US07661143B2
A method for copy protection includes receiving data in a recording module representing content to be recorded on a recording medium, the data including an indication that the content is to be protected from unauthorized copying. Responsive to the indication, the recording module signals a protection module to initiate a protection protocol in synchronization with the recording module. The protection module generates control information, so as to prevent the unauthorized copying of the content that is to be protected, and conveys the control information to the recording module, in accordance with the protocol. The recording module combines the control information with the data representing the content in the recording module, for recording on the recording medium.
US07661140B2
A method and system for performing garbage collection involving sensitive information on a mobile device. Secure information is received at a mobile device over a wireless network. The sensitive information is extracted from the secure information. A software program operating on the mobile device uses an object to access the sensitive information. Secure garbage collection is performed upon the object after the object becomes unreachable.
US07661129B2
A method and apparatus for authenticating a client to a content server. A ticket authority generates a ticket associated with the client. The ticket comprises a first ticket and a second ticket. The ticket authority transmits the first ticket to the client and the client uses the first ticket to establish a communication session with an content server proxy. The ticket authority then transmits a second ticket to the content server proxy and the content server proxy uses the second ticket to establish a communication session with the content server.
US07661124B2
Example embodiments provide for a rule-based wizard type tool for generating secure policy documents. Wizard pages present a user with general Web Service security options or questions at a user interface, which abstracts the user from any specific code, e.g., XML code, used for creating a Web Service policy document. Based on user input selecting general criteria, security rules are accessed and evaluated for automatically making choices on behalf of the user for creating a secure policy document. Other embodiments also provide for presenting the user with an easily understandable visual representation of selected criteria of a policy document in, e.g., a tree like structure that shows relationships between various elements of the criteria.
US07661118B2
Methods, systems, and products are disclosed for classifying a subscriber. An event record is formed comprising at least one command from at least one subscriber and a time associated with the at least one command. Data describing the at least one event record is merged with data describing media programming to form data describing an event timeline that describes the at least one command and the media programming selected by the at least one subscriber over a period of time. Purchasing data describing the at least one subscriber's purchase is retrieved and compared to the data describing the event timeline. The at least one subscriber is classified in a category when the data describing the event timeline indicates that the at least one subscriber viewed an advertisement and the purchasing data indicates that the at least one subscriber afterwards purchased an advertised product or service.
US07661116B2
Displaying personalized content to content observers by content providers (e.g., advertisers) who disseminate content over a network is disclosed. In particular, enabling the display of targeted content to television viewers is disclosed. Identification of the content observer(s) observing a content display device at a particular time (and/or identification of the content display site) is made, and targeted content for display is selected based on a determination of content appropriate for display to those content observer(s) in accordance with a criterion based on the identity and/or a characteristic of the content observer(s) (and/or the content display site). The attention of each content observer can be sold to the content provider that places the highest value on that content observer's attention. In particular, the value paid by content providers over time can be maximized.
US07661114B2
This client-server system partitions Windows applications into multi-media and other less-observable instructions such that client may run audio/visual-related commands remotely, thereby enabling an application appearance to client-user as when application were run solely by a single machine. Clients may access applications through web-sites or remote access servers. Client requests may be atomized such that instruction set sub-sets are partitioned correspondingly. Operating system parameters on which application is run may be accessed selectably. Server may centralize administration and provide metering of application usage.
US07661109B2
An environment for developing clientside/serverside code is disclosed. The environment supports the perception that the server space and client space are seamlessly joined into a single program execution space. An outgrowth of the single execution space includes effective event handling on the server through enabling created objects to migrate effectively between the server and client.
US07661108B2
Embodiments provide mechanisms and methods for configuring a messaging component of an application. These mechanisms and methods can enable embodiments to configure message objects, i.e., software objects relating to messaging, with the messages. The ability of embodiments to configure message objects with messages can enable application developers, for example, to package custom code, for example, as message objects combined with messages and/or parameters into an archive convenient for distributing to one or more servers, clients or other computational entities. The distributed archive can be readily accessed by these computational entities, enabling embodiments to achieve improved configuration of the messaging component of a distributed system.
US07661107B1
A method and apparatus for dynamic allocation of processing resources and tasks, including multimedia tasks. Tasks are queued, available processing resources are identified, and the available processing resources are allocated among the tasks. The available processing resources are provided with functional programs corresponding to the tasks. The tasks are performed using the available processing resources to produce resulting data, and the resulting data is passed to an input/output device.
US07661106B1
A distributed transaction processing system is disclosed in which a process automation application receives a transaction request from a requesting application. In response to the request, the process automation application obtains a transaction definition for the transaction requested by the requesting application. This transaction definition comprises a plurality of operation definitions, which indicate a plurality of operations constituting the requested transaction. For each of the operation definitions in the transaction definition, the process automation application produces an operation request. These operation requests are sent to one or more service applications, and one or more responses are received by the process automation application after the operations are performed by the service applications. Based on the responses, the process automation application produces a transaction response, which is sent to the requesting application. In this manner, the requested transaction is completed.
US07661101B2
A network-based collaboration system and method can be used to create, modify or otherwise manipulate a design using heterogeneous applications on clients connected to a network. The system and method enables design collaboration between the heterogeneous applications each having a different design abstraction and a different local data model by exchanging application states normalized at a design abstraction level recognized by each of the heterogeneous applications.
US07661100B2
A method and a processing system for a communications network, including receiving a program code including multiple instructions for the communications network dividing the program into multiple sequences, defining multiple relocation objects, each corresponding to a dependency relationship between two or more of the sequences, and allocating the sequences to a processor instruction memory.
US07661096B2
The subject invention pertains to systems and methods for iterating over or otherwise traversing a collection of objects or elements. More specifically, mechanisms are provided for handling both conventional non-nested streams such as enumeratables as well as nested streams. Nested streams provide a more efficient mechanism for traversing certain objects such as recursive generators. One problem with nested streams is that they need to be flattened or simplified. Techniques are provided herein to allow such streams to be flattened quickly and efficiently. Moreover, systems and methods are disclosed to preserve backward compatibility of optimized nested stream processing with conventional non-nested streams.
US07661092B1
A source code file can be compiled to generate bytecode. During compilation, a first use of a local variable within a set of instructions of the source code can be detected. A local variable usage list can be examined for at least one inactive local variable in use by the set of instructions. An existence of an acceptable type pairing between a type descriptor corresponding to a local variable and a type descriptor of the local variable may be determined. When the acceptable type pairing exists, an index of the local variable array corresponding to the determined acceptable type pairing for the local variable can be reused. Otherwise, a new index can be assigned for the local variable. Compiling bytecode in this manner avoids extraneous class loads that would otherwise occur during a verification phase of the bytecode, which has still been optimized to reuse local variable slots.
US07661089B2
A tool is provided for addressing a number of issues related to assembling software stacks including multiple uncoordinated components such as open source projects. The tool identifies individual projects for stacking, manages dependency relationships and provides an intuitive graphical interface to assist a user. A project filter is also provided for controlling access to or installation of projects in accordance with filter criteria. In this manner, compliance with internal policies regarding the use of open source or other software is facilitated.
US07661081B2
An integrated circuit system and program product for predicting yield of a VLSI design. An integrated circuit system is provided including a system for identifying and grouping sub-circuits contained within an integrated circuit design by circuit type; a critical area calculation system for determining critical area values for different regions, wherein each different region is associated with a circuit type; a tallying system for calculating a plurality of tallies of critical area values based on circuit type; and a plurality of modeling subsystems for separately modeling each of the plurality of tallies based on circuit type.
US07661069B2
A method of visually expressing user interface elements on a display is provided which emphasizes those user interface elements which a user would be more interested in and deemphasizes those user interface elements which a user would be less interested in. Certain user interface elements, such as active elements, can be rendered in a sharp manner and be within a depth of field while other elements, such as inactive elements, can be rendered in a blurry manner and outside the depth of field.
US07661066B2
A method, apparatus, and system are provided for a visual administrator providing Java management bean (MBean) support. According to one embodiment, a representation of a plurality of MBeans is displayed on a graphical user interface of a computing device. One of the plurality of MBeans may be selected with the graphical user interface. In an embodiment, an attribute of the selected MBean is accessed with the graphical user interface. In an embodiment, an operation of the selected MBean is invoked with the graphical user interface.
US07661065B2
A computer-implemented word processing system comprises an interface component that receives a features vector associated with an electronic document. An analysis component communicatively coupled to the interface component analyzes the features vector and determines a viewing mode in which to display the electronic document. In accordance with one aspect of the subject invention, the viewing mode can be one of a conventional viewing mode and a viewing mode associated with enhanced readability.
US07661061B2
An improved method, apparatus, and computer usable code for managing a plurality of content portlets in a portal page. A workflow is identified for the plurality of content portlets in the portal page to form an identified workflow. The identified workflow specifies a sequence of tasks in which the plurality of content portlets is executed. A control portlet in the portal page controls execution of content portlets within the plurality of content portlets using the identified workflow.
US07661057B2
Clocking Chien searching at different frequency than other Reed-Solomon (RS) ECC decoding functions. An efficient implementation allows for a fast clock signal to govern the operation of the more computationally and time-intensive portions of the error correction code (ECC) time budget. For example, at least one module and/or decoding function within the ECC decoding is governed by using a first clock signal, and at least one other module and/or decoding function (or all the other modules and/or decoding functions) is/are governed by using a second clock signal. In one implementation of Reed-Solomon (RS) decoding, the Chien searching function is operated using a faster clock signal than at least one other RS error correction decoding function thereby allowing for a significant reduction in area and power than other architectural trade-offs.
US07661048B2
Embedded boundary scan testing apparatus and methodologies are disclosed for testing processor-based circuit boards without processor intervention. A boundary scan controller is embedded in a circuit board along with a boundary scan chain having JTAG devices connected with an electrical circuit of the board. Upon power up, the boundary scan controller holds an on-board processor system in reset, loads boundary scan test vectors and commands from an on-board non-volatile memory, and runs boundary scan testing while holding the processor system in the reset state. The boundary scan controller preferably includes a test access port controller that implements only a subset of the JTAG standard 16 machine states to optimize performance and minimize controller hardware. The test results may be stored in an externally accessible on-board memory for subsequent retrieval in order to facilitate board troubleshooting and/or repair, where the provision of on-board boundary scan testing allows testing of boards while installed in the field, and the embedded scan controller allows field testing of on-board processor systems and related circuitry to enhance the test coverage over processor-driven boundary scan testing.
US07661046B2
A method and a Dual Interlocked Storage Cell (DICE) latch implementing enhanced testability includes an L1 latch and an L2 latch coupled to the L1 latch. Each L1 latch and each L2 latch includes redundant latch structures. A separate output is provided with the redundant L2 latch. The DICE latch includes a Redundant Test Latch Enable (RTLE) input. Each L1 latch and each L2 latch includes a path selector control in the redundant latch structures controlled by the RTLE input providing each of the redundant latch structures in a scan path during a test mode.
US07661037B2
Improved LDPC code structure and concatenation rules for IEEE 802.11n systems, providing two code sets per rate, one longer codeword and one shorter codeword. The longer codeword length is determined by the system parameters, while the shorter codeword length is ⅓ of the longer codeword length. A LDPC concatenation rule is provided, wherein a maximum of one extra OFDM symbol is added in padding in order to reduce the code set granularity. In order to provide improved code performance, more bits are shortened compared with puncturing, by transmitting the extra OFDM symbol. Further, all the required puncturing and shortening bits are distributed across all codewords. This scheme provides a preferred tradeoff between code complexity and over-the-air efficiency.
US07661023B2
A system and method for verifying cache snoop logic and coherency between instruction cache and data cache using instruction stream “holes” that are created by branch instructions is presented. A test pattern generator includes instructions that load/store data into instruction stream holes. In turn, by executing the test pattern, a processor thread loads an L2 cache line into both instruction cache (icache) and data cache (dcache). The test pattern modifies the data in the dcache in response to a store instruction. In turn, the invention described herein identifies whether snoop logic detects the change and updates the icache's corresponding cache line accordingly.
US07661021B2
A method for defect management of a rewritable optical disc is provided. The rewritable optical disc has a data area comprises recording units for storing a target data and a replacement area comprising first replacement units for replacing defective recording units of the data area. First, a fragmented status of the target data is calculated, wherein the fragmented status reflects a dispersion level of the first replacement units in view of a distribution of the defective recording units. The fragmented status is then compared with a threshold value to determine whether to perform a defragment operation about the target data. Finally, the defragment operation about the target data is performed by rearranging the first replacement units in accordance with the sequence of the defective recording units.
US07661019B2
A method, apparatus, article of manufacture, and system are presented for establishing redundant computer resources. According to one embodiment, in a system including a plurality of processor devices and a plurality of storage devices, the processor devices, the storage devices and the management server being connected via a network, the method comprises storing device information relating to the processor devices and the storage devices and topology information relating to topology of the network, identifying at least one primary computer resource, selecting at least one secondary computer resource suitable to serve as a redundant resource corresponding to the at least one primary computer resource based on the device information and the topology information, and assigning the at least one secondary computer resource as a redundant resource corresponding to the at least one primary computer resource.
US07661018B2
A method, apparatus and program storage device for providing automatic recovery from premature reboot of a system during a concurrent upgrade is disclosed. A concurrent code-load to a plurality of storage controllers of a storage system is initiated. A code-load failure is detected. The stage of the code-load failure is identified. A code-load recovery process based upon the identification of the stage that the code-load failure occurred is initiated.
US07661007B2
A method for adjusting clock frequency is disclosed. The method includes halting a central processing unit (CPU) while tuning a clock frequency, thereby enabling multiple clock signals with the tuned clock frequency to be generated.
US07661003B2
Systems and methods for maintaining performance of an integrated circuit are disclosed. One embodiment of a system may comprise a working power limit evaluator that determines a working power limit as a function of at least one performance factor associated with variations that affect performance of the integrated circuit. The system may further comprise a power management system that varies power of the integrated circuit based on the working power limit and an actual power of the integrated circuit to maintain a substantially constant performance.
US07660988B2
A process is disclosed for notarizing a document, by a client in the presence of a notary, comprising the steps of registering the notary, the client and the document, from a local workstation coupled to a central office, to provide for assigning at least one respective encryption key for identifying each of the notary, the client and the document to be notarized; associating in the central office, the respective encryption keys of the client with the notary and with the; generating a transaction code, based on the step of associating the respective encryption keys, for authorizing execution of the to provide the notarizing; executing the; and embedding selected ones of the respective encryption keys together with a notary seal in the document.
US07660983B1
An approach for establishing secure multicast communication among multiple event service nodes is disclosed. The event service nodes, which can be distributed throughout an enterprise domain, are organized in a logical tree that mimics the logical tree arrangement of domains in a directory server system. The attributes of the event service nodes include the group session key and the private keys of the event service nodes that are members of the multicast or broadcast groups. The private keys provide unique identification values for the event service nodes, thereby facilitating distribution of such keys. Because keys as well as key version information are housed in the directory, multicast security can readily be achieved over any number of network domains across the entire enterprise. Key information is stored in, and the logical tree is supported by, a directory service.
US07660975B2
An electronic apparatus wherein an abnormal control routine of the control unit can be prevented, or an abnormal control routine that has been started by the control unit can be rapidly halted is provided. An electronic apparatus having a control unit, peripheral circuits whose operations are controlled by the control unit, and a rechargeable battery for feeding operation power to the control unit and the peripheral circuits, wherein an initialization signal RT4 is continuously output to the control unit during a period of time (during time t1 to t4) that the voltage fed to the control unit is equal to or less than the voltage V1 for assured operation of the control unit, and is equal to or greater than the start voltage VX for starting the operation of the control unit.
US07660972B2
A method and software for improving the performance of processors by incorporating an execution unit operable to decode and execute single instructions specifying three registers each containing a plurality of data elements, the execution unit operable to multiply the first and second registers and add the third register to produce a catenated result containing a plurality of data elements. Additional instructions provide group floating-point subtract, add, multiply, set less, and set greater equal operations. The set less and set greater equal operations produce alternatively zero or an identity element for each element of a catenated result, the result facilitating alternative selection of individual data elements using bitwise Boolean operations and without requiring conditional branch operations.
US07660969B2
A concurrent instruction dispatch apparatus includes a group indicator for each of a plurality of threads that indicates which one of a plurality of groups of the threads the thread belongs to. A group priority indicator for each group indicates an instruction dispatch priority relative to the other groups. Selection logic selects a thread for dispatching an instruction thereof based on the group and group priority indicators. A bifurcated scheduler includes first scheduler logic that issues instructions of the threads to an execution unit, second scheduler logic that enforces a thread scheduling policy, and an interface. A group indicator indicates which group each thread belongs to, a priority for each group, and execution information for each thread. The first scheduler logic issues the instructions based on the group priorities and group indicators, and the second scheduler logic updates the group indicators based on the instruction execution information.
US07660963B2
An interface device (D) is dedicated to debugging and/or tracing in a computer system (CS) comprising at least one master (M1, M2, M3) working with at least one slave (SLj) adapted to be readable and writable at chosen addresses, each master being adapted to execute tasks and to deliver slave addresses for reading and/or writing purposes. This interface device (D) comprises i) a group of first FIFO memories (SMi) each assigned to one master for storing data representative of the tasks it executes, ii) a group of dynamically allocatable second FIFO memories (DFk) linkable to one another and to the first FIFO memories (SFi), and iii) processing means (PM) arranged to compute dynamically the FIFO memory size required by each master at a given time, considering the tasks it is executing, and to allocate dynamically a number of second FIFO memories (DFk) to each master chosen according to the corresponding computed FIFO memory size.
US07660953B2
A method and system for mirroring and archiving mass storage. A primary mass storage and a secondary mass storage are synchronized to contain the same data. Thereafter, a primary system tracks changes made to the primary mass storage. These changes are consolidated periodically into update files, the consolidations representing changes made to the primary mass storage during a time interval that ends when the primary mass storage is in a logically consistent state. These update files contain only those changes necessary to represent the modified state of the primary mass storage at the time of the update. The primary system then transfers the update files to a secondary system to bring the secondary mass storage current with the primary mass storage. The consolidation minimizes the amount of information that must be transferred and therefore allows for a relatively low band width communication channel. In addition, update files may be cached by the primary system so that requests for mirrored or archived data may be fulfilled by the primary system cache rather than requiring access to the secondary system.
US07660936B1
Embodiments of the invention include a bus bridge that is capable of communicating with more than one MSC device coupled to it. In some embodiments, the bridge includes a LUN processor that translates different LUN numbers received from the bus into different addresses and LUNs for devices connected to the bridge. The bridge masks the fact that multiple MSC devices are coupled to it by reporting to the host that only a single device having multiple LUNs are coupled to the bridge.
US07660932B2
Embodiments of apparatuses, systems, and methods are described for a machine-readable medium having instructions stored thereon, which, when executed by a machine, to cause the machine to generate a representation of an apparatus. The apparatus includes a bridge agent, a first interconnect, and a second interconnect. The bridge agent is configured by bridge control signals to control transmission of a communication between the first interconnect and the second interconnect. The representation may be a sequence of instructions written in a programming language to mimic in a computer simulation environment attributes derived from a projected fabricated hardware instance of the apparatus.
US07660931B2
A system on a chip for network devices. In one implementation, the system on a chip may include (integrated onto a single integrated circuit), a processor and one or more I/O devices for networking applications. For example, the I/O devices may include one or more network interface circuits for coupling to a network interface. In one embodiment, coherency may be enforced within the boundaries of the system on a chip but not enforced outside of the boundaries.
US07660928B2
The present invention provides an arbitration circuit capable of stable operation regardless of timings for read and write requests. A latch signal of a predetermined pulse width is generated in accordance with a read request signal or a write request signal and supplied to latches. Flip-flops or FFs respectively fetch therein write and read requests produced within the time of the latch signal. The latches respectively output the fetched requests as signals at the same timing. Thus, since the timings for the signals coincide with each other even when the write request and the read request are made at close intervals while the latch signal is being outputted from a latch controller, a write control signal or a read control signal can be stably outputted in accordance with the order of priority defined in advance by a delay unit.
US07660927B2
A method is disclosed to control access to stored information. The method supplies a control unit in communication with a computing device and in communication with stored information. If the computing device requests access to that stored information, the method determines if access to the stored information is available. When access to the stored information becomes available, then the method reserves a communication pathway interconnecting the control unit and the requesting computing device, thereby disallowing the sending of non-MPLF unsolicited status via that reserved communication pathway, and provides a message to the computing device, using that reserved communication pathway, granting access to the stored information.
US07660925B2
Mechanisms for balancing bus bandwidth across a plurality of PCI-Express (PCIe) endpoints are provided. Firmware automatically operates in concert with established data structures to set operational parameters of the PCIe endpoints so as to maximize usage of the available bandwidth of a front-side bus while minimizing isochronous issues and the likelihood that the performance of the PCIe endpoints cannot be guaranteed. A first table data structure comprises various combinations of operational parameter settings for controlling bandwidth usage of each of the endpoints of the data processing system. A second table data structure contains a listing of the endpoints that the data processing system supports with their associated minimum data rates, priorities, and whether the endpoints have isochronous requirements. A setting of the desired bandwidth balancing level is used along with these data structures to determine how to adjust the operating parameters of the PCIe endpoints.
US07660920B2
An industrial controller may communicate with a number of input/output (I/O) modules using an optimized connection packet assembled by a scanner communicating directly with the I/O modules and forwarding the optimized connection packet to the industrial processor. The optimized connection packet is communicated over a connection as part of a connected messaging system used to ensure highly reliable network communication. The need for higher data rates for some I/O modules as part of the optimized connection packet may be accommodated through the opening of a second redundant connection that provides the high-data-rate data in an interleaving fashion with the optimized connection packet, without upsetting the optimized connection packet or changing the use of the data by the industrial control program.
US07660919B2
A system for controlling I/O transfers includes a host system or initiator including an adapter driver layer; and a storage controller. The storage controller includes a priority store and an operation queue. The adapter driver is selectively responsive to a datapath command from an initiator application for setting a default I/O priority for a specified logical unit, for storing the default I/O priority for the logical unit to a priority store of the storage controller, and selectively responsive to a data transfer command from an initiator application for storing the data transfer command to the storage controller. The storage controller is responsive to the datapath command for storing the I/O priority default value for the logical unit to the priority store; and responsive to the data transfer command with respect to the logical unit for queuing the data transfer command for execution based on the I/O priority default value.
US07660916B2
The present invention utilizes a single DMA engine to process the requests of active DMA channels competing for transfer of data over a single bus. The invention employs two identical sets of DMA request registers which are connected to a processor. These register sets are connected through a switching means to the DMA engine. While a first DMA transfer represented by a first set of registers is active, the process enables preparation of the next request in a second set of registers. Upon completion of the first DMA transfer, the DMA engine is switched to commence processing of the DMA request represented by the second set of registers.
US07660914B2
Described is an architecture by which application programs can provide data to auxiliary display devices of essentially any type for display to a user. A defined application layer (e.g., accessed via interfaces) allows programs to provide data to a service that controls the output of data to an auxiliary display device, and returns navigational data to the application upon appropriate user interaction with the device via actuators. Enumeration allows applications to discover the capabilities of a device, while arbitration determines which application has input-output rights to the device. The architecture further provides a protocol layer including pluggable protocol proxies that allow various types of displays to serve as an auxiliary display. This platform-like model allows program developers the ability provide programs that leverage auxiliary displays when available, and provides display manufacturers the ability to provide displays with extensible capabilities.
US07660904B2
Sharing data within an instant messaging session is described. A user participating in an instant messaging session may request a data access key. The key, which provides access to data associated with the user, may then be transmitted via the instant messaging session to one or more other participants in the instant messaging session. The other instant messaging session participants can then use the key to access, via the instant messaging session, the data associated with the user. Users may be granted various levels of access to another user's data.
US07660901B1
A method for identifying an expected configuration environment defined by configuration parameters typically employed by a user, and seamlessly applying the configuration environment to subsequent network transaction requests of the user, regardless of the network access point from which the transaction request emanates, provides remote network access according to the expectations of the user. Each user has an independent configuration environment stored in a memory accessible by a data communications device. The data communications device identifies a connection as emanating from a particular user, and applies the corresponding configuration environment from the memory to network transaction requests from the user. In this manner, the user perceives the same treatment by the network when connecting in the home office as well as via a remote connection such as from a hotel, airport, or cybercafe. Accordingly, attempts to access the network from a remote network access point will not impede the user because the expectations of the user about the network will be unchanged from the home office network access point.
US07660890B2
An RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) edge server associates with multiple RFID readers at a location. The RFID edge server includes an application server to run applications. The RFID edge server having TCP/IP socket connections with the multiple RFID readers. The RFID edge server having a fewer access threads for the RFID readers than there are socket connections.
US07660889B2
A method for creating an initial list of peers in a peer-to-peer (P2P) network comprising initiating a connection from a spy node to a suspect node in the network. A peer list is updated if a transaction between said spy node and said suspect node is successful. If the transaction is not successful; the method is started from the beginning if it is necessary to continue initialization process. On the other hand, if the transaction is not successful and if it is not necessary to continue the initialization process the execution is terminated.
US07660884B2
An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for generating a resource utilization description for a parallel data processing system. The method comprises developing a system model using the data flow graph for a target data processing job. The system model is then tuned based on a sample data set. The tuned system model is utilized to calculate the resource utilization description for the target data processing job. The resource utilization description may include disk space usage, scratch space usage, and processor utilization for each partition in the system. The method may further include determining a more efficient data flow graph to achieve the same results of the target data processing job.
US07660878B2
In an image display device configured to be connected to a network, a method of communicating over the network with a remote device on the network is disclosed. The method includes receiving a message sent to a multicast address on the network by the remote device, wherein the message includes an instruction to the image display device to perform a function; and performing the function instructed by the message.
US07660875B2
A browser plug-in, system for bidirectional communication and method for bidirectional communication between a download device, a first computing device and a second computing device is provided. The system includes a download device communicatively connected to a first computing device, a second computing device communicatively connected to the first computing device and a computer program stored on the first computing device. A first data set is transferred from the first computing device to second computing device via the Internet and the second set of data is bidirectionally communicated from the second computing device to the first computing device via Internet and does not trigger a fire wall.
US07660873B2
A system for communicating messages is described. The system includes a server and a gateway. The gateway sends a first message to the server. The first message queries the server to determine whether the server is ready to communicate with the gateway.
US07660868B1
The invention includes a method of presenting distributable computer readable media to a user in response to a user request. The method comprises the steps of identifying a definition of a Networked Information Monitor (NIM). A NIM frame is defined for the NIM using the definition. Content is then retrieved for the NIM. Then, the content is placed in a NIM viewer defined by the frame. The invention also includes a method of altering a Networked Information Monitor (NIM). The method includes the step of receiving a message at a NIM. The message specifies a configurable feature of the NIM. The NIM is altered in accordance with the configurable feature of the message.
US07660867B2
A migration source virtual server and a migration destination virtual server respectively include a volume information management unit for associating and managing volume identifying information for identifying the logical volumes and the logical volumes managed by the management OS of the migration source virtual server and the management OS of the migration destination virtual server; an identification unit for the migration source virtual server and the migration destination virtual server to identify the same logical volume as a target logical volume based on the volume identifying information; and a virtual OS migration unit for migrating data in an memory area used by a virtual OS of the migration source virtual server to the migration destination virtual server, and migrating update data in the memory area to be updated during the migration to the migration destination virtual server.
US07660865B2
Disclosed are signature-based systems and methods that facilitate spam detection and prevention at least in part by calculating hash values for an incoming message and then determining a probability that the hash values indicate spam. In particular, the signatures generated for each incoming message can be compared to a database of both spam and good signatures. A count of the number of matches can be divided by a denominator value. The denominator value can be an overall volume of messages sent to the system per signature for example. The denominator value can be discounted to account for different treatments and timing of incoming messages. Furthermore, secure hashes can be generated by combining portions of multiple hashing components. A secure hash can be made from a combination of multiple hashing components or multiple combinations thereof. The signature based system can also be integrated with machine learning systems to optimize spam prevention.
US07660863B2
A method for communication between a first unit and a second unit via a telecommunications network, wherein the first unit comprises a first family of applications and a second family of applications having communication capacities on the network extending beyond communication capacities of the applications of the first family, the method including: obtaining, by a confidence component belonging to the second family of applications a statement of a question to be posed to a user of the first unit in the context of an execution of an application of the first family; presenting the question by the confidence component via a user interface and capturing a response from the user by the confidence component; and for at least one type of response from the user, transmitting from the confidence component to the second unit, via the network, at least one message identifying the question presented and indicating the response captured, said message being transmitted under conditions inaccessible to the applications of the first family.
US07660858B2
There is provided a mail distributing apparatus, a program and a mail transmitting method capable of shortening an average wait time for completing transmission of mails. The mail distributing apparatus has a transmission recording section for recording the date and time when a mail has been successfully transmitted last per mailing address, an address selecting section for selecting the addresses to which the mails have been successfully transmitted last on the date and time within a predetermined period by making reference to the transmission recording section when it is commanded to distribute mails to a plurality of addresses and a transmitting section for transmitting the mails to the addresses selected by the address selecting section at first and then transmitting the mails to the other addresses.
US07660852B2
A series of unique records may be published to establish and maintain ad hoc or online meetings on a peer-to-peer network. The published records include a creator record, a presentation record, a file sharing record, a friendly name record, and invitation status record, a capabilities record, and a presence record. Each of the published records has a global unique identifier (GUID) a uniquely and universally identifies each of the record types.
US07660851B2
A method for creating, discovering, and joining meetings over a peer-to-peer network involves creation of a graph of meetings on a local subnet. When a meeting is created a meeting record is added to the graph where it may be discovered by other potential meeting attendees. A user may select from a list of meetings displayed in a meeting management window and send requested showing the selected meaning. Credentials, such as a password, may be supplied with the request. When the request is validated, information is sent to the requester for use in joining the meeting. When an ad hoc wireless session is used to hold a meeting the discovery process may further include analyzing data traffic to determine which wireless sessions are meetings.
US07660841B2
A multiplier-accumulator (MAC) block can be programmed to operate in one or more modes. When the MAC block implements at least one multiply-and-accumulate operation, the accumulator value can be zeroed without introducing clock latency or initialized in one clock cycle. To zero the accumulator value, the most significant bits (MSBs) of data representing zero can be input to the MAC block and sent directly to the add-subtract-accumulate unit. Alternatively, dedicated configuration bits can be set to clear the contents of a pipeline register for input to the add-subtract-accumulate unit.
US07660838B2
A method for converting from decimal to binary including receiving a binary coded decimal (BCD) number made up of one or more sets of three digits. A running sum and a running carry are set to zero. A process is performed for each set of three digits in the BCD number in order from the set of three digits containing the three most significant digits of the BCD number to the digits containing the three least significant digits of the BCD number. The process includes: creating six partial products based on the set of three digits, the running sum and the running carry; combining the six partial products into two partial products; and storing the two partial products in the running sum and the running carry. The running sum and the running carry from each set of three digits are combined into a final binary result.
US07660837B2
In the current invention, an apparatus, method, and computer program product for allocating a contiguous area of memory from a repository are provided. In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, a repository pointer to a contiguous set of data blocks in the repository and a system pointer operable to point to the contiguous set of data blocks are allocated. The value of the repository pointer is subsequently assigned to the system pointer.
US07660833B2
A method and system for controlling which content gets precedence and is replicated. A replica set is comprised of a set of resources. Each resource is associated with resource data and resource meta-data. For files-based systems, resource data includes file contents and attributes, while resource meta-data includes additional attributes that are relevant for negotiating synchronization during replication. An extra field called a “fence value” is added to the meta-data associated with each resource. During synchronization, first fence values are compared. The resource with the highest fence value includes the content that is controlling and replicated. If fence values are equal (and greater than a particular value), the controlling resource is determined based on other meta-data.
US07660824B2
In embodiments, the present invention provides mechanisms and methods for making a plurality of configuration changes to a set of servers comprised of an administration server and one or more managed servers. These mechanisms and methods can enable a number of changes to be made to the configuration at once, i.e., in a batch. The ability of an administrator to make a number of changes to the configuration, validate the changes and then persist the changes to the servers is termed a “transaction based” change process. In such transaction based processing, embodiments process changes in batches, which enables embodiments to avoid failures in configuration changes that result in the machines being in a non-recoverable or unknown configuration state.
US07660813B2
An information highlighting facility assists the user in evaluating relevance of accessed documents to the user's information need. The accessed documents may, for example, be identified by a search engine in response to a user query. When accessing documents identified as relevant by a search engine from other networked computers, the facility provides information highlighting to assist the user in determining whether the document is relevant. A model of the user's interest, which may include an augmented set of search terms, is used to take into account the general interest of the user as captured by an interest profile and context of use of the computer by the user, or a combination thereof. The model of the user's interest is applied to the document text as the document is accessed from its source. The highlighting of information about the document content may include highlighting of the terminology in the text, scrolling of the document to the relevant passages, identification of entity names and entity relations, creation of a document summary and a document thumbnail, etc. In addition, the model can be applied to a set of documents accessed by the user, e.g., to re-rank the top scoring documents from the result set provided to the user by a search engine or some other information providing services.
US07660812B2
The invention is directed to a business technique for supplying customers with a set of data storage media and a database for tracking physical inventory of the set of data storage media. The media tracking database is generated by the media supplier from a proprietary manufacturer database that stores a unique identification number, volume/serial (VolSer) number, purchase order data, and other manufacturing data. Accordingly, the media tracking database includes a subset of the plurality of fields that form the manufacturer database. Specifically, the media tracking database is populated with the manufacturer assigned unique identification umber, VolSer number, and purchase order data for each of the data storage media prior to selling the database to the customer. When the customer receives the media tracking database, it can be relationally linked to tape management, library management, and off-site storage software thereby providing complete cradle-to-grave traceability of the set of data storage media.
US07660803B2
Policy-based management method and system for printing of extensible markup language (XML) documents
There are provided a policy-based extensible markup language (XML) document print management method and system, using a policy object defining a print layout and an access authority to output data, on the basis of the information of a user requesting to print the XML document. The policy-based XML document print management method includes (a) requesting a policy object defining a printing layout and an access authority to output data to a policy management server, on the basis of information of a user requesting to print the XML document, in a policy agent; (b) receiving the policy object from the policy management server, interpreting the policy object, and obtaining policy information, in the policy agent; and (c) printing the XML document using the policy information, in the policy agent. Therefore, it is possible to determine a printing layout of an XML document and print the XML document, according to policy information. Also, by determining whether a user requesting to print the XML document has an access authority to the XML document on the basis of the policy information, it is possible to allow the printing job only to the user having the access authority.
US07660799B2
In a remote desktop system, information pertaining to client resources is included in screen information that a server manages to display in a client. In the remote desktop system, the client collects information pertaining to units making up the client or to programs as resource information, and sends the collected information to the server via a network. The server manages the resource information obtained from the client, and creates screen information to be displayed in the client. In the creation of the screen information, the server creates client screen information (first screen) including the resource information of the server within the screen information of the client, or creates server screen information (second screen) including the resource information of the client within the screen information of the server, and displays the first or second screen in the client.
US07660797B2
The present invention is directed toward a system, method, and computer-readable medium that scan a file for malware that maintains a restrictive access attribute that limits access to the file. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a method for performing a scan for malware is provided when antivirus software on a computer encounters a file with a restrictive access attribute that prevents the file from being scanned. More specifically, the method includes identifying the restrictive access attribute that limits access to the file; bypassing the restrictive access attribute to access data in the file; and using a scan engine to scan the data in the file for malware.
US07660790B1
A method and apparatus for utilizing a file change log is described. In one example, the access of a file is initially detected. The identifier of the entity accessing the file is recorded. Similarly, an indicia of identifying at least one portion of the file that was accessed by the entity is recorded. The file change log is then updated to reflect the identifier and the indicia.
US07660780B1
A method for moving an agent that utilizes a first as-needed canonical rule set in a first execution environment to a second execution environment where the agent utilizes a second as-needed rule set comprising discarding a rule in the first execution environment that will not be needed in the second execution environment, retrieving an additional rule that will be needed in the second execution environment and sending the agent including the additional rule from the first execution environment to the second execution environment.
US07660779B2
The present invention provides a unique system and method that can employ machine learning techniques to automatically fill one or more fields across a diverse array of web forms. In particular, one or more instrumented tools can collect input or entries of form fields. Machine learning can be used to learn what data corresponds to which fields or types of fields. The input can be sent to a central repository where other databases can be aggregated as well. This input can be provided to a machine learning system to learn how to predict the desired outputs. Alternatively or in addition, learning can be performed in part by observing entries and then adapting the autofill component accordingly. Furthermore, a number of features of database fields as well as constraints can be employed to facilitate assignments of database entries to form values—particularly when the web form has never been seen before by the autofill system.
US07660766B1
A technique for making a payment to a payee on behalf of a payor is provided. A payment service provider receives a payment request from a payor requesting the service provider to make a payment to a payee on behalf of the payor. The service provider then transmits pre-posting information to the payee prior to making the payment. The pre-posting information informs the payee that the service provider will be making a payment to the payee on behalf of the payor. Whenever the service provider makes the payment to the payee, the service provider also issues remittance advice associated with the payment to the payee.
US07660758B2
An apparatus, method and program for user to contract a total ownership value by calculating premium (booking fee and buy back fee) both in monetary terms or premium. Calculation of booking fee and buy back fee for a motor vehicle is disclosed allowing the user to purchase and/or sell a vehicle at the both prices of his own choosing within a future period whereby premium in consideration provides a right but not an obligation.
US07660755B2
A rollover management system (RMS) receives and stores rollover data that includes subscriber identification and a balance of the rollover usage units that may be “rolled-over” to offset overage units used by a subscriber in excess of package plan usage units in a subsequent billing cycle. In response to receiving requests, the RMS presents rollover data elements to the requesting entities. The balance of the rollover usage units may be rolled over and measured in at least one of a plurality of billable units and may be shared by the subscriber's multiple communication services. The rollover usage units expire after a predetermined number of billing cycles where the predetermined number may vary between package plans. The RMS receives post-billing data elements to update the rollover data elements. The RMS is further operative to account for and present for review unbilled communication service usage to subscribers.
US07660753B2
In a safety stock control system, safety stock is changed in response to updating of a setting value so as to be continuously maintained as a proper value. The safety stock control system is comprised of a demand prediction means, an actual value calculating means, a predicted remainder calculating means, a parameter calculating means, and a safety stock calculating means for calculating safety stock based upon a parameter calculated by the parameter calculating means. In response to updating of the setting value, data of an area, which is different from such a data read when a plan is made, is temporarily read from a data storage means to the respective means, and then, various sorts of calculating process operations are carried out either one time or plural times.
US07660752B2
A system for allowing a remote user to purchase and trade, over a distributed computer network (e.g., the Internet), an option for a ticket and/or accommodations for a “contingent event,” i.e., an event which is certain to occur but for which the participants, content and/or location(s) are not predetermined. For instance, the subject system can be used to sell and trade options for the purchase of tickets to such contingent events such as playoff games on the basis of what teams qualify.
US07660750B1
A web-enabled resin panel customization website, hosted through a web portal, provides, through a client computer system, one or more user interfaces configured to receive a plurality of user selections, and provide a realistic display of the resulting output. In one implementation, a processing module overlays transparent portions of images representing a translucent resin substrate with one or more images representing decorative objects, films, or the like. The processing module can also combine pixel information from each of the added/overlain layers. In either case, the processing module sends a combined pixel data stream that can be rendered by a client system, and thus provide a user with a realistic depiction of the user's resin panel selections. The customization website further includes one or more user interfaces that enable a user to store specific resin panel design profiles, and order resin panels corresponding to those specific design profiles.
US07660736B2
A method of valuing products based on demand probabilities. Products are designed by identifying product components, and combining the components in various combinations to provide standard and non-standard products. Components are valued using an algorithm that considers demand probability as well as known prices of standard products. The component values are added to determine product values and may be used to make pricing and order fulfillment decisions.
US07660721B2
The present invention provides a computer system (the “System”, or the “Return System”) that is configured and programmed to provide online stores with a fast, simple, convenient way for eCommerce customers of an online store to return merchandise purchased from that store from within that online store. The Return System provides multi-carrier shipment rating, shipment labeling, shipment tracking, shipment tracking management reports, returns analysis and returns management reporting In an exemplary embodiment, the Return System has three major components: 1.) A Returns Manager Subsystem that provides a user interface to each Merchant to setup the Merchant's account, setup the Merchant's return policy and rules, and to monitor the status and movement of return shipments; 2.) A Consumer Returns Subsystem (also sometimes referred to as a “Customer Returns Subsystem”) that provides each consumer using the Returns System with an online user interface that leads the consumer through the returns process, displays the return policies and rules to the consumer, provides shipping document to ship the return package if appropriate, and permits the consumer to track their return shipments; and 3.) a Returns Processing Subsystem that, in the exemplary embodiment, provides background shipping and tracking functionality. In one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the Online Merchant integrates the Merchant's online system with the Returns Processing Subsystem. In another exemplary embodiment, the Returns Processing Subsystem is provided as an independent web-based application service (referred to as a “Return Merchant Service System”) operated by a common provider. In such an embodiment, the Merchant's system interacts with the Return Merchant Service System through Application Program Interfaces (“API”).
US07660712B2
A speech encoder that analyzes and classifies each frame of speech as being periodic-like speech or non-periodic like speech where the speech encoder performs a different gain quantization process depending if the speech is periodic or not. If the speech is periodic, the improved speech encoder obtains the pitch gains from the unquantized weighted speech signal and performs a pre-vector quantization of the adaptive codebook gain GP for each subframe of the frame before subframe processing begins and a closed-loop delayed decision vector quantization of the fixed codebook gain GC. If the frame of speech is non-periodic, the speech encoder may use any known method of gain quantization. The result of quantizing gains of periodic speech in this manner results in a reduction of the number of bits required to represent the quantized gain information and for periodic speech, the ability to use the quantized pitch gain for the current subframe to search the fixed codebook for the fixed codebook excitation vector for the current subframe. Alternatively, the new gain quantization process which was used only for periodic signals may be extended to non-periodic signals as well. This second strategy results in a slightly higher bit rate than that for periodic signals that use the new gain quantization strategy, but is still lower than the prior art's bit rate. Yet another alternative is to use the new gain quantization process for all speech signals without distinguishing between periodic and non-periodic signals.
US07660705B1
Methods and systems are disclosed for learning a regression decision graph model using a Bayesian model selection approach. In a disclosed aspect, the model structure and/or model parameters can be learned using a greedy search algorithm applied to grow the model so long as the model improves. This approach enables construction of a decision graph having a model structure that includes a plurality of leaves, at least one of which includes a non-trivial linear regression. The resulting model thus can be employed for forecasting, such as for time series data, which can include single or multi-step forecasting.
US07660698B1
Methods and apparatus for determining when plants require watering, and methods of attending to the watering of plants including signaling the grower that the plants are in need of hydration are provided. The novel methods include real-time measurement of plant metabolics and phytometric physiology changes of intrinsic physical or behavioral traits within the plant such as determining physiological flux measurement of enzyme flux due to environmental changes such as the wind and drought stress, soil and plant mineral deficiencies, or the interaction with a bio-control for organic disease control including, cell movement, signal transduction, internal chemical processes and external environmental processes including when plants require watering, and methods of attending to the watering of plants including signaling the grower that the plants are in need of hydration.
US07660697B2
The present invention aims at surely and efficiently calculating size tolerances of a plurality of parts constituting a structure with the configuration that includes a tentative size tolerance setting section setting tentative size tolerances of the plurality of parts based on design data of the structure and part information of the plurality of parts; a primary analyzing section calculating a quality of the structure and sensitivities of the plurality of parts based on the tentative size tolerances set by the tentative size tolerance setting section; a judging section judging whether or not the quality satisfies a desired quality which the structure demands; and a secondary analyzing section calculating, if the judging section judges that the quality does not satisfy the desired quality, the size tolerances of the plurality of parts using the sensitivities such that the structure satisfies the desired quality.
US07660692B2
A wearable ballistic impact protection system detects impacts to a body. The system includes multiple sensors for detecting vibration. The sensed vibrations are converted to electrical signals which are filtered. Electronic components are provided to determine whether the filtered signal have frequency and amplitude characteristics of impact that cause injury to a body. Preferably, the sensors are Piezo-electric film sensing elements. Information regarding the extent of the impact and injuries to the body may be transmitted to a remote location so that medics or other personnel may be informed to the extent of injuries to the body so that they may provide medical assistance.
US07660686B1
Samples subject to ion implantation are measured using a modulated optical reflectance system and the results of the measurements are compared to specification ranges for acceptable samples and a plurality of parametric ranges. Each parametric range is associated with a different known type of implantation fault. Measurement results outside of the specification range may be characterized by fault type by comparing the measurement results to a plurality of parametric ranges. In this way, a fault type may be quickly identified and the corresponding source of the fault may be corrected.
US07660684B2
A system and method utilizing virtual switching in an electrical panel meter or multifunction device is provided. The virtual switching enables the meter or multifunction device to be upgraded or downgraded through a switching signal, by activating or deactivating multiple operative functions that are to be performed in the meter or multifunction device, such as operative functions for substation automation. Accordingly, when the upgrade or downgrade is necessary, the meter or multifunction device does not have to be replaced.
US07660683B2
The instantaneous value of an intermediate waveform I is the instantaneous value of a unipolar waveform U multiplied through amplification by an upscaling factor UF of 1.5. A plateau value P is subtracted from the intermediate value I, and the result of this subtraction is multiplied by a multiplication factor MF of 0.6. The result of the multiplication is added to the plateau value P, which sum becomes an auxiliary waveform A. During the ‘fall-below’ periods F, the value of a combined waveform C is arranged to follow whichever is the highest of the auxiliary value A and the plateau value P. Outside the fall-below periods, the value of the combined waveform C follows whichever is the highest of the unipolar value U and the plateau value P. This combined waveform C has, for a given plateau level P, a narrower fall-below window. Phase-chopping thus has an effect on the power of the output signal over a greater range of the cycle than can be provided by the corresponding prior art arrangement.
US07660681B2
A method for calculating a property of a fluid includes inducing motion in a conduit such that the conduit oscillates in a first mode of vibration and a second mode of vibration. The first mode of vibration has a corresponding first frequency of vibration and the second mode of vibration has a corresponding second frequency of vibration. The conduit contains a fluid. The first frequency of vibration is determined, and the second frequency of vibration is determined. A property of the fluid based on the first frequency of vibration and the second frequency of vibration is calculated.
US07660675B2
Embodiments of the present invention include methods and systems for analysis of comparative genomic hybridization (“CGH”) data, including CGH data obtained from microarray experiments.
US07660667B2
A system and method for off route processing is disclosed. The system and method can be used to provide information when an off route condition occurs. The system and method can include provisions to make modifications in the way navigation information is displayed. The system and method can also provide a selectable re-route mode and selectable re-route information.
US07660661B2
A fuel injection control device is disclosed that includes a fuel injection valve for performing a fuel injection event at an assumed fuel quantity. The device also includes a rotation detecting device for detecting a change in rotation amount of the output shaft. The device further includes a slip rate detection device for detecting a slip rate between the output shaft and the driven shaft. Also included is an actual fuel injection amount estimating device for estimating an actual fuel injection quantity during the fuel injection event based on the detected change in rotation and the detected slip rate. The device also includes a learning device for learning a deviation based on the difference between the estimated actual fuel injection quantity and the assumed fuel injection quantity. A related method is also disclosed.
US07660650B2
The present invention relates to a self-propelled working robot, including a first distance sensor 4a and a second distance sensor 4b (4c) for measuring the distance to an obstacle W in front of the robot. The robot includes first determination means for comparing a first measured distance Dc to the obstacle obtained by the first distance sensor 4a with a predetermined first threshold value to determine the proximity to the obstacle W, second determination means for comparing a second measured distance Dr (DL) to the obstacle W obtained by the second distance sensor 4b (4c) with a predetermined second threshold value to determine the proximity to the obstacle, and changing means for changing the first or second threshold value based on information regarding an inclination angle of the obstacle W obtained from the first and second measured distances.
US07660648B2
Methods for controlling the in-feed and discharge rates of materials flowing into and out of a mixing process where one priority is to achieve a target mixture flow rate from the mixing process and another priority can be to achieve a target value for a mixture property. Actuators can be operated to control material in-feed rates, the mixture composition, and discharge rate, and can maintain a hold-up of the mixture in the mixing process. A total flow rate controller provides a control signal to a controller acting on the discharge rate and a controller acting on the in-feed rates. The mixture discharge flow rate can be automatically reduced from its desired target when the commanded rate of at least one of the materials exceeds its available supply rate as inferred from an inability to maintain the targeted value for the mixture property.
US07660645B2
Processing apparatuses A, B, C, and D are included in a job-shop production line, and process 1 to process 6 are performed by the processing apparatuses A, B, C, B, D, and B, respectively. The processing apparatus B is repeatedly used in process 2, process 4, and process 6; therefore, these processes are key processes. Based on the key processes, process 1 to process 6 are classified into a plurality of groups, and the number of in-process products of each of the groups is counted by a counting unit. According to this, a determining unit determines priority orders of the key processes such that a higher priority is given to a key process in a group having a large number of the in-process products. Thus, it becomes possible to perform determination of the priority orders further according to an actual situation, and to improve production efficiency.
US07660643B2
A solder material test apparatus includes a control unit and a storage unit which stores master data in advance in which a printing process time when a printing process is performed by using a test-sample solder material is associated with deterioration degree data of the test-sample solder material at the printing process time. The control unit includes a deterioration degree data acquiring unit which acquires deterioration degree data for indicating a deterioration degree of a test-sample solder material, a reading unit which reads a printing process time associated with deterioration degree data set as a limit value with reference to master data and reads a printing process time associated with the deterioration degree data acquired by the deterioration degree data acquiring unit, an operating unit which operates an available remaining time that indicates difference between the printing process times, and a display control unit which informs the available remaining time to a user.
US07660636B2
An electrical stimulation device and method for the treatment of dysphagia is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, the electrical stimulation device includes one or more channels of electrodes each of which includes a first electrode positioned in electrical contact with tissue of a target region of a patient and a second electrode positioned in electrical contact with tissue of a posterior neck region or a posterior thoracic region of the patient. A series of electrical pulses are then applied to the patient through the one or more channels of electrodes in accordance with a procedure for treating dysphagia. The series of electrical pulses may comprise: a plurality of cycles of a biphasic sequential pulse train pattern; a plurality of cycles of a biphasic overlapping pulse train pattern; a plurality of cycles of a triphasic sequential pulse train pattern; a plurality of cycles of a triphasic overlapping pulse train pattern; a functional pulse train pattern; a low-frequency pulse train pattern; or a frequency-sequenced pulse burst train pattern. Various exemplary embodiments of the invention are disclosed.
US07660625B2
A cable assembly includes an elongated catheter defining a lumen. A cable within the lumen has at least first and second electrically independent conductors. A first electrical component is connected to the catheter and has a first lead and second lead. The first lead is connected to the first conductor at a first connection, and the second lead connected to the second conductor at a second connection. The first and second connections are spaced apart along the length of the catheter, and the component is positioned at an intermediate location between the first and second connections. The component may be a coil, with leads extending in opposite directions, and only one of the conductors may pass through the coil. The assembly may include multiple components spaced apart along the length of the catheter.
US07660620B2
The invention is directed to techniques in which magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is coordinated with the operation of an implantable medical device (IMD). By using an IMD to sense conditions, MRI can be improved because the sensed conditions can accurately define timing for application of electromagnetic radiation bursts. Moreover, by applying stimulation pulses specifically to coordinate the electromagnetic radiation bursts, the MRI may also be improved.
US07660613B2
A plurality of operation portions are arranged at a surface on a sub-display side of a cellular phone with a camera so that various kinds of setting, selection and control can be performed without opening the cellular phone in its folded state, and the cellular phone can achieve improved operability and convenience. Cellular phone includes a first display portion at a surface of a first body opposed to a second body in the folded state, and includes a second display portion, an image taking portion and a plurality of operation portions arranged at a rear surface of the first body remote from the first display portion.
US07660607B2
Disclosed is a method for using various multiple antenna schemes in a baseband wireless access system is provided. According to the method, a downlink MAP message is constructed in order to support various multiple antenna schemes based on a multiple-input multiple output (MIMO), which is one of the multiple antenna schemes, so that compatibility with exiting MIMO technology having no MIMO feedback can be achieved and overhead occurring in transmission of an MAP information element can be reduced. Further, it is possible to efficiently support spatial multiplexing technology capable of transmitting multiple layers having different modulation and coding in a MIMO system.
US07660606B2
The present invention provides a method for controlling mobile unit response messages. One embodiment of the method includes providing, to a mobile unit, at least one message including information indicative of at least one parameter for configuring at least one response to said at least one message for transmission over an access channel.
US07660600B2
A method for outer loop power control which compensates for changing channel conditions. A target metric, preferably target signal-to-interference ratio (SIR), is adjusted with differing step up and step down levels to converge on a relatively low steady state level of step up and step down target metric adjustments. The initial target SIR remains fixed during an inner loop settling state, followed by incremental target SIR adjustments during a transient state, and smaller incremental target SIR adjustments in a steady state. Step sizes of the adjustments are preferably based on the target block error rate (BLER) and the number of errors detected within predetermined time intervals.
US07660599B2
A base station of the present invention performs transmission power control quickly with maintaining communication quality in mobile communications systems, by setting up priority about transmission power control and performing transmission power control sequentially from a channel with a high priority. A channel priority setting unit outputs priority information indicating priority for transmission power control about a plurality of channel information. A power calculation unit outputs total power information of all channels about the plurality of channel information. A power adjustment unit performs power adjustment to the channel information selected on the basis of the priority information when the total power information has larger value than maximum transmission power information.
US07660590B2
A mobile terminal device that facilitates location services (LCS) in a cellular network. The system, as embodied in a mobile terminal device, comprises a mobile communications component that communicates wireless signals, and a location services component embodied in the mobile communication component to provide positioning information. A location request is received by the mobile terminal device and processed using the LCS server to activate trigger events. A location-tracking report is autonomously generated for each event and transmitted to the requesting client via MLP or the wireless network signaling protocol.
US07660588B2
A method and apparatus to utilize a set of measurements (either partial or compete) to improve the accuracy of an initial position estimate for a wireless terminal. The initial position estimate for the terminal is first obtained (e.g., based on a cell-ID or an enhanced cell-ID solution). Measurements are obtained for the terminal. The initial position estimate is then updated with the measurements to obtain a revised position estimate for the terminal. The updating may be performed by (1) deriving a measurement vector based on the initial position estimate and the measurements, (2) forming an observation matrix for the measurements, (3) determining a matrix of weights, (4) deriving a correction vector based on the measurement vector, the observation matrix, and the weight matrix, and (5) updating the initial position estimate with the correction vector.
US07660586B2
The present invention relates to a communication system supporting data communication and comprising at least a first core network with a plurality of circuit switched (CS) core network functional server nodes and a second core network with a number of packet switched (PS) core network functional sever nodes for packet switched communication. The CS core nodes are arranged in a pool and an interface (Gs) between CS core nodes and PS core nodes is used for providing information to CS core nodes from PS core nodes relating to mobility related events provided from an MS to a PS core node. When a mobile station moves from a first CS core node to a second CS core node the PS core node to which the MS is connected is provided with information relating to the change from said first to said second CS core node.
US07660583B2
The present invention provides methods and apparatus for a wireless terminal to receive channel bursts in a wireless system while the wireless terminal is performing a handover from one base station to another base station. The wireless terminal determines that a handover may be necessary if a handover criterion is satisfied based upon a measurement of the signal quality associated with the current serving base station. If so, the wireless terminal performs measurements for the candidate cells, which are maintained in a candidate list. The wireless terminal will select one of the candidate cells (corresponding to the new serving base station) if the associated signal quality is sufficiently better than the current serving base station. After determining that a handover is necessary and before completing the handover to the new serving base station, the wireless terminal receives a last channel burst from the current serving base station.
US07660574B2
When a card remaining balance for a non-contact type integrated circuit card processing chip 114 has been updated, a CPU 101 indicates that the card remaining balance has been updated by performing drive control of a notification portion (information LED 8, information speaker 9) having a cellular telephone function.
US07660572B2
A computing system for gathering media status information and other information about contacts in a user's contact list includes a server, a user device, and one or more contacts (or contact devices). The user device communicates with the server and requests media status information regarding the contacts. Media status information may include information about the media content currently (or most recently) accessed by the contacts. The server receives the request from the user device, collects the information and sends it to the user device. The server may else send connection information to the user device. The user device receives the information and displays it to the user. The user device may include a message service such that messages can be sent to and received from the contacts. Also, the user may request particular media content accessed by the contacts.
US07660570B2
An active step attenuator can attenuate the RF signal from a cable modem or other RF source. The active step attenuator converts the RF energy into a DC control signal that controls the attenuation applied to the RF signal. The voltage of the control signal is proportional to the RF energy, so that the active step attenuator attenuates a stronger RF signal more than a weaker RF signal. The active step attenuator may be in the form of a diplex circuit, one branch of which passes signals in one frequency band without attenuation and the other branch of which actively attenuates signals in another frequency band.
US07660568B2
An apparatus and a method for generating a channel estimate using a non-pilot signal. More specifically, there is provided a receiver comprising a device configured to receive a transmitted signal having a pilot portion and non-pilot portion and a channel estimator configured to calculate a channel estimate based on the non-pilot portion of the transmitted signal and to send the channel estimate to the device. A method for implementing the improvement is also provided.
US07660553B2
In an image heating apparatus having an endless belt for heating an image T on a recording material P in a nip portion N, nip forming means for forming the nip portion N between itself and the belt, and regulating means for regulating the bias of the belt in the width direction thereof, even when in the rotation shape of the endless belt, there is a portion changing greatly in curvature, the damaging of the end portion of the endless belt resulting from the long-period use of the endless belt is prevented to thereby improve the durability of the belt. The regulating means is characterized by a flat plate-shaped rotary member provided at a predetermined distance from the belt and capable of being driven to rotate by contacting with the end surface of the belt with the bias of the belt.
US07660551B2
An apparatus for loading one or more donor rolls of a developer unit, comprising a developer housing having a reservoir for a developer material, a rotatable first donor roll that delivers the toner onto a moving photoconductive member, a rotatable first magnetic brush roll that receives the developer material from the reservoir and delivers the toner to the first donor roll, and a rotatable second magnetic brush roll that receives the developer material from the first magnetic brush roll and delivers the toner to the first donor roll. The apparatus may further comprise a rotatable second donor roll that receives the toner from the second magnetic brush roll and delivers the toner onto the photoconductive member, and a rotatable third magnetic brush roll that receives the developer material from the second magnetic brush roll and delivers the toner to the second donor roll.
US07660549B2
An electrophotographic image forming apparatus detachably mounts a process cartridge including an electrophotographic photosensitive drum. The apparatus includes a frame, a door, and a tray carrying the cartridge. The tray is movable among a first position inside the frame when the door is closed and the drum forms a latent image, a second position when the door is open and the tray protrudes from the frame to permit cartridge mounting and demounting, and a third position between the first and second positions where the tray is movable to the first position with closing of the door. Also, a regulating member moves between a regulating position regulating movement of the door from an opening position to a position where the tray is beyond the third position, and a permitting position permitting movement of the door from the opening to the closing position when the tray is at the third position.
US07660544B2
In one embodiment of the invention, in an image forming apparatus that reverses the front and back of recording paper by performing switchback transport of the recording paper to perform duplex printing of the recording paper, the image forming apparatus is provided with a control means that, when performing duplex printing of the recording paper, forms a void area at a leading end and a trailing end of the recording paper, the void area preventing curling of the recording paper around a roller.
US07660540B2
An image forming apparatus includes a development portion holder mounted with a plurality of development portions having a memory storing plural types of information on the corresponding development portion and that selectively portions one of the development portions in a predetermined development positions by holding and moving the mounted development portions; a controller that controls the development portion holder to switch the development portions to be positioned at the predetermined development position and that performs an image forming process using the development portions positioned at the development position; and an access unit that accesses the memory of the development portion positioned at an access position, which is a position at which one of the other development portions mounted in the development portion holder is placed so as write the information therein, when one of the development portions mounted in the development portion holder is positioned at the development position.
US07660532B2
A calibration method of an optical transceiver module includes the steps of receiving an input voltage, detecting an optical signal for generating an input power based on the optical signal, generating a compensating power based on the input voltage, and generating a calibrating power based on the compensating power and the input power.
US07660530B2
Optical transmission apparatus, optical transmission system, and optical transmission control method
An optical transmission apparatus includes a transmitting unit for transmitting an optical signal with a specified wavelength, a multiplexing unit for multiplexing the optical signal with the specified wavelength and an optical signal with a wavelength other than the specified wavelength and outputting the multiplexed signal as a wavelength division multiplexed optical signal, an optical amplifier for amplifying the wavelength division multiplexed optical signal outputted from the multiplexing unit, a level detecting unit detecting a variation of an optical power of the wavelength division multiplexed optical signal inputted to the optical amplifier, and a level adjusting unit for adjusting, when a variation of the optical power of the wavelength division multiplexed optical signal is detected by the level detecting unit, a transmitting power of the optical signal with the specified wavelength transmitted from the transmitting unit so that an output power becomes a level before the variation.
US07660529B2
A system and method for transmitting an optical signal. The system includes a first optical transmitter capable of transmitting a first optical signal under one or more first operating conditions, and the first optical signal corresponds to a first wavelength. Additionally, the system includes a second optical transmitter capable of transmitting a second optical signal under one or more second operating conditions, and the second optical signal corresponds to a second wavelength. Moreover, the system includes an optical multiplexer coupled to the first optical transmitter and the second optical transmitter and capable of generating a multiplexed optical signal, a detection component configured to determine at least whether the first optical transmitter satisfies one or more predetermined conditions, and a tunable optical transmitter capable of transmitting a third optical signal. The third optical signal corresponds to a third wavelength.
US07660527B2
In the case that a client signal having a bandwidth larger than BW divided by P exists, where the P is the number of client ports of one optical transponder card and the BW is an optical signal band, it is configured to accommodate client signals in one optical transponder card by combining plural client signals of which the total band is no greater than the BW and which have different bands so as to make it a maximum within the aforementioned range.
US07660517B2
Systems and methods for reducing the visibility of rain in acquired images are provided. One or more inputs relating the scene desired to be acquired by the user are used to retrieve camera settings that will reduce the visibility of rain in acquired images. Additionally, features relating to the scene may be automatically determined and used alone, or in combination with user inputs, to retrieve camera settings. The acquired images may be part of a video. Another feature of the invention is its use as a rain gauge. The camera settings are adjusted to enhance the visibility of rain, then one ore more images are acquired and analyzed for the amount and size of raindrops. From this analysis the rain rate can be determined.
US07660516B2
An AV Clip formed by multiplexing a video stream and a graphics stream and recorded on a BD-ROM as a recording medium. The video stream constitutes a moving picture while the graphics stream enables graphics to be overlaid on the moving picture, and includes pieces of control information called a PCS and an ICS. When the AV Clip is played back immediately following playback of another digital stream, the control information indicates to the reproduction device that the presence of data already in memory of a graphics decoder is to be continuous.
US07660513B2
An image recording/reproducing apparatus which supports recording by memorizing recording requests of a user, and a method thereof. A recording status display table stores a general recording information display part for recording such as a program recording date and a recording start time and a recording result display part for displaying a recording result. A control unit controls the recording status display table to be displayed on a display apparatus. The recording result is recorded and stored in the recording result display part of the corresponding program of the memory, and displayed if requested. As a result, the user may easily confirm the recording status without checking the recorded contents.
US07660505B2
An optical fiber comprising a flame retardant UV light-curable tight-buffer coating coated onto the fiber, wherein said tight-buffer coating is substantially halogen-free, and has a limiting oxygen index of at least about 22%, and wherein said tight-buffer coating is removable from said fiber with a strip-force of less than about 1800 grams when the fiber is upjacketed with said coating at a line speed of at least 300 m/min.
US07660503B2
The present invention relates to a flexible optical waveguide including a core portion and a cladding layer which has an increment of insertion loss of 0.1 dB or less upon subjecting the waveguide to a 360° bending test at a radius of curvature of 2 mm, as well as an optical module using the flexible optical waveguide. There are provided a flexible optical waveguide having high flexing property, heat resistance and transparency, as well as an optical module using the flexible optical waveguide.
US07660502B1
Methods and systems for optical interconnection.
US07660501B2
A fiber optic cable assembly comprising a first fiber optic cable having pre-selected optical fibers pre-terminated and branched at a cable access point, a second cable optically connected to the pre-terminated optical fibers, and a flexible body encapsulating the cable access point. A method for manufacturing a fiber optic cable assembly comprising providing a fiber optic cable, making an opening in the cable for access, pre-terminating pre-selected optical fibers, optically connecting the pre-selected optical fibers with optical fibers of a tether cable, and encapsulating at least a portion of the cable access location within a flexible overmolded body.
US07660500B2
A light emitting device including an array of light emitters to emit first light pulses. Each of the light emitters includes a saturable absorber and a waveguide having an electrically pumped gain region to emit the first light pulses. At least one reflector structure reflects the first light pulses into a nonlinear crystal by changing the direction of the first light pulses by an angle that is in a range of 70 to 110 degrees. The reflector structure includes a sub-wavelength grating structure to change the polarization of the first light pulses. A nonlinear crystal generates second light pulses such that the optical frequency of the second light pulses is two times the optical frequency of the first light pulses.
US07660498B2
A glass optical reflective tap is described that optically connects two optical fibers and may tap a portion of the light that is being communicated between the optical fibers. In one embodiment of the invention, the optical filter includes two D-lenses that operate as focusing or collimator lenses. The first D-lens focuses an optical signal onto a tap filter that allows a majority of the light within an optical signal to pass and also reflects a small portion of optical signal light to a reflective port. The second D-lens focuses the passed light into a transmission port of an optical fiber.
US07660497B2
A rotary transmitter for transmitting optical signals between two components is described. In accordance with the invention, provision is made for a fiber optic cable, optionally also a second fiber optic cable to be used to transmit the signals, the latter being suited, due to their surface treatment, to coupling signals of send elements and forwarding them to an interface in order to be registered there by a receive element. The fiber optic cables are laid such that they describe a circle upon which the transmission elements rotate about an axis of rotation. As a result, a complete data transmission is possible by way of the waveguide. The components (send elements, receive elements and the optical fiber cables) can be fastened to an annular printed circuit board by SMT.
US07660492B2
An imaging guidewire can include one or more optical fibers communicating light along the guidewire. At or near its distal end, one or more blazed or other fiber Bragg gratings (FBGs) directs light to a photoacoustic transducer material that provides ultrasonic imaging energy. Returned ultrasound is sensed by an FBG sensor. A responsive signal is optically communicated to the proximal end of the guidewire, and processed to develop a 2D or 3D image. In one example, the guidewire outer diameter is small enough such that an intravascular catheter can be passed over the guidewire. Techniques for improving ultrasound reception include using a high compliance material, resonating the ultrasound sensing transducer, using an attenuation-reducing coating and/or thickness, and/or using optical wavelength discrimination. Techniques for improving the ultrasound generating transducer include using a blazed FBG, designing the photoacoustic material thickness to enhance optical absorption. Techniques for distinguishing plaque or vulnerable plaque may be used to enhance the displayed image.
US07660490B2
A sensing device for sensing region identity data and generating movement data when the sensing device is moved relative to a region of a surface, the region identity data being indicative of an identity of the region, the movement data being indicative of the movement of the sensing device relative to the region, the surface having disposed upon it coded data indicative of at least one region associated with the surface, the sensing device including: region identity sensing means configured to sense the region identity data using at least some of the coded data; motion sensing means configured to generate the movement data; and communications means configured to communicate the region identity data and the movement data to a computer system.
US07660483B2
One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that removes noise from an image. During operation, the system first identifies blobs in the image, wherein a blob is a set of contiguous pixels which possibly represents a character or a portion of a character in the image. Next, the system analyzes the blobs to dynamically determine a “noise threshold” for the blobs. The system then removes blobs from the image which are below the noise threshold.
US07660477B2
An apparatus, a method and a computer program product for correcting image data for the presence of a ghost image. The image data is for acceptance by a device that includes a partially-silvered finite-thickness reflector or similar element to provide a reflection of an image for display. The ghost image is a shifted, attenuated version of the image data. The method includes subtracting a first correction term from the image data, the first correction term being a shifted and attenuated version of the image data, the shift being the same as that between the image data and the ghost image, and the attenuation matching the attenuation of the ghost image caused by the device. The processed image data is input to the device. For a small enough attenuation of the ghost image, substantially no ghost image of the image data is displayed by the device.
US07660474B2
A coding method codes a sequence of digitized images with a plurality of macro blocks in error-prone networks in which case the macro blocks in a section of the image are coded in a first intra-coding mode depending on predetermined criteria. In addition, the macro blocks in a section of the image are coded in a second intra-coding mode or in an inter-coding mode in which case in the inter-coding mode for the macro blocks, movement vectors are selected from the number of accessible reference images. The selection from the number of accessible reference images is limited in such a way that referencing takes place from image areas that were not subjected to the first intra-coding mode at a later stage.
US07660470B2
An image processing system is disclosed that includes a superimposing merger operation unit. The superimposing merger operation unit receives the encoded data of a main image and the encoded data of a sub image, and generates superimposedly merged encoded data by merging the encoded data of the main and sub images superimposedly. The superimposedly merged encoded data generated by the superimposing merger operation unit is configured so that the main image is stored therein and that when the superimposedly merged encoded data is decoded, each of the main image and sub image is reproduced with the sub image being reproduced superimposedly with respect to the main image.
US07660467B2
An album creating apparatus according to the present invention includes an object extracting section that extracts an object from a moving image, an object acceleration computing section that computes acceleration of the object extracted from the object extracting section to a background based on a change of position in a plurality of continuous moving-image constituting images, a timing specifying section that specifies a timing in which the acceleration computed from the object acceleration computing section is larger than a predetermined reference acceleration, and a representative image extracting section that extracts a moving-image constituting image included in a predetermined time range centered on the timing specified by the timing specifying section as a representative image.
US07660456B2
A mask blank is provided by forming a plurality of films, including at least a thin film to be a transfer pattern, on a board. At the time of patterning a resist film of the mask blank according to pattern data, film information to check with a pattern is obtained for each of a plurality of the films.
US07660444B2
A user recognition system that utilizes two CCD cameras to obtain two images of the user from two different angles of view. A three-dimensional model of the user's face is created from the obtained images in addition. The generated model and an additional facial texture image of the user are compared with a stored user profile. When the obtained 3D model and facial texture information matches the stored profile of the user, access is granted to the system.
US07660443B2
Image data of an image including an eye is input (S1), and band limitation is performed (S2). Then, a predetermined feature such as moment is extracted from the band-limited image data (S3), and recognition as to whether the eye projected in the image is a counterfeit eye or a living eye is performed based on the extracted feature (S4).
US07660441B2
Automatic conflation systems and techniques which provide vector-imagery conflation and map-imagery conflation. Vector-imagery conflation is an efficient approach that exploits knowledge from multiple data sources to identify a set of accurate control points. Vector-imagery conflation provides automatic and accurate alignment of various vector datasets and imagery, and is appropriate for GIS applications, for example, requiring alignment of vector data and imagery over large geographical regions. Map-imagery conflation utilizes common vector datasets as “glue” to automatically integrate street maps with imagery. This approach provides automatic, accurate, and intelligent images that combine the visual appeal and accuracy of imagery with the detailed attribution information often contained in such diverse maps. Both conflation approaches are applicable for GIS applications requiring, for example, alignment of vector data, raster maps, and imagery. If desired, the conflated data generated by such systems may be retrieved on-demand.
US07660435B2
A technique for analyzing damage to a motor vehicle, capable of accurately specifying damage on each component by a simple operation. A damage analysis-supporting system for supporting analysis of damage on a motor vehicle has an image generating-portion (301) and a damage-analyzing portion (303). The image-generating portion (301) imports individual drawing data corresponding to components constituting the vehicle into layers and generates an image of a vehicle body seen from a particular direction by superposing the layers. The damage-analyzing portion (303) receives input by a user to the image, where the input designates the area of damage. At the same time, the damage-analyzing portion (303) specifies a damaged portion of each component on a layer-by-layer basis, where each layer has drawing data that belong to the area of damage designated by the user.
US07660432B2
The target of stereoscopic processing for creating a stereoscopic image from an original image is restricted to specific original images. An authentication image creation device changes the pixel data of a target pixel within an original image into update data that are created from the pixel data of pixels adjacent to that target pixel. On the other hand, in advance of stereoscopic processing of the original image, an image processing device compares the pixel data of the target pixel in that original image with authentication data that are created from the pixel data of pixels adjacent to that target pixel, and based on the results of that comparison, determines whether or not stereoscopic processing of that original image is to be permitted.
US07660431B2
Upon determining (201) a need for image recognition facilitation content, a corresponding process (200) first determines (202 and 203) whether adequate local resources are available. When true, those local resources are used (204) to facilitate the desired image recognition. When false, however, one or more remote resources are accessed (205) and supplemental image recognition facilitation content is received (206) and locally used (207) to effect the desired image recognition process. Local memory management can optionally comprise, if desired, deletion (208) of some (or all) locally stored image recognition facilitation content and/or storage (209) of the remotely sourced image recognition facilitation content.
US07660426B2
A hearing aid fitting system comprising a computer with fitting software and having a display for displaying parameter settings of a hearing aid and input means for adjustment of the parameters, characterized in that the system further comprises a camera for recording images of the wearer's head including the ear with the hearing aid, and a display for displaying at least one image received from the camera.
US07660422B2
A version number is associated with an encrypted key executable to allow real time updating of keys for a system which facilitates users signing on to multiple websites on different domains using an encrypted ticket. Two keys may be used at each site during updating of keys, each having an associated one digit Hex version tag. When a key is to be updated with a new key, the existing or old key is provided an expiration time. A second key is provided from the system in a secure manner with a new version number and made the current key which provides decryption of the encrypted ticket. The system tracks both keys while they are concurrent. After the existing key expires, only the second, or updated key is used to provide login services for users. The system periodically flushes old keys.
US07660420B1
A system and method for wireless device synchronization is provided. A default connection is established between a first wireless device and a second wireless using default connection values. Unique address information is exchanged over the default connection. A unique connection is established between the first wireless device and the second wireless device.
US07660418B2
A method and apparatus for controlling access to digital information utilizes a location identity attribute that defines a specific geographic location. The location identity attribute is associated with the digital information such that the digital information can be accessed only at the specific geographic location. The location identity attribute further includes a location value and a proximity value. The location value corresponds to a location of an intended recipient appliance of the digital information, and may be further defined in terms of latitude, longitude and altitude dimensions. The digital information is encrypted using a geolocking key based at least in part on the location identity attribute. The geolocking key is based on a shape parameter that is determined from the location identity attribute and is included with the encrypted digital information. The shape parameter describes a shape of a geographic area, but does not identify where the geographic area is located. The appliance that receives the encrypted digital information can generate the geolocking key to decrypt the digital information based on the received shape parameter and the appliance location. If the appliance location is not within the proximate area of the location identity attribute, the appliance will be unable to generate the geolocking key to decrypt the digital information.
US07660407B2
Systems and methods for scheduling contact center agents are provided. In this regard, a representative method includes: receiving information corresponding to work schedules and skills of agents of a remote contact center that shares contacts with a local contact center; correlating the skills with skills that are to be used for scheduling agents of the local contact center; and generating work schedules for the agents of the local contact center based, at least in part, on a correlation between the skills of the agents of the remote contact center and the local contact center, and an evaluation of the work schedules of the agents of the remote contact center.
US07660396B2
A splitter card having integral test access devices. The splitter card allows test access to be readily provided at any location where splitter cards are typically mounted (e.g., a splitter chassis).
US07660390B2
An x-ray diagnostics method is specified, in particular for use in angiography and cardiology, by means of which a particularly good image quality can be achieved in an easily manageable manner for the patient (P) and the medical personnel, at the same time as a comparatively low radiation exposure. Furthermore, a specific x-ray device (1) for implementing the method comprising an x-ray emitter (2), an x-ray detector (3) and a control unit (10) is specified to control the x-ray emitter (2). In this way the control unit (10) is allocated an operating element (15), by means of which a control parameter (S) characterizing the image quality, the detector input dose or the contrast noise ratio can be continuously varied, as a function of which a number of recording parameters (U,I,t,F) are set by means of the control device (10).
US07660383B2
A three dimensional image processing apparatus includes a storage unit storing data of images in different radiographing directions together with information concerning cardiac phases, a key image selection unit selecting key images from the images, a feature point designation unit designatting feature points on the selected key images in accordance with operation by an operator, and an image reconstruction unit reconstructing a three dimensional image from the images on the basis of positions of the designated feature points, wherein the key image selection unit selects, as the key images, a pair of images which are located at the same cardiac phase and whose radiographing directions are different by a substantially predetermined angle and images spaced apart from each other by an angle obtained by substantially equally dividing an interval between the pair of images by a predetermined number.
US07660382B2
The invention relates to an examination apparatus and a method for perfusion studies in a patient (1). According to the method, a rotational X-ray device (10) is moved on a closed, preferably non-planar trajectory (T) while continuously generating projections of the patient (1) after the injection of a contrast agent with an injection device (20). The projections are used by a data processing system (30) in a sliding window technique to reconstruct three-dimensional images of the body volume. The resulting sequence of 3D images may be displayed on a monitor (31) to reveal the desired information about the perfusion process.
US07660381B2
Scatter compensation is achieved in an X-ray imaging system by providing collimation means in the form of shutters (12) to collimate the primary X-ray beam (1) such that the radiation (8) transmitted through a subject (4) to be imaged is incident substantially centrally on the active part (14) of an image detector (3), so as to define an active border (14b), in respect of which scatter levels can be measured. An electrical signal (104) representative of the scatter level is subtracted from the electrical signal (7) representative of the radiation (8) transmitted through the subject, to obtain a scatter-compensated image signal (106).
US07660377B2
A device for providing a digital error signal, for a timing correction loop of a digital demodulator for digital transmission by phase modulation or amplitude and phase modulation, the device successively receiving pairs of digital signals representative of the components of complex signals, and having circuitry for providing a difference signal representative of the difference between the modulus of the complex signal corresponding to the last received pair of digital signals and the modulus of the complex signal corresponding to the previously-received pair of digital signals; circuitry for providing a weighting factor which depends on the angle between the complex signal corresponding to the last received pair of digital signals and the complex signal corresponding to the previously-received pair of digital signals; and circuitry for providing the error signal proportional to the product of the difference signal and of the weighting factor.
US07660375B2
By including plural receiving branches which are independently controllable for use in diversity reception or plural-channel simultaneous reception, a receiving device can be operated both as a diversity receiving device and as a plural-channel simultaneous receiving device.
US07660370B2
The present invention provides a wireless terminal apparatus, including a reception unit for receiving a multi-carrier signal generated by applying an N-point (where N is a natural number) inverse fast Fourier transform (IFFT) to a plurality of sub-carriers to which transmission information for a plurality of wireless terminal apparatuses is allocated; a fast Fourier transform unit for extracting a plurality of the sub-carriers from the multi-carrier signal; a thin-out unit, being placed at the front stage of the fast Fourier transform unit, capable of changing, from the N points, a sampling number of the multi-carrier signals which are digitalized; and a judgment unit for discerning, based on sub-carrier allocation information accompanying the multi-carrier signal, whether or not the sub-carrier of another wireless terminal apparatus overlaps with that of the wireless terminal apparatus itself in the case of changing the sampling number from the N points, and determining a sampling number for the thin-out unit.
US07660369B2
In a radio-controlled device for measuring time, a demodulating unit demodulates the time information from the received electric signal based on amplitude information of the target radio wave. The amplitude information is obtained from in-phase and quadrature-phase components of the target radio wave. A phase calculator calculates phase data associated with a phase of the target radio wave based on the in-phase and quadrature-phase components. A variability calculator calculates a variability of the phase data of the target radio wave relative to a reference phase. The reference phase changes at a constant rate in time according to a frequency error. The frequency error is contained in the reference signal relative to a frequency of the target carrier wave. A reception determining unit determines whether reception of the radio-controlled device is good based on the calculated variability.
US07660368B2
A system and method are provided for generating bit log likelihood ratio (LLR) values for two-layered Quadrature Phase-Shift Keying (QPSK) turbo decoding in a wireless communications user terminal (UT). The method includes receiving a two-layered QPSK signal with an energy ratio that is unknown, but typically defined as either k12 or k22. The method selects a mismatched energy ratio (k2) between k12 and k22, and generating bit LLR values for two-layered QPSK turbo decoding, using the mismatched k2 energy ratio. For example, if the received two-layered QPSK signal is known to have an energy ratio of about 4 or about 6.25. Then, k2 is selected to be about 5.0625. Alternately stated, the mismatched k2 energy ratio in selected by determining the approximate midpoint between k12 and k22.
US07660367B2
It is possible to use a frequency of a preferable propagation condition while reducing the other cell interference by hopping. A scheduler section (102) performs scheduling for deciding a user to whom data is transmitted, by using the CQI from each communication terminal device, selects a user signal to be transmitted in the next frame, and decides a sub-carrier block by which the transmission is performed. An MCS judgment section (103) selects a modulation method and a coding method from the CQI of the user signal selected. A sub-carrier block selection section (110) selects a sub-carrier block specified by the scheduler section (102) for each user signal. For each of the sub-carrier blocks, the hopping pattern is selected by FH-sequence selection sections (111-1 to 111-n). A sub-carrier mapping section (112) maps the user signal and the control data to the sub-carrier according to the hopping pattern selected.
US07660365B2
A communications device 100, which performs data communication, includes an AC cycle sensor 30 which is connected to a power line 106 supplied with an a.c. voltage and generates a synchronous signal SS at timing of an a.c. voltage waveform AC of the power line 106; a data communicator 10 for performing data communication; and a communications controller 20 which performs communication of a control signal including information showing at least one of a communications device and a communications standard and controls the data communicator 101. When the a.c. voltage supplied to the power line 106 is an N-phase and when the cycle of the a.c. voltage waveform is T, data communication to be performed in a communication period subsequent to the period is controlled on the basis of the control signal included in the period of T/2M on condition that M is a natural multiple of N.
US07660363B2
A lattice space time coding arrangement for transmission systems is disclosed which enables construction of lattice space time codes with improved error rate performance for arbitrary receiver structures.
US07660362B2
A method of communicating data to a receiving antenna from N transmitting antennas, where N is an integer, includes the steps of determining whether a legacy transmission mode has been selected, producing N data streams from outbound data, and applying the N data streams to a space/time encoder to produce N encoded signals. When the legacy transmission mode has not been selected, the N encoded signals are transmitting from N transmitting antennas and when the legacy transmission mode has been selected, the one encoded signal is transmitted from one of the N transmitting antennas. The legacy transmission mode allows receivers to receive and process transmitted signals when the receivers are only configured to receive the transmitted signals from a single transmitting antenna.
US07660352B2
An apparatus and method of decoding coded video bitstreams is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a first processor and a second processor configured to operate in parallel. The main processor receives the coded video bitstream, parses it, and calls the second processor to decode the coded video bitstream to retrieve macroblock data. If an error occurs during decoding, the second processor signals the first processor, which can instruct the second processor to perform an error recovery routine. The first processor the performs dequantization and inverse DCT to recover digital pixel data from the macroblocks so that an image formed from the digital pixel data can be later displayed on a monitor.
US07660346B1
An apparatus for enabling a connection over a serial interface is provided. The apparatus is a connector interface that includes a plurality of switches configured to cross-link signals to switch a straight-through connection to a null-modem connection. Additionally included is a microprocessor in communication with the plurality of switches, whereby the microprocessor is capable of interfacing with the plurality of switches to trigger the switch to the null-modem connection. Circuitry and a hardware implemented method for enabling a connection over a serial interface also are described.
US07660341B2
A receiver device for a modulated signal, suited in particular to a transmission system using a binary carrier phase modulation by means of a binary message on which a direct sequence spread spectrum operation has been carried out, this device comprising a first analog radio frequency part, transforming the signal received into a low-frequency, demodulated signal, said demodulated signal being applied to a second digital part of said device comprising an analog-to-digital converter and a filter matched to the spreading code used in order to delete the spreading applied to the original message, said device being characterized in that it includes an additional filtering unit, arranged between the analog-to-digital converter and the matched filter, said filtering unit implementing a stochastic matched filtering operation in order to improve the signal-to-noise ratio at the input of said matched filter.
US07660340B2
The method of receiver processing of CDMA signals in a CDMA system includes first converting a received signal in the time domain to a received signal in the frequency domain, and equalizing the received signal in the frequency domain using a set of frequency domain weights. The equalized received signal in the frequency domain is converted to an equalized received signal in the time domain. The set of frequency domain weights are adaptively adjusted at a symbol rate of the received signal in the time domain based on an error signal produced from the received signal in the frequency domain and a frequency domain representation of a known pilot signal of the CDMA system.
US07660338B2
Systems and methods are described for hybrid spread spectrum radio systems. A method, includes receiving a hybrid spread spectrum signal including: fast frequency hopping demodulating and direct sequence demodulating a direct sequence spread spectrum signal, wherein multiple frequency hops occur within a single data-bit time and each bit is represented by chip transmissions at multiple frequencies.
US07660337B2
A lifting apparatus for transporting a carbon based electrode having a threaded male end. The apparatus includes a casing having a top end and a bottom end. The casing defines an electrode aperture from the bottom end shaped to accept the threaded male end of the carbon based electrode to secure the lifting apparatus to the electrode. An attachment aperture is positioned in the top end while an attachment element is positioned in the attachment aperture and operatively engaging the top end of the casing. The attachment element is positioned to accept engagement from a crane or other powered lifting device, while the lifting apparatus is preferably manually attachable to the electrode.
US07660334B1
A data storage system includes a first storage processor for storing and retrieving data from a data storage array for at least one host computer; a second storage processor, coupled to the first storage processor by a communication link, for storing and retrieving data from the data storage array for the at least one host computer; a number M of multiplexers, M being greater than one, each of the multiplexers being coupled to the first storage processor and the second storage processor for receiving data signals from the first storage processor and the second storage processor and transmitting the data signals to a disk drive device; a number A of arbiters, each being coupled to the first storage processor, the second storage processor and a number N of the plurality of multiplexers, for receiving arbiter control signals from the first storage processor and the second storage processor and transmitting multiplexer control signals to each of the number N of the plurality of multiplexers; and a midplane device coupled between the plurality of multiplexers and the data storage array for transferring the data signals from the plurality of multiplexers to the data storage array. The first storage processor, the second storage processor, the plurality of multiplexers, the plurality of arbiters and the midplane are all mounted on a single printed circuit board.
US07660329B2
A method and apparatus for managing protocol information used in exchanging communications is provided. One or more protocol profiles are stored. Each of the protocol profiles is associated with a protocol. One or more transaction profiles are stored. Each of the transaction profiles identifies a combination of protocol profiles. One or more trading partner transaction profiles are stored. Each of the trading partner transaction profiles identifies a configuration of protocols for exchanging communications with a receiving party. After storing the profiles, a particular parameter value of a particular protocol profile is updated to identify an updated value without updating any of the transaction profiles. Updating the particular parameter value causes the updated value to be inherited by at least one of the transaction profiles. An application may obtain the updated value by accessing a profile that references the particular protocol profile.
US07660327B2
A method of operating in a network in which a plurality of stations communicate over a shared medium (e.g., using a carrier sense multiple access (CSMA) service). The stations contend for access to the shared medium using a contention procedure that relies on a priority level, wherein transmissions with a lower priority level have a reduced chance of gaining access to the shared medium during a contention process. Selected stations are given the capability of temporarily promoting the priority level of transmissions they are attempting to make. The priority level is increased during an interval to reduce the chance that other stations gain access to the shared medium during that interval, and the priority level is restored to its normal level following the interval.
US07660324B2
In a virtual network construction method, a virtual network construction system, and a relaying apparatus within a public data communication network, control packets each having set a multicast address are multicast, and upon reception of the control packets by the relaying apparatuses belonging to the multicast address group, virtual links to the transmitting sources of the control packets are established and reply packets are returned through the virtual links, whereby the virtual links are established between all of the relaying apparatuses belonging to the multicast address group to establish the virtual network.
US07660323B2
A network unit for the reception and forwarding of data packets and for use in a stack of similar units includes a data processor and cascade control logic for the exchange of control frames with others of said units in the stack. The cascade control logic is operative to cooperate by means of the control frames in an automatic process for incrementally applying stack numbers to the units in the stack. The cascade control logic can retain a stack number in storage and the data processor is operative to execute a program to apply to the network unit and the other units progressive stack numbers which accommodate previously applied and retained stack numbers. The network unit can act as a master applying the program to the other units and as a slave whereupon it receives a stack number determined by another unit in the stack. The program may determine the validity of a set of numbers applied to units in the stack by computing the aggregate of numbering gaps between numbered units and comparing the aggregate with a predetermined maximum. The program distinguishes between units which are in an automatic numbering mode and a non-automatic numbering mode and disregards units in the non-automatic numbering mode in the application of progressive stack numbers.
US07660314B2
A router for interconnecting external devices coupled to the router. The router comprises: i) a switch fabric; ii) a plurality of routing nodes coupled to the switch fabric, wherein each of the plurality of routing nodes is capable of exchanging data packets with the external devices and with other ones of the plurality of routing nodes via the switch fabric; and iii) a first control processor associated with a first one of the plurality of routing nodes capable of generating a first refined redistribution metric associated with a first route in a routing table of the first routing node. The first control processor generates the first refined redistribution metric based on 1) a first default redistribution metric associated with a first routing protocol associated with the first route and 2) a first routing protocol metric received from the first routing protocol associated with the first route.
US07660310B1
In an embodiment of the invention, a technique for indexing data is disclosed. The technique comprises receiving packets; counting the received packets; determining whether there is a pattern associated with the received packets; and using a first algorithm if it is determined that there is a pattern.
US07660306B1
The present invention is in the field of virtualization of Network Interface Cards and Controllers (NIC) that connect to for example a host computer that can have multiple functions and OS's (referred to as guest functions and guest-OS's) running on it simultaneously and, in particular, relates to the virtualization of the operation of a single NIC such that it can be used simultaneously by multiple guests in such a manner that memory references due to the network traffic originating from and destined to a particular guest is kept separate from other network traffic, and that allows the Media Access Controller (MAC) within the NIC to operate such that it only accepts network packets that are destined to one of the guest-functions or guest-OS's, and the MAC is not required to operate in promiscuous mode where it accept all incoming packets in order to implement the virtualization features.
US07660304B2
A point-to-multipoint network interface is provided that is simpler and less costly to implement than conventional Ethernet switches. The interface includes a plurality of downstream transmitters for transmitting data packets to a plurality of end user devices, a plurality of downstream receivers for receiving data packets from the plurality of end user devices, an upstream transmitter and an upstream receiver. A multiplexer within the interface multiplexes data packets received from the end user devices into a stream of data packets for transmission to a higher level node regardless of the destination address of the data packets. Conversely, a demultiplexer within the interface demultiplexes a stream of data packets received from the higher level node into individual data packets for selective transmission to one of the plurality of end user devices. The interface can support asymmetrical transmission rates on the upstream and downstream channels between the interface and the end user devices.
US07660303B2
A method for communication includes coupling a group of switches in a Layer-2 bridged network. The interfaces of the switches are configured so that at least one interface of at least one of the switches is configured as a first interface type, and a plurality of other interfaces are configured as a second interface type. Upon receiving frames through the interfaces of the first and second types for transmission over the network, the received frames are labeled with corresponding first and second type indications. The frames are forwarded through the Layer-2 bridged network using the switches responsively to the type indications. Frames labeled with the second type indication are permitted to be transmitted through the interfaces of the first type and prevented from being transmitted through the interfaces of the second type.
US07660300B2
A polyphase circulating switch includes switch modules interconnected through a multiplicity of rotators preferably arranged in complementary groups of opposite rotation directions. A polyphase circulating switch having a low switching delay is derived from a multi-rotator circulating switch by providing programmable rotators having adjustable relative rotator-cycle phases. A low delay high-capacity switch may also be constructed from prior-art medium-capacity rotator space switches with mutually phase-shifted rotation cycles. A network comprising several constellations of switch modules distributed over a wide geographic area, where the switch modules of each constellation are interconnected through a rotator assembly, is also disclosed. A rotator assembly may comprise an array of rotators and a master controller for data-transfer scheduling and time-coordination.
US07660297B2
A system for forwarding packed-based media in a network, the system comprising: a) at least one forwarder, configured to extract at least one packet of media from at least one media source accessible to the forwarder, and to forward the extracted packet of media to at least one capture device, and b) a forwarding manager, communicating with the forwarder, using a predefined protocol, the communicating comprising receiving media accessibility information relating to the forwarder and the at least one media source accessible to the forwarder and receiving a request identifying a media source, and configured to list at least one of the forwarders, wherein the listed forwarders are usable for forwarding the at least one packet of media from the identified media source according to the media accessibility information.
US07660296B2
Reliable, high-throughput, high-performance transport and routing mechanism for arbitrary data flows
The present invention leverages an existing content delivery network infrastructure to provide a system that enhances performance for any application that uses the Internet Protocol (IP) as its underlying transport mechanism. An overlay network comprises a set of edge nodes, intermediate nodes, and gateway nodes. This network provides optimized routing of IP packets. Internet application users can use the overlay to obtain improved performance during normal network conditions, to obtain or maintain good performance where normal default BGP routing would otherwise force the user over congested or poorly performing paths, or to enable the user to maintain communications to a target server application even during network outages.
US07660286B2
Managing packet data network jitter is disclosed. A first call data associated with a mobile network communication session is received. A second call data that is older than the first call data is dropped from a buffer if required to make room in the buffer for the first call data.
US07660278B2
Embodiments of methods and apparatus for providing a roaming support system are generally described herein. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.
US07660265B2
A network, method, and a method of providing a service for packet inspection and forwarding using multi-protocol label switching for a virtual private network in a public network. The network includes a first router, the first router being a provider edge multi-protocol label switching capable router, the first router including a firewall service module for inspection of packets, the firewall service module connected to one or more virtual private networks; one or more second routers, each second router of the one or more second routers being provider edge multi-protocol label switching capable routers, each second router connected to a private virtual network of the one or more virtual private networks; and a network connecting the first router to the one or more second routers.
US07660263B1
A system and method for graphically representing associations between wireless network devices in a way that visually indicates the maximum amount of throughput between the associated devices, as well as a channel that is currently selected for communications between the associated devices. The thickness of a line between the associated devices may indicate the maximum throughput between the devices, whereas the color of the line may indicate the channel on which the associated devices are currently communicating. Other visual characteristics of lines generated between associated devices may be used to visually represent maximum possible throughput and current channel selection. Associations between the devices in the wireless network may be determined by checking a list of associated stations maintained in each access point.
US07660262B2
This invention provides an improved data transferring method performed in a communication network comprising a management system M1 and a plurality of nodes K1-K3. Since the management system M1 collectively manages the algorithm information that indicates algorithm possessed in each node, if the fist node does not have algorithm needed for processing a certain packet, the first node can find the second node having the algorithm by inquiring the network management element M1. In addition, the first node can transfer the certain packet to the second node to process the certain packet by using the algorithm.
US07660247B2
Methods and systems for dynamically adjusting credits used to distribute available bus bandwidth among multiple virtual channels, based on the workload of each virtual channel, are provided. Accordingly, for some embodiments, virtual channels with higher workloads relative to other virtual channels may receive a higher allocation of bus bandwidth (more credits).
US07660245B1
In a packet communications system stream data is transported over a channel over which packet loss or corruption is possible, with forward error correction (“FEC”) information. A transmitter receives source packets comprising source data, generates FEC source packets formatted to allow for identification of lost or corrupted source packets at a receiver, arranges source data from the source packets into a plurality of source symbols wherein at least one source packet is arranged into more than one source symbol, associates a plurality of source symbols with a source block, generates a plurality of repair symbols from the source block according to a predetermined FEC encoding process and groups the plurality of repair symbols into one or more FEC repair packets associated with the source block. A receiver can use the FEC repair symbols from the FEC repair packets to recover source symbols, as needed.
US07660235B2
A fast shared path allocation technique is disclosed. Network nodes are pre-configured such that data from multiple data sources or multiple primary data paths may be sent via a shared secondary data path. Merge nodes merge input from a plurality of input ports onto an output port. The merge nodes implement a blocking function such that upon receipt of a signal from one of the input ports, the signals from the other input ports are blocked from reaching the output port. Upon a triggering event indicating a need to allocate the shared path, the data is first sent to the merge node where it is appropriately merged onto the output link and transmitted towards its destination. Only after the data has been sent does the merge node block the remaining input ports from reaching the output port. This blocking may be performed automatically by the merge node or by conventional network signaling.
US07660233B2
A method for reporting and responding to dial-up connectivity problems can include the step of establishing a voice connection between a caller and an automated response system. The caller can be automatically prompted for a dial-up access number that is problematic for the caller. A determination can be automatically made as to whether the received dial-up access number is valid. A potential problem can be automatically reported to a network operations center responsible for the access number via a data connection. The caller can be automatically presented with at least one alternative dial-up access number via the voice connection.
US07660229B2
Embodiments of the invention provide method and apparatus for generating a structure in an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing OFDM communication system having a transmitter with one or more transmitting antennas. The method includes composing a frame with a time domain and a frequency domain. The frame has a transmission time interval in the time domain and occupies a bandwidth in the frequency domain. The transmission time interval has multiple orthogonal frequency division multiplexing symbols. A pilot signal is located from a transmitting antenna into two non-consecutive orthogonal frequency division multiplexing symbols of the frame.
US07660228B2
The present invention relates to a transmitting device and a receiving device in a wireless orthogonal frequency division multiplex (OFDM) communication system with space time transmit diversity (STTD). Further, the present invention relates to a channel estimation method for performing a channel estimation in such a wireless communication system, in which the transmitting device comprises a first and a second antenna for transmitting signals with space time transmit diversity. The first and the second antenna means are arranged spaced apart from each other in a space diversity arrangement, whereby first and second pilot symbols are transmitted via said first and said second antenna means, respectively. Some of the second pilot symbols are orthogonal to corresponding ones of the first pilot symbols, so that a channel estimation to separately determine the transmission quality of signals transmitted from the first and the second antenna means, respectively, can be performed in a receiving device which receives the signals with only one single antenna.
US07660226B2
The present invention discloses an optical system for extracting signal light components from a beam including the signal light components and stray light components. The optical system includes a condensing optical element situated on an optical path of the beam for condensing the beam, a polarization changing unit for changing the state of polarization of at least one of the signal light components and the stray light components included in the incident beam transmitted through the condensing optical element, and an extracting element for extracting the signal light components included in the beam transmitted through the polarization changing unit.
US07660224B2
A loss of performance of slicer adaptation at high capacities due to the mismatch between the exact bits used in the computation of the RDS for the DC-control on the one hand and the often erroneous threshold decisions that are preliminarily made based on the HF waveform on the other hand, is resolved by performing a new method of DC-control at the encoder: the RDS is modified such that it is not based on the exact channel bits, but on the threshold decisions from a synthetic HF signal waveform that is generated based on a nominal MTF (modulation transfer function) or its IRF (impulse response function) of the channel. In this way, the impact of the erroneous threshold decisions in the receiver are already taken into account at the encoder, and the slicer control is no longer negatively affected thereby.
US07660218B2
In certain inventive aspects there are provided an optical recording method, an evaluation indicator acquiring method, an optical recording apparatus, and a CPU device, which can save a test time before recording information. An irradiation condition suitable for recording information on a first recording layer is extracted by recording and reproducing test information. The test information is recorded on and reproduced from a second recording layer. The irradiation condition suitable for recording information on the second recording layer is extracted on the basis of the test result for the first recording layer and the test result for the second recording layer. Accordingly, it is possible to save the test time for extracting the irradiation condition of the second recording layer.
US07660213B2
A focus layer jump control circuit may include a signal processing block that converts an analog focus error (FE) signal into a digital FE signal, in response to the analog FE signal and a FE selection signal; a layer jump control block that outputs a second control signal, in response to the digital FE signal and a reference clock signal; a focus main filter block that outputs first and second compensation signals that amplify the digital FE signal and that compensate for a phase of the digital FE signal, in response to an internal selection signal; an exponent signal generator that generates an exponent signal, in response to a focus layer jump indicating signal and a first control signal; and an output circuit that outputs a first-order difference signal using the exponent signal, the first compensation signal, and the second compensation signal, in response to the second control signal.
US07660211B2
A servo control apparatus includes: a drive section that applies a thrust to move a driven object; a storage section that stores a control circuit output initial value; an approaching control section that moves the driven object toward a target position; an error signal detection section that detects an error signal varying according to a difference between the position of the driven object and the target position; a start position calculation section that calculates a start position of a servo control process; an arrival detection section that detects whether the driven object reaches the start position; a control circuit initial value calculation section that calculates a control circuit initial value of a control system and supplies it to a control circuit of the control system; and a servo control starting section that starts the servo control process when detecting that the driven object has reached the start position.
US07660207B1
An alarm clock radio is provided that handles downloaded audio files and streaming digital audio files. The alarm clock radio may have buttons and displays that allow the user to adjust various alarm clock radio settings. The user may also adjust settings remotely over the Internet or over an in-home network. The user may customize the audio content that is provided with the alarm clock radio. Advertisements may be provided to the user. The user may be provided with an opportunity to subscribe to a content service. Content such as Internet radio station content, e-mail, news and other audio content may be provided to the user from the service. The user may set reminders for particular times and dates using the alarm clock radio. The alarm clock radio may also have a telephone handset. The alarm clock radio may have buttons and knobs and may provide on-screen options that allow the user to tune to AM and FM and Internet radio stations and to control the operation of the alarm clock radio.
US07660206B2
Methods and apparatus for cable termination and sensor integration at a sensor station within an ocean bottom seismic (OBS) cable array are disclosed. The sensor stations include a housing for various sensor components. Additionally, the sensor stations can accommodate an excess length of any data transmission members which may not be cut at the sensor station while enabling connection of one or more cut data transmission members with the sensor components. The sensor stations further manage any strength elements of the cable array.
US07660193B2
A seismic cable (110) and a method for producing a seismic cable are disclosed. The seismic cable (110) comprises a sensor module (130); at least one lead (210) to or from the sensor module (130); a stress member (225) extending continuously through the sensor module (130); and a sheath (230) enclosing the leads (210) and the stress member (225), the sheath (230) terminating at each end of the sensor module (130), and at least one mechanical guide (240) in the sensor module (130) deflecting the stress member (230). The method comprises providing a cable core including a stress member (225) and a lead (210); enclosing the cable core in a sheath (230); providing an opening in the sheath (230); and assembling a sensor module (130) to the cable core over the opening such that the stress member (225) extends continuously through the sensor module (130).
US07660191B2
Methods and apparatus for acquiring marine seismic data are described. One method comprises selecting tow depth of one or more marine seismic streamers based at least in part on lack of or presence of currents at different depths, and allowing the current to contribute to steering the streamers to desired lateral positions at the selected tow depth. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract, which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.
US07660176B2
A semiconductor memory device includes a write driver, a first precharging unit, and a second precharging unit. The write driver loads data applied to a first data line onto a second data line. The first precharging unit precharges the second data line to a precharging voltage in response to a precharging signal. The second precharging unit overdrives the second data line to a voltage higher than the precharging voltage in response to an overdriving signal enabled for a predetermined time period during an initial precharging interval of the second data line.
US07660174B2
A semiconductor memory device includes an enable signal generator configured to generate an enable signal in response to a plurality of burn-in test signals; a test mode signal generator configured to generate a plurality of peripheral region test mode signals and a plurality of core region test mode signals corresponding to the burn-in test signals in response to the enable signal; a core region controller configured to control circuits in a core region in response to the core region test mode signals; and a peripheral region controller configured to control circuits in a peripheral region in response to the peripheral region test mode signals.
US07660170B2
A non-volatile memory device includes a latch unit, a non-volatile memory cell array configured to store data, and a control unit. The control unit is configured to receive a read command and a read address output from a memory controller, generate a data strobe signal based on the received read command, read data corresponding to the received read address from the non-volatile memory cell array, and output the read data to the latch unit. The latch unit is configured to output the data output from the control unit to the memory controller in response to the data strobe signal. Related methods of operation are also discussed.
US07660166B2
Data are stored in cells of a flash memory by assigning a first portion of the data to be stored in a first cell and a second portion of the data to be stored in one or more second cells. The first cell is programmed to store the first portion in accordance with the second portion. The second cell(s) is/are programmed to store the second portion. At least a portion of the programming of the first cell is effected before any of the programming of the second cell(s).
US07660163B2
A method of verifying an initial state of a non-volatile memory device, a command for verify an initial state of a unit and a unit address corresponding to the unit received from a memory controller. An initial state of memory cells, which correspond to the unit address, is verified in response to the command. A verification result of the unit is transmitted to the memory controller.
US07660159B2
Methods and devices for programming control information perform a lower-speed programming of a given cell type in a first area of memory array, confirm a result of the lower-speed programming of the given cell type in the first area of memory array, and perform a higher-speed programming of the given cell type in a second area of memory array after confirming the result of the lower-speed programming. An initial programming voltage of the higher-speed programming may be different from that of the lower-speed programming. The first programming may be a lower-speed operation, such as the writing of data, and the second programming may be a higher-speed operation, such as the writing of control information.
US07660149B2
This invention discloses a dual port static random access memory (SRAM) cell, which comprises at least one inverter coupled between a positive supply voltage (Vcc) and a complementary low supply voltage (Vss) and having an input and an output terminals, at least one PMOS transistor with its gate, source and drain connected to the output terminal, Vcc and input terminal, respectively, a write port connected to the input terminal and having a write-word-line, a write-enable and a write-bit-line, and a read port connected to either the input or output terminal and having a read-word-line and a read-bit-line.
US07660148B2
A nonvolatile memory device is disclosed. The nonvolatile memory device includes a source selector transistor connected at one end thereof to a source line, a plurality of cell selector transistors connected in series with each other and to the other end of said source selector transistor and a basic memory unit including a variable resistor element which is constituted as a memory element to store bit information and is provided for each of said cell selector transistors, being connected at one end thereof to the drain terminal of said cell selector transistor and connected at the other end thereof to the bit line. The source selector transistor and said cell selector transistor provided between one end of said variable resistor element to be accessed and said source line are controlled to turn on.
US07660145B2
An object of the present invention is to provide nonvolatile, rewritable, easily-manufactured, and inexpensive storage element, storage device, and semiconductor device, which are superior in switching characteristics and which has low operation voltage. In an element including a first conductive layer, a second conductive layer facing the first conductive layer, and a layer containing at least one kind of an organic compound provided between the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer, the organic compound can be electrochemically doped or dedoped. By feeding current in this element, the organic compound provided between the conductive layers is electrochemically doped, i.e., electrons are transported, whereby the conductivity can be increased by about three to ten digits.
US07660142B2
A method of operating an electronic device includes storing a first plurality of bits of digital information in a memory using a first number of memory cells in parallel. The first plurality of bits of digital information are for operating the device when operating parameters are not within a nominal range. The method also includes storing a second plurality of bits of digital information in the memory using a second number of memory cells in parallel. The second plurality of bits of digital information are for operating the device when operating parameters are within a nominal range.
US07660140B1
A content addressable memory (CAM) device includes a plurality of CAM rows, a number of sequencing logic circuits, and a programmable interconnect structure. Each CAM row includes a number of CAM cells to generate a match signal on a match line and includes an enable input. Each sequencing logic circuit includes an input and an output, and is configured to count sequences of match signals from the CAM rows. The programmable interconnect structure selectively connects the match line of any CAM row to the input of any sequencing logic circuit, and selectively connects the output of any sequencing logic circuit to the enable input of any CAM row.
US07660131B2
An interface couples a host device and a peripheral device. The interface includes at least one tab integrally formed and extending from a main body of a printed circuit board. The at least one tab has a plurality of contact pads. The interface also includes at least one keying feature integrally formed with an enclosure of the peripheral device. The at least one keying feature configured to guide a receptacle connector of the host device into connection with the plurality of contact pads on the at least one tab.
US07660126B2
A flexible printed circuit board is robust to a repeated twisting and consists of a minute circuit printed on a flexible insulated material sheet, and has the bent parts of the opposite edges symmetrical in structure. The bent parts are straightened out when twisting occurs. In the flexible printed circuit board, the opposite edges are longer in length than the middle part such that the tensile deformation at the opposite edges at the time of twisting does not occur or is minimized.
US07660115B2
A fan docking collar for sealing between a fan housing of a fan and an enclosure wall to improve fan performance by preventing flow recirculation. The docking collar includes a pliable body that defines an opening for air flow. The body has a seal for mating with the fan housing and a rim for sealing against the enclosure wall.
US07660104B2
A user interface component for use in an electronic device is disclosed. The electronic device includes a first part and a second part. The user interface component may include a structural part configured to provide structural stiffness for the user interface component. The structural part may include an aperture. The aperture may allow a fastener to pass through the structural part to couple the first part with the second part without removing the structural part from the electronic device. The aperture may also allow the fastener to be removed from the electronic device through the structural part without removing the structural part from the electronic device. The user interface component may also include a cover detachably coupled with the structural part. The cover may cover the aperture and may receive user input.
US07660100B2
A through-type multilayer capacitor array comprises a capacitor body, and two first signal terminal electrodes, two second signal terminal electrodes, two grounding terminal electrodes, a first outer connecting conductor, and a second outer connecting conductor. The capacitor body includes a grounding inner electrode, and first to fourth signal inner electrodes. The grounding inner electrode is arranged to oppose the first or second signal inner electrode with an insulator layer in between and oppose the third or fourth signal inner electrode with an insulator layer in between while being connected to the grounding terminal electrodes. The first signal inner electrode is connected to the first signal terminal electrodes and first outer connecting conductor. The third signal inner electrode is connected to the second signal terminal electrodes and the second outer connecting conductor. The second and fourth signal inner electrodes are respectively connected to the first and second outer connecting conductor.
US07660099B2
A case molded capacitor has a metallized film capacitor, a pair of bus bars, a resin-made internal case, molding resin, a metal external case, and a buffer material layer. The bus bars are each connected to respective one of electrodes of the metallized film capacitor. The internal case contains the metallized film capacitor. The metallized film capacitor is submerged with molding resin in the internal case so as to expose parts of the bus bars. The external case contains the internal case and both cases are connected at a connecting part. A buffer material layer is put in a gap made at least at a part between the internal case and the external case.
US07660096B2
In a composite electrical circuit protection device, thermal coupling between a planar PPTC element and a planar MOV element is controlled by insertion of a thermal mass material for regulating heat transfer from the MOV element to the PPTC element, such that a PPTC resistor hot zone forms consistently away from the planar major foil electrode confronting the MOV thereby regulating heat transfer from the MOV to the PPTC resistor.
US07660090B1
A circuit for voltage transient protection is provided. The circuit includes a voltage divider, a low-voltage reset circuit, and an input transistor. The input transistor receives an input voltage at the source of the input transistor, and provides a protected input voltage at the drain of the input transistor. The voltage divider provides a threshold voltage from the input voltage. The low-voltage reset circuit receives the threshold voltage. The low-voltage reset circuit causes the gate and source of the input transistor to short together when the low-voltage reset circuit is not in a reset state.
US07660084B2
Disclosed are an electric energy storage device having a good cycle characteristic and a temperature characteristic and a method of charging and discharging the electric energy storage device. The electric energy storage device including a capacitor and a secondary battery combined in series is provided. When the capacitor of the electric energy storage device is an electric double layer capacitor, the capacitor is used to the voltage of OV or less to increase an available energy usage.
US07660072B2
A magnetic head includes a substrate having a first tape bearing surface and a second (outrigger) tape bearing surface, preferably with a slot therebetween. A plurality of elements (readers and/or writers) are coupled to the substrate and positioned towards the first tape bearing surface. The first and second tape bearing surfaces lie along planes, the planes being offset from one another spatially and/or angularly. The second tape bearing surface, like typical flat profile heads, induces a small spacing between a tape passing thereover and its tape bearing surface. The second tape bearing surface is positioned below the plane of the first tape bearing surface, thereby creating the proper wrap angle of the tape relative to the first tape bearing surface.
US07660069B2
In an embodiment, a method is provided for improving signal and transducer alignment in a magnetic tape drive. The method includes writing a first track and a second track to a tape. Each track has an associated track characteristic, which may include fundamental frequency and test binary pattern, among other characteristics. The tracks are adjacent and substantially parallel to one another, and each track has a differing track characteristic value. Each track is read at multiple tracking positions to collect values corresponding to each position. An optimal offset is determined based on the collected values and the corresponding tracking positions. In another embodiment, a magnetic tape drive includes a data reader, a data writer, a processor, and a computer readable medium. The medium has stored instructions, executable by the processor, for carrying out the described method.
US07660066B2
A time measuring unit measures a duration time of a state relating to the detection of the abnormality when the head is retracted. A head-return determining unit determines whether to return the head onto the storage medium based on the measured duration time.
US07660064B2
A hard disk drive write driver circuit is described that can change the output impedance of the write driver by use of a lookup table of control values. A control value is selected from the lookup table by using an address based on a dynamic system variable and a program controlled value. The dynamic system variable is converted to a digital representation. The digital representation and a portion of the program controlled value are used as an address to the lookup table to select a control value. The write driver is responsive to the selected control value to control overshoot current. A method to digitally program the output impedance of a preamp write driver based on realistic operating data is also discussed. An additional approach to controlling overshoot current in a write driver through digital control of overshoot duration is also described.
US07660060B2
One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that dynamically controls a temperature profile within a disk drive by generating disk drive activity. During operation, the system first receives a desired temperature profile. Next, the system generates a load profile based on the desired temperature profile, wherein the load profile specifies read/write operations on the disk drive. The system then applies the load profile to the disk drive to generate disk drive activity, wherein the disk activity causes the temperature in the disk drive to track the desired temperature profile.
US07660048B1
The invention is aimed at providing a lens having a wider angle of view, increased relative aperture, and higher quality of images. To achieve this technical object, there is a wide-angle lens with a large relative aperture, which contains an aperture diaphragm and seven optical components arranged along the pathway of luminous radiation from the object to the image as follows: the first positive component, the second one, which is a negative meniscus having the concave surface facing the image side, the third negative component, the fourth and the fifth components, the sixth negative component, the seventh positive component, and the aperture diaphragm located between the fifth and the sixth components, wherein the fourth component has a negative power and is made up of two lenses cemented together, the first lens being a biconcave one and the second lens being a biconvex one, the fifth component is a biconvex lens having a positive power, the sixth component is a single biconcave lens, the seventh component is a meniscus with its concave surface facing the object, and after the seventh component several additional ones are introduced, i.e. the eighth component, which is a biconvex lens, the ninth component having a positive power, which is cemented of two lenses, of which the first is a negative meniscus with its concave surface facing the image, and the second one is positive, the tenth component, which is a negative meniscus with its convex surface facing the image, and the eleventh component having a positive power, which is built up of two lenses cemented together, the first lens being a positive biconvex one and the second lens being a negative biconcave one.
US07660046B2
A lens barrel, includes: an image pickup optical system comprising a plurality of lens groups; a plurality of barrel members which house the image pickup optical system therein; and a drive source which moves at least two lens groups in the image pickup optical system in a direction of an optical axis, wherein the plurality of barrel members are split from each other into one on an object side with respect to the optical axis and one on an image surface side with respect to the optical axis, and the plurality of barrel members are fixed by a holding member of the drive source, the holding member being formed integrally with the drive source.
US07660042B2
Laser beams emitted by a plurality of laser sources are divided into a plurality of sub-beams, which are irradiated onto selected portions of an amorphous semiconductor on a substrate to crystallize the amorphous semiconductor. A difference in diverging angles between the laser beams is corrected by a beam expander. The apparatus includes a sub-beam selective irradiating system including a sub-beam dividing assembly and a sub-beam focussing assembly. Also, the apparatus includes laser sources, a focussing optical system, and a combining optical system. A stage for supporting a substrate includes a plurality of first stage members, a second stage member disposed above the first stage members, and a third stage member 38C, rotatably disposed above the second stage to support an amorphous semiconductor.
US07660040B2
A diffuse reflective article is provided including a diffuse reflector of light positioned within a structure defining an optical cavity. The diffuse reflector is a nonwoven sheet containing a plurality of inter-fiber and intra-fiber pores of optimal light scattering dimension. Also provided is an optical display, including: (i) a structure defining an optical cavity; (ii) a light source positioned within the optical cavity; (iii) a display panel through which light from the light source passes; and (iv) a diffuse reflector positioned within the optical cavity for reflecting light from the light source toward the display panel, wherein the diffuse reflector is a nonwoven sheet containing a plurality of inter-fiber and intra-fiber pores of optimal light scattering dimension.
US07660038B2
In a three-dimensional image display device for displaying color three-dimensional images, a fly eye lens, a display panel, and a light source are provided in this order from the observer side. A display panel has four pixels arrayed in a (2×2) matrix correlated with one lens element of the fly eye lens. In the event that j is a natural number, a pixel magnifying projection width e in a second direction is set in a range of the following expression according to mean interpupillary distance Y of the observers. e 3 ≠ Y 2 × j
US07660030B2
In order to provide a reciprocating optical modulation system capable of obtaining a broad bandwidth, a reciprocating optical modulation system (1) of the present invention is basically provided with an optical modulator (2) modulating an output light by controlling one of an intensity, a phase and a frequency of an input light; a first fiber grating (3) transmitting a light of a predetermined frequency domain among lights inputted to and outputted from the optical modulator while reflecting lights of other frequencies; a second fiber grating (4) transmitting a light of a predetermined frequency domain among lights inputted to and outputted from the optical modulator while reflecting lights of other frequencies; and a signal source (5) generating a modulating signal to be inputted to the optical modulator (2).
US07660029B2
Tunable photonic crystals offer an interesting possibility to adjust the photonic band gap (PBG) as per requirement. Various methods of achieving this have been tried that include polarization of liquid crystals, thermal effects and more. Chromogenic devices provided in accordance with the present invention include combinations and subcombinations of electrochromic, photochromic, thermochromic devices featuring TMO based inverse opals having tunable photonic band gaps (PBG) for certain frequencies. Electrochromic (EC) materials in which a reversible optical property change can be induced with the application of a small electric field offer a novel possibility to tune the PBG in a controlled and reversible way. The reversible chemical change and the ensuing change of optical constants in these periodically arranged EC materials make the PBG tunability possible. In a recent work we have demonstrated for the first time the PBG tunability of EC materials deposited in the form of periodic inverse opals. This earlier work was carried out with the well known Tungsten Trioxide (WO3) EC thin films into which lithium intercalation was done by a dry lithiation method. In the present work we report on the fabrication of a simple tunable photonic crystal device based on electrochemical insertion/extraction of lithium based on WO3 inverse opals.
US07660026B2
The invention is directed to a method for forming a flexible electro-optic film. The method comprises steps of providing a first substrate having a conductive layer formed thereon and then forming a first locating structure over the conductive layer, wherein the locating structure includes target regions and periphery regions. The surface tension of the target regions is difference from that of the periphery regions. Thereafter, an electro-optic medium placing process for forming an electro-optic droplet on each of the target regions is performed. A solidifying process for forming a capsule wall covering the electro-optic droplet on each of the target regions is performed. The first substrate is laminated with a second substrate.
US07660025B2
Provided are a reflective unit using an electroactive polymer and a flexible display. The reflective unit includes: an electroactive polymer layer which becomes strained when a voltage is applied thereto by an electrode; a light reflecting unit reflecting external light and having reflecting cells arranged on the electroactive polymer layer to be spaced apart from one another wherein a distance between the reflecting cells is changed according to the strain of the electroactive polymer layer; and a light blocking layer preventing external light from being reflected by the light reflecting unit and having blocking cells arranged over the light reflecting unit to be spaced apart from one another.
US07660024B2
An autostereoscopic three-dimensional liquid crystal display system and a method of making the system. The system includes a collimated backlight, a first light diffracting hologram, a second right-left interlacing hologram and a liquid crystal display. If the backlight is not collimated, a micro-collimator array is used to collimate the backlight prior to passing into the first hologram. The second right-left interlacing hologram is formed through a two step process. The process comprises positioning a photolithographic mask and a view region mask in a first position, recording the first holographic recording in the first position, shifting the photolithographic mask and the view region mask to a second position and recording the second holographic recording in the second position.
US07660022B2
Electro-optical device, image printing apparatus, and method of manufacturing electro-optical device
An electro-optical device includes an electro-optical panel which has a plurality of electro-optical elements whose light-emitting characteristics or transmissive characteristics are changed by electrical energy applied; and a converging lens array which has a plurality of distributed index lenses, each transmitting light traveling from the electro-optical panel to form an erect image with respect to an image on the electro-optical panel, the images formed by the plurality of distributed index lenses constituting a continuous image. The electro-optical panel is directly bonded to the converging lens array.
US07660017B2
An image processor for converts input grayscale values into output grayscale values having two or more grayscales by dividing an input image into pixel groups each including pixels and applying a dither matrix to each pixel group a center of gravity position of the pixel group from the input grayscale value of each pixel included in the pixel group; the center of the dither matrix on the center of gravity position of the pixel group; and output the output grayscale values by corresponding the positioned dither matrix and the input grayscale value of each pixel included in the pixel group. By this, the center of the dither matrix is positioned on the center of gravity position of the pixel group. So dots are generated at the most appropriate positions to reproduce an input image faithfully.
US07660015B2
A color conversion apparatus receives red-green-blue color data, calculates characteristic information and first hue region data from the color data, adjusts the first hue region data according to the characteristic information to obtain second to N-th hue region data, N being an integer equal to or greater than three, generates matrix coefficients for the second to N-th hue region data, and performs a matrix operation on the second to N-th hue region data to obtain color data with four or more color components. Color data with three primary components are thereby converted to color data with four or more primary components by simple calculations, without using a large amount of memory space.
US07660013B2
A first recipe (10) is converted using a first colorant set to a second recipe (50) using a second colorant set. The first recipe (10) is converted into a CIE_Lab estimate (30) using a first model and a first database (20). The CIE_Lab estimate (30) is converted into the second recipe (50) using a second model and second database (40).
US07660011B2
Provided is an optical imaging pen configured to detect information encoded on a page with ink which is substantially invisible to the human eye. The pen includes a housing and an ink pen cartridge and a stylus mounted side by side within the housing, the ink cartridge and stylus configured to be brought forward through an open end of the housing by rotation of a pen top rotatably mounted on an end of the housing. The pen includes an electronics chassis mounted inside the housing, said chassis supporting an infrared LED for providing infrared radiation for projection onto the page, an image sensor for receiving reflected radiation from the surface, a radio frequency circuit having a radio frequency (RF) transmitter and receiver, and a controller circuit for controlling operation of the LED, sensor and radio frequency circuit. Also included is a rechargeable battery mounted about, and in contact with, the electronics chassis with an induction coil mounted about the chassis to enable induction recharging of the battery.
US07660009B2
A communication apparatus includes receiving means for receiving image data and accompanying communication information, primary storage means for temporarily storing them, secondary storage means having a greater storage capacity than the primary storage means, forwarding means for converting the image data to a standard format and forwarding it with the communication information, network communication means for transmitting the standard format image data with the communication information to the server apparatus. The communication apparatus further includes retransmitting means operable in case of a failure of transmission. The retransmission means saves the image data and communication information stored in the primary storage means in the secondary storage means, deletes the image data from the primary storage means, converts the saved image data into a standard format, retransmits the standard format image data to the server apparatus with the communication information and repeats retransmission in case of a failure of the preceding retransmission.
US07660006B2
A system and method for generating a carrier-compliant shipping label for a supplier to transport a product to a consumer includes determine a shipping rate for a shipping method of a carrier to transport the product to the consumer and determining a time period for transporting the product. The consumer may select the carrier based upon the shipping rate and the time period. Some embodiments generate a carrier-compliant shipping label for the product and deliver the carrier-compliant shipping label to the supplier to transport the product from the supplier to the consumer. In such embodiments, determining a shipping rate may include retrieving the weight and location of the product from the data received from the supplier to determine the rates of a carrier from a rate table or via a carrier interface.
US07660003B2
An image processing system according to the invention comprises a valuable information processing apparatus which manages valuable information equivalent to money, and an image forming apparatus which is connected to the valuable information processing apparatus and forms an image according to the valuable information. The image forming apparatus stores read or input image data into image data memory means. Then, image data stored in the image data memory means is invalidated when the valuable information to be managed by the valuable information processing apparatus fulfills a predetermined condition.
US07659988B2
To inspect all portions of the substrate the substrate table can be moved rotationally and linearly. Furthermore the detector can be moved rotationally. This enables all portions of a surface of the substrate to be inspected from all angles in a plane parallel to the substrate. Less linear motion is needed, so the apparatus occupies a smaller volume and generates smaller vibrations.
US07659966B2
An exposure apparatus for performing exposure of a substrate to light via a reticle. The apparatus includes a first stage configured to hold a chuck. The chuck has a support base with an electrode, and forms a container, for one of the substrate and the reticle, together with a cover. The container electrostatically chucks the one on the support base by the electrode. A transporter transports the container in which the one is contained, and loads the chuck, which chucks the one, on the first stage without the cover. A second stage holds the other of the substrate and the reticle. The apparatus obtains a first positional shift amount between the chuck and the one chucked on the chuck before the transportation by the transporter, to measure a second positional shift amount between a reference mark on the chuck held by the first stage and a reference mark on the second stage, and corrects positions of the first and second stages based on the first and second positional shift amounts, to perform the exposure.
US07659962B2
A portable jig for facilitating the transport and storage a liquid crystal syringe includes a supporting die including at least one inspection hole, at least one receiving hole for receiving at least one liquid crystal syringe at an upper portion thereof and having a flange for fixing an upper end portion of the liquid crystal syringe, and an airtight lower face.
US07659960B2
An LCD (liquid-crystal display) device comprising: first and second substrates; a liquid-crystal layer formed of a liquid crystal material and sandwiched as held between the substrates; spherical spacers arranged between the substrates; and recesses on surfaces contacting the liquid-crystal layer, of the substrates; and each of the spherical spacers being placed in respective one of the recesses. A manufacturing method of the LCD device comprising: forming recesses distributed on a main face of either of the first and second substrates; and preparing a plurality of spherical spacers on said recesses.
US07659959B2
An array substrate for an in-plane switching liquid crystal display device includes a substrate, a gate line and a data line on the substrate and crossing each other to define a pixel region, a thin film transistor adjacent to a crossing of the gate line and the data line, a common electrode and a pixel electrode in the pixel region and spaced apart from each other, and a conductive pattern between the common and pixel electrodes.
US07659958B2
A gate wire is formed on the insulating substrate. The gate wire has gate lines, first and second gate electrodes connected to the gate lines, and gate pads. A gate insulating layer, first and second semiconductor layers and an ohmic contact layer are sequentially formed thereon. A data wire is formed on the ohmic contact layer. The data wire has first and second data lines, data line connectors, first and second source electrodes, first and second drain electrodes, and data pads. A passivation layer is formed on the data wire, and has contact holes respectively exposing the first and the second drain electrodes, and the gate and the data pads. Pixel electrodes, and subsidiary gate and data pads are formed on the passivation layer. As described above, the data line is provided at opposite sides of the pixel area so that variation in the pixel voltage due to the parasitic capacitance between the partitioned areas with different degree of misalignment is reduced. In addition, two TFTs are provided in each pixel area so that the parasitic capacitance between the gate and the drain electrodes in two respective partitioned areas with left-biased and right-biased misalignment is kept to be constant. In this way, the pixel voltage variation between the two partitioned areas is reduced to prevent non-uniformity in the brightness.
US07659957B2
A liquid crystal display (“LCD”) panel and fabricating method thereof capable of minimizing erosion of a common pad of the LCD panel are disclosed. The LCD panel includes a common electrode formed on an upper substrate and a common pad formed on a lower substrate facing the upper substrate, the common pad supplying a common voltage to the common electrode through a short point, wherein the common pad includes a lower electrode formed on the lower substrate, a first common contact hole penetrating a gate dielectric layer formed to cover the lower electrode, an intermediate electrode connected to the lower electrode through the first common contact hole, a plurality of second common contact holes penetrating an organic protection layer formed to cover the intermediate electrode, and an upper electrode connected to the intermediate electrode through the second common contact holes.
US07659941B2
The video data contained in the digital broadcasting received by a receiver are transmitted to a printer at high speed and at low cost. A receiver (STB 30) for receiving digital broadcasting, a display 31 for displaying the images of the digital broadcasting received by the STB 30 and a printer 32 for printing images contained in the digital broadcasting received by the STB 30 are connected to each other by way of a first signal transmission means adapted to transmit digital signals. The printer 32 obtain video data from the receiver 30 by way of the first signal transmission means.
US07659940B2
An apparatus and method for controlling a plurality of electronic devices, such as consumer electronic devices, or the like, via a digital bus. In particular, the present invention provides for improved interoperability of such devices over the digital bus. In one embodiment, the present invention transfers identifying information from a peripheral device to a display device during a discovery mode for providing a device selection screen having a plurality of device icons displayed thereon. The device icons are generated by the display, or controlling device, in response to identifying information, such as keywords stored in a configuration ROM of the peripheral device.
US07659939B2
A method for deinterlacing a picture is disclosed. The method generally includes the steps of (A) calculating a potential sample at a location interfaced with a first field of the picture by temporal filtering, (B) evaluating a protection condition in a current region around the location after inclusion of the potential sample and (C) calculating an interpolated sample at the location by vertical spatial filtering the first field in response to the protection condition indicating a significant increase in a vertical activity within the current region due to the potential sample.
US07659934B2
The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for recording/reproduction of images with which the visual effects of a plurality of images can be visually confirmed with ease. The apparatus includes a recording/reproduction section that records a plurality of input sets of video data and reads them from the recording mediums for reproduction; an arithmetic operation section that performs arithmetic operations by a method corresponding to an external instruction on the plurality of sets of video data reproduced by the recording/reproduction section; and a superimposition section that generates character-string data indicating the arithmetic operation method of the arithmetic operation section, superimposes the arithmetic video data produced by arithmetic operations of the arithmetic operation section and the character-string data and outputs the superimposed video data produced by the superimposition as outcome of arithmetic operations.
US07659928B2
An anti-eclipse circuit of an image pixel includes an output line for receiving a reset output signal from a pixel and a circuit coupled to the output line for detecting when a pixel reset voltage at a pixel output is below a predetermined level, and, in response, for increasing a reset voltage at the pixel output to a value above the predetermined level. The detecting and increasing circuit comprises a charge amplifier circuit for receiving the reset output signal at the output line and a voltage generating circuit coupled to the output line responsive to the output of the charge amplifier circuit.
US07659926B2
In an imaging apparatus capable of continuous shooting, the continuously shot image data are sequentially recorded, and some image data selected from the recoded image data are displayed on a display portion. At this selection, data associated with the shooting period of the image data is divided into approximately equal time intervals, and image data corresponding to shooting time positions of the approximately equally divided time intervals are selected.
US07659924B2
Image data on which image processing has already been performed is obtained with a digital camera. Image processing information includes information indicating a photography mode set at the digital camera. Tag information including the image processing information is attached to the image data. If the image processing information includes information indicating a night view mode, an image output device judges whether the night view mode was intentionally set by a user by judging whether photography date/time information included in the tag information represents night. If the judgment is YES, the image output device sets an output image processing means not to perform exposure correction processing. If the judgment is NO, the image output device sets the output image processing means to perform regular processing including the exposure correction processing.
US07659913B2
A system and method for displaying information about video/audio clips that are being edited. When two different clips are being matched, or when one clip is being used to replace another clip, the first clip is shown on a first timeline in a normal form. The other clip is arranged in a separate timeline to overlap with the first clip. The user is provided with the ability to easily move both clips with an input device. For individual frames that overlap, one frame is at least partially transparent so that user can see both frames at the same time.
US07659910B2
The invention discloses a hue dividing and judging device including a memory unit, a calculation module, and a judgment module. The memory unit is used for storing a look-up table, and the look-up table records N boundaries, wherein the N boundaries includes j+1 operative boundaries for defining j color areas. The calculation module is used for calculating the hue of each pixel of an input image. According to the look-up table, the judgment module is used for judging where the hue of each pixel falls within two of the operative boundaries, so as to judge that the hue of the pixel of the input image falls into which one of the color areas. Accordingly, if there are more operative boundaries recorded in the look-up table, the hue will be divided into more color areas, and the user will have more choices for adjusting the color of the input image.
US07659908B2
An image processing circuit comprising a plurality of line buffers is provided. Each line buffer stores pixel data of a plurality of pixels as line data, the plurality of pixels configuring a single image line of an image. A first image processing part performs a first image processing task on original image data provided from the exterior by using the line data stored in at least one of the line buffers, and provides processed image data. A second image processing part performs a second image processing task on the processed image data provided from the first image processing part by using the line data stored in at least one of the line buffers, and provides processed image data. A line buffer selector selectively connects the first image processing part and the second image processing part to any number of line buffers. An output path selector selects one of an output path that skips the second image processing task and an output path that performs the second image processing task.
US07659904B2
A method and system for accommodating at least one high priority data element from a plurality of data elements written into a ring buffer including a processor that preempts a ring buffer by modifying at least one of the data elements previously written to the ring buffer to create modified data elements in response to detecting a high priority data element to be written into the ring buffer. The processor modifies the plurality of data elements previously written to the ring buffer to create the modified data elements. The processor resubmits to the ring buffer at least one of the data elements corresponding to at least one of the modified data elements for execution by a graphics co-processor in response to processing the at least one high priority data element.
US07659899B2
A system and method to manage data processing stages of a logical graphics pipeline comprises a number of execution blocks coupled together and to a global spreader that assigns graphics data entities for execution to the execution blocks. Each execution block has an entity descriptor table containing information about an assigned graphics data entity corresponding to allocation of the entity and a current processing stage associated with the entity. Each execution block includes a stage parser configured to establish pointers for the assigned graphics data entity to be processed on a next processing stage. A numerical processing unit is included and configured to execute floating point and integer instructions in association with the assigned graphics data entity. The execution blocks include a data move unit for data loads and moves within the execution block, with the global spreader, and with other execution blocks of the plurality of execution blocks.
US07659893B1
At least two different processing sections in a graphics processors compute Z coordinates for a sample location from a compressed Z representation. The processors are designed to ensure that Z coordinates computed in any unit in the processor are identical. In one embodiment, the respective arithmetic circuits included in each processing section that computes Z coordinates are “bit-identical,” meaning that, for any input planar Z representation and coordinates, the output Z coordinates produced by the circuits are identical to each other.
US07659889B2
A touch panel device including: a substrate; a first sender element for sending surface acoustic wave, which is placed along a first direction on the substrate; a second sender element for sending surface acoustic wave, which is placed along a second direction, orthogonal to the first direction, on the substrate; a receiver element for receiving the surface acoustic wave from the second sender element, which is placed along the second direction on the substrate while facing the second sender element with an interval in between; and a reflector, which is placed on the substrate, for achieving the receiver element's reception of the surface acoustic wave from the first sender element by reflecting the surface acoustic wave from the first sender element, wherein a position of a contact body touching on a contact surface is detected by transmitting the surface acoustic wave that is sent from the sender element through the contact surface and receiving the surface acoustic wave on the receiver element.
US07659885B2
Disclosed is a “keyboard overlay” that sits on top of a touch-sensitive display screen of a computing device. After aligning the overlay on the display screen, the user types on the overlay. When the user presses a key on the overlay, the pressure is transmitted to the display screen below. That pressure is registered by the display screen as a touch. The keyboard overlay is formed to provide tactile finger-position feedback so that a user can keep his fingers oriented properly over the keyboard. The overlay may be opaque with keycap information displayed in the key areas. The overlay may be transparent, allowing a user to see a virtual keyboard painted on the display screen below. The computing device can detect the presence and type of an overlay. Applications may respond differently to different types of overlays. Different applications may be invoked depending upon the type of overlay detected.
US07659883B2
A joystick device includes a base, an upright joystick handle disposed pivotally on the base and operable to generate a first input signal, and a mouse unit disposed on a top end of the joystick handle and operable to generate a second input signal. An output unit is disposed on the base. A control unit is disposed on the base and connected to the joystick handle, the mouse unit, and the output unit. When the joystick handle is operated, the control unit receives the first input signal from the joystick handle so as to output a first output signal via the output unit. When the mouse unit is operated, the control unit receives the second input signal from the mouse unit so as to output a second output signal via the output unit. A power source supplies electric power to the control unit.
US07659881B2
Embodiments of a display device for a vehicle and methods for the same can adjust operation velocity and stroke of a monitor by changing simple mechanical configurations of a driving apparatus for the monitor in the display device. The display device for a vehicle can include a monitor in a case for displaying an image on its front surface and a movable unit that can be installed to the case to reciprocally move the monitor. A control lever can be installed between the monitor and the movable unit to be inclined at a predetermined angle and configured to cooperate with the movable unit. Therefore, it is possible to provide an inexpensive display device capable of satisfying a variety of users' needs and design requirements.
US07659872B2
Disclosed herein is a pixel circuit that includes a correcting section configured to correct the input voltage sampled in the pixel capacitance in order to cancel out the dependency of the output current on the carrier mobility. In the pixel circuit, the correcting section operates depending on the control signal supplied from the scanning line to extract the output current from the drive transistor and introduce the extracted output current into a capacitance of the light-emitting device and the pixel capacitance, thereby correcting the input voltage. The pixel circuit further includes an additional capacitance added to the capacitance of the light-emitting device. In the pixel circuit, a portion of the output current extracted from the drive transistor flows into the additional capacitance to give a time margin to operation of the correcting section.
US07659868B2
An object of the present invention is to provide a head-up display apparatus and a cover-mirror unit used for the same.A movable member 3′ of the cover-mirror unit stands up along a flat inner wall 1a1 of a housing 1a when the head-up display apparatus is in use, and lie down to cover an opening of the housing 1a when the head-up display apparatus is not in use for carrying out an up/down operation. In particular, through the down operation, by a link mechanism, a bottom end of the movable member is gradually moved upward by following the inner wall 1a1 of the housing 1a. Therefore, though the movable member 3′ stands up along the inner wall 1a1 of the housing 1a when the head-up display apparatus is in use, the movable member 3′ never interferes with the inner wall 1a1 through the up/down operation.
US07659864B2
A broadband antenna has a substrate, a coupling conductor, a conductor string, a ground conductor and a ground plane. The coupling conductor has a first coupling member and a second coupling member being separated from each other. The conductor string and the ground conductor are connected to the second coupling member. The conductor string extends along a direction opposite to the second coupling member. The ground conductor is connected to the ground plane. The broadband antenna uses the coupling conductor and the ground conductor to adjust input impedance for impedance match. The conductor string functions as a multi level resonance circuit to increase impedance bandwidth.
US07659862B2
An antenna including an electrically conductive portion defined substantially by a self-similar geometry present at multiple resolutions. The electrically conductive portion includes two or more angular bends and is configured to radiate broadband electromagnetic energy. The antenna further includes an electrically non-conductive portion that structurally supports the electrically conductive portion.
US07659859B2
A multiband base station antenna for communicating with a plurality of terrestrial mobile devices is described. The antenna including one or modules, each module including a low frequency ring element; and a high frequency dipole element superposed with the low frequency ring element. The element includes a ground plane; and a feed probe directed away from the ground plane and having a coupling part positioned proximate to the ring to enable the feed probe to electromagnetically couple with the ring. A dielectric clip provides a spacer between the feed probe and the ring, and also connects the ring to the ground plane. An antenna element is also described including a ring, and one or more feed probes extending from the ring, wherein the ring and feed probe(s) are formed from a unitary piece.
US07659856B2
An extremely miniaturized digital TV signal reception antenna built in a mobile device includes a substrate, an antenna unit and a switch unit. The substrate is provided with a plate having a grounding metallic surface and a first clearance surface. A second clearance surface is provided on the same side of the grounding metallic surface with a metallic microstrip line for electrically connecting to an output end of the switch unit. Input ends of the switch unit are electrically connected with a plurality of leads of the first clearance surface. The other ends of the plurality of leads are electrically connected with the antenna unit. Finally, when a tuner of a portable digital television switches the channels, signals of the switched channel are simultaneously output to the switch unit. According to the frequency of that channel, the switch unit automatically switches to a suitable range of bandwidth for receiving the digital TV signals, thereby performing the reception of the digital TV signals.
US07659845B2
An analog-to-digital converter comprising a capacitor array having a plurality of unit capacitors, each having first and second inputs; a comparator having a pair of inputs and at least one output; and a controller configured to couple one input of each unit capacitor of the plurality of capacitors to the inputs of the comparator, and to control a feedback loop between the pair of inputs and the at least one output of the comparator.
US07659838B2
Deserializer circuitry for high-speed serial data receiver circuitry on a programmable logic device (“PLD”) or the like includes circuitry for converting serial data to parallel data having any of several data widths. The circuitry can also operate at any frequency in a wide range of frequencies. The circuitry is configurable/re-configurable in various respects, at least some of which configuration/re-configuration can be dynamically controlled (i.e., during user-mode operation of the PLD).
US07659827B2
Systems and methods for taking risk out of driving are presented. The system comprises an event capture device that records audio, video, and other information that collectively comprise an event. The event data, including the audio, video, and other related information, is provided to an evaluation server where it is stored in a database of events. Driving events can be analyzed singularly or collectively to provide counseling of fleet drivers, reconstruction and forensic analysis of automobile accidents, and driver and/or vehicle scores/ratings.
US07659819B2
A framework structure for controlling an RFID device including a platform comprising an RFID radio. The structure comprises a layered framework including a first layer, with at least one functional module comprising a device driver, communicatively coupled with the platform; and a second layer, with at least one functional module comprising an API, communicatively coupled with the first layer and with an application for controlling the RFID device.
US07659803B2
A transformer with fixed pins is disclosed. The transformer includes a bobbin, a primary winding, a secondary winding, a core set and a plurality pins. The primary and secondary windings are wound around the bobbin and both have a plurality of winding ends. The core set surrounds the primary and secondary windings. Each of the pins is fixed upon the bobbin and electrically connected with a corresponding winding end. The transformer further includes a fixing plate, and the pins are fixed upon the bobbin through the fixing plate.
US07659802B2
A bi-stable magnetic switch assembly comprises a stator having an axis and first and second magnetic portions angularly disposed there around, and a rotor having at least one magnetic region attracted to the first and second portions. The rotor is configured for rotation about the axis between (1) a first latched position wherein the region resides proximate to, but is spaced apart from, the first portion; and (2) a second latched position wherein the region resides proximate to, but is spaced apart from, the second portion. A spring biases the rotor to a position where the region resides intermediate the first and second portions. A coil, which is associated with at least one of the first portion, the second portion, and the region, may be energized to reduce the force of attraction between the region and the first and second portions when in the first and second latched positions, respectively.
US07659795B2
A technology which can realize a high-performance multiband operation in a compact circuit configuration and is advantageous for a wireless terminal of GSM system for which the further increase of the demands is expected in the future is provided. Provided is a multiband switch type antenna duplexer adopted in a mobile phone used in TDMA system such as the GSM system, in which the signals of respectively different first to fourth frequency bands (GSM 850, EGSM, DCS, PCS) share a single antenna, wherein switching elements such as receive filters and diodes are combined in various ways to perform the high-performance band switch with the minimum number of switching elements. The circuit of this antenna duplexer can realize not only the size reduction of the multiband switch antenna duplexer but also the size reduction and performance improvement of the wireless terminal itself.
US07659788B2
An amplitude regulating circuit for an oscillator with an input for a supply signal having an electrical quantity depending on an amplitude of an oscillation of the oscillator has a supply circuit with a control input for a first control signal and a supply output for the supply signal based on the first control signal, a reference circuit with an input for a reference supply signal having a reference quantity, a reference supply circuit with a reference control input for a second control signal and a reference supply output for the reference supply signal based on the second control signal and a comparator circuit with a first control signal output for the first control signal based on the electrical quantity and the electrical reference quantity and a second control signal output for the second control signal based on the electrical quantity and the electrical reference quantity.
US07659787B2
A circuit for generating a clock of a semiconductor memory apparatus is provided. A reference voltage generator is configured to generate a reference voltage. A reference current generator is configured to generate a reference current that has a constant current value regardless of a change in temperature. An oscillator is configured to receive the reference voltage and the reference current to generate a clock that has constant frequency.
US07659775B2
A bipolar differential output circuit includes an input differential bipolar stage for receiving an input signal and generating a differential output current. An output differential pair of bipolar transistors without a bipolar tail current source responds to the input signal by providing a representative output signal. And a current mirror circuit passes current from the input differential pair to the output differential pair.
US07659761B2
An operation mode setting apparatus includes an operation mode setting control unit that discriminates the phase of a reference clock from the phase of a feedback clock and generates a locking suspension signal, and an operation mode setting unit that generates a locking completion signal in response to a pulse signal and a phase comparison signal under the control of a reset signal and the locking suspension signal.
US07659755B1
A switch for switchably coupling a signal source to a high impedance load. The switch includes a first bipolar transistor and a floating switch driver. The first bipolar transistor is configured to switchably couple the signal source to the high impedance load responsive to a driver signal applied to a base thereof. The floating switch driver has a control input and an output terminal coupled to the base of the first bi-polar transistor to supply the driver signal thereto. The driver signal comprises a limited forward current during the “On” state of the floating switch driver and a voltage “Voff” not less than the reverse breakdown voltage nor greater than the forward voltage drop across a base-emitter connection of the first bipolar transistor during the “Off” state of the floating switch driver.
US07659754B2
A power switching circuit in CMOS technology has a power MOS transistor and a driver stage. The power MOS transistor is operated at a higher supply voltage in excess of its maximum allowable gate-source voltage; and the driver stage of the level shifter is operated at a lower supply voltage substantially lower than the supply voltage for the power MOS transistor. The driver stage includes a pair of driver MOS transistors coupled in series between a higher supply voltage rail and a reference potential rail, and at an interconnection node coupled to the gate of the power MOS transistor. The gates of the driver MOS transistors are AC-coupled to drive signals of mutually opposite phase; and the gates of the driver MOS transistors are each connected to the higher voltage supply rail through a respective parallel connection of a first resistor and a second resistor connected in series with a non-linear component. The resistance value of the second resistor is substantially smaller than the resistance value of the first resistor.
US07659750B2
A thermal electric (TE) binary NOR gate logic circuit is provided with a method for NOR logic gating. The method accepts a first input voltage representing an input binary logic state and generates a first thermal electric (TE) temperature in response to the first input voltage. A second input voltage is accepted representing an input binary logic state, and a second TE temperature is generated in response to the second input voltage. In response to the first and second TE temperatures, a NOR logic state output voltage is generated. More explicitly, a first control voltage is generated in response to the first TE temperature, and a second control voltage is generated in response to the second TE temperature. Then, a third TE temperature is generated in response to the first and second control voltages, which in turn generates the output voltage.
US07659730B2
The invention concerns a measuring apparatus for the detection of foreign bodies in a product, in particular in tobacco, cotton or some other fibrous product, having a measuring device, a device for generating an alternating electromagnetic field in the measuring device, which is influenced by a product which is arranged in a measuring volume of the measuring apparatus, a circuit device which includes the measuring device and which is designed to determine at least one suitable measurable variable of the alternating field influenced by the product, and an evaluating device which is designed for detection of the foreign body by suitable evaluation of the measurable variable determined with the circuit device, and is distinguished in that the measuring device is a measuring capacitor and the frequency of the alternating field is in the high-frequency range below the microwave range. The application further concerns a corresponding measuring method.
US07659728B1
A method for measuring degradation of electrical power system device insulation utilizes a conductive composite sensor. A selected polymeric matrix of the conductive composite provides a sensor resistance response that correlates to the mechanical degradation of the insulation. The sensor may be embedded in the windings, core or stator of the electrical power system device and wired to a connector on the electrical power system device for interrogation by an ohmmeter.
US07659721B2
A method of electromagnetic surveying of an area of seafloor that is thought or known to contain a subterranean hydrocarbon reservoir is described. The method includes broadcasting an EM signal from a horizontal electric dipole (HED) transmitter and obtaining vertical electric dipole (VED) response data at a remote receiver in response thereto. Survey data are analysed by comparing the VED response data with background data which are not sensitive to the postulated hydrocarbon reservoir. Accordingly, differences between the VED response data and the background data allow for the identification of buried hydrocarbon reservoirs. The background data may be provided by magneto-telluric surveying, controlled source electromagnetic surveying or from direct geophysical measurement. By employing VED response data in this way, surveys may be performed in shallower water than has previously been possible since the VED detector is not sensitive to air-wave components of the EM field induced by the HED transmitter at the VED detector.
US07659715B2
Inspecting an open cavity by successive broaching movements of an eddy-current sensor. The inspection device includes a probe body including the sensor installed laterally in the vicinity of the end of a rod and in line with a ramp, together with a resilient bias device acting on the probe body.
US07659704B2
A regulator circuit for efficiently and accurately outputting a target voltage with a simple circuit configuration. The regulator circuit includes an output circuit, a comparator, a counter block, a latch block, and a decoder block. When the target voltage is applied to an output terminal of the output circuit, the output circuit supplies the comparator with feedback voltage. Further, the feedback signal is provided to the counter block. The counter block performs counting in correspondence with the feedback signal. The latch block holds the signal acquired from the counter block and provides the held signal to the decoder block. The decoder block supplies the comparator with reference voltage. The comparator compares the reference voltage and the feedback voltage and controls the counting.
US07659702B2
A buck topology that provides voltage step up and polarity change is disclosed. In one embodiment a converter includes an input for receiving an input voltage, a switching circuit coupled to the input for receiving a first driving signal, a floating voltage source coupled to the switching circuit for producing an offset voltage, and an output coupled to the floating voltage source for generating an output voltage. The output voltage exhibits a voltage level that is directly proportional to a duty cycle of the first driving signal.
US07659692B2
A battery pack for a power tool of self-contained over-charge protection is proposed. The battery pack includes a battery stack composed of a plurality of series connected secondary cells, and a charge terminal connected through a charge current path to the battery stack for flowing a charge current from a charger. The battery pack includes an interrupter inserted in the charge current path, and an over-charge detector which detects a cell voltage across each of the secondary cells and actuates the interrupter to open the charge current path when any one of the cell voltages becomes higher than a predetermined threshold (VTH3). Thus, even if the charger fails to limit the charge current, the battery pack can itself protect the secondary cells from being over-charged.
US07659691B2
A power supply unit for extending a function of an apparatus (image pickup apparatus) unloadably loaded with a flat parallelopiped battery having a roughly square principal surface includes the flat battery, and a power supply (for example, a control grip including a cell or cells and a control portion which includes a power supply button, a shutter button, a zoom switch) electrically connected to the flat battery through a plate having the same shape as that of the flat battery and detachably mounted, projected portions are formed at both ends in the longitudinal direction of a back surface opposite to an insertion surface of the plate, along the back surface, and one of the projected portions is formed with a locked surface to be locked by a lock means (lock pawl) possessed by the apparatus, whereby mis-insertion of the plate into the apparatus is prevented, and a function of the apparatus is extended.
US07659680B1
A combined motor-battery system comprising an electric power source adapted to convert self-originating electrical current to mechanical power utilizing a set of common functional structures. Preferred embodiments include an electrochemical cell comprising field reactive electrodes that directly produce extractable mechanical forces in the presence of a magnetic field.
US07659676B2
A lighting system using a GPS receiver is provided. The lighting system includes: a GPS receiver for calculating sunrise time and sunset time from an inputted GPS signal and outputting an on/off signal and a satellite detection indicating signal according to the calculated sunrise time and sunset time; a security light configured to be turned on/off in response to the on/off signal; and an LED configured to be turned on/off in response to the satellite detection indicating signal. Accordingly, the GPS receiver itself receives GPS satellite signal, sunrise time and sunset time are automatically calculated from the received position information and reception information by using a baseband processor, and a security light is turned on/off at the calculated sunrise and sunset time, so that the number of components is greatly reduced.
US07659675B2
The light sources for illuminating the stope support at a longwall face are operated at low voltage, connected to the control network device, for low voltage supply of the system controllers. LEDs are particularly suitable as light sources. Measures for avoiding an impairment of the function of the system controllers are disclosed.
US07659673B2
Methods and apparatus for providing and controlling power to at least some types of loads. In one example, a controlled predetermined power is provided to a load without requiring any feedback information from the load (i.e., without monitoring a load voltage and/or load current). In another example, a “feed-forward” power driver for an LED-based light source combines the functionality of a DC-DC converter and a light source controller, and is configured to control the intensity of light generated by the light source based on modulating the average power delivered to the light source in a given time period, without monitoring and/or regulating the voltage or current provided to the light source. In various examples, significantly streamlined circuits having fewer components, higher overall power efficiencies, and smaller space requirements are realized. Based on various power driver configurations, lighting apparatus incorporating one or more power drivers for one or more LED-based loads may be implemented, and multiple such lighting apparatus may be coupled together to form a lighting network in which operating power is efficiently provided throughout the network.
US07659670B2
A headlamp control circuit reduces a possibility that all headlamps become lights-out in a two-lamp system headlight, even if a switching element fails under a high-beam condition while the single switching element is driven to light two right and left high-beam filaments. A headlamp control circuit includes switch sections (SW1) and (SW2) for lighting low-beam filaments (21) and (31), a switch section (SW3) for lighting high-beam filaments (22) and (32) together, a diode (D1) for detecting an output voltage on the switch section SW3, and a control section (120) for turning the switch section (SW3) to an on-condition in the case where a high-beam indication is accepted and for turning the switch sections (SW1) and (SW2) to an on-condition in the case where a low-beam indication is accepted and in the case where a high-beam indication is accepted and the diode (D1) detects no high-beam lighting voltage.
US07659669B2
To provide a PDP and an FED with high visibility, having an anti-reflection function capable of reducing reflection of incident light from external. An anti-reflection layer including a plurality of pyramid-shaped projections, apexes of which are provided at equal intervals and in which each side of a base which forms a pyramid shape of one of the plurality of pyramid-shaped projections is in contact with a side of a base which forms a pyramid shape of an adjacent pyramid-shaped projection, is included. In other words, one pyramid-shaped projection is surrounded by other pyramid-shaped projections, and the base of the pyramid-shaped projection shares a side of a base with the base of the adjacent pyramid-shaped projection.
US07659665B2
An OLED device includes a substrate, electrode layers and organic layers arranged on the substrate and at least one metal foil on top thereof. The first metal foil is electrically connected to one of the electrode layers. An enclosure of at least the organic layers is provided by the metal foil in conjunction with a sealant 113. Thus, the metal foil plays a major role in forming an OLED package. In addition, the metal foil provides a low ohmic external connection, which for example can be used for applying a driving current to the OLED.
US07659657B2
A flat fluorescent lamp which can be used with an LCD display includes a plurality of discharge channels. Pairs of electrodes are formed on both ends of the discharge channels. Each of the plurality of channels has an emitting section at the middle, and electrode sections on both ends thereof. A width of the electrode sections is the same as that of the emitting section. However, a height of the electrode sections is greater than a height of the emitting section, resulting in the electrode section having a cross-sectional area that is larger than that of the emitting section.
US07659649B2
A fan includes a motor and an impeller. The motor drives the impeller to rotate and includes a base, a bearing, a stator, a rotor and a magnetic element. The central portion of the base is extended to form a bushing for accommodating the bearing therein. The stator telescopes around the bushing. The rotor is disposed corresponding to the stator and has a shaft passing through the bearing. The magnetic element is disposed at the bottom of the bushing and located adjacent to one end of the shaft.
US07659648B2
A motor has a stator, a rotor having a shaft, and a sleeve bearing in contact with the rotor shaft. The sleeve bearing also is fixedly secured to the stator. Additionally, the motor also has a movable support member axially supporting the shaft. The movable support member illustratively is movable relative to the shaft. The rotor center of gravity coincides approximately with the opening in the bearing-shaft interface.
US07659647B2
An actuator. In one embodiment, the actuator comprises a reversible electric motor having a stator having a housing, a rotor housed in the housing of the stator, and a shaft having a forward portion and a rearward portion extending oppositely and coaxially from the rotor, respectively; a fan member coaxially attached to the forward portion or the rearward portion of the motor shaft such that the fan member is operable simultaneously with the rotor of the reversible electric motor; and an electromagnetic brake movable between a first position and a second position, positioned in relation to the fan member such that when the electromagnetic brake is in the first position, the fan member is rotatable with the rotor of the reversible electric motor, and when the electromagnetic brake is in the second position, the fan member stops rotating firmly, thereby causing the motor stops instantly.
US07659637B2
A variable speed wind power generation system including a wind turbine, a generation power command unit for generating a generation power command value based on a state quantity of the wind turbine and a generator control unit for controlling the power converter for controlling electric power of the generator, wherein the generator control unit operates to regulate the generation power of the generator in order to change the generation power amount according to the generation power command value.
US07659636B2
Methods and apparatus are disclosed for harvesting energy from motion of one or more joints. Energy harvesters comprise: a generator for converting mechanical energy into corresponding electrical energy; one or more sensors for sensing one or more corresponding characteristics associated with motion of the one or more joints; and control circuitry connected to receive the one or more sensed characteristics and configured to assess, based at least in part on the one or more sensed characteristics, whether motion of the one or more joints is associated with mutualistic conditions or non-mutualistic conditions. If conditions are determined to be mutualistic, energy harvesting is engaged. If conditions are determined to be non-mutualistic, energy harvesting is disengaged.
US07659635B2
A semiconductor device of the present invention includes a chip which has a pad; a bump electrode formed on the pad; and a wire whose stitch bonding is made on the bump electrode. The wire satisfies a condition: (modulus-of-elasticity/breaking strength per unit area)≧400.
US07659629B2
A semiconductor integrated circuit having a multilayer wiring structure is provided which includes: a top metal wiring layer (MTOP) including a plurality of top layer power supply wirings and a next-to-top metal wiring layer (MTOP-1) directly below the top metal wiring layer MTOP including a plurality of next-to-top layer power supply wirings. Each of the top layer and the next-to-top layer power supply wirings also includes first potential wirings for supplying a first potential to the circuit elements and second potential wirings for supplying a second potential to the circuit elements. The top layer power supply wirings and the next-to-top layer power supply wirings cross each other and have a top layer insulating film disposed between them. First and second contacts are provided in the insulating film for connecting the first potential wirings and second potential wirings in the top and the next-to-top metal wiring layers with each other.
US07659626B2
A semiconductor device includes an insulation film 6 formed on a silicon substrate 1, a buried metal interconnect 8 formed in the insulation film 6, and a barrier metal film 7 formed between the insulation film 6 and the metal interconnect 8. The barrier metal film 7 is a metal compound film. The metal compound film is characterized by including at least one of elements forming the insulation film.
US07659618B2
A semiconductor device for radio frequencies of more than 10 GHz having a semiconductor chip is disclosed. In one embodiment, the semiconductor chip, on its active top side, having a radio-frequency region and a low-frequency region and/or a region which is supplied with DC voltage. In one embodiment, the low-frequency region and/or the region which is supplied with DC voltage of the semiconductor chip is directly embedded in a plastic housing composition, the plastic housing composition is arranged such that it is spaced apart from the radio-frequency region on the active top side of the semiconductor chip.
US07659617B2
Substrates having integrated rigid and flexible regions and methods of fabricating such substrates are disclosed. The substrates may advantageously be used for mounting semiconductor chips used in flexible microelectronic assemblies.
US07659615B2
An assembly includes a semiconductor die disposed between an upper substrate and a lower substrate. A circuit board that defines a through hole is spaced axially below the upper substrate to define a gap between the upper substrate and the circuit board. An upper heat sink is thermally connected to the upper substrate by an upper thermal interface material to transfer heat in a first dissipation path to the upper heat sink. A lower heat sink is thermally connected to the lower substrate by a lower thermal interface material to transfer heat in a second dissipation path to the lower heat sink. A plurality of first interconnectors are disposed in the gap to solder the upper substrate to the circuit board. The assembly is distinguished by a plurality of second interconnectors that are disposed between the upper substrate and the lower substrate to position the lower substrate in the through hole of the circuit board.
US07659614B2
A method of forming packages containing SiC or other semiconductor devices bonded to other components or conductive surfaces utilizing transient liquid phase (TLP) bonding to create high temperature melting point bonds using in situ formed ternary or quaternary mixtures of conductive metals and the devices created using TLP bonds of ternary or quaternary materials. The compositions meet the conflicting requirements of an interconnect or joint that can be exposed to high temperature, and is thermally and electrically conductive, void and creep resistant, corrosion resistant, and reliable upon temperature and power cycling.
US07659612B2
A semiconductor component includes a semiconductor substrate having a substrate contact, and a through wire interconnect (TWI) attached to the substrate contact. The through wire interconnect provides a multi level interconnect having contacts on opposing first and second sides of the semiconductor substrate. The through wire interconnect (TWI) includes a via through the substrate contact and the substrate, a wire in the via having a bonded connection with the substrate contact, a first contact on the wire proximate to the first side, and a second contact on the wire proximate to the second side. The through wire interconnect (TWI) also includes a polymer layer which partially encapsulates the through wire interconnect (TWI) while leaving the first contact exposed. The semiconductor component can be used to fabricate stacked systems, module systems and test systems. A method for fabricating the semiconductor component can include a film assisted molding process for forming the polymer layer.
US07659604B2
A module component in which mounting components and a conductive partition for dividing into a plurality of circuit blocks are mounted on a substrate. The circuit blocks are covered with a sealing member, which is further covered on its surface with a conductive film to electrically shield the circuit blocks individually. This module component can maintain bending strength, with little warpage by a sufficient shielding effect achieved without increasing the number of manufacturing processes.
US07659599B2
In an aspect, a method is provided for forming a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) layer. The method includes the steps of (1) providing a silicon substrate; (2) selectively implanting the silicon substrate with oxygen using a low implant energy to form an ultra-thin patterned seed layer; and (3) employing the ultra-thin patterned seed layer to form a patterned SOI layer on the silicon substrate. Numerous other aspects are provided.
US07659597B2
An integrated circuit device includes a substrate including a trench therein and a conductive plug wire pattern in the trench. The conductive plug wire pattern includes a recessed portion that exposes portions of opposing sidewalls of the trench, and an integral plug portion that protrudes from a surface of the recessed portion to provide an electrical connection to at least one other conductive wire pattern on a different level of metallization. A surface of the plug portion may protrude to a substantially same level as a surface of the substrate adjacent to and outside the trench, and the surface of the recessed portion may be below the surface of the substrate outside the trench. Related fabrication methods are also discussed.
US07659596B2
A semiconductor lateral voltage-sustaining region and devices based thereupon. The voltage-sustaining region is made by using the Metal-Insulator-Semiconductor capacitance formed by terrace field plate to emit or to absorb electric flux on the semiconductor surface, so that the effective electric flux density emitted from the semiconductor surface to the substrate approaches approximately the optimum distribution, and a highest breakdown voltage can be achieved within a smallest distance on the surface. The field plate(s) can be either connected to an electrode or floating ones, or connected to floating field limiting rings. Coupling capacitance between different plates can also be used to change the flux distribution.
US07659592B2
A method for manufacturing an optical element having a surface-emitting type semiconductor laser and a photodetector element that detects light emitted from the surface-emitting type semiconductor laser, the method including the steps of: (a) laminating, above a substrate, semiconductor layers for forming a first mirror, an active layer, a second mirror, a photoabsorption layer, an etching stopper layer and a contact layer; (b) patterning the semiconductor layers to form at least a photoabsorption layer, an etching stopper layer and a contact layer; (c) forming an electrode above the contact layer; and (d) etching a portion of the contact layer until an upper surface of the etching stopper layer is exposed.
US07659579B2
A FET has a shallow source/drain region, a deep channel region, a gate stack and a back gate that is surrounded by dielectric. The FET structure also includes halo or pocket implants that extend through the entire depth of the channel region. Because a portion of the halo and well doping of the channel is deeper than the source/drain depth, better threshold voltage and process control is achieved. A back-gated FET structure is also provided having a first dielectric layer in this structure that runs under the shallow source/drain region between the channel region and the back gate. This first dielectric layer extends from under the source/drain regions on either side of the back gate and is in contact with a second dielectric such that the back gate is bounded on each side or isolated by dielectric.
US07659578B2
Embodiments of a semiconductor device capable of increasing an aperture ratio of an organic electroluminescence display device by decreasing the surface area of a capacitor in the organic electroluminescence display device and a method of manufacturing the semiconductor device are disclosed. By forming a gate insulating film of a gate electrode with a thickness different from that of a dielectric film of a capacitor, the surface area of the capacitor can be decreased without variation in capacitance, thereby increasing the aperture ratio of an organic electroluminescence display device.
US07659577B2
A power semiconductor device includes a power device and a current sense device formed in a common semiconductor region.
US07659575B2
The technology of preventing lowering of the element breakdown voltage of a trench gate control type semiconductor element is offered. n− type epitaxial layer (drift region) formed in the main surface side of the substrate, p type semiconductor layer (channel region) formed in n− type epitaxial layer, and p− type well (electric field relaxation layer) which was formed in n− type epitaxial layer in contact with the p type semiconductor layer and whose depth is deeper than the p type semiconductor layer are included. The trench whose depth is deeper than p− type well is patterned in the substrate, and the second gate electrode is formed in the inside of the trench via the insulation film. Among the trenches in the cell area in which power MISFET is formed, one end of p− type well is formed between a plurality of cell trenches in which a second gate electrode is formed, and the other end of p− type well is formed in the peripheral region contiguous to the cell area.
US07659574B2
A power MISFET, which has a desired gate breakdown voltage, can be manufactured will controlling an increase in parasitic capacitance. After depositing a polycrystalline silicon film on a substrate and embedding groove portions in the polycrystalline silicon film by patterning the polycrystalline silicon film in an active cell area, a gate electrode is formed within the groove portion, and the inside of the groove portion is embedded in a gate wiring area. Extending to the outside of the groove portion continuously out of the groove portion, there is a gate drawing electrode electrically connected to the gate electrode. Slits extending from the end portion of the gate drawing electrode are formed in the gate drawing electrode outside of the groove portion. Then, a silicon oxide film and a BPSG film are deposited on the substrate.
US07659571B2
A semiconductor device is provide with a semiconductor substrate, a groove formed in the semiconductor substrate, a gate insulting film formed on the inner wall of the groove, a gate electrode formed in the groove, and a source/drain region and an LDD region arranged in the direction that is substantially orthogonal to the substrate surface of the semiconductor substrate.
US07659565B2
A CMOS image sensor and a method for fabricating the same are provided. A CMOS image sensor includes: a plurality of photodiodes a predetermined distance apart on a semiconductor substrate; an insulation layer on an entire surface of the semiconductor substrate; a passivation layer on the insulation layer; a plurality of color filters on the passivation layer corresponding to the photodiodes; a planarization layer on an entire surface of the semiconductor substrate including the color filters; and a microlens on the planarization layer corresponding to each of the color filters and having a bottom diameter of 2.5 to 3.0 μm.
US07659561B2
Methods of forming spacers on sidewalls of features of semiconductor devices and structures thereof are disclosed. A preferred embodiment comprises a semiconductor device including a workpiece and at least one feature disposed over the workpiece. A first spacer is disposed on the sidewalls of the at least one feature, the first spacer comprising a first material. A first liner is disposed over the first spacer and over a portion of the workpiece proximate the first spacer, the first liner comprising the first material. A second spacer is disposed over the first liner, the second spacer comprising a second material. A second liner is disposed over the second spacer, the second liner comprising the first material.
US07659558B1
Devices for protecting drain extended metal oxide semiconductor (DEMOS) output transistors from damage caused by electrostatic discharge (ESD) events are provided. In general, the devices include a silicon controlled rectifier (SCR) and a DEMOS transistor configured to breakdown at a lower voltage than a breakdown voltage of the output driver transistor it is configured to protect. The devices further include a pair of ohmic regions configured to trigger the SCR upon breakdown of the drain contact region of the DEMOS transistor and a collection region configured to collect charge generated by the SCR. The transistor, the pair of ohmic regions, and the SCR are respectively configured and arranged to independently set the breakdown voltage of the drain contact region, the trigger voltage of the SCR, and the holding voltage of the SCR. One of the ohmic regions may be coupled to the drain contact region of the transistor.
US07659554B2
A hermetic container includes a first substrate, a second substrate opposed to the first substrate, a frame arranged between the first substrate and the second substrate, and a composite member arranged between the first substrate and the second substrate. The frame is composed of a frame member, a first seal bonding material effecting seal bonding between the frame member and the first substrate, and a second seal bonding material effecting seal bonding between the frame member and the second substrate. The composite member is composed of a first member, a first adhesive material bonding the first member and the first substrate to each other, and a second adhesive material bonding the first member and the second substrate to each other.
US07659552B2
An exemplary optical lens (300) includes a top surface (301), a base portion (304) opposite to the top surface, and a peripheral side surface defining a first refractive portion (302). The top surface is a generally funnel-shaped top surface. The first refractive portion is corrugated with a plurality of protruding ridge structures, and each of the ridge structures includes a refractive surface (3021). An exemplary light emitting device incorporating the optical lens is also provided.
US07659536B2
According to various embodiments, a photodetector including a first contact layer, a second contact layer, an active region, and a photonic crystal resonant cavity is disclosed. The photonic crystal resonant cavity can operate as a resonant structure to enhance the response of the photodetector at one or more wavelengths. In various embodiments, the photodetectors including a photonic crystal resonant cavity can, for example, demonstrate increased responsivity and quantum efficiency, lower the operating temperature, and/or be used to form a hyperspectral detector.
US07659534B2
Programmable via devices and methods for the fabrication thereof are provided. In one aspect, a programmable via device is provided. The programmable via device includes a first dielectric layer; a heater over the first dielectric layer; an air gap separating at least a portion of the heater from the first dielectric layer; an isolation layer over the first dielectric layer covering at least a portion of the heater; a capping layer over a side of the isolation layer opposite the first dielectric layer; at least one programmable via extending through the capping layer and at least a portion of the isolation layer and in contact with the heater, the programmable via including at least one phase change material; a conductive cap over the programmable via; a second dielectric layer over a side of the capping layer opposite the isolation layer; a first conductive via and a second conductive via, each extending through the second dielectric layer, the capping layer and at least a portion of the isolation layer and in contact with the heater; and a third conductive via extending through the second dielectric layer and in contact with the conductive cap.
US07659533B2
A radiographic imaging control apparatus includes an input unit configured to input a radiographic image from a sensor that detects radiant ray, and a control unit configured to cause a radiant ray generation apparatus to decrease the flux of radiant ray from a predetermined maximum value to a predetermined minimum value as time passes when the radiant ray generation apparatus irradiates the sensor with radiant ray.
US07659531B2
A method is disclosed. The method includes forming a substrate with a leadframe and a molding compound. The molding compound fills internal spaces in the leadframe and forms a dam structure. An optical emitter and an optical receiver are placed on the substrate. An optically transmissive medium is formed between the optical emitter and optical receiver.
US07659527B1
Infrared marking devices and methods for marking an object, such as a door, inside a structure, such as a smoke-filled or burning structure. The infrared marking device comprises a ring-shaped, elasticized outer sleeve having a tubular sidewall and an amount of a self-heating material confined inside the tubular sidewall of the outer sleeve. The self-heating material emits infrared radiation when activated to initiate an exothermic chemical reaction. The infrared radiation is visible in a thermal imaging camera. The method comprises activating a self-heating material confined inside a marking device to initiate an exothermic reaction that emits infrared radiation and applying the marking device to an object inside the structure.
US07659524B2
A method of preparing a radiation image conversion panel including a substrate and a phosphor layer, may include heating an evaporation source containing a phosphor raw material to evaporate the raw material and depositing an evaporated material on the substrate to form the phosphor layer, while the substrate being heated, wherein in (ii), a temperature of the substrate increases at a rate of 0 to 5° C./min, and falling within a range of from 60 to 110° C.
US07659519B1
A sensor includes a carrier carrying a light sensor array. The light sensor array has pixels that are each configured to generate an electrical output in response to receiving a light photon. The light sensor array can be included in or on a wafer or can be built in or on a wafer. The sensor also includes electrical conductors through which the pixels electrically communicate with electronics on the carrier. Each of the electrical conductors is at least partially positioned in a recess that extends into the wafer.
US07659516B2
An array-based C-MOS sensor device is provided with a facility for on the basis of non-destructive cell readout generating a radiation dose-sensing signal. In particular, the facility is arranged for accessing a subset of multiple distributed C-MOS cells across the array and feeding by such accessed cells an algorithmic means for therein generating an overall feedback dose control signalization and/or an over-all trigger signalization.
US07659515B2
A detecting device comprises at least one 2-dimensional set of elementary sensors of the semiconductor type for transforming energy of radiation to be detected into electric signals. Each elementary sensor is provided on one side with an anode and on the opposite side with a cathode adapted to be electrically connected on a circuit for reading and operating on the signals. The anodes are electrically interconnected to constitute a plurality of anode subsets electrically connected at least in pairs to a measuring anode path looped on said reading and operating circuit. Each anode is connected to two separate measuring anode pats. The cathodes are electrically interconnected to constitute adjacent cathode subsets, each cathode subset being electrically connected to a measuring cathode path. The anodes belonging to two anode subsets and connected to a common anode path are associated with sensors whereof the cathodes belong to separate cathode subsets.
US07659509B2
In accordance with the invention, a computer pointing device is interfaced with an SPM system to provide real time control of the SPM and improve the ease of use.
US07659502B2
An optical tactile sensor and an image information integrating method capable of measuring large area force vector distribution are provided. The optical tactile sensor comprises a tactile section comprising a transparent elastic body (1) and a plurality of markers (3, 4) provided therein, and a plurality of imaging devices (6, 6) for obtaining a marker image by photographing the behavior of the markers when an object (5) contacts the tactile face (2) of the transparent elastic body (1). The method comprises a step of obtaining a partial image by photographing the partial regions A, B, C and D of the transparent resilient body (1) using the plurality of imaging devices (6, 6) such that each imaging device (6) has an overlapped photograph region (11), and a step of integrating the partial images obtained by each imaging device (6) such that the identical markers in the overlapped photograph region match.
US07659499B2
A photoelectric conversion device including: a first electrode; a photoelectric conversion layer; and a second electrode, in this order, wherein the photoelectric conversion device further includes: a deterioration factor adsorptive and/or reactive layer which covers the first electrode, the photoelectric conversion layer and the second electrode and which has at least one of adsorptivity of adsorbing a deterioration factor and reactivity of reacting with the deterioration factor; and a passivation layer which covers the deterioration factor adsorptive and/or reactive layer to protect the first electrode, the photoelectric conversion layer and the second electrode.
US07659489B2
Plasma ignition and cooling apparatus and methods for plasma systems are described. An apparatus can include a vessel and at least one ignition electrode adjacent to the vessel. A total length of a dimension of the at least one ignition electrode is greater than 10% of a length of the vessel's channel. The apparatus can include a dielectric toroidal vessel, a heat sink having multiple segments urged toward the vessel by a spring-loaded mechanism, and a thermal interface between the vessel and the heat sink. A method can include providing a gas having a flow rate and a pressure and directing a portion of the flow rate of the gas into a vessel channel. The gas is ignited in the channel while the remaining portion of the flow rate is directed away from the channel.
US07659483B2
A gasket for shielding a seam between two surfaces includes a resilient member, a first electrode, a second electrode and a conductive layer. The resilient member has a first side and an opposite second side. The first electrode is disposed on the first side of the resilient member. The second electrode is disposed on the second side of the resilient member. The conductive layer envelops at least a portion of the resilient member, the first electrode and the second electrode. The resilient member includes a material that is compressed when a first potential is applied between the first electrode and the second electrode and that is decompressed when a second potential, different from the first potential, is applied between the first electrode and the second electrode.
US07659482B2
An electromagnetic shield comprising an electrically conductive frame for establishing electrical contact between a chassis wall and an expansion card mounting bracket. The frame has a plurality of spring fingers interconnected about a perimeter of a central opening in the frame, wherein each spring finger defines a central axis that extends outwardly away from the central opening. The frame may include a substantially planar portion adjacent the central opening in the frame, wherein the plurality of spring fingers incline along the central axis to extend out of the plane defined by the substantially planar portion. The incline of the spring fingers allows a mounting bracket to slide laterally without jamming against the side of a spring finger during installation, removal or side-to-side shifting of the mounting plate.
US07659467B2
A device for adjusting the tension of the strings of a guitar having at least two strings, particularly an electric guitar or a bass, particularly an electric bass, in which each string of the guitar or bass is, with one end, wound on a turning peg of an adjusting mechanism mounted on the neck of the guitar or of the bass. The adjusting mechanism contains a combination consisting of a worm shaft and of a worm wheel and, due to these, is provided with a self-locking ability. The aim of the invention is to improve the design of a device of the aforementioned type so that, without considerably altering the basic shape of the guitar or of the bass, this device can automatically adjust the tension of individual strings of the instrument reliably and precisely whereby ultimately enabling them to be tuned. To this end, a drive unit for each adjusting mechanism is mounted on the neck of the guitar or of the bass. The drive unit is directly connected to the worm shaft or to the worm wheel (17) of this adjusting mechanism in order to drive the worm shaft or the worm wheel.
US07659466B1
A tuning device for a stringed musical instrument comprising a socket to receive a peg of the instrument, a shaft rotatably connected to the socket, a motor to induce rotation of the shaft, a first gear to reduce the shaft rotation and increase torque from the motor, the first gear being engaged to the motor, a second gear to exponentially reduce the reduced shaft rotation, the second gear being engaged between the shaft and the first gear, a cutter to trim a string of the instrument, and a housing to cover and protect the shaft, the motor, and the gears, where the cutter is attached to the housing opposing the socket.
US07659458B2
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated CH958922. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CH958922, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH958922 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to genetic complements of plants of variety CH958922.
US07659457B2
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the corn variety designated CV581972. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CV581972, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CV581972 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to corn seeds and plants produced by crossing plants of variety CV581972 with plants of another variety, such as another inbred line. The invention further relates to the inbred and hybrid genetic complements of plants of variety CV581972.
US07659446B2
The invention relates to plant transcription factor polypeptides, polynucleotides that encode them, homologs from a variety of plant species, and methods of using the polynucleotides and polypeptides to produce transgenic plants having advantageous properties compared to a reference plant. Sequence information related to these polynucleotides and polypeptides can also be used in bioinformatic search methods is also disclosed.
US07659440B2
The present invention provides an article to be worn about a wearer including features that glow in the dark, are illuminative, are light emitting, or are reflective. These features may assist in the identification, location, entertainment, or changing of the wearer, as well as assist in the location of a fresh diaper for changing in a low light environment.
US07659435B2
A process is disclosed for the manufacture of CF3CH2CHF2 and CF3CHFCH2F. The process involves (a) reacting hydrogen fluoride, chlorine, and at least one halopropene of the formula CX3CCl═CClX (where each X is independently F or Cl) to produce a product including both CF3CCl2CClF2 and CF3CClFCCl2F; (b) reacting CF3CCl2CClF2 and CF3CClFCCl2F produced in (a) with hydrogen to produce a product including both CF3CH2CHF2, and CF3CHFCH2F; and (c) recovering CF3CH2CHF2 and CF3CHFCH2F from the product produced in (b). In (a), the CF3CCl2CF3 and CF3CClFCClF2 are produced in the presence of a chlorofluorination catalyst including (i) a crystalline alpha-chromium oxide where at least 0.05 atom % of the chromium atoms in the alpha-chromium oxide lattice are replaced by divalent copper, and/or (ii) a chromium-containing composition of (i) which has been treated with a fluorinating agent.
US07659432B2
Mixed ketones are prepared from a mixture of carboxylic acids in a process with high selectivity by using an improved catalyst. The catalyst contains zirconium dioxide or zirconium dioxide and titanium dioxide, and a Group 1 or 2 metal silicate or phosphate salt. The new catalyst is more selective toward the formation of the mixed ketone, as opposed to a symmetrical ketone.
US07659430B2
The invention relates to a process for separating hydrogen chloride and phosgene, which comprises bringing a mixture of hydrogen chloride and phosgene into contact with an ionic liquid in which at least part of the hydrogen chloride is dissolved in a step a) and then separating off the hydrogen chloride dissolved in the ionic liquid in a step b).
US07659423B1
This invention relates to a process for producing electron deficient olefins, such as 2-cyanoacrylates, in a polar solvent, such as an ionic liquid.
US07659413B2
The present invention relates to an oxetane compound containing a (meth)acryloyl group represented by formula (1) having a high copolymerizability with compounds containing a (meth)acryloyl group, and to a production method of an oxetane compound containing a (meth)acryloyl group which is characterized by reacting an isocyanate compound having a (meth)acryloyl group represented by formula (5) with an oxetane compound containing a hydroxyl group represented by formula (6). (In the formula, R1 represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, A represents —OR2— or a bond, R2 represents a divalent hydrocarbon group which may contain an oxygen atom in the main chain, R3 represents a linear or branched alkylene group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, and R4 represents a linear or branched alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms.)
US07659410B2
Provided are a thiophene-containing compound represented by the following formula (X-1), and an organic electroluminescent device that includes a pair of electrodes and an organic compound layer disposed therebetween. The organic compound layer includes a charge-transporting polyester having a repeating structure containing at least one structure selected from the structures represented by the following formulae (I-1) and (I-2) as its partial structure. In formula (X-1), Ar1 represents a substituted or unsubstituted monovalent aromatic group; and R1 to R4 each independently represent a hydrogen atom, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group, or a substituted or unsubstituted aralkyl group; and n′ is an integer of 1 to 5.
US07659407B2
Pyrazole derivatives of the following formula (I), having affinity for the cannabinoidergic CB1 and/or CB2 receptors: wherein: R is a group selected from: C1-C10 alkyl; aryl, arylalkyl or arylalkenyl, not substituted or having from one to four substituents, equal to or different from each other; A is a group selected from the following: an ether group of formula —(CH2)—O—(CH2)v—R″ wherein v is equal to 1 or 2; R″ is as defined in the present application; a ketone group of formula —C(O)—Z′, wherein Z′ is as defined in the present application; a substituent having an hydroxyl function of formula —CH(OH)—Z′, Z′ being as defined in the present application; an amide substituent of formula —C(O)—NH—T′, T′ being as defined in the present application; B is a group as defined in the present application; D is an heteroaryl optionally substituted.
US07659404B2
The present invention concerns the compounds having the formula N-oxides, salts, stereoisomeric forms, racemic mixtures, prodrugs, esters and metabolites thereof, wherein R1 and R8 each are H, optionally substituted C1-6alkyl, C2-6alkenyl, C3-7cycloalkyl, aryl, Het1, Het2; R1 may also be a radical of formula (R11aR11b)NC(R10aR10b)CR9—; t is 0, 1 or 2; R2 is H or C1-6alkyl; L is —C(═O)—, —O—C(═O)—, —NR8—C(═O)—, —O—C1-6alkanediyl-C(═O)—, —NR8—C1-6alkanediyl-C(═O)—, —S(═O)2—, —O—S(═O)2—, —NR8—S(═O)2; R3 is C1-6alkyl, aryl, C3-7cycloalkyl, C3-7cycloalkylC1-4alkyl, or arylC1-4alkyl; R4 is H, C1-4alkylOC(═O), carboxyl, aminoC(═O), mono- or di(C1-4alkyl)aminoC(═O), C3-7cycloalkyl, C2-6alkenyl, C2-6alkynyl or optionally substituted C1-6alkyl; A is C1-6alkanediyl, —C(═O)—, —C(═S)—, —S(═O)2—, C1-6alkanediyl-C(═O)—, C1-6alkanediyl-C(═S)— or C1-6alkanediyl-S(═O)2—; R5 is H, OH, C1-6alkyl, Het1C1-6alkyl, Het2C1-6alkyl, optionally substituted aminoC1-6alkyl; R6 is C1-6alkylO, Het1, Het1O, Het2, Het2O, aryl, arylO, C1-6alkyloxycarbonylamino or amino; and in case —A— is other than C1-6alkanediyl then R6 may also be C1-6alkyl, Het1C1-4alkyl, Het1OC1-4alkyl, Het2C1-4alkyl, Het2OC1-4alkyl, arylC1-4alkyl, arylOC1-4alkyl or aminoC1-4alkyl; whereby each of the amino groups in the definition of R6 may optionally be substituted; R5 and —A—R6 taken together with the nitrogen atom to which they are attached may also form Het1 or Het2. It further relates to their use as broadspectrum HIV protease inhibitors, processes for their preparation as well as pharmaceutical compositions and diagnostic kits comprising them. It also concerns combinations thereof with another anti-retroviral agent, and to their use in assays as reference compounds or as reagents.
US07659402B2
This invention is directed towards novel compounds as opioid receptor modulators, antagonists, and agonists useful for the treatment of opioid modulated disorders such as pain and gastrointestinal disorders.
US07659391B2
The present invention relates to the field of synthesis of short double-stranded RNAs. An in vitro transcription method using bacteriophage polymerases and target sequence-specific single-stranded DNA oligonucleotides as templates is disclosed. The present invention finds particularly advantageous use in the synthesis of short interfering RNAs (siRNAs) that have been shown to function as key intermediates in triggering sequence-specific RNA degradation during posttranscriptional gene silencing in plants and RNA interference in invertebrates and vertebrate systems.
US07659387B1
The present invention relates to an isolated Period 1 (Per1) promoter DNA inducing rhythmical expression of a gene operably linked thereto. This invention also provides a DNA comprising a Period 1 promoter DNA and a gene operably linked thereto, the gene being under the regulation of the promoter DNA. The present invention further provides transformants and transgenic mammals into which the DNA has been introduced. The transformants and transgenic mammals are useful in the screening of pharmaceutical drugs against diseases and disorders pertaining to the circadian rhythm.
US07659386B2
Isolated polynucleotides and polypeptides encoded thereby are described, together with the use of those products for making transgenic plants.
US07659383B2
Canine and feline 5T4 polypeptide sequences and nucleotide sequences encoding them are provided. A vector system comprising a nucleic acid encoding 5T4 and a 5T4-specific agent are also provided.
US07659380B2
The present invention provides methods of isolation and purification of Streptomyces griseus trypsin (SGT) from PRONASE protease mixture in a single affinity chromatography step and uses of the purified SGT.
US07659377B2
Nucleic acid and corresponding protein entitled 193P1E1B useful in treatment and detection of cancer
A novel gene (designated 193P1E1B) and its encoded protein, and variants thereof, are described wherein 193P1E1B exhibits tissue specific expression in normal adult tissue, and is aberrantly expressed in the cancers listed in Table I. Consequently, 193P1E1B provides a diagnostic, prognostic, prophylactic and/or therapeutic target for cancer. The 193P1E1B gene or fragment thereof, or its encoded protein, or variants thereof, or a fragment thereof, can be used to elicit a humoral or cellular immune response; antibodies or T cells reactive with 191P1E1B can be used in active or passive immunization.
US07659375B2
The invention is directed to purified and isolated novel human IL-1 epsilon polypeptides, the nucleic acids encoding such polypeptides, processes for production of recombinant forms of such polypeptides, antibodies generated against these polypeptides, fragmented peptides derived from these polypeptides, the use of such polypeptides and fragmented peptides in cellular and immune reactions and as molecular weight markers, the use of such polypeptides and fragmented peptides as controls for peptide fragmentation, and kits comprising these reagents.
US07659372B2
Menstrual fluid simulants may consistently emulate the physical characteristics of real menstrual fluid, including but not limited to, viscosity, stringiness, surface tension and size and concentration of particulate matter. In addition, the constituents comprising the menstrual fluid simulants may be changed in order to mimic the variations in real menstrual fluid observed from woman to woman and from an individual woman over time. The menstrual fluid simulants are of use in the testing of personal care absorbent products.
US07659371B2
Methods for isolating patched genes, including the mouse and human patched genes, as well as invertebrate patched genes and sequences, are provided. Decreased expression of patched is associated with the occurrence of human cancers, particularly basal cell carcinomas of the skin. The patched and hedgehog genes are useful in creating transgenic animal models for these human cancers. The patched nucleic acid compositions find use in identifying homologous or related proteins and the DNA sequences encoding such proteins; in producing compositions that modulate the expression or function of the protein; and in studying associated physiological pathways. In addition, modulation of the gene activity in vivo is used for prophylactic and therapeutic purposes, such as treatment of cancer, identification of cell type based on expression, and the like. The DNA is further used as a diagnostic for a genetic predisposition to cancer, and to identify specific cancers having mutations in this gene.
US07659369B2
Nucleic acid molecules from nematodes encoding ATP synthase subunit E polypeptides are described. ATP synthase subunit E-like polypeptide sequences are also provided, as are vectors, host cells, and recombinant methods for production of ATP synthase subunit E-like nucleotides and polypeptides. Also described are screening methods for identifying inhibitors and/or activators, as well as methods for antibody production.
US07659359B1
An isosorbide-containing polycarbonate composition is provided. The composition contains a polycarbonate having repeat units derived from isosorbide, a polycarbonate-property-modifying additive, and a pH stabilizer. When a solution containing 10 wt. % of the composition dissolved in dichloromethane is prepared the solution has a non-aqueous pH in a range of equal to or between 0.8 below and 0.5 above the pH of the dichloromethane.
US07659349B2
Degraded polypropylene (co)polymer modified with a linear dialkylperoxide in order to retain its impact strength and a process for its preparation.
US07659344B2
Disclosed is a composition, which may be melt extrudable, comprising polyvinylpyrrolidone-iodine complex in at least one polymer. Also disclosed is a process for preparing the composition or shaped articles, including films, made therefrom. The composition can be extruded, blown film extruded, or molded into films, fibers, tubing, and shaped articles thermoformed or molded shapes, including containers, usable, for instance, as catheters, in delivery systems for drugs and nutrients, specimen containers, or surgical devices.
US07659339B2
The present invention relates to thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPVs) based on low Mooney, optionally hydrogenated nitrile butadiene rubber and polyamides. The present invention also relates to TPVs based on low Mooney, optionally, hydrogenated nitrile terpolymers and polyamides. TPVs prepared according to the present invention have improved morphology, smaller rubber particle size, and improved processability compared to TPVs containing non-low Mooney, optionally hydrogenated nitrile butadiene rubber.
US07659335B2
A composition comprising an aqueous dispersion of fluoropolymer particles stabilized with a polyoxyethylene alkyl ether surfactant having a polydispersity index, Mw/Mn, of 1.15 or less, useful in compositions comprising electrode material.
US07659334B2
The instant invention is an impact resistant rigid vinyl chloride polymer composition, and method of making the same. The impact resistant rigid vinyl chloride polymer composition, according to instant invention, includes a vinyl chloride polymer, an impact modifier, and a lubricant system. The impact modifier includes a chlorinated olefin polymer, and an ethylene/alpha-olefin copolymer. The lubricant system includes a first component, a second component, and a third component. The first component is a carboxylic acid selected from the group consisting of stearic acid, lauric acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, blends thereof, and combinations thereof. The second component is a hydrocarbon wax selected from the group consisting of a paraffin wax, polyolefin wax, blends thereof, and combinations thereof. The third component is a metal soap selected from the group consisting of calcium stearate, aluminum stearate, copper stearate, lithium stearate, magnesium stearate, sodium stearate, zinc stearate, blends thereof, and combinations thereof. The process for preparing the impact resistant rigid vinyl chloride polymer composition of the instant invention includes the following steps: (1) providing a vinyl chloride polymer; (2) providing an impact modifier as described above; (3) providing a lubricant system as described above; (4) blending the vinyl chloride polymer, the impact modifier, and the lubricant system thereby forming the impact resistant rigid vinyl chloride polymer composition.
US07659331B2
The present invention provides a shapeable resin-containing composition comprising at least one saccharide ester, preferably according to Formula I. wherein “A” is hydrogen or has the structure of Structure I: wherein “R” is an aliphatic or aromatic moiety of about eight to about 40 carbon atoms, and wherein at least one “A” moiety of Formula I is a moiety of Structure I. Also provided are shaping methods and shaped products based on the present compositions.
US07659327B2
The invention relates to microspheres coated with a phenolic novolak resin, a process for preparing them, and their use in making foundry shapes, e.g. molds, cores, sleeves, pouring cups, etc., which are used in casting metal parts.
US07659325B2
The invention relates to transparent polymer material containing a dye which absorbs light above 400 nm. It furthermore relates to methods for producing the polymer material and a lens comprising the polymer material. In particular, the invention relates to an intraocular lens (IOL) suitable for implantation in mammals, which IOL has visible light transmission properties comparable to those of the human crystalline lens. Provided is a transparent polymer material containing at least one covalently attached dye, said dye having the general formula I:
US07659322B1
The invention provides a method for preparing a polyanhydride by irradiating one or more diacids with microwave radiation in the presence of a carboxylic anhydride so as to acylate the one or more diacids to yield at least one prepolymer, and irradiating the prepolymer with microwave radiation so as to polymerize said prepolymer to yield the polyanhydride, as a homopolymer or a copolymer. High purity polyanhydrides can be prepared by this method. Reaction times compared to conventional melt polycondensations can be significantly reduced. Copolymer polyanhydrides can also be prepared by the microware radiation techniques described herein.
US07659317B2
Methods and reagents for labeling synthesis of organohalides by transition metal mediated carbonylation reactions using carbon-isotope labeled carbon monoxide are provided. The resultant carbon-isotope labeled organohalides are useful as radiopharmaceuticals, especially for use as precursors in Positron Emission Tomography (PET). Associated PET tracers and kits for PET studies are also provided.
US07659314B2
Mixed micelles containing poly(L-histidine)-poly(ethylene glycol) block copolymer and poly(L-lactic acid)-poly(ethylene glycol) block copolymer are a pH-sensitive drug carrier that release the drug in an acidic microenvironment, but not in the blood. Since the microenvironment of solid tumors is acidic, these mixed micelles are useful for treating cancer, including those cancers exhibiting multidrug resistance. Targeting ligands, such as folate, can also be attached to the mixed micelles for enhancing drug delivery into cells. Methods of treating a warm-blooded animal with such a drug are disclosed.
US07659311B2
The inventors have discovered that the disodium salt of certain delivery agents has surprisingly greater efficacy for delivering active agents than the corresponding monosodium salt. Furthermore, the inventors have discovered that the disodium salts of these delivery agents form solvates with ethanol and hydrates with water. The delivery agents have the formula wherein R1, R2, R3, and R4 are independently hydrogen, halogen, C1-C4 alkyl, or C1-C4 alkoxy; and R5 is a substituted or unsubstituted C2-C16 alkylene, substituted or unsubstituted C2-C16 alkenylene, substituted or unsubstituted C1-C12 alkyl(arylene), or substituted or unsubstituted aryl(C1-C12 alkylene). The hydrates and solvates of present invention also have surprisingly greater efficacy for delivering active agents, such as heparin and calcitonin, than their corresponding monosodium salts and free acids. The present invention provides an alcohol solvate, such as ethanol solvate, of a disodium salt of a delivery agent of the formula above. The invention also provides a hydrate of a disodium salt of a delivery agent of the formula above. Preferred delivery agents include, but are not limited to, N-(5-chlorosalicyloyl)-8-aminocaprylic acid (5-CNAC), N-(10-[2-hydroxybenzoyl]amino)decanoic acid (SNAD), and sodium N-(8-[2-hydroxybenzoyl]amino)caprylate (SNAC). The invention also provides methods of preparing the disodium salt, ethanol solvate, and hydrate and compositions containing the disodium salt, ethanol solvate, and/or hydrate.
US07659309B2
The present invention relates to polymorphic forms of (1-{3-[3-(4-cyano-3-methoxy-phenyl)ureido]-phenyl}-ethyl)-carbamic acid-2-cyano-1-ethyl-ethyl ester, processes therein, pharmaceutical compositions thereof, and uses therewith.
US07659305B2
The compounds of formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, solvate or pro-drug thereof, are proline derivatives useful in the treatment of epilepsy, faintness attacks, hypokinesia, cranial disorders, neurodegenerative disorders, depression, anxiety, panic, pain, fibromyalgia, arthritis, neuropathalogical disorders, sleep disorders, visceral pain disorders and gastrointestinal disorders. Processes for the preparation of the final products and intermediates useful in the process are included. Pharmaceutical compositions containing one or more of the compounds are also included.
US07659299B2
Use of an agent capable of inhibiting SAP ligand binding activity or depleting SAP from the plasma of a subject for the production of a medicament for treatment or prevention of osteoarthritis in the subject.
US07659291B2
Provided herein are ready-to-use premixed pharmaceutical compositions of nicardipine or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt and methods for use in treating cardiovascular and cerebrovascular conditions.
US07659260B2
Described herein are methods of repairing retinal tissue using resorbable tamponade compositions that are heavier than aqueous humor and contain one or more glysosaminoglycans.
US07659255B2
The present invention relates to a method of using biologically active peptide compounds comprising the tri-peptide motif KDI derived from the neurite outgrowth-promoting domain of laminin-1 as inhibitors of ionotropic glutamate receptors. The peptide compounds are therefore useful in methods of treating disorders responsive to the blockade of these receptors, such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, ALS or stroke.
US07659253B2
The invention describes compounds, compositions, and methods of using the same comprising a chemical moiety covalently attached to amphetamine. These compounds and compositions are useful for reducing or preventing abuse and overdose of amphetamine. These compounds and compositions find particular use in providing an abuse-resistant alternative treatment for certain disorders, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), ADD, narcolepsy, and obesity. Oral bioavailability of amphetamine is maintained at therapeutically useful doses. At higher doses bioavailability is substantially reduced, thereby providing a method of reducing oral abuse liability. Further, compounds and compositions of the invention decrease the bioavailability of amphetamine by parenteral routes, such as intravenous or intranasal administration, further limiting their abuse liability.
US07659249B2
The present invention aims to solve the conventional problems by providing a peptide compound, in which when administered to a patient of immunologic disease, cardiac hypertrophy or a disease caused by NFAT activation, the period from administration to actual exhibition of effectiveness is short and there are no side effects or antigenicity. Specifically, the present invention relates to a membrane permeable NFAT inhibitory peptide comprising several consecutive arginines and a NFAT-activity inhibitory peptide sequence; a NFAT activation inhibitory agent comprising the peptide; and a immunosuppressive agent and cardiac hypertrophy suppressive agent, comprising the peptide compound as the active ingredient.
US07659248B2
Stabilized aqueous compositions of tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI) or TFPI variants comprise a solubilizing agent, an antioxidant, and a buffer. The combination of a solubilizing agent and an antioxidant can lead to a significant improvement in the storage life of TFPI or TFPI variant compositions. The solubilizing agent and antioxidant substantially counteract the effects of TFPI or TFPI variant degradation through aggregation and oxidation.
US07659246B2
This invention relates to methods of treatment of osteoarthritis, and especially to treatment of this condition with cyclic peptidic and peptidomimetic compounds which have the ability to modulate the activity of G protein-coupled receptors. The compounds preferably act as antagonists of the C5a receptor, and are active against C5a receptors on polymorphonuclear leukocytes and macrophages. Particularly preferred compounds for use in the invention are disclosed.
US07659244B2
The present invention relates to new rapamycin derivatives for the inhibition of cell proliferation. The compounds can advantageously target two proteins in dividing cells and interfere with cell cycle. There is thus provided derivatives of rapamycin in which the 42 position of rapamycin is linked to an amino acid or a peptide through a carbamate ester linkage. These rapamycin derivatives can be synthesized by reacting 42-O-(4-Nitrophenoxycarbonyl) rapamycin and an amino acid or a free amino peptide under basic conditions. These rapamycin derivatives can be used to inhibit the cell cycle and are therefore useful for treating cell proliferation disorders.
US07659228B2
The invention relates to insecticidal mixtures of fipronil and agonists or antagonist of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors for the protection of industrial materials and plants.
US07659227B2
Embodiments of the present invention provide catalysts for production of hydrogen from methanol. In an embodiment, a Cu/Zn catalyst may be promoted by Zr and/or Ce, in addition to, in embodiments, Pd or another noble metal. In an embodiment, a chemical composition may have a Cu/Zn base catalyst with a promoter element of Ce, Zr, and/or Pd or another noble metal. Methods of producing hydrogen using such catalysts are also provided.
US07659226B2
A method of making amorphous metal peroxide solution includes mixing hydrogen peroxide and an amorphous metal hydroxide mixture to form a hydrogen peroxide and amorphous metal hydroxide mixture, and simultaneously heating and applying pressure above atmospheric pressure to the hydrogen peroxide and amorphous metal hydroxide mixture for a period of time to form the amorphous metal peroxide solution.
US07659225B2
Disclosed is a catalyst composite containing a metal catalyst and a specifically defined carbon support containing a carbonaceous material. For example, the carbon support may have a total pore surface area of about 800 m2/g or more and about 2,000 m2/g or less where about 20% or less of the total pore surface area is micro pore surface area. Alternatively the carbon support may have a total pore volume of at least about 0.75 cc/g where about 15% or less of the total pore volume is micro pore volume. Alternatively, the carbon support may have a phosphorus content of about 0.75% by weight or less. Also disclosed are methods of making and using the catalyst composite.
US07659215B2
Disclosed herein is a method of depositing a nanolaminate film for next-generation non-volatile floating gate memory devices by atomic layer deposition. The method includes the steps of: introducing a substrate into an atomic layer deposition reactor; forming on the substrate a first high-dielectric-constant layer by alternately supplying an oxygen source and a metal source selected from among an aluminum source, a zirconium source and a hafnium source; forming on the first high-dielectric-constant layer a nickel oxide layer by alternately supplying a nickel source and an oxygen source; and forming on the nickel oxide layer a second high-dielectric-constant layer by alternately supplying an oxygen source and a metal source selected from among an aluminum source, a zirconium source and a hafnium source. The nanolaminate film deposited according to the method shows good memory window characteristics compared to those of memory devices fabricated using nanocrystal floating gates according to the prior physical vapor deposition methods, and thus can be applied to non-volatile floating gate memory devices.
US07659209B2
A Cl2 gas plasma is generated at a site within a chamber between a substrate and a metal member. The metal member is etched with the Cl2 gas plasma to form a precursor. A nitrogen gas is excited in a manner isolated from the chamber accommodating the substrate. A metal nitride is formed upon reaction between excited nitrogen and the precursor, and formed as a film on the substrate. After film formation of the metal nitride, a metal component of the precursor is formed as a film on the metal nitride on the substrate. In this manner, a barrier metal film with excellent burial properties and a very small thickness is produced at a high speed, with diffusion of metal being suppressed and adhesion to the metal being improved.
US07659208B2
Methods are disclosed, such as those involving increasing the density of isolated features in an integrated circuit. In one or more embodiments, a method is provided for forming an integrated circuit with a pattern of isolated features having a final density of isolated features that is greater than a starting density of isolated features in the integrated circuit by a multiple of two or more. The method can include forming a pattern of pillars having a density X, and forming a pattern of holes amongst the pillars, the holes having a density at least X. The pillars can be selectively removed to form a pattern of holes having a density at least 2X. In some embodiments, plugs can be formed in the pattern of holes, such as by epitaxial deposition on the substrate, in order to provide a pattern of pillars having a density 2X. In other embodiments, the pattern of holes can be transferred to the substrate by etching.
US07659206B2
A method of treating a substrate comprises depositing silicon oxycarbide on the substrate and removing the silicon oxycarbide from the substrate. The silicon oxycarbide on the substrate is decarbonized by exposure to an energized oxygen-containing gas that heats the substrate and converts the layer of silicon oxycarbide into a layer of silicon oxide. The silicon oxide is removed by exposure to a plasma of fluorine-containing process gas. Alternatively, the remaining silicon oxide can be removed by a fluorine-containing acidic bath. In yet another version, a plasma of a fluorine-containing gas and an oxygen-containing gas is energized to remove the silicon oxycarbide from the substrate.
US07659204B2
A method and resultant produce of forming barrier layer based on ruthenium tantalum in a via or other vertical interconnect structure through a dielectric layer in a multi-level metallization. The RuTa layer in a RuTa/RuTaN bilayer, which may form discontinuous islands, is actively oxidized, preferably in an oxygen plasma, to thereby bridge the gaps between the islands. Alternatively, ruthenium tantalum oxide is reactive sputtered onto the RuTaN or directly onto the underlying dielectric by plasma sputtering a RuTa target in the presence of oxygen.
US07659194B2
A multilayer circuit substrate for multi-chip modules or hybrid circuits includes a dielectric base substrate, conductors formed on the base substrate and a vacuum deposited dielectric thin film formed over the conductors and the base substrate. The vacuum deposited dielectric thin film is patterned using sacrificial structures formed by shadow mask techniques. Substrates formed in this manner enable significant increases in interconnect density and significant reduction of over-all substrate thickness.
US07659187B2
A method of forming transistors on a wafer includes forming gates over gate insulators on a surface of the wafer and ion implanting dopant impurity atoms into the wafer to form source and drain regions aligned on opposite sides of each gate. The wafer is then annealed by pre-heating the bulk of the wafer to an elevated temperature over 350 degrees C. but below a temperature at which the dopant atoms tend to cluster. Meanwhile, an intense line beam is produced having a narrow dimension along a fast axis from an array of coherent CW lasers of a selected wavelength. This line beam is scanned across the surface of the heated wafer along the direction of the fast axis, so as to heat, up to a peak surface temperature near a melting temperature of the wafer, a moving localized region on the surface of the wafer having (a) a width corresponding to the narrow beam width and (b) an extremely shallow below-surface depth. During the scanning step, the surface state density at the interface between the semiconductor material and the gate insulator is minimized by continuing to maintain the temperature of the bulk of the wafer outside of the moving localized region at said elevated temperature, while maintaining the rate at which the line beam is scanned along the fast axis at a rate in excess of 300 mm/sec.
US07659186B2
A method for manufacturing the CMOS image sensor comprising forming an epitaxial layer provided with a plurality of photo diodes on a semiconductor substrate, coating a first photo resist on the epitaxial layer and performing a patterning process on the first photo resist using a predetermined reference value in order to form a first photo resist pattern, coating a second photo resist on the epitaxial layer and first photo resist pattern and performing a patterning process for the second photo resist in order to form the second photo resist pattern on the first photo resist pattern; and forming a well area of a pixel area by performing a dopant implantation process using a mask pattern including the first photo resist pattern and the second photo resist pattern.
US07659185B2
Disclosed are a method for forming a silicon thin-film on a substrate, and more particularly a method for forming a polycrystalline silicon thin-film of good quality on a flexible metal substrate. A metal substrate (110) is prepared and a surface of the metal substrate (110) is flattened. An insulation film (120) is formed on the metal substrate (110). An amorphous silicon layer (130) is formed on the insulation film (120). A metal layer (140) is formed on the amorphous silicon layer (130). A sample on the metal substrate (110) is heated and crystallized.
US07659182B2
Methods of wafer-to-wafer bonding are disclosed. These methods use a force-transposing substrate providing redistribution of the applied force to the local bonding areas across the wafer. Certain versions of the Present Invention also provide a compliant force-distributing member along with applying bonding material to bonding areas in select locations. A predetermined sequence of external force loading and temperature steps ensure creating bonds between the wafers in the bonding areas. The disclosed methods improve wafer bonding, by increasing its uniformity and strength across the wafer, increasing both reproducibility and yield process and decreasing cost of semiconductor and MEMS devices.
US07659168B2
In a first aspect, a first apparatus is provided. The first apparatus is an eFuse including (1) a semiconducting layer above an insulating oxide layer of a substrate; (2) a diode formed in the semiconducting layer; and (3) a silicide layer formed on the diode. Numerous other aspects are provided.
US07659158B2
Embodiments of the invention provide memory devices and methods for forming memory devices. In one embodiment, a memory device is provided which includes a floating gate polysilicon layer disposed over source/drain regions of a substrate, a silicon oxynitride layer disposed over the floating gate polysilicon layer, a first aluminum oxide layer disposed over the silicon oxynitride layer, a hafnium silicon oxynitride layer disposed over the first aluminum oxide layer, a second aluminum oxide layer disposed over the hafnium silicon oxynitride layer, and a control gate polysilicon layer disposed over the second aluminum oxide layer. In another embodiment, a memory device is provided which includes a control gate polysilicon layer disposed over an inter-poly dielectric stack disposed over a silicon oxide layer disposed over the floating gate polysilicon layer. The inter-poly dielectric stack contains two silicon oxynitride layers separated by a silicon nitride layer.
US07659156B2
A semiconductor device is provided which comprises a semiconductor layer (109), a dielectric layer (111), first and second gate electrodes (129, 131) having first and second respective work functions associated therewith, and a layer of hafnium oxide (113) disposed between said dielectric layer and said first and second gate electrodes.
US07659152B2
A silicon-on-insulator device has a localized biasing structure formed in the insulator layer of the SOI. The localized biasing structure includes a patterned conductor that provides a biasing signal to distinct regions of the silicon layer of the SOI. The conductor is recessed into the insulator layer to provide a substantially planar interface with the silicon layer. The conductor is connected to a bias voltage source. In an embodiment, a plurality of conductor is provided that respectively connected to a plurality of voltage sources. Thus, different regions of the silicon layer are biased by different bias signals.
US07659147B2
In a method for cutting a solid-state image pickup device of the present invention, a glass cover plate is diced with a surface thereof being protected, so that chipping of the glass cover plate can be significantly prevented. In addition, since a CCD wafer is adhered after the glass cover plate is diced, no glass fragments scattered due to chipping of the glass cover plate touch the CCD wafer, or cause damage to the CCD wafer, thereby a cutting of solid-state image pickup device can be achieved with high accuracy and high quality.
US07659142B2
A semiconductor device comprising: a semiconductor element having a plurality of electrodes; a passivation film formed on the semiconductor element in a region avoiding at least a part of each of the electrodes; a conductive foil provided at a given spacing from the surface on which the passivation film is formed; an external electrodes formed on the conductive foil; intermediate layer formed between the passivation film and the conductive foil to support the conductive foil; and wires electrically connecting the electrodes to the conductive foil; wherein a depression tapered in a direction from the conductive foil to the passivation film if formed under a part of the conductive foil that includes the connection with the external electrodes.
US07659136B2
It is an object to provide solid-state imaging device, which can easily be manufactured and has a high reliability, and a method of manufacturing the solid-state imaging device. In the present invention, a manufacturing method comprises the steps of forming a plurality of IT-CCDs on a surface of a semiconductor substrate, bonding a translucent member to the surface of the semiconductor substrate in order to have a gap opposite to each light receiving region of the IT-CCD, and isolating a bonded member obtained at the bonding step for each of the IT-CCDs.
US07659131B2
Because a restricting plate 27 is disposed using a spacer 25, an upper plate 15 is allowed to expand upward when resin is injected, but unnecessary overexpansion is restricted by the restricting plate 27. Therefore the injection of a slightly larger amount of resin 37 does not cause a distortion or breakage of the upper plate 15 and a large amount resin 37 than the predetermined amount may be injected. As a result, damage to the upper plate 15 by the injection of the resin 37 and damage to the upper plate 15, the exfoliation of the radiation sensitive layer, and the like caused by the curing of the resin 37 may be prevented and damage to the flat panel radiation detector 1 may be prevented thereby.
US07659130B2
A gate conductor including a gate line, a gate pad and a gate electrode is formed on a substrate. A gate insulating layer, a semiconductor layer, a doped amorphous silicon layer and a conductive layer are deposited in sequence, and then a photoresist film pattern is formed thereon. The photoresist film pattern includes a first portion positioned between the to be formed source electrode and drain electrode, a second portion thicker than the first portion, and the third portion with no photoresist. A data conductor including a data line, a data pad, a source electrode, a drain electrode and a conductor pattern for a storage capacitor, an ohmic contact layer pattern and a semiconductor pattern are formed by etching the conductive layer, the doped amorphous silicon layer and the semiconductor layer using the photoresist film pattern. A plurality of color filters of red, green and blue having apertures exposing part of the drain electrode are formed thereon. A passivation layer made of acryl-based organic material having excellent planarization characteristic is formed thereon. A pixel electrode, an auxiliary gate pad and an auxiliary data pad connected to the drain electrode, the gate pad and the data pad via contact holes, respectively, are formed on the passivation layer. The contact hole exposing the drain electrode is located within the aperture.
US07659122B2
Disclosed is a single population of simulated leukocyte granules prepared from mammalian whole white blood cells, which is useful in calibrators for a hematology analyzer, a calibrator which includes the single population of simulated leukocyte granules. Disclosed is also a method of preparing the single population of simulated leukocyte granules. The method of preparing single population of simulated leukocyte granules includes the actions of: obtaining mammalian whole white blood cells; treating the mammalian whole white blood cells with a hemolytic agent and a leukocyte treating liquid which includes an isotonic saline solution. The isotonic saline solution may include a fixative, an oxidizer, and a carbohydrate compound; fixing the treated mammalian whole white blood cells with a fixative; and suspending the fixed cells in a preservation medium for long-term preservation of fixed cells.
US07659117B2
Disclosed are immunostimulatory fusion proteins and methods for generating protective DC-induced, T cell-mediated immune responses in vitro and in vivo. The immunostimulatory fusion proteins comprise a polypeptide antigen component and an immunostimulatory component derived from the intracellular domain of the HER-2 protein. Also disclosed are immunostimulatory compositions comprising dendritic cells pulsed with such an immunostimulatory fusion protein and methods for immunotherapy using the compositions.
US07659109B2
An apparatus and method for thermal cycling including a pasting edge heater. The pasting edge heater can provide substantial temperature uniformity throughout the retaining elements during thermal cycling by a thermoelectric module.
US07659106B2
The present invention relates to a process for the biocatalyst-mediated enantioselective conversion of enantiomeric mixtures of hydrophobic esters using a biphasic solvent system. More particularly, the present invention relates to the enzyme-mediated enantioselective synthesis of anti-viral compounds, such as 2-hydroxymethyl-5-(5-fluorocytosin-1-yl)-1,3-oxathiolane (FTC) and its analogues, in a non-homogenous reaction system.
US07659101B2
This invention relates to an amylase derived from Bacillus horikoshii. The amylase has a preference for soluble substrates, shows substantial exo-amylase activity and has a pH optimum of about 9.8.
US07659097B2
The present invention provides methods for a robust production of isoprenoids via one or more biosynthetic pathways. The invention also provides nucleic acids, enzymes, expression vectors, and genetically modified host cells for carrying out the subject methods. The invention also provides fermentation methods for high productivity of isoprenoids from genetically modified host cells.
US07659096B2
A method of carrying out an amplification reaction, said method comprising supplying to a well in a disposable unit (a) a sample which contains or is suspected of containing a target nucleic acid sequence (b) primers, nucleotides and enzymes required to effect said amplification reaction and (c) a buffer system, and subjecting the unit to thermal cycling conditions such that any target nucleic acid present within the sample is amplified; wherein the disposable unit comprises a thermally conducting layer and a facing layer having one or more reagent wells of up to 1000 microns in depth defined therebetween; and the reaction mixture comprises at least one of the following: A) a buffer system wherein the pH is above 8.3; B) a detergent; and/or C) a blocking agent. Apparatus for effecting the method as well as disposable units for use in the method are described. The method is particularly suitable for rapid PCR reactions.
US07659094B2
The invention is concerned with the systematic elucidation and identification of regulatory sequences. The invention provides among others screenings and detection methods with which regulatory sequences can be identified. The invention further provides regulatory sequences and use thereof in various fields such as, but not limited to, protein production, diagnostics, transgenic plants and animals, and the therapeutic field.
US07659090B2
The present invention provides improved methods for the reduction or removal of protein impurities from a complex cellular Streptococcus pneumoniae lysate or centrate comprising serotype 3 polysaccharides involving steps relating to post-lysis heating or pH adjustment. In certain methods, the lysate is heated for a time and at a temperature sufficient to denature proteins present in the lysate and cause their aggregation and precipitation. In one embodiment, the lysate is heated to at least 60° C. for at least 30 minutes to cause protein aggregation and precipitation, more particularly about 60° C. to about 70° C. for about 30 to about 50 minutes, and even more particularly about 65° C. for about 40 minutes. In other methods, the pH of the lysate or centrate is increased to at least 8.0 to improve filterability, more particularly about 8.0 to 8.4, and even more particularly about 8.2. In further methods, heating and pH adjustment steps are combined to cause the aggregation and precipitation of proteins as well as to improve filterability of the lysates or centrates. In other methods, the pH of the lysate or centrate is lowered to about 3.0 to about 5.0 to cause protein aggregation and precipitation. Such methods allow for the production of substantially purified serotype 3 polysaccharide-containing lysates or centrates.
US07659087B2
A method is provided for determining the severity of appendicitis in a patient that includes testing a blood, serum or plasma sample from the patient for the quantity of MRP8/14 in the sample and comparing it with the quantity of MRP8/14 present in standard samples correlated with an appendicitis severity scoring system. A histologically-based appendicitis severity scoring system is also provided. Immunoassays and kits for performing the appendicitis assays of this invention are also provided, as are standard samples and data correlating MRP8/14 quantities present in patient samples to histologically-based appendicitis severity grades. The methods and immunoassay devices and kits of this invention are useful for managing the treatment of patients presenting with appendicitis symptoms.
US07659080B2
The present invention provides a method for identifying bacterial induced rhinosinusitis. The method comprises obtaining a nasal or paranasal mucus sample and detecting the presence of neutrophil degranulation in the mucus sample. Degranulation of neutrophils can be determined by morphological analysis of the cells in the mucus or by detection of released (i.e., “free”) granule content markers such as neutrophil elastase or myeloperoxidase. Based on an accurate determination of the cause of sinusitis as described herein, an appropriate treatment can be instituted.
US07659078B1
A solid-phase immunoassay for 6-keto-Prostaglandin F1α, the stable hydrolysis product of prostacyclin (Prostaglandin I2) is disclosed. Prostacyclin, a potent vasodilator with anti-platelet and anti-proliferative properties is an effective treatment for primary pulmonary hypertension and pulmonary arterial hypertension associated with scleroderma and scleroderma-like syndrome. Levels of 6-keto-Prostaglandin F1α can be directly correlated with levels of prostacyclin. Therefore, 6-keto-Prostaglandin F1α has become the indicator of choice to measure prostacyclin levels. The single step immunoassay for 6-keto-Prostaglandin F1α uses the bioluminescent protein, aequorin as a label. Analyte-label conjugates were constructed by linking the carboxyl group of 6-keto-Prostaglandin F1α and lysine residues of aequorin by chemical conjugation methods. The binding properties of 6-keto-Prostaglandin F1α towards its antibody and the bioluminescent properties of aequorin are retained in the conjugate. The concentration of 6-keto-Prostaglandin F1α after extraction from plasma shows good correlation with the concentration of 6-keto-Prostaglandin F1α obtained without prior extraction of the same plasma sample. The assay allows the measurement of 6-keto-Prostaglandin F1α directly in plasma without any pre-treatment of the samples, which results in a much simpler method with a faster assay time.
US07659076B2
Infective aggregating forms of proteins such as PrP, amyloid, and tau are bound selectively in the presence of the normal form protein using a polyionic binding agent such as dextran sulphate or pentosan (anionic), or polyamine compounds such as pDADMAC (cationic) under selective binding conditions including the use of n-lauroylsarcosine at mildly alkaline pH, and may then be assayed.
US07659074B2
The invention concerns a method for detecting disorders of iron metabolism and in particular the differential diagnosis of disorders of iron metabolism by means of three independent parameters. The differential diagnosis can be used to classify disorders of iron metabolism and to recommend the required treatment and to monitor the progress and response to treatment.
US07659067B2
Multiple species of fungi in an environment can be identified in one sample by extracting and purifying fungal DNA in the sample. PCR is then performed followed by cloning the amplifed DNA and transforming the DNA into bacteria for purposes of growing the organisms. Colonies of the growth containing transformed bacteria are then chosen on the basis of coloration. Plasmids from the chosen colonies were then purified and the DNA is analyzed to identify fungi present in the sample.
US07659065B2
Methods for enhancing growth in fungi and, more particularly, transgenic fungi expressing the Bcl-2 gene having improved biomass production, survival, longevity and stress resistance in solid and liquid culture are disclosed. Also disclosed are methods of using the transgenic fungi of the present invention for biocontrol.
US07659060B2
A method for identifying a nucleotide polymorphism, the method comprising hybridizing a labeled oligonucleotide for a wild type or a mutant type to a nucleic acid containing a specific nucleotide polymorphic site in a sample; allowing a nucleic acid-specific label to act thereon; detecting an interaction between the label of the oligonucleotide and the nucleic acid-specific label; and identifying a nucleotide polymorphism, wherein the identification utilizes a difference due to the nucleotide polymorphism in conditions under which the hybridized oligonucleotide is separated into a single strand.
US07659059B2
The present invention relates to a method for detecting and/or identifying bacteria of the genus Staphylococcus, comprising the following steps: A. the nucleic acid material of the bacteria of the genus Staphylococcus is extracted, B. at least one target sequence of the nucleic acid material of the bacteria of the genus Staphylococcus is amplified using at least one amplification primer comprising at least 10 nucleotide motifs of SEQ ID No. 1 and/or at least one amplification primer comprising at least 10 nucleotide motifs of SEQ ID No. 2, in order to obtain amplicons of the target sequence, C. the presence of bacteria of the genus Staphylococcus is determined by detecting said amplicons.
US07659058B2
The present invention relates to a method for the detection of epitope-specific T-cells and target epitopes of reactive T-cells. Furthermore, the present invention relates to vectors comprising a first promoter which is specifically inducible by the epitope-specific contact with a T-cell in antigen-presenting cells, a nucleic acid which is functionally linked to this first promoter and which encodes a marker gene, a second promoter which is constitutive in antigen-presenting cells, and a nucleic acid which is functionally linked to said second promoter. Furthermore, the present invention relates to antigen-presenting cells which are transduced with the vectors according to the invention.
US07659055B2
A fragment of a nucleic acid specific to mycobacteria of M. tuberculosis complex having a nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID No: 1 and SEQ ID No: 2 and their complimentary sequences.
US07659052B2
The present invention provides a platelet-containing composition prepared by contacting platelets with a medium for preserving. The medium comprises anticoagulant, cryoprecipitate and thrombin. The present invention also provides a method for long-term preservation of platelets, comprising the steps of: (a) adding an anticoagulant, cryoprecipitate, thrombin in normal saline; (b) adding a platelet-containing medium into the solution formed in step (a); and (c) lyophilizing the platelet-containing solution formed in step (b). Moreover, the present invention yet provides a medium for preserving non-nucleus cells.
US07659049B2
A phase-change recording material used for an information recording medium utilizing a crystalline state as a non-recorded state and an amorphous state as a recorded state, which has the composition of the following formula (1) as the main component: (Sb1−xSnx)1−y−w−zGeyTewM1z formula (1) wherein each of x, y, z and w represents atomicity, x, z and w are numbers which satisfy 0.01≦x≦0.5, 0≦z≦0.3 and 0≦w≦0.1, respectively, and the element M1 is at least one element selected from the group consisting of In, Ga, Pt, Pd, Ag, rare earth elements, Se, N, O, C, Zn, Si, Al, Bi, Ta, W, Nb and V, and (I) when z=0 and w=0, y is a number which satisfies 0.1≦y≦0.3, (II) when 0≦z≦0.3 and w=0, y is a number which satisfies 0.05≦y≦0.3, and (III) when 0≦z≦0.3 and 0
US07659041B2
For lithographically manufacturing a device with a very high density, a design mask pattern (120) is distributed on a number of sub-patterns (120a, 120b, 120c) by means of a new method. The sub-patterns do not comprise “forbidden” structures (135) and can be transferred by conventional apparatus to a substrate layer to be patterned. For the transfer, a new stack of layers is used, which comprise a pair of a processing layer (22; 26) and an inorganic anti-reflection layer (24; 28) for each sub-pattern. After a first processing layer (26) has been patterned with a first sub-pattern, it is coated with a new resist layer (30) which is exposed with a second sub-pattern, and a second processing layer (22) under the first processing layer is processed with the second sub-pattern.
US07659030B2
A cell structure that can improve heat dissipation and the vibration-proofing nature of a cell without using a cooling medium while keeping the rigidity and the discharge current quantity of the cell includes at least one electrode having a positive pole active material layer, a current collector and a negative pole active material layer. The cell structure also includes a separator provided between each electrode; and a casing. The cell structure satisfies the inequality: S c × 1000 > b × 1000 S wherein b (mm) indicates a short-side length of the electrode, S (m2) indicates an electrode area, c (mm) indicates a cell structure thickness and 1000 (m2/mm) is a constant. The separators have a different Shore A hardness and the separator having the lowest Shore A hardness is placed at a center of the cell structure.
US07659027B2
A fuel cell system includes a fuel cell stack, a fluid unit including a heat exchanger for heating an oxygen-containing gas, before the oxygen-containing gas is supplied to the fuel cell stack, and a casing for containing the fuel cell stack and the fluid unit. A first output terminal is electrically connected to one electrode, and provided adjacent to an end plate. A second output terminal is electrically connected to another electrode through a tightening member, and provided adjacent to the end plate. The fluid unit is provided adjacent to an end plate.
US07659015B2
A fuel cell system comprises a combination of a first fuel cell of a first type and a second fuel cell of a second type, arranged downstream of the first fuel cell. The anode side of the first fuel cell is coupled with a cathode side of the second fuel cell; allowing the purge gas emanating from the first fuel cell to be fed to the cathode side of the second fuel chamber, rather than to outside air.
US07659013B2
A method of forming a plastic molding type secondary battery. A protective circuit board is electrically connected to a bare cell, both mounted in a mold. The mold is capable of receiving the protective circuit board connected to the bare cell and at least of a part of the bare cell, and has an insertable core corresponding to the surface of an external I/O terminal, which is axially movable so as to contact the terminal surface. Supporting pins are trans-axially dispersed in the mold so that a lateral part of the pin is in contact with the back surface of the protective circuit board disposed in a correct position. A resulting plastic molding type secondary battery has pinholes formed on a part made of the plastic molding in the direction parallel to the protective circuit board so as to come into contact with one surface of the protective circuit board.
US07659012B2
An organic electroluminescent (EL) device including an organic EL unit sealed by an encapsulation layer comprising a layered inorganic substance/polymer/curing agent nanocomposite. The organic EL device according to the present invention may have a flat glass substrate.
US07659010B2
The invention provides a cyclometallated complex comprising the structure of formula I wherein: M is a d-block transition metal; B is a five- or six-membered aryl or heteroaryl ring which is optionally substituted and optionally fused to one or more other aryl or heteroaryl rings; A is a five- or six-membered heteroaryl ring comprising at least three nitrogen atoms; R1 is a group other than hydrogen; n is zero or an integer equal to or greater than one; and A and B are optionally fused or linked by one or more covalent bonds. The invention also provides the use of such complexes in optoelectronic devices, and in particular in organic light emitting devices.
US07659008B2
The invention relates to a lubricating metal coating and to a process for its preparation. The material constituting the coating in a composite material comprising a metal matrix within which talc particles are distributed as lamellae, the metal matrix being composed of a metal chosen from Fe, Co, Ni, Mn, Cr, Cu, W, Mo, Zn, Au, Ag, Pb or Sn or of an alloy of these metals or of a metal/semimetal alloy. The coating is obtained by a process consisting in carrying out an electrolytic deposition using a solution of precursors of the metal matrix of the coating which additionally comprises talc particles in suspension, which particles are modified at the surface by irreversible adsorption of a cellulose-derived compound by replacement of all or part of the hydroxyl groups.
US07659004B2
Provided is a liquid silicone rubber coating composition, including predetermined quantities of (A) an organopolysiloxane containing 2 or more Si atom-bonded alkenyl groups, (B) an organohydrogenpolysiloxane containing 2 or more SiH groups, (C) an addition reaction catalyst, (D) a finely powdered silica with a specific surface area of at least 50 m2/g, (E) an organosilicon compound containing an epoxy group and a Si atom-bonded alkoxy group, and (F) an oxyzirconium compound. The composition is useful for producing a silicone rubber coating layer on the substrate surface of a curtain air bag. The air bag suppresses leakage of the inflator gas, thus enabling the inflation time to be sustained for a satisfactory period.
US07658999B2
A heat spreader for a display device, such as a plasma display panel, a light emitting diode or a liquid crystal display, comprising at least one sheet of compressed particles of exfoliated graphite having a surface area greater than the surface area of that part of the back surface of the display device where a localized region of higher temperature is generated.
US07658995B2
A nickel powder exhibits superior oxidation behavior, reduction behavior and sintering behavior in a production process for a multilayer ceramic capacitor and is suitable for the capacitor; a production method therefor is also provided. The nickel powder, which may be used as a raw material, is treated with a sulfur-containing compound, and the sulfur-containing compound is coated on the surface thereof, or alternatively, a nickel-sulfur compound layer is formed on the surface thereof.
US07658987B2
A metal x-ray device component is provided that includes a high emissivity inorganically bonded ceramic coating that can be applied with minimal surface preparation and that provides good resistance to corrosion and oxidation of substrates in high temperature, vacuum environments. The coating has good dielectric properties, is stable in the high temperature, vacuum environment characteristic of x-ray devices, and provides effective and reliable performance over a wide range of operating temperatures.
US07658986B2
Porous sintered anode bodies for capacitors formed from valve metals are treated by electrolysis to form a dielectric layer and coated with cathode layers. When standard parallelpiped shapes are used, cathode coverage at the edges and corners is non-uniform and failures occur at those locations. Rectangular prisms, obround prisms and cylindrical prisms are formed with transition surfaces at edges and corners, such as chamfers and curves, to enhance cathode layer uniformity. The transition surface greatly enhances the application of polymer slurries.
US07658980B2
A tamper-indicating printable sheet. A preferred embodiment of the invention provides a tamper-indicating printable sheet comprising a retroreflective layer comprising a plurality of microbeads partially embedded in an inkjet receptive beadbond layer; and a reflector layer between one of the microbeads and the inkjet receptive beadbond layer. The present invention provides a method of making a tamper-indicating printable sheet.
US07658977B2
A method of fabricating an inkjet printhead is provided. The method comprises the steps of: (a) providing a partially-fabricated printhead having a first nozzle plate comprised of a first material spanning a plurality of nozzles, the first nozzle plate having a plurality of cavities; (b) filling the cavities with a filler, such that an upper surface of the first nozzle plate and an upper surface of the filler together define a contiguous planar surface; and (c) depositing a second material onto the planar surface to form a second nozzle plate having a planar exterior surface.
US07658973B2
A method of forming a dielectric film that includes nitrogen. The method includes incorporating nitrogen into a dielectric film using a nitridation gas and a rapid thermal annealing process, wherein an ultra-low pressure of equal to or less than about 10 Torr is used for the rapid thermal annealing process.
US07658964B2
A novel dietary supplement and methods for the manufacture and administration of the same are disclosed for feeding to equine mares and other animals prior to parturition to boost the colostrum immunoglobulin level in lactating equine mares and other animals and thereby enhance the passive transfer of immunity to neonatal equine foals and other neonatal animals. The dietary supplement of the present invention is effective in substantially increasing the level of colostrum immunoglobulins produced by mares and other animals, which is essential for the health of neonatal equine foals and other animals. The dietary supplement of the present invention consists of safe and natural ingredients rather than drugs, and is orally administrable. The ingredients of the dietary supplement of the present invention when combined provide a synergistic efficacy which greatly exceeds the sum of the efficacies of the individual ingredients, making the dietary supplement of the present invention highly effective in promoting the enhanced production of colostrum immunoglobulins in the equine mares and other animals.
US07658944B2
The invention provides stable, solid dosage forms and pharmaceutical compositions in particulate form comprising a fibrate, for example fenofibrate, dissolved in an non-aqueous vehicle in order to ensure improved bioavailability of the active ingredient upon oral administration relative to known fibrate formulations.
US07658942B2
The present invention relates to pre-formed devices for delivering benefit agents to the skin, hair or nails. The devices are patches or masks for cosmetic or therapeutic use and comprise a unilamellar, solid gel sheet having at least one surface at least partially coated with a discrete coating composition comprising at least one benefit agent for the skin, hair or nails. The invention also encompasses methods of producing and using such devices. The coating composition allows more efficient delivery of benefit agents to the skin than previously known devices and/or affords greater formulation flexibility.
US07658940B2
Aspects of the invention include methods for producing flowable compositions, e.g. pastes, that set into calcium phosphate containing products, where the products include autologous bone. Aspects of the invention further include compositions produced by the methods, as well as kits for preparing the same. The subject methods and compositions produced thereby find use in a variety of applications, including hard tissue repair applications.
US07658939B2
Disclosed is an oral dosage form comprising (i) an opioid agonist in releasable form and (ii) a sequestered opioid antagonist which is substantially not released when the dosage form is administered intact.
US07658936B2
The invention is a cosmetic or dermatological cloth, comprising a water-insoluble nonwoven material, which is moistened with a cosmetic or dermatological impregnating solution comprising an oil-in-water emulsions having a viscosity of less than 2000 mPa·s and comprising one or more partially neutralized glyceride esters selected from the group consisting of monoglyceride and diglyceride esters of saturated fatty acids with citric acid and one or more fatty alcohols selected from the group consisting of branched and unbranched alkyl alcohols with 12 to 40 carbon atoms.
US07658934B2
The present invention provides vaccines for immunizing a host, including humans, against disease caused by infection by a strain of Chlamydia, specifically C. pneumoniae. The vaccine and method employ a full-length, 5′-truncated or 3′-truncated 76 kDa protein of a strain of Chlamydia pneumoniae. Modifications are possible within the scope of this invention.
US07658925B2
The invention fully humanized monoclonal antibodies that neutralize Bacillus anthracis. Also provided are methods of treating or preventing a Bacillus anthracis infection. The invention also provides methods of passive vaccination of a subject against Bacillus anthracis.
US07658922B2
This invention relates to the field of immunology and more specifically relates to anti-phytase monoclonal antibodies, immunoassay methods, kits, and reagents, for the detection of a phytase from or derived from E. coli phytase, in particular, Quantum™ phytase. The invention further relates to hybridoma cell lines that produce anti-phytase monoclonal antibodies.
US07658919B2
The present invention provides compositions and methods for treating or preventing bacterial infections. Also provide by the invention are genetically modified cell expressing Lewisb carbohydrate epitope.
US07658918B1
Compositions of the present invention, comprising at least one digestive enzyme (e.g., pancrelipase) are useful for treating or preventing disorders associated with digestive enzyme deficiencies. The compositions of the present invention can comprise a plurality of coated particles, each of which is comprised of a core coated with an enteric coating comprising at least one enteric polymer and 4-10% of at least one alkalinizing agent, or have moisture contents of about 3% or less, water activities of about 0.6 or less, or exhibit a loss of activity of no more than about 15% after six months of accelerated stability testing.
US07658917B2
Compounds that modulate the aggregation of amyloidogenic proteins or peptides are disclosed. The modulators of the invention can promote amyloid aggregation or, more preferably, can inhibit natural amyloid aggregation. In a preferred embodiment, the compounds modulate the aggregation of natural β amyloid peptides (β-AP). In a preferred embodiment, the β amyloid modulator compounds of the invention are comprised of an Aβ aggregation core domain and a modifying group coupled thereto such that the compound alters the aggregation or inhibits the neurotoxicity of natural β amyloid peptides when contacted with the peptides. Furthermore, the modulators are capable of altering natural β-AP aggregation when the natural β-APs are in a molar excess amount relative to the modulators. Pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds of the invention, and diagnostic and treatment methods for amyloidogenic diseases using the compounds of the invention, are also disclosed.
US07658914B2
A composition comprising, per liter of aqueous solution, from 30 to 350 g polyethylene glycol, from 3 to 20 g of an ascorbic acid component selected form the group consisting of ascorbic acid, a salt of ascorbic acid, or a mixture thereof, an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal sulphate, preferably from 1 to 15 g thereof, and optionally one or more electrolytes selected from sodium chloride, potassium chloride, and sodium hydrogen carbonate, and preferably also comprising flavorings, is effective in cleansing the gut in preparation for a endoscopy, especially colonoscopy. It is safer than conventional sodium phosphate-based gut cleansing compositions, and hence can be used for patients who would be at risk with sodium phosphate-based compositions, and is better tolerated than conventional PEG-based compositions, leading to better patient compliance and enabling effective out-patient use.
US07658901B2
A modified graphite oxide material contains a thermally exfoliated graphite oxide with a surface area of from about 300 m2/g to 2600 m2/g, wherein the thermally exfoliated graphite oxide displays no signature of the original graphite and/or graphite oxide, as determined by X-ray diffraction.
US07658896B2
Process for the treatment of bauxite (10) by alkaline digestion, typically using the Bayer process in order to obtain alumina hydrate, characterized in that ground bauxite (11, 15) is added directly into an alkaline solution (21a) that is drawn off and that will be reinserted into the Bayer aluminate liquor circuit (20), the said alkaline solution (21a) being heated at a temperature such that after the said ground bauxite (11, 15) and the said alkaline solution have been brought into contact, the temperature of the slurry resulting from this mix is greater than a temperature close to the boiling temperature at atmospheric pressure, in other words typically greater than 95° C. and preferably greater than or equal to the boiling temperature at atmospheric pressure.
US07658889B2
In a catalytic FCC cracking unit comprising a vertically disposed riser housing a reaction zone, the improvement comprising at least one device for redistribution of catalyst inside said reaction zone, the catalytic cracking unit being equipped at a plane with feedstock injectors, and an upper plane, with mixed temperature control (MTC) injectors, wherein said device has the general shape of a continuous ring adjacent the riser wall and along the inside periphery of said wall, said device creating a restriction in the cross section of the riser ranging between 30% and 45%, having a profile section at least partially rectilinear, and being located a) either in a zone encompassed between the plane of the feedstock injectors and the plane of the MTC injectors, b) or at a height of between 0.1 and 5 meters above the plane of the MTC injectors.
US07658883B2
Novel carbon-plus-nitrogen corrosion-resistant ferrous and austenitic alloys, apparatus incorporating an inventive alloy, and methods of making and using the apparatus are described. The corrosion-resistant ferrous and austenitic alloys comprise no greater than about 4 wt. % nickel, are characterized by a strength greater than about 700 MPa (100 ksi), and, when being essentially free of molybdenum (<0.3 wt. %), have minimum Pitting Resistance Equivalence (PRE) numbers of 20 and minimum Measure of Alloying for Corrosion Resistance numbers (MARC) of 30 because of the use of both carbon and nitrogen. The ferrous and austenitic alloys are particularly formulated for use in oilfield operations, especially sour oil and gas wells and reservoirs. This abstract allows a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the disclosure. It will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.
US07658878B2
An existing metal structure can be reinforced by providing a reinforcing metal layer on the metal structure in spaced apart relation to thereby form at least one cavity between inner surfaces of the metal structure and the reinforcing metal layer. An intermediate layer including uncured plastics or polymer material is injected into the cavity, and the plastics or polymer material is cured to adhere to the inner surfaces of the metal structure and the reinforcing metal layer. During the injecting and curing process, the reinforcing metal layer is constrained by at least one restraint member that is held to the existing metal structure by at least one magnetic clamp.
US07658871B2
Disclosed is a negative active material for a rechargeable lithium battery comprising a Si phase, a SiM phase and at least one of a X phase and a SiX phase, wherein each of phases has a crystal grain size of 100 nm and 500 nm. The element M is at least one selected from the group consisting of Ni, Co, B, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ti, and Y, the element X is at least one selected from the group consisting of Ag, Cu, and Au. However, where M is Cu, X is not Cu.
US07658869B2
Certain applicator liquids and application techniques are described, which can be used to form nanotube films or fabrics of controlled properties. An applicator liquid for preparation of a nanotube film or fabric includes a controlled concentration of nanotubes dispersed in ethyl lactate. The controlled concentration is sufficient to form a nanotube fabric or film of preselected density and uniformity.
US07658868B2
The synthesis of thiophene based conducting polymer molecular actuators, exhibiting electrically triggered molecular conformational transitions is reported. Actuation is believed to be the result of conformational rearrangement of the polymer backbone at the molecular level, not simply ion intercalation in the bulk polymer chain upon electrochemical activation. Molecular actuation results from π-π stacking of thiophene oligomers upon oxidation, producing a reversible molecular displacement that leads to surprising material properties, such as electrically controllable porosity and large strains. The existence of active molecular conformational changes is supported by in situ electrochemical data. Single molecule techniques have been used to characterize the molecular actuators.
US07658866B2
A fluorescent material includes first and second phosphors. The first phosphor is a light-storing phosphor, which is represented by the general formula (M1-a-bEuaQb)Al2O4, wherein M is one type selected from the group consisting of Mg, Ca, Ba, Sr and Zn; Q is one type selected from the group consisting of Pr, Nd, Dy, Er and Ho; a is a number that satisfies 0.0001≦a≦0.5; and b is a number that satisfies 0.010≦b≦0.5. When the fluorescent material is excited for about 15 minutes by ultraviolet irradiation having about 365.0 nm wavelength with an intensity of 0.5 mW/cm2, and the color of the afterglow of the fluorescent material is measured 1 minute and 10 minutes after excitation is terminated, an amount of change between chromaticity measured 1 minute after excitation and that measured 10 minutes is in the range of −0.001≦x≦0.009 and −0.009≦y≦0.006.
US07658856B2
Systems, methods and apparatus are provided for utilizing a substantially condensed phase cryogenic fluid for the purpose of remediation and retrieval of, e.g., spilled crude oil and other “oil spill”-related products from marine/aquatic and terrestrial environments. In some implementations, systems and apparatus are provided for applying a substantially condensed phase cryogenic fluid to a volume of spilled oil, and further having structure for collecting the spilled oil. Some implementations are environmentally-neutral. Substances other than oil may be remediated as well.
US07658851B2
A device and method for growing aerobic and facultatively anaerobic bacteria such as Pseudomonas Fluorescens, Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus licheniformis, Starkeya novella and various autotrophic sulfur metabolizing bacteria, along with methods for releasing these bacteria into suspended growth or fixed film wastewater treatment zones such as soil or media, for the purposes of bioremediation and the removal of nitrogen, sulfur, and carbon wastes.
US07658847B2
Apparatus for use in a biological fluid processing or fluid filtration system is provided. The biological fluid processing or fluid filtration system has novel open and closed loop processing systems wherein the gases transferred into and out of the system during processing pass through a porous medium in upstream and/or downstream gas inlet or outlet housings or vents in a manner which precludes the fluid being processed or filtered from ever contacting the housings or vents. Each housing or vent is separated from the fluid by a column of gas in its respective transfer line. The upstream gas inlet housing or vent is in communication with the unfiltered biological fluid, and the downstream gas inlet housing or vent is in communication with the filtered biological fluid.
US07658844B2
A chemical feeder for dissolving chemical tablets includes a housing and a plurality of tapered pedestals positioned in the housing for supporting the chemical tablet as the tablet is dissolved by liquid flowing through the feeder. The housing also includes a cup configured to receive a cartridge for holding the tablet; the cup includes inlet and outlet ports for the liquid. The cartridge includes a plate at its lower end; the pedestals are formed on its interior surface. Each pedestal may have a pencil-point shape. When the chemical tablet is installed in the cartridge and the cartridge is installed in the cup, the tapered pedestals support the chemical tablet and thereby expose an underside of the tablet to the liquid. The tablet is immersed in the liquid according to the height of the pedestal; the dissolution rate of the tablet thus corresponds to the height of the pedestals.
US07658843B2
Sea water is extracted from a depth in excess of 400 meters below the sea surface and desalinated to produce potable water. A system to extract, desalinate and store the desalinated sea water is mounted aboard a ship.
US07658841B2
An oil-water separator for use in a trench, which surrounds an oilfield. The separator is positioned in the ground such that an inlet conduit extends at about the same level as the bottom of the trench. The trench water is admitted into the housing, where it contacts a plurality of buoyant oil-absorbing members, causing the oil particles to adhere to the surface of the oil-absorbing members. An outlet conduit located downstream from the oil-absorbing members is connectable to a pump to cause the oil-free water to be pumped from the housing and diverted away from the trench.
US07658837B2
A process and device to optimize the yield of fluid catalytic cracking products through a reactive stripping process are disclosed. One or more hydrocarbon streams (3) are introduced in an intermediary region of the stripper (1) of a fluid catalytic cracking unit (FCC), from a device that allows a homogeneous distribution with adequate dispersion. This/these stream(s) react(s) with the catalyst of FCC, although its activity is reduced due to the adsorption of hydrocarbons in the reaction zone, generating products that improve and/or change the global distribution of products, providing a refinery profile adequate to meet quality demands and requirements.
US07658835B2
A method is described for the electrolysis of an aqueous solution of hydrogen chloride or alkali metal chloride in an electrolysis cell. The cell includes at least of an anode half-element and an anode, a cathode half-element and a gas diffusion electrode as the cathode, and a cation exchange membrane for separating the anode half-element and the cathode half-element. A gas containing oxygen is supplied to the cathode half-element and excess gas containing oxygen is discharged from the cathode half-element. Excess gas containing oxygen discharged from the cathode half-element is subjected to catalytic oxidation of hydrogen.
US07658831B2
Systems and methods for depositing a plurality of droplets in a three-dimensional array are disclosed. The array can comprise a first type of droplets disposed to form a support structure and a second type of droplets forming a conductive seed layer on the support structure. A structure material can be electrodeposited onto the seed layer to create a three-dimensional structure.
US07658829B2
The invention integrates a two-stage dielectrophoretic (DEP) droplet dispensing and distribution system with particulate DEP to create a novel LOC platform capable of manipulating biological cells based on the varied dielectrophoretic signatures that distinguish cells in a population, for example, healthy from diseased cells. The two-stage DEP droplet transport system acts as the backbone of this application, providing the essential dispensing and distribution function, while particulate DEP provides the critical capability to characterize and analyze the heterogeneous biological cell populations routinely encountered in biotechnology and clinical settings.
US07658817B2
An industrial evaporation apparatus having a specified structure in which there are guides that do not themselves have a heat source, a flow path controlling member having a function of making the liquid fed onto a perforated plate from a liquid receiving port flow mainly from a peripheral portion toward a central portion of the perforated plate is provided in a liquid feeding zone, and formula (1) to (5), or formula (1) to (10), or formula (1) to (12), are satisfied.
US07658815B2
An antenna electrode having a substantially circular shape, is arranged on a plane of a processing vessel, which is located opposite to a stage for mounting a sample within the processing vessel, and positioned parallel to the stage. An emission monitor monitors emission intensity of plasma present in at least 3 different points along a radial direction of the antenna electrode. A control unit adjusts an energizing current supplied to an external coil for forming a magnetic field within the processing vessel. The control unit adjusts the energizing current supplied to the external coil based upon the monitoring result obtained from the emission monitor so as to control the emission intensity of the plasma to become uniform emission intensity.
US07658806B2
A dishwasher having an avatar display portion is provided. The dishwasher includes a tub for housing dishes, a pump for forcing wash water into the tub, a system microcomputer for controlling loads of the dishwasher including the pump and controlling an avatar image display operation, and a display unit including an avatar display portion for displaying a selected avatar image according to an operating state and a load state of the dishwasher under control of the system microcomputer.
US07658805B2
A concrete cleaning and preparation composition is described, which includes urea hydrochloride, surfactant, water, and one or more glycol ethers. Also described is a method of preparing a concrete surface, including pre-wetting a concrete surface, using a cleaning and preparation composition, including urea hydrochloride, a surfactant, water, and one or more glycol ethers, and rinsing the concrete surface. Furthermore, a kit for cleaning, preparing, and coating concrete including a cleaning and preparation composition including urea hydrochloride, and a coating is also described.
