines. Audio tracks of a game may be provided to a plurality of gaming machines and synchronized. An audio track provided to one of the gaming machines may be changed to a second audio track, in response to receiving an indication of a status change for the game. The second audio track may be synchronized with the audio tracks provided to the other gaming machines in the plurality.
US08758130B2
An adapter interface apparatus has a user input device and an associated video display. The user selects a distinguishable visual image representation for association into an audiovisual presentation, such as where that user is identified. For example, color, size graphics or shape can be used to distinguish users. In one embodiment a digitized image of each user's face is used as the distinguishable representation. Alternatively, the user can create an original image or select one of a predetermined set of visual images as the user's identification for use in the audiovisual presentation. In one embodiment, the adapter interface is coupled to an audiovisual presentation system and a storage card containing User Images. The adapter interface system integrates a selected User Image from the Storage Card into the audiovisual presentation.
US08758127B2
An in-vehicle gaming system may be played by a driver alone, or simultaneously or individually by a driver and/or one or more other users. The in-vehicle gaming system may be activated or controlled by, for example, touch, voice, or gesture. Gameplay is dynamically adjusted based at least in part on environmental factors such that the driver is not distracted from driving the vehicle. Game content is generated based at least in part on environmental factors and user data.
US08758125B2
A behavior controller system and its operations are described herein. In embodiments, the operations can include detecting one or more events that occur within a wagering game. The wagering game can feature a wagering game object that can automatically (e.g., intelligently) respond to the one or more events. The behavior controller system can use event-driven behavior controllers, such as a behavior tree. The behavior controller system can determine, and activate, tasks on the behavior tree that cause the wagering game object to respond to the one or more events. In some embodiments, the behavior controller system can also prioritize tasks that may be performed by behavior trees to prevent conflicts between wagering game objects during a wagering game.
US08758124B2
Apparatus (1) is disclosed for determining the award of a prize. The apparatus includes memory (2) for storing prize data indicative of a prize value for the prize. An input device (4) is responsive to input signals from a respective plurality of gaming terminals (6) for providing an increment signal. An increment device (8) is responsive to the increment signal for incrementing an accumulating value. A comparator (15) is responsive to the prize data and the accumulating value for determining if the prize is to be awarded and, if not, generating a continue signal. A processor (15) is responsive to the continue signal for refreshing the prize data.
US08758115B2
A free spin game accumulates symbols to win a prize. An offer is made for the player to purchase additional “free spins” if the game is within a designated threshold number of accumulated symbols for winning a free prize. That is, the player can purchase more spins if they have almost achieved a prize. These re-spins are offered to the player at a price based on expected values of all possible prizes that could be achieved in the re-spin.
US08758110B2
Techniques involving awarding subsequent plays using results of previous plays. One representative technique includes dealing a first poker hand to a player, and enabling cards of the first poker hand to be held. Replacement cards are presented for any of the cards that were not held in the first poker hand, thereby creating a first resulting poker hand. All of the cards of the first resulting poker hand are duplicated into a second poker hand, where cards in the second poker hand may again be held/discarded. Replacement cards are presented for any of the cards that were not held in the second poker hand, thereby creating a second resulting poker hand. Duplication into additional hands may also be provided.
