Patents Issued in November 18, 2008
  • Patent number: 7453023
    Abstract: Described herein are methods to enhance the production of more highly fermentable carbohydrates in plants, especially forage grasses. The invention provides for transgenic plants transformed with expression vectors containing a DNA sequence encoding ferulic acid esterase I from Aspergillus, preferably A. niger. The expression vectors may optionally comprise a DNA sequence encoding xylanase from Trichoderma, preferably T. reesei. Expression of the enzyme(s) is targeted to specific cellular compartments, in specific tissues and under specific environmental conditions. Uses of this invention include, but are not limited to, forage with improved digestibility for livestock, and enhanced biomass conversion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Genencor International, Inc.
    Inventors: Nigel Dunn-Coleman, Timothy Langdon, Phillip Morris
  • Patent number: 7453024
    Abstract: The invention relates to the field of genetic engineering of flavor, fragrance and bio-control agent development. More specifically it relates to a process for production of natural flavors, fragrances or bio-control agents by the control of one or more genes implicated in that process. The invention provides an isolated or recombinant nucleic acid or functional fragment thereof encoding a proteinaceous molecule essentially capable of flavor, fragrance and/or bio-control agent synthesis when provided with a suitable substrate under appropriate reaction conditions. The invention further provides a nucleic acid or functional fragment thereof encoding a proteinaceous molecule essentially capable of synthesizing at least a monoterpene alcohol linalool when contacted with geranyl diphosphate (GPP) and/or at least a sesquiterpene alcohol nerolidol when contacted with farnesyl diphosphate (FPP) under appropriate reaction conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignees: De Ruiter Seeds R&D B.V., Enza Zaden Beheer B.V.
    Inventors: Asaph Aharoni, Maarten Anthonie Jongsma, Henricus Adrianus Verhoeven, Hendrik Jan Bouwmeester
  • Patent number: 7453025
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the regulation of reproductive development, particularly to the genetic ablation of reproductive tissues in angiosperm and gymnosperm species. Reproductive-preferred promoters, regulatory elements, and cytotoxic nucleotide sequences are disclosed herein, as are constructs and methods for genetic ablation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Arborgen, LLC
    Inventors: William H. Rottmann, Kim H. Norris-Caneda, Chunsheng Zhang
  • Patent number: 7453026
    Abstract: A lettuce cultivar, designated 51-0501050-B, is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of lettuce cultivar 51-0501050-B, to the plants of lettuce cultivar 51-0501050-B and to methods for producing a lettuce plant by crossing the cultivar 51-0501050-B with itself or another lettuce cultivar. The invention further relates to methods for producing a lettuce plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic lettuce plants and plant parts produced by those methods. This invention also relates to lettuce cultivars or breeding cultivars and plant parts derived from lettuce cultivar 51-0501050-B, to methods for producing other lettuce cultivars, lines or plant parts derived from lettuce cultivar 51-0501050-B and to the lettuce plants, varieties, and their parts derived from the use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid lettuce seeds, plants, and plant parts produced by crossing cultivar 51-0501050-B with another lettuce cultivar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Shamrock Seed Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Larry D. Knerr
  • Patent number: 7453027
    Abstract: A lettuce cultivar, designated 21-0406192-B, is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of lettuce cultivar 21-0406192-B, to the plants of lettuce cultivar 21-0406192-B and to methods for producing a lettuce plant by crossing the cultivar 21-0406192-B with itself or another lettuce cultivar. The invention further relates to methods for producing a lettuce plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic lettuce plants and plant parts produced by those methods. This invention also relates to lettuce cultivars or breeding cultivars and plant parts derived from lettuce cultivar 21-0406192-B, to methods for producing other lettuce cultivars, lines or plant parts derived from lettuce cultivar 21-0406192-B and to the lettuce plants, varieties, and their parts derived from the use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid lettuce seeds, plants, and plant parts produced by crossing cultivar 21-0406192-B with another lettuce cultivar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Shamrock Seed Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Larry D. Knerr
  • Patent number: 7453028
    Abstract: A soybean cultivar designated S060077 is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of soybean cultivar S060077, to the plants of soybean S060077, to plant parts of soybean cultivar S060077 and to methods for producing a soybean plant produced by crossing soybean cultivar S060077 with itself or with another soybean variety. The invention also relates to methods for producing a soybean plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic soybean plants and plant parts produced by those methods. This invention also relates to soybean cultivars or breeding cultivars and plant parts derived from soybean variety S060077, to methods for producing other soybean cultivars, lines or plant parts derived from soybean cultivar S060077 and to the soybean plants, varieties, and their parts derived from use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid soybean seeds, plants and plant parts produced by crossing the cultivar S060077 with another soybean cultivar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignees: Stine Seed Farm, Inc., Monsanto Technology LLC
    Inventor: William H. Eby
  • Patent number: 7453029
    Abstract: A soybean cultivar designated 5723264 is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of soybean cultivar 5723264, to the plants of soybean 5723264, to plant parts of soybean cultivar 5723264 and to methods for producing a soybean plant produced by crossing soybean cultivar 5723264 with itself or with another soybean variety. The invention also relates to methods for producing a soybean plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic soybean plants and plant parts produced by those methods. This invention also relates to soybean cultivars or breeding cultivars and plant parts derived from soybean variety 5723264, to methods for producing other soybean cultivars, lines or plant parts derived from soybean cultivar 5723264 and to the soybean plants, varieties, and their parts derived from use of those methods. The invention further relates to hybrid soybean seeds, plants and plant parts produced by crossing the cultivar 5723264 with another soybean cultivar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignees: Stine Seed Farm, Inc., Monsanto Technology LLC
    Inventor: William H. Eby
  • Patent number: 7453030
    Abstract: According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the corn variety designated I106999. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety I106999, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety I106999 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to corn seeds and plants produced by crossing plants of variety I106999 with plants of another variety, such as another inbred line. The invention further relates to the inbred and hybrid genetic complements of plants of variety I106999.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Monsanto Technology LLC
    Inventor: Gary R. Stangland
  • Patent number: 7453031
    Abstract: According to the invention, there is provided seed and plants of the hybrid corn variety designated CH974077. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of the variety CH974077, and to methods for producing a corn plant produced by crossing a corn plant of variety CH974077 with itself or with another corn plant, such as a plant of another variety. The invention further relates to genetic complements of plants of variety CH974077.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Monsanto Technology LLC
    Inventor: Donald L. Bockelman
  • Patent number: 7453032
    Abstract: New, distinct and stable cultivars of double-flowering Kalanchoe interspecific hybrids are disclosed. Double-flowering Kalanchoe interspecific hybrids produce one or more flowers with at least 5 full or partial petals per flower. Double-type K. blossfeldiana×K. laciniata, K. blossfeldiana×K. rotundifolia, K. blossfeldiana×K. aromatica, K. blossfeldiana×K. pubescens, K. blossfeldiana×K. grandiflora, K. blossfeldiana×K. citrina, K. blossfeldiana×K. ambolensis, K. blossfeldiana×K. faustii, K. blossfeldiana×K. schumacherii, K. blossfeldiana×K. pritwitzii, K. blossfeldiana×K. flammea, K. blossfeldiana×K. figueredoi, K. blossfeldiana×K. rauhii, K. blossfeldiana×K. obtusa, K. blossfeldiana×K. pumila, K. blossfeldiana×K. marmorata, K. blossfeldiana×K. porphyrocalux, K. blossfeldiana×K. jongmansii, K. blossfeldiana×K. pinnata, K. blossfeldiana×K. diagremontiana, K. blossfeldiana×K. gracilipes, K. blossfeldiana×K. campanulata, K. blossfeldiana×K. latisepela, K. blossfeldiana×K. coccinea, K. blossfeldiana×K.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Knud Jepsen A/S
    Inventors: Knud Jepsen, Ellen Christensen
  • Patent number: 7453033
    Abstract: A detachable and portable top pickup for a musical stringed instrument, comprising a clamp having an open end for attaching a top pickup on a pickup holder to a section of a guitar and a connector coupling the top pickup to an elongated bar, the connector allowing the top pickup to slide along the length of the elongated bar. A second clamp can be used to attach to another section of the guitar to get a stronger and more balanced hold for the top pickup. The clamps allow the top pickup to be removed, transferred or reinstalled without causing any damage on the surface of the guitar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Inventor: Charlie Gordon Redard
  • Patent number: 7453034
    Abstract: A protective cover for an electric string instrument including a generally U-shaped cradle having a flexible front member connected to a flexible back member by a flexible edge member. An upper fin-engaging portion of the edge member can be adapted to fit over the upper fin of the electric string instrument. A flexible loop can be attached to the back member and adapted to fit over a lower fin on the instrument to hold the generally U-shaped cradle to it. An upper fin-engaging portion of the edge member can fit over the upper fin of the electric string instrument. A flexible loop can be attached to the back member and adapted to fit over the instrument's lower fin to hold the generally U-shaped cradle to it. The flexible edge member can also include at least one strap button opening to fit over any strap buttons located along the peripheral edge the instrument. A pick guard can be fixed to the front side of the instrument. A back plate can be fixed to the back side of the instrument.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Inventor: Robert W Johnson
  • Patent number: 7453035
    Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of a method of selecting a portion of an input of a musical instrument within a display window in a graphical user interface for staff-based musical notation and a computer readable medium containing a program code for selecting the portion are summarized here. An octave picker on the input of the musical instrument is displayed within the display window. The octave picker is moved to a desired portion on the input of the musical instrument. An enlarged view of at least the desired portion of the input is displayed. For one embodiment, the octave picker is moved after receiving selection of the desired portion on the input of the musical instrument. For another embodiment, the octave picker is moved to the desired portion after receiving selection and a user manipulation of the octave picker. The octave picker is displayed over the desired portion on the input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Matt Evans, Timothy E. Wasko
  • Patent number: 7453036
    Abstract: A method for teaching reading of musical notes and playing the piano by introducing notes/keys in alphabetically sequential groups starting at the beginning of the musical alphabet with “A” in the middle set of seven alphabetical notes on the Grand Staff and middle set of keys on the keyboard and proceeding to a higher set of seven alphabetical notes/keys and then a lower set of seven alphabetical notes/keys. A separate page is devoted to each note along with an explanation of where the note appears on a musical clef. Notes are learned alphabetically in groups of seven alphabetically-sequential notes/keys rather than simply by finger position/patterns. Students are taught to play either clef (bass and treble) with either hand using musical pieces specifically designed to teach each note individually and in combination as it is added to the student's repertoire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Inventor: Beverly Henkel
  • Patent number: 7453037
    Abstract: A musical performance apparatus has an I/O unit including a digital signal processor (DSP) and a plurality of application-specific integrated circuits (ASIC), which are connected together in a cascade connection manner and each of which includes a plurality of shift registers. The DSP produces drive signals for driving a plurality of operators (e.g., keys and pedals) based on performance data. In synchronization with a serial clock signal, drive signals are transferred in a serial manner from the DSP to the shift registers. In synchronization with a word sync signal based on the serial clock signal, detection signals representing displacements of the operators are transferred in parallel to the shift registers, which in turn output drive signals in parallel. Both of the serial clock signal and word sync signal are produced using a single clock generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Jun Ishii, Yasuhiko Oba
  • Patent number: 7453038
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a musical piece extraction program stored in a computer-readable storage medium, the program causing a computer to perform a process including the steps of, detecting a musical piece likeliness of each of pieces of processing-unit data that constitute input audio data, based on a result of the detection of the musical piece likeliness, identifying a musical piece candidate section within the audio data, based on the musical piece candidate section and musical piece information acquired from an external server, determining a musical piece section within the audio data, and recording the musical piece information onto a recording medium so as to be associated with the musical piece section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Takashi Koike
  • Patent number: 7453039
    Abstract: A system and method for generating a haptic feedback signal correlated to a music signal and providing the haptic feedback signal to a musical instrument. The music signal can created by the musical instrument or from a file, e.g., a MIDI file. A processor can generate the haptic feedback signal using a look-up table in which the music signal is mapped to a corresponding haptic feedback signal or can compute the corresponding haptic feedback signal based on the parameters of the music signal. The processor provides the haptic feedback signal to an actuator for causing a haptic effect at the musical instrument in response to receiving the haptic feedback signal. The haptic feedback signal can be applied to an input member, such as a key on a keyboard or a string on a guitar, or to the housing of the musical instrument, such as the neck of a guitar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Immersion Corporation
    Inventor: Christophe Ramstein
  • Patent number: 7453040
    Abstract: A musical instrument may include a musical instrument body, a vibrating element associated with the musical instrument body for producing musical sounds, a transducer coupled to a portion of the vibrating element to apply forces to the vibrating element, a sensor responsive to forces between the transducer and the vibrating element and a signal conditioner responsive to forces sensed by the sensor for altering the forces applied by the transducer to the vibrating element to alter the vibrations of the vibrating element. Alternately, a structure may be included supporting the vibrating element to permit vibrations, the structure coupled to the vibrating element to modify the vibrations in response to a drive signal and to produce an electrical signal related to the vibrations of the vibrating element and a signal conditioner responsive to forces sensed by the sensor for altering the forces applied by the transducer to the vibrating element to alter the vibrations of the vibrating element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Inventor: Stephen Gillette
  • Patent number: 7453041
    Abstract: A superconducting cable assembly includes a first annular passage disposed concentrically around the superconducting cable and having first and second ends and an inlet, a second annular passage disposed concentrically around the first passage and having first and second ends, wherein at least one of the first and second ends of the second passage is in communication with at least one of the first and second ends of the first passage, the second passage further having an outlet. A coolant provided by a cryogenic refrigeration system is directed through the inlet, passes through the first passage in a first direction, passes through the second passage in a second direction opposite to the first direction and exits the assembly through the outlet. With this arrangement, the superconducting cable is cooled to the critical temperature by coolant flowing through the first passage and the coolant flowing through the second passage intercepts ambient heat so as to act as a heat shield for the first passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: American Superconductor Corporation
    Inventors: James F. Maguire, Michael McCarthy
  • Patent number: 7453042
    Abstract: A sealing assembly for a cable to apparatus electrical interconnection. The assembly having a unitary cylindrical gasket, the outer diameter of the cylindrical gasket provided with an insertion opening to an interconnection cavity; the insertion opening having a generally circle sector shape at a cable end and an apparatus end, the insertion opening extending between the cable end and the apparatus end along the outer diameter. A generally C-shaped outer shell is dimensioned to seat along the outer diameter, the outer shell having outward protruding edge lips aligned with the insertion opening along the outer diameter. The edge lips movable towards one another to a closed position wherein the insertion opening is closed around the electrical interconnection; and means for retaining, such as a locking bar that fits over the edge lips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Andrew LLC
    Inventors: David Low, Albert Cox, Richard Korczak
  • Patent number: 7453043
    Abstract: A composition for manufacturing insulation materials of an electrical wire having a multilayer structure, which is used for manufacturing a first insulation coating layer made of a composition including a predetermined base resin, an antioxidant and a co-crosslinking agent so as to surround a conductor or a conductor bundle for an electrical wire; a second insulation coating layer made of a composition including a base resin polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), a predetermined antioxidant and a co-crosslinking agent so as to surround the first insulation coating layer, and an electrical wire manufactured using the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: LS Cable Ltd.
    Inventors: Do-Hyun Park, Il-Gun Seo
  • Patent number: 7453044
    Abstract: An electrical wire and a method of making an electrical wire are provided. The electrical wire has a conductor and a covering, wherein the covering has a thermoplastic composition having a poly(arylene ether), a polyolefin and a polymeric compatibilizer. The thermoplastic composition may further include a flame retardant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Sabic Innovative Plastics IP B.V.
    Inventors: Vijay R Mhetar, Vijay Rajamani, Kristopher Rexius, Sho Sato, Xiangyang Tai
  • Patent number: 7453045
    Abstract: Disclosed are a rigid-flexible PCB and a method for fabricating the rigid-flexible PCB. Characterized by using a liquid crystalline polymer for the formation of coverlay over flexible regions, the all-layer processing method has the advantage of preventing interlayer delamination, thereby providing a highly reliable rigid-flexible PCB which thus meets the recent requirements of electric appliances for low energy consumption, high frequency adoption, and slimness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co. Ltd
    Inventors: Bum-Young Myoung, Dek-Gin Yang, Dong-Kuk Kim
  • Patent number: 7453046
    Abstract: A fixing member is spaced from a head actuator by a predetermined distance. A flexible printed circuit board extends at least from the head actuator to the fixing member. The flexible printed circuit board is superposed on the surface of the fixing member. A viscoelastic layer and a protecting layer are overlaid on the surface of the flexible printed circuit board. A clip clips all the fixing member, the flexible printed circuit board, the viscoelastic layer and the protecting layer together. When a head slider is positioned, the head actuator changes its attitude relative to a recording disk. The inertial force based on the rotation causes the first flexible printed circuit board to vibrate when the actuator block stops rotating. The viscoelastic layer serves to absorb this residual vibration of the first flexible printed circuit board. Vibration of the flexible printed circuit board can be suppressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Mitsuhiro Izumi, Mitsuaki Yoshida, Hisashi Kaneko, Tsuneyori Ino, Yukihiro Komura, Shinji Fujimoto, Kei Funabashi
  • Patent number: 7453047
    Abstract: A cable duct (1) is provided for wall mounting a cable. The duct includes a cable acceptance region (2) and a lower terminating section (3) for arrangement on the floor and for covering the edges of floor coverings. The cable acceptance region (2) has a cable acceptance housing (4) attached to the wall in the mounted state, and a removable cover (5). The removal of the cover provides access to the interior (6) of the cable acceptance housing (4). The lower terminating section (3) is permanently connected to the cable acceptance housing (4) so that the lower terminating section (3), even with the cover (5) removed in the mounted state of the cable duct, (1) remains in a fixed arrangement to the floor. To facilitate the mounting of the cable duct, a clip (27) is provided for wall mounting. The clip (27) on its upper end has a section (30) bent away from the wall that is received in a corresponding leg receiver (31) located on the back of the cable acceptance housing (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Proverum AG
    Inventor: Moritz Muehlebach
  • Patent number: 7453048
    Abstract: An indicator device for vehicles includes a fixed support mounted in the vicinity of a steering column, an actuation lever, a moveable finger mechanically connected to the actuation lever, and safety means. In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the moveable finger is mounted on the fixed support slidingly between a position of engagement of its free end, pivoting of the moveable finger being possible only in the engagement position. Return means are provided to return the finger into its disengaged position. The moveable finger and the fixed support each include an indexing surface, and the two surfaces are superimposed as to co-operate with an elastic push button on the end of the actuation lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Emmanuel Cordier, Claude Simon
  • Patent number: 7453049
    Abstract: A pressure switch includes an external force transmission mechanism for separating a cover from a housing. The cover and the external force transmission mechanism defines a first pressure chamber, and the housing and the external force transmission mechanism defines a second pressure chamber. In the second pressure chamber, a movable piece having first and second movable members arranged opposite to each other and one or more fixed contacts are disposed. The first and second movable members are connected to each other via a flat spring. A contact is disposed on the second movable member and functions as a movable contact. The external force transmission mechanism applies an external force to the first movable member to displace the first movable member, and the second movable member is reversed at the operating point of the first movable member, so that the movable contact is brought into contact with the fixed contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Yamatake Corporation
    Inventors: Koichi Ochiai, Takashi Tsumura, Kazuo Abe, Isamu Warashina
  • Patent number: 7453050
    Abstract: A welding implement includes a torch having a flexible torch head. The torch head is operable to conduct electricity to a welding electrode disposed within the torch head. The welding implement may include a gas supply tube and a coiled wire spring operable to flexibly couple the gas supply tube to the torch head. The welding implement may include a torch that directs a fluid to flow axially through a spring coupled the torch head. The welding implement may also include a torch including a torch head and a tripod support system to flexibly support the torch head. Each of the legs of the tripod support system may include a spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventor: David Delgado
  • Patent number: 7453051
    Abstract: An apparatus for heat treating semiconductor wafers is disclosed. The apparatus includes a heating device which contains an assembly linear lamps for emitting light energy onto a wafer. The linear lamps can be placed in various configurations. In accordance with the present invention, tuning devices which are used to adjust the overall irradiance distribution of the light energy sources are included in the heating device. The tuning devices can be, for instance, are lamps or lasers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Mattson Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul Janis Timans
  • Patent number: 7453052
    Abstract: An electrical distribution apparatus configured to connect a load to a power source is disclosed. The apparatus includes a housing having an air inlet and an air outlet, a distribution conduction path, a thermal sensor in thermal communication with the conduction path, an electrical disconnect, and an airflow generator. The electrical disconnect is connected in series with the conduction path and is configured to isolate the load from the power source on command, the disconnect being in signal communication with the thermal sensor. The airflow generator is in signal communication with the thermal sensor and is arranged to cause air to flow into the air inlet and out of the air outlet. The airflow generator is configured to turn on in response to the thermal sensor sensing a first temperature, and the disconnect is configured to disconnect the load from the power source in response to the thermal sensor sensing a second temperature greater than the first temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Stephen G. Midgley
  • Patent number: 7453053
    Abstract: An optical output controller including a light source emitting light, a light receiving unit receiving some of the emitted light and converting the received light into a current signal, and an automatic power controlling unit receiving the current of the light receiving unit and controlling an optical power output of the light source in accordance with the received current, wherein the automatic power controlling unit includes a resistance circuit section having a variable resistor of which one end is connected to an output end of the light receiving unit, a resistor connected in parallel with the variable resistor, and a load resistor connected in series to the variable resistor and a node providing a predetermined voltage, and a comparison circuit section controlling a driving current of the light source by comparing an output current of the resistance circuit section with a predetermined signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yu-yong Lee
  • Patent number: 7453054
    Abstract: An imaging device with readout chain circuitry that uses multiple analog-to-digital converters and amplifiers, which are similarly calibrated using a stitching technique, to readout each color of a column and mitigate the possibility of a boundary effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Aptina Imaging Corporation
    Inventors: Chiajen M. Lee, Kwang-Bo Cho
  • Patent number: 7453055
    Abstract: An image reading apparatus includes a document placing table having a transparent member, a document pressing member, an image reading unit, a scanning unit that is disposed on a side opposite to a document placing surface of the transparent member and reciprocates in a predetermined direction along the transparent member with the image reading unit mounted thereon, an open/closed state detecting unit that detects open and closed states of the document pressing member, a control unit that controls an image reading operation of the image reading unit and a reciprocation movement of the scanning unit, and a reference member that serves as a luminance reference of the image reading unit. When the open/closed state detecting unit detects the open state of the document pressing member, the control unit set a predetermined light intensity set value to a light intensity value of light irradiated from the light source at the time of image reading.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoichi Susaki
  • Patent number: 7453056
    Abstract: A compound-eye imaging device comprises: an optical lens array with integrated optical lenses; a stop member; a photodetector array for imaging multiple images formed by the optical lenses; and a light shielding block for partitioning a space between the two arrays into a matrix of spaces, with light-passing holes, so as to prevent lights emitted from the optical lenses from interfering each other. The light shielding block is formed of unit plates in a stack, each having light-passing windows. Each light-passing window has blackened surface. The unit plates in the stack are alternately reversed upside down and left-right so as to allow the horizontal positions of the light-passing windows for forming each light-passing hole through the unit plates in the stack to be alternately offset in depth direction of the hole, thereby forming an irregular inner wall surface which serves as a light scattering surface to prevent e.g. ghost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Toyoda, Yoshizumi Nakao, Yasuo Masaki
  • Patent number: 7453057
    Abstract: A vehicle rearview mirror system includes an electro-optic reflective element, an ambient light sensor that is operable to sense ambient light, a glare light sensor that is operable to sense glare light and a circuit that is responsive to the ambient glare light sensors which establishes a reflectance level of the reflective element. The circuit includes a sensor-responsive device and a controller. The sensor-responsive device produces an output that is a function of light sensed by glare and ambient light sensors. The controller connects one of the glare and ambient light sensors at a time with the sensor-responsive device to establish glare and ambient light levels and thereby the reflectance level of the reflective element. The mirror system may include a display operable to project light through the reflective element and may control the intensity of the display as a function of the glare light and ambient light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Donnelly Corporation
    Inventors: John P. Drummond, Kenneth Schofield
  • Patent number: 7453058
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus and related methods related to an optical bump for optically coupling devices. An exemplary apparatus includes a first device, a second device, and at least one optical bump. The first device has a first surface including at least one first optically active area. The second device has a second surface including at least one second optically active area positioned in an opposed and spaced-apart relationship with respect to the at least one first optically active area. The first surface is separated from the second surface by a distance. The at least one optical bump is coupled to the first surface between the at least one first optically active area and the at least one second optically active area. The at least one optical bump has a height that is less than the distance between the first surface and the second surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Michael G. Lee, Kishio Yokouchi
  • Patent number: 7453059
    Abstract: A time-of-flight ion sensor for monitoring ion species in a plasma includes a housing. A drift tube is positioned in the housing. An extractor electrode is positioned in the housing at a first end of the drift tube so as to attract ions from the plasma. A plurality of electrodes is positioned at a first end of the drift tube proximate to the extractor electrode. The plurality of electrodes is biased so as to cause at least a portion of the attracted ions to enter the drift tube and to drift towards a second end of the drift tube. An ion detector is positioned proximate to the second end of the drift tube. The ion detector detects arrival times associated with the at least the portion of the attracted ions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Varian Semiconductor Equipment Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Bon-Woong Koo, Ziwei Fang, Ludovic Godet, Vikram Singh, Vassilis Panayotis Vourloumis, Bernard G. Lindsay
  • Patent number: 7453060
    Abstract: The invention, in various embodiments, is directed to an analyzer using a solid-state flow generator to provide effluent flow along a flow path and deliver a sample to an ion mobility based filter and detector for analysis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Sionex Corporation
    Inventors: Raanan A. Miller, John A. Wright
  • Patent number: 7453061
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a quadrupole mass analyzer which is a core equipment of a majority of mass analyzer, particularly to a quadrupole mass analyzer with a hyperbolic surface made of quartz which is capable of enhancing resolving power and analytical performance of a mass analyzer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science
    Inventors: Chang-Joon Park, Sae-Won Yoon
  • Patent number: 7453062
    Abstract: An energy filtering microscopy instrument is provided. An objective lens is disposed for reception of electrons in order to form an electron diffraction pattern in a backfocal plane of the objective lens. An entrance aperture disposed in the backfocal plane of the objective lens for filtering a slice of the electron diffraction pattern. A magnetic deflector has an entrance plane and an exit plane. The entrance aperture is disposed in the entrance plane. The magnetic deflector is disposed to receive the slice of the electron diffraction pattern and project an energy dispersed electron diffraction pattern to the exit plane. An exit aperture is disposed in the exit plane of the magnetic deflector for selection of desired electron energy of the energy dispersed electron diffraction pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Rudolf M. Tromp
  • Patent number: 7453063
    Abstract: A calibration substrate for use during calibration of a lithographic apparatus is disclosed. The calibration substrate includes a first substantially flat surface, a second substantially flat surface that is substantially parallel to the first surface, and an edge that connects the first surface to the second surface. The calibration substrate has a thermal expansion coefficient of less than about 1.0×10?6 K?1 to reduce deformation thereof due to thermal changes in the substrate while in the lithographic apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: ASML Netherlands B.V.
    Inventors: Joost Jeroen Ottens, Jeroen Johannes Sophia Maria Mertens, Frederick Eduard De Jong, Koen Goorman, Boris Menchtchikov
  • Patent number: 7453064
    Abstract: A dual-band reflective infrared thermal imaging system is described. The dual-band reflective infrared thermal imaging system includes a reflective infrared thermal imager and a refractive visible light video camera. The refractive visible light video camera is configured at the central axis of the reflective infrared thermal imager so that the refractive visible light video camera and the reflective infrared thermal imager can synchronously and coaxially capture the images. The reflective infrared thermal imager further includes a reflective optical module and an infrared imaging sensor. The infrared images are focused on the infrared imaging sensor by way of the reflective optical module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Unimems Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tzong-Sheng Lee
  • Patent number: 7453065
    Abstract: A sensor for detecting a received electromagnetic wave comprising a first electrode, a second electrode and an amorphous oxide layer interposed between the first electrode and the second electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignees: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha, Tokyo Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Keishi Saito, Hideo Hosono, Toshio Kamiya, Kenji Nomura
  • Patent number: 7453066
    Abstract: Gamma radiation events are received individually at elements of a detector array (18) at least one of the elements (P0) being defective. Each detector element converts incident radiation into a radiation event signal which is digitized by an analog-to-digital converter (42) into a coordinate position (x,y) on the detector array and energy (z). An event generator (48) generates radiation event signals for each defective element based on radiation events received at contributing elements, e.g., nearest neighbor elements (P1-P8). In a preferred embodiment, the contribution from each of the contributing elements is randomized by passing a token (56) among positions of a table (54) corresponding to each of the contributing elements. Each time a radiation event is received at the contributing element whose corresponding table position holds the token, that event also generates an event signal for the defective element and the token is passed (58).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Michael J. Petrillo, Kim H. Hansen, Thomas Karpati
  • Patent number: 7453067
    Abstract: A detector is disclosed, including at least one scintillator and at least one photodiode, connected to one another by a connecting medium. The scintillator has a defined depression for holding the connecting medium on its side facing the photodiode in such a way that the visible light produced by the scintillator is focused in the direction of the photodiode. The detector is provided for an imaging X-ray unit, for example a computed tomography unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Frank Berger, Michael Miess
  • Patent number: 7453068
    Abstract: A method of detecting ionizing radiation is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: GE Medical Systems Israel, Ltd.
    Inventor: Ira Blevis
  • Patent number: 7453069
    Abstract: An ion accelerating device includes a series of bushing units and a series of resistor circuit units. Each resistor circuit unit is coupled to one bushing unit. A bushing unit includes three integrated conductors to establish connections to the coupled resistor circuit unit and to an immediately adjacent bushing unit such that a voltage to the bushing unit may be degraded by the resistor circuit unit before reaching the lens and that two bushing units may contact one another directly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Varian Semiconductor Equipment Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: James P. Buonodono, Edward W. Bell, Piotr Lubicki
  • Patent number: 7453070
    Abstract: A beam density measurement system includes a shield, a beam sensor, and an actuator. The beam sensor is positioned downstream from the shield in a direction of travel of a beam. The beam sensor is configured to sense an intensity of the beam, and the beam sensor has a long dimension and a short dimension. The actuator translates the shield relative to the beam sensor, wherein the shield blocks at least a portion of the beam from the beam sensor as the shield is translated relative to the beam sensor, and wherein measured values of the intensity associated with changes in a position of the shield relative to the beam sensor are representative of a beam density distribution of the beam in a first direction defined by the long dimension of the beam sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Varian Semiconductor Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Atul Gupta, Joseph C. Olson, Gregg A. Norris
  • Patent number: 7453071
    Abstract: A rotatable contamination barrier is disclosed that has a plurality of closely packed blades configured to trap contaminant material coming from a radiation source. The blades are radially oriented relative to a central rotation axis of the contamination barrier. The blades comprise a metal compound having crystals oriented generally radially relative to the central rotation axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: ASML Netherlands B.V.
    Inventor: Arnoud Cornelis Wassink
  • Patent number: 7453072
    Abstract: Certain film deposition and selective etching technology may involve scanning of a charged particle beam along with a deposition gas and etching gas, respectively. In conventional methods, unfortunately, the deposition rate or the selective ratio is oftentimes decreased depending on optical system setting, scan spacing, dwell time, loop time, substrate, etc. Accordingly, an apparatus is provided for finding an optical system setting, a dwell time, and a scan spacing. These parameters are found to realize the optimal scanning method of the charged particle beam from the loop time dependence of the deposition rate or etching rate. This deposition rate or etching rate are measurements stored in advance for a desired irradiation region where film deposition or selective etching should be performed. The apparatus displays a result of its judgment on a display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Hitachi High-Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Muneyuki Fukuda, Hiroyasu Shichi