US08471957B2
The lens barrel includes a flexible wire, a first supporting frame, and a second supporting frame. The flexible wire has a first end, a second end, and a flexible mounting portion. The first end includes at least one terminal. The second end includes at least one terminal. The mounting portion is disposed between the first end and the second end. The first supporting frame is configured to support the first end. The second supporting frame includes a storage component configured to support the mounting portion and is movably disposed in a first direction.
US08471949B2
A focus-adjustment signal generating apparatus includes a filter to extract a high-frequency component at a specific frequency or higher from a luminance signal of an input video signal, a comparator to compare an absolute value of the high-frequency component with a specific reference value, to output a first detection signal when the absolute value is equal to or larger than the reference value whereas a second detection signal when the absolute value is smaller than the reference value, an extender to extend an output period of the first detection signal according to a period indicated by a period-length setting signal, to output an extended first detection signal, and a selector to select a first chrominance difference signal indicating a specific color in response to the extended first detection signal whereas a second chrominance difference signal indicating an achromatic color in response to the second detection signal, the first or the second chrominance difference signal being output as a focus-adjustment signal.
US08471937B2
Each of a plurality of unit pixels includes first and second photoelectric conversion units, and a pixel output unit shared between the first and second photoelectric conversion units. A monitoring unit configured to control the charge-accumulation operation of the first photoelectric conversion unit by monitoring a signal generated based on the second photoelectric conversion unit is provided.
US08471932B2
Systems and methods are disclosed for applying spatial filtering to raw image data. For example, a spatial filter may identify an n x n block of pixels from an image frame. The spatial filter has filter taps, each corresponding to one of the pixels of the n x n block. Pixel difference values between the input pixel and each of the neighboring pixels in the n x n block may be determined. Attenuation factors may be determined based on the pixel differences and brightness of the input pixel. Applying the attenuation factors to their respective filtering taps may produce attenuated filtering coefficients that are used to obtain filtered pixel values. By normalizing the sum of the filtered pixel values using the sum of the attenuated filtering coefficients, a spatially filtered output value corresponding to the current input pixel (e.g., located at the center of the n x n block) may be determined.
US08471931B2
A video camera comprises an optic system 101, an image pickup element 102, a de-mosaicing (de-tessellating) process portion 103, frequency converter portions 104-106, a frame memory 124, parameter produce portions 125-127, noise reduction process portions 107-109, a frame memory 110, frequency converter portions 111-113, noise reduction process portions 114-116, frequency inverter portions 117-119, a brightness signal produce portion 120, a color difference produce portion 121, a coding process portion 122 and a recording medium 123. With the above-mentioned structures, it is possible to execute noise extraction depending on the characteristics of an input video signal, and also to obtain an effect of improving high S/N, but without producing deterioration of the picture quality, i.e., removing the noises of the picked up video, effectively.
US08471928B2
An apparatus and method for generating a high ISO image are provided. To this end, an image may be divided into a first image having a low frequency component and a second image having a high frequency component. A brightness of the first image may be changed, and details of the second image may be restored. The first image having the changed brightness and the second image having the restored details may be synthesized.
US08471920B2
Methods and apparatus for capturing and rendering images with focused plenoptic cameras employing different filtering at different microlenses. In a focused plenoptic camera, the main lens creates an image at the focal plane. That image is re-imaged on the sensor multiple times by an array of microlenses. Different filters that provide different levels and/or types of filtering may be combined with different ones of the microlenses. A flat captured with the camera includes multiple microimages captured according to the different filters. Multiple images may be assembled from the microimages, with each image assembled from microimages captured using a different filter. A final image may be generated by appropriately combining the images assembled from the microimages. Alternatively, a final image, or multiple images, may be assembled from the microimages by first combining the microimages and then assembling the combined microimages to produce one or more output images.
US08471909B2
In a hand-free driving warning process for a vehicle, when a grip state of a steering wheel is in a hand-free driving state, and the vehicle is in a travel state stipulated previously, a danger degree is derived based on a position of a vehicle compartment where a non-grip hand exists. In deriving the danger degree, when the non-grip hand is in a high danger position, a high level is set; when the non-grip hand exists in a low danger position, a middle level or a low lever is set. In the low level, any warning is not outputted; in the middle level, a warning is outputted in a sound volume smaller than a usual sound volume; and in the high level, a warning is outputted in the usual sound volume or greater.
US08471906B2
A celestial direction finding system. The system includes an inclinometer, at least one camera for imaging both the daytime sky and the nighttime sky and a computer programmed with a sun, moon and star catalog and algorithms for automatically determining directions based on positions of celestial bodies imaged by at least one camera and incline positions measured by the inclinometer. In a preferred embodiment all of the above features are combined in a single battery operated miniature celestial direction finding module. Geographical positions of nearby objects can be determined with the addition of a rangefinder and knowledge of the geographical position of the camera. The geographical position of the system in preferred embodiments can be determined with the addition of a GPS unit.
US08471898B2
A computer-based method for generating a stereoscopic image from a two dimensional (2D) image such as a 2D cell animation. An object is selected in the 2D image, such as an animated character, and is stored in memory as the base image. With an erosion engine, the selected object is eroded to generate a set of eroded versions of the base image corresponding to a number of erosion levels. Each erosion level image may be formed by eroding or removing a set of outer or edge pixels from the image on the prior level. The method continues with calculating a parallax shift value for each of the eroded versions of the base image. An alternate eye image is then generated by compositing the set of eroded versions along with the base image. The eroded versions are horizontally offset from the base image by the level-specific parallax shift values.
US08471893B2
Provided are a method and apparatus for generating a stereoscopic image bitstream. The method includes dividing a base view image and an additional view image into blocks having a predetermined size, generating a combined image by combining the blocks of the base view image and the blocks of the additional view image, recording the combined image in a payload area of the stereoscopic image bitstream, and recording block combination pattern information about a pattern of arranging the blocks of the base view image and the additional view image in the combined image, in a header area of the stereoscopic image bitstream.
US08471892B2
A system and method for designing and using freeform reflectors to collect images of a wide angle field-of-view scene is provided. A freeform reflector may enable a wide angle field-of-view to be collected in an unwarpped and unwrapped manner such that computer processing may be eliminated. Furthermore, the use of a freeform reflector allows for larger areas of an image sensor chip to be used, thereby providing higher resolution images. Because freeform reflectors may be configured to map a scene onto the image sensor chip in a scalar and mathematically correct manner, output images may be directly displayed from the image sensor chip. Wide angle field-of-view imaging systems, such as surveillance, alarm, and projector system, may utilize freeform reflectors as provided herein.
US08471891B2
A video switching system detects speaking information of at least one speaker in a video conference according to a reference time. One participant is regarded as one speaker if the one participant speaks longer than the reference time. The video switching system determines a main speaker of the at least one speaker according to the speaking information of the at least one speaker. The video switching system calculates an image switching frequency, and determines whether to switch to a video image of the main speaker according to the image switching frequency. The video switching system calculates a response time if determining to switch to the video image of the main speaker, and adjusts the reference time according to the image switching frequency and the response time.
US08471885B2
An image processing method including calculating a density of a character to be recorded based on information of a type, size and line width of the character; adjusting an irradiation energy of a laser beam for recording the character based on the density of the character; and irradiating a recording medium with the laser beam whose irradiation energy is adjusted so as to record the character thereon.
US08471879B2
Disclosed is an image forming method including forming a concave-convex pattern on a surface of a plate by pressing the plate and a mold having the convex-concave pattern on a surface thereof against each other, the plate having the surface made of a material in which a hardness changes reversibly at a transition point temperature, forming a plate image constituted of a concave-convex region having the concave-convex pattern and a smooth region in which the concave-convex pattern is erased on the plate by erasing the concave-convex pattern by selectively heating the surface of the plate to the transfer point temperature or above corresponding to an image signal, and forming an image on a recording medium by forming an ink image on the plate by applying an ink on the plate image and by transferring the ink image on to the recording medium.
US08471871B1
Methods and systems for uniform rendering of text across a plurality of client computing devices using a server are disclosed. In one aspect, a method includes sending the document from the server to the plurality of client computing devices and receiving initial text formatting information at the server from a first client computing device in the plurality of client computing devices. The method further includes generating revised text formatting information on the server for the first client computing device in the plurality of client computing devices and sending the revised text formatting information from the server to the first client computing device in the plurality of client computing devices for re-rendering of the document so that the document text appears substantially the same on each client computing device.
US08471867B2
A method for rendering static graphics in a mobile device in applications such as map applications. Panning increments are received for panning a previously rendered frame to a panned frame. A rendering region is defined based on the panning increments and the rendering region is expanded to provide an expanded region. At least one of a candidate polygon, candidate line segment, and polyline is clipped to the expanded region to obtain one or more clipped portions of the at least one of the candidate polygon, candidate line segment and candidate polyline contained within the expanded region. The one or more clipped portions of the candidate polygon, candidate line segment and candidate polyline, are rendered and portion of the previously rendered frame is copied to provide the panned frame.
US08471866B2
A user interface and method for identifying related information displayed in an ultrasound system are provided. A medical image display of the ultrasound system includes a first region configured to display a medical image having color coded portions and a second region configured to display non-image data related to the medical image displayed in the first region. The non-image data is color coded to associate the non-image data with the color coded portions of the medical image.
US08471861B2
An image display system comprises a processor 10, a main memory 20 and a display panel 30, where the main memory 20 includes an uncompressed image area 24 for storing image data relating to an image and a compressed image area 26 for storing compressed image data. The processor is microcode-programmed, and executes, after changes have been made in the uncompressed image area, a special sequence of microcode words in a micro program memory 12 of the processor for compressing at least those parts of the uncompressed image area that are subject to changes. The microcode-compressed parts of the image data are then stored in the compressed image area 26 of the main memory. Compressed image data may then be fetched from the compressed image area 26 and decompressed for enabling generation of an appropriate image signal. The generated image signal can finally be applied to the display 30 for refreshing the image.
US08471860B2
Graphics display adapters for driving multiple display monitors have become very popular. Graphics display adapters that drive multiple monitors can be used to provide terminal services to multiple independent terminals or be used to provide multiple displays to a single user. Generating video signals for multiple display systems puts a heavy burden on the video memory system since multiple different video signal generators may read from associated frame buffers in a shared video memory system. In one disclosed embodiment, a plurality of video memory read triggers are provided wherein at least two of which are staggered to reduce the load on the video memory system. In response to each read trigger, display data is read from a frame buffer to an associated video signal generation circuit. Each video signal generation circuit then provides a display signal to an associated display screen in a multi-screen environment.
US08471855B2
Graphics-rendering operation is performed by a procedure including: inputting a vector data group representing the shape of a graphic object to a vector data group management unit; inputting, to a rendering attribute data management unit, rendering attribute data representing information pertains to internal attributes of the graphic object; inputting resource information indicating a usage status into a resource information management unit; reading the managed vector data group from the vector data group management unit; computing a feature indicating the geometrical feature of the input graphic object by means of the feature computing unit; reading the computed graphic feature level and the resource information managed by the resource information management unit; effecting switching to generation of optimum rendering data; reading the vector data group managed by the vector data group management unit and the rendering attribute data managed by the rendering attribute data management unit; generating rendering data; reading the generated rendering data and the rendering attribute data managed by the rendering attribute data management unit; and performing rendering operation.
US08471852B1
A method and system for performing adaptive tessellation of a subdivision surface. The method includes the step of accessing a model of a surface for subdivision processing. The model is converted to an intermediate form to facilitate subdivision processing. The intermediate form of the model is then tessellated.
US08471844B2
Method and systems are provided using streaming geometry in 3D imagery production. In one implementation a method for use in the display of 3D video images comprises receiving a first set of data corresponding to an output from a layout in a production pipeline, generating geometry data for one or more objects represented within the first set of data, merging the geometry data for each of the one or more objects to create one or more merged files, generating a table of contents, wherein the table of contents specifies the location of the geometry data for each of the one or more objects within the one or more merged files and storing the geometry data and the table of contents to a memory device for subsequent retrieval.
US08471842B2
A liquid crystal display (LCD) device having a first substrate and a second substrate with liquid crystal sealed therebetween, includes a plurality of gate lines and data lines crossing each other on the first substrate; a gate driving section for driving the gate lines; a source driving section for precharging the data lines for a first time and supplying video signals to the data lines; and a precharge circuit section for precharging the data lines for a second time.
US08471841B2
A compact flat panel color calibration system includes a lens prism optic able to pass a narrow, perpendicular, and uniform cone angle of incoming light to a spectrally non-selective photodetector. The calibration system also includes a microprocessor operable to determine the luminance of the display based upon the information gathered by the photodetector. A software module included in the calibration system is then operable to process the luminance information in order to adjust the flat panel display.
US08471833B2
An application executing method is provided. The application executing method is applied to a handheld electronic device having a body and a touch element. The touch element is disposed at the body. The application executing method comprises the following steps. Firstly, a communication mode is entered. Next, whether the touch element is moved is detected. If the touch element is moved, then an application is activated.
US08471831B2
An exemplary touch panel, includes a flexible first substrate, a second substrate opposite to the first substrate, a first electrically conductive layer formed on the first substrate and facing the second substrate, a second electrically conductive layer formed on the second substrate and facing the first substrate, a carbon nanotube film formed on the second electrically conductive layer, a plurality of insulated dot spacers arranged between the first electrically conductive layer and the carbon nanotube film, an infrared sensor array arranged on the second substrate and including a number of infrared sensors corresponding to pixels of the touch panel; and a signal processor receiving signals from the infrared sensors.
US08471830B2
A user interface for receiving input commands in a mobile terminal includes a display device for presenting visual information. Arrays of light sources and arrays of light detectors are arranged along respective first and second sides of the display device. Each array of light sources is configured to transmit light pulses over the display device, and each array of light detectors is configured to receive a part of the energy in the transmitted light pulses. A processing unit controls the light sources such that a light pulse is repeatedly transmitted from each source according to a predefined sequence. Based on an ambience light intensity and a measurement value registered by at least one light detector during transmission of light from the light source, the processing unit determines whether or not a light-obstructive object is present on the display device between a given light source and at least one light detector.
US08471826B2
The method and device for position detection are disclosed. Corresponding to a first touch related sensing information, a second touch related sensing information is acquired for determining at least one position. Each position is used separately for determining the position of a centroid according to the first touch related sensing information or the second touch related sensing information.
US08471819B2
A mobile communications terminal and a method for preventing an input error of a key input unit are provided. The mobile communications terminal includes a touch sensor unit for sensing a key that is input by touching a keypad region in order to output a key input signal corresponding to the key and a controller adapted to determine a key input according to either a priority between multiple keys from which key signals are received or whether a received key signal was generated inadvertently.
US08471812B2
A pointing and identification device (PID) allows the user to point at objects in the real world, on television or movie screens, or otherwise not on the computer screen. The PID includes a digital camera and one or both of a laser and a reticle for aiming the digital camera. An image taken with the digital camera is transmitted to a computer or the like.
US08471810B2
A mobile terminal is provided that includes a housing having an opening, a display provided in the opening of the housing, a bezel provided on the housing, and at least one sensor or a touch screen/sensor provided at the bezel. The at least one sensor or touch screen detects a user selection on the bezel such that an image on the display changes or a command is performed by the mobile terminal. The sensor or the touch screen/sensor also allows images on the main display to be not hidden because items or commands are selected on the bezel.
US08471805B2
In an imaging device including imaging elements, a driver configuration which does not require much layout space and ensures a reduced number of wirings is provided. The imaging device includes imaging elements 1 arranged in a matrix or in lines and a single driver circuit 6 disposed along the vertical direction of the matrix or along the direction in which the lines extend to control the driving of the imaging elements 1. Then, the driver circuit 6 serves the double function of a reset driver adapted to reset the imaging elements and a read driver adapted to read out the signals from the imaging elements.
US08471800B2
A display device displays images with a plurality of signal lines and includes spare lines, each being arranged to be connectable to the signal lines so as to be used for recovery of the signal lines from disconnection. Each of the spare lines has constricted sections for cutting. With this arrangement, it is possible to easily and properly recover the signal lines from disconnection.
US08471795B2
A method for driving a pixel includes driving the pixel with a first gray level and a second gray level within a first sub-frame period and a second sub-frame period of a first frame period, respectively, driving the pixel with a third gray level and a fourth gray level within a first sub-frame period and a second sub-frame period of a second frame period, respectively, and adjusting the third gray level and the fourth grey level such that the luminance of the adjusted fourth grey level is similar to the luminance of the second grey level.
US08471788B2
There is provided an organic light emitting diode driver capable of compensating for pixel deterioration in real time during the driving of pixels by selectively compensating pixels, requiring compensation, for the deterioration thereof, and precisely setting calibration data by removing an IR drop across a transistor, employed as a switch in the pixels, by calculating a difference between at least two representative values of different gray scale ranges among predetermined gray scale ranges.
US08471782B2
A method of supporting multiple display configurations in a remote access environment, the remote access environment having a host computing device in communication with a viewer computing device comprises: receiving from a host computing device, by a viewer computing device having one or more viewer displays, a list of rectangles, each rectangle representing the boundaries of one of a plurality of host displays; presenting, by the viewer computing device to an end-user of the viewer computing device, a graphical user interface including means for selecting a configuration for displaying a window representing screen data of the plurality of host displays in the viewable area of the one or more displays of the viewer computing device; and displaying in the selected configuration, by the viewer computing device, the window representing the screen data of the one or more host displays. Corresponding systems are also described.
US08471779B2
A remote control for a wireless control system includes a controller, at least one actuator for operating the controller, a radio-frequency (RF) transmitter coupled to the controller, an antenna coupled to the RF transmitter, and a housing for the controller, the RF transmitter, the antenna and a power source. The antenna comprises a conductive loop mounted in the housing and being disposed in a first plane. The remote control further comprises a surface on the housing disposed in a second plane substantially parallel to and overlying the first plane. The surface has a conductive material disposed thereon substantially coplanar with the second plane and substantially coextensive with said conductive loop on said first plane.
US08471778B2
A solid dual-band antenna device is provided. The solid dual-band antenna device includes a Z-shape antenna structure comprising a first turn having a first turning angle, and connected to a ground portion and a first radiating portion; and a second turn having a second turning angle, and connected to the first radiating portion and a second radiating portion; a feeding portion disposed at the second turn for feeding a signal; an extending ground portion non-coplanarly extended from an outer side of the ground portion; and an extending radiating portion non-coplanarly extended from an outer side of the second radiating portion, wherein a first slot is disposed at an arbitrary position of the second radiating portion, and a length of the first radiating portion is different from a length of the second radiating portion.
US08471774B2
An antenna radiation pattern measurement device that measures a radiation pattern of an AUT by using a source antenna includes a control unit, an analysis unit, and a measurement unit. The control unit controls driving of the source antenna and the AUT. The analysis unit measures an electric field value from a radio frequency (RF) signal that is transmitted from one of the source antenna and the AUT and received by the other antenna. In addition, the measurement unit controls the control unit and the analysis unit and measures a radiation pattern of the AUT by using the electric field value.
US08471770B2
A method of manufacturing an antenna comprising: providing a millimeter wave (MMW) antenna attached to a signal pad on an integrated circuit mounted on a substrate, and adjusting one or more parameters of the antenna to conform to predetermined desired thresholds, levels or ranges, wherein the adjustment is selected from the group consisting of: locating a conducting or dielectric object at a desired tuner location in proximity to the antenna to tune the central signal frequency, locating a conducting reflector at a desired reflector location in proximity to the antenna to tune the radiation direction or pattern, and selecting a conducting patch or object as a radiator/detector element to modify the bandwidth. Also a millimeter wave (MMW) antenna.
US08471751B2
Various embodiments of this disclosure may describe a two-stage ADC circuit, and a time-interleaved system based on the two-stage ADC circuit. The two-stage ADC circuit may include a SAR converter for the first stage and a charge based TDC for the second stage. The two-stage ADC circuit may be used in high performance serial I/O applications. Other embodiments may be disclosed and claimed.
US08471750B2
The present invention provides a system for use with an input signal and a clock signal. The system includes a physical random interval generator, a sampling analog-to-digital converter (ADC), a timing signal generator and a reconstructor. The physical random interval generator can generate a random output signal. The ADC can output a sampled output signal based on the input signal and the random output signal. The timing signal generator can output a timing signal based on the clock signal and the random output signal. The reconstructor can reconstruct an information signal based on the sampled output signal and the timing signal.
US08471747B1
A method is provided. A noise shaped signal having a plurality of instants is generated with each instant being associated with at least one of a plurality of output levels. A next phase is selected for each instant, where each next phase is a circularly shifted phase based at least in part on a previous phase for the associated output level for its instant. A plurality of PWM signals is then generated using the phase for each instant, and an amplified signal is generated from the plurality of PWM signals.
US08471746B2
A digital-to-analog converter includes first and second pulse modulators to generate first and second pulse modulated signals in response to first and second digital values, a third pulse modulator to generate a third pulse modulated signal in response to a third digital value, and a switch/filter circuit to generate an analog signal by combining the first and second pulse modulated signals in response to the third pulse modulated signal. The first and second pulse modulated signals may be low-pass filtered before being combined. In some embodiments, the third digital value may be incremented in a single direction between transitions of the first and second digital values. In some other embodiments, the third digital value may be incremented in opposite directions between alternating transitions of the first and second digital values.
US08471743B2
A quantization circuit includes a quantizer and a compensation circuit. The quantizer includes a voltage-to-phase converter and a phase difference digitization block. The voltage-to-phase converter is arranged for generating a phase signal according to an input voltage. The phase difference digitization block is arranged for generating a quantization output according to a phase difference between a phase of the phase signal and a reference phase input. The compensation circuit is arranged for applying compensation to the phase difference digitization block according to the quantization output.
US08471738B2
A method for detecting errors of an A/D converter which is designed for converting an analog input signal into a digital output signal. The digital output signal represents a number z which results from an input value of the analog input signal when an A/D conversion is carried out. In the method, a value range for all possible numbers z is subdivided into subranges, and a value range for all possible input values is subdivided into subranges and an input value and a number z corresponding thereto are associated in each case with subranges which correspond to one another. In the method, a check is made to determine with which subrange an input value which is to be converted is associated, and with which subrange a number which is ascertained by the A/D converter is associated. An error is detected when the number and the input value are associated with subranges which do not correspond to one another.
US08471735B2
The present invention provides a method and apparatus for compressing or decompressing data in Fiber Channel (FC) services. In the solution of the present invention, when compressing FC data, a K code indicator bit and an ERR code indicator bit are compressed into a K/ERR code indicator bit, and 8b codes and the K/ERR code indicator bit are compressed into 9b codes; when decompressing FC data, the 9b code is decompressed into 8b codes and a K/ERR code indicator bit, and the K/ERR code indicator bit is decompressed into a K code indicator bit and an ERR code indicator bit. The solution provided by the present invention overcomes the disadvantages that in conventional art, when processing FC service, the K code indicator bit and the ERR code indicator bit must be retained, and the K code and the ERR code are processed separately, which lead to a high bandwidth utilization ratio and a complex processing procedure. The solution provided by the present invention fully utilizes the current FC service bandwidth, enables to process the FC service with fewer resources, greatly simplifies the FC service processing, and promotes the spread of the FC technology.
US08471734B2
A controlling device has a configurable key. An overlay, such as a sticker, is provided to the configurable key and includes an indicia representative of media content and machine readable data indicative of an identity of the media content represented by the indicia. A memory of the controlling device stores a correspondence between the configurable key and data indicative of a source of the media content. Upon activation of configured, configurable key, the controlling device uses select command codes from a library of command codes and the correspondence between the configurable key and the data indicative of the source of the media content to transmit one or more commands for causing one or more appliances to access the source of the media content.
US08471727B2
A method, apparatus and computer program product are provided for displaying forecast weather products in relation to a planned flight path of an air vehicle. The method, apparatus and computer program product may display a representation of future weather conditions along with the planned flight path of the air vehicle and a representation of the anticipated location of the air vehicle during the time period during which the future weather forecast is valid in order to provide context for the future weather information. Additionally, the method, apparatus and computer program product may display the weather information as well as information regarding the time period during which the weather information is valid in a graphical manner that is intuitive to the crew of the air vehicle so as not to distract or otherwise increase the workload upon the crew.
US08471709B2
Radio frequency identification (RFID) tag for an item having a conductive layer included or attached
An RFID device. The device comprises a conductive layer formed on a first substrate. An opening line (or two or more opening lines) is formed in the conductive layer to make the conductive layer a part of an antenna structure. An integrated circuit chip is placed over at least a portion the opening line and coupled to the conductive layer. The integrated circuit chip is electrically interconnected to the conductive layer.
US08471696B2
Systems, methods, and computer readable media for providing a task reminder are disclosed herein. The method includes receiving a location of a user of a mobile communication device. The method includes identifying task information including a task location. The method includes receiving historical presence information identifying least one of a number of times the user is present at the location and an amount of time the user is present at the location. The method includes providing a reminder of the task for presentation based on the historical presence information and a distance between the task location and the location of the user.
US08471695B2
A tire air pressure monitoring device for monitoring the air pressure of a tire on a vehicle having two or more tires, including an air pressure sensing device that senses air pressure information of the tire and is adapted to be mounted at a prescribed position on the tire so as to rotate with the tire, a transmitting device that transmits the sensed air pressure information, a rotary position sensing device that senses the rotary position of the air pressure sensing device as the tire rotates, a period of rotation calculating device that calculates the period of rotation of the tire, a period of rotation disruption sensing device that senses disruption in the period of rotation based on a change in the period, and a transmission control device that outputs commands to transmit the air pressure information to the transmitting device based on a disruption in the period of rotation.
US08471692B2
A driving support system includes an image pickup apparatus captures an image of a periphery of a vehicle in which the image pickup apparatus is provided, a measurement apparatus measures a distance from the vehicle to an obstacle around the vehicle, a driving support apparatus, which includes a determination unit determines a driving danger level of a driver of the vehicle based on the distance, an image enlargement unit changes a size of a simulated image of the vehicle stored in advance based on a result of determination, and an image generation unit combines the image of the periphery of the vehicle and the simulated image of the vehicle changed by the image enlargement unit, and a display apparatus displays the image combined by the image generation unit.
US08471687B2
A system for independent control of electric motors and electric lights includes a plurality of two-wire wallstations coupled in series via power wires between an alternating-current (AC) source and a light/motor control unit. The light/motor control unit is preferably located in the same enclosure as an electric motor and an electric light and has two outputs for independent control of the motor and the light. The light/motor control unit and the wallstations each include a controller and a communication circuit that is coupled to the power wiring via a communication transformer and communicate with each other using a loop current carrier technique. The light/motor control unit and the wallstations utilize pseudo random orthogonal codes and a median filter in the communication process.
US08471686B2
A remote control apparatus that provides haptic sensations. The remote control apparatus includes a dial, a motor, a rotary encoder, an encoder counter, a control unit and a motor controller. The remote control apparatus further includes a storage unit, a movement detection unit and a display unit. When a user selects an icon displayed on the display unit by rotating the dial, the control unit interprets the user instruction through the rotary encoder and the encoder counter to control the motor to generate torque for causing a haptic sensation corresponding to the interpreted instruction via the motor controller. While the haptic sensation is conveyed to the user through the dial, the control unit controls an appliance to perform the interpreted instruction thereon.
US08471682B1
A system and method of determining a disposition of an electronic device as installed, in-need-of-repair, or in-storage are provided, using Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) devices on the electronic devices and a sensor which detects disposition. Diagnostic test results and locations of installed devices may also be communicated to the RFID associated with the device and provided in a response to an interrogation. Shared memory on the device is integrated with the RFID device to store utilization and health history on the device for later retrieval. The disposition data is provided in a response to an interrogation of each device. Optionally, a communications device (e.g., RFID, or wireless interconnection) on a chassis housing electronic devices provides the disposition and location of all installed devices in response to an interrogation. The device disposition and location information is communicated to the communications device upon installation via a processing unit integral to the chassis.
US08471676B1
A security door control system for managing the sequence of operation for security doors by controlling access between non-secure and secure areas. The system comprises a software logic installed on programmable logic controllers that operates the system by processing inputs from a plurality of local and remote sources and providing in real time individualized control signals to a plurality of fully automated security doors and multiple local and remote associated security door components.
US08471675B2
A method capable of remotely managing the implementation, the installation control and use of cabinets or storage lockers at any location over the Internet, through communication between databases that interconnect the end user needs with the capacities and needs of the location that makes the lockers available.
US08471673B2
A varistor is provided with a varistor element body, a plurality of internal electrodes arranged in the varistor element body so as to sandwich a partial region of the varistor element body between them, and a plurality of external electrodes arranged on the surface of the varistor element body and connected to the corresponding internal electrodes. The external electrode has a sintered electrode layer formed by attaching an electroconductive paste containing an alkali metal to the surface of the varistor element body and sintering it. The varistor element body has a high-resistance region formed by diffusing the alkali metal in the electroconductive paste into the varistor element body from an interface between the surface of the varistor element body and the sintered electrode layer.
US08471672B2
An electrical multilayer component includes a base body with at least two external electrodes. The electrical multilayer component includes at least a first and a second internal electrode, which are each electrically conductively connected to a respective external electrode. The electrical multilayer component includes at least one ceramic varistor layer encompassing at least the first internal electrode. The electrical multilayer component includes at least one dielectric layer arranged between the at least one varistor layer and the second internal electrode. The dielectric layer has at least one opening, which can be filled with a gaseous medium.
US08471670B2
A fusible link unit includes a fuse busbar and a housing. The fuse busbar includes a first busbar having a first input connecting portion; a second busbar having a second input connecting portion; and a fusible element provided between the first busbar and the second busbar. The housing is provided with the fuse busbar. The fusible element is configured to melt down when a current of a predetermined value is conducted therethrough. The first input connecting portion and the second input connecting portion are formed into the same shape. The first and second input connecting portions are passed through inserting holes, which are provided on both end portions of the housing, and are projected outwards. The housing is formed symmetrical transversely.
US08471669B2
In a disc-type coil that enables assuring a sufficiently high value of a flowing current to increase an output and comprises: a discoid insulating substrate 1; a conductor pattern 2 that is provided on each of both surfaces of the insulating substrate 1 so that through hole lands 22 and 23 are position on the outer circumferential side and the inner circumferential side of the insulating substrate 1, and that is arranged to be alternately folded back on both the surfaces of the insulating substrate 1; and through holes that are formed in the insulating substrate 1 and connect the through hole lands 22 and 23 of the conductor pattern 2, the plurality of through holes 6 are aligned and arranged in a radial direction c in each through hole land 23 on the inner circumferential side.
US08471666B2
To improve insulating properties of a coil winding having three turns. In a coil bobbin, insulation between mutually adjacent winding members of a first coil winding are achieved by a projecting section. Furthermore, the first coil winding and the second coil winding are insulated from each other by the flange section. Moreover, the projecting sections and the projecting sections are respectively provided in positions at either end when the first coil winding and the second coil winding are viewed in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the axis line. Consequently, even with coil windings having three turns, insulation between the windings is achieved by means of this coil bobbin, and furthermore, insulation is also achieved in the region outside the coil windings as viewed in a direction perpendicular to the axis line direction, thereby making it possible to improve the insulating properties without increasing the number of parts.
US08471664B1
A transformer without coil racks includes a winding set, multiple conductive plates and an insulation mounting sheet. The winding set includes a coil portion and a magnetic core set running through the coil portion. The magnetic core set includes at least one inner magnetic core portion and at least two outer magnetic core portions that are spaced from each other by a gap. Each conductive plate includes a connecting section and two extended arms connected to two ends of the connecting section and running through the gap. The insulation mounting sheet includes multiple retaining slots corresponding to the gap to allow the extended arms to pass through and multiple retaining portions each being formed between two neighboring retaining slots to prevent the extended arms from contacting each other. The conductive plates run through the retaining slots and are confined by the retaining portions from moving.
US08471661B2
A coil includes electrically conductive winding wire wound in turns around a core in one or more layers. The surface of the winding wire is provided with at least one groove in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the winding wire, and at least one cooling tube which enables coolant circulation is positioned in the groove of the winding wire, being at least partly embedded therein. The groove is formed on the surface of the winding wire of an outermost winding wire layer relative to the core and opens away from the core The cooling tube in the groove is placed around the outermost winding wire layer and covers the outermost winding wire layer at least partly.
US08471658B2
A multilevel correlated magnetic system and method for using the same are described herein. A wide-range of devices including a retractable magnet assembly, a disengagement/engagement tool, a click on-click off device are described herein that may incorporate or interact with one or more of the multilevel correlated magnetic systems.
US08471652B2
An acoustic wave component includes a layer system having a piezoelectric layer and a first metal layer arranged on the piezoelectric layer, a first resonator having a first electrode in the first metal layer, where the first metal layer includes electrode structures periodically arranged in a direction of propagation of a wave through the acoustic wave component, and a second resonator coupled to the first resonator and electrically isolated from the first resonator. The layer system includes a waveguide for guiding a guided bulk acoustic wave in a lateral direction of the acoustic wave component.
US08471646B2
Provided are assemblies and processes for efficiently coupling wideband differential signals between balanced and unbalanced circuits. The assemblies include a broadband balun having an unbalanced transmission line portion, a balanced transmission line portion, and a transition region disposed between the unbalanced and balanced transmission line portions. The unbalanced transmission line portion includes at least one ground and a pair of conductive signal traces, each isolated from ground. The balanced portion does not include an analog ground. The transition region effectively terminates the analog ground, while also smoothly transitioning or otherwise shaping transverse electric field distributions between the balanced and unbalanced portions. Beneficially, the balun is free from resonant features that would otherwise limit operating bandwidth, allowing it to operate over a wide bandwidth of 10:1 or greater. Assemblies can include RF chokes with back-to-back baluns, and other elements, such as balanced filters, and also be implemented as integrated circuits.
US08471645B2
A balanced-unbalanced transformer includes: a balanced transmission line including paired transmission lines; an unbalanced transmission line; and two lead transmission lines connected to two neighboring end portions of four end portions of the paired transmission lines at a right angle to the paired transmission lines, wherein one of the two lead transmission lines has a first electrode face which faces the other of the two lead transmission lines, the other of the two lead transmission lines has a second electrode face which faces the one of the two lead transmission lines, and the first electrode face and the second electrode face are electrode faces of a capacitor.
US08471639B2
A system for a feedback transimpedance amplifier with sub-40 khz low-frequency cutoff is disclosed and may include amplifying electrical signals received via coupling capacitors utilizing a transimpedance amplifier (TIA) having feedback paths comprising source followers and feedback resistors. The feedback paths may be coupled prior to the coupling capacitors at inputs of the TIA. Voltages may be level shifted prior to the coupling capacitors to ensure stable bias conditions for the TIA. The TIA may be integrated in a CMOS chip and the source followers may comprise CMOS transistors. The TIA may receive current-mode logic or voltage signals. The electrical signals may be received from a photodetector, which may comprise a silicon germanium photodiode and may be differentially coupled to the TIA. The chip may comprise a CMOS photonics chip where optical signals for the photodetector in the CMOS photonics chip may be received via one or more optical fibers.
US08471638B2
An amplifier includes a Doherty amplifier composed of a distributor distributing an input signal to two signals, a carrier amplifier that receives one of the two signals and has a first FET, a peaking amplifier that receives the other one of the two signals and has a second FET, and a combiner that transforms an output impedance of the carrier amplifier and combines outputs of the carrier amplifier and the peaking amplifier, and a voltage controller that changes at least one of a gate voltage and a drain voltage supplied to at least one of the first FET and the second FET in accordance with a frequency of the input signal when the frequency of the input signal varies.
US08471634B2
An apparatus of common mode compensation for voltage controlled delay circuits and method are provided. In one implementation a method includes amplifying a differential input signal to generate a differential output signal using a differential pair of transistors biased by a tail current; changing the tail current by a first amount to change a circuit delay of the differential pair of transistors; generating a first compensation current and a second compensation current by using a current mirroring such that a sum of the first compensation current and the second compensation current is of a second amount that is substantially equal to the first amount; injecting the first compensation current into the first end of the differential output signal via a first coupling resistor; and injecting the second compensation current into the second end of the differential output signal via a second coupling resistor.
US08471627B2
A method of optimizing cross current in class D amplifiers and simultaneously minimizing the harmonic distortion is provided. The method overcomes the problem of using the limited speed voltage comparators often used in cross current preventing circuits. Method embodiments are based on introducing a replica amplifier with a current sensor matched to a main amplifier. The duration of a sensed cross current within the replica amplifier is compared by a current comparator with a small enough reference current. The comparator output generates a pulse with a duration equal to the duration of the cross current event in the replica amplifier. The duration of that pulse is measured and used to generate a dead time pulse for blanking amplifier pre-driver inputs.
US08471626B2
A start-up circuit to discharge EMI filter is developed for power saving. It includes a detection circuit detecting a power source for generating a sample signal. A sample circuit is coupled to the detection circuit for generating a reset signal in response to the sample signal. The reset signal is utilized for discharging a stored voltage of the EMI filter.
US08471622B2
The invention provides a switching circuit of a power semiconductor device having connected in parallel SiC diodes with a small recovery current, capable of significantly reducing turn-on loss and recovery loss without increasing the noise in the MHz band, and contributing to reducing the loss and noise of inverters. The present invention provides a switching circuit and an inverter circuit of a power semiconductor device comprising a module combining Si-IGBT and SiC diodes, wherein an on-gate resistance is set smaller than an off-gate resistance.
US08471613B2
An internal clock signal generation circuit is capable of controlling a unit delay time depending on a frequency of an external clock signal. The internal clock signal generation circuit includes an internal clock signal generation unit configured to generate an internal clock signal corresponding to a plurality of unit delay cells enabled in response to a control signal, and a unit delay time control unit configured to detect a frequency of an external clock signal and control a unit delay time of each of the plurality of unit delay cells.
US08471612B1
Signal value storage circuitry 2 includes transparent storage circuitry 4, transition detector circuitry 6 and error detecting circuitry 8. The transition detector circuitry serves to generate a detection pulse when a signal transition is detected at a signal node NS within the transparent storage circuitry. The error detecting circuitry generates an error indicating signal when this detection pulse overlaps in time with the non-transparent phase of a pulse clock signal controlling the signal valve storage circuitry for at least an overlap period TOV.
US08471609B1
A system can include at least one power supervisor coupled to a power supply voltage and including a processing element configured by instructions stored in a memory to assert at least one output signal in response to at least one comparator output, at least one comparator having a first input coupled to the power supply voltage and a second input coupled to a reference voltage, and configured to provide one comparator output, and at least one programmable voltage divider coupled to one input of the comparator and configured to vary a voltage divided output in response to the processing element.
US08471608B2
A clock divider circuit. The clock divider receives m input clock signals each of the same frequency. Each input clock signal after the first has a phase offset of 2 π/m from the previous input clock signal. The clock divider divides the frequency of the input clock signals by an integer of division K. The clock divider includes a counter that receives the first input clock signal and provides one or more count signals. The clock divider also includes m flip-flops, of which a first flip-flop receives the first input clock signal at its clock input and provides a first clock output signal. Each flip-flop after the first receives an input clock signal at its clock input and provides a clock output signal, each clock output signal after the first having a 2 πK/m phase offset from the previous clock output signal.
US08471606B2
A driver circuit for controlling a semiconductor power switch comprises a first power driver transistor and a second power driver transistor complementary to the first power driver transistor. Both power driver transistors have an output terminal connected to an input terminal of the semiconductor power switch. An input terminal of the second power driver transistor is connected to a half bridge circuit comprising a first pre-driver transistor and a second pre-driver transistor complementary to the first pre-driver transistor. Both first and second pre-driver transistors have an output terminal connected to the input terminal of the second power driver transistor. This provides fast switching times with low power consumption for the pre-driver transistors.
US08471605B2
A driving circuit having current balancing functionality includes a control unit, a bias resistor, a current switch unit and plural current driving modules. The control unit is utilized for generating a control signal having at least one bit according to a control current. The bias resistor is put in use for providing a bias voltage according to a bias current. The current switch unit employs the control signal and plural bias setting currents to generate the bias current, for keeping the bias voltage within a preset voltage range. The current driving modules are used to provide plural driving currents according to the bias voltage and the control signal. Each current driving module includes a current-limit control unit which is utilized for controlling a corresponding driving current according to the control signal.
US08471601B2
A single-ended to differential converter is presented. The converter may be configured to convert full-swing single-ended signals to low-swing differential signals within a single-stage, thereby reducing signal distortion. The converter may include a passive network of resistive elements, for example resistors and/or metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) devices operating in a linear region. The converter may also allow for adjustable design parameters such as a common mode, differential amplitude, and an output swing. The adjustments may all be made within the single-stage of the converter.
US08471600B2
A circuit arrangement includes a reverse conducting transistor having a gate electrode and a load current path between an emitter and collector electrode. The transistor is configured to allow for conducting a load current in a forward direction and in a reverse direction through the load current path and activated or deactivated by a respective signal at the gate electrode. The circuit arrangement further includes a gate control unit and a monitoring unit. The gate control unit is connected to the gate electrode and configured to deactivate the transistor or prevent an activation of the transistor via the gate electrode when the transistor is in a reverse conducting state. The monitoring unit is configured to detect a sudden rise of a collector-emitter voltage of the reverse conducting transistor which occurs, when the load current crosses zero, while the transistor is deactivated or activation is prevented by the gate control unit.
US08471595B1
A selectable latch has a pair of parallel pass gates (a first parallel pass gate that receives a seed signal, and a second parallel pass gate that receives a data signal). A first latch logic circuit performs logic operations using signals output by the parallel pass gates to produce an updated data signal. An additional pass gate is operatively connected to the first latch logic circuit. An additional pass gate controls passage of the updated data signal. The output of the parallel pass gates and the additional pass gate is connected to a feedback loop. The feedback loop operates as a dynamic latch for high frequency applications or as a static latch for low frequency applications. Thus, the selectable latch comprises two inputs into the pair of parallel pass gates and performs only one of four logical operations on a received data signal.
US08471592B1
A logic device includes a transmission gate block configured to receive a binary input and a control input, the transmission gate block configured to provide a multi-bit output that is correlated from the binary input and in response to the control input having a first value. A state driver block is activated to drive one of a low state bit pattern or a high state bit pattern to the multi-bit output in response to the control input having a second value, which is different from the first value.
US08471591B2
In a semiconductor device having a terminal connected to an internal portion, a termination circuit for providing on-die termination for the terminal of the device. The termination circuit comprises a plurality of transistors, including at least one NMOS transistor and at least one PMOS transistor, connected between the terminal and a power supply; and control circuitry for driving a gate of each of NMOS transistor with a corresponding NMOS gate voltage and for driving a gate of each PMOS transistor with a corresponding PMOS gate voltage, the control circuitry being configured to control the NMOS and PMOS gate voltages so as to place the transistors in an ohmic region of operation when on-die termination is enabled. The power supply supplies a voltage that is less than each said NMOS gate voltage and greater than each said PMOS gate voltage.
US08471589B2
A method for detecting whether the stator in a vehicle alternator has a turn-to-turn short circuit. The method includes determining an output current or voltage signal of the alternator, where the output current or voltage signal includes a ripple current frequency as a result of an AC-to-DC conversion. The method determines the speed of the alternator and a current output of the alternator. The method then determines the ripple current frequency of the alternator from the alternator speed, and determines a winding frequency from the ripple current frequency. The method performs an FFT analysis on the voltage and current signal, determines an amplitude of the winding frequency and compares the amplitude of the winding frequency to a predetermined amplitude, where if the difference exceeds a predetermined threshold, a turn-to-turn short circuit is likely occurring.
US08471587B2
An automated test equipment system includes a peripheral including first mechanical alignment features; a test head including second mechanical alignment features arranged in a pattern corresponding to the first mechanical alignment features and configured to engage the first mechanical alignment features. The automated test equipment system also includes a laser assisted alignment system including laser devices mounted to the peripheral and operable to emit laser beams; target plates mounted to the test head and including target symbols visible on surfaces of the target plates. The target symbols are arranged in a pattern corresponding to the laser devices such that, when laser beams from the laser devices are substantially aligned with the target symbols, the first mechanical alignment features are substantially aligned with the second mechanical alignment features.
US08471586B2
A wafer prober is provided with a tray which supports a wafer at a set position, transports it to a processing position of the wafer and is placed at the processing position; one or more alignment units which position the wafer at the set position with respect to the tray; contact units arranged in number larger than that of the alignment units and performing inspection processing in contact with the wafer at the processing position; and a tray transport portion for transporting the tray supporting the wafer between the alignment unit and the contact unit. The tray is provided with three or more pin holes for allowing movement of the chuck pin in the XYZθ directions, an alignment mark for positioning the wafer, and an alignment portion for positioning the tray itself.
US08471585B2
A yield and productivity of a semiconductor module are improved. A sheet having electrical conductivity is fixed to a main surface of a semiconductor substrate on which a plurality of semiconductor devices having a surface structure and a rear surface electrode are arranged. The semiconductor substrate is divided into semiconductor chips on a first support stage in the state where the sheet is fixed to its main surface. The plurality of divided semiconductor chips are mounted on a second support stage via the sheet and further, the plurality of mounted semiconductor chips are continuously subjected to a dynamic characteristic test on the second support stage. The proposed semiconductor device evaluation method permits a fissure growing and propagating from a crack occurring in the dynamic characteristic test of the vertical semiconductor devices to be suppressed, and the yield and productivity of the semiconductor module to be improved.
US08471577B2
A method of topside only dual-side testing of an electronic assembly includes providing a singulated through substrate via (TSV) die flip chip attached to a die support including a package substrate. The TSVs on the TSV die extend from its frontside to contactable TSV tips on its bottomside. The TSVs on the frontside of the TSV die are coupled to embedded topside substrate pads on a top surface of the ML substrate. The die support includes lateral coupling paths between at least a portion of the embedded topside substrate pads and lateral topside pads on a topside surface of the die support lateral to the die area. The contactable TSV tips are contacted with probes to provide a first topside connection to the TSVs, and the lateral topside pads are contacted with probes to provide a second topside connection. Dual-side testing across the electronic assembly is performed using the first and second topside connections.
US08471573B2
A dynamic quantity sensor includes a first substrate, a fixed part arranged in the first substrate, a spiral shaped movable electrode arranged separated from the first substrate, one end of the spiral shaped movable electrode being supported by the fixed part, a fixed electrode positioned on the periphery of the movable electrode and arranged in a detection direction of a dynamic quantity, and a first terminal electrically connected to the fixed part and a second terminal electrically connected to the fixed electrode.
US08471572B2
A capacitive sensor for detecting an electrical field generated by a live conductor comprises a source electrode (10), a screen element (20) and an electrical field sensor (30). Said source electrode (10) has a proximal portion (11) connected to the conductor (A) and a distal portion (12) placed inside the screen element (20). The electrical field sensor (30) is placed inside said screen element (20), and faces and is spaced apart from the distal portion (12) of said source electrode (10), in order to detect the electrical field emitted by said source electrode (10).
US08471567B2
A circuit for detecting changes in resistance at a solder joint connecting a constant voltage source supplying a first voltage and a pin of an array package during operation of the array package includes: a test circuit for applying a second voltage different from the first voltage at a side of the solder joint opposite the constant voltage source; and a monitoring circuit for monitoring an output of the test circuit, wherein the test circuit is configured to output the first voltage when the resistance at the solder joint is below a threshold value, and to output a voltage other than the first voltage when the resistance at the solder joint is above the threshold value, and wherein the monitoring circuit is configured to indicate a failure of the solder joint connection when the voltage other than the first voltage is output by the test circuit.
US08471561B2
A securing part and an unscrewing safeguard system of a gradient coil plug for an MRT that can be fixed to a gradient coil bushing include a gradient coil plug, a gradient coil bushing, a cap nut with a keyed surface and, to secure the gradient coil plug to the gradient coil bushing, a multi-tooth ring fixed to the plug so that the ring cannot rotate, and a securing part with a multi-tooth ring engagement contour that can be brought into engagement with the multi-tooth ring, and with a keyed surface engagement contour that can be brought into mating with the keyed surface of the ring.
US08471560B2
The present invention relates to making one or more measurements in a virgin formation using a downhole tool that includes a miniature logging tool. The downhole tool is disposed in a wellbore penetrating the formation, adjacent to the formation, and a sidetrack borehole is made into the formation. All or a portion of the miniature logging tool is deployed into the sidetrack borehole and measurements are made in the virgin formation using the miniature logging tool. The downhole tool may include a drilling/coring module, a pump module, and packers. The drilling/coring module is used to make the sidetrack borehole, and the packers and pump module can be used to create an underbalanced drilling condition in an isolated section of the wellbore.
US08471555B2
Method for determining receiver orientation angles in a controlled source electromagnetic survey, by analyzing the survey data. For a given survey receiver, two data subsets are selected. (43, 44). The two subsets may be from two offset ranges that are geometrically symmetrical relative to the receiver location. Alternatively, the second subset may be a computer simulation of actual survey data. In either instance, an orientation is assumed for the receiver (45), and that orientation is used to compare component data from the two subsets that can be expected to match if the assumed orientation angle(s) is (are) correct (46). The mismatch is ascertained, and the assumed orientation is adjusted (45) and the process is repeated.
US08471550B2
Delivered power detection for power amplifiers (PAs) and related systems and methods are disclosed. The disclosed embodiments and techniques provide a delivered power indication for systems using PAs, including such systems for cellular telephone applications, allow power detection circuitry to be integrated on the same integrated circuit die as the PA, and provide power detection circuitry with output signals at baseband frequencies. In one embodiment, the delivered power detection circuitry includes output voltage level detection circuitry and output current level detection circuitry that provide current signals to multiplier circuitry, which in turn provides current output signals proportional to the actual delivered power to the load as represented by the incident power to the load reduced by the reflected power.
US08471542B2
Aspects of the invention pertain to optimization of multi-phase voltage converter efficiency regardless of load conditions. A processor is coupled to different stages of a power control system. Input and output voltages to the different stages are monitored and varied the processor. The processor is also configured to activate or deactivate different phases of the voltage converter in accordance with load current conditions.
US08471539B2
A low drop out (LDO) voltage regulator having an error amplifier, a power transistor, a first voltage division unit, a compensation control unit and a compensation bias current source is provided. The error amplifier generates a control voltage according to a first reference voltage and a feedback voltage. The power transistor generates an output voltage at a drain of the power transistor according to the control voltage. The first voltage division unit divides the output voltage to generate the feedback voltage. The compensation control unit generates a compensation control signal to the compensation bias current source according to the control voltage, the output voltage and a compensation bias, so as to make the compensation bias current source generate a compensation bias current, in which the compensation bias is inversely proportional to a supply voltage and ambient temperature.
US08471536B2
A switch controller for switching power supply is coupled to an auxiliary winding of the switching power supply through a detecting resistor. The switch controller provides a detecting current passing through the detecting resistor for keeping the voltage level of a detecting signal transmitted by the detecting resistor higher than a predetermined voltage. In this way, the switch controller can avoid the latch-up phenomenon caused by receiving the detecting signal of the negative voltage level. In addition, the switch controller can detect the magnitude of an input voltage of the switching power supply by means of the detecting current, and accordingly control the operation of the switching power supply.
US08471531B2
An uninterruptible power supply (“UPS”) is provided with a backup power supply that has an adjustable reserve power level that is based on a user's input and/or is configured to notify a user if a battery included in the UPS needs to be replaced. In one embodiment of the present invention, the UPS (or a circuit included therein) estimates a remaining life (ERL) of the battery by considering various battery conditions, including, but not limited to, a predetermined battery life expectancy, whether the battery is being used to power a load, and battery temperature. If it is estimated that the ERL is low, or below a predetermined threshold, then the UPS (or a circuit included therein) is configured to notify a user that the battery needs to be replaced.
US08471523B2
A charging/discharging device having at least one concealed universal serial bus (USB) plug has a housing having at least one plug hoe, and at least one retractable plug assembly mounted in the housing. Each of the at least one retractable plug assembly has a slidable second circuit board, a resilient element pushing the second circuit board toward a corresponding one of the plug hole of the housing, a USB plug mounted on the second circuit board and corresponding to the corresponding plug hole of the housing, and a locker mounted through and selectively engaging the second circuit board to prevent the second circuit board from sliding when the USB plug is stored in or protrudes out of the housing. Therefore, since the USB plug is able to be concealed in the housing, the USB plug is not damaged.
US08471521B2
A power source comprised of a first battery pack (e.g., a non-metal-air battery pack) and a second battery pack (e.g., a metal-air battery pack) is provided, wherein the second battery pack is only used as required by the state-of-charge (SOC) of the first battery pack or as a result of the user selecting an extended range mode of operation. Minimizing use of the second battery pack prevents it from undergoing unnecessary, and potentially lifetime limiting, charge cycles. The second battery pack may be used to charge the first battery pack or used in combination with the first battery pack to supply operational power to the electric vehicle.
US08471519B2
A voltage command generation unit generates a voltage command value, based on a current deviation relative to a current command value. A dq-axis voltage filter generates a voltage command value subjected to a filtering process for smoothing a change of the voltage command value in a time axis direction. Then, the voltage command value subjected to the filter processing is subjected to a voltage amplitude correcting process and a dq inverse transformation coordinate converting process, so that a phase voltage command for an AC motor is generated. Thus, it is possible to prevent both an amplitude and a phase of the voltage command for the AC motor from being changed rapidly even at a time of control mode switchover.
US08471511B2
A voltage application unit causes switching elements to apply voltage to flow an electric current into corresponding windings to generate a revolving magnetic field. A period derivation unit derives an energization period of the windings. A signal generation unit generates a PWM signal for causing the voltage application unit to activate and deactivate the switching elements, such that a duty ratio decreases gradually in a predetermined time period subsequent to the derived energization period. A period specifying unit specifies a detection period of an electric current, which is supplied from the switching elements presently switched and deactivated, by a predetermined time period between an edge, which is caused when the PWM signal changes in level to deactivate the switching elements, and a time point in advance of the edge in the energization period.
US08471504B2
In a motor controller, a current detection unit detects an electric current flowing through a brushless motor. An open loop control unit determines a command value indicating a level of a command voltage in accordance with a motor circuit equation, based on a command current value indicating an amount of electric current to be supplied to the brushless motor and an angular velocity of a rotor in the brushless motor. A correction unit calculates a correction value based on a difference between the command current value and a current value detected by the current detection unit when the electric current is detected by the current detection unit and corrects the command value according to the correction value, and corrects the command value according to the correction value even when an electric current is not detected by the current detection unit.
US08471500B2
A method and system are set forth for automatically adjusting keypad luminance based on display content. In one embodiment, the method comprises calculating a lighting level based on ambient light; calculating a luminance level of an image on the display; setting a maximum lighting level to the luminance level of the image on the display; and in the event the calculated lighting level exceeds the maximum lighting level then selecting the maximum lighting level, and in the event the calculated lighting level does not exceed the maximum lighting level then selecting the calculated lighting level.
US08471497B2
A control circuit and method for a LED driver accurately control the output current of the LED driver by adjusting a reference voltage or a feedback voltage according to the input voltage of the LED driver such that the output current decreases with the decrease of the input voltage. Therefore, it enhances the efficiency of the LED driver and maximizes the battery use time of a battery powered system.
US08471496B2
LED calibration systems and related methods are disclosed that use the photo-sensitivity of LEDs to correct for variations between LEDs during initial production and over the lifetime of systems using LEDs. The disclosed systems and methods include methods to set the color or color temperature produced by a group of LEDs during the manufacturing of a device such as a lamp, an LED display, or an LCD backlight, and maintaining such color or color temperature over the operating life of such a device. The methods involve measuring the intensity and/or wavelength of light produced by each LED within a group of LEDs and adjusting an amount of light generated by the LEDs to produce precise color and intensity from the group of LEDs. Two methods that operate some of the LEDs in photovoltaic or photoconductive mode to measure the light intensity produced by other LEDs in the group are presented. The first method uses an additional light source as a reference and determines the light intensity emitted from each LED relative to such reference, while the second method determines the light intensity emitted from each LED relative to each other.
US08471494B2
A white light LED-based lighting device configured for direct form, fit, and function replacement of existing incandescent and fluorescent devices is provided. The white light LED-based lighting device comprises a group of solid state light emitting diodes, electronics to activate the light emitting diodes, and an encapsulating housing configured for direct form, fit, and function replacement of existing fluorescent devices.
US08471492B2
Methods, systems, and apparatus, for wirelessly controlling a power supply device that controls a load. A wireless adapter includes a wireless communication device that receives transmissions from a wireless controller, a serial interface for a serial data connection to a power supply processing device integrated in the power supply device, an adapter processing device that receives the control signals the wireless communication device outputs, generates the control commands from the control signals, and outputs the control commands to the serial interface to cause the power supply processing device to control power provided to the load in a manner specified by the control commands, and an adapter power circuit that receives regulated direct current (DC) power from the power supply device and is powered from the regulated DC power received, and provides power to the wireless communication device and the adapter processing device.
US08471491B2
A method for operating an AC LED is disclosed. The method operates with an assumption that a linear relationship exists between the voltage and current of the AC LED operating at an active region. Hence, a first driving voltage and a second driving voltage are applied to the AC LED for respectively measuring a first driving current and a second driving current, and an interpolation is used for obtaining a third driving voltage. The third driving voltage is the predicted driving voltage for the AC LED. The method is capable of determining the actual driving voltage precisely and rapidly before the follow-up tests for other AC LEDs may proceed.
US08471490B2
A circuit arrangement (1) for voltage conversion comprises a forward branch (60) with a first load terminal (45) to which an electrical load (47) can be coupled and a feedback branch (61) with a sampling device (30). The electrical load (47) can be operated with pulse width modulation. A method for voltage conversion comprises the following steps: an electrical load (47) is supplied with energy using pulse width modulation. A feedback voltage (Vfb) that can be tapped at a terminal of the electrical load (47) is sampled in a first clock phase during which the electrical load (47) is supplied with energy. The voltage conversion is controlled as a function of the feedback voltage (Vfb).
US08471486B2
Some embodiments regard a method comprising: using an input voltage to generate an output voltage having a first voltage level; in a first period, when the output voltage changes from the first voltage level to a second voltage level, storing electrical charges resulted from the output voltage changing from the first voltage level to the second voltage level; and in a second period subsequent to the first period when the output voltage demands energy, using a voltage generated from the stored electrical charges in place of the input voltage to generate the output voltage.
US08471478B2
A light control signal generating circuit includes a photosensitive element, two transistors, and four resistances. A first resistance and the photosensitive element are connected in series between a power voltage terminal and a ground terminal. A base electrode of a first transistor is connected to a node between the first resistance and the photosensitive element, a collecting electrode is connected to the power voltage terminal through a second resistance, and an emitting electrode is connected to the ground terminal through a third resistance. A base electrode of a second transistor is connected to a node between the second resistance and the first transistor, a collecting electrode is connected to the power voltage terminal through a fourth resistance, and an emitting electrode is connected to the ground terminal through the third resistance. An output terminal is formed from a node between the fourth resistance and the second transistor.
US08471477B2
A processing speed may be easily controlled over the wide range within the impedance variation range. A substrate processing apparatus includes: a processing chamber configured to process a substrate; a substrate support unit configured to support the substrate in the processing chamber; a processing gas supply unit configured to supply a processing gas into the processing chamber; a plasma generation electrode configured to convert the processing gas supplied into the processing chamber to be in a plasma state; a radio frequency power source configured to apply a radio frequency power to the plasma generation electrode; a variable impedance electrode installed at the substrate support unit and configured to control an electric potential of the substrate; a variable impedance mechanism connected to the variable impedance electrode and configured to vary an impedance according to a reciprocal of a peak-to-peak voltage of the plasma generation electrode; an exhaust unit configured to exhaust an atmosphere in the processing chamber; and a controller configured to control at least the variable impedance mechanism.
US08471475B1
An electronic ballast is provided and a method for operating one or more lamps. The ballast and method provide for true parallel lamp operation, with preheating of lamp filaments during a dimming operation. Switching losses are reduced by ensured soft switching operation. An inverter switch driver is arranged to provide first drive signals to a shared line branch having a first switch shared among a plurality of decoupled inverter drive modules and to provide second drive signals to a plurality of independent line branches each having a switch and associated with one of the decoupled inverter drive modules. A soft switching control circuit is coupled to the first switch and configured so as to maintain a soft switching operation for the first switch.
US08471465B2
The light-emitting element includes: a light-emitting layer and a layer for controlling the movement of carriers between a first electrode and a second electrode. The layer for controlling the movement of carriers contains a first organic compound and a second organic compound, and is provided between the light-emitting layer and the second electrode. The first organic compound has an electron transporting property, and the second organic compound has an electron trapping property. The weight percent of the first organic compound is higher than that of the second organic compound. The light-emitting layer emits light when a voltage is applied such that the potential of the first electrode is higher than that of the second electrode.
US08471462B2
An organic light emitting diode (OLED) display including a panel assembly, the panel assembly including an organic light emitting diode; a bezel, the bezel receiving the panel assembly; and a buffer member, the buffer member being attached to a side of the panel assembly and being between the panel assembly and the bezel, wherein the buffer member includes a first area and a second area, the first area having an elasticity greater than an elasticity of the second area.
US08471452B2
An apparatus (200) for accelerating an ion beam comprising: a) a first electrode (202) having a proximal side and a distal side and having at least one aperture (201) therethrough, the wall of the aperture being shaped such that the radius of the aperture on the distal side of the first electrode is greater than that on the proximal side of the electrode; b) a second electrode (204) located such that it is adjacent to but spaced from the distal side of the first electrode and having at least one aperture therethrough; and c) a third electrode (206) located such that it is adjacent to and spaced from the second electrode and having at least one aperture therethrough, said at least one apertures in each electrode being aligned with corresponding apertures in the other electrodes; wherein the electrodes are arranged such that there is a potential difference between the first and second electrodes and a potential difference between the second and third electrodes.
US08471443B2
Disclosed is a lighting device. The lighting device includes: a substrate; a light emitting device disposed on the substrate; a driving unit supplying electric power to the light emitting device and connected to the substrate through a conductive line; a heat radiating body radiating heat from the light emitting devices and comprising a hole through which the conductive line to pass; and an insulator coupled with the hole and having a opening.
US08471441B2
A piezoelectric component including a piezoelectric device having wiring electrodes disposed adjacent to a comb electrode and an insulation layer formed on an upper surface of a piezoelectric section. A rewiring layer is formed on an upper surface of the insulation layer and a protective film layer covers the entire upper surface of the rewiring layer excluding the comb electrode. An outer periphery wall section is formed by laminating a photosensitive resin film onto the protective film layer and a ceiling section is formed by laminating the photosensitive resin film onto top openings of the outer periphery wall section. Electrode posts are formed so as to pass through the outer periphery wall section and the ceiling section.
US08471435B2
In the boundary acoustic wave device, an IDT electrode, a first dielectric layer, and a second dielectric layer are provided on a piezoelectric substrate. The first dielectric layer is made of a deposited film. A thickness of the IDT electrode is about 10% or more of λ. A difference between a height of the first dielectric layer, measured from an upper surface of the piezoelectric substrate, above a center of an electrode finger of the IDT electrode and a height of the first dielectric layer, measured from the upper surface of the piezoelectric substrate, above a center of a gap between adjacent electrode fingers, i.e., a magnitude of unevenness in an upper surface of the first dielectric layer, is about 5% or less of λ.
US08471420B2
A rotating electrical machine includes a stator including a coil, a case accommodating the stator and oil, an external connection terminal block arranged at an outer circumferential portion of the case and connecting the coil to an external device, a terminal box arranged at the outer circumferential portion and including a case connecting hole and an external connecting hole respectively in connection with an inner portion of the case and an external atmosphere, the terminal box accommodating the external connection terminal block, a coil wiring member connecting an end portion of the coil to the external connection terminal block by penetrating through the case connecting hole, an external device wiring member connecting the external connection terminal block to the external device by penetrating through the external connecting hole, and a case connecting hole sealing member fixed to the coil wiring member to seal the case connecting hole by fitting thereinto.
US08471415B1
Disclosed is a system and method for supplying power to devices from a receptacle with a universal pin configuration. In an example configuration, a plug reader and a controller are provided. The plug reader reads a communication tag of an electrical device plug, and receives data read from the plug reader from which it can identify an electrical capability of the electrical device, such voltage and/or frequency compatibility of the device. Based on the compatibility data, the controller determines whether a universal power supply is included in the device and causes power to be provided to the device.
US08471413B2
An ECU executes a program including a step of turning on an SMRP and an A-SMRP if an ignition switch is turned on; a step of detecting voltage values VB(1) and VB(2) of running batteries when VH is detected and if VH is higher than 180 V; a step of detecting that SMRP connected to the running battery is welded, if VB(1) is higher than 150 V; and a step of detecting that A-SMRB connected to the running battery is welded, if VB(2) is higher than 150 V.
US08471402B2
A power supply system includes a number of aerogenerators, a number of rectifiers, and a direct current to direct current (DC/DC) converter. A first terminal of each rectifier is connected to a corresponding one of the aerogenerators. A first terminal of the DC/DC converter is connected to second terminals of the rectifiers. A second terminal of the DC/DC converter is connected to a power unit of a container data center. Each rectifier converts the alternating current (AC) generated by the corresponding aerogenerator to a pulsating direct current (DC). The DC/DC converter converts the pulsating DC to a constant voltage DC and supplies power to the power unit.
US08471401B2
A switch device for a vehicle including: a first switch that enables input by a rotation operation or a tilting operation; a second switch that enables input by a predetermined operation; an operation direction detector that detects the operation direction of the rotation direction of the first switch or the tilting operation of the first switch; and a controller that is capable of controlling an on-vehicle equipment in accordance with the input operations to the first switch and the second switch, wherein the controller, in the case of the second switch being located substantially on an extension of the operation direction of the first switch, prohibits execution of a control of the on-vehicle equipment in accordance with an input operation to the second switch until a predetermined time from after the operation direction of the first switch is detected by the operation direction detector elapses.
US08471398B2
The invention relates to a wave-power unit for the production of electric power. It comprises a floating body arranged for floating on the sea and an electric linear generator with a stator (5) and a reciprocating translator (6). The stator (5) is arranged to be anchored in the bed of a sea and the translator (6) is connected to the floating body by connection means, The translator (6) is journalled in a plurality of roiling elements (15) such that a circumferential gap (14) is formed between the stator and the translator. According to the invention each rolling element (15) has an elasticity that is low enough to meet the condition that a change in the width (d) of the gap results in a change in the total force from the roiling elements (15) that is larger than the total magnet forces on the translator resulting from the change in width (d). The invention also relates to a use of the invented wave-power unit.
US08471385B2
A method for the connection of two wafers in which a contact area is formed between the two wafers by placing the two wafers one on top of the other. The contact area is heated locally and for a limited time. A wafer arrangement comprises two wafers which have been placed one on top of the other and between whose opposite surfaces a contact area is located. The wafers are connected to one another at selected areas of the contact area.
US08471377B2
A semiconductor circuit substrate includes a transistor-forming substrate and a circuit-forming substrate. The transistor-forming substrate is a GaN substrate and has a Bipolar Junction Transistor (BJT) located in its top surface. The bottom surface of the transistor-forming substrate is flat and has contact regions. The circuit-forming substrate is a material other than a compound semiconductor and has no semiconductor active elements. The circuit-forming substrate has a flat top surface, contact regions buried in and exposed at the top surface, and passive circuits. The transistor-forming substrate and the circuit-forming substrate are directly bonded together without any intervening film, such as an insulating film.
US08471375B2
A high-density fine line structure mainly includes: two boards with similar structures and a dielectric film for combing the two boards. Semiconductor devices respectively in two boards are opposite to each other after the two boards are combined. The two boards each include a fine line circuit, an insulated layer on the same surface, and the semiconductor device installed above the fine line circuit. The surface of the circuit, which is not covered by a solder mask, is made into a pad. The pad is filled with the tin balls for electrically connecting with another semiconductor device. Electroplating rather than the etching method is used for forming the fine line circuit layer, and a carrier and a metal barrier layer, which are needed during or at the end of the manufacturing process, are removed to increase the wiring density for realizing the object of high-density.
US08471370B2
A semiconductor element to be mounted on a circuit carrier includes a semiconductor die and at least one lead frame. In order to reduce the size required for mounting a semiconductor die on a circuit carrier, a semiconductor element includes a semiconductor die and at least one lead frame. The at least one lead frame is directly attached to the semiconductor die at a connection region of the semiconductor die, and the connection region provides an electrical connection to and mechanical support for the semiconductor die.
US08471356B2
Voltage programmable anti-fuse structures and methods are provided that include at least one conductive material island atop a dielectric surface that is located between two adjacent conductive features. In one embodiment, the anti-fuse structure includes a dielectric material having at least two adjacent conductive features embedded therein. At least one conductive material island is located on an upper surface of the dielectric material that is located between the at least two adjacent conductive features. A dielectric capping layer is located on exposed surfaces of the dielectric material, the at least one conductive material island and the at least two adjacent conductive features. When the anti-fuse structure is in a programmed state, a dielectric breakdown path is present in the dielectric material that is located beneath the at least one conductive material island which conducts electrical current to electrically couple the two adjacent conductive features.
US08471355B2
An AND-type anti-fuse memory cell, and a memory array consisting of AND-type anti-fuse memory cells. Chains of AND type anti-fuse cells are connected in series with each other, and with a bitline contact, in order to minimize the area occupied by the memory array. Each AND type anti-fuse cell includes an access transistor serially connectable to the bitline or the access transistors of other AND type anti-fuse cells, and an anti-fuse device. The channel region of the access transistor is connected to the channel region of the anti-fuse device, and both channel regions are covered by the same wordline. The wordline is driven to a programming voltage level for programming the anti-fuse device, or to a read voltage level for reading the anti-fuse device.
US08471345B2
A biometric sensor assembly comprises a substrate to which is mounted a die containing sensor circuitry, at least one conductive bezel having a visual indicator region formed therein, and electrically connected to said die by way of said substrate, a light source, and a light-directing region directing light from the light source to the visual indicator region. The die, the light-directing region, and the bezel are encased in an encapsulation structure such that a portion of a surface of the die and the visual indication region are exposed or at most thinly covered by the encapsulation structure. The light-directing region directs light emitted by the light source within the encapsulation structure to the visual indicator region. Desired indicia in the visual indicator region may thereby be illuminated, while the die and bezel, and optionally the light source, are protected by the encapsulation structure.
US08471337B2
An integrated circuit is disclosed having a semiconductor component comprising a first p-type region and a first n-type region adjoining the first p-type region, which together form a first pn junction having a breakdown voltage. A further n-type region adjoining the first p-type region or a further p-type region adjoining the first n-type region is provided, the first p-type or n-type region and the further n-type or p-type region adjoining the latter together forming a further pn junction having a further breakdown voltage, the first pn junction and the further pn junction being connected or connectable to one another in such a way that, in the case of an overloading of the semiconductor component, on account of a current loading of the first pn junction, first of all the further pn junction breaks down.
US08471333B2
A trench is formed so as to reach a p−-type epitaxial layer from an upper surface of a source region. A gate electrode is formed so as to bury the trench. Each of body contact trenches is formed away from the gate electrode. A body contact region is formed at the bottom of the body contact trench. An n-type semiconductor region that is a feature of the present invention is formed in a layer below each body contact region. The impurity concentration of the n-type semiconductor region is higher than a channel forming area and lower than the body contact region.
US08471326B2
According to one embodiment, a semiconductor substrate includes a cell region and a peripheral circuit region, a first dielectric film is formed on the semiconductor substrate in the cell region and the peripheral circuit region, a first conductive film is formed on the first dielectric film in the cell region and the peripheral circuit region, a first inter-conductive-film dielectric film is formed on the first conductive film in the cell region, a second inter-conductive-film dielectric film is formed on the first conductive film in the peripheral circuit region and a film thickness thereof is larger than the first inter-conductive-film dielectric film, and a second conductive film is formed on the first inter-conductive-film dielectric film in the cell region and the second inter-conductive-film dielectric film in the peripheral circuit region.
US08471320B2
A memory array layout includes an active region array having a plurality of active regions, wherein the active regions are arranged alternatively along a second direction and parts of the side of the adjacent active regions are overlapped along a second direction; a plurality of first doped region, wherein each first doped region is disposed in a middle region; a plurality of second doped region, wherein each second doped region is disposed in a distal end region respectively; a plurality of recessed gate structures; a plurality of word lines electrically connected to each recessed gate structure respectively; a plurality of digit lines electrically connected to the first doped region respectively; and a plurality of capacitors electrically connected to each second doped region respectively.
US08471316B2
An isolation area that provides additional active area between semiconductor devices on an integrated circuit is described. In one embodiment, the invention includes a complementary metal oxide semiconductor transistor of an image sensor having a source, a drain, and a gate between the source and the drain, the transistor having a channel to couple the source and the drain under the influence of the gate, and an isolation barrier surrounding a periphery of the source and the drain to isolate the source and the drain from other devices, wherein the isolation barrier is distanced from the central portion of the channel.
US08471311B2
An anti-reflective image sensor and method of fabrication are provided, the sensor including a substrate; first color sensing pixels disposed in the substrate; second color sensing pixels disposed in the substrate; third color sensing pixels disposed in the substrate; a first layer disposed directly on the first, second and third color sensing pixels; a second layer disposed directly on the first layer overlying the first, second and third color sensing pixels; and a third layer disposed directly on portions of the second layer overlying at least one of the first or second color sensing pixels, wherein the first layer has a first refractive index, the second layer has a second refractive index greater than the first refractive index, and the third layer has a third refractive index greater than the second refractive index.
US08471310B2
Image sensor arrays may include image sensor pixels each having at least one back-gate-modulated vertical transistor. The back-gate-modulated vertical transistor may be used as a source follower amplifier. An image sensor pixel need not include an address transistor. The image sensor pixel with the back-gate-modulated vertical source follower transistor may exhibit high fill factor, large charge storage capacity, and has as few as two row control lines and two column control lines per pixel. This can be accomplished without pixel circuit sharing. The pixel may also provide direct photo-current sensing capabilities. The ability to directly sense photo-current may facilitate fast adjustment of sensor integration time. Fast adjustment of sensor integration time may be advantageous in automotive and endoscopic applications in which the time available for the correction of integration time is limited.
US08471301B2
A device includes a plurality of photoelectric conversion regions, an interlayer insulating film arranged on the plurality of photoelectric conversion regions, a protective insulating film that is arranged in contact with the interlayer insulating film and has a refractive index different from that of the interlayer insulating film, recesses arranged in a light-receiving surface of each of the plurality of photoelectric conversion regions, and embedded regions embedded in the recesses. When a wavelength of incident light to each of the plurality of photoelectric conversion regions is denoted by λ and a refractive index of the embedded regions is denoted by n, a depth d of the recesses is represented by an expression d≧λ/4n.
US08471297B2
A semiconductor memory device according to an embodiment includes a cell array block having a plurality of cell arrays stacked therein, each of the cell arrays including a plurality of memory cells and a plurality of selective wirings selecting the plurality of memory cells are stacked, a pillar-shaped first via extending in a stack direction from a first height to a second height and having side surfaces connected to a first wiring, and a pillar-shaped second via extending in the stack direction from the first height to the second height and having side surfaces connected to a second wiring upper than the first wiring, the second wiring being thicker in the stack direction than the first wiring and having a higher resistivity than the first wiring.
US08471294B2
GaN-based heterojunction field effect transistor (HFET) sensors are provided with engineered, functional surfaces that act as pseudo-gates, modifying the drain current upon analyte capture. In some embodiments, devices for sensing nitric oxide (NO) species in a NO-containing fluid are provided which comprise a semiconductor structure that includes a pair of separated GaN layers and an AlGaN layer interposed between and in contact with the GaN layers. Source and drain contact regions are formed on one of the GaN layers, and an exposed GaN gate region is formed between the source and drain contact regions for contact with the NO-containing fluid. The semiconductor structure most preferably is formed on a suitable substrate (e.g., SiC). An insulating layer may be provided so as to cover the semiconductor structure. The insulating layer will have a window formed therein so as to maintain exposure of the GaN gate region and thereby allow the gate region to contact the NO-containing fluid. Electrical contact pads are preferably provided in some embodiments so as to be in electrical contact with the source and drain contact regions, respectively. Electrical leads may thus be connected to the contact pads. According to other embodiments, the NO detection device will include a metalloporphyrin adsorbed on the GaN gate region.
US08471292B2
A semiconductor device includes an SCR ESD device region disposed within a semiconductor body, and a plurality of first device regions of the first conductivity type disposed on a second device region of the second conductivity type, where the second conductivity type is opposite the first conductivity type. Also included is a plurality of third device regions having a sub-region of the first conductivity type and a sub-region of the second conductivity type disposed on the second device region. The first regions and second regions are distributed such that the third regions are not directly adjacent to each other. A fourth device region of the first conductivity type adjacent to the second device region and a fifth device region of the second conductivity type disposed within the fourth device region are also included.
US08471289B2
A semiconductor laser device includes a Si(100) substrate in which a recess having an opening and a bottom face surrounded by inner wall surfaces is formed, a semiconductor laser element placed on the bottom face, and a translucent sealing glass, mounted on top of the Si(100) substrate, which seals the opening. The laser light emitted from the semiconductor laser element is reflected by a metallic reflective film formed on the inner wall surface and then transmits through the sealing glass so as to be emitted externally.
US08471285B2
An LED package including a lead-frame, at least an LED chip and an encapsulant is provided. The lead-frame has a roughened surface, the LED chip is disposed on the lead-frame and electrically connected to the lead-frame, and the roughened surface is suitable to scatter the light emitted from the LED chip. In addition, the encapsulant encapsulates the LED chip and a part of the lead-frame, and the rest part of the lead-frame is exposed out of the encapsulant.
US08471278B2
Method for manufacturing an organic light emitting device or a blank for forming therefrom an organic light emitting device as well as such a OLED or blank, the organic light emitting device having a light emitting area with two opposite first sides and two opposite second sides, the method comprising at least the following steps: providing a substrate; depositing and partly removing a layer of transparent conductive material on the substrate for forming parallel anode lines which extend between the first sides; depositing and partly removing at least one conductive layer for forming contacts which are connected anode lines; wherein a photoresist layer is deposited so that it fully extends over contacts adjacent the at least one second side except for at least one contact position per cathode line, via which an electric contact between a respective cathode line to be formed and a respective contact is established.
US08471277B2
A light emitting device according to one embodiment includes a light emitting element that emits light having a wavelength of 380 nm to 470 nm; a CASN first red phosphor that is disposed on the light emitting element; a sialon second red phosphor that is disposed on the light emitting element; and a sialon green phosphor that is disposed on the light emitting element.
US08471270B2
An indirect-bandgap-semiconductor, light-emitting diode. The indirect-bandgap-semiconductor, light-emitting diode includes a plurality of portions including a p-doped portion of an indirect-bandgap semiconductor, an intrinsic portion of the indirect-bandgap semiconductor, and a n-doped portion of the indirect-bandgap semiconductor. The intrinsic portion is disposed between the p-doped portion and the n-doped portion and forms a p-i junction with the p-doped portion, and an i-n junction with the n-doped portion. The p-i junction and the i-n junction are configured to facilitate formation of at least one hot electron-hole plasma in the intrinsic portion when the indirect-bandgap-semiconductor, light-emitting diode is reverse biased and to facilitate luminescence produced by recombination of a hot electron with a hole.
US08471266B2
According to the present invention, an AlN crystal film seed layer having high crystallinity is combined with selective/lateral growth, whereby a Group III nitride semiconductor multilayer structure more enhanced in crystallinity can be obtained. The Group III nitride semiconductor multilayer structure of the present invention is a Group III nitride semiconductor multilayer structure where an AlN crystal film having a crystal grain boundary interval of 200 nm or more is formed as a seed layer on a C-plane sapphire substrate surface by a sputtering method and an underlying layer, an n-type semiconductor layer, a light-emitting layer and a p-type semiconductor layer, each composed of a Group III nitride semiconductor, are further stacked, wherein regions in which the seed layer is present and is absent are formed on the C-plane sapphire substrate surface and/or regions capable of epitaxial growth and incapable of epitaxial growth are formed in the underlying layer.
US08471263B2
An information storage system includes a bonded semiconductor structure having a memory circuit region carried by an interconnect region. The memory circuit region includes a memory control device region having a vertically oriented memory control device. The memory circuit region includes a memory device region in communication with the memory control device region. The memory device region includes a memory device whose operation is controlled by the vertically oriented memory control device.
US08471259B2
Disclosed is a display device and an electronic apparatus incorporating the display device. The display device includes a transistor and a planarization film over the transistor. The planarization film has an opening where an edge portion is rounded. The display device further includes a first electrode over the planarization film and an organic resin film over the first electrode. The organic resin film also has an opening where an edge portion is rounded. The organic resin film is located in the opening of the planarization film. The first electrode and the transistor are electrically connected to each other through a conductive film. The first electrode is in contact with a top surface of the conductive film. Over the first electrode, a light-emitting member and a second electrode are provided.
US08471256B2
Disclosed is a semiconductor device comprising a thin film transistor and wirings connected to the thin film transistor, in which the thin film transistor has a channel formation region in an oxide semiconductor layer, and a copper metal is used for at least one of a gate electrode, a source electrode, a drain electrode, a gate wiring, a source wiring, and a drain wiring. The extremely low off current of the transistor with the oxide semiconductor layer contributes to reduction in power consumption of the semiconductor device. Additionally, the use of the copper metal allows the combination of the semiconductor device with a display element to provide a display device with high display quality and negligible defects, which results from the low electrical resistance of the wirings and electrodes formed with the copper metal.
US08471252B2
An embodiment is to include a staggered (top gate structure) thin film transistor in which an oxide semiconductor film containing In, Ga, and Zn is used as a semiconductor layer and a buffer layer is provided between the semiconductor layer and a source and drain electrode layers. A metal oxide layer having higher carrier concentration than the semiconductor layer is provided intentionally as the buffer layer between the source and drain electrode layers and the semiconductor layer, whereby an ohmic contact is formed.
US08471245B2
An implementation of a single qubit phase gate for use in a quantum information processing scheme based on the υ=5/2 fractional quantum Hall (FQH) state is disclosed. Using sack geometry, a qubit consisting of two σ-quasiparticles, which may be isolated on respective antidots, may be separated by a constriction from the bulk of a two-dimensional electron gas in the υ=5/2 FQH state. An edge quasiparticle may induce a phase gate on the qubit. The number of quasiparticles that are allowed to traverse the edge path defines which gate is induced. For example, if a certain number of quasiparticles are allowed to traverse the path, then a π/8 gate may be effected.
US08471241B2
Provided are a light emitting device, a light emitting device package, and a lighting system. The light emitting device includes a light emitting structure layer, a conductive layer, a bonding layer, a support member, first and second pads, and first and second electrodes. The light emitting structure layer includes a first conductive type semiconductor layer, an active layer, and a second conductive type semiconductor layer. The conductive layer is disposed under the light emitting structure layer. The bonding layer is disposed under the conductive layer. The support member is disposed under the bonding layer. The first pad is disposed under the support member. The second pad is disposed under the support member at a distance from the first pad. The first electrode is connected between the first conductive type semiconductor layer and the first pad. The second electrode is connected between the bonding layer and the second pad.
US08471237B2
A circuit board having a graphene circuit according to the present invention includes: a base substrate; a patterned aluminum oxide film formed on the base substrate, the patterned aluminum oxide film having an average composition of Al2−xO3+x (where x is 0 or more), the patterned aluminum oxide film having a recessed region whose surface has one or more cone-shaped recesses therein; a graphene film preferentially grown only on the patterned aluminum oxide film, the graphene film having one or more graphene atomic layers, the graphene film having a contact region that covers the recessed region, the graphene film growing parallel to a flat surface of the recessed region and parallel to an inner wall surface of each cone-shaped recess of the recessed region; and a patterned metal film, a part of the patterned metal film covering and having electrical contact with the contact region, the patterned metal film filling each recess covered by the graphene film.
US08471229B2
Methods and systems for selection radiation exposure in sterilization of medical devices are disclosed.
US08471227B2
An extreme ultraviolet light source apparatus in which a target material is irradiated with a laser beam and turned into plasma and extreme ultraviolet light is emitted from the plasma may include: a chamber in which the extreme ultraviolet light is generated; an electromagnetic field generation unit for generating at least one of an electric field and a magnetic field inside the chamber; and a cleaning unit for charging and separating debris adhered to an optical element inside the chamber.
US08471217B2
The present invention relates to a particle comprising a non-metallic core having a fluorescent material and a metallic shell encapsulating the non-metallic core wherein the metallic shell has transparency for an electromagnetic radiation having a first wavelength to excite the said fluorescent material and reflectance for an electromagnetic radiation having a second wavelength emitted by the said fluorescent material to confine the electromagnetic radiation having the second wavelength in the metallic shell. This system allows for the excitation of optical cavity modes inside the particle even at sub-micron particle size. The cavity modes are extremely sensitive to any change of the dielectric environment of the particle. This sensitivity can be used for the construction of optical nano-biosensors. Another application of the system is that of a microscopic source for spherical light waves, which may find applications in digital inline holography and display technology.
US08471213B2
An apparatus includes a detecting unit having pixels that converts radiation or light to electric signals; a drive circuit that drives the detecting unit; a read circuit that outputs the electric signals as image signals; a power supply unit that supplies voltages to the detecting unit, the drive circuit, and the read circuit; and a control unit that controls at least the drive circuit and the power supply unit. The control unit performs a first process of stopping the voltage supply operation to the detecting unit, with the voltage supply operations to the drive circuit and the read circuit maintained; a second process of driving the detecting unit; and a third process of stopping the voltage supply operations to the drive circuit and the read circuit.
US08471208B1
A non-dispersive infrared gas sensor provides the same light path for light used in a reference mode and a test mode for testing for the presence or concentration of one or more gases. A vacuum is formed in the light pipe in the reference mode. Gas flows into the light pipe before the test mode. The same emitter and detector maybe used for both the test and reference modes. The emitter transmits an electromagnetic wave through the light pipe in both the reference and test modes. The detected signals in both modes are compared to determine the concentration or presence of gas in the light pipe.
US08471199B1
A portable mass spectrometer having an atmospheric pressure interface for introducing ions generated at ambient pressure gas conditions into a vacuum of the mass spectrometer. The mass spectrometer has a vacuum chamber having at least one vacuum section and at least one gas inlet for directing the ambient pressure gas including the ions into the at least one vacuum section. The at least one gas inlet has a gas passage channel of a length L and a limiting cross section S with a ratio of L/S being less than 20,000 cm−1. The mass spectrometer has a radio frequency (RF) ion guide in the at least one vacuum section positioned for collecting the ions from the at least one gas inlet and transmitting the ions further to a mass analyzer for analyzing the ions transmitted from the ion guide.
US08471195B2
With respect to a push button, a part of a depressing portion is detected by a photo sensor when the depressing portion urged upward by a spring is depressed and stroke of the depressed depressing portion reaches a predetermined distance. Thereby, switch between OFF and ON is carried out. Also, the push button includes a metal dome. Load of the spring works on the depressing portion when depressed. Further, when the stroke of the depressed depressing portion reaches a predetermined distance so as to switch between OFF and ON, the load of the spring and that of the metal dome integrally work on the depressing portion.
US08471170B2
A plasma processing apparatus for producing a set of Group IV semiconductor nanoparticles from a precursor gas is disclosed. The apparatus includes an outer dielectric tube, the outer tube including an outer tube inner surface and an outer tube outer surface, wherein the outer tube inner surface has an outer tube inner surface etching rate. The apparatus also includes an inner dielectric tube, the inner dielectric tube including an inner tube outer surface, wherein the outer tube inner surface and the inner tube outer surface define an annular channel, and further wherein the inner tube outer surface has an inner tube outer surface etching rate. The apparatus further includes a first outer electrode, the first outer electrode having a first outer electrode inner surface disposed on the outer tube outer surface. The apparatus also includes a first central electrode, the first central electrode being disposed inside the inner dielectric tube, the first central electrode further configured to be coupled to the first outer electrode when a first RF energy source is applied to one of the first outer electrode and the first central electrode; and a first reaction zone defined between the first outer electrode and the central electrode.
US08471162B2
The present invention relates to a switching device for low voltage systems comprising one or more accessory devices. The switching device according to the invention comprises a case containing at least one pair of contacts that can be reciprocally coupled/decoupled. The device furthermore comprises a containment structure to contain at least one accessory device of the switching device. Said structure is provided with means for interfacing with the accessory device which comprises a body that can be inserted in the containment structure. The accessory device also comprises coupling means to couple it to the containment structure and operating means which interact with the switching device via the interface means of the containment structure. The accessory device is also provided with disengagement means operatively connected to the coupling means. Said disengagement means, once activated, free the coupling means to permit extraction of the accessory device from the containment structure.
US08471161B2
A rolling-ball switch includes a surrounding wall defining an axial hole and including two opposite open ends, and two metallic terminals plugged in the axial hole respectively from the open ends. The surrounding wall has an inner surface formed with two spaced-apart first annular recesses proximate to the open ends, respectively, and two spaced-apart second annular recesses respectively adjacent to the first annular recesses but distal from the respective open ends. Each terminal has an insert portion inserted into the axial hole, and axially spaced-apart first and second barbed surfaces formed annularly around the insert portion. The first barbed surface is engaged to a respective first annular recess. The second barbed surfaces of the metallic terminals are engageable respectively with the second annular recesses when the terminals expand due to heat. A ball member is disposed rollably in the axial hole to contact the terminals.
US08471160B1
An inline conduit switch includes a body having an anchor fitting adapted for mounting to a support and a conduit fitting adapted for mounting a control cable thereto. The conduit fitting is at least partially received in a bore of the anchor fitting for relative axial movement between a first configuration to which the body is normally biased and a second, compressed configuration. First and second electrical contacts are operatively carried by the anchor fitting and the conduit fitting, and are brought into electrically conductive engagement in the second configuration. The inline conduit switch operates to create electrical contact when a control cable is placed in tension, thereby axially shifting the conduit fitting relative to the anchor fitting.
US08471159B2
An undercarriage for use with a circuit breaker includes a bottom plate, a front beam removably coupled to the bottom plate via a lead screw, wherein the lead screw is configured to engage with a threaded support that is coupled to the bottom plate to facilitate racking the circuit breaker in a switchgear. The undercarriage also includes a keylock assembly configured to enable racking the circuit breaker in the switchgear. The keylock assembly includes a lock and an interlock configured to couple to the lock such that the interlock is movable between a locked position and an unlocked position, wherein engagement of a racking handle with the lead screw is enabled when the interlock is in the unlocked position.
US08471158B2
A switch assembly is provided that includes a series of bridge actuators that include oppositely spaced protrusions separated by a bridge. The protrusions extend through apertures in a support that provides a sliding surface for overlying actuator plates. The actuator plates include ramps to act on the protrusions and in turn activate underlying dome switches. The bridge actuators utilize an angled underside to provide better alignment with the top surface of the dome to reduce shearing. The switch assembly also includes a sub-assembly that uses a micro switch cell in a knob instead of a PCB to reduce the number of connections. The sub-assembly uses an elastomeric keypad to preload a button on the knob and provide tactile feel. The switch assembly also includes a four-way knob that provides distinct feel to the directions of movement using a contoured male-female connection that uses tabs and slots, a contoured female connection and a protrusion on the tip of the male connector.
US08471150B2
The invention relates to a high voltage device for providing electrical insulation of a conductor extending through the device. The device includes a hollow insulator; a conductor extending through the hollow insulator; a field gradient decreasing arrangement including a condenser core and a voltage grading shield. The condenser core and the voltage grading shield are arranged around the conductor inside the hollow insulator in a manner so that the voltage grading shield is arranged around at least part of the condenser core.
US08471148B2
For a longitudinal water barrier a conductor is cut at the desired location as usual, the insulation is stripped and the corresponding leads are reconnected with one another in an electrically conductive manner. However, the following steps are taken for additional sealing: each lead end is applied to a soldering surface of a circuit board, wherein the soldering surfaces are separated from one another through slots in the circuit board; and, subsequently in particular a two step encasement with plastic material is performed over the entire connection portion.
US08471142B1
A solar energy concentrating system with high light collection efficiency includes a light concentrating unit, a light homogenizing unit and photovoltaic modules. The light concentrating unit includes a parabolic reflector and an ellipsoidal reflector which are coaxial and confocal. The light homogenizing unit includes an infrared filter and a hollow spherical reflector with a hole in its surface. When the system is under illumination, light is concentrated by the light concentrating unit through the hole in the spherical reflector surface and reflected by the inner surface of the spherical reflector onto the photovoltaic modules. The infrared filter covers the hole in the spherical reflector surface and reduces the heat in the photovoltaic modules under concentrated light. The combination of the parabolic reflector and the ellipsoidal reflector obtain highly concentrated light, and the hollow spherical reflector ensures light uniformity on the photovoltaic modules and light utilization efficiency.
US08471141B2
Improved photovoltaic devices, and more specifically, improved building integrated photovoltaic devices are described herein. In one embodiment, the photovoltaic roofing structure may be comprised of a roofing tile having a top surface, a bottom surface, and a recessed portion; a photovoltaic module sized to fit within the recessed portion of the roofing structure.
US08471140B2
A porous silica precursor composition is herein provided and the precursor composition comprises an organic silane represented by the following chemical formula 1: R1m(R2—O)4-mSi (in the formula, R1 and R2 may be the same or different and each represent an alkyl group, and m is an integer ranging from 0 to 3); water; an alcohol; and a quaternary ammonium compound represented by the following chemical formula 2: R3N(R4)3X (in the formula, R3 and R4 may be the same or different and each represent an alkyl group and X represents a halogen atom). The composition is prepared by a method comprising the step of blending the foregoing components. The porous silica precursor composition is coated on a substrate and then fired to thus form a porous silica film. Also disclosed herein include a semiconductor element, an apparatus for displaying an image and a liquid crystal display, each having the foregoing porous silica film.
US08471122B2
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated CH248517. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CH248517, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH248517 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to genetic complements of plants of variety CH248517.
US08471117B1
An inbred corn line, designated XJH58, the plants and seeds of the inbred corn line XJH58, methods for producing a corn plant, either inbred or hybrid, produced by crossing the inbred corn line XJH58 with itself or with another corn plant, and hybrid corn seeds and plants produced by crossing the inbred line XJH58 with another corn line or plant and to methods for producing a corn plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic corn plants produced by that method. This invention also relates to inbred corn lines derived from inbred corn line XJH58, to methods for producing other inbred corn lines derived from inbred corn line XJH58 and to the inbred corn lines derived by the use of those methods.
US08471113B2
The invention provides seed and plants of pepper hybrid PS09954859 and the parent lines thereof. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of pepper hybrid PS09954859 and the parent lines thereof, and to methods for producing a pepper plant produced by crossing such plants with themselves or with another pepper plant, such as a plant of another genotype. The invention further relates to seeds and plants produced by such crossing. The invention further relates to parts of such plants, including the fruit and gametes of such plants.
US08471099B2
Isolated polynucleotides and polypeptides encoded thereby are described, together with the use of those products for making transgenic plants with increased nitrogen use efficiency. The present invention further relates to nucleotide sequences and the use of those nucleotide sequences in the genetic-engineering of plants to display enhanced nitrogen assimilatory and utilization capacities, grow larger, more efficiently or rapidly, and/or have enriched nitrogen contents in vegetative and/or reproductive plant parts and/or increased biomass. More particularly, this invention relates to producing transgenic plants engineered to have altered expression of key components in the nitrogen assimilation and utilization pathways. The engineered plants may be productively cultivated under conditions of low nitrogen fertilizer input or in nitrogen poor soils. Alternatively, the engineered plants may be used to achieve faster growing or maturing crops, higher crop yields and/or more nutritious products under ideal cultivation conditions.
US08471098B1
A novel maize variety designated X95B339 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof, produced by crossing Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. proprietary inbred maize varieties. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprises crossing hybrid maize variety X95B339 with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X95B339 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety X95B339, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X95B339. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X95B339.
US08471097B1
A novel maize variety designated PH182Y and seed, plants and plant parts thereof. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprise crossing maize variety PH182Y with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into PH182Y through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. Hybrid maize seed, plant or plant part produced by crossing the variety PH182Y or a locus conversion of PH182Y with another maize variety.
US08471095B1
A novel maize variety designated X05B900 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof, produced by crossing Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. proprietary inbred maize varieties. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprises crossing hybrid maize variety X05B900 with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X05B900 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety X05B900, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X05B900. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X05B900.
US08471090B1
A novel maize variety designated X8F941 and seed, plants and plant parts thereof, produced by crossing Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc. proprietary inbred maize varieties. Methods for producing a maize plant that comprises crossing hybrid maize variety X8F941 with another maize plant. Methods for producing a maize plant containing in its genetic material one or more traits introgressed into X8F941 through backcross conversion and/or transformation, and to the maize seed, plant and plant part produced thereby. This invention relates to the maize variety X8F941, the seed, the plant produced from the seed, and variants, mutants, and minor modifications of maize variety X8F941. This invention further relates to methods for producing maize varieties derived from maize variety X8F941.
US08471089B2
The instant invention relates to a process and plant for the transformation of dangerous wastes containing chromium six as contaminant into non dangerous wastes that can be stored without special care and will be degraded in the environment without time limit. The process basically consists of milling, extracting chromium six in liquid phase and under controlled conditions of stirring, time and temperature, proceeding then, through reduction, to transform the chromium six in chromium three and then precipitating as chromium trioxide, through gasification. The solid resulting from the transformation process can be used as raw material for the manufacturing of firebricks or eventually for the manufacturing of bricks used in the building industry through a process not included in the instant description.
US08471086B2
We provide a process for producing hydrocarbon products. The process includes operating a process unit comprising a liquid catalyst in a first mode, adjusting a molar ratio of olefin to HCl, and operating the process unit in a second mode. The first mode and the second mode are different, one being a distillate mode and the other being a lubricant mode. Increasing the molar ratio of olefin to HCl provides a higher amount of a lubricant.
US08471084B2
The process converts FCC olefins to heavier compounds. The heavier compounds are more easily separated from the unconverted paraffins. The heavier compounds can be recycled to an FCC unit or delivered to a separate FCC unit. Suitable conversion zones are oligomerization and aromatic alkylation zones.
US08471081B2
A process has been developed for producing diesel fuel from crude tall oil. The process involves treating a renewable feedstock by hydrogenating and deoxygenating to provide a diesel boiling range fuel hydrocarbon product. If desired, the hydrocarbon product can be isomerized to improve cold flow properties. A portion of the hydrocarbon product is recycled to the treatment zone to increase the hydrogen solubility of the reaction mixture.
US08471080B2
Method for the removal of inorganic compounds of biomass from agricultural, forest and urban sources
Described is a methodology aiming to the removal of harmful ash constituents from the ash of biomass, such as alkali metals, chlorine and sulfur, prior to is thermochemical conversion, in order to minimize/eliminate the ash-related corrosion, deposition and agglomeration problems, as well as the emissions of alkali metals, chlorine and sulfur. This removal is achieved by a combined pre-treatment which includes prepyrolysis of biomass at temperatures varying in the range of 200-300° C. and for a period of 5 min up to 2 h, followed by the leaching of the biomass materials using water with a solid/water mass ratio varying from 33 g/L up to 300 g/L with water temperature varying from 13° up to 55° C. and residence time varying from 5 min up to 24 h.
US08471076B2
In the production of methanol from a synthesis gas containing hydrogen and carbon oxides, the synthesis gas is passed through a first, preferably water-cooled reactor, in which a part of the carbon oxides is catalytically converted to methanol. The obtained mixture containing synthesis gas and methanol vapor is supplied to a second, preferably gas-cooled reactor, in which a further part of the carbon oxides is converted to methanol. Subsequently, methanol is separated from the synthesis gas, and the synthesis gas is recirculated to the first reactor. To achieve a maximum methanol yield even with an aged catalyst, a partial stream of the synthesis gas is guided past the first reactor and introduced directly into the second reactor.
US08471073B2
The present invention provides new estrogenic compounds of the general formula in which the substituents have the meanings that are explained in more detail in the description, and pharmaceutical compositions containing them. The compounds of the invention are useful, for example, in hormone replacement therapies (HRT/ERT) and as contraceptives and estrogenic hormone therapies. Also provided is a process for synthesizing the compounds of the invention.
US08471072B2
The invention provides processes for preparing soy-based oligomeric polyols or substituted oligomeric polyols, as well as urethane bioelasteromers comprising the oligomeric polyols or substituted oligomeric polyols.
US08471070B2
The method for catalytic conversion of alcohols according to the present invention using a zinc oxide catalyst comprises a thermal pretreatment stage in an inert and/or reducing atmosphere at a temperature of at least 100° C., prior to the reaction stage.
US08471066B2
A process for preparation of a phosphoromonochloridite in high yield, by contacting phosphorus trichloride (PCl3) with an aromatic diol, such as 2,2′-biphenol, in a slurry, which contains a portion of the aromatic diol in solid form and contains a solution phase containing the remaining portion of the aromatic diol and an organic solvent, under reaction conditions sufficient to produce the phosphoromonochloridite. The slurry comprises less than 5 mole percent of a nitrogen base, calculated on total moles of the aromatic diol, and the organic solvent is selected for its low hydrogen chloride solubility.
US08471063B2
Described herein are peptide derivatives and peptidomimetics as inhibitors for transglutaminases, methods for their preparation, pharmaceutical compositions containing said compounds as well as uses of said transglutaminase inhibitors in particular for the treatment of coeliac disease and transglutaminase dependent diseases.
US08471057B2
The present invention relates to Sitagliptin intermediate and preparation method and use thereof. The method comprises reacting compound of formula (II) and trifluorobromobenzene with a Grignard reagent by a Grignard reaction to obtain a compound of formula (I). Compound of formula (I) is a new intermediate compound for the synthesis of Sitagliptin. Compound of formula (I) can be easily used for preparing another important intermediate compound of formula (V) for the synthesis of Sitagliptin. The structures of the compounds mentioned above are as the following:
US08471049B2
Described herein are Group 4 metal-containing precursors, compositions comprising Group 4 metal-containing precursors, and deposition processes for fabricating conformal metal containing films on substrates. In one aspect, the Group 4 metal-containing precursors are represented by the following formula I: wherein M comprises a metal chosen from Ti, Zr, and Hf; R and R1 are each independently selected from an alkyl group comprising from 1 to 10 carbon atoms; R2 is an alkyl group comprising from 1 to 10 carbon atoms; R3 is chosen from hydrogen or an alkyl group comprising from 1 to 3 carbon atoms; R4 is an alkyl group comprising from 1 to 6 carbon atoms and wherein R2 and R4 are different alkyl groups. Also described herein are methods for making Group 4 metal-containing precursors and methods for depositing films using the Group 4 metal-containing precursors.
US08471043B2
The present invention relates to novel platensimycin derivatives, their intermediates and preparing methods of the same. Platensimycin is known as an effective antibiotic material having a broad antimicrobial spectrum and its derivatives are also expected to be effective antibiotic candidates. The present invention also relates to a novel preparing method of platensimycin. The intermediates used for the production of platensimycin and its derivatives of the present invention are tricyclo ketone derivatives and tetracyclo derivatives. Tetracyclo derivatives are prepared from tricyclo ketone derivatives prepared by carbonyl ylide [3+2] cycloaddition of dia-zoketone derivative.
US08471040B2
In one aspect, the invention relates to compounds of formula I: where X, Y, R1, R2, R3, R4, R4, and n are as defined in the specification, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. The compounds of formula I are serotonin reuptake inhibitors. In another aspect, the invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds; methods of using such compounds; and process and intermediates for preparing such compounds.
US08471038B2
The invention provides a compound for the treatment or prophylaxis of pathology involving SNS, specifically diseases such as neuropathic pain, nociceptive pain, dysuria, multiple sclerosis and the like. The compound is represented by formula (1) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof wherein R1 is a hydrogen atom or the like, L is a single bond, —O— or the like, R2 is a phenyl group or the like, X is a carbon atom or a nitrogen atom, and R3, R4, R5a, R5b, R6 and R7 are each independently a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group or the like:
US08471037B2
The present invention relates to imidazole derivatives having vinyl group represented by general formula (I) which possess electron transporting character, have a high glass transition temperature (Tg), and high decomposition temperature (Td): wherein all symbols are defined as recited in the specification. The present invention also relates to a use of the imidazole derivatives having vinyl group as a guest emitter or electron transporter in luminescent elements.
US08471036B2
A rhodacyanine derivative represented by the following General Formula (1), wherein, in General Formula (1), R1, R2, and R3 each independently represent an alkyl group which may be substituted; Y1 and Y2 each independently represent a hydrogen atom, a chlorine atom, or a fluorine atom provided that Y1 and Y2 do not represent hydrogen atoms at the same time; and X represents a counter anion. A pharmaceutical composition for treating leishmaniasis including the rhodacyanine derivative and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
US08471034B2
The invention relates to prodrugs of niacin and their use in pharmaceutical composition and therapeutic treatment of disease.
US08471030B2
This invention concerns generally with a process for purifying crude pharmaceutical compositions, wherein the crude pharmaceutical composition comprises a sodium salt of Montelukast and more particularly relates to a process for the production of pharmaceutically pure preparations of Montelukast sodium using simulated moving bed technology, without requiring an intermediate acid formation step to separate isomers and to remove impurities.
US08471027B2
The invention relates to JNK inhibitors and corresponding methods, formulations, and compositions for inhibiting JNK and treating JNK-mediated disorders. The application discloses JNK inhibitors, as described below in Formula I: wherein the variables are as defined herein. The compounds and compositions disclosed herein are useful to modulate the activity of JNK and treat diseases associated with JNK activity. Disclosed are methods and formulations for inhibiting JNK and treating JNK-mediated disorders, and the like, with the compounds, and processes for making said compounds, and corresponding compositions, disclosed herein.
US08471026B2
This invention provides compounds of formula (I): wherein R1a, R1b, R1c, R1d, R2a, R2b, X1, X2, and G have values as described in the specification, useful as inhibitors of HDAC6. The invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising the compounds of the invention and methods of using the compositions in the treatment of proliferative, inflammatory, infectious, neurological or cardiovascular diseases or disorders.
US08471023B2
The present invention provides processes for the stereoselective synthesis of 6-alpha-amino morphinans. In particular, the invention provides processes for the reductive amination of 6-keto normorphinans by catalytic transfer hydrogenation.
US08471015B2
A process for producing a green fluorescent protein, which comprises reacting a compound Represented by formula (4): when R3 represents (i) an alkyl having 1 to 7 carbon atoms which may optionally be substituted with an alicyclic group, (ii) an alicyclic group or (iii) an arylalkyl having 7 to 10 carbon atoms, with an apoprotein of a calcium-binding photoprotein in the presence of a chelating agent, and producing the green fluorescent protein.
US08471008B2
A material for organic electroluminescence devices for use as a host material in combination with at least one phosphorescent metal complex, which comprises a compound having a specific heterocyclic structure, is described. Also described is an organic electroluminescence device having an anode, a cathode and an organic thin film layer having one or more layers. The organic thin film layer is interposed between the anode and cathode and has a light emitting layer containing a host material in combination with at least one phosphorescent metal complex. At least one layer of the organic thin film layer contains the material for organic electroluminescence devices. The material for organic electroluminescence devices provides an organic electroluminescence device which has a high emitting efficiency, causes little pixel defects, is excellent in heat resistance, and show a long lifetime.
US08471004B2
The invention is concerned with novel bicyclic compounds of formula (I), wherein A, L, E, F, G, R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, V, W and n are as defined in the description and in the claims, as well as physiologically acceptable salts thereof. These compounds are antagonists of CCR2 receptor, CCR5 receptor and/or CCR3 receptor and can be used as medicaments.
US08471000B2
RNA interference is provided for inhibition of HIF1A mRNA expression for treating patients with ocular angiogenesis, particularly for treating retinal edema, diabetic retinopathy, sequela associated with retinal ischemia, posterior segment neovascularization (PSNV), and neovascular glaucoma, and for treating patients at risk of developing such conditions.
US08470997B2
A pharmaceutical composition including as active agent, an antisens oligonucleotide having the sequence SEQ ID NO: 1 in a concentration from about 0.40 mg/ml to about 2 mg/ml and the use thereof for preventing, stabilizing and/or inhibiting blood and lymph vascularization.
US08470995B2
This invention relates to isolated polynucleotides encoding enzymes consisting of a carboxypeptidase-like protein, a methyltransferase and a glucosyltransferase, involved in the biosynthesis of β-amyrin-derived triterpenes in plants and seeds. The invention also relates to the construction of recombinant DNA constructs comprising all or a portion of the isolated polynucleotides of the invention, in sense or antisense orientation, operably linked to at least one regulatory sequence.
US08470990B2
The invention provides methods for producing high resolution crystals of ribosomes and ribosomal subunits as well as crystals produced by such methods. The invention also provides high resolution structures of ribosomal subunits either alone or in combination with protein synthesis inhibitors. The invention provides methods for identifying ribosome-related ligands and methods for designing ligands with specific ribosome-binding properties as well as ligands that may act as protein synthesis inhibitors. Thus, the methods and compositions of the invention may be used to produce ligands that are designed to specifically kill or inhibit the growth of any target organism.
US08470989B2
The invention relates to CTSP polypeptides and the nucleic acid molecules that encode them. The invention further relates to the use of the nucleic acid molecules, polypeptides and fragments thereof in methods and compositions for the diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of diseases, such as cancer. More specifically, the invention relates to the discovery of a novel cancer/testis (CT) antigen, CTSP-1.
US08470986B2
A method for producing an oxazoline derivative from a non-protected sugar in a simple manner and a method for producing a glycoside by utilizing the product of the aforementioned method are disclosed. A sugar oxazoline derivative is synthesized in one step in an aqueous solution from a sugar having a free hemiacetal hydroxy group and an amide group by using a haloformamidinium derivative as a dehydration/condensation agent. A glycoside is produced by using the oxazolidine derivative as a sugar donor and also using a sugar dehydrogenase. The method can be applied to the production of a compound having a long sugar chain, and is therefore useful for a production of a physiologically active oligosaccharide, a carrier for a drug delivery system, a surfactant, a carbohydrate pharmaceutical, a glycopeptide, a glycoprotein, a carbohydrate polymer or the like.
US08470982B2
The present invention relates to anhydrous solutions of MX3-Z LiA in a solvent, wherein M is a lanthanide including lanthanum, or yttrium or indium; z>0; and X and A are independently or both monovalent anions, preferably Cl, Br or I. The solution is readily prepared by dissolving or suspending MX3 or its hydrate and z equiv LiA in water or hydrophilic solvents, or mixtures thereof, removing the solvent under vacuum and dissolving the resulting powder in another solvent. The solution of MX3-Z LiA can advantageously be used e.g. in addition reactions of Grignard reagents to ketones and imines. Even the catalytic use of MX3-Z LiA is possible.
US08470979B2
The invention provides humanized mouse anti-human IL-31 antibodies and antibody fragments that are capable of binding IL-31 and thereby neutralizing, inhibiting, limiting, or reducing the proinflammatory or pro-pruritic effects of IL-31.
US08470967B2
The present disclosure describes environmentally responsive polypeptides capable of displaying stimuli-triggered conformational changes in a reversible or irreversible manner that may be accompanied by aggregation. Polypeptides include a number of repeated motifs and may be elastomeric or non-elastomeric. The polypeptides may be used to deliver therapeutics to a biological site and to develop bioactive polypeptides that are environmentally responsive.
US08470962B2
A method of preventing bubble formation during or after thermoforming polyester sheet comprising heating the polyester sheet to about 100-165° F. for at least about 1 hour prior to thermoforming the sheet.
US08470960B2
There is provided an electroactive material having Formula I wherein: Q is the same or different at each occurrence and can be O, S, Se, Te, NR, SO, SO2, or SiR3; R is the same or different at each occurrence and can be hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, alkenyl, or alkynyl; and R1 through R6 are the same or different and can be hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, halogen, hydroxyl, aryloxy, alkoxy, alkenyl, alkynyl, amino, alkylthio, phosphino, silyl, —COR, —COOR, —PO3R2, —OPO3R2, or CN.
US08470959B2
A novel polyimide compound which has a low linear expansion coefficient and permits film formation by a spin coating method or the like, a preparation method for the polyimide compound, and an optical film and an optical waveguide produced by employing the compound. The polyimide compound has a structural unit represented by the following general formula (1): wherein X is a covalent single bond, —CH2—, —C(CF3)2— or —CR(R′)— (wherein R and R′, which may be the same or different, are each a C1 to C6 alkyl group or an aryl group); A and B, which may be the same or different, are substituents each selected from a hydroxyl group, a halogen group and a C1 to C4 alkyl group; a and b, which are the numbers of the substituents A and B, respectively, are each an integer of 0 to 2; and o, p and q are each an integer of 1 to 5.
US08470958B1
This invention is the design and synthesis of a caprolactone monomer which bears a pendant protected carboxyl group. This monomer has been copolymerized with caprolactone in varying ratios. After polymerization, the protecting group can be removed and an antibiotic can be attached as a new pendant group. The bioactivity of the antibiotic-bound poly(caprolactone) polymer is described.
US08470957B2
A dihydric phenol compound represented by the following formula (2), a phosgene compound, and an aliphatic tertiary amine are mixed together using a hydrophobic organic solvent to produce bischloroformate that is represented by the following formula (1) and has an average number of repeating units (n) of 1.99 or less. In the formulae (1) and (2), Ar is a divalent aromatic group.
US08470956B2
In one aspect, the present disclosure encompasses polymerization systems for the copolymerization of CO2 and epoxides comprising 1) a catalyst including a metal coordination compound having a permanent ligand set and at least one ligand that is a polymerization initiator, and 2) a chain transfer agent having two or more sites that can initiate polymerization. In a second aspect, the present disclosure encompasses methods for the synthesis of polycarbonate polyols using the inventive polymerization systems. In a third aspect, the present disclosure encompasses polycarbonate polyol compositions characterized in that the polymer chains have a high percentage of —OH end groups and a high percentage of carbonate linkages. The compositions are further characterized in that they contain polymer chains having an embedded polyfunctional moiety linked to a plurality of individual polycarbonate chains.
US08470951B2
A silicone composition is described that includes components having SiH/SiOH group and that can be polymerized/cross-linked by a dehydrocondensation reaction in the presence of a catalyst such as an iron-based complex or salt, requiring a low activation temperature.
US08470938B2
An epoxy resin composition for use in producing a prepreg for printed wiring boards excellent in appearance, flame retardancy, etc., which comprises an epoxy resin, a phenolic novolak, and a curing accelerator. It is characterized in that the epoxy resin comprises an epoxy (a) and an epoxy (b), wherein the epoxy (a) is a brominated epoxy resin which is obtained by reacting/mixing a bisphenol A epoxy resin with tetrabromobisphenol A and has an epoxy equivalent of 350 to 470 g/eq and an n=0 component content of 20 to 35% in terms of areal percentage in a GPC chart, and the epoxy (b) is at least one bifunctional epoxy resin which is obtained by reacting any one selected from the group consisting of bisphenol A, bisphenol F, and tetrabromobisphenol A with epichlorohydrin and has an n=0 component content as determined from a GPC chart of 60% or higher.
US08470937B2
Provided are a curable composition for semiconductor encapsulation which produces a cured product that is excellent in heat resistance, electrical insulation properties at high temperatures, flexibility and heat cycle resistance, and a semiconductor device encapsulated by curing this curable composition. Specifically, there is provided a curable composition for semiconductor encapsulation containing, as component (A), a particular SiH group-containing siloxane compound; as component (B), a particular vinyl group-containing siloxane compound; as component (C), a compound having at least three SiH groups or at least three vinyl groups; and as component (D), a hydrosilylation catalyst.
US08470932B2
The methods of manufacturing a curable wax, such as an acrylate of a hydroxyl-terminated polyethylene wax having the structure CH3—(CH2)n—CH2OH, where n=22-24, are disclosed. The methods may include reacting a wax having a transformable functional group and a curable compound in the presence of an organic solvent to form an acrylate. The methods may further include removing excess curable compound using hot water having a temperature of more than 85° C., and solidifying the acrylate. The methods may thereby provide safe and cost effective methods for curable wax production at large scale.
US08470930B2
The present invention relates to novolak resins prepared with, inter alia, one or more alkylphenols. The invention further relates to compositions comprising the novolak resins, such as vulcanizable rubber compositions, and to products obtained therewith.
US08470928B2
A one- or two-component adhesive containing: a) a binding agent having reactive isocyanate groups or silane groups, and b) a nonreactive polymer having a glass transition temperature, measured by means of DSC, in the range from −40° C. to +60° C. This preferably has, in a cured state, at a temperature at least in the range from −10 to +50° C., a dynamic mechanical loss factor tan δ of at least 0.4 at a frequency in the range from 10 to 400 Hz. Use of an adhesive of this kind for the adhesive bonding of components in the manufacture or repair of vehicles, in particular for bonding windows into place in the context of direct glass bonding.
US08470922B2
Ethylene-vinyl alcohol (EVOH) based thermoplastic elastomers (TPE) and thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPV) including a cured rubber dispersed therein and an EVOH-rubber compatibilizer.
US08470919B2
The present invention relates to a flame retardant polymer composition comprising (A) a polyethylene, (B) a silicone-group containing compound, (C) an inorganic filler material, and (D) a polypropylene in an amount of 0.1 to 10 wt. % with respect to the total composition, to an article comprising said flame retardant polymer composition, in particular to a wire or cable comprising a layer made of said flame retardant composition and to the use of said flame retardant polymer composition for the production of a layer of a wire or cable. Furthermore, the invention relates to the use of a polypropylene in the production of a flame retardant layer for a wire or cable as a processing aid.
US08470917B2
The invention aims to provide a method by which a solution of polyimide can be easily obtained. Further, the invention aims to provide a fluorinated polyimide solution by which fluorinated polyimide excellent especially as an optical material and an electronic functional material can easily be produced. The production method of the soluble polyimide solution according to invention is characterized by mixing a mixture containing a polyamide acid, a cyclodehydration reagent, and a solvent by a rotation-revolution mixing method. Further, the fluorinated polyimide solution of the invention is a solution of polyimide defined by the following formula (II): wherein, X and Y independently represent divalent organic groups; Z represents chlorine atom, bromine atom, or iodine atom; p represents an integer of 1 to 3; q represents an integer of 0 to 2; and p+q=3.
US08470913B2
An object of the present invention is to provide a thermosetting resin composition having high heat resistance, high flame retardancy, good mechanical properties, and high dimensional stability. To achieve the object, there are provided a thermosetting resin composition containing a polyimide resin and a boron compound represented by general formula below and a cured product of the thermosetting resin composition. (R1's each independently represent a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or an alkoxy group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms. R2's each independently represent hydrogen, an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or an alkoxy group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms. Y represents a nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compound. R3's each independently represent a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or an alkoxy group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms. Z represents a nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compound.)
US08470899B2
A silicone composition is described that includes components having SiH/SiOH groupings and that can be polymerized/cross-linked by a dehydrogenative condensation reaction in the presence of a non-metal tri- or tetrasubstituted non-silylated guanidine catalyst and requiring a low activation temperature.
US08470895B2
A method of producing an electrolyte membrane for use in a fuel cell, including: performing radiation-induced graft polymerization of a vinyl monomer having a nucleophilic functional group selected from an acylvinyl ether derivative, a styrene derivative, and a methacrylic acid derivative, with a polymer substrate having a fluorine-containing polymer, an olefin-containing polymer, or an aromatic polymer; deprotecting an ester bond of a graft chain on the polymer substrate introduced by the radiation-induced graft polymerization; and introducing an alkylethersulfonic acid structure into the nucleophilic functional group of the graft chain thus deprotected, by use of an electrophilic reagent selected from cyclic sulfonic acid ester and alkylhalide sulfonate.
US08470894B2
The present invention provides for a composition comprising a siloxane having the formula: M1DM2 wherein M1=(R1)(R2)(R3)SiO1/2; M2=(R4)(R5)(R6)SiO1/2 and D=(R7)(Z)SiO2/2 where R1, R2, R3 R4, R5, R6 and R7 are each independently selected from the group consisting of 1 to 4 carbon monovalent hydrocarbon radicals, aryl, and a hydrocarbon group of 4 to 9 carbons containing an aryl group; Z is a pendant hydrophilic ionic group selected from the group consisting of R8—RA, R9-RC, and R10—RZ; RA being an anionic substituent, RC a cationic substituent or RZ a zwitterionic substituent on the D group wherein said siloxane has an enhanced resistance to hydrolysis at a pH below 6 or a pH above 7.5.
US08470892B2
A method for inducing neovascularization in which a pharmaceutically effective amount of polyethylene glycol (PEG) is injected into the tissue of the subject for purposes of accelerating wound healing and mimicking age related macular degeneration, cancer, tumors, and atherosclerosis for further research purposes.
US08470890B2
This invention relates to a method for enhancing the bioavailability of a therapeutically active compound of the formula (I) or a geometric isomer, a stereoisomer, a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, an ester thereof or a metabolite thereof, wherein said compound is administered orally to the individual in connection with the intake of food.
US08470883B2
A preservative system and a personal care composition containing that system is provided which includes the preservative combination of a C10-C24 acyl glycinate salt and a hydroxyethyl sulfonate salt. This preservative system is effective against gram negative bacteria, particularly Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
US08470876B2
The present invention provides lipid compositions comprising linolenic acid (LA), alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), stearidonic acid (SDA) and gamma linolenic acid (GLA), said LA and ALA in a ratio of about less than 2:1 LA:ALA. The compositions find use in for improving, treating, or preventing a condition selected from the group consisting of: eczema, dry skin, flaky skin, pruritus, pyotraumatic dermatitis, furunculosis, dry paw pads, rough paw pads, chapped paw pads, paw pad durability, dry rhinarium, chapped rhinarium, split claws, brittle claws, rashes, hairless spots, hot spots, symmetrical lupoid onychodystrophy, skin ulceration, skin crusting, reddening of skin between toes, external ear infection, and nutritional dermatosis.
US08470875B2
The present invention provides compounds of the formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, ester or prodrug thereof.
US08470874B2
The invention relates to the use of cannabichromene type compounds and derivatives thereof in the treatment of mood disorders.
US08470873B2
The present invention provides vitamin E succinate (VES)-stabilized compositions, methods for the preparation thereof and methods useful for the in vivo delivery of substantially water insoluble and optionally chemically unstable pharmacologically active agents (such as docetaxel).
US08470870B2
Solid forms comprising a compound useful in the treatment, prevention and management of various conditions and diseases are provided herein. In particular, provided herein are solid forms comprising (2-carbamoyl-5-chloro-1H-indol-3-yl)-[3-((E)-2-cyano-vinyl)-5-methyl-phenyl]-(R)-phosphinic acid methyl ester, including salts thereof, having utility for the treatment, prevention and management of conditions and disorders including, but not limited to, human immunodeficiency virus infection.
US08470864B2
Disclosed herein are pharmaceutical compositions comprising oxybutynin or tolterodine, or a free base thereof or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and pilocarpine, or a free base thereof or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. Also disclosed are methods of treating a patient suffering from overactive bladder comprising administering to the patient the above pharmaceutical composition.
US08470855B2
Compounds of the general formulae (1) and (2) A-B-D-B′-A′ (1) and A-B-D-E (2) in which A and A′ may be identical or different and are the residue in which X is S, O, CH2, CH2CH2, CH2O or CH2NH, and Y is H or CN, and * designates a chiral carbon atom preferably in S- or L-configuration; B and B′ may be identical or different and are an O, N or S containing or non-containing, unsubstituted or substituted, unbranched or branched alkylene residue, cycloalkylene residue, aralkylene residue, heterocycloalkylene residue, heteroarylalkylene residue, arylamidoalkylene residue, heteroarylamidoalkylene residue, unsubstituted or mono- or poly-substituted arylene residue or heteroarylene residue having one or more five-, six- or seven-membered ring(s); D is —S—S— or —Se—Se—; and E is the group —CH2—CH(NH2)—R9 or —CH2—*CH(NH2)—R9 respectively in which R9 is an O, N or S containing or non-containing, unsubstituted or substituted, unbranched or branched alkyl residue, cycloalkyl residue, aralkyl residue, heterocycloalkyl residue, heteroarylalkyl residue, arylamidoalkyl residue, heteroarylamidoalkyl residue, unsubstituted or mono- or poly-substituted aryl residue or heteroaryl residue having one or more five-, six- or seven-membered ring(s) and * designates a chiral carbon atom preferably in the S- or L-configuration; or the acid addition salts thereof with organic and/or inorganic acids; as well as to the use of the compounds of the general formulae (1) and (2) in medicine.
US08470850B2
The invention relates to the inhibition of VEGF receptor signaling and HGF receptor signaling. The invention provides compounds and methods for inhibiting VEGF receptor signaling and HGF receptor signaling. The invention also provides compositions and methods for treating cell proliferative diseases and conditions
US08470845B2
An analgesic which may be applied to wide variety of pain from various causes is disclosed. The analgesic comprises as an effective ingredient a specific morphinan derivative having a nitrogen containing heterocyclic group, such as compound 1:
US08470833B2
The present disclosure relates to compositions containing certain pyrimidine compounds such as minoxidil and/or certain pyrimidine sulfate (inner salt) compounds such as minoxidil sulfate and especially compositions containing pyrimidine compounds in combination with an admixtures comprising at least one antioxidant, at least one organic acid and a select fatty acid mixture. The present disclosure also relates to use of the compositions to grow and/or regrow hair and/or prevent hair loss in mammals and particularly in humans.
US08470828B2
The present invention is concerned with novel dual modulators of the 5-HT2A and D3 receptors of formula (I) wherein X, Y, A, R1, R2, and R3 are as described herein, as well as pharmaceutically acceptable salts and esters thereof. Further the present invention is concerned with the manufacture of the compounds of formula (I), pharmaceutical compositions comprising them and their use as therapeutics.
US08470822B2
This present disclosure relates to folate mimetics and their use in therapeutic and diagnostic applications. More particularly, the disclosure relates to using des-glutamyl folic acid analogs recognized by and selectively bound by folate receptors and other folate binding proteins and the use of such analogs for targeted delivery of diagnostic or therapeutic agents to folate-receptor bearing cell populations.
US08470819B2
This invention provides compounds of Formula I which are PAFR antagonists: I and the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. The compounds are useful for treating PAF-mediated disorders, and can be used in methods for treating atherosclerosis and preventing or reducing risk for atherosclerotic disease events. The compounds are also useful for treating or ameliorating pain, e.g. inflammatory pain and/or nociceptive pain, and for treating or ameliorating autoimmune and/or inflammatory diseases, among other conditions.
US08470815B2
The invention is directed to the synthesis and use of nitrofuran compounds, especially Nifurtimox, as medicaments to treat cancer, especially neuroblastoma, and to inhibit angiogenesis. The invention also provides compositions, unit dosage forms, and kits comprising the compounds.
US08470808B2
The present invention relates, in one embodiment, to a method of preventing or treating diabetes using low molecular weight antioxidants. In a further embodiment, the invention relates to a method of protecting and/or enhancing viability of cells/tissues/organs during isolation (harvesting), preservation, expansion and/or transplantation. In yet another embodiment, the present invention relates to a method of inducing immune tolerance. The invention also relates to compounds and compositions suitable for use in such methods.
US08470796B2
Agents that reduce the amount of IGFBP-2 and/or IGFBP-5 and that are known to be useful in the treatment of cancer result in increased expression of the protein clusterin. Since clusterin can provide protection against apoptosis, this secondary effect detracts from the efficacy of the therapeutic agent. In overcoming this, the present invention provides a combination of therapeutic agents that is useful in the treatment of cancer. The combination includes an agent that reduces the amount of IGFBP-2 and/or IGFBP-5 and that stimulates expression of clusterin as a secondary effect, and an oligonucleotide that is effective to reduce the amount of clusterin in cancer cells. In some embodiments of the invention, the agent that reduces IGFBP-2 and/or IGFBP-5 is a bispecific antisense species. The oligonucleotide may be an antisense oligonucleotide or an RNAi oligonucleotide.
US08470793B2
Use of a siRNA molecule selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO: 173 to 344 for treating a disease associated with a pathological cell population in a subject in need thereof is disclosed. Pharmaceutical compositions and articles of manufacture comprising the siRNAs are also disclosed.
US08470789B2
The present invention relates to a method for the production of functional dendritic cells wherein CD34 positive cells are contacted with compounds inducing and accelerating the differentiation of these CD34 positive cells into functional dendritic cells. More in particular, the CD34 positive cells are contacted with anthracyclines and/or anthracenediones. In another aspect, the current invention relates to the cells obtainable by the method according to the invention. In a further aspect the current invention relates to the use of compounds such as anthracyclines and/or anthracenediones that induce and accelerate the differentiation of CD34 positive cells into functional dendritic cells in the manufacture of a medicament for inducing an immune response in human in need thereof.
US08470787B2
A macrolide derivative, i.e., a hydrate of erythromycin salts, has a molecular formula of C37H67NO13.A.nH2O, n=1.0-11.0, in which A is an organic acid or an organic acids, selected from lactobionic acid, thiocyanic acid, maleic acid, fumaric acid, thiocyanic acid, acetic acid, methanesulfonic acid, benzenesulfonic acid, nicotinic acid, lactic acid, citric acid, tartaric acid, aspartic acid, glutamic acid and phosphoric acid. The hydrate has better storage stability and is suitable for the manufacture of a medicament.
US08470770B2
New antimicrobial polymeric agents which are designed to exert antimicrobial activity while being stable, non-toxic and avoiding development of resistance thereto and a process of preparing same are disclosed. Further disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions containing same and a method of treating medical conditions associated with pathological microorganisms, a medical device, an imaging probe and a food preservative utilizing same.
US08470765B2
A novel polypeptide, and an antibacterial agent, antifungal agent and/or antiseptic containing as an effective ingredient the polypeptide are disclosed. The polypeptide of this invention has an amino acid sequence shown in SEQ ID NOs:1 to 12 and 13 to 31. This antibacterial agent, antifungal agent and/or antiseptic is useful for the prevention, amelioration or treatment of diseases such as burn, decubitus, wound, skin ulcer, leg ulcer, diabetic ulcer, occlusive arterial disease and arteriosclerosis obliterans, cellulitis, acute lymphangitis, lymphadenitis, erysipelas, skin abscess, necrotizing subcutaneous infection, staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome (SSSS), folliculitis, facial furuncle, suppurative hidradenitis, carbuncle, infectious paronychia, erythrasma and severe infection (sepsis).
US08470761B2
Textiles are simultaneously cleaned and conditioned in aqueous laundry cleaning using detergent surfactant and non-ionic fatty amino-amide/ester fabric conditioner. The conditioner particularly includes compound(s) of the formulae (IIa), to (IId), (III), (IV) and/or (V): Formula R1—CO—NH—(CH2)n—NR2—(CH2)n—O2C—R1 and Formula R1—CO—NH—(CH2)n—NR2—(CH2)n—NHCO—R1. Formula (IIc) or formula (IId). R1, R2 and n are defined with R1 and/or R2 including fatty hydrocarbyl; formula [R4—(CH2)p]3—N. R4 is HO—, or R8CO2—; R6 is hydrocarbyl (including fatty hydrocarbyl); and p is 2 to 6; formula R7—N-[(AO)m—R8]2. R7, R8, AO and m are defined with R7 and/or R8 including fatty hydrocarbyl; formula (R1—CONH)q—R10. R1 as in formulae (Ia) or (Ib), R10 is polyalkyleneimine after removal of q primary amino groups; and q is at least 1, desirably at least 2. Detergent formulations may include builders, and may be formulated to be transparent particularly using substituent branched and/or unsaturated fatty hydrocarbyl non-ionic fabric conditioners.
US08470760B2
This invention relates to non-bleeding, non-staining colored speckles for use in granular or powdered detergents such as laundry detergents and automatic dishwashing detergents. The colored speckles are comprised of a salt or salt-containing carrier and a coloring agent and are characterized as being substantially uniformly colored throughout the cross-sectional volume of the speckle.
US08470756B2
An eco-friendly liquid composition for pretreatment of fabrics is disclosed. The composition may include one or more nonionic surfactants, water, and optional ingredients such as a small amount of anionic surfactant, protease enzyme, borax, pH adjusting agent, fragrance, and preservative. The one or more nonionic surfactants may include alkyl polyglycoside. If nonionic surfactants other than the alkyl polyglycoside are included, at least 60% of the total nonionic surfactant in the composition is alkyl polyglycoside. The composition may have a Natural Index of at least 98% as defined herein. The composition may be essentially free of any propellant and bleach component.
US08470755B1
The present invention relates to cleaning and disinfecting liquid detergent compositions and, in one embodiment, liquid hand dishwashing compositions, comprising a metal salt, preferably a divalent metal salt, preferably Zn2+-salt and linear alkyl nucleophilic surfactant, preferably a linear alkyl chain amine oxide.The present invention further relates to methods of disinfecting dishware and/or dishwashing implements and/or skin using such a liquid detergent compositions.
US08470751B2
An internal combustion engine crankcase lubricating oil composition has a phosphorus content of not greater than 0.08 mass % and a metal detergent additive system comprising a calcium salicylate and a magnesium salicylate and having a mass ratio of magnesium atoms to calcium atoms of greater than one.
US08470736B2
The present invention relates to a method for improving turfgrass quality, by applying to the turfgrass a plant growth regulator and jasmonic acid, or a salt or ester thereof, and to a composition comprising the same.
US08470731B2
An oil adsorbent includes a plurality of particles, each being constituted from at least one of an inorganic particle and an organic particle as a core and a polymer covering the core. The plurality of particles are aggregated to form an aggregate so that a porosity of the aggregate is 70% or more.
US08470725B2
A process for regenerating one or more deactivated cobalt comprising Fischer-Tropsch catalyst particle(s), comprising the steps of: (i) oxidizing the catalyst particle(s) at a temperature between 20 and 400° C.; (ii) treating the catalyst particle(s) for more than 5 minutes with a solvent, which solvent comprises an amine, (iii) drying the catalyst particle(s); and (iv) optionally reducing the catalyst particle(s) with hydrogen or a hydrogen comprising gas. This process may be preceded by a step in which Fischer-Tropsch product is removed from the catalyst particle(s).
US08470718B2
A vapor deposition reactor includes a chamber filled with a first material, and at least one reaction module in the chamber. The reaction module may be configured to make a substrate pass the reaction module through a relative motion between the substrate and the reaction module. The reaction module may include an injection unit for injecting a second material to the substrate. A method for forming thin film includes positioning a substrate in a chamber, filling a first material in the chamber, moving the substrate relative to a reaction module in the chamber, and injecting a second material to the substrate while the substrate passes the reaction module.
US08470709B2
The present invention relates to a method for forming metal-silicide catalyst nanoparticles with controllable diameter. The method according to embodiments of the invention leads to the formation of ‘active’ metal-suicide catalyst nanoparticles, with which is meant that they are suitable to be used as a catalyst in carbon nanotube growth. The nano-particles are formed on the surface of a substrate or in case the substrate is a porous substrate within the surface of the inner pores of a substrate. The metal-silicide nanoparticles can be Co-silicide, Ni-silicide or Fe-silicide particles. The present invention relates also to a method to form carbon nanotubes (CNT) on metal-silicide nanoparticles, the metal-silicide containing particles hereby acting as catalyst during the growth process, e.g. during the chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process. Starting from very defined metal-containing nanoparticles as catalysts, the diameter of grown CNT can be well controlled and a homogeneous set of CNT will be obtained.
US08470696B2
A crystallization method using a mask includes providing a substrate having a semiconductor layer; positioning a mask over the substrate, the mask having first, second and third blocks, each block having a periodic pattern including a plurality of transmitting regions and a blocking region, the periodic pattern of the first block having a first position, the periodic pattern of the second block having a second position, the periodic pattern of the third block having a third position, the first, second and third positions being different from each other; and crystallizing the semiconductor layer by irradiating a laser beam through the mask.
US08470694B2
An apparatus for growing a nitride semiconductor crystal film, comprises a chamber that can control inside temperature and air pressure, a susceptor supported by a rotating shaft inside the chamber and on which a growth substrate is placed, a reactant gas supplier that emits reactant gas to the growth substrate in parallel to a surface of the growth substrate, a first subflow gas supplier that emits first subflow gas for pressing the reactant gas down to the surface of the growth substrate at an inclination angle of 45 to 90 degrees in a same in-plane direction as the reactant gas, a second subflow gas supplier that emits second subflow gas for removing the reactant gas from an periphery of the growth substrate to the surface at an inclination angle of 45 to 90 degrees, and an exhaust device that exhausts gas from the chamber.
US08470689B2
The method for forming a multilayer structure on a substrate comprises providing a stack successively comprising an electron hole blocking layer, a first layer made from N-doped semiconductor material having a dopant concentration greater than or equal to 1018 atoms/cm3 or P-doped semiconductor material, and a second layer made from semiconductor material of different nature. A lateral electric contact pad is made between the first layer and the substrate, and the material of the first layer is subjected to anodic treatment in an electrolyte.
US08470686B2
Methods for forming dielectric layers, and structures and devices resulting from such methods, and systems that incorporate the devices are provided. The invention provides an aluminum oxide/silicon oxide laminate film formed by sequentially exposing a substrate to an organoaluminum catalyst to form a monolayer over the surface, remote plasmas of oxygen and nitrogen to convert the organoaluminum layer to a porous aluminum oxide layer, and a silanol precursor to form a thick layer of silicon dioxide over the porous oxide layer. The process provides an increased rate of deposition of the silicon dioxide, with each cycle producing a thick layer of silicon dioxide of about 120 Å over the layer of porous aluminum oxide.
US08470682B2
A method of forming a semiconductor structure includes forming at least one trench in an insulator layer formed on a substrate. A distance between a bottom edge of the at least one trench and a top surface of a substrate is shorter than a distance between an uppermost surface of the insulator layer and the top surface of the substrate. The method also includes: forming a resistor on the insulator layer and extending into the at least one trench; forming a first contact in contact with the resistor; and forming a second contact in contact with the resistor such that current is configured to flow from the first contact to the second contact through a central portion of the resistor.
US08470677B2
Gate electrodes are formed in a high speed transistor forming region, a low leakage transistor forming region, and a medium voltage transistor forming region, respectively. Thereafter, a photoresist film covering the medium voltage transistor forming region is formed. Then, ions of an impurity are implanted into a semiconductor substrate while using the photoresist film and the gate electrodes as a mask, and p-type pocket regions, extension regions, and impurity regions are thereby formed. Subsequently, another photoresist film covering the high speed transistor forming region is formed. Then, ions of an impurity are implanted into the semiconductor substrate while using the other photoresist film and the gate electrodes as a mask, and impurity regions and extension regions are thereby formed.
US08470676B2
A multi-terminal programmable element. The programmable element includes a source electrode and a drain electrode on a base. The programmable element includes reference voltage contact that is not in contact with the source or drain electrode. The base includes a transition-metal oxide with oxygen vacancies for drifting under an applied electric field. Further, materials of the source electrode and the base are selected such that an interface of a source and/or drain electrode material and the transition metal oxide base material forms an energy barrier for electron injection from the electrode into the base material. The energy barrier has a height that depends on an oxygen vacancy concentration of the base material. Four non-volatile states are programmable into the programmable element.
US08470669B2
A method for manufacturing an Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM) device includes providing a substrate and forming a gate oxide over the substrate. Also, the method includes providing a mask overlying the gate oxide layer, the mask defining a tunnel opening. The method additionally includes performing selective etching over the mask to form a tunnel oxide layer. The method includes forming a floating gate over the tunnel oxide layer and a selective gate over the gate oxide layer. The method includes angle doping a region of the substrate using the floating gate as a mask to obtain a first doped region. The method further includes forming a dielectric layer over the floating gate and a control gate over the dielectric layer. The method additionally includes angle doping a second region of the substrate using the selective gate as a mask to obtain a second doped region, wherein the first and second doped regions partially overlap.
US08470660B2
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device is disclosed. The exemplary method includes providing a substrate having a source region and a drain region. The method further includes forming a first recess in the substrate within the source region and a second recess in the substrate within the drain region. The first recess has a first plurality of surfaces and the second recess has a second plurality of surfaces. The method also includes epi-growing a semiconductor material in the first and second recesses and, thereafter, forming shallow isolation (STI) features in the substrate.
US08470652B1
A monolithically integrated device includes a substrate, a first set of Group III nitride epitaxial layers grown for a first HFET on a first region of the substrate, and a second set of Group III nitride epitaxial layers for a second HFET grown on a second region of the substrate.
US08470651B2
Provided is a metallic wiring film which is not peeled away even when exposed to a hydrogen plasma. A metallic wiring film is constituted by an adhesion layer containing copper, Ca, and oxygen and a low-resistance metal layer (a layer of a copper alloy or pure copper) having a lower resistance than the adhesion layer. When the adhesion layer is composed of a copper alloy, which contains Ca and oxygen, and a source electrode film and a drain electrode film adhering to an ohmic contact layer are constituted by the adhesion layer, even if the adhesion layer is exposed to the hydrogen plasma, a Cu-containing oxide formed at an interface between the adhesion layer and the ohmic contact layer is not reduced, so that no peeling occurs between the adhesion layer and a silicon layer.
US08470645B2
A method for forming a memory cell including a selection transistor and an antifuse transistor, in a technological process adapted to the manufacturing of a first and of a second types of MOS transistors of different gate thicknesses, this method including the steps of: forming the selection transistor according to the steps of manufacturing of the N-channel transistor of the second type; and forming the antifuse transistor essentially according the steps of manufacturing of the N-channel transistor of the first type, by modifying the following step: instead of performing a P-type implantation in the channel region at the same time as in the N-channel transistors of the first type, performing an N-type implantation in the channel region at the same time as in the P-channel transistors of the first type.
US08470634B2
An oxide thin film transistor and a method of manufacturing the oxide TFT are provided. The oxide thin film transistor (TFT) including: a gate; a channel formed to correspond to the gate, and a capping layer having a higher work function than the channel; a gate insulator disposed between the gate and the channel; and a source and drain respectively contacting either side of the capping layer and the channel and partially on a top surface of the capping layer.
US08470615B2
The invention concerns a process for producing a thin layer solar cell module with a plurality of segments that are electrically connected in series and arranged on a common substrate. The invention additionally concerns the corresponding thin layer solar cell modules and a production line that is suitable for conducting the production process. The process has steps for application of layers onto the substrate to form at least one electrode and one photoactive layer sequence and has steps for structuring the applied and/or to be applied layers to form the plurality of segments. At least one electrode and one photoactive layer sequence are applied before structuring steps are carried out.
US08470603B2
The presently disclosed subject matter provides methods for evaluating and characterizing peptides, peptide mixtures, and polypeptide mixtures. More particularly, the presently disclosed subject matter provides methods for evaluating or characterizing complex peptide or polypeptide mixtures comprising glutamic acid, alanine, tyrosine, and lysine, e.g., Copolymer-1 or glatiramer acetate, including, but not limited to, methods of identifying, isolating, quantifying, and purifying amino acids, peptides, polypeptides, and combinations thereof having a diethylamide group instead of a carboxyl group present on the C-terminus. The presently disclosed methods can be used to determine the mole percent of polypeptides having a diethylamide group at a C-terminus thereof and can be used to evaluate one or more properties of a sample of one polypeptide mixture as compared to one or more properties of a different sample of a polypeptide mixture.
US08470598B2
The present invention provides an attenuated virus, which is derived from Modified Vaccinia Ankara virus and characterized by the loss of its capability to reproductively replicate in human cell lines. It further describes recombinant viruses derived from this virus and the use of the virus, or its recombinants, as a medicament or vaccine. A method is provided for inducing an immune response in individuals who may be immune-compromised, receiving antiviral therapy, or have a pre-existing immunity to the vaccine virus. In addition, a method is provided for the administration of a therapeutically effective amount of the virus, or its recombinants, in a vaccinia virus prime/vaccinia virus boost innoculation regimen. The present invention relates to a method of virus amplification in primary cells which are cultivated in a serum free medium. Viruses produced by this method are advantageously free of any infectious agents comprised in animal sera.
US08470595B2
The present invention provides a method for producing a mesenchymal stem cell having an ability to differentiate into a myoblast by culturing a pluripotent stem cell derived from a human or animal, including: i) preparing the pluripotent stem cell that has been cryopreserved, ii) sub-culturing the prepared pluripotent stem cell in an undifferentiated state for a prescribed number of times, iii) culturing the subcultured pluripotent stem cell under conditions that enable induction of differentiation into an adipocyte in vitro, and iv) separating and collecting a CD105-positive cell during the culturing process.
US08470577B2
The invention provides viral vectors (e.g., herpes viral vectors) and methods of using these vectors to treat disease.
US08470576B2
The present invention provides a polynucleotide or a pair of polynucleotides encoding an enzyme having nitrile hydratase (NHase) [E.C. 4.2.1.84] activity. Furthermore, a vector and a host comprising the disclosed polynucleotide or pair of polynucleotides and methods for the production of the same are provided. Moreover, the invention relates to a pair of polypeptides or a fusion protein having NHase activity, an antibody specifically binding to the pair of polypeptides or fusion protein, a primer or probe, which specifically hybridizes under stringent conditions to the disclosed polynucleotide or either one of the pair of polynucleotides, a composition comprising the polynucleotide or pair of polynucleotides, the pair of polypeptides or fusion protein, the antibody and/or one or more primers or probes of the invention and a method for the production of amides comprising the enantioselective conversion of nitriles.
US08470573B2
The present invention provides DNA polymerases having increased efficiency of amplification of long amplicons. The present invention also provides for methods of amplifying target nucleic acid molecules with the DNA polymerases for increasing the efficiency of amplification of long amplicons.
US08470571B2
Isolated nucleic acid fragments and recombinant constructs comprising such fragments encoding a delta-8 desaturase along with a method of making long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) using this delta-8 desaturase in plants and oleaginous yeast are disclosed.
US08470570B2
An apparatus for printing a biomolecular droplet onto a substrate using an electric charge concentration effect includes; an electric field forming electrode including an accommodating area in which the biomolecular droplet including micro magnetic beads is accommodated and a nozzle formed on an end of the accommodating area through which the biomolecular droplet is discharged, a substrate disposed below the electric field forming electrode, including a grounded target surface onto which the biomolecular droplet discharged from the nozzle of the electric field forming electrode is deposited, a magnet disposed below the substrate which applies a magnetic force on the micro magnetic beads, and an open circuit type voltage applying unit electrically connected to the electric field forming electrode which applies a charge to the electric field forming electrode which generates an electrical force which causes the biomolecular droplet to be ejected onto the target surface of the substrate.
US08470569B2
The present invention corresponds to a commercial production process of ferric sulfate whose plant can be installed scaled to the requirements of the process of application of the bio-produced ferric solution based on fayalite slag generated in copper smelting plants. No previous process has established as its method of industrial application the use of these smelter slags in the bio-production of ferric sulfate solutions at concentrations above 20 g/L, including a stage of acid-slag leaching in dynamic heaps with control of generated silica and subsequent precipitation of colloidal silica and other impurities in a stirred reactor in the invented process. The ferrous solution free of colloidal silica and other impurities is subjected to a process of bio-oxidization of the clean ferrous solution by microorganisms adapted to these metallurgical solutions.
US08470561B2
Certain embodiments provide a method for crystallizing a GPCR. The method may employ a fusion protein comprising, from N-terminus to C-terminus: a) a first portion of a family C G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR), wherein the first portion comprises the TM1, TM2 and TM3, regions of the GPCR; b) a stable, folded protein insertion; and c) a second portion of the GPCR, wherein the second portion comprises the TM4, TM5 TM6 and TM7 regions of the GPCR.
US08470560B2
The invention is an DNA vaccine and method of use thereof for modulating the immune response against the circumsporozoite protein (CSP) of malaria parasites, using the CR2 binding motifs of C3d, especially p28.
US08470544B2
Determination of cellular growth abnormality, particularly cancerous abnormality, by detection of target polypeptides or encoding mRNA, where the target polypeptides are members of the preinitiation complex of DNA replication in tissue, cells or fluid. Target polypeptides include CDC6, MCM2, MCM3, MCM4, MCM5, MCM6 and MCM7. Test samples include tissue of the cervix (both biopsy and smear samples), breast, colon, lung, bladder, skin, larynx, esophagus, bronchus, lymph nodes and urinary tract (both biopsy and cytology smear samples), in determination of cancerous and pre-cancerous cellular growth abnormality, and cells spun from urine, blood and serum, in determination of haematological malignancies and evidence of metastatic sarcoma and carcinoma.
US08470541B1
Disclosed are methods and apparatus for separation of biomolecules via two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, methods and apparatus for immunoblotting separated biomolecules, and methods for the use of biomolecules processed via the methods and apparatus of the present invention, including use in a clinical setting. The methods and apparatus for separation of biomolecules via two-dimensional gel comprises vertical agarose gel electrophoresis in the first dimension, and the electrophoresis of a novel non-denaturing 3-35% concave gradient polyacrylamide gel in the second dimension. This novel gel can be cast in a modified gel caster that can facilitate the pouring of multiple gels simultaneously. The methods and apparatus for immunblotting are useful with any type of immunoblotting, including Western blot, Northern blot, and Southern blot analyses. These methods and apparatus provide safe, efficient and cost-effective immunoblots, while facilitating the reduction of exposure to toxic or radioactive materials, as well as the disposal of those materials.
US08470540B2
A method of preventing bio-filming during the delivery of photonic energy to a culture or set of organisms in a fluid culture medium, the method including introducing a fluid energy-transfer medium into the fluid culture medium through an interface and distributing light into the fluid energy-transfer medium as it is introduced into the fluid culture medium.
US08470536B2
The present invention provides an aqueous composition and method for extracting nucleic acid from a sample of bodily fluid, such as saliva, such that the nucleic acid within said sample remains stable for at least fourteen days at room temperature. The composition permits direct use of the extracted and stored DNA in an amplification reaction without further processing.
US08470533B2
This document provides methods and materials for assessing RNA expression. For example, methods and materials for detecting the presence, absence, or amount of target nucleic acid (e.g., target RNA or target cDNA produced from target RNA), kits for detecting the presence, absence, or amount of target nucleic acid (e.g., target RNA or target cDNA produced from target RNA), and methods for making such kits are provided.
US08470531B2
The present teachings are directed to compositions, methods, and kits for amplifying target nucleic acids while reducing non-specific fluorescence and undesired amplification products, sometimes referred to as secondary amplification products or spurious side-products. The enzyme inhibitors disclosed herein comprise a nucleotide sequence and at least one quencher. Complexes comprising an enzyme inhibitor associated with an enzyme, wherein at least one enzymatic activity of the enzyme is inhibited, are also provided. Methods for amplifying a target nucleic acid while reducing undesired amplification products are disclosed, as are methods for reducing non-specific fluorescence. Kits for expediting the performance of certain disclosed methods are also provided.
US08470529B2
Cyanine dye compounds having a substituted methine moiety that are nucleic acid stains, particularly for fluorescent staining of RNA, including compounds having the formula where R1 is a C1-C6 alkyl, sulfoalkyl, carboxyalkyl or C1-C6 alkoxy; each R2 is independently selected from the group consisting of H, C1-C6 alkyl, C1-C6 alkoxy, fused benzo, trifluoromethyl, amino, sulfo, carboxy and halogen, that is optionally further substituted; at least one of R3, R4, and R5 is an alkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, cyclic, or heterocyclic moiety that is optionally substituted by alkyl, amino, aminoalkyl, carboxy, nitro, or halogen; and the remaining R3, R4 or R5 are hydrogen; X is S, O, or Se; and D is a substituted or unsubstituted pyridinium, quinolinium or benzazolium moiety.
US08470513B2
A radiation-sensitive resin composition includes a polymer that includes at least one repeating unit (i) selected from a repeating unit shown by a formula (1), (2), and (3); and a repeating unit (ii) shown by a formula (4). R1 represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group. Each R2 independently represents one of a linear or branched alkyl group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, a linear or branched alkoxy group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, and an alicyclic hydrocarbon group having 3 to 25 carbon atoms. p is an integer from 0 to 3, and q is an integer from 1 to 3, and p+q≦5. A chemically-amplified positive-tone resist film that is sensitive to extreme ultraviolet rays (EUV) can be formed using the radiation-sensitive resin composition.
US08470506B2
The toner includes at least a binder resin, and a colorant. The toner has properties such that the percentage W(3000) of components having a molecular weight of 3,000 or less in tetrahydrofuran-soluble components of the toner determined by a GPC-RALLS viscosity analysis is 20% by weight or less; the molecular weight Mp at the peak top of the main peak in the molecular weight distribution curve of the tetrahydrofuran-soluble components is from 4,000 to 10,000; and the ratio Rt(Mp)/Rs(Mp) of an inertia square radius Rt(Mp) at the molecular weight Mp to an inertia square radius Rs(Mp) of linear polystyrene at the molecular weight Mp is greater than 0.98, wherein the inertia square radius Rs(Mp) is determined from a working curve obtained by subjecting plural polystyrenes having different molecular weights to the GPC-RALLS viscosity analysis.
US08470478B2
A solid electrolyte which is made of a material having high biocompatibility and which is capable of conducting a large electric current while performing a rectifying function; and an electrochemical element employing the same. The solid electrolyte is formed by stacking a first layer containing an acidic amino acid and a second layer containing a basic amino acid; and the electrochemical element is formed by disposing the solid electrolyte between a positive electrode and a negative electrode.
US08470475B2
A non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery includes: a positive electrode capable of absorbing and desorbing lithium; a negative electrode capable of absorbing and desorbing lithium; a separator interposed between the positive electrode and the negative electrode; and a non-aqueous electrolyte. The positive electrode includes a composite oxide represented by formula (1): LiNixM1-x-yLyO2 as an active material. The formula (1) satisfies 0.3≦x≦0.9 and 0≦y≦0.1. The element M is at least one selected from the group consisting of Co and Mn, and the element L is at least one selected from the group consisting of Mg, Al, Ti, Sr, Zn, B, Ca, Cr, Si, Ga, Sn, P, V, Sb, Nb, Ta, Mo, W, Zr, Y and Fe. The non-aqueous electrolyte includes a main solvent, a solute and vinyl ethylene carbonate.
US08470467B2
A battery module comprising a plurality of battery cells arranged in a stacked configuration, each of the battery cells including a first terminal disposed on a first end of the battery cell and a second terminal disposed on a second end of the battery cell, wherein the first terminal of at least one of the battery cells is in direct electrical communication with the second terminal of another non-adjacent one of the battery cells.
US08470462B2
A STT-RAM MTJ is disclosed with a MgO tunnel barrier formed by natural oxidation process. A Co10Fe70B20/NCC/Co10Fe70B20, Co10Fe70B20/NCC/Co10Fe70B20/NCC, or Co10Fe70B20/NCC/Co10Fe70B20/NCC/Co10Fe70B20 free layer configuration where NCC is a nanocurrent channel layer made of Fe(20%)-SiO2 is used to minimize Jc0 while enabling higher thermal stability, write voltage, read voltage, Ho, and Hc values that satisfy 64 Mb design requirements. The NCC layer is about 10 Angstroms thick to match the minimum Fe(Si) grain diameter size. The MTJ is annealed with a temperature of about 330° C. to maintain a high magnetoresistive ratio while maximizing Hk⊥(interfacial) for the free layer thereby reducing Heff and lowering the switching current. The Co10Fe70B20 layers are sputter deposited with a low pressure process with a power of about 15 Watts and an Ar flow rate of 40 standard cubic centimeters per minute to lower Heff for the free layer.
US08470461B2
The invention generally provides gypsum-containing slurries including stucco, naphthalenesulfonate dispersant, and pregelatinized starch. The naphthalenesulfonate dispersant is present in an amount of about 0.1%-3.0% by weight based on the weight of dry stucco. The pregelatinized starch is present in an amount of at least about 0.5% by weight up to about 10% by weight of pregelatinized starch by weight based on the weight of dry stucco in the formulation. Other slurry additives can include trimetaphosphate salts, accelerators, binders, paper fiber, glass fiber, and other known ingredients. The invention also comprises the gypsum-containing products made with such slurries, for example, gypsum wallboard, and a method of making gypsum wallboard.
US08470458B1
A workpiece, such as a turbine engine component, comprises a substrate, a thermal barrier coating on the substrate, and a hard erosion barrier deposited over the thermal barrier coating. The erosion barrier preferably has a Vickers hardness in the range of from 1300 to 2750 kg/mm2. The erosion barrier may be formed from aluminum oxide, silicon carbide, silicon nitride, or molybdenum disilicide. The erosion barrier may be formed using either an electrophoretic deposition process or a slurry process.
US08470457B2
A composite article includes a substrate and a protective layer disposed on the substrate. The protective layer has a silicon-aluminum-carbon-nitrogen solid solution composition and microstructure.
US08470455B2
An organic EL device 100 including a plurality of emitting layers (15) and (17) between a cathode (18) and (19) and an anode (12), each of the emitting layers (15) and (17) made of a host material having a triplet energy gap of 2.52 eV or more and 3.7 eV or less, and a dopant having a light emitting property related to a triplet state, the dopant containing a metal complex with a heavy metal.
US08470451B2
A projection blackboard having both of an excellent blackboard function and an excellent screen function, and a process for producing the same. The surface enamel layer that is an outermost layer of the enamel layers is formed by using a enameling upper glaze wherein at least titanium oxide coated particles, or a titanium oxide glaze together therewith is blended into a. transparent mat glaze, so as to render the layer an enamel layer having a predetermined color tone, a surface characteristic that the Rz is from 5 to 25 μm and a reflective characteristic that the peak gain is 0.28 or more, or having these properties and a glossiness Gs(75°)of 1 to 30%. This makes it possible to produce a blackboard excellent in both of blackboard function and screen function. The titanium oxide coated particles are preferably particles wherein surfaces of mica particles are coated with titanium oxide.
US08470435B2
An epoxy resin composition suitably used for a prepreg which can complete curing in a short time even at a low temperature and secure a sufficient usable period under preservation at room temperature, in comparison with conventional epoxy resin compositions. An epoxy resin composition comprising at least one of an epoxy resin, an amine compound having at least one sulfur atom in the molecule thereof, and a reaction product of an epoxy resin and an amine compound having at least one sulfur atom in the molecule thereof, and an amine compound having at least one sulfur atom in the molecule thereof, and a urea compound and a dicyandiamide, wherein each of the contents of the sulfur atom and the urea compound in the epoxy resin composition is respectively 0.2 to 7% by mass and 1 to 15% by mass.
US08470434B2
The invention relates to a transparent glass substrate, associated with a transparent electro-conductive layer capable of constituting an electrode of a photovoltaic cell and composed of a doped oxide, characterized by the interposition, between the glass substrate and the transparent electroconductive layer, of a mixed layer of one or more first nitride(s) or oxynitride(s), or oxide(s) or oxycarbide(s) having good adhesive properties with glass, and one or more second nitride(s) or oxynitride(s) or oxide(s) or oxycarbide(s) capable of constituting, possibly in the doped state, a transparent electroconductive layer; a method for producing this substrate; a photovoltaic cell, a tempered and/or curved glass, a shaped heating glass, a plasma screen and a flat lamp electrode having this substrate.
US08470427B2
A method for manufacturing an information recording medium including N information layers, (N−1) intermediate layers interposed between the information layers and a protective layer laminated on the Nth information layer placed on a substrate formed with a first reference point, including: forming the information layer on the substrate; repeating (N−1) times a process of applying radiation curable resin on the information layer, a process of affixing a transfer stamper formed with a second reference point to the radiation curable resin, a process of curing the radiation curable resin by irradiation, and a process of forming the intermediate layer by peeling the transfer stamper at an interface with the radiation curable resin, in order to form the (N−1) information layers and the (N−1) intermediate layers and thereafter form the Nth information layer; and forming the protective layer on the Nth information layer, wherein in the process of affixing the transfer stamper to the radiation curable resin, the transfer stamper is affixed so that the second reference point of the transfer stamper is each time at a different position with respect to the first reference point of the substrate.
US08470423B2
A plastics pipe having a stabilized inner layer, wherein the inner layer comprises an extruded thermoplastic polymer comprising at least one polar stabilizer, wherein: (i) the thermoplastic polymer is provided with pendant polar functional groups, and/or (ii) the thermoplastic polymer comprises an effective amount of at least one filler provided with pendant polar functional groups, and/or (iii) the thermoplastic polymer comprises a blend of a non-polar thermoplastic polymer and a thermoplastic polymer provided with pendant polar functional groups.
US08470411B2
A photopolymer mixture is capable of use for a liquid crystal alignment layer. An alignment layer is formed from such a photopolymer mixture. The mixture comprises at least two polymerisable materials which are blended together in proportion so as to give a predetermined, preferably low, surface energy. A low surface energy, e.g., less than 4×10−2 N/m, can result in an alignment layer which imparts a particular orientation to liquid crystal molecules with out requiring any post-cure treatments. The polymerisable materials may be monomers, oligomers, or diluents that form long chain molecules when cured, and the mixture may contain additives to lower the overall surface energy.
US08470409B2
A method of forming a nanowire structure is disclosed. The method comprises applying on a surface of carrier liquid a layer of a liquid composition which comprises a surfactant and a plurality of nanostructures each having a core and a shell, and heating at least one of the carrier liquid and the liquid composition to a temperature selected such that the nanostructures are segregated from the surfactant and assemble into a nanowire structure on the surface.
US08470387B2
A bone repair material being superior in apatite-forming ability and its stability in a storage and high in scratch resistance is disclosed. The material is produced by a method comprising the steps of: immersing a substrate made of titanium or a titanium alloy in a first aqueous solution that does not contain calcium ions but contains at least one cation selected from the group consisting of sodium ions and potassium ions and is alkaline; immersing the substrate in a second aqueous solution that does not contain phosphate ions but contains calcium ions; heating the substrate in a dry atmosphere; and treating the substrate with hot water of 60° C. or higher or with steam.
US08470376B2
To provide a drug, an external use composition, and a cosmetic composition, which exhibit an NFAT signal inhibitory action, a calcineurin inhibitory action, and a hair growth-promoting effect.The NFAT signal inhibitor contains, as an active ingredient, American angelica or an extract thereof.
US08470373B2
The present invention relates to a composition for pharmaceutical or veterinary use, comprising palmitoylethanolamide. In particular, the present invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition for human or veterinary use, containing a therapeutically efficient amount of palmitoylethanolamide in the ultra-micronized form, wherein more than 90% by weight of palmitoylethanolamide has particle sizes lower than 6 microns, together with pharmaceutically acceptable excipients.
US08470366B2
The present invention relates to soft pastilles for nicotine replacement therapy, said pastille comprises about 0.05% to about 1% of nicotine active; about 5% to about 40% of gelling agent; about 30% to about 70% of plasticizer; about 0.05% to about 10% of sweetener; 0.5% to about 30% of releasing agent; about 0.05% to about 2% of preservative; about 0.01% to 5% of flavoring agent; and about 5% to about 20% of water.
US08470365B2
This invention relates to a process for preparing a pharmaceutical composition comprising four antitubercular drugs: rifampin or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, isoniazid or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, pyrazinamide or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and ethambutol or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein rifampin and isoniazid are in separate layers. The invention also provides a pharmaceutical composition prepared therefrom having advantageous stability and bioavailability.
US08470364B2
Disclosed are once-daily formulations containing tetracyclines, especially doxycycline. Such formulations are useful, for instance, for the treatment of collagenase destructive enzyme-dependent diseases, such as periodontal disease and acne, and acute and chronic inflammatory disease states, such as rosacea and arthritis.
US08470359B2
A polymer and a method for its preparation are provided. The polymer comprises poly(lactide), poly(lactide/glycolide) or poly(lactic acid/glycolic acid) segments bonded by ester linkages to both ends of an alkanediol core unit. The polymer is for use in a controlled release formulation for a medicament, preferably leuprolide acetate. The controlled release formulation is administered to a patient as a subcutaneous depot of a flowable composition comprising the polymer, a biocompatible solvent, and the medicament. Controlled release formulations comprising the polymer release leuprolide for treatment of prostate cancer patients over periods of 3-6 months.
US08470358B2
Medical devices having a catalyst capable of catalyzing the generation of nitric oxide in vivo and methods of treating a vascular condition using the devices are provided.
US08470357B2
The present invention provides novel compositions and methods for inhibiting restenosis, thrombosis, and/or inflammation in a patient undergoing a vascular intervention. More particularly, the present invention provides intravascular devices coated with one or more spleen tyrosine kinase (Syk) inhibitors. Methods for inhibiting restenosis, thrombosis, and/or inflammation in a patient by treatment with such intravascular devices are also provided. In addition, the present invention provides methods for treating sickle cell disease using Syk inhibitors.
US08470356B2
Tissue augmentation devices, as well as methods of manufacturing and using the same, are disclosed. In certain embodiments, a tissue augmentation device comprises an elongate tissue penetrating member and an amount of remodelable material, wherein at least a portion of the elongate member is cannulated, and at least a portion of the amount of material is received within at least a portion of the cannulated portion of the elongate member. The elongate tissue penetrating member may provide at least one deformation that is configured to constrict portions of the amount of remodelable material received within the elongate member. In alternate embodiments, a flexible covering over an implantable biomaterial provides protection and allows an easier delivery of the biomaterial to a tissue tract.
US08470343B2
The present invention relates generally to a method of eliciting or otherwise inducing an effective immune response to a micro-organism and compositions for use therein. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method of inducing an immune response to a parasite utilising an immunogenic composition comprising a glycosylphosphatidylinositol (referred to herein as “GPI”) inositolglycan domain or its derivatives. Even more particularly, the present invention contemplates an immunogenic composition comprising the Plasmodium falciparum GPI inositolglycan domain or its derivatives. The present invention is useful, inter alia, as a prophylactic and/or therapeutic treatment for disease conditions such as, for example, infection by parasites and in particular infection by Plasmodium species.
US08470342B2
It is disclosed herein that agents that affect the activity and/or expression of CXCL16 can be used to alter the uptake of D-type CpG oligodeoxynucleotides (D ODNs). Methods of inducing an immune response are disclosed that include administering agents that increase the activity and/or expression of CXCL16 and a D ODN. Methods of decreasing an immune response to a CpG ODN are also disclosed. These methods include administering an agent that decreases the activity and/or expression of CXCL16. Compositions including one or more D-type ODNs and an agent that modulates that activity and/or expression of CXCL16 are provided.
US08470340B2
Polypeptides that can elicit antibodies that are bactericidal for different fHbp variant strains of N. meningitidis, and methods of use, are provided.
US08470339B2
The present invention discloses new antigens of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis, antigenic compositions comprising at least two of said antigens, as well as epitopes, antibodies or hypervariable fragments thereof and nucleotide sequences coding for them. The present invention also concerns their use in diagnosis and/or vaccination against Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis, in mammals, and in particular in cattle, but also in sheep and caprines. The invention also concerns their potential application in diagnosis and/or vaccination against Crohn's disease in human.
US08470335B2
The present invention relates to a recombinant severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) non-structural protein (nsp) 12 with an RNA polymerase activity, its expression vector, its preparation method, and its use. According to the present invention, a soluble recombinant SARS-CoV nsp12 with an RdRp activity of initiating SARS-CoV genome synthesis can be over-expressed in the transformed host cells, and conveniently purified with high purity. An in vitro replication system important for studying SARS-CoV replication can be established with the purified recombinant SARS-CoV nsp12. SARS-CoV nsp12 produced by the present invention can also be used as a target for the development of anti-viral agents against SARS-CoV. In addition, materials inhibiting RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) activity of nsp12 can be screened efficiently according to the present invention as the optimal conditions for the RdRp assay with SARS-CoV nsp12 were found.
US08470334B2
Env-CD4 polypeptide complexes and hybrids that expose cryptic epitopes important in virus neutralization are disclosed. Methods of diagnosis, treatment and prevention using the polypeptides are also provided.
US08470325B2
Previously, it was difficult to obtain high-affinity antibodies that specifically bind to HMGB-1 but not to HMGB-2. Under this circumstance, the present inventors successfully obtained antibodies that are more reactive to HMGB-1 than to HMGB-2 by using specific peptides as an antigen. The present inventors also demonstrated that the antibodies had a HMGB-1-neutralizing activity. The present inventors administered the antibodies to amyloidosis model animals, and as a result, successfully demonstrated that the antibodies produced a significant therapeutic effect.
US08470322B2
The present invention relates to the biotechnology and particularly with new products for use in human health.The present invention provides new specific monoclonal antibodies, which bind with high affinity sulfatides and sulfated proteoglycans.The anti sulfatides and anti sulfated proteoglycans antibodies disclosed in the present invention and described in the description, provide important diagnostic and therapeutic tools to act on pathological processes associated with the appearance of atherosclerotic plaques.Accordingly, the invention provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising MAbs of the invention or fragments thereof for the therapeutic and diagnostic use associated with cardiovascular diseases. Particularly, the present invention relates to the fragments derived from the MAbs that recognize sulfatides and sulfated proteoglycans, which can be used in the therapy or diagnosis of this pathology.
US08470313B2
Disclosed are newly discovered Ras mutations and combinations of mutations, proteins and peptides and fusion proteins containing these mutations, nucleic acid molecules encoding such proteins, peptides, and fusion proteins, and a variety of tools and diagnostic, therapeutic, and screening methods associated with the use of such mutations.
US08470312B2
Provided herein are methods for treating a proliferative disorder in a subject comprising administering to the subject one or more reoviruses and one or more agents that modulate expression or activity of pro-inflammatory cytokines. For example, the agents may inhibit expression or activity of pro-inflammatory cytokines.
US08470311B2
The present invention provides a therapeutic agent for anaerobic diseases such as solid tumor, comprising in combination a pharmaceutical composition for the treatment of an anaerobic disease containing the transformed anaerobic microorganism as an active component and a pharmaceutical composition containing as an active component an anaerobic microorganism colonization and growth enhancer for enhancing the specific colonization and proliferation of the anaerobic microorganism at an anaerobic disease site. Furthermore, the present invention provides to an anaerobic microorganism colonization and growth enhancer for enhancing colonization and growth of the transformed anaerobic microorganism at a disease site that is in an anaerobic environment.
US08470310B2
A recombinant vector comprises simian adenovirus 36, simian adenovirus 42.1, simian adenovirus 42.2 and/or simian adenovirus 44 sequences and a heterologous gene under the control of regulatory sequences. A cell line which expresses one or more simian adenovirus-36, -42.1, -42.2 or -44 gene(s) is also described. Methods of using the vectors and cell lines are provided.
US08470308B2
A medical implant comprising in components from a tooth and stem cells harvested from at least one tooth. Tooth stem cells may be harvested from the dental pulp of mammalian teeth, such as unerupted third molars in humans. After the stem cells are removed and isolated from the other teeth tissue, the hard tooth may be ground into a base material for the manufacture of a porous matrix into which the tooth stem cells can be added. Additionally, soft tissue from the harvested tooth may be used as a carrier scaffold for soft tissue applications such as meniscal or cartilage repair.
US08470300B2
The invention provides coated sensors for detecting the presence of analytes. The sensor comprises one or more fluorescent sources, such as one or more quantum dots or one or more fluorescent dyes, a polymeric matrix, a surface coating, and one or more analyte sensing components. The surface coating may be a conformal polymeric film, permeable to the analyte, which may be deposited via a solventless process such as initiated chemical vapor deposition or photoinitiated chemical vapor deposition. The surface coating may increase the biocompatibility of the sensor, reduce nonspecific protein adsorption, and/or sequester functional sensor components within the sensor. The invention also provides methods for detecting the presence of an analyte with coated sensors of the invention.
US08470297B1
This invention relates to methods for evaluating the efficacy of an IGF1R inhibitor, such as an anti-IGF1R antibody, for the treatment of an Ewing's sarcoma tumor by determining the level of tumoral glucose metabolism. Tumoral glucose metabolism is determining at an early point in the treatment regimen by any of several methods known in the art including FDG-PET/CT scan.
US08470296B2
New intracorporeal radiodense medicaments and certain medical uses and methods for use of such high energy phototherapeutic medicaments for treatment of human or animal tissue are described, wherein a primary active component of such medicaments is a halogenated xanthene or halogenated xanthene derivative. The halogenated xanthenes constitute a family of potent radiosensitizers that become photoactivated upon irradiation of the treatment site with ionizing radiation. In embodiments of the present invention, such medicaments are used for treatment of a variety of conditions affecting the skin and related organs, the mouth and digestive tract and related organs, the urinary and reproductive tracts and related organs, the respiratory tract and related organs, the circulatory system and related organs, the head and neck, the endocrine and lymphoreticular systems and related organs, various other tissues, such as connective tissues and various tissue surfaces exposed during surgery, as well as various tissues exhibiting microbial or parasitic infection. In another embodiment, such medicaments are produced in various formulations including liquid, semisolid, solid or aerosol delivery vehicles.
US08470294B2
A flexible or elastic brachytherapy strand that includes an imaging marker and/or a therapeutic, diagnostic or prophylactic agent such as a drug in a biocompatible carrier that can be delivered to a subject upon implantation into the subject through the bore of a brachytherapy implantation needle has been developed. Strands can be formed as chains or continuous arrays of seeds up to 50 centimeters or more, with or without spacer material, flaccid, rigid, or flexible.
US08470282B2
A method of producing calcium carbonate from lime comprises the steps of: (i) providing an aqueous solution comprising 10% to 35% by weight of dissolved polyhydroxy compound and 1% to 5% by weight of dissolved calcium hydroxide (expressed as Ca(OH)2) and having a pH of at least 11.5; (ii) treating the solution prepared in step (i) to remove solids including suspended solids; (iii) dispersing carbon dioxide through the solution so as to form calcium carbonate with a consequential reduction in the pH of the reaction mixture, (iv) during a time period beginning at the start of a sudden, short rise in pH and ended during a subsequent fall in pH but before it reaches 9.5 terminating the dispersion of carbon dioxide and adding an alkaline reagent to maintain a pH for the product mixture of at least 9.5, and (v) recovering precipitated calcium carbonate.
US08470273B2
A combustion exhaust gas processing device comprises: a dust collector collecting dust in a cement kiln combustion exhaust gas: a wet dust collector as a catalyst-poisoning-substance stripper removing a catalyst-poisoning substance from a combustion exhaust gas which passed the wet dust collector; and a catalyst device from which NOx, a persistent organic pollutant, etc. in the preheated combustion exhaust gas, are removed. A titanium-vanadium catalyst etc. as an oxide catalyst is used upstream of the catalyst device, and a platinum catalyst etc. as a noble-metal catalyst downstream of the catalyst device. The temperature of the combustion exhaust gas after the catalyst-poisoning substance is removed is increased up to 140° C. or more with the preheaters to prevent decline in denitration efficiency of and the decomposition efficiency of a volatile organic compound.
US08470251B2
An apparatus is disclosed for converting heavy hydrocarbon feed into lighter hydrocarbon products. The heavy hydrocarbon feed is slurried with a particulate solid material to form a heavy hydrocarbon slurry and hydrocracked in a slurry hydrocracking unit to produce vacuum gas oil (VGO) and pitch. A first vacuum column separates VGO from pitch, and a second vacuum column further separates VGO from pitch. As much as 15 wt-% of VGO can be recovered by the second vacuum column and recycled to the slurry hydrocracking unit. A pitch composition is obtained which can be made into particles and transported without sticking together.
US08470240B2
The method includes at least the following steps of spraying a flow of sterilizing vapor, including a vaporized sterilizing product, towards the preforms to be sterilized, so as to cover at least an inner wall (15) of the preforms to be sterilized with the product; and heating, by radiation, the preforms covered with sterilizing product in order to bring them to a temperature (T2) at or above an activation temperature (Ta) for the product. The spraying of the flow of sterilizing vapor is carried out in a protective chamber (40), heating is carried out outside the protective chamber (40), and the flow of sterilizing vapor is in the form of a jet of vapor (F) vaporized onto the preforms (12), in such a way as to bring about the deposition, by condensation, of a substantially uniform film of condensate (48) of sterilizing product on at least the inner wall (15) of the preforms to be sterilized.
US08470239B1
The present invention relates to sanitization devices and methods. More particularly, the invention relates to devices and methods that significantly reduce or eliminate germs, bacteria and/or other microorganisms from objects such as bags, purses, footwear or other objects, as well as bare feet, hands, paws, hooves or other anatomical surfaces, which come into contact with them. The device and method uses germicidal radiation which exposes only the areas of the object that come into applied contact with the device. A top platform of the device is partitioned so that each partition can act independently of each other.
US08470233B2
A metal mold for molding a lens cover can be provided without increasing the size of the metal mold or the production costs so as to prevent deterioration of production efficiency while also preventing any unfilled area or a thin thickness portion of a resin material from being formed in a final product. Also provided is a method for producing a lens cover utilizing such a metal mold. The metal mold can have a stationary mold, a movable mold and a slidable mold between them. A cavity for molding a lens sealing portion can be formed between the stationary mold and the movable mold, and the slidable mold can have a projection portion projecting into the cavity.
US08470232B2
The present invention relates to a method for producing an annular belt made of polyimide comprising; a) joining both ends of a sheet made of a polyimide precursor to form an annular belt; and b) performing an imidizing reaction of the polyimide precursor.
US08470219B2
Method for producing a fibrous web exclusively from cellulose fibers of natural origin, comprising the following procedural steps: forming an essentially uniformly thick, dry fiber layer from loose fibers having a low moisture content, pressing and embossing the fiber layer to obtain a fibrous web and forming an embossed pattern, moistening the fibrous web with a water-latex mixture having a high water concentration (75 to 99% by weight of water) and precipitating the latex in a drying process while the fibers are bonded inside and outside the fiber bond zones.
US08470203B2
A new method for forming stable polyaniline nanofiber colloids uses electrostatic repulsion to maintain dispersion of the nanofibers and prevent aggregation during synthesis of the nanofibers. The colloidal suspensions are formed directly from the reactants in solution maintained at a pH of about 1.0 to about 4.0 and a temperature of about 10° C. to about 100° C. with minimal or no stirring. Also set forth are new methods for forming ultrathin films of polyaniline nanofibers via self-assembly.
US08470201B2
An oxide phosphor that is highly durable and produces visible light when excited by exposure to near-ultraviolet excitation light, comprising an oxide having the composition represented by the formula (Al2O3)x.(SiO2)1-x, where 0
US08470200B2
The present invention provides a production process for the production of an MAl2O4:Eu type long-lasting phosphor (M representing an alkaline earth metal). The process includes the steps of mixing a BAM (alkaline earth aluminate) phosphor with an alkaline earth compound and calcinating the resulting mixture.
US08470199B2
The invention provides a liquid crystal compound having a high stability to heat, light or the like, a nematic phase in a wide temperature range, a small viscosity, a suitable optical anisotropy (especially, a relatively small optical anisotropy), a large elastic constant K33 and a suitable dielectric anisotropy (especially, a relatively large dielectric anisotropy), which is represented by formula (1-1). For example, R1 and R2 are alkyl having 1 to 10 carbons, alkenyl having 2 to 10 carbons or alkoxy having 1 to 9 carbons; the ring A1 and the ring A2 is 1,4-phenylene, 2-fluoro-1,4-phenylene, 3-fluoro-1,4-phenylene or 3,5-difluoro-1,4-phenylene; and m and n are 0, 1, 2 or 3, and the sum of m and n is 3.
US08470197B2
A crosslinked polysulfide-containing cycloaliphatic compound, useful as a crosslinker for filled sulfur-vulcanizable elastomer compositions, is represented by the general formula: [(CaH2a-)mG1(-CbH2bSx—)n−m]o[CcH2c-G2-CdH2dSy—]p[R]q wherein G1 is a saturated, monocyclic aliphatic group of valence n containing from 5 to 12 carbon atoms and optionally containing at least one halogen or a saturated monocyclic silicone [RSiO—]n[R2SiO—]r group of valence n; G2 is a saturated, divalent cyclic aliphatic group of valence 2 containing from 5 to 12 carbon atoms and optionally containing at least one halogen or a saturated monocyclic silicone [RSiO—]n[R2SiO—]r group of valence n; each R independently is a selected from the group consisting of a hydrogen atom, monovalent hydrocarbon of up to 20 carbon atoms and a halogen atom; each occurrence of subscripts a, b, c, d, m, n, o, p, q, x and y independently is an integer wherein a is 2 to 6; b is 2 to 6; c is 1 to 6; d is 1 to 6; m is 1 or 2; n is 3 to 5; o is a positive integer, p is 0 or a positive integer; q is a positive integer; r is an integer of from 0 to 3; x is 1 to 10 and y is 1 to 10, with the provisos that, (i) at least one x is 2 to 10; (ii) the ratio of p to o is less than 1 to 5; and q is equal to the sum of unfilled valences of the (CaH2a-)mG1(-CbH2bSx—)n−m and CcH2c-G2-CdH2dSy— groups.
US08470194B2
A Ni—Zn—Cu ferrite material having excellent DC bias characteristics is provided by adding zinc silicate thereto. The above problem can be solved by Ni—Zn—Cu ferrite particles which comprise a spinel-type ferrite and zinc silicate, which have a composition comprising 36.0 to 48.5 mol % of Fe2O3, 7.0 to 38 mol % of NiO, 4.5 to 40 mol % of ZnO, 5.0 to 17 mol % of CuO and 1.0 to 8.0 mol % of SiO2, all amounts being calculated in terms of the respective oxides, and which have a ratio of an X-ray diffraction intensity from a 113 plane of the zinc silicate to an X-ray diffraction intensity from a 311 plane of the spinel-type ferrite is 0.01 to 0.12; a green sheet obtained by forming a material comprising the Ni—Zn—Cu ferrite particles into a film; and a Ni—Zn—Cu ferrite sintered ceramics.
US08470192B2
A non-toxic, non-static, environmentally benign artificial snow product is made by extruding a mixture of starch, polyvinyl alcohol, hydrogenated soy flakes and talc to form an extruded starch product and processing the extruded starch product into snow flake like fragments. The snow flake like fragments may be sorted by size. Colorant may be added to yield artificial snow flakes in various festive colors.
US08470182B2
Apparatus and method for hydrolyzing biological material for safe disposal thereof without the necessity of incineration or use of disinfectants are described. An alkaline solution having a concentration and an amount effective for hydrolyzing the biological material is brought into contact therewith by means of rotating paddles which both pound the biological material into small pieces and thoroughly mix the alkaline solution with the material under pressure and at elevated temperature. Following the hydrolysis of the biological material, a chosen portion of the water is removed from the alkaline solution and from the liquefied biological material, such that the resulting product solidifies when cooled. The present safe disposal of the biological material does not require incineration thereof, the addition of disinfectants thereto, or the discharge of liquid effluent containing processed biological material into the sewage system.
US08470179B2
A water distillation system includes a membrane distillation unit which produces desalinated water from feed water comprising salt water. The system also includes a primary water heater which raises a temperature of the feed water upstream of the feed water entering the membrane distillation unit. The system additionally includes an evaporative cooler which lowers a temperature of a coolant upstream of the coolant entering the membrane distillation unit.
US08470173B2
Column packing apparatus are disclosed. Methods of making and using column packing apparatus are also disclosed.
US08470169B2
Aqueous liquid having an oxygen demand flows into a treatment vessel where it is treated by suspended aerobic bacterial solids in the presence of dissolved oxygen. A pressurised flow of the treated liquid passes to a clarifying membrane separator effective to separate the flow into a discharge stream of clear liquid and a pressurised recycle stream concentrated in the aerobic bacterial solids. A first oxic gas is employed to scour the membranes and is conveyed away from the membrane separator in the pressurised recycle stream. The pressurised recycle stream is returned to under the surface of the liquid in the treatment vessel. A second oxic gas is introduced either into the pressurised recycle stream or into a further pressurised stream of aqueous liquid flowing into the same volume. The rate of introduction of the oxic gases is controlled with reference to the pH and dissolved oxygen concentration of the liquid in the vessel.
US08470161B2
A self-contained system which promotes the multiplication of algae from either salt water or fresh water sources as a feedstock. This process inspires a direct output of lipids for bio-diesel fuel as well as a significant raw algae yield which can be further processed into additional bio-fuel as well as other valuable resources. In addition to inspiring a direct output of algal lipids for bio-diesel, the system generates massive raw algae biomass output that can be directly utilized as an agent for efficiently cleaning up oil spills.
US08470160B2
A method of electrochemical machining that includes the steps of: positioning a workpiece and a tooling piece in a first position; moving at least one of the workpiece and the tooling piece toward the other such that the workpiece and the tooling piece occupy a second position; moving at least one of the workpiece and the tooling piece away from the other such that the workpiece and the tooling piece occupy a third position; and during at least a portion of the moving of the workpiece and/or the tooling piece from the first position to the second position and from the second position to the third position, using a power supply to apply a voltage across a gap formed between the workpiece and the tooling piece.
US08470156B2
A process of using an electrochemical cell to generate aluminum hydride (AlH3) is provided. The electrolytic cell uses a polar solvent to solubilize NaAlH4. The resulting electrochemical process results in the formation of AlH3. The AlH3 can be recovered and used as a source of hydrogen for the automotive industry. The resulting spent aluminum can be regenerated into NaAlH4 as part of a closed loop process of AlH3 generation.
US08470145B2
There is provided an inexpensive cathode unit which is simple in construction and is capable of forming a film at good coating characteristics relative to each of micropores of high aspect ratio throughout an entire surface of a substrate. There is also provided a sputtering apparatus provided with the cathode unit. The cathode unit of this invention has a holder formed with one or more recessed portions on one surface thereof. Inside the recessed portions there are mounted bottomed cylindrical target members from the bottom side thereof. Into a space inside each of the target members there are built magnetic field generating means for generating magnetic fields.
US08470137B2
An assembly for recycling a solvent from a contaminated solvent solution includes a reservoir module connected to a recycler module. The reservoir module includes a mounted reservoir including an interior volume and a removable lid that reduces the interior volume and includes an access port. The recycler module includes a distillation assembly and an air handler assembly. The distillation assembly includes a distiller and a conduit including a condenser and a sight glass. The air handler assembly includes a duct having an intake port, an exhaust port and a source of air flow. The condenser is disposed within the duct and the sight glass is disposed external to the duct.
US08470132B2
Final chlorine dioxide bleaching of lignocellulosic materials is most effective at a near-neutral pH but present industrial practice typically targets a final pH of between 3.5 and 4.0 because of the difficulty in achieving and maintaining near-neutral pH cost effectively. The in situ formation of bicarbonate before the addition of chlorine dioxide provides a way of maintaining the required near-neutral pH. Near-neutral final chlorine dioxide bleaching also produces a bleached pulp that is in a state that responds more effectively to fluorescent whitening or optical brightening agents.
US08470127B2
A showerhead electrode and assembly useful for plasma etching includes cam locks which provide improved thermal contact between the showerhead electrode and a backing plate. The cam locks include cam shafts in the backing plate which engage enlarged heads of studs mounted on the showerhead electrode. The assembly can include an annular shroud surrounding the showerhead electrode and eight of the cam shafts in the backing plate can be operated such that each cam shaft simultaneously engages a stud on the annular shroud and a stud in an outer row of studs on the showerhead electrode. Another eight cam shafts can be operated such that each cam shaft engages a pair of studs on inner and middle rows of the studs mounted of the showerhead electrode.
US08470123B2
A pressure sensitive adhesive for sticking together an electromagnetic wave-shielding film and optically functional film, wherein a storage elastic modulus at 70° C. is 7.00×104 Pa or more; and a display panel filter element comprising (1) an electromagnetic wave-shielding film, the film being a laminate of a transparent substrate film, an adhesive for a metal foil, which is applied on one surface of the transparent substrate film, and a metal foil mesh formed on the adhesive for a metal foil, (2) a layer of the pressure sensitive adhesive according to (1), which is applied so as to cover the metal foil mesh of the electromagnetic wave-shielding film, and (3) an optically functional film provided on the pressure sensitive adhesive, are provided. The pressure sensitive adhesive exhibits sufficient adhesive strength, can be filled into the inside of the pores of the metal foil mesh, and does not generate bubbles in a heating treatment.
US08470119B2
The invention relates to the use of a native or modified leguminous starch for producing an adhesive labeling composition. Said leguminous starch has an amylose content ranging between 25 and 60 percent by weight (dry/dry) and can be embodied as pea starch, especially pea starch having an amylose content of at least 30 percent but less than 50 percent by weight. The adhesive composition can advantageously be used for labeling glass or plastic bottles and can contain another natural polysaccharide polymer or protein polymer in addition to the leguminous starch, for example another native or modified leguminous or non-leguminous starch, particularly a starch having an amylopectin content of at least 80 percent by weight (dry/dry). The use of a leguminous starch makes it possible to obtain labeling adhesives, optionally highly dry (>40%) substances, which have excellent characteristics regarding stability during storage, rheology, and water resistance.
US08470108B2
An electrical cable and a method for manufacturing the electrical cable are provided in which a plurality of insulated conductors have an inner protective layer extruded thereabout. A plurality of longitudinally extending ribs or fins or exterior ribbed or finned surfaces are formed outward of the inner protective layer between which exist a plurality of voids. An outer insulation layer can be formed in the same operation as the fins or ribbed surface and the inner layer or in a subsequent operation. A self-sealing elastomeric material is applied to the conductor surface or is present between the fins and between the inner protective layer and the outer insulation layer.
US08470099B2
The present invention provides a wire rod with a composition at least including: C: 0.95-1.30 mass %; Si: 0.1-1.5 mass %; Mn: 0.1-1.0 mass %; Al: 0-0.1 mass %; Ti: 0-0.1 mass %; P: 0-0.02 mass %; S: 0-0.02 mass %; N: 10-50 ppm; O: 10-40 ppm; and a balance including Fe and inevitable impurities, wherein 97% or more of an area in a cross-section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the wire rod is occupied by a pearlite, and 0.5% or less of an area in a central area in the cross-section and 0.5% or less of an area in a first surface layer area in the cross-section are occupied by a pro-eutectoid cementite.
US08470091B2
A direction of a dislocation line of a threading dislocation is aligned, and an angle between the direction of the dislocation line of the threading dislocation and a [0001]-orientation c-axis is equal to or smaller than 22.5 degrees. The threading dislocation having the dislocation line along with the [0001]-orientation c-axis is perpendicular to a direction of a dislocation line of a basal plane dislocation. Accordingly, the dislocation does not provide an extended dislocation on the c-face, so that a stacking fault is not generated. Thus, when an electric device is formed in a SiC single crystal substrate having the direction of the dislocation line of the threading dislocation, which is the [0001]-orientation c-axis, a SiC semiconductor device is obtained such that device characteristics are excellent without deterioration, and a manufacturing yield ration is improved.
US08470086B1
A mixture of linseed oil, paint thinner and pigment, blended in specified combination, is prepared for application to mortar—particularly old mortar—as a coloring agent. The mixture is suitable for use at repair sites comprising both old mortar and new mortar applied in making repairs, provided the new mortar has been allowed to age for at least 60 days.
US08470085B2
A system for cleaning particulates and CO2 from power plant exhaust gases is described. The system includes a particulate filter for exhaust gases, a CO2 decomposition component, and a filter for cleaning electrolyte solution from the decomposition component.
US08470076B2
The invention relates to a method for reducing polyhalogenated compounds in incineration plants comprising at least one combustion chamber. The aim of the invention is to provide a more efficient method. To achieve this, SO2 is separated from the flue gas in at least one gas washer and is recirculated to the combustion chamber.
US08470072B2
The pressure of a carrier gas entering a gas chromatography (GC) column is controlled by increasing or decreasing the gas pressure over a pressure change cycle by which a desired gas pressure is obtained while avoiding pressure pulses in the column. The pressure change cycle may follow a function that dictates the rate of pressure change. A gas flow controller that controls the gas pressure at the inlet or head of the column may be operated to implement the pressure change cycle. The gas flow controller may be controlled by an electronic controller.
US08470069B2
A method of using scrap rubber and other scrap materials, such as tires or parts or pieces of tires, to manufacture or melt steel and other metals in a furnace is disclosed. The scrap rubber may be used as a carbon source for the manufacture of steel and other metals, and may be used as an energy source to melt the scrap metal used to make the steel and other metals. The net benefit of this method includes reducing the amount of scrap rubber, such as tires, to be sent to a waste disposal facility or landfill, thereby improving the environment. In addition, by increasing the use of scrap rubber as a source of energy for steel or metal production, less energy is required from other sources.
US08470057B2
A method for producing an alkaline primary battery includes: (1) forming a cylindrical positive electrode having a hollow; (2) inserting a cylindrical separator with a bottom into the hollow of the positive electrode, the separator including: a wound cylindrical portion; and a bottom portion that is substantially U-shaped in cross-section, the bottom portion covering an opening of the cylindrical portion at a lower end thereof and having an upstanding portion that extends along a lower outer face of the cylindrical portion; and (3) injecting an electrolyte into the separator. The amount of the electrolyte injected into the separator in the step (3) is sufficient to impregnate the positive electrode and the separator and immerse a lower end of the cylindrical portion of the separator in the electrolyte remaining in the separator, thereby bringing the lower end of the cylindrical portion into contact with the upstanding portion.
US08470056B2
The method for producing a non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery of the invention includes: (a) a step of preparing an electrode mixture slurry, (b) an ionization step of oxidizing and ionizing a metal impurity present in the electrode mixture slurry, and (c) a step of producing an electrode by using the electrode mixture slurry after the ionization step. In the invention, when the electrode mixture is in the form of a slurry, the metal impurity contained in the electrode mixture is ionized to minimize the amount of the impurity. Therefore, the invention can provide a highly reliable non-aqueous electrolyte secondary battery while minimizing a decrease in production yield by the metal impurity.
US08470055B2
The invention relates to a combined process for preparing a calcined soda from a natural soda containing sodium chloride, soda and sodium sulphate, which comprises steps: (a) dissolving the natural soda to prepare an aqueous solution; (b) obtaining sodium carbonate decahydrate crystals from the natural soda solution by using a separation method of attaching crystallization; and (c) treating the obtained sodium carbonate decahydrate crystals to obtain the calcined soda. The selection to raw materials in the combined process is widened, and the associated minerals, such as sodium chloride, soda and sodium sulphate, can be separated as simple substances. The species of the obtained calcined soda and anhydrous sodium sulphate are abundant, and their purities are high. Moreover, the entire processes can be recycled, and there is no discharge of smoke, dust, waste liquid and so on.
US08470054B2
Provided are an azo compound represented by the following formula (1), a tautomer thereof, and a salt or hydrate of the azo compound or the tautomer: wherein in the formula (1), A represents a heterocyclic group; G represents a hydrogen atom, an aliphatic group, an aromatic group, or a heterocyclic group; R1 and R2 each independently represent a group represented by the following formula (2) or (3):
US08470051B2
A mechanical finger comprises a plurality of phalanges coupled to a single actuator using a kinematic linkage and a differential linkage arranged in parallel. The mechanical finger is capable of exhibiting consistent predictable motion when moving in free space or when contacting an object at the fingertip, and of curling in order to conform to an object when the contact is at other locations on the finger.
US08470050B2
A Rapid Fit Modular Prosthetic Device that can be inexpensively manufactured using modern technology and advanced polymer materials. The Rapid Fit Modular Prosthetic Device will be immediately fit on the residual limb and aligned for optimal gait without specialized tools or labs, alleviating the many steps involved with conventional labor-intensive and costly prosthesis construction. The Rapid Fit Modular Prosthetic Device also accommodates the changing in size and shape of the limb, eliminating the need for multiple prostheses and adjustments to an existing prosthesis during the lifetime of an amputee.
US08470049B2
A femoral prosthesis. The femoral prosthesis includes an implant body having a proximal end and a distal end and a shoulder at the proximal end, the shoulder being structured and dimensioned for a tight press fit into the neck of a femur. The implant body includes a trunk at the distal end, the trunk having a wedge formed by a tapered portion extending in the direction of the distal end of the implant body. The implant body also includes a medial column extending from the shoulder toward the distal end and a lateral column extending from the shoulder toward the distal end. The wedge, the medial column, and the lateral column to provide multi-planar stability for the implant body and surface area for fixation of the implant body.
US08470047B2
A fixed-bearing prosthesis includes a femoral component having a medial condyle surface and a lateral condyle surface. The knee prosthesis also includes a bearing having a medial bearing surface configured to articulate with the medial condyle surface of the femoral component, and a lateral bearing surface configured to articulate with the lateral condyle surface of the femoral component. A tibial tray is secured to the bearing. The tibial tray has a platform with an elongated stem extending downwardly from a lower surface thereof. A peripheral rail extends along at least an anterior section of the perimeter of the tray's platform. The peripheral rail extends upwardly from an upper surface of the platform. A retaining rail extends upwardly from the upper surface of the platform and posteriorly away from the peripheral rail.
US08470043B2
Discectomy or disc preparation system that includes a guide member that is changeable from a deployment configuration for insertion into an intervertebral disc space to a deployed configuration upon being deployed into the intervertebral disc. The system also includes at least one tissue manipulator, such as cutting, scraping and extraction elements, that can be moved or tracked longitudinally along the guide member into and through the intervertebral disc space.
US08470042B2
A composite interbody vertebral implant for facilitating fusion of adjacent vertebrae. The implant includes a first endplate of a porous metal material and a second endplate of a porous metal material which are configured to allow bone in-growth. The implant also includes a polymeric body positioned between and bonded to the first and second endplates such that polymeric material of the polymeric body is impregnated into pores of the first and second endplates to bond the components together. The implant may include a cavity extending through the composite implant configured to receive bone growth material to facilitate fusion between a first vertebra and a second vertebra.
US08470038B2
The present invention relates to a bone-tendon-bone graft and components. Embodiments of the present invention comprise an intermediate bone block that is used to adjustably secure soft tissue (e.g., tendon) in a patient. Embodiments of intermediate bone blocks of the present invention are used singly or in combination with one or more bone blocks to form a bone block assembly for securing soft tissue. The present invention further relates to an assembled bone-tendon-bone graft for implantation in humans comprising the intermediate bone block and a length of soft tissue. A bone-tendon-bone graft comprises a length of soft tissue extending from a first assembled bone block to a second bone block and then doubles back to said first assembled bone block. Depending upon the embodiment, the second bone block fixedly or slideably attaches to the length of soft tissue and facilitates it doubling back to the first assembled bone block.
US08470037B2
A system for reconstructing a ligament by fixing at least one graft ligament strand in a bone tunnel is provided. The system a retainer configured for disposition in the bone tunnel, the retainer including a crosshole for receiving a locking pin and a mounting shoulder formed about the crosshole, and a cap removably attached to the retainer for capturing the at least one graft ligament strand by compressing the at least one graft ligament strand between the cap and the retainer, wherein the cap includes at least one locking member configured to engage the mounting shoulder of the retainer to facilitate gripping of the at least one graft ligament strand between the cap and the retainer.
US08470031B2
A device for folding or rolling up an intraocular lens 1 that is to be implanted into an eye, with a lens receiving compartment 2 that is formed by two swivel-connected lens receiving parts 3, 4, which lens receiving compartment 2 is to be moved from an open position for receiving the lens 1, in which the lens is unfolded, into a closed position for folding or rolling up the lens 1 by swiveling the lens receiving parts 3, 4 relative to each other, and with a holding device which is formed by two holding elements 5, 6, one of which holding elements 5 is attached to one lens receiving part 3 and the other holding element 6 is attached to the other lens receiving part 4.
US08470024B2
An instrument for positioning a cardiac valve prosthesis in a vessel includes a wire element to slidingly guide the valve prosthesis towards an implantation site and an expandable element coupled to the wire element. The expandable element is expandable in the vessel to position the wire element in association with the implantation site. A method for positioning a cardiac valve prosthesis includes securing a delivery instrument at an appropriate location at the implantation site and delivering the valve prosthesis to the implantation site using the delivery instrument.
US08470021B2
An expandable stent radially adjustable between a collapsed state and an expanded state. The stent generally includes a main body and a plurality of connector segments. The main body has first and second ends, a longitudinal axis extending from the first end to the second end, and a plurality of ring structures. Each of the plurality of connector segments joins adjacent ring structures. Some ring structures may be connected by a pair of diamond connector segments that define a diamond-shaped portion when the stent is in the expanded state. Some ring structures may be connected by flex connector segments oriented to permit rotation of the second ring structure about the longitudinal axis during radial expansion of the stent.
US08470020B2
Implantable frames for use in body passages are provided herein. The implantable frames can include a plurality of hoop members joined by a plurality of longitudinal connecting members to form a tubular frame defining a cylindrical lumen. The plurality of longitudinal connecting members may include first and second longitudinal connecting members joining a first hoop member to a second hoop member such that the first and second longitudinal connecting members extend across an entire space separating the first and second hoop members.
US08470015B2
An insertion system for release of a self-expanding stent device 18 in a body vessel has a first grip 33, which is fixedly connected to a shaft 15, a second grip 36, which is mounted on the shaft 15 to be movable in axial direction, a sheath 19, which, in a distal portion thereof, keeps the stent device radially compressed and which is fixedly connected to the second grip 36, and a retention element 17, which is fixedly connected to the shaft 15 and is guided in the sheath 19, wherein the retention element 17 holds the stent device 18 in its axial position relative to the first grip 33 when the sheath 19 is being retracted. Reference means 25 with an optical reference mark 26 are arranged for continuous monitoring of the axial position of the stent device 18.
US08470014B2
Medical assemblies with a releasable connection and methods of constructing such medical assemblies are disclosed. The medical assemblies generally comprise a stent, a catheter assembly having catheter body a balloon, and a releasable connection between the stent and the catheter assembly that releases the stent from the catheter assembly in response to enlargement of the balloon or when the balloon has been enlarged to an expanded configuration.
US08470011B2
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.
US08470010B2
Systems and methods treat superficial venous malformations, such as spider veins. The systems and methods distribute a reactive agent, e.g., a light-reactive agent such as talaporfin sodium or verteporfin, at or near an inner wall of a vein. The systems and methods activate the reactive agent by applying energy, e.g. non-thermal light energy at a wavelength that activates the reactive agent to cause localized injury to the inner wall of the vein.
US08469992B2
An endoscopic forceps is provided. The endoscopic forceps includes a housing having a shaft that extends therefrom and defines a longitudinal axis therethrough. An end effector assembly operatively connects to a distal end of the shaft and has a movable jaw member and a non-movable jaw member. The movable jaw member has a substantially flexible medial portion and is movable relative to the non-movable jaw member from an initial position for positioning tissue therebetween, to a subsequent or clamping position wherein the movable and non-movable jaw members cooperate to grasp tissue therebetween. A drive assembly is operably coupled to the housing and includes a drive wire that operably couples to the movable jaw member. Proximal movement of the drive rod causes the medial portion of the movable jaw member to flex inwardly along a substantial length thereof and toward the non-movable jaw member.
US08469991B2
An endoscopic forceps is provided and includes a housing having a shaft that extends therefrom. An end effector assembly is operatively connected to a distal end of the shaft and includes a pair of pivotably coupled first and second jaw members. One of the jaw members is movable relative to the other jaw member. A drive mechanism includes a driving structure in operative communication with a cam slot operably disposed on one of the first and second jaw members. The driving structure includes a detent.
US08469990B2
A vessel filter comprising a first region and a second region wherein the filter is movable between a collapsed position for delivery to the vessel and an expanded position for placement within the vessel. A first region has a filter portion having a converging region to direct particles toward the center of the filter and the second region is flared in the expanded position to have a transverse dimension increasing toward a second end portion opposite the first end portion. The second region includes a vessel engaging portion at the second end portion. The first region includes a plurality of spaced apart elongated struts with adjacent struts being joined and a spacer extending radially with respect to a longitudinal axis of the filter.
US08469987B2
A trocar assembly including a trocar and a trocar sheath and methods for accessing an intracorporeal site, e.g. biopsy or trocar site, using the trocar assembly. The trocar has a tissue penetrating distal tip, an elongated shaft and a proximal handle portion. The distal portion of the trocar sheath forms a releasable connection, such as a friction fit, with the shaft of the trocar and a slit that extends from the distal portion to the proximal end of the trocar sheath. The trocar assembly is advanced through the patient's tissue until the distal end of the trocar sheath is located at the desired site and then the trocar is removed. A treatment device such as a radiation balloon catheter is advanced through the interior of the sheath until the treatment component thereof is at the desired site.
US08469984B2
A lancing device comprises a housing, a trigger button, a drive spring and a protective cap. The housing forms an aperture and an opening opposite thereof. A lancet partially extends through the aperture. The trigger button is located near the opening. At least a portion of the trigger button is external to the housing. The drive spring is attached to and connects the lancet and the trigger button. The drive spring moves the lancet from the cocked position to the puncture position. The protective cap is removeably attached to the lancet opposite the drive spring and engages the housing when the cap is removeably attached to the lancet. The cap prevents the drive spring from moving the lancet to the puncture position prior to removing the cap from the lancet.
US08469983B2
Described here are devices and methods for suture management. In some variations, the devices comprise an elongate tubular member having a proximal end, a distal end, a lumen therebetween, a cantilever blade positioned near the distal end of the elongate tubular member, and an expandable member positioned adjacent the cantilever blade for actuating the cantilever blade. Also described are devices comprising an elongate tubular member having a proximal end, a distal end, a lumen at least partially therebetween, and an aperture in a wall thereof for passage of a suture therethrough. These devices further comprise a blade connected to a blade housing disposed within the lumen, where the blade is oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis of the lumen. The blade and blade housing may be slidable within the lumen, or an inner shaft for may be slidable within the lumen. Methods of using the devices are also described.
US08469979B2
An atherectomy catheter with a rotary cutting element is provided. The catheter collects plaque shavings in a hollow collection chamber. The catheter includes a drive shaft connected between a source of rotational power and the distal side of the cutting element, no part of the drive shaft being contained within the collection chamber.
US08469976B2
An endoluminal treatment device and method includes introducing an endoluminal device into a lumen of a patient and engaging a wall of the lumen with an end effector of the endoscopic device. A plication can be formed in the wall of the lumen such that an open pocket is formed in the wall of the lumen or such that an artificial biologic tube is formed.
US08469975B2
A knot placement device allows a physician to apply a knot for securing two or more suture ends extending from an incision in a vessel or organ of a patient relative to each other in order to seal an opening in the vessel or organ. The knot placement device has a handle, an elongate shaft, and a push rod slidably inserted in the shaft. A knot is disposed in the distal end of the shaft. An actuator on the handle may be depressed to distally advance the push rod relative to the shaft, thereby distally advancing the knot. The knot may include a knot body having an inner cavity and a plug sized to fit securely within the inner cavity. In use, the plug may be inserted into the inner cavity of the knot body to fixedly hold two or more suture ends between the knot body and the plug.
US08469967B2
A cable tensioning system includes a reaction frame which contains a sliding platform arranged to move linearly within the frame, and a clam-type cleat attached to the sliding platform. The cleat features one or more grooves, each of which comprises two arrays of opposing ridges that converge to form a V-shape groove adapted to receive a length of cable. The ridges of each groove are tilted relative to an axis perpendicular to the groove's longitudinal axis, such that the cable is progressively captured between the ridges of the opposing arrays as it settles into the crotch of the groove when moved in a first direction, and can be disengaged from the cleat by relaxing the axial force on the cable and moving it in the opposite direction. A linear actuator mechanism may be coupled to the sliding platform to move the platform with respect to the reaction frame.
US08469957B2
The present disclosure provides a bipolar forceps adapted to connect to a source of electrosurgical energy for performing an electrosurgical procedure. The bipolar forceps includes a housing having a shaft that extends therefrom. The bipolar forceps is in operative communication with one or more vacuum sources. The bipolar forceps includes an end effector assembly having a pair of first and second jaw members biased in an open configuration; each jaw member including a respective seal plate. The pair of first and second jaw members is operatively and pivotably connected to a distal end of the shaft. One or both of the first and second jaw members includes one or more apertures in fluid communication with the distal end of the shaft and the one or more vacuum sources.
US08469956B2
A bipolar forceps for sealing tissue includes an end effector assembly having opposing first and second jaw members each having a proximal end and a distal end. A first electrically conductive surface having two or more conductive sealing plates and a dielectric layer is operably coupled to the first jaw member. Each sealing plate is connected to a reactive element and positioned along the first electrically conductive surface from the proximal end to the distal end. The reactive elements of the sealing plates have different impedances. A second electrically conductive surface having at least one conductive sealing plate is operably coupled to the second jaw member. Each electrically conductive surface on the jaw members connects to a source of electrosurgical energy such that the sealing plates are capable of conducting energy through tissue held therebetween to effect a tissue seal.
US08469955B2
A tissue-separating catheter assembly comprises a rotatable shaft, having a distal shaft portion, and a tissue separator device extending along the shaft. The tissue separator device has a distal separator part at the distal shaft portion movable between a retracted state, towards the distal shaft portion, and an outwardly extending, operational state, away from the distal shaft portion. A pivot joint may be used to pivotally connect the distal separator end to the distal shaft portion. The distal shaft portion may comprise a distally-facing transition surface at a proximal end of the distal shaft portion. First and second energizable tissue separator elements may be used at the transition surface and the tip of the device, respectively.
US08469952B2
A system for aligning an eye therapy instrument over a selected area or feature of an eye provides an attachment element that is removably attached to a surface of an eye. A receiving element is coupled to the attachment element and movable relative to the attachment element. The receiving element includes a coupling element configured to operably couple an eye therapy instrument to the receiving element and adjustably move the eye therapy instrument into a selected position with respect to the attachment element. The system makes adjustments to ensure accurate delivery of treatment from the eye therapy device to areas of the eye. In one embodiment, the receiving element allows lateral adjustments to be made along one or more axes. Additionally or alternatively, the receiving element allows angular or rotational adjustments to be made about one or more axes.
US08469948B2
Instruments for creating a corneal channel and methods of use.
US08469941B2
A catheter having an outer profile which is formed such that a path length along an outer surface of the catheter is greater than the corresponding length of the catheter, and to a method for determining the shape of a catheter, and wherein the elasticity and/or conductivity of the tissue into which the catheter is to be introduced is taken into account in order to determine the outer profile of the catheter.
US08469939B2
A vial adaptor configured to be attached to a wide range of vial sizes, the adaptor being configured to penetrate the vial seal so that the contents of a vial can be removed. The vial adaptor can have a body portion, a penetrating portion projecting from the body portion and configured to be inserted through the seal and positioned within an interior space of the vial so that the contents of the vial can flow through an opening in the penetrating portion, an interface portion supported by the body portion that is connectable to a syringe or other medical implement, at least one deflectable tab configured be bendable by hand or to bend in response to contact with the vial. The vial can also have a filtered air vent to allow air to fill the vial as the contents thereof are being removed.
US08469936B2
Reduced-pressure medical dressings, systems, and methods involve a dressing with a first barrier layer that desolidifies when exposed to a fluid—typically a liquid—to form a treatment aperture in the first barrier that is used to deliver reduced pressure to a tissue site. The first barrier layer is formed from a desolidifying material. The system includes a drape covering a second surface of a manifold and a portion of the patient's epidermis to provide a substantially sealed space containing a manifold and the first barrier layer. Other systems, dressings, and methods are also disclosed.
US08469922B2
An injection device for injection of a dose of a medicament from a medicament cartridge is disclosed. The injection device of the present invention comprises a main housing 4 having an electronic control unit, a cover detection switch 28, and a display panel 10 operative selectively to indicate to the user information relevant to the user. The display panel 10 has an active state in which information is provided to the user and an inactive state in which no information is provided. A cap or cover 6 adapted to cover one end of the main housing 4 of the injection device is provided. When the presence of the cap 6 is detected, the electronic control unit switches the display panel 10 to an active state for a predetermined period of time.
US08469910B2
A pneumatic compression garment comprises a flexible member for placement on a limb of a human body. A bladder in the flexible member defines an inflatable chamber. The bladder has an opening through which the inflatable chamber is inflated. A port mounted on the bladder has an air inlet adapted for communication with a source of pressurized air and an air outlet in communication with the inflatable chamber via the opening in the bladder. Pressurized air is delivered from into the inflatable chamber for inflating the inflatable chamber and thereby applying a compression force to the limb when the flexible member is in place on the limb. Noise attenuating means associated with the bladder opening is provided for reducing noise from air flow through the opening into the inflatable chamber.
US08469907B2
A slider configured to reduce the wear of rotating bodies and an arc-shaped rail. The slider 32 includes: an insertion portion 321 inserted into the arc-shaped rail 31 through the slit 314; a first rotating body 342 which rolls on the outer peripheral wall 312, and a second rotating body 341 which rolls on the inner peripheral wall 311, wherein the second rotating body 341 includes a pair of lateral rotating bodies 411 disposed in both ends in the width direction and a central rotating body 412 disposed in the central portion in the width direction so as to be displaced in the sliding direction from the lateral rotating bodies 411 and wherein the lateral rotating bodies 411 and the central rotating body 412 are pivotally supported by a pivot member 51 provided so as to be swingable in the sliding direction in an insertion portion 321.
US08469904B2
A method to apply a nerve inhibiting cloud surrounding a blood vessel includes creating a treatment plan, wherein the treatment plan prescribes application of the nerve inhibiting cloud towards at least a majority portion of a circumference of a blood vessel wall, and applying the nerve inhibiting cloud towards the majority portion of the circumference of the blood vessel wall for a time sufficient to inhibit a function of a nerve that surrounds the blood vessel wall.
US08469902B2
A method for determining an orientation of an artificial joint, in particular for planning an implantation of at least one artificial joint in a human or animal body, wherein a first part of the artificial joint and a second part of the artificial joint are designed to be able to form an artificial joint connection with each other, wherein the first part is provided for implantation in a first body structure of the human or animal body, and the second part is provided for implantation in a second body structure of the human or animal body, in order to replace an anatomical joint which connects or connected the first body structure to the second body structure, wherein the method comprises the following steps: body structure data are provided which describe a mobility of the first body structure relative to the second body structure; an orientation which is suitable for implanting the artificial joint is determined on the basis of the body structure data.
US08469896B2
This invention describes a method for dividing a substantial cycli cardiovascular signal into segments by determining the characteristics of said cyclic signal, wherein each cycle in said signal comprises at least two characteristic segments and wherein the method comprises the steps o identifying segments in a cycle based on prior knowledge of said segment characteristics and the step of verifying said identified segments based on a number of statistical parameters obtained from prior knowledge relating to said cyclic signal. Furthermore, the invention describes a system adapted to perform the above-described method.
US08469890B2
System and method for compensating for motion when displaying ultrasound motion tracking information
A system and method for compensating for motion with displaying ultrasound motion tracking information are provided. The method includes obtaining ultrasound image data of an imaged object and determining motion tracking information based on the ultrasound image data. The method further includes compensating for motion of the imaged object based on the determined motion tracking information and generating motion compensated ultrasound image data in combination with motion tracking indicators based on the motion compensation.
US08469881B2
Provided are a decompression mechanism capable of performing a desired pressure reduction by simple operation and having improved operability, a puncture device, a blood analysis device, and a sensor mounting mechanism. A needle puncturing device (100) is provided with: a piston (121) having at one end thereof an end part (121a) for forming a part of a sensor mounting mechanism (130) and at the other end an end part (121b) for slidably supporting a rod (112) of a lancet section (111); a cylinder (122) for slidably containing therein the end section (121b) of the piston (121); and packing (125) mounted to the inner periphery of the end part (121b) of the piston (121) and maintaining the air-tightness of the outer periphery of the rod (112). When the piston (121) is moved in the direction toward the cylinder (122) with a skin contact part (131) in contact with the skin, the volumes of an internal space (140) and a pressure reduction chamber (150) which are sealed by packing (123, 124) are increased to produce a reduced pressure.
US08469877B2
A system for supporting an anatomical structure of the pelvis includes a surgical implant for providing support to the anatomical structure of the pelvis. The surgical implant includes a first tissue anchor including a plurality of projections adapted for tissue fixation, a second tissue anchor including a plurality of projections adapted for tissue fixation, and a sub-urethral support having first and second ends, the first and second tissue anchors extending from the first and second ends of the sub-urethral support. The system also includes an introducer for delivering the first tissue anchor to a desired anchoring site of the pelvis.
US08469873B2
A wrap (20) for securing about a blood vessel (36) by encasing a section of the vessel. The wrap (20) being of thin flexible construction having two ends (22, 24) and two sides (26, 28). The wrap (20) is more elastic or stretchable at, near, or along at least some of its sides (22, 24) compared to at, near, or along its centre, to provide strain relief from wrapped to unwrapped aorta. The wrap (20) is not inelastic, so that loss of aortic compliance is minimised or enhanced. The wrap (20) is adapted to apply, in use, less compressive force at, near, or along at least some of its sides (22, 24) compared to at, near, or along its centre.
US08469872B2
A magnetic therapy device may include a housing, a disk, a tachometer, a microprocessor, a driver integrated circuit, and a plurality of coils. The disk may include a plurality of magnets thereon, the disk being mounted inside the housing and configured to rotate within the housing. The tachometer may be configured to monitor a magnetic field generated by the plurality of magnets and provide a frequency signal to a microprocessor based on the monitored magnetic field. The microprocessor may be configured to provide a control signal to the driver integrated circuit based on the frequency signal, the microprocessor being programmed to provide the control signal to maintain a constant speed of rotation of the disk based on the frequency signal. The driver integrated circuit may be configured to provide a current to a plurality of coils based on the control signal. The plurality of coils may be configured to generate, based on the current received from the driver integrated circuit, a magnetic field which will generate a force on the plurality of magnets and thereby cause the disk to rotate.
US08469867B2
A charging member that achieves a high level of compatibility between the suppression of the bleeding of a low-molecular weight component from its elastic layer to its surface and charging performance for an electrophotographic photosensitive member. The charging member has a substrate, an elastic layer, and a surface layer. The surface layer contains a polymer having a Si-O-Ti bond, and the polymer has a constitutional unit represented by the following general formula (1) and a constitutional unit represented by the following general formula (2).
US08469865B2
An inertial exercise device includes a hollow outer ball and a weighted inner ball elastically suspended inside the outer ball by at least two opposing suspension members. The weighted innerball may contain a fluid mass. The hollow outer ball, the weighted inner ball and the at least two opposing suspension members may all be integrally formed with each other. In one embodiment, the outer ball, the inner ball, and the suspension members are all formed from integral segments of a pliant tube. The hollow outer ball is formed by everting first and second end segments of the tube over the middle segment of the tube and joining the first and second end segments of the tube together at their openings. The weighted inner ball is formed from the middle segment of the tube which, in one embodiment, is a bulge in the tube.
US08469862B2
A wearable device has a carrier having an aperture. A device has a USB connection and a protrusion wherein the protrusion is received in the aperture to connect the device to the carrier. The device is a USB type device having athletic functionality.
US08469861B1
A pushable exercise apparatus configured to be pushed along a surface by a user and to provide user-selected variation in resistance to rotation applied to wheels of the apparatus. The apparatus may comprise a frame, a handle, a wheel shaft rotatably supported by the frame, one or more wheels fixedly attached to the wheel shaft, and an electrical braking system, such as a generator braking system. The electrical braking system may have a motor driven by rotation of the wheel shaft and variable electrical resistance such that an amount of torque and/or effort required to rotate at least one of the wheels is dependant on the amount of electrical resistance provided to the motor.
US08469859B2
In a hybrid vehicle having a locking mechanism in which a play elimination process is required in the locking, a torque shock in the play elimination is reduced. In a hybrid vehicle 1 having a locking mechanism 700 which is a cam-lock type engaging apparatus, an ECU 100 performs MG1 locking control. In the control, play is formed between a cam 710 and a clutch plate 720 of the locking mechanism 700. The formed play is gradually reduced such that the torque shock in the play elimination does not occur due to the phase control of the cam 710, on the basis of an initial value of the amount of the play when the clutch plate 720 is bought into contact with a friction part 733 and a play elimination amount G.
US08469855B2
A multi-speed transmission module is provided that can passively and automatically upshift and downshift between two speed ratios, even if the speed of the output member does not decrease. The transmission module includes a planetary gear set. A torque-transmitting mechanism is engageable to connect the two members of the planetary gear set for common rotation. A centripetal member is configured to apply a first axial force urging engagement of the torque-transmitting mechanism. The first axial force increases as the speed of the output member increases. A torque-to-thrust actuator, such as a ball screw actuator, is connected for rotation with the input member and is configured to apply a second axial force opposing engagement of the torque-transmitting mechanism.
US08469850B2
A superposition transmission in several variants and embodiments has hydrostatic-mechanical or electric-mechanical power splitting for the use in vehicles and work machines such as municipal vehicles, handling devices such as telehandlers or forklifts, wheel loaders, tractors and comparable apparatuses, in which an infinitely variable adjustment of the gear ratio is desired independent of the speed of the drive engine. The input shaft (1) is connected with a variator which is in operative connection with two summing planetary gears (12) and (13) arranged parallel with respect to each other. The output occurs in all driving speeds and all driving ranges via the planet carrier arranged as carrier (18).
US08469842B2
An expandable arrowhead having a blade-carrying body with a slot that houses at least one movably mounted blade. Each blade can be pivotally mounted about a shaft. In some embodiments, the shaft is fixed with respect to the body. In other embodiments, the shaft is movably mounted with respect to the body, for example by mounting a shaft within the slot so that the shaft moves within the slot with respect to the blade-carrying body. In some embodiments of this invention, a spring element positively holds one or more blades in a closed position or a retracted position, particularly during extreme forces encountered when launching an arrow from an archery bow, such as a compound archery bow. The spring element of this invention can be used to improve blade opening capabilities of conventional blade-opening arrowheads or broadheads.
US08469834B2
A golf club head having a hollow construction includes a face part having a ball-impacting surface and a first main rib and a second main rib disposed on the inner surface of the face part. The first main rib extends from a crown side to a sole side, and the second main rib extends from a hosel side to a toe-side part of the sole side, the first and second main ribs intersecting each other. The material thickness on a toe side of the face part, with the first main rib being the boundary, is formed so as to be thinner than the material thickness on a heel side of the face part.
US08469820B2
The invention relates to a communication device between an audiovisual information playback system (1) and at least one electronic game machine (2), each electronic game machine comprising a viewing means (200), a means (210) for interacting with the user and a means of payment (220), characterized in that each electronic game machine (2) is connected to the playback system (2) via a network interface (21) and an associated LAN (3), and comprises specific means (20, 21, 22) for managing a means of payment, a viewing means and an interactive means, in order to enable, on the electronic game machine (2), the selection and payment of at least one selection stored on the playback system (2), with a view to playback thereof on the playback system, the specific means (22) of managing payment means and the specific means (21) of managing viewing means and the interactive means being triggered by the activation means of the electronic game machine (2).
US08469817B2
A video game machine is provided with wireless functionality. The wireless functionality may be built-into the video game machine or may be provided by a device that is removably attachable to the video game machine. The wireless functionality enables, among other things, enhanced multi-player capabilities, the ability to receive video game updates, new game levels and new games.
US08469807B2
A game device has a playing unit, a receiving unit, and a changeover unit. The playing unit plays any piece of motion image data as play-target motion image data among plural pieces of motion image data. The receiving unit receives an instruction input of specifying a position. The plural pieces of motion image data include motion image data associated with a set of a time period (a changeover time period) in a playing time of the motion image data, a position (a changeover determination position), and any piece of motion image data (changeover motion image data). The changeover unit changes over the play-target motion image data to the changeover motion image data when (a) the changeover time period includes a time point when the instruction input was received, and when (b) the changeover determination position and the position specified through the instruction input both satisfy a predetermined proximity condition.
US08469806B2
A system is configured to provide haptic stimulation to a user. In one embodiment, the haptic stimulation is provided to the user in conjunction with the performance of one or more control gestures through which the user controls, for example, a game, a real world component or piece of equipment, and/or other entity. In one embodiment, the haptic stimulation is provided to the user in conjunction with control of virtual equipment by the user.
US08469802B2
A method is shown for enhancing game play on a gaming machine. In one embodiment, the gaming machine may include a processor, a memory, and program logic stored in the memory that may be executable to play a base game in exchange for a wager. The method includes receiving a Newprom award that is not issued by the gaming machine. The method may include altering, using the processor, the base game to an enhanced base game state in response to the Newprom award. The Newprom award may be configured to add one or more base game play enhancements available to a player only by way of the Newprom award to the base game. This may alter the base game to the enhanced base game state so that the base game is played with the one or more game play enhancements.
US08469800B2
A gaming system compatible with patron-controlled portable electronic devices, such as smart phones, is described. In particular, an electronic gaming machine (EGM) can be configured with a power interface that allows portable electronic device carried by the patron to receive power. To prevent patrons from monopolizing an EGM for the purposes of solely charging their portable electronic device, the EGM can be configured with power interface control logic that controls the flow of power to the power interface including cutting off power to the power interface. The EGM can include an object detection capability that allows objects, such as a portable electronic device located on or near the EGM to be detected. In one embodiment, when the EGM detects an object has been abandoned, i.e., left at the EGM by a patron, the EGM can be configured to take actions that allow the object to be recovered.
US08469799B2
A gaming system includes multiple gaming machines and one or more cashier stations. The gaming machines are configured to issue value tickets, such upon cash-out. The tickets may be presented at the same gaming machine that issued the ticket or at other of the gaming machines or the cashier station. In particular, each gaming machine generates its own tickets, including associated ticket records. The ticket records generated at each gaming machine, however, are transmitted to other gaming machines and the cashier stations so that when a ticket is presented at any of the gaming machines or cashier stations, any of the gaming machines can directly validate the ticket and credit the associated value.
US08469789B2
A game for a plurality of players includes a set of instant win tickets and a programmed computer system creating a web site associated with the tickets to be accessed by the player to play second games. The system provides a ticket validation program for prize redemption at a retailer and provides entry of the player into the second game such that the player who is a winner of prize on the first game can select to accept the prize redemption or to enter the site to use the prize to play said at least one second game. Additional credit can be purchased and applied by a certificate or smart card to the site. The validation data base is maintained separate from the site to prevent access by the players through the site to avoid encryption.
US08469787B2
A system, apparatus, and method are disclosed which provide a random prize modification wherein a promotion index value is produced for a player in a wagering game. This promotion index value is then used in modifying a predetermined prize based on the wagering game outcome. In one embodiment, a particular game outcome is associated with an initial index value. The promotion index value is then produced and added to the initial index value to produce a final index value. This final index value is then used to look up an associated prize which is assigned to the player.
US08469763B2
A plasma crucible has a through bore and two tubes butt scaled on to the end faces of the crucible. One of the tubes is closed prior to the filling of the crucible. The tube is tipped off and worked in a glass lathe to form it to have a flat end. After evacuation, dosing and gas fill, the other tube is tipped off in the similar manner.
US08469754B1
An outboard motor includes an exhaust passage, a catalyst member, and a water capture member. The exhaust passage includes a first passage, a second passage, a third passage, and a fourth passage. The first passage is connected to exhaust ports, extends in a vertical direction, and collects exhaust discharged from the exhaust ports. The second passage extends laterally from the first passage. The third passage is connected to the second passage, extends downward from the second passage, and is disposed on a side of cylinders of an engine. The fourth passage is connected to the third passage, is positioned below the engine, and guides the exhaust to below the engine. The fourth passage discharges exhaust to the outside via a propeller boss of a propeller. The catalyst member is disposed in the third passage. The water capture member is disposed downstream of the catalyst member in the third passage.
US08469753B2
A pin for a semiconductor device is disclosed. A connection head includes a plurality of curved protruded ribs and a plurality of recessed grooves. The curved protruded ribs and recessed grooves are alternately arranged. The curved protruded ribs radially extend from the center of the connection head. A pin stem is connected to the connection head.
US08469752B2
The present invention relates to an electrical connector having a shorting bar and an operation device for controlling the shorting bar. The connector has a housing and electrical conductive terminals disposed in the housing. One or more metal shorting bars are attached to the housing, each shorting bar electrically connects two or more terminals as a protective measure to the systems connected to these terminals before the connector is connected to a counterpart connector. The operation device is movably disposed inside the housing. During the connecting process, the operation device is pushed by the counterpart connector to move relative to the housing towards the shorting bar. Upon completion of the connecting process, a portion of the operation device is inserted between the shorting bars and the terminals whereby the shorting bar are electrically isolated from the terminals to resume the original functions of these terminals.
US08469751B2
A waterproof connector includes a female contact, a housing, and a retainer. The housing includes a first inner wall surface, a second inner wall surface, a first engaging part, and a lance. The female contact includes a pressed surface that is pressed by the lance, and a first engaged part that is formed to protrude in a direction away from the pressed surface. A second engaging part is formed in the housing and a second engaged part that can be engaged with the second engaging part is formed in the female contact so that a second engagement between the housing and the female contact is achieved on a side opposite to the side of a first engagement between the first engaging part and the first engaged part with respect to a central axis of the female contact.
US08469748B2
This invention provides a coupler having universal adaptors for compressed air, fluid, electricity, and/or data that enable a user to connect existing hoses or cords to the coupler, which is attached to a door base and/or window sash, thus allowing the door and/or window to be fully opened and closed. The body of the coupler is a U shaped clamp. The body has a thin base plate that is positioned under the door and/or window and two walls that contain electrical/pneumatic/data connectors. In one embodiment, the body is made of a durable plastic. The clamp is tightened via a tension screw with an adjustment knob or by a screwdriver. Embedded within the body are channels that allow passage of electricity, air, fluid, and/or data packets.
US08469740B2
A post having a first end, a second end, and a flange proximate the second end, wherein the post is configured to receive a center conductor surrounded by a dielectric of a coaxial cable, a connector body attached to the post, a coupling element attached to the post, the coupling element having a first end a second end, and a biasing member disposed within a cavity formed between the first end of the coupling element and the connector body to bias the coupling element against the post is provided. Moreover, a connector body having a biasing element, wherein the biasing element biases the coupling element against the post, is further provided. Furthermore, associated methods are also provided.
US08469733B2
A pluggable module includes a base, a cover assembled with the base to form a housing and a latching mechanism at least partially disposed within the housing. The latching mechanism includes an actuating portion and a single sliding portion which is connected with the actuating portion and disposed within the housing, the single sliding portion including a flat board and two sliding legs respectively extending from two opposite sides of the flat board, each sliding leg having a latching protrusion formed thereon and exposed outside the housing for latching with and detaching from the cage. The present invention uses a single sliding portion to replace two sliding arms thereby simplifying the manufacturing and assembling process, in turn, reducing the manufacturing and assembling cost.
US08469730B2
An apparatus configured to provide electrical power received from at least a first electrical outlet or a second electrical outlet is disclosed. The apparatus can include: (a) a housing; (b) at least two electrical outlets at the housing; (c) an electrical coupler at least partially enclosed by the housing and electrically coupled to the at least two third electrical outlets; (d) a first prong adapter configured to removably couple to the electrical coupler and the first electrical outlet; and (e) a second prong adapter configured to removably couple to the electrical coupler and the second electrical outlet. Other embodiments are described herein.
US08469709B2
A dental hygiene device for wearing in the mouth over the teeth and along gums has a flexible open-support structure and a fabric covering overlying the support structure. The flexible open-support structure has two opposing facing bases, an inner base and an outer base. Each base extends the length of the device and has a curvature to fit over the teeth and along gums of a wearer of the device. The inner base fits between teeth and the tongue, while the outer base fits between the teeth and the cheeks and lips region of the mouth. A plurality of arch-shaped ribs extends from the inner base over to the outer base joining the two bases to form the flexible open-support structure. The fabric covering extends from each base overlying the plurality of arched ribs. The fabric covering is permeable to fluids. The support structure has a means for receiving and holding a cream or paste and delivering the cream or paste to the teeth, gums and fabric covering. The fabric covering is automatically wetted by the production of saliva allowing the cream or paste to wick and migrate into the fabric covering.
US08469702B2
A system for providing a combined water and fire display is provided. More specifically, a decorative display comprises a dynamic water and fire display device where fuel/air, water, and fire are integrated. The decorative display provides for unique aesthetic qualities and an appearance wherein flames are positioned at or near the surface of a volume of water. In various embodiments, the decorative display further comprises various safety features including the ability to detect and self-regulate conditions such as the existence and/or absence of a pilot flame, an adequate amount of water, and the temperature of various portions of the system. The decorative display further contemplates the ability to operate without one or more disclosed features, such as when only a water display or only a fire display is desired.
US08469699B2
The invention concerns a method for burning a fuel by means of at least one a burner, each burner comprising two half-assemblies (1, 1′) comprising each at least one fuel injecting means (2) associated with a primary oxidant injecting means (3), and at least one secondary oxidant injecting means (4), a first oxidant jet being injected at a first distance from the fuel by the primary injecting means so as to generate a first incomplete combustion, and a second oxidant jet being injected at a second distance (L1), greater than the first distance, from the fuel injecting means so as to generate a second combustion with the remaining fuel of the first incomplete combustion. Said method is characterized in that each half-assembly delivers a combustion power different from the one delivered by the other half-assembly.
US08469698B2
An injection-compression molding apparatus for producing a shaped plastic part has a first mold plate and a second mold plate, which delimit a component cavity and between which there is a gap in the non-closed state. The apparatus further comprises a plastics compound feeding arrangement for introducing plastics material through the gap into the component cavity, having a gate cavity which is substantially separated from the component cavity when the gap is closed.
US08469694B2
A mould clamping system (1,101) for a mould (2,102) having a first half part and a second half part includes a first portion (4,104) and a second portion (5,105) coupled to the first and second half parts of the mould (2,102) respectively. The first portion (4,104) is provided with a first engaging part (41,141), and the second portion has a second engaging part (6,106) which is movable, by means of a predetermined actuating means (7,107), between a first operating position where the second engaging part (6,106) is engaged with the first engaging part (41,141), and a second rest position where the second engaging part (6,106) is disengaged with the first engaging part (41,141). The clamping system (1,101) of the present invention eliminates the labor of installing the clamping systems, and ensures sufficient clamping force.
US08469691B2
An apparatus for producing a three-dimensional shaped product installs on a surface of a table a base plate which loads powder and a shaped article, with a vertical space being formed. A frame body is installed upright on the table. The base plate is placed on a support horizontally projecting from the frame body and/or a step portion which provides an inner direction part of the table of the frame body. The base plate is supported so the center of gravity of the base plate is inside a triangle formed by three locations or a quadruple formed by four locations inside a region of the support or the step portion on which the base plate is placed, and the part projecting above the support and/or an inner wall of the frame body are contacted with a horizontally surrounding part of the base plate at three or more locations.
US08469690B2
Mandrel supported IV tubing is inserted within a mold of a mold assembly to heat the IV tubing and form a tapered end of the tubing. The tip of the tubing extending beyond the tapered end of the tubing is severed by the mandrel bearing against the mold to lodge the tip in an outlet of the mold. Cooling air is introduced to the mold assembly to cool the mold and to create a flow of turbulent air about the outlet of the mold to extract the severed tips. The turbulent air is exhausted through a channel, pipe and fitting into a collection chamber and causes translation of the severed tip to and into the collection chamber. Sensors may be incorporated to sense the translation of the severed tips.
US08469689B2
Provided are an industrial product production facility and a production method suitable for manufacturing a wide variety of products in small quantities. A production facility (P) is provided with an injection molding machine (2), a first mold exchanging machine (3), and a device (4) for automatically opening and closing molds. The injection molding machine (2) molds a synthetic resin product by using a pair of molds (1a, 1b). The first mold exchanging machine (3) moves the pair of molds (1a, 1b) in an X direction. The first mold exchanging machine (3) is moveable in a Y direction. The device (4) for automatically opening and closing molds is disposed adjacent to the first mold exchanging machine (3) and opposite to the injection molding machine (2). The device (4) for automatically opening and closing molds separates at least the pair of molds (1a, 1b) so that rust-preventive oil on molding surfaces of the molds (1a, 1b) can be either removed or applied while gripping the pair of molds.
US08469686B2
The invention relates to an apparatus for treating a multifilament thread in a melt-spinning process, wherein a treatment channel is formed between a housing plate and an impact plate. The housing plate has a nozzle bore which opens into the treatment channel and is connected to a compressed-air connection. Together with the housing plate, the impact plate forms an inlet opening and an outlet opening at both ends of the treatment channel. In order to check the swirling effects which are produced on the thread by the eddying within the treatment channel, according to the invention the impact plate has a thread guiding element in the part piece of the treatment channel between the nozzle bore and the inlet opening, which thread guiding element is configured so as to protrude into the treatment channel in order to deflect the thread.
US08469672B2
Provided is a blade for a rotor of a wind turbine having a substantially horizontal rotor shaft, said rotor comprising a hub, from which the blade extends substantially radially when mounted, said blade having a chord plane extending between a leading edge and a trailing edge of said blade, a root area closest to the hub, an airfoil area furthest away from the hub, a transition area between the root area and the airfoil area, a first airfoil extending substantially along the entire airfoil area, and a second airfoil separately mounted to the blade, said second airfoil arranged at a mutual distance transverse to the chord plane and extending along the root area of the blades.
US08469668B2
Proposed is a redundant hydraulically controlled variable pitch propeller for an air, land or water craft, comprising at least two propeller blades (14) mounted in a propeller hub (12) for variable pitch control by means of a hydraulically powered piston assembly (18). In accordance with the invention the piston assembly (18) comprises two mechanically interconnected servo pistons (20, 22) each assigned an independent hydraulic circuit.
US08469664B2
A tower for a wind turbine is disclosed. The tower includes an outer shell defining a yaw axis and a main frame for a nacelle. The tower further includes a first yaw bearing and a second yaw bearing each connecting the outer shell and the main frame. The first yaw bearing and the second yaw bearing are spaced apart from each other along the yaw axis and each rotatable about the yaw axis.
US08469654B2
A rotary-type fluid machine which enables practical and effective operation in an extremely low specific speed range. The rotary-type fluid machine (1, 1′) has an impeller (10, 10′) integrally connected to a rotating drive shaft (2). The impeller is accommodated in a casing (3). Fluid (a) of a suction fluid passage (4) to be pumped flows into a center part (11) of the impeller. The fluid (b) is discharged from a peripheral portion (12) of the impeller by the effect of the centrifugal force of the rotating impeller, so that the fluid is delivered through a delivery fluid passage (5) outside of the casing. Many grooves (15) extending toward a peripheral edge of the impeller from the center part of the impeller are formed on the impeller. The groove opens on an outer circumferential surface (18) of the impeller, and causes strong recirculation vortices (R) to be formed in the vicinity of the peripheral edge of the impeller when the impeller rotates.
US08469645B2
A pneumatically drivable fastener secures drywall or other construction material to a metal stud. Each fastener comprises a driving head; and a one piece shank component, secured at one end to the driving head. Each shank component has an axial length extending perpendicularly and longitudinally from the driving head and is divided into two or three sections: (a) an optional, solid section closest to the driving head; (b) an intermediate section with grooves that define stud cutting edges; and (c) two or more forked ends opposite the driving head. A method for fastening drywall to a plurality of metal studs is also disclosed.
US08469637B2
A cutting insert has an upper face and a lower face; a front side face portion and a back side face portion, the front and back side face portions connecting the upper face and the lower face; and a through-hole passing through the upper face and the lower face. A cutting edge is formed in the front side face portion, and the back side face portion is provided with a first inclined face and a second inclined face which are inclined forwardly at different angles, respectively, with respect to a plane normal to a rotational axis. The first inclined face is longer than the second inclined face so that the back side face portion has a non-symmetrical convex “V” shape.
US08469633B2
A vessel (1) for laying a pipeline (2), comprising a tower (3) which comprises a firing line (4) and is connected to the vessel by a hinge assembly (5) comprising a tower pivot axis (6), wherein: the tower is pivotable relative to the vessel about the tower pivot axis, during pipelaying the tower comprises an upper end and a lower end and the pipeline moves relative to the vessel along the firing line in a laying direction from the upper end towards the lower end, and the tower pivot axis is located at a distance D1 from said upper end as viewed in the laying direction, a system for abandoning and recovering the pipeline, wherein: the system comprises at least one line for lowering and raising a member configured to be connected to the pipeline, and the at least one line is supported by the hinge assembly and/or by the tower at a distance of at least ⅘ D1 from said upper end as viewed in the laying direction.
US08469625B2
Making a water permeable traffic bearing system includes preparing a compound water permeable base in contact with a native substrate, and installing a drainage system having a plurality of elongate drainage joints over the prepared water permeable base. Each of the drainage joints defines a plurality of vertical drainage conduits opening at upper and lower sides and in fluid communication with a storage volume defined by the water permeable base. Making the water permeable traffic bearing system further includes forming a segmental mat having a plurality of water impermeable surface pads abutting the plurality of drainage joints, at least in part by filling voids extending horizontally between the drainage joints with a curable paving material, and curing the paving material within the voids, in contact with each of the water permeable base and the drainage joints. Installing the drainage system further includes tuning precipitation handling of the traffic bearing system, at least in part by setting a spacing and a number of the drainage joints responsive to, a water throughput factor of the traffic bearing system and a structural factor of the segmental mat. The drainage joints may have upwardly and downwardly oriented legs joined via a bridge in an H-configuration.
US08469623B2
In one aspect of a coupling device for securing a primary mover to a work tool may include first and second coupling bodies interconnectable to form a first connecting interface and a second connecting interface spaced apart from the first connecting interface. The coupling device may also include a rotary wedge member attached to the first coupling body and rotatable to progressively force together the first and second coupling bodies.
US08469613B2
A support assembly for a camera having lens protruding from the camera includes (a) a hood having an opening to accommodate the protruding lens and a front end having a rim that lies on a single plane configured to rest snugly against a flat surface, the hood further includes a gimbaling collar around the opening to allow rotation of protruding lens around a symmetrical axis of the hood, so as to enable the camera to be positioned in any one of a number of positions that result in the protruding lens being pointed in one of a plurality of corresponding directions; (b) a base structure having a suction cup for attachment by suction on the flat surface; and (c) a connecting arm connecting the base structure to the hood.
US08469609B2
A heat transferring mechanism of an optical transceiver is disclosed. The optical transceiver includes a metal cover, a OSA that generate heat, and a heat conductor. The OSA has the heat transferring surface extending to a direction intersecting, or substantially in perpendicular, to the longitudinal direction of the optical transceiver. The heat conductor, which is formed only by cutting and bending of metal plate, includes a contact plate and the transfer plate in thermally contact to a heat transferring surface of the OSA and an inner surface of the metal cover to form an effective heat transferring path from the OSA to the cover.
US08469603B2
A method for mating optical fibers, a fiber optic connector, and a fiber optic subassembly are provided in which mating fibers have angled end faces joined by index matching fluid, but in which the angled end faces of the fibers are positioned relative to one another in rotationally misaligned relationship. Applicants discovered unexpectedly that optical fibers can be spliced, to provide satisfactory optical connections, without the need for matched cleaves, and without the need for precise rotational alignment of the cleaves, provided that angled end faces are provided on both the launch and receive fibers and that index matching gel is provided between the angled end faces. Thus, the fibers are mated in positions other than in the precise rotationally aligned position previously believed essential to adequate optical performance. Angled end faces may be positioned less than 165 degrees out of phase.
US08469598B2
The present invention resides in a wheel bearing unit (100) having an inner member (105) and an outer member (107) rotationally coupled to each other by at least one row of rolling elements (115), whereby at least one bearing inner ring (110) is mounted on the inner member (105). The inner member (105) comprises a first section (130) and a second section (135) that at least party lies radially inward of the first section (130). According to the invention, the first section (130) is formed from a first material and the second section (135) is formed from a metal material, preferably a lightweight metal such as aluminum. The second section (135) of the inner member (105) is joined to the first section (130) by means of a semi-solid metal process, and to ensure a radial interlock between the first and second sections (130, 135), the first section comprises a portion (140) extending in a radially inward direction, wherein the portion presents at least one surface that faces away from the bearing axis of rotation (X). Thus, as the semi-solid metal of the second section (135) cools, it has a surface against which to radially contract, thereby ensuring a permanent join and long service life of the unit (100).
US08469596B2
Fine particles (6) are retained by an electroformed portion (4) in a dispersed state, and the fine particles (6) exposed from an outer peripheral surface (4a2) of the electroformed portion (4) are molten so as to form micro projections (60) integrated with a resin portion (5). The micro projections (60) enters into fine-particle traces (4c) formed in the electroformed portion (4) to exert an anchor effect, to thereby increase a fixation force between the resin portion (5) and the electroformed portion (4).
US08469576B2
A light source and a display device having the same are provided. The light source may include light guide plates arranged in rows and columns, light emitting diodes (LEDs) positioned below the light guide plates to direct light toward lateral surfaces of the light guide plates, and module substrates that support and provide power to the LEDs. Each of the light guide plates may include a first region divided into a plurality of second regions. LEDs corresponding to each of the second regions may be operated as a unit and independently from other regions.
US08469567B2
An optical lens for use in a vehicle light can be compact and less expensive and has an outer appearance that has a high commercial value and achieves a high light utilization efficiency. The optical lens can include a light incident surface that receives light from a light source and a light output surface to output the light. The light incident surface can include a center light incident surface formed at its center and being convex toward the light source with a plurality of prisms with a polygonal shape formed radially from its center to its periphery. The light output surface can include a toroidal surface corresponding to the center light incident surface and a surrounding light output surface corresponding to the prisms.
US08469565B2
A vehicle light includes a multi-focal lens that has a mid-level lens portion, an upper-level lens portion, and lower-level lens portion, a separator plate with a front edge positioned at or near the focal point of the mid-level lens portion, and a plurality of light emitting elements mounted on the top and bottom of the separator plate, respectively. A first elliptical reflecting surface whose first focal point is set at or near the first light emitting element and whose second focal point is set at or near the focal point of the mid-level lens portion is provided on the top of the separator plate; a second elliptical reflecting surface is provided on the bottom of the separator plate, with a first focal point set at or near the second light emitting element and the second focal point set at or near the focal point of the upper-level lens portion.
US08469557B2
An apparatus and method according to which a door is coupled to a lighting device chassis.
US08469556B2
A safety unit for mounting in a wall defining a part of a building space has a tubular housing containing an emergency load such as a light sized to fit within the housing, said emergency load including a base and a light-emitting element. An actuator mechanism such as a motor carried on the housing provides force to the base responsive to electrical power to translate the base to deploy the emergency load within the building space. A preferred embodiment includes a cover and a cover-operating mechanism receiving force from the actuator to remove the cover as the load deploys.
US08469547B2
Systems and methods permit use of efficient solid state emitters for broad spectrum continuous spectrum lighting defined by illumination data. The illumination data, which can be sold as a commercial product, can be recorded or authored and include spectral, temporal, and spatial information. Intensities of individual emitters such as LEDs can be controlled through a combination of pulse width modulation (PWM) and amplitude modulation (AM) of drive currents. The combination of PWM and AM permits fine tuning of the spectrum of emissions and creation of free space optical data channels.
US08469536B2
A recessed light assembly having an illumination element and having an enclosure attachable to a support structure of a dwelling has a rotating aperture plate rotatably mounted to a wall of the enclosure. The rotating aperture plate has an illumination aperture disposed over an opening in the wall of the enclosure and the recessed light assembly has adjustable fasteners, accessible from an exterior of the recessed light assembly, which adjustable fasteners selectively permit and prevent rotation of the rotating aperture plate relative to the enclosure allowing a user to adjust the rotational alignment of the illumination aperture relative to the enclosure of an installed light assembly without disengaging an attached assembly from the support structure. The illumination element may be fixed relative to the rotating aperture plate or may be fixed relative to the enclosure. The rotating aperture plate and the enclosure may have rotational alignment reference marks and a rotational alignment indicator which serve to indicate a present rotational alignment of the aperture plate relative to the enclosure.
US08469534B2
A device that enlarges text and images to enable a low vision person to see the text and images includes a hollow structure including a top housing and a bottom housing that are connected to one another. A camera aperture is formed in the bottom housing and a transparent light guide lens is disposed in closing relation to the camera aperture so that all light entering the camera aperture must first pass through the light guide lens. A cavity formed in the light guide lens is bounded by walls that are positioned at a critical angle. Light-emitting diodes are positioned at critical locations about the periphery of the light guide lens to illuminate the object being viewed.
US08469530B2
[Object] To provide an illumination apparatus capable of suppressing a chromaticity fluctuation due to a view angle and an incident angle.[Solving Means] In an illumination apparatus for a display apparatus that includes a blue-color light-emitting diode (10) as a light source and a phosphor sheet (21) including a phosphor that obtains white light by converting a color of blue light from the blue-color light-emitting diode (10), diffusion plates (22, 23) are respectively provided opposed to a light-emitting-side surface and a light-incident-side surface of the phosphor sheet (21). The diffusion plate (22) opposed to the light-emitting-side surface of the phosphor sheet (21) suppresses a fluctuation of white-color chromaticity due to a view angle, and the diffusion plate (23) opposed to the light-incident-side surface of the phosphor sheet (21) suppresses a fluctuation of white-color chromaticity due to an incident angle.
US08469527B2
The invention relates to a bimorph optical device comprising a deformable optical element and active elements made of piezoelectric ceramic provided with electrodes, said elements being controlled in pairs and in opposition so as to produce a compression movement for a first element of a pair and an extension movement for the second element of a pair, the device being characterized in that the optical element (1) presents an optically active first main surface (6) and a second main surface (7) opposite to the first main surface, together with at least first and second opposite lateral faces (2, 3), and in that the ceramic active elements comprise at least two pairs of bars (21, 22; 31, 32) of piezoelectric ceramic placed facing each other on said first and second lateral faces (2, 3), each pair comprising two bars (21, 22; 31, 32) placed on one of the first and second lateral faces (2, 3) on either side of a middle surface of the optical element (1) that constitutes the neutral axis thereof.
US08469518B2
An image projection device includes: an imaging section for capturing an image; and a projection section for projecting an image. The image projection device detects a color in a captured image which is captured by the imaging section, and controls, based on the detected color in the captured image, contents of the image which is projected by the projection section at a position at which the captured image has been captured.
US08469517B2
The present invention is directed to an illumination system. The illumination system comprises a plurality of modules comprising a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) adapted to emit light signals. The illumination system further comprises a plurality of polarizing elements disposed subsequent to the LEDs. Each of polarizing elements is adapted to render a unique polarization to the light signals emitted by a respectively corresponding one of the modules. Further, the illumination system comprises a polarization converting element disposed subsequent to the plurality polarizing elements. The polarization converting element is adapted to uniformly polarize all of the light signals emitted by the plurality of modules.
US08469511B2
An eyeglasses holder comprising an arm and a hollow body. The arm is connected to the hollow body through a bridge at the top end of the arm forming a groove between the arm and hollow body. According to one embodiment, a plurality of planar protrusions extends radially from the inner surface of the hollow body toward the center of the hollow body to grip and secure the eyeglasses during transport. An alternative embodiment comprises a magnetic member contained by the hollow body that exerts a magnetic force on a pair of eyeglasses either directly or via an attached metallic strip.
