US07978893B2
A system and a method as defined herein for scan interrogation of, for example, a label-independent-detection (LID) biosensor, such as for monitoring a surface change or an event on a biosensor for use, for example, in microplate image analysis.
US07978889B2
A method of generating a 3 dimensional object includes providing a volumetric scan of a study object as a series of image slices. An image segmentation algorithm is used to image segment each image slice into at least a first region and a second region, the first region of each image slice corresponds to a first object of the study object, and the second region of each image slice corresponds to a second object of the study object. The first region is selected from a first image slice. Regions of adjacent image slices are statistically compared to the first region using a comparison of touching regions to designate corresponding first regions in the adjacent image slices. The first region of each image slice of the series corresponding to the first object is binned to form a first binned object. A 3 dimensional object of the first binned object is formed.
US07978880B2
Methods and systems for image processing are provided. A method for processing images of a scene includes receiving image data of a reference and a current frame; generating N motion vectors that describe motion of the image data within the scene by computing a correlation function on the reference and current frames at each of N registration points; registering the current frame based on the N motion vectors to produce a registered current frame; and updating the image data of the scene based on the registered current frame. Optionally, registered frames may be oversampled. Techniques for generating the N motion vectors according to roll, zoom, shift and optical flow calculations, updating image data of the scene according to switched and intermediate integration approaches, re-introducing smoothed motion into image data of the scene, re-initializing the process, and processing images of a scene and moving target within the scene are provided.
US07978878B2
The method of processing postal items comprises the following steps: causing the postal items to advance in series past a camera (120) for the purpose of generating an image (1) of one face of each postal item, which face bears postal address information; filtering the image of a current postal item for the purpose of isolating, in the image, at least one region of interest (ROI) containing the address information; and sending the filtered image to an automatic recognition unit (130) for automatically recognizing postal addresses by means of OCR so as to extract the postal address from said filtered image and so as to direct the current postal item to a sorting outlet. In order to construct a filter mask, the method further comprises causing a card (20) of the “separator” type to advance past the camera (120), which card has a face on which said region of interest (ROI) is represented.
US07978875B2
The present invention generally relates to processing audio, video and images. One claim recites a method including: obtaining media signal comprising a steganographic signal hidden therein; utilizing a programmed electronic processor, selecting portions of the media signal for steganographic signal detection, wherein the subset of the media signal is selected based on at least one or more predetermined probability factors, in which a probability factor comprises a selection criteria or rule to identify portions of the media signal which have a higher likelihood of including a steganographic signal relative to other portions of the media signal; and utilizing a programmed electronic processor, analyzing selected portions of the media signal to obtain the steganographic signal. Of course, other claims and combinations are provided as well.
US07978873B2
The present invention provides an acoustic display device for displaying modal patterns in response to sound from a sound source. The display device (10) has a substantially circular housing (12), which housing (12) includes a continuous curved side wall (13a), a substantially flat base wall (13b), and open end (13c). The open end (13c) is closed by diaphragm (14), thereby forming closed chamber (15). Excitation of the diaphragm can be effected by introducing vocal sounds to the underside of the diaphragm via one of a plurality of sound connecting means (22) that include a flexible tubular section (30), which terminates in a mouthpiece (32). A user can place the mouthpiece over their mouth and nose and make vocal sounds, which are delivered to the interior of the chamber (15). The mouthpiece (32) can be substituted with a sound collector (60) having a “horn” shape and an annular flange for engagement with a loudspeaker. The other ends (24) of the sound connecting means (22), within the closed chamber (15), each contain a non-return valve so that pressure within the chamber is maintained. The device can also include weight locating means (21a, 21b, 21c) or magnetic tensioning means (80, 84) for tuning the diaphragm. Removable covers having different markings can assist in analysing the patterns produced. Two or more integral curved spirit levels (38) in conjunction with adjustable feet (40) enable accurate levelling of the diaphragm.
US07978872B2
A driver for a speaker including: an upper housing, a lower housing and a vibration device, wherein said upper housing combines with said lower housing to form a chamber therein. The vibration device is received in the chamber. The vibration device is basically constituted with an acoustic phase equalizer, a diaphragm, a flux guiding plate, a magnet and a yoke. By the design of the flux guiding plate, the magnet and the yoke in present invention, the disadvantage of highly concentrated heat in prior art can be improved and extends the operation period.
US07978863B2
A circuit includes a differential amplifier having a first input for coupling to a first terminal of a microphone and a second input for coupling to a first terminal of a component having an impedance value that is substantially equal to an impedance value of the microphone, where a second terminal of the microphone and a second terminal of the component are coupled to circuit ground. The circuit further includes a first resistance having a first node coupled to a source of microphone bias voltage and a second node coupled to the first terminal of the microphone; and a second resistance having a first node coupled to the source of microphone bias voltage and a second node coupled to the first terminal of the component. Operation of the differential amplifier results in attenuating or suppressing common mode noise and interference present in the microphone bias voltage and in the common potential.
US07978859B2
The present invention relates to a method, a device and a system for preventing unauthorized introduction of content items in a network containing compliant devices and enabling users in the network to be anonymous. A basic idea of the present invention is to provide a CA (206) with a fingerprint of a content item to be introduced in a network at which the CA is arranged. Further, the CA is provided with an identifier of a content introducer (201), which introduces the particular content item in the network. The CA compares the fingerprint to a predetermined set of fingerprints, and content item intro duction is allowed if the content item fingerprint cannot be found among the fingerprints comprised in the set. On introduction of the content item, the CA generates a pseudonym for the content introducer and creates a signed content ID certificate comprising at least said fingerprint and a unique content identifier for the content item and the pseudonym of the content introducer.
US07978855B2
The present invention relates to a method for allocating an authorization key identifier in a wireless portable Internet system. In a privacy key management version 2 (PKMv2) of the wireless portable Internet system, a base station generates PAK identifier, PMK identifier, and authorization key identifier for distinguishing a primary authorization key (PAK) shared by the base station and the subscriber station in an RSA-based authorization, a pairwise master key (PMK) shared by the base station and the subscriber station in an EAP-based authorization, and authorization keys generated by the PAK and the PMK. The base station transmits PAK identifier, PMK identifier, and authorization key identifier to the subscriber station and shares them with the subscriber station. Therefore, the base station and the subscriber station may easily distinguish more than 2 authorization-related keys. In addition, it is possible to transmit the signal message efficiently in the radio channel by reducing the sizes of the PAK identifier, PMK identifier, and authorization key identifier.
US07978854B2
In asymmetric cryptography, initially-set public key and private keys are updated as a function of the chosen prime number pair, a host sending an updated public key exponent and a unique prime-pair key associated with the chosen prime number pair to the client, the client using the unique prime-pair key to look-up and retrieve the chosen prime number pair and determine the updated public key and the updated private key as a function of the retrieved chosen prime number pair, the host and the client encrypting and decrypting exchanged messages with the updated public key and the updated private key without executing another handshake. In one aspect, a large even integer is used by host and client to generate a plurality of prime number pairs, and the unique prime-pair key may be a distance between each prime number of an associated prime number pair.
US07978850B2
A method of manufacturing a device containing a key is disclosed. The method generally includes the steps of (A) fabricating a chip comprising a random number generator, a nonvolatile memory and a circuit, (B) applying electrical power to the chip to cause the random number generator to generate a signal conveying a sequence of random numbers, (C) commanding the chip to program a first arbitrary value among the random numbers into the nonvolatile memory, wherein the device is configured such that the first arbitrary value as stored in the nonvolatile memory is unreadable from external to the device and (D) packaging the chip.
US07978845B2
A powered patch panel (PPP) is disclosed that inserts power in mid-span regions of a network and provides fault-tolerance at the power supply level and the power-plane level. Information such as physical location, port status and policy enforcement information may be locally stored and utilized by a processor of the PPP to achieve network control and monitoring. A network management system and/or element management system may be provided to interface with processors of PPPs to achieve network monitoring, control and policy enforcement goals.
US07978834B2
Described herein is a method of controlling calls for packet switched networks, each network including at least two local area networks (50, 60) and a connecting network (70). The method comprises the steps of determining an acceptable packet loss rate for a call to be established between two of the local area networks, comparing actual packet loss rate to the acceptable packet loss rate, and dropping the call if the actual packet loss rate is greater than the acceptable packet loss rate determining for how long a period the actual packet loss rate has been happening and utilising that period in deciding to drop the call. A recorded announcement may be played when the call is to be dropped. Alternatively, the priority of the transmission of the continuous stream of data can be changed when the actual packet loss rate is not acceptable and the above steps are repeated. Ideally, data relating to dropped calls is stored for future use.
US07978825B2
A radiopaque marker for more effectively orienting a fluoroscopy image to a patient's body position is disclosed. A method for orienting a radiological image with a patient's anatomical position comprises the step of forming a marker with a first side indicator and a second side indicator formed substantially opposite the first side indicator. A device in accordance with the present invention comprises a radiopaque marker comprising a first side indicator, a second side indicator, and a humanoid shape.
US07978823B2
Disclosed is a cascade voltage amplifier for producing an amplified output in pulse or continuous wave form comprises at least one non-final stage with an electron tube configured as a switching and Class A or C amplifying structure. A final stage comprises an electron tube configured as a Class A or C amplifying structure. The at least one non-final stage and the final stage are connected in series, and the amplified output has a voltage of at least 1000 volts. Further disclosed is a method of activating a plurality of cascaded electron tube stages within a common vacuum enclosure. Beneficially, a sufficient amount of energy supplied to the first stage serially propagates through any intervening stage to the final stage so as to facilitate activation of all tube stages.
US07978822B2
An X-ray imaging device and alignment/scanning system include at least one multilayer X-ray mirror mounted on a multi-axis adjustable mirror mount pivotable about a scanning axis. A mirror scanner is coupled with the mirror mount and synchronized with the X-ray source so that the mirror scanner moves the mirror mount about the scanning axis. The invention may include a plurality of mirrors, optionally in a stack, and preferably including first and second mirrors respectively adapted to reflect X-rays of first and second energies. A movable attenuation plate having a window selectively allows X-rays to be transmitted by one of the mirrors and blocks X-rays from the other mirror(s). Sets of the mirrors may be configured in blocks or interspersed. The mirror scanner may be operable at variable speeds to enable selective control of the scanning speed of the mirror.
US07978819B2
A radiosurgery system is described that is configured to deliver a therapeutic dose of radiation to a target structure in a patient. In some embodiments, inflammatory ocular disorders are treated, specifically macular degeneration. In some embodiments, other disorders or tissues of a body are treated with the dose of radiation. In some embodiments, the target tissues are placed in a global coordinate system based on ocular imaging. In some embodiments, the target tissues inside the global coordinate system lead to direction of an automated positioning system that is directed based on the target tissues within the coordinate system. In some embodiments, a treatment plan is utilized in which beam energy and direction and duration of time for treatment is determined for a specific disease to be treated and/or structures to be avoided. In some embodiments, a fiducial marker is used to identify the location of the target tissues. In some embodiments, radiodynamic therapy is described in which radiosurgery is used in combination with other treatments and can be delivered concomitant with, prior to, or following other treatments.
US07978810B2
An imaging method is disclosed for variable pitch spiral CT. In at least one embodiment, the method includes spiral scanning of an examination object lying on a patient table, with the aid of a beam emanating from at least one focus, and the aid of a detector arrangement of planar design lying opposite the focus, the detector arrangement supplying output data that represent the attenuation of the beams during passage through the examination object; filtering the output data; weighted back projection of the filtered output data; and visualizing a layer or a volume on a display unit on the basis of the back projected output data. In at least one embodiment, a non constant pitch of the spiral scanning is taken into account computationally during the back projection. In at least one embodiment, a CT machine is disclosed for carrying out the above named method.
US07978803B2
An improved reception port for receiving packet data based on the IEEE 1394 standard. The reception port includes a synchronization FIFO memory for receiving reception data in accordance with a reception clock signal and synchronizing the reception data with an internal clock signal, a decoder for decoding the synchronized reception data, and a shaping FIFO memory for outputting the decoded reception data at a fixed timing.
US07978797B2
A method and system for decoding data received from a channel experiencing two-dimensional inter-symbol interference, as well as systems implementing such a decoding method and system, are disclosed. The method includes an iterative multi-strip equalization method that receives a plurality of channel values associated with a plurality of locations in a plurality of rows of a matrix, computes initial probability values based upon those channel values, applies a BCJR algorithm to symbol probability values based upon bands of rows of the initial probability values, and resolves the results of applying the BCJR algorithm to arrive at a plurality of bands of rows of revised probability values, which are subsequently combined/substituted with one another. The process iteratively repeats until the revised probability values attain a sufficient degree of convergence. By utilizing data from overlapping bands to perform the BCJR algorithm, ISI in both dimensions is addressed.
US07978795B2
An apparatus comprising a slicer configured to produce a symbol decision value and a symbol error value utilizing, at least in part, a slicer input signal; and an automatic gain controller configured to facilitate the automatic control of a gain applied to the slicer input signal by producing a gain control signal, the automatic gain controller comprising a decision-directed amplitude error detector configured to utilize, at least in part, the symbol decision value and the symbol error value to produce an amplitude error signal, and a loop filter configured to utilize the amplitude error signal to produce the gain control signal.
US07978784B2
A wireless communication system and method uses a spatial spreading matrix to distribute the encoded spatial data streams to a number of transmit chains and further uses the spatial spreading matrix for antenna selection computation in a transmitter. The spatial spreading matrix is designed such that a receiver is able to know and utilize the spatial spreading matrix for computing transmission antenna selection, receiver antenna selection and joint transmission/receiving antenna selection. The use of this spatial spreading matrix for antenna selection computation provides increased accuracy in antenna selection for transmission of spatial data streams, where the number of spatial data streams is less than the number of transmit or receive chains between the transmitter and receiver, and the number of transmit or receive chains is less than the corresponding transmission or receiving antennas.
US07978771B2
An encoder generating a decoded signal with an improved quality by scalable encoding by canceling the characteristic inherent to the encoder and causing degradation of quality of the decoded signal. In the encoder, a first encoding section (102) encodes the input signal after down sampling, a first decoding section (103) decodes first encoded information outputted from the first encoding section (102), an adjusting section (105) adjusts the first decoded signal after up sampling by convoluting the first decoded signal after up sampling and an impulse response for adjustment, an adder (107) inverses the polarity of adjusted first decoded signal and adds the first decoded signal having the inverted polarity to the input signal, a second encoding section (108) encodes the residual signal outputted from the adder (107), and a multiplexing section (109) multiplexes the first encoded information outputted from the first encoding section (102) and the second encoded information outputted from the second encoding section (108).
US07978744B2
One facet of a nitride based semiconductor laser device is composed of a cleavage plane of (0001), and the other facet thereof is composed of a cleavage plane of (000 1). Thus, the one facet and the other facet are respectively a Ga polar plane and an N polar plane. A portion of the one facet and a portion of the other facet, which are positioned in an optical waveguide, constitute a pair of cavity facets. A first protective film including nitrogen as a constituent element is formed on the one facet. A second protective film including oxygen as a constituent element is formed on the other facet.
US07978740B1
Systems, devices and methods of generating both a precision electrical timing signal as well as a precision optical timing signal. A novel, modified opto-electronic loop oscillator is used to drive a harmonic mode-locked laser. A novel opto-electronic loop has a larger “Q” factor by increasing the electrical loop oscillating frequency ω0 by using a beat note created by the selection of two optical longitudinal modes from the mode-locked laser. The beat note is detected and divided down to drive a modulator that mode-locks the laser. The frequency division stage also reduces the noise.
US07978736B2
A method and apparatus for efficient provisioning of a VT/TU cross-connect includes checking a state of a control bit that specifies whether to assemble an output from multiple virtual tributary (VT1.5/VT2) or tributary unit (TU11/TU12) connections or handle the output as an synchronous transport signal (STS) or administrative unit (AU-3/AU-4) connection, and switching a predetermined number of entries together based on a state of the control bit.
US07978733B2
A method for generating a subframe including resource distribution information is disclosed. The method for generating a subframe includes arranging resource allocation information in a subframe by sequentially allocating a localized permutation and a distributed permutation, and arranging a subframe control header including a resource unit index in a predetermined location by a system parameter, wherein the resource unit index indicates a frequency resource location of the resource allocation information. When both the localized permutation and the distributed permutation are used, a resource distribution method is transmitted to a user equipment. Therefore, an effect of the distributed permutation can be maximized without a great influence on the performance of the localized permutation, and a problem of decoding failure or latency can be prevented.
US07978726B2
A serial intelligent cell (SIC) and a connection topology for local area networks using Electrically-conducting media. A local area network can be configured from a plurality of SIC's interconnected so that all communications between two adjacent SIC's is both point-to-point and bidirectional. Each SIC can be connected to one or more other SIC's to allow redundant communication paths. Communications in different areas of a SIC network are independent of one another, so that, unlike current bus topology and star topology, there is no fundamental limit on the size or extent of a SIC network. Each SIC can optionally be connected to one or more data terminals, computers, telephones, sensors, actuators, etc., to facilitate interconnectivity among such devices. Networks according to the present invention can be configured for a variety of applications, including a local telephone system, remote computer bus extender, multiplexers, PABX/PBX functionality, security systems, and local broadcasting services. The network can use dedicated wiring, as well as existing wiring as the in-house telephone or electrical wiring.
US07978723B1
A system facilitates initialization of devices in a cable modem network. The system may provide downstream channels for transmitting data to the devices and upstream channels for receiving data from the devices. At least one of the upstream channels may be dedicated to providing initialization opportunities. This dedicated upstream channel(s) includes less than all of the upstream channels. The system may transmit upstream channel identifiers on the downstream channels, where each of the upstream channel identifiers identifies one of the upstream channels. The system receives initialization data on the dedicated upstream channel(s).
US07978722B2
Communication capacity of a node served by a host digital terminal is managed by redistributing communication lines among headend modems for the node in the host digital terminal. Each node has a plurality of communication lines connected to one or more headend modems, and the communication lines are distributed among one or more voiceports. A voiceport list build module is responsive to a line distribution input for headend modems connected to the node served by the host digital terminal. The voiceport list build module builds a voiceport redistribution list for redistributing the communication lines connected to the headend modems for the node. A voiceport redistribution module is responsive to the voiceport redistribution list and moves one or more voiceports from the voiceport's current headend modem to another headend modem whereby the communication lines for the node are redistributed among headend modems communicating with the node.
US07978719B2
Endpoint identifiers are dynamically assigned to network interfaces, in response to a change in physical connection. When a physical connection associated with a network interface is changed, such as a cable coupling the network interface to an endpoint is moved from one location to another location, a new endpoint identifier is assigned to the network interface. The new endpoint identifier is based on the location of the new endpoint.
US07978708B2
A technique configures an intermediate network node to automatically determine whether a route advertised by a routing protocol is important for fast convergence in a computer network. As used herein, an important route needed for fast convergence is a route advertised by the routing protocol, such as an exterior gateway routing protocol (EGP) process executing on the node, as a next-hop address, since external connectivity relies on such a route. Notably, the EGP process interacts with an interior gateway routing protocol (IGP) process executing on the node to identify the route as an important route. Identification of an important route, in turn, allows IGP to process the route in a high priority fashion, thereby facilitating fast convergence.
US07978706B2
At a transmitter, an ATM cell stream is received from the ATM layer and is distributed on a cell-by-cell bases across multiple DSL PHY's. At the receiver, the cells from each DSL PHY are re-combined in the appropriate order to recreate the original ATM cell stream, which is then passed to the ATM layer.
US07978705B2
Methods and apparatus that allow recovery in the event that sequence counts used on receive and transmit sides of a communications link become out of sync are provided. In response to receiving a packet with an expected sequence count from a receiving device, a transmitting device may adjust pointers into a transmit buffer allowing the transmitting device to begin transmitting packets with the sequence count expected by the receiving device.
US07978698B2
A terminal for performing multiple access transmission suitable to a transmission path having varied characteristics includes a transmission/reception section, a control unit, a transfer management section, and an external interface section. Specifically, the terminal refers to an IGMP (MLD) message received by the transmission/reception section to classify a transmitter host and a relay device of the message based on a characteristic of the transmission path, and performs a multiple access transmission of a multicast packet in a form suitable to the characteristic of the transmission path.
US07978696B2
This invention concerns the transmitting and receiving of digital media packets, such as audio and video channels and lighting instructions. In particular, the invention concerns the transmitting and receiving of redundant media packet streams. Samples are extracted (556) from a first (904) and second (906) media packet stream. The extracted samples are written to a buffer (910) based on the output time of each sample (556). Extracted samples having the same output time are written to the same location in the buffer. Both media packet streams are simply processed all the way to the buffer without any particular knowledge that one of the packet streams is actually redundant. This simplifies the management of the redundant packet streams, such as eliminating the need for a “fail-over” switch and the concept of an “active stream”. The location is the storage space allocated to store one sample. The extracted sample written to the location may be written over another extracted sample from a different packet stream previously written to the location. These extracted samples written to the same location may be identical.
US07978689B1
An apparatus. The apparatus includes a network interface card in communication with a telephone, a functional circuit in communication with the network interface card, and an Ethernet port in communication with the functional circuit. The functional circuit is for constructing an Ethernet frame.
US07978687B2
A method of controlling routing in a packet network supported by a transport network allowing the dynamic creation/suppression of links for transporting packets of said packet network, said method including a routing step, a step of informing other routers of said network of the metric assigned to each link of the packet network, and a step of creating/destroying a link. The link may have three states: a non-connected state if said two routers cannot be directly connected, a virtual connection state wherein a virtual metric is assigned to said link between said head end router and said tail end router of the same communication, and a real connection state wherein a real metric is normally assigned to said link.
US07978684B2
A session set-up for communicating data via a data network is disclosed. First, a session establishment between a communication apparatus and a serving entity is requested for a service from the serving entity supporting the service. Then, when a requirement of a user connection for the service is determined, an association with a data network for the service is activated via a core network.
US07978680B1
A clock control system for a reference network device, the clock control system including a reference clock module, a receiver module, and a clock adjustment module. The reference clock module generates reference clock signals. The receiver module receives and determines reference receive times of Y frames based on the reference clock signals. One of X remote network devices generates the Y frames. The receiver module further receives X-1 timestamp frames from X-1 of the X remote network devices based on receipt of the Y frames at respective ones of the X-1 remote network devices. X and Y are integers greater than or equal to 1. At least one of X and Y is greater than 1. The clock adjustment module determines and transmits clock adjustment signals for the X-1 remote network devices based on the X-1 timestamp frames and the reference receive times of the Y frames.
US07978674B1
A method of selecting a type of resource-allocation to use for a call in a cellular wireless system, such as selecting a type of radio configuration to use for the call. According to the method, resource-availability in one more adjacent coverage areas may be used as a basis to select the type of resource-allocation to use in a current coverage area. For instance, given the choice between a radio configuration that consumes less base station power and a radio configuration that consumes more base station power, the radio configuration consuming more base station power may be selected if base station sufficient power is available in one or more adjacent coverage area(s), and the other radio configuration may be selected if insufficient base station power is available in the one or more adjacent coverage area(s). Distance between the mobile station and a current base station may be considered as well.
US07978671B2
In 80211.n, the time during which the band is occupied is prolonged by the use of the frame aggregation method or in accordance with the type of communication frame, and this may influence communication of another apparatus. To solve this problem, a communication frame length (a communication frame to be used and the number of frames to be aggregated) is determined by taking account of priority information of a plurality of communication apparatuses.
US07978669B2
In one embodiment, a method includes characterizing a first packet of a video stream as being associated with a first frame type, wherein the video stream is arranged to be transmitted on a wireless local area network. The method also includes processing at least the first packet of the video stream as being associated with the first frame type if the first packet of the video stream is characterized as being of the first frame type.
US07978665B1
A system may provide a client device with a persistent wireless network browser toolbar for use in, for example, a network browser. The persistent wireless network browser toolbar is provided with a login status indicator, a logout option, and a wireless network signal strength indicator.
US07978657B2
In a multi-radio mesh network system supporting at least two different wireless communication standards and a method of controlling the same, a wireless access switching module determines whether user data en-queued in the queue of a first wireless link and retained on standby cannot be transmitted. The wireless access switching module switches the user data, en-queued in the queue of the first wireless link and retained on standby, to an available second wireless link. The wireless access switching module changes a frame structure according to different wireless access techniques. When access is possible through the second wireless link, a forwarder searches for a local neighbor directly connected to a transmitting node and a receiving node, and forwards the user data. According to the invention, and in contrast to conventional techniques, available multi-wireless resources can be used more efficiently, flexibly and optimally up to the last moment, thereby reducing re-transmission and packet drop. Thus, each hop supports fast data forwarding so as to improve network performance.
US07978656B2
Systems and methodologies are described that facilitate maintaining consistent radio-link layer protocol (RLP) sequence numbers in the event of an RLP sequence number reset. An offset can be adjusted upon occurrence of the event to reflect a subsequent expected sequence number. The offset can be added to the RLP sequence numbers such that receiving devices and/or higher layer applications can operate without realizing the sequence number reset. Additionally, the offset can be synchronized among base stations to facilitate operability following handoff of the receiving device.
US07978649B2
A “unified” MIMO system that supports multiple operating modes for efficient data transmission is described. Each operating mode is associated with different spatial processing at a transmitting entity. For example, four operating modes may be defined for (1) full-CSI or partial-CSI transmission and (2) with or without steering transmit diversity (STD). An appropriate operating mode may be selected for use based on various factors (e.g., availability of a good channel estimate). With steering transmit diversity, data is spatially spread and transmitted on multiple spatial channels, and a single rate may then be used for all spatial channels used for data transmission. A receiving entity may utilize a minimum mean square error (MMSE) technique for all operating modes. The receiving entity may derive a spatial filter matrix and perform receiver spatial processing in the same manner for all operating modes, albeit with different effective channel response matrices.
US07978644B2
A method of fair scheduling for channel access in a wireless network comprising a plurality of nodes including a first node and at least one second node is described, the method comprising the steps of: arranging (RICP) a packet to be transmitted at the first node; calculating (COMP) a waiting time (ta) for the first node; the first node attempting (ATTX) the transmission of the packet on the channel at least after the calculated waiting time; characterised in that said calculation step includes an evaluation step of a first size representative of the ratio between a real use of the channel by the first node and a real use of the channel by a group of the plurality of nodes, during the transmission on the network of further packets preceding said packet.
US07978640B2
Disclosed is a method and an apparatus for transmitting and receiving data via a MAC protocol in a mobile communication system. The method includes inputting at least one Service Data Unit (SDU) containing transmission data through a corresponding logical channel and generating at least one first Protocol Data Unit (PDU) that includes said at least one SDU without including multiplexing information for identification of the logical channel, by a first transmission entity; acquiring the first PDU and generating a second PDU including the first PDU in a payload of the second PDU, by a second transmission entity that operates between the first transmission entity and a physical layer; inserting the multiplexing information for identification of the logical channel corresponding to said at least one first PDU into header information of the second PDU; and transmitting the second PDU through the physical layer. The method can reduce load due to additional processing, such as a bit operation or memory copying, in a receiver requiring high speed data transmission.
US07978637B2
The station does not wake up for the beacon TIM if there is periodic uplink data with period less than or equal to the tolerance for downlink delay. If the station has no uplink data for at least a service interval (period of the stream), it wakes up to listen to the TIM. It continues to do so until either uplink or downlink data arrives. If the TIM indicates downlink data buffered, and if the station continues to have no uplink data, it starts waking tip at the service interval and sends null frames uplink, in order to signal that it is awake and ready to receive downlink data. If uplink data is generated, the station will send the uplink frame instead of the null frame.
US07978636B2
A system comprises a monitoring module operative to monitor traffic on a wireless medium, the traffic belonging to one or more of two different access classes (ACs), one access class (AC) being a higher-priority AC and the other being a lower-priority AC; a throughput adaptation module communicatively coupled to the monitoring module and operative to dynamically generate data corresponding to one or more AC-sensitive parameters based on the monitored traffic and on a desired throughput ratio between the two different ACs; and a wireless communication module communicatively coupled to the throughput adaptation module and operative to communicate the data to one or more wireless stations on the wireless medium.
US07978635B2
Systems and methodologies are described that facilitate reliably receiving a sequence of data packets in a wireless communications environment. In particular, mechanisms are provided that enhance hybrid automatic repeat request protocols through validation of acknowledgment message detection by re-decoding. A transmitter sends a data packet from a sequence of packets in one or more data transmissions. A receiver acknowledges the data packet upon obtaining sufficient transmissions to decode the packet. The receiver re-decodes a successive data transmission in combination with previously received transmissions to validate if the transmitter detected the acknowledgment.
US07978619B2
An application specific, network performance measurement system and method are provided wherein the application operates over a network wherein the performance of the network at one or more elements of the network is measured.
US07978616B2
A method of transmitting PDCP (Packet Data Convergence Protocol) status reports, is performed by a mobile terminal by receiving, from an upper layer, a request for PDCP (Packet Data Convergence Protocol) re-establishment; detecting whether there are any out-of-sequence PDCP SDUs (service data units) stored; and if there is at least one out-of-sequence PDCP SDU stored, allocating a bitmap field of length in bits equal to the number of PDCP SNs from and not including the first out-of-sequence PDCP SDU up to and including a last out-of-sequence PDCP SDU.
US07978600B2
In an ECU, a level adjusting unit communicable to first and second control circuits and a bus transceiver installed in the ECU receives first data and second data respectively transmitted from the first and second control circuits. The bus transceiver is communicable to a communication bus. When the first data and the second data are simultaneously received, the level adjusting unit merges the first data and the second data such that a first electric level of the first data wins with a second electric level of the second data. The level adjusting unit outputs the merged data to the bus transceiver.
US07978593B2
A method for transmitting control information to indicate a receiver, comprising following steps: the control information is formed at transmitting side and is encoded based on the working status of the transmitting side of the system; after the encoded control information is mapped, it is multiplexed with other pilot symbol and service load, then an OFDM symbol is generated; the OFDM symbol is transformed from frequency domain to time domain, then a time domain sampling signal is obtained and transmitted to the receiving side of the system; at the receiving side, the time domain sampling signal transmitted by the transmitting side is received and transformed from time domain to frequency domain to form OFDM symbol; the control information is obtained from the valid sub carrier of the OFDM symbol, and the control information is decoded; each work information is extracted form the decoded control information, and the receiving terminal is indicated to execute respective receive process based on the extracted work information. The method can ensure the receiving terminal to receive data based on its own expectation, then reduces the work power consumption of the receiving terminal, and saves the run cost of the digital broadcast system.
US07978587B2
An optical pickup apparatus is provided with a dividing element having a plurality of regions. The dividing element is capable of dividing a light flux reflected by the optical disc into a plurality of light fluxes having different outgoing directions. Each region of the dividing element and light receiving parts of a light detector are structured such that when a target information recording layer of the optical disc is brought into focus, a light flux reflected from the target information recording layer is focused on the light receiving parts of the light detector, and a light flux reflected from other information recording layer than the target information recording layer is not irradiated onto the light receiving parts of the light detector.
US07978585B2
An aberration correcting device includes: a first transparent electrode; a second transparent electrode; and a liquid crystal layer disposed between the first transparent electrode and the second transparent electrode, having refractive index varying according to an electric field applied to the liquid crystal layer, wherein the first transparent electrode has a first circular dividing line and a second circular dividing line formed outside the first circular division line arranged to be concentric with the second circular dividing line, and wherein a region between the first circular dividing line and the second circular dividing line is radially divided by plural radial dividing lines.
US07978580B1
A model is derived for write parameters of a laser in an optical drive. A parameter range for the write parameters is set based on a recordable medium. A number of test runs are recorded on the recordable medium while varying the write parameters. Write performance characteristics are measured over the test runs, and a model of write performance as a function of the write parameters is derived. Values for write parameters are selected for use in writing actual data based on the derived model. A first section of user data is written to the data-carrying region of the recordable medium using the selected values. The write performance characteristics of the first section of user data are measured, and the model is updated by including the measurements from the data-carrying region. New values for the write parameters of the laser are selected based on the updated model.
US07978574B2
A laser drive circuit is utilized to record data with a good signal quality over a wide range of linear velocities to an optical information recording medium. Specifically, the laser drive circuit of an optical information recording apparatus sets a ratio of a recording power to a power at which a reproduction signal quality reaches a threshold value to be relatively low at low velocities, and relatively high at high velocities.
US07978572B2
A technique capable of realizing a power saving in a device for reproducing/recording digital signals by properly controlling a frequency of a clock. The device for reproducing/recording digital signals (device for reproducing an optical disk) includes: a difference comparing circuit for comparing a first parameter (demodulating block counter) updated each time a process for one correcting block is done in a demodulating circuit with a second parameter (error correcting block counter) updated each time a process of one correcting block is done in an error correcting circuit; and a circuit (clock controlling circuit etc.) for switching a frequency of a master clock (MCLK) depending on a comparison result of the difference comparing circuit. Thereby, the frequency of the clock can be switched both of when the demodulation for one correcting block is ended and when the correcting process for one correcting block is ended by using the switched master clock.
US07978570B2
A driving apparatus includes: a driving mechanism slider-driving a head including a first optical pickup and a second optical pickup, the first optical pickup and the second optical pickup having a same specification; a calculating mechanism performing predetermined calculation using a first slide-error signal obtained by filtering a signal from the first optical pickup and a second slide-error signal obtained by filtering a signal from the second optical pickup; and an outputting mechanism outputting a signal from the calculating means as a slider control signal for driving the driving mechanism.
US07978568B2
An object of the present invention is to reduce the influence of a stray light incident on a light receiving device by reflection of an unnecessary diffraction light not contributing to write or read on a disc surface at write or read of an optical disc having a large surface reflectivity with respect to an information recording surface. A position in which a diffraction light with an n-order in an advancing path and the n-order in a returning path, reflected on the information recording surface of a first information recording medium, is focused by a condensing lens is different from a position in which a diffraction light different from the n-order diffraction light in at least one of the advancing path and the returning path, reflected on a surface of the first information recording medium, is focused by the condensing lens.
US07978565B2
An alarm clock includes a nap timer. At least one button may be used to add a predetermined time interval to a total nap time, while the clock is in its normal timekeeping mode. No further actions are necessary in order to set a nap time. An alarm will sound upon the elapsing of the set nap time.
US07978564B2
This invention relates to an interactive medication container or console that hold or otherwise organizes one or more medication vials or containers. Each vial has a memory strip containing medication and prescription information. Each vial can also include a reminder unit that is attached to and portable with the individual vials. The console or reminder unit reads the information strip of the vial and communicates this information to or interacts with a patient to remind them to take the medication. The medication container or reminder unit also gathers or tracks information such as consumption time, quantity remaining, patient feedback, and contraindication information. The medication container or reminder unit interacts with the patient by displaying questions or receiving and recording input from the patient before, during or after a dose of medication is taken. The patient input can be used to modify the dosing regimen for future doses of medication. The medication container reorders medication when the quantity remaining reaches a threshold level. Contraindication information in the memory strip is downloaded to a personal home computer or a hospital or nursing home computer.
US07978562B2
A semiconductor memory device operates by using a fixed power and a variable power. The device includes a plurality of word lines which select rows of a memory cell array, a plurality of word line drivers each of which is connected to a corresponding one of the word lines and includes a first CMOS gate, a first cutoff switch which is connected between a fixed power terminal and a power terminal of the first CMOS gate and cuts off the fixed power in a sleep mode, a switching circuit which is connected to the plurality of word lines and connects the plurality of word lines to a ground terminal in the sleep mode, and a power control circuit which generates the variable power by using the fixed power and sets the variable power to 0 V in the sleep mode.
US07978561B2
Provided is a semiconductor device having transistors of stacked structure. The semiconductor memory device having transistors includes a memory cell array block which includes a plurality of word lines and a plurality of memory cells which each includes at least one first transistor connected between the plurality of word lines, and a word line decoder which includes a plurality of drivers which drive the plurality of word lines, respectively, wherein a plurality of word lines are disposed on a first layer, and a plurality of drivers are disposed on at least two second layers.
US07978556B2
A temperature invariant reference voltage and a temperature variant physical quantity, such as a voltage or current, are generated. The temperature variant physical quantity changes in response to a temperature of the integrated circuit. A temperature sensor circuit generates a voltage that is linearly dependent on the temperature. A level generator circuit generates 2n−1 voltage levels from the reference voltage. A comparator circuit, such as an analog-to-digital circuit, compares the voltage from the temperature sensor to the 2n−1 voltage levels to determine which level is closest. An n-bit digital output of the resulting level is proportional to the temperature of the integrated circuit.
US07978555B2
Dummy memory cells are disposed on an outside of real memory cells positioned on a peripheral part of a matrix. First contacts coupling between two wiring layers laminated on a semiconductor substrate are disposed around each of the real and dummy memory cells, and are shared by an adjacent real or dummy memory cell. Number of the first contacts disposed in each of the dummy memory cells is set to be smaller than number of the first contacts disposed in each of the real memory cells. Accordingly, even when a well region is not formed normally due to a variation in manufacturing conditions, it is possible to prevent an abnormal power supply current from being flown into the dummy memory cells, and an occurrence of latch up can be prevented.
US07978548B2
A block decoding circuit of a semiconductor memory device includes a plurality of block decoders, a plurality of repair address check circuits, a dummy repair address check circuit and a block selection signal generation circuit. The plurality of block decoders are configured to decode a received block selection address. The plurality of repair address check circuits are configured to generate second output signals based on whether a received block selection address and word line selection address are repair addresses. The dummy repair address check circuit is configured to generate a control signal in response to the block selection address and the word line selection address. The block selection signal generation circuit is configured to generate block selection signals based on the first output signals from the plurality of block decoders, the control signal from the dummy repair address circuit, and the second output signals from the repair address check circuits.
US07978547B2
A circuit for generating a data I/O control signal used in a semiconductor memory apparatus comprises a delay block for generating a delay signal having a relatively short delay value and a delay signal having a relatively long delay values, and a selection block for selecting any one of the delay signals according to an operational mode. The selection block selects an output signal of the first delay unit in a high-speed operation mode and selects an output signal of the second delay unit in a low-speed operation mode.
US07978546B2
A memory controller, a PCB and a computer system employing the memory controller, and a memory adjusting method using the memory controller. The memory controller interfaces data reading from and writing to a memory and includes: a characteristic estimating part estimating a characteristic of a memory output signal outputted from the memory for the data reading and writing; and a characteristic adjusting part controlling the memory so that the characteristic of the memory output signal is within a predetermined reference range if the characteristic of the memory output signal estimated by the characteristic estimating part is beyond the predetermined reference range.
US07978533B2
Operating voltages to a group of memory cells in an array are supplied via access lines such as word lines and bit lines. The capacitance of associated nodes of the memory cells can latch some of these voltages. Memory operation can continue using the latched voltages even when the access lines are disconnected. In a memory have an array of NAND chains, the capacitance of the channel of each NAND chain can latch a voltage to either enable or inhibit programming. The bit lines can then be disconnected during programming of the group and be used for another memory operation. In one embodiment, the bit lines are precharged for the next verifying step of the same group. In another embodiment, two groups of memory cells are being programmed contemporarily, so that while one group is being programmed, the other group can be verified with the use of the bit lines.
US07978520B2
To program a set of non-volatile storage elements, a set of programming pulses are applied to the control gates (or other terminals) of the non-volatile storage elements. The programming pulses have pulse widths that vary as a function of simulated pulse magnitude data. The programming pulses can also have pulse magnitudes that vary based on measurements taken while testing the set of non-volatile storage elements. In one embodiment, the pulse widths are determined after simulation performed prior to fabrication of the non-volatile storage elements. In another embodiment, the pulse magnitudes are calculated after fabrication of the non-volatile storage elements.
US07978517B2
A NAND flash memory that is read while a selected bit line and a non-selected bit line are adjacent to each other, has a memory cell array having a plurality of blocks each of which is composed of a plurality of memory cell units, each of the memory cell units having a plurality of electrically rewritable memory cells that are connected to each other, wherein a bit line that is selected by a sense amplifier is charged in a state where a drain-side select gate line, a source-side select gate line and a p-type semiconductor substrate are set at a ground potential, and source lines, n-type wells, p-type wells, and a bit line that is not selected by the sense amplifier are in a floating state.
US07978515B2
A semiconductor storage device includes a first memory cell for storing two kinds of states, a second memory cell for storing two kinds of states, and a sense amplifier for detecting a potential difference between voltages equivalent to readout currents of the first and second memory cells, respectively. Either one of information data “0” or data “1”, which is stored in combination of the first and second memory cells, is read out by detecting the potential difference equivalent to the readout current difference between the first and second memory cells.
US07978511B2
Methods for programming a memory device, memory devices configured to perform the disclosed programming methods, and memory systems having a memory device configured to perform the disclosed programming methods are provided. According to at least one such method, multiple pages of memory cells are inhibited during a programming operation such that memory cells enabled for programming are separated by two or more inhibited memory cells of the same row of memory cells regardless of the intended pattern of data states to be programmed into that row of memory cells.
US07978510B2
An active memory element is provided. A bipolar memory two-terminal element includes polarity-dependent switching. A probability of switching of the bi-polar memory element between a first state and a second state decays exponentially based on time delay and a difference between received signals at the two terminals and a switching threshold magnitude.
US07978508B2
A method of programming a phase-change material. The method includes providing a transformation pulse to the phase-change material, where the transformation pulse includes a programming waveform and a conditioning waveform. The programming waveform provides sufficient energy to alter the structural state of the phase-change material. In one embodiment, the programming waveform alters the volume fractions of crystalline and amorphous phase regions within the phase-change material. The conditioning waveform provides sufficient energy to heat the phase-change material to a temperature above the ambient temperature but below the crystallization temperature of the phase-change material. The method programs the phase-change material to a state that exhibits a reduced time variation of resistance.
US07978506B2
Thin film logic circuits employ thin-film switching devices to execute complementary logic functions. Such logic devices operate, as complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) logic devices do, in a manner that does not provide a direct conduction path between a system supply and a system return. Complementary logic circuits may employ three-terminal threshold switches as switching elements.
US07978500B2
The invention relates to a method and apparatus providing a memory cell array in which each resistance memory cell is connected in series to a capacitive element. Access transistors are not necessary to perform read and write operations on the memory cell. In one exemplary embodiment, the capacitive element is a capacitor.
US07978499B2
A semiconductor storage device includes: a memory cell array having memory cells; and a control circuit configured to apply a first voltage to a selected one of first wirings as well as a second voltage to a selected one of second wirings. The control circuit includes: a signal output circuit configured to output a first signal based on a first current flowing through a selected memory cell and a reference current; and a current retaining circuit configured to retain a second current flowing through the first wirings or a wiring electrically connected to the first wirings during a certain period of time. The signal output circuit is configured to determine the first current based on the second current retained by the current retaining circuit. The control circuit is configured to stop application of the first voltage to the first wirings based on the first signal.
US07978496B2
A nonvolatile memory cell includes a steering element located in series with a storage element, where the storage element comprises a carbon material. A method of programming the cell includes applying a reset pulse to change a resistivity state of the carbon material from a first state to a second state which is higher than the first state, and applying a set pulse to change a resistivity state of the carbon material from the second state to a third state which is lower than the second state. A fall time of the reset pulse is shorter than a fall time of the set pulse.
US07978487B2
A switching power supply includes an energy-storing device, a power switch, a driving circuit and a thermal sensing device. The energy-storing device is coupled to an input power source and controlled by the power switch to increase or decrease the power therein. The power switch has a control terminal connected to the driving circuit for switching. The thermal sensing device is connected to the control terminal of the power switch and powered by the driving circuit. When sensing an operation temperature exceeding a predetermined range, the thermal sensing device disables the driving circuit.
US07978483B2
Components, systems and methods for generating variable frequency AC voltage from a DC power supply are described. The components include a full-bridge (FB) parallel load resonant (PLR) converter which operates in discontinuous conduction mode. The PLR converter includes MOSFETs in an H-bridge configuration and employs a topology which minimizes inductance. The PLR converter can be coupled to a single or poly-phase bridge for use as an inverter. The inverter can be used to produce an AC sinusoidal waveform from a low voltage, high current DC power supply. Systems and techniques for modulating the output from the PLR converter to produce an AC sinusoidal waveform having desired characteristics, including frequency and voltage, are also provided. The PLR converter can also be coupled to a rectifier for use as a DC-DC converter.
US07978480B2
A patch panel includes a back plane having front mounted pairs of termination locations, and an interconnect location electrically connected to each pair of termination locations. The termination locations connect to two patch cords. The interconnect location defines an access device for selectively accessing the termination locations. An interconnect module interfaces with the interconnect location. The module can include test access, power over Ethernet, or circuit protection features.
US07978477B2
A dual-channel optical navigation system with vertically aligned sensors. The dual-channel optical navigation system includes a circuit board, a contact navigation sensor, and a free-space navigation sensor. The circuit board mechanically supports and electrically connects multiple navigation sensors on opposing sides of the circuit board. The contact navigation sensor is coupled to a first side of the circuit board. The contact navigation sensor generates a contact navigation signal based on contact navigation images of a contact navigation surface approximately adjacent to the dual-channel optical navigation system. The free-space navigation sensor is coupled to a second side of the circuit board. The free-space navigation sensor generates a free-space navigation signal based on free-space navigation images of an operating environment of the dual-channel optical navigation system.
US07978476B2
An electronic assembly for housing circuit cards of different types, which communicate with one another at high speed. Circuit cards of a first type plug into a backplane side-by-side. Circuit cards of a second type are arranged perpendicularly to the circuit cards of the first type. The arrangement allows cards of the first type to communicate with cards of the second type over short distances, thus improving system throughput. It also allows cards of different types to be cooled differently, thus promoting efficient cooling.
US07978473B2
A cooling apparatus and method of fabrication are provided for facilitating removal of heat from a heat-generating electronic device. The method of fabrication includes: obtaining a solder material; disposing the solder material on a surface to be cooled; and reflowing and shaping the solder material disposed on the surface to be cooled to configure the solder material as a base with a plurality of fins extending therefrom. In addition to being in situ-configured on the surface to be cooled, the base is simultaneously metallurgically bonded to the surface to be cooled. The solder material, configured as the base with a plurality of fins extending therefrom, is a single, monolithic structure thermally attached to the surface to be cooled via the metallurgical bonding thereof to the surface to be cooled.
US07978471B2
An electric power conversion apparatus includes: a channel case in which a cooling water channel is formed; a double side cooling semiconductor module that comprises an upper and lower arms series circuit of an inverter circuit; a capacitor module; a direct current connector; and an alternate current connector. The semiconductor module comprises a first and a second heat dissipation metals whose outer surfaces are heat dissipation surfaces, the upper and lower arms series circuit is disposed tightly between the first heat dissipation metal and the second heat dissipation metal, and the semiconductor module further comprises a direct current positive terminal, a direct current negative terminal, and an alternate current terminal which protrude to outside. The channel case is provided with the cooling water channel which extends from a cooling water inlet to a cooling water outlet, and a first opening which opens into the cooling water channel.
US07978461B2
An enhanced ultrasound housing and enhanced ultrasound platform facilitates a technician-friendly layout by providing a beneficial ergonomic layout. Control switches may also be configured to provide convenient implementation of ultrasound techniques. Further, an enhanced ultrasound housing and enhanced ultrasound platform provides physical protection to the device. Physical protection may come in the form of an exoskeletal member, or from a covering which inhibits liquid penetration.
US07978458B2
A locking device for an electric switch is disclosed which is movably guided in a withdrawable rack via an actuating shaft wherein the electric switch is placed in a preferred position, in particular in a disconnected position. In at least one embodiment, the locking device is movable from a release position in which the switch is displaceable in the withdrawable rack to a locking position in which the locking device blocks the switch displacement in a predetermined direction and the actuating shaft is actuated via an actuating crank. In order to safe the switch locking in the preferred position thereof, the locking device is movable to the locking position when the actuating crank actuation is blocked, only. The withdrawable rack, provided with the inventive locking device for the electric switch displaceable in the withdrawable rack via the actuating shaft, is also disclosed.
US07978446B2
A ground fault detection system for an electrical system is disclosed. The electrical system may have a first and a second electrical component and a controller, and the second electrical component may be coupled to the controller. The ground fault detection system may include a ground fault detection module integrated in the first electrical component. The first electrical component may be isolated from the second electrical component. The ground fault detection system may further include a data link configured to establish a data communication between a controller and the ground fault detection module. The ground fault detection module may be configured to activate a mode of operation for the first electrical component if a ground fault associated with the first electrical component is identified.
US07978445B2
An electrical system for connecting a wind turbine to a power grid that includes: a frequency converter that converts electric power produced by a generator of the wind turbine into electric power that is synchronized with the electric power of the power grid; a transformer that steps up the voltage for connection to the power grid, the transformer being disposed between the frequency converter and a connection to the power grid; and a grid-side crowbar circuit; wherein the grid-side crowbar circuit is configured to apply a short circuit to the electrical system upon the detection of a fault.
US07978440B2
Improved CPP GMR devices have been fabricated by replacing the conventional seed layer (typically Ta) with a bilayer of NiCr on Ta, said seed being deposited on the NiFe layer that constitutes a magnetic shield. Additional improvement was also obtained by replacing the conventional non-magnetic spacer layer of copper with a sandwich structure of two copper layers with an NOL (nano-oxide layer) between them. A process for manufacturing the devices is also described.
US07978435B2
According to one embodiment, a head of a disk device has a slider and a head portion disposed on the slider. The slider has a facing surface opposed to a surface of a rotatable recording medium and is flown by an airflow. The facing surface of the slider has a first direction extending in a direction of the airflow and a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The slider includes a negative-pressure cavity, a leading step portion, a leading pad which protrudes from the leading step portion, a recess which is formed in that part of the leading step portion which is situated on an upstream side of the leading pad with respect to the airflow and defines a first step portion and a second step portion which individually extend in a direction across the first direction and are spaced in the first direction, and a trailing step portion.
US07978432B2
A thin-film magnetic head structure has a configuration adapted to manufacture a thin-film magnetic head configured such that a main magnetic pole layer including a magnetic pole tip on a side of a medium-opposing surface opposing a recording medium, a write shield layer opposing the magnetic pole tip so as to form a recording gap layer on the medium-opposing surface side, and a thin-film coil wound about the write shield layer or main magnetic pole layer are laminated. The magnetic pole tip of the main magnetic pole layer includes an even width portion having a substantially even width along an extending direction.
US07978431B2
A perpendicular magnetic recording (PMR) head is fabricated with a pole tip shielded laterally by a separated pair of bottom side shields and shielded from above by an upper shield. The bottom side shields surround a lower portion of the pole tip while the upper portion of the pole tip is surrounded by non-magnetic layers. The bottom shields and the non-magnetic layer form wedge-shaped trench in which the pole tip is formed by a self-aligned plating process. The wedge shape is formed by a RIE process using specific gases applied through a masking layer formed of material that has a slower etch rate than the non-magnetic material or the shield material. A masking layer of Ta, Ru/Ta, TaN or Ti, formed on a non-magnetic layer of alumina that is formed on a shield layer of NiFe and using RIE gases of CH3OH, CO or NH3 or their combinations, produces the desired result. A write gap layer and an upper shield is then formed above the side shields and pole. The resulting structure substantially eliminates track overwrite while maintaining good track definition.
US07978428B2
A disk drive includes a disk having a track that includes a data sector divided by a servo sector so that a first data sector portion is on a first side of the servo sector, and a second data sector portion is on a second side of the servo sector. The disk drive reads data by: positioning the head at a first offset position with respect to the track and reading data from the data sector. When a read error occurs between the first and second data sector portions, the disk drive: stores the data from the first data sector portion in memory, moves the head to a second offset position with respect to the track, reads data from the second data sector portion with the head at the second offset position, and stores the data read from the second data sector portion in the memory.
US07978426B2
A prism (10) is in the form of a polygonal prism and has a first optical surface (11), a second optical surface (12) and a third optical surface (13) formed on different surfaces of the prism. A light entrance region (11a) is provided at the center of the first optical surface (11), a light exit region (12a) is provided at the center of the second optical surface (12) and a substantially flat light reflecting region (13a) is provided at the center of the third optical surface (13). Suppose that there is a virtual surface between the light reflecting region (13a) and the first optical surface (11), the virtual surface is positioned more inward in the prism than a peripheral region of the third optical surface (13) extending from the light reflecting region (13a) to an edge (14) between the third optical surface (13) and the first optical surface (11).
US07978425B2
A lens barrel is mated with a lens mount through use of a screw thread whereby relative rotation adjusts lens focus. The lens barrel and lens mount are additionally provided with an interengaging formation that is interposed between an optical axis of the lens barrel and the screw thread. This formation provides a cylindrical sliding contact which isolates any particles produced by operation of the screw thread from reaching the optical components at or near the optical axis.
US07978420B2
A zoom lens includes: first, second and third lens groups having negative refracting power, positive refracting power and positive refracting power, respectively, disposed in the order from an object side. During zooming from a wide angle end to a telephoto end, the first lens group is moved and the second lens group is moved together with a stop toward the object such that an air space between the first and second lens groups decreases and an air space between the second and third lens groups increases. The second lens group includes positive and negative lenses aspherically shaped on at least a side thereof facing the object and having a convex or concave surface facing the object, the negative lens being positioned on the image side of the positive lens. The zoom lens is configured to satisfy the following Conditional Expressions (1) and (2) 0.7
US07978419B2
A scan lens for an imaging device includes first, second, third, and fourth lens elements optically positioned in ascending numeric order between a scanning component and an imaging surface. The first lens element has an optical power in an in-scan direction of the imaging device and an optical power in a cross-scan direction of the imaging device, the optical power in the cross-scan direction being positive and greater than the optical power in the in-scan direction. The second lens element has a negative optical power in the in-scan and cross-scan directions. The third lens element has a positive optical power in the in-scan direction and cross-scan directions. The fourth lens element has an optical power in the in-scan direction and a positive optical power in the cross-scan direction, the optical power in the cross-scan direction being greater than the optical power in the in-scan direction.
US07978418B2
The optical device includes a first capillary tube assembly including a capillary tube into which an optical fiber is inserted and fixed, and a retaining sleeve for retaining the capillary tube; a second capillary tube assembly including a capillary tube into which optical fibers are inserted and fixed, and a retaining sleeve for retaining the capillary tube; and a lens assembly including a first lens that faces a forward end face of a first optical fiber with a gap therebetween, a second lens facing end faces of optical fibers with a gap therebetween, a band pass filter interposed between the first lens and the second lens, and an accommodation member for receiving the first and second lenses and the band pass filter. The retaining sleeve of the first capillary tube assembly is secured to one end surface of the accommodation member, and the retaining member of the second capillary tube assembly is secured to another end surface of the accommodation member.
US07978416B2
A method for generating spontaneously aligned surface wrinkles utilizes control of local moduli-mismatch and osmotic pressure. The method includes modifying the surface of an elastomeric layer to form a superlayer that is stiffer and/or less absorbent than the elastomeric layer. The elastomeric layer is then swollen with a polymerizable monomer, which causes buckling of the superlayer. The monomer is then polymerized, dimensionally stabilizing the surface buckling. The buckled surfaces generated by the method are useful in a wide variety of end-use applications, including microlenses, microlens arrays, compound microlenses, diffraction gratings, photonic crystals, smart adhesives, mechanical strain sensors, microfluidic devices, and cell culture surfaces.
US07978414B2
A combiner positioning system (300) for a heads-up display (100). The positioning system (300) is arranged on a frame (302) including a base plate (334). A movable carrier (306) is provided for supporting a combiner (106) within the frame. The carrier (306) is movable between a first end of the frame, where the combiner (106) is in a retracted position (storage position), to a second end where the combiner is in a fully extended position (display position).
US07978411B2
A lens is formed to support and tilt at least one microlens formed on the lens. The degree and direction of slope of the microlens can be controlled based on desired focal characteristics to direct light to or from a pixel of a pixel array.
US07978410B2
An optical sheet includes a transparent base, a plurality of first micro structures, and a plurality of second micro structures. The transparent base has a light-receiving surface and a light-exit surface. The first micro structures are disposed on the light-exit surface, and the second micro structures are disposed on the light-receiving surface. Each first micro structure includes a first planar surface and a curve surface. Each second micro structure includes a second planar surface formed on the light-receiving surface and a total reflection surface connected with the second planar surface. Each first micro structure forms a first orthogonal projection area on the light-receiving surface, each second micro structure forms a second orthogonal projection area on the light-receiving surface, the second planar surface is located within the first orthogonal projection area, and the entire area of the second planar surface is equal to the second orthogonal projection area.
US07978388B2
When a mirror (230) rotates with a maximum angle, a distance from the rotation center of the mirror (230) to the edge of the mirror (230) along a direction horizontal to an electrode substrate (300) is larger than a distance from a perpendicular, perpendicular to the horizontal direction and extending through the rotation center, to the distal end of an electrode (340a-340d) along the horizontal direction. Even when the mirror (230) rotates to come into contact with the electrode substrate (300), since the electrode (340a-340d) does not exist at a position with which the mirror (230) comes into contact when rotating, the mirror (230) and the electrode (340a-340d) can be prevented from being electrodeposited.
US07978387B2
A laser projector including a laser light source, a scan unit to scan the laser beam, a scan signal generation unit to generate a pulse signal, a drive unit to drive the scan unit and a pulse pattern adjustment unit to adjust a pulse pattern, wherein the pulse pattern adjustment unit adjusts the pulse pattern to a first pulse pattern for adjusting the swing amount from a first swing amount to a second swing amount in a projection interval, adjusts the pulse pattern to a second pulse pattern for adjusting the swing amount from the second swing amount back to the first swing amount in a first-stage interval in a non-projection interval, and adjusts the pulse pattern to a third pulse pattern for keeping the swing amount at the first swing amount in a second-stage interval in the non-projection interval until a scan position returns to the projection interval.
US07978386B2
A method of generating a holographic diffraction pattern and a holographic lithography system. The method involves defining at least one geometrical shape; generating at least one line segment to represent the at least one geometrical shape; calculating a line diffraction pattern on a hologram plane, including calculating the Fresnel diffraction equation for an impulse representing the at least one line segment with a line width control term and a line length control term; and adding vectorially, where there are two or more line segments, the line diffraction patterns to form the holographic diffraction pattern. The method and system enables holographic masks to be generated without creating a physical object to record. The required shapes or patterns are defined in terms of a three-dimensional coordinate space and a holographic pattern is generated at a defined distance from the shapes in the coordinate space.
US07978383B2
A circuit and method for processing an image to correct the pixel value of a sub-pixel included in color data to reduce color differences. The image processing circuit includes a plurality of defect determination circuits respectively corresponding to a plurality of sub-pixels (colors). Each defect determination circuit determines whether or not the corresponding sub-pixel, or first sub-pixel, includes a defect and generates a determination signal. The defect determination circuits provide each of a plurality of correction circuits respectively corresponding to a plurality of sub-pixels (colors) with the determination signals. Each correction circuit generates a corrected value for the corresponding first sub-pixel when at least one of the determination signal is indicative of a defect.
US07978382B2
A computer readable medium records a calibration program, which causes a control device to execute calibration processing of reading as image data a patch sheet output from an image formation device, having a plurality of patch patterns formed as images based on different density-gradation value data for each color, acquiring calorimetric values for each of the patch patterns from the read-out image data, and adjusting the density of the image formation device based on the density-gradation values and the acquired calorimetric values for each of the patch patterns. The program causes the control device to execute displaying the read-out image data of the patch sheet, detecting and displaying the position of each of the patch patterns in the image data of the patch sheet, and acquiring the calorimetric values for each the patch pattern based on the displayed patch pattern positions, in response to confirmation input by a user of the displayed patch pattern position.
US07978379B2
An image sensor includes a light source; a bar-shaped light-guiding element having a first light-emitting section, which propagates light from the light source and irradiates an document from an oblique direction, and a second light-emitting section emitting light in a carrying direction of the document; a lens converging the light reflected from the document; a sensor receiving the light passed through the lens; a reflector disposed on the opposite side of the light-guiding element, by reflecting the light from the second light-emitting section such that an optical path of the light emitted from the second light-emitting section is located between the lens and the document, and irradiating the document from an oblique direction; and first and second light-scattering layers formed in areas opposed to the first and the second light-emitting sections, respectively, in the light-guiding element.
US07978378B2
A method for scanning an object is provided. The method involves placing the object on a scanning platform. The scanner has a plurality of cameras positioned around the object to be scanned. The scanned object can be a foot, among other things, and the scanner is positioned at a predetermined incline so that the foot is evenly supported. A positioning system including at least one sensor is used to determine if the foot is located within a predetermined scanning area. The method can be used to measure foot dimensions for the production of shoe lasts and construction of shoes. The method can be used in a system for selecting shoes that properly fit.
US07978360B2
In a print system including a server holding an application program connected to a network. In a client computer, when a print request for data obtained by the application program is received, client information and a request to make print data for the data are requested to the server. In the server, print data are made according to print control information according to the received client information, the print data is sent.
US07978340B2
A system and a method for determining positions of structures on a substrate are disclosed. The system includes at least one measurement table (20) movable in the X-coordinate direction and in the Y-coordinate direction, a measurement objective (9) and a camera for determining the positions of the structures (3) on the substrate (2). The position of the measurement objective (9) and/or the measurement table (20) may be determined by at least one interferometer (24). The system is surrounded by a housing representing a climatic chamber (50) provided with an active pressure regulation.
US07978334B2
The general field of the invention is that of rate gyros, of the matter-wave type, allowing the measurement of a speed of rotation in a given direction of measurement. This type of rate gyro works by the Sagnac effect and uses ultracold atoms to perform the measurement. It necessarily comprises an atom trap allowing a cloud of ultracold atoms to be immobilized in a given configuration and means for separation-displacement-recombination of the cloud into two packets of atoms so as to make them trace out a given area. The device according to the invention combines both of these two functions onto one atom chip notably comprising a first conducting wire through which a DC current IDC flows with adjustable intensity, a second conducting wire and a third conducting wire that are substantially parallel, within the region of the trap, to the first conducting wire and are disposed symmetrically on either side of this first wire, the second and the third wire carrying an AC current of the same amplitude and same frequency flowing in the same direction, the maximum amplitude and the frequency of said current being sufficient to create, within the atom cloud, a magnetic field of higher intensity than the magnetic intensity required for the separation of the atom cloud into two packets of atoms.
US07978330B2
In one embodiment, detecting a target includes directing a laser beam towards an area and detecting the laser beam reflected from the area. Whether the received laser beam comprises an optically augmented reflection indicating retro-reflection from a target is determined. The target indicates presence of an explosive device. The target is detected if the received laser beam comprises the optically augmented reflection.
US07978328B2
A course material that is applied to a substrate during fabrication of a composite item is inspected by a system that includes a vision assembly. The vision assembly includes an area light, a line generator, a sensor, and an image processor. The area light illuminates an area of the course material. The line generator generates a line of illumination across the area. The sensor captures an image of the area. The image processor analyzes the image. The image processor is configured to identify debris on the course material in response to the area light being activated and the image processor is configured to identify placement aberrations in response to the line generator being activated.
US07978327B2
There is provided a molecularity measurement instrument capable of working out the number of molecules in a sample by comparing a measured value of a light quantity with a theoretical light quantity per a single molecule, and a molecularity measurement method using the same. The molecularity of the sample is quantitatively estimated on the basis of a light quantity having correlation with the molecularity. The molecularity measurement method comprises the step of working out a theoretical light quantity per a single molecule, the step of measuring a light quantity of the sample by use of an image detector, and the step of working out the molecularity of the sample on the basis of a ratio of the light quantity of the sample to the theoretical light quantity as worked out.
US07978322B2
Systems and methods to calibrate aircraft surfaces are provided. A particular method includes installing a set of laser targets. The set of laser targets includes at least first laser target and a second laser target. The first laser target is installed on a first side of a first aircraft surface and the second laser target is installed on a second side of the first aircraft surface at a known location relative to the first laser target. The method also includes determining a first position of the first laser target with a first laser device. The method further includes determining a second position of the second laser target with a second laser device. The method includes determining a position of the first aircraft surface based on the first position of the first laser target and the second position of the second laser target.
US07978317B2
A miniaturized spectrometer/spectrophotometer system and methods are disclosed. A probe tip including one or more light sources and a plurality of light receivers is provided. A first spectrometer system receives light from a first set of the plurality of light receivers. A second spectrometer system receives light from a second set of the plurality of light receivers. A processor, wherein the processor receives data generated by the first spectrometer system and the second spectrometer system, wherein an optical measurement of a sample under test is produced based on the data generated by the first and second spectrometer systems.
US07978314B2
A distance measuring device including a housing that contains a radiation emitting and receiving device, a switch for emitting the radiation and a control panel, where a first wall of the housing features an opening for radiation emission and reception, and the opposite wall or its outer surface forms a stop surface or a stop edge. In order to enable simple handling, it is proposed that a handle emerges from the housing which is displaceable in relation to the housing or can be reset and grasped laterally to the housing.
US07978303B2
A liquid supply apparatus capable of removing micro-bubbles and particles is described, including a pipe, a laser provider and at least one micro-bubble/particle outlet. The laser provider provides a laser crossing the pipe, wherein the laser is provided in a manner such that a micro-bubble/particle blocking/repelling barrier is formed crossing the pipe blocking or repelling micro-bubbles, particles or both in the liquid in the pipe. The micro-bubble/particle outlet is disposed on the pipe between the barrier and the liquid inlet of the pipe, adjacent to the barrier for discharging micro-bubbles, particles or both.
US07978299B2
A liquid crystal device includes a first substrate, a second substrate, a columnar spacer and liquid crystal. The first substrate and the second substrate are bonded together with the columnar spacer interposed therebetween. The liquid crystal is sandwiched between the first substrate and the second substrate. The columnar spacer has a base portion formed on the first substrate, and a tip portion fixed to the second substrate by using an adhesive material.
US07978291B2
In the liquid crystal display device of the present invention, channels 13 containing gaps 12 of the adjacent color filers CF are formed on the surface of a transparent thickness section 11, such that when orientation agent is applied by means of a roller to the surface of the transparent section wall 11, the surplus orientation agent is conducted to either side of the transparent thickness wall 11 through the channels 13, such that the orientation agent does not gather and is dissolved, and the orientation thickness film does not become uneven as to produce any orientation defect and defective display is thereby avoided.
US07978285B2
A surface light source includes a light source which selectively irradiates two polarized light beams in polarized states different from each other, a light guide plate which includes a transparent plate having two plate surfaces facing each other and end faces surrounding the plate surfaces, and irradiates the two polarized light beams form an irradiation surface, and an optical element which irradiates irradiated light from the irradiation surface of the light guide plate toward a direction substantially normal to the light guide plate upon changing the propagation direction of the irradiated light. A liquid crystal display apparatus includes this surface light source, a polarization control element which is placed on the observation side of the surface light source and rotates the polarization plane of linearly polarized light transmitted through one of partitioned first and second areas through a predetermined angle, and a liquid crystal display device placed on the observation side.
US07978281B2
Embodiments of the present invention may include an apparatus and method for ruggedizing a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD). Embodiments of the present invention may be configured to impart little or no stress to the LCD, while also shielding the LCD from adverse effects of electromagnetic interference (EMI). A conductive adhesive, a metal frame, and a assembly support panel may be used to provide a electrically conductive path for controlling the EMI. A protective glass may be used to shield the LCD from environmental effects and a heater glass allows for operation of the LCD in different thermal conditions.
US07978279B2
A panel receiving device enables anti-electrostatic ions to contact surfaces of panels. The panel receiving device includes at least three panel guides arranged at inner sides within an exterior case. Each panel guide includes support plates for supporting and securing the panels, wherein the support plates contact a minimal area of each of the panels.
US07978277B2
It is an object to provide a liquid crystal display device which has excellent viewing angle characteristics and higher quality. The present invention has a pixel including a first switch, a second switch, a third switch, a first resistor, a second resistor, a first liquid crystal element, and a second liquid crystal element. A pixel electrode of the first liquid crystal element is electrically connected to a signal line through the first switch. The pixel electrode of the first liquid crystal element is electrically connected to a pixel electrode of the second liquid crystal element through the second switch and the first resistor. The pixel electrode of the second liquid crystal element is electrically connected to a Cs line through the third switch and the second resistor. A common electrode of the first liquid crystal element is electrically connected to a common electrode of the second liquid crystal element.
US07978273B2
An active-matrix substrate includes: scanning signal lines; data signal lines; first storage capacitor wires; second storage capacitor wires; and pixels, disposed at intersections between the scanning signal lines and the data signal lines, each of which includes a plurality of sub-pixels. Each of the data signal lines is split into two parts at a region where the number of scanning signal lines intersecting the data signal line is ½ of the total number of scanning signal lines. A data signal line split section is formed on a region that does not overlap the second storage capacitor wires. This makes it possible to provide an active-matrix substrate, a display device, and a television receiver in each of which a data signal line split into two parts and a storage capacitor wire are hardly electrically short-circuited in the case of a combination of a split-screen structure and a multi-pixel structure.
US07978268B2
A method for digitally filtering a video signal comprises: converting the video signal into a plurality of sampled values; determining whether distribution of at least one portion of the sampled values belongs to one of a plurality of specific types according to the sampled values; and generating a plurality of output values according to a correction operation corresponding to the one of the specific types.
US07978265B2
A de-interlacing method for generating a pixel value of a target position of an output frame corresponding to a target field is disclosed. The de-interlacing method includes: generating a first motion value corresponding to the target position of the target field; determining whether the target position of the target field has motion; determining if image corresponding to the target position meets a predetermined condition; generating at least a second motion value, wherein each second motion value corresponds to a reference position of the target position; and according to the first motion value, the second motion value, and the result of the motion determining step, performing either an inter-field interpolation or an intra-field interpolation to generate the pixel value of the target position of the output frame.
US07978263B2
A handheld electronic device hinge for mechanically connecting first and second rotatable body members of a handheld electronic device, said hinge comprising a first bracket and a second bracket, wherein said first bracket comprises: a first connecting member for connecting to the first rotatable body member of the handheld electronic device for rotation around a first axis; and a second connecting member connected to the second bracket for rotation of said second bracket around a second axis, said first and second axes being parallel to each other, and wherein said second bracket comprises a third connecting member for connecting to the second rotatable body member of the handheld electronic device for rotation around a third axis, said third axis being perpendicular to said first and second axes.
US07978260B2
A method and camera for electronic image capture provide an electronic image capture device, a scanning aperture shutter located to control light energy received by the image capture device, a flash unit oriented to illuminate an image scene, a photocell unit adapted for sensing visible spectrum energy and infrared spectrum energy received from the image scene, and an exposure control system responsive to the photocell unit and operatively connected to the scanning aperture shutter and the flash unit. The exposure control system is adapted to control an amount of fill flash energy received from the image scene in relation to visible ambient light energy received from the image scene during image capture by illuminating the flash unit once a predetermined amount of ambient visible spectrum energy is sensed by the photocell unit and by extinguishing the flash unit once a predetermined amount of infrared energy is sensed by the photocell unit.
US07978252B2
An imaging apparatus, imaging system, and imaging method enabling restoration of image according to a plurality of optical systems by one apparatus, having a plurality of imaging apparatuses 100A to 100C each having an optical system 110, phase plate (optical wavefront modulation element) 120, imaging element 130 able to capture an object aberration image passing through the optical system 110 and phase plate 120, imaging apparatus side storage portion 140 storing coefficient specifying information for specifying a convolution coefficient, and transmission device 150 transmitting object aberration image data obtained from the imaging element 130 and the coefficient specifying information stored in the storage portion 140; and a processing device 200 acquiring one coefficient from among a plurality of convolution coefficients stored in advance based on coefficient specifying information in accordance with a zoom position or zoom amount transmitted from the imaging apparatus 100, and generating dispersion-free object image data from a dispersed image signal from the imaging element 130.
US07978250B2
A lens barrel capable of reliably housing a flexible printed circuit board without increasing the number of its component parts and its outer diameter. A guide member is inserted in a through hole of a fixing member and projects from a holding member in a direction opposite to the direction toward the subject when the lens barrel is in a collapsed position.
US07978247B2
The focusing information visualization system of the invention extracts an edge having an edge intensity of not less than a first reference value Th1 and an edge width of not greater than a second reference value Th2 in a photographic image and displays the extracted edge in a preset color at a position of the edge extraction to be overlapped with the original photographic image on a screen. A focused area defined by the extracted edge is displayed as N divisional areas. In response to a user's operational specification of one divisional area among the N divisional areas, an enlarged photographic image corresponding to the specified divisional area at a desired magnification ratio is displayed on the screen. This arrangement adopts the automatic rough judgment and the user's final visual check to accurately recognize the focusing status of the photographic image.
US07978240B2
There is provided an imaging unit: including an image sensor with a number of pixels arranged in a matrix, the pixels having color pixels where color filters are disposed, and white pixels where the color filters are not disposed; a sampling circuit section for sampling pixel signals generated in the image sensor; and a main controller for controlling the image sensor and/or the sampling circuit section to sample the pixel signals generated in the white pixels or the pixel signals generated in the color pixels sequentially in a time-series manner.
US07978238B2
A signal processing device includes a memory which stores correction data in advance. The signal processing device modifies the correction data stored in the memory on the basis of an image sensing signal obtained by causing an image sensing unit to perform image sensing operation in a non-exposure state. The signal processing device corrects by using the modified correction data an image sensing signal obtained by causing the image sensing unit to perform image sensing operation in an exposure state.
US07978235B2
A vertical zooming unit vertically resizes image data by a tap number m. A horizontal zooming unit horizontally resizes the vertically-resized image data outputted from the vertical zooming unit by a tap number n. A tap coefficient setting unit arbitrarily sets respective tap coefficients when the vertical zooming unit or the horizontal zooming unit is operated. A memory stores the image data therein. A memory controller controls input and output of the image data among the memory, the vertical zooming unit and the horizontal zooming unit.
US07978220B2
An optical apparatus includes a rectangular optical member provided on an optical axis, a supporting member configured to support the optical member, and a rectangular vibrating device stuck to the optical member close to and in parallel with one of four sides of the optical member and configured to vibrate the optical member in a wave fashion having a predetermined wavelength to have a plurality of nodes parallel with the one side. A support position at which the optical member is supported by the supporting member at a side opposite the one side of the optical member is located inward from the opposite side by ¼ the predetermined wavelength.
US07978216B2
A conference adapter. In an illustrative embodiment, the conference adapter implements a method for interfacing one or more conference endpoints with one or more conference servers. The method includes registering an endpoint and a conference server to determine endpoint registration information associated with the endpoint and to determine conference-server registration information associated with the conference server. Next, the method includes receiving a connection from the endpoint and a connection from the conference server. Subsequently, the conference adapter establishes communications between the endpoint and the conference server as initiated by the endpoint and based on the endpoint registration information and the conference-server registration information. In a more specific embodiment, the method further includes receiving plural connections from conference servers of disparate types, and then selectively switching communications between the endpoint and a first conference server to communications between the endpoint and a second conference server. The method further includes selectively switching endpoints for a given conference session.
US07978190B2
In an electrooptical device including an electrooptical modulating layer between a first substrate 101 and a second substrate 105, all edges 107 to 109 of the first substrate 101 and the second substrate 105, except an edge where IC chips 110 and 111 are attached, are trued up each other between the first substrate 101 and the second substrate 105. By this, it is possible to make the area of the first substrate 101 minimum.
US07978187B2
A technique for driving a column of pixels that include light emitting elements. The technique incorporates feedback data provided from feedback data sources connected to the data line and to feedback line of the array, pixel driving circuit with feedback path. The technique can also include block of the reference elements for input signal corrections.
US07978181B2
Disclosed are four arrangements for providing tactility on a touch surface keyboard. One approach is to provide tactile feedback mechanisms, such as dots, bars, or other shapes on all or many keys. In another embodiment, an articulating frame may be provided that extends when the surface is being used in a typing mode and retracts when the surface is used in some other mode, e.g., a pointing mode. The articulating frame may provide key edge ridges that define the boundaries of the key regions or may provide tactile feedback mechanisms within the key regions. The articulating frame may also be configured to cause concave depressions similar to mechanical key caps in the surface. In another embodiment, a rigid, non-articulating frame may be provided beneath the surface. A user will then feel higher resistance when pressing away from the key centers, but will feel a softer resistance at the key center.
US07978178B2
In a method for controlling objects, objects to be controlled are arranged in a real space. Said real space is linked to a multi-dimensional representational space by a transformation rule. Representations in the representational space are associated with the controllable objects of the real space by a mapping. Said method comprises steps of determining the position and orientation of a pointer in the real space, determining the position and orientation of a pointer representation associated with the pointer in the representational space using the position and orientation of the pointer in the real space and the transformation rule between the real space and the representational space, determining the representations in the representational space that are intersected by the pointer representation, selecting a representation that is intersected by the pointer representation, and controlling the object in the real space that is associated with the pointer representation in the representational space.
US07978169B2
There are provided: a first logic operation circuit which performs a logic operation using a high-amplitude logic signal; a transmission system having a load capacitance; and a low-voltage signal generator which is a step-down level shifter transforming an incoming high-amplitude logic signal from the first logic operation circuit to a low-amplitude logic signal having a lower amplitude than the high-amplitude logic signal for output to the transmission system. In the configuration, the first logic operation circuit operates based on a high-amplitude logic signal, and is therefore free from malfunctions and performs operations at high speed. Further, the transmission system introducing a load capacitance transmits a low-amplitude logic signal and therefore restrains increases in electric power consumption and occurrence of unnecessary radiation.
US07978167B2
A display section of a portable phone includes a first polarizer, a switching panel section, a reflective polarizer, and a main panel section. The switching panel section has a liquid crystal layer including a plurality of regions having at least two different alignment directions. This makes it possible, by utilizing the difference in the alignment direction of the liquid crystal layer, to make the image difficult to observe by a sight-line from an oblique direction. Furthermore, it is also possible, by utilizing the mirror-surface displaying caused by the reflective polarizer, to make the image significantly difficult to observe.
US07978164B2
A control section (6) merely passes an incoming image data signal DAT onto a source driving section for display driving during the display of a still image. During the display of a moving image, the control section (6) converts, using a computing section (61) and a look-up table (5), a grayscale level signal in the incoming image data signal DAT to a grayscale level signal that is obtainable without using those application voltages at which the response speed of liquid crystal is slow. The control section (6) then outputs the resultant grayscale level signal to the source driving section for display driving.
US07978163B2
An system is disclosed for driving a liquid crystal display for automatically adjusting a level of a common voltage at the point that a positive polarity gray scale level voltage and a negative polarity gray scale level voltage are supplied to a liquid crystal display panel.A plurality of gate lines and a plurality of data lines are provided at a liquid crystal display panel. A gate driver supplies a gate pulse to the plurality of gate lines. A data driver supplies a positive polarity gray scale level voltage and a negative polarity gray scale level voltage to the plurality of data lines. A controller controls a common voltage level supplied to the liquid crystal display panel in accordance with a supply point of a gate pulse. A common voltage supplier alternatively supplies a first and second common voltage defined as a division reference of the positive polarity gray scale level voltage and the negative polarity gray scale level voltage based on a control of the controller to the liquid crystal display panel.
US07978160B2
An emission driver may include a first signal processor adapted to receive a clock signal, an input signal and an inverse input signal, and to generate a first output signal, a second signal processor adapted to receive the first output signal, an inverse clock signal and negative feedback signals, and to generate a second output signal, a third signal processor adapted to receive the second output signal and the input signal, and to generate a third output signal that is an inverse signal to the second output signal, and a fourth signal processor adapted to receive the third output signal, and to generate a fourth output signal that is an inverse of the third output signal based on the third output signal, wherein the negative feedback signals include the third output signal and the fourth output signal.
US07978152B2
An LED display device for displaying a pattern on a rotatable object by light-scanning; wherein when the rotating object rotates with a high speed, the pattern will display; the device comprising: a display device for displaying at least one pattern; the display device being fixed without rotation in operation; the display device including a screen, a processor and a memory; the processor serving to control displaying of patterns on the display device; the memory serving to store patterns to be displayed and other processing programs; a rotating printed circuit board having at least one bank of LEDs; a control circuit board controlling electric conduction of each LED; and an image scanner connected to the control circuit board; the image scanner can scan through the screen of the display device so as to sense the pattern on the screen.
US07978146B2
Coil units including windings are disposed on opposite sides across a virtual center line that is substantially perpendicular to a direction of positional displacement of a portable electronic apparatus that is to be disposed close to a reader/writer. The windings are connected in series through a conductor such that winding directions of the windings are the same. A difference in the communication performance between a case where the portable electronic apparatus is brought closer to a central portion of the reader/writer and a case where the portable electronic apparatus is brought closer to a position that is deviated from the central portion of the reader/writer can be reduced. In particular, even in a case where the portable electronic apparatus is brought closer to a peripheral portion of the reader/writer, a predetermined maximum possible communication range can be ensured.
US07978142B2
A method and system for aligning an antenna reflector with satellites in a satellite configuration. A method in accordance with the present invention comprises coarsely pointing the reflector to an orbital slot used in the satellite configuration, wherein at least one satellite in the orbital slot transmits first circularly polarized signals, and adjusting the reflector to maximize reception of the first circularly polarized signals from the orbital slot. A system in accordance with the present invention comprises a reflector, a power meter coupled to the reflector, wherein the power meter and reflector are tuned to receive first circularly polarized signals, and an alignment mechanism, coupled to the reflector, wherein the alignment mechanism is manipulated to point the reflector at an orbital slot wherein at least one satellite in the orbital slot transmits the first circularly polarized signals, and to adjust the reflector to maximize reception of the first circularly polarized signals from the orbital slot.
US07978135B2
Beamforming methods for operating a transceiver including an antenna having a plurality of antenna feed elements include defining a plurality of real valued antenna gain constraint values associated with a plurality of geographic constraint points within a geographic region, and generating complex valued antenna feed element weights that result in complex antenna gain values at the geographic constraint points based on the corresponding real valued antenna gain constraint values. An antenna beam is formed from the antenna to the geographic region using the complex valued antenna feed element weights, and information is transmitted over the antenna beam.
US07978133B1
GPS gyro calibration methods and systems are described. In an embodiment, a ground station can receive antenna position data for a spot beam antenna from a global positioning system (GPS) platform where the antenna position data indicates a boresight direction of the spot beam antenna. GPS-enabled receiver(s) can receive scan signals transmitted via the spot beam antenna of the GPS platform, and the GPS-enabled receivers can determine signal power measurements for each of the scan signals. The ground station can receive the signal power measurements from the GPS-enabled receiver(s) and estimate a pointing error of the spot beam antenna based on the signal power measurements and the antenna position data received from the GPS platform. The ground station can then determine gyro calibration parameters from the estimated pointing error and communicate the gyro calibration parameters to the GPS platform to calibrate for gyro drift errors.
US07978130B1
A practical method for adding new high-performance, tightly integrated Nav-Com capability to any Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) user equipment requires no hardware modifications to the existing user equipment. In one example, the iGPS concept is applied to a Defense Advanced GPS Receiver (DAGR) and combines Low Earth Orbiting (LEO) satellites, such as Iridium, with GPS or other GNSS systems to significantly improve the accuracy, integrity, and availability of Position, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) and to enable new communication enhancements made available by the synthesis of precisely coupled navigation and communication modes. To achieve time synchronization stability between the existing DAGR and a plug-in iGPS enhancement module, a special-purpose wideband reference signal is generated by the iGPS module and coupled to the DAGR via the existing antenna port.
US07978127B2
In a mobile-unit positioning device, phases of pseudo noise codes carried on satellite signals from satellites are observed at a mobile unit to measure a position of the mobile unit. A pseudo distance between one of the satellites and the mobile unit is measured for every satellite during a stop of the mobile unit using an observed value of the phase acquired during a stop of the mobile unit. An error index value indicating an error of the measured distance is computed based on the distances measured at points in time during a stop of the mobile unit. A weighting factor is determined based on the index value computed for every satellite. A weighted positioning computation using the determined weighting factor is performed to determine a position of the mobile unit during movement using an observed value of the phase acquired during movement.
US07978107B1
An example digital-to-analog converter (DAC) for a power supply controller includes a first node, a second node, a current source, and a switch. The first node is to be coupled to provide a first analog signal to a variable oscillator of the power supply controller. The second node is to be coupled to provide a second analog signal to the variable oscillator of the power supply controller. The switch is coupled to the current source and configured to couple the current source to the first node to provide current to the first analog signal in response to a binary digit received by the DAC, where the switch is further configured to couple the current source to the second node to provide current to the second analog signal in response to a complement of the binary digit.
US07978099B2
A method, apparatus and system employing a 17B/20B coder is disclosed. The 17B/20B coder to receive an incoming stream including a 17B block and a 20B block, and partition the 17B block into first blocks, and partitioning the 20B into second blocks. The coder is further to code 17B to 20B of memory using one or more serial lines for communication is performed, wherein coding includes coding the first blocks of the 17B block and the second blocks of the 20B block, wherein the coding of the first and second blocks is performed such that a maximum run length is maintained.
US07978098B2
Key switches SW1-SW6 short-circuit one ends of resistors R corresponding thereto and a termination of a resistor string unit STR1, in accordance with inputs made by keys KEY1-KEY6 assigned thereto, respectively. The keys KEY1-KEY6 are made active in a period when the selection command SEL is at “P1”, so that control unit 2 can identify which key is used to make an input, out of the keys KEY1-KEY6. The keys KEY7-KEY12 are made active in a period when the selection command SEL is at “P2”, so that control unit 2 can identify which key is used to make an input, out of the keys KEY7-KEY12.
US07978091B2
A method (400) and device (100) for touchless control of an headset or earpiece is provided. The device can include a sensing unit (202) for determining (402) a presence of a finger within a proximity of the earpiece, tracking (404) a touchless movement of the finger in air within the proximity, selecting (410) the control in accordance with a movement of the finger, and adjusting (414) the control in accordance with the tracking. A circular movement of the finger can be tracked for scrolling through a list. Menu options in the list can be audibly played during the scrolling.
US07978090B2
An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for safely and securely storing materials. A plurality of smart tiles sense traffic and generate traffic data. A network transmits the traffic data from the smart tiles. A computer determines a plurality of normal traffic patterns from the traffic data. In addition, the computer detects an abnormal traffic pattern from the traffic data. The computer activates a security response in response to the abnormal traffic pattern.
US07978088B2
A wireless communication device (200) and method (300) adapted to prolong the useful life of an energy storage device is disclosed. In its simplest form, it can include: determining (310) a limit temperature discharge energy rate of an energy storage device; sensing (320) a temperature range threshold in proximity to the energy storage device; and adjusting (330) a discharge energy rate in response to the determined limit temperature discharge energy rate (310) and sensed temperature range threshold (320). The device (200) and method (300) can automatically and dynamically manage current drain of an energy storage device when a certain temperature range threshold is reached, to maintain the energy storage device within desired specifications and tolerances. This can prolong the useful life of the energy storage device and help to maintain a maximum recharging capacity.
US07978066B2
Disclosed is a navigation apparatus and method using RFID that is capable of providing information on a current position and a moving direction to the destination. An antenna unit has directivity in a predetermined direction and receives at least one radio signal transmitted from at least one RFID tag. An RFID reader converts the at least one radio signal provided by the antenna unit into information on the at least one RFID tag in a digital form, measures the reception strength of the at least one radio signal, and provides the information on the at least one RFID tag and information on the received strength. A control unit determines the current position and moving direction on the basis of the information on the at least one RFID tag and the information on the reception strength provided from the RFID reader. Accordingly, it is possible to accurately recognize the current position and the moving direction of the navigation apparatus and guide the moving direction to the destination.
US07978064B2
The system of the present invention includes a conductive element, an electronic component, and a partial power source in the form of dissimilar materials. Upon contact with a conducting fluid, a voltage potential is created and the power source is completed, which activates the system. The electronic component controls the conductance between the dissimilar materials to produce a unique current signature. The system can be used in a variety of different applications, including as components of ingestible identifiers, such as may be found in ingestible event markers, e.g., pharma-informatics enabled pharmaceutical compositions.
US07978054B2
In an embodiment, an apparatus, method, and/or system support a service request made by a computer user in an Internet café or similar electronic service environment. A user may operate a café-provided user terminal in a multi-terminal network controlled by a café service console. The user may operate a switch on the terminal to transmit a service request to the service console. A visible and/or audible indication may be provided to the user, via a suitable indicator on the terminal, regarding the status of the user's service request. The user's service request may cause service-related information to be displayed on a second display of the user terminal for selection by the user. The user may speak with a service administrator using a voice over Internet protocol module built into the terminal. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US07978052B2
A microwave control system is applied to control a working system to execute at least one predetermined assignment, and comprises a microwave control unit, a control card and a passive control unit. A microwave illuminator of the microwave control unit is applied to send a microwave signal. After receiving the microwave signal, the control card reflects a reflection signal to the microwave control unit, wakes up from a first sleep mode to enter a first awake mode, and sends a first control signal to the passive control unit. After the microwave control unit receives the reflection signal, the passive control unit wake up from a second sleep mode to enter a second awake mode, and the passive control unit transmits a second control signal in accordance with the first control signal to the working system, so as to control the working system to execute the predetermined assignment.
US07978051B2
An RFID interrogator device has a transmission section for transmitting a command to an RFID tag and a reception section for receiving an RF signal from the RFID tag and is configured to perform backscatter radio communication with the RFID tag. The RFID interrogator device comprises a time window setting section configured to set a time window at timing of receiving preamble data added to a head of response data transmitted from the RFID tag in response to the command, and an identifying data storage section storing preamble identifying data. The RFID interrogator device compares the data received within the time window, with preamble identifying data stored in the identifying data storage section, thereby determining whether the data received is identical to the preamble data transmitted from the RFID tag.
US07978049B2
A time-of-flight ranging system, such as a keyless access Control system, comprises a first part and a second part, e.g., a portable device such as a key fob. Both parts have a transceiver for effecting communication with each other. At least the first part includes a device, e.g., a processor, for determining the distance between the two parts based on time-off-light. To save power, when the two parts are a relatively great distance apart, a time-of-flight measuring device computes the time based on a relatively coarse algorithm, and when the parts are relatively close, the computation is carried-out using a more precise algorithm. The clock frequency may be reduced when the two parts are a relatively great distance apart, and increased when they are closer. Further the transmitter power may be reduced when the two parts are relatively close together and increased when they are a relatively great distance apart.
US07978047B2
A variable resistance element comprises a variable resistor of strongly-correlated material sandwiched between two metal electrodes, and the electric resistance between the metal electrodes varies when a voltage pulse is applied between the metal electrodes. Such a switching operation as the ratio of electric resistance between low and high resistance states is high can be attained by designing the metal electrodes and variable resistor appropriately based on a definite switching operation principle. Material and composition of the first electrode and variable resistor are set such that metal insulator transition takes place on the interface of the first electrode in any one of two metal electrodes and the variable resistor by applying a voltage pulse. Two-phase coexisting phase of metal and insulator phases can be formed in the vicinity of the interface between the variable resistor and first electrode by the work function difference between the first electrode and variable resistor.
US07978046B2
A fusible link unit includes a fusible link main body that includes a bus bar for connecting to a battery terminal, and a battery that has a battery post for connecting to the battery terminal. The fusible link main body includes an L-shaped housing having a first face and a second face which oppose two side surfaces forming a corner portion of the battery. The bus bar is connected to a fuse portion and is extended from the first face of the housing. Abutment portions for abutting against the side surfaces of the battery are provided on the first and second faces of the housing respectively.
US07978043B2
A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate including at least one of a circuit and a circuit element, and an inductor element having a coil axis extending in a direction parallel to a main surface of the semiconductor substrate and disposed adjacent to the main surface. A main direction of a magnetic field induced by passing a current through the inductor element is parallel to the main surface.
US07978041B2
A printed circuit board transformer comprises at least one primary winding and one secondary winding, each in the form of at least one layer of turns inside or at the surface of a printed circuit board. The transformer is designed for a step-up/down-operation. Each of the two layers (10, 11) has an elongated winding element (12, 13, 13′) substantially following an elongated winding element of the other layer while being in an overlapping relationship therewith as seen perpendicularly to said printed circuit board over substantially the entire extension of said winding elements. A second (11) of the layers belonging to the secondary winding has a fewer number of turns than the first (10) of said layers belonging to said primary winding.
US07978040B2
The invention relates to a winding element (200) for conducting current, forming a component of a coil winding (132, 133; 408, 409), especially of a (welding) transformer winding, comprising fixing means (205) for fixing the winding element (200) to a carrier component (402, 403, 404). The invention also relates to a transformer arrangement (100; 600), especially a welding transformer arrangement, comprising a primary winding (132; 408) and a secondary winding (133; 409), the primary winding (132; 408) and/or secondary winding (133; 409) comprising at least one winding element (200) according to the invention.
US07978035B2
A magnet switch which may be employed in automotive engine starters is provided. The magnet switch includes a stationary magnetic core made up of a disc assembly and a core body. The disc assembly is made of a stack of annular plate members superposed on each other. Each of the plate members has an opening through which a terminal lead of a magnetic coil extends. The core body has a boss with an edge which is plastically deformed outwardly in the radius direction thereof or staked to create an elastic nip which retains the stack of the plate members firmly on the core body. This structure ensures the joint between the disc assembly and the core body to withstand mechanical impact exerted on the magnetic core and stability in operation of the magnet switch without increasing a total production cost of the magnetic switch.
US07978028B2
At a first coupling point on a ring resonator having a ring-shaped transmission line, an input feeder is electromagnetically coupled with the ring resonator. An output feeder is electromagnetically coupled with the ring resonator at a second coupling point on the ring resonator. A dual mode generating line is disposed in an inner area of the ring resonator. One end of the dual mode generating line is electromagnetically coupled with the ring resonator at a third coupling point on the ring resonator, and the other end is electromagnetically coupled with the ring resonator at a fourth coupling point on the ring resonator distant from the third coupling point by half of a transmission line length of the ring resonator.
US07978026B2
A transversal filter operates using surface acoustic waves and has a piezoelectric substrate and an acoustic track that is arranged on the substrate and in which a first transducer and a second transducer are arranged. Each transducer has electrode fingers. A function, which characterizes the weighting of the overlap length of electrode fingers of different polarity in the second transducer, has a half main lobe and at least one side lobe. The amplitude of the lobes decreases monotonally in a direction that points to the first transducer.
US07978023B2
An apparatus including: a first transistor including a first port configured for connection to an antenna having a first impedance at a first frequency band, and a second port configured for connection to radio circuitry, the first port of the first transistor being configured to have an impedance at the first frequency band substantially equal to the complex conjugate of the first impedance.
US07978018B2
A non-reciprocal circuit device comprising a magnetic plate F1; center conductors L1, L2, and L3 that are mutually insulated and disposed so as to intersect on magnetic plate F1; a plane conductor P1 that is disposed facing the center conductors with magnetic plate F1 placed therebetween, the plane conductor being connected to first ends of all the center conductors; matching capacitors C1 to C3 that have first ends grounded electrically and second ends connected to second ends of the center conductors; first matching circuits that have first ends connected to the second ends of the center conductors and second ends that are input/output ports; and a second matching circuit that has a first end connected to or integrated with the plane conductor and a second end grounded electrically.
US07978005B1
Embodiments of the invention describe a core circuit for a reference current generator circuit that biases a first transistor to source a first current and a second transistor parallel to the first transistor, biased to source a second current controlled by the first current. A third transistor is coupled parallel to the second transistor and sources a third current controlled by the first current. The third transistor has a different threshold voltage than a threshold voltage of the second transistor. A resistive component coupled to conduct the second current has a resistive voltage that is substantially equal to a voltage differential between the first transistor and the second transistor. The conducting current through the resistive component is substantially independent of temperature variations.
US07978004B2
The present invention provides a body bias coordinator for use with a transistor employing a body region. In one embodiment, the body bias coordinator includes a control unit configured to control the transistor and make it operable to provide a virtual supply voltage from a source voltage during activation of the transistor. The body bias coordinator also includes a connection unit coupled to the control unit and configured to connect the body region to the virtual supply voltage during activation of the transistor. In an alternative embodiment, the connection unit is further configured to connect the body region to another voltage during non-activation of the transistor. These embodiments improve transistor active and passive performance, permit smaller transistor sizing and reduce leakage current.
US07978001B2
A microprocessor according to one embodiment includes a supply node providing a core voltage, a functional block, a charge node, select logic, and substrate bias logic. The functional block has multiple power modes and includes one or more semiconductor devices and a substrate bias rail routed within the functional block and coupled to a substrate connection of at least one semiconductor device. The select logic couples the substrate bias rail to the charge node when the functional block is in a low power mode and clamps the substrate bias rail to the supply node when the functional block is in a full power mode. The substrate bias logic charges the charge node to a bias voltage at an offset voltage relative to the core voltage when the functional block is in the low power mode. Semiconductor devices may be provided to clamp or otherwise couple the bias rail.
US07977999B2
Provided is a temperature detection circuit capable of preventing malfunction, which may occur when power is turned on. A switch circuit for giving such a potential that a comparator detects a low temperature is provided at an output terminal of a temperature sensor circuit. A switch circuit for giving such a potential that the comparator detects a low temperature is provided at an output terminal of a reference voltage circuit. When the power is turned on, each of the switch circuits is set by a switch control circuit such that the comparator detects a low temperature.
US07977994B2
A hybrid digital pulse width modulator (DPWM) with digital delay-locked loops (DLLs) is provided. In this implementation, the digital pulse-width-modulator is synthesizable and includes a digital delay-locked loop around a delay-line to achieve constant frequency clocked operation. In this implementation, the resolution of the modulator is consistent over a wide range of process or temperature variations. The DPWM may implement trailing-edge, leading-edge, triangular, or phase-shift modulation. In an implementation suitable for DC-DC converters with synchronous rectifiers, for example, the DPWM may include two or more outputs for programmable dead-times. In another implementation, a digital pulse-width-modulator with a digital phase-locked loop is also provided.
US07977990B2
A duty correction circuit is provided which includes a level shifter receives complementary differential input signals having a duty ratio and controls levels of the differential input signals; a TrTf control circuit receives output signals of the level shifter and controls edge angles of the output signals; a waveform shaping circuit receives output signals of the TrTf control circuit and shapes waveforms of the output signals; a first common mode comparator extracts common modes of the output signals of the TrTf control circuit and compares the common modes; and a second common mode comparator extracts common modes of output signals of the waveform shaping circuit and compares the common modes. The level shifter controls the levels based on outputs of the first common mode comparator and the TrTf control circuit controls the edge angles based on outputs of the second common mode comparator.
US07977984B1
A charge pump circuit includes at least one switching transistor and a level-shifter. The level-shifter has a cross-coupled pair of transistors. The level-shifter shifts a voltage of a first input signal to generate a level-shifted signal. The level-shifted signal controls a conductive state of the switching transistor to regulate an output voltage of the charge pump. A feedback loop circuit includes a detector and a charge pump. The detector compares an input signal to a feedback signal to generate first and second output signals. The charge pump includes at least two thin-oxide switching transistors and a level-shifter in another embodiment. The level-shifter shifts a voltage of the first output signal of the detector to generate a level-shifted signal. The two switching transistors are driven by the level-shifted signal and the second output signal of the detector to regulate an output voltage of the charge pump.
US07977982B2
A semiconductor integrated circuit, including: a logic section; an initiating current generating section for generating initiating current for initiating or re-initiating a circuit when the circuit is to be initiated or the circuit operates abnormally; an initiating current detecting section for detecting the initiating current of the initiating current generating section and outputting a detection signal indicating whether or not the initiating current generating section operates normally; and a signal selection section for selecting one of the detection signal and an output from the logic section based on an internal signal of the logic section which is controllable from outside of the logic section, and outputting the selected one to a terminal.
US07977980B2
A time-to-amplitude component having an integrated designed configured to measure a time difference between a start signal and a stop signal includes a first time-to-amplitude converter having a delay chain, a resistor network, a capacitor configured to be chargeable via the resistor network, and a respective driver. The component further includes a control device and a stabilizing device including a control circuit for generating a regulated control voltage. The first time-to-amplitude converter is configured so that the delay elements of the first time-to-amplitude converter are configured to be controlled by the regulated control voltage, a run signal is transmitted through the delay chain, and the capacitor is continuously charged via the resistor network, and the resistor network is electrically separated from the delay chain via the respective drivers so as to terminate a charging of the capacitor, and the analog voltage signal is measurable at an output of the capacitor.
US07977979B2
A high-speed multi-stage voltage comparator is provided. The multi-stage voltage comparator is configured to eliminate offset from outputs of preamplifiers through respective offset-cancellation switches, and to reset the outputs of the preamplifiers through respective reset switches to reduce an output recovery time. Thus, the multi-stage voltage comparator operates with high accuracy and at a high speed, so that it can be usefully applied to an analog-to-digital converter (ADC), and particularly, a high-speed successive approximation register ADC (SAR ADC).
US07977969B2
A circuit arrangement (10) comprises a circuit terminal (11) for supplying a data signal (DATA) having digital information, a logic circuit (12) that is coupled at an input (22) to the circuit terminal (11) for supplying the digital information, an activation circuit (13), and a voltage regulator (14) that is coupled for activation to an output (18) of the activation circuit (13). The activation circuit (13) comprises an input (16) that is coupled to the circuit terminal (11), a delay element (17) that is coupled to the input (16) of the activation circuit (13), and the output (18), connected to the delay element (17), for emitting an activation signal (SON).
US07977963B2
Methods and apparatus are provided for determining whether one or more inverter sub-modules of an inverter module is operating properly. Amplitude of each stator current signal is regularly measured. For each current signal, a positive counter counts a number of consecutive times the amplitude of that current signal is less than a positive current threshold, while a negative counter counts a number of consecutive times the amplitude of that current signal is greater than a negative current threshold. If the positive counter or the negative counter exceeds a maximum count, it is determined that an inverter sub-module is operating abnormally.
US07977949B2
A method is present for remotely controlling, monitoring, and analyzing loop resistance in a vehicle. A loop resistance test unit is positioned in the vehicle. A set of commands is sent from a monitoring unit to the loop resistance test unit over a wireless communications interface. Measurements are generated with the loop resistance test unit in response to the set of commands. The measurements are received from the loop resistance test unit at the monitoring unit in response to the set of commands send over the wireless communications interface.
US07977942B2
The present invention discloses an apparatus and method to track the movement of a target. One embodiment tracks the movement of the patient during medical imaging scanning using optical technology. Optical systems record the position and movement of the target and provide inputs to a processor. The processor is capable of performing mathematical analysis of the movement of the target to determine the positional shift of the patient. Weighted averages, phase correlation, Fourier-Mellin algorithms, and cross-correlation of data related to X-Y translation are used to calculate movement of the target subject. Feedback related to the movement is provided to the medical imaging scanning machine which allows for adjustments in focusing coils for real time tracking of the patient's movements during the procedure. As a result, the medical image scanning procedure becomes more accurate as it is adjusted for the patient's movements.
US07977937B2
A planar array of GMR or TMR sensor elements with planar free and pinned layers is used as the basis of a sensor for detecting the presence of small magnetized particles. In particular, the sensor is used for detecting the presence of magnetized particles bonded to biological molecules that are themselves bonded to a substrate. The magnetized particles on the molecules are detected by the sensors as a result of the interaction between the stray fields of the particles and the magnetic configuration of the sensors. By forming a co-planar layer of soft magnetic material over the sensor or its array, the external field used to magnetize the particles is self-aligned perpendicularly to the sensor plane whereby it does not interfere with the stray fields of the particles.
US07977932B2
The present invention provides a regulator circuit that can fast-respond to a variation in load current and supply a sufficient drive current so as to be capable of generating a stable internal source voltage. The regulator circuit includes a preamplifier circuit that detects and amplifies a different between a reference voltage and an internal source voltage, a clamp circuit that limits the amplitude of an output of the preamplifier circuit, a main amplifier circuit that amplifies the amplitude-limited output of the preamplifier circuit, and a driver circuit that outputs the internal source voltage according to the output of the main amplifier. Even though the internal source voltage varies abruptly, the regulator circuit does not oscillate owing to the effect of the clamp circuit.
US07977930B2
A voltage/current control apparatus and method are disclosed. The apparatus includes a low-side field effect transistor (FET) having a source, a gate and a drain, a high-side field effect transistor (FET) having a source, a gate and a drain, a gate driver integrated circuit (IC), a sample and hold circuit, and a comparator configured to produce a trigger signal at the output when a sum of the first and second input signals is equal to a sum of the third and fourth input signals, wherein the trigger signal is configured to trigger a beginning of a new cycle by turning the gate of the high-side FET “on” and the gate of the low-side FET “off”.
US07977924B2
In a particular embodiment, a process device includes a fluid disruption generation element to generate a fluid disruption within process fluid flowing through a pipe associated with an industrial process and a process variable sensor coupled to the disruption generation element to measure a process parameter. The process device further includes a power generation element adapted to generate an electrical output signal in response to the fluid disruption and a power storage component coupled to the power generation element. The power storage component is adapted to accumulate a charge based on the electrical output signal.
US07977919B1
An over-voltage detection and correction system for a transmitter of a mobile terminal that accounts for battery droop during a transmit burst is provided. In general, prior to ramp-up for a first transmit burst, a voltage of the battery of the mobile terminal at a no-load condition is measured. After ramp-up for the transmit burst, the voltage of the battery is measured at full-load, and a current provided to a power amplifier of the transmitter at full-load is detected. Based on the measured voltage of the battery at no-load, the measured voltage of the battery at full-load, and the detected current provided to the power amplifier at full-load, a resistance of the battery is determined. The resistance of the battery is thereafter used to compensate for battery droop during over-voltage detection and correction for one or more subsequent transmit bursts.
US07977917B2
An electric power supply control system has a battery, a vehicular alternator, large electric power systems, operation limitation target systems, and a battery condition management device. Each large electric power system generates a rush current when initiating its operation by electric power supplied. Each operation limitation target system is capable of limiting its operation for a demand during the operation of the large electric power systems. The large electric power systems and the operation limitation target systems change their operation conditions based on an allowable electric power (or an allowable electric current) supplied from the battery condition management device in order to maintain a terminal voltage of the battery which is not less than a limitation voltage.
US07977916B2
A battery pack includes a secondary cell, a selection unit, a judging unit, an elapsed time period comparing unit, and a control unit. The selection unit selects either a first operation state or a second operation state. The control unit controls the selection unit to switch from the first operation state to the second operation state when the elapsed time period is longer than a predetermined time period. The control unit also controls the selection unit to switch from a second operation state to a first operation state either (a) when judged as being in an used state by the judging unit while the second operation is selected (b) when a voltage of the second cell becomes equal to or less than a second voltage threshold value which is smaller than a first voltage threshold value while the second operation state is selected.
US07977909B2
A stepping motor driving apparatus of an analog electronic clock, in which, when the rotation of a rotor is not detected after a pulse is supplied to a coil of a stepping motor, a first switching control section switches the pulse supplied to the coil to a pulse having a larger effective value, and when the rotation of the rotor is detected continuously for a predetermined period or a predetermined number of times, a second switching control section switches the pulse supplied to the coil to a pulse having a smaller effective value, wherein the apparatus further includes a third switching control section that switches a driving pulse to a pulse having a smaller effective value when the rotation of the rotor is not detected for two times continuously, even after the first switching section increases the effective value of the driving pulse for two times continuously.
US07977904B2
This invention generally relates to automated shade systems. An automated shade system comprises one or more motorized window coverings, sensors, and controllers that use one or more algorithms to control operation of the automated shade control system. These algorithms may include information such as: 3-D models of a building and surrounding structures; shadow information; lighting and radiation information; ASHRAE clear sky algorithms; log information related to manual overrides; occupant preference information; motion information; real-time sky conditions; solar radiation on a building; a total foot-candle load on a structure; brightness overrides; actual and/or calculated BTU load; time-of-year information; and microclimate analysis.
US07977896B2
A method to determine a limit torque associated with an electro-mechanical transmission includes determining electric motor torque constraints and battery power constraints. A limit torque function and a standard form of the limit torque function are determined. The limit torque function and the motor torque constraints and the battery power constraints are transposed to the standard form to determine a limit torque.
US07977891B2
An LED driving circuit is provided for driving an LED module, comprising a transistor switch and a feedback controller. The transistor switch has a control terminal, a first terminal, and a second terminal. The first terminal is coupled to the LED module and the control terminal receives a control signal for controlling a current passing through the transistor switch. The feedback controller receives a reference voltage and a current detecting signal indicative of the magnitude of the current and generates the control signal accordingly. The feedback controller is connected to a driving power source with level higher than the level of the first terminal of the transistor switch. Hence, the maximum level of an adjustable range of the control signal is higher than the first terminal of the transistor switch.
US07977887B2
An LED drive apparatus includes a microprocessor having a configurable input/output port, a FET current control transistor, and a diagnostic interface circuit. The diagnostic interface circuit includes a transistor having an input coupled to a junction between the FET and the LED, and an output coupled to an input of the FET. The microprocessor input/output port is coupled to the input of the FET for turning the LED ON and OFF and performing fault protection and diagnostics. At each desired transition of the LED, the microprocessor configures its input/output port as an output and momentarily sets the output state to achieve the desired transition, then re-configures the input/output port to determine the conduction state of the diagnostic interface circuit transistor, and determines an output fault status of the drive apparatus based on the determined conduction state.
US07977883B2
Disclosed is a material for forming a protective layer, a protective layer employing the material and a PDP with the protective layer. Unlike conventional protective layers which employ MgO created in conditions of pressurized artificial gas, the instant protective layer uses MgO created by heating Mg and allowing it to oxidize naturally in air. The result is MgO with fewer defects that is more effective as a protective layer in many uses, such as in a PDP. The instant MgO also shows many specific spectral characteristics and contains impurities in amounts of less than about 2 ppm each. Also disclosed is a PDP which takes advantage of the advantages of the inventive protective layer.
US07977882B2
A PDP is equipped with row electrode pairs deposited on the inner face of a front glass substrate and a dielectric layer covering the row electrode pairs. A discharge space defined between the front glass substrate and the back glass substrate is filled with a discharge gas. The dielectric layer has a laminated structure made up of a first dielectric layer formed of a smaller nano-particle silica film including silica particles of a particle diameter of 10 nm to 25 nm, and a second dielectric layer formed of a larger nano-particle silica film including silica particles of a particle diameter of 25 nm to 40 nm.
US07977881B2
A plasma display panel is provided. The plasma display panel includes a front substrate including an upper dielectric layer, a rear substrate including a lower dielectric layer, and a seal layer between the front substrate and the rear substrate. A length of a longer side of the front substrate is longer than a length of a longer side of the rear substrate, and a length of a shorter side of the front substrate is shorter than a length of a shorter side of the rear substrate. An interval between an end of the front substrate and an end of the upper dielectric layer in a direction crossing the longer side of the front substrate is less than an interval between an end of the front substrate and an end of the upper dielectric layer in a direction crossing the shorter side of the front substrate.
US07977867B2
A top-emission type organic EL panel has a substrate carrying thin film transistors formed thereon, a plurality of organic EL devices formed on the substrate, each of the organic EL devices including a reflecting electrode, organic compound layers and a transparent electrode arranged in this order from the substrate side, a device separation layer formed in a space separating adjacently located organic EL devices, a protective layer covering the organic EL devices and the device separation layer and a light-shielding layer formed on the protective layer in a display region other than light emitting sections of the organic EL devices so as to be held in contact with the protective layer and cover at least part of lateral surfaces of the device separation layer.
US07977865B2
The present invention provides a composite material for a light-emitting element including a high molecular compound having an arylamine skeleton and an inorganic compound showing an electron accepting property to the high molecular compound. The absorption spectrum of the composite material is different from absorption spectra of the high molecular compound and the inorganic compound which each form the composite material. In other words, a composite material having an absorption peak in a wavelength which is seen in the absorption spectra of neither the high molecular compound nor the inorganic compound forming the composite material is superior in carrier transporting and injecting properties and a favorable material. In addition, the composite material can be formed by a wet method such as a sol-gel method, it can be apply to the increase of substrate size easily in a manufacturing process and advantageous industrially.
US07977859B2
Degradation of an electron emission element by irradiation of the positive ion generated inside a panel is suppressed. A deflection electrode is periodically disposed, and the electron emission region of an electron emission element is disposed so as not to include a center line between adjacent deflection electrodes, so that an electron beam trajectory is deflected and bombardment or irradiation of the generated positive ion to the electron emission region is prevented.
US07977858B2
A low-pressure mercury vapor discharge lamp is provided with a discharge vessel which encloses a discharge space including a filling of mercury and a rare gas in a gastight manner. The discharge vessel further includes an amalgam which communicates with the discharge space. The lamp has a discharge device for maintaining an electric discharge in the discharge vessel. The amalgam includes a bismuth-tin-indium compound having a bismuth (Bi) content in the range between 30≦Bi≦70 wt. %, a tin (Sn) content in the range between 25≦Sn≦67 wt. %, and an indium (In) content in the range between 3≦In ≦5 wt. %.
US07977856B2
A spark plug for an internal combustion engine includes a ground electrode, a center electrode, an insulator, a housing, and a folded packing which is situated on an outer circumference of the housing. The folded packing has: a hollow profile in cross section; a free leg directed outwards; and a support region. The folded packing lies on a contact surface in a support region, and the free leg is situated at an angle to the support region. The folded packing is pressed together during the mounting of the spark plug, and the free leg of the folded packing is designed to bend over in the direction of the support surface during the mounting to provide a diameter enlargement of the folded packing.
US07977853B2
A piezoelectric device having a piezoelectric film formed over a substrate through an electrode by vapor phase deposition using plasma, and constituted by columnar crystals of one or more perovskite oxides Pb(Tix, Zry, Mz)O3 (0
US07977849B2
An electronic drive system for a droplet spray generation device has a droplet generator with a perforate membrane driven by a piezoelectric transducer. An electronic circuit controls a power supply to control the charging of a capacitor to supply a drive signal to the piezoelectric transducer. The electronic circuit is arranged to control the operation of the power amplifier at substantially its resonant frequency.
US07977838B2
A magnetic levitation motor including a stator having magnetic bearing units and a motor unit, and a rotor provided to the stator. And the occurrence of an eddy current at a magnetic bearing is suppressed and the rotation loss of the rotor can be reduced, and also to provide a pump using such the magnetic levitation motor.
US07977828B2
A stepping motor may include a rotor having a drive magnet and a stator having a drive coil wound in a tube shape and disposed on the drive magnet. The stator may include a first yoke, a second yoke, a plurality of first pole teeth provided in the first yoke, and a plurality of second pole teeth provided in the second yoke. The plurality of the first pole teeth and the second pole teeth may be alternately disposed in a circumferential direction of the rotor.
US07977820B2
A ultrasound transmit pulse waveform generator for driving a piezoelectric transducer in medical ultrasound imaging, nondestructive testing (NDT) ultrasound imaging applications, includes a capacitor, switching programmable current sources, and a power amplifier.
US07977817B2
Disclosed is a method for pulse width modulated control of a plurality of load elements, particularly during supply of the load elements from a common supply system in motor vehicles. The load elements are controlled in a time staggered manner with respect to one another, more particularly in a phase staggered manner within a common pulse width. Switch loads and high frequency interferences in the supply lines and the corresponding emissions can thus be reduced. The invention also discloses a circuit arrangement in which a corresponding phase staggered control is achieved with only one counter.
US07977811B2
A method of transmitting signals from electronic housings, each mounted on one wheel of a vehicle, to a central unit (11) on the vehicle, uses spread spectrum. There is allocated, on the one hand, to each electronic housing (6-9) and to the central unit (11), a first common generic orthogonal spread code (Cg) identical for the electronic housings and the central unit and, on the other hand, to each electronic housing, a second orthogonal spread code (Ci) specific to the electronic housing. An initializing procedure causes the transmission by each electronic housing of a spread signal (e) based on the common generic spread code (Cg), incorporating the second specific orthogonal spread code (Ci) and the identification code (ID) of the electronic housing. Subsequent transmissions include transmission by each electronic housing of a spread signal (e) on the basis of the second specific spread code (Ci) of the electronic housing.
US07977794B2
A method of forming an aluminum line of a semiconductor device where first A metal thin layer, a first aluminum layer, and a first B metal thin layer are sequentially applied on an interlayer insulating layer. A photolithography process is performed to form a metal line pattern, and etching is performed thereon. An intermetallic dielectric layer is applied on the metal line pattern. The first B metal thin layer is removed by a chemical mechanical planarization process to form a first stage metal line. A second aluminum layer and a second metal thin layer are sequentially applied. Photoresist is applied, a photolithography process is performed to form a metal line pattern, and etching is performed to form a second stage metal line. An intermetallic dielectric layer is applied on the second stage metal line. A chemical mechanical planarization process is performed on the second intermetallic dielectric layer.
US07977792B2
A semiconductor device including a first insulating layer having a hydroxyl radical formed over a semiconductor substrate; a line layer having a plurality of line patterns formed over the first insulating layer, the plurality if line patterns being arranged such that a spatial gap is provided therebetween; a fluorine-doped second insulating layer formed in the spatial gap between respective line patterns; and a multilayered diffusion prevention layer including a first oxide layer for suppressing an increase of a dielectric constant between the plurality of line patterns and a second oxide layer for preventing the diffusion of fluorine from the fluorine-doped second insulating layer into the first insulating layer.
US07977791B2
An interconnect structure with improved reliability is provided. The interconnect structure includes a semiconductor substrate; a dielectric layer over the semiconductor substrate; a metallic wiring in the dielectric layer; a pre-layer over the metallic wiring, wherein the pre-layer contains boron; and a metal cap over the pre-layer, wherein the metal cap contains tungsten, and wherein the pre-layer and the metal cap are formed of different materials.
US07977783B1
A wafer level chip size package (WLCSP) and a method of manufacturing the same are disclosed. Lands are formed at the ends of redistribution layers. The redistribution layers excluding the lands and a first dielectric layer are covered with a second dielectric layer. After forming a first under bump metallurgy (UBM) layer on the land, a solder ball is reflowed to the first UBM layer. A second UBM layer is widely formed on the entire second dielectric layer that is the outer circumference of the first UBM layer and is connected to the redistribution layer through a via-hole. Therefore, the second UBM layer having a large area can be used as a ground plane or a power plane. In addition, the second UBM layer can electrically connect the redistribution layers physically separated from each other. Therefore, the plurality of redistribution layers can cross each other without being electrically shorted with each other.
US07977781B2
In a semiconductor device in which a plurality of memory LSIs and a plurality of processor LSIs are stacked, as the number of stacked layers increase, the communication distance of data between a memory LSI and a processor LSI will increase. Therefore, the parasitic capacitance and parasitic resistance of the wiring used for the communication increase and, as a result of which, the power and speed performance of the entire system will be degraded. At least two or more of the combinations of a processor LSI 100 and a memory LSI 200 are stacked and the processor LSI 100 and the memory LSI 200 in the same combination are stacked adjacent to each other in the vertical direction. Communication between the processor LSI 100 and the memory LSI 200 in the same combination is performed by a dedicated electrode provided therebetween, and communication between processor LSIs 100 and communication from the processor LSI 100 to the outside are performed by a through silicon via for signal 11 which passes through all the LSIs.
US07977774B2
A semiconductor package which includes a generally planar die paddle defining multiple peripheral edge segments and a plurality of leads which are segregated into at least two concentric rows. Connected to the top surface of the die paddle is at least one semiconductor die which is electrically connected to at least some of the leads of each row. At least portions of the die paddle, the leads, and the semiconductor die are encapsulated by a package body, the bottom surfaces of the die paddle and the leads of at least one row thereof being exposed in a common exterior surface of the package body.
US07977773B1
Embodiments of the present invention provide leadframes including a die paddle including one or more apertures defined therein, and electronic packages employing the same and having a microelectronic device mounted on the die paddle over one or more of the apertures. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.
US07977769B2
An ESD protection device is described, which includes a first P-type doped region, a second P-type doped region, a first N-type doped region, a second N-type doped region and an isolation structure. The first P-type doped region is configured in a substrate. The second P-type doped region is configured in the first P-type doped region. The first N-type doped region is configured in the first P-type doped region and surrounds the second P-type doped region. The second N-type doped region is configured in the substrate and surrounds the first P-type doped region. The isolation structure is disposed between the first P-type doped region and the second N-type doped region, wherein a spacing is deployed between an outward edge of the first N-type doped region and the isolation structure.
US07977757B2
An MEMS element (A1) includes a substrate (1), and a first electrode (2) formed on the substrate (1). The MEMS element (A1) further includes a second electrode (3) including a movable portion (31) spaced from the first electrode (2) and facing the first electrode. The movable portion (31) is formed with a plurality of through-holes (31a). Each of the through-holes (31a) may have a rectangular cross section.
US07977755B2
The present invention discloses a suspended nanochannel transistor structure and a method for fabricating the same. The transistor structure of the present invention comprises a substrate; a side gate formed on the substrate; a dielectric layer covering the substrate and the side gate; a suspended nanochannel formed beside the lateral of the side gate with an air gap existing between the suspended nanochannel and the dielectric layer; a source and a drain formed over the dielectric layer and respectively arranged at two ends of the suspended nanochannel. The electrostatic force of the side gate attracts or repels the suspended nanochannel and thus fast varies the equivalent thickness of the side-gate dielectric layer. Thereby, the on/off state of the element is rapidly switched, or the initial voltage of the channel is altered.
US07977753B2
A high voltage BICMOS device and a method for manufacturing the same, which may improve the reliability of the device by securing a distance between adjacent DUF regions, are provided. The high voltage BICMOS device includes: a reverse diffusion under field (DUF) region formed by patterning a predetermined region of a semiconductor substrate; a diffusion under field (DUF) region formed in the substrate adjacent to the reverse DUF region; a spacer formed at a sidewall of the reverse DUF region; an epitaxial layer formed on an entire surface of the substrate; and a well region formed in contact with the DUF region.
US07977738B2
A semiconductor memory device includes bodies electrically floating; sources; drains; gate electrodes, each of which is adjacent to one side surface of the one of the bodies via a gate dielectric film; plates, each of which is adjacent to the other side surface of the one of the bodies via a plate dielectric film; first bit lines on the drains, the first bit lines including a semiconductor with a same conductivity type as that of the drains; and emitters on the semiconductor of the first bit lines, the emitters including a semiconductor with an opposite conductivity type to that of the semiconductor of the first bit lines, wherein the emitters are stacked above the bodies and the drains.
US07977733B2
A non-volatile semiconductor storage device includes: a memory cell area in which a plurality of electrically rewritable memory cells are formed; and a peripheral circuit area in which transistors that configure peripheral circuits to control the memory cells are formed. The memory cell area has formed therein: a semiconductor layer formed to extend in a vertical direction to a semiconductor substrate; a plurality of conductive layers extending in a parallel direction to, and laminated in a vertical direction to the semiconductor substrate; and a property-varying layer formed between the semiconductor layer and the conductive layers and having properties varying depending on a voltage applied to the conductive layers. The peripheral circuit area has formed therein a plurality of dummy wiring layers that are formed on the same plane as each of the plurality of conductive layers and that are electrically separated from the conductive layers.
US07977728B2
A semiconductor integrated circuit device includes first, second gate electrodes, first, second diffusion layers, contact electrodes electrically connected to the first diffusion layers, a first insulating film which has concave portions between the first and second gate electrodes and does not contain nitrogen as a main component, a second insulating film which is formed on the first insulating film and does not contain nitrogen as a main component, and a third insulating film formed on the first diffusion layers, first gate electrodes, second diffusion layers and second gate electrodes with the second insulating film disposed therebetween in a partial region. The second insulating film is formed to fill the concave portions and a portion between the first and second gate electrodes has a multi-layered structure containing at least the first and second insulating films.
US07977727B2
Some embodiments include methods of reflecting ions off of vertical regions of photoresist mask sidewalls such that the ions impact foot regions along the bottom of the photoresist mask sidewalls and remove at least the majority of the foot regions. In some embodiments, trenches may be formed adjacent the photoresist mask sidewalls in a material that is beneath the photoresist mask. Another material may be formed to have projections extending into the trenches. Such projections may assist in anchoring said other material to the material that is beneath the photoresist mask. In some embodiments, the photoresist mask is utilized for patterning flash memory structures. Some embodiments include semiconductor constructions having materials anchored to underlying materials through fang-like projections.
US07977722B2
Non-volatile memory with programmable capacitance is disclosed. Illustrative data memory units include a substrate including a source region and a drain region. A first insulating layer is over the substrate. A second insulating layer is over the substrate and between the source region and drain region. A solid electrolyte layer is between the first insulating layer and second insulating layer. The solid electrolyte layer has a capacitance that is controllable between at least two states. A first electrode is electrically coupled to a first side of the solid electrolyte layer and is electrically coupled to a voltage source. A second electrode is electrically coupled to a second side of the solid electrolyte layer and is electrically coupled to the voltage source. Multi-bit memory units are also disclosed.
US07977720B2
To securely prevent hydrogen from entering a ferroelectric layer of a ferroelectric memory. A first hydrogen barrier layer 5 is formed on the lower side of ferroelectric capacitors 7. Upper surfaces and side surfaces of the ferroelectric capacitors 7 are covered by a second hydrogen barrier layer. All upper electrodes 7c of the plural ferroelectric capacitors 7 to be connected to a common plate line P are connected to one another by an upper wiring layer 91. The upper wiring layer 91 is connected to the plate line P through a lower wiring 32 provided below the ferroelectric capacitors 7. A third hydrogen barrier layer 92 is formed on the upper wiring layer 91 such that all edge sections 92a of the third hydrogen barrier layer 92 come in contact with the first hydrogen barrier layer 5.
US07977719B2
It is possible to reduce a current required for spin injection writing. A magneto-resistance effect element includes: a first magnetization pinned layer; a magnetization free layer; a tunnel barrier layer; a second magnetization pinned layer whose direction of magnetization is pinned to be substantially anti-parallel to the direction of magnetization of the first magnetization pinned layer, and; a non-magnetic layer. When the second magnetization pinned layer is made of ferromagnetic material including Co, material for the non-magnetic layer is metal including at least one element selected from the group consisting of Zr, Hf, Rh, Ag, and Au; when the second magnetization pinned layer is made of ferromagnetic material including Fe, material for the non-magnetic layer is metal including at least one element selected from the group consisting of Rh, Pt, Ir, Al, Ag, and Au; and when the second magnetization pinned layer is made of ferromagnetic material including Ni, material for the non-magnetic layer is metal including at least one element selected from the group consisting of Zr, Hf, Au, and Ag.
US07977716B2
A photosensor and an imaging array utilizing the same are disclosed. The photosensor includes a light conversion region that has separate charge storage regions. The light conversion region includes a plurality of separate charge storage regions within a doped region, each charge collection region being doped such that the mobile charges generated by light striking that charge storage region are prevented from moving to an adjacent charge storage region. The photosensor also includes a plurality of transfer gates, having a gate region adjacent to a corresponding one of the charge storage regions and disposed between that charge storage region and a drain region. The charge collection regions and the drain regions are doped such that the mobile charges collected in the charge storage region will flow to the drain region when a first electric field is applied to the gate region.
US07977714B2
A wrapped gate junction field effect transistor (JFET) with at least one semiconductor channel having a first conductivity type doping is provided. Both sidewalls of each of the at least one semiconductor channel laterally abuts a side gate region having a second conductivity type doping, which is the opposite of the first conductivity doping. Further, the at least one semiconductor channel vertically abuts a top gate region and at least one bottom gate region, both having the second conductivity type doping. The gate electrode, which comprises side gate region, the top gate region, and at least one bottom gate regions, wraps around each of the at least one semiconductor channel to provide tight control of the current, i.e., a low off-current, through the at least one semiconductor channel. By employing multiple channels, the JFET may provide a high on-current.
US07977709B2
According to one embodiment of the present invention, a MOS transistor includes a semiconductor layer including a source region, a drain region, and a channel region disposed between the source region and the drain region. A gate structure is arranged above the channel regions. A source wiring structure is arranged above the source region and is connected to the source region. A drain wiring structure is arranged above the drain region and is connected to the drain region. The width of the source wiring structure is larger than the width of the drain wiring structure, and the height of the source wiring structure is smaller than the height of the drain wiring structure, or vice versa.
US07977704B2
A semiconductor device having an IGBT includes: a substrate; a drift layer and a base layer on the substrate; trenches penetrating the base layer to divide the base layer into base parts; an emitter region in one base part; a gate element in the trenches; an emitter electrode; and a collector electrode. The one base part provides a channel layer, and another base part provides a float layer having no emitter region. The gate element includes a gate electrode next to the channel layer and a dummy gate electrode next to the float layer. The float layer includes a first float layer adjacent to the channel layer and a second float layer apart from the channel layer. The dummy gate electrode and the first float layer are coupled with a first float wiring on the base layer. The dummy gate electrode is isolated from the second float layer.
US07977699B2
A light emitting device package and a method of manufacturing the light emitting device package are provided. A base is first provided and a hole is formed on the base. After a light emitting portion is formed on the base, a mold die is placed on the light emitting portion and a molding material is injected through the hole. The mold die is removed to complete the package.
US07977692B2
A method and apparatus is described for a light-emitting diode with high light output. A polymeric cup to reflect light holds a light-emitting diode chip connected to surface-mounting leads and is filled with an optically clear filter. The use of a polymeric cup allows for better bonding between the cup and the filler.
US07977679B2
A thin film transistor array panel includes an insulating substrate, a plurality of gate lines formed on the substrate, a plurality of data lines, and an insulating layer. Each of the gate lines include a plurality of gate electrodes. The data lines cross the gate lines with insulation therebetween. Each of the data lines include a plurality of source electrodes. A plurality of drain electrodes face the source electrodes. The insulating layer is formed on the gate lines, the data lines, and the drain electrodes. A plurality of pixel electrodes are formed on the insulating layer and connected to the drain electrodes. The insulating layer has an opening or a trench and the opening or the trench is disposed in a part of the insulating layer that is not covered by the pixel electrodes.
US07977677B2
In a thin-film transistor (TFT) substrate, a gate insulating layer is disposed on a gate electrode electrically connected to a gate line. A semiconductor layer is disposed on the gate insulating layer. A source electrode is electrically connected to a data line that intersects the gate line. A drain electrode faces the source electrode and defines a channel area of a semiconductor layer. An organic layer is disposed on the data line and has a first opening exposing the channel area. An inorganic insulating layer is disposed on the organic layer. A pixel electrode is disposed on the inorganic insulating layer and electrically connected to the drain electrode. The inorganic insulating layer covers the first opening, and thickness of the inorganic insulating layer is substantially uniform.
US07977676B2
A thin film transistor (TFT) array substrate and a method for fabricating the thin film transistor (TFT) array substrate is disclosed, wherein a passivation layer is directly subjected to exposing and patterning processes without using any photoresist, thereby simplifying the fabrication process and ensuring reduced preparation costs. In particular, the method comprises a thin film transistor (TFT) array comprising: forming a gate line and a gate electrode on a substrate; forming a semiconductor layer to be insulated from the gate electrode, and overlapped with a portion of the gate electrode; forming a source electrode and a drain electrode on both sides of the semiconductor layer, respectively, while forming a data line intersecting with the gate line; forming a passivation layer over an entire upper surface of the substrate including the source electrode and the drain electrode using a sol compound of a metal alkoxide having a photosensitive group X and a silicon alkoxide having a photosensitive group Y; light-exposing and developing the passivation layer to form a contact hole through which the drain electrode is exposed; and forming a pixel electrode to be in contact with the drain electrode through the contact hole.
US07977675B2
A metallic oxide semiconductor device with high performance and small variations. It is a field effect transistor using a metallic oxide film for the channel, which includes a channel region and a source region and comprises a drain region with a lower oxygen content than the channel region in the metallic oxide, in which the channel region exhibits semiconductor characteristics and the oxygen content decreases with depth below the surface.
US07977662B2
A non-volatile memory array includes an array of phase-changeable memory elements that are electrically insulated from each other by at least a first electrically insulating region extending between the array of phase-changeable memory elements. The first electrically insulating region includes a plurality of voids therein. Each of these voids extends between a corresponding pair of phase-changeable memory cells in the non-volatile memory array and, collectively, the voids form an array of voids in the first electrically insulating region.
US07977660B2
An article includes a substrate assembly for use in a detector system. The substrate assembly includes a substrate; a sample reception structure secured to the substrate; a test window extending through the substrate; and a fluid channel defined by a surface of the substrate and extending from the sample reception structure to the test window.
US07977658B2
A flexible infrared delivery apparatus useful for endoscopic infrared coagulating of human or animal blood and tissue or for other uses employs a source of infrared radiation which is not a laser and an elongated flexible fiber optic member which transmits radiation from the source to a contact portion at a distal end of the member and to a material such as human or animal tissue proximate the contact portion. The elongated member has an outer diameter which enables it to be inserted into and through an accessory channel of an endoscope to view the human or animal tissue or material to be treated with infrared radiation. A connector on the proximal end of the member allows the elongated member to be quickly connected to and disconnected from the apparatus where the member is aligned for receiving infrared radiation from the source. The contact portion defines a size, direction and shape of a radiation delivery area from the member to the human or animal tissue or material proximate the contact portion.
US07977652B2
In an ion implanter, one or more optical heaters are disposed above a pair of support arms. The support arms have an engaged positioned which is disposed beneath a platen and a retractable position displaced vertically away from the platen and rotated away from the platen in a direction parallel to a planar surface thereof. When the support arms are in the retracted position, the one or more optical heaters is configured to provide optical energy incident on surfaces of the cooling pads disposed on the support arms for removal of unwanted materials thereon. In this manner, the optical heaters are used during a regeneration cycle of cryogenic surfaces in an ion implanter.
US07977648B2
A modulator for ions such as protons employs multiple shutter pairs to create independently movable apertures effecting a multiple pencil beam treatment of the patient thereby increasing treatment speed by eliminating the need for a custom compensator.
US07977638B2
The present invention relates to optical sensor arrangements, especially sensors of the type that can be used in motor vehicles and which can detect hydrogen in a gaseous measured medium. According to the invention, an optical sensor arrangement has the at least one radiation source (108) for emitting radiation, the at least one measuring transducer which modifies its optical characteristics in response to the presence and/or concentration of at least one analyte in a measured medium (104) and is arranged so that it interacts with at least part of the emitted radiation (110), a first detector unit (112) for capturing a change in radiant intensity due to the changed optical characteristics of the measuring transducer and for outputting a first measuring signal and a light conducting body (106) which is transparent to the emitted radiation, wherein the measuring transducer, which is sensitive to the analyte, is arranged on at least one surface of the light conducting body (106) so that the emitted radiation impinges on a surface of the measuring transducer which faces away from the measured medium (104).
US07977637B1
An absorber is disclosed. The disclosed absorber contains a base layer, and a pyramidally shaped absorbing material disposed above the base layer and configured to absorb an incident light and generate minority electrical carriers and majority electrical carrier, wherein the pyramidally shaped absorbing material defines a plurality of holes within it.
US07977619B2
A detector array for use in a laser imaging apparatus, comprises a plurality of housings disposed in an arc around an opening in which an object to be scanned is disposed, each housing including an open front end, a rear end and a longitudinal axis; and a detector disposed within each housing at a distance from the front end, thereby to restrict the field of view of each detector. The housings are adapted to be orbited around the object about an orbit axis. Each detector is adapted to simultaneously detect light exiting from the object within the respective field of view of each detector. A method for collecting light exiting from a object being scanned with a light source is also disclosed.
US07977609B2
This invention provides a wafer-type temperature sensor capable of eliminating the need for an A/D converter, adapting itself to automation and improving the heat resistance to measure temperature distribution of the upper surface of a wafer, a temperature measuring device using the sensor, a thermal processor having a temperature measurement function and a temperature measurement method. The wafer-type temperature sensor comprises a wafer and a plurality of temperature sensors arranged in regions which are formed by segmenting the upper surface of the wafer into a plurality of regions. Each of the temperature sensors includes an oscillation circuit for oscillating a frequency signal corresponding to the temperature of its own region within a frequency band that is different for every region in response to input of power supply voltage.
US07977604B2
A drive roll for advancing a wire is provided. In certain embodiments, the drive roll includes a body having a wire feed portion, a mounting portion, and a central aperture through the body. In one embodiment, the feed portion includes an outer circumferential surface of the drive roll and a plurality of grooves for receiving and advancing various wires, while the mounting portion includes mounting features that are each uniquely associated with only one of the grooves. Various wire feed systems and welding systems are also provided.
US07977602B2
In laser micromachining and laser defect repair of a first material, a first set of one or more laser wavelengths is selected in accordance with the first material's absorption characteristics and is combined and delivered concurrently with a second set of one or more laser wavelengths which is selected in accordance with the absorption characteristics of a second material generated by and remaining from the ablating interaction of the first material with the first set of laser wavelengths. The concurrent presence of the second set of one or more laser wavelengths removes the residual second material.
US07977600B2
A system of interconnecting structures fabricated utilizing an additive manufacturing process is described. The system includes a first component comprising a first unit of an interconnection mechanism, and a second component comprising a second unit of an interconnection mechanism. The first component and first unit are integrally formed utilizing the additive manufacturing process as are the second component and the second unit. The first unit and the second unit are operable to engage one another to attach the first component to the second component.
US07977599B2
An erosion resistant torch for use in a solid free form fabrication system for manufacturing a component from successive layers of metal feedstock material. The erosion resistant torch includes a torch structure defining a torch nozzle formed of a highly conductive bulk material. The erosion resistant torch further includes a gas flow channel and an orifice defined therein. An arc electrode is disposed within the gas flow channel. An erosion resistant material is disposed between the torch nozzle and the arc electrode in the form of a coating layer or an erosion resistant insert. The erosion resistant material is formed of one of a refractory material or a ceramic material.
US07977598B2
The present invention provides a method and apparatus for the dry fluxing of at least one component and/or solder surface via electron attachment. In one embodiment, there is provided a method for removing oxides from the surface of a component comprising: providing a component on a substrate wherein the substrate is grounded or has a positive electrical potential to form a target assembly; passing a gas mixture comprising a reducing gas through an ion generator comprising a first and a second electrode; supplying an amount of voltage to at least one of the first and second electrodes sufficient to generate electrons wherein the electrons attach to at least a portion of the reducing gas and form a negatively charged reducing gas; and contacting the target assembly with the negatively charged reducing gas to reduce the oxides on the component.
US07977597B2
Wire bonders and methods of wire-bonding are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method includes attaching a wire to a terminal of a microelectronic component and generating an arc between a first electrode and a second electrode to sever the wire at a point at least proximate to the first and second electrodes. In another embodiment, a wire bonder includes a bond head having a capillary, a first electrode and a second electrode each disposed relative to the bond head, and a controller operably coupled to the first and second electrodes. The controller has a computer-readable medium containing instructions to perform the above-mentioned method.
US07977596B2
A control element includes a switching element, an operating element for operating the switching element, a printed circuit board, and an electrically conductive sensor element of a capacitive proximity sensor integrated in the operating element. The electrically conductive sensor element is designed to be electrically conductively connected to the printed circuit board.
US07977594B1
A weatherproof toggle switch cover adapter assembly comprises a cover plate adapted for placement over a toggle switch and coupling with an electrical junction box. A lever rotationally pivotably coupled with the cover plate is in mechanical communication with the toggle switch through a yoke. When the lever is moved to an on position, the toggle switch also moves to an on position. The yoke comprises two opposing tines defining a yoke spanning gap having a perimeter edge, the yoke spanning gap sized to straddle the toggle switch. An adapter ring comprising an external perimeter edge and an internal perimeter edge is interposed between the yoke and the toggle switch. The external perimeter edge is in communication with the perimeter edge of the yoke. The internal perimeter edge is inside two opposing tines and is disposed about an adapter spanning gap sized to straddle the toggle switch.
US07977580B2
An intermediate multilayer wiring board product includes: a stack of a plurality of resin insulating layers, a first conductor layer, and a second conductor layer. The stack includes: a product forming region comprising a plurality of product portions arranged along a major surface of the stack, each of the plurality of product portions to become a product of the multilayer wiring board; and a frame portion surrounding the product forming region. The first conductor layer is formed on at least one of the plurality of resin insulating layers within each of the plurality of product portions. The second conductor layer is formed on at least one of the plurality of resin insulating layers within the frame portion. The frame portion has a plurality of cuts penetrating the frame portion in a thickness direction thereof, the plurality of cuts being arranged at substantially equal intervals.
US07977572B1
An electrical device cover with a rotatable lid. An implementation of a weatherproof electrical device cover may include a base unit having a face, an electrical device aperture, and a box mounting screw aperture therethrough. A lid may be rotatably coupled to the base unit and rotate over the base unit in a plane substantially parallel with the base unit. The lid may cover the electrical device aperture of the base unit when the lid is closed over the base unit.
US07977571B2
A conductor supporting assembly includes a pair of yokes having a pair of cables extending therebetween in spaced parallel array. Actuators tension the cables so as to selectively draw the yokes toward each other along the cables. Grips cooperate with yokes for mounting the yokes in spaced apart array to and along a conductor segment of a conductor to be serviced so as to extend the conductor segment along and substantially medially between the yokes. The drawing of the yokes toward each other thereby de-tensions the conductor segment to allow for repair or service.
US07977562B2
Various technologies for generating a synthesized singing voice waveform. In one implementation, the computer program may receive a request from a user to create a synthesized singing voice using the lyrics of a song and a digital file containing its melody as inputs. The computer program may then dissect the lyrics' text and its melody file into its corresponding sub-phonemic units and musical score respectively. The musical score may be further dissected into a sequence of musical notes and duration times for each musical note. The computer program may then determine a fundamental frequency (F0), or pitch, of each musical note.
US07977559B2
In a plurality of rooms, hubs are installed to build a star-shaped LAN, and tone-generation-related devices, such as a keyboard, tone generator device and speaker, are connected to the respective hubs. For example, in an internal network, the keyboard is logically connected to an input side of the tone generator device and a speaker is connected to an output side of the tone generator device, so as to build a tone generation system. The tone-generation-related devices are provided with respective network adaptors so that they can be readily connected to the LAN. Communication is carried out between the tone-generation-related devices, using a communication protocol intended for retransmission control. Each of the tone-generation-related devices is in the form of a processor device, which executes a program corresponding to a function of a desired processing element to thereby implement the desired processing element. Once a given tone-generation-related device, implementing a plurality of processing elements, is connected to the network, an internal connection between the processing elements is canceled.
US07977555B2
Disclosed is a method for modifying the frequency response of a wooden article by exciting the article with acoustic energy. Frequency response is the measure of a system's spectrum response at the output due to a signal of varying frequency (but constant amplitude) at its input. The acoustic energy includes at least one excitation frequency, a composite broadband frequency component, or a combination thereof, which is preferably in the audible spectrum (20 to 20,000 Hz). The use of acoustic energy from the remote source provides non-contact excitation of the wooden article. In one embodiment, the acoustic energy is at least one sound wave which comprises at least one resonant frequency of the wooden article, at least one acoustic mode of the wooden article, at least one discrete frequency, a broadband frequency component, or any combination thereof.
US07977553B1
A novel maize variety designated X7P235 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof, produced by crossing Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. proprietary inbred maize varieties. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprises crossing maize variety X7P235 with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X7P235 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety X7P235, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X7P235. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X7P235.
US07977539B2
The invention provides Brassica plants and lines having an improved Sclerotinia sclerotiorum Disease Incidence (SSDI %) score and represented by, or descended from, NCIMB Accession Number 41388 or 41390.
US07977529B2
An incontinence management system for monitoring wetness in one or more absorbent articles, includes input for receiving one or more sensor signals indicative of a presence of wetness in an absorbent article, processor for processing the one or more sensor signals and for performing an analysis of the signals to characterise wetness events occurring in an absorbent article and user interface for communicating with a user of the system. A mathematical model is used to characterise wetness events, receiving as inputs variables derived from sensor signals and optionally, patient and demographic data. The mathematical model can be configured and/or re-configured utilising observation data obtained while monitoring a patient for wetness. A diaper for use with such as system is also disclosed.
US07977527B2
Described is a method of supplying an active ingredient to a location beneath the outer layer of skin or into soft tissue which includes the steps of providing a polymer-containing liquid comprising an active ingredient; subjecting the liquid issuing from an outlet to an electric field to cause the liquid to form at least one electrically charged jet that breaks up to provide charged fiber fragments or fibrils containing an active ingredient, the fiber fragments or fibrils being capable of sticking onto the outer layer of skin or soft tissue to supply the active ingredient beneath the outer layer of skin or soft tissue; and contacting skin with the fiber fragments or fibrils.
US07977526B2
A process is described for the separation of a first chemical compound from a liquid feed stream comprising at least first and second chemical compounds by simulated countercurrent adsorptive separation. In the process, the feed stream and a liquid desorbent stream are passed into at least one multi-bed adsorbent chamber at two different points via different transfer lines and an extract stream rich in the first chemical compound and a raffinate stream depleted in the first chemical compound are removed from the adsorbent chamber at two different points by two additional transfer lines. In addition, the contents of the transfer line which has just been used to supply the desorbent stream are flushed into the adsorbent chamber at a point along the chamber between the transfer line just used to supply the desorbent stream and the transfer line just used to withdraw the raffinate.
US07977524B2
A process for decoking a convection section of a furnace for cracking a hydrocarbon feed, the furnace comprising a radiant section having burners that generate radiant heat and hot flue gas, and the convection section having at least one heat exchange tube for conveying the hydrocarbon feed. The process includes the step of establishing a flue gas temperature within the convection section of the furnace immediately adjacent the at least one convection section heat exchange tube so as to effect a film surface temperature of less than about 540° C. (about 1000° F.) within at least one convection section heat exchange tube, wherein said flue gas temperature establishing step is effective to decoke the at least one convection section heat exchange tube. A process for cracking hydrocarbon feed in a furnace is also provided.
US07977521B2
This invention, in one embodiment, is drawn to a process for forming olefin product by contacting an oxygenate with an olefin-forming catalyst under supercritical conditions to form an olefin product. This invention also relates to methods for activating molecular sieve catalyst, regenerating molecular sieve catalyst, and forming and/or disposing a co-catalyst within a molecular sieve catalyst, each under supercritical conditions.
US07977518B2
A process and system for converting organic waste into reusable hydrocarbon is described wherein the process includes feeding an organic waste into a pyrocatalytic reactor which is essentially free of halogenated synthetic resinous material into a molten lead bath which is confined in a reactor in an substantially oxygen-free atmosphere which is admixed with a catalytic material comprising particulate aluminum oxide and aluminum powder. The waste is thermally and catalytically converted with at least 50% effectiveness to produce a reusable hydrocarbon.
US07977516B2
Processes for the separation and purification of polyphenol trans-resveratrol and/or anthraquinone emodin from Polygonum cuspidatum and/or Rumex acetosa, by means of solvent selective extraction. Products obtained by this process present high level of purity; being therefore useful in the preparation of nutraceutical (pharmaceutical and/or food) compositions with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, cardioprotective, neuroprotective, chemoprotective activities, besides protecting against infections and ischemia, treating type 1 and 2 diabetes, reducing obesity and preventing aging. Useful phytomedicines for the same therapeutic activity and prepared from the roots and/or rhizomes of Rumex acetosa or from their fractions are also provided.
US07977509B2
A process for the preparation of acid halides of formula I which are useful as intermediates in the preparation of i.a. pharmaceutically active compounds.
US07977500B2
The subject invention concerns biotin-conjugated platinum complexes that exhibit direct and indirect (immunological) antitumor cell activity. The subject invention also concerns the biotin-platinum complexes of the invention that have another molecule, such as an antibody, a ligand, a receptor, etc., bound to the biotin moiety. The subject invention also concerns the use of platinum complexes of the invention to treat oncological and inflammatory disorders. The platinum complexes of the invention can also be used to treat or prevent infection by a virus or a bacterial or parasitic organism in vivo or in vitro.
US07977480B2
A 9-hydroxy or 9-acyloxy group can be added to a pyridopyrimidinone ring structure by a process comprising acylating a compound of formula (5) under Vilsmeier-Haack or Friedel-Crafts conditions to form a compound (6); and transforming with a peroxo-compound to obtain the compound (1). R represents hydrogen or a C1-C20 acyl group. The process is useful in the synthesis of paliperidone and derivatives.
US07977477B2
The invention provides compounds of the formula (I): The compounds have activity against cyclin dependent kinases, glycogen synthase kinase and Auroa kinases and are therefore useful to treat cancer and viral diseases.
US07977471B2
Efficient sequence specific gene silencing is possible through the use of siRNA technology. By selecting particular siRNAs by rational design, one can maximize the generation of an effective gene silencing reagent, as well as methods for silencing genes. Methods, compositions, and kits generated through rational design of siRNAs are disclosed including those directed to TNFα.
US07977470B2
The invention relates to the nucleic acid and polypeptide sequences of three novel human Ron-related gene variants (Ron-V1, Ron-V2, and Ron-V3). The invention also provides a process for producing the polypeptides of the variants, as well as uses for the nucleic acid, polypeptide and antibodies to same in diagnosing human breast carcinoma, breast adenocarcinoma, cervix epidermoid carcinoma, cervix epitheloid carcinoma, colon adenocarcinoma, urinary bladder carcinoma, prostate carcinoma, esophagus epidermoid carcinoma and esophagus carcinoma.
US07977469B2
The invention provides isolated nucleic acid molecules which encode novel fatty acid desaturase family members. The invention also provides recombinant expression vectors containing desaturase nucleic acid molecules, host cells into which the expression vectors have been introduced, and methods for large-scale production of long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFAs), e.g., DHA.
US07977465B2
The present invention provides analogues of duocarmycins that are potent cytotoxins. Also provided are peptidyl and disulfide linkers that are cleaved in vivo. The linkers are of use in forming prodrugs and conjugates of the cytotoxins of the invention as well as other diagnostic and therapeutic moieties. The invention provides prodrugs and conjugates of the duocarmycin analogues with the linker arms of the invention.
US07977451B2
Membranes for use in methods and apparatuses for hemodialysis and hemofiltration are composed of at least one membrane comprising a polyarylethernitrile having structural units of formula 1, 2, 3 and 4 wherein Z is a direct bond, O, S, CH2, SO, SO2, CO, RPO, CH2, alkenyl, alkynyl, a C1-C12 aliphatic radical, a C3-C12 cycloaliphatic radical, a C3-C12 aromatic radical or a combination thereof; R is a C6-12 aromatic radical or a C1-12 aliphatic radical; R1 and R2 are independently H, halo, nitro, a C1-C12 aliphatic radical, a C3-C12 cycloaliphatic radical, a C3-C12 aromatic radical, or a combination thereof; a is 0, 1, 2 or 3; b is 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4; m and n are independently 0 or 1; and Q and Z are different.
US07977446B2
This invention relates to an organotin-based catalyst system for polyurethane synthesis that is useful in coatings applications. The catalyst has low activity in the absence of oxygen. When a coating mixture comprising the catalyst is sprayed and/or applied to a substrate as a thin film in air, the catalyst is activated. For solvent-based refinish systems comprising hydroxyl and isocyanate species at high solids levels, the catalyst system therefore provides extended viscosity stability, i.e., pot life.
US07977429B2
Polymers having polyolefin segments as the side chain, with a structural unit represented by the following Formula (1): wherein A is an olefin polymer having a weight average molecular weight of 400 to 500,000; R is H, an alkyl group, or an aralkyl group; W and Z are each O, HN, or S; and x and y are each 0 or 1, with the proviso that at least one of them is 1. The polymer can be applied as an antistatic agent, a cosmetic additive, a releasing agent for toner, a pigment dispersant, a lubricant for vinyl chloride resins, a coating material, an emulsion composition and the like.
US07977426B2
A compound of Formula (1) Rf—O—(CXX′)m—(CY2)nSO3M (1) wherein Rf is a C1 to C4 linear or branched perfluoroalkyl group, X and X′ are each independently H or F, provided that at least one of X or X′ is F, each Y is independently H or F, m is an integer from 1 to 4, n is an integer from 1 to 2, and M is H, NH4, Li, Na or K, provided that when CXX′ is CHF or CFH, then n is 2.
US07977419B2
A dielectric body and a method of producing the dielectric body are disclosed. In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the dielectric body using a polymer matrix and being expressed in the following Reaction Scheme 1 includes two or more kinds of ceramic fillers having different x values in the following Reaction Scheme 1. In this way, a dielectric body having a stable dielectric constant as well as a high dielectric constant against the change in temperature can be manufactured. Ba1-xSrxTiO3 [Reaction Scheme 1] whereas 0
US07977414B2
There are provided a radiation-proof resin composition that is excellent in mechanical characteristics even after exposure to harsh radiation (with 2.5 MGy), that exhibits a suitable radiation-resistant properties by a small amount of mixed additives, and that can suppress the blooming of the additives, and a radiation-resistant wire/cable. The radiation-resistant resin composition is obtained by adding 0.3 to 1.0 parts by mass of a salicylate-based UV absorber, 0.3 to 5 parts by mass of a benzotriazole-based UV absorber, and 0.3 to 5 parts by mass of a triazine-based UV absorber to 100 parts by mass of a polyolefin-based resin.
US07977411B2
The invention involves composite materials containing a polymer foam and an aerogel. The composite materials have improved thermal insulation ability, good acoustic insulation, and excellent physical mechanical properties. The composite materials can be used, for instance, for heat and acoustic insulation on aircraft, spacecraft, and maritime ships in place of currently used foam panels and other foam products. The materials of the invention can also be used in building construction with their combination of light weight, strength, elasticity, ability to be formed into desired shapes, and superior thermal and acoustic insulation power. The materials have also been found to have utility for storage of cryogens. A cryogenic liquid or gas, such as N2 or H2, adsorbs to the surfaces in aerogel particles. Thus, another embodiment of the invention provides a storage vessel for a cryogen.
US07977409B2
Provided is an ink jet ink capable of achieving both high colorability and excellent bleeding resistance of an image. The ink jet ink includes at least a pigment and a star polymer in which at least three copolymer chains of α,β-ethylenically unsaturated monomers are bonded to a central skeleton, in which the copolymer chains of the α,β-ethylenically unsaturated monomers are copolymers of at least one first monomer selected from the group consisting of aromatic (meth)acrylates and aromatic (meth)acrylamides and at least one second monomer selected from the group consisting of acid monomers and salts of the acid monomers.
US07977398B2
An aqueous-based UV-curable fluid composition for use in a micro-fluid ejection device. The fluid composition includes a mixture of poly-functional compounds, a colorant compound, a photo-initiator and less than about 50 weight percent water based on a total weight of the fluid composition, wherein the fluid composition is substantially devoid of volatile organic carrier fluids.
US07977380B2
The present invention provides compounds that inhibit the activity of plasma kallikrein (PK) and methods of preventing and treating the formation of thrombin during or after a PK dependent disease or condition, for example, after fibrinolysis treatment.
US07977379B2
The present invention relates to a composition for use in prevention or treatment of a vascular-related disease, particularly used for angiogenesis inhibition, tumor growth inhibition or tumor metastasis inhibition, or immunostimulation, which comprises glutamic acid or derivatives thereof, preferably glutamic acid is anhydrous glutamic acid represented by Formula (1) or pyroglutamic acid, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or an edible carrier, and a method of preventing or treating a vascular-related disease.
US07977378B1
Compositions and methods are provided for the treatment of obesity in a human in need of such treatment which comprises administration to the human of a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of a weight loss enhancing beta-3-adrenergic compound of Cycle I, and a different weight loss enhancing adenylate cyclase receptor replenishing compound of Cycle II, in conjunction with a pharmaceutically acceptable diluent or carrier, wherein the Compound of Cycle I and the compound of Cycle II are administered sequentially. The composition may be present as a kit having each sequence in blister packs.
US07977376B2
Topical formulations of olopatadine for treatment of allergic or inflammatory disorders of the nose are disclosed. The aqueous formulations contain approximately 0.6% (w/v) of olopatadine.
US07977372B2
Compounds of formula are HDAC inhibitors. These compounds are useful for the treatment of diseases such as cancer in humans or animals.
US07977363B2
Novel biphenyl thiazole carboxamides of Formula (I) where R1, R2, R3, R4, R5 and n have the meanings specified in the description, several methods for the manufacture of these substances and their use for combating undesired microorganisms, as well as novel intermediate products and their manufacture.
US07977362B2
Disclosed are compounds, pharmaceutical compositions containing the compounds, methods for using the compounds and processes for making the compounds. More specifically, the disclosure relates to alpha-(N-benzenesulfonamido)cycloalkyl compounds that may inhibit one or both of: (i) the functioning of a γ-secretase enzyme; or (ii) the production of β-amyloid. Such compounds may be beneficial in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease and other conditions. Representative compounds have the following formula I: wherein: A, R1, and R2 are described herein.
US07977360B2
The present invention relates to substituted benzo[d]isoxazol-3-yl-amine compounds, methods for their production, medicaments containing these compounds and the use of these compounds to produce medicaments.
US07977359B2
Described herein are compounds and pharmaceutical compositions containing such compounds, which modulate the activity of 5-lipoxygenase-activating protein (FLAP). Also described herein are methods of using such FLAP modulators, alone and in combination with other compounds, for treating respiratory, cardiovascular, and other leukotriene-dependent or leukotriene mediated conditions or diseases.
US07977326B2
The invention provides a composition and method for treatment of a subject suffering from liver disease comprising the oral administration of a slow release formulation of calcium channel blocker such as diltiazem and thiamine which is also an antioxidant which is relatively hydrophilic when compared with the calcium channel blocker.
US07977323B2
C2-C5-Alkyl-substituted [(imidazol-1-yl)-1-hydroxy-1-phosphono-ethyl]-phosphonic acids, as well as methods or processes for their manufacture, their use in the manufacture of pharmaceutical formulations, their use in the treatment of diseases, methods of using them in the treatment of diseases, pharmaceutical formulations encompassing them and/or the compounds for use in the treatment of diseases, are described. The compounds are able to inhibit excessive or inappropriate bone resorption and for the treatment of other diseases which are caused by excessive prenylation of target proteins, such as Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome. The compounds are of the formula I, wherein one of R1 and R2 is hydrogen and the other is C2-C5-alkyl that is branched or unbranched, and can be in free form, in the form of an ester, and/or of a salt.
US07977321B2
The present application provides polynucleotides, compositions thereof and methods of treating feline herpes virus infections. In certain embodiments, the polynucleotides and compositions thereof can be used to reduce replication of feline herpes simplex virus 1 (FHV-1) in vivo and/or in vitro.
US07977315B2
Conjugated nitro alkene compounds hamper or prevent proliferation of cancer cells in cell culture and in cancer patients, which can result in a decrease in tumor size and/or disappearance of the cancer. The compounds may act by interference with cancer cell biochemistry, in which isoprenoid groups such as farnesyl and geranylgeranyl become bonded to various oncogenic proteins such as Ras, RhoA, RhoB, or some other growth-related cellular protein(s).
US07977311B2
Methods for increasing and maintaining hematocrit in a mammal comprising administering a hyperglycosylated analog of erythropoietin are disclosed. An analog may be administered less frequently than an equivalent molar amount of recombinant human erythropoietin to obtain a comparable target hematocrit and treat anemia. Alternatively, a lower molar amount of a hyperglycosylated analog may be administered to obtain a comparable target hematocrit and treat anemia. Also disclosed are new hyperglycosylated erythopoietin analogs, methods of production of the analogs, and compositions comprising the analogs.
US07977289B2
The invention relates to substantially surfactant free gel compositions comprising hydrophobic and hydrophilic benefit agents. Unexpectedly, the applicants have found these agents deposit with greater substantivity from such liquid gel compositions relative to surfactant-containing lotion.
US07977288B2
A coated microparticulate composition comprising a microparticulate; wherein the microparticulate comprises a benefit agent; and wherein the microparticulate is coated with: a Type-1 Polymer, wherein the Type-1 Polymer comprises a cationic polymer with a cationic atom content greater than about 3 wt. % and a weight average molecular weight less than about 800,000 Dalton; and a Type-2 Polymer, wherein the Type-2 Polymer comprises a cationic polymer with a cationic atom content less than about 3 wt. % and a weight average molecular weight greater than about 1,000,000 Dalton.
US07977280B2
A process for minimizing breaking of an emulsion type drilling fluid system comprising one or more fibrous lost circulation material, the process comprising: determining the water retention value of one or more candidate fibrous lost circulation materials; and, formulating the emulsion type drilling fluid system to comprise fibrous lost circulation material consisting of one or more of the candidate fibrous lost circulation materials having a water retention value of about 1 or less.
US07977270B2
There is disclosed a photocatalyst-coated body which is superior in weather resistance, noxious gas decomposability, and various coating properties (such as ultraviolet absorptivity, transparency and film strength) while preventing corrosion of a substrate (in particular an organic substrate), and a photocatalyst coating liquid therefor. The photocatalyst-coated body comprises a substrate and a photocatalyst layer provided on the substrate. The photocatalyst layer comprises photocatalyst particles of 1 part or more by mass and less than 20 parts by mass; inorganic oxide particles of 70 parts or more by mass and less than 99 parts by mass; and a hydrolyzable silicone of zero parts or more by mass and less than 10 parts by mass, provided that a total amount of the photocatalyst particles, the inorganic oxide particles and the hydrolyzable silicone is 100 parts by mass.
US07977254B2
A method of forming a gate insulator in the manufacture of a semiconductor device comprises conducting a photo-assisted electrochemical process to form a gate-insulating layer on a gallium nitride layer of the semiconductor device, wherein the gate-insulating layer includes gallium oxynitride and gallium oxide, and performing a rapid thermal annealing process. The photo-assisted electrochemical process uses an electrolyte bath including buffered CH3COOH at a pH between about 5.5 and 7.5. The rapid thermal annealing process is conducted in O2 environment at a temperature between about 500° C. and 800° C.
US07977250B2
A method for manufacturing a liquid crystal display includes simultaneously forming a gate electrode and a gate bus line on a transparent dielectric substrate, simultaneously forming a channel layer, an ohmic contact layer, and source/drain electrodes by forming a gate insulation film, an amorphous silicon film, a doped amorphous silicon film, and a metal film on the transparent dielectric substrate on which the gate electrode and the gate bus line are formed and etching the metal film, the amorphous silicon film, and the doped amorphous silicon film, and forming a pixel electrode by forming a protective film and a transparent metal film on the transparent dielectric substrate upon which the source/drain electrodes are formed and finely etching the transparent metal film through a lift-off process using a stripper solution.
US07977245B2
Methods for etching a dielectric barrier layer with high selectivity to a dielectric bulk insulating layer are provided. In one embodiment, the method includes providing a substrate having a portion of a dielectric barrier layer exposed through a dielectric bulk insulating layer in a reactor, flowing a gas mixture containing H2 gas, fluorine containing gas, at least an insert gas into the reactor, and etching the exposed portion of the dielectric barrier layer selectively to the dielectric bulk insulating layer.
US07977243B2
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.
US07977238B2
A manufacturing technique is disclosed for producing a semiconductor integrated circuit device having plural layers of buried wirings, and such that there is prevented the occurrence of a discontinuity caused by stress migration at an interface between a plug connected at a bottom thereof to a buried wiring and the buried wiring. For example, in the case where the width of a first Cu wiring is not smaller than about 0.9 μm and is smaller than about 1.44 μm, and the width of a second Cu wiring and the diameter of a plug are about 0.18 μm, there are arranged two or more plugs which connect the first wirings and the second Cu wirings electrically with each other.
US07977236B2
Methods and structures are provided for full silicidation of recessed silicon. Silicon is provided within a trench. A mixture of metals is provided over the silicon in which one of the metals diffuses more readily in silicon than silicon does in the metal, and another of the metals diffuses less readily in silicon than silicon does in the metal. An exemplary mixture includes 80% nickel and 20% cobalt. The silicon within the trench is allowed to fully silicide without void formation, despite a relatively high aspect ratio for the trench. Among other devices, recessed access devices (RADs) can be formed by the method for memory arrays.
US07977235B2
A method for integrating metal-containing cap layers into copper (Cu) metallization of semiconductor devices. In one embodiment, the method includes providing a patterned substrate containing Cu metal surfaces and dielectric layer surfaces, forming a patterned mask layer on the patterned substrate, where the patterned mask layer contains openings that expose the Cu metal surfaces. The method further includes depositing a metal-containing layer on the Cu metal surfaces, depositing an additional metal-containing layer on the patterned mask layer, and removing the patterned mask layer and the additional metal-containing layer from the patterned substrate to selectively form metal-containing cap layers on the Cu metal surfaces.
US07977229B2
A semiconductor apparatus includes a semiconductor device to be mounted on a circuit board; a plurality of conductive posts electrically connected to the semiconductor device; and a plurality of conductive bumps each provided on an outer end of each of the conductive posts, so that the plurality of conductive bump is soldered onto the circuit board when the semiconductor device is mounted on the circuit board. A distance between a peripheral edge of the semiconductor device and an outer edge of the conductive post is determined to be narrow so that a solderbility or wetting condition of the conductive bumps can be visibly recognized easily.
US07977222B2
Doping with suppressed filament deterioration can be performed even in the case of doping in various conditions with an ion doping apparatus having a filament. After ion doping is completed, supply of a material gas is stopped and hydrogen or a rare gas is kept to be supplied. After that, current of the filament is decreased and correspondingly, filament temperature is decreased. Accordingly, in decreasing the filament temperature, the material gas around the filament has been replaced with hydrogen or a rare gas.
US07977213B1
A solution to failure mechanisms caused by mechanical sawing of a mechanical semiconductor workpiece entails use of a laser beam to cut and remove the electrically conductive and low-k dielectric material layers from a dicing street before saw dicing to separate semiconductor devices. A laser beam forms a laser scribe region such as a channel in the electrically conductive and low-k dielectric material layers, the bottom of the channel ending on a laser energy transparent stop layer of silicon oxide lying below all of the electrically conductive and low-k dielectric material layers. The disclosed process entails selection of laser parameters such as wavelength, pulse width, and fluence that cooperate to leave the silicon oxide layer stop layer completely or nearly undamaged. A mechanical saw cuts the silicon oxide layer and all other material layers below it, as well as the substrate, to separate the semiconductor devices.
US07977209B2
A heating plate having a smooth surface is placed on a hot plate which constitutes a heating section, and the smooth surface of the heating plate is closely adhered on the rear surface of a single-crystal Si substrate bonded to a transparent insulating substrate. The temperature of the heating plate is kept at 200° C. or higher but not higher than 350° C. When the rear surface of the single-crystal Si substrate bonded to the insulating substrate is closely adhered on the heating plate, the single-crystal Si substrate is heated by thermal conduction, and a temperature difference is generated between the single-crystal Si substrate and the transparent insulating substrate. A large stress is generated between the both substrates due to rapid expansion of the single-crystal Si substrate, thus separation takes place at a hydrogen ion-implanted interface.
US07977203B2
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.
US07977201B2
In one embodiment, a second metal line embedded in a second dielectric layer overlies a first metal line embedded in a first dielectric layer. A portion of the second dielectric layer overlying the first metal line is recessed employing a photoresist and the second metal line as an etch mask. A doped semiconductor spacer is formed within the recess to provide a resistive link between the first metal line and the second metal line. In another embodiment, a first metal line and a second metal line are embedded in a dielectric layer. An area of the dielectric layer laterally abutting the first and second metal lines is recessed employing a photoresist and the first and second metal lines as an etch mask. A doped semiconductor spacer is formed on sidewalls of the first and second metal lines, providing a resistive link between the first and second metal lines.
US07977198B2
A semiconductor device is provided. The semiconductor device in which a field effect transistor utilizing a heterojunction is formed in a device formation region sectioned by a device separation region of a substrate comprising a semiconductor layer laminated while including a semiconductor layer having a heterojunction on a semiconductor substrate. The device separation region is composed of a layer in which a conductive impurity is introduced, and an electrode to which a positive voltage is to be applied is formed on the device separation region, specifically on the surface of at least a part of the device separation region in the periphery of the field effect transistor.
US07977197B2
A transistor and a method for the fabrication of transistors with different gate oxide thicknesses is proposed, in which for the doping of the source, the typical LDD implantation, which is formed after the fabrication of the gate electrode, is replaced by a doping step, which is generated before applying the gate stack. In this way that is already a component of the remaining process sequence in the fabrication of the transistor doping can be used.
US07977195B2
A method for manufacturing at least one structure for a double grid field effect transistor, including: forming, on an isolating face of a first substrate, a stack comprising successively at least one layer of rear grid material, a layer of rear grid isolator, one semi-conducting zone for each structure to be manufactured, an electrically insulating layer of a front grid, at least one layer of front grid material and a masking element for each structure to be manufactured, placed facing the semi-conducting zone; forming in the at least one layer of front grid material a pattern reproducing a shape of the masking element and comprising etching of the layer of front grid material to eliminate the front grid material outside the pattern; and forming on free faces of the pattern a sacrificial spacer covering a first part of the semi-conducting zone.
US07977191B2
A method of forming a flash memory device includes forming a plurality of memory gates over a semiconductor substrate, forming an oxide film over the uppermost surface and sidewalls of the memory gates and then forming a plurality of selective gates on sidewalls of each of the memory gates.
US07977175B2
An array substrate for a liquid crystal display device includes a gate line and a data line crossing each other on a substrate to define a pixel region, an insulating layer between the gate line and the data line, a gate electrode extending from the gate line, and a transistor in the pixel region having an active layer on the insulating layer, ohmic contact layers of a first material that are adjacent to ends of the active layer, buffer layers of a second material, which is different from the first material, on the ohmic contact layers, a source electrode contacting one of the buffer layers and a drain electrode contacting another one of the buffer layers, wherein the active layer is in an island shape over the gate electrode and within a boundary defined by a perimeter of the gate electrode.
US07977173B2
Systems and methods of fabricating silicon-based thin film transistors (TFTs) on flexible substrates. The systems and methods incorporate and combine deposition processes such as chemical vapor deposition and plasma-enhance vapor deposition, printing, coating, and other deposition processes, with laser annealing, etching techniques, and laser doping, all performed at low temperatures such that the precision, resolution, and registration is achieved to produce a high performing transistor. Such TFTs can be used in applications such as displays, packaging, labeling, and the like.
US07977169B2
A semiconductor device includes an oxide semiconductor thin film layer primarily including zinc oxide having at least one orientation other than (002) orientation. The zinc oxide may have a mixed orientation including (002) orientation and (101) orientation. Alternatively, the zinc oxide may have a mixed orientation including (100) orientation and (101) orientation.
US07977156B2
A method for manufacturing chip stack packages may include: providing at least two wafers, each wafer having a plurality of chips, and scribe lanes formed between and separating adjacent chips; forming a plurality of via holes in peripheral portions of the scribe lanes; forming connection vias by filling the via holes; establishing electrical connections between the chip pads and corresponding connection vias; removing material from the back sides of the wafers to form thinned wafers; separating the thinned wafers into individual chips by removing a central portion of each scribe lane; attaching a first plurality of individual chips to a test wafer; attaching a second plurality of individual chips to the first plurality of individual chips to form a plurality of chip stack structures; encapsulating the plurality of chip stack structures; and separating the plurality of chip stack structures to form individual chip stack packages.
US07977153B2
Nonvolatile memory elements are provided that have resistive switching metal oxides. The nonvolatile memory elements may be formed from resistive-switching metal oxide layers. Metal oxide layers may be formed using sputter deposition at relatively low sputtering powers, relatively low duty cycles, and relatively high sputtering gas pressures. Dopants may be incorporated into a base oxide layer at an atomic concentration that is less than the solubility limit of the dopant in the base oxide. At least one oxidation state of the metal in the base oxide is preferably different than at least one oxidation state of the dopant. The ionic radius of the dopant and the ionic radius of the metal may be selected to be close to each other. Annealing and oxidation operations may be performed on the resistive switching metal oxides. Bistable metal oxides with relatively large resistivities and large high-state-to-low state resistivity ratios may be produced.
US07977152B2
Non-volatile resistive-switching memories formed using anodization are described. A method for forming a resistive-switching memory element using anodization includes forming a metal containing layer, anodizing the metal containing layer at least partially to form a resistive switching metal oxide, and forming a first electrode over the resistive switching metal oxide. In some examples, an unanodized portion of the metal containing layer may be a second electrode of the memory element.
US07977147B2
A thin blanket epitaxial layer of SiGe is grown on a silicon substrate to have a biaxial compressive stress in the growth plane. A thin epitaxial layer of silicon is deposited on the SiGe layer, with the SiGe layer having a thickness less than its critical thicknesses. Shallow trenches are subsequently fabricated through the epitaxial layers, so that the strain energy is redistributed such that the compressive strain in the SiGe layer is partially relaxed elastically and a degree of tensile strain is induced to the neighboring layers of silicon. Because this process for inducing tensile strain in a silicon over-layer is elastic in nature, the desired strain may be achieved without formation of misfit dislocations.
US07977132B2
Light emitting diode (LED) dies are fabricated by forming LED layers including a first conductivity type layer, a light-emitting layer, and a second conductivity type layer. Trenches are formed in the LED layers that reach at least partially into the first conductivity type layer. Electrically insulation regions are formed in or next to at least portions of the first conductivity type layer along the die edges. A first conductivity bond pad layer is formed to electrically contact the first conductivity type layer and extend over the singulation streets between the LED dies. A second conductivity bond pad layer is formed to electrically contact the second conductivity type layer, and extend over the singulation streets between the LED dies and the electrically insulated portions of the first conductivity type layer. The LED dies are mounted to submounts and the LED dies are singulated along the singulation streets between the LED dies.
US07977130B2
Various embodiments of methods and systems for designing and constructing displays from multiple light-modulating elements are disclosed. Display elements having different light-modulating and self-assembling characteristics may be used during display assembly and operation.
US07977125B2
In a display apparatus and a method of manufacturing the display apparatus, a gate line, a data line, and a plurality of layers are formed on an array substrate on which a pixel area, a pad area, and a peripheral area are defined. During the forming processes of the gate line, the data line, and the layers, the gate line and the data line are partially exposed in the peripheral area, or contact portions formed on the gate line and the data line in the peripheral area are exposed. Thus, the gate line and the data line may be tested using the contact portions as electrical terminals during the manufacturing process of the display apparatus.
US07977116B2
Provided are an analysis method and an analysis apparatus that can perform analysis of a substance and information obtainment with relatively high accuracy and reproducibility without previously allowing a carrier to carry a reagent for a color reaction. In the analysis method and the analysis apparatus, the information on an analyte is obtained by using an electromagnetic wave of a frequency including a frequency band which is at least a part of a frequency range of 30 GHz or more and 30 THz or less. A non-fibrous, isotropic porous material is allowed to hold the analyte, the analyte held by the porous material is irradiated with the electromagnetic wave, a change in the propagation state of the electromagnetic wave due to transmission through or reflection by the porous material is detected and information on the analyte is obtained based on the result of the detection.
US07977110B2
A method for distinguishing between kidney dysfunctions in a mammal, including pre-renal azotemia, an acute renal injury that may progress to acute renal failure, and chronic kidney disease, using a urinary or circulating NGAL assay result that is compared to a predetermined NGAL cutoff level, and a single serum or plasma creatinine measurement. Typically the single creatinine measurement cannot distinguish acute renal injury from chronic kidney disease or pre-renal azotemia, a single measurement of urinary NGAL, combined with the single serum or plasma creatinine measurement, has sufficient sensitivity and specificity to distinguish acute renal injury from normal function, prerenal azotemia, and chronic kidney disease and predicts poor inpatient outcomes. Patients admitted to the emergency department of the hospital with any of acute kidney injury, prerenal azotemia, chronic kidney disease, or even normal kidney function, can be evaluated based on the single measurements of urinary or circulating NGAL, and serum or plasma creatinine. Urinary NGAL level is highly predictive of clinical outcomes, including nephrology consultation, dialysis, and admission to the intensive care unit.
US07977103B2
A method for detecting the onset of ovulation in a female mammal is provided. The method includes contacting mouth air of the female mammal with an arylmethane test chromogen in an amount effective to undergo a rapid and detectable color change in the presence of one or more volatile sulfur compounds. The color of the test chromogen is compared to a control color that corresponds to a pre-ovulatory sulfur content. The difference in color between the test chromogen and the control color is correlated to the onset of ovulation.
US07977101B2
Prior to adding detergent or chelant, the conductivity of water in a washing chamber is measured. The maximum concentration of hard water ions that could correspond to the measured conductivity is determined, i.e., it is assumed that all of the conductivity is from calcium and/or magnesium ions in the water even though other ions may in fact be contributing to the measured conductivity. Enough chelating agent is added to the chamber to sequester this maximum concentration of hard water ions and the conductivity is measured again. Using the two conductivity measurements, the actual concentration of hard water ions is determined. A chelant factor based on the actual concentration of hard water ions is then used to determine the amount of chelant to be added for subsequent wash cycles to sequester all of the hard water ions.
US07977098B2
The invention provides a compound which competitively inhibits the binding of a norovirus with a native blood antigen of a human host, as well as a kit for determining whether an individual has been infected by a norovirus. Also provided is a method for determining the susceptibility of an individual to infection by a particular, known strain of norovirus. The invention is based on the determination that noroviruses recognize human blood antigens such as human histo-blood group antigens (HBGAs) as a receptor in seven specific binding patterns. The invention allows one to predict that a particular strain of norovirus can infect humans who have a particular human histo-blood type, as well as blood antigens that can bind the particular strain of infecting norovirus. The invention also allows one to predict that a particular strain of norovirus will bind with one or more particular histo-blood group antigens, but will not bind with other blood group antigens.
US07977094B2
Tissue repair compositions, particularly bone repair compositions, containing demineralized bone fragments and homogenized connective tissues, and methods for making the same. The compositions can be used in the form of an injectable gel, an injectable paste, a paste, a putty, or a rehydratable freeze-dried form.
US07977088B2
A solid waste treatment apparatus and/or comprises a tank comprising an interior volume and an outlet and a liner comprising a floor and a plurality of upstanding exterior walls and at least one upstanding interior wall forming a first chamber and a second chamber in the liner. Each one of the exterior walls comprises a permeable surface. The at least one interior wall comprises an impermeable surface. The apparatus includes a multi-panel sieve disposed in the second chamber. A tank includes a removable lid comprising a window in fluid communication with the first chamber and the second chamber. A separator housing may be disposed on the lid and coextensive to the window, the housing comprising a planar sieve disposed at an angle in the housing and an inlet in fluid communication with the planar sieve.
US07977078B2
The present disclosure provides engineered ketoreductase enzymes having improved properties as compared to a naturally occurring wild-type ketoreductase enzyme. Also provided are polynucleotides encoding the engineered ketoreductase enzymes, host cells capable of expressing the engineered ketoreductase enzymes, and methods of using the engineered ketoreductase enzymes to synthesize chiral compounds.
US07977058B2
The invention relates to a method of identifying/monitoring active atherosclerotic plaques associated with blood vessel walls wherein the plaques comprise activated macrophages having accessible binding sites for a ligand. The method comprises the steps of administering to a patient being evaluated for atherosclerosis an effective amount of a composition comprising a conjugate of a ligand and a chromophore capable of emitting light under predetermined conditions, allowing sufficient time for the ligand conjugate to bind to the activated macrophages, subjecting the blood vessels to the predetermined conditions using a catheter-based device, and identifying active plaques by detecting light emitted by the chromophore using a catheter-based device or by using an external imaging technique. The invention also relates to a similar method wherein a chemical moiety capable of emitting radiation is conjugated to the ligand.
US07977056B2
The present invention describes methods of identifying stimulants for the biogenic production of methane in hydrocarbon-bearing formations. Methods involve the use of microbial nucleic acid sequence information for the determination of gene products that are enzymes in a variety of pathways involved in the conversion of hydrocarbons to methane. Enzymes and stimulants identified by invention methods can be used in processes for enhancing biogenic methane production, for example, by addition to coal seams and coalbed methane wells.
US07977054B2
Chemical field effect sensors comprising nanotube field effect devices having biopolymers such as single stranded DNA functionally adsorbed to the nanotubes are provided. Also included are arrays comprising the sensors and methods of using the devices to detect volatile compounds.
US07977052B2
The present invention is based on the discovery of genetic polymorphisms that are associated with coronary heart disease and in particular stenosis and MI and response to drug treatment. In particular, the present invention relates to nucleic acid molecules containing the polymorphisms, variant proteins encoded by such nucleic acid molecules, reagents for detecting the polymorphic nucleic acid molecules and proteins, and methods of using the nucleic acid and proteins as well as methods of using reagents for their detection.
US07977049B2
The invention provides methods and compositions for modulating the life span of eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells and for protecting cells against certain stresses, e.g., heatshock. One method comprises modulating the flux of the NAD+ salvage pathway in the cell, e.g., by modulating the level or activity of one or more proteins selected from the group consisting of NPT1, PNC1, NMA1 and NMA2. Another method comprises modulating the level of nicotinamide in the cell.
US07977045B2
An aqueous pharmaceutical composition which is capable of being sprayed into the nasal cavity of an individual and which comprises: (A) a pharmaceutically effective amount of solid particles of medicament which is effective in treating a bodily condition by virtue of its being present on the mucosal surfaces of the nasal cavity; and (B) a suspending agent in an amount effective to maintain said particles dispersed uniformly in the composition and to impart to the composition the following thixotropic properties: (i) the viscosity of the position in unsheared form is relatively high, with the composition being in gel-like form; (ii) as the composition is subjected to shear (shaken) in preparation for spraying, the viscosity of the composition becomes relatively low and such that the composition in the form of a mist flows readily into the nasal passages for deposit on the mucosal surfaces of the nasal cavity; and (D) in deposited form on the mucosal surfaces, the viscosity of the composition is relatively high and such that it resists being cleared from the mucosal surfaces by the inherent mucocillary forces which are present in the nasal cavity, a method of use of the composition and a method for preparation of the composition, including in preferred form the use of anti-inflammatory steroid, for example, triamcinolone acetonide, and an odorless form of the composition.
US07977032B2
A method of selectively altering material properties of a substrate in one region while making a different alteration of material properties in an adjoining region is provided. The method includes selectively masking a first portion of the substrate during a first exposure and selectively masking a second portion of the substrate during a second exposure. Additionally, a mask may be formed having more than one thickness where each thickness will selectively reduce the amount of energy from a blanket exposure of the substrate thereby allowing a substrate to receive different levels of energy dosage in a single blanket exposure.
US07977027B2
A chemically amplified positive resist composition comprises a compound having an amine oxide structure as a basic component, a base resin, a photoacid generator, and an organic solvent. The resist composition exhibits a high resolution, significantly prevents a line pattern from collapsing after development, and has improved etch resistance.
US07977023B2
Briefly described, embodiments of this disclosure include ink composition for use in electrostatic imaging, method of making an ink formulation for use in electrostatic imaging, and the like.
US07977020B2
An electrophotographic photoreceptor comprising laminating a monolayer type photosensitive layer containing a charge generation material and a charge transport material or a laminate type photosensitive layer obtained by laminating a charge generation layer containing a charge generation material and a charge transport layer containing a charge transport material in this order, on a conductive support, wherein the charge transport layer of the monolayer type photosensitive layer or laminate type photosensitive layer contains an enamine compound represented by the following formula (1).
US07977019B2
A semiconductor device manufacturing method, a semiconductor device manufacturing equipment and a computer readable medium storing a computer program provide for easily identifying a cause of a deviation of pattern dimensions from the objective dimension.A first storage section stores a relation between a PEB temperature and a photoresist dimension of a post-lithography. A second storage section stores a relation between a PEB temperature and a post-etching dimension. A primary correction section determines a first corrected PEB temperature for conforming the photoresist dimension of a post-lithography to the objective dimension, using the relation data stored in the first storage section. A secondary correction section determines the second corrected PEB temperature for conforming the post-etching dimension using the first corrected PEB temperature to the objective dimension, using the relation data stored in the second storage section.
US07977016B2
A method for fabricating an extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography mask comprises forming a reflecting layer, an absorber layer, and a resist layer over a substrate; defining a plurality of split regions by partially splitting the resist layer with regular spacing; performing an exposure process, wherein the exposure region is irradiated with an electron beam at different intensities on the split regions to generate a difference in electron beam doses implanted into the resist layer; forming a resist layer pattern which selectively exposes the absorber layer and has a slanted side wall profile by performing a development process to remove a portion of the resist layer, into which the electron beam doses are implanted; and forming an absorber layer pattern with a slanted side wall profile by sequentially etching the portion of the absorber layer exposed by the resist layer pattern.
US07977008B2
The present invention relates to a high temperature proton-conducting polymer membrane, a preparation method thereof, a membrane-electrode assembly using the same and a fuel cell containing the same. More particularly, it relates to a proton-conducting polymer membrane enabling fuel cell operation under high temperature and normal pressure condition, wherein sulfoalkyl or sulfoaryl groups are introduced between layers of metal phosphate and cation exchange groups are present in side chains, a preparation method thereof and a membrane-electrode assembly using the proton exchange membrane and a fuel cell containing the same.
US07977003B2
A power generation cell includes an anode side seal member and a cathode side seal member. The anode side seal member is provided outside an anode of a membrane electrode assembly, and directly contacts a solid polymer electrolyte membrane. The cathode side seal member is provided outside the membrane electrode assembly. A space is formed between the anode side seal member and the cathode side seal member. First ribs are formed integrally with the anode side seal member. The first ribs protrude toward the space. Further, second ribs are formed integrally with the cathode side seal member. The second ribs protrude toward the space. The first ribs and the second ribs are arranged alternately.
US07977001B2
Fuel concentration near a power generator of a DMFC is adjusted by decreasing current taken from the DMFC when the concentration near the power generator of the DMFC is higher than an optimum value and increasing the current taken from the DMFC when the concentration near the power generator of the DMFC is lower than the optimum value. Since the fuel does not come into direct contact with the power generator in the DMFC in a portion from a cartridge to the power generator in the DMFC, drying of the fuel is suppressed. By providing an auxiliary tank capable of storing fuel, concentration of methanol supplied near the power generator of the DMFC is lowered upon activation after long-time storage.
US07976997B2
The electrical output connections (155, 158) of a fuel cell stack (151) are short circuited (200; 211, 212) during start up from freezing temperatures. Before the stack is short circuited, fuel is provided in excess of stoichiometric amount for a limiting stack current, and oxidant is provided to assure stoichiometric amount for the limiting stack current.
US07976994B2
An electric current production installation, for powering electrical members of a vehicle, including at least two fuel cells electrically connected in series via electric connection lines. Each connecting line includes a connecting switch. The installation further includes bypass lines, each bypass line including a bypass switch, so as to isolate at least one fuel cell by selectively controlling the position of the connection and bypass switches of the lines associated with the cell. A method monitors such an installation.
US07976993B2
Provided is a fuel composition for a fuel cell including a first fuel which generates protons and electrons, and hydrogen gas. Also, provided is a fuel cell using the fuel composition. Using the fuel composition for a fuel cell, catalyst activation can be increased. Also, a fuel cell having high efficiency and excellent performance can be prepared using the fuel composition.
US07976987B2
The present invention is to provide a separator that is excellent in heat resistance, shutdown function, flame retardancy and handling property. The separator for a nonaqueous secondary battery of the invention is a separator for a nonaqueous secondary battery that has a polyolefin microporous membrane at least one surface of which is laminated with a heat resistant porous layer containing a heat resistant resin, and is characterized by containing an inorganic filler containing a metallic hydroxide that undergoes dehydration reaction at a temperature of 200 to 400° C.
US07976985B2
Disclosed is an electrode active material comprising: a core layer capable of repeating lithium intercalation/deintercalation; an amorphous carbon layer; and a crystalline carbon layer, successively, wherein the core layer comprises at least two core particles. A secondary battery comprising the same electrode active material is also disclosed. The electrode active material can inhibit variations in volume of the core layer that may occur during repeated charge/discharge cycles, since the core layer comprising at least two core particles, each core particle having an increased area that is in contact with the carbon layer coated thereon. Therefore, the battery using the electrode active material can provide improved cycle life characteristics.
US07976983B2
A lithium ion secondary battery including a positive electrode including a lithium composite oxide represented by the general formula (1): LixM1-yLyO2 (0.85≦x≦1.25 and 0≦y≦0.50; M is at least one selected from the group consisting of Ni and Co; and L is at least one selected from the group of alkaline earth elements, transition elements other than Ni and Co, rare earth elements, and elements of Group IIIb and Group IVb). The lithium composite oxide is treated with a coupling agent having a plurality of hydrolyzable groups, and the remaining hydrolyzable group is inactivated.
US07976982B2
An alkaline storage battery includes, as main constituent elements, a positive electrode having nickel hydroxide as an active material, a negative electrode, a separator, and an electrolyte made of an aqueous alkali solution, and a foamed three-dimensional porous substrate composed of nickel as a main component is used as a core substrate of the positive electrode, and the weight ratio of this core substrate in the positive electrode is set to 30% to 50%, thereby allowing both electron conductivity and ion conductivity of the positive electrode, with long life and high output even under severe conditions.
US07976980B2
Disclosed herein is a secondary battery module constructed approximately in a rectangular parallelepiped structure. The battery module includes a pair of side members (right and left side members) having pluralities of grooves formed at the inside surfaces thereof such that the sides of unit cells are securely fitted in the grooves and at least one connection member integrally formed with the side members such that the side members are spaced apart from each other by the width of the unit cells while the grooves of the side members face each other. A medium- or large-sized battery system is manufactured using one or more secondary battery module. The secondary battery module allows a plurality of unit cells to be mounted in the battery module with high density. Consequently, the total size of the battery system can be considerably reduced, and the electrical connection between the electrodes is highly stable. Furthermore, a risk of an engineer or a user being exposed to the electrical short-circuits is minimized, and a risk of electrical short-circuits due to external forces is greatly reduced.
US07976974B2
A vanadium halide redox cell including: a positive half cell containing a positive half cell solution including a halide electrolyte, a polyhalide complex, vanadium (IV) halide and vanadium (V) halide; a negative half cell containing a negative half cell solution including a halide electrolyte, vanadium (II) halide and vanadium (III) halide; wherein the ratio of the number of moles of polyhalide complex and vanadium (V):number of moles of vanadium (II) halide is about stoichiometrically balanced and wherein the ratio of the number of moles of polyhalide complex:the number of moles of vanadium (II) halide is in the range of from about 0.7:2 to about 1.3:2.
US07976966B2
A magnetic storage medium is formed of magnetic nanoparticles that are encapsulated within carbon nanotubes, which are arranged in a substrate to facilitate the reading and writing of information by a read/write head. The substrate may be flexible or rigid. Information is stored on the magnetic nanoparticles via the read/write head of a storage device. These magnetic nanoparticles are arranged into data tracks to store information through encapsulation within the carbon nanotubes. As carbon nanotubes are bendable, the carbon nanotubes may be arranged on flexible or rigid substrates, such as a polymer tape or disk for flexible media, or a glass substrate for rigid disk. A polymer may assist holding the nano-particle filled carbon-tubes to the substrate.
US07976957B2
An aromatic amine derivative having a specific structure having m-terphenyl group and an organic electroluminescence device comprising a cathode, an anode and an organic thin film layer which is disposed between the cathode and the anode and comprises at least one layer comprising at least a light emitting layer, wherein at least one layer in the organic thin film layer comprises the aromatic amine derivative singly or as a component of a mixture. The organic electroluminescence device has a long life.
US07976949B2
One embodiment of the present invention relates to spherical ceramic elements, such as proppants, for maintaining permeability in subterranean formations to facilitate extraction of oil and gas therefrom. The strength of the ceramic element may be enhanced by combining materials having different coefficients of thermal expansion. Methods of making the ceramic elements are also disclosed.
US07976948B2
The present invention is to provide a nanosized phosphor exhibiting enhanced luminance as a molecular labeling phosphor by controlling an electrostatic charge of an inorganic phosphor. The nanosized phosphor is featured in that at least 90% of total particles have a particle size of 1 to 100 nm and an electrostatic charge of the total particles is in the range of −20 μC/g to 5 μC/g.
US07976941B2
A low viscosity filler boron nitride agglomerate particles having a generally spherical shape bound together by an organic binder and to a process for producing a BN powder composition of spherically shaped boron nitride agglomerated particles having a treated surface layer which controls its viscosity.
US07976925B2
New cross-laminates are formed of films of which at least two are uniaxially or unbalanced biaxially oriented, in which the main direction of orientation in one of these films crosses the main direction of orientation in the other one, having modifications, made in a suitable pattern, of the surface properties of the two films on the surfaces which are inside the laminate and are bonded to each other. The internally arranged surface layers of the films comprise an array of strands (101, 102) of coextruded material and the films are arranged so that the arrays of the two films cross one another. The strands may be used to control adhesion between the films and reduce the tendency to delaminate on repeated flexing, making a laminate suitable for use as a tarpaulin. Alternatively, especially in combination with provision of embossment of at least one of the films whose main layer is transparent to form striations (103), colored strands may confer interesting visual effects on the laminate viewed from the side of that film which may make the laminate appear thicker than it actually is.
US07976922B2
An optical recording medium including a substrate, an information recording layer including a recording layer and a cover layer, wherein information is written and read on the information recording layer by irradiation of laser beam via the cover layer, the cover layer includes an ultraviolet curing resin and an inner hardness Hi defined as hardness H of the cover layer on a side of the information recording layer satisfies the following relationship: 3.8≦Hi≦5.5, when H=3.8584×F/(h×h), wherein h represents an indented depth in a state in which a triangular pyramid indenter with a tip angle of 115° is pressed under F=9.8 mN.
US07976919B2
A multilayer blow molded container having a layer structure that a polyglycolic acid layer is provided as a core layer, and thermoplastic polyester resin layers are arranged as inner and outer layers, wherein the core layer formed of the polyglycolic acid layer is not present between the inner and outer layers in at least part of an opening end portion of the container, and the core layer formed of the polyglycolic acid layer is not present between the inner and outer layers in at least part of a bottom of the container, wherein the melt viscosity x of a polyglycolic acid forming the polyglycolic acid layer is 300 to 900 Pa·s as measured at a temperature of 270° C. and a shear rate of 122 sec−1, the melt viscosity y of a thermoplastic polyester resin forming the thermoplastic polyester resin layers is 250 to 600 Pa·s as measured at a temperature of 290° C. and a shear rate of 122 sec−1, and a melt viscosity ratio x/y between both melt viscosities is 0.85 to 1.80, and a production process thereof.
US07976913B2
The subject is to provide a liquid crystal composition that satisfies at least one characteristic among the characteristics such as a high maximum temperature of a nematic phase, a low minimum temperature of a nematic phase, a small viscosity, a large optical anisotropy, a large dielectric anisotropy, a large specific resistance, a high stability to ultraviolet light and a high stability to heat, or that is suitably balanced regarding at least the two characteristics. It is to provide an AM device that has a short response time, a large voltage holding ratio, a large contrast ratio, a long service life and so forth.The invention provides a nematic liquid crystal composition that include a specific optically active compound as a first component and a specific compound having a positively large dielectric anisotropy as a second component, and that may include a specific compound having a high maximum temperature or a small viscosity as a third component, and a specific compound having a small minimum temperature and a positively large dielectric anisotropy as a fourth component, and provides a liquid crystal display device including this composition.
US07976912B2
The invention provides a liquid crystal composition that satisfies at least one characteristic among the characteristics such as a high maximum temperature of a nematic phase, a low minimum temperature of a nematic phase, a small viscosity, a large optical anisotropy, a large dielectric anisotropy, a large specific resistance, a high stability to ultraviolet light, and a high stability to heat, or provides a liquid crystal composition that is properly balanced regarding at least two characteristics. The invention provides an AM device that has a short response time, a large voltage holding ratio, a large contrast ratio, a long service life and so forth.A liquid crystal composition having a nematic phase, wherein the first component may contain a specific optical active compound, the second component may contain a specific compound having a small minimum temperature and a large optical anisotropy, the third component may contain a specific compound having a large maximum temperature or a small viscosity, and the fourth component may contain a specific compound having a small minimum temperature, and positively large dielectric anisotropy. The liquid crystal display device contains the liquid crystal composition.
US07976906B2
Digital ink-jet glass printer for printing flat glass boards with glass based ink is disclosed, comprising; (a) horizontal support for a glass board to be printed; (b) at least one digital ink-jet printing head moveable from above the area of a glass board supported by the horizontal support by means of a respective moving mechanism, the printing head is capable of moving above the glass board and injecting glass based ink according to positioning and injecting commands received from a computer or controller; (c) ink supply system in liquid communication with the at least one printing head. Method for printing flat glass boards with glass based ink, is also disclosed, comprising; (a) providing a computer memory with image to be printed; (b) positioning a glass plate to be printed underneath at least one digital ink-jet printing head capable of receiving from the computer and accordingly executing ink jetting commands and positioning commands; (c) providing the at least one printing head with jetting and positioning commands corresponding to the image to be printed; (d) supplying to the printing head glass based ink in a substantially unified heterogenic suspension in quantities sufficient for printing the image; (e) drying or curing the image until a primary fixation is achieved sufficient for safely conveying the printed glass plate to completing the ink fixation in a furnace.
US07976900B2
For producing a fire-resistant veneer or material composite having different core materials without adding salts or other commercial fire-retardant materials, liquid is drawn out from the pores of the veneer by heat treatment and is replaced by resin, and the veneer is, if required, subjected to a refining process.
US07976895B2
To prevent the liquid electrolyte from penetrating into the porous support while at the same time preserving or increasing the power density of the fuel cell, before the liquid electrolyte is deposited, at least a part of the walls delineating the pores of said support is covered by a film formed by a material presenting a contact angle of more than 90° with a drop of said liquid electrolyte. Said film further presents a thickness enabling passage of the reactive fluid in the pores of the support.
US07976894B1
Novel materials with thermally reversible curing mechanisms are provided. These inventive compositions are useful in forming microelectronic structures, such as dual damascene structures. The compositions comprise a crosslinkable polymer dispersed or dissolved in a solvent system with a crosslinking agent. In use, the compositions are applied to a substrate and crosslinked. Additional layers may be applied on top of the cured layer followed by additional processing steps. Upon exposure to a temperature above the crosslinking temperature of the composition, the cured layer will undergo a decrosslinking reaction to render the layer soluble in common photoresist solvents, including solvents used to make the composition itself. Thus, after processing, the remaining material can be dissolved away without damaging the substrate. The inventive materials are especially suited for processes involving low-k dielectric substrates.
US07976893B2
A heavily boron-doped diamond thin film having superconductivity is deposited by chemical vapor deposition using gas mixture of at least carbon compound and boron compound, including hydrogen. An advantage of the diamond thin film deposited by the chemical vapor deposition is that it can contain boron at high concentration, especially in (111) oriented films. The boron-doped diamond thin film deposited by the chemical vapor deposition shows the characteristics of typical type II superconductor.
US07976892B2
In a method for producing a conductive coating on an insulating substrate, at least one surface of an electrically insulating substrate is equipped, in selected regions, with a coating of an electrically highly conductive first metal; the coated surface is cleaned; the coating made of the first metal on the substrate is seeded with seeds of a second metal; a layer of the second metal is deposited onto the layer thus seeded; the substrate thus coated is fired.
US07976888B2
Dry milling methods for preparing oat products enriched in the content of β-glucan and methods for preparing foodstuffs incorporating such an enriched oat product especially ready-to-eat cereals are provided. Heat conditioned dehulled oats are dry milled to form a coarse whole non defatted oat flour and then, without a preceding removal of fat, dry fractionated into coarser bran and finer oat flour fractions at multiple stages. The coarse oat flour is first dry classified to separate or form a coarser fraction oat bran containing more concentrated β-glucan and a finer oat flour or starch containing or endosperm containing fraction. The oat bran is fractionated into a coarse and fine oat bran sub-streams. The oat bran sub-streams are each is subjected to second roller milling step and then bolted. The second bolting of oat bran is then subjected to a third round of milling and classification to form a high β-glucan content (>7-9%) oat bran and a low β-glucan content (3%) oat flour. The methods are low cost and commercially practical. Preferably, the high β-glucan content oat bran and oat flour fractions can have a syringic acid to ferulic acid ratio of at least 2.5:1 indicating improved flavor. Preferably, the oat bran and oat flour have a Farinograph value of 5 to 20 minutes indicated partial gelatinization. The oat bran and oat flours can be used to prepare foodstuffs such as ready-to-eat cereals.
US07976882B2
The present invention relates to demucilaged flax sprouts derived from flaxseeds freed of their mucilage. The flax sprouts according to the invention are easily digestible and can be utilized in different fields, e.g. in food industry, therapy and hus-handry. The invention also relates to the production process and applications of the demucilaged flax sprouts. The present invention further relates to a process for recovering mucilaginous substance generated as a by-product in the production process as well as to various applications thereof.
US07976879B2
A product and method for administering daily micronutrient requirements (DMRs) comprising vitamins, minerals and essential fatty acids targeted to reduce appetite and/or the risks associated with aging and associated cognitive impairment. The DMRs are administered to individuals via food products. In an embodiment of the present invention, the DMRs are offered in the form of a health bar, smoothie, or drink. The DMRs may be incorporated into other forms without departing from the scope of the present invention. By way of illustration and not as a limitation, the constituents may be incorporated into a fruit or yogurt “smoothie,” a frozen desert such as an ice cream or sorbet, and a beverage.
US07976875B2
The invention provides a solvating system for the removal of biofilms which solvates the extracellular polysaccharide matrix holding it to a surface. The aqueous solvating system comprises water, a metal ion sequestering agent, and a solvating agent for an extracellular polysaccharide matrix, which is gentle enough to be used directly on human tissues, but which may also be used on hard or soft non-tissue surfaces to breakdown, and/or remove biofilms.
US07976862B2
The invention provides implantable sustained release bioactive agent delivery devices that include a body member having a direction of extension, a longitudinal axis along the direction of extension, and a proximal end and a distal end, wherein at least a portion of the body member deviates from the direction of extension; and a polymeric coated composition in contact with a surface of the body member, the polymeric coated composition including a first polymer, a second polymer, and a bioactive agent. The polymeric coated composition is formulated to provide controlled release of bioactive agent over time when introduced into physiological conditions. Methods of preparing implantable devices configured and formulated to provide controlled release of bioactive agent are also provided.
US07976857B2
An endophyte or endophyte culture of N. lolii species is described that, in combination with a host grass does not cause typical symptoms of ryegrass toxicosis in grazing animals and also contains levels of compounds from the class of janthitrems epoxides to individually or in combination protect the host grass from pests or abiotic stresses or both. Uses and methods are also described to produce and characterise the combination as well as alternative uses for compounds from the class of janthitrem epoxide compounds.
US07976854B2
A treatment regimen for treating skin subject to skin cancer treatments involves the application of supplemental composition(s) such as preparatory composition(s), protective composition(s), and combinations thereof, and a corrective composition.
US07976851B2
The present invention relates to a composition and method for preventing or inhibiting biofilm formation on biotic or abiotic surfaces. The composition comprises a peptide based on the C-terminal receptor binding domain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa type IV pilin, which binds to an abiotic surface (e.g., steel, plastic) with high affinity and prevents binding of a variety of P. aeruginosa strains to the surface. The inventive composition represents a non-toxic inhibitor for biofilm formation, particularly on an abiotic surface, which is responsible for a large number of problematic diseases and massive economic losses. The inventive method is useful as a safe and environmentally friendly means of modifying a surface of a variety of biomedical, nanotechnological, and biotechnological devices or articles.
US07976849B2
New styles of hepatitis C virus (HCV), referred to as HCV-3 and HCV-4, have been identified and sequenced. Antigenic regions of HCV-2, HCV-3 and HCV-4 polypeptides have been identified. Immunoassays for HCV and antibodies thereto are described, which allow more complete screening of blood samples for HCV, and allow HCV genotyping.
US07976840B2
The invention provides isolated nucleic acids molecules, designated GL50 nucleic acid molecules, which encode novel GL50 polypeptides. The invention also provides antisense nucleic acid molecules, recombinant expression vectors containing GL50 nucleic acid molecules, host cells into which the expression vectors have been introduced, and nonhuman transgenic animals in which a GL50 gene has been introduced or disrupted. The invention still further provides isolated GL50 polypeptides, fusion proteins, antigenic peptides and anti-GL50 antibodies. Diagnostic, screening, and therapeutic methods utilizing compositions of the invention are also provided.
US07976830B2
The invention discloses quaternary ante-iso acids useful as additives in personal care products. Various quaternary derivatives of ante-sio acids are described, and examples of their use in personal care composition are presented.
US07976825B2
Macromolecular contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging are described. Biomolecules and their modified derivatives form stable complexes with paramagnetic ions thus increasing the molecular relaxivity of carriers. The synthesis of biomolecular based nanodevices for targeted delivery of MRI contrast agents are described. Nanoparticles (NP) have been constructed by self-assembling of chitosan (CHIT) as polycation and poly-gamma glutamic acids (PGA) as polyanion. NP's are capable of Gd-ion uptake forming a particle with suitable molecular relaxivity. Folic acid (FA) is linked to the NP's to produce NP-FA bioconjugates that can be used for targeted in vitro delivery to a human cancer cell line.
US07976819B2
An economic, direct synthetic method for producing water soluble QDs that are ready for bioconjugation is provided. The method can produce aqueous QDs with emission wavelengths varying from 400 nm to 700 nm. Highly luminescent metal sulfide (MS) QDs are produced via an aqueous synthesis route. MS QDs are capped with thiol-containing charged molecules in a single step. The resultant MS QDs exhibit the distinctive excitonic photoluminescence desired of QDs and can be fabricated to avoid undesirable broadband emissions at higher wavelengths. This provides a significant improvement over the present complex and expensive commercial processes for the production of QDs. The aqueous QDs are stable in biological fluids over a long period of time. In addition, nontoxic ZnS QDs have been produced with good photoluminescence properties by refluxing the ZnS QD suspensions over a period of time.
US07976813B1
C60 and C70 carbon atom compounds are prepared by evaporating graphite in an inert quenching gas. The vapor of carbon is collected and is selectively extracted with an organic non-polar solvent.
US07976800B1
An integrated exhaust gas cooling system and method, including an expansion joint linking the system to an upstream source of exhaust gas and a pre-oxidation section through which exhaust gas travels. A hot temperature zone in which the exhaust gas is maintained at a temperature optimal for an oxidation process extends through the pre-oxidation section. An oxidation catalyst in the hot temperature zone is provided. The exhaust gas passes through the oxidation catalyst. Oxidized exhaust gas passes a post-oxidation section downstream of the oxidation catalyst. A tempering air stream is injected into the post-oxidation section to create a cool temperature zone in which the oxidized exhaust gas is cooled below the temperature in the hot temperature zone and to a temperature optimal for a reduction process. The system includes a reduction catalyst in the cool temperature zone through which the oxidized exhaust gas passes.
US07976795B2
The systems and methods disclosed herein include a microfluidic system, comprising a pneumatic manifold having a plurality of apertures, and a chip manifold having channels disposed therein for routing pneumatic signals from respective ones of the apertures to a plurality of valves in a microfluidic chip, wherein the channels route the pneumatic signals in accordance with a configuration of the plurality of valves in the microfluidic chip.
US07976792B2
A biological specimen collection card comprises a specimen retaining panel, a rear panel, and a cover panel. There is an opening in the specimen retaining panel for retaining an absorbent insert which is to be impregnated with a biological specimen. The absorbent insert is exposed on both sides of the specimen retaining panel when the absorbent insert is retained in the opening. The rear panel is angularly spaced apart from the specimen retaining panel when the collection card is in an open configuration to facilitate drying of the biological specimen. The cover panel is movable between a first position and a second position. The collection card is in the open configuration when the cover panel is in the first position, and the collection card is in a closed configuration when the cover panel is in the second position. The cover panel covers the absorbent insert when the absorbent insert is retained in the opening and the collection card is in the closed position.
US07976787B2
An improved multiple-tube catalytic reformer comprising a tubular body containing a radiator core having a plurality of longitudinal cells for low-pressure flow-through of combustion gases, the core being formed preferably either by winding of corrugated metal or as an extruded metal monolith. A plurality of reformer tubes, preferably non-cylindrical, containing hydrocarbon catalyst are arrayed in longitudinal openings within the radiator core and preferably are brazed thereto to maximize heat transfer from the radiator core to the reformer tubes. During manufacture, the metal radiator core is economically bored by laser cutting to form the openings to admit the reformer tubes for brazing. Preferably, the reformer tubes are numbered, sized, shaped, and arrayed to minimize the longest conduction path in the radiator core to the center of any reformer tube.
US07976785B2
The apparatus for decomposing PFCs includes an external electrode unit which is coupled to a reference voltage and which defines a flow space for the flow of the PFCs, and an internal electrode unit which is located within the flow space of the external electrode unit so as to define a reaction space between the internal electrode unit and the external electrode unit. The apparatus is also equipped with a voltage supply unit which applies an alternating voltage to the internal electrode unit which is of sufficient voltage and frequency to generate an electron beam within the reaction space which is capable of decomposing the PFCs.
US07976781B2
An aqueous solution is formed by dissolving a dye made of alizarin and a humectant made of glycerin, and alkalized by dissolving a base (alkaline substance), thereby preparing a detector solution (101) in which the content of the humectant is about 20 wt %. An impregnated carrier (104) impregnated with the detector solution (101) is formed by dipping for 30 sec a sheet-like carrier (103) made of cellulose filter paper in the detector solution (101) so that the carrier (103) is impregnated with the detector solution (101). The impregnated carrier (104) is pulled up from the detector solution (101), and dried in dry nitrogen by evaporating a solvent such as water contained in the impregnated carrier (104), thereby forming an ozone detecting device (105).
US07976771B2
A method for reducing oxidic slags and dusts possibly loaded with organics uses an inductively heatable coke bed extending in the axial direction and having a temperature gradient. Reaction gas is sucked off in an axial region of the coke bed between two induction bodies and metal regulus and slag melt are tapped on the lower end. An inductively heatable shaft furnace chargeable with a lumpy coke bed for the reduction of metallic slags is made of an electrically insulating refractory material, has an adjustable temperature gradient includes at least one cooled induction body on the head side, a suction connection in an axial region where the prevailing temperature exceeds the condensation point of the substances to be removed, located below the cooled induction body on the head side, and an opening for tapping metal regulars and slag melt is provided on the lower end of the furnace.
US07976766B2
The invention relates to a mold for the production by means of blowing or blow-drawing of thermoplastic containers which are equipped with an integral handle. According to the invention, two mold halves are provided with two respective inserts which can move transversely to the contact faces. Each of the aforementioned inserts comprises two telescopic pistons, namely: a main piston having a front thrust face, and a secondary piston which is housed in the main piston and which has a curvilinear front weld face. The secondary pistons are moved after the main pistons have applied two wall zones of the container body against one another.
US07976759B2
A system including a mold having a fluoropolymer wherein the mold defines a plurality of cavities having a predetermined shape and a cross-sectional dimension less than about 100 micrometers; a roller; a surface in cooperation with the roller to form a nip point configured to receive the mold, wherein the nip point is further configured to receive a substantially liquid composition and accelerate entry of the substantially liquid composition into the cavity. A method of forming particles including applying a substantially liquid composition to a mold, wherein the mold comprises a fluoropolymer and defines a plurality of cavities each having a broadest cross-sectional dimension of less than about 100 micrometers; nipping the mold between a roller and a surface such that the substantially liquid composition enters the cavities of the mold; and hardening the substantially liquid composition in the cavities of the mold to form a particle within each cavity, wherein the particle has a size and shape that substantially mimics the size and shape of the cavity of the mold.
US07976752B2
An EAS marker includes a rigid bottom piece of molded plastic having the shape of an open rectangular box. An elongated resonator is disposed in the bottom piece, the resonator being bowed downwardly about its longitudinal axis. A rigid separator of molded plastic is positioned over the open top of the bottom piece, thereby loosely encasing the resonator in the bottom piece. The method of making the EAS marker is preferably automated, with the top piece, the bottom piece and the separator being manufactured by rotary extrusion molding as part of a continuous web. The various continuous webs are automatically laminated to one another at nips between pairs of rollers.
US07976748B2
A nano-molding process including an imprint process that replicates features sizes less than 7 nanometers. The nano-molding process produces a line edge roughness of the replicated features that is less than 2 nanometers. The nano-molding process including the steps of: a) forming a first substrate having nano-scale features formed thereon, b) casting at least one polymer against the substrate, c) curing the at least one polymer forming a mold, d) removing the mold from the first substrate, e) providing a second substrate having a molding material applied thereon, f) pressing the mold against the second substrate allowing the molding material to conform to a shape of the mold, g) curing the molding material, and h) removing the mold from the second substrate having the cured molding material revealing a replica of the first substrate.
US07976734B2
This invention describes a p-type electrode useful in producing a solar cell.
US07976731B2
Metal complexes (“compatibilizers”) having properties particularly useful for treating and compatibilizing nanomaterials (i.e. carbon nanotubes, nanofibers, nanographite) include metal cations and anionic surfactants. The treated nanomaterials can be isolated as solid treated nanomaterial and used in further applications where increased dispersion is desirable.
US07976727B1
This patent covers infrared phosphorescent materials which exhibit extended persistence lifetimes and are composed of mixtures of the elements zinc, antimony, gallium, tellurium, oxygen and nitrogen, and are doped with varying amounts of chromium, neodymium, dysprosium, yttrium or thulium. A typical formula is given by Zn(1-n %-m %-l %)SbxGa2-xTezO4+2z-yNy: n % Cr3+, m % P, l % Q, where Zn is zinc, Sb is antimony, Ga is gallium, Te is tellurium, O is oxygen, N is nitrogen. Additionally, x (0 to 2) y (0 to 0.5) and z (0 to 1) are the molar concentration in the composition. Cr3+ is the doped chromium ion, P is a codopant and Q is a second codopant and n, m, l are the concentration respectively (m,m,l are from 0.1 to 10). An example is the material ZnSbGaTeO5.95N0.05:3% Cr3+, 1% Nd3+, which has an emission peak at 760 nm and a persistent time of over 20 hours (measured with Fluorolog-3 spectrometer with a PMT detector).
US07976725B2
An efficient cyclic process and related compositions for the in-situ generation of chlorine dioxide from dilute solutions of chlorite anions at near neutral pH. The cyclic process provides a means of safe and effective use of chlorine dioxide with reduced concern of chlorite accumulation in the aqueous system. The disclosed chemistry used to support the cyclic process can be applied independently or in various combinations that are effectively inert. This dramatically reduces safety concerns since the chlorine dioxide is produced in-situ to the application and in dilute concentrations. Also, the process allows for regeneration of inert anions such as bromide and chlorite thereby reducing operating cost.
US07976724B2
A method for treating a mass of coal to suppress emanation of coal dust therefrom, the mass of coal having, prior to treatment, an exposed surface from which dust may emanate, comprises applying to the exposed surface an aqueous fluid comprising gelatinized starch to form a layer of the fluid over the surface and drying the layer of the fluid to form a crust over the surface.
US07976723B2
An etching composition, particularly for kinetically controlled etching of copper and copper alloy surfaces; a process for etching copper and copper alloys, particularly for etching at high rates to provide uniform and smooth, isotropic surfaces; an etched copper or copper alloy surface obtained by the process; and a process for generating copper or copper alloy electrical interconnects or contact pads. The etching composition and etching processes provide a smooth, isotropic fast etch of copper and copper alloys for semiconductor fabrication and packaging.
US07976718B2
A system (FIG. 5) and methods for selectively etching silicon nitride in the presence of silicon oxide that provide high selectivity while stabilizing silicon oxide etch rates. The invention comprises a processing chamber (10), dispense lines (20, 21, 22), feed lines (30, 31, 32), a recirculation line (40), a process controller (200), a concentration sensor (50), a particle counter (55), and a bleed line (90). The invention dynamically controls the concentration ratio of the components of the etchant being used and/or dynamically controls the particle count within the etchant during the processing of the at least one substrate. As a result etchant bath life is increased and etching process parameters are more tightly controlled.
US07976683B2
A machine for producing a fibrous web, in particular a paper web, paperboard web or tissue web, includes a former on which the fibrous web is formed on a structured belt and is dewatered between said structured belt and a forming belt, and a drying apparatus for the further dewatering of the fibrous web, through which the fibrous web is guided together with the structured belt and in which hot air flows through the permeable structured belt and the fibrous web. The forming fabric is formed by a printed forming fabric or a DSP fabric with zonally different permeability.
US07976680B2
Rope guide arrangement, deflection device, and method for guiding a leader strip of a material web through a device. The arrangement includes at least two ropes being arranged offset relative to one another in a first plane defined by a machine direction and a transverse machine direction. Further, the at least two ropes are arranged offset relative to one another in a second plane oriented at a non-zero angle from the first plane.
US07976679B2
Fibrous structures comprising an additive, more particularly finished fibrous structures comprising a low surface energy solid additive, and/or sanitary tissue products comprising such finished fibrous structures, are provided.
US07976672B2
A plasma generation apparatus is provided which includes: a microwave generation portion which generates a microwave; a gas supply portion which supplies a gas to be turned into plasma; a plasma generation nozzle which includes a reception member receiving the microwave, and turns the gas into plasma based on the energy of the received microwave and emits the plasma gas; and a photo-detection unit which detects light emitted by the plasma gas and generates electrical information.
US07976664B2
A method for producing packaging material in web form comprising a carcass layer having through holes, openings or slits, a barrier layer on one side of the carcass layer, a plastic lining arranged outside the barrier layer, and a laminant thermoplast arranged between the carcass layer and barrier layer. The method involves bringing the barrier layer at the same time as the carcass layer to adhere to the plastic lining and/or to the laminant thermoplast film in a press nip. The press nip comprises an impression roller exhibiting a jacket surface faced with an inner facing layer of elastic material possessing a first hardness and a first thickness, and an outer facing layer of elastic material possessing a second hardness and a second thickness. The first hardness is greater than the second hardness and the first thickness is greater than the second thickness.
US07976658B2
The present invention is a process for making an intermediate transfer member. The process includes forming an endless belt by seaming two ends of a substrate material to form a seam. A smoothing layer is applied on top of the endless belt using a rotary cast process wherein said intermediate transfer member has a continuous seamless top surface. In a preferred embodiment the endless belt is formed by adhering at least two layers of a substrate to form a belt having an inner and outer seam.
US07976648B1
Cold worked nickel-titanium alloys that have linear pseudoelastic behavior without a phase transformation or onset of stress-induced martensite as applied to a medical device having a strut formed body deployed from a sheath. In one application, an embolic protection device that employs a linear pseudoelastic nitinol self-expanding strut assembly with a small profile delivery system for use with interventional procedures. The expandable strut assembly is covered with a filter element and both are compressed into a restraining sheath for delivery to a deployment site downstream and distal to an interventional procedure. Once at the desired site, the restraining sheath is retracted to deploy the embolic protection device, which captures flowing emboli generated during the interventional procedure. Linear pseudoelastic nitinol is used in the medical device as distinct from non-linear pseudoelastic (i.e., superelastic) nitinol.
US07976643B2
A nanocomposite magnet containing an Fe particle in the grain boundary of an Nd2Fe14B compound particle is produced by mixing a dispersion of the Nd2Fe14B compound particle in a solvent containing a surface-active agent and a dispersion of the Fe particle in a solvent containing a surface-active agent, and then supporting the Fe particle on the surface of the Nd2Fe14B compound particle by stirring the mixture of the dispersions while adding an amphiphilic solvent, and then performing the drying and the drying and the sintering.
US07976641B1
A method of extending storage time prior to cleaning a component of a plasma chamber is provided. The method comprises removing the component from the chamber, covering a thermal spray coating on the component while the surface is exposed to atmospheric air, storing the component, optionally removing the covering, and optionally wet cleaning reaction by-products from the thermal spray coating. Alternatively, instead of, or in addition to covering a thermal spray coating on the component, the component can be placed into a desiccator or dry-box.
US07976637B2
A substrate processing system which enables a minute pieces of foreign matter attached to a substrate surface to be detected and are suitable for mass production of substrates. The substrate processing system has a substrate processing apparatus that carries out predetermined processing on a substrate. The substrate processing system comprises a substrate surface processing apparatus having a fluid supply unit that supplies onto a surface of the substrate a fluid containing an altering substance that alters a substance exposed at the surface of the substrate, and a substrate surface inspecting apparatus that inspects the surface of the substrate onto which the fluid has been supplied.
US07976634B2
A method and apparatus for delivering precursor materials to a processing chamber is described. The apparatus includes a gas distribution assembly having multiple gas delivery zones. Each zone may include a plenum having an inlet for receiving a precursor gas and at least one source of non-thermal energy, such as an infrared light source. The at least one source of non-thermal energy is may be varied to control the intensity of wavelengths from the infrared light source.
US07976628B2
A process of manufacturing cement clinker is provided in which a clean supply of CO2 gas may be captured. The process also involves using an open loop conversion of CaO/MgO from a calciner to capture CO2 from combustion flue gases thereby forming CaCO3/CaMg(CO3)2. The CaCO3/CaMg(CO3)2 is then returned to the calciner where CO2 gas is evolved. The evolved CO2 gas, along with other evolved CO2 gases from the calciner are removed from the calciner. The reactants (CaO/MgO) are feed to a high temperature calciner for control of the clinker production composition.
US07976627B2
The invention relates to a method and to apparatus for the production of a hydraulic binding agent from a plurality of raw material components (12a to 12e), wherein the raw material components are ground to a raw meal, the raw meal is burned to clinker in a combustion plant (2) and finally the clinker is ground together with further inter-grinding materials. Moreover, the mineralogical and/or chemical composition of the raw meal and/or the clinker is analyzed, at least two separate raw meal silos/clinker silos (4a to 4h, 5a to 5g) are provided in each case for the raw meal and/or the clinker and are filled with raw meal/clinker of different mineralogical and/or chemical composition. Furthermore the composition of the raw meal to be burned and/or of the clinker to be ground is fixed by controlled extraction as a function of the analysed composition of the raw meal/clinker from one or a plurality of raw meal silos/clinker silos.
US07976622B2
Absorption liquid recirculating pipes fitted with absorption tower (absorber) recirculating pumps corresponding to individual spray headers are inserted from the void tower portion inside absorption tower, near the liquid surface of liquid trapping portion (recirculation tank), in the interior of the absorption tower, erected vertically from substantially the center of the absorption tower and connected to respective spray headers provided in multiple stages along the direction of gas flow. Multiple nozzles of each of the spray headers are disposed mutually concentrically or rectangularly on a plane orthogonal to the direction of flue gas flow within the absorption tower. Thus, there can be provided a wet flue gas desulfurization apparatus (system) that is capable of large-capacity flue gas treatment and that in a plant where highly efficient desulfurization of flue gas of high SOx concentration is demanded, even when the amount of liquid circulated through the absorption tower is increased, can avoid increasing of the height of absorption tower and the power of absorption tower recirculating pumps and can realize easily disposing of footpath for maintenance.
US07976611B2
Process for recovering metals from metal-containing wastes and materials, characterized in that the metal-containing waste is preferably introduced continuously into a process chamber, treated thermally with continuous intensive mixing, the organic components are continuously removed and subsequently oxidized and the metal-containing components, preferably as metal conglomerates, and the further inorganic metal-free components are discharged essentially continuously from the process chamber and a plant for carrying out the process.
US07976606B1
A filter assembly for removing unwanted contaminants and other impurities from a filtrant stream entering the intake region of an underlying device. The filter assembly comprises a filter media appropriate for segregating and separating the impurities and contaminants from the filtrant stream, and a surrounding collar for providing structural support to the filter media that simultaneously provides a self-adhesive material. Such collar is formed from a self-adhesive material, and a binding solution like printers ink, which interact in conjunction with the portion of such filter media not constituting the filtering region, so that the resulting support collar is integrally connected to the filter media, and is non-tacky on its top surface. At the same time, the adhesive retains its adhesive properties on the bottom surface of the collar.
US07976594B2
A method and a system for the vaporization of a liquid fuel is provided and includes providing a supply of a liquid fuel and an oxidant, atomizing the liquid fuel and mixing it with the oxidant, vaporizing the fuel in thermal radiation, catalytically reacting the fuel oxidant mixture, and providing an ignition source for initiating the catalytic reaction. A hydrocarbon fuel can be mixed with oxygen, as a constituent of air, preferably forming a fuel rich fuel air mixture that passes through a catalytic reactor having an ultra-short channel length metal monolith substrate. The fuel air mixture is vaporized and partially oxidized.
US07976589B1
Nanoscopic core-shell material additives for high temperature jet aviation fuels are disclosed. The nanometer dimensions of these core-shell material additives materials provide extremely large surface areas to promote chemical reactivity while permitting suspension in liquid fuels and providing unlimited access to all components of an aircraft fuel system. Core-shell technology involves additive encapsulation in a protective, fuel-mimicking shell material.
US07976587B2
The invention is directed to a carbon composition produced from a carbon precursor, a carbon precursor modifier, and an additive, wherein a mixture of the recited components is formed, the carbon precursor is cured, the resulting mixture carbonized to produce a porous carbon composition. Also disclosed are methods for preparing the carbon composition and for using the carbon composition to fabricate electrodes and electric double layer capacitors comprising the carbon composition.
US07976584B2
The invention relates to a keratin fiber dyeing composition comprising, in a suitable medium, at least one dye that is selected from among direct dyes and dye precursors, said cosmetic medium containing water and at least one propylene glycol derivative having formula R1(OC3H6)nOR2 (I). The inventive composition can be used to obtain strong color while retaining the softness of the treated hair.
US07976574B2
A delivery system utilizes a handle assembly including an actuating mechanism capable of initially providing sufficient mechanical advantage to overcome static friction when initiating deployment of the medical device. The actuating mechanism includes components which help to increase the speed of deployment as the physician continues to manipulate the actuating mechanism.
US07976573B2
A method of treating meibomian gland dysfunction. Heat is applied to the inside of the eyelid to provide conductive heat transfer to the meibomian glands. The application of heat assists in the expression of obstructions or occlusions in the meibomian glands to restore sufficient sebum flow to the lipid layer to treat dry eye. Temperatures at the meibomian glands reach desired levels more quickly and efficiently when heating the inside of the eyelid. Reaching such higher temperature levels may be instrumental in removing obstructions in the meibomian glands. Less time may also be required to reach desired temperature levels when applying heat to the inside of the eyelid. A force may also be applied to the inside of the patient's eyelid to improve conductive heat transfer and reduce blood flow in the eyelid that causes convective heat loss. Thus, the application of force can further increase the temperature level and/or reduce the time to reach desired temperature levels for removing obstructions.
US07976572B2
Both the flow rate and the temperature of the air exiting a forced air warming unit are regulated in response to a single act or operation of a single element of control on a manually-operated remote control.
US07976566B2
A spinal fixation device for stabilizing one or more segments of the human spine and for preventing the dislodgement of intervertebral spinal fusion implants, which remains permanently fixated once applied. The spinal fixation device of the present invention comprises of a staple member made of material appropriate for human surgical implantation which is of sufficient length to span the disc space between two adjacent vertebrae and to engage, via essentially perpendicular extending projections, the vertebrae adjacent to that disc space. A portion of the staple of the spinal fixation device interdigitates with an already implanted intervertebral spinal fusion implant which itself spans the disc space to engage the adjacent vertebrae, and the spinal fixation device is bound to the spinal fusion implant by a locking means. The spinal fixation device of the present invention is of great utility in restraining the vertebrae adjacent to the spinal fusion implant from moving apart as the spine is extended and also serves as an anchor for a multi-segmental spinal alignment means for aligning more that one segment of the spine.
US07976565B1
A method and apparatus for reattaching soft tissue to a pre-selected boney structure using an expanding suture anchor. Generally, an expanding suture anchor having an actuator pin is provided to fully secure a suture into the boney structure. The actuator pin is molded to a portion of the suture anchor and detaches from the suture anchor when the suture anchor is fully engaged with the boney structure. Thus, the soft tissue is fully secured to the boney structure ensuring proper healing.
US07976564B2
Devices and methods for sealing a passageway formed by a patent foramen ovale (PFO track) in the heart are provided. One method includes providing an abrading device to the PFO track and abrading the tissue within the PFO track. The abraded tissue forming the PFO track is then held together under pressure, either via lowering right atrial pressure or via applying suction to the septum primum to pull it into apposition against the septum secundum. After a sufficient period of time, the pressure is released and the abraded tissue heals to form a robust seal over the PFO track. Additionally, several devices are provided which can be placed into the PFO track to apply adhesive to the walls of the PFO track. The devices may or may not be left within the PFO track. If the devices are not left within the PFO track, the walls of the PFO track, covered with adhesive, are brought into apposition with one another and adhered together. If the device is left within the PFO track, the device is flattened from an expanded configuration to a flattened configuration, and the walls of the PFO track, adhering to the outer surface of the device, are pulled toward each other as the device flattens. The device may also include interior structure to hold the device in a flattened configuration.
US07976561B2
An intravascular platform for supporting an intravascular device includes two loops of wire each configured to assume a shape lying generally on a virtual cylinder of given diameter. The two loops are interconnected by at least one connecting wire which maintains the loops axially spaced from each other. Also disclosed are axially-extended loop forms, and associated intravascular devices.
US07976560B2
An expandable frame for an embolic filtering device used to capture embolic debris in a body vessel includes a first half frame having a first control arm connected to a second control arm by a partial loop and a second half frame having a first control arm connected to a second control arm by a partial loop. The partial loops cooperatively form a composite loop for attachment of a filtering element which will expand in the body vessel to capture embolic debris entrained in the fluid of the vessel. The lengths and positioning of the first and second control arms of each half frame can be varied to create an expandable frame which conforms to the size and shape of the body vessel in which the filtering device is deployed. Additionally, the radius of the partial loops, along with the length of the arc of the partial loops, can be varied on each of the frames to create a composite filtering assembly that can easily adapt to the size and shape of the body vessel. Additionally, the control arms of the half frames can be disposed either proximally or distally of the composite loop to create a distinct filtering structure.
US07976553B2
A surgical suturing apparatus includes a suture housing, a needle mounted within the suture housing for movement about an arcuate path, a drive assembly operably associated with the needle for controlling movement of the needle with a suture secured thereto about the arcuate path in a manner facilitating application of the suture to tissue, a handle, an elongated flexible member having a distal end attached to the suture housing and a proximal end attached to the handle, and a mechanism for releasing and reattaching the handle to the flexible member.
US07976551B1
Access to the left side of the heart is gained through a heart wall. A delivery instrument includes a guide that may include or carry a puncturing instrument that is adapted to be directed toward the heart wall. In some embodiments a distal portion of the delivery instrument may be adapted to be co-located with the coronary sinus. In addition, the guide may be located a known distance from the portion of the delivery instrument that is co-located with the coronary sinus. Access to the left side of the heart may thus be readily gained by positioning the delivery instrument relative to the coronary sinus.
US07976550B2
An insertion instrument for inserting an implant in an intervertebral space is provided. The instrument includes an elongate shaft having proximate and distal ends with a longitudinal axis therebetween. On the distal end of the elongate shaft is a gripping device capable of shifting from a holding configuration for securing a portion of the implant relative the distal end and a releasing configuration to permit removal of the implant portion from the elongate shaft. The instrument includes a handle configured to be held with a generally neutral wrist position to permit comfortable use of the instrument. The instrument also includes an actuating mechanism coupled between the gripping device and the handle that is operable to configure the gripping device in the holding configuration upon an initial actuation thereof and the releasing configuration upon a subsequent actuation thereof.
US07976546B2
The present invention describes a magnetic targeting system suitable for guiding a biocompatible device to a target area within the body (in vivo) and method of using the same. The system includes a targeting member having a steering material and is attached to the biocompatible device. The system also includes at least one anchoring member constructed and arranged for the inclusion of a magnetic material effective for influencing the traversal of the steering material, in vivo. The magnetic material is configured and sized so as to positionable external of the anchoring member, in vivo. The magnetically influenced anchoring member interacts with the targeting member such that the biocompatible device is positionable relative to the target area. An extender and connector have threads indexed to a securing set screw to facilitate positioning and affixation of the biocompatible material.
US07976544B2
Surgical devices, systems and methods for treating tissue are provided. An exemplary surgical device comprises a tip portion including first and second jaws each having a tissue grasping surface, at least one of the jaws being movable toward the other jaw. The tissue grasping surface of each jaw has includes an electrically insulative surface. The device also includes first and second electrodes connectable to different terminals of an RF generator to generate electrical current flow therebetween, with each of the electrodes having an electrode surface. One of the electrode surfaces is located on one of the jaws separated from one edge of the tissue grasping surface, and the other of the electrode surfaces is located on one or the other of the jaws separated from the other edge of the tissue grasping surface. The device also includes at least one fluid passage being connectable to a fluid source.
US07976537B2
A system for opto-pyrometric tissue temperature monitoring in real time. The system is adapted for cardiac ablation and tissue temperature measurement, having a catheter having a tip electrode adapted for RF ablation of cardiac tissue and an optical collector whose distal end is received in an opening formed in the tip electrode to detect black body radiation from the cardiac tissue. The system includes an optical detection system in communication with the optical collector, the optical processing system processing signals representative of a wavelength of at least a portion of the black body radiation to determine a tissue temperature. The incorporation of an optical collector within a catheter tip permits real time monitoring of tissue temperature during ablation and lesion formation to prevent critical thresholds in temperature associated with events that can damage tissue, including steam pop, thrombus, char, etc.
US07976535B2
The invention refers to a method for control of a volume flow in an osmotic micropump and an osmotic micropump. According to the invention, the osmotically driven volume flow of the solvent through the sempipermeable diaphragm of an osmotic micropump is controlled by the transfer of a solute, which is not freely permeable through the diaphragm, from a source chamber to the pump's delivery chamber. According to the invention, the delivery chamber is formed as a dilution chamber, wherein the solution is flow out along a convective dilution path close to the semipermeable diaphragm. Due to the entrance of the solvent, a stationary osmotic gradient can be achieved along the convective flow path in the dilution chamber. The invention allows the maintenance and control of the flow rate. It is able to move a volume which is large in comparison to the combined volume of the source chamber and the dilution chamber.
US07976532B2
Certain embodiments of the present invention include a male luer connector having a valve arrangement for keeping a passage that extends through the male luer connector closed when the male luer connector is not attached to a corresponding female luer connector. This passage of the male luer connector may opened by connecting the male luer connector to a female luer connector. The valve arrangement of the male luer connector may include a movable sealing element arranged around a central fluid conduit. In some embodiments, the male luer connector may include a filter that is permeable to gas, but substantially impermeable to liquid, thus allowing gas to be purged from the male luer connector while substantially preventing liquid from leaking from the connector at least when the male luer connector is not connected to a female luer connector.
US07976530B2
A catheter for use with a medical infusion or other fluid system. The catheter may include a flexible elongate tubular core that is resistant to radial collapse, and a separate tubular tip member forming the catheter distal tip. The catheter may further include a flexible, e.g., elastomeric, jacket that surrounds at least a portion of the tubular core. The jacket may have a radial compliance that is greater than that of the tubular core. The jacket may further define an outer diameter that is about 4 to about 6 times greater than an outer diameter of the core.
US07976522B2
The invention relates to an appliance for irrigation and/or drainage, which appliance comprising a body side member comprising an adhesive wafer for securing the appliance to the patient's skin, said wafer can be provided with an aperture for receiving a stoma, surrounding a wound, a fistula or a drainage site, a wall of flexible material, the wall comprising a rear wall and a front wall, the rear wall being attached to the wafer and having an opening suitable for surrounding the surface area of the skin to be cleansed, and the front wall comprising a coupling flange adapted for removable coupling and sealing to matching coupling means, an sealed chamber which, when inflated, provides a distance between the adhesive wafer and the coupling flange.
US07976521B2
The present invention provides a body fluid suction reservoir including a flexible bag, two plates for supporting the bag, and a spring put between the two plates. The body fluid suction reservoir further includes a lock having a hook and a release part and consisting of a member different from the two plates, by which lock the spring is held in a state compressed between the two plates, and the held state is releasable. The lock has flexibility and is held by one of the plates so as to be deformable from a first state in which the hook is engaged with the other plate to a second state in which the hook is not engaged, and the lock is urged to take the first state.
US07976515B2
The present invention describes IV regulators that allow interruption of normal controlled-flow for a safe and convenient bolus flush, either for a specific period of time or for a specific volume of saline flush. Two time-controlled IV regulators are shown, one employing a pneumatic cylinder counter-opposed by elastic band(s) for administering a bolus flush, and one employing a compressible lever and torsion spring counter-opposed by a rotary damper. In both cases the mechanisms disengage the roller-clamp from the IV tube for a predetermined amount of time to fully open fluid flow there through for a bolus flush before return to the regulated-flow position. The volume-controlled flow regulator employs two internal bladders and allows one bladder to fill while the other bladder drains (and vice versa) by flipping a slider paddle-type toggle, thus enabling the administration of a set volume of flush fluid.
US07976509B2
An injection device including an accommodating device for a substance to be delivered, e.g. a vial or ampoule holder, which is insertable into and can be displaced relative to the injection device or a part thereof; an adjusting element for adjusting a dose to be administered from the injection device, which element is inserted in the injection device; and a coupling element for coupling the accommodating device to the adjusting element so that the adjusting element is at least partially moved out from the injection device when the accommodating device is inserted. A method for preparing an injection device using a dual chamber vial or ampoule to administer a substance, wherein the method involves using an adjusting device which is released, extended or pushed out from the injection device not before or after the substance to be administered from dual chamber vial or ampoule is mixed.
US07976502B2
The invention relates to a catheter introducer comprising: a tube-like introducer sheath; an introducer hub having a distal section and a proximal section, wherein the distal section is joined to the proximal end of the introducer sheath and the proximal section defines a chamber; a needle extending through the introducer hub and the introducer sheath and having opposite proximal and distal ends, the distal end forming a needle tip; a needle hub attached to the proximal end of the needle; and a needle safety device slidably arranged on the needle, wherein the needle safety device is retained in the chamber of the introducer hub when the needle extends through the introducer hub and the introducer sheath, and is removable from the introducer hub once the needle tip is received in the needle safety device upon withdrawal of the needle from the introducer sheath.
US07976494B2
A device for administering a fluid product, the device including a first housing part provided with a receiver for the product, a second housing part detachably connectable to the first housing part, a piston rod held such that it can be displaced for the exertion of an emptying movement, an actuatable or releasable drive element for the piston rod, a coupling element including a coupling input element that couples the drive element to the piston rod in a coupling engagement, transmits a driving force of the drive element to the piston rod, and triggers the emptying movement, and a decoupling element displaceably connected to the second housing part and coupled to the first housing part such that it is displaced, by a movement of the housing parts in relation to each other when the housing parts are separated into a decoupling position wherein the piston rod is decoupled from the coupling input element.
US07976487B2
An orthopedic support for supporting a joint of a wearer is provided and includes a sheet of flexible material having a proximal edge and a distal edge configured to extend at least partially around a portion of a wearer's anatomy and a pair of opposing lateral edges configured to at least partially enclose the portion of the wearer's anatomy. The support also includes at least one strap attached to the sheet of material and configured to extend over one of the lateral edges. In addition, the support includes at least one fastener tab secured to a free end of a respective strap, wherein the fastener tab supports fastening material that is configured to attach to at least one of the strap and sheet of material to secure the sheet of material about the portion of the wearer's anatomy.
US07976480B2
A method and system for monitoring physiological parameters is useful for remote auscultation of the heart and lungs. The system includes an acoustic sensor (105) that has a stethoscopic cup (305). A membrane (325) is positioned adjacent to a first end of the stethoscopic cup (305), and an impedance matching element (335) is positioned adjacent to the membrane (325). The element (335) provides for acoustic impedance matching with a body such as a human torso. A microphone (315) is positioned near the other end of the stethoscopic cup (305) so as to detect sounds from the body. A signal-conditioning module (110) is then operatively connected to the acoustic sensor (105), and a wireless transceiver (115) is operatively connected to the signal-conditioning module (110). Auscultation can then occur at a remote facility that receives signals sent from the transceiver (115).
US07976478B2
A blood test apparatus having a simple constitution whereby stable measurement can be conducted by surely sampling the blood in an amount being small but sufficient for the test without placing too much burden on a patient. When a first skin contact sensor of this apparatus detects the skin, driving of a negative pressure unit is initiated (time point 166a). Thus, the skin rises and comes into contact with a second skin contact sensor (time point 166b). After piercing into the skin at time point 166c, the negative pressure supply is once ceased. Next, the negative pressure is applied again at time point 166d for a definite period of time. Thus, the opening in the skin is broadened, which facilitates the flow out of the blood (16).
US07976471B2
Improved methods and apparatus for non-invasively assessing one or more parameters associated with fluidic systems such as the circulatory system of a living organism, when such parameters are potentially affected by other concurrent events. In one exemplary embodiment, apparatus and methods for compensating for occlusive events (e.g., pressure cuff inflation) occurring ipsilateral to the location of parameter measurement are disclosed. Upon passive detection of signal degradation resulting from the event, the apparatus selectively enters a “wait state” wherein further processing of the hemodynamic data is suspended until the degrading event subsides. This behavior mitigates any adverse effects the event might have on the accuracy of the representation of the measured hemodynamic parameter generated by the system. In another exemplary embodiment, the measured data is analyzed in order to classify the type of event (e.g., occlusive or other), such classification allowing the system to appropriately tailor its response to the event.
US07976470B2
An apnea classification system provides for apnea monitoring and differentiation based on several sleep apnea related parameters for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. Monitoring of such sleep apnea related parameters allows the apnea classification system to differentiate among the different types of apnea. This information may then be used to determine the best method of therapy, or adjust current therapy parameters to more effectively treat a subject.
US07976456B2
A cardiac harness for treating or preventing congestive heart failure is configured to be placed about at least a portion of a patient's heart so as to apply a mild compressive force on the heart. In one embodiment, the cardiac harness comprises a plurality of spaced apart conductive panels arranged so that there is no electrical continuity circumferentially around the harness. In an additional embodiment, a cardiac harness is provided that is insulated so as not to conduct electricity circumferentially about the harness.
US07976454B2
A cardiac harness for treating or preventing congestive heart failure is configured to be placed about at least a portion of a patient's heart so as to apply a mild compressive force on the heart. In one embodiment, the cardiac harness is configured so that the variation of load as a function of expansion through a selected range of expansion is represented generally in the form y=ax+b, and the value of “a” does not increase as the percent expansion increases.
US07976450B2
A post-processing apparatus, includes: a restraining unit that restrains a periphery of the back portion of the booklet; a pressing unit that presses the back portion of the booklet restrained by restraining unit so that a curved back face of the back portion of the booklet is formed into a flat back face; an expanding amount judging unit that judges the expanding amount of the booklet in a thickness direction thereof before the pressing operation by the pressing unit; and a relief amount adjusting unit that, based on the judgment result of the expanding amount judging unit, adjusts a deformation amount of the back portion of the booklet in the thickness direction thereof caused by the pressing operation of the pressing unit, the relief amount adjusting unit being located between the restraining unit and the pressing unit.
US07976434B2
A control system and method for exercise equipment and the like provides a way to simulate a physical activity in a manner that takes into account the physics of the physical activity being simulated to provide an accurate simulation. According to one aspect of the present invention, the control system and method takes into account the physics of the corresponding physical activity to generate a virtual or predicted value of a variable such as velocity, acceleration, force, or the like. The difference between the virtual or expected physical variable and a measured variable is used as a control input to control resistance forces of the exercise equipment in a way that causes the user to experience forces that are the same or similar to the forces that would be encountered if the user were actually performing the physical activity being simulated rather than using the exercise equipment.
US07976431B2
A method for shifting an automated transmission situated in a drive train of a motor vehicle between an engine and a drive axle and having at least one multi-speed main transmission and a two-speed range change group rear-mounted thereon. The main transmission has at least one counter shaft with a transmission brake. A clutch engages the prime mover and the main transmission and the range change group is shifted via unsynchronized dog clutches which are combined in pairs in a common shift set and have two shift positions and one neutral position such that, during a range change gear shift both in the main transmission and the range change group a change between two ratio stages occurs. A range change up-shift includes synchronizing the input shaft and the target gear utilizing the transmission brake and passively synchronizing the dog shifted transmission parts by the edge beveling of the concerned dog clutches.
US07976428B2
A control system for a drive unit of a vehicle, in which a power distribution mechanism is arranged on a route from a prime mover to a wheel, and a transmission is arranged on an output side of the power distribution mechanism. The control system includes a revolution frequency controller that restrains a variation in a revolution frequency of the prime mover by controlling a revolution frequency of the reaction force establishing device until a predetermined time elapses since a commencement of a shifting operation of the transmission. The control system is capable of restraining a variation in an output torque, in case of carrying out a shifting operation of a transmission arranged on an output side of a prime mover.
US07976426B2
A continuously variable transmission (CVT) having a number of tiltable ball-leg assemblies configured angularly about a longitudinal axis. Each ball-leg assembly is in contact with, and guided through a tilting motion by an axially translating shift cam having a convex shape. The convex shape of the shift cam can have a profile defined by a set of parametric equations. In one embodiment, the profile of the shift cam vary according to the location of the contact point between an idler and the ball-leg assembly as well as the amount of relative axial motion between the ball-leg assembly and the idler. In some embodiments, the profile of the shift cam can be configured to control the axial translation of the idler relative to the change in tilt angle of the ball-leg assembly. In other embodiments, a roll-slide factor can be used to characterize the axial translation of the idler relative to the tilt angle of the ball-leg assembly.
US07976419B2
A system for controlling a flow rate in a vehicle transmission includes a source of fluid exiting a torque converter, an oil cooler, a source of control pressure, and a valve for regulating a rate of fluid flow from the torque converter to the cooler in response to the control pressure.
US07976418B2
A plate-link chain for a motor vehicle drive system. The chain includes a number of link plates articulatingly connected to each other by rocker members that extend transversely to the longitudinal direction of the chain and are positioned in openings in the link plates. Forces are transmitted through opposed, curved contact surfaces on the rocker members and on the link plate openings. The contact surfaces are formed in a cross section extending in the longitudinal direction of the plate-link chain and define upper and lower contact surface regions, relative to the height dimension of the rocker member. The link plate opening curves in an inward direction in an intermediate region between the contact surfaces.
US07976417B2
A ball includes a body having an outer surface. A chamber is disposed within the body and has a concave curvature in at least two orthogonal directions. An aperture defines a fluid connection between the chamber and the outer surface of the ball. Air flow across the aperture produces a whistling sound.
US07976416B2
The invention provides a game ball, useful for children's safety, which can be detected far enough away a distance by a vehicle-onboard radar. The invention provides a game ball wherein a reflector member 12 is disposed within a spherical shell 13, the diagonal distance of the reflector member coincides with the inner diameter of the spherical shell, the reflector member has a shape constructed by combining three regular polygon plates 11A, 11B, 11C, the center angle of one side thereof being an integral submultiple of 90°, in such a manner that the centers of the three regular polygon plates are coincident and that the three regular polygon plates are perpendicular to each other, and a surface of said reflector member 12 is imparted with electromagnetic wave reflectivity.
US07976412B2
Golf ball 2 has spherical core 4, cover 6 positioned outside the core 4, mark layer 8 and paint layer 10. The resin composition of the cover 6 includes composite particles. The composite particle has a nucleus and a coat layer. The nucleus is constituted with aluminum oxide. The coat layer is constituted with titanium oxide. The composite particles are flaky. The amount of the composite particles is 0.1 parts by weight or more and 15 parts by weight or less per 100 parts by weight of the base resin of the cover 6. The composite particles may be also dispersed in the paint layer 10. The amount of the composite particles in the paint layer 10 is 1 part by weight or more and 30 parts by weight or less per 100 parts by weight of the base resin of the paint layer 10.
US07976405B2
The present invention is directed to a golf club head with an improved striking surface. The grooves are machined into the strike surface with tight tolerances. The grooves have sharp edges, radiused ends, and a draft angle between about 2° and 12°. The striking face is machined such that it has a uniform texture with a roughness of more than 40 Ra. The face may be selectively textured to enhance certain shots that the golfer may perform. This may include providing a plurality of distinct sets of texturing to accommodate a plurality of different shots. The grooves may contain a plurality of portions, including a radiused or angled portion, a portion having substantially parallel walls, and a portion having a v-shape.
US07976402B2
An adjustable golf shaft having an upper shaft member, a lower shaft member and an inner rod. The upper shaft member includes an elongated bore therein with an upper bushing fixed within an upper end of the elongated bore therein. The lower shaft member has an elongated bore therein with a middle bushing fixed within an upper end of the elongated bore therein. The inner rod includes a lower end dimensioned to be fixed to a lower bushing that can slide relative to the lower shaft member. The inner rod is adapted to slide within the middle bushing as the length of the shaft changes. The shaft also includes a fastener or locking mechanism, which secures the lower shaft member within the upper shaft member.
US07976400B1
A putter head is positioned to be even with the ball when the shaft is at the vertical plane of the ball. The lie of the shaft can be adjusted relative to the head between limits. An insert in the club head secures the tip of the crook of the shaft. A worm gear permits infinite adjustment of lie within a range. The insert can be of different weights to weight the club for various conditions.
US07976396B2
An interactive inflatable amusement structure in the form of an obstacle course or play area which incorporates audio and visual electronics at various locations within the obstacle course through the use of a plurality of transmitter/receivers in radio frequency communication with a central control unit for transmitting data such as elapsed time and points, the central control unit positioned at the egress to the inflatable structure proximate the start of the obstacle course or inflatable game, bounce, etc., and the transmitter/receivers positioned within pockets or the like formed at various locations on the inflatable obstacle course structure.
US07976394B2
The invention relates to an apparatus for providing a user interface for a game performed on a mobile communication terminal. The invented apparatus supports a network game using a mobile communication terminal by providing network game functions through voice communications, various operational and manipulation functions, realistic video/sound presentation and a support for a mass capacity game. The invented apparatus enables on-line network game through mobile data communication network as well as voice communications and it provides various and improved user interface for a game using mobile communication terminals.
US07976391B2
There is provided a game system for improving a maintenance property of a game machine in which a replacement part is provided. A replacement part D has a part information recording device 34c in which uniquely given part identification information is recorded. A game machine main body K includes a part information obtaining device 24 and a server transmission device 23. The part information obtaining device 24 obtains the part identification information. The server transmission device 23 transmits to a center server CS, game machine identification information uniquely given to a game machine G together with the obtained part identification information. The center server CS has a server storage device 12 for storing the received part identification information and the received game machine identification information in association with each other.
US07976387B2
A controller apparatus for manipulating objects in an electronic application. The controller apparatus comprises a free-standing graspable controller. The controller apparatus comprises a first optical component and a second optical component to determine the rotation direction and speed of the controller. The direction and speed data are relayed to the electronic device to produce an object manipulation in the electronic application.
US07976385B2
The disclosure relates to a game controller in electrical communication with a video game system adapted to display a video game. The game controller includes at least one control device adapted for substantially uninterrupted control of an aspect of the video game, the at least one control device having at least a first sensitivity level and a second sensitivity level, and an adjustment device adapted to change the first sensitivity level to the second sensitivity level of the at least one control device without interrupting the substantially uninterrupted control.
US07976384B2
A gaming machine may be activated by an individual player for subsequent play by displaying to the gaming machine, without physical contact with the gaming machine, a card carried by the player. The card carries indicia which may include suitable electronic memory, to be sensed by apparatus associated with the gaming machine, to cause the wireless transfer of individualized data concerning the player from the card to the gaming machine or to a computer network that is associated with the gaming machine. The data is evaluated against a stored database, which database may include identification of the card holder. The data is then evaluated against the stored database, and the gaming machine is activated for subsequent play upon favorable evaluation of the data.
US07976378B2
A gaming device having a game which requires the same average investment from a player to win an award, including a jackpot award, regardless of the amount that the player bets at any one time. The award can be unchanging, e.g., $10,000, each time a player plays the gaming device. The award can also vary such as with a progressive jackpot, i.e., the jackpot builds unfit a player “hits” the jackpot. The game enables the average investment necessary to win the jackpot to be uniform by varying the odds of winning the jackpot as the player's bet varies. That is, a player betting less money needs to play the game more times, on average, to win the jackpot. Likewise, a player betting more money needs to play the game less times, on average, to win the jackpot. The average overall bet or investment thus remains constant despite the player's betting habits or betting ability.
US07976377B2
A gaming machine has a display and a game controller arranged to control images of symbols displayed on the display. The game controller is arranged to play a game wherein at least one random event is caused to be displayed on the display. If a predefined winning event occurs, the machine awards a prize. The game includes a bonus feature which, when triggered, results in the display of a plurality of devices, each of which animates to reveal a number, a prize awarded being a product of the numbers displayed by the devices.
US07976376B2
Certain non-limiting exemplary embodiments are disclosed which teach a method for playing a game comprising initiating a game play, displaying a first plurality of indicia arranged in a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns such that there are a plurality of paylines through a contiguous plurality of indicia, selecting a subset of the first plurality of indicia taken along one or more columns, displaying a second plurality of indicia which includes the selected subset of the first plurality of indicia, achieving an award at least as large as the largest award associated with the plurality of paylines. A payline can be selectively displayed to the user. Legal tender, a token, and a non-legal tender prize are non-limiting examples of the kinds of awards that may be awarded. The columns of indicia for the game are, for example, arranged as visually spinable reels. In certain embodiments a video display may be utilized to display the indicia.
US07976375B2
A processing device measures the time it takes for a player to take some action in a game and bases the award or result in the game for the player at least in part on that measured time. A player receives a more desirable result or outcome for a particular game play in response to a shorter player action time and/or receives a less desirable result or outcome for a particular game play in response to a longer player action time. Providing more desirable results for shorter player action times or less desirable results for longer player action times provides players an incentive that influences them to take the appropriate player actions more quickly.
US07976369B2
A biomass cleaner, of a harvesting machine, includes at least a first sieve for sieving biomass and having one or more first sieve apertures that are openable and closeable in dependence on control commands. The biomass cleaner also includes an air fan, the speed of which is adjustable in dependence on control commands. The biomass cleaner has one or more control devices that generate the control commands. The first sieve defines a support for biomass that is sieveable via the sieve, and the biomass cleaner includes one or more pressure sensors for generating one or more signals that are related to the pressure of air in the vicinity of the biomass. At least one pressure sensor is operatively connected to supply the signals to a control device that derives therefrom further estimates of the sieve losses and/or the MOG content of the biomass, as defined herein, during operation thereof.
