US08964044B2
An image processing apparatus continuously captures a plurality of unit images, extracts and sets a feature point to be compared from each unit image, detects a feature point corresponding to that of another unit image reduces an error between the unit images superposes the unit images, and calculates the feature point detection range according to a maximum number of pixels allowing shake not to be substantially perceived in the unit image. A motion detection range is set to a minimum in case of superposition of each image when hand-shake is corrected by composite synthesis, thereby reducing image processing load and increasing image processing speed.
US08964033B2
A cost effective method for detecting, classifying and tracking the pedestrian present in front of the vehicle by using images captured by near infrared (IR) camera disposed on the vehicle, the said method comprises the processor implemented steps of: detecting the road to focus of attention for filtering the region of interest (ROI) objects in the said image by estimating the ground region characterized by identifying smooth regions connected to bottom most part of the image; eliminating the non-ground objects based on their distance to ground; filtering the non-ROI objects based on the shape of such objects by computing the signal to noise ratio (SNR) which is a measure of regularity of the component based on its periodicity of its contour for each of such non-ROI objects; eliminating the non-vertical objects by computing inertial moment relative to x and y axis with respect to the centre of mass of such non-vertical objects; classifying the pedestrians in the analyzed frame of the image based their shape; and tracking the movement of the classified pedestrian using mean shift algorithm.
US08964031B2
A system for measuring the speed of a vehicle includes: one or more cameras (200) for capturing images of vehicles (100) on a road (50); timing means for timing the capture of the images; a processor arranged to: identify in the captured images a feature (150) of the vehicle; calculate the size in pixels of the feature (150) of the vehicle in two or more of the captured images; and determine the speed of the vehicle (100) based at least in part on the calculated sizes and the times at which each image was captured.
US08964029B2
The present invention describes a system and method for surveillance cameras that maintain proper mapping of a mapped region of interest with an imaged region of interest based on feedback received regarding the current orientation of a surveillance camera. The system or method first determines the location of the imaged region of interest within the surveillance camera's imaged current field of view based on mechanical or imaged feedback, or a combination of both. The system or method then remaps the mapped region of interest within the surveillance camera's imaged current field of view such that the mapped region of interest is coextensive with the imaged region of interest.
US08964028B2
A method and system to compensate for stray light errors in time of flight (TOF) camera systems uses reference targets in the in the field of view (FOV) that can be used to measure stray light. In different embodiments, one or more reference targets are used.
US08964026B2
Mobile devices and methods to facilitate the motion characterization of a welding element. A mobile device is used to capture video of a rotating welding element and the video is processed by a software application residing on the mobile device to determine a rate of rotation of the rotating welding element. The software application may perform further processing to determine a linear rate of motion as derived from the determined rate of rotation. The rate of rotation and/or the linear rate of motion may be displayed to a user of the mobile device on a display screen of the mobile device. Such methods may aid a user in calibrating a piece of welding equipment.
US08964025B2
An object located within an image foreground relative to image content within a field of view of at least one camera lens is identified, using image processing module, as an image obstruction. Responsive to identifying the image obstruction, points of view of at least one camera lens are determined that provide image content portions of the image content that, in combination, yield a complete image of the image content without the image obstruction located within the image foreground. The image content portions are combined to yield the complete image of the image content without the image obstruction located within the foreground. The combined complete image is stored to a memory.
US08964019B2
An artificial compound eye formed of three layers of membrane bonded to one another in a stacked relationship. A field chamber is located intermediate the two bottommost membranes. A plurality of focus chambers is located intermediate the two topmost membranes, and an image sensor is located below each focus chamber. The field chamber and each focus chamber contain a pressurized fluid medium. The ceilings of the focus chambers function as lenses though which light must pass to reach the sensors. The fluid pressure in the field chamber can be varied to expand or contract the eye between a planer and a domed configuration, thereby allowing the field of view of the eye to be varied. The fluid pressure in each focus chamber can be varied to expand or contract each lens between a planar and a domed configuration for independently varying the focal length of each lens.
US08964005B2
According to one embodiment, a 3D image output apparatus includes: an oblique display judging module configured to judge whether a thumbnail relating to an image content that can be displayed in 3D is displayed obliquely; and an image signal output module configured to: output an image signal relating to a thumbnail so that the thumbnail is displayed in 2D when the oblique display judging module judges that the thumbnail is displayed obliquely; and output an image signal relating to the thumbnail so that the thumbnail is displayed in 3D when the oblique display judging module judges that the thumbnail is not displayed obliquely.
US08963996B2
Communication of stereoscopic three dimensional (3D) video information. One embodiment comprises wireless communication of stereoscopic 3D video information including an uncompressed first eye view video frame and a corresponding stereoscopic uncompressed second eye view video frame, from a transmitting wireless station to a receiving wireless station. In one embodiment, a set of pixels in an uncompressed first eye view video frame is transmitted over a wireless communication medium. Pixel information in a set of pixels in an uncompressed second eye view video frame corresponding to the first eye view set of pixels is reduced to generate a reduced set of pixels. The reduced set of pixels is transmitted over the wireless communication medium. At the receiving wireless station, an uncompressed second eye view video set of pixels is reconstructed based on said first eye view set of pixels and said reduced set of pixels.
US08963993B2
A digital camera according to the present invention includes a CCD, an image display section, and a CPU. The CPU controls the CCD to perform consecutive image-capturing, and generates a wide-range image based on a plurality of images consecutively captured by the CCD. In addition, the CPU detects a predetermined trigger indicating the completion of consecutive image-capturing in a predetermined direction by the CCD. Furthermore, the CPU displays on the image display section information indicating a range to be consecutively captured by the CCD to generate a panoramic image, while changing the information every time the predetermined trigger is detected.
US08963991B2
Systems and method for causing a user to look into a camera are described. In some aspects, a position of a camera coupled with a computing device is determined. A computer-generated element is displayed proximate to the determined position of the camera. The computer-generated element is presented for causing a user of the computing device to reposition a face of the user toward the determined position of the camera.
US08963990B2
An apparatus, system, and method of managing data transmission are provided, each of which is capable of generating reservation information regarding communication reserved for at least one of a first transmission terminal and a second transmission terminal, in response to a communication start request that requests to start communication between the first transmission terminal and the second transmission terminal. The reservation information is generated, for example, based on first time information indicating the time at which communication reserved for the first transmission terminal is scheduled to start, and second time information indicating the time at which communication reserved for the second transmission terminal is scheduled to start. The reservation information is transmitted to the first transmission terminal. The data transmission management method may be implemented in the form of a program stored in a non-transitory recording medium.
US08963981B2
An image forming apparatus includes a control unit performing a first rotation control process of switching on and off current-supplying in accordance with a change in a first deviation between a first rotation speed of a brushless motor and a target speed regardless of a change in an integrated value of the first deviation; a second rotation control process of calculating an integrated value of a second deviation between a second rotation speed of the brushless motor and the target speed, and switching on and off the current-supplying in accordance with a change in the second deviation and a change in the integrated value of the second deviation; and a rotation control switching process of switching to the second rotation control process when it is determined that the first deviation has entered a prescribed range during the first rotation control process.
US08963980B2
An image forming apparatus includes an image information retrieval unit that retrieves image information of an image to be formed on a recording material, a density information retrieval unit that retrieves information relating to an image density of the image to be formed in accordance with the image information through analysis of the image information retrieved by the image information retrieval unit, an exposure unit that exposes a rotating image carrier to light in response to the image information retrieved by the image information retrieval unit, and a setting unit that sets, in accordance with the information relating to the image density retrieved by the density information retrieval unit, an exposure period according to which the exposure unit exposes the rotating image carrier to light.
US08963978B2
An exposure apparatus according to this invention uses both a first light source which outputs a light beam corresponding to a drive current corresponding to image information, and a second light source to irradiate the surface of a photosensitive drum with a plurality of light beams. The second laser light source irradiates the photosensitive drum with a laser beam in accordance with a drive current corresponding to a correction value according to which unevenness of potential characteristics due to unevenness of sensitivity of the surface of the photosensitive drum is reduced. The same region on the surface of the photosensitive drum is irradiated with laser beams which are output from the first and second laser light sources onto the photosensitive drum in superposition.
US08963972B2
A decoloring system has a scanner that reads an image on a paper sheet and generates image data; a first roller that applies heat on the paper sheet to decolor the image on the paper sheet; a heater that heats the roller; a first transporting mechanism that transports the paper sheet having the image to the scanner; a second transporting mechanism that transports the paper sheet via the first transporting mechanism to the heater; an operation panel that receives a read condition of the image as input by a user; and a controller that determines an operating condition of the heater, and a transporting speed of the paper sheet by the first transporting mechanism and the second transporting mechanism on the basis of the image read condition input by the user through the operation panel.
US08963963B2
A method of using stereo vision to interface with a computer is provided. The method includes capturing a stereo image, and processing the stereo image to determine position information of an object in the stereo image. The object is controlled by a user. The method also includes communicating the position information to the computer to allow the user to interact with a computer application.
US08963953B2
What is disclosed is a novel method and system to present image content from a variety of informational sources. Presentation from a variety of image sizes and formats, such as standard and panoramic format is possible. The method includes accessing at least two information sources each with separate image content. Next, each of the separate image content is interspersed in an arrangement so that content overlaps in with each other and at least some of the image content is automatically resized to concurrently present image content in a plurality of different image sizes and in a film strip arrangement. The image content is presented from each of the information sources along with the source indicator in a film strip arrangement.
US08963947B2
Approximation errors commonly occur when color transformation values stored in color look-up tables are interpolated to produce color display drive signals, since the stored transformation values typically correspond to non-linear functions. Such errors can be reduced by applying a pre-indexing function to the transformation values before they are stored in the look-up table, and by applying the same function to values extracted from the table during look-up operations. Alternatively, such errors can be reduced by providing one or more additional look-up tables to achieve higher order (i.e. more accurate) interpolation results that are achievable by interpolation of values stored in a single look-up table.
US08963935B1
One embodiment of the present invention sets forth a method for accessing display configuration information of a display device in a multi-graphics-processing-unit (multi-GPU) system based on a hot-plug detection signal associated with the same display device. The method includes the steps of changing the power state of a discrete GPU (dGPU) in the multi-GPU coupled to the display device after having detected an assertion of the hot-plug detection signal, retrieving the display configuration information of the display device with the dGPU, and powering down the dGPU after having retrieved the display configuration information.
US08963919B2
A method for generating time-resolved 3D medical images of a subject by imparting temporal information from a time-series of 2D medical images into 3D images of the subject. Generally speaking, this is achieved by acquiring image data using a medical imaging system, generating a time-series of 2D images of a ROI from at least a portion of the acquired image data, reconstructing a 3D image substantially without temporal resolution from the acquired image data, and selectively combining the time series of 2D images with the 3D image. Selective combination typically involves registering frames of the time-series of 2D images with the 3D image, projecting pixel values from the 2D image frames “into” the 3D image, and weighting the 3D image with the projected pixel values for each frame of the time-series of 2D images.
US08963912B2
The present invention is an active matrix display device in which, during each kth period (k is an integer from 0 to n), each data signal line (S1to S2773) is supplied with a signal whose electric potential polarity is constant, and a picture element to which a signal finishes being written within the kth period is caused to be in a selected state from a (k−1)th period to the kth period so as to be conductive to a data signal line connected thereto, and during each kth period (1≦k≦n−1) for the effective display region, a data signal line (S1 or S2773) that is not connected to a picture element to which a signal finishes being written within the kth period is supplied with a signal that was supplied to this data signal line during the (k−1)th period.
US08963911B2
A first constant potential wiring that supplies a first constant potential to a scanning line drive circuit and a second constant potential wiring that supplies the first constant potential to a clock buffer circuit are electrically separated from each other.
US08963909B2
In a data driving method for driving a display panel, a data driving circuit, and a display apparatus, the data driving method includes receiving a digital driving voltage and an analog driving voltage. The analog driving voltage is switched, after the digital driving voltage is received and a specific driving time elapses. A digital data signal is converted to an analog data signal using the analog driving voltage. The analog data signal is output to a data line of the display panel.
US08963891B2
The present disclosure provides a method, system and stylus for drawing tool selection. One or more drawing tool settings, each defined by user-selectable drawing tool attributes, are formed by user interaction with a user interface. A user-activated control on a stylus signals a host electronic device to select a drawing tool setting. The settings may be selected in cyclic order. When a selected drawing tool setting includes color, the host electronic device may signal the selected color to the stylus for display using a color indicator on the stylus.
US08963884B2
An optical touch panel and a method of detecting touch point positions on an optical touch panel are provided. The optical touch panel includes a processing unit, and at least three optical detectors divided into at least two detector groups. Each of the optical detectors is configured to output a signal indicating intensities of light detected thereby, and is associated with a detection range. The processing unit is configured to receive the signals from the optical detectors, to determine which of the optical detectors detect touch points within the respective detection range according to the signals received by the processing unit, and to obtain an optimum set of coordinates for at least one of the touch points with respect to an optimum detector group which is one of the detector groups formed by the optical detectors that detect the touch points.
US08963880B2
A detection device that detects the approach of a conductor includes: a sensor section including transmission and reception electrodes, and detecting the approach of the conductor to an intersection point where the transmission and reception electrodes intersect with each other; a voltage generating section generating an alternating voltage in which a rise and a fall of a voltage value according to first and second slopes are alternately repeated; a current generating section applying the alternating voltage to the transmission electrode to generate, in the reception electrode, an alternating current having a uniform current value according to the first or second slope while the voltage value of the alternating voltage is rising or falling; a signal generating section generating a detection signal vibrating with an amplitude according to a distance between the intersection point and the conductor; and a detecting section detecting the approach of the conductor to the intersection point.
US08963873B2
A data processing device includes an acquisition unit that, when, upon sequential instruction inputs by a user, an operation of enclosing an object displayed on a display screen with a trajectory of position information indicated by the instruction inputs is performed, acquires position information representing positions indicated by those instruction inputs, a recognition unit that recognizes the object as a selected object and further recognizes the direction of selection in which the selected object is enclosed, a determination unit that determines processing in accordance with the direction of selection, and an execution unit that executes the determined processing on the selected object. Processing desired by a user can be thereby made by simple instruction inputs such as selection of the direction of enclosing an object with a trajectory of a set of position information, and the selected processing can be executed on the selected object.
US08963866B2
An in-cell touch display device comprises a plurality of pixel structures, a display scanning circuit, a touch scanning circuit, and a control module. The pixel structures are applied to display an image and include a plurality of display scanning lines and a plurality of common electrodes. The display scanning circuit is coupled with the display scanning lines for actuating the pixel structures to display the image. The touch scanning circuit is coupled with the common electrodes so as to receive a touch signal by scanning the common electrodes. The control module is coupled with the display scanning circuit and the touch scanning circuit to receive and process the touch signal for executing the touch step. The display scanning circuit and the touch scanning circuit are integrated on the same substrate to reduce the thickness of the touch display device without affecting the touch effect.
US08963863B2
A computer, a graphic card, a display apparatus and a method of updating information is described, wherein, the computer has a first status and a second status, and the system power consumption of computer in the first status is larger than the system power consumption of computer in the second status. The computer includes a graphic card having display memory and a display apparatus connected to the graphic card, and further includes an input processing module for acquiring input information when the computer is in the second status, and updating first display information stored in the display memory outputted to the display apparatus according to the input information to obtain second display information. The graphic card outputs the second display information to the display apparatus when the computer is in the second status.
US08963850B2
A method for determining scanning times of touch driving pulse in a touch panel includes steps of: judging a current gate line scan period is in which one of a data updating time period and a blanking time period; if the current gate line scan period is in the data updating time period, setting a scanning times of touch driving pulse in the current gate line scan period to be a first value; and if the current gate line scan period is in the blanking time period, setting the scanning times of touch driving pulse in the current gate line scan period to be a second value. The first value is different from the second value, and a time for touch driving pulse scanning is non-overlapped with another time for providing display data to data lines of the touch panel in each scan line scan period.
US08963848B2
A touch screen panel includes a transparent substrate. A plurality of first and second sensing cells are formed so as to be connected along first and second directions, respectively. The second sensing cells are disposed between the first sensing cells. A plurality of first and second connection patterns connect the first and second sensing cells to one another along the first and second directions, respectively. A first insulating layer is interposed between the first second connection patterns. In the touch screen panel, each of the first connection patterns includes a main bridge pattern separately patterned in a different layer from the first sensing cells connected by the main bridge pattern to connect adjacent first sensing cells to other along the first direction, and one or more sub-bridge patterns which branch from the main bridge pattern, and which have both ends connected to the main bridge pattern so as to form a detour path.
US08963844B2
A user interface in handheld devices has a bounded touch screen control surface that is operable by a thumb tip and is oversized to the size of a thumb tip. The touch screen control surface is approximately sized to be around a ¾ inch square less or more and is partitioned into touch areas. The touch areas may include five overlapping areas of a top area, a bottom area, a left area, a right area and a center area for a simpler user interface control surface. There may be nine separate areas, including one center area and eight surrounding areas. When the thumb tip is placed on any one of these area and moved in a straight line or in a circular line by sliding action between different areas of these nine areas can provide a large number of navigation control functions.
US08963842B2
An integrated user interface has a sensory surface operable to receive a selection signal from a user and send a corresponding command signal within a software system. The integrated user interface has a plurality of tactile features operable to provide a user with tactile feedback corresponding to the selection signal received by the sensory surface when simultaneously selected by the user. A method of integrating the hardware and software functionality for a user interface is also disclosed.
US08963833B2
A portable terminal includes an apparatus for controlling a flexible display in a touch screen of the portable terminal. The portable terminal includes a controller that detects a curvature of a screen, determines a point in the screen, at which a curvature degree is greatest, as a center, and moves an object on the screen toward the center.
US08963831B2
A method for controlling an electronic apparatus, includes steps of: acquiring an image of the environment of the apparatus, detecting the presence of human faces in the image acquired, estimating a respective position of each face detected in relation to the apparatus, and sending a signal to the apparatus to enable a function of the apparatus if a condition is met relating to a number of faces detected in the image and/or the estimated position of each detected face.
US08963830B2
A portable terminal receives a user operation on a terminal screen of the portable terminal in a portable terminal normal mode. After receiving the user operation, the portable terminal shifts from a portable terminal normal mode to a portable terminal in-operation state, in which the portable terminal sends out a portable terminal in-operation notice to an in-vehicle apparatus. The in-vehicle apparatus shifts to a portable terminal in-operation mode upon receiving the notice from the portable terminal, and invalidates a reaction force by a reaction force generation unit to transit to a portable terminal normal state.
US08963827B2
A display apparatus includes a micro-shutter including first and second electrodes, a latch circuit including first and second input nodes, and first and second output nodes to receive an operation voltage and a common voltage, a capacitor including a first electrode and a second electrode applied with a shutter voltage, a first switching device applying a data signal to the first electrode of the capacitor in response to a gate signal, and a second switching device applying the voltage of the first electrode of the capacitor to the first input node of the latch circuit in response to an update voltage.
US08963825B2
A display device includes a backlight module, a backlight control module and a flicker removing module. The backlight module electrically connected between an input pin and an output pin which belong to the backlight control module, provides a backlight source to a display panel. The input pin receives a first voltage to control a continuity of an input current which is supplied to the backlight module and has no frequency variation. The flicker removing module electrically connected to the output pin receives a pulse width modulation signal and according to a duty cycle of the pulse width modulation signal, controls an output current outputted by the output pin, so as to control the backlight control module to control the input current according to the output current. The input current is associated with a backlight brightness of the backlight module.
US08963820B2
A semiconductor device includes: a trimming object circuit configured to use a trimming circuit to adjust an output based on a trimming value; and a trimming value setting circuit configured to set the trimming value. The trimming value setting circuit includes: a register configured to volatilely store a pseudo-trimming value set with reference to a trimming table such that an output value of the trimming object circuit becomes equal to a target value; a trimming value storage configured to non-volatilely store a final trimming value, wherein the final trimming value is set by correcting the pseudo-trimming value with reference to a trimming value correction table such that the output value of the trimming object circuit, which is obtained based on the pseudo-trimming value, becomes equal to the target value; and a selector configured to select one of the pseudo-trimming value and the final trimming value as the trimming value.
US08963808B2
An autostereoscopic display device includes a pixelated image source, a lenticular element and an optical splitting element. The pixelated image source includes a matrix of pixels and dark regions. The lenticular element includes a plurality of cylindrical lenses and is disposed adjacent the pixelated image source such that each of the cylindrical lenses extends over a substantially equal area of dark regions. The optical splitting element is configured such that a first eye sees first sub-pixels located along first parallel lines behind each of the cylindrical lenses with respect to the observer and a second eye sees second sub-pixels located along second parallel lines behind each of the cylindrical lenses. The first parallel lines and the second parallel lines are parallel with the cylindrical lenses. The first parallel lines extend over three neighboring sub-pixels within each of the rows. The second parallel lines extend over three neighboring sub-pixels within each of the rows.
US08963807B1
A head mounted display (HMD) is disclosed. The HMD includes a camera unit configured to capture an image; a display unit configured to display an information image; and a processor configured to control the camera unit and the display unit, wherein the processor is further configured to: detect an object using the camera unit, wherein the object has a staring state in which the object substantially stares at a wearer wearing the HMD and an unstaring state in which the object does not substantially stares at the wearer, display a first information image when the object in the staring state is detected, display a second information image when the object in the unstaring state is detected, and wherein the first information image includes at least one of a different amount of displayed information from the second information image and a different displaying location from the second information image.
US08963802B2
A projector includes: a data input section which input the data of an image and/or sound; a data output section which outputs the input data; and a data transfer section which captures the data before being output by the data output section, and transfers the captured data to one or more other projectors, wherein the data output section transfers the data by the data transfer section and then outputs the data input from the data input section.
US08963793B2
Disclosed in an example embodiment herein is a dual mode patch antenna designed to operate in the TM02 mode. The antenna comprising a circular patch antenna configured to operate at a first frequency, and a cylindrical matching element coupled to the circular patch antenna configured to operate at a second frequency. A feed surface is coupled to the cylindrical matching element.
US08963786B2
Exemplary embodiments are disclosed of antenna mast assemblies, which may be configured for multiband operation for automobiles or other vehicular applications. In an exemplary embodiment, an antenna mast assembly generally includes a coil radiator including a first coil portion and a second coil portion. The antenna mast assembly also includes a support having a first end portion, a second end portion, a first protruding portion, and a second protruding portion. The coil radiator is disposed about at least a portion of the support such that the first coil portion is between the first protruding portion and the first end portion of the support, and such that the second coil portion is between the second protruding portion and the second end portion of the support.
US08963778B2
An assembly includes a wire antenna including at least on conductive turn, a first fibrous substrate on which the antenna extend. The first substrate comprises at least one coated paper including a fibrous base containing at least 30 mass % of natural fibers in the fibrous mass. The antenna is connected to a face of the flexible substrate. The paper includes on that face at least one surface layer containing at least one mineral load and a coating binder. The fibrous base may contain at least 40 mass %, preferably 50 mass %, more preferably 60 mass % and ideally at least 70 mass % of natural fibers, with preferably a lower proportion of long natural fibers relative to short ones when the fibrous mass includes synthetic fibers, in particular between 5 and 25% of synthetic fibers.
US08963765B1
A method for tracking an object using radar includes detecting a wideband radio frequency (“RF”) energy at a first radar sensor tracking the object and determining in a computer process if a booster is propelling the object based on the wideband RF energy. The object is tracked in a computer process based on a ballistic trajectory if the booster is not propelling the object, and the object is tracked in a computer process based on a non-ballistic trajectory if the booster is propelling the object.
US08963763B2
A method for operating an analog-digital converter including a number of charging units, each comprising a switchable capacitor and an associated reference potential source, includes evaluating a comparison potential in successive decision steps to obtain a comparison result; and successively switching one of the charging units following a previous one of the decision steps, wherein, depending on the obtained comparison result, the comparison potential is changed by the one respective charging unit by connecting the associated reference potential source to the switchable capacitor, wherein in two of the successive switching steps different reference potentials are applied to the switchable capacitor.
US08963761B2
A predictive successive approximation register analog-to-digital conversion device and method are provided. A difference between two input signals of a comparator is detected according to a threshold less than or equal to ½ of a voltage increment represented by one least significant bit (LSB). When a difference between a first analog signal and a second analog signal is less than a threshold, a detection circuit enables a bit in a digital signal corresponding to a comparison cycle to which the difference belongs to be forcedly decided to be a first value and predicts values of the remaining bits.
US08963756B2
A D/A converter according to the present invention includes a wave-form data-array memory means for memorizing a wave-form data array configured of a plurality of digital values, a wave-form output-format data memory means for memorizing wave-form output-format data designating a wave-form output period, a digital value output means for sequentially reading out the digital values for each wave-form output period from the wave-form data-array memory means and outputting the values, and a D/A conversion means for converting the digital values outputted from the digital value output means into analog-data values.
US08963745B2
A key input includes a keypad device and a micro controller unit. The keypad device has a matrix consisted of first signals lines, second signal lines, and switches located in corners which are formed by the first and the second signal lines, and a plurality of keys corresponding to the switches. The micro controller unit connects the first signal lines and the second lines and provides a pulse to the first signal line. When the switch is turned on by the key, the pulse is translated from the first signal line to the second signal line. Thus, the pulse is directly detected, so as to achieve the fast scanning and low sensitive impedance of carbon membrane efficient.
US08963742B1
A head-up display system includes an aircraft, a predicted flight path generation component that calculates a predicted flight path over a period of time, and a graphic generation component configured to generate a graphical display and project it onto a combiner configured to combine the graphical display with a visual exterior view. A synthetic vision system includes an aircraft, a predicted flight path generation component that receives one or more state parameters and calculates a predicted flight path over a period of time, and a synthetic terrain generation component configured to generate a synthetic view which is displayed on a display. The graphical display and/or the synthetic view includes a three-dimensional depiction of the predicted flight path over the period of time generated utilizing one or more three-dimensional transforms, one or more graphical images based on flight data, and a three-dimensional graphical depiction of a flight plan.
US08963737B2
An RF telemetry receiver circuit for active implantable medical devices. The baseband binary signal (Db) is doubly modulated by a low frequency carrier (Fm) and by a high frequency carrier (Fc). The receiver circuit is a semi-passive non heterodyne circuit, devoid of a local oscillator and mixer. It comprises an antenna (104), a passive bandpass filter (108) centered on the high-frequency carrier (Fc), a passive envelope detector (120-126) and a, digital demodulator (116). The envelope detector comprises a first diode circuit (120) of non-coherent detection, an active bandpass filter (122) centered on a frequency (2.Fm) twice the low frequency carrier and having a bandwidth (2.Db) twice the baseband bandwidth, and a second diode circuit (124) of non-coherent detection, outputting a baseband signal applied to the digital demodulation stage (116).
US08963732B2
A method of generating an alarm indicating movement of a slope under inspection that sets an alarm if (1), where dX is a first measured displacement, dY is another measured displacement at a chosen difference from dX, and dZ is another measured displacement at a chosen difference from dY, and the corresponding times at which the chosen distances are measured are tA, tB and tC respectively for dX dY and dZ. So that an alarm is set if the ratio of the time taken for the slope to move between dY and dZ compared to moving between dX and dY is less than the ratio of the respective displacements. t C - t B t B - t A < d Z - d Y d Y - d X ( I )
US08963727B2
A sensor unit that includes at least one sensor configured to measure an ambient condition is described. The controller can be configured to receive instructions, to report a notice level when the controller determines that data measured by the at least one sensor fails a report threshold test corresponding to a report threshold value. The controller can also be configured to obtain a plurality of calibration measurements from the at least one sensor during a calibration period and to adjust the threshold based on the calibration measurements. The controller can be configured to compute a first threshold level corresponding to background noise and a second threshold level corresponding to sensor noise, and to compute the report threshold value from the second threshold. In one embodiment, the sensor unit adjusts one or more of the thresholds based on ambient temperature.
US08963725B2
The invention relates to a tester and test method for smoke amount of electrical cigarette. The tester includes a collect device, a testing device, a control device as well as an input and output device. The input and output device is used to set test parameters, alarm and display a value of smoke amount and a test result whether qualified. The collect device, used to collect smoke, can precisely control a pumping smoke time and a pumping smoke capacity by introducing a step motor. The testing device, utilizing a light emitter and receiver, test a smoke amount. If the smoke amount tested is less than a predetermined smoke amount, an alarm system alarms by way of display and/or sound. The invention quantifies smoke amount of electronic cigarette, which can be adopted in the manufacture field of electronic cigarette to test smoke amount.
US08963721B2
A device, system, and method of ensuring hand hygiene compliance is provided including a device for dispensing hygiene maintenance material that also monitors a detection zone to determine if an individual is present. The device, system, and method provide reminders and tracking of use of the dispensing device and the relation of that use compared to a desired use profile.
US08963713B2
An integrated security system that includes a security alarm reporting system (SARS) that is resilient to equipment failure and, as such, provides a comprehensive solution to the problem of an intruder attempting to disable an alarm reporting system. The integrated security system includes a gateway/touchscreen coupled to a security system. The gateway/touchscreen and the security system are at a first location and manage a variety of security and network devices at the first location. A security server at a second location is coupled to the security system and receives a first signal from the security system. A heartbeat signal is initiated that monitors health of the security system. The heartbeat signal may be initiated in response to the first signal. The security server detects a failure of the heartbeat signal and generates a report and sends the report to a central monitoring station. The report is an electronic report that indicates failure of the security system.
US08963712B2
Systems and methods for a tamper-evident cargo container seal bolt lock are disclosed herein. The device can include a bolt member having a conductive medium running the axial length of the bolt, and a receiving member for locking the bolt into place. A battery-driven sensory circuit including a memory, a processor, and a timing circuit can be disposed within the receiving member such that a continuous circuit is formed from one circuit pin over the conductive medium through the length of the bolt and back to a second pin. The sensory circuit is configured to sense whether the circuit has been interrupted (e.g., if the bolt has been cut). In the event of an interruption, the circuit can record the time and/or date in memory. This information can then be transmitted to an RFID reader/interrogator if a dispute arises as to when the lock had been broken.
US08963709B2
The present invention extends to methods, devices, systems, and computer program products for media management in a security system. A method may comprise receiving media and assigning the received media to an alarm zone of a security system. The method may further include detecting activation of the alarm zone and conveying the media in response to detecting activation of the alarm zone.
US08963707B2
System for an event alert signal and verifying the completion of event is disclosed. The system may include at least one alert device for generating alert for certain events. The system may also include at least one destination device that may be configured to be communicating with the alert device and may be associated with the event. The system may verify completion of the event when the alert device may be deactivated upon the user's completion of the event.
US08963703B2
Systems and methods for displaying a driver shift aid are disclosed. In one aspect, an electronic control unit causes a shift indicator to be presented if a need for a shift is detected and vehicle performance after the shift would not be unduly impacted. If the vehicle operator follows the guidance of the shift indicator, vehicle fuel efficiency may be improved while vehicle performance remains adequate. In one aspect, a different indicator may be displayed to prompt the vehicle operator to shift either one gear or two gears.
US08963693B2
A method of controlling a plurality of meeting room resources. The method includes initiating, via a host information handling system, an application, creating, via the application, a plurality of preferences, and establishing, by the host information handling system, a connection with a configuration device via a first close range communication path. The method also includes transferring at least one of the plurality of preferences, via the first close range communication path to the configuration device. The configuration device transmits, via a second close range communication path, a control message based on at least one of the plurality of preferences, to control at least one of the plurality of meeting room resources.
US08963692B2
In one embodiment, a method includes receiving sensor data from multiple sensors associated with multiple persons; for each of the sensors, identifying the person associated with the sensor; determining whether the sensor data are valid; and, for the sensor data that are valid, aggregating them based on the associations of their sensors with the persons and routing them to one or more sensor-application-service providers based on associations of the persons with the sensor-application-service providers.
US08963691B1
A method, apparatus, and computer program product for identifying wireless devices. Information is received from a wireless device that is unidentified. An object associated with the wireless device is identified using a number of types of information in the information and the information.
US08963680B2
In a contactless communication system, a first storage unit stores a group of access control programs corresponding to plural types of noncontact information carriers, respectively. A second storage unit stores access reference information required to execute the group of access control programs. A program execution unit refers to the access reference information to select at least one program in the group of access control programs based on the reference result. The program execution unit executes the selected at least one program in the group of access control programs based on the access reference information.
US08963666B2
Connectors and methods of coupling electronic devices and cables are provided. In one embodiment, a connector has a first coded magnet on a first surface of a first device. The first coded magnet has at least two different polarity regions on the first surface. A second coded magnet on a second surface of a second device is also provided. The second coded magnet is configured to provide identifying information regarding the device on which it is located.
US08963654B2
A Dual Input, Dual Output filtering apparatus using a Bulk Acoustic Wave Resonators (BAWR), and a resonator used as the BAWR may be provided. A Dual Input, Dual Output filtering apparatus may include a plurality of BAWRs connected in series and parallel.
US08963653B2
The present invention relates to a structure of a diplexer that prevents outputs of both signals from influencing each other by removing mutual interference between both signals when a signal having a high pulse frequency and a signal having a low pulse frequency are combined and radiated by using the same antenna, and more particularly, to a 2-channel diplexer structure with two channels in which a substrate having a predetermined size is configured, five microstrip lines are arranged on the top of the substrate to be parallel to each other with a predetermined interval.
US08963651B2
One embodiment relates to a method of compensating for crystal frequency variation over temperature. An example method includes obtaining an indication of temperature, computing a temperature compensation value based on the indication of temperature and a piecewise linear temperature compensation approximation, and compensating for a temperature offset in a crystal reference signal by adjusting a division ratio of a fractional divider in a phase-locked loop. The piecewise linear temperature compensation approximation can represent an approximation of frequency error in a crystal reference signal originating from a crystal over temperature. The piecewise linear temperature compensation approximation can be, for example, a linear approximation, a quadratic approximation, or a cubic approximation.
US08963650B2
A semiconductor device contrived to prevent a reference voltage and a reference current which are supplied to a high speed OCO from varying with a change in ambient temperature and/or a change in an external power supply voltage and to reduce the circuit area of a power supply module. The high speed OCO outputs a high speed clock whose magnitude is determined by the reference current and the reference voltage. A logic unit adjusts the values of the reference current and reference voltage, according to the reference voltage and reference current trimming codes related to detected ambient temperature and operating voltage.
US08963644B2
An impedance matching network for a radio frequency (RF) amplifier includes multiple stages connected to each other in a first to last order. A first stage produces an RF output signal, and a last stage receives an RF input signal. Each stage includes a first inductor connected to produce an output signal, a second inductor connected to receive an input signal from a next stage, a capacitor connected between the first and second inductors and a ground. In addition, each stage other than the first stage further includes a first switch to by-pass the first and second inductors, a second switch connected between the first and second inductors and the ground, and a controller for controlling, the first and second switches to select a particular power level of a set of power levels.
US08963643B2
Method and system for providing automatic gate bias and bias sequencing for field effect transistors
A feedback gate bias circuit for use in radio frequency amplifiers to more effectively control operation of LDFET, GaNFET, GaAsFET, and JFET type transistors used in such circuits. A transistor gate bias circuit that senses drain current and automatically adjusts or biases the gate voltage to maintain drain current independently of temperature, time, input drive, frequency, as well as from device to device variations. Additional circuits to provide temperature compensation, RF power monitoring and drain current control, RF output power leveler, high power gain block, and optional digital control of various functions. A gate bias circuit including a bias sequencer and negative voltage deriver for operation of N-channel depletion mode devices.
US08963639B2
A three stage amplifier is provided and the three stage amplifier comprises a first gain stage, a second gain stage and a third gain stage wherein said first stage receives an amplifier input signal and said third gain stage outputs an amplifier output signal. The amplifier includes a feedback loop having a current buffer and a compensation capacitance provided from the output of said third gain stage to the output of the first gain stage. In addition, an active left half plane zero stage is embedded in said feedback loop for cancelling a parasitic pole of said feedback loop.
US08963634B2
Techniques for sensing current delivered to a load by a differential output stage, e.g., in a Class D amplifier. In one aspect, voltages across sense resistors coupled in series with first and second branches of the differential output stage are low-passed filtered and digitized. The sense resistors may be coupled in series with the sources of transistors of the first and second branches, wherein the transistors are selectively switchable on and off by input voltage driving voltages. The input driving voltages may correspond to a ternary voltage waveform such that during a given phase, the two transistors coupled in series with the sense resistors may be turned off. Further aspects provide for the first and second branches having cascoded NMOS and/or PMOS transistors, and the sense resistors being provided between a pair of cascoded transistors.
US08963629B2
A programmable variable admittance circuit may be used in a programmable filter or a variable gain amplifier in a number of different applications including tuners and other RF receiver circuits. A variable admittance circuit and operation is described including a number of switchable admittance elements arranged in parallel branches. The variable admittance circuit requires fewer transitions to change between successive admittance values than a binary weighted circuit and fewer branches for implementation then a thermometry admittance circuit.
US08963627B2
An integrated circuit including a global supply bus, a gated supply bus, and a digital power gating system with controlled resume. The digital power gating system includes gating devices and a power gating control system. Each gating device has a pair of current terminals coupled between the global supply bus and the gated supply bus and each has a control terminal. The power gating control system controls a digital control value which controls activation of the gating devices. The power gating control system is configured to successively adjust the digital control value to increase a voltage of the gated supply bus from a reduced voltage level to a normal operating voltage level in response to a resume indication. The reduced voltage level may be a state retention level or full power gating. Successive adjustment may be with constant or adjusted gain using a constant clock or a dynamically adjusted clock.
US08963622B2
High voltage rated isolation capacitors of inductors are formed on a face of a primary integrated circuit die. The isolation capacitors or inductors AC couple the primary integrated circuit in a first voltage domain to a second integrated circuit in a second voltage domain. The isolation capacitors or inductors DC isolate the primary integrated circuit from the second integrated circuit die. Isolated power transfer from the first voltage domain to the second voltage domain is provided through the high voltage rated isolation capacitors or inductors with an AC oscillator or PWM generator. The AC oscillator voltage amplitude may be increased for an increase in power through the high voltage rated isolation capacitors or inductors.
US08963621B2
A circuit including a current source, an inverter, and a device. The current source is configured to receive a first reference voltage and supply an output current. The inverter has a transconductance. The inverter includes a first transistor having a source and a drain and a second transistor having a source. The source of the first transistor is connected to the current source. The source of the first transistor is configured to receive a portion of the output current. The source of the second transistor is connected to the drain of the first transistor. The device is configured to select the first reference voltage such that the output current of the current source varies with changes in a temperature of the current source to maintain the transconductance of the inverter at a same value and prevent changes in respective transition frequencies of both the first transistor and the second transistor.
US08963620B2
Various embodiments include approaches for controlling a supply voltage or a clock frequency to an integrated circuit (IC). Various additional embodiments include circuitry for controlling a supply voltage or a clock frequency of an IC. In some cases, a method includes: locating a set of temperature sensors on bin locations in an IC; determining temperature bounds of the bin locations in the IC as a function of a determined temperature at the set of temperature sensors; determining timing constraints as a function of supply voltages at the bin locations and the determined temperature at the set of temperature sensors; and determining operational voltage bounds for the IC as a function of the determined temperature at the set of temperature sensors.
US08963619B2
The present invention discloses a semiconductor switch comprising a switching unit. Said switching unit includes: a transistor having a drain, a gate and a source; a drain bias resistor coupled to the drain; a drain bias selecting circuit to couple the drain bias resistor with a first or a second drain bias according to the transistor's state; a gate bias resistor coupled to the gate; a gate bias selecting circuit to couple the gate bias resistor with a first or a second gate bias according to the transistor's state; a source bias resistor coupled to the source; and a source bias selecting circuit to couple the source bias resistor with a first or a second source bias according to the transistor's state, wherein the first and second drain biases are different, the first and second gate biases are different, and the first and second source biases are different.
US08963618B2
A radio frequency (RF) switch which comprises an RF domain section having a plurality of RF switching elements. A DC domain section is provided having circuitry configured for controlling the RF switching elements in response to one or more control signals. A resistive load is provided between the RF domain section and the DC domain section. A bypass circuit is configured for selectively bypassing at least a portion of the resistive load.
US08963612B1
A multi-mode circuit can switch an output section between mixer and amplifier modes, with or without variable gain, to create a variable gain amplifier or a variable gain mixer or route an input signal by adjusting a bias current. An input section is controlled by a bias section and connected to the output section. The output section includes a first base-coupled transistor pair adapted to receive an input signal at emitters of the first base-coupled transistor pair, receive a bias signal at bases of the first base-coupled transistor pair, and provide an output signal at collectors of the first base-coupled transistor pair.
US08963606B2
A clock control device is disclosed, which relates to a technology for reducing the amount of current consumption when a semiconductor device operates at a high speed. The clock control device includes: a chip-select-signal control block configured to generate a chip-select-control signal by latching a chip select signal, and output a fast chip select signal according to the chip-select-control signal; and a clock control block configured to drive a clock signal in response to the fast chip select signal when a command clock enable signal is activated, thereby generating a clock control signal, wherein the chip-select-signal control block latches the chip-select-control signal, and controls the chip-select-control signal to be toggled after the command clock enable signal is transitioned.
US08963600B2
An apparatus for delaying a plurality of chain-based time-to-digital circuits (TDCs). The apparatus includes a plurality of propagation path devices each connected to a respective one of the plurality of TDCs, each propagation path device delays a common start signal by a selectable amount based on a delay selection signal received by the propagation path device, and transmits the delayed start signal to the respective one of the TDCs.
US08963598B2
A duty rate detection circuit includes a duty rate detection block suitable for outputting a duty rate detection signal by detecting a duty rate of a clock signal having a first logic duration and a second logic duration and an output control block suitable for comparing the number of the first logic duration and the number of the second logic duration for a detection period and controlling an output moment of the duty rate detection signal.
US08963591B2
A clock signal initialization circuit capable of preventing the operating frequency of a semiconductor integrated circuit from exceeding the maximum permissible frequency determined based on the power consumption of that semiconductor integrated circuit even when the PLL circuit is in a transient state at the start-up is provided. A clock signal initialization circuit for a semiconductor integrated circuit that operates in synchronization with a clock signal generated by a PLL circuit, includes a controller that derives a clock signal having a frequency no greater than a maximum permissible frequency determined based on a power consumption of the semiconductor integrated circuit as a supply clock signal to the semiconductor integrated circuit at least until the PLL circuit becomes a locked state after power-on.
US08963583B2
Disclosed is a voltage level converter that includes: a first conversion unit which receives at least one input signal of a logic 1 signal and a logic 0 signal from a signal input terminal and converts the signal; a second conversion unit and a third conversion unit which alternately output a logic −1 signal and the logic 1 signal respectively in accordance with the input signal; a fourth conversion unit and a fifth conversion unit which alternately output the logic −1 signal and the logic 0 signal respectively in accordance with the input signal; and a latch which has a complementary characteristic in which if a first transistor becomes an on-state, then a second transistor becomes an off-state in accordance with the input signal, and performs a positive feedback operation. A drain output of the first transistor is input to the fourth conversion unit. A drain output of the second transistor is input to the fifth conversion unit.
US08963578B2
The present invention discloses a receiver capable of enhancing accuracy of signal reception. The receiver includes a variable termination resistance unit, coupled to at least one channel, for utilizing at least one termination resistance corresponding to the at least one channel to perform impedance matching, and a signal detection and termination resistance adjustment unit, for detecting at least one external calibration signal corresponding to the at least one channel from at least one external signal generator, and adjusting the at least one termination resistance.
US08963565B2
Present invention concerns generally to a sensor or a sensor system for detecting spilling of aqueous liquids, for instance in confined spaces were such is critical such in an airplane. The system of present invention is an early warning system or sentinel for the prevention of corrosion by corrosive liquids. Corrosion caused by corrosive liquids can rapidly change the surface properties of components in engineering structures, and that will finally endanger the functionality of structural parts. However, if monitoring technologies are in place providing continuous information on the presence of corrosive liquids, corrosion treatment and even corrosion prevention can start at a very early stage. Present invention provides such by early detection of corrosive liquids by extended sensors based on the collapse of percolation conductivity (COPC). The term collapse refers to the fact that the transition into the non-conducting state must not necessarily have the properties of a thermodynamically well-defined transition.
US08963554B2
A pulsed discharge helium ionization detector for gas chromatography with multiple combined bias/collecting electrodes.
US08963550B2
A method that includes affixing a radio frequency identification tag on a storage battery at a battery manufacturing plant. The method also includes storing battery manufacturing information into the radio frequency identification tag at the battery manufacturing plant. The battery manufacturing information includes a battery algorithm suitable for use in testing the storage battery.
US08963547B2
In a magnetic resonance imaging apparatus according to an embodiment, a measuring unit moves a couchtop on which a subject is placed to at least one position of a plurality of positions in an imaging space, adjusts shim coil current value supplied to the shim coil, and measures first shim coil current value when a static magnetic field is uniformized. On the basis of the first shim coil current value and at least one of subject information and an imaging condition, a calculator calculates second shim coil current value position of the plurality of positions and at which the measuring unit has measured no shim coil current value.
US08963543B2
An angle sensor for sensing angular position of a rotatable shaft includes a drive gear, a measuring gear, and a sensor housing. The drive gear is connected to the shaft. The measuring gear is driven by the drive gear. The angular position of the shaft can be determined from an angular position of the measuring gear. The sensor housing has a bearing for the drive gear. The drive gear and the measuring gear are rotationally mounted about respective axes of rotation in the sensor housing with the drive gear being inside the bearing. The drive gear is forcibly pressed into a radial position inside the bearing by at least one spring.
US08963539B2
An electronic circuit for detecting magnetism includes: a detection unit in which at least three detection blocks including at least one magnetic field detection element are arranged, wherein by selecting first and second detection blocks from among the at least three detection blocks based on a detection target object, a distance between the first and second detection blocks becomes a distance suitable for the detected target object; a control unit configured to select the first and second detection blocks; and a switching unit configured to connect the selected first and second detection blocks to an output of the electronic circuit based on a control operation of the control unit.
US08963537B2
A device for measuring a current flowing through an electric cable comprises a printed circuit board, a magnetic field sensor and a ferromagnetic component. The ferromagnetic component comprises two tongues whose front faces are disposed opposite of each other and are separated by an air gap and further comprises at least two feet, with the tongues and/or the feet being bent off. The cable is guidable through an opening which is enclosed by the ferromagnetic component. The ferromagnetic component and the magnetic field sensor are mounted on a surface of the printed circuit board. The magnetic field sensor is sensitive to a magnetic field extending parallel to the surface of the printed circuit board. The tongues of the ferromagnetic component extend parallel to the surface of the printed circuit board (2).
US08963536B2
Embodiments relate to magnetic current sensors. In various embodiments, a current sensor can include a simple conductor having a constant cross-sectional profile, such as round, square or rectangular, and being generally free of any notches or slots to divert current and thereby having a simpler manufacturing process, lower resistance and improved mechanical robustness. In embodiments, the conductor can be formed of a non-magnetic conductive material, such as aluminum or copper.
US08963533B2
The present invention relates to a resistive voltage divider comprising a plurality n of resistive elements in a configuration wherein the angles m=n−1 between each pair of elements are between 180° and 10°, characterized in that the group of elements is supported by a dielectric the shape of which is such that it allows the creepage distance of the divider to be equal to or longer than the sum of creepage distances of the individual resistances. This arrangement allows a correct insulation of the device because it maintains the outer insulation since in the event of short-circuit the current will flow through the resistances and not through the support.
US08963530B2
A multi input circuit is provided having a first terminal; a second terminal; a third terminal; a current element sensing signal detection unit connected between the first terminal and the third terminal; a multiplexer of which input ports are each connected to the first to third terminals and an output end of the current element sensing signal detection unit; a key input unit selecting the input ports for receiving the sensing signals from the multiplexer; a power supply unit; a switch turning-on/off power supplied to the RTD temperature sensor from the power supply unit; and a control unit outputting a control signal selecting the input ports of the multiplexer and a control signal controlling the turn-on/off of the switch according to the selection of the key input unit to receive the sensing signal input to the input port of the multiplexer.
US08963527B2
The present invention provides for EMI mitigation in switching circuitry, such as power converters, by implementing a controlled, non-random change in frequency in every cycle of switch control signals based on a static or dynamically changing modulation cycle. This permits frequency spreading across a wide range while avoiding excessive jitter between cycles and voltage dropouts common to randomized EMI control circuitry. Further, since it may be implemented digitally, some embodiments may avoid performance, size and power consumption problems experienced by mixed signal or analog switch control circuitry and EMI control circuitry. Further still, implementations of the present invention may mitigate EMI from a constant frequency source without the necessity of a variable frequency source, such as one generated by a VCO, to realize frequency variation. By eliminating the need for analog and mixed signal circuitry, and additional corrective circuitry, some embodiments may also reduce design, testing and production costs.
US08963521B2
An embodiment of a power supply includes an input node operable to receive an input voltage, an output node operable to provide a regulated output voltage, an odd number of magnetically coupled phase paths each coupled between the input and output nodes, and a first magnetically uncoupled phase path coupled between the input and output nodes. Such a power supply may improve its efficiency by activating different combinations of the coupled and uncoupled phase paths depending on the load conditions. For example, the power supply may activate only an uncoupled phase path during light-load conditions, may activate only coupled phase paths during moderate-load conditions, and may activate both coupled and uncoupled phase paths during heavy-load conditions and during a step-up load transient.
US08963520B1
A system includes a feedback module that communicates with a capacitor connected across an output of a power converter and that generates a feedback voltage indicating a pre-bias voltage across the capacitor before power is supplied to the power converter. A comparator compares the feedback voltage to a reference voltage and determines whether the pre-bias voltage across the capacitor is greater or less than a desired output voltage of the power converter when power is supplied to the power converter. A ramp generator module generates a first or second ramp if the pre-bias voltage is less or greater than the desired output voltage. A control module drives high-side and low-side switches to charge or discharge the capacitor from the pre-bias voltage to the desired output voltage based on the first or second ramp and controls the power converter after a voltage across the capacitor reaches the desired output voltage.
US08963519B2
A switching voltage regulator includes a comparison module configured to receive a reference voltage and a feedback voltage and to generate a comparison signal based on a difference between the reference voltage and the feedback voltage, and a control module configured to generate a gain control threshold signal based on at least one of the reference voltage and the feedback voltage. The control module may be configured to control a duration of a PWM pulse based on the at least one of the reference voltage and the feedback voltage. The feedback voltage may a regulated output voltage of the switching voltage regulator. The switching voltage regulator may be implemented in an analog or a digital manner.
US08963518B2
A system for providing power from solar cells whereby each cell or cell array is allowed to produce its maximum available power and converted by an operatively connected DC/DC converter. Each cell or cell array has its own DC/DC converter. In one form the system includes one or more solar generators wherein each solar generator has one to nine solar cells; a maximum power tracker operatively associated with each solar generator, each maximum power tracker including a buck type DC/DC converter without an output inductor, each maximum power tracker being operatively connected in series with each other; an inductor operatively connected to the series connected maximum power trackers; and means for providing electrical power from the inductor to load means, wherein each maximum power tracker is controlled so that the operatively associated solar generator operates at its maximum power point to extract maximum available power.
US08963512B2
A comparator compares a voltage of a node into which electric current flows from a system of a first voltage and a reference voltage for maintaining the node at a second voltage. A step-up-type DC-DC converter receives the voltage of the node which is input to the comparator, increases the voltage to a voltage higher than the first voltage, and applies the voltage to the system of the first voltage. According to the comparison of the comparator, when the voltage of the node is higher than the reference voltage, the step-up-type DC-DC converter activates a step-up function, and when the voltage of the node is equal to or less than the reference voltage, the step-up-type DC-DC converter deactivates the step-up function.
US08963511B2
A method of controlling a switched mode converter is disclosed in which the switching frequency varies in proportion to the square of the sine of the phase of the input AC supply. Thus the switching frequency is a maximum, and the respective on period of the switch is a minimum, when the mains voltage is a maximum. Conversely, the switching frequency is reduced, and the respective on time of the switch is increased, when the mains voltage is reduced. Such a switching method provides for a high power factor. Implementation by means of a phase locked loop and a comparator may prevent the need for complex circuitry, and may provide for direct use of a digital controller or digital signal processing through a counter output in the phase locked loop.A controller configured to operate such a method, together with an AC/DC converter embodying such a controller are also disclosed.
US08963506B2
A battery management system and method accurately estimate a state of charge (SOC) of a battery. For this, the battery management system may include a unit SOC calculator calculating a unit SOC by using a charge/discharge current of a battery, an electromotive force SOC calculator calculating an electromotive force SOC using an electromotive force of the battery; a corrector calculating a compensation amount using the electromotive force SOC and a previous SOC, and an SOC calculator calculating a current SOC using the unit SOC, the previous SOC, and the compensation amount.
US08963501B2
A voltage equalization device of a power storage device provided with battery packs in which a plurality of secondary cells are connected, power converters provided in association with the battery packs, and controllers that control the power converters, and in which the battery packs are connected in parallel via the individual power converters includes a decision portion and a voltage-adjusting portion. The decision portion obtains battery-pack information regarding the states of charge/discharge of the individual battery packs and decides, for each battery pack, whether or not to perform voltage adjustment on the basis of the battery-pack information. When the decision portion decides that the voltage adjustment is to be performed, the voltage-adjusting portion generates offset instructions for adjusting the states of charge/discharge and outputs the offset instructions to the controllers of the power converters associated with the battery packs.
US08963500B2
Systems and methods for controlling the output of a battery pack are disclosed. In one example, a battery pack contactor is closed after receiving a request to open the battery pack contactor during a power-up sequence. The system and method may reduce battery pack degradation.
US08963490B2
It is an object to provide a non-contact charging module that prevents the magnet from negatively influencing particularly the inside portion of a coil and improves power transmission efficiency, even when a magnet is used for alignment. This non-contact charging module is a reception-side non-contact charging module, to which power is transmitted from a transmission-side non-contact charging module which is equipped with magnet, by electromagnetic induction, in which the non-contact charging module includes a planar coil portion around which spiral electric lines are wound, and a magnetic sheet disposed to face the surface of coil of the planar coil portion so that it faces the magnet of the transmission-side contact module, in which the inner diameter of the planar coil portion is larger than the magnet.
US08963489B2
Provided is a contactless power transfer device for a moving object. Each of a power transmission coil and a power receiving coil comprises an H-shaped core, and first, second and third search coils are installed on a magnetic pole object of the H-shaped core of the power transmission coil. A y-direction positional deviation between the power transmission coil and the power receiving coil is detected using voltages measured at the first and second search coils, and an x-direction positional deviation is detected using voltages measured at the third search coils.
US08963484B2
By controlling a charging current magnitude for charging a to-be-charged electronic device by a charging electronic device and current magnitudes of other loading elements of the charging electronic device, when the charging electronic device is switched to a fast charge mode or to an efficiency mode from a normal charge mode, a required current can be directly provided to the to-be-charged electronic device without raising a hardware cost for upgrading charging capabilities.
US08963482B2
An electrically powered vehicle has a main battery and an auxiliary battery mounted therein. In external charging, a charging device performs AC/DC power conversion converting power received from an external power supply into power charged to main battery. A sub charging relay is connected between a predetermined node on an electric conduction path of the charging device in the AC/DC power conversion and the auxiliary battery. The sub charging relay is turned off in the external charging. The charging device is configured such that when the external charging is not performed and the sub charging relay is turned on the charging device performs DC/DC power conversion to convert power of the main battery via at least a portion of the electric conduction path in the AC/DC power conversion into power to be charged to the auxiliary battery and outputs the converted power on the predetermined node.
US08963476B2
A separately excited synchronous machine (1b1k) with an excitation circuit on the side of the rotor includes an excitation winding (3) and a power supply for the excitation winding (3) as well as a switching element (8a, 8e) for connecting the power supply to the excitation winding (3). Further, the synchronous machine (1b1k) comprises a first stator-side primary winding (5a5f) and a first rotor-side secondary winding (6a6f). Moreover, the synchronous machine (1b1k) may comprise a) a tap of the first rotor-side secondary winding (6d) connected to a control element (9a, 9e) of the switching element (8a, 8e) or b) a second rotor-side secondary winding (14d), which is coupled to the first stator-side primary winding (5a5f) and connected to a control element (9a, 9e) of the switching element (8a, 8e).
US08963473B2
A system comprising a motor controller for providing a plurality of first power signals and a single common second power signal to a motor module comprising a plurality of potentiometers connectable to a plurality of DC-motors. The power signals and feedback signals are sent over a wire interface having less than three wires per motor. A position feedback signal is read when a motor is being powered. The power signals may be DC-signals, pulsed or tri-state signals. The circuit may have a voltage divider consisting of two or three resistors. The actual motor position can be derived from the position feedback signals using one of two formulas or curves. A motor controller, and a method for driving a plurality of DC-motors is also disclosed.
US08963472B2
An apparatus, comprises three driver FETs coupled at their sources; note-driver circuit; a first sense FET coupled to the sources of the three driver FETs; a current mirror having the first sense FET and a mirror FET; wherein the first sense FET is coupled to the mirror FET; a first transconductance amplifier coupled to the first sense FET; a second amplifier coupled to the current mirror, and an output of the first transconductance amplifier is an input to the second amplifier.
US08963454B2
An apparatus for controlling a compressor is provided. When grounding the apparatus for controlling a compressor, an analog circuit ground and a digital circuit ground may be insulated from each other to protect the apparatus. A ground of an analog circuit driven by commercial alternating current (AC) power, and a ground of a digital circuit driven by a voltage which has been converted from commercial AC power, may also be insulated from each other by a simple circuit device to protect a controller inside the digital circuit.
US08963447B2
A ballast configured to connect to a set of lamps to energize the set of lamps is provided. The ballast comprises an inverter circuit for generating an oscillating power signal, wherein the oscillating power signal has a frequency, and a resonant tank circuit electrically connected to the inverter circuit for receiving the oscillating power signal and therefrom providing a lamp current to the set of lamps. A resistance circuit is connected to the inverter circuit. The resistance circuit has a resistance that defines the frequency of the oscillating power signal generated by the inverter circuit. A current control circuit is connected to the resistance circuit for adjusting the resistance of the resistance circuit as a function of a number of lamps that are connected to the ballast.
US08963445B2
The invention relates to a driver circuit for light sources, in particular LEDs, comprising a selection circuit, comprising at least one selection circuit element defined by an electric quantity having one of a plurality of pre-established electric quantity levels, and an electronic control unit (ECU), comprising a reference circuit, suitable for providing a reference electric quantity, and a regulation circuit of the driver current, suitable for establishing a driver current of the light sources on the basis of said reference electric quantity.
US08963438B2
Self-identifying solid-state transducer (SST) modules and associated systems and methods are disclosed herein. In several embodiments, for example, an SST system can include a driver and at least one SST module electrically coupled to the driver. Each SST module can include an SST and a sense resistor. The sense resistors of each SST module can have at least substantially similar resistance values. The SSTs of the SST modules can be coupled in parallel across an SST channel to the driver, and the sense resistors of the SST modules can be coupled in parallel across a sense channel to the driver. The driver can be configured to measure a sense resistance across the sense resistors and deliver a current across the SSTs based on the sense resistance.
US08963433B2
A first lighting assembly receives a lighting profile that instructs the first lighting assembly to operate according to the lighting profile over a first period of time. The received lighting profile is implemented, including causing a light of the first lighting assembly to illuminate at a first intensity. An input acquired in proximity to the first lighting assembly and indicating activity in a region proximate the first lighting assembly is received. The received lighting profile is then deviated from, in response to the received input, by increasing the intensity of the light to illuminate at a second intensity for a predetermined period of time. A message is transmitted for receipt by the control center, the message including an indication of the increased light intensity and an identifier associated with the first lighting assembly.
US08963430B2
A circuit is disclosed for determining which of a multiplicity of LED strings in an illumination system has a fault. A group of circuits determines the maximum, minimum, midpoint between maximum and minimum, and average voltage of the group of LED string voltages in use, and examines the statistical properties of the LED string voltages. Comparators are used to find the strings which have the highest and lowest operating voltages, and to compare the midpoint and average voltages to determine whether the highest or lowest voltage string is responsible for causing a fault in the illumination system operation. Memory means are used to keep the said determined string turned off to prevent faulty operation.
US08963428B2
Disclosed herein are an LED lighting control apparatus and an LED lighting control system using the apparatus. The proposed system includes a wired lighting unit connected to LED lighting in a wired manner and configured to perform lighting control on LED lighting. A wireless lighting unit performs lighting control on the LED lighting via wireless communication with a wireless terminal and operates in conjunction with the wired lighting unit. A location communication unit allocates individual IDs of LED lighting and performs transmission/reception of data to/from an external terminal. A multi-sensor unit supports multiple sensors and analyzes sensor data collected from the multiple sensors. An active heat dissipation unit dissipates heat from the LED lighting based on analyzed sensor data. A processor control unit controls operations of the wired lighting unit, the wireless lighting unit, the location communication unit, the multi-sensor unit, and the active heat dissipation unit.
US08963420B2
An organic electro-luminescence display panel and a method for fabricating the same is described which can prevent the display panel from degrading. The organic electro-luminescence display panel includes a drive thin film transistor formed on a substrate, a first electrode connected to the drive thin film transistor, a bank insulating film having a bank hole formed therein for exposing the first electrode, organic common layers having a plurality of common layers stacked in the bank hole, and a second electrode formed on the organic common layers, wherein the plurality of organic common layers are have stacked positions different from one another such that their side edges form a stair shape on both sides.
US08963413B2
The invention relates to a sandwich structure (1) comprising a flexible Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED) (2), wherein the opposite outer surfaces (3, 4) of said OLED (2) consist of a glass material, and at least one layer (5, 6) provided on at least one of said outer surfaces (3, 4) of said OLED (2) and comprising an organic polymer material, wherein said layer (5, 6) comprising an organic polymer material and said outer surface (3, 4) consisting of glass are bonded to each other in a stacking manner by a bonding layer (7, 8).
US08963390B2
A spindle motor comprises a turntable, on which a disc is loaded, and a motor which rotates the turntable, wherein a top face plate of a magnetic body rotor case, which rotates united with a rotational shaft of the motor, serves as the turntable. A centering member that guides the inner edge of the disc so as to be concentric with the rotational shaft is disposed on the top face plate of the rotor case and a clamping magnet is disposed in a through-opening on the interior of the centering member and is in contact with the top face plate of the rotor case.
US08963389B2
Disclosed terminal housing connection structure for the motor is comprising: an insulator body; a terminal housing assembly unit protruding circumferentially and being combined with the insulator body integrally; a terminal housing having sliding hook combination with the terminal housing assembly unit, thus being capable of supplying a power to the motor; a fixing unit locking the position of terminal housing in the terminal housing assembly unit and comparting the coil unit of the insulator body with the terminal housing.
US08963383B2
In a stator section of an axial flux electric machine with liquid cooling system, a toroidal core having an inside cylindrical surface and an outside cylindrical surface coaxial with each other along a reference axis, is provided along its annular center line with a plurality of electrical conductor coils spaced from each other and each placed around the core and having a first, a second, a third and a fourth face. Each cooling duct section produces a movement of the liquid coolant from a first to a second base surface of the core and is located between faces of two consecutive coils. At least a face of each coil is adjacent to and in contact with at least one cooling duct section.
US08963368B2
Consistent with an example embodiment, a method of tracking a maximum power point (MPP) of a PV (photovoltaic) system comprises a circuit with a controller controlling a DC voltage-DC voltage converter for converting an output current of the PV system; the controller further comprises a memory. The method comprises measuring a first value of a PV system voltage at an initial MPP; storing said first value in said memory; periodically sampling a power output level of said PV system, and upon detecting a change in said power output level exceeding a first threshold, reading the first value from the memory; and adjusting a duty cycle of the DC voltage-DC voltage converter until the circuit voltage matches said first value; the method further comprising fine-tuning the duty cycle of the DC voltage-DC voltage converter to a further MPP following detecting a change in said power output level exceeding a first threshold.
US08963365B2
A multi-energy storage device system is provided that includes a first energy storage device (ESD) coupled to a direct current (DC) link. A bi-directional buck/boost converter includes an output channel coupled to the DC link and an input channel. A second ESD coupled to the input channel has a usable energy storage range defining an entire amount of usable energy storable therein. A database includes stored information related to a known acceleration event. A system controller is configured to acquire the stored information related to the known acceleration event and, during the known acceleration event, cause the buck/boost converter to boost the voltage of the second ESD and to supply the boosted voltage to the DC link such that after the known acceleration event, the state of charge of the second ESD is less than or substantially equal to a minimum usable energy storage state of charge.
US08963354B2
A power recovery system using the Rankine power cycle incorporating a two-phase liquid-vapor expander with an electric generator which further consists of a heat sink, a heat source, a working fluid to transport heat and pressure energy, a feed pump and a two-phase liquid-vapor expander for the working fluid mounted together with an electric generator on one rotating shaft, a first heat exchanger to transport heat from the working fluid to the heat sink, a second heat exchanger to transport heat from the heat source to the working fluid.
US08963351B2
When electric power exceeding output allowable power at an engine startup time is output from a power storage device, deviated from a predetermined period of time during which the output allowable power of the power storage device is switched, an ECU suppresses increase of the output allowable power for the next startup time of the engine. Specifically, the ECU modifies the output allowable power for the next startup time of the engine from a first value to a second value lower than the first value, based on a period of time before deviation is eliminated.
US08963350B1
A steam turbine driven electric power plant with an electric generator is switchable into an islanding mode wherein a main steam turbine is shut down and a lower capacity industrial steam turbine runs the electric generator instead, to supply house power to the plant while decoupled from the power grid. This avoids operating the main steam turbine and/or its steam source at reduced ratings for which they are not optimized and keeps the plant ready for restarting. The main steam turbine, the electric machine and the industrial steam turbine are mechanically engaged or disengaged through an SSS clutch, torque converter and transmission. In another mode, the electric generator is decoupled mechanically and operated as a mechanically unloaded synchronous motor coupled to the power grid, namely as a synchronous condenser wherein phased over- or under-excitation of the motor field windings supplies reactive power to the grid.
US08963338B2
One exemplary disclosed embodiment comprises a two-terminal stacked-die package including a diode, such as a silicon diode, stacked atop a III-nitride transistor, such that a cathode of the diode resides on and is electrically coupled to a source of the III-nitride transistor. A first terminal of the package is coupled to a drain of the III-nitride transistor, and a second terminal of the package is coupled to an anode of the diode. In this manner, devices such as cascoded rectifiers may be packaged in a stacked-die form, resulting in reduced parasitic inductance and resistance, improved thermal dissipation, smaller form factor, and lower manufacturing cost compared to conventional packages.
US08963335B2
A composite interposer can include a substrate element and a support element. The substrate element can have first and second opposite surfaces defining a thickness of 200 microns or less, and can have a plurality of contacts exposed at the first surface and electrically conductive structure extending through the thickness. The support element can have a body of at least one of dielectric or semiconductor material exposed at a second surface of the support element, openings extending through a thickness of the body, conductive vias extending within at least some of the openings in a direction of the thickness of the body, and terminals exposed at a first surface of the support element. The second surface of the support element can be united with the second surface of the substrate element. The terminals can be electrically connected with the contacts through the conductive vias and the electrically conductive structure.
US08963334B2
An embodiment is a structure comprising a substrate, a first die, and a second die. The substrate has a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface. The substrate has a through substrate via extending from the first surface towards the second surface. The first die is attached to the substrate, and the first die is coupled to the first surface of the substrate. The second die is attached to the substrate, and the second die is coupled to the first surface of the substrate. A first distance is between a first edge of the first die and a first edge of the second die, and the first distance is in a direction parallel to the first surface of the substrate. The first distance is equal to or less than 200 micrometers.
US08963326B2
A semiconductor device has a semiconductor wafer with a first conductive layer formed over a surface of the semiconductor wafer. A first insulating layer is formed over the surface of the semiconductor wafer and first conductive layer. A second conductive layer is formed over the first insulating layer and first conductive layer. A second insulating layer is formed over the first insulating layer and second conductive layer. A plurality of openings is formed in the second insulating layer in a bump formation area of the semiconductor wafer to expose the second conductive layer and reduce adverse effects of electro-migration. The openings are separated by portions of the second insulating layer. A UBM layer is formed over the openings in the second insulating layer in the bump formation area electrically connected to the second conductive layer. A bump is formed over the UBM layer.
US08963325B2
According to example embodiments of inventive concepts, a power device includes a semiconductor structure having a first surface facing a second surface, an upper electrode, and a lower electrode. The upper electrode may include a first contact layer that is on the first surface of the semiconductor structure, and a first bonding pad layer that is on the first contact layer and is formed of a metal containing nickel (Ni). The lower electrode may include a second contact layer that is under the second surface of the semiconductor structure, and a second bonding pad layer that is under the second contact layer and is formed of a metal containing Ni.
US08963318B2
A packaged semiconductor device includes a substrate including a first major surface, a second major surface, first vias running between the first major surface and the second major surface, first contact pads contacting the first vias at the first major surface, second contact pads contacting the first vias at the second major surface, and an opening between the first major surface and the second major surface. A first integrated circuit (IC) die is positioned in the opening in the substrate. Electrical connections are formed between the second IC die and the second contact pads. A first conductive layer is over the first contact pads and contact pads on the first IC die. Encapsulating material is on the second major surface of the substrate around the first IC die, the second IC die, the electrical connections, and between edges of the opening and edges of the first IC die.
US08963311B2
A PoP (package-on-package) package includes a bottom package coupled to a top package. Terminals on the top of the bottom package are coupled to terminals on the bottom of the top package with an electrically insulating material located between the upper surface of the bottom package and the lower surface of the top package. The bottom package and the top package are coupled during a process that applies force to bring the packages together while heating the packages.
US08963303B2
A device includes a first and second transistors integrated in first and second chips. Each chip has opposed rear and front surfaces, and further has a first conduction terminal and a control terminal on the front surface and a second conduction terminal on the rear surface. The first and second transistors are electrically connected in series by having the first conduction terminals of the first and second transistors be electrically connected. The device includes a common package enclosing the first and second chips, the common package having an insulating body with a mounting surface. A heat sink is also enclosed within the insulating body, the heat sink making electrical contact with the first conduction terminals of the first and second chips on the respective front surfaces, so that the first conduction terminals are electrically connected together through the heat sink.
US08963287B1
A high density deep trench MIM capacitor structure is provided wherein conductive-compressive-conformally applied layers of a semiconductor material, such as a Poly-SixGe1-x, are interleaved within MIM capacitor layers to counterbalance the tensile stresses created by such MIM capacitor layers. The interleaving of conductive-compressive-conformally applied material layers are adapted to counterbalance convex (upward) bowing of silicon wafers during the manufacturing process of high density deep trench MIM capacitor silicon devices to thereby help maximize production yields of such devices per wafer.
US08963284B2
A semiconductor device includes: an e-fuse gate, a floating pattern between the e-fuse gate and an e-fuse active portion, a blocking dielectric pattern between the floating pattern and the e-fuse gate, and an e-fuse dielectric layer between the floating pattern and the e-fuse active portion. The floating pattern includes a first portion between the e-fuse gate and the e-fuse active portion and a pair of second portions extended upward along both sidewalls of the e-fuse gate from both edges of the first portion.
US08963273B2
A method for forming a back-side illuminated image sensor, including the steps of: a) forming, from the front surface, doped polysilicon regions, of a conductivity type opposite to that of the substrate, extending in depth orthogonally to the front surface and emerging into the first layer; b) thinning the substrate from its rear surface to reach the polysilicon regions, while keeping a strip of the first layer; c) depositing, on the rear surface of the thinned substrate, a doped amorphous silicon layer, of a conductivity type opposite to that of the substrate; and d) annealing at a temperature capable of transforming the amorphous silicon layer into a crystallized layer.
US08963272B2
A photoelectric converter according to the present invention includes a substrate, a lower electrode layer arranged on the substrate, a compound semiconductor layer of a chalcopyrite structure arranged on the lower electrode layer to cover the lower electrode layer and partitioned into a plurality of pixels, a transparent electrode layer arranged on the compound semiconductor layer, and a shielding layer arranged around each of the pixels on the compound semiconductor layer.
US08963267B2
According to one embodiment, there is provided a solid-state imaging device including a first photoelectric conversion layer and a color filter. The color filter includes a multi-layer interference filter and a guided mode resonant grating. The guided mode resonant grating includes a plurality of diffraction gratings and a plurality of inter-grating regions. The plurality of diffraction gratings are formed of a material having a first index of refraction and periodically arrayed at least one-dimensionally. The plurality of inter-grating regions are arranged between at least the plurality of diffraction gratings. Each of the plurality of inter-grating regions includes an insulating film region and an air gap region. The insulating film region is formed of a material having a second index of refraction lower than the first index of refraction.
US08963265B1
A graphene based detector device can include a source, a drain, and a gate. The gate can incorporate a discharging element and a graphene sheet that is proximate to the discharging element. The graphene sheet for the transistor can have a decreasing width, from a maximum width w2 distal to the discharging element to a minimum width w1 proximate to the discharging element. An electric potential can be established across graphene sheet, to facilitate funneling of the electrons from the graphene sheet (which are caused by quanta of electromagnetic radiation) toward the discharging element. The devices can be formed in an array to establish an antenna that operates according to the quantum nature of light, as opposed to resonance (wavelength). Multiple graphene layers that are doped using different materials can be included. The multiple layer funnel electrons at specific frequencies, to create an operating frequency range for the device.
US08963263B2
The invention relates to measurement and control of mechanical values, in particular, to control of stress conditions of various structures and manufacturing sensors of resistant strain gauge type for measuring various mechanical values. It can be used in manufacturing sensors of deformation, force, pressure, movement, vibration etc. to increase accuracy in resistant strain gauge measuring at sensitivity preservation. The resistant strain gauge for deformation and pressure measuring represents a dielectric substrate with spread strain-sensing layer in state of polycrystalline film, which contains samarium sulfide, and metal contact pads. Pads are placed on the same side of a film and output signals are soldered to them. Strain-sensing layer comprises holes which connect the pads. According to the first option, strain-sensing layer has the following composition Sm1−xLnxS, where Ln is one from the elements: La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Lu, Y, at 0
US08963262B2
The disclosure is generally directed to fabrication steps, and operation principles for microelectromechanical (MEMS) transducers. In one embodiment, the disclosure relates to a texture morphing device. The texture morphing device includes: a plurality of supports arranged on a substrate to support a deformable mirror; an ITO layer; and a Distributed Bragg Reflector (DBR) layer. A pair of adjacent supports form a cavity with the ITO layer and the deformable mirror. When the height of the cavity changes responsive to an external pressure, the internal reflection within the cavity is changed. The change in the height of the cavity causes the exterior texture to morph. Similar principles are disclosed for constructing sensor and actuators.
US08963257B2
The disclosure relates to a Fin field effect transistor (FinFET). An exemplary structure for a FinFET comprises a substrate comprising a top surface; a first fin and a second fin extending above the substrate top surface, wherein each of the fins has a top surface and sidewalls; an insulation layer between the first and second fins extending part way up the fins from the substrate top surface; a first gate dielectric covering the top surface and sidewalls of the first fin having a first thickness and a second gate dielectric covering the top surface and sidewalls of the second fin having a second thickness less than the first thickness; and a conductive gate strip traversing over both the first gate dielectric and second gate dielectric.
US08963242B2
A power semiconductor device includes first to fifth electrodes, first to sixth semiconductor layers, and several first pillar layers. The first semiconductor layer is formed on the first electrode. The second semiconductor layer is formed on the first semiconductor layer. Several first pillar layers are arranged parallel with the second semiconductor layer. The third and fourth semiconductor layers are formed on the second semiconductor layer. The fourth electrode is formed on the first pillar layer adjacent to the third semiconductor layer. The fifth electrode is formed on the first pillar layer adjacent to the fourth semiconductor layer. The concentration of dopant of the first pillar layer positioning between the first pillar layer under the fourth electrode and the first pillar layer under the fifth electrode is lower than the concentration of dopant of the first pillar layer under the fourth electrode and the first pillar layer under the fifth electrode.
US08963232B2
According to one embodiment, a control gate is formed on the semiconductor substrate and includes a cylindrical through hole. A block insulating film, a charge storage film, a tunnel insulating film, and a semiconductor layer are formed on a side surface of the control gate inside the through hole. The tunnel insulating film comprises a first insulating film having SiO2 as a base material and containing an element that lowers a band gap of the base material by being added. A density and a density gradient of the element monotonously increase from the semiconductor layer toward the charge storage film.
US08963224B2
Provided is a semiconductor device including, on the same semiconductor substrate, a transistor element, a capacitor, and a resistor. The capacitor is formed on an active region, and the resistor is formed on an element isolation region, both formed of the same polysilicon film. By CMP or etch-back, the surface is ground down while planarizing the surface until a resistor has a desired thickness. Owing to a difference in height between the active region and the element isolation region, a thin resistor and a thick upper electrode of the capacitor are formed to prevent passing through of a contact.
US08963223B2
According to one embodiment, a scalable integrated MIM capacitor in a semiconductor die includes a high-k dielectric segment over a substrate and a metal segment over the high-k dielectric segment, where the metal segment forms a capacitor terminal of the integrated MIM capacitor. The capacitor further includes a filler laterally separating consecutive capacitor terminals, where the filler can be used as a capacitor dielectric of the integrated MIM capacitor. In one embodiment, the metal segment comprises a gate metal. In another embodiment, the integrated MIM capacitor is formed substantially concurrently with one or more transistors without requiring additional fabrication process steps.
US08963221B2
In aspects of the invention, a strongly correlated nonvolatile memory element is provided which exhibits phase transitions and nonvolatile switching functions through electrical means. In an aspect of the invention, a strongly correlated nonvolatile memory element is provided including, on a substrate, a channel layer, a gate electrode, a gate insulator, a source electrode, and a drain electrode. The channel layer includes a strongly correlated oxide thin film, and is formed of a perovskite type manganite which exhibits a charge-ordered phase or an orbital-ordered phase; the gate insulator is formed in contact with at least a portion of a surface or interface of the channel layer and is sandwiched between the channel layer and the gate electrode, and the source electrode and drain electrode are formed in contact with at least a portion of the channel layer.
US08963220B2
In some embodiments, a gate structure with a spacer on its side may be used as a mask o form self-aligned trenches in microelectronic memory, such as a flash memory. A first portion of the gate structure may be used to form the mask, together with sidewall spacers, in some embodiments. Then, after forming the shallow trench isolations, a second portion of the gate structure may be added to form a mushroom shaped gate structure.
US08963204B2
According to one embodiment, a semiconductor device includes a first nitride semiconductor layer, a second nitride semiconductor layer, a third nitride semiconductor layer, an insulating film, an ohmic electrode, and a Schottky electrode. A surface region of the third nitride semiconductor layer between the ohmic electrode and the Schottky electrode contains an element heterogeneous with the constituent element of the third nitride semiconductor layer at a higher concentration than a region of the third nitride semiconductor layer of the second nitride semiconductor layer side.
US08963196B2
Disclosed herein is a slim LED package. The slim LED package includes first and second lead frames separated from each other, a chip mounting recess formed on one upper surface region of the first lead frame by reducing a thickness of the one upper surface region below other upper surface regions of the first lead frame, an LED chip mounted on a bottom surface of the chip mounting recess and connected with the second lead frame via a bonding wire, and a transparent encapsulation material protecting the LED chip while supporting the first and second lead frames.
US08963192B2
According to one embodiment, a semiconductor light emitting device having a base, a mounting material and a chip of a semiconductor light emitting element is provided. The mounting material is provided on the base. The chip of the semiconductor light emitting element is fixed onto the base via the mounting material. The chip of the semiconductor light emitting element is provided with a sapphire substrate, an active region, a light shielding portion and anode and cathode electrodes for supplying an electric power to the active region. The active region is provided on the sapphire substrate and has a light emitting layer for emitting light by supplying electric power. The light shielding portion is formed on the sapphire substrate on the side of the mounting material. The light shielding portion prevents the mounting material from being irradiated with the light produced in the light emitting layer.
US08963191B2
The light emitting device package includes a body provided with a cavity, a first lead frame mounted on the body, a second lead frame mounted on the body and separated from the first lead frame, and a light emitting device mounted in the cavity and disposed between the first lead frame and the second lead frame, the light emitting device is formed by sequentially stacking a first conductivity-type semiconductor layer, an active layer and a second conductivity-type semiconductor layer, the sequentially stacking direction of the first conductivity-type semiconductor layer, the active layer and the second conductivity-type semiconductor layer is parallel with the bottom surface of the cavity, the first lead frame includes a first connection part electrically connected to the first conductivity-type semiconductor layer, and the second lead frame includes a second connection part electrically connected to the second conductivity-type semiconductor layer.
US08963189B2
According to one embodiment, a semiconductor light emitting device includes a semiconductor layer, a first electrode, a second electrode, a first insulating layer, a first interconnect layer, a second interconnect layer, a first metal pillar, a second metal pillar and a second insulating layer. The semiconductor layer includes a first major surface, a second major surface opposite to the first major surface and a light emitting layer. An edge of a part of the first interconnect layer is exposed laterally from the first insulating layer and the second insulating layer.
US08963186B2
A semiconductor light-emitting element includes a semiconductor layer including a light-emitting layer, and an upper reflective surface and a lower reflective surface between which the semiconductor layer is interposed. A distance L between the upper reflective surface and the lower reflective surface satisfies 0.20λ+0.5aλ≦L≦0.30λ+0.5aλ, where λ denotes a peak wavelength of light emitted from the light-emitting layer within the semiconductor layer, and a denotes an arbitrary positive integer.
US08963180B2
The present invention relates to an epoxy resin composition for an optical semiconductor device having an optical semiconductor element mounting region and having a reflector that surrounds at least a part of the region, the epoxy resin composition being an epoxy resin composition for forming the reflector, the epoxy resin composition including the following ingredients (A) to (E): (A) an epoxy resin; (B) a curing agent; (C) a white pigment; (D) an inorganic filler; and (E) a specific release agent.
US08963179B2
Disclosed are a light emitting device and a light emitting device package. The light emitting device includes a first electrode, a light emitting structure including a first semiconductor layer, an active layer, and a second semiconductor layer on the first electrode, a nano-tube layer including a plurality of carbon nano tubes on the light emitting structure, and a second electrode on the light emitting structure.
US08963178B2
Exemplary embodiments of the present invention disclose a light emitting diode chip including a substrate having a first surface and a second surface, a light emitting structure arranged on the first surface of the substrate and including an active layer arranged between a first conductive-type semiconductor layer and a second conductive-type semiconductor layer, a distributed Bragg reflector arranged on the second surface of the substrate, the distributed Bragg reflector to reflect light emitted from the light emitting structure, and a metal layer arranged on the distributed Bragg reflector, wherein the distributed Bragg reflector has a reflectivity of at least 90% for light of a first wavelength in a blue wavelength range, light of a second wavelength in a green wavelength range, and light of a third wavelength in a red wavelength range.
US08963170B2
An organic light emitting device includes a first electrode and a second electrode, an organic layer including a light emitting layer between the first electrode and the second electrode, and an insulating film covering a rim of the first electrode from a surface thereof to a side surface thereof, and having an internal wall surface being in contact with the organic layer, and one or more corner sections in the internal wall surface with a ridge line thereof in parallel with the surface of the first electrode.
US08963168B1
Many thousands of micro-LEDs (e.g., 25 microns per side) are deposited on a substrate. Some of the LEDs are formed to emit a peak wavelength of 450 nm (blue), and some are formed to emit a peak wavelength of 490 nm (cyan). A YAG (yellow) phosphor is then deposited on the LEDs, or a remote YAG layer is used. YAG phosphor is most efficiently excited at 450 nm and has a very weak emission at 490 nm. The two types of LEDs are GaN based and can be driven at the same current. The ratio of the two types of LEDs is controlled to achieve the desired overall color emission of the LED lamp. The blue LEDs optimally excite the YAG phosphor to produce white light having blue and yellow components, and the cyan LEDs broaden the emission spectrum to increase the CRI of the lamp while improving luminous efficiency. Other embodiments are described.
US08963165B2
A nitride semiconductor structure in which a first nitride semiconductor underlying layer is provided on a substrate having a recess portion and a projection portion provided between the recess portions at a surface thereof, the first nitride semiconductor underlying layer has at least 6 first oblique facet planes surrounding the projection portion on an outer side of the projection portion, and a second nitride semiconductor underlying layer buries the first oblique facet planes, a nitride semiconductor light emitting element, a nitride semiconductor transistor element, a method of manufacturing a nitride semiconductor structure, and a method of manufacturing a nitride semiconductor element are provided.
US08963148B2
Provided is a semiconductor device having a structure which can suppress a decrease in electrical characteristics, which becomes more significant with miniaturization. The semiconductor device includes a plurality of gate electrode layers separated from each other. One of the plurality of gate electrode layers includes a region which overlaps with a part of an oxide semiconductor layer, a part of a source electrode layer, and a part of a drain electrode layer. Another of the plurality of gate electrode layers overlaps with a part of an end portion of the oxide semiconductor layer. The length in the channel width direction of each of the source electrode layer and the drain electrode layer is shorter than that of the one of the plurality of gate electrode layers.
US08963129B2
A transparent organic light emitting display device having a uniform transmittance of external light and having uniformly formed transmissive windows in pixels. The device includes a substrate; pixels formed on the substrate, each of the pixels comprising: at least one light emitting region for emitting light; at least one transmissive region for transmitting external light; and at least one circuit region comprising a pixel circuit unit; an insulating layer covering the pixel circuit unit; pixel electrodes formed on the insulating layer in the light emitting region and the transmissive region of each pixel, and electrically connected to the pixel circuit unit; an organic layer formed on the pixel electrodes; and a facing electrode formed on the organic layer, integrally formed over all of the pixels, and having transmissive windows, wherein each of the transmissive windows corresponds to the transmissive region of each of the pixels.
US08963125B2
Provided is an LED device which is capable of reducing the emission size without changing the size of an LED and is capable of switching the emission size arbitrarily. The LED device includes, on a substrate, a carrier control layer, a lower current confinement layer, an active layer, and an upper current confinement layer. A p-type electrode is provided on the upper current confinement layer. Two n-type electrodes are arranged on the carrier control layer so as to dispose the p-type electrode between the two n-type electrodes in an in-plane direction of the substrate.
US08963123B2
A light-emitting diode includes a substrate, a stacked semiconductor structure on one side of the substrate, and a reflection layer on the other side of the substrate opposite to the stacked semiconductor structure. At least one contact electrode is disposed on the stacked semiconductor structure. The contact electrode includes a pad electrode and at least one finger electrode extending from the pad electrode. A light-guiding structure is disposed along the finger electrode.
US08963121B2
Solid-state transducers (“SSTs”) and vertical high voltage SSTs having buried contacts are disclosed herein. An SST die in accordance with a particular embodiment can include a transducer structure having a first semiconductor material at a first side of the transducer structure, and a second semiconductor material at a second side of the transducer structure. The SST can further include a plurality of first contacts at the first side and electrically coupled to the first semiconductor material, and a plurality of second contacts extending from the first side to the second semiconductor material and electrically coupled to the second semiconductor material. An interconnect can be formed between at least one first contact and one second contact. The interconnects can be covered with a plurality of package materials.
US08963119B2
A semiconductor nanocrystal including a core including ZnSe, ZnTe, ZnS, ZnO, or a combination comprising at least one of the foregoing, wherein the core has a diameter of about 2 nanometers to about 5 nanometers and an emitted light wavelength of about 405 nanometers to about 530 nanometers; and a first layer disposed on the core, the first layer including a Group III-V semiconductor, wherein the semiconductor nanocrystal has a full width at half maximum of an emitted light wavelength of less than or equal to about 60 nanometers.
US08963113B2
An optoelectronic sensor for recognizing object edges of objects moved relative to the sensor, has a light transmission device with at least one light transmitter, in particular at least two light transmitters, for generating a respective collimated or focused transmitted light beam. The sensor has at least two light receivers for imaging a light spot produced by the respective transmitted light beam on an object, wherein the two light receivers are arranged on two mutually opposite sides of the light transmission device, and has an evaluation unit which is designed to compare the two reception intensities of the two images of the respective light spot taken by the two light receivers with one another and to evaluate the result of the respective comparison to recognize an object edge.
US08963112B1
The invention comprises a patient positioning and/or repositioning system, such as a laying, semi-vertical, or seated patient positioning, alignment, and/or control method and apparatus used in conjunction with multi-axis charged particle radiation therapy. Patient positioning constraints optionally include one or more of: a seat support, a back support, a head support, an arm support, a knee support, and a foot support. One or more of the positioning constraints are preferably movable and/or under computer control for rapid positioning, repositioning, and/or immobilization of the patient. The system optionally uses an X-ray beam that lies in substantially the same path as a proton beam path of a particle beam cancer therapy system. The generated image is usable for: fine tuning body alignment relative to the proton beam path, to control the charged particle beam path to accurately and precisely target the tumor, and/or in system verification and validation.
US08963111B2
The present invention relates to a method for obtaining a shielding element for minimizing the penumbra of a beam of hadrons outside a target area, the hadron beam being guided in a longitudinal direction by an irradiation unit, and the beam having a width (σ). The method includes: (i) defining a closed or open contour of said target area; (ii) providing a block having a longitudinal thickness capable of blocking the passage of said beam and having a lateral surface perpendicular to said longitudinal thickness; (iii) forming an aperture of a shape similar to said contour and crossing said longitudinal thickness of said block for letting through said beam, said aperture forming a longitudinal internal surface; and (iv) trimming said block so as to form a longitudinal external surface around said longitudinal internals surface, said longitudinal internal and longitudinal external surfaces delimiting a side wall.
US08963108B2
A gantry apparatus for a proton treatment system, including a proton beam nozzle to emit a proton beam to a targeted region of a patient, a gantry wheel to support the proton beam nozzle to direct the proton beam to an isocenter of the gantry wheel corresponding to a center of the targeted region, a plurality of adjustable bearings incrementally spaced apart along an outer diametrical surface of the gantry wheel, and a bearing surface to support a portion of the adjustable bearings such that when the wheel is rotated from a first angular position to a second angular position, at least a portion of the bearings contact the bearing surface to raise or lower the gantry wheel to realign the proton beam to the center of the targeted region.
US08963101B2
The present invention is directed to a method and device to desorb an analyte using heat to allow desorption of the analyte molecules, where the desorbed analyte molecules are ionized with ambient temperature ionizing species. In various embodiments of the invention a current is passed through a mesh upon which the analyte molecules are present. The current heats the mesh and results in desorption of the analyte molecules which then interact with gas phase metastable neutral molecules or atoms to form analyte ions characteristic of the analyte molecules.
US08963094B2
The present invention provides a gamma-neutron detector based on mixtures of thermal neutron absorbers that produce heavy-particle emission following thermal capture. In one configuration, B-10 based detector is used in a parallel electrode plate geometry that integrates neutron moderating sheets, such as polyethylene, on the back of the electrode plates to thermalize the neutrons and then detect them with high efficiency. The moderator can also be replaced with plastic scintillator sheets viewed with a large area photomultiplier tube to detect gamma-rays as well. The detector can be used in several scanning configurations including portal, drive-through, drive-by, handheld and backpack, etc.
US08963093B2
Some embodiments can comprise a tomographic imaging data acquisition method(s) and/or systems embodying the method(s). Some methods according to embodiments of the invention include simultaneously reading each photoconverter of a scintillation detector; reading the photoconverters at a frequency sufficient to obtain a plurality of digital sample measurements of a scintillation wave front; and recording the data read from each of the plurality of photoconverters as a function of time.
US08963090B2
Provided is a compact terahertz-wave generating apparatus that generates terahertz waves at high output and high efficiency. A terahertz-wave generating apparatus includes an electromagnetic-wave resonator including a hollow fiber in which an electromagnetic-wave gain medium is disposed, the electromagnetic-wave gain medium generating terahertz waves when exciting energy is supplied thereto, wherein the terahertz waves are amplified in the electromagnetic-wave resonator and are taken from the electromagnetic-wave resonator, wherein the diameter of the hollow fiber is set at one or more times and ten times or less as large as the inside diameter of the hollow fiber, in which the electromagnetic-wave gain medium is disposed, at which a cutoff frequency in a terahertz-wave propagation mode TE11 is provided.
US08963089B2
A device for detecting a drug remaining in a target area that includes an irradiation unit configured to irradiate the area with a light beam including near-infrared light, a spectroscope on which reflected light from the area is incident, and a near-infrared imaging unit configured to capture a spectrum obtained through dispersion of the reflected light by the spectroscope, to generate image data, and to capture each spectrum of a predetermined number of pixels within the area. A control unit is configured to process the image data, to compute average spectral data of the area by averaging the spectrums of the pixels, and to compute an amount of the drug corresponding to the average spectral data, based on an equation. A storage unit is configured to store an equation expressing a relationship between a prescribed amount of a drug and spectral data based on the spectrum.
US08963087B2
An infrared light sensor for an infrared light detector (1), including a substrate membrane section (2) and at least two sensor chips (7 to 10), which are fastened next to each other on the substrate membrane section (2) and each comprise a layer element (11) which is produced from pyroelectrically sensitive material and is electrically contacted by a base electrode (12) and a head electrode (13) and is arranged in such that there is a voltage difference in each case between the head electrode (13) and the base electrode (12) of each layer element (11) when the layer elements (11) are irradiated with infrared light; and a coupling line (14 to 16) in each case for two adjacently arranged sensor chips (7 to 10), the coupling line coupling the head electrode (13) of the one sensor chip (7 to 9) and the base electrode (12) of the other sensor chip (8 to 10) to each other in an electrically conductive manner so that the layer elements (11) of the sensor chips (7 to 10) are connected in a series circuit, which has one of the base electrodes (17) at one end thereof and one of the head electrodes (18) at the other end thereof, at which a total voltage difference of the series circuit can be tapped as the sum of the individual voltage differences of the layer elements (11).
US08963085B2
A method of obtaining PINEM images includes providing femtosecond optical pulse, generating electron pulses, and directing the electron pulses towards a sample. The method also includes overlapping the femtosecond optical pulses and the electron pulses spatially and temporally at the sample and transferring energy from the femtosecond optical pulses to the electron pulses. The method further includes detecting electron pulses having an energy greater than a zero loss value, providing imaging in space and time.
US08963083B2
A secondary charged particle detection device for detection of a signal beam is described. The device includes a detector arrangement having at least two detection elements with active detection areas, wherein the active detection areas are separated by a gap (G), a particle optics configured for separating the signal beam into a first portion of the signal beam and into at least one second portion of the signal beam, and configured for focusing the first portion of the signal beam and the at least one second portion of the signal beam. The particle optics includes an aperture plate and at least a first inner aperture openings in the aperture plate, and at least one second radially outer aperture opening in the aperture plate, wherein the first aperture opening has a concave shaped portion, particularly wherein the first aperture opening has a pincushion shape.
US08963079B2
The invention generally relates to systems and methods for transferring ions for analysis. In certain embodiments, the invention provides a system for analyzing a sample including an ionizing source for converting molecules of a sample into gas phase ions in a region at about atmospheric pressure, an ion analysis device, and an ion transfer member operably coupled to a gas flow generating device, in which the gas flow generating device produces a laminar gas flow that transfers the gas phase ions through the ion transfer member to an inlet of the ion analysis device.
US08963074B2
A method of operating a gas-filled collision cell in a mass spectrometer is provided. The collision cell has a longitudinal axis. Ions are caused to enter the collision cell. A trapping field is generated within the collision cell so as to trap the ions within a trapping volume of the collision cell, the trapping volume being defined by the trapping field and extending along the longitudinal axis. Trapped ions are processed in the collision cell and a DC potential gradient is provided, using an electrode arrangement, resulting in a non-zero electric field at all points along the axial length of the trapping volume so as to cause processed ions to exit the collision cell. The electric field along the axial length of the trapping volume has a standard deviation that is no greater than its mean value.
US08963067B2
An image sensor includes a plurality of pixels, wherein each of the pixels includes a storage unit configured to electrically connect with a floating diffusion region and store photocharges therein, and a selector configured to selectively connect and disconnect the storage unit to and from the floating diffusion region in accordance with selection signals. The storage unit includes a capacitive element electrically connected to the floating diffusion region. The selector includes a switching element for selecting the pixel for connection to the floating diffusion region. The switching element is operated by the selection signals to selectively drive the capacitive element.
US08963063B2
A pixel array including circuitry for combining charges accumulated by individual pixels in the array enables addition and/or subtraction of individual pixel values, prior to their digitization, in the pixel array.
US08963062B2
A photo detection device, which is disposed in a vehicle, includes a first photo detection element that detects light and a first signal processing unit that performs a predetermined process based on a detection result of the first photo detection element. The photo detection device also includes a first board on which the first photo detection element is mounted and a second board on which the first signal processing unit is mounted. Additionally, the photo detection device includes a holding member that holds the first board and the second board and a housing that accommodates the holding member. The holding member holds the first board and the second board such that the second board is arranged in a second plane different from a first plane in which the first board is arranged.
US08963061B2
A microwave heating construct has a platform including microwave energy interactive material and a plurality of venting features. The venting features include a plurality of tabs that are urged out of the plane of the platform to define an aperture. The tabs are disposed beneath the platform to define a void in communication with the aperture.
US08963042B2
Aluminum alloy workpieces and/or magnesium alloy workpieces are joined in a solid state weld by use of a reactive material placed, in a suitable form, at the joining surfaces. Joining surfaces of the workpieces are pressed against the interposed reactive material and heated. The reactive material alloys or reacts with the workpiece surfaces consuming some of the surface material in forming a reaction product comprising a low melting liquid that removes oxide films and other surface impediments to a welded bond across the interface. Further pressure is applied to expel the reaction product and to join the workpiece surfaces in a solid state weld bond.
US08963037B2
In a vacuum circuit breaker corresponding to three-phase, which is configured by linearly arranging three pressure tanks respectively corresponding to one-phase, in which insulation gas is encapsulated, and a vacuum valve is installed, each pressure tank has a nearly longitudinal shape or a nearly square shape, viewed from a plane surface, and the vacuum valve is arranged in each of the pressure tanks in a state where a drive direction of the movable conductor is aligned with an upper lower direction, and the movable conductor is positioned lower than the vacuum valve, and keeps a sufficient insulation distance with respect to the movable-side connection conductor, and is neared to a position in one of diagonal directions or longitudinal directions of the pressure tank having a nearly square shape or nearly ellipsoidal shape, and moreover, the operation mechanism is arranged and configured at a position, which is lower than the vacuum valve.
US08963034B2
A keyswitch structure includes a bottom board, a circuit board disposed on the bottom board, a resilient member, a key cap and two supporting members. The bottom board is formed with two first holes spaced apart from each other. The key cap is located over the bottom board, and includes two pivoting portions that are spaced apart from each other. Each supporting member has an end pivoted to a respective one of the pivoting portions of the key cap, and an opposite end pivoted to the bottom board. When the key cap is moved toward the bottom board and presses the resilient member, each of the supporting members engages at least partly a corresponding one of the first holes, and the resilient member triggers the circuit board so as to generate a corresponding signal.
US08963029B2
A conductor assembly is provided for an electrical switching apparatus, such as a circuit breaker. The circuit breaker includes a housing having an interior and an exterior. The conductor assembly includes a first conductor member, a second conductor member, and a plurality of fasteners, such as rivets, mechanically fastening and electrically connecting the first conductor member to the second conductor member. The first conductor member is made from a first material, such as copper, and the second conductor member is made from a second different material, such as aluminum.
US08963022B2
A panel for an electromagnetic shield includes a light-weight, porous, electrically-conductive, fluid-permeable planar core layer defined between generally parallel first and second surfaces and a first face sheet laminated to the first surface of the core layer with rigidity properties superior to the rigidity properties of the core layer. The thickness of the first face sheet is substantially less than the thickness of the core layer. The core layer is made of metallic foam or a metal coating on an electrically-nonconductive, porous, nonmetallic substrate chosen from among nonwoven fibrous matting, paper, and open-cell nonmetallic foam. Also, the core layer may also may be made up of liberated branching metal nanostrands or a plurality of electrically-coupled, electrically-conductive particles, each taking the from of an electrically-nonconductive, nonmetallic substrate with a metal coating. The first face sheet includes a cured layer of resin and, distributed throughout the resin, electrically-conductive elements selected from among liberated branched metal nanostrands, metal wires, and metal meshes, in addition to fibers, woven fabric, nonwoven matting, or paper that are metal-coated.
US08963019B2
A circuit board and a manufacturing method thereof are provided. According to the method, a dielectric layer is formed on a dielectric substrate, and the dielectric layer contains active particles. A surface treatment is performed on a surface of the dielectric first conductive layer is formed on the activated surface of the dielectric layer. A conductive via is formed in the dielectric substrate and the dielectric layer. A patterned mask layer is formed on the first conductive layer, in which the patterned mask layer exposes the conductive via and a part of the first conductive layer. A second conductive layer is formed on the first conductive layer and conductive via exposed by the patterned mask layer. The patterned mask layer and the first conductive layer below the patterned mask layer are removed.
US08962994B2
A photovoltaic device is disclosed. The photovoltaic device includes a substrate, an anode, a cathode, two semiconducting layers, and an electron transporting layer. The first semiconducting layer comprises a first metallophthalocyanine. The second semiconducting layer includes a blend of a second metallophthalocyanine with an electron acceptor. The second semiconducting layer is located between the first semiconducting layer and the electron transporting layer. The first and second metallophthalocyanines have different valences. The complementary absorption profiles of these layers result in a device having greater absorption and efficiency than expected, without the need for a recombination layer or the need to match current between layers.
US08962988B2
A device containing a solar cell is provided in the form of a stacked package that has a planar arrangement of conductive laminates at or below the surface of a heat sink. The planar alignment allows placement of electrical connections below the surface of the heat sink and reduces the vertical profile of the device, making it easier to be hermetically sealed. In specific embodiments the solar cell substrate is embedded within the heat sink during the manufacturing phase, eliminating the need for a thermally conductive substrate between the solar cell and the heat sink.
US08962956B2
A musical instrument neck stiffener includes a beam fabricated by embedding uni-directional material only at the upper and lower portions of the beam, and constrained by braid or bias weave material. In a preferred embodiment, the uni-directional layers are preferably made from carbon fiber tow, cloth, or pultruded carbon fiber and the braid or bias weave material is made of carbon fibers. To reduce weight, the middle section of the beam is preferably hollow. An angle neck stiffener includes a hollow tube connected to a cradle, which is bonded within an instrument neck. The angle neck stiffener bridges the connection between the instrument neck and a preferably D-shaped neck stiffener.
US08962953B2
According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the corn variety designated CV102577. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CV102577, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CV102577 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to corn seeds and plants produced by crossing plants of variety CV102577 with plants of another variety, such as another inbred line. The invention further relates to the inbred and hybrid genetic complements of plants of variety CV102577.
US08962944B2
The invention provides seed and plants of pepper hybrid PS 16376104 and the parent lines thereof. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of pepper hybrid PS 16376104 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.
US08962933B2
The invention relates to the soybean variety designated A1037459. Provided by the invention are the seeds, plants and derivatives of the soybean variety A1037459. Also provided by the invention are tissue cultures of the soybean variety A1037459 and the plants regenerated therefrom. Still further provided by the invention are methods for producing soybean plants by crossing the soybean variety A1037459 with itself or another soybean variety and plants produced by such methods.
US08962931B2
The present invention relates to Cucumis melo plants that are resistant against Cucumber Vein Yellowing Virus (CVYV), and to plant parts derived thereof without the occurrence of necrotic symptoms. The invention further relates to methods of producing said plants, to CVYV-resistant plants obtainable by said methods, as well as to plant parts derived from said CVYV-resistant plants. Specifically, the present invention relates to a plant of the species Cucumis melo, comprising in its genome a genetic element, said genetic element comprising a Cucumber Vein Yellowing Virus (CVYV)-resistance conferring Quantitative Trait Locus (QTL), or a CVYV-resistance conferring part thereof, genetically linked to at least one molecular marker, wherein said marker is selected from a group consisting of E13/M48-259.69-P2, E16/M48-377.36-P2, E13/M48-261.30-P2 and E26/M62-076.8-P2.
US08962926B2
The invention provides seed and plants of the pea line designated EX 08570957. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of pea line EX 08570957, and to methods for producing a pea plant produced by crossing a plant of pea line EX 08570957 with itself or with another pea plant, such as a plant of another line. The invention further relates to seeds and plants produced by such crossing. The invention further relates to parts of a plant of pea line EX 08570957, including the seed, pod, and gametes of such plants.
US08962925B2
A Δ5 fatty acid desaturase gene, a Δ6 fatty acid desaturase gene, and a Δ6 fatty-acid-chain elongase gene are isolated from a single species of Marchantiales. By introducing these genes into higher plants, transformed plants which can produce arachidonic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) are obtained.
US08962918B2
The present invention provides isolated polynucleotide sequences encoding α-mannosidase. The present invention further provides DNA constructs comprising the polynucleotide sequence coding for α-mannosidase in sense or anti-sense orientation, RNAi constructs, recombinant vectors comprising the constructs, and host cells comprising the recombinant vector. The present invention further provides transgenic plants, plant cells, transgenic progeny and seeds expressing the polynucleotide with reduced α-mannosidase protein accumulation, having enhanced fruit shelf life.
US08962910B2
A process for the preparation of superabsorbent polymer containing clay, the process including the steps of (I) polymerizing a polymerization mixture comprising: (a) one or more ethylenically unsaturated carboxyl-containing monomers, (b) one or more crosslinking agents, (c) optionally one or more comonomers copolymerizable with the carboxyl-containing monomer, (d) neutralizing agent to partially neutralize the polymer to from about 50% to about 99%, by weight, and (e) a polymerization medium, to form a crosslinked partially neutralized hydrogel, (II) admixing a clay with the crosslinked partially neutralized hydrogel to form partially neutralized superabsorbent polymer-clay hydrogel; (III) drying the crosslinked partially neutralized hydrogel at a temperature from about 190° C. to about 210° C. and for a time period of from about 15 minutes to about 120 minutes, and (IV) comminuting the dried partially neutralized superabsorbent polymer-clay hydrogel to particles.
US08962900B2
This invention relates to a method of producing aromatics and light paraffins from hydrocarbonaceous oils derived from oil, coal or wood, including partially saturating and hydrocracking the oils derived from oil in a hydrogenation and reaction area, separating them depending on the number of carbons, recirculating heavy oils having 11 or more carbons to the hydrogenation and reaction area, feeding oils suitable for producing BTX to an aromatic separation process and a transalkylation process to recover aromatics, and feeding hydrocarbonaceous components having 5 or fewer carbons to a light separation process, thus obtaining light paraffins.
US08962894B2
Disclosed are processes for preparing 1,6-hexanediol and synthetic intermediates useful in the production of 1,6-hexanediol from renewable biosources. In one embodiment, a process comprises contacting levoglucosenone with hydrogen in the presence of a first hydrogenation catalyst at a first temperature to form product mixture (I); and heating product mixture (I) in the presence of hydrogen and a second hydrogenation catalyst at a second temperature to form product mixture (II) which comprises 1,6-hexanediol.
US08962893B2
Methods of purifying crude cyclopentadienyl magnesium compounds using a scavenging agent are provided. The purified cyclopentadienyl magnesium compounds have very low levels of metallic impurities.
US08962891B2
The present invention provides new ceramide analogs indicated as the compounds of formula (II). These novel analogs exhibit a significant anti cancerous effect and are therefore provided as a pharmaceutical composition for treating cell proliferative diseases, neurodegenerative disorders, metabolism-associated conditions, infectious diseases, and immune-related disorders. The invention further provides combined compositions and kits combining the novel ceramide analogs of formula (II) with an additional therapeutic agent.
US08962889B2
The invention relates to a method of producing optically active β-aminoaldehyde compound (3) by reacting imine compound (1-1) or sulfone compound (1-2) with aldehyde compound (2) in the presence of an optically active pyrrolidine compound. wherein each symbol is as defined in the specification.
US08962882B2
This invention concerns a process for obtaining lactic acid in a single stage by direct oxidation in an aqueous medium of 1,2-propanediol in the presence of a mixture of heterogeneous catalysts, in conditions of low temperature and low pressure. The reaction takes place in the presence of oxygen and a mixture of heterogeneous catalysts, consisting of a first catalyst of noble metal supported in metallic oxide, and a second basic solid catalyst. The mixture of catalysts is easily recovered by filtration at the end of the process, to be reused. The lactic acid is obtained directly, with selectivity between 50% and 97%.
US08962879B2
A compound of formula (I) wherein Rf is —CF3, —C2F5, —CF2CFXCF3; X to —F, or —OC3F7; Y is —H, —Cl, or —Br; R is —O—C(O)—R1, —(CH2)nO—C(O)—R1, —(OCH2CH2)mOC(O)—R1; —(CH2)n(OCH2CH2)mO—R1; n is 1 to 10; m is 1 to 10; R1 is —C(R3)═CH2; R3 is H or CH3; a is 1 to 5; and b is 1 to 5.
US08962877B2
The invention pertains to a process for the preparation of organohalosilanes. The process comprises contacting a first finely-divided silicon comprising from 0.08 to 0.25% (w/w) of aluminum with an organohalide in a reactor at a temperature of from 250 to 350° C. in the presence of a Direct Process catalyst comprising copper, and a promotor; and introducing a second finely-divided silicon into the reactor comprising from 0.001 to <0.10% (w/w) of aluminum into the reactor as needed in an amount sufficient to maintain an aluminum concentration of from 0.08 to 0.2% (w/w), based on a weight of unreacted silicon and aluminum.
US08962874B2
The present invention relates to an improved process for fractionating triglyceride oil. The process according to the present invention attains a reproducible crystallization by introducing a controlled temperature profile and ensuing crystal development that reduce the amount of entrapped olein inside the crystals or crystal aggregates. The process of the present invention may be used to fractionate vegetable oils such as palm oil or its blends with other palm oil products or edible vegetable oils.
US08962870B2
Provided herein are compounds, compositions containing the compounds, and methods for the treatment of cancer in a cancer patient. In particular, the compounds are made by a process comprising treating a first compound represented by either Formula G′ or Formula M′: with a second compound of generalized formula R8R9C(OCH3)2 and an acid selected from the group consisting of camphor sulfonic acid (CSA), p-toluene sulfonic acid (PTSA), hydrochloric acid (HCl) and acetic acid (AcOH), wherein R1 and R2 are each selected from H, an alkyl group, an olefinic group, an aromatic group, an O-alkyl group, an O-olefinic group, or an O-aromatic group; R7 is an alkyl group, an olefinic group, or an aromatic group; P1 is a hydroxyl protecting group; P5 is H or an acid labile protecting group at the 7-O position; R8 is H, alkyl group, olefinic or aromatic group; and R9 is: H, alkyl group, olefinic or aromatic or is as defined in the specification.
US08962869B2
The invention relates to a method for synthesizing benzofuran derivatives, in particular the dronedarone of formula (D), including carrying out a Fries rearrangement reaction using a sulfonamido-benzofuran ester intermediate.
US08962868B2
Since a compound represented by the general formula (I) (wherein definition of each group is as described in the specification), a salt thereof, a solvate thereof, or a prodrug thereof has strong and sustaining intraocular pressure lowering activity and, further, has no side effect on eyes such as ocular stimulating property (hyperemia, corneal clouding etc.), aqueous humor protein rise etc., it has high safety, and can be an excellent agent for preventing and/or treating glaucoma etc.
US08962856B2
The present invention relates to modulators of cystic fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator (“CFTR”), compositions thereof, and methods therewith. The present invention also relates to methods of treating CFTR mediated diseases using such modulators.
US08962849B2
There are provided a nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compound such as a substituted amino-pyridine-N-oxide compound represented by formula (1), which is useful as a synthetic intermediate for an agrochemical and the like; and a method for producing the nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compound. (In formula (1), R1 and R2 each represents a hydrogen atom or an unsubstituted or substituted alkyl group; R3 represents a hydrogen atom, an unsubstituted or substituted alkylcarbonyl group or the like; R4 represents an unsubstituted or substituted alkylcarbonyl group, an unsubstituted or substituted arylcarbonyl group or the like; A represents a hydroxyl group, a thiol group or the like; m represents any one of integers of 1 to 4; k represents any one of integers of 0 to 3; and k+m≦4.).
US08962838B2
The invention relates to platinum complexes and their use in biomedical applications, like in vitro and in vivo imaging and cell staining. The present invention provides new materials and their use as imaging agent. The formation of luminescent aggregates can allow a switch of the emission leading to a dynamic label and on the formation of soft assemblies, which, in some cases, are even more emissive than the isolated corresponding species.
US08962824B2
Aspects of the invention provide compositions for use in the treatment galectin-dependent diseases. In particular, compositions comprising a selectively depolymerized, branched galactoarabino-rhamnogalacturonate whose backbone is predominantly comprised of 1,4-linked galacturonic acid (GalA) moieties, with a lesser backbone composition of alternating 1,4-linked GalA and 1,2-linked rhamnose (Rha), which in-turn is linked to any number of side chains, including predominantly 1,4-b-D-galactose (Gal) and 1,5-a-L-arabinose (Ara) residues.
US08962823B2
This invention concerns the first environmentally benign heterogeneous modification of polysaccharide-based material in native solid state by thiol-ene “click chemistry”. The direct reaction of a thiol with an un-activated double or triple bond by thiol-ene and thiol-enyne click modification is thermally or photochemically catalyzed and is completely metal-free and allows for a highly modular approach to modifications of fibers and fiber-based materials.
US08962822B2
The present invention provides a modified polyuronic acid represented by formula (1) or a salt thereof which is excellent in surface activity: wherein R1 is a hydrogen atom, a hydrocarbon group having 1 to 40 carbon atoms or the like; X is an oxygen atom, a sulfur atom or a —NH— group, with the proviso that a ratio value of [m/(m+n)] is from 0.3 to 1.0, and a plurality of the R1 groups being present in a molecule of the modified polyuronic acid or the salt thereof may be the same or different from each other but all of the R1 groups are not hydrogen atoms at the same time.
US08962820B2
The present invention relates to combinations of fluorescent dyes used in molecular biology, particularly in multiplex PCR. In particular, the present invention relates to a combination of dyes for amplification reactions, wherein at least four different dyes are used, wherein the first dye is 5-FAM or 6-FAM or a blend thereof, the second dye is selected from the group consisting of DY-530, HEX, CAL Fluor Orange 560 and ATTO 532, the third dye is selected from the group consisting of ATTO 550, DY-555 and DY-556, the fourth dye is selected from the group consisting of ROX, DY-510XL and ATTO 565, and optionally a fifth dye is selected from the group consisting of DY 632 and DY-520XL.
US08962813B2
A process for manufacturing of a composition containing a purified factor for supporting wound healing selected from the group consisting of Hepatocyte Growth Factor (HGF) platelet derived growth factor (PDGF), Epidermal growth factor (EGF), transforming growth factor alfa (TGF-α), Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β), insulin like growth factor (IGF-I) and Fibroblast growth factor (FGF) from sources, such as blood, containing the factor for supporting wound healing, wherein the manufacturing process comprises purification steps which are performed in the presence of antithrombin III (AT-III).
US08962812B2
A method is provided for extraction of chemical compounds from an organism having a cell wall that includes adding nanomaterials, which may be metallic nanofibers such as silver nanofibers, to the organism.
US08962801B2
Neisseria meningitidis PorA constructs are provided which have one or more disrupted variable regions created by insertion of entire conserved regions or conserved region amino acids. The highly immunogenic variable regions of PorA are responsible for eliciting strain-specific immune responses that are not broadly protective, so disruption of the variable regions directs the immune response against conserved region epitopes to effectively immunize against a broader spectrum of N. meningitidis strains. Also provided are encoding nucleic acids, genetic constructs, host cells expressing the PorA constructs and compositions, kits and methods for detection and treatment of Neisseria meningitidis infections.
US08962796B2
The present invention relates to modified variant Bowman Birk Protease Inhibitor proteins (BBPIs) that comprise peptides that bind target proteins, and that are further modified to have greater protease inhibitory activity and/or be produced at greater yields than the unmodified BBPIs. The invention encompasses polynucleotide constructs and expression vectors containing polynucleotide sequences that encode the modified variant BBPIs, the transformed host cells that express and produce the modified variant BBPIs, the modified variant BBPI proteins, the compositions comprising the modified variant BBPIs, and the methods for making and using the modified variant BBPIs in personal care.
US08962795B2
Factor H-binding peptides that binds to a region of factor H that does not impede the complement-inhibitory activity of factor H are disclosed. When immobilized onto the surface of a biomaterial, these peptides recruit factor H, resulting in a substantial inhibition of biomaterial-induced complement activation in a biological substance exposed to the biomaterial.
US08962794B2
Acylated insulins wherein an acyl moiety is attached to the parent insulin and wherein said acyl moiety comprises repeating units of alkylene glycol containing amino acids and wherein there is only one lysine residue (K & Lys) in the parent insulin have satisfactory properties when administered pulmonary.
US08962791B2
Thermoformed PLA stereocomplex parts are made using a PLA stereocomplex composition having a highest crystallization melting temperature from 200 to 215° C. The stereocomplex composition preferably has less than 5 J/g of lower melting (160 to 190° C.) crystallites. The stereocomplex can be pre-annealed in various ways to reduce thermoforming cycle times. The stereocomplex forms parts with low haze and good thermal resistance, at reasonable cycle times.
US08962785B2
An elastomeric polymer, comprising (1) a hard segment in the amount of 10% to 60% by weight of the elastomeric polymer, wherein the hard segment includes a urethane, urea or urethaneurea; and (2) a soft segment in the amount of 40% to 90% by weight of the elastomeric polymer. The soft segment comprises (a) at least 2% by weight of the soft segment of at least one polyether macrodiol, and/or at least one polycarbonate macrodiol; and (b) at least 2% by weight of the soft segment of at least one polyisobutylene macrodiol and/or diamine.
US08962783B2
Photovoltaic cells with silole-containing polymers, as well as related systems, methods and components are disclosed.
US08962782B2
Disclosed are perfluoroethers and perfluoroether compositions useful in high temperature aerospace applications. The perfluoroethers can be adapted for use with various curing chemistries.
US08962773B2
Phosphorus-containing compounds useful for flame retardant epoxy resins are disclosed. The flame retardant epoxy resins may be used to make electrical laminates. This invention is particularly useful in end use applications in which a low bromine or low halogen content is required or desired.
US08962769B2
The present invention relates to novel polyimidothioethers-inorganic nanoparticle hybrid material, which exhibit good surface planarity, thermal dimensional stability, tunable refractive index, and high optical transparency upon forming into films. The present invention also relates to polyimidothioethers which is an intermediate for preparing the present hybrid material, and their preparation.
US08962768B2
Reaction products AE of vinyl copolymers A having at least one functional group per molecule, with multifunctional compounds E derived from epoxide functional compounds having, on average, at least two functional groups per molecule, which reaction products AE have structural elements derived from ethylenically unsaturated monomers, and beta-hydroxy alkylene imine, —NR—CH2—CR′(OH)—, or the corresponding ammonium structure, where R and R′, independently from each other, stand for H or an alkyl group having from 1 to 8 carbon atoms, a process for their preparation, and a method of use thereof as binders for waterborne coating compositions.
US08962761B2
Highly branched compositions including: (i) from about 96 wt % to about 99.9 wt % metallocene catalyzed ethylene propylene diene derived units; and (ii) from about 0.1 wt % to about 4 wt % multifunctional monomer derived units, wherein the highly branched composition has: (a) a Mooney viscosity ML (1+4) at 125° C. of about 30 to 100 MU, (b) a Mooney relaxation area MLRA of about 100 to about 1000, (c) a branching index, g′(vis) of less than about 0.9, (d) a phase angle, δ, of less than about 55 degrees at a complex modulus of 10 kPa, measured at 190° C., and (e) a degree of shear thinning greater than about 0.95, measured at 190° C., are disclosed herein. Homogeneous blends including this composition are also described. Processes to make the highly branched composition and the homogeneous blend are also described herein.
US08962752B2
This invention relates to a rubber composition being excellent in the low heat buildup and fracture properties (resistance to crack growth). and more particularly to a rubber composition, characterized by compounding 10-100 parts by mass of an inorganic filler and/or carbon black based on 100 parts by mass of a rubber component including not less than 10 mass % of a modified conjugated diene-based polymer having a cis-1,4 bond content of not less than 90% and a vinyl bond content of not more than 1.2% and a primary amino group. In this case, the modified conjugated diene-based polymer is obtained by (1) reacting the predetermined conjugated diene-based polymer having an active terminal with a compound having two or more predetermined functional groups and (2) further reacting the resulting product with a compound having a primary amino group.
US08962747B2
A resist underlayer composition includes a solvent, and an organosilane condensation polymerization product of: a compound represented by the following Chemical Formula 1, a compound represented by the following Chemical Formula 2, and a compound represented by the following Chemical Formula 3, [R1O]3Si—X [Chemical Formula 1] [R2O]3Si—R3 [Chemical Formula 2] [R4O]3Si—Si[OR5]3. [Chemical Formula 3]
US08962735B2
Prepreg compositions and methods of making them from particles and a binder composition are disclosed. The methods may include placing the particles on a moving conveying belt and applying the binder composition to the particles on the moving conveying belt to form a moving mass. Alternate methods may include first placing the binder composition on the moving conveying belt and then applying the particles to the binding composition to form the moving mass. The methods may further include passing the moving mass through one or more pairs of opposed, compacting rolls, where the particles and the binder composition are pressed into further contact while passing through the compacting rolls to form the prepreg. The binder composition in the prepreg may include monomers and/or oligomers of a polymer that are capable of polymerizing into the polymer under polymerization conditions.
US08962718B2
The present invention relates to chlorine resistant crosslinkable silane-containing polyolefin compositions and stabilizer masterbatch compositions, their preparation, and articles made therefrom. These crosslinkable silane-containing compositions contain a mixture of antioxidants, light absorbers and stabilizers that provide resistance to the levels of chlorine used in potable water and to light, thereby extending the useful life of said articles made therefrom, such as potable water pipes and valves, bottles, tanks, and the like.
US08962716B2
An object of the present invention is to provide a curable composition which is made mainly of a polymer having one or more reactive silicon groups, has good curability even when filler is used while a non-organotin catalyst is used, and is further high in industrial practicability. The object is solved by a curable composition, comprising, as constituents, a polymer (A) having one or more reactive silicon groups on average per molecule thereof, the reactive silicon group(s) being (each) a group which can be crosslinked by forming a siloxane bond, a Lewis acid and/or derivative thereof (B), an amine compound (C), a compound (D) having a reactive silicon group, and filler (E), and obtained by mixing the constituents with each other.
US08962714B2
A hydraulic setting adhesive containing a hydraulic binder, fillers, a water retention agent, a sulfoalkylester surfactant, and optionally a redispersible polymer powder and/or a polymer dispersion, wherein the surfactant is represented by the formula of MSO3—R1—(—COOR2)n, wherein M is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkali metals, alkaline earth metals, and ammonium; R1 is linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated C1-C10 alkylene that optionally can be substituted by one or more hydroxyl, halogen, nitro or cyano groups; R2 can be identical or different from R1 and is represented by C1-C22 linear or branched alkyl; and n is an integer from 1 to 10, and wherein the hydraulic setting adhesive based on its dry weight comprises 0.1-3% by weight of the water retention agent.
US08962709B2
The invention includes a new photopolymerizable resin system for dental restorative materials. The resin system utilizes a thiol-ene component as the reactive diluent in dimethacrylate systems. The ternary resin system comprises a thiol monomer, an ene monomer and a dimethacrylate monomer. The system of the invention has enhanced overall functional group conversion, improved polymer mechanical properties, and reduced shrinkage stress of the ternary system when compared to either traditional dimethacrylate or thiol-ene resin systems.
US08962706B2
The present invention enables the secondary expansion of lightweight foamed beads. The foamed beads are produced using a compound comprising a compostable or biobased polyester and a physical blowing agent as well as a chemical blowing agent. Secondary expansion can be used either to lower the density of the foamed bead further or to enable expansion of the beads during molding to promote fusion. The foam beads can be produced using conventional melt processing techniques, such as single and twin-screw extrusion processes.
US08962704B2
The present disclosure relates to the production of molded products containing recycled content, and more particularly polyurethane foam which includes polyol recovered from chemical recycling of polyurethane foam scrap, which polyol has been treated to optimize viscosity and/or reactivity characteristics.
US08962701B2
Systems and methods are provided for enhancing the integration of processes for recovering products from algae-derived biomass. The enhanced process integration allows for increased use of input streams and other reagents that are derived from renewable sources. This increases the overall renewable character of the products extracted from the algae-derived biomass. The process integration can include exchange of input streams or energy between an algae processing system and a system for processing non-algal biomass. One example of improving process integration is using oxygenates that are generated in a renewable manner as a reagent for enhancing the algae processing system.
US08962698B2
A composition includes Mogroside V and a Rebaudioside component in a weight ratio ≧1:1 and ≦6:1, wherein the Rebaudioside component consists of one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of Rebaudioside A, Rebaudioside B and Rebaudioside D. A method of purifying a Luo Han Guo extract includes contacting the Luo Han Guo extract with activated carbon and a macroporous polymeric adsorbent resin, an ion exchange resin, or both. A composition includes a Luo Han Guo extract, wherein Mogroside V constitutes from 50 wt % to 75 wt % of the Luo Han Guo extract and the composition includes from 0 to 13 wt % in total relative to the Mogroside V of aromatic glycosides, and from 0 to 15 ppm of semi-volatile organic compounds relative to the Mogroside V.
US08962691B2
Compositions of and methods for using synthetic retinoids as retinoid replacements and opsin agonists are provided.
US08962685B2
The present invention is directed to a third generation form of creatine, specifically a creatine hydrochloride salt, that drives significant improvements in muscle development and recovery due to its enhanced bio-availability, while causing fewer negative side effects compared to previous forms of creatine.
US08962678B2
Provision of a drug, a quasi-drug, and a food or beverage, which are effective for senescence inhibition, mitochondrial function improvement, muscle dysfunction inhibition, muscular atrophy inhibition, prevention of a bedridden state, muscle senescence inhibition, or motor function improvement. A senescence inhibitor, a mitochondrial function-improving agent, a muscle dysfunction inhibitor, a muscular atrophy inhibitor, and an agent for preventing a bedridden state, containing a catechin as an effective ingredient. A muscle senescence inhibitor and a motor function-improving agent, containing a catechin and an amino acid as effective ingredients.
US08962674B2
The present invention provides a novel compound that is structurally similar to curcumin and has a suppressive effect on Aβ aggregation, a degradative effect on Aβ aggregates, an inhibitory effect on β-secretase, and a protective effect on neurons. The novel compound is a compound represented by the following general formula (Ia) or a salt thereof: wherein R1 represents a 4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl group or the like, and R2 represents a 1H-indol-6-yl group or the like.
US08962668B2
Compositions, and methods of use thereof, are provided for the treatment of painful neuropathy by local or topical delivery of compounds that interact with α-adrenergic receptors, especially an alpha2 adrenergic agonist such as clonidine, to the entire painful area such that the need for systemic dosing is minimized. The compounds are delivered to or adjacent to painful areas in patients with painful length dependent neuropathy, and other neuropathies that affect the pain signaling fibers in the skin. A preferred compound for the treatment of patients with length dependent neuropathy is clonidine applied in a transdermal patch, gel, ointment, lotion, liposomal formulation, cream, or emulsion, wherein the concentration is sufficient to provide an effective dose in the painful area or immediately adjacent areas.
US08962660B2
The present invention provides compounds of Formula (I): or a stereoisomer, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, wherein all of the variables are as defined herein. These compounds are GPR120 G protein-coupled receptor modulators which may be used as medicaments.
US08962657B2
The present invention relates to antimalarial compounds and their use against protozoa of the genus Plasmodium, including drug-resistant Plasmodia strains. This invention further relates to compositions containing such compounds and a process for making the compounds.
US08962656B2
The present invention relates to novel antagonists for CCR2 (CC chemokine receptor 2) of formula (Ia) and their use for providing medicaments for treating conditions and diseases, especially pulmonary diseases like asthma and COPD.
US08962655B2
Disclosed are: a therapeutic agent, a kit and a treatment method for undifferentiated gastric cancer; and a pharmaceutical composition, a kit and a treatment method which are more effective on a living organism having at least one cell selected from the group consisting of a cell overexpressing FGFR2 and a cell expressing a mutant FGFR2. A combination of a FGFR2 inhibitor and a therapeutic substance for gastric cancer is more effective on undifferentiated gastric cancer. The combination of a FGFR2 inhibitor and a therapeutic substance for gastric cancer is more effective on a living organism having at least one cell selected from the group consisting of a cell overexpressing FGFR2 and a cell expressing a mutant FGFR2.
US08962648B2
Tricyclic compounds are provided. These compounds are PBK inhibitors, and are useful for the treatment of PBK related diseases, including cancer.
US08962637B2
The present invention relates to substituted aromatic bicyclic compounds containing pyrimidine and pyridine rings of formula (I) having the structure as well as pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof. The compounds of the present invention are useful as tyrosine kinase inhibitors, preferably SRC family kinases (SFKs) inhibitors, in particular as multi SFK/JAK. kinases inhibitors and even preferably as dual c-SRC/JAK kinases inhibitors, thereby inhibiting the STAT3 activation and therefore abnormal growth of particular cell types. Notably, the compounds of the present invention are useful for the treatment or inhibition of certain diseases that are the result of deregulation of STAT3.
US08962635B2
The present disclosure provides compounds and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof that are tyrosine kinase inhibitors, in particular BLK, BMX, EGFR, HER2, HER4, ITK, TEC, BTK, and TXK and are therefore useful for the treatment of diseases treatable by inhibition of tyrosine kinases such as cancer and inflammatory diseases such as arthritis, and the like. Also provided are pharmaceutical compositions containing such compounds and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof and processes for preparing such compounds and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.
US08962630B2
The disclosed compounds relate to treatments and therapies for protein kinase-associated disorders. There is also a need for compounds useful in the treatment or prevention or amelioration of one or more symptoms of cancer, transplant rejections, and autoimmune diseases. Furthermore, there is a need for methods for modulating the activity of protein kinases, such as CDK1, CDK2, CDK4, CDK5, CDK6, CDK7, CDK8 and CDK9, using the compounds provided herein.
US08962628B2
The present invention provides a compound of formula (I) wherein R4 is of sub-formula (a) or (b) and wherein the other substituents are as defined in the specification. The compounds of formula (I) are potentially useful as herbicides.
US08962626B2
The present invention relates to thienopyridazine compounds of formula (I), their pharmaceutically acceptable salts or hydrates, wherein R1 and R2 are independently H or C1-4 alkyl, R3 is a saturated or unsaturated 5- or 6-membered ring containing N, S or O, or its optical isomers, R4 is a halophenyl monosubstituted or disubstituted at any position. The present invention provides the preparation methods of these compounds, pharmaceutical compositions containing these compounds and the uses of these compounds, particularly in treating cancer.
US08962624B2
A method of inhibiting formation of cancerous metabolites, of inhibiting cytochrome P450 2A13 from forming carcinogen metabolites, and/or inhibiting formation of cancerous lung cells in a subject can include: providing a morpholine compound that selectively interacts with cytochrome P450 2A13 over cytochrome P450 2A6; administering a therapeutically effective amount of the morpholine compound or derivative to the subject. The morpholine compound or derivative can be substantially more selective for interacting with the cytochrome P450 2A13 over the cytochrome P450 2A6. The morpholine compound or derivative can also be substantially non-interactive with other physiological components. The morpholine compound or derivative can include a structure that selectively interacts with cytochrome P450 2A13 over cytochrome P450 2A6, such as Compounds 1-34 of Formulas A-D.
US08962623B2
A compound of formula (I): wherein all symbols have the same meanings as defined in the specification; a salt thereof, a solvate thereof, an N-oxide thereof, or a prodrug thereof, has an Itk inhibitory activity, and is useful as a method for preventing and/or treating atopic dermatitis, and the like.
US08962617B2
The present invention relates to the use of substituted dihydroimidazolones, particularly [1-(4-Chlorophenyl)-4-(4-morpholinyl)-2,5-dihydro-1H-imidazol-2-one] (AWD 131-138) or a physiologically acceptable salt thereof for the treatment of epilepsy in dogs.
US08962611B2
The present invention provides substituted imidazopyridines as described herein or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof. The representative compounds are useful as inhibitors of the HDM2 protein. Also disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions comprising the above compounds and potential methods of treating cancer using the same.
US08962607B2
Disclosed are compounds, compositions and methods for treating various diseases, syndromes, conditions and disorders, including pain. Such compounds are represented by Formula (I) as follows: wherein Y, Z, R1, and s are defined herein.
US08962604B2
The invention relates to the use of a chemical substance selected from the group consisting of N-′2-hydroxy-3-(1-piperidinyl)-propoxyl 1-pyridine-1-oxide-3-carboximidoyl chloride, the optically active enantiomers and the mixtures of enantiomers thereof and pharmaceutically acceptable salts of the racemic and optically active compounds in the preparation of a pharmaceutical composition for the treatment or prevention of neurodegenerative diseases.
US08962603B2
Method for post coital contraception in overweight or obese female subjects using ulipristal acetate
The invention provides a method for providing post coital contraception in a female subject, comprising providing the subject with a therapeutically effective amount of ulipristal acetate, wherein the female subject is overweight or obese.
US08962596B2
Compounds of Formula I: and stereoisomers and pharmaceutically acceptable salts and solvates thereof in which R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7, X1 and X2 have the meanings given in the specification, are inhibitors of one or more JAK kinases and are useful in the treatment of autoimmune diseases, inflammatory diseases, rejection of transplanted organs, tissues and cells, as well as hematologic disorders and malignancies and their co-morbidities.
US08962578B2
The invention relates to novel fungicidally active compound combinations of 2′-cyano-3,4-dichloroisothiazole-5-carboxanilide and active compounds listed in the disclosure.
US08962574B2
A method for preventing stroke in a patient suffering from atrial fibrillation, wherein the patient has at least one risk factor for major bleeding events, the method comprising administering to the patient 110 mg b.i.d. of dabigatran etexilate, optionally in the form of a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
US08962573B2
The invention relates to conjugates of products of interest including glycoproteins, nanoparticles, and imaging agents and of compounds of the general formula (1): that target the cation-independent mannose 6-phosphate receptor with a high affinity. The invention also relates to their applications, for instance in enzyme replacement therapies.
US08962560B2
Provided are compositions comprising newly identified protein fragments of aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases, polynucleotides that encode them and complements thereof, related agents, and methods of use thereof in diagnostic, drug discovery, research, and therapeutic applications.
US08962554B2
Methods for treating impaired glucose tolerance and early and late stage diabetes in mammals, for prophylactically sparing β-cell function, aiding in preventing β-cell death, preventing the onset of overt diabetes in a mammal with type 2 diabetes, treating the current level of glycemic control dysfunction of a mammal with impaired glucose tolerance or diabetes, comprising orally administering insulin and a delivery agent that facilitates insulin absorption from the gastrointestinal tract at the time of or shortly before mealtime, e.g., within about 10 minutes prior to ingestion of a meal, on a chronic basis. The methods also comprise, in addition to administering a rapid-acting insulin to provide a first insulin peak, administering a slow acting insulin to provide a second insulin peak occurring at a later time but of a longer duration. These methods achieve improved glycemic control without the risks of hypoglycemia, hyperinsulinemia and weight gain and the need for frequent blood glucose monitoring that are normally associated with insulin therapy.
US08962552B2
The invention relates to a water-dispersible derivative of a therapeutic agent having a low water solubility that comprises at least one molecule of said agent covalently bonded to at least one molecule of a hydrocarbon derivative having a squalenic structure or the like. The invention further relates to corresponding nanoparticles.
US08962548B2
Compositions and methods are provided that are useful for the delivery, including transdermal delivery, of biologically active agents, including nucleic acids and therapeutic proteins including insulin, larger therapeutic proteins such as botulinum toxin and other biologically active agents such as a therapeutic protein which does not therapeutically alter blood glucose levels, a therapeutic nucleic acid-based agent, a non-protein non-nucleic acid therapeutic agent such as an antifungal agent or alternately an agent for immunization. The compositions can be prepared with components useful for targeting the delivery of the compositions as well as imaging components.
US08962543B2
A dishwasher detergent composition comprising from 0.05 to 7.5 wt % of a surfactant and from 0.1 to 90 wt % of a compound of Formula 1; wherein R is selected from the group consisting of —H, —CH3, —CnH2nCH3, —CnH2nOH, —CnH2nCOOH, —CnH2nSO3H, —CnH2nNH2, —CnH2nNHR′, —CnH2nNR′2, —NHC(═O)—R′ and —CnH2nPO(OR′)2; wherein n≧1; and R′ is H, alkyl or aryl, and further wherein the composition comprises a bleach selected from inorganic peroxy compounds, organic peracids and salts derived therefrom. The compound of Formula 1 is biodegradable, stable to bleach and yet is an effective builder. The compositions of the invention can be readily formulated as tablet compositions if desired as the compound of Formula 1 is not overly hygroscopic.
US08962540B2
To provide a lubricating oil composition including a base oil which is composed of a mineral oil and/or a synthetic oil and which has a viscosity index of 95 or higher, and (A) an alkenylsuccinimide in an amount of 0.1 to 2.0 mass %, (B) an acidic phosphite diester having a C6 to C10 hydrocarbon group in an amount of 0.1 to 2.0 mass %, and (C) at least one species selected from among a perbasic alkaline earth metal sulfonate, a perbasic alkaline earth metal phenate, and a perbasic alkaline earth metal salycilate, in an amount of 0.001 to 0.3 mass %, with respect to the total amount of the composition. When employed in an automobile shock absorber, the composition enhances the frictional force at an interface between an oil seal and a piston rod of an automobile shock absorber, reduces the friction coefficient at an interface between a piston rod and a guide bush, suppresses foaming to thereby enhance driving stability during travel of the automobile, and improves riding comfort even when the automobile travels while receiving a lateral load exerted by small steps present on the road surface.
US08962539B2
A slideway lubricating oil composition, additive concentrate, method of lubricating sliding parts. The lubricating oil includes a base oil; a metal-free friction modifier; and a metal-free, sulfur-free, phosphorus containing anti-wear/extreme pressure agent. The lubricating oil provides a lower coefficient of friction for non-metal sliding surfaces than for metal sliding surfaces.
US08962538B2
A DI forming water-based coolant of a laminated metal sheet includes at least one kind of base (a) selected from alkanolamines and alkali metal hydroxides, a fatty acid (b), and water (c), wherein the total content of the base (a) and the fatty acid (b) is 0.02 to 4% by mass and the ratio of a straight-chain fatty acid having a carbon number of 6 to 12 in the fatty acid (b) is 80 to 100% by mass.
US08962530B2
The invention relates to methods of treating inflammatory bowel disease in a subject. Methods of promoting intestinal barrier function as well as related compositions are also provided.
US08962529B2
The present invention relates to novel, herbicidally active picolinic acid derivatives of the formula (I) and to processes for preparation thereof. The present invention further provides for the use thereof as a herbicide, especially as a herbicide for selective control of weed plants in useful plant crops, and as a plant growth regulator alone or in combination with safeners and/or in a mixture with other herbicides.
US08962527B2
A process for the preparation of solid amine salts of aromatic substituted carboxylic acid herbicides by reaction of the aromatic substituted carboxylic acid herbicide with an amine comprising reacting the aromatic substituted carboxylic acid herbicide in an ether solvent with an amine to form the amine salt and collecting the amine salt of the aromatic substituted carboxylic acid herbicide as a precipitate from the ether solvent reaction mixture wherein the ether is a dialiphatic ether comprising at least one primary aliphatic group.
US08962520B2
Provided is a composite adsorbent material and a method for preparing the same. The composite adsorbent material comprises a porous host material of activated carbon impregnated with silica-gel and calcium chloride, and is useful for adsorbing high levels of water vapor. The composite adsorbent material is used in low temperature heat driven adsorption cooling and dehumidification systems.
US08962513B2
This invention relates to the field of heterogeneous catalysis, and more particularly to catalysts including carbon supports having compositions which comprise one or more transition metals in combination with nitrogen and/or carbon formed on or over the surface of the carbon support. The present invention also relates to catalyst combinations comprising catalysts including carbon supports having compositions which comprise one or more transition metals in combination with nitrogen and/or carbon formed on or over the surface of a carbon support and a secondary catalyst or, co-catalyst, including a secondary transition metal. The invention further relates to the field of catalytic oxidation reactions, including the preparation of secondary amines by the catalytic oxidation of tertiary amines.
US08962497B2
The invention relates to a fire-resistant component (1) which satisfies the requirements of at least class B-15. Such components are known per se and are manufactured as insulated steel structures. In order that the component (1) can be manufactured more easily and with greater versatility in the manner of glass-fiber-reinforced plastic, it is proposed that it is manufactured with multiple layers of phosphate ceramic and also of fibers (7, 8, 9), and that a layer structure of the component (1) comprises at least one layer (4), on the surface thereof which faces towards a potential heat source, which is joined together only partially with a layer (5) arranged thereunder, i.e. remote from the heat source. The invention also relates to a process for producing such a component.
US08962494B2
The present invention provides method of manufacturing dual gate oxide devices. The method comprises coating photoresist on the substrate which is deposited by an oxide thin film; removing some of the photoresist by exposure and development to divide the oxide thin film into a first area to be etched and a second area coated by the remained photoresist; coating RELACS material on the remained photoresist and heating to form a protective film based on the crosslinking reaction between the RELACS material and the high molecular compounds in the photoresist; performing UV radiation to strengthen and cure the protective film; removing the oxide thin film in the first area by etching and removing the remained photoresist; and depositing again an oxide firm to form an oxide layer of different thickness in the first area and the second area so as to form a dual gate oxide structure.
US08962481B2
A package component includes a substrate, wherein the substrate has a front surface and a back surface over the front surface. A through-via penetrates through the substrate. A conductive feature is disposed over the back surface of the substrate and electrically coupled to the through-via. A first dielectric pattern forms a ring covering edge portions of the conductive feature. An Under-Bump-Metallurgy (UBM) is disposed over and in contact with a center portion of the conductive feature. A polymer contacts a sidewall of the substrate. A second dielectric pattern is disposed over and aligned to the polymer. The first and the second dielectric patterns are formed of a same dielectric material, and are disposed at substantially a same level.
US08962480B2
A method includes forming an ESD active device on a substrate, forming a ground plane on a backside of the substrate and forming at least one through wafer via electrically connected to a negative power supply of the ESD active device and the ground plane to provide a low series resistance path to the substrate.
US08962478B1
A method of forming a doped TaN Cu barrier adjacent to a Ru layer of a Cu interconnect structure and the resulting device are provided. Embodiments include forming a cavity in a SiO-based ILD; conformally forming a doped TaN layer in the cavity and over the ILD; conformally forming a Ru layer on the doped TaN layer; depositing Cu over the Ru layer and filling the cavity; planarizing the Cu, Ru layer, and doped TaN layer down to an upper surface of the ILD; forming a dielectric cap over the Cu, Ru layer, and doped TaN layer; and filling spaces formed between the dielectric cap and the doped TaN layer.
US08962474B2
Semiconductor devices with air gaps around the through-silicon via are formed. Embodiments include forming a first cavity in a substrate, filling the first cavity with a sacrificial material, forming a second cavity in the substrate, through the sacrificial material, by removing a portion of the sacrificial material and a portion of the substrate below the sacrificial material, filling the second cavity with a conductive material, removing a remaining portion of the sacrificial material to form an air gap between the conductive material and the substrate, and forming a cap over the air gap.
US08962472B2
A method for fabricating a semiconductor device includes forming a plurality of semiconductor structures over a substrate, forming an interlayer dielectric layer over the semiconductor structures, etching the interlayer dielectric layer, and defining open parts between the semiconductor structures to expose a surface of the substrate, forming sacrificial spacers on sidewalls of the open parts, forming conductive layer patterns in the open parts, and causing the conductive layer patterns and the sacrificial spacers to reach each other, and defining air gaps on the sidewalls of the open parts.
US08962465B2
Some embodiments include methods of forming gated devices. An upper region of a semiconductor material is patterned into a plurality of walls that extend primarily along a first direction. The walls are spaced from one another by trenches that extend primarily along the first direction. Steps are formed along bottoms of the trenches. Gatelines are formed on the steps and along lower regions of the walls. After the gatelines are formed, the walls are patterned into spaced-apart pillars that have bottom regions below the gatelines. In some embodiments the gated devices may be transistors or thyristors.
US08962460B2
Methods of selectively forming a metal-doped chalcogenide material comprise exposing a chalcogenide material to a transition metal solution, and incorporating transition metal of the transition solution into the chalcogenide material without substantially incorporating the transition metal into an adjacent material. The chalcogenide material is not silver selenide. Another method comprises forming a chalcogenide material adjacent to and in contact with an insulative material, exposing the chalcogenide material and the insulative material to a transition metal solution, and diffusing transition metal of the transition metal solution into the chalcogenide material while substantially no transition metal diffuses into the insulative material. A method of doping a chalcogenide material of a memory cell with at least one transition metal without using an etch or chemical mechanical planarization process to remove the transition metal from an insulative material of the memory cell is also disclosed, wherein the chalcogenide material is not silver selenide.
US08962448B2
A computer readable medium is provided that is encoded with a program comprising instructions for performing a method for fabricating a 3D integrated circuit structure. Provided are an interface wafer including a first wiring layer and through-silicon vias, and a first active circuitry layer wafer including active circuitry. The first active circuitry layer wafer is bonded to the interface wafer. Then, a first portion of the first active circuitry layer wafer is removed such that a second portion remains attached to the interface wafer. A stack structure including the interface wafer and the second portion of the first active circuitry layer wafer is bonded to a base wafer. Next, the interface wafer is thinned so as to form an interface layer, and metallizations coupled through the through-silicon vias in the interface layer to the first wiring layer are formed on the interface layer.
US08962447B2
According to various method embodiments, a semiconductor layer is oriented to a substrate. The semiconductor layer has a surface orientation and is oriented to the substrate to provide a desired direction of conductance for the surface orientation. The oriented semiconductor layer is bonded to the substrate to strain the semiconductor layer. Various embodiments provide a tensile strain, and various embodiments provide a compressive strain. Other aspects and embodiments are provided herein.
US08962435B2
A semiconductor device can include an active region having a fin portion providing a channel region between opposing source and drain regions. A gate electrode can cross over the channel region between the opposing source and drain regions and first and second strain inducing structures can be on opposing sides of the gate electrode and can be configured to induce strain on the channel region, where each of the first and second strain inducing structures including a respective facing side having a pair of {111} crystallographically oriented facets.
US08962433B2
A MOS transistor process includes the following steps. A gate structure is formed on a substrate. A source/drain is formed in the substrate beside the gate structure. After the source/drain is formed, (1) at least a recess is formed in the substrate beside the gate structure. An epitaxial structure is formed in the recess. (2) A cleaning process may be performed to clean the surface of the substrate beside the gate structure. An epitaxial structure is formed in the substrate beside the gate structure.
US08962427B2
A method of producing a semiconductor device, includes: forming a semiconductor layer on a substrate; forming an a recess in the semiconductor layer by dry etching with a gas containing fluorine components, the recess having an opening portion on the surface of the semiconductor layer; forming a fluorine-containing region by heating the semiconductor layer and thus diffusing, into the semiconductor layer, the fluorine components attached to side surfaces and a bottom surface of the recess; forming an insulating film on an inner surface of the recess and on the semiconductor layer; and forming an electrode on the insulating film in a region in which the recess is formed.
US08962425B2
A semiconductor device has a substrate and trench formed partially through the substrate. A drain region is formed in the substrate as a second surface of the substrate. An epitaxial region is formed in the substrate over the drain region. A vertical drift region is formed along a sidewall of the trench. An insulating material is deposited within the trench. A channel region is formed along the sidewall of the trench above the insulating material. The channel region is separated from the insulating material. A gate structure is formed within the trench adjacent to the channel region. The gate structure includes an insulating layer formed along the sidewall of the trench adjacent to the channel region and polysilicon layer formed within the trench over the insulating layer. A source region is formed in a first surface of the substrate contacting the channel region.
US08962418B2
A semiconductor device has a first element region, a second element region, and a first isolation region in a thin film region and a third element region, a fourth element region, and a second isolation region in a thick film region. It is manufactured with step (a) of providing a substrate having a silicon layer formed via an insulating layer, step (b) of forming element isolation insulating films in the silicon layer in the first isolation region and the second isolation region of the substrate step (c) of forming a hard mask in the thin film region, step (d) of forming silicon films over the silicon layer exposed from the hard mask in the third element region and the fourth element region, and step (e) of forming element isolation insulating films between the silicon films in the third element region and the fourth element region.
US08962411B2
A method of manufacturing a circuit pattern with high aspect ratio is disclosed. A plurality of parallel lines and supporting lines intersecting the parallel lines are formed. Supporting isolation structures are then formed in the space between the parallel lines and the supporting line for supporting the parallel lines in a later etching process. The parallel lines and the supporting line are then disconnected after the etching process.
US08962408B2
A self-aligned carbon nanostructure transistor is formed by a method that includes providing a material stack including a gate dielectric material having a dielectric constant of greater than silicon oxide and a sacrificial gate material. Next, a carbon nanostructure is formed on an exposed surface of the gate dielectric material. After forming the carbon nanostructure, metal semiconductor alloy portions are formed self-aligned to the material stack. The sacrificial gate material is then replaced with a conductive metal.
US08962396B2
A carrier-free semiconductor package includes a circuit structure having an insulating layer and a circuit layer embedded in the insulating layer and having a plurality of conductive traces and RF (radio frequency) traces, a chip disposed on a first surface of the insulating layer and electrically connected to the conductive traces, an encapsulant covering the chip and the circuit layer, a ground layer formed on a second surface of the insulating layer opposite to the first surface, and a plurality of solder balls disposed on the conductive traces or terminals on the conductive traces, wherein portions of the solder balls electrically connect the ground layer so as to allow the RF traces and the ground layer to form a microstrip line having an RF function, thus obtaining a single-layer carrier-free semiconductor package having low cost and simplified RF design.
US08962393B2
A method of manufacture of an integrated circuit packaging system includes: mounting a device mounting structure over a bottom substrate; mounting a heat spreader having an opening formed by a single integral structure with a dam and a flange, the dam having a dam height greater than a flange height of the flange; and forming a package encapsulation over the device mounting structure and the bottom substrate with the device mounting structure exposed within the opening.
US08962384B2
Memory cells having heaters with angled sidewalls and methods of forming the same are described herein. As an example, a method of forming an array of resistive memory cells can include forming a first resistive memory cell having a first heater element angled with respect to a vertical plane, forming a second resistive memory cell adjacent to the first resistive memory cell and having a second heater element angled with respect to the vertical plane and toward the first heater, and forming a third resistive memory cell adjacent to the first resistive memory cell and having a third heater element angled with respect to the vertical plane and away from the first heater element.
US08962378B2
A method for manufacturing a photodiode including the steps of providing a substrate, solution depositing a quantum nanomaterial layer onto the substrate, the quantum nanomaterial layer including a number of quantum nanomaterials having a ligand coating, and applying a thin-film oxide layer over the quantum nanomaterial layer.
US08962376B2
An optoelectronic device, including a semiconductor body having a surface to receive photons and a plurality of doped regions of opposite doping polarities, the doped regions extending substantially from the surface of the semiconductor body and into the semiconductor body, and being arranged in one or more pairs of opposite doping polarities such that each pair of doped regions forms a corresponding space charge region having a corresponding electric field therein, the space charge region extending substantially from the surface of the semiconductor body and into the semiconductor body such that photons entering the semiconductor body through the surface and travelling along paths within the space charge region generate electron-hole pairs in the space charge region that are separated in opposing directions substantially orthogonal to the photon paths by the electric field and collected by the corresponding pair of doped regions, thereby providing an electrical current to be conducted from the device.
US08962360B2
An organic layer deposition apparatus includes: a conveyer unit including a transfer unit, a first conveyer unit, and a second conveyer unit; a loading unit for fixing a substrate to the transfer unit; a deposition unit including a chamber and at least one organic layer deposition assembly; and a measuring unit located between the loading unit and the deposition unit to measure position information of the substrate before an organic layer is deposited onto the substrate; and an unloading unit for separating, from the transfer unit, the substrate onto which the deposition has been completed, wherein the transfer unit is configured to cyclically move between the first conveyer unit and the second conveyer unit, and wherein the substrate fixed to the transfer unit is configured to be spaced apart from the at least one organic layer deposition assembly while being transferred by the first conveyer unit.
US08962359B2
In various embodiments, a rigid lens is attached to a light-emitting semiconductor die via a layer of encapsulant having a thickness insufficient to prevent propagation of thermal expansion mismatch-induced strain between the rigid lens and the semiconductor die.
US08962352B2
A method for calculating a warpage of a bonded SOI wafer includes: assuming that the epitaxial growth SOI wafer is a silicon single crystal wafer having the same dopant concentration as dopant concentration of the bond wafer; calculating a warpage A that occurs at the time of performing the epitaxial growth relative to the assumed silicon single crystal wafer; calculating a warpage B caused due to a thickness of the BOX layer of the epitaxial growth SOI wafer; determining a measured value of a warpage of the base wafer before bonding as a warpage C; and calculating a sum of the warpages (A+B+C) as the warpage of the bonded SOI wafer.
US08962348B2
A method for forming a MTJ in a spintronic device is disclosed and includes a thin seed layer that enhances perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA) in an overlying laminated layer with a (Co/Ni)n composition. The seed layer is preferably NiCr, NiFeCr, Hf, or a composite thereof. Furthermore, a magnetic layer such as CoFeB may be formed between the laminated layer and a tunnel barrier layer to serve as a transitional layer between a (111) laminate and (100) MgO tunnel barrier. There may be a Ta insertion layer between the CoFeB layer and laminated layer to promote (100) crystallization in the CoFeB layer. The laminated layer may be used as a reference layer, dipole layer, or free layer in a MTJ. Annealing between 300° C. and 400° C. may be used to further enhance PMA in the laminated layer.
US08962347B2
A ferroelectric capacitor formed above a semiconductor substrate includes a lower electrode, a dielectric film (ferroelectric film) having ferroelectric characteristics, and an upper electrode. The upper electrode includes a conductive oxide film made of a ferroelectric material to which conductivity is provided by adding a conductive material such as Ir, and the conductive oxide film is in contact with the dielectric film.
US08962346B2
Embodiments of the present invention are directed toward devices, systems, and method for conducting assays using sedimentation. In one example, a method includes layering a mixture on a density medium, subjecting sedimentation particles in the mixture to sedimentation forces to cause the sedimentation particles to move to a detection area through a density medium, and detecting a target analyte in a detection region of the sedimentation channel. In some examples, the sedimentation particles and labeling agent may have like charges to reduce non-specific binding of labeling agent and sedimentation particles. In some examples, the density medium is provided with a separation layer for stabilizing the assay during storage and operation. In some examples, the sedimentation channel may be provided with a generally flat sedimentation chamber for dispersing the particle pellet over a larger surface area.
US08962344B2
A membrane-coated particle composition and methods comprising a particle surrounded by a native cell membrane are disclosed. The cell membrane may contain selected receptors or binding components. At least a portion of the receptors or binding components are oriented on the membrane-coated particle in the same or similar orientation as in the native cell membrane. The membrane-coated particle(s) finds use, for example, in contexts of basic research, proteomics, drug discovery, drug delivery, medical diagnostics, and aspects of patient care.
US08962343B2
The invention relates to a process and a device for parallel fractionating a multiplicity of individual samples (29) within a 3-dimensional separation medium (6), with the subsequent process steps being carried out:A first space (2) which extends essentially across all three space coordinates contains the separation medium (6). A multiplicity of individual samples (29) is arranged close to an interface of the first space (2), with the individual samples (29) being arranged essentially in a planar fashion, i.e. their particular center-of-gravity positions are described by two coordinates. Under the influence of one or more physical parameters, the individual samples (29) are able to migrate essentially perpendicularly to the area of their application through the separation medium (6), and are fractionated in the process according to one or more of their properties. Suitable physical parameters are, for example, electric forces (electrophoresis), gravity, diffusion, pressure and concentration gradients and also osmosis or centrifugal forces. The individual samples (29) are detected in selected regions (8) inside or outside the separation medium (6) during their migration (online detection). As an alternative to online detection, data may be received in a 3D manner, after the migration has finished. To this end, an appropriate 3D image-taking process may be used. In the simplest case, the separation medium (6) is cut into disks which are then evaluated by means of a 2D receiving process. In this case, the fractions of the samples are also preparatively accessible. In addition to or alternatively to image-taking, a fraction collector may be attached to an interface of the separation medium (6).
US08962342B2
Nanoparticles comprising surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) reporter molecules of the formula A-Y and methods of their use are disclosed, wherein A is selected from the group consisting of: wherein X1 is CR4 or N; and Y is selected from the group consisting of:
US08962327B2
Disclosed are methods for obtaining blue anthocyanin pigments and compositions including such pigments. This blue anthocyanin is present at an acidic pH (where anthocyanins are most stable) and may be used as a natural color additive. The methods can include cultivating a plant callus from a plant capable of producing anthocyanin in which the callus is treated with a blue anthocyanin-generating agent at a concentration sufficient to generate callus with blue anthocyanin pigments. The method can also include recovering the blue anthocyanin pigments from the culture. In an example, the blue anthocyanin-generating agent is ammonium molybdate.
US08962324B2
A composition for reconstruction, replacement or repair of damaged or diseased biological tissue comprising an extracellular matrix (ECM) composition that includes an ECM scaffold component and a bioactive agent component. In a preferred embodiment, the ECM scaffold component comprises mesothelial tissue and the bioactive agent comprises a statin.
US08962312B2
The invention concerns the field of cell culture technology. The invention describes production host cell lines comprising vector constructs comprising a DHFR expression cassette. Those cell lines have improved growth characteristics in comparison to DHFR-deficient or DHFR-reduced cell lines such as CHO DG44 and CHO DUKX-B11. The invention especially concerns two cell lines, a representative of each cell line is deposited with the DSMZ under the number DSM ACC2909 (CHOpper® Discovery) and DSM ACC2910 (CHOpper® Standard). The invention further concerns a method of producing proteins using the cells generated by the described method.
US08962299B2
The invention relates to methods for producing a wax ester in recombinant host cells engineered to express a thioesterase, an acyl-CoA synthetase, an alcohol-forming fatty acyl reductase, and a wax ester synthase. The methods of the invention may take place in photosynthetic microorganisms, and particularly in cyanobacteria. Isolated nucleotide molecules and vectors expressing the thioesterase, acyl-CoA synthetase, alcohol-forming fatty acyl reductase, and wax ester synthase, recombinant host cells expressing the thioesterase, acyl-CoA synthetase, alcohol-forming fatty acyl reductase, and wax ester synthase, and systems for producing a wax ester via a pathway using these four enzymes, are also provided.
US08962295B2
The present disclosure relates to CBH I chimera fusion polypeptides, nucleic acids encoding the polypeptides, and host cells for producing the polypeptides.
US08962285B2
The present disclosure provides engineered ketoreductase enzymes having improved properties as compared to a naturally occurring wild-type ketoreductase enzyme. Also provided are polynucleotides encoding the engineered ketoreductase enzymes, host cells capable of expressing the engineered ketoreductase enzymes, and methods of using the engineered ketoreductase enzymes to synthesize chiral compounds.
US08962283B2
Described are variants (mutants) of a parent alpha-amylase having alpha-amylase activity and exhibiting altered properties relative to the parent alpha-amylase, and methods of use, thereof.
US08962277B2
The invention refers to a method of producing a recombinant polypeptide of interest (POI) in a cell culture, comprising genetically engineering a eukaryotic cell line—to specifically cause prolongation of the G2+M cell cycle phase in a pre-culture phase, and—to produce the POI in a producing phase following the pre-culture phase, a high producer cell line and cell culture as well as a method of increasing the yield of a recombinant POI production in a cell culture.
US08962276B2
The present invention provides novel fatty acid desaturases genes used for synthesis of polyunsaturated fatty acids, especially omega-3 desaturases (FADS15). The present invention also provides nucleic acid sequence coding the above-described desaturases, expression vector of the above-described desaturases and recombinant microorganism expressing above-described desaturases.
US08962259B2
A vector comprising a polynucleotide sequence encoding a polypeptide having an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2 for detecting antibody against Toxocara spp. in a biological sample.
US08962245B2
There is provided a method for producing a circular DNA which consists of a circular DNA formed from a single-molecule DNA and which does not comprise circular DNA formed from multiple-molecule DNA. According to the method of the present invention, a circular DNA molecule formed only from a single-molecule DNA can be reliably produced.
US08962236B2
The present invention provides a method for diagnosing and determining prognosis of gastric cancer in a subject by detecting suppressed expression of the ADAMTS9 gene, which in some cases is due to elevated methylation level in the genomic sequence of this gene. A kit and device useful for such a method are also provided. In addition, the present invention provides a method for treating gastric cancer by increasing ADAMTS9 gene expression or activity.
US08962233B2
According to one embodiment, an actinic-ray- or radiation-sensitive resin composition includes an arylsulfonium salt that when exposed to actinic rays or radiation, generates an acid, the arylsulfonium salt containing at least one aryl ring on which there are a total of one or more electron donating groups, the acid generated upon exposure to actinic rays or radiation having a volume of 240 Å3 or greater.
US08962224B2
Methods for providing a silicon layer on a photomask substrate surface with minimum defeats for fabricating film stack thereon for EUVL applications are provided. In one embodiment, a method for forming a silicon layer on a photomask substrate includes performing an oxidation process to form a silicon oxide layer on a surface of a first substrate wherein the first substrate comprises a crystalline silicon material, performing an ion implantation process to define a cleavage plane in the first substrate, and bonding the silicon oxide layer to a surface of a second substrate, wherein the second substrate is a quartz photomask.
US08962214B2
Shaped microporous articles are produced from polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) and nucleating agents using thermally induced phase separation (TIPS) processes. The shaped microporous article is oriented in at least one direction at a stretch ratio of at least approximately 1.1 to 1.0. The shaped article may also comprise a diluent, glyceryl triacetate. The shaped microporous article may also have the micropores filled with a sufficient quantity of ion conducting electrolyte to allow the membrane to function as an ion conductive membrane. The method of making a microporous article comprises the steps of melt blending polyvinylidene fluoride, nucleating agent and glyceryl triacetate; forming a shaped article of the mixture; cooling the shaped article to cause crystallization of the polyvinylidene fluoride and phase separation of the polyvinylidene fluoride and glyceryl triacetate; and stretching the shaped article in at least one direction at a stretch ratio of at least approximately 1.1 to 1.0.
US08962207B2
A gas detection system functions to detect a specific gas present in a certain space. The gas detection system includes a gas concentration detector arranged to detect concentration of the specific gas as a gas concentration. The gas detection system also has a determination module configured to determine whether the gas concentration detected by the gas concentration detector exceeds a set threshold value. In response to input of a checking instruction for checking up the gas concentration detector into the determination module, the determination module uses a threshold value for checkup purpose, in place of the set threshold value. This arrangement effectively enhances the convenience in the process of checking up the gas concentration detector.
US08962202B2
The present invention provides a large-scale solid oxide fuel cell stack and a method of manufacturing the stack. In the present invention, a segmented cell tube (103a, 103b) is formed in such a way that unit cells connected to each other are formed on a cylindrical or flat tubular porous support (101). A reformer tube (102) is configured such that reforming catalyst (3) is provided in a support (101). The cell tube and the reformer tube are disposed at positions spaced apart from each other such that an air passage is formed on the outer surface of the reformer tube. A cell module (105) is formed by arranging the tubes such that a fuel gas flow passage is formed between the tubes. The solid oxide fuel cell stack is formed by integrating cell modules with each other.
US08962200B2
A humidity measuring device is disclosed. The humidity measuring device includes a housing having a housing interior, a temperature controller thermally engaging the housing, a humidity sensor provided in the housing interior and an inlet conduit and an outlet conduit disposed in fluid communication with the housing interior. A fuel cell system and a method of measuring humidity in a gas stream are also disclosed.
US08962197B2
This invention is directed to electrolyte systems for metal-air electrochemical power sources, particularly Al-Air batteries and fuel cells with alkaline electrolyte, methods of increasing the ionic conductivity of such electrolytes, methods of increasing the electrolyte utilization coefficient and to methods of use thereof.
US08962196B2
A novel cell including first and second chambers containing a solvent and separated by a wall permeable to the solvent and impermeable to hydronium and/or hydroxyl ions; a first electrode in the first chamber; a second electrode in the second chamber; a first redox couple in the first chamber comprising a first oxidizer and a first reducer taking part in first oxidation-reduction reactions resulting in an electron exchange with the first electrode; a second redox couple in the second chamber comprising a second oxidizer and a second reducer taking part in second oxidation-reduction reactions resulting in an electron exchange with the second electrode, the wall being impermeable to the first and second redox couples; and first enzymes or first microorganisms placed in the first or second chamber and promoting a third oxidation-reduction reaction resulting transforming a first substance to a second substance comprising acid or alkaline species.
US08962190B1
The current thickness limitations of battery electrodes are addressed. An electrode includes an electrically conductive porous foam layer, an energy-storage material in contact with the porous foam layer, and electrically conductive porous foam protrusions extending from the porous foam layer into the energy-storage material. The energy-storage material is not contained within the pores of the foam layer or the foam protrusions. These electrodes allow lithium ions (and other metal ions, if desired) to diffuse deeper into a thick energy-storage material layer, compared to conventional planar electrodes. In particular methods, fluidic foam precursors can be templated in a mold, followed by conversion into a solid conductive foam that includes the electrically conductive porous foam protrusions. The result is batteries with surprisingly high energy densities.
US08962188B2
A lithium secondary battery comprising a cathode, an anode, and a separator-electrolyte assembly or electrolyte layer disposed between the cathode and the anode, wherein the anode comprises: (a) an integrated nano-structure of electrically conductive nanometer-scaled filaments that are interconnected to form a porous network of electron-conducting paths comprising interconnected pores, wherein the filaments have a transverse dimension less than 500 nm; and (b) a foil of lithium or lithium alloy as an anode active material. The battery exhibits an exceptionally high specific capacity, an excellent reversible capacity, and a long cycle life.
US08962181B2
A battery spacer is provided. The battery spacer (2) comprises a first spacing plate (22) and a second spacing plate (22′) aligned with and spaced from each other in a longitudinal direction and a plurality of beams (211) parallel to and spaced from each other in a transverse direction. Each beam (211) is connected between the first and second spacing plates (22, 22) in the longitudinal direction and protrudes outwardly from a plane formed by back surfaces of the first and second spacing plates (22, 22). The beams (211) are configured to securely receive at least tabs of cell cores between neighboring beams (211). A battery protecting device and a power battery are provided as well.
US08962179B2
Example embodiments relate to a secondary battery which is capable of trapping elution of copper or nickel into ions, the copper and nickel being used as a negative current collector when charging and discharging the battery. The secondary battery according to the example embodiments includes an electrode assembly comprising a positive plate with a positive tab drawn out, a negative plate with a negative tab drawn out, and a separator disposed therebetween; a case to accommodate the electrode assembly and an electrolyte and to be formed with a sealing part; a positive lead tab and a negative lead tab of which one portions are connected to the positive tab and the negative tab, respectively, and another one portions are exposed to the outside of the case; and insulating films attached to one area of the positive lead tab and one area of the negative lead tab, respectively, the areas being in contact with the sealing part of the case, wherein the insulating film attached to the negative lead tab includes a predetermined amount of a nitrile compound.
US08962166B2
A power cell comprises a membrane with a first side and a second side. The membrane has a geometric structure encompassing a volume. The power cell also has a cover that is coupled to the membrane to separate the first flow path from the second flow path at the membrane. In the power cell, first and second catalyst is in gaseous communication with respective first flow path and second flow path and in ionic communication with respective first and second sides of the membrane. Furthermore, a first electrode is electrically coupled to the first catalyst on the first side of the membrane, and a second electrode is electrically coupled to the second catalyst on the second side of the membrane. In another embodiment, the power cell further includes a substrate on which the membrane is coupled.
US08962162B2
A composition that upon firing, forms a non-stick enamel layer is disclosed. The composition can be applied to a metal substrate to provide a non-stick, durable coating for cooking surfaces. Also disclosed are methods of forming enamel layers and corresponding coated substrates. Various ground coats and related methods are also described. Furthermore, various multilayer coatings and structures are disclosed that include an enamel layer and a ground coat layer.
US08962152B2
The present invention relates to a brass-plated steel cord capable of further improving initial adhesiveness and heat-resistant adhesiveness between a coating rubber and a steel cord and also imparting excellent durability to a resulting rubber article, and more particularly to a brass-plated steel cord, wherein an outermost surface thereof contains 0.3 to 1.7 atomic % of phosphorus, 4.93 to 14 atomic % of zinc, and 0.01 to 2.0 atomic % of a metal having an ionization tendency lower than that of zinc and higher than that of copper as measured by XPS (X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy), and an amount of zinc in the outermost surface is 30 to 90 atomic % based on 100 atomic % of a total amount of zinc and copper.
US08962149B2
Provided is a spot welded joint (10) which includes at least one thin steel plate with a tensile strength of 750 MPa to 1850 MPa and a carbon equivalent Ceq of equal to or more than 0.22 mass % to 0.55 mass % and in which a nugget (3) is formed in an interface of the thin steel plates (1A, 1B). In a nugget outer layer zone, a microstructure consists of a dendrite structure in which an average value of arm intervals is equal to or less than 12 μm, an average grain diameter of carbides contained in the microstructure is 5 nm to 100 nm, and a number density of carbides is equal to or more than 2×106/mm2.
US08962145B2
The present invention concerns weakly anionic polymers including their use in paper coatings, especially those intended for paper for inkjet printing. These additives provide the sought thickening function, while improving water retention very appreciably. The invention also concerns a method of manufacture of such coatings, together with the coatings obtained in this manner.
US08962135B2
A pressure-sensitive adhesive composition for an optical film of the present invention comprises 100 parts by weight of a (meth)acrylic polymer comprising 45 to 99.99% by weight of an alkyl (meth)acrylate monomer unit and 0.01 to 2% by weight of a tertiary amino group-containing monomer unit; and 0.01 to 2 parts by weight of a peroxide as a crosslinking agent. The pressure-sensitive adhesive composition can form an pressure-sensitive adhesive layer that has satisfactory reworkability such that optical films can be easily peeled from liquid crystal panels with no adhesive residue and also has satisfactory processability such that it can be worked without pressure-sensitive adhesive fouling or dropout.
US08962129B2
A rubber-reinforcing cord (12) as a rubber-reinforcing member of the present invention is a rubber-reinforcing member for reinforcing a rubber product (such as a toothed belt (1)). The rubber-reinforcing cord (12) includes a reinforcing fiber or a reinforcing fiber sheet, and a first coating film provided on a surface of the reinforcing fiber or a surface of the reinforcing fiber sheet. The first coating film is formed by applying a first treatment agent containing polyvinyl alcohol and a crosslinking agent to the reinforcing fiber or the reinforcing fiber sheet and drying the first treatment agent. In the reinforcing member of the present invention, a second coating film as a primary coating film may be provided on the surface of the reinforcing fiber or the surface of the reinforcing fiber sheet. The second coating film can be produced using a second treatment agent containing a rubber latex, for example.
US08962126B2
A surface-coated cutting tool, which has a hard-coating layer with excellent chipping and fracturing resistances in a high speed intermittent cutting work, is provided. The surface-coated cutting tool includes a cutting tool body, which is made of WC cemented carbide or TiCN-based cermet, and a hard-coating layer, which is vapor deposited on the cutting tool body and has a lower layer and an upper layer. The lower layer is a Ti compound layer, and the upper layer is an aluminum oxide layer. There is a micropore-rich layer in the lower layer in the vicinity of the interface between the lower and upper layers. There are micropores with diameters of 2 to 70 nm in the micropore-rich layer. The diameters of the micropores in the micropore-rich layer shows a bimodal distribution pattern.
US08962124B2
A paper product of the present disclosure having at least one ply is disclosed. At least one outer surface of the paper product has indicia comprising at least one ink disposed thereon and substantially affixed thereto. The at least one ink has a color value defined by a 2-D CIELab (L*a*b*) color gamut. The 2-D CIELab (L*a*b*) color gamut is at least about 190% greater than the Kien 2-D CIELab (L*a*b*) color gamut.
US08962115B2
It is an object to provide a fire-resistant piping material that can be fire-protection measures by itself and is excellent in construction workability. A single-layered fire-resistant piping material according to the present invention is constituted of a fire-resistant resin composition containing heat-expandable graphite in an amount of 1 to 10 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of a polyvinyl chloride-based resin. A multilayered fire-resistant piping material according to the present invention includes a tubular fire-resistant expandable layer made of a heat-expandable fire-resistant resin composition and a covering layer covering at least one of the outer surface and the inner surface of the fire-resistant expandable layer, and the fire-resistant expandable layer is formed of a fire-resistant resin composition containing heat-expandable graphite in an amount of 1 to 15 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of a polyvinyl chloride-based resin, and the covering layer is formed of a polyvinyl chloride-based resin composition not containing heat-expandable fire-resistant materials.
US08962109B2
A liquid crystal display includes a liquid crystal cell; a back light including a light source; and a laminated polarizing plate including a protective film, a polarizing film, and a retardation film in sequence from the side of the back light, wherein the angle defined by any one of the long and short sides of the polarizing plate and the absorption axis of the polarization film is 45°, the retardation film has an in-plane slow axis parallel or orthogonal to the absorption axis of the polarizing film, and the liquid crystal display satisfies the formula: M=|δTD/δMD|≧2.0, where M represents the ratio of the dimensional change rates in the entire polarizing plate, δMD (%) represents a percent change of the polarizing plate in the absorption axis direction, and δTD (%) represents a percent change of the polarizing plate in the direction orthogonal to the absorption axis.
US08962106B2
An alignment film includes a first pre-tilt functional group, a second pre-tilt functional group and a first vertical alignment functional group, which are linked to polysiloxane on a substrate. The first vertical alignment functional group includes a cyclic compound and is aligned substantially perpendicularly to the substrate. The first pre-tilt functional group is cross-linked to the second pre-tilt functional group and tilted with respect to the substrate.
US08962105B2
To provide a liquid crystal composition satisfying at least one of characteristics such as a high maximum temperature of a nematic phase, a low minimum temperature of the nematic phase, a small viscosity, a suitable optical anisotropy, a large negative dielectric anisotropy, a large specific resistance, a high stability to ultraviolet light and a high stability to heat, and so forth. To provide an AM device having a short response time, a large voltage holding ratio, a large contrast ratio, a long service life and so forth. The liquid crystal composition contains a specific compound having a polymerizable group as a first component and a specific compound having a large negative dielectric anisotropy and a low minimum temperature as a second component, and may contain a specific compound having a small viscosity or a large maximum temperature as a third component, and a liquid crystal display device includes the composition.
US08962098B2
The objective of the present invention is to provide an unexpected method of manufacturing a battery electrode and a coating die for use therein, both of which are capable of providing a high speed drying and of improving a peel strength between a collector and a compound. The manufacturing process S1 of manufacturing the battery electrode 1 includes the process of coating the compound 3 containing the electrode active material 4 and the binder 5 on the sheet collector 2 and the process of drying the compound 3 to bond the collector 2 and the compound 3, wherein in the coating process, a laser light is emitted to the interface between the compound 3 and the collector 2. Due to the above structure, regardless of the drying speed, the binder 5 contained in the compound 3 is crystallized at the interface with respect to the collector 2. As a result, the high speed drying is provided and the peel strength between the collector 2 and the compound 3 is improved.
US08962096B2
A method for coating a substrate includes impacting a substrate with a plurality of particles such that the particles adhere to the substrate, bonding the particles to the substrate to form an overlayer, and crosslinking the particles in the overlayer to coat the substrate with a crosslinked polymer coating. The particles comprise a polyphenyl polymer. An article includes a substrate and a crosslinked polymer coating bonded to the substrate. The crosslinked polymer coating is a product of crosslinking polyphenylene sulfide, polyphenylsulfone, self-reinforced polyphenylene, or a combination thereof on a surface of the substrate.
US08962090B2
A method for making a variable-density carbon nanotube film is provided. A drawn carbon nanotube film, including a number of carbon nanotubes aligned along an aligned direction, is prepared. A number of thin regions are formed in the drawn carbon nanotube film along the aligned direction by reducing density of carbon nanotubes in each of the plurality of thin regions. A variable-density carbon nanotube film is provided and includes a number of thin regions and at least one normal region having a density of carbon nanotubes greater than that of the thin regions. The at least one normal region includes a number of carbon nanotubes substantially aligned along an aligned direction. The thin regions are arranged in the form of at least one row extending along the aligned direction.
US08962089B2
Method for flow coating a polymeric material, wherein a. at least one component (1) is inserted at an angle of 25° to 90° relative to the floor (5) into a holder (2), and b. the component (1) is coated from the upper edge (1a) with a varnish (3), containing 10 wt.-% to 30 wt.-% of 4-methyl-2-pentanone and/or derivatives thereof.
US08962087B2
A method of forming a concrete wall having a substantially uniform exterior surface texture. The method includes the initial step of pouring concrete into a wall form. The concrete is poured from a first mixture and is allowed to cure. After the concrete is cured, the wall form is removed from the resultant concrete base structure. A roughened texture is then created on the base structure. A finishing mixture is then applied to the roughened texture. The finishing mixture may be created by separating the aggregate from a portion of the remaining first mixture. The finishing mixture creates a smooth texture on the exterior surfaces of the initially formed base structure.
US08962083B2
A method for forming a material for a brake disc, the method comprising the steps of: (i) providing at least one porous body; (ii) introducing into pores of the porous body one or more precursor materials for forming or depositing a ceramic material; and (iii) forming the brake disc material by forming or depositing the ceramic material from the precursor material within the pores of the body, wherein the precursor material is a liquid containing a suspension of ceramic particles and/or acid phosphate.
US08962075B2
A method for manufacturing a hollow metal sphere with a mesoporous structure is disclosed, which comprises the following steps: (A) providing a hollow sphere template with a mesoporous structure, wherein the hollow sphere template comprises: a first shell with plural channels penetrating the first shell, the material of the first shell comprises a mesoporous silica material, and the mesoporous silica material has a cubic Ia3d symmetry pore structure; (B) mixing the hollow sphere template with a metal precursor; (C) reducing the metal precursor; and (D) removing the hollow sphere template to obtain a hollow metal sphere with a mesoporous structure. In addition, the present invention also provides a hollow metal sphere with a mesoporous structure prepared by the aforementioned method.
US08962072B2
A method for production of an adhesive optical film comprises the step of forming an anchor layer by applying an anchor layer-forming coating liquid to the optical film to form a coating with a thickness of 20 μm or less before drying, wherein the anchor layer-forming coating liquid contains a mixed solvent composed mainly of water and an alcohol, and a binder resin, and by drying the coating under drying conditions satisfying both of the following requirements: (1) the drying temperature T is between 40° C. and 70° C.; and (2) the value (T×H) obtained by multiplying the drying temperature T (° C.) by the drying time H (seconds) satisfies the relation 400≦(T×H)≦4,000 to remove the mixed solvent.
US08962063B2
A method of method of coating powdered medical agent onto a carrier particle for use in a dry powder inhaler may include applying ultrasonic energy to agglomerated powdered medical agent to deaggregate and aerosolize particles of the medical agent into particles having a desired average particle size, and coating at least one carrier particle with a desired amount of the deaggregated and aerosolized particles of the medical agent.
US08962061B1
A food condiment slice, method of using, composition and method for making, and methods for manufacturing are described. The food condiment slices are used with sandwiches, other food products, and beverages. The food condiment slices may have different structures such as face-fused, side-fused, face-fused-side-fused, woven, and chopped. The food condiment slices are formed from condiments such as catsup, ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, barbecue sauce, steak sauce, jellies, jam, preserves, butter, margarine, marinades, creamers, and syrups. More than one food condiment can be integrated into a single food condiment slice. The food condiment slices eliminate the need and inconvenience of using and carrying spreadable, squeezable, and pourable food condiments. Also included are beverage condiment slices or discs such as coffee or tea dairy and non-dairy creamers.
US08962057B2
Provided herein are compositions and methods relating to oral care compositions with improved taste. One such method includes providing an oral care composition comprising a metal salt, a peroxide, an antimicrobial agent, a bad breath reduction agent, a surfactant, or a combination thereof and adding to the oral care composition a TRPV1 activator and/or vanitrope.
US08962035B2
Disclosed are tissue graft compositions made of materials having different densities, methods of making, and methods of treatment for restoring tissues in a patient.
US08962027B2
One aspect of the invention relates to new materials for storing, protecting, selectively releasing, and applying active ingredients (e.g. pharmaceuticals and other chemicals). In certain embodiments, the invention provides materials impregnated with water-soluble polymer particles which contain active ingredients which may be selectively released and dispensed in response to contact with water or another liquid.
US08962018B2
The invention relates to a solid formulation for the oral administration of olanzapine that comprises a core of anhydrous olanzapine Form I or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and, optionally, pharmaceutically acceptable excipients, said core being coated with a functional polymer that acts as filmogenic agent. The method for obtaining it comprises: i) providing anhydrous olanzapine Form I or a salt thereof and, optionally, pharmaceutically acceptable excipients in solid form; ii) providing a functional polymer that acts as filmogenic agent; iii) preparing a dispersion of said functional polymer in an aqueous medium,—and applying the dispersion obtained in step iii) onto the solid form of step i).
US08962015B2
The present invention is embodied by a composition capable of chaperoning a typically non-orally available therapeutic or diagnostic agent through the environment of the digestive tract such that the therapeutic or diagnostic agent is bioavailable. The composition may or may not be targeted to specific cellular receptors, such as hepatocytes. Therapeutic agents include, but are not limited to, insulin, calcitonin, serotonin, and other proteins. Targeting is accomplished with biotin or metal based targeting agents.
US08962012B2
The present invention is directed to a nonaqueous pressure-sensitive adhesive that may be used in medicinal tape preparations for percutaneous absorption. The adhesive may comprise a copolymer obtained by copolymerization of a (meth)acrylic monomer having an acetoacetyl group in the molecule and one or more monomers from among other (meth)acrylic monomers without acetoacetyl groups and copolymerizable vinyl monomers, in a nonaqueous solvent. Suitable (meth)acrylic monomers having an acetoacetyl group in the molecule are acetoacetoxyalkyl methacrylates, and especially 2-acetoacetoxyethyl methacrylate. The pressure-sensitive adhesive of the invention uses no polyamine derivatives, isocyanate compounds, polyvalent metal chelate compounds, etc., as crosslinking agents, and therefore toxicity is not a concern and skin is not irritated. A medicinal tape preparation for percutaneous absorption of the invention has superior adhesive strength and cohesive strength, and is highly safe with low skin irritation. It also has excellent drug release and percutaneous absorption properties.
US08962010B2
An intravaginal drug delivery device comprises a device body comprising a hydrophobic carrier material having at least one channel defining at least one opening to the exterior of said device body, said at least one channel being adapted to receive at least one drug-containing insert; at least one drug-containing insert positioned in said at least one channel, said drug-containing insert capable of releasing a pharmaceutically effective amount of at least one drug suitable for intravaginal administration and containing about 1% to about 70% of at least one water-soluble release enhancer, both the drug and the water-soluble release enhancer dispersed in an insert carrier material; wherein said hydrophobic carrier material and said insert carrier material may be the same or different; and wherein said at least one drug-containing insert is exposed on said exterior of said device body when said intravaginal drug delivery device is in use.
US08962006B2
The present invention relates to a composite implant comprising: a prosthetic fabric having a first side and a second side, a non-porous film of bacterial cellulose secured to the first side of the fabric. The invention further relates to a method of making such an implant.
US08962003B2
The invention provides methods for controlling thrips populations using thrips-repelling and/or thrips-attracting agents. The invention also provides methods of preventing or minimizing damage to plants by use of the same.
US08962001B2
A class of anionic oligomers and polymers that function for inhibition of nucleases, particularly RNase. Specific inhibitors include mixtures of oligomers of vinyl sulfate. Methods for inhibition or inactivation of one or more nucleases in vitro which comprises the step of contacting the one or more nucleases in a biological medium with one or more of the anionic oligomeric or polymeric inhibitors of this invention. Kits for carrying out a biological procedure, biological reaction and/or a biological assay containing one or more inhibitors of this invention. The use of oligomers and/or polymers of this invention as additives in buffers or reagents. The inhibitors of the invention can also be attached to surfaces to provide for removal of nucleases from media, solutions or other liquids in contact with the solid.
US08962000B2
An oil in water microemulsion or sub-micron emulsion composition for dermal delivery of at least one pharmaceutically active ingredient, is provided. The composition includes an oil phase dispersed throughout a water phase, the oil phase including at least one member selected from the group consisting of an animal oil, a mineral oil, a vegetable oil, a silane member, a siloxane, an ester, a fatty acid, a fat, a halogen compound, and an alkoxylated alcohol; and at least one lipophilic surfactant, the water phase including at least one hydrophilic surfactant, water and optionally a non-surfactant amphiphilic compound, the weight ratio of the at least one hydrophilic surfactant to the at least one lipophilic surfactant being approximately 9.0:1.0 to 2.0:3.0.
US08961996B2
E2 is one of the three envelope glycoproteins of Classical Swine Fever Virus (CSFV). E2 is involved in several functions including virus attachment and entry to target cells, production of antibodies, induction of protective immune response in swine, and virulence. Seven putative glycosylation sites in E2 were modified by site directed mutagenesis of a CSFV Brescia infectious clone (BICv). A panel of virus mutants was obtained and used to investigate whether the removal of putative glycosylation sites in the E2 glycoprotein would affect viral virulence/pathogenesis in swine. We observed that rescue of viable virus was completely impaired by removal of all putative glycosylation sites in E2, but restored when mutation N185A reverted to wild-type asparagine produced viable virus that was attenuated in swine. Single mutations of each of the E2 glycosylation sites showed that amino acid N116 (N1v virus) was responsible for BICv attenuation. N1v efficiently protected swine from challenge with virulent BICv at 3 and 28 days post-infection suggesting that glycosylation of E2 could be modified for development of CSF live-attenuated vaccines. Additionally, a new developed virus, contained deletions of putative glycosylation sites N1 in E2 and N1 in E0 (6b), called N1E0/2v, induce a solid protection against the challenge at 3 and 28 days post-inoculation.
US08961995B2
The present invention provides alphavirus replicons and methods of their use in producing heterologous protein.
US08961988B2
Disclosed are yeast-based immunotherapeutic compositions, hepatitis B virus (HBV) antigens, and fusion proteins for the treatment and/or prevention of HBV infection and symptoms thereof, as well as methods of using the yeast-based immunotherapeutic compositions, HBV antigens, and fusion proteins for the prophylactic and/or therapeutic treatment of HBV and/or symptoms thereof.
US08961970B2
The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical combination comprising a MEK inhibitor compound 6-(4-bromo-2-fluorophenylamino)-7-fluoro-3-methyl-3H-benzoimidazole-5-carboxylic acid (2-hydroxyethyoxy)-amide or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and the IGF1R inhibitor ANTIBODY A, a pharmaceutical composition comprising such combination, methods for treating cancer comprising administration of a therapeutically effective amount of such combination to a subject in need thereof, and uses of such combination for the treatment of cancer.
US08961962B2
The present invention relates to methods of promoting the survival of cells by treating the cells with acid ceramidase. A kit for promoting ex vivo cell survival is also disclosed, as is a method of predicting in vitro fertilization outcome of a female subject.
US08961956B2
The present invention generally relates to novel preparations of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) derived from hemangioblasts, methods for obtaining such MSCs, and methods of treating a pathology using such MSCs. The methods of the present invention produce substantial numbers of MSCs having a potency-retaining youthful phenotype, which are useful in the treatment of pathologies.
US08961945B2
Provided are polyglyceryl compositions comprising one or more polyglyceryl compounds having: (a) a node structure comprising at least three contiguous glyceryl remnant units; (b) one or more cationic groups each linked to the node structure by an independently selected linking group; and (c) one or more hydrophobic moieties each independently (i) linked to the node structure by a linking group, or (ii) constituting a portion of one of the one or more cationic groups, wherein the composition has an average degree of polymerization determined by hydroxyl value testing (DPOH) of from about 3 to about 20. Also provided are polyglyceryl compounds which may compose such compositions, and uses of the polyglyceryl compositions and compounds.
US08961944B2
The present invention relates to a cosmetic or pharmaceutical composition for cutaneous application, whose goal is the depigmentation of the skin.
US08961940B2
The present invention relates to tooth sensitivity treatment compositions, including mouth rinses, comprising C2-C5 diacid, triacid or tetraacid salts and a tastemasking agent(s). Methods for using the compositions are also disclosed.
US08961932B2
A method for interrogating the microcirculation of a subject for use in characterizing function in health and disease, monitor changes in microcirculation over time, and identify responses in microcirculation to potentially harmful or beneficial interventions. The method includes delivering a study agent to a study surface for trans-surface delivery to the microvasculature of the subject and monitoring the microvasculature of the subject in the area of the study surface. A system is also provided which includes a micro-patch for delivery of study agent to a study surface for trans-surface delivery to the microvasculature of the subject and a monitoring probe for monitoring the microvasculature of the subject in the area of the study surface.
US08961931B2
A 18F-labeled monomeric galactose derivative is provided as a tomography probe. The derivative is a positron emission tomography (PET) probe. The derivative has high affinity and good stability in animal's body. The derivative can be an alternative glucose metabolism imaging agent used in clinic examination and quantification.
US08961930B2
Isatin 5-sulfonamide derivatives, pharmaceutical compositions comprising the derivatives, their use as molecular imaging agents, their use for the diagnosis or treatment of diseases or disorders associated with dysregulation of apoptosis, methods for synthesizing the derivatives, methods for the molecular imaging of caspase activity and apoptosis, and methods of assessing the therapeutic effect of a test substance on caspase activity are disclosed.
US08961925B2
A method for estimating portal blood flow and hepatic function in a subject is provided. In one example, the STAT test is an in vitro simplified, convenient test intended for screening purposes that can reasonably estimate the portal blood flow from a single blood sample taken 60 minutes after orally administered deuterated-cholate. The test can be administered to a patient having, or suspected of having, Chronic Hepatitis C, Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis (PSC), Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD), or any chronic liver disease.
US08961919B2
A method of preparing silica aero-gel powders having a short preparation time and stable preparation processes. In the method, the silica aerogel powders are generated by using a water glass solution, an inorganic acid, an organosilane compound and an organic solvent. The method includes dispersion-solution generating, gelating and solvent exchanging and drying. In the dispersion-solution generating, a dispersion solution is generated by dispersing the water glass solution and the organosilane compound in the organic solvent. In the gelating and solvent exchanging, silica hydrogel is generated by adding the inorganic acid to the dispersion solution and simultaneously performing gelating and solvent-exchanging. In the drying, the silica aerogel powders are generated by drying the silica hydro-gel.
US08961912B2
Methods for reducing the acidic gas content of effluent gas streams are disclosed. The methods generally involve reducing the acidic gas content of combustion gases passing through a duct by injecting hydrated lime or pulverized quicklime into the duct by use of a shrouded injector which reduces the incidence of occlusion of the injector.
US08961907B2
The invention relates to apparatus for the detection of particles and for particle analysis. The apparatus comprises a sample holder comprising a base and a projection extending from the base. The base includes a contact region where, in use, the surface of a fluid sample may contact the projection. The surface of at least the contact region of the projection exhibits properties that allow the surface of the contact region to be substantially wetted by a fluid sample when the apparatus is in use so that the fluid sample forms a meniscus having its apex in contact with the contact region of the projection. The invention also relates to methods for using the apparatus.
US08961896B2
A cytological cell sample collection, storage, and transport device is disclosed. The device comprises a sheath, a collection assembly, a base, and a containment vial. The collection assembly is slidably coupled to the base to expose a swab head comprising the collection assembly. The containment vial is configured to enclose the sheath and collection assembly within the internal volume defined by the containment vial and the base.
US08961892B2
Devices for selective hydrogenation of azide and peroxide compounds include at least one porous element, for example a solid metallic structure positioned within a reaction tube of a tubular housing. The porous element includes a framework of interconnected elements establishing a plurality of shells respectively defining a plurality of hollow spaces of predetermined geometrical configuration. Each of the shells includes holes that fluid-connect adjacent ones of the spaces to thereby allow a cross-flow of the azide or peroxide compounds through the porous element.
US08961880B2
A sensor for detecting phosgene includes a pair of electrodes separated by an electrode gap, and a layer of conducting polymer material positioned over and making electrical contact with the pair of electrodes, the layer of conducting polymer material being modified with an amine such that the electrical resistance of the conducting polymer material measured across the electrodes is responsive to changes in an amount of phosgene to which the conducting polymer material is exposed.
US08961878B2
A device for separating a sample of cells suspended in a bio-compatible ferrofluid is described. The device includes a microfluidic channel having a sample inlet, at least one outlet and a length between the same inlet and the at least one outlet, wherein a sample can be added to the sample inlet and flow along the microfluidic channel length to the at least one outlet. The device includes a plurality of electrodes and a power source for applying a current to the plurality of electrodes to create a magnetic field pattern along the microfluidic channel length. The present invention also includes a method of using said device for separating at least one cell type.
US08961877B2
Distinctive components that enable high-throughput, whole-animal screening are described. These components can be used individually or in various combinations. A staging chip strains off the excess fluid that the input animals are immersed in, increasing their density (number of animals in a given volume) and rapidly bringing them close to other fluidic components. A microfluidic sorter is adapted to isolate and immobilize a single, physiologically active animal in a selected geometry. A multiplexed micro-chamber chip receives single animals and the microchamber chip includes individually addressable screening chambers for imaging, incubation and exposure of individual animals to selected chemical compounds. An imaging structure generates sub-cellular, high-resolution images of the physiologically active animals. A well-plate interface chip is used to deliver elements from a compound library to a single output of the chip.
US08961871B2
An apparatus for sterilization of an inner wall of containers has a charge carrier source for generating charge carriers, with an acceleration device by which charge carriers are capable of being accelerated in the direction of a charge carrier emission window. The charge carrier emission window is arranged on a treatment device for introduction through an opening into the container along an insertion direction, in order to act upon an inner wall of the container with the charge carriers issuing from the charge carrier emission window. A medium is flowed into the region of the charge carriers issuing out of the charge carrier emission window for changing the dimension of a charge carrier cloud formed by the discharged charge carriers.
US08961868B2
In a nanocomposite bulk magnet according to the present invention, nanocomposite magnet powder particles, including an Nd2Fe14B crystalline phase and an α-Fe phase, are combined together. The composition of the magnet is represented by T100-x-y-z-n(B1-qCq)xRyTizMn, where T is at least one transition metal element selected from the group consisting of Fe, Co and Ni and always including Fe, R is at least one rare-earth element including substantially no La or Ce, M is an additive metallic element, and x, y, z, n and q satisfy 4 at %≦x≦10 at %, 6 at %≦y≦10 at %, 0.05 at %≦z≦5 at %, 0 at %≦n≦10 at %, and 0≦q≦0.5, respectively. The powder particles have a minor-axis size of less than 40 μm. And powder particles, of which the major-axis size exceeds 53 μm, account for at least 90 mass % of the entire magnet. And those powder particles are directly combined with each other. Consequently, a full-dense magnet, of which the density is 96% or more of the true density of its material alloy, is realized.
US08961867B2
Refractory metal powders are dehydrided in a device which includes a preheat chamber for retaining the metal powder fully heated in a hot zone to allow diffusion of hydrogen out of the powder. The powder is cooled in a cooling chamber for a residence time sufficiently short to prevent re-absorption of the hydrogen by the powder. The powder is consolidated by impact on a substrate at the exit of the cooling chamber to build a deposit in solid dense form on the substrate.
US08961861B2
A device and method for moving a mold clamp assembly of a molding apparatus between and open and closed position when the molding apparatus is in a stationary position. The device includes a rotatable cam member. A first cam surface is provided on the rotatable cam member. The first cam surface cooperates with a cam follower of the mold clamp assembly to move the mold clamp assembly to the open position when the rotatable cam member is rotated. A second cam surface is also provided on the rotatable cam member. The second cam surface cooperates with the cam follower of the mold clamp assembly to move the mold clamp assembly from the open position to the closed position when the rotatable cam member is further rotated.
US08961860B2
A laser built up method on an object with different surfaces is provided. The object can be coated locally, which is not possible by the conventional rapid prototyping processes. The object is put into a powder bed, powder is provided on or near the object and the powder is only locally provided on the upper outer surface of the object and then densified.
US08961853B2
Disclosed are methods of lithography using a tip array having a plurality of pens attached to a backing layer, where the tips can comprise a metal, metalloid, and/or semi-conducting material, and the backing layer can comprise an elastomeric polymer. The tip array can be used to perform a lithography process in which the tips are coated with an ink (e.g., a patterning composition) that is deposited onto a substrate upon contact of the tip with the substrate surface. The tips can be easily leveled onto a substrate and the leveling can be monitored optically by a change in light reflection of the backing layer and/or near the vicinity of the tips upon contact of the tip to the substrate surface.
US08961850B2
A method of making a structured surface is disclosed. The method includes providing a thermoplastic backing with multiple rows of upstanding elements. The upstanding elements include stems with proximal ends attached to the thermoplastic backing and distal caps, and each distal cap has an overhanging portion that extends beyond the stem in a first direction. For at least some of the multiple rows, an implement is passed between two adjacent rows, wherein the implement contacts the overhanging portion of at least some of the distal caps in the two adjacent rows such that at least part of the overhanging portion is turned in a second direction, different from the first direction. A structured surface that can be prepared by the method is also provided along with a fastening laminate that includes a carrier and the structured surface and an absorbent article that includes the fastening laminate. A tool useful for carrying out the method is also provided.
US08961844B2
Disclosed is a method for molding a foamed article, such as a midsole or outsole for footwear, in which a desired amount of thermoplastic polyurethane foam beads are placed in a compression mold in the shape of the article and the mold is brought to a peak temperature of from about 130° C. to about 180° C. over a period of from about 300 to about 1500 seconds, then cooled to from about 5° C. to about 80° C. over a period of from about 300 to about 1500 seconds within about 30 seconds after the peak temperature is reached. The foamed article made by the method has a density of from about 0.1 to about 0.45 g/cm3.
US08961842B2
The invention describes a regulating device that adapts to the aerodynamic profile of a mold bed made of composite material offsetting the geometrical deviations occurring in the mold bed. The device comprises some stiffening ribs (20) supported on a surface of the bed (10) of the mold and is equipped with actuators (21) that modify the curvature of the bed (10) of the mold.
US08961840B1
Methods, processes, and systems for producing bulk ceramics from agglomerations of partially cured gelatinous polymer ceramic precursor resin droplets, without using sponge materials to form gas pathways in the polymer bodies. Ceramics can be formed in hours. Resin droplets can be produced with a sprayer where liquid polymer precursors, mixed with a curing agent, are sprayed forming droplets which are partially cured, collected, and compressed into shapes. Ceramic porosity can be varied, droplet particle sizes can be controlled by adjusting liquid and gas pressure, orifice size, during spraying. Partially cured droplets can be formed via an emulsion process and size controlled by emulsion liquid and surfactant selection parameters.
US08961838B2
A fire suppression non-aqueous liquid concentrate includes starch, a pseudo-plastic, high yield, suspending agent, a C10-18 paraffin or a C10-18 olefin, a non-ionic surfactant, and an alcohol amine neutralizer. The non-aqueous liquid concentrate forms a dilute dispersion when added to water. The dilute dispersion clings to a surface, and forms an intumescent char coating upon fire contact.
US08961830B2
A composition of matter comprises a polymer with a fully conjugated backbone or a conjugated block with a plurality of binding groups connected to the backbone by a linking moiety. The binding groups permit a non-covalent binding to a graphitic surface such as a carbon nanotube. A composition of matter where an electroactive polymer with binding groups connected to a conjugated backbone through a linking moiety is bound to carbon nanotubes. Such compositions can be used for a variety of applications using electroactive materials.
US08961825B2
Provided herein are core-shell silica nanoparticles with a dense silica shell. The nanoparticles have improved properties such as, for example, increased photo luminescence and stability. Also provided are methods for making the nanoparticles.
US08961819B2
Disclosed herein provide compositions and hydrogen release methods for a high-capacity complex hydrogen storage material. The hydrogen storage material is mainly composed of metal borohydride and NH3. The invention advantageously adopt ammonia, one cheap and easily supplied material with high hydrogen content (17.6 wt %), as one of the hydrogen source, offering a safe and efficient way to store hydrogen and release hydrogen. Furthermore, the hydrogen storage material can be further catalyzed by a transition metal catalyst to improve the dehydrogenation kinetics. With the addition of catalyst, 0.2-10 equiv. H2 could be evolved at −100˜600° C., which might be applied on vehicles which are fueled by hybrid or fuel cell.
US08961818B2
A Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) that includes urea, demineralized water and between 5 and 300 ppm formaldehyde, this formulation of DEF include less than 0.6 ppm of phosphates, calcium, iron, aluminum, magnesium, sodium, and potassium, the formulation also includes less than 0.3 ppm copper, zinc, chromium, and nickel. This formulation of DEF reduces the accumulation of urea deposit in the diesel exhaust system relative to other formulation of specification grade DEF that include less formaldehyde.
US08961804B2
The present invention provides a method and apparatus for etching a photomask substrate with enhanced process monitoring, for example, by providing for optical monitoring at different regions of the photomask to obtain desired etch rate or thickness loss. In one embodiment, the method includes etching a first substrate through a patterned mask layer in a plasma etch chamber, the first substrate having a backside disposed on a substrate support and a front side facing away from the substrate support, directing a first radiation source from the backside of the first substrate to a first area covered by the patterned mask layer, directing a second radiation source from the backside of the first substrate to a second area uncovered by the patterned mask layer, collecting a first signal reflected from the first area covered by the patterned mask layer, collecting a second signal reflected from the second area uncovered by the patterned mask layer, and analyzing the combined first and the second signal.
US08961802B2
A method of forming a fine pattern, including: a phase separation step in which a layer containing a block copolymer having a plurality of blocks bonded is formed on a substrate, and then the layer is heated for phase separation of the layer; a decomposition step in which at least a portion of a phase of at least one block of the plurality of blocks constituting the block copolymer is decomposed; a selective removal step in which the layer is immersed in a developing solution to selectively remove a phase containing decomposed blocks to form a nano structure; and an etching step in which the substrate is subjected to etching by using the nano structure as a mask; and a main component of the developing solution is an organic solvent having an SP value of 7.5 to 11.5 (cal/cm3)1/2, and having vapor pressure of less than 2.1 kPa at 25° C., or is benzene that may be substituted by an alkyl group, an alkoxy group, or a halogen atom, and the developing solution further contains metal alkoxide.
US08961800B2
Functional nanoparticles may be formed using at least one nano-lithography step. In one embodiment, sacrificial material may be patterned on a multi-layer substrate using an imprint lithography system. The pattern may be further etched into the multi-layer substrate. Functional material may then be deposited on multi-layer substrate and solidified. At least a portion of the functional material may then be removed to provide a crown surface exposing pillars. Pillars may be removed from multi-layer substrate forming functional nanoparticles.
US08961799B2
A method of forming a nano-structured substrate is provided, the method comprising including forming non-integral nano-pillars on a substrate surface and directionally etching the substrate surface using the non-integral nano-pillars as a mask to form integral nano-structures in the substrate.
US08961797B2
A valve assembly for a twin tank-type water treatment system includes and a tank selector valve assembly that includes first and second rotary selector valves driven in concert with another by a reversible electric motor. The motor drives the first and second selector valves between (a) a first position in which an untreated water inlet and a treated water outlet of the valve assembly are coupled to a first resin tank, and a second resin tank is connected to a regeneration valve, and (b) a second position which the untreated water inlet and the treated water outlet of the valve assembly are coupled to the second resin tank, and the first resin tank is connected to a regeneration valve. The rotary valves may be disks that rotate relatively rapidly on a common shaft driven by the electric motor through an arc of 180° or less.
US08961795B2
The invention relates to an apparatus and method for removing molybdenum and other possible impurities from an organic copper-containing extraction solution in connection with the liquid-liquid extraction related to copper recovery. The removal of impurities occurs in one or several removal units built into the organic extraction solution storage tank.
US08961789B2
Systems and methods for performing hemodialysis to remove metabolic waste from the blood of a patient are disclosed. The systems and methods preferably comprise at least one blood processing apparatus that receives whole blood from a patient. Cellular blood components are removed from the whole blood by hemofiltration, to provide filtered plasma comprising metabolic waste that is substantially reduced of blood cells. The cellular blood components may be returned to the patient. The filtered plasma comprising waste may be removed from the blood processing apparatus through a waste path for further processing in a separate apparatus, or in the same apparatus in a second stage processing procedure to remove metabolic waste components and excess water from the plasma by hemodialysis. At least one of the hemofiltration and hemodialysis processing apparatus comprises a Taylor vortex-enhanced separation apparatus.
US08961788B2
A shower filter between a downwardly slanting shower arm and a shower head, including a base, and a vertical housing with filler material. The base has an input chamber for receiving water from the shower arm, and an output chamber from which water may be discharged to the shower head. The housing is secured at its bottom end to the base and has a first port communicating with the base input chamber and a second port communicating with the base output chamber. A tube carries water from the housing first port to the top end of the housing, where it is diffused before passing down through the filter material and second port to the output chamber. A fragrant block is mounted to the base.
US08961787B2
Method and systems, for processing biological material, that contain a biological material in a vessel; add an aggregating agent to the material in the vessel and allow the material to separate into two or more distinct submaterials; extract one or more of the submaterials from the vessel; automatically transport one or more of the submaterials remaining in the vessel to a filtration device; and collect a resulting target retentate into a target retentate receptacle.
US08961786B1
A food container, comprising: a curved bottom; an opening in the bottom; a track connected to the bottom and adjacent the opening; a door slideable within the track, configured to encompass and occlude the opening in the bottom. When the door is opened, contents contained in the food container are pulled through the opening under the influence of gravity, and out of the food container without the need to rotate the container.
US08961785B2
A rotary disc filter device includes a rotary drum and one or more disc-shaped filter members secured about the drum. Each disc-shaped filter member includes a filter and a filter support comprising a series of modules. The modules each include a base that is secured to the rotary drum and a support arm projecting outwardly from the base. The modules are interconnected and disposed around the rotary drum.
US08961784B2
There is provided a plug (1) for repairing a sifting or filtering screen, the plug having at least one line of weakening (5) which can be ruptured whereby the plug has a plurality of possible plug sizes so that the plug is capable of plugging at least two different sizes of cell of the screen. Each possible plug size has a seal (2) extending around the complete periphery of the chosen plug size, in use the seal serving to engage and seal against the screen in order to plug a cell aligned with a damaged area of the screen.
US08961773B2
The invention relates to a method of producing aluminum in an electrolysis cell, which includes setting up a succession of control periods of duration T, identifying perturbative tending operations on the cell that can introduce superfluous alumina in the electrolytic bath, noting the performance of the perturbative tending operations, determining a regulation feed rate B(k′) for each control period k′ and setting a specified feed rate SR(k′) equal to M(k′)×B(k′), where M(k′) is a predetermined modulation factor that modulates the regulation feed rate B(k′) so as to take into account a reduction of the needs of the cell induced by the superfluous alumina. The method of the invention makes it possible to significantly reduce the rate of occurrence of anode effects.
US08961769B2
A method and a system for process parameter control of a liquid composition in a reverse electro-enhanced dialysis (REED) system comprising at least two Reverse Electro-Enhanced Dialysis (REED) membrane stacks, wherein the direction of the electric field within any one membrane stack is reversed at asynchronical intervals of time relative to the current reversals for any other membrane stack.
US08961766B2
A micro-analytical platform for performing electrophoresis-based immunoassays was developed by integrating photopolymerized cross-linked polyacrylamide gels within a microfluidic device. The microfluidic immunoassays are performed by gel electrophoretic separation and quantifying analyte concentration based upon conventional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE). To retain biological activity of proteins and maintain intact immune complexes, native PAGE conditions were employed. Both direct (non-competitive) and competitive immunoassay formats are demonstrated in microchips for detecting toxins and biomarkers (cytokines, c-reactive protein) in bodily fluids (serum, saliva, oral fluids). Further, a description of gradient gels fabrication is included, in an effort to describe methods we have developed for further optimization of on-chip PAGE immunoassays. The described chip-based PAGE immunoassay method enables immunoassays that are fast (minutes) and require very small amounts of sample (less than a few microliters). Use of microfabricated chips as a platform enables integration, parallel assays, automation and development of portable devices.
US08961761B2
An oxygen sensor control apparatus includes internal resistance detection means S3, controlled internal resistance obtaining means S4 to S11, and heater energization control means S12. When a timing for detecting the internal resistance R(n) comes during a lean period TL, the controlled internal resistance obtaining means uses the detected internal resistance R(n) as the controlled internal resistance Rf. When a timing for detecting the internal resistance R(n) comes during a rich period TR, the controlled internal resistance obtaining means uses, as the controlled internal resistance Rf, a value obtained by correcting the detected internal resistance R(n) on the basis of a latest lean resistance R(k) such that a variation of the internal resistance which stems from the difference between the lean state and the rich state and which is contained in the detected internal resistance R(n) is removed.
US08961755B2
A semiconductor wafer holder includes first and second holding members between which a semiconductor wafer is held. The second holding member includes a second conductive element placed in contact with a first conductive element of the first holding member and the semiconductor wafer. A ring clamp is used to press the second holding member against the first holding member for holding of the semiconductor wafer.
US08961740B2
A method to make pulp adapted for forming a corrugated medium, the method includes: cooking chips in a cooking vessel using a caustic carbonated pulping soda/caustic (SC) cooking liquor injected into the cooking vessel; fiberizing the chips discharged from the cooking vessel to form a pulp, and removing lignin from the pulp or oxidizing lignin in the pulp by injecting oxygen (O2) into the fiberized pulp.
US08961738B2
The invention concerns a method for controlling the adhesive bond between an electric-field responsive material and a substrate, which method comprises using an electric field to control the strength and integrity of the adhesive bond. The method may be used, for example, for removing or delaminating a material, which material is responsive to an electric field, from a substrate. The invention further comprises elimination of the application of the electric field and application of the previously removed electric-field-responsive material to the substrate, thereby resuming the strength and integrity of the adhesive bond. The invention includes apparatus for use in the bond controlling process.
US08961737B2
A plasma processing apparatus comprises a plasma generation chamber where plasma is generated by exciting a processing gas with high-frequency power applied to a coil wound around a side wall of a reaction container, a processing chamber where a specific type of processing is executed on a wafer with the plasma thus generated and a high-frequency power source capable of selectively outputting either first high-frequency power with a reference frequency or second high-frequency power with a frequency (2n+1)/2 times the reference frequency, to be applied to the coil.
US08961724B2
A structural panel includes a closed-cell foam core formed of a metallic material; a first carbon-fiber panel bonded to a first side of the closed-cell foam core; and a second carbon-fiber panel bonded to a second side of the closed-cell foam core such that the foam core is disposed between the first carbon-fiber panel and the second carbon-fiber panel.
US08961723B2
A graphic transfer assembly is disclosed. The graphic transfer assembly includes an inflatable member that is capable of expanding to fill the interior of an article of footwear. The graphic transfer assembly can include a fluid pump for filling the inflatable member.
US08961722B2
Approaches to providing z-filter media constructions are provided. Preferred corrugated media, filter constructions having such corrugated media, and filter systems using such filter constructions are provided. Also, preferred methods of forming filter constructions are provided.
US08961713B2
The present invention provides stainless steel foil for flexible display use which enables fabrication of a TFT substrate for display use which is superior in shape recovery after being rolled up or bent and which is high in surface flatness and is characterized by having a thickness of 20 μm to 200 μm, a surface roughness Ra of 50 nm or less, and a shape recovery of a distortion angle of 10° or less after being wound around a 30 mm diameter cylinder.
US08961709B1
A solder paste using a Sn—Ag base, Sn—Cu base, or similar alloy powder has a high melting point, so it causes thermal damage to electronic devices. Sn—Ag—In base lead-free solder alloys having a low melting temperature have been studied, but they are difficult to use because they cause much occurrence of chips standing up during reflow.The present invention forms a solder paste by separating a Sn—Ag—In base lead-free solder into first and second solder alloy powders for which the difference in their peak temperatures measured by differential thermal analysis is at least 10° C. and blends the mixed powders with a flux.
US08961698B2
A system for cleaning an implanted blood pump, comprising: an inflow catheter having an expandable inflow member positioned about the periphery thereof; an inflow tube coupled with the inflow catheter; a valve assembly coupled to the inflow tube; an outflow tube coupled to the valve assembly; and an outflow catheter having an expandable outflow member positioned about the periphery thereof, the outflow catheter being coupled to the outflow tube. In use, the inflow tube and outflow tube extend through the skin of a human body, the inflow catheter and outflow catheter are positioned within the human body, and the valve assembly is positioned outside the human body.
US08961697B2
A method for cleaning a die member having molding grooves and moldable-ceramic-material-supplying holes communicating with the molding grooves, by removing a binder-containing moldable ceramic material from the die member after used for molding the moldable ceramic material, comprising the steps of spraying a high-pressure fluid to a surface of the die member on the side of moldable-material-supplying holes, and then spraying a high-pressure fluid to a surface of the die member on the side of molding grooves, thereby removing the moldable ceramic material.
US08961696B2
According to one embodiment, a method for cleaning a semiconductor substrate comprises supplying water vapor to a surface of a semiconductor substrate on which a concave-convex pattern is formed while heating the semiconductor substrate at a predetermined temperature, cooling the semiconductor substrate after stopping the heating and the supply of the water vapor and freezing water on the semiconductor substrate, after freezing the water, supplying pure water onto the semiconductor substrate and melting a frozen film, and after melting the frozen film, drying the semiconductor substrate.
US08961694B2
The invention relates to a plasma generator (1) for cleaning an object. The plasma generator (1) comprises a plasma chamber (2) and a support structure (6) arranged in the plasma chamber for supporting the object (7) to be cleaned. Further, the plasma generator comprises an electromagnetic shield (5a, 5b, 5c) counteracting a flow of charged plasma particles flowing from a plasma generating region towards the object, and a plasma source (8). In addition, the plasma generator comprises an additional plasma source (9,10) to form a composition of plasma sources that are arranged to generate in the plasma generating region plasmas, respectively, that mutually interact during operation of the plasma generator so as to force plasma particles to flow in a diffusely closed flow path.
US08961693B2
The present invention provides a component supporting device which has: a platform, a vacuum system, a gas supply system and a discharger system. The platform has a supporting surface, a bottom surface and at least one through hole, and the through hole passes through the supporting surface and the bottom surface. The vacuum system provides a vacuum suction to the through hole. The gas supply system is used to output at least one type of gas to the through hole. The discharger system ionizes the gas into an ion fluid. Thus, the through hole can be used to provide the vacuum suction for supporting and sucking a component, or to provide the ion fluid when releasing the vacuum suction for more efficiently, uniformly and rapidly removing static electricity on a surface of the component.
US08961688B2
Disclosed are a method and a device for plasma treating workpieces (5). Said workpiece is inserted into a chamber (7) of a treatment station (3), which can be at least partly evacuated, and is positioned within the treatment station by means of a holding element. In order to simultaneously supply at least two chambers with at least one operating means, a flow of the operating means is branched at least once so as to form at least two partial flows (55).
US08961682B2
Hydrophilic coating compositions and methods to make and use the compositions are disclosed. The compositions include a photocatalytic pigment material made up of an inorganic pigment and a monomeric anti-oxidants and free radical scavenger that is contacted to the surface of the inorganic pigment.
US08961662B2
A separator assembly comprises a vertical vessel including a fluid inlet for receiving a fluid including a gas, at least two liquids, and solids, at least two liquid outlets for discharging the liquids, a gas outlet at an upper end thereof for discharging gas, and a solids outlet at a lower end thereof for discharging solids. A baffle plate extends across the vessel, and cooperates with the vessel to define an upper section and a lower section, and has a first conduit extending downwardly so that liquids and solids may flow into the lower section, and a second conduit extending upwardly so that gases may flow from the lower section to the upper section. A backpressure valve is in fluid communication with the gas outlet and is configured to discharge gas while maintaining a selected level of pressure inside the vessel.
US08961639B2
The present invention relates to a welding booth that has a small foot print and can be joined to other booths for maximization of floor space use.
US08961635B2
The present invention pertains to a device for cleaning gases containing particles with a bellows and with at least one filter element arranged in the bellows. To ensure effective filtration without limitation of the mobility of the bellows, the present invention provides for at least one filter element to be fixed at a bellows inner flange of a bellows corrugation in a positive-locking manner.
US08961632B2
A method of making an abrasive particle distribution includes: sorting an initial lot of abrasive particles into a plurality of sublots including first and second sublots of the abrasive particles according to their average particle diameter and aspect ratio, and combining the first and second sublots. The initial lot conforms to an abrasives industry specified nominal grade. The first sublot has an average particle diameter and aspect ratio less than the second sublot. A sum of the first sublot and the second sublot contains fewer abrasive particles than the initial lot. The resultant abrasive particle distribution and abrasive articles including the same are also disclosed.
US08961631B2
There is provided a process for producing a fluorinated nanodiamond dispersion liquid, including a purification step of mixing a fluorinated nanodiamond with an alcohol having a carbon number of 4 or fewer, then conducting an ultrasonic treatment to produce a suspension, and subjecting the obtained suspension to a classification treatment by centrifugation to produce a dispersion liquid of fluorinated nanodiamond; a drying step to prepare a dry fluorinated nanodiamond by removing the alcohol from the dispersion liquid of fluorinated nanodiamond that is obtained by the purification step; and a redispersion step to prepare the fluorinated nanodiamond dispersion liquid by mixing the dry fluorinated nanodiamond that is obtained by the drying step, with an aprotic polar solvent and then conducting an ultrasonic treatment.
US08961630B2
Methods of forming a cutting element include immersing at least a portion of a volume of polycrystalline diamond in a liquid electrolytic solution, applying a voltage between the polycrystalline diamond and a cathode in contact with the liquid electrolytic solution, and removing at least a portion of metal catalyst from interstitial spaces between adjacent diamond grains. The polycrystalline diamond includes interbonded diamond grains and metal catalyst particles in the interstitial spaces between adjacent grains of polycrystalline diamond material. Some methods include forming a barrier over a portion of a volume of polycrystalline diamond and transferring at least a portion of the metal catalyst from a portion of the polycrystalline diamond not covered by the barrier to a liquid electrolyte. Some methods include encapsulating a volume of polycrystalline diamond in a barrier and selectively removing a portion of the barrier from a first portion of the volume of polycrystalline diamond.
US08961624B2
A method for marking a petroleum hydrocarbon or liquid biologically derived fuel by adding to the petroleum hydrocarbon or biologically derived fuel at least one compound having formula (I), wherein G1 represents an organic functional group having from four to forty carbon atoms.
US08961617B2
A construct for use in an abdominal surgery is described. The construct contains an allograft having at least one layer of human amnion and chorion tissues, and has a size and shape appropriate for covering an incision or a surgical site resulting from the surgery. Methods of preparing the construct and using it in an abdominal surgery are also described. The products and methods improve the performance of the abdominal surgery, e.g., by reducing adhesions, scar formation while also reducing inflammation and risk of post-operative infection.
US08961616B2
A medical implant is disclosed, said implant having a flexible hollow body (1) which can be implanted inside the stomach (8) of a patient and which has a first tube-like end section (2) and a second tube-like end section (3), wherein the first tube-like end section (2) is dimensioned such that it can be fitted into the esophagus (7) of the patient, and the second tube-like end section (3) is dimensioned such that it can be connected to the small intestine loop (9) of the patent in a sealing manner.
US08961614B2
A method is provided for delivering an implant for replacing a portion of an articular surface. The method may include forming a socket in an articulating feature that is capable of moving relative to the articular surface. An implant may be placed in the socket and the articulating feature may be moved relative to the articular surface to generally align the socket with an implant site formed in the articular surface. The implant may be transferred from the socket into the implant site.
US08961613B2
A low friction resurfacing implant system including a first implant component having a first bearing surface and a first engagement surface. The first engagement surface is located opposite the first bearing surface. The first implant component has a leading edge and a trailing edge. The first implant component includes teeth that extend from the first engagement surface. The teeth are arranged in a plurality of rows. The teeth in adjacent rows are offset from each other.
US08961610B2
A burr hole plug comprises a plug base configured for being mounted around a burr hole. The plug base includes an aperture through which an elongated medical device exiting the burr hole may pass. The plug base is configured to accommodate a variety of cranium forms without requiring deformation of the plug base. A plug base holding tool is used to secure the plug base to the cranium, wherein the tool aligns fasteners with the plug base for insertion through the plug base and into the cranium. The burr hole plug further comprises a retainer configured for being mounted within the aperture of the plug base to secure the medical device. The retainer includes a clamping mechanism that secures the elongated medical device in the burr hole plug, wherein the movement of the clamping mechanism is controlled to prevent skewing of the clamping mechanism.
US08961609B2
The present invention relates to methods of separating, supporting or both separating and supporting layers of tissue in the human spine. Such methods generally comprise inserting at least one member between layers of tissue in the human spine and changing the configuration of the member to define a support structure between the tissue layers.
US08961605B2
A method and apparatus are provided to manipulate and revitalize a spinal column disc while minimizing or preventing the removal of material comprising the disc. The method allows a device to be inserted in the disc either through a pre-existing rupture or through an opening formed in the front, back, or sides of the disc. Increasing the space between the vertebra bounding the disc or removing disc material often is not necessary to insert the device in the disc. The device generates internal traction or other forces acting on the disc to alter the shape of the disc. The shape of the disc is altered to relieve pressure on nerves adjacent the disc. The shape of the disc is also altered to draw nuclear hernias back into the interior of the disc and to produce a disc shape that improves functioning of the disc.
US08961590B2
The present invention relates to tubular stents that are implanted within a body lumen. The stent has a cylindrical shape defining a longitudinal axis and includes a proximal helical section, a distal helical section and an intermediate ring section there between. Each of the proximal and distal helical sections has of a plurality of longitudinally oriented strut members and a plurality of circumferentially oriented hinge members connecting circumferentially adjacent strut members to form a band, the band being wrapped about the longitudinal axis in a substantially helical manner to form a plurality of helical windings, wherein the distal helical section is wound about the longitudinal axis in the opposite direction from the proximal helical section. The intermediate ring section includes a plurality of longitudinally oriented strut members and a plurality of circumferentially oriented hinge members connecting circumferentially adjacent strut members to form an endless ring.
US08961586B2
Disclosed is a stent assembly for expanding in vivo vessels, the assembly comprising first and second radially expandable mesh stents, wherein the first stent is separated by a predetermined distance from the second stent and a stent jacket spans the predetermined distance such that a first end of the jacket is operatively associated with the first stent and a second end of the jacket is operatively associated with the second stent.
US08961585B2
The invention provides for intra-luminal stents, especially stent having controlled fracture connection, as well as, methods of making and using the same. In one embodiment, a stent for implantation into a vessel has a plurality of annular segments collectively forming tubular shape, characterized by at least first and second adjacent annular segments each defined by a plurality of struts and at least one joint interconnecting respective struts of the first and second segments on a non-permanent basis.
US08961574B2
A bone plate for fixing bone fragments to bone is provided. The bone plate comprises an elongated body portion as well as a hook portion. The elongated body portion comprises an attachment opening configured to receive an attachment element for attaching the bone plate to bone. The hook portion extends from an end of the body portion and comprises one or more hooks configured to grasp a bone fragment. Additionally, at least one guiding opening is provided in the hook portion to receive an elongated guiding member for guiding the bone plate towards the bone fragment.
US08961570B2
A fusionless correction system comprises a longitudinal element extending between a first end and second end. At least one fixation element is disposed with the longitudinal element and is configured for disposal in bone. A lock is disposed with the at least one fixation element and includes at least one bone penetrating projection. The lock is movable relative to the at least one fixation element between a first non-engaging configuration and a second engaging configuration such that the at least one bone penetrating projection extends beyond an outer surface of the at least one fixation element. Methods of use are disclosed.
US08961569B2
An embodiment of the invention provides for a pedicle screw system including a bone anchor, linkage rod, tulip, set screw, and detent plate. When the set screw is fully tightened against the detent plate, pluralities of ridges on opposing faces of the detent plate and set screw cooperate by providing catches to prevent unwanted loosening of the set screw, which could lead to unwanted rod slippage and instability in the orthopedic fixation unit.
US08961566B2
A vertebral construct comprises a longitudinal element extending between a first end and a second end. The longitudinal element defines a central axis. A first spacer is mounted to the longitudinal element. A second spacer is mounted to the longitudinal element. A flexible element is disposed about the longitudinal element and between the first spacer and the second spacer. The flexible element defines a central axis offset from the central axis of the longitudinal element. Methods of use are disclosed.
US08961555B2
A guidewire may include a spreader or at least one centering device which may be used to open occluded vessels or other biological passages, especially chronic total occlusions. The guidewire may be used to either open the lumen or to center a boring device within the lumen, so that the chronic total occlusion can be crossed, and an interventional procedure can then be performed.
US08961551B2
A method for detaching an object from a patient includes providing a tool having a sheath, and a separating assembly operably coupled to a distal end of the sheath. The separating assembly includes a separator moveably coupled to a tip via a threadable connection. The separating assembly is placed near patient tissue that is attached to the object, the sheath is rotated to move the separator distal to the tip, and the separator is applied to the patient tissue that is attached to the object, so as to separate the tissue. A separating system includes a sheath, and a separator threadably coupled with a distal end of the sheath. The separator is adapted to switch between a first configuration where a separating means is deployed, and a second configuration where the separating means is undeployed.
US08961549B2
A Retrograde Entry Antegrade Placement (REAP) method and apparatus facilitate the antegrade (i.e., in the direction of blood flow) placement of endovascular devices for treatment of lower extremity arterial disease. Initially, a retrograde entry is made into the arterial system of a patient at an entry point with a curved needle, which then exits at an exit point proximal to the entry point, with a first wire then passed through the lumen of the curved needle. From the skin exit point, a Dual-Lumen Access Director (DAD) device is advanced in the antegrade direction down the first wire in a first lumen and enters the CFA 1 lumen. A second wire is passed down a second lumen in the DAD device and follows the SFA lumen in the antegrade direction. The DAD device is removed, and a standard dilator sheath is inserted over the second wire and the endovascular treatment begins.
US08961538B2
Systems and methods for repairing tears in soft tissue, e.g., meniscal tissue, by employing cinch stitching. More specifically, the present invention provides apparatus and methods for meniscal repair using a suture implant construct. The suture implant construct includes a first and second implant which are connected to each other via a length of suture. The implants are designed to be loaded on external surfaces of the first and second trocars.
US08961532B2
A delivery system for delivering an occluding device to a body lumen comprises an elongated shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, a delivery means for delivering the occluding device to a desired location within the body lumen, and a flexible atraumatic tip on the distal end of the elongated shaft. The distal end of the elongated shaft is insertable into the body lumen. The atraumatic tip is configured to guide the elongated shaft through the body lumen while avoiding perforation of the body lumen.
US08961529B2
A replacement device for resurfacing a joint surface of a femur and a method of making and installing such a device is provided. The custom replacement device is designed to substantially fit the trochlear groove surface, of an individual femur, thereby creating a “customized” replacement device for that individual femur and maintaining the original kinematics of the joint. The top surface is designed so as to maintain centrally directed tracking of the patella perpendicular to the plane established by the distal end of the femoral condyles and aligned with the center of the femoral head.
US08961527B2
Disclosed herein is a method of defining a mating surface in a first side of an arthroplasty jig. The mating surface is configured to matingly receive and contact a corresponding patient surface including at least one of a bone surface and a cartilage surface. The first side is oriented towards the patient surface when the mating surface matingly receives and contacts the patient surface. The method may include: a) identifying a contour line associated with the patient surface as represented in a medical image; b) evaluating via an algorithm the adequacy of the contour line for defining a portion of the mating surface associated with the contour line; c) modifying the contour line if the contour line is deemed inadequate; and d) employing the modified contour line to define the portion of the mating surface associated with the contour line.
US08961520B2
A cutting tool includes a cutting surface on a first side and an attachment member on a second side. The attachment member is configured to be coupled to a powered driving member. The cutting tool includes a limiting device configured to restrict the use of the cutting tool to a predetermined number of uses. The limiting device can be configured to restrict the number of uses of the cutting tool by restricting the number of times that the attachment member can be coupled to the powered driving member.
US08961519B2
A surgical rotary cutting tool and guard assembly is provided in which the cutting tool has a shaft with a proximal end and a distal end with an end effector at the distal end. The shaft includes at least one bearing mounted thereto intermediate the proximal and distal ends, the bearing having an inside dimension and the shaft having an outside dimension that provide for an interference fit between the bearing and the shaft. A tubular sleeve that serves as a guard houses the shaft, the sleeve having an inside dimension sized to slidably support the bearing.
US08961517B2
A dynamic cervical plate includes a first end section and a second end section. In embodiments, the dynamic cervical plate may include one or more middle sections positioned between the first and second end sections. Each section may be longitudinally repositionable. Each section may include a plurality of openings for receiving threaded fasteners such as a self-starting screw or a self-tapping screw. In addition, each section may include an orifice for releasably mating with a drill guide. Each of the end sections may include a notch at one end for aligning with the drill guide or fixation pins. In one embodiment, a pin is used to interconnect the sections. In other embodiments, support bars are used to limit flexure between sections. In embodiments, one or more locking elements and/or one or more support bars may operably interconnect each section.
US08961516B2
A straight intramedullary bone fracture fixation device is provided with an elongate body having a longitudinal axis for deployment in a long bone, such as a clavicle. Methods of repairing a fracture of a bone are also disclosed. One such method comprises inserting a bone fixation device into an intramedullary space of the bone to place at least a portion of an elongate body of the fixation device on one side of the fracture and at least a portion of a hub on another side of the fracture, and engaging an inner surface of the intramedullary space to anchor the fixation device to the bone. Various configurations and designs may be used in combination with other fixation device components.
US08961510B2
The endoscopic nasal palatoplasty procedure provides a reduction in the posterior aspect of the soft palate and/or uvula, thereby increasing the area of the nasopharyngeal passage between the soft palate and/or uvula and the back of the nasopharynx. This increased nasopharyngeal area promotes nasal breathing, thereby reducing reliance upon oral breathing and corresponding sleep-disordered breathing syndrome and associated problems such as sleep apnea and snoring. The procedure is performed using a conventional surgical implement, such as a Coblator® or other electro cauterizing or laser cauterizing implement, to ablate and cauterize a series of lesions in the soft palate and/or uvula. The procedure is performed by inserting the surgical implement through one of the nasal passages to access the superior surface of the soft palate and/or uvula.
US08961509B2
A catheter including control, localization, and/or fluid delivery features, and methods of using the same. One embodiment is directed to an electrophysiology catheter including a superelastic wire and a cable, and a method of controlling the catheter using the cable. Another embodiment is directed to an electrophysiology catheter including an adhesive to bias the orientation of the catheter. A further embodiment is directed to an electrophysiology catheter including adhesive and one or more cables, and a method of controlling the catheter using the one or more cables. Another embodiment is directed to a method including acts of injecting a fluid into the heart of a patient and adjusting the diameter of an arcuate curve of the catheter. Further embodiments are directed to a catheter having multiple position sensors on an arcuate curve of the catheter, or a position sensor associated with a movable electrode of the catheter.
US08961507B2
Systems, assemblies, and methods to treat pulmonary diseases are used to decrease nervous system input to distal regions of the bronchial tree within the lungs. Treatment systems damage nerve tissue to temporarily or permanently decrease nervous system input. The treatment systems are capable of heating nerve tissue, cooling the nerve tissue, delivering a flowable substance that cause trauma to the nerve tissue, puncturing the nerve tissue, tearing the nerve tissue, cutting the nerve tissue, applying pressure to the nerve tissue, applying ultrasound to the nerve tissue, applying ionizing radiation to the nerve tissue, disrupting cell membranes of nerve tissue with electrical energy, or delivering long acting nerve blocking chemicals to the nerve tissue.
US08961501B2
Materials and methods of treating an eye with a hydrogel formed on the eye. Embodiments are provided that include post-keratectomy bandages. A method of treating a patient by application of a hydrogel bandage to a cornea by providing a first hydrogel precursor in a dry form immobilized in a first deposit at a first location in a well, providing a second hydrogel precursor in a dry form immobilized in a second deposit at a second location in the well, mixing the deposits together to form a mixture, and transferring at least some of the mixture to the cornea, with the mixture forming a covalently crosslinked hydrogel on the cornea.
US08961497B2
Provided is a portable vacuum generator that can effectively save battery power of a vacuum pump for absorbing exudates from a suction head that is connected to a tube, and a medical suction device using the same. The medical suction device includes: a connection tube whose one end is connected to a connector of the suction head; and a vacuum generator including a vacuum pump that is connected to the other end of the connection tube and having a motor for generating negative pressure, and a vacuum pump controller that controls a power supply for the vacuum pump so as to maintain a vacuum state, in which the vacuum pump controller blocks the power supply for the vacuum pump until pressure of the vacuum pump falls down to preset minimum pressure in the case that the current pressure that is applied to the vacuum pump reaches preset maximum pressure, and drives the vacuum pump until pressure of the vacuum pump reaches the preset maximum pressure in the case that the current pressure falls down to the preset minimum pressure.
US08961493B2
A trocar system for providing access across a body wall includes a trocar and an anchor provided in the form of a first helix. The anchor is adapted for placement in an operative position wherein the anchor extends at least partially through the body wall. A second helix formed on the trocar is size and configured to engage the first helix of the anchor so that rotation of the trocar relative to the anchor moves the second helix along the first helix. In this manner, the trocar is drawn into the anchor as it moves into the body wall. A proximal force applied to the anchor resists tenting of the abdominal wall. The anchor also holds the layers of the body wall together thereby resisting peritoneal separation.
US08961491B2
A device for inserting a catheter into a blood vessel that uses fluid flow to aid the insertion of the catheter into a patient is described herein. The device includes a catheter retention device that houses a catheter and is configured to attach to an angiocatheter or other blood vessel access device. The catheter retention device receives fluid and guides the catheter into the blood vessel using the flow of fluid to carry the catheter into the blood vessel.
US08961473B2
A drive mechanism for a drug delivery device comprises a housing having a proximal end and a distal end and a piston rod, which is adapted to be displaced in a distal direction with respect to the housing when dispensing a drug dose. A drive member is adapted to be rotated when dispensing the drug dose, wherein the drive mechanism is configured to convert rotational movement of the drive member into a movement of the piston rod in the distal direction with respect to the housing. A stop member is adapted to prevent a rotational movement of the drive member with respect to the housing when setting a drug dose. The drive member comprises a drive portion being coupled to the piston rod and a first coupling portion which couples the drive portion and the stop member, wherein the drive mechanism is configured to be switchable between a set and dispense mode of operation and a reset mode of operation, and wherein, in the set and dispense mode, said first coupling portion is bi-directionally coupled to the drive portion for setting and dispensing the drug dose, and wherein, in the reset mode, said first coupling portion is decoupled from the drive portion to allow a reset operation to be performed for the drive mechanism.
US08961469B2
A drug delivery device (100), including a body (104, 116) having a reservoir (164, 176) disposed therein for containing a medicament and an injection needle (152) for penetrating the skin of a patient, the needle (152) providing a path for the medicament between the reservoir (164, 176) and the patient. The device (100) also includes a needle cover (114) for selectively covering the injection needle (152), an adhesive (264) for selectively adhering the device to the patient, a release liner (500) for selectively covering a patient side of the adhesive (264), and a connecting means (112, 520, 512, 508, 524) for connecting the needle cover (114) and the release liner (500) such that removal of one of the needle cover (114) and the release liner (500) from the device (100) removes the other one of the needle cover (114) and the release liner (500).
US08961463B2
A two-dose autoinjector for a medicament wherein the locking and releasing of the drive spring of the autoinjector is controlled through stepped guides with ramps for two successive slidings of slides operated by the spring and connected with the syringe and plunger. The guides and the slides are pivotable relative to one another and the sliding direction, while the syringe can only slide axially. To enable or disable the sliding of the slides within the guides an angularly angularly mobile arming member is provided formed with a guide track substantially equal to that of the stationary member where the guides are formed.
US08961457B2
A catheter assembly includes an expandable and collapsible structure having an outer surface. The expandable and collapsible structure is adapted to expand between a contracted state and a dilated state. A guard is bonded to the outer surface of the expandable and collapsible structure. The guard and the expandable and collapsible structure cooperatively define a plurality of reservoirs. A coating disposed in the reservoirs. The coating includes a bioactive agent. The coating protrudes from the reservoirs when the expandable and collapsible structure is expanded to the dilated state.
US08961453B2
Infusion devices with blockage detection capability and methods of monitoring infusion devices.
US08961452B2
Disclosed are sheaths that comprise a first sheath member having a first passageway, a first length, and a first proximal end defined by a first valve apparatus configured to seal the first passageway, the first passageway having a first passageway diameter at a location in the first passageway; and a second sheath member coupled to the first sheath member, the second sheath member having a second passageway and a second length, the second passageway having a second passageway diameter at a location in the second passageway; where the first passageway and the second passageway are separate from each other and not co-axial, the first length is different from the second length, and the first and second sheath members are positioned beside each other for a portion of their first and second lengths.
US08961447B2
An ocular implant adapted to reside at least partially in a portion of Schlemm's canal of an eye. In some embodiments the implant has a body extending in a curved volume whose longitudinal axis forms an arc of a circle, and a plurality of open areas and strut areas formed in the body, the open areas extending over more than 50% of a surface defining the curved volume, the strut areas surrounding the open areas, the body having a diameter of between 0.005 inches and 0.04 inches. The invention also provides a method of treating glaucoma including the steps of supporting tissue forming Schlemm's canal in an eye with an implant extending at least partially in the canal along an axial length within the canal; and contacting with the implant less than 50% of the tissue forming the canal along the axial length.
US08961442B2
Device for massaging the fingers, useful for being used, mainly, by those people suffering from an articular degenerative disease, such as arthrosis, or inflammation of the joints, such as arthritis, to activate the blood circulation in a passive way favoring the nutrients arrival to the affected joints and removal of waste substances that cause pain and inflammation of the joints, the device (1) being defined by a central body (2), of generally cylindrical shape, provided with a threaded central axial hole (7), which by one of its bases embodies a grasp handle (8), while presenting on its opposite base, at least, two radial protrusions (9) to which respective arms (3) are, rotatably joined, which, on one of their ends, are restrained by a spring (4) and on their other free end mount respective rotating wheels (5).
US08961436B2
Apparatus is provided for diagnosing or treating an organ or vessel, wherein a device having at least two optical fiber sensors disposed in a distal extremity thereof is coupled to processing logic programmed to compute a multi-dimensional force vector responsive to detected changes in the optical characteristics of the optical fiber sensors arising from deflection of the distal extremity resulting from contact with the tissue of the wall of the organ or vessel. The force vector may be used to facilitate manipulation of the catheter either directly or automatically using a robotic system.
US08961423B2
Ultrasound catheter devices and methods of the present invention generally provide for ablation and/or disruption of vascular occlusions. An ultrasound transmission member, such as a wire, transmits vibrational energy from an ultrasound transducer to a distal head of the catheter to disrupt vascular occlusions. An absorber member is disposed on or around the ultrasound transmission wire at a location adjacent the sonic connector of the catheter. The absorber member absorbs heat, vibrations, and/or the like from the ultrasound transmission wire at or near the area where the transmission wire is coupled with the sonic connector. The absorptive function typically slows the process of wear and tear on the transmission wire, thus extending the useful life of the ultrasound catheter.
