US08003596B2
P-selectin targeting ligand molecules are provided as well as compositions, including kits, which comprise such P-selectin targeting ligand molecules, such composition being useful for use as pharmaceutical formulations which can be administered safely and effectively and as diagnostic formulations.
US08003593B2
The present invention describes a formulation comprising: (A) at least one surfactant; and (B) an anti-microbial composition that comprises (i) an anti-microbial agent with surfactant properties; (ii) a hydrophobic material and (iii) a polar solvent.
US08003575B2
An aqueous composition for treating hydrocarbon wells contains (a) a scale inhibitor and (b) a viscoelastic surfactant, and further contains from 0 to less than 1% by weight of acid selected from the group consisting of hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid, formic acid, acetic acid, citric acid, maleic acid, hydrofluoric acid, and mixtures thereof.
US08003572B2
The present invention provides methods for identifying compounds that selectively bind one or more active sites within an ubiquitin conjugating enzyme. The compounds identified by the methods are useful in the treatment of disorders attributed to dysregulated ubiquitin conjugating enzyme function, specifically in hyperproliferative disorders.
US08003563B2
A method for producing a tungsten trioxide powder for a photocatalyst according to the present invention is characterized by comprising a sublimation step for obtaining a tungsten trioxide powder by subliming a tungsten metal powder or a tungsten compound powder by using inductively coupled plasma process in an oxygen atmosphere, and a heat treatment step for heat-treating the tungsten trioxide powder obtained in the sublimation step at 300° C. to 1000° C. for 10 minutes to 2 hours in an oxidizing atmosphere. A tungsten trioxide powder which is obtained by the method for producing a tungsten trioxide powder for a photocatalyst according to the present invention has excellent photocatalytic performance under visible light.
US08003562B2
A silica base composite photocatalyst that has appropriate water purification capability, inhibiting precipitation of metal oxides; and a process for producing the same. The silica base composite photocatalyst is one composed mainly of a composite oxide phase consisting of an oxide phase (first phase) composed mainly of silica component and a titania phase (second phase) wherein the ratio of presence of the second phase increases aslope toward the surface layer, characterized in that at least one metal oxide selected from among strontium titanate and barium titanate is contained in the second phase.
US08003559B2
Disclosed are solid titanium catalyst components, catalyst systems containing solid titanium catalyst components, and methods of making solid titanium catalyst components. The solid titanium catalyst components contain an internal electron donor compound containing at least one ether group and at least one ketone group. The catalyst system can contain a solid titanium catalyst component, an organoaluminum compound, and an organosilicon compound. Also disclosed are methods of polymerizing or copolymerizing an alpha-olefin. The methods involve contacting an olefin with a catalyst system containing the solid titanium catalyst component.
US08003558B2
Disclosed are 1,8-naphthyl diaryloates, methods of making 1,8-naphthyl diaryloates, methods of using 1,8-naphthyl diaryloates, solid titanium catalyst components, catalyst systems containing solid titanium catalyst components, methods of making solid titanium catalyst components, and polymerization methods. The solid titanium catalyst components contain a 1,8-naphthyl diaryloate internal electron donor compound. The catalyst system can contain a solid titanium catalyst component, an organoaluminum compound, and an organosilicon compound.
US08003554B2
In a clothing support for a card flat covering, the belt-shaped support is made of plastics material, and there is embedded in a base body at least one reinforcing insert which is also belt-shaped and which is arranged in the vicinity of the back of the support. In order to make possible stronger anchoring by simple means and to allow undisrupted oscillation of clothing wires, the base body has at least two layers (bottom layer and top layer) of different plastics materials connected to one another, and the bottom layer incorporates a fabric.
US08003552B2
A freestanding article is provided that uses a cured polyaspartic acid urethane resin to form a hardened matrix impregnating and surrounding a cloth having parallel fibers. This resin provides an article with superior mechanical and weathering properties relative to conventional resins such as epoxies and vinyl esters.
US08003551B2
The present invention provides means and methods for producing surface-activated semiconductor nanoparticles suitable for in vitro and in vivo applications that can fluoresce in response to light excitation. Semiconductor nanostructures can be produced by generating a porous layer in semiconductor substrate comprising a network of nanostructures. Prior or subsequent to cleavage from the substrate, the nanostructures can be activated by an activation means such as exposing their surfaces to a plasma, oxidation or ion implantation. In some embodiments, the surface activation renders the nanostructures more hydrophilic, thereby facilitating functionalization of the nanoparticles for either in vitro or in vivo use.
US08003547B2
A substrate processing apparatus, a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, and a method of confirming an operation of a liquid flowrate control device are provided. The substrate processing apparatus comprises: a process chamber accommodating a substrate; a liquid source supply system supplying a liquid source into the process chamber; a solvent supply system supplying a solvent having a vapor pressure greater than that of the liquid source into the process chamber; a liquid flowrate control device controlling flowrates of the liquid source and the solvent; and a controller controlling the liquid source supply system, the solvent supply system, and the liquid flowrate control device so that the solvent is supplied into the liquid flowrate control device than the solvent supply system to confirm an operation of the liquid flowrate control device before the liquid source supply system supplies the liquid source into the process chamber.
US08003546B2
In a method of growing silicon (Si) using a reactor, a supercritical fluid including a silicon Si source and hydrogen flows in the reactor, and the Si source reacts with hydrogen. A base substrate of a solar cell may be formed with Si made using the method of growing silicon (Si). The supercritical fluid may be a fluid in which Si is not oxidized and may be, for example, a CO2 supercritical fluid with a pressure of about 60 to about 200 atm. The Si source may be TriChloroSilane (TCS) (SiCl3H) or SiH4.
US08003538B2
The present invention relates to a method for producing a structure serving as an etching mask on the surface of a substrate. In this case, a first method involves forming a first partial structure on the surface of the substrate, which has structure elements that are arranged regularly and are spaced apart essentially identically. A second method involves forming spacers on the surface of the substrate, which adjoin sidewalls of the structure elements of the first partial structure, cutouts being provided between the spacers. A third method step involves introducing filling material into the cutouts between the spacers, a surface of the spacers being uncovered. A fourth method step involves removing the spacers in order to form a second partial structure having the filling material and having structure elements that are arranged regularly and are spaced apart essentially identically. The structure to be produced is composed of the first partial structure and the second partial structure.
US08003537B2
A method for the production of a planar structure is disclosed. The method comprises producing on a substrate a plurality of structures of substantially equal height, and there being a space in between the plurality of structures. The method further comprises providing a fill layer of electromagnetic radiation curable material substantially filling the space between the structures. The method further comprises illuminating a portion of the fill layer with electromagnetic radiation, hereby producing a exposed portion and an unexposed portion, the portions being separated by an interface substantially parallel with the first main surface of the substrate. The method further comprises removing the portion above the interface.
US08003533B2
A disclosed laminated structure includes a wettability-variable layer containing a wettability-variable material whose surface energy changes when energy is applied thereto and including at least a high-surface-energy area having high surface energy and a low-surface-energy area having low surface energy; and a conductive layer formed on the high-surface-energy area. The high-surface-energy area includes a first area and a second area extending from the first area and having a width smaller than that of the first area.
US08003527B2
A semiconductor device manufacturing method includes forming an interlayer dielectric film above a semiconductor substrate; forming a first wiring trench with a first width and a second wiring trench with a second width that is larger than the first width inr the interlayer dielectric film; forming a first seed layer that includes a first additional element in the first wiring trench and the second wiring trench; forming a first copper layer over the first seed layer; removing the first copper layer and the first seed layer in the second wiring trench while leaving the first copper layer and the first seed layer in the first wiring trench; forming a second seed layer in the second wiring trench after removing the first copper layer and the first seed layer in the second wiring trench; and forming a second copper layer over the second seed layer.
US08003522B2
A method for forming a semiconductor structure includes the following steps. A hard mask layer is formed over a semiconductor region. The hard mask layer has inner portions that are thinner than its outer portions, and the inner portions define an exposed surface area of the semiconductor region. A portion of the semiconductor region is removed through the exposed surface area of the semiconductor region. The thinner portions of the hard mask layer are removed to expose surface areas of the semiconductor region underlying the thinner portions. An additional portion of the semiconductor region is removed through all exposed surface areas of the semiconductor region thereby forming a trench having an upper portion that is wider than its lower portion.
US08003521B2
Devices, methods, and systems for semiconductor processing are described herein. A number of method embodiments of semiconductor processing can include forming a silicon layer on a structure, forming an opening through the silicon layer and into the structure, and selectively forming a resistance variable material in the opening such that the resistance variable material does not form on the silicon layer.
US08003516B2
Methods for forming voids in BEOL interconnect structures and BEOL interconnect structures. The methods include forming a temporary feature on a top surface of a first dielectric layer and depositing a second dielectric layer on the top surface of the first dielectric layer. The temporary feature is removed from the second dielectric layer to define a void in the second dielectric layer that is laterally adjacent to a conductive feature in the second dielectric layer. The void operates to reduce the effective dielectric constant of the second dielectric layer, which reduces parasitic capacitance between the conductive feature and other conductors in the BEOL interconnect structure.
US08003512B2
Methods and UBM structures having bilayer or trilayer UBM layers that include a thin TiW adhesion layer and a thick Ni-based barrier layer thereover both deposited under sputtering operating conditions that provide the resultant bilayer or trilayer UBM layers with minimal composite stresses. The Ni-based barrier layer may be pure Ni or a Ni alloy. These UBM layers may be patterned to fabricate bilayer or trilayer UBM capture pads, followed by joining a lead-free solder thereto for providing lead-free solder joints that maintain reliability after multiple reflows. Optionally, the top layer of the trilayer UBM structures may include soluble or insoluble metals for doping the lead-free solder connections.
US08003508B2
A method of forming a gate line of a semiconductor device, wherein when an etch process for forming a gate line is performed, a loading effect is improved, thereby enhancing the operating speed of a semiconductor device. According to a method of forming a gate line of a semiconductor device in accordance with an aspect of the invention, a stack layer is formed over a semiconductor substrate that includes a first area and a second area. Hard mask patterns are formed over the stack layer so that the hard mask patterns are denser in the first area than in the second area. Next, a loading compensation layer is formed before the stack layer is etched, or the loading compensation layer is deposited after the stack layer is partially etched. Accordingly, a loading effect occurring when the stack layer is etched can be offset.
US08003506B2
More complete charge transfer is achieved in a CMOS or CCD imager by reducing the spacing in the gaps between gates in each pixel cell, and/or by providing a lightly doped region between adjacent gates in each pixel cell, and particularly at least between the charge collecting gate and the gate downstream to the charge collecting gate. To reduce the gaps between gates, an insulator cap with spacers on its sidewalls is formed for each gate over a conductive layer. The gates are then etched from the conductive layer using the insulator caps and spacers as hard masks, enabling the gates to be formed significantly closer together than previously possible, which, in turn increases charge transfer efficiency. By providing a lightly doped region on between adjacent gates, a more complete charge transfer is effected from the charge collecting gate.
US08003500B2
In a plasma immersion ion implantation process, the thickness of a pre-implant chamber seasoning layer is increased (to permit implantation of a succession of wafers without replacing the seasoning layer) without loss of wafer clamping electrostatic force due to increased seasoning layer thickness. This is accomplished by first plasma-discharging residual electrostatic charge from the thick seasoning layer. The number of wafers which can be processed using the same seasoning layer is further increased by fractionally supplementing the seasoning layer after each wafer is processed, which may be followed by a brief plasma discharging of the supplemented seasoning before processing the next wafer.
US08003498B2
Several examples of a method for processing a substrate are disclosed. In a particular embodiment, the method may include: introducing a plurality of first particles to a first region of the substrate so as to form at least one crystal having a grain boundary in the first region without forming another crystal in a second region, the second region adjacent to the first region; and extending the grain boundary of the at least one crystal formed in the first region to the second region after stopping the introducing the plurality of first particles.
US08003495B2
In a chip pick-up process after dicing in an assembly process during manufacture of a semiconductor integrated circuit device it is an important subject to diminish a pick-up defect caused by the reduction in thickness of each chip which is proceeding in quick tempo. Particularly, bending of the chip peripheral portion caused by a peeling operation is very likely to induce cracking and chipping of the chip. In the present invention, to solve these problems, in case of peeling a chip from a dicing tape (adhesive tape) or the like while vacuum-chucking the chip by a chucking collet, the flow rate of a vacuum chucking system in the chucking collet is monitored to check a bent state of the chip before complete separation of the first chip from the adhesive tape.
US08003494B2
In a method for producing a bonded wafer by bonding a wafer for active layer and a wafer for support layer and thinning the wafer for active layer according to the invention, oxygen ions are implanted into the wafer for active layer at a state of holding a temperature of the wafer for active layer below 200° C. under a dose of 5×1015 to 5×1016 atoms/cm2, whereby there can be obtained a bonded wafer being excellent in the thickness uniformity after thinning and having a dramatically improved surface roughness.
US08003493B2
A process for splitting a semiconductor substrate having an identification notch on its periphery, by creating a weakened zone in the substrate by implanting atomic species into the substrate while the substrate is held in place on a portion of its periphery during the implanting; and splitting the substrate along the weakened zone by placing the held portion of the substrate in a splitting-wave initiation sector while positioning the notch for initiating a splitting wave followed by the propagation of the wave into the substrate. During splitting the notch is positioned so that it is in a quarter of the periphery of the substrate diametrically opposite the sector for initiating the splitting wave or in the quarter of the periphery of the substrate that is centered on the sector.
US08003489B2
A method for forming an isolation layer in a semiconductor device includes forming a trench in a semiconductor substrate. A flowable insulation layer is formed to fill the trench. The flowable insulation layer is recessed. A buried insulation layer is deposited on the flowable insulation layer while keeping a deposition sputtering rate (DSR) below about 22 so as to fill the trench with the buried insulation layer while restraining the buried insulation layer from growing on a lateral portion of the trench.
US08003488B2
A deep trench is formed in a semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) substrate and a pad layer thereupon. A conductive trench fill region is formed in the deep trench. A planarizing material layer having etch selectivity relative to the pad layer is applied. A portion of the pad layer having an edge that is vertically coincident with a sidewall of the deep trench is exposed by lithographic means. Exposed portion of the pad layer are removed selective to the planarizing material layer, followed by removal of exposed portion of a semiconductor layer selective to the conductive trench fill region by an anisotropic etch. The planarizing material layer is removed and a shallow trench isolation structure having a lower sidewall that is self-aligned to an edge of the original deep trench is formed. Another shallow trench isolation structure may be formed outside the deep trench concurrently.
US08003468B2
Devices and methods for isolating adjacent charge accumulation layers in a semiconductor device are disclosed. In one embodiment, a semiconductor device comprises a bit line formed in a semiconductor substrate, a charge accumulation layer formed on the semiconductor substrate, a word line formed on the charge accumulation layer across the bit line, and a channel region formed in the semiconductor substrate below the word line and between the bit line and its adjacent bit line. For the semiconductor device, the charge accumulation layer is formed above the channel region in a widthwise direction of the word line, and a width of the word line is set to be narrower than a distance between an end of the channel region and a central part of the channel region in a lengthwise direction of the word line.
US08003465B2
A semiconductor device manufacturing method may include the following processes. A semiconductor substrate is partially removed using a first insulating film having first and second portions as a mask to form first and second pillars of the semiconductor substrate. A second insulating film is formed on side surfaces of the first and second pillars. A silicon film is formed on the first and second insulating films. A first part of the silicon film, which is on upper surfaces of the first and second portions, is removed. A coating film, which covers the upper surfaces of the first and second portions, is formed over the semiconductor substrate. The coating film is partially removed to expose the first insulating film and a second part of the silicon film. The second part is on side surfaces of the first and second portions. The second part is removed by dry etching.
US08003462B2
A first electrode film containing TiAlN and a main dielectric film containing tantalum oxide are formed over a semiconductor substrate. Anneal is performed in the state that the first electrode film and the main dielectric film are formed, to react aluminum (Al) in the first electrode film with oxygen (O) in the main dielectric film and form a subsidiary dielectric film containing aluminum oxide at an interface between the first electrode film and the main dielectric film. A second electrode film is formed facing the first electrode film via the main dielectric film and the subsidiary dielectric film.
US08003460B2
According to an illustrative example, a method of forming a semiconductor structure comprises providing a semiconductor substrate comprising a first feature and a second feature. A material layer is formed over the first feature and the second feature. A mask is formed over the first feature. At least one etch process adapted to form a sidewall spacer structure adjacent the second feature from a portion of the material layer is performed. The mask protects a portion of the material layer over the first feature from being affected by the at least one etch process. An ion implantation process is performed. The mask remains over the first feature during the ion implantation process.
US08003455B2
A method for processing CMOS wells, and performing multiple ion implantations with the use of a single hard mask is disclosed. The method includes forming and patterning a hardmask over a substrate, whereby the hardmask attains a first opening. The substrate may be a semiconductor substrate. The method further includes performing a first ion implantation, during which, outside the first opening the hardmask is essentially preventing ions from reaching the substrate. The method further involves the application of a photoresist in such a manner that the photoresist is covering the hardmask, and it is also filling up the first opening. This is followed by using the photoresist to pattern the hardmask, whereby the hardmask attains a second opening. The method further includes performing a second ion implantation, during which, outside the second opening, the hardmask and the photoresist, which fills the first opening, are essentially preventing ions from reaching the substrate. The two ion implantations may be used to form the two type of CMOS wells.
US08003453B2
A complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) device, e.g., a field effect transistor (FET), that includes at least one one-dimensional nanostructure that is typically a carbon-based nanomaterial, as the device channel, and a metal carbide contact that is self-aligned with the gate region of the device is described. The present invention also provides a method of fabricating such a CMOS device.
US08003450B2
A thin film transistor (TFT) includes a substrate, a transparent semiconductor layer on the substrate, the transparent semiconductor layer including zinc oxide and exhibiting a charge concentration of about 1×1014 atom/cm3 to about 1×1017 atom/cm3, a gate electrode on the substrate, a gate insulating layer between the gate electrode and the transparent semiconductor layer, the gate insulting layer insulating the gate electrode from the transparent semiconductor layer, and source and drain electrodes on the substrate, the source and drain electrodes being in contact with the transparent semiconductor layer.
US08003444B2
A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device 28 in which a plating mask 38, 39 having a noble metal plating layer 35 as an uppermost layer is formed at a predetermined portion on an obverse surface side or a reverse surface side of a leadframe material 10, and the leadframe material 10 is consecutively subjected to etching by using the plating mask 38, 39 as a resist mask, so as to form external connection terminal portions 22 which electrically communicate with a semiconductor element 18 disposed in an interior of an encapsulating resin 21, and which project downwardly. Base metal plating or noble metal plating 33 exhibiting etching solution resistance is provided as a lowermost layer of the plating mask 38, 39.
US08003441B2
A manufacturing method of a semiconductor device according to the present invention comprises: laminating a surface protective sheet to a circuit surface side of a wafer formed with grooves which divide each circuit wherein an adhesive film is adhered on the circuit surface of the wafer; reducing the thickness of the wafer and finally dividing the wafer into individual chips by grinding a back face of the wafer; picking up individual chips together with the adhesive film; die-bonding said individual chip to predetermined position of a chip mounting substrate via said adhesive film; fixing the chip to the chip mounting substrate by heating the die-bonded chip having the adhesive film; and applying a static pressure larger than an ambient pressure by 0.05 MPa or more to a stacked body including the adhesive film one or more times, at any point between adhering the wafer to the adhesive film and fixing the chip to the chip mounting substrate.
US08003439B2
A method of manufacturing a board on chip package including laminating a dry film on a carrier film, one side of which is laminated by a thin metal film; patterning the dry film in accordance with a circuit wire through light exposure and developing process, and forming a solder ball pad and a circuit wire; removing the dry film; laminating an upper photo solder resist excluding a portion where the solder ball pad is formed; etching the thin metal film formed on a portion where the upper photo solder resist is not laminated; mounting a semiconductor chip on the solder ball pad by a flip chip bonding; molding the semiconductor chip with a passivation material; removing the carrier film and the thin metal film; and laminating a lower photo solder resist under the solder ball pad. The board on chip package provides a high density circuit since a circuit pattern is formed using a seed layer.
US08003436B2
The present invention provides a multi-layer organic memory device that can operate as a non-volatile memory device having a plurality of stacked and/or parallel memory structures constructed therein. A multi-cell and multi-layer organic memory component can be formed with two or more electrodes having a selectively conductive media between the electrodes forming individual cells, while utilizing a partitioning component to enable stacking of additional memory cells on top of or in association with previously formed cells. Memory stacks can be formed by adding additional layers—respective layers separated by additional partitioning components, wherein multiple stacks can be formed in parallel to provide a high-density memory device.
US08003433B2
The present application relates to the fabrication of an electronic component. The component comprises two, superposed integrated circuits: one of which is formed on the front side of a thinned first substrate, and the other of which is produced on the front side of a second substrate, with an insulating planarization layer interposed between the front sides of the two substrates. The silicon of the backside of the thinned substrate is opened locally above a first conducting area located in the thinned substrate and above a second conducting area located in the second substrate. A conducting layer portion, deposited on both areas, electrically connects them so as to provide the interconnection between the two circuits. The external connection pads may also be formed in this conducting layer.
US08003416B2
A method of making a semiconductor chip assembly includes providing a post and a base, mounting a first adhesive on the base including inserting the post through an opening in the first adhesive, mounting a conductive layer on the base including aligning the post with an aperture in the conductive layer, providing a conductive trace that includes a pad, a terminal and a selected portion of the conductive layer, then flowing a second adhesive into and downward in a gap between the post and the conductive trace, solidifying the second adhesive, then mounting a semiconductor device on a heat spreader that includes the post and the base, electrically connecting the semiconductor device to the conductive trace and thermally connecting the semiconductor device to the heat spreader.
US08003415B2
A method of making a semiconductor chip assembly includes providing a post and a base, mounting an adhesive on the base including inserting the post through an opening in the adhesive, mounting a substrate on the adhesive including inserting the post into an aperture in the substrate to form a gap in the aperture between the post and the substrate, then flowing the adhesive into and upward in the gap, solidifying the adhesive, then mounting a semiconductor device on a heat spreader that includes the post and the base, electrically connecting the semiconductor device to the substrate and thermally connecting the semiconductor device to the heat spreader. The substrate includes first and second conductive layers and a dielectric layer therebetween, and the assembly provides the vertical signal routing between a pad at the first conductive layer and a terminal below the adhesive.
US08003412B2
A method, structure, system of aligning a substrate to a photomask. The method comprising: directing light through a clear region of the photomask in a photolithography tool, through a lens of the tool and onto a set of at least three diffraction mirror arrays on the substrate, each diffraction mirror array of the set of at least three diffraction minor arrays comprising a single row of mirrors, all mirrors in any particular diffraction mirror array spaced apart a same distance, mirrors in different diffraction mirror arrays spaced apart different distances; measuring an intensity of light diffracted from the set of at least three diffraction mirror arrays onto an array of photo detectors; and adjusting a temperature of the photomask or photomask and lens based on the measured intensity of light.
US08003410B2
A method of operating a quantum system comprising computational elements, including an insulated ring of superconductive material, and semi-closed rings used as an interface between the computational elements and the external world, is disclosed. In one aspect, the method comprises providing an electrical signal, e.g. a current, in an input ring magnetically coupled to a computational element, which generates a magnetic field in the computational element and sensing the change in the current and/or voltage of an output element magnetically coupled to the computational element. The electrical input signal can be an AC signal or a DC signal. The computational element is electromagnetically coupled with other adjacent computational elements and/or with the interface elements. The corresponding magnetic flux between the computational elements and/or the interface elements acts as an information carrier. Ferromagnetic cores are used to improve the magnetic coupling between adjacent elements.
US08003407B2
The present invention relates to a lateral flow assay and system, including a test strip, for detection and quantification of analytes in samples, such as samples containing cells and fluid. In general, according to the present invention, a test strip for a lateral flow assay for detection of at least one analyte in a sample comprises: (1) a chromatographic strip, a sample filter, a fluid-impermeable barrier, and means for providing a mobilizable detectable agent that is capable of binding to the at least one analyte or to the capture agent after capturing the analyte to the chromatographic strip such that the mobilizable detectable agent migrates through the chromatographic strip and contacts sample that has passed through the sample filter and also has migrated through the chromatographic strip. The test strip allows detection with or without quantitation of an analyte in a sample containing whole cells.
US08003406B2
The invention provides a method of determining a susceptibility of a subject for development of ADHD. The method comprises obtaining a sample from the subject, analyzing the sample for an ADHD susceptibility haplotype of LPHN3 receptor which is associated with at least one genetic marker selected from the group consisting of rs7678046, rs1901223, rs6813183, and rs1355368, and determining if the subject has a susceptibility to develop ADHD, whereby the presence of the haplotype having one or more of the genetic markers is indicative of a susceptibility to develop ADHD. The invention also provides methods of treating ADHD.
US08003382B2
Nucleic acid molecules encoding a house dust mite allergen Der f VII, and antigenic peptides thereof
Isolated nucleic acids encoding allergens of the species Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and Dermatophagoides farinae, Der p VII and Der f VII, respectively, are disclosed. A cDNA encoding a peptide having a Der p VII activity and a predicted molecular weight of about 22, 177 daltons is described. A cDNA encoding a peptide having Der f VII activity is also described. The nucleic acids of the invention can be used as probes to detect the presence of Der p VII or Der f VII nucleic acid in a sample or for the recombinant production of peptides having a Der p VII or Der f VII activity. Peptides having a Der p VII or Der f VII activity can be used in compositions suitable for pharmaceutical administration or methods of diagnosing sensitivity to house dust mite allergens.
US08003379B2
A bioreactor and bioreactor system are suitable for the growth of materials from algae. More specifically, the system preferred embodiments use concentrated sunlight in a solo- or co-generation system to produce algae and products therefrom as well as solar thermal energy.
US08003376B2
The invention provides methods and devices for detecting the presence of one or more target analytes in a sample employing a channel having affixed therein one or more binding partners for each target analyte. Assays are carried out by transporting the sample through the channel to each successive binding partner so that target analyte present in said sample binds to the corresponding binding partner. The sample is then transported beyond the binding partner(s), followed by detection of any target analyte bound to each binding partner. In one embodiment, binding efficiency is increased by the use of segmented transport, wherein a first bolus or bubble of a fluid that is immiscible with the sample precedes the sample during transport and a second bolus or bubble of a fluid that is immiscible with the sample follows the sample. Many configurations are possible for the device of the invention. A preferred device includes: a substrate with a channel formed in its surface, and a cover element that overlies and seals the channel. Binding partner(s) are affixed to the surface of the cover element facing the channel lumen.
US08003371B2
Systems, methods, compositions and apparatus relating to genome selection are disclosed.
US08003366B2
Disclosed is a method for decomposing a plant residue and reducing a volume of the plant residue to a satisfactory level within a short period. Also disclosed is a bacterium for use in the method. Further disclosed is a material for decomposing a plant residue and reducing a volume of the plant residue, which contains the bacterium. A bacterium is found which is capable of decomposing a plant residue and reducing a volume of the plant residue under natural conditions satisfactorily and stably. The bacterium can be used for decomposing a plant residue and reducing a volume of the plant residue. A material containing cells of Bacillus pumilus KS-C4 strain (FERM BP-10842) that is capable of decomposing a plant residue and reducing a volume of the plant residue or a culture of the cell is added to a plant residue.
US08003362B2
The invention provides methods and nucleic acid constructs to express clostripain. The source of the coding region for recombinantly expressed clostripain is Clostridium histolyticum.
US08003361B2
Methods for preferentially hydrolyzing one stereoisomer of an isoxazoline diester over another, as well as an enzyme for facilitating the preferential hydrolysis are provided. Also provided are methods for providing mixtures of (RR) and (RS) monatin as well as (SS) and (SR) monatin, which methods can include the step of stereoselectively hydrolyzing an isoxazoline diester.
US08003358B2
The present invention discloses a two-step enzyme method for preparing 7-aminocephalosporanic acid from cephalosporin C, wherein D-amino acid oxidase used is purified D-amino acid oxidase mutant of yeast Trigonopsis variabilis, having a specific activity of 105% higher than that of parent D-amino acid oxidase. The method has no need of addition of hydrogen peroxide, β-lactamase inhibitor, catalase inhibitor, catalase and the like commonly used in the prior art. The productivity of the method can reach more than 93%. Thus, the method is simple, low in cost and high in productivity.
US08003354B2
The invention is directed to a variety of multiplexing methods used to amplify and/or genotype a variety of samples simultaneously.
US08003350B2
The present invention provides a mutant firefly luciferase consisting of a mutant amino acid sequence derived from the amino acid sequence of a wild-type firefly luciferase by at least substitution (a), (b), or (c) below and having luminescence intensity higher than that of the wild-type firefly luciferase. According to the present invention, a mutant firefly luciferase with increased luminescence intensity compared with that of wild-type firefly luciferases is provided, regarding which (a) through (c) are as follows: (a) substitution of at least one of the amino acids at positions equivalent to positions 419 to 428 in the amino acid sequence of North American firefly luciferase with a nonpolar amino acid having a molecular weight that is the same as or higher than that of the amino acid to be substituted; (b) substitution of at least one of the amino acids at positions equivalent to positions 435 to 441 in the amino acid sequence of North American firefly luciferase with an amino acid that has a molecular weight lower than that of the amino acid to be substituted and is selected from among glycine, alanine, and serine; and (c) substitution of at least one of the amino acids at positions equivalent to positions 523 to 532 in the amino acid sequence of North American firefly luciferase with a positively-charged amino acid that has an isoelectric point higher than that of the amino acid to be substituted.
US08003345B2
The invention relates to a pharmaceutical compound for antioxidant protection of cells, tissues and entire organism against hyperproduction of fee radicals. The inventive compound comprises an effective quantity of at least one antioxidant in the form of a main acting component. Said antioxidant is selected from a group consisting peroxiredoxine, a fragment thereof, dihydrolipoic acid and the combinations thereof with acceptable pharmaceutical additives. The inventive method for preventing and curing mammals consists in contacting the effective quantity of the compound with intercellular space of tissue, organ and entire mammal organism. Low toxicity of the compound makes it possible to increase the efficiency of treatment of multifactor actions on an organism, for example radiation, thermal, chemical burn, wounds and hurts as a result of disasters and fires.
US08003343B2
Disclosed is a method for determining histaminase (DAO; EC 1.4.3.6) activity in a sample. Said method comprises the following steps: an aqueous solution is supplied which contains a predefined amount of a diamine; the aqueous solution is mixed and incubated with the sample for a given period of time in conditions in which the diamine can be reacted with a DAO possibly present in the sample; the diamine is derivatized; the amount of derivatized diamine is determined; the predefined amount of diamine is compared to the amount of derivatized diamine; and the activity of histaminase possibly present is determined.
US08003340B2
Disclosed herein a method and a kit for fractioning/isolating phosphoproteins. Calcium ions, barium ions, cobalt ions and molybdenum ions are bound specifically to phosphoproteins to form metal-phosphoprotein complexes. They can be easily precipitated with precipitants including sulfates, citrates, bicarbonates and carbonates.
US08003338B2
The present invention concerns methods and kits for diagnosing a disease condition characterized by non-physiological levels of hepcidin protein, including prohepcidin and fragments thereof, comprising obtaining a tissue or fluid sample from a subject; contacting the sample with an antibody or fragment thereof that specifically binds to a polypeptide corresponding to the amino acid sequence between and including amino acids 25 and 49 of a hepcidin precursor protein, and quantifying the hepcidin precursor level using an assay based on binding of the antibody and the polypeptide; wherein the non-physiological level of prohepcidin is indicative of the disease condition. The present invention also concerns diagnostic methods and kits for applications in genetic technological approaches, such as for overexpressing or downregulating hepcidin.
US08003337B2
A method for detecting lysosomal storage diseases including the steps of performing an assay for a single species of glycosaminoglycan contained in a specimen and correlating results of the assay with lysosomal storage diseases. A body fluid such as urine or blood can be employed as a specimen. The assay can be performed by use of a polypeptide that is capable of specifically binding to a glycosaminoglycan-containing molecule. The polypeptide may be an antibody, or a polypeptide having an antigen-binding site of an antibody.
US08003325B2
The present invention provides an isolated polynucleotide comprising at least one polymorphic nucleotide sequence, for example, the major alleles of the SNPs described as rs12583006, rs1224141, and rs1248930 and diagnostic assays for detecting the presence of these polymorphism associated with a condition associated with BLyS activity, such as hematological malignancy including B cell malignancies. The diagnostic assays are useful in predicting an individual's likelihood of developing a condition associated with BLyS activity, such as hematological malignancies, and for methods for treating an individual clinically diagnosed with a condition associated with BLyS activity, such as prediction of a patient's likelihood to respond to a specific drug treatment. The invention also provides an array of nucleic acid molecules immobilized on a solid surface, where at least one of the nucleic acid molecules comprises a BLyS polymorphic nucleic acid molecule. The nucleic acid arrays of the invention allow rapid detection of hybridizing nucleic acid-molecules, in a nucleic acid sample from an individual, of a BLyS polymorphism associated with hematological malignancy.
US08003323B2
The present invention provides a method for reducing the risk of bacterial infection or sepsis in a susceptible patient by treating the susceptible patient with a pharmaceutical composition containing bacteriophage of one or more strains which produce lytic infections in pathogenic bacteria. Preferably, treatment of the patient reduces the level of colonization with pathogenic bacteria susceptible to the bacteriophage by at least one log. In a typical embodiment, the susceptible patient is an immunocompromised patient selected from the group consisting of leukemia patients, lymphoma patients, carcinoma patients, sarcoma patients, allogeneic transplant patients, congenital or acquired immunodeficiency patients, cystic fibrosis patients, and AIDS patients. In a preferred mode, the patients treated by this method are colonized with the pathogenic bacteria subject to infection by said bacteriophage.
US08003322B2
Provided is kit for and a method of amplifying a nucleic acid using rolling cyclic amplification (RCA), including amplifying a nucleic acid together with formation of a single-strand circular DNA template using RCA by reacting a reaction solution including: (a) two hairpin oligos, (b) a target nucleic acid, (c) a DNA ligase,(d) an endonuclease, (e) a DNA polymerase, and (f) a primer.
US08003311B2
An integrated circuit system that includes: providing a substrate coated with a photoresist material; exposing the photoresist material to an energy source through a first mask to form a first substrate feature and a second substrate feature therein; and exposing the photoresist material to the energy source through a second mask to transform the second substrate feature into another one of the first substrate feature therein.
US08003306B2
A method of forming an electronic device is provided that includes forming a resist layer over a substrate having a first region, a second region, and a third region. The method further includes directing radiation through a reticle, wherein the reticle comprises different radiation zones having significantly different transmission values with respect to each other, and the first region is exposed to a significantly different amount of radiation as compared to the second region. The method also includes removing part of the resist layer to leave a remaining portion such that the second region of the resist layer is significantly thinner than the third region of the resist layer, and then ion implanting the substrate while the remaining portion of the resist layer overlies the substrate to form a first implant region and a second implant region having different depths.
US08003303B2
A gradated photomask is provided. The photomask includes a first region including a first plurality of sub-resolution features and a second region including a second plurality of sub-resolution features. The first region blocks a first percentage of the incident radiation. The second region blocks a second percentage of the incident radiation. The first and second percentage are different. An intensity selective exposure method is also provided.
US08003302B2
Disclosed herein is a method for fabricating a pattern using a photomask that includes forming a first light shielding layer pattern over a substrate; forming a first resist layer pattern aligned to the first light shielding layer pattern over the first light shielding layer pattern; forming a phase shift region by selectively etching a portion of the substrate exposed by the first light shielding layer pattern; forming a second resist layer pattern by reducing the line width of the first resist layer pattern; forming a second light shielding layer pattern, having a reduced line width, by etching an exposed portion of the first light shielding layer pattern, and exposing a portion of the substrate adjacent the groove to form a rim region; removing the second resist layer pattern to form a photomask; and transferring a second pattern onto a wafer by performing an exposure process using the photomask.
US08003301B2
A manufacturing method for a semiconductor device having patterns including two adjacent sides forming a corner portion with an external angle and a periodic pattern with a high density arrangement in the same layer is provided with (a) the step of exposing the first divided pattern including a first side which is obtained by dividing the pattern including two sides and the region which corresponds to a first thinned out pattern from which the periodic pattern is thinned out to light through a first mask having a first mask pattern, and (b) the step of exposing the second divided pattern including a second side which is obtained by dividing the pattern including two sides and the region which corresponds to a second thinned out pattern which is obtained by thinning out the periodic pattern to light through a first mask having a second mask pattern.
US08003292B2
A method in which a resist layer is applied to a base layer is disclosed. The resist layer includes an adhesive material, and the adhesive force of the adhesive material decreases or increases during an irradiation process. Residues of the resist layer may be stripped using the disclosed method.
US08003282B2
Provided are a substrate with a conductive film for an EUV mask blank in which the generation of particles due to abrasion between an electrostatic chuck and the substrate is prevented; and a substrate with a multilayer reflective film and an EUV mask blank each employing such a substrate with a conductive film.A substrate with a conductive film to be used for producing a reflective mask blank for EUV lithography, the conductive film containing chromium (Cr) and nitrogen (N), the average concentration of N in the conductive film being at least 0.1 atomic % and less than 40 atomic %, the crystal state of at least a surface of the conductive film being amorphous, the sheet resistance of the conductive film being at most 27 Ω/□, and the surface roughness (rms) of the conductive film being at most 0.5 nm.
US08003280B1
A system and method for holographic lithography is disclosed, including interferometeric alignment of laser sources. This includes creation of the volumetric holographic pattern around wire and other planar and non-planar substrates. This template is further processed into devices for various applications including Photonic Crystals, Photonic Band Gaps, Photonic Band Gaps with selective defects, and Photonic Band Gap incandescent emitters.
US08003277B2
Fuel sources, fuel cells and methods of operating fuel cells are disclosed. In one aspect, the invention features a fuel source for a fuel cell, including a housing made substantially from a fuel-permeable material, and a fuel in the housing.
US08003272B2
A fuel cell for a microcapsule-type robot uses alcohol or an aqueous alcohol solution as a fuel and was hydrogen peroxide or an aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution as an oxidizing agent. A microcapsule-type robot also uses the fuel cell. The fuel cell may be used in a microcapsule-type endoscope and have an operating time that is long enough to diagnose human organs. The fuel cell may comprise hydrogen peroxide as an oxidizing agent instead of air or oxygen such that the fuel cell can operate inside the human body. Thus, an oxygen source, which cannot be obtained in a human body, can be easily supplied to the fuel cell, and the fuel cell has higher performance than a fuel cell in which air is used as an oxidizing agent.
US08003265B2
A humidification device is disclosed. An illustrative embodiment of the humidification device includes at least one wet gas channel and at least one dry gas channel disposed in adjacent relationship to the at least one wet gas channel. The at least one wet gas channel and the at least one dry gas channel are adapted for exchange of moisture there between. A fuel cell system and a method of moisturizing a gas are also disclosed.
US08003260B2
A lithium-ion battery comprising a first electrode made of cathodic material, a second electrode made of anodic material and an electrolyte, said lithium-ion battery containing an overcharge protection material consisting of redox molecules, characterized by the fact that said redox molecules have a reduction potential which is lower than said anodic material.
US08003241B2
A lithium-ion battery includes a first terminal in electrical communication with a first electrode of the battery, a second terminal in electrical communication with a second electrode of the battery, a cell casing that includes a lid electrically connected to the cell casing, and a positive thermal coefficient (PTC) layer in electrical communication with the first terminal and over the lid of the cell casing. A battery pack includes a plurality of such lithium-ion batteries as described above.
US08003238B2
The invention provides a structured material composed by including a noble metal, in which an oriented layer is formed on a layer containing a Group 4A metal. The invention enables to form an oriented layer, which has required a high temperature for formation, by a low temperature process.
US08003235B2
The invention relates to a coated glass pane with a low-e and/or solar control coating comprising at least one layer sequence which comprises at least the following transparent layers: a lower anti-reflection layer, an IR-reflecting layer, an upper anti-reflection layer. At least one of the anti-reflection layers comprises at least one compound layer containing a mixture of an (oxy)nitride of Si and/or Al and of ZnO. The inventive coated glass panes are preferably heat treatable, e.g. toughenable and/or bendable.
US08003233B2
An appliance transparency, such as an oven transparency, includes at least one substrate and a coating deposited over at least a portion of the substrate. The coating includes at least one metal layer, such as a metallic silver layer. The metal layer can have a thickness in the range of 80 Å to 100 Å and optionally or the coating can have a protective coating deposited thereon.
US08003230B2
An electroluminescent element includes host materials and guest materials in a part of an electroluminescent layer. Device characteristics (luminous efficiency, luminous characteristics, or the like) of the electroluminescent element is improved by using host materials and guest materials with a common skeleton (represented by the following general formula 14) for an electroluminescent layer interposed between a pair of electrodes in the electroluminescent element. In general formula 14, X1 to X3, each of which may be the same or different, are individually a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, a lower alkyl group, an alkoxy group, an acyl group, a nitro group, a cyano group, an amino group, a dialkylamino group, a diarylamino group, a vinyl group which may have a substituent, an aryl group which may have a substituent, or a heterocyclic group which may have a substituent.
US08003229B2
Some embodiments provide a compound represented by Formula 1: wherein R1, R2, R3, R6, R7, and R8 are independently selected from the group consisting of H, optionally substituted C1-12 alkyl, optionally substituted phenyl, optionally substituted carbazolyl, optionally substituted diphenylamine and optionally substituted diphenylaminophenyl; provided that: at least one of R1, R2, and R3 is selected from optionally substituted carbazolyl, optionally substituted diphenylamine and optionally substituted diphenylaminophenyl and at least one of R6, R7, and R8 is selected from optionally substituted carbazolyl, optionally substituted diphenylamine and optionally substituted diphenylaminophenyl; and R4 and R5 are independently selected from the group consisting of H, optionally substituted C1-12 alkyl, optionally substituted phenyl, optionally substituted diphenylamine and optionally substituted diphenylaminophenyl. Other embodiments provide an organic light-emitting diode device comprising a compound of Formula I.
US08003226B2
A metal complex which has a metal complex structure showing light emission from triplet excited state, and has a monovalent group derived from carbazole, and a light-emitting device using said metal complex.
US08003225B2
A personal ornament having an ornament base article made of a metal or the like; an underlayer, preferably nickel-free, formed on the base article; and a coloring layer constituted of an abrasion-resistant layer of 0.2-1.5 μm thick formed by dry-plating on the surface of the underlayer and an outermost layer of 0.002-0.1 μm thick formed by dry-plating on the surface of the abrasion-resistant layer. The coloring layer is a white hard coating film of a stainless-steel color which provides superior quality, high resistance to deterioration of appearance by scratching, and a high-quality image like a stainless steel film.
US08003219B2
The present invention provides a technology related to a conductive film which is high in transparency, conductivity, and adhesiveness to a base plate. The present invention also provides a coating liquid including metal materials reacting with a ligand represented by a particular Chemical Formula and including indium (In), tin (Sn), or both thereof.
US08003215B2
The present invention is directed to nanodiamond (ND) surface coatings and methods of making same. Such coatings are formed by a covalent linkage of ND crystals to a particular surface via linker species. The methods described herein overcome many of the limitations of the prior art in that they can be performed with standard wet chemistry (i.e., solution-based) methods, thereby permitting low temperature processing. Additionally, such coatings can potentially be applied on a large scale and for coating large areas of a variety of different substrates.
US08003200B2
A transparent electrically-conductive film of the present invention comprises a transparent film substrate, a hard coat layer formed on one side of the transparent film substrate, a SiOx layer with a thickness of 10 nm to 300 nm that is formed on the hard coat layer by a dry process, and a transparent electrically-conductive thin layer with a thickness of 20 nm to 35 nm that is formed on another side of the transparent film substrate. The transparent electrically-conductive film has good resistance to moisture and heat and high durability against pen-based input and can be prevented from cracking during a punching process and also prevented from waving or curling even in a high-temperature, high-humidity environment.
US08003196B2
The present invention provides a decorative material that represents recesses and protrusions by means of difference in the state of luster of the surface, and does not allow an oily substance to infiltrate and remain therein.
US08003194B2
The present invention relates to touch screen articles comprising an antiglare layer. The antiglare layer comprises aggregate inorganic oxide particles in a cured inorganic polymer matrix.
US08003186B2
A preform for an optical element is provided which involves less amount of deformation of glass in molding, and readily improves lifetime of the mold. The present preform for molding an optical glass element 10 exhibits an almost circular shape having a predetermined diameter in top view, exhibits a flattened semicircular shape having a predetermined overall height in side view, has a concave face on the top surface such that the predetermined overall height is attained at approximately the central position of the aforementioned circular shape, and has a concave face so as to fit along the convex face of the top surface such that a space is provided on the bottom face. The under surface may be either a concave face or a convex face. Also, the top surface may be either a concave face or a convex face.
US08003180B2
A thin-wall PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) tube in the form of a tube of porous expanded PTFE film wherein the porous PTFE film has a microstructure containing a multiplicity of fibrils oriented substantially parallel to each other. The tube has a wall thickness of less than about 0.25 mm and is made from at least one first layer and at least one second layer of porous PTFE film, wherein the fibrils of the first and second layers are oriented substantially perpendicular to each other. Preferably the fibrils of the at least one first layer are oriented substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the tube and the fibrils of the at least one second layer of porous PTFE film are oriented substantially circumferential to the tube. The first and second layers may be inner and outer layers respectively, or alternatively their relationship may be reversed. Alternatively, either of the first and second film layers may be replaced with alternative reinforcing components such as a braid or at least one reinforcing rib. The reinforcing rib is preferably in the form of a helically-wrapped metal wire located between the first and second layers.
US08003177B2
A ductile media for receiving an image thereon is disclosed and comprises a ductile mesh and an elastomeric membrane fixed to at least a top side of the mesh. The ductile mesh is preferably an expanded metal material. The elastomeric membrane has a substantially flat top surface that is adapted to receive the image thereon. A printable coating may be further applied to the top surface of the membrane. In one embodiment of the invention, a selectively removable liner is temporarily fixed with adhesive to a bottom surface of the mesh or to a bottom surface of the elastomeric membrane to prevent printer feeding rollers of a printing device, for example, from deforming or stretching the media as the media advances through the printing process. Alternately the image may be applied to the ductile media through a heat transfer or dye-sublimation process. Once the image is printed on the media, the user may form the media into a desired shape by applying pressure thereto. Additionally, the elastomeric membrane may be impregnated with a water-reactive hardening agent, such that once the media is formed into a desired shape, water may be introduced to the elastomeric membrane to activate the hardening agent and cause the media to become substantially rigid.
US08003172B2
A process for producing an electrophotographic belt is disclosed which includes forming a base layer comprising a thermoplastic resin, and forming a surface layer comprising a cured resin film by applying on the base layer a surface layer forming coating fluid which contains a monomer and/or oligomer component as a raw material for the cured resin film, conductive particles and a solvent, followed by drying and curing to form the surface layer. The monomer and/or oligomer component is dipentaerythritol hexaacrylate.
US08003169B2
The Application relates to a method of curing various polymerisable compositions, comprising a suitable photoinitiator, the curing being effected by means of a plasma in plasma discharge chamber.
US08003162B2
A method of forming a phase change layer using a Ge compound and a method of manufacturing a phase change memory device using the same are provided. The method of manufacturing a phase change memory device included supplying a first precursor on a lower layer on which the phase change layer is to be formed, wherein the first precursor is a bivalent precursor including germanium (Ge) and having a cyclic structure. The first precursor may be a cyclic germylenes Ge-based compound or a macrocyclic germylenes Ge-based, having a Ge—N bond. The phase change layer may be formed using a MOCVD method, cyclic-CVD method or an ALD method. The composition of the phase change layer may be controlled by a deposition pressure in a range of 0.001 torr-10 torr, a deposition temperature in a range of 150° C. to 350° C. and/or a flow rate of a reaction gas in the range of 0-1 slm.
US08003155B2
A packed frozen sushi product comprising a vacuumed, frozen and hermetically sealed flexible plastic bag, an open-topped plastic box placed in the bag, a laminated metal foil placed on the bottom of said box, and a frozen sushi product contained in the box with a surface or surfaces of its sushi material or materials on the laminated metal foil; the plastic bag, the box, the laminated metal foil and the frozen sushi product being frozen together in a unified form, the packed frozen sushi product thereby being adapted for microwave cooking. Water vapor emanating from the sushi product in thawing is allowed to flow through a space formed around the sushi material to heat a shaped rice section and the sushi material or materials, thereby diminishing unevenness in temperature distribution after thawing. By virtue thereof, a packed frozen sushi product suitable for mass production is provided.
US08003149B2
Process for moulding a frozen aerated product including the step of filling a mould cavity with a frozen aerated product through a filling member; the mould cavity being a recess on a mould surface; the mould surface being at a temperature of below 0° C.; the filling member having an end part through which the ice cream is dispensed into the mould cavity; the end part being in contact with the mould surface; wherein the filling member includes a thermal insulation located at the end part of the filling member in contact with the mould surface; the thermal insulation being constituted by a material having a thermal conductivity of less than 2 W m−1 K−1; and the filling member being heated by a heating member upstream of the thermal insulation.
US08003144B2
The invention relates to vegetable oil products, including palm oil products, containing one or more constituents from a group which includes monoacylglycerols, diacylglycerols, triacylglycerols, carotenes, tocols, phytosterols, squalene and free fatty acids, from vegetable oil sources and a process for the production thereof by using supercritical fluid extraction.
US08003142B2
The invention relates to cosmetics and medicine and can be used for skin care or in form of a warming balsam. The present oily balsam represents a homogenous system and comprises a complex of the following oils, emollients and extracts: Macadamia oil, Bosvellia serrata extract (olibanum), isopropyl myristate, vegetable oil, oil extract of red hot pepper standardized for capsaicin (10%), polyethylsiloxane (PES-4), lecithin and a flavouring agent at a certain ratio of the components. The balsam has a more pronounced prolonged warming, anaesthetic, anti-inflammatory and regeneration action and has pleasant organoleptic properties and texture.
US08003141B2
Materials derived from cinnamon can be administered orally to humans or animals for the purpose of controlling blood glucose as well improving glucose tolerance. Controlling glucose metabolism is essential for those with impaired glucose metabolism as is the case for those with Type II diabetes where insulin function is not properly functioning. Such administration can also be used for the purpose of enhancing nutrient transport for purposes of athletic performance and controlling bodyweight and body fat levels. Similarly related, such administration can also be used for the purpose of enhancing creatine transport into excitable tissues such as skeletal muscle. The material can be administered as extracts of cinnamon and can be administered in a variety of ways including capsules, tablets, powdered beverages, bars, gels or drinks.
US08003122B2
Medical devices may be utilized for local and regional therapeutic agent delivery. These therapeutic agents or compounds may reduce a biological organism's reaction to the introduction of the medical device to the organism. In addition, these therapeutic drugs, agents and/or compounds may be utilized to promote healing, including the prevention of thrombosis. The drugs, agents, and/or compounds may also be utilized to treat specific disorders, including restenosis, vulnerable plaque, and atherosclerosis in type 2 diabetic patients. In regional delivery, liquid formulations may be desirable to increase the efficacy and deliverability of the particular drug. Various materials and coating methodologies may be utilized to maintain the agents or compounds on the medical device until delivered and positioned.
US08003121B1
System of implant components containing active agents, wherein each component is intended to function as an additive for an implant material produced with a powdery or finely granulated starting material and/or active agents and additives.Each component is powdery or finely granulated and includes at least one powdery or finely granulated active agent or additive having a higher dosage than the desired concentration for the application. The components themselves are made of a powdery or finely granulated starting material for the implant material, as well as of the active agent or additive. The active agents can be chemotherapeutical agents, such as antibiotics, whereas the additives can be x-ray contrast materials and/or or additives that alter the physical properties of the starting material, such as its elasticity or viscosity.
US08003119B2
The use of the polyamine known as spermidine, i.e., N-(3-aminopropyl)tetraminethylenediamine, as an active principle in the preparation of a composition for pharmaceutical or dietetic use in man for combating hair loss is disclosed.
US08003116B2
A fragrance sample is provided which is made from two plies (a bottom ply and a top ply) of material. A cosmetic (such as a wet fragrance) sample is deposited on the bottom ply. A wall is formed in at least one of the plies and is sized and shaped to surround the sample. The two plies are then adhered together to form a liquid tight seal between the two plies. The bottom ply can be provided with a flow barrier to impede the flow of the sample-on the bottom ply.
US08003111B2
The present invention concerns methods and compositions for forming PEGylated complexes of defined stoichiometry and structure. In preferred embodiments, the PEGylated complex is formed using dock-and-lock technology, by attaching a therapeutic agent to a DDD sequence and attaching a PEG moiety to an AD sequence and allowing the DDD sequence to bind to the AD sequence in a 2:1 stoichiometry, to form PEGylated complexes with two therapeutic agents and one PEG moiety. In alternative embodiments, the therapeutic agent may be attached to the AD sequence and the PEG to the DDD sequence to form PEGylated complexes with two PEG moieties and one therapeutic agent. In more preferred embodiments, the therapeutic agent may comprise any peptide or protein of physiologic or therapeutic activity, preferably a cytokine, more preferably interferon-α2b. The PEGylated complexes exhibit a significantly slower rate of clearance when injected into a subject and are of use for treatment of a wide variety of diseases.
US08003107B1
The present invention relates to the field of animal health and in particular to Lawsonia intracellularis. In particular, the invention relates to a method of diagnosing Lawsonia intracellularis infection and a diagnostic test kit using Lawsonia intracellularis-specific antibodies. The invention also relates to the use of the method or test kit for diagnosing Lawsonia intracellularis infections.
US08003106B2
Human, humanized and chimeric monoclonal antibodies that bind to influenza M2 protein. The antibodies are useful for, among other things, treatment, diagnostics, purifying and isolating M2 or influenza virus, and identifying the presence of M2 or influenza virus in a sample or a subject.
US08003105B2
The present invention relates to a method of treating cancer by co-administration of an effective amount of 1-(2-methoxyethyl)-2-methyl-4,9-dioxo-3-(pyrazin-2-ylmethyl)-4,9-dihydro-1H-naphtho[2,3-d]imidazol-3-ium bromide and an effective amount of one or more anticancer agents selected from the group consisting of carboplatin, cisplatin, paclitaxel, vinorelbine, gemcitabine, irinotecan, docetaxel, doxorubicin, dacarbazine and rituximab, or a retuximab-containing combination therapy selected from R-ICE and R-DHAP. The treatment method of the present invention is useful for the treatment for all solid tumors and lymphomas, preferably skin cancer, bladder cancer, breast cancer, uterine cancer, ovary cancer, prostate cancer, lung cancer, colon cancer, pancreas cancer, renal cancer, gastric cancer and the like. Particularly, they are expected as therapeutic agents for tumor types which show resistance against existing anticancer agents.
US08003101B2
The present invention relates to methods of reducing cartilage degradation in a patient comprising administering to a patient in need thereof an effective amount of an antibody antagonist to the mature form of OSM.
US08003100B2
A novel gene (designated 238P1B2) and its encoded protein, and variants thereof, are described wherein 238P1B2 exhibits tissue specific expression in normal adult tissue, and is aberrantly expressed in the cancers listed in Table I. Consequently, 238P1B2 provides a diagnostic, prognostic, prophylactic and/or therapeutic target for cancer. The 238P1B2 gene or fragment thereof, or its encoded protein, or variants thereof, or a fragment thereof, can be used to elicit a humoral or cellular immune response; antibodies or T cells reactive with 238P1B2 can be used in active or passive immunization.
US08003099B2
An antibody binding to IL-17 characterized by binding to the same IL-17 epitope to which monoclonal antibody 3C1 binds, and being of human IgG1 isotype modified in the hinge region at amino acid position 216-240, preferably at amino acid position 220-240, between CH1 and CH2 and/or in the second inter-domain region at amino acid position 327-331 between CH2 and CH3 has advantageous properties for the treatment of inflammatory diseases.
US08003095B2
A method for the in situ production of an emulsifier in a foodstuff, wherein a lipid acyltransferase is added to the foodstuff. Preferably the emulsifier is produced without an increase or without a substantial increase in the free fatty acid content of the foodstuff. Preferably, the lipid acyltransferase is one which is capable of transferring an acyl group from a lipid to one or more of the following acyl acceptors: a sterol, a stanol, a carbohydrate, a protein or a sub-unit thereof, glycerol. Preferably, in addition to an emulsifier one or more of a stanol ester or a stanol ester or a protein ester or a carbohydrate ester or a diglyceride or a monoglyceride may be produced. One or more of these may function as an additional emulsifier.
US08003091B2
The present invention provides a method for purifying bacterial minicells that involves subjecting a sample containing minicells to density gradient centrifugation in a biologically compatible medium. The method optionally includes a preliminary differential centrifugation step and one or more filtration steps. The invention also provides a method for purifying bacterial minicells in which a sample containing minicells is subjected to a condition that induces parent bacterial cells to adopt a filamentous form, followed by filtration of the sample to separate minicells from parent bacterial cells. The inventive methods optionally include one or more steps to remove endotoxin from purified minicell preparations, and/or treatment of purified minicell preparations with an antibiotic. Additionally, the invention provides purified minicell preparations, prepared according to the foregoing methods, and containing fewer than about 1 contaminating parent bacterial cell per 107, 108, 109, 1010, or 1011 minicells.
US08003085B2
There is provided a shampoo capable of exhibiting a smooth feel of hair upon shampooing and rinsing and imparting good luster and manageability to finished hair. The water-based shampoo of the present invention contains silicone oil droplets dispersed therein wherein said oil droplets is composed of at least (A) 50 to 90% by mass of polydimethylsiloxane and (B) 2 to 50% by mass of a copolymer having a block chain constituted of an amino-modified organopolysiloxane chain and a polyoxyalkylene chain.
US08003084B2
The present invention relates to the field of perfumery. More particularly, it concerns α-substituted cyclopentanecarbonitriles or cyclohexanecarbonitriles. These compounds are valuable perfuming ingredients having fruity or jasminic odor notes. The present invention also concerns the compositions or articles containing the compound.
US08003055B1
Methods, processes and compositions are provided for a visual or chemochromic hydrogen-detector with variable or tunable reversible color change. The working temperature range for the hydrogen detector is from minus 100° C. to plus 500° C. A hydrogen-sensitive pigment, including, but not limited to, oxides, hydroxides and polyoxo-compounds of tungsten, molybdenum, vanadium, chromium and combinations thereof, is combined with nano-sized metal activator particles and preferably, coated on a porous or woven substrate. In the presence of hydrogen, the composition rapidly changes its color from white or light-gray or light-tan to dark gray, navy-blue or black depending on the exposure time and hydrogen concentration in the medium. After hydrogen exposure ceases, the original color of the hydrogen-sensitive pigment is restored, and the visual hydrogen detector can be used repeatedly. By changing the composition of the hydrogen-sensitive pigment, the time required for its complete regeneration is varied from a few seconds to several days.
US08003052B2
A diagnostic tape cassette especially for blood sugar tests comprises a test tape which is provided with a plurality of test fields for analysing body fluid, and a housing for receiving the test tape. The housing may have at least one housing part formed from a metal support and moulded-on plastic with integrated functional elements.
US08003051B2
Sample processing systems for processing sample materials located in sample processing devices that are separate from the system are disclosed. The sample processing systems include a rotating base plate with raised and/or non-planar thermal structures on which the sample processing devices are located during operation of the systems. The systems may also include structure to urge the sample processing devices against the base plate and thermal structures.
US08003044B2
A metallurgical lance (27a) to extend through an opening in the wall of a smelting vessel barrel (16) and into the interior space of the vessel. Lance (27a) includes a central core tube (31) through which to pass solid particulate material into the vessel and an annular cooling jacket (32) surrounding the central core tube (31) throughout a substantial part of its length. Lance (27a) has a mounting structure (61) comprising an outer annular part (60) extended about cooling jacket (32) and about twice the diameter of the cooling jacket. The outer annular part (60) fits within a tubular lance mounting bracket (62) welded to the shell (16a) of vessel barrel (16) to extend outwardly from the vessel. The lance is held within mounting bracket (62) by clamping bolts acting between flanges (63,65) on the outer annular part (60) and mounting bracket (62). The outer annular part (60) is double walled and the interior space between its walls is divided into water flow passages through which cooling water flows from a water inlet (68) to an outlet (69).
US08003038B2
There is disclosed a process for producing a resin molded article by using a resin into which fine metal particles are so introduced as to be hardly dissolved at the melting temperature of the resin and as to obtain high solubility in a high-pressure carbon dioxide. This process comprises the steps of forming a high-pressure fluid by dissolving, in a high-pressure carbon dioxide, a fluorine-containing metal complex and a fluorine-based solution capable of dissolving the same metal complex; introducing the high-pressure fluid into a heated and molten resin; and molding the resin having the high-pressure fluid introduced thereinto, to shape the molded article.
US08003036B2
There are provided a mold for forming a molding member and a method for forming a molding member using the same. The mold includes an upper surface, and a lower surface having an outer peripheral surface and a concave surface surrounded by the outer circumference. Injection and discharge holes extend from the upper surface to the lower surface. Accordingly, after the mold and the package are coupled so that the discharge hole is directed upward, a molding member can be formed on the package by injecting the molding material through the injection hole, whereby it is possible to prevent air bubbles from being captured in the molding member.
US08003033B2
The present invention relates to a packaging container (11) comprising a first portion (13) formed of a first material or material combination, a second portion (12) formed of a second material or material combination, and a pouring opening (14) formed in said first portion (13), characterized in that the first portion (13) is further provided with a tearing line (16a-c) extending essentially from the pouring opening (14) towards the interface between the first portion (13) and the second portion (12) and essentially along the complete extension of said interface.
US08003028B2
A method of forming a thermally insulating body that may involve co-depositing onto a substrate, particles containing aerogel material, particles containing phase change material, and a solution containing a binder and a carrier. The phase change material may have encapsulated phase change material particles in which a phase change substance encapsulated within durable capsules transitions from a solid to a liquid at a temperature greater than about 100 degrees Fahrenheit. The carrier may be removed after the co-deposition to form a solid thermally insulating body on the substrate.
US08003020B2
Process for the preparation of a ceramic wherein: 50% to 75% by weight of a compound intended to form a conductive phase, and 25% to 50% by weight of one or more materials allowing the formation of insulating phases composed of silicon nitride and modified silicon oxynitride are mixed in a receptacle containing a liquid after a thermal treatment leading to sintering of the ceramic; this mixture is subjected to grinding, drying and sieving operations; this mixture is pressed; and this mixture is sintered so as to obtain a ceramic with a porosity of between 0 and 30%. The sintering is carried out under a pressure of at least 50 bar of a gas which is inert towards the constituents of the mixture. Ceramic thus obtained and spark plug comprising it.
US08003014B2
The present application is directed to dielectric isolators for use in aircraft fuel systems to control lightning induced current and allow dissipation of electrostatic charge. The dielectric isolators are configured to have a high enough impedance to limit lightning currents to low levels, but low enough impedance to allow electrostatic charge to dissipate without allowing buildup. Although the dielectric isolators may develop a potential difference across the dielectric length due to the effects of lightning currents and its inherent impedance, they are configured to withstand these induced voltages without dielectric breakdown or performance degradation. In one embodiment, the dielectric isolator includes a tube constructed of a composition including a thermoplastic organic polymer (e.g., PEEK) and carbon nanotubes, and a pair of couplings attached to opposing ends of the tube. The dielectric isolator is capable of exhibiting an electrical resistance from about 105Ω to 108Ω at an applied potential of greater than 500 volts DC when measured from one coupling to the other coupling.
US08003011B2
A β type Sialon fluorescent substance is disclosed that is capable of achieving enhanced brightness of a white light emitting diode using blue to ultraviolet light as a light source. In the fluorescent substance which contains not less than 90% by mass of a β type Sialon composition represented by general formula: Si6-zAlzOzN8-z as a host material wherein z is not less than 0.24 and not more than 0.42, Eu is present dissolved in solid solution as a luminescent center at a content of 0.05 to 0.2% by atom. The β type Sialon fluorescent substance is preferably in the form of a powder having an average particle size of not less than 1 μm and not more than 20 μm. A white LED of good luminescent characteristics can be obtained by using a blue or ultraviolet light emitting diode as a excitation light source in combination with a fluorescent substance that emits yellow or red light.
US08003007B2
A twisted nematic (TN) mode liquid crystal display is provided. The liquid crystal display includes first and second display panels facing each other to create an electric field therebetween, and a liquid crystal layer disposed between the first and second display panels. The liquid crystal layer contains liquid crystal molecules having positive dielectric anisotropy, and the liquid crystal layer has a structure in which long axes of the liquid crystal molecules are aligned spirally from the first display panel to the second display panel when no electric field is created in the liquid crystal layer. The liquid crystal molecules have a dielectric anisotropy (Δ∈) in a range of 4.5 to 5.7, a splay elastic constant (K11) of 14 pN or less, and a bend elastic constant (K33) of 12 pN or greater.
US08003001B1
An easily breakable variable viscosity gel composition comprising a mixture of water, pH adjusting agents, gelling agents, and property enhancing additives evenly dispersed into the mixture, and an alkaline electrolyte viscosity increasing agent that raises the pH of the mixture to instantaneously trigger formation of a smooth homogeneous stable gel of desired viscosity for firefighting and fire suppression, explosion suppression and other uses. The gel also has the capacity to cling to, and build upon, vertical and horizontal surfaces which deprives fires of air while simultaneously profoundly and almost instantly lowering the temperature of the burning fuel, yet when effortlessly broken to a liquid by the simple addition of calcium or similar compositions, is easily rinsed away as a non-hazardous environmentally safe liquid. Additionally, when used to surround explosives, the gel grants exceptional explosion suppression.
US08002995B2
A fluid analytical device is provided including a body, a reservoir, an inlet channel and a separation unit. The reservoir is formed on the body. The inlet channel is formed on the body connected to the reservoir. The separation unit is formed on the body connected to the inlet channel, which includes a pile area, a collecting area and a spacer. The collecting area is located between the pile area and the reservoir. The spacer is formed between the pile area and the collecting area.
US08002989B2
An energy efficient desalination process that does not produce waste products involves the extraction of water from a first solution, such as seawater, by using a second concentrated solution to draw the water from the first solution across a semi-permeable membrane. By manipulating the equilibrium of the soluble and insoluble species of solute within the second solution in favor of the soluble species of the solute, a saturated second solution can be used to generate osmotic pressure on the first solution. Also, by adjusting the equilibrium in favor of the less soluble species after the water has been drawn from the first solution, a portion of the solute can easily be precipitated out. Heating the second solution decomposes the solute into its constituent gasses. The constituent gasses and precipitated solute may be recycled through the process to affect the changes in equilibrium and eliminate waste products. Additionally, by using the waste steam from industrial sources and a heat pump to effectively distribute heat through the present method, the present method exhibits greater energy efficiency than prior art methods.
US08002983B2
A strainer device for a fluid flow circuit removes debris and solid particles from the fluid flow to prevent plugging and reduce fouling of the system. The assembly includes a chamber that can be hydrocyclonic, a collection area, a screen assembly and a distributor that allows selective connection to a flushing fluid. The fluid flows through the chamber past the strainer device, with large particles collecting in the collection area under the influence of gravity and smaller solid particles being collected in the screen assembly. Particles can be flushed from the system by selectively activating the distributor to back flush the screen assembly and sweep the collection area free of solid particles without disassembling the system.
US08002981B2
A “no filter, no run” filtration system that is designed to verify that an appropriate filter cartridge is installed. A flow control sleeve is provided on a standpipe to control the flow of fluid, for example fuel, into the standpipe. The sleeve can be axially moveable between closed and open positions, with one or more members on an installed filter cartridge designed to release the sleeve to permit the movement from the closed position to the open position to allow fluid flow. A spring acts on the sleeve to bias the sleeve back to the closed position upon removal of the filter cartridge. The sleeve can also be designed without axial movement, but nonetheless is configured to be opened and closed to control fluid flow into the standpipe.
US08002978B2
A user friendly system that permits an unskilled person to quickly add dispersant material to a fluid system with the user friendly system utilizing operator evident dispersant carriers such as drawers, hangars or insertable cartridges.
US08002974B2
A stormwater inlet near an upper edge of a layered filter media vessel is equipped with a distribution header that ensures effective use of the surface area of the filter media by providing plural spaced streams of stormwater thereat, each at a point of impact having its energy dissipated by a layer of material that covers the upper layered filter media surface. The stormwater inflow is metered to control the stormwater pollutant removal process kinetics, thereby slowing the mean free path of the stormwater therethrough and optimizing pollutant capture. The water level within the vessel is height adjustable manually by a pivot arm in the form of a standing column of water coupled to the water within the container. Weep conduits are provided to slowly drain down the standing water in the system between storm events, simplifying maintenance and promoting best removal of pollutants from first-flush storm events. Stormwater pretreatment, e.g. by use of an oleophilic agent or a pH-buffering agent, is provided. Filter media are easily cleaned, as by scraping and/or adding filter media material when existing material's particulate capture capacity is exhausted.
US08002970B2
The present invention concerns doped catalysts on a mixed zeolite/alumino-silicate support with a low macropore content, and hydrocracking/hydroconversion and hydrotreatment processes employing them. The catalyst comprises at least one hydrodehydrogenating element selected from the group formed by elements from group VIB and group VIII of the periodic table and a doping element in a controlled quantity selected from phosphorus, boron and silicon, and a support based on zeolite Y defined by a lattice parameter a of the unit cell in the range 24.40×10−10 m to 24.15×10−10 m and silica-alumina containing a quantity of more than 5% by weight and 95% by weight or less of silica (SiO2).
US08002964B2
The installation and use of embedded sacrificial anodes to protect reinforced concrete may be improved. In one example a cavity [2] is formed in the concrete [3] and a puttylike backfill [4] is placed in the cavity and a compact discrete anode comprising a sacrificial metal element [1] is inserted into the backfill and a space is provided into which the backfill may move when subjected to a pressure arising from the formation of voluminous sacrificial metal corrosion products and a high current is passed from the anode to the steel in the concrete to arrest steel corrosion and activate the anode in the backfill. The space may be provided by venting the backfill to space outside the cavity through an opening [5] or by including a void space within the backfill [6] or a void space within the cavity [7].
US08002951B2
A furnace and method for the cracking of hydrocarbons. The furnace includes a radiant firebox, the radiant firebox comprising a furnace floor having a centerline, a plurality of decoke effluent injection nozzles mounted along or adjacent to the centerline for injecting decoke effluent upward into the radiant firebox, a plurality of burners arranged to form a first line of burners and a second line of burners, each line of burners positioned on opposing sides of the plurality of decoke effluent injection nozzles, a first plane of radiant coils spaced at a distance greater than the distance that the first line of burners is spaced from the centerline of the furnace floor and on the same side of the centerline as the first row of burners, and a second plane of radiant coils spaced at a distance greater than the distance that the second line of burners is spaced from the centerline of the furnace floor and on the same side of the centerline as the second row of burners.
US08002948B2
A process for forming a patterned thin film structure on a substrate is disclosed. A pattern is printed with a material, such as a masking coating or an ink, on the substrate, the pattern being such that, in one embodiment, the desired thin film structures will be formed in the areas where the printed material is not present, i.e., a negative image of thin film structure to be formed is printed. In another embodiment, the pattern is printed with a material that is difficult to strip from the substrate, and the desired thin film structures will be formed in the areas where the printed material is present, i.e., a positive image of the thin film structure is printed. The thin film material is deposited on the patterned substrate, and the undesired area is stripped, leaving behind the patterned thin film structures.
US08002947B2
A plasma treatment apparatus has a reaction vessel (11) provided with a top electrode (13) and a bottom electrode (14), and the first electrode is supplied with a VHF band high frequency power from a VHF band high frequency power source (32), while the bottom electrode on which a substrate (12) is loaded and is moved by a vertical movement mechanism. The plasma treatment system has a controller (36) which, at the time of a cleaning process after forming a film on the substrate (12), controls a vertical movement mechanism to move the bottom electrode to narrow the gap between the top electrode and bottom electrode and form a narrow space and starts cleaning by a predetermined high density plasma in that narrow space. In the cleaning process, step cleaning is performed. Due to this, the efficiency of utilization of the cleaning gas is increased, the amount of exhaust gas is cut, and the cleaning speed is raised. Further, the amount of the process gas used is cut and the process cost is reduced.
US08002938B2
The present invention is a decorative laminated article comprising an image bearing thermoplastic interlayer wherein the image has been printed on the interlayer using an ink jet printing process, wherein the pigment comprises at least one pigment selected from the group consisting of: PY 120; PY 155; PY 128; PY 180; PY 95; PY 93; PV19/PR 202; PR 122; PB 15:4; PB 15:3; and PBI 7. The interlayer material of the present invention can be, for example, PVB, PET, or polyurethane.
US08002937B2
A trim part is aligned, via a flexible, split jig, to a finished primary surface and adhered by an epoxide to a secondary structural surface. An epoxide fixing accelerant is applied to the epoxide via the jig, whereby the trim part is rapidly rigidly affixed to the secondary structural surface. The jig is then removed via its being both split and resiliently flexed.
US08002934B2
A seal assembly for reception of an elongated surgical instrument is provided which includes a body having at least one opening configured and dimensioned to permit entry of an elongated surgical instrument and defining a central longitudinal axis; a seal member formed of a resilient material and defining an aperture therein, the aperture being configured and dimensioned such that insertion of the surgical instrument into the aperture causes the resilient material defining the aperture to resiliently contact the outer surface of the surgical instrument in a substantially fluid tight manner; and a fabric layer juxtaposed relative to the resilient material. A coating may be applied to the seal member to reduce friction between the seal member and surgical instrumentation inserted therein. The coating is preferably a hydrocyclosiloxane membrane prepared by plasma polymerization process.
US08002927B2
A process for sealing the tail of a convolutely wound web material is disclosed. The process comprises the steps of: (a) providing the convolutely wound web material having a tail portion connectively associated thereto; (b) disposing the tail portion away from an immediately subjacent convolution of the convolutely wound web material; (c) disposing a fluid upon the immediately subjacent convolution; and, (d) fixably and removeably disposing the tail portion of the convolutely wound web material upon the fluid disposed upon the immediately subjacent convolution.
US08002925B2
The invention relates to an improvement for applying a layered structure (1) onto a convex surface of a lens (10). After thermoforming the layered structure, a curvature direction of the layered structure is inverted. The structure is then applied on the lens surface by continuously pushing the structure (1) against the lens surface, starting from a contact point between a convex surface of the structure and the convex surface of the lens. The curvature direction of the layered structure is then inverted again, so that it recovers the curvature direction that resulted from thermoforming. Stresses within the layered structure are then reduced, and the structure can be assembled with the lens without defects.
US08002923B2
A glass block is formed by stacking, fixing, and integrating a plurality of thin glass plates having a predetermined thickness. An annular glass block is formed by coring the glass block. Surfaces of an inside circumference and an outside circumference of the annular glass block are ground. The annular glass block of which the surfaces of the inside circumference and the outside circumference are ground are separated into individual annular glass substrates, and separated annular glass substrates are cleaned. Then, edge portions of the inside circumference and the outside circumference of a cleaned annular glass substrate are chamfered.
US08002908B2
A steel product with a high austenite grain coarsening temperature having less than 0.4% carbon, less than 0.06% aluminium, less than 0.01% titanium, less than 0.01% niobium, and less than 0.02% vanadium by weight, and having fine oxide particles containing silicon and iron distributed through the steel microstructure having an average particle size less than 50 nanometers and may be between 5 and 30 nanometers. The steel product may have fine oxide particles distributed through the microstructure capable of restricting ferrite recrystallization for strain levels up to at least 10.0%, for temperatures up to 750° C. with holding times up to 20 minutes. The steel product may be made by continuous casting of steel strip introduced between the casting rolls to form a casting pool of molten carbon steel having a total oxygen content of at least 70 ppm usually less than 250 ppm, and a free oxygen content 20 and 60 ppm, counter rotating the casting rolls.
US08002901B1
Drying of wet workpiece, such as a magnetic recording media, following a wet clean process where the wet workpiece is displaced from a liquid volume into a gaseous volume at a pull speed that is dependent on the temperature of the gaseous volume.
US08002866B2
In a steam-water separator, a swirl vane (52) is provided inside a riser (51), an annular downcomer space (54) is formed by providing a downcomer barrel (53) outside the riser (51), a deck plate (55) is arranged above the riser (51) and the downcomer barrel (53) with a predetermined space therefrom, an orifice (56) and vents (57) are formed, and aperture ratios of plural slits (58a, 58b, 58c, and 58d) formed on the riser (51) are set at from 30% to 70%. Accordingly, the steam and the water is appropriately separated, and the separated steam is reliably discharged upward from the orifice while the separated water is allowed to reliably flow down through the downcomer space, thereby enhancing steam-water separating efficiency.
US08002865B2
A separator assembly for removing material that is entrained in a gas stream. The separator assembly comprises a housing having a head part which provides the upper end of the housing and a body part which provides the lower end of the housing. The separator assembly also comprises a shield which extends across the housing towards the lower end thereof so as to leave a collection space between it and the lower end in which material that is separated from the gas stream can collect. There is at least one opening in or around the shield through which the material can flow past the shield into the collection space. The separator assembly further comprises a liner sleeve which covers at least a part of the inside wall of the body part between the shield and the upper end of the body part.
US08002863B2
An engine air cleaner includes a cleaner element unit is housed within the upper cover body, and a skirt wall of the upper cover body extends further downward than the suction opening. A seal packing and the cleaner element unit are superimposed and fitted onto an outer periphery of an intake passage within the cleaner cover body. The seal packing is provided with a retaining projection that is tightly engaged with the intake passage. An air cleaner is disposed to be side by side with one side of the engine, a lower part of the cleaner cover body is joined integrally to and supported on the engine together with a carburetor via a pair of connecting bolts, and a reinforcing vertical wall portion of the cleaner cover body facing the engine across a gap is joined integrally to and supported on the engine via another connecting bolt.
US08002860B2
The present invention discloses a CMP abrasive comprising cerium oxide particles, a dispersant, an organic polymer having an atom or a structure capable of forming a hydrogen bond with a hydroxyl group present on a surface of a film to be polished and water, a method for polishing a substrate comprising polishing a film to be polished by moving a substrate on which the film to be polished is formed and a polishing platen while pressing the substrate against the polishing platen and a polishing cloth and supplying the CMP abrasive between the film to be polished and the polishing cloth, a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device comprising the steps of the above-mentioned polishing method, and an additive for a CMP abrasive comprising an organic polymer having an atom or a structure capable of forming a hydrogen bond with a hydroxyl group present on a surface of a film to be polished, and water.
US08002859B2
A method of forming a thermally stable cutting element that includes disposing at least a portion of a polycrystalline abrasive body containing a catalyzing material to be leached into a leaching agent; and subjecting the polycrystalline abrasive object to an elevated temperature and pressure is disclosed. Thermally stable cutting elements and systems and other methods for forming thermally stable cutting elements are also disclosed.
US08002852B2
A method of dyeing a lens, comprises the steps of: (a) applying a dyeing ink containing a sublimable dye onto a base material to produce a dyeing base body; (b) placing the dyeing base body and the lens so that a dye-applied surface of the dyeing base body and a surface of the lens to be dyed face each other in noncontact relation, and heating the dyeing base body under substantially a vacuum condition to sublimate and deposit the applied dye on the lens; and (c) heating the dye deposited surface of the lens by irradiation of infrared rays from one direction to fix the deposited dye on the lens.
US08002851B2
A thermochromic ink composition comprises at least one thermochromic optical-state change material, at least one thermally responsive pH modifier, and at least one base and at least one binder material. The quantity of the thermally responsive pH modifier is less than or equal to about 0.25 milli moles based on the amount of optical-state change material. The ink composition is capable of transforming from a first optical state to a second optical state upon exposure to a thermal stimulus. The thermochromic ink composition may comprise a nitro dye. A thermochromic coating composition formed using the thermochromic ink composition is also disclosed.
US08002834B2
A prosthetic disc for insertion between adjacent vertebrae includes a core having upper and lower curved surfaces and upper and lower plates. At least one of the curved surfaces of the core is metallic, and in some embodiments the entire core is metallic. Each plate has an outer surface which engages a vertebra and a metallic inner curved surface which is shaped to slide over one of the curved surfaces of the core. In some embodiments, the center of rotation of the core is free to move relative to the upper and lower metallic plates. In some embodiments, one or more channels extend across one or both of the curved surfaces of the core for allowing passage of bodily fluid to promote lubrication between the core and at least one of the plates.
US08002833B2
An intersomatic implant (1a, 1b) maintains bone graft material in a receiving cavity formed in a disc in order to obtain intervertebral fusion. The implant (1a, 1b) includes of a plurality of parts provided with means for in situ connection of two consecutive parts. Instruments (33) are used to connect these implants (1a, 1b) and a tool assists in introducing these implants (1a, 1b) into the cavity formed in the disc.
US08002825B2
A prosthetic valve for implantation in a stenosed aortic valve. The prosthetic valve includes a compressible and expandable frame formed with intersecting metallic bars and a valvular structure made with pericardial tissue. The frame is compressible for delivery into a patient's vasculature through an 18 F (5.7 mm) arterial introducer using a catheterization technique. The bars of the frame preferably have a diameter in the range of 0.1 to 0.6 mm for providing the frame with sufficient radial strength to resist the recoil force exerted by the stenosed aortic valve after implantation. The prosthetic valve includes an internal cover made with pericardial tissue. The internal cover is fastened to an internal surface of the frame between an inlet end of the frame and the valvular structure for preventing regurgitation.
US08002823B2
An endoprosthesis, such as a stent, includes anchoring regions formed of polymer that enhance adherence of a coating, e.g. a drug eluting polymer coating, to a stent surface, e.g. made of ceramic. The anchoring regions can be formed using stamping processes.
US08002810B2
A method for postoperatively compressing a bone graft between adjacent spinal vertebrae utilizing first and second plates having openings at remote ends for receiving bone screws to fix the plates to respective vertebrae on opposite sides of a bone graft-receiving site. The first and second plates have male and female parts having interlocking elements cooperable with one another enabling movement of the plates and the adjacent vertebrae to one another to progressively compress the bone graft between the adjacent vertebrae and prevent movement of the first and second plates and adjacent vertebrae away from one another.
US08002807B2
A dynamic screw assembly includes a fixation component that connects to a vertebral body, the fixation component includes at least one inlet to allow a lubricant to pass inside the fixation component, a ring member coupled to the fixation component, a stopper sealing at least one inlet, a coupling member includes an inwardly curved bottom portion and a bulbous end extending from the inwardly curved bottom portion, a bumper mechanism coupled to the fixation component and the coupling member, a longitudinal member coupled to the coupling member, and a blocker that retains the longitudinal member in the coupling member. The bulbous end includes at least one groove that houses the lubricant, and at least one slot to allow the bulbous end to fit into the fixation component and to limit a range of angulation of the coupling member with respect to the fixation component.
US08002805B2
The invention relates to an intervertebral implant comprising a spacer constituted by first and second parts (12, 14), said parts being provided with mutual assembly means comprising first clip-fastener means (54, 56) secured to one of said parts, second clip-fastener means (49, 50) secured to the other part and suitable for cooperating with the first clip-fastener means to achieve releasable clip-fastening between the two parts, and guide means for guiding the two parts (12, 14) during clip-fastening, said guide means being distinct from the clip-fastening means and comprising: a substantially non-deformable first guide assembly (42, 44) secured to one of said parts; and a substantially non-deformable second guide assembly (46, 48) secured to the other part to co-operate with the first guide assembly.
US08002803B2
A dynamic stabilization, motion preservation spinal implant system includes an anchor system, a horizontal rod system and a vertical rod system. The systems are modular so that various constructs and configurations can be created and customized to a patient.
US08002801B2
A spine implant, in particular a stabilization or distraction device, is provided with an adjustable length. The implant has first and second portions for coupling to a first bony portion of a first vertebra and a second bony portion of a second vertebra, respectively, where the second bony portion is located at an oblique angle to the first bony portion. The spinal implant permits movement between the first bony portion and the second bony portion and is adjustable to change an amount of said movement between said first bony portion and said second bony portion after the implant is implanted.
US08002799B2
A system for attaching first and second fixation elements at a predetermined angle relative to each other to first and second locations of a vertebra, respectively includes a first guide wire configured to be inserted into the first location of the vertebra, an angular guide system comprising first and second guide arms configured to be set at the predetermined angle relative to each other and the first guide arm is configured to be inserted over the first guide wire and a second guide wire configured to be inserted through the second guide arm into the second location of the vertebra. The second guide wire includes first and second members configured to pivot relative to each other.
US08002794B2
Devices and methods for accessing and closing vascular sites are disclosed. Self-sealing closure devices and methods are disclosed. A device that can make both steeply sloping and flat access paths into a vascular lumen is disclosed. The device can also form arteriotomies with sections cleaved between a vessel's intimae and adventitia. Methods for using the device are also disclosed.
US08002791B2
Devices and methods for accessing and closing vascular sites are disclosed. Self-sealing closure devices and methods are disclosed. A device that can make a steep and controlled access path into a vascular lumen is disclosed. Methods for using the device are also disclosed.
US08002790B2
An embolic protection device comprises a collapsible filter body and a filter support for the filter body. The filter support comprises a support frame defined by at least two wire segments having terminations. The terminations of adjacent segments are fixed relative to one another and extend generally parallel in a bifilar manner for enhanced trackability and flexibility.
US08002781B1
A braided sleeve device having a tubular body that is symmetrically disposed around an imaginary longitudinal axis. The tubular body has a first end, a second end and a flange transition point that is located proximate the second end. The tubular body is comprised of interwoven strands that extend from the first end to the second end. The tubular body has a first diameter from the first end to the flange transition point. The tubular body also has a diameter that increases in size from the flange transition point to the second end, therein forming a flare. The flare causes the interwoven stands of the braided sleeve to be reoriented into a perpendicular with the longitudinal axis. A reinforcement ring is bonded to the braided sleeve proximate its second end. The reinforcement ring retains the flare in the configuration of the braided sleeve.
US08002776B2
A disc preparation system includes an oscillating rasp for preparation of vertebral endplates and a central reamer for reaming a pair of kidney-shaped grooves into the vertebral endplate. The oscillating rasp is powered by a rotary power source. A linkage assembly is coupled to the rotary power source to convert the rotary motion into a reciprocating motion. A pair of rasps plates, which are linked to the linkage assembly, linearly reciprocate in opposite directions in response to the reciprocating motion of the linkage assembly. In one form, the central reamer includes a pair of cutting elements that are coupled to the rotary power source in order to rotate in response to rotational movement from the rotary power source. In another form, the central reamer includes a single cutting element coupled to an angled reamer handle and a reamer guide.
US08002766B2
A catheter assembly with a catheter and a package for a catheter are provided. The package and catheter is provided with a seal that restricts passage of fluid between the package and the catheter. The assembly allows the catheter to be used without complete removal from the package. During urination, the assembly prevents the flow of urine from the outlet of the catheter and back through the package in a direction towards the user of the catheter. The seal allows the catheter to be dispensed from the package while the sealing is maintained and the assembly thus allows non-contaminated insertion and use of the catheter while the catheter is partly maintained in the package.
US08002760B2
Absorbent articles such as disposable diapers and disposable pant like garments are disclosed. In particular, absorbent articles such as disposable diapers and pants having an improved barrier cuff structure for improved fit are described. The placement of a barrier cuff structure having a tackdown point near the waistband of the article tends to “pull down” the waistband and may cause sagging. Intermediate tackdown bonds are disclosed to achieve the containment benefits of a barrier cuff structure without sacrificing fit characteristics of the article. The intermediate tackdown may be intermediate one or both of the longitudinal ends of the barrier cuff strip and the lateral side edges of the strip. Additionally, the relationship of forces, angles, and design characteristics of aspects of the articles and sagging are disclosed.
US08002751B2
A single in-line filter hollow needle has an outer wall, a proximal end, a distal end with a pointed tip and a central opening between the ends for communicating fluids therethrough. The proximal end is secured to a luer lock for removable connection to a syringe. A filter is located in the central opening proximate to the tip. The outer wall of the needle has a frangible deformation proximate to the filter and remote from the end of the needle whereby the needle may be broken to expose a fresh point after fluid is aspirated through the needle to the syringe is filtered.
US08002749B2
A valve assembly includes a valve collar, a rotatable valve control member, and a flexible valve member disposed therebetween. The valve control member and the valve collar are aligned to define an elongated passageway, and the flexible valve member is disposed along the passageway. The valve collar is structured such that at least a portion thereof is capable of radial flexure upon engagement with a mechanism on the rotatable valve control member. One end of the valve member is secured to the valve collar, and the other end is secured to the rotatable valve control member. Upon rotation of the rotatable valve control member relative to the valve collar, the mechanism of the rotatable valve control member engages the valve collar portion in a manner such that the valve collar portion flexes in a radial direction and a tactile sensation is produced thereby, and the flexible valve member constricts from an open position to a position wherein the flexible valve member opening is at least partially closed to passage of fluid therethrough.
US08002746B2
A winged needle set is disclosed. The winged needle set has a housing and opposed wings which can be grasped between the fingers for insertion of the needle into a body. The winged needle set has a finned member which is rotatable about the axis of the needle. Rotation of the finned member towards one of the wings actuates a needle shield, which moves along the needle in the distal direction. In one embodiment, the needle shield has includes a blocking object (such as a ball), a biasing spring and a holder for the blocking object.
US08002737B2
A syringe device having a syringe barrel and a syringe piston having a container housing. At least a portion of the container housing is insertable within an internal chamber of the syringe barrel. A fluid passageway extends from the container housing through a piston stem. A method of protecting a syringe handler including providing the components of a syringe device and encasing the components in a protective film. The protective film is loose to allow manipulation of the syringe components relative to one another without opening or puncturing the film. Protective syringe device packaging that includes a laminate film of material sealed to encase the components of a syringe device containing a potentially harmful agent.
US08002733B2
Device and method for rapid extraction of body tissue from an enclosed body cavity. Hollow entry cannula with optional core element provides entry into body tissue space such as bone marrow. Aspiration cannula is inserted through cannula into body tissue and is manipulated to advance directionally through body cavity. Optional stylet within aspiration cannula aids in advancing aspiration cannula through body tissue and is removed to facilitate extraction of body tissue through the aspiration cannula. Inlet openings near distal tip of aspiration cannula allow tissue aspiration, with negative pressure source at proximal end of aspiration cannula providing controlled negative pressure. Aspiration cannula may be withdrawn and its path adjusted for multiple entries through the same entry point, following different paths through tissue space for subsequent aspiration of more tissue.
US08002730B2
A venous shunt system and method adapted to shunt cerebral spinal fluid in a patient. A fluid control device having a fluid passage is adapted to be placed allowing cerebral spinal fluid to flow through the fluid passage. A catheter having a lumen, the catheter being in fluid communication with the fluid control device. At least a portion of at least one of the catheter and the fluid control device being subjected to an anti-thrombogenic treatment.
US08002729B2
A multi-lumen catheter assembly for use in the extracorporeal treatment of a body fluid of a patient. The catheter assembly includes an elongated catheter body having a pair of lumens extending therethrough, and a septum separating the lumens. The catheter body has an aspiration port in communication with a first lumen for transporting fluid withdrawn from a body vessel to a treatment unit, and an infusion port in communication with a second lumen for return of treated fluid to the vessel. The infusion port is positioned distal of the aspiration port along a length of the catheter body. A flexible member is provided, wherein the flexible member has an end receivable in the first lumen and another end engaged with the catheter body distal of the aspiration port. The flexible member is structured and arranged to maintain a spacing between the aspiration port and a wall of the vessel.
US08002725B2
Embolic protection and plaque removal apparatus and methods are provided wherein an aspiration device aspirates, filters and reperfuses blood using a closed fluid circuit having a bi-directional working lumen. The plaque removal device includes a plurality of self-expanding cutting elements that form a cage that self-centers within the blood vessel to reduce the risk of trauma to the vessel lining.
US08002723B2
A neck brace (10) is disclosed which comprises two sections (12, 14) which are releasably connected to one another along a split line (18). The ring has upwardly facing surfaces (30, 76.1, 20.2) which limit tilting movement of a helmeted head in all directions. The brace further has a column (68, 70) which extends downwardly from the ring for transferring loads to the wearer's back on each side of the spine.
US08002719B2
A walking assisting device having leg links connected to a load transfer portion, wherein each leg link is free to bend and stretch at a joint in the middle of the leg link, the leg link being formed to a length such that the joint projects forward of a reference line when a user is standing upright. The reference line is a line connecting a swing fulcrum of the leg link to a joint at the lower end of the leg link. Stability is improved by diminishing a moment in a forward tilting direction when the user is standing upright. The leg links are provided with an overhanging portion and a driving source mounted on the overhanging portion, which helps maintain balance relative to the reference line. The driving force is transmitted to the joint in the middle of the leg link via driving force transmission means.
US08002699B2
An endoscope has a shaft, a head disposed at a proximal end of said shaft and a light connection disposed at said head. Optical fibers extend from said proximal light connection to a distal end of said shaft. A sleeve in which a proximal end section of said light fibers is fixed is designed in such a way that it can be introduced in a linear movement without turning it into the light connection. Said sleeve is axially movable in said connecting piece.
US08002697B2
An endoscope system includes a first endoscope having a first observation optical system with a first viewing angle and a first illumination optical system; and a second endoscope having a second observation optical system with a second viewing angle wider than the first viewing angle and a second illumination optical system. A second illumination region of illuminating light that is emitted by the second illumination optical system and has a predetermined illuminance is wider than a first illumination region of illuminating light that is emitted by the first illumination optical system and has a predetermined illuminance, at any imaging distance that is pointed in an observation direction from a distal end of an insertion portion of each of the first endoscope and the second endoscope.
US08002683B1
An apparatus for abdominal exercise comprises a pair of laterally spaced u-shaped support rails for rocking back and forth on a surface. A pair of arm rests are each connected to the inside u-shape portion of one of the support rails and extend rearwardly from the contact point to the surface to receive an elbow of a person disposed between said rails in a supine position. A first connecting portion connects the support rails above the contact point to the surface. A second connecting portion connects the support rails behind the contact point to the surface. A plunger is connected to said first connecting portion whereby a person disposed supinely on said support surface and between said support rails and with one of the hands or arms of the person engaging said first connecting portion is able to conduct a curling exercise to exercise the abdominal muscles of the person while rocking said device, and wherein said plunger is positioned to engage a user's abdomen to provide a kinetic and isometric force.
US08002681B2
A resistance training tool having at least one elastic resistance member. The resistance member can include an elastic segment and a swivel clip, attached to each end of the elastic segment, that rotates independently of the elastic segment about an axis defined by the length of the elastic segment.
US08002671B1
The Supine Elevation Cycle is uniquely designed to provide multiple levels of physical therapy, or if desired, a vigorous and effective cardiovascular workout while minimizing painful and damaging physical impact on the body's major joints. The SEC features an elevated cycling device whereby the user exercises in a supine or reclined position while pedaling with the lower extremities positioned above the level of the heart. This results in a transfer of weight bearing stress from major joints to the large muscles in the calves, thighs, abdomen and back. With an adjustable back support, the user, utilizing the extension and angling features of the cycling device, can target numerous muscle groups of the body and extremities. Additional supine or upright positions with proper adjustment of the apparatus allow the targeting of muscle groups in the arms, shoulders, chest and back. Magnetic resistance in the exercise operation assembly affords a wide range of cycling resistance, from light stretching or controlled muscle therapy, to the most intense cardiovascular workout.
US08002670B2
A resistance training device effectively training the muscular force of a desired muscle includes a saddle for a user to sit on, a robot arm adjustable to the length of a limb of the user, a fastener for securing the robot arm to the limb, a controller for controlling the torque of a driving source driving a joint of the robot arm, and an input operating unit for the user to input a driving condition. When the user inputs a training load and an output direction of the distal end of the limb to be trained, the value of a torque necessary for generating the training load is calculated. The robot arm generates the torque of the calculated magnitude acting in a direction opposite to the output direction in such a manner that a constant training load is exerted to the user without dependency on the position of the user.
US08002668B2
The invention concerns a method for controlling a motor vehicle (2) with an automatic transmission (6) and an automated clutch (8), with a control unit (20), a drive or accelerator pedal (32), an element (30) for determining the position of the drive or accelerator pedal, and an actuating device (28) for selecting an operating mode of the motor vehicle (2). According to the invention, when the actuating means (28) is operated the position of the drive or accelerator pedal (32) is noted or evaluated, and actuation of the clutch (8) is prevented until a change in the position of the drive or accelerator pedal is recognized.
US08002664B2
A transmission is provided having an input member, an output member, four planetary gear sets, a plurality of coupling members and a plurality of torque transmitting devices. Each of the planetary gear sets includes first, second and third members. The torque transmitting devices include clutches.
US08002639B2
A torsionally rigid flexible shaft coupling, in particular, fully-steel shaft coupling, for transmitting torques between shafts, in particular shafts with axes which are offset relative to one another, having one or two plate packs (5) which are placed on flange sleeves (6) and on the latter, are clamped by means of a ring (4) against an end-side flange (65b) of the flange sleeve (6), wherein the plate packs are clamped in an alternating fashion in the peripheral direction to the sleeves (8) or second hubs (9), which face one another, by means of screws (7) which extend through the flange sleeves (6) and have nuts (2). In order to considerably increase the torque which can be transmitted, it is provided that the flange sleeve (14) is shorter in the axial direction than the known flange sleeves, and that, in order to increase the torque component which can be transmitted in a frictionally locking manner, the flange sleeve is rounded in a chamfered manner, and contains a coated radius geometry (6e), in its transition region to the planar face of the hub (1).
US08002628B2
Gaming machines, systems and methods that present reel-based games are disclosed. Reel symbols can move or appear to move from one gaming reel to another gaming reel. Such reel symbols may include lenticular images, such as those that are implemented onto a medium via a lenticular process, whereby the medium is then applied to various gaming machine reels so that a viewer can perceive effects such as motion and depth. The medium can be a multi-image sheet containing regions of overlapping images where different images are visually predominant at different viewing angles, and the movable base can comprise a gaming reel. Multiple gaming reels can be used, and can be adapted to rotate in any direction.
US08002623B2
This invention provides methods and devices for presenting a plurality of game elements on one or more display devices. The game elements may comprise, for example, bingo cards, playing cards, hands of playing cards, etc. Some implementations of the invention involve displaying a plurality of game elements as surfaces of a three-dimensional object. Preferably, the orientation of the three-dimensional object can be varied to display selected game elements. The game elements may be selected by a player and/or by a logic device. In some implementations, the three-dimensional object comprises a “carousel” that can be re-oriented (e.g., rotated) to display game elements.
US08002621B2
An apparatus and method for a game including a plurality of paytables, wherein each of the paytables has an average expected payout. The gaming device initially employs a default paytable and enables a player to cause the gaming device to change the employed paytable. If the player chooses to cause the gaming device to change the employed paytable, the gaming device randomly selects another paytable from the plurality of paytables and determines a game outcome based on the randomly selected paytable. If the player does not choose to cause the gaming device to change the employed paytable, the gaming device determines a game outcome based on the default paytable. In one embodiment, when a player chooses to cause the gaming device to select another paytable, the player has a chance to obtain a paytable that includes higher or better awards.
US08002620B2
Methods and apparatus for providing an award based on a multiplicity of game outcomes. In one implementation the invention provides a method for providing a game. The method includes placing a bet by a player, playing of a game to produce a game outcome, evaluating a primary game outcome, paying a direct award if the primary outcome merits it, advancing a bonus accumulator if the primary outcome merits it, and if the bonus accumulator has advanced sufficiently, paying a bonus award to the player and clearing the bonus accumulator.
US08002618B1
A method of and system for conducting multiple competitions of skill for a single performance are described herein. User generated competition groups and system generated competition groups allow users to participate in multiple competitions at once based on answering the same questions or making the same selections related to a single event. The users are informed of each competition either via email, text message or when logging into the network via a website. The users select which competitions groups to join. After joining the desired groups, the users then make their selections related to the event which are transmitted to the network where results are tabulated and transmitted back to the users. The results are separated based on each competition group, so that users can continually know where they stand in each separate competition. With multiple competition groups, users are able to have varying success from the same performance in multiple competitions.
US08002612B2
An attachment system for attaching an abrasive article, such as an abrasive sheet or disc, to a sanding tool includes an article having a first major surface including an attachment region with attachment material for attachment with an associated mating surface on the sanding tool, and a non-attachment region along at least a portion of an edge of the first major surface forming a sufficiently weak attachment with the associated mating surface to allow a user to grasp the abrasive article and separate the abrasive article from the sanding tool.
US08002611B2
A chemical mechanical polishing pad and method for chemical-mechanical polishing is provided, wherein the polishing pad has a plurality of first mesas and one or more second mesas defined on a surface thereof. The plurality of first mesas are generally distributed about the surface of the polishing pad, wherein each of the plurality of first mesas has a first surface area associated therewith. The one or more second mesas are associated with a center region of the polishing pad, wherein each of the one or more second mesas has a second surface area associated therewith. The second surface area is at least twice the first surface area.
US08002602B2
A manufacturing method of a vacuum airtight container includes a baking step of baking, in a vacuum atmosphere, a container in which a first non-evaporable getter and a second non-evaporable getter having an activation temperature higher than that of the first non-evaporable getter are disposed. The baking step further includes steps of baking the entire container by increasing the temperatures of the container to a temperature T1 and holding the temperature T1, which is equal to or higher than an activation temperature of the first non-evaporable getter and is lower than an activation temperature of the second non-evaporable getter. After holding the temperature T1, the entire container is baked by increasing the temperature of the container to a temperature T2, which is higher than the activation temperature of the second non-evaporable getter.
US08002599B2
Systems and methods for underwater descent rate reduction are provided. In one embodiment, a method for underwater descent rate reduction for an underwater delivery vehicle is provided. The method comprises: opening a first valve based on a first hydrostatic pressure to permit water to flow into a first chamber of a hydrostatic pressure driven piston assembly; developing a pressure differential across a piston head separating the first chamber from a second chamber of the hydrostatic pressure driven piston assembly; pushing the piston head into the second chamber to extend a piston rod from the hydrostatic pressure driven piston assembly; and pivoting a deflecting flap downward into a direction of vehicle descent as the piston rod extends.
US08002598B2
An adjustable rowlock for changing the orientation of the blade of an oar has a body with a clamp and clamp adjusting means. There is also an oar sleeve having a datum mark to be aligned with a plurality of reference marks arranged on the body. In use, a user may choose from a plurality of orientations of the blade corresponding to the reference marks, to suit the water conditions.
US08002597B2
An engine is disposed in a top cowling. Burned gas produced in the engine is discharged to the outside through a first exhaust pipe, a second exhaust pipe, a third exhaust pipe, exhaust passage, and a exhaust passage. A catalyst is disposed to be housed in the first exhaust pipe and the second exhaust pipe. The first exhaust pipe and the second exhaust pipe are disposed in the top cowling. A fan is provided above the catalyst. As a result of this unique structure, a temperature increase in the cowling is prevented from being caused by heat radiated from the catalyst.
US08002594B2
An electrical contact adapted for use in an electrical socket comprises a planar retaining body for being retained in the electrical socket, a soldering portion extending from a bottom end of the retaining body, and a resilient arm extending from a top end of the retaining body. The resilient arm comprises a first beam sloped upwardly and a second beam extending upwardly and reversely from the first beam. The first beam has a first angle with respect to a plane of the retaining body and a second angle with respect to another plane both perpendicular to the plane of the retaining body and a horizontal plane. The second beam has a contacting end at the top end thereof and toward the retaining body. An offset is defined between the contacting end of the resilient arm and the soldering portion.
US08002587B2
A ring-like electrical power supplying structure for supplying electrical power to a group of electrical appliances located in an environment, includes a substantially planar structure having a central aperture through which a 3D volume of space extends for accommodating a plurality of appliance power plugs, appliance power cords and appliance power adapters. A plurality of mounting elements are provided on the substantially planar surface, for mounting a plurality of electrical receptacles, and at least one electronic PC circuit board. Electrical conductors are provided on the surface of the substantially planar structure for interconnecting the electrical receptacles and the electrical components, and supplying electrical power thereto, during device operation. A power supply cord is electrically connected to the electrical receptacles and the electrical components, and has an electrical power plug for plugging into a standard power receptacle, and supplying electrical power to the ring-like power supplying structure. A housing portion having a set of plug apertures, is aligned with said electrical receptacles, and allows appliance power plugs associated with the electrical appliances to plug into the electrical receptacles. A power cord portal allows a group of electrical power cords associated with the group of electrical appliances, to pass towards the electrical receptacles in a bundled manner, and the appliance power plugs associated with the group of electrical appliances to be plugged into the electrical receptacles.
US08002584B1
A connector has a top housing, a plurality of terminals mounted in the top housing. The top housing forms a plurality of receiving passages therethrough. Two sides of a bottom of the receiving passage are recessed outward to form two pairs of fixing recesses. One end of the receiving passage has a top portion protruding inward to form a resting portion. The terminal has a holding slice having lateral sides extended outward to form two pairs of fixing slices. The holding slice connects with an elastic arm of substantially inverted-V shape with an opening facing to the holding slice. The holding slice is located at a bottom of the receiving passage with the fixing slice received in the holding recess for fix the terminal in the top housing. The elastic arm rests against the resting portion for preventing the deformation of the terminal by the pulling of the terminal.
US08002581B1
A connector assembly includes contacts with contact tails and mating portions opposite the contact tails. The contact tails are configured to be terminated to a circuit board. The mating portions are configured to be terminated to corresponding mating contacts of a mating connector assembly. The connector assembly also includes a shield body holding the contacts. The shield body has a mounting end configured to be mounted to the circuit board. The mounting portions have web portions extending between selected contacts. The connector assembly includes a conductive gasket positioned along the mounting end of the shield body. The conductive gasket engages the web portions of the shield body and is configured to define a ground path between the shield body and a ground plane of the circuit board.
US08002578B2
A watthour meter socket adapter has housing formed of snap together rear and front housings. The front housing surrounds but allows access to jaw contacts and terminals mounted in the rear housing by a watthour meter and electric power conductors. An aperture in the front housing engages a socket adapter mounting fastener extendible through the aperture to attach the socket adapter to a mounting surface. The fastener and aperture resist separation of the front housing from the rear housing when a watthour meter is removed from the socket adapter. A clip extends from the front housing through an aperture in a terminal cover attachable to the front housing and receives a seal lock member. Another clip on the front housing extends through the terminal cover and is engaged by an expandable ring lock clip. A meter surge guard is removably mountable to the rear housing and exteriorly of the front housing.
US08002556B2
The invention relates to a termination (1) for telecommunication and data engineering, comprising a housing (10) which contains terminal strips for connecting up a prescribed number of pairs, wherein the housing (10) is designed to have mounting means which can be used to mount the housing (10) on supports, wherein the terminal strips are in the form of printed circuit board connectors (50), wherein the housing (10) contains a plurality of printed circuit boards (60) which are accessible from the front and at least one side portion (12) of the housing (10), wherein the printed circuit board connectors (50) are plugged onto the printed circuit boards (60) from the front of the housing (10) and are plugged onto the printed circuit boards (60) from the side portion(s) (12) of the housing (10), wherein the printed circuit boards (60) hold conductor tracks which are respectively used to connect a contact on a printed circuit board connector (50) from the front to a contact on the printed circuit board connector (50) from the side portion(s) (12) via the respective common printed circuit board (60).
US08002555B2
An electrical connector (100) comprises the following: (a) a first element (102) having an opening (114) for receiving an electrical cable (116), (b) a second element (104, 106) coupled to an electrical connector element (108), wherein the first element is coupled to the second element in order to define a cavity between the first and the second elements, wherein the connector element is in electrical contact with the cable in the cavity, and (c) an adjustable insulating shield (110) that is movable between a first position and a second position relative to the second element, such that a conductive contact section of the connector element is exposed for direct contact when the shield is moved to the first position, and that the shield covers the section in order to restrict direct access to the section when the shield is moved to the second position.
US08002554B2
Embodiments of electrical connectors and related methods of manufacture are described herein. Other embodiments and related methods are also disclosed herein.
US08002553B2
A sleep quality assessment approach involves collecting data based on detected physiological or non-physiological patient conditions. At least one of detecting patient conditions and collecting data is performed using an implantable device. Sleep quality may be evaluated using the collected data by an implantable or patient-external sleep quality processor. One approach to sleep quality evaluation involves computing one or more summary metrics based on occurrences of movement disorders or breathing disorders during sleep.
US08002545B2
An instrument to compressively place and bond a restorative covering to the surface of a tooth including a gripping body (4) with a gently tapered mildly angled neck (6) having an applicator holder (8) with an attached compressible applicator with traversing photo cure apertures (12) to permit the passage of a photo curing light.
US08002543B2
A system for revising a set of teeth including a bracket for revising a set of teeth and a bracket positioning jig is provided. The bracket positioning jig includes a cap at the lower portion of which a groove contacting tooth is formed, and which has a throughhole to lengthy direction on the upper portion of a cap body, and a connector one side of which has a fixed protrusion which is detachably inserted into and fixed to the throughhole of the cap, and the other side of which is bent toward the lower end of the body and has a coupler which is combined on a slot of an orthodontics treatment bracket for revising a set of teeth. An individual prescription value which is the most appropriate for an individual patient is given to the bracket positioning jig on a computer program to thus manufacture a desired jig, so that a non-prescription bracket as well as a bracket having a given prescription value can be used.
US08002530B2
Provided is a mold for vulcanization of a tire which does not entail troublesome work including removing vent spews, and which does not spoil the external appearance of the tire with the spews, and prevents light failures from occurring in the tire. Vent grooves are formed in sidewall molding surfaces for molding sidewall parts in such a way as to extend zigzag in the tire circumferential direction. At least one vent hole is formed in each of the vent grooves.
US08002518B2
A pump assembly adapted for continuous flow pumping of blood. In a particular form the pump is a centrifugal pump wherein the impeller is entirely sealed within the pump housing and is hydrodynamically suspended therein as the impeller rotates within the fluid urged by electromagnetic means external to the pump cavity. Hydrodynamic suspension is assisted by the impeller having deformities therein such as blades with surfaces tapered from the leading edges to the trailing edges of bottom and top edges thereof.
US08002506B2
A self-expanding and self-undercutting guard rail bolt includes a dowel having a guard rail fastening end and a ring. The fastening end is configured to be driven in rotation, and the ring is configured to rigidly connect to a first screwing end of the dowel by an incipient fracture portion. The self-expanding and self-undercutting guard rail bolt further includes a counter-dowel screwed to the dowel by a second screwing end. The counter-dowel includes an expansion cone, and an anti-rotation head having at least one edge which projects beyond a periphery of the dowel to prevent rotation of the counter-dowel about an axis of the guard rail bolt.
US08002501B2
This invention refers to a device that has a direct applicability in the oil industry, detecting on a prevention basis, failures that may be externally visualized on the walls of the risers. Externally coupled to a pipe in free catenary, called riser, the device involves such a pipe in its entire perimeter and allows for the making of non-destructive inspections of several natures concurrently, while the device moves along all its extension. The device moves along the riser downwards and upwards by a combination of gravity, buoyancy, thrusters and action of expansion of gases.
US08002495B2
A method for slowing a vehicle. The method including: disposing a predetermined thickness of collapsible material over a base; disposing a plurality of panels over a top surface of the collapsible material over which the vehicle travels; and selectively either supporting one or more of the plurality of panels or allowing the collapsible material to be compressed under the weight of the vehicle.
US08002493B2
A flexible marker post assembly having a base, first and second members of an elastomeric material secured to the base and extending upwardly therefrom, the first and second flexible members each having respective first and second side walls with a concave recess formed on each of the side walls, substantially rigid post mounted intermediate of an upper portion of the first and second flexible members with the post having a lower end secured to an upper portion of the first and second flexible members. The provision of concave recesses permits a better bending action when the post is struck at an angle.
US08002492B2
An energy absorbing system. The system includes an energy absorber mechanically coupled to a net, a joint mechanically coupled to an anchor, and a support mechanically coupled to the net via a frangible connector. The frangible connector may uncouple the support from the net upon application of at least a threshold force to the frangible connector. The joint may pivot on a horizontal axis and support the energy absorber at a predetermined angle relative to ground level.
US08002491B2
A system and a method for securely connecting, or interlocking two pole sections together to ensure that they do not disconnect during use. The system includes a tubular female end portion of the first pole section and a male end portion of the second pole section that is insertable into the female end portion. The system additionally includes a locking nut threadingly engaged with the male end portion that is rotatable on the male end portion to longitudinally transition the locking nut into contact with the female end portion to fixedly interlock the male and female end portions. Furthermore, the system includes a biased locking sleeve assembly slidably and rotatably mounted on a locking assembly portion of the second pole. The locking sleeve assembly can include a locking sleeve and a biased plunger slidingly positioned within an interior of the locking sleeve for applying a locking force to the locking nut.
US08002490B2
A unitary, bent corner piece for a valance frame has an extending tongue at each end shaped to interfit the hollow cross-section of an adjacent, extruded, valance frame member. Complementary corner pieces so formed provide part of a valance interface between the lid and body of a container, ensuring sealing continuity around corners fitted with such corner pieces. Each corner piece is provided with a mating valance surface for presentation to the valance interface to provide an intimate engagement with the mating valance surface of the complementary, opposed corner piece. Gaskets fitted within the corner pieces may form part of the interface. Tongues formed a at the respective ends of a corner piece are provided with a groove to accommodate the inclusion of a gasket into the interior core of the longitudinal frame members. Corner pieces may also be formed with two or more cavities beneath the valance surface, such cavities being defined by bridging walls extending from an inside surface of the corner piece to an outside surface of the corner piece. The outside surface of a corner piece may be provided with one or more perforated fastener openings, penetrating the outside wall of the corner piece, for attaching sidewalls of a container to the corner piece.
US08002474B2
A vehicle wheel bearing apparatus has an outer member, an inner member with at least one inner ring, double row rolling elements, and a constant velocity universal joint torque transmittably inserted into a wheel hub and axially separably connected by a securing nut. A shoulder of an outer joint member of the constant velocity universal joint abuts against a larger end face of the inner ring. The larger end face of the inner ring is formed as a ground surface. An end face of the shoulder of the outer joint member abutted against the larger end face is formed as a ground surface or a lathe-turned surface. The surface roughness Ra of at least the larger end face of the inner ring is limited to a range within 0.1˜0.3.
US08002473B2
A crankshaft has spaced-apart cheeks and a cylindrical surface between the cheeks. A split ring bearing assembly has first and second bearing parts that join to encircle the cylindrical surface. First and second split ring seal assemblies each have first and second seal parts that join to encircle and sealingly contact with the cylindrical surface on each side of the split ring bearing assembly. A journal includes a first and second journal halves having cylindrical recesses receiving the crankshaft so that the split ring bearing assembly bears upon the journal and the first and second split ring seal assemblies sealingly contact with the journal halves. A lube fill fitting is provided in the journal for the introduction of lubricant which is permanently sequestered between the first and second split ring seal assemblies to provide sealed lubrication of the split ring bearing assemblies.
US08002466B2
The present invention relates to an irradiation verification apparatus containing living cell material which is fixed in location on cell supports which are arranged between cell support holders. For irradiation verification, the z co-ordinate of the irradiation verification apparatus is adjusted in the direction of the beam axis Z so that, after irradiation, regions having killed cell material can be demarcated in spatial co-ordinates, with reference to an irradiation scheme, from regions having cell material of the irradiation verification apparatus that is still active. A container having an insert for the cell supports and also the cell support holders comprise a beam-transparent material. The cell support holders have a base plate and a top plate, between which the cell supports are arranged orthogonally to the holding plates.
US08002464B2
The invention relates to a device for guiding at least one cable between a first system component connected to the cable and a second system component which is relatively rotatable and/or displaceable with respect to the first and is connected to the cable, whereby the cable exhibits a cable modality which can be changed by displacement and/or rotation of the second system component, whereby at least one device for adapting the cable modality is present. By making available a guide medium which allows the device for adapting the cable modality to be guided according to the displacement and/or rotation of the second system component, it is possible to provide a device which supports a mobile device without the function of the device being restricted by the cable guide.
US08002460B2
Hairspring for a balance wheel/hairspring resonator, comprising n blades, where n≧2, which are fastened via at least one of their respective homologous ends and wound in spirals with an angular offset capable of neutralizing the lateral forces liable to be exerted on its central arbor when one of the ends of each blade is moved angularly around said central arbor relative to its other end.
US08002459B2
A chronograph watch fitted with a going train including:a permanent seconds wheel set secured to a permanent seconds display member,a chronograph seconds wheel set cooperating with a coupling in order to be secured to a chronograph seconds display member, and a third wheel set including a first third wheel fixedly mounted in rotation, meshed either with the permanent seconds wheel set, or with the chronograph seconds wheel set, a second third wheel mounted to move freely, meshed with the permanent seconds wheel set and with the chronograph seconds wheel set.
US08002449B2
A light source apparatus, configured to introduce light into an endoscope connected thereto, includes a housing, a plurality of light sources supported movably relative to the housing, the light sources being configured to emit light, a light introducing unit configured to introduce, into the endoscope, the light emitted by an intended one of the light sources which is located in such a position that an optical axis thereof corresponds to an optical axis of the light introducing unit, a detector configured to detect a misalignment between the optical axis of the light introducing unit and the optical axis of the intended light source, and a light source moving unit configured to move the intended light source to such a position that the optical axis of the intended light source corresponds to the optical axis of the light introducing unit when the misalignment is detected by the detector.
US08002446B1
A direct and indirect suspended component light fixture is described herein. The light engine of the fixture is recessed within a ceiling and contains a plurality of linear fluorescent lamps substantially surrounded by an ellipsoidal reflector. The ellipsoidal reflector reflect light downward through a light output region to a suspended diffuser, the suspended diffuser acting as both a provider of direct and indirect light to generate smooth and even illumination both in the indirect and direct light components.
US08002444B2
A numerical display architecture includes a circuit board substrate, a light emitting element, and a reflector. The circuit board substrate includes a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, and has at least one hole. The light emitting element is reversely mounted on the second surface, and a luminary source of the light emitting element is disposed in the hole through a first opening of the hole. The reflector is disposed on the first surface of the circuit board surface and partly or fully covers a second opening of the hole.
US08002433B1
The decorative light mount apparatus provides for permanent support of lights and light strings to a structure. The right angle member provides for light wiring to be wire tired or fastened otherwise, to the gapped risers of the tie plates, so that lights are extended from the horizontal length of the right angle member. The right angle member is supported on a structure via the hinge that is fastened to the right angle member. The hinge allows the right angle member to be pivoted, positioning the vertical length of the right angle member either vertically upward, vertically downward, or even angled from the downward vertical. The lock member provides fastening of the right angle member so that the lights are visibly concealed. Release of the wing nut allows the right angle member to pivot upwardly to position lights in a downward and visible mode.
US08002429B2
A lantern candle comprises a candle and a cup for receiving it, wherein the cup comprises a casing made of absorbent material such as paper or cardboard or a multi-layer laminate based thereon, which is soaked with a wax so that the casing is substantially immediately translucent upon lighting the candle. A method for making a lantern candle comprises the steps of forming a casing by preparing an absorbent material such as paper or cardboard or a multi-layer laminate based thereon, forming a cup for receiving a candle by joining a bottom to the casing, introducing a candle wax and a wick into the prepared cup, and soaking the absorbent material or the paper or cardboard with wax, so as to render it substantially immediately translucent upon lighting the candle.
US08002428B2
A lighting apparatus having a base member and a directional member are shown and described. The base member includes a first surface having a plurality of reflective elements extending therefrom. The base member also including a plurality of openings arranged in a pattern. Each openings is configured to receive a respective light source. The directional member has a portion of a reflective surface positioned relative to at least one opening to reflect light radiating from a lighting source disposed within the opening towards a portion of at least one of the reflective elements extending from the base member.
US08002426B2
A stair rail light attachable between first and second vertical stair rail posts and having an elongated central housing whose interior mounts an extrusion designed to hold and position a plurality of LED carrier members wherein the housing slidably engages respective mounting plugs pivotally attached to respective stair rail posts, thereby permitting the length of the rail light to be adjusted in the field.
US08002418B2
A projection type image display apparatus includes an image display element, a lens group disposed in a direction of propagation of light with respect to the image display element and being formed with a plural number of lenses, a s reflection mirror configured to reflect light emitted from the lens group thereon so as to project the light on a screen, obliquely, and a housing configured to receive the reflection mirror and the lens group therein. The lens group is fixed on a bottom portion of the housing, and a part of the lens group is configured to enable movement of lenses of the lens group.
US08002407B2
A system for manufacturing an optical lens that is configured to correct optical aberrations, including, e.g., high order aberrations such as described by Zernike polynomials. The system can include a measurement system configured to measure optical aberrations in a patient's eye and to create measured optical aberration data. A calculation system is configured to receive the measured optical aberration data and to determine a lens definition based on the measured optical aberration data. A fabrication system is configured to produce a correcting lens based on the lens definition.
US08002406B2
A system and method for manufacturing an ophthalmic lens is described. In some examples, the system applies a back surface to a lens blank that includes an aspherical curve having two radii of curvature. In some examples, a back surface of a peripheral portion of the lens follows the curvature of a front surface of the lens in order to establish a rounded, non-sharp edge to a lens blank used during the manufacturing process of a prescription eyeglass lens.
US08002398B2
A method for assembling an ink cartridge, the method includes the steps of providing a reservoir body having a fluid discharge port including a rim; inserting a wick in the discharge port; providing an opening that is bounded by the rim; inserting a capillary media into the reservoir body and the capillary media contacts a portion on the wick; affixing a lid to the reservoir body and the lid includes a hole and an air vent; injecting ink into the capillary through the hole in the lid; wherein a vent path is formed extending from the opening, along at least a side of the capillary media and to the air vent in the lid.
US08002393B2
A print engine for a printhead assembly includes a refillable cartridge having a body defining a plurality of fluid chambers, the body having a lid assembly with a plurality of ink refill ports leading to respective fluid chambers, the lid assembly having an actuator to actuate a refill unit; a number of micro-electromechanical nozzle arrangements configured to operatively eject printing fluid onto a printing medium; and a fluid distribution member operatively arranging the nozzle arrangements in fluid communication with respective fluid chambers. The lid assembly engages with the refill unit to actuate the refill unit. The refill unit includes an outlet adapted to engage with the plurality of ink refill ports, a fluid reservoir, and an ejector assembly configured to incrementally eject fluid from the reservoir when the ejector assembly is actuated by the actuator during operative engagement of the print cartridge by the lid assembly. Each fluid chamber includes a stack of polymer layers with a micro-capillary array of channels formed therein to form an absorbent assembly within the fluid chamber.
US08002390B2
A piezoelectric element substrate is provided with a support substrate, an insulating orientation auxiliary layer formed on the support substrate, a lower electrode layer formed on the orientation auxiliary layer so that an uncoated portion where the orientation auxiliary layer is not coated with the lower electrode layer is constituted at least a portion thereof, a piezoelectric substance layer formed on the lower electrode layer and the uncoated portion of the orientation auxiliary layer, and an upper electrode layer formed on the piezoelectric substance layer, wherein the orientation auxiliary layer and the piezoelectric substance layer comprise a material of the same crystal system.
US08002389B2
A liquid jetting apparatus includes: a cavity unit having a plurality of nozzles and pressure chambers; and an actuator unit applying jetting pressures to the pressure chambers. The actuator unit has a plurality of stacked ceramics layers, individual electrodes corresponding to the pressure chambers, a common electrode common to all the pressure chambers, and a barrier layer preventing the liquid from being penetrated therethrough. The barrier layer is stacked on a position which is between a contact surface, of the actuator unit, making contact with the cavity unit and the individual electrodes closest to the contact surface, except a position on the contact surface. It is possible to prevent the individual electrodes and the common electrode from being electrically short-circuited due to the liquid even when the ceramics layer in contact with the cavity unit has a crack.
US08002388B2
An inkjet recording apparatus for recording an image by jetting inks in a plurality of colors includes a plurality of recording-head modules for jetting inks in the plurality of colors, and a carriage for mounting the plurality of recording-head modules, wherein each recording-head module includes a plurality of recording heads for jetting ink in the same color and constructs a unit capable of integrally attaching and detaching the plurality of recording heads to and from the carriage.
US08002386B2
An inkjet printhead includes: a substrate; a row of nozzle chambers disposed on the substrate; an ink conduit extending longitudinally adjacent the row of nozzle chambers; and a nozzle plate spanning over the ink conduit and the row of nozzle chambers. Each nozzle chamber has a respective ink ejection opening defined in the nozzle plate; a first ink inlet defined in a sidewall of the nozzle chamber for receiving ink from the ink conduit; and a second ink inlet defined in a floor of the nozzle chamber. Each of the first and second ink inlets is in fluid communication with a common ink reservoir.
US08002381B2
An inkjet printer comprises a stationary pagewidth inkjet printhead and a printhead maintenance station. The maintenance station comprises a chassis having a maintenance roller and a transfer roller mounted thereon. An engagement mechanism reciprocally moves the chassis towards and away from the printhead such that a contact surface of the maintenance roller is sealingly engaged with or disengaged from the face. A rotation mechanism rotates the maintenance roller only when the maintenance roller is disengaged from the face, and the transfer roller receives ink from the maintenance roller during rotation of the maintenance roller.
US08002371B2
A tip to be placed on a fluid-ejection device is filled with fluid. The fluid may be introduced into a substantially hollow body of the tip at a first end of the body. The body of the tip has a second end at which a fluid-ejection mechanism is disposed to eject the fluid as controlled by the fluid-ejection device. The fluid may be introduced into the substantially hollow body of the tip through of the fluid-ejection mechanism disposed at the second end of the body of the tip. The tip may further be identified and/or serviced, and the tip and/or the fluid-ejection device may further be validated.
US08002370B2
Serial data transfer method, electric device and printing apparatus for enabling various controls without adding signal lines and control signals to serial data transfer utilizing, e.g., three signal lines for transferring a data signal, a clock signal, and a strobe signal. According to this method, when a data signal, which is supplied from a first electric device to a second electric device using a first signal line, is serially transferred from the first electric device to the second electric device in synchronization with a clock signal which is similarly supplied through a second signal line, the data signal is inputted to a shift register of the second electric device in synchronization with the clock signal, and the data signal inputted to the shift register is captured by plural latches of the second electric device utilizing at least one of the control signal supplied from the first electric device to the second electric device using a third signal line, a signal level of the data signal, and a signal level of the clock signal.
US08002354B2
A chair device for a person carrier includes a backrest unit formed by a front backrest and a rear backrest. The backrest unit is pivotally joined to a seat unit in which two opposite fan-shaped limit projecting members are provided at each pivot-joint end of the seat unit. The fan-shaped limit projecting members can be angularly displaced to a position to be engaged with fan-shaped recesses in the pivot-joint ends of the rear backrest. The fan-shaped limit projecting members have a position limited space for angular displacement within the fan-shaped recesses so that the backrest unit of the chair can move in the range between a collapsing state and an unfolding state. Furthermore, strength reinforcing edge ribs are provided at both sides where the front backrest is assembled to the rear backrest.
US08002353B2
A vehicle seat reclining apparatus is provided which is simple in construction and which is capable of pressing pawls by a cam at places close to meshing portions.To that end, a plurality of pawls 31 having outer gears 44, 47 which are disengageably engaged with an inner gear 23 provided on an internal surface of an upper arm 12 are constituted by a first pawl 31A having an inner cam portion 45 which is engaged with a cam surface 55 provided on an outer circumference of a cam 32, a pawl grooved cam portion 46 which is engaged with an engaging protrusion 57 provided on a side surface of the cam, and an engaging portion 43 which is brought into engagement with a protruding portion 25 provided on the internal surface of the upper arm when the upper arm is pivotally moved a predetermined angle relative to a lower arm 11 and second pawls 31B having engaging protrusions 49 engaged with release plate grooved cam portions 59 provided in a release plate 33.
US08002351B2
A support member configured for attachment to a back assembly and a chair component is disclosed. One disclosed embodiment of the support member may be included in a chair that includes a base, a back assembly and the support member. The back assembly includes an extension attached to a back frame. The extension is attached to the base such that the back assembly is moveable relative to the base. The support member is attached to the extension and the base. The support member is more rigid than the extension. Preferably, the extension is composed of elastomeric material.
US08002346B2
A bicycle seat frame includes a front unit, a middle unit and a rear unit, each unit includes two pads located on two sides of the seat frame and multiple connection members are respectively connected between the pads of the front unit, the middle unit and the rear unit on the two sides of the bicycle seat frame. Gaps are defined between the front unit, the middle unit and the rear unit. Two rods are connected between the front unit and the rear unit and connected to the seat post. The connection members are flexible so as to absorb the shocks.
US08002332B2
A structural mounting insert for sealing between and/or adhering to surfaces of members is described. The insert includes a base member and activatable material about the base material.
US08002317B2
A window lock with an automatic latch retention mechanism and an associated method of securing adjustable frame members of a window are provided. The lock generally includes a housing that can be secured to a first window frame member, a latch member slidably mounted in the housing, a rotatably handle configured to actuate the latch member, and a retention mechanism configured to automatically retain the latch member in the retracted position until the first and second window frame members are relatively adjusted to a closed configuration. The lock can automatically adjust to a locked configuration when the window is closed and remain in an unlocked configuration while being adjusted. The rotatable handle, which can be used to retract the latch member, is configured to provide an indication of the configuration of the lock so that a user can easily identify whether the lock is locked or unlocked.
US08002314B2
A T-shaped pipe fitting element comprises a main tubular branch having first and second ends for connection to first and second pipe fitting sections of an auxiliary circuit, respectively, and a lateral branch having an axis which is at an angle to the axis of the main branch, and a free end for connecting to a third pipe fitting section of the auxiliary circuit. The first, second, and third pipe fitting sections each have different functions. One supplies the pipe fitting element with a first fluid at a high temperature, another supplies a second fluid to the pipe fitting element, at a lower temperature than the first fluid, and the third discharges a mixture of the first and second fluids. The pipe fitting sections consist of austenitic stainless steel. The T-shaped pipe fitting consists of stainless martensitic steel with improved thermal endurance properties.
US08002312B2
A structure reduces impact force incurred when a structural body located forward of the vehicle interior comes toward the vehicle interior. The structure includes a pressing mechanism arranged forward of the vehicle interior. The pressing mechanism applies a pressure downwardly to the structure in order to restrict the structure from entering into the vehicle interior. The structure further includes a drive member to drive the pressing mechanism in the case of emergency.
US08002303B2
A tractor dolly assembly is disclosed for use with a semi tractor or other vehicle to be towed in either a forward or reverse direction. The tractor dolly assembly is configured to be coupled to the rear frame of a semi tractor or other vehicle and lift the rear wheels off the ground for towing. In a forward tow direction, a conventional tow truck with a hydraulically operated boom for lifting the front of the semi tractor off the ground. In a reverse direction, virtually any truck with a pintle for connection to a tow bar can be used for towing the disabled vehicle. In accordance with an important feature of the invention, since the tractor dolly assembly is configured to be secured to the frame of a disabled vehicle, the dolly can be used with vehicles having a fifth wheel assembly and vehicles without a fifth wheel assembly.
US08002295B1
A safety improvement for the well established types of wheeled handicap walkers with safety levers attached to the walker; the safety levers begin at the handholds part of the walker and about over the rear wheel and are formed back and upward to conform to the back of the users lower arm; the user grips the handholds of the walker to walk forward; the walker, equipped with the safety levers, hits an obstacle with the front wheels, the safety levers contact the back of the users lower arms, user applies the back of their lower arm to urge downward on the safety levers causing the walker to rock backwards which in turn causes the downward energy to shift and the front wheel or wheels to lift and pass over the obstacle.
US08002291B1
A heavy panel transport system and method. The system includes a load-bearing horizontal bar for supporting a substantially planar panel placed upon the horizontal bar. The system also includes a lateral support bar attached to the horizontal bar to provide sideways support to the substantially planar panel. The system also includes a wheel system operable without gears. The wheel system includes a wheel disposed between a fork. Here, the horizontal bar and lateral support bar are then mounted over the wheel system for steering and propelling the system in a desired direction.
US08002283B1
The present invention comprises an entertaining targeting game for all ages that enhances hand-eye coordination and provides target practice and a method of playing such a game. The device consists of an electronic target striking device for removable attachment to a ground-engaging mat. The target striking device has visual and audible strike indicating means and the mat has score display means. Additional embodiments are anticipated.
US08002282B1
A ball game with skipping implement and targets comprised of a skipping implement (22) having a highly efficient rebounding and skipping surface (56) where by a player (16) can throw a ball (14) onto the skipping implement (22) redirecting the ball (14) in a multitude of directions including targeting a basket (10) for recreation and game play.
US08002275B2
A sheet conveying apparatus includes a plurality of skew feeding correction rollers, a detection portion and a control portion which controls each sheet conveying speed of the plurality of skew feeding correction rollers so as to perform skew feeding correction of the sheet depending on the output from the detection portion. The control portion controls the plurality of skew feeding correction rollers so as to perform skew feeding correction of the sheet while the sheet is conveyed in a state in which the sheet conveying speed of the plurality of skew feeding correction rollers is slower than that when the amount of skew feeding of the sheet is less than a predetermined amount of skew feeding when the amount of skew feeding exceeds the predetermined amount of skew feeding.
US08002268B2
A sheet material feeding apparatus includes a sheet stacking portion for stacking recording sheets; a feeding roller for feeding the recording sheets from the sheet stacking portion; separating means for separating the recording sheet fed out by the feeding roller; a holder for holding the separating means, the holder being rotatably supported on a main assembly of the apparatus; first urging means for urging the holder toward the feeding roller; a preliminary regulating member, rotatably supported on the holder, for regulating a gap relative to the feeding roller; second urging means for urging the preliminary regulating member toward the feeding roller; a first regulating member, supported by the holder, for regulating rotation of the preliminary regulating member relative to the holder; and a second regulating member, provided in the main assembly of apparatus, for regulating rotation of the preliminary regulating member relative to the main assembly of the apparatus.
US08002267B2
An embodiment of a paper feed apparatus is provided with a pressure varying mechanism that varies a load pressure of a pickup roller to originals. The pressure varying mechanism has a rotating lever that switches the load pressure, a rotating arm that contacts and presses against a swinging arm of the pickup roller, and a biasing portion that biases the rotating arm to the swinging arm when the rotating arm contacts to the swinging arm. When continuously reading a wad of originals in which different-size originals are mixed, due to a user operating the rotating lever, the load pressure to the originals is increased by making the rotating arm contact to the swinging arm such that the swinging arm is pressed by the biasing portion.
US08002257B2
A web conversion and collating apparatus is provided. The web conversion and collating apparatus includes a cutting apparatus cutting a printed web into a first signature and a second signature, a transport conveyor for transporting the first signature and the second signature away from the cutting apparatus and a first diverter for diverting the first signature from the transport conveyor. The second signature passes by the first diverter on the transport conveyor. A first assembly receives the first signature from the first diverter and a second assembly downstream of the first assembly receives the second signature. A stack receiving conveyor downstream of the first assembly and the second assembly is also included. The stack receiving conveyor receives the first signature and the second signature and the first signature is stacked on the second signature on the stack receiving conveyor. A printing press and a method of producing and collating signatures are also provided.
US08002242B2
An extension rod unit includes an outer tube with an inner tube retractably inserted thereto and a ratchet unit is connected to the open top of the outer tube. The ratchet unit includes a connection member and a lever. The connection member includes two side panels and each have a first lug extending therefrom. The lever has two second lugs and the shaft extends through the first and second lugs so as to pivotably connect the lever to the connection member. Two ratchet gears are located between two sets of first and second lugs. A slot is defined axially through the shaft. A driving member has a first end fixed to the fixing part and a second of the driving member extends through the slot of the shaft and is located beyond the outer tube. By pivoting the lever, the inner tube can be moved relative to the outer tube.
US08002231B2
A support device includes a support frame, an arm, a first tray, and a second tray. The support frame is configured to rest on a support surface. The arm is coupled to the support frame and configured to rotate between at least a first position and a second position about a central axis substantially parallel to the support surface. The first tray is coupled to the arm and configured to rotate about a first axis substantially parallel to the central axis as the arm rotates between the first and second positions. The second tray is coupled to the arm and configured to rotate about a second axis substantially parallel to the central axis as the arm rotates between the first and second positions.
US08002227B2
A pivot and tilt apparatus for positioning a member comprises a first pivot assembly having a first pivot post at a first end thereof rotatable about a first axis for engaging the member and an annulus at a second end thereof and a second pivot assembly having a second pivot post rotatable about a second axis for engaging the annulus of said first pivot.
US08002214B2
A rolled medium holding device includes a first gear mechanism 61 that is connected to a roll shaft holding the rolled medium and sends-out/rewinds the rolled medium, a second gear mechanism 62 that is connected to a torque limiter 64 and includes a plurality of torque transmission means, and a gear switching mechanism 63 that shifts connection between the plurality of torque transmission means and the first gear mechanism by operating the second gear mechanism for applying different back tension to the roll shaft. Accordingly, torque transferred from the torque limiter can be shifted, and whereby back tension in correspondence with a used rolled medium can be easily applied in a simple manner.
US08002210B2
The invention relates to an apparatus for canceling, in particular destroying, sheet material, in particular bank notes. The apparatus includes at least one canceling means to which the sheet material to be canceled is fed, in which the fed sheet material is canceled, in particular destroyed, and from which the canceled sheet material is discharged. The apparatus also includes at least one supervising means for monitoring the sheet material being discharged or having been discharged from said canceling means. For improved monitoring of the cancellation of sheet material, in particular with respect to malfunctions, there is provided at least one monitoring means for monitoring the fed sheet material. The fed sheet material is compared to the sheet material being discharged or having been discharged in an evaluation means.
US08002204B2
A tool for cutting up coke in containers. The tool includes a housing mounted on a drill stem in the operating condition. The tool also includes at least one cutting nozzle for cutting and a boring nozzle for boring coke by means of a water jet, and a switching apparatus for controlling the feeding of pressurized water flowing through the drill stem and the housing. The switching apparatus includes a linearly moveable switching element, a driving apparatus and a control apparatus, which is rotatable as a function of a change of the water pressure by the driving apparatus to switch a valve to distribute the water and to pass it on. The angular position of the control apparatus controls whether the flow path of the water to the boring nozzle or the flow path to the cutting nozzle is free or obstructed.
US08002203B2
A fire fighting nozzle for extinguishing industrial scale fires including improved automatic pressure regulating features, enhanced educting features including central and peripheral channeling for foam concentrate, and combining with a capacity to throw dry chemical. Improved pressure regulating features include a double acting baffle and preferably a relief valve. Method and apparatus for automatically metering an additive such as foam concentrate into a conduit having a variably flowing fire fighting fluid therethrough, the conduit including a discharge device, proximate or downstream.
US08002198B2
The present invention discloses a method for producing graphical indicators and interactive systems for utilizing the graphical indicators. On the surface of an object, visually negligible graphical indicators are provided. The graphical indicators and main information, i.e. text or pictures, co-exist on the surface of object. The graphical indicators do not interfere with the main information when the perception of human eyes are concerned. With the graphical indicators, further information other than the main information on the surface of object are carried. In addition to the main information on the surface of object, one is able to obtain additional information through an auxiliary electronic device or trigger an interactive operation.
US08002182B2
A library terminal permits a user to execute a loan transaction without assistance. The library terminal (i) provides a visible scan line from a bar code reader indicating the correct positioning of the bar code on a circulating item, (ii) leads a user through a loan transaction, (iii) provides an explicit feedback to a user when an article has an improper position on the article receiving area, (iv) both checks out and checks in circulating items, (v) stores fonts in bit maps of screen displays instead of in a separate font memory, (vi) integrates a security marker reader, a printer, and a controller in the same housing, (vii) processes financial transactions related to the borrowing of circulating items, and/or (viii) displays actions for helping the user to correct errors in use of the terminal.
US08002176B2
An automated banking machine is controlled responsive to data read from data bearing records. The automated banking machine includes a card reader, a keypad, a cash dispenser, a cash outlet, a deposit accepting opening and other transaction locations that may be susceptible to the installation of fraud devices. An anti-fraud sensing system is operative in the machine to sense the probable installation of unauthorized devices on the machine. Such unauthorized devices may include for example, fraudulent card reading devices, fraudulent keypad input intercepting devices, cash outlet trap devices, deposit input diversion devices or other fraud devices.
US08002174B2
Methods and apparatus for tracking medical administration information, including the anatomical site of administration, are described. Apparatus embodiments include kits including labels having one or more of the time of administration or the anatomical site of administration.
US08002166B2
A method of manufacturing metal to glass, metal to metal and metal to ceramic connections to be used in SOFC applications, said connections being produced as a mixture of a base glass powder and a metal oxide powder. As a result, the inherent properties of the glass used in the composite seals may be altered locally in the metal-coating interface by adding e.g. MgO in order to control the viscosity and wetting, and at the same time maintain the bulk properties such as high coefficient of thermal expansion of the basic glass towards the seal components.
US08002165B2
The invention relates to a method for connecting material webs disposed with overlapping edges, wherein an automatic welding machine having a driven chassis and a drive unit disposed thereon and a welding unit is guided along the overlap zone of the material webs to be connected, such that the carried welding unit connects the edges to be connected to one another. The invention further relates to an automatic welding machine for performing the method. The invention proposes that a temporary guide marking moving along with the chassis be generated along the edge of the overlapping material web by means of a marking unit disposed on the chassis, said guide marking always extending parallel to the edge and prescribing the path of the automatic welding machine on the overlapping material web and that the guide marking be detected by means of a sensor device during the movement of the automatic welding machine, wherein a control signal is generated for a display unit and/or the drive unit and the chassis is movable along the guide marking by means of the control signal.
US08002161B2
A stapler includes a base, a magazine part rotatably supported by a rear end portion of the base, a handle part configured to strike the staple, and a clincher part provided on a front portion of the base to fold legs of the staple which has been struck. A width of a clincher groove in a front and rear direction is larger than a width of a side face of the staple. A bottom face of the clincher groove includes a flat face section provided on a rear side in the front and rear direction and an slope face section provided on a front side. The flat face section is substantially perpendicular to a direction in which staple is struck, and the slope face section is inclined such that a front side of the slope face section is higher than the rear side of the slope face section.
US08002159B2
The present invention discloses an interlock attaching strap system, comprising a carrier having a plurality of first webbing strips transversely, evenly and spacedly affixed thereon, a holder having a plurality of second webbing strips transversely, evenly and spacedly affixed thereon, wherein by overlapping the carrier and holder, the first webbing strips and the second webbing strips are capable forming an elongate interlocking channel; at least an elongated interfering strap, which is longitudinally extended on the holder, having an affixing end extended from a peripheral edge of the holder and a free tab end, arranged to slidably pass through the interlocking channel and is hooked onto the last webbing strip so as to securely reinforce the holder on the carrier via the interfering strap.
US08002157B2
A waist pack includes a sleeve for removably retaining a bottle or other container. In accordance with various preferred aspects of the invention, the pack includes a sleeve configured to securely retain the bottle while at the same time allowing for convenient removal and replacement.
US08002156B2
A handicraft clip is provided for forming a pleat in a cloth. The clip includes a relatively wide base plate and a narrower fastening plate connected to the base plate via a connecting hinge portion having a reduced thickness for allowing pivotal movement of the fastening plate relative to the base plate. The base plate is formed with a generally elliptical through-hole, while the fastening plate is provided with a locking protrusion to be fitted into the through-hole of the base plate when the base plate and the fastening plate are superposed on each other. The fastening plate includes a cloth holding portion of a generally constant width. The cloth holding portion is formed with a slit for insertion of a cloth. The slit extends from the distal end of the cloth holding portion toward the locking protrusion.
US08002150B2
A liquid soap dispenser having a permanent housing permitting simplified insertion and replacement of disposable fluid reservoirs. The housing includes an actuator assembly cycled by a lever between first and second positions. The actuator assembly is couple to a piston element of a piston pump carried on the reservoir so that when cycled, the piston element is actuated in sliding movement to dispense a quantity of fluid. The piston element includes resiliently deformable fingers which secure the piston element to the actuator assembly for sliding movement therewith. If, on insertion of a replacement reservoir, the reservoir is positioned uncoupled from the actuator assembly, on first cycling of the actuator assembly the fingers deform to permit movement of the actuator assembly relative to the piston element and move towards a coupled orientation. In the coupled orientation, the fingers return to an undeformed configuration securing the piston element to the actuator assembly.
US08002145B2
The present invention is a reusable assembly for containing, distributing and consuming mineral water. The assembly includes a container having a top mounted handle and recesses and projections to facilitate piling. The lower portion has recesses and projections that match the upper recesses and projections when piled up among several units. The container has a partial cutout with a contoured opening so that a vane-like inner part can be placed thereupon. A bag is placed inside the container, on the vane, and has a nozzle that can fit an opening in the front wall of the container. The nozzle has a tubular configuration, allowing a plug to tightly fit inside. The assembly has a tap with a free end having side windows to let the water in. The plug and the head can be coupled to each other when the tap is inserted into the nozzle.
US08002144B2
A vending machine includes first and second release mechanisms mounted to front portions of adjacent shelf dividers extending along a product shelf and establishing a product queue. A product transport system is arranged in the cabinet to carry a selected product container from the product queue towards a delivery chamber. A drive mechanism, operatively connected to each of the first and second release mechanisms, is mounted to an underside of the product shelf to simultaneously shift the first and second release mechanisms in order to release a selected product to the product transport system.
US08002140B2
A bowl includes non-slip means and spoon-assisted food conglomeration means. In a preferred embodiment, the bowl is transparent. Non-slip means may include a weight structure, a non-slip material affixed to the bowl bottom either substantially continuously covering the bottom or substantially discontinuously covering the bottom. Spoon-assisted food conglomeration means may include a sloped bottom, a substantially spoon-shaped locus, a steep rim, or an inward-curving rim. The bowl may further include spillage reduction means. Spillage reduction means may include an abrupt taper terminus, a steep rim, an inward-curving rim, or a chamfered or rounded bowl vertex. Alternatively the bowl may comprise a sloped bottom terminating in a substantially spoon-shaped locus and further comprise non-slip means. In alternate embodiments the bowl may further comprise spillage reduction means or be characterized by a substantial transparent region.
US08002134B2
In one embodiment, an intermodal cargo container includes a lid section having a rectangular box with an open bottom portion. A floor unit has a channel portion arranged around a periphery, and the channel portion receives a bottom edge of the lid section. Locking mechanisms are arranged along an edge of the lid section to couple the lid section to plural rungs that extend across the channel portion. The sliding lock mechanism includes engagement tabs that engage associated rungs extending between two walls of the channel portion. A sealing portion is provided within the channel so as to provide a fluid-tight seal when the lid section is coupled to the floor unit. A powered actuator can assist in moving the lock mechanism. A spring assembly at a corner of the floor unit provides a spring tension to the sliding lock mechanism.
US08002130B2
A closure system for a vial comprising: an elastic closure part to engage the mouth opening, a clamp part to hold the closure part in a closing relationship with the mouth opening, the clamp part defining an upper aperture through which a region of the upper surface of the closure part is exposed when the clamp part is engaged with the vial, a cover part to engage the clamp part to cover the exposed region, the cover part engaging with the closure part to provide two or more concentric ring-shaped seals, at least part of the cover part being removable from the vial to allow access to the closure.
US08002119B2
A method for controlling the thickening of aqueous systems comprising silicates, which comprises adding to the aqueous system at least one copolymer of a mean molecular weight Mw of at least 3000 g/mol to at most 60 000 g/mol and the copolymer being made up essentially randomly from monoethylenically unsaturated monocarboxylic acids, monoethylenically unsaturated dicarboxylic acids and other ethylenically unsaturated comonomers, the polymerization for producing the copolymer being performed in the presence of from 0.01 to 100 mol % of at least one base, based on the total amount of all COOH groups of the monocarboxylic and dicarboxylic acids, the quantitative figures in % by weight being respectively based on the total amount of all monomers used.
US08002111B2
A kit containing components which can be assembled into a shutter panel includes a header, a footer, a plurality of brackets, a first stile, a second stile, a plurality of louvers. One embodiment also contains a jig to align the bracket with the header or footer for attachment. Each bracket is sized and configured to be connected to an end of the header or footer. The stiles each have a longitudinal channel which enables the stiles to be fitted over at least one of the brackets. The jig has a mouth sized to receive an end of the footer or header and a cavity adjacent the mouth such that a user of the jig can place one end of a bracket in the cavity and the other end of the header or footer in the mouth. The kit may be packaged in two packs. One pack contains a header, a footer and a plurality of brackets. The second pack contains mounting frame pieces, at least one first stile, at least one second stile, a plurality of louvers, louver strips, a tilt rod, screws and other hardware which can be assembled into a shutter panel having the desired dimensions. The header, footer, stiles and brackets are provided to a retailer in standard sizes. The retailer may then trim these components as required to create a shutter having the desired dimensions.
US08002105B2
In an arrangement (10) for grouping a plurality of products (Pn, Pn+1) into batches (Li) carried by at least one conveyor belt (12) travelling in a longitudinal direction at a travelling speed (V1), the products (Pn, Pn+1) arrive with at least one determined upstream spacing (E) between two successive products, and including an advanced phaser (22, 23) provided on the path of the products (Pn, Pn+1) and capable of grouping transversally at least two products (Pn, Pn+1) into a row so as to form, at high speed, batches (Li) obtained by grouping the products (Pn, Pn+1).
US08002102B2
A thermoformed article stack guiding apparatus is provided with a frame, a guide ramp and an array of juxtaposed article guide channels. The guide ramp receives and guides individual stacks of inter-nested articles exiting a female die of a thermoforming trim press from multiple rows and multiple levels. A first set of article guide channels is inter-nested with a second set of article guide channels in an alternating array. Each of the first set and the second set is spread out laterally in a direction from an entrance end of the guide ramp to an exit end of the guide ramp to accept respective stacks of inter-nested articles from an upper row and a lower row of a trim press and transfer the stacks into a common exit row. A method is also provided.
US08002098B2
A torque responsive release clutch intended for a power nutrunner and comprises a driving clutch half (11) and a driven clutch half (10) coupled to each other for torque transfer by means of axially directed teeth (16, 17), wherein one of the clutch halves is axially movable between an engagement position and a release position against the action of a bias spring (13). Each one of the teeth (16) of one of the clutch halves (10) has a substantially prismatic shape and extends axially from a base portion (19) to a top portion (20) and comprises two surfaces (22, 23) which form between them a ridge (25). The base portion (19) of the tooth (16) has a radial extent from an inner diameter (d1 to an outer diameter (d2), and the ridge (25) extends from the inner diameter (d1 at the base portion (19) to the outer diameter (d2) at the top portion (20). The contact points between teeth (17) of the driving clutch half (11) and the teeth (16) of the driven clutch half (10) are arranged to travel along the ridge (25) during the release sequence of the clutch, whereby the torque coupling of the clutch is transferred via a smaller diameter at the beginning of the release sequence than at the end thereof. This means that the dynamic torque additive emanating from the inertia of the movable clutch half at the beginning of the release movement is added to a torque level that is lower than that at the end of the release sequence.
US08002091B2
A clutch between the rotary output drive shaft of a cutting device and a rotary cutter includes a rotor which is connected to the drive shaft and whose at least one part of the internal walls forms a friction track and a stator which bears the cutter and is driven by the rotor by pivotable friction shoes. The shoes are spring-loaded and supported by the stator, each pivotable shoe being also mounted with clearance on the plate in such a way that it is angularly displaceable between two end positions, i.e. of the clutch engaging and disengaging positions. The clutch is characterized in that the transition from the engaging position to the disengaging position is carried out during the stator deceleration by relative displacement of the shoe and the stator for compressing a second spring which brings back the shoe from the angular disengaging position to the angular engaging position.
US08002085B2
A wheel flange lubrication system for rail vehicles is described consisting of a rigid lubrication block, which is forced against a wheel flange to provide lubrication to the wheel flange. The block or stick is maintained in position to reduce flange wear, to minimize the movement of lubricant to undesirable locations, such as the crown of the rails and the tread of the wheel, and to provide a lubrication system which is environmentally safe. Preferably the lubrication block is arc shaped and spring-forced laterally and radially into the flange. The lubrication system is designed to stay in contact with the wheel flange and apply the desired amount of lubrication in the flange area using the side contact surface of the block. This adjustable position control is provided by applying independent forces which are directed radially towards the crotch of the wheel and laterally towards the wheel flange. The lubrication system is applicable to single or two flange wheels.
US08002080B1
A selectively removable exhaust baffle which can be placed within an exhaust pipe to muffle the emitted sound. The removable baffle preferably includes a frame having a pair of legs joined by a spring portion. One or more transverse occluding plates are mounted on the frame. The frame is sized so that when it is pushed into the exhaust pipe it must be compressed. This compression holds the frame in place. The transverse occluding plate or plates lie against the interior wall of the exhaust pipe. The gas flow must therefore pass around the plate or plates, thereby attenuating the sound.
US08002072B2
A frontal structure is provided for a motor vehicle. The frontal structure includes, but is not limited to a support structure, to which a radiator is fastened and on which a bumper girder is mounted in front of the radiator in such a manner that it yields backward toward the radiator in case of an impact. The fastening of the radiator to the support structure is formed by a frame, in which the radiator is retained and which is in turn anchored to the support structure via connection elements which detach if a maximum force is exceeded. The frame is adapted to the form of the bumper girder and the radiator to come into contact with the bumper girder earlier than the radiator in case of yielding backward of the bumper girder.
US08002070B2
A motor vehicle is provided that has an engine, front and rear wheels and a clutch system for selectively distributing engine torque to the front and rear wheels. A controller judges in real time the state of motion of the vehicle and controls the torque distribution by the clutch system according to the judged state.
US08002064B2
A pair of side frames extends longitudinally away from each other in a vehicle width direction, which includes a closed cross section formed by an outer panel having a U-shaped cross section with its vehicle's inward side opening and an inner panel having a U-shaped cross section with its vehicle's outward side opening. A cab-mount bracket is provided on a vehicle-outward side of a front portion of the side frame to support a cabin. The cab-mount bracket includes an upper portion which is joined to a side face of a side portion of the outer panel and extends in an outward direction, and a lower portion which includes an extension portion extending in a vehicle inward direction beyond the side face of the outer panel and be joined to a lower face of a bottom portion of the inner panel.
US08002054B2
A roof drill bit has an elongate roof drill bit body, which has a forward end and a rearward end. The roof drill bit body contains a slot at the forward end. The roof drill bit body contains a dust port wherein the dust port has a central longitudinal dust axis. The roof drill bit further has a hard insert received within the slot wherein the hard insert has a leading surface. The leading surface of the hard insert is rotationally forward of the central longitudinal dust axis of the dust port.
US08002051B2
A connection device for forming a fluid supply to a rotating tool, in which is provided a rotary feedthrough which has a rotor and a stator, the rotor being supported in a rotating manner relative to the stator. Furthermore, a torque support is provided, which is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the stator and has at least one contact element. The at least one contact element can be displaced between a retracted position and a protruding position, in which the contact element is extended compared to the retracted position for the purpose of torque support.
US08002032B2
A hydraulic overshot apparatus designed to slide over plain end tubing and set by applying hydraulic fluid, under pressure, via a hydraulic setting port, into a center chamber which allows pressure to direct to two different piston areas. The setting piston compresses packer elements and tubing slips against the outer diameter (O.D.) of the tubing. The test piston compresses tubing test elements against the inner diameter (I.D.) of the tubing. The setting pressure is ported through the upper setting and test portion to allow pressure to move from the center chamber to the lower outer portion. The lower outer portion includes a body lock ring and a setting piston for setting the packer elements. Setting pressure moves the setting piston down through the body lock ring. As the setting piston moves down, it ratchets down through the body lock ring. The teeth on both the setting piston and body lock ring will prevent the backward movement (or upward movement) of the setting piston as it moves through the body lock ring.
US08002030B2
A method and apparatus for a bridge plug for isolating portions of a downhole casing is provided comprising a retrievable upper mandrel assembly and a lower mandrel assembly coupled to the upper mandrel assembly, wherein the lower mandrel assembly comprises a drillable material.
US08002025B2
A method includes circulating a heat transferring fluid in a substantially closed system including an interstice between a wafer and a chuck at a first pressure. The method further includes pumping the fluid out of the interstice and increasing the pressure of the fluid to a second pressure. The method further includes reducing the pressure of the fluid to the first pressure and returning the fluid to the interstice. In the system, the fluid in the interstice transfers heat from the wafer to the chuck, or vice versa, by conduction. The presence of a conducting fluid in the interstice thereby decreases the resistivity of the interface, and enables more efficient heat transfer from the wafer to the chuck.
US08002024B2
A heat exchanger 1 comprises a heat exchange core 4 composed of heat exchange tubes 12 in groups 13 in the form of two rows arranged in parallel in the direction of flow of air through the exchanger, a refrigerant inlet header 5 disposed on the upper-end side of the tubes 12 and having one row of heat exchange tubes 12 joined thereto and a refrigerant outlet header 6 disposed in the rear of the inlet header 5 on the upper-end side of the tubes 12 and having the other row of heat exchange tubes 12 joined thereto. A cap 19 for closing an opening of the inlet header 5 at one end thereof is provided with a refrigerant inlet 37. The cap 19 has a lower edge defining the inlet 37 and provided with a guide 40 upwardly slanting inwardly of the inlet header 5.
US08002023B2
A heat exchanger for exchanging heat through a heat transfer plate by flowing a primary air current and a secondary air current to a ventilation path. An unit element including the heat transfer plate, and the ventilation path formed between the heat transfer plates by stacking the unit element in plural are arranged. The unit element is configured by integrally molding a spacing rib for holding a spacing of the heat transfer plate, and a shield rib for shielding leakage of the air current with resin. Furthermore, the unit element includes a stacking error detecting unit for determining a stacking error when stacked.
US08002018B2
A thermal-dissipating device is made by connecting a plurality of thermal-dissipating sheets with each other. The thermal-dissipating sheets include a plurality of connecting portions and a plurality of thermal-dissipating fins. The connecting portions are connected with each other. The thermal-dissipating fins are connected with the connecting portions, respectively. At least one set of the thermal-dissipating fins are connected with each other.
US08002017B2
In a collapsible mold and a method of manufacturing the same, the collapsible mold has extremely low moisture-absorption properties, does not change in surface properties thereof due to absorption of moisture and swelling, and is storable for a long time without absorbing moisture and swelling. Specifically, the method manufactures a collapsible mold containing at least any of calcium oxide and magnesium oxide. The method includes a step of bringing the collapsible mold into contact with carbon dioxide immediately after a step of burning the collapsible mold or a step of casting the collapsible mold.
US08002011B2
The invention relates to top seal driver assembly for sealing the top opening of a pouch comprising Motor means for driving a rocker bar mounted on a central drive shaft, the rocker bar being connected on opposite ends to an outer seal rod drive bar and to an inner seal rod drive bar, the outer seal rod drive bar being connected to outer seal drive rods, and the inner seal rod drive bar being connected to inner seal drive rods, the outer and inner seal drive rods being supported in a box frame with bearing means, wherein outside dovetail bars are mounted to the outer seal drive rod and inner dovetail bars are mounted to the inner seal drive rod, wherein seal bar assemblies are mounted to the dovetail bars, wherein the box frame contains the central drive shaft, the rocker bar, the outer and inner seal rod drive bars and the outer and inner seal drive rods.
US08002008B2
A conveyance system includes a conveying unit, an alignment unit, and an attaching unit. The conveying unit conveys objects, packaged by one or more package members, in a given direction. The alignment unit, disposed at a given position along a conveyance route of the conveying unit, aligns a positional orientation of the packaged objects to a reference position when the packaged objects are conveyed by the conveying unit. The attaching unit attaches at least one electronic functional device to each of the packaged objects.
US08002006B2
A runflat tire comprises a tread portion, a pair of sidewall portions, a pair of bead portions each having a bead core therein, a carcass extending between the bead cores, and a sidewall reinforcing rubber disposed axially inside the carcass in each sidewall portion, wherein each sidewall reinforcing rubber is provided with a plurality of grooves extending on an axially inner surface thereof, each groove has a radially outer end and a radially inner end within the inner surface of the sidewall reinforcing rubber, the grooves are arranged in a circumferential direction of the tire, a length of the groove is in a range of from 30 to 50 mm, a width of the groove is in a range of from 10 to 20 mm and a circumferential pitch of the groove is in a range of from 25 to 60 mm.
US08002003B2
A system is provided for creating bevel edges on a plank. In some embodiments, the system comprises two bevel-cutting tools disposed in fixed positions and two guided cylinders disposed to independently move two edges of a plank to within varying degrees of contact with the bevel-cutting tools. Separate controllers can be provided to independently control the time, frequency, and rate of movement of the guided cylinders. Methods are provided for creating the appearance of a hand-scraped wood plank. A method for creating irregular bevel edges on a plank is also provided as are a system and method that use a plank production line operation. A plank having irregular beveled edges and the appearance of a hand-scraped wood plank is also provided.
US08002000B2
A bag-on-valve aerosol valve system in a container is provided. Propellant is pressure filled around the valve stem, outwardly over the stem gasket and down into the container space outside the bag. Product is filled through the valve stem into the bag. The valve stem has an exterior intermediate frusto-conical annular surface and the valve housing has an interior frusto-conical annular surface, with both surfaces engaging in annular sealing contact to block propellant access to the bag when the valve stem is deeply depressed to a first predetermined position for propellant pressure filling. A stem exterior surface indent interacts with radially-biased spring-loaded slides to lock the stem in a second less depressed predetermined position for product filling through the stem down into the bag.
US08001994B2
A gas channeling device for selectively channeling blasts of gas from an air cannon to various locations comprises a stationary portion and a movable portion. The stationary portion comprises a fluid inlet passageway and at least first and second fluid outlet passageways. The movable portion comprises a fluid channeling passageway, and is pivotally movable about a pivot axis relative to the stationary portion in a manner such that the movable portion can be selectively positioned in alternative first and second positions relative to the stationary portion. The fluid channeling passageway operatively connects the fluid inlet passageway to the first fluid outlet passageway when the movable portion is in the first position. The fluid channeling passageway operatively connects the fluid inlet passageway to the second fluid outlet passageway when the movable portion is in the second position.
US08001991B2
A vent valve for a fuel tank of a motor vehicle includes a housing, a cage in the housing, a movable float, and a sealing arrangement with an at least three-stage reopening operation. The sealing arrangement includes multiple movable supports defining openings of varying cross-sectional area sequentially operable.
US08001987B2
A support system for tents and other shelters. The support system includes base support members that are in the shape of an arch. These base support members are secured in a desired configuration by an upper support member that is in the shape of a circle or other geometrical shape. A roof support may be added as well. The size and configuration of the shelter may be easily changed by adding or deleting the number of base support members.
US08001985B1
A self-contained shelter that may be used for survival purposes or recreational activities includes a number of floor panels, a number of which form an enclosure, which may be held together by one or more straps. Inside the enclosure are several more floor panels, an inflatable tent, and life-supporting accessories. The shelter, when the enclosure is secured, may be airdropped or trucked into an area that may have experienced a recent disaster, such as flooding, hurricanes, or earthquakes. For recreational purposes, the shelter may be placed in a motor vehicle. When the straps are released, the floor panels may be attached along their edges to each other to form a raised floor that is placed on a surface. A raised floor provides a buffer between the user of the shelter and the surface, which may be wet or muddy. The tent is inflated and attached to the floor and is supported by external beams and internal braces. The tent forms an air chamber that provides insulation from the outside. Life-supporting accessories include food, water, clothing, inflatable mattresses, cooking stove, lanterns, communications equipment, blankets, power supplies and the like. The self-contained shelter may be readily assembled in a few minutes and provides the user a complete facility, rather than a basic tent which will require the user to acquire other necessities by leaving the tent or waiting for other items to be brought in.
US08001984B2
A laparoscopic lens cleaner which is suitable for maintaining the lens of a laparoscope in a clean, dry condition during a laparoscopic surgical procedure is disclosed. An illustrative embodiment of the laparoscopic lens cleaner includes an elongated cleaner sheath having a sheath interior, a fluid conduit provided in the cleaner sheath, a fluid discharge nozzle provided in the sheath interior and communicating with the fluid conduit, a gas conduit provided in the cleaner sheath and a gas discharge nozzle provided in the sheath interior and communicating with the gas conduit.
US08001978B2
An improved smoking apparatus includes a bottle containing a fluid. The bottle has an upstanding neck with peripheral collar formed around the external periphery thereof. A stem has a base and a neck. The base defines an interior plenum, and a passage extends through the neck and terminates at the interior passage. A burner cup is mounted to the stem in communication with the passage. The interior plenum has a size and shape to permit the stem to be coupled to the bottle by placing the base over the neck, with a bottom edge of the base resting on the collar of the bottle. A sealing element is disposed between the exterior surface of the neck of the bottle and the inner surface of the interior plenum to provide a substantially air-tight coupling.
US08001975B2
A medical device communications network comprises a plurality of medical devices including either or both of a first number of surgical instruments and a second number of implants configured for subcutaneous implantation in a biological body. A corresponding plurality of wireless communication circuits are each mounted to a different one of the plurality of medical devices. Each of the plurality of wireless communication circuits is configured to broadcast medical device information relating to the medical device to which it is mounted and to receive information relating to any other of the plurality of medical devices. The network may or may not include a master wireless communications circuit configured to receive the medical device information broadcast by any of the plurality of slave wireless communication circuits and to broadcast the information relating to any other of the plurality of medical devices.
US08001973B2
The present invention provides a system for treating a mammalian patient having obstructive sleep disordered breathing, e.g., sleep apnea. The system has a set of appliances including a first appliance being adapted to displace a mandible of the patient by a first predetermined geometry relative to a maxilla of the patient. The set also includes at least a second appliance adapted to displace the mandible of the patient by a second predetermined geometry relative to the maxilla of the patient. In a specific embodiment, the first predetermined geometry is substantially different from the second predetermined geometry. Preferably, either one of the first appliance or at least the second appliance is worn by the patient based upon a predetermined treatment plan that includes one or more provisions for wearing at least the first and the second appliances.
US08001969B2
An endotracheal airway is established using an endotracheal tube having an exterior retention structure defined by a series of longitudinally spaced recesses separated by projections. A variably-sized orifice in a faceplate constricts within a recess and contacts the projections to create a barrier against movement of the endotracheal tube. The faceplate is retained on the mouth by connection to a stabilization collar which surrounds the neck of the patient to restrain against flexion and extension which could reposition the endotracheal tube from its desired position.
US08001961B2
A container for liquid inhalation anesthetics, more particularly, an aluminum container that is suitable for storing halogenated inhalation anesthetics is described.
US08001959B2
Disclosed is various embodiments of a self-heating or self-cooling container with a number of improved features in overcoming the problems associated with existing containers, including, but not limited to, an improved breaking device designed to maximize the mixture and reaction between different reactants, an insulating lip to prevent heat loss in the heating process, a simple and efficient design of the container, and enhancements in manufacturing and assembling a self-heating or self-cooling container.
US08001958B2
An air distribution blower housing for an air handler such as a residential furnace is designed with an enlarged air outlet opening that slows down and spreads out the air flow from the blower housing over a greater area of the furnace heat exchanger. The blower housing thereby enables less air pressure drop through the heat exchanger, which increases the efficiency of the blower motor operation. The design of the blower housing also efficiently turns the velocity head of the air flow through the housing to usable static air pressure at the housing air outlet. The enlarged air outlet opening of the blower housing is achieved without increasing the exterior diameter dimensions of the blower housing whereby the blower housing is used in a compact enclosure for residential use. This is accomplished by utilizing a volute outer wall of the blower housing that has an exponentially increasing expansion angle in the direction of air flow through the blower housing.
US08001955B1
A stove and pot arrangement is provided that affords utility to backpackers and other users having limited space. The apparatus provides a specially configured stove frame having laterally spaced apart channels that are receptive of the pot rim and wall and wherein the pot interior is receptive of a central portion of the frame, the pot and frame having about the same overall height.
US08001954B2
Practice balls may be presented to a person in need of hitting practice by using an apparatus for pitching practice balls that includes a support for a ball propelling head, high enough to raise the head to the approximate height of a pitcher's arm when he releases a pitched ball, three variable speed motor powered wheels forming a ball propelling chute to propel a ball dropped through the chute attached to the ball propelling head, the three wheels forming a chute through which the ball to be thrown is visible, and the three variable speed motor powered wheels attached to a motor plate held within and attached to a pivotable frame; a control panel attached to the support providing access to one speed control for each motor driving a ball propelling head; and at least one front wheel guard plate in front of at least one ball propelling head of sufficient strength to provide protection from pieces of the wheels if the at least one wheels should disintegrate. This invention further includes a method for pitching practice balls wherein the balls are delivered to a person in need of hitting practice balls that pass through a chute visible to one in front of the practice ball apparatus to a three-wheel motor driven ball propelling head forming supported by a frame that is pivotable to aim the ball.
US08001953B2
In an exhaust gas recirculation system for an internal combustion engine, which includes a turbocharger; a high-pressure EGR unit; a low-pressure EGR unit; a high-pressure EGR valve; and a low-pressure EGR valve, first, the opening amount of the high-pressure EGR valve is controlled in a feedback manner, and, then, the opening amount of a low-pressure EGR valve is controlled in a feedback manner in a transitional operation period in which the operation mode of the internal combustion engine is changing. In this way, the intake air amount is promptly adjusted to the target intake air amount without causing hunting.
US08001948B2
A kinetic energy generation apparatus having increased power energy includes a casing, a fixed gear, and a free gear, disposed on the inner side of the fixed gear and has a gear ratio equal to 3:1. The apparatus also includes a transmission portion, with a bushing disposed between the transmission portion and the casing, which is driven to rotate by the free gear and has an axis of output extended. The apparatus also includes a connecting rod having one end pivoted on a piston of a cylinder.
US08001944B2
An engine start control system for a vehicle includes a first switch with which a user operates to start the engine, a second switch, a third switch, a brake switch and an engine start control unit for controlling start of the engine. The engine start control unit provides a normal mode that allows to start the engine when the first switch is operated if the brake switch detects operation of the brake pedal and a failsafe mode that allows to start the engine when at least two of the first, second and third switches are operated even if the brake switch does not detect operation of the brake pedal.
US08001942B2
An apparatus for providing pressurized fuel for an engine includes an electric motor operative to crank said engine, a fuel pump, and a gear reduction device. This gear reduction device includes a worm and worm wheel and operates to receive a high speed input from said electric motor and to deliver a low speed output to said fuel pump.
US08001935B2
The invention relates to a cylinder head (1) of an at least one-cylinder internal combustion engine with direction injection of a motor vehicle with a flame deck (2) and with an oil deck (3). An intermediate deck (4) is situated between the flame deck (2) and the oil deck (3), and at least one injector pipe (5) extends from the flame deck (2) up to the oil deck (3). The intermediate deck (4) joins a lower area of an injector pipe (5), particularly an injector dome (6) that is situated approximately centrally in the area of the flame deck (2). When viewing from the flame deck (2), the intermediate deck (4) extends outward in a concave-like manner so that the intermediate deck (4) joins a lateral wall (7) in a range of 40% to 60% of the distance between the flame deck (2) and the oil deck (3).
US08001931B2
A vertically-adjustable pet feeding apparatus is provided which includes a repellent for repelling ants and other insects. The apparatus allows animals, livestock, and pets, such as dogs of various sizes and breeds and of various stages of development, to be provided with food at the proper height. The apparatus is designed to be safe for pets, other animals, and children.
US08001923B2
A droplet ejection apparatus includes a plurality of droplet ejection heads divided into three groups with each group including first to fourth heads with a second head being disposed between the third and fourth heads, and the third head being disposed between the first and second heads when viewed in a direction parallel to nozzle arrays. In each group, the nozzle array of the first head overlaps the nozzle array of the third head throughout a first sub-area, the nozzle array of the first head overlaps the nozzle array of the fourth head throughout a second sub-area, and the nozzle array of the second head overlaps the nozzle array of the fourth head throughout a third sub-area when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the nozzle arrays. The second sub-areas of the three groups partially overlap each other when viewed from the direction perpendicular to the nozzle arrays.
US08001918B2
Transport ships having a relatively large structure over the water line, such as a pure car carrier, container ship and a passenger ship tend to receive the air resistance during the sailing. When sailing aslant against the wind, check helm had to be effected so far to cancel the swinging moment causing an extra increase in the underwater resistance. A low-fuel-consumption transport ship described has a structure over the water line, including a bow of a shape integral with the bridge of a hollow nearly semispherical to quarter-spherical shape or a partly cylindrical shape which is smoothly continuing to the stern to decrease the air resistance. The low-fuel-consumption transport ship further has a vertical tail incorporating a chimney and is rotatable on the uppermost stern deck to cancel the swinging moment in the air, without almost requiring check helm and, therefore, decreasing the underwater resistance.
US08001915B2
A particulate metering system includes a set of blocking members that can be independently controlled to block or allow the flow of particulate material to a roller assembly that collects the particulate material and releases the material to a series of distribution channels.
US08001914B2
To produce, monitor, and control a flow of air for a seed conveying system and a seed metering system, an air-assisted planting system includes an air handling system having a single air source and an air controller for maintaining a generally constant air pressure to the metering system. The air controller includes a plurality of sensors associated with and operable to monitor an air pressure through the metering system. Based on a sensed air pressure, a microprocessor of the air controller instructs the air handling system to selectively divert the flow of air to the metering system on an as-needed basis to maintain the generally constant air pressure.
US08001906B2
A system is provided for retrofitting an electrically propelled vehicle. The vehicle has an engine-driven generator, and at least a first traction motor and a second traction motor coupled to the generator. The system includes an energy storage device capable of being coupled to at least the first traction motor; and a control system operable to control a distribution of propulsive power between the first traction motor and the second traction motor. An associated method and a retrofit kit are provided, also.
US08001905B2
A model vehicle, such as a model electric train, includes a model pantograph. The operation of the pantograph is automated using a motor, drive train, and control circuit. An upper articulating portion of the pantograph is mounting to the model vehicle using a breakaway assembly. The upper articulating portion may also be coupled to a drive motor via an elastic coupling permitting elastic movement of the upper portion independently of the drive motor.
US08001902B2
A system and method of detecting, processing, and selectively responding to radio frequency transmissions detected by at least one projectile deployed above a geographic area.
US08001889B2
The invention involves a printing press comprising a spray dampening unit 2 having a spray nozzle cleaning device 3, a spray dampening unit 2 having a spray nozzle cleaning device 3 and a spray nozzle bar 22 having a spray nozzle cleaning device 3. Said spray nozzle cleaning device 3, respectively, was produced with fluid nozzles 34 using a fluid line system 31, the use of a fluid line system with fluid nozzles to produce such a spray nozzle cleaning device and a procedure to clean the spray nozzles 23 of a spray dampening unit by means of such a spray nozzle cleaning device 3. Said spray nozzle cleaning device has been or can be assembled in a spray dampening unit, comprising a fluid line system 31 having several fluid nozzles 34 by means of which a cleaning fluid can be sprayed on the spray nozzles 23.
US08001887B2
A safe, inexpensive, easy to use, manual trash compactor that can be used with almost any trash container with components that store out of the way when not in use. A hand or foot control is easily manipulated to compact trash in the container. The compacting mechanism can be made easily adjustable so that the amount of force or the size of the unit can be changed for different operators or different trash containers. The unit can be used with no container to compact materials like cardboard. The compactor can have wheels and can optionally be operated by a foot lever.
US08001875B2
A tile saw includes a base, a frame assembly disposed on the base, a first rail disposed on the frame assembly, the first rail having a longitudinal axis, a table slidingly disposed on the first rail, a support assembly disposed on the base, a saw assembly supported by the support assembly, the saw assembly comprising a motor, a cutting wheel driven by the motor, the saw assembly being pivotable about a horizontal axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis, and a switch electrically connected to the motor and disposed on the support assembly so that, when the motor assembly is pivoted about the horizontal axis, the switch remains stationary.
US08001874B2
A screw having stabilized strength, combination with a driver bit that best fits the screw, and a header punch for producing the screw. The screw having stabilized strength has letter Y-shaped bit-fitting grooves formed in the head portion of the screw. Forming the grooves makes fitting of a corresponding driver to the screw easy, prevents occurrence of a cam-out phenomenon to enhance work efficiency, makes torque transmission to be made smoothly and sufficiently, and stabilizes strength. The bit-fitting grooves are formed in a letter Y shape that is substantially equally divided into three sections in the circumferential direction, the grooves being formed at positions required distances away from the central portion of the screw head. The width of each of the grooves extending in radial directions from the central portion of the bit-fitting grooves is set so that the grooves are gradually expanded and substantially equally spaced with spacing each equal to the width of a boundary section between adjacent grooves. Further, the outer peripheral end wall surface of each bit-fitting groove is made substantially vertical from an opening edge section up to a required depth. The outer peripheral end wall surface is displaced downward from a lower edge section of the wall surface toward the central portion of the screw head, and the center where the wall surfaces meet are formed as a substantially conical bottom surface.
US08001869B2
A structure for supporting a generally U-shaped unlocking lever in seat slide device, wherein a main support portion of a generally channel cross-section is provided at each of a pair of the seat slide devices so as to support each of the two lateral portions of the unlocking lever. Formed respectively in the upper and lower walls of that main support portion are downwardly and upwardly curved protrudent portions, so that the two lateral portions of the unlocking lever each extends between those downwardly and upwardly curved protrudent portions. This arrangement gives a play to the two lateral portions of unlocking lever. Namely, both two free end portions respective of such two lateral portions are inclinable vertically relative to a support point between the afore-said two curved protrudent portions, while the two lateral portions themselves are also slidable therebetween in transverse direction of the seat slide device, thereby absorbing differences in size and shape which may occur in each of unlocking levers to be used.
US08001861B2
An actuator is disclosed that utilizes a fixed screw attached at one end to an actuator housing. A rotatable tube concentric with the fixed screw rotationally drives a nut having threads engaging the threaded shaft, such that the nut moves axially relative to the tube, upon rotation of the tube. The actuator is axially coupled to the nut by thrust bearings such that the actuator rod does not rotate with the driven member.
US08001857B2
A sample chamber of plastics has at least one receiving area for receiving a liquid, and includes an oleophobic layer in a predetermined surface area. The sample chamber includes a base plate and a cover plate firmly connected thereto. The oleophobic layer is disposed on a side of the base plate and the cover plate facing away from the receiving areas, and/or the sample chamber consists of a plastic body and the oleophobic layer is disposed on a side of the plastic body facing away from the receiving areas.
US08001844B2
A high-temperature pressure sensor element for power units includes a substrate, in which an interior space is developed, a deformable membrane, which separates the interior space from the exterior space in order to deform when the exterior pressure changes, and a strain measuring element, which is arranged on the membrane, for measuring the deformation of the membrane. The substrate, the membrane, and the strain measuring element are manufactured from the same high-temperature-stable material, such as an alloy. By way of example a nickel base alloy may be used. A component for a power unit, such as a turbine blade for an airplane or rocket engine, includes an integrated high-temperature pressure sensor element of this type.
US08001840B2
There is provided an oscillation type gyro sensor including an oscillation gyro device, an oscillation circuit, a controller, and an impedance conversion circuit. The oscillation gyro device includes a piezoelectric device including a drive electrode and a detection electrode, oscillates according to a drive signal input to the drive electrode, and is capable of generating an output signal including a detection signal corresponding to a Coriolis force from the detection electrode. The oscillation circuit outputs, based on the output signal, a signal for oscillating the oscillation gyro device to the drive electrode as the drive signal. The controller controls the oscillation circuit such that the oscillation circuit outputs a drive signal that makes the output signal constant. To the impedance conversion circuit, the drive signal output from the oscillation circuit is input.
US08001821B2
A thermoforming press for forming and hardening metal sheets includes an upper die and a lower die. At least one of the upper and lower dies has a mold jaw and a support jaw which are movable relative to one another between a first position in which the support jaw rests against the mold jaw to block a flow of coolant between the mold jaw and the support jaw, and a second position in which the support jaw is spaced from the mold jaw by a distance to define a cooling gap for coolant to flow between the mold jaw and the support jaw.
US08001796B2
A food storing apparatus dispenses a content stored in the apparatus. The food storing apparatus includes a button tray that functions as a switch to control dispensing of different contents in accordance with different moved positions of the button tray, but also functions as a tray to receive a residual content discharged after dispensing the content.
US08001795B2
A method of adjusting temperatures of products to a desired product temperature. The method may include enabling the selection of a product, enabling the selection of the desired product temperature, enabling the placement of the product into a temperature adjust device, circulating a liquid or a gas through the temperature adjust device, the liquid or the gas having been cooled to a cool temperature less than the desired product temperature or heated to a warm temperature greater than the desired product temperature, determining when the desired product temperature has been obtained, and ceasing circulation of the liquid or a gas through the temperature adjust device.
US08001794B2
A thermoelectric heat exchange system for fluids comprising a pumping device, configured to deliver a fluid; a fluid inlet system in fluid communication with the pumping device; a fluid outlet system in fluid communication with the pumping device; a reservoir in fluid communication with the pumping device, and configured to hold a fluid; and a heat exchange system in fluid communication with the fluid delivery system, including: a heat exchange plate in fluid communication with the fluid system, comprising a channel system wherein the width of the channel system is about an order of magnitude greater than the depth of the channel system; a thermoelectric cooling module in thermal communication with the heat exchange plate; and a heat sink in communication with the thermoelectric cooling module, and configured to dissipate heat from the thermoelectric cooling module.
US08001786B2
A combustor of gas turbine engine, including: a fuel spray portion that sprays fuel to create a diffusion combustion region in a combustion chamber, the fuel spray portion including a fuel atomizing portion that atomizes the fuel, and a diffusion passage portion disposed downstream of the fuel atomizing portion, the diffusion passage portion having a spreading trumpet-like shape and diffuses the fuel and the air; a pre-mixture supply portion that supplies a pre-mixture gas including the fuel and air to create a pre-mixture combustion region in the combustion chamber, the pre-mixture supply portion being positioned concentrically with the fuel spray portion to surround the fuel spray portion; and a fuel diffusion restraining member disposed on an inner circumferential face of the diffusion passage portion for restraining a diffusion of injected fuel by separating a stream of the injected fuel away from the inner circumferential face.
US08001783B2
An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for a single-actuated multi-function valve. The apparatus includes a primary fluid conduit, a secondary fluid conduit, and a valve. The primary fluid conduit flows from an exhaust manifold to an outlet through a high pressure turbocharger and a low pressure turbocharger. The secondary fluid conduit flows from the exhaust manifold to an outlet through the low pressure turbocharger. The valve has two flow passages—the first flow passage is a variable restriction within the primary fluid conduit, and the second flow passage is a variable restriction within the secondary fluid conduit. Turning the valve one direction from a nominal position controls the flow ratios in the primary and secondary fluid conduits, while turning the valve in the other direction from the nominal position controls exhaust braking.
US08001770B2
The invention relates to an exhaust system for an internal combustion engine, in particular in a motor vehicle, comprising an exhaust line that carries the exhaust gas, an SCR catalyst system arranged in the exhaust line and an injection device arranged on the exhaust line upstream from the SCR catalyst system for injecting an aqueous urea solution into the exhaust line.
US08001766B2
In a process for monitoring the function capability of an exhaust-gas catalytic converter 5 located in the exhaust line 3 of an internal combustion engine 1, based on the measured or computed signals of a first lambda probe 6a located upstream from the catalytic converter 5 and of a second lambda probe 6b located downstream from the catalytic converter 5, the two lambda probes 6a, 6b and the catalytic converter 5 having reached their operating temperature, it is suggested that an air quantity control means 4 located in the intake line 2 is partially opened during the coasting phase of the internal combustion engine 1 in order to cool the catalytic converter 5 located in the exhaust line 3, so that in the catalytic converter 5 an axial temperature distribution forms over time, from the signals of the two lambda probes 6a, 6b and the temperature distribution the axial distribution of the oxygen storage capacity OSC of the catalytic converter 5 being computed, and using this distribution of the oxygen storage capacity OSC the functional capability of the exhaust-gas catalytic converter 5 being assessed. As suggested, an improved process for checking is made available which moreover allows differentiation of the functional capability for conversion of hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides.
US08001765B2
A system operable to control an exhaust gas emission of an engine, includes a catalytic converter; a fuel cutter, a change executor, a correlation value provider, an adjuster, and a controller. The change executor is operable to execute changing of an air-fuel ratio of the engine to a rich air-fuel ratio after the fuel supply is once stopped by the fuel cutter and then resumed. The correlation value provider is operable to provide a correlation value correlated to a change amount of the air-fuel ratio caused by the change executor based on a driving condition of the engine. The adjuster is operable to adjust the correlation value based on a parameter indicative of a capability of the catalytic converter. The controller is operable to cause the change executor to execute the changing based on the adjusted correlation value.
US08001762B2
A method and device for adding special substances to the gaseous outflow of the jet engine in order to create a “virtual wall” of increased pressure zone behind the jet engine nozzle which can serve as a support for the jet engine gas outflow to push against, thus increasing the thrust power of the jet engine. This increase in acceleration power results in the accelerated movement of the jet engine equipped vehicle or higher fuel efficiency. A device that adds the special substances to the gaseous outflow is proposed. Characteristics of the special substances, which if added into the jet engine gaseous outflow may create a “virtual wall” of increased pressure zone behind the jet engine, are proposed.
US08001761B2
An apparatus for actively controlling fuel flow from a fuel pump to a mixer assembly of a gas turbine engine combustor, where the mixer assembly includes a pilot mixer and a main mixer. The pilot mixer further includes an annular pilot housing having a hollow interior, a primary fuel injector mounted in the pilot housing and adapted for dispensing droplets of fuel to the hollow interior of the pilot housing, a plurality of axial swirlers positioned upstream from the primary fuel injector. The fuel flow control apparatus further includes: at least one sensor for detecting dynamic pressure in the combustor; a fuel nozzle; and, a system for controlling fuel flow supplied by the fuel nozzle through the valves. The fuel nozzle includes: a feed strip with a plurality of circuits for providing fuel to the pilot mixer and the main mixer; and, a plurality of valves associated with the fuel nozzle and in flow communication with the feed strip thereof. The control system activates the valves in accordance with signals received from the pressure sensor.
US08001760B2
A gas turbine is driven by a combustion gas produced when BFG compressed by a gas compressor and air compressed by a compressor are burned in a combustor. Steam is generated from a waste heat boiler by utilization of heat of an exhaust gas from the gas turbine, and a steam turbine is driven by this steam. An electric generator generates electricity upon driving of the turbines. A condensing heat exchanger is disposed in an air intake duct, and part of steam from the waste heat boiler flows through the heat exchanger to heat intake air. The amount of steam that flows through the heat exchanger is adjusted by adjusting the degree of opening of a steam control valve by a control device. By so doing, the ignition performance of the gas turbine in a BFG-fired gas turbine combined cycle plant is enhanced even in an extremely cold district.
US08001759B2
An improved method for operating a textile machine having plural workstations comprising exchangeable components, each having a readable and writable transponder arranged on or integrated in the exchangeable components. During the lifecycle of the exchangeable components at least the operating data which influence the wearing of the exchangeable components are automatically stored on the respective transponder. Textile machines for carrying out the method are characterised by arranging in the region of each workstation at least one transceiver for writing and reading the transponders attached to or integrated in the exchangeable components.
US08001756B2
Apparatus and a method for handling an elongate member such as a cable between two points has a support line extending between the points, and winch mechanisms and wrapping devices at each of the points, to permit the elongate member to transit between the two points in a wrapped bundle that is supported mechanically against damage and deviation from a controlled path between the points, and to permit the bundle to be unwrapped at the second point for further manipulation of the elongate member. The invention is particularly useful in raising and lowering a load, towing, and also handling service cables, tubes, pipes, hoses or other elongate lines that are connected between two points. A preferred embodiment is described for the subsea deployment of wireline and the deployment of signal and power cables to subsea wells.
US08001750B2
An apparatus, system, and method for guiding an animal includes a hackamore for the purpose of riding without a mouth bit, chains or side shanks. Neck reining is encouraged by applying pressure to the neck and the outside of the lower jaw on the same side, which then encourages the horse to bend in the proper direction. Because of the uniquely designed hackamore, the horse is encouraged to stop with minimum pressure. As the neck rein pressure is applied, the plate twists and applies pressure to the side of the jaw, the horse moves away from the pressure providing more control to the rider. Because of the instant release of the pressure, the horse feels the rider's instant and complete release which provides for easier and faster training of the horse. The adjustable nature of the hackamore allows for the rider to fit various animals unique muzzle structure.
US08001749B2
A packaging machine having a lifting unit comprises at least a spindle and a spindle nut. It is the object of the present invention to provide a packaging machine having a lifting unit which can substantially receive the same forces in any lift position and which exhibits shorter moving times. For this reason, the spindle is motor-drivable and stationary relative to a frame (2).
US08001740B2
A ballistic and forced entry resistant construction in which a sidewall is made up of a plurality of vertical columns, at least one perimeter floor sill section, at least one perimeter ceiling sill section, a plurality of bottom internal sleeves at spaced intervals extending upward from the perimeter floor sill section, a plurality of top internal sleeves at spaced intervals extending downward from the perimeter ceiling sill section, a plurality of upper outer panels, a plurality of lower outer panels, and a plurality of inner wall panels. A connecting tube is used to connect the upper and lower outer plates. The vertical columns are located between the bottom and top internal sleeves such that the sleeves fit inside the opposite ends of vertical columns and the upper and lower outer panels are located between vertical support columns.
US08001739B1
A parapet wall cover system includes a clip support, at least one spring support clip and a cover channel. The at least one spring support clip is attached to a top of the clip support channel. The cover channel includes a top surface, a first side surface and a second side surface. The parapet cover system is preferably attached to a parapet wall in the following manner. The clip support is attached to a top of the parapet wall. The at least one spring support clip is secured to the clip support. The cover channel is pushed on to either the clip support channel or the at least one spring support clip and is retained thereby. A vented parapet cover system includes a perforated clip support. A perforated closure may be substituted for the perforated support channel.
US08001736B2
An exterior wall assembly includes a wall frame supporting an interior wall layer and an exterior wall layer opposite the interior wall layer, a flexible sheet disposed within the exterior wall assembly, and a seal attached to the flexible sheet and configured to prevent ingress of water toward the wall frame. The flexible sheet is configured to transport moisture from between the interior wall layer and the exterior wall layer to a location outside of the exterior wall assembly.
US08001735B2
A flood barrier system for temporarily sealing an opening in a wall structure against the inflow of flood waters. The system comprises a plurality of elongated, horizontally disposed barrier elements of a length somewhat greater than the width of the opening. The barrier elements are stacked vertically, one upon the other against the outer face of the wall structure. End clamps engage opposite ends of the individual barrier elements to press them snugly against the outer surface of the wall, providing seals along the opposite vertical side edges of the opening. The barrier elements incorporate a unique interlocking configuration that simplifies and expedites assembly of a flood barrier and strengthens the integrity of the assembled structure. Improved and simplified arrangements are provided for clamping the ends of the barrier elements and for applying downward pressure to the assembled barrier. The resulting structure is more economical to provide and maintain and is more quickly assembled in the often emergency circumstances in which it is required.
US08001732B2
The instant invention is a method for achieving a-planar framing configurations which enable the construction of hyperbolic paraboloid surfaces, a multiplicity of which join to create roof structures and enclosures.In particular, the shaping and erecting of connected a-planar quadrilateral frames to create under-framing which can be completed by a simple in-framing, and covered with sheeting material resulting in a new method of constructing enclosures with hyperbolic paraboloid faces without the use of highly trained crews, or the need for elaborate pre-forms or specialized connecting or covering elements.The additional methods of assembly and erection of a hypershelter described herein make possible even greater strength-to-weight ratios and more efficient construction procedures than was possible at the time of the original application. The pre-stressed effects of the twisted framing members, and the progressively rotated orientations of the faces are strength enhancements; and the assembly of whole faces before erection makes possible a great deal of savings in the construction process. As a result of these improvements, it also makes it easier to create various embodiments of hypershelters, here called “domular” and “multi”, that were not noted previously.
US08001731B2
A self-supporting module contains first and second rectangular, generally closed longitudinal frames, which are detachably interconnected by crossmembers and to which external wall elements are detachably fixed. The module is characterized in that the external wall elements have dimensions corresponding generally to the height and the width or length of the module and that the outer edges of the elements run flush with the outer edges of the longitudinal frames and crossmembers in such a way that in the corner region of the module, the end faces of adjoining external wall elements define a recess in the form of re-entrant corner. Corner elements are detachably fixed in the recesses, the elements sealing the interior of the module that is delimited by the external wall elements in relation to the exterior.
US08001724B2
A rotating barrier having a rotating arm assembly has at least one blocking arm which is formed at least over part of its length by a resiliently flexible core piece and is provided with an outer sheath.
US08001718B2
The invention relates to a recipient for containing moist substrate, which recipient comprises a flexible polymer wall having an outer surface and at least one gas exchanging membrane, which gas exchanging membrane is hermetically sealed to the outer surface of the flexible polymer wall along a sealing line. The sealing line defining a hermetically sealed area of the flexible polymer wall. The flexible polymer wall comprises at least one aperture, being provided in this hermetically sealed area of the flexible polymer wall. The recipient further comprises a means for creating an air chamber circumscribed by the hermetically sealed area and the gas exchanging membrane, for preventing moist substrate to contact the gas exchange membrane when the recipient is filled with moist substrate.
US08001713B2
An image support device has a support surface having a front face, a back surface, a bottom and a top. The support surface has secured thereto a visible light transmitting panel. The light transmitting panel preferably has a hinge towards the bottom of the support surface enabling a top of the light transmitting panel to be pulled away from the support surface in a non-destructive manner to create an opening behind the light transmitting panel. The opening behind the light transmitting panel is able to close and return to a closed position by elastic or spring tension to provide tension to an image placed behind the light transmitting panel. The top or the back of the support surface may have at least part of a wall connecting system attached thereto, or the opening may face away from a bottom of the device having a flat support base.
US08001704B2
An article of footwear which includes a midsole and foot stabilizer. The foot stabilizer includes a longitudinally extending spine portion and a plurality of ribs extending laterally therefrom from opposing lateral and medial sides. The plurality of ribs being positioned to at least partially underlie a foot of a user. The spine portion is disposed above and affixed to the midsole and the ribs are contoured to partially enclose the foot of the user.
US08001700B2
A scanning unit of a position measuring arrangement for scanning a measuring graduation of a scale. The scanning unit includes a base body including an interior space; wherein the base body can be installed, fixed in place, on an object to be measured, wherein the base body comes into contact with a first contact face at a first location of the object to be measured. The scanning unit includes a heat-generating electrical component in the interior and a contact element with a second contact face which, in the course of installing the base body, enters into contact at a second location of the object to be measured. The scanning unit further including a heat-conducting element, which is designed for transferring heat generated by an electrical component from the interior space to the contact element.
US08001693B2
A knife includes a handle and a blade coupled to the handle so as to be movable between an open position in which the blade extends from the handle, and a closed position, in which the blade is received within the handle. A detent mechanism is configured to resist movement of the blade from the closed position toward the open position while less than a threshold bias is applied to the blade toward the open position, but to release the blade to move toward the open position when at least the threshold bias is applied to the blade toward the open position. The threshold bias is of such a degree that, when the blade is released by the detent mechanism, sufficient energy is imparted by the bias to the blade to carry the blade from the closed position to the open position.
US08001689B2
The present invention relates to a process for forming a variable gauge metal sheet into a desired shape, said process comprising: providing a variable gauge metal sheet having a first surface and a second surface, the metal sheet having a thickness measured at any point on the metal sheet as the distance between the first surface and the second surface, the thickness of the metal sheet being different over a first portion of the sheet than over a second portion of the sheet, and forming said metal sheet into a first desired shape by bending the metal sheet about a first fold line, said first fold line extending through both the first portion and the second portion, to bring segments of the first surface of the metal sheet on either side of the first fold line into increased opposition with each other.
US08001687B2
A method of forming a gearbox includes the use of hollow structural steel.
US08001683B2
This invention provides a solder ball loading apparatus which enables fine solder balls to be loaded on pads while void is blocked from being caught into bump upon reflow. Inactive gas is supplied and the inactive gas is sucked from a loading cylinder located above a ball arrangement mask so as to gather solder balls. The gathered solder balls are rolled on the ball arrangement mask by moving the loading cylinder horizontally and the solder balls are dropped onto connecting pads on a multilayer printed wiring board through openings in the ball arrangement mask. Oxidation of the solder balls and mixture of voids upon reflow are prevented by loading the solder balls in the atmosphere of inactive gas.
US08001682B2
A high-efficiency production method for a power module substrate with reduced line width of a conductive pattern provides an insulation substrate suitable for realizing a large current and a high voltage of a power module. According to the method, a brazing sheet is temporarily fixed on a first surface of a ceramics substrate by surface tension of a volatile organic liquid. The brazing sheet is also temporarily fixed on the first surface of a conductive pattern member punched from a base material by surface tension of same type of volatile organic liquid. The brazing sheet and the conductive pattern member are heated so as to volatilize the volatile organic liquid and a pressure is applied to the conductive pattern member in its thickness direction. The brazing sheet is melted to join the conductive pattern member with the first surface of the ceramics substrate.
US08001680B2
A manufacturing plant, in accordance with one embodiment, includes a turntable, interchangeable pick-up, and clamping devices for assemblies at several working locations. The pick-up and clamping devices are assigned at least one processing robot, set up for joining operations, which performs the joining operations on the assemblies held by the pick-up and clamping devices. The turntables 1, 2 are assigned interchange stations, with which the pick-up and clamping devices on turntables can be replaced by others. The interchange stations are preferably designed as turntables with different storage locations for the pickup and clamping devices to be replaced. The different pick-up and clamping devices needed for processing various types of assemblies as well as grippers for the handling robots are introduced exclusively from outside in exactly the same way as the pre-fabricated parts being processed, if a change from one type of assemblies to another type is required.
US08001674B2
An exemplary automatic disassembly machine is used for detaching a cover from a main body of a portable electronic device. The cover defines a hole therein. The automatic disassembly machine includes a holder, a mechanical hand, a power source, and a controller. The mechanical hand is fixed on the holder. The mechanical hand has an inserting element, and a positioning element. The inserting element is configured for inserting into the hole of the cover and lifting the cover up from the portable electronic device. The positioning element is configured for positioning the cover. The power source connects to the mechanical hand for driving the mechanical hand. The controller connects to the mechanical hand and the power source for respectively controlling the positioning element and the inserting element to detach the cover from the portable electronic device.
US08001670B2
A method for assembling at least two elements by a crimping rivet including a head and a stem, and an associated fitting tool including a traction rod. The method includes the following successive steps. A securing step that secures a part of the stem of the rivet by die-stamping on a corresponding part of the traction rod of the fitting tool inserted inside the stem of the rivet. An inserting step that inserts the rivet in corresponding holes of the elements to be assembled. A crimping step that crimps the rivet by the fitting tool. A separating step that separates the fitting tool by radial deformation of the part of the stem on which die-stamping was applied.
US08001669B2
A method of repairing a turbine engine component includes providing a turbine engine component having a first surface and a second surface. A porous structure extends from the first surface to the second surface. The first surface is exposed to a first pressure and the second surface is exposed to a second pressure. The first pressure is higher than the second pressure. A difference between the first pressure and the second pressure is used to pass a cleaning liquid through the porous structure from the first surface to the second surface.
US08001667B2
An apparatus (10) for holding lens holders includes a first board (14) and a second board (16). The first board includes a plurality of through slots (146) defined therein. The second board includes a base portion (160) and a plurality of elongated protrusions (162) for insertion in and sliding in the respective slots. The protrusions extend from the base portion. The first board and the second board are attached to each other with the protrusions inserted in the slots. The first board and the second board cooperatively form a plurality of receptacles between the first inner surfaces in the slots and the first surface of the protrusions. A platform (12) with one of the first board and the second board are secured thereon. A driving device (20) is configured for driving the other one of the first board and the second board to move relative to the one secured on the table to change a size of the receptacles.
US08001666B2
A method is provided that includes providing a mold on a temporary substrate, e.g., a sapphire substrate. Next, a material such as PZT paste is deposited into the mold. Then, the mold is removed to obtain elements formed by the mold. The formed elements will then be sintered. After sintering, electrode deposition is optionally performed. The sintered elements are then bonded to a final target substrate and released from the temporary substrate through laser liftoff. Further, electrodes may also be optionally deposited at this point.
US08001660B2
A device for gripping a cable is presented that has a retention member rotatably disposed within a cable guide such that upon entrance of the cable within an entrance port, the cable moves between the retention member and a wall, causing the retention member to simultaneously rotate and move toward the exit port and away from the wall until it abuts the exit wall and rotates in place as the cable is pushed out the exit port. When the cable is pulled toward the entrance port, the retention member simultaneously rotates and moves toward the entrance port and the wall, wedging the cable between the wall and the retention member.
US08001654B2
A withdrawing mechanism includes a striker disposed on one of a swingable member and a main body, a catcher disposed on the other of the swingable member and the main body to capture the striker moving, and a damper for applying a damping force to a turning operation of then catcher toward the turned position. The catcher is turnable between a standby position and a turned position. The catcher is biased towards the standby position when at a position closer to the standby position than an intermediate position between the standby position and the turned position and biased toward the turned position when at a position closer to the turned position than the intermediate position. The catcher includes a hooking groove for the striker on a surface extending substantially perpendicular to a rotary shaft thereof. The hooking groove faces an introduction port toward the front side in the standby position.
US08001652B2
An upright vacuum cleaner (A) includes an upright housing section (B) and a nozzle section (C). A cyclonic airflow dirt and dust separating chamber (54) is defined in said upright housing section. A suction source (E) pulls air and entrained dirt, dust, and other contaminants through a main suction opening (26) formed in the underside (24) of the nozzle and into the cyclonic airflow chamber (54). The cyclonic airflow chamber causes the suction airstream to travel in a cyclonic path such that the entrained contaminants are separated therefrom and deposited into a dirt container (52) that defines the chamber (54). A main filter element (K) filters residual contaminants from the suction airstream between the chamber and the suction source. The main filter element is preferably made from high-density polyethylene porous filter media. A final filter assembly (F) filters the suction airstream discharged by the suction source to ensure that the air discharged into the atmosphere is contaminant free, including those contaminants introduced into the airstream by the suction source itself.
US08001647B2
An improved flocked foam applicator has a cylindrically shaped hollow rigid shell configured to slide onto a rigid core coupled to a handle. A rigid planar surface extends from the bottom of the hollow rigid shell forward. Applicator flock extends downward from the rear cylindrical portion of the hollow rigid shell, around the bottom of the hollow rigid shell, and outward to the distal edge of the rigid planar surface. The distal edge of rigid planar surface extends further forward than the leading edge of the cylindrical hollow rigid shell. As a result of this design, the improved flocked foam applicator can apply a liquid applicant to a floor all the way up to a baseboard or wall, and will further prevent the leading edge of the cylindrical portion from coming into contact with a baseboard or wall and depositing fluid in an undesired location.
US08001646B2
The invention relates to a cleaning mop, including a handle fixed onto a cylindrical coupler having rotational capability; a joint fixed to the cylindrical coupler; a retainer for retaining a cleaning element; and a scrubber formed with projections on one part and fins on the other part, the fins extending side to side along the scrubber. The scrubber can be formed to have a circular cross-section. It also can be formed to have a polygonal cross-section. Each surface of the polygon is formed alternatively with either irregularly spaced projections or regularly spaced fins, such that the projections and fins alternate on every other face of the polygon.
US08001644B1
A cymbal polishing device has a base, a motor mounted on the base, and a shaft having a proximal end and a distal end. The distal end of the shaft is operably mounted to the motor so that the shaft can be rotated by the motor. A cymbal locking element at the proximal end of the shaft is adapted to removably lock a cymbal to the proximal end of the shaft so that the cymbal rotates with the shaft and the motor.
US08001641B1
A utility knife assembly includes a housing that has a first lateral wall, a second lateral wall and a perimeter wall extending between the first and second lateral walls. The perimeter wall includes a front wall, a rear wall, an upper wall and a lower wall. The front wall has a blade aperture therein. The upper wall has a slot therein. A tape measure tab is removably positionable in the slot. A blade is removably mounted to the housing and extends outwardly of the blade aperture. The slot is aligned with the blade to allow the tape measure to be used for measuring where the blade is cutting.
US08001637B1
A portable changing table of the present disclosure includes at least one extendable arm assembly moveable between a retracted position and an extended position. The at least one extendable arm assembly is removably securable to a support structure. The portable changing table further includes a collapsible frame hingedly secured to the at least one extendable arm assembly, wherein the collapsible frame is moveable between a stowed position and a deployed position. The portable changing table further includes a flexible support member secured to a portion of the collapsible frame. The flexible support member extends across a portion of the collapsible frame in the deployed position.
US08001636B2
An apparatus and method for properly positioning a patient to allow rapid and effective endotracheal intubation during an anesthetic induction is disclosed. The apparatus includes a plurality of inflatable sections for supporting the patient's head and upper back, where the inflatable sections are independently inflatable and deflatable with respect to one another so that the patient's ear and sternum can be aligned in the same horizontal plane. The apparatus also includes an anchoring means that is attached to at least one of the plurality of inflatable sections for anchoring the apparatus in place. An air system connected to the plurality of inflatable sections and including separate connections to the individual inflatable sections operates to provide air to the apparatus. The apparatus optionally includes an independently inflatable cylinder in the anchoring means that is used in pregnant patients.
US08001633B2
A spica table, collapsible for storage, which includes stabilizing legs, a separate adjustable support for the upper body and the buttock, to accommodate patients of differing sizes and individual infinitely adjustable leg and foot supports.
US08001626B2
A swimming pool safety net system includes a net having a first edge affixable to a side of a swimming pool and a second edge extendable toward a center of the swimming pool. A plurality of actuators are substantially regularly spacing around a periphery of a swimming pool wherein each actuator has an extendable end affixed to the second edge of the net. A controller selectively operates the actuators between a retracted position with the second end of the net proximal to the side of the swimming pool and an extended position with the second end of the net extended toward the center of the swimming pool.
US08001621B2
Pants include a waistband shaped to descend from the hip region to a rear center region, thereby resembling a shallow v-shape. The rear center region is configured to reach toward the back of the individual wearing the pants. A reinforcement patch is used to provide foundation to connect a belt loop to the waistband.
US08006308B2
A recording medium, such as a high-density and/or read-only recording medium, such as BD-ROM, which includes copy protection indicating information, which can identify whether copy protection information is needed or not for the playback of contents stored on the recording medium, and to methods and apparatuses for forming, recording, and reproducing data on the recording medium.
US08006298B1
A computer implemented method is provided for detecting potential fraud or unauthorized activity when resetting an application password in an application in which a computer system including a call center dashboard system and a fraud detection interface. The method includes the steps of initiating the resetting of a user's application password for an application. The method further includes the steps of determining when an application ID is duplicated in the call center dashboard data store for the application and preparing an error report when the application ID is duplicated in the data store. The method also includes the steps of submitting a reset password for the application using the password criteria of the application. The method further includes the steps of storing the reset password in the user profile of the user when the application ID is not duplicated and the password conforms to the password criteria.
US08006297B2
A network interface card (NIC) includes a security association database (SADB) comprising a plurality of security associations (SAs), a cryptographic offload engine configured to decrypt a packet using one of the plurality of SAs, a security policy database (SPD) comprising a plurality of security policies (SPs) and a plurality of filter policies, and a policy engine configured to determine an admittance of the packet using one of the plurality of SPs from the SPD and apply one of the plurality of filter policies to the packet.
US08006290B2
A system and method for ratifying policies are provided. A method for ratifying a policy in a policy-based decision system comprises: determining if a new policy interacts with an existing policy in the policy-based decision system; and ratifying the new policy to exist in the policy-based decision system.
US08006287B2
A network apparatus which is detachable from a data processing apparatus and is mounted in the data processing apparatus to connect the data processing apparatus and a network installs an application and stores authentication information corresponding to the application in the storage of the network apparatus. The network apparatus acquires authentication information corresponding to the application from the storage of the network apparatus and the data processing apparatus in accordance with an application activation request. The network apparatus determines, on the basis of the acquired authentication information, whether to permit activation of the application.
US08006282B2
A method and a system are provided for tracking a user in a network. The method and system includes a Network Management System (NMS) to receive notifications from one or more network devices in the network. The notifications are generated by push-based mechanisms. Thereafter, the NMS combines the information received from the notifications in a database. Subsequently, a correlating engine correlates the combined information to track the user.
US08006271B2
A method includes performing Reed Solomon (RS) and Cyclic Redundancy Check encoding on mobile data and a table including access information of the data and information identifying a stream where data decryption keys are obtained, thereby forming an RS frame, which is divided into groups. Each group includes a portion of the RS frame data, known data sequences, fast information channel (FIC) data, and transmission parameter channel (TPC) data. The FIC data includes information for rapid mobile service acquisition. The TPC data includes information for indicating an FIC data update. A broadcast signal including the groups is transmitted. The RS frame size is L (rows)×N (column size of the RS frame) bytes. Each row has an M-byte header, leaving the remainder available for data. Data in the rows are packed into the rows end-to-end, with possible wrapping around at the end of each row to the next row.
US08006261B1
A system and method for dynamically creating individualized, multi-media messages and to deliver the messages to specific target groups or individual viewers. A message, story, or advertisement is assembled on demand, based upon rules applied to each viewer's profile and a library of media segments. The framework for the final personalized message is a story or message template designed for a campaign. A set of viewer profiles is assembled from designated databases for each of the targeted entities. A collection of media segments is also created or selected and then made available to produce the final personalized message at assembly time. Specific media segments are selected and merged according to the message template and information about the viewer derived from each viewer's profile. The information from the viewer profile is interpreted by a rule system to determine which of several potential media segments to select for use in the personalized message. The merged composite is then encoded to match the distribution media and forwarded to the viewer.
US08006255B2
An electronic apparatus, comprising an optical disk drive having an eject button for opening/closing a disk tray and a first controller for controlling the eject button. A tray open/close button controls the disk tray. A second controller controls the disk tray. A mechanism for operating the eject button of the optical disk drive, is disposed within a housing of the electronic apparatus and is operated from outside of the housing.
US08006241B2
An application installation and removal system and method comprising: an operating system for controlling and maintaining resources on a computer; and an event monitor configured to detect availability of a new software to be installed on the client; receive a list of new software on the client; perform installation of the software on the client wherein performing installation comprises creating a record of all user defined applications on the client immediately prior to performing the installation in a log file; installing the new software on the client; rebooting the client after the installation of the new software on the client; and resorting all the user defined applications recorded in the log file to the same state as the user defined applications were prior to the installation of the new software.
US08006239B2
A computer implemented method for generating a representation of relationships between variables in a program employing Symbolic Range Constraints (SRCs) wherein the SRCs are of the form φ:^i=1nli≦xi≦ui where for each i ε[l,n], the linear expressions li,ui are made up of variables in the set{xi+1, . . . ,xn} and wherein the SRCs comprise linear, convex, and triangulated constraints for a given variable order.
US08006237B2
A method of dynamic real time translation of first program code written for a first programmable machine into second program code (target code) for running on a second programmable machine employing run time generation of an intermediate representation of the first program code. Upon first encountering a given portion of program code, only the target code necessary to execute that portion of program code under a prevailing set of entry conditions is initially generated and stored. When the same portion of program code is again encountered, a determination is made as to whether intermediate representation corresponding to a second subsequent set of conditions has been generated. If not, the target code necessary to execute the same portion of program code under that second set of conditions is generated.
US08006227B2
Various technologies and techniques are disclosed for creating and/or locating transactional code blocks in a transactional memory system. A user such as a software developer can decorate a particular function with an identifier to indicate that the particular function is transaction-safe. A normal version and a transactional version are then created for each function of a software application that is marked as transaction-safe. A normal version is created for each function that is not marked as transaction-safe. For the normal version of each function that is marked as transaction-safe, a stub pointer in the normal version is pointed to the transactional version. The proper version of the function is then called depending on the execution context.
US08006226B2
A system obtains at least one requirement for the application. They system defines at least one interaction, as a use case, associated with the application that satisfies at least one requirement. The system creates at least one file associated with at least one interaction, and processes at least one file with a code-generating engine to automatically generate at least one interactive component of the application.
US08006212B2
One embodiment of the present invention provides a system for facilitating floorplanning for three-dimensional integrated circuits (3D ICs). During operation, the system receives a number of circuit blocks. The system places the blocks in at least one layer of a multi-layer die structure and sets an initial value of a time-varying parameter. The system then iteratively perturbs the block arrangement until the time-varying parameter reaches a pre-determined value.
US08006198B2
A technique is provided, which can help the user to know well that process modes have been switched among them, thereby enabling the user to work more efficiently.A display control device is provided, which comprises: a selection information acquisition unit 201 that acquires selection information representing which process mode has been selected from a plurality of process modes in which different processes are performed; and a control unit 202 that displays display objects corresponding to set items related to the process mode selected, in a first display region on a screen, and display objects corresponding to any process mode not selected, in a second display region narrower than the first display region on the screen, on the basis of the selection information acquired by the selection information acquisition unit 201.
US08006196B2
Graphics information resulting from operation of applications is directed to a set of visible windows. A set of graphics contexts is provided having fixed associations with the applications. A set of variable associations is provided between the graphics contexts and the windows, so that varying the windows to which graphics information resulting from operation of the applications is directed is accomplished by varying the associations between the graphics contexts and the windows.
US08006184B2
A video production system provides a director with-control over video production devices used in producing a show. The video production system allows the director to pre-produce a show, review the show in advance of “air time.” and then, with a touch of a button, produce the live show. The video production system includes a processing unit in communication with the video production devices. The processing unit displays controls for controlling the video production devices. The director uses a keyboard and mouse to remotely control the video production devices. The director pre-produces the show, defines a set of video production commands (hereafter “transition macro”) executed by the processing unit. By activating a control button, the director instructs the processing unit to execute the transition macro-to control one or more of the video production devices.
US08006181B2
A system for adding words to an online dictionary used for spellchecking is described. A spellchecker module compares words of an electronic document with words in the online dictionary and identifies a word in the electronic document that is missing from the dictionary. After a user indicates a desire to add the missing word to the dictionary, the spellchecker module determines at least one related-word form of the missing word. The related-word forms depend upon the part of speech of the missing word. The spellchecker can prompt the user to identify the part of speech and then to verify each determined related-word form. The spellchecker concurrently adds the missing word and at least one related-word form of the missing word to the online dictionary in a single ‘add-to-dictionary’ operation.
US08006180B2
Spell checking of a document in a network browser based application is performed automatically. Spell checking may be performed in a content page in response to user editing of the document text. Text entered into a document through a browser application interface is divided into nodes. The nodes may be associated with a section, line or word of text. Each node may be assigned one or more parameters which may indicate whether the node has been spell checked or not. Selected nodes are sent to a spell check service for spell checking. Correction information is received in response to the spell check request. Once a client device receives the correction information, words within the text range of the document that match identified misspelled words are processed. In one embodiment, matching words are highlighted with a visual indicator to indicate that they may be incorrectly spelled.
US08006177B1
Machine readable documents connect businesses with customers, suppliers and trading partners. The self defining electronic documents, such as XML based documents, can be easily understood amongst the partners. Definitions of these electronics business documents, called business interface definitions, are posted on the Internet, or otherwise communicated to members of the network. The business interface definitions tell potential trading partners the services the company offers and the documents to use when communicating with such services. Thus, a typical business interface definition allows a customer to place an order by submitting a purchase order or a supplier checks availability by downloading an inventory status report. Also, composition of the input and output documents, coupled with interpretation information in a common business library, programs the transaction in a way which closely parallels the way in which paper based businesses operate.
US08006175B2
A workbook includes a spreadsheet having cells arranged in columns and rows. The cells include input cells and output cells. The output cells include a formula to be calculated. Calculation of the spreadsheet is divided into multiple tasks. The tasks are assigned among computing nodes within a computing cluster for concurrent calculation of the spreadsheet.
US08006174B2
A method for exporting-importing the content of input cells from a source scalable template instance in a source multi-dimensional spreadsheet to a destination scalable template instance in a destination multi-dimensional spreadsheet comprises the steps of: detecting a command for exporting-importing input cells from a source scalable template instance in a source spreadsheet to a destination scalable template instance in a destination spreadsheet; identifying the source scalable template associated with the source scalable template instance; identifying cells, if there are any, defined as input cells in the element profile of the source scalable template; identifying the destination scalable template associated with the destination scalable template instance; identifying cells, if there are any, defined as input cells in the element profile of the destination scalable template; copying cell per cell, the content of each input cell of the source scalable template instance in each input cell of the destination scalable template instance.
US08006173B2
A BD-ROM has recorded therein an AV Clip generated by multiplexing a video stream and a graphics stream. The graphics stream represents an interactive display to be overlayed with the video stream, and includes a sequence of three Button State groups. The interactive display includes a plurality of buttons, each of which changes from a normal state to a selected state, and from the selected state to an active state, according to a user operation. In the three Button State groups in the graphics stream, the first-order group (N-ODSs) is made of a plurality of pieces of graphics data, which represent normal states of the buttons, the second-order group (S-ODSs) is made of a plurality of pieces of graphics data, which represent selected states of the buttons, and the third-order group (A-ODSs) is made of a plurality of pieces of graphics data, which represent active states of the buttons.
US08006171B2
An apparatus for random parity check and correction with BCH code is provided, including a Bose-Chaudhuri-Hocquenghem (BCH) parity check code encoder, a channel, a BCH parity check code decoder, and a static random access memory (SRAM). The BCH parity check code encoder uses the BCH encoding to encode the parity check code in writing to flash memory. The channel is connected to the BCH parity check code encoder to compute the parity check code and the message polynomial into receiving data. The BCH parity check code decoder is connected to the channel for inputting the receiving data and using BCH decoding to compute the eigen value and error address. The SRAM is connected to the BCH parity check code decoder so as to read error address from static RAM, correct the data and restores the corrected data to the SRAM. Therefore, this achieves the object of random parity check and correction with BCH code.
US08006167B2
A system for decoding coded data printed in ink on a surface is provided. The coded data has a registration structure which has at least two clock tracks indicative of a position of the coded data in the direction perpendicular to an alignment direction and two alignment lines for each clock track. The two alignment lines are indicative of the position of the respective clock track. The system has a decoder for determining, using an alignment phase-locked loop (PLL), a position of the alignment lines for a respective clock track, determining, using the position of the alignment lines, the position of each respective track, and updating the alignment PLL.
US08006165B2
A memory controller includes a buffer to which data, which is to be transferred to a memory, is input, an ECC parity generating unit which generates an ECC parity in units of a predetermined data length from the data which is to be transferred to the memory, and a memory interface which adds the generated ECC parity in units of the predetermined data length, and delivers the data with the ECC parity to the memory. When a data length of the data which is to be transferred to the memory is less than the predetermined data length, the ECC parity generating unit regards data of a part that is short of the predetermined data length as “0”, and generates the ECC parity from the data of less than the predetermined data length.
US08006162B2
Disclosed is a method for puncturing a Low Density Parity Check (LDPC) code that is expressed by a factor graph having a check node and a variable node, connected to each other by an edge, and is decoded by a parity check matrix including a parity part having a single weight-3 column and a dual-diagonal matrix. The method includes selecting 1-step recoverable (1-SR) variable nodes with the highest quality including a variable node mapped to a weight-3 column, and setting a first puncturing priority group using the selected 1-SR variable nodes, selecting k-step recoverable (k-SR) variable nodes with the highest quality in the next step k taking into account the variable nodes selected in the current step, and setting a priority group for each individual step, puncturing an LDPC code mapped to a variable node belonging to a corresponding group according to priority of each group obtained in the preceding steps.
US08006150B2
The circuit and method for increasing the scan cell observability of response compactors is based on manipulation of x distribution in responses prior to taking them through a compactor. An x-align block is capable of delaying scan chains by judiciously computed values, and thus aligning x's within the same slices. The x-alignment is effected in the insertion of proper control data to the generic x-align hardware. As a result, fewer scan cells are masked due to response x's into other cells, reflecting into enhanced test quality. An ILP formulation can be used to identify the delay assignment that leads to the maximum number of observable scan cells. Alternatively, a computationally efficient greedy heuristic can be used to attain near-optimal results in reasonable run-time. Thus, the x-align block enhances the effectiveness of response compactors and reaps high test quality, even in the dense presence of response x's.
US08006148B2
A test mode control circuit of a semiconductor memory device includes an input unit configured to input test mode data for at least one of a plurality of test modes, and a test mode controlling unit configured to enable/disable a test mode according to the number of inputs of the test mode data.
US08006145B2
A semiconductor integrated circuit device related to an embodiment of the present invention includes an address register which includes an internal selection circuit connected with a control circuit, a signal generation instruction circuit which instructs the control circuit so that a predetermined internal control signal is generated, a latch circuit, a plurality of which are arranged corresponding to a number of bits of test parameter data, the latch circuit latching test result data which is provided from the data program/read circuit and outputting the test result data to the selection circuit and externally, the control circuit generating an internal control signal which activates the selection circuit at a timing at which a fixed value data of the test parameter data is changed, and the selection circuit controlling a test so that a fixed value data of the test parameter data is changed.
US08006137B2
A computer debug method includes following steps: a Power-On Self Test (POST) is started; several function tests of the POST are executed respectively, wherein at least one set of codes corresponding to each following executing function test is stored in a memory before executing each of the function tests; when the POST is interrupted, wait for a user to input a guess signal through an input device; compare the set of stored codes in the memory with the guess signal; a signal representing that the set of stored codes in the memory equals to the guess signal is output if the set of stored codes in the memory equals to the guess signal.
US08006136B2
The present disclosure relates to automated testing of hardware and software systems. In some embodiments, a testing framework that generates a set of test cases for a system under test using a grammar is disclosed. The grammar may include terminal and nonterminal symbols with tags that describe a test sequence. The testing framework can use the grammar to generate a set of test cases. The testing framework can then receive feedback about the execution of the set of test cases from the system under test. In response to the feedback, the testing framework can generate a new set of grammars by automatically modifying or inserting tags in the original grammar. The new set of grammars can then be used to generate further test cases that intelligently explore the system under test for correctness, conformance, performance, security, or reliability.
US08006123B2
Provided is an environment that storage device configuration management can be efficiently done in a data center having a virtualization device. A SAN manager acquires configuration information from a device constituting a SAN and prepares a correspondence relationship between a host computer and a virtual volume in the SAN, and a corresponding relationship between the host computer and a real volume, depending upon the acquired information. Based on the corresponding relationship, the SAN manager outputs a correspondence relationship of between virtual and real volumes. Meanwhile, by interpreting a failure-notification message received from the devices of the SAN, detected and outputted is an influence upon an access to a real or virtual volume as to the failure. Furthermore, when a plurality of failure notifications are received from the devices connected to the SAN, a plurality of failure notifications are associatively outputted depending upon a correspondence relationship between real and virtual volumes.
US08006122B2
A system and method for detection of and a policy directed resolution of signaling sympathy sickness. Embodiments include a system having a communication among the members, each member having a cross-system coupling facility (XCF), and a method of managing sympathy sickness, the method including detecting a sympathy sickness condition affecting at least one of the members, documenting the sympathy sickness condition and implementing a policy rule to resolve the sympathy sickness condition.
US08006120B2
The subject invention relates to systems and methods for automatic recovery from errors in a computing environment. A system is provided to facilitate failure recovery in the computing system. The system includes at least one driver component that enumerates at least one layer of a driver stack. A module associated with the driver component requests re-enumeration of the driver stack upon detection of an error in the computing system. When an error is detected by a driver or operating system component, a protocol can be established whereby a new copy of the driver's stack or system resources is re-enumerated in parallel to existing resources that may be in an unknown or error state. The new copy of the stack may allow the driver to become operational in lieu of the previous stack which can be reclaimed for other system uses over time.
US08006119B1
The present invention allows construction of a secure, real-time operating system from a portable language such as Java that appears to be a Java virtual machine from a top perspective but provides a secure operating system from a bottom perspective. This allows portable languages, such as Java, to be used for secure embedded multiprocessor environments.
US08006117B1
The present invention allows construction of a secure, real-time operating system from a portable language such as Java that appears to be a Java virtual machine from a top perspective but provides a secure operating system from a bottom perspective. This allows portable languages, such as Java, to be used for secure embedded multiprocessor environments.
US08006115B2
One embodiment of the invention comprises, in each clock zone of a central processing unit, at least one sensor that generates a power signal indicative of a power supply voltage within the clock zone, a clock generator for providing a variable frequency clock to the clock zone, and a controller for controlling an operating frequency of the clock generator in response to the power signal and in response to frequency adjustment communications from other clock zones.
US08006112B2
Systems and methods for managing blades in the event of a power supply unit failure are disclosed. A method may include determining whether a reduced power capacity of the non-failed power supply units is sufficient to provide an aggregate minimum power requirement of the resources in response to a failure of a particular power supply unit. The method may also include powering down a low-priority resource and not powering down a second resource having a higher priority than the low-priority resource if the reduced power capacity of the non-failed power supply units is not sufficient to provide the aggregate minimum power requirement of the resources.
US08006097B2
Presently disclosed herein are a method, system, and computer-readable medium for managing a user-defined genre-based password. In one embodiment, the method includes steps for creating a genre-based tree that can be used to prompt a user in remembering a user-created password. In an exemplary embodiment, the method for creating the password includes the steps of: presenting, to a user, a first question; receiving, from the user, a first input answer to the first question; presenting, to the user, a subsequent question that is based on the first input answer to the first question; receiving, from the user, a subsequent input answer to the subsequent question; and based on the first input answer and the subsequent input answer, creating a pathway of nodes, in a genre-based tree, to a correct end-node, wherein content of the correct end-node, which is based on the subsequent input answer, provides a basis for a user-defined password, and wherein the content of the correct end-node prompts the user to remember the user-defined password.
US08006091B2
A method, apparatus and computer program product for providing failover capability of cached secure sessions is presented. A cached secure session involving a first device and a second device is identified. The cached secure session is encrypted and replicated to a failover device. The encrypted session is then decrypted on the failover device. An occurrence of a hot failover involving the second device is detected, and processing resumes between the first device and the failover device.
US08006083B2
An image forming apparatus is configured to receive user authentication information and perform image formation based on an image formation request and is connected to au external authentication server which performs authentication based on the user authentication information. The image forming apparatus comprises an authentication querying unit that queries the external authentication server for the authentication based on the user authentication information; an authentication result receiving unit that receives a result of the authentication performed by the external authentication server; an authentication result storage unit that stores the result of the authentication received by the authentication result receiving unit; and a control unit that controls the authentication querying unit, the authentication result receiving unit, and the authentication result storage unit. When the image forming apparatus receives the user authentication information, the control unit performs the authentication based on the result of the authentication stored in the authentication result storage unit.
US08006082B2
In one embodiment, a system may receive a pattern from an analysis engine, where the pattern includes information regarding a corrective action to be taken on a configuration setting of a processor, configure a performance monitor based on the pattern, collect performance monitoring information during program operation, analyze the information during the program operation, and dynamically implement the corrective action during the program operation based on the analysis. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
US08006081B2
A method of processing data is proposed. In response to determining that a reconfiguration of a data processing system has occurred, one or more system items are surveyed to identify a change to the data processing system. One or more requests for status instructions for the one or more system items are generated, and the status instructions are compiled into a data structure. In response to determining that a status instruction is present in the data structure for which no status data has been collected, a method of collection for the instruction is determined, the collection is performed according to the method to obtain the status data, and the status data is compiled in a dump data structure.
US08006078B2
Provided are a central processing unit (CPU) and method for executing a branch instruction of a CPU, which can protect user's data by preventing an error due to a computer virus and a hacker is provided. The CPU includes: a branch instruction verification unit which verifies whether a branch instruction is valid; and a branch instruction execution unit which executes the branch instruction when the branch instruction is valid. The method includes: verifying whether the branch instruction is valid; and not executing the branch instruction when the branch instruction is invalid.
US08006075B2
Systems and methods for storage of writes to memory corresponding to multiple threads. A processor comprises a store queue, wherein the queue dynamically allocates a current entry for a committed store instruction in which entries of the array may be allocated out of program order. For a given thread, the store queue conveys store data to a memory in program order. The queue is further configured to identify an entry of the plurality of entries that corresponds to an oldest committed store instruction for a given thread and determine a next entry of the array that corresponds to a next committed store instruction in program order following the oldest committed store instruction of the given thread, wherein said next entry includes data identifying the entry. The queue marks an entry as unfilled upon successful conveying of store data to the memory.
US08006072B2
A pipelined computer processor is presented that reduces data hazards such that high processor utilization is attained. The processor restructures a set of instructions to operate concurrently on multiple pieces of data in multiple passes. One subset of instructions operates on one piece of data while different subsets of instructions operate concurrently on different pieces of data. A validity pipeline tracks the priming and draining of the pipeline processor to ensure that only valid data is written to registers or memory. Pass-dependent addressing is provided to correctly address registers and memory for different pieces of data.
US08006071B2
Methods and apparatus are provided for optimizing a processor core. Common processor subcircuitry is used to perform calculations for various types of instructions, including branch and non-branch instructions. Increasing the commonality of calculations across different instruction types allows branch instructions to jump to byte aligned memory address even if supported instructions are multi-byte or word aligned.
US08006069B2
Inter-processor communication systems and methods that define within the instruction set of the microprocessor a command for directing the microprocessor to relinquish control over at least one of the microprocessor's internal registers. The microprocessor may then signal a communication interface that collects data from external sources. The communication interface takes control over the internal register released by the microprocessor and inputs the collected external data directly into the internal register of the microprocessor. Once data is place into the internal register, control of that register may be returned to the microprocessor.
US08006064B2
Methods, systems, and articles for receiving, by a lock-free vector of a computing device, a request from a thread of the computing device to write data to the lock-free vector are described herein. In various embodiments, the lock-free vector may then determine whether the lock-free vector is growing and, if the lock-free vector is not growing, may allocate a first portion of memory of the lock-free vector exclusively to the requesting thread. In some embodiments, the allocating may comprise allocating using a resource allocator of the lock-free vector.
US08006062B1
A computing system has a mode of operation in which at least two different memory parameter profiles are read by a BIOS to configure memory. In one implementation the memory parameter profiles are stored in a serial presence detect memory using an extended serial presence detect format.
US08006057B2
Circuits and methods are provided that alleviate overloading of the command address bus and limit decreases in command address bus bandwidth to allow increased numbers of memory modules to be included in a computer system. A plurality of switches is coupled between the command address bus (which is coupled to the memory controller) and a respective plurality of memory modules. Each switch provides command address bus data only to its respective memory module. Preferably, only one switch does so at a time, limiting the loading seen by the memory controller.
US08006054B2
A migration controller 4C creates, inside a migration-destination storage controller 2, a migration-destination volume 7A, a migration-destination snapshot volume 7B and a pool 7C corresponding to a migration-source volume 5A, a migration-source snapshot volume 5B, and a pool 5C, respectively. The migration controller 4C reproduces an update history of a migration-targeted generation as a write process of difference data to the migration-destination volume 7A. The migration-destination storage controller 2 constructs the migration-destination snapshot volume 7B in accordance with the update of the migration-destination volume 7A.
US08006053B2
Mirror relationships between system drives may be detected and/or configured automatically by writing a predetermined data pattern to a predetermined location within a system drive and then checking one or more other system drives for a mirrored copy of the same data pattern. If the data pattern is found in another SD, then it can be assumed that there is a mirror relationship between the two SDs. Failure to find the data pattern in another SD, or finding the data pattern in multiple other SDs, may indicate an error condition. Once mirror relationships are discovered, the mirror relationships can be configured into the file server automatically so that the engineer does not have to manually configure the mirror relationships. The same mechanism can be used to check mirror relationships from time to time, for example, to detect possible problems with the RAID system.
US08006052B1
Systems and methods for tracking portions of a logical volume that have never been written by a host
Embodiments of the invention exploit the fact that not all portions of a logical volume may include data written by a host. Accordingly, an embodiment of the invention includes setting a designated set of bits to 1 in a meta data table when a logical volume is initialized. These bits may be referred to herein as Never Written by Host (NWBH) bits. Separately, or in combination, an embodiment of the invention includes setting a NWBH bit to 0 when data is written to the associated portion of the logical volume. Separately, or in combination, an embodiment of the invention includes reading the NWBH bit upon receiving a read command associated with the associated portion of the logical volume. If the NWBH bit is equal to 1, data is not read from the associated portion of the logical volume; if the NWBH bit is equal to 0, data is read from the associated portion of the logical volume.
US08006042B2
A system and method for increasing the throughput of a processor during cache misses. During the retrieval of the cache miss data, subsequent memory requests are generated and allowed to proceed to the cache. The data for the subsequent cache hits are stored in a bypass retry device. Also, the cache miss address and memory line data may be stored by the device when they are retrieved and they may be sent them to the cache for a cache line replacement. The bypass retry device determines the priority of sending data to the processor. The priority allows the data for memory requests to be provided to the processor in the same order as they were generated from the processor without delaying subsequent memory requests after a cache miss.
US08006041B2
A prefetch processing apparatus includes a central-processing-unit monitor unit that monitors processing states of the central processing unit in association with time elapsed from start time of executing a program. A cache-miss-data address obtaining unit obtains cache-miss-data addresses in association with the time elapsed from the start time of executing the program, and a cycle determining unit determines a cycle of time required for executing the program. An identifying unit identifies a prefetch position in a cycle in which a prefetch-target address is to be prefetched by associating the cycle determined by the cycle determining unit with the cache-miss data addresses obtained by the cache-miss-data address obtaining unit. The prefetch-target address is an address of data on which prefetch processing is to be performed.
US08006038B2
The method may query the disk drive for a size where size may be a total number of logical blocks on the disk drive. The drive may receive a size response where the size includes a total number of logical blocks on the disk drive. The number of usage blocks necessary to represent the number of logical blocks on the disk drive may then be determined and usage data may be stored in the usage blocks. The data may be stored in the buffer of the disk drive. The data may also be stored in the DDF of a RAID drive. The data may be used to permit incremental backups of disk drives by backing up only the blocks that are indicated as having been changed. In addition, information about the access to the drive may be collected and stored for later analysis.
US08006035B2
A computer system having a management computer, a storage system including a plurality of RAID groups and a plurality of ports used for accessing storage areas in the plurality of RAID groups, and a plurality of computers coupled to the storage system using computer volumes, each of the computer volumes being configured by one of the RAID groups and accessed via one of the ports. A management computer executes to: receive computer performance information from the plurality of computers, receive resource information indicating a resource of the storage system, the resource being one of the plurality of RAID groups or one of the plurality of ports, and display a part of the computer performance information, which is performance information related to a part of the plurality of computers using a part of the computer volumes related to the resource of the storage system indicated by the resource information.
US08006031B2
The invention relates to a memory system which is connected to a host system by means of a host bus (HB). Said system contains a memory controller (FC) having an internal memory (IR) and flash memory chips (F1 . . . Fn) which are organised in individually deletable memory blocks. Said blocks contain a plurality of writeable and readable memory sectors, and the sectors are divided into sector sections which are secured by an ECC-word. The sectors are temporarily stored in the alternating sector buffers (SB1, SB2) in order to communicate with the host system and are transmitted between the sector buffers (SB1, SB2) and the flash memory chips (F1 . . . Fn), by means of a direct-flash-access-unit (DFA), without having to be temporarily stored in the internal memory (IR) of the memory controller (FC).
US08006013B2
The disclosure relates to a method and apparatus to efficiently address livelock in a multi-processor system. In one embodiment, the disclosure is directed to a method for preventing a system bus livelock in a system having a plurality of processors communicating respectively through a plurality of bus masters to a plurality of IO Controllers across a system bus by: receiving at an MMIO state machine a plurality of snoop commands issued from the plurality of processors, identifying a first processor and a second processor from the plurality of processors, each of the first processor and the second processor having a first number of snoop commands in the input queue and a second number of responses in the output queue, the first number and the second number exceeding a threshold; issuing a burst prevention response to the first processor and the second process.
US08006012B2
A data storage system is provided. The data storage system includes a first storage module for storing a first data, a second storage module for storing a second data, a control module and a processing module. The control module generates a first control signal and a second control signal, and accesses the first data and the second data according to the first control signal and the second control signal. The processing module is coupled to the first storage module, the second storage module and the control module, and controls the first storage module and the second storage module to transmit the first data and the second data to the control module according to the first control signal and the second control signal respectively, wherein the processing module bypasses the second storage module when receiving the first control signal.
US08006003B2
An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for enqueue prioritization. The apparatus for enqueue prioritization is provided with a plurality of modules configured to functionally execute the steps of holding one or more queued requests in a queue, sorting the queued requests according to a first priority identifier associated with each of the queued requests, and assigning a second priority identifier to a delayed request in response to a determination that the delayed request has resided in the queue for a predetermined length of time, wherein the second priority identifier indicates a higher priority than the first priority identifier indicates. These modules in the described embodiments include a queue module, a sorting module, and a reassignment module.
US08005991B2
A virtual machine image (VMI) repository stores a set of VMIs. A subset of the VMIs can be associated with a designated user. In response to receiving a request from a remote device identifying the designated user, a list of the subset of VMIs is communicated to the remote device via a network. The user can select one of the VMIs from the list and the VMI repository can provide the selected VMI to the remote device. The user is thereby permitted to select a VMI suited to a particular use or environment, such as a VMI associated with a work environment.
US08005984B2
A method, system and article of manufacture are disclosed for quiescing multiplexed client messaging conversations. The invention uses plural independent mutexes to stop the application sends from both ends of a client/server channel, while allowing unsolicited control flows from the server to client to also be handled and quiesced. Once the channel is quiesced a channel-wide renegotiation, such as SSL secret key reset, can flow. The channel can then restart, again with the possibility of unsolicited server to client flows. The preferred embodiment of the invention provides a number of important advantages. For example, this embodiment allows channel-wide negotiation flows to occur on a multiplexed channel without the need to wait for application conversations to complete. It also allows channel-wide negotiation flows to occur on a multiplexed channel on which unsolicited server to client flows can occur.
US08005982B2
A method and computer system is provided for storing a data file in a peer-to-peer network of computer systems according to a selectable service level. Each computer system offers storage services at one of a set of service levels, the method comprising assigning to each of the computer systems respective peer identifiers from a metric space in such a way that the distance between peer identifiers of computer systems offering storage at the same service level is smaller than between peer identifiers of computer systems offering storage at different service levels.
US08005978B1
A technique for optimally balancing the load between a series of coprocessors that takes into consideration the load associated with each coprocessor. A cost associated with a packet is determined. This cost along with the coprocessor's current load is used to determine an anticipated load. The anticipated load is used to select a coprocessor that is to process the packet. In one embodiment, the coprocessor with the minimal anticipated load is selected. In another embodiment, an output port associated with the packet is checked to determine if it is congested. If so, a coprocessor other than the coprocessor with the minimum load is selected.
US08005970B2
Systems and methods of the present invention allow for managing multiple social websites. An exemplary method may comprise the steps of registering a domain name to a Registrant, generating a Social Domain (that corresponds to a social website) by concatenating at least one subdomain to the Registrant's domain name, mapping the Social Domain to a URL for the Registrant's social website webpage, entering the Social Domain in a browser, and displaying the Registrant's social website webpage.
US08005968B2
Systems, methods, and computer media for loading initial maximum transmission unit (MTU) information and determining a destination host PMTU are provided. PMTU is the maximum data unit size that can be transmitted from a source host to a destination host because of a limiting component located somewhere in the path. Initial MTU values are determined from local and network sources, including a central repository, and loaded. A PMTU is then determined for a path between a source host and destination host by selecting an MTU value from the available values. If no MTU values are available for a destination host, a default value is used.
US08005965B2
A methodology for providing secure session management is presented. After a single-use token has been issued to a client, it presents the token, and the server may identify the client based upon the presented token. However, the token may be used only once without being refreshed prior to re-use, thereby causing the token to be essentially reissued upon each use. The token comprises a session identifier that allows the issuer of the token to perform session management with respect to the receiving entity. Tokens can be classified into two types: domain tokens and service tokens. Domain tokens represent a client identity to a secure domain, and service tokens represent a client identity to a specific service. A domain token may be used with any service within a domain that recognizes the domain token, but a service token is specific to the service from which it was obtained.
US08005957B2
Prioritizing network traffic among two or more distinct channels of communication within a single application in a node configured to communicate with one or more other nodes over a network is disclosed. For a particular time quantum, a bandwidth quantum may be distributed amongst two or more communication channels according to priorities associated with those channels.
US08005955B2
A client-server application is provided to clients across a network. Requests from the client are accepted by a reliable proxy and sent to master and standby configurations of the client-server application. Each configuration processes the request to produce master and standby responses respectively. The proxy selects one response based on various criteria including a length being greater than the other response by more than a fixed value. The selected response is returned to the client over the internet. The configuration producing the selected response is thereafter designated as the master configuration. A recovery process may be initiated on the unselected configuration.
US08005953B2
A switched file system, also termed a file switch, is logically positioned between client computers and file servers in a computer network. The file switch distributes user files among multiple file servers using aggregated file, transaction and directory mechanisms. The file switch supports caching of a particular aggregated data file either locally in a client computer or in the file switch in accordance with the exclusivity level of an opportunistic lock granted to the entity that requested caching. The opportunistic lock can be obtained either on the individual data files stored in the file servers or on the metadata files that contain the location of each individual data files in the file servers. The opportunistic lock can be broken if another client tries to access the aggregated data file. Opportunistic locks allows client-side caching while preserving data integrity and consistency, hence the performance of the switched file system is increased.
US08005952B2
A method and system for selecting and connecting to an access point in a wireless network of devices, such as a Bluetooth network. Initially, an initiator device is preconfigured with a list of available access point addresses. The initiator device broadcasts an inquiry message that is received by available wireless devices which, in turn, respond with their respective addresses, occupancy level and device classification. The initiator device compares the respondent addresses with the preconfigured access point addresses and connects to a match, thus terminating the inquiry, provided certain fitness functions are satisfied. The fitness functions might include such considerations as occupancy rate, device classification, signal strength, or physical distance of separation. The list of addresses on the initiator device is updated automatically upon connecting with a network server whenever a new device is added or an old one removed from the network server's access point address list.
US08005946B2
An intra Web-page navigation history mechanism allows history points to be tracked even for state transitions within the same Web page. A Web page may be subjected to a number of different state changes as the Web application executes. Along the way, a number of the state changes may be tracked as history points. When a history point is created, associated state is also recorded. When the history point is again navigated to, a navigation event may be raised along with the associated state for the history point. Various components (whether on the server or client) may listen to that event and reconstruct their respective states by using selective portions of the reconstruction state.
US08005942B2
To group plural applications and integrally manage their presence information. A presence server includes plural clients that receive services from application servers providing plural services, and a presence information that manages presence information of applications and group information. The presence server receives presence information registration from the application clients, updates presence information of all applications having the same group ID as that of an application of presence information registration source in an application type registration table according to the content of registered presence information, and reflects its result in a presence information table.
US08005938B2
A management network for managing networks managed individually by a plurality of groups, wherein authorization and unauthorization of access for supervision and control are automatically set. Each network element is assigned a TID, as a prefix, having a group ID identifying a group to which the network element belongs. Topology information considered from each network element to all network elements includes a group ID. When a group ID included in the received topology information matches the prefix of the TID assigned to its own network element, the source is registered at the authorized side of the access authorization list (step 1012), while when it does not match, it is registered at the unauthorized side (step 1016).
US08005933B2
A servlet filter receives all incoming requests for dynamic content and can be used to ensure that the load on a server does not become too great during the time the server is engaged in start-up. The filter is configured to be the first filter encountered and will evaluate a series of conditions to determine if the request is to be throttled. For selected URLs, a given percentage of the first requests received after start-up are automatically throttled. If the request is throttled, a message is sent to the user that the server is busy but to try later. Servlets that are not throttled are allowed to flow through to be processed normally.
US08005930B2
A system for extending an enterprise resource planning application is provided. The system employs “Add-ins” that each have a functional behavior that is independent of the client on which it executes and a user interface behavior that is dependent on the characteristics of the display, and other characteristics, of the client (i.e., a display target). When a user attempts to invoke an Add-in via the client runtime, the client runtime determines whether the Add-in is available at the user's computer. If not, the client runtime downloads the appropriate artifact for execution at the user's computer. In this environment, neither the client runtime nor the server-side business logic contains the logic used to implement a particular Add-in behavior on the supported display targets. Instead, this logic is contained within separate artifacts associated with a single Add-in having a particular behavior, each artifact implementing the behavior for a specific display target.
US08005929B1
A computer system and method for updating a software product. A computer system includes at least one client coupled to a server. The server obtains updates of a software product and associates the updates with ports. The server receives a query from a client including a request for a software product update via a first port. In response to receiving the update query, the server opens a connection to the client via the first port and determines if an update is associated with the first port. If an update is associated with the first port, the server conveys a response to the client including an update that is associated with the first port. If an update is not associated with the first port, the server closes the connection. Ports are sequentially numbered. The server maps updates to ports based on timestamps associated with the updates.
US08005919B2
Information may be presented to a user by using a first application to receive a character stream of one or more noncompletion characters. The noncompletion characters indicate that additional characters may be received. The character stream is exchanged with a host that analyzes the character stream to generate results that are responsive to the user's predicted interest. Results are received and displayed so that the user may select one of the results to launch a code segment related to the selected result.
US08005918B2
A storage device (300) has partitions (310A, 310B, 310C, 320A, 320B, 320C, 330) that are separately addressed by distinct IP addresses (IP1, IP2, IP3, IP4, IP5, IP7, IP9). This allows direct access of the partitions (310A, 310B, 310C, 320A, 320B, 320C, 330), on a peer-to-peer basis, by any other device that can communicate using IP. Preferred storage devices support spanning between or among partitions of the same device, as well as between or among different storage devices. Both multicast and proxy spanning are contemplated. Combinations of the inventive storage devices with each other, and with prior art storage devices are contemplated, in all manner of mirroring and other arrangements. In still other aspects of the invention, a given storage device can comprise one or more types of media, including any combination of rotating and non-rotating media, magnetic and optical, and so forth.
US08005915B2
The present invention relates to a method for providing a download and upload service using variable length packet communication in a living network control system. A user located inside or outside a house controls or monitors operations or operation states of various appliances such as refrigerator or laundry machine through a living network installed at home, such as a RS-485 network, small output network, or power line network so that convenience of remote control and supervision can be provided to a user. Further, in a case where a download or upload service is executed in a living network in which various appliances connected thereto, variable length packet communication, which is capable of dividing data by the buffer size of a device, and then sending and assembling the data, is used so that a download and upload service for various appliances connected through the living network can be effectively executed.
US08005913B1
Systems and methods for controlling, filtering, and monitoring mobile device access to the internet are disclosed. According to an embodiment a server is responsible for controlling, filtering and monitoring internet activity. For every request, the server interacts with back-end databases that categorize requests, and based on user/carrier/corporate settings, allow or disallow access to particular content.
US08005908B2
A system for detecting information leakage in e-mails using neural network and support vector machines is provided. This system does not use the content of the e-mail or the content of the attachments in the e-mail. Instead, a set of non-sensitive variables or attributes is picked from the e-mails originating from a given establishment and also from the profiles of the users sending those mails. The said attributes are extracted for all outbound mails. This extraction process does not involve reading the main text of the mail and thus the sensitivity of the mail information is protected. These attributes are chosen using filters built into the detection hardware. Neural networks and support vector machine built into the detection hardware are then used on these attributes to detect pattern violation and possible information leakage.
US08005902B2
The speed of generating and transmitting electronic messages to one or more recipients over a communication link is dramatically increased. When processing a new outgoing message for transmission, the system identifies one or more portions of the message as belonging to a particular category included in a number of predetermined types of values. For each portion that is not already present in a category, the corresponding value is obtained and stored along with the message portion in the category. For each outgoing message that includes one portion that matches one or more of the portions stored, the system uses the stored values for the matching message portions of the outgoing messages, instead of performing processing on those message portions. Thus, instead of processing an entire outgoing message for transmission, the system only needs to process the portion of the message that is not found in any of the categories.
US08005899B2
A sending device locates and stores identifying information for each electronic message sent by the device. A receiving device, upon receipt of an electronic message, locates identifying information for the electronic message and the purported sending device of the message. The receiving device communicates a confirmation request to the purported sending device which contains identifying information for the message. The sending device receives confirmation messages and replies to such messages confirming that the message was sent if identifying information in the confirmation request corresponds to identifying information stored by the sending device and denying that the message was sent if the identifying information in the confirmation request does not correspond to stored data.
US08005895B2
Users attempting to join a conference facilitated by an enhanced communication system employing a network communication protocol such as SIP and having a distributed architecture are enabled to request the conference through a numeric conference identifier. The conference directory identifier is assigned to an associated resource, rather than directly to a pool of resources in the communication system. If a pool is decommissioned, any conference directories with remaining data may be assigned to other pools, like users may be moved, to ensure continuity of the system.
US08005884B2
A system and method for efficient floating-point rounding in computer systems. A computer system may include at least one floating-point unit for floating-point arithmetic operations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, division and square root. For the division operation, the constraints for the remainder may be relaxed in order to reduce the area for look-up tables. An extra internal precision bit may not be used. Only one quotient may be calculated, rather than two, further reducing needed hardware to perform the rounding. Comparison logic may be required that may add a couple of cycles to the rounding computation beyond the calculation of the remainder. However, the extra latency is much smaller than a second floating-point multiply accumulate latency.
US08005883B2
The present invention provides apparatus, methods, and computer program products that can decrease the latency with which the coefficients of a function representative of signal are determined. Specifically, the apparatus, methods, and computer program products of the present invention, taking advantage of the independence of samples, updates each of the coefficients of the function as each sample is received. As such, when the final sample is received, the apparatus, methods, and computer program products of the present invention need only update each coefficient with the contribution of the last sample prior to outputting the coefficients. As such, the latency from the time the last sample is received and the availability of the coefficients is decreased. To further decrease the latency, in one embodiment, the apparatus, methods, and computer program products of the present invention prestore either all or a portion of the possible values of the contribution of a sample to each coefficient, such that. As such, when the sample is received, the apparatus, methods, and computer program products of the present invention evaluate the value of the sample and retrieve the appropriate value from the prestored values that corresponds to the coefficient, sample, and value of the sample, thereby decreasing the time required to determine the coefficients. The apparatus, methods, and computer program products of the present invention also allow individual or subsets of the coefficients to be observed and also allow individual or subsets of the coefficients to be determined in varying resolutions.
US08005877B2
Documents having a structured nature such as contracts, legislation, etc. can be graphically depicted to emphasize their logical structure. In a document mapping method, a set of logical operator classes each representing a logical operator may be defined. Each logical operator class may also have a dedicated mapping symbol. Through a mapping interface, logically structured document sections may be mapped. Each document section will typically include a logical operator and one or more requirements logically associated with the logical operator. The mapping symbol may depict the logical operator in a node structure and the unique requirements in branch structures extending from the logical operator node. Multiple document sections may be graphically and logically linked, including embedding document structures within the requirement fields of parent structures. The document map may be used to determine compliance with a document, costs of compliance, etc.
US08005874B2
A item data management server having the capability to create a data tag from a physical item data record, where the physical item data record is based upon a physical item in the control of a user. The data tag creation facilitates the identification, maintenance and upkeep of the inventory of physical items, and also provides a feature for providing information relating to the physical items to the user/owner as well as to third-party service providers, such as insurers, and to governmental authorities, such as in the event of theft, to aid in the recovery of the physical items.
US08005870B1
A system and method for syntax abstraction in query language generation in an online analytical processing system, a business intelligence system, a reporting system, or a data mining system. The system generates one or more query language statements that can be run against one or more data sources to return a desired data result set. The system includes a syntax pattern selector module and a statement assembly module. The syntax pattern selector module selects a syntax pattern corresponding to a desired function and a syntax standard. The statement assembly module populates the syntax pattern with an argument data set associated with the desired data set. The result is the generation of one or more query language statements with the correct function, syntax, and data parameters to return the desired data result set from the data sources. A method and medium having processor readable code therein are also described.
US08005869B2
Method for compressing search tree structures used in rule classification is provided. The method includes classifying packets based on filter rules, compressing a tree structure comprising multiple levels of single bit test nodes and leaf nodes, storing the compressed tree structure in a first memory structure of a storage such that the multiple levels of single bit test nodes and leaf nodes can be accessed from the first memory structure through a single memory access of the storage, collecting single bit test nodes of the tree structure that are in a lowest level of the tree structure, storing only the collected single bit test nodes within a second memory structure of the storage that is contiguous to the first memory structure, collecting leaf nodes of the tree structure, and storing only the collected leaf nodes within a third memory structure of the storage that is contiguous to second memory structure.
US08005864B2
Systems and methods for processing an index are described. An index may be merged with another index of comparable age and size into a single index. Since older indexes are less likely to need updating, they are “set aside” to age based on certain adaptive criteria such as the age and size of the index, percentage of deletions, and how long it takes to update the index. An index that has been set aside may be compacted into a format that is optimized for fast searching.
US08005861B2
Cluster storage is disclosed. A data stream or a data block is received. The data stream or the data block is broken into segments. For each segment, a cluster node is selected, and a portion of the segment smaller than the segment is identified that is a duplicate of a portion of a segment already managed by the cluster node.
US08005851B2
A sparsely populated, streaming virtual disk may be used with a virtual application to enable fast launching of a virtual application from a network server. The virtual disk may be configured and populated in blocks, enabling those blocks that are used at a particular time to be downloaded and stored in the virtual disk. As other blocks are requested by the virtual application, those blocks may be fetched from the network server. Each block may be validated using a hash tree or some other function so that the recipient may verify authenticity and completeness. In some embodiments, a virtual application may be configured and deployed as a single file, enabling simple version control among other things.
US08005837B2
Disclosed is a method for inserting contents provided by external web server in community homepage. Community manager sets up key word or search category regarding interest contents, the key word and search category information is transmitted to predetermined web server. The web server derives contents corresponding to key word and search category, the derived contents information is transmitted to community server from the web server. The community server transforms search result information into HTML format and insert in community homepage. Users of community can obtain information which is not uploaded by community members.
US08005822B2
A computer-implemented method includes receiving a search query from a remote device, determining if the search query includes location-related information, and if the search query includes location-related information, generating a first result set based on the search query and the location-related information, and if the search query does not include location-related information, determining whether a location indicator is associated with the remote device, and if a location indicator is associated with the remote device, generating a second result set based on the search query and the location indicator.
US08005821B2
Systems and methods for injecting noise into secure function evaluation to protect the privacy of the participants and for computing a collective noisy result by combining results and noise generated based on input from the participants. When implemented using distributed computing devices, each device may have access to a subset of data. A query may be distributed to the devices, and each device applies the query to its own subset of data to obtain a subset result. Each device then divides its subset result into one or more shares, and the shares are combined to form a collective result. The devices may also generate random bits. The random bits may be combined and used to generate noise. The collective result can be combined with the noise to obtain a collective noisy result.
